The ocular and periocular involvement of psoriasis.

Ocular manifestations of psoriasis are generally underrepresented in the literature and can often be missed by clinicians. Appreciation of eye involvement in psoriasis is especially important for dermatologists and ophthalmologists who may be closely involved with treating afflicted patients. Depending on the involved site and severity of the condition, signs and symptoms of ocular psoriasis can vary from asymptomatic erythema to debilitating scarring and vision loss. Treatment is critical to prevent disease progression and to improve the quality of life for these patients. We discuss the various clinical manifestations and treatment options for ocular complications in patients with psoriasis, including specific circumstances that should trigger immediate referral to our ophthalmology colleagues.

Routine eyelid care for those without dermatitis.

The eye is a unique structural and functional anatomic unit of the face and requires specific care and attention. Often, dermatologists are not familiar with the routine needs of the eyelid area. Despite evidence showing that lid hygiene may serve as an important supplement to therapeutic management of eyelid disorders, lid hygiene is often overlooked. Ophthalmologists and dermatologists have an important role to play in educating patients on the importance of proper eyelid hygiene and ensuring patient compliance. We review eyelid anatomy and function to better understand how these structures relate to potential disease processes. We also review current recommendations for routine eyelid care and discuss the need for further advancements in promoting eyelid health.

Ocular rosacea, psoriasis, and lichen planus.

Although the number of dermatologic conditions with ocular manifestations is relatively limited, these entities have a high prevalence and represent a large proportion of clinic visits to both dermatologic and ophthalmic practices. This contribution will review oculocutaneous diseases that are not part of the allergic or autoantibody-mediated spectrum.

An eye on nutrition: The role of vitamins, essential fatty acids, and antioxidants in age-related macular degeneration, dry eye syndrome, and cataract.

Visual impairment is a global epidemic. In developing countries, nutritional deficiency and cataracts continue to be the leading cause of blindness, whereas age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and cataracts are the leading causes in developed nations. The World Health Organization has instituted VISION 2020: "The Right to Sight" as a global mission to put an end to worldwide blindness. In industrialized societies, patients, physicians, researchers, nutritionists, and biochemists have been looking toward vitamins and nutrients to prevent AMD, cataracts, and dry eye syndrome (DES). Nutrients from the AREDS2 study (lutein, zeaxanthin, vitamin C, vitamin E, zinc, copper, eicosapentanoic acid [EPA], and docosahexanoic acid [DHA]) set forth by the National Institutes of Health remain the most proven nutritional therapy for reducing the rate of advanced AMD. Omega-3 fatty acids, especially DHA, have been found to improve DES in randomized clinical trials. Conflicting results have been seen with regard to multivitamin supplementation on the prevention of cataract.

Pigmentary disorders of the eyes and skin.

Oculocutaneous albinism, Menkes syndrome, tuberous sclerosis, neurofibromatosis type 1, dyskeratosis congenita, lentiginosis profusa syndrome, incontinentia pigmenti, and Waardenburg syndrome all are genodermatoses that have well established gene mutations affecting multiple biological pathways, including melanin synthesis, copper transport, cellular proliferation, telomerase function, apoptosis, and melanocyte biology. Onchocerciasis results from a systemic inflammatory response to a nematode infection. Hypomelanosis of Ito is caused by chromosomal mosaicism, which underlies its phenotypic heterogeneity. Incomplete migration of melanocytes to the epidermis and other organs is the underlying feature of nevus of Ota. Vogt-Koyangi-Harada and vitiligo have an autoimmune etiology; the former is associated with considerable multiorgan involvement, while the latter is predominantly skin-limited.

Laser treatment of periocular skin conditions.

