Acute Corneal Melting Induced by the Concomitant Use of a Non-steroidal Anti-inflammatory Agent with an Antiseptic Eye Drop.

INTRODUCTION: Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are commonly employed perioperatively to reduce intraoperative prostaglandin release, diminishing pain, preventing miosis, modulating postoperative inflammation, and reducing the incidence of cystoid macular edema (CME). CASE REPORT: A 70-year-old female patient without previous history of ocular or systemic disease was urgently referred to our hospital because of a sudden corneal perforation concerning her left eye (OS). The patient had instilled bromfenac eye drops and antiseptic eye drops twice and four times daily, respectively, for 2 days only, in preparation of scheduled cataract surgery. Slit-lamp examination revealed diffuse inferior corneal melting with a 1 × 2 mm area of full-thickness perforation and a very shallow anterior chamber. Both topical agents were immediately discontinued. Cyanoacrylate glue was applied to seal the perforation and a bandage contact lens was applied together with a topical antibiotic given hourly. Two hours later, the anterior chamber started to reform. The following day, the anterior chamber was fully reformed with a negative Seidel test. At her next follow-up appointment, 1 month later, the glue was detached and the cornea was seen to have successfully healed with only some corneal thinning remaining inferiorly. CONCLUSIONS: Perioperative use of topical NSAIDs in combination with antiseptic eye drops may rarely elicit corneal perforation in certain susceptible elderly individuals. Their use should therefore be carefully monitored.

Myopic LASIK Outcomes: Comparison of Three Different Femtosecond Lasers and a Mechanical Microkeratome Using the Same Excimer Laser.

INTRODUCTION: To compare the influence of one microkeratome and three femtosecond lasers on myopic laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) outcomes. METHODS: Retrospective, observational cohort study. We compared 134 eyes treated with the IntraLase 60 kHz, 112 eyes treated with the Femto LDV Z6, 206 eyes treated with the FS200, and 98 eyes treated with the Hansatome zero compression microkeratome. All eyes were operated on using the same surgical protocol with the same excimer laser (Wavelight Allegretto) and were allocated to refraction-matched groups. RESULTS: One day and one week postoperatively, uncorrected distance visual acuity was significantly lower in the FS200 group compared to others (P = 0.0001). This difference disappeared at the 1- and 3-month postoperative visits. Significant differences were found among groups in terms of safety index (P = 0.0001), residual sphere (P = 0.0001), and residual cylinder (P = 0.02) at the 3-month postoperative visit. No significant differences were found in corrected distance visual acuity or efficacy index. CONCLUSION: According to our results, a slight delay in visual restoration after FS200 LASIK surgery might be expected. This delay was statistically significant at 1 day and 1 week postoperatively, but there were no differences from the 1-month visit onwards. Additionally, significant differences were found among devices in terms of safety index and the refractive results, which were found not to be clinically relevant.

Acute corneal graft rejection after anti-severe acute respiratory syndrome-coronavirus-2 vaccination: A report of four cases.

PURPOSE: This study intends to add to previous reports on acute corneal graft rejection following anti-severe acute respiratory syndrome-coronavirus-2 vaccination, providing data to corroborate a possible causative relationship between anti-COVID-19 immunization and corneal graft rejection, regardless of vaccine or graft type. METHODS AND RESULTS: This report describes 4 cases of acute-onset rejection as early as 5 days following the first dose of anti-severe acute respiratory syndrome-coronavirus-2 vaccine types not yet referred for corneal allograft. Patients were individually given the Moderna messenger RNA-1273 COVID-19 vaccine (2 patients) and the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine, Vaxzevria, AZD1222 (2 patients). CONCLUSIONS: Even though a direct causative effect is hard to prove, temporal proximity between anti-severe acute respiratory syndrome-coronavirus-2 vaccines of different types and consecutive reports of corneal graft rejection indicates the need for further investigation. Consistent advice must be given to corneal transplant patients regarding such risk.

