Differential gene expression analysis of corneal endothelium indicates involvement of phagocytic activity in Fuchs' endothelial corneal dystrophy.

Fuchs' endothelial corneal dystrophy (FECD) is a progressive vision impairing disease caused by thickening of Descemet's membrane and gradual degeneration and loss of corneal endothelial cells. The aim of this study was to identify differentially expressed genes between FECD-affected and unaffected corneal endothelium to gain insight into the pathophysiological mechanisms underlying this disease. Microarray gene expression analysis was performed on total RNA from FECD-affected and unaffected corneal endothelium-Descemet's membrane (CE-DM) specimens using the Illumina HumanHT-12 v4.

Risk factors and association with severity of keratoconus: the Australian study of Keratoconus.

Significance: Our results show that asthmatic patients tend to have more severe KC and thus close monitoring for disease progression would be advised, and appropriate treatment strategies may be actioned stabilise the condition that may reduce the need for future corneal transplantation.

Purpose: To explore a wide range of risk factors associated with the severity of keratoconus (KC).

Methods: A cross-sectional study of KC patients was undertaken in Melbourne, Australia.

Accuracy of Intraocular Lens Power Formulas Modified for Patients with Keratoconus.

Purpose: To assess the accuracy of intraocular lens (IOL) power formulas modified specifically for patients with keratoconus (Holladay 2 with keratoconus adjustment and Kane keratoconus formula) compared with normal IOL power formulas (Barrett Universal 2, Haigis, Hoffer Q, Holladay 1, Holladay 2, Kane, and SRK/T).

Design: Retrospective consecutive case series.

Participants: A total of 147 eyes of 147 patients with keratoconus.

Reduced expression of apolipoprotein E and immunoglobulin heavy constant gamma 1 proteins in Fuchs endothelial corneal dystrophy.

Background: Fuchs endothelial corneal dystrophy (FECD) is a progressive and potentially a sight threatening disease, and a common indication for corneal grafting in the elderly. Aberrant thickening of Descemet's membrane, formation of microscopic excrescences (guttae) and gradual loss of corneal endothelial cells are the hallmarks of the disease. The aim of this study was to identify differentially abundant proteins between FECD-affected and unaffected Descemet's membrane.

TGC repeat expansion in the TCF4 gene increases the risk of Fuchs' endothelial corneal dystrophy in Australian cases.

Fuchs' endothelial corneal dystrophy (FECD) is a progressive, vision impairing disease. Common single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and a trinucleotide repeat polymorphism, thymine-guanine-cytosine (TGC), in the TCF4 gene have been associated with the risk of FECD in some populations. We previously reported association of SNPs in TCF4 with FECD risk in the Australian population.

Treatment of infectious keratitis with riboflavin and ultraviolet-A irradiation.

Unlabelled: We report 4 eyes with infectious keratitis treated with riboflavin/ultraviolet-A irradiation (corneal collagen crosslinking [CXL]) in addition to medical treatment. In 2 eyes with bilateral keratitis, the fellow eye was treated with medical treatment alone. The other 2 eyes had refractory keratitis.

Assessment of anterior segment parameters of keratoconus eyes in an Australian population.

Purpose: To assess anterior segment parameters of eyes with keratoconus (KC) at different clinical stages of disease.

Methods: KC and non-KC patients were recruited from public and private clinics in Melbourne, Australia. Axial length (AL), mean front corneal curvature (Front Km), mean back corneal curvature (Back Km), central corneal thickness (CCT), corneal thickness at the apex (CTA), corneal thickness at the thinnest point (CTT), anterior chamber depth (ACD), and corneal volume were noted for all the eyes.

Association of the hepatocyte growth factor gene with keratoconus in an Australian population.

Purpose: A previous study has indicated suggestive association of the hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) gene with Keratoconus. We wished to assess this association in an independent Caucasian cohort as well as assess its association with corneal curvature.

Participants: Keratoconus patients were recruited from private and public clinics in Melbourne, Australia.

Impact of keratoconus in the better eye and the worse eye on vision-related quality of life.

Purpose: We assessed the impact of keratoconus disease indicators in the better eye and worse eye on quality of life (QoL) using the Vision and Quality of Life Index (VisQoL) multi-attribute utility instrument (MAUI).

Methods: ?tlsb -.01w?>Patients with keratoconus completed the six-item VisQoL utility measure.

A randomized, controlled trial of corneal collagen cross-linking in progressive keratoconus: three-year results.

Purpose: To report the refractive, topographic, and clinical outcomes 3 years after corneal collagen cross-linking (CXL) in eyes with progressive keratoconus.

Design: Prospective, randomized controlled trial.

Participants: One hundred eyes with progressive keratoconus were randomized into the CXL treatment or control groups.

Evaluating the association between keratoconus and the corneal thickness genes in an independent Australian population.

