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Purpose: To report sight-threatening complications following extensive bulbar conjunctival resection and postoperative mitomycin C therapy for cosmetic eye-whitening in the United States., Design: Retrospective noncomparative case series., Methods: Multicenter report of 9 patients referred for evaluation and management of complications following bilateral cosmetic eye whitening., Results: Seventeen eyes of 9 patients underwent cosmetic eye-whitening performed between 2 and 48 months prior to referral to one of the centers. Sixteen of the 17 eyes had persistent conjunctival epithelial defects, with 10 eyes requiring amniotic membrane grafting to facilitate re-epithelialization. Four eyes of 2 patients developed limbal stem cell compromise confirmed with in vivo confocal laser scanning microscopy. One patient developed infectious scleritis and diplopia resulting from Tenon capsule scarring. Another patient developed scleral necrosis, secondary infectious scleritis, and infectious endophthalmitis. This patient subsequently developed noninfectious scleritis that required 3-drug-regimen immunosuppression., Conclusion: Severe adverse effects can occur after extensive cosmetic conjunctival resection followed by topical mitomycin C application. Patients and physicians should be aware of the potential sight-threatening complications associated with this eye-whitening procedure., (Published by Elsevier Inc.)

Purpose: To evaluate dry eye and meibomian gland dysfunction after cataract surgery., Design: Prospective observational case series., Methods: We studied 58 eyes of 48 patients who underwent phacoemulsification and evaluated them preoperatively and at 1 month and 3 months postoperatively. Ocular symptom scores, lid margin abnormalities, superficial punctate keratopathies (SPKs), tear film break-up time (TBUT), Schirmer test, lower tear meniscus height, depth, and area using Fourier domain optical coherence tomography, meibum expressibility and images of the meibomian glands using meibography were measured., Results: The ocular symptom scores were worse at 1 month and 3 months postoperatively (P < 0.001 and P < 0.001, respectively). Lid margin abnormalities were significantly increased (P < 0.001 and P < 0.001, respectively) and TBUT decreased postoperatively (P < 0.001 and P < 0.001, respectively). Meibum expressibility decreased at 3 months postoperatively (P = 0.016); however, meibography score, SPK, lower tear meniscus height, depth and area and the Schirmer test did not change significantly postoperatively (all P values >0.05)., Conclusion: Meibomian gland function may be altered without accompanying structural changes after cataract surgery., (Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Purpose: To report the histopathologic findings of the iridocorneal endothelial (ICE) syndrome and posterior polymorphous membranous dystrophy (PPMD) in 3 patients who underwent Descemet stripping automated endothelial keratoplasty (DSAEK), and to correlate these findings with the clinical diagnosis., Methods: Three patients with clinical findings compatible with either ICE syndrome (1 patient) or PPMD (2 patients) underwent DSAEK. The DSAEK specimens were processed for light microscopy, immunhistochemical staining for cytokeratins AE1/3 and MAK6, and electron microscopy., Results: Examination of the DSAEK specimens showed multilayered endothelial cells and thickened Descemet membrane in all cases. Immunohistochemical staining for cytokeratins was positive in the endothelium in all cases. Ultrastructural examination showed a thickened Descemet membrane and wide-spaced collagen in Descemet membrane in 1 case of PPMD but not in 2 cases of ICE syndrome, including 1 case that carried the clinical diagnosis of PPMD. In 2 cases, the histopathologic evaluation of the DSAEK specimen confirmed the clinical diagnosis; however, in 1 case the pathological diagnosis was ICE syndrome, while the clinical diagnosis was PPMD., Conclusions: ICE syndrome and PPMD can be diagnosed and differentiated from one another by histopathologic evaluation of corneal specimens obtained at the time of DSAEK. We recommend submitting the corneal tissue obtained during DSAEK for pathological examination when the etiology of corneal edema is unclear.

