Background: International guidelines advise against prophylactic antimicrobial agents for primarily closed surgical incisions, but most oculoplastic surgeons report using chloramphenicol ointment. We evaluated baseline surgical site infection (SSI) rates in patients undergoing eyelid surgery who received prophylactic chloramphenicol ointment post-operatively. Withdrawal of prophylaxis was then prospectively audited to establish whether infection rates changed in a clinically meaningful way. This article reports the early findings. Patients and Methods: A single-center retrospective audit was undertaken; electronic medical records were reviewed for consecutive patients who underwent eyelid surgery with primary incision closure. All patients received post-operative prophylactic chloramphenicol. Those with histopathologic evidence of malignancy were excluded. Patient demographics, surgical details, evidence of post-operative SSI and other complications were recorded. Local policy was changed in accordance with national guidelines; prophylactic chloramphenicol ointment was withheld, and the above information collected prospectively. Our policy excluded skin malignancies, full thickness skin grafts, patients on systemic immunosuppression, and diabetes mellitus because of potential increased infection risk. Results: There were no statistically significant differences between the groups, except seniority of surgeon. Surgical site infection was identified in 14 of 872 eyes (1.6%) receiving post-operative chloramphenicol, and three of 133 eyes (2.25%) without antibiotic agents, which was not statistically significant. Conclusions: Post-operative SSI rates in eyelid surgery are low. Routine use of prophylactic antibiotic agents in primarily closed surgical eyelid incisions does not adhere to international standards and may contribute to antimicrobial resistance. Early results suggest infection rates remain low without prophylactic chloramphenicol; clinicians should consider withdrawing it from routine practice in suitable patients.

Oculoplastic surgeries encompass both emergency surgeries for traumatic conditions and infectious disorders as well as elective aesthetic procedures. The COVID-19 pandemic has brought about a drastic change in this practice. Given the highly infectious nature of the disease as well as the global scarcity of medical resources; it is only prudent to treat only emergent conditions during the pandemic as we incorporate evidence-based screening and protective measures into our practices. This manuscript is a compilation of evidence-based guidelines for surgical procedures that oculoplastic surgeons can employ during the COVID-19 pandemic. These guidelines also serve as the basic framework upon which further recommendations may be based on in the future, as elective surgeries start being performed on a regular basis.

Graves\' orbitopathy (GO) is the main extrathyroidal manifestation of Graves\' disease, though severe forms are rare. Management of GO is often suboptimal, largely because available treatments do not target pathogenic mechanisms of the disease. Treatment should rely on a thorough assessment of the activity and severity of GO and its impact on the patient\'s quality of life. Local measures (artificial tears, ointments and dark glasses) and control of risk factors for progression (smoking and thyroid dysfunction) are recommended for all patients. In mild GO, a watchful strategy is usually sufficient, but a 6-month course of selenium supplementation is effective in improving mild manifestations and preventing progression to more severe forms. High-dose glucocorticoids (GCs), preferably via the intravenous route, are the first line of treatment for moderate-to-severe and active GO. The optimal cumulative dose appears to be 4.5-5 g of methylprednisolone, but higher doses (up to 8 g) can be used for more severe forms. Shared decision-making is recommended for selecting second-line treatments, including a second course of intravenous GCs, oral GCs combined with orbital radiotherapy or cyclosporine, rituximab or watchful waiting. Rehabilitative treatment (orbital decompression surgery, squint surgery or eyelid surgery) is needed in the majority of patients when GO has been conservatively managed and inactivated by immunosuppressive treatment.