The role of Whitnall's ligament position in the success of levator resection surgery in congenital ptosis.

PURPOSE: This study aimed to investigate the role of Whitnall's ligament position in the success of levator resection surgery in congenital ptosis. METHODS: It was an interventional case series on patients with congenital ptosis who underwent levator muscle resection in Farabi Eye Hospital (2020-2022). Patients with incomplete follow-up, a history of trauma, poor Bell's phenomenon, previous ocular and lid surgeries, poor levator function (≤ 4mm), and syndromic ptosis or systemic diseases were excluded. During the surgery, several factors, including the distance between Whitnall's ligament and the upper edge of the tarsus (W-distance), the vertical length of the tarsus (T-length), and the amount of levator muscle resection (LMR), were measured. A successful outcome was defined as the inter-eye difference of margin reflex distance-1 (MRD1) ≤ 1 and post-op MRD1 ≥ 3 OR the inter-eye difference of MRD1 ≤ 0.5 with any value of post-op MRD1 in unilateral cases and Postop-MRD1 > 3 in bilateral cases during the 3-months period. RESULTS: Thirty four eyes of 34 patients were included, and 79.4% of patients achieved successful outcomes. In univariate analysis, Preop-MRD1 and Preop-LF had meaningful negative correlations with the amount of LMR to reach the successful outcome (p < 0.05), which was only meaningful for Preop-LF in multivariable analysis (p < 0.05). Noticeably, W-distance had a significant positive correlation in univariate and multivariable linear regression (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: W-distance can be considered a significant new parameter other than Preop-LF influencing the amount of levator resection needed to achieve success in levator resection surgery.

Assessment of retinal and choroidal vessel density and nerve fibre layer thickness changes after orbitotomy in patients with severe non-active thyroid orbitopathy: a prospective study.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the optical coherence tomography angiogram changes in non-active severe thyroid-related ophthalmopathy patients after cosmetic bone decompression. METHODS: Eighteen patients (25 eyes) with severe not active not compressive (NANC) TED who were candidates for decompression surgery for cosmetic reasons were included in this study, and a 3 × 3 mm macular scan was used to measure vessel density and RNFL thickness. Whole macular vessel density in its superficial, deep and choriocapillaris layers was evaluated. The following data were extracted for each of layers: superior and inferior hemispheres, fovea, parafoveal vessel density, its superior and inferior hemispheres, and temporal, superior, nasal and inferior quadrant. RESULTS: The mean RPC increased postoperatively, which was statistically significant in small vessels of peripapillary area (p-value = 0.045). The mean RNFL thickness decreased after surgery and it was statistically significant in the peripapillary (p-value = 0.032) and Inferior-Hemifield area (p-value = 0.036). The choriocapillaris changes were significant in Superior-Hemifield (p-value = 0.031) and Fovea (p-value = 0.03). CONCLUSION: Thyroid-associated orbitopathy patients have a tendency to decrease vascular density and correlated with disease activity more than stage of orbitopathy. There was not a strong and even discrepant result in linkage of RNFL thickness and other optic nerve function tests and TED patient status and it is needed to do studies with more epidemiologic power and same methodology of study to be more comparable.

Modified transposition using silicone band for multiple rectus muscle palsies.

Purpose: To report the results of partial vertical rectus muscle transposition using a silicone band. Observations: We retrospectively gathered data on two patients with multiple vertical and horizontal extraocular muscle paresis and diplopia who had been treated with vertical rectus muscle transposition with the aid of a silicone band. Both patients had acceptable results on follow-up. Conclusion: Using the silicone band, we tried to effectively transpose the target muscles to obtain acceptable results.

Severe unilateral congenital ptosis with poor levator function: tarsoconjunctival mullerectomy plus levator resection vs frontalis sling procedure.

AIM: To compare frontalis sling and tarsoconjunctival mullerectomy plus levator resection (TCMLR) in subjects with severe unilateral congenital ptosis with poor levator function (LF). METHODS: A prospective non-randomized non-blinded single center clinical trial. Fifty patients with severe unilateral congenital ptosis with poor LF were recruited. The frontalis sling and TCMLR were performed and the functional, cosmetic outcomes, complications, and success rate were evaluated at 1, 3, and 6mo postoperatively. The t-test, Chi-square, Fishers exact, and nonparametric Mann-Whitney tests were used by SPSS software. RESULTS: Frontalis sling and TCMLR procedures were performed on 26 and 24 patients respectively. The mean age was 10.97±10.67y. LF was significantly better in the TCMLR group at months 1, 3, and 6 (P=0.002). Lagophthalmos was more common in the TCMLR group (no significant difference). At month 3, mild punctate epithelial erosions were observed more in the frontalis sling group (P=0.002). Significant complete success rate of 1st and 6th month for the frontalis sling vs TCMLR groups were 50% vs 20.8% (P=0.02), and 38.4% vs 50% (P=0.03) respectively. CONCLUSION: Complete success rate of TCMLR is higher in long-term follow-up in contrast with the frontalis sling in the short-term. Transient complications are more detected in mid-term follow-ups in both groups.

