The efficacy and safety of combined trabeculectomy, cataract extraction, and intraocular lens implantation

The safety and efficacy of combined trabeculectomy, extracapsular cataract extraction (ECCE), and posterior chamber intraocular lens (PC IOL) implantation were evaluated by retrospectively analyzing 108 consecutive operations. Postoperatively, 89% of eyes achieved 20/40 or better visual acuity when preoperative macular and optic nerve diseases were excluded. Mean follow-up was 16.8 months. Intraocular pressure (IOP) control (less than or equal to 21 mmHg) was achieved in 92% of eyes; 57% required no medications. Capsulotomy (20%) and transient hyphema (15%) occurred significantly more often (P less than 0.001) than in a comparison group. These results suggest that the combined procedure gives excellent visual rehabilitation and IOP control in the majority of patients included in this analysis.

Keratoconus. Contact lens or keratoplasty?

The success rate of contact lens fitting and rate of progression to keratoplasty were evaluated for 115 consecutive patients with keratoconus. Of 190 nonoperated eyes that needed to be fit, 25 (13%) could not be fit, whereas 165 eyes (87%) could be fit. Most of these eyes had been referred for keratoplasty after previous contact lens fittings had no longer been successful. Of the 165 eyes that could be fit, 51 (31%) ultimately needed keratoplasty after an average of 38.4 months of lens wear, and 114 eyes (69%) did not require keratoplasty over an average follow-up interval of 63 months of wearing contact lenses. The average initial keratoplasty reading in these two groups was 56.8 and 51.8 diopters (D), respectively. Special design, bispheric lenses were required in 125 of these 165 eyes (76%) and frequent lens changes were necessary. Of 88 postoperative eyes, 53 (60%) wore contact lenses for best vision. Keratoplasty can be delayed or avoided in many keratoconus patients by using contact lenses, especially special design, bispheric lenses. Also, keratoconus eyes often need contact lenses after keratoplasty.

Posterior chamber intraocular lens implantation in the absence of posterior capsular support

Because of the high incidence and great variety of complications associated with anterior chamber intraocular lenses, we have developed a technique for the implantation of a posterior chamber intraocular lens in the absence of posterior capsular support. The posterior chamber IOL is placed in the ciliary sulcus by suturing the superior haptic to the iris and the inferior haptic to the sclera at the ciliary sulcus. We have used this technique successfully in both complicated extracapsular surgery and secondary intraocular lens implantation.

Corneal alanine metabolism demonstrated by NMR spectroscopy

This study confirms the feasibility of monitoring corneal metabolism of an amino acid using high resolution NMR spectroscopy. Alanine metabolism to lactate was detected in intact, freshly isolated rabbit corneas. Progressively decreasing alanine resonances were noted after 4-5 hours of incubation while increasing amounts of lactate were detected. No similar signal was noted in de-epithelialized tissue. This study demonstrates the ability of corneal epithelium to utilize alanine as a metabolic substrate. This technique may be useful to determine the essential amino acids and their optimal concentrations necessary to maintain corneal viability during storage.

Cataract extraction after retinal detachment surgery

Extracapsular cataract extraction (ECCE) was done in 31 eyes of 27 patients after previous retinal reattachment surgery with scleral buckling. A posterior chamber intraocular lens (IOL) was implanted in 21 eyes. No significant modifications in the cataract surgical technique were necessary. Final visual acuity was 20/40 or better in 26 eyes (84%). The complication rate was low. One patient was found to have a retinal detachment (RD) after cataract extraction that probably predated the cataract surgery. No recurrent retinal tears or detachment developed in any patients during an average 24-month follow-up period.

Continuing corneal endothelial loss in intracapsular surgery with and without Binkhorst four-loop lenses: a long-term specular microscopy study

We analyzed pre- and postoperative corneal endothelial photographs of 17 intracapsular cataract extractions (ICCE) with Binkhorst four-loop intraocular lens (IOL) eyes and found 11.6% mean cell loss at 2 months (previously reported by Hirst et al) increasing to 42.4% after 5 years (p less than 0.05) and 51.8% at 7 years. Eleven ICCE eyes without IOLs similarly examined showed a 15.6% mean cell loss at 2 months (previously reported by Hirst et al), increasing to 33.4% at 5 years (p less than 0.005, paired t-test). Our results appear to indicate long-term continuing cell loss after ICCE, both with and without Binkhorst four-loop iris clip IOLs, and statistically significant greater cell loss (p less than .001, unpaired t-test) with IOLs than without.

