Deciphering the impact of aging on splenic endothelial cell heterogeneity and immunosenescence through single-cell RNA sequencing analysis.

BACKGROUND: Aging is associated with significant structural and functional changes in the spleen, leading to immunosenescence, yet the detailed effects on splenic vascular endothelial cells (ECs) and their immunomodulatory roles are not fully understood. In this study, a single-cell RNA (scRNA) atlas of EC transcriptomes from young and aged mouse spleens was constructed to reveal age-related molecular changes, including increased inflammation and reduced vascular development and also the potential interaction between splenic endothelial cells and immune cells. RESULTS: Ten clusters of splenic endothelial cells were identified. DEGs analysis across different EC clusters revealed the molecular changes with aging, showing the increase in the overall inflammatory microenvironment and the loss in vascular development function of aged ECs. Notably, four EC clusters with immunological functions were identified, suggesting an Endothelial-to-Immune-like Cell Transition (EndICLT) potentially driven by aging. Pseudotime analysis of the Immunology4 cluster further indicated a possible aging-induced transitional state, potentially initiated by Ctss gene activation. Finally, the effects of aging on cell signaling communication between different EC clusters and immune cells were analyzed. CONCLUSIONS: This comprehensive atlas elucidates the complex interplay between ECs and immune cells in the aging spleen, offering new insights into endothelial heterogeneity, reprogramming, and the mechanisms of immunosenescence.

Clinical utility of digital radiography dacryocystography for preoperative assessment in nasolacrimal duct obstruction prior to endoscopic dacryocystorhinostomy.

Purpose: To evaluate the clinical usefulness of digital radiography dacryocystography in patients with primary acquired nasolacrimal duct obstruction prior to endoscopic dacryocystorhinostomy. Methods: All dacryocystography images from 129 patients with primary acquired nasolacrimal duct obstruction were analyzed. Each group was assessed for postoperative epiphora severity using Munk's score via telephone follow-up three years post-surgery. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was plotted to obtain a suitable cutoff value of the transverse diameter of the lacrimal sac (LS), used to categorize LS size into small (≤4.350 mm) and large (>4.350 mm). Results: Analysis of the transverse diameter of the LS among 129 patients showed a negative correlation between it and Munk's score (r = -0.282, p = 0.001). There was a statistical difference between the surgical outcomes and the sizes of the LS (p = 0.041). The ROC curve analysis showed that the transverse diameter of the LS at 4.350 mm was the ideal cutoff value for the outcome of endoscopic dacryocystorhinostomy, with a sensitivity of 42.2 %, and specificity of 92.3 %. After adjusting for the age and sex, the small LS was associated with an increased risk of postoperative failed outcome (adjusted odds ratio [95 % CI]: 8.628 [1.074, 69.335]). Conclusion: The small LS was independently associated with the failed surgical outcome. Furthermore, the preoperative measurement of the LS transverse diameter serves as one of the reliable predictors for postoperative epiphora severity.

Dry eye and decreased tear film stability in primary acquired nasolacrimal duct obstruction patients.

PURPOSE: Exploring the prevalence of dry eye (DE) and the changes of tear film stability in patients with primary acquired obstruction of the nasolacrimal duct (PANDO). METHODS: In this cross-sectional, observational study, 370 eyes in 223 patients with PANDO were assessed. The ocular surface disease index (OSDI) was used to evaluate ocular surface symptoms, and the Keratograph 5M non-invasive ocular surface analyser was used to assess ocular surface parameters. According to the TFOS DEWS II criteria, patients with OSDI ≥ 13 and NIKBUT < 10 s were diagnosed with DE. RESULTS: Of the 223 PANDO patients, 65 (29.1%) met the diagnostic criteria for DE. Compared with patients without DE, PANDO patients with DE were significantly older (p < 0.001), had a longer duration of epiphora (p = 0.023), and more likely to have a positive regurgitation on pressure over the lacrimal sac (ROPLAS) sign (p = 0.003). Multifactorial analysis showed that older age, positive ROPLAS and hypertension were significant independent predictors of DE (p < 0.05). Among the 147 unilateral PANDO patients without DE, the TMH, NIKBUT-first, NIKBUT-average and bulbar erythema scores were significantly higher in the PANDO sides. CONCLUSIONS: This study illustrated the prevalence of DE in PANDO patients was 29.1% and DE is more likely to occur in those who are older, have hypertension and are positive for ROPLAS. In addition, in patients with unilateral nasolacrimal duct obstruction, a decrease in tear film stability was observed in the healthy eye.

