Enhanced Migration of Fuchs Corneal Endothelial Cells by Rho Kinase Inhibition: A Novel Ex Vivo Descemet's Stripping Only Model.

Descemet's Stripping Only (DSO) is a surgical technique that utilizes the peripheral corneal endothelial cell (CEnC) migration for wound closure. Ripasudil, a Rho-associated protein kinase (ROCK) inhibitor, has shown potential in DSO treatment; however, its mechanism in promoting CEnC migration remains unclear. We observed that ripasudil-treated immortalized normal and Fuchs endothelial corneal dystrophy (FECD) cells exhibited significantly enhanced migration and wound healing, particularly effective in FECD cells. Ripasudil upregulated mRNA expression of Snail Family Transcriptional Repressor (SNAI1/2) and Vimentin (VIM) while decreasing Cadherin (CDH1), indicating endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) activation. Ripasudil activated Rac1, driving the actin-related protein complex (ARPC2) to the leading edge, facilitating enhanced migration. Ex vivo studies on cadaveric and FECD Descemet's membrane (DM) showed increased migration and proliferation of CEnCs after ripasudil treatment. An ex vivo DSO model demonstrated enhanced migration from the DM to the stroma with ripasudil. Coating small incision lenticule extraction (SMILE) tissues with an FNC coating mix and treating the cells in conjunction with ripasudil further improved migration and resulted in a monolayer formation, as detected by the ZO-1 junctional marker, thereby leading to the reduction in EMT. In conclusion, ripasudil effectively enhanced cellular migration, particularly in a novel ex vivo DSO model, when the stromal microenvironment was modulated. This suggests ripasudil as a promising adjuvant for DSO treatment, highlighting its potential clinical significance.

Functional Approach to IOL Selection in Eyes With Combined Cataract and Keratoconus With an Option for Refractive Lens Exchange.

PURPOSE: To evaluate spherical intraocular lens (IOL) implantation for cataracts in keratoconic eyes followed by optional refractive toric lens exchange to improve uncorrected visual acuity. METHODS: This retrospective study evaluated cataract surgery outcomes in keratoconic eyes. Eyes treated with a spherical IOL targeted for -2.00 diopters (D) either achieved acceptable manifest refraction and desired exchange with a toric IOL (Group 1); achieved satisfactory manifest refraction and chose to use spectacles or contact lenses (Group 2); or did not achieve acceptable refraction and used contact lenses (Group 3). Group 4 had single-stage toric IOL implantation with plano target. Corrected and uncorrected distance visual acuity (CDVA and UDVA) and keratometry were analyzed. RESULTS: Groups 1 to 4 had 18, 23, 18, and 26 eyes, respectively. A staged toric exchange resulted in significantly better (P = .02) UDVA (mean: 0.15 logMAR; 20/25 Snellen) than initial toric IOL implantation (0.24 logMAR; 20/30 Snellen). All toric IOL exchange eyes achieved 20/30 or better CDVA and 94% had 20/40 or better UDVA. Mean manifest cylinder significantly decreased from 3.39 D before lens exchange to 1.10 D postoperatively. CONCLUSIONS: Initial implantation of a spherical IOL in keratoconic eyes allows basing toric calculations on the manifest refraction, which may be more reliable than keratometry measurements in keratoconic eyes. UDVA after staged toric IOL exchange was significantly better than after initial toric IOL implantation. Importantly, by staging use of toric lenses, the authors avoided cases where patients required a rigid contact lens after a toric IOL was implanted. [J Refract Surg. 2024;40(4):e207-e217.].

