Amniotic membrane inlay and overlay grafting for corneal epithelial defects and stromal ulcers.

OBJECTIVES: To determine the effect of amniotic membrane transplantation (AMT) on persistent corneal epithelial defects (PEDs) and to compare the efficacy between inlay and overlay techniques. METHODS: Thirty patients (30 eyes) underwent AMT for PED. The use of AMT was restricted to patients in whom all previous measures, including bandage contact lens and tarsorrhaphy, had failed. The amniotic membrane was placed on the surface of the cornea in overlay (group A) or inlay (group B) fashion. RESULTS: The PED healed after the first AMT in 21 eyes (70%) within an average of 25.5 days after surgery and recurred in 6 eyes (29%). Among the 22 eyes treated with an overlay AMT (group A), the PED healed after the first AMT in 14 eyes (64%) within an average of 24.5 days and recurred in 4 eyes (29%). Among the 8 eyes treated with an inlay AMT (group B), the PED healed within an average of 27.4 days after AMT, which did not statistically significantly differ from group A (P = .72). The PED healed after the first AMT in 7 eyes (88%) and recurred in 2 (29%) of 7 eyes. CONCLUSIONS: The AMT can be helpful in the treatment of PED in which all other conventional management has failed. However, the success rate in our study was not as high as that previously reported, and our results showed a high incidence of recurrences of epithelial defects. We did not find any difference between overlay and inlay techniques in terms of healing time and recurrence rate.

Theoretical analysis of ablation depths and profiles in laser in situ keratomileusis for compound hyperopic and mixed astigmatism.

PURPOSE: To compare the theoretical ablation depths and profiles of 4 treatment strategies for compound hyperopic and mixed astigmatism. SETTING: Theoretical analysis. METHODS: Corneal contour drawings of theoretical corneal ablation profiles during laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) and photoastigmatic refractive keratectomy were made. The depths of tissue ablation in 4 treatment strategies for compound hyperopic astigmatism (Groups 1 to 4) and for mixed astigmatism (Groups 5 to 8) were compared: (1) combined hyperopic spherical and myopic cylindrical treatments (Groups 1 and 5); (2) combined spherical and hyperopic cylindrical treatments (Groups 2 and 6); (3) combined cylindrical treatments (Groups 3 and 7); (4) combined cross-cylinder and spherical equivalent treatments (Groups 4 and 8). RESULTS: In compound hyperopic astigmatism, the 4 approaches resulted in identical final curvatures, but the ablation depths were greatest in Group 1 (combined hyperopic spherical and myopic cylindrical treatments). The smallest amount of ablation occurred in Group 2 (combined hyperopic spherical and hyperopic cylindrical treatments) and Group 3 (combined hyperopic cylindrical treatments), which had similar tissue ablation patterns. In mixed astigmatism, the greatest ablation depth was in Group 5, followed by Group 8, and Groups 6 and 7. The tissue ablation depths and profiles were similar in Groups 6 and 7. CONCLUSION: The treatment approaches in Groups 2, 3, 6, and 7 (which avoided the use of minus cylinder) resulted in the smallest degree of stromal ablation. Patients with compound hyperopic or mixed astigmatism may benefit from reduced ablation depths by deferring treatment until hyperopic cylindrical and/or combined cylindrical treatments are available.

Retinal detachment in a child as the first sign of leukemic relapse: histopathology, MRI findings, treatment, and tumor-free follow up.

Improved leukemia therapies in children have brought about prolonged remissions with extramedullary relapses being reported in sites other than the most common (bone marrow, testes, brain, and spinal cord). A 3-1/2 year-old boy with a history of acute lymphocytic leukemia presented with total retinal detachment in one eye. Painful glaucoma unresponsive to medical therapy necessitated enucleation. Histopathologic examination documented the presence of a dense leukemic cellular infiltrate replacing a totally detached, necrotic retina. Tumor cells also were present in the optic nerve. The child had remained free of leukemia for 3 years after systemic and intrathecal chemotherapy, supplemented by craniospinal radiation. This represents the first case of relapse of acute lymphocytic leukemia presenting solely as a retinal detachment. Our case also underscores the point that the treatment of leukemia after an isolated ocular relapse can be associated with a favorable outcome.