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Purpose: To describe a novel technique of amniotic membrane (AM) patch graft in the management of double chamber treatment after big-bubble deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty (DALK). Case Report: A 35-year-old male patient with advanced keratoconus underwent big-bubble DALK. Manual lamellar dissection was done due to failed big-bubble. First-day postoperative double chamber was detected. Air bubbling and SF6 injection were tried without any success. Double chamber resolved by fixation of AM transplantation patch graft (1 × 1 mm) over the Descemet's membrane perforation with fibrin glue. Conclusion: Amniotic membrane patch graft can be used in the management of double chamber after DALK not responsive to intracameral gas injection.

BACKGROUND: Cataract extraction is the most frequently performed surgical intervention in the world and demand is rising due to an ageing demography. One option to address this challenge is to offer selected patients immediate sequential bilateral cataract surgery (ISBCS). This study aims to investigate patient and operative characteristics for ISBCS and delayed bilateral cataract surgery (DSCS) in the UK. METHODS: Data were analysed from the Royal College of Ophthalmologists' National Ophthalmology Database Audit (NOD) of cataract surgery. Eligible patients were those undergoing bilateral cataract extraction from centres with a record of at least one ISBCS operation between 01/04/2010 and 31/08/2018. Variable frequency comparison was undertaken with chi-square tests. RESULTS: During the study period, 1073 patients had ISBCS and 248,341 DSCS from 73 centres. A higher proportion of ISBCS patients were unable to lie flat (11.3% vs. 1.8%; p

Purpose To assess the attitudes and beliefs held toward immediate sequential bilateral cataract surgery (ISBCS), including estimating the incidence of European Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgeons (ESCRS) members currently performing ISBCS, exploring the barriers of ISBCS implementation, and assessing the relevance of these findings to practice in the United Kingdom. Setting European consultant members of the ESCRS. Design Survey-based questionnaire. Methods The survey was sent and collected electronically. An initial screening question directed the rest of the survey; participants were asked to rate the importance of several factors with regard to performing ISBCS. Free text options were also available. Descriptive analysis was performed. Results Of the 2200 recipients, 303 (13.7%) responded, of which 247 were eligible for analysis. Of the 247 eligible respondents, 166 (67.2%) reported performing ISBCS, 71 (28.7%) said they did not perform ISBCS, and 10 (4.0%) said they had previously done so but have since stopped. Of those who were currently practicing ISBCS, the three most important factors to consider were all directly related to infection risk. Of those who did not perform ISBCS, the most important reasons for not performing the surgery were a risk for endophthalmitis (69.0%) and the medicolegal issues should ISBCS go wrong (57.8%). The most common reason for stopping ISBCS was that the respondent no longer believed in the benefit of ISBCS (n = 4). Conclusions The survey reflects ophthalmologists' concerns regarding infection and medicolegal risks; however, reports of bilateral endophthalmitis are extremely rare when the correct recommendations are followed. The findings from this survey could be used to inform service provision of ISBCS in the U.K., taking into consideration the voices of colleagues overseas.

Purpose: To present our experience in Osteo-odonto-keratoprosthesis (OOKP) as the only option to restore vision after severe ocular dog bite injuries. Methods: We describe our results in OOKP performed in two patients with previous severe dog bite facial injuries that required exenteration of one eye and facial reconstruction. Results: Both cases achieved initially successful anatomical and visual outcome; however, one case suffered retinal detachment after one year. Buccal mucosa (BM) ulcerations and tilted lamina were present as a result of extraocular muscles loss, and both were difficult to treat. Conclusion: OOKP has the capability to restore vision in the most challenging cases of ocular trauma; however, refractory BM ulcerations and tilted lamina could be expected as a result of an ischemic ocular surface and orbital pulleys loss. Keywords: Osteo-odonto-keratoprosthesis, Keratoprosthesis, Dog bite ocular injury

A significant increase in prevalence of cataract is anticipated over the next two decades due to increasing life expectancy. This demands an increase in capacity of eye care services which is limited by insufficient human resources including ophthalmologists and inadequate financial investment in this field. Developing new systems for cataract surgery delivery can be part of the solution to fulfill this demand. One promising approach is immediately sequential bilateral cataract surgery (ISBCS). It has attracted attention of ophthalmologists in different countries. Although there are some studies to compare outcomes of this style to traditional one, many aspects of this approach remain controversial. Improvement in efficacy of referral for cataract surgery and patient flow in eye care units is another crucial step.

