Plastic vs. glass: the effect of the synthetic material in contact with DMEK tissue during staining on endothelial cell loss.

PURPOSE: Endothelial cell loss (ECL) during Descemet membrane endothelial keratoplasty (DMEK) graft preparation has been shown to affect graft survival and the need for re-grafting. The purpose of this study was to quantitatively assess the impact of the plastic and glass mediums in contact with DMEK donor tissue during intra-operative graft staining on ECL. METHODS: Retrospective study that included patients who underwent DMEK surgery between January 2019 and June 2021 at Hôpital Maisonneuve-Rosemont and the Jewish General Hospital in Montreal, Canada. DMEK grafts were stained with 0.06% Trypan blue ophthalmic solution (VisionBlue®, Dutch Ophthalmic, USA, Exeter, NH) for 120 s in either a plastic or glass medium prior to delivery into the recipient's eye. The ECL was compared between the two groups 12-30 months post-operatively. RESULTS: ECL at 12-30 months was significantly less in the eyes that had received grafts stained in a plastic medium compared to those stained in a glass medium. Graft survival and re-bubbling was higher in the glass group however this difference was not statistically significant. CONCLUSION: Staining of the DMEK graft in a plastic medium caused less ECL compared to the glass medium.

Intracameral Fibrinous Reaction During Descemet's Membrane Endothelial Keratoplasty.

PURPOSE: To determine the outcomes and predisposing factors of Descemet's membrane endothelial keratoplasty (DMEK) complicated by intraoperative fibrinous reaction. METHODS: Retrospective cohort study of 346 DMEKs. Medical charts were reviewed for recipient demographics, surgical indications, donor characteristics, and potential predisposing ocular and systemic factors. For DMEKs complicated by fibrin, surgeons' notes on events leading to fibrin formation and on its intraoperative management, occurrence of graft detachment, primary failure, re-bubbling or regrafting, time to graft clearing, and endothelial cell density were additionally collected. RESULTS: Fifteen (4.3%) DMEKs were complicated by fibrin, which interfered with and protracted graft unfolding in all cases. Median surgical time was longer than for uncomplicated DMEKs (p = 0.001). Graft positioning at the end of surgery was suboptimal in seven eyes (47%) and failed in three (20%). Re-bubbling, primary failure, and regraft rates were of 40%, 33% and 53%, respectively. The corneas that cleared did so in three to eight weeks, with median endothelial cell loss of 53% at 12 months. Use of anticoagulants was a preoperative risk factor (p = 0.01). Surgeon-identified intraoperative factors included beginner surgeons (87%), prolonged AC shallowing (47%) and graft manipulations (33%), intraocular bleeding (27%), new injector (20%), tight donor scroll (13%), and floppy iris (13%). CONCLUSION: Fibrinous reaction is a rare intraoperative complication of DMEK that interferes with graft unfolding and results in poor outcomes. Anticoagulant use appears to be a risk factor and may be compounded by surgical trauma to vascular tissues and prolonged surgical maneuvers.

Rare Case of Thygeson Superficial Punctate Keratitis After COVID-19 Vaccination.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to elucidate a rare corneal association of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccine. Although cases of corneal involvement after vaccination have been reported, we present the first case of Thygeson superficial punctate keratitis (TSPK) linked to the COVID-19 vaccine. METHODS: This study is a case report. RESULTS: A 25-year-old woman was assessed in the ophthalmology clinic for recurrent ocular surface symptoms after receiving the COVID-19 vaccine. She was followed in clinic and was found to have a remitting and recurring pattern of bilateral intraepithelial corneal opacities with associated subepithelial haze primarily overlying the pupillary area. These corneal lesions responded well to topical corticosteroid ophthalmic drops. Based on the clinical appearance, the response to treatment, negative herpes simplex virus serology, and the temporal relationship between vaccination and ocular findings, a diagnosis of COVID-19 vaccine-induced TSPK was suspected. CONCLUSIONS: Although the COVID-19 vaccine remains overwhelmingly safe, clinicians should be aware of possible corneal side effects, including TSPK. Prompt ophthalmic assessment in those presenting with ocular symptoms after vaccination is encouraged.

