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Purpose: Clinical evaluation of Alphacor keratoprosthesis in patients at high risk of corneal allograft rejection., Design: Retrospective case series., Patients and Methods: Alphacor implantation was performed via a two-step procedure with intrastromal insertion followed by secondary exposure of the optic after 6 months. Visual acuity and occurrence of postoperative complications were evaluated., Results: Fourteen eyes of 14 patients underwent Alphacor keratoprosthesis implantation. Mean follow-up was 15.6 ± 5.6 months (from 2 to 24 months). Postoperative mean visual acuity gain was 2.5 ± 3.1 lines (from 0 to +11 lines). Visual acuity was superior or equal to 20/200 in 21% of cases. Seven cases of stromal melt (50%) occurred, of which one case (7.1%) experienced spontaneous extrusion of the implant, three cases (21.4%) required tectonic penetrating keratoplasty, and three patients underwent lamellar keratoplasty on top of the implant. Three cases (21.4%) of retroprosthetic membrane were observed and successfully managed. One patient (7.1%) developed late endophthalmitis., Conclusion: Alphacor is an alternative to corneal allograft in cases of corneal blindness at high risk of allograft failure. Throughout the preoperative evaluation, it is imperative to take into account the limitations of this keratoprosthesis in terms of indications, and additional studies are necessary in order to determine and refine the optimal surgical technique for implantation as well as the efficacy of postoperative treatments., (Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.)

Objective: To assess the results of intracorneal ring segment implantation assisted by the Tecnolas Perfect Vision(®) femtosecond laser (Heidelberg, Germany)., Settings: Retrospective observational study., Methods: The patients were operated on with the Tecnolas Perfect Vision(®) femtosecond laser. The following parameters were evaluated before and after surgery: uncorrected visual acuity (UCVA), best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), corneal topography, wavefront analysis, and central corneal thickness. The Wilcoxon test was used for statistical analysis., Results: Seventeen eyes of 15 patients were included. The mean follow-up was 6.9±0.71 months. Significant improvement of UCVA and BCVA was observed in 82.35% (P=0.027) and 94.12% (P=0.003) of the eyes, respectively. The subjective refraction showed a significant decrease of the sphere from -10.29±5.54 to -6.5±5.03D (P=0.002). The subjective cylinder significantly decreased from 5.43±3.20 to 3.69±2.30D (P=0.026). The SAI also decreased significantly (P=0.011)., Conclusion: Femtosecond-assisted intracorneal ring segment implantation is an effective treatment for corneal ectasia. Further studies are needed to improve surgical parameters and outcomes., (Copyright © 2010. Published by Elsevier Masson SAS.)

Purpose: Anterior segment imaging using optical coherence tomography (OCT) time domain technology has been used for many years. When it appeared, it was a promising technique in the analysis of the anterior segment, making it possible to reach a definition of the ocular structures comparable with histology. Now with new-generation OCT, it is possible to perform high-definition and three-dimensional imaging., Material and Method: A 3D OCT-1000 (Topcon, Tokyo, Japan) parameterized to obtain high-definition and 3D imaging of the iridocorneal structures., Results: We present a collection of images obtained using this technique., Discussion: Based on a very sophisticated tool for retinal and glaucoma imagery, it is now possible to obtain very-high-quality imaging of the anterior segment, which, with its great versatility, increases the value of acquiring this type of device., Conclusions: The potential of 3D OCT-1000, already a very good exam for the posterior segment, and the only one to perform anterior segment three-dimensional imaging in a single acquisition, should not be neglected.

Objective: Evaluation of the effectiveness of arcuate keratotomy performed with femtosecond laser for correction of postkeratoplasty astigmatism., Methods: This retrospective clinical study included 11 eyes. All cases underwent arcuate keratotomy using femtosecond laser. Outcome measures included visual acuity and endothelial cell density as well as refractive, keratometric, and topographic astigmatism. The incision depth was also evaluated by OCT-3., Results: With a mean follow-up of 7.4+/-6.7 months, uncorrected visual acuity was not modified and the mean best corrected visual acuity significantly improved from 1.68+/-1.59 lines (p=0.007). The mean preoperative refractive cylinder was 5.18+/-1.15D, decreasing to 3.41+/-1.93D (p=0.045) after laser-arcuate keratotomy. The reduction of preoperative keratometric (7.79+/-3.69D) and topographic (7.98+/-2.41D) astigmatism was higher, with a decrease to 4.81+/-2.52D (p=0.021) and 4.36+/-2.59D (p=0.005) postoperatively. Endothelial cell density was not modified after surgery. The difference between achieved and planned incision depth was -10.7+/-63.5mum. All cases were uncomplicated., Discussion: Arcuate keratotomies performed with the femtosecond laser were effective in reducing postkeratoplasty astigmatism and has a number of advantages over conventional techniques. However, efficacy could be improved by a more accurate nomogram., Conclusion: Arcuate keratotomy performed with femtosecond laser is a relatively easy, safe, and effective means of treating postkeratoplasty astigmatism. Given our small sample, much larger series are needed to provide more confident estimates of astigmatism reduction proportions and to adjust correction parameters.

