Descemet Membrane Endothelial Keratoplasty after Penetrating Keratoplasty Graft Failure

Purpose@#To report a case of a successful secondary Descemet membrane endothelial keratoplasty in failed penetrating keratoplasty. Case summary: A 46-year-old male with keratoconus in both of his eyes underwent penetrating keratoplasty in his right eye 30 years ago and in his left eye 14 years ago. From one and a half year ago, the patient’s visual acuity decreased in his left eye due to graft failure. For treatment, secondary Descemet membrane endothelial keratoplasty was performed. Partial detachment of Descemet membrane was observed at 13 days after the operation, and an additional air injection was performed. At 8 months after the operation, the patient’s uncorrected visual acuity improved to 0.5 and the cornea maintained its clearance without rejection. @*Conclusions@#Secondary Descemet membrane endothelial keratoplasty was successfully performed in a patient with failed penetrating keratoplasty.

Repeat Descemet Membrane Endothelial Keratoplasty after Descemet Membrane Endothelial Keratoplasty Graft Failure

Purpose@#To report a case of secondary Descemet membrane endothelial keratoplasty (DMEK) for graft failure after primary DMEK.Case summary: A 47-year-old female underwent primary DMEK in her left eye with a diagnosis of Fuchs’ endothelial dystrophy. At 6 weeks later, corneal stromal edema with epithelial and subepithelial bullae was first observed. From that point on, the condition of the cornea and the visual acuity continued to degrade. After 7 months, a second DMEK procedure (i.e., a repeat DMEK) for graft failure was performed successfully without any complications. Since the second procedure, the cornea has been clear, and the best-corrected visual acuity has remained at 0.6 for 8 months. @*Conclusions@#To manage graft failure after primary DMEK, we performed a second DMEK procedure. The removal of the previous graft was easy, and there were no complications. Thus, repeat DMEK may be a feasible procedure.

Cataract Surgery Practice in the Republic of Korea: A Survey of the Korean Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery 2020

Purpose@#To describe current cataract surgery practice patterns and trends among Korean ophthalmologists. @*Methods@#A survey was conducted among members of the Korean Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery in October 2020. Of the 998 questionnaires, 262 (26.3%) were received for analysis. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and compared with those of previous surveys. @*Results@#The largest percentage of respondents (39%) had 11 years of practical experience. The average, median, and mode monthly volumes of cataract surgeries performed by the Korean Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery members were 31, 20, and 10 cases, respectively. Topical anesthesia was administered by 85% of the respondents. For intraocular lens (IOL) calculations, 96% of the respondents used optical biometry. The proportion of surgeons providing femtosecond laser-assisted cataract surgery increased significantly from 5% in 2018 to 29% in 2020. This increase was accompanied by an increase in the multifocal IOLs. Those who implant multifocal IOL for >10% of their cases increased from 16% (2018) to 29% (2020). Topical nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs were prescribed postoperatively by 76% of the respondents. Most respondents (70%) prescribed these anti-inflammatory drugs for 4 weeks. @*Conclusions@#This survey provided a comprehensive update on current cataract surgery practice in the Republic of Korea. The results highlighted the increasing use of premium IOLs, femtosecond laser-assisted cataract surgery, optical biometry, and topical anesthesia to better meet the patients’ needs.

Descemet Membrane Endothelial Keratoplasty after Penetrating Keratoplasty Graft Failure

Purpose@#To report a case of a successful secondary Descemet membrane endothelial keratoplasty in failed penetrating keratoplasty. Case summary: A 46-year-old male with keratoconus in both of his eyes underwent penetrating keratoplasty in his right eye 30 years ago and in his left eye 14 years ago. From one and a half year ago, the patient’s visual acuity decreased in his left eye due to graft failure. For treatment, secondary Descemet membrane endothelial keratoplasty was performed. Partial detachment of Descemet membrane was observed at 13 days after the operation, and an additional air injection was performed. At 8 months after the operation, the patient’s uncorrected visual acuity improved to 0.5 and the cornea maintained its clearance without rejection. @*Conclusions@#Secondary Descemet membrane endothelial keratoplasty was successfully performed in a patient with failed penetrating keratoplasty.