Purpose To analyze and review the clinical features and main outcomes of laminar resorption from the UK osteo-odonto-keratoprosthesis (OOKP) cohort. Methods A retrospective review of case records was undertaken for patients who underwent keratoprostheses between 1996 and 2014 at the Sussex Eye Hospital, Brighton, UK. The main clinical outcomes of resorption, including its clinical signs, complications, treatments, and laminar survival, were evaluated. Results Sixty-four patients (25-females, 39-males) were included, and in total, 74 laminae (3-tibial, 11-allografts, 60-autografts) were implanted. The age of the patients ranged from 20 to 91 years. Focal laminar thinning was the first sign of detectable resorption in 50% of autografts and 27% of allografts. All the tibial grafts and 55% of allografts presented with complications of resorption like endophthalmitis and aqueous leakage as the first signs of resorption. The survival of first implanted autografts was 82.4%(±6.3%) at 18 years, which was enhanced to 91.5%(±5.0%) by prophylactic exchanges of critically resorbed laminae with new laminae. Visual acuity survival analysis did not reveal a statistically significant difference between grafts with and without resorption for all graft types (p = 0.825). Patients treated with Alendronic acid and acetazolamide demonstrated trends toward the slower progression of resorption, but this was not statistically significant. Conclusions Focal laminar thinning was the common presenting feature of resorption in autografts. Timely replacement of the resorbed laminae with new laminae should be considered to avoid complications. Alendronic acid supplementation may be considered in high-risk cases of resorption to reduce further progression.

Purpose: To compare the effectiveness of onion extract, topical steroid, and petrolatum emollient in the prevention of scars in cases who underwent bilateral upper eyelid blepharoplasty. Methods: A prospective, interventional, comparative, double-blinded case series was designed on cases who underwent upper lid blepharoplasty. After suture removal (1 week following the surgery), the eyelids of participants were randomly allocated into the three groups: The first group used onion extract on the right eyelids (n = 18), and the second group used topical steroid on the right eyelids (n = 19). In the third group, the control group, petrolatum emollient was used on the left eyelids (n = 37) of the first and second group's cases. They used drugs for 2 months and were evaluated by the Manchester Scar Scale (MSS) objectively by two graders who were blinded to the type of medication. MSS evaluates five different characteristics of the scar in addition to the Visual Analog Scale (VAS). These characteristics include color, distortion, contour, texture, and transparency. VAS scores the overall scar appearance which ranged among 0–10. The sum of the scores for the five different parameters, and VAS was calculated, analyzed, and compared among the groups. Results: A total of 37 cases (74 eyelids) who underwent bilateral upper blepharoplasty were included. The mean ± standard deviation (SD) of age was 51.94 ± 9.26 years, 49.40 ± 9.37 years, and 47.00 ± 9.06 years in the onion extract, topical steroid, and petrolatum emollient groups, respectively (P = 0.275). There were no statistically significant differences in the mean ± SD of the sum of the MSS scores among the three groups (P = 0.924) or between the onion extract and topical steroid groups (P = 0.951). Furthermore, the color, distortion, contour, texture, transparency, and VAS scores were not statistically significantly different among the three groups or between the onion extract and topical steroid groups (P > 0.05). Conclusion: There were no significant differences among these three groups of drugs regarding the appearance of the upper blepharoplasty scar.

