Assessments of the ocular surface and meibomian gland morphology in patients with treatment-naive acne vulgaris.

PURPOSE: To investigate ocular surface and meibomian glands in patients with treatment-naive acne vulgaris. METHODS: The Ocular Surface Disease Index (OSDI) questionnaire, invasive tear film breakup time, fluorescein staining of the ocular surface, and Schirmer II test were performed for all subjects. Total eyelid and meibomian gland secretion scores were assessed. Non-contact meibography was performed with the Sirius corneal topographic device. RESULTS: The right eyes of 35 patients with acne vulgaris and 35 healthy volunteers were included the study. While the OSDI and staining scores were significantly higher in the acne group than in the control group (p=0.01 and p=0.003, respectively), the invasive tear film breakup time and Schirmer measurements were significantly lower in the acne group (p=0.000 and p=0.003, respectively). The total eyelid and meibomian gland secretion scores were also higher in the acne group than in the control group (p=0.003 and p=0.000, respectively). On the morphological evaluation of the meibomian glands, the thickening, thinning, tortuosity, and presence of ghost areas were statistically significantly more common in the acne vulgaris group than in the control group (p=0.000, p=0.001, p=0.05, and p=0.006, respectively). The percentage of the meibomian gland loss area was significantly high in the acne vulgaris group on both upper and lower meibography. The meibomian gland loss area positively correlated with total eyelid and meibomian gland secretion scores. CONCLUSION: Acne vulgaris may have a predisposition to meibomian gland dysfunction and ocular surface damage. Early recognition of meibomian gland and ocular surface alterations seems important, especially in acne vulgaris cases for which oral isotretinoin treatment is planned.

Automated quantification of meibomian gland dropout in infrared meibography using deep learning.

PURPOSE: Develop a deep learning-based automated method to segment meibomian glands (MG) and eyelids, quantitatively analyze the MG area and MG ratio, estimate the meiboscore, and remove specular reflections from infrared images. METHODS: A total of 1600 meibography images were captured in a clinical setting. 1000 images were precisely annotated with multiple revisions by investigators and graded 6 times by meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD) experts. Two deep learning (DL) models were trained separately to segment areas of the MG and eyelid. Those segmentation were used to estimate MG ratio and meiboscores using a classification-based DL model. A generative adversarial network was implemented to remove specular reflections from original images. RESULTS: The mean ratio of MG calculated by investigator annotation and DL segmentation was consistent 26.23% vs 25.12% in the upper eyelids and 32.34% vs. 32.29% in the lower eyelids, respectively. Our DL model achieved 73.01% accuracy for meiboscore classification on validation set and 59.17% accuracy when tested on images from independent center, compared to 53.44% validation accuracy by MGD experts. The DL-based approach successfully removes reflection from the original MG images without affecting meiboscore grading. CONCLUSIONS: DL with infrared meibography provides a fully automated, fast quantitative evaluation of MG morphology (MG Segmentation, MG area, MG ratio, and meiboscore) which are sufficiently accurate for diagnosing dry eye disease. Also, the DL removes specular reflection from images to be used by ophthalmologists for distraction-free assessment.

2D Short-Time Fourier Transform for local morphological analysis of meibomian gland images.

Meibography is becoming an integral part of dry eye diagnosis. Being objective and repeatable this imaging technique is used to guide treatment decisions and determine the disease status. Especially desirable is the possibility of automatic (or semi-automatic) analysis of a meibomian image for quantification of a particular gland's feature. Recent reports suggest that in addition to the measure of gland atrophy (quantified by the well-established "drop-out area" parameter), the gland's morphological changes may carry equally clinically useful information. Here we demonstrate the novel image analysis method providing detailed information on local deformation of meibomian gland pattern. The developed approach extracts from every Meibomian image a set of six morphometric color-coded maps, each visualizing spatial behavior of different morphometric parameter. A more detailed analysis of those maps was used to perform automatic classification of Meibomian glands images. The method for isolating individual morphometric components from the original meibomian image can be helpful in the diagnostic process. It may help clinicians to see in which part of the eyelid the disturbance is taking place and also to quantify it with a numerical value providing essential insight into Meibomian gland dysfunction pathophysiology.

