Selective laser trabeculoplasty in the treatment of juvenile open angle glaucoma patients under 25 years of age.

AIM: To retrospectively evaluate the effectiveness and reliability of selective laser trabeculoplasty (SLT) treatment in juvenile open angle glaucoma (JOAG) cases. MATERIAL AND METHOD: The 46 eyes of 28 cases that had undergone SLT for JOAG and had a follow-up of at least one month were included in the study. The pre-SLT, month 1, month 6, year 1, year 2, and final follow-up intraocular pressure (IOP); the number of drugs before and after the SLT procedure; and the complications caused by the SLT were recorded. An IOP below 21 mmHg without any additional medication or glaucoma surgery and an IOP decrease of 20% or more compared to the baseline were considered successful. RESULTS: There were 18 females and 10 males with a mean age of 17.52 ± 2.7 (13-22) years. The cases were followed-up for a mean duration of 39 (5-59) months. The mean IOP was 23.93 ± 0.52 mmHg before SLT and decreased to 17.15 ± 0.57 mmHg at month 1 after the procedure, 17.17 ± 0.52 mmHg at month 6, 18.02 ± 0.77 mmHg at year 1, 18.12 ± 0.48 mmHg at year 2, and 20.93 ± 0.69 mmHg at the final follow-up. The post-SLT IOP measurements at all times were found to be significantly lower than the pre-SLT values (p < 0.001). The mean number of drugs was 1.5 before the SLT and 0.59 afterwards (p < 0.001). The most common complications after SLT were anterior chamber inflammation in 29 cases (63.04%), hyperemia in 20 (43.40%) cases (4.34%), an early period IOP increase of 5 mmHg or more in 11 cases (23.91%), and mild ocular pain in 2 cases (4.34%). CONCLUSION: SLT is an effective and reliable method for JOAG treatment.

Bilateral conjunctival MALT lymphoma mimicking chronic conjunctivitis.

BACKGROUND: The diagnosis of conjunctival lymphoid tu-mors is straightforward when they present with a characteristic salmon-pink, pebbly, multinodular appearance. However, rarely a diffuse clinical presentation is encountered, and this may mimic chronic conjunctivitis of other etiologies. CASE REPORT: A 60-year-old man was referred to our clinic with bilateral conjunctival masses in May 2005. With the assumption of chlamydial conjunctivitis, without microbiological or histopathological evidence, tetracycline ointment and oral doxycycline 100 mg twice daily were prescribed. Although a partial response was achieved, 2 months after the treatment, the patient's complaints returned. On second referral to our clinic in March 2006, the patient was re-evaluated. He presented with bilateral conjunctival masses resembling conjunctival lymphoma, and a bilateral diagnostic biopsy was performed. Histopathological evaluation of the biopsy specimens revealed mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) lymphoma. The patient received CVP chemotherapy (cyclophosphamide, vincristine, prednisolone). After 6 courses of chemotherapy, he achieved partial remission in both eyes. Currently, 28 months after CVP, sustained remission is obtained. CONCLUSIONS: In these cases, a high index of suspicion is required if one is to avoid a delay in diagnosis, and the importance of correct early diagnosis is obvious.

Penetrating keratoplasty in keratoconic eyes with prior radial keratotomy.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study is to evaluate the long-term therapeutic outcomes and potential intraoperative and postoperative complications of penetrating keratoplasty in keratoconic eyes with prior radial keratotomy. METHODS: In this retrospective study, we reviewed the clinical data for keratoconic eyes with prior radial keratotomy that underwent penetrating keratoplasty between 1995 and 2007. RESULTS: Data were obtained from 16 patients (24 eyes). The mean time interval between radial keratotomy and penetrating keratoplasty was 50.2 months. The mean postoperative follow-up period was 33.7 months. The mean best spectacle-corrected visual acuity (BSCVA) improved from 20/342 (range: 20/1200 to 20/100) preoperatively to 20/32 (range: 20/100 to 20/16) at the last control visit (p<0.05). None of the eyes had a preoperative BSCVA better than 20/100, while 91.7% of the eyes had a BSCVA of 20/40 or better at the end of the follow-up period. The mean keratometric astigmatism was 8.03 diopters preoperatively as compared with 3.63 diopters at the end of the follow-up period. There were no intraoperative complications. Six eyes (25.0%) experienced at least one episode of immunologic graft rejection during the follow-up period. One eye required a new corneal transplantation because of graft failure. CONCLUSIONS: Penetrating keratoplasty for treating keratoconic eyes with previous radial keratotomy provides good visual outcomes and low graft rejection rates. We did not encounter any intraoperative difficulty related to the previous radial keratotomy. However, more caution during the keratoplasty is needed to overcome possible incision-related complications that may negatively affect the surgery and its outcome.