Purpose: To analyze the changes in higher-order aberrations (HOAs) that occur after wavefront-optimized photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) and laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK)., Setting: Emory Eye Center and Emory Vision, Atlanta, Georgia, USA., Methods: This retrospective analysis comprised eyes that had PRK or LASIK from June 2004 through October 2005. Postoperative outcome measures included 3-month uncorrected visual acuity (UCVA), best spectacle-corrected visual acuity (BSCVA), manifest refraction spherical equivalent (MRSE), changes in the root mean square (RMS) and grouped coefficient HOAs (microns) measured with a corneal analyzer, and subjective assessment of visual aberrations., Results: One hundred consecutive eyes of 54 patients had PRK, and 100 contemporaneous consecutive eyes of 71 patients had LASIK. The PRK and LASIK populations were similar in general demographics, preoperative HOAs, and postoperative UCVA and BSCVA. The mean MRSE was slightly hyperopic after PRK (mean +0.11 diopters [D]) and slightly myopic after LASIK (mean -0.19 D) (P< .0001). There were no statistically significant changes in RMS or grouped coefficient HOA values after PRK or LASIK, nor were there significant differences in postoperative RMS or grouped coefficient HOA values between PRK and LASIK. One percent of PRK and LASIK patients reported a subjective increase in postoperative visual aberrations; 5% reported a subjective improvement postoperatively., Conclusions: Wavefront-optimized excimer laser surgery did not induce significant HOAs after PRK or LASIK. The 2 techniques were equally efficacious and had equivalent postoperative HOA profiles.

Purpose: To evaluate the histopathology and ultrastructure of corneas developing ectasia after LASIK or photorefractive keratectomy (PRK)., Design: Retrospective case series., Participants: Thirteen specimens from 12 patients undergoing corneal transplantation for progressive ectasia after LASIK (12 specimens) or PRK (1 specimen) were obtained for histopathologic and ultrastructural evaluation., Methods: All 13 ectatic corneas were submitted in formalin for light microscopy. Nine specimens were bisected, and the second half was placed in 2.5% glutaraldehyde for transmission electron microscopy (TEM)., Main Outcome Measures: Corneal histopathology, ultrastructure, and pathophysiology., Results: Light microscopy of the post-LASIK specimens showed corneal epithelial hypoplasia and occasional foci of epithelial hyperplasia, Bowman's layer breaks, a normal stromal thickness of the LASIK flap, a normal thickness of the hypocellular primitive stromal scar, a thinned residual stromal bed (RSB), and larger than normal artifacteous interlamellar clefts in the RSB of the ectatic region. The post-PRK specimen showed similar findings with the addition of a thinned hypercellular fibrotic stromal scar. TEM showed thinning of the collagen lamellae and loss of lamellar number in the RSB of post-LASIK ectasia corneas or throughout the entire corneal stromal bed in the post-PRK ectasia cornea, with the posterior aspect of the corneal stroma being most affected., Conclusions: Histopathologic and ultrastructural studies suggest that interlamellar and interfibrillar biomechanical slippage occurs when the cornea becomes ectatic after LASIK or PRK in the postoperative stress-bearing regions of the corneal stroma. This 2-phase chronic biomechanical failure process is similar to that seen in keratoconus. Composite sciences classify this chronic biomechanical failure process as interfiber fracture., Financial Disclosure(s): The authors have no proprietary or commercial interest in any materials discussed in this article.

Purpose: To analyze the visual outcomes and method of final visual correction in eyes with corneal ectasia after laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) or photorefractive keratectomy (PRK)., Setting: Emory University Department of Ophthalmology and Emory Vision, Atlanta, Georgia, USA., Methods: This retrospective review comprised 74 eyes of 45 patients with corneal ectasia after LASIK (72 eyes) or PRK (2 eyes). Outcomes included postoperative uncorrected visual acuity (UCVA), best spectacle-corrected visual acuity (BSCVA), best corrected visual acuity (BCVA), and refraction; method of final visual correction; and time to rigid gas-permeable (RGP) contact lens failure., Results: Corneal ectasia developed a mean of 19.2 months after surgery. Postoperatively, the mean UCVA was 20/400 and the mean BSCVA before ectasia management was 20/108. After ectasia management, the mean BCVA was 20/37 and the final BCVA was 20/40 or better in 78% of eyes. Final visual correction was achieved with RGP lenses in 77% of eyes, spectacles in 9%, collagen crosslinking in 3%, intracorneal ring segments in 1%, and penetrating keratoplasty (PKP) in 8%. Two eyes with intracorneal ring segments required segment explantation and subsequent PKP. One eye that had PKP had a graft-rejection episode; there were no graft failures. Two eyes (3%) did not require a visual device to improve visual acuity. The mean time for successful RGP lens wear was 24.8 months; 80% of cases initially managed with RGP lenses were successful with this form of treatment., Conclusions: The majority of eyes developing postoperative corneal ectasia achieved functional visual acuity with RGP lens wear and did not require further intervention. Penetrating keratoplasty can usually be postponed or avoided by alternative methods of visual rehabilitation; however, PKP, when necessary, can provide good visual outcomes.