Localized light chain amyloidosis involving the lacrimal sac: A case report.

Amyloidosis involving the lacrimal sac is extremely rare. In this study, we demonstrated a rare case of localized light chain amyloidosis in the lacrimal sac region. The lacrimal sac lesion presented as infiltrative with bony erosion. Given the slow growth of the lesion and the absence of a blood flow signal inside, we concluded that the lesion was less likely to be malignant. Complete removal of the lacrimal sac lesion combined with simultaneous lacrimal passage reconstruction was performed. The diagnosis of light chain amyloidosis was confirmed by histology. The surgical results were favorable, and no recurrence was observed over one-year follow-up. Our case report enriches the understanding of amyloid deposition in the ocular adnexa.

CT-Measured Angulation Between the Frontal Bone and Bony Nasolacrimal Duct: Variations in Obstructed and Healthy Lacrimal Ducts.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to analyze the characteristics of CT-measured intersection angle (FB-BNLD) between the frontal bone and bony nasolacrimal duct and to provide suggestions for treating primary acquired nasolacrimal duct obstruction (PANDO) patients in West China. METHODS: Three hundred and nine participants' CT were, respectively, evaluated with RadiAnt DICOM Viewer. We defined the FB-BNLD angle >0° as the anterior type and the FB-BNLD angle ≤0° as the posterior type. RESULTS: The mean FB-BNLD was -2.52° (95% CI, -3.16° to -1.88°) across all participants, of whom 37.2% were of the anterior type and 62.8% of the posterior type. Approximately 65.0% of the female patients had a posterior FB-BNLD type, and 54.2% of the male patients had an anterior FB-BNLD type (p = .002). Posterior FB-BNLD was the dominant type in the PANDO and control groups (p = .011), and the angle of FB-BNLD was statistically different in both groups (PANDO group, -2.54° to -0.71°; control group, -4.42° to -2.67°; p < .001). Among the male participants, the type of FB-BNLD differed between the two groups (p = .036), with differences in the angle of FB-BNLD (PANDO group, 0.59° to 5.13°; control group, -4.08° to 1.89°; p = .034). There was no difference in the type of FB-BNLD in female participants between the two groups (p = .051). CONCLUSION: The present study revealed individual differences in the type of FB-BNLD, with anterior-type majority in males and posterior-type dominance in females. Evaluating the FB-BNLD type on CT can provide a fast method for knowing the nasolacrimal duct condition during planning for lacrimal manipulation.

Modified Conjoint Fascial Sheath and Levator Muscle Complex Suspension for the Correction of Simple Severe Congenital Ptosis in Pediatrics and the Effect on Refractive Status.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the outcomes of modified combined fascia sheath and levator muscle complex suspension to correct severe congenital ptosis in pediatrics and the effect on refractive status. METHODS: This prospective, case series study enrolled patients (aged ≤18 years) with simple severe congenital ptosis at Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center. All patients were treated with combined fascia sheath + levator muscle suspension and followed up for 3 months. Preoperative and postoperative cycloplegic refraction and the best-corrected visual acuity were performed. The types of astigmatism include with-the-rule, against-the-rule, and oblique. RESULTS: Thirty-six patients (50 eyes) were enrolled. The mean age was 7.11 ± 3.72 years. The surgery success rate was 90.0%. Following surgery, the eyelid contour of all eyes exhibited natural symmetry and satisfactory curvature. The eyelid height difference in OUs was ≤1 mm for 42 eyes. For 47 eyes, the eyelid crease was symmetry. Two eyes had conjunctival prolapse, and 1 eye developed trichiasis. After surgery, cylinder power changed from mean -1.14 ± 1.27 D to -1.54 ± 1.25 D ( p < 0.001) and best-corrected visual acuity improved from mean 0.205 ± 0.217 logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution to 0.168 ± 0.176 logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution ( p = 0.048). The quantities of with-the-rule increased from 35 eyes to 41 eyes, oblique from 4 eyes to 6 eyes, while against-the-rule decreased from 11 eyes to 3 eyes ( p = 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Combined fascia sheath + levator muscle suspension under general anesthesia is effective and safe for severe congenital ptosis in pediatrics. However, astigmatism increased and the types of astigmatism changed after surgery.

Quality of Vision in Eyes with Chronic Dacryocystitis After Endoscopic Dacryocystorhinostomy.

