Prioritising downgaze alignment in the management of vertical strabismus for thyroid eye disease: principles and outcomes.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate outcomes of surgery for vertical strabismus in thyroid eye disease (TED) employing a set of surgical principles aimed at avoiding reversal of downgaze deviation while restoring binocular single vision (BSV). METHODS: A retrospective review of consecutive patients undergoing vertical strabismus surgery for TED using a set of surgical principles between 2008 and 2017. Principle outcome measure was the presence of BSV in primary position and downgaze 3 months postoperatively and at latest follow-up. RESULTS: Thirty five patients (29% male) with a mean age of 58 years (range 31-83 years) were included. Median follow-up was 16 months. At presentation, 17 (49%) used monocular occlusion to avoid diplopia; the remainder used a prism and/or abnormal head posture. In 12 (34%), combined horizontal and vertical muscle surgery was required. Median (inter-quartile range) preoperative vertical deviations in primary position and downgaze respectively were 20 prism dioptres (Δ) (15, 30) and 18Δ (8, 22), which improved to 1Δ (0, 3) and 1Δ (0, 3) after the first operation. BSV in primary position and downgaze, without prism, after a single surgery was achieved in 29 (83%). Second surgery was required in 5 (14%) and one patient who had reactivation of her TED required a third surgery. At final follow-up (median 16 months), 32 (91%) were diplopia free without prisms; 3 (9%) used a small prism correction (range 2-12Δ); no patients were left with intractable diplopia. CONCLUSIONS: Our management principles are characterised by prioritising downgaze alignment to avoid downgaze diplopia reversal, whilst limiting adjustable sutures and employing standard surgical dosing. They give favourable outcomes in TED associated vertical strabismus.

'Toy' laser macular burns in children: 12-month update.

PURPOSE: There is increasing evidence that high-powered hand-held laser devices cause retinal injury. We present 12-month follow-up data for three patients that we previously reported with such retinal injuries. METHODS: A retrospective case series of three children with maculopathy secondary to exposure to high-power hand-held laser devices. All children underwent clinical examination and spectral domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) at presentation and follow-up. Fundus-controlled microperimetry was also undertaken 12-19 months after exposure. RESULTS: Three children sustained macular injury after exposure to a high-powered hand-held laser. Acutely, they presented with a 'vitelliform-like' maculopathy with reduced vision. Over the course of follow-up, the best corrected Snellen acuity in all three patients improved to 'normal' levels (range 6/6-6/9). Long-term deficits in foveal retinal sensitivity were identified in two patients using fundus-controlled microperimetry. SD-OCT imaging showed persistent disruption of the foveal outer photoreceptor layers in all three children. CONCLUSION: Although visual acuity improved over time, deficits in microperimetry and SD-OCT persisted. All three children had retinal pigment epithelium changes, requiring follow-up for longer-term sequelae of laser injuries such as expansion of retinal atrophy and development of choroidal neovascular membranes.

Comparison of lactoferrin activity in fresh and stored human milk.

OBJECTIVE: Lactoferrin (Lf), the dominant protein in human milk (HM), has been shown to have anti-inflammatory and anti-microbial activity in the neonatal gut. Previous studies indicate that freezing significantly decreases the concentration of Lf in HM. The objective of our study was to compare the activity of Lf in fresh and frozen HM over time. STUDY DESIGN: HM samples were examined fresh and after storage at -20 °C for 3 and 6 months. Lf concentration was determined by enzyme-linked immunoassay, and the activity was measured by examination of nitric oxide (NO) production and tumor necrosis factor-α secretion from rat macrophages exposed to HM samples. RESULT: After 3 and 6 months at -20 °C, the average decrease in Lf concentrations was 55% and 65%, respectively. The bioactivity of Lf also decreased significantly over 6 months. CONCLUSION: Freezing HM for 3 or more months significantly decreases Lf levels and activity. Periodically providing fresh HM may benefit vulnerable preterm neonates.

Self-injection of dermal filler: an underdiagnosed entity?

Dermal fillers are increasingly used by clinicians (and nonclinicians) in patients requiring facial rejuvenation, as well as for other aesthetic uses such as treatment of age-related wrinkles, skin folds and depressed scars. We report the case of a patient who injected herself with dermal filler purchased over the internet and who required intervention for the undesired effect. We would like to highlight the ease with which these devices can be purchased over the internet, the risks they pose and the necessity of regulating their administration.

'Toy' laser macular burns in children.

PURPOSE: Laser 'toys' can be purchased online and imported with relative ease; the variety of such devices is a potential public safety concern. We describe five children with maculopathy following exposure to laser 'toys'. METHODS: Case series of maculopathy following exposure to laser 'toys'. RESULTS: Five children were seen in our Ophthalmic Unit with macular injuries following exposure to laser 'toys'. Clinically, three children had an acute vitelliform-like maculopathy which resolved to leave sub-foveal retinal pigment epithelium changes with reduced vision. One case was complicated by a choroidal neovascular membrane. CONCLUSION: Laser 'toys', which resemble laser pointers, are increasingly available over the internet. Such 'toys' may not meet safety standards. Retinal injury in childhood following exposure to laser 'toys' is a public safety concern.

Visual Outcomes from Shunting for Idiopathic Intracranial Hypertension.

