Association of sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors with the incidence of corneal diseases in type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors revealed the protective function on various systemic diseases. This study aimed to determine whether the usage of SGLT2 inhibitors associates with incidences of superficial keratopathy and infectious keratitis in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients. A retrospective cohort study with the usage of National Health Insurance Research Database of Taiwan was conducted. The T2DM patients were divided into the SGLT2 inhibitors and control groups according to the usage of SGLT2 inhibitors or not. The major outcomes were defined as the occurrence of superficial keratopathy and infectious keratitis. There were 766 and 1037 episodes of superficial keratopathy in the SGLT2 inhibitors and control groups and SGLT2 inhibitors group showed a significantly lower incidence of superficial keratopathy than the control group (aHR: 0.721, 95% CI: 0.656-0.791, P < 0.0001). Also, there were 166 and 251 infectious keratitis events in the SGLT2 inhibitors and control groups and patients in the SGLT2 inhibitors group revealed a significantly lower infectious keratitis incidence than those in the control group (aHR: 0.654, 95% CI: 0.537-0.796, P < 0.0001). In addition, the patients that received SGLT2 inhibitors demonstrated lower cumulative incidences of both superficial keratopathy and infectious keratitis compared to the non-SGLT2 inhibitors users (both P < 0.0001). In conclusion, the usage of SGLT2 inhibitors correlates to lower incidence of superficial keratopathy and infectious keratitis in T2DM individuals, which is more significant in patients with persistent SGLT2 inhibitors application.

Cogan's syndrome is more than just keratitis: a case-based literature review.

BACKGROUND: Cogan's syndrome (CS) is a rare autoimmune disorder characterized by non-syphilitic interstitial keratitis (IK) and Menière-like cochlear vestibular symptoms, which may also have systemic effects. Corticosteroids are first-line treatment. DMARDs and biologics have been used to treat ocular and systemic symptoms of CS. CASE PRESENTATION: This is a case of a 35-year-old female who reported hearing loss, eye redness and photophobia. Her condition progressed to a sudden sensorineural hearing loss, tinnitus, and constant vertigo accompanied by cephalea. CS was diagnosed after excluding other diseases. The patient still developed bilateral sensorineural hearing loss after receiving hormone, methotrexate, cyclophosphamide, and a variety of biological agents. Joint symptoms were relieved after treatment with a JAK inhibitor (tofacitinib), and hearing did not deteriorate further. CONCLUSIONS: CS should be involved in the differential diagnosis of keratitis. Early identification and intervention of this autoimmune disease can minimize disability and irreversible damage.

A case report of interstitial keratitis and secondary glaucoma after cataract surgery that may be related to late congenital syphilis.

BACKGROUND: The destruction of blood eye barrier and the administration of corticosteroid eyedrops after phacoemulsification surgery can lead to the replication of the local potential pathogens. With the rapid increase and popularization of cataract surgery, all kinds of rare postoperative complications have appeared. Here, we report a case of interstitial keratitis and secondary glaucoma after cataract surgery, which may be related to late congenital syphilis, which eventually led to blindness in the right eye. We hope that the timely report of this case will enable doctors to pay more attention to the possibility of potential pathogen replication after cataract surgery, and enable more patients to receive reasonable and effective treatment. CASE PRESENTATION: A 63-year-old female was referred to our clinic for investigation with a 1-week history of moderate pain in the right eye and ipsilateral headache in January 2020. She had cataract surgery on her right eye two years ago and on her left eye one year ago. The intraocular pressure (IOP) in the right eye was 43.2 mmHg and that in the left eye was 28.5 mmHg. Her right eye underwent medication, trabeculectomy and finally was subjected to ciliary body photocoagulation to control the IOP. The IOP of the left eye was well controlled by regular use of eye drops. In addition to the elevated IOP, the inflammation of the anterior segment and corneal stroma was found. Before cataract surgery, bilateral corneal opacities was revealed, but after cataract surgery, interstitial keratitis in both eyes was gradually aggravated, during the follow-up period from 2019 to 2021. She informed us that she had suffered from decreased vision in both eyes and was diagnosed with bilateral keratitis and congenital syphilis at the age of 20. In 2018, the serologic test for syphilis was positive in blood (Chemiluminescence analysis (CLIA): + ; Toluidine red unheated serum test (TRUST): + , titer was 1:1). However, four tests for TRUST were negative in 2019 and 2020, so she was not treated for syphilis. CONCLUSION: This case of glaucoma and interstitial keratitis might be secondary to ocular inflammation caused by late congenital syphilis. The ocular inflammation and the activation of syphilis may be related to cataract surgery.

