Intraosseous Hemangioma of the Zygomatic Bone with Multidisciplinary Approach to Surgical Resection and Orbital Reconstruction.

Background: Intraosseous hemangiomas are rare benign tumors comprising fewer than 1% of all osseous tumors; even more uncommon are intraosseous hemangiomas of the zygomatic bone. This case reports a multidisciplinary approach for excision and reconstruction of an intraosseous hemangioma of the zygomatic bone in a 54-year-old female. Methods: Multidisciplinary approach with both otolaryngology head and neck surgery and oculofacial plastics and reconstructive surgery included right lateral canthotomy and right transconjunctival orbitotomy with en-bloc excision of the zygomatic arch, followed by reconstruction of the orbital rim, orbital floor, and eyelid with Medpor implant. Results: Final surgical pathology was consistent with intraosseous hemangioma of the zygomatic bone. At 4-month follow-up, the patient was healing well with good midface projection and without any visual deficits. Conclusions: A multidisciplinary coordinated case allowed us to meet the standard of maintaining cosmesis and function while undergoing resection of a rare tumor involving a key facial structure-the zygoma. Involvement of oculofacial plastics and reconstructive surgery service allowed for advanced eyelid reconstruction techniques to limit any functional impairment to our patient with deliberate choice of implant material for well-adhered, durable, and aesthetically optimal reconstruction of the right malar eminence, lateral orbital rim, and orbital floor defect. The postoperative result through the multidisciplinary approach was a near symmetrical facial reconstruction without any associated eyelid or globe abnormalities.

Scope of practice of oculofacial plastic and reconstructive surgeons: a public perception survey.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to determine the public's perception of the scope of practice for oculofacial plastic and reconstructive surgeons (OFPRS). METHODS: A 49-question survey was distributed by QualtricsⓇ to a panel similar to the US demographic composition. Responses collected underwent bivariate statistical analysis. RESULT: A total of 530 responses were obtained, with most respondents being white, female, over the age of 35, from the Midwest, and with at least a college education or above. Most respondents did not think ophthalmologists or optometrists were surgeons, and only 158 people (29.8%) knew the primary specialty of OFPRS was ophthalmology. Board certification was preferred by 98.87% of respondents, and 95.28% preferred ASOPRS-trained OFPRS. CONCLUSIONS: Our study highlights the gap in knowledge about OFPRS as a field, the qualifications and training required, and the scope of practice. Notably, even for OFPRS-specific procedures, PRS remained the leading subspecialist chosen for interventions such as orbital decompression (58.5% vs. 71.5%), orbital reconstruction (57.9% vs. 74.2%), enucleation/evisceration (48.1% vs. 53.4%), optic nerve-related surgery (39.8% vs. 43.4%), orbital cancer resection (42.8% vs. 46.8%), and tear duct surgery (41.9% vs. 52.5%). Additionally, most respondents did not feel that facial fillers, laser skin resurfacing, eyelid cancer removal, or cataract surgery were within the OFPRS scope of practice.

Side Effects and Adverse Events After Treatment With Teprotumumab for Thyroid Eye Disease: A Retrospective Observational Case Series.

As the use of teprotumumab for thyroid eye disease (TED) becomes more prolific, there remains a scarcity of literature regarding the associated side effects and adverse events of teprotumumab use. The authors present a single-center retrospective, observational case review of TED patients who received at least a single dose of teprotumumab infusion at the oculofacial plastic surgery service between February 2020 and July 2023. The most predominant recollected side effects were fatigue, brittle nails, dry eye symptoms, hair loss, muscle spasms, and dry mouth. Significant adverse events were limited to two cases of a blood clot and a single case of pulmonary embolism. This is the first retrospective study of patient-reported side effects and adverse events experienced by a cohort of teprotumumab users.

The Diagnostic Accuracy of First-Year Ophthalmology Residents on Call: Considerations for Postgraduate Year 2 (PGY-2) Standardizations of Call Structure.

