Corneal Endothelial Cell Loss in Glaucoma and Glaucoma Surgery and the Utility of Management with Descemet Membrane Endothelial Keratoplasty (DMEK)

The corneal endothelium has a crucial role in maintaining a clear and healthy cornea. Corneal endothelial cell loss occurs naturally with age; however, a diagnosis of glaucoma and surgical intervention for glaucoma can exacerbate a decline in cell number and impairment in morphology. In glaucoma, the mechanisms for this are not well understood, and this accelerated cell loss can result in corneal decompensation. Given the high prevalence of glaucoma worldwide, this review aims to explore the abnormalities observed in the corneal endothelium in differing glaucoma phenotypes and glaucoma therapies (medical or surgical, including with new generation microinvasive glaucoma surgeries). Descemet membrane endothelial keratoplasty (DMEK) is increasingly being used to manage corneal endothelial failure for glaucoma patients, and we aim to review the recent literature evaluating the use of this technique in this clinical scenario.</jats:p

Case Report of Unilateral Silent Sinus Syndrome with Variable Enophthalmos

A 35-year-old man applied to our clinic complaining that one of his eyes occasionally appeared smaller than the other for the last 6 months. The patient had no history of previous trauma or periorbital surgery. Ocular examination revealed 20/20 vision in both eyes and his pupillary and motility examinations were normal. The right eye showed 1mm hypoglobus and a deep superior sulcus. Considering possible silent sinus syndrome, CT scan was ordered and the diagnosis was established by visualizing an occlusion in the right osteomeatal aperture of the maxillary sinus with typical bending of the floor towards the sinus. The patient had undergone endoscopic sinus surgery through the right nasal meatus and the purulent material was drained through maxillary antrostomy. No intra-or postoperative complications were observed, and patient complaints and symptoms resolved immediately after the surgery. (Turk J Ophthalmol 2015; 45: 125-127

Post-Laser In Situ Keratomileusis Epithelial Ingrowth: Treatment, Recurrence, and Long-Term Results

To study outcomes after surgical removal of epithelial ingrowth (EI) in post-laser in situ keratomileusis patients, specifically comparing visual results and recurrence rates between 2 different EI management techniques. In this retrospective chart review of 67 eyes of 54 patients who underwent surgical treatment for EI after laser in situ keratomileusis between July 1999 and July 2014 at the Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, Miami, FL, surgical techniques, recurrence rates, visual acuity (VA), and refractive error were assessed. Of the 67 eyes, 56 eyes (83.6%) had flap lift + scraping alone, and 11 eyes (16.4%) had flap lift + scraping + suturing. After mean follow-up of 2.5 years, 11 of 56 eyes (19.6%) treated with flap lift + scraping alone had EI recurrence, whereas no eyes treated with flap lift + scraping + suturing had EI recurrence. VA results and refractive errors were better in eyes treated with lift + scraping alone compared with lift + scraping + suturing at 1 month. In the 67 eyes with 1-year follow-up, VA and refractive errors improved from preoperative values and were comparable between groups. Scraping alone provides significantly better initial visual outcomes but higher EI recurrence rates compared with scrape-suturing. Long-term visual outcomes are comparable between 2 techniques

Comparison of Corneal Endothelial Cell Loss Between Two Femtosecond Laser Platforms and Standard Phacoemulsification

To analyze and compare the changes in endothelial cell density (ECD) and cumulative dissipated energy (CDE) in patients having cataract surgery with two different femtosecond laser platforms and standard phacoemulsification. This prospective non-randomized comparative study included patients scheduled to undergo cataract extraction using femtosecond laser-assisted cataract surgery (FLACS) (60 eyes) or standard phacoemulsification (60 eyes) between September 2013 and March 2016. The main outcome measures were CDE and percentage of endothelial cell loss. Comparative analysis of CDE and percentage of endothelial cell loss between the two phacoemulsification platforms with respect to conventional and FLACS techniques was performed. The CDE and the 1-month mean percentage of endothelial cell loss was 6.11 ± 3.52 and 9.06% ± 8.77% in the standard phacoemulsification group and 4.65 ± 3.61 and 6.00% ± 8.02% in the FLACS group, respectively (P = .039). In the subgroup analysis based on cataract grading, the CDE was significantly less in the FLACS group compared to the standard phacoemulsification group in both the early and advanced cataract group (P = .002). The percent decrease in endothelial cell loss was statistically lower in the FLACS group when compared to the standard phacoemulsification group in the advanced cataract subgroup (P = .02). FLACS pretreatment resulted in a decrease in CDE and less endothelial cell loss when compared to standard phacoemulsification. The decrease in endothelial cell loss was more prominent in the denser cataract group; thus, FLACS may be most beneficial in those cases. There was no significant difference in results between the two laser platforms. [J Refract Surg. 2017;33(10):708-712.]

