PURPOSE: We evaluated the short-term clinical outcomes of patients who underwent modified scleral fixation of an intraocular lens (IOL) using a scleral tunnel and groove. METHODS: From June 2016 to May 2017, 34 eyes of 34 patients who underwent modified scleral fixation of an IOL using a scleral tunnel and groove were retrospectively studied. We evaluated the best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), corneal endothelial cell density, intraocular pressure (IOP), spherical equivalent, and postoperative complications at 1 week, 1 month, 3 months, and 6 months after surgery. RESULTS: The BCVA was 0.85 ± 0.83 logarithm of the minimal angle of resolution (logMAR) before surgery and 0.38 ± 0.61 logMAR at 6 months (p = 0.001). The corneal endothelial cell count was 1,955.12 ± 217/mm2 and 1,852.59 ± 190/mm2, before and after surgery, respectively, which was not significantly different (p = 0.186). Postoperative complications occurred in eight eyes (23.5%); IOP elevation in one eye (2.9%), IOL tilt or decentration in two eyes (5.7%), optic capture in four eyes (11.4%), and cystic macular edema in one eye (2.9%). The spherical equivalent showed myopic changes after surgery and decreased significantly over time (p = 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Modified scleral fixation of the IOL using a scleral tunnel and groove improved the BCVA, but did not significantly affect corneal endothelial cell loss. This procedure can be a good alternative to conventional scleral fixation of an IOL, which has advantages in shortened surgical time and easy surgical manipulation.
Corneal Endothelial Cell Loss ; Endothelial Cells ; Humans ; Intraocular Pressure ; Lenses, Intraocular ; Macular Edema ; Operative Time ; Postoperative Complications ; Retrospective Studies ; Visual Acuity

PURPOSE: To analyze the influence of preoperative corneal endothelial status on postoperative corneal endothelium density after cataract surgery. METHODS: We evaluated 228 eyes of 158 patients who underwent cataract surgery. Corneal endothelial status and central corneal thickness were measured before surgery and 1 day, 1 month, 3 months and 6 months after surgery. Patients were classified by preoperative endothelial cell density (three groups) and their coefficients of variation and hexagonality (two groups). Clinical parameters, including corneal endothelial cell losses, visual acuity, intraocular pressure, spherical equivalent refraction and central corneal thickness were measured to compare the intergroup indices. RESULTS: There were no significant differences in corneal endothelial cell losses at 1 day, 1 month, 3 months and 6 months after surgery in any of the groups based on corneal endothelial cell density. There were increases in corneal thickness at 1 day and 1 month after surgery that were significantly higher in the low-endothelial cell density group than the 2,000-2,500 cells/mm² cell density group (p < 0.05), but there were no differences after the 3-month time point. There were no significant differences in clinical parameters for the coefficient of variation and hexagonality groups until 6 months after surgery. CONCLUSIONS: We observed reversible corneal edema in the low endothelial group; however, there were no significant intergroup differences in corneal endothelial cell loss due to preoperative corneal endothelial status. Our results suggest that cataract surgery is relatively safe for patients with morphologically abnormal corneal endothelium and/or low endothelial density; the safety is primarily due to improved equipment and surgery techniques.
Cataract* ; Cell Count ; Corneal Edema ; Corneal Endothelial Cell Loss ; Endothelial Cells ; Endothelium, Corneal* ; Humans ; Intraocular Pressure ; Phacoemulsification ; Visual Acuity

BACKGROUNDThe endothelium should be carefully evaluated when choosing a surgical technique for cataract removal. Therefore, we aimed to study the effects of different cataract surgery techniques on endothelial cell loss in transplanted corneal grafts.

METHODSA total of 54 patients who received complicated cataract surgery in post-penetrating keratoplasty (PKP) eyes at the Shandong Eye Institute between February 2001 and June 2014 were included, and clinical records were reviewed. Baseline demographic details, clinical characteristics, endothelial cell density (ECD), and best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) were recorded. Wilcoxon rank-sum test and Wilcoxon signed-rank test were used to test the equality of medians. A regression model was constructed to compare the reduced rate of ECD.