Background Ophthalmology is a unique specialty with limited exposure during medical school. To improve the transition to ophthalmology residency, the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) announced in 2017 that all ophthalmology residency programs would move to a combined post-graduate year (PGY) 1 year with mandatory integration by 2023. Currently, there are no standardized guidelines from the American Board of Ophthalmology (ABO) or the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) to address ophthalmology resident competence prior to becoming the primary contact for inpatient and emergency room (ER) consultations as a PGY-2. Novice residents may not be equipped to accurately diagnose vision or life-threatening ocular conditions. A balance between resident autonomy and supervision is required for proper training without increasing patient morbidity and mortality. Objective This study's objective is to examine the diagnostic accuracy of PGY-2 ophthalmology non-integrated residents on call to standardize supervision requirements (through buddy-call) prior to initiating indirectly supervised calls. Methods All inpatient and ER ophthalmology consults for the first seven weeks of the year evaluated by PGY-2 (junior) residents were supervised and graded as "correct" or "incorrect" by PGY-4 (senior) residents. Results One hundred forty-eight consults were seen over 30 call days over a period of seven weeks (4.93 consults per call). The percentage of correct diagnoses increased with each successive week (R2 = 0.9581; correlation = 0.979). The greatest percent increase of correctly diagnosed encounters was between weeks 2 and 3 (19.14%) correlating to call numbers 10-16 and 45-68 patient encounters. The mean percent accuracy surpassed 70% during weeks 3-4, and improvement continued to week 7. High-acuity diagnoses were identified consistently 100% of the time from week 5 onward. Conclusion Our analysis indicated that diagnostic accuracy was greater than 70% between weeks 3 and 4 with high-acuity diagnostic accuracy reaching 100% at week 5. It can be postulated that optimal direct senior resident supervision is needed for at least 3-5 weeks before transitioning to indirectly supervised calls by PGY-2 residents. This standardization would allow junior residents to acquire sufficient clinical experience to accurately make a diagnosis and prevent patient morbidity. Further research nationally is necessary prior to creating a standardized call structure for PGY-2 residents especially with the newly mandatory integrated ophthalmology residency programs.

Penetrating colored pencil injury with Clostridium bifermentans pre-septal cellulitis: case report, literature review, and treatment algorithm.

The incidence of penetrating orbital injuries from writing instruments continues to rise in the pediatric population. Such injuries can cause significant visual morbidity and have a lifelong psychosocial impact. While the description of graphite pencil-related orbital trauma management is well demonstrated with over 40 reported cases, a lack of consistent management protocol for colored pencil-related injuries. Here, we report an inadvertent penetrating orbital colored pencil injury with progressive mechanical ptosis and pre-septal cellulitis necessitating urgent orbitotomy, debridement, and washout to reduce inflammatory and infectious burden. The wooden body serves as a nidus for polymicrobial infection, and the unique composition of colored pencil cores may lead to inflammatory processes that require vigilant multidisciplinary surgical and medical management reflected in our literature review.

Structural Limits of Orbital Compliance and Treatment Options for Pathologic Orbital Pressure.

PURPOSE: The integrity of the orbit has a finite structural limit due to the compliance of its tissue. The authors investigate these limits to quantify them and inform the treatment of heightened ocular and orbital pressure. METHODS: Cadaveric study with 12 orbits being volumized before randomization of treatment for pathologic levels of ocular and orbital pressure. First-line and second-line treatment was chosen randomly (lateral cantholysis, superior septolysis, inferior septolysis). Prior to treatment, IOP, orbital compartment pressure, and axial globe projection was measured after delivery of each 1cc aliquot and surgical treatment. RESULTS: Orbital compartment pressure and IOP were well correlated (r = 0.99). The average reduction in IOP after treatment averaged a 56.2 mm Hg reduction in IOP. All treatments were statistically equivalent ( p < 0.01). Loss of compliance (P LOC ) was determined when the mean plus 1 standard deviation of change in IOP/ml volume was achieved with simultaneous change in exophthalmometry of <0.5 mm change/ml added volume, indicating an acceleration in pressure in the face of a steady volume. This criteria was met for 11 of 12 orbits. The 12th orbit missed this threshold by 1 mm Hg in IOP. P LOC occurred at an average IOP of 43.0 mm Hg (±5.8 mm Hg, 90% CI) and after an average injection of 13 ml (±1.4 mm, 90% CI). Additionally, lateral cantholysis, superior septolysis, and inferior septolysis were statistically equivalent in reducing IOP after P LOC . CONCLUSIONS: IOP and orbital compartment pressure are excellent proxies for each other in the authors' model. Orbital compliance is a mathematic phenomenon that can be quantified, as evident in this investigation. P LOC can inform timing for orbital decompressions in the presence of heightened IOP. Multiple procedures can be used to extinguish dangerously high orbital compartment pressure.

