Risk Factors for Recurrence in the Treatment of Recurrent Pterygium.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to identify the postoperative recurrence rate of recurrent pterygium and to evaluate risk factors for the recurrence.

Methods: This study was a retrospective interventional nonrandomized consecutive case series. In this single-center study, 119 eyes of patients with recurrent pterygium who underwent surgery with a follow-up period of >12 months after the surgery were analyzed.

Continuous acellular material accumulation in the anterior chamber associated with corneal endothelial changes.

This case series included two healthy adults who showed continuous production of acellular materials in the anterior chamber without inflammation. The materials were membrane-like in case 1 and amorphous in case 2; they gradually changed shape and location over several years. During follow-up, there were no changes in vision, the iris or the chamber angle.

Tear Film Osmolarity Measurement in Japanese Dry Eye Patients Using a Handheld Osmolarity System.

We studied the efficacy and safety of a handheld osmolarity measurement system (I-PEN) in Japanese patients with dry eye disease (DED) and non-DED subjects. In this prospective, multicenter study, tear osmolarity was examined using the I-PEN in a total of 122 eyes divided into DED ( = 71) and non-DED ( = 51) groups. Subjective symptoms were assessed using the Dry Eye-Related Quality-of-Life Score (DEQS) questionnaire.

The Efficacy of 2% Topical Rebamipide on Conjunctival Squamous Metaplasia and Goblet Cell Density in Dry Eye Disease.

To clarify the pharmacological effects of 2% rebamipide eye drops on mucosal membrane functions of the ocular surface epithelium, we investigated keratoconjunctival alterations at the cellular level in this study. Fifteen patients with definite dry eye disease were recruited from outpatient clinics of the Department of Ophthalmology, Ichikawa General Hospital. The patients received treatment with 2% rebamipide eye drops q.

Epidermal Fatty Acid-Binding Protein: A Novel Marker in the Diagnosis of Dry Eye Disease in Sjögren Syndrome.

Purpose: Sjögren syndrome (SS) is a chronic inflammatory autoimmune disease of the lacrimal and salivary glands. This study compared the concentrations of epidermal fatty-acid binding protein (E-FABP) in the saliva, serum, and tears of SS patients with dry eye and dry mouth, with those of healthy adults to investigate the usefulness of E-FABP as a diagnostic marker for SS.

Design: Prospective, observational case series.

Cataract surgery after deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty and penetrating keratoplasty in age- and disease-matched eyes.

Purpose: To assess the efficacy and safety of cataract surgery after deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty (DALK) and penetrating keratoplasty (PKP).

Setting: Tokyo Dental College Ichikawa General Hospital, Chiba, Japan.

Design: Retrospective case series.

A Prospective, Randomized Trial of Two Mucin Secretogogues for the Treatment of Dry Eye Syndrome in Office Workers.

The purpose of the study was to compare the two mucin secretogogues, diquafosol (DQS) and rebamipide (RBM), for the treatment of dry eye syndrome (DES) in office workers. Dry eye patients using computers for >4 h/day were randomly assigned treatment with either DQS or RBM. Main outcomes measures included changes in tear film break-up time (TBUT) and subjective symptoms assessed by the Dry Eye-Related Quality of Life Score (DEQS).

Association of Epithelial Atypia With Recurrence After Surgical Excision in Conjunctival Papilloma.

Purpose: To investigate the association between recurrence of conjunctival papillomas and presence of atypical epithelial changes in patients undergoing surgical excision for conjunctival papilloma.

Methods: We retrospectively reviewed 1,195 ophthalmic pathology specimens from 2004 to 2014 at Ichikawa General Hospital. Pathologic specimens of 5 patients with a final diagnosis of "conjunctival papilloma" were stained with hematoxylin-eosin, Ki 67, p53, human papillomavirus (HPV) 16 and 18 antibodies.

Effectiveness of bandage contact lens application in corneal epithelialization and pain alleviation following corneal transplantation; prospective, randomized clinical trial.

Background: To assess the efficacy of bandage contact lens (BCL) application to promote epithelialization and alleviate pain following corneal transplantation.

Methods: Twenty-six consecutive patients who underwent corneal transplantation were randomly assigned to undergo BCL application (BCL group, n = 14) or no BCL application (control group, n = 12) at the end of the surgery. Corneal epithelialization was analyzed by photography using fluorescein staining, and ocular pain was measured using a visual analog scale.

