Factors and outcomes associated with corneal edema and Haabs striae in primary congenital glaucoma.

PURPOSE: To identify specific factors and outcomes associated with corneal edema and Haabs striae in primary congenital glaucoma (PCG). METHODS: The medical records of patients with PCG from 2011 to 2023 with >3 months' follow-up were reviewed retrospectively. Preoperative details and final outcomes were compared between eyes with and without corneal findings. The right eye of bilateral cases and the affected eye in unilateral cases were included. RESULTS: A total of 58 patients (104 eyes, 69% male) underwent initial angle surgery at an average age of 297 ± 368 (median, 134) days. Corneal edema and Haabs striae were present preoperatively in 72 (69%) eyes of 41 patients and 68 (65%) eyes of 39 patients, respectively. Patients with corneal edema presented at a younger age (P < 0.0001) and with shorter axial length (P = 0.01) than those without edema. Univariate analysis showed that corneal edema was associated with worse visual acuity at final follow-up (OR = 4.4; 95% CI, 1.2-25.3). Patients with Haabs striae were older than those without striae (P = 0.04). After angle surgery, corneal edema was present at 1 month in 71% (95% CI, 52-84), at 2 months in 26% (95% CI, 12-42), at 3 months in 16% (95% CI, 6-30), and at 1 year in 3% (95% CI, 0-13). Corneal opacification did not resolve in 4 eyes of 3 patients after >4 years of follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: In our study cohort, corneal edema resolved in the majority of PCG cases within 2-3 months of initial angle surgery but was associated with younger age at presentation and worse visual acuity at final follow-up.

[Painful anisocoria in a five-year-old child: A rare diagnosis which must not be missed]. / Anisocorie douloureuse chez un enfant de cinq ans : un diagnostic rare à ne pas méconnaître.

Congenital ectropion uveae (CEU) is a rare anomaly of the embryonic development of the anterior segment of the eye. We report the case of a 5-year-old child with an undiagnosed CEU who was treated urgently for an acute angle closure attack. CASE DESCRIPTION: A 5-year-old child was referred urgently for evaluation of anisocoria with mydriasis of the right eye and severe headache. Brain imaging with contrast injection was initially performed in the pediatric emergency department and ruled out central nervous system pathology. The initial examination of the right eye revealed an intraocular pressure (IOP) of 37mmHg, corneal edema, congenital ectropion uveae, mydriasis with pupillary block, a closed angle on gonioscopy, and a clear lens. The examination of the left eye was unremarkable, with no visible CEU. The initial management consisted of medical treatment with topical glaucoma drops and miotics and acetazolamide at 10mg/kg/d. Re-evaluation under general anesthesia showed persistent mydriasis and no resolution of the pupillary block. Filtering surgery was performed in the absence of a complete response to medical treatment, allowing control of IOP without drops and complete regression of the corneal edema. DISCUSSION: CEU is a rare malformation, and pressure complications represent an insignificant proportion of pediatric glaucoma cases. The acute presentation of acute angle closure in this potentially blinding short-term setting, however, makes detection and management difficult in very young children in a great deal of pain. Only one similar case has been reported in the pediatric literature. CONCLUSION: Acute angle closure complicating CEU is exceptional and difficult to diagnose in a pediatric context. Parents of children with this predisposing condition should be informed of the need to consult urgently when clinical signs of elevated intraocular pressure appear.

Retrospective study of postoperative intraocular pressure and complications in phacoemulsification combined with endoscopic cyclophotocoagulation and phacoemulsification alone in dogs.

