Trends and Sociodemographic Patterns in Keratoconus Management 2015-2020: An American Academy of Ophthalmology IRIS® Registry Analysis.

PURPOSE: Investigate trends in keratoconus (KCN) treatment patterns and diagnosis age from 2015 to 2020 and evaluate sociodemographic associations with the treatment approach. DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study. PARTICIPANTS: Patients with a new KCN diagnosis from 2015 to 2020 were identified in the Academy IRIS® Registry (Intelligent Research in Sight). METHODS: Associations between sociodemographic factors and treatment were evaluated using multivariable logistic regression. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Outcomes included percentages and rates of each treatment (collagen crosslinking [CXL], keratoplasty, or no procedure) from 2015 to 2020, age at diagnosis during this period, and sociodemographic factors associated with treatment type. RESULTS: A total of 66 199 patients with a new diagnosis of KCN were identified. The percentage of patients undergoing CXL increased from 0.05% in 2015 to 29.5% in 2020 (P = 0.008). The average age (standard deviation) of KCN patients decreased from 44.1 (±16.9) years in 2015 to 39.2 (±16.9) years in 2020 (P < 0.001). In multivariable analyses comparing CXL versus no procedure and keratoplasty versus no procedure, patients undergoing CXL tended to be younger with the odds of having CXL decreasing with increasing age, for example, comparing CXL and no procedure patients, using ages 0-20 years as reference, the odds ratio (OR) (95% confidence interval [CI]) decreased from 0.62 (0.57-0.67; P < 0.0001) for patients aged 21-40 years to 0.03 (0.02-0.04; P < 0.0001) for patients aged > 60 years. Men were more likely than women to have CXL (OR, 1.31; 95% CI, 1.23-1.40; P < 0.0001) and keratoplasty (OR, 1.30; 95% CI, 1.19-1.42; P < 0.0001). Black patients were less likely than White patients to have CXL (OR, 0.70; 95% CI, 0.63-0.77; P < 0.0001) and more likely to have keratoplasty (OR, 2.24; 95% CI, 2.01-2.50; P < 0.0001). Likewise, Hispanic patients had higher odds of CXL (OR, 1.12; 95% CI, 1.00-1.24; P < 0.05) and keratoplasty (OR, 1.29; 95% CI, 1.12-1.50; P < 0.001) compared with non-Hispanic patients. Collagen crosslinking and keratoplasty also varied by region and insurance status. CONCLUSIONS: A significant increase in use of CXL was noted from 2015 to 2020. Sociodemographic differences in treatment among KCN patients may reflect differences in access, use, or care patterns, and future studies should aim to identify strategies to improve access for all patients. FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE(S): The author(s) have no proprietary or commercial interest in any materials discussed in this article.

New forays into measurement of ocular biomechanics.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: The field of corneal biomechanics has rapidly progressed in recent years, reflecting technological advances and an increased understanding of the clinical significance of measuring these properties. This review will evaluate in-vivo biomechanical properties obtained by current technologies and compare them regarding their relevance to established biomechanical properties obtained by gold-standard ex-vivo techniques normally conducted on elastic materials. RECENT FINDINGS: Several new technologies have appeared in recent years, including vibrational optical coherence tomography (VOCT) and the corneal indentation device (CID). These techniques provide promising new opportunities for minimally invasive and accurate measurements of corneal viscoelastic properties. SUMMARY: Alterations in corneal biomechanics are known to occur in several corneal degenerative diseases and after refractive surgical procedures. The measurement of corneal biomechanical properties has the capability to diagnose early disease and monitor corneal disease progression. Several new technologies have emerged in recent years, allowing for more accurate and less invasive measurements of corneal biomechanical properties, most notably the elastic modulus.

Preservatives and ocular surface disease: A review.