Repeat Descemet Membrane Endothelial Keratoplasty after Descemet Membrane Endothelial Keratoplasty Graft Failure

Purpose@#To report a case of secondary Descemet membrane endothelial keratoplasty (DMEK) for graft failure after primary DMEK.Case summary: A 47-year-old female underwent primary DMEK in her left eye with a diagnosis of Fuchs’ endothelial dystrophy. At 6 weeks later, corneal stromal edema with epithelial and subepithelial bullae was first observed. From that point on, the condition of the cornea and the visual acuity continued to degrade. After 7 months, a second DMEK procedure (i.e., a repeat DMEK) for graft failure was performed successfully without any complications. Since the second procedure, the cornea has been clear, and the best-corrected visual acuity has remained at 0.6 for 8 months. @*Conclusions@#To manage graft failure after primary DMEK, we performed a second DMEK procedure. The removal of the previous graft was easy, and there were no complications. Thus, repeat DMEK may be a feasible procedure.

Cataract Surgery Practice in the Republic of Korea: A Survey of the Korean Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery 2020

Purpose@#To describe current cataract surgery practice patterns and trends among Korean ophthalmologists. @*Methods@#A survey was conducted among members of the Korean Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery in October 2020. Of the 998 questionnaires, 262 (26.3%) were received for analysis. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and compared with those of previous surveys. @*Results@#The largest percentage of respondents (39%) had 11 years of practical experience. The average, median, and mode monthly volumes of cataract surgeries performed by the Korean Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery members were 31, 20, and 10 cases, respectively. Topical anesthesia was administered by 85% of the respondents. For intraocular lens (IOL) calculations, 96% of the respondents used optical biometry. The proportion of surgeons providing femtosecond laser-assisted cataract surgery increased significantly from 5% in 2018 to 29% in 2020. This increase was accompanied by an increase in the multifocal IOLs. Those who implant multifocal IOL for >10% of their cases increased from 16% (2018) to 29% (2020). Topical nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs were prescribed postoperatively by 76% of the respondents. Most respondents (70%) prescribed these anti-inflammatory drugs for 4 weeks. @*Conclusions@#This survey provided a comprehensive update on current cataract surgery practice in the Republic of Korea. The results highlighted the increasing use of premium IOLs, femtosecond laser-assisted cataract surgery, optical biometry, and topical anesthesia to better meet the patients’ needs.

Descemet Membrane Endothelial Keratoplasty to Treat Graft Failure after Descemet Stripping Endothelial Keratoplasty

Purpose@#We report a case of secondary Descemet membrane endothelial keratoplasty (DMEK) to treat graft failure after Descemet stripping endothelial keratoplasty (DSEK).Case summary: A 66-year-old female underwent DSEK of her right eye to treat pseudophakic bullous keratopathy that developed after cataract surgery and intraocular lens exchange. After 5 years, she complained of decreased vision; graft failure was observed. Secondary DMEK was performed; no additional air injection was needed. The corrected visual acuity was 0.2, 3 months after surgery, and the cornea became clear. @*Conclusions@#Visual recovery can be achieved by performing secondary DMEK after primary DSEK graft failure.

Descemet Membrane Endothelial Keratoplasty to Treat Graft Failure after Descemet Stripping Endothelial Keratoplasty

Purpose@#We report a case of secondary Descemet membrane endothelial keratoplasty (DMEK) to treat graft failure after Descemet stripping endothelial keratoplasty (DSEK).Case summary: A 66-year-old female underwent DSEK of her right eye to treat pseudophakic bullous keratopathy that developed after cataract surgery and intraocular lens exchange. After 5 years, she complained of decreased vision; graft failure was observed. Secondary DMEK was performed; no additional air injection was needed. The corrected visual acuity was 0.2, 3 months after surgery, and the cornea became clear. @*Conclusions@#Visual recovery can be achieved by performing secondary DMEK after primary DSEK graft failure.