Innate Immune Cytokine Levels in Eyes With Late Endothelial Keratoplasty Failure.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to compare aqueous humor cytokine levels in eyes with an initial endothelial keratoplasty (EK) that cleared and later decompensated versus control eyes. METHODS: In this prospective case-control study, aqueous humor samples were collected under sterile conditions at the start of planned cataract or EK surgery in normal controls (n = 10), Fuchs dystrophy controls with no previous surgery (n = 10) or previous cataract surgery only (n = 10), eyes with Descemet membrane EK (DMEK) endothelial decompensation (n = 5), and eyes with Descemet stripping EK (DSEK) endothelial decompensation (n = 9). Cytokine levels were quantified with the LUNARIS Human 11-Plex Cytokine Kit and compared using the Kruskal-Wallis nonparametric test and post hoc Wilcoxon pairwise 2-sided multiple comparison test. RESULTS: Levels of granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor, interferon gamma, interleukin (IL)-1ß, IL-2, IL-4, IL-5, IL-10, IL-12p70, and tumor necrosis factorα did not differ significantly between groups. However, IL-6 was significantly increased in DSEK regraft eyes versus controls without previous ocular surgery. IL-8 was significantly increased in eyes with previous cataract or EK surgery versus eyes without previous surgery, and IL-8 was significantly increased in DSEK regraft eyes versus eyes with previous cataract surgery. CONCLUSIONS: The levels of innate immune cytokines IL-6 and IL-8 were elevated in the aqueous humor of eyes with failed DSEK, but not with failed DMEK. The differences between DSEK and DMEK may be related to the lower inherent immunogenicity of DMEK grafts and/or the more advanced stage of some of the DSEK graft failures at the time of diagnosis and treatment.

Case of Progressive Keratoconus With Newly Diagnosed Pellucid Marginal Degeneration After Corneal Cross-Linking.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to document, to our knowledge, the first reported case of keratoconus progression accompanied with newly diagnosed pellucid marginal degeneration after corneal cross-linking (CXL). METHODS: A novel case of further keratoconus progression plus development of pellucid marginal degeneration in the same eye after CXL was documented with supporting evidence from Scheimpflug and optical coherence tomography imaging. RESULTS: A male patient was diagnosed with progressive keratoconus in the left eye and treated with CXL when aged 25 years. Although strongly cautioned not to rub his eyes, he admitted that he continued eye rubbing in association with atopic disease. At a follow-up examination 3.5 years after CXL, progressive keratoconus was detected and pellucid marginal degeneration was newly diagnosed in the left eye. The eye was retreated with CXL. CONCLUSIONS: This case illustrates that progressive keratoconus and pellucid marginal degeneration can occur in the same eye after CXL and demonstrates the deleterious effects that can develop with continued eye rubbing.

Estrogen genotoxicity causes preferential development of Fuchs endothelial corneal dystrophy in females.

Fuchs endothelial corneal dystrophy (FECD) is a genetically complex, age-related, female-predominant disorder characterized by loss of post-mitotic corneal endothelial cells (CEnCs). Ultraviolet-A (UVA) light has been shown to recapitulate the morphological and molecular changes seen in FECD to a greater extent in females than males, by triggering CYP1B1 upregulation in females. Herein, we investigated the mechanism of greater CEnC susceptibility to UVA in females by studying estrogen metabolism in response to UVA in the cornea. Loss of NAD(P)H quinone oxidoreductase 1 (NQO1) resulted in increased production of estrogen metabolites and mitochondrial-DNA adducts, with a higher CEnC loss in Nqo1-/- female compared to wild-type male and female mice. The CYP1B1 inhibitors, trans-2,3',4,5'-tetramethoxystilbene (TMS) and berberine, rescued CEnC loss. Injection of wild-type male mice with estrogen (E2; 17ß-estradiol) increased CEnC loss, followed by increased production of estrogen metabolites and mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) damage, not seen in E2-treated Cyp1b1-/-male mice. This study demonstrates that the endo-degenerative phenotype is driven by estrogen metabolite-dependent CEnC loss that is exacerbated in the absence of NQO1; thus, explaining the mechanism accounting for the higher incidence of FECD in females. The mitigation of estrogen-adduct production by CYP1B1 inhibitors could serve as a novel therapeutic strategy for FECD.

