Immediate Sequential Bilateral Implantable Collamer Lens Surgery Is Safe and Effective.

PURPOSE: To assess the clinical outcomes and safety profiles of patients who underwent immediate sequential bilateral phakic lens surgery. METHODS: This retrospective multicenter study included 254 consecutive patients (508 eyes) who underwent bilateral same-day Implantable Collamer Lens (ICL) (STAAR Surgical) surgery. The authors focused on 1-year postoperative clinical outcomes and adverse events. RESULTS: In the initial cohort, 176 patients (352 eyes) met inclusion criteria. Of these, 335 eyes underwent myopic ICL placement, and 17 eyes received a hyperopic ICL. Notably, 87% of eyes achieved ±0.50 diopters (D) and 95% achieved ±1.00 D of the intended refraction. One year postoperatively, 78% of eyes demonstrated optimal vaulting (250 to 750 µm), with a significant 19% reduction in vaulting observed over the 12 months (P < .001). Only minor adverse events, including early cataract formation (1 case), secondary toric ICL rotation (3 cases), and ICL exchange due to inappropriate vaulting (6 cases), were noted. CONCLUSIONS: The findings corroborate the safety and efficacy of immediate sequential bilateral phakic lens surgery and indicate its potential as a treatment option. The low incidence of minor adverse events further reinforces its favorable safety profile. [J Refract Surg. 2024;40(5):e313-e320.].

Visual and Refractive Outcomes of a New Hydrophobic Trifocal Toric Intraocular Lens.

Purpose: To evaluate the visual outcomes and efficacy of astigmatism correction using a new hydrophobic trifocal toric intraocular lens (IOL). Methods: This study involved 62 eyes implanted with the FineVision HP Toric IOL. The visual and refractive outcomes were assessed preoperatively and 6 weeks after the surgery. Specifically, monocular uncorrected distance visual acuity (UDVA), corrected distance visual acuity (CDVA), uncorrected intermediate visual acuity (UIVA) at 80 and 60 cm and uncorrected near visual acuity at (UNVA) at 40 cm were evaluated. The rotational stability of the lens was also assessed. Results: Sixty-one eyes (98.39%) were within ±1.00D and 55 eyes (88.71%) were within ±0.50 D of spherical equivalent, with a mean value of 0.09±0.39 D. 51 (82.26%) and 61 (98.39%) eyes had a UDVA of ≥20/20 and ≥20/25, respectively, and for CDVA these values were as follows: 59 (95.16%) and 62 eyes (100%), respectively. The mean UDVA and CDVA were 0.01±0.06 and -0.01±0.04logMAR, respectively. Greater than or equal to unaided 20/20 vision was achieved at 40 cm in 42 (67.74%), UIVA at 60 cm in 42 (67.74%) and 50 eyes (80.65%) at 80 cm. Those achieving ≥20/25 were 56 (90.32%, 40 cm), 59 (95.16%, 60 cm), and 62 eyes (100%, 80 cm). Postoperative mean values were 0.04±0.07, 0.03±0.07, and 0.00±0.07logMAR for UCNVA, UIVA at 60 cm, and UIVA at 80 cm, respectively. The mean rotation of the IOL was 5.8 degrees. Conclusion: This hydrophobic trifocal toric IOL provides good refractive outcomes with excellent visual acuity across multiple distances, providing a full range of focus.

OC-01 (Varenicline Solution) Nasal Spray Demonstrates Consistency of Effect Regardless of Age, Race, Ethnicity, and Artificial Tear Use.

