Infectious Keratitis After Ocular Surface Stem Cell Transplantation.

PURPOSE: To describe the rate, clinical/microbiological characteristics, and outcomes of infectious keratitis in eyes with limbal stem cell deficiency after ocular surface stem cell transplantation (OSST). METHODS: In this retrospective chart review of 278 eyes that underwent OSST between January 2006 and December 2016, eyes treated for previous infectious keratitis (bacterial, fungal, or viral) were included. Demographics, risk factors, course, microbiological characteristics, and outcomes were assessed. RESULTS: A total of 52 eyes (18.7%) of 48 patients (28 men and 20 women) developed 75 episodes (culture-proven or presumed) of infectious keratitis (range 1-4 episodes) with mean follow-up of 5.3 ± 3.6 years after OSST. The most common limbal stem cell deficiency etiologies included chemical/thermal (27 episodes), Stevens-Johnson syndrome (19 episodes), aniridia (8 episodes), and mucous membrane pemphigoid (8 episodes). There were 44 (58.7%) bacterial keratitis episodes, 24 (32%) fungal keratitis episodes, and 7 (9.3%) HSV keratitis episodes. Gram-positive bacteria (79%) and Candida species (73%) were the most common bacterial and fungal pathogens. Before infection, 33% had an epithelial defect, 69% had a bandage contact lens, 91% were on systemic immunosuppression, and 25% recently had undergone ocular surgery (<3 months). Although 75% resolved with antimicrobial treatment, 25% required a therapeutic keratoplasty (TPK; 2 cases needed multiple TPK). CONCLUSIONS: Despite successful OSST surgery, infectious keratitis is relatively common, and aggressive medical/surgical therapy is warranted. Prophylactic topical antibiotics and a cicatrizing conjunctivitis diagnosis may account for the high proportion of fungal keratitis in this population.

Surgical management of severe ocular surface injury due to Roman candle explosion accidents.

PURPOSE: To report the clinical features, management, and outcomes of patients with ocular surface damage secondary to Roman candle explosion accidents. METHODS: Retrospective, noncomparative, interventional case series of 11 patients with Roman candle explosion-related ocular surface injuries referred to the Cincinnati Eye Institute between 2007 and 2016. RESULTS: Eleven patients (10 male, 1 female, mean age 22.4 years) sustained unilateral ocular surface injuries with presenting visual acuity ranging from count fingers to light perception. All patients had severe limbal stem cell deficiency with total ocular surface failure. Eight eyes received a conjunctival-limbal autograft (CLAU) with a keratolimbal allograft (KLAL), 1 eye received a living related-conjunctival limbal allograft (lr-CLAL) with a KLAL, and 2 eyes received a CLAU with lr-CLAL. Nine eyes underwent subsequent penetrating keratoplasty, and 7 eyes had reconstructive eyelid surgery. Nine eyes demonstrated improved visual acuity at last follow-up; seven eyes demonstrated a stable ocular surface at last follow-up. Nonadherence was noted in 7 patients, either with poor adherence with post-operative treatment or poor follow-up; this portended a worse visual result. CONCLUSIONS: Roman candle-related accidents can lead to severe ocular surface injury. Despite total ocular surface failure, these eyes can achieve good postoperative visual results following limbal stem cell transplantation and subsequent keratoplasty with appropriate compliance.

Three Hundred Sixty-Degree Fuchs Superficial Marginal Keratitis Managed With Annular Lamellar Keratoplasty.

PURPOSE: To report a case of extensive Fuchs superficial marginal keratitis managed with annular lamellar keratoplasty. METHODS: Interventional case report. RESULTS: A 72-year-old man presented with 20/80 best-corrected visual acuity in his left eye and demonstrated 360-degree peripheral deep immune stromal keratitis and pseudopterygia with peripheral stromal thinning. During superficial keratectomy with amniotic membrane transplantation, the thin cornea was perforated while excising pseudopterygia in the superonasal quadrant. Surgery was aborted. Anterior segment optical coherence tomography demonstrated a severely thinned cornea (240 µm nasally, 360 µm temporally) with overlying pseudopterygia peripherally. After allowing 3 months for the cornea to heal, the decision was made to perform lamellar annular (or "donut") keratoplasty. The patient had an unremarkable postoperative course, with 20/50 best-corrected visual acuity 10 months after keratoplasty. CONCLUSIONS: We report an extensive case of Fuchs superficial marginal keratitis treated with 360-degree annular lamellar keratoplasty. This technique provides tectonic support to decrease the likelihood of future perforation while also improving vision by modifying the ectatic cornea. Anterior segment optical coherence tomography may be a helpful tool preoperatively to avoid severely thinned areas (eg, during pseduopterygium removal) and to ensure complete removal of the ectatic cornea.

Long-term management of severe ocular surface injury due to methamphetamine production accidents.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to report the clinical features and management of patients with ocular surface damage during methamphetamine production accidents. METHODS: This is a retrospective noncomparative interventional case series of 5 patients with methamphetamine production-related ocular injuries referred to the Cincinnati Eye Institute between 1999 and 2014. RESULTS: Four of 5 cases were white young men with severe bilateral ocular injury and extremely poor vision. All except 1 eye (9 of 10) were diagnosed with total or near-total ocular surface failure. Limbal stem cell transplantation was performed in 8 of 10 eyes. Keratolimbal allograft was followed by penetrating keratoplasty in 7 of 10 eyes. Ocular surface stability was achieved in 7 of 10 eyes after keratolimabl allograft. Postoperative visual acuity was better than 20/200 in 4 of 10 of eyes. Keratolimbal graft rejection occurred in 3 of 10 eyes; the rate of rejection of penetrating keratoplasty was also 3 out of 10 eyes. CONCLUSIONS: Methamphetamine-related accidents can lead to severe bilateral ocular injuries. Although stem cell transplantation procedure success is guarded in most of these patients because of severe conjunctival inflammation and accompanying ocular comorbidities, as well as personality issues, compliant patients can achieve good visual function with ocular surface transplantation and subsequent keratoplasty.