Ocular surface disease (OSD) is a complex condition that can cause a range of symptoms (e.g, dryness, irritation, and pain) and can significantly impact the quality of life of affected individuals. Iatrogenic OSD, a common finding in patients with glaucoma who receive chronic therapy with topical ocular antihypertensive drugs containing preservatives such as benzalkonium chloride (BAK), has been linked to damage to the ocular surface barrier, corneal epithelial cells, nerves, conjunctival goblet cells, and trabecular meshwork. Chronic BAK exposure activates inflammatory pathways and worsens symptoms, compromising the success of subsequent filtration surgery in an exposure-dependent manner. In eyes being treated for glaucoma, symptomatic treatment of OSD may provide some relief, but addressing the root cause of the OSD often necessitates reducing or, ideally, eliminating BAK toxicity. Strategies to decrease BAK exposure in patients with glaucoma encompass the use of preservative-free formulations or drugs with alternative and less toxic preservatives such as SofZia®, Polyquad, potassium sorbate, or Purite®. Though the benefits of these alternative preservatives are largely unproven, they might be considered when financial constraints prevent the use of preservative-free versions. For patients receiving multiple topical preserved drugs, the best practice is to switch to nonpreserved equivalents wherever feasible, regardless of OSD severity. Furthermore, nonpharmacological approaches, including laser or incisional procedures, should be considered. This review explores the effects of BAK on the ocular surface and reviews strategies for minimizing or eliminating BAK exposure in patients with glaucoma in order to significantly improve their quality of life and prevent complications associated with chronic exposure to BAK.

A Detailed Analysis of Individuals Having Graft Failure After Corneal Transplantation.

PURPOSE: To describe demographic and clinical characteristics of patients with graft failure after keratoplasty, determine the cause of graft failure and outcomes. METHODS: The charts of patients between 2008-2013 in the Cornea Service at Wills Eye Hospital with a history of a corneal transplant before the end of 2012 were retrospectively reviewed. Included were patients who had graft failure after corneal transplantation and had at least one year of follow-up after transplantation. Penetrating keratoplasty (PK) and Descemet's stripping endothelial keratoplasty (DSEK) patients were analyzed separately. RESULTS: A total of 186 eyes of 170 patients with graft failure after a PK (156) or DSEK (30) procedures were identified. The baseline characteristics included 100 female and 70 male patients with an age between 0 and 90 years (median 63 years). At the time of surgery, 38% had three or more systemic diseases and 68% were using three or more systemic medicines. Mean follow up time for PK was nearly four times of DSEK. Only 2 DSEK eyes (7%) underwent a 3rd DSEK graft, while 47 (30%) PK eyes underwent a 3rd PK and 15 (10%) PK eyes underwent more than three PK procedures. CONCLUSIONS: Most DSEK failures occurred in 1st year, while graft failure in PKs is scattered over years. Failure in DSEK is mostly due to graft or surgical risk factors but in PK mostly due to factors in the host. DSEK does not appear to be as affected by the patients' demographic and clinical characteristics as much as PK.

IC3D Classification of Corneal Dystrophies-Edition 3.

PURPOSE: The International Committee for the Classification of Corneal Dystrophies (IC3D) was created in 2005 to develop a new classification system integrating current information on phenotype, histopathology, and genetic analysis. This update is the third edition of the IC3D nomenclature. METHODS: Peer-reviewed publications from 2014 to 2023 were evaluated. The new information was used to update the anatomic classification and each of the 22 standardized templates including the level of evidence for being a corneal dystrophy [from category 1 (most evidence) to category 4 (least evidence)]. RESULTS: Epithelial recurrent erosion dystrophies now include epithelial recurrent erosion dystrophy, category 1 ( COL17A1 mutations, chromosome 10). Signs and symptoms are similar to Franceschetti corneal dystrophy, dystrophia Smolandiensis, and dystrophia Helsinglandica, category 4. Lisch epithelial corneal dystrophy, previously reported as X-linked, has been discovered to be autosomal dominant ( MCOLN1 mutations, chromosome 19). Classic lattice corneal dystrophy (LCD) results from TGFBI R124C mutation. The LCD variant group has over 80 dystrophies with non-R124C TGFBI mutations, amyloid deposition, and often similar phenotypes to classic LCD. We propose a new nomenclature for specific LCD pathogenic variants by appending the mutation using 1-letter amino acid abbreviations to LCD. Pre-Descemet corneal dystrophies include category 1, autosomal dominant, punctiform and polychromatic pre-Descemet corneal dystrophy (PPPCD) ( PRDX3 mutations, chromosome 10). Typically asymptomatic, it can be distinguished phenotypically from pre-Descemet corneal dystrophy, category 4. We include a corneal dystrophy management table. CONCLUSIONS: The IC3D third edition provides a current summary of corneal dystrophy information. The article is available online at https://corneasociety.org/publications/ic3d .

