Ira J. Udell

Eosinophil Granule Major Basic Protein and Charcot-Leyden Crystal Protein in Human Tears

We measured the levels of major basic protein and Charcot-Leyden crystal protein in tears from patients with ventral keratoconjunctivitis or miscellaneous inflammatory or noninflammatory ocular conditions, and from normal subjects. Patients with vernal keratoconjunctivitis had significantly increased levels of both proteins in their tears compared with the other subjects tested; levels of major basic protein seemed to correlate with the severity of the disease. The levels of Charcot-Leyden crystal protein paralleled those of major basic proteins.

Topical Retinoid Therapy for Squamous Metaplasia of Various Ocular Surface Disorders: A Multicenter, Placebo-controlled Double-masked Study

In a prospective, double-masked clinical study, the authors evaluated the efficacy and safety of topically applied tretinoin ophthalmic ointment (0.01%) versus placebo in the treatment of squamous metaplasia associated with various ocular surface disorders involving dry eyes. Study parameters consisted of graded symptoms and signs, and serial impression cytologies. A total of 161 patients were enrolled in the study. Of these patients, 116 who had a minimum of 4 to 8 months of follow-up qualified for final statistical analysis. These patients were classified into two major groups: (1) keratoconjunctivitis sicca (KCS) and (2) conjunctival cicatricial diseases (Stevens-Johnson syndrome, inactive pemphigoid, radiation-induced dry eye, drug-induced pseudopemphigoid, and toxic epidermal necrolysis). An analysis of adjusted mean changes for KCS patients showed no statistically significant differences between active drug and placebo. A similar analysis of patients with conjunctival cicatricial diseases indicated a statistically significant (P less than 0.05) reversal of conjunctival keratinization in the temporal bulbar site after treatment with active drug, however, clinical symptoms and signs showed no significant improvement with active drug relative to placebo. Side effects were limited to blepharoconjunctivitis and were reversible upon tapering or stopping the drug.

Keratoconus Associated with Floppy Eyelld Syndrome

Floppy eyelid syndrome is a recently described entity, which characteristically involves overweight individuals. The characteristic findings are an upper lid that may be readily everted, tarsal laxity, and diffuse papillary conjunctival changes. The cause of floppy eyelid syndrome is believed to be a mechanical disorder due to the eversion of the lids while sleeping. The cause of keratoconus remains uncertain. There are strong proponents to a mechanical etiology for this disease. The authors report five cases of floppy eyelid syndrome with concomitant keratoconus. One patient with bilateral keratoconus had bilateral symmetric floppy eyelid syndrome. The other four patients had asymmetric keratoconus and floppy eyelid syndrome. In all four patients, the keratoconus was significantly worse in the eye with the more severe case of floppy eyelid syndrome. In addition, these four patients all gave a history of sleeping with their head facing predominantly on the side with the floppy eyelid syndrome and keratoconus. Two patients with keratoconus and floppy eyelid syndrome were able to undergo successful contact lens rehabilitation of their keratoconus after treatment of the floppy eyelid syndrome.

Treatment of Superior Limbic Keratoconjunctivitis by Thermocauterization of the Superior Bulbar Conjunctiva

Superior limbic keratoconjunctivitis (SLK) is a chronic and recurrent inflammatory disease of the superior tarsal, bulbar and limbal conjunctiva that often responds to topical treatment with silver nitrate. As an alternative treatment in 11 patients (13 eyes), we applied thermal cautery to the inflamed superior bulbar conjunctiva following subconjunctival injection of 2% xylocaine. The overall positive response rate to thermocautery was 73% (8 patients). Of the positive responders, 63% (5 patients) had been considered silver nitrate treatment failures. Keratitis sicca was additionally noted in 55% of the patients studied. Impression cytology of involved superior bulbar conjunctiva was nearly devoid of goblet cells during the acute stage of the disorder. Following successful cauterization, goblet cells returned. Thus, thermocauterization of the superior bulbar conjunctiva appears to be a safe and effective mode of therapy for SLK.

Possible role of the vitamin E solubilizer in topical diclofenac on matrix metalloproteinase expression in corneal melting: An analysis of postoperative keratolysis

OBJECTIVE To analyze tissue matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) expression in three patients who developed postoperative corneal melts after treatment with topical diclofenac sodium 0.1% (Falcon; Fort Worth, TX) ophthalmic solution. DESIGN Retrospective noncomparative interventional case series with tissue analysis. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Three patients were examined in this study. We report two patients from the same center with acute corneal melts after uncomplicated photorefractive keratectomy (PRK). Prior to these cases, 1500 patients were treated at the Zale Lipshy University Laser Center for Vision with no adverse effects. All 1500 patients were treated with the same postoperative regimen of ciprofloxacin, rimexolone, and suprofen ([Profenal, (CIBA, Duluth, GA]). The next 27 cases were treated postoperatively with ciprofloxacin and rimexolone. However, diclofenac sodium 0.1% was used instead of Profenal. A third case was also discussed. This melt occurred at another center in a postoperative cataract patient who developed cystoid macular edema after cataract extraction with intraocular lens placement. He was initially treated with diclofenac sodium 0.1% (Ciba Vision, Duluth, GA) then with diclofenac sodium 0.1%. He subsequently developed a corneal perforation requiring penetrating keratoplasty. All tissue specimens were examined by light microscopy. Microbiologic cultures and stains were also performed. Immunolocalization and in situ hybridization were performed on all keratoplasty specimens to detect expression and localization of MMPs. All patients had a complete diagnostic evaluation for systemic autoimmune diseases. RESULTS Postoperatively, all patients developed corneal perforations requiring surgical intervention while being treated with diclofenac sodium 0.1%. Microbiologic cultures and special stains were negative for microorganisms. Induced expression of specific tissue degrading enzymes of the matrix metalloproteinase family was demonstrated within corneal epithelial cells, stromal keratocytes, and at the level of Descemets membrane. The uniform distribution pattern of expression was not consistent with the localization expected of a repair response, suggesting the involvement of some outside agent. CONCLUSIONS Whereas MMP expression is a normal component of repair, excessive or inappropriate MMP activity is associated with corneal keratolysis. Our study provides preliminary evidence that topical application of diclofenac sodium 0.1% may be associated with aberrant MMP expression in the cornea.