Purpose: To assess the quality of vision (QOV) of patients with chronic dacryocystitis and explore the impact of endoscopic dacryocystorhinostomy (En-DCR) on patients' QOV, with the aim of increasing clinicians' attention to the potential QOV changes in patients with chronic dacryocystitis. Patients and Methods: Chronic dacryocystitis patients who attended the Department of Oculoplastics, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University from January 2022 to June 2022 and had En-DCR were included. The QOV was evaluated preoperatively and postoperatively using the Quick-contrast sensitivity function test (qCSF) and the OPD ScanIII comprehensive visual quality analyser, and the contrast sensitivity function (CSF), higher-order aberrations (HOAs), and modulation transfer function (MTF) data were recorded. Results: Thirty-eight patients with chronic dacryocystitis were included. QOV analysis of those with monocular chronic dacryocystitis revealed that HOAs were significantly higher in affected eyes than in contralateral eyes (P < 0.05), and CSF and MTF were significantly lower in affected eyes than in contralateral eyes (P < 0.05). One month after En-DCR, patients' HOAs, CSF, and MTF were significantly improved (P < 0.05), and there was no statistically significant difference in the effect of intraoperative combined silicone intubation versus no intubation on QOV (P > 0.05). Conclusion: Chronic dacryocystitis can significantly affect the QOV of patients. Successful En-DCR significantly improves the CSF, HOAs and MTF, which can effectively improve the QOV.

Mitochondria of intestinal epithelial cells in depression: Are they at a crossroads of gut-brain communication?

The role of gut dysbiosis in depression is well established. However, recent studies have shown that gut microbiota is regulated by intestinal epithelial cell (IEC) mitochondria, which has yet to receive much attention. This review summarizes the recent developments about the critical role of IEC mitochondria in actively maintaining gut microbiota, intestinal metabolism, and immune homeostasis. We propose that IEC mitochondrial dysfunction alters gut microbiota composition, participates in cell fate, mediates oxidative stress, activates the peripheral immune system, causes peripheral inflammation, and transmits peripheral signals through the vagus and enteric nervous systems. These pathological alterations lead to brain inflammation, disruption of the blood-brain barrier, activation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, activation of microglia and astrocytes, induction of neuronal loss, and ultimately depression. Furthermore, we highlight the prospect of treating depression through the mitochondria of IECs. These new findings suggest that the mitochondria of IECs may be a newly found important factor in the pathogenesis of depression and represent a potential new strategy for treating depression.

Microbial distributions in the conjunctiva and lacrimal sacs of patients with chronic dacryocystitis in a tertiary hospital.

BACKGROUND: The aim was to clarify the distributions of bacteria in the conjunctival sac and lacrimal sac in patients with chronic dacryocystitis. METHODS: In total, 297 (322 eyes) chronic dacryocystitis patients who underwent nasal endoscopic dacryocystorhinostomy (EN-DCR) were included. Conjunctival sac secretions from the affected eye were collected preoperatively, and lacrimal sac retention fluid from the affected side in the same patient was collected intraoperatively. Bacterial culture and drug sensitivity testing were performed to determine bacterial distributions. RESULTS: In total, 127 bacterial isolates (49 species) were detected in 123 eyes in the conjunctival group, with a positivity rate of 38.2% (123/322); 85 bacterial isolates (30 species) were detected in 85 eyes in the lacrimal sac group, with a positivity rate of 26.4% (85/322). The positivity rates were significantly different (P = 0.001) between two groups. The gram-negative bacilli proportion in the lacrimal sac group (36/85, 42.4%) was significantly higher than that in the conjunctival sac group (37/127, 29.2%) ( P = 0.047). Positive conjunctival sac secretion culture (123/322) was significantly associated with increased ocular secretion (281/322, 87.3%) (P = 0.002). Among the culture-positive bacteria in the conjunctival sac group and the lacrimal sac group, 30/127, 23.6% and 43/127, 26.7% and 21/85, 24.7% and 20/85, 23.5% were resistant to levofloxacin and tobramycin, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: This study illustrated differences in bacterial distributions between conjunctival sac secretions and retained lacrimal sac fluid in chronic dacryocystitis patients, with a higher proportion of gram-negative bacilli in lacrimal sac secretions. The ocular surface flora in chronic dacryocystitis patients is partially resistant to levofloxacin and tobramycin, which need to be considered by ophthalmologists.

