Multiple iridociliary cysts: One entity with various clinical presentations.

Purpose: Iris cysts have a wide range of clinical manifestations ranging from totally asymptomatic to full-blown glaucoma. The aim of this report is to present three patients with multiple bilateral iridociliary cysts. Each one of them had a different stage of glaucoma and required individualized management. Observations: All three patients presented to our clinic. Patient 1 was a 25-year old female with no symptoms and normal intraocular pressure (IOP), Patient 2 a 20-year old female with cup-disk asymmetry and nocturnal IOP spikes and Patient 3 a 69-year old male with chronic angle closure, uncontrolled IOP on maximum medical therapy and optic nerve cupping. During clinical evaluation, gonioscopic findings raised the suspicion of possible multiple bilateral iridocilary cysts, which were then verified with ultrasound biomicroscopy in all patients. Each case was managed differently; Patient 1 was opted for observation, Patient 2 was started on prostaglandin analogue and Patient 3 underwent trabeculectomy with Mitomycin-C. Conclusions and Importance: Although iris cysts represent a relatively rare entity, patients with this anomaly can be encountered in our everyday clinical practice. They may be totally asymptomatic, where observation alone suffices, or at the other end of the spectrum, they may present with full-blown glaucoma, requiring traditional glaucoma surgeries. Considering the wide variety of clinical manifestations and that management may differ depending on the diagnosis, it is highly important for clinicians to carry out a careful examination, especially in patients with narrow angle. In cases of high suspicion for iris cysts, ancillary testing, such as Ultrasound Biomicroscopy, should be performed for the definite diagnosis as well as for the exclusion of malignancies.

Evaluation of macular function and morphology following accelerated collagen cross-linking in progressive keratoconus.

PURPOSE: To assess any changes in macular function and morphology in patients with progressive keratoconus undergoing accelerated corneal cross-linking (CXL). METHODS: This prospective case series included 9 eyes of 8 patients with progressive keratoconus undergoing CXL using a high intensity accelerated protocol (9 mW/cm2 for 14 min) with a total surface dose of 7.5 J/cm2. Visual acuity assessment, slit lamp biomicroscopy, dilated fundoscopy, corneal tomography, multifocal electroretinography (mfERG) and spectral domain optical coherence tomography scan were performed at baseline, 2 weeks and 6 weeks postoperatively. RESULTS: Uncorrected and corrected distance visual acuity did not change significantly at 2 weeks and 6 weeks following accelerated CXL compared to baseline. Retinal response density (RRD) of mfERG significantly decreased at 2 weeks postoperatively compared to baseline (p = 0.008) but did not differ from the baseline value at 6 weeks postoperatively in the fovea (ring 1) (p = 0.95). Similarly, P1 latency significantly decreased at 2 weeks (p = 0.04) but did not change at 6 weeks (p = 1.00) postoperatively compared to baseline in the fovea. No changes in RRD or P1 latency were observed in the retinal rings surrounding the fovea (rings 2 to 5). Central foveal thickness did not change at 2 weeks and 6 weeks postoperatively compared to baseline (p = 0.53 and p = 0.93, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: A short-term reversible decrease in macular electrical activity without any structural changes seems to occur after accelerated CXL in patients with progressive keratoconus. The return of macular response to the preoperative values shows the safety of the CXL protocol.

Comparison of endothelial cell loss and complications following DMEK with the use of three different graft injectors.

PurposeTo compare endothelial cell loss and complications following Descemet membrane endothelial keratoplasty (DMEK) with use of three commercially available injectors.MethodsFrom 179 consecutive DMEK procedures, 66 cases with uncomplicated graft preparation and completed 12-month follow-up were included in this retrospective study. According to the injector used, 3 groups were formed: group 1 (D.O.R.C. injector, n=16), group 2 (Geuder injector, n=24), and group 3 (Pasteur laboratory pipette, n= 26). Endothelial cell density (ECD) and endothelial cell loss were evaluated preoperatively and at 3, 6 and 12 months postoperatively; surgery-related complications were recorded.ResultsDonor ECD was 2416±179 cells/mm2 (group 1), 2417±164 cells/mm2 (group 2), and 2478±234 cells/mm2 (group 3). At 12 months postoperatively ECD was 1473±403 cells/mm2 (group 1), 1379±317 cells/mm2 (group 2), and 1316±456 cells/mm2 (group 3) (P=0.533, ANOVA). Endothelial cell loss 12 months postoperatively was 39±15% (group 1), 43±13% (group 2), and 47±17% (group 3) (P=0.386, ANOVA). A single case of iris bleeding and reflux of the graft out of the anterior chamber (both in group 3) was noted. Partial graft detachment occurred in group 1 (n=1), group 2 (n=5), and group 3 (n=7) and rebubbling was performed in 6% (group 1), 17% (group 2), and 27% (group 3).ConclusionsTo our knowledge, this is the first clinical study assessing the safety of three different DMEK injectors. Group 1 (D.O.R.C injector) showed the least and group 3 (Pasteur laboratory pipette) the highest endothelial cell loss without reaching statistical significance at 12 months after surgery. Therefore, the graft injector may be chosen according to surgeon's preference.