Efficacy and Safety of Teprotumumab in Patients With Thyroid Eye Disease of Long Duration and Low Disease Activity.

CONTEXT: Early inflammatory thyroid eye disease (TED) can lead to symptomatic chronic disease, including disabling proptosis. Teprotumumab, an insulin-like growth factor-1 receptor (IGF-1R) inhibitor, previously demonstrated efficacy in acute, high-inflammation TED trials. OBJECTIVE: We present data from the first placebo-controlled trial with teprotumumab in chronic/low disease activity TED. METHODS: This randomized double-masked, placebo-controlled trial, conducted at 11 US centers, enrolled adult participants with TED duration of 2 to 10 years, Clinical Activity Score (CAS) ≤ 1 or no additional inflammation or progression in proptosis/diplopia for ≥1 year, proptosis ≥3 mm from before TED and/or from normal, euthyroid/mildly hypo/hyperthyroid, no prior teprotumumab, and no steroids within 3 weeks of baseline. Patients received (2:1) intravenous teprotumumab or placebo once every 3 weeks (total 8 infusions). The primary endpoint was proptosis (mm) improvement at Week 24. Adverse events (AEs) were assessed. RESULTS: A total of 62 (42 teprotumumab and 20 placebo) patients were randomized. At Week 24, least squares mean (SE) proptosis improvement was greater with teprotumumab (-2.41 [0.228]) than with placebo (-0.92 [0.323]), difference -1.48 (95% CI -2.28, -0.69; P = .0004). Proportions of patients with AEs were similar between groups. Hyperglycemia was reported in 6 (15%) vs 2 (10%) and hearing impairment in 9 (22%) vs 2 (10%) with teprotumumab and placebo, respectively. AEs led to discontinuation in 1 teprotumumab (left ear conductive hearing loss with congenital anomaly) and 1 placebo patient (infusion-related). There were no deaths. CONCLUSION: Teprotumumab significantly improved proptosis vs placebo in longstanding/low inflammation TED, demonstrating efficacy regardless of disease duration/activity. The safety profile was comparable to that previously reported.

When the Cost of Vaping Is an Eye: A Case of an Open Globe and Superior Orbital Roof Fracture.

The authors report a penetrating orbitocerebral vape pen injury necessitating a primary enucleation and craniotomy to remove the foreign body fragments. A 31-year-old male presented with acute right vision loss after a modifiable vape pen explosion launched multiple projectile fragments into his right eye. CT revealed a deformed globe with multiple radiodense curvilinear fragments in the superior orbital roof and intracranial space. A right frontal craniotomy and orbitotomy with removal of vape pen fragments, reconstruction of the orbital roof, primary enucleation, and eyelid repair were performed in conjunction with neurosurgery. To the best of the authors' knowledge, this is the first reported penetrating globe injury from a vape pen explosion.

An Orbital Mystery: A Unique Case of an Obsolete Orbital Implant With a Review of Orbital Implant Materials.

Orbital implant materials have evolved greatly over the past century and include but are not limited to metal, ceramic, polymer, silicone, and glass. Knowledge of historically used materials is clinically relevant to patient care as certain materials carry a greater risk of migration, extrusion, infection, and limitations for imaging modalities utilized to visualize adjacent structures. We report an unusual case of an 80-year-old male who presented to our community hospital with seizure-like activity. CT imaging of the brain revealed several white matter and cortex lesions with the largest lesion measuring 2.5 × 2 × 1.9 cm. The patient had a history of enucleation with placement of an orbital implant following a penetrating injury to the left eye at four years of age. Hounsfield scale analysis was read by radiology as being most consistent with a thin metallic shell surrounding the orbital implant. The potential for metallic material was consistent with the implant's age and time of placement. Few reviews on ocular implant materials from this period exist in the current medical literature. A single case report discussing a hollow metal orbital implant with similar-appearing imaging was identified. Due to concern for possible metal implant materials, the patient underwent implant exchange so MRI imaging could safely be performed. Intraoperatively, the implant was identified as a clear, hollow, non-metallic, non-porous polymer sphere. Following surgery, the patient was able to undergo appropriate neuroimaging with subsequent diagnostic biopsy. Current literature reviewing CT or photographic imaging of ocular implant devices prior to the 1940s is limited. This case highlights the importance of detailing materials historically used in orbital implants, their effects on clinical decision-making, and the utility of Hounsfield scale values to identify a material's radiodensity on CT imaging.

