Amniotic membrane in the surgical management of acute toxic epidermal necrolysis

OBJECTIVE: To report a new surgical technique to manage severe acute toxic epidermal necrolysis. DESIGN: Two interventional case reports. PARTICIPANTS: Two patients. Case 1: A 6-year-old boy had severe toxic epidermal necrolysis develop after being treated with trimethoprim and sulfamethoxazole for chronic otitis media. Both eyes and eyelids were affected. He underwent bilateral lysis of symblepharon and all adhesions and bilateral amniotic membrane transplantation to the entire ocular surface except the cornea. Loss of eyelid skin required transplantation of amniotic membrane to all four eyelids and strips of amniotic membrane at the eyelid margins. Case 2: An 8-year-old girl with severe toxic epidermal necrolysis associated with mycoplasma pneumonia had bilateral, diffuse keratoconjunctivitis, diffuse corneal epithelial defects, and bilateral symblepharon. Amniotic membrane transplantation was performed bilaterally, using a symblepharon ring in the left eye. INTERVENTION: Amniotic membrane transplantation. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Preservation of normal ocular and eyelid surfaces and prevention of blindness. RESULTS: Case 1: Thirty-six months after bilateral ocular surgery, there is no symblepharon, good ocular surface wetting, and an uncorrected bilateral vision of 20/20. Case 2: Amniotic membrane transplantation protected both ocular surfaces and prevented conjunctival contracture without adhesion of the eyelids to the ocular surface. The central vision was preserved. There was minimal peripheral corneal vascularization and mild conjunctival scarring of the tarsal conjunctival surface 34 months postoperatively. CONCLUSIONS: These are the first cases of acute toxic epidermal necrolysis treated with amniotic membrane transplantation and the first use of the procedure on external eyelid surfaces with good healing of the eyelids. This new treatment for acute toxic epidermal necrolysis preserves normal ocular and eyelid surfaces and may prevent blindness.     

Eyelid, conjunctival, and corneal findings in sleep apnea syndrome.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence of eyelid, conjunctival, and corneal findings in patients with sleep apnea syndrome (SAS). DESIGN: Case series. PARTICIPANTS: Seventy-two white patients referred for evaluation of suspected SAS. INTERVENTION: Complete examination of eyelids, conjunctiva, and cornea, including videokeratography. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Spearman rank correlations were determined between the respiratory disturbance index (RDI) during night sleep, a value used to diagnose and grade SAS, and tear film break-up time, eyelid distraction distance, presence or absence of ocular irritation symptoms, blepharoptosis, floppy eyelids, lacrimal gland prolapse, keratoconus, and endothelial dystrophy. Each correlation was controlled for age and body mass index. RESULTS: According to the RDI, 44 (61 %) of the 72 patients had SAS. The RDI correlated positively with the eyelid distraction distance (P = 0.05), presence or absence of floppy eyelids (P = 0.01), and lacrimal gland prolapse (P = 0.01), and correlated negatively with tear film break-up time (P = 0.02). None of our patients with floppy eyelids had corneal abnormalities. One patient with SAS had bilateral keratoconus; another had bilateral Fuch endothelial dystrophy. CONCLUSIONS: Sleep apnea syndrome was significantly associated with reduced tear film break-up time, floppy eyelids, and lacrimal gland prolapse. However, ocular irritation symptoms and corneal involvement were rare among patients with SAS. These findings do not confirm previous studies that reported a high prevalence of corneal involvement in floppy eyelid syndrome.     

Bilateral eyelid ecchymoses and corneal crystals: an unusual presentation of multiple myeloma

PURPOSE: This report describes a case of multiple myeloma that presented as bilateral eyelid ecchymoses and corneal crystals in the absence of widespread signs of systemic disease. METHODS: A 55-year-old man was found to have the sudden appearance of bilateral eyelid ecchymoses after he flexed 90 degrees at the waist. On examination, amyloid deposition was found in the area of the lid ecchymoses, and corneal crystals were dispersed centrally and peripherally throughout all levels of the cornea on slit lamp examination. Urinalysis revealed Bence-Jones proteins and free kappa light chains. Bone marrow plasmacytosis suggested multiple myeloma. RESULT: Ophthalmic and systemic findings led to a workup, which resulted in a diagnosis of multiple myeloma. CONCLUSION: Our case demonstrates that multiple myeloma may present clinically with ophthalmic findings such as bilateral eyelid ecchymoses and corneal crystals in the absence of widespread signs of disease. The ocular findings may be the first manifestations of disease. Therefore, a systemic workup should be performed on patients with this presentation, including urine and bone marrow analyses.     

