Experience with Strabologic Surgery on Pediatric Patients with Divergence Excess Exotropia.

AIM: This retrospective clinical study evaluates the results of surgical treatment of patients diagnosed with intermittent exotropia of the divergence excess type. The study compares the results of surgery delayed due to the Covid-19 pandemic (patients underwent the surgery after the age of eight), versus a group of younger children. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The objective angle of deviation and quality of binocular functions were examined. The follow-up period was six months after surgery. The patients were divided into two groups according to age: 4-7 years and 8-13 years. Each group included 20 patients. The second group comprised patients whose surgery was postponed due to restrictions on elective surgery during the ongoing pandemic. The surgery took place at the University Hospital in Pilsen. Angle of deviation and binocular functions were examined before surgery, postoperatively, and three and six months after surgery. Data were collected retrospectively and statistically processed. The main values were plotted in charts. RESULTS: Accordance between the angle of deviation before surgery in both groups was statistically demonstrated. During the six-month follow-up period, the median angle of deviation was statistically without proof of disparity between the groups. Six months after surgery, an objective angle of deviation within the limit ±5 degrees was achieved in 65% of patients from the first group and in 75% from the second group. Binocular vision before surgery was statistically without proof of difference between both groups. However the statistical processing demonstrated a difference between the two groups six months after the surgery. Better binocular functions were achieved by the younger children in the first group. CONCLUSION: The objective deviation angle was comparable in both study groups prior to surgery as well as six months after the surgery. The first group of younger patients attained a higher quality of binocular functions within the six-month follow-up period compared to children operated on after the age of eight. This claim was statistically verified.

Seasonal Variations in Ocular Axial Length Increase among Children in the Czech Republic.

In recent decades, the prevalence of myopia has increased worldwide as well as in European countries, and it has become an important medical and socioeconomic problem. Our prospective single-center study analysed the changes in ocular axial length (AXL) in a population of Central European schoolchildren from 2016 to 2019. The study included 528 eyes of 264 children with a mean age of 12.2 years at the beginning of the study. Visual acuity, ocular AXL, anterior chamber depth, and the questionnaire were examined at 6-month intervals (in spring and autumn, following the winter and summer periods, respectively). The average ocular AXL was 23.329 mm (median: 23.315 mm) at the beginning of the study and 23.525 mm (median: 23.505 mm) at the end of the study. The change in ocular AXL per month was significantly higher (p < 0.0001) during the winter period (average: 0.013 mm, median: 0.011 mm) than during the summer period (average: -0.001 mm, median: 0.000 mm). We observed a significantly higher increase in ocular AXL in a Caucasian population during the winter period (with lower daylight exposure) than the summer period.

Cervical lymphocele: A rare complication following salvage surgery for ocular adnexal apocrine adenocarcinoma. A case report and review of the literature.

BACKGROUND: An ocular adnexal apocrine adenocarcinoma (OAAA) is an extremely rare, but potentially aggressive and life-threatening tumor with ill-defined management based only on recommendations from a limited number of reported cases. The development of cervical lymphocele following neck dissection is a very rare complication, but one with well established methods for prevention and treatment. Here we describe a previously unreported case of salvage surgery including neck dissection for OAAA in addition to an emergence of cervical lymphocele. A literature review of current knowledge on both pathological conditions is included. METHODS AND RESULTS: A 58-year-old man suffering from OAAA, previously treated with multiple eye-sparing excisions and adjuvant proton therapy, underwent salvage surgery for locoregional recurrence of the tumor. A partial orbitectomy with orbital exenteration, primary reconstruction and left-sided neck dissection was performed. The procedure was complicated by a cervical lymphocele resolved after the surgical therapy. The patient remained disease-free during the one-year follow-up. CONCLUSION: OAAA is a locally aggressive tumor with potential to local or distant metastatic spread. Whole-body staging, regular clinico-radiological follow-up and stage-dependent therapy with surgery as the first-choice treatment is required. A cervical lymphocele as a complication of especially left-sided neck dissection is managed with a conservative or surgical therapy according to the level of lymph leakage, extent and localization of lesions, presence of local or systemic disorders and the period from primary surgery.

Pituitary apoplexy without chiasm compression: A case report.

