Risk Factors for Recurrence in the Treatment of Recurrent Pterygium.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to identify the postoperative recurrence rate of recurrent pterygium and to evaluate risk factors for the recurrence. METHODS: This study was a retrospective interventional nonrandomized consecutive case series. In this single-center study, 119 eyes of patients with recurrent pterygium who underwent surgery with a follow-up period of >12 months after the surgery were analyzed. The clinical characteristics of pterygium were classified according to the length of corneal involvement and Tan grade. The main outcome was the recurrence rate. The secondary outcome was the risk factors for recurrence. RESULTS: The mean follow-up period was 42 ± 28.6 months. Recurrence was observed in 15 patients (12.6%). The average postoperative recurrence period was 7.7 ± 6.7 months. Twelve patients experienced a recurrence within 12 months. Eyes with recurrence had a significantly greater length of corneal involvement (2.47 ± 0.72 mm) and number of previous surgery (1.9 ± 1.3) than those without (1.97 ± 0.74 mm, and 1.3 ± 0.7, both P = 0.04). Multivariate analysis showed that recurrence was significantly associated with the length of corneal involvement (odds ratio [OR] 2.38, 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.02-5.57, P = 0.05) and the number of previous surgeries (OR: 1.91, 95% CI, 1.03-3.58, P = 0.04) but not with sex (OR: 3.71, 95% CI, 0.90-15.2, P = 0.07), age (OR: 0.99, 95% CI, 0.94-1.04, P = 0.59), and use of mitomycin C (OR: 0.31, 95% CI, 0.07-1.21, P = 0.09). CONCLUSIONS: The postoperative recurrence rate of recurrent pterygium was 12.6%. The preoperative length of corneal involvement and number of previous pterygium surgeries were significantly correlated with recurrence. Male sex and nonuse of mitomycin C tended to correlate with recurrence.

Continuous acellular material accumulation in the anterior chamber associated with corneal endothelial changes.

This case series included two healthy adults who showed continuous production of acellular materials in the anterior chamber without inflammation. The materials were membrane-like in case 1 and amorphous in case 2; they gradually changed shape and location over several years. During follow-up, there were no changes in vision, the iris or the chamber angle. Anterior segment optical coherence tomography confirmed the attachment of the membrane to the corneal endothelium. Specular microscopy showed normal endothelial counting with reversal of the normal light/dark patterns that occasionally returned to normal appearances. Although acellular materials were observed unilaterally in both cases, abnormal endothelial images were noted in both eyes of case 1. Histopathological examinations demonstrated the absence of cellular components with negative immunostaining for collagen IV, vimentin and α-smooth muscle actin. Serial ophthalmic examinations and histopathological findings suggest that the production of acellular material was associated with alterations of the corneal endothelium.

Tear Film Osmolarity Measurement in Japanese Dry Eye Patients Using a Handheld Osmolarity System.

We studied the efficacy and safety of a handheld osmolarity measurement system (I-PEN) in Japanese patients with dry eye disease (DED) and non-DED subjects. In this prospective, multicenter study, tear osmolarity was examined using the I-PEN in a total of 122 eyes divided into DED (n = 71) and non-DED (n = 51) groups. Subjective symptoms were assessed using the Dry Eye-Related Quality-of-Life Score (DEQS) questionnaire. Ocular surface condition was evaluated in terms of fluorescein tear breakup time (FBUT) and tear breakup pattern (TBUP), and by fluorescein staining and Schirmer's test. The I-PEN measurements were performed safely in the majority of cases. There was no statistically significant difference in mean tear film osmolarity between the DED and non-DED groups (294.76 ± 16.39 vs. 297.76 ± 16.72 mOsms/L, respectively, p = 0.32). No significant correlations were observed between osmolarity values and DEQS score, FBUT, or the Schirmer score. Osmolarity did not differ among TBUP subgroups. This prospective clinical study found no correlations between the tear film osmolarity values obtained with the I-PEN system and any subjective or objective parameters of DED. Further studies are required to determine the utility of the I-PEN system in other settings.