BACKGROUND: Long-term comparative data of phacoemulsification combined with endoscopic cyclophotocoagulation (phaco-ECP) versus phacoemulsification (phaco) alone in dogs are rare. OBJECTIVES: To investigate the effects of ECP on postoperative intraocular pressure (IOP) and complications after phaco in dogs with normal IOP. METHODS: Medical records of IOP, conjunctival hyperemia, corneal edema, aqueous flare, posterior synechia, intraocular fibrin, and posterior capsule opacification (PCO) formation in 15 canine eyes that underwent phaco-ECP and 36 eyes that underwent phaco alone were evaluated retrospectively. ECP was applied when either the iridocorneal angle or the ciliary cleft was narrow or closed. RESULTS: The IOP of the phaco-ECP group persisted within the normal range postoperatively. The phaco-ECP group had a shorter period of dorzolamide use than did the phaco group. PCO was formed earlier in the phaco-ECP group than in the phaco group. The phaco-ECP group showed more severe corneal edema than the phaco group at every follow-up visit. Posterior synechia was more severe in the phaco-ECP group than in the phaco group from two weeks until the last follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: Although ECP might cause more postoperative complications such as corneal edema and posterior synechia, it could effectively reduce the incidence of IOP increase after phaco in dogs with a high risk of postoperative glaucoma.

Regular and irregular astigmatism of bullous keratopathy using Fourier harmonic analysis with anterior segment optical coherence tomography.

Bullous keratopathy (BK) is known to present with corneal edema and Descemet's folds, which can cause corneal astigmatism. However, no report quantitatively evaluated BK astigmatism by separating it into regular and irregular astigmatism. This study investigated the regular and irregular astigmatism of the anterior and posterior corneal surface with Fourier harmonic analysis and anterior segment optical coherence tomography. Preoperative data from 43 eyes of 41 BK patients who received corneal endothelial transplantation were compared with the data from 43 eyes of 43 subjects without corneal disease. Anterior and posterior cylinder power, central corneal thickness (CCT) and thinnest corneal thickness were significantly greater in BK. With Fourier harmonic analysis, BK eyes were found to have significantly larger anterior and posterior regular astigmatism, asymmetry component and higher-order irregularity. Asymmetry component and higher-order irregularity that accounted for the posterior irregular astigmatism increased as CCT increased in BK. Higher-order irregularity in the posterior cornea also positively correlated with worsening best corrected visual acuity. Subgroup analysis found significant correlations between CCT and posterior higher-order irregularity for intraocular surgery and laser iridotomy, but not Fuchs endothelial corneal dystrophy. This study has significance in that it revealed the characteristics of the corneal posterior irregular astigmatism of BK.

Complicaciones posoperatorias inmediatas en pacientes diabéticos tipo 2 operados de catarata por la técnica de facochop / Immediate postoperative complications in type 2 diabetic patients undergoing phaco chop cataract surgery

Objetivo: Describir la posible presencia de complicaciones posoperatorias en pacientes diabéticos tipo 2, operados de catarata por la técnica de facochop. Métodos: Se realizó un estudio observacional, descriptivo, y longitudinal prospectivo, con 128 pacientes diabéticos (168 ojos) operados de catarata en el Centro de Microcirugía Ocular del Instituto Cubano de Oftalmología "Ramón Pando Ferrer", entre septiembre del año 2017 y diciembre de 2018. Las variables clínicas y epidemiológicas objeto del estudio fueron la edad, el sexo, el color de la piel, la queratometría, la profundidad de la cámara, la longitud axial, la dureza del cristalino, la presión intraocular pre- y posoperatoria y las complicaciones posoperatorias en las primeras 72 horas. Resultados: En el estudio predominaron las mujeres (63,3 por ciento), de piel blanca (74,2 por ciento), quienes presentaron ojos biométricamente normales, con una diferencia estadísticamente significativa. La presión intraocular aumentó a las 24 horas de la cirugía. De los 128 pacientes diabéticos tipo 2 operados de catarata senil por la técnica de facochop, se pudo determinar que el promedio y la desviación estándar de la edad se ubicaron en los 69,49 ± 8,96 años, y osciló entre los 50 y 88 años. Conclusiones: Las complicaciones posoperatorias más frecuentes son el edema corneal y la uveítis. Es significativamente más probable encontrar la uveítis posquirúrgica en pacientes menores de 70 años, y el edema corneal en quienes sobrepasan esta edad(AU)