Intraocular lens style and refraction in eyes treated with silicone oil

The comparatively high refractive index of silicone oil significantly alters the refractive power of the human eye when it is placed into the vitreous cavity during retinal reattachment surgery. If cataract extraction and intraocular lens (IOL) implantation are subsequently performed, significant refractive errors result with most IOL styles if standard formulas are used to determine lens power. Thick-lens optical analysis of four IOL styles showed that the meniscus style yields the smallest difference between predicted (Binkhorst, Sanders-Retzlaff-Kraff formulas) and actual postoperative refraction. This IOL style also minimizes the change in refractive error that accompanies subsequent alterations in the contents of the vitreous cavity, including removal of silicone oil and replacement with balanced salt solution.

Treatment of Mooren's and Mooren's-like ulcer by lamellar keratectomy: report of six eyes and literature review

Three cases of Mooren's ulcer (four eyes) and one case of marginal corneal ulcer associated with relapsing polychondritis (two eyes) are presented with decrease in ocular inflammation following extensive lamellar keratectomy or lamellar keratoplasty. Tissue adhesive was needed in two cases to maintain ocular integrity. The procedure may work by the removal of a corneal antigenic stimulus to a self-perpetrating auto-immune phenomenon that causes corneal melting. More cases are needed to evaluate the therapeutic efficacy of lamellar keratectomy for Mooren's and Mooren's-like corneal ulcers.

Refractive keratoplasty for disabling astigmatism after penetrating keratoplasty

Postoperative astigmatism is one of the major limitations of penetrating keratoplasty. In an attempt to reduce postkeratoplasty astigmatism, we combined corneal-relaxing incisions with orthogonal compression sutures, guided by the intraoperative use of a ring keratometer. Eleven consecutive patients from a mixed referral population with functionally disabling astigmatism were studied. The average preoperative keratometric cylinder of 11.68 diopters was reduced by 7.95 (+/- 3.03 SD) diopters. Each patient's net keratometric cylinder was reduced. We believe that this technique is safer and more predictable than previously published techniques.

Use of posterior chamber lenses in pseudophakic bullous keratopathy

The occurrence of pseudophakic bullous keratopathy following anterior chamber intraocular lens implantation is well documented. At the time of penetrating keratoplasty and anterior chamber intraocular lens removal, we attempt to reimplant a posterior chamber lens whenever possible because of the complications associated with anterior chamber lenses. We developed a technique to exchange an anterior chamber lens with a posterior chamber lens during penetrating keratoplasty. The intraocular lens loops are inserted in the ciliary sulcus and the optic is sutured to the iris.

Cataract extraction after vitrectomy

Cataract extractions were performed in 25 patients who had previously undergone pars plana vitrectomy. Posterior chamber IOLs were implanted in 20 of 26 eyes. Modification of the usual surgical technique was often necessary because the zonules and/or posterior capsule were unusually mobile. Lens opacities were nuclear sclerotic in 17 eyes (65%) and posterior subcapsular in nine eyes (35%). Visual acuity improved an average of five lines, and final visual acuity was 20/50 or better in 13 eyes (50%). Visual acuity after cataract extraction closely paralleled the best visual acuity after vitreous surgery in all patients. Complications were tears in the posterior capsule in two eyes and postoperative vitreous hemorrhage in one eye. These complications did not limit final vision.

Retinal detachment after extracapsular cataract extraction with posterior chamber intraocular lens

The authors reviewed 3065 consecutive cases of extracapsular cataract extraction with posterior chamber lens implant (ECCE-PC IOL) and found the incidence of retinal detachment to be 1.4% overall (44/3065) and 1.7% in a group of eyes followed for at least 1 year (40/2330). Retrospective analysis of the retinal detachment (RD) group (n = 44) showed the patients to be significantly younger than the overall group (n = 3065) (P less than 0.0001). Comparison with an age-matched group of 302 eyes without RD showed higher rates of RD in males (P = 0.0013) and in eyes with axial eye length (AEL) greater than 25 mm (P less than 0.0001). No significant correlation was found between RD and PC IOL manufacturer, phacoemulsification (PKE), or primary discission. Sixty-four percent of RDs occurred within 1 year of cataract operation. Only 10% occurred more than 2 years later. Visual results in eyes with ultimate anatomic success of RD repair (43 of 44 eyes, averaging 15 months follow-up) are substantially better than previously reported in series with other types of IOLs (96% greater than or equal to 20/40 if the macula was not involved, 75% greater than or equal to 20/40 if the macula was involved).