[Fungal Keratitis Associated with Curvularia lunata: First Case Report from Türkiye]. / Curvularia lunata'ya Bagli Gelisen Fungal Keratit: Türkiye'den Ilk Olgu Raporu.

Fungal keratitis is a medical emergency that is among the most common causes of blindness in developing countries. The type of the agent may vary depending on the geographical conditions under which the patient lives, trauma exposure, the use of contact lenses and profession. Curvularia spp. is a saprophytic genus that rarely causes systemic disease in humans and has 250 species identified to date. They proliferate in soil and plants and spread to the environment with their spores and the formation of blackish and fluffy colonies is its most well-known morphological feature. There may be difficulties in cultivating brown (dematiaceous) fungi. Due to the similarity between the genera, conventional methods remain inadequate for diagnosis. In this report, a case of fungal keratitis associated with C.lunata was presented. Seventy-five years-old female patient admitted to the hospital with the symptoms of stinging pain, blurred vision, and swelling in the right eye. Her symptoms had begun four days ago after her eye was hit by a plant. The patient who had a history of peripheral neuropathy due to diabetes mellitus (DM) was hospitalized with a preliminary diagnosis of keratitis, and in the cultures of the patient's corneal scraping samples, the filamentous, black pigment-forming colonies of the pathogen growing on 5% sheep blood agar and potato dextrose agar showing an aerial hyphal structure, were stained with lactophenol cotton blue and examined under the microscope. The microscopic examination revealed geniculate conidiophores with brown pigmentation. On top of these structures were tetralocular macroconidia, one of which appeared to be larger than the main axis. The fungus was subjected to molecular identification with the prediagnosis of Curvularia/Bipolaris. DNA extraction of the ITS region polymerase chain reaction amplification and Sanger sequencing were performed for molecular identification. Sanger sequencing identified the agent to be Curvularia lunata with a similarity rate of 99.79% (NCBI-GenBank Nucleotide ID: OR365075). In vitro antifungal susceptibility of C.lunata was evaluated by microdilution method. Itraconazole and amphotericin B showed higher activity against C.lunata compared to other antifungals while fluconazole was the least active antifungal. Intrastromal and subconjunctival voriconazole injection was applied to the patient who was unresponsive to empirically initiated oral moxifloxacin and different topical treatments (vancomycin, ceftazidime, flucanozole, ganciclovir, cyclopentolate hydrochloride, hyaluronic acid and trehalose). After injection, right penetrating keratoplasty was applied due to increased thinning of the ulcerated area. No pathogen was detected in cultures taken after keratoplasty. Rare fungi should be considered in cases of keratitis that are difficult to treat. Fungal keratitis caused by brown fungi are clinically similar to each other and effective treatment protocols cannot be implemented without a species identification. Identification of the pathogen will enable genus-specific treatment. This will also help prevent complications that may occur. This article aims to present a case of fungal keratitis associated with C.lunata.

Blink Reflex in Neurotrophic Keratopathy: An Electrophysiological Evaluation.

PURPOSE: Neurotrophic keratitis (NK) is a rare condition which may result in visual loss. This case review investigates if there may be an association between NK and the blink reflex in the absence of facial nerve palsy and lagophthalmos. METHODS: This is a retrospective case review of 5 patients with trigeminal nerve damage referred to the oculoplastic department with suspected anesthetic corneae. Information on etiology, symptoms, duration, associated medical conditions, medications, examination findings including Mackie stage of keratopathy, management of keratopathy, and blink electrophysiology results was obtained. RESULTS: All 5 patients demonstrated absence of corneal sensation. All patients had preserved facial nerve function with no evidence of lagophthalmos. Keratopathy ranged from Mackie stage 0-2. Management ranged from ocular lubricants to Botulinum-toxin-induced ptosis. Blink studies demonstrated reduction in amplitude as well as increased latency in 2 patients, conferring reduced blink strength. Two patients demonstrated an absent blink reflex on the affected side. One patient had blink latency within the normative range; this patient recovered corneal sensation and was discharged. CONCLUSIONS: Our finding of reduced amplitude in blink studies offers both a factor in pathogenesis of NK and a potential therapeutic target. Additionally, blink studies may provide prognostic information for recovery and therefore guide management. We suggest performing blink electrophysiology in patients with trigeminal nerve damage to assess nerve function.

