PURPOSE: To report a patient with a pseudophakic bullous keratopathy (PBK) who underwent Descemet's membrane stripping endothelial keratoplasty (DSEK) with manual preparation of the donor corneal graft.CASE SUMMARY: A 61-year-old female presented with visual disturbance in her right eye. Five months prior, she was treated with phacoemulsification and intraocular lens exchange surgery of the right eye, and a very severe corneal edema was revealed by slit-lamp examination. We diagnosed PBK and planned DSEK with manual preparation of a donor corneal graft because of the non-availability of a microkeratome or a femtosecond laser. After making the corneal graft using an artificial anterior chamber, crescent knife and cornea dissector, the keratoplasty proceeded using the graft. Three months after surgery, her graft was well-maintained on the right eye. The patient's visual acuity was 0.3, and the corneal endothelial cell count was 1,844/mm².CONCLUSIONS: Manual preparation of the donor corneal graft for DSEK is suitable as a second choice treatment method when the availability of surgical devices is limited.
Anterior Chamber ; Cornea ; Corneal Edema ; Corneal Transplantation ; Descemet Membrane ; Endothelial Cells ; Female ; Humans ; Lenses, Intraocular ; Methods ; Middle Aged ; Phacoemulsification ; Tissue Donors ; Transplants ; Visual Acuity

PURPOSE: We report a case of herpes simplex keratitis after Descemet membrane endothelial keratoplasty (DMEK). CASE SUMMARY: A 67-year-old male underwent DMEK in his left eye due to pseudophakic bullous keratopathy. One week after DMEK, re-bubbling was performed due to partial detachment of Descemet's membrane at the corneal periphery. After re-bubbling, the cornea remained clear and the patient's visual acuity gradually improved. Two months after DMEK, the patient presented with mild discomfort and decreased visual acuity. The cornea showed an irregular, narrow dendrite with an epithelial defect and surrounding opacity. After confirming that Descemet's membrane was attached, the patient was started on oral valacyclovir for suspected herpes keratitis. Herpes simplex virus type 1 was eventually identified by polymerase chain reaction. The corneal lesion resolved after three weeks of antiviral treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Similar to penetrating keratoplasty, DMEK can trigger outbreaks of herpes simplex keratitis. Herpes simplex keratitis should remain on the clinician's differential diagnosis for patients who present with a corneal epithelial irregularity and decreased visual acuity following DMEK.
Aged ; Cornea ; Corneal Transplantation ; Dendrites ; Descemet Membrane ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Disease Outbreaks ; Herpes Simplex ; Herpesvirus 1, Human ; Humans ; Keratitis ; Keratitis, Herpetic ; Keratoplasty, Penetrating ; Male ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Visual Acuity

PURPOSE: To report a case of corneal edema caused by an iatrogenic lidocaine injection into the corneal stroma created while performing a local anesthetic (lidocaine) injection into the eyelid for a blepharoplasty procedure. CASE SUMMARY: A 15-year-old female visited our clinic after the onset of severe pain and decreased visual acuity while receiving a local anesthetic injection in the upper blepharon for a blepharoplasty procedure. At the first clinical visit, visual acuity was hand motion and an accurate anterior chamber examination was difficult because of corneal edema. The Seidel test was negative. On corneal optical coherence tomography, the corneal thickness was 1,580 µm without any sign of Descemet's membrane detachment. We prescribed 5% NaCl four times a day and prednisolone acetate eight times a day. On the next day after injury, the corneal edema was significantly improved (central corneal thickness: 660 µm), and Descemet's membrane detachment was still not observed. One week after injury, the naïve visual acuity was 20/20, the central corneal thickness was 560 µm, and the endothelial cell count was 3,260 cells/cm². Three weeks after injury, the corneal edema was fully resolved and only slight temporal corneal haziness remained. After 2 months, the cornea was clear without any subjective discomfort. CONCLUSIONS: Corneal edema without Descemet's membrane detachment can be resolved spontaneously without aggressive treatment such as gas or air injection. However, endothelial cell count and corneal opacity need to be monitored on follow up exam. This clinical experience suggests that severe corneal edema in anterior stromal layer could be spontaneously resolved without severe complication.
Adolescent ; Anesthesia, Local ; Anterior Chamber ; Blepharoplasty ; Cornea ; Corneal Edema ; Corneal Opacity ; Corneal Stroma ; Descemet Membrane ; Edema ; Endothelial Cells ; Eyelids ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Hand ; Humans ; Lidocaine ; Prednisolone ; Tomography, Optical Coherence ; Visual Acuity