RESULTSOf the 54 eyes included in this study, extracapsular cataract extraction (ECCE) was performed in 34 eyes of 33 patients (ECCE group) whereas phacoemulsification was performed in 20 eyes of 20 patients (phacoemulsification group). There was no significant difference in the median age (P = 0.081) or preoperative ECD (P = 0.585) between the two groups. At 6 months after cataract surgery, ECD in ECCE group was significantly higher than that in phacoemulsification group (P = 0.043). In addition, the endothelial cell loss rate in ECCE group was significantly lower than that in phacoemulsification group at 2 months (P = 0.018), 4 months (P < 0.001), and 6 months (P < 0.001) after cataract surgery. Endothelial cell loss rate after cataract surgery increased over the 6-month study duration in both ECCE group (P < 0.001) and phacoemulsification group (P < 0.001), but phacoemulsification resulted in a greater reduction in ECD than that of ECCE in transplanted corneal grafts (P < 0.001). There was no significant difference in postoperative BCVA between the two groups (P = 0.065).

CONCLUSIONECCE is more suitable than phacoemulsification in cataract surgery in complicated cataract after PKP.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Cataract ; pathology ; Cataract Extraction ; adverse effects ; Corneal Endothelial Cell Loss ; diagnosis ; etiology ; pathology ; Endothelium, Corneal ; pathology ; Female ; Humans ; Keratoplasty, Penetrating ; adverse effects ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Phacoemulsification ; adverse effects ; Retrospective Studies ; Young Adult

PURPOSE: To report a case of corneal failure after implantation of the Ahmed glaucoma valve occurring in a patient diagnosed with Fuchs' heterochromic iridocyclitis. CASE SUMMARY: A 53-year-old male who complained of ocular pain and suddenly decreased visual acuity in his right eye visited our clinic. His visual acuity was 0.15 and intraocular pressure (IOP) was 55 mm Hg. The slit-lamp examination revealed edematous cornea, fine round or stellate keratic precipitates connected with fine filaments on the endothelium and depigmentation of the iris. The corneal endothelial cell density was 2,958 cells/mm2. There was no specific finding in his left eye. The IOP did not improve with medical treatment, therefore, an Ahmed glaucoma valve was implanted in his right eye. At every follow-up exam the tube was well positioned and the IOP was maintained between 8 and 13 mm Hg. Eight months postoperatively, the patient complained of decreased visual acuity and the cell density was decreased to 1,408 cells/mm2. Posterior subcapsular cataract opacity was observed as well as progression of depigmentation and distortion of the iris. Seventeen months after the surgery, the cell density was 700 cells/mm2. On follow-up examination, his visual acuity was decreased to FC10 cm with the cataract progressing, therefore cataract surgery was performed. One month postoperatively, his vision improved to 0.1. However, the visual acuity deteriorated due to progression of the corneal edema and penetrating keratoplasty was performed. CONCLUSIONS: Aggravation of the corneal complication after Ahmed glaucoma valve implantation should be considered in patients with Fuchs' heterochromic iridocyclitis-induced glaucoma.
Cataract ; Cell Count ; Cornea ; Corneal Edema ; Corneal Endothelial Cell Loss* ; Endothelial Cells ; Endothelium ; Follow-Up Studies ; Glaucoma ; Humans ; Intraocular Pressure ; Iridocyclitis* ; Iris ; Keratoplasty, Penetrating ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Visual Acuity

PURPOSE: To compare the efficacy and intraoperative characteristics of DisCoVisc with those of Hyal 2000 (sodium hyaluronate 1.0%) in cataract surgery. METHODS: Cataract surgery was performed on 60 eyes in 49 patients who were diagnosed with moderate cataracts. 30 eyes were performed with DisCoVisc and a control group with 30 eyes using Hyal 2000 (sodium hyaluronate 1.0%). Phacodynamics was evaluated including ultrasound (US) time, mean US intensity, cumulative dissipated energy (CDE), and amount of used balanced salt solution. Corneal endothelium and corneal thickness were measured preoperatively and 1 day and 1 month and 2 months postoperatively. RESULTS: There were no statistically significant differences in phacodynamic parameters in the two groups. The central corneal thickness change from preoperatively to postoperatively in the DisCoVisc group was +0.07 +/- 2.44 microm and Hyal 2000 group +0.84 +/- 2.93 microm (p = 0.032) at 2 months. Corneal endothelial cell loss (ECL)(%) at 2 months was 7.67 +/- 8.01% in DisCoVisc group and 13.23 +/- 15.5% in the Hyal 2000 group (p = 0.005). CONCLUSIONS: There was signicant difference between DisCoVisc and Hyal 2000 in the changes of CCT, ECD (Endothelial cell density). (DisCoVisc is effective and provides advantages both cohesive OVDs and dispersive OVDs).
Cataract ; Corneal Endothelial Cell Loss ; Endothelium, Corneal ; Eye ; Humans

