John A. Seedor

Laser in situ keratomileusis for correction of myopia and astigmatism after penetrating keratoplasty.

PURPOSE To determine the safety and effectiveness of laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) for visual rehabilitation of residual myopia and astigmatism after penetrating keratoplasty. DESIGN Prospective, noncomparative case series. PARTICIPANTS LASIK was performed on 23 eyes of 22 patients unable to wear glasses or contact lenses after penetrating keratoplasty due to anisometropia, high astigmatism, and/or contact lens-intolerance. METHODS All patients underwent LASIK for visual rehabilitation after penetrating keratoplasty. Uncorrected visual acuity and best spectacle-corrected visual acuity, degree of anisometropia, and corneal transplant integrity were recorded before surgery, as well as at 1 month, 3 months, 6 months, and 12 months after LASIK surgery. RESULTS The mean spherical equivalent before surgery was -7.58+/-4.42 diopters (D), which was reduced to -1.09+/-2.01 D, -0.79+/-1.84 D, -0.77+/-1.25 D, and -1.57+/-1.20 D, respectively, at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months after LASIK. The mean cylinder before surgery was 3.64+/-1.72 D, which was reduced to 1.98+/-1.15 D, 1.64+/-1.14 D, 1.48+/-0.92 D, and 1.29+/-1.04 D, respectively, at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months after LASIK. Spherical equivalent anisometropia was reduced from a mean of 6.88+/-4.4 D to 1.42+/-1.05 D at the final examination. Best-corrected visual acuity remained the same or improved in 21 of 23 eyes and decreased by 1 and 3 lines in 2 patients. There were no surgical flap or corneal transplant complications. CONCLUSIONS LASIK is a viable treatment alternative for myopia and astigmatism after penetrating keratoplasty in patients who are contact lens-intolerant. LASIK is more effective in treating myopia than astigmatism after penetrating keratoplasty.

The incidence of fungal keratitis and endophthalmitis following penetrating keratoplasty

PURPOSE To determine the incidence of postkeratoplasty fungal endophthalmitis and keratitis at the New York Eye and Ear Infirmary. To determine whether there is a relationship between culture-positive corneoscleral donor material and postoperative infection. METHODS The microbiologic records of corneoscleral donor rims submitted for culture following penetrating keratoplasty at the New York Eye and Ear Infirmary between January 1998 and January 2003 were reviewed. The incidence of rim cultures positive for fungi was tabulated. Clinical outcome measures were recorded for each patient receiving corneal donor tissue. RESULTS Of 2466 donor corneoscleral rims cultured during the study period, 344 were positive for microbial growth (13%). Of those rims with positive cultures, 28 (8.6%) were positive for fungus. All fungi cultured were Candida species. Four of the 28 recipient eyes (14%) who received contaminated donor material went on to develop postkeratoplasty fungal infections. There were no cases of fungal infection in any postkeratoplasty patients in the absence of contaminated donor rims during the study period. Overall, there was a 0.16% incidence of fungal infection (4/2466) following penetrating keratoplasty. There were 18 positive donor rims identified in the first 4 years of the study, but there were 10 cases in the last 10 months of the study. CONCLUSIONS The overall incidence of fungal infection following penetrating keratoplasty is low, but all cases in our study were associated with positive rim cultures. Whether prophylactic antifungal therapy would be of any benefit in the presence of a positive corneoscleral rim culture has not yet been determined.

Boston type 1 keratoprosthesis: the New York Eye and Ear experience

PurposeThe Boston keratoprosthesis has had variable success rates in the past. However, significant modifications to design and management have recently led to successful outcomes. This study was undertaken to evaluate the outcomes of the Boston type 1 keratoprosthesis at our institution.MethodsA retrospective chart review was performed of all Boston type 1 keratoprosthesis procedures conducted at a single practice at the New York Eye and Ear Infirmary from December 2006 to August 2010. Outcome measures included visual acuity, retention rates, and complications.ResultsIn all, 58 eyes of 51 patients who received a Boston type 1 keratoprosthesis were included. The most common indication for the keratoprosthesis was failed penetrating keratoplasty (PK) (81.0%; mean 2.4±1.3 PKs per eye). Glaucoma was the most common comorbidity (75.9%). Pre-operative best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) was <20/400 in 87.9% of eyes. At last follow-up, 43.1% of eyes had a BCVA of 20/200. Retention rate was 87.9% over an average follow-up of 21.5±11.4 months (median 22 months, range 3–47 months). Complications increased with time, with 65.5% of eyes experiencing at least one event by 6 months and 75.9% by 1 year. The most common post-operative complication was retroprosthetic membrane formation (50.0%).ConclusionsThe Boston type 1 keratoprosthesis provides visual recovery for eyes with multiple PK failures or with poor prognosis for primary PK, showing excellent retention rates. However, there is a trend towards a decline in visual acuity with time and the development of late complications, highlighting a need for longer-term studies.

