Adult respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is the leading cause of death associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection and COVID-19. IGF-1 has been implicated in ARDS, yet its role in relation to COVID-19-related lung injury has not been investigated. We hypothesize that blockage of the IGF-1 receptor (IGF-1R) mitigates lung injury and decreases the risk of death in patients COVID-19-related ARDS. Patients with fibroproliferative ARDS have been shown to have increased IGF-1 and IGF-1R staining in lung tissue specimens. Rising levels of IGF-1 in bronchioalveolar fluid (BAL) and increased IGF-1 mRNA expression in lung tissues (but declining serum IGF-1 levels) have been found in late stage ARDS compared with early lung injury. Blockage of IGF-1R decreases lung tissue damage and increases survival in bleomycin-induced as well as H1N1 influenza-related lung injury in animal models. Teprotumumab is a monoclonal antibody directed against the IGF-1R that was FDA-approved in 2020 for the treatment of Graves' orbitopathy. In order to determine if teprotumumab may reduce lung injury and death related to ARDS in the setting of COVID-19, preliminary clinical data is needed. IGF-1 levels in serum and BAL fluid must be measured in patients with COVID-19-related ARDS. Histopathology from lung samples from patients with COVID-19-related ARDS must be examined for increased expression of the IGF-1R. Once these are ascertained, and if the data support IGF-1 involvement, a randomized, placebo-controlled phase 2A trial of teprotumumab therapy in the setting of COVID-19-related ARDS and non-COVID-19-related ARDS designed to generate initial data on short-term efficacy, safety, dosing and administration should be performed.

Purpose of review

Current literature describing the ocular surface microbiome and host immunity are reviewed alongside experiments studying perturbations of the microbiome to explore the hypothesis that disruption of a healthy microbiome may predispose the ocular surface to inflammation and infection.

Recent findings

The ocular surface of healthy subjects is colonized by stable, pauci-microbial communities that are tolerant to the host immune response and are dominated by the genera Corynebacterium , Propionibacterium , and Staphylococcus . In animal studies, commensal microbes on the ocular surface interact with toll-like receptors to regulate the immune system through immune cell and inflammatory cytokine production, promoting homeostasis and protecting against infection. Contact lens wear, lens wash solutions, and preserved topical medications can disrupt the native microbiome and alter the relative diversity and composition of microbes on the ocular surface.

Summary

The ocular surface microbiome confers protection against pathogenic colonization and immune dysregulation. Disruption of this microbiome by exogenous factors may alter the resistance of the ocular surface to infection. Further study of the relationships between human ocular surface microbiome and the local immune response are needed.

Teprotumumab, a monoclonal antibody targeted against the insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) receptor, was recently approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of thyroid eye disease (TED). Phase 1 studies of teprotumumab for the treatment of malignancies demonstrated an acceptable safety profile but limited effectiveness. Basic research implicating the IGF-1 receptor on the CD-34+ orbital fibrocyte in the pathogenesis of TED renewed interest in the drug. Two multicenter, randomized, double-masked, clinical trials (phase 2 and 3) evaluated the efficacy of 8 infusions of teprotumumab every 3 weeks versus placebo in 170 patients with recent-onset active TED, as defined by a clinical activity score (CAS) of at least 4. Teprotumumab was superior to placebo for the primary efficacy end points in both studies: overall responder rate as defined by a reduction of 2 or more CAS points and a reduction of 2 mm or more in proptosis (69% vs. 20%; P < 0.001; phase 2 study) and proptosis responder rate as defined by a reduction of 2 mm or more in proptosis (83% vs. 10%; P < 0.001; phase 3 study). In both studies, treatment with teprotumumab compared with placebo achieved a significant mean reduction of proptosis (-3.0 mm vs. -0.3 mm, phase 2 study; -3.32 mm vs. -0.53 mm, phase 3 study) and CAS (-4.0 vs. -2.5, phase 2 study; -3.7 vs. -2.0, phase 3 study). Teprotumumab also resulted in a greater proportion of patients with a final CAS of 0 or 1, higher diplopia responder rate, and a larger improvement in the Graves' Ophthalmopathy Quality of Life overall score. More than half of patients (62%, phase 2 trial; 56%, phase 3 trial) who were primary end point responders maintained this response at 51 weeks after the last dose of therapy. The most common adverse events reported with teprotumumab included muscle spasms (25%), nausea (17%), alopecia (13%), diarrhea (13%), fatigue (10%), hearing impairment (10%), and hyperglycemia (8%). Teprotumumab is contraindicated for those with inflammatory bowel disease and who are pregnant. Although the current dosing regimen has proven effective for TED, dose-ranging studies including variable concentrations, infusion frequencies, and durations of teprotumumab therapy in the setting of TED have not been performed.

Purpose

To present a case of periorbital and orbital necrotizing fasciitis (PONF) from an odontogenic source with a distinct microbiologic profile and highlight the need for emergent multidisciplinary management.

Observations

A 39-year-old man presented with periorbital swelling, pain, and erythema following facial trauma. Imaging revealed peri-dental collections, accompanying maxillary sinusitis, and pre- and post-septal involvement. Immediate surgical debridement of necrotic tissue along with broad-spectrum antibiotics were pursued for management. Cultures grew multiple organisms, most notably Streptococcus milleri group and Staphylococcus lugdunensis.

Conclusions and importance

PONF is a rare yet potentially fatal disease. Streptococcus milleri group and a fulminant course are to be suspected when the source is odontogenic. Timely multidisciplinary surgical debridement and medical management with intravenous antibiotics is critical for best outcomes.

Significance

Hemolacria (bloody tears) is a rare clinical presentation with varied underlying etiologies. Thorough clinical evaluation is essential to diagnosis and management.

