A Functional and Immunologic Point of View on Corneal Endothelial Transplantation: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Background: To systematically review and meta-analyze the immunologic aspects and outcomes of various endothelial keratoplasty (EK) techniques, specifically comparing Descemet's Stripping Automated Endothelial Keratoplasty (DSAEK), Ultra-Thin Descemet's Stripping Automated Endothelial Keratoplasty (UT-DSAEK), and Descemet's Membrane Endothelial Keratoplasty (DMEK). Methods: Systematic review and meta-analysis. Main outcomes were the proportion of patients achieving a best spectacle-corrected visual acuity (BSCVA) of 20/20 at 6 months after keratoplasty, rejection rate one year after surgery, BSCVA at last follow up, and postoperative immunomodulating regimen. Results: A higher proportion of DMEK patients achieved a BSCVA of 20/20 after 6 months. UT-DSAEK and DMEK showed similar rejection rates with a lower risk of re-bubbling for UT-DSAEK (4% vs. 20%). Conclusions: DMEK showed faster visual recovery than UT-DSAEK but a similar rejection rate and long-term visual acuity. One-year postoperative slow tapering steroid regimen has a positive but not (yet) significant effect on rejection risk and visual outcomes.

Rho-Associated Kinase Inhibitor Eye Drops in challenging cataract surgery.

PURPOSE: To report the impact of Rho-Associated Kinase Inhibitor Eye Drops in cases of cataract surgery performed in severe Fuchs' endothelial corneal dystrophy (FECD). OBSERVATIONS: A patient affected by FECD stage II underwent femtosecond laser-assisted cataract surgery (FLACS), developed postsurgical corneal failure and was scheduled for endothelial keratoplasty. Compassionate treatment with Rho-Associated Kinase Inhibitor Eye Drops 4 times per day was started. A significant improvement in visual acuity and corneal failure was recorded. Thereafter, other two patients affected by FECD stage II were prophylactically treated with Rho-Associated Kinase Inhibitor Eye Drops 4 times per day for three months before FLACS with good visual and clinical outcome. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPORTANCE: These cases expand upon the reported effects of rho-associated kinase inhibitor Ripasudil in the FECD, suggesting a role as adjuvant medical therapy in patients advised for intraocular surgery to improve endothelial function and reduce the risk of pseudophakic bullous keratopathy (PBK).

Femtosecond laser-assisted deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty: A safer option in keratoconus surgery.

PURPOSE: To evaluate postoperative safety of femtosecond laser deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty performed with an innovative anvil profile in keratoconus patients. METHODS: This is a single-center, retrospective cohort study. We reviewed medical records of 89 keratoconus patients that underwent femtosecond laser deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty surgery (46 eyes) and manual deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty (47 eyes). Inclusion criteria required: age > 18 years old, best-corrected visual acuity < 0.3 LogMAR, continuous suture of the graft, postoperative immunomodulant regimen with dexamethasone 0.1% for 6 months and at least 12 months follow-up. Previous eye surgery, hydrops, and other ocular disease were excluded. The main outcome measures were postoperative events: rejections, persistent epithelial defects, and graft failures. RESULTS: During the follow-up (20 ± 6 months) graft rejection was diagnosed in 0 of femtosecond laser deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty versus 6 (17%) of manual deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty [p 0.027], persistent epithelial defect in 0 of femtosecond laser deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty versus in 4 (11%) of manual deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty [p 0.048] and graft failure occurred in 4 (11%) of manual deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty. The best-corrected visual acuity, after removal of sutures, was better in the femtosecond laser deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty group 0.09 ± 0.08 LogMAR versus 0.16 ± 0.13 LogMAR in manual deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty [p 0.035] group although refractive spherical equivalent and cylinder, topographic average keratometry and cylinder were similar. CONCLUSIONS: Anvil-shaped femtosecond laser deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty in keratoconus surgery increases safety and readiness of recovery, decreasing the incidence of corneal rejection, epithelial defects, graft failures, and producing better best-corrected visual acuity after removal of sutures.

Ocular Surface Failure in Urban Syndrome.

