Anthony J. Lubniewski

Histologic Study of Eyes With Transsclerally Sutured Posterior Chamber Intraocular Lenses

We studied the postmortem histologic characteristics of two eyes that had undergone penetrating keratoplasty and transscleral suturing of a posterior chamber intraocular lens for bullous keratopathy. The eyes were studied three days postoperatively in a 79-year-old man with pseudophakia and six months postoperatively in an 83-year-old man with aphakia. We also removed a posterior chamber intraocular lens in a 73-year-old woman who had an epithelial downgrowth three months postoperatively. In the first two cases, only one of four haptics was successfully positioned in the sulcus. Histologic study disclosed a thin fibrous capsule surrounding the haptics at their attachment site, no inflammation around the transscleral portion of the suture, and exposure of a suture tip externally. In the third case, the intraocular lens fell back into the vitreous cavity after the fixation sutures were cut externally at the time of surgical removal. Stability of the lens in all three cases was primarily a result of intact transcleral sutures and not fibrous encapsulation or ciliary sulcus placement of haptics.

Penetrating Keratoplasty and Transscleral Fixation of Posterior Chamber Lens

We reviewed the outcome in 115 patients who underwent penetrating keratoplasty and transscleral fixation of a posterior chamber lens. One patient died soon after surgical procedures, and nine patients were lost to follow-up, leaving a cohort of 105 patients. Mean follow-up time was 26.8 months (range, six to 43 months). Visual acuity of 20/40 or better was found in 29 patients (27.6%) and 20/50 to 20/200 in 37 patients (35.2%). Reasons for poor visual outcome included cystoid macular edema in ten patients (9.5%), age-related macular degeneration in six patients (5.7%), and retinal detachment in four patients (3.8%). None of the patients developed lens decentration. There were no instances of hyphema and only one patient had a perioperative limited suprachoroidal hemorrhage. New-onset increase in intraocular pressure developed in 20 of 66 patients (30.3%). Analysis of the 39 patients with preoperative increase in intraocular pressure that required medical treatment demonstrated an improvement in 13 patients (33.3%), worsening in 12 patients (30.8%), and unchanged status in 14 patients (35.9%). The exposed haptic suture was covered by using one of the following three alternative methods: a conjunctival flap, a scleral flap, or a corneal tissue button. Exposure of the haptic suture through the conjunctiva was a complication in 21 patients (20%). Of these 16 (76.1%) occurred in the group with a conjunctival covering, five (23.8%) occurred in the group with a scleral flap, and none occurred in the corneal tissue button group. This study demonstrated that transscleral fixation of a posterior chamber lens is a viable option in the treatment of patients undergoing penetrating keratoplasty and intraocular lens implantation with absent capsular support.

Unexpected corneal endothelial cell decompensation after intraocular surgery with instruments sterilized by plasma gas

PURPOSE Ten cases of unexpected corneal endothelial cell decompensation occurring after routine intraocular surgery using instruments sterilized with a new plasma gas protocol are described. DESIGN A retrospective observational case series with 1 year of follow-up was conducted. RESULTS All patients had corneal decompensation and nonreactive pupils after surgery. Six patients required penetrating keratoplasty. Three patients partially recovered pupillary function. Visual acuity at 1 year ranged from 20/20 to hand motion (HM). One patient with an anterior chamber intraocular lens (ACIOL) experienced optic atrophy and HM vision despite resolution of corneal edema. CONCLUSIONS Toxic corneal endothelial cell destruction syndrome was associated with the introduction of plasma gas sterilization protocols.

Posterior Infectious Crystalline Keratopathy with Staphylococcus epidermidis

Two cases of infectious crystalline keratopathy located in the posterior stroma after penetrating keratoplasty are presented. Topical steroids and suture removal were risk factors in both cases. In the first case, a moderate anterior chamber reaction was present. Crystalline infiltrates persisted on topical and systemic steroid therapy. In the second case, deep corneal ulceration, hypopyon, and vitreitis were noted. A vitreous aspirate showed rare gram-positive cocci in pairs. The corneal ulceration and crystalline keratopathy persisted despite intravitreal and topical antibiotics. Therapeutic penetrating keratoplasty was performed in both cases. Staphylococcus epidermidis sensitive to vancomycin was isolated from corneal tissue. Light microscopy documented aggregates of gram-positive bacteria anterior to Descemets membrane, with an overlying keratitis. Electron microscopy in the second case showed all bacteria within stromal keratocytes. No clinical recurrence was seen using topical vancomycin. As demonstrated in the cases presented, infectious crystalline keratopathy can occur exclusively in the deeper layers of the cornea. Isolation of S. epidermidis, associated inflammation, and intraocular spread of organisms are rare findings.

Ocular dangers in the garden. A new menace--nylon line lawn trimmers

Nylon line lawn trimmers represent a source of potentially devastating ocular trauma. Five cases of ocular trauma associated with the use of line trimmers are reported. These case reports document new mechanisms and circumstances of injury, including trauma from debris other than nylon line fragments and injury to bystanders. Furthermore, injuries are often serious, with two of these patients requiring an evisceration or enucleation after endophthalmitis developed. In one patient, six different organisms were cultured and another patient exhibited an Aspergillus organism and Propionibacterium acnes. As nylon trimmers gain in popularity, they will become an increasingly frequent source of ocular injury. A retrospective 40-month review of 85 cases (87 eyes) of penetrating and perforating ocular trauma shows line trimmers to be the fifth leading cause of such injury.

Corneoscleral Laceration and Ocular Burns Caused by Electronic Cigarette Explosions.