Purpose: To analyze the epidemiologic features of ectasia after excimer laser corneal refractive surgery, to identify risk factors for its development, and to devise a screening strategy to minimize its occurrence., Design: Retrospective comparative and case-control study., Participants: All cases of ectasia after excimer laser corneal refractive surgery published in the English language with adequate information available through December 2005, unpublished cases seeking treatment at the authors' institution from 1998 through 2005, and a contemporaneous control group who underwent uneventful LASIK and experienced a normal postoperative course., Methods: Evaluation of preoperative characteristics, including patient age, gender, spherical equivalent refraction, pachymetry, and topographic patterns; perioperative characteristics, including type of surgery performed, flap thickness, ablation depth, and residual stromal bed (RSB) thickness; and postoperative characteristics including time to onset of ectasia., Main Outcome Measures: Development of postoperative corneal ectasia., Results: There were 171 ectasia cases, including 158 published cases and 13 unpublished cases evaluated at the authors' institution. Ectasia occurred after LASIK in 164 cases (95.9%) and after photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) in 7 cases (4.1%). Compared with controls, more ectasia cases had abnormal preoperative topographies (35.7% vs. 0%; P<1.0x10(-15)), were significantly younger (34.4 vs. 40.0 years; P<1.0x10(-7)), were more myopic (-8.53 vs. -5.09 diopters; P<1.0x10(-7)), had thinner corneas before surgery (521.0 vs. 546.5 microm; P<1.0x10(-7)), and had less RSB thickness (256.3 vs. 317.3 microm; P<1.0x10(-10)). Based on subgroup logistic regression analysis, abnormal topography was the most significant factor that discriminated cases from controls, followed by RSB thickness, age, and preoperative corneal thickness, in that order. A risk factor stratification scale was created, taking all recognized risk factors into account in a weighted fashion. This model had a specificity of 91% and a sensitivity of 96% in this series., Conclusions: A quantitative method can be used to identify eyes at risk for developing ectasia after LASIK that, if validated, represents a significant improvement over current screening strategies.

Purpose: To evaluate patients who developed ectasia with no apparent preoperative risk factors., Methods: Potential cases of patients who developed ectasia without apparent risk factors were identified by contacting participants in the Kera-Net (n = 580), ASCRS-Net (n = 450), and ISRS/AAO ISRS-Net (n = 525) internet bulletin boards from April to October 2003. Cases were included if ectasia developed after laser in situ keratomileusis in the absence of apparent preoperative risk factors. Reported cases were excluded for the following reasons: (1) calculated residual stromal bed less than 250 microm, (2) preoperative central pachymetry less than 500 microm, (3) any keratometry reading greater than 47.2 diopters (D), (4) a calculated inferior-superior value greater than 1.4, (5) more than 2 retreatments, (6) attempted initial correction greater than -12.00 D, (7) an Orbscan II "posterior float" (if obtained) greater than 50 microm, and (8) surgical/flap complications., Results: A total of 27 eyes of 25 patients were submitted for consideration. Eight eyes (8 patients) met our inclusion criteria. Mean age was 27.7 years (range, 18-41 years). Preoperative manifest refraction spherical equivalent was -4.61 D (range, -2.00 to -8.00 D); steepest keratometric reading was 43.86 D (range, 42.50-46.40 D); keratometric astigmatism was 0.93 D (range, 0.25-1.90 D); and preoperative central pachymetry was 537 microm (range, 505-560 microm). The mean calculated ablation depth was 82.8 microm (range, 21-125.4 microm), and mean calculated residual stromal bed was 299.5 microm (range, 254-373 microm). Mean time to recognition of ectasia onset was 14.2 months (range, 3-27 months) postoperatively. At the time of ectasia diagnosis, the mean manifest refraction spherical equivalent was -1.23 D (range, +0.125 to -3.00) with a mean of 2.72 D (range, 0.75-4.00 D) of astigmatism., Conclusions: Ectasia can occur after an otherwise uncomplicated laser in situ keratomileusis procedure, even in the absence of apparent preoperative risk factors.

