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El-Massry A, Ibrahim O, Abdalla M, Osman I, Mahmoud S. Safety and Indicative Effectiveness of Porcine Corneal Lenticular Implants in Patients with Advanced Keratoconus and Post Lasik Ectasia: A Retrospective Clinical Study. Clin Ophthalmol 2021; 15:3165-3171. [PMID: 34345164 PMCID: PMC8323849 DOI: 10.2147/opth.s325666] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2021] [Accepted: 07/21/2021] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Purpose This study aimed to evaluate the safety and feasibility of implanting decellularized porcine corneal lenticules in a femtosecond laser-assisted pocket for patients with advanced keratoconus and post-Lasik ectasia. Methods This is a retrospective clinical study of implanting a porcine corneal lenticular implant in seven eyes: six with advanced keratoconus and clear cornea and one with advanced post-Lasik ectasia with a follow-up for 12 months. The lenticules are extracted from porcine tissue, subjected to a decellularization process, intensely cross-linked, sterilized and packed. They are 7 mm in diameter with at 100–120-micron thickness. The femtosecond laser was used to create an intra-stromal pocket, and then the lenticules were implanted inside the pocket followed by corneal cross-linking 3 months later for six out of seven eyes. Results Five patients had keratoconus (6 eyes) and one patient (one eye) had post-Lasik ectasia. Visual acuity improved in all patients except for one case at 6 and 12 months and this was statistically significant (P=0.002 and 0.007). At one-year follow-up, the mean central corneal thickness increased from 389.43 ± 45.41 to 429.33± 63.20 µm, the maximum keratometry decreased from 64.8 ±5.11 to 62.82± 6.16 D, the mean corneal resistance factor (CRT) increased from 5.67 to 8.42, and the total higher-order aberrations decreased from 1.80 to 1.16. Both changes in the CCT and CRF were statistically significant. One eye had wrinkles and opacified graft, and it was exchanged 3 months postoperatively. Conclusion Porcine corneal lenticules implantation is immunologically safe and well tolerated in patients with advanced keratoconus and post-Lasik ectasia and may be feasible as an alternative to keratoplasty.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ahmed El-Massry
- Department of Ophthalmology, Alexandria Faculty of Medicine, Alexandria, Egypt
| | - Osama Ibrahim
- Department of Ophthalmology, Alexandria Faculty of Medicine, Alexandria, Egypt
| | - Moones Abdalla
- Department of Ophthalmology, Alexandria Faculty of Medicine, Alexandria, Egypt
| | - Ihab Osman
- Department of Ophthalmology, Alexandria Faculty of Medicine, Alexandria, Egypt
| | - Shahira Mahmoud
- Department of Ophthalmology, Alexandria Faculty of Medicine, Alexandria, Egypt
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Iqbal M, Mounir A, Abd-Elaziz K, Said OM. Long-Term Visual, Refractive and Topographic Outcomes of KeraRings Combined with Accelerated Transepithelial Crosslinking for Management of Different Grades of Progressive Keratoconus: A Retrospective Cohort Study. Open Ophthalmol J 2021. [DOI: 10.2174/1874364102115010054] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Purpose:
To evaluate long-term visual, refractive, and topographic outcomes of KeraRings intrastromal implantation combined with accelerated transepithelial cross-linking for management of different stages of progressive keratoconus.
Materials and Methods:
This retrospective cohort study included 70 eyes of 70 patients with Amsler-Krumeich grades 1 to 4 keratoconus. They were divided into two groups: group-A included 37 eyes with grades 1-2 keratoconus, and group-B included 33 eyes with grades 3-4 keratoconus. Both groups underwent combined Keraring implantation with TCXL treatment. The main outcome measures included the preoperative and postoperative visual acuity, refraction, keratometry readings, and pachymetry.
Results:
At postoperative month 60, group-B exhibited significantly higher values of all mean uncorrected distance visual acuity (UDVA), corrected distance visual acuity (CDVA), sphere/cylinder/spherical equivalent/defocus equivalent (DEQ), and K1/K2/Kaverages/Kmax parameters compared to that of group A. However, group-A exhibited better stability of postoperative improvements. Keratoconus progression (KCP) was greater in group-B (45.5%) than group-A (10.8%). Two eyes revealed segments' migration while one eye showed tunnel vascularization and opacification with segments' migration.