[Shock-induced anterior ischemic optic neuropathy from hemorrhagic anemia]. / Schockinduzierte anteriore ischämische Optikusneuropathie bei Blutungsanämie.

A 51-year-old diabetic and overweight male presented to our eye clinic with right-sided impairment of visual acuity and scotoma. A thorough work-up had been carried out at our institute 9 months prior to this event due to left-sided nonarteriitic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION). Despite the similarity of visual symptoms in the currently and previously affected eyes microcystic anemia (Hb 81 g/dl) associated with severe hemorrhoidal bleeding was diagnosed. The patient underwent surgical hemorrhoidectomy and received two red blood cell concentrates. Therefore, this article reports on an extraordinarily rare case of shock-induced anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (SIAION) caused by hemorrhoidal bleeding.

[Standardized Descemet membrane endothelial keratoplasty (DMEK): technique and latest results]. / Standardisierte Descemet-Membran-Endothelkeratoplastik (DMEK) : Technik und aktuelle Ergebnisse.

BACKGROUND: The procedure of posterior lamellar keratoplasty has now become established as first choice therapy for the treatment of corneal endothelial diseases, with Descemet membrane endothelial keratoplasty (DMEK) as the most recent refinement of endothelial keratoplasty techniques. In this study the outcome of 400 consecutive cases after standardized no-touch DMEK was evaluated. METHODS: This was a non-randomized retrospective clinical study of 400 consecutive eyes in 321 patients who underwent standard DMEK. Outcome measures included best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) preoperatively and postoperatively at 1, 3 and 6 months, endothelial cell density (ECD), pachymetry and complications within the first 6 months. In addition two subgroups were analyzed (subgroup I cases 1-200 and subgroup II cases 201-400). RESULTS: At 6 months postoperatively 80 % of all eyes had a BCVA of ≥ 20/25 (≥ 0.8), 44 % of ≥ 20/20 (≥ 1.0) and 14 % of ≥ 20/18 (≥ 1.2). There were no significant differences between the two subgroups. The mean ECD preoperatively was 2,542 (± 217) cells/mm(2) and 6 months postoperatively 1,622 (± 500) cells/mm(2). The mean ECD decrease was 36 % 6 months after DMEK. No difference between the subgroups was noted. In 5 % a re-operation was needed of which 75 % were performed in subgroup I. CONCLUSION: With the standardized no-touch DMEK technique a rapid and nearly complete visual rehabilitation as well as ECD values similar to earlier endothelial keratoplasty techniques can be achieved. Therefore DMEK may become the preferred treatment for corneal endothelial disorders.

