Research and Publications

Abstract

Lagophthalmos from facial nerve palsy is traditionally measured with patients in an upright position and may fail to identify positional variability. This study aims to assess the effects of body position, surgical technique, implant material, and patient demographics on lagophthalmos.A multicenter prospective study was performed to evaluate positional changes in paralytic lagophthalmos and the effects of various patient and surgical factors.Sixty-four eyelids were included. Thirty-two (50%) of eyelids had upper eyelid weight implantation with a median post-operative follow-up of 67 weeks. The mean change in lagophthalmos from sitting to supine was a 1.4 mm increase (p < 0.001). There was a larger lagophthalmos variability in patients with eyelid weights compared to those without (p = 0.047), and in patients with gold compared to platinum weights (p = 0.026). Positional increase in lagophthalmos did not correlate with weight position (i.e. pretarsal vs. supratarsal) (p = 0.26), weight load (p = 0.70), House-Brackmann severity (p = 0.16), age (p = 0.14), or gender (p = 0.13).Surgeons should routinely measure lagophthalmos in the supine position, as nocturnal corneal exposure may warrant ocular lubrication, occlusion, or additional surgery. Platinum weights may be preferred over gold due to less positional lagophthalmos variability.

View details for DOI 10.1080/01676830.2024.2444497

View details for PubMedID 39773315

Abstract

Teprotumumab, a novel human monoclonal antibody, has been shown to reverse the clinical manifestations of thyroid eye disease. Previous reports have suggested that it demonstrates disease-modifying properties through the reduction of orbital fat and muscle volumes. This study aims to analyze orbital volumetric change following treatment and to identify clinical and radiological predictors of response.This was a prospective longitudinal study with 35 consecutive patients who had available pre- and posttreatment orbital imaging. Three-dimensional volumetric calculations of orbital fat, extraocular muscles, and proptosis were measured using previously validated image processing software. This information was used with demographic data to create a multivariate regression model to review which baseline clinical or radiological factors were predictors of proptosis response.In the study orbit, 20 patients (57%) had a proptosis reduction of ≥2 mm. In the fellow orbit, 18 patients (51%) had a proptosis reduction of ≥2 mm. Regression modeling revealed that baseline proptosis and baseline muscle volumes were significant predictors of proptosis response (p < 0.01 and p < 0.05, respectively). Further, changes in muscle volume and fat volume were significantly associated with proptosis response (r = 0.5, p < 0.001 and r = 0.3, p = 0.012, respectively).Teprotumumab significantly reduces orbital fat and muscle volumes. This is manifested by a significant reduction in proptosis. Baseline proptosis and muscle volumes are significant predictors of proptosis response.

View details for DOI 10.1097/IOP.0000000000002867

View details for PubMedID 39714282

Abstract

To compare regression rates, characteristics, and surgical outcomes of thyroid eye disease patients who underwent orbit, strabismus, or eyelid surgery at various times during or after teprotumumab treatment.Multicenter, retrospective, observational cohort study.Adult patients (age >18) with a minimum of 4 infusions of teprotumumab treatment for thyroid eye disease who had had eye surgery during or after treatment.Two groups were formed based on surgery timing: group 1 (G1) (<180 days since last infusion) and group 2 (G2) (≥180 days since last infusion).The primary outcome was postoperative regression rates. Secondary outcomes were postoperative regression characteristics, regression treatment, and orbital decompression proptosis reduction.This study evaluated 53 patients (81% female) who underwent 78 surgeries. G1 comprised 24 individuals with 34 surgeries, while G2 comprised 29 patients with 44 surgeries. Regression rates did not significantly differ between G1 and G2 (20.8% vs. 14.7%, p = 0.611). Compared with G1 patients, patients in G2 who regressed showed a significant mean increase in Clinical Activity Score (4.2 vs. 6.1, p = 0.027) and a nonsignificant yet measured increase in proptosis when compared with those in G1 (2.9 vs. 4.25, p = 0.298) at the time of regression. Compared with G1 patients, G2 patients who regressed were equally likely to undergo a repeat course of teprotumumab as group 1 (p = 0.14) but underwent a higher number of additional surgical procedures (p = 0.057). Thyroid stimulating immunoglobin levels uptrended more often in patients who regressed.Our study suggests that while the rate of regression may not differ significantly, the severity, clinical impact, and need for additional surgery might be more pronounced for patients who have surgery more than 6 months after their last teprotumumab dose.