Visual aberrations such as glare and halo have been well documented after laser in-situ keratomileusis (LASIK). These are more likely in patients with higher refractive errors and large pupil diameters. We present a patient with good Snellen acuity but functional impairment by visual aberrations after LASIK. These symptoms resolved after an InterWave-guided LASIK multipass, multistage enhancement treatment to correct spherical aberrations.

Purpose: To review cases of corneal ectasia after laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK), identify preoperative risk factors, and evaluate methods and success rates of visual rehabilitation for these cases., Design: Retrospective nonrandomized comparative trial., Participants: Ten eyes from seven patients identified as developing corneal ectasia after LASIK, 33 previously reported ectasia cases, and two control groups with uneventful LASIK and normal postoperative courses: 100 consecutive cases (first control group), and 100 consecutive cases with high myopia (> 8 diopters [D]) preoperatively (second control group)., Methods: Retrospective review of preoperative and postoperative data for each case compared with that of previously reported cases and cases with uneventful postoperative courses., Main Outcome Measures: Preoperative refraction, topographic features, residual stromal bed thickness (RSB), time to the development of ectasia, number of enhancements, final best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), and method of final correction., Results: Length of follow-up averaged 23.4 months (range, 6-48 months) after LASIK. Mean time to the development of ectasia averaged 16.3 months (range, 1-45 months). Preoperative refraction averaged -8.69 D compared with -5.37 D for the first control group (P = 0.005). Preoperatively, 88% of ectasia cases met criteria for forme fruste keratoconus, compared with 2% of the first control group (P < 0.0000001) and 4% of the second control group (P = 0.0000001). Seven eyes (70%) had RSB <250 microm, as did 16% of eyes in the first control group and 46% of the second control group. The mean RSB for ectasia cases (222.8 microm) was significantly less than that for the first control group (293.6 micro m, P = 0.0004) and the second control group (256.5 microm; P = 0.04). Seven eyes (70%) had enhancements. Only 10% of eyes lost more than one line of BCVA, and all patients eventually achieved corrected vision of 20/30 or better. One case required penetrating keratoplasty (10%), while all others required rigid gas-permeable contact lenses for correction., Conclusions: Significant risk factors for the development of ectasia after LASIK include high myopia, forme fruste keratoconus, and low RSB. All patients had at least one risk factor other than high myopia, and significant differences remained even when controlling for myopia. Multiple enhancements were common among affected cases, but their causative role remains unknown. We did not identify any patients who developed ectasia without recognizable preoperative risk factors.

Purpose: We report a case of keratolysis following phototherapeutic keratectomy (PTK) for a subepithelial nodule in a patient with keratoconus., Methods: A 29-year-old male with keratoconus who became contact lens intolerant because of a raised subepithelial nodule was treated with excimer laser phototherapeutic keratectomy (PTK)., Results: The epithelium failed to heal postoperatively, and progressive keratolysis led to a central descemetocele by the eighth postoperative day. The patient was managed with a penetrating keratoplasty., Conclusions: Excimer laser phototherapeutic keratectomy has been shown to be an effective treatment for subepithelial nodules in patients with keratoconus. Rapidly progressive keratolysis is a potential complication of this procedure.

