Intraocular Pressure and Glaucoma in Thyroid Eye Disease.

PURPOSE: Current literature lacks a summary of knowledge on intraocular pressure (IOP) elevation and glaucoma in thyroid eye disease (TED). This review aims to augment existing literature by providing such a summary. It qualitatively evaluates current knowledge on the pathogenesis, prevalence, and management of concomitant ocular hypertension or glaucoma in TED patients. METHODS: In this narrative review, relevant publications were identified through a computerized database search. Search results were screened for relevance. Correspondence, Editorials, and Letters to the Editors were excluded. References cited within the identified articles were used to further augment the search. Information extracted for qualitative analysis included epidemiologic data, methods of IOP assessment, management protocols, and response to treatment. RESULTS: Studies in current literature are relatively heterogenous, differing in country of origin, TED cohort sizes, and IOP measurement techniques. Further studies are required to elucidate the true epidemiologic relationship between TED and ocular hypertension or glaucoma. Proposed models of IOP elevation include elevation of episcleral venous pressure, mucopolysaccharide deposition within the trabecular meshwork, restrictive myopathy, steroid-induced glaucoma, and secondary glaucoma. IOP-reducing effects of TED treatment options are discussed. CONCLUSIONS: While raised IOP in TED is a common phenomenon, the diagnosis of glaucoma in TED requires a high index of suspicion before any intervention.

Incidence and trends of ophthalmic cancer in Singapore: Data from Singapore Cancer Registry.

INTRODUCTION: Limited data are available on the incidence of primary ophthalmic cancers worldwide. We describe the incidence and trends of primary ophthalmic cancers in Singapore. METHODS: Data on ophthalmic cancers diagnosed in Singapore from 1996 to 2016 were retrieved from the Singapore Cancer Registry for analysis. All were histologically proven primary ophthalmic cancers. Calculations of incidence and age-specific frequency of ophthalmic malignancy were made. RESULTS: A total of 297 cases were included, with males constituting 59.9%. The race distribution was 78.5% Chinese, 16.5% Malay, 3.7% Indians and 1.3% others. There was an overall increase in ophthalmic malignancies. The mean age of onset was 47.4 years. The most common cancers were retinoblastoma (93.3%) in patients younger than 15 years, and lymphoma (71.3%) in patients aged 15 years and older. There has been an increase in lymphomas from 16.7% in 1968-1995 to 71.3% in 1996-2016 in those aged 15 years and older. The most common types of ophthalmic cancer according to location are lymphoma of the orbit, conjunctiva, cornea and lacrimal gland; retinoblastoma of the retina; and malignant melanoma of the choroid and ciliary body. CONCLUSION: Our study reported the incidence and trends of ophthalmic cancer in the Singapore population and showed an overall increase in ophthalmic malignancies in Singapore from 1996-2016. A substantial increase in lymphomas over the last 2 decades was noted. The data could aid clinicians, epidemiologists and policymakers in implementing strategies to address trends in ophthalmic cancers and spur aetiological research to improve quality of life in patients with such cancers.

Clinical characteristics and treatment outcomes of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma involving the eye and ocular adnexa in East Asia.

PURPOSE: To investigate the clinical features and outcomes of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) involving the eye and ocular adnexa in an East Asian population and emphasize the importance of prompt biopsy and treatment in unusually progressive ocular adnexal DLBCL for better visual outcomes. METHODS: Retrospective case series of 38 patients diagnosed with DLBCL involving the eye and ocular adnexa between 1995 and 2018 at a single tertiary institution. RESULTS: There were 38 patients (22 men, 16 women), 22 (57.9%) of which had ocular adnexal lymphoma (OAL) and 16 (42.1%), vitreoretinal lymphoma (VRL). The OAL group showed higher rates of unilateral involvement (p = 0.01) and localized disease presentation (p = 0.01). Thirteen (59.1%) of 22 OAL patients were primary diseases and 9 (40.9%) were secondary. Between primary and secondary OAL groups, there was no statistical difference in clinical characteristics such as age, gender and laterality (p = 0.47, p = 0.19 and p = 0.66, respectively). All secondary OAL cases were either disseminated or relapsed by definition and only two cases (15%) of primary OAL showed disseminated presentation (p < 0.01). Six (37.3%) of 22 OAL patients showed a rapid decrease in visual acuity within 15 days and the visual recovery was irreversible in 3 of them. CONCLUSION: OA-DLBCL has a grave prognosis and its visual outcomes largely depend on the timing of diagnosis and treatment. When a high-grade lymphoma is suspected, prompt biopsy and treatment should be performed to ensure optimal visual, clinical and survival outcomes.