View details for DOI 10.1097/IOP.0000000000002839

View details for PubMedID 39656059

Abstract

Background: This study aims to compare the surgical outcomes of transorbital versus endonasal endoscopic approaches for orbital subperiosteal abscess drainage. Methods: A retrospective review was conducted at a single institution of patients who underwent orbital subperiosteal abscess drainage from November 2009 to April 2023. Results: Of 64 patients, 44 (68.8%) underwent abscess drainage via an orbital approach, while 20 (31.3%) underwent endonasal endoscopic drainage. No significant difference in operative time or visual acuity improvement was found between the two groups. Abscess drainage via orbitotomy was associated with a longer total (average 8.1 days) and postoperative (average 7.3 days) hospitalization time compared to the endoscopic group (average 5.4 days and 4.2 days, respectively), though this difference was not statistically significant (p = 0.197, 0.136, respectively). For medial orbital abscesses, the average length of total and postoperative hospitalization was greater after orbitotomy (p = 0.028 and 0.019, respectively). At discharge, patients who underwent orbitotomy more commonly reported periorbital swelling (p = 0.0003), while postoperative pain was more common in the endoscopic drainage group (p = 0.009). Reoperation rate was higher after orbitotomy (34.1%) compared to the endoscopic drainage group (15.0%), though this was not statistically significant (p = 0.115). Conclusions: Transorbital and endoscopic surgical approaches for orbital abscess drainage have similar surgical outcomes, with no statistically significant differences noted in terms of visual acuity change or reoperation rate. Longer hospital stays were found for patients with medial orbital abscesses drained via orbitotomy.

View details for DOI 10.3390/jcm13237011

View details for PubMedID 39685468

View details for DOI 10.1016/j.ajo.2024.11.001

View details for PubMedID 39528009

View details for DOI 10.1097/IOP.0000000000002837

View details for Web of Science ID 001350945600013

View details for PubMedID 39495663

Abstract

Patients with Crohn's disease (CD) and subsequent ocular manifestations may have worse outcomes when compared to matched patients with CD without ocular disease.In this retrospective cohort study, an aggregated electronic health records research network, TriNetX (Cambridge, MA, USA), was used to identify patients diagnosed with CD stratified by the presence or absence of ocular involvement with at least 1 year of follow-up. Propensity score matching (PSM) was performed to control for baseline demographics and medical comorbidities.Patients with CD with ocular disease showed a greater risk of undergoing bowel resections (RR: 2.06, 95% CI: 1.48-2.85, p < 0.001), developing other CD-related gastrointestinal complications (RR: 1.31, CI: 1.15-1.49, p < 0.001), or acquiring Clostridioides difficile infections (RR: 2.19, CI: 1.89-2.54, p < 0.001). Further, patients with CD with ocular sequelae had a greater risk of developing NASH (RR: 1.43, CI: 1.31-1.56, p < 0.001), CD-related nutrient deficiencies (RR: 1.38, CI: 1.29-1.49, p < 0.001), iron deficiency anemia (RR: 1.41, CI: 1.33-1.50, p < 0.001), CD-related dermatological disease (RR: 1.84, CI: 1.65-2.05, p < 0.001), osteoporosis (RR: 1.49, CI: 1.37-1.64, p < 0.001) and primary sclerosing cholangitis (RR: 1.63, CI: 1.11-2.38, p = 0.011). Among patients with CD with ocular involvement, there was an elevated risk of MI (RR: 1.36, CI: 1.14-1.63, p < 0.001), stroke (RR: 1.42, CI: 1.18-1.70, p < 0.001), VTE (RR: 1.37, CI: 1.22-1.54, p < 0.001), and sepsis (RR: 1.53, CI: 1.37-1.71, p < 0.001).Patients who have CD and subsequent ocular involvement have an increased risk of local intestinal complications, extraintestinal morbidity, and cardiovascular complications when compared to patients with CD without ocular involvement.

View details for DOI 10.1080/09273948.2024.2413895

View details for PubMedID 39401331

Abstract

To compare the accuracy and readability of responses to oculoplastics patient questions provided by Google and ChatGPT. Additionally, to assess the ability of ChatGPT to create customized patient education materials.We executed a Google search to identify the 3 most frequently asked patient questions (FAQs) related to 10 oculoplastics conditions. FAQs were entered into both the Google search engine and the ChatGPT tool and responses were recorded. Responses were graded for readability using five validated readability indices and for accuracy by six oculoplastics surgeons. ChatGPT was instructed to create patient education materials at various reading levels for 8 oculoplastics procedures. The accuracy and readability of ChatGPT-generated procedural explanations were assessed.ChatGPT responses to patient FAQs were written at a significantly higher average grade level than Google responses (grade 15.6 vs 10.0, p < 0.001). ChatGPT responses (93% accuracy) were significantly more accurate (p < 0.001) than Google responses (78% accuracy) and were preferred by expert panelists (79%). ChatGPT accurately explained oculoplastics procedures at an above average reading level. When instructed to rewrite patient education materials at a lower reading level, grade level was reduced by approximately 4 (15.7 vs 11.7, respectively, p < 0.001) without sacrificing accuracy.ChatGPT has the potential to provide patients with accurate information regarding their oculoplastics conditions. ChatGPT may also be utilized by oculoplastic surgeons as an accurate tool to provide customizable patient education for patients with varying health literacy. A better understanding of oculoplastics conditions and procedures amongst patients can lead to informed eye care decisions.

