Pharmacological Interventions for Vascular Targeting in Retinopathy of Prematurity: An Experimental Study.

Purpose: This study was conducted to evaluate the pharmacological interventions to target vascular proliferation in the Retinopathy of Prematurity (ROP). Methods: Protein Kinase C modulator (Bryostatin), tubulin polymerization inhibitor (Dolastatin 10), antiVEGF (Bevacizumab) and a non-specific VEGF inhibitor (Thalidomide) were screened in Retinopathy of Prematurity (ROP) model. The retinal vasculature was evaluated by calculating the tortuosity indices of vessels and electroretinography responses in terms of 'b' wave amplitude and was recorded from ROP rats on postnatal Day 17 and Day 25. Results: Retinopathy was seen in the form of tortousity of vessels at the posterior pole with arteries being affected more than veins. Maximum reduction in tortousity of vessels and the highest 'b' wave amplitude noted in bryostatin with a significant correlation between the two. Conclusion: Bryostatin showed a potential anti-angiogenic effect on the progression of ROP and may hold a promising future in the treatment of ROP.

Changes in confocal microscopy in glaucoma patients after intraocular pressure reduction with medical therapy.

PURPOSE: Topical glaucoma medication is the first line of management to reduce intraocular pressure (IOP) in patients with glaucoma. In this study, we intended to compare the ultrastructural findings of the cornea in patients with glaucoma before and after the reduction of the IOP through confocal microscopy. METHODS: Ten patients (19 eyes) with newly diagnosed glaucoma were recruited from the glaucoma services of our tertiary care center. Demographic parameters were noted, and basic ocular examination, specular microscopy (Topcon SP3000P, Tokyo, Japan), and ultrasonic pachymetry (300 AP, Sonomed Escalon, Stoneham, MA, USA) were performed. In vivo confocal microscopy of corneal sections was performed using the z-ring Confoscan 4.0 (Nidek, Inc., Freemont, CA) at baseline and after 3 months of starting glaucoma medications. RESULTS: The mean age of the patients was 53.53 ± 9.34 years. There was a statistically significant reduction ( P < 0.0001) of IOP from 30.21 ± 7.42 mmHg (baseline) to 16.42 ± 4.14 mmHg (3 months). The mean central corneal thickness at baseline was 533.42 ± 3.96 µm, and it further decreased to 521.94 ± 42.45 µm at the end of 3 months ( P = 0.006). No significant change was noted in the mean epithelial cell density, mean keratocyte density in anterior and posterior stroma, and the mean endothelial cell density and cell area ( P >0.5). There was no significant percentage change in these parameters before and after the lowering of the IOP. CONCLUSION: A short-term (3 months) decrease in IOP using topical glaucoma medications caused a significant reduction in corneal thickness but did not have any significant ultrastructural changes in cornea measured using confocal microscopy.

Update on pediatric corneal diseases and keratoplasty.

Managing pediatric corneal disorders is challenging as the prognosis of pediatric keratoplasty depends on several factors. Advancements in the genetic basis of congenital corneal diseases and investigations in congenital corneal conditions provide a better understanding of pediatric corneal conditions. Surgeons performing keratoplasty in children now have a choice of various techniques. Evolving surgical techniques of anterior lamellar and endothelial keratoplasties have expanded the management interventions in these pediatric corneal morbidity conditions; however, considerable concerns still exist in association with corneal transplantation in infants and children. Outcomes in pediatric keratoplasty depend upon the preoperative indications, the timing of surgical intervention, intraoperative and postoperative factors including the patient/care givers' compliance. Factors such as low scleral rigidity, higher rate of graft failure, need for frequent examinations under anesthesia, and difficulty in optimal visual acuity assessment still remain a considerable challenge in pediatric scenarios. In children, deprivation amblyopia as a result of the corneal opacification can adversely affect visual development, causing dense amblyopia. Outcomes to surgical interventions for management of corneal opacification in children are further compromised by the preexisting amblyopia apart from the concerns of refractive outcome of the graft. Graft rejection, graft infection, amblyopia, and glaucoma continue to be serious concerns. In recent years both anterior and posterior lamellar keratoplasty techniques are being increasingly performed in pediatric eyes, which offer advantages in the form of lower risk of graft rejection. The timing of surgery, careful case selection, cautious intraoperative approach, and optimal postoperative management can improve the anatomical and functional outcome in difficult cases.

Role of therapeutic contact lens following Descemet's stripping automated endothelial keratoplasty: A randomized control trial.

