Cultivated autologous limbal epithelial cell (CALEC) transplantation: Development of manufacturing process and clinical evaluation of feasibility and safety.

To treat unilateral limbal stem cell (LSC) deficiency, we developed cultivated autologous limbal epithelial cells (CALEC) using an innovative xenobiotic-free, serum-free, antibiotic-free, two-step manufacturing process for LSC isolation and expansion onto human amniotic membrane with rigorous quality control in a good manufacturing practices facility. Limbal biopsies were used to generate CALEC constructs, and final grafts were evaluated by noninvasive scanning microscopy and tested for viability and sterility. Cultivated cells maintained epithelial cell phenotype with colony-forming and proliferative capacities. Analysis of LSC biomarkers showed preservation of "stemness." After preclinical development, a phase 1 clinical trial enrolled five patients with unilateral LSC deficiency. Four of these patients received CALEC transplants, establishing preliminary feasibility. Clinical case histories are reported, with no primary safety events. On the basis of these results, a second recruitment phase of the trial was opened to provide longer term safety and efficacy data on more patients.

Topical netarsudil for treatment of glaucoma with elevated episcleral venous pressure: A pilot investigation in sturge-weber syndrome.

PURPOSE: Topical netarsudil 0.02% may reduce intraocular pressure (IOP) by decreasing episcleral venous pressure (EVP), which carries theoretical utility for glaucoma associated with elevated EVP. A role for netarsudil in patients with elevated EVP is evaluated in a pilot investigation using a cohort of individuals with Sturge-Weber syndrome (SWS). METHODS: Retrospective study of patients with SWS and glaucoma who were treated with netarsudil. Five patients (six eyes) were identified. Data collected included demographics, visual acuity, IOP, glaucoma medical and surgical treatments, and adverse effects of netarsudil. RESULTS: Mean age was 13.6 ± 8.5 years. EVP elevation was presumed based on clinical stigmata and/or historical features. Mean number of baseline glaucoma medications was 3.3 ± 1.2. There was a significant reduction in the IOP at netarsudil initiation (mean 26.2 ± 4.5 mmHg) to 1 month of netarsudil therapy (mean 20.2 ± 3.8 mmHg, p = 0.0283) and latest IOP on netarsudil (mean 17.6 ± 1.4 mmHg, p = 0.0034). Mean duration of netarsudil therapy was 18.7 ± 11.8 months. Three patients required additional glaucoma procedures; one patient required an additional glaucoma medication. Three eyes (50%) developed conjunctival hyperemia. One patient discontinued netarsudil at 29 months, to reduce drop burden. CONCLUSIONS: Netarsudil can effectively reduce IOP in patients with SWS, even when used as a fourth or fifth glaucoma medication. A possible role for netarsudil in the management of patients with elevated EVP is suggested pending further future investigations.

Intraoperative aberrometry: an update on applications and outcomes.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: There is now a large body of experience with intraoperative aberrometry. This review aims to synthesize available data regarding intraoperative aberrometry applications and outcomes. RECENT FINDINGS: The Optiwave Refractive Analysis (ORA) System utilizes Talbot-moiré interferometry and is the only commercially available intraoperative aberrometry device. There are few studies that include all-comers undergoing intraoperative aberrometry-assisted cataract surgery, as most studies examine routine patients only or atypical eyes only. In non-post-refractive cases, studies have consistently shown a small but statistically significant benefit in spherical equivalent refractive outcome for intraoperative aberrometry versus preoperative calculations. In studies examining axial length extremes, most studies have shown intraoperative aberrometry to perform similarly to preoperative calculations. Amongst post-refractive cases, post-myopic ablation cases appear to benefit the most from intraoperative aberrometry. For toric intraocular lenses (IOLs), intraoperative aberrometry may be used for refining IOL power (toricity and spherical equivalent) and alignment, and most studies show intraoperative aberrometry to achieve low postoperative residual astigmatism. SUMMARY: Intraoperative aberrometry can be utilized as an adjunct to preoperative planning and surgeon's judgment to optimize cataract surgery refractive outcomes. Non-post-refractive cases, post-myopic ablation eyes, and toric intraocular lenses may have the greatest demonstrated benefit in intraoperative aberrometry studies to date, but other eyes may also benefit from intraoperative aberrometry use.

Monkeypox Virus and Ophthalmology-A Primer on the 2022 Monkeypox Outbreak and Monkeypox-Related Ophthalmic Disease.

