5 Years review of periocular basal cell carcinoma and proposed follow-up protocol

Aim

(1) To investigate the recurrence of periocular basal cell carcinoma (BCC) reported as completely excised on histology. (2) To identify risks associated with recurrence. (3) To recommend a rational follow-up protocol.

Methods

This is a cohort study by case note review of consecutive patients undergoing excision of periocular BCC between 2000 and 2006 at University Hospitals of Leicester. All lesions were excised with 3 mm clinical margin and the defect reconstructed only after the excision margin was declared clear.

Results

A total of 413 episodes of surgical excision were recorded for 270 patients over the 7-year period of 2000–2006. All of them have 5 years follow-up. Mean age 73.7 (±12.5). In all, 67% were nodular BCC and 45.4% located in the lower eyelid. The main outcome measure was the recurrence rate. None of the patients with primary nodular BCC suffered recurrence. The recurrence rate for primary morphoeaform BCC following complete excision is 3.8%. In total, 8.1% of patients had several lesions simultaneously whereas 7.8% patients had BCC in multiple locations subsequently (metachronous). Three patients who had previously recurrent BCC (rBCC) treated elsewhere or not using this method had orbital/lacrimal drainage system involvement requiring exenteration.

Conclusion

We recommend that patients with a single, completely excised primary solid or nodular BCC can be discharged after one 6-monthly review, although they should be instructed to monitor for the development of further lesions. The incidence of recurrence for primary morphoeaform BCC is 3.8% and for rBCC is 3.6% over 5 years and these patients should stay under review for this period.     

Intra-lesional 5 fluorouracil for the management of recurrent pterygium

Aim

Recurrence is the most common complication arising from pterygium surgery. The aim of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of 5 fluorouracil (5FU) in halting the recurrence of pterygium after surgical excision.

Methods

A retrospective review of patients treated for pterygium recurrence was carried out. Patients with recurrent (secondary) pterygium were treated with multiple weekly intra-lesional injections of 0.1–0.2 ml (2.5–5 mg) 5FU post-operatively depending on the size of the recurrence. The treatment was started within 1 month from the date of recurrence. The time from surgery to start of recurrence, previous treatment modalities, and number of recurrences were documented. The number of injections required to induce arrest of progression and/or regression of vascularity and fleshiness of the pterygium and any complications related to 5FU treatment were examined.

Results

Fifteen eyes from 14 patients with recurrent pterygium treated with intra-lesional 5FU injections were analysed. Three of the 15 eyes had undergone a secondary excision and 12 had undergone a primary excision. In all, 93.3% of patients showed regression of the fibrovascular tissue (thickness and vascularity) and arrest of progression following a dose of 0.1–0.2 ml (2.5–5 mg) 5FU. Twelve eyes required three injections or fewer, whereas one patient required eight injections. This beneficial effect was maintained over an average follow-up period of 17 months. No complications from 5FU were observed.

Conclusion

The use of weekly intra-lesional 5FU injections for the treatment of recurrent pterygium is safe and effective in limiting the progression and inducing the regression of recurrent pterygium. The number of injections can be tailored according to clinical need.     

Large anterior orbital cyst as a late complication of chalazion surgical drainage

Purpose

To present four patients who developed large cystic lesions attached to the tarsal plate at the site of previously drained chalazion.

Methods

Medical records for all patients who developed cystic lesion as a complication of chalazion surgery were retrospectively reviewed for clinical and radiological findings, treatment provided, histopathological findings, and complications.

Results

Four patients (one male and three females) with a mean age of 22 years (range, 11–36 years) were enrolled in the study. A history of chalazion surgery was present in all patients at the same site of the cyst attachment to the tarsal plate. The mean interval between the presentation with the cystic lesion and the chalazion surgery was 13 weeks (range, 6–24 weeks). All patients were treated with surgical excision of the cysts, along with local triamcinolone injection. Histopathological findings of the excised cysts were consistent with chalazion. There was no evidence of recurrence or other complication observed during the follow-up visits (the minimum follow-up duration was 6 months).