[Visual acuity following Descemet-membrane endothelial keratoplasty (DMEK): first 100 cases operated on for Fuchs endothelial dystrophy]. / Visus nach Descemet-Membran Endothelkeratoplastik (DMEK): Ergebnisse der ersten 100 Eingriffe bei Fuchs'scher Endotheldystrophie.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the visual outcome and endothelial cell density in the first series of 100 eyes after Descemet membrane endothelial keratoplasty (DMEK) for the treatment of Fuchs endothelial dystrophy. DESIGN: This was a non-randomised prospective clinical trial. METHODS: The first 100 consecutive eyes (87 patients) that underwent DMEK (i. e., transplantation of an isolated donor Descemet membrane carrying its endothelium) for Fuchs endothelial dystrophy were evaluated. In all eyes, the best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) as well as the endothelial cell density (ECD) were measured before and at one, three and six months after surgery. RESULTS: In eyes with a functional DMEK graft and good visual potential (n = 78), the BCVA was > or = 20 / 40 (> or = 0.5) in 79 % after 1 month, 94 % after 3 months, and 96 % after six months; > or = 20 / 25 (> or = 0.8) in respectively 54 %, 64 %, and 74 %, and > or = 20 / 20 (> or = 1.0) in respectively 26 %, 36 %, and 45 %. In this group, ECD averaged 2630 (+/- 190) cells/mm (2) before, and 1800 (+/- 540) cells/mm (2) at six months after surgery (n = 76). In 15 eyes, a secondary "Descemet stripping endothelial keratoplasty" (DSEK) was performed. When the outcomes of DMEK and secondary DSEK procedures were combined, 91 % reached a BCVA of > or = 20 / 40 (> or = 0.5), 65 % > or = 20 / 25 (> or = 0.8) and 38 % > or = 20 / 25 (> or = 1.0) at six months after surgery (n = 93). For the whole group, ECD averaged 2620 (+/- 190) cells/mm (2) before, and 1730 (+/- 590) cells/mm (2) at six months after surgery (n = 89). CONCLUSION: DMEK may provide relatively quick and nearly complete visual rehabilitation in a majority of patients operated on for Fuchs endothelial dystrophy. Endothelial cell survival may be similar to earlier types of endothelial keratoplasty. Early graft detachment (19 cases) was the main complication in this first series of DMEK surgeries.

[Epidemiology of pterygium. A review]. / Epidemiologie des Pterygiums. Eine Ubersicht.

The traditional concept of chronic UV exposure as a central factor in the pathogenesis of pterygium has been repeatedly confirmed by large epidemiological studies in recent years. Despite its high prevalence in some regions and populations, pterygium is only rarely a cause of blindness. In addition to the latitude of residence, risk factors include years of working outdoors, increasing age and male gender. Regular wearing of adequate sun protection is an economical and simple prophylaxis with proven effect and is recommended, as well as public education, in particular to groups of people who exercise their profession outdoors.

[Operative techniques for surgical treatment of primary and recurrent pterygia]. / Operative Techniken bei chirurgischer Behandlung primärer und rezidivierender Pterygien.

Surgical treatment of pterygia is indicated when there is a reduction of visual acuity secondary to the development of irregular astigmatism and an (impending) obscuration of the visual axis by the tumor. Poor cosmetic appearance and an insufficient corneal lubrication are more rare indications. The most popular surgical technique in this country appears to be a free conjunctival autograft which, depending on the priority of the surgeon, is combined with adjunctive antimetabolite therapy applied either in primary or recurrent cases. A simultaneous transplantation of conjunctival and limbal stem cell autografts is an excellent method to be considered particularly in cases of recurrent pterygia. In the case of non-existing healthy autologous tissue the resection bed can be covered by preserved amniotic membrane. A lamellar sectorial corneal graft might become necessary if there is a deep corneal defect. The well established technique of suturing the graft has been replaced by fibrin glue in some surgical centers.

Reversal of unilateral medial rectus recession and lateral rectus resection for the correction of consecutive exotropia.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: To evaluate the effectiveness and dose-effect relationship of unilateral medial rectus advancement to the original insertion and lateral rectus recession in the surgical management of consecutive exotropia. PATIENTS/METHODS: The charts of 62 patients operated on for consecutive exotropia in a single-surgeon paediatric ophthalmology practice with a minimum follow-up time of 6 weeks were reviewed. RESULTS: Fifty-two patients were managed with unilateral surgery involving medial rectus advancement and lateral rectus recession. The medial rectus was advanced to the original insertion, and the lateral rectus was recessed by the amount of millimetres it had originally been resected for patients with precise records on previous surgery (within one millimetre of the above). The mean age at surgery for exotropia was 12.86 years. The mean postoperative follow-up time was 2.5 years. The mean preoperative distance exodeviation was 33.4 prism dioptres (PD), and the mean reduction in the angle of strabismus was 33.5 PD. A successful surgical outcome, defined as ocular alignment within 10 PD of orthophoria, was obtained in 41 patients (78.8%) at final follow-up. The mean dose-effect relationship between the reduction in the angle of deviation and the sum of millimetres of the reoperation was 2.9 PD/mm. It varied widely among patients and was strongly correlated with the amount of preoperative exodeviation, that is the patients tended to respond more per millimetre of surgical intervention the greater the preoperative exodeviation. CONCLUSION: The standard reversal of unilateral medial rectus recession and lateral rectus resection is a simple and effective means for correcting secondary exotropia. The dose-effect relationship varied widely among patients and tended to correlate with the amount of preoperative exodeviation.