Application effect of an artificial intelligence-based fundus screening system: evaluation in a clinical setting and population screening.

BACKGROUND: To investigate the application effect of artificial intelligence (AI)-based fundus screening system in real-world clinical environment. METHODS: A total of 637 color fundus images were included in the analysis of the application of the AI-based fundus screening system in the clinical environment and 20,355 images were analyzed in the population screening. RESULTS: The AI-based fundus screening system demonstrated superior diagnostic effectiveness for diabetic retinopathy (DR), retinal vein occlusion (RVO) and pathological myopia (PM) according to gold standard referral. The sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, positive predictive value (PPV) and negative predictive value (NPV) of three fundus abnormalities were greater (all > 80%) than those for age-related macular degeneration (ARMD), referable glaucoma and other abnormalities. The percentages of different diagnostic conditions were similar in both the clinical environment and the population screening. CONCLUSIONS: In a real-world setting, our AI-based fundus screening system could detect 7 conditions, with better performance for DR, RVO and PM. Testing in the clinical environment and through population screening demonstrated the clinical utility of our AI-based fundus screening system in the early detection of ocular fundus abnormalities and the prevention of blindness.

Efficacy and safety of super pulse CO2 laser-assisted punctoplasty with canalicular curettage in primary canaliculitis.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of super pulse CO2 laser-assisted punctoplasty with canalicular curettage in primary canaliculitis. In this retrospective serial case study, the clinical data of 26 patients who underwent super pulse CO2 laser-assisted punctoplasty for the treatment of canaliculitis were collected from January 2020 to May 2022. The clinical presentation, intraoperative and microbiologic findings, surgical pain severity, postoperative outcome, and complications were studied. Of the 26 patients, most were females (female:male 20:6), with a mean age of 60.1 ± 16.1 years (range, 19-93). Mucopurulent discharge (96.2%), eyelid redness and swelling (53.8%), and epiphora (38.5%) were the most common presentations. During the surgery, concretions were present in 73.1% (19/26) of the patients. The surgical pain severity scores ranged from 1 to 5, according to the visual analog scale, with a mean score of 3.2 ± 0.8. This procedure resulted in complete resolution in 22 (84.6%) patients and significant improvement in 2 (7.7%) patients, and 2 (7.7%) patients required additional lacrimal surgery with a mean follow-up time of 10.9 ± 3.7 months. The surgical procedure of super pulse CO2 laser-assisted punctoplasty followed by curettage appears to be a safe, effective, minimally invasive, and well-tolerated treatment for primary canaliculitis.

Preclinical Evaluation of 89Zr-Panitumumab for Biology-Guided Radiation Therapy.

PURPOSE: Biology-guided radiation therapy (BgRT) uses real-time line-of-response data from on-board positron emission tomography (PET) detectors to guide beamlet delivery during therapeutic radiation. The current workflow requires 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) administration daily before each treatment fraction. However, there are advantages to reducing the number of tracer injections by using a PET tracer with a longer decay time. In this context, we investigated 89Zr-panitumumab (89Zr-Pan), an antibody PET tracer with a half-life of 78 hours that can be imaged for up to 9 days using PET. METHODS AND MATERIALS: The BgRT workflow was evaluated preclinically in mouse colorectal cancer xenografts (HCT116) using small-animal positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) for imaging and image-guided kilovoltage conformal irradiation for therapy. Mice (n = 5 per group) received 7 MBq of 89Zr-Pan as a single dose 2 weeks after tumor induction, with or without fractionated radiation therapy (RT; 6 × 6.6 Gy) to the tumor region. The mice were imaged longitudinally to assess the kinetics of the tracer over 9 days. PET images were then analyzed to determine the stability of the PET signal in irradiated tumors over time. RESULTS: Mice in the treatment group experienced complete tumor regression, whereas those in the control group were killed because of tumor burden. PET imaging of 89Zr-Pan showed well-delineated tumors with minimal background in both groups. On day 9 postinjection, tumor uptake of 89Zr-Pan was 7.2 ± 1.7 in the control group versus 5.2 ± 0.5 in the treatment group (mean percentage of injected dose per gram of tissue [%ID/g] ± SD; P = .07), both significantly higher than FDG uptake (1.1 ± 0.5 %ID/g) 1 hour postinjection. To assess BgRT feasibility, the clinical eligibility criteria was computed using human-equivalent uptake values that were extrapolated from preclinical PET data. Based on this semiquantitative analysis, BgRT may be feasible for 5 consecutive days after a single 740-MBq injection of 89Zr-Pan. CONCLUSIONS: This study indicates the potential of long-lived antibody-based PET tracers for guiding clinical BgRT.

