Indications for and techniques of keratoplasty at Vietnam National Institute of Ophthalmology

Infectious keratitis in Vietnam: etiology, organisms, and management at Vietnam National Eye Hospital

AIM

To report the etiologies, risk factors, treatments, and outcomes of infectious keratitis (IK) at a major Vietnamese eye hospital.

METHODS

This is a retrospective review of all cases of IK at Vietnam National Eye Hospital (VNEH) in Hanoi, Vietnam. Medical histories, demographics, clinical features, microbiological results, and treatment outcomes were reviewed.

RESULTS

IK was diagnosed in 1974 eyes of 1952 patients, with ocular trauma being the greatest risk factor for IK (34.2%), frequently resulting from an agriculture-related injury (53.3%). The mean duration between symptom onset and presentation to VNEH was 19.3±14.4d, and 98.7% of patients had been treated with topical antibiotic and/or antifungal agents prior to evaluation at VNEH. Based on smear results of 1706 samples, the most common organisms identified were bacteria (n=1107, 64.9%) and fungi (n=1092, 64.0%), with identification of both bacteria and fungi in 614 (36.0%) eyes. Fifty-five of 374 bacterial cultures (14.7%) and 426 of 838 fungal cultures (50.8%) were positive, with the most commonly cultured pathogens being Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Streptococcus pneumonia, Fusarium spp., and Aspergillus spp. Corneal perforation and descemetocele developed in 391 (19.8%) and 93 (4.7%) eyes, respectively. Medical treatment was successful in resolving IK in 50.4% eyes, while 337 (17.1%) eyes underwent penetrating or anterior lamellar keratoplasty. Evisceration was performed in 7.1% of eyes, most commonly in the setting of fungal keratitis.

CONCLUSION

Ocular trauma is a major risk factor for IK in Vietnam, which is diagnosed in almost 400 patients each year at VNEH. Given this, and as approximately one quarter of the eyes that develop IK require corneal transplantation or evisceration, greater emphasis should be placed on the development of prevention and treatment programs for IK in Vietnam.

Tectonic Deep Anterior Lamellar Keratoplasty to Treat Corneal Perforation and Descemetocele from Microbial Keratitis

Purpose

To evaluate the result of tectonic deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty (DALK) for keratitis with perforation and descemetocele.

Patients and Methods

A prospective clinical study of 36 patients (36 eyes) treated with tectonic DALK for corneal perforation or descemetocele from microbial keratitis managed at the Vietnam National Eye Hospital over a two-year period. The surgical technique was manual lamellar dissection. The grafts were harvested from the anterior corneal cap of pre-cut donor tissues used for DSAEK or donor corneas with a low endothelial cell count.

Results

A mean age was 55.36 ± 13.98 years (ranged from 25 to 75 years). Female gender represented 52%. causative agents were herpes simplex virus (58.3%), bacteria (22.2%), fungi (13.9%) and microsporidia (5.6%). There were 24 eyes with descemetocele (66.7%) and 12 with perforation (33.3%). There were 33 successful cases (91.7%) and 3 failed cases (8.3%). Best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) improved in 28 eyes (84.8%). The range of post-operative BCVA was from hand motions to 20/70. Eleven eyes (33.3%) attained vision 20/200 and higher. Clear graft was obtained in 15 eyes (45.5%), while mild or severe graft opacity was observed in 14 eyes (42.4%), and 4 eyes (12.1%), respectively. Surgical complications included descemet rupture (20.8%), pseudo anterior chamber (41.6%), persistent corneal epithelial defects (8.3%), reinfection (11.1%), glaucoma or ocular hypertension (5.6%) and cataract (8.3%).

Conclusion

The study demonstrates that DALK is an effective procedure to treat corneal descemetocele, especially when an urgent penetrating keratoplasty (PKP) cannot be performed.

Trends in surgical procedures and indications for corneal transplantation over 27 years in a tertiary hospital in Japan

PURPOSE

To characterize trends in procedures, and indications for corneal transplantation over 27 years in a single referral center in Japan.

STUDY DESIGN

Retrospective study.

METHODS

Data from a consecutive series of corneal transplant surgery cases performed from 1991 to 2017at Ichikawa General Hospital were collected. The surgical procedures, indications, and causes of corneal endothelial dysfunction were evaluated.

RESULTS

Among 6,025 transplantations, a total of 3,991 cases underwent penetrating keratoplasty (PKP), 1009 underwent (deep) anterior lamellar keratoplasty, 746 underwent endothelial keratoplasty, and 309 underwent epithelial transplantation. Over that period the frequency of PKP decreased, whereas the frequency of lamellar keratoplasty increased. The four major surgical indications were bullous keratoplasty (BK 30.0%), regraft (24.2%), post-keratitis scars (17.1%), and keratoconus (11.4%). After dividing the study period into four time periods, we found that BK and regraft increased (from 20.3% to 34.5% and 18.2% to 31.1%, respectively), whereas post-keratitis scars and keratoconus decreased (from 26.0% to 9.5% and 14.1% to 7.2%, respectively) between the first and last period. Pseudophakic or aphakic BK were the major causes of corneal endothelial dysfunction until 2010. Cases of laser-iridotomy-induced BK peaked in 35 eyes (34.3% of BK) in 2000 and declined after 2013. Cases of Fuchs endothelial corneal dystrophy increased from 0 in 1991, to 15 eyes (18.5% of BK) in 2017.

