Clinical value of phenylephrine testing in the upper and lower eyelids of patients with aponeurotic and congenital eyelid ptosis.

AIM: To characterize the phenylephrine test in aponeurotic and congenital eyelid ptosis, to determine the appropriate timing of the phenylephrine test, and to assess the responses of the upper and lower eyelids. METHODS: This was a retrospective analysis of 140 eyes of 87 patients (mean age 52.29±16.45y; 22 males, 65 females) with upper eyelid ptosis. Totally 88.6% had aponeurotic and 11.4% had congenital ptosis. For the evaluation of the responses of the upper and lower eyelids to topical 2.5% phenylephrine, the scleral show height, the marginal reflex distance (MRD) between the inferior margin of the upper eyelid and pupillary light reflex (MRD1), and between the central portion of the lower eyelid and pupillary light reflex (MRD2) were measured at the 2nd, 5th, and 15th minutes. The changes of MRD1 and MRD2 with time (ΔMRD1 and ΔMRD2) were evaluated. RESULTS: The mean MRD1, MRD2, and scleral show heights increased within 5min after testing, remaining largely stable between the 5th-15th minutes. The percentage of eyes with a greater response in MRD1 increased with increased severity of ptosis (P<0.05). Eyes with aponeurotic ptosis were more responsive to phenylephrine testing than congenital ptosis. The mild ptosis group had lower scleral show measurements and higher ΔMRD2 values. The ΔMRD1 and ΔMRD2 values were poorly correlated in all measurement times. CONCLUSION: Performing the phenylephrine test 5min after instilling the reagent is adequate to assess the maximum response of the upper and lower eyelids. The upper and lower eyelid responses in phenylephrine testing are poorly correlated. However, the ΔMRD2 is related with baseline scleral show degree that may be a postoperative predictive factor. Further studies are necessary to determine the relationship between the responses of the lower eyelids to phenylephrine testing.

Efficacy of Intense Pulsed Light Treatment for Moderate to Severe Acute Blepharitis or Blepharoconjunctivitis: A Retrospective Case Series

Objectives: We aimed to evaluate the efficacy of periocular intense pulsed light (IPL) therapy in the treatment of moderate to severe acute blepharitis or blepharoconjunctivitis. Materials and Methods: This was a retrospective study performed in one institution. Eleven patients who received bilateral periocular IPL therapy using an IPL device (E>Eye, ESwin, Paris, France) were retrospectively evaluated. The following findings obtained at baseline and 10 weeks after the treatment were recorded: slit-lamp examinations; symptom scores of the Compression of the Eyelid (COTE) grading system and Ocular Surface Disease Index (OSDI); ocular surface staining with Oxford grading scale (OXFORD) scores; lipid layer thickness (LLT); and non-invasive tear meniscus test (TMH), non-invasive break up time measurement (NIBUT), and meibography performed by using I.C.P. Ocular Surface Analyzer (SBM System, Turin, Italy). Results: Significant improvements in OSDI symptom scores (p<0.0001), LLT (p<0.0001), and meibography (p<0.0001) were obtained at 10 weeks after bilateral periocular IPL therapy. COTE and ocular surface staining scores decreased by 59.72% and 57.14% respectively, while NIBUT and TMH increased by 47.34% and 22.16%, respectively. In parallel to the improvement in OSDI, LLT, and meibography, findings of acute blepharitis or blepharoconjunctivitis improved in slit-lamp examination. There were no adverse effects. Conclusion: Serial IPL therapy improves the clinical signs and symptoms of moderate to severe acute blepharitis or blepharoconjunctivitis, meibomian gland morphology, and secretion quality.

Effects of Algan Hemostatic Agent on bleeding time in a rat tail hemorrhage model.

BACKGROUND: Algan Hemostatic Agent (AHA) is a multi-herbal extract containing a standardized amount of Achillea millefolium, Juglans regia, Lycopodium clavatum, Rubus caesius or Rubis fruciosus, Viscum album, and Vitis vinifera, each of which is effective in hemostasis. In this study, we aimed to investigate the effects of AHA on bleeding time in a rat tail hemorrhage model. METHODS: Forty-eight Sprague Dawley rats (5-7 weeks old, 180-210 g) were randomly and equally allocated to six groups as follows: heparin plus saline (heparinized control), heparin plus AHA-soaked sponge, heparin plus liquid form of AHA, saline (non-heparinized control), AHA-soaked sponge and liquid form of AHA. Heparin (640 IU/kg) was administered intraperitoneally three times a day for three days in heparinized groups. For the bleeding model, the tail of rats was transected. According to the study group, either saline- or AHA-soaked sponge or liquid form of AHA was applied over the hemorrhage area. In AHA- or saline-soaked sponge groups, once the bleeding time had started, it was checked every 10 seconds. If the bleeding did not stop after 40 seconds, it was accepted as a failure. In liquid AHA group, the duration of bleeding was measured using a chronometer and defined as the time (seconds) from wounding until the bleeding stopped. RESULTS: Bleeding time in the heparinized and non-heparinized control groups was over 40 seconds. After applying the sponge form of AHA on the wound area, bleeding time was significantly shortened to less than 20 seconds in both heparinized and non-heparinized rats (p<0.001 for both). The liquid form of AHA stopped bleeding in 5.0±1.2 seconds and 8.0±1.3 seconds in heparinized and non-heparinized groups, respectively. CONCLUSION: AHA is a highly effective topical hemostatic agent in a rat tail hemorrhage model, thus may provide for a unique clinically effective option for control of bleeding during surgical operations or other emergencies.