A prospective, randomized clinical study comparing accelerated corneal collagen crosslinking with 5% NaCl hypertonic saline for bullous keratopathy in Asian eyes.

BACKGROUND: We compared the clinical outcomes of accelerated corneal collagen crosslinking (CXL) and 5% NaCl hypertonic saline (HS) for the treatment of symptomatic bullous keratopathy (BK). METHODS: A randomized controlled trial was held at Department of Ophthalmology, Tokyo Dental College Ichikawa General Hospital, Chiba, Japan. Twenty-three eyes of 23 consecutive patients with symptomatic BK were enrolled. The etiology of BK included pseudophakic BK, previous keratoplasty, previous endotheliitis, previous glaucoma surgery, trauma, herpes infection, as well as unknown causes. Eleven eyes received epi-off accelerated CXL (with epithelial abrasion and 18 mW/cm ultraviolet A irradiation for 5 minutes) and 12 eyes received HS instillation. In addition to the usual ophthalmic examination, the best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and central corneal thickness (CCT) were determined. The CCT was measured using anterior segment optical coherence tomography before and up to 6 months after treatments. Subjective symptoms of pain, blurred vision, photophobia, and irritation were also recorded. RESULTS: The follow-up was completed for all patients in the CXL group. However, 6 patients in the HS group requested CXL treatments after 3 months. The BCVA was not significantly changed during the study periods in both groups. The CCT was significantly thinner in the CXL group compared to the HS group at 1 and 6 months (P = .015 and 0.144, respectively). Among the subjective symptoms recorded, irritation was significantly lower in the CXL group at 1 month (P = .013). CONCLUSIONS: Accelerated CXL may produce transient improvement in pain and corneal edema in patients with BK.

The Efficacy of 2% Topical Rebamipide on Conjunctival Squamous Metaplasia and Goblet Cell Density in Dry Eye Disease.

Purpose: To clarify the pharmacological effects of 2% rebamipide eye drops on mucosal membrane functions of the ocular surface epithelium, we investigated keratoconjunctival alterations at the cellular level in this study. Methods: Fifteen patients with definite dry eye disease were recruited from outpatient clinics of the Department of Ophthalmology, Ichikawa General Hospital. The patients received treatment with 2% rebamipide eye drops q.i.d for 12 weeks. Symptom score assessment, tear film breakup time, fluorescein and lissamine green ocular surface vital staining, grading of lid wiper epitheliopathy, Cochet-Bonnet corneal sensitivity, assessment of squamous metaplasia grades, and goblet cell density calculations from conjunctival impression cytology samples, as well as evaluation of nucleocytoplasmic ratios and corneal epithelial cells from in vivo confocal microscopy images before and 3 months after treatment were performed. Results: The mean symptom scores, tear film breakup time values, ocular surface fluorescein and lissamine green vital staining scores, and lid wiper scores showed a significant improvement after treatment (P < 0.01). The mean squamous metaplasia grade also showed a significant improvement (1.2 ± 0.1 → 0.3 ± 0.1) 3 months after treatment (P = 0.004). There were similar significant improvements in the mean corneal epithelial cell density (660.1 ± 62.6 → 1015.5 ± 43.5 cells/mm2) (P = 0.002) and nucleocytoplasmic ratios (0.1 ± 0.0 → 0.2 ± 0.0) (P = 0.0042) after treatment. Conclusions: Topical use of 2% rebamipide for 3 months was associated with improvements in ocular surface differentiation due to changes of mucosal functions at the cellular level. These alterations may explain objective and subjective improvements in dry eye disease.

Epidermal Fatty Acid-Binding Protein: A Novel Marker in the Diagnosis of Dry Eye Disease in Sjögren Syndrome.