COVID-19 pandemic of 2020 has impacted all aspects of clinical practice in the UK. Cataract services suffered severe disruption due to necessary measures taken to reduce elective surgery in order to release capacity to support intensive care requirements. Faced with a potential 50% increase in cataract surgery workload per week in the post-COVID-19 world, eye units should use this event to innovate, not just survive but to also evolve for a sustainable future. In this article, we discuss the inadequacies of existing service rationing options to tackle the COVID-19 cataract backlog. This includes limiting rationing based on visual acuity, limiting surgery to first or only seeing eyes, and postponing clinic and surgical dates according to referral dates. We propose units use the lockdown time to reset and develop a comprehensive patient-centred care pathway using principles of value-based healthcare: the cataract integrated practice units. Developing an agile surgical database that incorporates all aspects of patient need from education to follow-up in their individual cataract journey will allow units to react and plan quickly in the early phase of recovery and beyond. We also discuss the considerations units should bear in mind on telemedicine, modifications for face-to-face clinics, theatre organisation and options of expanding cataract throughput capacity. The pause in elective surgery due to the pandemic may have provided cataract services a rare opportunity to reset and transform cataract service pathways for the digital era.

Background The standard approach to treat cataracts is Delayed Sequential Bilateral Cataract Surgery (DSBCS), during which patients have a separate operation date for each eye. An alternative method of delivery is Immediately Sequential Bilateral Cataract Surgery (ISBCS). The aim of this project was to examine the attitudes and beliefs of UK ophthalmologists towards ISBCS, explore their reasons to either practise or not practise ISBCS and identify barriers hindering its implementation in the UK. Methods A questionnaire was distributed to consultant members of The Royal College of Ophthalmologists (RCOphth, UK) and collected electronically. An initial screening question in regards to prior experience with ISBCS directed the rest of the survey; participants were asked to rate the importance of several factors with regards to performing ISBCS. Free text options were also available. Descriptive analysis was subsequently performed. Results Of the 1357 recipients, 130 (9.6%) ophthalmologists completed the survey. Of those, 13.9% were currently performing ISBCS, 83.1% had never performed, and 3.1% had previously done so but since stopped. The main factors that acted as barriers were lack of: (1) College approval (20.5%); (2) medico-legal approval (20.2%); (3) evidence to support the use of ISBCS (16.0%); and (4) hospital approval (13.3%). Additionally, the perceived risk of complications for patients played an important role when considering ISBCS, with the risk of endophthalmitis being most feared. Conclusions This survey demonstrates some of the barriers that prevent ophthalmologist’s performing ISBCS in the UK. There is a need for further exploration in this field to evaluate the effect of addressing any of these concerns on the implementation of ISBCS.

To analyse the factors affecting laminar resorption in the UK osteo-odonto-keratoprosthesis (OOKP) cohort and present a detailed review.A retrospective review of the case records of the patients who underwent OOKP between 1996 and 2014 was performed at the Sussex Eye Hospital in Brighton, UK.Sixty-four patients (25 females and 39 males) were included, and 74 laminae were implanted consisting of 3 tibial grafts, 11 tooth allografts and 60 tooth autografts. In total, 69% (n = 51) showed resorption. Non-smokers had better oral health compared to smokers (71% vs 50%, respectively). Poor oral health was strongly associated with poor quality dentition and edentulism (p 0.001). The laminar thickness and waiting for the time between stages 1 and 2 surgeries did not show significant influence on the onset and progression of resorption. From the Cox multivariate analysis for autografts, smoking, age and gender were not associated with a statistically significant difference in the rates of resorption. The maximum number of laminae with resorption belonged to Stevens-Johnson syndrome patients (n = 32 or 43%).Two-thirds of the cases of resorption were detected in the first three years of OOKP, and the maximum were noted in the first year of follow up (40%). The laminar thickness did not influence the post-operative onset and progression of resorption. The presence of resorption after stage 1 did not show a measurable effect on the onset and progression of post-stage 2 resorption.