A retrospective notes review was conducted for 50 consecutive patients who underwent shunt surgery for idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH). The decimal visual acuity and the mean radial degrees (MRD) of the I4e isopter of the Goldmann visual field were measured pre-operatively and after a mean follow-up period of 1123 days (range: 13-3551 days). A ventriculo-peritoneal shunt was the first procedure in 38 patients and a lumbo-peritoneal shunt in 12. The mean decimal visual acuity of the worse affected eye improved from 0.75 to 0.84, p = 0.011. The MRD score of the worse affected eye improved on average from 25.6° to 35.5°, p < 0.0001. In those with significant pre-operative visual impairment in their worse affected eye (defined as an MRD score ≤30°), the MRD score improved on average from 10.3° to 26.5°, p = 0.0008. The mean number of surgical procedures for each patient was 2.8 (range: 1-15). Taking all surgical procedures into account, post-operative complications were experienced by 30 patients. At last follow-up, 28 patients still complained of headache, 8 of whom had the intervention performed primarily for headache. Shunting can improve visual function in patients with IIH. There is significant post-operative morbidity and often the need for repeated procedures. Headache also commonly remains in these patients. There is a need for a randomised controlled trial of operative interventions in IIH. Sample size calculations for such a trial to treat significant vision loss are presented.

The incidence and prevalence of idiopathic intracranial hypertension in Sheffield, UK.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to identify the incidence and prevalence of idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH) in Sheffield, UK. METHODS: A retrospective review of case notes was conducted to identify cases of IIH seen between 1 January 2007 and 31 December 2008. RESULTS: Sixteen (15 women and 1 man) new patients were identified to give an incidence within Sheffield of 1.56/100,000/year and 2.86/100,000/year for women. The incidence of IIH in obese women was 11.9/100,000/year. The prevalence of IIH was calculated as 10.9/100,000, and 85.7/100,000 in obese women. CONCLUSION: A higher incidence of IIH than previously reported UK data was found, which may be because of increasing obesity within the population, or improved case ascertainment.

What is the significance of vortex vein invasion in uveal melanoma?

PURPOSE: To correlate vortex vein invasion with established prognostic factors for uveal melanoma. METHODS: Enucleated eyes with a confirmed histopathological diagnosis of uveal melanoma with vortex vein invasion were identified, over a 10-year period. Established uveal melanoma prognostic factors, with tumour genetics were correlated with vortex vein invasion and patient survival. RESULTS: Microscopic vortex vein involvement was present in 29 of 244 (11.9%) uveal melanomas. Of 29, 6 (20.7%) tumours had macroscopic evidence of vortex vein invasion. Of 29, 14 (48.3%) tumours also showed evidence of non-vortex vein, 'direct' scleral invasion. 23 (79.3%) of 29 melanomas involved only the choroid. The mean maximum diameter of tumours with vortex vein invasion was 15.8 mm and the mean thickness was 9.7 mm. The uveal melanoma was a discrete nodule in 27 of 29 (93.1%) cases. Histologically, 8 of 29 tumours (27.6%) were spindle cell, 19 of 29 (65.5%) were mixed cell, and 2 of 29 (6.9%) were epithelioid cell type. Of 29, 22 (75.9%) uveal melanomas with vortex vein invasion contained extracellular matrix networks and loops. Genetic abnormalities correlated with poor prognosis were seen in 25 of 29 (86.2%) tumours with vortex vein invasion. Liver metastasis was confirmed in 19 of 29 (65.5%) patients with vortex vein invasion. No patients with uveal melanomas showing vortex vein invasion suffered orbital recurrence of disease following enucleation. CONCLUSIONS: The trends show that vortex vein invasion is associated with a choroidal location, large tumour size, spindle cell bias, presence of extracellular matrix loops/networks and genetic markers. A higher proportion of patients with vortex vein invasion progress to develop liver metastasis compared with the general uveal melanoma population.

Bell's palsy, childbirth and epidural analgesia.

We report a case of Bell's palsy following delivery in a parturient who had successful epidural analgesia. Most reported cases have occurred after spinal anaesthesia or inadvertent dural puncture complicating epidural analgesia. Review of the literature revealed few cases of Bell's palsy associated with uncomplicated epidural analgesia. In this report we discuss the controversy surrounding the aetiology and possible mechanism of onset of this unpleasant complication.

Lithium inhibits human sperm motility in vitro.

Lithium is a widely prescribed drug used for the treatment of bipolar affective illness. Previous reports on its effects on sperm motility and male fertility are conflicting. The effect of lithium on human sperm motility was examined in vitro using the modified transmembrane migration method. This technique takes account of the dilution of lithium that occurs during the incubation. Lithium inhibits human sperm motility in vitro in concentrations comparable with those reported to be achieved in semen after oral administration.

A modified trans-membrane migration method for measuring the effect of drugs on sperm motility.

1. The trans-membrane migration ratio (TMMR) technique is a simple method for quantitating and comparing the effect of drugs on sperm motility. 2. The ultrafilter membrane (Nucleopore) used allows mixing between the solutions on either side resulting in 21-fold dilution of a drug initially mixed with semen. 3. The concentration of drug originally mixed with semen does not remain constant over the incubation time. 4. The phosphate buffer saline (PBS) in the lower chamber should be replaced by PBS containing the same concentration of drug as in the upper chamber so that a homogenous system is established throughout the incubation. 5. Reports of previous studies using this technique may have underestimated the effect of drugs on sperm motility.