Corneal changes after a single session of selective laser trabeculoplasty for open-angle glaucoma.

PURPOSE: To investigate the changes in endothelial cell count, central corneal thickness (CCT), and refractive error after a session of selective laser trabeculoplasty (SLT) for open angle glaucoma (OAG). METHODS: This prospective cohort study recruited 111 eyes of 66 consecutive subjects with OAG. Subjects received SLT to 360° of the trabecular meshwork. Endothelial cell count, CCT, and spherical equivalent were measured at baseline before SLT as well as at 1 week and 1 month post SLT. A repeated measure nested ANOVA with Tukey's multiple comparison test was performed to compare the outcome measures before and after SLT. RESULTS: In 111 eyes of 66 subjects, the mean number of laser applications per treatment was 166.9 ± 41.4 with a mean energy level of 1.0 ± 0.07 mJ. The mean endothelial cell count decreased significantly from 2465.0 ± 334.0 cells/mm(2) at baseline to 2355.0 ± 387.0 cells/mm(2) at 1 week (P=0.0004) but increased to baseline levels at 1 month post SLT (2424.0 ± 379.4 cells/mm(2), P=0.3). The CCT, which decreased from a baseline of 549.4 ± 37.6 to 543.9 ± 40.2 µm at 1 week post SLT (P=0.02), also returned to the baseline level by 1 month (P=0.2). The spherical equivalent was static from baseline. A positive correlation was found between total laser energy and CCT at 1 month post treatment (r=0.3, P=0.005). CONCLUSION: The transient reductions in endothelial cell count and CCT following SLT returned to baseline levels 1 month after the procedure. Patients undergoing SLT should be aware of the risk of potential corneal changes.

Retrospective case series on the long-term visual and intraocular pressure outcomes of phacomorphic glaucoma.

PURPOSE: To analyse the long-term visual acuity (VA) and intraocular pressure (IOP) outcomes in phacomorphic glaucoma. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A retrospective analysis of 100 consecutive, acute phacomorphic glaucoma cases from January 2000 to April 2009 was conducted at The Caritas Medical Centre in Hong Kong. All cases underwent cataract extraction after IOP control with medication and/or laser. RESULTS: During a 3.1±2.6-year follow-up, the mean visual improvement was 1.1±0.9 LogMAR units with improvements in 81.7% of cases. A shorter duration from symptoms to cataract extraction resulted in greater visual improvement (r(2)=0.1, P=0.001). In all, 80.5% of the cases had IOP≤21 mm Hg without any glaucoma treatment; 19.5% required 1.6±0.7 glaucoma eye drops; and 3.7% required additional laser iridotomy or trabeculectomy for IOP control at 1.8±2.3 years. The vertical cup-disc ratio (VCDR) of the index eye was 0.6±0.3. Gonioscopy revealed an averaged Shaffer grading of 3.0±1.0 and 99±90 degrees of peripheral anterior synechiae (PAS). The Humphrey automated perimetry mean deviation was 5.2±2.7 and the pattern standard deviation was -15.9±10. CONCLUSION: Over 80% of phacomorphic patients had long-term visual improvements and normalization of IOP after cataract extraction. A shorter attack seemed to offer better VA. Post-operatively, most have open angles with some degree of PAS formation, and glaucomatous optic neuropathy is evident from enlarged VCDRs and visual field defects. At least 2 years of follow-up is useful to detect a 20% glaucoma progression possibly requiring additional glaucoma treatments.

Orbital myiasis complicating squamous cell carcinoma of eyelid.

Myiasis is infestation of the body by fly maggots. Immobile patients with skin wounds in exposed areas are at high risk of developing myiasis. We report a case of orbital myiasis from the species Chrysomya bezziana complicating squamous cell carcinoma of the eyelid. Magnetic resonance imaging of the orbit is useful for delineating the extent of the infestation and identifying residual maggots. In extensive orbital myiasis, exenteration is needed to prevent intracranial extension of tissue destruction.

Correlation of previous acute angle-closure attack with extent of synechial angle closure in chronic primary angle-closure glaucoma patients.

AIM: To document any correlation between previous acute angle-closure attack and the extent of synechial angle closure in chronic primary angle-closure glaucoma (PACG) patients. METHODS: Consecutive cases of chronic PACG with patent peripheral iridotomy had gonioscopy performed. The extents of synechial angle closure of those chronic PACG eyes with previous documented acute angle-closure attack were compared to those eyes without such a history. RESULTS: A total of 102 chronic PACG eyes of 102 patients were recruited. Twenty-seven eyes (26.5%) had a previous documented acute angle closure, while 75 eyes (73.5%) did not. The mean extent of synechial angle closure +/-1 SD was 307+/-68 degrees (range, 150-360 degrees) in those chronic PACG eyes with a history of previous acute angle closure, compared to 266+/-89 degrees (range, 90-360 degrees) in those chronic PACG eyes without such a history (P=0.03, Student's t-test). There were no statistically significant differences between the two groups in age, LogMAR visual acuity, intraocular pressure (IOP), number of glaucoma eye drops, vertical cup-to-disk ratio, mean deviation or pattern SD in Humphrey automated perimetry, and anterior chamber depth (P>0.05). CONCLUSION: Previous acute angle-closure attack correlated with more extensive synechial angle closure in chronic PACG patients in this study.