Importance: An ongoing global monkeypox virus outbreak in 2022 includes the US and other nonendemic countries. Monkeypox ophthalmic manifestations may present to the ophthalmologist, or the ophthalmologist may be involved in comanagement. This narrative review creates a primer for the ophthalmologist of clinically relevant information regarding monkeypox, its ophthalmic manifestations, and the 2022 outbreak. Observations: Monkeypox virus is an Orthopoxvirus (genus includes variola [smallpox] and vaccinia [smallpox vaccine]). The 2022 outbreak is of clade II (historically named West African clade), specifically subclade IIb. In addition to historic transmission patterns (skin lesions, bodily fluids, respiratory droplets), sexual transmission has also been theorized in the current outbreak due to disproportionate occurrence in men who have sex with men. Monkeypox causes a characteristic skin eruption and mucosal lesions and may cause ophthalmic disease. Monkeypox-related ophthalmic disease (MPXROD) includes a spectrum of ocular pathologies including eyelid/periorbital skin lesions, blepharoconjunctivitis, and keratitis). Smallpox vaccination may reduce MPXROD occurrence. MPXROD seems to be rarer in the 2022 outbreaks than in historical outbreaks. MPXROD may result in corneal scarring and blindness. Historical management strategies for MPXROD include lubrication and prevention/management of bacterial superinfection in monkeypox keratitis. Case reports and in vitro data for trifluridine suggest a possible role in MPXROD. Tecovirimat, cidofovoir, brincidofovir and vaccinia immune globulin intravenous may be used for systemic infection. There is a theoretical risk for monkeypox transmission by corneal transplantation, and the Eye Bank Association of America has provided guidance. Smallpox vaccines (JYNNEOS [Bavarian Nordic] and ACAM2000 [Emergent Product Development Gaithersburg Inc]) provide immunity against monkeypox. Conclusions and Relevance: The ophthalmologist may play an important role in the diagnosis and management of monkeypox. MPXROD may be associated with severe ocular and visual morbidity. As the current outbreak evolves, up-to-date guidance from public health organizations and professional societies are critical.

Reconstruction of full width, full thickness cicatricial eyelid defect after eyelid blastomycosis using a modified tarsoconjunctival flap advancement.

Following effective treatment with systemic antifungal therapy, eyelid lesions from blastomycosis infection may be replaced by disfiguring fibrosis and scarring, which may be surgically challenging to correct. A 68-year-old man with biopsy-proven eyelid blastomycosis was treated with 6 months of oral voriconazole, but resolution of the lesion was complicated by cicatricial changes causing complete lower eyelid defect, epicanthal web, cicatricial mechanical ptosis, and skin plaques. Although repair adhered to the fundamentals of eyelid reconstruction, cicatricial changes associated with blastomycosis infection necessitated a modified approach and attachment sites. A tarsoconjunctival flap (Hughes flap) with modified flap connections utilizing cicatrix and remaining viable tissue was employed to reconstruct the lower eyelid defect and combined with tissue advancement using a Mustardé four-flap epicanthoplasty and post-auricular full-thickness skin graft. Satisfactory cosmetic outcome was achieved at last follow-up of 3.5 months postoperatively. This case demonstrates a feasible technique for reconstruction of significant eyelid defects following robust cicatricial changes such as those after blastomycosis. This report also presents the first description of reconstruction of lower eyelid defect and of posterior lamellar loss after blastomycosis infection.

Clinical Outcomes Using Oversized Back Plates in Type I Boston Keratoprosthesis.

OBJECTIVES: To examine clinical outcomes of oversized titanium back plates in type I Boston keratoprosthesis (KPro) implantation. METHODS: Retrospective study of 22 sequential eyes (20 patients) undergoing type I KPro implantation with an oversized titanium back plate (larger than trephined wound diameter by 1.0 mm or more), performed by a single surgeon (K.A.C.) from June 2010 to November 2014. Data were collected regarding preoperative eye characteristics, surgical details, and postoperative clinical outcomes. RESULTS: Mean follow-up time per eye was 24.1±14.9 months. All eyes had improved vision after surgery; 13 eyes (59.1%) maintained visual acuity improvement at last follow-up. Initial KPro's were retained in 19 eyes (86.4%); one eye required KPro replacement. Primary retroprosthetic membrane (RPM) developed in three eyes (13.6%), with similar occurrence in aniridic (14.3%) and nonaniridic eyes (13.3%). Secondary RPM's developed in two eyes (9.1%) after vitritis (one eye) and retinal and choroidal detachment (one eye). Glaucoma was a common comorbidity: 2 of 14 eyes (14.3%) with preoperative glaucoma had glaucoma progression, and 4 of 8 eyes (50.0%) without preoperative glaucoma developed glaucoma postoperatively. Other postoperative complications included retinal detachment (5 eyes, 22.7%) and idiopathic vitritis (3 eyes, 13.6%). CONCLUSIONS: Oversized titanium KPro back plates are associated with a low rate of primary RPM formation and may have particular utility in reducing primary RPM formation in aniridic eyes. Glaucoma remains a challenge in postoperative KPro management. Complex eyes, at increased risk of postoperative complications, require careful management.

Phacoemulsification with intraocular lens implantation after previous descemetorhexis without endothelial keratoplasty.

A 58-year-old woman with bilateral Fuchs endothelial corneal dystrophy presented with predominantly central guttata in the left eye causing visually significant stromal edema. A 4.0 mm descemetorhexis without endothelial keratoplasty was performed. At the 6-week follow-up, the central cornea had cleared completely and the central endothelial cell density (ECD) was 541 cells/mm2. The central corneal clearing remained stable for 2 years after the procedure; however, vision declined because of a visually significant cataract in the left eye. Uneventful phacoemulsification with intraocular lens implantation was performed with a target refraction of -0.50 diopters. At 1.5 months postoperatively, the uncorrected distance visual acuity was 20/20 with a manifest refraction of -0.25 -0.25 × 60 and the central ECD was 2373 cells/mm2 (increased from 1471 cells/mm2 prior to phacoemulsification). Cataract surgery by phacoemulsification years after descemetorhexis without endothelial keratoplasty appears to be well-tolerated, with good clinical and predictive refractive outcomes.