PURPOSE: Sjögren syndrome (SS) is a chronic inflammatory autoimmune disease of the lacrimal and salivary glands. This study compared the concentrations of epidermal fatty-acid binding protein (E-FABP) in the saliva, serum, and tears of SS patients with dry eye and dry mouth, with those of healthy adults to investigate the usefulness of E-FABP as a diagnostic marker for SS. DESIGN: Prospective, observational case series. PARTICIPANTS: The subjects were 11 new patients with untreated Sjogren syndrome and 12 healthy control individuals. METHODS: The diagnosis of SS was in accordance with the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (Japan) Diagnostic Criteria (1999). Saliva, serum, and tear specimens were collected during internal medicine, dental, and ophthalmological examinations. The ophthalmological tests included the Dry Eye-related Quality of life Score (DEQS), tear break-up time (BUT), vital staining with fluorescein (FS) and lissamine green (LG), and the Schirmer test-1. The E-FABP concentration in the tears, saliva, and serum was measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: The E-FABP concentrations were compared between patients and controls. RESULTS: There were significant differences between the patient and healthy control groups in all ophthalmological test results. There were no significant differences between the groups in the E-FABP concentrations in the saliva (p = 0.1513) or the serum (p = 0.4799), but the E-FABP concentration in the tears significantly differed between groups. The E-FABP concentration in tears tended to be significantly lower in patients with SS (mean, 323.5 ± 325.6 pg/mL) than healthy control subjects (mean, 4076 pg/mL; p = 0.0136). The E-FABP concentration in tears significantly correlated with the results of dry eye parameters. CONCLUSION: The E-FABP concentration in tears appears to be related to ocular surface epithelial damage and tear stability and may be a promising novel biomarker in the diagnosis of SS.

Cataract surgery after deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty and penetrating keratoplasty in age- and disease-matched eyes.

PURPOSE: To assess the efficacy and safety of cataract surgery after deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty (DALK) and penetrating keratoplasty (PKP). SETTING: Tokyo Dental College Ichikawa General Hospital, Chiba, Japan. DESIGN: Retrospective case series. METHODS: Age-matched and disease-matched eyes that had phacoemulsification and intraocular lens insertion after DALK or PKP were studied. Graft clarity was assessed at the final follow-up. The difference in the endothelial cell density (ECD), corrected distance visual acuity (CDVA), spherical equivalence, and refractive error between the expected values and values 1, 3, 6, and 12 months after cataract surgery were compared between the 2 groups. RESULTS: Indications for keratoplasty were corneal stromal scar (22 eyes), lattice dystrophy (2 eyes), keratoconus (2 eyes), and postherpetic keratitis (4 eyes). All 30 eyes in each group had successful cataract surgery after keratoplasty. Graft clarity rates were 90.0% and 80.0% in the DALK group and PKP group, respectively (P = .47). The decrease in ECD at 12 months was significantly greater in the PKP group than in the DALK group (8.7% [SD] ± 21.7% versus 26.3% ± 27.8%) (P = .043). The CDVA was significantly improved in both groups. At 1 month, the mean refractive error was -0.5 diopter (D) ± 2.4 (SD) in the DALK and -0.4 ± 1.9 D in the PKP groups and remained stable thereafter. CONCLUSIONS: Cataract surgery was successfully performed in eyes that had DALK or PKP, providing excellent visual and refractive outcomes. In cases of combined cataract and corneal pathology, and in the absence of endothelial involvement, DALK followed by cataract surgery might cause less endothelial damage.

Association of Epithelial Atypia With Recurrence After Surgical Excision in Conjunctival Papilloma.

