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Background/aimsTo evaluate the clinical outcomes of deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty performed by stromal peeling in eyes that have previously undergone penetrating keratoplasty (PK) for keratoconus.MethodsStandardised stromal exchange included (1) 9 mm trephination of the recipient bed outside the old PK wound, (2) creation of a partial anterior corneal flap through lamellar dissection across the PK wound, (3) opening the stromal component of the old PK wound using blunt-tipped Vannas scissors until a plane of separation is reached, (4) severing the attachment of the PK surgical scar from the recipient host, (5) peeling the stroma of the PK graft from the underlying tissue and (6) suturing the donor anterior corneal lamella prepared by microkeratome dissection (450 µm depth, 9 mm diameter). Main outcome measures were success rate, best spectacle-corrected visual acuity (BSCVA) and endothelial cell loss (ECL).ResultsOf 21 post-PK eyes, stromal exchange succeeded in all but three cases, which were converted to a two-piece mushroom PK. After complete suture removal, mean BSCVA significantly improved from 0.95±0.39 logMAR preoperatively to 0.23±0.17 logMAR (pConclusionIn post-PK eyes, stromal exchange can be performed by means of simple peeling without deep anterior lamellar dissection of the previous PK graft. Large-diameter (9 mm) repeat keratoplasty through stromal peeling yields excellent visual outcomes and minimal ECL. Double anterior chamber formation may complicate the postoperative course, but prompt intervention allows successful management.

AimTo identify risk factors for the development of dupilumab-induced ocular surface disease (DIOSD) in adult patients with atopic dermatitis (AD) and describe outcomes of treatment.MethodsA retrospective institutional cohort study performed at the Rabin Medical Center, Petach Tikva, Israel. Adult patients with AD who received dupilumab from March 2018 to June 2019 were included. Demographics, AD severity scores, blood IgE levels, previous atopic keratoconjunctivitis (AKC), dermatological response to dupilumab, ophthalmological evaluation and treatment were noted. Univariate and multivariate analyses were used to identify risk factors for DIOSD.ResultsSixteen of 37 patients who were included in the study (43%) had new or exacerbated symptoms of ocular surface disease starting at 2 weeks following the first treatment. Three patients reported transient dry eye sensation which lasted 2 weeks; nine patients reported chronic dry eye sensation, and four patients (25%) had marked blepharoconjunctivitis. The presence of severe AD was the strongest predictor of DIOSD. Not a single patient with moderate AD had DIOSD. In multivariate analysis, prior AKC was a risk factor for DIOSD (R2=15.78, OR=23.28, p=0.005) while a family history of atopy was protective of DIOSD (R2=6.22, OR=0.13, p=0.05). All four patients with blepharoconjunctivitis had resolution of signs, and symptoms within days of starting periocular 0.03%–0.1% tacrolimus ointment.ConclusionsDIOSD is common in patients with AD receiving dupilumab. While most cases are mild, some patients can develop blepharoconjunctivitis which responds well to tacrolimus ointment. AD severity, and previous AKC are risk factors for DIOSD.

AimTo evaluate the outcomes of ultrathin Descemet stripping automated endothelial keratoplasty (UT-DSAEK) performed in eyes after failure of primary Descemet membrane endothelial keratoplasty (DMEK).MethodsThis was a retrospective, non-comparative interventional case series done in a tertiary care hospital. The study group included 21 eyes of patients which underwent UT-DSAEK following the failure of primary DMEK. Outcome measures included best spectacle-corrected visual acuity (BSCVA) and endothelial cell density (ECD) both recorded 6 and 12 months postoperatively as well as central graft thickness (CGT) measured 6 months after UT-DSAEK.ResultsWhen considering only eyes without comorbidities (17 of 21), 12 months after UT-DSAEK, BSCVA was ≥20/25 in 12/13 (92%) eyes and ≥20/20 in 4/13 (30%) eyes. Mean ECD loss rate was 38.9% at 12 months postoperatively (range 8%–57%). Six months postoperatively, CGT averaged at 81±34 µm (range 34–131 µm). No intraoperative complications were recorded. Postoperatively, one patient (no. 8) had graft wrinkles that were fixed 2 days following UT-DSAEK. Four patients have developed intraocular lens (IOL) opacification, and two of them underwent IOL exchange. No other postoperative complications were recorded.ConclusionsUT-DSAEK is instrumental in the management of primary DMEK graft failure, allowing visual rehabilitation which is comparable with that of repeat DMEK.

Aim To evaluate the prevalence of guttae in donor grafts following corneal transplantation and to examine the possible effect of guttae on postoperative results. Methods Retrospective cohort study. We reviewed the medical records of all keratoplasties performed at the Villa Serena-Villa Igea private hospitals (Forli, Italy) between January 2005 and July 2014. Endothelial specular microscopy images were examined to identify the presence of guttae. Donor9s age, patient9s age, indication for surgery, surgical procedure, postoperative visual acuity, and endothelial cell density were also noted. Results A total of 11 068 postoperative specular microscopy pictures were available for 1116 of 2332 eyes (47.9%) that underwent keratoplasty at our institution. Guttae were identified in 42 of 946 eyes (4.44%) following penetrating or endothelial keratoplasty, and in 3 of 170 eyes (1.76%) following anterior lamellar keratoplasty. Twenty-seven of these photos demonstrated a few isolated scattered guttae, nine showed widespread guttae with small patches, and nine demonstrated large patches of guttae. Last documented best spectacle-corrected visual acuity did not differ between patients with or without guttae (logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution (logMAR) 0.22±0.24 (approximately 20/32) vs 0.29±0.45 (approximately 20/40), p=0.25) nor did the groups differ in their 24-month postoperative endothelial cell density (1633±427 vs 1555±454 cells/mm 2 , p=0.56). No graft with postoperative guttae failed during the follow-up period of this study. Conclusions Guttae can be found in approximately 4% of post-keratoplasty grafts. At least for the initial two postoperative years, they do not negatively affect vision, endothelial cell density or graft survival.