Clinical application of TICL implantation for ametropia following deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty for keratoconus: A CONSORT-compliant article

Phakic intraocular Lens implantation in keratoconus patients

BACKGROUND

Both the anterior chamber and posterior chamber phakic intraocular lenses (pIOLs) implantation are acceptable refractive surgical approaches in keratoconus patients with high anisometropia, contact lens intolerance, or who prefer spectacle and contact lens independent. They are beneficial for correcting anisometropia in stable keratoconus cases or following corneal procedures such as intrastromal corneal ring segments (ICRS), collagen cross-linking (CXL), and keratoplasty. They are suitable for eyes without advanced keratoconus with acceptable best-corrected distance visual acuity (BCDVA) or without highly irregular astigmatism, high comma, and higher-order aberrations (HOAs). Combined procedures for irregular astigmatism reduction and corneal regularization with either ICRS or topography/wavefront-guided transepithelial PRK (with or without CXL) can be associated in advance with pIOLs implantation to improve BCDVA in these cases.

AIM

To study and report the evidence regarding the safety and efficacy of pIOLs for KC patients' visual and refractive rehabilitation, we have analyzed the scientific evidence published within the last 10 years (from 2012 onwards).

RESULTS

No randomized controlled trials but only eleven retrospective case series and two prospective case series were identified. Satisfactory visual rehabilitation was achieved regarding uncorrected and corrected distance visual acuity (CDVA) and predictability of the refractive correction. Both types of pIOL (iris claw and posterior chamber pIOLs) offer very good results in terms of safety and efficacy with indexes close to or even exceeding 1.

CONCLUSION

pIOLs implantation is a valid refractive therapeutic approach for correcting stable keratoconus with moderate-to-high refractive errors, especially anisometropia associated with regular or mildly irregular astigmatism, and good CDVA.

Intrastromal Corneal Ring Segments Implantation After Deep Anterior Lamellar Keratoplasty for Astigmatism Correction: Mid-term and Long-term Follow-up

PURPOSE

The aim of this study was to assess the long-term outcomes of implanting intrastromal corneal ring segments (ICRSs) using a femtosecond laser for correcting astigmatism in patients who had previous deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty (DALK) throughout a 5-year follow-up period.

METHODS

This retrospective study included 40 eyes of 40 patients with previous DALK and astigmatism ≥3.00 D who underwent Ferrara-type ICRS implantation. The manifest refraction, uncorrected (UDVA) and corrected (CDVA) distance visual acuity (logMAR), and corneal topography were recorded preoperatively and at 6, 12, 36, and 60 months postoperatively.

RESULTS

The mean UDVA (logMAR scale) improved from 1.39 ± 0.55 preoperatively to 0.71 ± 0.37 at 6 months postoperatively ( P < 0.0001). The mean CDVA (logMAR) significantly improved from 0.36 ± 0.17 to 0.22 ± 0.12 at 6 months after surgery ( P < 0.0001). Both UDVA and CDVA remained unchanged throughout the follow-up ( P = 0.09). Postoperatively, no eyes lost lines of CDVA compared to preoperatively, and around 80% of the eyes gained lines of CDVA. The safety index remained stable at a value of 1.4 throughout the follow-up. The refractive cylinder decreased from -6.86 ± 2.62 D preoperatively to -2.33 ± 1.09D at 6 months postoperatively ( P < 0.0001), and subsequently, it was stable over the postoperative period ( P = 0.2). The maximum and minimum keratometry measurements significantly decreased after surgery and remained stable over the postoperative follow-up period ( P > 0.07).

CONCLUSIONS

This study shows the long-term viability of Ferrara-type ICRS implantation using a femtosecond laser as a surgical alternative for astigmatism correction in post-DALK eyes.

Management of post-keratoplasty ametropia

Even after a successful corneal transplant, patients experience severe refractive errors, impeding their rehabilitation and satisfaction. Refractive errors can be caused by recipient pathology and corneal thickness, as well as intraoperative factors such as donor-host discrepancy, recipient's eccentric trephination, vitreous length, wound apposition, technique of suturing, and suture material. Also, wound healing and the interim between keratoplasty and suture removal contribute to astigmatism. Lamellar keratoplasty outperforms penetrating keratoplasty in terms of endothelial cell loss and endothelial graft rejection, yet the risk of developing refractive errors is comparable. Nonsurgical interventions such as spectacles and lenses fail to provide desirable vision in cases with high astigmatism and corneal irregularity. When these limitations are encountered, surgical interventions including incisional keratotomy, wedge resection, laser refractive surgeries, intracorneal segments, and intraocular lens implantation are employed. However, occasionally, none of these approaches deliver the desired effects, leading to the need for a repeat keratoplasty.

