Different compression sutures combined with intracameral air injection for acute corneal hydrops

·AIM:To evaluate the efficacy and safety of full-thickness sutures combined with intracameral air injection(FTS-AI)versus pre-Descemet’s membrane sutures combined with intracameral air injection(PDS-AI)in the management of acute corneal hydrops in keratoconus.·METHODS:The research included 8 patients(8 eyes)suffering from acute corneal hydrops caused by keratoconus.Four patients were randomly assigned to FTS-AI.And the other four were randomly assigned to PDS-AI.Corneal oedema,visual acuity,corneal thickness were assessed during follow-up.·RESULTS:The demographics,preoperative duration of symptoms and severity of corneal hydrops between the two groups were not significantly different.The mean corneal oedema resolution time after FTS-AI and PDSAI were 11±1.15 and 15±1.41 d,respectively(P=0.005).The maximum corneal thickness of the scarred region decreased in both groups at one week postoperatively(P<0.05).No obvious difference was found in the mean maximal corneal thickness between the two groups postoperatively.The BCVA improved significantly after FTS-AI and PDS-AI at three months postoperatively.No obvious difference was found in the BCVA after FTS-AI and PDS-AI at three months postoperatively.·CONCLUSION:FTS-AI and PDS-AI are safe and effective therapies to accelerate the resolution of corneal oedema in acute corneal hydrops secondary to keratoconus.Despite faster resolution of corneal oedema in the FTS-AI group,we recommend PDS-AI to avoid potential endothelium cell damage.

Safety of prophylactic intracameral moxifloxacin ophthalmic solution after cataract surgery in patients with penetrating keratoplasty

AIM:To determine the safety of prophylactic intracameral moxifloxacin after cataract surgery in patients with penetrating keratoplasty(PKP).METHODS:In this retrospective study of consecutive patients who had phacoemulsification cataract surgery after PKP, were treated with intracameral moxifloxacin0.5% ophthalmic solution(0.5 mg/0.1 mL). The main outcome measures were anterior chamber reaction, best corrected visual acuity(BCVA), corneal endothelial cell count(ECC), and central corneal thickness(CCT).RESULTS:Fifty-five patients were recruited(26 males,29 females). The mean age was 54.36±4.97y(range 45-64y).All eyes had improved postoperative BCVA. The mean BCVA was 0.25 preoperatively and 0.57 postoperatively,which was statistically significant(P 【0.001). One eye had 3+, 7 eyes had 2+, 12 eyes had 1+ and 8 eyes had trace amount of aqueous cells on the first day after surgery. All eyes had no anterior chamber cells at subsequent follow up examinations. Effective phacoemulsification time was 4.33 ±1.01 s. The mean ECC was 2340.20 cells/mm2 preoperatively and 1948.75 cells/mm21 mo postoperatively(P 【0.001). The increase of21.09 μm in postoperative pachymetry 1mo after surgery was statistically significant(P 【0.001).CONCLUSION:Nountowardeffectswereobservedafter intracameral injection of moxifloxacin(0.5 mg/0.1 mL) in terms of anterior chamber reaction, CCT, ECC, and visual rehabilitation at the conclusion of cataract surgery in patients with PKP.

Riboflavin concentration in corneal stroma after intracameral injection

AIM: To evaluate the enrichment of riboflavin in the corneal stroma after intracameral injection to research the barrier ability of the corneal endothelium to riboflavin in vivo.METHODS: The right eyes of 30 New Zealand white rabbits were divided into three groups. Different concentrations riboflavin-balanced salt solutions(BSS)were injected into the anterior chamber(10 with 0.5%, 10 with 1%, and 10 with 2%). Eight corneal buttons of 8.5mm in diameter from each group were dissected at 30 min after injection and the riboflavin concentrations in the corneal stroma were determined using high-performance liquid chromatography(HPLC) after removing the epithelium and endothelium. The other two rabbits in every group were observed for 24 h and sacrificed. As a comparison, the riboflavin concentrations from 16 corneal stromal samples were determined using HPLC after instillation of 0.1% riboflavin-BSS solution for30 min on the corneal surface(8 without epithelium and 8with intact epithelium).RESULTS: The mean riboflavin concentrations were11.19, 18.97, 25.08, 20.18, and 1.13 μg/g for 0.5%, 1%, 2%,de-epithelialzed samples, and the transepithelial groups,respectively. The color change of the corneal stroma and the HPLC results showed that enrichment with riboflavin similar to classical de-epithelialized corneal collagen crosslinking(CXL) could be achieved by intracameral 1%riboflavin-BSS solution after 30min; the effect appeared to be continuous for at least 30 min.CONCLUSION: Riboflavin can effectively penetrate the corneal stroma through the endothelium after an intracameral injection in vivo, so it could be an enhancing method that could improve the corneal riboflavin concentration in transepithelial CXL.

