Search

Purpose To describe reoperations in the operating room for complications that occurred within the first 90 days after gel stent implantation or trabeculectomy at a single institution over 5 years. Methods In this retrospective chart review, patients who have undergone gel stent implantation with mitomycin C (MMC) or trabeculectomy with MMC were enrolled. Postoperative complications that required reoperations within the first 90 days were evaluated. Results A total of 510 surgeries were performed on 392 patients over a 57-month period by 2 glaucoma surgeons. Of these, 284 were gel stent implantation, and 226 were trabeculectomy. Combined phacoemulsification was performed in 52/284 (18.3%) in the gel stent group and in 26/226 (11.5%) of eyes in the trabeculectomy group (p = 0.03). Reoperations took place in 13/510 (2.5%) eyes, including 4/284 (1.4%) in the gel stent group, 9/226 (4.0%) in the trabeculectomy group (p = 0.07). In the gel stent group, indications for reoperation were bleb failure (2), suprachoroidal hemorrhage (1), bullous keratopathy (1). In the trabeculectomy group, indications for reoperation were bleb failure (3), overfiltration (2), persistent wound leak (2), aqueous misdirection (2). Conclusions The rates of reoperation for early postoperative complications after gel stent or trabeculectomy was low and comparable with previous studies. A slightly higher number of reoperations within 90 days was observed in the trabeculectomy group than the gel stent group despite the more significant number of combined procedures in the latter group. Bleb failure was the most common indications for reoperation in both groups. Excessive outflow was a cause of reoperation mostly in the trabeculectomy group.

Purpose To evaluate the microbiota of culture negative Corneal Impression Membrane (CIM) microbial keratitis samples with the use of shotgun metagenomics analysis. Methods DNA of microbial keratitis samples were collected with CIM and extracted using the MasterPure™ Complete DNA and RNA Purification Kit (Epicentre). DNA was fragmented by sonication into fragments of 300 to 400 base pairs (bp) using Bioruptor® (Diagenode, Belgium) and then used as a template for library preparation. DNA libraries were sequenced on Illumina® HiSeq2500. The resulting reads were quality controlled, trimmed and mapped against the human reference genome. The unmapped reads were taxonomically classified using the Kraken software. Results 18 microbial keratitis samples were included in the study. Brevundimonas diminuta was found in 5 samples while 6 samples showed the presence of viral infections. Cutibacterium acnes, Staphylococcus aureus, Moraxella lacunata and Pseudomonas alcaligenes were also identified as the presumed putative cause of the infection in 7 samples. Conclusions Shotgun sequencing can be used as a diagnostic tool in microbial keratitis samples. This diagnostic method expands the available tests to diagnose eye infections and could be clinically significant in culture negative samples.

Purpose: To describe the feasibility of a new one-step approach to aspirate the aqueous and apply melphalan in a single-go without repeated entries into the anterior chamber. Methods: This retrospective non-comparative study was conducted at a referral center and included 12 patients. The one-step approach is described in a step-wise manner. No complications were observed among the patients. Results: One single injection of intracameral melphalan proved to be a successful treatment in nine cases. Two patients required a second injection, which was administered two weeks after the first one following the same technique. Conclusions: This proved to be a reasonable technique for the smooth application of melphalan in the anterior chamber studded with retinoblastoma seeds. Our outcomes revealed that it is an effective, quick, and cost-effective technique. Longer-term data collection is underway, though initial findings are encouraging.

