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Purpose To propose a new treatment paradigm for chemical burns to the eye - in the acute and chronic phases. Methods Recent laboratory and clinical data on the biology and treatment of chemical burns are analyzed. Results Corneal blindness from chemical burns can now be successfully treated with a keratoprosthesis, on immediate and intermediate bases. Long term outcomes, however, are hampered by early retinal damage causing glaucoma. New data suggest that rapid diffusion of inflammatory cytokines posteriorly (TNF-α, etc) can severely damage the ganglion cells. Prompt anti-TNF-α treatment is markedly neuroprotective. Long term profound reduction of the intraocular pressure is also vital. Conclusion A new regimen, in addition to standard treatment, for severe chemical burns is proposed. This involves tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) inhibition promptly after the accident (primarily for retinal neuroprotection), prophylactic maximal lowering of the intraocular pressure (starting immediately), and keratoprosthesis implantation in a later quiet state.

The treatment of dry eye in Sjogren’s syndrome varies based on the severity of the disease. First-line therapy usually includes environmental changes and lubrication of the ocular surface with the use of artificial tears and/or ointments. Punctal occlusion may also help by extending available lubrication via natural or artificial tears. However, the occlusion of the puncta is usually recommended after ocular inflammation is addressed by topical medications. The main anti-inflammatory topical treatment for Sjogren’s syndrome-related dry eye is topical cyclosporine A. Cyclosporine A 0.05 % is the only commercially available ophthalmic emulsion approved by the US Food and Drug Administration to be used in the treatment of dry eye. In severe cases, a 1 % compounded preparation of the cyclosporine or more frequent instillation of 0.05 % cyclosporine may be more efficient. Topical steroids can be considered as a short-term “pulse treatment” for inflammatory exacerbations of the disease given the high risk of complications with chronic use. In refractory cases, other anti-inflammatory treatments including autologous serum and topical tacrolimus may be considered. Contact lenses may help with the healing of the superficial keratitis or sterile ulcers. For the proper management of Sjogren’s syndrome-related dry eye, it is important to diagnose the disease in its early stages and start topical or local anti-inflammatory treatment before irreversible damage occurs in the lacrimal glands and on the ocular surface. The ocular surface complications of such as sterile corneal ulcers, opacification, and perforation may necessitate extensive surgeries, including corneal transplantation or keratoprosthesis implantation for the restoration of vision.

PURPOSE The aim of this study was to evaluate the clarity of gamma-irradiated sterile corneal donor lenticules. METHODS Broadband UV, visible, and near-infrared (200-850 nm) light transmission was measured through gamma-irradiated, sterile partial-thickness, and full-thickness donor lenticules and fresh corneal tissues and compared with standard acrylic intraocular lens (IOL) implants using a conventional spectrophotometer technique. RESULTS All tissues had high light transmission (≥ 90%) in the visible and near-infrared regions and very low (

Purpose To report vision-threatening ocular manifestations of primary Sjogren's syndrome (SS). Design Retrospective review. Participants Consecutive patients evaluated at an SS center between January 2007 and May 2011. Methods Data collection was completed in March 2013. The 2002 American-European consensus criteria were used for diagnosis of SS. Main Outcome Measures Frequency of extraglandular ocular findings and timing of their diagnosis relative to that of SS and dry eye were assessed. Results One hundred sixty-three patients were included. Almost all patients (98%) had a history of dry eye for an average of 10.4 years (median, 7.9 years) before presentation. One or more extraglandular ocular manifestations were present in 40 patients (25%), and vision-threatening findings were present in 22 patients (13%). Twelve patients (55%) with a vision-threatening ocular finding did not have a diagnosis of SS at presentation. Sixty-eight patients (42%) had extraglandular systemic manifestations of SS. Patients with vision-threatening ocular findings were 3.9 times more likely to have systemic involvement (95% confidence interval, 1.4–11.0; P = 0.010). Peripheral neuropathy, interstitial nephritis, and vasculitis were more common in those with vision-threatening ocular findings compared with patients without ( P Conclusions These results from a tertiary referral-based cohort demonstrate that primary SS frequently is associated with ocular and systemic complications. Dry eye precedes these findings on average by 1 decade. Therefore, ophthalmologists should consider assessing for SS in patients with clinically significant dry eye.

