Therapeutic penetrating keratoplasty for acanthamoeba keratitis: a review of cases, complications and predictive factors.

PURPOSE: To review 12 acanthamoeba keratitis (AK) patients who required a therapeutic penetrating keratoplasty (TPK) and determine whether there are factors at the presenting visit that can predict the need for TPK. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was a retrospective case series. All diagnosed AK patients between January, 2009 and February, 2016 at Wills Eye Hospital, Philadelphia, PA, USA, were enrolled. Information regarding demographics, disease manifestation, management and complications was collected. Potential predictors for TPK were obtained by comparing TPK cases with those who were treated medically. RESULTS: Sixty-three eyes from 63 patients were diagnosed with AK. Twelve eyes (19%) required TPK during the course of treatment, and 51 eyes (81%) were treated medically. Reasons for performing TPK included medically non-responsive ulcer in seven eyes (58%), perforated ulcer in three eyes (25%) and significant corneal thinning in two eyes (17%). The most common post-TPK complications included graft failure (75%), cataract (50%) and uncontrolled glaucoma required glaucoma surgery (17%). Reactivation of AK was seen in one (8%) patient. Anti-amoebic treatment beginning after 25 days from the start of AK symptoms [odds ratio (OR) = 7.63; confidence interval (CI) = 1.01-55.33; p = 0.041] and poorer presenting vision (OR = 5.42; CI = 1.91-15.36; p = 0.002) were independent predictors of the need for TPK in multivariate analysis. CONCLUSION: TPK is a procedure with significant postoperative complications but is required by some patients with AK. Eyes with higher risk for needing TPK can be identified earlier and thus provided more intensive treatment and closer follow-up care.

"Therapeutic Penetrating Keratoplasty: A Retrospective Review".

PURPOSE: To report the indications, outcomes, and complications of therapeutic penetrating keratoplasty (Th PK) in patients with corneal perforation and/or nonhealing corneal ulceration. METHODS: A retrospective review was conducted of 51 eyes of 51 patients undergoing Th PK between January 1, 2006 and April 15, 2016. Data collected included patient demographics, visual acuity (VA), size of the corneal infiltrate and epithelial defect, degree of corneal thinning/perforation, microbiological results, surgical details, and postoperative complications. RESULTS: The average age at presentation was 56.0 years (range 6-92 years), and most of the patients were females (n=31, 60.8%). Th PK was performed for corneal perforation in 28 eyes (54.9% of cases), nonhealing corneal ulcer in 16 eyes (31.4% of cases), and imminent risk of corneal perforation in 7 eyes (13.7% of cases). Infection was the most common reason for performing a Th PK and was present in 92.3% (47/51) of all cases. Of the infectious cases, the most common etiologies were bacterial (44.7%, 21/47) and fungal (31.9%, 15/47). The most common identifiable risk factor for undergoing a Th PK was a history of contact lens wear, which was seen in 32.7% of patients. Initial anatomic success was achieved in all patients after performing Th PK. Most patients (33/51; 64.7%) had clear grafts at their last follow-up examination. There was an improvement in VA in 70.2% (33/47, where data were available) of the patients at the final postoperative visit compared with the preoperative visit. Average best postoperative VA (1.14±0.88 logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution [LogMAR]; 20/276) was significantly better than the presenting (1.98±0.68 LogMAR; 20/1910) and preoperative (2.18±0.55 LogMAR; 20/3,027) visual acuities (P<0.0001). The most common complication after Th PK was cataract, which was present in 81.8% (27/33) of phakic eyes in which lens status could be assessed, followed by graft failure (47.1%; 24/51), and secondary glaucoma (45.1%; 23/51). Five eyes developed infection in the therapeutic graft, four eyes had persistent corneal epithelial defect at their last follow-up visit, and two eyes underwent evisceration. CONCLUSIONS: Therapeutic penetrating keratoplasty achieves anatomic success and it is a useful procedure for restoring a stable cornea in cases in which infection fails to heal or when the cornea perforates. Furthermore, Th PK achieves corneal clarity and improves vision in most patients.

Survey of Ophthalmologists Regarding Practice Patterns for Dry Eye and Sjogren Syndrome.

