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Background/aimsTo present a case series of patients with facial nerve palsy (FNP) undergoing lower eyelid surgery where inadequate horizontal tarsal length was encountered and managed with a periosteal flap.MethodsA two-centre retrospective, non-comparative case series of all patients with FNP who underwent lower eyelid periosteal flap procedures. Theatre records identified all such procedures performed by, or under the supervision of, one of two surgeons (RM, BCP) between November 2018 and November 2020. Outcome measures, including the Cornea, static Asymmetry, Dynamic function, Synkinesis grading score, were measured preoperatively and postoperatively.ResultsAll 17 patients had undergone medial canthal tendon (MCT) plication. Six had previously undergone MCT plication then were listed for further lower eyelid surgery. In 11 cases, horizontal deficiency was encountered intraoperatively, immediately following MCT plication. Four patients were surgery-naïve. 94% were within the ‘contraction phase’ of FNP (ie, greater than 1-year duration); eight (45%) had previously undergone lower eyelid shortening procedures (such as lateral tarsal strip procedure, LTS). All patients had improved lower eyelid position postoperatively, although at 1-year postoperation, four patients require redo lower eyelid surgery.ConclusionsMCT plication and stabilisation appear to be closely linked to the need for lower eyelid lengthening procedures, particularly in patients who have also undergone LTS and/or those within the ‘contraction phase’ of FNP. Unnecessary loss of horizontal tarsal length (particularly during LTS procedures) must be avoided in patients with FNP. Surgeons managing such patients should take care to identify inadvertent eyelid shortening early and be prepared to perform a lateral periosteal flap when required.

Punctoplasty is a common procedure in the management of punctal stenosis and was first described by Sir William Bowman in 1853. Several types of punctoplasty are described, and include 1-snip, 2-snip, triangular 3-snip, rectangular 3-snip and 4-snip procedures. The understanding of the anatomy and physiology of the punctum has greatly improved in the last decade aided by electron microscopic and molecular techniques. The use of minimally invasive modalities for primary cases is on the rise with successful preservation of the physiological functions of the punctum and canaliculus. The paper reviews the current anatomical and physiological evidence to present an alternative perspective. Given our evolving understanding, it may be time to debate the practice of performing routine punctoplasty.

Background: Standard electrosurgery provides superior hemostasis compared to a cold steel scalpel, but inferior tissue healing. A novel electrosurgical blade with an advanced waveform, the MEGADYNE ACE BLADE™ 700 Soft Tissue Dissector (ACE), was designed to provide both excellent hemostasis and wound healing. This study compared ACE to scalpel and standard electrosurgery in a porcine model of wound healing. Methods: Skin incisions from six pigs were evaluated at time points of 0, 1, 2, 3 and 6 weeks after application of the three devices. Histopathology was performed on samples from each time point. For each non-initial time point, the healing incisions were photographed for later evaluation by expert graders, and excised for wound strength testing. Results: Time 0 photomicrographs showed a gradient of thermal tissue damage by initial incision, ranging from no damage made by the scalpel, minimal damage made by ACE, and twice the ACE damage made by a nonstick PTFE-coated electrosurgical blade. Histopathologic analysis at 6 weeks showed comparable dermal scar width measurements for scalpel and ACE incisions. Scars were wider for incisions made by standard electrosurgical blade. Wound strength was greater for scalpel and ACE than for standard electrosurgery. Cosmetic results at 6 weeks were not significantly different between scalpel and ACE incisions, while standard electrosurgical blade incisions were significantly inferior to ACE (odds ratio: 53.4, p

Purpose To report the etiology, management, and possible risk factors for diplopia after canalicular bypass surgery. Methods A multicenter retrospective, noncomparative case series of patients who developed diplopia following canalicular bypass surgery were assessed. Results Twenty-four cases of diplopia were identified across 12 institutions. Tubes were inserted as a primary procedure with external dacryocystorhinostomy (DCR) (1; 4%) or without DCR (10; 42%) or as a secondary procedure after external (8; 33%) or endonasal (5; 21%) DCR. Factors predisposing to local damage were noted in 17 (71%): these factors included preexisting autoimmune/inflammatory condition (7 cases), medial canthal tumor resection (5 cases), preoperative radiotherapy (2 cases), 2 drug treatments (topical and systemic), and 1 local surgery. Horizontal diplopia was due to restriction of abduction and first noted at a median of 3.5 months (mean: 17.8 months, range: 1 day to 112 months) and persisted in 23 (96%) cases with a mean restriction of -2, affecting primary gaze in 4 patients and activities of daily living in 13 (42%). Seventeen patients received various treatments: 10 were operated on resulting in cure in 1 and improvement in 9. A stable degree of diplopia persisted in all but one patient. Conclusions Restriction of abduction causing horizontal diplopia is a rare complication with canalicular bypass surgery and a notably high proportion occurred after tube placement without DCR; carunculectomy was not ubiquitous. Although in some the diplopia may be improved with intervention, the chance of cure is low. This complication should probably be included during informed consent for canalicular bypass tubes.

