Treatment of moderate to severe keratoconus with 6-mm Intacs SK.

Aim: To evaluate the effect of Intacs SK corneal ring segment implant for treatment of patients with moderate to severe keratoconus, who have clear central cornea and cannot tolerate contact lens.

Methods: In this prospective, non-comparative, interventional case series study performed in Dena Hospital, Shiraz, Iran, thirty-seven eyes of thirty-six patients with moderate to severe keratoconus, clear central cornea, and contact lens intolerance were enrolled and underwent Intacs SK corneal ring segment implantation. Preoperatively, uncorrected distance visual acuity (UCDVA), best-corrected distance visual acuity (BCDVA), central corneal thickness(CCT) and average keratometry (Av-K) were measured and compared with post-operative results at one week, one month, three months, and six months.

Effect of transcutaneous electrical stimulation on rabbit corneal epithelial cell migration.

Purpose: To evaluate the effect of transcutaneous application of electrical stimulation on the rate of corneal epithelial healing in corneal abrasion using an in vivo model of corneal wound healing in the rabbit.

Methods: This was an experimental study including 16 adult Dutch rabbits that were randomly allocated to 2 study groups (8 in each group) to receive transcutaneous electrostimulation or no treatment. The corneal epithelium was lifted from the round limbal border.

Supra-Descemet's Fluid Drainage with Simultaneous Air Injection: An Alternative Treatment for Descemet's Membrane Detachment.

In this report, we present an alternative technique to manage Descemet's membrane detachment (DMD). We call the technique supra-Descemet's fluid drainage with intracameral air injection. Under topical anesthesia, we injected air through the stab incision to fill 2/3 of the anterior chamber.

Brain-derived neurotrophic factor as a biomarker in primary open-angle glaucoma.

Purpose: To introduce a novel biomarker for screening of primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) by detecting and measuring brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in the serum of normal subjects and patients with early stage of glaucoma.

Methods: Twenty-five glaucoma patients as the case group and 25 age- and sex-matched normal persons as the control group were tested. The control group comprised 19 men and 6 women, with the mean age of 59.

Fyodorov-Zuev keratoprosthesis implantation: long-term results in patients with multiple failed corneal grafts.

Background: The long term results of the Fyodorov-Zuev keratoprosthesis are presented for ten patients with repeated graft failures.

Methods: The study took place at Dr Khodadoust Eye Hospital. The Fyodorov-Zuev keratoprosthesis was implanted in ten patients with repeated graft failures, including seven patients with old trachoma, two patients with chemical injury, and a patient with thermal injury.

Novel materials to enhance corneal epithelial cell migration on keratoprosthesis.

Purpose: To introduce a new modification for silicone optical core Keratoprosthesis.

Methods: Using mixtures of 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate and acrylic acid polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) films were modified with two-step oxygen plasma treatment, and then type I collagen was immobilised onto this modified surfaces. Both the biocompatibility of the modified films and cell behaviour on the surface of these films were investigated by in vitro tests, and formation of epithelial cell layer was evaluated by implantation of the modified films in the corneas of 10 rabbits.

Magnet-assisted capsular bag fixation to manage limited zonular weakness during phacoemulsification.

A new technique to manage limited zonular weakness during phacoemulsification is presented in this report. The technique, called magnet-assisted capsular bag fixation, uses the magnetic implant to stretch and fixate the capsular bag over the zonular dehiscence area for patients with limited zonular disruption, which stabilizes the capsular bag and facilitates cataract extraction.

Brain-derived neurotrophic factor in patients with normal-tension glaucoma.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to detect and measure brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in the tears of normal subjects and patients with normal-tension glaucoma (NTG).

Materials And Methods: Twenty patients with NTG as the case group and 20 normal subjects with the same age range as the control group were tested. The control group consisted of 16 men and 4 women, ranging in age from 40 to 75, without any apparent ocular or systemic disease.

Fixed dilated pupil (urrets-zavalia syndrome) after deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty.

Purpose: To report 4 cases that developed fixed dilated pupil after deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty (DALK) for treating keratoconus and granular corneal dystrophy.

Methods: Four patients underwent DALK (either Melles's manual dissection or Anwar's big-bubble technique) with diagnosis of keratoconus (2 cases) and granular corneal dystrophy (2 cases). In Melles's technique, the anterior chamber was fully filled with air at the beginning of procedure.