The present report presents a rare case in which a patient with pituitary apoplexy (PA) without compression of the optic chiasm experienced diagnosable visual impairment in the ensuing months. Endocrinologically, the condition was a prolactinoma followed by bleeding into the pituitary gland. Due to the unexplained functional changes in the patient, an electrophysiological examination (pattern electroretinogram and pattern visual evoked potentials) was performed, which verified a bilateral non-inflammatory neurogenic lesion. This finding was confirmed by functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) examination. Structural MRI did not reveal chiasm compression in the time sequence or alteration of the optic nerves (the diameter of the optic nerve at different distances from the eye and the diameter of the optic nerve sheath at different distances from the eye). Similarly, neither the retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) nor the vessel density was altered. The present report suggests that changes in visual fields may be due to ischemia in the area of the chiasm and optic nerves, similar to PA.

Quality of stereoscopic vision in Czech U18 top level athletes and nonathletes.

BACKGROUND: The peak sports performance of elite athletes is the result of talent and long-term, systematic training. Only minor differences among athletes determine the results in sport today. In selected sports events, stereoscopic vision has a fundamental influence on the executed sports performance. METHODS: The quality of stereopsis was determined in 2 groups of top-level athletes at the age of 16-18 years (21 pole vaulters and high jumpers and 25 swimmers) and in a control group of 25 nonathletes in the same age category. Two measured parameters (results and time in the stereopsis test) were compared among the studied groups. To determine the quality of stereopsis, the "Fly-S Stereo Acuity Test with LEA Symbols" field stereoacuity test was used. RESULTS: The average level of stereopsis in the pole vaulters and high jumpers reached the value of 9.9 (max. 10), and the average time needed for performing the stereopsis test was 11.6 seconds. The group of swimmers and control group showed worse results in both measured parameters (the average level of stereopsis: 9.4, resp. 9.1, the average test time: 30.0 seconds, resp. 36.1 seconds). A significant difference between the group of pole vaulters and high jumpers and swimmers was confirmed in both monitored parameters. No significant differences were found between the group of swimmers and nonathletes. CONCLUSIONS: On the basis of the stereopsis test results, we can say that top-level pole vaulters and high jumpers have a high quality of stereopsis and very fast identification and decision-making abilities in spatial orientation.

Intraoperative Optical Coherence Tomography Analysis of Clear Corneal Incision: Effect of the Lateral Stromal Hydration.

METHODS: The cohort included 65 clear corneal incisions of 49 patients who underwent cataract surgery. Corneal incisions were recorded using a Leica Proveo 8 microscope with an intraoperative OCT EnFocus™ device continuously during the surgery. Corneal incision morphology before and after lateral stromal hydration was analysed. RESULTS: Good adaptation of the corneal incision before hydration was present in 39 cases (60%), in 16 cases (24.6%), the prominence of posterior lip was present, and, in 10 cases (15.4%), the posterior lip tongue was inverted/retracted into the incision. In 38 cases (58.5%), hydration had no effect on the incision architecture; most often, it was primarily a well-adapted corneal incision (46.2%), less often an incision with posterior lip prominence (10.8%), or tongue inversion into the incision (1.6%) prior to hydration. Hydration worsened the incision architecture in 14 cases (21.5%); most often, it induced/worsened posterior lip prominence (15.4%), less often posterior lip retraction (1.6%), tongue inversion into the incision (1.6%), gap development in the peripheral part of the corneal incision (1.6%), or incomplete opening of the corneal incision (1.6%). In 13 cases (20%), hydration improved the incision architecture, especially in cases with inverted or retracted posterior lip tongue (12.3%), less often in cases with posterior lip prominence (7.7%). CONCLUSION: Lateral stromal hydration seldom affects the condition of the corneal incision. Still, it can cause both deterioration and improvement of the corneal incision architecture. Intraoperative OCT provides real-time monitoring of corneal incision morphology during hydration procedure.

Loop-on-suture-guided insertion for easier capsular tension ring insertion and residual cortex removal.

The capsular tension ring (CTR) is a useful aid in cataract surgery involving zonular impairment. In standard implantation with tweezers or injectors, there is limited control of the leading eyelet, and this can cause excessive stress on the zonular fibers and lead to damage of the capsular bag. Several techniques have been investigated with the aim of reducing these risks. In this study, a simple new modification of the suture-guided CTR technique is described. Adding a loop to the suture can facilitate manipulation during implantation and removal of cortex residues at the end of cataract extraction.

Surgical therapy for medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaw in osteoporotic patients treated with antiresorptive agents.