Effects of Ranibizumab, Bevacizumab, and Aflibercept on Senescent Retinal Pigment Epithelial Cells

PURPOSE: Anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) agents have been used for the last 10 years, but their safety profile, including cytotoxicity against various ocular cells such as retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells, remains a serious concern. Safety studies of VEGF agents conducted to date have primarily relied on healthy RPE cells. In this study, we assessed the safety of three anti-VEGF agents, namely, ranibizumab, bevacizumab, and aflibercept, on senescent RPE cells. METHODS: Senescent human induced pluripotent stem cell-derived RPE cells were generated by continuous replication and confirmed with senescence biomarkers. The viability, proliferation, protein expression, and phagocytosis of the senescent RPE cells were characterized 3 days after anti-VEGF treatment with clinical doses of ranibizumab, bevacizumab, or aflibercept. RESULTS: Clinical doses of ranibizumab, bevacizumab, or aflibercept did not decrease the viability or alter proliferation of senescent RPE cells. In addition, the anti-VEGF agents did not induce additional senescence, impair the protein expression of zonula occludens-1 and RPE65, or reduce the phagocytosis capacity of senescent RPE cells. CONCLUSIONS: Clinical dosages of ranibizumab, bevacizumab, or aflibercept do not induce significant cytotoxicity in senescent RPE cells.

Causes of epidemic keratoconjunctivitis and therapeutic measures

Epidemic keratoconjunctivitis is the most common type of infectious conjunctivitis, and is caused by adenoviruses. The mode of transmission is mainly through direct contact with ocular secretions. Epidemic keratoconjunctivitis is generally diagnosed based on a patient's clinical features, and additional measures, such as cell cultures, polymerase chain reaction, and rapid antigen detection tests, can further confirm the diagnosis. The most common symptoms include a foreign body sensation, tearing, and photophobia. The symptoms are usually expressed unilaterally in the initial phase, but gradually become bilateral. Frequently occurring complications include pseudomembrane formation and subepithelial infiltrates. Currently, no antiviral agent has been proven effective to alter the natural course of the disease, and treatment merely has a supportive role instead of a curative role. Therefore, preventive measures in medical offices and in the community are the most important methods of controlling the propagation of this disease.

Comparisons for Evaluation of Efficacy and Safety of Cyclosporin A 0.05% Ophthalmic Emulsion Treatment Groups

PURPOSE: To evaluate and compare the efficacy and safety of cyclosporine 0.05% (Cyporin N eye drops 0.05%) to an active comparator (Restasis®) in moderate to severe dry eye patients. METHODS: This is a multicenter, randomized, double-blind, parallel, active control, non-inferiority, phase III study. Patients had a 2-week run-in period (during the run-in period, patients used artificial tears, if applicable), and afterward 158 patients were randomly assigned treatment for 12 weeks with cyclosporine 0.05% (with artificial tears, if applicable), in which the efficacy and safety were evaluated every four weeks. RESULTS: Corneal staining tests showed that in the per protocol set group, the study group was not inferior to the control group; the results for the full analysis set analytic group were the same. The number of adverse events reported from the 158 patients was not significantly different between groups (p = 0.1107). Additionally, other evaluations, including tolerability evaluations, clinical pathology examinations, and vital signs, show that there is no difference in terms of safety between the groups. CONCLUSIONS: Cyclosporine A 0.05% (Cyporin N eye drops 0.05%) is considered to have the same efficacy and safety compared to the active comparator.

Epidemiologic and Genetic Studies of Keratoconus Patients in Korea

PURPOSE: To report the characteristics and genetic epidemiology of keratoconus patients in the Korean population based on questionnaires, ophthalmologic findings, and genetic studies. METHODS: From September 2007 through August 2009, an epidemiologic investigation was performed through questionnaires and ocular examination of 190 keratoconus patients. To investigate the genetic cause, blood samples were taken from the keratoconus patients. Genetic analysis of keratoconus was performed through the analysis of sensitive candidate genes. RESULTS: The mean age of the study subjects was 29.6 years. Seventy-seven percent of the subjects rubbed their eyes with 17 percent suffering from atopy, allergy, and asthma. Thirty-two percent of subjects demonstrated Vogt's striae as the most frequent biomicroscopic keratoconus finding. No family history was found. Genetic analysis showed sensitive genetic variations of VSX1, LUM, and IL1B. CONCLUSIONS: Epidemiology of Korean keratoconus patients was investigated through research and genetic study resulting in discovery of sensitive genes.