CONCLUSION

Lamellar keratoplasty has replaced PKP in our hospital. BK and regraft have increased, whereas post-keratitis scars and keratoconus have decreased. Laser-iridotomy-induced BK has decreased during the past decade, whereas Fuchs endothelial corneal dystrophy has increased.

Changing Indications for Penetrating Keratoplasty in Bahrain in a Tertiary Referral Centre

PURPOSE

To study the changing indications for Penetrating keratoplasty in Bahrain and to compare them with published data.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

A Retrospective review of available records of patients who underwent penetrating keratoplasty at a tertiary center in Bahrain (1996-2015). The trend of each indication was analyzed. The study was subdivided into three periods for correlation purposes. Pearson Coefficient r and the p values were used for interpretation of data. The results were compared with similar studies.

RESULTS

A total of 298 patients underwent keratoplasty in the study period, which is from 1996 until 2015 (missing data 2009-2011). Keratoconus was found to be the leading indication, accounting for 33% of the total cases, followed by trachoma 27%, followed by aphakic and pseudophakic bullous keratopathies 13%. Trachoma showed a statistically significant decreasing trend (p < 0.001), Keratoconus had an increasing trend (p<0.001). Bullous keratopathy showed an increasing trend (p = 0.001) with an abrupt rise after 2012.

CONCLUSION

Corneal scarring due to old trachoma was the leading indication for keratoplasty 20 years ago in Bahrain. However, due to improvement of health awareness, hygiene, and the socioeconomic status, this has regressed with keratoconus becoming the leading indication from 2002 onwards. A surge of bullous keratopathy was noted after 2012, placing it as the second commonest indication. This may be due to the introduction of phacoemulsification technique for cataract surgery, and perhaps because the nature of the institute being a teaching hospital. Keratoconus is the leading indication and showed an increasing trend. It is recommended to perform a keratoconus screening program for early detection and prevention.

Changing trends in penetrating keratoplasty indications at a tertiary eye care center in Budapest, Hungary between 2006 and 2017

AIM

To analyze the changing trends in penetrating keratoplasty (PKP) indications.

METHODS

This retrospective study included all patients with PKP between 2006 and 2017. Patients were classified using histological diagnoses. Our groups were as the following: pseudophakic or aphakic bullous keratopathy, regraft, acute necrotizing and ulcerative keratitis, keratoconus, Fuchs' dystrophy, corneal dystrophy other than Fuchs', corneal scar, other diagnoses and failed endothelial keratoplasty graft. Additionally, two different time-periods (2006-2012 and 2013-2017) were analysed.

RESULTS

Totally 1721 histological analyses of 1214 patients were available for review. The diagnoses were pseudophakic or aphakic bullous keratopathy in 487 (28.3%), regraft in 443 (25.7%), acute necrotizing and ulcerative keratitis in 313 (18.2%), corneal scar in 153 (8.9%), keratoconus in 140 (8.1%). Fuchs' dystrophy in 61 (3.5%), corneal dystrophy other than Fuchs' in 46 (2.7%), other diagnoses in 44 (2.6%) and failed endothelial keratoplasty graft in 34 (2.0%) cases. From the first to the second analysed time-period, incidence of acute necrotizing and ulcerative keratitis, corneal scar, Fuchs' dystrophy increased (P≤0.032 for all) and incidence of keratoconus significantly decreased (P=0.015).

CONCLUSION

Pseudophakic or aphakic bullous keratopathy is the leading indication for PKP, followed by regraft and acute necrotizing and ulcerative keratitis.

A 27-Year Report from the Central Eye Bank of Iran

Purpose

To report the 27-year statistical data from the Central Eye Bank of Iran (CEBI) and its activity.

Methods

All CEBI records regarding procured eyes, tissue utilizations, corneal transplants per capita, and indications for keratoplasty from 1991 to 2017 were analyzed.

Results

In total, 115,743 whole eyes were donated during the 27-year period. Out of the 114,169 eyes donated between 1994 and 2017, 95,314 eyes were distributed for transplantation, and 95,057 corneas were actually transplanted. The mean annual rate of corneal transplants per capita was 55.10 - 6 ± 27.10 - 6 . Although penetrating keratoplasty (PKP, 70%) was the most common technique of corneal transplantation during the study period, it exhibited a decreasing trend between 2006 and 2017 (P = 0.048). It was in contrast to Descemet stripping automated endothelial keratoplasty (DSAEK) that demonstrated an increasing trend during the same period (P < 0.001). Keratoconus (KCN, 39.70%) was the most leading indication for keratoplasty over the last three decades followed by bullous keratopathy (BK, 18.5%), corneal scar and opacities (15.7%), and graft failure (GF, 7.5%), with an increasing trend for BK, GF, and KCN. A majority of scleral tissues (83.7%) were utilized for orbital implant protection.

