Addressing corneal opacity after herpes zoster infection.

A 15-year-old boy was referred for corneal opacity evaluation. The patient had a previous herpes zoster virus (HZV) infection-varicella-zoster virus (VZV)-with ocular manifestation 1 year ago. After the infection, he developed a central corneal scar and decreased corrected distance visual acuity (CDVA) in the right eye. The slitlamp examination showed the right eye with central corneal opacity (involving anterior stroma), lacuna area between the haze, fluorescein negative, and no vascularization near the scar (Figure 1JOURNAL/jcrs/04.03/02158034-202406000-00019/figure1/v/2024-07-10T174224Z/r/image-tiff). The patient had been treated with oral valacyclovir and topical corticosteroids without any improvement of visual acuity or changes in opacity within the 1-year follow-up. His CDVA was 20/200 (-4.50 -0.75 × 25) in the right eye and counting fingers (-4.00) in the left eye. Intraocular pressure was 12 mm Hg in both eyes. Fundoscopy was normal in the right eye, but he had a macular scar in the left eye (diagnosed when he was 7 years). The left eye had no cornea signs. The patient has no comorbidity or previous surgeries. Considering this case, a corneal central scar in a 15-year-old boy, legally single eye only, and assuming it is an opacity in the anterior stroma, would you consider surgery for this patient? If so, which would you choose: Would you consider an excimer laser treatment of his ametropia while partially removing his opacity, a phototherapeutic keratectomy (PTK), or a PTK followed by a topography-guided treatment, femtosecond laser-assisted anterior lamellar keratoplasty (FALK), or deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty (DALK) or penetrating keratoplasty (depending on the scar depth)? Would you consider prophylactic acyclovir during and after surgery? Would you consider any other surgical step to prevent delayed corneal healing-persistent epithelial defect? Before the surgical approach, would you consider treating this patient with topical losartan (a transforming growth factor [TGF]-ß signaling inhibitor)? Would you first perform the surgery (which one) and then start the medication? Furthermore, if so, how long would you treat this patient? Would you consider treatment with another medication?

Cornea opacity, uveitis with iris atrophy and lens damage following cosmetic high-intensity ultrasound of the eyelid: a case report.

BACKGROUND: High-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) is a cosmetic procedure that aims to tone the skin through thermal collagen coagulation. The energy is delivered in the deep layers of the skin, and because of these characteristics, the risks of severe damage to adjacent tissue and the ocular surface may be underestimated. Previous reports have demonstrated superficial corneal opacities, cataracts, increased intraocular pressure, or ocular refractive changes in different patients following HIFU. In this case, we report deep stromal opacities associated with anterior uveitis, iris atrophy and lens opacity formation following a single HIFU superior eyelid application. CASE PRESENTATION: A 47-year-old female presented to the ophthalmic emergency department complaining of pain, hyperemia and photophobia in the right eye following a HIFU application to the superior right eyelid. A slit lamp examination showed three temporal-inferior corneal infiltrates with edema and severe anterior uveitis. The patient was treated with topical corticosteroids, and six months later, there was residual corneal opacity, iris atrophy and peripherical cataract formation. No surgical procedure was needed, and the final vision was Snellen 20/20 (1.0). CONCLUSION: The risk of severe impairment to the ocular surface and ocular tissues may be underestimated. Cosmetic surgeons and ophthalmologists must be aware of the complications, and the long-term follow-up of these changes needs further investigation and discussion. Safety protocols of the HIFU intensity threshold for thermal lesions in the eye and the use of protective eye devices should be better evaluated.

Despigmentação precoce em caso de ceratopigmentação / Early depigmentation in case of keratopigmentation

RESUMO A ceratopigmentação teve seu primeiro registro pelo filósofo Galeno há muitos séculos como uma estratégia utilizada para o tratamento estético de pacientes com leucomas. As córneas com leucoma são patológicas e, muitas vezes, intolerantes a lentes de contato cosméticas ou próteses oculares, sendo comum a queixa de desconforto excessivo, proporcionado pela superfície corneana irregular. Assim, a ceratopigmentação é uma alternativa para a melhora estética de pacientes com opacidades corneanas. Descrevemos o caso de um paciente do sexo masculino, 39 anos, que apresentou despigmentação precoce em caso de ceratopigmentação associado a quadro de ceratite herpética necrotizante. O paciente foi submetido ao tratamento com aciclovir 2g ao dia e doxiciclina 200mg ao dia, evoluindo com melhora do quadro clínico, apesar da má adesão medicamentosa.