Hypopyon after Primary Cryopreserved Amniotic Membrane Transplantation for Sterile Corneal Ulceration: A Case Report and Review of the Literature.

Purpose. To report the acute development of hypopyon after primary cryopreserved amniotic membrane transplantation (AMT) for persistent corneal epithelial defect and sterile ulceration. Case Presentation. A selected case report of a 71-year-old male who underwent primary cryopreserved AMT for the management of long-standing corneal epithelial defects and stroma thinning. The patient developed 2 mm sterile hypopyon within 48 hours after AMT for corneal surface reconstruction. He responded well to the intensified routine postoperative topical treatment of steroid and antibiotic eye drops with the hypopyon resolving completely one week later. Five weeks after surgery, the corneal surface was smooth and epithelialized with no anterior chamber reaction or recurrence of hypopyon. Discussion. Hypopyon may develop as a rare complication of primary cryopreserved AMT for sterile corneal defects. It may be attributed to immunologic or hypersensitivity reaction and should be differentiated from active ocular infection as it resolves spontaneously with the routine postoperative topical treatment of steroid and antibiotic drops.

Correction to: 24-Hour Efficacy and Ocular Surface Health with Preservative-Free Tafluprost Alone and in Conjunction with Preservative-Free Dorzolamide/Timolol Fixed Combination in Open-Angle Glaucoma Patients Insufficiently Controlled with Preserved Latanoprost Monotherapy.

In the original article, the incorrect Open Access License type has been incuded.

Surgical management of post-Descemet stripping automated endothelial keratoplasty interface haze associated with interface deposits.

We describe an effective technique for the management of graft-host interface haze associated with interface deposits after Descemet-stripping automated endothelial keratoplasty (DSAEK) with bimanual irrigation/aspiration. A Tan marginal dissector was used to separate the graft from the stroma in the nasal two-thirds of the graft-host interface. The aspiration handpiece was inserted in the interface through the nasal side-port corneal incision and a separate irrigation tip was placed in the anterior chamber (AC) through the temporal corneal paracentesis. Meticulous rinsing of the two-thirds of the interface area and the AC was performed. At the end of the procedure, air was injected into the AC to float the donor graft against the host stromal bed and facilitate graft adherence. Postoperative anterior segment optical coherence tomography and slit-lamp examination confirmed elimination of the interface haze-deposits and a well-attached graft. An improvement in visual acuity was noted.

Combined DSAEK and intraocular lens flipping with retropupillary fixation in a patient with anterior chamber iris-claw intraocular lens and corneal edema.

An 84-year-old monocular woman was referred to our institution for the management of corneal decompensation in her only eye, the right eye. The patient had secondary implantation of an anterior chamber iris-claw intraocular lens (IOL) for IOL dislocation in the setting of pseudoexfoliation syndrome 2 years before presentation. Descemet-stripping automated endothelial keratoplasty (DSAEK) combined with retropupillary repositioning of the iris-claw IOL using a flipping technique was performed for the treatment of corneal edema. No intraoperative or postoperative complications occurred. Six months postoperatively, the corneal graft was attached and clear and the retropupillary iris-claw IOL was well positioned. The uncorrected distance visual acuity and corrected distance visual acuity improved from counting fingers preoperatively to 20/200 and 20/63, respectively, after surgery. Combined DSAEK and retropupillary refixation of a prepupillary iris-claw IOL using the flipping technique was a safe technique in this patient with corneal decompensation.

The Proteins of Keratoconus: a Literature Review Exploring Their Contribution to the Pathophysiology of the Disease.

