Local Anesthesia Injection in Upper Blepharoplasty Surgery: A Side at a Time or Both Sides at Once? A Prospective Randomized Study.

BACKGROUND: Perceived pain during local anesthesia injections can be effected by the injection sequence. OBJECTIVE: We sought to compare pain levels during local anesthesia injections during upper lid blepharoplasty (ULB) using 2 surgical sequences. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We conducted a prospective, randomized clinical trial. Patients with ULB were randomized to either have local anesthesia injection followed by ULB in the right eyelid and then in the left (Group A) or to have local anesthesia injection to both eyelids followed by ULB on both eyelids (Group B). Pain was assessed using a visual analog scale (VAS) for pain score of 0 to 10. RESULTS: Forty patients were included and randomized. The mean VAS score in Group A was 2.60 ± 1.84 and 3.30 ± 1.62 (right and left, respectively, p value = .035). The mean VAS score in Group B was 2.55 ± 1.63 and 2.80 ± 1.67 (right and left eyelids, respectively, p value = .258). No intergroup difference in pain was found. CONCLUSION: Patients having sequential anesthesia during ULB perceived more pain on injection to the second eyelid, whereas patients having local anesthesia followed by ULB perceived the same amount of pain in both eyes. Pain levels in both groups were similar. Local anesthesia injections in both groups were well tolerated.

A Prospective Randomized Comparative Clinical Trial to Analyze Pain and Surgical Outcomes Between Frontal Nerve Blocks and Subconjunctival Anesthesia for Conjunctival Mullerectomy Resection.

PURPOSE: Conjunctival Müller's muscle resection (CMMR) is a posterior approach surgical technique to correct blepharoptosis. The purpose of this study is to compare patient-reported pain scores and surgical outcomes for patients who received 2 different anesthetic techniques during CMMR, frontal nerve block and subconjunctival injection. METHODS: A prospective randomized comparative clinical trial enrolled 33 CMMR subjects from one tertiary eye center. Patients undergoing unilateral CMMR were randomized to receive either frontal nerve block or subconjunctival injection. For patients undergoing bilateral CMMR, each side was randomized to one of the injection techniques. Upper eyelid margin reflex distance was measured and recorded for each eye before and after surgery. Patients' pain scores were quantified using the Wong Baker Pain Scale. Subjects quantified their pain during, immediately after, 12 and 24 hours after surgery. RESULTS: Twenty-four bilateral and 9 unilateral cases were enrolled in the study. Twenty-two (92%) subjects were female, and the mean patient age was 69 ± 12 years. The mean margin reflex distance was 1.1 mm preoperatively, which increased to 3.5 and 3.6 mm 2 months postoperatively in frontal nerve block and subconjunctival injection groups, respectively (p value <0.0001). Both paired and nonpaired analyses demonstrated no significant difference in the pain score reported by the patients or the surgical outcomes between the 2 anesthesia techniques at any time during or after the surgery. There were no anesthetic-related complications. CONCLUSION: There was no statistically significant difference in pain scores or surgical outcomes in patients receiving frontal nerve block compared with those receiving subconjunctival injection during CMMR surgery.

Bioengineered dermal substitutes for the management of traumatic periocular tissue loss.

PURPOSE: Traumatic periocular injuries occasionally result in significant soft tissue loss, for which there are limited management options that provide satisfactory cosmetic and functional outcomes. The authors describe the use of a bioengineered dermal substitute (Integra® Dermal Regeneration Template [DRT], Integra LifeSciences, Plainsboro, NJ) as an alternative to immediate flap reconstruction or skin grafting. METHODS: Retrospective interventional case series of patients who underwent DRT placement for periocular tissue loss at the time of trauma. In each case, primary closure or immediate flap reconstruction was deemed impractical or undesirable due to the size and location of the primary and associated secondary defects. One to four weeks later, the outer silicone layer was removed and healing assessed. Additional reconstructive techniques were performed as needed. RESULTS: Three patients were treated at Bascom Palmer Eye Institute and one at Byers Eye Institute at Stanford. The defects healed completely in two patients, and by 79.2% in a third, with no need for additional reconstructive surgery. In the remaining patient, the defect was significantly downsized by 56.1%, allowing for a simpler flap reconstruction. CONCLUSIONS: Bioengineered dermal substitutes should be considered as a viable alternative to traditional reconstructive techniques for large periocular defects resulting from trauma. The outer silicone layer prevents desiccation and serves as a protective barrier, while the inner collagen matrix organizes the growth of neo-dermis and minimizes wound contraction. The dimensions of cutaneous defects can therefore be reduced dramatically, potentially eliminating the need for skin grafting and/or reducing the ultimate complexity of flap reconstruction.