Conclusions

Anterior orbital cystic formation (prolapsed chalazion) may occur as a late complication of chalazion surgery. Surgical excision along with steroid injection was effective to manage this rare complication among our patients.     

The surgical approach to the management of anterior uveal melanomas

Purpose

Surgical excision of peripheral iris or ciliary body melanomas can be performed antero-posteriorly (irido-cyclectomy) with mydriasis or postero-anteriorly (cyclo-iridectomy) with miosis. The aim of this study was to evaluate the results of both surgical techniques.

Methods

Patients were enrolled in the study if they underwent irido-cyclectomy or cyclo-iridectomy for iris and/or ciliary body melanoma at the Liverpool Ocular Oncology Centre between 1993 and 2012.

Results

The 24 patients (8 male, 16 female) had a median age of 57 years. The largest median basal tumour diameter and the median tumour thickness were 4.8 and 2.2 mm, respectively. The resection was performed antero-posteriorly in 9 (37%) patients and postero-anteriorly or circumferentially in 15 (63%). Nine tumours contained epithelioid cells. Genetic studies were performed in 10 patients, showing chromosome 3 loss in two. Postoperative complications included hypotony in 9 (37%) patients, cataract in 8 (33%), hyphaema in 8 (33%), cyclodialysis in 1 (4%), wound dehiscence in 1 (4%) and bullous keratopathy in 1 patient (4%). The median follow-up time was 2.4 years. The last known visual acuity was 6/6–6/12 in 20 (91%) patients and 6/18–6/60 in 2 (9%), with 2 (8%) requiring secondary enucleation. Local tumour recurrence developed in 1 patient (4%). Two (8%) patients died of metastatic disease.

Conclusions

Surgical resection of peripheral iris melanomas achieves high rates of visual conservation and local tumour control and may be the preferred option when tissue is required for laboratory studies.     

Hybrid procedure for orbital venous malformation in the endovascular operation room

Purpose

To describe a hybrid procedure for orbital venous malformation in the endovascular operating room (EVOR).

Methods

Five consecutive patients with venous malformation in the periocular and orbital region were included. All patients received a one-stage direct puncture venogram, image-guided glue injection, and surgical resection in the EVOR equipped with a biplane digital subtraction angiography system (BDSAS).

Results

The mean age at the time of operation was 37.4 years (range, 22–69 years). The mean operative time was 193 min (range, 138–324 min). No intraoperative complications were noted. The mean follow-up duration was 18.8 months (range, 10–24 months). Three patients had complete removal of the vascular lesions. At the latest follow-up, no recurrence of symptoms related to the lesions was noted. All patients had an uneventful recovery and satisfactory outcome.

Conclusions

The hybrid procedure of orbital venous malformation in the EVOR is a novel application in ophthalmology. It is a safe and well-controlled procedure with real-time high-quality BDSAS surveillance to facilitate surgical resection. Its success requires collaboration between the interventional radiologist, the surgeon, and the ophthalmologist.     

A 10-year review of orbital biopsy: the Newcastle Eye Centre Study

Purpose

To review the histopathological diagnoses, visual outcome, and complication rate of orbital biopsy in a UK tertiary referral centre.

Methods

This was a retrospective, clinical–pathological, interventional, consecutive case series. All orbital biopsies performed between July 2004 and June 2014 in Newcastle Eye Centre (Newcastle upon Tyne, UK) were included in this study. All relevant data collected from the local electronic database and medical records were analysed.

Results

A total of 166 orbital biopsies were identified during the study period: 86 patients (53.1%) were female and the mean age was 53.7±19.7 years. Of all the cases, orbital biopsies were performed unilaterally in 158 (97.5%) patients and bilaterally in 4 (2.5%) patients. The mean follow-up period was 2.2±2.3 years. The two most common histopathological diagnoses were non-specific inflammatory disease (62, 38.3%) and lymphoproliferative disease (40, 24.7%). None of the patients experienced ≥2-Snellen line visual loss. There were 7 (4.2%) postoperative complications noted: 1 (0.6%) orbital haemorrhage with no loss of vision, 4 (2.4%) diplopia, 1 (0.6%) short-term symblepharon, and 1 (0.6%) conjunctival granuloma. Postoperative diplopia was associated with lateral orbitotomy (P=0.044) and excisional biopsy (P=0.015).

