A Case of Cataract Surgery in an Epikeratophakia Patient

PURPOSE: To report a case of cataract surgery in an epikeratophakia patient. CASE SUMMARY: A 59-year-old female with a history of epikeratophakic surgery 20 years ago complained of decreased visual acuity of both eyes for several months. She had nucleosclerotic and posterior subcapsular types of cataracts. Phacoemulsification and posterior capsule intraocular lens implantation were performed in both eyes. During surgery, corneal edema was especially prominent at the cornea with epikeratophakic lenticules in both eyes. In the left eye, severe corneal edema after one day of surgery was observed; however, after one week, corneal edema had subsided and visual acuity of both eyes had improved. CONCLUSIONS: When it necessary that cataract surgery is performed in patients with epikeratophakic lenticules, it is important to anticipate the corneal edema intraoperatively and postoperatively. Moreover, the surgeon should consider the acute calculation of the target refraction of intraocular lens in an epikeratophakia patient.

Anatomical and functional graft survival, 10 years after epikeratoplasty in keratoconus.

Purpose: To report outcomes of epikeratoplasty in keratoconus (KC), utilizing manually-prepared plano donor lenticules in terms of flattening of the cone, reduction in astigmatism and improvement in the visual acuity. Materials and Methods: Patients with KC, having visual acuity <20/200, astigmatism >12 diopters (D) but without corneal opacity underwent epikeratoplasty, using manually prepared plano donor lenticules from fresh or M.K preserved corneas, between 1990 - 2000 and followed for 10 years, were included in this report. Visual acuity slit-lamp-biomicroscopy, keratometry, and refraction were performed at 8 weeks, 12 weeks, and 6 months for all 59 patients. The same were carried out at 1 year, 5 years, and 10 years depending upon the availability of the patient for that period. Results: Of the 59 patients, only 26 were available for follow-up after 10 years. At 3 months, 1 year and 5 years, best corrected visual acuity of (BCVA) ≥20/60 were achieved in 84.7%, 84.4% and 80.3% of eyes, respectively. BCVA was 73% at 10-year follow- up, which was due to the presence of posterior subcapsular cataract (PSC). The average keratometric astigmatism and average flattening in diopters stabilized at the end of 3 months, which remained constant at 1, 5, and 10-year follow-up. The average diopter of myopia was stabilized by 1 year, which was almost same at 10 year. Graft was clear in all but 1 eye at 10 year follow-up. Conclusion: Epikeratoplasty is a useful technique for keratoconic eyes without apical scarring who fail or unable to use contact lenses.

Modifications endotheliales au decours de la keratoplastie transfixiante

Les auteurs ont analyse les resultats post operatoires de la keratoplastie transfixiante apres ablation des sutures dans le service d'Ophtalmologie du Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Tours. L'age des patients variait de 20 a 90 ans avec une moyenne de 56;83 ans. 41;7des patients avaient une keratopathie bulleuse de l'aphake ou du pseudophake. L'hypertonie oculaire etait la complication post operatoire la plus frequente. L'ablation definitive des sutures a ameliore la clarte du greffon et donc l'acuite visuelle malgre l'importance de la perte cellulaire endotheliale (65;65a un an) et de l'oedeme corneen residuel

The Effects of Epikeratoplasty & Laser in Situ Keratomileusis(LASIK) for Correction of High Myopia

In order to compare the clinical results of Epikeratoplasty (EPK) with Laser in situ keratomileusis(LASIK) to be corrected of high myopia above -9 diopters, the effect of the procedure on 74 patients following EKP and 63 patients following LASIK who were followed up at least 1 year were analyzed retrospectively. Postoperative mean uncorrected visual acuity was reached 0.56 until 3 month in EKP group and 0.53 until 1 month in LASIK group. LASIK group recovered and stabilized more rapidly than EKP guoup(p<0.01). Also LASIK group had more rapid recovery in keratometryp(p<0.01) and mean refractive error than EKP group(p<0.01). But there was no significant difference between two groups in uncorrected visual acuity(p=0.62), keratometry(p=0.41) and mean refractive error(p=0.32) at postoperative 1 year. LASIK seems to have more rapid and effective visual recovery than EKP for high myopia treatment.

