Ocular Surface Changes in Hashimoto's Thyroiditis Without Thyroid Ophthalmopathy.

OBJECTIVE: We sought to evaluate ocular surface changes in patients with Hashimoto's thyroiditis without thyroid ophthalmopathy and elucidate the relationship between dry eye syndrome and meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD) in cases of Hashimoto's thyroiditis. METHODS: This prospective study included 105 patients with Hashimoto's thyroiditis and 105 age- and sex-matched controls. The 12-item Ocular Surface Disease Index (OSDI) questionnaire was administered to all patients. Both eyes affected by Hashimoto's thyroiditis and normal eyes were evaluated and compared with regard to the following parameters: Hertel exophthalmometry, palpebral fissure height, tear-film breakup time (TBUT), Schirmer 1 test, area and density scores for corneal fluorescein staining, eyelid abnormality, meibomian gland expression, meibography scores, and areas of meibomian gland loss. RESULTS: The eyes affected by Hashimoto's thyroiditis demonstrated significantly lower TBUTs (P<0.001), Schirmer 1 test scores (P<0.001), and meibomian gland expression (P<0.05) and significantly higher OSDI scores (P<0.001), corneal fluorescein staining results (P<0.05), eyelid abnormality scores (P<0.05), meibography scores (P<0.05), and areas of meibomian gland loss (P<0.05). Ocular Surface Disease Index scores were significantly positively correlated with eyelid abnormality scores (P=0.025), meibography scores (P<0.05), and areas of meibomian gland loss (P<0.05) and negatively correlated with meibomian gland expression (P<0.05). The duration of Hashimoto's thyroiditis was significantly positively correlated with MGD (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: Dry eye syndrome and ocular discomfort symptoms are significantly more common among patients with Hashimoto's thyroiditis, even in the absence of thyroid ophthalmopathy. Dry eye syndrome in patients with Hashimoto's thyroiditis is believed to result from MGD and is correlated with the duration of the thyroid disease.

Meibomian Gland Dysfunction and Its Association With Ocular Discomfort in Patients With Ocular Prosthesis.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of ocular prosthesis on meibomian glands and also to identify the role of meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD) on ocular discomfort in prosthetic eyes. METHODS: This prospective study included 55 patients who had been wearing unilateral ocular prosthesis for more than 1 year. A 15-item questionnaire regarding MGD-related ocular symptoms was administered to all patients. Both prosthetic eyes and paired normal eyes were evaluated with slit-lamp, noncontact meibography and spectral optical coherence tomography. A multiple linear regression model was applied to evaluate factors on ocular symptom scores. RESULTS: The ocular symptom scores, meibography scores, meibomian gland loss, and lid margin abnormality scores of prosthetic eyes were significantly higher than those of normal eyes (P<0.05). Tear meniscus measurements of eyes with prosthesis were significantly lower from those of normal eyes (P<0.05). The ocular symptom scores were significantly positively correlated with meibography scores, meibomin gland loss, and lid margin abnormality scores and negatively correlated with tear meniscus measurements (P<0.05). There was a significant negative correlation between total meibography scores and all tear meniscus parameters (P<0.05). The patients who had used ocular prosthesis for longer durations had a significantly greater meibography scores, meibomin gland loss, lid margin abnormality scores, and ocular symptom scores but lesser tear meniscus parameters (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: Use of ocular prosthesis is significantly associated with MGD, which is proportional to the duration of prosthesis wear. Furthermore, ocular discomfort symptoms of prosthetic eye wearers significantly correlated with MGD-related dry eye.

Assessment of tear meniscus by optical coherence tomography in patients with canalicular laceration repair.

