Midterm results after allogeneic simple limbal epithelial transplantation from deceased-donor eyes in patients with persistent corneal epithelial defects due to limbal stem cell deficiency.

Background: This study aims to characterize the clinical outcomes after allogeneic simple limbal epithelial transplantation (alloSLET) utilizing tissue from cadaveric donor eyes to address persistent corneal epithelial defects caused by limbal stem cell deficiency.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective analysis of medical records from 20 patients, encompassing 24 eyes, who underwent alloSLET at least 2 years prior. The primary endpoint was the achievement of complete epithelialization of the corneal surface by corneal epithelium.

Utility of a Model to Predict Endothelial Cell Density of Donor Corneas to Determine Suitability for Transplantation.

Purpose: In Germany, approximately one-third of the harvested donor corneas are not suitable for transplantation, mostly due to insufficient endothelial cell density (ECD). The ECD can only be reliably determined after harvesting and processing of the cornea. Our group has previously developed a predictive model for corneal ECD: \( {Predicted\, ECD} = 2919-6^{\ast}\;{age}\; [{years}]-189\; [{if\, male}]\\ -7^{\ast}\;{death-to-explantation\, interval\,} [{hours}]\\ - 378\; [{if\, pseudophakic}] \;{cells/mm}^2 \).

Does Systemic Hematological Therapy Influence the Course of Paraproteinemic Keratopathy?

The purpose of this article is to evaluate the course of paraproteinemic keratopathy (PPK) in patients undergoing systemic therapy for the underlying hematological disease. Baseline and follow-up examinations included hematological work-up, best-corrected visual acuity, slit-lamp biomicroscopy, and in vivo confocal laser scanning microscopy (IVCM). We included 22 patients with bilateral PPK (aged 68 ± 10.

Diabetic Keratopathy: Redox Signaling Pathways and Therapeutic Prospects.

Diabetes mellitus, the most prevalent endocrine disorder, not only impacts the retina but also significantly involves the ocular surface. Diabetes contributes to the development of dry eye disease and induces morphological and functional corneal alterations, particularly affecting nerves and epithelial cells. These changes manifest as epithelial defects, reduced sensitivity, and delayed wound healing, collectively encapsulated in the context of diabetic keratopathy.

Prevalence of Herpes Simplex and Varicella-Zoster Virus DNA in Corneal Grafts Is Higher than Expected.

Purpose: (1) To determine the prevalence of herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) and type 2 (HSV-2), varicella-zoster virus (VZV), and cytomegalovirus (CMV) DNA in donor corneas; (2) To evaluate the clinical outcome of the grafts with viral DNA and to compare donors with and without viral DNA.

Methods: We analyzed data from all donors and recipients who underwent penetrating keratoplasty (PK) or Descemet membrane endothelial keratoplasty (DMEK) between September 2022 and March 2023. Donor corneoscleral rims and excised recipients' corneal buttons were tested for the presence of HSV-1, HSV-2, VZV, and CMV DNA by polymerase chain reaction (PCR).

Ectrodactyly-Ectodermal Dysplasia-Cleft Syndrome: Ocular Findings and Surgical Treatment.

Purpose: Ectrodactyly-ectodermal dysplasia-cleft (EEC) syndrome is a rare genetic disorder. We present ocular findings and their treatment in patients with EEC.

Methods And Results: We report on 3 female patients (aged 59, 45, and 11 years) suffering from EEC with varying extraocular and ocular severity of phenotypic expression of the disease.

Impact of Cross-Linking Procedure on Perioperative Quality of Life in Keratoconus Patients.

Background: To evaluate the effect of crosslinking (CXL) with riboflavin for keratoconus (KC) therapy on quality of life (QoL): comparison of keratoconus patients with and without treatment.

Methods: Prospective monocentric study. We recruited patients with progressive KC and with stable disease.

Prevalence of Herpesvirus DNA in Corneal Transplant Recipients.