A Novel Method of CT Exophthalmometry in Patients With Thyroid Eye Disease.

PURPOSE: Conventional computed tomography (CT) exophthalmometry requires an intact lateral orbital wall and is therefore not feasible in patients who have undergone any form of lateral orbital wall surgery where the normal bony landmark may be lost or displaced. The purpose of our study is to validate an alternative method of CT exophthalmometry utilizing the posterior clinoid (PC) process as a new reference point that will allow for reproducible comparison of the anterior-posterior globe position in the preoperative and postoperative settings. DESIGN: Cohort study. METHODS: This is a retrospective study of 48 patients with clinically diagnosed thyroid eye disease who had undergone cross-sectional CT imaging in the pre- or postoperative settings. CT exophthalmometry was performed using both the conventional interzygomatic method and our proposed PC process method on all pre- and postoperative CT imaging by two independent observers. Interobserver variability analysis was performed with intraclass correlation coefficient. Correlation and agreement between the two methods were analyzed with Pearson correlation coefficient and linear regression method. All analyses were conducted at 5% level of significance with Stata MP V14. RESULTS: Interobserver variability analysis showed an intraclass correlation coefficient of >0.9 for both interzygomatic and PC methods. There is good correlation between the two different measurements observed in both the pre- and postoperative groups (r = 0.68 and r = 0.72, respectively, P < 0.001). Linear regression showed good agreement between the two different measurements with most of the points lying within the 95% limits. CONCLUSIONS: Our new method agrees well with the conventional method and has the added benefit of being able to reliably assess the anterior-posterior globe position in patients who do not have intact lateral orbital walls after decompressive surgery.

Course of upper eyelid retraction in thyroid eye disease.

AIMS: To evaluate the natural course of upper eyelid retraction (UER) in patients with thyroid eye disease (TED) and factors affecting its course. METHODS: Retrospective non-interventional cohort study in a single tertiary institution from March 2006 to March 2015 on patients with TED with (1) unilateral or bilateral UER within 6 months from initial presentation, and (2) no prior interventions nor surgical treatment for their UER. Main outcomes and measures were mean margin reflex distance 1 (MRD1) and factors associated with UER improvement. RESULTS: There were a total of 61 patients and 81 eyes (41 unilateral and 20 bilateral UER). Mean age was 42.3±15.1 years. Mean MRD1 decreased from 6.1 mm at presentation to 4.8 mm at 12 months, and 4.4 mm at 24 months. The proportion of eyes with normalisation of lid height increased from 0% at presentation to 22.2% at 6 months, 37.0% at 12 months and 49.4% at 24 months. Mean time to normalisation of MRD1 was 18.0±12.4 months. A positive family history of TED was found to be associated with a 6.2 times lower likelihood of normalisation. Change in exophthalmometry, clinical activity score and thyroid-stimulating immunoglobulin were significantly correlated to change in MRD1 (p<0.05). There was no correlation between change in MRD1 and thyroid-stimulating hormone receptor antibodies. CONCLUSION: An improved knowledge of the natural history of UER in TED will allow us to better decide and evaluate the optimal management for such patients.

Lowering of the High Eyelid Crease in Revision Upper Eyelid Surgery.