Refractive surgery after deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty: a review of the literature

PURPOSE

The main objective of this work is to present an updated review of the different surgical procedures for the correction of residual refractive errors following deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty (DALK) surgery.

METHODS

A review of the literature was conducted using PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus databases. The search was conducted in January 2022 and was limited to articles published in peer-reviewed journals. The information extracted from each publication included sample size, mean follow-up time, pre- and post-operative uncorrected (UDVA) and corrected distance visual acuity (CDVA), pre- and post-operative refraction and spherical equivalent (SE), safety and efficacy indexes and complications.

RESULTS

Residual ametropias, mainly high astigmatism and myopia, and the resulting anisometropia are likely to occur following DALK. They become a limiting factor and may lead to unsatisfactory visual restoration, therefore affecting patients' quality of vision and life. Alternative surgical interventions may be required to treat this residual ametropia, such as corneal refractive surgery or intraocular lens implantation. A total of 47 relevant articles were studied in detail. Different refractive surgery techniques have been shown to be effective and safe for the correction of ametropia following the DALK procedure and to improve the patient's quality of vision, although more research is needed to confirm long-term results.

CONCLUSION

The final refractive technique will depend on different factors, such as the amount of ametropia, the condition of the cornea or the patient's individual needs, economics, and occupational demands.

Three-year follow-up of posterior chamber phakic intraocular lens with a central port design after deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty

Background

To evaluate clinical outcomes of the Visian implantable collamer lens (ICL) with a central port to correct myopia and astigmatism after deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty (DALK) for keratoconus throughout 3 years of follow-up.

Methods

This study included 20 eyes of 20 patients that underwent V4c ICL (13 eyes with a spherical ICL and 7 eyes with a toric ICL) implantation after DALK. Uncorrected (UDVA) and corrected (CDVA) distance visual acuities, refraction, intraocular pressure (IOP), endothelial cell density (ECD), and vault were analyzed.

Results

The mean UDVA improved from the preoperative 1.18 ± 0.33 logMAR to 0.25 ± 0.14 logMAR at 6 months after surgery (P < 0.0001) and remained unchanged throughout the whole follow-up (P = 0.4). All eyes gained lines of CDVA compared to preoperative values. At the last follow-up visit, all eyes achieved CDVA of 0.2 logMAR or better and 13 eyes (65%) 0.1 logMAR or better. At 6 months post-surgery, all eyes (100%) had a spherical equivalent within ± 1.50 D, and 19 (95%) within ± 1.00 D. The mean manifest spherical equivalent was stable over the postoperative follow-up (P = 0.25). No significant increase in IOP occurred in any case throughout the 3 years of follow-up. The loss in ECD from the preoperative baseline at the last follow-up visit was 2.27%.

Conclusions

The clinical outcomes suggest that the V4c ICL implantation for correction of myopia and regular astigmatism in post-DALK eyes was satisfactory in terms of effectiveness, safety, and stability during 3 years of follow-up.

Toric intraocular lens for astigmatism correction following keratoplasty in phakic and pseudophakic eyes

ABSTRACT

Residual astigmatism and anisometropia significantly impact patients' vision and quality of life even in clear grafts after corneal transplant. We reviewed and summarized the role of toric intraocular lens (IOL) in phakic and pseudophakic eyes after penetrating keratoplasty (PKP) and deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty (DALK) in correcting residual astigmatism. We included 342 eyes from 20 studies with iris-clipped toric IOL, ciliary sulcus toric implantable collamer lens, piggyback sulcus toric IOL, or posterior chamber toric IOL implantations for phakic, pseudophakic, or eyes undergoing cataract surgery after keratoplasty. Visual, refractive, and predictability outcomes were encouraging. Secondary re-alignment rate and complications were low. Endothelial cell loss secondary to phakic toric IOL might be a concern over the long-term, particularly in iris-clipped IOL in PKP eyes. Toric IOL represent a viable option in the treatment of residual astigmatism in post-keratoplasty eyes, resulting in improved visual acuity and reduced anisometropia.

Posterior Chamber Phakic Intraocular Lens Implantation for Refractive Correction in Corneal Ectatic Disorders: A Review

PURPOSE

To summarize the indications and outcomes of posterior chamber phakic intraocular lens (PIOL) implantation in corneal ectasias including keratoconus, pellucid marginal degeneration (PMD), post-refractive surgery, and post-keratoplasty ectasias.