Purpose: To report cases of acute globe rupture and bilateral corneal burns from electronic cigarette (EC) explosions. Methods: Case series. Results: We describe a series of patients with corneal injury caused by EC explosions. Both patients suffered bilateral corneal burns and decreased visual acuity, and one patient sustained a unilateral corneoscleral laceration with prolapsed iris tissue and hyphema. A review of the scientific literature revealed no prior reported cases of ocular injury secondary to EC explosions; however, multiple media and government agency articles describe fires and explosions involving ECs, including at least 4 with ocular injuries. Conclusions: Given these cases and the number of recent media reports, ECs pose a significant public health risk. Users should be warned regarding the possibility of severe injury, including sight-threatening ocular injuries ranging from corneal burns to full-thickness corneoscleral laceration.

Novel CHST6 gene mutations in 2 unrelated cases of macular corneal dystrophy.

Purpose: To investigate the possible mutations in the carbohydrate sulfotransferase 6 (CHST6) gene of 2 unrelated cases of macular corneal dystrophy (MCD) and to report atypical stromal deposits in one of them. Methods: Corneal tissues were stained with antisulfated keratan sulfate (KS), antitransforming growth factor beta 1-induced protein (TGFBIp), thioflavin-T, alcian blue, and Masson trichrome. Sequencing was performed to identify potential mutations in the CHST6 gene and the fourth and twelfth exons of the TGFBI gene. Results: Alcian blue staining revealed the presence of multiple subepithelial and intrastromal mucopolysaccharide deposits, confirming the diagnosis of MCD in both cases. Immunofluorescence staining in case 1 revealed the presence of sulfated KS only in the keratocytes and select endothelial cells, consistent with MCD type IA. Preferential expression of sulfated KS was observed in keratocytes and extracellular stromal matrix in case 2, consistent with MCD type II. Atypical subepithelial and superficial stromal deposits were observed in case 1, which stained positively with alcian blue, eosin, Masson trichrome, and thioflavin-T indicating the presence of hyaline and amyloid materials. CHST6 gene sequencing revealed 2 heterozygous mutations in case 1 (a p.Arg211Gln and a novel mutation of p.Arg177Gly) and a novel homozygous mutation of p.Pro186Arg in case 2. No mutations were found in exons 4 or 12 of the TGFBI gene in case 1. Conclusions: Secondary hyalinosis and amyloidosis occur in a case of MCD type IA with a novel p.Arg177Gly mutation in CHST6. A novel p.Pro186Arg mutation in CHST6 is associated with MCD type II in an African American.

Use of Topical Besifloxacin in the Treatment of Mycobacterium chelonae Ocular Surface Infections.

Purpose: To present the clinical outcome of 3 cases of ocular surface infections by Mycobacterium chelonae treated with besifloxacin (0.6%, Besivance; Bausch & Lomb, Tampa, FL). Methods: In this retrospective review of a small case series, we reviewed the medical records of 3 clinical patients with M. chelonae infection involving the ocular surface. Besifloxacin was used as an adjunct in 2 cases of keratitis and as the principal therapeutic agent in a case of nodular conjunctivitis. Results: Two patients who presented with culture-proven M. chelonae keratitis initially had been treated with topical amikacin and oral clarithromycin for 6 months in the first case and for 2 months in the second without complete resolution. Topical besifloxacin was added as an adjunct therapy to amikacin with progressive weaning of clarithromycin. Both cases of keratitis eventually resolved without recurrence after discontinuation of topical amikacin and besifloxacin. A third patient presented with nodular conjunctival inflammation, which initially had been treated with topical ciprofloxacin and corticosteroids without improvement. One nodular lesion was excised and submitted for microbial culture, which revealed the growth of M. chelonae. Marked improvement of the conjunctivitis was noted after 3 weeks of treatment with topical besifloxacin. Complete resolution of the conjunctival nodules was achieved after 10 weeks of treatment with besifloxacin. Conclusions: Topical besifloxacin seems to be a useful adjunct agent in the treatment of nontuberculous mycobacterial keratitis by M. chelonae and may be viable for use as a first-line agent in cases of nodular conjunctivitis by M. chelonae.

Unilateral Posterior Interstitial Keratitis as a Clinical Presentation of Herpes Simplex Virus Disease

Purpose: To describe a case series of patients with unilateral, posterior interstitial keratitis presumed to be caused by herpes simplex virus. Methods: Retrospective case series. Results: Five patients were found to have unilateral, posterior interstitial keratitis. Three of the involved eyes had decreased corneal sensation, and 2 eyes had corneal stromal neovascularization. All patients were treated with topical steroids and an oral antiviral, and among those with long-term follow-up, clinical improvement required treatment over an extended duration. A review of the literature revealed 1 reported case with a similar clinical appearance, although that case was attributed to Lyme disease. Conclusions: The clinical presentation of unilateral, posterior interstitial keratitis may be a rare manifestation of herpes simplex virus keratitis.

A masquerader? Paecilomyces must be distinguished from Penicillium in fungal keratitis: a report of two contrasting cases.

We describe the clinical outcomes of two contrasting cases of fungal keratitis due to Paecilomyces spp. The first case involving a 58-year-old woman was complicated by an initial laboratory misidentification as Penicillium and consequently a delay in treatment with an optimised antifungal regimen. The patient had a protracted clinical course that required a total of four penetrating keratoplasties. However, an accurate diagnosis was promptly made in the second case, a 46-year-old woman, which resulted in a satisfactory outcome after penetrating keratoplasty. Our principal aim was to highlight a diagnostic challenge relating to the accurate microbial identification of Paecilomyces spp. This can be difficult given its morphological similarity to Pencillium, and confusion over the two genera has resulted in misdiagnoses reported previously. Our report aims to raise awareness of this potential laboratory misidentification, which can affect clinical decision-making in guiding antimicrobial therapy.