Short-Term Efficacy and Safety of Open Conjunctiva Ab Externo XEN45 Gel Stent Implantation in Glaucoma Patients.

PRCIS: We examined the safety and efficacy of the open conjunctiva ab externo approach for XEN45 gel stent implantation. There was a significant reduction in intraocular pressure (IOP) and number of glaucoma medications at 12 months follow-up. PURPOSE: This study aims to determine the safety and efficacy of the open conjunctiva ab externo approach to XEN45 stent implantation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Retrospective chart review of all patients between July 2018 and March 2020 who underwent XEN45 implantation. IOP and the number of glaucoma medications were measured at the preoperative, 1 day, 1 week, 1 month, 3 months, 6 months, and 12 months postoperative appointments. The primary outcome of this study is the number of cases achieving complete success at 12 months postoperatively. RESULTS: Forty-four eyes of 44 patients were included. Mean preoperative IOP was 26.2±8.7 mm Hg on 3.2±0.7 IOP-lowering medications. At 12 months postoperative, mean IOP was 18.9±9.1 mm Hg (n=35, P <0.0001; mean reduction of 27.9%) on 0.9±1.4 (n=35, P <0.0001) IOP-lowering medications. Postoperative needling was performed in 5 cases (11.4%). Of the 35 cases with a postoperative visit at 12 months, complete success was achieved in 14 cases (40.0%) and qualified success in 3 cases (8.6%). Eighteen cases (51.4%) were recorded as failures at 12 months, comprised of 4 cases requiring reoperation for glaucoma (2 XEN45 implants, 1 trabeculectomy, and 1 Baerveldt implant), and 14 cases that did not meet the IOP-lowering criteria for success. During the postoperative course, there was 1 case of self-limited hypotony, 2 self-resolving choroidal effusions, and 3 cases of bleb leakage. CONCLUSIONS: The open conjunctiva ab externo approach to XEN45 implantation achieved successful levels of IOP reduction in 48.6% of glaucoma cases within the first year. The most common adverse events included the need for additional glaucoma surgery (excluding needling procedures), transient hypotony, and bleb leak.

Infundibulocystic basal cell carcinoma of the eyelid in basal cell nevus syndrome.

PURPOSE: To describe the histopathologic findings in a series of eyelid basal cell carcinomas removed from patients with basal cell nevus syndrome. METHODS: Retrospective case series of 5 patients with basal cell nevus syndrome identified from our oculoplastics service. The systemic and ophthalmic features were reviewed, and a retrospective histopathologic analysis of all available previously excised eyelid lesions was performed. The pertinent published literature on basal cell nevus syndrome and eyelid basal cell carcinoma was reviewed. RESULTS: A total of 26 eyelid lesions were examined histopathologically. Twenty-three of these lesions were basal cell carcinomas. The infundibulocystic variant of basal cell carcinoma was identified most commonly (57%). CONCLUSIONS: Eyelid basal cell carcinomas in patients with basal cell nevus syndrome were commonly of the infundibulocystic variety in our series. Infundibulocystic basal cell carcinomas, which can be clinically indistinguishable from the more common forms, are thought to be less aggressive than other types of basal cell carcinoma and are a reassuring histopathologic diagnosis. It is important for the ophthalmologist and pathologist to be aware of infundibulocystic basal cell carcinomas, as they are more common in patients with basal cell nevus syndrome and may be a clue to the diagnosis of this autosomal dominant cancer-predisposition syndrome or other associated syndromes. To our knowledge, this variant of basal cell carcinoma has not been previously discussed in the ophthalmic literature.

Diffraction-enhanced imaging of a porcine eye.

BACKGROUND: Diffraction-enhanced imaging (DEI) is a synchrotron-based x-ray imaging technique that has dramatically improved contrast over standard x-ray imaging techniques. It is possible to acquire images that analyze the x-ray refraction and the apparent absorption (elimination of small-angle scattering) of the object. METHODS: Three formalin-fixed porcine eyes were studied at the National Synchrotron Light Source using DEI. Conventional absorption-type radiography was conducted for comparison. RESULTS: Conventional absorption radiography did not yield significant detail of the eye anatomy. DEI showed excellent characterization of many ocular structures. The cornea, iris, lens, retina, optic nerve, as well as choroidal vasculature and the ampullae of the vortex veins could all be visualized. INTERPRETATION: DEI represents a novel, high-resolution imaging technique that has excellent characterization of ocular anatomy. Further application of this imaging modality will be undertaken to study cataract and choroidal tumors and to examine ocular surface structures, such as the extraocular muscle insertions, more closely.