Objective: Describe the possible presence of postoperative complications in type 2 diabetic patients undergoing phaco chop cataract surgery. Methods: An observational prospective longitudinal descriptive study was conducted of 128 diabetic patients (168 eyes) undergoing cataract surgery at the Center for Ocular Microsurgery of Ramón Pando Ferrer Cuban Institute of Ophthalmology from September 2017 to December 2018. The clinical and epidemiological variables analyzed were age, sex, skin color, keratometry, chamber depth, axial length, crystalline hardness, pre- and postoperative intraocular pressure, and postoperative complications in the first 72 hours. Results: A predominance was found of women (63.3 percent) of white skin color (74.2 percent) and biometrically normal eyes, with a statistically significant difference. Intraocular pressure rose 24 hours after surgery. Mean age and standard deviation were 69.49 ± 8.96 years, range of 50-88 years, in the 128 type 2 diabetic patients undergoing senile cataract surgery by the phaco chop technique. Conclusions: The most common postoperative complications are corneal edema and uveitis. It is significantly more probable to find postsurgical uveitis in patients aged under 70 years and corneal edema in patients aged over 70 years(AU)

A New Surgical Approach for the Management of Acute Corneal Hydrops Complicated With Corneal Perforation.

PURPOSE: To report an unusual case of a patient with keratoconus and acute hydrops complicated with corneal perforation and describe its management using a new surgical approach. METHODS: A case report and new surgical approach description. RESULTS: A 47-year-old female patient with a history of keratoconus and implantable contact lens surgery presented at our institute with symptoms of acute corneal hydrops in her right eye. On examination, best corrected visual acuity was of counting fingers in the involved eye. Slit-lamp examination revealed a small inferotemporal corneal perforation, surrounded by marked corneal edema and a positive Seidel test. Initial attempts of conservative treatment with cyanoacrylate tissue adhesive application and bandage soft contact lens placement were ineffective. We decided to proceed with an inferior, lamellar wedge resection of the diseased corneal tissue. One month postoperatively, the cornea remained clear, whereas best corrected visual acuity was 0.1. CONCLUSIONS: Lamellar wedge resection could represent an alternative surgical approach for keratoconic patients, with eccentric acute hydrops and subsequent corneal perforation that provides rapid visual rehabilitation.

Toric intraocular lens in asymmetric astigmatism.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study is to report our results of toric intraocular lens (IOL) implantation in patients with asymmetric astigmatism, its efficacy and safety in reducing the refractive cylinder. METHODS: This is a retrospective cohort study. Patients with asymmetric astigmatism and non-progressive corneal ectasia, unable to fit hard contact lenses, with poor-corrected visual acuity or unsatisfactory spectacles-corrected visual acuity, underwent cataract surgery with toric IOL implantation. The choice of lens was individually after optical biometry examination. All surgeries were performed by a single surgeon, with a 2.75-mm clear cornea self-sealing incision at 130° axis, from December 2008 to December 2015. RESULTS: We evaluated 88 eyes of 69 patients with asymmetric astigmatism: primary, secondary to leucoma, post-radial keratectomy, post-lamellar or penetrating keratoplasty, post-LASIK, post-PRK and due to pterygium. Snellen best-corrected spectacles visual acuity increased from 0.39 ± 0.23 preoperative to 0.80 ± 0.23 postoperative. The average refractive cylinder reduced from 2.32 ± 1.78 D preoperatively to 0.87 ± 1.09 D after surgery (P < .001). Sixty-three eyes out of 88 (71%) had residual refractive cylinder ≤ 1.0 D. CONCLUSION: The favorable efficacy on visual acuity outcomes we have found suggests that toric IOL can be used in cases of asymmetric astigmatism, in order to provide better-corrected vision, less spectacles dependence and an improved quality of vision overall, which is especially important in contact lenses intolerant patients.

