Intraoperative arcuate transverse keratotomy with phacoemulsification

PURPOSE: To evaluate the efficacy of paired intraoperative arcuate transverse keratotomy at a 7-mm-diameter zone along with a 3.5-mm clear corneal phaco tunnel in the steeper axis to correct pre-existing astigmatism. METHODS: A prospective randomized case-control study was conducted on 34 eyes of 28 patients with immature senile cataract. They were divided into two groups; in one group (17 eyes) intraoperative arcuate keratotomy was coupled with phacoemulsification in the steeper meridian (arcuate keratotomy group; mean preoperative astigmatism 2.28 +/- 0.89 D) and the other group (17 eyes) phacoemulsification was performed in the steeper meridian without arcuate keratotomy (control group; mean preoperative astigmatism 2.04 +/- 0.50 D). The patients were examined at 1 day, and 1, 4, and 8 weeks postoperatively. Correction of keratometric astigmatism, surgically induced refractive changes, magnitude and axis of cylinder, spherical equivalent refraction, with and against the wound change, and coupling ratio were evaluated. RESULTS: Mean reduction in keratometric astigmatism in the keratotomy group was 1.26 +/- 0.54 D (P = .0067) and in the control group was 0.48 +/- 0.60 D (P = .0423). The difference in reduction of keratometric astigmatism between the two groups was statistically significant (P = .0296). Surgically induced refractive change at 8 weeks follow-up was 2.15 +/- 1.13 D in the keratotomy group and 1.50 +/- 1.32 D in the control group (P = .046). Coupling ratio was -1.10 +/- 0.43 in the keratotomy group at 8 weeks after surgery while the control group was -0.82 +/- 0.38. CONCLUSION: A combination of intraoperative arcuate keratotomy with steep axis phacoemulsification incision is more effective than steep axis phacoemulsification incision alone in reducing pre-existing astigmatism.     

Tectonic grafts for corneal thinning and perforations

PURPOSE: To evaluate the success of tectonic grafts in cases of corneal thinning and perforations. METHODS: We performed 42 tectonic grafts in 41 eyes of 40 patients. Three types of tectonic grafts were used in our treatment protocol. These were (a) full-thickness grafts, (b) mushroom grafts, and (c) lamellar grafts. The parameters evaluated were indications, visual acuity, location, size and type of graft, postoperative outcome, and complications, if any. RESULTS: The most common indication for tectonic grafts was corneal thinning and perforation subsequent to infection (12 eyes) followed by those due to immunologic causes (six eyes) and trauma (six eyes). Twenty-four full-thickness tectonic grafts, nine mushroom grafts, and nine lamellar patch grafts were performed. Anatomical success was achieved in 35 of 41 (85.4%) eyes. Visual acuity of 6/24 or better was obtained in 29 of 41 (70.73%) eyes. The mean of best-corrected visual acuity (expressed in decimal) improved from 0.2 +/- 0.26 to 0.34 +/- 0.26 at an average follow-up of 10.83 +/- 6.27 months. The major complications were peripheral anterior synechiae in four eyes (9.76%) and graft melting in five eyes (12.2%). CONCLUSIONS: Tectonic graft is a useful therapeutic option in selected cases of corneal thinning and perforations because it effectively restores the integrity of the eye and allows acceptable visual rehabilitation.     

Killer cell immunoglobulin-like receptor three domains long cytoplasmic tail 1 gene *007 may modulate disease progression of human immunodeficiency virus-1 infection in the Japanese population

One of the KIR allele, KIR3DL1*007, was associated with the progression to acquired immunodeficiency syndrome and not with the susceptibility to HIV-1 infection in the Japanese and Indian populations, implying that KIR3DL1*007-positive NK cells might eliminate HIV-infected cells less effectively than NK cells bearing the other KIR3DL1 alleles or KIR3DS1 alleles.     

