Intrascleral fibrin glue intraocular lens fixation combined with Descemet-stripping automated endothelial keratoplasty or penetrating keratoplasty

Efficacy and safety of UT-DSAEK combined with Carlevale's sutureless scleral fixation IOL

PURPOSE

To evaluate a novel surgical combination of ultrathin Descemet stripping automated endothelial keratoplasty (UT-DSAEK) and sutureless scleral fixation for Carlevale intraocular lens (SSF-Carlevale IOL) implantation to manage corneal endothelial decompensation when there is a concomitant need for secondary IOL fixation.

METHODS

Clinical data collected from 10 eyes of 9 patients with bullous keratopathy (BK) who underwent combined UT-DSAEK and SSF-Carlevale IOL implantation in a single procedure were retrospectively analyzed. Anterior chamber IOL (4 cases), aphakia (4 cases, 1 of which associated with PEX), and previous trauma (2 cases) were the conditions responsible for BK. Corrected distance visual acuity (CDVA), intraocular pressure (IOP), endothelial cell density (ECD), central corneal thickness (CCT), graft thickness (GT) and complications were recorded over a 12-month follow-up period.

RESULTS

In 90% (9/10) of eyes graft clarity was maintained during follow-up. The mean CDVA improved significantly (p < 0.0001) from 1.78 ± 0.76 logMAR preoperatively to 0.53 ± 0.3 logMAR at 12 months. ECD on average decreased from 2575 ± 125.3 cells/mm2 (donor tissue) to 1697 ± 133.3 cells/mm2 in 12 months. The mean CCT decreased from 870 ± 200 µm to 650 µm ± 9 at 12 months (ANOVA, p = 0.0005).

CONCLUSIONS

Combined UT-DSAEK and SSF-Carlevale IOL implantation was associated with good corneal graft survival and IOP control, with few complications. These findings suggest that this surgical approach is a practical option for patients requiring both treatment for corneal endothelial dysfunction and secondary IOL implantation.

Outcomes of Secondary Intraocular Lens Implantation and Descemet Stripping Endothelial Keratoplasty-Comparing Staged Versus Combined Surgical Approach

PURPOSE

The aim of this study was to compare the outcomes of staged versus combined surgical approach for secondary intraocular lens (IOL) implantation and Descemet stripping endothelial keratoplasty (DSEK).

METHODS

This is a retrospective review of 124 eyes from 124 patients who underwent either staged or combined secondary IOL implantation in addition to DSEK over a 5-year period at 2 academic tertiary referral centers, between January 1, 2014, and October 1, 2019. Corrected distance visual acuity (CDVA), presence of graft detachment, primary graft failure (PGF), and cystoid macular edema were documented and analyzed.

RESULTS

The CDVA for the 1- to 2- month follow-up period was significantly better in the staged group compared with the combined group ( P = 0.011). By the postoperative 6- to 9-month follow-up period, there was no significant difference in the CDVA between the groups ( P = 0.591). There was no significant difference in the incidence of PGF or graft detachment between the 2 groups ( P > 0.05). In addition, there was no significant difference in the CDVA or rate of postoperative complications between the different methods of IOL fixation.

CONCLUSIONS

The short-term visual outcomes were significantly better in eyes that underwent staged secondary IOL implantation and DSEK versus the combined surgical approach, although the difference was no longer present at 6 to 9 months. There was no difference in the rate of PGF or graft detachment between the 2 groups.

Concomitant sutureless scleral fixation of intraocular lens with keratoplasty: Review of surgical techniques

Sutureless scleral fixation of intraocular lens (sSFIOL) is a commonly employed method of optical rehabilitation of aphakic patients with deficient capsular support, and corneal transplant surgeries can be simultaneously combined with sSFIOL to handle aphakic corneal opacities. A single-stage procedure circumvents the need for repeat intraocular procedures and carries lower risk of graft endothelial damage, endophthalmitis, and macular edema associated with sequential surgeries. However, it mandates surgical expertise and increases the chances of postoperative inflammation. A basket of options is available with the corneal surgeons regarding the manner of host and donor preparation as well as the approaches to scleral fixation and certain intraoperative modifications along with postoperative vigilance may enhance the surgical outcomes. Most of the studies pertaining to keratoplasty with sSFIOL categorize to case reports/series, surgical techniques, and retrospective studies with very limited prospective data available currently. The purpose of the present review is to consolidate all available literature on concomitant sSFIOLs and keratoplasty procedures.