Purpose of review To describe the practice of and recent developments in the osteo-odonto-keratoprosthesis. Recent findings Formal psychological assessment and support have been described. A sub-aqua system for fashioning the osteo-odonto-keratoprosthesis lamina; adoption of thicker laminae; use of bisphosphonate drugs; advances in laminar imaging; and use of bone augmentation and bone morphogenetic protein have been described for prevention, detection, and management of laminar resorption. Two systems of optical cylinders available commercially. A stepladder approach to buccal mucous membrane overgrowth onto the optical cylinder has been described, including use of mitomycin-C. Orbital decompression has been used for cosmetic improvement. Detection of glaucoma may be aided by an intraocular pressure sensor, whereas surgical treatment is mainly by way of glaucoma drainage devices, as endolaser ciliary ablation and recti muscle disinsertion and reinsertion not having prolonged and significant long-term beneficial effect. Sublingual timolol has been described. The use of endoscopy has been proposed for preoperative evaluation of the posterior segment, ciliary ablation and for vitreoretinal surgery although wide-angle viewing systems remains standard practice. Summary The osteo-odonto-keratoprosthesis is the procedure of choice for rehabilitation of corneal blindness for end-stage ocular surface disease, serving a completely different patient group to the Boston Type 1 KPro.

Purpose To report the results of osteo-odonto-keratoprosthesis (OOKP) surgery in patients who sustained severe chemical and thermal injuries. Methods This is a noncomparative retrospective case series of 14 patients who underwent OOKP surgery between 2001 and 2016 at the Sussex Eye Hospital, Brighton, UK, because of severe chemical and thermal injuries RESULTS:: OOKP surgery was performed in 14 eyes of 14 patients. Eight patients (57%) sustained thermal injuries and 6 patients (43%) chemical injuries. Every eye had previously undergone adnexal or ocular surgery, including 2 cases that underwent synthetic keratoprosthesis implantation. One case had choroidal hemorrhage during stage 2. Laminar retention was observed in 11 cases (85%) at the end of the study. The Kaplan-Meier curve showed a probability of 81% of laminar retention at 5 years and a decrease at 15 years to 61%. Functional visual success was observed in only 7 patients (50%) because of end-stage glaucomatous optic neuropathy in 4 cases and macular scar in 1 case. Two cases developed endophthalmitis. Two cases required removal of laminae, one because of endophthalmitis, bone resorption and aqueous leak and the other because of development of a retroprosthetic membrane. Glaucoma was the most frequent complication (79%) and required surgical intervention with tube shunts in 5 cases. Six cases (43%) required buccal mucosal repair, which included two cases that developed endophthalmitis. Conclusions Anatomic success was achieved in 11 of 13 cases in this series of OOKP surgery after severe chemical and thermal trauma; 8 of these cases had at least 5 years of follow-up and thus qualified as long-term.

Pterygium excision is probably the most common ocular surface procedure performed worldwide. These patients almost always have some degree of tear film of insufficiency and meibomian gland dysfunction highlighting the need for comprehensive management of the ocular surface disease. Inflammation clearly plays a central role both in the initial development as well as recurrence of pterygium. The cases presented by these highly experienced surgeons highlight strategies that can maximize the visual and cosmetic outcome of pterygium surgery while minimizing the risk of complications.

Purpose: To evaluate the sensitivity of photoscreener Plusoptix S08 in screening strabismus.Methods: Eighty-three consecutive patients were examined by a single expert to determine the type and amount of the deviation. Then photoscreening was done for all the patients via Plusoptix S08 photoscreener (Plusoptix GmbH, Nuremberg, Germany) on the same day, using the default software for referring the patients.Results: The age range was between 6 months and 40 years. The overall sensitivity of the device to detect strabismus is 70%; it was 25% for exophoria, 67% for esotropia, 73% for exotropia, and 89% in patients who had mixed strabismus. Regarding degree of deviation, sensitivity was 46% in deviations less than 30 prism diopters (PD) and rises while the degree of deviation increases.Conclusions: Our research shows that Plusoptix should not be used solely in evaluating strabismus because its sensitivity decreases significantly specially in esotropic patients with less than 30 PD deviations.