Spontaneous orbital hemorrhage in a case of acute liver failure.

Purpose: To report an unusual case of spontaneous orbital hemorrhage in the setting of DIC and hepatic failure. Observations: A 33-year-old female presented to the Emergency Department (ED) with acute liver failure. During the first week of her hospital admission, she developed unilateral eyelid swelling and proptosis, prompting a consult to ophthalmology. Additional physical examination revealed significantly decreased visual acuity, extraocular muscle restriction, afferent pupillary defect, and increased intraocular pressure. Computed tomography (CT) and ultrasound confirmed the diagnosis of intraorbital hemorrhage. Aggressive management in the form of lateral canthotomy, cantholysis, and septolysis was unable to be performed due to the patient's multiple comorbidities outweighing the potential benefits. Conclusions and importance: This rare phenomenon is unique from previous existing literature in that the timing of the incident limited the therapeutic options for this patient, additional imaging in the form of ultrasound was utilized in the work-up, and to our knowledge this is the second case of spontaneous orbital hemorrhage as a complication of disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) caused by hepatic failure.

Teprotumumab Efficacy, Safety, and Durability in Longer-Duration Thyroid Eye Disease and Re-treatment: OPTIC-X Study.

PURPOSE: To evaluate teprotumumab safety/efficacy in patients with thyroid eye disease (TED) who were nonresponsive or who experienced a disease flare. DESIGN: The Treatment of Graves' Orbitopathy to Reduce Proptosis with Teprotumumab Infusions in an Open-Label Clinical Extension Study (OPTIC-X) is a teprotumumab treatment and re-treatment trial following the placebo-controlled teprotumumab Phase 3 Treatment of Graves' Orbitopathy (Thyroid Eye Disease) to Reduce Proptosis with Teprotumumab Infusions in a Randomized, Placebo-Controlled, Clinical Study (OPTIC) trial. PARTICIPANTS: Patients who previously received placebo (n = 37) or teprotumumab (n = 14) in OPTIC. METHODS: OPTIC nonresponders or those who flared (≥2-mm increase in proptosis, ≥2-point increase in clinical activity score [CAS], or both) during follow-up were treated for the first time (previous placebo patients) or re-treated with teprotumumab in OPTIC-X with 8 infusions over 24 weeks. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Proptosis response and safety. Secondary outcomes included proptosis, CAS, subjective diplopia, and quality-of-life. RESULTS: Thirty-three of 37 placebo-treated OPTIC patients (89.2%) became proptosis responders (mean ± standard deviation, -3.5 ± 1.7 mm) when treated with teprotumumab in OPTIC-X. The responses were equivalent to the OPTIC study. In these responders, proptosis, CAS of 0 or 1, and diplopia responses were maintained in 29 of 32 patients (90.6%), 20 of 21 patients (95.2%), and 12 of 14 patients (85.7%), respectively, at follow-up week 48. The median TED duration was 12.9 months versus 6.3 months in those treated with teprotumumab in the OPTIC study. Of the 5 OPTIC teprotumumab nonresponders re-treated in OPTIC-X, 2 responded, 1 showed a proptosis reduction of 1.5 mm from OPTIC baseline, and 2 discontinued treatment early. Of the OPTIC teprotumumab responders who experienced flare, 5 of 8 patients (62.5%) responded when re-treated (mean proptosis reduction, 1.9 ± 1.2 mm from OPTIC-X baseline and 3.3 ± 0.7 mm from OPTIC baseline). Compared with published double-masked trials and their integrated follow-up, no new safety signals were identified. Mild hearing impairment was reported; 4 events occurred during the first course of treatment, and 2 events reoccurred after re-treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with TED of longer disease duration responded similarly to those treated earlier in the disease course. Patients with an insufficient initial response or flare may benefit from additional teprotumumab therapy. No new safety risk was identified; however additional postmarketing pharmacovigilance is ongoing.

