Osama H. Ababneh

Long-term efficacy and safety of botulinum toxin A injections to treat blepharospasm and hemifacial spasm.

To evaluate efficacy and safety of botulinum toxin A injections after more than 10 consecutive years of treatment for benign essential blepharospasm and hemifacial spasm.

Mutations in IRX5 impair craniofacial development and germ cell migration via SDF1

Using homozygosity mapping and locus resequencing, we found that alterations in the homeodomain of the IRX5 transcription factor cause a recessive congenital disorder affecting face, brain, blood, heart, bone and gonad development. We found through in vivo modeling in Xenopus laevis embryos that Irx5 modulates the migration of progenitor cell populations in branchial arches and gonads by repressing Sdf1. We further found that transcriptional control by Irx5 is modulated by direct protein-protein interaction with two GATA zinc-finger proteins, GATA3 and TRPS1; disruptions of these proteins also cause craniofacial dysmorphisms. Our findings suggest that IRX proteins integrate combinatorial transcriptional inputs to regulate key signaling molecules involved in the ontogeny of multiple organs during embryogenesis and homeostasis.

KeraRing intrastromal corneal ring segments for correction of keratoconus.

Purpose: Intrastromal corneal ring segments (ICRSs) are small arc-like implants that are being used increasingly as a minimally invasive treatment for patients with keratoconus. This study assessed the effectiveness of KeraRing implants, a type of ICRS, to treat keratoconus. Methods: Retrospective case series descriptive study of 43 patients (55 eyes) with keratoconus who underwent KeraRing implantation from February 2008 to June 2009. Patients who had intraoperative or postoperative complications and/or did not complete at least 6 months of follow-up were excluded. All patients underwent complete ophthalmologic examinations that included measurement of the uncorrected visual acuity (UCVA), best spectacle–corrected visual acuity (BSCVA), manifest refraction, and keratometry before and 2 days, 2 weeks, 1 month, and 3 and 6 months after surgery. The ring segments were chosen based on a nomogram from the manufacturer. Results: Six months postoperatively, the mean UCVA increased significantly (P < 0.05) from 0.10 ± 0.11 to 0.32 ± 0.25 and the mean BSCVA increased from 0.36 ± 0.23 to 0.57 ± 0.24 (P < 0.05). The mean spherical refractive error significantly (P < 0.05) improved from −4.85 ± 2.90 diopters (D) to −1.89 ± 2.68 D, and the mean cylindrical refractive error significantly (P < 0.05) improved from −3.65 ± 1.70 D to −2.60 ± 1.62 D. The mean spherical equivalent significantly (P < 0.05) decreased from −6.68 ± 2.93 D to −3.19 ± 2.75 D, and the mean keratometry value decreased from 51.83 ± 4.14 D to 47.27 ± 3.68 D. The improvement in the UCVA and BSCVA continued over the 6-month postoperative period, but significant changes occurred only during the first 3 months. These changes occurred in patients with all grades of keratoconus. Conclusions: KeraRing implantation provided significant improvement in visual acuity, spherical equivalent, and keratometry results. This ICRS is an effective treatment for managing keratoconus and might delay or even avoid the need for penetrating keratoplasty.

Intravitreal bevacizumab in the treatment of diabetic ocular neovascularization.

Purpose: To evaluate the efficacy of intravitreal bevacizumab for treating diabetic retinal and/or iris neovascularization. Methods: Consecutive, prospective, interventional case series study of 60 eyes with diabetic retinal and/or iris neovascularization. Patients had a complete ocular examination before receiving 1.25 mg (0.05 mL) of intravitreal bevacizumab. Abnormal new vessels elsewhere in the retina, optic disk, or iris were graded by size and associated hemorrhage or glaucoma. Patients had complete postinjection ophthalmic evaluations with regrading of the abnormal new vessels at 3 months and 6 months. The main outcome measures included clinical partial or total regression of abnormal new vessels, changes in visual acuity, and complications related to the intravitreal injections. Results: Twenty-six patients (47.3%) were men (mean age, 59 years). Abnormal new vessel regression at 6 months occurred in 65% of new vessels of the iris (P = 0.001), 45% of new vessels of the optic disk (P = 0.009), and 43% of new vessels elsewhere (P = 0.008). The visual acuity improved in 20% of eyes, which was not significant (P = 0.235); the visual acuity deteriorated in 23% of eyes (P = 0.163). No systemic or ocular side effects developed except for postinjection hypotony in one eye. Conclusion: Intravitreal bevacizumab is a well-tolerated medication that causes regression of abnormal diabetic neovascularization. New vessels of the iris responded more than new vessels of the optic disk and new vessels elsewhere.