Visually Significant and Nonsignificant Complications Arising From Descemet Stripping Automated Endothelial Keratoplasty

PURPOSE To examine the complications encountered after Descemet stripping automated endothelial keratoplasty (DSAEK) at one institution. DESIGN Retrospective case review. METHODS The first 126 consecutive DSAEKs done at the New York Eye and Ear Infirmary from March 1, 2006 to March 1, 2008 were reviewed. A total of 126 eyes of 113 patients underwent DSAEK. All cases were included regardless of outcome. All complications intraoperatively and postoperatively were recorded. RESULTS Graft detachment was the most common complication, occurring in 22 eyes (17.5%); 17 of these (77%) were successfully repositioned. Idiopathic graft failure occurred in 15 eyes (6%). Other visually significant complications included graft rejection (2 eyes), choroidal effusion (2 eyes), epithelial ingrowth (2 eyes), endophthalmitis (1 eye), pupillary block (1 eye), and suture abscess (1 eye). Twenty-four eyes had non-visually significant complications including decentered lenticles, interface fibers, partial peripheral detachments, retained Descemet membrane, and eccentric trephination. CONCLUSIONS While DSAEK is a viable alternative to penetrating keratoplasty, serious complications may still occur postoperatively. While certain rare complications like endophthalmitis, epithelial ingrowth, and suture abscess may affect vision, more common complications such as decentered lenticles and partial peripheral detachments are less likely to affect visual outcome.

Graft Rejection Following Descemet Stripping Automated Endothelial Keratoplasty: Features, Risk Factors, and Outcomes

PURPOSE To investigate the clinical features, risk factors, and treatment outcomes following immunologic graft rejection in eyes that have undergone Descemet stripping automated endothelial keratoplasty (DSAEK). DESIGN Retrospective case review. METHODS The charts for 353 DSAEK procedures performed at a single clinical practice at the New York Eye and Ear Infirmary from August 2006 to November 2010 were reviewed. Cases with at least 3 months follow-up were included. Outcome measures included rates of graft rejection, clinical findings, treatment outcomes, and risk factor analysis. RESULTS Thirty of 353 DSAEKs developed graft rejection (8.5%). Kaplan-Meier rate of rejection was 6.0% at 1 year (n = 175), 14.0% at 2 years (n = 79), and 22.0% at 3 years (n = 39). Rejection episodes occurred between 0.8 and 34 months. Clinical findings included anterior chamber cells, keratic precipitates, endothelial rejection line, and host-donor interface vascularization. Risk factors for development of graft rejection were cessation of postoperative steroid (hazard ratio 5.49, P < .0001) and black race (hazard ratio 2.71, P = .02). Recipient age, sex, surgical indication, glaucoma, postoperative steroid response, corneal neovascularization or peripheral anterior synechiae, graft size, prior keratoplasty in fellow eye, and concurrent or subsequent procedures were not associated with graft rejection. Twenty-two out of 30 rejection episodes (73.3%) resolved with steroid treatment. CONCLUSIONS Graft rejection is an important complication following DSAEK. In contrast to penetrating keratoplasty, rejection following DSAEK is almost exclusively endothelial. Among risk factors traditionally associated with graft rejection, cessation of topical steroids was most significant. Prompt recognition and treatment of DSAEK rejection can lead to favorable outcomes.

Failed descemet-stripping automated endothelial keratoplasty grafts: a clinicopathologic analysis.

PURPOSE To describe the clinicopathologic findings in failed Descemet-stripping automated endothelial keratoplasty (DSAEK) grafts. DESIGN Retrospective, interventional case series. METHODS SETTING New York Eye and Ear Infirmary. STUDY POPULATION Twenty-one patients with 22 failed DSAEK grafts treated between March 1, 2006 and February 1, 2008. INTERVENTION Repeat DSAEK or penetrating keratoplasty were performed in the eyes with failed grafts. All failed grafts were examined histopathologically. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Histopathologic parameters studied in failed DSAEK grafts included endothelial cell count, interface characteristics, retrocorneal membrane formation, inflammation, and immunoreactivity for herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) antigen. RESULTS DSAEK failure was strongly associated with postoperative lenticle dislocation. Graft failure was primary in 19 DSAEKs and secondary to rejection, eccentric trephination with epithelial ingrowth, or bacterial infection in the remaining 3. All failed grafts demonstrated endothelial hypocellularity and stromal edema. Additional findings included stromal inflammation (68%), interface fibrosis (50%), retrocorneal membrane (36%), unplanned retention of Descemet membrane (14%), immunoreactivity for HSV-1 (14%), paucicellular stroma (14%), and uneven trephination with epithelial ingrowth (5%). CONCLUSIONS Most DSAEK failures are secondary to endothelial cell loss. Other contributing factors include interface fibrosis, retrocorneal membrane formation, retained host Descemet membrane, uneven trephination, epithelial ingrowth, graft rejection, and infection.

Penetrating keratoplasty with pars plana glaucoma drainage devices.