PURPOSE: To investigate the association between recurrence of conjunctival papillomas and presence of atypical epithelial changes in patients undergoing surgical excision for conjunctival papilloma. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed 1,195 ophthalmic pathology specimens from 2004 to 2014 at Ichikawa General Hospital. Pathologic specimens of 5 patients with a final diagnosis of "conjunctival papilloma" were stained with hematoxylin-eosin, Ki 67, p53, human papillomavirus (HPV) 16 and 18 antibodies. RESULTS: Of 1,195 patients, 5 patients (4 men, 1 woman; age range: 27∼57 years, mean age: 38.4 years) had a diagnosis of conjunctival papilloma, which constituted to 0.42% of the pathologic diagnosis made for the ophthalmology specimens. All specimens displayed multiple fronds of thickened conjunctival epithelium that enclosed cores of vascularized connective tissues. Three patients with recurrence after surgical excision demonstrated moderate to severe epithelial atypia, who also showed higher staining with Ki67 and p53 compared with patients with no recurrence. HPV16 and 18 antibodies staining did not appear to relate to recurrences. CONCLUSIONS: Conjunctival papillomas with higher positive staining for Ki67 and p53 seem to have a higher risk of recurrence even after complete surgical excision and necessitate careful follow-up.

Effectiveness of bandage contact lens application in corneal epithelialization and pain alleviation following corneal transplantation; prospective, randomized clinical trial.

BACKGROUND: To assess the efficacy of bandage contact lens (BCL) application to promote epithelialization and alleviate pain following corneal transplantation. METHODS: Twenty-six consecutive patients who underwent corneal transplantation were randomly assigned to undergo BCL application (BCL group, n = 14) or no BCL application (control group, n = 12) at the end of the surgery. Corneal epithelialization was analyzed by photography using fluorescein staining, and ocular pain was measured using a visual analog scale. RESULTS: The mean size of the epithelial defect relative to the graft area in the BCL group was 21.80 ± 35.10 % at the end of surgery, 18.20 ± 31.10 % on postoperative day 1, and 5.45 ± 11.10 % on postoperative days 3 to 5. These values in the control group were 9.64 ± 17.60 % at the end of surgery, 11.50 ± 25.70 % on postoperative day 1, and 0.00 ± 0.00 % on postoperative days 3 to 5. There were no significant differences in the speed of epithelialization between the two groups. The mean preoperative pain score in the BCL group was slightly higher than that control (4.27 ± 1.96 vs. 2.41 ± 2.18, respectively; P = 0.039). The scores significantly increased on postoperative day 1 and promptly returned to preoperative levels by day 7 in both groups, and there were no significant differences between the groups. CONCLUSIONS: No significant benefits of BCL application at the time of corneal transplantation were observed in this study. The efficacy and safety of BCLs in eyes with compromised epithelialization require further study. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: UMIN 000019091 . Date of registration: 2015/09/22.

Aetiology-specific comparison of long-term outcome of deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty for corneal diseases.

AIMS: To evaluate the long-term outcome of deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty (DALK) for the treatment of herpetic keratitis, keratoconus, stromal scars and corneal dystrophies. METHODS: This retrospective consecutive case study includes 275 consecutive eyes of 254 patients who underwent DALK; 35 eyes with herpetic keratitis, 114 eyes with stromal scar, 93 eyes with keratoconus and 67 eyes with corneal dystrophy. Exclusion criteria included therapeutic DALK for the treatment of descemetocele or infectious keratitis, and eyes with limbal stem cell deficiency. Patients were examined at 1, 3 and 6 months, and 1, 3 and 5 years after DALK. Graft survival rate, best corrected visual acuity (BCVA), endothelial cell density (ECD) and postoperative complications were evaluated. RESULTS: The mean postoperative follow-up duration was 51±41 months. The graft survival rate of all subjects was 96.8% at 1 year, 89.9% at 3 years, 83.5% at 5 years and 74.1% at 10 years. At 6 months, BCVA significantly improved from 1.14±0.54 to 0.22±0.21 in the keratoconus group, from 1.13±0.60 to 0.44±0.54 in the herpes group, from 1.00±0.59 to 0.49±0.38 in the stromal scar group and from 1.04±0.52 to 0.32±0.29 in the corneal dystrophy group (all, p<0.0001). BCVA stabilised after 6 months thereafter up to 5 years. ECD decreased just after DALK and maintained >1000 cell/mm(2) at 5 years in all groups. CONCLUSIONS: DALK provides good visual acuity with slight ECD decrease over long term in all groups.

