BACKGROUND: Ochrobactrum anthropi is widely distributed and primarily infects patients with compromised immune functions . Historically, O. anthropi has been considered to possess low toxicity and pathogenicity; however, recent studies suggest that it may in fact cause severe purulent infections. In this case study, we examine a case of O. anthropi infection following corneal transplantation, exploring the occurrence and outcomes of such post-operative infections.
METHODS: A retrospective analysis of cases involved examinations, genetic testing for diagnosis, and subsequent treatment. In patients undergoing partial penetrating keratoplasty with a fungal corneal ulcer perforation, anterior chamber exudation and purulence were observed post-surgery. Despite antifungal treatment, genetic testing of the anterior chamber fluid and purulent material confirmed O. anthropi infection. The use of antimicrobial treatment specifically targeting O. anthropi was found to be effective in treating the infection.
CONCLUSIONS: Inflammatory reactions following corneal transplantation should be should be monitored for the presence of other infections. Genetic testing has significant implications for clinical diagnosis and treatment.

BACKGROUND: Ocular surface disorder after ocular radiation therapy, even though commonly reported, is often overlooked. Any delay in diagnosis may lead to complications that threaten vision. The presented case highlights the clinical outcome of a severe post-radiation disorder of the ocular surface, the importance of intensive therapy, and the limitations of further surgical interventions.
METHODS: A 34-year-old woman was referred for a second opinion due to a years-long history of pain and redness in her right eye (OD) after proton beam therapy for recurrent iris melanoma. The patient then developed post-radiation retinopathy with macula edema, secondary glaucoma, cataract, as well as a severe ocular surface disorder with corneal decompensation and band keratopathy. Several surgical treatments have been attempted, including phacoemulsification with IOL implantation and trabeculectomy with mitomycin C. Due to refractory glaucoma, Baerveldt glaucoma drainage was then necessary. Given the worsening clinical presentation of post-radiation ocular surface disorder with progressing band keratopathy, the possibility of penetrating keratoplasty (PKP) was discussed.
CONCLUSIONS: The continuous worsening of clinical symptoms of the disorder of the ocular surface after proton beam radiotherapy can be the result of a post-radiation syndrome. Gradual expansion of ischemia, vasculitis, and inflammatory mediators compresses the retinal tissue, leading to recurrent macular edema as well as to secondary glaucoma and corneal decompensation. Band keratopathy is occasionally noted and seems to result from severe post-radiation disorder of the ocular surface. However, PKP would typically be indicated in cases of corneal perforation, uncontrolled infectious keratitis, or for improving vision in the presence of corneal opacification, none of which applied to our patient. Furthermore, post-radiation keratopathy implies compromised corneal stromal lymphogenesis and angiogenesis, both of which are now considered essential conditions for allograft rejection. Moreover, a previously performed Baerveldt glaucoma drainage surgery can affect the survival rate of the endothelial cells of the recipient cornea. Therefore, a penetrating or endothelial keratoplasty should be viewed as a high-risk procedure. In this instance, the rigorous treatment of the severe ocular surface disorder was crucial. We managed our patient\'s complex situation by following the latest guidelines set by the Tear Film & Ocular Surface Society and aimed to alleviate the symptoms as effectively as possible. In conclusion, careful decision-making regarding surgical treatment options should be considered, taking into account the complexities and potential risks involved.
Eine 34-jährige Frau wurde wegen Schmerzen und Rötungen am rechten Auge seit Jahren überwiesen. Ihre Krankengeschichte ergab eine Exzision eines Irismelanoms im Alter von 29 Jahren. Aufgrund eines Rezidivs wurde daraufhin eine Protonenstrahlentherapie durchgeführt. Infolgedessen entwickelte die Patientin nach der Strahlentherapie eine Retinopathie mit Makulaödem, sekundärem Glaukom, Katarakt sowie einer schweren Störung der Augenoberfläche mit Hornhautdekompensation und einer Bandkeratopathie. Es wurden mehrere chirurgische Eingriffe unternommen, darunter die Phakoemulsifikation mit IOL-Implantation und die Trabekulektomie mit Mitomycin C. Aufgrund des refraktären Glaukoms war schließlich auch eine Baerveldt-Implantation erforderlich. Trotz vielfältiger therapeutischer Ansätzen zur Befeuchtung zeigte sich keine Verbesserung des Problems der Augenoberfläche. Aufgrund der Verschlechterung der klinischen Präsentation der Augenoberflächenstörung wurde die Möglichkeit einer perforierenden Keratoplastik in Betracht gezogen. Es bleibt jedoch fraglich, ob solche Patienten von einer perforierenden Keratoplastik profitieren würden, da die resultierende Lymph- und Hämangiogenese des Hornhautstromas wesentliche Risikofaktoren für die Abstoßung von Fremdgewebe darstellen.