Does the novel coronavirus use the ocular surface as an entrance into the body or as an infection site? / O novo coronavírus usa a superfície ocular como porta de entrada no corpo ou como local de infecção?

ABSTRACT This study attempts to review whether the coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) is transmitted through the ocular surface and examine the symptoms and signs of ocular disease. Considering that COVID-19 is transmitted by airborne droplets and close contact with infected individuals, we will also review the conditions to which eye clinics and ophthalmologists should pay attention to prevent the transmission of the disease. Although some researchers have argued that COVID-19 transmission cannot occur through the ocular surface, most of them are of the opinion that the ocular surface is a potential pathway of transmission. Until date, ocular signs and symptoms have been rarely reported in the COVID-19 patients. However, there are case reports of conjunctivitis as the first, and rarely, the only clinical symptom of the disease. In addition, low coronavirus RNA positivity can be detected in the ocular surface samples. Further laboratory and clinical investigations are needed to ascertain whether the ocular surface is one of the potential transmission pathways through which severe acute respiratory syndrome-coronavirus 2 can gain entry into the human body.

RESUMO Rever se o COVID- 19 é transmitido através da su perfície ocular e seus sintomas e sinais na doença ocular. Dado que o COVID-19 é transmitido por gotículas de ar e contato próximo, também analisaremos, também, as condições às quais os oftalmologistas e as clínicas oftalmológicas devem prestar atenção a fim de evitar a transmissão da doença. Embora alguns autores tenham argumentado que a transmissão de COVID-19 não pode ocorrer através da superfície ocular, a maioria dos autores acredita que a superfície ocular é uma via potencial de transmissão. Até à data, foram notificados, muito raramente, sinais e sintomas oculares em doentes com COVID- 19. No entanto, há relatos de casos de conjuntivite como sendo, raramente, o primeiro e único sintoma clínico da doença. Além disso, a baixa positividade do RNA coronavírus pode ser detectada nas amostras da superfície ocular. São necessárias mais investigações clínicas laboratoriais sobre se a superfície ocular é uma das vias de transmissão através das quais o SARS-COV-2 penetra no corpo humano.

Causes of congenital corneal opacities and their management in a tertiary care center / Causas de opacidades corneanas congênitas e seu controle em um centro de cuidados terciários

ABSTRACT Purpose: To evaluate causes and management of congenital corneal opacities (CCO) diagnosed in a tertiary care eye center and to compare the data with a previous study at the same institution. Methods: Computerized medical records in all patients with congenital corneal opacities diagnosed in the Cornea Service at Wills Eye Hospital (Philadelphia, PA) between January 1, 2007, and December 31, 2015, were retrospectively reviewed. Children aged 12 years and younger at the first visit were included in the study. Patients' demographics, ocular diagnosis, laterality, associated ocular abnormalities, other ocular surgery performed prior or subsequent to the first visit, and their treatment were extracted from the medical records. Results: A total of 77 eyes in 56 patients were examined. The mean age at presentation was 32.8 ± 44.2 months, with the mean follow-up period of 26.7 ± 30.1 months. The most frequent diagnosis was Peters anomaly (53.2%), followed by limbal dermoid (13.0%), aniridia with glaucoma and microphthalmos (6.5%), sclerocornea and congenital glaucoma (5.2%), idiopathic (3.9%), Axenfeld-Rieger anomaly and Hurler syndrome (2.6%), and microcornea (1.3%). Primary keratoplasty was performed in 26 eyes, with the outcome rate in the clear cornea of 76.0% during the follow-up. Conclusion: Peters anomaly is the most common cause of congenital corneal opacities encountered at our institution. Penetrating keratoplasty is the most frequent choice of corneal surgery to treat congenital corneal opacities. Additional interventions during penetrating keratoplasty were moderately positively correlated with graft failure. This study also shows the rates of some etiologies of that changed over the recent decades in our tertiary care Cornea Service. Although Peters anomaly remains the most common presenting reason for congenital corneal opacities, its rate appears to be increasing over the recent decade. Congenital corneal opacities due to birth trauma, which is one of the preventable causes, were observed in a previous study in our clinic; however, no new cases were noted in this study.