Purpose: Therapeutic contact lenses (TCL) are known to help in epithelial healing and decreasing pain after various corneal surgeries. However, literature lacks any data describing their use following Descemet's stripping automated endothelial keratoplasty (DSAEK) where intraoperative epithelial debridement is commonly performed. Here we study the efficacy and safety of TCL in patients undergoing DSAEK. Methods: In this prospective, randomized, controlled clinical trial. 40 eyes of 40 patients of pseudophakic bullous keratopathy undergoing DSAEK were enrolled and randomized into two groups, control (no TCL) and test (TCL). Primary outcome was time taken for epithelial healing and secondary outcomes were postoperative pain score, graft attachment, best spectacle-corrected visual acuity, and endothelial cell loss at 3 months. Results: Average time taken for epithelial healing was 3.35 ± 0.49 days in the test group and 4.95 ± 1.05 days in the control group (P < 0.001). Average pain scores in first operative week were significantly lower in the test group as compared to control (P < 0.001). Graft detachment occurred in eight patients in control group and two in test group (P = 0.03). Both rebubbling rates and average endothelial cell loss at 3 months were higher in the control group with P = 0.07 and 0.06 respectively. No contact lens-related adverse effects were noted during the study period. Conclusion: Use of TCL in DSAEK leads to faster epithelial healing and lesser postoperative pain. In addition, it may also contribute to lower rebubbling rates and endothelial cell loss.

Isoexpansile sulfur hexafluoride gas to repair near-total iris disinsertion.

Iridodialysis is commonly encountered after blunt trauma to the eye. Most iris detachments are small, superior, and asymptomatic and require no surgical intervention. However, large areas of iridodialysis require early surgical repair to prevent the onset of iris necrosis, pigment dispersion, and secondary glaucoma. Suture fixation of iris to the sclera is the most commonly used method for iris repair; however, this technique becomes difficult in cases of near-total iris disinsertion, even in expert hands. We describe a case of posttraumatic near-total iris disinsertion with subluxated cataract managed with phacoemulsification and iris preservation with the help of intracameral injection of isoexpansile sulfur hexafluoride.

Optimising the surgical outcome in a case of post-traumatic cataract using ultrasound biomicroscopy.

A 12-year-old boy was brought with the chief complaint of diminution of vision in his left eye for the past 1 month. History revealed a blunt trauma to his left eye with a wooden stick 6 weeks ago.Visual acuity was 20/20 and hand movement close to face in right and left eye, respectively, without any relative afferent pupillarydefect. Slit-lamp examination showed a total cataractous lens with signs suggestive of suspected posterior capsular (PC) defect. The PC defect was screened initially using B-scan ultrasound of the posterior segment, followed by confirmation of the same using ultrasound biomicroscopy. Left eye lens aspiration along with limited anterior vitrectomy followed by placement of multipiece intraocular lens in the sulcus was performed. Best-corrected visual acuity at 6 months of follow-up was 20/20.

Effect of balanced phacoemulsification tip on the outcomes of torsional phacoemulsification using an active-fluidics system.

PURPOSE: To compare the outcomes of torsional phacoemulsification with a new balanced tip (Intrepid) and a conventional tip (Kelman) using a single active-fluidics torsional phacoemulsification machine (Centurion). SETTING: Dr. Rajendra Prasad Centre for Ophthalmic Sciences, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India. DESIGN: Prospective comparative case-control study. METHODS: Patients with senile cataract had torsional phacoemulsification with the Kelman conventional tip or the new Intrepid balanced tip using the active-fluidics torsional machine. Intraoperative parameters, such as cumulative dissipated energy (CDE), total ultrasound (US) time, torsion use time, torsion amplitude, aspiration time, and fluid use, were noted and compared. Endothelial cell loss and central corneal thickness (CCT) changes were evaluated at 1 month. RESULTS: The new tip showed significantly less CDE, total US time, torsion amplitude, aspiration time, and fluid use (8.55 ± 6.9 [SD], 33.59 ± 28.12 seconds, 37.8 ± 13.42, 173.19 ± 47.26 seconds, and 66.59 ± 20.44 mL, respectively) than the conventional tip (13.47 ± 10.65, 42.8 ± 33.46 seconds, 42.58 ± 16.38, 202.25 ± 71.28 seconds, and 97.14 ± 36.86 mL, respectively) (P < .01), especially in higher grades of cataract. Anterior capsulorhexis margin tear occurred in 2 patients with the new tip. There were no corneal burns in either group. The mean endothelial cell loss and the percentage change in CCT were not significantly different at 1 month. CONCLUSIONS: The new balanced tip performed phacoemulsification more efficiently, especially in hard cataracts requiring higher energy and prolonged phacoemulsification time.

Descemet stripping automated endothelial keratoplasty.

Endothelial keratoplasty is at present the gold standard for surgical treatment of corneal endothelial pathologies not associated with significant corneal scar. Tremendous progress has been made in recent years in improving the technology of endothelial keratoplasty techniques, such as descemet stripping automated endothelial keratoplasty (DSAEK) and descemet membrane endothelial keratoplasty. In this review, we discuss the current techniques and outcomes of DSAEK.