BACKGROUND: ‘Kissing puncta’ (KP) or punctal apposition is an anatomical phenomenon sparsely reported in the English literature. We describe our experience of managing chronic epiphora in patients with punctal apposition. METHODS: A retrospective audit of five patients (nine eyes) with KP associated with epiphora. Data including: presenting symptoms, physical signs and surgical outcomes were collected. RESULTS: Five patients aged between 66 and 77 years were reviewed. Common clinical features were: chronic epiphora, involutional eyelid laxity, kissing puncta (present at all phases of the blink) and reduced upper and lower margin-reflex distances. Medial upper eyelid ptosis with orbital fat prolapse was a prominent feature. Four patients (nine eyes underwent eyelid-tightening surgery to restore normal anatomical position of the puncta. Only one of the four patients achieved improvement in epiphora at 3 months. One patient with continued epiphora underwent subsequent dacrocystorhinostomy with improvement in symptoms. The fifth patient had mild laxity and underwent dacrocystorhinostomy at first instance, with no improvement in symptoms, despite surgical success. CONCLUSIONS: The KP sign is commonly found in those with involutional eyelid changes. Epiphora is present in variable degrees in the presence of punctal apposition. Restoration of normal punctal position with eyelid-tightening surgery does not always confer an improvement in epiphora. Surgical management in the setting of KP is therefore challenging with a guarded prognosis. Symptomatic patients with KP should be counselled accordingly.

The authors report a case of a 72-year-old woman with unilateral, complete, reversible blindness (no light perception) immediately after uncomplicated repair of an orbital floor fracture. In this case, vision loss was reversed with prompt surgical intervention with removal of the orbital floor implant. The authors review the etiology of vision loss after orbital fracture repair and hypothesize as to the cause of blindness in this case. Given the frequency with which orbital fracture repair is performed by a variety of surgical subspecialists, it is imperative for surgeons to be familiar with the ophthalmic complications and be aware of the multiple causes of postoperative vision loss. The authors propose that immediate postoperative assessment of visual function be performed on all patients undergoing orbital fracture repair.

The aim of this study was to describe a modified technique of intraorbital irrigation of amphotericin B in the treatment of rhino-orbital mucormycosis. A 38-year-old man was diagnosed with rhino-orbital mucormycosis and subsequently underwent orbital and sinus debridement with postoperative intraorbital irrigation of amphotericin B. Daily irrigation of amphotericin B was infused in the orbit with measures taken to avoid iatrogenic toxicity to the ocular surface and gastrointestinal tract. The use of local amphotericin B irrigation directly in the orbit allowed for local control of infection without orbital exenteration, a good cosmetic outcome and excellent postoperative visual acuity. The published reports on the use of intraorbital irrigation with amphotericin B in mucormycosis infections were reviewed and the technique used at the institution was outlined.

Objective This study aimed to examine the natural course and relapse rate of IgG4-related ophthalmic disease (IgG4-ROD) after debulking surgery in Japanese patients. Methods and analysis This retrospective review included patients with IgG4-ROD who did not undergo further treatment following debulking surgery. The patients were diagnosed between January 2009 and December 2018 at the Department of Ophthalmology and Pathology, Niigata University Medical and Dental Hospital. The main outcome measures included postoperative IgG4-ROD recurrence rate and differences between patients with and without recurrent disease. Results Fifteen patients (six male, 9 female; 61.8±16.2 years) were included. Twelve patients (80.0%) had dacryoadenitis disease and three patients (20.0%) had orbital fat tissue disease. About 70%–100% of the lesion was resected in the debulking surgery and the pathological diagnosis was rendered. A definitive diagnosis was made in 13 cases (86.7%) and a probable diagnosis in 2 cases (13.3%). Patients were followed up for 39.0±25.5 months following operation. All patients had lesion volume reduction and patients with dacryoadenitis had eyelid swelling improvement after surgery. Two patients (13.3%) had disease recurrence and six patients (40.0%) had extraophthalmic lesions. There was no statistically significant difference in clinical features between relapsed and non-recurring cases. Conclusion We observed a 13.3% relapse rate following debulking surgery in patients with IgG4-ROD who did not undergo further treatment. This rate is lower than the documented relapse rate of 30%–70% following oral prednisolone therapy. Therefore, debulking surgery may be a treatment option for IgG4-ROD.

Idiopathic subepidermal calcinosis, also known as idiopathic calcinosis cutis, is a rare condition, which typically presents as a small, hard, subepithelial mass in the absence of systemic disease and trauma. We report on an atypical case of idiopathic calcinosis, which appeared in an otherwise healthy 61-year-old female along the tarsus of her right upper eyelid. The purpose of this case report is to demonstrate idiopathic calcinosis in an unusual location that is deep to the dermis and to discuss the vast differential diagnosis of this entity.

Optic nerve sheath fenestration (ONSF) is an important procedure in the management of patients with idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH) who do not respond to medical treatment. Traditional surgical approaches for fenestration have limitations. Furthermore, when tumors in the intraconal space medially and superiorly are encountered, complex surgical approaches with significant morbidity have been used. We present our surgical approach to these conditions with a technique that is quick, safe, and efficient.

We performed bilateral optic nerve sheath fenestrations on a patient with the syndrome of acquired hyperopia and choroidal folds. We are unaware of previous reports of this procedure being performed in this clinical setting. Despite the incomplete resolution of his posterior segment findings postoperatively, the results of the procedure, along with an understanding of the relevant anatomy, may help to shed light on the pathogenesis of this rare entity.

Pneumosinus dilatans (PSD) involves paranasal sinus enlargement without radiologic evidence of localized bone destruction, hyperostosis, or mucous membrane thickening. We discuss the surgical implications of PSD-associated proptosis in patients with anterior skull-base meningioma. A 20-year-old man with proptosis, hypoglobus, and lateral globe displacement had WHO grade I anterior skull-base and orbital meningiomas. Aggressive resection using anterior/medial orbitotomy and an anterior interhemispheric skull-base approach achieved Simpson grade I resection. Postoperatively, his symptoms improved, with no recurrence at 2-year follow-up. Although PSD-associated proptosis is relatively uncommon, it carries important clinical implications in surgical management of skull-base and orbital meningiomas.

