Head rotation and the perception of eyelid height and contour

PURPOSE

Effective visual perceptual processing is one of the many components of surgical competence. Human face identification is most efficient when viewed upright. However, it is not yet clear how this perception sensitivity impacts eyelid symmetry. This study investigates surgeons' and laypeople's accuracy and efficiency in perceiving eyelid asymmetry from different spatial perspectives.

METHODS

A prospective psychometric experiment was conducted where oculoplastic surgeons were recruited from the American Society of Ophthalmic Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery and the Brazilian Oculoplastic Surgery Society, and control participants were recruited via crowdsourcing (Amazon's Mechanical Turk). Standard illustrations of the human face with varying degrees of eyelid abnormality, laterality, gender and rotation were presented to participants who were asked to judge whether the eyelids were symmetric or asymmetric.

RESULTS

The survey was completed by 75 oculoplastic surgeons (49.33% male; mean age of 46.9±10.7) and 192 lay individuals (54.6% male; mean age 34.6±11.3 years). Among oculoplastic surgeons, deviation from upright was significantly associated with increased reaction time and decreased proportion correct (OR per 45° for peak 0.68, 95% CI 0.60 to 0.77, p<0.001; OR per 45° for ptosis 0.52, 95% CI 0.32 to 0.87, p=0.012; OR per 180° for aggregate responses 0.56, 95% CI 0.51 to 0.61, p<0.001). Oculoplastic surgeons demonstrated increasing accuracy and decreasing reaction time with additional trials for both peak and ptosis.

CONCLUSION

Oculoplastic surgeons perceive eyelid asymmetries more accurately and can better compensate for inverted sensory information. However, accuracy increases and reaction time decreases with additional trials, suggesting trainability and potential for improvement in inversion disability.

Presentation of Graves' orbitopathy within European Group On Graves' Orbitopathy (EUGOGO) centres from 2012 to 2019 (PREGO III)

BACKGROUND

Graves' orbitopathy (GO) is subject to epidemiological and care-related changes. Aim of the survey was to identify trends in presentation of GO to the European Group On Graves' Orbitopathy (EUGOGO) tertiary referral centres and initial management over time.

METHODS

Prospective observational multicentre study. All new referrals with diagnosis of GO within September-December 2019 were included. Clinical and demographic characteristics, referral timelines and initial therapeutic decisions were recorded. Data were compared with a similar EUGOGO survey performed in 2012.

RESULTS

Besides age (mean age: 50.5±13 years vs 47.7±14 years; p 0.007), demographic characteristics of 432 patients studied in 2019 were similar to those in 2012. In 2019, there was a decrease of severe cases (9.8% vs 14.9; p<0.001), but no significant change in proportion of active cases (41.3% vs 36.6%; p 0.217). After first diagnosis of GO, median referral time to an EUGOGO tertiary centre was shorter (2 (0-350) vs 6 (0-552) months; p<0.001) in 2019. At the time of first visit, more patients were already on antithyroid medications (80.2% vs 45.0%; p<0.001) or selenium (22.3% vs 3.0%; p<0.001). In 2019, the initial management plans for GO were similar to 2012, except for lid surgery (2.4% vs 13.9%; p<0.001) and prescription of selenium (28.5% vs 21.0%; p 0.027).

CONCLUSION

GO patients are referred to tertiary EUGOGO centres in a less severe stage of the disease than before. We speculate that this might be linked to a broader awareness of the disease and faster and adequate delivered treatment.

Effect of eyelid muscle action and rubbing on telemetrically obtained intraocular pressure in patients with glaucoma with an IOP sensor implant

BACKGROUND

Patients with glaucoma on topical glaucoma medication are often affected by dry eye symptoms and thus likely to rub or squeeze their eyelids. Here, we telemetrically measure peak intraocular pressure (IOP) during eyelid manoeuvres and eyelid rubbing.

METHODS

Eleven patients with primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) previously implanted with a telemetric IOP sensor (Eyemate-IO) were instructed to look straight ahead for 1 min as a baseline measurement. Next, 6 repeats of blinking on instruction with 10 s intervals in between were performed. In addition, 5 repeats of eyelid closure (n=9), eyelid squeezing and eyelid rubbing (n=7) were performed with 15 s intervals in between. IOP was recorded via an external antenna placed around the study eye. Average peak IOP increases from baseline were analysed and tested against zero (no change) with one-sample t-tests.

RESULTS

For eyelid rubbing, the average peak ∆ IOP increase (mean±SEM) was 59.1±9.6 mm Hg (p<0.001) from baseline. It was 42.2±5.8 mm Hg (p<0.0001) for eyelid squeezing, 3.8±0.6 mm Hg (n=9, p<0.01) for eyelid closure and 11.6±2.4 mm Hg (p<0.001) for voluntary blinking. No IOP change except for a short irregularity in the ocular pulse was observed during involuntary blinking.

CONCLUSION

Eyelid manoeuvres in patients with POAG elicited brief increases in IOP that were particularly large with squeezing and rubbing. Further investigation of the potential implications for glaucoma progression is warranted.

Specific location of ocular adnexal lymphoma and mortality: an international multicentre retrospective study

AIMS

To examine whether the specific location of ocular adnexal lymphoma (OAL) and the American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) TNM tumour stage are prognostic factors for mortality in the main OAL subtypes.

METHODS

Clinical and survival data were retrospectively collected from seven international eye cancer centres. All patients from 1980 to 2017 with histologically verified primary or secondary OAL were included. Cox regression was used to compare the ocular adnexal tumour locations on all-cause mortality and disease-specific mortality.