The Keratometric and Refractive Value Change According to Trephine Size Difference after Keratoplasty in Keratoconus

PURPOSE: To investigate mean keratometric and refractive value after penetrating keratoplasty according to the difference between donor and recipient cornea size. METHODS: In a retrospective study, Keratoconus patients who underwent penetrating keratoplasty for keratoconus from January 2005 to July 2008 were examined. Preoperatively, axial length was measured using applanation ultrasonography and anterior chamber depth, white to white diameter were also measured using the corneal topography. The trephine size of donor and recipient during the surgery were recorded. Preoperatively, 6, 12, and 24 months postoperatively refraction and keratometric value were evaluated in groups divided according to corneal trephine size difference. RESULTS: Among the 41 eyes of 41 patients, there was a mean age at transplant of 26.4 years. After surgery, the decrease of anterior chamber depth could contribute to the decrease of myopic change. However, the differences between donor and recipient cornea size do not have a significant affect on postoperative keratometric or refractive value. CONCLUSIONS: There is no significant difference between the postoperative keratometric value and the corneal trephine size difference in keratoconus patients.

Effects of Individualized Postoperative Education on Anxiety Levels and Self-Care Compliance after One-Day Cataract Surgery

PURPOSE: To investigate the influence of additional postoperative individualized teaching on the anxiety levels and self-care compliance of postoperative care in patients after one-day cataract surgery. METHODS: The present study included 80 cataract patients who underwent phacoemulsification and posterior intraocular lens insertion performed by a single operator between January 2011 and February 2011. The control group consisted of patients who received postoperative education from an ophthalmology coordinator based on previous hospital policy. The experiment group consisted of patients who received additional individualized postoperative education from an operator in the recovery room. Trait anxiety on operation day, state anxiety on postoperative day 1, and self-care compliance and postoperative satisfaction at postoperative 1 month were evaluated. RESULTS: There were no significant differences of trait anxiety levels on operation day or state anxiety on postoperative day 1 between the control and experiment groups. The experiment group revealed a higher score on the postoperative self-care compliance questionnaire, especially regarding care of the operation site. CONCLUSIONS: Individualized postoperative education increases self-care compliance level and contributes to improve postoperative recovery after one-day cataract surgery.

Cyclosporine 0.05% Ophthalmic Emulsion for Dry Eye in Korea: A Prospective, Multicenter, Open-Label, Surveillance Study

PURPOSE: To assess the effectiveness and tolerability of cyclosporine ophthalmic emulsion (CsA) 0.05% in patients with moderate to severe dry eye disease in Korea. METHODS: This was a prospective, multicenter, open-label, surveillance study of 392 Korean patients with moderate to severe dry eye disease who were treated with CsA 0.05% for three months. An assessment of effectiveness was performed at baseline, and after 1, 2, and 3 months. The primary effectiveness outcomes were changes in ocular symptoms and Schirmer score. The secondary effectiveness outcomes were a change in conjunctival staining, use of artificial tears, global evaluation of treatment, and patient satisfaction. The primary safety outcome was the incidence and nature of adverse events. RESULTS: A total of 362 patients completed the study. After three months, all ocular symptom scores were significantly reduced compared to the baseline values, while the Schirmer scores were significantly increased relative to baseline (p 50%) experienced at least a 25% to 50% improvement in symptoms from baseline at each follow-up visit. The majority of patients (72.0%) were satisfied with the treatment results, and 57.2% reported having no or mild symptoms after treatment. The most common adverse events were ocular pain (11.0%). CONCLUSIONS: Our findings indicate that CsA 0.05% is an effective and tolerable treatment for dry eye disease in Korean clinical practice.

Transscleral Fixation of Intraocular Lens Using the Triple Cow-Hitch Method

PURPOSE: To report the results of scleral suture fixation using a hydrophilic acrylic intraocular lens (IOL) with 3 hollow haptics through a small corneal incision, the Triple Cow-Hitch Method. CASE SUMMARY: Three-point suture fixation of a XL Stabi ZO IOL was performed in 5 eyes of 5 patients with aphakia after penetrating keratoplasty (PKP), vitrectomy and subluxated lens extraction. Postoperatively, the corrected distance visual acuity and spherical equivalent improved in all measured eyes. There were no cases of pigment dispersion or cystoid macular edema (CME). CONCLUSIONS: In this preliminary study, the triple cow-hitch method of suturing a hydrophilic acrylic IOL is an alternative to the conventional 2-point scleral fixation of sutured IOLs.

