[Severe Conjunctival and Corneal Epithelial Dysplasia: A Case Series]. / Schwere konjunktivale und korneale epitheliale Dysplasie: eine Fallserie.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Ocular surface squamous neoplasia (OSSN) are among the most frequent non-pigmented malignancies of the ocular surface. They have a wide range of histological characteristics - ranging from mild epithelial dysplasia to invasive carcinoma of the squamous cells of the cornea. They may be restricted to the conjunctiva or also involve the cornea. As there are no leading symptoms in the early stages, diagnosis may be very delayed in patients who do not receive regular ophthalmological treatment. The present case series describes clinical and histological data on OSSN and includes clinical and histological data on OSSN, including possible clinical presentations, important risk factors, special histological and cytological features and therapeutic options. METHODS: Retrospective case series of patients with histologically confirmed severe epithelial dysplasia of the conjunctiva and cornea consistent with OSSN who presented to the Department of Ophthalmology in Basel University Hospital. The analysis covered demographic data, symptoms, diagnostic testing (photo documentation, brush biopsy), treatment and cytological and/or histological material and findings. RESULTS: We report on five patients aged between 41 and 92 years at the time of diagnosis. The histological findings in all patients included severe epithelial dysplasia, but with a heterogenous clinical presentation. In all cases, the lesion started in the conjunctiva, but traversed the limbus and extended to the cornea. The primary treatment was always surgical removal. In one patient, this had to be repeated several times due to recurrent metaplasia and was complemented by subsequent mitomycin C therapy. The clinical outcome ranged between total restitution of the original state to inevitable enucleation. CONCLUSION: The clinical presentation of OSSN is highly heterogenous, so that the initial diagnosis is difficult. There are no official guidelines for treatment, so that the treatment of choice varied between clinics. Regular ophthalmological follow-ups are recommended, even after complete surgical excision. Possible relevant concomitant diseases and risk factors must be identified before therapy.

Single versus Double PreserFlo MicroShunt Implantation in Glaucoma Patients: A Retrospective Cohort Study.

INTRODUCTION: The aim of this study was to describe and evaluate double PreserFlo MicroShunt implantation as a modified micro-invasive glaucoma surgery technique and to retrospectively compare the outcomes in a cohort of glaucoma patients with single or double implantation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective data analysis of 57 glaucoma patients who consecutively underwent PreserFlo implantation was performed. Medical records were examined for patients' demographics, glaucoma type, intraocular pressure (IOP), medication, complications, and re-interventions. Two groups with single (n = 29) or double (n = 28) implantation were formed, and the outcomes were compared. In cases of two-stage double implantation (n = 17), the courses of the initial and the second implantations were compared. RESULTS: Mean preoperative IOP was significantly higher in the double compared to the single implantation group (29.4 ± 10.0 mm Hg; 21.7 ± 8.2 mm Hg; p = 0.003). Postoperatively, IOP was significantly lower in the double implantation group at various time-points (day 1, week 1, months 3 and 6; all p < 0.021). In the subgroup with two-stage procedures, mean preoperative IOP was 24.5 ± 8.5 mm Hg and 29.8 ± 10.1 mm Hg, respectively (p = 0.128). While immediately postoperatively, mean IOP lowering was clinically significant and similar following both procedures, the longer sustainable effect was observed after the second procedure (month 12: 25.5 ± 7.5 mm Hg; 12.4 ± 4.8 mm Hg; p = 0.001). No serious complications were observed. DISCUSSION/CONCLUSION: Double PreserFlo implantation appears safe and efficient for lowering IOP in glaucoma patients. Our preliminary findings suggest that double is superior to single implantation in terms of IOP lowering and the need for additional topical medication. Patients with insufficient IOP lowering following single implantation may benefit from a second implantation. Further research is warranted to evaluate double implantation as a first-line, one-stage procedure.

Retrospective Analysis of 12 Months Glaucoma Implant Efficacy: XEN45 and PreserFlo Microshunt.

