Preferred practice pattern for Descemet membrane endothelial keratoplasty surgeries: A survey of Indian corneal surgeons

Purpose: This study aims to assess the preferred surgical technique of Descemet membrane endothelial keratoplasty (DMEK) among corneal surgeons in India, and barriers in performing DMEK surgeries amongst the non?DMEK surgeons. Methods: An online, questionnaire-based, cross-sectional survey was conducted among members of the Cornea Society of India (CSI) (n = 500). Responses on their surgical experience, preferred technique, complications, and outcome of DMEK were collected and analyzed. Barriers in performing DMEK surgeries were assessed amongst the non?DMEK surgeons. Results: A total of 100 responses were obtained and response rate for the survey was 20%. DMEK was performed by 55% of the participants of whom only 40% had formal training in this technique. Surgical video-based learning was the most often used self-training method for others. Lack of training was the most common reason for not performing DMEK by the non-DMEK surgeons. Descemet stripping endothelial keratoplasty (DSEK) was the most common endothelial keratoplasty (EK) performed by both DMEK and non-DMEK surgeons. High volume (>50 cases) DMEK surgeries were reported by limited surgeons (n = 6). Nearly all the DMEK surgeons prepared the donor tissue by themselves on the day of the surgery, and majority felt that unrolling the graft in the anterior chamber was the most difficult surgical step. Nearly 80% of the DMEK surgeons were more comfortable with DSEK or Descemet stripping automated endothelial keratoplasty (DSAEK) when compared to DMEK. Conclusion: DMEK practice in India needs improvement with increased accessibility to DMEK training programs, wet lab facilities, and better support from eye banks

Outcomes of surgical intervention in cases of ectopia lentis

Purpose: To evaluate the outcomes of surgical intervention in cases of ectopia lentis. Methods: This retrospective study included all cases of ectopia lentis that presented between June 2015 and March 2019 in a tertiary care center. They were reviewed retrospectively. The corrected distance visual acuity (CDVA), severity of lens subluxation, type of surgery, intra?operative and post?operative complication, and specular count were recorded. Results: Seventy?eight eyes of 57 cases with a mean age at surgery of 14.73 years were analyzed. Intra?lenticular lens aspiration was the most common (n?62/78; 79.5%) surgical procedure followed by lens aspiration, intra?capsular cataract extraction, phaco?aspiration, and pars?plana lensectomy. Simultaneous intra?ocular lens (IOL) implantation was performed in 46.2% (n?32/78) of the eyes. The mean CDVA improved from 0.85 ± 0.55 logMAR to 0.44 ± 0.29 logMAR at 6 weeks follow?up. The post?operative CDVA was significantly better in the pseudo?phakic group compared to the aphakic group (p?0.02). The patient’s age at the time of surgery and the degree of subluxation did not impact the final visual outcome. Intra?operative complication included vitreous hemorrhage (n?1) and lens matter drop (n?1). Post?operative complications were noted in 26.9% of the eyes (n?21/78) with a higher complication rate in the pseudo?phakic group (p?0.00). A second intervention was required in 7.7% of the eyes (n?6/78). Conclusion: Age and degree of subluxation at the time of surgery do not influence the final visual outcome in cases of ectopia lentis undergoing lens extraction surgery. IOL implantation results in better visual outcomes but is associated with a high complication rate.

Ocular manifestations in Kindler syndrome

We aimed describe the chronic ocular sequelae of Kindler syndrome. All cases of Kindler syndrome with ocular involvement that presented to a tertiary eye care center were included. Three cases of Kindler syndrome with ocular changes were reviewed. Case 1 (10 years, female) had recurrent epithelial breakdown with severe dry eye and corneal opacity secondary to keratitis. Case 2 (28 years, male) had symblepharon , ocular surface keratinization , and severe dry eye. Case 3 (16 years , female ) had partial limbal stem cell deficiency with dry eye. All cases were treated with topical lubricants, short course of low?potency steroids and immuno?modulators. Attention must be paid to the eye in addition to the oro?an?genital mucosa to avoid longterm ocular sequelae