Conjunctival Inflammatory Nodule in a Patient with Pityriasis Lichenoides et Varioliformis Acuta

Aim: To report a case of a patient with pityriasis lichenoides et varioliformis acuta (PLEVA) who developed a conjunctival inflammatory nodule. Case Report: a 13-year-old boy with a diffuse papulovesicular rash diagnosed as PLEVA presented to our clinic complaining of irritation in his right eye. Slitlamp examination revealed a conjunctival inflammatory nodule. His symptoms resolved under topical steroid treatment. Discussion: Pityriasis lichenoides (PL) is a rare condition, diagnosed by a combination of a typical clinical presentation and histopathology. Mucous membrane involvement has been described in severe cases. Ocular involvement in PL has seldom been reported. We suggest that conjunctival inflammatory nodules may be part of the clinical spectrum of this condition and should be looked for and treated in these patients

Toxic Anterior Segment Syndrome following a Triple Descemet’s Stripping Automated Endothelial Keratoplasty Procedure

Purpose: To present a unique case of a 58-year-old female with toxic anterior segment syndrome (TASS), following a triple procedure: Descemet’s stripping automated endothelial keratoplasty (DSAEK), phacoemulsification and posterior chamber intraocular lens implantation. Methods: The patient was treated with topical dexamethasone sodium phosphate 0.1% and topical atropine sulfate 1%. Due to a slow improvement in her clinical status, oral prednisone 1 mg/kg/day was added. Results: The anterior chamber reaction improved gradually, with tapering down of topical and oral treatment, until a complete resolution of the anterior chamber reaction was observed. Conclusions: Taking into account the estimated volume of DSAEK triple procedures performed worldwide, we would expect an annual incidence of several TASS cases, following triple DSAEK procedures. However, we were unable to find any such previous reports in the literature. This fact raises questions regarding the cause of reduced TASS incidence following triple DSAEK procedures

Risk Assessment for Corneal Ectasia following Photorefractive Keratectomy

Purpose. To analyze the risk factors associated with a series of ectasia cases following photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) and all published cases. Methods. In a retrospective study on post-PRK ectasia patients, 9 eyes of 7 patients were included, in addition to 20 eyes of 13 patients from the literature. Risk of post-PRK ectasia was calculated using the ectasia risk score system (ERSS) for laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) patients. The percent tissue altered (PTA) was also evaluated. Results. ERSS scoring of zero for age, RSB, and spherical equivalent was found in 66%, 86%, and 86% of the eyes, respectively. Pachymetry risk score was 2 in 60% of the eyes and 3 or 4 in 16% of the eyes. Topography risk score was 3 in 41% of the eyes and 4 in 21% of the eyes. Cumulative ectasia risk score was ≥4 (high risk) in 77% of the eyes and ≥3 (medium and high risk) in 86% of the eyes. Average PTA was 23.2 ± 7.0%. All eyes but one had a PTA < 40%. Conclusions. Preoperative corneal topographic abnormalities and thin corneas may be significant risk factors for developing ectasia following PRK. Post-LASIK ectasia risk scoring also has relevance in the risk for developing post-PRK ectasia

Early Refractive and Clinical Outcomes of High-Myopic Photorefractive Keratectomy as an Alternative to LASIK Surgery in Eyes with High Preoperative Percentage of Tissue Altered

Objective. To analyze the safety and efficacy of high-myopic PRK as an alternative to LASIK surgery in patients with a high preoperative percentage tissue altered (PTA). Design. Retrospective interventional case series. Participants. Charts of 256 consecutive eyes that underwent PRK with application of mitomycin-C 0.02% for high myopia were retrospectively reviewed. Methods. Refractive (refraction and refractive accuracy) and visual outcomes (uncorrected and corrected visual acuities), as well as occurrence of haze in the eyes with preoperative PTA expected to be higher than 40% with a 110-micron flap if undergoing LASIK surgery, were analyzed. Results. Mean follow-up was 7.3 ± 4.8 months. A total of 187 of 256 eyes (73.0%) were included in the analysis because they were expected to have a PTA greater than 40%, should they have undergone LASIK surgery. The actual mean PTA of those eyes following PRK was 31.8 ± 2.2%, and none had a PTA ≥ 40%. UDVA of 20/16, 20/20, and 20/25 or better was achieved in 1.2% (2 eyes), 65.5% (112 eyes), and 85.4% (146 eyes), respectively. The percentage of eyes with postoperative SE within ±0.5 D and ±1.0 D of planned SE was 71% and 93%, respectively. None of the eyes lost 2 or more lines of CDVA. The rate of stromal haze, managed successfully with topical steroids only, was 4.8%. Conclusion. High-myopic PRK with application of mitomycin-C in the eyes at risk of developing ectasia because of high preoperative PTA was demonstrated to be a safe and effective alternative to the LASIK procedure

Baseline findings in the Retrospective Digital Computer Analysis of Keratoconus Evolution (REDCAKE) project

Purpose: To present the baseline data for a large cohort of patients with keratoconus enrolled in the Retrospective Digital Computer Analysis of Keratoconus Evolution (REDCAKE) study. Methods: Eight centers contributed the Scheimpflug tomographical data for 906 patients with keratoconus, 743 measured with a Pentacam and 163 with a Galilei. The stage of keratoconus at baseline, the location of the reference points, minimum pachymetry (Pmin), and maximum keratometry (Kmax) were analyzed. The intereye asymmetry was evaluated for Kmax (anterior and posterior), Pmin, and keratoconus stage. Average maps and elevation profiles were calculated for each degree of keratoconus. Results: Keratoconus was more frequently diagnosed in men (73%) than in women (27%). At baseline, 500/1155 eyes (43%) presented with moderate to severe changes in the posterior surface, whereas moderate/severe changes were only found in 252 and 63 eyes when evaluating anterior surface and pachymetry, respectively. The location of Pmin was usually inferotemporal (94% OD and 94% OS), while the location of Kmax showed more variability and significantly higher distance from apex (P < 0.05). The keratoconus presentation was chiefly asymmetric for all the parameters studied. Clear differences between stages could be identified in the maps and elevation profiles. Conclusions: The staging map set presented can be used as a graphical guidance to classify keratoconus stage. Keratoconus presented asymmetrically, and generally the posterior surface was more affected than the anterior surface or the thickness. Asymmetry is playing a role in KC detection. Although Pmin was almost invariably located inferotemporally, Kmax location showed higher variability and distance from the apex