Patients' Intentions to Use Telemedicine for Ophthalmic Medical Care During the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Background This study aimed to examine the factors predicting participants' intention to use telemedicine during the COVID-19 pandemic. Interest in health information technologies (HITs) has increased due to COVID-19. Most studies have focused on the acceptance of HIT by physicians and nurses, while there is a lack of studies on patients' perception and acceptance of such systems in ophthalmology. Methodology In the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic, a survey comprising 19 items was conducted at an ophthalmic center in Greece. The participants included 77 patients diagnosed with various eye diseases. The survey aimed to evaluate variables related to the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM), such as perceived usefulness, perceived ease of use, facilitating conditions, and intention to use telemedicine. The statistical analyses included intercorrelations, internal consistency reliability tests, and multiple linear regression analysis to examine the predictors of intention to use telemedicine. Results The multiple linear regression analysis revealed that perceived usefulness and facilitating conditions emerged as significant predictors of eye patients' intentions to use HIT. Interestingly, while perceived ease of use did not exhibit a significant predictive relationship with use intentions, the influence of perceived usefulness and facilitating conditions within the healthcare context underscores the pivotal role of perceived utility and external support in shaping patients' willingness to engage with HIT for eye care. Conclusions Empirical data on patient acceptance offer a better understanding of the limiting factors and the variables that facilitate intentions to use services that may improve medical diagnoses, patient communication, and treatment adherence processes. Related interventions and communication efforts should highlight the benefits of HIT in ophthalmology and provide the appropriate support and means to facilitate its use during and after the pandemic.

Contact Lens Use Advice-Risks and Outcomes: Are Patients Drowning in Information but Starved for Knowledge?

Objectives: Microbial keratitis can cause significant visual morbidity and is a common reason for presentation to eye casualty clinics. Contact lens wear and poor contact lens hygiene significantly increase the risk of corneal infection. This study aimed to determine the level of contact lens hygiene awareness amongst contact lens wearers attending our service and determining whether contact lens type and hygiene attitude are related to severity of disease. Materials and Methods: This prospective questionnaire-based study included 50 consecutive patients attending the eye casualty clinic of a tertiary referral center. Visual acuity was assessed at presentation and 2 weeks after diagnosis. Patients were divided into subgroups according to contact lens type (monthly, bi-weekly, daily, and extended day and night wear) and risk group (low, medium, and high) depending on their contact lens hygiene practices. Results: Thirty-four women and 16 men were included in this study. Twenty-four patients used monthly disposable contact lenses, 16 used daily disposable contact lenses, 6 were using bi-weekly replacement lenses, and 4 patients were using extended wear (day and night) contact lenses. Twenty-five patients were diagnosed with corneal ulcer, 23 of which had some degree of poor contact lens hygiene. Best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) significantly improved after treatment. Mean BCVA was 0.24 LogMAR before treatment and 0.09 LogMAR after treatment (p<0.05). Conclusion: Our study highlights the need to improve contact lens hygiene awareness and influence hygiene practices. Patients with the poorest contact lens hygiene had slower visual recovery and a higher prevalence of corneal ulcer. Contact lens hygiene advice needs to be clear and reinforced over time.

Descemet's Stripping Automated Endothelial Keratoplasty Using Donor Tissue from an 83-Day-Old Infant.

Purpose: To report a case of Descemet stripping automated endothelial keratoplasty (DSAEK) combined with phacoemulsification in an adult recipient using endothelial graft from an 83-day-old infant donor. Methods: A corneoscleral button was obtained from an infant donor and a DSAEK graft was prepared using a microkeratome. In comparison to the standard technique of DSAEK graft preparation some modifications were made in order to avoid inadvertent perforation, as the donor cornea had a very spherical shape, probably due to the very young age of the donor. The DSAEK graft was transplanted to the left eye of a 68-year-old woman suffering from Fuchs' endothelial dystrophy. Her preoperative best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) in that eye was 20/100 and central corneal thickness 831 µm. Results: An uneventful DSAEK combined with phacoemulsification was performed. The main complication noted was detachment of the peripheral part and contraction of the corneal graft, observed two months after the procedure. The implanted tissue remained centrally attached with a BCVA of 20/40, 3 years postoperatively. Conclusion: This case report highlights the difficulties emerging from preparation and implantation using an endothelial graft tissue from the youngest ever reported donor.