Long-Term Risk of Steroid-Induced Ocular Hypertension/Glaucoma With Topical Prednisolone Acetate 1% After Descemet Stripping Endothelial Keratoplasty.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to assess the long-term risk of steroid-induced ocular hypertension and the need for glaucoma treatment with long-term use of topical prednisolone acetate 1% in patients without preexisting glaucoma. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the charts of 211 patients without previous glaucoma, who underwent Descemet stripping endothelial keratoplasty (DSEK) and used topical prednisolone acetate long-term to prevent graft rejection. Dosing was 4 times daily for 4 months and tapered to once daily. The main outcomes were ocular hypertension (defined as intraocular pressure ≥24 mm Hg, or increase of ≥10 mm Hg over baseline) and initiation of glaucoma treatment. RESULTS: The median patient age was 70 years (range: 34-94 years). The indications for DSEK were Fuchs dystrophy (88%), pseudophakic corneal edema (7%), failed DSEK (3%), and failed penetrating keratoplasty (2%). The median follow-up period was 7 years (range, 1-17 years). At 1, 5, and 10 years, the cumulative risks of steroid-induced ocular hypertension were 29%, 41%, and 49%, respectively, and the risks of requiring glaucoma treatment were 11%, 17%, and 25%, respectively. Among 35 eyes treated for glaucoma, 28 (80%) were managed medically and 7 (20%) had filtration surgery. CONCLUSIONS: Long-term use of potent topical corticosteroids, such as prednisolone acetate 1%, entails substantial risk of developing steroid-induced ocular hypertension, so frequent monitoring of intraocular pressure is required. With corneal transplantation, the risk can be mitigated by using techniques with a low inherent risk of rejection, such as Descemet membrane endothelial keratoplasty, whenever possible, to allow earlier reduction of steroid potency.

Initial results of DMEK combined with cataract surgery and implantation of the light-adjustable lens.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the use of light-adjustable intraocular lenses (LALs) to maximize visual acuity (VA) postoperatively in eyes undergoing combined Descemet membrane endothelial keratoplasty (DMEK) and cataract surgery. SETTING: Private practice, tertiary referral center. DESIGN: Retrospective review of initial case series. METHODS: Patients with Fuchs endothelial dystrophy had DMEK combined with phacoemulsification and LAL implantation. Lenses were adjusted based on postoperative manifest refraction and locked-in 3 to 6 months postoperatively. Adjustments to the LAL were started after stabilization of refraction at sequential examinations. Outcomes were uncorrected near and distance VA and manifest refraction 3 to 6 months after locking the lens. RESULTS: A total of 27 eyes in 17 patients with mean age of 65 years (range 53 to 75 years) were included in this study. 6 eyes (22%) had either a near or intermediate target, and 21 eyes (78%) had a distance target. After lock-in, 57% of eyes with a distance target had uncorrected distance VA (UDVA) of 20/20 or better, 90% were 20/25 or better, and 100% were 20/40 or better. After lens lock-in, 100% of eyes had corrected distance VA (CDVA) of 20/20 or better, 86% had postoperative UDVA the same or better than preoperative CDVA, and 100% of eyes had UDVA within 1 line of the preoperative CDVA. In total, 93% of eyes were within 1 diopter (D) of spherical target, and 93% of eyes had ≤0.5 D of refractive cylinder postoperatively. CONCLUSIONS: Combining DMEK with LAL implantation provided significantly better UDVA and refractive outcomes than previously reported data on combined implantation of a standard monofocal lens.