PURPOSE: To analyze tear meniscus measurements with optical coherence tomography (OCT) in patients with canalicular laceration repair. METHODS: Thirty-four consecutive patients who underwent unilateral canalicular repair due to canalicular laceration between January 2014 and December 2018 were included. All patients had canalicular repair followed by monocanalicular or annular silicone tube intubation. Anatomic patency of canalicular system was tested with probing and irrigation, while functional patency was evaluated with Munk score. Tear meniscus measurements of all patients were obtained following tube removal by spectral OCT. Tear meniscus height (TMH), tear meniscus depth (TMD) and tear meniscus area (TMA) of eyes with canalicular laceration repair and contralateral uninvolved eyes were compared. RESULTS: Average age of 34 patients was 32.8 ± 21.3 years (range 4-68 years). Lower canaliculus was involved in 27 (79.4%), upper canaliculus in five (14.7%), and both canaliculi in two (5.9%) patients. Mean follow-up period was 6.5 ± 5.7 months. Anatomic patency rate was 100%, and functional patency (patients free of epiphora) was 91.2%. Average TMH (317.9 ± 133.1 µm), TMD (198.1 ± 82.5 µm) and TMA (29,792.1 ± 21,285.3 µm2) values of eyes with canalicular repair were not significantly different from TMH (308.9 ± 111.9 µm), TMD (184.5 ± 61.4 µm) and TMA (26,682.5 ± 16,178.1 µm2) values of contralateral control eyes (p values: 0.758, 0.225 and 0.778, respectively). There was a strong positive correlation between TMA and Munk score (r = 0.637, p < 0.001) and moderate positive correlation between TMH (r = 521, p = 0.002), TMD (r = 0.481, p = 0.004) and Munk score. CONCLUSION: Tear meniscus measurement with OCT is a rapid, quantitative and objective tool for evaluation of canalicular patency in patients with canalicular laceration repair.

Prospective analysis of visual function changes in patients with dermatochalasis after upper eyelid blepharoplasty.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the changes of visual acuity, contrast sensitivity, astigmatism, and higher order aberrations after blepharoplasty in patients with dermatochalasis. METHODS: Two hundred six eyelids of 103 patients with dermatochalasis were prospectively studied. Visual acuity, contrast sensitivity, corneal topography, astigmatism degree, and higher order aberrations were examined and recorded before and at 1 month after upper eyelid blepharoplasty. Change in contrast sensitivity and astigmatism values were determined according to margin reflex distance of patients, which were classified into three following groups: <2 mm, 2-3 mm, and ⩾ 4 mm. A Wilcoxon signed rank test was performed to compare the difference. RESULTS: No significant differences were observed for visual acuity (p = 0.157). The contrast sensitivity of patients significantly increased at all spatial frequencies both under glare and nonglare conditions (p < 0.05). The mean refractive astigmatism significantly decreased from ‒1.01 ± 1.3 to ‒0.79 ± 0.71, postoperatively (p = 0.029). In patients with marginal reflex distance < 2 mm, mean contrast sensitivity was increased (p < 0.001) and mean astigmatism was decreased significantly (p < 0.001) compared with those with ⩾ 2 mm. Higher order aberrations decreased significantly from 0.62 ± 0.41 µm to 0.55 ± 0.38 µm (p = 0.038) after blepharoplasty. Root mean square of the vertical trefoil (p = 0.038), vertical coma (p = 0.002), horizontal trefoil (p = 0.027), third-order aberration (p = 0.005), secondary vertical stigmatism (p = 0.001), spherical aberration (p = 0.023), secondary horizontal astigmatism (p = 0.002), fourth-order aberration (p = 0.024), vertical pentafoil (p = 0.015), secondary horizontal coma (p = 0.035), secondary horizontal trefoil (p = 0.030), and horizontal pentafoil (p = 0.048) were decreased significantly. CONCLUSION: Upper eyelid blepharoplasty in patients with dermatochalasis has a significant improvement in visual function in terms of contrast sensitivity, astigmatism, and higher order aberrations.

Failure in Revision Dacryocystorhinostomy: A Study of Surgical Technique and Etiology.

