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A 31-year-old female suffering from membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis type II (MPGN II) presented to the Eye Casualty Department reporting a history of blurred and distorted vision. The patient appeared to have drusenoid retinal epithelial detachments and minimal intraretinal fluid. The subretinal deposits, basal lamina drusen, and pigment epithelial detachment appeared to resemble a “stars in the sky” picture with no symmetry between the eyes. The retinal pigment epithelial detachments improved and flattened over 18 month. and the best corrected visual acuity improved in the most affected eye. There was no evidence of neovascularization, and the intraretinal fluid disappeared spontaneously.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to compare complication rates of Descemet membrane endothelial keratoplasty (DMEK) performed by directly supervised and nondirectly supervised corneal fellows., Methods: This study was a retrospective, comparative case series of DMEK surgeries performed by novice surgeons (less than 15 DMEK cases) with or without direct direct expert supervision. Patients who underwent surgery for Fuchs endothelial dystrophy or pseudophakic bullous keratopathy with a minimum follow-up of 12 weeks were included. Data on patients' demographics, surgical details, surgeon level, intraoperative and postoperative complications, and rate of rebubbling were collected., Results: In this study, 41 nondirectly supervised and 48 directly supervised DMEK surgeries were included. At 6 months, 67.4% of eyes achieved a best-corrected visual acuity of ≤0.3 logMAR with no significant difference between groups ( P = 0.95). Intraoperative complications occurred in 22% of cases in the nondirect supervision group and 4.2% in the direct supervision group ( P = 0.02). Postoperative complications occurred in 9.8% of cases in the nondirect supervision group and 6.2% of cases in the direct supervision group ( P = 0.7). The rebubbling rate was comparable in the 2 groups (34.1% vs. 33.3%, P = 1.0). Five cases (12.2%), all from the nondirect supervision group, required secondary keratoplasty ( P = 0.02). The overall complication rate was significantly higher in the nondirect supervision group (31.7% vs. 10.4%, P = 0.03)., Conclusions: Functional success can be achieved in directly supervised or nondirectly supervised DMEK surgery. However, nondirectly supervised DMEK surgery may associate with higher rates of complications., Competing Interests: The authors have no funding or conflicts of interest to disclose., (Copyright © 2023 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. All rights reserved.)

Astigmatism is a visually significant condition that can develop after keratoplasty. The management of post-keratoplasty astigmatism can be performed both when transplant sutures are in place and when they have been removed. Fundamental for astigmatism management is its identification and characterization in terms of type, amount, and direction. Commonly, post-keratoplasty astigmatism is evaluated through corneal tomography or topo-aberrometry; however, many other techniques can be used in case these instruments are not readily available. Here, we describe several low-tech and high-tech techniques used for post-keratoplasty astigmatism detection in order to quickly understand if it contributes to low vision quality and to determine its characteristics. The management of post-keratoplasty astigmatism through suture manipulation is also described.

The purpose of the paper is to describe vascular filling patterns in corneal neovascularization (CoNV) and evaluate the effect of corneal lesion location, CoNV surface area and multi-quadrant CoNV involvement on the filling pattern. It is a retrospective study of patients who were investigated for CoNV using fluorescein angiography (FA) or indocyanine green angiography (ICGA) between January 2010 and July 2020. Angiography images were graded and analyzed multiple independent corneal specialists. The corneal surface was divided into four quadrants and patient information was obtained through electronic records. A total of 133 eyes were analyzed. Corneal lesions were located on the peripheral (72%) or central (28%) cornea. Central lesions were associated with multi-quadrant CoNV more frequently than peripheral lesions ( p = 0.15). CoNV located within the same quadrant of the corneal lesion was often first to fill (88.4%). In multi-quadrant CoNV, the physiological inferior-superior-nasal-temporal order of filling was usually respected (61.7%). Central lesions resulted in larger CoNV surface area than peripheral lesions ( p = 0.09). In multi-quadrant CoNV, the largest area of neovascularization was also the first to fill in (peripheral lesion 74%, central lesion 65%). Fillings patterns in healthy corneas have previously been reported. Despite CoNV development, these patterns are usually respected. Several factors that may influence filling patterns have been identified, including corneal lesion location, CoNV surface area and aetiology of CoNV. Understanding filling patterns of neovascularization allows for the identification of areas at higher risk of developing CoNV, aiding in earlier detection and intervention of CoNV.