Anaglyphic Three-Dimensional Movie: A Simple Binocular Method to Treat Anisometropic or Strabismic Amblyopia in Adults.

Purpose: To evaluate the efficacy of anaglyphic three-dimensional movies to treat adults with anisometropic or strabismic amblyopia. Methods: This is an interventional case series. The seven cases were put on a trial frame containing subjective refraction, fogging plus lenses for the dominant eye, correcting prism, and anaglyphic red-cyan plastic spectacles. Patients participated in 20 sessions of 1.5 h of anaglyphic three-dimensional animated movie watching in the office. Significant visual acuity (VA) improvement was defined as improvement ≥0.2 in logMAR values. Change in octaves of stereopsis was defined as halving the arcsec or 0.3 change in log arcsec. Results: The average age was 26.9 ± 10.0 (16-42) years. The mean VA in amblyopic eye improved significantly from 0.42 ± 0.19 (0.15-0.7) logMAR to 0.25 ± 0.15 (0.1-0.5) logMAR after completion of sessions (P = 0.02), and four cases showed significant VA improvement. The mean stereoacuity improved significantly from 2.6 ± 0.3 (2.1-2.9) log arcsec to 2.1 ± 0.5 (1.7-2.9) log arcsec (P = 0.04). Four cases showed ≥2 octaves improvements in stereopsis. Conclusion: A simple and readily available method of amblyopia treatment can be effective in some adult cases.

Early and complete vitrectomy versus tap and inject in acute post cataract surgery endophthalmitis presenting with hand motion vision; a quasi-experimental study.

BACKGROUND: Based on endophthalmitis vitrectomy study, intravitreal injection of antibiotics is preferred for initial management of cases of acute post cataract surgery endophthalmitis (APCE) with presenting vision of hand motions (HM). This study aimed to compare outcomes of early and complete vitrectomy (VIT) and vitreous tap and antibiotic injection (T&I) in cases of APCE presented with vision of HM. METHODS: In this prospective study, cases of APCE with vision of HM between 2018 and 2020 were enrolled. According to the time of presentation, the patients were arranged into two groups (VIT vs. T&I). Demographic data, elapsed time to developing endophthalmitis, past medical history, microbiology results, complications, and final visual acuity were recorded and analyzed. RESULTS: Seventy-six eyes of 76 patients were enrolled. Fifty-three eyes underwent T&I and twenty-three were arranged into the VIT group. Past medical history of 34.2% of patients was significant for diabetes mellitus. There was a statistically significant lower logMAR in VIT group compared to T&I group (diff = 0.14, 95% CI: 0.04 to 0.24, P-value = 0.007). The comparison of the diabetic and non-diabetic patients in both groups showed that the visual outcome was better in non-diabetic cases compared to the diabetic subjects. There was no statistically significant difference between the diabetic and non-diabetic groups regarding the superiority of procedure. CONCLUSION: Based on our results, we could recommend that it's maybe better to do early and complete vitrectomy as the initial management of APCE with the vision of HM. Past medical history of diabetes mellitus is not a determining factor for choosing initial management between vitrectomy and antibiotic injection.

Post periorbital carboxytherapy orbital emphysema: a case report.

Periorbital carboxytherapy is used as one of the non-surgical facial rejuvenation methods in recent years. In this modality, the sterile carbon dioxide is injected into the subcutaneous space, assuming that to improve blood supply and repair of the injection site. Here, we report a 24- year-old woman who presented with acute bilateral orbital emphysema starting one day after cosmetic periorbital carboxytherapy. On physical examination, bilateral non-tender, non-erythematous swelling of both upper and lower lids was noted with crepitus on palpation. Uncorrected visual acuity (UCVA) of the patient in both eyes was 10/10 and RAPD was negative. The orbital computed tomography (CT) scan of the patient confirmed bilateral preseptal emphysema extending into orbital space through the orbital septum. Oral prednisolone 50 mg per day was prescribed, and the patient was observed closely. Gradually, periorbital pain and swelling subsided, and the symptoms resolved within one week.