Poor Long-Term Outcomes of Keratopigmentation With Black Ink for the Treatment of Dysphotopsia Secondary to Laser Peripheral Iridotomies.

PURPOSE: To report outcomes of keratopigmentation (KP) with commercial black ink in the treatment of dysphotopsia secondary to laser peripheral iridotomies (LPI) using manual anterior stromal puncture (ASP) and manual lamellar pocket (LP). METHODS: This is a retrospective case series of eyes that underwent KP for treatment of dysphotopsia secondary to LPI. Patients' postoperative symptoms were categorized as resolved, improved, no change, or worse. Any intraoperative and postoperative complications were noted, as well as the need for further treatments. RESULTS: Five eyes in 4 patients underwent ASP, and 14 eyes in 13 patients underwent LP. Only 1 patient had improvement in symptoms in the AK group. Four patients had a complete resolution of symptoms after LP, whereas 7 had symptomatic improvement and 3 did not notice any change. Fifty-five percent of patients in the LP group experienced late-onset depigmentation between 3 and 5 years postoperatively. One patient who underwent 2 LP re-treatments experienced irregular corneal steepening with nonprogressive corneal thinning. Overall, there were no serious adverse reactions to the pigment used. CONCLUSIONS: ASP was not suitable for the treatment of dysphotopsia secondary to LPI. In the short term, LP had good outcomes, but commercial black ink was prone to depigmentation at 3 to 5 years postoperatively. We therefore do not recommend the use of such pigment for long-term management of dysphotopsia secondary to LPI.

Successful management of severe post-LASIK Mycobacterium abscessus keratitis with topical amikacin and linezolid, flap ablation, and topical corticosteroids.

This is a case report of post-laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) multidrug-resistant Mycobacterium abscessus keratitis managed with combined topical amikacin and linezolid, flap amputation, and corticosteroids. A 34-year-old woman presented with a corneal interface infiltrate 3 weeks after LASIK. Cultures isolated mycobacteria. The infiltrate did not improve under intensive topical therapy and interface irrigation with empiric antibiotics over 5 weeks, and the infiltrate progressed to severe inflammation and stromal neovascularization. After identification of M abscessus susceptible only to amikacin and linezolid, antimicrobials were adjusted and the flap was ablated. Cultures repeated 1 week later came back negative. However, stromal inflammation and neovascularization persisted. Topical steroids achieved regression of the inflammation within 1 week. Identification of the mycobacterial pathogen and its susceptibilities is essential given the possibility of multidrug resistance. Topical linezolid can be effective in susceptible species. Corticosteroids can be helpful in cases with severe inflammation.

The role of novel DMEK graft shapes in facilitating intraoperative unscrolling.

PURPOSE: To evaluate whether the preparation of Descemet membrane endothelial keratoplasty (DMEK) grafts into various shapes affect their propensity to scroll as compared with the conventional circular graft design. METHODS: Prospective randomized laboratory-based study, using nine pre-stripped DMEK corneal grafts unfit for transplantation. Each graft was trephinated into a standard circular 8-mm shape, stained with trypan blue, and then immersed in balanced salt solution (BSS). The width of the DMEK graft scroll was measured, and photographs were obtained. The graft was then cut into one of three pre-selected shapes (four peripheral punches, four radial cuts, Maltese cross). These newly shaped grafts were then replaced in BSS and again photographed. The scroll widths, as well as pre- and post-preparation scroll width-to-height ratios, were calculated and compared. RESULTS: Nine pre-stripped DMEK corneal grafts (mean donor age ± SD 73.1 ± 9.3 years, range 58-85 years) were included. The mean pre-cut scroll widths for the three selected shapes were statistically similar. Following graft preparation into their assigned shapes, the mean post-preparation scroll widths (and corresponding change from pre-preparation measurements) were 1.73 ± 0.16 mm (- 3.6%) for the 4-peripheral punches, 2.59 ± 0.35 mm (+ 0.2%) for the 4-radial cuts and 4.13 ± 0.63 mm (+ 20.1%) for the Maltese cross (P = 0.0013). Therefore, the Maltese cross design resulted in a wider scroll than its pre-preparation control. CONCLUSIONS: Certain DMEK graft shapes may be less prone to scrolling than others. The Maltese cross graft design scrolled less tightly than the other experimental graft shapes. Future studies may elucidate intraoperative scrolling behavior of these DMEK graft shapes within the anterior chamber.

