Necip Torun

Visual outcome and complications after posterior iris-claw aphakic intraocular lens implantation

PURPOSE: To evaluate the indications, visual outcomes, and complication rate after implantation of a posterior chamber iris‐claw aphakic intraocular lens (IOL). SETTING: Department of Ophthalmology, University Medicine Charité Berlin, Berlin, Germany. DESIGN: Retrospective case series. METHODS: Eyes without adequate capsule support had posterior chamber iris‐claw aphakic IOL implantation (Verisyse/Artisan) between 2005 and 2010. RESULTS: The study comprised 137 eyes (126 patients). The mean follow‐up was 5 months (range 1 to 48 months). The IOLs were inserted during primary lens surgery in 10 eyes (7.3%), during an IOL exchange procedure for dislocated posterior chamber IOLs in 95 eyes (69.4%), and as a secondary procedure in 32 aphakic eyes (23.3%). The final mean corrected distance visual acuity (CDVA) (0.38 ± 0.31 [SD] logMAR) was significantly better than preoperatively (0.65 ± 0.58 logMAR) (P < .05). In 128 eyes (93.4%), postoperative refractive errors were within ±2.00 diopters (D) of emmetropia. Complications included slight temporary pupil ovalization in 34 eyes (24.8%), cystoid macular edema in 12 eyes (8.7%), hyphema in 3 eyes (2.1%), early postoperative hypotony in 7 eyes (5.1%) and elevated intraocular pressure in 6 eyes (4.3%), chronic uveitis in 1 eye (0.7%), toxic anterior segment syndrome in 1 eye (0.7%), and endophthalmitis in 1 eye (0.7%). Iris‐claw IOL disenclavation occurred in 12 eyes (8.7%); all IOLs could be easily repositioned. CONCLUSION: The retropupillary iris‐claw IOL provided good visual outcomes with a favorable complication rate and can be used for a wide range of indications in eyes without adequate capsule support. Financial Disclosure: No author has a financial or proprietary interest in any material or method mentioned.

Retrospective contralateral study comparing Descemet membrane endothelial keratoplasty with Descemet stripping automated endothelial keratoplasty

PurposeIn this retrospective study, the visual outcomes and postoperative complications after Descemet stripping automated endothelial keratoplasty (DSAEK) and Descemet membrane endothelial keratoplasty (DMEK) in the fellow eye were compared. The patient’s satisfaction was evaluated.MethodsA retrospective analysis of 10 patients, who underwent DSAEK in one eye and DMEK surgery in their fellow eye, was performed. Intraoperative and postoperative complications were recorded. Visual and refractive outcomes were evaluated, including higher-order aberrations (HOA) and contrast thresholds. A subjective questionnaire was used to evaluate patient satisfaction.ResultsBest-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) was significantly better in DMEK when compared with DSAEK (0.16±0.10 vs 0.45±0.58 logMAR, P=0.043). Contrast threshold was significantly higher after DMEK than after DSAEK (0.49±0.23 vs 0.25±0.18, P=0.043). Post-keratoplasty astigmatism, mean spherical equivalent, and HOA did not differ. Nine out of ten patients preferred the DMEK procedure. Visual outcome (4.80±1.14 vs 4.50±1.58, P=0.257), surgery associated pain and burden (DMEK: 1.30±0.48 vs DSAEK: 1.30±0.48, P=1.0), estimated time for recovery and rehabilitation (27.6±54.0 vs 24.9±54.8 days, P=0.173), and mean patient satisfaction (5.40±0.84 vs 5.00±1.05, P=0.257) were evaluated equally.ConclusionPatient satisfaction reached high, equal values after DMEK and after DSAEK. Nevertheless, patients preferred DMEK, if given a choice. Reasons for the preference may include better uncorrected and BCVA, and especially a better contrast sensitivity.

Toxoplasma Serotype Is Associated With Development of Ocular Toxoplasmosis

BACKGROUND Worldwide, ocular toxoplasmosis (OT) is the principal cause of posterior uveitis, a severe, life-altering disease. A Toxoplasma gondii enzyme-linked immunoassay that detects strain-specific antibodies present in serum was used to correlate serotype with disease. METHODS Toxoplasma serotypes in consecutive serum samples from German uveitis patients with OT were compared with non-OT seropositive patients with noninfectious autoimmune posterior uveitis. OT patients were tested for association of parasite serotype with age, gender, location, clinical onset, size, visual acuity, or number of lesions (mean follow-up, 3.8 years) to determine association with recurrences. RESULTS A novel, nonreactive (NR) serotype was detected more frequently in serum samples of OT patients (50/114, 44%) than in non-OT patients (4/56, 7%) (odds ratio, 10.0; 95% confidence interval 3.4-40.8; P < .0001). Non-OT patients were predominantly infected with Type II strains (39/56; 70%), consistent with expected frequencies in Central Europe. Among OT patients, those with NR serotypes experienced more frequent recurrences (P = .037). Polymerase chain reaction detected parasite DNA in 8/60 OT aqueous humor specimens but failed to identify Type II strain alleles. CONCLUSIONS Toxoplasma NR and Type II serotypes predominate in German OT patients. The NR serotype is associated with OT recurrences, underscoring the value of screening for management of disease.

