Oculoplastics News

Mark R. Levine, MD

Xanthelasma is rarely seen in persons younger than 30 years of age. If it appears, it usually develops after the age of 40. The presence of xanthelasma palpebrarum is a reason to investigate the serum cholesterol level (hypercholesterolemia, congenital lipid metabolism disorders). Although it usually occurs in patients with normal cholesterol levels, xanthelasma can be associated with other xanthomas and with hyperlipidemia syndrome in 5% of patients. One-third of patients with xanthelasma have an elevated serum cholesterol level. Xanthelasma occurs twice as often in women as in men.

With a few modifications, surgeons can decrease complications associated with endonasal dacryocystorhinostomy and perform the procedure in a wider range of patients, according to two presentations at the American Society of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons.

In the treatment of sphenoid wing meningiomas, many neurosurgeons have been taught to avoid radiation therapy because of the complications it creates for futures procedures.

There have been many published procedures addressing the repair of involutional entropion. This article revisits the use of the three-suture technique first described by Quickert and Rathbun. Benger and colleagues described the initial problem of early involutional entropion as a function of lower eyelid vertical laxity. Horizontal laxity may develop from chronic tension produced by horizontal tarsal elongation. With that in mind, the majority of cases of early involutional entropion could be addressed initially by the three-suture technique described in this article. We acknowledge that the procedure does not address horizontal lid laxity and is not a permanent solution to the problem. This technique proves a valuable instrument in the surgeon’s armamentarium in treating patients with involutional entropion.

A non-animal-based wrinkle corrector that has been the talk of the cosmetically savvy for years has finally received regulatory approval.

Complaints of tearing are common. Symptoms can include a “wet” feeling of the eyes; intermittent tearing in dry, bright or windy conditions; blurred vision; red or macerated eyelids; and chronic discharge. These symptoms can be associated with a history of swelling of the lower lid or medial canthal area. Symptoms can reflect an obstructive process of the lacrimal drainage system, causing overflow tearing known as epiphora. Alternatively, symptoms can reflect excess tearing, or hypersecretion of tears, due to reflex arcs initiated by such processes as keratoconjunctivitis sicca, allergies or uveitis.

With the popularity of Botox injections steadily increasing, a growing number of surgeons worldwide are incorporating the drug into their practices.

Lasers have been used in oculoplastic surgery for decades, but some surgeons remain unconvinced that lasers will ever replace knives and scalpels.

U.S. regulators last week gave marketing approval to a hyaluronic acid dermal filler. The injectable product was approved for the correction of moderate to severe facial wrinkles and folds, such as nasolabial folds, according to the product’s marketer.