A case report and review of filamentary keratitis.

BACKGROUND: Filamentary keratitis is most often a chronic corneal condition, characterized by filaments attached at one or both ends to the cornea. Patients often experience foreign body sensation, grittiness, discomfort, photophobia, blepharospasm, and increased blinking. Filamentary keratitis is commonly the result of aqueous deficient dry eye syndrome. Management options include lubrication, punctal occlusion, removal of filaments, hypertonic saline, mucolytic agents, anti-inflammatory agents, and therapeutic contact lenses. CASE REPORT: A 58-year-old man came to us with acute symptoms of pain, photophobia, and redness x 2 days 0.S. The diagnosis of filamentary keratitis was made based on the clinical findings of positively staining mucus strands attached to the superior cornea. The patient was also found to have dry eye, blepharitis, and floppy eyelid syndrome. Numerous treatment regimens were implemented, including lubrication with non-preserved artificial tears, lubricating ointment, and topical steroids. The patient's condition was finally best managed with silicone plug punctal occlusion and therapeutic contact lenses. CONCLUSION: Filamentary keratitis can be a recurrent and incapacitating condition that may prove difficult to manage.     

A review of filamentary keratitis

Filamentary keratitis (FK) is characterized by the presence of filaments on the corneal surface that are often associated with symptoms of foreign body sensation, irritation, and eye pain. FK is associated with a variety of ocular and systemic conditions, most notably dry eye disease. These filaments are composed primarily of epithelium, mucus, and cellular debris; however, their pathogenesis remains an area of debate. Aggravating factors for FK include desiccation, inflammatory mediators, as well as eyelid mechanical forces. Management consists of addressing associated conditions, especially dry eye disease, and providing medical and procedural treatments to alleviate symptoms and restore the ocular surface. Mainstay treatments include filament removal, increased lubrication with artificial tears and punctal occlusion, hypertonic saline, antiinflammatory and mucolytic medications, and autologous serum eye drops, as well as bandage contact lenses. A stepwise approach is required to manage patients with acute or chronic FK. Prolonged therapy is often necessary to prevent recurrence of this bothersome condition.     

Filamentary Keratitis Following Penetrating Keratoplasty

Filamentary keratitis is a problem associated with a wide variety of ocular conditions. Of 114 patients receiving penetrating keratoplasty, 31 (27.2%) were noted to have filaments. Those patients receiving transplants for keratoconus were noted to have the highest incidence (12 of 31, 39%), while transplants following herpetic scars were not associated with filaments (0 of 11) in this series. Suturing technique or relation of donor button-to-graft site were not apparently important factors in the development of postoperative filamentary keratitis.     

Ocular mucous membrane pemphigoid: diagnosis and management strategies

Ocular mucous membrane pemphigoid presents some of the most challenging dilemmas in anterior segment management. Diagnosis is made difficult by the insensitivity of immunopathological investigations and the differential diagnosis of other scarring conjunctival disorders. The management of the associated ocular surface disease involves control of blepharitis, dry eye, filamentary keratitis, keratinization, lid malposition, and persistent epithelial defect, as well as the identification and avoidance of toxicity. Inflammation associated with the underlying disorder demands the use of systemic immunosuppressive therapy in many patients. New biological immunotherapies have been used when conventional immunosuppressive therapies fail. Ophthalmic plastic surgery is essential for the management of lid malposition and corneal exposure. Improving vision may require the use of specialized contact lenses, cataract surgery, and corneal and ocular surface reconstructive surgery. All surgery must be integrated with ocular surface treatment and immunosuppressive treatment to avoid disease exacerbations.     

