Kelly A. Hutcheson

Clinical features predictive of successfully weaning from spectacles those children with accommodative esotropia

Abstract Purpose It has been reported that most children with accommodative esotropia are not able to discontinue spectacle wear as they become older. We conducted a prospective study to determine which factors are predictive of successfully weaning children from spectacles. Methods Beginning in 1995, children with fully accommodative esotropia with a baseline refractive error of + 1.50 to + 5.00 diopters (D) were gradually weaned from their hyperopic correction. Patients with amblyopia or who had previously undergone strabismus surgery were excluded. Children were weaned in 0.50 D increments until spectacles were discontinued or they developed esotropia, asthenopia, or decreased vision. A multivariate analysis was performed to assess the association between successful weaning and various clinical characteristics. Results Twelve of 20 children (60%) were successfully weaned from spectacles. Spectacles were prescribed at a mean age of 4.2 ± 1.5 years, and weaning was initiated at a mean age of 8.0 ± 1.1 years. The spherical equivalent of the least hyperopic eye when spectacles were prescribed was 2.99 ± 1.06 D. The clinical characteristic most clearly associated with successful weaning was the refractive error at the time glasses were prescribed. Whereas 10 of 11 (91%) patients with P = .005). Conclusions Many children with fully accommodative esotropia can be weaned out of spectacles during the grade school years. The degree of baseline hyperopia appears to be one of the best predictors of success.

Magnetic resonance imaging in the analysis of pediatric orbital tumors: Utility of diffusion-weighted imaging

PURPOSE To identify common radiographic features of pediatric orbital tumors by the use of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) techniques, diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI), fat saturated T2, and pre- and postgadolinium T1. DWI is hypothesized to help identify and predict the malignancy of specific brain tumors. To our knowledge, a similar analysis in which the authors have used this combination of MRI techniques has not been performed with orbital tumors. METHODS We performed a retrospective chart review of all patients younger than 18 years of age, each diagnosed with an orbital mass lesion, imaged by MRI from 2005 to 2008. The MR images were analyzed by use of the aforementioned techniques. RESULTS Mass lesions identified in the chart review included rhabdomyosarcoma (n = 4), myofibroma (n = 2), hemangioma (n = 4), lymphangioma (n = 2), neurofibroma (n = 4), Langerhans histiocytosis (n = 2), and one of each of the following: giant cell tumor, meningioma, lymphoid hyperplasia of the lacrimal gland (chronic sclerosing sialadenitis), optic nerve glioma, lipodermoid, and dermoid. DWI was used to differentiate tumors into those with increased diffusion, restricted diffusion, and a mixed diffusion pattern. Capillary hemangiomas and rhabdomyosarcomas 2 tumors with potentially overlapping appearances with traditional MRI techniques had contrasting appearances with DNI. CONCLUSIONS DWI can help to distinguish among certain pediatric orbital tumors when combined with traditional MRI techniques. This technique may thus be considered an additional tool to help, refine the differential diagnosis of orbital tumors in children.

Weaning children with accommodative esotropia out of spectacles: a pilot study

Background/aim: Many children with accommodative esotropia must continue spectacle use throughout life. This study was undertaken to determine which factors are predictive of successfully weaning children with accommodative esotropia out of spectacles. Methods: A retrospective review of 10 children with accommodative esotropia, who were gradually weaned from their hyperopic correction, and three age matched controls was performed. The main outcome measure was resolution or non-resolution of esotropia following weaning and eventual discontinuation of spectacles. Secondary outcome measures were final refractive error and the final esotropic or esophoric angle without correction. Results: Six patients were successfully weaned from spectacles. At the completion of the weaning period one child was orthophoric and the other five children had well controlled esophorias. The other four patients remained spectacle dependent because of persistent esotropia or decreased vision without spectacles. The baseline and final refractive errors were significantly lower in the children successfully weaned from spectacles (p = 0.014). While the children who were successfully weaned from spectacles were older when initially diagnosed with accommodative esotropia (4.6 v 2.5 years), this difference was not statistically significant (p = 0.09). Conclusion: Some children with accommodative esotropia may be weaned out of spectacles during the grade school years with resolution of their esotropia. It is likely that gradual reduction of the hyperopic correction increases divergence amplitudes, but it is unclear whether this facilitates emmetropisation.