To evaluate the accuracy and applicability of Plusoptix photoscreener in screening pre-verbal children at risk of amblyopia.In this cross-sectional population-based study 996 children aged 6-36 months were screened with the Plusoptix. The children underwent complete examinations that included a manual cycloplegic retinoscopy, slit lamp examination, cover test, the Hirschberg test and an assessment of fixation pattern. In addition, the prevalence of amblyogenic risk factors was estimated, the Plusopix measurements were compared with cycloplegic retinoscopy, and the referral criteria were modified to improve the accuracy of the device.Amblyogenic hyperopia+3.50 D, myopia-3.00 D, astigmatism1.50 D in the orthogonal meridian or1.00 D in the oblique meridian, or anisometropia1.50 D was detected in 4.7%, 0.0%, 12.3% and 0.5% of the samples, respectively. The average difference between retinoscopy and photorefraction for spherical equivalence was -0.16 ± 1.0 D (p0.05). Testability was 98.1% for the Plusoptix. The Plusoptix vision screener referred 47.8% of these children for sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value and false-negative rates of 100%, 38.7%, 19% and 100%, respectively. These same measurements with the modified referral criteria (hyperopia ≥ 2.00 D in children under 12 months and astigmatism ≥ 1.25 D) were 93.6%, 51.2%, 21.7% and 98.2%.The Plusoptix is a useful objective screening instrument, but still has low specificity for detecting amblyopia risk factors in the paediatric population.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the clinical outcomes of Artisan phakic intraocular lens (PIOL; Ophtec BV) implantation in patients with stable keratoconus. METHODS: In a prospective, nonrandomized case series, 14 Artisan PIOLs and 2 toric Artisan PIOLs were implanted in 13 patients (16 eyes) with stable keratoconus who had contact lens intolerance. Pre- and postoperative data were collected. RESULTS: Mean follow-up was 14.2±7.8 months. Preoperative uncorrected distance visual acuity (UDVA) was counting fingers in all patients. Mean final logMAR (Snellen equivalent) UDVA and corrected distance visual acuity (CDVA) were 0.15(20/28)±0.13 and 0.11(20/26)±0.10, respectively. The improvements in UDVA and CDVA were statistically significant ( P P CONCLUSIONS: Implantation of the Artisan PIOL is effective in improving visual acuity in patients with stable keratoconus. Long-term safety remains to be established as no postoperative endothelial cell counts were performed.

Purpose To determine the effect on postoperative outcomes of different sites for intrastromal corneal ring segment (ICRS) implantation in keratoconic eyes. Setting Eye Research Center of Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Khatam-al-Anbia Eye Hospital, Mashhad, Iran. Design Case series study. Methods After a detailed ophthalmologic examination, pairs of 160-degree Ferrara ICRS were implanted in eyes with keratoconus. Patients were categorized into 2 groups depending on the axis of ICRS implantation as follows: vertical implantation, in which the axis of the radial incision was between 70 degrees and 110 degrees, and oblique implantation, in which the axis was outside the vertical range. An independent-samples t test was used to compare the postoperative refractive and visual outcomes in the 2 groups. Results This series included 48 eyes of 48 patients (28 men, 20 women) with a mean age of 26.65 years ± 6.8 (SD). The vertical implantation group comprised 23 patients and the oblique implantation group, 25 patients. There was no statistically significant difference in any preoperative parameter between the groups. The mean postoperative corrected distance visual acuity and astigmatism reduction were significantly better in the vertical group than in the oblique group (P Conclusion Although the improvements in refractive outcomes and visual acuity were significant in eyes with vertical or oblique astigmatism, simulated keratometry showed that patients with a vertical steep axis had more favorable results than those with an oblique steep axis. Financial Disclosure Neither author has a financial or proprietary interest in any material or method mentioned.