How Much Progress Has Been Made in Corneal Transplantation?

To assess the benefits of component lamellar corneal surgery, we investigated the surgical outcomes of deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty (DALK) for keratoconus and Descemet stripping automated endothelial keratoplasty (DSAEK) for laser iridotomy-induced bullous keratopathy (LI-BK). The results were compared with the surgical outcomes of penetrating keratoplasty (PKP). Seventy-nine eyes with keratoconus treated with DALK and 81 eyes with LI-BK treated with DSAEK were studied, and the graft clarity rate, best spectacle-corrected visual acuity, endothelial cell density (ECD), and surgical complications were compared with 273 eyes with keratoconus and 98 eyes with LI-BK all treated with PKP. Keratoconus eyes showed excellent visual outcomes with DALK and PKP, but graft survival was higher for PKP (100%, 98.9%, and 96.3% vs. 98.6%, 90.6%, and 86.1%, at 1, 3, and 5 years after surgery, respectively; P < 0.0001). There were no significant differences in the ECD up to 1 year after surgery. Greater ECD decline was observed for PKP at 3 and 5 years after surgery. Descemet membrane microperforation was observed in 49 eyes treated with DALK. Postoperative complications in eyes treated with PKP were increased incidence of immunological rejection and secondary glaucoma compared with eyes treated with DALK. LI-BK graft survival rates were excellent in both groups (DSAEK: 89.6% and 86.1%; PKP: 100% and 98.6%, 1- and 2-year rates, respectively; P = 0.17). Best spectacle-corrected visual acuity was better in the DSAEK group, and ECD showed a higher rate of decrease with DSAEK than with PKP. DALK and DSAEK considerably improved surgical outcomes in eyes with keratoconus and those with LI-BK, respectively. However, several key areas require further work, including development of safe surgical methods in DALK and prevention of early postoperative ECD loss in DSAEK.

[Factors Affecting Outcomes of Repeated Penetrating Keratoplasty].

PURPOSE: To investigate prognosis for repeated penetrating keratoplasty (PKP) and factors that affect the outcome. METHODS: We retrospectively investigated graft survival rates, 1-year postoperative best-corrected visual acuity and irreversible rejection rates in 108 eyes of 106 patients that had repeated PKP. Factors that might affect the outcome were, age, number of previous PKP, original diseases, history of glaucoma and rejection and the use of postoperative immunosuppressant were also studied. RESULTS: Individual-factor analysis showed that history of rejection and postoperative immunosuppressant significantly increased the risk of postoperative rejection. Multi-factor analysis showed that graft survival rate was significantly lower among cases that had systemic immunosuppressants (steroids and cyclosporine). One year postoperative best-corrected visual acuity was significantly worse in cases that had history of glaucoma. In cases with history of rejection, systemic administration of postoperative immunosuppressants was significantly associated with postoperative irreversible rejection. CONCLUSION: History of rejection and glaucoma tend to have poor outcome, and the outcome might not improve by postoperative immunosuppressants.

Effects of corneal irregular astigmatism on visual acuity after conventional and femtosecond laser-assisted Descemet's stripping automated endothelial keratoplasty.