Purpose

This study aimed to report unilateral hemolacria in a known contact lens wearer with an occult, palpebral, conjunctival pyogenic granuloma and review the literature.

Case report

A 21-year-old female contact lens wearer presented to the clinic after three episodes of sudden painless bloody tears from the right eye. She was referred to the oculoplastic clinic for evaluation. On everting her right upper lid, a fleshy, nontender, ovoid, pedunculated mass was found attached to the palpebral conjunctiva of the right, nasal, upper tarsus. Surgical excision was performed in the office, and pathological examination of the lesion was consistent with pyogenic granuloma.

Conclusions

Unilateral hemolacria should raise clinical suspicion for a hidden conjunctival lesion such as pyogenic granuloma, although other more sinister causes of hemolacria must also be considered. Thorough evaluation including eyelid eversion is critical in identifying and managing occult conjunctival lesions.

Purpose

Injection of corticosteroid into the peritrochlear region is a widely practiced and highly successful treatment option for trochleitis, conventionally using a 25- or 27-gauge needle for the steroid injection. Injection into the vascular-rich peritrochlear region poses a risk, albeit rare, of central retinal artery occlusion or orbital hemorrhage. We describe a potentially safer method of delivering triamcinolone to the peritrochlear region using a 24-gauge intravenous catheter.

Methods

Interventional retrospective case series including all patients who received peritrochlear injections of triamcinolone via intravenous catheter for trochleitis by a single surgeon (BJW). Surgical technique: After a subcutaneous wheel of local anesthetic was delivered to the medial upper eyelid skin nearest to the trochlea, a 24-gauge intravenous catheter was used to penetrate the skin and orbital septum. Once past the septum, the needle was removed and the blunt catheter was advanced into the peritrochlear region. A 1-ml syringe filled with 40 mg/ml triamcinolone was attached to the catheter. After pulling back to ensure that the catheter was not intravascular, triamcinolone was delivered to the orbit. The catheter was then removed.

Results

Ten catheter injections were performed on 3 patients over an 8-year period. There were no complications.

Conclusion

Injection of corticosteroid into the peritrochlear region using the commonly available 24-gauge intravenous catheter is an effective and theoretically safer alternative to typical injection using a 25-gauge needle for treatment of trochleitis. Use of nonparticulate steroid solutions may further decrease the risk of adverse events.

We report a case of a 47-year-old female who experienced periorbital swelling while descending from a Himalayan mountain climb and was found to have bilateral superior ophthalmic vein thromboses (SOVT). Infectious, autoimmune, and hypercoagulability work-up were negative with no cavernous sinus involvement. Symptoms resolved upon initiation of anticoagulation and oral steroids. SOVT is a rare but serious condition and has a risk of extending into the cavernous sinus if not treated early. Although infection is the most common etiology, venous thrombosis can be precipitated under high altitude and low oxygen pressure environments. We present a case of superior ophthalmic vein thrombosis associated with high-altitude conditions.

Purpose of review

To summarize the ocular and systemic associations of floppy eyelid syndrome (FES) as well as provide an up-to-date review on the pathogenesis and treatment strategies.

Recent findings

Virtually all patients with FES have obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). However, a significantly lower proportion of patients with OSA have FES. Although some studies demonstrate no association between OSA and FES, almost all show at least an association with increased eyelid laxity, which may be a less severe form of FES. FES has also been associated with keratoconus (KCN) and glaucoma. Decreased corneal hysteresis has been found in FES, KCN, glaucoma, and OSA and may be related to matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) upregulation. Hypoxia-reperfusion injury, leptin resistance, and mechanical forces all may lead to increased MMP activity, contributing to elastin breakdown in the tarsus and other tissues throughout the body. Management of FES begins with investigation for OSA. Treating OSA with continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) or surgical uvulopalatoplasty may improve FES. Surgical treatments for FES should reduce horizontal eyelid laxity while maximizing the stability of the tarsus. Collagen crosslinking may prove a helpful modality for stabilizing the tarsus in the future.

Summary

FES is associated with OSA, glaucoma, and KCN. MMP upregulation and lower corneal hysteresis have been found in these conditions, pointing toward a potential common pathogenesis.

Dry eye syndrome, a form of ocular surface inflammation, and chronic ocular pain are common conditions impacting activities of daily living and quality of life. Oxytocin and secretin are peptide hormones that have been shown to synergistically reduce inflammation in various tissues and attenuate the pain response at both the neuron and brain level. The oxytocin receptor (OXTR) and secretin receptor (SCTR) have been found in a wide variety of tissues and organs, including the eye. We reviewed the current literature of in vitro experiments, animal models, and human studies that examine the anti-inflammatory and anti-nociceptive roles of oxytocin and secretin. This review provides an overview of the evidence supporting oxytocin and secretin as the basis for novel treatments of dry eye and ocular pain syndromes.

Introduction  During a time of increased interest in physician well-being, this study benchmarks current work life, home life, and burnout scores for ophthalmology medical student directors (MSD), associate program directors (APD), and program directors (PD). Methods  An anonymous cross-sectional survey was disseminated through the Association of University Professors of Ophthalmology (AUPO) listserve, with queries regarding leadership positions, work time allotment, extracurricular activities, family life, and burnout. Answers were analyzed descriptively through Fisher's exact test, Kruskal-Wallis test, and Poisson regression models. Results  Nineteen percent of listed MSD, 15% of APD, and 29% of PD queried responded to the survey. MSD, APD, and PD are statistically similar in terms of work and home life, with the exception of time spent performing administrative tasks for the position. PD spend more time on administrative tasks, and are paid more. All groups score positively on burnout surveys. Conclusion  This benchmarking survey demonstrates that MSD, APD, and PD are intensively involved in both their work and home lives, with a seemingly high correlation of sense of worth both personally and in their careers.