Auricular Acupressure for Dry Eye Disease: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials.

Background and Objectives: The purpose of this systematic review was to summarize the current evidence to examine the safety and effectiveness of auricular acupressure on dry eye diseases. Materials and Methods: Twenty databases were searched from their inception until November 2022. Only randomized controlled trials (RCTs) in which auricular acupressure was used for dry eye diseases were included. The selection process, data extraction and quantitative were conducted according to the guidelines. Results: Seven RCTs met the inclusion criteria. Meta-analysis showed that compared to artificial tears, auricular acupressure had a favorable effect on prolonging tear breakup time (TBUT), improving the Schirmer I test (SIT) score and the score of symptoms (SOS) of patients with dry eye disease (p < 0.05). Furthermore, compared to the artificial tears alone, auricular acupressure plus artificial tears had a significantly greater SIT score (p < 0.001) and response rate (p = 0.006), significantly longer TBUT (p < 0.001), and significantly lower Ocular surface disease index (OSDI) (p = 0.02) and SOS (p = 0.03). However, there was no statistically significant difference between the auricular acupressure plus artificial tears group and the artificial tears group in terms of cornea fluorescein staining (CFS) (p = 0.09). Conclusions: Auricular acupressure, as a sole intervention or in combination with artificial tears, may have a beneficial effect on dry eye disease. However, more high-quality RCTs need to be included in the future to further prove the positive effects of auricular acupressure on patients with dry eye disease.

Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2-Associated Blepharoconjunctivitis and Erythema Multiforme-Like Rash in a Young Man.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to describe the diagnosis and management of bilateral blepharoconjunctivitis and erythema multiforme (EM)-like illness in an otherwise healthy young man who tested positive for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV)-2. METHODS: This is a case report of a 27 year-old man with a positive result for SARS-CoV-2 testing who presented with fever, eye redness, oral ulcerations, cough, sore throat, and progressive rash suspicious for EM-like illness. RESULTS: A SARS-CoV-2-positive patient presented to the emergency room with a progressing skin rash, bilateral conjunctivitis, and oropharyngeal mucosal ulcers. On initial ophthalmic examination, visual acuity was 20/25 both eyes (OU), and slit lamp examination demonstrated erythema and ulceration of the eyelid margins with fluorescein uptake at the mucocutaneous junction OU. The patient was admitted for observation and supportive treatment. During and after his hospital stay, he was treated with systemic and topical steroids, topical cyclosporine ophthalmic drops, erythromycin ophthalmic ointment, and artificial tears. At his 1-week follow-up visit after hospital discharge, the patient had complete resolution of his skin findings and improvement of his ocular and oral mucosal findings. Laboratory workup and imaging studies searching for other potential autoimmune and infectious etiologies showed negative results. CONCLUSIONS: Topical antiinflammatory drops, artificial tears, erythromycin ointment, and systemic steroids were an effective treatment for this bilateral blepharoconjunctivitis and EM-like presentation of SARS-CoV-2.

Quantitative High-speed Assessment of Droplet and Aerosol From an Eye After Impact With an Air-puff Amid COVID-19 Scenario.

PURPOSE: To quantify aerosol and droplets generated during noncontact tonometry (NCT) and assess the spread distance of the same. METHODOLOGY: This was an experimental study on healthy human volunteers (n=8 eyes). In an experimental setup, NCT was performed on eyes (n=8) of human volunteers under normal settings, with a single and 2 drops of lubricant. High-speed shadowgraphy, frontal lighting technique, and fluorescein analysis were used to detect the possible generation of any droplets and aerosols. Mathematical computation of the spread of the droplets was then performed. RESULTS: In a natural setting, there was no droplet or aerosol production. Minimal splatter along with droplet ejection was observed when 1 drop of lubricant was used before NCT. When 2 drops of lubricant were instilled, a significant amount of fluid ejection in the form of a sheet that broke up into multiple droplets was observed. Some of these droplets traversed back to the tonometer. Droplets ranging from 100 to 500 µm in diameter were measured. CONCLUSIONS: There was no droplet generation during NCT performed in a natural setting. However, NCT should be avoided in conditions with high-tear volume (natural or artificial) as it would lead to droplet spread and tactile contamination.