The ARMS2 A69S variant and bilateral advanced age-related macular degeneration.

PURPOSE: To identify genetic associations between specific risk genes and bilateral advanced age-related macular degeneration (AMD) in a retrospective, observational case series of 1,003 patients: 173 patients with geographic atrophy in at least 1 eye and 830 patients with choroidal neovascularization in at least 1 eye. METHODS: Patients underwent clinical examination and fundus photography. The images were subsequently graded using a modified grading system adapted from the Age-Related Eye Disease Study. Genetic analysis was performed to identify genotypes at 4 AMD-associated variants (ARMS2 A69S, CFH Y402H, C3 R102G, and CFB R32Q) in these patients. RESULTS: There were no statistically significant relationships between clinical findings and genotypes at CFH, C3, and CFB. The genotype at ARMS2 correlated with bilateral advanced AMD using a variety of comparisons: unilateral geographic atrophy versus bilateral geographic atrophy (P = 0.08), unilateral choroidal neovascularization versus bilateral choroidal neovascularization (P = 9.0 × 10(-8)), and unilateral late AMD versus bilateral late AMD (P = 5.9 × 10(-8)). CONCLUSION: In this series, in patients with geographic atrophy or choroidal neovascularization in at least 1 eye, the ARMS2 A69S substitution strongly associated with geographic atrophy or choroidal neovascularization in the fellow eye. The ARMS2 A69S substitution may serve as a marker for bilateral advanced AMD.

Analysis of single nucleotide polymorphisms in the NOS2A gene and interaction with smoking in age-related macular degeneration.

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a complex degenerative retinal disease influenced by both genetic and environmental risk factors. We assessed whether single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the NOS2A gene increase risk and modulate the effect of smoking in AMD. 998 Caucasian subjects (712 AMD cases and 286 controls) were genotyped for 17 SNPs in NOS2A. Multivariable logistic regression models containing SNP genotypes, age, sex, smoking status and genotype/smoking interaction were constructed. SNP rs8072199 was significantly associated with AMD (OR = 1.3; 95% CI : 1.02, 1.65; P = 0.035). A significant interaction with smoking was detected at rs2248814 (P = 0.037). Stratified data by genotypes demonstrated that the association between AMD and smoking was stronger in carriers of AA genotypes (OR = 35.98; 95% CI: 3.19, 405.98) than in carriers of the AG genotype (OR = 3.05; 95% CI: 1.36, 6.74) or GG genotype (OR = 2.1; 95% CI: 0.91, 4.84). The results suggest a possible synergistic interaction of AA genotype with smoking, although the result bears replication in larger samples. Our data suggests that SNPs in the NOS2A gene are associated with increased risk for AMD and might modulate the effect of smoking on AMD.

Analysis of the indel at the ARMS2 3'UTR in age-related macular degeneration.