Serum cytokine receptor levels in noninfectious uveitis.

Purpose: Understanding of the role of cytokines in uveitis may provide new clues to its treatment. Therefore, the purpose of our study was to evaluate systemic cytokine receptor expression in patients with noninfectious uveitis. Method: Serum concentrations of soluble interleukin-2 receptor α (IL-2 s Rα) and soluble tumor necrosis factor receptor-1 (sTNF-R1) were measured in patients with intermediate uveitis (n = 26), posterior uveitis (n = 23) and healthy controls (n = 12) using ELISA. All patients were identified in a consecutive series of 996 uveitis patients who had been diagnosed between 1998 and 2002 and classified according to the recommendations of the International Uveitis Study Group. Inclusion criteria were idiopathic, active intraocular inflammation, uveitis as a primary process and no systemic anti-inflammatory treatment at the time of blood sampling. None of the patients had an underlying systemic disease. Results: Serum concentrations of IL-2 s Rα were significantly increased in patients with posterior (p < 0.005) and intermediate uveitis (p < 0.005) as compared to healthy controls. Similarly, concentrations of sTNF-R1 appeared to be increased in posterior (p < 0.005) and intermediate (p < 0.005) uveitis patients when compared to controls. Conclusions: Our results may suggest that patients with noninfectious uveitis express systemic cytokine receptors such as TNF-R1 and IL-2 Rα, which may have an important role in the immune response of the eye and may lead to new immunomodulatory approaches.

Clinicopathology of graft detachment after Descemet's membrane endothelial keratoplasty

To investigate pathomechanisms involved in graft detachment after Descemets membrane endothelial keratoplasty (DMEK) and its clinical implications.

Superior Versus Temporal Approach in Descemet Membrane Endothelial Keratoplasty

PURPOSE To compare superior vs temporal approach in patients who underwent Descemet membrane endothelial keratoplasty (DMEK). DESIGN Monocentric, prospective nonmasked study. METHODS A prospective analysis of 53 DMEKs between January and September 2013 was performed at the Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin. Only DMEK cases with an incision size of 2.3 mm and with at least 1 month of follow-up were included. The surgically induced astigmatism (SIA), changes in corneal aberrations and in spherical equivalent, visual acuity, endothelial cell density, and complications were evaluated. RESULTS Visual acuity improved significantly (0.70 ± 0.39 logMAR vs 0.32 ± 0.31 logMAR after 1 month (n = 48), 0.19 ± 0.15 logMAR after 3 months (n = 46), and 0.16 ± 0.17 logMAR after 6 months (n = 47) (P < .001)) regardless of the approach. SIA was significantly lower after temporal than after superior approach (1.42 ± 0.91 diopters [D] [n = 13] vs 0.81 ± 0.68 D [n = 13], P = .038). Change in total root mean square of all aberrations (RMS) (P = .046) at 6 mm pupil diameter, and change in total RMS (P = .019), third-order aberrations (P = .007), and fourth-order aberrations (P = .041) at 4 mm pupil diameter, demonstrated significantly lower results after temporal compared to superior approach. A higher rate of eyes after temporal approach underwent at least 1 rebubbling (39.1% vs 26.7%, P = .252). The endothelial cell density (P = .053) and the change in spherical equivalent (P = .145) did not differ significantly. CONCLUSIONS The temporal approach induces significantly less SIA and corneal aberration. There are no significant differences between superior and temporal approach according to the change in spherical equivalent, visual acuity, and endothelial cell density. The need for rebubbling is higher using the temporal approach.

Fellow Eye Comparison of Descemet Membrane Endothelial Keratoplasty and Penetrating Keratoplasty.

Purpose: To compare the visual outcomes and postoperative complications in patients undergoing penetrating keratoplasty (PKP) in 1 eye followed by Descemet membrane endothelial keratoplasty (DMEK) in their fellow eye. Methods: A retrospective analysis of 11 patients, who underwent a PKP procedure first in 1 eye and then a DMEK surgery in their fellow eye, was performed. Intraoperative and postoperative complications were recorded. Visual and refractive outcomes were also evaluated, including higher-order aberrations (HOAs) and contrast thresholds. A subjective questionnaire was used to evaluate patient satisfaction. Results: Both uncorrected and best-corrected visual acuities were significantly better in the case of DMEK when compared with that in the case of PKP (0.82 vs. 0.37 logMAR, P = 0.005; 0.61 vs. 0.21 logMAR, P = 0.011, respectively). Postkeratoplasty astigmatism, mean spherical equivalent, and HOAs were also significantly lower in eyes after undergoing DMEK than after undergoing PKP (3.90 vs. 0.89 diopters, P = 0.005; −3.90 vs. −0.68 diopters, P = 0.005; 6.81 vs. 1.71 µm, P = 0.043, respectively). Visual outcome and patient satisfaction were significantly better in those who underwent DMEK (2.91 vs. 4.45, P = 0.011; 3.27 vs. 5.64, P = 0.016, respectively). The estimated time for recovery and rehabilitation was significantly shorter after DMEK (64.0 vs. 9.3 days, P = 0.012). Contrast threshold was better after the DMEK. Ten of 11 patients preferred DMEK procedure. Conclusions: The Patients preferred DMEK to PKP. The reasons for better patient satisfaction after DMEK included better uncorrected visual acuity, better best-corrected visual acuity, avoidance of surgery-induced astigmatism, and lower HOA.

