Eyelid Disorders Research Articles

Ocular and Systemic Abnormalities in Punctal Agenesis

Background: Punctal agenesis (PA) is a rare congenital anomaly that can occur in isolation or as part of an underlying syndrome. The benefit of genetic assessment in individuals with PA and clinical features that should prompt molecular workup has not been systematically studied. The aim of this study was to identify ocular and extraocular features associated with PA and determine its association with an underlying syndrome. Methods: A retrospective medical records review of ocular and extraocular medical histories in all patients diagnosed with PA at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia between 2009 and 2023 was conducted. Results: Forty-four patients were included, ages 3.3 ± 3.3 years. Our cohort was 31 males (70%). Twenty patients had isolated PA (45.5%), while 24 patients (54.5%) had other associated ocular or extraocular abnormalities. The most common ocular comorbidities were refractive disorders (n = 8, 33%), ptosis (n = 8, 33%), strabismus (n = 7, 29%), other eyelid disorders (n = 9, 38%), and amblyopia (n = 6, 25%). Nineteen (43%) individuals had systemic disorders and 18 (41%) underwent genetic testing. An associated genetic diagnosis was found in 17 (39%) individuals. The most common associated syndrome was ectodermal dysplasia. Systemic disorders were more prevalent in individuals with syndromic PA (4, 20% isolated PA vs. 15, 63%, PA-plus, p = 0.005). Conclusions: The presence of additional ocular abnormalities was associated with an increased rate of systemic disorders (63%). In individuals with PA who also exhibit additional ocular disorders, systemic evaluation and genetic workup should be considered.

Prevalence of Eye Diseases of the Elderly in University Eye Clinic

Objective: To assess the prevalence of eye diseases among elderly receiving care at a University Healthcare eye service. Materials and Methods: A retrospective review of medical records was conducted for elderly patients attending Rangsit University Healthcare’s eye services between 2020 and 2021. Data collected included age, gender, underlying systemic diseases, refraction data, and results of comprehensive eye examinations. Logistic regression analysis was performed to investigate the associations between age, gender, and eye diseases. Results: Out of 22,563 patients that attended the eye service, 1,452 were aged 60 years and older. The most common eye diseases observed were uncorrected refractive errors at 71.14%, followed by cataracts including pseudophakia at 69.77%, glaucoma at 21.9%, and posterior vitreous detachment at 14.6%. Additionally, pinguecula, pterygium, and lid disorders were presented in 10.67% of cases, dry eye 8.47%, retinal breaks 6.89%, epiretinal membrane 5.85%, diabetic retinopathy 4.75%, and age-related macular degeneration 4.13%. The prevalence of retinal breaks, epiretinal membrane, diabetic retinopathy, age-related macular degeneration, glaucoma, and corneal diseases increased with age while pinguecula, pterygium, and lid disorders showed an inverse association with age. Cataracts, posterior vitreous detachment, and dry eyes were more common in women, whereas, pinguecula, pterygium, lid disorders, and corneal diseases were more prevalent in men. Refractive error, glaucoma, and age-related macular degeneration showed no gender difference. Compared to the previous national surveys in Thailand, posterior segment eye diseases were more prevalent in the present study. Conclusion: Uncorrected refractive errors, cataracts, and glaucoma were the most prevalent eye diseases observed in the elderly patients, consistent with the previous national surveys. However, the present study identified an increased prevalence of posterior segment eye diseases. Early screening and referral by optometrists for timely treatment by ophthalmologists are crucial in preventing visual loss and achieving better visual outcomes while optimizing resource utilization.

