Orbicularis myectomy with levator advancement in Schwartz-Jampel syndrome.

PURPOSE: Schwartz-Jampel syndrome is a disorder of continuous myotonia causing blepharospasm, acquired ptosis, and blepharophimosis. We report the management of the associated eyelid anomalies with orbicularis oculi myectomy, levator aponeurosis resection, and lateral canthopexy. METHODS: Interventional case reports. Two patients with Schwartz-Jampel syndrome presented with blepharospasm, acquired ptosis, and blepharophimosis. Orbicularis myectomy, levator aponeurosis resection, and lateral canthopexy were performed to relieve the blepharospasm and to correct the ptosis and blepharophimosis. RESULTS: Significant functional and cosmetic improvements were achieved by increasing the palpebral fissure height and length while greatly decreasing the blepharospasm of the patients. No recurrence of the blepharospasm or eyelid anomalies has been noted after 1 and 15 years of follow-up, respectively. CONCLUSION: The blepharospasm and eyelid alterations caused by Schwartz-Jampel syndrome should be treated to provide functional and cosmetic improvements. Our technique of myectomy, levator resection, and lateral canthopexy provides an excellent, long-lasting result.

Patient satisfaction after uneventful cataract surgery with implantation of a silicone or acrylic foldable intraocular lens. Comparative study.

PURPOSE: To compare patient satisfaction with vision 12 months after implantation of a silicone or acrylic foldable intraocular lens (IOL). SETTING: John A. Moran Eye Center, University of Utah Medical Center, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA. METHODS: Selection criteria included patients who had uneventful cataract extraction by phacoemulsification with a temporal clear corneal incision or superior scleral tunnel incision, a curvilinear capsulorhexis, and in-the-bag IOL placement. One hundred sixty-two patients surveyed had a mean follow-up of approximately 15 months (range 12 to 18 months). Patients were divided into 3 groups of 54 each based on IOL type: AMO SI-30/40, Alcon MA30BA, and Alcon MA60BA. All patients were surveyed over the telephone using a standardized questionnaire protocol. They were questioned about their perception of vision with best optical correction in relation to visual blurring symptoms, glare symptoms, night vision, near vision, and overall vision. RESULTS: There were no significant differences in patient satisfaction among the 3 IOL groups in visual blurring or night vision. Patients in the SI-30/40 and MA60BA groups reported significantly higher satisfaction with glare symptoms, near vision, and overall satisfaction than patients in the MA30BA group. CONCLUSION: The SI-30/SI-40 and the MA60BA IOLs received significantly higher patient satisfaction scores than the MA30BA IOL in glare symptoms, near vision, and overall satisfaction.

A new groove director for simplified nasolacrimal intubation.

Silicone intubation is commonly performed to maintain patency of the lacrimal drainage system. We describe a new lacrimal groove director, designed to simplify retrieval of the metal Crawford probe with minimal trauma to the nasal mucosa. This instrument can also be used to infracture or medialize the inferior turbinate in both pediatric and adult populations during nasolacrimal duct intubation or external or endoscopic dacryocystorhinostomy.

Signal transducers and activators of transcription (Stat) are detectable in mouse trigeminal ganglion neurons.

We studied signal transducers and activators of transcription (Stat) expression in mouse trigeminal ganglia (TG) to gain an understanding of herpes simplex virus (HSV) infection and reactivation. Mouse TG were harvested and were either frozen for Western blot analysis or preserved in 4% paraformaldehyde for subsequent immunohistochemistry study. The thawed specimens were homogenized, and nuclear/cytoplasmic extractions were performed for Western blots and immunoprecipitation. Immunohistochemistry showed that Stat1, Stat3, Stat4, Stat5b, and phosphotyrosine Stat3 localized to TG neurons, not surrounding satellite cells. Western blot of TG nuclear and cytoplasmic extracts confirmed the presence of these Stat at the appropriate molecular weights. Stat2 was undetectable in TG by these methods. Immunoprecipitation of TG nuclear extracts did not confirm the presence of Stat-Stat dimers in these specimens. These studies show that several Stat, including phosphotyrosine Stat3, are present in TG neurons, the site of HSV latency, where they could act upon latent viral DNA to effect reactivation.

Microblepharon: a case report.

Microblepharon is a rare congenital anomaly manifested by a vertical shortening of the eyelids. We describe the clinical presentation and surgical outcome of a patient with trisomy 21 and microblepharon. Microblepharon occurs in varying degrees and must be distinguished from ablepharon and cryptophthalmos. A variety of surgical options are available depending upon the degree of lid involvement.

Mucoepidermoid carcinoma of the conjunctiva: a series of three cases.