Purpose: To evaluate OC-01 [varenicline solution nasal spray (VNS)] tear production and symptom outcomes in patients with dry eye disease by age, gender, race, ethnicity, and artificial tear use status. Patients and Methods: Adults ≥22 years of age diagnosed with dry eye disease, with Ocular Surface Disease Index score ≥23, corneal fluorescein staining score ≥2 in ≥1 region or ≥4 for all regions, and baseline Schirmer Test Score (STS) ≤10 mm, with no restrictions on eye dryness score (EDS). Efficacy was assessed using integrated data from ONSET-1 and ONSET-2 [vehicle control (VC), n=294; OC-01 VNS 0.03 mg, n=308]. Subgroups included age (≤55, 56-65, >65 years), gender (male, female), race (White, Black or African American), ethnicity (Hispanic or Latino, Not Hispanic or Latino), and artificial tear use (yes, no). Analysis of covariance models, with the covariates treatment, study site, and baseline severity measures, were used to calculate treatment-VC differences. Consistency of effect among subgroups was evaluated by conducting interaction tests. Results: Consistency of treatment effect across subgroups was observed for all endpoints, with P value for all treatment-subgroup interaction terms >0.05. For % of patients with ≥10mm improvement in STS and least squares (LS) mean change from baseline in STS and EDS, there was improvement in tear production across demographic group categories. Artificial tear use did not change STS or EDS outcomes with OC-01 VNS. Conclusion: OC-01 VNS improved tear production and patient-reported symptom outcomes across a broad range of patients by age, gender, race, and ethnicity, and regardless of artificial tear use status at baseline. OC-01 VNS demonstrated a consistent benefit across an extensive range of patients with dry eye disease.

Corneal opacities after small-incision lenticule extraction.

A 36-year-old woman was referred to our clinic in October 2021 with suboptimal vision at intermediate and near distances and halos and photophobia after a small-incision lenticule extraction (SMILE) in December 2019. The patient needs to increase font size of her computer to 150% to read text, but images still appear blurred. She indicates that sunglasses seem to improve her contrast. Preoperatively, her refractive error was -2.5 diopters (D) and -2.25 D for right and left eyes. The optical zone size of the SMILE procedure was 6.8 mm. There is no further information available on the peroperative course of the SMILE procedure. Her uncorrected distance visual acuity (UDVA) is 20/20 in both eyes and does not improve with correction. The Schirmer tear test is 14 to 13 mm. Slitlamp biomicroscopy of the right eye and the left eye reveals hyperreflective small opacities in the anterior one-third of the corneal stroma ( Figures 1 and 2JOURNAL/jcrs/04.03/02158034-202209000-00021/figure1/v/2022-08-29T115553Z/r/image-tiffJOURNAL/jcrs/04.03/02158034-202209000-00021/figure2/v/2022-08-29T115553Z/r/image-tiff ). No other abnormalities are seen. The scotopic pupil sizes are 6.41 and 6.73 mm. Straylight measurements are within normal limits. Higher-order aberrations (HOAs) measure for the right eye (6.03 mm pupil) 0.818 µm and for the left eye (6.17 mm pupil) 0.560 µm. The corneal Scheimpflug tomography quad maps for both eyes are shown in Supplemental Figures 1 and 2 ( http://links.lww.com/JRS/A663 , http://links.lww.com/JRS/A664 ). What is your diagnosis or are additional diagnostic methodologies needed to establish a diagnosis? What is your treatment advice for this patient?

Global Consensus on the Management of Limbal Stem Cell Deficiency.

PURPOSE: In recent decades, the medical and surgical treatment of limbal stem cell deficiency (LSCD) has evolved significantly through the incorporation of innovative pharmacological strategies, surgical techniques, bioengineering, and cell therapy. With such a wide variety of options, there is a need to establish a global consensus on the preferred approaches for the medical and surgical treatment of LSCD. METHODS: An international LSCD Working Group was established by the Cornea Society in 2012 and divided into subcommittees. Four face-to-face meetings, frequent email discussions, and teleconferences were conducted since then to reach agreement on a strategic plan and methods after a comprehensive literature search. A writing group drafted the current study. RESULTS: A consensus in the medical and surgical management of LSCD was reached by the Working Group. Optimization of the ocular surface by eyelid and conjunctival reconstruction, antiinflammatory therapy, dry eye and meibomian gland dysfunction treatment, minimization of ocular surface toxicity from medications, topical medications that promote epithelialization, and use of a scleral lens is considered essential before surgical treatment of LSCD. Depending on the laterality, cause, and stage of LSCD, surgical strategies including conjunctival epitheliectomy, amniotic membrane transplantation, transplantation of limbal stem cells using different techniques and sources (allogeneic vs. autologous vs. ex vivo-cultivated), transplantation of oral mucosal epithelium, and keratoprosthesis can be performed as treatment. A stepwise flowchart for use in treatment decision-making was established. CONCLUSIONS: This global consensus provides an up-to-date and comprehensive framework for the management of LSCD.