Long-acting opioid prescribing patterns of ophthalmic plastic surgeons in the medicare Part D database.

PURPOSE: To assess extended release/long acting (ER/LA) opioid prescribing patterns among ophthalmic plastic surgeons in the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) Part D database. METHODS: A retrospective observational cohort study was conducted on oculoplastic surgeons in the CMS Part D database who prescribed ER/LA opioids from 2013 to 2017. American Society of Ophthalmic Plastics and Reconstructive Surgery (ASOPRS) and non-ASOPRS surgeons were analyzed as groups. Prescribers were also analyzed based on gender and practice experience. RESULTS: Oculoplastic surgeons (64 ASOPRS and 78 non-ASOPRS) were responsible for 1,177 ER/LA opioid prescriptions from 2013 to 2017. ASOPRS members accounted for 4.6% and non-ASOPRS members accounted for 7.5% of all ER/LA opioids prescribed by ophthalmologists over the study period (p= .02). The total number of ASOPRS and non-ASOPRS members prescribing ER/LA opioids decreased by 52% (p= .10) and 58% (p= .07) from 2013 to 2017 respectively. CONCLUSION: ER/LA opioids are indicated for treatment of chronic pain and may be appropriately prescribed by the oculoplastic surgeon in certain circumstances, however due to the higher risk of overdose injury, those circumstances must be defined and justified. While a relatively small number of oculoplastic surgeons (10.6% ASOPRS and 19.6% non-ASOPRS) prescribed ER/LA opioids from 2013 to 2017, non-ASOPRS oculoplastic surgeons wrote 23.5% more ER/LA opioid prescriptions over the study period. Over the 5-year study period there was a general decline in the prescribing of ER/LA opioids by oculoplastic surgeons. Reviewing the prescribing practices of oculoplastic specialists, regardless of professional affiliation, is necessary to understand the role of ER/LA opioids for all of ophthalmology.

Opioid Prescribing Patterns of Optometrists in the Medicare Part D Database.

SIGNIFICANCE: This study aimed to determine the prescription rates and prescribing trends of opioids by optometrists in the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) part D database from 2013 to 2017 and to assess opioid prescribing patterns of U.S. optometrists in the CMS part D database. METHODS: With internal review board approval, a retrospective observational cohort study was conducted on optometrists listed in the CMS part D database who prescribed opioids from 2013 to 2017. RESULTS: There was an average of 26,477 optometrists in the CMS database from 2013 to 2017, of which 5.9% prescribed opioids. Of those prescribing opioids, optometrists wrote an average of 5.9 opioid prescriptions per year. Those writing greater than 10 opioid prescriptions averaged 24.2 annually. Overall, of opioid prescribing optometrists, opioid prescriptions comprised 7% of prescriptions written per year. CONCLUSIONS: Most optometrists do not prescribe opioids, and the vast majority of those who do write few opioid prescriptions. The total number of optometrists prescribing opioids and the total number of opioid prescriptions declined from 2013 to 2017. Further investigation into the opioid prescribing practices by optometrists will help better understand specific pain needs, as opioid prescribing patterns may differ depending on patient population.

Total or subtotal replacement of tarsal plate by novel silicone plate for upper eyelid reconstruction in malignant tumors.