RESULTS

OAL was identified in 1168 patients. The most frequent lymphoma subtypes were extranodal marginal zone B-cell lymphoma (EMZL) (n=688, 59%); follicular lymphoma (FL) (n=150, 13%); diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) (n=131, 11%); and mantle cell lymphoma (MCL) (n=89, 8%). AJCC/TNM tumour-stage (T-stage) was significantly associated with disease-specific mortality in primary ocular adnexal EMZL and increased through T-categories from T1 to T3 disease. No associations between AJCC/TNM T-stage and mortality were found in primary ocular adnexal FL, DLBCL, or MCL. EMZL located in the eyelid had a significantly increased disease-specific mortality compared with orbital and conjunctival EMZL, in both primary EMZL and the full EMZL cohort. In DLBCL, eyelid location had a significantly higher disease-specific mortality compared with an orbital or lacrimal gland location.

CONCLUSION

Disease-specific mortality is associated with AJCC/TNM T-stage in primary ocular adnexal EMZL patients. Lymphoma of the eyelid has the highest disease-specific mortality in primary EMZL, and in the full cohort of EMZL and DLBCL patients.

Immune checkpoint inhibitors for treatment of periorbital squamous cell carcinoma

PURPOSE

To report on the outcomes of immunotherapy in patients with locally advanced periorbital squamous cell carcinoma.

METHODS

We performed a retrospective chart review of seven consecutive patients with locally advanced periorbital cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma treated with anti-PD-1 immunotherapy. Treatments and therapeutic outcomes were reviewed.

RESULTS

Of the seven patients, six were treated with cemiplimab, and one was treated with pembrolizumab. Five patients were treated with immunotherapy as neoadjuvant therapy before planned surgical resection; two patients received immunotherapy for treatment of advanced recurrent lesions deemed unresectable following multiple previous excisions and radiation therapy. In all seven patients, measurable clinical and/or radiologic response was observed.

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings support the emerging role of anti-PD-1 immunotherapy in the management of locally advanced periorbital cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma.

Intraepithelial growth pattern for eyelid sebaceous carcinoma: a cohort of 214 patients from a single institution

AIMS

To determine the distribution of three different intraepithelial growth patterns (pagetoid, bowenoid and papillary) in eyelid sebaceous carcinoma (SC) and correlate them with the clinical characteristics and prognosis.

METHODS

A retrospective cohort study. The medical charts and pathological sections were retrospectively reviewed. All eligible patients were followed up for recurrence, metastasis and tumour-related mortality. The clinical significance of each intraepithelial growth pattern was determined by Cox regression.

RESULTS

Of the 214 patients, 67 (31%) presented with intraepithelial invasion, among them, 34 (16%) were pagetoid, 27 (13%) were bowenoid and 6 (2.8%) were papillary. Patients of pagetoid intraepithelial spread showed significantly longer diagnostic delay (p=0.001) and more initial misdiagnoses of blepharitis (p=0.035). After a median follow-up period of 34.0 months, 67 (46%) patients in the non-intraepithelial group, 17 (50%) in the pagetoid group, 8 (30%) in the bowenoid group and 2 (33%) in the papillary group recurred. And 30 (20%) patients in the non-intraepithelial group, 9 (27%) in the pagetoid group and 4 (15%) in the bowenoid group developed metastasis. Moreover, 15 (10%) patients in the non-intraepithelial group, 6 (18%) in the pagetoid group and 1 (3.7%) in the bowenoid group died of SC. Cox regression indicated that pagetoid intraepithelial growth pattern was remarkably associated with increased chances of tumour-related mortality (HR=2.95, 95% CI 1.14 to 7.64, p=0.026).

CONCLUSIONS

Intraepithelial tumour invasion was presented in nearly one third of patients with eyelid SC. Pagetoid intraepithelial neoplasia, the predominant growth pattern, significantly increased the risk of tumour-related mortality. Meticulous histopathological intraepithelial examination is recommended for every patient of eyelid SC. Special attention should be paid to those with pagetoid invasion, who may require more intensive managements.

Dacryolithiasis diagnosis and treatment: a 25-year experience using nasal endoscopy

BACKGROUND

Dacryolith-induced epiphora is caused by a chronic obstruction of the nasolacrimal duct whose aetiology is often specified peroperatively. Dacryocystorhinostomy (DCR) has been often regarded as the gold standard to treat dacryolithiasis. Hasner's valve (HV) incision is a technique to evacuate lithiasis through its physiological track. The purpose of this study was to describe clinical and radiological findings associated with presence of dacryoliths in patients who underwent surgery and to assess the efficacy of these two procedures.

METHODS

This study was a comparative interventional multicentric retrospective study including patients referred for an epiphora. The primary endpoint was to determine clinical and endoscopic findings associated with dacryoliths. The secondary endpoints were to evaluate the performance of CT dacryocystography (CT-DG) in the diagnosis of dacryoliths and the success rate of the surgical treatment 6 months postoperatively.

RESULTS

4677 nasolacrimal ducts (NLDs) (78.0% female, mean age 59.2) were included in the study. 3913 underwent DCR, and 764 underwent HV incision. 291 out of 4677 NLDs (6.2%) were found to have dacryoliths. Presence of mucocele associated to a permeable lacrimal system (OR 8.17 (95% 4.62 to 14.44), p<0.01) was associated with presence of lithiasis peroperatively. Success rates at 6 months were 95.6% for endonasal DCR and 94.6% for incision of HV in dacryolithiasis group (p<0.01). CT-DG had a negative predictive value of 96.3% to detect lithiasis (p<0.01).