Descemet Stripping Endothelial Keratoplasty for Congenital Aniridia: An Interesting and Challenging Story.

Congenital aniridia is a rare condition affecting a wide range of ocular structures, from the ocular surface to the retina. We present the case of a 59-year-old woman with PAX6- and WT1-negative congenital aniridia who developed aniridia-associated keratopathy and progressive endothelial dysfunction with corneal decompensation after cataract surgery. The patient underwent successful ultrathin Descemet stripping endothelial keratoplasty. Despite the challenges faced with an unstable iridolenticular diaphragm, we were pleasantly surprised to see improvement not only of corneal edema and endothelial function but also of the whole cornea, including anterior corneal anatomy and appearance. In conclusion, endothelial transplantation in a patient with aniridia resulted in improvement of all the corneal structures from the endothelium to the stroma, epithelium, and possibly even the ocular surface.

Herpes Zoster Ophthalmicus: A Devastating Disease Coming Back with Vengeance or Finding Its Nemesis?

Herpes zoster ophthalmicus is a frequent, painful, and debilitating condition caused by the reactivation of the varicella-zoster virus alongside the ophthalmic branch of the trigeminal nerve. Twenty-five percent of adults will develop the disease during their lifetime with the risk increasing to one in two over the age of 50. Herpes zoster ophthalmicus presents with a plethora of ocular manifestations ranging from the characteristic rash in the distribution of the ophthalmic branch of the fifth cranial nerve to more severe keratouveitis, disciform keratitis, and even retinal necrosis. Up to 20% of affected patients develop post-herpetic neuralgia which can persist for years after the acute episode, resulting in potentially devastating consequences for the patient's social, financial, and professional circumstances, as well as their quality of life and daily activities. Shingles prevention studies indicated that the herpes zoster vaccine markedly reduces the burden of the disease, as well as the incidence of both infection and post-herpetic neuralgia. Here we review the vaccinations available for herpes zoster, the reasons behind their limited adoption so far, as well as the future perspectives and challenges associated with this debilitating disease in the era of herpes zoster vaccination and coronavirus disease pandemic.

Safety and Efficacy of Hypertonic Sodium Chloride 5% Ointment for Recurrent Corneal Erosion Syndrome.

Background In this study, we aimed to assess the safety and efficacy of hypertonic sodium chloride 5% ointment in the treatment of recurrent corneal erosion syndrome (RCES). Methodology A total of 21 eyes from 21 patients with RCES either following trauma or spontaneously due to underlying anterior basement membrane dystrophy (ABMD) were prospectively enrolled over a six-month period. The acute episode was managed with topical sodium chloride 5% ophthalmic ointment applied twice daily for 30 days. Patients were followed up at one month and six months with visual acuity and endothelial cell count (ECC) measurement. Results The mean age was 44.19 years (range = 17-87 years). All patients had unilateral involvement. The etiology was ABMD in 12 cases, while nine cases were post-traumatic. The mean best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) at presentation was 0.32 logMAR units (SD = 0.18), and the mean ECC before treatment initiation was 2,720 cells/mm2 (SD ± 192). At the one-month follow-up, all patients had a full recovery with complete re-epithelization of the defective area and resolution of symptoms. The mean BCVA was 0.05 logMAR units (SD = 0.12), and the mean ECC was 2,703 cells/mm2 (SD = 205). At six months, only one recurrence was documented following another episode of trauma. The mean BCVA and ECC at six months were 0.01 logMAR units and 2,714 cells/mm2, respectively. Conclusions Sodium chloride 5% ophthalmic ointment applied twice daily for 30 days following the acute event seems to be a safe and effective treatment option for RCES from both traumatic and ABMD etiology.

Morphological and cytokine profiles as key parameters to distinguish between Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacterial keratitis.