Safety of Overnight Orthokeratology for Myopia A Report by the American Academy of Ophthalmology

OBJECTIVE To review the published literature to evaluate the safety of overnight orthokeratology (OOK) for the treatment of myopia. METHODS Repeated searches of peer-reviewed literature were conducted in PubMed (limited to the English language) and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (no language limitations) for 2005, 2006, and 2007. The searches yielded 495 citations. The panel reviewed the abstracts of these articles and selected 79 articles of possible clinical relevance for review. Of these 79 full-text articles, 75 were determined to be relevant to the assessment objective. RESULTS No studies were rated as having level I evidence. Two premarket applications to the Food and Drug Administration were rated as having level II evidence. There were 2 studies rated as having level II evidence. The main source of reports of adverse events associated with OOK was 38 case reports or noncomparative case series (level III evidence). CONCLUSIONS The prevalence and incidence of complications associated with OOK have not been determined. Complications, including more than 100 cases of infectious keratitis resulting from gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria and Acanthamoeba, have been described in case reports and case series representing observations in undefined populations of OOK users. Data collection was nonstandard. Risk factors for various complications cannot be determined. Because OOK puts patients at risk for vision-threatening complications they may not encounter otherwise, sufficiently large well-designed cohort or randomized controlled studies are needed to provide a more reliable measure of the risks of treatment and to identify risk factors for complications. Overnight orthokeratology for slowing the progression of myopia in children also needs well-designed and properly conducted controlled trials to investigate efficacy. Because of variations in orthokeratology practice, a wide margin of safety should be built into OOK regimens. FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE(S) Proprietary or commercial disclosure may be found after the references.

Animal and Human Ocular Surface Response to a Topical Nonimmune Mast-Cell Degranulating Agent (Compound 48/80)

Topical application of the nonimmune selective mast-cell degranulating agent, compound 48/80, produced the signs and symptoms of ocular allergy (itching, injection, chemosis, and mucous discharge) in eight guinea pigs, eight rabbits, and nine humans. The histamine H1 receptor antagonist, antazoline phosphate, blocked itching but not vasodilation in five humans pretreated with compound 48-80. This suggests that histamine was one of the mediators released by compound 48-80-induced degranulation. Compound 48-80 may be helpful in evaluating the effects of therapeutic agents capable of modifying mast-cell degranulation and in the study of mediators involved in external ocular inflammation.

Molluscum Contagiosum of the Eyelids in Patients with Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome

BACKGROUND Infection with molluscum contagiosum has been reported in patients with acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS). Involvement of the eyelids by molluscum in patients with AIDS has rarely been mentioned. METHODS Two patients with AIDS presented with eyelid molluscum contagiosum. Detailed examination and follow-up was performed. RESULTS One patient had noted ocular irritation with epiphora for several weeks and showed a typical viral keratoconjunctivitis in both eyes. The other patient progressed to confluent masses involving the entire lower eyelid on one side. Removal of the lesions by surgery and cryotherapy was followed by recurrences in both patients within 6 to 7 weeks, the incubation period for this viral infection. CONCLUSION Molluscum contagiosum can form confluent lesions on the eyelids in patients with AIDS, which may cause a keratoconjunctivitis. Local removal of molluscum eyelid nodules appears to be of limited long-term value in patients with T-cell immunodeficiency.

Aspergillus Keratitis with Intraocular Invasion

A healthy 48-year-old man developed Aspergillus keratitis following mild corneal trauma. Intensive medical therapy, initially empirical, then guided by in vitro sensitivity testing, as well as attempts at surgical excision of the infection, were ultimately unsuccessful. The poor therapeutic response may have been due to fungal penetration of the deep corneal stromal before treatment was initiated. The clinical and histologic features of A keratitis are described and related to fungal keratitis in general. The strengths and limitations of laboratory diagnostic aids are discussed. Fungal keratitis may follow a disarmingly mild early clinical course, but requires prompt, aggressive therapy if serious complications are to be avoided.

Alkaline Tear pH in Ocular Rosacea

We compared the tear pH values of 44 normal, healthy volunteers, 20 patients with ocular disorders other than rosacea, seven patients with untreated, active ocular rosacea, and five patients with tetracycline-treated ocular rosacea. The group with untreated, active ocular rosacea had significantly more alkaline tear pH values than the other groups tested. In patients with tetracycline-treated ocular rosacea, tear pH values were not significantly different from those of normal subjects.