PURPOSE: : To evaluate the cost, safety, surgical outcome, and efficacy of modified Cutler-Beard eyelid reconstruction utilizing a novel silicone plate as a tarsal plate replacement in the repair of 60% to 100% eyelid defects following the excision of large malignant tumors. METHODS: : A prospective, noncomparative, interventional study of 30 eyes was done over 3 years. Fourteen patients were female, and 16 patients were male. In all the cases, a silicone plate, the synthetic, artificial tarsal plate, was utilized for a total or subtotal replacement of the tarsal plate. The created defect was measured in mm (length and width) and later expressed in percentage. Pre- and postoperative action of levator palpebrae superioris (LPS) was measured. Pre- and postoperative measurements of the margin-to-margin reflex distance (MRD1) were noted. RESULTS: : Preoperative LPS action was 1.23 ± 1.35 mm, whereas postoperative LPS actions at the end of 1 week and 18 months were 11. 8 ± 0.88 mm and 13.53 ± 0. 73 mm, respectively. Preoperative MRD1 was - 3.0 ± 1.144 mm, whereas postoperative MRD1 values at the end of 1 week and 18 months were 2.18 ± 0.27 mm and 4.16 mm ± 0.35, respectively. The mean created defect after the removal of the tumor was 87.3% ±11.10. The mean length of the silicone plate implanted in this study was 27.53 ± 2.48 mm. The follow-up period for the study participants was 18 months. CONCLUSION: : The synthetic novel silicone plate was successful as a tarsal plate replacement. A second surgical site for ear cartilage harvesting is avoided. Cadaver transfer of Achilles tendon carries the risk of transmission of communicable diseases, for example, hepatitis B and HIV. Silicone is an inert, nonreacting, and tissue-tested material, thus eliminating the possibility of graft rejection. This material is readily available and cost-effective. The novel silicone plate is considered to be the most promising alternative material as a tarsal replacement in the future generation.

Management of Eye Trauma for the Primary Care Physician.

Eye trauma is frequently seen by non-ophthalmology providers. This article elucidates a methodological approach to eye trauma. The first step is to address any life-threatening conditions. Then a focused history and exam is discussed, starting externally. Then, key history, physical, pathophysiology, and basic management of common, serious eye injuries are discussed: chemical injury, orbital fractures, open globe, traumatic hyphema, retinal detachment, traumatic optic neuropathy, and eyelid laceration. Finally, we highlight the practicality of telemedicine for areas where ophthalmology coverage is lacking.

Postoperative Clinical Outcomes Using Standard Variables Following Levator-Mullerectomy Advancement Blepharoptosis Surgery.

ABSTRACT: The Muller muscle-conjunctival resection is a common technique used to treat blepharoptosis, but there is variability with the target surgical resection and expected postoperative outcomes measured by marginal reflex distance-1 (MRD1). A Levator-Mullerectomy is a novel surgical approach described by Morris et al to incorporate the levator palpebrae superioris in the same incision as the classic Muller muscle-conjunctival resection in the treatment of blepharoptosis. This a retrospective study of patients who underwent Levator-Mullerectomy for ptosis repair showing the clinical outcomes based on MRD1. Statistical analysis was performed using analysis of variance and a nonparametric Kruskal-Wallis test. One hundred-twelve eyes of 83 patients (29 bilateral cases) with a mean age 64.6 years (7-92 years) were included. The types and prevalence of blepharoptosis were involutional (83%), neurogenic (8.0%), traumatic (3.6%), apraxia (2.7%), and congenital (2.7%). There was no significant difference in clinical outcome based on type of blepharoptosis (P = 0.7). Target resection lengths of 8 mm, 10 mm, and 12 mm were compared with postoperative MRD1 change. The mean change in MRD 1 between 8 mm and 10 mm was found to be statistically significant (P = 0.001 for both) but was not statistically significant for the 12 mm resection (P = 0.8). In patients with blepharoptosis and a positive response to 2.5% phenylephrine can benefit from Levator-Mullerectomy with either an 8 mm or 10 mm resection. This novel surgical approach allows surgeons to produce a more predictable and consistent clinical outcome.

Teprotumumab for the Treatment of Active Thyroid Eye Disease.