RESUMO Objetivo: Avaliar as causas e o controle das opa cidades corneanas congênitas diagnosticadas em um centro oftal mológico de atendimento terciário e comparar os dados com um estudo anterior realizado na mesma instituição. Métodos: Prontuários médicos informatizados de todos os pacientes com opacidade corneana congênita diagnosticada no Serviço de Córnea no Wills Eye Hospital (Filadélfia, PA) entre 1º de ja neiro de 2007 e 31 de dezembro de 2015 foram revisados retrospectivamente. Crianças com 12 anos ou menos na primeira consulta foram incluídas no estudo. A demografia dos pacientes, o diagnóstico ocular, a lateralidade, as anormalidades oculares associadas, outras cirurgias oculares realizadas antes ou após a primeira consulta e o tratamento foram extraídos dos prontuários médicos. Resultados: Um total de 77 olhos de 56 pacientes foi examinado. A idade média de apresentação foi de 32,8 ± 44,2 meses, com um tempo médio de acompanhamento de 26,7 ± 30,1 meses. O diagnóstico mais frequente foi anomalia de Peters (53,2%), seguido por dermóide límbico (13,0%), aniridia com glaucoma e microftalmia (6,5%), esclerocórnea e glaucoma congênito (5,2%), idiopático (3,9%), síndrome de Axenfeld-Rieger e síndrome de Hurler (2,6%) e microcórnea (1,3%). Ceratoplastia primária foi realizada em 26 olhos, com desfecho de córnea clara de 76,0% durante o acompanhamento. Conclusão: A anomalia de Peters é a causa mais comum de opacidade corneana congênita encontrada em nossa instituição. A ceratoplastia penetrante é a escolha mais frequente de cirurgia corneana para o tratamento de opacidades corneanas congênitas. Intervenções adicionais durante a ceratoplastia penetrante foram moderadamente correlacionadas positivamente com a falha do enxerto. Este estudo também mostra as taxas de algumas etiologias do que mudou ao longo faz últimas décadas em nosso serviço de córnea de atendimento terciário. Embora a anomalia de Peters continue a ser a causa mais comum das opacidades congênitas da córnea, sua taxa parece estar aumentando na última década. Opacidades congênitas da córnea devido a trauma no nascimento, que é uma das causas evitáveis, foram observadas em um estudo anterior em nossa clínica; no entanto, nenhum caso novo foi observado neste estudo.

A comparison of two conjunctival rotation autograft techniques in primary pterygium surgery / Comparação de duas técnicas de rotação de auto-enxerto conjuntival na cirurgia de pterígio primário

ABSTRACT Purpose: To compare the effects of 90° and 180° conjunctival rotational autograft (CRA) techniques used in primary pterygium surgery. Methods: Forty-five patients were included in this retrospective study. Visual acuity (VA), corneal topography, and auto-refractometer measurements, as well as detailed biomicroscopic examinations, were performed preoperatively and postoperatively. During surgery, the pterygium tissue was excised then rotated 90° in Group 1 and180° in Group 2, after which it was sutured to the bare sclera. Pterygium recurrence was defined as corneal invasion ≥1 mm. Results: Group 1 consisted of 21 patients with a mean age of 45.1 ± 11.8 years, while Group 2 comprised 24 patients with a mean age of 47.9 ± 13.8 years. The pterygia in Group 1 were graded as more advanced than those in Group 2. A similar number of recurrences were observed in Group 1 (14.3%) and in Group 2 (16.7%). There was no statistically significant difference in terms of the preoperative and postoperative VA and astigmatism values between the two groups. There was a statistically significant improvement in the postoperative VA and astigmatism values in Group 1 and in the postoperative astigmatism values in Group 2. Although postoperative redness was more common in Group 1, no statistically significant difference was found between the groups. Conclusion: BothCRA techniques can be successful in patients for whom it is desirable to avoid a conjunctival autograft and for patients without high cosmetic expectations.