Mini-Descemet Membrane Endothelial Keratoplasty for the Early Treatment of Acute Corneal Hydrops in Keratoconus.

PURPOSE: To describe a new surgical option for the treatment of acute corneal hydrops in keratoconus and to present the first results. METHODS: This is a retrospective analysis of 3 patients who presented to our clinic with a massive corneal hydrops in acute keratoconus and were treated by mini-Descemet membrane endothelial keratoplasty (DMEK). According to the size and the shape of the gap in the patient's Descemet membrane (DM), 1 DMEK graft was trephined with a round 5-mm punch. The other grafts were trimmed with a razor blade to a width of about 3 mm and a length adjusted to the length of the defect of the recipients' DM. The graft was inserted with a regular intraocular lens shooter. Correct unfolding of the graft was controlled by using intraoperative optical coherence tomography. At the end of the surgery, the graft was attached to the posterior corneal surface by a small air bubble. Thereafter, the complete anterior chamber was filled with 20% SF6 gas. RESULTS: All 3 patients (age 32 ± 3 years on average) showed a rapid increase in uncorrected visual acuity from the logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution (LogMAR) 1.66 (±0.46) before mini-DMEK to the LogMAR 1.2 (±0.3) within 6 to 8 weeks after mini-DMEK. The thickest corneal point within the edematous cornea decreased in all 3 patients (1088 ± 280 µm before surgery vs. 630 ± 38 µm 1 week after surgery). One mini-DMEK failed in a first attempt. In this patient, the recipient DM was under strong tension and showed a pronounced dehiscence. Therefore, a small part of the recipient's DM around the preexisting gap in DM was removed before a second mini-DMEK graft was placed successfully. The other 2 patients developed partial graft detachment within 1 to 2 weeks after surgery. However, the corneas of these patients were dehydrated to physiological levels after mini-DMEK, and despite partial detachment, there was no relapse of the hydrops. CONCLUSIONS: Mini-DMEK could be helpful in patients with larger defects and detachments of DM in very ectatic corneas in the acute phase of corneal hydrops in acute keratoconus. These patients may not be successfully treated by intracameral gas application alone or in combination with pre-Descemetal sutures. Further investigations are needed to identify factors helping to decide on the best surgical approach in hydrops in acute keratoconus.

Performing Reliable Lens Capsulotomy in the Presence of Corneal Edema With a Femtosecond Laser.

Purpose: To determine the effects of the Ziemer LDV Z8 liquid interface femtosecond laser platform during capsulotomy under different energy settings in the presence of corneal edema. Methods: Cadaveric porcine eyes (n = 36) employed at less than 6 and greater than 24 post enucleation hours to simulate clear/edematous corneas, underwent capsulotomy with the Ziemer LDV Z8 femtosecond laser (5-mm diameter, energy 90%, 130%, or 150%). Lens capsules were removed for evaluation by scanning electron microscopy and rupture strengths determined by the single column universal testing system. Following ethical approval, 23 patients had lens capsules removed during routine cataract surgery following manual or Z8 capsulotomy and subjected to TUNEL assay. Results: There was no difference in edge morphology or rupture strength (120, 113, and 118 mN at increasing energy, P = 0.42) in the clear cornea. Only 50% of capsulotomies succeeded at 90% energy in an edematous cornea, improving with increased energy (75% completion at 130%, 100% at 150%). Rupture strength in edematous corneas was not significantly different at 112, 133, and 114 mN for 90%, 130%, and 150%, respectively (P = 0.3). In human samples, increased TUNEL-positive cells were seen at 130% energy, but not at 150% (0.0 manual vs. 0.2 [90%] vs. 2.1 [130%] vs. 0.6 [150%], P < 0.05). Conclusions: Because of the low energy delivered by a femtosecond nanojoule platform, even incremental increases in energy appeared to have minimal effect on lens capsule morphology and strength and negligible influence on cell death. Furthermore, increasing energy appeared to enhance consistency and the ability to complete a capsulotomy in an edematous cornea.