The human tear film is a 3-layered coating of the surface of the eye and a loss, or reduction, in any layer of this film may result in a syndrome of blurry vision and burning pain of the eyes known as dry eye. The lacrimal gland and accessory glands provide multiple components to the tear film, most notably the aqueous. Dysfunction of these glands results in the loss of aqueous and other products required in ocular surface maintenance and health resulting in dry eye and the potential for significant surface pathology. In this paper, we have reviewed products of the lacrimal gland, diseases known to affect the gland, and historical and emerging dry eye therapies targeting lacrimal gland dysfunction.

Eruptive vellus hair cysts are a developmental abnormality of vellus hair follicles that result in small cystic papules occurring most frequently on the chest and proximal extremities. Lesions of the ocular adnexa are extremely rare, and to the best of the authors knowledge, involvement of the orbit has never been reported. The authors describe a patient with an eruptive vellus hair cyst involving the orbit.

Background/aims To review our approach of cautious surgical correction of blepharoptosis in patients with myasthenia gravis (MG) to minimise risk of exposure complications. Methods Retrospective case note review of 30 patients with symptomatic eyelid concerns despite appropriate medical treatment, who underwent eyelid surgery. The mean age at diagnosis was 47 years. 13/30 patients had systemic MG, 14/30 ocular MG and 3/30 congenital MG. The main outcome measures were improvement in eyelid height and/or position, duration of a successful postoperative result, need for further surgical intervention, and intraoperative or postoperative complications. Results 38 blepharoptosis procedures were performed on 23 patients. Mean age at time of surgery was 62 years, with an average follow-up of 29 months. 10 patients (16 eyelids) underwent anterior approach levator advancement, 4 patients (5 eyelids) posterior approach surgery and 8 patients (15 eyelids) brow suspension. One patient (2 eyelids) had tarsal switch surgery. An average improvement in eyelid height of 1.9 mm was achieved. Postoperative symptoms or signs of exposure keratopathy occurred in 17% of patients. This necessitated lid lowering in one eyelid of one patient. During follow-up, 37% of eyelids required further surgical intervention to improve the upper eyelid height, after an average of 19 months (range 0.5–49 months). Conclusions Over a third of patients in our series required repeat surgery, which would be expected when the initial aim was to under-correct this group. In contrast to previous commentaries, the amount of eyelid excursion was not the main factor used to guide the surgical approach.

A 39-year-old man without a significant medical history developed headaches, OS swelling, and limited left-sided ocular motility. An ultrasound of the left orbit and head MRI revealed a retro-orbital mass. A partial left anterior orbitotomy with partial resection was performed, and histopathologic examination of the resected tumor portion was suggestive of a neuroendocrine carcinoma. A large, anterior mediastinal mass was found on chest imaging, and the patient was diagnosed with a primary thymic neuroendocrine tumor. To the authors' knowledge, this is the first report of an otherwise healthy patient presenting with the mass effects of a thymic neuroendocrine carcinoma metastasis to the orbital tissues before detection of the primary thymic malignancy.

Purpose To review the clinical and histopathologic findings associated with subepidermal calcinosis of the eyelids. Methods A systematic review of the literature on subepidermal calcinosis of the eyelids was performed. Cases included were idiopathic in nature and met the histologic criteria for subepidermal calcinosis with calcium deposits in the dermis of the skin. Results Twenty-one publications presenting 53 cases of subepidermal calcinosis involving the eyelids were published between 1970 and 2016. Males were affected more than females (67% vs. 33%), and 89% of patients were 21 years of age or younger. A total of 63% were non-Caucasian. Most cases involved a single lesion (82%), and lesions were most frequently located on the upper eyelid (63%). In 81% of cases, the lesion was less than 5 mm in diameter. When reported, the treatment of choice was complete surgical excision. Conclusions Subepidermal calcinosis should be considered in the differential diagnosis of idiopathic lesions on the eyelid, particularly in young males with no history of systemic disease or laboratory abnormalities. These nodules usually present as painless, small, firm, mobile solitary cutaneous lesions with a predilection for the upper eyelid. Diagnosis is confirmed by histopathology, and treatment is with surgical excision.

To evaluate the outcomes of endonasal dacryocystorhinostomy (EN-DCR) surgery in patients with sarcoidosis.Retrospective chart review of all patients with sarcoidosis undergoing EN-DCR in 6 practices from 1999-2011.We included 18 procedures in 14 patients (8 female, 6 male) who underwent EN-DCR for acquired NLDO secondary to sarcoidosis. The mean age was 53.7 (range 38-82). The presenting symptom in all cases was epiphora. Eight patients (57%) complained of having additional nasal congestion. Surgery was performed using endoscopic powered-type DCR with flaps in 12/18 (67%) and non-endoscopic mechanical EN-DCR in 6/18 (33%). In 15 (83%) cases the lacrimal sac and nasal mucosa appeared abnormally yellowish, crusty, oedematous and friable. Five patients were treated with pre-operative oral steroid and overall 8 patients had oral prednisolone post operatively, 30-60 mg tapered within 10 days-8 weeks. One patient had difficulties in tapering down the oral steroids at 6 months of follow-up. All patients were free of epiphora and patent to syringing, with nasal endoscopy revealing free flow of fluorescein through the ostium at a mean follow-up of 11.3 months (median follow-up 9 months).All 18 cases of acquired nasolacrimal duct obstruction secondary to sarcoidosis were treated successfully with EN-DCR. An abnormal appearance of the nasal mucosa is an important sign. Nasal congestion is a frequent sign. A successful outcome may not depend on intensive long-term therapy with local or systemic steroids. Mechanical or powered EN-DCR for nasolacrimal duct obstruction secondary to sarcoidosis achieves encouraging medium-term outcomes.