PURPOSE: To investigate effects of a new push-through insertion method for donor lenticules using an injector system on endothelial viability ex vivo and in a clinical case series of endothelial keratoplasty. METHODS: An ex vivo delivery model was used with porcine corneoscleral rims. We compared the endothelial viability in a new push-through insertion method using the Visian Implantable Collamer Lens (ICL) injector versus that of standard forceps-assisted insertion for lenticule delivery. Twenty porcine corneal lenticules were divided into four groups by insertion method and wound size. Vital dye staining was performed and devitalized areas were semi-quantitatively assessed by digital imaging. In the clinical case series, Descemet's stripping endothelial keratoplasty (DSEK) using the push-through method was performed in seven patients and endothelial outcome was determined six months postoperatively. RESULTS: Mean devitalized areas for the push-through method were significantly lower than for forceps-assisted insertion through 3.2 mm incision (23.99 +/- 2.17% vs. 50.48 +/- 5.07%, p = 0.009) in the ex vivo model. Average endothelial cell counts of donor tissues of patients who underwent DSEK were 26.4% lower six months postoperatively. CONCLUSIONS: Push-through delivery of donor lenticules using the Visian ICL injector system appears to be less harmful to endothelial cells than conventional forceps-assisted delivery.
Animals ; Corneal Endothelial Cell Loss/*prevention & control ; Descemet Stripping Endothelial Keratoplasty/*methods ; Lens Implantation, Intraocular/*instrumentation/*methods ; Lenses, Intraocular ; Models, Animal ; Postoperative Complications/*prevention & control ; Prosthesis Design ; Swine

PURPOSE: To investigate effects of a new push-through insertion method for donor lenticules using an injector system on endothelial viability ex vivo and in a clinical case series of endothelial keratoplasty. METHODS: An ex vivo delivery model was used with porcine corneoscleral rims. We compared the endothelial viability in a new push-through insertion method using the Visian Implantable Collamer Lens (ICL) injector versus that of standard forceps-assisted insertion for lenticule delivery. Twenty porcine corneal lenticules were divided into four groups by insertion method and wound size. Vital dye staining was performed and devitalized areas were semi-quantitatively assessed by digital imaging. In the clinical case series, Descemet's stripping endothelial keratoplasty (DSEK) using the push-through method was performed in seven patients and endothelial outcome was determined six months postoperatively. RESULTS: Mean devitalized areas for the push-through method were significantly lower than for forceps-assisted insertion through 3.2 mm incision (23.99 +/- 2.17% vs. 50.48 +/- 5.07%, p = 0.009) in the ex vivo model. Average endothelial cell counts of donor tissues of patients who underwent DSEK were 26.4% lower six months postoperatively. CONCLUSIONS: Push-through delivery of donor lenticules using the Visian ICL injector system appears to be less harmful to endothelial cells than conventional forceps-assisted delivery.
Animals ; Corneal Endothelial Cell Loss/*prevention & control ; Descemet Stripping Endothelial Keratoplasty/*methods ; Lens Implantation, Intraocular/*instrumentation/*methods ; Lenses, Intraocular ; Models, Animal ; Postoperative Complications/*prevention & control ; Prosthesis Design ; Swine