Spontaneous bilateral corneal perforation in a patient with ichthyosis

We present an 8-month-old female patient with bilateral spontaneous corneal perforation and lamellar ichthyosis. On examination, the skin of the body and face of the patient was completely dry and scaly. Cicatricial ectropion and descemetocele with small perforations were seen. Double-layered amniotic membrane transplantation on the cornea with eyelid construction was performed on both eyes. At the 6-month follow-up, lower eyelid minimal ectropion formation and inferior corneal leukoma were seen bilaterally. In ichthyosis patients, the cornea should be monitored closely due to the risk of severe visual loss and corneal perforation.     

Reconstruction of ocular surface with heterologous limbal epithelium and amniotic membrane in a rabbit model

PURPOSE: To report in vivo reconstruction of the ocular surface using amniotic membrane and heterologous transplants of epithelial limbal cells in rabbits with chemical burns. METHODS: After severe damage to the ocular surface with n-heptanol and keratectomy, 15 rabbits developed total limbal deficiency with conjunctival epithelialization, vascularization, and chronic inflammation. One month later, a complete keratectomy was performed in all eyes: 12 received additional transplantation of human amniotic membrane and heterologous limbal epithelial cells in a double amniotic membrane layer, 2 received amniotic membrane only, and 1 control eye received no procedure. RESULTS: After 1 month of follow-up, corneas in eight of the operated eyes presented minimal vascularization, without signs of rejection. Corneal surface reconstruction was demonstrated with the growth of new corneal-like epithelial phenotype and integration of amniotic membrane to the basal corneal surface. A superficial amniotic membrane (with the amnion side up as a dressing) peeled off after 7 to 10 days. The epithelialization with heterologous limbal epithelial cells was evident underneath. The other four operated eyes were followed for 6 months; the ocular surface was also stable with a corneal-like epithelial phenotype. CONCLUSION: Simultaneous transplantation of amniotic membrane and heterologous limbal epithelial cells in severe ocular surface disorders could restore ocular surface and may be useful in patients with severe bilateral limbal epithelial loss, giving new perspectives for the treatment of severe ocular surface disorders.     

Amniotic bands as a cause of ocular anomalies

We examined nine patients with amniotic band syndrome who had systemic and ocular pathologic deformities. The most common ocular malformations were congenital corneal leukomas or acquired corneal opacities secondary to exposure and eyelid colobomas. The eyelid defects appeared to be extensions of facial clefts in these patients and were often located adjacent to the corneal opacities. Other anomalies included microphthalmos, strabismus, and hypertelorism. One patient had the typical peripheral and facial stigmata of the amniotic band syndrome in association with a coloboma of the left iris and retina.     

An unusual case of floppy eyelid syndrome

A 51-year-old obese man with a history of nocturnal upper eyelid eversion secondary to floppy eyelids presented with a Staphylococcus aureus corneal ulcer. No papillary conjunctivitis was present. The corneal ulcer was treated successfully. This case demonstrates the importance of ruling out spontaneous nocturnal lid eversion as a cause for unexplained ocular surface pathology and emphasizes the fact that the floppy eyelid syndrome may present in the absence of classic papillary conjunctivitis.     

羊膜移植联合角膜接触镜治疗急性期严重眼表烧伤

目的:探讨羊膜移植联合角膜接触镜治疗急性期严重眼表烧伤的临床疗效。方法:全角膜Ⅲ度以上烧伤且存在不同程度的眼睑缺损、睑内外翻及倒睫的临床连续病例19例(20眼)接受羊膜移植手术,术后第2d配戴角膜接触镜,并开放点眼。术后随访4～13(平均10)mo。结果:术后眼表迅速稳定。术后7～10d,表层大羊膜均发生自融或脱落;内层羊膜紧贴角膜溃疡面,并逐渐融解吸收。第2或3wk眼表面完成上皮化,且20眼中只有5眼因为不能完全上皮化,最后由于持续性上皮缺损而发生羊膜融解,再次行羊膜移植术。除2例合并青光眼外,其余患者术后基本保留了眼前手动视力及正常眼压。结论:羊膜移植联合角膜接触镜是治疗急性期严重眼表烧伤的一种有效方法。     