OBJECTIVE: To detail the clinical presentation and outcomes of currently available treatments for mucoepidermoid carcinoma of the conjunctiva (MCC). DESIGN: Retrospective noncomparative case series. PARTICIPANTS: Three patients ranging from 40 to 63 years of age with MCC participated. INTERVENTION: Excisional biopsies and various therapies were performed. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Clinical and surgical outcomes were measured. RESULTS: Patient 1 is a 55-year-old man with right temporal MCC. He underwent two local excisions with adjuvant cryotherapy and has had no recurrence at 31 months follow-up. Patient 2 is a 63-year-old man with right temporal MCC who underwent fractionated iodine 125 plaque radiotherapy. He had a recurrence approximately 8 months after plaque treatment and subsequently underwent enucleation of the right eye. Clinical follow-up examinations revealed no further recurrence at 17 months. Patient 3 is a 40-year-old woman treated for right MCC with carbon dioxide laser with recurrence at 3 weeks. She subsequently underwent radiation treatment with the development of regional lymph node metastases 16 months later. CONCLUSIONS: MCC is a rare neoplasm that displays an extraordinary capacity for aggressive local invasion. This series of three case reports demonstrates the high recurrence rate of MCC and the response of this tumor to different current modalities of treatment. Extended follow-up is required with this tumor because distant metastases can occur very late.

Cerebrospinal fluid leakage during endscopic forehead lifting.

PURPOSE: To report a case of endoscopic brow lift in which cerebrospinal fluid leakage was encountered. METHOD: A 69-year-old otherwise healthy man underwent endoscopic forehead lifting. RESULTS: An area of strong adherence was encountered in the area of the left superior paracentral scalp incision. As the adherence was released, clear fluid extruded (cerebrospinal fluid) and a burr hole was discovered. Absorbable gelatin sponge was placed over the dural defect and burr hole, and closure of the endoscopic scalp incisions was accomplished. CONCLUSION: Caution is suggested in performing this procedure when a patient has any history of a head trauma.

Decentration of 3-piece versus plate-haptic silicone intraocular lenses.

PURPOSE: To compare the incidence of decentration with 2 types of silicone intraocular lenses (IOLs). SETTING: John A. Moran Eye Center, University of Utah Medical Center, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA. METHODS: Selection criteria for this retrospective study included patients who had uncomplicated cataract surgery with a clear cornea or scleral tunnel incision with a curvilinear capsulorhexis and capsular bag implantation of a silicone IOL. After a mean follow-up of 14 months (range 12 to 18 months), 54 eyes implanted with a 3-piece lens (AMO SI-30) and 58 eyes implanted with a plate-haptic lens (Staar AA403) were examined for posterior chamber IOL decentration. The decentration criterion was 0.5 mm or more from the center of the pupil. Detailed chart review of preoperative and postoperative measurements was performed for each patient. RESULTS: Eighteen of the 3-piece IOLs (33%) and 11 of the plate-haptic IOLs (20%) were decentered 0.5 mm or more (P = .129). Using photographic analysis, the mean IOL decentration with the 3-piece IOL (1.12 mm +/- 0.198 [SD]) was significantly greater than with the plate-haptic IOL (0.632 +/- 0.278 mm)(P < .001). No statistically significant correlation was found between the centered or decentered IOL groups' preoperative refraction, axial length, capsulorhexis size, type of incision, or rate of neodymium:YAG laser capsulotomy. CONCLUSIONS: No statistically significant difference was seen between the decentration rates of 3-piece and plate-hepatic IOLs; however, the amount of decentration with the 3-piece IOL was significantly greater than with the plate-hepatic IOL. Other factors did not contribute to IOL decentration.

Anterior lens capsule rupture caused by air bag trauma.

PURPOSE: To report a child with anterior lens capsule rupture caused by air bag inflation. METHODS: A 10-year-old girl sustained a rupture of the right anterior lens capsule secondary to air bag deployment during a minor automobile accident. The evaluation included orbital ultrasound and orbital computed tomography. RESULT: The right eye underwent lens aspiration with intraocular lens placement. Postoperatively, the patient did well with 20/25 best-corrected visual acuity. CONCLUSION: Our case, in which the patient's lens capsule was ruptured by air bag inflation, illustrates that air bag deployment, even in minor low-speed accidents, can cause severe blunt trauma to the eye.

Anti-interleukin-6 antibodies inhibit herpes simplex virus reactivation.

Herpes simplex viruses (HSVs) infect epithelial cells, become localized in neurons, and can reactivate in response to a variety of stimuli, including ultraviolet light and hyperthermia. The sequence of gene activation during viral replication is known, but the molecular linkage between exogenous stimuli and HSV reactivation has not been determined. It was hypothesized that interleukin (IL)-6 acts as a signal between exogenous stimuli and neurons, stimulating HSV reactivation from latency. Mouse corneas were infected with HSV-1, and ocular reactivation was induced 5-7 weeks later by thermal stress or corneal exposure to ultraviolet light. Anti-IL-6 monoclonal antibodies were administered to the latently infected mice 8-12 h before the reactivation stimulus. Treatment with anti-IL-6 antibodies resulted in significantly lower frequencies of ocular reactivation compared with those in mice treated with a control immunoglobulin. These results support the hypothesis that IL-6 plays a role in HSV reactivation from latency.