ABSTRACT Keratopigmentation was first recorded many centuries ago by the philosopher Galeno, as a strategy used for the aesthetic treatment of patients with leukomas. Corneas with leucoma are pathological and often intolerant of cosmetic contact lenses or ocular prostheses, with complaints of excessive discomfort provided by the irregular corneal surface being common. Therefore, keratopigmentation is an alternative for the aesthetic improvement of patients with corneal opacities. We describe the case of a 39-year old male patient, who presented early depigmentation in a case of keratopigmentation associated with necrotizing herpetic keratitis. The patient was treated with Acyclovir 2g/day and Doxycycline 200mg/day, evolving with clinical improvement, despite poor medication adherence.

Polluted Air Exposure Compromises Corneal Immunity and Exacerbates Inflammation in Acute Herpes Simplex Keratitis.

Air pollution is a serious environmental issue worldwide in developing countries' megacities, affecting the population's health, including the ocular surface, by predisposing or exacerbating other ocular diseases. Herpes simplex keratitis (HSK) is caused by the herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1). The primary or recurring infection in the ocular site causes progressive corneal scarring that may result in visual impairment. The present study was designed to study the immunopathological changes of acute HSK under urban polluted air, using the acute HSK model combined with an experimental urban polluted air exposure from Buenos Aires City. We evaluated the corneal clinical outcomes, viral DNA and pro-inflammatory cytokines by RT-PCR and ELISA assays, respectively. Then, we determined the innate and adaptive immune responses in both cornea and local lymph nodes after HSV-1 corneal by immunofluorescence staining and flow cytometry. Our results showed that mice exposed to polluted air develop a severe form of HSK with increased corneal opacity, neovascularization, HSV-1 DNA and production of TNF-α, IL-1ß, IFN-γ, and CCL2. A high number of corneal resident immune cells, including activated dendritic cells, was observed in mice exposed to polluted air; with a further significant influx of bone marrow-derived cells including GR1+ cells (neutrophils and inflammatory monocytes), CD11c+ cells (dendritic cells), and CD3+ (T cells) during acute corneal HSK. Moreover, mice exposed to polluted air showed a predominant Th1 type T cell response over Tregs in local lymph nodes during acute HSK with decreased corneal Tregs. These findings provide strong evidence that urban polluted air might trigger a local imbalance of innate and adaptive immune responses that exacerbate HSK severity. Taking this study into account, urban air pollution should be considered a key factor in developing ocular inflammatory diseases.

Treatment strategy for bilateral severe subepithelial fibrosis after photorefractive keratectomy enhancement / Estratégia de tratamento para fibrose subepitelial grave bilateral após aprimoramento com ceratectomia fotorrefrativa

ABSTRACT A 27-year-old healthy man with a history of bilateral photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) enhancement after femtosecond laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) presented with decreased uncorrected distance visual acuity (UDVA) of 20/125 in the right eye (OD) and 20/300 in the left eye (OS) six months after PRK. Examination revealed bilateral dense subepithelial opacities. Both eyes (OU) were treated with superficial keratectomy combined with phototherapeutic keratectomy (PTK) and adjunctive application of mitomycin C 0.02%. At three months follow up UDVA was 20/30 OD and 20/25 OS. Superficial keratectomy combined with PTK seems to be a safe and efficient technique for treatment of dense subepithelial scar formation following PRK enhancement after LASIK.

RESUMO Um homem saudável de 27 anos de idade com história de aprimoramento com ceratectomia fotorrefrativa (PRK) bilateral, após Ceratomileuse Assistida por Excimer Laser In Situ (LASIK) com laser de femtossegundos, apresentou diminuição da acuidade visual à distância não corrigida (AVNC) de 20/125 no olho direito (OD) e 20/300 no olho esquerdo (OE) seis meses após PRK. O exame revelou opacidades subepiteliais densas bilaterais. Ambos os olhos (AO) foram tratados com queratectomia superficial combinada com ceratectomia fototerapêutica (PTK) e aplicação adjuvante de mitomicina C a 0,02%. Aos três meses de acompanhamento, o AVNC foi de 20/30 OD e 20/25 OE. A ceratectomia superficial combinada com PTK parece ser uma técnica segura e eficiente para o tratamento da formação densa de cicatrizes subepiteliais após o aprimoramento com PRK pós-LASIK.

