Corneal melting associated with topical diclofenac use after laser-assisted subepithelial keratectomy

Bilateral corneal melting associated with topical diclofenac 0.1% after cataract surgery in a patient with Sjögren's syndrome

A 79-year-old female with Sjögren's syndrome (SS) underwent phacoemulsification and lens implantation in both eyes within 2 days. Postoperatively, topical diclofenac 0.1% and tobramycin 0.3% were applied. She presented 10 days later with photophobia, large central corneal melting, and visual acuity of counting finger in both eyes. Diclofenac was discontinued, and systemic doxycycline and steroids were administered. Amniotic membrane transplantation was performed in the left eye with topical steroid and autologous serum 20%. Corneal melting gradually healed in 3 weeks, but the centers of both corneas became thin and opaque. Hyperopic shift and irregular corneal surface were more significant in the right eye than in the left eye. Vision recovered to 0.05 and 0.1 in the right and left eyes, respectively. Topical nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs should be used with caution in cataract surgery in patients with SS.

A randomized controlled trial comparing the efficacy of topical antibiotic steroid combination versus no treatment after fornix-incision strabismus surgery

PURPOSE

To compare comfort and inflammation in patients treated with postoperative topical antibiotic steroids in one eye versus no treatment in the other eye.

METHODS

This prospective, randomized single-masked study included all patients with planned symmetrical strabismus surgery via fornix incision. One eye was randomly assigned to topical postoperative tobramycin-dexamethasone and the other eye was not treated. Patient and parent questionnaires were administered, and two masked observers assessed conjunctival injection over the muscle and wound site.

RESULTS

A total of 70 patients completed at least 1 postoperative visit and were included. There was no statistically significant difference between the treatment eye and the no treatment eye in any of the studied parameters.

CONCLUSIONS

Postoperative topical antibiotic steroid did not prove to be superior to no treatment in uncomplicated fornix surgery with regard to patient comfort and inflammation. In those cases, consideration may be given to sparing the patient the inconvenience, cost, and potential complications of the topical medication.

Iatrogenic neurology

Iatrogenic disease is one of the most frequent causes of hospital admissions and constitutes a growing public health problem. The most common type of iatrogenic neurologic disease is pharmacologic, and the central and peripheral nervous systems are particularly vulnerable. Despite this, iatrogenic disease is generally overlooked as a differential diagnosis among neurologic patients. The clinical picture of pharmacologically mediated iatrogenic neurologic disease can range from mild to fatal. Common and uncommon forms of drug toxicity are comprehensively addressed in this chapter. While the majority of neurologic adverse effects are listed and referenced in the tables, the most relevant issues are further discussed in the text.

Central corneal melting associated with reformulated generic diclofenac in a patient with inferior fornix foreshortening

Purpose

To report a case of corneal melting in a patient with fornix foreshortening being treated with reformulated generic diclofenac.

Methods

Case report.

Results

An asymptomatic 76-year old man presented with central corneal melting while being treated with reformulated generic diclofenac. This formulation did not contain the vitamin E derivative, tocophersolan, which has been felt to contribute to corneal melting associated with generic diclofenac in the past. Other factors for corneal melting included multiple medication use and altered forniceal architecture, but did not include previous corneal or cataract surgery. Following discontinuation of the topical medications and temporary tarsorrhapy, the defect reepithelialized.

Conclusion

In patients with a compromised ocular surface, reformulated generic diclofenac has the potential to cause corneal melting without prior cataract or refractive surgery. Use should not be indiscriminate or without close supervision.

Polyoxyethylated nonionic surfactants and their applications in topical ocular drug delivery

Topical dosing of ophthalmic drugs to the eye is a widely accepted route of administration because of convenience, ease of use, and non-invasiveness. However, it has been well recognized that topical ocular delivery endures a low bioavailability due to the anatomical and physiological constraints of the eye which limit drug absorption from the pre-corneal surface. Nonionic surfactants as versatile functional agents in topical ocular drug delivery systems are uniquely suited to meet the challenges through their potential ability to increase bioavailability by increasing drug solubility, prolonging pre-corneal retention, and enhancing permeability. This review attempts to place in perspective the importance of polyoxyethylated nonionic surfactants in the design and development of topical ocular drug delivery systems by assessing their compatibility with common ophthalmic inactive ingredients, their impact on product stability, and their roles in facilitating ocular drugs to reach the target sites.

Multilayer amniotic membrane transplantation for bacterial keratitis with corneal perforation after hyperopic photorefractive keratectomy

We report a case of corneal infection caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae after hyperopic photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) that produced severe corneal melting, ulceration, and multiple perforations. Treatment included antibiogram-based antibiotic topical therapy and multilayer amniotic membrane transplantation (AMT) performed to seal the perforations and restore the globe integrity. Clinical and anterior segment optical coherence tomography (Visante OCT, Carl Zeiss Meditec) examinations documented progressive integration of the amniotic membrane tissues within the cornea, stromal and epithelial healing, and recovery of a stable and regular anterior chamber. The cornea healed with an avascular leucoma; the best corrected visual acuity was reduced to 20/200. Severe pneumococcal ulcerative perforation is a potential complication of PRK. Penetrating keratoplasty, at high risk for failure in the acute settings of an infected and inflamed eye, can be delayed until the cornea is healed. Amniotic membrane transplantation may be an alternative surgical option to achieve this goal.