Orbital myiasis on recurrent undifferentiated carcinoma in the COVID-19 era: a case report and brief review of the literature.

BACKGROUND: Myiasis is defined as the infestation of living tissues by Diptera larvae. Ophthalmic involvement occurs in less than 5% of cases. As the most uncommon type of involvement, orbital myiasis usually affects patients with poor personal hygiene, a low socioeconomic status, a history of surgery, and cancer. FINDINGS: In January 2020, an 89-year-old man presented to the Oculoplastic Department of Farabi Eye Hospital (Iran) with a history of left-side progressive orbital mass for six months. A large infiltrative mass of the left orbit with extension to the globe, periorbita, and adnexa was remarkable at the presentation, and its appearance suggested malignancy. Our findings persuaded us to perform exenteration and histopathological evaluation which were reported as "undifferentiated carcinoma". Regular follow-up visits were recommended. In June 2020, with a 3-month delay, the patient presented with the recurrence of the mass complicated with mobile alive larva. Examinations revealed numerous maggots crawling out of an ulcerative and foul-smelling lesion. He stated that fear of COVID-19 infection postponed his follow-up visit. The patient underwent immediate mechanical removal of larvae, followed by wide local excision of the mass. CONCLUSION: Patients with carcinoma of the adnexal tissues seem to be more prone to myiasis infestation even though it is an uncommon disease. Since COVID-19 is an ongoing pandemic with no end in sight appropriate protocols should be implemented to prevent loss of follow-up in these high risk patients.

Pulled versus Pushed Monocanalicular Silicone Intubation in Adults with Lacrimal Drainage System Stenosis: A Comparative Case Series.

PURPOSE: To compare the success rate and complications of pulled versus pushed monocanalicular intubation in adults with incomplete lacrimal drainage system obstruction (lacrimal drainage system stenosis). METHODS: Patients with lacrimal drainage system stenosis (Munk grade ≥3), including both nasolacrimal duct (NLD) stenosis and common canalicular stenosis, were recruited in this prospective comparative case series. Patients underwent probing and either Monoka (51 eyes) or Masterka (48 eyes) intubation under general or local anesthesia. Tubes were removed 4-14 weeks after the procedure. Six months after tube removal, Munk grades 0 and 1 were defined as a complete success, Munk grade 2 was defined as a partial success, and Munk grade ≥3 was defined as failure. All complications were recorded. RESULTS: Ninety-nine eyes from 89 patients with lacrimal drainage system stenosis who underwent either Monoka (51 eyes) or Masterka (48 eyes) intubation were included. The mean (SD) age of the patients was 55.4 (12) years in the Monoka group and 53.5 (12.9) in the Masterka group. Groups were matched on demographics. Masterka intubation could not be performed in one eye. Complete and partial successes were observed in 52.9% (27/51) and 17.6% (9/51) of eyes in the Monoka group and 42.6% (20/47) and 12.8% (6/47) of eyes in the Masterka group, respectively (p=0.29). There was a trend toward a higher total success rate in patients with NLD stenosis treated with Monoka 66.7% (26/39) than Masterka 45.5% (15/33) intubation (p=0.07). This trend also existed in patients with common canalicular stenosis (83.3% (10/12) vs. 76.6% (11/14), p=0.75). Age, sex, bilateral involvement, and duration of intubation did not have a significant impact on the success rate. Early tube loss, slit puncta, and temporary superficial punctate keratopathy were observed complications. CONCLUSION: Intubation with the pulled monocanalicular silicone tube was associated with a slightly but not significantly higher success rate in adults with lacrimal drainage system stenosis. Patients with NLD stenosis may achieve better results with pulled silicone tubes.

Improved Function of Orbicularis Oculi by Dynamic Transfer of Contralateral Orbicularis Oculi Muscle in Patients with Facial Palsy.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to introduce the results of a new surgical technique in patients with complete facial nerve palsy using the dynamic muscle transfer of orbicularis oculi muscle (OOM) flap from the contralateral side. METHODS: This case series presents a new surgical technique in three patients with complete facial palsy and lagophthalmos who were unresponsive to other modalities. In this technique, a rectangular flap of OOM was dissected from the upper lid of fellow eye and transferred to the affected eye through a subcutaneous tunnel over the nasal bridge. The flap was divided into two halves for upper and lower lids. Each half was incised longitudinally to increase the length of the flap and cover the lateral part of the affected eyelids. RESULTS: Improvement in exposure keratitis, lagophthalmos, and other related symptoms was observed as soon as the 1st week after the surgery. Partial blinking recovered and the operation was uneventful. CONCLUSION: Muscle flap transfer technique using contralateral OOM for complete facial palsy can be considered as a helpful alternative in patients who are still symptomatic despite conventional treatment modalities.