A 6-month-old boy presented with recurrent, poorly differentiated orbital sarcoma diagnosed as nonrhabdomyosarcoma soft tissue sarcoma, as pathologic and immunohistochemical evaluation was inconsistent with rhabdomyosarcoma or other specific sarcoma subtypes. He responded favorably to a treatment regimen for poorly differentiated sarcomas.

OBJECTIVE Meningioma-associated proptosis (MAP) can be cosmetically and functionally debilitating for patients with sphenoorbital and other skull base meningiomas, and there is limited information on the quantitative improvement in proptosis after surgery. Because less extensive removals of tumor involving the orbit fail to reduce proptosis, the senior author has adopted an aggressive surgical approach to the removal of tumor involving the periorbita and orbit. The authors of this study retrospectively reviewed outcomes of this surgical approach. METHODS All surgeries for MAP performed by a single surgeon between January 1, 2002, and May 1, 2015, were reviewed. Age, sex, visual symptoms, number and types of surgical treatments, cavernous sinus involvement, complications, duration of follow-up, residual tumor, use of adjuvant radiation therapy, and extent of proptosis resolution as measured by the exophthalmos index (EI) pre- and postoperatively and at the final follow-up were recorded. RESULTS Thirty-three patients (24 female [73%]) with an average age of 51.6 years were treated for MAP. Of the 22 patients with additional visual symptoms (for example, loss of visual acuity, field cut, or diplopia), 15 had improved vision and 7 had stable vision. No patients had worse proptosis after treatment. The average preoperative EI was 1.39, the average immediate postoperative EI was 1.23, and the average final EI at the most recent follow-up was 1.13. Thus, average overall EI improvement was 0.26, but the average immediate EI reduction was 0.16, demonstrating that proptosis progressively improved during the postoperative period. Residual cavernous sinus involvement was present in 17 of 18 patients who had had preoperative cavernous sinus meningioma involvement. Only 2 patients in the series had recurrent tumor at the orbital region, and their proptosis improved again after reoperation. One case of delayed vasospasm and 2 cases of postoperative trigeminal numbness (V2) were recorded. The average follow-up was 4.5 years (53.8 months). CONCLUSIONS In this series, all patients experienced proptosis improvement and none had worse visual symptoms at the final follow-up, although proptosis resolution occurred over time. Only 2 patients had tumor recurrence at the orbit that required surgery. Surgical complications were uncommon. Study results suggest that aggressive resection of MAP is well tolerated and offers superior proptosis elimination with infrequent recurrence at the orbit. Importantly, no cases of enophthalmos were noted despite the lack of formal reconstruction of the orbit.

Object Lesions of the cavernous sinus remain a technical challenge. The most common surgical approaches involve some variation of the standard frontotemporal craniotomy. Here, the authors describe a surgical approach to access the cavernous sinus that involves the removal of the lateral orbital wall. Methods To achieve exposure of the cavernous sinus, a lateral canthal incision is performed, and the lateral orbital rim and anterior lateral wall are removed, for later replacement at closure. The posterior lateral orbital wall is removed to the region of the superior and inferior orbital fissures. With reflection of the dural covering of the lateral cavernous sinus and removal of the anterior clinoid process, the cavernous sinus is exposed. Results Exposure and details of the procedure were derived from anatomical study in cadavers. After the approach, with removal of the anterior clinoid process, the entire cavernous sinus from the superior orbital fissure anteriorly to the Meckel cave posteriorly is exposed. More exposure to the lateral middle fossa, foramen spinosum, and petrous carotid artery is obtained by further removal of the lateral sphenoid wing. An illustrative case example for approaching a cavernous sinus meningioma is presented. Conclusions The translateral orbital wall approach provides a simple, rapid approach for lesions with primary or secondary involvement of the cavernous sinus. Advantages of this simple, extradural approach include the lack of brain retraction and no interruption of the temporalis muscle.

PurposeTo describe the occurrence and severity of upper eyelid skin contracture in facial nerve palsy (FNP).MethodsWe enroled consecutive patients with unilateral FNP into this study. Patients with previous upper eyelid surgery for either side were excluded. We developed a standardised technique to measure the distance between the upper eyelid margin and the lower border of brow (LMBD). FNP was graded using the Sunnybrook grading scale. Its aetiology, duration, and treatment were noted. Upper and lower marginal reflex distance and lagophthalmos were also noted.ResultsSixty-six patients (mean age 51 years) were included. FNP was owing to a variety of aetiologies. LMBD on the paralytic side was shorter than the normal contralateral side in 47 (71%), equal in 15 (23%), and larger in four (6%) patients. The mean contracture was 3.4 mm (median: 3, range: 1-12) with 11 (17%) patients showing 5 mm or more of skin contracture. The mean LMBD on the paralytic side in all patients was significantly smaller than the contralateral side; 30±3.7 (median: 30; 95% CI 29-31) compared with 32±3.7 (median: 32; 95% CI 32-33), respectively, P

Precise description of clinical findings is a sine qua non of effective communication and documentation in medicine. To that end, there have not, to date, been accurate words to describe lateral or medial displacement of the globe. Such displacements are frequently seen with orbital disease. The author makes a case for the use of esoglobus and exoglobus to describe such displacements.