Surgery for nystagmus related head turn: Kestenbaum procedure and artificial divergence.

PURPOSE: An abnormal head posture adopted to reduce a nystagmus can be treated by Kestenbaum surgery or by creating an exodeviation which is compensated by convergence (artificial divergence). We evaluated the effects of Kestenbaum surgery and artificial divergence surgery in a retrospective study. METHODS: Seventy-eight patients who received surgery for horizontal head turn (HT) due to nystagmus were included in the study. Exclusion criteria were previous extraocular muscle surgery, strabismus, lack of binocular vision, and cerebral disease. The millimetres of surgery and the findings before and 3 months after operation [HT, binocular visual acuity (VA), binocular vision (BV)] were evaluated. The patients were divided into three groups: the Kestenbaum group, the artificial divergence group, and the artificial divergence plus Kestenbaum group. RESULTS: Of the 78 patients, aged 3-68 years, 52 had HT to the left side and 47 were male. In the Kestenbaum group (n=31), the median (10% and 90% quantile) HT was 30 degrees (range 20-40 degrees). A total of 28 mm (range 20-40 mm) surgery reduced the HT to 10 degrees (0-30 degrees). The efficacy of surgery was 1.4 degrees HT reduction per millimetre surgery on one eye (range 0.4-2.5 degrees). Four patients received further surgery. In the artificial divergence group (n=27), 10 mm (range 7-12 mm) surgery reduced the HT of 30 degrees (range 25-40 degrees) to 5 degrees (range 0-20 degrees). Seven patients received further surgery. In the artificial divergence plus Kestenbaum group (n=20), the HT was 30 degrees (range 25-40 degrees). A total of 29 mm (range 21-37 mm) surgery reduced the HT to 7 degrees (range -5 degrees to 15 degrees). No further surgery was performed. Postoperatively, the maximum VA and BV was available without large HT, but an increase in the absolute VA and BV could not be proved. CONCLUSION: Artificial divergence is preferable or should be combined with Kestenbaum surgery, if possible. Kestenbaum surgery alone has an effect/dose ratio similar to recess-resect surgery for strabismus. Thus, to correct x degrees HT, 2/3x mm surgery on each eye is adequate.

[Congenital nystagmus: indication, results and dosage of Kestenbaum surgery in 34 patients]. / Kongenitaler Nystagmus: Indikation, Ergebnisse und Dosierung der Operation nach Kestenbaum bei 34 Patienten.

BACKGROUND: Abnormal, nystagmus related head postures can be treated by Kestenbaum's procedure, if the concept of artificial divergence (Cüppers procedure) is not expected to work. In this retrospective study, we evaluated the effects of Kestenbaum surgery in order to establish dosage recommendations. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Solely patients who received Kestenbaum surgery (maximum 3 mm dosage difference between both eyes, i.e., without additional artificial divergence) for a horizontal head turn (HT) due to nystagmus were included in this study. Exclusion criteria were previous eye muscle surgery, strabismus, lacking binocular vision, and cerebral disease. The millimetres of surgery and the pre- and 3-6 months-postoperative findings (HT and visual acuity at 5 m distance, stereopsis) were evaluated. RESULTS: Of the 34 patients, 21 had a HT to the left side and 20 were male. The age at surgery (median, 10%- and 90%-quantile) was 7 years (4-32), the total amount of surgery 32 mm (20-40), and the preoperative HT 30 degrees (20-40). Postoperatively (n = 31), the HT amounted to 7 degrees (0-20). The reduction of HT was 67% (25-100), the efficacy of surgery 0.8 degree (0.3-1.0) per millimetre total amount of surgery on both eyes together. Four patients needed further surgery due to residual HT. Postoperatively, the maximum visual acuity was available without HT or with significantly less HT than preoperatively. Stereopsis showed a trend of improvement. CONCLUSIONS: The Kestenbaum procedure has a dose/effect ratio similar to that of recess/resect surgery for strabismus. Due to a long term efficacy of 1.5 degrees/mm, a dosage (in millimetres) on each eye of two thirds of the HT (in degrees) can be recommended. Physiological and methodical factors (false measurements) have to be discussed as an explanation for apparently low efficacy of surgery.