Outcomes of topography-guided PRK/CXL in keratoconus using the NIDEK CXIII system棓Bharat Protocol� (Pilot study)

Purpose: Outcome of topography?guided excimer laser ablation in conjunction with accelerated, high?fluence cross?linking in corneal ecstatic disease using the NIDEK CXIII equipped with CATz algorithm from the FinalFit software棓Bharat Protocol.� Methods: Retrospective case record review of 30 eyes of 17 patients of stage 1?3 keratoconus who underwent the procedure was performed. Data collected were for visual acuity, distortion?induced eye pain, and keratometry. Pachymetry, lower order and higher order aberrations, spherical aberrations, and topographic cylinder were documented from by Scheimpflug imaging (Pentacam 70700: Oculus, Wetzlar, Germany). Results: At a minimum follow?up of 6 months (range 6.2� months), there was significant improvement in UCVA (P < 0.00001), BCVA (P = 0.0061), decrease in Kmax (P = 0.0349), Ksteep (P < 0.0411), Kflat (P = 0.0099), and pachymetry (P = 0.0001). Significant improvement was also seen in distortion?induced eye pain (27/30 to 2/30; P < 0.00001). A more than two?line improvement in UCVA and BCVA was seen in 23/30 and 17/30 cases, respectively. Ectasia was stabilized in all cases at the last follow?up, and no complications were seen. Conclusions: The 揃harat� Protocol to arrest keratectasia progression and improve corneal regularity is a safe and efficacious alternative as a keratoconus management option. This is the first such study on Nidek Platform for the same.

Glauco-Claw: A novice implant for chronic angle-closure glaucoma

This article describes 1-year outcomes of a new intra-ocular implant, “Glauco-Claw,” in refractory chronic angle-closure glaucoma (ACG). Glauco-Claw is a novice polymethylmethacrylate implant with a central ring and five claws placed circumferentially. It was placed in the anterior chamber and the peripheral iris was tucked into the claws, thus causing goniosynechialysis and preventing the reformation of goniosynechiae. It was implanted in five eyes of five patients, and they were followed up for 1 year. Target intra-ocular pressure was achieved and maintained in all the patients till the last follow-up. Two patients did not require any anti-glaucoma medication. No significant complications were observed in any patient. Glauco-Claw could be another armamentarium in the management of refractory chronic ACG.

Novel custom designed toric piggyback intraocular lens for the correction of residual postoperative astigmatism

We report the outcomes of a custom-designed toric piggyback intraocular lens in a patient with high postoperative residual astigmatism. A 60-year-old male patient underwent customized toric piggyback IOL for postoperative residual astigmatism of 13 D, with follow-up examinations for IOL stability and refractive outcomes. The refractive error stabilized at two months and remained stable at one year, with a correction of nearly 9 D of astigmatism. The IOP remained within normal limits, and there were no postoperative complications. The IOL remained stable in the horizontal position. To our knowledge, this is the first case report of correction of unusually high astigmatism by a novel smart toric design of piggyback IOL.

Descemet membrane endothelial keratoplasty (DMEK) aquarium: Diving in to learn DMEK surgical concepts

A novel simulation model (without using human corneas) has been described for understanding the surgical concepts and developing tactile reflexes of Descemet membrane (DM) endothelium scroll manipulation and orientation in the anterior chamber, which are necessary for performing Descemet membrane endothelial keratoplasty (DMEK). Termed the “DMEK aquarium,” this model helps facilitate the understanding of different maneuvers of the DM graft needed inside the fluid-filled anterior chamber, like unrolling or unfolding, flipping or inversion, and checking orientation and centration in the host cornea. A stepwise plan for surgeons starting to learn DMEK utilizing various available resources is also suggested.

Surgical application of Ong speculum in simple limbal epithelial transplantation and pterygium surgery

Ong speculum is used in glaucoma surgeries such as trabeculectomy to expose the superior part of the globe. The large inferior blade pushes the inferior conjunctival fornix, due to which the eyeball rotates downwards. It has not been used in other anterior segment surgeries before. We used this speculum in simple limbal epithelial transplantation (SLET) and pterygium surgery to expose superior bulbar conjunctiva for harvesting limbal and conjunctival grafts, respectively. As the superior conjunctiva and sclera become exposed, it facilitates the steps of harvesting limbal biopsy and conjunctival graft in SLET and pterygium surgery. This eliminated the need for a superior rectus suture or an assistant who would keep the globe rotated downwards. Its position could also be maneuvered to adjust the site of exposure when dissecting the area of pannus in SLET. Thus, it makes the superior conjunctiva more accessible.

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.

Prediction Equations for Spirometry for Children from Northern India.