Comparison of anterior capsulotomy techniques: continuous curvilinear capsulorhexis, femtosecond laser-assisted capsulotomy and selective laser capsulotomy.

PURPOSE: To compare the anterior capsulotomy edge tear strength created by manual continuous curvilinear capsulorhexis (CCC), femtosecond laser-assisted capsulotomy (FLACS), and selective laser capsulotomy (SLC). SETTING: Singapore National Eye Centre, Singapore and Excel-Lens, Livermore, California, USA. DESIGN: Three armed study in paired human eyes. METHODS: Capsulotomies were performed in 60 cadaver eyes of 30 donors using CCC, Victus Femtosecond Laser, (Bausch & Lomb, Rochester, New York, USA) or CAPSULaser, (Excel-Lens, Los Gatos, California, USA). Three pairwise study groups each involved 10 pairs of eyes. Study group 1: SLC eyes compared with fellow eyes with CCC. Study group 2: CCC eyes compared with fellow eyes with FLACS. Study group 3: FLACS eyes compared with fellow eyes with SLC.A shoe-tree method was used to apply load to the capsulotomy edge, and Instron tensile stress instrument measured distension and threshold load applied to initiate capsule fracture. Relative fracture strengths and distension of CCC, FLACS and SLC were determined. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) of capsule edges were reviewed RESULTS: Anterior capsulotomies behave as non-linear elastic (elastomeric) systems when exposed to an external load. The pairwise study demonstrated that the SLC fracture strength was superior to that of CCC by a factor of 1.46-fold with SLC 277±38 mN versus CCC with 190±37 mN. Furthermore, CCC fracture strength was superior to that of FLACS by a factor of 1.28-fold with CCC 186 + 37 mN versus FLACS 145 ± 35 mN (p < 0.001). This was determined by statistical analysis utilising the Wilcoxon matched-pairs signed-ranks test and in accordance with the Consolidated Standards of Reporting Trials guidelines. The capsule edge of SLC on SEM demonstrated a rolled over edge anteriorly and an alteration of collagen. CONCLUSIONS: The strength of the capsulotomy edge for SLC was significantly stronger than that of CCC which and both were significantly stronger than FLACS. The relative strengths can be explained by SEM of each type of capsulotomy.

Meibomian gland inversion: under-recognized entity.

OBJECTIVE: To describe a clinical entity of upper eyelid margin and meibomian gland inversion (MGI) sequential to meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD), in the absence of eyelash ptosis, trichiasis or manifest marginal entropion. We highlight its clinical features, surgical management and outcomes. METHODS: We performed a retrospective analysis of symptomatic MGI cases refractory to conservative management who underwent surgery in our centre over a 4-year period. Anatomical correction, resolution of symptoms and possible complications are reported. RESULTS: A total of 21 eyelids of 13 patients (mean age: 68.5 ± 15.4, range: 32-88 years) were analysed. Symptomatic MGI patients were operated only if they have noted immediate comfort when we corrected the lid margin position with a cotton tip. Those with refractory superior punctate corneal staining (n = 14 eyes), blink-related discomfort (n = 8) and pseudo-blepharospasm (n = 3) reported complete postoperative resolution. Milder symptoms showed partial improvement: gritty feeling (79%), sore eye (80%) and watery eye (86%). However, symptoms of dry eye disease (DED) persisted in 88% of patients. One case recurred in 6 weeks and was offered revision surgery. Median follow-up was 5 (range: 3-12) months. CONCLUSION: Meibomian gland inversion (MGI) is a subtle clinical entity that can be easily overlooked. Symptoms are often attributed to DED or MGD alone. It is likely that MGI represents early upper lid margin anatomical changes secondary to MGD before cicatricial marginal entropion becomes clinically apparent. Recommended treatment is conservative with intensive lid hygiene and topical MGD management. However, refractory symptomatic cases who respond positively to a 'cotton-tip test' (reversal of lid margin malposition with a rolling cotton-tip) may benefit from surgical intervention with favourable anatomical and functional outcome.