Solitary neurofibroma of the orbit with intracerebral extension associated with ocular surface melanocytoma: a case report.

Solitary or isolated neurofibroma is uncommonly observed in the orbit. Neurofibromas typically involve peripheral nerves and occasionally the cranial nerves. A 29-year-old man presented with recent onset left eye proptosis and exotropia. Physical examination was positive for hyperpigmented lesions of the ipsilateral ocular surface and hard palate. Imaging revealed an infiltrative orbital mass with extension through superior orbital fissure into the brain. There was also bone defect of greater sphenoid wing. Medial orbitotomy was performed to obtain biopsies of the orbital mass and the pigmented ocular surface lesions. Histopathologic diagnosis of neurofibroma was confirmed for the former and melanocytoma for the latter. His symptoms and examinations remained stable during the follow up. This case is unique due to several features, including extensive intracerebral spread of orbital neurofibroma in a patient without definite diagnosis of neurofibromatosis type 1 and association with ipsilateral ocular surface melanocytoma and palatal pigmented lesions. ABBREVIATIONS: CT: computed tomography; GFAP: glial fibrillary acid protein; MRI: magnetic resonance imaging; NF-1: neurofibromatosis type 1.

Orbital Exenteration: A 23-year Report.

PURPOSE: Orbital exenteration is a psychologically and anatomically disfiguring procedure which indicated in some patients with malignant or progressive diseases of orbital and periorbital area. In this study, we reviewed 176 patients that underwent orbital exenteration. METHODS: This was a retrospective study of medical records from all patients who underwent orbital exenteration from March 1991 to March 2014 in oculoplastic department at an eye care center. Demographic data, diagnosis, site of primary involvement and technique of surgery were determined in patients. RESULTS: One hundred seventy-six cases of orbital exenteration were included that had documented histopathology. The age of patients ranged from 1 to 91 years (mean age ± standard deviation, 55.43 ± 27 years). Ninety-seven (55.11%) males and 79 (44.88%) females were included. Fifteen different tumors were identified. The most common indication was patients with basal cell carcinoma 49 (28%) followed by 41 (23.5%) squamous cell carcinomas, 35 (20%) retinoblastoma, and 13 (7%) adenoid cystic carcinomas. In total, adnexal malignancies were the most common tumors, secondarily involving the orbit. Eyelids 89 (50.5%) and the globe 43 (24%) were the most frequent site of involvement. Three types of exenteration were performed, based on available data of 129 operation sheets, 46 (35.7%) subtotal, 62 (48.1%) total, and 21 (16.3%) cases of extensive exenterations. In total 97 cases were evaluated pathologically for perineural involvement, of which perineural invasion was noted in 9 (7%) reports. CONCLUSIONS: Frequency of exenteration in our center has increased in past 3 years and the majority of cases were eyelid basal cell carcinoma. Patient education considering periocular lesions can help in earlier diagnosis of malignant lesions and therefore reducing the number of exenteration.

A Rare Case of Congenital Orbital Cystic Neuroblastoma in an Infant.

Neuroblastoma, a relatively common tumor in infants, is rarely present at birth. A solid mass is the typical appearance of this neoplasm, while cystic formation is uncommon. Congenital cystic neuroblastoma is extremely rare and no previous report exists of its occurrence in the orbit. A newborn girl was referred with an extremely large mass on the right side of her face on the third day of her life. Prenatal ultrasonography had revealed a large mass (80 × 80 mm) in the frontal area. MRI revealed a heterogeneous mass composed of cystic and solid, contrast-enhancing components. Excisional biopsy was successfully performed and histopathologic diagnosis of neuroblastoma was confirmed. Systemic workup was negative for involvement of other organs and levels of catecholamine metabolites of serum and urine (homovanillic acid and vanillylmandelic acid) were normal. Postoperative course was uneventful with complete healing of the anophthalmic socket and normal physical and mental growth and development of the infant. To our knowledge, this is the first report of congenital cystic neuroblastoma primarily arising in the orbit.