Bacterial keratitis (BK) is an ocular disorder associated with poor visual prognosis. Quantification of the associated inflammatory response may provide insight into the pathogenesis of BK and guide treatment options. In this exploratory study, we evaluated 45 BK patients and 20 healthy controls by optical coherence tomography and pro-inflammatory tear cytokine analysis. The aim was to quantify the differential morphological and cytokine inflammatory response between Gram-negative and Gram-positive BK and to determine the diagnostic value of corneal thickness (CT) and infiltrate thickness (IT) in distinguishing Gram-ve BK in a clinical cohort. Greater CT and IT, at clinical presentation, were indicative of Gram-ve infection with values detected of ≥ 950 µm and ≥ 450 µm, respectively. Combination of these CT and IT values had a 100% sensitivity and 83.3% specificity as a diagnostic indicator of Gram-ve infection. Similarly, there were higher levels of IL-1ß, IL-6 and IL-8 cytokines were quantified in keratitis caused by Gram-negative bacteria. Among the different tear cytokines analysed, a significant reduction after three days of treatment was detected for pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-1ß, IL-2, IL-6, IL-8 and TNF-α, prior to starting with the administration of steroid drops. Overall, this study shows the potential value of serial OCT and tear cytokine measurements in the management of BK.

Pediatric penetrating keratoplasty and graft rejection: experience at the Hospital Infantil de México Federico Gómez.

Background: Penetrating keratoplasty (PK) is a challenging surgical ocular procedure indicated for some pediatric patients with vision-threatening corneal disease damage. Pediatric PK is reserved for cases with advanced pathology or dysfunction as rejection and failure rates greatly supersede the rates of adult PK. The objective was to identify factors associated with graft rejection and failure amongst Mexican children undergoing primary PK for different indications. Methods: A retrospective review of consecutive pediatric PK medical records was conducted between 2001 and 2015 at the Hospital Infantil de México Federico Gómez. Graft survival was calculated using the Kaplan-Meier survival method. Results: During the 15 years of study, 67 eyes of 57 patients underwent PK. The mean age at the time of surgery was 11 years. The mean follow-up duration was 44 months. Keratoconus was the most common indication for PK (61%) followed by herpetic keratitis (15%) and other corneal dystrophies (10%). Mean graft survival time was 45.6 months (95% confidence interval 31.8-58.4 months, standard deviation = 0.069), with a survival rate of 70% at 1 year. Univariate Cox proportional hazard showed that being < 9 years of age at the time of the surgery (p = 0.023) and corneal dystrophies (p = 0.04) were prognostic factors for corneal rejection. Five eyes of five patients developed graft failure. Conclusions: Pediatric PK patients commonly experience graft rejection, which need to be promptly diagnosed and treated to minimize permanent damage. The age at the time of surgery and congenital corneal opacities is factors associated with a higher risk of rejection and failure.

Introducción: La queratoplastia penetrante (QP) es un procedimiento quirúrgico indicado en algunos pacientes pediátricos con daño corneal con riesgo de fracaso que amenaza la visión. El objetivo del presente trabajo fue identificar los factores asociados a rechazo y fallo del injerto corneal en niños sometidos a QP. Métodos: Serie de casos de pacientes sometidos a QP en el Hospital Infantil de México Federico Gómez entre 2001 y 2015. La sobrevida del injerto fue calculada por el método de estimación de la función de supervivencia Kaplan­Meier. Resultados: Durante 15 años de estudio, 67 ojos de 57 pacientes fueron sometidos a QP. El promedio de edad de los pacientes al tiempo de la cirugía fue de 11 años. El seguimiento promedio fue de 44 meses. El queratocono fue la indicación más común de QP (61%), seguido de queratitis herpética (15%) y otras distrofias corneales (10%). El tiempo promedio de sobrevida fue 45.6% (intervalo de confianza [IC] 95%: 31.8-58.4 meses, desviación estándar [DS] = 0.069), con una tasa de sobrevida del 70% a 1 año. El riesgo proporcional de Cox univariado mostró que una edad < 9 años al momento de la cirugía (p = 0.023) y distrofias corneales (p = 0.04) son factores pronóstico para el rechazo corneal. Cinco ojos de cinco pacientes desarrollaron falla del injerto. Conclusiones: El rechazo del injerto en QP en pacientes pediátricos es común y puede ser resuelto satisfactoriamente en casi todos los casos con diagnóstico y tratamiento. La edad al momento de la cirugía y las opacidades corneales congénitas son factores asociados con el rechazo y fallo.