Competing Interests: The authors have no funding or conflicts of interest to disclose.

Purpose: To investigate the effect of ultrasound level during phacoemulsification on pupil dynamics., Methods: Comparative retrospective study on patients who underwent routine cataract surgery at the Royal Liverpool University Hospital. Clinical parameters, anterior chamber measurements, axial length, surgeon grade, time of surgery, level of ultrasound used (cumulative dissipated energy, CDE), intra- and post-operative complications were collected. Pupil diameters were collected before and 4 ± 1 weeks after surgery in static scotopic, mesopic, photopic pupil conditions. Also, pupil dynamic measurements after luminous stimulus were recorded. Changes in static pupil diameters, relative dilation at 3.5 s after luminous stimulus, and time to reach 75% and 95% of maximum dilation were measured., Results: Forty-eight eyes of 24 patients (13 males) were included with a mean age of 73.1 ± 14.6 years. Mean CDE value was 18.11 ± 10.56. Mean scotopic pupil diameters decreased by 0.24 ± 0.48 mm ( p  = 0.021) in the operated eye. Significant correlation was found between reduction in scotopic pupil diameter and CDE ( p  = 0.05). A generalized linear model confirmed that the level of CDE was significantly associated with reduction in scotopic pupil diameter ( p  = 0.026). Patients who underwent surgeries with lower CDE (0 < CDE ⩽ 10 and 10 < CDE ⩽ 20) did not experience significant changes in scotopic pupil diameter after surgery ( p  = 0.28 and p  = 0.79, respectively) as opposed to those with higher CDE (CDE > 20; p  = 0.03)., Conclusion: Phacoemulsification cataract surgery and the cumulative dissipated energy may be associated with changes in pupil behaviour.

Breech presentation complicates as many as 4% of all deliveries. External cephalic version (ECV) is a procedure that involves the external rotation of the fetus through the mother's abdomen from a breech position into a cephalic position. It provides a beneficial alternative to cesarean section (CS) as it is less invasive, more cost-effective, and mitigates many of the maternal health risks associated with CS. Though ECV has become more widely used in recent years, studies have shown that a large percentage of residency programs lack proper training pertaining to ECV, increasing the need for additional educational intervention. A well-supported method of procedural training that has demonstrated efficacy among trainees is the incorporation of simulation models. While many models have already been developed for various obstetrical procedures, few easily reproducible models currently exist for ECV. The purpose of this study was to develop a reconstructible ECV model that could be utilized for practice by trainees in the field of obstetrics. This study's proposed ECV model along with a lecture that was presented to residents and data on the effectiveness of the model and comfort with performing the procedure was collected and analyzed. The results demonstrated that when compared to baseline prior to training, levels of comfort with performing an ECV increased amongst trainees after practicing on the model., Competing Interests: The authors have declared that no competing interests exist., (Copyright © 2020, Baaklini et al.)

Purpose: To describe a method to center a Descemet stripping automated endothelial keratoplasty lamellar graft and address interface folds., Methods: A novel technique to center a Descemet stripping automated endothelial keratoplasty graft without undue manipulation of endothelial surface using a STC-6 needle passed obliquely through the anterior corneal surface to engage and progress the lenticule along the posterior surface after injection of air., Result: Centration of graft achieved and macroscopic folds resolved., Conclusions: Here, we describe an atraumatic and reproducible method for graft centration.