Hipertensión ocular secundaria a endoqueratoplastia / Ocular hypertension secondary to endokeratoplasty

La queratoplastia endotelial no está exenta de complicaciones y hasta el momento ha demostrado ser un tratamiento efectivo para la disfunción endotelial. Se presenta una paciente femenina, blanca, de 76 años de edad, con antecedente patológico personal de hipertensión arterial controlada. Se le realizó queratoplastia endotelial con pelado de la descemet asistida con láser de excímero. Se obtuvo buena transparencia corneal y recuperación visual en ojo derecho. Al mes siguiente acudió a consulta y refirió dolor ocular intenso. En el examen oftalmológico presentaba edema palpebral, inyección cilioconjuntival, edema corneal ligero, cámara anterior muy estrecha y contacto iridocorneal en periferia temporal con cifras de presión ocular aumentada.

Endothelial keratoplasty is not complication-free and it has so far proved to be an effective treatment for endothelial dysfunction. This is a Caucasian female patient aged 76 years, who has personal pathological history of controlled blood hypertension. She underwent Descemet stripping with Excimer laser endothelial keratoplasty. Good corneal transparency and visual recovery in her right eye were achieved after surgery. One month later, she went to the ophthalmologist´s again and complained about intense ocular pain. The eye examination yielded palpebral edema, cilioconjunctival injection, mild corneal edema, very narrow anterior chamber, iridocorneal contact in temporal periphery and high ocular pressure figures.

Brown-McLean syndrome with keratoconus.

We report a case of unilateral Brown-McLean syndrome (peripheral corneal oedema) with bilateral keratoconus. A 30 years old lady presented with decreased vision in her right eye for the last 2 years. There was no history of surgery or trauma. Patient had no systemic illness. There was peripheral concentric corneal oedema extending 2.5-3.5 mm from the limbus involving right eye. On topography, we found bilateral keratoconus. To the best of our knowledge, this combination of Brown-McLean syndrome and keratoconus has not been reported before.

Comparison of outcomes of penetrating keratoplasty versus Descemet's stripping automated endothelial keratoplasty for penetrating keratoplasty graft failure due to corneal edema.

To evaluate the outcomes of repeat corneal transplantation, either penetrating keratoplasty (PKP) or Descemet's stripping automated endothelial keratoplasty (DSAEK), for penetrating keratoplasty grafts which failed due to corneal edema. The charts of 24 eyes with failed PKP grafts, due to corneal edema, which underwent a repeat corneal transplant (PKP in 17 eyes [Group 1] and DSAEK in seven eyes [Group 2]) between 2003 and 2007 were retrospectively reviewed. There was no statistically significant difference in the median postoperative visual acuity between the two groups at 1, 2, or 3 years. In Group 1, two (18%) eyes had a final visual acuity ≥ 20/40, in contrast to four (80%) eyes in Group 2, which was statistically significant (P = 0.038). Seven (41%) of the Group 1 eyes developed postoperative complications compared to only one (14%) eye in Group 2. Eleven (65%) of the Group 1 eyes and five (71%) of Group 2 eyes had clear grafts on the last examination. There was no statistically significant difference in the graft survival rate for Group 1 versus Group 2 at 3 years (57.9% vs 68.6%, P = 0.507). There was a trend towards better postoperative visual acuity, a lower postoperative complication rate, and a higher graft survival rate in eyes that underwent DSAEK rather than repeat PKP for graft failure secondary to corneal edema. Given this small, retrospective study, future studies comparing repeat PKP with DSAEK are warranted to determine which procedure allows for improved outcomes.

Spontaneous corneal clearing after Descemet's stripping without endothelial replacement.