Pediatric penetrating keratoplasty and graft rejection: experience at the Hospital Infantil de México Federico Gómez / Queratoplastia penetrante pediátrica y rechazo corneal: experiencia en el Hospital Infantil de México Federico Gómez

Abstract Background: Penetrating keratoplasty (PK) is a challenging surgical ocular procedure indicated for some pediatric patients with vision-threatening corneal disease damage. Pediatric PK is reserved for cases with advanced pathology or dysfunction as rejection and failure rates greatly supersede the rates of adult PK. The objective was to identify factors associated with graft rejection and failure amongst Mexican children undergoing primary PK for different indications. Methods: A retrospective review of consecutive pediatric PK medical records was conducted between 2001 and 2015 at the Hospital Infantil de México Federico Gómez. Graft survival was calculated using the Kaplan–Meier survival method. Results: During the 15 years of study, 67 eyes of 57 patients underwent PK. The mean age at the time of surgery was 11 years. The mean follow-up duration was 44 months. Keratoconus was the most common indication for PK (61%) followed by herpetic keratitis (15%) and other corneal dystrophies (10%). Mean graft survival time was 45.6 months (95% confidence interval 31.8-58.4 months, standard deviation = 0.069), with a survival rate of 70% at 1 year. Univariate Cox proportional hazard showed that being < 9 years of age at the time of the surgery (p = 0.023) and corneal dystrophies (p = 0.04) were prognostic factors for corneal rejection. Five eyes of five patients developed graft failure. Conclusions: Pediatric PK patients commonly experience graft rejection, which need to be promptly diagnosed and treated to minimize permanent damage. The age at the time of surgery and congenital corneal opacities is factors associated with a higher risk of rejection and failure.

Resumen Introducción: La queratoplastia penetrante (QP) es un procedimiento quirúrgico indicado en algunos pacientes pediátricos con daño corneal con riesgo de fracaso que amenaza la visión. El objetivo del presente trabajo fue identificar los factores asociados a rechazo y fallo del injerto corneal en niños sometidos a QP. Métodos: Serie de casos de pacientes sometidos a QP en el Hospital Infantil de México Federico Gómez entre 2001 y 2015. La sobrevida del injerto fue calculada por el método de estimación de la función de supervivencia Kaplan–Meier. Resultados: Durante 15 años de estudio, 67 ojos de 57 pacientes fueron sometidos a QP. El promedio de edad de los pacientes al tiempo de la cirugía fue de 11 años. El seguimiento promedio fue de 44 meses. El queratocono fue la indicación más común de QP (61%), seguido de queratitis herpética (15%) y otras distrofias corneales (10%). El tiempo promedio de sobrevida fue 45.6% (intervalo de confianza [IC] 95%: 31.8-58.4 meses, desviación estándar [DS] = 0.069), con una tasa de sobrevida del 70% a 1 año. El riesgo proporcional de Cox univariado mostró que una edad < 9 años al momento de la cirugía (p = 0.023) y distrofias corneales (p = 0.04) son factores pronóstico para el rechazo corneal. Cinco ojos de cinco pacientes desarrollaron falla del injerto. Conclusiones: El rechazo del injerto en QP en pacientes pediátricos es común y puede ser resuelto satisfactoriamente en casi todos los casos con diagnóstico y tratamiento. La edad al momento de la cirugía y las opacidades corneales congénitas son factores asociados con el rechazo y fallo.

Combined photorefractive keratectomy and cross-linking. Pushing the limits.

Correction of refractive error through laser-assisted means has soared in popularity in recent years, allowing it to become an increasingly routine surgical procedure. Technique refinement and adjustments resulted in laser-assisted refractive surgery to be combined with treatments such as collagen cross linking (CXL). This has broadened safety parameters and widened the treatment boundaries. Laser correction combined with CXL has been advocated in the treatment of high refractive errors as a safe option for full refractive correction while increasing corneal biomechanical stability. We present a complicated case where a young female patient with a preoperative best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) of 20/20 in each eye was fully corrected by excimer laser followed by CXL. Factors potentially leading to inflammation, such as ocular surface disease, in addition to laser treatment and CXL, resulted in persistent epithelial defect followed by corneal melt and subsequent thinning. After the treatment, the patient relies on rigid gas-permeable contact lenses, achieving a BCVA of 20/25 and 20/23 in the right eye and left eye, respectively.

