CT volumetry study of microfat graft survival from different donor sites in augmenting the enophthalmic socket.

PURPOSE: To evaluate autologous fat grafts harvested from the abdomen versus the thigh for treating the enophthalmic socket using CT volumetry. METHODS: A randomized prospective interventional study including 20 patients suffering from unilateral enophthalmic socket. Pre-operative clinical assessment included photographs, exophthalmometry reading as well as CT volumetry for volume deficit calculations and the harvesting site was randomly allocated (abdomen or thigh). All patients completed 6 months of follow-up. Exophthalmometry change and percentage of retained fat with the globe included and without it at follow-up were measured. RESULTS: Microfat graft survival showed no statistically significant correlation with sex, age, or donor site. Mean percentage of retained fat with globe and without it were 14.75% and 25.31%, respectively. Difficulty of extraction and degree of volume deficit correlated significantly with percentage of fat retained. Exophthalmometer change correlated significantly with percentage of fat retained. CONCLUSION: Autologous fat grafting is a safe and effective technique for volume augmentation of enophthalmic sockets regardless of its harvesting site. CT volumetry has an important role in accurately measuring the volume deficit as well as the postoperative results.

Periocular methotrexate versus periocular triamcinolone injections for active thyroid-associated orbitopathy: a randomized clinical trial.

PURPOSE: To assess the efficacy and safety of periocular injections of methotrexate versus triamcinolone in the management of active thyroid-associated orbitopathy. STUDY DESIGN: Prospective, double-masked, randomized clinical trial. METHODS: Participants with bilateral active, moderate-to-severe thyroid-associated orbitopathy were randomly assigned to receive three periocular injections of 7.5 mg methotrexate in one orbit and three periocular injections of 20 mg triamcinolone in the contralateral orbit. RESULTS: Among the enrolled 25 patients, 18 patients completed the study. A statistically significant reduction of the mean clinical activity score was detected in both arms (from 5.2 ± 0.89 at baseline to 0.9 ± 1.7 at study endpoint, p-value < 0.001 in the methotrexate arm, and from 5.1 ± 0.9 at baseline to 1 ± 1.7 at study endpoint, p-value < 0.001 in the triamcinolone arm), mean proptosis also decreased in both arms (from 25.2 ± 3.4 mm at baseline to 23.8 ± 3.7 mm at study endpoint, p-value = 0.01 in the methotrexate arm, and from 24.2 ± 3.06 mm at baseline to 23.2 ± 3.3 mm at study endpoint, p-value = 0.049 in the triamcinolone arm). Lid aperture and soft tissue signs improved significantly in both arms in comparison to baseline. A statistically significant reduction in the intraocular pressure was observed in the methotrexate arm but not in the triamcinolone arm. 88.9% of patients in both arms were overall responders at 6 months. There was no significant difference in mean CAS, proptosis, lid aperture or rate of responders between the two arms at any visit. Both drugs were found to be safe with minimal local and systemic complications. CONCLUSION: Periocular injections of methotrexate represent an effective and safe alternative option for the management of active, moderate-to-severe thyroid-associated orbitopathy. Although no serious complications occurred during the 6-month follow-up, the possibility of late complications such as orbital fat atrophy cannot be ruled out.

Eyelid Blink Lagophthalmos and Blinking Velocity Changes After External Transcutaneous Dacrocystorhinostomy: A Prospective Study.