Mucous membrane graft for cicatricial ectropion in lamellar ichthyosis: an approach revisited

A 26-year-old woman with congenital lamellar ichthyosis presented with bilateral cicatricial ectropion of the upper and lower eyelids. There was severe exposure keratopathy with corneal perforation in the left eye. The generalized skin involvement necessitated the use of an alternative to correct the cicatricial ectropion. Mucous membrane graft harvested from the oral cavity was used to correct the cicatricial ectropion of upper and lower eyelid of both eyes. Six months after treatment, the mucous membrane graft was keratinized and a significant reduction in lagophthalmos was seen. Mucous membrane graft offers a promising alternative to correct cicatricial ectropion in lamellar ichthyosis.     

眼部烧伤眼睑全层缺损修复术成功的影响因素

目的探讨影响游离皮瓣联合异体巩膜、羊膜移植修复眼睑缺损成功的因素。方法选择2000年2月-2007年10月西安市眼科医院收治的41例（41眼）的眼烧伤眼睑全层缺损者。其中热烧伤15例,碱烧伤20例,酸烧伤6例。烧伤后3～24个月,行大腿内侧游离皮瓣联合同种异体巩膜及羊膜移植术。其中5例联合行睑球粘连分离及板层角膜移植术。术后随访6—36个月。结果眼睑再造术41例中有35例眼睑重建成功,移植片成活,其中5例在6～12个月出现瘢痕收缩,使眼睑部分闭合不全。6例术后2周出现皮瓣愈合不良、脱落、溶解。结论自体游离皮瓣联合同种异体巩膜、羊膜移植修复眼烧伤所致的眼睑全层缺损,是临床治疗烧伤眼睑缺损的有效方法。手术时机的选择、烧伤程度的评估、手术方法的改善是决定手术成功的重要因素。     

早期多次新鲜羊膜移植治疗重度眼表烧伤的疗效

目的:探讨早期多次新鲜羊膜移植治疗重度眼表烧伤的治疗效果。方法:回顾性分析我院2007-01/2011-12收治的25例25眼重度眼表烧伤患者早期采用两次及以上羊膜移植的治疗效果。术后对眼表稳定情况、角膜上皮愈合情况及新生血管、视力等进行观察随访。结果:患者25例25眼中,20眼在行2次羊膜移植术后6～14d羊膜开始溶解,拆线后羊膜脱落。眼表炎症控制,荧光素钠染色角膜上皮完整;角膜缘缺血改善。4眼2次羊膜移植术后,羊膜溶解脱落后表现为角膜上皮未愈合,直径大于2mm以上,角膜缘缺血大于1/4象限,再行第3次移植。最终眼球保存完整,眼表稳定。1眼2次术后3d出院,未能继续跟踪观察。结论:重度眼表烧伤采取早期多次新鲜羊膜移植治疗,对稳定眼表十分有效。     

羊膜移植联合带角膜缘的全板层角膜移植治疗眼部重度碱烧伤

目的 探讨羊膜移植联合带角膜缘的全板层角膜移植对眼部重度碱烧伤的治疗效果.方法 选择住院行羊膜移植联合带角膜缘的全板层角膜移植的眼部重度碱烧伤12例(13眼).术后观察羊膜、角膜植片及视力情况,并随访10-14个月.结果 2眼术后2周时羊膜融解、脱落,出现部分睑球粘连,其余11眼羊膜植片愈合良好;1眼移植角膜发生轻度排斥反应,有少量新生血管长入,其余12眼角膜植片恢复透明;13眼视力均有提高.结论 对于眼部重度碱烧伤,羊膜移植联合带角膜缘的全板层角膜移植是一种安全有效的手术治疗方法.     