Evaluation of ocular psoriasis with meibography

Abstract Background: Previous studies has shown that dry eye test abnormalities, meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD), may occur in psoriasis. Objectives: The authors aimed to evaluate the dry eye disease (DED), MGD, in psoriasis patients with meibography which is a current, objective, noninvasive method for patients with meibomian gland diseases, to investigate the relationship between disease severity and ocular involvement. Methods: This study included 50 participants with psoriasis and 50 healthy individuals. All subjects were examined by the same dermatologist and referred for ophthalmological examination including meibomian gland obstruction, lid margin alterations assessment, ocular surface disease index assessment, tear film break-up time test, Schirmer test, corneal conjunctival fluorescein staining assessment. Additionally, upper and lower lids were evaluated for meibomian gland loss with meibography. Results: MGD (28%), meibomian gland loss (MGL) (29.5%), upper meiboscore (0.61 ± 0.81), lower meiboscore (0.46 ± 0.61), DED (22%) were significantly higher in the psoriasis group compared with the control group (p = 0.008, p < 0.001, p = 0.027, p = 0.041, p = 0.044, respectively). There was a significant relationship between MGD and psoriasis area severity index (PASI) (p = 0.015, Odds Ratio = 1.211). There was a significant positive relationship between MGL with PASI (p < 0.001, r = 608) and psoriasis duration (p < 0.001, r = 0.547). Study limitations: Smaller study group and inability to detect quality changes of meibum with meibography were limitations of the study. Conclusions: Psoriasis may affect the meibomian gland morphology, may cause structural changes in meibomian glands, and as a result of these may cause MGD and DED. Therefore, ophthalmologists and dermatologists should be aware of this situation and co-evaluate the patients in this respect.

The effect of oral isotretinoin therapy on meibomian gland morphology and dry eye tests.

PURPOSE: The aim of study was to evaluate the effects of oral isotretinoin on meibomian gland (MG) morphology detected with non-contact meibography and to investigate its relation with clinical dry eye tests. METHODS: Forty-five acne patients treated with isotretinoin underwent a full ophthalmological examination at baseline and in the fourth month as follows: ocular surface disease index (OSDI) questionnaire, assessments of tear film break-up time (TFBUT), corneal fluorescein staining, Schirmer test, meibum expression, and lid margin abnormalities. Non-contact meibography imaging and noninvasive tear break up time (NI-BUT) assessments were also performed. The changes in MGs were scored (meibography score) as grade 0, no change; grade 1, mild; grade 2, moderate; and grade 3, marked. RESULTS: There was a statistically significant change in OSDI, corneal fluorescein staining, lid margin abnormality, and meibum expression score during the treatment compared to baseline values (p < .001, p = .02, p < .001, and p < .001, respectively). All meibography scores showed a positive correlation with the lid margin abnormality and meibum expression score but did not correlate with the TFBUT, NI-BUT, Schirmer test, or the corneal fluorescein staining score. CONCLUSION: The morphologic analysis using non-contact meibography is a useful method for assessing isotretinoin-related changes in MGs.

Lower eyelid entropion in thyroid eye disease.

PURPOSE: To report the clinical features, ultrasound biomicroscopic features, and management outcome in patients presenting with thyroid eye disease (TED) and lower eyelid entropion. METHODS: Retrospective interventional case review of patients with TED presenting with lower eyelid entropion over a 12-year period. RESULTS: Five patients (eight eyes) of a total of 1211 presented with lower eyelid entropion as one of the presenting signs of TED (0.41%). The average age was 28.8 years (18-39 years), and three patients were males. Three had systemic hyperthyroidism, and two were euthyroid. Four (80%) had bilateral TED, three had inactive disease, and two were active. The average Hertel exophthalmometry reading was 24.6 mm. All patients had upper lid retraction. Four (80%) had concomitant lower eyelid retraction. Entropion was medial in five and complete in three eyes. Symptomatic corneal epitheliopathy was noted in four eyes. UBM was performed in four eyes which showed a thickened middle lamella. In four eyes (three patients), the entropion was managed conservatively as the patient was not contemplating surgery for proptosis. In the remaining four eyes (two patients) orbital decompression was performed and the lower eyelid retractor release corrected the symptomatic entropion. The average follow-up was 11.6 months (range 1-30). CONCLUSION: Lower eyelid entropion is a rare presenting sign in TED. The mechanism is multifactorial and could be caused by the thickened and fibrosed lower lid retractors, as demonstrated by UBM. Young age and globe projection may play a role. Decompression approaches that involve lower lid retractor release correct the entropion.