Descemet Membrane Endothelial Keratoplasty: 10-Year Cell Loss and Failure Rate Compared With Descemet Stripping Endothelial Keratoplasty and Penetrating Keratoplasty.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to assess long-term endothelial cell loss (ECL) and graft failure with Descemet membrane endothelial keratoplasty (DMEK) and Descemet stripping endothelial keratoplasty (DSEK) versus penetrating keratoplasty (PK) performed for the same indications (primarily Fuchs dystrophy and pseudophakic corneal edema) in the Cornea Donor Study. METHODS: This retrospective study included consecutive primary DMEK (529 recipients, 739 eyes) and DSEK cases (585 recipients, 748 eyes) with 1 or more endothelial cell density (ECD) measurements at 6 months to 16 years. Main outcomes were ECD, longitudinal ECL, and graft failure. RESULTS: Between 6 months and 8 years the ECD declined linearly by approximately 118 cells/mm2/yr after DMEK and 112 cells/mm2/yr after DSEK. Beyond 8 years postoperatively the rate of decline slowed substantially. Selective dropout from graft failure did not significantly affect the ECD trend. At 10 years, median ECL (interquartile range) was 63% (45, 73) with DMEK, 68% (48, 78) with DSEK, and 76% (70, 82) with PK (P = 0.01 DMEK vs. DSEK, P <0.001 DMEK vs. PK, and P < 0.001 DSEK vs. PK). The proportion of surviving grafts with 10-year ECD <500 cells/mm2 was 1.4% with DMEK, 7.3% with DSEK, and 23.9% with PK. The cumulative risk of graft failure between 6 months and 10 years was 5% with DMEK, 11% with DSEK, and 19% with PK (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Compared with PK and DSEK, DMEK had significantly lower ECL and significantly lower risk of secondary graft failure through 10 years.

Prospective Assessment of Loteprednol Etabonate 0.25% for Prevention of Immunologic Rejection After Descemet Membrane Endothelial Keratoplasty in Eyes With Fuchs Dystrophy.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to assess off-label use of loteprednol etabonate 0.25% ophthalmic suspension for prevention of immunologic rejection after Descemet membrane endothelial keratoplasty (DMEK). METHODS: This prospective, open-label study enrolled 70 eyes of 70 participants without preexisting glaucoma 1 month after DMEK. Participants used topical loteprednol 0.25% 4 times daily for 2 months, tapered by 1 drop/month to once daily use, and continued use through 1 year after DMEK. Main outcomes were rate of intraocular pressure (IOP) elevation (defined as a relative increase of ≥10 mm Hg over the pretransplant IOP) and rate of initial allograft rejection episodes. The results were compared with historical data using the log-rank test. RESULTS: All participants had Fuchs dystrophy, and 40 of 70 (57%) were female. None (0%) experienced an immunologic graft rejection episode, matching the previously reported efficacy of prednisolone acetate 1% suspension and loteprednol 0.5% gel (both 0% incidence). One study eye developed IOP elevation 3 months after DMEK (cumulative risk 1.5%). Compared with historical data, this was similar to the risk with loteprednol 0.5% gel (4%, P = 0.36) and significantly lower than the risk with prednisolone 1% suspension (18%, P = 0.0025). Two participants (3%) complained of instillation site discomfort, consistent with the 5% rate reported on package labeling. CONCLUSIONS: Loteprednol 0.25% suspension, approved for short-term treatment of dry eyes, effectively prevented immunologic rejection episodes with minimal risk of IOP elevation when used from 1 month until 12 months after DMEK in patients without preexisting glaucoma.

Dysregulation of DNA repair genes in Fuchs endothelial corneal dystrophy.

Fuchs Endothelial Corneal Dystrophy (FECD), a late-onset oxidative stress disorder, is the most common cause of corneal endothelial degeneration and is genetically associated with CTG repeat expansion in Transcription Factor 4 (TCF4). We previously reported accumulation of nuclear (nDNA) and mitochondrial (mtDNA) damage in FECD. Specifically, mtDNA damage was a prominent finding in development of disease in the ultraviolet-A (UVA) induced FECD mouse model. We hypothesize that an aberrant DNA repair may contribute to the increased DNA damage seen in FECD. We analyzed differential expression profiles of 84 DNA repair genes by real-time PCR arrays using Human DNA Repair RT-Profiler plates using cDNA extracted from Descemet's membrane-corneal endothelium (DM-CE) obtained from FECD patients with expanded (>40) or non-expanded (<40) intronic CTG repeats in TCF4 gene and from age-matched normal donors. Change in mRNA expression of <0.5- or >2.0-fold in FECD relative to normal was set as cutoff for down- or upregulation. Downregulated mitochondrial genes were further validated using the UVA-based mouse model of FECD. FECD specimens exhibited downregulation of 9 genes and upregulation of 8 genes belonging to the four major DNA repair pathways, namely, base excision repair (BER), nucleotide excision repair (NER), mismatch repair (MMR), and double strand break (DSB) repair, compared to normal donors. MMR gene MSH2 and BER gene POLB were preferentially upregulated in expanded FECD. BER genes LIG3 and NEIL2, DSB repair genes PARP3 and TOP3A, NER gene XPC, and unclassified pathway gene TREX1, were downregulated in both expanded and non-expanded FECD. MtDNA repair genes, Lig3, Neil2, and Top3a, were also downregulated in the UVA-based mouse model of FECD. Our findings identify impaired DNA repair pathways that may play an important role in DNA damage due to oxidative stress as well as genetic predisposition noted in FECD.