Controversy remains as to which gene at the chromosome 10q26 locus confers risk for age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and statistical genetic analysis is confounded by the strong linkage disequilibrium (LD) across the region. Functional analysis of related genetic variations could solve this puzzle. Recently, Fritsche et al. reported that AMD is associated with unstable ARMS2 transcripts possibly caused by a complex insertion/deletion (indel; consisting of a 443 bp deletion and an adjacent 54 bp insertion) in its 3'UTR (untranslated region). To validate this indel, we sequenced our samples. We found that this indel is even more complex and is composed of two side-by-side indels separated by 17 bp: (1) 9 bp deletion with 10 bp insertion; (2) 417 bp deletion with 27 bp insertion. The indel is significantly associated with the risk of AMD, but is also in strong LD with the non-synonymous single nucleotide polymorphism rs10490924 (A69S). We also found that ARMS2 is expressed not only in placenta and retina but also in multiple human tissues. Using quantitative PCR, we found no correlation between the indel and ARMS2 mRNA level in human retina and blood samples. The lack of functional effects of the 3'UTR indel, the amino acid substitution of rs10490924 (A69S), and strong LD between them suggest that A69S, not the indel, is the variant that confers risk of AMD. To our knowledge, it is the first time it has been shown that ARMS2 is widely expressed in human tissues. Conclusively, the indel at 3'UTR of ARMS2 actually contains two side-by-side indels. The indels are associated with risk of AMD, but not correlated with ARMS2 mRNA level.

Effect of prostaglandin analogs on matrix metalloproteinases and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases in eyelid muscle specimens.

PURPOSE: To characterize the effect of prostaglandin analogs (PAs) on tissue specific expression of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases (TIMPs) in levator aponeurosis resections (LAR) and conjunctiva-Muller muscle resections (CMMR). METHODS: Specimens from LAR and CMMR of PA users and non-users were analyzed for tissue specific expression of MMP-3, MMP-7, MMP-9 and TIMP-2 using immunohistochemistry. PA use, marginal reflex distances, levator function and palpebral fissure were documented through chart review. The associations between MMP expression, PA exposure time and ocular characteristics were evaluated with a two-factor analysis of variance and multiple correlation analysis. RESULTS: We observed a tissue specific pattern of expression of MMPs and TIMP-2 in relation to PA exposure between CMMR and LAR specimens. There was increased MMP-7 and TIMP-2 expression in muscle compared to collagen and adipose tissue (P≤0.005), as well as a statistically significant difference in the relationship of MMP-3, MMP-9 and TIMP-2 levels to PA exposure in the two types of muscles (all P≤0.011). Adipose tissue had a PA-dependent reduced expression of MMP-3 (P<0.022), which was seen in both LAR and CMMR. Decreased expression of MMP-3 in collagen correlated with increased dermatochalasis (P<0.045) and steatoblepharon (P<0.018). CONCLUSION: PA exposure may affect MMP and TIMP expression in a tissue specific manner, and decreased expression of certain MMPs in collagen correlates to increased clinical measures of prostaglandin associated periorbitopathy (PAP). Further studies with larger samples are needed to ascertain if the changes associated with PAP are due to MMP/TIMP changes or to structural changes.

RNA-Sequencing Gene Expression Profiling of Orbital Adipose-Derived Stem Cell Population Implicate HOX Genes and WNT Signaling Dysregulation in the Pathogenesis of Thyroid-Associated Orbitopathy.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to characterize the intrinsic cellular properties of orbital adipose-derived stem cells (OASC) from patients with thyroid-associated orbitopathy (TAO) and healthy controls. Methods: Orbital adipose tissue was collected from a total of nine patients: four controls and five patients with TAO. Isolated OASC were characterized with mesenchymal stem cell-specific markers. Orbital adipose-derived stem cells were differentiated into three lineages: chondrocytes, osteocytes, and adipocytes. Reverse transcription PCR of genes involved in the adipogenesis, chondrogenesis, and osteogenesis pathways were selected to assay the differentiation capacities. RNA sequencing analysis (RNA-seq) was performed and results were compared to assess for differences in gene expression between TAO and controls. Selected top-ranked results were confirmed by RT-PCR. Results: Orbital adipose-derived stem cells isolated from orbital fat expressed high levels of mesenchymal stem cell markers, but low levels of the pluripotent stem cell markers. Orbital adipose-derived stem cells isolated from TAO patients exhibited an increase in adipogenesis, and a decrease in chondrogenesis and osteogenesis. RNA-seq disclosed 54 differentially expressed genes. In TAO OASC, expression of early neural crest progenitor marker (WNT signaling, ZIC genes and MSX2) was lost. Meanwhile, ectopic expression of HOXB2 and HOXB3 was found in the OASC from TAO. Conclusion: Our results suggest that there are intrinsic genetic and cellular differences in the OASC populations derived from TAO patients. The upregulation in adipogenesis in OASC of TAO may be is consistent with the clinical phenotype. Downregulation of early neural crest markers and ectopic expression of HOXB2 and HOXB3 in TAO OASC demonstrate dysregulation of developmental and tissue patterning pathways.

