Douglas P. Marx

PROSE treatment for lagophthalmos and exposure keratopathy

Prosthetic replacement of the ocular surface ecosystem is a treatment developed by the Boston Foundation for Sight that uses a Food and Drug Administration-approved prosthetic device for the treatment of severe ocular surface disease to improve vision and discomfort in addition to supporting the ocular surface. Facial nerve paralysis has multiple causes including trauma, surgery, tumor, stroke, and congenital lagophthalmos. Subsequent lagophthalmos leading to exposure keratitis has been treated with copious lubrication, tarsorrhapy, eyelid weights, chemodenervation to yield protective ptosis, and palpebral spring insertion. Each of these treatments, however, has limitations and potential complications. The prosthetic replacement of the ocular surface ecosystem device provides a liquid bandage to protect the cornea from eyelid interaction and dessication in addition to improving vision. This report describes 4 patients with exposure keratitis who were successfully treated with prosthetic replacement of the ocular surface ecosystem devices at 2 clinical sites.

The Emergence of Zoonotic Onchocerca lupi Infection in the United States – A Case-Series

This case-series describes the 6 human infections with Onchocerca lupi, a parasite known to infect cats and dogs, that have been identified in the United States since 2013. Unlike cases reported outside the country, the American patients have not had subconjunctival nodules but have manifested more invasive disease (eg, spinal, orbital, and subdermal nodules). Diagnosis remains challenging in the absence of a serologic test. Treatment should be guided by what is done for Onchocerca volvulus as there are no data for O. lupi. Available evidence suggests that there may be transmission in southwestern United States, but the risk of transmission to humans is not known. Research is needed to better define the burden of disease in the United States and develop appropriately-targeted prevention strategies.

Posterior ischemic optic neuropathy associated with migraine

Posterior ischemic optic neuropathy (PION) is an uncommon form of optic nerve ischemia that results from damage to the intraorbital, intracanalicular, or intracranial optic nerve. It has been reported perioperatively, in association with systemic vasculitis, and in the nonsurgical setting with no identifiable cause. Review of the literature reveals only 2 patients with PION associated with migraine in a single report. We report a patient who developed PION in the setting of a migraine headache without any other identifiable risk factors.

Tuberculosis of the nasolacrimal duct.

Nasolacrimal tuberculosis is rare. The authors present a young Peruvian-born female with subacute onset of right eye epiphora, isolated right inferior turbinate enlargement, and ipsilateral cervical lymphadenopathy. Turbinate and neck mass incisional biopsies demonstrated histopathological findings consistent with tuberculosis. QuantiFERON-TB Gold-In-Tube testing was positive. Complete resolution of symptoms occurred after dacryocystorhinostomy and 9 months of standard 4-drug antituberculosis therapy. Tuberculosis of the nasolacrimal duct is highly unusual but should be considered in patients with tuberculosis risk factors who present with nasolacrimal obstruction from an inferior turbinate mass.

Multimodality Image-Guided Sclerotherapy of Low-Flow Orbital Vascular Malformations: Report of Single-Center Experience

PURPOSE To evaluate the role of multimodality imaging tools for intraprocedural guidance and outcome evaluation during sclerotherapy of low-flow orbital vascular malformations. MATERIALS AND METHODS A retrospective review was performed of 17 consecutive patients with low-flow orbital malformations (14 lymphatic, two venous, and one venolymphatic) who underwent multimodality image-guided sclerotherapy between November 2012 and May 2015. Sclerotherapy technique, image guidance tools, and complications were recorded. Sclerotherapy outcome was evaluated using clinical response, magnetic resonance (MR) image-based lesion volumetry, and proptosis quantification. RESULTS There were 22 sclerotherapy sessions performed. Intraprocedural ultrasound (US), fluoroscopy, cone-beam computed tomography (CT) and MR image fusion were used for image guidance with 100% technical success. Resolution of presenting symptoms was observed in all patients at 1-month follow-up. Four major sclerotherapy complications were successfully managed. Statistically significant reduction in lesion volume (P = .001) and proptosis (P = .0117) by MR image analysis was achieved in all patients in whom 3-month follow-up MR imaging was available (n = 13/17). There was no lesion recurrence at a median follow-up of 18 months (range, 8-38 mo). CONCLUSIONS Multimodality imaging tools, including US, fluoroscopy, cone-beam CT, and MR fusion, during sclerotherapy of low-flow orbital malformations provide intraprocedural guidance and quantitative image-based evaluation of treatment outcome.