Clinical characteristics, etiologies, co-injuries, and visual outcomes of eyelid lacerations

Background: Eyelid trauma may be accompanied by open globe injury, canalicular injury, hyphema, angle recession, or retinal detachment. Therefore, a detailed assessment should be performed during the associated ophthalmological examinations. We assessed the demographic and clinical characteristics, etiologies, co-injuries, and visual outcomes in patients with eyelid lacerations. Methods: This retrospective, cross-sectional study included individuals 18 years of age and older who underwent repair of an eyelid injury at our tertiary referral center between January 2021 and March 2023. Patients with known structural eyelid disorders or previous ocular surgery were excluded. Demographic and clinical data, including injury site and type, mechanism of injury, and presence of additional ocular injuries, were noted. Best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) was recorded as the logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution (logMAR) notation at the initial and final follow-up visits. Results: Of 195 included patients with a mean (standard deviation [SD]) age of 42.5 (5.6) years, 164 (84.1%) were men. The most common etiology was accidental (n = 70, 35.9%) and almost half of these injuries occurred at the workplace (n = 32 out of 70, 45.8%). Nine patients (4.6%) had no co-injury, 47 (24.1%) had imaging evidence of orbital bone fractures, 25 (12.8%) had nasolacrimal system involvement, and 11 (5.6%) had an open globe injury. The right upper eyelid (n = 62, 31.8%) was the most commonly affected site. Tissue loss was observed in 77 (39.5%) patients; however, no grafting was required. Five patients (2.6%) underwent lateral canthotomy to improve tissue apposition. On initial examination, 24 patients (12.3%) had traumatic myogenic ptosis, 13 (6.7%) had traumatic aponeurotic ptosis, and ptosis persisted in 7 of these 37 patients (18.9%) 6 months after laceration repair. We observed significant improvement in BCVA at the final follow-up visit (P < 0.001); at the preoperative and final visits, mean (SD) BCVA measurements were 0.21 (0.15) and 0.12 (0.07) logMAR, respectively. Conclusions: Eyelid injuries are more common in men, and the most common etiology is accidental. These injuries occur most commonly in the workplace. Isolated eyelid lacerations are rare. Early ocular assessment and prompt management ensure better visual outcomes. We recommend preventive safety precautions for workplaces to reduce the incidence of avoidable injuries. Identifying risk factors in further population-based studies could prevent loss of labor in a productive population. Further multicenter, nationwide, longitudinal studies could estimate the actual burden and prognosis of ocular trauma, particularly that of eyelid lacerations.

Spontaneous Blinking Kinematics After Frontalis Muscle Flap Advancement.

To measure the spontaneous blinking metrics after blepharoptosis correction with frontalis muscle flap advancement. A video system was employed to measure the amplitude and velocity of spontaneous blinking of 24 eyelids after the frontalis muscle flap surgery for blepharoptosis correction. A control group with no eyelid disorders was also measured. The data of 13 eyelids who had frontalis slings with autogenous fascia, which were previously collected with the same method in another study, were used for comparison. Digital images were used to measure the superior margin reflex distance and the presence of lagophthalmos during a gentle closure of the palpebral fissure. Superficial keratitis was assessed by corneal biomicroscopy. The mean amplitude of spontaneous blinking was 6.3 mm in controls, 2.6 mm in the frontalis flap patients, and 2.1 mm in the fascia sling group. The mean blink velocity was 133.8 mm/second in controls, 39.0 mm/second (3.7 standard error) after the frontalis flap, and 36.3 mm/second in patients with frontalis sling with fascia. For these 2 parameters, there was no statistical difference between the surgical groups, but a significant reduction when compared with the control group. No significant association was found between lagophthalmos and keratitis and the surgical procedure. There is no difference between the blinking metrics of eyelids operated using the frontalis muscle flap advancement technique or frontalis sling with autogenous fascia. The presence of lagophthalmos and keratitis also does not differ between the 2 procedures.

Merkel cell carcinoma and the eye

Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) is a rare cutaneous neuroendocrine tumor with a poor five-year survival rate. Yearly cases have risen nearly 350% since the early 1980s, and these are predicted to increase as the overall US population ages. MCC of the eyelid is uncommon and can be misdiagnosed as other benign inflammatory and neoplastic eyelid disorders. Although MCC of the head and neck is often more aggressive than it is at other sites, eyelid MCC shows a lower disease-specific mortality rate. A biopsy is essential for accurate diagnosis, including an immunohistochemical panel of CK20 and TTF-1, although other markers may be necessary. Staging can be assessed clinically through physical examination findings and imaging and/or pathologically with sentinel lymph node biopsy or fine-needle aspiration. Pathologic staging more accurately predicts the prognosis. Eyelid MCC treatments include Mohs micrographic surgery to allow for complete clearance and adequate reconstruction of lost tissue, followed by adjuvant radiotherapy. In advanced disease, immunotherapies are preferred over traditional chemotherapy and are a subject of ongoing research.

