COVID-19 VACCINE-INDUCED ACUTE EXUDATIVE POLYMORPHOUS VITELLIFORM MACULOPATHY: CASE REPORTS.

BACKGROUND: Acute exudative polymorphous vitelliform maculopathy is a presumed retinal pigment epithelium abnormality that has been reported in patients with neoplasms and under certain classes of drugs. The pathophysiology remains unclear, despite the typical clinical features. PURPOSE: To report two cases of acute exudative polymorphous vitelliform maculopathy occurring after vaccination with a COVID-19 vaccine. CASE REPORTS: Two adult patients presented with visual disturbance after inoculation with a COVID-19 vaccine. The patients were otherwise healthy and have no family history of retinal dystrophies. Both cases exhibited the following features on multimodal imaging: multifocal hyporeflective lesions involving the macula, elongated photoreceptors, accumulated vitelliform material exhibiting autofluorescence, and lack of fluorescein dye leakage. Evidence of retinal pigment epithelium dysfunction was confirmed by electrooculography. CONCLUSION: Two cases of acute exudative polymorphous vitelliform maculopathy occurring after COVID-19 vaccination were reported. A relationship between the vaccine and the retinal pigment epithelial abnormality development that led to acute exudative polymorphous vitelliform maculopathy was postulate, possibly through autoantibodies against the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 virus structural surface glycoprotein antigens that cross react with the normal retinal pigment epithelial cells.

Visual Outcomes of Microkeratome-Assisted Anterior Lamellar Keratoplasty in Keratoconus: 5-Year Results.

Purpose: To report 5-year results of microkeratome-assisted anterior lamellar keratoplasty (MK-ALK) in cases of keratoconus. Methods: Patients with advanced keratoconus and the thinnest corneal location 300 µ or more were recruited. A Carriazo-Barraquer microkeratome was used to remove a 200-µ cap from the recipient cornea, and to prepare a 300-µ anterior stromal graft from a donor cornea. A full-thickness crescentic incision was made in the posterior stromal recipient bed using a 6.5-mm suction trephine. The donor was sutured to the recipient bed using interrupted nylon sutures. The minimum follow-up was five years. Results: Twelve eyes of 12 patients were included. The mean age was 26 ± 8 years. None of the patients required conversion to penetrating keratoplasty. Mean logMAR uncorrected and best spectacle-corrected visual acuity, respectively, improved from 1.56 ± 0.24 and 1.18 ± 0.32 preoperatively, to 0.63 ± 0.38 and 0.18 ± 0.12, five years after surgery (P=0.001for both). There was also a statistically significant reduction of mean manifest spherical equivalent, refractive cylinder, and mean keratometry readings. Posterior stromal striations occurred in all patients immediately after surgery but resolved after a maximum of 3 months. At five-years, anterior segment optical coherence tomography revealed a clear interface in all cases and a mean graft thickness of 328 ± 27 µ. Conclusion: MK-ALK is a safe and effective procedure for advanced keratoconus. Where feasible, it may be the best choice for patients at high risk of poor outcomes with penetrating keratoplasty, such as young patients with atopic keratoconjunctivitis or Down's syndrome.

Safety and Efficacy of Epithelial Island Crosslinking in Keratoconus with Thinnest Pachymetry less than 400µ.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of epithelial-island crosslinking (EI-CXL) in keratoconus with corneas thinner than 400 µm. METHODS: Twenty-six patients (30 eyes) underwent EI-CXL (preserving the epithelium over the thinnest area), using standard protocol (3 mW/cm2 for 30 min). Uncorrected and best spectacle-corrected distance visual acuity (UCDVA, BCDVA), manifest refractive spherical equivalent (SEQ), mean simulated keratometry (Kmean), maximum keratometry (Kmax), and thinnest corneal thickness (TCT) were determined preoperatively and at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months following CXL. Endothelial cell count (ECC) was determined preoperatively and at 6 months. Anterior segment optical coherence tomography (AS-OCT) was done at 1 month to determine the depth of the corneal stromal demarcation line (DL). RESULTS: After 1 year, mean UCDVA improved from 1.29 preoperatively to 1.17 (P = 0.001) and BCDVA from 0.62 to 0.57 (P = 0.011). Mean manifest SEQ decreased from -7.63 to-7.32D (P = 0.001). Mean Kmean decreased from 54.92 to 54.81D (P = 0.045), and Kmax from 67.60 to 67.42D (P = 0.072), and mean TCT changed minimally from 377.17 to 375.30 µ (P = 0.11). The mean ECC decreased from 2329 to 2268 cells/mm2 (2.6% decrease, P < 0.001). AS-OCT showed a DL in 29 out of 30 eyes at an average depth of 215.9 µ under the spared epithelium, and 299.9 µ in the de-epithelialized cornea. CONCLUSION: EI-CXL halted keratoconus progression over a 1-year period. This was associated with statistically significant endothelial loss, but less than seen with conventional epi-off CXL in thinner corneas.