Conclusions

Orbital biopsy serves as a safe diagnostic tool in managing orbital diseases. Patient should be made aware of the risk of postoperative diplopia. Our data provides useful guidance to clinicians when counselling patients for orbital biopsy.     

Eye preservation tectonic graft using glycerol-preserved donor cornea

Aims

To report the surgical outcome of tectonic graft using glycerol-preserved donor corneas to treat perforated keratitis.

Methods

The medical records were reviewed of all patients treated for perforated keratitis using glycerol-preserved corneas at a single institution between 1 July 2004 and 31 June 2010. The clinical features, precipitating factors, adjuvant therapies, and therapeutic outcomes were analyzed. Success was defined as re-epithelialization of the ocular surface without evisceration.

Results

Fourteen eyes from 14 patients (6 male and 8 female) were included. Age ranged from 58 to 84 years (average, 70.71±8.52 years) and the follow-up time ranged from 7 to 56 months (mean, 25.35±16.84 months). The culture results showed five bacterial infections, five cases of fungal keratitis, and one mixed infection; the culture results were negative for three patients. Satisfactory anatomical integrity was obtained in eight grafts (57.14%) that healed with neovascularization. Six grafts (48.85%) showed delayed re-epithelialization and were repaired with conjunctival flaps to maintain ocular surface integrity. Three patients developed secondary glaucoma and received trans-scleral cyclophotocoagulation. Thirteen patients had satisfactory anatomical integrity without evisceration or exenteration, while one patient received evisceration at 39-month follow-up because of intractable glaucoma.

Conclusions

Glycerol-preserved donor corneas combined with anterior vitrectomy with or without conjunctival flaps may be effective substitutes for evisceration surgery in patients with perforated keratitis.     

Clinical features of intratarsal keratinous cysts

Purpose

Intratarsal keratinous cysts (IKCs) have been frequently misdiagnosed as chalazia or epidermal cysts. We reviewed a series of cases of IKCs to identify clinical features that distinguish IKCs from other eyelid diseases.

Methods

We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 17 suspected IKC patients between January 2004 and September 2014.

Results

Seventeen patients who were clinically suspected to have IKC were enrolled. All patients presented with non-inflamed eyelid nodules fixed to the tarsus. Among them, 12 biopsy specimens were available and 11 patients (91.7%) were diagnosed with IKC, with a pathological finding of stratified squamous cell lining with keratin material. The mean patient age was 55.1 years (31–71). Six patients had a surgical history of incision or incomplete excision of the lesion, followed by recurrence. On eyelid eversion, five patients showed a white–yellow nodule, and three patients had a bluish cystic lesion. The diameter of the nodules ranged from 4 to 10 mm. The intracystic material was a milky white fluid. Ten patients underwent a complete surgical excision including partial tarsectomy and there was no recurrence.

Conclusions

IKC can be distinguished from other intratarsal lesions by a characteristic tarsal nodule fixed to the tarsus. To prevent recurrence, complete excision with partial tarsectomy is needed.     

Involution patterns of retinopathy of prematurity after treatment with intravitreal bevacizumab: implications for follow-up

Purpose

To describe involution patterns following monotherapy with intravitreal bevacizumab injection (IVB) for type 1 retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) in zone I or zone II posterior.

Methods

A retrospective chart review of infants treated with IVB from January 2010–April 2014. Infants with minimum of 82 weeks postmenstrual age at last follow-up were included. Primary outcome was timing of involution of type 1 ROP for the first 12 weeks post treatment. Secondary outcomes were development of any recurrence and structural outcome at last follow-up. Retinal examination records, fundus, and flourescein angiography images were reviewed.