Eyelid, Orbital, and Lacrimal Disorders in the Neonate.

Eyelid, Orbital, and Lacrimal Disorders in the Neonate.

Diagnostic accuracy of fluorescein dye disappearance test in comparison with lacrimal syringing in evaluation of epiphora

Epiphora is the overflow of tear in the lid margin. It can be due to hyper secretion or inadequate tear drainage. Inadequate drainage of tears may be due to mechanical or physiological causes. Physiological cause is due to lacrimal pump failure or weakness of orbicularis muscle. Mechanical causes are due to obstruction in the lacrimal passages. Evaluation of epiphora can be done by lacrimal syringing, fluoresceine dye disappearance test, Jones dye test, contrast dacryocystography, nuclear lacrimal scintigraphy, CT, MRI etc. Fluoresceine dye test is a non invasive method to study tear flow drainage system. Our study evaluate the effectiveness of dye disappearance test to lacrimal syringing which is a invasive test. Aim of this study was to evaluate the accuracy of fluorescein dye disappearance test [FDDT] in evaluating epiphora in comparison to lacrimal syringing.: A prospective observational study was conducted in 90 consecutive patients of age group of 40 to 70 years who presented with epiphora in Department of ophthalmology at tertiary care centre. Any cause like foreign body, trauma, blepharitis, lid disorders like ectropion, entropion, history of lacrimal sac surgeries in the recent past, and allergy to sodium fluorescein excluded from the study.A thorough medical history and comprehensive ophthalmological examination done in all patients. Epiphora evaluated with regurgitation over pressure on the lacrimal sac area, lacrimal syringing, and fluorseceine dye disappearance test.FDDT resulte were graded as grade 1 to 4 according to the quantity of flouorseceine stain in the conjunctival sac, Grade 1 and 2 considered as normal and grade 3 and 4 considered as abnormal.Results of FDDT, syringing, ROPLAS compared in the patients with epiphora.: In the study group, the 90 samples were analysed. The sample population were 62% males and 38% females. There were co-morbidities like diabetes mellitus and cataract noticed in the population. When we examined the diabetes mellitus patients presented with epiphora, showed lacrimal passage obstruction is more common in diabetes patients [67% patients among diabetes patients have FDDT of grade 2-3]. Regurgitation on pressure over lacrimal sac] test were done in all patients presented with epiphora, and the test was positive in 21 patients. FDDT were done in these patients and the results showed only 14 patients were Grade 2-3 [67%]. We compared the FDDT and lacrimal syringing tests in epiphora patients. Among the 90 patients we found that 60 individuals had patent nasolacrimal passages, verified by free flow in Lacrimal syringing test. FDDT showed majority of the patients were under grade 0-1 [patent nasolacrimal passages]. The patients with blocked nasolacrimal passages verified by lacrimal syringing were found grade 2-3 in FDDT [Blocked nasolacrimal passages]. Sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive value of FDDT were calculated.: FDDT is a safe and effective test for the evaluation of epiphora. It can be done as a screening test in pre operative evaluation of cataract surgery.

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.

Epidemiological profile of microbial keratitis in Alexandria-Egypt a 5 years retrospective study