Preliminary results of a semi-automated platform for pixel-based quantification of choroidal naevus progression.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate a novel method for choroidal naevus progression monitoring using semiautomated software for pixel-based quantification. METHODS: Retrospective analysis of patients with choroidal melanotic lesions. In total, 87 eyes fulfilled our inclusion criteria. The progression of the choroidal lesions was evaluated by 2 masked and independent investigators. Total naevus area was measured on fundoscopic images using ImageJ semiautomated segmentation at baseline examination and 5 years later. The efficacy of our method was also tested on a separate patient group applying test-retest analysis. RESULTS: Pixel-based analysis for objective quantification, displayed high repeatability, and reliability. We identified 4 cases of naevus size progression using the described semiautomated technique, while only 2 cases of progression were reported by simple observation. The novel method performance displayed 50% increased sensitivity over simple observation and 100% specificity. CONCLUSIONS: The presented method of displayed higher sensitivity and specificity compared to conventional observation and photograph qualification. Our results imply that the proposed methodology may be applicable as an accurate, easily employed diagnostic tool for the early detection of size progression in melanotic choroidal lesions.

Fibrin Glue-Assisted Closure of Macroperforation in Predescemetic Deep Anterior Lamellar Keratoplasty With a Donor Obtained From Small Incision Lenticule Extraction.

PURPOSE: To report a case with multiple macroperforations and a double anterior chamber (AC) after predescemetic deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty. METHODS: A patient was referred after undergoing complicated excision of pseudopterygium that extended onto the cornea. At presentation, an eccentric lamellar patch graft extending over the pupillary axis with a double AC was seen. Surgical intervention showed a predescemetic plane of dissection with 2 macroperforations and iris plugging of the peripheral perforations. Suturing and fibrin glue alone did not seal the macroperforation, and a donor lenticule from small incision lenticule extraction (SMILE) was used to close the larger perforation using fibrin glue. A trephine was then used to mark a larger area of predescemetic dissection that included the original patch graft. A donor corneal graft was sutured after stripping Descemet membrane (DM). RESULTS: Postoperatively, the double AC resolved, and vision improved to 0.50 decimal equivalent (20/40) by 3 weeks. At 18-month postoperative follow-up, corrected distance visual acuity (CDVA) was 0.67 (20/30). The donor graft remained clear, and the SMILE lenticule with underlying sutures could be visualized. CONCLUSIONS: A donor lenticule from SMILE surgery is a useful adjunct to seal macroperforations in deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty because the thin uniform lamellar tissue is easily applied using fibrin glue and gives uniform and good apposition on both host and donor sides. It can be used immediately without further preparation unlike hand-fashioned patch grafts.

The Role of Histone Deacetylase Inhibitors in Uveal Melanoma: Current Evidence.

Uveal melanoma is the most common intraocular malignancy in adults, representing approximately 3% of all melanoma cases. Despite progress in chemotherapy, radiation and surgical treatment options, the prognosis and survival rates remain poor. Acetylation of histone proteins causes transcription of genes involved in cell growth, DNA replication and progression of cell cycle. Overexpression of histone deacetylases occurs in a wide spectrum of malignancies. Histone deacetylase inhibitors block the action of histone deacetylases, leading to inhibition of tumor cell proliferation. This article reviewed the potential therapeutic effects of histone deacetylase inhibitors on uveal melanoma. MEDLINE database was used under the key words/phrases: histone deacetylase, inhibitors, uveal melanoma and targeted therapies for uveal melanoma. A total of 47, English articles, not only referring to uveal melanoma, published up to February 2018 were used. Valproic acid, trichostatin A, tenovin-6, depsipeptide, panobinostat (LBH-589), vorinostat (suberanilohydroxamic acid) entinostat (MS-275), quisinostat, NaB, JSL-1, MC1568 and MC1575 are histone deacetylase inhibitors that have demonstrated promising antitumor effects against uveal melanoma. Histone deacetylase inhibitors represent a promising therapeutic approach for the treatment of uveal melanoma.