Subcutaneous extralesional triamcinolone acetonide injection versus conservative management in the treatment of chalazion.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the efficacy of subcutaneous extralesional triamcinolone acetonide injection versus conservative treatment for chalazion. DESIGN: Randomised controlled trial. SETTING: Eye clinics of two regional hospitals in Hong Kong. PATIENTS: Patients over 18 years old presenting with primary chalazion were randomised into two groups. In group 1, 12 patients were treated with lid hygiene, warm compresses, and chloramphenicol 1% ointment 4 times a day. In group 2, 16 patients were treated with 0.3 mL triamcinolone acetonide (10 mg/mL) injection to the subcutaneous tissue extralesionally via the percutaneous route. Exclusion criteria were: acutely infected chalazion with preseptal cellulitis, recurrent chalazion, small chalazion (< or =2 mm), and prior treatment to chalazion. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Size of chalazion, recurrence of chalazion, intra-ocular pressure, and complications from treatment, including skin pigmentary change or atrophy and pyogenic granuloma. RESULTS: There was a clinically and statistically significant difference between the success rates in group 1 (58.3%) and group 2 (93.8%). In group 1, the mean prior duration of chalazion before treatment was significantly shorter in success cases than in failed cases. One patient with multiple chalazia in group 2 developed hypopigmentary skin changes at one treatment site. CONCLUSION: Subcutaneous extralesional triamcinolone acetonide injection was more effective than conservative treatment for chalazion.

To compare argon laser peripheral iridoplasty (ALPI) against systemic medications in treatment of acute primary angle-closure: mid-term results.

PURPOSE: To compare the clinical outcome of argon laser peripheral iridoplasty (ALPI) against systemic medications in treatment of acute primary angle-closure (APAC). METHODS: Consecutive patients with APAC were recruited and randomized to receive one of two treatment options: immediate ALPI or systemic acetazolamide +/- mannitol. All eyes were followed up for at least 6 months after laser iridotomy. Main outcome measures were intraocular pressure (IOP) and requirement for glaucoma medications. RESULTS: A total of 41 eyes (39 patients) were randomized into the ALPI group, and 38 eyes (32 patients) into the medical treatment group. There were no significant differences between the two groups in sex, age, presenting IOP, and duration of attack. Mean follow-up duration +/- SD was 15.7 +/- 5.8 months. There were no significant differences between the two groups in mean final IOP and requirement for glaucoma medications. CONCLUSIONS: There were no statistically significant differences in mean IOP and requirement for glaucoma drugs between APAC eyes treated with ALPI and systemic medications.

Efficacy of pressure topical anaesthesia in punctal occlusion by diathermy.

AIMS: To prospectively compare the efficacy and safety of pressure topical anaesthesia in punctal occlusion by using cautery in the treatment of dry eye syndrome (DES) with that of conventional treatment by using needle injection of anaesthetic agents. METHODS: In a randomised controlled trial, 18 consecutive adult patients with DES requiring punctal occlusion were recruited over a 10 month period. Consenting patients were randomised into two groups. Group A patients received pressure topical anaesthesia in the right eye followed by injection anaesthesia in the left eye. Group B was vice versa. Punctal occlusion using cautery was performed in each eye after a specified time following the application of anaesthesia. The main outcome measures were the pain experienced during application of anaesthesia and that during punctal occlusion. RESULTS: 36 eyes of 18 patients were randomised to receive injection anaesthesia in one eye and pressure topical anaesthesia in the other. Nine patients (nine females) were in group A and nine patients (seven females, two males) in group B. The mean age of group A patients was 45.3 (SD 13.5) years, and that of group B patients was 55.6 (12.6) years. The two groups were comparable in terms of mean age (p=0.117) and mean pain score for pressure topical anaesthesia application (p=0.612), injection anaesthesia application (p=0.454), diathermy in pressure anaesthetised eyes (p=0.113), and diathermy in injection anaesthetised eyes (p=0.289). Paired t test was used to compare the mean pain score for pressure topical anaesthesia application (16.8 (24.8)) with those for injection anaesthesia application (56.7 (30.0)). 18 eyes of 18 patients were compared with the fellow eye of the same 18 patients. The mean pain score for injection anaesthesia was greater than for pressure topical anaesthesia application (p<0.0001) (statistical power=0.87). No statistically significant difference was found in the mean pain score for diathermy for eyes that received pressure topical anaesthesia (20.5 (27.5)) compared with eyes that received injection anaesthesia (23.1 (26.3)) (p=0.760) (statistical power=0.96). All 18 patients preferred pressure topical anaesthesia to injection anaesthesia. CONCLUSION: Injection anaesthesia for punctal occlusion is more painful than pressure topical anaesthesia application. However, the pain experienced during diathermy application for punctal occlusion is similar between pressure anaesthetised eyes and injection anaesthetised eyes. Pressure topical anaesthesia is a less painful (in terms of anaesthesia application) but equally effective alternative to conventional injection anaesthesia when used for punctal occlusion.

