Subconjunctival Dirofilaria masquerading as nodular scleritis.

A man in his late 50s presented with a gradually enlarging, painless, reddish mass on the white portion of his left eye for 2 weeks. His best-corrected visual acuity was 20/20 in both eyes. Slit-lamp examination showed a congested, nodular, elevated lesion on the temporal bulbar conjunctiva with two pustule-like elevations. Anterior segment optical coherence tomography showed a subconjunctival solid mass rather than an abscess or a cyst. Scleral deroofing was performed and a long thread-like object resembling a dead worm was identified. The worm was removed intact, and its histopathology confirmed the diagnosis of Dirofilaria Peripheral blood smear did not show any microfilariae. No recurrences or new lesions were observed during the follow-up examinations at 1 and 5 months post-surgery. This case highlights the importance of considering a parasitic aetiology in cases of nodular or infectious scleritis.

Epibulbar simple cartilaginous choristoma associated with unique pigmented multicystic component.

PURPOSE: To report an atypical presentation of an epibulbar simple cartilaginous choristoma with a unique pigmented multicystic component. CASE DESCRIPTION: A 69-year-old African American female presented for evaluation of a right nasal epibulbar lesion that had progressed over the prior year. Slit-lamp evaluation revealed an immobile, mildly pigmented multicystic lesion measuring 6.0 × 4.5 mm that involved the nasal bulbar conjunctiva and the plica semilunaris. The lesion appeared benign, without feeder vessels or features of epithelial dysplasia. Given its recent growth and the patient's cosmetic concerns, the lesion was excised with ocular surface reconstruction. Histopathological evaluation disclosed a well-circumscribed nodule of well-differentiated cartilage in the substantia propria, consistent with a simple cartilaginous choristoma. The overlying conjunctival stroma contained multiple cysts lined by focally pigment epithelium. The patient recovered well from surgery, with satisfactory cosmetic results. CONCLUSIONS: Our case of epibulbar simple cartilaginous choristoma includes a prominent superficial component of pigmented epithelial cysts, which has not been previously reported in the literature. This augments our knowledge on the spectrum of presentations of cartilaginous choristomas and underscores the importance of histopathological evaluation for definitive diagnosis.

Clinical correlations and impact of conjunctivochalasis in soft contact lens wearers.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the correlation between clinical tests, patient symptoms, and conjunctivochalasis in contact lens wearers and non-wearers. METHODS: This study comprised 40 eyes of 40 current soft contact lens users and 40 eyes of 40 control subjects. Cross-sectional areas of conjunctivochalasis at three locations (nasal, central, temporal) during straight and downward gazes were determined using anterior segment optical coherence tomography in all participants. Tear film break up time test and Schirmer test with anesthesia were performed and for evaluation of symptoms, the participants completed ocular surface disease index questionnaire. RESULTS: During straight gaze, the mean cross-sectional areas of conjunctivochalasis were 0.0112 ± 0.009 and 0.006 ± 0.005 mm2 at nasal, 0.0096 ± 0.007 and 0.002 ± 0.004 mm2 at central, 0.0176 ± 0.014 and 0.008 ± 0.009 mm2 at temporal in contact lens and control groups, respectively. Regardless of location and gaze direction, the mean cross-sectional conjunctivachalasis areas of the contact lens group were significantly higher than those of the controls (all, p < 0.05). Significant positive correlations between ocular surface disease index score and measured conjunctivachalasis areas (in all sites) during straight gaze and downward gaze were observed in the contact lens group (all, p < 0.05 and r > 0.450). CONCLUSION: Wearing soft contact lenses is associated with increased conjunctivochalasis areas. Anterior segment optical coherence tomography determined conjunctivochalasis area is an objective clinical measurement value that is positively correlated with patients' symptoms in soft contact lens wearers.

Evaluation of Dry Eye Severity and Ocular Surface Inflammation in Patients with Pemphigus and Pemphigoid.

PURPOSE: To evaluate ocular surface involvement, tear cytokine levels, and histopathological changes in pemphigus and pemphigoid patients. METHODS: A total of 22 patients (15 pemphigus and 7 pemphigoids) and 21 non-diseased controls were enrolled in our study. All participants underwent ocular surface evaluation, which included ocular surface disease index test, slit lamp observation, dry eye-related examination, tear multicytokine analysis, and conjunctival impression cytology. RESULTS: Pemphigus and pemphigoid patients presented much more severe conjunctivochalasis, corneal epithelial defects, corneal opacity, symblepharon   and dry eye. Severe ocular surface squamous metaplasia and a significant increase of tear macrophage inflammatory protein-1beta, tumor necrosis factor-alpha, interleukin (IL)-1ß, IL -6, and IL-8 occurred in pemphigus and pemphigoid patients. CONCLUSIONS: Our results revealed that ocular surface inflammation and dry eye persist in most pemphigus and pemphigoid patients, and do not occur in parallel with the systemic course. Regular ophthalmological examinations and local anti-inflammatory should be provided for pemphigus and pemphigoid patients.