Parameters affecting anterior capsulotomy tear strength and distension.

PURPOSE: To study the effects of anterior capsulotomy diameter and discontinuity on tear threshold load and distension for the technique of continuous curvilinear capsulorhexis (CCC). SETTING: Singapore National Eye Centre, Singapore, and CapsuLaser Inc., Livermore, California, USA. DESIGN: Two separate randomized pairwise cadaver eye preclinical studies. METHODS: Capsulotomies were performed in 40 cadaver eyes of 20 donors using CCC. The pairwise comparisons were divided into 2 study groups: Study A: Continuous versus discontinuous capsulotomies; Study B: Capsulotomy diameter of 5.0 mm and smaller versus diameters of 5.2 mm and larger. A shoe-tree method was used to apply load to the capsulotomy rim, and the Instron tensile stress instrument measured threshold load and distension to initiate a capsular tear. Wilcoxon matched-pairs signed-rank tests were performed to assess statistical superiority. RESULTS: In Study Group A, all pairs demonstrated that continuous capsulotomies were better than discontinuous capsulotomies for both the anterior tear threshold load and distension (P < .01). In Study Group B, 80% of the pairs demonstrated that diameters of 5.2 mm and larger were better than those of 5.0 mm and smaller diameter (P < .05). CONCLUSIONS: Anterior capsulotomies behave as nonlinear elastic (elastomeric) systems when exposed to an external load and distension. This study demonstrated that continuous circular capsulotomies were more resistant to anterior tears than discontinuous capsulotomies. A point of irregularity or a defect in a capsulotomy rim has a high probability of being the tear initiation point. Furthermore, larger diameter capsulotomies were more resistant to anterior tears than smaller capsulotomies.

Conjunctival-limbal autograft.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: To provide an overview of conjunctival-limbal autografting (CLAU) for ocular surface rehabilitation with emphasis on more recent literature detailing outcomes of the procedure over the last 2 decades as well as technique variations and adjuvant techniques. RECENT FINDINGS: Limbal autografting initially described in 1964 by Barraquer and Strampelli and later popularized by Kenyon and Tseng is considered the best option for restoration of corneal phenotype in unilateral limbal stem-cell deficiency. Although there have been developments in alternative limbal epithelial stem-cell techniques including ex-vivo tissue engineering methods, because of the benefit of immunohistocompatability, this procedure still provides better long-term outcomes. As autograft donor tissue is valuable, optimization of the recipient eye preoperatively with good lid closure and reduction of inflammation is vital for success as is close postoperative follow-up. Variations in the technique described have included the modified Cincinnati technique combining CLAU with cadaveric keratolimbal allograft to avoid conjunctivalization. In addition, simple limbal epithelial autograft transplantation, a less-invasive technique combined with amniotic membrane transplantation, has shown promise. SUMMARY: In spite of the development of new epithelial transplant techniques, in unilateral limbal stem-cell deficiency, CLAU from a healthy unaffected fellow eye remains the best option available for restoration of corneal phenotype.