Purpose: To describe a method to visualize and manage a completely detached Descemet membrane endothelial keratoplasty (DMEK) tissue scroll in the anterior chamber., Methods: A 56-year-old male patient with pseudophakic bullous keratopathy, who underwent uncomplicated DMEK surgery, had a complete graft detachment diagnosed at 1-week follow-up. The graft was reattached using a new technique, that is, the free-floating graft was stained in the anterior chamber with trypan blue, immediately followed by air injection to separate the host stroma from the dye. The stained DMEK graft was opened by gentle tapping and attached to the host stroma by air tamponade., Result: This technique allowed sufficient staining of DMEK tissue to further evaluate and correct the graft orientation inside the anterior chamber without compromising the stroma. The DMEK graft was attached 1 week after the reattachment procedure. The cornea cleared confirming the functionality of the endothelial cells., Conclusions: The technique described may be useful in the cases of complete detachment of DMEK tissue and poor visualization of the DMEK tissue orientation. Staining with trypan blue under a "protective" air bubble can provide sufficient visualization to ensure the unfolding of DMEK tissue and reduce the risk of host stromal staining.

Purpose: To evaluate whether the speed of stripping a Descemet membrane endothelial keratoplasty graft influences the graft scroll width., Methods: Human corneas suitable for research were selected for the study. Pairs of corneas were randomly divided into 2 groups: 1 cornea was stripped with a slow speed (group 1) and the contralateral with a fast speed (group 2). Slow speed was defined as the total time greater than 150 seconds or speed <0.057 mm/s. Fast peeling was defined as less than 75 seconds or speed >0.11 mm/s. The grafts acquired were evaluated by microscopy for the graft scroll width and endothelial cell density change pre- and post-preparation., Results: Twenty corneas of 10 donors were included in the analysis. The mean donor age was 68.6 ± 7.58 years. The mean total time of the tissue preparation in group 1 was 282.7 ± 28 seconds and in group 2 was 126 ± 50 seconds (P-value = 0.00000047). The mean speed of stripping in group 1 was 0.045 ± 0.006 mm/s and in group 2 was 0.266 ± 0.093 mm/s (P-value = 0.000027). The graft width in group 1 was 6.4 ± 0.92 mm and in group 2 was 2.87 ± 0.32 mm (P-value = 0.00000014). The mean endothelial cell loss in group 1 was 389 ± 149 cells/mm and in group 2 was 186 ± 63.44 cells/mm (P-value = 0.00134)., Conclusion: We found a correlation between the speed of stripping, scroll width, and endothelial cell loss. Slow-peeled Descemet membrane endothelial keratoplasty grafts result in a wider scroll width but were associated with a greater reduction in endothelial cell density.

Purpose: To investigate if there is an association between the location of the conjunctival biopsy site (lesional, perilesional, or nonaffected) and the result of the direct immunofluorescence (DIF) test in patients with suspected mucous membrane pemphigoid (MMP) involving the ocular surface., Design: Retrospective case series., Methods: Records of patients with clinically suspected ocular MMP were reviewed to determine the location of the conjunctival biopsy. Conjunctival biopsy locations were defined as "lesional," "perilesional," and "nonaffected" conjunctiva. The DIF was considered positive when there was deposition of at least 1 of either IgM, IgG, IgA, or C3 at the basement membrane of the specimen; nondiagnostic when only fibrinogen was found at the same location; and negative when none of these features were present., Results: The records of 41 patients were analyzed. Of these, 32 were eligible to be included in the study. Biopsies were lesional in 22% of cases (7/32), perilesional in 22% (7/32), and from nonaffected conjunctiva in 56% (18/32). DIF results were positive in 14% of lesional biopsies, in 86% of perilesional biopsies, and in 17% of those from nonaffected conjunctiva (P = .003). Perilesional biopsies gave higher positive DIF than lesional biopsies (P = .029)., Conclusions: Perilesional conjunctival biopsies are associated with an increase in positive DIF results. These results support the need to sample perilesional conjunctival tissue in patients with suspected MMP., (Copyright © 2020 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