A simple and efficient technique for suturing and knotting during endoscopic dacryocystorhinostomy.

PURPOSE: This study evaluated the long-term outcomes of endoscopic suturing and knotting-dacryocystorhinostomy (eSK-DCR) without the use of a stent or mitomycin C. METHODS: A prospective interventional case series was performed on patients with nasolacrimal duct obstruction (NLDO) who underwent eSK-DCR at Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center from October 2019 to December 2019. The surgeon sutured the lacrimal sac mucosa with the nasal mucosa by tying knots under endoscopic DCR. Subject demographics, preoperative data and postoperative data were collected, including clinical presentation, Munk score for epiphora, surgical indications, operation time, duration of knotting, number of knots, endoscopic ostium size, complications, and anatomical and functional success. Anatomic success was defined as patent ostium on lacrimal irrigation, and functional success was defined as subjective improvement in symptoms. Statistical analysis was performed by IBM SPSS software (Version 20.0; SPSS Inc., Chicago, IL, USA). RESULTS: A total of 60 patients (71 eyes) underwent pure eSK-DCR. Of these, 95.0% (57/60) were females. The mean age of the patients was 54.7 years. The mean surgical time was 37.60 min, and the average time for each knotting was 2.86 min. Endoscopic evidence found that all patients showed patent ostium and normal healing of the flaps after 4 weeks. The Munk scores dropped significantly at 6 months postoperatively compared to preoperative scores (P < 0.0001). Although 4 patients (7 eyes) were lost to follow-up at the end of the 2-year period, the anatomical and functional success remained stable during the 2-year follow-up period (anatomical, 100%; functional, 87.5%). No serious complications were detected during the follow-up period. CONCLUSION: Pure eSK-DCR is a simple and reliable therapeutic method for the management of NLDO. The surgical outcomes were good and remained stable beyond 6 months postoperatively.

On the knowledge of solitary juvenile xanthogranuloma of the eyelid: a case series and literature review.

PURPOSE: Solitary eyelid juvenile xanthogranuloma (JXG) is extremely rare, and there is limited literature on its clinical features and treatment outcomes. Here, we present a case series and comprehensive review of the literature on patients with isolated eyelid JXG. METHODS: We systematically extracted data from our institution's records of isolated eyelid JXG cases and conducted a search for additional cases from the literature utilising the PubMed, Wanfang, and Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI) databases. Patients with JXG were analysed with respect to age, sex, clinical presentation, therapy, and outcome. Group comparisons were performed. RESULTS: Thirty-two patients (including 13 at our institution and 19 from prior publications) were identified. The median age at first presentation was higher in current patients than in the patients from the published cases (median 9 years, range 1.2 to 47.0 years; median 2 years, range 0.5 months to 46.0 years, respectively, P = 0.014). Of the patients who had known characteristics, no significant differences were observed between the two groups in terms of sex, affected eye, eyelid site, type of cutaneous involvement, or duration of symptoms (each P > 0.05). Seventeen (54.8%) patients were male. The most common lesion location was the upper eyelid (n = 10, 62.5%). Twenty-four (75.0%) cutaneous lesions had full-thickness skin involvement; 8 (25.0%) subcutaneous masses had a chalazion-like appearance. Histologically, the JXG masses were characterised by Touton giant cells with inflammatory cells. Additionally, there was no significant difference in treatment modalities between the two groups (P = 0.072), and 24 (75.0%) patients underwent surgical excision. The overall recurrence-free survival was 3.6 to 52.8 (median 27.0) months in the current patients. For published cases with available follow-up information, there was no recurrence in 10 cases and improvement in 1 case, with a median follow-up of 9.5 months. CONCLUSION: Solitary eyelid JXG is a rare clinical entity and should be included in the differential diagnosis of eyelid mass lesions in patients of all age groups. Surgical excision is often selected for efficient treatment and to obtain an excisional biopsy.

Risk factors for persistent epiphora following successful canalicular laceration repair.

