EMLA does not permit pain-free retrobulbar injection.

BACKGROUND: Retrobulbar injection can be associated with significant pain, due to both needle insertion and deposition of the local anaesthetic solution. The local anaesthetic cream EMLA (eutectic mixture of local anaesthetics) which contains a mixture of lignocaine and prilocaine has been shown to reduce the pain associated with skin puncture. The efficacy of EMLA in alleviating the pain of retrobulbar injection for cataract surgery was assessed in this study. METHODS: In this, randomised double-blind study, EMLA (n = 53) or lignocaine 5% ointment (n = 50) was administered to the inferior orbital margin at least 45 min before retrobulbar block in 103 patients. Pain assessed during retrobulbar block was marked subjectively by the patient on a 10-point numerical rating scale. RESULTS: Median verbal pain scores were 3.0 with an interquartile range of 1.5-6.5 in the control group and 3.50 with an interquartile range of 2.0-6.0 in the EMLA(R) group (P = 0.67). There was no significant difference between the EMLA group and the lignocaine ointment group according to this pain assessment. CONCLUSION: EMLA does not permit pain-free retrobulbar injection.

The role of technetium-99m-HMPAO-labeled WBC scintigraphy in the diagnosis of orbital cellulitis.

Bacterial orbital cellulitis is an infection of the soft tissues behind the orbital septum. Cellulitis is seen as a poorly defined area of increased CT density or T2 signal intensity within the fat. There is an amorphous enhancement following contrast infusion. Radiolabeled leukocytes or granulocytes are now established widely as a means of localizing various forms of inflammatory disease and infections. We report a case of orbital cellulitis detected with Tc-99m-HMPAO-labeled WBC scintigraphy and three-phase bone scintigraphy. Tc-99m-HMPAO-labeled WBC scintigraphy was superior to bone scintigraphy in delineating the extension and limits of the infectious process in the orbita. Tc-99m-HMPAO-labeled WBC scintigraphy is appropriate in the investigation of such infectious lesions, leading to early diagnosis and therapy to avoid severe complications.

Early postoperative capsular block syndrome.

PURPOSE: To report the results of early postoperative capsular block syndrome (CBS) after phacoemulsification and intraocular lens (IOL) implantation. SETTING: Department of Ophthalmology, Dokuz Eylül University School of Medicine, Izmir, Turkey. METHODS: Thirteen eyes of 13 patients with CBS who had uneventful phacoemulsification were included in the study. Twelve patients had in-the-bag implantation of a foldable IOL, and 1 had implantation of a poly(methyl methacrylate) IOL in the ciliary sulcus. Continuous curvilinear capsulorhexis was performed in all eyes, and sodium hyaluronate 1.4% (Healon GV(R)) was used during all steps of surgery. The patients were closely followed without intervention during the first month after surgery. If resolution did not occur during follow-up, a neodymium:YAG (Nd:YAG) laser peripheral anterior capsulotomy was performed first, followed by posterior capsulotomy if the anterior capsulotomy was not successful. RESULTS: The CBS resolved without intervention in 2 eyes by 1 month postoperatively. A small Nd:YAG laser peripheral anterior capsulotomy was attempted in 10 cases after 1 month but could not be performed in 2 eyes because of inadequate pupil dilation. Peripheral anterior capsulotomy was successful in 5 of 8 eyes, with resolution of CBS in a few days. The Nd:YAG laser posterior capsulotomy was successful in 5 cases after the failure of the anterior capsulotomy. One patient chose to postpone treatment for 11 months, at which time posterior capsulotomy was performed successfully and the CBS resolved. CONCLUSIONS: Resolution of CBS occurred spontaneously in only a small percentage of cases during the first month after phacoemulsification with IOL implantation. Neodymium:YAG laser peripheral anterior capsulotomy and posterior capsulotomy were successful in treating CBS.

Long-term results of various anterior capsulotomies and radial tears on intraocular lens centration.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the long-term effects of various anterior capsulotomies and radial tears on intraocular lens (IOL) centration. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Ninety-five eyes of 87 senile cataract patients operated with extracapsular technique were evaluated in IOL tilt and decentration with a new method of measurement. According to the type of anterior capsulotomy and number of radial tears, five groups were constituted as, can opener, envelope, continous curvilinear capsulorrhexis (CCC), CCC with one radial tear (relaxing incision at quadrant 12), and CCC with two relaxing incisions (relaxing incisions at quadrants 6 and 12), respectively. RESULTS: Early decentration and tilt in groups CCC and CCC with one radial tear were significantly lower than the other groups (P < 0.05). Late decentration and tilt in the CCC group were significantly lower than the other groups (P < 0.01). Highest values of tilt and decentration were determined in envelope capsulotomy. Additional symmetric relaxing incision at quadrant 6 revealed no effect on the prevention of decentration and tilt compared to one relaxing incision. CONCLUSION: CCC with one radial tear is not ideal but sufficient for IOL centration. All other anterior capsulotomy techniques, other than intact CCC, do not guarantee the IOL centration.