Orbital, subconjunctival, and subcutaneous emphysema after an orbital floor fracture

A 16-year-old boy presented to the emergency department with the complaint of a sudden, painful left eye and proptosis after an episode of sneezing. A few hours earlier, he had sustained a blunt trauma to the left orbit as the result of a fistfight. The initial examination showed subcutaneous and subconjunctival emphysema. Visual acuity in the left eye was 20/30 (0.67), the pupils were reactive with no relative afferent pupillary defect, and there were mild limitations in levoduction and supraduction. A slit-lamp examination showed normal anterior and posterior segments with an intraocular pressure of 26 mmHg. An orbital computed tomography scan showed orbital, subconjunctival, and subcutaneous emphysema associated with a small fracture of the orbital floor. Following conservative management with broad-spectrum oral antibiotics, a topical antiglaucoma drug, and lubricating eye drops, the patient improved dramatically within one week.

Mesenchymal stem cells and conditioned media in the treatment of multiple sclerosis patients: Clinical, ophthalmological and radiological assessments of safety and efficacy

This open‐label prospective phase I/IIa clinical study used autologous bone marrow‐derived mesenchymal stromal cells (BM‐MSCs) followed by mesenchymal stromal cells conditioned media (MSC‐CM) for the first time to treat multiple sclerosis (MS) patients. The primary goal was to assess the safety and feasibility and the secondary was efficacy. The correlation between the MSC‐CM content and treatment outcome was investigated.

Ferrara ring segments implantation for treating keratoconus

AIM To investigate the efficacy of Ferrara rings (FR) implantation in the treatment of keratoconus. METHODS It was a retrospective case series descriptive study. The sample was comprised of 50 patients 79 eyes diagnosed with progressive keratoconus. This included 24 (48%) males and 26 (52%) females between the age of 13 and 44 years. All participants underwent surgical implantation of FR in the period between January 2009 and September 2010 at Jordan University Hospital. Thorough ophthalmologic examinations were applied to measure vital variables for each pathological condition before and after surgery. RESULTS Findings indicated an overall significant postoperative improvement in both uncorrected visual acuity (UCVA) and best spectacle corrected visual acuity (BSCVA) throughout follow up visits. Moreover, results illustrated a significant decrease in spherical equivalent (SE) and keratometric readings (lower, higher and the average). CONCLUSION Surgical intervention strategies are being frequently developed to meet the needs of patients with keratoconus. The implantation of Ferrara rings has proven to be a safe and feasible alternative procedure for the treatment of mild-moderate keratoconus especially for patients with contact lenses intolerance. We have found that this procedure has improved visual outcomes in all eyes studied. Nevertheless, further research is needed to investigate long term outcomes.

Classic Triad of Ross Syndrome with Diffuse Autonomic Dysfunction and Positive Antinuclear Antibody Titre

A 23-year-old woman presented with left-sided hemifacial flushing and hyperhidrosis with right-sided anhidrosis. Examination showed a dilated right pupil and a slightly constricted left pupil with bilateral sluggish vermiform movements and light-near dissociation. A neurological examination showed absent deep tendon reflexes. Magnetic resonance imaging of the brain, neck, and spine was normal. These features are consistent with Ross syndrome. Ross syndrome is characterized by Holmes-Adie syndrome (tonic pupil, areflexia of deep tendon reflexes) and segmental anhidrosis and lies within the spectrum of peripheral, partial autonomic dysfunction syndromes together with harlequin and Horner syndromes. In addition to the classic triad of Ross syndrome, the patient had diffuse, systemic autonomic dysfunction with a positive antinuclear antibody test and a positive ribonucleoprotein antibody titre.

Canalicular pyocele: A new entity and literature review

Canaliculoceles are rare, and under-recognized lesions of the upper lacrimal drainage system that may present as medial canthal masses or swelling. The current case is that of an 85-year-old female patient presented with a painful right upper lid medial, cystic swelling of 10-day duration involving the punctum and the upper canaliculus. A literature review showed that this is the seventh reported case of a canaliculocele but the first case of acute onset that is associated with inflammatory signs and symptoms and accumulation of purulent material. The term canalicular pyocele is suggested to describe this condition.

Isolated Bilateral Lacrimal Gland Agenesis

A 5-year-old boy presented to the ophthalmology department complaining of absent tearing while crying. Slit-lamp examination showed decreased tear margin film with normal punctae. Orbit magnetic resonance imaging was done and showed bilateral absent lacrimal glands. This is the third case of isolated bilateral lacrimal gland agenesis in the literature. [J Pediatr Ophthalmol Strabismus. 2016;53:e35-e38.].