Efficacy and Safety of Contact Lens-Assisted Corneal Crosslinking in the Treatment of Keratoconus With Thin Corneas.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the safety and efficacy of contact lens-assisted crosslinking (CA-CXL) in progressive keratoconus with thin corneas (350-400 µm). METHODS: Forty eyes (30 patients) underwent epithelium-off CA-CXL with iso-osmolar riboflavin and ultraviolet-A irradiation for 30 min (fluence, 3 mW/cm2). A non-ultra-violet-absorbing soft contact lens (sCL) soaked in riboflavin was applied over the cornea during irradiation. Demarcation line (DL) depth was measured 1 month postoperatively. Endothelial cell count (ECC) was measured preoperatively and 3 months postoperatively. Distance uncorrected visual acuity (UDVA) and best spectacle-corrected visual acuity (BDVA), and maximum keratometric values (K max) were evaluated preoperatively and 9 months postoperatively. RESULTS: The sCL added a mean thickness of 100.05±1.23 µm. The mean ECC was 2,982±165 cell/mm2 preoperatively and 2,955±125 cell/mm2 postoperatively (endothelial cell loss, 0.9%, P=0.21). The mean DL depth was 204.8±20.2 µm. There was significant improvement in UDVA (P<0.001) and BDVA (P=0.011) with a stable K max (P=0.06). CONCLUSION: Contact lens-assisted crosslinking was safe and effective, with endothelial loss less than 1% after 3 months and stable corneal tomography over 9 months, with improved visual acuity. Demarcation line depth was found to be shallower than conventional CXL. Therefore, the long-term efficacy of CA-CXL requires further study. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRY NUMBER: NCT04504578 Clinical trials.gov.

MONTHLY INTRAVITREAL INFLIXIMAB IN BEHÇET'S DISEASE ACTIVE POSTERIOR UVEITIS: A Long-Term Safety Study.

PURPOSE: To study the safety of extended monthly intravitreal infliximab injections in patients with active posterior uveitis in Behcet's disease. METHODS: This is a prospective, interventional, noncomparative, open-label, pilot study of 9 monthly intravitreal infliximab injections (1 mg/0.05 mL) for 22 eyes of 16 patients with active posterior uveitis in Behcet's disease. Control of inflammation and visual outcomes were assessed, and ocular complications were monitored during the study period. RESULTS: Successful treatment was achieved in 7 eyes (35%), and failure was encountered in 13 eyes (65%). Only seven eyes of six patients (35%) had completed the study and achieved complete resolution of inflammation with improved best-corrected visual acuity and no complications. Failure was either because of inability to control the inflammation in nine eyes (45%) or development of exacerbation of inflammation in four eyes (20%). Four eyes developed severe immunological reaction from the drug after first (n = 1), second (n = 2), and third (n = 1) injections and had to discontinue the injections. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis showed that the mean estimated time to failure was 3.3 ± 0.2 months, and all failed eyes required revision of their systemic immunotherapy to control the ocular inflammation. CONCLUSION: Intravitreal infliximab for active posterior uveitis in Behcet's disease was associated with a high complication rate and failure to control inflammation in most eyes. It should not be considered a substitute to systemic therapy.

The prevalence of keratoconus in children with allergic eye disease in an Egyptian population.

PURPOSE: To determine the prevalence of keratoconus (KC) among children with ocular allergy. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted on all children presenting with ocular allergic disease from September 2017 to September 2018. All study participants were subjected to history taking (a specially designed questionnaire), routine ophthalmological examination, and corneal tomography. RESULTS: A total of 79% of the study patients had vernal keratoconjunctivitis (VKC) while the remaining had perennial allergic conjunctivitis (10%), seasonal allergic conjunctivitis (9%) and atopic keratoconjunctivitis (2%). Manifest KC was seen in 7% of cases, suspect KC was found in 27% of cases, and 66% had no evidence of KC. For the manifest KC, 56% had clinical signs, while 44% were diagnosed by tomography. For the purpose of statistical analysis, the cohort was divided into group KC (manifest or suspicious KC) and group non-KC (no KC). The mean age was 11.2 years in group KC, and 9 years in group non-KC (p < 0.001). The mean duration of allergic symptoms was 3.75 years in group KC, and 2.5 years in group non-KC (p = 0.001). The mean duration of eye rubbing was 2.5 years in group KC, and 0.83 years in group non-KC (p = 0.02). Systemic atopy was present in 35.3% of group KC, and in 12.5% in group non-KC (p = 0.005). CONCLUSION: The overall prevalence of KC was 34%. Risk factors for the development of KC in patients with ocular allergy were age, duration of symptoms specially eye rubbing, systemic atopy and VKC. Tomographic diagnosis of KC can be present in absence of clinical signs.