Ocular manifestations of graft-versus-host disease

Allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) has evolved over the past two decades to become the standard of care for hematologic and lymphoid malignancies. Major ocular complications after allogeneic HSCT have been increasing in number and severity. Graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) remains a major cause of ocular morbidity after allogeneic HSCT. The main objective of this review is to elucidate the ocular complications in patients developing GVHD following HSCT.Ocular complications secondary to GVHD are common and include dry eye syndrome, acquisition of ocular allergy from donors with allergic disorders. Eyelid changes may occur in GVHD leading to scleroderma-like changes. Patients may develop poliosis, madarosis, vitiligo, lagophthalmos, and entropion. The cornea may show filamentary keratitis, superficial punctate keratitis, corneal ulcers, and peripheral corneal melting which may lead to perforation in severe cases. Scleritis may also occur which can be anterior or posterior. Keratoconjunctivis sicca appears to be the most common presentation of GVHD. The lacrimal glands may be involved with mononuclear cell infiltration of both the major and accessory lacrimal glands and decrease in tear production.Severe dry eye syndrome in patients with GVHD may develop conjunctival scarring, keratinization, and cicatrization of the conjunctiva.Therapy of GVHD includes systemic immunosuppression and local therapy. Surgical treatment in refractory cases includes surgical intervention to improve the manifestation of GVHD of the eye. This may include tarsorrhapy, prose lenses, punctal occlusions and corneal transplantation.     

Filamentary keratitis--the clinical challenges.

Filamentary keratitis, while appearing to be a simple entity, can be a clinical challenge. Earlier investigators failed to understand the complexities of filament formation and its association with a variety of ocular and systemic conditions. Through trial and error a variety of treatment modalities were employed, ranging from the use of topical drops to the application of electrical current. In most cases filaments resolve with conventional therapy, but in other cases it can become chronic, eventually resulting in vascularization of the cornea.     

PRK后丝状角膜病变的临床观察

目的：研究准分子激光角膜切削术（photorefractive keratectomy,PRK)术后丝状角膜病变（filamentary keratitis)的发病原因,临床特征及其预后,方法：对493例（958眼）进行PRK并随访1年,结果;发现丝状角膜病变患者19例（22眼）,不同屈光度组及男女性别组间发病率有显著差异,病变呈一过性表现,对视力及hazen 无明显影响,结论：PRK术后丝关角膜病变为角膜上皮修复过程中的一过性失控状态,其发生原因可能与角膜上皮基底膜,前弹力层和基质层被激光切削,长时间闭眼和泪液分泌增加等因素有关。     

Ocular manifestations in Kindler syndrome

We aimed describe the chronic ocular sequelae of Kindler syndrome. All cases of Kindler syndrome with ocular involvement that presented to a tertiary eye care center were included. Three cases of Kindler syndrome with ocular changes were reviewed. Case 1 (10 years, female) had recurrent epithelial breakdown with severe dry eye and corneal opacity secondary to keratitis. Case 2 (28 years, male) had symblepharon , ocular surface keratinization , and severe dry eye. Case 3 (16 years , female ) had partial limbal stem cell deficiency with dry eye. All cases were treated with topical lubricants, short course of low-potency steroids and immuno-modulators. Attention must be paid to the eye in addition to the oro-an-genital mucosa to avoid longterm ocular sequelae.     

Topical nonpreserved methylprednisolone therapy for keratoconjunctivitis sicca in Sjögren syndrome

OBJECTIVE: To review the efficacy and side effects of topical nonpreserved corticosteroid therapy for treatment of severe keratoconjunctivitis associated with Sj?gren syndrome. DESIGN: Retrospective, noncomparative case series. PARTICIPANTS: Twenty-one patients with Sj?gren syndrome-associated keratoconjunctivitis sicca and annoying ocular irritation. INTERVENTION: Treatment with topical nonpreserved methylprednisolone sodium succinate. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Symptom severity, frequency of instillation of artificial tears, corneal fluorescein staining scores, resolution of filamentary keratitis, steroid-related side effects. RESULTS: Before starting methylprednisolone therapy, all patients were experiencing moderate-to-severe eye irritation despite prior punctal occlusion in most cases and frequent use of nonpreserved artificial tears by all. After 2 weeks of topical application, three to four times per day, moderate (43%) or complete (57%) relief of irritation symptoms was experienced by all patients and no complications were observed. An average decrease in corneal fluorescein scores of 2.6 +/- 0.5 points (on a 12-point scale) was observed, and filamentary keratitis resolved in all ten eyes with this condition. Therapy was stopped after 2 weeks in eight patients, and six of these patients reported that their symptoms remained at a tolerable level for weeks to months. Lower dose steroid therapy was continued in the remaining patients, whose symptoms worsened after attempted weaning. Complications of corticosteroid therapy in patients receiving prolonged therapy included increased intraocular pressure in one patient at 3 months, worsening of pre-existing posterior subcapsular cataracts in one patient at 6 months, and formation of posterior subcapsular cataracts in another patient at 6 months. CONCLUSIONS: These findings indicate that topical nonpreserved methylprednisolone is an effective treatment option for patients suffering from severe keratoconjunctivitis sicca who continue to experience bothersome eye irritation despite maximum aqueous enhancement therapies. They also suggest that inflammation is a key pathogenic factor in this condition. Careful monitoring is essential in dry eye patients treated with corticosteroids for more than 2 weeks because steroid-related complications (increased intraocular pressure and cataract formation) were observed after several months of therapy in this series. Because of the chronic nature of this disease and the likelihood of patients developing steroid-related complications with their long-term use, topical nonpreserved methylprednisolone therapy appears to be most appropriate for short-term "pulse" treatment of exacerbations of keratoconjunctivitis sicca.     

