The PRAMOS Study: PRostaglandin Analogues Monotherapy-Awareness Survey on Ocular Surface Involvement.

INTRODUCTION: Even though the local tolerance of prostaglandin (PG) analogues has improved drastically since the introduction of preservative-free (PF) eye drops, prescription patterns still vary widely among practitioners and between countries and could have an impact on the ocular surface of treated patients and, in consequence, their adherence. The aim of this study is to explore the prescribing patterns of PG analogues monotherapy in France and to evaluate their impact on ocular surface status. METHODS: This was a national multicenter cross-sectional observational study that was conducted by 18 glaucoma experts in France. Patients over 18 years of age and receiving monotherapy with topical PG analogues for the treatment of ocular hypertension and/or glaucoma, with no history of prior glaucoma surgery, were consecutively selected from the glaucoma outpatient clinics of participating physicians and underwent an ocular surface examination. RESULTS: A total of 344 eyes of 344 patients were enrolled between November 2022 and November 2023. Prescribed PG monotherapy was PF in 271 (78.7%) patients. Clinical history and ocular surface evaluation indicated that 79.4% of the study population (n = 273) presented with at least one symptom or clinical sign of dry eye and that three patients out of four had an unstable tear film. Subgroup analysis comparing preserved and PF PG analogues showed a higher prevalence of conjunctival hyperemia and corneal staining in the preserved group. Multivariate analysis identified conjunctival hyperemia as consistently associated with preservative use (odds ratio = 7.654; p = 0.003 for moderate conjunctival hyperemia). CONCLUSIONS: This study highlights the growing trend toward PF PG analogue prescriptions by specialists in France. However, ocular surface issues remain prevalent, impacting patient adherence and treatment efficacy. Comprehensive ocular surface examinations are crucial in glaucoma management to enhance long-term tolerance, compliance, and overall treatment success.

XEN® 63 gel stent to treat a refractory uveitic glaucoma: A case report.

PURPOSE: To describe the effectiveness of the XEN® 63 gel stent in a refractory uveitic glaucoma after failure of an Ahmed Glaucoma Valve. CASE DESCRIPTION: We report the case of a 54-year-old man with a history of uveitic glaucoma on his left eye due to Fuchs heterochromic iridocyclitis and neovascular glaucoma after a central retinal vein occlusion. Pre-operative intraocular pressure was 30 mmHg despite a QD (once-daily) dosed bimatoprost 0.3 mg and timolol 5 mg topical medication. At week 1, the eye exam showed an intraocular pressure of 6 mmHg with a well-formed bleb, a very mild hyphema and a localized choroidal detachment. At month 1, intraocular pressure was 14 mmHg with a formed bleb. Both hyphema and choroidal detachments had resolved. After a year, intraocular pressure was 16 mmHg without any medication and the bleb was still well-formed. CONCLUSION: The XEN® 63 gel stent provides a good intraocular pressure reduction and can be an efficient alternative for tube and filtration surgery in refractory glaucoma. Its long-term effectiveness needs to be evaluated.

Comparison of Topical Instillation From Single-dose and Multidose Eye Drop Containers in Glaucoma: A Multicenter Randomized Cross-sectional Trial.

PRECIS: We compared the quality of instillation of topical treatments from single-dose (SGD) or multidose (MTD) containers in glaucoma patients and showed neither a significant difference between the type of container nor a significant relationship to upper limb mobility. PURPOSE: To describe and compare the quality of instillation of topical treatments with SGD or MTD containers in glaucoma patients. To assess factors likely to influence instillation, particularly the upper limb mobility. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This multicenter, cross-sectional study included open-angle glaucoma patients with the same self-instilled treatment over at least 3 months. Patients were asked to successively self-administer a drop of artificial tears from SGD and MTD containers in front of an observer. The order of instillation (eye and container) was randomized. Correct instillation was defined as the administration of 1 drop in the lower fornix, without any contact between the tip of the device and the ocular surface. The Quick Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand self-questionnaire assessed upper limb mobility. RESULTS: A total of 239 eyes from 173 patients were included. For the worst eye group 33% of patients performed correct instillation with MTD versus 32% using SGD (P=1). In the best eye group, 31.7% patients performed a correct instillation with MTD administration versus 27.5% with SGD (P=0.327). Multivariate analysis showed a significant association between an inadequate SGD instillation, old age (P=0.021), the severity of the visual field deficits (P=0.035), and a low quality of life score (P=0.028). No association existed between the Quick Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand score and the quality of instillation. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that the handling of single-use containers should be practiced by patients and evaluated by physicians, especially for the elderly population and those with advanced glaucoma. No difference in instillation quality was found between SGD and MTD.

Is the Optic Nerve Head Structure Impacted by a Diagnostic Lumbar Puncture in Humans?