CONCLUSION

Strong clinical and endoscopic findings may improve the imputability of dacryoliths in epiphora. Evacuation of dacryolithiasis through its physiological track was first described in this study in adults with similar results to DCR in patients presenting with dacryolithiasis.

Bézier curves as a total approach to measure the upper lid contour: redefining clinical outcomes in palpebral surgery

AIMS

To define and quantify the upper lid contour by adapting Bézier curves with a newly developed software in normal subjects, assessing their reliability.

METHODS

Fifty eyes of 50 healthy patients with no ocular pathology were included in this study from October 2020 to November 2020. All measurements were performed on Bézier curves adjusted to the upper lid contour. An original software was used to measure the radial and vertical midpupil-to-lid margin distances (MPLD), temporal-to-nasal (T/N) ratios, contour peak location and grade of superposition (GS) and asymmetry (GA) indexes. We calculated differences in the variables measured regarding age, gender or the side of the eye being assessed.

RESULTS

The mean Bézier curve showed an excellent level of inter-rater reliability (intraclass correlation coefficient of 0.99). The median GS index of each eyelid to the mean Bézier curve was 95.4%, 8.5 IQR, and the median GA index was 3%, 3.4 IQR. The mean contour peak location was -0.35 mm, SD 0.45. Overall, the mean central MPLD was 4.1 mm, SD 0.6. No significant differences were found between male and female patients in variables derived from Bézier curves.

CONCLUSION

Bézier curves may become a very useful tool for the assessment of upper lid contour, contour peak and symmetry. GS and GA indexes, along with the T/N area ratio are potential outcomes for this purpose. All current variables can be obtained just from one single Bézier curve measurement. Our results offer an in-depth exhaustive description of these variables and their distribution in the normal population.

Prevalence and associated factors of symptomatic dry eye among undergraduate students in Hawassa University College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Hawassa, Ethiopia

Objective

This study aimed to assess the prevalence and associated factors of symptomatic dry eye (SDE) among undergraduate students at the College of Medicine and Health Science, Hawassa University, Ethiopia.

Methods and analysis

Institution-based cross-sectional study was conducted using a systematic random sampling technique. A total of 311 undergraduate students were recruited to execute the study. Ethical clearance was obtained from the ethical review committee of the school of Medicine and Health Science. A standardised self-administered questionnaire was used to collect the data. Data were entered using Epi Info V.7 and cleaned and analysed using SPSS V.23. Binary and multivariable logistic regression analysis was done to select candidate variables and to identify statistically significant factors. Variables with a p value of <0.05 on multivariable analysis were reported as statistically significant.

Results and conclusion

The overall prevalence of SDE was found to be 49.4% (95% CI 43.7% to 55.1%). In this study, the history of ophthalmic drop use (adjusted OR, AOR 2.063; 95% CI 1.073 to 3.957) and being second (AOR 5.99; 95% CI 1.10 to 32.56) and third (AOR 11.55; 95% CI 2.12 to 62.94) year student were factors that significantly associated with SDE.

In this study, the prevalence of SDE was significantly high. The factors associated with SDE were the use of ophthalmic drops and the class year of students. Therefore, public health education about protective measures should be considered to minimise the effects of SDE on the quality of life of students.

Prevalence and risk factors for chalazion in an older veteran population

BACKGROUND

Chalazia are common inflammatory eyelid lesions, but their epidemiology remains understudied. This retrospective case-control study examined the prevalence, risk factors and geographic distribution of chalazia in a large veteran population.

METHODS

Data on all individuals seen at a Veterans Affairs (VA) clinic between October 2010 and October 2015 were extracted from the VA health database. Subjects were grouped based on International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision (ICD-9) code for chalazion. Univariable logistic regression modelling was used to identify clinical and demographic factors associated with chalazion presence, followed by multivariable modelling to examine which factors predicted risk concomitantly. All cases were mapped across the continental US using geographic information systems modelling to examine how prevalence rates varied geographically.

RESULTS

Overall, 208 720 of 3 453 944 (6.04%) subjects were diagnosed with chalazion during the study period. Prevalence was highest in coastal regions. The mean age of the population was 69.32±13.9 years and most patients were male (93.47%), white (77.13%) and non-Hispanic (93.72%). Factors associated with chalazion risk included smoking (OR=1.12, p<0.0005), conditions of the tear film (blepharitis (OR=4.84, p<0.0005), conjunctivitis (OR=2.78, p<0.0005), dry eye (OR=3.0, p<0.0005)), conditions affecting periocular skin (eyelid dermatitis (OR=2.95, p<0.0005), rosacea (OR=2.50, p<0.0005)), allergic conditions (history of allergies (OR=1.56, p<0.0005)) and systemic disorders (gastritis (OR=1.54, p<0.0005), irritable bowel syndrome (OR=1.45, p<0.0005), depression (OR=1.35, p<0.0005), anxiety (OR=1.31, p<0.0005)). These factors remained associated with chalazion risk when examined concomitantly.

CONCLUSION

Periocular skin, eyelid margin and tear film abnormalities were most strongly associated with risk for chalazion. The impact of environmental conditions on risk for chalazion represents an area in need of further study.