ObjectiveTo evaluate the epidemiologic profile of microbial keratitis in Alexandria- Egypt, with special emphasis on risk factors, visual outcome and microbiological results.MethodsThis retrospective study reviewed files of patients treated for microbial keratitis during a period of 5 years at Alexandria Ophthalmology Hospital Cornea Clinic, Alexandria- Egypt, between February 2017 and June 2022. The patients were evaluated for the risk factors e.g., trauma, eyelid disorders, co-morbidities, and contact lens use. They were also evaluated for their clinical picture, the identified microorganisms, visual outcomes, and complications. Non-microbial keratitis and incomplete files were excluded from the study.ResultsA total of 284 patients were diagnosed as microbial keratitis in our study. Viral keratitis was the most common cause of microbial keratitis (n = 118 (41.55%)), followed by bacterial keratitis (n = 77 (27.11%)), mixed keratitis (n = 51 (17.96%)), acanthamoeba keratitis (n = 22 (7.75%)) and the least cause was fungal keratitis (n = 16 (5.63%)). Trauma was the most common risk factor for microbial keratitis (29.2%). Fungal keratitis had a statistically significant association with trauma (p < 0.001), while the use of contact lenses had a statistically significant association with Acanthamoeba keratitis (p < 0.001). The percentage of culture-positive results in our study was 76.8%. Gram-positive bacteria were the most frequently isolated bacterial isolate (n = 25 (36.2%)), while filamentous fungi were the most frequently isolated fungi (n = 13(18.8%)). After treatment, there was a significant increase in the mean visual acuity among all groups; it was significantly higher in Acanthamoeba keratitis group with a mean difference of 0.262 ± 0.161 (p = 0.003).ConclusionViral keratitis followed by bacterial keratitis were the most frequent etiologic agents causing microbial keratitis found in our study. Although trauma was the most frequent risk factor for microbial keratitis, contact lens wear was found an important preventable risk factor for microbial keratitis in young patients. Performing culture properly whenever indicated before starting antimicrobial treatment increased the cultures’ positive results.

Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus Ocular Infection in Taiwan: Potential Role of Panton-Valentine Leukocidin Gene.

The relationship between Panton-Valentine leucocidin (PVL), a major virulence factor of Staphylococcus aureus, and disease severity and clinical outcomes remains unclear. We investigated the molecular characteristics and role of the PVL gene in methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) ocular infection in Taiwan. Patients with culture-proven S. aureus ocular infection in Chang Gung Memorial Hospital from 2010 to 2017 were included. The presence of the PVL gene was detected for all S. aureus isolates. MRSA isolates were characterized through pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE), staphylococcal multilocus sequence type, and staphylococcal cassette chromosome mec (SCCmec) typing. Drug susceptibility was examined using disk diffusion method and E-test. Patients' demographics, diagnoses, and outcomes were collected. There were 112 methicillin-sensitive S. aureus and 103 MRSA isolates. Among 50 PVL(+) S. aureus isolates, 43 were MRSA. CC59/PFGE type D/SCCmec IV, VT (38 of 43 isolates, 88%), and CC59/PFGE type C/SCCmec IV (27 of 60 isolates, 45%) were the predominant clones in the PVL(+) and PVL(-) MRSA isolates, respectively. When we compared the two CC59 strains, the patients with PVL(+)/CC59 MSRA infection were significantly younger than those with PVL(-)/CC59 MSRA (39.3 vs. 61.7 years; P = 0.001). PVL(+)/CC59 MSRA caused significantly more eyelid disorders (36.8% vs. 3.7%; P = 0.002) but less keratitis (23.7% vs. 51.9%; P = 0.034). The antibiograms of the two strains were similar. PVL(+) MRSA is significantly associated with eyelid infection, especially in young patients. PVL gene plays a role in clinical features of MRSA ocular infections.

PUNARNAVA BIDALAKA IN MANAGEMENT OF BLEPHARITIS: A CASE STUDY

Acharya Sushruta has explained 21 vartmaroga (eyelid disorders) in Sushruta Samhita. Blepharitis is an eyelid disorder defined as inflammation of lid margins and is common worldwide. It accounts for 45% of all ophthalmic diseases. Blepharitis has two major types anterior and posterior Blepharitis. Seborrheic Blepharitis is a subtype of anterior Blepharitis. In modern sciences, various antibiotic and steroidal ointments are provided as treatment for Blepharitis, which has its limitations and side effects. Bidalaka is a kriyakalpa (Ayurvedic therapy) advised for treating eyelid disorders due to its direct action and longer contact time with targeted tissues. Punarnava is preferred as a drug of choice for bidalaka in treating inflammation, itching, scaling and redness in Blepharitis with its anti-inflammatory, anti-edematic, anti-tumour, anti-allergic, and anti-bacterial properties. A 27-year-old female patient was diagnosed with Seborrheic blepharitis and is treated with Punarnava bidalaka, where the results prove to be significantly influential based on its clinical assessment.