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to assess in vivo whether diagnostic lumbar puncture (LP) is followed by optic nerve head (ONH) and parapapillary anatomic changes in normal human eyes. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Prospective, single-center, observational case series. ONH structures (prelaminar tissue surface, anterior surface of the lamina cribrosa, central retinal vessels) and parapapillary structures (internal limiting membrane, posterior surfaces of retinal nerve fiber layer and Bruch membrane/retinal pigment epithelium complex, Bruch membrane opening, posterior surface of the choroid) were quantitatively evaluated by means of swept-source optical coherence tomography (Triton Ver.10.05, Topcon, Tokyo, Japan) before and after LP (5, 60, and 360 min). Each of these structures was manually delineated for measurement before being superimposed to detect any displacement, using peripheral margins of parapapillary structures as a reference plane. RESULTS: A total of 16 eyes of 8 nonglaucomatous patients were evaluated. The CSF volume was median (IQR), 1.65 mL (1.16 to 2.00) and none of the ONH structures showed any anatomic changes at any time point after LP. CONCLUSIONS: According to the design of this study, diagnostic LP is a safe procedure regarding deep ONH structures in nonglaucomatous subjects.

Corneal Collagen Cross-linking for the Treatment of Progressive Corneal Ectasia: 6-Year Prospective Outcome in a French Population.

PURPOSE: To evaluate 6-year results of standardized epithelium-off corneal collagen cross-linking (CXL) for treatment of progressive corneal ectasia. DESIGN: Prospective, consecutive, interventional case series. METHODS: Thirty-six eyes of 25 consecutive patients with documented progressive primary or iatrogenic corneal ectasia underwent CXL following the Siena protocol. The main outcome measures included uncorrected (UDVA) and corrected (CDVA) distance visual acuities, biomicroscopy and fundus appearance, topography-derived steep and flat keratometry (Kmax, Kmin), central corneal thickness (CCT), intraocular pressure with Goldmann applanation tonometer (GAT-IOP), and endothelial cell density (ECD), recorded at baseline and months 1, 3, 6, 12, 24, 36, and 72. Bilateral macular optical coherence tomography was performed at the endpoint visit. The mean follow-up was 66 ± 6 months (range, 60-78 months). RESULTS: At 6 years, CXL stabilized primary and iatrogenic corneal ectasia in 89% of the patients. In bilateral CXL, the progression of the first eye was highly predictive of the fellow eye's outcome. At the endpoint follow-up, the mean outcome variations were: UDVA: -0.08 ± 0.36 logMAR (P = .2); CDVA: -0.14 ± 0.28 logMAR (P = .004); Kmax: +0.11 ± 1.70 diopters (D) (P = .7); Kmin: -0.25 ± 1.25 D (P = .2); CCT: -16.38 ± 37 µm (P = .01); GAT-IOP: +1.0 ± 2.3 mm Hg (P = .01); ECD: +31 ± 400 cells/mm(2) (P = .6); no cases of macular toxicity or severe adverse events were reported. CONCLUSIONS: At 6 years, CXL maintains long-term results in halting the progression of corneal ectasia, with significant improvement in CDVA and long-term stability of keratometry. Further clinical studies with longer follow-up and larger series would be necessary to definitely confirm these results.

Immunocytochemical Diagnosis of Limbal Stem Cell Deficiency: Comparative Analysis of Current Corneal and Conjunctival Biomarkers.

PURPOSE: To evaluate and compare corneal and conjunctival biomarkers for immunocytochemical diagnosis of limbal stem cell deficiency (LSCD). METHODS: In accordance with the current literature, we selected K12 as the corneal biomarker and K7/K13/K19/MUC5AC as the conjunctival ones. The specificity and accuracy for each biomarker were assessed and compared on 10 healthy subjects and tissues of deceased donors. Twelve eyes of 9 patients clinically suspected of LSCD were enrolled. Epithelial cells (ECs) from the central cornea were collected using impression cytology (IC) and assessed for each biomarker. The presence of conjunctival cells in the central cornea was diagnostic proof of LSCD, whereas the detection of corneal residual cells would quantify the degree of LSCD. RESULTS: K12 and K7/K13/MUC5AC are, respectively, highly specific of corneal and conjunctival differentiation, whereas K19 is not. Normal corneal ECs are not desquamative enough to be suitable for IC. Among 12 eyes with suspected LSCD, 84% (10 of 12) of IC samples were suitable for analysis. K3/K7/K19 immunostaining was positive in 100%, MUC5AC in 40%, and K12 was never observed. CONCLUSIONS: Clinical examination can lead to misdiagnosis of LSCD. Immunocytochemical detection of K7/K13 on corneal ECs collected by IC is reproducible, noninvasive, and highly effective in this indication, but without any quantification of the degree of the disease. This time-consuming technique requires skilled technicians and laboratory facilities, reserving it for planned limbal reconstruction.

Prospective study of corneal collagen cross-linking efficacy and tolerance in the treatment of keratoconus and corneal ectasia: 3-year results.

