Risk factors for persistent epiphora following successful canalicular laceration repair.

AIM: To identify the risk factors of epiphora in patients with anatomical patency after surgical repair of canalicular laceration. METHODS: This retrospective case series included 178 cases of canalicular laceration repair from 2005 to 2012. Demographic data collected from each patient included age, sex, type of injury, distance from the distal lacerated end of the canaliculus to the punctum, the severity score for the structural abnormity of the medial canthus, the duration of stent placement, and the timing of surgery. The risk factors for epiphora were evaluated using Logistic regression models. RESULTS: Among the 178 cases, 45 (25.3%) with lacrimal patency after irrigation had symptomatic epiphora at the final follow-up. Patients' sex, age, type of injury, duration of stent placement, timing of surgery, and concurrent trauma were not found to be significantly associated with symptomatic epiphora after surgical repair of the lacerated canaliculus (P>0.05). A distance of more than 5 mm from the distal cut end to the punctum was closely and significantly associated with symptomatic epiphora after surgical repair of the lacerated canaliculus (P<0.01). Symptomatic epiphora was significantly more frequent in patients with higher severity scores for structural abnormities of the medial canthus (P<0.01). CONCLUSION: Our results indicate that the risk factors for postoperative symptomatic epiphora include a further distance between the distal cut end and the lacrimal punctum and a higher severity score for structural abnormities of the medial canthus. These findings could be used to prognosticate postoperative symptomatic epiphora.

A computerized resolution visual acuity test in preschool and school age children.

AIM: To develop a novel approach called the Autoacuity Tester, and to evaluate its validity, especially the sensitivity and specificity for detecting amblyopia. METHODS: Children aged from 3 to 12y (n=552) were enrolled in the study. The validity of the Autoacuity Tester was evaluated by comparing it to the Tumbling E Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study (ETDRS) acuity chart for school age children, and Lea Symbols and Teller acuity card (TAC) for preschool children. The repeatability was assessed by coefficient of repeatability (COR). The sensitivity and specificity for detecting amblyopia were calculated. RESULTS: The mean difference (95% limits of agreement) between the Autoacuity Tester and the ETDRS tests were -0.03 (-0.24, 0.19) logMAR for the school age group. In preschool children, the mean difference was 0.04 (-0.14, 0.21) logMAR between the Autoacuity Tester and the TAC and 0.00 (-0.17, 0.18) logMAR between the Autoacuity Tester and the Lea Symbols. For the school age group, the COR was 0.20 logMAR for the Autoacuity Tester and 0.18 logMAR for the ETDRS. For the preschool group, the COR was 0.13 logMAR for the Autoacuity Tester and 0.21 logMAR for TAC. The Autoacuity Tester (88%) is more sensitive than TAC (72%) in detecting amblyopia (P=0.04), while had similar specificity (92% vs 90%, P=0.20). CONCLUSION: The Autoacuity Tester provides a reliable alternative for assessing visual acuity, and offers advantage of higher testability and repeatability for preschool children.