Surgical outcomes of concomitantly performed penetrating keratoplasty with intrascleral haptic fixation

Purpose:

To describe the surgical results of concomitantly performed optical penetrating keratoplasty (PKP) with glued intrascleral haptic fixation (ISHF).

Methods:

Retrospective review of 18 patients (15–72 years) with best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) of ≤1/60 subjected to unilateral concomitant optical PKP with ISHF and followed up for 13.11 ± 5.83 months (6–26 months) was undertaken.

Results:

The most common diagnoses were failed PKP (9/18, 50%) followed by aphakic bullous keratopathy (5/18, 27%). Preoperative glaucoma, peripheral anterior synechiae (PAS), and deep vascularization were present in 7/18 (38.88%), 12/18 (61.11%), and 5/18 (27.77%) patients, respectively. Intraoperatively, concomitant procedures such as pupilloplasty and intraocular lens explant were undertaken in 5/18 (27.277%) patients and 1/18 patients (5.55%) experienced suprachoroidal hemorrhage. At final follow-up, BCVA was ≥6/60 in 50% patients (mean astigmatism: 4.79 ± 1.68D), and 55.55% cases experienced graft failure (90% failed within one year of surgery). The most common causes of graft failure were glaucoma (50%), glaucoma with rejection (20%), rejection (10%), retinal detachment (10%), and suprachoroidal hemorrhage (10%). The ODDS ratio (OR) of having graft failure with the following factors was postoperative secondary interventions (OR: 6), postoperative complications (OR: 2.25), prior failed graft (OR: 1.8), preoperative PAS (OR: 1.75), intraoperative concomitant procedures (OR: 1.5), preoperative glaucoma (OR: 1.33), previous surgeries (OR: 1.24), and deep corneal vessels (OR: 0.66).

Conclusion:

All patients underlying PKP combined with glued ISHF must be counseled about suboptimal surgical outcomes. Emphasis is laid on appropriate case selection and stringent follow-up during the first year after surgery. Secondary interventions should be undertaken cautiously and judiciously in these patients.

Visual Outcome of Combined Descemet Stripping Endothelial Keratoplasty and Sutured Scleral Fixated Intraocular Lens in Endothelial Decompensation with Coexistent Aphakia or Intra Ocular Lens Subluxation

Purpose To elucidate visual outcome of patients after combined Descemet stripping endothelial keratoplasty (DSEK) with scleral fixated intra ocular lens (SFIOL) implantation in patients of endothelial decompensation with coexistent aphakia or lens subluxation.

Materials and Methods A prospective interventional study of combined DSEK with sutured SFIOL in the patients who have undergone surgery at our center over 6-month follow-up period. Preoperative visual acuity and slit lamp findings were documented. Postoperative follow-up was done at days 1, 3, and 7 subsequently, months 1 and 3, and thereafter monthly till the sixth month.

Results Mean age of the patients was 60.47 years. Six patients had aphakic bullous keratopathy, while 11 patients had pseudophakic bullous keratopathy with subluxated posterior chamber IOL (PCIOL). Preoperative visual acuity ranged from hand movements close to face (LogMar 2.4) with accurate projection of rays to 1/60 (LogMar 2) due to existing corneal edema and aphakia. Postoperatively uncorrected visual acuity at 6 months improved up to 6/36 (LogMar 0.8) in all cases. There was gradual improvement in corneal clarity and compactness during the follow-up. A good donor tissue endothelial count and an adequate IOP control were vital prognostic factors for the successful outcome.

Conclusion This novel surgical merger reduces the complications of lenticule dislocation into vitreous and repeated surgeries and shows results akin to when performed in a staged manner.

Descemet-stripping automated endothelial keratoplasty with intrascleral haptic-fixated intraocular lens in a sequential vs simultaneous approach

PURPOSE

To compare the outcomes of Descemet-stripping automated endothelial keratoplasty (DSAEK) with intrascleral haptic-fixated intraocular lens (IOL) in a sequential and simultaneous approach.

SETTING

Tertiary eyecare center.

