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PRECIS Brand glaucoma medication prices vastly increased in the United States over the past 7 years, despite a reduction in eye-care providers' tendency to prescribe brand medications over generics. PURPOSE Determine the changes in prices of brand and generic glaucoma medications and to identify changes in eye-care providers prescribing patterns since 2013. MATERIALS AND METHODS The National Average Drug Acquisition Cost (NADAC) database (2013-2019) was used analyze per-unit drug price. Medicare Part D prescriber profile was used to identify eye-care providers prescribing patterns between 2013 and 2017. RESULTS Brand-name medication prices increased by 59% between 2013 and 2019, while generic medications decreased by 22%. Brand-name drugs were 13 to 162 times more expensive than their generic counterparts. Eye-care Providers prescribed 25% less brand name medications in 2017 compared with 2013. CONCLUSION Brand glaucoma medication prices vastly increased in the United States over the past 7 years, despite a reduction in eye-care providers' tendency to prescribe brand medications over generics. A change in government policy, allowing Medicare medication prices negotiations, could greatly reduce health expenditure on glaucoma treatment.

Purpose To evaluate whether punching Descemet membrane endothelial keratoplasty (DMEK) corneal grafts onto a contact lens scaffold reduces endothelial cell loss at the graft margin in comparison to punching the graft directly onto the donor stroma. Methods DMEK grafts were prepared using 2 different methods after peeling the graft from the stroma: punching onto a contact lens and punching onto the donor stroma. The grafts were then evaluated for the width of Descemet membrane devoid of endothelial cells in the peripheral ring, measured at 4 points at the graft margin. Results Our study included 6 grafts, harvested from 3 donors aged 66.3 ± 5.1 years. Grafts prepared on a contact lens scaffolding had more of their Descemet membrane margin populated by endothelial cells than did grafts that were punched directly onto the donor stroma (total denuded area: 0.06 ± 0.08 mm vs. 1.17 ± 0.02 mm, P = 0.018; maximal width of denuded area: 59.6 ± 28.4 μm vs. 100.2 ± 59.7 μm, P = 0.07). Donor grafts on contact lens had approximately 2.5% more endothelial cells available for transplantation (2425 cells/mm vs. 2367 cells/mm). Graft preparation time did not significantly differ between the methods (6.4 ± 0.49 vs. 9.8 ± 3.7 minutes, P = 0.46). Conclusions Punching DMEK grafts onto a contact lens reduces endothelial loss at the grafts' margins and may prolong their survival.

Purpose To describe the clinical characteristics and treatment of spontaneous Descemet membrane (DM) detachment occurring decades after penetrating keratoplasty (PK). Methods A multicenter interventional case series design was used. We reviewed the medical records of 4 patients with a history of PK presenting with spontaneous DM detachment at 3 university hospitals in Israel and an ocular surgery institute in The Netherlands in 2016 to 2019. Patient demographic and clinical data, postoperative best corrected visual acuity, findings on preoperative and postoperative anterior segment optical coherence tomography (AS-OCT), and graft survival were recorded. Results Patients were aged 46 to 50 years. All had undergone PK for keratoconus 20 to 26 years previously. Patients presented within 18 to 180 days of onset of visual disturbance. Symptoms included sudden painless visual loss (2 patients), gradual visual loss and foreign body sensation (1 patients), and visual loss not otherwise specified (1 patient). Slit-lamp examination showed corneal edema, and AS-OCT showed DM detachment of variable extent. In 2 patients, the initial diagnosis was graft rejection and failure. Treatment consisted of anterior chamber injection of air (n = 3) or 20% SF6 (n = 1). In 3 patients, the DM reattached and the cornea regained its clarity. The fourth patient had persistent DM detachment that required repeated PK. Conclusions Spontaneous DM detachment can mimic late graft failure in patients after PK. If diagnosed early, DM reattachment may be performed by air/gas injection, avoiding repeated keratoplasty. Eyes with presumed late penetrating graft rejection or failure should be examined by AS-OCT to exclude DM detachment.

Purpose To evaluate the effect of a single subconjunctival aflibercept injection on formed corneal neovascularization. Methods A prospective clinical trial, conducted at a single tertiary medical center. Included were consecutive patients with corneal pathologies complicated by corneal neovascularization, who were candidates for anti-vascular endothelial growth factor treatment at the discretion of a cornea specialist. A single subconjunctival injection of 0.08 mL of Aflibercept (Eylea 25 mg/mL) was administered near the limbus in proximity to the areas of maximal pathological neovascularization. Follow-up visits were scheduled on days 7, 30, 60, and 90 following injection. Best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), intraocular pressure, slitlamp examination, digital cornea photography, specular microscopy, and anterior-segment optical coherence tomography were documented at each visit. The images were graded by a masked observer for density, extent, and centricity of corneal vascularization. Results Six eyes of six patients were analyzed. No clinically significant ocular or systemic adverse events were documented. No change was noted in extent, density, or centricity of corneal blood vessels at seven, 30, and 90 days after injection (P>0.1 for all time point comparisons, Friedman test). Best-corrected visual acuity fluctuated insignificantly in 5/6 patients during follow-up time, and objective but not subjective improvement of BCVA was noted in one patient with no concurrent change of neovascularization. The recruitment has therefore halted prematurely. Conclusions A single subconjunctival aflibercept injection seems to be well tolerated. However, it is ineffective for regressing formed corneal neovascularization.