丝状角膜炎角膜丝状物构成分析

背景丝状角膜炎患者临床症状较重，易复发，病因复杂，治疗十分棘手。目前，其发病机制仍不明确，对丝状物构成方面的研究较少，结果不一。目的应用影像学检查结合组织病理学方法检测丝状角膜炎患者丝状物的组成结构，分析角膜丝状物的形成机制。方法收集山东省眼科医院2008年1月至2011年1月收治的丝状角膜炎患者82例88眼，详细记录患者的病史等临床资料，并根据病因进行分类。采用高清光学相干断层扫描（HD-OCT）检查角膜丝状物附着处的角膜结构，激光扫描共焦显微镜（LSCM）检查角膜丝状物的组成结构，然后取丝状物铺片行Giemsa染色及Masson三色染色，分析丝状物的成分。结果穿透角膜移植术后发生丝状角膜炎者40例；白内障手术、准分子激光角膜切削术（PRK）等术后发生者18例；眼部功能失调，如干眼、神经营养不良性角膜病者14例；急性结膜炎患者10例。HD—OCT显示丝状物病变可累及前弹力层。LSCM检查显示，丝状物由上皮细胞、炎性细胞、黏液、高反光螺旋状条索形核心构成，核心中含有上皮细胞、炎性细胞及纤维状组织。Giemsa染色结果显示，角膜丝状物含有角膜上皮细胞、炎性细胞和黏液，丝状物中央有螺旋状深蓝染的条状核心，核心中含有炎性细胞、上皮细胞、纤维状细胞。Masson三色染色表明，条状核心呈红色纤维组织，周围黏液为蓝色。结论角膜炎丝状物的主要成分有条状核心、炎性细胞、上皮细胞和黏液，病变较深，可达前弹力层。     

Keratoconjunctivitis sicca und neurotrophe Keratopathie im Kindesalter

Purpose

The purpose of this review is to enhance the physician’s awareness of dry eye syndrome and neurotrophic keratitis in children, to describe the most frequently associated conditions and to discuss the diagnostic and therapeutic options available.

Methods

A literature review of the pathogenesis of dry eye syndrome and neurotrophic keratitis in children was carried out, clinical cases from our pediatric ophthalmology office are presented as well as therapeutic strategies.

Results

Diseases of the cornea and ocular surface such as dry eye syndrome, neurotrophic keratitis and corneal ulcers are infrequent in children compared to adults. However, they do occur and should be diagnosed and treated as soon as possible in order to prevent long-term complications and amblyopia.

Conclusions

Inflammatory diseases of the ocular surface can be easily overlooked in children due to the often unknown spectrum of differential diagnoses and the frequently reduced cooperation during examination of young children. Correct and early diagnosis is essential for prevention of long-term complications, e.g. corneal ulceration and scarring.     