PURPOSE: To report spontaneous corneal clearing with improved visual acuity and central endothelial cell repopulation after Descemet's stripping without endothelial replacement. DESIGN: Interventional case report. METHODS: A 34-year-old woman with bilateral decreased vision secondary to corneal edema from endothelial dysfunction underwent Descemet's stripping endothelial keratoplasty (DSEK) in the right eye and Descemet's stripping only in the left eye. Histopathologic evaluation confirmed a dual diagnosis of Fuchs' endothelial dystrophy and posterior polymorphous membrane dystrophy from Descemet's membrane specimens removed from each eye. After primary graft failure with regraft in the right eye, the second posterior corneal lenticule detached and was removed and not replaced. The cornea cleared, and central endothelial cell repopulation was documented by confocal microscopy. Therefore, Descemet's stripping without endothelial replacement was performed in the left eye. The left cornea also cleared with central endothelial cell repopulation. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Postoperative visual acuity and central endothelial cell repopulation. RESULTS: Endothelial migration after Descemet's stripping alone in the left eye, with probable host endothelial cell repopulation in the right eye. CONCLUSIONS: Endothelial cell migration after Descemet's stripping procedure without insertion of endothelial graft can occur, resulting from host endothelial cell repopulation with corneal clearing and improved visual acuity.

Predescemetic dissection for healed hydrops--judicious use of air and fluid.

PURPOSE: To demonstrate the efficacy of a planned near-Descemet dissection deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty (nddDALK) in posthydrops corneal scarring. METHODS: In a retrospective noncomparative case series, nddDALK was performed on 22 consecutive eyes of 22 patients with posthydrops scarring because of keratoconus. After a partial thickness corneal trephination, air was injected at superficial to midstromal depth, followed by an anterior keratectomy. Multiple episodes of stromal hydration with a blunt cannula followed by air injection were repeated to leave a thin stromal layer. A #69 Beaver blade (BD, Franklin Lakes, NJ) was used to remove the scar. The best spectacle-corrected visual acuity (BSCVA), spherical equivalent, and refractive cylinder were recorded 12, 24, and 36 months after surgery. Intraoperative and postoperative complications were noted. RESULTS: Twelve months after surgery, the BSCVA was ≥ 20/40 in 68.1% of patients. The mean spherical equivalent was -3.53 ± 2.94 diopters (D), and the average refractive cylinder was 3.42 ± 1.7 D. Microperforations occurred in 6 patients, all of which were successfully tamponaded by an intracameral air injection alone. CONCLUSIONS: nddDALK gives good visual results and quality of vision. In developing countries, lamellar-grade donor corneas are almost the only option available. Apart from visual benefits, the procedure puts the patient at a minimal risk of immune rejection, which is a major complication of penetrating keratoplasty.

Síndrome endotelial iridocorneal: reporte de un caso / Iridocorneal endothelial syndrome: report of a case

Se presenta un caso clínico en el municipio Cristóbal Rojas, estado Miranda, República Bolivariana de Venezuela, con el diagnóstico de síndrome endotelial iridocorneal (atrofia esencial de iris) en un paciente del sexo masculino, con una buena evolución de su cuadro clínico, controlado solo con hipotensores oculares. Este síndrome se observa en el sexo femenino fundamentalmente, y es una entidad poco frecuente, no solo dentro de las enfermedades oftalmológicas sino también dentro del grupo de los glaucomas, y de muy mal pronóstico.

We present a clinical case from the municipality Cristobal Rojas, Miranda State, Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, with the diagnostic of iridocorneal endothelial syndrome (the iris essential atrophy) in a male patient, with a good evolution, only controlled with ocular hypotensors. This syndrome is observed mainly in the female genre, and it is a little frequent entity, not only among the ophthalmologic diseases but also among the glaucoma group. It has a very bad prognosis.

[Visual development and amblyopia prophylaxis in pediatric glaucoma]. / Visusentwicklung und Amblyopieprophylaxe bei kindlichem Glaukom.

