Lateral tarsal strip versus lateral tarsal strip with three-snip punctoplasty for managing epiphora in involutional ectropion.

PURPOSE: To compare the efficacy of two surgical techniques-lateral tarsal strip (canthoplasty) alone, and lateral tarsal strip with three-snip punctoplasty-in reducing epiphora arising from involutional ectropion with partial punctal stenosis. METHODS: Fourty patients with involutional ectropion and partial stenosis of the lacrimal punctum were randomly allocated to two treatment groups. Group 1 patients received lateral tarsal strip alone with only non-invasive stenting of the punctum, and group 2 patients received tarsal strip plus three-snip punctoplasty. Subjective assessment of epiphora was achieved via completion of a quality of life (QoL) questionnaire preoperatively and at postoperative month 3. Eyelid position, adverse outcomes and corneal dryness (via Oxford grading scheme) were also assessed postoperatively. Only patients with unilateral problems were included in the study. RESULTS: Forty eyes of 40 patients were included: 20 in each group. The mean ages of group 1 and group 2 patients were 79±11 and 80±9 years, respectively. All patients reported significantly reduced eye watering after surgery, with no significant intergroup difference in subjective outcomes, except that computer usage and night driving (P<0.05), improved in a more significant way in group 2. Eyelid malposition was corrected in all cases, there were no cases of postoperative punctal eversion, and no significant adverse events or complications occurred. Finally, the mean improvements in the dryness/keratitis score (using the Oxford scheme) were comparable between the 2 groups (P=0.34). CONCLUSION: The study findings indicate that treatment of involutional ectropion with partial punctal stenosis by lateral tarsal strip with three snip punctoplasty does not provide greater reduction in discomfort secondary to epiphora than conventional lateral tarsal strip alone, except for specific situations such as night driving or computer use.

[Practical assessment of DSAEK in the management of endothelial decompensation following penetrating keratoplasty]. / Évaluation pratique de la prise en charge par DSAEK des décompensations endothéliales après kératoplasties transfixiantes.

PURPOSE: To report our anatomical and functional results as well as possible complications of the first six Descemet's stripping endothelial keratoplasties (DSAEK) performed in our department for endothelial decompensation after penetrating keratoplasty (PK) METHODS: This was a retrospective and observational monocentric study of six patients with DSAEK after prior PK between January 2015 and July 2016. The data collected were: demographic characteristics (age, sex), ophthalmological comorbidities, initial indication for PK, delay between PK and DSAEK. Best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) preoperatively and at 1, 3 and 6 months postoperatively were collected in Monoyer's and Parinaud scale and converted to log MAR for statistical analysis. The central cornea and graft thickness measured on OCT as well as postoperative complications were also collected. RESULTS: Mean follow-up duration was 7.2 months [3-10]. The average time after PK was 7.7 years. The mean age of the patients was 67.5 years [32-87]. The initial indication for PK was Fuchs dystrophy (3/6), pseudophakic bullous keratopathy (1/6), corneal laceration (1/6) and other corneal dystrophy (1/6). The authors report one case a combined phaco-DSAEK surgery. The complications observed were: an early graft detachment treated by an additional air bubble injection (1/6) and cystoid macular edema in one other case. The average central corneal thickness decreased from 780µm at day 7 postoperatively to 656µm at 6 months. The average thickness of the graft decreased from 154µm at day 7 to 122µm at 6 months. The mean preoperative BCVA was 1.52 log MAR [1.0-1.7], compared to the mean postoperative BCVA which was 1.5 log MAR [1.1-2.3] at 1 month, 1.15 log MAR [0.5-1.7] at 3 months and 1.1 log MAR [0.7-1.7] at 6 months (data available for 4 patients at 6 months). The recovery of visual acuity was limited in 2 cases, despite corneal clarity restored in all our patients. DISCUSSION: Our results can be compared to those described in literature. As more penetrating keratoplasty grafts reach the end of their lives, this will allow for more powerful studies. CONCLUSION: DSAEK on eyes previously treated with PK is a good alternative to a new PK in the case of endothelial decompensation of the graft. The possibility of a posterior lamellar graft allows for faster visual recovery, with preservation of the anterior corneal power and a lower rate of complications.