Objective: To develop prediction equations for spirometry for children from northern India using current international guidelines for standardization. Design: Re-analysis of cross-sectional data from a single school. Participants: 670 normal children (age 6-17 y; 365 boys) of northern Indian parentage. Methods: After screening for normal health, we carried out spirometry with recommended quality assurance according to current guidelines. We developed linear and nonlinear prediction equations using multiple regression analysis. We selected the final models on the basis of the highest coefficient of multiple determination (R2) and statistical validity. Main outcome measures: Spirometry parameters: FVC, FEV1, PEFR, FEF50, FEF75 and FEF25-75. Results: The equations for the main parameters were as follows: Boys, Ln FVC = -1.687+0.016*height +0.022*age; Ln FEV1 = -1.748+0.015*height+0.031*age. Girls, Ln FVC = -9.989 +(2.018*Ln(height)) + (0.324*Ln(age)); Ln FEV1 = -10.055 +(1.990*Ln(height))+(0.358*Ln(age)). Nonlinear regression yielded substantially greater R2 values compared to linear models except for FEF50 for girls. Height and age were found to be the significant explanatory variables for all parameters on multiple regression with weight making no significant contribution. Conclusions: We developed prediction equations for spirometry for children from northern India. Nonlinear equations were superior to linear equations.

Combined endothelial keratoplasty and clear lens extraction for corneal decompensation in irido-corneal endothelial syndrome.

A 38-year-old woman presented with corneal decompensation in left eye secondary to irido-corneal endothelial (ICE) syndrome. She underwent simultaneous Descemet’s stripping endothelial keratoplasty (DSEK) and clear lens extraction with posterior chamber intraocular lens implantation. The surgery was accomplished comfortably without rupture of peripheral anterior synechiae (PAS). 5 weeks postoperatively, the graft was a􀄴 ached, the cornea was clear and best-corrected visual acuity improved from 20/400 to 20/30. DSEK combined with clear lens extraction appears to be an eff ective measure to treat corneal decompensation in patients with ICE syndrome. Associated lens extraction in such cases increases the working space in anterior chamber for DSEK, which minimizes the intra-operative graft manipulation. This also avoids a future diffi cult cataract surgery in the presence of PAS and an endothelial graft, which may increase the chances of graft survival.

Challenges in pediatric endothelial keratoplasty.

We performed endothelial keratoplasty (EK) in three eyes of two siblings (2.5 years, male and 3.5 years, female) with congenital hereditary endothelial dystrophy (CHED) and report the intraoperative and postoperative difficulties. Repeated iris prolapse, apprehension of crystalline lens touch due to positive vitreous pressure, and need for frequent air injections to attach the graft were intraoperative challenges in all three eyes. These were addressed by use of Sheet’s glide instead of Busin’s glide during graft insertion and suturing of main and side ports before air injection. One eye had graft dislocation on second postoperative day due to eye rubbing by the child. Graft was repositioned with air and a venting incision was created. Postoperative examination required repeated general anesthesia. Corneal edema resolved completely in all three eyes. Present case series highlights the possible intraoperative and postoperative challenges and their solutions in pediatric EK for CHED.

Simultaneous bilensectomy and endothelial keratoplasty for angle-supported phakic intraocular lens-induced corneal decompensation.

A 40-year-old lady presented with severe endothelial cell loss in both eyes 14 years after angle-supported phakic intraocular lens (AS PIOL) implantation. The left eye had severe corneal edema with bullous keratopathy. The right eye had markedly reduced endothelial cell count (655 cells/mm2) although the cornea was clear. She underwent simultaneous bilensectomy (AS PIOL explantation and phacoemulsification) and Descemet's stripping and endothelial keratoplasty (DSEK) in the left eye. Explanted AS PIOL was identified as ZSAL-4 (Morcher, Stuttgart, Germany) model. Corneal edema cleared completely in 2 months with a best corrected visual acuity (-2.25 D sph) of 20/60. No intervention was done in the right eye. The present case illustrates that AS PIOL-induced endothelial decompensation can be effectively managed by simultaneous bilensectomy and endothelial keratoplasty.

Voriconazole-refractory fungal infection of phacoemulsification tunnel.

A 44-year-old man presented 28 days after cataract surgery (phacoemulsification) in right eye with multiple pinpoint infiltrates in posterior stroma at cataract surgery wound site. Visual acuity was 20/60. Corneal scraping from the floor of the corneal tunnel revealed fungus which was later identified to be Aspergillus flavus. The patient was started on oral voriconazole 200 mg twice daily and topical voriconazole 1% every hour. Two intracameral injections of voriconazole (50 micrograms/ 0.1 ml) were given 72 h apart, five days after starting initial therapy. Infiltrates increased in size and density in spite of 20 days of voriconazole therapy. Full-thickness patch graft was done to arrest progressive necrosis. Four months after surgery, patient had 20/60 best-corrected visual acuity. There was no recurrence in one-year follow-up. Present case illustrates the therapeutic challenge in fungal tunnel infections and possibility of voriconazole-resistant Aspergillus species.