A 45-year-old man had developed a choroidal neovascular membrane (CNVM) in his left eye at the age of 38 years and had received six intravitreal ranibizumab injections with resulting visual acuities of 6/60 in the affected eye and 6/4 in the unaffected right eye (Snellen charts). Family history and genetic testing revealed tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-3 ( TIMP3 ) gene positive Sorsby fundus dystrophy (SFD). The patient has been under regular follow-up since. At the age of 45 years, he presented with subretinal fluid accumulation in his right eye suggestive of CNVM and received six intravitreal ranibizumab injections, which maintained visual acuity of 6/7.5 in his right eye. Although SFD is a rare condition, it should be suspected and ruled out in young patients presenting with suspicious fundoscopic findings and subretinal fluid on optical coherence tomography. Early intervention can possibly delay macular fibrosis and loss of vision secondary to SFD associated with CNVM., Competing Interests: Competing interests: None declared., (© BMJ Publishing Group Ltd (unless otherwise stated in the text of the article) 2017. All rights reserved. No commercial use is permitted unless otherwise expressly granted.)

Background: The aim of this study was to examine the mesopic contrast sensitivity (CS) and glare sensitivity following intrastromal femtosecond laser correction of presbyopia (INTRACOR)., Patients and Methods: In this study 25 patients with slight hyperopia and presbyopia underwent femtosecond laser correction in the non-dominant eye. Mesotest II measurements (OCULUS Optikgeräte, Wetzlar, Germany) were performed with and without glare at each of four different contrast levels preoperatively as well as 3, 6, 12, 18 and 24 months postoperatively. Data were compared using the Wilcoxon-test with a level of significance of p < 0.05., Results: After 24 months the median CS decreased from 1:2 to 1:2.7 without glare and from 1:23 to 0 with glare. Of all patients 36% showed loss in CS without and 52% with glare and CS did not show any statistically significant differences between the treated and the untreated fellow eyes after 12 and 24 months. Overall 9 out of 18 monocular treated patients showed no binocular night driving ability according to the recommendations of the German Society of Ophthalmology (DOG) and the Professional Association of German Ophthalmologists (BVA) 24 months following INTRACOR., Conclusions: INTRACOR can lead to a slight reduction of mesopic contrast sensitivity and an increase of glare sensitivity. Possible consequences on night driving ability should be discussed with the patients prior to treatment.

Purpose: To assess the effect of intrastromal femtosecond laser presbyopia treatment on uncorrected near visual acuity (UNVA) and corneal integrity over an 18-month period., Setting: Department of Ophthalmology, International Vision Correction Research Centre, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany., Design: Clinical trial., Methods: The UNVA (at 40 cm), corneal pachymetry, and true net power were evaluated preoperatively and 1, 3, 6, 12, and 18 months after femtosecond intrastromal presbyopic treatment (Intracor). Endothelial cell density (ECD) was measured preoperatively and 3, 6, and 12 months postoperatively. Data were analyzed with the Wilcoxon test at a P=.01 level of significance., Results: The median UNVA improved significantly from 0.7 logMAR preoperatively to 0.4 logMAR, 0.2 logMAR, 0.2 logMAR, 0.3 logMAR, and 0.2 logMAR at 1, 3, 6, 12, and 18 months, respectively (all P<.001). The median corneal true net power increased significantly by 1.1 diopters (D) to 0.7 D, 0.8 D, 1.0 D, and 0.9 D, respectively (all P<.001); pachymetry showed no significant thinning postoperatively. There was no significant difference in ECD between preoperatively and postoperatively., Conclusions: Intrastromal femtosecond presbyopic treatment yielded a significant and stable gain of UNVA and corneal steepening without significant loss of endothelial cells or corneal thinning up to 18 months postoperatively. No significant regression of visual acuity or further corneal steepening occurred during the follow-up period., Financial Disclosure: Dr. Auffarth and Dr. Holzer received lecture and consulting fees from Technolas Perfect Vision GmbH. No author has a financial or proprietary interest in any material or method mentioned., (Copyright © 2012 ASCRS and ESCRS. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