Results

Twenty-eight eyes were included. Average follow-up post treatment was 33.9±9.7 months (range 21.4–61.9). Cumulative frequency of regression of plus disease was seen in 73.3, 86.7, and 100% of eyes by days 3, 5, and 8, respectively. Regression of both stage 3 and plus disease was observed in 29, 82, 88, and 100% by weeks 1, 2, 3, and 4, respectively. Within the first 3 months, 17/28 eyes developed recurrence to stage 1 or 2 after regression. None developed recurrence of plus disease. By the end of 3 months 18% of eyes vascularized into zone III. At a mean of 24±17.3 months, 39% of eyes were not vascularized into zone III as seen on flourescein angiography with scleral indentation.

Conclusion

Our experience suggests regression of plus disease and stage 3 are expected within the first 4 weeks after bevacizumab treatment. Recurrence may occur despite initial regression and requires careful follow-up.     

The role of orbital ultrasonography in distinguishing papilledema from pseudopapilledema

Purpose

To determine the sensitivity and specificity of orbital ultrasonography in distinguishing papilledema from pseudopapilledema in adult patients.

Methods

The records of all adult patients referred to the neuro-ophthalmology service who underwent orbital ultrasonography for the evaluation of suspected papilledema were reviewed. The details of history, ophthalmologic examination, and results of ancillary testing including orbital ultrasonography, MRI, and lumbar puncture were recorded. Results of orbital ultrasonography were correlated with the final diagnosis of papilledema or pseudopapilledema on the basis of the clinical impression of the neuro-ophthalmologist. Ultrasound was considered positive when the optic nerve sheath diameter was ≥3.3 mm along with a positive 30° test.

Results

The sensitivity of orbital ultrasonography for detection of papilledema was 90% (CI: 80.2–99.3%) and the specificity in detecting pseudopapilledema was 79% (CI: 67.7–90.7%).

Conclusions

Orbital ultrasonography is a rapid and noninvasive test that is highly sensitive, but less specific in differentiating papilledema from pseudopapilledema in adult patients, and can be useful in guiding further management of patients in whom the diagnosis is initially uncertain.     

Incidence and indications for pars plana vitrectomy following the treatment of posterior uveal melanomas in Scotland

Background

Globe-sparing treatments such as plaque brachytherapy, local or endoresection, and proton beam therapy (PBT) are the treatments of choice for posterior uveal melanoma. However, both early and late complications can arise from these techniques, including vitreous haemorrhage (VH) and retinal detachment (RD). Choroidal melanomas in Scotland are managed by a single unit, the Scottish Ocular Oncology Service (SOOS).

Methods

Indications and outcomes from surgery were analysed for patients undergoing vitrectomy following treatment for uveal melanoma in the SOOS between 1998 and 2013.

Results

Seventeen from 715 cases (2.4%) required vitrectomy, of which 8/445 (1.8%) followed plaque brachytherapy, 7/43 (16.3%) combined local resection and brachytherapy, and 2/227 (0.9%) PBT. Casenotes were reviewed for 16/17 cases, with surgery indicated for VH in 10 (63%), RD in 5 (31%), and combined VH/RD in 1 (6%). The median interval from initial tumour treatment to vitrectomy was 5.8 months (range 10 days to 8.8 years). Ten (63%) required early vitrectomy (within 6 months), of which the majority (70%) followed combined resection/brachytherapy. Six (37%) required late vitrectomy (after 6 months), of which all were non-clearing VH following plaque brachytherapy, with proliferative retinopathy in 4/6 (67%), and tumour recurrence in 2/6 (33%). Overall vision improved in 8 eyes (50%), remained the same in 2 (12.5%), and deteriorated in 6 (37.5%).

Conclusions

Early vitrectomy was most commonly indicated for RD following local resection, and late vitrectomy for VH due to radiation retinopathy. The majority of patients undergoing vitrectomy gained or maintained vision.     

Remove,rotate, and reimplant: a novel technique for the management of exposed porous anophthalmic implants in eviscerated patients

Purpose

To describe and to evaluate a new and relatively easy technique for porous implant exposure repair.

