Epithelial Ingrowth After Descemet Stripping Automated Endothelial Keratoplasty: Description of Cases and Assessment With Anterior Segment Optical Coherence Tomography

Intraocular Epithelial Ingrowth after Traumatic and Surgical Corneal Injuries

Intraocular epithelial ingrowth is a rare but serious complication of eye surgery or trauma. The diagnosis is challenging but can be aided by techniques such as anterior optical coherence tomography (AS-OCT). This study aimed to compare clinical and histopathological diagnostic data to evaluate the accuracy of AS-OCT. This retrospective analysis focused on patients presenting with suspected epithelial invasion between 2017 and 2022. Clinical data and histopathological findings were analyzed for diagnostic confirmation. Immunohistochemistry using the corneal-specific marker cytokeratin 3 and the conjunctival-specific marker cytokeratin 13 helped to identify the type of invading epithelial cells. Statistical analysis was used to evaluate the effectiveness of AS-OCT for diagnosis. This study included 51 patients who underwent keratoplasty or enucleation. Sixteen cases (31%) of epithelial ingrowth were histologically confirmed. The most common type was the cystic form (82%). Enucleation was required in 25% of patients, mainly due to diffuse epithelial invasion. Immunohistochemistry revealed a conjunctival origin in 82% of the infiltrated cells. AS-OCT showed a sensitivity of 78% and a specificity of 26% in detecting hyperreflective structures associated with epithelial invasion. This study highlights the diverse manifestations of epithelial ingrowth and the need for improved diagnostic techniques, with AS-OCT showing promising results but requiring further validation to avoid misdiagnosis.

Pathophysiology and management of glaucoma and ocular hypertension related to trauma

Ocular trauma is a significant cause of blindness worldwide, particularly if associated with glaucoma. Direct damage from blunt or penetrating trauma, bleeding, inflammation, lens-related problems, orbital and brain vascular pathologies related to trauma, and chemical injuries may increase intraocular pressure and lead to traumatic glaucoma. Treatment may be as simple as eliminating the underlying cause in some conditions or management can be challenging, depending on the mechanism of damage. If proper management is not undertaken, visual outcomes can be poor. We discuss a broad spectrum of trauma-related mechanisms of intraocular pressure elevation, as well as their management.

Epithelial ingrowth through venting incision into laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis flap interface after descemet stripping automated endothelial keratoplasty

PURPOSE

To present a case of epithelial ingrowth into the laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) flap interface after a patient underwent descemet stripping automated endothelial keratoplasty (DSAEK) surgery with venting incisions.

OBSERVATIONS

We present a case of a 48-year-old man with previous history of LASIK that underwent DSAEK for pseudophakic bullous keratopathy after complicated cataract surgery requiring an intraocular lens (IOL) exchange. The patient developed epithelial ingrowth into the LASIK flap interface from one of the venting incisions. The epithelial ingrowth was observed as it was a small peripheral area that did not affect his visual acuity.

CONCLUSIONS AND IMPORTANCE

Epithelial ingrowth is a well-described complication following LASIK but has rarely been described to occur after endothelial keratoplasty (EK). Even rarer, are reports of epithelial ingrowth after EK cases that have been found to result from venting incisions. To the authors' knowledge, this is the first case of the ingrowth into a LASIK flap interface occurring after EK through a venting incision. Although it may be an uncommon occurrence in which a patient with a history of LASIK requires EK, surgeons should take extra precautions to avoid this complication.

Impact of venting incision on graft detachment in Descemet stripping automated endothelial keratoplasty

PURPOSE:

To evaluate the impact of venting incision on graft detachment in Descemet stripping automated endothelial keratoplasty (DSAEK).

MATERIALS AND METHODS:

Retrospective comparative study on DSAEK procedure performed with (n = 13) and without (n = 39) venting incision. Patients were treated with DSAEK for various causes of endothelial decompensation between February 2014 and April 2016. The rate of postoperative graft detachments documented on anterior segment optical coherence tomography was compared in both groups.

RESULTS:

Paracentral venting incision decreases the rate of graft displacement. Non-venting group (nvg) had 28.2% graft displacement compared to venting group (vg) which had 7.6% graft displacement.

CONCLUSION:

Venting incision is a simple and safe manoeuvre to facilitate graft adherence in DSAEK, especially in caseswith presence of high-risk factors for graft detachment.