Intrastromal Corneal Ring Segment Explantation in Patients With Keratoconus: Causes, Technique, and Outcomes

To assess the causes for intrastromal corneal ring segment (Intacs; Addition Technology Inc., Lombard, IL) explantation in patients with keratoconus, and technique for explantation, long-term outcomes, and secondary procedures to correct visual acuity. Ten eyes of 8 patients with a history of Intacs explantation between 2004 and 2012 were included in a retrospective study performed at the Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, Miami, Florida. Causes of Intacs removal, surgical technique, preoperative and postoperative corneal examination, and uncorrected and corrected distance visual acuity were documented. Additionally, corneal topography (Tomey, Nagoya, Japan) parameters such as average keratometry and corneal cylinder were assessed. Although the segments were well positioned, the most common cause of Intacs removal was worsening visual acuity (80%). There was no statistically significant difference between pre-Intacs placement, post-Intacs placement, and post-Intacs removal in uncorrected and corrected distance visual acuity, average keratometry, or corneal cylinder, except between 1-year post-Intacs placement corrected distance visual acuity (0.57 logMAR [20/75 Snellen]) and 1-month post-Intacs removal corrected distance visual acuity (0.25 logMAR [20/36 Snellen], P =.03). Four patients underwent penetrating keratoplasty after Intacs removal with good visual outcomes. This study demonstrates the visual and structural outcomes that returned to near baseline after Intacs explantation in keratoconic eyes

Comparison of Mix-and-Match Implanted Bifocal IOLs and Bilateral Implanted Trifocal IOLs After Femtosecond Laser–Assisted Cataract Surgery

PURPOSE: To compare the visual performance of mix-and-match implanted bifocal intraocular tenses (IOLs) and bilateral implanted trifocal IOLs from the same manufacturer with the same IOL platform after femtosecond laser-assisted cataract surgery (FLACS)

Application of a hydrogel ocular sealant to avoid recurrence of epithelial ingrowth after LASIK enhancement

To report a case of clinically significant epithelial ingrowth after LASIK that was successfully treated with a hydrogel ocular sealant in combination with flap lifting and scraping technique. Case report. A 56-year-old woman underwent LASIK and a LASIK enhancement procedure in 2002 and 2012, respectively. Six months after the enhancement, visually significant epithelial ingrowth developed in both of her eyes. The left eye was treated with flap lifting, scraping, and suturing, and the right eye was treated with a hydrogel ocular sealant in combination with flap lifting and scraping. No recurrence was evident during a 6-month follow-up period and visual acuity improved in both eyes. No adverse effects were noticed. Recurrent epithelial ingrowth may be successfully avoided with the intraoperative use of a hydrogel ocular sealant combined with flap lifting and scraping. This approach could be used as an alternative to LASIK flap suturing

Endothelial Cell Loss in Diabetic and Nondiabetic Eyes After Cataract Surgery

To assess and compare the changes in endothelial cell density in diabetic and nondiabetic patients after routine phacoemulsification cataract surgery. Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, USA. Retrospective nonrandomized cohort study. This retrospective study included diabetic and nondiabetic patients who underwent phacoemulsification by a single surgeon (K.D.) between September 2013 and March 2016. The main outcome measures were cumulative dissipated energy (CDE) and percentage of endothelial cell loss (ECL). Comparative analysis of CDE and percentage of ECL between the 2 patient groups was performed and then repeated based on the degree of diabetic control (hemoglobin A1c). The study included 66 eyes of 55 diabetic and 67 eyes of 65 nondiabetic patients. Mean CDE was 7.8 ± 7.1 joules, and the 1-month mean percentage of ECL was 15% ± 14% in the diabetic group. Mean CDE was 6.6 ± 3.8 joules, and the 1-month mean percentage of ECL was 11% ± 11% in the nondiabetic group. The CDE was not significantly different between both groups. The percent decrease in ECL was statistically higher in the diabetic group than in the nondiabetic group (P = 0.03). The degree of diabetic control, based on hemoglobin A1c greater or less than 7, did not yield a significant difference in CDE or percentage ECL. Diabetic patients demonstrated increased ECL when compared with nondiabetic patients after cataract surgery. However, the role of diabetic control in reducing ECL remains unclear