Standardized DMEK Technique: Reducing Complications Using Prestripped Tissue, Novel Glass Injector, and Sulfur Hexafluoride (SF6) Gas.

PURPOSE: To report low complication rates in Descemet membrane endothelial keratoplasty (DMEK) using sulfur hexafluoride (SF6) gas, a novel glass injector, and donor tissue prestripped by an eye bank technician. METHODS: A standardized technique of DMEK was performed in 80 consecutive Fuchs corneal dystrophy cases using technician-prestripped tissue, a novel glass injector, a modified Yoeruek tap technique, and an SF6 gas (20% concentration) bubble for prolonged tissue support. Twenty-five donors were premarked with an "S" stamp for intraoperative orientation. Surgery was performed by 2 experienced DMEK surgeons and 2 inexperienced cornea fellows. Complications were recorded, and the percent endothelial cell loss was calculated at 6 months postoperatively. RESULTS: There were 5 cases that received an air bubble injection postoperatively (6% rebubble rate). There were 6 grafts that immediately failed, 2 because of excessive surgical trauma, and 4 because of upside-down graft placement documented by optical coherence tomography. None of the 25 cases with an S stamp failed. Recipient corneas cleared quickly with no clinical evidence of toxicity from the SF6 gas bubble, and the grafts experienced a mean endothelial cell loss of 27% at 6 months. CONCLUSIONS: Tissue prestripped by an eye bank technician can be safely used for DMEK surgery. SF6 gas for prolonged tissue support may reduce the rebubble rate in DMEK, with no apparent acute toxic effect. An unrecognized upside-down graft was the primary cause of graft failure in this series. Upside-down grafts may be eliminated by the use of donor tissue premarked by the eye bank with an S orientation stamp.

Outcomes following Boston type 1 keratoprosthesis implantation in aniridia patients at the University of Montreal.

PURPOSE: To describe outcomes after Boston Type 1 Keratoprosthesis (KPro) surgery in aniridic eyes. DESIGN: Retrospective, interventional case series. SETTING: University-based tertiary care institution. PATIENT POPULATION: Twenty-six aniridic eyes of 19 patients who underwent KPro implantation by a single experienced surgeon (M.H.-D.) between October 27, 2008 and January 16, 2012. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Preoperative and postoperative best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), intraoperative and postoperative complications, and keratoprosthesis retention. RESULTS: Mean age was 56 years (range, 28-72); 10 patients were male. Seven patients had bilateral procedures. No intraoperative complications were encountered. Preoperatively, BCVA was 20/300 or worse in all eyes. After a mean follow-up time of 28.7±13.5 months (range 4-50), the most recent BCVA was 20/200 or better in 14 eyes. Visual potential was limited by preexisting terminal glaucoma (n=2), phthisis after retinal detachment (n=4), and suprachoroidal hemorrhage (n=2). Other postoperative complications included retroprosthetic membrane formation (n=15), infectious keratitis (n=1), extrusion (n=2), and corneal melt (n=4). Uncomplicated vitritis was reported in 6 eyes. No endophthalmitis occurred in this series. Most eyes have glaucoma and are on medical treatment. The overall retention rate of the initial prosthesis was 77%. CONCLUSIONS: The prognosis in aniridic patients after KPro is variable. Meticulous follow-up and a subspecialty team approach are of utmost importance.

Anterior segment changes after pilocarpine and laser iridotomy for primary angle-closure suspects with Scheimpflug photography.