Management of severe ocular burns with symblepharon

Background  To evaluate the effect of lamellar keratoplasty combined with limbal stem cells, using amniotic membrane, autologous conjunctiva, and pseudopterygium to reconstruct external eyes for severe ocular burns with symblepharon. Methods  Thirty eyes of 29 patients had severe symblephara resulting from eye burns. According to the range of the symblepharon and the loss of limbal stem cells, partial lamellar keratoplasty combined with partial limbal stem cell treatment was performed in 19 eyes, and total lamellar keratoplasty with total limbus was performed in 11 eyes. All patients had amniotic membrane and autologous conjunctival transplantation, and the pseudopterygium was preserved to reconstruct the fornix. Results  Symblephara were completely relieved in 19 eyes. They remained partially in ten eyes in strip-like form, but seven of these were completely relieved after further autologous conjunctival transplantation. One eye was treated with tarsorrhaphy for eyelid malformation. The remaining pseudopterygium became thinner after the operation and showed no symblepharon. Immune rejection occurred in eight corneal grafts; clarity was restored in four of these, while there was graft neovascularization in the remaining four. Conclusions  Depending on the area of symblepharon and the loss of limbal stem cells, partial or total lamellar keratoplasty combined with limbal stem cells, using amniotic membrane, autologous conjunctiva and pseudopterygium to reconstruct external eyes appears to be effective in treating severe ocular burns with symblepharon. Pseudopterygium can partly substitute autologous conjunctiva in ocular surface reconstruction.     

Surgical management of deep chemical burns of the eyelids

Chemical burns of the eyelids are common, and this may lead to ocular damage. A direct insult of the eyes that result in permanent damage, is rare in facial burns. The majority of the chemical burns of eyelids are partial-thickness that heal spontaneously in 1 week. Whereas, 10 percent are full-thickness burns that require release of contractures and grafts. Wound contracture can cause ectropion of the eyelid, resulting in exposure keratitis, conjunctivitis, corneal ulcers, perforation, and even blindness. At our departments, thirteen patients with 28 chemical burns of eyelids of third-degree, were reviewed. The eyelids had burns wounds with granulation and necrotic tissue. All patients had severe cicatrical ectropion. The eyelids were released with incisions running along the eyelid margin, down to the orbicularis muscle, including the distal part of the levator palpebrae superioris muscle, when necessary. To cover the resulting defects, we use generous full-thickness skin grafts, if available, for both the upper and lower eyelids. Rarely has a tarsorrhaphy been required, and properly constructed dressing provides satisfactory eyelid margin immobilization and conjunctival hygiene. Eighteen full-thickness grafts in 10 patients are reported 8 to 12 weeks after grafting. In seven eyelids, 3 patients developed ectropion and required reconstruction of the eyelids. Our series demonstrates that the early grafting of eyelid burns with full-thickness grafts, can prevent the development of recurrent cicatrical ectropion. Split-thickness grafting should be limited to cases where we can not find the hairless donor site for full-thickness skin grafts.     

新鲜羊膜移植治疗早期重症眼部烧伤

目的 探讨新鲜羊膜移植联合结膜、角膜移植对早期重症眼部烧伤的治疗效果。方法 急性重症眼部烧伤患者21例22眼，分别行羊膜移植联合结膜移植12例12眼和羊膜、结膜移植联合板层或穿透性角膜移植9例10眼。术后观察羊膜、结膜及角膜植片情况，长后随访2～16个月，平均7个月。结果 19眼羊膜植片愈合良好；20眼穹隆部结膜植片全部存活；羊膜移植联合结膜移植中10眼术后未见角膜融解，角膜缘均未见新生血管长入。羊膜、结膜移植联合板层或穿透性角膜移植，1例2眼出现轻度排斥反应，另8眼角膜植片均恢复透明。结论 新鲜羊膜移植可有效地促进上皮细胞分化移行、抑制局部的炎症反应、阻止新生血管和瘢痕形成、阻止烧伤的病理发展减轻和推迟角膜植片的排斥反应。     

Ocular findings in Treacher Collins syndrome

We examined 14 patients from nine families referred with the diagnosis of Treacher Collins syndrome. We noted seven significant ocular findings including the following: a subnormal horizontal palpebral fissure length and inferomedial displacement of the lateral canthus in primary gaze; further medial displacement (4.0 mm or more) of the lateral canthus with resultant shortening of the horizontal fissure length on forced eyelid closure (fissure narrowing sign); partial-thickness eyelid colobomata localized to the nasal one half to two thirds of the lower eyelids; bilateral absence of the inferior lacrimal puncta; bilateral blepharoptosis; inferior displacement of the palpebral fissures; and regular astigmatism without any consistent orientation of the axis of astigmatism relative to the lower eyelid defects, blepharoptosis, or lateral canthus. The fissure narrowing sign correlates with known anatomic deficiencies in the Treacher Collins syndrome and may prove valuable in confirming the diagnosis in patients who lack certain typical features.     

