OBJECTIVE

To describe the first biopsy-proven case of ocular cicatricial pemphigoid (OCP) in a young, Filipino male – an atypical presentation for this disease.

METHODS

This is a case report.

CASE PRESENTATION

A 34-year-old healthy Filipino male presented with a 2-year history of intermittent eye redness, foreign body sensation, and tearing. Slit lamp examination revealed symblepharon formation and fornix shortening of both eyes. Excision of symblepharon with ocular surface reconstruction using amniotic membrane graft was performed, and the conjunctival specimen was sent for immunohistochemical analysis. Direct immunofluorescence was performed which confirmed strong linear deposits of IgG and fibrinogen along the basement membrane zone, confirming diagnosis of OCP. Early diagnosis and prompt treatment is even more important in the younger population as OCP tends to progress more rapidly, and is associated with more severe manifestations. If left untreated, OCP may progress to symblepharon or, in severe cases, ankyloblepharon formation.

CONCLUSION

OCP is a rare, sight-threatening, chronic, autoimmune disease that involves inflammation and cicatrization of the conjunctiva, which typically affects older females and is rarely seen in younger populations. This case report highlights the need for increased awareness among clinicians in the Philippines to consider OCP as a differential diagnosis for chronic conjunctivitis, even in patients outside the typical demographic. Early recognition and confirmatory biopsy are essential to prevent progressive ocular surface scarring and vision-threatening complications.

Human ; Male ; Adult: 25-44 Yrs Old ; Pemphigoid, Benign Mucous Membrane ; Ocular Cicatricial Pemphigoid ; Pemphigoid, Bullous ; Philippines

Objective: To determine the efficacy of human corneal lenticule from small incision lenticule extraction (SMILE) with single blood donor fibrin glue as corneal patch for sealing induced corneal penetrating wounds in cadaveric porcine eyes compared to suturing using 2 simple interrupted nylon 10-0 sutures. Methodology: This is an in vitro comparative experimental study using cadaveric porcine eyes. Twenty (20) porcine eyes were randomized into control and treatment groups. A 3-mm metal keratome was used to create a fullthickness incision with the keratome angled perpendicular to the central cornea. Seidel’s test was done to confirm leakage. An anterior chamber maintainer connected to the Centurion® Vision System (Alcon, USA) was inserted into a peripheral corneal incision with the infusion turned off. Induced corneal penetrating wounds were sealed by application of single blood donor fibrin glue and human corneal lenticule obtained from SMILE in the treatment group. In the control group, 2 simple interrupted nylon 10-0 sutures were used for wound closure. Intraocular pressure (IOP) was set at 30 mmHg using the Centurion® Vision System and IOP was increased by increments of 5 mmHg until leakage is documented. Results: All porcine eyes in the control group showed no leakage immediately after sealing. One out of 10 eyes in the experimental group showed positive Seidel’s test after application of lenticule patch graft (odds ratio = 1.11 [0.904-1.336]). The mean leakage pressure for the suture group was significantly higher at 87.00 ± 4.83 mmHg compared to the lenticule group at 30.00 + 0.00 mmHg (p-value <0.001). Conclusion Human corneal lenticule from SMILE with single blood donor fibrin glue as cornel patch is less effective in sealing induced corneal penetrating wounds in cadaveric porcine eyes at IOP equal to or greater than 30 mmHg as compared to suturing using 2 simple interrupted nylon 10-0 sutures.
Fibrin Tissue Adhesive

OBJECTIVE: To determine the efficacy of fibrin glue derived from a single human donor for sealing induced penetrating corneal wounds on cadaveric porcine eyes compared to conventional suturing.

METHODS: Forty (40) porcine eyes were randomized into two groups. In the experimental group, the corneal incisions were sealed using fibrin glue prepared from a single human donor. Eyes in the control group were sealed using two interrupted nylon 10-0 sutures. Baseline intraocular pressures were obtained and an anterior chamber maintainer connected to the Centurion Vision System was inserted through a side port. A 3 mm metal keratome was used to create a uniform, central, full-thickness straight incision in all eyes. After making the incision, the presence or absence of leakage was determined using Seidel's test. The eyes were then sealed according to the group they were randomized in. The intraocular pressure (IOP) was gradually increased using the Centurion Vision System to determine the leakage pressure of all sealed eyes in both groups.

RESULTS: The mean baseline IOP was comparable between the two groups (control group = 21.15 + 1.66 mmHg; experimental group = 21.65 + 1.81, p value = 0.299). All eyes in the control group, showed no leakage immediately after sealing the corneal wounds with sutures. One out of twenty eyes in the experimental group was positive for leakage after application of the fibrin glue (p value = 0.5). The mean leakage pressure was significantly higher for the suture group at 90.25 + 14.9 mmHg compared to the fibrin glue group at 32.30 + 7.6 mmHg (p value = <0.001).

CONCLUSION: Fibrin glue prepared from a single donor is comparable to two nylon 10-0 sutures in sealing 3 mm corneal penetrating wounds at IOP of up to 32 mmHg. For higher IOP, nylon 10-0 suture is more effective than fibrin glue in sealing the corneal penetrating wounds in cadaveric porcine eyes. 

Human ; Male ; Female ; Swine ; Fibrin Tissue Adhesive ; Intraocular Pressure ; Nylons ; Sutures ; Corneal Injuries ; Cornea ; Suture Techniques ; Anterior Chamber ; Wounds, Penetrating ; Metals

Objective: To determine the efficacy of the Wong incision in providing wound seal compared to stromal wall hydration in clear cornea phacoemulsification in cadaveric porcine eyes. Method: This was an in vitro comparative experimental study using ten porcine eyes. All eyes were randomly assigned to the stromal wall hydration (control) or the Wong incision group (experimental). A side port was made and the anterior chamber formed with viscoelastic device. The main incision was made 180 degrees away. In the experimental group, a Wong incision was made first anterior to the main incision. Phacoemulsification surgery with IOL insertion was simulated. The main incision was sealed by hydration. The anterior chamber (AC) was infused with balanced salt solution (BSS) through an AC maintainer and leakage of fluid from the main incision was assessed. Samples from the AC were taken before and after tryphan blue drip and were sent for analysis by UV spectrophotometry. Trypan blue was dripped over the main incision and the whole eyeball was sent for histopathology. Results: There was a significant increase in density from the pre-dye to the post-dye AC samples of the control (0.0052 to 0.0074, p=0.01) and the experimental groups (0.0076 to 0.0094, p=0.02), although the final samples showed an optical density comparable to pure BSS, indicating that there was no significant amount of trypan blue detected in both groups. On histology, trypan blue staining was not seen in the incision tracts of both groups. After infusing the AC with BSS, there was outward wound leakage in all eyes of the control group and none in the experimental group. Conclusion The Wong incision was as effective as the lateral stromal wall hydration in preventing fluid influx. Furthermore, the Wong incision showed a more stable wound seal against outward wound leakage in an in-vitro porcine model of clear corneal phacoemulsification.
Phacoemulsification