Treatment strategies and long-term outcomes in patients with congenital microphthalmia-anophthalmia with cyst

BACKGROUND/AIMS

Microphthalmia and anophthalmia are rare conditions, which represent ocular maldevelopment; both may be associated with orbital cysts. Current literature recommends retention to stimulate orbital growth during socket rehabilitation but does not illustrate their potential to deform the periocular tissues. This study aims to illustrate the long-term outcomes when other elements, such as forniceal and lid development, are also considered when formulating bespoke treatment plans for patients.

METHODS

Retrospective case series of 78 patients attending a single prosthetics clinic between 1988 and 2020. Clinical and surgical notes, radiological imaging, clinical photographs and patient/doctor satisfaction questionnaires were used to report patient outcomes and natural history data.

RESULTS

89 sockets of 78 patients (11 bilateral) were included; average age of presentation being 2.8 years (9 days to 29.5 years). Cysts were clinically detected (48%) or were incidental findings (52%). The mean follow-up time was 7.2 years (6 months to 28 years). Cysts in 46% of sockets underwent surgical excision while the remainder were retained. Satisfaction surveys were obtained for 75 patients, with cosmetic outcomes rated as 'excellent' or 'good' in 90% of cases by physicians and 97% of cases by patients or guardians.

CONCLUSION

The favourable long-term outcomes in this study have resulted from bespoke plans which considered periocular tissue development, regional orbital growth and orbital volume replacement. The authors contemplate cyst excision if the prosthetic fitting or retention is impeded by the cyst as this often heralds the increased risk of long-term periocular distortion.

Telemedicine in oculoplastic and adnexal surgery: clinicians' perspectives in the UK

BACKGROUND/AIMS

The COVID-19 has facilitated a paradigm shift in the sphere of ophthalmic telemedicine: its utility is no longer limited to providing care to remote regions, rather it is expeditiously being adopted as the new standard of care. The aim of our paper is to explore the current attitudes of oculoplastic surgeons towards telemedicine and its utility in the present landscape and its prospects in the future.

METHODS

A 39-item questionnaire was distributed to consultant oculoplastic surgeons practising across the UK and anonymised responses were collected and analysed.

RESULTS

The COVID-19 pandemic has allowed rapid implementation of telemedicine services in oculoplastic departments across the UK with 86.6% of the respondents incorporating telemedicine into the routine clinical practice. Clinicians reported a statistically significant increase in utility of telemedicine, confidence in using telemedicine and quality of infrastructure available to employ telemedicine following the COVID-19 outbreak. The greatest utility of telemedicine is in triaging, postoperative assessment and eyelid lesion assessment. Main barriers to implementation of telemedicine included difficulties in conducting clinical examinations, lack of administrative support and poor access to digital technologies for patients. Overall, most clinicians were satisfied with the impact of telemedicine services and almost all experts foresee themselves continuing to use telemedicine in the future.

CONCLUSIONS

Telemedicine has become an integral part of the oculoplastic service delivery since the COVID-19 pandemic its use is likely to continue. Further development of digital infrastructure and improvement of clinical examination capabilities are required to enable its wider adoption.

Clinical and pathological risk factors for worse stage and mortality of eyelid and periocular squamous cell carcinoma

BACKGROUND

The clinical and pathological risk factors for worse T stage and prognosis in eyelid and periocular squamous cell carcinomas (SCCs) remain unclear. P63 was reported to predict a worse prognosis in other SCCs; however, this correlation was not validated in eyelid and periocular SCCs.

METHODS

We reported on a retrospective case series of 85 consecutive patients with eyelid and periocular SCCs from 1995 to 2019. Cox proportional hazards regression models and logistic regression models were applied for risk factor analysis.

RESULTS

Thirty-nine (45.8%) patients were diagnosed with T4 SCCs. Four (5.1%) patients developed nodal metastasis, and five (6.4%) patients developed distant metastasis during the follow-up. 2-year and 5-year disease-specific survival rates were 95.3% and 86.4%, respectively. Poorly or moderately differentiated eyelid and periocular SCCs were associated with worse T stage (p=0.001; p=0.008). Poor differentiation was associated with a higher risk of recurrence (p=0.024). Disease-specific death was more common in patients with T4 stage SCCs (p=0.038, HR=9.05). P63 expression was more common in patients with T3c or worse stage (p=0.008, OR=3.77). P63 expression alone was associated with worse differentiation (p=0.029), higher risk of perineural invasion (p=0.042, OR=4.61) and metastasis (p=0.009, HR=3.99). P63 expression (p=0.012, HR=7.80), coexpression of P63 and Ki67 (p=0.007, HR=9.21) and distant metastasis (p=0.001, HR=11.23) were associated with disease-specific death.

CONCLUSION

Patients presented with more aggressive orbital invasion features and a higher rate of distant metastasis in this cohort. P63 and coexpression of Ki67 predicted a worse stage, differentiation and prognosis, including metastasis and death due to disease.

Epidemiological characteristics and clinical course of eyelid squamous cell carcinoma patients from a large tertiary centre between 2009 and 2020

BACKGROUND/AIMS

To assess epidemiological tumour features, risk factors, clinical management and outcome of eyelid squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) and changes thereof. Furthermore, we searched for validating predictors of the American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) 8 classification system.

METHODS

We evaluated data of 117 patients with histologically proven eyelid SCC at a large tertiary German university centre between January 2009 and March 2020. This retrospective, monocentric analysis included descriptive statistics and non-parametric tests (p<0.05).