OBJECTIVE: To survey ophthalmologists about current practice patterns regarding the evaluation of dry eye patients and referrals for a Sjogren syndrome (SS) workup. METHODS: An online survey was sent to ophthalmologists affiliated with the Scheie Eye Institute or Wills Eye Hospital using REDCap in August 2015. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize the data. RESULTS: Four hundred seventy-four survey invitations were sent out and 101 (21%) ophthalmologists completed the survey. The common traditional dry eye test performed was corneal fluorescein staining (62%) and the most common newer dry eye test performed was tear osmolarity (18%). Half of respondents (51%) refer fewer than 5% of their dry eye patients for SS workups, with 18% reporting that they never refer any patients. The most common reasons for referrals included positive review of systems (60%), severe dry eye symptoms (51%) or ocular signs (47%), or dry eye that is refractory to treatment (42%). The majority (83%) felt that there is a need for an evidence-based standardized screening tool for dry eye patients to decide who should be referred for evaluation for SS. CONCLUSIONS: Ophthalmologists continue to prefer the use of traditional dry eye tests in practice, with the most common test being corneal fluorescein staining. There is an underreferral of dry eye patients for SS workups, which is contributing to the continued underdiagnosis of the disease. Most respondents felt that there was a need for an evidence-based standardized screening tool to decide which dry eye patients should be referred for SS evaluations.

Quality of vision after excimer laser phototherapeutic keratectomy with intraoperative mitomycin-C for Salzmann nodular degeneration.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the effect of excimer laser phototherapeutic keratectomy (PTK) with intraoperative mitomycin-C (MMC) on the quality of vision in patients with Salzmann nodular degeneration (SND). METHODS: Thirteen eyes of 12 patients were enrolled in the study between December 2010 and March 2012. Uncorrected and best-corrected Snellen distance visual acuities were measured at every visit. Contrast sensitivity and manifest refraction were measured preoperatively, at 1 month and at 3 months. Corneal topography, Galilei dual Scheimpflug imaging, VISX WaveScan, and ultrasound central corneal pachymetry were measured preoperatively and at 3 months after PTK procedure. RESULTS: Contrast sensitivity was statistically significantly better both at 1 month (P<0.01) and 3 months (P<0.01). Postoperatively, there was 46% increase in eyes with measurable corneal topography, 69% increase in Galilei dual Scheimpflug imaging, and a 77% increase in WaveScan measurements. The third-order (P<0.01) and total corneal higher-order aberrations (HOAs) (P=0.01) were significantly lower postoperatively compared with the preoperative corneal aberrations measured on Galilei dual Scheimpflug imaging. CONCLUSIONS: Significant improvement in contrast sensitivity and corneal HOAs was seen after PTK for SND. Phototherapeutic keratectomy with MMC can be considered as an effective procedure in the improvement of the quality of vision in patients with SND.

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.

Dry eye syndrome in aromatase inhibitor users.

BACKGROUND: Aromatase inhibitors are frequently used as an adjuvant therapy in the treatment of breast cancer. We observed that several patients taking aromatase inhibitors presented with severe dry eye symptoms, and we investigated whether there is a relationship between aromatase inhibitors and dry eyes in these patients. DESIGN: Retrospective chart review. PARTICIPANTS: Forty-one women. METHODS: A computerized search of health records was performed to identify patients using anastrazole, letrozole and exemestane seen by the Cornea Service from August 2008 to March 2011. The results were compared with age-matched controls. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Ocular surface changes among aromatase inhibitors users. RESULTS: Of the 41 women, 39 were Caucasians. Thirty-nine patients had breast cancer (95%), one patient had ovarian cancer (2.5%) and one had an unknown primary cancer. Mean age was 68 ± 11.3 years (range 47-95). Most common presenting symptoms were blurred vision in 28 (68%) patients, irritation/foreign body sensation in 12 (29%) patients, redness in 9 (22%) patients, tearing in 6 (22%) patients and photosensitivity in 2 (5%) patients. Mean Schirmer's test measurement was 11 ± 5.8 mm (range 0.5-20 mm). Blepharitis was noted in 68 of 82 eyes (73%), decreased or poor tear function in 24 eyes (29%), conjunctival injection in 18 eyes (22%) and superficial punctate keratitis in 12 eyes (29%). Among an age-matched population (45-95 years), dry eye syndrome was found in only 9.5% of patients. CONCLUSIONS: Because the prevalence of ocular surface disease signs and symptoms appears to be higher in study group than control patients, aromatase inhibitors might be a contributing factor to the dry eye symptoms.