Purpose To study the long-term outcomes of Boston type 1 keratoprosthesis (KPro) surgery. Design Retrospective, multicenter case series. Participants A total of 158 eyes of 150 patients underwent KPro implantation at 5 participating tertiary centers in the United States between January 2003 and December 2006. Of those, 139 eyes of 133 patients were included in the analyses. Methods The medical records of consecutive adult patients who received KPro surgery were reviewed. All patients with at least 1 postoperative visit were retained in the outcomes analyses. In eyes in which a repeat KPro procedure was performed, only the outcomes of the initial surgery were analyzed. Main Outcome Measures Visual acuity (VA) outcomes, postoperative complications, and device retention. Results The mean follow-up was 46.7±26 months with all but 4 eyes having at least 6 months of follow-up. Preoperatively, only 10.8% of the eyes had VA of ≥20/200. Postoperatively, the VA in 70% of eyes improved to ≥20/200. The probability of maintaining VA of ≥20/200 at 7 years was 50%. The device retention rate was estimated at 67% at 7 years. The 7-year cumulative incidence of complications was 49.7% for retroprosthetic membrane formation, 21.6% for glaucoma surgery, 18.6% for retinal detachment, and 15.5% for endophthalmitis. Conclusions Although the risk for complications with longer follow-up seemed to increase, this large multicenter cohort demonstrates favorable outcomes with KPro, with a large number of patients achieving and retaining useful vision over a 7-year period.

Otuz bir yaşında erkek hasta kliniğimize her iki gözle az görme şikayeti ile başvurdu. 15 yaşında iken elinde roket mermisi patlaması sonucu bilateral retina dekolmanı nedeniyle tekrarlayan pars plana vitrektomi ve silikon yağı enjeksiyonu operasyonları geçirmişti. Sağ göz, kombine silikon alınması ve penetran keratoplasti operasyonu sırasında koroid hemorajisi gelişmesi nedeniyle prefitizikdi. Afak, vitrektomize olan sol gözde limbal kök hücre yetmezliği nedeniyle yedi saat kadranı boyunca korneada konjunktivalizasyon, derin ve yüzeyel stromal neovaskülarizasyon ve immunolojik kornea nakli reddi hikayesi mevcuttu. En iyi düzeltilmiş görme keskinliği 1 metreden parmak sayma düzeyindeydi. Tekrar penetran keratoplasti başarı şansı düşük olarak değerlendirilen hastaya Boston tip 1 keratoprotez uygulaması yapıldı. Postoperatif dönemde görme keskinliği 0.2 Snellen sırası seviyesine ulaştı. Makulada var olan skar ve optik sinir atrofisi, daha ileri görme artışını kısıtlıyordu. Bu çalışmada konvansiyonel penetran keratoplasti başarı şansı düşük olarak değerlendirilen gözlerde bir alternatif olarak değerlendirilmesi gereken Boston tipi keratoprotez uygulaması hakkında güncel literatürü derlemeyi amaçladık. (Turk J Opht A 31-year-old male patient was admitted with the complaint of decreased vision in both eyes. He underwent multiple pars plana vitrectomy and silicone oil injection operations due to bilateral retina detachment after rocket projectile explosion in his hands at the age of 15. The right eye was pre-phthisical after choroidal hemorrhage that occurred during combined silicone oil extraction and penetrating keratoplasty. The aphakic and vitrectomized left eye had corneal conjunctivalisation of seven dials, deep and superficial stromal neovascularization and history of immunological graft rejection. As the estimated success rate for repeat penetrating keratoplasty was low, Boston type 1 keratoprosthesis surgery was performed. Postoperatively, visual acuity was 0.2 Snellen lines. Macular scar and optic nerve atrophy limited further visual gain. In this study, we aimed to review the current literature about Boston type keratoprosthesis surgery, which should be evaluated as an alternative when conventional penetrating keratoplasty success is deemed to be low.

Purpose Dry eye, a common yet underrecognized and evolving field, has few recommended treatment algorithms, mostly based on expert consensus rather than robust research evidence. There are high costs associated with managing dry eye and conducting research to identify effective and safe long-term treatments. To support evidence-based management of dry eye, our purpose was to identify and prioritize important clinical research questions for future clinical research. Methods We translated recommendations from the American Academy of Ophthalmology's 2013 Preferred Practice Patterns for dry eye into answerable clinical research questions about treatment effectiveness. Clinicians around the world who manage patients with dry eye rated each question's importance from 0 (not important) to 10 (very important) using a 2-round online Delphi survey. We considered questions as "important" if ≥75% of respondents assigned a rating of 6 or more in round 2. We mapped the identified important clinical research questions to reliable systematic reviews published up to March 2016. Results Seventy-five clinicians from at least 21 countries completed both Delphi rounds. Among the 58 questions, 24 met our definition of "important": 9/24 and 7/24 addressed topical and systemic treatments, respectively. All 4 questions with the highest 25th percentiles addressed topical treatments. Although 6/24 "important" questions were associated with 4 existing reliable systematic reviews, none of these reviews came to a definitive conclusion about treatment effectiveness. Conclusions We identified gaps pertaining to treatment options for dry eye. Future clinical research on the management of dry eye should strongly consider these prioritized questions.