PURPOSE: To compare standard epithelium-off corneal cross-linking (standard Epi-Off CXL) to corneal cross-linking with an epithelial flap (Epi-Flap CXL). METHODS: Patients who had undergone sequential bilateral CXL for progressive keratoconus were included in this comparative interventional case series. One eye was treated with the Epi-Off CXL technique and the fellow eye with the Epi-Flap CXL technique. Postoperative pain was measured using the Verbal Rating Scale and corneal densitometry using a Scheimpflug camera. Sex, age, corrected distance visual acuity, keratometry, and corneal thickness were also recorded. RESULTS: Twenty-four eyes of 12 patients with keratoconus with a mean age of 27.15 ± 5.15 years were included. The Verbal Rating Scale scores were significantly lower in patients who had Epi-Flap CXL on the first (1.00 [interquartile range (IQR): 0.00 to 1.00] vs 3.00 [IQR: 3.00 to 3.75], P = .01) and third (0.00 [IQR: 0.00 to 1.00] vs 1.00 [IQR: 0.00 to 1.00], P = .01) postoperative day compared to the Epi-Off CXL group. No pain was observed in both groups after the third day. After 12 months, the Epi-Flap CXL group showed significantly less anterior corneal haze (measured as corneal densitometry) compared to the patients treated with Epi-Off CXL ( P = .01). Both groups demonstrated stability of keratometry and corneal thickness at 12 months after CXL ( P < .01). CONCLUSIONS: Epi-Flap CXL is associated with less postoperative pain and anterior stromal haze in patients undergoing CXL for progressive keratoconus with no loss of efficacy. [ J Refract Surg . 2021;37(11):741–745.]

Lamellar keratoplasty is fast becoming the most popular form of corneal transplantation. The adoption of Descemet membrane endothelial keratoplasty (DMEK) in the management of Fuchs endothelial dystrophy and pseudophakic bullous keratopathy is partly responsible for this shift in the paradigm of management of corneal pathology. The learning curve of DMEK, however, has been proven to be much steeper than previous endothelial keratoplasty procedures. To ease the procedure, experts have proposed multiple innovative techniques from tissue preparation to graft unfolding to aid the more novice surgeon. Here, we collate and share tips and tricks from our collective experiences to support the learning curve and outcomes in DMEK for both the novice and more experienced corneal transplant surgeons.

La legge italiana n. 10 febbraio 2020 “Norme in materia di disposizione del proprio corpo e dei tessuti post mortem a fini di studio, di formazione e di ricerca scientifica” mira a valorizzare la volontarietà della donazione del corpo (DC). In questo contesto assume rilievo il dibattito etico sul tema della donazione e sul suo significato profondo che pone in relazione la beneficialità con una visione relazionale dell’autonomia. Allo stesso tempo, non si possono trascurare le forti valenze simboliche che vengono attribuite al corpo. L’attuazione pratica della DC richiede, quindi, una strategia formativa ampia, capace di sviluppare l’assunzione di responsabilità rispetto al presente e alle generazioni future. In considerazione dell’importante ruolo che i medici, le professioni sanitarie e quelle sociali possono assumere nel promuovere tale pratica, è stata condotta un’indagine diretta a fare emergere le conoscenze e le convinzioni, presenti in tale ambito, tra gli studenti appartenenti alla Scuola Scienze Mediche e Farmaceutiche (SMF) e quelli frequentanti la Scuola di Scienze Sociali (SSS), nonché ad analizzare eventuali fattori che possono influenzare la DC. L’indagine ha evidenziato importanti carenze informative e formative su temi inerenti la cura, la donazione e il rispetto delle persone. Tali carenze risultano particolarmente significative per gli studenti appartenenti alla SMF che, quali futuri medici, potranno costituire un riferimento fondamentale per la diffusione della DC. Investire risorse economiche e intellettuali sulla competenza etica degli studenti può risultare un fattore di grande rilievo affinché la DC si configuri come una scelta responsabile, consapevole ed effettivamente praticata.

Purpose: To describe a new technique to deliver riboflavin into the corneal stroma during Corneal Cross-Linking (CXL) without the removal of corneal epithelium. Methods: Keratoconus patients underwent CXL for progressive keratoconus. Riboflavin was delivered by manually creating an epithelial pocket (CXL Epi-Pocket). Verbal rating scale was recorded postoperatively. Best-corrected visual acuity, keratometric indices, corneal thickness and corneal densitometry were recorded at baseline and at 12-month follow-up. Results: Eighteen eyes of 18 patients were included in the study. At a 12-month follow-up, best-corrected visual acuity, K1, K2 and densitometry values were stable. Maximum keratometry (Kmax) reduced from 55.31 ± 6.21 (SD) to 52.34d ± 4.12d (SD) (P value = 0.032). the thinnest point went from 441 ± 21.18 (SD) to 425.4 ± 19.02 (SD) um (P value = 0.041). The verbal rating scale at 1, 2 and 3 days postoperatively were 1.76 ± 0.19 (SD), 1.02 ± 0.51 (SD) and 0.28 ± 0.14 (SD). Conclusions: CXL Epi-Pocket is able to deliver riboflavin to halt the progression of keratoconus at a 12-month follow-up.