Eyelid lipomas: A case report and review of the literature

Simple lipomas of the eyelid are rare. We present a case of a 61-year-old man, who presented with 6 months of a slowly worsening blepharoptosis. On examination, that patient was noted to have a palpable, soft mass in the medial left upper eyelid. Histopathological examination of the mass revealed mature adipose tissue most consistent with lipoma. Simple lipomas of the eyelid are very unusual but should be considered in the differential diagnosis of patients presenting with mechanical ptosis.

Porcine dermal collagen in lower eyelid retraction repair.

Purpose: To describe clinical outcomes of patients receiving porcine dermal matrix implants for lower eyelid retraction repair. Methods: A retrospective review of all patients who underwent lower eyelid retraction repair with porcine dermal matrix implantation between June 2007 and July 2013 at a tertiary care center was conducted. Patient demographics, procedure(s) performed, preoperative and postoperative marginal reflex distance, inferior scleral show, and complications were reviewed. Patients with a prior history of lower eyelid surgery were excluded. The study is Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act compliant, institutional review board approved, and adherent to the Declaration of Helsinki. Results: One hundred patients (160 eyelids) received porcine dermal collagen implants. Fifty-six patients had thyroid eye disease, 23 had midface descent, 10 had seventh nerve palsies, and 11 had other etiologies of retraction. The average preoperative marginal reflex distance was 7.64 mm in the OD and 7.17 mm in the OS, compared with 6.40 mm in the OD and 6.22 mm in the OS postoperatively. The average preoperative inferior scleral show was 2.04 in the OD and 1.70 in the OS compared with 0.81 mm in the OD and 0.65 mm in the OS postoperatively. Follow up ranged from 1.46 to 66.04 months, with an average of 14.06 months and median of 8.84 months. Nineteen eyelids had implant-related complications: 7 with cyst formation, 7 with exposure/rejection, 2 with long-term pain, 2 with transient inflammation, and 3 with irregular implant contour. Conclusions: Porcine dermal matrix implants provide reliable support, integration, and function in lower eyelid retraction repair without significant resorption or complications in the majority of patients.

Mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue lymphoma masquerading as herniated orbital fat.

Lymphomas are the most common primary orbital malignancies in adults. The authors present a 62-year-old Hispanic woman with a 2-year history of slowly enlarging bilateral lower eyelid masses that the patient described as “bags.” On palpation, firm, mobile, nontender masses with associated tear trough deformities were noted. Biopsy of the left lower eyelid mass was consistent with a mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue lymphoma. Herniated orbital fat is an extremely common finding in the aging population and is often associated with a prominent tear trough. The patient with orbital lymphoma appeared to have herniated orbital fat with associated tear trough deformities. Lymphoma resembling herniated orbital fat is uncommon but should be considered in all patients with prominence in the periorbital region.

Orbital Decompression for Thyroid Eye Disease

Abstract Although most cases of thyroid eye disease (TED) can be managed medically, some refractory or severe cases are treated surgically with orbital decompression. Due to a lack of randomized controlled trials comparing surgical techniques for orbital decompression, none have been deemed superior. Thus, each case of TED is managed based on patient characteristics and surgeon experience. Surgical considerations include the extent of bony wall removal, the surgical approach, the choice of incision, and the use of fat decompression. Outcomes vary based on surgical indications and techniques; hence, vision can improve or worsen after the surgery.

Clinical Evaluation of Blepharoptosis: Distinguishing Age-Related Ptosis from Masquerade Conditions

Abstract Aponeurotic ptosis accounts for the majority of acquired ptosis encountered in clinical practice. Other types of ptosis include traumatic, mechanical, neurogenic, and myogenic. In addition to true ptosis, some patients present with pseudoptosis caused by globe dystopia, globe asymmetry, ocular misalignment, or retraction of the contralateral lid. It is particularly important for the clinician to rule out neurologic causes of ptosis such as dysfunction of the third cranial nerve, Horners syndrome, and myasthenia gravis, as these conditions can be associated with significant systemic morbidity and mortality. A thorough history and physical examination is necessary to evaluate each patient presenting with a complaint of ptosis. Correctly identifying the cause of the patients complaint allows the ptosis surgeon to plan for appropriate surgical repair when indicated and to defer surgery when observation or additional clinical evaluation is warranted.