Microscopia confocal no auxílio diagnóstico de Distrofia Corneana de Schnyder / In vivo confocal microscopy as a diagnostic tool in Schnyder Corneal Dystrophy's case

Resumo Neste relato, descrevemos um caso de Distrofia corneana de Schnyder que apresentou o desfecho de seu diagnóstico baseado em achados característicos na microscopia confocal, ferramenta que se aponta em destaque no universo oftalmológico.

Abstract Schnyder's corneal dystrophy (SCD) is a rare corneal condition characterized by cholesterol and phospholipids deposition in the stroma and Bowman's layer. We present a case report of a patient who had a progressive corneal stromal haze in both eyes since he was 15 years old. Etiological diagnosis of SCD was well established by In Vivo Confocal Microscopy (IVCM).

[Ocular and cutaneous rosacea in a child]. / Rosácea oculocutánea en un niño.

Rosacea is a chronic skin disease characterized by erythema, telangiectasia, papules and pustules in the central facial region. It most often affects adults and is rare in children. Rosacea can also present ocular involvement. Symptoms can precede cutaneous findings, appear simultaneously or after them, with a higher risk of ocular complications in children. Because of low prevalence of rosacea in childhood, the diagnosis is frequently delayed. We report a 1-year-old boy with ocular and cutaneous rosacea who developed corneal opacities and visual impairment. Early diagnosis and treatment is considerable to avoid sequels.

La rosácea es una dermatosis crónica que se manifiesta clínicamente con eritema, telangiectasias, pápulas y pústulas en la parte central de la cara. Afecta, sobre todo, a los adultos y, en raras ocasiones, a los niños. La rosácea puede también presentar afección ocular y preceder, aparecer en forma simultánea o con posterioridad a las lesiones cutáneas; es mayor el riesgo de complicaciones oculares en los niños. La baja prevalencia de esta patología en la infancia origina demoras en el diagnóstico. Se presenta a un paciente de 1 año de edad con rosácea ocular y cutánea que desarrolló opacidades corneales con compromiso de la agudeza visual. Se destaca la importancia del diagnóstico y del tratamiento precoz para evitar el desarrollo de secuelas.

Focal phototherapeutic keratectomy for the treatment of apical leucoma syndrome / PTK focal para o tratamento da síndrome do leucoma apical

ABSTRACT The following report describes a case of apical leucoma syndrome after hyperopic photorefractive keratectomy following hyperopic laser in situ keratomileusis and the subsequent treatment of this complication with focal phototherapeutic keratectomy. The patient underwent focal transepithelial phototherapeutic keratectomy of 70 mm ablation and 1.5 mm diameter after pupil and ablation offset correction. After 1 year, significant improvement in vision was observed and only slight residual opacity remained on biomicroscopy and optical coherence tomography. Focal phototherapeutic keratectomy was effective and safe for the treatment of this complication.

RESUMO O relato a seguir descreve um caso da síndrome do Leucoma Apical após cirurgia ceratorrefrativa hipermetrópica depois de Laser hiperópico in situ keratomileusis, e o subsequente tratamento desta complicação com ceratectomia fototerapêutica focal. O paciente foi submetido à ceratectomia fototerapêutica focal transepitelial com ablação de 70 mm e diâmetro de 1,5 mm, após correção de offset pupilar. Depois de um ano, foi observada uma melhora significativa da acuidade visual permanecendo apenas leve opacidade residual na biomicroscopia e tomografia de coerência óptica. A ceratectomia fototerapêutica focal foi efetiva e segura para o tratamento desta complicação.

Focal phototherapeutic keratectomy for the treatment of apical leucoma syndrome.