Evaluation of ocular psoriasis with meibography.

BACKGROUND: Previous studies has shown that dry eye test abnormalities, meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD), may occur in psoriasis. OBJECTIVES: The authors aimed to evaluate the dry eye disease (DED), MGD, in psoriasis patients with meibography which is a current, objective, noninvasive method for patients with meibomian gland diseases, to investigate the relationship between disease severity and ocular involvement. METHODS: This study included 50 participants with psoriasis and 50 healthy individuals. All subjects were examined by the same dermatologist and referred for ophthalmological examination including meibomian gland obstruction, lid margin alterations assessment, ocular surface disease index assessment, tear film break-up time test, Schirmer test, corneal conjunctival fluorescein staining assessment. Additionally, upper and lower lids were evaluated for meibomian gland loss with meibography. RESULTS: MGD (28%), meibomian gland loss (MGL) (29.5%), upper meiboscore (0.61 ±â€¯0.81), lower meiboscore (0.46 ±â€¯0.61), DED (22%) were significantly higher in the psoriasis group compared with the control group (p = 0.008, p < 0.001, p = 0.027, p = 0.041, p = 0.044, respectively). There was a significant relationship between MGD and psoriasis area severity index (PASI) (p = 0.015, Odds Ratio = 1.211). There was a significant positive relationship between MGL with PASI (p < 0.001, r = 608) and psoriasis duration (p < 0.001, r = 0.547). STUDY LIMITATIONS: Smaller study group and inability to detect quality changes of meibum with meibography were limitations of the study. CONCLUSIONS: Psoriasis may affect the meibomian gland morphology, may cause structural changes in meibomian glands, and as a result of these may cause MGD and DED. Therefore, ophthalmologists and dermatologists should be aware of this situation and co-evaluate the patients in this respect.

Diagnostic Capability of a New Objective Method to Assess Meibomian Gland Visibility.

SIGNIFICANCE: The diagnosis of dry eye disease and meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD) is challenging. Measuring meibomian gland visibility may provide an additional objective method to diagnose MGD. PURPOSE: This study aimed to evaluate the ability of new metrics to better diagnose MGD, based on measuring meibomian gland visibility. METHODS: One hundred twelve healthy volunteers (age, 48.3 ± 27.5 years) were enrolled in this study. Ocular surface parameters were measured using the Oculus Keratograph 5M (Oculus GmbH, Wetzlar). Subjects were classified according to the presence or absence of MGD. New metrics based on the visibility of the meibomian glands were calculated and later compared between groups. The diagnostic ability of ocular surface parameters and gland visibility metrics was studied through receiver operating characteristic curves. Logistic regression was used to obtain the combined receiver operating characteristic curve of the metrics with the best diagnostic ability. RESULTS: Statistically significant differences were found between groups for all ocular surface parameters and new gland visibility metrics, except for the first noninvasive keratograph breakup time and gland expressibility. New gland visibility metrics showed higher sensitivity and specificity than did current single metrics when their diagnostic ability was assessed without any combination. The diagnostic capability increased when gland visibility metrics were incorporated into the logistic regression analysis together with gland dropout percentage, tear meniscus height, dry eye symptoms, and lid margin abnormality score (P < .001). The combination of median pixel intensity of meibography gray values and the aforementioned ocular surface metrics achieved the highest area under the curve (0.99), along with excellent sensitivity (1.00) and specificity (0.93). CONCLUSIONS: New meibomian gland visibility metrics are more powerful to diagnose MGD than current single metrics and can serve as a complementary tool for supporting the diagnosis of MGD.