INTRODUCTION: Keratoconus (KC) is a complex, genetically heterogeneous multifactorial degenerative disorder characterized by corneal ectasia and thinning. Its incidence is approximately 1/2000-1/50,000 in the general population. KC is associated with moderate to high myopia and irregular astigmatism, resulting in severe visual impairment. KC structural abnormalities primarily relate to the weakening of the corneal collagen. Their understanding is crucial and could contribute to effective management of the disease, such as with the aid of corneal cross-linking (CXL). The present article critically reviews the proteins involved in the pathophysiology of KC, with particular emphasis on the characteristics of collagen that pertain to CXL. METHODS: PubMed, MEDLINE, Google Scholar and GeneCards databases were screened for relevant articles published in English between January 2006 and June 2018. Keyword combinations of the words "keratoconus," "risk factor(s)," "genetics," "genes," "genetic association(s)," "proteins", "collagen" and "cornea'' were used. In total, 272 articles were retrieved, reviewed and selected, with greater weight placed on more recently published evidence. Based on the reviewed literature, an attempt was made to tabulate the up- and down-regulation of genes involved in KC and their protein products and to delineate the mechanisms involved in CXL. RESULTS: A total of 117 proteins and protein classes have been implicated in the pathogenesis and pathophysiology of KC. These have been tabulated in seven distinct tables according to their gene coding, their biochemistry and their metabolic control. CONCLUSION: The pathogenesis and pathophysiology of KC remain enigmatic. Emerging evidence has improved our understanding of the molecular characteristics of KC and could further improve the success rate of CXL therapies.

Intraoperative Photoactivated Chromophore for Infectious Keratitis-Corneal Cross-Linking (PACK-CXL) During Penetrating Keratoplasty for the Management of Fungal Keratitis in an Immunocompromised Patient.

INTRODUCTION: To present a novel intraoperative application of photoactivated chromophore for infectious keratitis-corneal cross-linking (PACK-CXL) in the management of post-penetrating keratoplasty (PKP) multiresistant fungal keratitis in a patient with irradiation-related local immunosuppression. CASE REPORT: A 62-year-old female underwent uneventful PKP for the management of post-irradiation actinic keratopathy. Three months postoperatively, she presented with a diffuse corneal melting abscess that was infiltrating the donor-recipient junction. Despite intensive antibiotic and antifungal therapy, corneal melting progressed to graft perforation. A repeat PKP combined with intraoperative PACK-CXL was performed. PACK-CXL was applied initially on the infected graft, involving the corneoscleral rim and then following placement of the donor button. No intra- or postoperative graft-related complications were encountered. No signs of infection were noted, and the graft remained clear during the 9-month follow-up period. CONCLUSION: Intraoperative PACK-CXL combined with PKP appears to be a safe and effective technique for the management of post-PKP resistant fungal keratitis.

Combined Pupilloplasty and Retropupillary Iris-Claw Intraocular Lens Implantation with DSAEK in a Patient with Traumatic Iridoplegia, Aphakia and Corneal Decompensation.

PURPOSE: To report the management of a patient with traumatic mydriasis, aphakia and corneal decompensation with a triple procedure: simultaneous pupilloplasty and retropupillary iris-claw intraocular lens (IOL) implantation combined with Descemet stripping automated endothelial keratoplasty (DSAEK). RESULTS: An 88-year-old woman was referred to our Institute for consultation on her left eye. The patient had undergone surgical removal of the IOL, without re-implantation, in her left eye 10 months prior to presentation due to traumatic IOL dislocation. At the time of examination, corrected distance visual acuity was counting fingers and intraocular pressure was 10 mmHg. Slit-lamp examination revealed iridoplegia, aphakia and corneal edema. The patient underwent simultaneous pupilloplasty and retropupillary iris-claw IOL implantation combined with DSAEK. Six months postoperatively, the corneal graft was attached and clear, the iris was well reconstructed and almost round, and the iris-claw IOL was in place. CONCLUSIONS: Simultaneous pupilloplasty and retropupillary iris-claw IOL implantation combined with DSAEK was shown to be a safe surgical technique in a patient with traumatic mydriasis, aphakia and corneal decompensation.