Clinical and Ultrasonographic Evaluation of Infantile Periocular Hemangioma Treated With Oral Propranolol.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the clinical and ultrasonographic response of periocular infantile capillary hemangioma during treatment with oral propranolol. METHODS: Patients with infantile periocular hemangioma and visual or cosmetic concerns were enrolled in this prospective interventional case series. Propranolol was given at a dose of 2 mg/kg per day for at least 6 months. Evaluation of treatment response was performed at month 3 (time point 1) and month 6 (time point 2). Gray scale ultrasonography and color Doppler imaging were performed at baseline and month 3. RESULTS: Thirty-one patients with mean age of 4.1 ± 2.3 months were eligible for analysis. Complete or near complete clinical resolution was observed in 4 patients (12.9%) at time point 1 and 21 patients (67.7%) at time point 2. Longitudinal diameter, transverse diameter, thickness, arterial peak systolic velocity, and end diastolic velocity reduced significantly from baseline to 3-month follow up. Complete clinical response at time point 2 was significantly higher in patients with peak systolic velocity reduction >50% from baseline to month 3 than patients with peak systolic velocity reduction of 10% to 50% and <10%. CONCLUSIONS: Propranolol is safe and effective for infantile periocular hemangioma. Ultrasonography and color Doppler imaging are useful modalities to monitor and predict the treatment response.

Color Doppler imaging in thyroid eye disease and its correlation to disease activity.

Purpose: To evaluate alterations in orbital color Doppler imaging (CDI) parameters and their correlation to disease activity and severity in patients with thyroid eye disease (TED). Methods: Seventy-six orbits of 45 TED patients and 40 orbits of 40 normal controls were enrolled in this cross-sectional study. According to clinical activity score (CAS), patients were categorized to active (CAS ≥ 3) or inactive disease (CAS < 3). Patients were also classified as having mild, moderate or severe disease. Peak systolic velocity (PSV), end diastolic velocity (EDV), and resistance index (RI) in ophthalmic artery and central retinal artery, and maximum and minimum velocity in superior ophthalmic vein and central retinal vein were determined in all subjects. Results: There was a significant difference in maximum velocity of superior ophthalmic vein and EDV and RI of ophthalmic artery between patients with TED and normal subjects. Superior ophthalmic vein maximum and minimum velocity and ophthalmic artery RI were significantly higher in patients with active disease than inactive cases. Disease severity did not affect the blood flow parameters independently. A cutoff point of 3.99 cm/s in superior ophthalmic vein maximum velocity yielded a sensitivity of 91.2% and specificity of 81.2% in detecting active disease. Conclusion: Retrobulbar blood flow is altered in TED and is related to disease activity. Superior ophthalmic vein maximum velocity could be helpful in differentiation of active and inactive cases.

The predictive factors of diplopia and extraocular movement limitations in isolated pure blow-out fracture.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the predictive factors for development of diplopia and extraocular muscle movement (EOM) limitations in the patients with isolated pure blow-out fracture. METHODS: One hundred thirty-two patients with isolated pure blow-out fracture were included. The diagnosis was done with computed tomography scan. Possible predictive factors were analyzed with logistic regression. The cases that underwent surgery were assigned in the surgical group, and other cases were assigned in the non-surgical group. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis was used in the surgical group to evaluate the power of time interval from trauma to the surgery to predict persistence of 6 months postoperative diplopia and EOM limitation. RESULTS: At the first visit, 45 of 60 cases (75%) in the surgical group and 15 of 72 cases (20.8%) in the nonsurgical group had diplopia. After 6 months follow-up, 7 cases (11.7%) in the surgical group and 1 case (1.4%) in the nonsurgical group had persistent diplopia. Type of fracture was significantly associated with first visit diplopia (P = 0.01) and EOM limitations (P = 0.06). In the surgical group, type of fracture (P = 0.02 for both) and time interval from trauma to the surgery (P = 0.006 and 0.004, respectively) were significantly associated with 1 month diplopia and EOM limitations. Only time interval from trauma to the surgery (P = 0.04) was significantly associated with 3 months EOM limitation. In the ROC curve analysis, if the surgery was done before 4.5 (sensitivity = 87.5% and specificity = 61.3%) and 7.5 (sensitivity = 87.5% and specificity = 66.9%) days, risk of 6 months postoperative diplopia and EOM limitation was reduced, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: In the early postoperative period, a higher rate of diplopia was observed in the patients with combined inferior and medial wall fractures and longer time intervals from trauma to the surgery. The best time for blow-out fracture surgery was within 4.5 days after the trauma.