Neurotrophic Keratitis in a Pediatric Patient With Goldenhar Syndrome and Trigeminal Aplasia Successfully Treated by Corneal Neurotization.

Herein, the authors report an unusual case of a 6-year-old boy with right-sided Goldenhar syndrome and trigeminal nerve aplasia who developed neurotrophic keratopathy (NK). Despite the use of therapeutic contact lenses and multiple temporary tarsorrhaphy, NK worsened showing a central corneal scar, neovascularization, and significant stromal thinning, with risk of corneal perforation. Cochet-Bonnet esthesiometry revealed complete corneal anesthesia. To minimize additional corneal complications, the patient underwent indirect corneal neurotization by a sural nerve autograft anastomosed to the contralateral supratrochlear nerve. At 24-month follow up, no epithelial defects, complications, or recurrence were observed. Significant improvements in corneal sensitivity with esthesiometry score of 20 mm and reflex blinking were achieved. This case highlights corneal anesthesia should be suspected among Goldenhar syndrome ophthalmologic abnormalities and monitored before corneal changes become irreversible. Since corneal neurotization can successfully improve corneal sensation, it could be considered as an early therapeutic option to avoid refractory NK.

Demodex Blepharitis: An Analysis of Nine Patients.

Inflammatory eyelid symptoms are common in primary care and there have been several reports on Demodex blepharitis. In the present study, we evaluate the 9 patients with Demodex blepharitis, who showed inflammation of the eyelids, dry eye, and cylindrical dandruff at the base of the eyelashes. The causative species from all patients was Demodex folliculorum of either the adult or nymph stage. Two patients had recurrent chalazion and 3 patients had keratitis. Weekly lid scrubs with 50% tee tree oil were performed for 6 weeks. After treatment, the symptoms of blepharitis and keratitis had improved in all patients. This case report provides clinical reference source for the proper treatment of ocular demodicosis.

Neurotrophic Keratitis Due to Congenital Corneal Anesthesia with Deafness, Hypotonia, Intellectual Disability, Face Abnormality and Metabolic Disorder: A New Syndrome?

Neurotrophic keratitis is a rare degenerative disease of the cornea that can lead to corneal ulceration, scarring, and significant visual impairment. It most commonly occurs in adults and is rarely diagnosed in children. Congenital corneal anesthesia is an extremely rare condition that requires appropriate ophthalmologists' attention in making diagnosis and treatment decisions. This condition usually presents in infancy or early childhood and is characterized by rare blinking rate, decreased tearing or a corneal ulcer that is unresponsive to treatment. In this case report, we describe a patient with multiple systemic and neurological disorders who presented to the ophthalmology department due to corneal erosion unresponsive to treatment. Brain magnetic resonance imaging confirmed bilateral trigeminal hypoplasia and the diagnosis of neurotrophic keratopathy due to bilateral congenital corneal anesthesia was made. The discrepancy between clinical signs and symptoms or treatment non-response in cases of corneal erosions should alert the ophthalmologists to suspect trigeminal dysfunction. MRI is the gold standard to confirm congenital corneal anesthesia and to differentiate from other possible neurotrophic keratitis causes.

Ocular Glands Become Infected Secondarily to Infectious Keratitis and Play a Role in Corneal Resistance to Infection.