重度眼表碱烧伤早期羊膜移植治疗的研究

目的 探讨新鲜羊膜早期移植在重度眼表碱烧伤的治疗效果.方法 采用新鲜羊膜早期移植治疗重度眼表碱烧伤35例38眼.结果 术后所有患眼眼表迅速稳定,20眼角膜恢复透明,10眼形成角膜白斑,4眼全角膜浑浊,3个月后24眼脱盲,视力≥0.2者11眼.结论 重度眼表碱烧伤早期进行新鲜羊膜移植可促进角膜上皮修复、抑制角膜新生血管侵入,防止睑球粘连.     

Amniotic membrane transplantation for the treatment severe acanthamoeba keratitis

BACKGROUND: It is now possible to treat ocular surface disorders by means of amniotic membrane transplantation. We performed a study to determine the efficacy of this technique in the treatment of severe Acanthamoeba keratitis. METHODS: We studied six patients with severe, painful, nonhealing Acanthamoeba keratitis who underwent one or two amniotic membrane transplantation procedures between February 2001 and January 2003. Histopathological analysis of the corneal buttons was performed in four cases. RESULTS: Eight amniotic membrane transplantation procedures were performed. The mean length of follow-up was 14 (range 3-21) months. The mean interval between institution of medical treatment and the procedure was 3.6 months. All patients had progressive stromal lesions caused by an inflammatory reaction. Complete reepithelialization occurred in four cases, and partial healing in two cases. Ocular inflammation and tissue destruction were decreased in all cases, pain was lessened in five cases, and corneal neovascularization was decreased in four cases. No postoperative complications were observed. Amniotic membrane was observed under dysplastic corneal epithelium on histologic examination. INTERPRETATION: Amniotic membrane transplantation may be a safe and effective treatment of severe Acanthamoeba keratitis, particularly during the inflammation phase. It may permit penetrating keratoplasty to be delayed.     

Perspektiven und aktueller Stand der Limbusstammzelltransplantation

The transplantation of limbal stem cells is one of the most challenging surgical approaches in ocular surface reconstruction. Partial and unilateral limbal stem cell insufficiency (LSCI) can be treated by fractionated abrasion or autologous limbal stem cell transplantation from the fellow eye. In cases of advanced bilateral and partial LSCI, ex vivo expansion of limbal stem cells on amniotic membranes or fibrin can be performed but all patients with complete bilateral LSCI must rely on allogenic limbal stem cell transplantation with high immunological risks. Attempts to combine allogenic limbal stem cell transplantation with mitomycin C and amniotic membrane transplantation are promising. In the laboratory, attempts to transdifferentiate bone marrow stem cells into corneal epithelial cells have been without success. Nonetheless, transdifferentiation of hair follicle stem cells into corneal epithelial cells looks promising. In parallel, research on the limbal stem cell niche is ongoing to elucidate the natural environment of limbal stem cells in order to improve ex vivo culture.     

新鲜羊膜移植治疗难治性眼表疾病的临床观察

目的探讨新鲜羊膜移植治疗难治性眼表疾病的疗效。方法选择本院酸碱热烧伤5例、角膜溃疡10例、角膜上皮完全剥脱1例、大面积睑球粘连5例、结膜延迟愈合1例患者,共计22例(22只眼);采用单层或多层羊膜移植,术后随访观察6-12个月,平均9个月。结果 22例术后临床上均未见新鲜羊膜植片急性排斥反应;同时眼表迅速稳定。严重酸碱热烧伤的5例无角结膜进行性溶解和穿孔,甚至1例铁水烫伤伴角膜穿孔患者术后保全眼球;10例角膜溃疡患者,9例溃病愈合,视力不同程度提高,1例溃病复发(糖尿病患者),放弃再移植;5 例睑球粘连患者眼球运动功能恢复。结论新鲜羊膜移植是重建眼表的有效方法,它可以减轻角膜的炎症反应, 阻止眼表进行性溶解,加速眼表的稳定,同时减少角膜新生血管的形成。