To analyze the distribution of tear film osmolarity in patients with dry eye and its association with other ocular surface parameters.Tear osmolarity and other quantitative dry eye parameters were obtained from patients with 1) clinically significant dry eye (significant symptoms and ocular surface staining, n = 131), 2) symptoms-only dry eye (significant symptoms but no significant ocular surface staining, n = 52), and 3) controls (no significant symptoms or staining, n = 42).Tear osmolarity varied significantly across groups (P = 0.01), with patients with clinically significant dry eye having the highest tear osmolarity (312.0 ± 16.9 mOsm/L), control patients having the lowest tear osmolarity (305.6 ± 9.7 mOsm/L), and patients with symptoms-only dry eye falling in between (307.4 ± 5.6 mOsm/L). Patients with clinically significant dry eye also tended to have a greater intereye difference in osmolarity (12.0 ± 13.4) than did the individuals with symptoms-only dry eye (9.1 ± 12.4) and controls (9.0 ± 7.4) (P = 0.06). In multivariable regression models, higher tear osmolarity was associated with higher Ocular Surface Disease Index, discomfort subscore (P = 0.02), and higher corneal and conjunctival staining scores (P0.01 for both). Worse eye tear osmolarity was not correlated with the corresponding tear film breakup time or Schirmer test (P0.05 for both).Individuals with symptomatic dry eye that is not yet clinically significant seem to have higher and more variable osmolarity measurements than controls, potentially indicating that changes in osmolarity precede clinical findings.

PURPOSE The aim of this study was to review the frequency and types of inflammatory systemic diseases in a cohort of patients with dry eye, and identify clinical features suggesting the presence of these. METHODS Consecutive new patients with a primary diagnosis of dry eye evaluated at a tertiary dry eye center between January 2010 and December 2011 were reviewed retrospectively. Standardized questionnaires were used to obtain data regarding systemic symptoms, previous medical diagnoses, and family history. Dry eye evaluations included Schirmer testing, tear film break-up time, corneal fluorescein staining, and bulbar conjunctival lissamine green staining. Clinically significant dry eye was defined as having a Schirmer test score without anesthesia of ≤10 mm or conjunctival lissamine green staining of ≥1 using the Oxford scale. RESULTS A total of 228 new patients were analyzed. Of these, 47.4% (108/228) presented with a known diagnosis of inflammatory disease. Based on a review of systems and ocular examination, 81 patients (81/228) underwent a further work-up that revealed 25 additional diagnoses that were not known on presentation. The most common newly identified conditions included occult thyroid eye disease (n = 20), primary Sjogren Syndrome (4), and Sjogren Syndrome suspect (1). Female gender, family history of autoimmune disease, self-reported joint pain or dry mouth, external signs of orbital inflammation, and conjunctival chemosis were more common in patients with inflammatory systemic disease as compared with that in patients with no identifiable condition (P < 0.05 for all). CONCLUSIONS Systemic inflammatory diseases are frequently associated with dry eye in patients evaluated at a tertiary academic center. Diagnostic evaluations may help uncover previously undiagnosed significant conditions in about one-third of tested patients.

Purpose We evaluated the validity of a single dry eye severity measure estimated using Rasch analysis from a battery of clinical tests and patient symptoms. Methods This study included 203 dry eye patients and 51 controls. Administered tests included the Ocular Surface Disease Index (OSDI), tear osmolarity, Schirmer's test, noninvasive break-up time, and ocular surface staining. Each of the 12 OSDI questions and each clinical test was defined to be a separate indicator to estimate a single dry eye severity measure from Rasch analysis. Measures of severity were estimated for each subject (person measures) and measures of sensitivity to severity were estimated for each sign and symptom (indicator measures). Results The average severity measure for dry eye patients was significantly greater than the average severity measure for controls (−0.39 vs. −1.2, P < 0.001). The distribution of indicator measures was well matched to the distribution of person measures. No indicator carried >10% of the total information about dry eye severity carried by all indicators together. However, the most informative indicators were corneal and conjunctival staining. Conclusions Our study indicated that there is no single “best” dry eye test. Clinical tests and symptoms should be used in combination to estimate a single dry eye severity measure. Translational Relevance There is no single “gold standard” testing method for dry eye that correlates with the severity of disease. We propose that Rasch analysis can be used to calculate an objective dry eye severity score from a battery of clinical indicators.