PURPOSE: To report a case of anterior segment ischemia after superior and inferior rectus muscle surgery in a patient with superior rectus muscle enlargement. This is the first report in the Republic of Korea of anterior segment ischemia after two rectus muscles surgery. CASE SUMMARY: An 80-year-old male was referred to our clinic with a 3 years history of diplopia. The patient had 30 prism diopters right eye hypertropia in the primary position and downgaze limitation. The orbital computed tomography scan revealed enlargement of the right superior rectus muscle. He underwent right superior rectus recession and inferior rectus resection. On postoperative day 2, slit lamp examination revealed diffuse corneal edema, Descemet's membrane folding, an aqueous flare and a dilated pupil. Treatment with 45 mg oral steroid was initiated, and 1% prednisolone acetate and 0.5% Levofloxacin eye drops were administered. At postoperative 1 month, the patient was orthophoric in the primary position, and there was no corneal edema, pupil abnormality or aqueous flare. CONCLUSIONS: Base on the present case, the possibility of anterior segment ischemia should be considered after even two muscles surgery, and older patients with vertical muscle surgery should be considered more carefully.
Aged, 80 and over ; Aqueous Humor ; Corneal Edema ; Descemet Membrane ; Diplopia ; Humans ; Ischemia ; Levofloxacin ; Male ; Muscles ; Oculomotor Muscles ; Ophthalmic Solutions ; Orbit ; Prednisolone ; Pupil ; Republic of Korea ; Slit Lamp ; Strabismus

PURPOSE: To report four cases of split cornea transplantation involving separate Descemet membrane keratoplasty and Deep anterior lamella keratoplasty from a single cornea. CASE SUMMARY: Four donor corneas were separated into the endothelium and other layers. The endothelial layers were transplanted into 4 pseudophakic bullous keratopathy patients, and the other layers were stored in corneal storage media. Deep anterior lamella keratoplasties were performed with the stored corneas in 2 lipid keratopathy and 2 keratoconus patients. Postoperatively, all grafted corneas were stable. CONCLUSIONS: The authors report the first 4 cases of split cornea transplantation in Korea, which is experiencing a shortage of donated corneas. Split cornea transplantation will be of benefit to a large number of patients by separating a single cornea into separate layers to be implanted into two patients.
Cornea* ; Corneal Transplantation* ; Descemet Membrane ; Endothelium ; Humans ; Keratoconus ; Korea ; Tissue Donors ; Transplants

PURPOSE: To report a case of Descemet's membrane detachment and corneal edema caused by an iatrogenic corneal perforation created while performing a local anesthetic (lidocaine) injection into the eyelid for a hordeolum incision and a drainage procedure. The detachment resolved after 14% C₃F₈ gas and air injections into the anterior chamber. CASE SUMMARY: An 8-year-old female visited our clinic after the onset of severe pain and decreased visual acuity while receiving a local anesthetic injection into the upper eyelid in preparation for a hordeolum incision and drainage procedure. Corneal optical coherence tomography (OCT) showed Descemet's membrane detachment. Three days after the first visit, the corneal epithelium had entirely healed. However, Descemet's membrane detachment persisted even after three weeks of follow-up. A corneal OCT was repeated after three weeks and showed a partial Descemet's membrane rupture. A more aggressive treatment method was deemed necessary, and gas and air injections into the anterior chamber were performed. After 48 hours, aside from some Descemet's membrane rolling at the site of rupture, overall reattachment of Descemet's membrane was noted. After three months of follow-up, the patient showed a stable corneal state and normalized vision. CONCLUSIONS: Descemet's membrane detachment and rupture resulting from an iatrogenic corneal perforation during an injection of lidocaine to the eyelid led to decreased visual acuity from corneal edema. As a more aggressive treatment method, 14 % C₃F₈ gas and air injections into the anterior chamber were performed and resulted in near complete reattachment of Descemet's membrane's and normalization of the patient's visual acuity.
Anesthesia, Local ; Anterior Chamber ; Child ; Corneal Edema ; Corneal Perforation ; Descemet Membrane* ; Drainage* ; Epithelium, Corneal ; Eyelids ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Hordeolum* ; Humans ; Lidocaine* ; Methods ; Rupture ; Tomography, Optical Coherence ; Visual Acuity

This study was conducted to establish the feasibility of corneal transplantation using the big-bubble technique (BBT) to perform deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty (DALK) in three dogs. After the cornea was trephined 750 µm, 4 mL of air was injected, and the blanched stroma was removed to expose Descemet's membrane (DM). The donor corneal button, which was gently stripped off the DM, was sutured onto the bare DM of the recipient cornea. The dogs received topical antibiotics every 6 h for 7 days and 2% cyclosporine ointment every 12 h for 1 month. The eyes were examined post-operatively at 7, 14, 21, 28 and 150 days. The central portion of the transplanted cornea stayed transparent while corneal haze developed around the transplanted margin. Menace response was normal even though the transplanted cornea was edematous until 3 weeks after surgery. A marginal haze was rarely observed between the donor and recipient corneas at 150 days after the operation. A spotted haze developed in the central part of the deep stroma near the DM. Upon histopathological examination, the stroma and epithelium of the donor cornea had normal structures. Corneal transplantation using DALK with BBT can be performed in dogs preserving the healthy endothelium.
Animals ; Anti-Bacterial Agents ; Cornea ; Corneal Transplantation* ; Cyclosporine ; Descemet Membrane ; Dogs* ; Endothelium ; Epithelium ; Humans ; Tissue Donors

