Penetrating keratoplasty in children under 3 years old with congenital corneal opacities

AIM: To evaluate the graft rejection and visual outcomes after penetrating keratoplasty (PK) in the presence of various congenital corneal opacities in children. METHODS: In this retrospective cohort study, children who underwent PK were then followed for 5y. The patient's medical records were collected from June 2014 until June 2019 and analyzed in December 2019. All patients were children under three years old with congenital corneal opacities with or without microcornea who came to a pediatric ophthalmologist and underwent PK in Jakarta Eye Center (JEC). Beforehand, all children have participated in a thorough evaluation for PK. In the case of severe microcornea was not advised to undergo surgery. The visual outcomes and graft survival rate were described in percentages. The graft survival plot was presented with Kaplan-Meier, while the visual acuity was analyzed using the Wilcoxon signed ranks test. RESULTS: Sixteen eyes from eleven patients (seven girls and four boys) underwent PK. The graft survival rate of the first 6, 12, and 18 mo later of keratoplasty was 100%, 83.3%, and 66.7%, respectively. The overall mean survival time is 22mo (standard error 2.419), and no significant difference between the patients underwent PK before and after 36mo of their age (P=0.52). The graft failure was 50%, and post-surgery complications included cataract 43.7%, band keratopathy 12.5%, and scleromalasia 6.25%. Wilcoxon test analysis of visual acuity post keratoplasty was not statistically significant (P=0.34), while overall showed 44% improvements of visual outcome for 5y of follow-up. With a good survival at one year up to 22mo (83.3%), the visual acuity could be achieved (63%), and showed improvements (44%) during follow-up. CONCLUSION: The complications are frequent for pediatric PK. Thus, corneal surgery on infants requires careful case selection, adequate pre-operative evaluation, skilled surgery (optical correction), very close cooperation family–physician, intensive post-operation care, and amblyopia management in the future.

Visual outcomes in pediatric traumatic cataract

To study epidemiology, biometry and visual outcomes (with or without posterior capsulorhexis) in cases of pediatric traumatic cataract. This was a prospective observational study conducted on 30 children of traumatic cataract belonging to an age group of less than 16 years. All patients were subjected to detailed history and ocular examination. Patients underwent cataract surgery with or without intraocular lens (IOL) implantation. Posterior capsulorhexis with posterior optic capture was done in all patients presenting with primary posterior capsular opacity. All patients were followed up till 6 months and surgical outcomes in terms of Best Corrected Visual Acuity (BCVA), and visual axis opacification (VAO) were observed. Firecracker injury was found to be the most common causal agent, followed by arrow and ball injuries. Males were more commonly injured than females (70%:30%). Open-globe injury was more frequent than closed globe injury (CGI) (53.3%:46.7%). Anterior capsular rupture was the most frequent preoperative complication. Mean axial length was 22.53 which was not significantly different from the fellow eye. 3 patients were left aphakic, 10 patients underwent single piece IOL implantation and 16 patients underwent multipiece IOL implantation. Anterior chamber IOL (ACIOL) was implanted in one case. Intraoperatively 6 patients were found to have posterior capsular plaque and were implanted with multipiece IOL with posterior optic capture. Visual acuity significantly improved in 21 out of 30 eyes from baseline after cataract surgery (p<0.001). 9 patients (30%) had posterior capsular opacification (PCO) on follow up. Posterior capsular opacity in pediatric traumatic cataracts can be effectively managed with posterior capsulorhexis and posterior optic capture.

Optical Coherence Tomographic Features and Prognostic Values of Macular Edema in Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada Disease

Purpose: To determine optical coherence tomographic (OCT) features of macular edema (ME) and identify potential prognostic values for ME and visual outcomes in Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada disease (VKH).Methods: In the retrospective case series, a total of 1,377 VKH patients who were seen in a tertiary uveitis center between September 2011 and January 2018 were reviewed on their demographics, visual acuity, ocular and extraocular manifestations, modes of treatment, and OCT examinations. Of these patients, 79 (5.7%) having ME were included for analysis of OCT features. Four patients were missed without ME resolution, and the remaining 75 patients who either had ME resolved or were followed up for 2 years were included for analysis of disease outcomes.Results: Of the 115 affected eyes in these 79 patients, 100 (87.0%) had cystoid ME (CME), accounting for the most common OCT feature of VKH-related ME. Disruption of the inner-segment/outer-segment junction (IS/OS) band seen in 33 (28.7%) affected eyes of 24 (30.4%) patients was found as a risk factor for the development of persistent ME [10 of 62 (16.1%) vs. 13 of 13 (100%); P < 0.001] and a poor visual outcome (1.16 ± 0.42 vs. 1.17 ± 0.46 in logMAR unit; P = 0.89). CME patients with a concurrent choroidal neovascular membrane often had a disrupted IS/OS band, thus becoming refractory cases. A 6-month well-controlled intraocular inflammation following standard treatment regimens was found to associate with complete resolution of the refractory edema [4 of 5 (80%) vs. 2 of 13 (15%); P = 0.02].Conclusions: Intraretinal cystoid changes are most commonly seen in the edematous macula of VKH patients. Disruption of the IS/OS band is a useful risk sign for poor ME and visual outcomes in VKH-related ME, and a long-term well-controlled intraocular inflammation may be critical for the resolution of refractory cases.