RESULTS

Histologically controlled excision and follow-up was performed in 88 (75.2%) patients. In the remaining patients with higher T-category, individual adjuvant therapy combinations were initiated. We found higher numbers of nodal metastasis and recurrence for male patients and higher T-category (p=0.035, p=0.008 and p=0.001, p<0.001). Recurrence rates proved higher for patients with multiple lesions (p=0.008). Disease-specific survival (DSS) was 95.7% at 2 and 94.9% at 5 years of follow-up. Six patients (5.1%) died from eyelid SCC with nodal metastasis and higher T-category being negative prognostic factors (p<0.001 and p=0.009). Mortality was associated with tumour location in the medial upper eyelid, nodal metastasis being more frequent (p=0.001 and p=0.009) and tumour of the lower eyelid alone as positive predictor (p=0.012). T category differed in 34 (29.1%) patients when comparing AJCC 7 and 8 (p<0.001). Changes in T category as per the AJCC 8 classification resulted in better prediction of DSS (p=0.024).

CONCLUSION

Special attention should be paid to male patients, tumour location in the upper medial eyelid and lymph node diagnostics. Prediction of DSS proved superior as per the AJCC 8 staging system.

Orbitopalpebral and ocular sarcoidosis: what does the ophthalmologist need to know

Sarcoidosis is a chronic multisystemic disease of unknown aetiology, characterised by non-caseating granulomas. Ocular involvement rate ranges from 30% to 60% among individuals with sarcoidosis, and can vary widely, making the diagnosis a challenge to the ophthalmologist. Cutaneous manifestations occur in about 22% of sarcoidosis cases, but eyelid involvement is rare. Eyelid swelling and nodules are the most frequent forms of eyelid involvement, but other findings have been reported. The joint analysis of clinical history, ancillary exams and compatible biopsy is needed for the diagnosis, as well as the exclusion of other possible conditions. This review aims to describe the different forms of presentations, the clinical reasoning and treatment options for ocular, eyelid and orbital sarcoidosis.

Improvement of asymmetric thyroid eye disease with teprotumumab

Purpose

Teprotumumab, a specific blocking antibody to the insulin like growth factor 1 receptor, significantly reduced proptosis in patients with thyroid eye disease (TED) in recent clinical trials. Given its specificity, we expect it to demonstrate greater efficacy on the worse affected orbit, in patients with asymmetric TED. Herein, we investigate the differential impact of teprotumumab on the orbits of such patients.

Methods

In this pooled analysis of patients who were enrolled in the recent phase 2 (NCT01868997) and phase 3 (NCT03298867) trials, all patients with asymmetric TED (difference in exophthalmometry of ≥3 mm) were screened for eligibility. The primary outcomes of the trials, proptosis, diplopia and Clinical Activity Score (CAS) response, were evaluated in both orbits of patients who had received treatment or placebo, to examine the differential response from baseline to week 24.

Results

From a pooled group of 84 patients randomised to receive teprotumumab and 87 randomised to placebo, 10 (12%) and 12 (14%), respectively, met the inclusion criteria. The teprotumumab-treated patients demonstrated significant reductions in proptosis, CAS and diplopia in both orbits of each patient and this was not seen with placebo. The reduction in proptosis and CAS was significantly greater in the worse affected orbit, improving symmetry. In the placebo arm, while the mean CAS in the study eye reduced over time, proptosis and diplopia did not change in either orbit.

Conclusion

The findings in this study suggest the differential impact of teprotumumab on orbits that are clinically more affected by TED, suggesting that teprotumumab reduces asymmetry.

Changes in meibum composition following plaque bachytherapy for choroidal melanoma

Objectives

Dry eye is common when external beam radiation is used for the treatment of choroidal melanoma (CM). As meibum structure and composition have been related to dry eye, we determined if plaque bachytherapy for CM alters meibum composition.

Design

¹H-NMR spectroscopy was used to measure the lipid composition of meibum.

Setting

The University of Louisville, Kentucky, USA.

Participants

All 13 participants had CM and one participant had iris melanoma.

Main outcome measures

Cholesteryl ester (CE) to wax ester (WE) ratio, amount of meibum esters (ME) and meibum lipid saturation were measured.

Results

ME decreased by 80%±18% (±99% CI) in 11 eyes that were treated compared with the contralateral untreated eye. ME increased by 181% in two eyes that were treated compared with the contralateral untreated eye. The mole % CE/WE for meibum was significantly (p<0.0001) 67% lower in eyes that were irradiated compared with control eyes from donors without CM and were not treated. Plaque brachytherapy induced the de-esterification of CE. The intensity of the meibum cis double bond resonances did not change significantly (p>0.05).

Conclusion

Eyes that had plaque brachytherapy had a lower amount of expressible meibum and a lower CE/WE ratio compared with meibum from the contralateral eye that received no treatment and eyes that did not have uveal melanoma. Both the quality and quantity of meibum should be considered in designing a therapy for dry eye after plaque brachytherapy.

Prognostic significance of immune checkpoints in the tumour-stromal microenvironment of sebaceous gland carcinoma

BACKGROUND

Immune checkpoint blockade strategies have gained attention in the treatment/prognosis of cancers by targeting the programmed death-1 (PD-1)/programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) pathway alone or in combination with cytotoxic T-lymphocyte-associated antigen 4 (CTLA-4) blockade and are currently in clinical trials. The present study investigated the expression of the PD-1, PD-L1, CTLA-4, CD4 and CD8 proteins and their prognostic value in the tumour microenvironment of sebaceous gland carcinoma (SGC).