METHODS

A review of the literature was conducted using the relevant keywords from various databases up to August 15, 2020. All pertinent studies were reviewed, and the relevant articles were studied in detail for efficacy, stability, predictability, and safety outcomes. In addition, visual quality, corneal biomechanical outcomes, complications, the role of posterior chamber PIOL in combination treatment, and comparison of posterior chamber PIOL with other PIOLs for ectasias were also evaluated.

RESULTS

A total of 30 relevant studies (13 prospective, 13 retrospective, 4 case reports) on the subject were studied and summarized. All studies showed a favorable refractive outcome. Quality of vision remained unaffected and no significant complications were reported in any of the studies.

CONCLUSIONS

Posterior chamber PIOLs represent a viable option in the treatment of mild to moderate and stable corneal ectasia in patients with contact lens intolerance who have low irregular astigmatism, a clear central cornea, and good preoperative corrected distance visual acuity. [J Refract Surg. 2021;37(5):351-359.].

Phakic Intraocular Lens Implantation After Deep Anterior Lamellar Keratoplasty: Retrospective Case Series Analysis With Long-Term Follow-Up

Purpose

To report outcomes of phakic intraocular lens (IOL) implantation after deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty (DALK) to correct high ametropia.

Setting

Centro Hospitalar Universitário do Porto, Portugal.

Methods

Retrospective case series with 11 eyes submitted to phakic IOL implantation after DALK. Main outcomes measured were uncorrected and corrected distance visual acuity (UDVA and CDVA), refractive error components, tomographic parameters and endothelial cell density (ECD). The minimum follow-up was 3 years for all cases.

Results

Mean ECD loss was 8.7±6.7% at 1 year, 13.1±8.6% at 3 years (n=11; p=0.016, p=0.007, respectively) and 14.0±20.4% at 5 years (n=5, p=0.212). Mean logMAR UDVA increased from 1.27±0.90logMAR preoperatively to 0.16±0.15logMAR postoperatively (p≤0.001) and no statistically significant differences were registered during follow-up. All patients gained at least 5 lines of UDVA. 54.5% of the eyes gained 1 line in CDVA postoperative and only one eye lost one CDVA line through follow-up. Efficacy and safety indexes at 1 and 3 years were 1.01–0.97 and 1.24–1.21, respectively. Mean spherical equivalent was reduced from −7.84±4.63 D preoperatively to −1.05±1.07 D postoperatively (p=0.001). Mean percentage of reduction in refractive cylinder and spherical error was 83.8±15.8% and 73.1±31.5%, respectively, p≤0.001 for both. In one eye there was a significantly gradual ECD loss over 5 years follow-up and the patient will be submitted to IOL explant.

Conclusion

Phakic IOLs were effective for correction high ametropia after DALK, showing high efficacy and safety indexes with stability over time. However, it was registered a continuing endothelial cell loss postoperatively, which assumed to be higher than those reported in eyes without DALK.

Updates on Managements for Keratoconus

Purpose

Keratoconus is a progressive disease of the cornea which can lead to blindness as irregular astigmatism increases. Currently, a variety of methods are available for the treatment of keratoconus, and in certain cases, it may be difficult to choose the most appropriate option. This article reviews available treatment modalities for keratoconus to provide the practitioner with practical and useful information for selecting the most suitable option for each individual patient.

Methods

To review treatment methods for different stages of keratoconus, PubMed (United States National Library of Medicine) and Scopus (Elsevier BV) databases were searched using the keywords “keratoconus”, “contact lens”, “cross-linking”, “Intacs”, “keratoplasty”, “gene therapy”, and “irregular astigmatism”, and related articles were reviewed based on disease assessment parameters and treatment methods.

Results

Various methods are available for the treatment of keratoconus: eyeglasses and contact lenses in the early stages, cross-linking for stabilizing disease progression, intrastromal corneal ring segments (ICRS) for reducing refractive errors or flattening the cornea, and penetrating keratoplasty (PK) and deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty (DALK), conductive keratoplasty, gene therapy and more recently, bowman layer transplantation (BL transplantation) in advanced stages of the disease. To achieve optimum results, it is essential to choose the best option for each individual patient.

Conclusions

A commonality of the reviewed papers was the advancement of novel diagnostic and treatment methods in ophthalmology, which can delay the need for corneal grafting. A better understanding of keratoconus treatment options can help enhance visual rehabilitation and prevent blindness in keratoconus patients.