Corneal endothelium after deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty and penetrating keratoplasty for keratoconus: a four-year comparative study.

PURPOSE: To compare the status of corneal endothelium and central corneal thickness within the first four postoperative years after deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty (DALK) and penetrating keratoplasty (PK) in patients with keratoconus. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty-nine eyes (Group A) which had PK and 44 eyes (Group B) which had DALK for the treatment of keratoconus were included in this retrospective study. The endothelial cell density (ECD), the mean endothelial cell area and the coefficient of variation of cell area were assessed with a non-contact specular microscope, and the central corneal thickness (CCT) was measured with an ultrasound pachymeter. RESULTS: Mean ECD loss rate at two years was 36.24% in Group A and 18.12% in Group B (P<0.001). Mean ECD loss rate at four years was 47.82% in Group A and 21.62% in Group B (P<0.001). Mean annual ECD loss rate was calculated 14.12% per year in Group A and 5.78% per year in Group B. In the PK group, increase in mean CCT was 15.60% in two years and 15.03% in four years, while in the DALK group, mean CCT increased by 8.05% in two years and 9.31% in four years. CONCLUSIONS: As the majority of ectatic disorders such as keratoconus occur in young people, long-term endothelial cell survival following treatment with keratoplasty is essential for the long-term visual ability. Our finding that corneal endothelial cell loss in the DALK group occurs at a slower rate than in the PK group suggests DALK as a safer alternative to PK in these selected patients.

Intrastromal corneal ring segment implantation for the treatment of keratoconus.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the safety and efficacy of intrastromal corneal ring segment implantation using both mechanical and femtosecond-assisted tunnel creation for the treatment of patients with keratoconus. METHODS: A retrospective noncomparative interventional study including 96 eyes of 75 patients with keratoconus. All patients had contact lens intolerance and clear central corneas. Corneal tunnels were made using a femtosecond laser in 26 eyes (femtosecond group) and mechanically in 70 eyes (mechanical group). The Keraring (Mediphacos, Belo Horizonte, Brazil) was implanted in each eye, and a complete ophthalmic examination was performed, including visual acuity, refraction, and keratometric readings. RESULTS: The mean preoperative uncorrected visual acuity for all eyes was 1.40 ± 0.39 logarithm of the minimal angle of resolution (logMAR) (mean ± SD) and improved to 0.60 ± 0.34 logMAR at the sixth month (n = 96, P < 0.001) and 0.50 ± 0.32 (n = 54, P < 0.001) at the 18th month. The mean preoperative best spectacle-corrected visual acuity (BSCVA) for all eyes (n = 96) was 0.68 ± 0.36 logMAR. The mean BSCVA was 0.29 ± 0.21 (n = 96, P < 0.001) at the sixth month and improved to 0.26 ± 0.20 (n = 54, P < 0.001) at the 18th month. There was a significant reduction in spherical equivalent refractive error from -5.88 ± 3.65 diopters (D) (n = 96) to -2.26 ± 1.98 D (n = 54, P < 0.001) at the 18th month. The mean preoperative maximum keratometry (Kmax) was 53.58 ± 5.90 D and decreased to 49.02 ± 4.70 (n = 96, P < 0.001) at 6 months and 48.57 ± 4.36 D (n = 54, P < 0.001) at the 18th month. Sixth month results of the mechanical versus femtosecond groups were as follows: improvement in uncorrected visual acuity (2.08 vs. 1.50 lines), improvement in BSCVA (2.93 vs. 2.19), reduction in spherical equivalent (3.78 vs. 3.75 D), and reduction in maximum keratometry (4.66 vs. 4.62 D). There was no statistically significant difference between both groups for any parameter. CONCLUSIONS: Keraring implantation is effective for the treatment of keratoconus, providing safety and good visual outcomes after both mechanical and femtosecond-assisted tunnel creation.

