Using anterior segment optical coherence tomography to compare the smoothness of anterior iris surface between two eyes in unilateral Fuchs’ uveitis syndrome

Using anterior segment optical coherence tomography to compare the smoothness of anterior iris surface between two eyes in unilateral Fuchs’ uveitis syndrome

IOLs glistenings and quality of vision

New era in endoscopic vitreoretinal surgery

Endoscopic surgery of the orbit: anatomy, pathology, and management. Editors: Benjamin S. Bleier, Suzanne K. Freitag, Raymond Sacks (2019), printed pages 181, Hardback, ISBN: 978-1-62623-505-2, Thieme New York

Do not hesitate and publish negative results and look for long-term results!

Reporting outcomes of hyaluronic gel filler as a treatment for epiblepharon Abstract Purpose Epiblepharon occurs when an extra skin fold overlaps on the eyelid margin with the isolated form mainly seen in children of east Asian origin. If symptomatic and the use of conservative measures such as lubricants have failed, surgery is usually indicated. This traditionally involves everting sutures or combined skin excision, such as a modified Hotz procedure. However, a temporizing non-surgical alternative to a skin removal procedure, especially if the natural history is for improvement as the child grows older, would be ideal. Methods This is a retrospective single-centre case review of epiblepharon cases treated with hyaluronic acid (HA; Restylane, Galderma UK) treated in the past 5 years by a single surgeon (RM). Institutional review board approval was obtained. Success is defined as improvement or stabilization of the class and/or keratopathy score of the epiblepharon. Results Five patients were identified with epiblepharon between 2012 and 2017 who had hyaluronic acid filler to 8 eyelids. Six eyelids had improvement, 1 remained stable and 1 was worse equating to an 87% success rate; however, 2 opted for reversal using hyaluronidase due to aesthetic reasons. Two went on to have further surgery as they partially responded to filler treatment. Conclusion This study provides further proof of concept that HA is a simple non-surgical and reversible option that may avoid the need for surgery for epiblepharon in selected cases. It may even be considered in older children or adolescents with the caveat that fullness may require hyaluronidase to dissolve.

Visual function in chronic Leber’s hereditary optic neuropathy during idebenone treatment initiated 5 to 50 years after onset Abstract Purpose Leber’s hereditary optic neuropathy (LHON) is a mitochondrial disease characterized by a subacute and progressive impairment and subsequent degeneration of retinal ganglion cells (RGCs). In most cases, it results in optic nerve atrophy and permanently reduced visual acuity (VA). Idebenone has recently been approved in Europe for treating LHON. However, published clinical data has only focused on efficacy in patients within the first years after disease onset. The present study is the first to evaluate possible effects of idebenone treatment in patients with LHON when initiated after more than 5 years from disease onset. Methods Oral treatment with idebenone 300 mg tid was started in seven patients 5 to 51 years after LHON onset. All patients had genetically confirmed primary LHON mutations (m11778G>A, m14484T>C, and m13051G>A). Visual function of all fourteen eyes was tested every 3 months using logarithmic reading charts and automated static threshold perimetry. The obtained clinical data were analyzed retrospectively using a multivariate analysis for VA and the Wilcoxon signed-rank test for visual field data. Results Before treatment, VA was 0.78 ± 0.38 logMAR (range 0.24 to 1.50 logMAR). During the first year of therapy, VA improved significantly by an average of − 0.20 ± 0.10 logMAR or 10 ± 5 ETDRS letters (P = 0.002; VA range 0.06 to 1.30 logMAR). Seven of fourteen eyes showed an improvement of 2 or more lines. Visual field mean deviation increased from − 8.02 ± 6.11 to − 6.48 ± 5.26 dB after 12 months, but this change was not statistically significant (P = 0.056). Conclusions The increase in VA of patients who have had LHON for more than 5 years observed soon after start of treatment may not constitute a coincidental spontaneous recovery. We hypothesize that the treatment response in chronic LHON was the result of a reactivated signal transduction in surviving dysfunctional RGCs. The results of this study indicate a beneficial effect of idebenone on improvement of visual function in LHON patients with established optic atrophy.

Overexpression of fractalkine and its histopathological characteristics in primary pterygium Abstract Purpose This study aimed to evaluate the differences in the expressions of fractalkine in normal bulbar conjunctiva and primary pterygium tissues. Methods The study included 48 patients who had been operated on for primary pterygium. Histopathologically, the presence of epithelial atypia, epithelial hyperplasia, goblet cell hyperplasia, epithelial lymphocytic exocytosis, stromal inflammation, mast cell count, and stromal vascularity were evaluated in the primary pterygium tissues. An immunohistochemical fractalkine stain was applied to the primary pterygium tissue samples and normal bulbar conjunctival tissue samples. Results Primary pterygium and normal bulbar conjunctival tissue samples were histopathologically analyzed. Epithelial atypia, epithelial hyperplasia, epithelial lymphocytic exocytosis, stromal inflammation, stromal vascularity, and mast cell count were found to be significantly higher in the primary pterygium (p = 0.001, p = 0.002, p = 0.024, p = 0.007, p = 0.024, and p = 0.013, respectively). When evaluated in terms of fractalkine expression, the epithelial, vascular endothelial, and inflammatory cells were significantly higher in the primary pterygium (p ≤ 0.001, p = 0.002, p = 0.001, respectively). Moreover, compared to the normal bulbar conjunctiva, Ki-67 expression was significantly higher in the primary pterygium tissue samples. Conclusion Fractalkine might play a key role in the etiopathogenesis of pterygium. Fractalkine may be important in developing new treatment approaches.

Evaluation of radial peripapillary capillary density in patients with Fuchs uveitis syndrome Abstract Purpose To quantitatively analyze the microcirculation in the peripapillary sectors in the affected eyes and fellow unaffected eyes of individuals with unilateral Fuchs uveitis syndrome (FUS) using optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA), and to compare the radial peripapillary capillary vessel density (RPCvd) with normal and age-matched individuals. Methods Eyes were divided into three groups based on the involvement of the FUS: FUS-positive eye of patients (study eye), fellow eye of FUS-positive patients (fellow eye), and the control eye for the control group (control eye). RPCvd (%) and peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thickness (μm) at eight equal sectors and two equal hemispheres were automatically calculated in peripapillary region via OCTA. Results This study included 105 eyes of 71 patients: 34 FUS-positive eyes of 34 patients, 34 fellow eyes of FUS-positive patients, and 37 control eyes of 37 patients. RPCvd was significantly lower in study eyes than in fellow and control eyes in the peripapillary region (p = 0.044 and p = 0.005, respectively). There was no significant difference between fellow eyes and control eyes regarding RPCvd in any region (p > 0.05 for all). There were no significant differences between the three groups regarding peripapillary RNFL values (p > 0.05 for all). Conclusion OCTA is a novel technology for imaging of the RPC network in patients with FUS. Lower radial peripapillary capillary vessel density in FUS could induce capillary insufficiency and impairment of ocular blood flow to optic nerve head.