The following report describes a case of apical leucoma syndrome after hyperopic photorefractive keratectomy following hyperopic laser in situ keratomileusis and the subsequent treatment of this complication with focal phototherapeutic keratectomy. The patient underwent focal transepithelial phototherapeutic keratectomy of 70 mm ablation and 1.5 mm diameter after pupil and ablation offset correction. After 1 year, significant improvement in vision was observed and only slight residual opacity remained on biomicroscopy and optical coherence tomography. Focal phototherapeutic keratectomy was effective and safe for the treatment of this complication.

Conjunctival tattoo: report on an emerging body modification trend.

We report the case of a patient who received conjunctival tattooing for cosmetic purposes with associated complications. A 28-year-old male experienced severe ocular pain after undergoing conjunctival tattooing. Slit-lamp examination revealed blue deposits over the conjunctiva in association with intense conjunctival edema and a 4+ anterior chamber cellular reaction. The patient underwent clinical treatments to control ocular inflammation. Two months after the injury, the patient was still in follow-up to ensure that any further complications were managed and documented. This unusual case of conjunctival tattooing resulted in conjunctival edema and anterior uveitis. Because of the increasing popularity of eyeball tattooing, the potentially severe complications of this procedure may become more common.

Conjunctival tattoo: report on an emerging body modification trend / Tatuagem conjuntival: relato de uma crescente tendência de modificação do corpo

ABSTRACT We report the case of a patient who received conjunctival tattooing for cosmetic purposes with associated complications. A 28-year-old male experienced severe ocular pain after undergoing conjunctival tattooing. Slit-lamp examination revealed blue deposits over the conjunctiva in association with intense conjunctival edema and a 4+ anterior chamber cellular reaction. The patient underwent clinical treatments to control ocular inflammation. Two months after the injury, the patient was still in follow-up to ensure that any further complications were managed and documented. This unusual case of conjunctival tattooing resulted in conjunctival edema and anterior uveitis. Because of the increasing popularity of eyeball tattooing, the potentially severe complications of this procedure may become more common.

RESUMO Relatamos um caso de um paciente que realizou tatuagem conjuntival para fins cosméticos com complicações associadas. Um homem de 28 anos de idade apresentou dor ocular importante após tatuagem conjuntival. O exame da lâmpada de fenda revelou depósitos azuis sobre a conjuntiva, associados a um intenso edema conjuntival e uma reação de câmara anterior de 4+ de células. O paciente foi submetido a tratamentos clínicos para controlar a inflamação ocular. Dois meses após o ocorrido, o paciente ainda estava em acompanhamento para garantir que quaisquer outras complicações fossem gerenciadas e documentadas. Um caso incomum de tatuagem conjuntival resultou em edema conjuntival e uveíte anterior. Devido à crescente popularidade da tatuagem no globo ocular, complicações potencialmente graves deste procedimento podem se tornar mais comuns.

Management of Descemet Membrane Detachment After Forceps Birth Injury.

PURPOSE: To describe the clinical signs of Descemet membrane (DM) detachment due to forceps-related birth injury and its subsequent management using optical coherence tomography. METHODS: Case report. RESULTS: A 3-day-old term infant presented with left eye corneal clouding and a definitive history of traumatic forceps-assisted delivery. Despite topical therapy, corneal clouding persisted, necessitating an examination under anesthesia using ultrasound and handheld optical coherence tomography. This revealed not only a tear in DM but also a large detachment. Injection of air alone failed to achieve apposition of DM to the posterior stroma. Apposition was achieved only after penetration of the overlying cornea with the needle of a 10-0 nylon suture and release of clear viscous fluid. The cornea cleared within the first week and continued in the months to follow. CONCLUSIONS: Prolonged corneal edema should alert the physician to probable DM detachment after forceps-related birth injury. Injecting air alone may not be sufficient to reattach the detached DM.

Formação de membrana fibrótica cicatricial em paciente submetido à ceratoplastia penetrante / Fibrotic scar membrane formation in patients undergoing penetrating keratoplasty

RESUMO O surgimento de uma membrana fibrótica opacificada na córnea transplantada é pouco descrito nas literaturas nacional e mundial. O objetivo é relatar o caso de um paciente com leucoma total de olho esquerdo que foi submetido à ceratoplastia penetrante levando a formação de dupla câmara anterior devido ao surgimento de uma membrana fibrótica cicatricial. Paciente do sexo masculino, 54 anos, com leucoma total secundário a ceratite herpética, diabético há 20 anos, em uso de insulina, com retinopatia diabética não proliferativa. Realizou-se cirurgia de membranectomia com complicações pós-operatória.