Continuous intraoperative OCT guided management of post-deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty descemet's membrane detachment.

Continuous intraoperative optical coherence tomography (iOCT) integrated into the operating microscope is a new modification in the current operating microscope to aid in the surgical procedures involving both the anterior and the posterior segment. This helps in intraoperative planning, modification of the surgical steps if required and confirmation of the surgical endpoint in the operating room itself. iOCT was used for the successful management of descemet's membrane detachment (DMD) following deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty (DALK) with intracameral injection of 20% Sulphur hexafluoride. The gas was injected under direct visualization through the microscope with continuous real time monitoring of the change in height of the detached Descemet's membrane (DM). Additionally stab incisions were given through the anterior cornea due to the presence of residual fluid above the DM which was visible on continuous iOCT images. This led to the successful apposition of the DM which otherwise would have remained detached due to the residual fluid. This highlights the importance of continuous iOCT monitoring of the ophthalmic surgical procedures in order to produce a successful anatomical outcome of the surgery without disruption of the surgical procedure.

Modified Approach in Management of Submacular Hemorrhage Secondary to Wet Age-Related Macular Degeneration.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the surgical outcomes of a modified approach in the management of thick submacular hemorrhage in patients with wet age-related macular degeneration. DESIGN: This was a retrospective study. METHODS: A retrospective chart review was performed on 10 eyes of 10 patients with submacular hemorrhage secondary to wet age-related macular degeneration treated with 23-gauge pars plana vitrectomy, followed by submacular injection of recombinant tissue plasminogen activator (12.5 µg/0.1 mL), bevacizumab (2.5 mg/0.1 mL), and air (0.3 mL). Gas tamponade was given with 20% SF6 and postoperative propped-up positioning. Patients were evaluated for displacement of hemorrhage, preoperative and postoperative best-corrected visual acuity, occurrence of intraoperative and postoperative complications, and recurrence of hemorrhage. All patients were followed up for 6 months. RESULTS: Displacement of the submacular bleed was achieved in all cases. Improvement of best-corrected visual acuity was seen in 8 of 10 patients. Rebleed was seen in 2 eyes that were retreated with intravitreal injection of recombinant tissue plasminogen activator, bevacizumab, and 20% SF6 gas. CONCLUSIONS: This modified technique aids in the effective displacement of thick submacular hemorrhage with simultaneous treatment of the underlying choroidal neovascular membrane, which halts the disease progression resulting in significant improvement of visual acuity.

New surgical approach in cases of cataract with ocular Stevens-Johnson syndrome.

We describe the intraoperative difficulties encountered in cases of ocular Stevens-Johnson syndrome as a result of a poor ocular surface, the presence of symblepharon, and varying degrees of corneal opacity with secondary poor visibility of anterior segment structures. Modifications to the standard phacoemulsification technique enabled safe and successful completion of the surgery in these cases. FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE: None of the authors has a financial or proprietary interest in any material or method mentioned.

Conjunctival Microbial Flora in Ocular Stevens-Johnson Syndrome Sequelae Patients at a Tertiary Eye Care Center.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the conjunctival microbial flora in cases of ocular Stevens-Johnson Syndrome (SJS) in a tertiary eye care center. METHODS: This prospective study comprised 176 eyes of 88 patients with ocular SJS compared with 124 eyes of normal subjects. The conjunctival swabs were collected and sent for microbiological analysis for bacterial isolation and antibiotic sensitivity examination. The type of bacteria isolated and its antibiotic sensitivity pattern were studied. RESULTS: Of 176 eyes, 104 (59%) had positive cultures for bacteria in cases of SJS and 16 (12.9%) had positive culture in the control group, the difference being statistically significant (P = 0.001). In the SJS group, 14 different types of bacterial isolates were identified. The most common isolate was coagulase-negative staphylococci (CNS) (30/104, 28.8%) followed by Corynebacteria species (35/104, 33.6%) and Staphylococcus aureus (19/104, 18.2%). More than 1 bacteria were isolated in 7 eyes (6.7%). Most of the isolates showed resistance to ciprofloxacin with no resistance to gatifloxacin and moxifloxacin. In the control group, only 2 bacteria were isolated, which included CNS (14/16, 87.5%) and Streptococcus pneumoniae (2/16, 12.5%). CNS showed resistance to ciprofloxacin, and S. pneumoniae was resistant to tobramycin and gentamycin. CONCLUSIONS: Ocular SJS is associated with alteration of the normal microbial flora residing in the conjunctival sac. The study of which is vital in cases of infection in these eyes with compromised ocular surface. Mixed flora are seen more often in cases of ocular SJS as compared with controls.