Spherical equivalent pre- and post-implantable collamer lens implantation in patients with myopia, hyperopia, and stable keratoconus.

PURPOSE: Refractive errors are common in Saudi Arabia and keratorefractive surgeries are usually done to correct them. However, not all patients are fit and complications postoperatively are a concern. Implantable collamer lens (ICL) implantation can be used for patients who are not fit for keratorefractive surgeries. ICL can also be used for keratoconus. We elected to evaluate the outcomes of patients who had ICL implantation for refractive errors or keratoconus. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed patients aged between 21 and 45 years old, who attended the anterior segment clinic at King Khaled Eye Specialist Hospital and who had spherical equivalent (SE) ranging between (+16 to -23 diopters), and had ICL implantation between February 2015 and September 2017. The SE was documented before and after the surgery. Depending on the SE, patients were divided into two groups (myopia and hyperopia). Statistical analysis was done to evaluate the change in mean SE before and after surgery for patients. RESULTS: We identified 169 eyes and 155 (92%) were myopic before the surgery. Before surgery, the mean SE was -8.6 and the standard deviation (SD) was 4.4. Only 14 eyes (8%) were hyperopic before the surgery with a mean SE of +5.5 and SD of 4.8. The difference in the mean of SE between after and before the surgery for myopic eyes was statistically significant (mean difference: 7.8, SD: 5, P < 0.0001). The difference in the mean of SE between post- and pre-operatively was also significant for hyperopic eyes (mean difference: -6.1, SD: 5.2, P = 0.0007). In 32 eyes with keratoconus, the mean SE before surgery was -7.9 with an SD of 4.1. For the keratoconus eyes, the mean difference of SE between after and before surgery was statistically significant as the mean difference in SE was 7.2 with an SD of 4.6 (P < 0.0001). CONCLUSION: The effect of ICL implantation was significant in improving the SE for myopic, hyperopic, and keratoconus eyes.

Cone dystrophy associated with autoimmune polyglandular syndrome type 1.

To report the association of autoimmune polyglandular syndrome type 1 (APS1) with cone dystrophy in a large Saudi family. This is a Retrospective chart review and prospective genetic testing and ophthalmic examination of a large multiplex consanguineous family. Genetic testing was performed on 14 family members, seven of whom had detailed ophthalmic examinations. Medical history, ocular history and evaluation, visual field testing, full-field electroretinogram (ERG), and Whole Exome Sequencing (WES) results were analyzed. Three family members were homozygous for c.205_208dupCAGG;p.(Asp70Alafs*148) in AIRE and homozygous for c.481-1G>A in PDE6C. One additional family member was homozygous for only the AIRE variant and another additional family member was homozygous for only the PDE6C variant. All patients with homozygosity for the PDE6C variant had cone dystrophy, and all patients with homozygosity for the AIRE variant had APS1. In addition, two of the family members who were homozygous for the PDE6C and AIRE variants had reduced rod function on ERG. We report the co-inheritance for APS1 and PDE6C-related cone dystrophy, an unusual example of two seemingly independent recessive conditions coinciding within a family. Dual molecular diagnosis must be taken into account by ophthalmologists facing unusual constellations of findings, especially in consanguineous families.

Long term keratits treatment with topical cyclosporin a in autoimmune polyglandular syndrome type 1.

PURPOSE: To report long term results of two cases treated with topical cyclosporin A 1% for keratitis associated with autoimmune polyglandular syndrome (APS1). OBSERVATIONS: A 25-year-old male and a 17-year-old female were referred from endocrinology as APS1-related autoimmune keratitis. Extended-duration treatment with topical cyclosporin A (CsA) 1% was used for 24 and 18 months, respectively. The first patient had improved best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) from 20/200 and 20/300 in right and left eye to 20/60 in both eyes with markedly improved corneal opacification, while the second patient had improved BCVA from 20/400 and 20/300 in right and left eye to 20/160 in both eyes with persistent central stromal scarring in the right eye and discrete areas of stromal scarring in the left eye. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPORTANCE: Long-term topical CsA 1% offers a valuable option for treatment of APS1-related autoimmune keratitis.

Perioperative Use of Rho-Kinase Inhibitors has Beneficial Effect on Corneal Endothelium after Phacoemulsification.

PURPOSE: Does perioperative use of Rho-Kinase (ROCK) inhibitors have beneficial effect on corneal endothelial cells after phacoemulsification? SETTING: This study was conducted at King Abdulaziz University Hospital in Riyadh. DESIGN: This was a prospective study assessing the effect of ROCK inhibitors on corneal endothelium after phacoemulsification. METHODOLOGY: Three patients have used ROCK inhibitor 1 day before and 1 week after phacoemulsification surgery, and specular microscopy and Pentacam were done preoperatively and 3 months postoperatively. RESULTS: Endothelial cell density decreased to 11.3%, 9.45%, and 4.09% in eyes with ROCK inhibitors and 23.9% in one eye without ROCK inhibitor. CONCLUSION: Perioperative ROCK inhibitor use has a possible protective effect on corneal endothelium.

Patterns of ophthalmic emergencies presenting to a referral hospital in Medina City, Saudi Arabia.

BACKGROUND: Data are required on ophthalmic cases that present to the emergency eye clinics in Madinah, Saudi Arabia for proper allocation of healthcare resources. OBJECTIVES: To determine the frequency and various diagnoses of patients presenting to the A&E at Ohud Hospital, Madinah, Saudi Arabia. METHODS: Data was collected prospectively for all patients who presented to the A&E ophthalmology clinic from June 2014 to September 2014. The data was analyzed and presented using frequency of incidence and percentages. Chi-square tests were used to evaluate the diagnoses based on age, sex and nationality. P ≤ 0.05 indicated statistical significance. RESULTS: The study sample included 868 patients. The male-to-female ratio was 1.1:1.0. The main age categories included patients ≥45 years of age (256 patients) and 251 patients between the ages of 15-30 years. Various types of Conjunctivitis was the most common diagnosis, reported in 282 patients (32.5%), and followed by dry eye syndrome in 156 (18%) patients. Nasolacrimal duct obstruction in 156 patients (18%). Eyelid infections were detected in 102 patients (12%), corneal abrasion in 102 patients (9.3%). Various eye traumas was diagnosed in 30 patients (3.5%), increased intraocular pressure (IOP) in 17 patients (2%), ruptured globe in 2 patients (0.2%) and various other non-emergency pathologies in the remaining eyes. There were no significant differences in patient's characteristics and categories of diagnoses. CONCLUSION: Non-emergent ophthalmic cases were the most common reason for the ophthalmology emergency room visits. It was observed that most cases could be referred to outpatient departments and potentially be managed by primary healthcare providers. This would be more cost effective and will also allow for better management of vision threatening ocular emergencies.