Shaheen C. Kavoussi

Visual recovery following open globe injury with initial no light perception

Background The purpose of this study was to analyze eyes presenting with no light perception (NLP) after open globe injury (OGI) to determine visual outcomes and prognostic indicators for visual recovery. Methods The records of consecutive patients with at least 6 months of follow-up presenting with OGI and NLP to a single institution between January 1, 2003 and December 31, 2013 were reviewed for demographics, ophthalmic history, context and characteristics of injury, ocular examination findings, surgical interventions, and follow-up visual acuity. Unpaired t-tests and Fisher’s Exact tests were used for statistical analysis. Results Twenty-five patients met our inclusion criteria. The mean age was 50.4±25.5 (range 8–91) years. Four patients (16%) regained vision (hand motion in three patients and light perception in one patient) while 21 patients (84%) remained with NLP or had a prosthesis at final follow-up. Fourteen eyes (56%) were enucleated; nine (36%) were secondary enucleations. Although the sample sizes were small, neither ocular trauma score nor wound size was found to predict visual recovery. Conclusion Four patients regained some vision after presenting with NLP due to OGI. These findings suggest that, in select cases, physicians should discuss the possibility of regaining some vision.

Spontaneous Periocular Ecchymosis in Children: Differential Diagnosis and Current Trends in Evaluation and Management

While periocular ecchymosis commonly develops following surgery or traumatic injury to the orbit, the spontaneous appearance of periocular ecchymosis in children can indicate the presence of life-threatening conditions including pediatric malignancies (neuroblastoma, rhabdomyosarcoma, leukemia) and hematologic disorders (aplastic anemia, thrombocytopenia). Vascular malformations (capillary hemangioma, lymphangioma, orbital varix), inflammatory conditions (orbital myositis, amyloidosis), pertussis, and Blue rubber bleb nevus syndrome are benign differential considerations with visual complications in certain instances. Since spontaneous periocular ecchymosis (SPE) can be encountered by pediatric subspecialists both within and outside ophthalmology, the authors present a review of the current literature integrating the clinical features, latest diagnostic investigations, and updates in management for the entities that cause spontaneous periocular ecchymosis in children. A comprehensive and current understanding of the differential diagnosis elicited by this unique ocular finding will aid the clinician in managing long-term visual consequences and coordinating with appropriate pediatric subspecialists.

Central retinal vein occlusion resulting from anomalous retinal vascular anatomy in a 24-year-old man

An otherwise healthy 24-year-old man presented with a painless decrease of vision in the left eye for 2 days. Best-corrected visual acuity was 20/20 in the right eye and 20/80 in the left eye. Anterior exam was unremarkable and funduscopic exam in the left eye revealed retinal hemorrhages in all four quadrants with venous dilation and tortuosity consistent with central retinal vein occlusion. Fluorescein angiography revealed delayed venous filling with neither leakage nor vasculitis. A comprehensive work-up that included infectious, inflammatory, and hypercoagulability studies was unremarkable, and magnetic resonance imaging of the orbits was unrevealing. After 2 months, best-corrected visual acuity returned to 20/20-2 in the left eye. Upon closer review of the vascular anatomy in the left eye, a bifurcation of the central retinal artery at the level of the optic disc was tightly intertwined with an undilated nasal retinal vein in a manner that appeared to compress the underlying central retinal vein, resulting in dilation and tortuosity of the remaining venous branches. The vessel wall damage, turbulent venous flow, and compressive mass effect resulting from the anomalous retinal vasculature relationship is the proposed mechanism of the central retinal vein occlusion. Careful attention to the retinal vascular anatomy is suggested to aid in assessing the risk of retinal vein occlusion in any age group.