Purpose: To study the outcome of penetrating keratoplasty (PK) in eyes undergoing simultaneous insertion or repositioning of a glaucoma drainage device (GDD) through the pars plana. Methods: The medical records of all patients who underwent PK and primary placement or repositioning of a GDD through the pars plana from April 1, 1997, through December 1, 2005, were reviewed. Intraocular pressure (IOP) control was defined as maintenance of IOP ≥5 and ≤21 mm Hg (without loss of light perception vision or needing further glaucoma surgery). Kaplan-Meier life table survival analysis was used to estimate the success of graft survival (clarity) and glaucoma control. Results: Eighty-three eyes of 80 patients (34 men and 46 women) were identified. Mean follow-up was 16 months (range, 6-96 months). PK and pars plana vitrectomy were performed with primary pars plana GDD insertion (57 eyes) or tube repositioning from the anterior chamber to pars plana (26 eyes). Grafts remained clear in 93% of eyes (76/83) at 6 months, 87% (56/66) at 1 year, and 59% (19/32) at 2 years. IOP was controlled in 87% (72/83) of eyes at 6 months, 95% (57/63) at 1 year, and 83% (20/24) at 2 years. Conclusions: PK with simultaneous pars plana GDD repositioning or placement showed comparable short- and long-term IOP control to that of previous studies with limbal-based GDD. The rate of corneal graft failure and the rate of immunologic rejection were comparable to or lower than those reported in other series with primary limbal-based GDD.

Effect of doxycycline hyclate on corneal epithelial wound healing in the rabbit alkali-burn model. Preliminary observations.

We examined the effects of doxycycline hyclate on epithelial healing in vivo in the rabbit alkali-burn model. Twelve 2–3-kg Dutch belted rabbits were divided into three groups and received standard bilateral alkali burns (1 N sodium hydroxide for 30 s in an 11-mm circular plastic well). In group 1, two rabbits (four eyes) served as untreated controls. In group 2, five rabbits (10 eyes) received doxycycline hyclate (1.5 mg/kg) orally daily for 14 days. In group 3, five rabbits (10 eyes) received doxycycline hyclate (5 mg/kg) orally daily for 14 days. The epithelial defects were drawn and photographed on alternate days, after fluorescein staining. At conclusion, extracts of the corneas were evaluated for collagenase activity. At 14 days, the mean percentage of epithelial defects results in groups 1–3 were 50.0, 50.7, and 7.1%, respectively. Using the Wilcoxon rank sum test (two tailed), the differences were found to be statistically significant (p=0.0015). Preliminary data indicated that oral doxycycline administration also decreased the collagenase activity in corneas obtained from these animals. Our preliminary findings indicated that systematically administered doxycycline hyclate, 5 mg/kg/day, promotes corneal reepithelialization in the rabbit alkali-burn model, a result, perhaps, of the drugs ability to inhibit excessive collagenase activity.

Recurrent bleb infections

AIM To report the patient characteristics, causative organisms, and clinical outcomes in patients with recurrent bleb related ocular infections. METHODS The medical records of all patients diagnosed with bleb related ocular infection at the New York Eye and Ear Infirmary over a 10 year period were reviewed. Recurrent bleb infection was defined as at least two episodes of bleb purulence with or without associated intraocular inflammation separated by a quiescent period of at least 3 months. RESULTS Recurrent bleb infections developed in 12 eyes of 12 patients (10 men, two women) a mean of 16.3 (SD 17.9) months (range 3–51 months) after the initial infection. Two patients developed a third episode 3 and 20 months, respectively, after the second infection, yielding a total of 14 recurrent infection episodes. Recurrent infection developed after trabeculectomy in 11 eyes (adjunctive 5-fluorouracil, nine eyes; mitomycin C, one eye; no antifibrosis agent, one eye) and following cataract extraction with inadvertent bleb formation in one eye. Four (36.4%) of the filtered eyes had undergone trabeculectomy at the inferior limbus. The mean follow up time from filtering surgery to the first bleb related infection was 28 months for the nine patients treated with 5-fluorouracil and 14 months for the single patient treated with mitomycin C. 11 (78.6%) cases had a documented bleb leak in the 4 week period before or at the time of recurrent infection. Topical, prophylactic antibiotics had been used in 7/14 (50%) cases. The same organism was cultured from the initial and recurrent infections in 2/14 (14.3%) cases. CONCLUSION Eyes that have been successfully treated for bleb related infection remain at risk for recurrent infection. No apparent correlation exists between organisms responsible for the initial and recurrent infections. The increased rate of recurrent bleb related infection in patients receiving adjunctive 5-fluorouracil compared to mitomycin C may have been related to the longer follow up of the 5-fluorouracil eyes.

COLLETOTRICHUM GRAMINICOLA : A NEW CORNEAL PATHOGEN

Purpose We report the first case of an ocular infection with the fungus Colletotrichum graminicola causing keratitis in a 27-year-old man. Methods Twenty-four months after a postoperative course complicated by recurrent fungal keratitis requiring two penetrating keratoplasties. two anterior chamber washouts, a conjunctival flap, and medical treatment with topical natamyein, intracameral amphotericin B, and oral fluconazole. Results The patient has shown no signs of fungal recurrence despite a failed corneal graft. Conclusions C. graminicola is a new corneal pathogen and should be included in the differential diagnosis of mycotic keratitis.