Hepatitis C virus-associated keratitis

AIM: To study the association between chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) and Mooren's type keratitis. METHOD: A total of 50 patients with chronic HCV were screened for any evidence of corneal ulceration. Detailed ocular examination was conducted by slit-lamp biomicroscopy. Patients with history of trauma to the eye or previous herpetic keratitis were excluded from the study. RESULTS: There were 37 males and 13 females. The age of the patients ranged from 10 to 70 years. There was no evidence of Mooren's ulcer in any of our patients. CONCLUSION: No association between chronic HCV and Mooren's ulcer was found in our study. Screening therefore in such cases is not necessary.     

Study of filamentary keratitis by replica technique

Summary Histopathological study of filamentary keratitis was done by using the replica technique in five patients. The filaments are produced by sliding of the epithelial cells around small areas of focal degeneration of the superficial epithelium. In comparison to the filaments in other conditions, the filaments in KCS are smaller and thicker and do not show the torsional segment. The filaments contain degenerated epithelial cells and alcian blue-PAS positive mucoid material. Making a corneal replica may result in healing of filamentary keratitis.     

Floppy eyelid syndrome

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Although floppy eyelid syndrome causes significant ocular symptoms and morbidity, the condition is often underdiagnosed. This review will highlight diagnostic features of the condition, emphasizing recent advances in the understanding of its pathophysiology. Current therapeutic strategies and surgical techniques are discussed. RECENT FINDINGS: Current concepts regarding the underlying pathophysiology of floppy eyelid syndrome revolve around upregulation of elastin degrading enzymes and mechanical factors. Together, these forces cause instability of the eyelid scaffold, resulting in eyelid malposition and ocular symptoms. Newer surgical treatments aim to preserve tarsus to improve eyelid stability and position. SUMMARY: Floppy eyelid syndrome--an underdiagnosed condition--produces significant ocular morbidity. Symptoms range from occasional redness and irritation to corneal ulcer. Diagnosis is based on ocular signs, including easy or spontaneous eversion of the upper eyelids in conjunction with conjunctivitis and keratitis. The condition, associated with body mass index and obstructive sleep apnea, should be suspected in any obese patient with a chronic red and tearing eye. Treatment consists of supportive measures such as ocular lubrication, eyelid taping or a shield, and surgery to address horizontal laxity and redundant eyelid tissues.     

1g/L氟米龙滴眼液联合软性角膜接触镜治疗丝状角膜炎

目的：探讨1g/L氟米龙滴眼液联合软性角膜接触镜治疗丝状角膜炎的疗效。

方法：确诊丝状角膜炎患者30例45眼,随机分为治疗组16例23眼、对照组14例22眼。治疗组取出丝状物后配戴软性角膜接触镜,点糖皮质激素眼液(1g/L氟米龙滴眼液)和人工泪液(玻璃酸钠眼液); 对照组取出丝状物后仅使用人工泪液(玻璃酸钠眼液)点眼。随访3mo,比较两组疗效。

结果：治疗组患者临床治疗总有效率22眼(96%),明显高于对照组17眼(77%),差异有统计学意义(P=0.046),且发现未对眼压有明显影响。

结论：1g/L氟米龙联合软性角膜接触镜治疗丝状角膜炎有较好疗效。     

TFOS DEWS II pathophysiology report

The TFOS DEWS II Pathophysiology Subcommittee reviewed the mechanisms involved in the initiation and perpetuation of dry eye disease. Its central mechanism is evaporative water loss leading to hyperosmolar tissue damage. Research in human disease and in animal models has shown that this, either directly or by inducing inflammation, causes a loss of both epithelial and goblet cells. The consequent decrease in surface wettability leads to early tear film breakup and amplifies hyperosmolarity via a Vicious Circle. Pain in dry eye is caused by tear hyperosmolarity, loss of lubrication, inflammatory mediators and neurosensory factors, while visual symptoms arise from tear and ocular surface irregularity. Increased friction targets damage to the lids and ocular surface, resulting in characteristic punctate epithelial keratitis, superior limbic keratoconjunctivitis, filamentary keratitis, lid parallel conjunctival folds, and lid wiper epitheliopathy. Hybrid dry eye disease, with features of both aqueous deficiency and increased evaporation, is common and efforts should be made to determine the relative contribution of each form to the total picture. To this end, practical methods are needed to measure tear evaporation in the clinic, and similarly, methods are needed to measure osmolarity at the tissue level across the ocular surface, to better determine the severity of dry eye. Areas for future research include the role of genetic mechanisms in non-Sjögren syndrome dry eye, the targeting of the terminal duct in meibomian gland disease and the influence of gaze dynamics and the closed eye state on tear stability and ocular surface inflammation.     