Posterior iris-claw aphakic intraocular lens implantation and Descemet membrane endothelial keratoplasty

Purpose To evaluate clinical outcomes and complications after Descemet membrane endothelial keratoplasty (DMEK) and posterior iris-claw aphakic intraocular lens (IOL) implantation. Methods This prospective cohort study comprised seven consecutive eyes (seven patients) without adequate capsular support and bullous keratopathy undergoing posterior iris-claw aphakic IOL implantation and DMEK. Corneal transparency, central corneal thickness, endothelial cell density, visual outcomes and complication rates were measured during the follow-up. Results The iris-claw IOLs were inserted during an IOL exchange in three eyes, and as a secondary IOL implantation in one aphakic eye during DMEK procedure. Three eyes had IOL exchange prior to secondary DMEK. Mean follow-up was 7 months (range 3–14 months). The final best spectacle-corrected visual acuity improved significantly (0.33±0.31 logMAR) compared with the preoperative best spectacle-corrected visual acuity (1.84±0.90 logMAR). The mean endothelial cell loss was 24.8% over the follow-up. Complications included graft dislocation in four eyes; which could be easily reattached with a rebubbling procedure. No graft failures, no cases of pupillary block glaucoma and no IOL dislocations were encountered. Conclusions DMEK and retropupillar iris-claw IOL implantation provide good visual outcomes with a fast visual recovery and appear to be a feasible method for the management of bullous keratopathy but with higher graft detachment rates. Trial registration number NCT02020044.

A new toric diffractive multifocal lens for refractive surgery

BACKGROUND Up to now only a combination of lens and corneal surgery in the sense of bioptics could be used in refractive surgery for correcting high myopia, hyperopia or presbyopia in combination with astigmatisms. Since the summer of 2007 the first model of a toric diffractive bifocal intraocular lens is available for correcting combined refractive errors. The first results on 10 eyes from 6 patients are presented in this article. METHOD Refractive lens exchange with implantation of a toric diffractive multifocal lens (Acri.LISA toric, Zeiss/(*)Acritec) was performed on 10 eyes from 6 patients (age 25-57 years old). Preoperatively best corrected visual acuity varied between 0.5 and 1.0 in patients with astigmatisms between 1.5 and 5.75 dpt in combination with hyperopia (one patient) or myopia. RESULTS Postoperatively uncorrected visual acuity varied between 0.5 and 1.25 and best corrected visual acuity between 0.8 and 1.25. Postoperative refraction as spherical equivalent was 0 to +1.0 dpt with postoperative astigmatisms between 0 and 1.0 dpt. Rotational stability was found in all eyes, early postoperatively and also after 1 year. Patient satisfaction was very high. CONCLUSIONS The new toric multifocal lens is a new option in refractive surgery. The first results are very promising but further results and a comparison to the bioptics procedure have to be awaited.

Trends in corneal transplantation from 2001 to 2016 in Germany: A report of the DOG-Section Cornea and its Keratoplasty Registry

PURPOSE The purpose of this retrospective panel study was to provide an overview of absolute numbers and of trends in the types of and indications for corneal transplantation in Germany from 2001 to 2016. METHODS A questionnaire about absolute numbers, types of transplantation, and indications was sent to 111 ophthalmologic departments in Germany, out of which 94 (85%) provided their data. RESULTS Since the year 2001, the number of corneal transplantations has increased by 1.5-fold, from 4730 penetrating keratoplasties (PKPs) in 2001 to 7325 penetrating and lamellar keratoplasties in 2016. The shift from penetrating to lamellar procedures began in 2006. In 2014, lamellar procedures (231 [4%] anterior and 2883 [49%] posterior lamellar keratoplasties) surpassed PKPs (2721, 47%) for the first time. Main indications for keratoplasty in Germany (2016) are Fuchs endothelial corneal dystrophy (46%), pseudophakic corneal decompensation (bullous keratopathy, 13%), repeated keratoplasty after graft failure (11%), keratoconus (8%), and corneal scarring (6%; others: 16%). The number of Descemet membrane endothelial keratoplasties (DMEKs) was 12 times higher (3850, 53%) than Descemet stripping automated endothelial keratoplasties (DSAEKs, 319, 4.4%) in 2016. The proportion of deep anterior lamellar keratoplasties (DALKs) never exceeded 6% (269 in 2011). CONCLUSIONS The number of keratoplasties in Germany has increased from 2001 to 2016. Since 2014, posterior lamellar keratoplasties have surpassed PKPs. There was a constant increase of DMEKs, with a 12-fold higher number compared to DSAEKs in 2016. The shorter recovery time after DMEK seems to contribute to the trend toward earlier operative intervention in corneal endothelial diseases.