Sutureless amniotic membrane ProKera for ocular surface disorders: short-term results.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the indications and outcomes of sutureless amniotic membrane transplant (AMT; ProKera) in the management of ocular surface disorders. METHODS: Chart review of patients who had ProKera (Bio-Tissue, Inc.) implantation for ocular surface disorders between June 2008 and May 2012 at 3 ophthalmology practices in Philadelphia, PA. The parameters evaluated included age, sex, indication for AMT, any other combined procedure, duration of retention of amniotic membrane, the effect of amniotic membrane on ocular surface healing, follow-up time, and complications. RESULTS: There were 35 eyes of 33 patients with a mean age of 68.2±19.5 years (range: 17-99 years). There were 25 male patients, and median follow-up was 110 days (mean: 164.6 days; range: 30-960 days). The indication for insertion of ProKera was nonhealing corneal ulcers of infective origin (group 1) in 9 eyes (25.7%), neurotrophic keratopathy (group 2) in 11 eyes (31.4%), chemical injury (group 3) in 5 eyes (14.3%), and other indications (group 4) in 10 eyes (28.6%). Complete or partial success was seen in a total of 44%, 64%, 80%, and 70% eyes in groups 1 to 4, respectively. Discomfort with the device was seen in 6 (17.1%) of 35 eyes, and recurrence of primary pathologic condition occurred in 5 (14.3%) of 35 eyes. CONCLUSION: ProKera treatment is easy to use and reasonably well tolerated, with moderate success in corneal ulcers and encouraging results in acute moderate chemical injury. Recurrence of primary pathologic condition is seen particularly associated with neurotrophic keratitis and dry eye syndrome.

Prior Contralateral Penetrating Keratoplasty Is a Risk Factor for Second Eye Graft Rejection.

AIMS: To determine whether prior penetrating keratoplasty (PK) in the contralateral eye increases risk of second eye PK graft rejection. METHODS: Cohort study of 593 consecutive PKs in transplant-naïve eyes (500 unilateral cases, 93 second eyes). Outcomes were compared between PKs performed in eyes with versus without a history of prior contralateral eye PK. Risks of rejection and failure were estimated using Cox proportional hazards models. RESULTS: Mean age was 53.7 ± 23.3 years; average follow-up was 4.00 ± 2.87 years. Rejection occurred in 211 (35.6%) grafts. The incidence of rejection was 34.0% in unilateral cases and 44.1% in second eyes with PK in the contralateral eye. Prior contralateral PK was a significant risk factor for graft rejection (HR = 1.42, 95% CI 1.01-2.01, p = .045). CONCLUSION: Contralateral PK is associated with increased risk of second eye graft rejection. Loss of ocular immune privilege is a possible mechanism.

Development of a Nomogram to Predict Graft Survival After Descemet Stripping Endothelial Keratoplasty.

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to analyze Descemet stripping endothelial keratoplasty (DSEK) outcomes and develop a nomogram to compute the probability of 3- and 5-year DSEK graft survival based on risk factors. STUDY DESIGN/METHODS: The medical records of 794 DSEK procedures between January 1, 2008, and August 1, 2019, were retrospectively reviewed to identify 37 variables. We also evaluated for the presence of corneal graft failure, defined as irreversible and visually significant graft edema, haze, or scarring. Variables were assessed by multivariable Cox models, and a nomogram was created to predict the probability of 3- and 5-year graft survival. RESULTS: Graft failure occurred in 80 transplants (10.1%). The strongest risk factors for graft failure included graft detachment [hazard ratio (HR) = 4.46; P < 0.001], prior glaucoma surgery (HR = 3.14; P = 0.001), and glaucoma (HR = 2.23; P = 0.018). A preoperative diagnosis of Fuchs dystrophy was associated with a decreased risk of graft failure (HR = 0.47; P = 0.005) compared with secondary corneal edema. Our nomogram has a concordance index of 0.75 (95% confidence interval, 0.69 to 0.81), which indicates that it may predict the probability of graft survival at 3 and 5 years with reasonable accuracy. We also analyzed graft rejection, which occurred in 39 cases (4.9%). The single risk factor found to be significantly associated with graft rejection was prior glaucoma surgery (HR = 2.87; P = 0.008). CONCLUSIONS: Our nomogram may accurately predict DSEK graft survival after 3 and 5 years based on 4 variables. This nomogram will empower surgeons to share useful data with patients and improve collective clinical decision-making.

