J. Álvarez de Toledo

Pronóstico visual y complicaciones posquirúrgicas en queratoprótesis de Boston tipo 1

OBJECTIVE To describe the visual outcome of patients who underwent Boston type 1 keratoprosthesis (KPro1) implantation, and describe serious sight-threatening post-operative complications. METHODS We performed an analysis of the clinical records of all patients who underwent Boston keratoprosthesis implantation (BKI)in our institution from May 2006 to February 2011. RESULTS A total of 41 eyes of 37 patients were included in the final analysis, of whom 22 (59.45%) were male and 15 were (40.54%) female. The mean age was 56.44 years (range 2-90). The most frequent diagnoses were bullous keratopathy, autoimmune diseases, such as Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS)/Lyell syndrome (LS), and aniridic keratopathy. The mean number of previous keratoplasties (PK) was 2.36 (range 0-8), the mean number of previous non-PK surgeries was 1.58 (range 0-9). The mean follow-up time was 22.17 months (range 3-46). The mean best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) logMAR before surgery was 2.05 (range 1.10-2.52), and the mean best corrected visual acuity achieved after surgery was 1.16 (range 0.08- 2.70). The most frequent complication was the formation of retroprosthetic membrane (RPM) which appeared in 22 (53.65%) eyes. Of these, 6 (27.27%) appeared after another surgery. Fourteen (63.63%) RPM required treatment, an average of 1.71 (range 1-4) laser YAG applications were performed, and surgical membranectomy was performed in 3 patients. Eleven (26.82%) eyes showed chorioretinal adhesion problems, 6 (14.63%) of which occurred after follow-up of BKI surgery. Infectious complications occurred in 7 (17.07%) cases; 2 (4.87%) patients had infectious keratitis and 5 (12.19%) endophthalmitis. CONCLUSIONS Visual function improved in most patients. Those with prior multiple ocular surgeries and alterations of systemic immunity such as SJS, LS, and diabetes mellitus are at increased risk for serious sight-threatening complications, such as RPM, chorioretinal detachment and infection. Nevertheless, we consider KPro as an effective alternative in patients with multiple ocular pathology and imminent risk of rejection of a new KP.

Fixed-dose combination of 0.1% diclofenac plus 0.3% tobramycin ophthalmic solution for inflammation after cataract surgery : a randomized, comparative, active treatment-controlled trial

Purpose To assess the efficacy, tolerance, and ocular tolerability of a fixed-dose combination of 0.1% diclofenac plus 0.3% tobramycin ophthalmic solution compared with 0.1% diclofenac (Voltaren®) and 0.3% tobramycin (Tobrex®) in patients undergoing cataract extraction by either nuclear expression (extracapsular) or ultrasound-assisted aspiration (phacoemulsification) with intraocular lens implantation. Methods Eighty-eight patients undergoing cataract extraction with intraocular lens implantation participated in a randomized, parallel, observer-masked trial, in which the clinical usefulness of a fixed-dose combination of 0.1% diclofenac plus 0.3% tobramycin ophthalmic solution, two eyedrops every 6 hours (n=44) was compared with Voltaren® and Tobrex®, one drop of each every 6 hours (n=44) in a 22-day course. Efficacy was assessed from changes of the sum of anterior chamber cell count plus flare, conjunctival hyperemia and edema, and ciliary congestion, by means of slit lamp biomicroscopy on days 1, 7, 14, and 21. Tolerance and ocular tolerability were assessed by recording intraocular pressure (IOP), side effects, and the patients and investigators opinions. Results Anterior chamber cell count plus flare showed no differences in the two treatment groups at any evaluation point. The study treatment was associated with a significantly higher score for conjuncitval edema on day 1 (p=0.015), conjuncitval hyperemia on day 14 (p=0.009) and anterior chamber cell count on day 21 (p=0.04), but these differences had no clinical relevance. No side effects related to the study treatment were recorded. Conclusions Efficacy, tolerance, and ocular tolerability of a fixed-dose combination of 0.1% diclofenac plus 0.3% tobramycin ophthalmic solution were comparable to Voltaren® plus Tobrex® for the control of anterior chamber inflammation after cataract surgery, with the advantage that both active principles are supplied in a single container.

Interferón alfa 2-β, queratectomía parcial y trasplante de membrana amniótica para el tratamiento de un carcinoma escamoso conjuntival recidivante

CASE REPORT An 80-year-old woman diagnosed with a recurrent squamous conjuctival carcinoma treated with surgical excision of the lesion, zonal reconstruction and topical Interferon alpha 2-β. DISCUSSION Squamous conjunctival carcinoma is the most frequent neoplasm of the ocular surface. Surgical removal of the lesion is the traditional treatment, but this technique has a high recurrence rate. Interferons are glycoproteins that trigger intracellular pathways with antiviral and antitumoral properties. Recent studies have proven their activity against conjunctival carcinoma.

Insuficiencia limbar secundaria a múltiples inyecciones intravítreas

CASE REPORT A 68 year-old male with idiopathic choroidal polypoidal vasculopathy received seven intravitreal injections of bevacizumab in the supero-nasal quadrant. He later developed a localized limbal stem cell deficiency which required limbal transplantation from the same eye. Two months after surgery, a slight improvement of visual acuity was noted, along with an intact ocular surface, clear cornea and decreased inflammation. DISCUSSION Repeated surgical trauma on the limbus and surrounding areas may damage the limbal stem cells, giving rise to a corneal epitheliopathy due to iatrogenic limbal deficiency. Repeated intravitreal injections may be considered as one of the possible causes.

Limbal stem cell deficiency following multiple intravitreal injections

Abstract Case report A 68 year-old male with idiopathic choroidal polypoidal vasculopathy received seven intravitreal injections of bevacizumab in the supero-nasal quadrant. He later developed a localized limbal stem cell deficiency which required limbal transplantation from the same eye. Two months after surgery, a slight improvement of visual acuity was noted, along with an intact ocular surface, clear cornea and decreased inflammation. Discussion Repeated surgical trauma on the limbus and surrounding areas may damage the limbal stem cells, giving rise to a corneal epitheliopathy due to iatrogenic limbal deficiency. Repeated intravitreal injections may be considered as one of the possible causes.

Boston KPro experience in Barcelona

Purpose To describe the indications, intraoperative complications, post-operative complications and anatomical and functional results of Type I Boston keratoprosthesis at our eye center in Barcelona. Methods Retrospective interventional case series on 24 eyes of 22 patients who underwent Boston keratoprosthesis implant from May 2006 to May 2008. Results The main indication for Boston keratoprosthesis implantation was a repeated failed graft (mean = 2.33 previous grafts). The most common principal pathologies were: bullous keratopathy, herpetic keratitis, aniridic keratopathy, corneal ectasia, calcific band keratopathy. No major intraoperative complications were noted and average time of surgery was 47 minutes. The mean follow-up time was 7.42 months. The major post-operative complications encountered were retroprosthetic membrane in 2 eyes, endophthalmitis in 2 eyes and corneal graft melting in 1 eye. The mean best corrected visual acuity improved from 0.015 pre-operatively to 0.1 post-operatively. Only one case of extrusion due to melting was encountered which was resolved by a reimplantation of the keratoprosthesis. Conclusion Our short-term experience with the type I Boston Keratoprosthesis is a good alternative for patients with repeated graft failures. Improvement in visual acuity is immediate and only minor complications were encountered.