Antioxidant and Anti-Inflammatory Effects of Oral Supplementation with a Highly-Concentrated Docosahexaenoic Acid (DHA) Triglyceride in Patients with Keratoconus: A Randomized Controlled Preliminary Study.

A prospective, randomized, single-center preliminary study was performed in patients with keratoconus stages I-III (Amsler-Krumeich), who received a high rich docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) (1000 mg/day) supplement for 3 months versus untreated patients. One eye per patient was evaluated. Thirty-four patients were recruited (75% men, mean age 31 years), with 15 randomized to the control group and 19 to the DHA-treated group. Corneal topography variables and plasma biomarkers of oxidative stress and inflammatory status were evaluated. A panel of fatty acids in blood samples was also assessed. There were significant between-group differences in the astigmatism axis, asphericity coefficient, and intraocular pressure in favor of the DHA group. Additionally, between-group significant differences in total antioxidant capacity (TAC), malondialdehyde (MDA), free glutathione (GSH) and GSH/GSSG ratio, as well as reduced values of inflammatory markers, including interleukin (IL)-4, IL-6, and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF-A) were found. These preliminary findings support the usefulness of the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects of DHA supplementation for targeting underlying pathophysiological mechanisms of keratoconus. Prolonged duration of DHA supplementation may be needed to detect more noticeable clinical changes in corneal topography.

Improving Visual Comfort during Computer Gaming with Preservative-Free Hyaluronic Acid Artificial Tears Added to Ergophthalmological Measures.

Digital asthenopia (DA) or Computer Vision Syndrome can occur after prolonged use of digital devices and is usually managed with ergophthalmological measures and the use of artificial tears. This prospective, controlled study evaluated the use of hyaluronic acid artificial tears on the signs and symptoms of DA in participants of a videogame convention. Subjects (n = 56) were randomized into a control group (CG, n = 26), which followed ergophthalmological measures, and a study group (SG, n = 30), which followed ergophthalmological measures and instilled 1 drop of artificial tears with hyaluronic acid 0.15% four times a day. Subjects were evaluated before and after playing for three consecutive days for eye dryness (SPEED questionnaire), conjunctival hyperemia, corneal fluorescein staining, conjunctival lissamine green staining, tear breakup time, Schirmer I test, near convergence and accommodation, and using questionnaires for DA symptoms. After 3 days of intense videogaming, the SPEED score of CG increased significantly (p = 0.0320), while for the SG it was unchanged. Similarly, the CG presented significant increases in ocular fatigue (p = 0.0173) and dryness (p = 0.0463), while these parameters decreased significantly in the SG (p = 0.0149 and p = 0.00427, respectively). This study confirms the protective effect of hyaluronic acid artificial tears against DA symptoms associated with prolonged visual display terminal use.

Descemet stripping only and ripasudil for the treatment of traumatic Descemet's membrane ruptures.

PURPOSE: Descemet´s membrane ruptures (with a discontinuation of Descemet´s membrane and double detached coiled edges) in the context of complicated anterior segment surgery have rarely been described and its management can be challenging. We report a modified Descemet stripping only (DSO) technique associated with ripasudil drops to treat these cases when other techniques fail. METHODS: We describe two cases of large Descemet´s membrane detachments associated with Descemet´s ruptures after cataract surgery that did not respond to two SF6 intracameral injections. As the detached Descemet's membrane and coiled edges might have prevented endothelial cell migration, we decided to perform a modified DSO with post-operative ripasudil drops to promote corneal clearance. RESULTS: Both cases improved significantly in unaided and best corrected visual acuity (BCVA), corneal clearance and pachymetry, avoiding the need for an endothelial keratoplasty. Endothelial cells were observed on specular microscopy within the area of the descemetorhexis. CONCLUSION: DSO with ripasudil drops might be a valuable tool to recover corneal clearance and avoid endothelial keratoplasty in complex Descemet´s membrane detachments with ruptures that do not respond to other treatments.

Spectral Transmission of the Human Corneal Layers.