A 31-year-old female suffering from membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis type II (MPGN II) presented to the Eye Casualty Department reporting a history of blurred and distorted vision. The patient appeared to have drusenoid retinal epithelial detachments and minimal intraretinal fluid. The subretinal deposits, basal lamina drusen, and pigment epithelial detachment appeared to resemble a "stars in the sky" picture with no symmetry between the eyes. The retinal pigment epithelial detachments improved and flattened over 18 month. and the best corrected visual acuity improved in the most affected eye. There was no evidence of neovascularization, and the intraretinal fluid disappeared spontaneously.

Purpose. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) is increasingly important for the rapid detection of fungal keratitis. However, techniques of specimen collection and DNA extraction before PCR may interfere with test sensitivity. The purpose of this study was to investigate the use of DNA-stabilizing FTA filter paper (Indicating FTA filter paper; Whatman International, Ltd., Maidstone, UK) for specimen collection without DNA extraction in a single-step, nonnested PCR for fungal keratitis. Methods. Specimens were collected from ocular surfaces with FTA filter discs, which automatically lyse collected cells and stabilize nucleic acids. Filter discs were directly used in single-step PCR reactions to detect fungal DNA. Test sensitivity was evaluated with serial dilutions of Candida albicans, Fusarium oxysporum, and Aspergillus fumigatus cultures. Test specificity was analyzed by comparing 196 and 155 healthy individuals from Switzerland and Egypt, respectively, with 15 patients with a diagnosis of microbial keratitis. Results. PCR with filter discs detected 3 C. albicans, 25 F. oxysporum, and 125 A. fumigatus organisms. In healthy volunteers, fungal PCR was positive in 1.0% and 8.4% of eyes from Switzerland and Egypt, respectively. Fungal PCR remained negative in 10 cases of culture-proven bacterial keratitis, became positive in 4 cases of fungal keratitis, but missed 1 case of culture-proven A. fumigatus keratitis. Conclusions. FTA filter paper for specimen collection together with direct PCR is a promising method of detecting fungal keratitis. The analytical sensitivity is high without the need for a semi-nested or nested second PCR, the clinical specificity is 91.7% to 99.0%, and the method is rapid and inexpensive.

Purpose: To compare central corneal thickness (CCT) and keratometry readings using the Galilei dual Scheimpflug analyzer, the Orbscan II anterior segment analysis system, and the Sonogage ultrasound (US) pachymeter., Setting: Lucerne Eye Clinic, Cantonal Hospital, Lucerne, Switzerland., Methods: In a prospective single-center study, 85 eyes of 45 healthy volunteers were examined with the Orbscan II and Galilei systems in random order followed by Sonogage US pachymetry. The CCT and keratometry measurements were compared using a paired t test. To assess the intraobserver and interobserver reproducibility of the 2 keratometers, 9 volunteers were examined 3 times by 4 independent observers and the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) was calculated., Results: The mean CCT was 551.7 microm+/-36.6 (SD) with the Galilei, 554.8+/-45.1 microm with the Orbscan II, and 558.5+/-38.4 microm with the Sonogage. The CCT readings of the Galilei and Orbscan II did not differ significantly (P= .12). The mean keratometry readings with the Galilei and Orbscan II were similar, although both the steep (Ks) and flat (Kf) axes tended to be flatter with the Galilei system. The ICCs for CCT, Kf, and Ks were high with both keratometers (0.98, 0.97, 0.84 for Galilei and 0.97, 0.96, 0.95 for Orbscan II, respectively), indicating that variation in measurements was mainly due to true subject-to-subject variation rather than observer error., Conclusion: Keratometry and pachymetry readings with the Galilei and Orbscan II systems showed good concordance and high reproducibility, which would allow the examinations to be delegated to nonmedical personnel.