Advances in laser technology in recent decades have increased the options for the treatment of dermatologic conditions of the eye and eyelid. Benign tumors can be laser-ablated with relative ease, and vascular and melanocytic lesions can be precisely targeted with modern lasers. In this contribution, we review treatment of periocular pigmented lesions, including melanocytic nevi and nevus of Ota; vascular lesions including telangiectasias, port wine stains, and infantile hemangiomas; hair removal; eyeliner tattoo removal; laser ablation of common benign periocular tumors, such as syringomas, xanthelasma, milia, and seborrheic keratoses; and laser resurfacing. The recent advent of fractionated laser technology has resulted in dramatically decreased healing times for periocular skin resurfacing and fewer adverse effects. Fractionated laser resurfacing has now nearly supplanted traditional full-field laser resurfacing, and safe treatment of rhytides on the thin skin of the eyelids is possible. Proper eye protection is, of course, essential when using lasers near the eye. Patient preparation, safety precautions, and risks--intraocular and extraocular--are discussed herein. As laser technology continues to advance, we are sure to see improvements in current treatments, as well as development of new applications of cutaneous lasers.

Strategies to better engage, educate, and empower patient compliance and safe lens wear: compliance: what we know, what we do not know, and what we need to know.

PURPOSE: To assess the extent of noncompliant behavior of contact lens wearers and to develop strategies of engaging and educating patients to increase compliance with safe contact lens practices. METHODS: The literature regarding noncompliance with medical regimens, contact lens wear, and cleaning was reviewed. One hundred eleven contact lens wearers from a college campus, a dental clinic, and ophthalmology clinics were surveyed in a pilot study regarding their contact lens knowledge, attitudes, and practices. Statistical analysis of the results was performed with SPSS software. RESULTS: A review of the literature found overall rates of noncompliance with medical regimens varies from 24.8% to 44%, and the rates reported for contact lens wearers varies from 50% to 99%. Noncompliant behavior affecting the safety of contact lenses is more common than behavior affecting lens comfort. This study found that many lens wearers thought they were compliant, but actually reported a wide variety of noncompliant behaviors. CONCLUSIONS: Although there have been remarkable advances in contact lens science, noncompliance with lens-wearing schedules, replacement schedules, and lens care regimens remains a significant problem of contact lens complications and lens failure. Noncompliant behavior is a complex phenomenon that involves knowledge, attitudes and beliefs, and available resources. Data regarding strategies for increasing compliance are scant. Noncompliance must be considered in the development of future lens care products and must be addressed by eye care professionals when patients are fitted with contact lenses and at each follow-up appointment.

Disposable and frequent replacement contact lenses.

Disposable and frequent replacement contact lenses dominate the marketplace. They are available in a wide variety of parameters for use in refractive errors, including myopia, hyperopia, astigmatism, and presbyopia. They are convenient and affordable and lend themselves to most wearing modalities, including daily wear, flexible wear, and extended wear for up to 30 days. In addition, they have been shown to be the most trouble-free contact lens wear modality for daily wear or extended wear. They are an appropriate choice for patients who desire occasional contact lens wear and have gained wide acceptance as therapeutic bandage contact lenses. Disposable and frequent replacement lenses will remain important modalities for some time to come as the variety of contact lenses and contact lens parameters that are offered continue to expand. New contact lens varieties, such as the high-Dk silicone hydrogel lenses, will further expand the role of these contact lenses in vision correction.

Contact lens complications.

Complications associated with contact lenses range from mild to severe and occur with all lens modalities. Contact lens wear can cause a change in corneal physiology, which can lead to epithelial, stromal, and endothelial compromise. Other complications include lens deposition, allergic conjunctivitis, giant papillary conjunctivitis, peripheral infiltrates, microbial keratitis, and neovascularization. Pre-existing conditions can contribute to these complications, or they can occur in association with contact lens wear and care regimens. Patient-related factors, such as alteration of the recommended wearing or replacement schedules and noncompliance with recommended contact lens care regimens for economic reasons, convenience, or in error, contribute to contact lens-related complications and have led to difficulty in accurate determination of complication rates among the various lens wear modalities. Complications may require discontinuation of contact lenses, topical therapy, and changes in contact lens wearing schedules, materials, and care solutions. On initial lens fitting and follow-up evaluations, practitioners should review contact lens replacement and cleaning regimens with patients and discuss complications. To avoid serious complications, patients should be reminded to remove their contact lenses as soon as ocular irritation occurs, and to call their eye care practitioner immediately if symptoms persist.