Orbital and eyelid diseases: The next breakthrough in artificial intelligence?

Orbital and eyelid disorders affect normal visual functions and facial appearance, and precise oculoplastic and reconstructive surgeries are crucial. Artificial intelligence (AI) network models exhibit a remarkable ability to analyze large sets of medical images to locate lesions. Currently, AI-based technology can automatically diagnose and grade orbital and eyelid diseases, such as thyroid-associated ophthalmopathy (TAO), as well as measure eyelid morphological parameters based on external ocular photographs to assist surgical strategies. The various types of imaging data for orbital and eyelid diseases provide a large amount of training data for network models, which might be the next breakthrough in AI-related research. This paper retrospectively summarizes different imaging data aspects addressed in AI-related research on orbital and eyelid diseases, and discusses the advantages and limitations of this research field.

The lowly chalazion

Chalazia are localized cysts of chronic lipogranulomatous inflammation arising from the obstruction of sebaceous glands of the eyelid tarsal plate, including the Meibomian gland (deep chalazion) or Zeis gland (superficial chalazion). This disease entity is differentiated from the hordeolum (stye), an acute purulent localized swelling of the eyelid often associated with an eyelash follicle, Zeis gland, or Moll gland obstruction and infection. Ambiguously, the chalazion, hordeolum, and blepharitis are commonly categorized and described on a continuum in the literature. While it is one of the most common eyelid disorders across all age demographics, the chalazion remains largely understudied and pathophysiological, epidemiological, and therapeutic findings exist fragmented in the literature. We discuss current understandings of the chalazion and provide current best practice guidelines supported by clinical anecdotal evidence.

Analyses of Ocular Adverse Reactions Associated With Anticancer Drugs Based on the Japanese Pharmacovigilance Database.

The systemic administration of anticancer drugs may cause ocular adverse reactions (OARs). However, such adverse events are generally rare and occur with an unknown frequency. This study aimed to investigate the tendency of occurrence of OARs induced by systemic anticancer drugs using a large spontaneous pharmacovigilance database in Japan. The safety signals for eight OARs (periorbital and eyelid, conjunctival, corneal, scleral, lacrimal, lens, retinal, and optic nerve disorders) and their associations with anticancer drugs were evaluated by analyzing reporting odds ratios (RORs) and information components (ICs) based on data from the Japanese Adverse Drug Event Report (JADER). Safety signals associated with anticancer drugs were detected for periorbital and eyelid disorders (imatinib), conjunctival disorders (imatinib and lapatinib), corneal disorders (S-1, erlotinib, capecitabine, cetuximab, gefitinib, vandetanib, trastuzumab emtansine, lapatinib), lacrimal disorders (S-1, pembrolizumab), lens disorders (lenalidomide, pomalidomide, elotuzumab, tamoxifen, bexarotene, venetoclax), retinal disorders (encorafenib, binimetinib, tamoxifen, nab-paclitaxel, trametinib, dabrafenib), and optic nerve disorders (tamoxifen and blinatumomab). Some anticancer drugs showed differences in safety signals based on sex and age. Safety signals indicative of the risk of occurrence of OARs were observed for several anticancer drugs, and several hitherto unreported ocular adverse events requiring caution were also detected. Our results will help predict the occurrence of OARs by oncologists, ophthalmologists, pharmacists, and other healthcare professionals.