Importance Dry eye is a common ocular surface condition with significant influence on patient quality of life and societal economic burden. There is an urgent need to prioritize new research for dry eye. Objective To identify and rank research questions and outcomes important to patients with dry eye. Design, Setting, and Participants This study was conducted using the following 6 steps: (1) identifying research questions from a previous survey of clinicians who treat patients with dry eye; (2) identifying outcomes from existing research (systematic reviews and their cited clinical trials in the Cochrane Eyes and Vision US Satellite database of eyes and vision reviews, and National Eye Institute–funded clinical trials registered on ClinicalTrials.gov) as of June 13, 2017; (3) identifying a sample of patients with dry eye from the email subscribers to the online newsletter KeratoScoop ; (4) and (5) conducting a 2-round Delphi survey of those patients online in November and December 2017, respectively; and (6) designating and ranking questions and outcomes as important. Main Outcomes and Measures Importance assigned to research questions and outcomes for dry eye. A research question or outcome ranked by at least 75% of patients as 6 or higher on a scale of 0 to 10 was considered important. Results Among the 420 patients from 15 countries who completed both rounds of the Delphi survey, most were 60 years of age or older (233 [56%]), female (348 [83%]), white (393 [94%]), and of non-Hispanic ethnicity (398 [95%]). Among the 12 questions that clinicians had previously prioritized, patients rated 8 as important. The top 3 questions pertained to effectiveness of patient education, environmental modifications, and topical anti-inflammatory eye drops for dry eye. Among the 109 outcomes identified in existing research on dry eye, patients rated 26 as important. Ten of these 26 were unpopular in existing research, with fewer than 10% of 158 studies reporting these outcomes. Of the 10 most important outcomes, 9 were associated with symptoms or quality of life. The 3 outcomes rated most important by patients were ocular burning or stinging, ocular discomfort, and ocular pain. Conclusions and Relevance This study identified research questions and outcomes important to patients with dry eye. A considerable gap was noted between outcomes in existing research on dry eye and outcomes patients consider important. Future research on dry eye should consider addressing the important research questions and outcomes identified herein, taking into account the patient perspective.

Purpose of review This review article summarizes the recent literature in regards to advancements in the diagnosis and management of mucous membrane pemphigoid (MMP) published in the English literature since May 2011. Recent findings MMP is an uncommon, subepithelial blistering conjunctivitis that is commonly associated with vision loss. Distinct subgroups of MMP have recently been identified using advanced immunohistochemical techniques. Antiepiligrin MMP has been described as a distinct entity with a relationship to certain solid organ malignancies. There is evidence that conventional immunomodulators such as mycophenolate mofetil and biologics such as rituximab are effective in halting disease progression. Unfortunately, the majority of patients at presentation to tertiary centers already have advanced disease. Novel regenerative techniques such as stem cell therapy as well as traditional surgical approaches such as keratoprosthesis might be required for the restoration of vision in patients with significant corneal scarring. Summary Despite advances in available immunosuppressive treatment regimens, significant ocular morbidity persists possibly secondary to difficulty in diagnosis. Additionally, absence of clinically detectable inflammation in a significant proportion of patients causes delay in the treatment and leads to progressive scarring. Surgical management of the complications of MMP remains challenging, with high failure rates over long-term follow-up.

This review was carried out to study the frequency, and severity of ocular surface involvement at the setting of allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation and subsequent graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) and evaluate the clinical outcomes of newer treatments.Ocular involvement has been reported in 60-90% of patients with chronic GVHD. Although dry eye is the most frequent finding occurring in the great majority of patients (up to 90%), posterior segment complications are also not infrequent, seen in 12.8% of patients after bone marrow transplantation. Anti-inflammatory treatments particularly T-cell suppressants seem to have a beneficial effect in managing GVHD. Corticoteroids, calcineurin inhibitors, such as cyclosporine and tacrolimus, as well as antifibrotic agents such as tranilast are available options for topical application. Cyclosporine ophthalmic drop seems to be a well tolerated and effective treatment modality; favorable results have been demonstrated with increased dosage.GVHD is an increasingly frequent cause of ocular surface morbidity with the potential of visual loss from corneal involvement. Early diagnosis and aggressive local as well as systemic treatment can be vision saving.

Infectious keratitis is a potentially blinding corneal condition caused by a diverse array of organisms, including bacteria, viruses, fungi, protozoa, and parasites.1–3 Prompt antimicrobial therapy...