Applications of Anterior Segment Optical Coherence Tomography in Cornea and Ocular Surface Diseases

Optical coherence tomography (OCT) is a noncontact technology that produces high-resolution cross-sectional images of ocular tissues. Anterior segment OCT (AS-OCT) enables the precise visualization of anterior segment structure; thus, it can be used in various corneal and ocular surface disorders. In this review, the authors will discuss the application of AS-OCT for diagnosis and management of various corneal and ocular surface disorders. Use of AS-OCT for anterior segment surgery and postoperative management will also be discussed. In addition, application of the device for research using human data and animal models will be introduced.

Textural interface opacity after Descemet-stripping automated endothelial keratoplasty

PURPOSE

To describe cases of interface haze, also known as textural interface opacity, after Descemet-stripping automated endothelial keratoplasty (DSAEK).

SETTING

Department of Cornea, External Disease, and Refractive Surgery Service, Duke Eye Center, Durham, North Carolina, USA.

DESIGN

Retrospective case series.

METHODS

Patients' clinical and demographic characteristics, cornea donor information, surgical technique, histopathology, and anterior segment optical coherence tomography (OCT) were reviewed retrospectively and clinical outcomes reported.

RESULTS

The interface haze that developed after DSAEK comprised 2 types of textural interface opacity; that is, total (11 cases) and partial (3 cases). The time of onset of textural interface opacity ranged from 1 day to 7 weeks postoperatively. Although most patients with textural interface opacity showed improvement, with a corrected distance visual acuity better than 20/50, 3 had persistent decreased visual acuity and required repeat DSAEK. Seven eyes had concurrent phacoemulsification with intraocular lens implantation and DSAEK. The corneal graft was inserted with an Endoserter device in 11 eyes, an insertion forceps in 2 eyes, and a cystotome needle in 1 eye. Histopathology of the grafts of eyes that required repeat DSAEK showed no inflammation, no foreign-body deposit, and no fibrosis. Anterior segment OCT showed increased hyperreflectivity in the interface.

CONCLUSIONS

Although the etiology of textural interface opacity is unclear, it may be related to retained ophthalmic viscosurgical device (OVD) or an adhesive property of the OVD used during the surgery. Although most cases resolve with time, repeat DSAEK may be an effective treatment for refractory cases.

FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE

Dr. Kim is a consultant to Ocular Systems, Inc. No other author has a financial or proprietary interest in any material or method mentioned.

Etiopathogenesis and therapy of epithelial ingrowth after Descemet's stripping automated endothelial keratoplasty

Descemet's stripping endothelial keratoplasty is an emerging technique finalized to treat endothelial dysfunction replacing only the pathological portion of cornea. The advent of any new technique puts us in front of new complications. The epithelial ingrowth is a well-known complication already studied in case of ocular trauma and more recently in refractive surgery. This job analyzed the potential etiopathogenesis of epithelial ingrowth after DSAEK, reviewing the cases described in literature, and suggests the potential therapy.

Ultra high-resolution anterior segment optical coherence tomography in the diagnosis and management of ocular surface squamous neoplasia

The development of optical coherence tomography (OCT) technology has helped to usher in a new era of in vivo diagnostic imaging of the eye. The utilization of OCT for imaging of the anterior segment and ocular surface has evolved from time-domain devices to spectral-domain devices with greater penetrance and resolution, providing novel images of anterior segment pathology to assist in diagnosis and management of disease. Ocular surface squamous neoplasia (OSSN) is one such pathology that has proven demonstrable by certain anterior segment OCT machines, specifically the newer devices capable of performing ultra high-resolution OCT (UHR-OCT). Distinctive features of OSSN on high resolution OCT allow for diagnosis and differentiation from other ocular surface pathologies. Subtle findings on these images help to characterize the OSSN lesions beyond what is apparent with the clinical examination, providing guidance for clinical management. The purpose of this review is to examine the published literature on the utilization of UHR-OCT for the diagnosis and management of OSSN, as well as to report novel uses of this technology and potential directions for its future development.

Histologically proven epithelial ingrowth in failed Descemet stripping automated endothelial keratoplasty (DSAEK) managed by repeat DSAEK

Purpose

To report a case of corneal graft failure due to epithelial ingrowth after an uneventful combined Descemet stripping automated endothelial keratoplasty (DSAEK) and phacoemulsification cataract surgery with intraocular lens implant treated successfully with a repeat DSAEK.

Methods

A 77-year-old male patient underwent combined DSAEK and phacoemulsification with intraocular lens implant implantation for Fuchs’ endothelial dystrophy plus cataract in the right eye. The donor cornea was cut on the Moria ALTK system and introduced using a suture pull-through technique. After an episode of endothelial rejection, the graft failed, with signs suggesting epithelial ingrowth. It was stripped from the host cornea using a Descemet’s membrane stripper, and a Simcoe irrigation-aspiration cannula was used to remove all traces of interface material. The excised lenticule was examined histologically using a hematoxylin and eosin stain.