Objective: To determine the incidence and severity of complications from laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) for the correction of myopia by experienced and inexperienced surgeons., Design: Prospective, observational clinical study., Participants: Fourteen surgeons and 1062 eyes of 574 myopic patients who desired surgical correction of myopia ranging from -2.00 to -22.50 diopters (D; mean, -7.57 D) and astigmatism no greater than 4.00 D participated in this study., Intervention: Myopia was corrected with LASIK. Astigmatism was corrected with arcuate keratotomy at the same time as the initial procedure or subsequently., Main Outcome Measures: Primary outcome measures were change in best spectacle-corrected visual acuity (BSCVA) and the incidence of complications., Results: Eyes were followed for a mean of 9.5 months after their last surgical procedure (range, 2 weeks-21 months). Three hundred eighty-one eyes (36%) underwent 468 enhancement procedures 3 months or more after the initial treatment. There were 27 (2.1%) intraoperative and 40 (3.1%) postoperative complications. Laser ablation was not performed during the initial treatment of 17 (1.6%) eyes because of intraoperative complications. Seventy-four eyes gained 2 or more lines of BSCVA, while 50 eyes lost 2 or more lines of BSCVA. Only three eyes lost two or more lines of BSCVA to a level worse than 20/40. One eye with a flap buttonhole (BSCVA 20/50) also had an epiretinal membrane. The second eye (BSCVA 20/60) had a flap buttonhole that may have been related to a previous corneal transplant. The third eye (-22.50 D before surgery) had a rhegmatogenous retinal detachment develop, reducing BSCVA from 20/60 to 20/200. The incidence of intraoperative complications decreased from 3.1% during the first 3 months to 0.7% during the last 9 months of the study (P = 0.02)., Conclusions: LASIK is acceptably safe for the correction of myopia. Although complications occur in approximately 5% of cases, these rarely lead to visual loss of more than two Snellen lines and postoperative acuity below 20/40. Flap buttonholes were more likely to cause loss of BSCVA than free or incomplete flaps (P = 0.02); flap buttonholes may be more likely in eyes that have undergone previous surgery. Complication rates can be reduced as the surgical team gains experience.

Objectives: To study the effects of radial keratotomy (RK) and photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) on contrast sensitivity and glare disability using 4 different devices, and to correlate subjective complaints with obj ective scores of visual performance., Methods: Preoperative contrast sensitivity for 30 eyes undergoing RK and 30 eyes undergoing PRK was compared with contrast sensitivity at 1, 3, and 6 months postoperatively using the CSV 1000, MCT (Multivision Contrast Tester) 8000, and Pelli-Robson chart. The BAT (Brightness Acuity Tester) and MCT 8000 were used to test for daytime and nighttime glare disability, respectively. At 3 and 6 months postoperatively, a questionnaire was administered to assess visual performance subjectively., Results: Contrast sensitivity decreased after RK and PRK up to the sixth postoperative month, while glare disability was significantly increased at 1 month after PRK as determined by the MCT 8000 and the BAT, and at the third and sixth months after RK using the MCT 8000. Compared with RK, PRK significantly decreased contrast sensitivity as measured with the MCT 8000 at all spatial frequencies 1 month postoperatively. No significant difference in visual performance between patients undergoing RK and PRK was observed with the CSV 1000, the Pelli-Robson chart, or the BAT up to 6 months postoperatively. No consistent difference was found between glare disability scores of patients undergoing RK and PRK when measured with the MCT 8000. Subjective reports of problems with night driving and blurring correlated only with glare disability scores of the MCT 8000 3 months after RK., Conclusions: Both RK and PRK reduce contrast sensitivity and cause glare disability; however, the relative effect is highly dependent on the time postoperative testing is performed and the instrument used for testing. Contrast sensitivity and glare disability, as measured by the instruments used in this study, do not accurately reflect patients' subjective assessment of visual performance in daily life.

