Journal Reviews
A phase 3 randomised trial of nicotinamide for skin cancer chemoprevention
To B3, or not to B3? That was the question asked in this controlled trial in which the authors were able to show that oral nicotinamide (vitamin B3) is able to reduce further skin cancer development in high risk patients....
Neighbourhood deprivation and risk of age-related eye diseases
In this large epidemiological study, the authors sought to determine if neighbourhood wealth affects age-related ocular health. In particular they wished to see if there was a correlation between social deprivation and macular degeneration, cataract, diabetes-related eye complications, and glaucoma....
Managing blepharophimosis
The authors present a prospective study of a one-stage technique for managing both telecanthus and ptosis seen in blepharophimosis syndrome. The technique involves carrying out a Y to V medial canthoplasty followed by a frontalis suspension which the authors carry...
Meibomian gland alteration in patients with primary chronic dacryocystitis: An in vivo confocal microscopy study
Chronic dacryocystitis affects tear film functionality and can predispose to ocular surface disease, however the specific effect of chronic dacryocystitis on meibomian gland function has not been studied. This group therefore performed in vivo confocal microscopy in 28 patients’ eyes...
Systemic rituximab immunotherapy in the management of primary ocular adnexal lymphoma single institutional experience
Ocular adnexal lymphomas constitute 2% of all non-Hodgkin’s disease and 5-15% of all extranodal lymphomas and are usually localised, low-grade and of B-cell origin. This opens them up to potential treatment with a systemic monoclonal antibody-based drug (rituximab) directed at...
Lower postoperative scar height is associated with increased postoperative trichiasis one year after bilamellar tarsal rotation surgery
Bilamellar tarsal rotation has been a key component of the WHO SAFE approach to blindness from trichiaisis (surgery, antibiotics, facial hygiene, environment). The World Health Organisation (WHO) manual describes the procedure as a full thickness blepharotomy placed 3.0mm above and...
Task shifting for eye care in Eastern Africa
More than eight million people suffer with trichiasis due to trachoma globally, but less than 160,000 receive surgery per year even though “S” is a key aspect of the elimination of blindness due to trachoma as part of the WHO...
Ointment related granulomas post-blepharoplasty
This is a retrospective review of eight patients who developed granulomatous masses after lower lid blepharoplasty. All patients had sutureless bilateral trans-conjunctival surgery, and lubricating ointment was instilled into the inferior fornix postoperatively for two days. Painless lower lid masses...
Biodegradable plates in lateral orbitotomy surgery
This is a description of a new method for fixating the bone flap during a lateral orbitotomy. The technique involves the use of an absorbable lactide plate. This is warmed in a water bath to allow trimming and moulding to...
Twenty-four hour IOP patterns in patients with thyroid eye disease (OO/GL)
Elevated IOP in patients with thyroid eye disease (TED) can be caused by restriction and compression of the globe by enlarged extraocular muscles, elevated episcleral venous pressure and increased mucopolysaccharide deposition in the trabecular meshwork. Although previous studies have investigated...
Conjunctival melanoma involving the lacrimal drainage system
A total of 52 patients were diagnosed with conjunctival melanoma over a period of 17 years, 17 of whom required orbital exenteration. Five of these were found to have melanoma involving the lacrimal drainage apparatus (LDA). One was evident clinically...
Botulinum toxin after orbicularis myectomy
This is a retrospective review of 27 patients with benign essential blepharospasm who had become resistant to treatment with botulinum toxin and had therefore undergone orbicularis myectomy of the upper lids. The study compares the dose and frequency of botulinum...