Radiotherapy of granulomatosis with polyangiitis occurring in the eyelid: A case report and literature review.

INTRODUCTION: Granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA) is a chronic systemic vasculitis characterized by necrotizing granulomatous vasculitis. The disease mainly affects the middle and small blood vessels and mainly occurs in the upper respiratory tract (nose and paranasal sinuses), lower respiratory tract (lungs), and kidneys. Disease occurrence in the eyelid area is relatively rare. The standard GPA treatment is combination therapy with adrenocortical hormone and immunosuppressants. Radiotherapy as a treatment option for GPA has not been widely investigated. PATIENT CONCERNS: A 29-year-old man presented with a 1.0 × 1.0 cm mass without exophthalmos and decreased vision in the left lower eyelid. Computed tomography revealed a mass-like high-density shadow below the left eye with a computed tomography value of 80-108 U. DIAGNOSIS: The laboratory investigations revealed positive cytoplasmic antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies (titer = 1:40). Biopsy of the lower left eyelid mass revealed necrosis and granulomatous reaction with a large number of inflammatory cell infiltration. After consultation with the pathology department, the diagnosis was determined as left lower eyelid GPA. INTERVENTIONS: The patient received 9MeV electron beam radiation therapy in the area of the left lower eyelid lesion. OUTCOMES: The lesion in the patient was significantly reduced and the symptom relieved obviously. No symptom recurrence or significant toxicity occurred during or after the treatment. The patient remains under routine follow-up. CONCLUSION: We present a case of a male patient with GPA located exclusively in the eyelid area, who underwent successful radiotherapy and achieved a complete response. The lesson we learned from this case study is that for GPA patients, when the standard treatment model fails to achieve good results, novel treatments such as radiotherapy should be considered according to the situation.

Neuro-Ophthalmologic Features and Outcomes of Thalamic Infarction: A Single-Institutional 10-Year Experience.

BACKGROUND: Neuro-ophthalmologic deficit after thalamic infarction has been of great concern to ophthalmologists because of its debilitating impacts on patients' daily living. We aimed to describe the visual and oculomotor features of thalamic infarction and to delineate clinical outcomes and prognostic factors of the oculomotor deficits from an ophthalmologic point of view. METHODS: Clinical and neuroimaging data of all participants were retrospectively reviewed. Among the 12,755 patients with first-ever ischemic stroke, who were registered in our Stroke Data Bank between January 2009 and December 2018, 342 were found to have acute thalamic infarcts on MRI, from whom we identified the patients exhibiting neuro-ophthalmologic manifestations including visual, oculomotor, pupillary, and eyelid anomalies. RESULTS: Forty (11.7%) of the 342 patients with thalamic infarction demonstrated neuro-ophthalmologic manifestations, consisting of vertical gaze palsy (n = 19), skew deviation with an invariable hypotropia of the contralesional eye (n = 18), third nerve palsy (n = 11), pseudoabducens palsy (n = 9), visual field defects (n = 7), and other anomalies such as isolated ptosis and miosis (n = 7). Paramedian infarct was the most predominant lesion of neuro-ophthalmologic significance, accounting for 84.8% (n = 28) of all patients sharing the oculomotor features. Although most of the patients with oculomotor abnormalities rapidly improved without sequelae, 6 (18.2%) patients showed permanent oculomotor deficits. Common clinical features of patients with permanent oculomotor deficits included the following: no improvement within 3 months, combined upgaze and downgaze palsy, and the involvement of the paramedian tegmentum of the rostral midbrain. CONCLUSIONS: Thalamic infarction, especially in paramedian territory, can cause a wide variety of neuro-ophthalmologic manifestations, including vertical gaze palsy, skew deviation, and third nerve palsy. Although most oculomotor abnormalities resolve spontaneously within a few months, some may persist for years when the deficits remain unimproved for more than 3 months after stroke.