Orbital varices: imaging findings and the role of color Doppler sonography in the diagnosis.

The orbital varices are infrequent intraorbital masses, which cause intermittent, positional exophthalmos. They have low venous pressure inside which causes difficulties in detection by routine protocols of nearly all imaging modalities. Color Doppler sonography is a simple procedure that can easily detect orbital varices which avoids further evaluation in non-complicated patients. We report the imaging findings of a case of orbital varix and discuss the role of color Doppler sonography in the diagnosis and follow-up.

The evaluation of chronic progressive external ophthalmoplegia with computerized tomography.

INTRODUCTION: Chronic progressive external ophthalmoplegia is characterised by limitation of ocular motility in all directions of gaze and ptosis. Innervational or myogenic factors were claimed to be responsible for this motility disorder. The aim of this study was to investigate the extraocular muscles in CPEO with computerized tomography in an attempt to distinguish extraocular muscle morphology caused by this disorder from that occurring in normal individuals. METHODS: Eighteen orbits from 9 patients diagnosed with CPEO were included in the study. Axial and coronal scans were obtained for CT evaluation of extraocular muscles and the dimensions of extraocular muscles were measured. The control group consisted of 40 orbits belonging to 20 individuals and, the results were compared with a student's t test. RESULTS: The thickness (the vertical dimension of vertical recti and the horizontal dimension of horizontal recti) of all rectus muscles was significantly decreased in comparison with the control group, whereas the width (the horizontal dimension of vertical recti and the vertical dimension of horizontal recti) was similar in both the diseased and normal orbits. In all the rectus muscles of the diseased orbits, the normal fusiform shape was lost and the muscles appeared as thin bands. DISCUSSION: The differentiation of CPEO from other myogenic and neurogenic disorders may present difficulty, and a cluster of criteria are required for a final diagnosis. CT has proven to be a valuable tool in assessing extraocular muscles [1, 2]. In this study, an extreme atrophy of all rectus muscles was demonstrated by means of CT. This diagnostic method may consequently contribute to a proper diagnosis of CPEO.

Tc-99m polyclonal human immunoglobulin G imaging in Graves' ophthalmopathy.

PURPOSE: The authors evaluated the utility of Tc-99m-labeled human immunglobulin G (HIG) in determining the severity of orbital inflammation and the relation of orbital Tc-99m HIG uptake and clinical parameters in patients with Graves' ophthalmopathy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Images were obtained in 23 patients (13 women, 10 men; mean age, 51+/-10 years) with Graves' ophthalmopathy. Planar orbital images were obtained and SPECT was performed using a triple-detector gamma camera 4 hours after 370 MBq (10 mCi) Tc-99m HIG injection. Tc-99m HIG uptake was classified using transaxial and coronal slices as 1, mild; 2, moderate; and 3, severe. The clinical severity of orbital disease was categorized, according to the criteria described by Feldon and Unsold, as class I, mild involvement; class II, moderate; and class III, severe. Disease was considered to be clinically inactive if symptoms and signs were stable or improved in the last two examinations performed at least 6 months apart. RESULTS: Sixteen patients were clinically inactive, and seven patients were active. The mean Tc-99m HIG classes were 1.5+/-0.5 and 2.6+/-0.5, respectively (P = 0.02). There was not a good correlation between the clinical classification and Tc-99m HIG classification, whereas the presence of active disease showed a good correlation with Tc-99m HIG classification (r = 0.703; P = 0.0002). CONCLUSIONS: Tc-99m HIG imaging showed possible ongoing subclinical inflammation in the orbits of the patients with Graves' ophthalmopathy regardless of the clinical classification. Tc-99m HIG SPECT seems a promising procedure for evaluating the presence of active orbital inflammation.

Pre-Descemet's membrane hemorrhage after secondary intraocular lens implantation.

A 6.0 x 4.0 mm pre-Descemet's membrane hemorrhage with very sharp borders appeared at the temporal portion of the cornea. There was no hyphema in the anterior chamber on the first day after secondary intraocular lens implantation. The hemorrhage resolved almost totally in 1 year without intervention, leaving slight, deep pigmentary changes and minimal diffuse corneal edema.

Neurofibromatosis type I and unilateral ophthalmic artery occlusion.

Etiological investigation of a 15-year-old boy with left ophthalmic artery occlusion led us to a diagnosis of neurofibromatosis type I as there were numerous large cafe-au-lait spots, axillary freckling, and brain MRI changes consistent with a hamartoma. In light of the present case, ophthalmic artery occlusion may be a rare feature of neurofibromatosis type I besides more commonly described cerebrovascular changes.

Pars plana vitrectomy with pars plana tube implantation in eyes with intractable glaucoma.