Purpose To compare 2 corneal biomechanical parameters—corneal hysteresis (CH) and corneal resistance factor (CRF)—before and after collagen crosslinking (CXL) for keratoconus. Setting Eye Research Center of Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Khatam-al-Anbia Eye Hospital, Mashhad, and Department of Ophthalmology, Baqiyatallah University of Medical Science, Tehran, Iran. Design Case series study. Methods Topical riboflavin was applied to the deepithelialized cornea every 3 minutes for 30 minutes and every 5 minutes during ultraviolet-A irradiation of the cornea. Corneal hysteresis and CRF were measured by biomechanical waveform analysis (Ocular Response Analyzer) before and 6 months after CXL. The values were compared using the paired Student t test. Results The study comprised 51 patients (56 eyes). The mean age of the patients was 23.27 years ± 6.3 (SD). Before CXL, the mean CH was 7.9 ± 1.5 mm Hg and the mean CRF was 7.3 ± 1.4 mm Hg. Six months after CXL, the mean values were 8.20 ± 1.5 mm Hg and 7.59 ± 1.5 mm Hg, respectively. The changes in CH and CRF were not statistically significant ( P >.05). The changes in central corneal thickness and Goldmann-correlated intraocular pressure (IOP) between preoperatively and postoperatively were not statistically significant, although the change in corneal-compensated IOP was ( P Conclusion Although previous in vitro studies found a change in corneal rigidity, this study found no significant change in CH or CHF measured by biomechanical waveform analysis. Financial Disclosure No author has a financial or proprietary interest in any material or method mentioned.

PURPOSE To describe a case of traumatic wound dehiscence after deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty. METHOD Observational case report. CASE REPORT A 31-year-old man who had undergone deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty using big-bubble technique for keratoconus 3 months earlier presented to emergency room after blunt trauma.On examination, visual acuity was counting fingers at 2 m. The corneal graft wound dehisced from 12 to 3 o'clock (90 degrees) with localized suture ruptures, but the anterior chamber was deep and the Seidel test was negative. Surprisingly, there was intact Descemet membrane prolapsed through the corneal wound gap. CONCLUSION This case indicates that intact Descemet membrane remaining after big-bubble technique might reduce the severity of ocular injury after traumatic wound dehiscence.

Purpose: To evaluate changes in crystalline lens densitometry following corneal cross-linking (CXL) in keratoconic patients. Methods: In a quasi-experimental study, three-dimensional lens densitometry was performed using the Pentacam Scheimpflug camera (Oculus Optikgerate GmbH, Wetzlar, Germany) at baseline and six months after CXL. Densitometry was performed in a fixed area of 2 inch × 1 inch of the anterior capsule and anterior lens cortex. The subject group included patients with progressive keratoconus who underwent CXL ( n = 40) and the control group was comprised of aged-matched patients with non-progressive keratoconus ( n = 36). Results: Mean age of the case and control groups was 25.8 ± 4.0 and 25.0 ± 4.1 years, respectively ( P = 0.392). Mean lens density in the CXL group was 6.68% ± 0.58% at baseline and 6.77% ± 0.53% at the last visit ( P = 0.352). Corresponding figures in the control group were 6.53% ± 0.27% and 6.39% ± 0.31%, respectively ( P = 0.213). There was no significant difference between the study groups at baseline or six months later ( P = 0.96). Conclusion: In this short term study with six months' follow-up, we observed no significant impact on lens density following exposure of the crystalline lens to ultraviolet A and riboflavin free radicals in the CXL procedure.

