Partial-thickness compression sutures without descemetopexy for management of acute hydrops in keratoconus: A novel surgical technique

This article reports a novel surgical technique of partial-thickness compression sutures without descemetopexy with air or gas for the management of acute hydrops in keratoconus. Two patients presented with localized corneal edema with a Descemet membrane (DM) tear in the left eye. Tomography of the right eye revealed localized steepening with increased maximum keratometry and decreased central pachymetry. They were diagnosed with keratoconus in the right eye and acute corneal hydrops (ACH) in the left eye. Compression sutures were passed through the stroma without touching the DM. The anterior chamber was not entered at all at any point during the surgery. Resolution of edema was noted intraoperatively itself. Further resolution of edema was noted from the first postoperative day which markedly reduced within the first week. A corneal scar with no edema was seen at six weeks. In both the patients, vision at presentation was counting fingers close to face which improved to 20/60 and 20/50, respectively, at the last visit.

Management of acute corneal hydrops with compression sutures and air tamponade

Background: Acute corneal hydrops is a vision threatening complication of corneal ectasia like keratoconus, keratoconus, keratoglobus, Pellucid marginal degeneration, Terrien’s marginal degeneration and post refractive surgery keratectasia. The associated risk factors for development of corneal hydrops (CH) are early onset of keratoconus, microtrauma associated with contact lens use, eye rubbing, allergic conjunctivitis, atopy, and Down’s syndrome. With the conservative approach of management of CH, it takes longer time (in months) for corneal oedema to get resolved and there is development of vascularization and scarring. This video presents the simple technique of using compression sutures along with pneumodescemetopexy by intracameral air injection for management of CH. It led to rapid resolution of corneal oedema. It is a simple technique, with no need of special gases like C3F8 or SF6 and can be easily performed at a very basic set up. Purpose: To highlight the efficacy of simple technique of applying compression sutures and air tamponade in management of CH and to demonstrate the efficacy of anterior segment OCT in diagnosis and to assess the prognosis of a case of CH. Synopsis: A 9-year-old boy presented with CH, with anterior segment OCT showing torn descemet’s membrane and fluid pockets in corneal stroma. Four full-thickness compression sutures were applied and intracameral sterile air was used for pneumodescetopexy. The serial post operative clinical and OCT picture showed rapid resolution of corneal oedema. Highlights: This video highlights the use of OCT imaging in the diagnosis of CH and full-thickness compression sutures as the safe and effective technique in the management of acute CH.

Queratoglobo. Presentación de caso / Keratoglobus. Case presentation

RESUMEN Se presenta un caso clínico de un varón de 27 años de edad, con una ectasia corneal y presencia de queratoglobo en ambos ojos. La manifestación clínica fue disminución lenta y progresiva de la agudeza visual en ambos ojos y dolor en el ojo izquierdo. Al examen oftalmológico se constató hidrops corneal agudo en ojo izquierdo y otras complicaciones corneales, propias de esta anomalía. Se realizó un estudio oftalmológico que permitió un diagnóstico certero. Se aplicó la terapéutica correspondiente y se sugirieron otras opciones terapéuticas (AU).

ABSTRACT We present the clinical case of a male patient, aged 27 years, with corneal ectasia and keratoglobus in both eyes. The clinical manifestation was progressive and slow decrease of the visual acuity in both eyes and pain in the left eye. At the ophthalmologic examination, acute corneal hydrops was found in the left eye, and also other complications that are proper of this anomaly. An ophthalmologic study was carried out that lead to an accurate diagnosis. The correspondent therapy was applied and several therapeutic options were suggested (AU).

Ocular manifestations of Noonan syndrome in twin siblings: A case report of keratoconus with acute corneal hydrops.

Ocular manifestations of Noonan syndrome (NS) in a set of healthy 20‑year‑old African‑American fraternal twins are reported with emphasis on a rare finding of keratoconus with acute corneal hydrops in one twin. Both the twins had learning disabilities and attended a special needs school. Evaluation included visual acuity assessment, tonometry and external eye, slit lamp and dilated fundus examinations, topography with Pentacam and external photographs. The first case was more remarkable as keratoconus with acute corneal hydrops was observed. The patient presented with severe cloudy vision that had worsened over a span of 1 month. It improved significantly on follow‑up. The second case included a unique constellation of ocular pathology that highlights the diversity of NS manifestations even amongst twins. Conservative treatment of keratoconus with acute corneal hydrops in a NS patient helped largely resolve the patient’s condition. We report the diverse spectrum of ocular manifestations associated with this rare congenital disorder.

Acute corneal hydrops in keratoconus.

Acute corneal hydrops is a condition characterized by stromal edema due to leakage of aqueous through a tear in descemet membrane. The patient presents with sudden onset decrease in vision, photophobia, and pain. Corneal thinning and ectasias combined with trivial trauma to the eye mostly by eye rubbing is considered as the underlying cause. With conservative approach self-resolution takes around 2 to 3 months. Surgical intervention is required in cases of non-resolution of corneal edema to avoid complications and for early visual rehabilitation. Intracameral injection of air or gas such as perflouropropane is the most common surgical procedure done. Recent investigative modality such as anterior segment optical coherence tomography is an extremely useful tool for diagnosis, surgical planning, and postoperative follow up. Resolution of hydrops may improve the contact lens tolerance and visual acuity but most cases require keratoplasty for visual rehabilitation.