View details for DOI 10.2147/OPTH.S480222

View details for PubMedID 39323727

View details for PubMedCentralID PMC11423829

Abstract

Assessing immune-related ocular toxicities from immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) is crucial, though rare. This study, utilizing real-world data, examines the occurrence of ophthalmic immune-related adverse events (irAEs) after ICI treatment and their impact on overall survival.A retrospective cohort study METHODS: Data were obtained from TriNetX, an aggregated electronic health records database. Patients who developed ophthalmic irAEs within 1 year after the first instance of ICI therapy were included. Participants with defined ocular toxicities 6 months before ICI treatment were excluded. Subjects were paired with controls using propensity scores derived from demographics and cancer type. A Cox proportional hazard model was used to determine hazard ratios. A Kaplan-Meier survival function was evaluated with the log-rank test based on the development of ophthalmic irAEs in a 12-month landmark analysis.A cohort of 41,020 patients comprising 57.4% males with a mean age of 65.2±11.9 years was included. The five most prevalent ophthalmic irAEs in this cohort were dry eye syndrome (2%), conjunctivitis (0.87%), blepharitis (0.51%), anterior uveitis (0.39%), and keratitis (0.38%). Dry eye syndrome was the most common irAE among all ICI classes. Subjects taking CTLA-4 inhibitor plus PD-1 inhibitor and CTLA-4 inhibitors had higher rates of anterior uveitis (1.39% and 1.29%, respectively) than PD-1 inhibitors (0.27%) and PD-L1 inhibitors (0.14%) within 1 year after taking ICI. After a 12-month landmark analysis, there was a significant decreased chance of survival for the following categories: any ophthalmic irAE (HR, 1.37; 95% CI, 1.20-1.56; P < 0.0001), neuro-ophthalmic irAE (HR, 1.53; 95% CI, 1.09-2.14; P = 0.0124), and cornea and ocular surface irAE (HR, 1.34; 95% CI, 1.15-1.56; P < 0.0001).Ophthalmic irAEs involving the anterior segment are more frequent than the posterior segment, regardless of ICI class. Ophthalmic irAEs may also portend decreased survival. This insight could help guide clinicians aggressively manage irAEs and allow patients to continue ICI therapy despite having ocular issues.

View details for DOI 10.1016/j.ajo.2024.08.044

View details for PubMedID 39271090

Abstract

Teprotumumab, a novel IGF-1R antibody was recently shown to significantly reduce the signs of acute and chronic thyroid eye disease (TED) related to hyperthyroidism. Given the lower incidence of TED associated with hypothyroidism / euthyroidism, there is a paucity of data regarding the efficacy of teprotumumab in this group.In this multicenter study, consecutive patients who had been diagnosed with TED, presenting with either hypothyroidism or euthyroidism as their baseline thyroid dysfunction and treated with teprotumumab were included. All patients had measurements of proptosis, clinical activity scores (CAS), diplopia scores and four-point strabismus scores before and after therapy.Twenty-six patients met the inclusion criteria. Mean age was 48 ± 14 years old and mean duration of TED prior to treatment was 31 ± 43 months. All patients received 8 infusions. Mean (SD) reduction in proptosis for study orbits was 2.7 mm (1.8) (p < 0.05) and 1.8 mm (2.0) for the fellow orbit (p < 0.05). In the study orbit, mean (SD) CAS was 2.3 (1.3) before therapy and 1.0 (1.0) following therapy (p < 0.05). At baseline, mean (SD) diplopia score was 1.2 (1.1) and 0.9 (1.1) following therapy (p < 0.05).Teprotumumab reduces proptosis and inflammation in patients presenting with TED associated with hypothyroidism and euthyroidism. The results of this study highlight the potential for teprotumumab therapy in this subgroup and also provide a unique insight into the potential role of the IGF-1R in these patients.

View details for DOI 10.1007/s00417-024-06599-3

View details for PubMedID 39136754

View details for PubMedCentralID 3213650