The epidemiology of pediatric dry eye disease in the United States: An IRIS® registry (Intelligent Research in Sight) analysis.

PURPOSE: Dry-eye disease (DED) is a chronic progressive ocular surface disorder with limited studies in the pediatric population. The Academy of Ophthalmology's IRIS® Registry was leveraged to investigate the prevalence of DED in the pediatric population (PDED, patients <18 years old) and the demographic differences of DED between pediatric and adult patients (ADED). METHODS: Retrospective cohort study. Patients with DED between January 1st, 2013 and December 31st, 2019 (N = 4,795,979) were included. Descriptive statistics, Pearson's chi-squared tests and two-sample proportions tests were conducted to compare key demographic distributions between the ADED and PDED cohorts. RESULTS: The average age at onset for ADED patients was 61.06 (±14.75) years and for PDED patients was 12.51 (±3.86). The overall tests for independence and the individual tests of proportions of each category were statistically significant for all demographic characteristics (p < 0.001). Characteristics with the largest discrepancies between patients of PDED and the IRIS Registry pediatric patient pool (PIRIS) included female sex (58.08 % vs. 50.60 %), male sex (41.58 % vs. 48.78 %) and Asian race (6.02 % vs. 3.11 %) respectively. Within the PDED cohort, females were at higher risk of PDED (58 % vs. 42 %). PDED was more prevalent in children with refractive errors (76 %) and eyelid/conjunctival disorders (41 %). Characteristics with the largest discrepancies between PDED and ADED patients included female sex (58.08 % vs. 68.12 %), male sex (41.58 % vs. 31.55 %) and Caucasian race (50.24 % vs. 67.06 %) respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Significant differences in the PDED cohort are demonstrated in this study. PDED was more prevalent in the female sex and Caucasian race compared to PIRIS and was more commonly associated with refractive errors and eyelid/conjunctival disorders.

Temporal keratoconus in a pediatric patient.

Purpose: To report a pediatric patient with bilateral temporal keratoconus. Observations: A 14-year-old male presented with a two-year history of progressively worsening visual acuity in both eyes and suspicion for undiagnosed amblyopia in the right eye. Retinoscopy revealed a scissoring reflex in both eyes and corneal topography demonstrated high keratometry values (Kmax 57.9 D and 46.1 D in the right and left eyes, respectively), with relative temporal steepening approximately coinciding with the thinnest pachymetry in both eyes. Corneal cross-linking was recommended. Conclusions and importance: Keratoconus can present as a temporal variant with relative temporal steepening and thinning. It is important to maintain a high index of suspicion for keratoconus in pediatric patients with sub-normal visual acuities. Prompt assessment and diagnosis may prevent progression of keratoconus and development of amblyopia.

Topical cenegermin 0.002% for pediatric neurotrophic keratopathy.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of cenegermin 0.002% ophthalmic drops in the management of pediatric neurotrophic keratopathy (NK). METHODS: Retrospective chart review of children under the age of 18 years diagnosed with NK at Boston Children's Hospital/Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary and treated with topical cenegermin 0.002% ophthalmic solution between June 2018 and June 2021 was performed. Data collection included etiology of NK, age at time of initiation of topical cenegermin, laterality, ethnicity, gender, history of previous ocular therapy, pre- and post-therapy best corrected visual acuity, pre- and post-therapy cornea examination, any adverse events from topical cenegermin, associated ocular conditions, and history of ocular surgeries. RESULTS: The current study includes four eyes of four pediatric patients with a mean age of 4.5 ± 2.0 years at the time of initiation of topical cenegermin therapy. The mean time from NK diagnosis until start of topical cenegermin drops was 5.2 ± 4.3 months and mean follow-up time was 15 ± 9.6 months. In all four patients, marked improvement in epitheliopathy was demonstrated after completion of therapy. Best corrected visual acuity was measurable in 3 eyes of 3 patients, and it improved from a mean of 0.07 ± 0.01 to a mean of 0.29 ± 0.26 (P = 0.3). No adverse events related to cenegermin therapy were noted. CONCLUSION: Topical cenegermin was effective in improving corneal healing for pediatric NK.