The aim of this study is to assess the etiologic factors of primary dacryocystorhinostomy (DCR) failure according to DCR techniques and also to determine risk factors for the prediction of failure in revision external DCR. Retrospective review was performed in patients who underwent revision external DCR for previous DCR failure between 2008 and 2018. All patients underwent full ophthalmic and intranasal examination, lacrimal probing, and irrigation. Patients were classified into following groups according to previous DCR type: external, endoscopic endonasal, and transcanalicular laser DCR. Potential etiologic factors were compared between 3 groups. Multivariate analysis was performed to identify risk factors for failure in revision external DCR. About 115 eyes from 109 patients constituted the external (50.4%), endonasal (31.3%), and laser (18.3%) DCR groups. Among 27 (23.5%) patients with intranasal pathologies, septal deviation (33.3%) is the most common finding. The commonest cause of failure was inadequate ostium size in external (37.9%), endonasal (36.1%), and laser (66.7%) DCR groups. Inadequate ostium size and cicatricial lacrimal ostium scarring were observed significantly more common in the laser (P = 0.047) and external DCR group (P = 0.043), respectively. The success rate for revision external DCR was 85.2%. Canalicular or common canalicular obstruction (P = 0.032), intranasal pathology (P = 0.003), and bilateral obstruction (P = 0.025) demonstrated a significant independent association with failure in revision external DCR. Inadequate ostium size was the most common cause of failure in primary external, endonasal, and laser DCR. Canalicular or common canalicular obstruction, intranasal pathology, and bilateral lacrimal obstruction were significant predictors of failure in revision external DCR.

Effect of Eyelid Involvement in the Reconstruction of Medial Canthal Defects.

The purpose of this study was to present surgical techniques for the reconstruction of medial canthal defects with and without the involvement of the eyelid. This study included 31 patients who underwent medial canthal reconstruction after tumor excision during a 6-year period. Data regarding patient demographics, defect size, tumor pathology, surgery techniques, functional and cosmetic outcomes, and complications were recorded. The reconstructive methods used in the study were divided into groups as per the site of the defect (medial canthal, medial canthal with upper eyelid, medial canthal with lower eyelid, and medial canthal with both eyelids). The most common histopathological diagnosis of the lesions was basal cell carcinoma (74.2%). Postoperative complications (6.4%) included flap necrosis in one patient and lid margin notching in another. Among patients who underwent reconstruction, 8 (25.8%) had only medial canthal defect, 6 (19.3%) had medial canthal defect extending to the upper eyelid, 7 (22.6%) had medial canthal defect extending to the lower eyelid, and 10 (32.3%) had medial canthal defect extending to both the eyelids. The functional outcome was regarded as normal in 30 (96.8%) patients and limited in 1 (3.2%) patient. Cosmetic outcomes were satisfactory in all the patients. The use of alternative reconstructive approaches for different subunits of the medial canthus is an efficient method to achieve superior functional and cosmetic outcomes.

Rehabilitation of Eyelid Malpositions Secondary to Facial Palsy.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate patient satisfaction and outcomes of surgical treatment of eyelid malpositions secondary to facial palsy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Consecutive patients with facial palsy who underwent surgical treatment by the same surgeon at Izmir Katip Çelebi University Atatürk Training and Research Hospital between Jan 2007 and Dec 2012 were included in the study. Ophthalmic examination findings, surgical approaches, and their outcomes were evaluated. A successful result for upper eyelid position was defined as more than 50% reduction in lagophthalmos and induction of less than 2 mm of ptosis. A successful outcome for lower eyelid position was defined as the lower eyelid residing at or within 1 mm above or below the limbus. Linear visual analog scale 1 (VAS-1) (subjective complaints) and VAS-2 (cosmetic outcome), both ranging from 0 to 10, were used to compare preoperative findings with findings at last postoperative visit. RESULTS: The mean age of the 14 female and 21 male patients was 54.5±19.9 years. Gold weight implantation (n=31), lateral tarsal strip (n=22), tarsorrhaphy (n=15), suborbicularis oculi fat elevation (n=16), hard palate graft (n=14), and eyebrow ptosis repair (n=6) were performed. Average follow-up time was 17.9±16.9 months (range, 2-60). Surgical success rates were 90% for upper lids and 75% for lower lids. Mean lagophthalmos decreased from 7.1±2.7 mm to 1.6±1.6 mm postoperatively (p=0.000). The use of lubricating drops and gels was reduced from average preoperative daily values of 5.3±2.5 drops and 1.3±0.6 gel applications to 4.4±1.4 and 0.6±0.6, respectively (p=0.003, p=0.001). CONCLUSION: An individualized surgical approach tailored according to each patient's severity of facial palsy and associated malpositions resulted in both functional and aesthetic improvements in our patients.