Ocular glands play a critical role in eye health through the secretion of factors directly onto the ocular surface. The cornea is a normally transparent tissue necessary for visual acuity located in the anterior segment of the eye. Corneal damage can occur during microbial infection of the cornea, resulting in potentially permanent visual deficits. The involvement of ocular glands during corneal infection has been only briefly described. We hypothesized that ocular glands contribute to resistance as an arm of the eye-associated lymphoid tissue and may also be susceptible to infection secondary to microbial keratitis. Utilizing a mouse model of herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV-1) keratitis, we found that infection of corneas resulted in subsequent infection of ocular glands, including harderian glands (HGs) and extraorbital glands. Similarly, infection of corneas with Pseudomonas aeruginosa resulted in secondary infection of ocular glands. A robust immune response, characterized by increased numbers of immune cells and inflammatory mediators, occurred within ocular glands following HSV-1 keratitis. Removal of HGs altered corneal resistance to HSV-1, as measured by increased viral load, decreased corneal edema, and decreased inflammatory cell infiltration. These novel findings suggest that ocular glands are involved in microbial keratitis through their susceptibility to secondary infection and contribution to corneal resistance.IMPORTANCE Microbial keratitis accounts for up to 700,000 clinical visits annually in the United States. The involvement of ocular glands during microbial keratitis is not readily appreciated, and treatment options do not address the consequences of ocular gland dysfunction. The present study shows that ocular glands are susceptible to direct infection by common ocular pathogens, including HSV-1 and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, subsequent to microbial keratitis. Additionally, ocular glands contribute soluble factors that play a role in corneal resistance to HSV-1 and alter viral load, corneal edema, and immune cell infiltration. Further studies are needed to elucidate the mechanisms by which this occurs.

Meningoencephalitis, coronary artery and keratitis as an onset of brucellosis: a case report.

BACKGROUND: Brucellosis is a zoonotic disease caused by brucella. It has been an increasing trend in recent years (Wang H, Xu WM, Zhu KJ, Zhu SJ, Zhang HF, Wang J, Yang Y, Shao FY, Jiang NM, Tao ZY, Jin HY, Tang Y, Huo LL, Dong F, Li ZJ, Ding H, Liu ZG, Emerg Microbes Infect 9:889-99, 2020). Brucellosis is capable to invade multiple systems throughout the body, lacking in typical clinical manifestations, and easily misdiagnosed and mistreated. CASE PRESENTATION: We report a case of a male, 5-year-and-11-month old child without relevant medical history, who was admitted to hospital for 20 days of fever. When admitted to the hospital, we found that he was enervated, irritable and sleepy, accompanied with red eyes phenomenon. After anti-infection treatment with meropenem, no improvement observed. Lumbar puncture revealed normal CSF protein, normal cells, and negative culture. Later, doppler echocardiography suggested coronary aneurysms, and incomplete Kawasaki Disease with coronary aneurysms was proposed. The next day, brucellosis agglutination test was positive. Metagenomic next-generation sequencing (mNGS) of cerebrospinal fluid suggested B.melitensis, which was confirmed again by blood culture. The child was finally diagnosed as brucellosis with meningocephalitis, coronary aneurysm and keratitis. According to our preliminary research and review, such case has never been reported in detail before. After diagnosis confirmation, the child was treated with rifampicin, compound sulfamethoxazole, and ceftriaxone for cocktail anti-infection therapy. Aspirin and dipyridamole were also applied for anticoagulant therapy. After medical treatment, body temperature of the child has reached normal level, eye symptoms alleviated, and mental condition gradually turned normal. Re-examination of the doppler echocardiographic indicated that the coronary aneurysm was aggravated, so warfarin was added for amplification of anticoagulation treatment. At present, 3 months of follow-up, the coronary artery dilatation gradually assuaged, and the condition is continued to alleviate. CONCLUSION: Brucellosis can invade nervous system, coronary artery, and cornea. Brucellosis lacks specific signs for clinical diagnosis. The traditional agglutination test and the new mNGS are convenient and effective, which can provide the reference for clinical diagnosis.

Verruciform xanthoma in recessive dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa and keratitis-ichthyosis-deafness syndrome: Report of two cases and a review of the literature.

Verruciform xanthoma is a benign, wart-like lesion that can clinically mimic squamous cell carcinoma. We describe two teenage patients with severe genodermatoses, recessive dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa (RDEB), and keratitis-ichthyosis-deafness (KID) syndrome, respectively, each found to have plaques suspicious for malignancy, later demonstrated on histopathologic examination to be verruciform xanthoma. We discuss the connection between these severe genodermatoses and the suspected pathophysiology of verruciform xanthoma. In addition, we highlight the importance of recognizing verruciform xanthoma as a clinical mimicker of squamous cell carcinoma, for which patients with RDEB and KID syndrome are at increased risk.

[A clinical analysis of 46 cases of neurotrophic keratitis].

