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Chen M, Seo S, Simmons X, Maroud Y, Wong T, Schubert W, Yiu SC. Precise longitudinal monitoring of corneal change through in vivo confocal microscopy in a rat dry eye disease model. Mol Vis 2024; 30:150-159. [PMID: 39076769 PMCID: PMC11286106] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2023] [Accepted: 03/18/2024] [Indexed: 07/31/2024] Open
Abstract
Purpose While lacrimal gland removal is commonly used in animal models to replicate dry eye disease, research into systematically monitoring dry eye disease's longitudinal pathological changes is limited. In vivo confocal microscopy (Heidelberg Retina Tomograph 3 with a Rostock Cornea Module, Heidelberg Engineering Inc., Franklin, MA) can non-invasively reveal corneal histopathological structures. To monitor dry-eye-disease-related changes in corneal structures, we developed a precise monitoring method using in vivo confocal microscopy in a rat double lacrimal gland removal model. Methods Five Sprague-Dawley rats (age 8-9 weeks, male) underwent double lacrimal gland removal. Modified Schirmer's tear test, blink tests, and in vivo confocal microscopy images were acquired pre-surgery and at 1, 2, and 4 weeks post-surgery. Three individual stromal nerves were selected per eye as guide images, and images of the corresponding sub-basal nerve plexus area were acquired via volume acquisition. The same area was re-imaged in subsequent weeks. Results After double lacrimal gland removal, tear production was reduced by 60%, and the blink rate increased 10 times compared to pre-surgery. Starting from 1 week after surgery, in vivo confocal microscopy showed increased sub-basal nerve plexus nerve fiber density with inflammatory cell infiltration at the sub-basal nerve plexus layer and remained at an elevated level at 2 and 4 weeks post-surgery. Conclusions We demonstrated that our precise monitoring method revealed detailed changes in the corneal nerves, the epithelium, and the stroma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Minjie Chen
- Wilmer Eye Institute, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD
| | - Stefanie Seo
- Wilmer Eye Institute, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD
| | - Xianni Simmons
- Wilmer Eye Institute, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD
| | - Youssef Maroud
- Wilmer Eye Institute, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD
| | - Trystin Wong
- Wilmer Eye Institute, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD
| | | | - Samuel C Yiu
- Wilmer Eye Institute, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD
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Diagnostic Algorithm for Surgical Management of Limbal Stem Cell Deficiency. Diagnostics (Basel) 2023; 13:diagnostics13020199. [PMID: 36673009 PMCID: PMC9858342 DOI: 10.3390/diagnostics13020199] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2022] [Revised: 12/22/2022] [Accepted: 12/30/2022] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Limbal stem cell deficiency (LCSD) presents several challenges. Currently, there is no clearly defined systematic approach to LSCD diagnosis that may guide surgical tactics. METHODS The medical records of 34 patients with LSCD were analyzed. Diagnostic modalities included standard (visometry, tonometry, visual field testing, slit-lamp biomicroscopy with corneal fluorescein staining, Schirmer test 1, ultrasonography) and advanced ophthalmic examination methods such as anterior segment optical coherence tomography, in vivo confocal microscopy, impression cytology, and enzyme-linked immunoassay. RESULTS Standard ophthalmological examination was sufficient to establish the diagnosis of LSCD in 20 (58.8%) cases, whereas advanced evaluation was needed in 14 (41.2%) cases. Depending on the results, patients with unilateral LSCD were scheduled to undergo glueless simple limbal epithelial transplantation (G-SLET) or simultaneous G-SLET and lamellar keratoplasty. Patients with bilateral LSCD with normal or increased corneal thickness were enrolled in the paralimbal oral mucosa epithelium transplantation (pLOMET) clinical trial. CONCLUSIONS Based on the diagnostic and surgical data analyzed, the key points in LSCD diagnosis were identified, helping to guide the surgeon in selecting the appropriate surgical procedure. Finally, we proposed a novel step-by-step diagnostic algorithm and original surgical guidelines for the treatment of patients with LSCD.