Long-term results of deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty for the treatment of keratoconus.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the long-term endothelial cell density (ECD) changes and visual and refractive outcomes after deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty (DALK) using the big-bubble technique in eyes with keratoconus. DESIGN: Retrospective interventional case series study. METHODS: setting: Single hospital. patients: Two hundred forty-one eyes of 214 patients who underwent DALK for moderate to advanced keratoconus. main outcome measures: Intraoperative and postoperative complications, postoperative uncorrected visual acuity (UCVA), best spectacle-corrected visual acuity (BSCVA), spherical equivalent refraction, topographic astigmatism, and ECD. RESULTS: Two hundred thirty-four procedures (97%) were completed as DALK. Big bubble was successfully achieved in 193 eyes (82.4%). In 7 eyes (3%), the procedure was converted to penetrating keratoplasty because of Descemet membrane macroperforations. Microperforations occurred in 18 eyes (7.5%). The mean follow-up time was 50.5 ± 22.2 months (range 24 to 96 months). UCVA was lower than 20/100 in all eyes preoperatively and better than 20/100 in 191 eyes (81.6%) postoperatively. BSCVA was 20/40 or better in 187 eyes (79.9%) and 20/20 or better in 38 eyes (16.2%). The mean (± SD) preoperative ECD that was possible in 166 eyes was 2797 ± 561 cells/mm(2). Mean (± SD) endothelial cell loss was 8.1% ± 4.6% at 1 year, 10.5% ± 5.7% at 2 years, 15.1% ± 14.8% at 6 years, and 22.5% ± 15.9% at 8 years. Stromal graft rejection episodes occurred in 4 eyes, which resolved with appropriate therapy. CONCLUSIONS: Deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty that uses the big-bubble technique is effective in patients with keratoconus. Long-term endothelial cell loss was moderate and lower than penetrating keratoplasty grafts.

A single 210-degree arc length intrastromal corneal ring implantation for the management of pellucid marginal corneal degeneration.

PURPOSE: To determine the visual and refractive outcomes of 210-degree arc length intrastromal corneal ring segment (ICRS) implantation in eyes with pellucid marginal corneal degeneration (PMCD). DESIGN: Retrospective, consecutive case series. METHODS: Sixteen consecutive eyes of 10 patients who underwent a single 210-degree ICRS implantation by femtosecond laser for the management of PMCD and completed at least 1 year follow-up were included. A complete ophthalmic examination was performed preoperatively and postoperatively, including uncorrected visual acuity (UCVA), best spectacle-corrected visual acuity (BSCVA), manifest spherical and cylindrical refractions, spherical equivalent, and keratometric readings. RESULTS: The mean follow-up period was 30.7 months (range 12 to 36 months). No intraoperative complication was observed. White deposits around the segments were noted in 2 of 16 eyes (12.5%) at the first postoperative year. The mean UCVA showed significant improvement, from 1.69 +/- 1.02 logarithm of the minimal angle of resolution (logMAR) preoperatively to 0.64 +/- 0.43 logMAR at the 36th month (n = 11, P < .001). The mean preoperative BSCVA was 0.88 +/- 0.68 logMAR; after 36 months, this improved to 0.35 +/- 0.34 (P < .001). At the 36th month, UCVA was improved in all eyes (n = 11, range: gain of 1 to 6 lines), whereas BSCVA was improved in 9 eyes (81.8%, range: gain of 2 to 7 lines) and remained unchanged in 2 eyes (18.1%); UCVA was 20/40 or better in 3 eyes (27%) and BSCVA was 20/40 or better in 8 eyes (72.7%). There was a significant reduction in the spherical equivalent refractive error, from -4.40 +/- 1.85 diopters (D) preoperatively to -1.86 +/- 0.60 D (P < .001), and the mean maximum keratometric power decreased from 49.70 +/- 4.32 D to 46.08 +/- 2.84 D (P < .001) after 36 months. The mean cylindrical refraction decreased from -4.39 +/- 1.86 D preoperatively to -2.38 +/- 1.35 D at 36 months (P < .001). CONCLUSION: A single 210-degree arc length ICRS implantation using a femtosecond laser for patients with PMCD provides good visual and refractive outcomes.