METHODS

The expression levels of PD-1, PD-L1, CTLA-4, CD4 and CD8 proteins were assessed in 52 cases of SGC by immunohistochemistry and validated by western blotting. mRNA expression was measured by quantitative real-time PCR. Kaplan-Meier curves and Cox proportional hazard models were used to analyse the correlation of protein expression with clinicopathological parameters and disease-free survival.

RESULTS

The expression of PD-L1 was found to be higher in tumour cells than in stromal cells. In univariate analysis, the expression of PD-1 in tumour-infiltrating lymphocytes (tPD-1) and PD-L1 in tumour cells was associated with reduced disease-free survival, whereas PD-L1 expression in stromal lymphocyte infiltration (sPD-L1) was associated with the increased survival of patients (p<0.05). However, by multivariate analysis, the expression of tPD-1 was found to be an independent prognostic factor for poor survival.

CONCLUSION

Our study highlights the prognostic outcome of PD-1 and PD-L1 protein expression in cells of tumour-stromal compartments. These results indicate that the PD-1/PD-L1 pathway mediates important interactions within the tumour microenvironment in SGC.

Meibography guided intraductal meibomian gland probing using real-time infrared video feed

Purpose

To evaluate use of infrared meibography video to visualise meibomian gland probing and correlate probe findings of intraductal space with meibography images.

Methods

Videos were reviewed and probe findings recorded of 996 probed gland orifices from 38 lower lids.

Results

996/997 (99.9%) of gland orifices were successfully probed with 91.8% revealing probe location. There were no false passages. 14% (140/997) of all gland orifices showed whole gland atrophy (WGA) with 99.3% (139/140) probed to 1 mm. Cumulative probe findings for all WGA (not differ significantly from non-WGA) showed 106 (76%), 21 (15%) and 12 (9%) glands with fixed, non-fixed and no resistance (NR), respectively. Lids without WGA showed increased NR/total glands probed while lids with WGAs (≥5) showed increased NR/WGA compared with lids with only 1–4 WGAs (p=0.011, p=0.005, respectively, Mann-Whitney U test) suggesting bimodal NR profile. Visualisation of microtube placement was successfully obtained for therapeutic injections and retrieval of meibum specimens.

Conclusion

Video confirmed intraductal location and safety of devices. For 73% of non-WGA and 76% of WGAs as well as proximal ducts of glands with proximal atrophy, probing released fixed resistance restoring ductal integrity. A bimodal profile of NR suggests it is found with less diseased gland ducts as well as more advanced atrophic gland disease. Gland and ducts appeared flexible but not distendable while periglandular tissue appeared spongy. Visualisation of devices enables whole or localised gland therapy and meibum specimen retrieval, elegantly raising future research, therapeutic and regenerative opportunities.

Histopathology and selective biomarker expression in human meibomian glands

Background/aims

Meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD) is the most common form of evaporative dry eye disease, but its pathogenesis is poorly understood. This study examined the histopathological features of meibomian gland (MG) tissue from cadaver donors to identify potential pathogenic processes that underlie MGD in humans.

Methods

Histological analyses was performed on the MGs in the tarsal plates dissected from four cadaver donors, two young and two old adults, including a 36-year-old female (36F) and three males aged 30, 63 and 64 years (30M, 63M and 64M).

Results

The MGs of 36F displayed normal anatomy and structure, whereas the MGs of 30M showed severe ductal obstruction with mild distortion. The obstruction was caused by increased cytokeratin levels in association with hyperproliferation, but not hyperkeratinisation. In two older males, moderate to severe MG atrophy was noted. Cell proliferation was significantly reduced in the MG acini of the two older donors as measured by Ki67 labelling index (6.0%±3.4% and 7.9%±2.8% in 63M and 64M, respectively) when compared with that of the two younger donors (23.2%±5.5% and 16.9%±4.8% in 30M and 36F, respectively) (p<0.001). The expression patterns of meibocyte differentiation biomarkers were similar in the older and younger donors.

Conclusion

Our histopathological study, based on a small sample size, suggests potentially distinct pathogenic mechanisms in MGD. In the young male adult, hyperproliferation and aberrant differentiation of the central ductal epithelia may lead to the obstruction by overproduced cytokeratins. In contrast, in older adults, decreased cell proliferation in acinar basal epithelia could be a contributing factor leading to MG glandular atrophy.

Course of upper eyelid retraction in thyroid eye disease

AIMS

To evaluate the natural course of upper eyelid retraction (UER) in patients with thyroid eye disease (TED) and factors affecting its course.

METHODS

Retrospective non-interventional cohort study in a single tertiary institution from March 2006 to March 2015 on patients with TED with (1) unilateral or bilateral UER within 6 months from initial presentation, and (2) no prior interventions nor surgical treatment for their UER. Main outcomes and measures were mean margin reflex distance 1 (MRD1) and factors associated with UER improvement.

RESULTS

There were a total of 61 patients and 81 eyes (41 unilateral and 20 bilateral UER). Mean age was 42.3±15.1 years. Mean MRD1 decreased from 6.1 mm at presentation to 4.8 mm at 12 months, and 4.4 mm at 24 months. The proportion of eyes with normalisation of lid height increased from 0% at presentation to 22.2% at 6 months, 37.0% at 12 months and 49.4% at 24 months. Mean time to normalisation of MRD1 was 18.0±12.4 months. A positive family history of TED was found to be associated with a 6.2 times lower likelihood of normalisation. Change in exophthalmometry, clinical activity score and thyroid-stimulating immunoglobulin were significantly correlated to change in MRD1 (p<0.05). There was no correlation between change in MRD1 and thyroid-stimulating hormone receptor antibodies.