In children with congenital glaucoma the functional long-term result is often disappointing even if the intraocular pressure is well controlled. The reason for this discrepancy is attributed to amblyogenic factors responsible for interfering with normal visual development. These amblyogenic factors are corneal edema, irregular astigmatism and non-corrected ametropia as monocular causes. Binocular causes are anisometropia-induced suppression and strabismus. Full ametropic correction and a very early prophylaxis and treatment of amblyopia with a close follow-up are mandatory to reduce amblyogenic visual impairment in children with congenital glaucoma.

Quantitative evaluation of corneal epithelial oedema by confocal microscopy.

BACKGROUND: To develop a novel quantitative index for evaluation of corneal epithelial oedema, the pixel intensity of confocal microscopic images was measured derived from the basal cell layer (BCL) of the corneal epithelium in normal eyes, eyes before and after cataract surgery, and eyes affected by bullous keratopathy. METHODS: Five eyes of five normal volunteers, 14 eyes of 11 cataract patients and 12 eyes of 12 bullous keratopathy patients were examined by confocal microscopy. The cataract patients underwent cataract surgery, and they were examined by confocal microscopy, corneal pachymetry, and anterior fluorometry both before and at various times after surgery. The pixel intensity of BCL images obtained by confocal microscopy was measured and expressed as the BCL index. RESULTS: The coefficient of variation for repeated (five times) measurement of the BCL index in each of the five normal eyes was 3.4%. The BCL index was 54.8 5.3 (mean SD) before surgery, increased significantly to 65.2 10.0 on the day after surgery, and gradually decreased thereafter in the cataract patients. The time-course of the BCL index coincided well with that of corneal thickness and anterior fluorometry value. The BCL index in eyes affected by bullous keratopathy was significantly increased at 95.0 6.4. CONCLUSION: The BCL index was increased after cataract surgery and in eyes affected by bullous keratopathy, conditions associated with corneal epithelial oedema. This quantitative measure obtained by confocal microscopy may prove useful in the clinical evaluation of corneal epithelial oedema.

Recipient risk factors for graft failure in the cornea donor study.

PURPOSE: To identify recipient factors that may be related to risk of corneal graft failure. DESIGN: Multicenter, prospective, double-masked, controlled clinical trial. PARTICIPANTS: One thousand ninety subjects undergoing corneal transplantation for a moderate-risk condition (principally Fuchs' dystrophy or pseudophakic corneal edema). METHODS: Donor corneas were assigned using a random approach without respect to recipient factors, and surgeons were masked to information about the donor cornea, including donor age. Surgery and postoperative care were performed according to the surgeons' usual routines, and subjects were followed up for 5 years. Baseline factors were evaluated for their association with graft failure. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Graft failure, defined as a regraft or a cloudy cornea that was sufficiently opaque to compromise vision for a minimum of 3 consecutive months. RESULTS: Preoperative diagnosis of pseudophakic or aphakic corneal edema increased graft failure risk approximately 4-fold compared with Fuchs' dystrophy (27% vs. 7%). Prior glaucoma surgery with preoperative glaucoma medication use substantially increased the graft failure rate. Factors not strongly associated with graft failure included age, gender, diabetes, smoking, and graft size. CONCLUSIONS: The risk of graft failure is significantly increased in eyes with pseudophakic or aphakic corneal edema compared with Fuchs' dystrophy, independent of lens status, and in eyes with a history of glaucoma. FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE(S): Proprietary or commercial disclosure may be found after the references.

Complex deep lamellar endothelial keratoplasty for complex bullous keratopathy with severe vision loss.