AIM: To identify the risk factors of epiphora in patients with anatomical patency after surgical repair of canalicular laceration. METHODS: This retrospective case series included 178 cases of canalicular laceration repair from 2005 to 2012. Demographic data collected from each patient included age, sex, type of injury, distance from the distal lacerated end of the canaliculus to the punctum, the severity score for the structural abnormity of the medial canthus, the duration of stent placement, and the timing of surgery. The risk factors for epiphora were evaluated using Logistic regression models. RESULTS: Among the 178 cases, 45 (25.3%) with lacrimal patency after irrigation had symptomatic epiphora at the final follow-up. Patients' sex, age, type of injury, duration of stent placement, timing of surgery, and concurrent trauma were not found to be significantly associated with symptomatic epiphora after surgical repair of the lacerated canaliculus (P>0.05). A distance of more than 5 mm from the distal cut end to the punctum was closely and significantly associated with symptomatic epiphora after surgical repair of the lacerated canaliculus (P<0.01). Symptomatic epiphora was significantly more frequent in patients with higher severity scores for structural abnormities of the medial canthus (P<0.01). CONCLUSION: Our results indicate that the risk factors for postoperative symptomatic epiphora include a further distance between the distal cut end and the lacrimal punctum and a higher severity score for structural abnormities of the medial canthus. These findings could be used to prognosticate postoperative symptomatic epiphora.

Bacterial agents and changes in drug susceptibilities in cases of chronic dacryocystitis, Southern China.

PURPOSE: This study aimed to determine the susceptibility and the changes of bacterial agents of chronic dacryocystitis and determine the risk factors for bacterial prevalence and drug sensitivity to provide a reference for clinical selection of antibiotics. METHODS: A case-control study was conducted using 112 patients with chronic dacryocystitis and 112 patients with non-infectious ophthalmopathy between August 2017 and April 2018. Lacrimal and conjunctival sac secretions were cultured for aerobic and anaerobic bacteria. Forty-five patients with chronic dacryocystitis between November 2014 and November 2015 were also included. RESULTS: Positive bacterial cultures were obtained from 61.9% and 50.9% of chronic dacryocystitis and non-infectious ophthalmopathy patients, but the detection rates for pathogenic bacteria were 18.3% and 2.7%, respectively (P > 0.001). Gram-negative and anaerobic bacteria were significantly more prevalent in the patient group compared with the control group (P = 0.001 and 0.005, respectively). Bacteria were detected at a significantly higher rate in patients with irritant symptoms (itch or foreign-body sensation) than in those without (OR = 9.333, P = 0.002), particularly Staphylococcus (OR = 9.783, P = 0.002). 11.6% (10/86) and 55.8% (48/86) showed resistance to levofloxacin and tobramycin, respectively. Compared with three years ago, the detection rate for Gram-positive cocci decreased from 51.1% to 27.8% (χ2 = 8.054, P = 0.005) CONCLUSIONS: Gram-positive cocci, Gram-negative bacilli, and anaerobic bacteria were the predominant pathogens. The prevalence of Gram-positive bacteria in cases of chronic dacryocystitis is decreasing.

Effect of congenital blepharoptosis on corneal biomechanical properties and changes after ptosis surgery.

OBJECTIVES: We studied the difference in the corneal biomechanical parameters of ptotic and fellow eyes in patients with congenital blepharoptosis. The correlations between corneal biomechanical parameters and demographic or ocular parameters, and the changes after surgery were also researched. METHODS: The corneal biomechanical parameters were measured by Corvis ST tonometry. The central corneal thickness (CCT), axial length (AL) and keratometry measurements were performed with LenStar LS900, and intraocular pressure (IOP) by non-contact applanation tonometry. The parameters were evaluated for the effect of ptosis and the relationship of corneal biomechanical parameters. These examinations were repeated 6 months after blepharoptosis surgery. RESULTS: Twenty-nine patients were enroled. The Corvis ST parameters (Deformation amplitude [DA], A1 times, and A1 velocity), CCT, IOP with NCT, IOP with corrected, differed significantly between ptotic and fellow eyes. CCT was significantly positively correlated with Length A1 and IOP with Corvis, and negatively correlated with IOP corrected by Corvis of the ptotic eyes. The same tendency was found in the fellow eyes. Six months after the ptosis surgery, the differences in corneal biomechanics parameters between ptotic eyes and fellow eyes were not significantly changed. CONCLUSIONS: Congenital blepharoptosis causes significant corneal biomechanical changes measured by Corvis ST. The ptotic eyes had thicker and less deformable corneas. The differences in corneal biomechanics between ptotic eyes and fellow eyes were mostly related to CCT changes. Six months after surgery, these differences in corneal biomechanics did not change significantly.