Although the first bony osteotomy was described by Celsus (25 bc to ad 50) (the bone was burned with a red-hot iron which led to sloughing of the bone),1 every lacrimal surgeon knows that the era of modern, successful lacrimal surgery began when the Florentine ear, nose and throat surgeon, Addeo Toti, described the external dacryocystorhinostomy (DCR) in 1904.2 Dupuy-Dutemps and Bourget introduced anastomosis of the lacrimal and nasal mucosal flaps.3 The procedure has remained largely unchanged since, with improvement in success rates largely due to advances in suture materials, anaesthesia and instruments. The external DCR, the procedure by which all other techniques are judged, gives a success rate of between 90 and 95%4567 although the occasional modern study still shows success rates around 75%.8 Endonasal or intranasal DCR was described even earlier, by Caldwell, in 1893.9 Unlike the external DCR, this approach was limited by technical difficulties: difficulty in visualising the surgical site, achieving effective soft tissue and bone removal, and controlling haemorrhage. So, although some surgeons like West in 191010 claimed a 90% success rate, the procedure was uncommonly used through most of the 20th century. With the advent of the rigid fibreoptic endoscope and its use in paranasal sinus surgery, there has been renewed interest over the past two decades in endonasal surgery to correct primary and recurrent nasolacrimal duct (NLD) obstruction.4101112 The many variations include non-endoscopic endonasal DCR, endonasal mechanical DCR, endonasal laser DCR, creation of mucosal flaps, different sizes of osteotomies, different sites of osteotomies, use of stents, use of mitomycin C and others. Invariably, this wide range of procedures, coupled with the variable experience of surgeons reporting on the procedures, has resulted in success rates from 50% to 100%.13 …

The diagnosis of acute hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is not straightforward; few people exhibit clinical symptoms and genome/antigen detection techniques do not indicate when infection had occurred. Here, a strategy to detect HCV RNA in the absence of antibody ('window-period') for diagnosis of acute infection is assessed. The sentinel surveillance of hepatitis testing study was used to retrospectively identify anti-HCV negative samples from high-risk individuals (2002-2003), for testing singly for HCV RNA. Additional samples were identified prospectively (2005) and tested in pools for HCV RNA. Positive samples were genotyped. Incidence and costs of adopting the pooling strategy were estimated. In the retrospective study, 8/390 (2.1%) samples were confirmed HCV RNA positive, anti-HCV negative. Prospectively, 3237 samples were tested in 325 pools. Five positive pools identified four confirmed HCV RNA positive patients (one false positive). Estimated incidence was 12.9 per 100 person-years in injecting drug users (IDUs) (retrospective study) and 3.7 per 100 person-years among drug/alcohol services and prison attendees (prospective study). Estimated costs were pound 850 per positive sample, in areas of higher risk. The yield from a window-period strategy depends upon the population tested. Pooled HCV RNA testing of anti-HCV negative samples from the current IDUs is realistic and relatively inexpensive to identify recently infected individuals.

Aim To report a case series of patients with persistent temple-related problems following lateral wall rim-sparing (LWRS) orbital decompression for thyroid-related orbitopathy and to discuss their management. Methods Retrospective review of medical records of patients referred to two oculoplastic centres (Corneoplastic Unit, Queen Victoria Hospital, East Grinstead, UK and Moran Eye Center, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, USA) for intervention to improve/alleviate temple-related problems. All patients were seeking treatment for their persistent, temple-related problems of minimum 3 years’ duration post decompression. The main outcome measure was the resolution or improvement of temple-related problems. Results Eleven orbits of six patients (five females) with a median age of 57 years (range 23–65) were included in this study. Temple-related problems consisted of cosmetically bothersome temple hollowness (n=11; 100%), masticatory oscillopsia (n=8; 73%), temple tenderness (n=4; 36%), ‘clicking’ sensation (n=4; 36%) and gaze-evoked ocular pain (n=4; 36%). Nine orbits were also complicated by proptosis and exposure keratopathy. Preoperative imaging studies showed the absence of lateral wall in all 11 orbits and evidence of prolapsed lacrimal gland into the wall defect in four orbits. Intervention included the repair of the lateral wall defect with a sheet implant, orbital decompression involving fat, the medial wall or orbital floor and autologous fat transfer or synthetic filler for temple hollowness. Postoperatively, there was full resolution of masticatory oscillation, temple tenderness, ‘clicking’ sensation and gaze-evoked ocular pain, and an improvement in temple hollowness. Pre-existing diplopia in one patient resolved after surgery while two patients developed new-onset diplopia necessitating strabismus surgery. Conclusions This is the first paper to show that persistent, troublesome temple-related problems following LWRS orbital decompression can be surgically corrected. Patients should be counselled about the potential risk of these complications when considering LWRS orbital decompression.