Graft Outcomes After Temporary Keratoprosthesis in Combined Penetrating Keratoplasty and Vitreoretinal Surgery.

PURPOSE: Corneal pathology can obstruct the visualization required for surgical management of coexisting posterior segment diseases, and use of a temporary keratoprosthesis (TKP) permits combined penetrating keratoplasty (PK) and vitreoretinal surgery. We evaluated graft outcomes after TKP for combined PK and vitreoretinal surgery and analyzed risk factors for graft failure. METHODS: We reviewed the electronic medical records for patients who underwent TKP for PK combined with vitreoretinal surgery at Wills Eye Hospital between May 2007 and April 2021. Overall, 28 variables were analyzed. The main outcome measure was corneal graft failure, defined as irreversible graft edema or opacification. RESULTS: A total of 46 eyes of 46 patients underwent combined surgery and were included in the study. The mean age at surgery was 55.7 ± 18.6 years (range 19-86 years), and the mean follow-up was 31.8 ± 30.5 months (range 1.6-114.0 months). Multivariable analysis revealed 2 factors significantly associated with graft failure: history of trauma (hazard ratio = 5.38; 95% confidence interval, 1.53-18.91; P = 0.009) and intraocular silicone oil after transplant (hazard ratio = 5.67; confidence interval 1.66-19.44; P = 0.006). Corneal graft failure occurred in 60.9% of all cases over the course of follow-up, but the absence of both variables yielded a 33.3% failure rate. CONCLUSIONS: Although outcomes vary, previous ocular trauma and the presence of intraocular silicone oil are risk factors for failure that may facilitate patient selection and improve counseling about long-term graft potential after TKP for combined PK and vitreoretinal surgery.

Demographic and Socioeconomic Determinants of Penetrating Keratoplasty Outcomes.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to determine possible associations between demographic and socioeconomic factors and graft survival after penetrating keratoplasty (PK). METHODS: This study was a retrospective chart review of patients undergoing PK at a tertiary-care corneal practice at Wills Eye Hospital between May 1, 2007, and September 1, 2018. The first PK of the first eye was included. The primary outcome measure was graft failure, defined as irreversible and visually significant graft edema, haze, or scarring. Demographic and socioeconomic factors included yearly average adjusted gross income (AGI) based on residential zip code, age, sex, and race. Two income groups were created: 1) individuals from neighborhoods with the lowest 10% of AGI (N = 82, AGI=$32,100 ± 4000) and 2) the remaining 90% of individuals (N = 740, AGI=$86,900 ± 52,200). Logistic regression analysis was performed to identify factors predictive of graft prognosis. RESULTS: The 822 patients (822 eyes) included had a mean age of 57.1 ± 22.1 years at the time of PK. Over an average of 4.2 ± 3.1 years of follow-up, graft failure occurred in 35.3%. Age, sex, and follow-up duration were comparable between income groups (all P > 0.05). Black race was disproportionately represented in the lower-income group (50.0% vs. 11.5%, P < 0.001). Multivariable analysis identified predictors of graft failure including residing in a lower-income neighborhood [hazard ratio (HR) = 2.27, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.24-4.19, P = 0.008], younger age (HR = 0.99, 95% CI = 0.98-1.00, P = 0.046), and Black race (HR = 1.63, 95% CI = 1.03-2.56, P = 0.035). CONCLUSIONS: Individuals with a lower income, younger age, and Black race may be more vulnerable to graft failure after PK. Further studies are warranted to identify reasons for these associations.

Determinants of Clinical Outcomes After Infectious Scleritis.