Result

The patient regained and maintained excellent visual acuity with no sign of recurrence of epithelial ingrowth. Histopathological evaluation of the donor tissue of the first graft showed epithelial ingrowth on the stromal surface of the graft and very few endothelial cells, in keeping with the diagnosis of graft failure.

Conclusion

Epithelial ingrowth is a possible cause of endothelial graft failure, but histologically proven cases are rare. Surgical intervention can achieve successful clearance, with the potential for cure and an excellent outcome.

Indications of optical coherence tomography in keratoplasties: literature review

Optical coherence tomography (OCT) of the anterior segment, in particular corneal OCT, has become a reliable tool for the cornea specialist, as it provides the acquisition of digital images at high resolution with a noncontact technology. In penetrating or lamellar keratoplasties, OCT can be used to assess central corneal thickness and pachymetry maps, as well as precise measurements of deep stromal opacities, thereby guiding the surgeon to choose the best treatment option. OCT has also been used to evaluate the keratoplasty postoperative period, for early identification of possible complications, such as secondary glaucoma or donor disc detachments in endothelial keratoplasties. Intraoperatively, OCT can be used to assess stromal bed regularity and transparency in anterior lamellar surgeries, especially for those techniques in which a bare Descemet's membrane is the goal. The purpose of this paper is to review and discuss the role of OCT as a diagnostic tool in various types of keratoplasties.

Interface lamellar keratitis induced by a post-Descemet stripping automated endothelial keratoplasty corneal trauma

A 78-year-old female patient suffering from Fuchs endothelial dystrophy had uneventful Descemet stripping automated endothelial keratoplasty (DSAEK) on the right eye. One and a half months postoperatively, she underwent a corneal foreign body trauma and was referred to our clinic, complaining about vision deterioration. Slit-lamp examination revealed a severe and diffuse interface lamellar keratitis between the DSAEK graft and the recipient's cornea without any signs of graft dysfunction. Intensive treatment with local corticosteroids was applied immediately, resulting in prompt improvement of both visual acuity and clinical condition. A new clinical entity, described as interface lamellar keratitis after corneal trauma in a DSAEK patient, is presented. Early diagnosis and appropriate intensive treatment with local corticosteroids are essential to successfully address this uncommon post-DSAEK complication.

A case of interface keratitis following anterior lamellar keratoplasty

Anterior lamellar keratoplasty (ALK) is indicated in patients with anterior corneal opacities. Benefits over penetrating keratoplasty include quicker visual rehabilitation, less postoperative astigmatism, and preservation of the host endothelium, thus minimizing the chances of graft rejection. A rare complication of lamellar corneal surgery is infectious interface keratitis between the donor and host tissue. We report a case of infectious interface keratitis following automated ALK successfully treated medically and by removal of the ALK disk, eventually having a deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty with good visual recovery.

Intraoperative use of spectral-domain optical coherence tomography during Descemet's stripping automated endothelial keratoplasty

Purpose

To evaluate the intraoperative changes in the donor lenticule, recipient cornea, and the reduction of interface fluid thickness during Descemet’s stripping and automated endothelial keratoplasty with EndoGlide™ (Angiotech Pharmaceuticals Inc, Vancouver, Canada) donor insertion, using intraoperative spectral-domain optical coherence tomography.

Methods

Prospective observational case series of patients underwent Descemet’s stripping and automated endothelial keratoplasty using the EndoGlide inserter. Spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (iVue; Optovue Inc, Fremont, CA) with a handheld probe was used to image the cornea and anterior chamber. Standardized software was used to measure interface fluid gap, host cornea, and donor lenticule thicknesses during the following surgical stages of Descemet’s stripping and automated endothelial keratoplasty: (1) after donor insertion and immediately before full air tamponade; (2) after air tamponade and expression of fluid from venting incisions; (3) at 6 minutes of air tamponade; and (4) at 10 minutes of air tamponade.

Results

Ten patients with a mean age of 74.9 ± 11.8 years were recruited. Spectral-domain optical coherence tomography measurements of the interface fluid gap after fluid was expressed through the venting incisions (P < 0.001), at 6 minutes of air tamponade (P < 0.001) and at 10 minutes of air tamponade (P < 0.001 and P = 0.001, respectively), were significantly decreased compared to the measurements immediately before air tamponade. Donor thickness increased significantly at 6 minutes of air tamponade (P = 0.004) but reduced by 10 minutes compared to immediately before air tamponade.

Conclusion

Significant intraoperative changes in the donor, recipient cornea, and interface fluid thickness occurred following endothelial keratoplasty donor insertion.