Purpose To describe the ghost Descemet's membrane endothelial keratoplasty (DMEK) technique that allows for real-time evaluation of DMEK graft orientation, location, and folding status within the anterior chamber, by simple observation at the surgical microscope. Methods This is a retrospective case series done in a university hospital. The study included 10 patients who underwent ghost DMEK surgery because of corneal endothelial insufficiency for Fuchs' endothelial dystrophy (N = 5), pseudophakic bullous keratopathy (N = 2), and failed previous posterior lamellar keratoplasty (N = 3). Cases were reviewed for feasibility of graft preparation, intra- and postoperative complications, postoperative clearing of the cornea, corrected distance visual acuity, and endothelial cell loss. Results All graft preparations were uneventful. The circular staining was readily apparent and did not fade away during surgery. Graft orientation and folding status were determined using only direct observation through the operating microscope. Complications included one intraoperative hyphema, one graft detachment requiring rebubbling, and one pupillary block on the first postoperative day, which was resolved surgically. At last visit, 8 of 10 eyes had visual acuity of 6/12 or better and 7 of 10 eyes had visual acuity of 6/8.5 or better. Mean cell loss rates 1 to 3 months postoperatively were 48% ± 17% (range, 22%-71%). All corneas were clear by the first to second postoperative month. Mean follow-up time was 3 months (range, 1-8 months). Conclusions Peripheral staining of DMEK grafts (ghost DMEK) is a simple and effective method for graft visualization in the anterior chamber, obviating the need for trypan blue staining and other techniques and devices currently used for the identification of graft orientation and folding status, thus simplifying and shortening surgery.

PURPOSE To evaluate the relationship between graft thickness/regularity and visual outcomes of Descemet stripping automated endothelial keratoplasty (DSAEK). METHODS Records of post-DSAEK patients who were examined by anterior segment optical coherence tomography at "Villa Igea" Private Hospital (Forli, Italy) since April 2015 were reviewed. Pachymetric and elevation maps of both host cornea and graft were analyzed. Graft regularity was determined based on the root mean square error (RMSE) of the graft pachymetric measurements taken 3 and 6 mm from the center and the RMSE of the corneal elevation measurements at its posterior and interface surfaces. These parameters were correlated with best-spectacle-corrected visual acuity (BSCVA) (expressed in logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution) and compared between eyes with central graft thickness (CGT) ≥100 μm (group 1) and eyes with CGT

Purpose To evaluate the relationship between surgical experience and the success rate of pneumatic dissection for deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty (DALK) using deep trephination. Methods A noncomparative case series evaluating the first 10 consecutive keratoconic eyes without deep stromal scarring, operated by 8 surgeons of 3 different experience levels, was conducted; there were a total of 80 patients. Standardized DALK was performed, including deep trephination 450 to 550 μm in depth and 9 mm in diameter, pneumatic dissection, removal of the stroma, and transplantation of a 9-mm partial-thickness anterior lamellar graft. The success rate of pneumatic dissection correlated with surgical experience. Results Pneumatic dissection succeeded in 7, 7, 8, and 9 cases of 10 cases in the first group of 4 inexperienced surgeons (under 10 previous keratoplasties of any kind); in 9 and 10 of 10 cases in the second group of 2 relatively experienced surgeons (under 100 keratoplasties); and in 10 and 8 of 10 cases in the third group of 2 very experienced surgeons (more than 1000 previous keratoplasties). No difference between the groups was found to be statistically significant with the χ test (P > 0.05). Conclusions The standardized DALK technique using a deep trephination allows high success rates of pneumatic dissection even for surgeons inexperienced in keratoplasty.

To analyze corneal stromal lamellae orientation in normal subjects and patients with various corneal conditions using a polarimetric interferometer.Thirty-two healthy control subjects (59 eyes) and 16 patients (22 eyes) with corneal conditions or postkeratoplasty were included in the study. All patients were imaged using the interferometer and slit lamp photography. The interferometer produces an orthogonal cross-like image of stromal lamellae by illuminating the cornea in phase-light polarization angle. Corneal haze was graded on a scale from 0 to 4. Interferometer cross-like images were graded on a scale from 0 to 5 by a masked observer. Keratometry, corneal central pachymetry, and optical densitometry were obtained with Scheimpflug corneal tomography.The cross-like image was observed in 31 of 32 healthy control subjects (58 of 59 eyes) and in 13 of 16 patients (19 of 22 eyes). The image was not detectable in 3 patients, 1 with total corneal neovascularization and scarring, 1 with central leukoma, and 1 with failed deep lamellar keratoplasty. Corneal haze was the main factor obscuring the cross-like image (P0.05). Clarity of the images was influenced by older age, steeper keratometry, higher pachymetry, and optical density (P0.05). There was no correlation between the orientation of the keratometric axes and the orientation of the 2 arms of the cross-like image (P0.05).Corneal stromal lamellae orientation can be efficiently assessed and displayed as a cross-like image by the polarimetric interferometer. Stromal lamellae orientation imaging may have potential implications in corneal diagnostics and surgery.