Purpose We determine if visual field loss from glaucoma and/or measures of dry eye severity are associated with difficulty searching, as judged by slower search times on a text-based search task. Methods Glaucoma patients with bilateral visual field (VF) loss, patients with clinically significant dry eye, and normally-sighted controls were enrolled from the Wilmer Eye Institute clinics. Subjects searched three Yellow Pages excerpts for a specific phone number, and search time was recorded. Results A total of 50 glaucoma subjects, 40 dry eye subjects, and 45 controls completed study procedures. On average, glaucoma patients exhibited 57% longer search times compared to controls (95% confidence interval [CI], 26%–96%, P < 0.001), and longer search times were noted among subjects with greater VF loss (P < 0.001), worse contrast sensitivity (P < 0.001), and worse visual acuity (P = 0.026). Dry eye subjects demonstrated similar search times compared to controls, though worse Ocular Surface Disease Index (OSDI) vision-related subscores were associated with longer search times (P < 0.01). Search times showed no association with OSDI symptom subscores (P = 0.20) or objective measures of dry eye (P > 0.08 for Schirmer's testing without anesthesia, corneal fluorescein staining, and tear film breakup time). Conclusions Text-based visual search is slower for glaucoma patients with greater levels of VF loss and dry eye patients with greater self-reported visual difficulty, and these difficulties may contribute to decreased quality of life in these groups. Translational Relevance Visual search is impaired in glaucoma and dry eye groups compared to controls, highlighting the need for compensatory strategies and tools to assist individuals in overcoming their deficiencies.

To validate a technique and outcomes of labial minor salivary gland biopsy (LSGB) used for the diagnosis of Sjögren's syndrome (SS).Prospective cohort study.Clinical data were prospectively obtained pre- and postbiopsy using patient-reported questionnaires. LSGB was performed using described methods. Specimens were analyzed by a pathologist with expertise in SS and assessed using established criteria to determine the focus score. Data were analyzed using cross-tabulations.Among the 58 patients in the study, 52 (90%) presented with sicca symptoms of dry eyes and/or mouth. Eight patients (14%) had histopathologic findings supportive of a diagnosis of SS. At 1 month postbiopsy, greater than 71% of patients denied any complaints of pain, swelling, numbness. or tingling. Sixteen patients (28%) had only a minor level of complaints. Only one patient complained of severe numbness at the biopsy site. Greater than 70% of patients would consider rebiopsy after the procedure, if requested by their physician.We present a safe and effective method of LSGB for the diagnosis of SS.4 Laryngoscope, 126:2041-2046, 2016.

To study the systemic safety and patient tolerability of frequent dosing of cyclosporine A (CsA) 0.05% eyedrops in the treatment of ocular surface disease. This is a retrospective case series. Patients with significant ocular surface diseases who were treated using topical CsA higher than the usual twice daily dosing (3-8 times daily and over a treatment period of 1-70 months). The main outcome measures are plasma levels of CsA and local tolerability.Symptom assessment, corneal staining using fluorescein, conjunctival staining using lissamine green, tear film breakup time, and other signs according to the disease process were monitored. Discontinuation of treatment due to intolerability was recorded. CsA levels were measured in the plasma at a clinical laboratory.Plasma levels of CsA were below the level of detection (7 ng/mL) in all the 41 patients included. All patients tolerated the treatment well with none discontinuing due to any treatment-related local adverse effects.This study demonstrates that CsA 0.05% ophthalmic emulsion applied more frequently than the usual twice daily dosing was safe and well tolerated in patients with significant ocular surface diseases.

Aims To assess the prevalence and determine predictors of Sjogren9s syndrome (SS) in patients with clinically significant aqueous-deficient dry eye. Methods Patients enrolled in an industry-sponsored, multicentre clinical trial (NCT00784719) were assessed prospectively for the presence of SS. Ocular testing included Schirmer test, corneal fluorescein staining, conjunctival lissamine green staining, and tear-film breakup time. Review of systems questionnaire, medical history, dry eye questionnaire and laboratory work-up (Sjogren-specific antibody A (SSA), Sjogren-specific antibody B (SSB), rheumatoid factor (RF) and antinuclear antibody (ANA)) were obtained. Results Of 327 patients, 38 (11.6%) had SS: 21 (6.4%) with primary SS (pSS), and 17 (5.2%) with secondary SS. Nine patients (3%) were newly diagnosed using the applied diagnostic criteria based on American–European consensus criteria. Patients with SS had significantly worse conjunctival and corneal staining, Schirmer test (with and without anaesthesia), and symptoms compared with patients without SS. pSS Was significantly more likely to occur in patients with positive ANA (OR: 13.9) and RF (OR: 4.8). Conclusions Ophthalmologists caring for patients with clinically significant dry eye should have a high index of suspicion for underlying SS and low threshold for serological work-up. RF and ANA are recommended as useful tests in SSA/SSB-negative patients for further diagnostic referral.