BACKGROUND: Thyroid eye disease is a debilitating, disfiguring, and potentially blinding periocular condition for which no Food and Drug Administration-approved medical therapy is available. Strong evidence has implicated the insulin-like growth factor I receptor (IGF-IR) in the pathogenesis of this disease. METHODS: In a randomized, double-masked, placebo-controlled, phase 3 multicenter trial, we assigned patients with active thyroid eye disease in a 1:1 ratio to receive intravenous infusions of the IGF-IR inhibitor teprotumumab (10 mg per kilogram of body weight for the first infusion and 20 mg per kilogram for subsequent infusions) or placebo once every 3 weeks for 21 weeks; the last trial visit for this analysis was at week 24. The primary outcome was a proptosis response (a reduction in proptosis of ≥2 mm) at week 24. Prespecified secondary outcomes at week 24 were an overall response (a reduction of ≥2 points in the Clinical Activity Score plus a reduction in proptosis of ≥2 mm), a Clinical Activity Score of 0 or 1 (indicating no or minimal inflammation), the mean change in proptosis across trial visits (from baseline through week 24), a diplopia response (a reduction in diplopia of ≥1 grade), and the mean change in overall score on the Graves' ophthalmopathy-specific quality-of-life (GO-QOL) questionnaire across trial visits (from baseline through week 24; a mean change of ≥6 points is considered clinically meaningful). RESULTS: A total of 41 patients were assigned to the teprotumumab group and 42 to the placebo group. At week 24, the percentage of patients with a proptosis response was higher with teprotumumab than with placebo (83% [34 patients] vs. 10% [4 patients], P<0.001), with a number needed to treat of 1.36. All secondary outcomes were significantly better with teprotumumab than with placebo, including overall response (78% of patients [32] vs. 7% [3]), Clinical Activity Score of 0 or 1 (59% [24] vs. 21% [9]), the mean change in proptosis (-2.82 mm vs. -0.54 mm), diplopia response (68% [19 of 28] vs. 29% [8 of 28]), and the mean change in GO-QOL overall score (13.79 points vs. 4.43 points) (P≤0.001 for all). Reductions in extraocular muscle, orbital fat volume, or both were observed in 6 patients in the teprotumumab group who underwent orbital imaging. Most adverse events were mild or moderate in severity; two serious events occurred in the teprotumumab group, of which one (an infusion reaction) led to treatment discontinuation. CONCLUSIONS: Among patients with active thyroid eye disease, teprotumumab resulted in better outcomes with respect to proptosis, Clinical Activity Score, diplopia, and quality of life than placebo; serious adverse events were uncommon. (Funded by Horizon Therapeutics; OPTIC ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT03298867, and EudraCT number, 2017-002763-18.).

A Case of Non-Arteritic Anterior Ischemic Optic Neuropathy with COVID-19.

Non-arteritic ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION) is thought to be caused by loss of blood flow to the optic nerve which in turn causes an acute, unilateral and painless vision loss that affects older vasculopathic patients. We report a case of a 43-year-old Hispanic male with the classic presentation of NAION in the setting of a coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection. It is well documented that severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) can cause hypoxemia and thrombophilia in patients, both of which may contribute to the development of NAION. It is uncertain whether the association of NAION and COVID-19 was causal or coincidental but the purpose of this case report is to argue that there is biological plausibility and to help shed light on potential ophthalmologic complications of COVID-19.

Essential skin shrinkage: cicatricial ectropion, a histopathologic evaluation and clinical analysis.

Purpose: To describe common risk factors in patients with Essential Skin Shrinkage (ESS) and identify corresponding histopathologic changes in lower eyelids.Methods: A case-control study was performed after an Internal Review Board approval was obtained. Consecutive patients who underwent surgical repair for ectropion with ESS of the lower eyelid were enrolled along with 10 control patients. Informed consent was obtained on all patients. Fitzpatrick skin type, history of sun exposure and non-melanoma skin cancer was obtained along with relevant physical exam findings. Skin samples obtained during surgical repair were evaluated by light microscopy for the extent of dermal actinic change. Statistical analysis was performed.Results: Sixteen study subjects and 10 control patients were enrolled. Subjects were found to be predominantly male, older than controls (p = 0.0011) and have Fitzpatrick skin type (FST) I or II while controls had type I, II or III (p = 0.0221). Hours of sun exposure reported by subjects ranged from 23,165 to greater than 125,000 h, versus 1,459 to 46,890 h in controls (p = 0.0002). Nine of 16 (56%) subjects had a history of skin cancer compared to only 3/10 controls (30%) (p = 0.2475). Histopathologic evaluation using the Fritschi scale for dermal actinic damage identified an average grade of 3.6 for subjects and 2.4 for controls (p = 0.0095).Conclusions: ESS is predominantly seen in male individuals with FST I or II and a history of extensive sun exposure. Histopathologic evaluation shows moderate to severe actinic damage. These individuals frequently have concomitant non-melanoma skin cancer.