Long Term Follow-Up of Epikeratophakia in the Pediatric Aphakia

We performed 3 cases of epikeratoplasties on two pediatric aphakic patients who were intolerable to contact lenses & spectacles. These epikeratoplasties were performed in accordance with the Kaufman-McDonald Epikeratophakia Method using the commercially available frozen and dried Kerato-Lens (Allergan Medical Optics), the lenticule of which was rehydrated at the time of surgery. The cataract extractions were performed at 3 months after birth on both eyes of the congenital cataract & at 18 months after birth on the traumatic cataract that had developed at 14 months after birth. The epikeratoplasties for the eyes with congenital cataract were performed at 24 months on the right eye and at 16 months after birth on the left eye respectively. The epikeratoplasty for the traumatic cataract eye was performed at 28 months after birth. The 3 grafts have remained successful over the follow-up period of 4 to 6 years. The right eye of congenital cataract case had myopic shift of 3.75D and best corrected visual acuity of 0.2 during 5-year of follow-up period and the other left eye had myopic shift of 4.75 D and best corrected visual acuity of 0.7 during 6-year of follow-up period. The traumatic cataract case had myopic shift of 1.0 D and best corrected visual acuity of 0.05 during 4-year of follow up period. In view of this, it is considered that the epikeratoplasty is of an effective treatment in correcting the refractive error in the pediatirc aphakia patients who intolerable to contact lens and in whom difficulty exists in determining whether an intraocular lens implantation is appropriate or not.

The Effect of Disposable Bandage Contact Lenses on Time and Velocity of Corneal Epithelial Healing after Myopic Epikeratoplasty

To investigate the effect of disposable contact lenses (CL) on the corneal epithelial healing, a prospective study of 30 myopic epikeratoplasties which were divided into 3 groups according to the method for promoting the corneal epithelial healing was conducted. The groups are consisted of 10 eyes with pressure patch, 10 eyes with Acuvue(R) disposable CL and 10 eyes with SeeQuence(R) disposable CL. Corneal epithelial healing was completed in the pressure patch, Acuvue(R) CL and SeeQuence(R) CL group at 3.4, 3.5 and 3.4 postoperative days, respectively. Corneal epithelial healing rate during postoperative 1, 2 and 3 days are 0.33, O.78, and O.44mm2/hour in pressure patch group, O.24, O.92 and O.37mm2/hour in Acuvue(R) CL group, and O.30, O.79 and O.38mm2/hour in SeeQuence(R) CL group respectively. From the above results, it is concluded that there was no statistically significant difference of the corneal epithelial healing time and rate between the pressure patching and disposable bandage CL wearing after myopic epikeratoplasty.

Trephination with vacuum trephine in undercorrection of myopic epikeratoplasty

For the treatment of undercorrection after myopic epikeratoplasty, early suture removal, scar revision, retrephination, replacement of lenticule and, recently, excimer laser photorefractive keratoplasty have been employed. We performed trephination with Hessburg-Barron vacuum trephine on 11 eyes of 11 patients whose post-epikeratoplasty myopic power was over -4.00 diopters for 3 consecutive months. Patients were followed up on post-trephination 1 month, 3 months and 6 months. The mean duration from epikeratoplasty to trephination was 14.27 months, the mean pre-trephination spherical equivalent was -8.50 D and the mean keratometric reading was 40.87 D. The mean reduction of spherical equivalent was -4.07, -5.99, -8.02 D at post-trephination 1, 3, 6 months, respectively. The mean keratometric reading was 37.60 diopters at 1 month and 41.53 diopters at 6 months. At 1 and 3 months, there were significant reductions of myopic power in refraction and keratometry (p 0.05). There was no change of uncorrected and best corrected visual acuity between baseline and post-trephination 6 months.