PURPOSE: The aims of this study were to describe the clinical course of microbial infectious scleritis and identify factors associated with poor visual outcomes. METHODS: Data from 26 eyes of 26 patients with culture-proven bacterial or fungal scleritis presenting at a single tertiary center from January 1, 2007, to July 1, 2021, were reviewed. Thirty-six variables were analyzed for associations with poor vision [best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) <20/200] or loss of vision (no light perception vision or requirement for enucleation or evisceration) at final visit. RESULTS: The mean age at initial presentation was 67.1 ± 14.0 (range: 34-92) years with a mean follow-up of 2.1 ± 2.2 (0.05-8.45) years. The mean presenting logarithm of minimal angle of resolution (logMAR) BCVA was 1.3 ± 1.0 (∼20/400) and mean final logMAR BCVA was 1.6 ± 1.2 (∼20/800). Fourteen eyes (53.8%) exhibited poor vision and 7 (26.9%) had loss of vision at final follow-up. History of necrotizing scleritis and poor presenting vision were associated with poor final vision (OR = 19.1; P = 0.017 and OR = 7.5; P = 0.047, respectively), whereas fungal scleritis was associated with loss of vision (odds ratio [OR] = 30.3, P = 0.013). Subconjunctival antimicrobial treatment was inversely associated with loss of vision (OR = 0.06, P = 0.023). There was no difference in vision between medical and combined medical-surgical management, although infection resolution time was shorter for combined intervention (16.8 ± 10.6 vs. 53.7 ± 33.8 days; P = 0.005). CONCLUSIONS: Infectious scleritis is often successfully treated, but loss of vision or eye removal is common. Poor baseline vision, history of necrotizing scleritis, and fungal etiology were prognostic for worse clinical outcomes. Surgical intervention was associated with quicker resolution compared with medical treatment alone.

Corneal collagen cross-linking: ectasia and beyond.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Corneal collagen cross-linking has recently emerged as a novel approach for management of ectasia. This article reviews the literature published in the past 3 years about the expanding spectrum of cross-linking as a therapeutic modality and its complications. RECENT FINDINGS: Recent studies have confirmed the beneficial effects of cross-linking in stabilization and to a lesser extent, regression of keratoconus and postrefractive surgery ectasia. Other applications include cross-linking as a combined procedure with intracorneal ring segments, and photorefractive keratectomy for ectasia, corneal edema, and infectious keratitis. Animal studies of chemical cross-linking of sclera as a potential treatment for progressive myopia have also been performed. Various modifications of the technique to increase the safety profile of cross-linking have been reported, including the use of hypoosmolar riboflavin, transepithelial cross-linking, customized epithelial debridement, and higher fluence shorter duration ultraviolet A light exposure. Reported complications include keratitis, corneal haze, endothelial cell loss and failure of treatment. SUMMARY: Cross-linking has been shown to be an effective modality for corneal ectasia, the regression being less in patients with postrefractive ectasia than keratoconus. In a few studies, it has been found to be effective in symptomatic improvement of bullous keratopathy, and infectious keratitis but further studies are required. Cross-linking with epithelial debridement is found to be most effective but various modifications are being investigated for an improved, and better safety outcome.

Corneal changes in ectrodactyly-ectodermal dysplasia-cleft lip and palate syndrome: case series and literature review.

The aim of this study is to describe the corneal changes in three unrelated patients with ectrodactyly-ectodermal dysplasia-cleft lip and palate (EEC) syndrome and review the literature on the possible etiology and clinical presentation of similar cases. Case 1 is an 18-year-old female with cleft lip and palate, syndactyly, and bilateral corneal pannus superiorly and inferiorly. She was initially diagnosed and treated as herpes simplex virus keratitis. Case 2 is a 3-year-old female born with cleft lip and palate, absent radial digits in both hands, and bilateral lacrimal stenosis. She developed progressive stromal scarring and neovascularization in both eyes. Her cornea perforated after developing infectious ulceration. Case 3 is a 49-year-old male with cleft palate, claw-hand deformities, absent meibomian glands and lacrimal duct, right ankyloblepharon, and a superior wedge-shaped opacity in the left cornea. The clinical findings demonstrated the different spectrum of keratopathy seen in patients with EEC. All patients were treated medically and without any surgical intervention. Limbal stem cell deficiency (LSCD) is presumed to be the cause in all three cases. Corneal changes in EEC can have variable presentation. LSCD seems to be the etiology of such keratopathy. Recurrent infection from lacrimal drainage obstruction and tear film instability are other risk factors for disease severity and progression.