Descemet Stripping Endothelial Keratoplasty: Fifteen-Year Outcomes.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate 15-year outcomes of Descemet stripping endothelial keratoplasty (DSEK). METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed an initial, consecutive series of 350 DSEK cases in 290 patients (mean age 69 years), performed between December 2003 and December 2005 for Fuchs dystrophy (86%), pseudophakic/aphakic bullous keratopathy (10%), or failed penetrating keratoplasty (4%). Outcomes included best spectacle-corrected visual acuity (BSCVA), endothelial cell density (ECD), and graft failure (defined as regraft for any reason or persistent loss of stromal clarity). RESULTS: At 15 years, 46 of 350 DSEK grafts (13%) had failed, 155 (44%) were in patients who died, and 84 of the remaining 149 grafts (56%) were examined. After accounting for loss to follow-up, the probability of graft failure was 7% at 5 years, 16% at 10 years, and 23% at 15 years. The main risk factor for late endothelial failure was preoperative glaucoma (hazard ratio: 4.4 for medically managed and 24 for surgically managed glaucoma). The probability of an immunologic rejection episode was 7% by 1 year, 14% by 10 years, and 17% by 15 years. The median donor ECD decreased from 3030 cells/mm 2 before DSEK to 1973 cells/mm 2 at 6 months (36% loss) and 705 cells/mm 2 at 15 years (78% loss). The median BSCVA, including the eyes with ocular comorbidity, was 20/60 preoperatively, 20/40 at 3 through 12 months, and 20/30 from 2 to 15 years. CONCLUSIONS: DSEK provided excellent long-term visual rehabilitation and graft survival in this early cohort, performed when the technique was still being refined.

Safety and Efficacy of AGN-190584 in Individuals With Presbyopia: The GEMINI 1 Phase 3 Randomized Clinical Trial.