Complications of semiflexible, closed-loop anterior chamber intraocular lenses

Anterior chamber intraocular lenses (IOLs) provided good visual rehabilitation of aphakia in a majority of patients. An increasing number of eyes with closed-loop, semiflexible anterior chamber implants are now being seen with decreased vision due to corneal edema and persistent cystoid macular edema. We evaluated 53 such eyes in 52 patients who presented with decreased vision one to 51 months (average, 15 months) after lens implantation. The most frequent lens implanted was the Surgidev Style 10 Leiske IOL. Surgery for IOL removal or exchange with or without penetrating keratoplasty was performed in 34 (64%) of 53 eyes; visual acuity recovery ranged from 20/20 to hand motions (average, 20/80). Despite clear corneal grafts in 24 (92%) of the 26 eyes that underwent corneal transplantation, visual acuity of 20/40 or better was obtained in only nine eyes (26%). Based on the intractable inflammatory sequelae associated with anterior chamber closed-loop IOLs, we strongly urge discontinuation of their use.

Potential acuity meter for predicting postoperative visual acuity in penetrating keratoplasty. A new method using a hard contact lens

An irregular corneal surface degrades the optical transmission and limits the effectiveness of the potential acuity meter (PAM) in predicting post-keratoplasty visual acuity. The authors investigated the efficacy of using a temporarily placed hard contact lens to neutralize surface irregularities in conjunction with the PAM in predicting post-keratoplasty visual acuity. A prospective evaluation was performed on 40 keratoplasty patients with a mean follow-up of 10.4 months. Of 27 patients with corneas clear enough to permit them to read letters on the PAM chart, 17 (63%) had very accurately predicted visual acuities by this new method, compared to only eight patients (30%) with the PAM alone. Three patients had predicted visions better than final vision, but this was due to a concurrent cataract in two cases and chronic cystoid macular edema (CME) in the third case. This study indicates that temporarily placing a hard contact lens for use with the PAM can increase its accuracy in predicting final visual acuity after penetrating keratoplasty.

Macular corneal dystrophy. Lack of keratan sulfate in serum and cornea

An ELISA assay using a monoclonal antibody (ET-4-A-4) that recognizes a sulfated carbohydrate epitope in both keratan sulfate type I (corneal) and type II (skeletal) was employed to quantify keratan sulfate in serum and corneal tissue from patients with macular corneal dystrophy (MCD). This assay disclosed significant quantities of keratan sulfate in the serum in 45 healthy individuals (251 +/- 78 ng/ml), and in 66 patients with various corneal diseases (273 +/- 101 ng/ml). In contrast keratan sulfate was not detected (less than 2 ng/ml) in the serum of 16 patients with histopathologically confirmed MCD. Keratan sulfate was also detected in extracts of normal corneas and corneal tissue with a variety of pathologic conditions, but was virtually absent in corneal tissue from five patients with MCD. In corneas with MCD the chondroitin sulfate/keratan sulfate ratio was considerably higher than that of all normal and pathologic corneas studied. Since keratan sulfate in the serum appears to be derived predominantly from the normal turnover of cartilage these studies strongly suggest that the defect in keratan sulfate synthesis in MCD is not restricted to corneal cells and that MCD is one manifestation of a systemic disorder of keratan sulfate. The cartilage changes, however, do not have clinical significance. Moreover, since keratan sulfate can be detected in the blood of newborns it should be possible to diagnose MCD prior to corneal opacification.