Methods

Eleven patients with exposed porous orbital implants after evisceration were included in this study. Five patients with large exposures (diameter>7 mm) and six patients with small exposures of orbital implants (diameter<7 mm) that persisted despite posterior vaulting of the prosthesis and usage of antibiotics and steroids for more than 6 weeks, underwent revision surgery with the remove-rotate-reimplant technique (3R technique). Negative microbiological culture taken from the exposed socket surface before surgery was the major inclusion criterion. Five patients with insufficient conjunctival tissue also underwent additional mucosa or hard palate grafting of the defect in addition to the remove-rotate-reimplant procedure.

Results

Patients have been followed up for more than 18 months (ranging from 18–30 months). None of them received motility peg insertion after repair. Implant reexposure was detected in one patient during the follow-up period, which was managed by dermis fat grafting with implant removal.

Conclusion

The remove-rotate-reimplant technique is an effective surgical method for repairing exposed porous anophthalmic implants after evisceration with a 90% success in this study. It avoids the removal of the implant from the sclera, which is a traumatic procedure that may lead to the tearing and loss of scleral tissue covering the implant. Saving the porous implant and scleral cover reduces the surgical time and cost.     

Orbitofacial neurofibromatosis: clinical characteristics and treatment outcome

Purpose

To report clinical observations and surgical management in a large series of patients with orbitofacial neurofibromatosis type 1 (OFNF).

Patients and methods

Patients were identified and medical records reviewed for demographic data, ophthalmologic examinations, surgical interventions, and procedure outcome to create a retrospective, non-comparative case series of patients with OFNF seen at one medical centre over a 23-year period.

Results

Sixty patients with OFNF (31 females and 29 males; mean age, 14 years) were followed for an average of 5.7 years. Presenting signs and symptoms included eyelid swelling in all patients, ptosis in 56 (93.3%), proptosis in 34 (56.6%), dystopia or strabismus in 30 (50%), and decreased visual acuity in 50 (83.3%). Surgical intervention included ptosis repair in 54 (90% mean 1.6 surgical procedures), facial and orbital tumour debulking in 54 (90% mean 2.3 surgeries), and canthoplasty in 28 (46.6%) patients. Eleven patients required enucleation or exenteration of a blind eye.

Conclusion

Patients with OFNF often require multiple procedures to preserve vision, prevent additional disfigurement, and achieve cosmetic rehabilitation. Patients need regular ophthalmological monitoring given the potential for progressive visual and cosmetic consequences.     

Effects of intraoperative steroid injection on the outcome of pterygium surgery

Purpose

To evaluate the effects of intraoperative triamcinolone injection on the outcome of pterygium surgery.

Methods

This prospective study included 54 eyes with primary nasal pterygia that underwent pterygium surgery with a bare-sclera technique and intraoperative mitomycin C application. Patients were randomized into two groups; the steroid group that received subconjunctival injection of 12 mg triamcinolone acetonide at the end of surgery, and the control group that did not receive such steroid injection. Main outcome measures included presence of conjunctival inflammation at 1 month postoperatively as well as recurrence of pterygium.

Results

Twelve-month follow-up was completed in 48 eyes (23 in the steroid group and 25 in the control group). At 1 month postoperatively, different grades of conjunctival inflammation were present in 11 (47.8%) of the steroid group and in 14 (56%) of the control group (P=0.39). For eyes with moderate or severe postoperative inflammation, subconjunctival triamcinolone was injected; these included 6 (26.1%) and 9 (36%) in the steroid and control groups, respectively (P=0.54). During follow-up, surgical area showed fine episcleral vessels without fibrous tissue in 1 (4.3%) of the steroid group and 3 (12.0%) of the control group (P=0.33), which all regressed after triamcinolone injection. Conjunctival recurrence of pterygium was seen in 2 (8.7%) of the steroid group and in 1 (4.0%) of the control group (P=0.47). No eye developed corneal recurrence in either group.

Conclusions

In pterygium surgery with a bare-sclera technique and mitomycin C application, intraoperative triamcinolone injection did not significantly reduce postoperative conjunctival inflammation or pterygium recurrence.     

Outcomes of surgery in children with early-onset exotropia

Objective

To evaluate the clinical characteristics and surgical outcomes of early-onset exotropia and to compare differences between constant and intermittent exotropia at presentation.

