The interface between material science and ophthalmic medicine is witnessing significant advances with the introduction of biopolymers in medical device fabrication. This review discusses the impact of biopolymers on the development of ophthalmic devices, such as intraocular lenses, stents, and various prosthetics. Biopolymers are emerging as superior alternatives due to their biocompatibility, mechanical robustness, and biodegradability, presenting an advance over traditional materials with respect to patient comfort and environmental considerations. We explore the spectrum of biopolymers used in ophthalmic devices and evaluate their physical properties, compatibility with biological tissues, and clinical performances. Specific applications in oculoplastic and orbital surgeries, hydrogel applications in ocular therapeutics, and polymeric drug delivery systems for a range of ophthalmic conditions were reviewed. We also anticipate future directions and identify challenges in the field, advocating for a collaborative approach between material science and ophthalmic practice to foster innovative, patient-focused treatments. This synthesis aims to reinforce the potential of biopolymers to improve ophthalmic device technology and enhance clinical outcomes.

UNASSIGNED: To determine if dermoscopy, a technique widely utilized in dermatology for improved diagnosis of skin lesions, can be used comfortably for evaluating periorbital, eyelid, and conjunctival lesions.
UNASSIGNED: Proof-of-concept study in which a technique for performing dermoscopy near the eye was developed, related educational material was prepared, and a protocol for dermoscopic image capture was created.
UNASSIGNED: Technicians used the developed materials to learn to take high-quality pictures with a 10x dermoscope attached to a standard cell phone camera. The images were assessed for diagnostic utility by an oculoplastic surgeon and two dermatologists.
UNASSIGNED: 115 patients recruited from ophthalmology clinics from July 2021 to April 2023 were photographed, yielding 129 lesions with high-quality dermoscopic images as assessed by an oculoplastic surgeon and two dermatologists.
UNASSIGNED: Technicians reported a significant increase in confidence (measured on a 1-10 scale) with dermoscopy after training (pre-instruction mean = 1.72, median = 1, mode = 1, IQR = 1.25 vs mean = 7.69, median = 7.75, mode = 7 and 8, IQR = 1.5 post-instruction. Wilcoxon rank sum test with continuity correction, W = 0, p < 0.001, paired t = 13.95, p < 0.0001). Incorporating a contact plate with a 4 × 4mm reticule on the dermoscope aided in photographing ocular and periocular lesions.
UNASSIGNED: Medical support staff in eye-care offices can be taught to use dermoscopes to capture high-quality images of periorbital, eyelid, and conjunctival lesions. Dermoscopy illuminates diagnostic features of lesions and thus offers a new avenue to improve decision-making in ophthalmology. Dermoscopy can be incorporated into telemedicine evaluations by ophthalmologists, oculoplastic surgeons, or affiliated dermatologists for triage of or rendering advice to patients and for planning of surgery if needed.

The eyelids are a common site for skin tumours and account for 5-10% of all skin tumours. Treatment is mainly surgical and aims to preserve the anatomical structure of the eyelid, its function and not least its aesthetic appearance.
Presentation of recurrence and complication rates of tumour-related eyelid surgery in a cohort of 450 tumours.
Analysis of a cohort of 450 tumours operated on revealed 13 (2.8%) operations with recurrences and 32 (7%) with complications. The statistical significance of recurrences was observed for the involved and uninvolved ciliary margin. At the temporal canthus, 23.1% of recurrences occurred compared to 7.7% at the medial canthus. SGC has the highest recurrence rate. Complications include the following: ectropion, dehiscence, gross cicatrix with normal function, retraction, post-radiation damage, sub-graft haemorrhage and graft rejection.
The recurrence rate of eyelid tumours is lower than that of complications. The choice of surgical technique determines the frequency of complications and histological control of the excised tissue, as well as the frequency of recurrences.

In the forefront of ophthalmic innovation, biomimetic 3D printing and bioprinting technologies are redefining patient-specific therapeutic strategies. This critical review systematically evaluates their application spectrum, spanning oculoplastic reconstruction, retinal tissue engineering, corneal transplantation, and targeted glaucoma treatments. It highlights the intricacies of these technologies, including the fundamental principles, advanced materials, and bioinks that facilitate the replication of ocular tissue architecture. The synthesis of primary studies from 2014 to 2023 provides a rigorous analysis of their evolution and current clinical implications. This review is unique in its holistic approach, juxtaposing the scientific underpinnings with clinical realities, thereby delineating the advantages over conventional modalities, and identifying translational barriers. It elucidates persistent knowledge deficits and outlines future research directions. It ultimately accentuates the imperative for multidisciplinary collaboration to enhance the clinical integration of these biotechnologies, culminating in a paradigm shift towards individualized ophthalmic care.