PURPOSE: To analyze the effects of soft contact lenses on central corneal thickness and morphologic characteristics of the corneal endothelium in diabetic patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Ultrasound pachymetry and noncontact specular microscopy were performed on 26 diabetic patients who regularly use soft contact lenses (group 1), 27 diabetic patients who do not use soft contact lenses (group 2) and 30 normal subjects (group 3). We compared the values in each group using the Mann-Whitney test. RESULTS: The central cornea was found to be thicker in diabetic patients, both those who use and do not use contact lenses, than in the normal control group. The central corneal thickness was significantly higher in group 1 (564.73 +/- 35.41 microm) and group 2 (555.76 +/- 45.96 microm) than in the control group (534.05 +/- 27.02 microm), but there was no statistically significant difference between groups 1 and 2. Endothelial cell density was significantly different between the groups, and was smallest in the group of diabetic patients using contact lenses. The coefficient of variation of cell size was significantly higher and the percentage of hexagonal cells was significantly lower in contact lens using diabetic patients than in non-contact lens using diabetic patients and in the control group. CONCLUSION: Central corneal thickness and endothelial cell density is more affected by diabetes mellitus, and corneal endothelial cell morphology is more affected by contact lens use, when compared with normal subjects.
Adolescent ; Adult ; Case-Control Studies ; Contact Lenses, Hydrophilic/*adverse effects ; Cornea/pathology ; Corneal Endothelial Cell Loss/*etiology/pathology ; Diabetes Complications/*etiology/pathology ; Endothelium, Corneal/pathology ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Statistics, Nonparametric ; Young Adult

PURPOSE: To assess the effect of pars plana vitrectomy and gas tamponade on corneal endothelial cell density. METHODS: The corneal endothelial cell density in 145 eyes that underwent pars plana vitrectomy was examined with a noncontact specular microscope 3 months pre- and post-operation. The subjects were divided as follows: Group 1 (32 eyes) underwent pars plana vitrectomy, group 2 (26 eyes) underwent pars plana vitrectomy combined with gas tamponade, group 3 (34 eyes) underwent pars plana vitrectomy combined with phacoemulsification and group 4 (48 eyes) underwent pars plana vitrectomy combined with phacoemulsification and gas tamponade. The changes in corneal endothelial cell density between groups was compared. RESULTS: The mean endothelial cell loss was more significant in group 2 than in group 1 (p = 0.012), and there was no difference between groups 3 and 4 (p = 0.063). However, after excluding 6 eyes that had blood in the center of the corneal endothelium as a result of being in the prone position following gas tamponade, the mean endothelial cell loss in group 2 was not less than in group 1. In eyes with blood in the corneal endothelium, endothelial cell loss significantly increased (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study suggest that ophthalmic surgeons should attempt to carefully control bleeding and sufficiently irrigate the vitreous during pars plana vitrectomy combined with gas tamponade.
Corneal Endothelial Cell Loss ; Endothelial Cells ; Endothelium, Corneal ; Eye ; Hemorrhage ; Phacoemulsification ; Prone Position ; Vitrectomy

PURPOSE: To evaluate the factors affecting corneal endothelial cell loss after penetrating keratoplasty in a long-term follow-up. METHODS: Donor age, post-mortem time, storage time, underlying disease, elevation of IOP after surgery, underlying glaucoma, and trephine size were analyzed in 76 eyes. Postoperative corneal endothelial density was measured after 1, 3, 6, and 12 months. Patients who experienced graft rejection were excluded. RESULTS: Donor age and endothelial loss were correlated in all patients (t-value = 1.98); however, post-mortem time and storage time were not statistically significant (t 2 < 2). Endothelial cell loss was more severe in the bullous keratopathy patient group than it was in the keratoconus patient group, but this difference was not statistically significant (p-value = 0.154). The number of anti-glaucomatous eye drops showed positive correlation with the declining rate of endothelial cells (t-value = 1.975). Existence of glaucoma diagnosed before surgery did not statistically influence endothelial cell loss. Additionally, in the bullous keratopathy patient group, an inverse correlation between endothelial cell loss and trephine diameter was observed (t-value = -2.859). CONCLUSIONS: Old donor age, small trephine size in bullous keratopathy, and post-operative IOP elevation are risk factors for increased endothelial cell loss following penetrating keratoplasty.
Corneal Endothelial Cell Loss ; Endothelial Cells ; Eye ; Glaucoma ; Graft Rejection ; Humans ; Keratoconus ; Keratoplasty, Penetrating ; Ophthalmic Solutions ; Risk Factors ; Tissue Donors