AIMS: Intractable glaucoma is glaucoma resistant to medical therapy and conventional surgical procedures. In this study, a planned surgical technique is discussed for controlling the increased intraocular pressure in selected cases with intractable glaucoma. METHODS: Total pars plana vitrectomy with pars plana tube implantation was performed in 17 eyes of 17 cases with intractable glaucoma. Patients with neovascular glaucoma were not included in this study. The mean age of these patients (seven men, 10 women) was 44.6 (SD 22.1) years and mean follow up period was 30.3 (15.5) months (range 4-71). Drainage implants with a disc were used in 16 cases, whereas, a tube with scleral buckle (Schocket surgery) was preferred in one case. An intraocular pressure below or equal to 20 mm Hg without any adjunctive medication or with only one type of antiglaucomatous drop was considered as an adequate operative outcome. RESULTS: 16 out of 17 eyes maintained adequate pressure control. Only three out of these 16 eyes required prophylactic antiglaucomatous medications. One patient underwent reoperation for pressure control. The most severe complications observed postoperatively were intravitreal haemorrhage (one case), choroidal detachment (one case), implant failure (one case), total retinal detachment (two cases), and corneal endothelial decompensation (five cases). CONCLUSION: Pars plana placement of drainage tube following pars plana vitrectomy should be considered as an alternative method for controlling increased intraocular pressures in selected patients with intractable glaucoma.

Macular hole formation in Bietti's crystalline retinopathy. A case report.

Three years after the initial diagnosis, a 21-year-old healthy man with Bietti's crystalline retinopathy developed unilateral stage 4 macular hole with surrounding macular detachment. The mechanism of macular hole formation, which may or may not be a feature of Bietti's crystalline dystrophy, is not clear.

Adie's syndrome in childhood.

An 8-year-old girl with a history of mild amblyopia who had occlusion therapy, but her anisocoria went unnoticed, was studied. Old photographs of the patient were reviewed and a 0.1% pilocarpine test was performed. Review of her old photographs suggested that she had anisocoria at least since she was 3 years old. The 0.1% pilocarpine test confirmed a diagnosis of Adie's syndrome. In light of this case, it must be kept in mind that though rare, Adie's syndrome can be encountered in early childhood.

Evaluation of conjunctival morphology in thyroid associated eye disease by use of impression cytology.

Thirty-one patients with the diagnosis of thyroid associated eye disease were included in the study. Samples were obtained from upper and temporal bulbar conjunctiva of both eyes by cellulose acetate filter paper. Control group included 20 healthy individuals. In patients with thyroid associated eye disease, grade 2 or 3 squamous metaplasia was observed in 32.26% of the samples obtained from upper bulbar conjunctiva, whereas this ratio increased to 82.26% in temporal bulbar area. None of the control cases showed changes of grade 2 or more. The evaluation of cytological changes with respect to clinical findings revealed that the main factor responsible for the cytological findings was inflammatory changes of the conjunctiva, whereas interpalpebral distance and proptosis had only a partial effect.

Bilateral megalocornea with unilateral lens subluxation.

Megalocornea refers to an enlarged cornea that measures 13 mm or more in horizontal diameter in the absence of raised intraocular pressure. We describe a five-month-old boy with bilateral megalocornea with unilateral lens subluxation. No other ophthalmological abnormality was present. In all previously reported cases with megalocornea and ectopia lentis, the lens was cataractous and the dislocation was in the inferior and posterior direction. In contrast, our case had a clear lens which was displaced superonasally.

Chemodenervation in treatment of upper eyelid retraction.

Upper-eyelid retraction is a common sign of thyroid-associated eye disease (TAED), and these patients are highly bothered by the appearance of their eyes. In this study, botulinum toxin A (BTA) was injected into the levator palpebrae superioris muscle in 8 eyes of 4 patients in an attempt to control the abnormal elevation of the upper eyelid. BTA provided control of the upper-eyelid retraction, and the cosmetically acceptable effect lasted for 3-4 months. It was concluded that BTA is an effective method of treatment in this condition. Since it has a temporary effect, it can safely be used to provide relief of symptoms related to upper-eyelid retraction during unstabilized periods of TAED, which may last as long as several years in some patients.

Acute onset transient ectropion associated with corneal ulcer.

We report a case of transient ectropion associated with corneal ulcer. The corneal ulcer responded well to treatment with fortified gentamicin and cefazolin. As the corneal ulcer healed, the eyelid simultaneously returned to its original position. We suggest that in the presence of involutional eyelid changes, even a minimal additional factor, such as conjunctival edema and blepharospasm, may cause transient ectropion.

Magnetic resonance imaging in the evaluation of eyes treated with silicone oil.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the sensitivity of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in detecting retinal detachment (RD) in eyes filled with silicone oil, and to determine the MRI characteristics of silicone oil in vivo. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Seven eyes of seven patients with RD and eight eyes of eight patients without RD after silicone oil surgery were included in the study. All of the patients had clear media. MRI was performed in these patients. The results of ophthalmic examinations were compared with MRI findings. RESULTS: MRI detected six of the seven detached retinas. The multiplanar imaging capability of MRI helped in showing the RDs in various locations. The chemical shift artifact exaggerated the retinal thickness and made the detached retina visible. Fat suppressed images showed the silicone oil-corneal contact clearly. CONCLUSION: MRI is an effective technique for demonstrating RD in eyes filled with silicone oil and can be used successfully in eyes with opaque media.