Tectonic epikeratoplasty with ethanol-stored donor corneas

Penetrating keratoplasty in brittle Cornea syndrome: Case series and review of the literature

It concerns three siblings (two 28 year old twin boys and a 25 year old woman) who presented a previous history of rupture of eyeball in one eye and very poor vision in the other. At the first ophthalmoscopic and instrumental evaluation, three patients presented with bluish sclera and keratoglobus in the intact eye. A genetic analysis with whole exome sequencing was then performed on the three siblings, identifying a biallelic variant of the PRDM5 gene that led to the diagnosis of Brittle Cornea Syndrome (BCS), a rare autosomal recessive disorder characterized by corneal thinning and blue sclera. To preserve the only intact eye from possible breakage, the three siblings were trained in using protective measures (polycarbonate goggles etc.) to carry out close monitoring of symptoms and were asked to continue with follow-up visits for ocular and systemic diseases associated with BCS. Given the poor best corrected visual acuity achievable with glasses and contact lenses, penetrating keratoplasty was performed, achieving good visual acuity maintained in the 2-year follow-up in two of the three patients. Knowledge of this pathology and its clinical manifestations is essential for early diagnosis and correct management of this rare but very debilitating pathology. To our knowledge, this is the first case series of BCS reported in an Albanian population.

Pericardium Patch Graft for Severe Corneal Wound Burn

Purpose:

To report a novel management technique using pericardial patch graft for severe corneal wound burn following phacoemulsification of dense cataract with shallow anterior chamber (AC) and overfilled AC with viscoelastic.

Methods:

Case report.

Results:

A 46-year-old patient with a shallow AC and dense cataract, who underwent phacoemulsification using “soft shell” technique had severe wound burn which was refractory to conventional management with corneal suturing and placing bandage contact lens. He underwent Tutoplast^® (Innovative Ophthalmic Products, Inc., Costa Mesa, CA, USA) pericardium patch graft, which fully resorbed and resolved the wound leak over 6 weeks, leaving a well-healed corneal wound.

Conclusion:

Pericardium patch graft is a safe and effective technique to manage extensive phaco wound burn which is refractory to conventional management options.

Tectonic Eccentric Penetrating Sclerokeratoplasty à chaud as Treatment for Peripheral Perforated or Predescemetal Corneal Ulceration

BACKGROUND

Tectonic eccentric sclerokeratoplasty à chaud is a very complex corneal operation and aims to preserve the eyeball and possibly to improve visual acuity in patients with peripheral corneal ulcerations or perforating corneal trauma.

METHODS

1650 eyes received corneal transplants in our clinic between 2006 and 2019. 14 of these 1650 eyes (0.8%) had a perforated or predescemetal peripheral corneal ulceration and these were treated between 2006 and 2019 with a tectonic eccentric sclerokeratoplasty à chaud. The mean age of the 8 women and 6 men included in this case series was 63 years (22 - 91 years).

RESULTS

In the postoperative follow-up period, most complications and reoperations occurred in the first 6 months. Re-ulceration was observed in 2 cases as well as early suture loosening in 12 patients. These 2 cases were treated with a partial conjunctival flap. Additionally, prolonged superficial wound healing process was shown in 12 patients. Therefore 27 amniotic membrane transplantations, 12 suture replacements, and 6 partial conjunctival flaps were performed in total. No re-keratoplasties were required in this case series. All eyes could be stabilised through the sclerokeratoplasty as well as subsequent operations and intensive local or even systemic treatment. After removal of the corneal suture, the best-corrected visual acuity improved only insignificantly to hand movement in 1 case, finger counting in 3 cases, 0.1 in 5 cases, 0.2 in 4 cases and 0.5 in 1 case. Preservation of the eyeball with pain relief was achieved in all 14 eyes.

CONCLUSIONS

Eccentric sclerokeratoplasty is a very demanding surgical procedure and is extremely rarely performed. The goal is to preserve the eye.

Brittle cornea syndrome: current perspectives

Brittle cornea syndrome (BCS) is a rare autosomal recessive connective tissue disorder characterised by severe corneal thinning, with the major ocular risk being spontaneous ocular perforation due to progressive stromal thinning and ectasia. It is a complex condition with limited treatment options. The purpose of this review is to highlight the difficulties associated with the condition and examine the available published evidence with regards to management.