Handheld optical coherence tomography during sedation in young children with optic pathway gliomas

IMPORTANCE Monitoring young children with optic pathway gliomas (OPGs) for visual deterioration can be difficult owing to age-related noncompliance. Optical coherence tomography (OCT) measures of retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thickness have been proposed as a surrogate marker of vision but this technique is also limited by patient cooperation. OBJECTIVE To determine whether measures of circumpapillary RNFL thickness, acquired with handheld OCT (HH-OCT) during sedation, can differentiate between young children with and without vision loss from OPGs. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS This cross-sectional analysis of a prospective observational study was conducted at a tertiary-care childrens hospital. Children with an OPG (sporadic or secondary to neurofibromatosis type 1) who were cooperative for visual acuity testing, but required sedation to complete magnetic resonance imaging, underwent HH-OCT imaging of the circumpapillary RNFL while sedated. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES Area under the curve of the receiver operating characteristic, sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value of the average and quadrant-specific RNFL thicknesses. RESULTS Thirty-three children (64 eyes) met inclusion criteria (median age, 4.8 years; range, 1.8-12.6 years). In children with vision loss (abnormal visual acuity and/or visual field), RNFL thickness was decreased in all quadrants compared with the normal-vision group (P < .001 for all comparisons). Using abnormal criteria of less than 5% and less than 1%, the area under the curve was highest for the average RNFL thickness (0.96 and 0.97, respectively) compared with specific anatomic quadrants. The highest discrimination and predictive values were demonstrated for participants with 2 or more quadrants meeting less than 5% (sensitivity = 93.3; specificity = 97.9; positive predictive value = 93.3; and negative predictive value = 97.9) and less than 1% (sensitivity = 93.3; specificity = 100; positive predictive value = 100; and negative predictive value = 98.0) criteria. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE Measures of RNFL thickness acquired with HH-OCT during sedation can differentiate between young children with and without vision loss from OPGs. For young children who do not cooperate with vision testing, HH-OCT measures may be a surrogate marker of vision. Longitudinal studies are needed to delineate the temporal relationship between RNFL decline and vision loss.

Vitreous hemorrhage in patients with high-risk retinopathy of prematurity

PURPOSE To investigate outcomes in premature infants with high-risk retinopathy of prematurity and secondary vitreous hemorrhage. DESIGN Retrospective chart review. METHODS Patients were selected from a database of infants undergoing retinopathy of prematurity screening from September 1997 to November 1999. Infants with high-risk retinopathy of prematurity (zone I or posterior zone II threshold disease) with and without vitreous hemorrhage were compared. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Final stage of retinopathy of prematurity and short-term structural outcome were assessed. Visual acuity and refraction were measured when possible. RESULTS Twenty-two eyes of 11 patients (group 1) had high-risk (posterior zone II or zone I threshold) retinopathy of prematurity without vitreous hemorrhage. Group 1 patients had a 91% favorable short-term structural outcome. Eight eyes of five infants developed vitreous hemorrhage with high-risk retinopathy of prematurity (group 2). Group 2 patients had only a 12.5% favorable short-term structural outcome. Seven of eight (87.5%) progressed to stage IVa or IVb retinopathy of prematurity. Six eyes underwent vitreoretinal surgery after a median duration of hemorrhage of 36 +/- 29 days (4-70 days). Three eyes developed stage V detachments and three progressed to phthisical degeneration. Final visual acuity was no light perception in three eyes. CONCLUSION Vitreous hemorrhage, in association with advanced retinopathy of prematurity, is a poor prognostic sign.