To evaluate the long-term effectiveness of the combination of topical cyclosporine drops and tacrolimus ointment in the treatment of steroid-dependent atopic keratoconjunctivitis (AKC).Ten patients with moderate to severe AKC participated in the study. Topical cyclosporine 0.05% was used, as a monotherapy, 6 times daily during the first month of the study, followed by 4 times daily during the second month. The patients were then instructed to self-treat with topical cyclosporine at a dose ranging from 2 to 6 times daily depending on the severity of the disease. Tacrolimus ointment 0.03% was applied on the lid skin. Follow-up examinations were performed approximately every 3 months. Each patient completed a follow-up period of at least 12 months. Symptoms and signs of AKC were assessed on the day of enrollment, on days 28, 56, and 63, and at subsequent follow-up visits. Flare-ups of AKC requiring steroid use and progression of the disease findings were also recorded.All patients experienced significant improvement of their symptoms and signs during the first 2 months of the study. Two patients were lost to follow-up after the initial 2 months. One patient was noncompliant and continued the treatment only for 7 months. During the median treatment period of 21.5 months for the 7 continuing patients, a total of only 2 flare-up episodes were noted requiring topical steroids.Adequate topical immunomodulation using topical calcineurin inhibitors may eliminate the need for steroids and favorably alter the long-term prognosis of patients with AKC.

To compare short-term outcomes of repeat penetrating keratoplasty (PK) to those of Boston type 1 keratoprosthesis (KPro). Our hypothesis was that visual outcomes were superior for KPro compared to PK.This is a retrospective, nonrandomized, intermediate-term case series. Consecutive adults with one or more failed PKs who underwent either PK or KPro between January 2008 and December 2010 were included. Demographics, indication for the initial PK, comorbidities, concomitant procedures, and complications were considered. Only one procedure in each eye was included. All KPro procedures were retained in the analyses.Fifty-three patients underwent PK and 27 received KPro. Mean follow-up was 19.5 months in the PK group and 16.5 months in the KPro group. KPro eyes had worse mean preoperative vision (hand motions vs counting fingers, P=.01) and more comorbidities. In the postoperative period, 35% of PK eyes and 45% of KPro eyes attained best-ever visual acuity of 20/70. Forty-seven percent of PK eyes vs 40% of KPro eyes were able to retain this visual acuity. Two-year rate of failure to retain visual acuity better than the baseline was higher for PK eyes, though not at a statistically significant level (hazard ratio [HR]=1.67; 95% CI, 0.78-3.60; P=.19). Two-year cumulative rate of graft failure (loss of clarity for PK and removal/replacement for KPro) was higher for PK eyes (HR=3.23; 95% CI, 1.12-9.28; P=.03). Retinal detachment, endophthalmitis, and glaucoma rates were similar (P=.6 for all).These results demonstrate less frequent graft failure, greater visual improvement, and greater likelihood of maintaining the visual improvement in KPro eyes vs PK.

To report the short-term outcome of gamma-irradiated sterile cornea in corneal and glaucoma patch graft surgeries when viable endothelium is not necessary.Surgeons who have used the irradiated corneas were asked to rate their impression from 1 (fair) to 4 (very good). Specific intraoperative questions included availability, ease of use, clarity, thickness, tensile strength, and suturing. Postoperative outcomes included epithelialization, biological incorporation, and clarity of tissue, as well as any adverse outcomes.Irradiated sterile cornea has been used in more than 150 surgeries so far. The major uses for irradiated cornea were as glaucoma patch graft (65.3%), as corneal patch graft (14%), in anterior lamellar keratoplasty (10.7%), and in keratoprosthesis (10%). The mean score for packaging of tissue was 3.75 (SD, 0.45), ease of use 3.83 (SD, 0.39), clarity 3.62 (SD, 0.51), thickness 3.67 (SD, 0.49), tensile strength 3.64 (SD, 0.50), and suturing 3.62 (SD, 0.65). Postoperative outcomes were also favorable, including epithelialization (mean ± SD, 3.46 ± 0.69), biological incorporation (mean ± SD, 3.46 ± 0.69), and clarity (mean ± SD, 3.43 ± 0.85). There were 4 episodes of corneal melt (all occurred in patients with previous corneal melt). There were no reported cases of tissue rejection or infection.Gamma-irradiated sterile cornea is a promising new development that may help increase the supply of donor cornea tissue. It virtually eliminates the risk of infection while providing a long shelf life. It is particularly helpful in emergency situations or in remote areas. However, longer follow-up and a prospective study comparing the outcomes of the irradiated corneas with those of the optisol-stored corneas are needed.