IMPORTANCE: AGN-190584 (Allergan, an AbbVie company) is an optimized topical formulation of pilocarpine hydrochloride, 1.25%, designed for managing presbyopia and enhanced with a proprietary vehicle. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of pilocarpine hydrochloride, 1.25%, in individuals with presbyopia. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: This vehicle-controlled, participant- and investigator-masked, randomized, phase 3 clinical study, GEMINI 1, enrolled individuals with presbyopia, aged 40 to 55 years, at 36 sites in the United States from December 21, 2018, to October 31, 2019. Analysis took place between February 2020 and December 2021. INTERVENTIONS: AGN-190584 or the AGN-190584 formulation vehicle was administered bilaterally, once daily for 30 days. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES: The proportion of participants with improvement of 3 or more lines in mesopic, high-contrast, binocular distance-corrected near visual acuity (DCNVA) at hours 3 and 6 on day 30 were the primary and key secondary efficacy end points, respectively. Safety measures included adverse events. RESULTS: Of 323 participants who were randomized, 235 (72.8%) were female and 292 (90.4%) were White. The mean (SD) age was 49.6 (3.5) years, and the baseline mean (SD) mesopic DCNVA was 29.2 (6.3) letters. A total of 163 individuals were randomized to AGN-190584 and 160 were randomized to vehicle. GEMINI 1 met its primary and key secondary efficacy end points. On day 30, hour 3, the percentage of participants with improvement of 3 or more lines in mesopic DCNVA was 30.7% (50 of 163) in the AGN-190584 group and 8.1% (13 of 160) in the vehicle group (difference, 22.5% [95% CI, 14.3%-30.8%]; adjusted P < .001). At hour 6, those percentages were 18.4% (30 of 163) and 8.8% (14 of 160), respectively (difference, 9.7% [95% CI, 2.3%-17.0%]; adjusted P = .01). At hour 8, the between-group difference in 3 or more lines of mesopic DCNVA gains was not statistically significant, but clinically relevant prespecified outcome measures demonstrated AGN-190584 superiority to vehicle in least-squares mean (SE) mesopic DCNVA change from baseline at hour 8 (5.4 [0.51] vs 3.6 [0.52] letters; P = .009) and photopic distance-corrected intermediate visual acuity at hour 8 (3.9 [0.44] vs 2.4 [0.45] letters; P = .01) and hour 10 (3.5 [0.46] vs 1.7 [0.47] letters; P = .004). No participants with mesopic DCNVA improvement of 3 or more lines at hour 3 had losses of more than 5 letters in mesopic, high-contrast, binocular-corrected distance visual acuity. The onset of effect was at 15 minutes. AGN-190584 demonstrated an acceptable safety and tolerability profile. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: AGN-190584 demonstrated superiority over vehicle in mesopic DCNVA on day 30, hours 3 and 6, with an acceptable safety profile. AGN-190584 is a safe and efficacious topical therapy for presbyopia through 30 days. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT03804268.

Results of the United States Food and Drug Administration Clinical Trial of the CustomFlex Artificial Iris.

PURPOSE: To evaluate safety and efficacy of a custom-manufactured artificial iris device (CustomFlex Artificial Iris; HumanOptics AG) for the treatment of congenital and acquired iris defects. DESIGN: Multicenter, prospective, unmasked, nonrandomized, interventional clinical trial. PARTICIPANTS: Patients with photophobia, sensitivity secondary to partial or complete congenital or acquired iris defects, or both. METHODS: Eyes were implanted from November 26, 2013, to December 1, 2017, with a custom, foldable artificial iris by 1 of 4 different surgical techniques. Patients were evaluated 1 day, 1 week, and 1, 3, 6, and 12 months after surgery. At each examination, slit-lamp findings, intraocular pressure, implant position, subjective visual symptoms, and complications were recorded. Corrected distance visual acuity (CDVA) and endothelial cell density (ECD) were measured at 3, 6, or 12 months as additional safety evaluations. The 25-item National Eye Institute Visual Function Questionnaire (NEI VFQ-25) was used to assess health-related quality of life affected by vision. The Global Aesthetic Improvement Scale was used to assess cosmetic results. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Photosensitivity, glare, visual symptoms, NEI VFQ-25 score, Global Aesthetic Improvement Scale rating, prosthesis-related adverse events, intraocular lens (IOL)-related adverse events, and surgery-related adverse events 12 months after surgery. RESULTS: At the 12-month postoperative examination, a 59.7% reduction in marked to severe daytime light sensitivity (P < 0.0001), a 41.5% reduction in marked to severe nighttime light sensitivity (P < 0.0001), a 53.1% reduction in marked to severe daytime glare (P < 0.0001), and a 48.5% reduction in severe nighttime glare (P < 0.0001) were found. A 15.4-point improvement (P < 0.0001) in the NEI VFQ-25 total score was found, and 93.8% of patients reported an improvement in cosmesis as measured by the Global Aesthetic Improvement Scale 12 months after surgery. No loss of CDVA of > 2 lines related to the device was found. Median ECD loss was 5.3% at 6 months after surgery and 7.2% at 12 months after surgery. CONCLUSIONS: The artificial iris surpassed all key safety end points for adverse events related to the device, IOL, or implant surgery and met all key efficacy end points, including decreased light and glare sensitivity, improved health-related quality of life, and satisfaction with cosmesis. The device is safe and effective for the treatment of symptoms and an unacceptable cosmetic appearance created by congenital or acquired iris defects.