PURPOSE: Several new implant devices have recently been introduced to glaucoma surgery using various techniques for reducing intraocular pressure (IOP). Two implants introduced during the past couple of years, XEN45 and PreserFlo Microshunt, are both designed to control subconjunctival filtration. There are two Swiss multicenter studies that collected the data retrospectively to analyze the efficacy and safety of these two devices separately. In this study, we report the analysis of the combined data subset from the University Hospital of Basel. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: The XEN45 implantation technique was introduced to Basel University Hospital in 2016 and PreserFlo Microshunt in 2018. Sixty operated patients, thirty in each group, were operated on by one surgeon, clinically followed up, and their data retrospectively analyzed from medical records. Only standalone procedures, without combined phacoemulsification, were considered in this analysis; the lens status, however, was neither an inclusion nor an exclusion criterion. Further inclusion criteria were the diagnosis of open-angle glaucoma, no previous glaucoma surgery, other than laser trabeculoplasty, and complete medical records during the 12 months of follow-up. IOP reduction during a 12-month postoperative period was the primary outcome measure as well as the number of IOP reducing drugs. The number of subsequent surgical interventions and complications/adverse events are descriptively reported. RESULTS: Patient age, gender, ophthalmological diagnosis, and initial preoperative IOP were well balanced between the two groups. Postoperative IOP course was comparable between the two methods for the first 12 months. IOP measurements were taken preoperatively and then on the first postop day, week 1, month 1, and months 3, 6, and 12 for the PreserFlo Microshunt vs. XEN45 (mmHg): 23.6 vs. 24.9, 9.0 vs. 8.9, 11.4 vs. 10.6, 13.0 vs.18.3, 16.8 vs.15.1, 15.9 vs.15.0, and 15.4 vs.14.5, respectively. IOP reducing medications were also comparable between the two groups. The study showed that subsequent interventions were more frequent in the XEN45 (13) than in the PreserFlo Microshunt group (7). CONCLUSION: Both methods demonstrate satisfactory IOP control within a 12-month postoperative period with practically no serious adverse events/complications, but with relatively high numbers of subsequent interventions (needlings), particularly in the XEN45 group.

Simulation of Corneal imaging properties for near objects.

PURPOSE: Using raytracing simulation to study the effect of corneal imaging metrics for different aperture sizes as a function of object distances with different schematic model eyes. METHODS: This raytracing simulation determined the best focus (with the least root-mean-square (rms) ray scatter) and the best wavefront focus (with least rms wavefront error) for four schematic model eyes (Liou-Brennan (LBME), Atchison (ATCHME), Gullstrand (GULLME) and Navarro (NAVME)) with 4 aperture sizes (2-5 mm) and 30 object distances in a logscale from 10 cm to 10 m plus infinity. For each configuration, 10,000 rays were traced through the cornea, and the aperture stop was located at the lens front apex plane as described in the model eyes. The wavefront was decomposed into Zernike components to extract the spherical aberration term. RESULTS: The focal distance with respect to the corneal front apex increases from around 31 mm for objects at infinity to around 40 mm for objects at 10 cm. The best (wavefront) focus was systematically closer to the cornea compared with the paraxial focus, and the overestimation of focal length with the paraxial focus was larger for large aperture sizes and small object distances. The rms ray scatter and wavefront error were both systematically larger with large aperture and small object sizes. At best focus the rms wavefront error was systematically larger, and the rms ray scatter was systematically smaller compared to the best wavefront focus. Spherical aberration varied more with GULLME than with LBME or NAVME, and increased strongly at smaller object distances. CONCLUSIONS: The imaging properties of the cornea, especially spherical aberration, increase strongly as the object distance decreases. This effect should be considered, especially when considering aberration correcting lenses for near vision such as multifocal or enhanced depth of focus lenses.

The Efficacy of Ab Externo Canaloplasty by Using a Nonabsorbable Suture and No Viscoelastics; IOP Results, Intraoperative and Early Complication Rates within 6-Month Follow-Up Period.

