A Novel scoring system for distinguishing keratoconus from normal eyes.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the accuracy of a novel scoring system in differentiation of keratoconus (KC) eyes from normal eyes using a Scheimpflug camera system tomography. SETTING: Marmara University Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey and Birinci Eye Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey. DESIGN: Retrospective case-control study. METHODS: The study included 624 keratoconus eyes and 512 healthy eyes. Thirty nine significant parameters obtained from the Scheimpflug imaging system (Pentacam-Oculus Optikgeräte GmbH, Wetzlar, Germany) were studied. The cut-off value and area under receiver operating characteristic (AUROC) curve analysis for each studied parameter were established in the previous study. Minus three and plus three standard deviations of the cut-off value were scored after multiplication of AUROC for each parameter. The sum of all scores (TKS; Total Keratoconus Score) was compared between keratoconus and normal eyes. RESULTS: Average TKS value was -29.57±5.65 (Range from -43.11 to -7.09) in normal eyes and 36.23±24.3 (Range from -16.82 to 97.45) in keratoconus eyes (p<0.001). Receiver operating characteristic curve analyses showed perfect predictive accuracy for TKS (ROC 1.0 (95% CI: 0.999-1.0)). The TKS distinguished the keratoconus group from the normal group with 99% sensitivity and 99% specificity at the best cut-off point of -12.45. CONCLUSIONS: The new scoring system measured by the Scheimpflug imaging system provides perfect discrimination of keratoconus from normal corneas.

Complex Descemet's Membrane Tears and Detachment during Phacoemulsification.

PURPOSE: To report a case of complex Descemet's membrane detachment (DMD) and tears during phacoemulsification cataract surgery. CASE REPORT: A 64-year-old woman underwent phacoemulsification surgery in her right eye and developed tears and partial loss of Descemet's membrane (DM) while the aspiration port was inserted through the main incision. Massive corneal edema obscured the view and the anterior chamber was barely visible the following day. Scheimpflug imaging was used to complement slit lamp examination in the postoperative period. Frequent topical corticosteroid drops were initiated. After 5 days of treatment, multiple tears and detachment of DM were visible and the anterior chamber was filled with air. After 5 weeks, the cornea regained much of its clarity despite large DM tears and focal loss of DM. CONCLUSION: Despite partial loss of DM, the corneal edema mostly disappeared after 5 weeks of air bubble injection. Scheimpflug imaging was beneficial in the diagnosis and monitoring of DM tears and detachments.

Comparative analysis of anterior segment parameters in normal and keratoconus eyes generated by scheimpflug tomography.

Purpose. To assess and compare the anterior and posterior corneal surface parameters, keratoconus indices, thickness profile data, and data from enhanced elevation maps of keratoconic and normal corneas with the Pentacam Scheimpflug corneal tomography and to determine the sensitivity and specificity of these parameters in discriminating keratoconus from normal eyes. Methods. The study included 656 keratoconus eyes and 515 healthy eyes with a mean age of 30.95 ± 9.25 and 32.90 ± 14.78 years, respectively. Forty parameters obtained from the Pentacam tomography were assessed by the receiver operating characteristic curve analysis for their efficiency. Results. Receiver operating characteristic curve analyses showed excellent predictive accuracy (area under the curve, ranging from 0.914 to 0.972) for 21 of the 40 parameters evaluated. Among all parameters indices of vertical asymmetry, keratoconus index, front elevation at thinnest location, back elevation at thinnest location, Ambrósio Relational Thickness (ARTmax), deviation of average pachymetric progression, deviation of ARTmax, and total deviation showed excellent (>90%) sensitivity and specificity in addition to excellent area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUROC). Conclusions. Parameters derived from the topometric and Belin-Ambrósio enhanced ectasia display maps very effectively discriminate keratoconus from normal corneas with excellent sensitivity and specificity.

Analysis of age, refractive error and gender related changes of the cornea and the anterior segment of the eye with Scheimpflug imaging.

