External dacryocystorhinostomy for the treatment of acquired partial nasolacrimal obstruction in adults.

AIM: To determine the long term success of external dacryocystorhinostomy (DCR) in adults with acquired partial nasolacrimal obstruction. METHODS: A retrospective study of 50 external dacryocystorhinostomies with silicone intubation performed for partial nasolacrimal obstruction, was undertaken. Preoperative lacrimal scintigraphy divided drainage abnormalities into presac or postsac delays. Postoperative success was determined by lacrimal patency to irrigation, a positive dye test on nasal endoscopy and subjective resolution of epiphora. Statistical analysis was performed using the Fisher exact test. RESULTS: A patent DCR system to irrigation and a positive dye test was achieved in 90% of procedures. At an average of 3.6 months' follow up, subjective success was reported in 84% of cases-91% for postsac and 67% for presac delays. At 3 years' follow up success had declined to 70% overall and to 80% and 47% for postsac and presac occlusions respectively. There was a statistically significant association between a presac delay and postoperative recurrence of epiphora, p = 0.04. CONCLUSION: External DCR with silicone intubation is an effective procedure for partial nasolacrimal obstruction. Presac delays do significantly less well and further studies are necessary to evaluate the best type of surgery for these patients.

Nd:YAG vitreolysis and pars plana vitrectomy: surgical treatment for vitreous floaters.

PURPOSE OF STUDY: To determine the efficacy of Nd:YAG vitreolysis and pars plana vitrectomy in the treatment of vitreous floaters. METHODS: This is a single centre retrospective study of 31 patients (42 eyes) who underwent 54 procedures, Nd:YAG vitreolysis or pars plana vitrectomy, for the treatment of vitreous floaters between January 1992 and December 2000. Main outcome measures were percentage symptomatic improvement following treatment and incidence of post-operative complications. Statistical analysis was performed using the Fisher exact test. RESULTS: Posterior vitreous detachment was the primary cause of floaters in all 42 eyes with co-existing vitreous veils in three eyes and asteroid hyalosis in two eyes. Thirty-nine of 42 eyes received Nd:YAG vitreolysis. Thirty-eight percent found Nd:YAG vitreolysis moderately improved their symptoms while 61.5% found no improvement. After an average of 14.7 months follow-up no post-operative complications were recorded. Fifteen eyes underwent a pars plana vitrectomy, one with combined phacoemulsification and posterior chamber implantation and 11 following unsuccessful laser vitreolysis. Pars plana vitrectomy resulted in full resolution of symptoms in 93.3% of eyes. One patient developed a post-operative retinal detachment which was successfully treated leaving the patient with 6/5 VA. CONCLUSION: Patients' symptoms from vitreous floaters are often underestimated resulting in no intervention. This paper shows Nd:YAG vitreolysis to be a safe but only moderately effective primary treatment conferring clinical benefit in one third of patients. Pars plana vitrectomy, while offering superior results, should be reserved for patients who remain markedly symptomatic following vitreolysis, until future studies further clarify its role in the treatment of patients with floaters and posterior vitreous detachment.

Periorbital dermatitis as a side effect of topical dorzolamide.

AIM: To report periorbital dermatitis as a late side effect of topical dorzolamide hydrochloride (Trusopt), a drug used to reduce intraocular pressure. METHODS: A retrospective study of 14 patients who developed periorbital dermatitis while using topical dorzolamide hydrochloride was undertaken. Six patients underwent patch testing for sensitivity to Trusopt, dorzolamide hydrochloride, and the preservative benzalkonium chloride. RESULTS: The periorbital dermatitis occurred after a mean period of 20.4 weeks of commencing dorzolamide hydrochloride therapy. 13 patients had used preserved topical beta blocker treatment for a mean period of 34.2 months without complication before the introduction of dorzolamide. In eight (57.1%) the dermatitis resolved completely after discontinuing dorzolamide but in six (42.9%) resolution of the dermatitis did not occur until the concomitant preserved beta blocker was stopped and substituted with preservative free drops. Patch testing for sensitivity to Trusopt, dorzolamide hydrochloride, and benzalkonium chloride was negative. CONCLUSION: These findings suggest that dorzolamide can cause severe periorbital dermatitis. Although the dermatitis may resolve when dorzolamide is discontinued, this does not always occur and in some patients all topical medication containing benzalkonium chloride needs to be stopped.