PURPOSE: To evaluate the 1-year results of Descemet's membrane endothelial keratoplasty (DMEK) in Korea. METHODS: The medical records of 9 patients (10 eyes) with endothelial disease who underwent DMEK from January 2012 to December 2013, and were followed up for more than 12 months were reviewed retrospectively. RESULTS: In 8 eyes with successful results after surgery, best corrective visual acuity (BCVA) was significantly improved from 1.64 +/- 0.21 (log MAR, mean) to 0.35 +/- 0.22 at 1 month and was maintained at 12 months (p = 0.012, Wilcoxon signed ranks test). BCVA at postoperative 3, 6 and 12 months were gradually increased (0.25 +/- 0.23, 0.20 +/- 0.17 and 0.16 +/- 0.17 log MAR). Endothelial cell counts were 1,996 +/- 528/mm2, 1,564 +/- 174/mm2 and 1,463 +/- 541/mm2, 1,205 +/- 358/mm2 at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months after surgery, tended to decrease but showed no statistical significance. There was no statistical difference in astigmatism before and 3 months after the operation (3.32 +/- 2.36 diopter and 2.57+/- 1.44 diopter). Primary graft failure occurred in 2 eyes and 1 received reoperation. Total detachment was found in 1 eye. CONCLUSIONS: The 1-year results of DMEK showed fast visual recovery which was maintained for 12 months. DMEK may be a very efficient option for the surgical management of corneal endothelial disease.
Astigmatism ; Cornea ; Corneal Transplantation* ; Descemet Membrane* ; Endothelial Cells ; Humans ; Korea ; Medical Records ; Reoperation ; Retrospective Studies* ; Transplants ; Visual Acuity

BACKGROUND: Alkali-burned corneas can seldom heal properly to restore corneal transparency. Treatment of this severe disorder of the ocular surface remains a challenge. AIM OF THE WORK: was to investigate whether systemically transplanted bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BM-MSCs) can promote corneal wound healing after alkali burn. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Thirty five male New Zealand rabbits were used in this study. The animals were divided into three groups. Group I; the control group was sham operated. Group II; corneal alkali burn was created. Group III; underwent corneal alkali burn then treated with BM-MSCs. All corneas were collected after fourteen and twenty eight days. Evaluation using H&E, PAS & alkaline phosphatase reaction was carried out. Immune histo-chemical staining for CD44 and vimentin was performed as well. RESULTS: the corneal epithelium of (Group II) showed marked alterations. Vascularization, cellular infiltration and irregularity of the collagen fibers were also seen in the substantia propria. Increase in the thickness of the Descemet's membrane was noticed as well. On the other hand, at the time of 28 days, Group III rabbits showed best histological results with nearly healed corneas compared to other groups. Meanwhile, vimentin was more strongly expressed in Group III assessing the differentiating ability of BM-MSCs. CONCLUSION: BM-MSCs could effectively promote corneal alkali burn healing.
Alkalies* ; Alkaline Phosphatase ; Animals ; Bone Marrow* ; Burns* ; Collagen ; Cornea ; Descemet Membrane ; Epithelium, Corneal ; Hand ; Humans ; Male ; Mesenchymal Stem Cell Transplantation* ; Mesenchymal Stromal Cells ; Rabbits ; Vimentin ; Wound Healing

PURPOSE: To analyze the morphology of corneal tissue in patients with Amiodarone-induced vortex keratopathy by in vivo confocal microscopy (IVCM). CASE SUMMARY: Four eyes of 2 patients with clinically diagnosed Amiodarone-induced vortex keratopathy were examined using corneal topography and IVCM. Cross-sectioned corneal images of the corneal epithelium, Bowman's layer, stromal layer, Descemet's membrane, and endothelium were evaluated. Location of corneal deposits examined by conventional slit-lamp microscopy was correlated with findings of corneal topography. The curvature map of corneal topography revealed an unusual irregular astigmatism with generalized mild steepening consistent with the location of the corneal deposits and the elevation map showed the change of corneal elevation according to the corneal deposits. Multiple hyper-reflective whitish dots were found at the corneal epithelial level and some were found at the anterior stromal level. Regarding the corneal endothelial layer, case 1 demonstrated normal corneal endothelial tissue, but case 2 showed several hyper-reflective whitish dots in the endothelium. CONCLUSIONS: In patients with Amiodarone-induced vortex keratopathy, IVCM showed corneal deposits in the corneal epithelium, stroma, and endothelium. Distribution of microdeposits in the corneal tissue caused an irregular astigmatism.
Astigmatism ; Corneal Topography ; Descemet Membrane ; Endothelium ; Epithelium, Corneal ; Humans ; Microscopy ; Microscopy, Confocal