Pediatric keratoplasty in India: indications and outcomes

PURPOSE: To analyze the indications and outcomes of pediatric corneal transplantation surgery in a tertiary eye care center in the developing world. METHODS: In this longitudinal, retrospective study involving continuous cases, the records of 168 eyes of 154 children undergoing keratoplasty at a tertiary care center's specialized keratoplasty clinic during a 7-year period (1998-2004) were reviewed. The demography, etiology of opacification, visual acuity, and other findings were recorded. Intraoperative and postoperative details were reviewed. Major postoperative outcomes analyzed were visual acuity, graft survival, causes of graft failure, and follow-up duration. RESULTS: Infectious keratitis (43%) was the most common indication for keratoplasty, followed by congenital glaucoma (16.6%) and corneal trauma (11.2%). Overall 77% graft survival was seen at 36 months, and better graft outcome was associated with younger age and longer regular follow-up. Postoperatively, a best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) > 20/200 could be achieved in only 30.1% of eyes at the last follow-up. Graft failure was seen in 18.4% of eyes, with graft infection being the most frequent cause (50%). Moreover, graft infection was the most common cause of graft failure in all age groups. CONCLUSIONS: In the developing world, infectious keratitis is the most common indication for pediatric keratoplasty and the most frequent cause of its failure.     

Phacoemulsification with nondominant hand

PURPOSE: Evaluation of on axis phacoemulsification surgery through temporal incision using nondominant hand with surgeon sitting at the head end, inpatients with against-the-rule astigmatism. METHODS: Eighty eyes of 80 patients who underwent phacoemulsification through a temporal clear corneal tunnel for age-related cataract and against-the-rule astigmatism were enrolled and divided into four equal groups. In Group 1A, the surgeon was sitting at the head end for the left eye performing surgery with the left hand (nondominant hand). In group 1B, the surgeon was seated at the temporal side and surgery was performed in the left eye with dominant right hand. In group 2A, the surgeon was sitting at the head end for the right eye and performed surgery holding the phacoemulsification hand piece in his right hand. In group 2B, the surgeon sat on the temporal side of the right eye and performed phacoemulsification with his right hand. The patients were followed up on day 7, 1 month, and 3 months. Parameters evaluated included average phaco power, effective phaco time, uncorrected and best-corrected visual acuity, keratometry, intraocular pressure, surgically induced astigmatism, pachymetry, and endothelial cell counts. RESULTS: The phaco time and phaco power among the four groups were comparable (phaco time: P=0.368; phaco power: P=0.294). The four groups were also comparable on parameters like surgically induced astigmatism (P=0.674), change in postoperative keratometric astigmatism (P=0.584), endothelial cell loss (0.921), change in ultrasonic pachymetry (P=0.476), and intraocular pressure (P=0.942). No intraoperative or postoperative complications were observed in any of the groups. The mean uncorrected visual acuity at 3 months in group 1 was 0.723+/-0.21; in group 2 it was 0.756+/-0.21; in group 3 it was 0.748+/-0.22, and in group 4 it was 0.732+/-0.23. The best-corrected visual acuity was 0.96+/-0.10, 0.97+/-0.11, 0.95+/-0.13, and 0.96+/-0.10 in the four groups at 3 months. CONCLUSION: Phacoemulsification surgery can be successfully performed with nondominant hand with a good surgical outcome. The technique gives an alternative approach where surgeon does not have to shift the position to perform on-axis phacoemulsification.     

Treatment of acute corneal hydrops with intracameral C3F8 in a patient of pellucid marginal degeneration with keratoglobus

We report the use of perfluoropropane (C(3)F(8)) gas for the treatment of acute hydrops with intrastromal cleft in a case of pellucid marginal degeneration with keratoglobus. Acute hydrops in a 36-year-old man with pellucid marginal degeneration with keratoglobus was treated with intracameral injection of 0.3 mL isoexpansile C(3)F(8) (14%). Reduction in corneal haze was seen beginning from the third postoperative day. Significant clearing had taken place by the end of the second week with the closure of intrastromal cleft. Best corrected visual acuity improved from finger counting at 1 foot preoperatively to 6/18 after 2 weeks. There was no postoperative rise in intraocular pressure or cataract formation. Intracameral injection of C(3)F(8) may possibly be a viable treatment option for acute hydrops in a case of corneal ectasia. Larger studies are required to clarify the role of intracameral gas injection in the treatment of acute hydrops in corneal ectasia.