BACKGROUND: High placement of the lid crease is a common complication in upper eyelid surgery. Correction of the high crease by revision surgery is challenging and has not been well-reported. METHODS: This is a retrospective interventional study of patients who underwent revision eyelid surgery with lowering of the lid crease from 2008 to 2016 at a tertiary institution. Main outcome measures were pretarsal show (PTS) distance, lid crease symmetry, margin reflex distance 1 (MRD1), and lid height symmetry. Lid crease symmetry was graded as symmetrical, mild asymmetry (PTS difference ≤ 0.5 mm), moderate asymmetry (PTS difference > 0.5 mm but ≤ 1 mm), or obvious asymmetry (PTS difference > 1 mm). Lid height symmetry was graded as symmetrical, mild asymmetry (MRD1 difference ≤ 1 mm), moderate asymmetry (MRD1 difference > 1 mm but ≤ 2 mm), or obvious asymmetry (MRD1 difference > 2 mm). RESULTS: There were a total of 69 patients and 100 eyes. The majority (n = 42, 60.9%) of patients were females. The mean age was 38.3 ± 17.3 years, and mean follow-up was 16 months. Mean PTS decreased from 3.1 mm pre-surgery to 2.0 mm 2 years post-surgery. The proportion of patients with moderate or severe lid crease asymmetry decreased from 81.1% pre-surgery to 6.7% 2 years post-surgery. The mean MRD1 difference decreased from 1.54 mm pre-surgery to 0.23 mm 1 year post-surgery. The proportion of patients with moderate or severe lid height asymmetry improved from 64.5% preoperatively to 4.5% 1 year postoperatively. CONCLUSION: Revision eyelid surgery to correct a high crease is a challenging procedure. We present a technique that is effective in correcting the high lid crease, while simultaneously improving the lid height and lid crease symmetry. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE IV: This journal requires that authors assign a level of evidence to each article. For a full description of these evidence-based medicine ratings, please refer to the Table of Contents or the online Instructions to Authors www.springer.com/00266 .

Efficacy and safety of pulsed intravenous methylprednisolone in early active thyroid eye disease.

Introduction: The mainstay of therapy for active inflammatory phase of thyroid eye disease (TED) is immunosuppression. Patients in our centre with early active TED are treated with pulsed intravenous methylprednisolone (IVMP). Two different protocols are offered in our centre: High dose (1g/day for 3 days, monthly for 6 months), or EUGOGO protocol (500 mg weekly for six weeks, followed by 250 mg weekly for the next 6 weeks). Methods: A prospective cohort study of patients undergoing the two IVMP protocols was performed from January 2009 to May 2015. Main outcome measures were improvement of Clinical Activity Score (CAS) and International Thyroid Eye Disease (ITEDS) - VISA Inflammatory Index. Results: We had a total of 63 patients. Mean age was 43.1 ± 13.1years, females comprised 49.2% (n = 31), and 31 (49.2%) had a positive smoking history. Following IVMP, 65.0% (n = 41) had good response, 31.7% (n = 20) partial, and 3.3% (n = 2) poor. There were significant differences (p < 0.001) in CAS and ITEDS scores between pre-IVMP and post-IVMP visits, for both protocols. A higher proportion of patients receiving the modified EUGOGO protocol (58.3%) had persistent activity and required additional immunosuppression compared to those who underwent the high dose protocol (33.3%). Mild side effects were experienced by 5 (7.9%) and 3 (4.8%) patients at 3 and 6 months, respectively. There were no severe side effects, cardiovascular events or liver failure. Conclusion: With adequate screening and follow-up, six repeated cycles of high dose pulsed IVMP is an effective treatment for TED and can significantly reduce the morbidity associated with this debilitating condition. None of the 51 patients from the high dose protocol met with any serious side effects.

Modified everting sutures: an alternative treatment for mild to moderate epiblepharon.

PURPOSE: To describe a modified everting suture procedure which can be used in patients with mild to moderate epiblepharon who are undergoing general anaesthesia for surgical correction of coexisting ophthalmic conditions. METHODS: A prospective, interventional, non-comparative case series on patients with mild to moderate epiblepharon who underwent the modified everting suture procedure using permanent nylon sutures while under general anaesthesia for other ophthalmic surgery, from May 2014 to May 2016, in a single tertiary institution. Main outcome measures were correction of epiblepharon, recurrence rate and complications. RESULTS: There were a total of 29 patients. Mean age was 5.7±4.1 years (range 1.5-20 years). Twenty (69.0%) were male, 31.0% were female. All had concomitant surgery under general anaesthesia for levator resection (75.9%), frontalis sling (17.2%), strabismus surgery (3.4%) and coloboma correction (3.4%). Mean follow-up was 18.1±9.1 months. All patients were well corrected at 1 and 6 months postoperative follow-up. At 1 year after surgery, 28 (96.6%) were well corrected while one patient (3.4%) was undercorrected. At last follow-up, the overall recurrence rate was 6.9%, with a mean time from surgery to recurrence of 20.5 months. There were no complications encountered. CONCLUSIONS: The modified everting suture procedure is a safe, effective, quick and relatively easy procedure for selected patients with mild to moderate epiblepharon, who are undergoing general anaesthesia for surgical correction of their coexisting ophthalmic conditions.