Purpose: To evaluate the clinical features, and visual outcomes of sterile uveitis after iris-fixated phakic intraocular lens implantation (pIOLs) (Artisan-Artiflex® and Verisyse-Veriflex® ). Material and Methods: In this retrospective non-comparative case series, the medical records of 117 eyes implanted with Artisan-Artiflex® (Ophtec BV, Groningen, Netherlands) and Verisyse-Veriflex® (AMO, Santa Ana, CA) iris claw phakic IOLs were analyzed for postimplantation sterile uveitis. The mean age of the 87 patients included in the study was 27.2±7.4 years. Of these patients, 56 (64.3%) were men and 31 (35.6%) were women. Patient age, gender, IOL brand type, refractive error, optic diameter, unilateral vs bilateral implantation, and anterior chamber depth were analyzed. Features of uveitis, uncorrected and best corrected visual acuity (VA) at presentation and at follow-up visits were examined. The mean follow-up time was 14.6 months (range: 6-37 months). Results: Clinically significant uveitis was observed in 12 of 117 eyes (10.3%) in a total of ten patients. Of these ten patients, four (40%) were women and six (60%) were men, and the mean age was 25.1±5.3 years (range: 18-36 years). Among those with bilateral implantation, 6.9% of patients developed bilateral uveitis, while 13.8% (4 of the 29 implanted bilaterally) developed unilateral uveitis. Foldable pIOL implantation was the only variable associated with the development of uveitis (P=.03). Conclusion: Although the prognosis is usually benign, sterile uveitis occurred in 10.3% of patients after iris-fixated pIOL implantation. The implantation of a foldable pIOL was the only variable associated with sterile uveitis. Appropriate medical management can be effective treatment, without the need for pIOL replacement.

Air-assisted donor preparation for DMEK Venzano al. have described a technique of Descemet membrane air-bubble separation. We also use an air-assisted (reverse big bubble) technique to prepare Descemet membrane for Descemet membrane endothelial keratoplasty. In our method, a corneoscleral button is placed endothelial side up on a Barron donor punch and fixed by grasping the outer scleral edge with a 0.12 forceps. A 27-gauge bevel-up needle attached to a 2 mL syringe filled with air is inserted into the posterior stroma with the entry point located just outside Schwalbe line. The needle is advanced to the central cornea. Air is gently injected to make a big bubble, detaching Descemet membrane from the posterior stroma. Injecting into the endothelial side-up corneoscleral button allows us better visualization and makes the procedure more feasible, less instrument dependent, and less traumatic. Venzano et al. reported a high success rate of Descemet membrane detachment with their method. This high rate of success might be related to the older age (mean Z 78 years) of donors. In our experience, we found that air-assisted Descemet membrane dissection is more difficult in young patients (younger than 40 years) and attempts to make a complete detachment may lead to Descemet membrane rupture. In our first 10 cases, with a mean age of 32 years, an incomplete detachment (smaller than 8.0 mm diameter) occurred in 2 cases and Descemet membrane rupture occurred in 1 case. We now prefer older donors with higher endothelial cell counts for this technique.

Aim and Design: A retrospective, nonrandomized, single-center clinical study was designed to evaluate the outcomes of corneal collagen crosslinking (CXL) for progressive keratoconus in Iranian patients 12 months after CXL. Settings: This study was carried out at Navid Didegan Eye Center, a private clinic, Mashhad, Iran. Materials and Methods: Ninety-two eyes of 53 subjects with progressive keratoconus were evaluated in this study. All eyes completed 1-year follow-up. The outcome measures were uncorrected visual acuity (UCVA), best spectacle-corrected visual acuity (BSCVA), sphere and cylinder refraction, keratometry, and corneal thickness. Comparison of baseline and 1-year postoperative data is reported in this study. The Wilcoxon signed-ranked and Student’s t-tests were used for statistical analyses. P < 0.05 was statistically significant. Results: The mean age was 21.5 ± 3.4 years (range, 16 -30 years). Thirty-one (58.5%) of the subjects were men and 22 (41.5%) were women. Mean baseline UCVA and BSCVA were 0.61 ± 0.31 and 0.06 ± 0.12 logarithm of minimal angle of resolution (logMAR), respectively. One year postoperatively UCVA was 0.31 ± 0.25 logMAR and BSCVA was 0.0 ± 0.01 logMAR. UCVA and BSCVA were statistically higher postoperatively (P < 0.001, both parameters). The mean astigmatism decreased by 0.78 ± 1.49 diopter (D) with significant variation during the follow-up period (P < 0.001). Mean baseline simulated keratometry (SIM K) was 46.94 ± 2.37 D and decreased to 46.0 ± 2.33 D on year postoperatively (P < 0.001). Conclusion: Corneal CXL seems to be efficient in stabilization of progressive keratoconus progression in Iranian patients at 1 year of followup.