Outcomes of cataract surgery in eyes with a low corneal endothelial cell density.

Purpose: To evaluate the surgical outcomes of cataract surgery in eyes with a low preoperative corneal endothelial cell density (ECD) and analyze factors affecting the prognosis.

Setting: Tokyo Dental College, Ichikawa General Hospital, Chiba, Japan.

Design: Noncomparative case series.

Prospective, randomized study of the efficacy of systemic cyclosporine in high-risk corneal transplantation.

Purpose: Immunologic rejection remains a major cause of graft failure in high-risk corneal transplantation. This study was conducted to elucidate the efficacy and safety of systemic cyclosporine (CsA) in high-risk corneal transplantation.

Design: Prospective, randomized, open-labeled clinical trial with a parallel-group study.

How good is transplantation of corneal parts compared with penetrating keratoplasty?

The concept of transplantation of corneal parts is to replace only diseased tissues, while leaving healthy host tissues intact. Advantages of the new surgical approaches include fast recovery, resistance to trauma, and less postoperative complications. Despite the theoretical benefits, however, only few data are available in terms of the pros and cons of the new surgical methods.

Achievements and future problems with component surgery of the cornea.

Penetrating keratoplasty (PKP) has long been the standard procedure for treating corneal opacification. Recent advances in corneal surgery have enabled us to perform component surgery of the cornea, replacing necessary cells and tissue only instead of changing the entire layer of the cornea. Corneal components can be transplanted as lamellar sections of donor cornea or as ex vivo expanded cell sheets with or without biologic carriers.

Impact of the descemet membrane perforation on surgical outcomes after deep lamellar keratoplasty.

Purpose: To study the influence of the Descemet membrane (DM) perforations after deep lamellar keratoplasty (DLKP) on endothelial decompensation, endothelial density, visual acuity, and postoperative complications. The relationship between DM perforations and pseudoanterior chamber formation also was studied.

Design: Retrospective study.

Association between meibomian gland changes and aging, sex, or tear function.

Purpose: To study changes in the lid margin and meibomian glands and their association with aging, sex, and tear function.

Methods: We examined 354 eyes in 177 subjects (76 men and 101 women; 21-93 years; mean age, 63.0 +/- 14.

Cytokeratin 15 can be used to identify the limbal phenotype in normal and diseased ocular surfaces.

Purpose: To elucidate the expression pattern of K15, K19, K14, and K12 in human and mouse ocular surface epithelium as putative markers of epithelial phenotype.

Methods: Immunohistochemical staining with specific antibodies for K15, K19, K14, and K12 was performed in human donor cornea tissue and normal ICR mouse corneas, with emphasis on localization of immunopositive cells. Immunohistochemistry was performed in a limbus-deficient mouse model as well as in clinical samples of pannus surgically removed from a thermal burn and a patient with Saltzmann's dystrophy.

Comparison of deep lamellar keratoplasty and penetrating keratoplasty for lattice and macular corneal dystrophies.

Purpose: To compare the therapeutic outcomes after deep lamellar keratoplasty (DLKP) and penetrating keratoplasty (PKP) in patients with lattice corneal dystrophy (LCD) and macular corneal dystrophy (MCD).

Design: Age-matched control study.

Methods: We reviewed the clinical records of 84 eyes with LCD or MCD who had DLKP (41 eyes) or PKP (43 eyes).

Microkeratome-assisted phacoemulsification.

This study reports a technique in which phacoemulsification and intraocular lens (IOL) insertion are performed in conjunction with a microkeratome flap in a patient with ocular surface disease. Microkeratome-assisted phacoemulsification was performed in a 72-year-old woman with a history of trachoma during childhood. A 130 microm corneal flap was made using a microkeratome prior to phacoemulsification and IOL insertion.

Efficacy of early systemic betamethasone or cyclosporin A after corneal alkali injury via inflammatory cytokine reduction.

Purpose: To evaluate the effects of early systemic administration of betamethasone or cyclosporin A (CsA) on inflammatory cytokine expression and corneal damage after alkali injury.

Methods: Sixty-five Wistar rat corneas injured with 1N NaOH were divided into three groups: untreated, betamethasone-treated and CsA-treated. Both agents were administered systemically and daily during the first 7 days after injury.