Intraoperative Optical Coherence Tomography: Game-Changing Technology.

ABSTRACT: Intraoperative optical coherence tomography (OCT) has the potential to revolutionize lamellar corneal surgery and facilitate many other types of ocular surgery because it readily visualizes ocular structures that can be difficult to discern with a coaxial microscope, particularly through a cloudy cornea. Systems that can provide a high-quality image on demand in the surgeon's oculars, rather than just on an adjacent monitor, are the most useful because they allow the surgeon to rely on the OCT image while operating, without having to look away from the surgical field. Useful applications in lamellar corneal surgery include assessing graft attachment with Descemet stripping endothelial keratoplasty and discerning graft orientation with Descemet membrane endothelial keratoplasty, which otherwise could be challenging in an eye with a cloudy cornea. Intraoperative OCT is particularly helpful when performing deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty in cases in which a big bubble should not be attempted or cannot be achieved because it enables better intraoperative control of the incision depth and allows the surgeon to assess the uniformity of the dissection plane to optimize visual outcomes. Intraoperative OCT is also useful when judging the depth of a scar for a lamellar dissection, when evaluating intraocular lens positioning in the capsular bag, or when locating and removing retained nuclear fragments from an eye with a poor view because of a cloudy cornea. The primary barrier to the adoption of this valuable technology is cost.

Randomized, Double-Masked, Pilot Study of Netarsudil 0.02% Ophthalmic Solution for Treatment of Corneal Edema in Fuchs Dystrophy.

PURPOSE: To evaluate off-label use of netarsudil 0.02% for treatment of corneal edema associated with Fuchs dystrophy. DESIGN: Prospective, randomized clinical trial. METHODS: Twenty-nine subjects with symptomatic Fuchs dystrophy were enrolled and randomized to use netarsudil or placebo eye drops once daily for 3 months. The primary outcomes were the change in central corneal thickness between baseline and 1 month and between baseline and 3 months. Secondary outcomes included change in scotopic corrected distance visual acuity (CDVA) at 3 months and change in scores on a visual disability questionnaire validated for use with Fuchs dystrophy. RESULTS: Compared with use of placebo, use of netarsudil produced significant reduction in central corneal thickness at 1 month (mean difference, -20 µm; 95% confidence interval, -32 to -9 µm) and 3 months (mean difference, -26 µm; 95% confidence interval, -39 to -12 µm) and significant improvement in scotopic CDVA at 3 months (mean difference +1.6 lines; 95% confidence interval, 0.2-3.0 lines). Scores on the visual disability questionnaire did not change significantly in either arm or differ significantly between arms. One subject assigned to netarsudil had baseline epithelial bullae and withdrew from the study because of disabling glare. CONCLUSIONS: Use of netarsudil was associated with reduction of corneal edema and improvement in scotopic CDVA in Fuchs dystrophy patients. Further study is needed to more fully assess patient satisfaction and visual acuity under various lighting conditions and to compare use of netarsudil with other treatment options such as endothelial keratoplasty.

Combinations of Pilocarpine and Oxymetazoline for the Pharmacological Treatment of Presbyopia: Two Randomized Phase 2 Studies.