The Morphologic Changes of Epikeratoplasty Lenticule In a Case

The patients initially underwent epikeratoplasty for keratoconus but a penetrating kerato plasty was required due to the opacity in the cornea. By using of this specimen, which was obtained by trephination the healing process of the host-Ienticule cornea could be examined by electron microscopy and immunofluorescence method. Epithelial ingrowth over the lenticule was well formed by the regeneration of the basement membrane over the Bowman's membrane. However, the poor attachment of the lenticule over the host corneal stroma made the interface easily separated during the sectioning processes. Electron microscopic study revealed the keratocytes in the lenticule stroma vacuolized with large number of degenerated microorganelles. These results suggest that it may take a long time to complete the wound healing of the host-Ienticule interface despite the epithelial ingrowth onto the lenticule was well formed.

Trephination Effect After Epikeratoplasty

Trephination was performed for the purpose of correction of undercorrection after epikeratoplasty. We classified two group-Delayed regression group represented regression toward myopia more than 3D again after spherical equivalant become stable. Undercorrection group represented remained myopia after epikeratoplasty. Thirteen trephinations were performed on eleven eyes. Mean follow-up period was 22.4 weeks. In skiascopy, totally 1.15D myopia was decreased. In delayed regression group myopia was increased 0.5D, while in undercorrection group, myopia was dereased 3.5D, The results of three eyes in eleven eyse were satisfactory. Those 3 cases were from undercorrection group. The results suggest that trephination might be effective method for correction of remained myopia in undercorrection group.

Clinical Results of Epikeratoplasty for Myopia, Keratoconus and Aphakia

We have performed epikeratoplasty to correct the visual acuity in high myopia who are more than -8.0D and intolerant to the wearing of contract lens, and for the aphakic eyes. It has been also applied to supress the progression of keratoconus. Of 118 eyes performed from january 1989 to july 1992, a total of 90 eyes which could be followed up were subject to the review, including 66 high myopic eyes, 18 keratoconus, and 6 aphakic eyes. In myopic patients, uncorrected visual acuity was stable from a proeperative mean of 0.04 to 0.58 at 4 months. Spherical equivalent was stable from a preoperative mean of -13.99 to -2.01 at 4 months. In keratoconus patients with mean 10.1 months follow-tp, uncorrected visual acuity was changed from 0.05 to 0.33 Corrected viaual acuity was changed from 0.15 to 0.60, keratometry reading was changed from 55.87D to 45.92D. Of 6 aphakic eyes, spherical equivalent of 3 pediatric: aphakic eyes under the age of 3 was changed from +15.0D to +3.41, for the other 3 adult aphakic eyes, spherical equivalent was changed from +9.5D to +1.83D and uncorrected visual acuity was changed from 0.03 to 0.32. Epikeratoplasty is effective surgery applicable to the correction of myopia more than -8.0D, keratoconus, and aphakia.

Progressive Loss of Power After Myopic Epikeratoplasty

It has been widely accepted due to its simplicity, safety and effectiveness to correct high myopia by epikeratoplasty. We evaluated clinical results of 23 cases of myopic epikeratoplasty over one year follow up. The uncorrected visual acuity improved in all cases and corrected visual acuity improved in 20 cases (91%). But, in 5 cases (22%), we experienced progressive loss of lenticular power more than 4 diopter of emmetropia and their clinical courses were also reviewed Two cases were both eyes of the same patient. The loss of lenticular power appeared as early in 5th week and even in 6th month postoperatively. We could not find any differences between this grolp of power loss and that of remained well corrected within 4 diopter of emmetropia, except preoperative spherical equivalent (-19 diopter vs -15 diopter), period of reepithelization (8.2 days vs 5.9 days), and mean age (25.8 years vs 31.1 years). But, only the difference of mean age was statistically significant (p<0.05). In addition, the surgical techniques the process of manufacturing tissue lenticule, and postoperative care might be document2d as possible factors.