Conclusion:
The diagnostic criteria of preoperative-KCP are not adequate for the diagnosis of postoperative-KCP following ICRS implantation. UDVA and K average posterior seemed to be more sensitive parameters than K max in documenting early postoperative-KCP. We suggest that deterioration of UDVA≥0.10 log MAR and/or K average posterior ≥0.25 D are highly suspicious of post-ring implantation keratoconus progression (PR-KCP). The occurrence of two of the following parameters: Kmax≥0.50 D, Kaverageanterior≥0.50 D, K average posterior ≥0.25 D, or pachymetry≥1.5% thinning, is diagnostic of PR-KCP. The occurrence of two or more of the following parameters: Kmax≥0.50 D, Kaverageanterior≥0.50 D, Kaverageposterior ≥0.25 D, pachymetry≥ 1.5% thinning or UDVA≥0.10 logMAR, is diagnostic of PR-KCP. We also suggest that Kmax≥0.75 D alone is diagnostic of PR-KCP.
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El-Massry A, Doheim MF, Iqbal M, Fawzy O, Said OM, Yousif MO, Badawi AE, Tawfik A, Abousamra A. Association Between Keratoconus and Thyroid Gland Dysfunction: A Cross-Sectional Case-Control Study. J Refract Surg 2021; 36:253-257. [PMID: 32267956 DOI: 10.3928/1081597x-20200226-03] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2019] [Accepted: 02/25/2020] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE To examine the clinical association between thyroid gland dysfunction and keratoconus. METHODS This was a cross-sectional case-control study conducted between May 2018 and July 2019. After performing Pentacam (Oculus Optikgeräte GmbH, Wetzlar, Germany) examination, flat, steep, and maximum simulated keratometric readings were recorded for each patient. Serum concentrations of free triiodothyronine, free thyroxine, and thyroid-stimulating hormone were measured. Further examinations by an endocrinologist were indicated for patients with positive laboratory results to confirm thyroid gland dysfunction. RESULTS One hundred eighty-seven patients with bilateral keratoconus and 187 sex- and age-matched healthy controls without keratoconus were analyzed. Mean age was 26.4 ± 8.2 years for the patients with keratoconus and 27.1 ± 9.4 years for the control patients, with no significant difference. The results showed that thyroid gland dysfunction prevalence was 10 of 187 patients with keratoconus (5.3%) and 2 of 187 control patients (1.1%), and the difference was statistically significant (P = .036). For the patients with keratoconus and thyroid gland dysfunction, 8 were women and 2 were men. Additionally, 6 patients (2 men and 4 women) had hyperthyrosis and 4 women had hypothyrosis. For controls, the two patients had hypothyrosis. CONCLUSIONS This study showed that there is a possible association between keratoconus and thyroid gland dysfunction, but more studies are needed to build upon these results. [J Refract Surg. 2020;36(4):253-257.].