Purpose: We studied the occurrence of late scarring after photorefractive keratectomy and its response to topical corticosteroids and debridement during the course of follow-up of 950 eyes that had photorefractive keratectomy with excimer laser., Methods: Five eyes of four patients developed localized corneal scars, decreased visual acuity, and increased myopia after five to 33 months of good visual acuity, with trace haze. In two eyes, scars were removed by debridement alone. In these two eyes, recurrent scars were treated by debridement, followed by aggressive treatment with topical corticosteroids. Two other eyes were treated with topical corticosteroids alone. The fifth eye, which developed a scar after debridement to correct a subjective visual distortion after photorefractive keratectomy, was treated with debridement followed by aggressive topical corticosteroids., Results: Treatment with topical corticosteroids alone in two eyes improved uncorrected visual acuity slightly and decreased myopia, although the scars remained unchanged. Debridement without aggressive topical corticosteroid use resulted in rapid return of the scars and a decrease in visual acuity. Subsequent debridement after aggressive topical corticosteroid treatment resulted in resolution of scars and no recurrence after discontinuation of corticosteroids in one case. In another case, the scar recurred eight months after discontinuation of topical corticosteroids. In Case 4, the scar has not recurred as the topical corticosteroid dosage has been reduced., Conclusions: Patients who undergo photorefractive keratectomy should be counseled concerning the risk of late scarring, reexamined frequently after photorefractive keratectomy, and treated with topical corticosteroids after corneal trauma. Long-term treatment with topical corticosteroids may be required to prevent the recurrence of scars after debridement.

Three patients developed Paecilomyces lilacinus keratitis while being treated with topical corticosteroids and antibiotics. The first patient, a diabetic man, suffered superficial ocular trauma while being treated for recurrent anterior uveitis related to an iris-fixated intraocular lens. The second patient developed keratitis while being treated for anterior segment inflammation associated with herpes zoster ophthalmicus. The third patient, a woman with chronic lymphoma in remission, was receiving topical antibiotics and corticosteroids for a corneal transplant performed one year previously. All three patients underwent penetrating keratoplasty after progression to perforation or failure of medical therapy. Two eyes (cases 1 and 2) eventually required enucleation. The fungal isolates demonstrated in vitro resistance to amphotericin and natamycin with greater sensitivity to imidazole derivatives. Thus, we recommend prompt and prolonged topical treatment with miconazole or other imidazole derivatives along with avoidance of penetrating keratoplasty and corticosteroids.

We retrospectively evaluated selective removal of interrupted nylon sutures to reduce astigmatism following penetrating keratoplasty in 68 eyes with eight or 12 interrupted sutures and one running suture. Following removal of one to four interrupted sutures at one visit (N = 234 visits), corneal astigmatism had changed 2 to 3 diopters (range 0 to 12 D) by the next visit. The astigmatism decreased greater than or equal to 1 D in 54%, changed 0 to .87 D in 28%, and increased greater than or equal to 1 D in 18%. When a total of five or six sutures were removed during the 5 months following surgery, less than 3 D of residual astigmatism was present in 50 eyes (74%). The axis of astigmatism changed less than or equal to 40 degrees in 74% (n = 65). In a second group of 20 eyes with double running sutures, removal of the 10-0 running suture in all 20 eyes produced an average change of 1.8 D (range = 0 to 3.75 D), with an equal number of increases and decreases. Vector analysis showed the total induced change in astigmatism was approximately twice the absolute keratometric change.

The authors reviewed 108 bacterial and fungal corneal ulcers that developed 1 to 72 months after penetrating keratoplasty in 79 eyes of 78 patients. Graft hypesthesia, topical corticosteroid and antibiotic treatment, exposed sutures, epithelial defects, and poor visual acuity commonly predated infectious keratitis. There were 69 bacterial, 34 fungal, and 5 combined infections. Candida albicans and Staphylococcus epidermidis were the most common pathogens. Follow-up after infection averaged 23 months (range, 1-80 months). Despite hospitalization and fortified topical antibiotic treatment, complications such as wound dehiscence and corneal perforation necessitated emergency regraft in 38 (35%) cases. Of 73 previously clear grafts, only 29 (40%) retained clarity. Median visual acuity, 20/200 before infection, fell to counting fingers at last follow-up; 12 eyes lost light perception.