Análisis de superficie ocular en pacientes diagnosticados de ictiosis X / Ocular surface analysis in patients diagnosed with X-linked ichthyosis

Se estudió a 7 pacientes (14 ojos) diagnosticados de ictiosis X mediante test de Schirmer, biomicroscopia, tonometría, recuento endotelial, tomografía de coherencia óptica, Pentacam, analizador de superficie ocular y microscopia confocal. La edad media fue 33,83 ± 20,17 años (rango: 7-64 años). Los hallazgos más frecuentes en biomicrocoscopia fueron disfunción de glándulas de Meibomio (83,3%) y opacidades corneales estromales (33%). El tiempo de rotura de la película lagrimal se encontró acortado en el 25% de los ojos. La microscopia confocal (2 ojos) reveló queratocitos activados con partículas hiperreflectivas en su interior en estroma anterior y fuera de ellos en estroma posterior. Creemos que la extensión del uso de la microscopia confocal permitirá conocer mejor la enfermedad corneal asociada a ictiosis X y nuevas características de estos pacientes

Seven patients (14 eyes) diagnosed with X-linked ichthyosis were studied using the Schirmer test, biomicroscopy, tonometry, endothelial count, optical coherence tomography, Pentacam®, ocular surface analyser, and confocal microscopy. The mean age was 33.83 ± 20.17 years (range: 7-64 years). The most frequent findings in biomicroscopy were Meibomian glands dysfunction (83.3%) and stromal corneal opacities (33%). The tear break-up time was found shortened in 25% of the eyes. Confocal microscopy (both eyes) revealed activated keratocytes with hyper-reflective particles inside them in the anterior stroma and outside them in the posterior stroma. It is believed that the inclusion of the use of confocal microscopy will help in a better understanding of the corneal pathology associated with ichthyosis X, as well as new characteristics of these patients

Intra- and interobserver reliability of a modified distraction test based on digital images to assess lower eyelid horizontal tension / Confiabilidade intra e interobservador do teste de tração modificado para avaliar a tensão da pálpebra inferior baseado em imagens digitais

ABSTRACT Purpose: Inferior eyelid laxity is classically evaluated using "snap-back" and "distraction" tests. This study aimed to assess the reproducibility of the technique used to indirectly quantify the horizontal tension in the lower eyelids using digital image processing. Methods: This longitudinal study was conducted to assess the reproducibility of a new technique that quantifies the horizontal tension in the lower eyelid. The study was conducted at the Hospital das Clínicas of Porto Alegre. The protocol was established by two trained ophthalmologist examiners, allowing intra- and interobserver agreement analyses. Image acquisition was done in two stages: the first image was captured with the eyelid in primary gaze position and the second with the eyelid in traction position. All images and measurements were processed using Image J 1.33m software from the National Institute of Health. The Bland-Altman method, intraclass correlation coefficients, concordance correlation coefficients, and technical measurement error were used to evaluate reproducibility. Results: The study participants comprised healthy individuals with no ophthalmologic pathologies. The measurements obtained in the neutral position showed a slightly higher agreement than those obtained in the traction position. The mean difference between the measurements performed in the traction position was 0.028 ± 0.7 mm and 0.014 ± 0.9 mm in the intra- and interobserver analyses, respectively. The Bland-Altman method demonstrated adequate confidence limits for both measurements. Correlation coefficients for measurements varied between 0.87 [95% confidence interval (CI) 0.68-0.95] and 0.91 (95% CI 0.77-0.97) in the neutral position and between 0.72 (95% CI 0.37-0.89) and 0.76 (95% CI 0.4-0.91) in the traction position. Conclusion: A high intra- and interobserver concordance was observed in the studied method to quantify lower eyelid tension. The proposed method is simple and easily reproducible, and to the best our knowledge, this is the first method that quantifies lower eyelid horizontal tension on the basis of digital image processing. This modified distraction test might be useful in studies quantifying lower eyelid horizontal tension.