Anatomical dissection is considered a fundamental practice in the medical curriculum. Not only does it help students to familiarize themselves with the various bodily organs and to refine their surgical practice, it also fosters an attitude of awareness and respect towards death and the values of solidarity. On 10th February 2020, the Italian Parliament passed a new law entitled “Rules on the disposition of one’s own body and post-mortem tissues for study purposes, training and scientific research”. Here, we outline the main ethical and legal aspects of this law and suggest initiatives to encourage body donation. Through careful analysis of the law, we intend to open a discussion on the main ethical issues and to make comparisons with the international situation. The new legislation fills serious gaps in an area of great ethical relevance; not only does it endorse fundamental ethical principles, it also provides important guidelines for strengthening body donation, such as: ensuring respect for the dignity of the deceased, providing express consent, appointing a trustee, promoting information for both doctors and the community, and banning all forms of trade in bodies or body parts. This law is certainly an important milestone on the road to overcoming the scarcity of bodies for study and research. However, it is also essential to promote a favourable attitude to body donation and to strive to overcome obstacles to this practice by supporting continuous dialogue between anatomical institutes and the community. Further studies are necessary in order to assess the impact of the new law.

PReCIS:: Gel stent implantation is a bleb-forming surgery designed to achieve predictable pressure drop. An early low intraocular pressure (IOP) is associated with the long-term success of the procedure. PURPOSE To identify the variables associated with the success of the XEN procedure. PATIENTS AND METHODS This was part of a prospective, uncontrolled, consecutive case series study. Patients with primary open-angle glaucoma or pseudo-exfoliative glaucoma were included. All the patients underwent surgical XEN implant procedure with mitomycin-C subconjunctival injection 20 minutes before surgery. Success criteria were an off-medication IOP of 6 to 16 mm Hg 12 months after surgery; no additional glaucoma surgery; no visual threatening complications, no visual acuity loss >1 Snellen line. One eye per patient was considered for statistical analysis. A univariate Cox proportional hazard regression analysis was performed to identify potential risk factors for surgical failure. Then, a multivariate Cox model was built. RESULTS One hundred twenty-three patients were recruited in this study: 93 patients underwent XEN implantation alone whereas 30 the combined procedure with phacoemulsification and intraocular lens implantation. Univariate Cox regression showed that the day after surgery intraocular lens>9 mm Hg was associated with surgical failure (P=0.02) and a postoperative number of needlings ≥2 in the follow-up was also predictive of surgical failure (P

Purpose: To introduce a new color imaging technique using improved settings of red, green, and blue channels for improved delineation of retinal damage in patients with solar retinopathy. Method: A retrospective case series of patients with poor vision secondary to solar retinopathy were analyzed. All patients underwent visual acuity, refraction, and dilated fundus examination. A spectral domain–optical coherence tomography of the macula and color fundus imaging using optimized red, green, and blue color setting was performed. Patients were reviewed over a 6-month period. The data were analyzed for statistical significance using an independent t test and a receiver operating characteristic curve. Results: In total, 20 eyes of 10 patients were included between 2009 and 2017. The mean age was 24.9 ± 18.1 years. Best corrected visual acuity at first consultation was 0.78 ± 0.11 and after 6 months was 0.83 ± 0.09. Spectral domain–optical coherence tomography demonstrated retinal abnormalities at the myoid zone, ellipsoid zone, and the outer segment of photoreceptors. Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis showed an improving effect (area under the curve = 0.62; 95% confidence interval = 0.42–0.79). The color channels parameters, which improve visualization of the lesions were found to be 67-0.98-255 for the R-guided setting, 19-0.63-121 for the B-guided setting, and 7-1.00-129 for the G-guided setting. The ideal red, green, and blue setting was in 24-0.82-229. Conclusion: The use of a new setting of red, green, and blue channels could improve the diagnosis and monitoring of solar retinopathy, hence improving patient care.

