Periorbital Necrotizing Fasciitis: Presentation to Reconstruction.

Periorbital necrotizing fasciitis (NF) is a devastating bacterial infection associated with irreversible inflammatory destruction of soft tissues. Outcomes include disfigurement, vision loss, septic shock, and death within hours to days. We describe two cases of periorbital NF that presented to our unit within a three-month period. We aim to highlight the key clinical features of periorbital NF, demonstrate the rapid progression of the disease, and the need for prompt identification and decisive intervention. Both patients presented with fever and left-sided periorbital swelling and showed rapid progression of swelling and gangrenous changes to the periorbital skin with worsening proptosis. They were treated with broad-spectrum intravenous antibiotics and underwent emergency surgical debridement of necrotic tissue followed by reconstruction. We propose a formal protocol that we recommend to aid the diagnosis and management of periorbital NF in an acute setting.

Pharmacological and environmental factors in primary angle-closure glaucoma.

INTRODUCTION OR BACKGROUND: A large number of drug classes have now been reported to provoke angle closure in high-risk individuals. The mechanism of action can be generalized into three main categories: sympathomimetic, parasympatholytic and idiosyndratic reactions. SOURCES OF DATA: This review of the ophthalmic literature provides a clinical summary of primary angle-closure glaucoma (PACG) and its management. AREAS OF AGREEMENT: External stimuli (pharmacological and environmental) may induce acute, and more often, asymptomatic angle closure, which carries a significant risk of glaucoma. GROWING POINTS: Whenever in doubt, patients at risk of PACG who are starting on drug therapy known to provoke angle closure or aggravate the condition should be referred for detailed gonioscopic examination of the anterior chamber by an ophthalmologist. AREAS FOR DEVELOPING RESEARCH: The use of new imaging methods such as anterior segment optical coherence tomography to assess the presence or risk of angle closure is gaining popularity, and may offer a more rapid method of identifying people who are at risk of sight loss from angle-closure glaucoma precipitated by non-ophthalmological medication.