Spontaneous Reattachment of a Detached Sutured Descemet-Stripping Automated Endothelial Keratoplasty Graft.

Introduction: This is a case report of a spontaneous reattachment of Descemet-stripping automated endothelial keratoplasty (DSAEK). This graft was primarily sutured, and 20% sulfur hexafluoride (SF6) was injected into the anterior chamber, followed by graft detachment and spontaneous reattachment, 3 months later. Case Presentation: A 78-year-old male presented with DSAEK graft detachment, which was the patient's second DSAEK (the first also did not adhere). During the second surgery, the DSAEK graft was sutured and 20% SF6 was injected intraoperatively. Graft reattachment occurred without any intervention or repositioning 3 months after the 2nd DSAEK surgery. Conclusion: Spontaneous DSEAK late graft reattachment is possible, particularly in the setting of an anchoring suture. In some patients, waiting can be an option that can spare the patient the possible risks of graft repositioning, rebubbling, or repeating the DSAEK. Suturing the DSAEK graft primarily may have served as an anchor to keep the graft approximate and aid in attachment. A graft suture can be considered in the setting of a previously failed DSAEK due to DSAEK graft detachment.

Chronic Early-Stage Ocular Cicatricial Pemphigoid.

Ocular cicatricial pemphigoid (OCP) represents an insidious, autoimmune-mediated disease of the conjunctiva, initially presenting as chronic conjunctivitis and progressing to fibrosis, cicatrization, and eventually blindness secondary to corneal keratinization. This series reports 3 cases presenting with chronic conjunctivitis lasting an average of 10 years without cicatrix formation, ultimately diagnosed as OCP based on direct immunofluorescence of conjunctival biopsy samples. This chronic conjunctivitis without fibrosis suggests the possibility of an OCP subtype with a prolonged early stage or prodrome prior to cicatrization, which may benefit from early diagnosis and treatment to prevent complications of this disease.

Prevalence and Risk Factors of Exposure Keratopathy Across Different Intensive Care Units.

PURPOSE: To determine the prevalence and risk factors of exposure keratopathy (EK) across different intensive care units (ICU) at Columbia University Medical Center, including the Pediatric ICU (PICU), Medical ICU (MICU), and Neurologic ICU (NICU). METHODS: In this prospective cohort study, 65 patients were examined daily during their admission in the PICU (27 patients), MICU (15 patients), and NICU (23 patients). Data on eyelid position, conjunctival and corneal changes, Bell's and blink reflexes, medications, Glasgow Coma Scale rating, and ventilation type were collected. RESULTS: Overall EK percentages were as follows: PICU 19%, MICU 60%, and NICU 48%. The prevalence of EK was lowest in the PICU (P = 0.013). Factors associated with EK were lagophthalmos (P < 0.001), an absent Bell's reflex (P = 0.003), an absent blink reflex (P < 0.001), conjunctival injection (P < 0.001), a low Glasgow Coma Scale score (P < 0.001), intubation (P < 0.001), surgery before examination (P < 0.001), dialysis (P = 0.002), and administration of opioid (P < 0.001), sedative (P < 0.001), and neuromuscular blocking medications (P = 0.006). CONCLUSIONS: This is the first study to examine the rates and risk factors of EK across different ICU settings. The prevalence of EK was lowest in the PICU, which may partly be explained by the increased number of PICU patients receiving noninvasive ventilation and the absence of conjunctival chemosis.

Pediatric corneal transplants.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Pediatric keratoplasty poses unique challenges in clinical and surgical management. However, successful transplantation can afford a child vision in an otherwise poorly seeing eye. This review will provide an update on recent advances in pediatric keratoplasty. RECENT FINDINGS: Although children who receive corneal transplants remain at increased risk of rejection, infection, and graft dehiscence compared with adult corneal transplant recipients, new surgical techniques, and advances in clinical management have led to better outcomes. Surgical modifications in penetrating keratoplasty (PKP) offer increased stabilization of the delicate pediatric eye. Lamellar surgery, including endothelial keratoplasty and deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty, can target specific diseased tissue in children with potentially fewer complications. The keratoprosthesis can be used successfully in children when the chance of success with PKP is especially low. SUMMARY: As our knowledge of prognostic indicators and surgical techniques continues to grow, we can offer children safer and more targeted surgeries for some of the most challenging corneal diseases. Ultimately, successful transplantation with long-term graft survival can be obtained by a multidisciplinary approach, with care across ophthalmic specialties, and a commitment to long-term follow-up by the patient's family.

New insights into the development of infantile intraocular medulloepithelioma.

PURPOSE: To define the maturational sequence of 3 infantile intraocular medulloepitheliomas. DESIGN: Retrospective clinicohistopathologic and immunohistochemical study. METHODS: Immunoreactivity of paraffin sections for CRX (cone-rod homebox transcription factor) and NeuN (biomarker for neuronal differentiation) were investigated together with other biomarkers, including S100, glial fibrillary acidic protein, epithelial membrane antigen, and various cytokeratins. RESULTS: Three infants (aged 1, 6, and 8 months) had iris neovascularization, 2 had anterior ciliary body tumors, and 1 a posterior tumor associated with a retinochoroidal coloboma. Each tumor displayed a premedullary monolayer of cuboidal epithelium that was S100(+), NeuN(-), and CRX(-) and that transitioned into a multilaminar medullary epithelium forming neurotubules with adluminal cells that were CRX(+). NeuN first appeared in ablumenal neurotubular cells in 1 tumor and was also discovered among neuroblast-appearing cells in another. The third tumor associated with a coloboma was CRX(-) and NeuN(-). CONCLUSIONS: A simple premedullary epithelial monolayer appears to be the fundamental source for the tumor and its multilaminar medullary epithelium. CRX(+) and NeuN(+) cells within the multilayered medullary layer approximate expression patterns similar to those found in retinal development and differentiation. Discovery of these biomarkers in the neoplastic ciliary epithelium in a small number of tumors indicates preliminarily that the most anterior layers of the optic cup have a retained retinal and neuroglial differentiation potentiality. The third case was CRX(-) and NeuN(-) and possibly arose from embryonic pigment epithelium at the edge of the retinochoroidal coloboma. These immunohistochemical findings offer histogenetic and potential diagnostic insights.

Intra-arterial chemotherapy for group C retinoblastoma with adjacent high-flow infantile hemangioma.

Intra-arterial chemotherapy for retinoblastoma is an emerging technique that is being adopted at various centers worldwide. The authors report the first case of an infantile hemangioma that shunted flow during intra-arterial chemotherapy in a 4-month-old girl who presented with macular group C retinoblastoma. Excellent tumor response was noted despite only a fraction of the dose entering the central retinal artery. Further studies to examine intra-arterial chemotherapy's pharmacokinetics and dose-response relations are warranted in order to minimize the necessary exposure to chemotherapy.