BACKGROUND: To report the efficacy of ab externo canaloplasty by exclusively using only a nonabsorbable suture as a standalone operation or combined with phacoemulsification in terms of mean intraocular pressure (IOP), medication reduction, and intra- and postoperative complication rates as well as additional glaucoma surgery. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Forty-eight patients with primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) and 50 eyes were divided into two groups according to the operation performed (Group A canaloplasty, n = 34 and Group B canaloplasty combined with phaco, n = 16), respectively. The success criteria were evaluated between three IOP ranges: a) IOP ≤ 16 mmHg, b) ≤ 18 mmHg, and c) ≤ 21 mmHg. Complete success was considered the percentage of eyes reaching these goals with no medication and qualified success with or without medication. Groups A and B were compared with the Kaplan-Meier test. Mean IOP and medication reduction as well as additional glaucoma surgery were also evaluated. The follow-up time was 6 months. Statistical importance was given at p < 0.05. RESULTS: Fail rate and intraoperative conversion of canaloplasty to other surgery (trabeculotomy due to extensive cheese-wiring) accounted for 12% (6 eyes), while a mandatory usage of the iTrack 250A microcatheter to successfully overcome intracanalicular bridging of the Schlemm's canal accounted for 20% (10 eyes). The most common early postoperative complications in both groups were hyphema, cheese wiring, and transient IOP rising. The mean IOP in Group A reduced from 23.67 ± 6.06 mmHg to 13.35 ± 4.23 mmHg and in Group B, it reduced from 23.55 ± 6.19 mmHg to 12.75 ± 1.5 mmHg at 6 months (p < 0.001). Group A's absolute success rates accounted for a) 44%, b) 47.1%, and c) 52.9% in comparison to Group B [a) 50%, b) 50%, and c) 56.3%] at 6 months (p < 0.05). Qualified success with or without medication showed no statistical differences between the groups. The mean medication reduction was significantly lower (p < 0.001) in both groups (Group A from baseline 3.2 ± 1.23 to 0.95 ± 1.35 and Group B from 3.12 ± 0.88 to 1.12 ± 0.75 at 6 months, respectively). Five eyes (10%) required additional glaucoma surgery. CONCLUSIONS: Ab externo canaloplasty by exclusively using only a nonabsorbable suture as a standalone operation or combined with phacoemulsification seems to lower the mean IOP and medication sufficiently. However, they pose a greater surgical challenge and intraoperative complication rate. Additional glaucoma surgery or medication following both procedures may be necessary to achieve an optimal target IOP.

Intraocular Pressure Elevation in Keratoconus with Coexisting Pseudoexfoliation Glaucoma: How Important is the Method of Measurement?

OBJECTIVE: In this report, we investigated the association between the intraocular pressure (IOP) values by two different measurement methods and the corneal biomechanical properties in a patient with keratoconus and secondary glaucoma due to pseudoexfoliation syndrome who developed a marked elevation of intraocular pressure in the right eye. METHODS: IOP was measured over a period of 3 days with Goldmann applanation tonometry (GAT) and dynamic contour tonometry (Pascal tonometry, DCT). Corneal hysteresis (CH) and corneal resistance factor (CRF) were estimated with the aid of an ocular response analyzer (ORA). RESULTS: CH and CRF were significantly reduced in the right eye compared to the left eye throughout the period of observation (paired t-test, p < 0.001). The difference between both methods of IOP measurement in the right eye was statistically significant for IOP < 30 mmHg by GAT (Wilcoxon test, p = 0.004). For IOP values > 30 mmHg by GAT, there was no statistically significant difference between DCT and GAT (Wilcoxon test, p = 0.0625). CONCLUSIONS: This observation supports the clinical hypothesis that a significant decrease in CH translates to a decreased correlation of CH and IOP recordings by GAT and, furthermore, suggests that after a critical point of CH reduction, the impact of CH on GAT may be comparable to that on DCT.

[Clinical Outcomes after Keraring Implantation for Keratoconus Management in Thin Corneas]. / Klinische Ergebnisse nach Keraring-Implantation zur Behandlung von Keratokonuspatienten mit sehr dünnen Hornhäuten.