Incidence and Risk Factors of Inferior Rectus Muscle Palsy in Pediatric Orbital Blowout Fractures.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the incidence, clinical features, and risk factors of sustaining inferior rectus (IR) palsy in a group of pediatric patients with orbital floor blowout fractures. We performed a retrospective case review of sequential cases of pediatric orbital floor blowout fractures (<18 years old) from 2000 to 2013 in a tertiary ophthalmic center in Singapore. A total of 48 patients were included in our study, of whom 5 had IR palsy (10.4%). Patients with IR palsy had a higher mean age (16.4 ± 1.5 years) compared with patients without IR palsy (12.4 ±3.3 years), had significantly ( p < 0.05) worse preoperative motility, and had significantly greater proportion developing postoperative hypertropia (100%) compared with patients without IR palsy (4.7%). Our series of pediatric blowout fractures demonstrated IR palsy prevalence and clinical features for IR palsy which may be distinct to the pediatric group.

Orbital Schwannoma With Atypical Presentation.

Orbital schwannomas are characteristically slow-growing benign tumors arising from peripheral sensory nerves. However, the authors' case illustrates the atypical presentation of such a tumor.A 71-year-old male presented with proptosis, visual loss, and periorbital inflammation. Sequential imaging showed continuous and rapid growth of an intraconal mass arising from the medial rectus. Excision of the mass was performed and it was histopathologically proven to be an orbital schwannoma.This patient demonstrates the atypical presentation of an orbital schwannoma, arising from an extraocular muscle with rapid progressive growth and inflammation, indicating it should be considered a differential diagnosis in orbital masses presenting as such.

Radiologic Parameters of Orbital Bone Remodeling in Thyroid Eye Disease.

Purpose: To radiologically examine for the presence of bony remodeling of the orbit in thyroid eye disease (TED). Methods: Computed tomography (CT) scans of 248 orbits of 124 patients with TED and 185 orbits of 138 controls were retrospectively reviewed, and the following parameters measured: the angle of the inferomedial orbital strut (AIOS), the angle of the medial wall (AMW), and the diameters of the extraocular muscles. The association of TED with the AIOS or AMW was analyzed with linear regression models, and the correlations between the AMW or AIOS measurements with the extraocular muscle measurements were determined. Results: Overall, the AIOS was found to be larger (P < 0.001) and the AMW smaller (P = 0.045) in patients with TED compared to controls. After adjusting for age and sex, the larger AIOS in TED remained significant (P < 0.001), but the smaller AMW in TED patients was no longer significant (P = 0.07). There was a negative correlation between AMW and the calculated average cross-sectional area of the medial rectus in TED (r = -0.23, P = 0.01). Conclusions: A difference in the structure of the bony orbit in TED compared to controls may be demonstrated by the AIOS and AMW radiological parameters. This likely represents the presence of bony remodeling in TED, which may be related to the expansion of the intraorbital soft tissue volume.

Use of bioresorbable implants for orbital fracture reconstruction.