Objective: To investigate the clinical characteristics and therapeutic effect of neurotrophic keratitis (NK). Methods: A retrospective case series study. A total of 46 patients (48 eyes) with clinically diagnosed NK in Beijing Tongren Hospital from May 2013 to July 2016 were analyzed, including 26 males (26 eyes) and 20 females (22 eyes), aged (51±18) years. The general condition, etiology, clinical features, stage of disease and curative effect of NK patients were summarized. Corneal sensation was measured by Cochet-Bonnet corneal sensor for 25 patients (26 eyes), and the correlation between corneal sensation and clinical staging was analyzed. The χ(2) test was performed on the distribution characteristics of patients with different clinical stages of NK. Correlation analysis of corneal sensation and the disease stage was performed using Spearman correlation analysis. Results: Forty-four cases of monocular disease (96.65%) and 2 cases (4.35%) of bilateral disease were enrolled. Four eyes (8.33%) were from young patients (aged 18-29 years), 23 (47.92%) were from middle-aged patients (aged 30-59 years), and 21 (43.75%) were from elderly patients (aged ≥60 years). The disease was at stage Ⅰ in 8 eyes (16.67%), at stage Ⅱ in 21 eyes (43.75%), and stage Ⅲ in 19 eyes (39.58%). There was no significant difference in clinical staging between the three age groups (χ(2)=2.452, P=0.658). The most common cause of NK was virus infection (17 eyes,35.42%), followed by neurosurgical sequelae (11 eyes, 22.92%) and diabetes in 10 eyes(20.83%). Corneal sensation of 26 eyes ranged from 0-3 cm. There was no significant correlation between clinical stage and corneal sensation (r(2)=0.284, P=0.753). The patients were followed up for an average of 7 months. Thirty-four eyes (70.83%) received conservative treatment, and 8 eyes(16.67%) had surgery. Six patients (6 eyes) were lost for follow-up. Conclusions: NK can occur in all ages, mainly in the elderly. The clinical manifestations are diverse. If time delays in the diagnosis and treatment, it often causes corneal ulcers. There is no significant correlation between corneal sensation and clinical stage. Early diagnosis and targeted treatment are important for protecting patients' visual function.(Chin J Ophthalmol, 2020, 56:274-298).

[Neurotization of the cornea as pathogenically targeted method of treating neurotrophic keratitis in patients with facial paralysis]. / Nevrotizatsiya rogovitsy kak patogeneticheski napravlennyi metod lecheniya neirotroficheskogo keratita u patsientov s litsevym paralichom.

Combined lesions of the facial and trigeminal cranial nerves are typical after neurosurgical treatment. Violation of the innervation of orbicularis muscle leads to inability to completely close the eyelids, while denervation of the cornea is often manifested as a long-term ongoing and recurring neurotrophic keratitis. The restoration of corneal innervation is a pathogenetically targeted treatment for this pathology. For this purpose, neurotrophic keratitis could be reversed via the method of corneal neurotization using contralateral n. ophthalmicus. The presented clinical case demonstrates the results of the first operation of neurotization of the cornea in a patient with combined lesions of the facial and trigeminal nerves.

The Regulating Role of SB216763 in Pseudomonas aeruginosa Keratitis.

BACKGROUND: Glycogen synthase kinase 3 beta (GSK3b) is a multifunctional molecule, which plays a critical role in the regulation of various signaling pathways including cell proliferation, growth and development, and inflammation. However, whether GSK3b is involved in the pathological process of Pseudomonas aeruginosa keratitis remains unknown. METHODS: First, western blots were performed to measure the phosphorylated level of GSK3ß at Ser9 (inactive form) in an animal model of Pseudomonas aeruginosa keratitis. Second, the keratitis model received the GSK3ß inhibitor SB216763, and the inflammation of cornea was evaluated by clinical scores and slit photos. The expressions of inflammatory cytokines were assessed by real-time PCR, and the corneal bacterial burden was determined by plate count. RESULTS: The phosphorylated level of GSK3ß at Ser9 in the cornea markedly decreased after Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection. The inhibition of GSK3ß by SB216763 significantly ameliorated the progress of corneal disease and alleviated corneal opacity. SB216763 suppressed the expression of inflammatory cytokines IL-6 and IL-1b, but exhibited no effects on TNF-a and IL-10 expression. SB216763 dramatically decreased cornea bacterial burden at 5 days after infection with Pseudomonas aeruginosa. CONCLUSIONS: The activity of GSK3b was enhanced in Pseudomonas aeruginosa keratitis. The inhibition of GSK3ß by SB216763 promoted host resistance against Pseudomonas aeruginosa keratitis, via down regulating inflammatory cytokines and bacterial burden.