PURPOSE: To compare short-term outcomes of Descemet's stripping automated endothelial keratoplasty (DSAEK) using a graft prepared with either a femtosecond laser or a microkeratome. METHODS: Thirty-eight patients underwent DSAEK with grafts prepared with either a femtosecond laser (f-DSAEK; 21 eyes) or a microkeratome (m-DSAEK; 17 eyes). Visual acuity, endothelial cell density, regular astigmatism and irregular astigmatism were compared between the two groups preoperatively and at 1, 3, and 6 months post-operatively. Fourier analysis was conducted to calculate astigmatism of the anterior and posterior surfaces, and total cornea, using anterior segment optical coherence tomography (AS-OCT). RESULTS: Visual acuity (logMAR) improved from 1.20 ± 0.60 to 0.43 ± 0.25 after m-DSAEK (P < 0.001) and from 1.20 ± 0.57 to 0.77 ± 0.33 after f-DSAEK (P = 0.0028) at 6 months following DSAEK. Visual acuity after m-DSAEK was significantly better than after f-DSAEK at 1, 3, and 6 months (P < 0.05). AS-OCT corneal images revealed greater irregularities on the posterior surfaces of f-DSAEK grafts compared to m-DSAEK grafts. Irregular astigmatism of the total cornea and the posterior surface was significantly larger after f-DSAEK than after m-DSAEK, although there was no significant difference in irregular astigmatism of the anterior surface at 6 months. Postoperative visual acuity was significantly correlated with the postoperative irregular astigmatism of the total cornea (r = 0.6657 and P < 0.001) and the anterior (r = 0.416, P = 0.016) and posterior surfaces (r = 0.7046, P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Visual outcomes after f-DSAEK were poor compared to conventional m-DSAEK due to an increase in irregular astigmatism caused by posterior surface irregularities.

Ocular surface reconstruction by cultivated epithelial sheet transplantation.

Recent advances in ocular surface reconstruction for patients with severe ocular surface diseases have significantly improved the prognosis of patients with vision-impairing corneal abnormalities. The history of cultivated epithelial sheet transplantation is short, and debate on the current approaches for these procedures is continuing. Limbal stem cell transplantation, including conjunctivolimbal autograft and keratolimbal allograft, has brought opportunities for vision improvement. In addition, the use of cultivated limbal epithelial transplantation from both allogeneic and autologous sources has provided further options for immediate postoperative epithelialization of the corneal surface. Finally, cultivated oral mucosal epithelial transplantation, which allows autologous transplantation for patients with bilateral limbal stem cell deficiency, has provided the best overall midterm and long-term results. Its biggest advantages are the absence of rejection reactions and the reduction of postoperative complications associated with steroid therapy. However, a solitary surgical approach is not sufficient for obtaining a good clinical outcome. To maximize the possibility of success using these procedures, it is important to preoperatively enhance aggressive treatment of the ocular surface, especially with factors that facilitate moisture retention. In this review article, we also discuss our clinical experience in relation to these surgical procedures.

Keratoplasty postoperative treatment update.

Immunosuppressive therapy is the main postoperative treatment for keratoplasty, but there are considerable differences in protocols for the use of steroids and other immunosuppressants. Therefore, we conducted 2 prospective randomized clinical trials and 1 prospective nonrandomized clinical trial on keratoplasty postoperative treatment. One study evaluated the efficacy and safety of long-term topical corticosteroids after a penetrating keratoplasty was performed. Patients who underwent keratoplasty and maintained graft clarity for >1 year were randomly assigned to either a steroid or a no-steroid group. At the 12-month follow-up, the no-steroid group developed significantly more endothelial rejection than did the steroid group. A second study elucidated the effectiveness and safety of systemic cyclosporine in high-risk corneal transplantation. The patients were assigned to a systemic cyclosporine or control group. At a mean follow-up of 42.7 months, no difference was observed in the endothelial rejection rates and graft clarity loss between the 2 groups. A third study elucidated the effectiveness and the safety of systemic tacrolimus in high-risk corneal transplantation. Of 11 consecutive eyes decompensated despite systemic cyclosporine treatment, there was no irreversible rejection in eyes treated with tacrolimus, which was significantly better than in previous penetrating keratoplasty with systemic cyclosporine treatment. Prognosis after keratoplasty in patients with keratoconus is relatively good, but special attention is required for patients with atopic dermatitis. Postkeratoplasty atopic sclerokeratitis (PKAS) is a severe form of sclerokeratitis after keratoplasty in atopic patients. Our retrospective study showed that 35 eyes of 29 patients from a total of 247 keratoconus eyes undergoing keratoplasty were associated with atopic dermatitis, of which 6 eyes of 5 patients developed PKAS. Eyes with PKAS had a significantly higher incidence of atopic blepharitis and preoperative corneal neovascularization, and therefore, we suggest systemic corticosteroids or cyclosporine to prevent PKAS in such high-risk cases.

