PURPOSE: To assess corneal microarchitecture and regional epithelial thickness profile in eyes with keratoconus, postoperative corneal ectasia (ectasia), and normal unoperated eyes (controls) using spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT).
METHODS: Regional corneal epithelial thickness profiles were measured with anterior segment SD-OCT (Optovue RTVue-100, Optovue Inc., Fremont, CA). Epithelial thickness was assessed at 21 points, 0.5 mm apart, across the central 6-mm of the corneal apex in the horizontal and vertical meridians.
RESULTS: One hundred twenty eyes were evaluated, including 49 eyes from 29 patients with keratoconus, 32 eyes from 16 patients with ectasia, and 39 eyes from 21 control patients. Average epithelial thickness at the corneal apex was 41.18 ± 6.47 μm (range: 30 to 51 μm) for keratoconus, 46.5 ± 6.72 μm for ectasia (range: 34 to 60 μm), and 50.45 ± 3.92 μm for controls (range: 42 to 55 μm). Apical epithelial thickness was significantly thinner in eyes with keratoconus (P < .0001) and ectasia (P = .0007) than in controls. Epithelial thickness ranges in all other areas varied widely for keratoconus (range: 21 to 101 μm) and ectasia (range: 30 to 82 μm) compared to controls (range: 43 to 64) (P = .0063).
CONCLUSION: SD-OCT demonstrated significant central and regional epithelial thickness profile differences between keratoconus, ectasia, and control eyes, with significant variability and unpredictability in ectatic eyes. This regional irregularity may necessitate direct epithelial thickness measurement for treatments where underlying stromal variations may be clinically relevant, including corneal collagen cross-linking or topography-guided ablations.
Purpose
To describe a novel technique for toric intraocular lens (IOL) repositioning and fixation in the absence of adequate capsular support
Methods
Case report and literature review
Results
Two cases are presented with scleral fixation of a one-piece toric IOL (SN6AT series, Alcon Inc.) In both cases, toric IOLs initially placed within the capsular bag became decentered due to poor capsular support and/or posterior capsule rupture. To avoid the potential complications of lens explantation and maintain the astigmatic benefits of the toric IOL, scleral fixation of the lenses was performed. The Hoffman technique was used to create reverse scleral pockets without conjunctival dissection. A 10-0 suture was used to capture and then secure the lens haptics in a lasso-type fashion. Sutures were then buried within the previously created scleral pockets. Both patients had well centered lenses postoperatively and have remained stable at last follow-up, up to thirty months postoperatively.
Conclusion
In the absence of adequate capsular support, scleral fixation is a viable option for one-piece toric IOL fixation to avoid IOL explanation
PURPOSE: To describe the etiology, diagnosis, clinical course, and management of LASIK interface complications.
METHODS: Literature review.
RESULTS: Primary interface complications include infectious keratitis, diffuse lamellar keratitis, central toxic keratopathy, pressure-induced stromal keratopathy (PISK), and epithelial ingrowth. Infectious keratitis is most commonly caused by Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (early onset) or atypical Mycobacterium (late onset) postoperatively, and immediate treatment includes flap lift and irrigation, cultures, and initiation of broad-spectrum topical antibiotics, with possible flap amputation for recalcitrant cases. Diffuse lamellar keratitis is a white blood cell infiltrate that appears within the first 5 days postoperatively and is acutely responsive to aggressive topical and oral steroid use in the early stages, but may require flap lift and irrigation to prevent flap necrosis if inflammation worsens. In contrast, PISK is caused by acute steroid response and resolves only with cessation of steroid use and intraocular pressure lowering. Without appropriate therapy PISK can result in severe optic nerve damage. Central toxic keratopathy mimics stage 4 diffuse lamellar keratitis, but occurs early in the postoperative period and is noninflammatory. Observation is the only effective treatment, and flap lift is usually not warranted. Epithelial ingrowth is easily distinguishable from other interface complications and may be self-limited or require flap lift to treat irregular astigmatism and prevent flap melt.
CONCLUSIONS: Differentiating between interface entities is critical to rapid appropriate diagnosis, treatment, and ultimate visual outcome. Although initial presentations may overlap significantly, the conditions can be readily distinguished with close follow-up, and most complications can resolve without significant visual sequelae when treated appropriately.
PURPOSE: To assess the corneal architecture and reproducibility of LASIK flap thickness created by the Amadeus II mechanical microkeratome (Ziemer Ophthalmic Systems AG) using Fourier-domain optical coherence tomography (OCT; Optovue Inc).
METHODS: Anterior segment Fourier-domain OCT was used to analyze the morphology of 58 LASIK flaps from 30 patients created with the Amadeus II microkeratome 140-μm head and ML7090CLB blades (Med-Logics Inc) at 2 weeks postoperatively. Flap thickness was assessed at 10 points across the central 6 mm of the cornea (horizontal and vertical meridians). Postoperative central corneal flap thickness measured by Fourierdomain OCT was compared with intraoperative ultrasound pachymetry measurements.
RESULTS: No significant difference was noted between central flap thickness measured by intraoperative pachymetry (107.2±14 μm) and postoperative OCT (111.7±11 μm; P=.07, correlation coefficient=0.86). Fourier-domain OCT measurements demonstrated functionally planar flap architecture (standard deviation [SD] of thickness across the flap=4.9 μm, SD range across the flap=2 to 9 μm) for the microkeratome flaps.
CONCLUSIONS: The Amadeus II microkeratome with Med-Logics blades created thin, reproducible, functionally planar flaps as measured by Fourier-domain OCT. Central flap thickness measured by intraoperative ultrasound pachymetry was equivalent to that measured 2 weeks postoperatively by OCT.