Effect of preoperative keratometry on visual outcomes after small-incision lenticule extraction for myopia

Purpose To investigate the relationship between preoperative keratometry (K) and postoperative refraction and compare the visual outcomes after small-incision lenticule extraction (SMILE) between preoperative flat and steep corneas. Methods This study involved 814 consecutive eyes of 409 patients who underwent SMILE. A month later, a linear regression analysis of the relationship between preoperative K and the residual spherical equivalent (SE) along with eyes divided by a single standard deviation between flat and steep corneas (< 41.85 D, > 44.57 D, respectively) was conducted. Eyes were distinguished based on the degree of myopia. Results One month after surgery, no significant correlation existed between mean preoperative K and residual SE (P = 0.459). Linear regression analysis showed a weak negative correlation between flat corneas (r2 = 0.042, P = 0.025) rather than steep corneas (P = 0.908). Eyes with preoperative low myopia (< 3.00 D) (r2 = 0.233, P = 0.001) had a weak correlation compared with moderate and high myopia (P = 0.272, P = 0.257, respectively). Twelve months later, the predictability, safety, and efficacy did not vary between preoperative flat and steep corneas (P > 0.05). Conclusions One month after SMILE for myopia, the corneas were flatter in the preoperative flat corneas or all the low myopic corneas, and they were more overcorrected. However, preoperative corneal curvature does not influence visual outcomes at 1 year after SMILE.

Retinoblastoma and vision

The assessment of vision has a growing importance in the management of retinoblastoma in the era of globe-conserving therapy, both prior to and after treatment. As survival rates approach 98–99% and globe salvage rates reach ever-higher levels, it is important to provide families with information regarding the visual outcomes of different treatments. We present an overview of the role of vision in determining the treatment given and the impact of complications of treatment. We also discuss screening and treatment strategies that can be used to maximise vision.

Eales’ disease: epidemiology, diagnostic and therapeutic concepts

Background To describe the epidemiological traits, clinical characteristics, diagnostic procedures, therapeutic interventions and evolution in a large series of patients with diagnosis of Eales’ disease. Methods A clinical retrospective review of patients with Eales’ disease, evaluated and treated between April 2009 and April 2018, with a 1-year minimum follow-up. Thirty patients (59 eyes), were included. Age, sex, laboratory results (CBC, glycemia, protein electrophoresis, ACE levels) immunological profile and a Quantiferon-TB Gold Plus test were recorded. The patients were divided into groups according to their evolution, medical or surgical treatment, and visual outcomes. Results Seventeen male patients and 13 female patients were included, and their ages ranged from 14 to 35 years. The Quantiferon-TB Gold Plus test was positive in 25 patients. Twenty-eight patients had unilateral vitreous hemorrhage, 10 of whom presented with vasculitis and non-perfusion areas in the contralateral eye, 9 presented contralateral peripheral neovascularization and 9 had contralateral fibrovascular proliferation. The remaining 2 patients presented with a rhegmatogenous retinal detachment. In 6 patients, conservative treatment with intravitreal anti-VEGF injections and photocoagulation was performed after the hemorrhage cleared. Twenty-two patients, required vitrectomy, with good visual outcomes. Macular edema was found in 16 eyes, which responded to periocular and/or systemic corticosteroid therapy, except for 9 eyes that required intravitreal bevacizumab, with complete resolution in 7 eyes and partial resolution in 2 eyes. Conclusions Eales’ disease is a pathology of significant prevalence in our country. The distribution according to sex, tends to be equivalent. The etiology, even when it is not specifically determined, according to laboratory tests, confirms the probable immunologic response in the presence of Mycobacterium tuberculosis antigens. This is still a diagnosis of exclusion, and therefore, it is advisable to perform a complete laboratory work-up in each case. Timely application of laser and other medical treatments, help to avoid progression to more advanced stages and their complications. The surgical treatment of vitrectomy for vitreous hemorrhage, and/or tractional vitreous detachment yields good primary anatomical and functional outcomes. Secondary macular edema responds to periocular and intravitreal corticosteroids, and in refractory cases, the use of anti-VEGF therapy leads to an effective resolution.

Outcomes of Patients With Acute Vogt–koyanagi–harada Disease Treated With Intravenous Corticosteroid Pulse Followed by the Slow Tapering of Oral Corticosteroid Therapy

Purpose We investigated the treatment outcomes of patients with acute Vogt–Koyanagi–Harada (VKH) disease and assessed the differences between patients with no inflammation worsening and those with persistent or worsening inflammation. Potential factors responsible for eyes with low visual outcomes were also investigated.Methods We retrospectively reviewed the clinical records of patients with acute VKH disease who first visited us between 2009 and 2018 and were followed up for >300 days. Clinical characteristics, treatments, and posttreatment conditions were assessed. Patients were classified into no inflammation worsening (acute–resolved [AR]) and inflammation worsening (chronic–recurrent [CR]) groups based on conditions after 6 months from disease onset.Results This study assessed 62 eyes from 31 patients (mean age: 52.8 years). One patient was treated with topical treatment alone and showed poor visual outcomes. In total, 30 patients were treated with methylprednisolone pulse followed by the slow tapering of oral prednisolone; 73% of them developed AR and 27% CR. Although the total prednisolone dose was higher in patients with CR disease, no significant difference was noted in the final best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA). Among the patients receiving systemic steroid, five eyes had a final BCVA of ≤0.5 due to anisometropic amblyopia, diabetic maculopathy, pre-existing macular hole, epiretinal membrane, and ellipsoid zone loss. Conclusions Patients with acute VKH disease treated with corticosteroid pulse followed by the slow tapering of prednisolone appear to demonstrate good visual outcomes, including patients with CR; most eyes with low visual outcomes have pre-existing conditions that explain low vision.