Effect of Facial Parameters in Primary Acquired Nasolacrimal Duct Obstruction.

PURPOSE: In this study, the authors aimed to identify facial and nasal parameters, which may create an anatomic disposition toward obstruction in patients with primary acquired nasolacrimal duct obstruction. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty-eight patients (14 males and 34 females) who presented to the ophthalmology outpatient clinic and were diagnosed with primary acquired nasolacrimal duct obstruction between January 2014 and January 2015 were included in the study. The control group comprised 59 patients (38 females and 21 males) without nasolacrimal duct obstruction. Measurements of nasal height, length, and depth, presence of a nasal hump, alar width and alar angle, distance between the maxillary bone nasal notches, and right and left distances between outer canthi and corners of the mouth were made using photographs of the patients. The presence of facial asymmetry was also assessed. RESULTS: Facial asymmetry (P = 0.014) and nasal hump (P = 0.048) were more common in the patient group. The patient group had smaller nasal radix depth (P < 0.001), nasal length (P = 0.001), and alar width (P < 0.001), larger distance between maxillary bone nasal notches (P < 0.001), and smaller alar angle (P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: In the current study, the authors found that primary acquired nasolacrimal duct obstruction occurred more frequently on the side of the face with shorter facial measurements. Smaller nasal radix depth, nasal length, and alar base width, presence of a nasal hump and longer distance between maxillary bone nasal notches may form an anatomic basis for nasolacrimal duct obstruction. Based on our results, the authors believe that primary acquired nasolacrimal duct obstruction is associated with facial structure.

Interferon-alpha2b may impair myelinization of rat optic nerve.

This story investigated the effects of interferon-alpha-2b (IFN-alpha2b) on the optic nerves of 17 adult male Wistar albino rats. Animals were divided into 3 groups: 6 rats (group 1) received 7.5 units (5 mIU/m2) IFN-alpha2b-a normal treatment dose, and 6 (groups 2) received 30.0 units (20 mIU/m2)-a high dose; 5 rats (control group) received 0.5 mL saline. Test substances were delivered by intraperitoneal injection 3 times a week for 3 weeks with animals under inhalation anesthesia. After the rats were sacrificed, their optic nerves were dissected, sectioned, and examined under an electron microscope. The mean thicknesses of the basal membranes of blood vessels were 86.354 nm in the control group, 104.297 nm in group 1, and 140.181 nm in group 2. Basal membrane changes in IFN groups were dose dependent. Mitochondrial swelling, degeneration, increased diameter of vacuoles, and vacuolization in the cytoplasm of oligodendrocytes and astrocytes were also observed. IFN-alpha2b has histopathologic effects on blood vessels and cells of the optic nerve.