RESUMO Objetivo: Comparar os efeitos das técnicas de auto-enxerto rotacional de conjuntiva (CRA) de 90° e 180°, usadas na cirurgia de pterígio primário. Métodos: Quarenta e cinco pacientes foram incluídos neste estudo retrospectivo. Acuidade visual (AV) pré e pós-operatória, topografia da córnea, auto-refratometria e exames biomicroscópicos detalhados foram feitos. Durante a cirurgia, o tecido de pterígio foi excisado e o mesmo tecido foi girado 90° no Grupo 1 e 180° no Grupo 2, após o que foi suturado à esclera nua. A recorrência do pterígio foi definida como invasão da córnea ≥1 mm. Resultados: O Grupo 1 consistiu em 21 pacientes, cuja média de idade foi de 45,1 ± 11,8 anos e o Grupo 2 compreendeu 24 pacientes, cuja idade média foi de 47,9 ± 13,8 anos. O Grupo 1 teve maior frequência de pterígios classificados como mais avançada do que no Grupo 2. Um número similar de recorrências foi observado no Grupo 1 (14,3%) e no Grupo 2 (16,7%). Não houve diferença estatisticamente significativa em termos de valores pré e pós-operatórios de AV e astigmatismo entre dois grupos. Houve uma melhora estatisticamente significativa nos valores pós-operatórios de AV e astigmatismo no Grupo 1 e nos valores de astigmatismo pós-operatório no Grupo 2. Embora a vermelhidão pós-operatória tenha sido detectada mais comumente no Grupo 1, não foi encontrada diferença estatisticamente significante entre os grupos. Conclusão: Ambas as técnicas de CRA podem ser bem sucedidas em pacientes onde é desejável evitar um auto-enxerto conjuntival livre e para quem a expectativa de cosméticos não é alta.

An investigation of human beta-defensins and cathelicidin expression in patients with pterygium / Uma investigação da expressão de beta-defensinas humanas e de catelidicina em pacientes com pterígio

ABSTRACT Purpose: To investigate human beta-defensins (HBDs) and cathelicidin LL-37 (LL-37) expressions in patients with pterygium. Methods: In this retrospective consecutive case series, 26 pterygium specimens and 15 normal conjunctival specimens of 15 control subjects were in vestigated. Expressions of HBD-1, HBD-2, HBD-3, and LL-37 were assessed using immuno histochemical staining. A brown color in the cytoplasm and/or nuclei of epithelial cells indicated positive staining for HBDs and LL-37. For each antibody, the intensity of the reaction (negative [-], weak [1+], moderate [2+], or strong [3+]) was determined to describe the immunoreactions. Results: The median age was 52 years in both groups. There were no significant differences in age and sex between the groups (p=0.583, p=0.355, respectively). Of the 26 pterygium specimens, 15 (57.7%) (14 weak, 1 moderate staining) showed HBD-2 expression, which was not observed in any of the control specimens. One (3.8%) pterygium and one (6.7%) control specimen demonstrated weak staining for HBD-3. HBD-2 expression was significantly higher in the pterygium specimens than in the controls (p=0.002). None of the tissue specimens had positive staining for HBD-1 or LL-37 in either group (both; p=1.00). Conclusions: HBD-2 expression was higher in pterygium specimens than in the controls. HBD-2 expression that might be stimulated by inflammatory cytokines may be related to inflammation and fibrovascular proliferation and may play a role in pterygium pathogenesis.

RESUMO Objetivo: Investigar as expressões beta defensinas humanas (HBD) e catelicidina em pacientes com pterígio. Métodos: Nesta série de casos retrospectivos consecutivos, 26 espécimes de pterígio e 15 espécimes conjuntivais normais de 15 indivíduos controle foram investigados. As expressões de HBD-1, HBD-2, HBD-3 e catelicidina (LL-37) foram avaliadas por coloração imuno-histoquímica. Uma cor castanha no citoplasma ou nos núcleos de células epiteliais foi definida como coloração positiva para HBDs e LL-37. Para cada anticorpo foi determinada a intensidade da reação (negativo [-], fraco [1+], moderado [2+] ou forte [3+]) para descrever as imunoreações. Resultados: A idade média foi de 52 anos em ambos os grupos. Não houve diferença significativa entre os grupos em termos de idade e sexo (p=0,583, p=0,355, respectivamente). Das 26 amostras de pterígio, 15 (57,7%) (14 fracas e 1 moderada) demonstraram a expressão de HBD-2 enquanto não foi encontrada em nenhum dos espécimes de controlo. Um dos pterígios (3,8%) e um dos espécimes de controlo (6,7%) demonstraram fraca coloração para HBD-3. A expressão de HBD-2 foi significati vamente maior nos espécimes de pterígio do que nos controles (p=0,002). Nenhum dos espécimes de tecido apresentou coloração positiva para HBD-1 ou LL-37 em ambos os grupos (ambos p=1,00). Conclusão: Encontramos aumento da expressão de HBD-2 em espécimes de pte rígio em relação aos controles. A expressão de HBD-2 que pode ser estimulada por citocinas inflamatórias pode estar relacionada com inflamação e proliferação fibrovascular e pode desempenhar um papel na patogênese do pterígio.

