Autologous fat grafting has been extensively and successfully adopted in a number of pathologic conditions in regenerative surgery especially on irradiated fields in order to improve pain symptoms and tissue trophism promoting scar release. In the present study, we report our experience with autologous fat grafting for the treatment of postirradiation fibrosis and pain on three consecutive patients undergoing orbital enucleation for locally advanced retinoblastoma (RB) and subsequent radiotherapy. We selected three consecutive patients who underwent orbital enucleation for locally advanced RB and subsequent local radiotherapy showing severe reduction in orbital volume and eyelid length and retraction due to fibrosis, spontaneous local pain exacerbated after digital pressure with no possibility to place an ocular implant. They underwent autologous fat grafting in the orbital cavity and results were evaluated by clinical examination at 5 and 14 days, and 1, 3, 6 months, and 1 year after surgery. A significant release of scar retraction, reduction of fibrosis and orbital rim contraction together with an important improvement of pain symptoms was observed in all patients. The local changes observed enabled an ease placement of an ocular prosthetic implant (implant). No local or systemic complication occurred. Fat grafting is a promising treatment for patients showing radiotherapy related complication in the orbital area and it should be adopted by all oculoplastic surgeon in order to improve pain syndrome creating the ideal local conditions for the placement of an ocular prosthetic implant.

The purpose of this study was the evaluation of retinal abnormalities during a treatment with natural interferon (IFN-α for chronic hepatitis C. Retinal hemorrhages and optic disk edema were found in a 40-year-old woman during IFN-α therapy. The disk edema and retinopathy resolved after the INF was discontinued. Although retinal abnormalities correlated with IFN therapy have been described recently by some authors, the pathogenesis is still unclear. Anterior ischemic optic neuropathy occurring in a patient treated with IFN is a probable complication of the therapy.

Background and Objectives Among orbital tumors, metastatic lesions have a prevalence of 1% to 13%; on the other hand, breast cancer is the most common malignancy causing orbital metastases. The aim of this study is to present our experience dealing with orbital metastases caused by breast cancer, to assess characteristics and clinic‐pathological data of patients suffering from this rare occurrence and to find indexes related with their prognosis and survival. Methods Records of 28 patients diagnosed with orbital metastases from breast cancer at the Department of Ophthalmology, Humanitas Clinical and Research Centre of Milano over a 27‐year period (1992‐2018) were retrieved and analyzed. Results Mean patients' age at breast cancer diagnosis was 56.29 ± 14.63 years. Mean time interval between breast cancer diagnosis and orbital metastasis occurrence was 5 ± 4.17 years. All lesions were estrogen receptor‐positive; 79% of patients harbored progesterone receptor‐positive lesions. Interestingly, the majority of deceased patients presented orbital lesions with MIB‐1 index >50% (P = .0265) and had concomitant lung metastases (P = .0452). Conclusions The occurrence of orbital metastasis from breast cancer represents a challenging finding. Patients' clinical picture can include exophthalmos, edema, tumefaction, proptosis and/or diplopia. Significant symptomatic improvement can be achieved through surgery and other adjuvant treatments, such as radiation therapy and chemotherapy.

Purpose: The aim of the study was to investigate the role of the exoscope as an assisting tool in endoscopic dacryocystorhinostomy (e-DCR). Materials and Methods: In this observational retrospective study, the application of the VITOM® exoscope was studied in a group of 21 patients undergoing mono- or bilateral DCR. The primary endpoint was to evaluate resolution of symptoms (epiphora/dacryocystitis) at the 6-month follow-up and time for surgery. Qualitative features of the exoscope (intraoperative view of the surgical field) and comparison with the typical setting for DCR were analyzed as secondary endpoints. A questionnaire was administered to surgical team members (ENT surgeon, ophthalmologist, and scrub nurse) to evaluate the perceived quality of this new technology (12 items valued as “good” = 2, “acceptable” = 1, and “not acceptable” = 0). A questionnaire score of 24 out of 24 was valued as “completely approved,” score 20–23 as “moderately approved,” and score ≤19 as “weakly approved.” Patients were divided into 3 consecutive groups, and questionnaire scores by each team member were analyzed for tendencies. Statistical analysis was performed to test significance at p < 0.05. Local Ethical Committee approval was obtained. Results: No significant differences were found between exoscope-set DCR and classic setting for concerned patient outcomes (failure rate: 3.2 vs. 3.8%, respectively, p = 0.896) and mean time for surgery (20’ vs. 23’, respectively, p = 0.091). The exoscope was valued by surgical team members as “completely approved” in 55.5% of cases, “moderately approved” in 39.7%, and “weakly approved” in 4.8%. Questionnaire scores by the ENT, ophthalmologist, and scrub nurse showed an average increase in the 3 consecutive groups (p = 0.119, p = 0.024, and p < 0.001, respectively). Conclusions: The exoscope is a new tool that may support e-DCR. It has no effects on symptom outcomes (epiphora/dacryocystitis) and time for surgery compared to classic DCR. Based on self-perception, this new technology was accepted by all team members.

Purpose: To explore the relationship between topical antiglaucoma therapy, both prostaglandin and non-prostaglandin based eyedrops, and persistence of epiphora in glaucoma patients who underwent EN-DCR surgery for PANDO. Methods: prospective observational cohort study of all over 65 years-old patients with a dacryo-CT documented diagnosis of PANDO who underwent EN-DCR, were affected by glaucoma and treated with either topical monotherapy prostaglandin eyedrops or other antiglaucoma molecules, up to 12-month postoperative follow-up. Patients were assessed with Fluorescein Dye Disappearance Test and Munk scale. Results: Fifteen right eyes from 15 PG-group patients and 15 eyes right eyes from 15 non-PG-group patients were considered. Epiphora occurred in 1/15 (7%) of PG-group patients at 3 months, in 8/15 (53%) at 6 months, and in 11/15 (73%) at one year. In comparison, only 1/15 of non-PG-group patients developed epiphora at 6 months. The relative risk of epiphora in PG-group patients versus non-PG-group patients was 3.00 (95% CI, 0.13–68.1; p = 0.99) at 3 months, 8.00 (95% CI, 1.14–56.3; p = 0.014) at 6 months, and 11.0 (95% CI, 1.62–74.9; p < 0.001) at 12 months. Conclusion: Based on our results, we speculate that prostaglandin eye drops may affect the outcome of EN-DCR in terms of increasing epiphora recurrence from early to late postoperative follow up. The toxicity of antiglaucoma eye drops might damage spiral fibers of the mucous membrane of the lacrimal system inducing fibrosis by a proinflammatory mechanism.

ABSTRACT.The authors report a case of bilateral uveitis following Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia verified by IgM and rising IgG antibodies against the organism. Uveitis is a rare manifestation of Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia and since it is a common pathogen, it should be considered in the differential diagnosis, even in the absence of respiratory symptoms or neurological findings. Immunobiological hypotheses are briefly discussed.

Complete slit lamp ocular study, conjunctival swabs, routine hematologic tests, serum neoplasm markers, indirect immunofluorescence study, immunoblotting, and oral mucose biopsy with direct immunofluorescence were performed under the hypothesis of a paraneoplastic sign. Total body computed tomography scan and ultrasound-guided needle prostate biopsy completed the diagnostic process and confirmed the diagnosis of prostate PNP. Complete remission of ocular clinical signs was achieved by treatment of the prostate malignancy with systemic immunosuppressive therapy and chemotherapy.

No abstract