BACKGROUND: Nowadays, the continuous increase in air pollution has significantly changed air quality, leading to the onset of the so-called urban syndrome (US), an allergic-like conjunctivitis triggered by pollutants. These patients are characterized by persistent dysregulation of ocular surface para-inflammation, causing chronic low-grade inflammation and ocular discomfort, with significant consequences for occupational health and job productivity prospects. This study aims to investigate the effects of topical glycerophosphoinositol (GPI) eye drops on the signs and symptoms of US. METHODS: A multicenter prospective open interventional study was performed. Patients affected by US, enrolled from occupational medicine clinics, were treated with eye drops containing 0.001% GPI in 0.2% HA vehicle three times a day. Ocular surface disease index (OSDI), tear break-up time (T-BUT), Schirmer test, Oxford score, hyperemia and ocular surface symptoms were recorded at patient enrolment (T0), after 1 week (T1) and after 1 month (T2) of treatment. RESULTS: A total of 113 consecutive patients (226 eyes) were included. OSDI score displayed a significant improvement after one week (T0: 39.9 ± 19, T1: 20.8 ± 17.9, T2: 18.4 ± 15.6, p < 0.0001); T-BUT (T0: 5.2 ± 2, T1: 7.7 ± 2.2, T2: 9.7 ± 1.8, p < 0.0001) and Schirmer Test (T0: 6.6 ± 2.4, T1: 9.7 ± 2.7, T2: 12.6 ± 2.6, p < 0.0001) progressively improved from T0 to T2. CONCLUSIONS: trice-daily topic instillation of 0.001% GPI in 0.02% HA vehicle resulted an effective and well tolerated treatment in US patients.

Sex Hormones Related Ocular Dryness in Breast Cancer Women.

BACKGROUND: Dry eye syndrome (DES) is strictly connected to systemic and topical sex hormones. Breast cancer treatment, the subsequent hormonal therapy, the subsequent hyperandrogenism and the early sudden menopause, may be responsible for ocular surface system failure and its clinical manifestation as dry eye disease. This local dryness is part of the breast cancer iatrogenic dryness, which affects overall mucosal tissue in the fragile population of those with breast cancer. METHODS: A literature review regarding the role of sex hormone changes and systemic hormonal replacement treatments (SHRT) in DES available on PubMed and Web of Science was made without any restriction of language. RESULTS: Androgens exert their role on the ocular surface supporting meibomian gland function and exerting a pro-sebaceous effect. Estrogen seems to show a pro/inflammatory role on the ocular surface, while SHRT effects on dry eye are still not well defined, determining apparently contradictory consequences on the ocular surface homeostasis. The role of sex hormones on dry eye pathogenesis is most likely the result of a strict crosstalk between the protective androgens effects and the androgen-modulating effects of estrogens on the meibomian glands. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with a pathological or iatrogenic hormonal imbalance, such as in the case of breast cancer, should be assessed for dry eye disease, as well as systemic dryness, in order to restore their social and personal quality of life.

Corneal angiogenic privilege and its failure.

The cornea actively maintains its own avascular status to preserve its ultimate optical function. This corneal avascular state is also defined as "corneal angiogenic privilege", which results from a critical and sensitive balance between anti-angiogenic and pro-angiogenic mechanisms. In our review, we aim to explore the complex equilibrium among multiple mediators which prevents neovascularization in the resting cornea, as well as to unveil the evolutive process which leads to corneal angiogenesis in response to different injuries.

Extended depth-of-focus intraocular lenses: power calculation and outcomes.

The extended depth-of-focus intraocular lenses (EDOF IOLs) represent one of the most exciting advancements in the field of lens surgery. EDOF IOLs promise an excellent visual experience, minimizing visual disturbances (ie, halos and glare) commonly associated with multifocal IOLs. The pros and cons of EDOF IOLs should be evaluated in comparison with other more traditional multifocal or monofocal IOLs. The aim of this review is to provide the most current information regarding EDOF IOLs for power calculating formulas, refractive outcomes, incidence of photic phenomena, and patient satisfaction.