This paper describes sentinel laboratory surveillance of hepatitis C antibody testing in England. Demographic and test result data were supplemented by follow-up questionnaires sent to the requesting clinician. Between October 2002 and September 2003 almost 75000 anti-HCV tests were performed in eight sentinel centres. More males were tested than females and over half of those tested were aged 25–44 years. Overall 5·7% (3333/58144, range 2·8–7·7%) individuals tested positive. Follow-up questionnaire data showed that 82% (1043/1277) of the positives had injecting drug use reported as the main risk exposure. The majority of negative individuals were undergoing routine screening as recommended for specific patient groups. Most individuals were asymptomatic. Antibody prevalence was estimated to be 34% in current injecting drug users and 42% in former injectors. Comparing positives to routine national surveillance suggests that only 53% (1782/3333) of diagnosed cases were reported. Sentinel laboratory data can provide valuable supplementary data to national surveillance.

Purpose: To review injection techniques and patient satisfaction with injection of Restylane in various facial areas by American Society of Ophthalmic Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery members. Methods: Data from 286 patients treated with Restylane in nine American Society of Ophthalmic Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery practices were abstracted to a spreadsheet for analysis. Results: Nine practices performed Restylane injections for 8.8 months on average (range, 2 to 28 months). Average practice volume per patient was 1.2 ml (range, 0.7 to 2.1 ml). Nine of nine practices injected the nasolabial and melolabial folds, 9 of 9 practices injected the lips, and 6 of 9 injected the glabella. Only 2 of 9 practices injected other fillers concurrently. Botox was injected concurrently by 8 of 9 practices. On a scale of 1 to 10, physicians rated average patient discomfort during Restylane injection 4.6 with topical anesthesia and 2.1 with injectable lidocaine, with or without topical anesthesia. The end point for injection was determined by visual cues, volume of injection, extrusion of the product, and palpation. “Problematic” complications, including bruising, swelling, bumpiness, and redness each had an incidence of 5% or less. Patient satisfaction on a scale of 1 to 10 had an average rating of 8.1, compared with that of Botox injection (8.9), upper blepharoplasty (8.9), and collagen injection (6.6). The source of Restylane patients was estimated to be existing Botox patients (45%); existing non-Botox patients (18%); word of mouth (14%); and new patients for other services (13%). Conclusions: Injection techniques, volume, end points, and anesthesia vary for different facial areas and between practices. Patients experience mild to moderate injection discomfort that is lessened with injectable lidocaine. Self-limited problems occur in about 5% of patients. Physician-determined patient satisfaction is perceived to be higher than that of collagen injection but slightly lower than that of botulinum toxin injection. The major source of Restylane patients was from existing practice patients, especially botulinum toxin patients.

As the surgeon learns to address the aging changes of the forehead, brows, eyelids and cheeks, the natural progression is to understand aging of the lower one-third of the face and aging of the neck. An understanding of surface anatomy, a review of the underlying anatomical changes of aging and an overview of the palette of procedures applicable to the aging of the neck are presented to introduce the surgeon to this important part of the aging face.

Objectives: To describe HIV diagnoses, including those of HIV-2 infection, made in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland (E,W&NI) among those probably infected in west Africa, and to consider whether there is evidence for ongoing heterosexual transmission within the United Kingdom. Methods: Reports of new HIV diagnoses received at the Communicable Disease Surveillance Centre were analysed. Individuals probably infected in west Africa and those infected through heterosexual intercourse within the United Kingdom by a heterosexual partner infected in west Africa were included. Results: Between 1985 and 2003 inclusive, 1324 individuals diagnosed and reported with HIV had probably been infected in west Africa, with 222 diagnoses made in 2003. 917 (69%) were HIV-1 infected and 52 (6%) HIV-2 or HIV-1/HIV-2 co-infected. For 355 (27%) the HIV type was not reported. The proportion of HIV-2 and HIV-1/HIV-2 infections varied by country of infection (p

PURPOSE To compare the safety and efficacy of topical versus retrobulbar anesthesia for primary trabeculectomy METHODS A prospective study of 36 consecutive patients undergoing trabeculectomy who were randomized to receive topical (n = 18) or retrobulbar (n = 18) anesthesia. Operating conditions, patient comfort, and surgical outcome were evaluated. SETTINGS Tertiary-care university hospital ambulatory surgical center. RESULTS There were no differences in operating conditions (P = 0.14), pain during (P = 0.54) or after (P = 0.76) surgery, or supplemental anesthesia required (P = 0.34) between the two groups. Very few patients in either group were bothered by touch sensation, tissue manipulation, or the microscope light. Chemosis, subconjunctival hemorrhage and eyelid hemorrhage were seen exclusively in the retrobulbar group (P

Purpose: To compare the safety and efficacy of topical and retrobulbar anesthesia for combined phacotrabeculectomy. Setting: Tertiary-care university hospital ambulatory surgical center. Methods: In this prospective study, 40 consecutive patients having combined phacotrabeculectomy were randomized to receive topical (n = 20) or retrobulbar (n = 20) anesthesia. Operating conditions, patient comfort, and surgical outcome were evaluated. Results: There was no significant between-group difference in operating conditions ( P = .56), pain during ( P = .41) or after ( P = .23) surgery, or supplemental anesthesia required ( P = .49). Few patients in either group were bothered by tissue manipulation or the microscope light, although more patients in the topical group were slightly bothered by touch sensation ( P = .05). Chemosis, subconjunctival hemorrhage, and eyelid hematoma were seen almost exclusively in the retrobulbar group ( P P = .04), although this did not pose a problem to the surgeon. Conclusion: Topical anesthesia is a safe and effective alternative to retrobulbar anesthesia for combined phacotrabeculectomy.