Dry eye: an update on clinical diagnosis,management and promising new treatments

Dry eye conditions are prevalent with one in four to five patients presenting to eye care practitioners having dry eye signs and/or symptoms. An intimate relationship exists between the ocular surface and the tear film. The cycle of tear film instability and ocular surface damage characteristic of dry eye conditions suggests that dry eye represents a dysfunction of an integrated ocular surface‐lacrimal gland unit. Therefore, dry eye is a multifactorial condition and an approach based on clinical subtypes is required for diagnosis and management. There is increasing evidence that inflammation is a contributing and exacerbating factor in dry eye conditions and anti‐inflammatory or immunomodulatory therapy for chronic dry eye conditions may facilitate ocular surface healing. Other promising new treatments for dry eye include new generation artificial tear polymers and preservative systems, secretagogues, topical androgen supplements and surgical techniques for ocular surface reconstruction.     

LASIK and the ocular surface

Wound healing after LASIK sometimes compromises homeostasis of the ocular surface. Diffuse lamellar keratitis is a post-LASIK inflammatory condition in the interface that appears during the first week after LASIK. The etiology of diffuse lamellar keratitis is unknown, but the association with allergic reaction to detergent, bacteria, and other chemicals is suspected. The condition is mostly self-limiting. Topical and/or oral corticosteroids may be effective against stage 2 disease, whereas flap lift and irrigation might be required in stage 3. Epithelial ingrowth occurs in about 1% of LASIK eyes. Although most cases heal spontaneously, some require surgical removal. There are 2 known mechanisms for epithelial ingrowth: epithelial invasion and epithelial implantation. Epithelial invasion grows in 2 distinct ways--outside invasion and flap epithelial invasion. The latter type is often seen after enhancement and may be treatment resistant. Patients with compromised attachment of corneal epithelium before LASIK may develop recurrent corneal erosion, which sometimes requires phototherapeutic keratectomy. Subepithelial opacity after viral infection, even long after infection, often recurs after LASIK and affects refraction and visual acuity. Topical corticosteroid may be effective to prevent recurrence. Dry eye is a common complication after LASIK. Although post-LASIK dry eye is usually temporary, some patients complain of severe symptoms that may negatively influence their satisfaction with the outcome. For example, functional visual acuity significantly decreases after LASIK. The possible mechanisms for post-LASIK dry eye may be associated with loss of neurotrophic effect, damage of goblet cells, and altered corneal shape.     

Management of the ocular surface and tear film before, during, and after laser in situ keratomileusis

PURPOSE: To identify evidence-based, best practice strategies for managing the ocular surface and tear film before, during, and after laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK). METHODS: After a comprehensive review of relevant published literature, evidence-based recommendations for best practice management strategies are presented. RESULTS: Symptoms of ocular irritation and signs of dysfunction of the integrated lacrimal gland/ocular surface functional gland unit are common before and after LASIK. The status of the ocular surface and tear film before LASIK can impact surgical outcomes in terms of potential complications during and after surgery, refractive outcome, optical quality, patient satisfaction, and the severity and duration of dry eye after LASIK. Before LASIK, the health of the ocular surface should be optimized and patients selected appropriately. Dry eye before surgery and female gender are risk factors for developing chronic dry eye after LASIK. Management of the ocular surface during LASIK can minimize ocular surface damage and the risk of adverse outcomes. Long-term management of the tear film and ocular surface after LASIK can reduce the severity and duration of dry eye symptoms and signs. CONCLUSIONS: Strategies to manage the integrated ocular surface/lacrimal gland functional unit before, during, and after LASIK can optimize outcomes. As problems with the ocular surface and tear film are relatively common, attention should focus on the use and improvement of evidence-based management strategies.