We have assessed the spectral transmittance of the different layers of the human cornea in the ultraviolet (UV), visible, and near-infrared (IR) spectral ranges. Seventy-four corneal sample donors were included in the study. Firstly, the corneal transmittance was measured using a spectrophotometer. Then, all samples were fixed for histopathological analysis, which allowed us to measure the thickness of each corneal layer. Finally, the absorption coefficients of the corneal layers were computed by a linear model reproducing total transmittance. The results show that corneal transmission was almost in unity at the visible and IR ranges but not at the UV range, in which the layer with higher transmission is Descemet's membrane, whereas the stroma showed the lowest transmittance. Regarding the absorption coefficient, the most absorptive tissue was Bowman's layer, followed by the endothelium. Variations on transmittance due to changes in the stroma, Bowman's layer, or Descemet layer were simulated, and important transmission increases were found due to stroma and Bowman changes. To conclude, we have developed a method to measure the transmittance and thickness for each corneal layer. All corneal layers absorb UV light to a greater or lesser extent. The absorption coefficient is higher for Bowman's layer, while the stroma is the layer with the lowest transmittance due to its thickness. Variations in stroma thickness or changes in the corneal tissue of Bowman's layer or the endothelium layer due to some pathologies or surgeries could affect, to a greater or lesser degree, the total transmission of the cornea. Thus, obtaining accurate absorption coefficients for different layers would help us to predict and compensate these changes.

Effect of the variability in implantation depth of intracorneal ring segments using the femtosecond laser technology in corneal ectasia.

PURPOSE: To analyze the impact of the depth of implantation of intracorneal ring segments on morphological, biomechanical, and clinical outcomes in ectatic corneas. METHODS: This prospective longitudinal study enrolled 40 eyes of 29 patients (age 20-51 years) with corneal ectasia that underwent intracorneal ring segments implantation (KeraRing, Mediphacos). Changes in visual acuity, refraction, corneal tomography, and corneal biomechanics (Ocular Response Analyzer, Reichert) were evaluated during a 6 month follow-up. Likewise, changes in ring segment implantation depth measured by optical coherence tomography (Visante OCT, Carl Zeiss Meditec) were also evaluated. RESULTS: Mean relative depth of implantation was 71.6 ± 5.8%, 71.5 ± 6.5%, and 71.9 ± 6.3% at 1, 3, and 6 months after surgery, respectively (p = 0.827). The difference between the real relative depth of implantation and the theoretical attempted value of 70% was not statistically significant (p = 0.072). Differences in spherical equivalent during the follow-up changed significantly depending on the level of relative depth of implantation (p = 0.036), with an increase of 0.114 D per each 1% increase in relative depth of implantation. Likewise, a decrease of -0.194 D in the steepest keratometric reading was found per each decrease of 1% in relative depth of implantation (p = 0.026). Changes in corneal thickness (p = 0.092) and biomechanics (p = 0.080) were not related to relative depth of implantation. CONCLUSION: The effect on visual acuity and refraction of intracorneal ring segments when implanted in corneal ectasia is less clinically relevant when the implantation is done at a very deep plane. The variability of the depth of intracorneal ring segments implantation when using femtosecond laser technology is minimal and with no clinically significant effect on clinical outcomes.

Bilateral Blebs Secondary to Spontaneous Scleral Perforations.

PURPOSE: To report an unusual case of bilateral spontaneous scleral perforations. METHODS: A 34-year-old woman presented with bilateral conjunctival blebs and decreased vision in both eyes. There was no history of ocular trauma or surgery and no previous ophthalmic or systemic conditions that may have contributed to the scleral perforations. RESULTS: Best-corrected visual acuity was 20/40 in both eyes and intraocular pressures were 6 mm Hg in the right and 5 mm Hg in the left. There was associated bilateral hypotonous maculopathy confirmed with optical coherence tomography. Slit-lamp biomicroscopy revealed bilateral inferonasal conjunctival blebs in otherwise normal anterior segments. Ultrasound biomicroscopy suggested an opening between the anterior chambers and subconjunctival spaces of both eyes. The patient underwent sequential repair of the perforations with sclerocorneal patch grafts. Intraoperatively crescentic perforating scleral clefts were noted in both eyes, with abnormal and friable surrounding tissue. Histopathology revealed degeneration of the sclera with absence of normal lamellar collagenous architecture and structure. At 9 months postoperative for each eye, the best-corrected visual acuity had improved to 20/20 on both eyes and intraocular pressures were 20 mm Hg on the right and 10 mm Hg on the left. Macular anatomy and thickness were restored in both eyes. CONCLUSIONS: Spontaneous scleral perforations without prior history of trauma or surgery is extremely rare. The underlying cause in our patient is hypothesized to be a coloboma with spontaneous perforation given its location and histopathology. If symptomatic it can successfully be repaired with a patch graft.