Resolution of epithelial ingrowth after combined photorefractive keratectomy and corneal crosslinking in a patient with post-LASIK ectasia.

A 34-year-old man was referred to our institute for evaluation of the left eye because of corneal ectasia 10 years after bilateral laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK). Three months before his referral, the patient had a flap lift for the management of interface fluid accumulation. Topography demonstrated post-LASIK corneal ectasia and slitlamp evaluation revealed epithelial ingrowth in the stromal interface inferiorly. The patient underwent uneventful combined photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) and corneal crosslinking (CXL) to stabilize the corneal ectasia and improve his functional vision. One month after the treatment, slitlamp evaluation revealed complete resolution of stromal interface epithelial ingrowth. At 12 months postoperatively, significant visual and topographic improvement was noted without any evidence of epithelial ingrowth recurrence or corneal ectasia progression. Combined PRK-CXL seemed to not only treat the corneal pathology of this patient successfully, resulting in visual and topographic improvement, but it also resolved the stromal interface epithelial ingrowth.

Rare Persistent Corneal Infection by Phoma sp. - A Case Report.

We report a case of severe Phoma sp. corneal infection in a middle-aged, otherwise healthy, female patient who was using a soft contact lens. This is the first time that such an infection has been reported in Greece. Our case demonstrates the clinical difficulties and management challenges presented by these recalcitrant corneal infections. Management steps included corneal grafting, vitrectomy, and intravitreal antibiotics.

Corneal Scarring and Hyperopic Shift After Corneal Cross-linking for Corneal Ectasia After SMILE.

PURPOSE: To report a case of severe corneal scarring and hyperopic shift after corneal cross-linking (CXL) for the treatment of ectasia following small incision lenticule extraction (SMILE). METHODS: Case report and literature review. RESULTS: A 35-year-old man was referred with severe unilateral corneal haze that developed after CXL. The patient had undergone SMILE 4 years earlier in both eyes. Nineteen months postoperatively, the patient presented with bilateral decrease in vision and corneal topography revealed corneal ectasia in the right eye. CXL was performed in the right eye and a deep stromal haze was observed 1 year later. Comparative maps showed progressive corneal thinning with corresponding flattening that induced hypermetropization and astigmatism. CONCLUSIONS: CXL after SMILE in this original case resulted in severe deep corneal haze and corneal flattening with hyperopic shift. [J Refract Surg. 2018;34(11):779-782.].

Cyclodestructive Procedures in Glaucoma: A Review of Current and Emerging Options.

The first surgical modalities to reduce aqueous humor production by damaging the ciliary body date back to the early twentieth century. Until recently, however, cyclodestructive procedures (e.g., cyclocryotherapy and transscleral diode laser photocoagulation) have been reserved as last option procedures in refractory glaucoma patients with poor visual potential. Emerging technologic innovation has led to the development of promising, safer and less destructive techniques, such as micropulse diode cyclophotocoagulation, endoscopic cyclophotocoagulation and ultrasound cyclodestruction. Consequently, an emerging paradigm shift is under way with the selection of these surgical options in eyes with less severe glaucoma and good visual potential. Although existing evidence has not, as yet, adequately defined the role and value of these procedures, their emergence is a welcome expansion of available options for patients with moderate-to-severe glaucoma. This article reviews the pertinent evidence on both established and evolving cyclodestructive techniques and describes their growing role in the management of glaucoma.

Diurnal and 24-h Intraocular Pressures in Glaucoma: Monitoring Strategies and Impact on Prognosis and Treatment.

