[Corneal endothelial cell therapy, a review]. / Thérapie cellulaire cornéenne endothéliale. Revue de la littérature.

In France, endothelial dysfunction represents approximately one half of the indications for corneal transplants performed each year. However, the use of endothelial keratoplasty is limited by the technical difficulty of the procedure, a shortage of available grafts, and the potential for graft failure or rejection. These limitations are driving researchers to develop new, less invasive, and more effective therapies. Corneal endothelial cell therapy is being explored as a potential therapeutic measure, to avoid the uncertainty associated with grafting. The human cornea is an ideal tissue for cell therapy. Due to its avascular and immunologically privileged characteristics, transplanted cells are better tolerated compared with other vascularized tissues and organs. Advances in the field of stem cell engineering, particularly the development of corneal epithelial stem cell therapy for the treatment of severe ocular surface disease, have aroused a massive interest in adapting cell therapy techniques to corneal endothelial cells. This chapter, based on a review of the literature, aims at educating the reader on the latest research in the field of corneal endothelial cell therapy.

[Descemet's Membrane Endothelial Keratoplasty. Indication, surgical technic, postoperative management and review of literature]. / Descemet's Membrane Endothelial Keratoplasty. Indication, technique chirurgicale, gestion postopératoire et revue de la littérature.

Endothelial keratoplasty is currently the preferred method for the treatment of endothelial dysfunctions and dystrophies. Descemet Membrane Endothelial Keratoplasty (DMEK), described by Gerrit Melles in 2006, is performed by selectively replacing the damaged endothelium with a healthy counterpart. It leads to a faster visual recovery and better refractive outcomes with a limited risk of rejection compared to Descemet's Stripping Automated Endothelial Keratosplasty (DSAEK), which includes a thin stromal layer. Open debate still exists between DMEK and DSAEK. This article aims to provide a literature review and enlighten the reader on the DMEK technique, its results and complications.

[Management of post-traumatic aphakia and aniridia: Retrospective study of 17 patients undergoing scleral-sutured artificial iris intraocular lens implantation. Management of aphakia-aniridia with scleral-sutured artificial iris intraocular lenses]. / Prise en charge de l'aphakie et de l'aniridie post-traumatiques. Étude rétrospective de 17 patients opérés d'implants intraoculaires suturés à la sclère à iris artificiel. Gestion de l'aphakie-aniridie par implants suturés à la sclère à iris artificiel.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the long-term outcomes of artificial iris intraocular lenses sutured to the sclera for managing traumatic aphakia and aniridia. METHODS: All consecutive cases receiving a Morcher® combination implant from June 2008 to February 2016 in Edouard-Herriot Hospital (Lyon, France) were included in this single-center retrospective study. Visual acuity, subjective degree of glare, quality of life and surgical complications were evaluated. RESULTS: Seventeen eyes of 17 patients were included, among which 82% were male. The mean age was 42 years. The injuries consisted of 23.5% contusion and 70.5% open globe injuries, of which 41% were globe ruptures. There was one postoperative case. A penetrating keratoplasty was performed at the same time for eight eyes. The mean follow-up was 32 months. Best-corrected visual acuity improved in 41.2%, remained the same in 17.6% and decreased in 41.2% of our cases. Distance vision averaged 1±0.25 line better and near vision 2.2±0.32 lines better when visual acuity was quantifiable before surgery. Glare improved in 80% of patients and remained stable in 20%, decreasing on average from 3.3/5 [min. 3-max. 4; SD: 0.48] before surgery to 1.9/5 [min. 0-max. 4; SD: 1.197] after surgery. Regarding the esthetic results, 78% of the patients declared themselves reasonably to very satisfied; 57% reported no limitation of activities of daily living, and 43% reported mild limitation. Ocular hypertension and glaucoma, found in 40% of eyes, were the main postoperative complications. CONCLUSION: Implantation of prosthetic iris device combined with an intraocular lens appears to be safe and effective in reducing glare disability and improving visual acuity. Close, long-term monitoring is essential for the success of this surgery.

[Limbal stem cell deficiency management. A review]. / Traitement du déficit en cellules souches limbiques. Revue de la littérature.

Limbal stem cell deficiency is predominantly caused by severe eye burns resulting in a decreased or a complete ablation of the regenerative potential of these stem cells. The inability to reconstruct the corneal epithelium further leads conjunctivalization of the gimbal-epithelial barrier. These abnormalities collectively result in the progressive opacification of the cornea responsible for blindness that is driven by chronic corneal ulceration and neovascularization. The underlying pathology of the cornea affects the homeostasis of the neighboring conjunctiva, eyelids, and tear film. Therefore, the ocular reconstruction to treat limbal stem cell deficiency is quite prolonged and involves a continued treatment plan. The management of limbal stem cell deficiency has undergone a multitude of changes over the past several decades. The understanding of limbal anatomy and physiology, as well as therapeutic advances in the stem cell field have propelled the development of new treatments offering new hope to severely disabled patients. Cultivated limbal epithelial and oral mucosal epithelial transplantations are therefore viable alternatives that could be utilized for the treatment of limbal stem cell deficiency.

Uveal effusion induced by topical travoprost in a patient with Sturge-Weber-Krabbe syndrome.

PURPOSE: To report a case of uveal effusion with subtotal exudative retinal detachment induced by topical administration of travoprost. CASE REPORT: A 20-year-old woman with a medical history of right-sided Sturge-Weber-Krabbe syndrome and bilateral aphakia secondary to congenital cataract extraction was referred to our department for retinal detachment associated with uveal effusion of the right eye. The ocular manifestations of Sturge-Weber-Krabbe syndrome in her right eye were glaucoma and diffuse choroidal hemangioma. Antiglaucomatous medications using topical travoprost 0.004%/timolol 0.5% (fixed combination) had been begun 1 week before. An adverse effect of travoprost was suspected and the drug was discontinued. Three weeks later, a fundus examination showed total disappearance of the uveal effusion. CONCLUSIONS: Interaction of the effects of topical prostaglandin analogs (blood-aqueous barrier disruption, enhancement of uveoscleral outflow) with both the diffuse choroidal hemangioma and the elevated episcleral venous pressure may lead to uveal effusion in Sturge-Weber-Krabbe syndrome. In spite of their efficiency, prostaglandin F2 analogs (latanoprost, travoprost and bimatoprost) should be used with caution in Sturge-Weber-Krabbe syndrome and particularly in cases of proved diffuse choroidal hemangioma.