DESIGN

Prospective randomized comparative study.

METHODS

Patients with aphakic or complicated pseudophakic bullous keratopathy visiting a tertiary eyecare center were included in the study. A total of 40 patients were randomized into 2 groups of 20 each. Group 1 had subjects who underwent scleral-fixated IOL (SF IOL) implantation by intrascleral haptic fixation technique, followed by DSAEK (sequential procedure) with an interval of at least 3 months. Group 2 (simultaneous) had subjects who underwent DSAEK with SF IOL as a combined procedure. Graft survival, endothelial cell loss (ECL), corrected distance visual acuity (CDVA), and need for any intervention such as rebubbling were evaluated for both the groups at the end of 6 months.

RESULTS

At 6 months, the sequential group had significantly better CDVA of 0.62 ± 0.17 logMAR compared with 0.87 ± 0.19 logMAR in the simultaneous group (P = .002). Group 1 had significantly better overall cumulative graft survival (100% vs 60%, P = .002), significantly lower ECL (P = .006), lesser mean central corneal thickness (P = .03), and significantly thinner donor lenticule (P = .009). Rebubbling rate was significantly higher in Group 2 (P = .025). The mean hyperopic shift was significantly more in Group 2 (P = .02).

CONCLUSION

The sequential procedure of SF IOL followed by DSAEK has better visual outcomes and graft survival when compared with simultaneous procedure in cases of aphakic or complicated pseudophakic bullous keratopathy.

Endothelial keratoplasty with anterior chamber intraocular lens versus secondary posterior chamber intraocular lens

AIM

To describe the long-term outcomes of Descemet stripping automated endothelial keratoplasty (DSAEK) with an anterior chamber intraocular lens (ACIOL) compared to secondary posterior chamber (PC) IOL.

METHODS

This was a retrospective comparative cohort study. The clinical data of 82 eyes from 82 consecutive patients with pseudophakic (PBK) or aphakic bullous keratopathy (ABK) who either underwent DSAEK with retained or secondary ACIOL (n=23) or DSAEK with IOL exchange and/or secondary PCIOL (retropupillary iris-claw IOL, n=25; intrascleral-fixated IOL, n=29; or sulcus IOL, n=5) were analysed. The main outcome measures were graft survival and complications up to 5 years.

RESULTS

The graft survival in the secondary PCIOL group was superior than the ACIOL group over 5 years (year 1, 100.0% vs 100.0%; year 3, 94.7% vs 75.0%; year 5, 91.1% vs 60.6%, p=0.022). The presence of an ACIOL was a significant risk factor associated with graft failure (HR, 4.801; 95% CI, 1.406 to 16.396, p=0.012) compared to a secondary PCIOL. There was no significant difference in the rate of graft detachment and elevated intraocular pressure between the groups. There were five cases (9.3%) of IOL subluxation or dislocation in the retropupillary iris-claw and intrascleral-fixated IOL groups.

CONCLUSIONS

Eyes that underwent DSAEK with ACIOL in situ had poorer long-term graft survival compared with those with secondary PCIOL. Intraocular lens exchange was not associated with a higher complication rate. In ABK or PBK eyes with ACIOL, we recommend performing IOL exchange and/or secondary PCIOL implantation combined with endothelial keratoplasty.

Repeat keratoplasty in failed Descemet stripping automated endothelial keratoplasty

Purpose:

To evaluate the clinical factors associated with repeat Descemet stripping automated endothelial keratoplasty (DSAEK) or penetrating keratoplasty (PKP) in cases of failed DSAEK.

Methods:

Retrospective observational study of cases with failed DSAEK admitted to our center for a repeat keratoplasty over 5 years (January 2013–Decemeber 2017) was undertaken. Demographic and perioperative details of all cases and type of repeat keratoplasty were recorded. Logistic regression analysis was performed to analyze the factors affecting the type of repeat keratoplasty.