PURPOSE: Bioresorbable implants offer several advantages over permanent implants and serve as a useful alternative in the reconstruction of orbital fractures. Our aim of the study was to evaluate the clinical effectiveness and safety of various bioresorbable implants in the repair of orbital fractures. METHODS: A retrospective review of all patients who had undergone orbital fracture repair with bioresorbable implants in a single tertiary trauma centre from January 2005 to December 2014 was performed. Main outcome measures included improvement in ocular motility, diplopia, enophthalmos and infraorbital hypoaesthesia, as well as complication rates. RESULTS: Our study comprised 94 patients and 98 orbits. The types of fractures included orbital floor blow-out fractures (56.1%), zygomaticomaxillary complex fractures (20.4%), combined orbital floor and medial wall fractures (15.3%) and medial wall blow-out fractures (5.1%). The implants evaluated included poly-L/DL-lactide implants (P[L/DL]LA) 85/15 (Rapidsorb), (P[L/DL]LA) 70/30 (PolyMax), polycaprolactone (Osteomesh) and (P[L/DL]LA) 70/30 (MacroPore). There was significant improvement in ocular motility, diplopia, enophthalmos and infraorbital hypoaesthesia postoperatively at week 1, 1 month and 6 months (p<0.001). Comparison of results between the various implants and types of fractures showed no significant difference in postoperative outcome and complications. Late postoperative imaging at 15-24 months showed complete resorption of implants and features of neobone formation in all patients. CONCLUSION: Our experience with bioresorbable implants shows them to be safe and clinically effective in the reconstruction of orbital fractures.

Clinical Features and Treatment Outcomes of Orbital Inflammatory Disease in Singapore: A 10-Year Clinicopathologic Review.

PURPOSE: 1) To assess the clinical profile and treatment outcomes of orbital inflammatory disease in the local population, and 2) classify patients using current histopathological criteria. METHODS: Ten-year retrospective clinicopathologic review of patients diagnosed with orbital inflammatory disease who underwent tissue biopsy from January 2001 to December 2011 at a tertiary referral centre in Singapore. Data collection included patient demographics, clinical presentation, investigations, systemic disease, histopathology review, clinical classification, medical and surgical management, response to treatment and recurrence rates. RESULTS: The study comprised 70 patients. Thirty-seven (52.9%) had nonspecific inflammation distributed as follows: lacrimal (n = 23), diffuse (n = 5), anterior (n = 5), myositic (n = 4). Thirty-three (47.1%) had specific inflammation of the following subtypes: idiopathic sclerosing inflammation (n = 9), granulomatous disorders (n = 8), transitional lesions (n = 5), vasculitis (n = 4), and others (n = 7). A total of 76.8% of patients received oral prednisolone, with a median duration of three months. Response to treatment was good in 71.9% of patients. Recurrence occurred in 22 (32.8%) patients at a mean interval of 20 months after completion of treatment, and was higher in myositic and vasculitic subtypes. There was no significant correlation between duration of treatment and recurrence. CONCLUSIONS: This study has re-emphasized the importance and utility of orbital biopsy and histopathologic typing for optimal management of orbital inflammatory disease. It has also improved the knowledge of the rate and response to treatment of its various subtypes.

Prospective audit of ptosis surgery at the Singapore National Eye Centre: two-year results.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the demographics, presentation, and surgical outcomes of patients undergoing ptosis surgery in an Asian population in a prospective manner. METHODS: A prospective ptosis audit was conducted over a 2-year period from January 2010 to December 2011 in a tertiary eye hospital in Singapore. All patients undergoing ptosis surgery by, or under the supervision of, an oculoplastic-trained consultant in the institution were included. Institutional Review Board approval was obtained for the study. RESULTS: This study comprises 302 patients, of which 236 were acquired and 66 were congenital ptosis cases. Levator repair (77.2%) was the most commonly performed procedure, followed by levator resection (13.9%) and brow suspension (8.9%). Forty-seven (10.1%) eyes had readjustment within 2 weeks, the reasons for readjustment being eyelid height undercorrection (n = 35), eyelid height overcorrection (n = 9), and unsatisfactory eyelid contour (n = 4). Postoperatively, 93.8% of patients showed an increase in marginal reflex distance-1 (MRD1), 91.3% achieved symmetry or <1 mm of asymmetry in MRD1, 98.5% had good eyelid contour, and 74.3% had symmetric eyelid crease. On a scale of 1 to 10, 83.1% of patients gave a subjective grade of 7 or better. CONCLUSIONS: This study is the first prospective ptosis surgery audit in an Asian population and takes a leading step in assessing both subjective and objective surgical outcomes in a prospective manner. With the continuation of this audit in years to come, it will allow us to generate clinical outcomes in a robust manner and allow for more reliable benchmarking with major centers elsewhere.

Quantitative evaluation of anterior chamber parameters using anterior segment optical coherence tomography in primary angle closure mechanisms.

