Background/Objectives: Astigmatism is a major risk factor for amblyopia. While optical correction improves visual acuity (VA), the long-term treatment outcomes, particularly in children with high astigmatism, remain understudied. This study aimed to determine the treatment effects, time course, and visual outcomes in children aged 3–7 years with high astigmatism and compared their VA improvement with those with low astigmatism. Methods: This retrospective cohort study included 63 children with untreated high with-the-rule astigmatism (≥+2.50 diopters [D]) and 46 with low astigmatism (≤1.50 D). The children with high astigmatism were classified based on their baseline best-corrected VA (BCVA) into good-VA (20/25 or better, n = 24), mild-VA-impairment (20/25–20/40, n = 19), and amblyopia (20/40 or worse, n = 20) groups. The primary outcomes include maximal improvement in mean BCVA post treatment, the cumulative probability of achieving a VA of 20/25 or better, and being within one line of the fellow eye. Results: The amblyopia, mild-VA-impairment, good-VA, and low astigmatism control groups showed mean improvements of logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution of 0.36 ± 0.08, 0.15 ± 0.05, 0.03 ± 0.04, and 0.01 ± 0.04, respectively. Post treatment with optical correction and/or patching over a mean duration of 46.61 ± 35.22 weeks, amblyopia resolved in all affected children. In the mild-VA-impairment group, only one child did not respond successfully to the treatment. The mean final VA showed no significant intergroup differences (p = 0.115). No amblyopia recurrence was observed at a mean follow-up of 118.33 weeks post resolution. Conclusions: Timely optical correction and patching effectively improve VA in children with high astigmatism, achieving outcomes comparable to those with low astigmatism.
Background: The Caldwell-Luc (CL) procedure, an outdated operative procedure that is used to treat inflammatory sinus diseases, is rarely performed presently. However, physicians may encounter patients with a history of CL surgery who develop considerable postoperative changes that may lead to diagnostic confusion in imaging evaluation; increase the difficulty of future surgery, such as sinonasal surgery; and increase the incidence of future intraoperative complications. Case summary: A 67-year-old man with a surgical history of chronic sinusitis reported epiphora of the left eye for five years. Balloon dacryocystoplasty was attempted but failed. Endo-DCR (Endoscopic dacryocystorhinostomy) was indicated; however, preoperative CT (computed tomography) imaging and nasal endoscopic examination showed sinonasal anomalies and the loss of internal landmarks for localizing the lacrimal sac. Preoperative CT results indicated previous CL surgery. Endo-DCR was performed with the aid of nasal forceps and a 20-gauge vitreoretinal fiberoptic endoilluminator. A six-month follow-up revealed the complete resolution of symptoms and no signs of recurrence. Conclusions: Epiphora might be a delayed complication of the CL procedure. Before performing endo-DCR, ophthalmologists should be familiar with the sinonasal anatomy and carefully assess preoperative imaging to identify anatomical variations. Nasal forceps and transcanalicular illumination can assist in determining the precise location of the lacrimal sac during endo-DCR.
Background: Tissue adhesive has been widely used in ophthalmic surgery for various procedures, proving both effective and safe. However, no studies have compared the surgical efficacy of the tissue adhesive 2-octyl cyanoacrylate (SurgiSeal®) to that of traditional suture closure in Asian children undergoing surgery for lower lid epiblepharon. Methods: This is a single-center retrospective case-control study. Surgical correction for epiblepharon was performed on 22 patients from November 2019 to May 2023. A total of 20 patients who were followed up for at least 1 month were included for analysis. After standardized epiblepharon surgery, group A underwent wound closure with a subcuticular suture and 2-octyl cyanoacrylate, and group B underwent closure with a 6-O fast-absorbing surgical gut suture. Patients were followed up at 1, 4, and 12 weeks post-surgery. Results: A total of 10 patients (20 eyes) underwent skin closure with tissue adhesives (group A), and 10 patients (18 eyes) underwent wound closure using conventional suture material (group B). No significant differences in the sex ratio, mean age at operation, pre- and postoperative best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), or average surgical time were observed between groups. Both groups exhibited improved postoperative BCVA, with symptom relief and a significant decrease in the severity of keratopathy after surgery. Neither recurrence nor complications were reported during follow-up. The aesthetic results were similar between groups, while caregivers of children in the tissue adhesive group expressed high satisfaction regarding the ease of postoperative care. Conclusions: Successful closure of lower lid epiblepharon surgery wounds in children can be performed using 2-octyl cyanoacrylate (SurgiSeal®). This method is simple, safe, and effective when compared to conventional sutures.