Background Outcomes-based review of reported treatment options for patients with dry eye secondary to Sjogren's syndrome (SS). Clinical Relevance Dry eye affects many individuals worldwide. Significant proportion of patients with dry eye has underlying SS, a progressive autoimmune condition. The few suggested guidelines for the treatment of dry eye are mostly based on severity of symptoms and/or clinical findings rather than on outcomes analysis, and do not differentiate SS from other causes of dry eye. Methods and Literature Review A search strategy was developed to identify prospective, interventional studies of treatments for SS-associated dry eye from electronic databases. Eligible references were restricted to English-language articles published after 1975. These sources were augmented by hand searches of reference lists from accessed articles. Study selection, data extraction, and grading of evidence were completed independently by ≥4 review authors. Results The searches identified 3559 references as of August 10, 2010. After duplicate review of the titles and abstracts, 245 full-text papers were assessed, 62 of which were relevant for inclusion in the review. Conclusions In the current literature on SS-associated dry eye, there is a paucity of rigorous clinical trials to support therapy recommendations. Nonetheless, the recommended treatments include topical lubricants, topical anti-inflammatory therapy, and tear-conserving strategies. The efficacy of oral secretagogues seems greater in the treatment of oral dryness than ocular dryness. Although oral hydroxychloroquine is commonly prescribed to patients with SS to alleviate fatigue and arthralgias, the literature lacks strong evidence for the efficacy of this treatment for dry eye. Financial Disclosure(s) Proprietary or commercial disclosure may be found after the references.

Cyclosporine A (CsA) is an immunomodulatory agent that primarily inhibits the proliferation and action of T cells. Systemic CsA has been used successfully in solid organ transplantation and noninfectious uveitis. Topical CsA with various formulations has been used in the field of ocular surface diseases since early 1980s. An ophthalmic emulsion 0.05% (Restasis, Allergan, Irvine, CA), was approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration in 2003 to treat dry eye syndrome. This article aims to evaluate the peer-reviewed published scientific literature and to define well-established uses of CsA eyedrops in the field of ocular surface diseases.

To evaluate the rate of Sjögren syndrome (SS) in a cohort of patients with dry eye syndrome.Medical records of patients with a primary diagnosis of dry eye syndrome (International Classification of Diseases [ICD] code 375.15 or 370.33) were reviewed retrospectively. Patients who had 2 or more visits to a single dry eye center during a 2-year period (January 2004 to January 2006) were considered.Two hundred twenty patients with dry eye syndrome were identified. A total of 57 patients (25.9%) had an underlying rheumatic condition: 25 patients (11.4%) had rheumatoid arthritis and 24 (10.9%) had primary Sjögren syndrome (PSS). Majority of the patients with rheumatoid arthritis (96%) carried the diagnosis at the time of presentation. Of all patients with PSS, only 33.3% (8/24) carried the diagnosis at the time of presentation. Fifty percent (12/24) were diagnosed as a result of the initial evaluation. Among those, only 66.6% (8/12) tested SSA (anti-Ro antibodies) or SSB (anti-La antibodies) positive. One third of patients (4/12) tested only antinuclear antibody positive at a titer of1/320 and required minor salivary gland biopsy for definitive diagnosis. Additional 16.7% (4/24), who were initially serologically negative, eventually underwent minor salivary gland biopsy and became diagnosed with SS.PSS seems to be underdiagnosed in patients with dry eye syndrome and should be the focus of diagnostic evaluations. A minor salivary gland biopsy might be required for a definitive diagnosis in a significant proportion of the patients with SS.

Infectious keratitis can be a medical emergency that can lead to a profound loss of vision if not treated promptly and appropriately. Although a shift in the etiology and predisposing factors has been reported within the past few years, bacteria still predominate as the causative organisms of infectious keratitis in temperate climates. The clinical outcome is greatly influenced by the rate of epithelial and stromal healing, which is affected by multiple factors, including the overall health of the patient, status of the ocular surface and selection of the topical ophthalmic preparations used during treatment. Fourth-generation fluoroquinolones, including gatifloxacin, have been widely adopted for an ‘off-label’ treatment of bacterial keratitis because of their broad-spectrum potency and effective penetration, as well as their minimal effects on corneal wound healing.

Purpose To report the occurrence of subluxation of suture-fixated posterior chamber (PC) intraocular lenses (IOL) and elucidate the mechanisms involved. Design Prospective clinicopathologic study. Participants A single 10-0 Prolene suture explanted from a patient who experienced subluxation of his PC-IOL, 11.5 years after placement. Furthermore, multiple 10-0 Prolene sutures and PC-IOLs used for iris fixation were studied as controls. Methods Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was used to analyze the surface of the explanted suture. In addition, randomly selected 10-0 Prolene sutures cut with Vannas scissors and cut with the positioning holes of a randomly selected PC-IOL identical to that implanted in the patient's eye were examined as controls. Finally, the positioning holes of several randomly selected, iris-fixated PC-IOLs were studied using SEM with particular attention to surface quality and edge finish. Main Outcome Measures Presence of any signs of suture degradation, the character of the cut edge of the suture, as well as the characteristics of the positioning holes of the PC-IOLs. Results Scanning electron microscopy of the explanted suture revealed sharply cut edges, without significant degradation of the suture, and no intact loop. Scanning electron microscopy of the control suture cut with a PC-IOL demonstrated a similarly cut edge. The positioning holes of the examined PC-IOLs had a sharp edge, and some also had an imperfect finish. Conclusion We conclude that the surface properties of the positioning holes lead to cutting of the suture, and subsequent subluxation of the PC-IOL.

