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FLOTCH (leukonychia totalis-trichilemmal cysts-ciliary dystrophy syndrome) syndrome is a rare genetic cutaneous disorder primarily characterized by multiple recurrent trichilemmal pilar cysts and leukonychia. It may be associated with ciliary dystrophy, koilonychia, and/or less frequently renal calculi and pancreatitis inherited in an autosomal-dominant fashion. We report the case of a 25-year-old Black woman who presented with white-colored fingernails and enlarging cysts in multiple locations including the scalp, rib cage, and forearm and was diagnosed with suspected FLOTCH syndrome. Pilar cysts in unusual locations along with distinct nail changes should prompt clinicians to consider further investigation for conditions such as FLOTCH syndrome.

Purpose: To propose additional items for established dry eye disease (DED) instruments that cover blepharitis-specific signs and symptoms and to determine the association between the clinical findings and subjective complaints., Methods: Thirty-one patients with blepharitis and DED were prospectively included in the pretest period for selecting suitable questions. In the main phase of the study, the selected questions were then tested on 68 patients with blepharitis and DED and 20 controls without blepharitis or DED. Pearson's coefficient of correlation was calculated between the blepharitis-specific questions, tear break-up time (TBUT), the Schirmer test score, and the ocular surface disease index (OSDI) score; and the similarity between the blepharitis-specific questions, OSDI questions, and objective parameters for DED was assessed via hierarchical clustering. Furthermore, the discriminatory power of the blepharitis-specific questions was investigated with the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve., Results: The additional question about heavy eyelids revealed a significant correlation with the OSDI score (r = 0.45, p < 0.001) and Schirmer score (r =  - 0.32, p = 0.006). Cluster analysis demonstrated the similarity between the question about heavy eyelids and TBUT. In addition, the OSDI questionnaire had the highest discriminatory power in ROC analysis, and the OSDI score significantly correlated with the specific questions about eyelids sticking together (r = 0.47, p < 0.0001) and watery or teary eyes (r = 0.34, p = 0.003)., Conclusions: The blepharitis-specific additional questions were closely associated with objective parameters for DED. The question about heavy eyelids might be well suited for recording the symptoms of hyposecretory and hyperevaporative dry eye with blepharitis., (© 2023. The Author(s).)

Purpose: To evaluate the efficacy of azithromycin hydrate ophthalmic solution for the treatment of internal hordeolum and meibomitis with or without phlyctenular keratitis., Study Design: Retrospective study., Methods: Patients diagnosed with internal hordeolum or meibomitis were prescribed azithromycin hydrate ophthalmic solution twice daily for 2 days and then once daily for 12 days. Depending on the presence of meibomitis-related keratoconjunctivitis (MRKC), we further divided the patients with meibomitis into three subgroups: meibomitis alone (non-MRKC group), meibomitis with non-phlyctenular MRKC (non-phlyctenular group), and meibomitis with phlyctenular MRKC (phlyctenular group). Inflammatory findings (eyelid redness and conjunctival hyperemia) were scored before and after treatment. Some patients also underwent culture testing fluids discharged by the meibomian gland orifices., Results: Three patients (3 eyes) had internal hordeolum and 16 patients (16 eyes) had meibomitis. After treatment, the inflammatory findings disappeared in all eyes with internal hordeolum. Among the patients with meibomitis, three eyes were in the non-MRKC, six in the non-phlyctenular, and seven in the phlyctenular group. The inflammatory findings were significantly improved only in the phlyctenular group. Among seven eyes with positive culture results, Cutibacterium acnes was detected in five, and treatment improved the inflammatory findings in all of these eyes., Conclusion: Azithromycin hydrate ophthalmic solution is effective for the treatment of inflammatory meibomian gland diseases, including internal hordeolum and meibomitis. In particular, the agent is highly efficient in patients with phlyctenular MRKC., (© 2023. Japanese Ophthalmological Society.)

Chronic eyelid and ocular itch affect many patients seeking dermatologic or ophthalmologic care and have a high burden on patient quality of life. Clinicians should consider the broad range of possible diagnoses when approaching the patient with itch of the eyes or eyelids lasting more than 6 weeks. Allergic conjunctivitis and allergic contact dermatitis are the most common causes of chronic itch of the eyes and eyelids, respectively. Other diagnoses to consider include atopic dermatitis, xerosis, neurogenic itch, dry eye syndrome, seborrheic dermatitis, blepharitis, rosacea, lichen simplex chronicus, and papulosquamous disorders. If no organic cause can be elucidated, diagnoses of psychogenic pruritus or chronic pruritus of unknown origin may be considered. Herein, we discuss the possible etiologies of chronic eyelid and ocular itch inclusive of clinical presentation, diagnostic considerations, and current therapies., Competing Interests: Declaration of Competing Interest The authors declare no conflicts of interest., (Copyright © 2023 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Purpose: To determine the efficacy and safety of eyelid exfoliation treatment in dry eye disease (DED), blepharitis, and contact lens (CL) discomfort patients., Methods: A systematic review that included only full-length randomized controlled studies, reporting the effects of eyelid exfoliation treatment in 2 databases, PubMed and Web of Science, was performed according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses statement. The search period was between October 29, 2022 and December 6, 2022. The Cochrane risk of bias tool was used to analyze the quality of the studies selected., Results: A total of 7 studies were included in this systematic review. Eyelid exfoliation treatment influence on DED, blepharitis, and CL discomfort were analyzed in 6, 4, and 2 studies, respectively. Eyelid exfoliation treatment achieved a better improvement than control group interventions in all reported variables. The mean differences between both groups were as follows: Ocular Surface Disease Index score of -5.0 ± 0.9 points, tear breakup time of 0.43 ± 0.2 seconds, ocular surface staining of -1.4 ± 1.5 points, meibomian glands secretions of 1.2 ± 1.1 points, meibomian glands yielding liquid secretion of 0.6 ± 0.3 points, microorganism load of -3.2 ± 4.7 points, and Contact Lens Dry Eye Questionnaire-8 of -2.15 ± 0.1 points. Minimal discomfort (n = 13) and eyelid irritation (n = 2) were the main complications after an eyelid exfoliation treatment., Conclusions: Eyelid exfoliation is a safe and effective treatment that should be indicated for DED, blepharitis, and CL discomfort., (Copyright © 2023 Asia-Pacific Academy of Ophthalmology. Published by Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. on behalf of the Asia-Pacific Academy of Ophthalmology.)