Effect of mitomycin C on success rate in dacryocystorhinostomy with silicone tube intubation and improper flaps.

PURPOSE: To assess the effect of mitomycin C on surgical success rate of dacryocystorhinostomy and silicone intubation in patients with improper flaps. METHODS: The study was a randomized clinical trial. The patients with indication for dacryocystorhinostomy surgery with silicone intubation (inappropriate lacrimal sac or nasal mucosal flaps during surgery and/or history of dacryocystitis in the past 3 months) were randomly assigned to application of mitomycin C (0.02%) on surgical flaps (group A) or a control group without mitomycin C application (group B). Main outcome measures were subjective symptomatic improvement and result of irrigation test at last follow-up visit. RESULTS: The study enrolled 88 patients (88 eyes); there were 42 patients in group A and 46 patients in group B. There was an average follow-up of 10 months (range 6-15 months) following surgery. Significant improvement (no tearing with patent lacrimal system in irrigation) was observed in 31 patients (73.8%) in group A and 32 patients (69.6%) in group B. There was no statistically significant difference in no improvement (no change in tearing state and obstruction in irrigation test), relative improvement (decreased tearing and passage of fluid with force in irrigation test), and significant improvement rate between the 2 groups of study (p>0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Application of mitomycin C on surgical flaps during dacryocystorhinostomy surgery with silicone intubation in patients with improper flaps has no proven beneficial effect on success rate of surgery.

Assessing amblyogenic factors in 100 patients with congenital ptosis / 国际眼科杂志(Guoji Yanke Zazhi)

AIM: To study the frequency of amblyogenic factors in patients with congenital ptosis.congenital ptosis more than 1 year old were included. Amblyopia was defined as best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) less than 10/10 or a difference between the two eyes of at least 2/10. In patients too young to be measured by the linear Snellen E test, fixation behavior was observed. Different types of amblyopia were assessed for each patient as: 1) anisometropic amblyopia: astigmatic anisometropia≥ 1dpt, hyperopic spherical anisometropia≥ 1dpt, myopic spherical anisometropia≥ -3dpt (with cycloplegia);2) strabismic amblyopia, and 3) stimulus deprivation amblyopia (SDA). Then the total incidence of amblyopia and each type of it were obtained. Patients with uni-and bi-lateral ptosis were also compared. Each specific cause was refractive amblyopia in 29.8%, SDA in 10.5%, strabismic amblyopia in 4.3%. Amblyopia was more frequent in severe ptosis, 76% in patients with covered optical axes (OA), compared to non-covered OA (22.5%). In unilateral ptosis with covered OA, astigmatic anisometropic amblyopia was more frequent, and in bilateral ptosis with at least one eye covered OA, spherical anisometropic amblyopia was more frequent. In both unilateral and bilateral ptosis, SDA was more common if the OA was covered. Paying attention to all causes of amblyopia may be important in preventing amblyopia in a child with a ptotic eye.

Evaluation of efficacy and safety of botulinum toxin type A injection in patients requiring temporary tarsorrhaphy to improve corneal epithelial defects.

AIM: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of botulinum toxin type A (Dysport, (Ipsen Biopharm Ltd, Wrexham, UK)) injection in patients requiring temporary tarsorrhaphy to improve corneal epithelial defects. METHODS: Thirty patients were enrolled into the prospective study between March 2007 and September 2009. Doses of 15 and 30U of Dysport were injected into the levator palpebrae superioris muscle through the eyelid. The patients were followed daily until completion of ptosis and then 1-2 weekly until complete resolution of levator function and improvement of corneal condition. RESULTS: Ptosis took 2.64±1.85 days to be completed (range 1-9 days) and lasted for 12±2.19 weeks. For patients with seventh nerve palsy, 30U Dysport was appropriate to produce sufficient ptosis whereas in other patients 15U of toxin was sufficient. In 83.3% of patients ptosis was sufficient for complete recovery of corneal epithelium and 16.7% required a second procedure (Amniotic membrane transplantation, conjunctival flap). There was a direct correlation between age and duration of ptosis. In patients with seventh nerve palsy, the amount of resultant ptosis was significantly lower than that of other patients. The only adverse effects of injection were superior rectus underaction (33.3%) and diplopia (16.7%) which resolved in all patients without any intervention. CONCLUSION: Dysport injection is a safe and effective substitute for surgical tasorrhaphy with fewer complications.