The present review casts a critical eye on intraocular pressure (IOP) monitoring and its value in current and future glaucoma care. Crucially, IOP is not fixed, but varies considerably during the 24-h cycle and between one visit and another. Consequently, a single IOP measurement during so-called office hours is insufficient to characterize the real IOP pathology of a patient with glaucoma. To date IOP remains the principal and only modifiable risk factor for the development and progression of glaucoma. Only by evaluating IOP characteristics (mean, peak and fluctuation of IOP) at diagnosis and after IOP-lowering interventions can we appreciate the true efficacy of therapy. Unfortunately, a major limiting factor in glaucoma management is lack of robust IOP data collection. Treatment decisions, advancement of therapy and even surgery are often reached on the basis of limited IOP evidence. Clearly, there is much room to enhance our decision-making and to develop new algorithms for everyday practice. The precise way in which daytime IOP readings can be used as predictors of night-time or 24-h IOP characteristics remains to be determined. In practice it is important to identify those at-risk glaucoma patients for whom a complete 24-h curve is necessary and to distinguish them from those for whom a daytime curve consisting of three IOP measurements (at 10:00, 14:00 and 18:00) would suffice. By employing a staged approach in determining the amount of IOP evidence needed and the rigour required for our monitoring approach for the individual patient, our decisions will be based on more comprehensive data, while at the same time this will optimize use of resources. The patient's clinical picture should be the main factor that determines which method of IOP monitoring is most appropriate. A diurnal or ideally a 24-h IOP curve will positively impact the management of glaucoma patients who show functional/anatomical progression, despite an apparently acceptable IOP in the clinic. The potential impact of nocturnal IOP elevation remains poorly investigated. The ideal solution in the future is the development of non-invasive methods for obtaining continuous, Goldmann equivalent IOP data on all patients prior to key treatment decisions. Moreover, an important area of future research is to establish the precise relationship between 24-h IOP characteristics and glaucoma progression.

Assessing the role of ranibizumab in improving the outcome of glaucoma filtering surgery and neovascular glaucoma.

INTRODUCTION: Ranibizumab was the first anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) agent approved for the treatment of neovascular age-related macular degeneration. The use of ranibizumab and other anti-VEGF medications in recent years has revolutionized the treatment of several sight-threatening retinal disorders. Emerging evidence has demonstrated that anti-VEGF treatment can offer advantages in the management of other ocular conditions where VEGFs play a key role: ocular scarring following glaucoma filtering surgery and neovascular glaucoma (NVG). Areas covered: We critically review available evidence on the use of ranibizumab as a wound healing modulator in glaucoma filtering surgery and as an adjunct in the management of NVG. Expert opinion: Based on the available evidence and the authors' clinical experience, ranibizumab is a valuable adjunct in the management of NVG. In glaucoma filtering surgery, however, the role of ranibizumab is less clear and does not provide a significant advantage over mitomycin C. Drawbacks for its use in glaucoma include cost, its off-label use, uncertainty and limited evidence on the various routes of administration, the optimal dosing schemes and its toxicity profile. Future advances in ranibizumab delivery systems allowing less frequent dosing may change this treatment paradigm.

A Review of the Clinical Usefulness of Selective Laser Trabeculoplasty in Exfoliative Glaucoma.

In the last decade, selective laser trabeculoplasty (SLT) has been commonly used in the management of several different types of glaucoma, as either primary or adjunct therapy. The technique has an excellent safety profile and is at least as effective as argon laser trabeculoplasty. Although the actual mechanism of action of SLT remains unclear, evidence has shown that it does not induce morphologically evident trabecular meshwork alterations. SLT's non-disruptive mode of action offers the advantage of repeatability. Exfoliation glaucoma (XFG) is a secondary open-angle glaucoma with unfavorable intraocular pressure (IOP) characteristics, which typically carries a poorer long-term prognosis than primary open-angle glaucoma. Consequently, patients with XFG often need multiple medications to achieve IOP levels that prevent disease progression. Because complicated pharmacotherapy regimens undermine the long-term tolerability and compliance of patients with XFG, options such as SLT may decrease the burden of multiple therapies and ultimately improve prognosis. In fact, SLT may be a particularly attractive option in XFG because the pigment-laden trabecular tissue of these patients enhances the absorption of laser energy and thus augments the biologic effects induced by this treatment. The current article reviews the postulated mechanisms of action of SLT, discusses practical aspects of SLT therapy, and examines selected peer-reviewed literature pertaining to the clinical usefulness of this modality in XFG patients.