Clinical Results of Punch Biopsy for Various Eyelid Disorders in the Office Setting

Purpose: To introduce punch biopsy, which can be easily performed in an outpatient setting, and to evaluate its clinical usefulness.Methods: A retrospective study was performed in 33 patients with atypical eyelid disorders who underwent punch biopsy.Results: This study included 33 eyes (33 patients; male:female = 12:21) with a mean age of 57.27 ± 19.12 years. There were 19 (57.6%) right eye, 14 (42.4%) left eye, 15 (45.5%) upper eyelid, and 18 (54.5%) lower eyelid lesions. The biopsy approaches were percutaneous and transconjunctival in 24 (72.7%) and nine (27.3%) eyes, respectively. Benign and malignant lesions were found in 21 (63.6%) and 12 (36.4%) eyes, respectively. The benign lesions included chalazion (52.4%), acute and chronic inflammation (23.8%), acanthosis (4.8%), and ectopic cillia (4.8%), and were treated conservatively by intralesional steroid injections or incision and drainage. The malignant lesions included sebaceous carcinomas (33.3%), squamous cell carcinomas (25%), and basal cell carcinomas (16.7%), with various treatments, including surgical resections, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy.Conclusions: Punch biopsy is a safe and quick procedure that can easily be performed in the office setting for patients who require a pathologic diagnosis for eyelid diseases, including malignancies. It may be useful for diagnosis and treatment planning.

An epidemiologic analysis of the association between eyelid disorders and ocular motility disorders in pediatric age

Aim of the study was to assess: (a) the prevalence and type of strabismus, ptosis and eyelid dynamic disorders features, (b) the prevalence of refractive errors, amblyopia and, (c) their association with ocular/systemic syndromes in a cohort of patients. This is a retrospective observational multicenter cohort study. Patients with coexisting ocular motility disorders, comitant and incomitant strabismus, ptosis and dynamic eyelid disorders who have never undergone surgery were enrolled throughout a 3-years a study period. 137 out of 19,089 patients were enrolled, of which 97 with uniocular and 40 with binocular disease. Isolated congenital ptosis was observed in 84 patients. A polymalformative syndrome was present in almost one third of cases, whilst among strabismus type, esotropia was slightly more prevalent. Most patients were hypermetropic. In monocular disease, myopia mainly affected older patients, who were characterized by a worse ptosis margin reflex distance and levator function, and significantly higher astigmatism. Amblyopia occurred in 67.4% of the study sub-population. Of note, in monocular disease this was mild in 25.8%, moderate in 24.2% and severe in 11.3% of cases, whilst in binocular disease it was mild in 25%, moderate in 41.7% and severe in 16.7%. All patients with coexisting eyelid and ocular motility dysfunctions in pediatric age need ophthalmologic and systemic evaluation to accurately assess amblyopia, refractive errors and systemic/ocular disorders.

Eye-related emergency visits during the early phase of the coronavirus disease pandemic in a reference hospital in Sao Paulo, Brazil.

To evaluate the profile of emergency eye-related visits at a reference eye hospital in Sao Paulo during the first months of the quarantine due to the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic and to compare it with that in the same period of the previous year. Data were obtained from the emergency department of Ophthal Hospital Especializado, Sao Paulo, Brazil. All the cases registered between March 23 and May 19, 2020, were included in the study as Group 2020. The cases registered between March 23 and May 19, 2019, were included in the study as Group 2019. Frequency tables were used for the descriptive analyses. The chi-square and Fisher exact tests were applied to compare categorical variables between the groups. We observe a decrease of 46.15% in the number of cases during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 compared with the same period in 2019. We observed a significant increase in the incidence rates of the following pathologies in 2020 compared with 2019: eyelid disorders (12.3%), corneal disorders (97.1%), retinal pathologies (173.1%), refraction (62.9%), glaucoma (acute and chronic; 43.9%), scleral alterations (68.8%), trauma (39.3%), herpes (54.7%), and cataracts (549.9%). On the other hand, the incidence rates of the following disorders decreased: conjunctivitis (-33.4%), disorders of lacrimal system (-81.0%), iridocyclitis (-39.9%), and postoperative visits (-80.1%). During the early phase of the COVID-19 pandemic, we observed a drastic decrease in the number of patients who visited the emergency eye service. The main reasons for visiting were also changed, with higher frequencies of high-severity cases such as retina disturbances, cornea disturbances, glaucoma, and trauma and lower frequencies of transmittable conditions such as conjunctivitis.