Graft failure after penetrating keratoplasty (PK) is a serious complication, especially in eyes with herpetic keratitis (HK). This study evaluated the prevalence and graft survival of herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) and varicella zoster virus (VZV) DNA in recipient corneas during PK. The retrospective study was performed at the Department of Ophthalmology at University Hospital in Mainz, Germany.

Risk factors for peripheral hypertrophic subepithelial corneal opacification.

Background: To evaluate the phenotype, tear secretion and refractive changes of patients diagnosed with peripheral hypertrophic subepithelial corneal opacification (PHSCO).

Methods: This is a retrospective, interventional case series conducted at the Department of Ophthalmology, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz. Medical records of patients diagnosed with PHSCO were analysed.

Prevalence of corneal findings and their interrelation with hematological findings in monoclonal gammopathy.

Purpose: To determine prevalence of paraproteinemic keratopathy (PPK) among patients with monoclonal gammopathy (MG). To evaluate interrelation between corneal and hematological parameters in patients with PPK.

Methods: Fifty-one patients with monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (n = 19), smoldering multiple myeloma (n = 5) or multiple myeloma (n = 27) were prospectively included in this study.

A lower birth weight percentile is associated with central corneal thickness thinning: Results from the Gutenberg Prematurity Eye Study (GPES).

Purpose: Prematurity, prenatal growth restriction, and retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) are associated with altered ocular geometry, such as a steeper corneal shape in childhood, but it is unclear whether perinatal history affects corneal thickness development, so this study investigated whether corneal thickness in adulthood is affected by perinatal history.

Marterials And Methods: The Gutenberg Prematurity Eye Study (GPES) is a retrospective cohort study with a prospective ophthalmologic examination in Germany. The corneal thickness was measured by Scheimpflug imaging (Pentacam HR, Oculus Optikgeräte GmbH, Wetzlar, Germany), and the relationship between perinatal parameters respective birth weight percentile and corneal thickness at different locations was assessed using uni- and multivariable linear regression models.

The role of preterm birth, retinopathy of prematurity and perinatal factors on corneal aberrations in adulthood: Results from the Gutenberg prematurity eye study.

Introduction: Prematurity and retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) are associated with altered corneal shape and reduced visual acuity in childhood, but their long-term effects on corneal shape in later life are still unclear. This study evaluated whether prematurity and related perinatal factors are associated with corneal aberrations in adulthood.

Methods: The Gutenberg Prematurity Eye Study (GPES) is a cohort study using Scheimpflug imaging of the cornea.

Neurotrophic keratopathy: Clinical presentation and effects of cenegermin.

Purpose: To report on 4 patients (3 adults, 1 child) with neurotrophic keratopathy (NK) treated with cenegermin 20 μg/ml (Oxervate®), a recombinant human nerve growth factor (rhNGF), which was authorized by the European Medicines Agency for the treatment of neurotrophic keratopathy stage 2 and stage 3 of Mackie Classification in patients over 18 years of age.

Observations: Three patients with neurotrophic keratopathy stage 2 and 1 patient with neurotrophic keratopathy stage 3, who were treated with cenegermin eye drops 6 times daily for 8 weeks, were observed. Two patients suffered from herpetic keratitis and 2 patients from neurotrophic keratopathy secondary to orbital radiation.

Monoclonal gammopathy of ocular significance (MGOS) - a short survey of corneal manifestations and treatment outcomes.

Monoclonal gammopathy of ocular significance (MGOS) is a rare subset of monoclonal gammopathy of clinical significance occurring secondary to plasma cell disorders and causing ocular manifestations. We identified 23 patients with paraproteinemic keratopathy (PPK) in the setting of monoclonal gammopathy of unknown significance (MGUS, 10), smoldering multiple myeloma (SMM, 3) or multiple myeloma (MM, 10). Many of these patients with PPK (11/23) presented decreased vision.

Peripheral corneal thickness and associated factors - results from the population-based German Gutenberg Health Study.