PURPOSE: To assess age, refractive error and gender related changes occurring in the cornea and the anterior segment of the eye using a Scheimpflug system. METHODS: The study included 666 healthy eyed subjects with a mean age of 39.3±19.7 years (range: 3-85 years). All analyses were based on the right eyes of the patients as all measured parameters correlated well between the right and left eyes. Each parameter was correlated with age and the right eye's spherical equivalent (SE) using Pearson correlations. Univariate linear regression models were constructed for analyses of parameters. RESULTS: The anterior corneal surface asphericity showed significant positive correlations whereas posterior corneal surface asphericity showed significant negative correlations with age. Anterior chamber depth (ACD), volume (ACV) and angle (ACA) showed significant negative correlations with age and SE. Age explained 25% of the variance in anterior corneal surface asphericity, 22% of variance in posterior corneal surface asphericity, 26% of variance in ACV, 27% of variance in ACD, and 19% of variance in ACA. In the SE model SE was identified to account for 25% of variance in ACV, 22% of variance in ACD, each, and 17% of variance in ACA. Significant differences were detected in anterior and posterior keratometry values, ACV, ACD and ACA among gender groups (p<0.01). CONCLUSIONS: The cornea shows a tendency for a decrease in anterior corneal surface asphericity and an increase in posterior corneal surface asphericity with advancing age. Men have flatter corneas and women have shallower anterior chambers and narrower anterior chamber angles.

Comparison of multimetric D index with keratometric, pachymetric, and posterior elevation parameters in diagnosing subclinical keratoconus in fellow eyes of asymmetric keratoconus patients.

PURPOSE: To compare the multimetric D index and other keratoconus-screening parameters in patients with clinical keratoconus in 1 eye and subclinical keratoconus in the fellow eye. SETTING: Medipol University Hospital and Birinci Eye Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey. DESIGN: Retrospective case-control study. METHODS: Patients with clinical keratoconus in 1 eye and subclinical keratoconus in the fellow eye and eyes of normal subjects were evaluated with a rotating Scheimpflug imaging system (Pentacam). Parameters included anterior curve analysis, keratometry (K) values, minimum corneal thickness, pachymetric progression index, Ambrósio relational thickness, posterior elevation, back difference elevation, and D-index values. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were analyzed to evaluate the area under curve (AUC), sensitivity, and specificity of each parameter. RESULTS: Forty-five patients and 67 normal subjects were evaluated. The pachymetric progression indices, posterior elevation, and the D-index measurements were statistically significantly higher whereas corneal thickness and Ambrósio relational thickness measurements were significantly lower in eyes with keratoconus or subclinical keratoconus than in eyes of normal subjects (P < .05). Using the ROC analysis, the AUC values of the mean steep K, minimum corneal thickness, pachymetric progression index minimum, Ambrósio relational thickness maximum, posterior elevation, back difference elevation, and D index to distinguish between subclinical keratoconus from control subjects were 0.52, 0.64, 0.71, 0.72, 0.71, 0.76, and 0.83, respectively. CONCLUSION: The new multimetric D index seems to be better than other single-metric parameters in diagnosing keratoconus and subclinical keratoconus with good specificity. However, the sensitivity levels of all parameters were relatively limited in the diagnosis of subclinical keratoconus. FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE: No author has a financial or proprietary interest in any material or method mentioned.

Four Cases of Pediatric Photokeratitis Present to the Emergency Department After Watching the Same Theater Show.

We report four consecutive cases of photokeratitis that presented to the emergency department, interestingly after having watched the same theatre performance in the same school. The patients' ages (3 male, 1 female) ranged from 9 to 13 years. All patients presented with similar complaints consisting of pain, tearing, foreign body sensation, photophobia and blurred vision in both eyes. Patients reported watching a theatre performance in the same school approximately 4 hours before symptom onset. On slit-lamp examination, conjunctival injection and corneal punctate epithelial erosions were observed in the interpalpebral zone in both eyes. On fundus examination, no pathology was observed in the vitreous, posterior pole or peripheral retina. All cases were treated with topical antibiotics and lubricant eye drops. Corneas were clear two days later in the control visit. In this case report, exposure to ultraviolet light from high-power lamps used in the theatre was proposed as a possible cause of corneal epithelial cell damage and subsequent photokeratitis.

Corneal densitometry evaluation in archipelago keratitis.

To report a case of archipelago keratitis and its improvement as evaluated by corneal densitometry. A review of the patient's record and relevant literature. A 57-year-old man presented with blurred vision associated with photophobia and halos around lights. Slit-lamp examination revealed multiple confluent, nummular subepithelial infiltrates. The infiltrates were unresponsive to topical nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drops. The treatment was changed to topical steroids and oral acyclovir and a diagnosis of archipelago keratitis was made. The patient showed quick response to the treatment and the infiltrates disappeared within 5 weeks. However, no clear changes were observed initially by slit-lamp but corneal densitometry allowed us to evaluate improvement as the density value decreased from 96.5 to 38.6. After 10 days of treatment all the symptoms were resolved. Archipelago keratitis responded well to topical steroids and oral acyclovir. We describe the use of corneal densitometry complementary to slit-lamp examination in the clinical observation of archipelago keratitis.

Risk factors and incidence of ocular hypertension after penetrating keratoplasty.