Symptoms, visual function, and mucin expression of eyes with tear film instability.

PURPOSE: We examined symptoms, tear stability, visual function, and conjunctival cytology in eyes with an unstable tear film (UTF), expressed as a short tear film breakup time without epithelial damage or low tear secretion, and compared the results with those from eyes with aqueous deficiency (AD) associated with epithelial damage, and healthy eyes. METHODS: We divided the patients with ocular discomfort into 2 groups according to the breakup time, Schirmer value, and epithelial staining score: UTF group (≤5 seconds, >5 mm, and <3 points; 21 eyes of 21 patients) and AD group (≤5 seconds, ≤5 mm, and ≥3 points; 21 eyes of 21 patients). We examined all patients and 17 healthy subjects for symptoms, tear functions, tear film stability by tear film lipid layer interferometry and tear film analysis system, and functional visual acuity. Conjunctival impression cytology was performed to investigate changes in goblet cell density, squamous metaplasia, and messenger RNA expression of MUC5AC and MUC16. RESULTS: The symptom scores, tear film analysis system index, and functional visual acuity testing were significantly worse in the UTF and AD groups compared with those in the control group (P < 0.05). The messenger RNA expression levels of MUC5AC and MUC16 were significantly lower in UTF and AD eyes compared with those in the control eyes (P < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: An UTF itself can cause dry eye symptoms and visual disturbance comparable with those of AD dry eyes.

Descemet stripping automated endothelial keratoplasty for bullous keratopathy with an irregular posterior surface.

PURPOSE: To investigate the efficacy and safety of Descemet stripping automated endothelial keratoplasty (DSAEK) for bullous keratopathy with an irregular posterior surface of the cornea caused by anterior-posterior radial keratotomy or forceps injury. The results were compared with eyes that had undergone penetrating keratoplasty (PKP). METHODS: Six eyes of 6 Japanese patients (mean age, 52.0 years) who underwent DSAEK between 2007 and 2012 were analyzed retrospectively. Of the 6 cases, 5 were birth injuries and 1 resulted from anterior-posterior keratotomy. Five of the 6 cases had mild-to-moderate amblyopia. The clinical results of DSAEK were compared with the outcomes of disease-matched cases treated with PKP [19 eyes of 18 patients (mean age, 58.4 years): 9 cases were birth injuries and 10 resulted from anterior-posterior keratotomy]. Subjective symptoms, graft clarity, best-corrected visual acuity, corneal astigmatism, postoperative endothelial cell density, posterior irregularity, and intraoperative and postoperative complications were evaluated. RESULTS: All grafts were attached successfully without double chamber formation following DSAEK. The corneas remained clear throughout the observation period, and the subjective symptoms improved in all cases. Significant improvement was observed in the best spectacle-corrected visual acuity and posterior irregularity in all the patients. No significant difference in corneal astigmatism was observed between the DSAEK and PKP groups. The mean endothelial cell density was 1450 cells per square millimeter 6 months postoperatively in the DSAEK group, which was similar to that in the PKP group. CONCLUSIONS: DSAEK is considered to be useful, even in bullous keratopathy eyes with an irregular posterior surface.

Changes in corneal sensation, epithelial damage, and tear function after descemet stripping automated endothelial keratoplasty.