CONCLUSION

An improved knowledge of the natural history of UER in TED will allow us to better decide and evaluate the optimal management for such patients.

Intraoperative lagophthalmos formula for levator resection in congenital ptosis

AIM

To calculate a regression formula for intraoperative lagophthalmos to determine the amount of correction in levator resection for mild to moderate congenital ptosis.

METHODS

This retrospective study included 38 eyelids from 28 consecutive children with congenital ptosis with levator function of 4 mm or better who showed satisfactory surgical outcomes defined as postoperative margin reflex distance-1 (MRD1) ≥3 mm in each eye and difference in MRD1 ≤1 mm between eyes at 6 months after levator resection. We investigated whether the degree of intraoperative lagophthalmos measured by calliper correlated with the preoperative values of MRD1, levator function and age. A stepwise multiple regression analysis was performed with intraoperative lagophthalmos as the dependent variable.

RESULTS

The mean intraoperative lagophthalmos was 7.4±0.9 mm (range, 6-10 mm). The intraoperative lagophthalmos was found to have a statistically significant negative correlation with preoperative MRD1 (r² =0.55, p<0.0001) and levator function (r² =0.53, p<0.0001), respectively. A stepwise multiple regression analysis resulted in the following regression formula: Intraoperative lagophthalmos=9.08 - 0.48×Preoperative MRD1 - 0.26×Levator function (r² =0.60, p<0.0001).

CONCLUSION

Intraoperative lagophthalmos in patients with satisfactory surgical outcome correlated negatively with both preoperative MRD1 and levator function and accounting for both variables resulted in a stronger correlation than either variable alone. Surgeons would be able to calculate the amount of surgical correction using this formula of intraoperative lagophthalmos, which could lead to a satisfactory surgical outcome in levator resection for congenital ptosis.

Functional and aesthetic outcomes of eyelid skin grafting in facial nerve palsy

AIM

To report the functional and aesthetic outcomes of eyelid full-thickness skin grafting (FTSG) in patients with facial nerve palsy (FNP).

METHODS

This is a retrospective, non-comparative, single-centre review of all patients with FNP who underwent FTSG over an 8-year period. Functional outcomes were collected through case notes review: CADS (cornea, static asymmetry and dynamic and synkinesis) score facial nerve grading and lagophthalmos on blink, gentle and forced closure. Marginal reflex distance (MRD1 and MRD2) was calculated on standardised photographs. The aesthetic outcomes were assessed objectively by two blinded independent assessors who assessed standardised photographs based on a mutually agreed grading scale. Both functional and aesthetic outcomes were measured preoperatively, and at early (1-3 months), intermediate (3-6 months) and late (>9 months) postoperative periods.

RESULTS

A total of 28 eyelid FTSGs were performed on 21 patients (11 female, 10 male) between 2008 and 2016. The mean age was 68 (range, 16-89) years and the mean follow-up was 20.8 (range, 12-30) months. The CADS score (cornea (p<0.001), static asymmetry (p<0.001), dynamic function (p<0.001)), MRD2 (p=0.002) and lagophthalmos (blink (p=0.003), gentle (p<0.001), forced (p=0.003)) improved through early and late postoperative periods. Aesthetically, the grafts appeared to look natural in terms of colour, surface contour and graft edge from the intermediate postoperative period and continued to improve significantly by the late postoperative period.

CONCLUSION

The use of periocular FTSG is effective in improving lagophthalmos and periorbital symmetry in patients with FNP where skin contraction exists. They should be considered as an adjunct to other oculoplastic procedures for both functional and aesthetic rehabilitation.

Safety and efficacy of 4-terpineol against microorganisms associated with blepharitis and common ocular diseases

OBJECTIVE

Microbial infection has been reported to cause blepharitis, conjunctivitis and keratitis. We evaluated the safety and efficacy of a foam formulation of 2% 4-terpineol (T4O) against common ocular microorganisms.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

The antimicrobial effect of a 2% T4O formulation was evaluated by the United States Pharmacopeia 51 (USP <51>) antimicrobial effectiveness test for 14 and 28 days, as well as by a Time Kill Study (ASTM E2315) with a 60 s exposure time. Its potential of causing skin and ocular irritation was evaluated by the Repeated Insult Patch Test and the Hen's Egg Chorioallantoic Membrane Test, respectively.

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

It was seen that 2% T4O formulation did not cause ocular irritation, skin irritation, sensitisation or allergic contact dermatitis in human subjects. Most importantly, it killed microorganisms listed in USP <51> at both 14 and 28 days and exerted a rapid killing effect within 60 s against 13 bacteria, 1 fungus and Acanthamoeba castellanii.

CONCLUSION

The above finding suggests that 2% T4O formulation is safe and effective in killing microorganisms related to common ocular and skin infective diseases.

TRANSLATIONAL RELEVANCE

Although the clinical efficacy in treating ocular disease was not directly studied; this foam formulation containing 2% T4O, based on the in vitro results of this work, demonstrated that it can potentially be used as a preservative-free cleansing agent for ocular hygiene maintenance due to its ability to exert a broad-spectrum antimicrobial effect without causing ocular or skin irritation.