RISK FACTORS, TREATMENT STRATEGIES, AND OUTCOMES OF ENDOPHTHALMITIS ASSOCIATED WITH SEVERE FUNGAL KERATITIS.

PURPOSE: To investigate risk factors, treatment strategies, and outcomes of endophthalmitis associated with severe fungal keratitis. METHODS: Data from 392 patients diagnosed with fungal keratitis were retrospectively examined. Patients had severe disease that was refractory to topical or systemic antifungal therapy, and the infection involved the endothelium or perforated the cornea. The incidence and risk factors for endophthalmitis, and treatment outcomes were evaluated. RESULTS: Thirty-seven of 392 patients (9.4%) had endophthalmitis. Multivariate logistic regression revealed the following risk factors for endophthalmitis: topical steroid use (odds ratio [OR] = 6.35, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 2.01-20.08), previous corneal laceration suturing (OR = 5.05, 95% CI: 1.11-22.93), large corneal ulcer size (≥10-mm diameter; OR = 4.43, 95% CI: 1.71-11.50), hypopyon (OR = 11.05, 95% CI: 2.12-57.55), and aphakia (OR = 15.45, 95% CI: 1.59-149.82). Thirty of the 37 eyes (81.1%) with endophthalmitis were saved by penetrating keratoplasty, vitrectomy, or intravitreal antifungal injection; 7 eyes (18.9%) were eviscerated. CONCLUSION: Most patients with endophthalmitis secondary to corneal fungal infection were successfully managed by penetrating keratoplasty, vitrectomy, or intravitreal antifungal therapy. Multiple risk factors for endophthalmitis were identified. Timely diagnosis and risk factor assessment were essential for ensuring early surgical intervention for fungal keratitis-related endophthalmitis.

Complications of herpes zoster in children.

BACKGROUND: Herpes zoster (HZ) may cause complications; however, information regarding complications of HZ in children is relatively sparse. We reviewed cases of HZ in children retrospectively and investigated the risk factors contributing to the development of complications. METHODS: A retrospective observational study was conducted at a tertiary care children's hospital in Japan. Children receiving a diagnosis of HZ between January 2010 and October 2016 were identified from electronic medical records. In this study, the following diseases were recognized as complications of HZ: bacterial skin infection, facial paralysis, meningitis, uveitis and keratitis, postherpetic neuralgia, acute retinal necrosis, pneumonia, and otitis interna. Details regarding clinical information of HZ patients with complications were described. RESULTS: We found 138 cases with HZ. Among these, 58 (42%) occurred in immunocompetent children and 80 cases (58%) occurred in immunocompromised children. Complications were observed in 10 cases of immunocompromised children and in eight cases of immunocompetent children. Although secondary bacterial skin infection was the most common complication (n = 6, 33.3%), severe complications such as facial paralysis (n = 3, 16.7%), meningitis (n = 2, 11.1%), uveitis and keratitis (n= 2, 11.1%), acute retinal necrosis (n = 1, 5.6%), pneumonia (n = 1, 5.6%), and otitis interna (n = 1, 5.6%) were observed. Patients with complications tended to have a rash on the head or neck, compared with those without complications (n = 9, 50% vs n = 18, 15%; P = 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Severe HZ complications may occur in immunocompetent children. Development of a rash on the head or neck might be a risk factor for complications.

Early results on the use of chitosan-N-acetylcysteine (Lacrimera®) in the management of dry eye disease of varied etiology.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the effect of once daily administration of chitosan-N-acetylcysteine (Lacrimera®) in the management of dry eye disease (DED). METHODS: Eighteen patients (3 male, 15 female) aged 25-86 years (mean 61.1) and suffering from moderate to severe DED with superficial punctate keratitis (SPK) were retrospectively evaluated after a trial of Lacrimera® drops (1 drop in the morning for 5 days only). All the patients were using other artificial tears before the treatment. All lubricants were stopped, and Lacrimera® was started instead. Slit-lamp examination and images were taken before and at 1 and 3 weeks follow-up after the treatment. The subjective (Ocular Surface Disease Index, OSDI) and objective (Oxford Grading System, OGS) evaluation was recorded. A paired student's t test was performed to analyse the data. RESULTS: At baseline, the SPK grade was I to IV (OGS) and the OSDI ranged from 25 to 71.4. Fifteen patients showed a statistically significant (p < 0.0001) improvement in OGS and the OSDI at 3 weeks post-treatment. Three patients showed no improvement. CONCLUSIONS: A single-dose instillation of chitosan-N-acetylcysteine for five consecutive days improved signs and symptoms in patients affected from DED from a variety of causes, who were refractory to standard treatment with lubricants. Given its posology, the absence of side effects and the results obtained Lacrimera® should be taken into consideration as a viable option in patients with moderate to severe DED.

