nan Wagoner

Diabetes mellitus increases risk of unsuccessful graft preparation in Descemet membrane endothelial keratoplasty: a multicenter study.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to evaluate preparation outcomes of tissue prepared for Descemet membrane endothelial keratoplasty (DMEK) from diabetic and nondiabetic donors. Methods: In this nonrandomized, consecutive case series, DMEK grafts were prepared from diabetic and nondiabetic donors by experienced technicians in 2 eye banks using slightly different, modified submerged manual preparation techniques to achieve “prestripped” graft tissue. Graft preparation results were analyzed retrospectively. The main outcome measure was the rate of unsuccessful (failed) DMEK graft preparations, defined as tears through the graft area that prevent tissue use. Results: A total of 359 corneas prepared from 290 donors (114 diabetic and 245 nondiabetic) were included in the statistical analysis of graft preparation failure. There were no significant differences between diabetic and nondiabetic donor tissue characteristics with respect to donor age, death to preservation time, death to preparation time, endothelial cell density, percent hexagonality, or coefficient of variation. DMEK tissue preparation was unsuccessful in 19 (5.3%) cases. There was a significant difference in the site-adjusted rate of DMEK preparation failure between diabetic [15.3%; 95% confidence interval (CI), 9.0–25.0] and nondiabetic donors (1.9%; 95% CI, 0.8–4.8), and the corresponding site-adjusted odds ratio of DMEK graft preparation failure in diabetic donor tissue versus nondiabetic donor tissue was 9.20 (95% CI, 2.89–29.32; P = 0.001). Conclusions: Diabetes may be a risk factor for unsuccessful preparation of donor tissue for DMEK. We recommend caution in the use of diabetic tissue for DMEK graft preparation. Further study is needed to identify what subset of diabetic donors is at risk for unsuccessful DMEK graft preparation.

Treatment of aniridia with Boston type I keratoprosthesis.

Purpose: To report the outcomes of Boston keratoprosthesis (K-pro) type I implantation for congenital aniridia. Methods: A retrospective review of the medical records of every patient with congenital aniridia who underwent Boston K-pro type I implantation at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics from January 1, 2009, through December 31, 2011 was performed. The main outcome measures were visual acuity, graft retention, and postoperative complications. Results: A total of 7 eyes (7 patients) met the inclusion criteria. The mean patient age was 52 years (range, 12–85 years). The preoperative visual acuity was 20/1600 in 6 eyes (85.7%) and hand motions in 1 eye (14.3%). After a median follow-up period of 18 months (range, 3–30 months), the median final best spectacle-corrected visual acuity was 20/200 (range, 20/100 to light perception). This included 2 eyes (28.6%) that were 20/100 and 5 eyes (71.4%) that were better than 20/300. Compared with the preoperative best spectacle-corrected visual acuity, the final vision was improved in 6 eyes (85.7%) and worse in 1 eye (14.3%). The K-pro graft was retained in all 7 eyes (100%). The most common complication was the formation of a retroprosthetic membrane in 3 eyes (42.9%), none of which required either a YAG capsulotomy or a vitrectomy. One eye (14.3%) developed a wound dehiscence that required surgical repair. Conclusions: The Boston K-pro type I is a good option for the visual rehabilitation of eyes with congenital aniridia.

Phakic descemet stripping automated endothelial keratoplasty: prevalence and prognostic impact of postoperative cataracts.

Purpose: To determine the prevalence and risk factors for the development of visually significant cataracts after phakic Descemet stripping automated endothelial keratoplasty (DSAEK) and the impact of this complication on the final outcome. Methods: A retrospective case review was conducted of 12 consecutive eyes with corneal decompensation secondary to Fuchs endothelial dystrophy that had been treated with DSAEK without concomitant removal of the crystalline lens from January 1, 2005 to July 1, 2007 at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics. Eyes in which a minimum follow-up period of 12 months was available were included in the statistical analysis. Results: Of the 10 eyes that met the inclusion criteria, visually significant cataracts occurred in 4 eyes (40%) in the first postoperative year and required surgical intervention. A significant difference in the mean anterior chamber depth was detected between eyes that developed cataracts and those that did not (P = 0.005). In 3 eyes, cataract development was associated with a preoperative anterior chamber depth of less than 2.80 mm. All 3 of these eyes developed pupillary block with markedly elevated intraocular pressure during the first 24 postoperative hours. After 24 months, the 6 eyes that did not develop cataracts had a mean best spectacle-corrected visual acuity of 20/24. Among the 4 eyes that required cataract surgery, the mean best spectacle-corrected visual acuity was 20/35. One eye had developed endothelial graft failure and required repeat DSAEK. Conclusions: The development of cataracts is common after phakic DSAEK and may be associated with considerable ocular morbidity.

Boston type 1 keratoprosthesis for chemical and thermal injury.

