Manu Mathew

Alcohol delamination of the corneal epithelium for recalcitrant recurrent corneal erosion syndrome: a prospective study of efficacy and safety

Aim: To investigate the safety and efficacy of alcohol delamination of the corneal epithelium for recalcitrant recurrent corneal erosion syndrome (RCE) in a prospective non-comparative interventional case series. Methods: Patients with RCE who remained symptomatic despite topical lubrication and 3-month use of an extended wear (bandage) contact lens were included. The intensity of pain on a scale of 1 to 10, and duration and frequency of attacks were recorded. Patients were treated with alcohol delamination and followed up at 1 week, 1 month and then at 12 months, which was the minimum follow up time. Success was defined as a resolution of symptoms after 1 month of treatment, and partial success as a significant reduction in symptoms manageable with topical lubricants, and failure where symptoms were unchanged or worsened. Results: 20 eyes of 20 patients with RCE caused by trauma (n = 14), anterior basement membrane dystrophy (n = 5) or idiopathic (1) were studied. The mean age of patients was 44 years and mean follow-up 24 months. Two eyes were lost to follow-up. 15 (83%) eyes were qualified as successes, 3 as partial successes and no failures were seen. No intraoperative complications were observed. 1 patient developed transient subepithelial haze that resolved with topical steroid, 1 had a change in refraction and 1 developed herpetic stromal keratitis 2 months postoperatively, which was successfully treated. No loss of vision was observed in any of the patients. Conclusion: Alcohol delamination of the corneal epithelium is a safe and effective method for treating patients with recalcitrant RCE.

Multidetector Computed Tomographic Angiography in Isolated Third Nerve Palsy

OBJECTIVE To evaluate whether multidetector computed tomographic angiography (CTA) scanners can detect a clinically significant intracranial aneurysm in the circle of Willis causing an isolated third nerve palsy (ITNP). DESIGN Retrospective cross-sectional study. PARTICIPANTS One hundred thirty-seven patients who presented with an ITNP were examined by multidetector CTA scanners. METHODS All patients whose symptoms were caused by a compressive cerebral aneurysm were identified. The remaining patients were observed clinically to exclude the possibility of a missed cerebral aneurysm causing the ITNP. No patient underwent diagnostic conventional cerebral angiography (CCA), but all patients who underwent treatment underwent CCA at the time of the treatment. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Accurate identification of a cerebral aneurysm that may cause an ITNP. RESULTS A cerebral aneurysm causing an ITNP was detected in 27 patients (19.7%). The smallest maximal diameter of a clinically significant aneurysm was 5.7 mm. Of the 27 patients, 25 underwent endovascular coiling at which time CCA confirmed the aneurysm. In no case was another lesion found by CCA. Of the patients without an aneurysm, 81 of 110 (74%) made a complete spontaneous recovery. In no patient was there clinical evidence to suggest that a compressive cerebral aneurysm had been missed on CTA. CONCLUSIONS Multidetector CTA is a safe and effective diagnostic imaging tool in detecting clinically significant aneurysms when a patient presents with an acute ITNP. We no longer perform CCA to detect a causative aneurysm or determine the type of treatment offered in these patients.

Increased expression of hepcidin and toll-like receptors 8 and 10 in viral keratitis.

Purpose: Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) and toll-like receptors (TLRs) form part of the “chemical barrier” of the ocular surface to microbes. Evidence suggests that pathogen recognition by TLR releases AMPs, altering AMP-TLR profiles in pathological states. This study investigated ocular surface expression of AMP-TLRs in health and disease. Methods: Complementary DNA from conjunctival and corneal impression cytology samples was used for semiquantitative and quantitative polymerase chain reactions, to determine gene expression of 6 AMPs and TLRs-1-10, in healthy subjects and patients with bacterial (n = 6), viral (n = 6), Acanthamoeba (n = 3), or dry eye (n = 7) diseases. Results: Semiquantitative polymerase chain reaction showed variable AMP expression within groups and some expression patterns between groups, increased levels of LEAP (liver-expressed antimicrobial peptide)-1/hepcidin in viral disease, LEAP-2 in dry eye, and human beta defensin 3 in bacterial disease. There was no significant variability in TLR expression. Quantitative polymerase chain reaction showed significantly higher expression of LEAP-1 (P = 0.002) and TLR-8 (P = 0.023) and TLR-10 (P = 0.014) in viral keratitis and LEAP-2 (P = 0.034) in dry eye, versus controls. Conclusions: Increased expression of LEAP-1 and TLRs 8 and 10 in viral keratitis is novel; TLR-10 has not previously had a documented ligand. LEAP-2 may have a role in dry eye. Further studies will help to improve the understanding of these diseases and yield novel therapeutic interventions.

Diffuse Keratoconjunctival Proliferation: A Novel Clinical Manifestation

OBJECTIVE To report a previously unrecognized benign bilateral widespread conjunctival and corneal proliferative condition with a potential to affect vision. METHODS A gradually progressive diffuse conjunctival proliferation extending on the cornea was noted in 14 patients (28 eyes). These patients were followed up for a mean of 6 years for the site, extent, and progression of the condition. Six eyes had these lesions removed and studied histopathologically. RESULTS Patients included 6 men and 8 women (mean age, 57 years). Two patients had bilateral nasal lesions only, 1 patient had bilateral temporal lesions only, 6 patients had both nasal and temporal lesions, and 5 patients had lesions that extended circumferentially. Pathology reports showed dense collagenous tissue, a moderate number of active fibroblasts, numerous blood vessels, and no elastotic degeneration in 3 of the 6 eyes. Two eyes showed mild subepithelial elastotic degeneration, and 1 lesion was difficult to interpret because of excessive intraconjunctival hemorrhage. None showed any inflammatory activity. CONCLUSIONS The lesions appear to be a clinical variant of classic pterygium with the corneal encroachment being wider, irregular, and more extensive. Histologically, a noninflammatory nonelastotic collagenous accumulation appears to be a predominant feature unlike in classic pterygium where elastotic degeneration is the predominant feature.

Multidetector Computed Tomographic Angiography in Horner Syndrome

A 62-year-old man presented with Horner syndrome secondary to an internal carotid artery dissecting aneurysm detected by multi-detector computed tomographic angiography (MDCTA). Follow-up imaging failed to demonstrate any significant reduction in the size of the aneurysm despite resolution of clinical signs, suggesting that localized inflammation may play an important aetiological role. The size of aneurysm required to cause Horner syndrome has not been fully elucidated, but is important as it determines the likelihood of detection. We report a case in which MDCTA successfully visualized a small, clinically significant dissecting aneurysm causing Horner syndrome.

Rings around Cones

A 65-year-old Caucasian male was referred for suspected keratoconus with Fleischer ring in both eyes. He had worn hard contact lenses since 1975 and recently changed to rigid gas permeable lens due to intolerance towards hard lens. His family history revealed that his son was diagnosed as having keratoconus. His best contact lens corrected visual acuity was 6/9 and 6/6 in the right and left eye, respectively. Slit-lamp examination revealed paracentral thinning, Vogt striae …