Immunohistochemical evaluation of stress-responsive protein sestrin2 and its correlation with p53 mutational status in eyelid sebaceous gland carcinoma

BACKGROUND

p53 is a stress-activated tumour suppressor gene, and its mutation has been associated with solid tumours including non-melanoma skin cancers. Sestrin2 expression is associated with DNA damage and oxidative stress and has been described as a downstream target of p53 network. However, its role in sebaceous gland carcinoma (SGC) remains unexplored.

OBJECTIVES

To determine the role of p53 and its downstream target gene sestrin2 expression and p53 gene mutation status in SGC.

METHODS

Twenty cases of eyelid SGC tumour and circulating cell-free DNA (ccfDNA) were subjected to mutational analysis of p53 gene. p53 and sesrin2 expression was evaluated by immunohistochemistry. Results were correlated with the clinicopathological features of eyelid SGC.

RESULTS

p53 gene mutations was detected in 25% of the SGC cases. A C>T transition was identified in exon 6 in a single patient in both tumour and ccfDNA. A G>T transversion leading to amino acid change D259Y was seen in four patients. A splice site mutation affected a single case in exon 6. p53 expression was observed in 55% SGC. Loss of sestrin2 in 55% SGC cases correlated with poor tumour differentiation (P=0.0001), upper eyelid involvement (P=0.004), p53 mutation (P=0.039) and with mutant p53 expression (P=0.0001).

CONCLUSION

Sestrin2 expression was found to be significantly reduced in p53 mutated SGC cases and in cases with strong p53 nuclear immunopositivity, suggesting that loss of sestrin2 may be of biological significance in the development of SGC and as a key downstream component of p53 tumour suppression network in eyelid SGC.

Effect of manual eyelid manipulation on intraocular pressure measurement by rebound tonometry

BACKGROUND/AIMS

To investigate the effect of eyelid manipulation on the measurement of intraocular pressure (IOP) using two different tonometries (rebound tonometry (RT) vs Goldmann applanation tonometry (GAT)).

METHODS

103 patients with primary open-angle glaucoma were prospectively enrolled. For all of the patients, IOP measurements were performed in three different ways: (1) RT with lid manipulation (LM), (2) RT without LM and (3) GAT. The order of the three measurements was randomly selected. Additionally, the palpebral fissure height (PFH; elliptical space between upper and lower eyelids) was measured.

RESULTS

The mean value of IOP measured by GAT was 13.97±2.80 mm Hg, which was not significantly different from that by RT without LM (13.75±2.44 mm Hg; P=0.096), but which was significantly lower than that by RT with LM (15.21±2.91 mm Hg; P<0.001). On a Bland-Altman plot, RT with LM was overestimated relative to GAT (mean: -1.5) and RT without LM (mean: -1.2). Among the high IOPs (>20 mm Hg), interestingly, those measured by RT without LM were significantly lower than those measured by GAT (P<0.001). In the subgroup analysis of PFH, the smaller the PFH, the more exaggerated the IOP difference between GAT (P=0.014) and RT with LM (P<0.001).

CONCLUSION

RT-measured IOP was significantly exaggerated when manipulation was applied to the eyelid. This overall trend was more pronounced when PFH was small. GAT-measured IOP, meanwhile, showed a good correlation with IOP measured using RT without LM.

Non-aesthetic indications for periocular hyaluronic acid filler treatment: a review

Dermal fillers have been in use for many years for aesthetic rejuvenation of the face. More recently, however, fillers have been increasingly used as an alternative to traditional surgical procedures for non-aesthetic indications. These indications include lagophthalmos, eyelid malpositions and orbital volume deficiency. The advantages of these filler injections are multiple: minimally invasive, repeatable, titratable and even reversible (depending on the product used). We review the current literature of functional uses of filler injections as mentioned above and evaluate the safety profile and efficacy of filler injections for this purpose.

Growth of meibomian gland tissue after intraductal meibomian gland probing in patients with obstructive meibomian gland dysfunction

PURPOSE

To investigate the impact of meibomian gland probing (MGP) on meibomian gland (MG) area from the upper lids of patients with obstructive meibomian gland dysfunction (o-MGD).

METHODS

Retrospective study comparing pre-MGP/post-MGP non-contact infrared meibography results in patients with o-MGD, viewing signs of MG growth within total measurement field.

RESULTS

Post-MGP meibography of 34 lids (19 patients, ≥4.5 to ≤12 months' follow-up) showed 41.2% with MG growth. Ten lids had meibographies suitable for analysis, showing significant collective (116 glands) increase in mean individual glandular area (MIGA) of 4.87% (p=0.0145). Four of 10 lids independently showed significant increase in MIGA, ranging from 10.70% to 21.13% (p<0.0001, p=0.0277, p=0.0292, p=0.0345), while six did not.At >12 and <25 months' follow-up, 16 lids (9 additional patients) had follow-up showing 25% with signs of MG growth. Analysis of three lids showed a significant collective (33 glands) increase in MIGA of 11.19% (p=0.0004). Two of three lids independently showed significant increase in MIGA of 13.73% and 20.00% (p=0.0097, p=0.0001). Collectively, for all 13 analysed lids (149 glands), there was a significant increase of 6.38% in total glandular area (p=0.0447) and a significant increase of 6.23% in MIGA (p=0.0003).

CONCLUSION

MGP was associated with increased MG tissue area and growth of atrophied MGs as viewed on meibography. MGP provides unequivocal physical proof of a patent meibum outflow tract through the natural orifice, and may promote glandular growth in part by direct mechanical establishment of a patent duct/orifice system.