Descemet Stripping Automated Endothelial Keratoplasty Outcomes in Patients With Cytomegalovirus Endotheliitis.

PURPOSE: There is currently limited information regarding the outcomes of endothelial keratoplasty in eyes with cytomegalovirus (CMV) endotheliitis. We report the results of Descemet stripping automated endothelial keratoplasty (DSAEK) for endothelial failure secondary to CMV. METHODS: This is a retrospective review of 4 eyes of 4 patients with CMV endotheliitis and DSAEK. CMV was confirmed in each case by a positive aqueous tap on qualitative polymerase chain reaction. The clinical characteristics of the patients and postoperative outcomes were studied. RESULTS: The mean age of the 4 patients was 69.6 ± 8.1 years. Two were ethnically Vietnamese, 1 Chinese, and 1 Lebanese. All were immunocompetent. Three eyes had presented with hypertensive uveitis and 1 with bullous keratopathy. Twelve DSAEKs were performed in total in the 4 eyes. Five grafts were performed without any perioperative treatment with oral valganciclovir. All subsequently failed after a mean of 8.0 ± 3.8 months. Seven grafts were managed with oral valganciclovir; 2 of these grafts failed after 18 and 37 months, and 1 graft had primary graft failure. Four grafts are currently surviving, despite an episode of CMV reactivation in 2 grafts. CONCLUSIONS: In cases of unexplained corneal decompensation or early graft failure after uncomplicated DSAEK, a diagnosis of CMV infection must be considered. Subsequent management of DSAEK in such cases remains challenging. The postoperative course can be complicated by CMV reactivation, which may masquerade either as graft rejection or graft failure. Long-term treatment with oral valganciclovir or topical ganciclovir may be required to decrease graft failure rates.

Rebubbling Techniques for Graft Detachment After Descemet Membrane Endothelial Keratoplasty.

PURPOSE: To describe rebubbling techniques in eyes with a visually significant graft detachment after Descemet membrane endothelial keratoplasty (DMEK). METHODS: Retrospective observational analysis at a tertiary referral center. A total of 41 eyes (39 patients) received rebubbling: 39 eyes (37 patients) had 1 and 2 eyes had 2 rebubbling procedures. Anterior segment optical coherence tomography and surgical videos were used to determine the best incisional approach for air injection, intraoperative maneuvers, and success rate (graft reattachment) at 1 week postoperatively. RESULTS: Rebubbling was performed on average 26 (±21) days (range: 7-92 days) after DMEK. Graft edge visibility and configuration of graft detachment were important parameters for the incisional approach for air injection: the air cannula was introduced in the area of graft attachment (attached area approach) (n = 25) or detachment (detached area approach) (n = 16). After excluding upside-down grafts (n = 3), the rebubbling success rate in total was 87% (33/38 eyes); in the attached area approach, it was 92% (22/24 eyes); and in the detached area approach, it was 79% (11/14). Of 14 eyes that had rebubbling later than 1 month postoperatively, 11 were successful; in 8 eyes, the graft seemed too stiff and/or immobile to allow complete unfolding. CONCLUSIONS: Rebubbling is a feasible procedure to manage graft detachment after DMEK if the graft is correctly oriented. Proper preoperative planning may aid in minimizing intraoperative complications and may increase the success rate. Late interventions (>1 month postoperatively) may still produce graft reattachment, but increased graft stiffness and/or fibrosis may complicate complete graft unfolding.

A case of severe corneal flattening after Descemet stripping endothelial keratoplasty.