The aim of the study was to find the relationship between the inflammatory process on the eyelids (blepharitis) and Helicobascter pylori infection. The data of numerous studies are analyzed, which give grounds to suggest a possible pathogenetic or mediated role of H. pylori infection in the development and course of inflammatory eye diseases. Fundamental in these studies are the release of harmful compounds in the exhaled air of patients with H. pylori, such as ammonia, hydrogen nitrate and hydrogen cyanide, the restoration of impression cytology after H. Pylori eradication, the presence of H. pylori in the lacrimal fluid. In this regard, the authors conclude that there are three main possible pathogenetic mechanisms for the association between H. Pylori infection and blepharitis: chronic inflammation, endothelial dysfunction, and oxidative stress.

Background: Ocular rosacea is a common skin condition leading to dry eye that is difficult to manage., Objectives: To estimate the efficacy and safety of a new intense pulsed light device, Thermaeye Plus, for meibomian gland dysfunction and blepharitis due to ocular rosacea., Materials & Methods: This prospective, longitudinal study included 74 eyes of 37 consecutive patients with ocular rosacea, with mean age of 45.6±11.7 years. Four consecutive sessions were undertaken, including14 flashes with 10 J/cm² on the periocular area and facial cheeks on Day 1, 14, 28, and 49. Clinical evaluation was based on: ocular surface disease index (OSDI) and symptom score questionnaires, quality of live and facial severity degree, non-invasive tear meniscus height, non-invasive tear break up time, corneal fluorescein staining and eyelid margin and meibomian gland assessment. Adverse effects on the eye and periocular area, and systemic complications were evaluated., Results: The OSDI questionnaire showed a decrease in symptoms, achieving normal values in 91.9% of patients. The symptom score showed amelioration, with the most significant changes relating to dryness, foreign body sensation, light sensitivity, and pain. Longitudinal analysis showed the most significant improvement between baseline at Day 1 and 49. All eyelid signs improved, most significantly for telangiectasia/vascularity and blepharitis, leading to a 78% clearance of facial rosacea and 81.1% reduction of flushing. In total, 100% of the patients reported an improvement in their quality of life after treatment and 94.6% a very significant improvement (p<0.001)., Conclusion: These results demonstrate that Thermaeye Plus is an effective and safe treatment for ocular rosacea.

Background: The main objective of the study was to determine the prevalence of diabetic retinopathy (DR), other diabetes-related ocular changes (e.g., cataracts, corneal ulceration), and non-diabetic ocular disease in Ghanaian children and adolescents. The second objective was to evaluate the relationship between these conditions and age at diagnosis, current age, diabetes mellitus (DM) duration, and participant's sex., Methods: A cross-sectional study, undertaken by a multidisciplinary team, included a cohort of children and adolescents (4-19 years) with DM recruited from selected health facilities in Ghana, from March 2016 to September 2019, after written informed consent or assent. The cohort will be followed up for 3 years to determine the natural course of the ocular changes, reported later. Participants were examined for all microvascular and macrovascular complications, non-diabetic ocular disease, anthropometric measurements, laboratory characteristics and quality of life issues. Full ocular examination was also undertaken. Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS Version 25.0) was used for the data analysis. Continuous and categorical variables were presented as mean and standard deviation (SD), median (interquartile range) and as percentages (%), respectively. T-test and Mann-Whitney U test were used in establishing associations., Results: A total of 58 participants were recruited. DR was detected in only 1 out of 58 (1.7%) participants at baseline. Cataracts were the most common ocular finding, detected in 42 (72%) at baseline. Other anterior segment changes observed included blepharitis 46 (79.3%) and tear film instability 38 (65.5%). There was a significant positive association between duration of the DM and the risk of cataract ( p = 0.027). Participants' age at diagnosis was significantly associated with the presence of prominent corneal nerves ( p = 0.004)., Conclusions: DR was uncommon in this cohort of young persons with DM in Ghana. Cataracts, blepharitis and refractive errors were ocular changes commonly observed. All young persons with diabetes should undergo regular eye examination in all clinics where follow-up care is provided.