Comprehensive Evaluation of Quality of Life following Upper Eyelid Blepharoplasty: A Prospective Analysis.

Background and Objectives: Upper eyelid blepharoplasty is a surgical procedure that addresses both aesthetic and functional concerns, offering transformative potential for patients' overall well-being. This study systematically evaluates the comprehensive impact of upper eyelid blepharoplasty on patients' quality of life, employing rigorous methodologies and standardized assessment protocols. Materials and Methods: A prospective, randomized controlled trial was conducted, involving 348 patients aged 49 to 87 years. Patients were randomly assigned to receive either continuous or intradermal sutures following upper eyelid surgery. Validated FACE-Q questionnaires were used to assess various outcomes, including early-life impact, expectations, satisfaction with eyes, overall face satisfaction, satisfaction with the outcome, psychological function, social function, and adverse effects. Results: Results indicate significant improvements in multiple domains of patient-reported outcomes following upper eyelid blepharoplasty, including satisfaction with eyes, overall face satisfaction, satisfaction with the outcome, psychological function, and social function. Notably, no significant differences were observed between suturing techniques regarding patient satisfaction and well-being. Adverse effects were minimal and improved over time. Conclusions: The study underscores the transformative nature of upper eyelid blepharoplasty in enhancing patients' quality of life, addressing both cosmetic and functional concerns. Utilizing standardized assessment tools like the FACE-Q questionnaire facilitates a comprehensive understanding of treatment outcomes and enables patient-centered care. Overall, this research contributes to the growing evidence supporting the positive impact of upper eyelid blepharoplasty on patients' well-being, emphasizing the importance of continued research and standardized assessment protocols in advancing patient care in cosmetic surgery.

Evaluation of dry eye symptoms and risk factors among medical students in Serbia.

BACKGROUND: Dry eye is a multifactorial disease defined less than 30 years ago. It is a relatively common disorder, affected by a number of well-known risk factors. Dry eye can be challenging to diagnose because of the possible discrepancy between patients' symptoms and clinical signs, and its overlap with other ocular surface diseases. Literature-wise, dry eye is usually associated with age and therefore investigated within older populations. Recently, studies focusing on young adult and student populations have demonstrated a higher prevalence of dry eye than previously expected. AIM: The study aims to determine the frequency of dry eye symptoms in the student population, and the impact of students' activities and habits as potential risk factors. METHODOLOGY: Our study involved 397 students from the medical school at the University of Belgrade, Serbia. Students were asked to complete an online survey that addressed general information, health, habits, and routine in everyday use of electronic devices. In addition, students completed a standard Ocular Surface Disease Index questionnaire. RESULTS: The prevalence of dry eye was 60.5% (240/397) in our study population. Contact lens wear (p<0.001), allergies (p = 0.049) and increased number of hours per day using VD devices for studying purposes (p = 0.014) were associtated with a higher risk of dry eye disease. Risk factors that did not significantly impact dry eye were the use of oral contraceptives, smoking, systemic diseases, year of study and sex. CONCLUSION: In our study, the prevalence of dry eye disease was similar or slightly higher than in previous studies among young adults. In addition, contact lenses, allergies and visual display devices were associated with the development of the dry eye.

Evaluation of ocular pulse amplitude changes after the retinal detachment repair.

Purpose: The study was conducted to determine the ocular pulse amplitude (OPA) changes, measured with a dynamic contour tonometer (DCT), after surgical retinal detachment repair. Methods: This was a prospective and comparative study. Thirty patients (30 eyes) who had undergone uncomplicated unilateral scleral buckling and encircling procedures for quadrant or half-retinal rhegmatogenous retinal detachment were referred for DCT one day before the surgery was performed, on the 1st, 7th, and 30th postoperative day. Methods of descriptive (arithmetical mean, standard deviation) and analytical statistics (analysis of variance) were used to analyze the data and evaluate the significance of the difference. A value of P less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant. The data were evaluated for normality with the single-sample Kolmogorov-Smirnov test. Results: OPA values decreased significantly after scleral buckling procedures (p < 0.0001), but regained near to preoperative values one month after the surgery. Conclusion: OPA tends to decrease after retinal detachment surgery. Restoring patients' vision with scleral buckling and encircling procedures gives early changes in blood supply to the choroid and ocular nerve, and since OPA is an indirect parameter of choroidal vascularization, measuring these values can help make an insight into ocular hemodynamics.

