Application of topical 2% cyclosporine A in inflammatory ocular surface diseases.

PURPOSE: To report our experience with the 2% cyclosporin A (CsA) in a series of challenging inflammatory ocular surface diseases due to different etiologies. METHODS: The records of patients who received topical 2% CsA for different indications were reviewed retrospectively. Demographic characteristics, indications for treatment, patient symptoms and clinical findings were recorded. RESULTS: Fifty-two eyes of 52 patients were included. Mean age was 43.2 ± 14.3 (11-66) years with a F/M ratio of 34/18. Indications included pediatric acne rosacea (n = 4), adenoviral corneal subepithelial infiltrates (n = 12), filamentary keratitis (n = 14), pterygium recurrence (n = 15), herpetic marginal keratitis (n = 2) and graft versus host disease (n = 5 patients). Mean duration of treatment was 7.3 ± 2.8 (3-10) months. Forty-three (83%) patients reported favorable outcome with improvement in symptoms after a mean time of 4.4 ± 2.7 (2-6) months. CONCLUSIONS: Topical 2% CsA may address the needs of different cases with ocular surface inflammation, as a safe option for long-term therapy.

Comparison of visual performance and quality of life with a new nondiffractive EDOF intraocular lens and a trifocal intraocular lens.

PURPOSE: To compare visual performance and quality of life (QoL) following bilateral implantation of a new nondiffractive extended depth-of-focus (EDOF) intraocular lens (IOL) and a trifocal IOL. SETTING: Department of Ophthalmology, Baskent University Faculty of Medicine, Ankara, Turkey. DESIGN: Prospective comparative interventional case series. METHODS: 104 eyes of 52 patients with cataract, bilaterally implanted with a nondiffractive EDOF IOL or a trifocal IOL, were included. Outcome measures were uncorrected distance visual acuity (UDVA), corrected distance visual acuity (CDVA), distance corrected intermediate visual acuity and distance corrected near visual acuity, defocus curves, QoL (Visual Function Index 14), quality of vision (Quality of Vision [QoV] index), contrast sensitivity (Pelli-Robson chart), and binocular reading speed. RESULTS: Twenty-six patients were included in each group. The UDVA and CDVA were better in the EDOF group (0.05 ± 0.04 and 0.01 ± 0.04) than the trifocal group (0.13 ± 0.06 and 0.11 ± 0.07) ( P = .02 and .01). Defocus curves showed that visual acuity was better with the EDOF IOL for vergences at 0.00, -0.50, and -1.00 and better with the trifocal IOL for vergences at -2.50, -3.00, -3.50, and -4.00. Contrast sensitivity scores were similar with both IOLs ( P = .12). The overall mean QoL scores were lower in the EDOF group, indicating a better QoL ( P = .04). The QoV was better in the EDOF group with significantly less glare, halos, and blurry vision ( P < .01). CONCLUSIONS: The EDOF IOL performed better at distance, and the trifocal IOL performed better at near. Overall QoL and quality of vision were better with the EDOF IOL.

Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Corneal Transplantation and Cornea Procurement.

OBJECTIVES: In this study, we aimed to analyze the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic in its first year on corneal transplant outcomes performed at a tertiary eye care center in Turkey. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Clinical records of patients who underwent corneal transplant between March 2020 and February 2021 (group A) at the Baskent University Faculty of Medicine, Department of Ophthalmology, were analyzed retrospectively. Patient demographics, indications for transplant, type of transplant procedure (lamellar vs penetrating), follow-up duration, and postoperative complications were recorded. The same data were collected for cornea transplant patients who were seen the previous year, between March 2019 and February 2020 (group B). Data from the 2 groups were compared. In related samples, the Wilcoxon signed rank test was used for statistical analysis, and a P value < .05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS: Six corneal transplants were performed between March 2020 and February 2021 (group A), and 48 corneal transplantations were performed in the previous year (group B). There was an 80% decline in total corneal transplant numbers when compared with the previous year, and lamellar surgeries were not performed at all during the first year of the pandemic. Indications during the pandemic were mainly urgent and limited to tectonic or therapeutic causes. Postoperative follow-up regimens were impaired, and the complication rate was significantly higher during the pandemic period compared with the previous year (67% in group A vs 16% in group B) (P < .001). CONCLUSIONS: There was a steep decline in transplants in 2020, the first year of the pandemic. The prominent increase in complication rates can be attributed to the late diagnosis of corneal rejections due to impaired postoperative follow-up regimens.