Intraoperative OCT Pachymetry in Patients Undergoing Dextran-Free Riboflavin UVA Accelerated Corneal Collagen Crosslinking.

PURPOSE: To assess intraoperative corneal pachymetry in patients undergoing accelerated corneal collagen crosslinking with a dextran-free riboflavin solution. METHODS: Prospective, non-comparative, multicenter interventional study. Thirty patients with progressive keratoconus were enrolled in the study from the Siena Crosslinking Center™ in Siena, Italy and the Eye Center in Catanzaro, Italy. The mean age was 26.9 ± 6.5 years. Patients underwent pulsed light accelerated crosslinking (PL-ACXL) by KXL I UV-A source (Avedro Inc., Waltham, MS, USA) with 8 min (1 s on/1 s off) of UV-A exposure, 30 mW/cm2 and an energy dose of 7.2 J/cm2. Corneal stroma was soaked with a dextran-free 0.1% riboflavin solution plus hydroxyl-propyl methylcellulose (HPMC) (VibeX Rapid, Avedro). Intraoperative corneal thickness was preoperatively (PRE-OP) evaluated by corneal optical coherence tomography (iVUE Optovue Inc., Fremont, CA, USA) after epithelium removal (EPI-R), after 10 min of riboflavin soaking (RS) and after UV-A irradiation (IR). Statistical analysis was conducted using a Wilcoxon test and SPSS v16.0. A p-value of <0.05 was considered to be statistically significant. RESULTS: Average PRE-OP central corneal thickness (CCT) and thinnest corneal thickness (TCT) were 437.3 ± 36.9 and 418.9 ± 28.8 µm, respectively. Average EPI-R CCT and TCT values were 388.5 ± 36.8 and 381.5 ± 36.61 µm, respectively. Average CCT and TCT values after 10 min RS were 385.2 ± 37.8 and 380.6 ± 36.7 µm, respectively. The final average CCT and TCT values after IR were 379.4 ± 37.2 and 378.1 ± 36.4 µm, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The study demonstrated a non-statistically significant intraoperative corneal thickness reduction in patients undergoing PL-ACXL corneal collagen crosslinking by using dextran free HPMC 0.1% riboflavin solution.

Reshaping procedures for the surgical management of corneal ectasia.

UNLABELLED: Corneal ectasia is a progressive, degenerative, and noninflammatory thinning disorder of the cornea. Recently developed corneal reshaping techniques have expanded the treatment armamentarium available to the corneal specialist by offering effective nontransplant options. This review summarizes the current evidence base for corneal collagen crosslinking, topography-guided photorefractive keratectomy, and intrastromal corneal ring segment implantation for the treatment of corneal ectasia by analyzing the data published between the years 2000 and 2014. FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE: No author has a financial or proprietary interest in any material or method mentioned.

Translenticular hydrodissection, lens fragmentation, and influence on ultrasound power in femtosecond laser-assisted cataract surgery and refractive lens exchange.

PURPOSE: To compare ultrasound time (UST) during femtosecond laser-assisted and conventional cataract surgery or refractive lens exchange and evaluate UST during femtosecond laser surgery with and without a new technique, translenticular hydrodissection. SETTING: Centre for Sight, East Grinstead, West Sussex, United Kingdom. DESIGN: Comparative case series. METHOD: This single-surgeon study compared consecutive femtosecond laser-assisted surgery (with and without translenticular hydrodissection to assist lens mobilization) and consecutive conventional surgery performed immediately before adoption of femtosecond laser technology. The mean US power, UST, and effective phacoemulsification time (EPT) in the 2 groups were compared. Further analysis of the femtosecond group compared translenticular hydrodissection and no translenticular hydrodissection. RESULTS: The mean US power, UST, and EPT were significantly longer in the conventional group (n = 108) than in the femtosecond group (n = 108) as follows: 7.30% ± 2.56% (SD) versus 5.32% ± 2.48% (P=.000); 9.89 ± 5.32 seconds versus 8.58 ± 4.66 seconds (P=.044); 0.87 ± 0.85 seconds versus 0.57 ± 0.51 seconds (P=.002), respectively. In the femtosecond group, parameters were significantly higher in eyes without translenticular hydrodissection (n = 27) than in eyes with translenticular hydrodissection (n = 81) as follows: 5.78% ± 2.23% versus 5.16% ± 2.56% (P=.046); 10.95 ± 4.66 seconds versus 7.78 ± 4.41 seconds (P=.046); 0.72 ± 0.26 seconds versus 0.52 ± 0.53 seconds (P=.002), respectively. CONCLUSION: Femtosecond laser capsulotomy and lens fragmentation statistically significantly reduced UST over conventional surgery. Translenticular hydrodissection further reduced UST.