Anterior Chamber Characteristics, Endothelial Parameters, and Corneal Densitometry After Descemet Stripping Automated Endothelial Keratoplasty in Patients With Fuchs Dystrophy.

PURPOSE: To compare anterior segment parameters in patients with Fuchs endothelial dystrophy (FED) who underwent Descemet stripping automated endothelial keratoplasty (DSAEK) in one eye and no corneal surgery in the fellow eye. METHODS: This prospective study was conducted on 28 eyes of 14 patients with FED who underwent DSAEK in one eye at least one year prior (DSAEK group) and no corneal surgery in the fellow eye (control group). Each eye was analyzed with the anterior segment optical coherence tomography, specular microscopy, and Scheimpflug imaging systems. Data were compared between the two groups. RESULTS: The mean age of the patients was 76.9 ± 7.0 years. There were no statistically significant differences in the mean central corneal thickness (CCT), central anterior chamber depth, anterior chamber angle parameters, cylinder and keratometry values between two groups (all P-values > 0.05). The paracentral corneal thickness, corneal volume, endothelial cell density, and hexagonal cell ratio measurements were statistically significantly higher in the DSAEK group than the control (all P-values < 0.05), and anterior chamber volume in the DSAEK group was significantly less than the control (P = 0.046). While posterior and total corneal densitometry values in the DSAEK group were statistically significantly lower than the control (P < 0.001 and P = 0.011, respectively), there were no statistically significant differences in the anterior or middle corneal densities (P = 0.108 and P = 0.134, respectively). CONCLUSION: We found that total corneal densitometry value decreased in DSAEK group. Although DSAEK surgery did not affect the anterior chamber angle parameters, it reduced the anterior chamber volume and increased the corneal volume and paracentral corneal thickness due to the addition of the DSAEK graft.

Descemet Stripping Endothelial Keratoplasty Outcomes in Patients With Rheumatoid Arthritis.

PURPOSE: To review the graft and visual outcomes in a series of patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) who underwent Descemet stripping endothelial keratoplasty (DSEK). METHODS: In this case series, the electronic medical records at Wills Eye Hospital were queried for cases of patients with RA who underwent DSEK between January 1, 2009 and September 1, 2018. Charts were reviewed to obtain demographic data, medical history, ocular history, surgical variables, graft survival, and visual acuity outcomes. RESULTS: During the study period, 22 transplants performed in 18 eyes of 15 patients with RA were eligible for inclusion. The mean age at the time of initial DSEK was 70.5 ± 11.1 years (range 46-87). The mean follow-up time for the included eyes was 4.89 ± 2.71 years (range 1.95-10.39). The overall estimated graft survival was 8.26 ± 0.81 years with a 5-year survival rate of 88.9%. A significant improvement from preoperative best corrected visual acuity (logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution 0.84, approximately 20/140) to the most recent follow-up (logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution 0.29, approximately 20/40) was noted (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: In our case series, patients with a history of RA underwent successful DSEK with excellent graft survival rates and visual acuity outcomes. Well-controlled RA should therefore not be considered a deterrent to performing DSEK.

Development of a Nomogram to Predict Graft Survival After Penetrating Keratoplasty.

PURPOSE: To develop a nomogram to predict the 3- and 5-year likelihood of graft survival after penetrating keratoplasty (PK) based on preoperative assessment and intraoperative plan. DESIGN: Retrospective clinical case-control study. METHODS: Data from 1,029 consecutive PKs in 903 eyes of 835 patients performed at a single tertiary center from May 2007 to September 2018 were extracted from electronic medical records and evaluated for corneal graft failure, defined as irreversible and visually significant graft edema, haze, or scarring. Thirty-seven variables were assessed by multivariable Cox models. A nomogram to predict the probability of graft survival was created. RESULTS: Mean recipient age was 57.1 ± 22.0 years and mean follow-up was 4.22 ± 3.05 years. Overall, 37.4% of grafts failed during follow-up. Eleven variables were significantly associated with graft failure, including active microbial infection at the time of PK (hazard ratio [HR] = 5.10, 95% confidence interval [CI] 3.53-7.37), intraocular silicone oil at the conclusion of the PK (HR = 4.28, 95% CI 2.38-7.71), history of systemic autoimmune disease (HR = 2.83, 95% CI 1.63-4.90), 4 quadrants of corneal neovascularization (HR = 2.76, 95% CI 1.56-4.86), any prior anterior segment surgery (HR = 2.41, 95% CI 1.55-3.75), and lens status as anterior chamber intraocular lens at the conclusion of surgery (HR = 2.35, 95% CI 1.30-4.26). The nomogram exhibited a concordance index of 0.76 (95% CI 0.74-0.78); internal calibration plots depicted strong correlation between prediction and observation of graft survival. CONCLUSIONS: PK graft prognosis may be predicted relatively accurately based on 11 variables. Although established from retrospective data, this nomogram would be valuable for data-driven patient counseling prior to corneal transplantation.