PURPOSE: To study the ocular surface changes in eyes after Descemet stripping automated endothelial keratoplasty (DSAEK) compared with those after penetrating keratoplasty (PKP). METHODS: This prospective study compared the changes in 31 eyes of 28 patients who underwent DSAEK (DSAEK group) with those in 15 disease-matched eyes of 15 patients who underwent PKP (PKP group). Corneal epithelial integrity was evaluated using a fluorescein staining score. Corneal sensation was measured with a Cochet-Bonnet esthesiometer. Tear function was evaluated using the Schirmer test, tear clearance test, tear function index, and tear break-up time. RESULTS: The postoperative fluorescein staining score was significantly higher in the PKP group than in the DSAEK group (P = 0.02). Postoperative corneal sensation was significantly better in the DSAEK group than in the PKP group (P < 0.01). Corneal sensation after DSAEK was significantly better than the preoperative value (P = 0.02). There were no statistically significant changes in the Schirmer test, tear clearance test, tear function index, or break-up time before and after the surgery in both the DSAEK and PKP groups. No significant differences were observed between the DSAEK and PKP groups after the surgery. CONCLUSIONS: Corneal sensation was preserved, and epithelial damage was less severe after DSAEK compared with PKP. Preservation of corneal sensation may contribute to the early recovery of visual function and long-term maintenance of ocular surface health after DSAEK.

Effects of diquafosol sodium eye drops on tear film stability in short BUT type of dry eye.

PURPOSE: To investigate the effects of diquafosol sodium (DQS) eye drops, a purinergic P2Y2 receptor agonist, on tear film stability in patients with unstable tear film (UTF). METHODS: Two prospective studies were conducted. One was an exploratory nonrandomized trial on 39 eyes with dry eye symptoms and short tear film break-up time (BUT), but without epithelial damage. Changes in symptoms, BUT, Schirmer value, and ocular surface fluorescein staining (FS) scores were studied for 3 months. The other was a randomized clinical trial of DQS and artificial tears (AT) in 17 eyes with short BUT. Eyes with decreased Schirmer values (≤ 5 mm) were excluded. Changes in symptoms, BUT, FS scores, and tear film stability using continuous corneal topographic analysis were studied for 4 weeks. RESULTS: In the exploratory study, while Schirmer values were not significantly increased, significant improvements in symptoms and BUT were noted at both 1 and 3 months. In the randomized clinical trial, significant improvements in symptoms were noted in the DQS group, but not in the AT group, at 2 weeks. BUT was significantly prolonged in the DQS group at 4 weeks but not in the AT group. No significant changes were noted in FS scores or tear film stability. CONCLUSIONS: DQS improved subjective symptoms and prolonged BUT in eyes with UTF not associated with low tear secretion and ocular surface epithelial damage. Because many patients who have UTF are refractory to conventional treatments, DQS may offer benefits in the treatment of dry eyes.

Prognostic factors for corneal graft recovery after severe corneal graft rejection following penetrating keratoplasty.

BACKGROUND: To investigate the outcome and prognostic factors for corneal graft recovery after severe corneal graft rejection following penetrating keratoplasty (PKP) treated with topical and systemic steroids. METHODS: Fifty-eight eyes in 58 patients with severe corneal graft rejection following PKP were treated with topical and systemic steroids. Factors affecting the reversibility and maintenance of graft transparency were analyzed. RESULTS: Graft transparency was restored in 37 of 58 eyes (63.8%). Clarity of the graft was maintained in 25 of 37 eyes after transparency was restored, while corneal decompensation developed at a mean of 6.0 ± 4.3 months in the remainder. The interval between rejection and treatment with systemic steroids was shorter in cases that recovered graft transparency (OR, 0.88, 95% CI. 0.80-0.97, P = 0.0093). Corneal decompensation after the recovery of corneal transparency tend to occur in cases of regraft (OR, 0.09, 95% CI. 0.01-0.54, P = 0.0091). CONCLUSIONS: Severe corneal graft rejection after PKP was reversible in approximately two-thirds of the cases, with graft transparency being maintained in two-thirds of them when treated with both topical and systemic steroids. Early treatment confers a benefit in terms of the recovery of graft transparency.