PURPOSE: Ocular hypertension is a potentially serious complication after penetrating keratoplasty (PKP). Our objective is to determine the risk factors, incidence, patient characteristics, response to pressure-lowering medical therapy, and graft outcome associated with elevation of intraocular pressure after PKP. METHODS: One hundred forty-six consecutive eyes that had PKP between June 2001 and June 2003 were operated and managed at Hadassah-Hebrew University Medical Center. Chart review was performed seeking preoperative and postoperative data on risk factors for ocular hypertension after PKP. Univariate and logistic regression analysis were performed to identify significant risk factors. RESULTS: After surgery, 70 eyes (47.9%) had at least 1 period of ocular hypertension, with a mean intraocular pressure (IOP) of 27.15±5.66 mm Hg. Ocular hypertension appeared after a mean postoperative period of 70.3±15.8 days, and continued for an average period of 15.6±2.0 days. In 35 eyes (23.9%), a second episode of IOP elevation was noted 212.2±46.8 days after the surgery. Logistic regression analysis revealed that preexisting glaucoma (P=0.009) and an additional surgical procedure combined with PKP (P=0.007) were the main factors predicting ocular hypertension after PKP. In 11 eyes (7.53%) the topical pressure-lowering therapy failed, and they required glaucoma filtering surgery. CONCLUSIONS: The incidence of ocular hypertension after PKP is high, and at least 1 episode of high IOP was noted in almost half of our patients. A history of preexisting glaucoma and an additional surgical procedure combined with PKP were found to be significant factors predicting the occurrence of ocular hypertension.

Laser in situ keratomileusis application for myopia over minus 14 diopter with long-term follow-up.

UNLABELLED: To evaluate the results of laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) for extremely high myopia with a minimum follow-up of 10 years. Istanbul Surgery Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey. Extremely high myopic patients treated with LASIK between 1995 and 1997 with a minimum follow-up of 10 years are reviewed retrospectively. Cases over 14 diopters (D) of myopia were included in the study. From 143 eyes with high myopia greater than -14 D operated on between 1995 and 1997, 39 eyes (26 patients) were available for 10-year follow-up. RESULTS: The manifest average spherical equivalent refraction was -21.7 ± 5.8 D prior to surgery. This value became -6.0 ± 3.3 D after at least 10 years of follow-up. The regression was -6.1 ± 2.2 D in the period starting from the first month of the follow-up until the last control. The uncorrected visual acuity was 0.07 ± 0.1 at the last follow-up. The mean preoperative best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) was 0.22 ± 0.12 and 0.30 ± 0.17 postoperatively (p < 0.001). Loss or gain of one line or more at the BCVA in the last control were 10.3 and 53.8 %, respectively. The safety and efficacy indexes are 1.56 ± 0.95 and 0.29 ± 0.4, respectively. No corneal ectasias were noted at follow-up. Although LASIK gives reliable results with high degrees of myopia, significant regression develops in the long term.

Incidence and management of epithelial loosening after LASIK.

To determine the incidence of recurrent epithelial loosening (REL) following laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) and evaluate the efficacy of anterior stromal micropuncture (ASP) and the application of bandage contact lenses (BCLs) in the management of REL after LASIK. A retrospective study including all individuals who underwent LASIK with a microkeratome between January 2006 and January 2007. Medical records were reviewed to identify patients who were diagnosed as having epithelial loosening with or without epithelial defects. Data were collected on 5,566 eyes that underwent LASIK with a microkeratome. Eight eyes (0.14 % or one in 696 eyes) of seven patients had REL with or without epithelial defects. Frequent lubrication, BCL application, and ASP were needed for four eyes (50 %) in the management of REL, respectively. All patients remained free of symptoms after completion of ASP. REL following LASIK is uncommon. Follow-up of patients showed that BCL application and ASP were effective in the management of REL following LASIK.

Intracuring: intrastromal corneal application of dental flowable composite.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: To evaluate an intracuring method by changing the corneal curvature. MATERIALS AND METHODS: An intrastromal tunnel was created by femtosecond laser in five cadaveric sheep eyes. Dental flowable restorative composite was used to fill the tunnel. A light-emitting diode light was applied for polymerization for 20 seconds. Flat plastic material was used for pressure on the cornea during polymerization. Keratometric measurements were obtained in all eyes using a rotating Scheimpflug camera. RESULTS: Remarkable changes on the corneal curvature were observed after the intracuring method. Inferior or inferonasal flattening and opposite steepening was observed in all sheep eyes. The average flattening effect of this method was 10.6 diopters. CONCLUSION: This new application may be a promising technique for the treatment of keratoconus. The application of this technique in humans could offer improved treatment options in the future.