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Shetty R, D'Souza S, Khamar P, Ghosh A, Nuijts RMMA, Sethu S. Biochemical Markers and Alterations in Keratoconus. Asia Pac J Ophthalmol (Phila) 2020; 9:533-540. [PMID: 33323707 DOI: 10.1097/apo.0000000000000332] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Keratoconus (KC) is a corneal ectatic condition characterized by focal structural changes, resulting in progressive thinning, biomechanical weakening, and steeping of the cornea that can lead to worsening visual acuity due to irregular astigmatism and corneal scarring in more advanced cases. It is a relatively common ectatic disease of the cornea predominantly affecting the younger population. Despite its worldwide prevalence, its incidence is rather varied with a higher incidence among the Middle Eastern and South Asian population. Dysregulated corneal extracellular matrix remodeling underlies KC pathogenesis. However, a lack of absolute clarity regarding the factors that initiate and drive progression poses a significant challenge in its prevention and management. KC is a complex multifactorial disease as it is associated with a wide variety of etiological factors such as environmental stimuli/insults, oxidative stress, genetic predisposition, comorbidities, and eye rubbing. A series of studies using corneal tissues (epithelium, stroma), cultured corneal fibroblasts/keratocytes, tear fluid, aqueous humor, and blood from KC subjects has reported significant alterations in various biochemical factors such as extracellular matrix components, cellular homeostasis regulators, inflammatory factors, hormones, metabolic products, and chemical elements. It has become apparent that alterations in the biochemical mediators (related to various etiologies) could contribute to KC pathogenesis by altering the dynamics of extracellular matrix remodeling events such as collagen deposition, degradation, and cross-linking in the cornea. Determining key disease contributing biochemical mediators would aid in disease monitoring, prediction or abatement of disease progression, and development of targeted therapeutics to improve disease prognosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rohit Shetty
- Department of Cornea and Refractive Surgery, Narayana Nethralaya, Bangalore, India
| | - Sharon D'Souza
- Department of Cornea and Refractive Surgery, Narayana Nethralaya, Bangalore, India
| | - Pooja Khamar
- Department of Cornea and Refractive Surgery, Narayana Nethralaya, Bangalore, India
| | - Arkasubhra Ghosh
- GROW Research Lab, Narayana Nethralaya Foundation, Bangalore, India
| | - Rudy M M A Nuijts
- University Eye Clinic Maastricht, Maastricht University Medical Center, Maastricht, the Netherlands
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Iqbal M, Elmassry A, Badawi AE, Gharieb HM, Said OM. Visual and Refractive Long-Term Outcomes Following Standard Cross-Linking in Progressive Keratoconus Management. Clin Ophthalmol 2019; 13:2477-2488. [PMID: 31849445 PMCID: PMC6913285 DOI: 10.2147/opth.s232954] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2019] [Accepted: 12/04/2019] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Purpose To analyze the effectiveness and stability of the refractive, topographic and visual outcomes of the standard cross-linking (SCXL) in keratoconus (KC) management. Patients and methods This study was designed as a retrospective non-comparative study that included 28 KC patients (n=49 eyes) who performed SCXL as a single procedure to treat KC and completed five-year follow-up period. The topographic, refractive and visual data were recorded preoperatively and at 12, 24, 36 and 60 months postoperatively. Results Forty eyes (81.6%) showed achieved postoperative spherical equivalent (SE) refraction better than the attempted refraction. Ten eyes (20.4%) improved by <1 D, 23 eyes (46.9%) improved from 1 D to <2 D and 7 eyes (14.3%) improved by ≥2 D. Both uncorrected distant visual acuity (UDVA) and corrected distant visual acuity (CDVA) showed statistically significant improvement from preoperative 1.34±0.29 (mean±SD) and 0.74±0.23 LogMAR to postoperative 0.99±0.32 and 0.50±0.22 LogMAR (P<0.0001) respectively. Both Kmax and SE refraction showed statistically significant and stable improvement from preoperative 51.95±1.90 and −7.90±3.14 D to postoperative 50.19±1.96 and −6.35±2.49 D (P<0.0001) respectively. Two eyes (4%) showed KC progression at the end of 5th follow-up year. Conclusion SCXL had good effectiveness and stability that halted KC progression over 5-year follow-up period. It had also unexpected improvement in the KC refractive components mainly the spherical and SE components.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammed Iqbal
- Department of Ophthalmology, Faculty of Medicine, Sohag University, Sohag, Egypt
| | - Ahmed Elmassry
- Department of Ophthalmology, Faculty of Medicine, Alexandria University, Alexandria, Egypt
| | - Amani E Badawi
- Department of Ophthalmology, Faculty of Medicine, Mansoura University, Mansoura, Egypt
| | - Hesham M Gharieb
- Department of Ophthalmology, Faculty of Medicine, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Omar M Said
- Department of Ophthalmology, Faculty of Medicine, Fayoum University, Fayoum, Egypt