24-Hour Efficacy and Ocular Surface Health with Preservative-Free Tafluprost Alone and in Conjunction with Preservative-Free Dorzolamide/Timolol Fixed Combination in Open-Angle Glaucoma Patients Insufficiently Controlled with Preserved Latanoprost Monotherapy.

INTRODUCTION: The aim of the present study was to evaluate the 24-h efficacy, tolerability, and ocular surface health with preservative-free (PF) tafluprost and a PF triple drug regimen comprising tafluprost and dorzolamide/timolol fixed combination (DTFC) in open-angle glaucoma patients who were insufficiently controlled with preserved branded or generic latanoprost monotherapy and who exhibited signs or symptoms of ocular surface disease (OSD). METHODS: Prospective, observer-masked, crossover, comparison. Eligible consecutive open-angle glaucoma patients were randomized to either PF tafluprost or the triple PF regimen for 3 months. They were then crossed over to the opposite therapy for another 3 months. At the end of the latanoprost run-in period and after each PF treatment period, patients underwent habitual 24-h intraocular pressure (IOP) monitoring with Goldmann tonometry in the sitting position (at 10:00, 14:00, 18:00, and 22:00) and Perkins tonometry in the supine position (at 02:00 and 06:00). Tolerability and selected ocular surface parameters were evaluated at baseline and the end of each treatment period. RESULTS: Forty-three open-angle glaucoma patients completed the trial. Mean 24-h IOP on preserved latanoprost was 22.2 ± 3.9 mmHg. Compared with latanoprost monotherapy, PF tafluprost obtained a greater reduction in mean, peak, and fluctuation of 24-h IOP including the 02:00 and 06:00 time points (P < 0.05). With the exception of 24-h fluctuation, the triple PF regimen provided significantly lower IOP parameters than latanoprost or PF tafluprost (P < 0.001). Finally, PF tafluprost therapy displayed significantly improved tear film break-up times (6.7 vs 6.0 s), corneal staining (1.3 vs 2.2), and Schirmer I test results (9.1 vs 8.2 mm) compared with the preserved latanoprost baseline (all P < 0.01). The triple PF regimen demonstrated similar tear film break-up times (6.1 vs 6.0 s) and Schirmer I test results (8.2 vs 8.2 mm) to latanoprost, but revealed a significant improvement in the corneal stain test (1.7 vs 2.2; P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: In this trial PF tafluprost therapy provided statistically greater 24-h efficacy and improved tolerability compared with preserved latanoprost. The combination of PF tafluprost and PF dorzolamide/timolol fixed combination was statistically and clinically more efficacious than both monotherapies and demonstrated similar ocular surface characteristics to preserved latanoprost monotherapy. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT02802137). FUNDING: Santen.

Effect of Riboflavin/UVA Collagen Cross-linking on Central Cornea, Limbus and Intraocular Pressure. Experimental Study in Rabbit Eyes.

The Purpose of present study was to investigate the effect of riboflavin/ultraviolet-A-induced collagen cross-linking (CXL) on central cornea, limbus and intraocular pressure (IOP). This was an animal experimental study. The right corneas of 10 rabbits were ultraviolet-A irradiated (3 mW/cm2 for 30 minutes) after de-epithelialization and instillation of 0.1% riboflavin / 20% Dextran drops. Left corneas served as controls. Samples were examined histologically one month postoperatively. Before and after treatment, IOP measurements were recorded bilaterally. At central cornea of eyes underwent CXL keratocyte repopulation, normal arrangement of collagen fibres and a statistically significant change in fibres diameter were detected, compared to controls. At limbus area, there were not any significant histological differences after CXL. There was no statistically significant difference between pre- and postoperative IOP in all eyes.