The application of biopolymers in the reconstruction of the posterior lamella of the eyelid and the lacrimal system marks a significant fusion of biomaterial science with clinical advancements. This review assimilates research spanning 2015 to 2023 to provide a detailed examination of the role of biopolymers in reconstructing the posterior lamella of the eyelid and the lacrimal system. It covers the anatomy and pathophysiology of eyelid structures, the challenges of reconstruction, and the nuances of surgical intervention. This article progresses to evaluate the current gold standards, alternative options, and the desirable properties of biopolymers used in these intricate procedures. It underscores the advancements in the field, from decellularized grafts and acellular matrices to innovative natural and synthetic polymers, and explores their applications in lacrimal gland tissue engineering, including the promise of 3D bioprinting technologies. This review highlights the importance of multidisciplinary collaboration between material scientists and clinicians in enhancing surgical outcomes and patient quality of life, emphasizing that such cooperation is pivotal for translating benchtop research into bedside applications. This collaborative effort is vital for restoring aesthetics and functionality for patients afflicted with disfiguring eyelid diseases, ultimately aiming to bridge the gap between innovative materials and their clinical translation.

Purpose The purpose of the study is to assess short- and long-term functional outcomes after frontalis suspension using expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (ePTFE) sling for congenital ptosis repair. Methods A retrospective, observational case review was conducted on pediatric patients who underwent frontalis suspension using ePTFE sling from 2008 to 2020. Functional success was assessed by lid height, lid symmetry, and parental satisfaction with the cosmetic outcome. Clinical course and long-term functional outcomes after surgery were assessed. Results Twenty-one cases met the inclusion criteria and were assessed. The follow-up time ranged from 13 months to 11 years (mean: six years). Functional success after one surgery was 62% at early and late postoperative periods. Six of 21 cases (29%) required revisional surgery in the early postoperative period due to undercorrection. Three cases (14%) were complicated by infection and/or granuloma formation. There were no cases of ptosis recurrence in the long term if success was seen in the early postoperative period. Conclusion ePTFE slings remain an excellent option for severe congenital ptosis repair with frontalis sling, demonstrating long-term functional success, with satisfactory lid symmetry and acceptable cosmetic outcome. This is of important consideration in patients younger than three years of age, where autogenous materials may not be recommended. The need for early revisional surgery for undercorrection is not uncommon. The current authors also demonstrate a low but considerable risk for infection and/or granuloma formation.

UNASSIGNED: Oculoplastic surgery is a highly specialized subspecialty that studies pathologies of the orbit, lacrimal system, and eyelids. Although it is an independent ophthalmological subspecialty, many procedures fall within the shared scope and anatomical area of oculoplastic surgery, otorhinolaryngology, and plastic and reconstructive surgery, which tend to confuse physicians and patients seeking medical advice. In this study, our goal is to evaluate the perception of oculoplastic surgery among the public and physicians.
UNASSIGNED: A cross-sectional study in which data were collected from an online questionnaire formulated by the authors. The questionnaire included 18 questions divided into two categories: demographics and targeted questions that serve the objective of the study. Each answer option to targeted questions was encoded with either one or zero points, and each participant\'s response was scored accordingly, with the maximum score being 22 points, reflecting the highest perception rate according to the questionnaire.
UNASSIGNED: Data were collected from 1029 questionnaire responses, with 202 of the respondents belonging to physicians. The highest number of responses was from females which consisted 82% of our sample. Perception scores were higher among physicians with a mean of 12.3 ± 2.9 points compared to a mean score of 11.2 ± 2.9 among the public. Age played a statistically significant factor in both physicians and the public as younger participants\' scores were higher.
UNASSIGNED: Insufficient knowledge of oculoplastic surgery subspecialty was observed among the public and physicians. Moreover, core aspects of oculoplastic field such as lacrimal system pathology and orbit pathology were less recognized by participants of our study, which highlights the importance of raising awareness of oculoplastic surgery and the diversity of the field, to enhance referral patterns among physicians and improve medical advice seeking among the public resulting in better health care.