Ocular surface squamous neoplasia in a setting of fungal keratitis: a rare co-occurrence.

PURPOSE: To describe a rare co-occurrence of ocular surface squamous neoplasia (OSSN) in a patient with microbial keratitis. METHODS: Case report. RESULTS: We describe a 68-years female who developed ocular surface squamous neoplasia (OSSN) in an eye with culture proven severe fungal keratitis of 5 months duration, which progressed to endophthalmitis. She was managed with extended enucleation for left eye. Histopathology examination was consistent with squamous cell carcinoma of ocular surface with no corneal stromal/scleral/anterior chamber involvement. She received adjuvant chemotherapy with topical Interferon alpha2b (3 cycles) for positive margins. Six months after treatment, she is completely tumor free. CONCLUSION: Co-occurrence of OSSN and chronic fungal keratitis is rare. We recommend that patients with chronic ocular infections should be examined and followed closely for abnormally thickened limbal areas.

[Oral manifestations of KID syndrome: rare clinical case]. / Stomatologicheskie proiavleniia KID-sindroma: redkii klinicheskii sluchai.

The paper presents a rare clinical case of an infant with KID (Keratitis, Ichthyosis, Deafness) syndrome (about 100 patients reported so far) admitted for histological verification of oral mucosa lesions. Disease pathogenesis defines inadequate reparation and skin and mucosa innate immunity defect leading to higher incidence of bacterial and fungal infections, so the 4-years old girl received treatment for vegetating candidiasis of the oral mucosa for several weeks with no clinical improvement. Initial examination showed that the oral lesions resulted from sharp edges of severely affected carious teeth. Histological study of multifocal biopsy revealed pyogenic granulomas and no signs of SCC. Teeth extraction and symptomatic treatment leaded to significant clinical improvement and some remained mucosal changes may be attributed to syndrome manifestations.

Microbial keratitis-induced endophthalmitis: incidence, symptoms, therapy, visual prognosis and outcomes.

BACKGROUND: To evaluate symptoms, therapies and outcomes in rare microbial keratitis-induced endophthalmitis. METHODS: Retrospective study with 11 patients treated between 2009 and 2014. Clinical findings, corneal diseases, history of steroids and trauma, use of contact lenses, number and type of surgical interventions, determination of causative organisms and visual acuity (VA) were evaluated. RESULTS: The incidence of transformation from microbial keratitis to an endophthalmitis was 0.29% (n = 11/3773). In 90.9% (n = 10/11), there were pre-existent eyelid and corneal problems, in 45.5% (n = 5/11) rubeosis iridis with increased intraocular pressure and corneal decompensation, and in 18.2% (n = 2/11), ocular trauma. Specimens could be obtained in 10 of 11 samples: 33.3% of those 10 specimens were Gram-positive coagulase-negative Staphylococci (n = 3/10) or Gram-negative rods (n = 3/10) and 10.0% Staphylococcus aureus (n = 1/10). In 30% (n = 3/10), no pathogens were identifiable. 72.7% (n = 8/11) of all keratitis-induced endophthalmitis were treated with vitrectomy and 9.1% (n = 1/11) with amniotic-membrane transplantation. In 27.3% (n = 3/11) the infected eye had to be enucleated - 18.2% (n = 2/11) primarily, 9.1% (n = 1/11) secondarily. No patient suffered from sympathetic ophthalmia. The median initial VA was 2.1 logMAR (n = 11/11). At one month, median VA was 2.0 logMAR (n = 7/11), after three months 2.0 logMAR (n = 6/11), and after one year 2.05 logMAR (n = 6/11). The change in VA was not significant (p > 0.99). 36.4% (n = 4/11) of the cases resulted in blindness. CONCLUSIONS: The overall outcome is poor. Enucleation should be weighed against the risk of local and systemic spread of the infection, prolonged rehabilitation and sympathetic ophthalmia.