Purpose: To determine the safety, efficacy, and tolerability of combinations of pilocarpine (Pilo) and oxymetazoline (Oxy) ocular drops dosed once daily and identify the optimal concentration of each for the pharmacologic treatment of presbyopia. Design: Two concurrent Phase 2, multicenter, double-masked, randomized, vehicle-controlled studies, 1 short-term and 1 extended study. Participants: Emmetropic individuals affected by presbyopia and in good general health. Methods: Uncorrected near visual acuity (UNVA) was measured throughout both studies with various concentrations and combinations of Pilo (0%, 0.5% 1.0%, and 1.5%) and Oxy (0%, 0.0125%, 0.05%, and 0.125%). For safety, uncorrected distance visual acuity (UDVA) was measured, treatment-emergent adverse events (TEAEs) were recorded, and a temporal/supraorbital headache assessment was completed. Main Outcome Measures: The primary efficacy end point was mean change from baseline in UNVA. Results: In the short-term study, Pilo was shown to produce a significant dose response in the average increase of letters (P < 0.001), whereas Oxy did not have a significant impact (P = 0.4797). The addition or increase in concentration of Oxy did not reduce incidence or severity of headaches when compared with Pilo alone. Efficacy results from the extended study supported the results from the short-term study. As early as 15 minutes postadministration, a dose response could be seen, with peak effect at 1 hour. Peak improvement increased from day 1 to day 14 and was maintained up to day 28. The most common TEAE was headache. There was no clinically significant reduction in UDVA. A polynomial regression model was developed and determined that the optimal concentration range of Pilo is between 1.16% and 1.32%. Conclusions: On the basis of the results of the 2 Phase 2 studies, AGN-190584, a reading drop containing an optimized concentration of pilocarpine HCl (1.25%) delivered using a proprietary formulation, was developed and is currently under investigation in Phase 3 studies.

Randomized, Double-Masked Trial of Netarsudil 0.02% Ophthalmic Solution for Prevention of Corticosteroid-Induced Ocular Hypertension.

PURPOSE: To assess whether prophylactic use of netarsudil 0.02% ophthalmic solution reduces the risk of intraocular pressure (IOP) elevation associated with prolonged use of topical corticosteroids to prevent cornea transplantation rejection. DESIGN: Prospective, randomized clinical trial. METHODS: In this study, 120 subjects were randomized to use netarsudil (off-label) or placebo once daily for 9 months after Descemet membrane endothelial keratoplasty, and 71 fellow eyes were enrolled and assigned to the opposite treatment arm. Participants concurrently used topical prednisolone acetate 1% 4× daily for 3 months, 3× daily for a month, twice daily for a month, and once daily for 4 months. The main outcome was IOP elevation (defined as IOP ≥24 mm Hg or an increase of ≥10 mm Hg over baseline) assessed by Kaplan-Meier and proportional hazards analyses, taking loss to follow-up into consideration. RESULTS: Overall, 95 eyes were assigned to netarsudil and 96 to placebo; 15 eyes (16%) were withdrawn early from the netarsudil arm because of ocular irritation. The rate of IOP elevation was 14% with netarsudil and 21% with placebo (relative risk: 0.6; 95% confidence interval: 0.3-1.3; P = .23). IOP was >30 mm Hg in 7.8% assigned to netarsudil versus 7.4% assigned to placebo (P = .84). Median 6-month central endothelial cell loss was 31% versus 29% with netarsudil versus placebo, respectively (P = .49). CONCLUSIONS: Netarsudil did not produce a statistically significant reduction in the risk of steroid-induced IOP elevation after corneal transplantation relative to placebo.

The Role of Antifungal Prophylaxis After Receipt of a Positive Donor Rim Fungal Culture: The Case for Not Routinely Treating Prophylactically.

ABSTRACT: Studies conducted in the United States suggest that 1% to 2% of corneal donor rims culture positive for fungus; the fungal agent is usually Candida, and the risk of an endothelial keratoplasty recipient developing an intraocular fungal infection is approximately 7% (1 in 15) if the donor rim was culture-positive. Routine culturing of corneal donor rims is useful because a positive fungal culture alerts the surgeon to carefully monitor the keratoplasty recipient for any signs of fungal infection. However, routine implementation of antifungal prophylaxis on receipt of a positive culture is problematic because there is a lack of definitive data regarding the optimal route of administration, necessary duration of prophylaxis, and relative efficacy of different antifungal agents. The use of topical prophylaxis alone has not been proven to be effective, and the systemic agents that are effective against Candida typically involve an azole, which has many side effects, including liver toxicity and potential interactions with other drugs. The data suggest that routine antifungal prophylaxis would needlessly expose 14 patients to systemic side effects for each person who would directly benefit. Treatment of postkeratoplasty fungal infection typically involves graft replacement, but selective removal of the involved area(s) has been used successfully with Descemet membrane endothelial keratoplasty.