Metastatic mucinous adenocarcinoma in the orbit is extremely rare. We review the literature and report a case of metastatic mucinous adenocarcinoma of the orbit in a 37-year-old male with primary pancreatic adenocarcinoma.

Objective To determine whether intraocular lidocaine increases patient comfort during cataract surgery while under topical anesthesia. Design Prospective, randomized, double-masked, placebo-controlled clinical trial. Participants Both men and women between 45 and 85 years of age who were scheduled for elective cataract surgery while under topical anesthesia participated. Sixty-eight patients were randomized to each group. Intervention Patients were randomized to receive either topical anesthesia plus intracameral 1% preservative-free lidocaine or intracameral balanced salt solution. Main outcome measures Patient assessment of pain during delivery of the anesthesia, surgery, and after surgery using a visual analog pain scale was measured. Patients also recorded the degree to which they were bothered by tissue manipulation and the microscope light. Surgeon assessments of operative conditions, patient cooperation, and intraoperative complications were recorded. The attending anesthesiologist recorded any required supplemental intravenous sedation and any increase in pulse or increase in blood pressure. Results There was no significant difference in patient-reported pain scores for delivery of anesthesia ( P = 0.902), surgery ( P = 0.170), or after surgery ( P = 0.680). Patients in the lidocaine group reported being less bothered by tissue manipulation ( P = 0.021). The surgeon assessment showed more patient cooperation in the lidocaine group ( P = 0.043). Conclusions Both topical anesthesia alone and topical anesthesia plus intracameral lidocaine provide good operative conditions for the surgeon and comfortable surgical circumstances for the patient. Injection of intraocular lidocaine increases patient cooperation and decreases the degree to which patients are bothered by tissue manipulation, two outcomes that justify its use.

Summary:To investigate causes, associations, and results of treatment with blepharospasm, 1,653 patients were evaluated by extensive questionnaires to study blepharospasm and long-term results of treatment with the full myectomy operation, botulinum-A toxin, drug therapy, and help from the Benign Es

To evaluate and compare the efficacy of topical versus retrobulbar anesthesia for cataract surgery performed by a surgeon newly converting to the topical technique.Department of Ophthalmology, Moran Eye Center, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA.Ninety patients were prospectively assigned by permuted block restricted randomization to receive topical (Group 1; n = 45) or retrobulbar (Group 2; n = 45) anesthesia. Group 1 received topical bupivacaine 0.75% and intravenous midazolam and fentanyl for anesthesia. Group 2 received intravenous methohexital followed by retrobulbar block with an equal mixture of lidocaine 2% and bupivacaine 0.75% plus hyaluronidase 150 units. A visual pain analog scale was used to assess the degree of pain during anesthesia administration and surgery and postoperatively. The degree to which eye movement, touch, and light caused patient discomfort was assessed. Intraoperative conditions and complications were recorded.Intraoperative operating conditions were significantly better in Group 2 (P.05). There was a small but statistically significant difference in the degree of discomfort during anesthesia administration and surgery (P.05). There was no difference in postoperative discomfort. Chemosis, subconjunctival hemorrhage, and eyelid hemorrhage occurred only in Group 2, in which there was one retrobulbar hemorrhage. Although eyelid squeezing and ocular motility were present more frequently in Group 1, neither was a problem to the surgeon.Cataract surgery was safely performed by a surgeon converting to topical anesthesia. After a distinct learning curve, the procedure was performed with minimal patient discomfort. Surgical training and patient preparation are the key to safe use of topical anesthesia.

A 29-year-old white man, with oculodermal melanocytosis, had a rapidly enlarging, erythematous, painful nodule over his left brow, within the nevus. The lesion was excised and diagnosed as a malignant melanoma. Systemic evaluation showed no evidence of distant disease. This is the tenth case reported of a cutaneous melanoma developing in a nevus of Ota. Melanoma arising in the choroid, brain, orbit, iris, ciliary body, or optic nerve in association with a nevus of Ota is well documented. Careful observation is necessary in patients with a nevus of Ota, particularly in white patients, in whom malignant degeneration seems to occur with a disproportionate frequency.

There has been a bewildering increase in the number and types of lasers available to the modern surgeon for the treatment of a variety of lesions. Pigmented and vascular lesions lend themselves to laser therapy and are common presentations in the cosmetic practice. While many different lasers may be effective for the treatment of these lesions, each has its own advantages and disadvantages. A detailed understanding of the specific properties and the applicability of the different lasers is vital if one is to successfully incorporate these lasers into one's practice. In this article, we discuss the different types of lasers available for the treatment of these lesions, discuss the specific indications and limitations and present our experience with the krypton laser.

We describe a patient who had bilateral, yellow papules of the upper eyelids. This proved to be the clinical manifestation of an atypical lymphoid hyperplasia of the orbits. We describe this clinical presentation as a new sign of this condition. This finding serves to broaden the differential diagnosis of yellow papules on the eyelids. Atypical lymphoid hyperplasia of the orbits poses a challenging problem. Their benign or malignant nature cannot usually be determined by clinical and radiologic criteria. Most of these infiltrates result in extraocular lymphoma. We describe a patient with bilateral, yellow papules of the upper eyelids that proved to be a manifestation of an atypical lymphoid hyperplasia of the orbits.