Femtosecond laser-assisted lamellar keratoplasty (FSLK) for anterior corneal stromal diseases.

Our objective was to study the outcome of femtosecond-assisted lamellar keratoplasty (FSLK) in stromal corneal diseases. This is a retrospective chart review of 17 patients (20 eyes) who underwent FSLK for anterior corneal pathologies. Main outcome measures were refractive results following FSLK, complications, and graft survival. Mean follow-up time was 42 ± 15 (7-58) months. Preoperative best spectacle-corrected visual acuity (BSCVA) was ≤20/40 in 17 eyes. Postoperative BSCVA ≥ 20/40 was achieved in 12/14 at 12 months, 11/12 at 24 months, and 10/12 eyes at 36 months; postoperative BSCVA ≥ 20/25 was achieved in 8/14, 8/12, and 5/12 eyes at 12, 24, and 36 months, respectively. One eye had vertical gas break through the epithelium during the FSLK. One eye had postoperative epithelial rejection and two eyes had stromal rejection treated successfully with topical steroids. Another eye had epithelial ingrowth that was not progressive; however, the same eye developed bacterial keratitis and scarred graft 32 months post-FSLK. One eye had graft dehiscence and one eye developed excessive interface fibrosis. Five out of 20 grafts failed due to the recurrence of the original disease (3), corneal scarring (1), and excessive interface fibrosis (1). FSLK provides many advantages over conventional PK and DALK, with faster visual rehabilitation and emmetropization of the manifest refraction rather than inducing ametropia and irregular astigmatism.

Visual acuity and refraction with a diffractive multifocal toric intraocular lens.

PURPOSE: To evaluate clinical outcomes and optical performance of the AT Lisa 909M diffractive multifocal toric intraocular lens (IOL). SETTING: Multicenter study. DESIGN: Cohort study. METHODS: The measured outcomes included refractive error; distance, near (40 cm), and intermediate (60 cm and 80 cm) visual acuities; defocus curve; rotational stability; and monocular and binocular photopic and mesopic contrast sensitivity. Astigmatism was evaluated by Alpins vector analysis. RESULTS: The multifocal toric IOL was implanted in 284 eyes of 142 patients. At 6 months, 89.4% of eyes were within ±1.00 diopter (D) of emmetropia. The mean refractive cylinder decreased from -2.39 D ± 1.48 (SD) to -0.49 ± 0.53 D; it was lower than 1.00 D in 80.9% of eyes. The mean visual acuities (logMAR) were monocular uncorrected distance 0.16 ± 0.22, monocular corrected distance 0.04 ± 0.15, binocular corrected distance -0.00 ± 0.09; monocular uncorrected near 0.21 ± 0.22, monocular corrected near 0.08 ± 0.16, binocular distance-corrected near 0.07 ± 0.14; intermediate at 60 cm (80 cm): monocular uncorrected 0.16 ± 0.21 (0.09 ± 0.21), monocular distance corrected 0.13 ± 0.19 (0.07 ± 0.20), and binocular distance corrected 0.07 ± 0.17 (0.00 ± 0.18). At 3 months and 6 months, 95.8% of IOLs showed no rotation over 5 degrees. CONCLUSIONS: This is the largest study yet on the first commercially available diffractive multifocal toric IOL. Results confirm its efficacy, predictability, and safety in restoring distance, near, and intermediate vision and allowing patients with significant levels of corneal astigmatism to achieve spectacle independence. FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE: No author has a financial or proprietary interest in any material or method mentioned.