Purpose: A recent genome-wide association study (GWAS) identified six loci associated with central corneal thickness that also conferred associated risk of keratoconus (KC). We aimed to assess whether genetic associations existed for these loci with KC or corneal curvature in an independent cohort of European ancestry.

Methods: In total, 157 patients with KC were recruited from public and private clinics in Melbourne, Australia, and 673 individuals without KC were identified through the Genes in Myopia study from Australia.

A randomised controlled trial of alcohol delamination and phototherapeutic keratectomy for the treatment of recurrent corneal erosion syndrome.

Aim: To compare the efficacy of alcohol delamination (ALD) and phototherapeutic keratectomy (PTK) for the treatment of recurrent corneal erosion syndrome (RCES) in a prospective, randomised, controlled trial.

Methods: Patients with RCES not responding to conservative treatment were recruited and randomised to undergo ALD or PTK. Patients were masked to their treatment group.

Direct surgical repair of corneal perforation in pellucid marginal degeneration: a case series.

Purpose: To report a novel technique for repairing corneal perforations in 5 eyes of 3 patients with pellucid marginal degeneration (PMD). Four cases were successfully repaired with corneal sutures and 1 case required a penetrating keratoplasty.

Methods: Retrospective case series of corneal perforation repairs in the setting of PMD.

Localized changes in stromal reflectivity after corneal collagen cross-linking observed with different imaging techniques.

Purpose: To report changes observed in the corneal stroma using confocal microscopy and Scheimpflug imaging following epithelium-off collagen cross-linking (CXL) in cases of progressive keratoconus.

Methods: Fifteen eyes of 14 patients were examined before and after CXL using slit-lamp biomicroscopy, Scheimpflug imaging, and confocal microscopy. A subset of patients also had optical coherence tomography imaging performed.

Contact lens management of keratoconus in a patient with residual astigmatism resulting from implantation of a toric intraocular lens.

Toric intraocular lenses (IOLs) are increasingly being used at the time of cataract surgery to treat regular refractive astigmatism. This paper outlines the contact lens management of a patient with keratoconus, who had marked residual astigmatism post-operatively due to implantation of a toric IOL during cataract surgery. It is strongly recommended that toric IOLs should only be prescribed for patients who have mild forms of keratoconus, with only slight irregular astigmatism that has been stable for at least the previous 12 months and acceptable vision with spectacles.

Current status of corneal collagen cross-linking for keratoconus: a review.

Over the past decade, corneal collagen cross-linking has become commonplace as a treatment option for individuals with progressive keratoconus. This is based on laboratory data suggesting that cross-linking using riboflavin and ultraviolet-A irradiation increases collagen diameter and the biomechanical strength of the treated cornea. Case series and limited randomised controlled trials support these findings with data demonstrating that cross-linking slows and possibly halts the progression of keratoconus.

Long-term refractive outcomes and stability after excimer laser surgery for myopia.

Purpose: To evaluate the long-term refractive outcomes of photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) and laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) for myopia.

Setting: Centre for Eye Research Australia, Melbourne, Australia.

Design: Comparative case series.

Collagen cross-linking: a new treatment paradigm in corneal disease - a review.

The last 2 years has seen a marked increase in the prominence of corneal collagen cross-linking as a treatment strategy for progressive keratoconus. This interest has arisen from a body of laboratory evidence documenting the biomechanical and cellular changes induced by cross-linking. The findings of this research provide a plausible rationale for its use in keratoconus to retard the progression of this common disease.

A randomized controlled trial of corneal collagen cross-linking in progressive keratoconus: preliminary results.

Purpose: This prospective, randomized, controlled trial aims to provide evidence in relation to the efficacy and safety of corneal collagen cross-linking (CXL) in the management of progressive keratoconus.

Methods: Eligible eyes were separately randomized into either treatment or control groups. Collagen crosslinking was performed using 0.

Atypical fungal sclerokeratitis.

Purpose: To report a case of fungal sclerokeratitis caused by Metarrhizium anisopliae, which to our knowledge is the first reported case worldwide.

Methods: A 52-year-old woman presented from rural Australia with a 1-week history of ocular injection involving the right eye without associated pain. Her best-corrected visual acuity was 6/9 in the right eye and 6/6 in the left eye.

Clinical efficacy of moxifloxacin in the treatment of bacterial keratitis: a randomized clinical trial.

Purpose: To determine the clinical efficacy and safety of moxifloxacin (1.0%) in patients with bacterial keratitis compared with patients treated with ofloxacin (0.3%) or fortified tobramycin (1.

Acanthamoeba keratitis and contact lens wear.

Acanthamoeba keratitis is a rare but serious complication of contact lens wear that may cause severe visual loss. The clinical picture is usually characterised by severe pain, sometimes disproportionate to the signs, with an early superficial keratitis that is often misdiagnosed as herpes simplex virus (HSV) keratitis. Advanced stages of the infection are usually characterised by central corneal epithelial loss and marked stromal opacification with subsequent loss of vision.