Herpetic eye disease study: lessons learned.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Ophthalmic herpes simplex virus (HSV) of the anterior segment is responsible for a range of corneal complications such as scarring, thinning, neovascularization, and severe loss of vision. This review provides current guidelines for treating anterior segment disease related to HSV. RECENT FINDINGS: We first review findings from the Herpetic Eye Disease Study (HEDS) clinical trials, and then review new topical and antiviral therapies developed since the HEDS studies. The development of vaccines to prevent recurrent episodes of herpetic infection is briefly reviewed. New corneal surgical procedures, developed since HEDS, may put patients at risk for ocular HSV disease: cross-linking and excimer refractive surgery. SUMMARY: HEDS established the standard of HSV ocular therapy and is still valid today. However, newer antivirals may provide easier compliance with improved bioavailability, efficacy, dosage, and tolerability. Further research is needed to prevent latency of HSV, decrease recurrences, and more effectively treat necrotizing keratitis associated with HSV.

Human external ophthalmomyiasis caused by Lucilia sericata Meigen (Diptera: Calliphoridae)--a green bottle fly.

Ophthalmomyiasis externa is the result of infestation of the conjunctiva by the larval form or maggots of flies from the order Diptera. If not recognized and managed appropriately, it can be complicated by the potentially fatal condition ophthalmomyiasis interna. Ophthalmomyiasis externa is mainly caused by the sheep bot fly (Oestrus ovis). We present the first case, to our knowledge, of ophthalmomyiasis externa in an elderly woman from Belgrade caused by Lucilia sericata Meigen--a green bottle fly.

The frequency of chemical injuries of the eye in a tertiary referral centre.

INTRODUCTION: Chemical injuries can occur under various circumstances and may cause serious damage to the anterior segment of the eye. OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to analyse the frequency of chemical injuries treated in a tertiary referral centre. METHODS: The medical records of consecutive patients admitted for the chemical injury of the eye to the Clinic for Eye Diseases in Belgrade between January 1999 and December 2008 were retrospectively analysed in order to obtain data about proportions of injuries, demographical characteristics of patients, circumstances under which injuries happened, the chemicals involved, the severity of injury according to the Roper-Hall classification and the length of hospitalization. RESULTS: Out of a total of 60,868 hospitalized patients, 148 (2.43/1,000) were treated for chemical injury of the eye, with the highest incidence observed during summer months. Men were over five times more often affected (84.5%) and most of the injured individuals belonged to the working-age population (mean age 44.4 +/- 16.2 years).The most common causative agents were alkalis (73.0%), while acids (18.2%) and other substances (8.8%) were less common. None of 35.1% patients for whom data were obtained used any protection while handling the chemicals. The vast majority of injuries were graded as grade II (31.1%) and III (42.6%) and the most severe ones were caused by alkalis. An average length of hospitalization was 17.7 +/- 24.1 days and correlated with the severity of injury. CONCLUSION: Chemical injuries are relatively common problem in the Emergency Ophthalmology. Constant education and usage of adequate protective equipment should be advised in order to prevent serious complications.

Duane type I retraction syndrome associated with Wyburn-Mason syndrome.

PURPOSE: Our aim is to report the co-existence of Duane's retraction syndrome and Wyburn-Mason syndrome, a rare condition characterized by arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) in the central nervous system and retina. METHODS: An 11-year-old boy was referred for evaluation of strabismus present since birth. On examination his uncorrected visual acuity was 6/6 in each eye, with small angle left eye esotropia in the primary position, ipsilateral face turn, abduction deficit, lid fissure narrowing in adduction and widening in abduction; plus typical features of left-sided type I Duane syndrome were present. The left fundus demonstrated localized, well-compensated, markedly convoluted, dilated and tortuous retinal vessels and venous congenital retinal macrovessel, which traverse the macular region. The right fundus was unremarkable. In order to elucidate if this retinal vascular malformation is associated with similar lesions in the orbit, paranasal sinuses and/or brain, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was performed, followed by digital subtraction angiography of the brain vessels. RESULTS: Clinical features of retinal disease (typical retinal vascular malformation) and brain imaging studies have led to the diagnosis of Wyburn-Mason syndrome. Digital subtraction angiography of the brain revealed an AVM of 30 mm maximal diameter in the left occipital lobe. CONCLUSIONS: Intracranial AVM might have affected the normal vascular development during the second month of gestation, causing involutional changes of the sixth nerve and resulted in Duane's syndrome by "steal phenomenon." Retinal AVM may point to concomitant intracranial AVMs, thus warranting neurological assessment. Patients with AVM of the retina should be examined early with brain and orbital neuroimaging to rule out cerebral AVMs.