Purpose: The Boston keratoprostheses type 1 devices (KPro) are utilized in cases unfavorable to penetrating keratoplasty. The prognosis remains guarded in cases of ocular surface disease due to risk of tissue necrosis. We describe a novel surgical approach using a conjunctival flap with a delayed opening to improve retention.Methods: In three patients with advanced cicatrizing conjunctivitis, a Type 1 keratoprosthesis was stabilized using a full tarsal conjunctival flap. Three months postoperatively, an opening was created in the flap overlying the optical portion of the device.Results: All patients had no device related complications over a mean follow-up period of 17.7 months (range 15-21 months) and vision remained excellent at better than 20/200 for all patients.Conclusions: Utilization of a tarsal flap either primarily as part of a two stage modified technique or secondarily in cases of tissue necrosis and impending device extrusion might maximize retention of the type 1 KPro.

Purpose To determine the intra-observer and inter-observer reliability of a novel ocular staining score among trained ophthalmologists. Design Reliability analysis within a prospective, observational, multicenter cohort study. Methods Those enrolled in the National Institutes of Health–funded Sjogren's International Collaborative Clinical Alliance (SICCA) who presented for follow-up at the University of California San Francisco, Aravind Eye Hospital, Johns Hopkins University, and the University of Pennsylvania were included. Study participants were graded using the ocular staining score by at least 2 masked SICCA-trained ophthalmologists. The primary outcome for this study was the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) for the total ocular staining score. ICCs were also calculated for tear break-up time (TBUT) and conjunctival and corneal staining. Results Total ocular staining score had an ICC of 0.91 for the right eye (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.85–0.96) and 0.90 for the left eye (95% CI 0.83–0.97). Corneal staining (right eye 0.86, 95% CI 0.76–0.93, left eye 0.90, 95% CI 0.81–0.95) and conjunctival staining (right eye 0.87, 95% CI 0.80–0.93, left eye 0.85, 95% CI 0.75–0.93) demonstrated excellent agreement. The ICC for TBUT was slightly lower (right eye 0.77, 95% CI 0.64–0.89; left eye 0.81, 95% CI 0.68–0.90). Conclusions Previous studies have shown that the ocular staining score is correlated with other diagnostic components of Sjogren syndrome. In this study, we demonstrate high reliability in grading among trained ophthalmologists, completing the validation of this test.

Purpose To report two patients with sarcoidosis initially presenting with cicatrizing conjunctivitis. Case reports Both patients with chronic conjunctivitis were referred for further management. The first patient had conjunctival granulomas, subepithelial fibrosis, and forniceal foreshortening. The second patient had extensive upper and lower conjunctival scarring with forniceal foreshortening and symblepharon formation of both eyes. Conjunctival biopsy specimens revealed noncaseating granulomas. Immunofluorescein studies were negative for immunoreactant deposition in the basement membrane. Because of further diagnostic evaluations, sarcoidosis was determined to be the final cause of the cicatrizing conjunctivitis. Conclusions Sarcoidosis should be included in the differential diagnosis of cicatrizing conjunctivitis. Recognition of the characteristic noncaseating granulomas in the conjunctival biopsy and initiation of the appropriate evaluations are essential in establishing the diagnosis and determining the extent of systemic involvement.

The intent of this review is to comprehensively appraise the state of the art with regard to Stevens Johnson syndrome (SJS) and toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN), with particular attention to the ocular surface complications and their management. SJS and TEN represent two ends of a spectrum of immune-mediated, dermatobullous disease, characterized in the acute phase by a febrile illness followed by skin and mucous membrane necrosis and detachment. The widespread keratinocyte death seen in SJS/TEN is rapid and irreversible, and even with early and aggressive intervention, morbidity is severe and mortality not uncommon. We have divided this review into two parts. Part I summarizes the epidemiology and immunopathogenesis of SJS/TEN and discusses systemic therapy and its possible benefits. We hope this review will help the ophthalmologist better understand the mechanisms of disease in SJS/TEN and enhance their care of patients with this complex and often debilitating disease. Part II (April 2016 issue) will focus on ophthalmic manifestations.