Effects of topical Coenzyme Q10, Xanthan Gum and Sodium Hyaluronate on corneal epithelial wound healing.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Effective treatment of corneal epithelial defects is crucial to prevent secondary infectious keratitis and visual impairment due to loss of corneal transparency. Therefore, it is important to determine the effect of different topical agents on corneal wound healing response. BACKGROUND: The aim was to compare the effects of three different eye drops on corneal epithelial wound healing in an experimental model. METHODS: Twenty-four eyes of 24 female BALB/c mice were included. A 2 mm central corneal epithelial defect was created. Topical Coenzyme Q10 + Vitamin E D-α-TPGS 4 × 1 was applied to Group A (n = 6), topical Sodium hyaluronate + Xanthan Gum + 0.3% Nethylmicine 4 × 1 to Group B (n = 6) and topical Sodium hyaluronate 4 × 1 to Group C (n = 6). Group D (n = 6) was the control group without treatment. Clinical scoring according to corneal fluorescein staining and histopathological evaluations was performed. RESULTS: Clinical scores according to corneal fluorescein staining were similar in all groups on days 1 (p = 0.05), 2 (p = 0.15) and 3 (p = 0.62). Electron microscopy revealed disruption of intercellular junctions between corneal epithelial cells and intracellular vacuole formation in all groups except Group A. Corneal epithelial thickness and superficial epithelial microvillus arrangement were close to normal in Group A. CONCLUSION: Although there was no difference in clinical scores between groups, electron microscopy revealed a better organised epithelium with normal configuration of microvilli and less vacuolisation in Group A.

Comparison of Keratometry Obtained by a Swept Source OCT-Based Biometer with a Standard Optical Biometer and Scheimpflug Imaging.

PURPOSE: To assess agreement of a swept source-optical coherence tomography (SS-OCT) based Biometer with a standard IOLMaster device and Scheimpflug Imaging (SI) to acquire keratometric measurements in cataract patients. METHODS: In this prospective comparative study, 101 eyes of 101 cataract surgery candidates, aged 24-81 years, were sequentially examined using three devices. Keratometry values at the flat (K1) and steep (K2) axis, mean corneal power (Km) and magnitude of corneal astigmatism as well as J0 and J45 vectoral components of astigmatism obtained with the SS-OCT based biometer (IOLMaster 700) were compared with those obtained with the IOLMaster 500 and SI. The agreement between measurements was evaluated by the Bland-Altman method, intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs) and repeated-measures analysis of variance. RESULTS: Mean K1 values from the three devices were similar (p = 0.09). Mean K2 and Km values of IOLMaster 700 were higher than SI and lower than IOLMaster 500 (p = 0.04 for K2 and p = 0.02 for Km). There was a strong correlation between K1, K2, Km and magnitude of astigmatism obtained with all devices (r ≥ 0.80 and p < 0.01). The 95% limits of agreement (LoA) width for each keratometric value were highest for the comparison between IOLMaster 500 and SI and lowest for the comparison between IOLMaster 700 and 500. The mean differences (width of 95% LoA) for J0 and J45 vectoral components were 0.005 (2.19) and 0.12 (2.92) for the measurements obtained by IOLMaster 700 vs IOLMaster 500 and 0.06 (1.79) and 0.02 (1.58) for the measurements obtained by IOLMaster 700 vs SI, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: With ICCs close to 1, the agreement between all devices was excellent for keratometric measurements. Mean K2, Km and astigmatism measurements from IOLMaster 700 were lower than IOLMaster 500 and higher than SI. However, the differences were quite small and are not expected to affect the final IOL power.

Human Breast Milk Drops Promote Corneal Epithelial Wound Healing.

PURPOSE: To investigate the effects of human breast milk on corneal epithelial wound healing. METHODS: The effects of human breast milk on epithelial healing is compared with autologous serum and artificial tears on 24 female Bal-b/C mice. A central corneal epithelial defect was created using a 2 mm trephine. Four groups were formed. By a random pick-up, topical human breast milk 4 × 1 was given to Group 1, topical mouse autologous serum 4 × 1 was applied to Group 2, and preservative-free artificial tears 4 × 1 was applied to Group 3.Group 4 was evaluated as control. Biomicroscopical examination was performed on days 1, 2, and 3. Mice were sacrificed on the third day. Histopathological and electron microscopic examinations were performed as well. RESULTS: The fastest and best healing group was Group 1, followed by Group 2. Re-epithelization was not complete even at the end of the second day in groups 3 and 4. CONCLUSIONS: The rich content of human breast milk may be an alternative to epithelial healers and artificial tears.

Topical Bevacizumab for the Treatment of Ocular Surface Squamous Neoplasia.

PURPOSE: To determine the efficacy and safety of topical bevacizumab treatment in patients with ocular surface squamous neoplasia (OSSN). METHODS: Six eyes of 6 patients with primary OSSN confirmed by impression cytology received topical 5 mg/mL bevacizumab 4 times daily for a period of 8 weeks. Patients were evaluated in 2-week intervals. Digital photography images were obtained at each visit and changes in the size of the lesions were analyzed by image analysis software. RESULTS: The mean age of the patients was 66 ± 13 (± SD) years. Four tumors were nasal in origin and 2 tumors were temporal. The mean reduction observed in the lesion area was 43% ± 24.2% (range, 20%-71%) in the first month and 68% ± 29.7% (range, 42%-100%) in the second month when compared with the baseline area. Four patients required tumor excision at the end of the treatment period. Surgical treatment was not necessary in 2 patients due to complete disappearance of the tumor, which was confirmed by impression cytology. The visual acuity was stable in all patients and no systemic or visual side effects were observed during the study period. CONCLUSIONS: Topical bevacizumab is effective as a neoadjuvant therapy combined with surgical excision for the treatment of OSSN. Topical bevacizumab may be used before surgery to decrease the size of the excision. Excision may be unnecessary in responsive patients.