Abhiyan Kumar

DEEP LAMELLAR KERATOPLASTY VERSUS PENETRATING KERATOPLASTY FOR CORNEAL LESIONS

PURPOSE To compare the effectiveness of deep lamellar keratoplasty (DLK) with that of penetrating keratoplasty (PKP) in cases of corneal lesions not involving the endothelium. METHODS Forty-eight eyes with leukomatous corneal opacity (n = 33), keratoconus with apical scarring (n = 6), granular corneal dystrophy (n = 5), lattice corneal dystrophy (n = 2), and multiple corneal foreign bodies (n = 2) in an age group varying from 16 to 53 years underwent DLK (n = 24) and PKP (n = 24) by utilizing B and (B+ and A) grade M-K preserved donor tissue, respectively. The patients were followed up closely, and the graft clarity, visual achievement, astigmatism and endothelial cell count were evaluated at repeated occasions up to 1 year. RESULTS Astigmatism of <3 diopters (D) and > or = 5D was obtained in 19 eyes and one eye, respectively, after DLK at 6 months, whereas six eyes of the PKP group had astigmatism <3D, and 12 eyes had > or = 5D at the end of 6 months. The same at 1 year was observed in 20 and one eye in the DLK and eight and five eyes of the PKP group. Astigmatism of > or = 5D at the end of 6 months in both the groups showed highly significant changes (p < 0.001). Best corrected visual acuity of 6/18 or more was achieved in 18 and 12 eyes at 6 months after DLK and PKP, respectively, which were statistically highly significant (p < 0.001), whereas at 1 year, it was seen in 17 and 15 eyes of the DLK and PKP groups, respectively, which was nonsignificant. The mean endothelial cell count was 2,233.3+/-64.453 cells/mm2 and 2,219.6+/-102.48 cells/mm2 at 6 months and I year, respectively, after DLK, which was nonsignificant. The mean cell count of the donor eyes used for PKP was 2,191+/-52.164 cells/mm2, 1,902.8+/-70.346 cells/mm2 at 6 months, and 1,579.0+/-80.24 cells/mm2 at 1 year. All the values showed highly significant changes (p < 0.001). Further, the graft clarity of > or = 3+ was achieved in 20 and 18 eyes at 6 months postoperatively in the DLK and PKP groups, whereas the same was observed in 19 and 13 eyes of both the groups, respectively, at 1-year follow-up. CONCLUSION DLK is a promising procedure and should be practiced more frequently for corneal pathology not involving the endothelium.

Randomized trial of intraoperative mitomycin c in surgery for pterygium

PURPOSE To report the efficacy and safety of intraoperative application of mitomycin C in surgery for pterygium. METHODS In a prospective randomized and double-blind study done within a span of 2.5 years in 50 eyes (50 patients) with primary progressive pterygium, mitomycin C in a concentration of 0.02 mg/ml soaked in a sterile 5 x 5-mm sponge was applied over the bare sclera intraoperatively as an adjuvant therapy in 25 eyes after pterygium excision. These cases were compared with another 25 similar eyes that underwent the same procedure but in which gentamicin solution 0.3% was used instead of mitomycin C solution. RESULTS Three eyes (12%) in the mitomycin C group showed recurrence within 7 months of surgery compared with eight eyes (32%) of the gentamicin control group within 3 to 5 months. Mild side effects, such as pain, photophobia, and delayed wound healing, were observed within the first 1 to 2 weeks postoperative in both groups. In the mitomycin C-treated group, corneal changes in the form of superficial punctate keratitis (three eyes) and limbal avascularity (two eyes) subsided within 2 weeks postoperatively. Follow-up time for these cases ranged from 18 to 21 months. CONCLUSIONS A diluted solution of mitomycin C, 0.02 mg/ml, with an accurate size of sterile sponge applied to bare sclera after primary pterygium excision decreases the rate of recurrence to a greater extent than does gentamicin solution and is not associated with severe complications.

Fibrin glue in ophthalmology

Suturing is a time consuming task in ophthalmology and suture induced irritation and redness are frequent problems. Postoperative wound infection and corneal graft rejection are examples of possible suture related complications. To prevent these complications, ophthalmic surgeons are switching to sutureless surgery. A number of recent developments have established tissue adhesives like cyanoacrylate glue and fibrin glue as attractive alternatives to sutures. A possible and promising new application for tissue adhesives is to provide a platform for tissue engineering. Currently, tissue glue is being used for conjunctival closure following pterygium and strabismus surgery, forniceal reconstruction surgery, amniotic membrane transplantation, lamellar corneal grafting, closure of corneal perforations and descematoceles, management of conjunctival wound leaks after trabeculectomy, lid surgery, adnexal surgery and as a hemostat to minimise bleeding. The purpose of this review is to discuss the currently available information on fibrin glue.

Demographic pattern, predisposing factors and management of ulcerative keratitis: evaluation of one thousand unilateral cases at a tertiary care centre

Purpose:   To determine the predisposing factors, special clinical manifestations and the management of presumed microbial ulcerative keratitis.

Management of acute corneal hydrops secondary to keratoconus with intracameral injection of sulfur hexafluoride (SF6).

Purpose: To report the use of sulfur hexafluoride (SF6) gas in the management of corneal edema caused by acute corneal hydrops secondary to keratoconus. Methods: Nine eyes with acute hydrops secondary to keratoconus managed by SF6 gas injected into the anterior chamber (group 1) were compared to another 9 eyes that were managed conservatively with conventional medical therapy (group 2). Results: Of 9 eyes in group 1, 3 had 1 injection, 4 had 2 injections, and the remaining 2 had 3 injections into the anterior chamber. All the eyes in group 1 showed an early resolution of corneal edema at 4 weeks. The same was achieved in group 2 at 12 weeks. The central corneal thickness (CCT) in group 1 and group 2 was >1.0 mm at presentation. The CCT at 3 and 12 weeks in group 1 was 0.99 and 0.65 mm, respectively, whereas CCT in group 2 at 3 weeks was >1.0 mm and at 12 weeks was 0.991 mm (P = 0.001). The mean best spectacle-corrected visual acuity (BSCVA) at 12 weeks in group 1 and group 2 was 0.39 and 0.24, respectively (P = 0.016). The results were significant in favor of group 1 over group 2 both in CCT and BSCVA. Conclusion: Early intervention with intracameral SF6 injection is a safe and effective therapy for early reduction of corneal edema in eyes with keratoconus and acute hydrops.

Ruptured globe 10 years after radial keratotomy.

PURPOSE To report 3 cases (3 eyes) of globe rupture following blunt trauma 10 to 13 years after radial keratotomy. METHODS Cases of traumatic ruptured globe after radial keratotomy were reviewed from a tertiary eye care center. One eye underwent therapeutic penetrating keratoplasty, the second was treated with a bandage contact lens, and the third developed retinal detachment leading to phthisis bulbi. RESULTS Ruptured globes occurred through the keratotomy incision during activities of daily living (1 eye), assault (1 eye), and sports (1 eye). Two eyes regained a visual acuity of 20/30 or better; 1 eye was lost. CONCLUSION Traumatic rupture of the cornea can occur more than 10 years after radial keratotomy.