PURPOSE: To report a case of extreme corneal flattening after initially uneventful Descemet stripping endothelial keratoplasty (DSEK). METHODS: A 76-year-old man underwent uneventful DSEK for pseudophakic bullous keratopathy (PBK) in his left eye. Postoperative evaluations were performed using anterior segment optical coherence tomography and biomicroscopy. RESULTS: The DSEK graft showed full adherence to the host stroma. Two weeks after surgery, the transplanted cornea developed pronounced flattening of the central corneal curvature accompanied by graft folds and remained unchanged until the most recent follow-up 20 weeks after surgery. CONCLUSIONS: Severe corneal flattening may be an undescribed complication occurring after uneventful DSEK, without any concomitant ocular pathology or detectable cause.

Sutureless artificial iris after phacoemulsification in congenital aniridia.

PURPOSE: This article reports the first case of a sutureless artificial iris prosthesis used in combination with cataract surgery for congenital aniridia with successful visual and cosmetic results. CASE REPORT: A 15-year-old woman with congenital bilateral partial aniridia, cataracts, and intense photophobia presented to the Cornea and Refractive Surgery Unit of the Ophthalmology Department. She was managed with an artificial iris implant (ArtificialIris, Dr. Schmidt Intraocularlinsen GmbH, Human Optics) fixed in the ciliary sulcus without any sutures after small-incision cataract surgery. At the 1-year follow-up, subjective complaints of glare and photophobia as well as binocular near visual acuity improved significantly. The cosmetic result was excellent. No postoperative complications have been recorded within this period. CONCLUSIONS: The ArtificialIris is a promising device for treating photophobia in congenital aniridia. ArtificialIris does not require suture fixation with adequate capsular support and iris remnants.

Symptoms reported by patients with varying stages of glaucoma: review of 401 cases.

OBJECTIVE: To elucidate the symptoms that patients with glaucoma voluntarily report and to determine the correlation between the symptoms and the stage of glaucoma. DESIGN: Retrospective case series. PARTICIPANTS: A total of 401 patients who presented to the Glaucoma Service from January 2012 through November 2013. METHODS: The Wills Eye Hospital Glaucoma Research Center retrospectively reviewed the medical records of patients who visited the Glaucoma Service from January 2012 through November 2013. We recorded any symptom written in the charts at the last eligible visit of each patient. The patients were classified by different stages according to the mean deviation of the Octopus visual field. RESULTS: We analyzed 401 patients, who were graded with mild (n = 170), moderate (n = 106), or severe (n = 125) visual-field loss. The majority of patients did not report any symptoms (56.0%); 24.2% reported ocular surface disease (OSD) symptoms; and 25.8% reported visual complaints. The presence of symptoms positively correlated with the severity of glaucoma (p = 0.01) and the number of surgeries (p = 0.02). Burning/smarting/stinging and blurry vision showed a positive correlation with the severity of glaucoma (p < 0.05). Older patients (> 69 years) showed a significant increase in OSD symptoms (p = 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: About one-fourth of the patients with glaucoma reported visual complaints, and another fourth reported OSD symptoms, both of which correlated with glaucoma severity. The high prevalence of OSD symptoms suggests that patients should be specifically questioned about these symptoms and treated as indicated. This information is of value particularly in the new era of nonpreserved glaucoma medications.

Choroidal neovascularization after intraocular foreign body.

We report an unusual case of choroidal neovascularization secondary to intraocular foreign body (IOFB) penetrating trauma. A 44-year-old man was referred to our department for IOFB trauma in the right eye. Vitrectomy and IOFB extraction was performed with good visual results. However, 2 months after surgery, he returned complaining of a drop in visual acuity. Choroidal neovascularization originating from a direct choroidal rupture at the IOFB impact site was observed. The patient was treated with 6-monthly intravitreal injections of antivascular endothelial growth factor, and showed regression of neovascularization and a final visual acuity of 20/80. IOFB trauma is a serious condition, indeed in spite of initially good results after a favorable surgical outcome. Choroidal neovascularization after direct traumatic choroidal rupture is usually aggressive and requires more active antivascular endothelial growth factor therapy.