OBJECTIVE: Selecting an anesthetic agent for ophthalmic surgery has crucial implications for the surgeon, anesthesiologist, and patient. This educational review explores the common classes of anesthesia used in ophthalmology. Additionally, we discuss the considerations unique to cataract, glaucoma, strabismus, orbital, oculoplastic, and ocular trauma surgeries.
METHODS: A comprehensive Embase search was performed using combinations of the subject headings \"anesthesia\", \"eye surgery\", \"ophthalmology\" and \"cataract extraction\", \"glaucoma\", \"strabismus\", \"vitreoretinal surgery\", \"retina surgery\", \"eye injury\", and \"eyelid reconstruction\".
RESULTS: Topical anesthetics are the most commonly used form of ocular anesthesia, used in both an office and surgical setting, and carry a minimal side effect profile. Notably, topical anesthetics offer analgesia, but do not provide akinesia or amnesia. Regional blocks, such as are sub-Tenon\'s, peribulbar, and retrobulbar blocks, are used when akinesia is required in addition to analgesia. Recently, sub-Tenon\'s blocks have recently gained popularity due to their improved safety profile compared to other regional blocks. General anesthesia is considered for long, complex surgery, surgery in patients with multiple comorbidities, surgery in young pediatric patients, or surgery in patients intolerant to local or regional anesthetic.
CONCLUSIONS: Anesthetizing the eye has rapidly evolved in recent years, supporting the safety, efficacy and comfort of ocular surgery. Since there are many viable options of anesthetics available for ophthalmic surgery, a robust understanding of the patients needs, the skill of the surgical team, and surgery-specific factors ought to be considered when creating an anesthetic plan for surgery.

OBJECTIVE: COVID-19 has posed problems for oculoplastic surgeons. One issue we felt needed to be addressed was the way patients are draped for surgery. Traditionally patients are draped with their full face exposed, and as a result, aerosols generated from both the patient and surgical team put the other party at risk.
METHODS: We created a new draping technique which would create a physical barrier. A regional survey was undertaken to compare regional oculoplastic draping practices with our practice locally in light of the COVID-19 pandemic. A patient satisfaction survey was also completed to understand the impact of our change in practice.
RESULTS: Our regional survey generated 22 consultant responses. 36% (8) continued with their normal practice with the full face exposed. 18% (4) of the responders had modified a cataract drape and 45% (10) used a bespoke drape with or without a mask. We started using this modified drape in June 2020 and in the patient survey, 100 percent of patients felt the drape was comfortable and 30% of the patients commented on the relief that they did not have to wear a face mask during surgery.
CONCLUSIONS: Our draping technique provides an alternative to the traditional full face exposure draping. It is simple, inexpensive, and readily available. It also addresses and resolves the issue of safety of the oculoplastic surgeon and surgical team whilst maintaining comfort for the patient throughout, particularly when risks the of COVID are ongoing and with the potential of more viruses in the future.

Purpose This study aims to examine the demographic features, academic backgrounds, and scholarly achievements of ophthalmic plastic and reconstructive surgery (OPRS) fellowship program directors (PDs) in the United States. Methods In this cross-sectional analysis, publicly accessible sources were accessed in March 2022 to collate the demographic and academic profiles of PDs of American Society of Ophthalmic Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery (ASOPRS)-accredited OPRS fellowships. Differences by gender and program rank were assessed using the Mann-Whitney Utest. Results Fifty-four PDs were identified, the majority of whom were males (88.89% (n = 48)). The average age was 58.48 years. Of the PDs, 96.3% (n = 53) obtained a medical degree, and all completed residency training in the United States. In addition, 9.26% (n = 5) had another degree, either a Doctor of Philosophy (n = 3) or master\'s degree (n = 2). A substantial proportion of individuals completed medical school (20.37% (n = 11)), residency (20.37% (n = 11)), or fellowship (31.48% (n = 17)) at an institution affiliated with the program where they were PDs. The most common additional fellowship obtained was neuro-ophthalmology (16.67% (n = 9)). The average h-index was 19.30 (range, 0-60), average five-year h-index was 4.85 (range, 0-36), and average m-quotient was 0.63 (range, 0-2.22). A significant difference in the median five-year h-index was observed between females and males (7 (range, 3-36) versus 4 (range, 0-10); p= 0.038). Conclusions This analysis indicated that OPRS PDs in the United States were principally males with extensive scholarly productivity. As women remain underrepresented in OPRS, increased gender parity at this leadership position should be encouraged in order to expand the recruitment of women into the field.