A computerized analysis of astigmatism after cataract surgery

We have performed a computerized analysis of postoperative changes in corneal astigmatism in 203 consecutive cases of extracapsular cataract extraction with posterior chamber intraocular lens implantation performed by one surgeon. Surgical technique was standardized consisting of a 140 degree posterior limbal incision with preplaced 9-0 silk and postplaced 10-0 nylon sutures. The average postoperative astigmatism was 1.60 D and the average surgically induced change in astigmatism 0.51 D after a mean follow-up of 5.4 months. When the axis of astigmatism was considered, cataract surgery on the average initially induced 2.2 D of with-the-rule astigmatism which gradually declined, stabilizing at 0.35 D against-the-rule 19 weeks postoperatively. An analysis of the natural history of astigmatism after cataract surgery helps to optimize the timing of spectacle prescription and postoperative intervention to correct excessive astigmatism. A computerized astigmatism analysis also provides rapid feedback to guide changes in surgical technique to minimize astigmatism.

Absence of normal keratan sulfate in the blood of patients with macular corneal dystrophy

We measured levels of sulfated keratan sulfate in serum using a monoclonal antibody in an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Sulfated keratan sulfate was not detected in the serum of 16 patients with macular corneal dystrophy, but was present at normal levels in 66 patients with other corneal diseases. There were no differences with respect to age, sex, and other ocular findings. This monoclonal antibody recognizes a sulfated carbohydrate epitope present in both corneal and skeletal keratan sulfate. Since most serum keratan sulfate is derived from the cartilages, the defect in keratan sulfate synthesis in macular corneal dystrophy may not be restricted to corneal cells. This assay should prove useful in the diagnosis of macular corneal dystrophy, particularly in children at risk before the appearance of opacification.

Clinical and immunological results of corneal allograft rejection

Of 111 episodes of graft rejection in 66 patients, 62 responded to therapy with graft clearing (responders); 49 did not (non-responders). Both groups were of similar age, sex, and etiology; both had a similar rate of glaucoma and a similar rate of previous grafting. In responders the graft reaction was shorter in duration (2.2 vs. 5.6 wks. p less than 0.005), and it was necessary to increase the number of glaucoma medications more often in non-responders compared to responders (41% vs. 19%, p less than 0.02). The interval from surgery to reaction was similar in responders and non-responders (18.2 vs. 13.3 mos., p greater than 0.1). An epithelial rejection line was present in 11% of responders, but was not present in non-responders (p less than 0.05). Lymphocytotoxic antibody development correlated with rejection in 16 of 64 episodes. Patients who responded to treatment were more frequently asymptomatic (p less than 0.05) or were treated earlier following the onset of symptoms compared to non-responders (p less than 0.0001).

Extracapsular cataract extraction and posterior chamber lens implantation in eyes with preexisting glaucoma

Fifty eyes of 40 patients with glaucoma underwent extracapsular cataract extraction with posterior chamber lens implantation. Their visual results and early postoperative complications were compared with those of eyes in an age-matched group of patients without glaucoma after the same procedure. Substantial increases in early postoperative intraocular pressure (IOP) occurred in 62% of the glaucomatous eyes and in only 10% of the normal eyes. The level of best visual acuity was slightly worse (20/40) on average in the glaucomatous eyes than in the nonglaucomatous eyes (20/25). At six months after surgery, 82.5% of the nonfiltered glaucomatous eyes needed the same number of or additional glaucoma medications to maintain an IOP of less than 20 mm Hg. Ten of the glaucomatous eyes underwent trabeculectomy along with cataract surgery due to inadequate IOP control while the patient was receiving maximum medical therapy. Control was substantially improved, with 100% of these patients receiving the same number of or fewer medications at six months. By one year, only 30% of these patients required the same number of medications postoperatively as preoperatively, but all had IOP control.

Surgical vitrectomy for pseudophakic malignant glaucoma

Four eyes that had undergone cataract extraction with intraocular lens implantation developed malignant glaucoma. Three eyes had posterior chamber lenses and one eye had an anterior chamber lens. Medical therapy was unsuccessful in each case. One eye was treated with Nd-YAG laser disruption of the anterior hyaloid face, but this did not reverse the glaucoma. In all four eyes pars plana vitrectomy reversed the glaucoma process. In the eyes with posterior chamber lenses, the vitrectomy included excision of a localized area of lens capsule and zonules. A pathway for the anterior flow of aqueous was created without dislocating the intraocular lens.