Purpose: To evaluate the outcome of the Boston type 1 keratoprosthesis (Kpro-1) in eyes with failed interventions for chemical and thermal injury. Methods: A retrospective review was performed of every eye with chemical or thermal injury that was treated with a Kpro-1 at a tertiary eye care center between January 1, 2008 and July 1, 2013. The main outcome measures were visual outcome, prosthesis retention, and postoperative complications. Results: Nine eyes met the inclusion criteria, including 7 eyes with alkali burns, 1 eye with an acid burn, and 1 eye with a thermal burn. After a mean follow-up of 40.7 months (range, 29–60 months), the median best-corrected visual acuity was 20/60 (range, 20/15 to no light perception). One eye was ≥20/20, 3 eyes were ≥20/40, and 6 eyes were ≥20/70. The initial Kpro-1 prosthesis was retained in 7 (77.7%) eyes and successfully replaced in the other 2 eyes. One or more serious complications occurred in 6 (66.7%) eyes. These included 2 cases of sterile corneal ulceration with prosthesis extrusion, 2 cases of microbial keratitis (1 bacterial and 1 fungal), 2 cases of bacterial endophthalmitis, and 2 cases of retinal detachments. These complications contributed to visual outcomes of hand motions in 2 eyes and no light perception in 1 eye. Conclusions: The Boston Kpro-1 is associated with highly satisfactory visual outcomes and prosthesis retention in most cases of severe chemical or thermal injury. Serious complications are common and may compromise the final outcome.

Outcomes of treatment of fungal keratitis at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics: a 10-year retrospective analysis.

Purpose: To evaluate the outcomes of medical and surgical management of fungal keratitis at a tertiary care eye center. Methods: A retrospective review was performed of the medical records of all patients with a diagnosis of microbiologically or histopathologically confirmed fungal keratitis at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics from July 1, 2001, through June 30, 2011. The main outcome measure was a microbiological cure with either medical therapy alone or medical therapy combined with therapeutic keratoplasty (TKP). The secondary outcome measures were graft survival of the TKPs and subsequent optical keratoplasties (OKPs) and visual outcome. Results: Seventy-three eyes met the inclusion criteria. A microbiological cure was achieved in 72 eyes (98.6%). Forty-one eyes (56.2%) were treated with medical therapy alone, and 32 (43.8%) eyes required 1 TKP (29 eyes) or 2 TKPs (3 eyes). Among the 32 eyes treated with TKP, 17 (53.1%) maintained a clear graft. Among 15 eyes with failed grafts, 12 eyes ultimately achieved clear grafts after a total of 19 OKP procedures. Among 41 eyes treated with medical therapy alone, all 3 eyes treated with OKP remained clear. The final median best-corrected visual acuity was 20/30 in the medical therapy group and 20/40 in the TKP group. Conclusions: A high microbiological cure rate can be achieved in eyes with fungal keratitis; however, TKP is often needed to achieve this objective. A good final visual outcome can be achieved in most cases, but multiple keratoplasty procedures may be required.

Graft survival versus glaucoma treatment after penetrating or Descemet stripping automated endothelial keratoplasty.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to assess and compare the association of glaucoma therapy with graft survival after performing penetrating keratoplasty (PKP) and Descemet stripping automated endothelial keratoplasty (DSAEK). Methods: A retrospective chart review was performed of cases: primary PKP from January 1, 2003, to December 31, 2005, or primary DSAEK from January 1, 2006, to December 31, 2008. Eyes with a surgical indication of pseudophakic corneal edema were included in the statistical analysis. Eyes were stratified by glaucoma treatment into those with (1) no glaucoma treatment, (2) medical therapy only, or (3) surgical intervention. The main outcome measure was graft survival. Results: Fifty-seven PKP-operated and 156 DSAEK-operated eyes met the inclusion criteria. After PKP and DSAEK, respectively, the 5-year Kaplan–Meier graft survival was 94.7% and 93.8% in eyes with no glaucoma treatment (P > 0.99), 93.8% and 96.3% in eyes with medical therapy only (P > 0.99), and 56.8% and 50% in eyes with surgical intervention (P > 0.99). After both procedures were performed, graft survival was significantly worse in eyes with surgical intervention compared with that in eyes with no glaucoma treatment (P < 0.0001) or in eyes with medical therapy alone (P < 0.0001). Conclusions: PKP and DSAEK have comparable graft survival in eyes without glaucoma management and in those with comparable glaucoma management.

Graft survival of diabetic versus nondiabetic donor tissue after initial keratoplasty.

Purpose: To compare corneal graft survival using tissue from diabetic and nondiabetic donors in patients undergoing initial Descemet stripping automated endothelial keratoplasty (DSAEK) or penetrating keratoplasty (PKP). Methods: A retrospective chart review of pseudophakic eyes that underwent DSAEK or PKP was performed. The primary outcome measure was graft failure. Cox proportional hazard regression and Kaplan–Meier survival analyses were used to compare diabetic versus nondiabetic donor tissue for all keratoplasty cases. Results: A total of 183 eyes (136 DSAEK, 47 PKP) were included in the statistical analysis. Among 24 procedures performed using diabetic donor tissue, there were 4 cases (16.7%) of graft failure (3 DSAEK, 1 PKP), and among 159 procedures performed using nondiabetic donor tissue, there were 18 cases (11.3%) of graft failure (12 DSAEK, 6 PKP). Cox proportional hazard ratio of graft failure for all cases comparing diabetic with nondiabetic donor tissue was 1.69, but this difference was not statistically significant (95% confidence interval, 0.56–5.06; P = 0.348). There were no significant differences in Kaplan–Meier curves comparing diabetic with nondiabetic donor tissue for all cases (P = 0.380). Statistical analysis of graft failure by donor diabetes status within each procedure type was not possible because of the small number of graft failure events involving diabetic tissue. Conclusions: We found similar rates of graft failure in all keratoplasty cases when comparing tissue from diabetic and nondiabetic donors, but further investigation is needed to determine whether diabetic donor tissue results in different graft failure rates after DSAEK compared with PKP.