OBJECTIVE: We describe the management of a case of severe corneal melting after corneal cross-linking (CXL) treated with a staged approach using a conjunctival flap followed by deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty (DALK).
METHODS: A 12-year-old male developed severe corneal melting with pending perforation after an accelerated epithelium-off CXL protocol. We initially treated the patient with a conjunctival flap to prevent perforation. Three months later, we performed DALK to restore vision.
RESULTS: Conjunctival flap surgery allowed us to avoid corneal perforation and penetrating keratoplasty (PK) à chaud. Once the inflammation had resolved, we recessed the conjunctiva and performed DALK for optical purposes. Twelve months later, the graft was clear and the corrected visual acuity was 20/25 (Snellen). No complications occurred after surgery.
CONCLUSIONS: Although CXL is considered a safe procedure, in rare cases it can lead to serious complications, such as corneal haze, infectious and non-infectious keratitis, stromal melting and perforation. Corneal melting and perforation are usually managed by emergency PK. Herein we suggest a staged approach involving an emergency conjunctival flap followed by DALK at a later time that allowed us to avoid PK à chaud.

Keratoconus is a corneal disorder characterized by the progressive thinning and bulging of the cornea. Currently, the major goal of management is to halt its progression, restore normal corneal strength, prevent acute complications, and save vision. Penetrating keratoplasty and deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty as conventional surgical methods for advanced keratoconus are limited by relatively high rates of immune intolerance, slow post-operational recovery, high costs, and shortage of donor corneas. Recently, the development of lenticule addition keratoplasty enables the restoration of corneal thickness simply by implanting a lenticule into the stromal pocket created with the femtosecond laser, which can originate from cadaver corneas or more appealing, be extracted from patients via a small-incision lenticule extraction (SMILE) surgery. As the first systematic review in this field, we critically review publications on lenticule addition keratoplasty and provide our perspectives on its clinical application and the focus of future research.

BACKGROUND: This study aims to evaluate visual outcome, central corneal thickness, and re-bubbling rate in a cohort with undersized sequential Descemet Membrane Endothelial Keratoplasty (DMEK) due to endothelial graft decompensation following primary penetrating keratoplasty (PK).
METHODS: All patients who received a sequential DMEK (n = 16) or triple DMEK (n = 2) after failed primary PK between November 2020 and June 2022 were retrospectively evaluated. Analyzed parameters were corrected distance visual acuity (CDVA), central corneal thickness (CCT), re-bubbling rate and graft survival.
RESULTS: 18 eyes of 18 patients were included. All patients underwent a DMEK with undersized graft after failed PK(s). Mean time between the last PK and DMEK was 102 ± 82 weeks. Mean follow-up time was 8.9 ± 4.6 months. CDVA increased significantly from 1.12 ± 0.60 logMAR preoperatively to 0.64 ± 0.49 logMAR 6 weeks postoperatively (p = 0.013). Mean CCT decreased significantly from 807 ± 224 μm before to 573 ± 151 μm 6 weeks after DMEK (p = 0.003). Re-bubbling was necessary in eight eyes (44.4%) after a median time of 7 days. The 12-month Kaplan Meier survival was 66.7%.
CONCLUSIONS: In case of endothelial graft decompensation without stromal scars after primary PK, a DMEK can be performed for selected patients who had satisfying CDVA before the endothelial decompensation. Prior to DMEK indication, an AS-OCT should routinely be performed to circularly search for posterior steps at the PK graft margin, as well as shortly after DMEK to exclude a detachment of the endothelial graft. All patients should be informed about a higher re-bubbling rate in comparison to primary DMEK.

Fungal keratitis due to Fusarium species is a rare but serious ocular disease. Due to its rapid progression, often late diagnostic confirmation as well as limited topical treatment options, this is potentially sight threatening. Increasing contact lens use and global climate change have been suggested to be factors leading to an increase in cases of fusarium keratitis, even in regions with moderate climate. Early recognition and initiation of antimycotic treatment, as well as early surgical treatment by penetrating keratoplasty are decisive for the outcome.
Die Keratitis durch Fusarien stellt in Deutschland ein insgesamt seltenes, aber durch seinen raschen Krankheitsverlauf, die meist verspätete Diagnosestellung und die eingeschränkten konservativen Behandlungsoptionen mittels antimykotischer Therapie ein ernst zu nehmendes Krankheitsbild mit potenziell visusbedrohendem Verlauf dar. Durch die zunehmende Anwendung von Kontaktlinsen und möglicherweise durch die veränderten klimatischen Bedingungen ist ein weiterer Anstieg der Fallzahlen in Deutschland zu erwarten. Das rechtzeitige Erkennen und Einleiten der antimykotischen Therapie und bei ausbleibender Besserung die frühzeitige Durchführung einer notfallmäßigen Keratoplastik sind hierbei maßgeblich für den Therapieerfolg.