Results:

A total of 94 eyes with failed DSAEK were evaluated. Repeat DSAEK was performed in 66% and PKP in 34% of cases. Significantly increased odds for requiring PKP were observed in association with stromal scarring [odds ratio (OR) = 2.9, P = 0.018)], trainee surgeons (OR = 4.05, P = 0.008), intraoperative complications (OR = 4.58, P = 0.003), scleral fixated intraocular lens or anterior chamber intraocular lens in situ (OR = 33.8, P < 0.001), secondary glaucoma (OR = 3.02, P = 0.015), peripheral anterior synechiae (OR = 8.6, P < 0.001), preoperative corneal thickness (OR = 1.01, P < 0001), time to primary surgery (OR = 1.03, P = 0.03), post-DSAEK host thickness (OR = 1.01, P < 0.001), and time interval from graft failure to regraft (OR = 1.18, P < 0.001). All eyes with congenital hereditary endothelial dystrophy, bee-sting-induced corneal decompensation, Axenfeld-Rieger syndrome, and multiple failed grafts underwent secondary PKP. All cases (nine eyes) that required surgical intervention for secondary glaucoma underwent secondary PKP (P < 0.001).

Conclusion:

Repeat DSAEK is feasible in up to two-third of cases of failed DSAEK. A PKP is required in one-third of cases, and various preoperative, intraoperative and postoperative factors are associated with unsuitability for repeat DSAEK.

Glued Intraocular Lens Combined with Endothelial Keratoplasty: A Case Report

In an aphakic eye with corneal edema, performing Descemet's stripping automated endothelial keratoplasty (DSAEK) combined with implantation of intraocular lens can be a challenge. This case report describes a surgical technique for postsurgical aphakia with endothelial decompensation in a 42-year-old female with Marfan syndrome and subluxated lens. This technique comprised implanting DSAEK with fibrin glue-assisted sutureless posterior chamber intraocular lens. The donor lenticels were formed on a 60-kHz femtosecond laser platform (IntraLase^®). Two partial-thickness scleral flaps and sclerotomies were created, and then, the Descemet's membrane was scored and stripped. A posterior chamber intraocular lens was implanted, and its haptics was pulled out through the sclerotomies and tucked beneath the flaps. The flaps were then apposed with fibrin glue. The donor lenticule was introduced to the anterior chamber and unfolded. Air tamponade was used to stabilize and center it. This technique significantly improved the uncorrected and best-corrected visual acuities of the patient, and no donor dislocations were reported. This case corroborates the findings of few similar cases that have found combined use of glued intraocular lens with DSAEK to be beneficial in such cases.

Descemet stripping automated endothelial keratoplasty

Endothelial keratoplasty is at present the gold standard for surgical treatment of corneal endothelial pathologies not associated with significant corneal scar. Tremendous progress has been made in recent years in improving the technology of endothelial keratoplasty techniques, such as descemet stripping automated endothelial keratoplasty (DSAEK) and descemet membrane endothelial keratoplasty. In this review, we discuss the current techniques and outcomes of DSAEK.

Ophthalmic use of blood-derived products

There is a wide spectrum of blood-derived products that have been used in many different medical and surgical specialties with success. Blood-derived products for clinical use can be extracted from autologous or allogeneic specimens of blood, but recombinant products are also commonly used. A number of blood derivatives have been used for a wide range of ocular conditions, from the ocular surface to the retina. With stringent preparation guidelines, the potential risk of transmission of blood-borne diseases is minimized. We review blood-derived products and how they are improving the management of ocular disease.

Fibrin Sealant: The Only Approved Hemostat, Sealant, and Adhesive-a Laboratory and Clinical Perspective

Background. Fibrin sealant became the first modern era material approved as a hemostat in the United States in 1998. It is the only agent presently approved as a hemostat, sealant, and adhesive by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The product is now supplied as patches in addition to the original liquid formulations. Both laboratory and clinical uses of fibrin sealant continue to grow. The new literature on this material also continues to proliferate rapidly (approximately 200 papers/year). Methods. An overview of current fibrin sealant products and their approved uses and a comprehensive PubMed based review of the recent literature (February 2012, through March 2013) on the laboratory and clinical use of fibrin sealant are provided. Product information is organized into sections based on a classification system for commercially available materials. Publications are presented in sections based on both laboratory research and clinical topics are listed in order of decreasing frequency. Results. Fibrin sealant remains useful hemostat, sealant, and adhesive. New formulations and applications continue to be developed. Conclusions. This agent remains clinically important with the recent introduction of new commercially available products. Fibrin sealant has multiple new uses that should result in further improvements in patient care.