Comparison of bifold forceps and cartridge injector suture pull-through insertion techniques for Descemet stripping automated endothelial keratoplasty.

Purpose: To compare the outcome of bifold forceps and cartridge injector suture pull-through insertion techniques for Descemet stripping automated endothelial keratoplasty (DSAEK). Methods: A retrospective review was conducted of the medical records of all patients treated with DSAEK at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics from January 1, 2005 to July 1, 2007. The main outcome measures (endothelial cell loss, graft survival, and visual acuity) were evaluated postoperatively at 1, 3, 6, 12, and 24 months. Results: Of 179 DSAEK procedures carried out during the study period, the bifold forceps insertion technique was used in 143 cases and the cartridge injector suture pull-through insertion technique was performed in 36 cases. The mean follow-up was 17.4 ± 9.5 months and 19.1 ± 11.0 months for the 2 groups, respectively. No significant differences were detected in postoperative complications, endothelial cell loss, visual acuity, or graft survival between the 2 groups. At 12 months postoperatively, the forceps and pull-through insertion groups had a mean endothelial cell loss of 42.5% ± 23.0% and 51.4% ± 26.1%, respectively. After 1 postoperative year, the mean logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution vision values were 0.171 ± 0.015 (Snellen equivalent = 20/30) in the forceps group and 0.253 ± 0.039 (Snellen equivalent = 20/36) in the pull-through group. At the most recent examination, 136 (95.1%) forceps insertion and 35 (97.2%) pull-through insertion grafts were clear. Conclusions: Bifold forceps and suture pull-through insertion techniques are associated with similar surgical outcomes after DSAEK.

Bilateral herpes simplex keratitis with unilateral secondary bacterial keratitis and corneal perforation in a patient with pityriasis rubra pilaris.

Purpose: To report a case of bilateral herpes simplex keratitis with unilateral secondary bacterial keratitis resulting in corneal perforation in a patient with pityriasis rubra pilaris. Methods: Case report. Results: A 77-year-old female with pityriasis rubra pilaris was referred for a perforated corneal ulcer of the left eye. Cultures were positive in both eyes for Herpes simplex and in the left eye for Pseudomonas fluorescens and Staphylococcus aureus A microbiological cure was obtained with a combination of tectonic keratoplasty, fortified topical antibiotics, and systemic acyclovir. Conclusions: Pityriasis rubra pilaris is a rare, inflammatory dermatologic disease that may predispose patients to bilateral Herpes simplex keratitis, secondary bacterial superinfection, and a tendency toward rapid stromal ulceration with risk of perforation.

Boston Type 1 Keratoprosthesis: Visual Outcomes, Device Retention, and Complications.

Purpose: To determine the visual outcomes, device retention, and complications after Boston type 1 keratoprosthesis (KPro-1) device implantation. Methods: Comprehensive review of every case of KPro-1 implantation at a tertiary eye care center. Results: The initial KPro-1 procedure, performed in 75 eyes without a previous keratoprosthesis, was included in the analysis. During the first 6 postoperative months, improvement occurred in the mean preoperative best-corrected visual acuity of 20/1265 to a mean best-obtained postoperative visual acuity of 20/97 (P < 0.001). After a mean follow-up period of 41.4 months (range, 0.8–82.8 months), the final mean best-corrected visual acuity was 20/428. Improved vision was recorded in 43 eyes (57.3%), ambulatory vision (≥20/400) in 47 eyes (62.7%), intermediate functional vision (≥20/80) in 23 eyes (30.7%), and full functional vision (≥20/40) in 11 eyes (14.7%). The initial device was retained in 64 eyes (85.3%), with a Kaplan–Meier retention probability of 96% at 6 months and 82% at 5 years. One or more sight-threatening complications occurred in 51 eyes (68%). These included device extrusion in 11 eyes (14.7%), ulcerative keratitis in 12 eyes (16%), endophthalmitis in 7 eyes (9.3%), sterile vitritis in 3 eyes (4%), retroprosthetic membranes in 25 eyes (33.3%), maculopathy in 26 eyes (34.7%), retinal detachment in 9 eyes (12%), and progressive optic neuropathy in 7 eyes (9.3%). Conclusions: Boston KPro-1 implantation is associated with satisfactory visual outcomes and excellent device retention in a majority of cases. However, serious postoperative complications are common and may compromise the final visual result.