BACKGROUND: To evaluate different mechanisms of primary angle closure and to quantify anterior chamber parameters in these mechanisms using anterior segment optical coherence tomography in an Asian population. DESIGN: Hospital-based cross-sectional observational study. PARTICIPANTS: Forty-eight consecutive patients with primary angle closure glaucoma. METHODS: Patients underwent complete ophthalmic examination and imaging of nasal-temporal angles with anterior segment optical coherence tomography. Images were categorized into four primary angle closure mechanisms: pupil block, plateau iris configuration, Thick peripheral iris roll and exaggerated lens vault. Parameters computed: anterior chamber depth central, anterior chamber depth at 1000 µm and 2000 µm anterior to scleral spur, lens vault, anterior chamber area, angle opening distance, trabecular iris space area and iris thickness. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Anterior chamber parameters and primary angle closure mechanisms. RESULTS: Mean values of anterior chamber depths: central (P < 0.001), at 2000 µm (P < 0.001), 1000 µm (P < 0.001), lens vault (P < 0.001), anterior chamber area (P < 0.001), were significantly different among the four groups. Multivariate analysis showed anterior chamber depths: central, and anterior chamber depth at 2000 µm and anterior chamber area were higher in plateau iris and Thick peripheral iris roll and lower in exaggerated lens vault (P < 0.001) as compared to pupil block mechanism, lens vault was greater in exaggerated lens vault (P < 0.001) and lesser in plateau iris and Thick peripheral iris roll as compared to pupil block mechanism. CONCLUSION: Anterior segment optical coherence tomography may be used for evaluation of underlying primary angle closure mechanism(s) in a patient and tailor the treatment accordingly.

Epiblepharon in East asian patients: the singapore experience.

PURPOSE: To describe the demographics, presenting symptoms, indications for surgery, and surgical outcomes of epiblepharon correction in a tertiary care hospital in Singapore. DESIGN: Retrospective review of patients who underwent surgery by 2 surgeons in a referral oculoplastic practice at the National University Health System, Singapore, from 2001 to 2007. PARTICIPANTS: A total of 108 patients who underwent surgery for clinically significant epiblepharon. INTERVENTION: Modified Hotz procedure or suture correction for patients in whom conservative treatment failed. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Comparison of symptoms, keratopathy, and recurrence on follow-up between the 2 procedures. RESULTS: The mean age of the patients was 9.0 years, with an age range of 0.5 to 68 years. Of the patients, 51.9% were male. The majority were Chinese (n = 102). Seventy-four (68.5%) patients were symptomatic. Eighty-nine patients (82.4%) had keratopathy. In 98 patients (90.7%) both eyes were affected, and the majority of patients (75.0%) had epiblepharon of the lower lids. Initial treatment for the majority was lubricants (n = 71, 65.7%). The main indications for surgery were symptoms and keratopathy, with 37.9% of patients having both, and 44.4% and 15.7% of patients having either keratopathy or symptoms alone, respectively. Surgical correction consisted mostly of a modified Hotz procedure (n = 88, 81.5%), lid-everting sutures (n = 9, 8.3%), and others, including upper lid blepharoplasty with lid crease formation (n = 11, 10.2%). Outcomes were good, with the majority (n = 88, 81.5%) of lids being well corrected. Complications included undercorrection, overcorrection, wound dehiscence, and wound infections. CONCLUSIONS: Symptomatic epiblepharon, usually associated with keratopathy and commonly seen in children of East Asian descent, often requires surgical intervention with good surgical outcome. Increased awareness among ophthalmologists and pediatricians dealing with this ethnic group and age is emphasized. Contrary to the current practice of expectant observation, definitive surgical management should be considered when symptoms or keratopathy is present. FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE(S): The author(s) have no proprietary or commercial interest in any materials discussed in this article.

Cystic neoplasms of the pancreas: current diagnostic modalities and management.

Cystic neoplasm of the pancreas is a relatively uncommon condition covering a wide spectrum of pathology. The increasing incidence as a result of routine imaging tests in asymptomatic patients presents a diagnostic and therapeutic problem to the clinician. This paper discusses the role of the various investigative modalities in the management of cystic neoplasia of the pancreas.