The effect of flap thickness on corneal biomechanics after myopic laser in situ keratomileusis using the M-2 microkeratome.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of flap thickness on corneal biomechanics after myopic laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK). METHODS: This is a prospective controlled non-randomized, institutional study. Patients underwent either epi-LASIK with mitomycin (advanced surface ablation [ASA]), thin-flap LASIK (90 µm head), or thick-flap LASIK (130 µm head). In ASA, the Moria Epi-K hydroseparator was used. LASIK flaps were created using the Moria M-2 mechanical microkeratome. The corneal hysteresis (CH) and corneal resistance factor (CRF) were measured preoperatively and 3 months after surgery, using the Ocular Response Analyzer®. RESULTS: Ten patients (19 eyes) underwent ASA, 11 patients (16 eyes) underwent thin-flap LASIK, and 11 patients (16 eyes) underwent thick-flap LASIK. The mean preoperative CH was 10.47±0.88, 10.52±1.4, and 11.28±1.4 mmHg (p=0.043), respectively, decreasing after surgery by 1.75±1.02, 1.66±1.00, and 2.62±1.03 mmHg (p=0.017). The mean reduction of CH per micron of central corneal ablation was 0.031, 0.023, and 0.049 mmHg/µm (p=0.005). Mean preoperative CRF was 10.11±1.28, 10.34±1.87, and 10.62±1.76 mmHg (p=0.66), decreasing after surgery by 2.33±1.35, 2.77±1.03, and 2.92±1.10 mmHg (p=0.308). The mean reduction of CRF per micron of central corneal ablation was 0.039, 0.040, and 0.051 mmHg/µm (p=0.112). CONCLUSION: Thick-flap LASIK caused a greater reduction of CH and CRF than thin-flap LASIK and ASA, although this was statistically significant only for CH. ASA and thin-flap LASIK were found to be biomechanically similar.

Incidence of Posterior Vitreous Detachment After Femtosecond LASIK Compared With Microkeratome LASIK.

PURPOSE: To compare the incidence of posterior vitreous detachment (PVD) after femtosecond and microkeratome laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK). SETTING: Rowad Correction Centre, Cairo, Egypt (a private center affiliated to Cairo University). DESIGN: Prospective, nonrandomized comparative unmasked study. METHODS: The study was conducted at a single laser center. Eligible patients chose between femtosecond and microkeratome LASIK after appropriate counseling. B-scan ultrasonography was performed before surgery by a single operator. Patients with preexisting PVD (partial or complete) were excluded. The axial length was also recorded. All surgery was performed by a single surgeon. During surgery, the suction time was measured. Ultrasonography was repeated 1 month after surgery by the same operator to detect PVD. RESULTS: Ten patients (20 eyes, group M) underwent LASIK using the Moria M2 microkeratome, and 10 patients (20 eyes, group F) underwent femtosecond LASIK with the IntraLase FS-150. In groups M and F, respectively, the proportion of women was 80% and 70%, and the mean age was 24.7 ± 4 years and 25.7 ± 3.3 years, the mean axial length was 24.2 ± 1.2 and 23.8 ± 1.2 mm, and the mean suction time was 18 ± 2 seconds and 63 ± 4 seconds (P < 0.001). After surgery, PVD was detected in 4 eyes (20%) in group M and 17 eyes (85%) in group F (P = 0.000044). CONCLUSIONS: The incidence of PVD 1 month after femtosecond LASIK was higher than after microkeratome LASIK. This may be due to longer suction time during femtosecond LASIK despite lower suction pressure.

Correlation of corneal endothelial changes with different stages of keratoconus.