Dry eye disease (DED) is a multifactorial disease that results in symptoms of discomfort, visual disturbance, and damage to the ocular surface. Because chronic inflammation plays an important role in DED, treatment with topical corticosteroids has been demonstrated to ameliorate the signs and symptoms of the disease. Although these agents have proven short-term efficacy, their long-term use may cause intraocular pressure elevation and cataract progression. A carefully review of the different studies shows that differences between corticosteroids may exist regarding the incidence of side effects and evidence of efficacy in DED patients.

Purpose: To examine the relationship between the cardiovascular status and variations in optical coherence tomography (OCT)-derived parameters of the peripapillary and macular tissues, and macular vascular flow area measured by optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) in healthy subjects. Design: Prospective, open-label, non-randomized clinical study. Methods: Twenty one eyes of 21 healthy subjects were analyzed using a swept-source device, including OCT and OCTA acquisitions. Cardiovascular changes were investigated by performing a practical hand-grip test (HGT). Blood pressure, heart rate, OCT and OCTA structural and vascular changes were measured and analyzed before and after the HGT-induced exercise. Results: The mean patient age was 34.0 (± 15.2) years. While both diastolic and systolic blood pressures increased significantly aft er exercise (p < 0.001 and p = 0.003, respectively), the heart rate did not show a significant increment (p = 0.182). OCT structural parameters of the optic nerve did not change significantly. Instead, a significant redistribution of choroidal thickness (CT) was observed in the macular region, with a significant reduction (-6.5%, p = 0.001) in the outer-nasal macular sector after exercise. OCTA acquisitions did not show changes in the vascular density of both the superficial retinal layer and deep retinal layer. Conclusions: We demonstrated that HGT-induced exercise can moderately elevate blood pressure without detectable effects on OCTA-derived parameters in healthy young subjects. Moreover, it produced a significant redistribution of CT. Further studies are needed to better explain the possible role of HGT in the characterization of the pathophysiology of ocular diseases associated with abnormalities of the vascular function such as glaucoma, age-related macular degeneration, and diabetic retinopathy.

The EX-PRESS Glaucoma Filtration Device is a stainless steel, nonvalved filtration device that channels aqueous humor through a secure lumen to a half-thickness scleral flap, creating a subconjunctival filtration bleb. Elevated postoperative intraocular pressure may indicate occlusion of the device lumen or episcleral fibrosis, and it is essential to reestablish the flow in a timely manner to prevent bleb formation failure. We report the successful use of an extendible 41-G subretinal injection needle to rapidly restore device patency when the conventional bleb revision was not effective.

Increasing resistance to antimicrobial agents has contributed to an elevated risk of complications of infectious keratitis. Corneal collagen cross-linking (CXL) has been widely adopted for the management of keratoconus and post-refractive surgery corneal ectasia. It has recently been introduced as an option for treating keratitis due to multidrug resistant organisms. The purpose of this review is to discuss the rationale, safety, and evidence for CXL in infectious keratitis and its possible effect on ocular surface inflammation. Published data show that CXL is effective and safe as an adjunct to antibiotic treatment in selected cases of bacterial keratitis. The benefit of CXL probably varies according to the etiology of the infection.

Aim: To develop a method capable of identifying human corneal limbal stem cells (LSCs) and follow their proliferation and migration in the epithelium. Materials and Methods: Ten fresh matched pairs of cadaveric normal human corneas were obtained from donors. Carboxyfluorescein diacetate succinimidyl ester (CFSE) was used to target LSCs. The distribution of CFSE-positive cell clusters was analyzed by fluorescence microscopy by counterstaining with 4’,6-diamidino-2-phenylindole (DAPI). Fluorescence was digitally recorded for seven days, and the rate of cell movement was determined. Results: CFSE-labeled cells were tracked in corneas. Analysis of time sequences revealed that they moved centripetally. Daily average CFSE-labeled LSC movement was 0.073±0.01 cm (±SD). Conclusion: CFSE allowed us to identify LSCs and to track their centripetal migration from the limbal basal layer to the anterior ocular surface. This experimental system appears to be a valuable tool for further studies on corneal epithelial cell migration and proliferation.