Immediate argon laser peripheral iridoplasty (ALPI) as initial treatment for acute phacomorphic angle-closure (phacomorphic glaucoma) before cataract extraction: a preliminary study.

PURPOSE: To study the safety and efficacy of immediate argon laser peripheral iridoplasty (ALPI) as initial treatment of acute phacomorphic angle-closure (phacomorphic glaucoma) before cataract extraction. METHODS: In all, 10 consecutive patients with acute phacomorphic angle-closure and intraocular pressure (IOP) > or =40 mmHg were recruited into the study. Each patient received topical atropine (1%) and timolol (0.5%), and immediate ALPI as initial treatment. The IOP at 15, 30, 60, and 120 min, and then 1 day, after ALPI were documented by applanation tonometry. Systemic IOP-lowering drugs were only started if IOP remained above 40 mmHg at 2 h after ALPI. Cataract extraction was subsequently performed as definitive treatment. RESULTS: In total, 10 patients (five male, five female), with a mean age+/-SD of 73.1+/-10.3 years were recruited. Mean duration of symptomatic attack was 128+/-232 h. After ALPI, the mean IOP was reduced from 56.1+/-12.5 to 45.3+/-14.5 mmHg at 15 min, 37.6+/-7.5 mmHg at 30 min, 34.2+/-9.7 mmHg at 60 min, 25.5+/-8.7 mmHg at 120 min, and 13.6+/-4.2 mmHg at 1 day. In one patient, systemic acetazolamide was administered, because the IOP remained above 40 mmHg at 2 h after ALPI. All 10 patients had uncomplicated cataract extraction performed within 4 days after ALPI. No complications from the laser procedure were encountered. CONCLUSION: Immediate ALPI, replacing systemic antiglaucomatous medications, appeared to be safe and effective as first-line treatment of acute phacomorphic angle-closure.

Efficacy of lignocaine 2% gel in chalazion surgery.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: To determine whether topical 2% lignocaine (lidocaine) gel is an effective anaesthetic agent for chalazion surgery. METHODS: In a randomised controlled clinical trial, 57 subjects aged 12 years or over requiring incision and curettage for chalazion were recruited over an 8 month period. Patients were randomised into two groups. One group received 1.5 ml of lignocaine 2% injection and the other 1.5 ml of lignocaine 2% gel topically. Standard incision and curettage was then performed. The primary outcome of interest was the total pain experienced during the entire procedure including anaesthetic administration as well as incision and curettage. The pain from the local anaesthetic administration and during incision and curettage was assessed independently using a visual analogue scale (0-100). The sum of these two scores would be the total pain score out of 200. "Fear of injection" score (0-100) was also assessed. RESULTS: There was a statistically significant difference in the mean total pain scores between the injection and the gel groups (95.6 v 57.0) (p <0.001) (alpha = 0.05) (1 - beta = 0.9394). There was a statistically significant difference in the mean scores on "pain of anaesthetic administration" (47.0 v 5.5) (p <0.000). There was no statistically significant differences in the mean scores on "fear of injection" (43.9 v 47.7) (p = 0.668) and "pain during incision and curettage" (48.28 v 51.4) (p=0.679). CONCLUSIONS: Lignocaine 2% gel is effective in chalazion surgery especially in lowering the pain caused by anaesthetic administration.

Subcutaneous steroid injection as treatment for chalazion: prospective case series.

OBJECTIVE: To study the efficacy of subcutaneous steroid injection in the treatment of chalazion. DESIGN: Prospective consecutive case series. SETTING: University teaching hospital, Hong Kong. PATIENTS: Patients with chalazion presenting to the out-patient clinic of the Department of Ophthalmology at the Prince of Wales Hospital from January to June 1998. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Size of the chalazion after steroid injection treatment. RESULTS: Forty-eight consecutive patients with chalazion were treated with injection of triamcinolone into the subcutaneous tissue around the lesion. In 43 (89.6%) patients, the lesion subsided completely. Twenty-six (54.2%) patients had lesions that subsided with one injection. The size and duration of the chalazion at presentation did not significantly affect the outcome of the treatment. Two patients developed depigmentation of the skin at the site of injection. No other major complications were encountered. CONCLUSION: Subcutaneous injection of the steroid triamcinolone acetonide appears to be a simple and effective treatment for chalazion. Further comparative clinical trials are indicated.

Topical chloramphenicol for eye infections.

Topical chloramphenicol has been widely used in the treatment and prevention of superficial eye infections due to its broad spectrum of activity and low cost. The use of this drug has decreased considerably in the United States since the first case of aplastic anaemia associated with topical chloramphenicol was reported in the 1960s. This medication, however, is still widely used in many other countries. This paper evaluates the evidence for and against the use of topical chloramphenicol in ocular diseases.