Purpose: Changes in peripheral corneal thickness are described in various corneal diseases such as corneal ectasia. However, few data exist describing the increase in corneal thickness from central to peripheral and reporting the normal distribution of corneal thickness in rings around the corneal centre. The aim of this study was to report these cornea characteristics and investigate associated factors in a population-based setting.

Prevalence of corneal arcus and associated factors in a German population-Results from the Gutenberg Health Study.

Purpose: We aimed to determine the prevalence of corneal arcus and to identify associated factors in the general population of Germany.

Methods: The Gutenberg Health Study (GHS) is a population-based cohort study in Germany, which includes an ophthalmological assessment. Refraction, distance-corrected visual acuity, non-contact tonometry and anterior segment imaging were performed for the five-year follow-up examination.

How to Predict the Suitability for Corneal Donorship?

Background: In Germany, more than one-third of donor corneas harvested are not suitable for transplantation. We evaluated the factors associated with the usability of donor corneas.

Method: Data from 2032 consecutive donor corneas harvested at the Rhineland-Palatinate Eye Bank in Mainz, Germany, were retrospectively analyzed.

Comparison of DMEK and DSAEK in Eyes With Endothelial Decompensation After Previous Penetrating Keratoplasty.

Purpose: Posterior lamellar keratoplasty is increasingly applied in patients with endothelial decompensation after penetrating keratoplasty (PK). The aim of this study was to compare the results of Descemet membrane endothelial keratoplasty (DMEK) and Descemet stripping automated endothelial keratoplasty (DSAEK) after PK.

Methods: In this retrospective study, clinical data of 30 patients who received DMEK (n = 19) or DSAEK (n = 11) for endothelial decompensation after PK were evaluated.

Effects of Superficial Keratectomy in Peripheral Hypertrophic Subepithelial Corneal Opacification on Front and Back Corneal Astigmatism.

Purpose: To evaluate changes of anterior and posterior corneal astigmatism after superficial keratectomy in peripheral hypertrophic subepithelial corneal opacification (PHSCO).

Methods: Patients with PHSCO, who had received superficial keratectomy with mitomycin C 0.02%, were included in this retrospective study.

Allogenic simple limbal epithelial transplantation (alloSLET) from cadaveric donor eyes in patients with persistent corneal epithelial defects.

Background/aim: To describe the clinical outcome of allogenic simple limbal epithelial transplantation (alloSLET) utilising tissue from cadaveric donor eyes after failed re-epithelialisation of the corneal surface.

Methods: Medical records of 14 eyes from 14 patients treated for persistent corneal epithelial defects with alloSLET were reviewed. The primary outcome measure was complete epithelialisation of the corneal surface.

Topical Voriconazole as Supplemental Treatment for Acanthamoeba Keratitis.

Purpose: Voriconazole was shown to inhibit ergosterol synthesis in various acanthamoeba species. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the clinical outcome of treatment with supplemental topical voriconazole in patients with acanthamoeba keratitis (AK).

Methods: All patients who had been treated for AK with voriconazole 1% drops in conjunction with topical first-line antiacanthamoeba therapy composed of polyhexamethylene biguanide (PHMB) 0.

Bleb grading by photographs versus bleb grading by slit-lamp examination.

Purpose: Using a bleb-grading system clinically facilitates long-term follow-up of patients with previous glaucoma surgery. Clinical evaluation of these patients can be challenging for untrained ophthalmologists. Morphological bleb configuration might influence planning of follow-up visits in glaucoma patients due to different and individual prognosis after trabeculectomy.

How to Avoid an Upside-Down Orientation of the Graft during Descemet Membrane Endothelial Keratoplasty?

Purpose: Incorrect anterior-posterior orientation of the Descemet endothelial complex (DEC) is one of the causes of failure of Descemet membrane endothelial keratoplasty (DMEK). We evaluated a new marking technique to avoid such a misorientation.

Method: A new marking technique of the DEC was evaluated in patients requiring primary DMEK.