BACKGROUND: The aim of our study was to evaluate the clinical outcomes after Keraring implantation for keratoconus in patients with thin corneas. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Ten eyes from 10 patients with keratoconus, who underwent femtosecond laser-assisted Keraring implantation for keratoconus, were included in this retrospective study. Uncorrected visual acuity (UCVA), corrected visual acuity (CDVA), keratometric readings, central corneal thickness and thinnest corneal pachymetry have been evaluated preoperatively and 6 months after the Keraring implantation. RESULTS: UCVA, BCVA and keratometric readings improved at 6 months postoperatively. CONCLUSIONS: Our data showed significant keratometric amelioration and visual improvement after Keraring implantation for keratoconus in patients with thin corneas at 6 months postoperatively.

[Long-term Follow-up After Cryocoagulation in Preterm Newborns from Northern Greece with Retinopathy of Prematurity: Three Year Results]. / Langzeit-Follow-up nach Exokryokoagulation bei Frühgeborenenretinopathie in Nordgriechenland: 3-Jahres-Ergebnisse.

BACKGROUND: This is a retrospective study of the efficacy of treatment of neonates (NN) with exocryocoagulation retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) with respect to morphology of the retina and visual function. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Out of a total of 3103 neonates, 304 (9.8%) had a ROP. 66 of these were treated. All neonates were observed for 3 years after this treatment. When the patients suffered retinal ablation or dragging of the macula, the treatment was rated as unsuccessful. Best corrected grid visual acuity and best corrected visual acuity were assessed with Lea symbols and Kay pictures. RESULTS: The 66 treated neonates (132 eyes) had a gestation age of less than 28 weeks and weight at birth of < 1280 g. 28 neonates exhibited ROP and the rest in zone 2. Among these 66 neonates, 64 (128 eyes) exhibited improved vision. 37 neonates (74 eyes) also exhibited morphological improvement. Only one neonate developed retinal detachment. CONCLUSION: Early treatment with cryopexia of neonates with ROP can improve vision and stabilise the retina.

Corneal Endothelial Decompensation after Ocular Chemical Burn: Description of a New Finding.

BACKGROUND: Ocular chemical burn is an ophthalmological emergency. Therefore, chemical injuries should be promptly addressed in order to initiate the appropriate treatment as soon as possible and optimize the visual prognosis. We present a retrospective study of ten cases with ocular chemical burn including one with superglue and one with a liquid plaster material injury and describe their clinical course. HISTORY AND SIGNS: Ten adult patients (34 - 92 years, 8 males) presented with moderate to severe alkali or neutral chemical burns in our emergency clinics. They exhibited a variable degree of conjunctival injection, limbal ischemia, corneal erosion, and Descemet's folds. THERAPY AND OUTCOME: Patients were treated and complete corneal epithelial closure was achieved in all cases without significant signs of limbal stem cell insufficiency. Corneal endothelial insufficiency was observed in all cases. Nine patients had to be listed for corneal endothelial keratoplasty and one was treated with Descemet's stripping endothelial automated keratoplasty. CONCLUSIONS: Isolated corneal endothelial decompensation after chemical burns has not yet been described. The pathophysiological explanation of this observation remains, however, unknown. In view of this rare complication, it is important to follow patients after chemical ocular burn for possible development of endothelial decompensation.

Prognostic factors of pediatric glaucoma: a retrospective study.