PURPOSE: The aim was to study the corneal endothelial count and morphology in patients with keratoconus by specular microscopy and to correlate them to the stage of keratoconus. METHODS: Forty eyes of 29 patients with keratoconus were enrolled in this cross-sectional cohort study. Corneal endothelium was evaluated using specular microscopy, and corneal topography and thickness data were obtained from Scheimpflug-based corneal tomography. Eyes were classified into stages 1 through 4 of keratoconus according to Amsler classification, using keratometry and pachymetry readings obtained from corneal tomography. RESULTS: Eleven eyes (27.5%) had stage 1, 17 eyes (42.5%) had stage 2, and 12 eyes (30%) had stage 3. Specular microscopy was not possible in stage 4. There was no statistically significant correlation between the stage of keratoconus and the endothelial cell density (ECD) (r = 0.018, P = 0.91), coefficient of variation (CV) (r = -0.011, P = 0.94), or percentage of hexagonality (6A) (r = -0.112, P = 0.51). When mild-to-moderate keratoconus (stages 1 and 2) was compared with severe keratoconus (stage 3), the difference was not significant regarding ECD (P = 0.1), CV (P = 0.3), or 6A (P = 0.4). However, there was a trend toward lower ECD and percentage of hexagonality, and a higher CV with advancing disease. CONCLUSIONS: Up to stage 3, keratoconus does not significantly affect the corneal endothelium, as measured by specular microscopy. Eyes with stage 4 could not be studied by specular microscopy and may require other imaging methods such as confocal microscopy.

Hyperopic laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis results with LADARVision, Visx Star S2, and Visx Star S3.

PURPOSE: To compare the LADARVision (LV), Visx Star S3 (S3), and Visx Star S2 (S2) excimer lasers in the treatment of spherical hyperopia and hyperopic astigmatism with laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis. SETTING: A parallel, consecutive, three-surgeon, cohort comparison was performed at Zale Lipshy University Hospital, Laser Center for Vision, The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas, Texas for consecutive cases between January 2001 and October 2001. METHODS: Treatment outcomes of 105 hyperopic eyes with manifest refraction spherical equivalents of up to +6.50 diopters and astigmatism up to 3.75 diopters were compared. Forty-one eyes were treated with LV; 25 eyes were treated with S3; and 39 eyes were treated with S2. Outcome measures included uncorrected visual acuity, best spectacle-corrected visual acuity, predictability, and stability of treatments at 1 week and 1, 3, and 6 months. RESULTS: All three lasers were comparable in terms of refractive stability and predictability. The LV group had consistently better uncorrected visual acuities than did the S2 and S3 groups during the follow-up period. At 6 months, the LV group had statistically significantly better visual results than the S3 group at the 20/25 and 20/20 levels, whereas the only significant difference between the LV and S2 groups was at the 20/25 level. Better visual outcomes were achieved with S2 than with S3, but the differences were not statistically significant. No eye lost more than one line of best spectacle-corrected visual acuity. CONCLUSIONS: Predictability and stability of hyperopic laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis treatments with all three lasers were comparable. Visual results with LV at 6 months were statistically significantly better than those with S3 and S2.

Comparison of photorefractive keratectomy and laser in situ keratomileusis for the treatment of compound hyperopic astigmatism.

PURPOSE: To compare photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) and laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) for compound hyperopic astigmatism. SETTING: University laser center. METHODS: This prospective nonrandomized study evaluated 41 consecutive eyes (27 patients) that had PRK and 24 consecutive eyes (15 patients) that had LASIK to correct compound hyperopic astigmatism. RESULTS: The mean preoperative error was +3.06 diopters of sphere (DS) +/-1.73 (SD)/+1.31 +/- 0.60 diopters of cylinder (DC) in the PRK eyes and +2.86 +/-1.28 DS/+1.55 +/- 0.96 DC in the LASIK eyes. The mean maximal pain score in PRK eyes was 1.95 +/- 1.19 (range 0.0 to 3.0) in PRK eyes and 0.84 +/-1.12 in LASIK eyes (P=.0014). The uncorrected visual acuity was 20/20 or better in 7.7% of the PRK eyes and 58.3% of the LASIK eyes at 1 month (P<.001) and 57.9% and 66.7%, respectively, at 9 months (P=.586). The mean postoperative spherical error was -0.95 +/- 0.92 D in PRK eyes and +0.33 +/- 0.56 D in LASIK eyes at 1 month (P<.001) and +0.64 +/- 1.01 D and +0.44 +/- 0.57 D, respectively, at 9 months (P=.375). There was no statistically significant between-group difference in the mean residual astigmatic error. Mild peripheral haze (grade 0.5 to 1.0) occurred in 19.5% of PRK eyes and no LASIK eye. No eye in either group lost more than 2 lines of best spectacle-corrected visual acuity. CONCLUSIONS: Photorefractive keratectomy was more painful than LASIK and led to a slower visual recovery, a higher incidence of peripheral haze, and an initial myopic overcorrection, which self-corrected by 3 to 6 months. Efficacy and stability of the astigmatic correction were similar in both groups. Long-term stability of both procedures requires further study.

