Faculty Bibliography

PURPOSE OF REVIEW/OBJECTIVE:With any operation, the surgeon should be aware of predisposing factors that may lead to postoperative complications. Here we review the major factors due for consideration in both eyelid and refractive eye surgery, preoperatively and postoperatively, and consider the importance of timing to lessen the inherent risks of each procedure. RECENT FINDINGS/RESULTS:Refractive surgery can affect corneal sensation by ablating the corneal nerves and can cause serious corneal complications if followed by eyelid surgery. Studies find that patients undergoing eyelid surgery have a change in astigmatic error of as much as 1.0 D during the first 3 postoperative months. The longest reported follow-up period of astigmatic changes in adult patients following eyelid ptosis surgery is 1 year and a considerable number of patients had a change in cylinder of up to 0.3 D postoperatively. Blepharoplastic surgery is also reported to cause astigmatic changes postoperatively, significantly more if entire fat pads are removed. SUMMARY/CONCLUSIONS:To prevent corneal exposure, postrefractive eyelid surgery should be performed at least 6 months after lamellar ablative procedures and at least 3 months after surface ablative procedures. Refractive surgery revision may be necessary when astigmatic error occurs and should be carried out no earlier than 6 months postoperatively to allow for stabilization. Cosmetic blepharoplasty with fat pad debulking should be performed at least 6 months prior to refractive surgery to allow for any potential corneal astigmatic change to stabilize, for regained strength in the orbicularis, and for improved tear film distribution.

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVE:To compare clinical outcomes of enucleation and evisceration by functional and aesthetic measures. DESIGN/METHODS:Retrospective, nonrandomized, comparative analysis. PARTICIPANTS/METHODS:Eighty-four patients who underwent enucleation or evisceration. METHODS:The medical records of the participants were retrospectively reviewed. Clinical photographs were graded by blinded observers for qualitative measures. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES/METHODS:Postoperative eyelid and motility measurements, as well as subjective grades of various aesthetic and functional outcomes. RESULTS:There is no statistically significant difference in the overall aesthetic outcome of enucleation and evisceration, although several specific comparisons were found to be significant. Implant motility score is higher in eviscerated eyes (5.58+/-2.08) than in enucleated eyes (4.35+/-1.69) (P = 0.05). Adduction of the implant is significantly less than abduction in eviscerated eyes (1.34 vs. 1.44; P = 0.02). Implant motility is greater than prosthesis motility. Both enucleation and evisceration result in enophthalmos and a sulcus defect. Seven of 32 patients (21.9%) who underwent enucleation experienced a complication, whereas only of 7 of 52 patients (13.5%) who underwent evisceration experienced a complication (P = 0.0002). The 2 most common complications were implant exposure and formation of a pyogenic granuloma. CONCLUSIONS:Although enucleation and evisceration produce aesthetically similar outcomes, eviscerated eyes have better implant motility and experience fewer complications. Both enucleation and evisceration result in enophthalmos, sulcus contour defects, and incomplete transfer of implant motility to the prosthesis.

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVE:To compare functional and surgical outcomes of a subperiosteal midface lift with and without the placement of a hard palate mucosal graft (HPMG) in patients with lower eyelid retraction. DESIGN/METHODS:Retrospective, comparative, interventional case series. PARTICIPANTS/METHODS:Thirty-four patients with lower eyelid retractions who underwent surgery at the Jules Stein Eye Institute in a 5-year period. METHODS:Medical record review of all patients who underwent surgery for lower eyelid retraction by a subperiosteal midface lift with or without an HPMG. Preoperative and postoperative digital photographs were taken in all patients. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES/METHODS:Change in margin reflex distance 2 (MRD2), measured from the pupillary margin to the upper margin of the lower eyelid; patient discomfort; and surgical complications. RESULTS:Thirty-four patients (20 female; mean age, 64 years) participated in the study; 11 underwent bilateral surgery, with overall 43 surgeries performed. Eighteen patients (42%) had lower eyelid retraction secondary to previous transcutaneous lower eyelid blepharoplasty. Postoperatively, patients attained a better lower eyelid position, with improvement of lower eyelid height of 1.4 mm (P<0.001, 1-sample t test). Patients operated using an HPMG (12 surgeries) achieved a greater reduction in MRD2 postoperatively as compared with patients operated by subperiosteal midface lift alone (31 surgeries; 2.2 mm vs. 1.1 mm, respectively; P = 0.02, Wilcoxon Mann-Whitney). One patient needed reoperation secondary to symptomatic lower eyelid retraction postoperatively. CONCLUSIONS:The subperiosteal midface lift is effective in correction of lower eyelid retraction of various causes. The use of an HPMG spacer may enhance surgical outcomes and results in a better lower eyelid position.