A Modified Preserved Nasal and Lacrimal Flap Technique in Endoscopic Dacryocystorhinostomy.

Here we describe a modified preserved nasal and lacrimal mucosal flap technique in endonasal endoscopic dacryocystorhinostomy (EES-DCR) for patients with epiphora secondary to primary acquired nasolacrimal duct obstruction (PANDO) and evaluate its outcomes. Twenty-five patients with PANDO were retrospectively reviewed. Modified preserved nasal and lacrimal mucosal flap technique in EES-DCR was applied in all 27 eyes of 25 patients. The patients were evaluated with objective (anatomical patency) and subjective (symptomatic cure) success rates within the duration of follow-up. In the present study, all of the patients' surgical procedures were successful. There were 2 cases of flap dislocation from the rhinostomy site 1 week post-operation. After a mean follow-up of 4.9 ± 1.8 months, the success rate of anatomical patency was 100% (27/27) and the success rate of symptomatic cure was 92.6% (25/27). No significant complications occurred intraoperatively. We concluded that the modified preserved nasal and lacrimal mucosal flap technique in EES-DCR for treating PANDO is simple and safe, can effectively cover the bare bone around the opened sac, and provide a similar or even better clinical outcome compared with other routine treatment techniques used for this condition.

A new method for identifying the cut ends in canalicular laceration.

To locate the proximal and distal cut ends of the canaliculus following trauma is the most difficult part of canalicular repair, especially in patients with complex acute canalicular lacerations and late presenting canalicular lacerations. Previously, irrigation and air-injection technique are reported and widely used to locate the cut ends of lacerated canaliculus. However, we have developed a novel technique in which with a 23 Ga fiber optic light pipe is used to identify the cut ends of the canaliculus allowing silicone tube intubation of the lacrimal system. The mean time from initiation of the identification of the cut ends of the canaliculus to insertion of the silicone tube was 5 minutes. In this study, the cut ends were successfully identified by using this novel method in 33 cases of acute and late presenting canalicular laceration for canalicular reconstruction without any complications. This light-guided technique may represent an improvement in the surgical repair of canalicular lacerations.

Retinal Vessel Oxygen Saturation and Vessel Diameter in Inactive Graves Ophthalmopathy.

PURPOSE: To investigate whether inactive thyroid-associated ophthalmopathy (TAO) affects retinal oxygen saturation and/or vessel diameter. METHODS: Via an observational case-control study, retinal circulation was measured in patients with inactive TAO (mild, moderate, and severe) and normal subjects by retinal oximetry. Complete ophthalmologic examination, including noncontact tonometry and Hertel exophthalmometry, was performed; history of smoking and dysthyroid disease were recorded. Analysis of variance or the Kruskal-Wallis test was used to compare oximetry values between TAO and controls. Simple linear regression was used to analyze the correlation of Hertel, smoking, and intraocular pressure with oximetry values. RESULTS: Seventy-six eyes were enrolled: 19 controls, and 17 mild, 21 moderate, and 19 severe inactive TAO. Retinal oxygen saturation did not change significantly in inactive TAO versus controls; arteriole saturation: severe, 95.7% ± 7.0%; moderate, 93.2% ± 3.9%; mild, 90.3% ± 4.8%; and controls, 93.1% ± 6.4%; vein saturation: severe, 57.4% ± 7.1%; moderate, 59.0% ± 7.0,; mild, 56.3% ± 7.9%; and controls, 58.5% ± 6.5%; arteriovenous saturation: severe, 38.3% ± 8.0%; moderate, 34.2% ± 7.1%; mild, 33.9% ± 6.8%; and controls, 34.6% ± 5.9%. However, retinal venous diameter with severe TAO (137.3 ± 12.5 µm) significantly decreased in comparison with controls (148.8 ± 10.2 µm, p = 0.017). Otherwise, no significant change in vessel diameter was found between TAO and controls. No statistically significant correlations were found between Hertel values or intraocular pressure and oximetry values. However, there was a positive significant correlation between smoking and arteriovenous oxygen saturation (p = 0.017, ß = 4.61). CONCLUSIONS: In inactive TAO versus controls, retinal oxygen saturation fluctuated and could be affected by smoking; however, the retinal venous diameter only decreased significantly for severe TAO. This implies that TAO may affect retinal circulation; this effect could be accelerated by smoking.