Purpose We report a case series of asymptomatic infections affecting failed corneal grafts in patients referred for repeat penetrating keratoplasty (PK). Methods In this retrospective, noncomparative, interventional case series, we reviewed the medical records of all repeat PK procedures performed at Villa Serena-Villa Igea private Hospitals (Forli, Italy) between January 2011 and March 2016. Specifically, preoperative and postoperative slit-lamp examinations, and the results of histological and bacteriological examinations, were noted. Results Fifty-three repeat PKs were performed in the study period. All patients were referred because of long-standing graft decompensation with stromal scars or surface irregularities, thus unsuitable for endothelial keratoplasty. None was referred because of presumed infection. Histological examination of the explanted buttons showed the presence of microorganisms of various types in 7 eyes. Cultures were positive in 4 of these cases and in one additional case Staphylococcus aureus was grown in culture, but was not seen in the histology specimen. None of the patients presented with unusual pain, tearing, or discomfort. Preoperative abnormal clinical findings included epithelial defect (n = 6), focal whitening of corneal stroma (n = 5), crystalline keratopathy (n = 1), and an elevated pigmented lesion (n = 1). After repeat PK, recurrence of the infection was seen in 5 of 7 (71%) cases, 2 of which required a third PK procedure. Conclusions Apparently quiet eyes with failed PK can harbor slow-growing asymptomatic infection. An epithelial defect in a failed PK graft should raise suspicion of infection. Routine cultures and histological examination of the excised corneal buttons are instrumental in the diagnosis of these infections and can guide further treatment.

PURPOSE To evaluate the results of microkeratome-assisted ultrathin Descemet stripping automated endothelial keratoplasty (UT-DSAEK) using a nomogram developed for the single-pass technique. METHODS A retrospective study of eyes operated between September 2014 and March 2015 at Villa Serena-Villa Igea Private Hospitals (Forli, Italy) by a single surgeon (M.B.). Study eyes underwent UT-DSAEK performed using a linear microkeratome-assisted lamellar dissection with disposable heads of different sizes (Moria ALTK system; Moria SA) chosen according to a pachymetry-based nomogram developed at our department. The main outcome measure was the graft thickness as assessed by means of anterior segment optical coherence tomography, measured between 1 and 3 months postoperatively. RESULTS Forty-two eyes were included in this study. Mean follow-up time was 5.0 ± 1.8 months (range 1.2-6.9 months). No perforation or other complication occurred during graft preparation. Mean postoperative central thickness of donor grafts was 63 ± 29 μm. Thickness ranged between 23 and 177 μm, and the second thickest graft measured 116 μm. By 3 months postoperatively, 41/42 (97%) of the grafts were of thickness ≤130 μm and 38/42 (90%) of the grafts were of central thickness ≤100 μm. The mean nasal-to-temporal absolute thickness difference at the graft's central 3-mm zone was 5 ± 7 μm at the last available measurement. CONCLUSIONS The nomogram developed at our institution allowed reliable single-pass microkeratome-assisted dissection of donor tissue, creating consistently thin and symmetric grafts without loss of tissue. The results obtained compare favorably with those reported in the past for double-pass microkeratome-assisted dissection of UT-DSAEK.

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to determine whether a eutectic mixture of local anesthetics (EMLA) cream reduce the pain experienced by newborns and young infants undergoing suprapubic aspiration (SPA). Methods: A single-center, randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind, prospective study including 52 infants 1 to 60 days of age undergoing SPA to obtain urine for culture. Twenty-four infants were randomly assigned to receive 1-g EMLA cream 1 hour before the procedure, whereas 28 were randomly assigned to receive placebo cream 1 hour before the planned procedure. Pain symptoms were measured using the Premature Infant Pain Profile (PIPP). Results: The mean PIPP scores were significantly lower in the EMLA group compared with the placebo group (8.90 ± 3.04 vs. 10.46 ± 2.29; P = 0.038). There were significantly fewer patients in the EMLA group who were scored as having some degree of pain (defined as PIPP score > 6) in comparison with the placebo group (70% vs. 96%; P = 0.025). Discussion: Newborns and infants undergoing SPA experience pain during the procedure. Application of EMLA cream 1 hour before SPA is effective in reducing the pain associated with SPA. In situations in which an SPA is not emergent, strong consideration should be given to the use of EMLA.