Digital imaging to assist preoperative planning for ipsilateral rotational autokeratoplasty

Update on Pediatric Corneal Diseases and Keratoplasty

Managing pediatric corneal disorders is challenging as the prognosis of pediatric keratoplasty depends on several factors. Advancements in the genetic basis of congenital corneal diseases and investigations in congenital corneal conditions provide a better understanding of pediatric corneal conditions. Surgeons performing keratoplasty in children now have a choice of various techniques. Evolving surgical techniques of anterior lamellar and endothelial keratoplasties has expanded the management interventions in these pediatric corneal morbidity conditions; however, considerable concerns still exist in association with corneal transplantation in infants and children. Outcomes in pediatric keratoplasty depend upon the preoperative indications, the timing of surgical intervention, intraoperative and postoperative factors including the patient/care givers' compliance. Factors such as low scleral rigidity, higher rate of graft failure, need for frequent examinations under anesthesia, and difficulty in optimal visual acuity assessment still remain a considerable challenge in pediatric scenarios. In children, deprivation amblyopia as a result of the corneal opacification can adversely affect visual development, causing dense amblyopia. Outcomes to surgical interventions for management of corneal opacification in children is further compromised by the pre-existing amblyopia apart from the concerns of refractive outcome of the graft. Graft rejection, graft infection, amblyopia, and glaucoma continue to be serious concerns. In recent years both anterior and posterior lamellar keratoplasty techniques are being increasingly performed in pediatric eyes, which offer advantages in the form of lower risk of graft rejection. The timing of surgery, careful case selection, cautious intraoperative approach, and optimal postoperative management can improve the anatomical and functional outcome in difficult cases.

Femtosecond Laser-Assisted Ipsilateral Rotational Lamellar Autokeratoplasty

PURPOSE

To describe the surgical technique and report the outcomes of 2 patients treated with femtosecond laser-assisted ipsilateral rotational lamellar autokeratoplasty in central corneal scars.

METHODS

The corneal scar depth was mapped using preoperative optical coherence tomography. An eccentric lamellar lenticule was cut with a femtosecond laser and rotated to decenter corneal opacity and free the pupil area in 2 patients with nonprogressive central corneal scars. The surgical plan was set after simulating lenticule rotation with a digital corneal image and computer software.

RESULTS

In both cases, the corneal scar was decentered inferiorly, out of the pupillary area, with increased postoperative visual acuity but visual outcome limitations secondary to corneal irregularities and residual deep opacity.

CONCLUSIONS

Femtosecond laser-assisted ipsilateral rotational lamellar autokeratoplasty is effective for shifting central corneal opacities and can be considered in appropriate cases.

Ipsilateral rotational autokeratoplasty for central corneal scar: An alternative to penetrating keratoplasty

A 49-year-old woman was referred to our clinic for penetrating keratoplasty. A central corneal scar involving the visual axis with high irregular astigmatism up to 15.8 D was noted. Because the scar was located mostly in the central cornea, ipsilateral rotational autokeratoplasty was suggested and performed. An 8.5-mm punch was used to trephine the cornea eccentrically and superiorly intentionally. The trephined corneal button was then rotated 150° to relocate the scar to the temporal upper part of the cornea. The graft was soon clear with a normal curvature centrally. The astigmatism was -0.5 D, the visual acuity was 20/40, and the endothelial cell loss was 2.66% 2 years after the operation. A rotational autograft carries no risk of immunological complications such as rejection associated with allografts and has lower endothelial cell loss rate. It can be an effective alternative to standard penetrating keratoplasty for some patients with central corneal scars.

[Ipsilateral autorotational keratoplasty and cataract extraction in patients with trachoma and trauma in Oman. Report on visual rehabilitation]

AIM

To report on the results of visual rehabilitation by ipsilateral rotational keratoplasty (IRK) and cataract extraction in 17 patients with trachoma and with trachoma and trauma in Oman over 3 years.

PATIENTS

Of 25 patients operated from 2001-2004 with IRK, extracapsular cataract extraction, and intraocular lens implantation, 17 eyes of 17 patients with cicatricial trachoma (WHO stage CO) could be followed up after 1 year. Group 1 comprised 11 eyes with ciatricial trachoma. In group 2, six eyes had additional traumatic corneal scars.

METHODS

Surgery was performed using a motor trephine Keratron (Geuder), the Accurus 800 (Alcon) phacovitrectomy machine, and calculation for intraocular lens implantation (IOL: MZ60BD, Alcon) with a topography (Atlas, Humphrey Zeiss)-supported SRK II formula (OcuScanRxP, Alcon).

RESULTS

Although only four of 17 patients had preoperative visual acuity (VA) at 5 m and one of 17 had VA at 1 m, postoperatively seven of 17 patients gained VA at 5 m and six of 17 at 1 m. Ambulatory vision was regained in 13 of 17 (78%) patients. Patients with trachoma and trauma benefited more from the surgery [vision increase in trachoma: eight of 11 eyes (73%); trachoma and trauma: five of five eyes (100%)]. Postoperative spherical refraction was -12.0D to +4.0D (median:+4.0D), and astigmatism ranged from 10D to 0.3D (median 5.35D). One eye was lost because of uncontrolled keratitis.

CONCLUSIONS

IRK with cataract extraction may provide ambulatory vision in patients with cicatricial trachoma and secondary dry eye syndrome living in developing countries where donor grafts are difficult to obtain and where postoperative follow-up of high-risk keratoplasty is impaired.