Characteristics and outcomes of fall-related open-globe injuries in pseudophakic patients

Aim We aimed to identify the characteristics and prognostic indicators of poor visual and anatomic outcome in pseudophakic patients with fall-related open-globe (OG) injuries. We used a case series design, for a total of 26 patients. Methods Charts of consecutive pseudophakic patients with fall-related OG injury at a single institution were reviewed. Demographics, ophthalmic history, circumstances of injury, initial best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), examination findings, surgical interventions, and follow-up BCVA were tabulated for statistical analysis with unpaired t-tests and Fisher’s exact tests. Results Nineteen patients (73%) were women. Mean (± standard deviation) age was 80.6±4.6 years (range: 61–97 years). Initial BCVA was <20/400 in 24 of 25 patients (96%). Mean ocular trauma score (OTS) was 38.54±10.95. OTS was lower (P=0.0017, P<0.0001, and P=0.0240) and wound size was larger (P=0.0440, 0.0145, and 0.0026) in patients with final BCVA <20/40, <20/400, and phthisis at final follow-up, respectively; compared to patients with BCVA ≥20/40, 20/400, and no phthisis at final follow-up, respectively. Final BCVA <20/400 was associated with 360° subconjunctival hemorrhage (SCH), retinal detachment, and proliferative vitreoretinopathy (P=0.0498, 0.0181, and 0.0310, respectively). Total hyphema, intraocular lens (IOL) damage, and IOL expulsion were associated with needing multiple surgical interventions (P=0.0345, P<0.0001, and P=0.0023, respectively). Conclusion Large wound size, low OTS, 360° SCH, total hyphema, posterior injury, and IOL damage are common findings that are also prognostic of poor visual and anatomic outcome in pseudophakic patients with fall-related OG injuries. Ophthalmologists dealing primarily with geriatric populations should contribute to the discussion of fall risk.

The relationship between sex and symmetry in thyroid eye disease

Purpose To examine the relationships between sex and symmetry in the context of disease activity, severity, and thyroid status in thyroid eye disease. Methods Retrospective chart review of 31 men and 31 women with untreated thyroid eye disease. Subjective complaints, smoking status, thyroid status, and objective findings pertinent to the clinical activity score (CAS) and “NO SPECS” classification were recorded. Overall disease asymmetry was defined as having simultaneous asymmetry of both more than one symptom and more than one external finding. Asymmetry was compared across sex and thyroid status. CAS and NO SPECS severity were compared across sex, symmetry, and thyroid status. Results Asymmetric appearance was reported by 58% of men and 19% of women. Asymmetric proptosis (>2 mm difference) was seen in 45% of men and 23% of women (P=0.036). Overall asymmetry was seen in 55% of men and 19% of women (P=0.017). Thyroid status and sex had a combined effect on symmetry, as 15 of 16 hyperthyroid females (94%) demonstrated symmetric disease. Average NO SPECS severity was 3.5 (standard deviation [SD] 1.4) in men and 3.3 (SD 1.1) in women (P=0.51), and was 3.8 (SD 1.4) in asymmetric patients versus 3.2 (SD 1.3) in symmetric patients (P=0.08). The CAS was higher in asymmetric than symmetric patients (1.84 versus 0.97; P=0.012). Conclusion Men demonstrated more asymmetric disease (proptosis and overall asymmetry) than women, while hyperthyroid females demonstrated more symmetry than euthyroid and hypothyroid males and females. NO SPECS severity score was unaffected by sex, thyroid status, or symmetry. Asymmetric patients demonstrated higher clinical activity scores.

Invasive conjunctival squamous cell carcinoma presenting with serous retinal detachment.

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Delayed bilateral fibrinous anterior chamber reaction following autologous bone marrow transplant and cataract surgery

Purpose Immune reconstitution uveitis (IRU) is a well-described phenomenon that by definition occurs in patients with AIDS who undergo highly active antiretroviral therapy resulting in a rebound inflammatory response to the presence of clinically latent cytomegalovirus (CMV). We hypothesize that similar phenomena may exist in other cohorts who undergo transient immunosuppression with rapid white blood cell count recovery. Observations A patient developed rebound inflammation a few months after cataract surgery with intraocular lens placement characterized by photophobia, significant anterior chamber cell and fibrinous deposits. She had a history of multiple myeloma treated with chemotherapy and a recovery of white blood cell counts following autologous bone marrow transplant. She underwent a thorough work-up for infectious etiologies, as well as the presence of intraocular CMV, which were negative. Her vision and symptoms improved to baseline with the use of topical steroids and at one year her exam remained stable. Conclusions and Importance With a negative work-up for infectious etiologies, and the timing and clinical presentation, the patients inflammation was likely the result of rapid white blood cell count recovery following iatrogenic immunosuppression similar to the mechanism described for IRU.