PURPOSE: To assess the efficacy and tolerance of corneal collagen cross-linking with corneal epithelium debridement in the stabilizing treatment of primary or secondary corneal ectasia. METHODS: Prospective, comparative, single-center study of patients presenting with progressive primary or secondary corneal ectasia. The control group, comprising the fellow eye of patients with bilateral involvement, was followed up for 6 months and then treated. The parameters examined were the biomicroscopic examination, visual acuity [best spectacle-corrected visual acuity (BSCVA) and uncorrected visual acuity (UCVA)], keratometry of the central 3 mm, intraocular pressure, central pachymetry, endothelial density, and macular profile. RESULTS: Fifty-five eyes of 39 patients were treated; the mean follow-up period was 20.8 ± 6.8 months (range, 12-36 months). The control group comprised 16 eyes. UCVA and BSCVA were significantly improved between 3 and 12 months, reaching their minimum at 6 months, varying from 0.12 UCVA to 0.07 BSCVA (P < 0.05). These values and the keratometry values did not vary significantly after 36 months of follow-up. In contrast, analysis of the control group revealed significant keratometric deterioration of +1.2 diopters at 6 months (P < 0.05), with no further significant variation after treatment. Analysis of the subgroups of patients with post-laser in situ keratomileusis ectasia confirmed these results. At the end of the study, intraocular pressure, pachymetry, and endothelial density were not significantly modified, and no macular profile modification was observed. CONCLUSION: This study shows that corneal collagen cross-linking can stabilize progressive corneal ectasia, both primary and secondary, with no induced iatrogenic effects.

Diagnosis of a multicentric extranodal nasal-type natural killer T-cell lymphoma made with an anterior chamber tap.

PURPOSE: To report the case of an unusual multicentric Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-associated extranodal nasal-type natural killer T-cell lymphoma masquerading as unilateral panuveitis, diagnosed with an anterior chamber tap. METHODS: The clinical history and the morphological, immunohistochemical, and molecular features of a 51-year-old white man with left severe panuveitis were retrospectively evaluated. RESULTS: The patient initially presented with a 3-month history of recalcitrant sinusitis and new onset of unilateral loss of vision. Clinical examination revealed right peripheral facial nerve palsy, severe panuveitis of the left eye, and nasopharyngeal obstruction. Anterior chamber aspirates were examined. The combination of the presence of small- to intermediate-size lymphocyte proliferation, moderate elevation of the interleukin-10 level on cytokine profiling, and slightly positive polymerase chain reaction for EBV in the aqueous humor indicated an EBV-induced nasal-type natural killer T-cell lymphoma. Transnasal biopsy revealed the presence of numerous irregular lymphoma cells with positive staining for CD3, CD56, EBV-encoded RNA in situ hybridization, and negative staining for CD4, CD8, and CD1a. Lumbar puncture, cerebral magnetic resonance imaging, thoracoabdominal computed tomography, and upper digestive tract endoscopy revealed meningeal, renal, adrenal, and digestive involvement. Massive hemorrhage of the upper digestive tract caused rapid death. CONCLUSION: Extranodal nasal-type natural killer T-cell lymphoma is a very uncommon disease that may present acutely, sometimes as pseudouveitis. Simple investigations such as anterior chamber aspirates for cytological examination, reinforced by cytokine profiling and viral polymerase chain reaction looking for EBV, may provide a rapid diagnosis, necessary given the poor prognosis of the disease. To our knowledge, and after extensive review of the literature, we did not find another case report diagnosing this entity by anterior chamber paracentesis.

Keratin 13 immunostaining in corneal impression cytology for the diagnosis of limbal stem cell deficiency.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to develop a validated, reliable, and minimally invasive technique for diagnosing limbal stem cell deficiency (LSCD) by immunocytochemical detection of conjunctival and corneal keratins on epithelial cells collected by impression cytology (IC). METHODS: After validation of labeling techniques on a cohort of 10 healthy control patients, keratins K12, K13, and K19 were labeled on corneal IC of 10 eyes suspected of LSCD. Positive scores for the conjunctival markers K13/K19, coupled with the rarity of the corneal marker K12, were diagnostic proof of LSCD. RESULTS: IC is a reliable and noninvasive technique for collecting epithelial cells. The labeling validation phase has permitted K3 labeling to be eliminated due to lack of corneal specificity. Among patients with LSCD, nine samples were diagnosed with LSCD (K13+/K19+), which was severe (K12-) in eight cases and mild (K12+) in one case. One sample could not be analyzed due to lack of cells. CONCLUSIONS: K13 has shown to be a new marker of conjunctival differentiation. The immunocytochemical search for the K13/K19 couple by corneal IC provides a simple and reliable method for diagnosing LSCD, whereas the level of K12 could provide a score of disease severity. On the other hand, the authors question the corneal specificity of K3 as conventionally established.