Conclusion

An increasing trend in the number of procured eyes was observed over the past 27 years in Iran. The most leading indications for corneal transplantation were KCN and BK. While PKP was the most common keratoplasty technique, DSAEK showed an increasing trend over the last 12 years.

Changing Trends in Penetrating Keratoplasty Indications between 2011 and 2018 - Histopathology of 2123 Corneal Buttons in a Single Center in Germany

Purpose: To analyse the changing trends in penetrating keratoplasty indications between January 2011 and December 2018, at the Department of Ophthalmology, Saarland University Medical Center, Homburg/Saar, Germany. Patients and Methods: This is a retrospective review of 2123 corneal buttons of 1776 patients (1993 eyes, 56.0% males, age at the time of surgery 57.6 ± 18.7 years), who underwent penetrating keratoplasty (PKP) between January 2011 and December 2018. The classification was performed based on histological analysis and using the priority scheme of Brady et al., supplemented by a group of "failed endothelial keratoplasty grafts". Our groups were the following: pseudophakic or aphakic bullous keratopathy, regraft, failed endothelial keratoplasty graft, acute necrotizing and ulcerative keratitis, keratoconus, Fuchs' dystrophy, corneal dystrophy other than Fuchs', corneal scars and other diagnoses. Results: Between 2011 and 2018, keratoconus was the leading indication for PKP in 455 (21.5%) cases, followed by acute necrotizing and ulcerative keratitis in 384 (18.1%), regraft in 367 (17.3%), corneal scars in 350 (16.5%), pseudophakic or aphakic bullous keratopathy in 225 (10.6%), Fuchs' dystrophy in 194 (9.1%), other diagnoses in 64 (3.0%), corneal dystrophy other than Fuchs' in 52 (2.4%), and failed endothelial keratoplasty graft in 32 (1.5%) cases. Conclusions: With the introduction of posterior lamellar keratoplasty, keratoconus remains the leading PKP indication in our center with excimer laser-trephination on a routine basis. A trend towards increasing numbers can be observed regarding acute necrotizing and ulcerative keratitis patients and regrafts. However, the incidence of Fuchs' dystrophy decreased dramatically within PKP patients, with the introduction of posterior lamellar keratoplasty.

Fuchs endothelial corneal dystrophy and corneal endothelial diseases: East meets West

Fuchs endothelial corneal dystrophy (FECD) is amongst one of the most common indications for endothelial keratoplasty worldwide. Despite being originally described among Caucasians, it is now known to be prevalent among a large number of populations, including Asians. While the FECD phenotype is classically described as that of central guttate and pigment deposits associated with corneal endothelial dysfunction, there are subtle yet important differences in how FECD and its phenocopies may present in Caucasians vs Asians. Such differences are paralled by genotypic variations and disease management preferences which appear to be geographically and ethnically delineated. This article provides a succinct review of such differences, with a focus on diagnostic and management issues which may be encountered by ophthalmologists practicing in the different geographic regions, when evaluating a patient with FECD.

Indications and techniques of corneal transplantation in a referral center in Colombia, South America (2012-2016)

PURPOSE

To describe the indications and techniques of corneal grafting in a tertiary institution in a middle-sized city in Colombia.

METHODS

A retrospective review of surgical reports and medical records of patients undergoing keratoplasty from January 2012 to December of 2016.

RESULTS

A total of 346 eyes from 316 patients were included. The first three indications for keratoplasty were: bullous keratopathy (BK) with 46.2% of the cases, active infectious keratitis (22.3%) and the group of corneal dystrophies and degenerations, including Fuchs' endothelial dystrophy (9%). Keratoconus was in the sixth place (4.9%). 73.3% of the procedures were penetrating keratoplasties (n = 255), 21.7% posterior lamellar (n = 75) and 3.5% anterior lamellar (n = 12). While in 2012, 25 cases of endothelial grafts were performed, only 13 were done in 2016.

CONCLUSIONS

BK was the first cause of keratoplasty with almost half of the cases, and keratoconus was relegated to sixth place with less than 5%. In comparison, in a study from eye banks from the US, BK was the second and keratoconus was the third indication for corneal grafts. The frequency of endothelial lamellar techniques in our institution decreased from 2012 to 2016. This could have been related to both the long time that the patients had to be on a waiting list, which made them unsuitable candidates for this technique, due to stromal fibrosis, and to the fact that surgeons of our institution had less experience with posterior endothelial grafting than with penetrating keratoplasties.