Evaluation of anatomical and functional outcomes in patients undergoing repair of traumatic canalicular laceration.

BACKGROUND: The present study was designed to evaluate functional and anatomical success of traumatic canalicular laceration repair. METHODS: Consecutive patients who presented at Atatürk Training and Research Hospital Eye Clinic, Izmir Katip Çelebi University Faculty of Medicine and had canalicular laceration repair performed by the same surgeon between January 2009 and December 2014 were included in the study. Demographic data, length of time between injury and surgery, and cause of the trauma, surgical method employed, and duration of follow-up were recorded. Postoperative epiphora was evaluated using Munk score. Patency of lacrimal system was assessed with canalicular irrigation. RESULTS: Thirty-five male and 6 female patients were included in the study. Mean age of 41 participants was 31.85±18.9 years (range: 1-79 years). Avulsive injury was observed in 66% (n=27), and direct (penetrating) injury in 34% (n=14). Distribution of injured canaliculi was as follows: left inferior canaliculus 63.4% (n=26), right inferior canaliculus 19.5% (n=8), right superior canaliculus 9.8% (n=4), and left superior canaliculus 7.3% (n=3). Thirty-four patients had monocanalicular tube implantation (mini-Monoka) and 10 patients had bicanalicular annular intubation using pigtail probe. Average follow-up time was 6±5.7 months. Munk score was Grade 0 in all patients. Canalicular irrigation indicated all canaliculi were patent. CONCLUSION: Recent microsurgical techniques result in successful repair of canalicular laceration.

Rhino-orbital Mucormycosis: Clinical Findings and Treatment Outcomes of Four Cases.

In this case report, we present the clinical findings and therapeutic outcomes of four rhino-orbital mucormycosis patients. The four patients (1 female, 3 male; age range, 55-77 years) all had diabetes mellitus and two also had chronic renal failure. All patients exhibited proptosis, sinusitis, and dark-colored lesions on the nasopharynx and/or hard palate; three patients had ipsilateral peripheral facial paralysis. Visual acuity was no light perception in the two patients with severe orbital involvement and 0.8 in two patients with limited orbital involvement. Histopathological examination of the hard palate, nasopharynx or sinus biopsy revealed typical Mucor hyphae. Systemic liposomal amphotericin B was initiated in all patients. The patients with limited ocular involvement received amphotericin B both intravenously and by local irrigation; both patients had complete recovery. The other two patients underwent orbital exenteration; one patient died after declining systemic treatment postoperatively. Rapid diagnosis and treatment are important for the survival of rhino-orbital mucormycosis patients. With orbital involvement, surgical debridement and systemic and local treatment with antifungal agents may help avoid mutilating surgery like exenteration.

Marginal Entropion: A Frequently Overlooked Eyelid Malposition.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the clinical findings and outcomes of surgical treatment in patients with marginal entropion. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients with impairment of the natural square-shaped eyelid margin morphology, anterior migration of mucocutaneous junction and mild lid inversion toward the ocular surface were diagnosed as having marginal entropion. Patients with shortened fornices, cicatricial changes or subconjunctival fibrosis were excluded. Demographic characteristics, ophthalmologic examination findings, surgical procedures and follow-up data were evaluated retrospectively. RESULTS: Twelve eyes of 11 patients were included in the study. Median age was 73 years (range, 49-84 years). All cases presented with signs of meibomianitis and were treated preoperatively with oral doxycycline and topical corticosteroids. Tarsal fracture procedure was performed for correction of lid malposition. In all patients, lid malposition was corrected and ocular irritation findings had regressed. No recurrences were observed in the follow-up period of mean 10 months (range, 5-16 months). CONCLUSION: Marginal entropion is a common malposition that is frequently misdiagnosed as trichiasis and is overlooked. Complications secondary to misdiagnosis can be avoided and a normal lid position achieved when the correct diagnosis is made.