PURPOSE: To investigate the changes in eyelid blinking dynamics after external dacryocystorhinostomy (DCR). DESIGN: Prospective before-and-after study with follow-up. METHODS: Patients undergoing external DCR surgery for primary acquired nasolacrimal duct obstruction were observed using high-speed videography that recorded eyelid blinking of both eyes for a total duration of 4 minutes at a rate of 120 frames per second. These recordings were taken before the surgical procedure, on postoperative day 3, and then at 1 week, 1 month, and 3 months after the DCR surgery. A total of 3 random blinks were selected and isolated from each video recording for data analysis. For each blink, lagophthalmos and eyelid blinking velocity were calculated for the operated eye, and their values were then compared with those calculated for the contralateral, nonoperated eye. RESULTS: Data were obtained for 22 patients. Operated eyes showed large postoperative lagophthalmos on postoperative day 3, with a mean of 56.58% ± 52.63% of the palpebral fissure height. Gradual improvement of the lagophthalmos occurred over the next follow-up visits, and reached a mean of 31.24% ± 36.71% at follow-up visit 3 months postoperatively. The velocity of eyelid blinking showed a significant reduction for the operated eyes, with gradual improvement over 3 months. CONCLUSIONS: Postexternal DCR eyelid blinking changes included significant blink lagophthalmos with decreased velocity of eyelid blinking which gradually improved over the 3-month follow-up period. A longer follow-up period may be required to confirm if eyelid blinking lagophthalmos and velocity will return to baseline levels.

Short-term effect of weight loss after bariatric surgery on IOP, RNFL thickness, and the optic nerve head blood flow measured by OCTA.

PURPOSE: To study the influence of weight reduction after bariatric surgery on the intraocular pressure (IOP), retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thickness, and blood flow of optic nerve head by optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA). METHODS: This prospective observational cohort study included 60 obese patients. Body mass index (BMI), IOP, RNFL, and ganglion cell complex (GCC) thickness, rim area, and radial peripapillary capillary (RPC) vessel density were assessed before and 3 months after bariatric surgery. RESULTS: The BMI and the IOP showed significant postoperative reduction to 40.45 ± 4.3 kg/m2 and 14.83 ± 2.5 mmHg while the preoperative results were 51.13 ± 4.83 kg/m2 and 16.95 ± 4.2 mm (p < 0.0001), respectively. No statistically significant change was detected in the RNFL, GCC thickness, rim area, or the RPC vessel density (p > 0.05). No statistically significant correlation was detected between the BMI changes and changes in the IOP, RNFL thickness, rim area, GCC thickness, or RPC vessel density. CONCLUSION: No significant effect of bariatric surgery on the RNFL thickness and the optic nerve head blood flow measured by OCTA despite a significant IOP reduction 3 months post-surgical. OCTA can be a useful tool to assess the short-term influence of significant weight reduction on the retinal microcirculation. SUMMARY: Despite a significant BMI and IOP reduction following bariatric surgery in obese patients, the vascular flow of the ONH, measured by OCTA, and the RNFL thickness were not significantly affected. The former might be attributed to the complex autoregulatory mechanisms related to the ONH and its microcirculation.

Comparison of three surgical techniques for internal angular dermoid cysts: a randomized controlled trial.

PURPOSE: To compare the outcomes of three techniques for removing internal angular dermoid cysts: lid crease, sub-brow, and direct mini-incision. METHODS: In this single-center trial, 47 children with internal angular dermoids were enrolled and randomly assigned to one of three surgical groups: group A, sub-brow, group B, lid crease, and group C, direct mini-incision. Outcome measures were operative time, postoperative scar quality using Stony Brook Scar Evaluation Scale (SBSES), scar visibility, and family satisfaction. RESULTS: In each group, fifteen patients completed follow-up and were analysed. The operation time (median/IQR) in Group C was significantly shorter (10/5 min) compared with group A (25/10 min) and B (35/20 min) (p < 0.001). Group B had the least visible scar at all follow-up visits. Both group B and C showed superior scar quality using SBSES compared with group A at 6 months (p < 0.001). All families in group B (100%) found the scar excellent compared to 11 families in group C (40%) and 6 families in group A (73.3%). Persistent postoperative inflammation was noticed in two patients in group C. No cases of recurrence were recorded. CONCLUSIONS: Both the lid crease and direct mini-incision approaches result in superior scar quality with minimum visibility compared with the sub-brow technique, however, the lid crease technique shows a prolonged operation time particularly for cysts outside the rim.