The Clinical Report on Seven Cases of Epikeratoplasty

After the first description of epikeratoplasty for the correction of aphakia, it has been widely used in high myopia and keratoconus for improvement of visual acuity. Seven epikeratoplasties were performed on five high myopia and two keratoconus patients showing intolerance to eye-glasses and contact lens, with the mean follow-up period of 9.7 months. In high myopia, mean spherical equivalent decreased from -15.90D to -2.05D postoperatively. In keratoconus, mean keratometric value decreased more than 4.94D postoperatively and the progression of disease stopped. All patients showed an imporvement in thei uncorrected visual acuity and best corrected visual acuity. In all cases, reepithelialization completed in 4-23 days (mean 14 days).

Epikeratoplasty for Correction of High Myopia

Epikeratophakia was first described in 1980 by Kaufman, the correction of aphakia in adults. Since then, epikeratoplasty has been emploed for the correction of high myopia, keratoconus and most often. We have operated on high myopic eye, for which spectacles or contact lenses were no good enogh to correct myopia. 32 epikeratoplasty for 26 patients of high myopia were operated on and followed up to reveal the effect of the epikeratoplasty. The cases with 6 months or more followed up are reviewed. The cases reviewed are followed up at least 6 month or more. All cases improved their uncorrected visual acuity 20/40 or better. The mean keratometric reduction after surgery was 11.2D. Mean preoperative spherical equivalent of -12.8D was corrected to average -0.4D postoperatively. This study has revealed that epikeratoplasty has a couple of unique advantatges; a wide range of the correction of visual acuity and no postoperative complications. And these advantages were us to make epikeratoplasty a first choice method for the correction of high myopia.

The Clinical Report on Six Cases of Epikeratoplasty

After the first description of epikeratoplasty for the correction of aphakia by Kaufman in 1980, the application of epikeratoplasty has been extended further to keratoconus and high myopia. Six epikeratoplasty for 5 eyes of high myopia and 1 eye of keratoconus were performed and followed upto average 4.9 months. All cases improved their uncorrected visual acuity and the preoperative best corrected visual acuity improved or had no change postoperatively except one case on the last visit. In the cases of high myopia, the mean preoperative spherical equivalent of -19.4D was corrected to average -0.23D with the range of -1.75D to +2.5D postoperatively. In the case of keratoconus, there was the mean decrease in 12.0D of myopia in terms of spherical equivalent and the cornea was flattened by over 8D in keratometry readings.

2 Case of Epikeratopkakia in the Adult Aphakia

One of the indications for epikeratophakia is monocular aphakia intolerant of spectacles and contact lens correction and unsuited for intraocular lens implantation for whatever reason. The procedure involves suturing a lamellar corneal stromal tissue of a human donor eye prelathed for corrective power onto the recipient cornea whose epithellum has just been removed. We performed the epikeratophakia procedure on two patients who were included in the above indication on May 26, 1988. Through the first 6 months of postoperative period, both the graft and recipient tissues remained clear with excellent optical quality, with corrected visual acuity of 0.4 at 1 month, 0.6 at 3 month and 0.8 at 6 month postoperative period respectively. The average increase of corneal curvature was 10.5 diopters and induced refractive error was within 1.5 spherical equivalent diopters after the 6 month period. No significant postoperative compications have been encountered.

Epikeratophakia for Adult Aphakia

Epikeratophakia is a newly developed refractive corneal surgery for the correction of aphakic vision. Two aphakic patients have received hyperopic epikeratophakia grafts. Three months postoperatively, two patients had visual acuities of 0.6 without spectacle overcorrection. Epikeratophakia appears to be effective for the correction of adult aphakia.