ABSTRACT The emergence of opaque fibrotic membrane in transplanted cornea is little described in national and world literature. The goal is to report the case of a patient with leucoma total of left eye that was submitted to the penetrating keratoplasty leading to formation of double anterior chamber due to the emergence of a fibrotic scar membrane. Male patient, 54 years, with total herpetic keratitis secondary leucoma, diabetic for 20 years, using insulin, with non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy. Held membranectomia surgery with postoperative complications.

Aplicação da mitomicina C na cirurgia refrativa / Mitomycin C application in refractive surgery

RESUMO A mitomicina C teve seu uso profilático e terapêutico estabelecido, ao longo dos anos, para diminuir o haze depois da ablação superficial. A mitomicina C é segura e eficaz como uma terapia adjuvante aplicada após um procedimento primário de ceratectomia fotorrefrativa ou após um retratamento com ceratectomia fotorrefrativa após o laser in situ keratomileusis LASIK. A mitomicina age modulando a cicatrização após a cirurgia. Constitui-se num potente inibidor de mitose, bloqueia a ativação e a profliferação dos fibroblastos e a diferenciação dos miofibroblastos. Embora existam muitos estudos apontando a segurança da mitomicina nas doses ultilizadas, ainda persistem dúvidas quanto à segurança, a longo prazo, do uso da mitomicina. Quando as córneas são examinadas com microscópios confocal, após depleção inicial dos ceratócitos, a densidade celular parece retornar ao normal seis a 12 meses após o uso de mitomicina C . A maioria dos estudos clínicos não encontrou diferença significativa entre a densidade endotelial celular préoperatória e pós-operatória quando a mitomicina C 0.02% foi aplicada durante a cirurgia com um tempo de exposição de 2 minutos ou menos. Em aproximadamente 14 anos, a mitomicina C mostrou-se eficaz na prevenção e tratamento do haze corneano.

ABSTRACT Over the years, mitomycin C has been used by refractive surgeons to prophylactically decrease haze after surface ablation procedures and therapeutically in the treatment of preexisting haze. Development of mitomycin C treatments has had a significant role in the revival of surface ablation techniques. We reviewed the literature regarding mechanism of action of mitomycin C, its role in modulating wound healing after refractive surgery, and its safety and efficacy as adjuvant therapy applied after primary photorefractive keratectomy surgery or after photorefractive keratectomy re-treatment after laser in situ keratomileusis and other corneal surgeries and disorders. The drug is a potent mitotic inhibitor that effectively blocks keratocyte activation, proliferation, and myofibroblast differentiation. Many studies have suggested that mitomycin C is safe and effective in doses used by anterior surface surgeons, although there continue to be concerns regarding long-term safety. After initial depletion of anterior keratocytes, keratocyte density seems to return to normal 6 to12 months after the use of mitomycin C when corneas are examined with the confocal microscope. Most clinical studies found no difference between preoperative and postoperative corneal endothelial cell densities when mitomycin C 0.02% was applied during refractive surgery,with exposure time of 2 minutes or less. After approximately 14 years of use, mitomycin C has been found to be effective when used for prevention and treatment of corneal haze.

Síndrome de Rothmund / Rothmund syndrome

RESUMO A síndrome de Rothmund (RTS) é uma rara genodermatose, de herança autossômica recessiva. Sua incidência é desconhecida, com aproximadamente 300 casos descritos na literatura. A síndrome é determinada por eritema facial (poiquilodermia), seu marco diagnóstico, além de alterações esqueléticas, alopecia, catarata juvenil e predisposição a osteossarcoma. Neste relato, descrevemos uma paciente com esta síndrome, que foi referida ao serviço de oftalmologia por baixa visão e hiperemia ocular.

ABSTRACT Rothmund-Thomson syndrome (RTS) is a rare autosomal recessive genodermatosis. While its incidence is unknown, approximately 300 cases have been reported in the literature. The syndrome typically presents with a characteristic facial rash (poikiloderma), its diagnostic hallmark, and heterogeneous clinical features including congenital skeletal abnormalities, sparse hair distribution, juvenile cataracts, and a predisposition to osteosarcoma. This is a report describing a patient diagnosed with RTS referred to us because of low vision and red eyes.