Evaluating the safety of intracameral bevacizumab application using oxidative stress and apoptotic parameters in corneal tissue

·AIM: To investigate the possible effects of intracameral bevacizumab on oxidative stress parameters and apoptosis in corneal tissue.·METHODS: In total, 30 rats were assigned randomly into the following three groups of 10 rats each: a sham group(Group 1; n =10), a control group [Group 2;balanced salt solution(BSS) was administered at 0.01 m L;n =10], and a treatment group(Group 3; bevacizumab was administered at 0.25 mg/0.01 m L; n =10). The total antioxidant status(TAS) and the total oxidant status(TOS) in the corneal tissue and blood samples were measured, and the oxidative stress index(OSI) was calculated. Additionally, corneal tissue histopathology was evaluated for caspase-3 and 8 staining and apoptotic activity.·RESULTS: In the blood samples, the TAS, TOS, and OSI levels were not significantly different(all P 】0.05).Compared with the sham and control groups, the TOS and OSI levels in the corneal tissues were significantly different in the bevacizumab group(all P 【0.05). No statistically significant differences were observed between the sham and control groups(all P 】0.05).However, compared with the sham and control groups,greater immunohistochemical staining for caspases-3and 8 and an elevated level of apoptotic activity were observed in the bevacizumab group.·CONCLUSION: This study revealed that intracameral bevacizumab injections seemed to be systemically safe but may have elicited local toxic effects in the corneal tissue, as indicated by the oxidative stress parameters and histopathological evaluations.

Clinical Outcome of Intracameral Dexamethasone in Paediatric Cataract Surgery in a Nigerian Missionary Hospital

Paediatric cataract surgery is associated with several complications among which is high ocular inflammatory response. Conventionally immediate post-operative subconjunctival steroid with adjuvant systemic and frequent topical steroids have been used to control post-operative inflammation. Studies have reported the advantage of intracameral dexamethasone in decreasing postoperative inflammation. Aim: To evaluate the clinical outcome of intracameral dexamethasone in paediatric cataract surgery in Evangelical Church of West Africa (ECWA) Eye Hospital, Kano. Method: This was a prospective study of 694 paediatric cataract surgeries from January 2006 to December 2014. All the patients were given intracameral dexamethasone 0.4 mg (0.1 ml) immediately after surgery. Each patient had surgical intervention on one eye. Evaluation was done on first, third postoperative day, one week and four weeks later (follow up visits). Outcomes were measured on the fourth week post-operation. Examination of children was done with help of slit lamp for cells, flare or any other sign of inflammation. In case of non-cooperative children examination was done with microscope under sedation/general anaesthesia for fibrinous reaction, exudative membrane, posterior synechiae and red reflex. Results: There were total of 694 patients with age range of 0 to 11 years. Mean age of participants was 2.03 ± 2.5 years. The mean duration of cataract before presentation to the hospital was 5.7 ± 4.3 months with a range of 0 to 16 months. Post operative complications, likely to be associated with intracameral dexamethasone were corneal opacity (0.6%) and raised intraocular pressure (12.5%). In 31 patients (4.5%) there was no post operative complication. Conclusion: Intracameral injection of dexamethasone has a role in preventing immediate postoperative anterior uveitis in paediatric cataract but may not be without complication.

Successful treatment of epithelial downgrowth with endoscopic photocoagulation and intracameral 5-fluorouracil after prolonged limbal wound leak

Dear Editor,Epithelial downgrowth（EDG）is an uncommon and serious complication of intraocular surgery and trauma[1].It is recognized clinically by a translucent membrane on the corneal endothelium or iris.Treatment of EDG is controversial and generally has a low success rate.Recent treatment modalities have been invasive and damaging to the anatomy of the eye[1].

Incidence of endophthalmitis after phacoemulsification cataract surgery:a Meta-analysis

AIM:To evaluate the overall endophthalmitis incidence and the effectiveness of potential prophylaxis measures following phacoemulsification cataract surgery(PCS).METHODS:The Pub Med and Web of Science databases were searched from inception to April 30^(th),2021.We included studies that reported on the incidence of endophthalmitis following PCS.The quality of the included studies was critically evaluated with the Newcastle-Ottawa quality assessment scale.The random effect or the fixed-effects model was used to evaluated the pooled incidence based on the heterogeneity.The publication bias was assessed by Egger’s linear regression and Begg’s rank correlation tests.RESULTS:A total of 39 studies containing 5 878 114 eyes were included and critically appraised in the Meta-analysis.For overall incidence of endophthalmitis after PCS,the Meta-analysis yielded a pooled estimate of 0.092%(95%CI:0.083%-0.101%).The incidence appeared to decrease with time(before 2000:0.097%,95%CI:0.060%-0.135%;2000 to 2010:0.089%,95%CI:0.076%-0.101%;after 2010:0.063%,95%CI:0.050%-0.077%).Compared with typical povidone-iodine solution(0.178%,95%CI:0.071%-0.285%) and antibiotics subconjunctival injections(0.047%,95%CI:0.001%-0.095%),the use of intracameral antibiotics significantly reduced the incidence of endophthalmitis after PCS(0.045%,95%CI:0.034%-0.055%,RR:7.942,95%CI:4.510-13.985).CONCLUSION:Due to the advancement of phacoemulsification technology and the widespread use of intracameral antibiotics,the incidence of endophthalmitis following PCS shows a decreasing trend over time.The use of intracameral antibiotics administration will significantly reduce the risk of endophthalmitis.

Cysticercosis of the eye

Cysticercosis is a preventable and eradicable cause of blindness endemic in the Indian subcontinent, South- East Asia and other developing countries. Ocular and orbital cysticercosis has varied presentations depending upon the site of involvement, number of lesion and the host immune response. In this article we present a review of the various clinical manifestations, diagnosis and management protocol for orbital and ocular cysticercosis. Owing to its varied presentation, cysticercosis may pose a diagnostic challenge to the health professionals. Early diagnosis and management can prevent the vision loss and optimize visual outcomes.