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVE:To describe 2 patients with orbital invasion by maxillary ameloblastoma, a rare odontogenic tumor that is not commonly encountered in ophthalmic practice. DESIGN/METHODS:Retrospective, interventional case report. METHODS:Two patients who were diagnosed with maxillary ameloblastoma several years ago sought treatment for new-onset ocular and orbital signs and symptoms. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES/METHODS:Clinical and radiological findings and outcome. RESULTS:In the first patient, tumor recurrence with orbital invasion was diagnosed, and the patient underwent a total orbital exenteration. No recurrence was noted after 18 months of follow-up. The second patient had intracranial involvement with orbital invasion and underwent an extensive resection through an intracranial approach. No recurrence was noted after a 6-month follow-up period. CONCLUSIONS:Although a slow-growing tumor, maxillary ameloblastoma can recur after surgical excision and can be locally aggressive; it can invade the orbit and result in significant ocular morbidity. Ophthalmologists should be aware of this tumor and should monitor these patients closely when orbital invasion is suspected.

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVE:To evaluate the effect of deep lateral wall orbital decompression with intraconal fat debulking on strabismus in thyroid-related orbitopathy (TRO) patients using automated Hess screen (AHS). DESIGN/METHODS:Prospective nonrandomized clinical study. PARTICIPANTS/METHODS:Eleven TRO patients (19 surgeries) operated on at the Jules Stein Eye Institute from January, 2004, through December, 2004. METHODS:Automated Hess screen testing was performed in all patients before surgery and 3 months after surgery; all patients received surgery in the nonactive phase of the disease. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES/METHODS:Amplitude of horizontal and vertical deviations (prism diopters) in all standard positions of gaze. RESULTS:Eleven TRO patients (7 females; mean age, 47 years) were included in the study; 8 patients underwent bilateral surgery. After surgery, exophthalmos decreased an average (+/-standard deviation) of 2.7 mm (+/-2.5 mm; P = 0.003). Before surgery, 7 patients (63%) reported primary gaze diplopia, whereas only 2 patients (18%) showed diplopia in primary gaze after surgery (P = 0.03, chi-square analysis). Orbital decompression had no statistically significant effect on horizontal and vertical ocular deviations measured by AHS. Mean amplitude of deviation in primary gaze was 1.2 prism diopters (PD) esotropia and 0.07 PD hypotropia before surgery, and 2.5 PD exotropia with 0.6 PD hypertropia after surgery (delta = 3.7 PD for horizontal deviation and -0.7 for vertical deviation; P = 0.051, paired samples t test for horizontal difference and P not significant for vertical difference). Nonsignificant P values were obtained in all 9 positions of gaze. Most patients had periocular numbness that resolved spontaneously 2 to 6 months after surgery. CONCLUSIONS:Deep lateral wall orbital decompression with intraconal fat debulking had no statistically significant effect on horizontal and vertical deviations measured by the AHS. Patients may demonstrate small angle exotropia shift, but this finding was not clinically significant.

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVE:To evaluate the outcome of sodium morrhuate 5% injections in patients with low flow vascular lesions, which consist of orbital lymphangiomas, and in one patient with intraosseous cavernous hemangioma. DESIGN/METHODS:Prospective, interventional consecutive case series. METHODS:Intralesional sodium morrhuate 5% was injected under direct visualization or under radiographic guidance to six patients with orbital lymphangiomas and one patient with intraosseous cavernous hemangioma. Comprehensive eye examination and follow-up imaging studies were performed. main outcome measures: Lesion size was evaluated by orbital imaging and clinical examination, visual acuity, exophthalmos, and posttreatment complications. RESULTS:Seven patients (four female, three male; average age, 33 years) were included. Six patients were diagnosed with orbital lymphangioma, and one patient was diagnosed with intraosseous cavernous hemangioma. Patients received an average of 2.6+/-2 intralesional injections of sodium morrhuate, with a range of one to six injections and a mean volume of 0.9+/-0.8 ml (range, 0.2 to 2.1 ml). Lesions showed a decrease in size an average of 50% (33%) and ranged from minimal (10%) to near total resolution (85%). Visual acuity and intraocular pressure remained unchanged; exophthalmos decreased an average of 1.5+/-1.8 mm. Complications included one case of orbital hemorrhage that resolved spontaneously and transient keratopathy in all patients with anterior orbital lesions. CONCLUSION/CONCLUSIONS:Intralesional sclerosing therapy with sodium morrhuate 5% is effective in tumor debulking in patients with orbital lymphangioma and is not associated with vision-threatening complications. It may be a better alternative to surgery for low flow orbital tumors, which includes lymphangioma.