PURPOSE: To assess changes in Scheimpflug-based measurements of the anterior segment after pilocarpine administration and prophylactic laser peripheral iridotomy in narrow anterior chamber angles. METHODS: Thirty-seven eyes in 37 patients with occludable angles were included in this prospective interventional case series. Primary angle-closure suspects (iridotrabecular contact in 3 quadrants or more) were enrolled. Patient evaluation included indentation gonioscopy, Goldmann tonometry, and optic nerve examination. The mean of 3 consecutive Pentacam measurements was taken at baseline, 45 minutes after 2% pilocarpine administration, and 1 month after laser peripheral iridotomy (LPI). Anterior chamber angle (ACA), anterior chamber volume (ACV), anterior chamber depth (ACD), pupil diameter, central corneal thickness, and intraocular pressure were measured. RESULTS: ACV increased significantly after LPI (from a mean ± standard error of 94.6 ± 3.6 mm(3) to 108.8 ± 3.4 mm(3), P<0.001), as did the ACA (26.7 ± 0.9 degrees to 28.2 ± 0.8 degrees, P<0.001). Central corneal thickness decreased significantly after LPI (558.1 ± 5.3 µm to 552.6 ± 5.7 µm, P=0.018). Central ACD increased slightly after LPI, but this was not statistically significant (2.13 ± 0.05 mm to 2.15 ± 0.05 mm, P=0.109). Pupil diameter and intraocular pressure also did not change significantly after LPI. After pilocarpine, the ACV decreased significantly (by 4.3 ± 1.3 mm(3), P=0.009), as did the central ACD (by 0.1 ±0.02 mm, P<0.001) and the pupil diameter (by 0.74 ± 0.06 mm, P<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Scheimpflug photography demonstrates significant anterior segment changes after pilocarpine and after LPI in primary angle-closure suspects.

Prevalence, progression, and impact of glaucoma on vision after Boston type 1 keratoprosthesis surgery.

PURPOSE: To report glaucoma outcomes after Boston type 1 keratoprosthesis (KPro) surgery, in particular, glaucoma prevalence, progression, and treatment. DESIGN: Consecutive, retrospective, interventional case series. METHODS: setting: Tertiary care institution. study population: Thirty-eight eyes in 38 patients. intervention: KPro surgery. main outcome measures: Visual acuity (VA), intraocular pressure, visual fields, optic nerve status, and glaucoma treatment. RESULTS: Glaucoma diagnosis was known before surgery in 29 patients (76%; 14 had undergone previous surgery) and was diagnosed after surgery in 34 patients (89%) after a mean ± standard deviation of 16.5 ± 4.7 months of follow-up. The number of patients taking intraocular pressure-lowering medications increased from 19 (50%) before surgery to 28 (76%) after surgery (P = .017). Twenty-four patients (63%) were taking at least 1 additional glaucoma medication at their most recent postoperative visit. Eight patients (21%) had glaucoma progression (visual field progression, need for surgery, or both). Fifteen patients (40%) had a cup-to-disc ratio of 0.85 or more. Five patients required glaucoma surgery. VA was limited by glaucoma in 14 patients (37%), 11 of whom had a VA of 20/200 or worse. Five such patients (13%) had a dramatic improvement in VA, then progressed to end-stage glaucoma with fixation loss. Visual fields were limited by glaucoma in 25 patients (66%; mean Swedish Interactive Threshold Algorithm Fast mean defect, -20.3 ± 8.8 decibels; n = 18). CONCLUSIONS: Most KPro candidates have glaucoma, which may deteriorate in a subset of patients after surgery. Dramatic VA improvement after KPro surgery does not preclude the need for rigorous monitoring for glaucoma progression. A low threshold should be used to treat suspicion of even slightly elevated intraocular pressure.

Angle closure glaucoma after angiography of carotid-cavernous fistula--a case report.

Acute angle closure glaucoma (AACG) is a rare complication of carotid-cavernous fistula (CCF). However, rarer is iatrogenic AACG subsequent to CCF's standard treatment, endovascular embolization. To our knowledge, this is the first case in which AACG after angiography (a failed attempt at embolization) is treated primarily with embolization, and the first case of AACG and CCF that has yielded such a successful visual recovery.