Ocular copper deposition associated with monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance: case report

Relatar um caso de depósito corneano de cobre em ambos os olhos a nível da membrana de Descemet associado a gamopatia monoclonal de significância indeterminada (GMSI). Paciente feminina, 49 anos, leucodérmica, apresentando depósito corneano de aspecto marrom-ouro a nível da membrana de Descemet em ambos os olhos. Exame sistêmico revelou cobre sérico elevado, ceruloplasmina sérica normal, e proteína total normal. Eletroforese de proteínas séricas demonstrou um pico único na região gama (proteína M = 11 g/l). Análise citométrica de aspirado medular evidenciou uma população de células plasmáticas monoclonais de aproximadamente 2% do total de células medulares consistente com o diagnóstico de gamopatia monoclonal de significância indeterminada. Depósitos de cobre a nível da membrana de Descemet podem ser encontrados em pacientes com gamopatia monoclonal de significância indeterminada.

Ceratoplastia penetrante no tratamento da ceratopatia causada pelo vírus varicela-zoster / Penetrating keratoplasty for varicella-zoster virus keratopathy

Objetivo: Apresentar e analisar os resultados cirúrgicos de ceratoplastias penetrantes realizadas em olhos apresentando seqüelas corneanas devido à infecção prévia pelo vírus varicela-zoster. Local: Serviço de Córnea, Doenças Externas Oculares e Cirurgia Refrativa do Wills Eye Hospital (Philadelphia, USA). Métodos: Estudo retrospectivo no qual foram analisadas as informações contidas nos prontuários dos pacientes submetidos à ceratoplastia penetrante entre janeiro de 1989 e dezembro de 1998, devido a seqüelas corneanas relacionadas à infecção prévia pelo vírus varicela-zoster, no Serviço de Córnea do Wills Eye Hospital, Philadelphia (PA). Resultados: Quinze pacientes (15 olhos) foram transplantados no intervalo de tempo pesquisado, 12 deles apresentavam ceratopatia causada por episódio prévio de herpes zoster ocular e três devido à varicela. Doze pacientes eram do sexo feminino e apenas três do sexo masculino. A idade média encontrada foi de 57 anos (4-83 anos). Em quatro olhos realizou-se tarsorrafia lateral associada à ceratoplastia penetrante. Três olhos apresentaram quadro de rejeição do tipo endotelial no pós-operatório e foram tratados com êxito através do uso tópico de soluções de prednisolona. Um dos pacientes evoluiu com falência primária do enxerto após a primeira cirurgia, sendo reoperado e, novamente, apresentou falência primária do enxerto devido à ceratopatia neurotrófica. Outros três casos submetidos a um segundo transplante após falência do primeiro enxerto apresentavam enxertos transparentes na última avaliação realizada. Após um período médio de acompanhamento pós-operatório de 50 meses, 13 enxertos (86,7 por cento) encontravam-se transparentes e em oito olhos (53,3 por cento) a acuidade visual corrigida era igual ou superior a 20/100. Cinco olhos apresentavam enxerto transparente e acuidade visual final inferior a 20/100 devido a alterações no segmento posterior ocular. Conclusão: Resultados cirúrgicos favoráveis podem ser obtidos em transplantesde córnea realizados em olhos apresentando ceratopatia relacionada à infecção prévia pelo vírus varicela-zoster. Para isso são fundamentais um cuidadoso acompanhamento pós-operatório e a proteção constante da superfície ocular através de lubrificação freqüente e, se necessário, tarsorrafia lateral