We report a case of a 63-year-old Caucasian female referred to the cornea service of Clinica Oculistica with a neurotrophic corneal ulcer, decreased corneal sensitivity, absent corneal reflex, and decreased lacrimation. The medical record review was relevant for mastectomy and adjuvant therapy for breast cancer complicated by pontocerebellar angle metastasis. Eye patching and application of antibiotic and vitamin ointments were prescribed at first, without a significant improvement. Thus, treatment with autologous serum was started. In about two weeks, the cornea recovered and visual acuity improved with a residual corneal scarring. Finally, we should mention that, in our case, the main cause of the neurotrophic corneal ulcer could be identified in the previous trigeminal damage at the pontocerebellar angle and trigeminal ganglion. Sensory nerves play an important regulatory role via neuro-mediators on corneal wound healing, as denervation may interfere with cellular metabolism and inhibit mitosis, leading to an epithelial defect even with no direct damage.

Our purpose was to evaluate the clinical safety and efficacy of COThis was a prospective, uncontrolled, interventional case series. All subjects underwent CLASS procedure by a single surgeon. After the dissection of a partial thickness scleral flap, topical MMC 0.2 mg/ml was applied to the sclera and the conjunctiva for 3 min. The COTwenty-one eyes of 21 patients underwent the CLASS procedure. Thirteen were primary OAG (62%), two normal pressure glaucoma (10%), three exfoliative glaucoma (14%) and three others secondary OAG. With a mean (SD) follow-up of 15.3 (5.9) months, the IOP changed from 25.4 (6.7) mmHg at baseline to 10.9 (3.4) mmHg al the last visit. Mean reduction of IOP was -14.5 mmHg (95% CI, -17.7 to -11.2, P 0.001). The median (IQR) number of IOP-lowering medication decreased from 3 (3-3) at baseline to 1 (0-1) at the last visit (P 0.001). Visual acuity did not change significantly. Adverse events: five eyes (24%) developed iris adhesion to the filtration area that was successfully managed with office-based procedures. In one case (5%), CLASS was converted to trabeculectomy due to intraoperative perforation of the ablated area. There was one case of hypotony maculopathy successfully treated with placement of additional transconjunctival scleral flap sutures.The CLASS procedure with MMC is clinically safe and effective maintaining a large reduction in IOP and in the number of IOP-lowering medications with a mean follow-up of 15 months. Iris adhesion at the filtrating area warrants further evaluation and possibly reflects the surgeon's learning curve.

Our purpose was to evaluate the clinical safety and efficacy of CO2 laser-assisted sclerectomy surgery (CLASS) with Mitomycin C (MMC) in open angle glaucoma (OAG). This was a prospective, uncontrolled, interventional case series. All subjects underwent CLASS procedure by a single surgeon. After the dissection of a partial thickness scleral flap, topical MMC 0.2 mg/ml was applied to the sclera and the conjunctiva for 3 min. The CO2 laser with a beam-manipulating system was used to ablate the scleral tissue and expose the Schlemm’s canal area. Primary outcomes: intraocular pressure (IOP) change, number of IOP-lowering medicaments change. Adverse events were evaluated as secondary outcomes. Twenty-one eyes of 21 patients underwent the CLASS procedure. Thirteen were primary OAG (62%), two normal pressure glaucoma (10%), three exfoliative glaucoma (14%) and three others secondary OAG. With a mean (SD) follow-up of 15.3 (5.9) months, the IOP changed from 25.4 (6.7) mmHg at baseline to 10.9 (3.4) mmHg al the last visit. Mean reduction of IOP was −14.5 mmHg (95% CI, −17.7 to −11.2, P