Causes of congenital corneal opacities and their management in a tertiary care center.

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.

Microbial keratitis and clinical outcomes following penetrating and endothelial keratoplasty.

PURPOSE: The goal of this study was to review the incidence, risk factors and outcomes of microbial keratitis after penetrating keratoplasty (PK) and endothelial keratoplasty (EK). METHODS: The electronic medical records at Wills Eye Hospital were queried for cases of microbial keratitis following PK or EK performed between 1 May 2007 and 1 September 2018. Charts were reviewed to obtain demographic data, transplant characteristics, details of microbial keratitis, graft survival and clinical outcomes. RESULTS: During the study period, 2098 transplants were performed in 1601 patients. Of these, 1267 (60.4%) were PKs and 831 (39.6%) were EKs. We identified 86 (4.1%) cases of subsequent microbial keratitis. The incidence of microbial keratitis after PK was significantly higher than after EK (5.9% versus 1.3%; p = 0.005). Furthermore, the rate of infection was higher after repeat transplants (either PK or EK) compared to initial keratoplasties (5.5% versus 3.4%; p = 0.02). Twenty-six (32.1%) grafts remained clear at most recent follow-up after microbial keratitis, and the proportion of clear grafts was higher after EK than PK (66.7% versus 27.8%; p = 0.03). CONCLUSION: Rates of microbial keratitis were significantly higher after PK compared to EK, and repeat transplantation was a risk factor for microbial keratitis. To the best of our knowledge, there is no prior study in the literature evaluating microbial keratitis rates after PK and EK and comparing outcomes.

Endophthalmitis Rates and Clinical Outcomes Following Penetrating and Endothelial Keratoplasty.

PURPOSE: To evaluate endophthalmitis rates after penetrating keratoplasty (PK) and endothelial keratoplasty (EK) and to compare clinical outcomes. DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study. METHODS: The medical and billing records of several large academic private practices in Philadelphia, PA were electronically queried for all surgical visits during which a PK or EK was performed between April 1, 2012 and August 31, 2018. Demographic information and transplant characteristics were recorded for each patient and office visit. An additional query was performed to identify all cases of endophthalmitis based on diagnosis and procedure billing codes. Charts of patients with endophthalmitis were individually reviewed, and information was collected on triggering factors, clinical evaluation at presentation, management, culture data, visual outcomes, and graft survival rates. The main outcome measure was incidence of presumed infectious endophthalmitis following PK or EK. RESULTS: During the study period, 1676 PKs and 2292 EKs for 3069 patients were performed. The mean age of patients in this transplant cohort was 66.4 (± 17.5) years and 54.6% of patients were women. Sixteen cases of endophthalmitis occurred during the study period; 12 cases of endophthalmitis occurred after PK and 4 cases occurred after EK. The rate of endophthalmitis after EK (4 of 2292; 0.2%) was significantly lower than that after PK (12 of 1676; 0.7%) (P = .01). In addition, the odds of developing endophthalmitis after PK or EK performed in conjunction with anterior vitrectomy were significantly higher than after either PK or EK alone (odds ratio 8.66; 95% confidence interval 2.98-25.18; P < .001). Visual acuity outcomes were poorer after PK-related endophthalmitis than EK-associated cases (P = .01). The rate of graft failure at final follow-up was significantly higher in post-PK endophthalmitis (P = .02). CONCLUSIONS: In this large cohort of patients undergoing either PK or EK, rates of endophthalmitis were low for both procedures and significantly lower for EK compared with PK. Eyes with endophthalmitis after PK had poorer visual acuity outcomes and graft prognosis compared with those with endophthalmitis after EK.