OBJECTIVE:To investigate the safety and efficacy of a conservative orbital decompression using sharp-curette bony decompression and intraconal fat debulking through a transconjunctival incision in patients with thyroid-related orbitopathy and mild to moderate proptosis. DESIGN/METHODS:Retrospective, noncomparative, interventional case series. PARTICIPANTS AND METHODS/METHODS:Data from all patients undergoing minimal orbital decompression at the Jules Stein Eye Institute, Los Angeles, Calif, over a period of 4(1/4) years were collected and analyzed. Data included visual acuity, exophthalmometry measurements, intraocular pressure, complete slitlamp examination results, ocular ductions, new-onset primary or downgaze diplopia, and patient satisfaction. Conservative decompression was performed through a transconjunctival incision using a manual curette and by removing cortical bone from the zygomatic marrow space on the anterior rim of the inferior orbital fissure; intraconal fat was bluntly dissected and excised or suctioned with a Frasier tip aspirator. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES/METHODS:Patient perception of pressure pain and ocular discomfort, proptosis, visual acuity, intraocular pressure, postoperative complications, and new-onset primary or downgaze diplopia. RESULTS:Eighty minimally invasive orbital decompression surgeries were performed in 48 patients (6 male, 42 female). Six surgeries (4 patients) were performed for prominent globes with relative proptosis and no thyroid-related orbitopathy (non-Graves proptosis). All patients had improvement in congestive orbitopathy and pressure pain associated with thyroid-related orbitopathy. Exophthalmos decreased by a mean +/- SD of 2.4 +/- 2.6 mm from 22.7 +/- 2.5 mm (range, 17-29 mm) to 20.3 +/- 2.3 mm (range, 14-25 mm) (P<.001 [95% confidence interval, 1.8-3.0]). Mean visual acuity improved after surgery (P = .02). One patient (2.1%) developed postoperative primary or downgaze diplopia; he underwent successful eye muscle surgery at a later stage. No complications were associated with orbital decompression. CONCLUSIONS:Minimally invasive orbital decompression surgery with intraconal fat debulking in this group of patients was effective in proptosis reduction; improvement in subjective pressure pain and high patient satisfaction were noticed. Surgery was associated with a low rate (2.1%) of new-onset primary or downgaze diplopia. Proptosis reduction using a graded approach accounting for 4 mm of retrodisplacement was achieved.

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVE:To compare two sling designs (single loop or double pentagon) and a variety of suture material that was used in frontalis suspension surgery for correction of upper eyelid ptosis. DESIGN/METHODS:Retrospective, nonrandomized, comparative interventional case series. METHODS:Medical record review of 99 patients (164 surgeries) who underwent frontalis suspension surgery for upper eyelid ptosis was conducted at the Jules Stein Eye Institute in 1996 to 2002. Functional and cosmetic success, margin reflex distance (MRD) and lagophthalmos were evaluated. RESULTS:MRD increased an average of 1.1 mm after the operation (P < .001). Ptosis recurrence was noticed in 42 cases (26%); polytetrafluoroethylene achieved the lowest recurrence rate (15%), although not statistically significant. No difference in functional success, ptosis recurrence, or change in MRD was noticed between single loop and double pentagon design. A better cosmetic outcome was noted in cases in which nylon suture was used. Complications included four cases (2.4%) of over-correction, three cases (1.8%) of suture infection (all in polytetrafluoroethylene), two cases of pyogenic granuloma (1.2%), and two cases (1.2%) of suture exposure. CONCLUSION/CONCLUSIONS:Frontalis suspension for upper eyelid ptosis resulted in 26% ptosis recurrence after a mean of 12 months from first surgery. Polytetrafluoroethylene showed the lowest incidence of ptosis recurrence. No statistically significant difference was found between different suture materials or loop shape that was used in the surgical technique. A better cosmetic outcome, as graded by different observers, was noted in cases in which a nylon sling was used.