Photorefractive keratectomy versus laser in situ keratomileusis for the treatment of spherical hyperopia.

OBJECTIVE: To compare photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) and laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) in treating spherical hyperopia using the VISX STAR S2 excimer laser. INTERVENTION: Fifteen consecutive eyes of 15 patients underwent PRK, and 16 consecutive eyes of 16 patients underwent LASIK (follow-up: 12 months). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Postoperative pain, uncorrected visual acuity (UCVA), deviation from intended correction, and loss of best spectacle-corrected visual acuity (BSCVA). RESULTS: Mean preoperative spherical equivalent was + 2.18 diopter [D] for PRK and + 2.03D for LASIK. All PRK patients experienced significant postoperative pain that required systemic medication, whereas LASIK patients had minor and transient discomfort. Mean deviation from intended correction was -0.83D, + 0.01D, and + 0.18D at 1, 6, and 12 months after PRK, and + 0.22D, +0.30D, and + 0.40D at 1, 6, and 12 months after LASIK (P = 0.002 at 1 month). A higher proportion of LASIK eyes had a UCVA of 20/20 or better at all time points (P = 0.013 and 0.025 at 1 and 3 months, respectively). There was no statistically significant difference between both groups in BSCVA loss. CONCLUSIONS: LASIK and PRK are comparable in efficacy and safety. However, PRK was more painful, with an initial and temporary myopic over-correction that did not occur after LASIK. Stability was achieved between 3 and 6 months following PRK, and one month following LASIK.

Comparison of LADARVision and Visx Star S3 laser in situ keratomileusis outcomes in myopia and hyperopia.

PURPOSE: To compare visual outcomes with 2 commonly used excimer lasers, the Autonomous LADARVision (LV) (Alcon Laboratories Inc.) and the Visx Star S3 (S3), in the performance of myopic and hyperopic astigmatic laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK). SETTING: Zale Lipshy University Hospital Laser Center for Vision, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, USA. METHODS: In this retrospective single-center 3-surgeon cohort comparison, 100 consecutive LV-treated myopic eyes with a mean manifest refraction spherical equivalent (MRSE) of -3.22 diopters (D) (range 0 to -6.00 D) (mean astigmatism 0.95 D [range 0 to 4.00 D]) were compared with 100 consecutive S3-treated eyes with a similar MRSE (mean MRSE -3.19 D; mean astigmatism 0.66 D [range 0 to 2.75 D]). Forty-one consecutive LV-treated hyperopic eyes with a mean MRSE of +2.59 D (range +1.00 to +6.00 D) (mean astigmatism 0.89 D [range 0 to 3.50 D]) were compared with 25 consecutive S3-treated eyes with a similar MRSE (mean MRSE +2.70 D; mean astigmatism 0.87 D [range 0 to 2.75 D]). The following outcomes were compared: uncorrected visual acuity, refractive predictability and stability, gain or loss of best spectacle-corrected visual acuity, and need for enhancement. RESULTS: Statistically significant differences in outcomes were found between lasers in the treatment of hyperopia and hyperopic astigmatism. No outcome differences between lasers were found in the treatment of myopia and myopic astigmatism. CONCLUSION: The LV and S3 lasers yielded equivalent results in myopic LASIK between 0 and -6.00 D; however, the LADARVision yielded statistically significantly better results in hyperopic LASIK between +1.00 and +6.00 D.

Confocal microscopic findings in a case of delayed-onset bilateral diffuse lamellar keratitis after laser in situ keratomileusis.

We report a case of bilateral diffuse lamellar keratitis (DLK) with delayed onset after a bilateral laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) procedure. A thorough history, review of systems, and laboratory evaluation revealed no pertinent medical history or risk factors for delayed-onset DLK after LASIK. Confocal microscopic examination of both corneas demonstrated a large number of activated keratocytes in the flap interface, particulate debris of variable size distributed throughout the interface, and scattered inflammatory cells. It was then decided to lift and wash both corneal flaps and interfaces. Scrapings for stains and cultures were also taken from both flap beds and were negative. After treatment with prednisolone acetate 1% and topical cyclosporin A 0.5%, the DLK resolved in both eyes with residual faint, diffuse, corneal haze. The patient developed a steroid-induced elevation in intraocular pressure that resolved after the topical corticosteroids were stopped.