PURPOSE: To correlate the features of certain types of infantile glaucoma with the progression and the prognosis of the disease, highlighting probable risk factors. METHODS: Seventy-six patients with pediatric glaucoma were recruited in this retrospective study. All patients underwent ophthalmological examination in the Department of Ophthalmology of the Saarland University Medical Center from January 2001 to December 2012. Our pediatric patients were classified into four different categories of glaucoma: (1) primary congenital glaucoma (presenting buphthalmus), (2) aniridia-related glaucoma, (3) Peters/Rieger's anomaly-related glaucoma and (4) congenital cataract-related glaucoma. Personal data comprised age, sex, nationality, systemic diseases and gestational age. The best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), the cup-disk ratio (CDR), the intraocular pressure (IOP), the corneal diameter and thickness, along with the Haab striae and corneal haze, were recorded. RESULTS: The majority of the children were male (58%) and suffered from aniridia-related glaucoma (38%). Children with aniridia exhibited the worst BCVA. The CDR and IOP were significantly higher in children with primary congenital glaucoma, compared to the other groups, at the first visit. Those children also were with the largest corneal diameter and prevalence of Haab striae compared to the rest groups, whereas corneal haze was found more often and was more pronounced in children with Peters/Rieger's syndrome. CONCLUSIONS: We concluded that glaucoma was earlier detected in children with primary congenital glaucoma, who exhibited increased corneal diameter and high percentage of Haab striae comparing to the other groups. However, these children responded successfully to any therapeutic intervention, exhibiting better BCVA and IOP values than the rest groups at the second visit.

Outcomes of toric supplementary intraocular lenses for residual astigmatic refractive error in pseudophakic eyes.

PURPOSE: To evaluate rotational stability and visual and refractive outcomes of supplementary toric IOLs (Sulcoflex Toric 653T, Rayner Intraocular Lenses Ltd) for residual astigmatic refractive error in pseudophakic eyes. METHODS: A retrospective interventional case series was conducted in a single surgeon practice. Charts of patients who had Sulcoflex Toric supplementary IOLs inserted between June 2009 and September 2015 were reviewed. Outcomes were compared between eyes with and without prior corneal transplant. Patients with at least 3-months follow-up were included. RESULTS: In 51 eyes, mean UDVA improved from 20/86 to 20/43 (p = 0.002), though UDVA was better in eyes without corneal grafts (20/31) than eyes with (20/62). The proportion of eyes achieving 20/20 UDVA was 43%, 61% and 17% overall, in eyes with prior graft and in eyes with no prior graft, respectively. Sixty-four percentage achieved a spherical equivalent of within 0.5D of target (84% no graft, 34% prior graft). Fifty-three percentage of eyes achieved a cylinder of within 0.5D of target (no graft: 73%, prior graft: 0%). Mean lens rotation was 8.23° on day 1, and mean maximal rotation during follow-up was 17.63°. Sixty-two percentage of IOLs required repositioning. Of those that required repositioning, this was conducted a mean of 2.3 times. The mean final IOL rotation (following repositioning if required) was 6.17°. CONCLUSION: Sulcoflex Toric supplementary IOLs result in good visual and refractive outcomes in eyes with no prior corneal graft. However, outcomes are sub-optimal in eyes with prior corneal transplantation, and the majority of lenses require repositioning.

[Therapeutic Options in Keratoconus]. / Keratokonus: heutige Therapieoptionen.

A recent epidemiology study revealed that prevalence of keratoconus was much higher than previously assumed. Therefore, it is no longer deemed an "orphan disease", as it has a relevant socioeconomic impact on the healthcare system. One of the most important risk factors for developing keratoconus is chronic eye rubbing which, apart from other known risk factors such as atopy or Down's syndrome, is the only modifiable factor. Informing the patient and offering behavior modifying therapies seems to be essential. Further therapeutic options regarding improvement of visual function include the wearing of glasses and the fitting of rigid gas permeable contact lenses and implantation of intrastromal corneal ring segments or phakic intraocular lenses. Corneal crosslinking (CXL) has been proven to be a highly effective and safe procedure in keratoconus cases showing disease progression. Significantly fewer corneal transplants were performed in this indication following the introduction of CXL. Recent studies reevaluated a combination of photorefractive keratectomy, which has been contraindicated until recently for patients with primary corneal ectasia with CXL, reporting a positive visual refractive outcome and stability of keratoconus. Still, penetrating keratoplasty is the gold standard of surgical treatment for end-stage keratoconus, whereas recently lamellar procedures have gained higher importance.