Optical Coherence Tomography Findings in Best Disease

PURPOSE: To report the optical coherence tomography (OCT) findings of three cases in various stages of juvenile-onset vitelliform macular dystrophy (Best disease). CASE SUMMARY: Medical records of six eyes from three patients diagnosed with Best disease were reviewed retrospectively. We evaluated the clinical features of the fundus, the electro-oculogram, and the optical coherence tomography (OCT) results. In the fundi of the three patients with Best disease, the characteristic stages of vitelliform, pseudohypopyon, and scrambled egg appearance were identified. Optical coherence tomography findings in the eyes of the patients with Best disease showed two types of outer retina-choroid complex (ORCC) changes, including splitting with intervening hyporeflective areas and elevation over hyporeflective area. CONCLUSIONS: The OCT findings showed variable patterns according to the progression of Best disease. In the pseudohypopyon stage, both neurosensory detachment and retinal pigment epithelial detachment appearance were identified. The exact location of the resulting lesions seems to depend on the relative impediment of fluid movement caused by the mutation of bestrophin.

A Case of Primary B-cell Lymphoblastic Lymphoma of the Orbit in a Pediatric Patient

PURPOSE: We report a case of orbital B-cell lymphoblastic lymphoma in a 7-year-old boy. METHODS: A 7-year-old boy presented with proptosis and periorbital swelling of his left eye following a periorbital blunt trauma 1-month prior. During the course of routine ophthalmologic and radiologic examinatinos, the swelling spontaneously subsided without specific treatment. An outpatient follow-up was planned, but the swelling recurred 6 months later. An orbital CT and MRI showed an irregular mass with an indistinct margin in the left orbit, for which an incisional biopsy was performed. RESULTS: The orbital mass consisited of monotonous small to medium sized lymphoid cells with evenly dispersed open chromatin, thin nuclear membrane and inconspicuous nucleoli. Immunohistochemistry revealed that the cells were positive for CD79a and TdT, but negative for CD3 and CD5. These findings were compatible with a diagnosis of B cell lymphoblastic lymphoma. CONCLUSIONS: Lymphoblastic lymphoma of the orbit should be suspected and considered in the differential diagnosis for children with acutely progressing orbital mass.

A Case of Zoster Ophthalmicus in a Child

PURPOSE: We report a case of herpes zoster ophthalmicus in a 7-year-old child. METHODS: A 7-year-old boy presented with acute onset of vesiculopapular rash covering his left forehead, upper eyelid, and side of the nose. He was admitted via the pediatrics clinic and was referred to ophthalmology clinic for ophthalmologic examinations. RESULTS: On admission zoster ophthalmicus was limited to his skin and conjunctiva, but the disease progressed to zoster keratitis, uveitis, and meningitis. The patient was treated with topical, oral, and intravenous acyclovir. He had an uneventful recovery and was discharged. CONCLUSIONS: We experienced a case of zoster ophthamicus and meningitis in a patient without an apparent history of chickenpox.

Clinical Result of Cataract Operation using Custom Control Software

PURPOSE: To compare the effectiveness and safety of the hyperpulse phaco mode based on the custom control software with those of the conventional continuous phaco mode. METHODS: This study included 560 eyes of 496 patients, which were divided into 2 groups according to the mode of phacoemulsification. Each group was further stratified into 4 groups according to their nuclear opacity. The following parameters were compared between groups having the same degree of nuclear opacity: the best corrected visual acuity preoperatively, at 1 day and 2 months postoperatively, the change of endothelial cell count and hexagonality preoperatively and at 2 months postoperatively, as well as the total phaco energy used in the operation. RESULTS There were no significant differences in visual acuity between control and experiment groups. As for change in endothelial cell count, there were also no statisticallysignificant differences. Hexagonality was significantly higher in the nuclear opacity groups 3 and 4 of the hyperpulse mode than those of the continuous mode. The absolute phaco time was significantly less in the nuclear opacity groups 1, 2 and 3 of the hyperpulse mode than those of the continuous mode. CONCLUSIONS: Phacoemulsification using the custom control software showed an advantage decrease in the total phaco energy and corneal endothelial cell damage. This result will improve the postoperative prognosis.