Analysis of ocular emergencies in a reference eye center in Brazil.

To determine the incidence of ocular emergencies and patient profiles in a public health eye center in Brazil. The medical record database of the Fundação Altino Ventura, Recife, Brazil was retrospectively analyzed and included all patients assisted at the ophthalmic emergency room between January 2017 and January 2018. Medical records with incomplete data and outpatient complaints were excluded. For records with multiple visits, only the initial visit was considered. In 1 year, 134,788 patients (mean age at admission: 38.7 ± 22 years; range: 0-99 years) were admitted at the emergency room of the Fundação Altino Ventura. The most frequent diagnoses were conjunctivitis (52,732 cases; 37.3%), blepharitis (7,213 cases; 5.1%), and corneal/conjunctival foreign body (6,925 cases; 4.9%). Corneal/conjunctival foreign body and ocular trauma had an eight- and two-fold higher incidence in male patients, respectively (both p<0.001). Female patients presented a two-fold higher incidence of trichiasis and blepharitis than males (p<0.001). Corneal/conjunctival foreign body and ocular trauma affected more patients in a productive age (>15 years), while corneal ulcers, blepharitis, and trichiasis affected more elderly patients. All diagnostic clusters (e.g., infectious diseases, ocular trauma, foreign bodies, retinopathies, eyelid disorders, corneal diseases, glaucomatous crisis, and neuroophthalmological diseases) were more common during the spring season (p<0.001). The most common ocular emergencies in the present study were infectious diseases and foreign body. However, the incidence of ophthalmological emergencies was influenced by the age and sex of patients, as well as the time of the year.

LATERAL TARSAL STRIP (LTS) - A SIMPLE SOLUTION TO VARIED EYELID MALPOSITIONS.

PURPOSE: To study the functional and cosmetic outcome of lateral tarsal strip (LTS) procedure in correcting various eyelid disorders. METHODS: A retrospective analysis of 30 patients who underwent the procedure in a 2 year period from January 2018 - January 2020 was done. RESULTS: The average age was 50.15 years (range-19-80 years). Nineteen males and 11 females were followed up for 32 weeks (mean-9.58 weeks). The procedure was done for facial nerve palsy (14 patients), involutional entropion (6 patients), anophthalmic socket with lax lower lids (7 patients) and cicatricial ectropion (3 patients). Common clinical indications for treatment were lagophthalmos (14 patients), epiphora (9 patients) and unacceptable cosmetic appearance (7 patients). Common ancillary procedures were fornix forming sutures (6 patients), lid everting sutures (8 patients) and medial canthoplasty (4 patients). Functional and cosmetic success was achieved in 29 patients (96%) with total success in 27 patients and partial in 2 patients. CONCLUSION LTS is a very simple basic technique which can be used in correcting various eyelid disorders and renders excellent cosmetic and functional satisfaction to the patients.

Predicting the Success Rate of Levator Resection Surgery Using Whitnall Ligament Position

Ptosis is defined as lower positioning of the upper eyelid margin which normally is placed 1.5 mm below the superior corneal limbus [1]. Ptosis can be accounted as the 3rd most common eyelid disorders following chalazion and entropion [2]. It may result in amblyopia, visual field defect, cosmetic and psychological problems. Generally, ptosis is subdivided to congenital and acquired cases [3]. Abnormal development of levator muscle or innervation abnormalities is responsible for congenital cases of ptosis. On the other side, trauma, several neurologic disease, and defective levator aponeurosis can lead to acquired ptosis [4]. Levator function, clinical feature, and concomitant eyelid or face abnormalities are the determining factors for choosing appropriate surgical plan [5]. Common surgical approaches include frontalis suspension technique and levator muscle procedures (levator advancement and levator resection) in which frontalis suspension is performed in cases with poor levator function and the latter one is suitable for patients with preserved levator function [4]. Levator resection outcomes are not absolutely predictable. Multiple factors such as ptosis severity, levator function, and age of patient have been discussed as predictive factors for surgical success rate.