RESUMO Objetivo: A frouxidão palpebral inferior é avaliada classicamente por meio de testes de "snap-back" e "distraction test". O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar a reprodutibilidade da técnica utilizada para quantificar indiretamente a tensão horizontal nas pálpebras inferiores através do processamento digital de imagens. Métodos: Este estudo longitudinal foi realizado para avaliar a reprodutibilidade de uma nova técnica que quantifica a tensão horizontal na pálpebra inferior. O estudo foi realizado no Hospital das Clínicas de Porto Alegre. O protocolo foi estabelecido por dois examinadores oftalmologistas treinados, permitindo análises de concordância intra e interavaliador. A aquisição de imagens foi feita em duas etapas: a primeira imagem foi capturada com a pálpebra na posição primária do olhar e a segunda com pálpebra tracionada. Todas as imagens e medições foram processadas usando o software Image J 1.33m do National Institute of Health. O método de Bland-Altman, os coeficientes de correlação intraclasses, os coeficientes de correlação de concordância e o erro técnico da medida foram utilizados para avaliar a reprodutibilidade. Resultados: Os participantes do estudo foram indivíduos saudáveis e sem patologias oftalmológicas. As medidas obtidas na posição neutra mostraram concordância levemente maior do que as obtidas na posição tracionada. A diferença média entre as medidas realizadas na posição tracionada foi de 0,028 ± 0,7mm e 0,014 ± 0,9mm nas análises intra e interobservadores, respectivamente. O método de Bland-Altman demonstrou limites de confiança adequados para ambas as medidas. Os coeficientes de correlação para as medidas variaram entre 0,87 [intervalo de confiança de 95% (IC) 0,68-0,95) e 0,91 (IC 95% 0,77-0,97) na posição neutra e entre 0,72 (IC 95% 0,37-0,89) e 0,76 (IC 95% 0,46-0,91) na posição tracionada. Conclusão: Observou-se elevada concordância intra e interobservador no método estudado para quantificar a tensão palpebral inferior. O método proposto é simples e facilmente reproduzível, e, do melhor modo possível, este é o primeiro método que quantifica a tensão horizontal da pálpebra inferior com base no processamento digital de imagens. Este teste de distração modificado pode ser útil em estudos que quantifiquem a tensão horizontal da pálpebra inferior.

Tomografía de coherencia óptica en lesión palpebral por Molluscum contagiosum / Optical coherence tomography in an eyelid lesion due to Molluscum contagiosum

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Meibomian Gland Dropout, not Distortion, Can Distinguish Dry Eyes from Normal Eyes in Contact Lens Wearers.

PURPOSE: To examine the effectiveness of using meibomian gland (MG) dropout and distortion for dry eye disease (DED) diagnosis in a young population with long-term contact lens (CL) wear. METHODS: Seventy-three CL-wearers and 68 non-CL-wearers (20-28 years old) participated in the study. The diagnosis of DED was based on an ocular surface disease index ≥ 13, and a noninvasive breakup time < 10 seconds or positive corneal fluorescein staining. The MG dropout and distortion in each subject were quantified with non-invasive meibography. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were created to evaluate the effectiveness of using MG dropout and distortion to determine the presence of DED in CL-wearers and non-CL-wearers. RESULTS: In non-CL-wearers, the MG distortion was significantly higher in DED subjects than in normal subjects (3.83 ± 1.81 versus 1.59 ± 1.04). In CL-wearers, MG distortion was not significantly different (5.12 ± 4.11 versus 5.51 ± 3.15 in normal and DED subjects respectively). The area under the ROC curve (AUC) for MG distortion was 0.783 in the non-CL-wearers, but 0.507 in CL-wearers. In non-CL-wearers, MG dropout was significantly higher in DED subjects than in normal subjects (0.22 ± 0.08 versus 0.15 ± 0.06). In CL-wearers, MG dropout was also significantly higher in DED subjects than in normal subjects (0.29 ± 0.11 versus 0.22 ± 0.08). The AUC for MG dropout used to classify DED was 0.740 in the non-CL-wearers and 0.715 in CL-wearers. CONCLUSIONS: MG dropout was effective in distinguishing subjects with DED from normal subjects in both CL wearers and non-CL wearers. MG distortion can only distinguish DED subjects from normal ones in non-CL wearers, but not in CL wearers.

