Search Results (3)

Early eye loss, congenital microphthalmia, and anophthalmia can significantly disrupt facial and psychological development in children. Timely intervention with conformers and ocular prostheses is essential for stimulating orbital growth and supporting healthy psychosocial development. This review presents evidence-based guidelines for ocularists, physicians, and allied professionals on fitting conformers and prostheses in young children, emphasizing the need for individualized treatment based on anatomical severity and age. Recommendations include initial conformer fitting within the first month of life for congenital cases or 4–6 weeks post-surgery in acquired cases, with frequent early replacements. For microphthalmia, moderate-to-severe cases require treatment similar to congenital anophthalmia cases; mild-to-moderate cases treatment within months; and mild cases are usually managed individually without urgency. A cosmetic prosthesis is advised the latest after the first year, as growth slows and self-awareness develops. Regular follow-up and adjustments support functional and psychosocial outcomes. We advocate for standardized care protocols to ensure equitable access and consistent long-term results across healthcare systems. Full article

The recommendations for the wear and hygiene of ocular prostheses can vary among practitioners, and it is still a controversial theme in the literature. This clinical trial evaluated the microbial load, tissue health of the socket, and the participants’ opinions before and after the use of two hygiene protocols. Thirty ocular prosthesis wearers used either a Daily Protocol (DPt: hygiene once a day) or Weekly Protocol (WPt: hygiene once a week) for 5 weeks with a washout of 7 days. The microbial load was quantified by the colony-forming unit count of the aerobic bacteria, Candida spp., Staphylococcus spp., and Gram-negative bacteria. The tissue health of the socket was evaluated by scores, and patients’ opinion of the protocols was evaluated using the analogic visual scale (VAS). Data were analyzed by ANOVA Repeated Measures, Friedman, Cochran’s Q Test, Wilcoxon, Fisher, and Pearson’s chi-square tests considering p < 0.05. There was no difference in the microbial load of the microorganisms (p > 0.05). Both protocols improved socket inflammation (p = 0.005) and discharge (p < 0.001); DPt improved edema (p = 0.021) and crusting (p = 0.020). There was no difference in patients’ rating responses (VAS) for all the questions of patients’ opinion (Q1: p = 1.0; Q2: p = 1.0; Q3: p = 1.0; Q4: p = 1.0; Q5: p = 1.0; Q6: p = 0.317; Q7: p = 1.0; Q8: p = 0.159). There was a correlation between eye drops/edema (p = 0.030), eye drops/pain (p = 0.016), microbial load with discharge, inflammation, eyelid edema, and pain. Inflammation was correlated with edema at baseline (p < 0.001) and after DPt (p = 0.018), and with crusting at baseline (p = 0.003); edema was correlated with crusting at baseline (p < 0.001); crusting was correlated with discharge after WPt (p < 0.001). The protocols showed no effects on the microbial load of the anophthalmic socket and ocular prosthesis. However, better tissue health and patient acceptance were observed after both regimens. Full article

Congenital clinical anophthalmos and blind microphthalmos describe the absence of an eye or the presence of a small eye in the orbit. Between 1999 and 2013, 97 children with anophthalmos or microphthalmos were treated with self-inflating, hydrophilic gel expanders at the Rostock Eye Clinic. More than a decade later, this study investigated the perspective of patients and parents regarding the treatment, the surgical outcome, and the emotional and social well-being of the patients. A total of 22 families with 16 patients sighted in the other eye and six patients blind in both eyes participated. Questionnaires were developed, including items on physical, emotional, social, and medical aspects. The patients felt emotionally stable and integrated into their social environment, with no major limitations reported by the majority. These statements were confirmed by most of the parents. Parents (67%) indicated that the success of the operation was already apparent after the first intervention and that the current situation did not play a role in the patients’ social environment. The study provided new insights into the therapy results, the postoperative care, and the social and emotional stability of the prosthesis-wearing patients, indicating the chosen expander methods as promising in terms of positive postoperative care. Full article