PURPOSE: To determine the efficacy and postoperative complications of complex deep lamellar endothelial keratoplasty (DLEK) when used for the management of complex bullous keratopathy with severe vision loss. METHODS: Twelve consecutive eyes with severe bullous keratopathy and other associated intraocular abnormalities underwent complex DLEK which was combined with other intraocular surgeries such as vitrectomy, intraocular lens removal, and secondary intraocular lens implantation. An air bubble was used in 9 eyes and an air and C3F8 gas bubble in 3 eyes for tissue support. Prospective data of best spectacle-corrected visual acuity, corneal astigmatism, and curvature were collected on all 12 eyes preoperatively and at 6, 9, and 12 months postoperatively. Average donor endothelial cell density was recorded preoperatively and at 9 months postoperatively. RESULTS: Preoperatively, severe visual loss was recorded at hand motions (n = 3), count fingers (n = 7), and 20/400 (n = 2). Best spectacle-corrected visual acuity improved in 83% of eyes with vision of 20/67 or better in 42% (5/12) and 20/100 or better in 66% (8/12) of eyes at 12 months postoperatively. Vision was not improved in three eyes due to coexistent retinal disease. Four aphakic eyes underwent secondary intraocular lens implantation later at 4-6 months after DLEK, and best spectacle-corrected visual acuity was increased from count fingers to 20/200 or better. At 12 months postoperatively, average corneal astigmatism and curvature were 2.3 +/- 0.5 diopters and 44.0 +/- 0.9 diopters, respectively. Average central corneal thickness at 12 months postoperatively (541.3 +/- 26.7 microm) was significantly thinner than that before surgery (673.8 +/- 77.5 microm, P < 0.01). Preoperative average donor endothelial cell density was 2685.1 +/- 193.9 cells/mm. At 9 months postoperatively, average endothelial cell density was 1920.1 +/- 94.0 cells/mm (27.3% of endothelial cell loss) in eyes with primary surgery and 1866.3 +/- 92.8 cells/mm (33.9% of endothelial cell loss) in eyes with secondary surgery. Postoperative complications usually occurred within 3 months of surgery. After surgery, 3 eyes showed narrow gaps between the border of the graft and the host. Epithelial bullae in these areas recurred in 2 eyes but disappeared within 3 months. There was one graft dislocation in this series, no pupillary block cases, and no primary graft failures. CONCLUSIONS: In cases of complex bullous keratopathy with severe vision loss, DLEK combined with other intraocular surgeries is a feasible and effective procedure to significantly improve visual acuity to a functional level in most patients. DLEK can be used successfully in eyes with aphakia and other anterior segment abnormalities without a high risk of graft dislocation or failure. Mild postoperative complications usually occurred early after DLEK and did not affect visual outcomes and graft survival if managed appropriately.

Negative dysphotopsia: long-term study and possible explanation for transient symptoms.

PURPOSE: To study the incidence, course, and common factors of patients with negative dysphotopsia and consider the possible role of the corneal incision in cases in which symptoms are transient. SETTING: Private practice and the University of Cincinnati, College of Medicine, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA. METHODS: Phacoemulsification with implantation of a single-piece acrylic intraocular lens (IOL) was performed in 250 consecutive routine cataract procedures. Patients were asked whether they noticed a temporal shadow on the day after surgery and were followed by serial evaluations for 3 years. Evaluations included subjective questionnaires and objective testing. RESULTS: The incidence of negative dysphotopsia was 15.2% on the first postoperative day, decreasing to 3.2% after 1 year, then 2.4% after 2 and 3 years. Common findings included a shallow orbit, prominent globe, space greater than 0.45 mm between the iris and IOL by ultrasound biomicroscopy, and perimetric comet-shaped light in the area corresponding to the shadow. Slitlamp revealed a transparent peripheral capsule and a shadow sign in which a linear shadow on the iris became curvilinear as the light from the slit beam was projected through the incision toward the pupil. CONCLUSIONS: Two groups of patients experienced negative dysphotopsia that rapidly resolved or remained unchanged from the first postoperative day. It is hypothesized that the corneal edema associated with a beveled temporal incision contributes to transient negative dysphotopsia.