Methods

The medical records of 45 exotropia patients with a reported onset before 1 year of age who were operated on between 2008 and 2011 were reviewed, and the clinical characteristics and surgical outcomes of these patients were analyzed retrospectively. Patients were then divided into two groups according to type of exotropia at presentation: a constant (XT) group and an intermittent (X(T)) group. Clinical features and surgical results of exotropia were then compared between these two groups.

Results

The mean age of onset of exodeviation in 45 patients was 9.3±3.8 months. Mean age at surgery was 4.5±2.4 years, and the mean postoperative follow-up period was 17.3 months (range, 6–37 months). Of the 45 patients, 67% showed alignment of less than±10 prism diopters (PD) at final visit. Gross stereopsis was achieved in all 34 testable patients, and bifixation developed in 10 patients (29%). Eleven patients were included in XT group and 34 patients in X(T) group. No significant intergroup difference was found between surgical success rates and binocularities.

Conclusion

Surgical outcomes, both motor and sensory, were not poor in early-onset exotropia patients, even in patients with constant deviation. Good binocular results following surgery can be achieved in children presenting with apparently constant early-onset exotropia.     

Medical therapy for uveal effusion syndrome

Purpose

To report a case series of three patients with bilateral uveal effusion syndrome (UES), treated conservatively with oral carbonic anhydrase inhibitors and topical prostaglandin analogues (PAs).

Methods

Three patients with bilateral UES were treated with the same initial therapy. Topical PA latanoprost 0.005% and acetazolamide 250 mg were administered in order to reduce intraocular pressure, improve uveoscleral outflow, and facilitate resolution of uveal effusion.

Results

The chorioretinal detachment resolved within 3 months in two reported patients while the third one underwent surgery on his left eye. After clinical improvement, further oral therapy with acetazolamide was stopped, while topical prostaglandins were continued for at least the next 3 months. All patients were free from recurrence during the follow-up period.

Conclusion

Although the usually recommended UES therapy is partial or full-thickness sclerectomy, our case series showed apparent resolution of chorioretinal detachment in two patients on medical therapy alone. Conservative therapy may be the first step before the standard recommended surgical approach, but further studies are needed to verify the effectiveness of reported therapy.     

Acute corneal hydrops in keratoconus: a national prospective study of incidence and management

Purpose

To determine incidence and management of acute corneal hydrops in the UK.

Methods

We used the BOSU report card system to survey cases of acute corneal hydrops in patients with keratoconus that occurred in the UK between November 2009 and December 2010. Ophthalmologists who reported a case were sent an initial questionnaire, with a follow-up questionnaire after 6 months. We collected information on the demographics, complications, changes in visual acuity, and management. The 2011 National Census was used as a source for population and ethnicity in the UK.

Results

There were 73 incident cases of acute corneal hydrops, with a response to the initial questionnaire for 64 (88%) patients and follow-up data at 6 months for 57 (78%) patients. For the 64 confirmed cases the median (interquartile range) age of onset was 31.9 (23.2, 41.3) years and 48 (75%) of the cases occurred in males. A total of 42 (66%) patients were white, 14 (22%) were South Asian, and 7 (11%) were black. The proportion of South Asian and black patients with acute corneal hydrops was significantly higher than in the general population (P<0.001). The minimum estimated annual incidence of acute corneal hydrops in patients with keratoconus was estimated to be 1.43 (1.10, 1.83) per 1000. At 6 months following acute corneal hydrops a decision to proceed with keratoplasty had been made for 12 (20.3%) patients.

Conclusions

This is the first population-based estimate of the incidence of acute corneal hydrops in keratoconus.     

Intravitreal bevacizumab for proliferative diabetic retinopathy with new dense vitreous hemorrhage after full panretinal photocoagulation

Purpose

To evaluate the efficacy and safety of intravitreal bevacizumab (IVB) injections for the treatment of proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR) with new dense vitreous hemorrhage (VH) after previous full panretinal photocoagulation (PRP).

Methods

Prospective study of consecutive PDR with prior complete PRP patients, who presented with new dense VH, were treated with IVB injection. Complete ophthalmic examination and/or ocular ultrasonography were performed at baseline and 1, 6, and 12 weeks and 6, 9, and 12 months after the first injection. Reinjection was done in non-clearing and recurrent VH.