Epithelial-disruption collagen crosslinking for keratoconus: one-year results.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the efficacy of epithelial-disruption collagen crosslinking (CXL) for progressive keratoconus using a corneal disruptor device and a riboflavin solution designed for a transepithelial technique. SETTING: Magna Graecia University Eye Clinic, Catanzaro, Italy. DESIGN: Prospective comparative case series. METHODS: The most severely affected eye of patients with bilateral progressive keratoconus was treated. The fellow eye served as a control. Follow-up was 12 months. A corneal disruptor device was used to create pockmarks in the epithelium. Riboflavin solution was applied for 30 minutes and irradiation for 30 minutes. Three days postoperatively, patients were asked to assess the level of pain. RESULTS: The study comprised 28 patients (mean age 28 years). The mean postoperative pain score was 4.3, 2.6, and 2.1 at 1 day, 2 days, and 3 days. The mean preoperative uncorrected (UDVA) and corrected (CDVA) distance visual acuities improved from 0.73 logMAR ± 0.21 (SD) and 0.30 ± 0.11 logMAR to 0.48 ± 0.15 logMAR and 0.25 ± 0.1 logMAR, respectively, at 12 months (P=.02). The mean spherical equivalent refraction decreased 0.96 diopter (D). The mean baseline apical keratometry, apical gradient curvature, average pupillary power, inferior-superior index, and cone area were 59.21 D, 8.91 D, 47.9 D, 11.49 mm(2), and 10.32 mm(2), respectively. At 12 months, these values were 56.18 D, 7.32 D, 41.34 D, 9.65 mm(2), and 7.75 mm(2), respectively. No adverse effects were observed. CONCLUSIONS: Corneal epithelial-disruption CXL was safe and effective in medium-term stabilization of keratoconus with an improvement in topographic and refractive parameters and less patient discomfort.

Intraocular pressure control and corneal graft survival after implantation of Ahmed valve device in high-risk penetrating keratoplasty.

PURPOSE: To analyze the control of intraocular pressure (IOP) and corneal graft survival after implantation of Ahmed glaucoma device (AGD) in eyes that had high-risk penetrating keratoplasty (PK). METHODS: This is a retrospective noncomparative case series of 59 eyes that had high-risk PK and underwent AGD insertion. The primary outcome measures are the control of IOP between 6 and 21 mm Hg and corneal graft survival. The secondary outcome measures are risk factors associated with IOP control and corneal graft survival. RESULTS: The mean IOP reduced significantly after the AGD procedure (26.45 ± 6.8 mm Hg preoperatively vs. 16.85 ± 7.4 mm Hg, 16.95 ± 4.6 mm Hg, 17.97 ± 5.7 mm Hg, 15.78 ± 5.2 mm Hg, and 15.59 ± 5.5 mm Hg, at 1 month, 6 months, 1 year, 2 years, and at the last follow-up postoperatively; P < 0.0001). Over a median follow-up of 78 months (range, 9-175 months) after AGD insertion, IOP control was successful in 44 eyes (75.8%). IOP control was successful in 96% of the eyes at 1 year, 87% at 2 years, 83% at 3 years, and 83% at 5 years. The percentage of clear corneal grafts after 1, 2, 3, and 5 years following the AGD insertion were 87%, 77%, 65%, and 47%, respectively. Further surgery after AGD insertion was associated with 1.79 times greater risk of failure of IOP control. CONCLUSIONS: AGD was effective in controlling the IOP associated with high-risk PK over a 5-year period. Postvalve surgery doubles the risk of failure of IOP control.