Eyelid abscess masking underlying sebaceous cell carcinoma.

Sebaceous cell carcinoma is well known as the "great masquerader" mimicking other benign or malignant eyelid conditions and lesions. We present a case of a middle age male presenting with a subacute left upper lid abscess who was ultimately diagnosed with malignant sebaceous cell carcinoma after incision and drainage and treatment with broad spectrum antibiotics. This case highlights the deceptive clinical and radiographic appearance of this tumor and the importance of histologic examination in atypical or refractory periorbital abscesses.

Spectral Signatures in the Different Layers of the Human Eyelid by Photoacoustic Imaging.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The eyelids are susceptible to a number of skin cancers, which are challenging to excise radically without sacrificing excessive healthy tissue. Photoacoustic (PA) imaging is an emerging non-invasive biomedical imaging modality that could potentially be used for intraoperative micrographic control of the surgical margins of eyelid tumors. In this study, non-cancerous human eyelid tissue was characterized using PA as a first step in the development of this technique. STUDY DESIGN/MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twelve full-thickness samples from nine patients were analyzed ex vivo using PA imaging. Two-dimensional PA images were acquired using 59 wavelengths in the range of 680-970 nm to obtain the spectral signatures of the skin, orbicularis oculi muscle, and the tarsal plate. Three-dimensional images were obtained by scanning the tissues using a linear stepping motor. Spectral unmixing was performed to visualize the chromophore distribution. RESULTS: The resulting PA spectra could be used to differentiate between the orbicularis oculi muscle and the other two structures (P < 0.05). The signals from the skin and the tarsal plate were more similar in appearance, probably due to similarities in their molecular composition. Spectral unmixing provided a clear visualization of the overall architecture of the eyelids. CONCLUSIONS: PA imaging can be used to differentiate between the orbicularis oculi muscle and the eyelid skin and tarsal plate. The main structures of human eyelids could be visualized in three dimensions using PA imaging. This technique could potentially be used to examine eyelid tumors intraoperatively in the future. However, further studies on tumors in vivo are needed before considering such clinical use. Lasers Surg Med. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Intra- and interobserver reliability of a modified distraction test based on digital images to assess lower eyelid horizontal tension.

PURPOSE: Inferior eyelid laxity is classically evaluated using "snap-back" and "distraction" tests. This study aimed to assess the reproducibility of the technique used to indirectly quantify the horizontal tension in the lower eyelids using digital image processing. METHODS: This longitudinal study was conducted to assess the reproducibility of a new technique that quantifies the horizontal tension in the lower eyelid. The study was conducted at the Hospital das Clínicas of Porto Alegre. The protocol was established by two trained ophthalmologist examiners, allowing intra- and interobserver agreement analyses. Image acquisition was done in two stages: the first image was captured with the eyelid in primary gaze position and the second with the eyelid in traction position. All images and measurements were processed using Image J 1.33m software from the National Institute of Health. The Bland-Altman method, intraclass correlation coefficients, concordance correlation coefficients, and technical measurement error were used to evaluate reproducibility. RESULTS: The study participants comprised healthy individuals with no ophthalmologic pathologies. The measurements obtained in the neutral position showed a slightly higher agreement than those obtained in the traction position. The mean difference between the measurements performed in the traction position was 0.028 ± 0.7 mm and 0.014 ± 0.9 mm in the intra- and interobserver analyses, respectively. The Bland-Altman method demonstrated adequate confidence limits for both measurements. Correlation coefficients for measurements varied between 0.87 [95% confidence interval (CI) 0.68-0.95] and 0.91 (95% CI 0.77-0.97) in the neutral position and between 0.72 (95% CI 0.37-0.89) and 0.76 (95% CI 0.4-0.91) in the traction position. CONCLUSION: A high intra- and interobserver concordance was observed in the studied method to quantify lower eyelid tension. The proposed method is simple and easily reproducible, and to the best our knowledge, this is the first method that quantifies lower eyelid horizontal tension on the basis of digital image processing. This modified distraction test might be useful in studies quantifying lower eyelid horizontal tension.