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

imagePurpose:

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 0.07).

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.

Clinical and Microbiological Spectra and Therapeutic Outcomes of Polymicrobial Keratitis

imagePurpose:

The aim of this study was to evaluate the risk factors, microbiology, and treatment outcomes of polymicrobial keratitis (PMK).

Methods:

We retrospectively analyzed 65 patients diagnosed with PMK between 2016 and 2019. The clinical and microbiological characteristics and outcomes were evaluated. The primary outcome measure was clinical resolution of keratitis. Absolute success (group A) was defined as resolution of infection with medical treatment, qualified success (group B) was resolution with medical therapy and additional minor procedures, and failure (group C) was defined as worsening of infection and presence of corneal melting or perforation requiring therapeutic penetrating keratoplasty or evisceration.

Results:

Of 4764 cases of microbial keratitis, PMK was identified in 65 eyes of 65 patients (1.36%). Infiltrate was central in 60% (39 eyes). Predisposing factors were higher in group C and included uncontrolled diabetes mellitus in 25% (7/28), history of trauma/foreign body in 57.1% (16/28), and poor presenting visual acuity (0.9 for group A vs. 1.79 for group B vs. 3.00 logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution for group C; P = 0.02). Microbiological profiling revealed that a majority (95%: 62/65) had bacterial with fungal keratitis. High fluoroquinolone resistance was noted (57%; 34/59). Absolute success was achieved in 28.3% (17/60), qualified success in 16.6% (10/60), and treatment failure was noted in 55% (33/60). The final best corrected visual acuity in group A was significantly better than that in group B and C (0.44 vs. 3.00 vs. 2.78; P

Long-Term Stability of Femtosecond Astigmatic Keratotomy After Treatment of High Postkeratoplasty Astigmatism

imagePurpose:

The purpose of this study was to assess long-term stability and outcomes of femtosecond astigmatic keratotomy (FSAK) after treatment of high postkeratoplasty astigmatism.

Methods:

This retrospective study included patients who underwent FSAK for high astigmatism (≥4 D) after penetrating keratoplasty or deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty. Main outcome measures were corneal astigmatism, uncorrected visual acuity, and best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) at 1 month and 1, 5, and 10 years.

Results:

Overall, 61 eyes of 61 patients (mean age 56 ± 19 years, 54.1% male) were included in this study. Preoperative corneal astigmatism ranged from 4 to 25 D. One month after FSAK, mean corneal astigmatism was significantly reduced from 9.02 ± 3.97 D to 4.86 ± 3.10 D (P

Lotilaner Ophthalmic Solution, 0.25%, for the Treatment of Demodex Blepharitis: Results of a Prospective, Randomized, Vehicle-Controlled, Double-Masked, Pivotal Trial (Saturn-1)

imagePurpose:

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the safety and efficacy of lotilaner ophthalmic solution, 0.25%, compared with vehicle for the treatment of Demodex blepharitis.

Methods:

In this prospective, randomized, controlled, double-masked, phase 2b/3 clinical trial, 421 patients with Demodex blepharitis were randomly assigned in a 1:1 ratio to receive either lotilaner ophthalmic solution, 0.25% (study group), or vehicle without lotilaner (control group) bilaterally, twice daily for 43 days. Patients were evaluated at days 8, 15, 22, and 43. Outcome measures were complete collarette cure (collarette grade 0), clinically meaningful collarette cure (grade 0 or 1), mite eradication (0 mites/lash), erythema cure (grade 0), composite cure (grade 0 for collarettes/erythema), and drop comfort. Adverse events were also evaluated.

Results:

At day 43, the study group achieved a statistically significantly higher proportion of patients with clinically meaningful collarette cure (81.3% vs. 23.0%; P

Repeated High-Fluence Accelerated Slitlamp-Based Photoactivated Chromophore for Keratitis Corneal Cross-Linking for Treatment-Resistant Fungal Keratitis

Purpose:

The purpose of this study was to report a case of fungal keratitis resistant to standard-of-care antimicrobial treatment and successful resolution, thanks to the repeated high-fluence accelerated photoactivated chromophore for keratitis-co…