Effects produced by different types of laser in cornea of Guinea pigs: Identification of a laser capable of producing superficial lesions without leaving scars.

PURPOSE: Climatic droplets keratopathy (CDK) is closely associated with superficial corneal erosions and lack of protective mechanisms against the harmful effects of ultraviolet radiation (UVR) during a prolonged period of time. One of the difficulties in studying the pathogenic mechanisms involved in this human disease is the lack of an experimental animal model. In this paper, a study is conducted on the effects of 4 types of lasers at various powers and time conditions on the normal guinea pig corneas in order to select only one laser condition that reversibly injures the epithelium and superficial stroma, without leaving scarring. METHODS: Damage was induced in the cornea of Guinea pigs using different powers and exposure times of 4 types of laser: argon, CO2, diode and Nd-Yag, and any injuries were evaluated by biomicroscopy (BM) and optical microscopy. Corneas from other normal animals were exposed to argon laser (350 mW, 0.3s, 50 µm of diameter), and the induced alterations were studied at different times using BM, optical coherence tomography (OCT) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). RESULTS: Only argon laser at 350 mW, 0.3s, 50 µm of diameter produced epithelium and superficial stroma lesions. Some leukomas were observed by BM, and they disappeared by day 15. Corneal thickness measured by OCT decreased in the eyes treated with argon laser during the first week. Using TEM, different ultra structural alterations in corneal epithelium and stroma were observed during the early days, which disappeared by day 15. CONCLUSIONS: It was possible to develop reproducible corneal epithelium and anterior stroma injuries using Argon laser at 350 mW, 0.3s, 50 µm of diameter. In vivo and in vitro studies showed that injured corneas with these laser conditions did not leave irreversible microscopic or ultra structural alterations. This protocol of corneal erosion combined with exposure to UVR and partial deficiency of ascorbate in the diets of the animals for an extended period of time has been used in order to try to develop an experimental model of CDK.

[A case of mycotic keratitis due to Fusarium solani in Valdivia, Chile]. / Un caso de queratitis micótica por Fusarium solani en Valdivia, Chile.

BACKGROUND: Keratomycosis is one of the most prevalent ophthalmic infections, which needs a specific treatment depending on the nature of the infecting fungus. The prognosis is usually severe and depends on an early diagnosis and suitable therapy. CASE REPORT: We describe a case of keratitis due to Fusarium solani in a patient from a rural area, who, between May and October 2011, suffered a corneal trauma caused by dust particles in Valdivia, Chile. On two occasions, direct examination of eye scrapes revealed abundant septate hyphae. All cultures were positive for the same fungus, which was identified as Fusarium solani by phenotypic characterization and sequencing of ribosomal nuclear genes. The patient was initially treated with amphotericin B and afterwards successfully responded to a treatment with oral and intravenous voriconazole, although corneal opacity persisted. CONCLUSIONS: Although keratomycosis in Chile is rare, its diagnostic particularities must be taken into consideration to establish the most effective treatment. Thus, a rapid visualization of the fungus in the lesion, an efficient isolation of the etiologic agent in pure culture is essential, as well as its rapid identification, which requires the use of molecular sequencing techniques in the case of Fusarium species.

[Ophthalmic manifestations in Mexican patients with Fabry disease]. / Manifestaciones oftalmológicas en pacientes mexicanos con enfermedad de Fabry.

UNLABELLED: Fabry disease (FD) is a rare X-linked genetic lysosomal storage disease caused by a deficiency of the enzyme α-galactosidase A, that produces accumulation of globotriaosylceramide. There is a multisystemic involvement, including renal, cardiac, eye, and nervous system manifestations. AIM: To perform a descriptive analysis of the ophthalmological manifestations in Mexican patients with FD. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We studied 13 patients with clinical and biochemical diagnostic of FD. RESULTS: Cornea verticillata was found in 57% of men and 33% carriers. CONCLUSION: Cornea verticillata was the most common ocular manifestation in males and carriers of FD in Mexico.