Depth, size of infiltrate, and the microbe - The trio that prognosticates the outcome of infective keratitis.

PURPOSE: To analyze the influence of infiltrate size, depth, and organism on the outcome of microbial keratitis. DESIGN: Retrospective comparative study. METHODS: Medical records of patients with infective keratitis, who reported from January 2015 to December 2019 to a tertiary eye care center, were analyzed. Size and depth of ulcer at presentation were the factors used to group patients, and the influence on the outcome of the organism causing it was analyzed. Grouping was as follows: group A: ulcer size <6 mm/anterior to midstromal infiltrate, group B: ulcer < 6 mm/full-thickness infiltrate, group C: ulcer >6 mm/anterior to midstromal infiltrate, group D: ulcer > 6 mm/full-thickness infiltrate. Patients with viral keratitis or unidentified organism were excluded. Response to treatment and best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) at the final follow-up were the outcome measures. RESULTS: In the study, 1117/6276 patients were included, with 60.8% patients in group A. A significant improvement in visual acuity was noted in groups A/B compared to groups C/D. Group A had the best response to medical management, irrespective of the organism. Higher risk for surgery was noted in group C compared to group B, with group A as the reference. Overall resolution with medical treatment was noted in 70% miscellaneous keratitis, 64.8% bacterial keratitis, 64.3% mixed keratitis, 62.5% acanthamoeba keratitis, 52.6% fungal keratitis, and 12.1% Pythium keratitis. Bacteria and acanthamoeba responded better to medical management than fungal keratitis, whereas Pythium had the highest risk for surgery. CONCLUSION: An interplay between virulence of the organism along with depth and size of the infiltrate determines the outcome of microbial keratitis.

Aqueous deficiency dry eye in post conjunctivitis cicatrization - Effect of deep thermal punctal cautery.

Purpose: To evaluate the effect of deep thermal punctal cautery in eyes with post-conjunctivitis cicatrization. Methods: This retrospective study consisted of patients who underwent deep thermal punctal cautery for post-conjunctivitis dry eye (PCDE). The diagnosis was based on a history suggestive of viral conjunctivitis in past followed by the onset of present clinical features of aqueous deficiency dry eye (ATD). All patients underwent a rheumatological evaluation to rule out underlying systemic collagen vascular disease as a cause for dry eye. The extent of cicatricial changes was noted. Best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), Schirmer's test, and fluorescein staining score (FSS; total score of 9) were analyzed pre- and post-cautery. Results: Out of 65 patients (117 eyes), 42 were males. The mean age at presentation was 25.769 ± 12.03 years. Thirteen patients presented with unilateral dry eye. Pre-cautery BCVA (logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution [logMAR]) and Schirmer's test (mm) improved from 0.5251 ± 0.662 to 0.372 ± 0.595 (P value = 0.000, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.09-0.22), and 1.952 ± 2.763 to 4.929 ± 4.338 (P value = 0.000, 95% CI: -3.79--2.17); post-cautery, respectively. The pre-cautery FSS of 5.9 ± 2.82 reduced to 1.58 ± 2.38 (P value = 0.000, 95% CI: 3.46-5.17) post-cautery. The mean follow-up was 11.22 ± 13.32 months. No progression in cicatricial changes was noted in any eye during the follow-up. Re-canalization rate was 10.64%, and repeat cautery was performed with successful closure of puncta. Conclusion: Symptoms and clinical signs of ATD in PCDE patients improve with punctal cautery.

Management of coexisting bilateral ocular surface disease in xeroderma pigmentosum - sequence and outcomes.

PURPOSE: To report a rare presentation of bilateral, coexisting ocular surface disease in a case of Xeroderma pigmentosum and its successful management. METHODS: Case report. RESULTS: A 21-year-old male with Xeroderma pigmentosum presented with bilateral ocular surface squamous neoplasia (OSSN) along with central guttae in the right eye and corneal decompensation of the left eye. Subsequently, the patient developed dry eyes and lid margin keratinization in both eyes followed by perforation in the left eye. Sequential procedures both medical and surgical, including excision of the tumour, corneal transplantation and mucous membrane grafting addressing each of these ocular surface issues resulted in a successful outcome. There was no recurrence of the tumour over 3 years. Corneal transplantation is preferably done after a minimum of 6 months following excision. Mucous membrane grafting performed for progressive lid margin keratinization resulted in surface stabilization. CONCLUSIONS: In Xeroderma Pigmentosum, multiple ocular surface features can rarely coexist and be bilateral. Periodic evaluation of the surface for tumours, progressive dry eyes and endothelial function is recommended as a part of routine evaluation in Xeroderma pigmentosum. Surface procedures should precede intraocular intervention. Sequential management can result in successful outcomes.