BACKGROUND: Medication - related osteonecrosis of the jaw (MRONJ) is a rare but serious complication of antiresorptive and/or antiangiogenic therapy. It mainly affects oncological patients, however, it can occur in patients with metabolic bone diseases, although this is less frequent. These lesions not only significantly impair the quality of life but can also have impact on the treatment of any underlying disease. In some rare cases MRONJ can be life-threatening. There is still no ideal consensus for treatment, though surgical therapy has been mostly preferred in recent years. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A monocentric retrospective evaluation of surgical therapy of MRONJ in osteoporotic patients, treated in the time period 3/2014-3/2018 using the uniform department-specific protocol. RESULTS: 26 osteoporotic patients with 32 MRONJ lesions of stage 1 (9%), stage 2 (75%) and stage 3 (16%) were treated surgically. The maxilla: mandibula ratio was 1:2.2, in 19% of patients there was multiple jaw involvement. 69.2% of patients had received bisphosphonates, 15.4% denosumab and 15.4% had a history of both types of antiresorptive treatment. Complete healing was observed in all patients, in 9% of cases by secondary intention in the mean period of 6 weeks. The mean follow-up was 20.5 months. CONCLUSION: The presented protocol for surgical therapy was effective in the management of all MRONJ stages in the osteoporotic patients described here. The surgery is indicated as an early treatment to prevent complications and the progression of the lesions. It leads to improvement in quality of life and option to resume antiresorptive therapy if interrupted.

Myopia Progression Risk: Seasonal and Lifestyle Variations in Axial Length Growth in Czech Children.

The growth in the prevalence of myopia leads to the growth of socioeconomic stress in society. It is important to detect any potential risk factors leading to myopia onset and progression. Among the potential risk factors, the lack of natural daylight exposure and the lack of the physical activity together with excess of near-work activities in children are the most prevalent. In the study, the axial length growth depending on the season and the type of behaviour was measured. The assessment was performed in 12-year-old children, 398 eyes of whom were included and measured during the winter and summer period. The children were categorized by the amount of time spent on near-work, physical, and outdoor activity. Results. Statistically significantly higher (p < 0.0001) axial length growth was observed during the winter period. Statistically significantly (p < 0.0001) more frequently, the eyeball growth has been proved during the winter season. According to the way of spending leisure time, no statistically significant difference was reported within the individual subgroups in the development of the eyeball length during the observed period. However, statistically significant differences were ascertained in the eyeball initial length within various groups. Conclusion. The lack of daylight exposure may lead to myopia progression.

The Measurement of Intraocular Biomarkers in Various Stages of Proliferative Diabetic Retinopathy Using Multiplex xMAP Technology.

Purpose. To determine the intraocular levels of growth factors and cytokines in patients with various degrees of severity of proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR) using multiplex xMAP technology. Methods. A prospective cohort study of 61 eyes from 56 patients who were divided into 3 groups based on the severity of PDR. Patients in group number 1 are those who presented PDR with no need of repeated surgical intervention; patients in group number 2 had repeated vitreous bleeding; and patients in group number 3 had refractory neovascular glaucoma. The concentrations of proangiogenic, antiangiogenic, inflammatory, and neurotrophic factors were measured in intraocular fluid. The results were also compared with levels of factors measured in 50 eyes from 50 patients prior to senile cataract surgery (control group). Results. Patients with refractory neovascular glaucoma (the highest clinical severity group) had higher levels of interleukin 6 (IL-6) (median1 37.19; median3 384.74; P = .00096), transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGFß-1) (median1 49.00; median3 414.40; P = .0017), and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) (median1 211.62; median3 352.82; P = .0454) compared with other PDR patients. Conclusions. Results of our study imply that levels of IL-6, TGFß-1, and VEGF correlate with the severity of PDR.

Defining the seriousness of proliferative vitreoretinopathy by aspiration of cytokines from the anterior chamber.

AIM: Proliferative vitreoretinopathy is the major cause of retinal detachment surgery failure. Our prospective cohort study of 27 eyes aimed to determine intraocular levels of growth factors and cytokines in patients with retinal detachment with various degrees of severity of proliferative vitreoretinopathy using multiplex xMAP(®) Technology. PATIENTS & METHODS: The concentrations of 12 proangiogenic, antiangiogenic, inflammatory and neurotrophic factors were measured from 0.05-ml samples of intraocular fluid using multiplex xMAP Technology. The results were compared with levels of various factors, which were measured in samples from the control group of 31 eyes prior to senile cataract surgery. RESULTS: The concentration of the MCP-1 cytokine was found to be higher in eyes with retinal detachment compared with the control group. The concentration of VEGF was found to be higher in eyes with retinal detachment complicated with proliferative vitreoretinopathy compared with the uncomplicated retinal detachment group and the control group. CONCLUSION: MCP-1 and VEGF may participate in pathogenesis of retinal detachment and proliferative vitreoretinopathy. Biomarkers in disease detection and management have become important tools in modern clinical medicine, and their application to retinal disease should be no exception.