Effectiveness of Intravitreal Ranibizumab in Nonvitrectomized and Vitrectomized Eyes with Diabetic Macular Edema: A Two-Year Retrospective Analysis.

The aim of this study was to compare the effectiveness of intravitreal ranibizumab (IVR) injections for the treatment of diabetic macular edema (DME) in eyes with and without previous vitrectomy. The medical records of 28 eyes (11 vitrectomized and 17 nonvitrectomized) of 28 patients (mean age, 59.0 ± 9.6 years; male to female ratio 1 : 1) who were diagnosed with DME and had received IVR treatment were reviewed retrospectively. The indications of vitrectomy in 11 vitrectomized eyes were intravitreal hemorrhage (n = 8) and epiretinal membrane (n = 3). The best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), central macular thickness (CMT), and total macular volume (TMV) were measured at baseline and at months 6, 12, 18, and 24 of the follow-up. The number of IVR injections, the duration between diagnosis of DME and IVR injection, and the hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) level at baseline were also recorded. Baseline demographics, HbA1c, BCVA, CMT, and TMV values were similar between two groups (p > 0.05). The duration between diagnosis of DME and IVR injections was similar in both groups (16 ± 5 months vs. 13 ± 4 months, respectively; p=0.11). IVR injection was performed 6.3 times in vitrectomized eyes and 6.1 times in nonvitrectomized eyes during the 24-month period (p > 0.05). The mean BCVA improved significantly during the 24-month period in both groups. The improvements in BCVA, in CMT, and in TMV were more significant at month 6 (p=0.036) group, at month 12 (p=0.013), at month 12 (p=0.021), and month 24 (p=0.021) in nonvitrectomized eyes, respectively, while there was no difference in improvements of BCVA, CMT, and TMV in vitrectomized group at each visit. Treatment effected by time in terms of BCVA, CMT, and TMV values in all groups (p=0.0004, p < 0.0001, p < 0.0001, respectively), not by time-group interaction and group (all p values >0.05). In conclusion, IVR treatment for DME is equally effective in both groups. However, the response to treatment is seen earlier in nonvitrectomized eyes compared to vitrectomized eyes.

Acute allergic reaction caused by topical azithromycin eye drops: A report of two cases.

Azithromycin 1.5% ophthalmic solution (Azyter®, Thea Pharmaceuticals, Newcastle, UK) is an effective and well-tolerated option for the treatment of bacterial conjunctivitis and blepharitis, and has the advantage of a shorter treatment duration than other topical antibiotics. No acute allergic reaction has yet been reported in response to topical azithromycin eye drops. Here, we report two cases with unusual acute-type allergic reaction to topical azithromycin eye drops. A 63-year-old female patient and 67-year-old male patient treated for blepharitis with topical azithromycin 1.5% eye drops presented with epiphora, eyelid edema, chemosis, conjunctival injection, hyperemia, intensive papillary reaction, and rhinitis within 30 min of instillation. Upon cessation of the topical medication and administration of antiallergic therapy, both patients immediately showed dramatic improvement. Acute-type allergic reaction to topical azithromycin eye drops may be a rare side effect, but ophthalmologists should keep this possibility in mind and inform the patients about its potential occurrence.

Evaluation of lacrimal gland dimensions with MR imaging in a Turkish population sample / Evaluación de las dimensiones de la glándula lagrimal con imágenes de RM en una muestra de población turca