An orbital abscess is an ophthalmic surgical emergency that is typically caused by the spread of bacteria from adjacent structures, such as the sinuses, eyelids, or teeth. Although acute dacryocystitis is commonly associated with preseptal cellulitis, it rarely causes orbital infection. Infection of the lacrimal sac will typically localize in the preseptal space because the lacrimal sac lies anterior to the orbital septum. To the authors' knowledge, this is the first report of an intraconal abscess secondary to acute dacryocystitis. The key points in the surgical management of this entity are discussed. [Ophthalmic Surg Lasers 1997;28: 758-761.]

Background: Laser-assisted dacryocystorhinostomy (OCR) has failed to match the success rates of external DCR. It has been suggested that this technology may be best suited for revision of failed DCR cases. The authors prospectively evaluated the efficacy of transcanalicular laser-assisted revision DCR (TCLARDCR). Methods: A neodymium:YAG (Nd:YAG) laser was used for transcanalicular revision of 24 failed DCRs. Failure had followed one (n = 15), two (n = 7), or three (n = 2) previous external DCRs. Results: Mean duration of the surgery was 78.2 minutes. Success was achieved in 11 cases (46%; mean follow-up, 20 months). There was no correlation between early loss of stents and failure. Three cases had partial relief of symptoms. Three of the failures unsuccessfully underwent further TCLARDCR. Conclusions: The authors' success rate of 46% with TCLARDCR compares poorly with the 85% success for external revision DCR. With TCLARDCR, specific anomalies like the sump syndrome cannot be addressed adequately. There is a theoretical risk of canalicular injury. Laser lacrimal surgery also is equipment dependent and more costly than external DCR. The TCLARDCR cannot be recommended for revision DCR using the Nd:YAG laser (Lasersonics, Milpitas, CA).

Lower eyelid malposition is the most common long-term complication following transcutaneous lower eyelid blepharoplasty. The malposition may include rounding of the lateral canthal angle, lower eyelid retraction with inferior scleral show, or frank ectropion. The result is cosmetically unacceptable and may be associated with tearing, irritation, and other exposure keratitis symptoms. Multiple factors, including lower eyelid laxity, shortage of skin, and scarring of the middle lamella, may be responsible for this malposition. A systematic examination of the lower eyelid, as presented, helps to assess the degree to which each of these factors is responsible for the malposition. Patients with the most severe degree of lower eyelid malposition generally have middle lamella scarring. If this abnormality is not addressed, lower eyelid procedures aimed at correcting the malposition are doomed to failure. In the presence of significant middle lamella scarring, a spacer is required to provide vertical height and stiffness to support the lower eyelid following release of the cicatrix. A systematic approach aimed at addressing the underlying abnormalities was developed. In patients with significant middle lamella scarring, hard palate mucosa grafts were used as spacers in 29 eyelids (17 patients). A lateral canthotomy and transconjunctival incision allow access to the scarring in the lower eyelid retractors and septum. After careful release of all cicatrix, a hard palate mucosa graft is inserted between the lower border of the tarsal plate and the recessed conjunctiva, lower eyelid retractors, and septum. Horizontal lower eyelid laxity, when present, is corrected by performing a lateral tarsal strip. Most patients do not have a true deficiency of the anterior lamella (skin and orbicularis oculi muscle). When a moderate amount of anterior lamella deficiency is present with significant scarring of the middle lamella, the technique we describe allows correction of the lower eyelid malposition without a skin graft. After a follow-up interval of 6 to 30 months (mean 14 months), excellent results were obtained in all eyelids. Complications included corneal abrasions in two eyes before routine use of bandage cornea contact lenses at the end of surgery and a secondary bleed from the roof of the mouth in one patient. Palate mucosa closely resembles tarsus and provides excellent vertical support to the eyelid. It is stiff enough to maintain eyelid contour without causing a cosmetically unacceptable bump. Tissue can be obtained with ease. The technique, as described, addresses the underlying causes of lower eyelid malposition and gives excellent functional and cosmetic results.

Malignant orbital tumors represent a broad spectrum of tumors which include primary tumors, secondary tumors (extension from adjacent structures), and metastatic tumors. In addition, orbital inflammation and infection may clinically simulate an orbital neoplasm. In a recent survey of 1,264 consecutive patients with suspected orbital tumor referred to an ophthalmic oncology center, 36 % were malignant tumors. The percentage of malignant tumors increases with age, due to higher incidence of lymphoma and metastasis in the older age groups.

Benign orbital tumors represent a broad spectrum of tumors. In addition, orbital inflammation and infection may clinically simulate an orbital neoplasm. In a recent survey of 1,264 consecutive patients with suspected orbital tumor referred to an ophthalmic oncology center, 64 % of the lesions were benign.

Modern cosmetic surgery of the periorbital area has reached new levels of sophistication. Effective execution of advanced surgical procedures demands artistic intuition and a thorough understanding of anatomy. This article discusses the basic and applied anatomy of the upper and middle thirds of the face. Particular emphasis is placed on recent advances in our understanding of facial anatomy and their surgical applications.

The variable clinical features and the relatively good response of blepharospasm to botulinum-toxin type A are now well established. The etiology and pathophysiology of blepharospasm and related facial movement disorders are still poorly understood. Genetic and histopathologic studies over the last year have contributed to our understanding of this disease. The most significant progress has been made in the electromyographic studies of the the levator palpebrae and orbicularis oculi muscles. Subclassification based on the electromyographic abnormalities of these two muscles have begun to improve our understanding of the variable responses to botulinum-toxin type A. Further electromyographic studies may help identify the best sites of injection for optimal response and differentiate patients requiring limited or complete myectomy. The development of the limited myectomy has provided excellent functional and cosmetic results with quick recovery times in selected patients.