Sutureless scleral fixation of intraocular lens (sSFIOL) is a commonly employed method of optical rehabilitation of aphakic patients with deficient capsular support, and corneal transplant surgeries can be simultaneously combined with sSFIOL to handle aphakic corneal opacities. A single-stage procedure circumvents the need for repeat intraocular procedures and carries lower risk of graft endothelial damage, endophthalmitis, and macular edema associated with sequential surgeries. However, it mandates surgical expertise and increases the chances of postoperative inflammation. A basket of options is available with the corneal surgeons regarding the manner of host and donor preparation as well as the approaches to scleral fixation and certain intraoperative modifications along with postoperative vigilance may enhance the surgical outcomes. Most of the studies pertaining to keratoplasty with sSFIOL categorize to case reports/series, surgical techniques, and retrospective studies with very limited prospective data available currently. The purpose of the present review is to consolidate all available literature on concomitant sSFIOLs and keratoplasty procedures.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study is to evaluate long-term outcomes of endothelial keratoplasty (EK) compared with penetrating keratoplasty (PK) for corneal endothelial dysfunction [Fuchs endothelial corneal dystrophy (FECD) and bullous keratopathy (BK)].
METHODS: In this systematic review, we searched PubMed, the Cochrane Library, and Embase up to May 2022 and considered all types of studies addressing our objective. Graft survival at 5, 10, and 15 years was the main outcome.
RESULTS: Fifty cohort studies were included. At 5 years, in FECD and BK, graft survival seemed higher after EK than PK. Two comparative studies showed either a higher 5-year graft survival after EK than PK or no significant differences. Including noncomparative studies, in FECD, the 5-year graft survival ranged from 0.69 to 0.98 for PK, from 0.93 to 1.00 for DSEK, and from 0.93 to 0.99 for Descemet membrane endothelial keratoplasty (DMEK). In BK, the 5-year graft survival ranged from 0.39 to 0.91 for PK, from 0.65 to 0.89 for DSEK, and from 0.84 to 0.95 for DMEK. The 10-year graft survival ranged from 0.20 to 0.90 for PK and from 0.62 to 0.92 for EK. The mean 5-year best spectacle-corrected visual acuity ranged from 0.73 to 0.43 LogMAR for PK, from 0.61 to 0.09 for DSEK, and from 0.31 to 0.05 for DMEK. The 5-year rejection rate ranged from 11.0% to 28.7% for PK, from 5.0% to 7.9% for DSEK, and from 1.7% to 2.6% for DMEK.
CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest a higher 5-year graft survival and better secondary outcomes after EK. Nevertheless, the level of evidence was low.
UNASSIGNED: CRD42021260614.

OBJECTIVE: To summarize the clinical manifestations, microbiological profile, treatment, and prognosis of corneal infections after different keratorefractive surgery.
METHODS: To obtain relevant studies, English-language databases, including PubMed, Ovid Embase, Web of Science, and CLNAHL, were searched from January 1979 to March 2022. The fundamentals of the literature, clinical characteristics, pathogens, and treatments were retrieved for each included article.
RESULTS: Eighty-four studies involving 306 infectious eyes were included in this review. Risk factors of potential infection included a history of blepharitis, contact lens usage, and contaminated surgical instruments. The mean onset time was 22.9±38.7 days (range: 1 day to 3 years). The most common organism isolated from infectious keratitis after keratorefractive surgery were Staphylococcus aureus , followed by Mycobacterium and coagulase-negative Staphylococcus . Most of the infections after refractive procedures were sensitive to medical treatment alone, and the ultimate best-corrected visual acuity after medical treatment was as follows: 20/20 or better in 82 cases (37.0%), 20/40 or better in 170 cases (76.5%), and worse than 20/40 in 52 cases (23.5%). Surgical interventions including flap lift, flap amputation, ring removal, and keratoplasty were performed in 120 eyes (44.5%).
CONCLUSIONS: Most infections after keratorefractive surgery occur within a week, whereas more than half of the cases after laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis happen after about a month. Gram-positive cocci and mycobacterium are the most common isolates. Infections after LASIK, intracorneal ring (ICR) implantation, and small incision lenticule extraction, which primarily occur between the cornea layers, require irrigation of the tunnels or pocket with antibiotics.

It concerns three siblings (two 28 year old twin boys and a 25 year old woman) who presented a previous history of rupture of eyeball in one eye and very poor vision in the other. At the first ophthalmoscopic and instrumental evaluation, three patients presented with bluish sclera and keratoglobus in the intact eye. A genetic analysis with whole exome sequencing was then performed on the three siblings, identifying a biallelic variant of the PRDM5 gene that led to the diagnosis of Brittle Cornea Syndrome (BCS), a rare autosomal recessive disorder characterized by corneal thinning and blue sclera. To preserve the only intact eye from possible breakage, the three siblings were trained in using protective measures (polycarbonate goggles etc.) to carry out close monitoring of symptoms and were asked to continue with follow-up visits for ocular and systemic diseases associated with BCS. Given the poor best corrected visual acuity achievable with glasses and contact lenses, penetrating keratoplasty was performed, achieving good visual acuity maintained in the 2-year follow-up in two of the three patients. Knowledge of this pathology and its clinical manifestations is essential for early diagnosis and correct management of this rare but very debilitating pathology. To our knowledge, this is the first case series of BCS reported in an Albanian population.