Visual rehabilitation in children with congenital hereditary endothelial dystrophy

Updates on congenital hereditary endothelial dystrophy

Congenital hereditary endothelial dystrophy (CHED) is a rare genetic corneal disorder causing progressive cornea clouding and significant visual impairment. CHED remains a leading indication for pediatric corneal transplantation despite its infrequency, particularly in regions with high consanguinity rates like Southeast Asia. Identifying the Solute Carrier Family 4 Member 11 (SLC4A11) gene as the genetic basis of CHED has led to the discovery of it's various genetic variations. However, a comprehensive understanding of its clinical-genetic correlation, pathophysiology, and optimal management is ongoing. This review aims to consolidate current knowledge about CHED, covering its genetic origins, pathophysiological mechanisms, clinical presentation, and management strategies. Surgical intervention, such as penetrating keratoplasty (PK), Descemet stripping automated endothelial keratoplasty (DSAEK), and Descemet membrane endothelial keratoplasty (DMEK), remains the primary treatment. DSAEK and DMEK offer advantages over PK, including quicker visual recovery, reduced complications, and longer graft survival, especially in the pediatric age group. The timing of surgical interventions depends on disease severity, age at presentation, comorbidities, and visual potential. Elevated oxidative stress in CHED corneal tissue suggests potential benefits from anti-inflammatory drugs to rescue mutated endothelial cells. Considering the limitations of corneal graft surgeries, exploring novel gene-based molecular therapies are essential for future management. Early diagnosis, appropriate surgical interventions, amblyopia control, and genetic counseling for predictive analysis are pivotal for optimizing CHED management. A multidisciplinary approach involving ophthalmologists, researchers, and genetic counselors is essential for precise diagnosis and optimal care for CHED patients.

Bilateral posterior lamellar corneal transplant surgery in an infant of 17 weeks old: Surgical challenges and the added value of intraoperative optical coherence tomography

This study aimed to describe the surgical challenges, management, and value of intraoperative optical coherence tomography in a case of a bilateral Descemet Stripping Automated Endothelial Keratoplasty corneal transplantation at 17 weeks of age for the treatment of severe posterior polymorphous corneal dystrophy resulting from a de novo mutation of the OVOL2-gene.

Descemet Membrane Endothelial Keratoplasty in Congenital Hereditary Endothelial Dystrophy: Initial Experiences

PURPOSE

To report our early experiences with Descemet membrane endothelial keratoplasty (DMEK) in congenital hereditary endothelial dystrophy (CHED).

METHODS

Retrospective analysis of medical records of eyes with CHED that underwent DMEK between January 1, 2018, and April 30, 2019, and had a minimum of 1-year follow-up.

RESULTS

Three eyes of 2 CHED patients (a 10-year-old girl and a 22-year-old man) were included. Both had decreased vision and hazy corneas from birth and underwent DMEK during the study period. Surgery was performed by a single surgeon and was uneventful in all 3 eyes. Within 1 month of surgery, the corneal edema cleared, and vision improved significantly. The mean decimal visual acuity improved from 0.15 ± 0.08 (baseline) to 0.33 ± 0.19 at 3 months. The mean central corneal thickness improved from 928 ± 2.3 μm (baseline) to 555.3 ± 25.8 μm at 3 months. The final visual outcome was less in 1 eye because of dense amblyopia. In all 3 eyes, a subtle stromal haze persisted even after resolution of edema. One eye had graft rejection 7 months after surgery because of discontinuation of medications, effectively managed by increasing the frequency of topical steroids.

CONCLUSIONS

DMEK may be a viable option in phakic eyes with CHED.

Descemet Stripping Endothelial Keratoplasty in Pediatric Patients with Congenital Hereditary Endothelial Dystrophy

PURPOSE

To report the long-term outcomes of Descemet stripping endothelial keratoplasty (DSEK) with suture-assisted donor lenticule insertion performed in different age groups for pediatric patients with congenital hereditary endothelial dystrophy (CHED).

DESIGN

Retrospective case series.

METHODS

Pediatric patients with CHED who underwent DSEK from January 2010 to January 2016 were enrolled. Patients were divided into 2 groups according to their ages: the infant group and the child group. Long-term clinical outcomes and complications were compared.

RESULTS

Thirty eyes of 16 patients were included: 19 eyes (10 patients) in the child group and 11 eyes (6 patients) in the infant group. The average duration of follow-up was 4.08 ± 1.90 years (range 2.5-8.5 years). Corneal transparency scores of the 2 groups on postoperative day 7 were not statistically different. The average postoperative best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) in the infant group (logMAR 0.32 ± 0.11) was better than that in the child group (logMAR 0.54 ± 0.20; (P = .01). Thirty-three percent of cases in the child group and 86% of cases in the infant group had postoperative BCVA achieved or better than logMAR 0.4. Average endothelial cell loss in the child group was 31.21% ± 9.17%. Lenticule detachment occurred in 3 cases in the child group.

CONCLUSIONS

Improved visual outcomes could be achieved in infant patients with CHED after DSEK without significant complications. Suture-assisted donor lenticule insertion techniques, Descemet membrane stripping, and postoperative sedation are advocated technical points.

Outcomes of penetrating keratoplasty in congenital hereditary endothelial dystrophy

Background/aim

To report the outcome of penetrating keratoplasty (PKP) in Irish patients with congenital hereditary endothelial dystrophy (CHED).

Methods

A retrospective case series review of patients with CHED who underwent PKP was conducted. The outcomes of PKP in 14 patients with CHED at the Royal Victoria Eye and Ear Hospital in Dublin from 1978 to 2013 were described following case note review. The main outcome measures were best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and graft survival.

Results

Thirty-three corneal transplants were performed, which included 32 PKPs and one Descemet’s stripping endothelial keratoplasty. Twenty-four eyes underwent primary corneal grafts and nine eyes had regrafts. The graft survival rates at final follow-up were 37.5% and 33% in the primary graft and regraft groups, respectively. Preoperative BCVA was 20/200 or worse in all patients. At the final postoperative visit, the BCVA was 20/80 or better in four eyes following primary PKP, 20/160 in one eye following regrafting and was 20/200 or worse in all other eyes. The mean time to graft failure was 16 months (range 0–37 months). The mean follow-up time was 101 months (range 12–252 months). Fifty per cent of the patients continue to attend for follow-up.

Conclusions

This study has demonstrated a poor outcome from PKP for CHED in this Irish cohort. This arises from a combination of dense amblyopia and a high risk of graft failure in the long term.

Descemet's stripping automated endothelial keratoplasty for congenital hereditary endothelial dystrophy

Congenital hereditary endothelial dystrophy (CHED), presents in infancy or early childhood with bilateral clouding of corneas. This condition has previously been managed surgically with penetrating keratoplasty (PKP). Performing PKP in pediatric patients has its own set of difficulties. More recently, there has been growing interest in treating this condition with Descemet’s stripping automated endothelial keratoplasty (DSAEK). The purpose of this study is to report our experience of successfully performing DSAEK in a child with CHED.