The Effects of Transcanalicular Diode Laser-Assisted Revision Surgery for Failed Dacryocystorhinostomy

PURPOSE: To determine the intranasal causes of failed dacryocystorhinostomy (DCR) and the effects of transcanalicular diode laser-assisted revision surgery. METHODS: Twenty-four patients (29 eyes) who underwent revision surgery for a failed DCR at the Department of Ophthalmology, Ansan Hospital, Korea University between March 2009 and February 2011 were included in the present retrospective study. The intranasal causes of failed DCR, the time of symptoms such as epiphora and discharge after DCR, success rates of revision surgeries and follow-up periods were evaluated. RESULTS: Membranous obstruction was found in 25 eyes (86.2%) and was accompanied with granuloma in 10 eyes; these were the most common causes of failed DCR. The mean time for symptom development after DCR was 14.6 months, the success rate of the first revision surgery was 82.1% and good results were obtained in 5 eyes after the second revision surgery. Recurrence developed in 2 eyes, but symptoms improved after the lateral tarsal strip procedure. CONCLUSIONS: Membranous obstruction was the most common intranasal cause of failed DCR and transcanalicular diode laser-assisted revision surgery produced good results. Additionally, in patients with persistent epiphora following anatomically-patent revisional surgery, lacrimal pump failure due to lower eyelid laxity should be considered and corrected.

The Usefulness of the Uniocular Drug Trial in the Glaucoma Eyes

PURPOSE: This study was undertaken to evaluate if the reduction of intraocular pressure (IOP) observed in a uniocular trial correlates with an IOP reduction observed in the fellow eye. METHODS: The study was performed on forty patients with bilateral glaucoma or suspect glaucoma who underwent a uniocular trial of 0.005% latanoprost and subsequently received the same drug in the fellow eye after 1 week. Inter-eye IOP variations were less than 3 mm Hg over two measurements, and were followed minimally for 4 weeks. The uniocular IOP reduction (IOP before medication - IOP after medication) and the net IOP reduction (IOP change in the trial eye after medication - IOP change in the fellow eye) were calculated. The uniocular IOP reduction and net IOP reduction in the trial eye was compared with the results from the fellow eye. RESULTS: The mean uniocular IOP reduction in the trial eye and the fellow eye were 3.6+/-2.42 mm Hg and 2.78+/-2.16 mm Hg, respectively (r=0.390, r2=0.152, P=0.013). The mean net IOP reduction in the trial eye and the opposing eye were 3.55+/-1.70 mm Hg and 3.15+/-1.83 mm Hg, respectively (r=0.782, r2=0.612, P=0.000). CONCLUSIONS: A uniocular drug trial in patients with similar IOPs between their eyes can adequately predict the IOP lowering effect of a medication.

The Results of Revisional Surgery for the Failed Endonasal DCR

PURPOSE: This large case study evaluated the success rate of revisional surgery and the causes of failed endonasal dacryocystorhinostomy (DCR) with long-term follow-ups. METHODS: One hundred nine patients (114 eyes) who underwent revisional surgery for a failed endonasal DCR at the Department of Ophthalmology, Guro Hospital, Korea University between January 1995 and January 2005 were included in this retrospective study. We evaluated the causes of failed endonasal DCR and their success rates of revisional surgeries. RESULTS: The causes of surgical failure were membranous obstruction (83 eyes), granuloma (22 eyes), synechia (11 eyes), common canalicular obstruction (11 eyes), functional block (7 eyes), and canalicular obstruction (1 eye). The revisional surgeries were silicone tube intubation after granuloma removal, synechiolysis and membranectomy using Nd:YAG laser and trephination of canalicular obstruction, and endonasal conjunctivodacryocystorhinostomy (CDCR) for the parts of functional block and the canalicular obstruction. The overall success rates of the revisional surgeries were 83.3% (95/114 eyes). The mean follow-ups period was 18.97 months (range, 9~113 months). CONCLUSIONS: This is the first large case study in Korea on revisional surgery with long-term follow-ups, as far as we know. The overall success rates of endonasal DCR after receiving simple revisional surgery were comparable to those of the standard external DCR.

The Results of Revisional Surgery for the Failed Endonasal DCR

PURPOSE: This large case study evaluated the success rate of revisional surgery and the causes of failed endonasal dacryocystorhinostomy (DCR) with long-term follow-ups. METHODS: One hundred nine patients (114 eyes) who underwent revisional surgery for a failed endonasal DCR at the Department of Ophthalmology, Guro Hospital, Korea University between January 1995 and January 2005 were included in this retrospective study. We evaluated the causes of failed endonasal DCR and their success rates of revisional surgeries. RESULTS: The causes of surgical failure were membranous obstruction (83 eyes), granuloma (22 eyes), synechia (11 eyes), common canalicular obstruction (11 eyes), functional block (7 eyes), and canalicular obstruction (1 eye). The revisional surgeries were silicone tube intubation after granuloma removal, synechiolysis and membranectomy using Nd:YAG laser and trephination of canalicular obstruction, and endonasal conjunctivodacryocystorhinostomy (CDCR) for the parts of functional block and the canalicular obstruction. The overall success rates of the revisional surgeries were 83.3% (95/114 eyes). The mean follow-ups period was 18.97 months (range, 9~113 months). CONCLUSIONS: This is the first large case study in Korea on revisional surgery with long-term follow-ups, as far as we know. The overall success rates of endonasal DCR after receiving simple revisional surgery were comparable to those of the standard external DCR.

A Case of Intramuscular Hemangioma Presenting with Large-angle Hypertropia

PURPOSE: To report the case of a patient with large-angle hypertropia of an intramuscular hemangioma of the right superior rectus muscle (SR). METHODS: A 63-year-old man with progressive vertical deviation of the right eye for the past 6 months visited our strabismus department; his condition was not painful. An examination indicated that he had 60PD of right hypertropia at distance and near in primary gaze. Additionally, a significant limitation of his downgaze was noted. The right eye appeared mildly proptotic, and the upper and lower eyelids were slightly edematous. Corrected vision was 20/20 in both eyes. RESULTS: Orbital magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) studies revealed fusiform enlargement of the right superior rectus muscle, with prominent but irregular enhancement following gadolinium administration. Incisional biopsy revealed an intramuscular hemangioma in the superior rectus muscle with cavernous-type vessels. CONCLUSIONS: This case demonstrates that intramuscular hemangioma should be considered in the differential diagnosis of isolated extraocular muscle enlargement and unusual strabismus.