Balloon dilatation for treatment of resistant nasolacrimal duct obstruction

PURPOSE Our purpose was to report our experience with balloon catheter dilatation for resistant nasolacrimal duct obstruction. METHODS Patients enrolled had symptoms of nasolacrimal duct obstruction and (1) had failed previous probing or (2) were more than 2 years old. Balloon dilatation was performed with a LacriCATH lacrimal catheter (Atrion Medical Products, Birmingham, Ala.). A subset of patients had Silastic silicone rubber (Dow Corning, Midland, Mich.) intubation after balloon dilatation. Success was determined by clinical examination a minimum of 6 weeks later. RESULTS Twenty-one lacrimal systems of 12 patients were treated (age range 4 months to 7 years). Of the patient subset treated with a LacriCATH lacrimal catheter alone, 9 of 18 systems demonstrated complete resolution of symptoms. Three of the 12 patients underwent balloon dilatation intraoperatively after attempts at Silastic silicone rubber intubation were unsuccessful. In two of these patients, who were younger, Silastic silicone rubber tubes passed easily after balloon treatment; however, in an older patient, age 5 years, intubation still could not be accomplished. CONCLUSION Common clinical strategy for treatment of resistant nasolacrimal obstruction includes repeat probing, intubation of the nasolacrimal system with Silastic silicone rubber tubes, or dacryocystorhinostomy. Balloon catheter dilatation is an alternative or adjunct to consider. Factors that may affect the success of treatment include the age of the patient, the complexity of the nasolacrimal anatomy, and use of adjunctive systemic antibiotics and steroids.

Pediatric sickle cell retinopathy: Correlation with clinical factors

BACKGROUND Sickle cell disease (SCD) occurs in 1 of every 500 African American births and 1 of every 36,000 Hispanic American births. Of children with SCD, 16.7% to 96.3% develop sickle retinopathy (SR). This study was designed to determine whether certain factors are associated with SR and whether SR is correlated with a greater incidence of other SCD manifestations. METHODS A retrospective analysis was performed of 258 children with SCD seen in the ophthalmology clinic at a large urban childrens hospital. Of these, 54 children with SR were matched for age and sickle variant with 54 children with normal examinations. Data extracted included demographics, type of retinopathy, presence of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency, and history of acute chest syndrome, transfusions, pulmonary hypertension, renal disease, cerebrovascular accident, aplastic crisis, splenic sequestration, priapism, osteonecrosis, gallstones, pneumonia, leg ulcers, vaso-occlusive pain crises, and death. RESULTS Of the children with SR, 11 (20.3%) had active proliferative disease, 32 (56.1%) had hemoglobin SS, 18 (31.6%) had hemoglobin SC, and 4 (7.0%) had hemoglobin S-beta thalassemia. Several factors were correlated with retinopathy: pain crisis (odds ratio [OR], 5.00; p=0.011), male sex (OR, 4.20, p=0.004), and splenic sequestration (OR, 4.00; p=0.013). G6PD deficiency was more common in patients with retinopathy, although this was not statistically significant (OR, 4.20; p=0.054). No other factors, including frequency of pain crisis, were statistically significant. CONCLUSIONS Patients with pain crisis and splenic sequestration should be considered for early ophthalmic evaluation. Those with G6PD deficiency may also deserve early screening. By identifying patients at high risk for SR, we can refine screening protocols to safeguard patients from vision loss.

Cyclic esotropia after a traumatic sixth nerve palsy in a child

Cyclic esotropia is a rare phenomenon in which esotropia and orthophoria alternate over a period of 48 to 96 hours. The mechanism that underlies the phenomenon is unknown. Cyclic esotropia often occurs after a fusion-disrupting event. We report an unusual case of cycling esotropia with onset after a traumatic sixth nerve palsy. The cyclic phase persisted for 2 years, following a 48-hour alternate-day pattern. After strabismus surgery for the esotropic angle, the deviation disappeared and the patient remained orthotropic, with 1 year of follow-up to date.

Periocular Abscess and Cellulitis From Pasteurella multocida in a Healthy Child

PURPOSE To examine an unusual cause of periorbital cellulitis, Pasteurella multocida. METHODS Case report, review of the literature. RESULTS We treated a 13-year-old previously healthy child who developed Pasteurella preseptal cellulitis secondary to a cat bite and cat scratch. After receiving a dose of intravenous antibiotics and starting oral antibiotics, the child had delayed onset of several abscesses around the right eye, with marked pain and erythema. After incision and drainage, he improved. CONCLUSION Pasteurella multocida is a rare but potentially serious cause of ocular infection. All cases of potential exposure should be treated promptly and followed until complete resolution of infection.

Large, visually significant, and transient change in refractive error after uncomplicated strabismus surgery

S everal reports have documented small changes in refractive error after strabismus surgery. In the case reported here, a patient experienced more than 4 diopters’ increase in with-the-rule astigmatism after an uncomplicated single vertical rectus muscle recession. The astigmatic error persisted for 3 months before it resolved. Large changes in refractive error after strabismus surgery are uncommon but may occur.