Alternative Approach for the Treatment of Conjunctivochalasis: Plasma-Based Conjunctivoplasty.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of plasma-based conjunctivoplasty as a new surgical approach for conjunctivochalasis. METHODS: This prospective, noncomparative, interventional study included research on 42 eyes of 33 patients who underwent plasma therapy because of conjunctivochalasis between February 2020 and December 2021. Maintaining a 2-mm distance from the limbus, at least 3 lines (approximately 2 mm deep) of plasma therapy were applied to the conjunctiva from the temporal quadrant to the nasal quadrant. Patient symptoms, the fluorescein clearance test, ocular surface integrity with fluorescein staining, the Ocular Surface Disease Index questionnaire, tear breakup time (TBUT), tear meniscus height, and complications were evaluated. RESULTS: The mean patient age at the time of surgery was 67.3 ± 7.2 (range: 54-81) years. After surgery, the grades of conjunctivochalasis decreased in all patients. Although epiphora was present in 28 eyes (66.6%) preoperatively, none of the cases had epiphora during the follow-up period. The Ocular Surface Disease Index score improved significantly from 34.7 ± 10.3 preoperatively to 5.0 ± 4.2 3 months postoperatively ( P <0.001). Although the preoperative TBUT was 5.1 ± 2.2 seconds, the TBUT increased to 10.0 ± 2.3 seconds 3 months postoperatively ( P <0.001). Chemosis developed in only 1 eye (2.3%) and completely regressed with topical steroid treatment in the first postoperative week. CONCLUSIONS: Plasma-based conjunctivoplasty is a minimally invasive and simple surgery with less intraoperative and postoperative discomfort, a fast recovery, and can be suggested as an alternative approach to other treatment methods.

Black Henna Deposits Masquerading a Melanoma of the Plica Semilunaris.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to describe a rare case of conjunctival black henna accumulation that was clinically misdiagnosed as melanoma. METHODS: This retrospective case report reviewed the clinical findings and histopathologic features of a pigmented plica semilunaris lesion excised from a 63-year-old woman. The patient had a history of regular use of black henna in her childhood. The conjunctival pigmentation was present since her early teenage years but started to grow only recently. RESULTS: There was a darkly pigmented mass mainly covering the plica semilunaris of the right eye with additional irregularly scattered pigmentation in the medial bulbar conjunctiva. Excisional biopsy of the plical tumor revealed nodular pigment deposits with lymphocytic infiltration. There were no neoplastic cells. The specimen stained negative for pan-keratin, CD68, and CD34. Melanin bleaching was also negative. CONCLUSIONS: Long-term exposure to black henna as a hair dye may lead to subconjunctival accumulation and mimic melanoma.

Clinical Outcome of Amniotic Membrane Transplant in Ocular Stevens-Johnson Syndrome/Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis at a Major Burn Unit.

PURPOSE: To analyze the clinical outcome of amniotic membrane transplantation in patients with ocular Stevens-Johnson syndrome/toxic epidermal necrolysis at a major burn unit. DESIGN: Retrospective, non-randomized interventional study. METHODS: A retrospective chart review from April 2014 to January 2022 of 43 patients (85 eyes) at a burn center who underwent amniotic membrane transplantation (AMT) for severe ocular Stevens-Johnson Syndrome (SJS), toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN), or SJS/TEN was performed. Data regarding the clinical course and outcome were obtained. A comparison between the use of cryopreserved AMT rings (cryoAMT) and dehydrated AMT (deAMT) was also assessed. RESULTS: A total of 85 eyes in 43 patients underwent AMT for severe ocular SJS/TEN. Of the eyes, 72 received deAMT with symblepharon ring, whereas 13 received cryoAMT over the cornea surface. All patients had deAMT placed over the eyelid margins and palpebral conjunctivae and tucked into the fornices. The average best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) on last follow-up examination was 20/33, 20/30, and 20/34 in all eyes, the cryoAMT group, and the deAMT group, respectively (no significant difference between groups). The most common suspected inciting agent was lamotrigine (17% of all cases). The average long-term complication score was 1.4, with no significant difference between the cryoAMT group (1.6) and the deAMT group (1.4, P = .5). Symblepharon formation was seen more in the cryoAMT group compared to the deAMT group (P < .05). CONCLUSION: The use of AMTs in severe ocular SJS/TEN greatly mitigates long-term complications and improves visual outcome. The retrospective nature of this study limits substantial conclusions regarding any significant difference in outcome between AMT treatment methods. Nevertheless, the use of cryopreserved AMT rings has a similar outcome profile compared to use of dehydrated AMTs with symblepharon ring. Further research is needed to evaluate optimal AMT techniques.

An observational study on the presence of perilimbal conjunctival pigmentation in vernal keratoconjunctivitis.

Purpose: To evaluate presence of perilimbal pigmentation (PLP) in Indian patients with vernal keratoconjunctivitis (VKC). Methods: A cross sectional study was conducted from 2019 to 2020 at a tertiary eye care center in Western Maharashtra, India. In this study, 152 cases of VKC were identified. The presence, type, color, and extent of PLP were recorded. The incidence of presence of PLP was calculated. Its correlations with severity and duration of VKC were analyzed using Wilcoxon-Mann-Whitney U test and Chi square test. Results: Of 152 cases, 79.61% were males. Mean age at presentation was 11.4 ± 5.6 years. The characteristic PLP was present in 81 cases (53.29%; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 45.03%-61.42%; P < 0.001), of which 15 cases (18.5%) had this pigmentation in all the four quadrants. There was a significant difference between the groups with respect to quadrants involvement in terms of the extent of PLP in clock hours (χ2 = 73.85, P < 0.001). However, the extent did not correlate with age (rho = 0.08, P = 0.487), sex (P = 0.115), time since onset in months (rho = 0.03, P = 0.77), duration of VKC and type or color of PLP (P = 0.12). Conclusion: Perilimbal pigmentation seems to be a consistent clinical finding seen in a significant number of VKC cases. It may benefit ophthalmologists in treating VKC cases when the palpebral/limbal signs are elusive.