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Microscopic corneal epithelial changes and clinical outcomes in simple limbal epithelial transplantation surgery after treatment with amniotic membrane eye drops (AMED): A case report. Am J Ophthalmol Case Rep 2022; 29:101763. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ajoc.2022.101763] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2022] [Revised: 11/15/2022] [Accepted: 11/26/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
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Pedrotti E, Bertolin M, Fasolo A, Bonacci E, Bosello F, Ponzin D, Marchini G. Autologous simple conjunctival epithelial transplantation for primary pterygium. Int Ophthalmol 2022; 42:3673-3680. [PMID: 35612687 DOI: 10.1007/s10792-022-02364-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2021] [Accepted: 04/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE To evaluate the feasibility of a new method of conjunctival transplantation to achieve recovery of the normal conjunctival epithelium over the bare sclera after pterygium excision and prevent its recurrence. METHODS After excision of the primary pterygium, we performed simple conjunctival epithelial transplantation (SCET) in which we glued an amniotic membrane patch pre-loaded with tiny autologous conjunctival tissue fragments over the scleral defect. Slit-lamp evaluation was performed at 2 and 7-10 days, and then at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months after surgery, together with confocal microscopy at 3, 6, and 12 months. RESULTS Surgical excision and SCET for nasal primary pterygium were performed in 6 eyes (6 patients). No graft detachment occurred. An inflammatory granuloma was excised without sequelae in one patient 2 months after surgery. No signs of recurrence or sight-threatening complications were recorded at 12 months, and in vivo confocal microscopy showed progressive expansion of the conjunctival cell population and formation of a clear corneal-conjunctival transition. CONCLUSIONS SCET takes advantage of the ability of the amniotic membrane and conjunctival cells to renew. Outcomes after SCET are comparable to conventional conjunctival flap surgery and can be achieved in less surgical time and with less donor tissue to be removed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emilio Pedrotti
- Ophthalmology Clinic, Department of Neurosciences, Biomedicine and Movement Sciences, University of Verona, P.le L.A. Scuro 1, 37134, Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Marina Bertolin
- Research Unit, The Veneto Eye Bank Foundation (Fondazione Banca degli Occhi del Veneto), Pad. G. Rama, Via Paccagnella 11, 30174, Venezia, Italy
| | - Adriano Fasolo
- Ophthalmology Clinic, Department of Neurosciences, Biomedicine and Movement Sciences, University of Verona, P.le L.A. Scuro 1, 37134, Verona, Verona, Italy. .,Research Unit, The Veneto Eye Bank Foundation (Fondazione Banca degli Occhi del Veneto), Pad. G. Rama, Via Paccagnella 11, 30174, Venezia, Italy.
| | - Erika Bonacci
- Ophthalmology Clinic, Department of Neurosciences, Biomedicine and Movement Sciences, University of Verona, P.le L.A. Scuro 1, 37134, Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Francesca Bosello
- Ophthalmology Clinic, Department of Neurosciences, Biomedicine and Movement Sciences, University of Verona, P.le L.A. Scuro 1, 37134, Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Diego Ponzin
- Research Unit, The Veneto Eye Bank Foundation (Fondazione Banca degli Occhi del Veneto), Pad. G. Rama, Via Paccagnella 11, 30174, Venezia, Italy
| | - Giorgio Marchini
- Ophthalmology Clinic, Department of Neurosciences, Biomedicine and Movement Sciences, University of Verona, P.le L.A. Scuro 1, 37134, Verona, Verona, Italy
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Prinz J, Mehta JS, Walter P, Fuest M. [Simple limbal epithelial transplantation (SLET) : A simple technique for the treatment of unilateral complete limbal stem cell deficiency. Video article]. Ophthalmologe 2021; 118:404-412. [PMID: 33683425 DOI: 10.1007/s00347-021-01346-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 02/04/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The aim of simple limbal epithelial transplantation (SLET) is the regeneration of the corneal surface in unilateral complete limbal stem cell deficiency (LSCD). INDICATIONS SLET is indicated for unilateral complete LSCD. CONTRAINDICATIONS Contraindications include bilateral LSCD, severe corneal thinning, pronounced keratoconjunctivitis sicca, chronic inflammatory condition of the ocular surface, malposition of the eyelids and pronounced adhesions of the conjunctiva with trichiasis. SURGICAL TECHNIQUE A 1‑h biopsy is obtained from the superior limbus of the healthy donor eye. A 360° peritomy is performed on the LSCD eye and pannus tissue covering the cornea is removed. An amniotic membrane (AM) is glued to the corneal surface with fibrin. The donor tissue is then divided into 8-10 small pieces, which are placed on the AM sparing the visual axis and fixed by fibrin glue. A contact lens is placed on the eye. A surgical video, which is available online, shows the surgical technique in detail. FOLLOW-UP Examinations are necessary within the first postoperative week and 1 month after SLET, then every 3 months within the first postoperative year. Antibiotic eye drops should be applied 5 times daily until complete epithelialization. Topical steroids should be applied 6 times daily in the early postoperative period and can be tapered thereafter. Artificial tears can improve epithelial healing. Ideally, all eye drops should be preservative-free. The contact lens can be removed after 7-10 days. The AM dissolves within a few weeks. An epithelialization of the corneal surface can be observed by the second postoperative week. EVIDENCE A recent systematic review reported a stable epithelialized corneal surface in 78% of SLET cases after 1.5 years. An improvement of visual acuity of at least two lines was found in 69% of SLET cases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julia Prinz
- Klinik für Augenheilkunde, Uniklinik RWTH Aachen, Pauwelsstr. 30, 52074, Aachen, Deutschland
| | - Jodhbir S Mehta
- Singapore National Eye Centre, Singapur, Singapur
- Singapore Eye Research Institute, Singapur, Singapur
| | - Peter Walter
- Klinik für Augenheilkunde, Uniklinik RWTH Aachen, Pauwelsstr. 30, 52074, Aachen, Deutschland
| | - Matthias Fuest
- Klinik für Augenheilkunde, Uniklinik RWTH Aachen, Pauwelsstr. 30, 52074, Aachen, Deutschland.
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