SUMMARY: We aimed to evaluate the morphology of normal lacrimal gland in three different axes in a Turkish population sample by using magnetic resonance (MR) images in relation to sex, age, and side. Cranial MR images obtained by 3 Tesla MR unit of 85 individuals (40 female, 45 male; mean age 42.20±23.30 years; age range 2-83 years) performed in Göztepe Medical Park Hospital between December 2015 and July 2017 for non-orbital diseases were evaluated retrospectively. Anteroposterior, craniocaudal, and transverse dimensions of the lacrimal gland were measured on axial, coronal, and sagittal planes of MR images, and were evaluated in relation to side, age, and sex. Axial transverse and sagittal craniocaudal dimensions of lacrimal gland were significantly greater in the right side, as the coronal craniocaudal and sagittal anteroposterior dimensions were greater in the left side. Female and male individuals showed differences in terms of right-left sides in most of the parameters. In Spearman's correlation analysis, age of individuals was negatively correlated with left axial anteroposterior (r=-0.347, p=0.020), left axial transverse (r=-0.439, p=0.003), left coronal transverse (r=-0.429, p=0.003), and right coronal transverse (r=-0.436, p=0.003) dimensions of lacrimal gland. This is the first study determining certain morphometric parameters of the lacrimal gland in Turkish population sample. The side of lacrimal gland, and sex and age of individuals affect its dimensions. On the basis of reference measurements in the present study, orbital MR imaging can be used for the evaluation of lacrimal gland and its pathologies.

RESUMEN: El objetivo de este estudio fue evaluar la morfología de la glándula lagrimal normal en tres ejes diferentes en una muestra de población turca, mediante el uso de imágenes de resonancia magnética (RM) en relación con el sexo, la edad y lados izquierdos- derechos. Las imágenes RM obtenidas por RM 3 Tesla, en 85 individuos (40 mujeres y 45 hombres, edad media 42.20 ± 23.30 años, rango de edad entre 2 y 83 años) se realizaron en Göztepe Medical Park Hospital, entre diciembre de 2015 y julio de 2017. Considerando las enfermedades no orbitales, estas fueron evaluadas retrospectivamente. Se midieron las dimensiones anteroposterior, craneocaudal y transversal de la glándula lagrimal en los planos axial, coronal y sagital de las imágenes, y se evaluaron en relación con el lado, la edad y el sexo. Las dimensiones craneocaudal axiales transversales y sagitales de la glándula lagrimal fueron significativamente mayores en el lado derecho, y las dimensiones craneocaudal y anteroposterior sagital coronal fueron mayores en el lado izquierdo. Individuos femeninos y masculinos mostraron diferencias en términos de lados derecho-izquierdo en la mayoría de los parámetros. En el análisis de correlación de Spearman, la edad de los individuos se correlacionó negativamente con el anteroposterior axial izquierdo (r = -0.347, p = 0.020), transversal axial izquierdo (r = -0.439, p = 0.003), transversal coronal izquierdo (r = -0.429, p = 0.003), y las dimensiones transversales coronales derechas (r = -0.436, p = 0.003) de la glándula lagrimal. Este es el primer estudio que determina ciertos parámetros morfométricos de la glándula lagrimal en la muestra de la población turca. El lado de la glándula lagrimal, y el sexo y la edad de los individuos afectan sus dimensiones. En el presente estudio basado en las mediciones de referencia, la RM orbital se puede utilizar para la evaluación de la glándula lagrimal y sus patologías.

Sectoral Ciliary Body Agenesis Complicated with Cataract Formation Diagnosed by Ultrasound Biomicroscopy

We aimed to present a novel case of sectoral ciliary body agenesis and complicated cataract as an embryogenic defect of eye development diagnosed by ultrasound biomicroscopy. A 20-year-old male patient presented with a complaint of visual impairment in his left eye since childhood. Slit-lamp examination of the left eye revealed pigment precipitation and focal lens opacities extending from the temporal quadrant through the posterior lens capsule, blocking the central optical axis. On ultrasound biomicroscopy examination, there was a hyperechoic reflection belonging to the rudimentary ciliary body structures between 2-5 o'clock in the temporal quadrant. The zonules could not be visualized in the same location. At all other quadrants of the anterior chamber angle, the ciliary body and zonules were normal. This is a very rare case of sectoral ciliary body agenesis complicated by cataract. Ultrasound biomicroscopy may be useful for detecting rare congenital anomalies of the anterior segment, anterior chamber angle, and ciliary body.

Low-Grade Mucoepidermoid Carcinoma of the Lacrimal Gland in a Teenaged Patient.

Mucoepidermoid carcinoma is the most common malignant, locally invasive tumour of the salivary glands and accounts for approximately 35% of all malignancies of the major and minor salivary glands. Mucoepidermoid carcinoma that originated from the lacrimal gland is exceedingly rare in teenage patients, with only a few cases reported. Herein, we report clinical and radiological findings of a mucoepidermoid carcinoma arising from the lacrimal gland in a 15-year-old boy. We suggest that since preoperative imaging findings are not diagnostic for mucoepidermoid carcinoma, histopathologic examination should be performed for definitive diagnosis. Complete surgical resection is the treatment of choice for low-grade lacrimal gland mucoepidermoid carcinoma.