Results

Eighteen eyes of 18 patients, mean age 47.7±12.69 years were included. In all, 14 (77.78%) patients had type 2 diabetes mellitus. Systemic hypertension and dyslipidemia were the most common systemic diseases. All cases were phakic eye with previous complete PRP. Patients received 1.6±0.42 intravitreal injections over a 12-month period. VH cleared completely in 7 (38.89%), 9 (50%), and 13 (72.22%) eyes after 6 weeks, 6 months, and 12 months, respectively. Re-bleeding, however, occurred in 10 (56%) eyes during the follow-up period, and 5 (28%) eyes still had residual VH at the last visit. Statistically significant visual gain was observed in 9 (50%) eyes. Unfortunately, 2 (11%) eyes had severe visual loss because of the tractional retinal detachment (TRD). Mild ocular complication was detected in one patient.

Conclusion

IVB injection had good efficacy and safety for treatment of new VH in patients with PDR and prior complete PRP. This procedure may be especially relevant for diabetic patients at high-risk for surgical intervention.     

Vitreoretinal surgery for shotgun eye injuries: outcomes and complications

Purpose

To analyse the postoperative anatomic and functional outcomes in addition to complications after vitreoretinal surgery for patients with shotgun eye injuries related to hunting accidents.

Materials

Retrospective review of the clinical records of all cases of shotgun eye injuries presented between January 2000 and January 2011 and with a minimum follow-up of 1 year. Collection of demographics, type of injury, choice of management, complications and final surgical success with final visual acuity is reported.

Results

Twenty eyes of 19 patients (all male) with a mean age of 36.1 years (range 16−60 years) were included in the study. Mean postoperative follow-up was 47.5 months (range 15−118 months). Best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) at presentation ranged from perception of light to 20/200. Ten eyes had a penetrating injury and 10 others had a perforating injury. All the eyes underwent an initial vitrectomy and the intraocular pellet was removed in all the 10 penetrating injuries. Concurrent cataract surgery was performed in 12 cases, internal tamponade was used in 15 cases and a supplemental encircling scleral buckle was inserted in 12 cases. One additional vitreoretinal surgery was required in seven cases (35%) and two additional surgeries required in two other cases (10%). At last follow-up BCVA ranged from NPL to 20/20 and was 20/100 or better in 10 eyes (50%). All patients had a flat retina except for two cases (10%) that developed severe proliferative vitreoretinopathy.

Conclusion

These results suggest that vitreoretinal surgery can offer good visual rehabilitation in patients with shotgun eye injuries.     

Results of conservative management for consecutive esotropia after intermittent exotropia surgery

Purpose

To examine the clinical course of consecutive esotropia (ET) using conservative management, after intermittent exotropia (IXT) surgery.

Methods

This study included 149 out of 151 consecutive patients with ET after IXT surgery, who were managed conservatively. The clinical course of consecutive ET was examined and the patients were classified into two groups based on the duration of esodeviation: (1) >3 weeks (persistent ET group, n=56) and (2) <3 weeks (transient ET group, n=93). Patient characteristics and treatment outcomes, including the recurrence of exotropia and stereopsis, were compared between the two groups.

Results

All patients with ET were managed with full-time alternate occlusion and/or with a Fresnel prism. In 149 patients out of 151 consecutive patients, 82% of ET disappeared at 12-month follow-up and all at the last follow-up visit (31.4±23.5 months). At the final visit, a recurrence of exotropia of >10 prism dioptres was significantly less frequent in the persistent ET group than in the transient ET group (25% vs 62%, respectively; P=0.01). However, stereopsis outcome was not significantly different between the two groups, and stereopsis change was not affected by age.

Conclusions

By using conservative management only, persistent consecutive ET after IXT surgery disappeared in most cases by the 1-year follow-up visit after surgery. Recurrence of exotropia was significantly less frequent in patients with persistent ET, yet the sensory outcome was not affected by the duration of consecutive ET or age.