Purpose: Optical coherence tomography has been used for many years, in particular in the field of the retinal imaging, and is a promising technique in the analysis of the anterior segment, providing a similar resolution to histology for ocular tissue., Material and Methods: We present a collection of images obtained with the OCT3 (Carl Zeiss Meditec, Dublin, CA), with parameters set to obtain good-quality images of the iris and corneal structures., Results: The OCT provides detailed analysis of the cornea, precise assessment of the dimensions and locations of corneal lesions - in the anterior-posterior plane as well as transversally or obliquely - with 10-microm precision, and the study of the iridocorneal angle and its dynamics., Discussion: Using the highly precise OCT3 for retinal imaging, it is possible to obtain good-quality anterior segment imaging, which makes the device highly versatile and thus increases reasons for acquiring this type of apparatus., Conclusions: OCT3 users should not neglect this potential of the device, already in wide use for examining the retina.

Introduction: Automated lamellar keratoplasty remains a challenging surgical technique because of surgical difficulties and is associated with a high rate of complications. The precision of the corneal cut at any corneal depth with the femtosecond laser is an important improvement in this technique. We report the first case of femtosecond-assisted anterior lamellar keratoplasty., Material and Methods: A 63-year-old woman with anterior stromal dystrophy underwent femtosecond laser-assisted ALTK on the left eye. A donor lenticula was prepared from a corneoscleral rim utilizing the Femtec 20/10 Perfectvision femtosecond laser device and an artificial anterior chamber (Moria, Antony, France). The anterior lamellar cut was also performed on the patient's eye with the femtosecond laser., Results: Postoperative examinations showed a well-adapted graft with a clear interface. OCT III (Carl Zeiss Meditech, Dublin) measurements showed a corneal pachymetry of 713 microm associated with a regular posterior bed and a central thickness of 132 microm., Discussion: Femtosecond laser corneal cutting may offer greater safety, reproducibility, predictability, and flexibility. The risks of irregular cutting and microperforation are reduced. A better graft congruence can limit the risk of secondary displacement and the smooth interface should improve visual results., Conclusion: Donor lenticulae and corneal cuttings performed with the Femtec 20/10 Perfectvision( femtosecond laser device can be used in the successful management of eyes requiring anterior lamellar keratoplasty. Further studies are needed to evaluate outcomes of this procedure.

We report a case of unexplained bilateral corneal endothelial decompensation after a coma. A 71-year-old man with no medical history presented with bilateral endothelial decompensation that required penetrating keratoplasty of the left eye combined with cataract surgery. This coma was caused by septicemia originally due to staphylococcus infection following catheter placement in preparation for a CT scan. Visual acuity of the left eye was 20/400 and 20/100 in the right eye when the patient awoke from the coma. After examination, we noted only stromal thickening and Descemet membrane folds causing corneal edema predominating OS. The rest of the exam was normal. Six months after surgery, visual acuity improved to 20/25. The most probable physiopathological mechanism of this decompensation is an iatrogenic complication from drugs administered during the patient's stay in intensive care (oxacillin), but we cannot rule out direct aggression of a bacterium or its toxin or the decompensation of a preexisting pathology.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to prospectively evaluate the training of a Malagasy ophthalmologist, already proficient in classic manual extracapsular cataract extraction (ECCE), in a small incision manual technique (phacosection)., Materials and Methods: Within the activity of the Sight First program to fight blindness in Madagascar, the ophthalmologist of Majunga recruited patients presenting total white cataracts. These patients were operated by phacosection using the local hospital's usual instrumentation along with two specific phacosection instruments and extra single-use material (a precalibrated 3.2 mm knife and viscoelastic products). Peribulbar anesthesia with eye pressure was provided. Postoperative follow-up (visual acuity and corneal status) was conducted on days 1, 7 and 30., Results: Forty-four eyes were operated, the first seven by the instructor assisted by the local ophthalmologist, the next 36 by the local ophthalmologist assisted by the instructor. Five postoperative complications were noted: two cases of posterior capsular rupture (one during implantation) and three cases needing reoperation with aspiration of residual cortical masses. Induced astigmatism was low and visual rehabilitation was good, with all corneas clear at day 30., Discussion: The results are quite acceptable given the training period, with only two marked complications (one not related to the operative technique) and good visual rehabilitation in less than 2 weeks. This small incision technique allowed reduction of induced astigmatism and risk-free management of total white cataracts (independent of operator)., Conclusion: Small incision manual ECCE by phacosection is a safe, possible management option for difficult cataracts in a tropical setting with only a small increase in cost. Moreover, the training of an ophthalmologist mastering classic manual ECCE appears rapid and risk-free for patients.