Successful use of conjunctival flaps to prolong survival of type I keratoprosthesis in severe bilateral chemical burns: two case reports [version 1; peer review: 2 approved]

Introduction: This report describes the use of conjunctival flaps to enable the survival of type I keratoprosthesis (KPro) in two cases of bilateral severe total limbal stem cell deficiency (LSCD) following chemical burns. Presentation of case: Two patients had a history of bilateral chemical injury with lime. On examination, the presenting vision was light perception to hand motions and both cases had conjunctivalized ocular surfaces with symblepharon. A modified technique of type I keratoprosthesis was used, where the conjunctivalized corneal pannus was dissected and lifted off as an inferior fornix-based conjunctival flap. This was followed by a standard surgical technique of type I KPro. The flap was then secured over the device and optical opening was made two weeks later. Both the patients had stable ocular surfaces with visual acuity of 20/20 at 2–7 years of follow-up. Discussion: In patients with total LSCD with adnexal involvement, type I KPro has unsatisfactory long-term survival because of the risk of repeated epithelial breakdowns and stromal ulceration. With the innovative approach described in this report, type I KPro can be successfully used for sustainable visual improvement in the presence of severe ocular surface disease and symblepharon. Conclusion: Conjunctival flaps can be used along with type I KPros to improve long-term survival and give sustainable visual outcomes in cases of bilateral corneal blindness due to advanced ocular surface damage

Chandelier-assisted retroillumination for phacoemulsification in phacovitrectomy

Purpose: To describe chandelier-assisted retroillumination for phacoemulsification in patients with poor fundal glow due to posterior segment pathology during combined phacovitrectomy procedure. Methods: This was a prospective observational study. Thirty eyes underwent combined phacoemulsification and 25G sutureless pars plana vitrectomy. Sclerotomy port for chandelier tip was made in the inferotemporal or superonasal quadrant based on the incision site for phacoemulsification. Later, it was replaced with infusion cannula or endoilluminator. Cases included had posterior segment pathologies such as vitreous hemorrhage and vitritis. Results: Red reflex was markedly enhanced during phacoemulsification for all cases. In all eyes, a continuous curvilinear capsulorhexis was achieved without the use of dye. The posterior capsule remained intact in all cases. The visual acuity in all patients improved, and the median best-corrected visual acuity was 20/60 (range: 4/60–20/30) at 6 months. There were no intraoperative or postoperative complications. Conclusion: Cases with poor red reflex pose a challenge for anterior segment surgeons, and chandelier-assisted retroillumination proves to be a safe and effective tool in combined phacovitrectomy surgeries. Moreover, no additional cannula port is required for this chandelier insertion