Preliminary experience & rationale of primary allo Simple Limbal Epithelial Transplantation (SLET) following surgical excision of Ocular Surface Tumors.

AIM: To report the preliminary outcomes and elucidate the possible rationale of alloSLET for primary ocular surface reconstruction following excision of extensive ocular surface tumors. METHODS: Retrospective interventional case series with a minimum postoperative follow up of 1 year. AlloSLET was performed along with wide surgical excision and cryotherapy in 3 eyes. RESULTS: Of the 2 eyes with extensive OSSN and one with an extensive pigmented lesion, there was no occurrence of symblepharon in all 3 eyes. No features suggestive of LSCD was noted in 2 eyes. In the child with xeroderma pigmentosum and OSSN, early peripheral vascularization was noted at 1 year of follow up with reduced vision secondary to amblyopia. CONCLUSION: Primary alloSLET could be an alternative to primary autoSLET in eyes with extensive ocular surface tumors, commonly seen with ocular surface squamous neoplasia (OSSN) and pigmented lesions. This facilitates ocular surface reconstruction with reduced occurrence of symblepharon formation as well as limbal stem cell deficie4ncy (LSCD). It possibly, is the only option in eyes with OSSN with coexistent bilateral limbal insufficiency. It may obviate the need for autoSLET, primary or secondary in eyes with adequate residual limbus.

Pediatric Descemet Membrane Endothelial Keratoplasty.

PURPOSE: To report the technique and outcome of Descemet membrane endothelial keratoplasty (DMEK) in pediatric patients older than 6 years of age. DESIGN: Institutional interventional retrospective case series. METHODS: This study included 5 eyes of patients less than 15 years of age with endothelial dysfunction who underwent DMEK. Three eyes had Descemet stripping done of the same size as the donor graft. Two eyes underwent non-Descemet stripping endothelial keratoplasty. Attachment of DMEK scroll and improvement in corneal clarity, vision, pachymetry, and intraoperative or postoperative complication was noted. We defined primary graft failure as nonclearing corneal edema despite a well-attached lenticule on anterior segment optical coherence tomography. RESULTS: A total of 5 eyes of 5 children (all male) with a mean (± standard deviation) age of 9.2 ± 3.42 years underwent DMEK. The mean preoperative visual acuity of 1.93 ± 0.25 logMAR units improved postoperatively to 0.98 ± 0.29 (95% confidence interval, P = .03). Anatomic success (well-attached scroll with a more transparent cornea with a decrease in pachymetry) was seen in 4 of 5 eyes (80%). One eye had a primary donor failure. Two out of the 5 eyes (40%) required rebubbling. The mean pachymetry in eyes with successful procedure reduced from 1094.5 ± 101.5 µm to 619.25 ± 150.3 µm (P = .03). CONCLUSIONS: Although DMEK in pediatric eyes is challenging, the early results are encouraging, and it is a viable option in pediatric patients with endothelial failure.

Surgical Management of Limbal Stem Cell Deficiency.

Treatment of limbal stem cell deficiency is challenging. Multiple options can be adopted according to the underlying cause and the patient and physician preferences. Stem cell transplant is a common treatment modality and several techniques have been described with outcomes varying by the laterality of the condition. Keratoprosthesis is a preferred option for bilateral conditions. Indications for type 1 and type 2 keratoprosthesis differ and the past 2 decades have seen a revolution in the field of keratoprosthesis with encouraging and improved outcomes. Management also includes preventive measures and measures to optimize/stabilize the ocular surface that would go a long way in reducing the deterioration of the ocular surface. The aim of this review is to provide an overview of the currently available techniques and to present a comprehensive algorithm to assist in decision making for unilateral and bilateral limbal stem cell deficiency.