Risk Factors Associated With Pterygium Reoperation in the IRIS Registry.

This cohort study used data from the IRIS Registry to assess the risk factors associated with pterygium reoperation.

A Case Report of Ablepharon-Macrostomia Syndrome with Amniotic Membrane Grafting.

We describe a rare case of an infant who was born with multiple congenital anomalies, including the absence of eyelids. This patient had many dysmorphic features consistent with a severe phenotype of ablepharon-macrostomia syndrome (AMS) including a fish-like appearance of the mouth, rudimentary ears, absence of body hair, thin skin, absent nipples, abdominal distension, and genital abnormalities. Upon presentation, there was severe exposure keratopathy causing large bilateral sterile ulcers culminating in corneal melting of both eyes. An amniotic membrane graft was used to attempt to maintain the corneal surface integrity. However, because of the late presentation, the corneas could not be salvaged. Extensive surgical reconstruction of both eyelids and bilateral penetrating keratoplasty was ultimately performed successfully to protect the ocular surfaces while trying to maximize the visual potential. Early amniotic membrane grafting may be done at the bedside and may help preserve the ocular in patients with severe eyelid deformities until more definitive treatment is performed.

Persistent staining of lattice lines after intraoperative trypan blue use in patients with lattice corneal dystrophy.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to report the persistent staining of corneal lattice lines resulting from the intraoperative use of trypan blue. METHODS: This is a case series. RESULTS: Four patients with lattice corneal dystrophy (LCD) who underwent either deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty or cataract extraction with intraoperative trypan blue use demonstrated persistent, postoperative trypan staining of lattice lines on slit-lamp examination out to final follow-up (range, 176 to 541 days postoperatively). CONCLUSIONS: This case series demonstrates the previously unreported finding that intraoperative trypan blue stains corneal lattice lines in LCD. Trypan blue staining, localized in previous laboratory studies to amyloid deposits, seems to persist for months or longer and may be permanent in human tissue. Although the staining was not visually significant, animal models suggest a stimulatory effect on progression of amyloidosis. Clinicians should be aware of the potential for permanent corneal staining and possible disease progression with the use of intraoperative trypan blue in patients with LCD.

Traumatic eye injuries from collapsible wire laundry hampers.

Two patients presented to the University of Illinois at Chicago Eye and Ear Infirmary within 1 year with penetrating eye injuries caused by similar collapsible cloth and wire laundry hampers. Penetrating eye injuries in children are relatively rare but can result in poor visual outcomes and multiple vision-threatening complications. Both injuries at the University of Illinois resulted in an eye laceration as well as retinal complications similar to those reported with a high velocity injury. This now represents a significant pattern of eye injury and suggests that there exists a nontrivial risk for all children in households with this type of collapsible laundry hamper. Parents should receive a warning of the risks of these hampers.

Expanding application of the Boston type I keratoprosthesis due to advances in design and improved post-operative therapeutic strategies.

PURPOSE: To evaluate how the advances in design of the Boston type I keratoprosthesis and in the treatment strategies to conquer the post operative complications have expanded the indications and application of this technology. METHODS: A review and analysis of the keratoprosthesis literature specifically examining design modifications, treatment of post operative complications, and patient selection was performed. RESULTS: Over the past two decades, many modifications to the design of the Boston type I keratoprosthesis and treatment of the patient in the post operative period have occurred. Also, the technology has been more widely accepted as a primary surgical option for patients with a poor preoperative prognosis for traditional penetrating keratoplasty. The outcomes of visual acuity, retention, and post-operative infection rates have all significantly improved since the technology has been modified and offers patients an alternative for visual rehabilitation. CONCLUSIONS: Thanks to advances in design and perioperative care, the boston type i keratoprosthesis can now be considered a viable option for surgical visual rehabilitation in many patients with corneal pathology, and in certain groups the primary surgical procedure of choice.