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Karamichos D, Barrientez B, Nicholas S, Ma S, Van L, Bak-Nielsen S, Hjortdal J. Gonadotropins in Keratoconus: The Unexpected Suspects. Cells 2019; 8:cells8121494. [PMID: 31766771 PMCID: PMC6953013 DOI: 10.3390/cells8121494] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2019] [Revised: 11/15/2019] [Accepted: 11/21/2019] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Keratoconus (KC) is the most common ectatic corneal disease with a significant visual acuity burden. The actual burden is intangible given that KC can disrupt daily activities (reading, driving, and various career paths). Despite decades of research and clinical studies, the etiology, onset, and pathobiology of KC remain a mystery. The purpose of this study was to investigate the role of gonadotropins in KC. We recruited 86 KC patients (63 males, 23 female), and 45 healthy controls (22 male, 23 female). Plasma samples were collected and analyzed using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Corneal stromal cells from KC and healthy controls, and human epithelial corneal cells, were also investigated for gonadotropin-related markers. Our results show significant alterations of LH/FSH in KCs, compared to healthy controls. Our data also reveals, for the first time, the existence of gonadotropins and their receptors in KC. Our study is the first to demonstrate the role of LH/FSH in KCs, and expand the list of organs known to express gonadotropins, or their receptors, to include the human cornea. Our findings suggest that the human cornea is capable of responding to gonadotropins, and propose an intriguing mechanism for the onset and/or progression of KC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dimitrios Karamichos
- Department of Cell Biology, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, 73104 OK, USA
- Department of Ophthalmology/Dean McGee Eye Institute, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, 73104 OK, USA; (B.B.); (S.N.); (S.M.); (L.V.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +1-405-271-4019
| | - Brayden Barrientez
- Department of Ophthalmology/Dean McGee Eye Institute, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, 73104 OK, USA; (B.B.); (S.N.); (S.M.); (L.V.)
| | - Sarah Nicholas
- Department of Ophthalmology/Dean McGee Eye Institute, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, 73104 OK, USA; (B.B.); (S.N.); (S.M.); (L.V.)
| | - Symon Ma
- Department of Ophthalmology/Dean McGee Eye Institute, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, 73104 OK, USA; (B.B.); (S.N.); (S.M.); (L.V.)
| | - Lyly Van
- Department of Ophthalmology/Dean McGee Eye Institute, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, 73104 OK, USA; (B.B.); (S.N.); (S.M.); (L.V.)
| | - Sashia Bak-Nielsen
- Department of Ophthalmology, Aarhus University Hospital, Palle Juul-Jensens Boulevard 167, 8200 Aarhus N, Denmark; (S.B.-N.); (J.H.)
| | - Jesper Hjortdal
- Department of Ophthalmology, Aarhus University Hospital, Palle Juul-Jensens Boulevard 167, 8200 Aarhus N, Denmark; (S.B.-N.); (J.H.)
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Blackburn BJ, Jenkins MW, Rollins AM, Dupps WJ. A Review of Structural and Biomechanical Changes in the Cornea in Aging, Disease, and Photochemical Crosslinking. Front Bioeng Biotechnol 2019; 7:66. [PMID: 31019909 PMCID: PMC6459081 DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2019.00066] [Citation(s) in RCA: 78] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2018] [Accepted: 03/07/2019] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
The study of corneal biomechanics is motivated by the tight relationship between biomechanical properties and visual function within the ocular system. For instance, variation in collagen fibril alignment and non-enzymatic crosslinks rank high among structural factors which give rise to the cornea's particular shape and ability to properly focus light. Gradation in these and other factors engender biomechanical changes which can be quantified by a wide variety of techniques. This review summarizes what is known about both the changes in corneal structure and associated changes in corneal biomechanical properties in aging, keratoconic, and photochemically crosslinked corneas. In addition, methods for measuring corneal biomechanics are discussed and the topics are related to both clinical studies and biomechanical modeling simulations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brecken J. Blackburn
- Cole Eye Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, United States
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, United States
- Department of Ophthalmology, Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine of CWRU, Cleveland, OH, United States
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, United States
| | - Michael W. Jenkins
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, United States
- Department of Pediatrics, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, United States
| | - Andrew M. Rollins
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, United States
| | - William J. Dupps
- Cole Eye Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, United States
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, United States
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