Rare complement factor H variant associated with age-related macular degeneration in the Amish.

PURPOSE: Age-related macular degeneration is the leading cause of blindness among the adult population in the developed world. To further the understanding of this disease, we have studied the genetically isolated Amish population of Ohio and Indiana. METHODS: Cumulative genetic risk scores were calculated using the 19 known allelic associations. Exome sequencing was performed in three members of a small Amish family with AMD who lacked the common risk alleles in complement factor H (CFH) and ARMS2/HTRA1. Follow-up genotyping and association analysis was performed in a cohort of 973 Amish individuals, including 95 with self-reported AMD. RESULTS: The cumulative genetic risk score analysis generated a mean genetic risk score of 1.12 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.10, 1.13) in the Amish controls and 1.18 (95% CI: 1.13, 1.22) in the Amish cases. This mean difference in genetic risk scores is statistically significant (P = 0.0042). Exome sequencing identified a rare variant (P503A) in CFH. Association analysis in the remainder of the Amish sample revealed that the P503A variant is significantly associated with AMD (P = 9.27 × 10(-13)). Variant P503A was absent when evaluated in a cohort of 791 elderly non-Amish controls, and 1456 non-Amish cases. CONCLUSIONS: Data from the cumulative genetic risk score analysis suggests that the variants reported by the AMDGene consortium account for a smaller genetic burden of disease in the Amish compared with the non-Amish Caucasian population. Using exome sequencing data, we identified a novel missense mutation that is shared among a densely affected nuclear Amish family and located in a gene that has been previously implicated in AMD risk.

Inverse association of female hormone replacement therapy with age-related macular degeneration and interactions with ARMS2 polymorphisms.

Purpose. To investigate whether female reproductive history and hormone replacement therapy (HRT) or birth control pills (BCPs) influence risk for age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and whether genetic factors interact with HRT to modulate AMD risk. Methods. Related and unrelated female participants (n = 799) were examined and data were analyzed with generalized estimating equations with adjustment for age and smoking. Individuals with AMD grades 1 to 2 were considered to be unaffected (n = 239) and those with grades 3 to 5 were considered affected (n = 560). Results. When comparing all cases with controls, significant inverse associations were observed for HRT (odds ratio [OR] = 0.65, 95% CI 0.48-0.90, P = 0.008) and BCPs (OR = 0.60, 95% CI 0.36-0.10, P = 0.048). When analyses were stratified by AMD severity (early versus geographic atrophy versus neovascular), the inverse association remained significant (HRT OR = 0.45, 95% CI 0.30-0.66, P < 0.0001; BCP OR = 0.55, 95% CI 0.32-0.96, P = 0.036) only when comparing neovascular AMD with the control. All pair-wise HRT-genotype and BCP-genotype interactions were examined, to determine whether HRT or BCP modifies the effect of established genetic risk factors. The strongest interactions were observed for HRT x ARMS2 coding SNP (R73H) rs10490923 (P = 0.007) and HRT x ARMS2 intronic SNP rs17623531 (P = 0.019). Conclusions. These findings provide the first evidence suggesting that ARMS2 interacts with HRT to modulate AMD risk and are consistent with previous reports demonstrating a protective relationship between exogenous estrogen use and neovascular AMD. These results highlight the genetic and environmental complexity of the etiologic architecture of AMD; however, further replication is necessary to validate them.