Siegrist streaks in giant cell arteritis.

A patient who presented with symptoms of giant cell arteritis was found to have a right ophthalmic artery occlusion. One month after initial evaluation, the peripheral retina demonstrated multiple linear bands of chorioretinal atrophy known as Siegrist streaks. Although most commonly described in the setting of acute hypertension, Siegrist streaks also occur in patients with giant cell arteritis.

Accumulation of a black material around some titanium coupling posts.

PURPOSE: To report 5 patients with a black material accumulating in the conjunctiva around the titanium peg and sleeve systems. METHODS: Retrospective small case series. The clinical features of 5 patients were reviewed. Histopathologic analysis was performed on specimens from 3 patients. Neutron activation analysis was performed on 1 sample. RESULTS: Five asymptomatic patients with black material accumulating in the conjunctiva at the conjunctival-titanium peg interface were evaluated. All patients had a hydroxyapatite-coated titanium sleeve with a titanium peg in position. Histopathologic analysis performed on specimens from 3 patients revealed a mixed inflammatory cell infiltrate with focal areas of a black, foreign-appearing material showing birefringence under polarized light that was predominantly intracytoplasmic. This black material did not respond to bleaching, and in 2 patients, it showed positive staining for iron (Perls method). The material from one patient was evaluated by neutron activation analysis and was found to contain titanium, aluminum, and vanadium. In 18 to 48 months of follow-up, the presence of the material did not appear to be associated with any problems. CONCLUSIONS: The presence of a black substance accumulating in the conjunctiva around some titanium coupling posts is uncommon and appears to be without any consequence in 18 to 48 months of follow-up. Our analysis revealed this substance to be consistent with titanium alloy (Ti-6Al-4V).

Hydroxyapatite and calcium phosphate coatings on aluminium oxide orbital implants.

BACKGROUND: Hydroxyapatite and calcium phosphate have been used as bone graft substitutes as they facilitate and promote tissue ingrowth. We carried out a study to examine uncoated and coated aluminium oxide (alumina) spherical orbital implants and assess whether the coatings influence fibrovascular ingrowth. METHODS: The aluminium oxide spheres (three coated with hydroxyapatite, three coated with calcium metaphosphate and three uncoated) were manufactured at the School of Materials Engineering, Yeungnam University, Kyongsan, Kyongbuk, Korea. The implants were examined macroscopically and with scanning electron microscopy and were analysed chemically by means of x-ray powder diffraction and x-ray fluorescence spectrophotometry. Implantation of three hydroxyapatite-coated, three calcium metaphosphate-coated and three uncoated aluminium oxide spheres was done in nine adult male New Zealand albino rabbits. Implant vascularization was evaluated at 4, 8 and 12 weeks by means of histopathological sectioning. RESULTS: All three types of implant had multiple interconnected pores. The coatings increased the size of the trabeculae from 150 microm to 300 microm. As a result, the pores appeared slightly smaller but still ranged in size from 300 microm to 750 microm, compared to 400 microm to 800 microm in the uncoated implants. The coatings also increased the weight of the implants slightly. The implants were all strong mechanically. They were made up primarily of aluminium oxide. The coated implants contained significant amounts of calcium oxide (a contaminant). There was no clinical difference in the socket response between the three groups. Histopathologically, fibrovascularization occurred uniformly throughout each implant at 4, 8 and 12 weeks after implantation. INTERPRETATION: The hydroxyapatite and calcium metaphosphate coatings did not appear to facilitate or inhibit fibrovascular ingrowth at 4, 8 and 12 weeks. Longer-term studies are need to determine whether the coatings play a role in long-term acceptance and retention of the implants.