Thorpemcneil7887
on. In addition, pathological analysis revealed cysts only within the confines of the donor tissue and none in the recipient; Acanthamoeba cysts would have been present in the recipient rim tissue if the infection originated from the patient himself.
To analyze whether plasma rich in growth factors (PRGFs) eye drops preserve their activity and biological properties after storage for 9 and 12 months at -20°C, and at 4°C, and at room temperature (RT) for 3 and 7 days in comparison to fresh samples (t0).
PRGF eye drops were obtained from 6 healthy donors. Then, they were stored for 9 and 12 months at -20°C. At each time, different PRGF eye drops samples were thawed and maintained at RT or at 4°C for 3 and 7 days. Platelet-derived growth factor-AB, epidermal growth factor, transforming growth factor-β1, vascular endothelial growth factor, angiopoietin-1, and thrombospondin-1 were analyzed at each time and temperature of storage. In addition, the pH level, the microbial contamination, and the proliferative potential on primary human corneal stromal fibroblasts human keratocytes of each obtained PRGF eye drops were also evaluated.
All growth factor levels were preserved at each time and storage condition. No differences were observed on the human keratocytes proliferation after treatment with PRGF eye drops at any studied time or temperature. No microbial contamination was observed in any of the PRGF eye drops. Finally, the pH levels increased significantly after 9 and 12 months of storage at -20°C compared with t0.
PRGF eye drops can be stored for up to 12 months without reduction of the main growth factors and proteins and without any microbial contamination. Furthermore, the biological activity of the PRGF eye drops is maintained after storing for 3 and 7 days at 4°C or at RT.
PRGF eye drops can be stored for up to 12 months without reduction of the main growth factors and proteins and without any microbial contamination. Furthermore, the biological activity of the PRGF eye drops is maintained after storing for 3 and 7 days at 4°C or at RT.
Long-term evaluation of corneal epithelial thickness (ET) profile changes after photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) using Fourier-domain anterior segment optical coherence tomography.
Three hundred twenty-six eyes of 163 patients were included in this prospective observational study. The corneal epithelial map was obtained across a 9-mm diameter area of the cornea before and up to 27 months after surgery. ET was assessed in 25 sectors and 4 annular zones (central 2 mm, paracentral 2-5 mm, midperipheral 5-7 mm, and peripheral 7-9 mm).
There was a significant reduction in mean ET in all zones 1 month after PRK. Subsequently, ET increased in all annular zones. The change in mean ET became stable in the midperipheral and peripheral zones at 3 to 6 months and in the central zone at 12 months, and it continued to increase in the paracentral zone even after 18 months after surgery. The ET was 3.40 μm and 4.05 μm in the central and paracentral zones at 6 months, respectively. Postoperative spherical equivalent changed significantly only from 1 to 3 months (P < 0.04). There was a significant correlation between postoperative spherical equivalent at month 1 and ET change in the paracentral and midperipheral zones (P < 0.027).
There is a significant reduction in ET 1 month after myopic PRK with a gradual thickening thereafter until it reaches stability at 12 months in the central zone. However, it continues to change even after 18 months in the paracentral zone. The greatest thickening is in the paracentral zone, followed by the central zone.
There is a significant reduction in ET 1 month after myopic PRK with a gradual thickening thereafter until it reaches stability at 12 months in the central zone. However, it continues to change even after 18 months in the paracentral zone. The greatest thickening is in the paracentral zone, followed by the central zone.
To validate the "Descemet membrane endothelial keratoplasty (DMEK) Rapid" device for the cross-country transportation of preloaded DMEK grafts preserved with endothelium outward.
DMEK grafts were stripped and loaded in the DMEK Rapid device with tissue culture medium (TCM) or transport medium (TM) with endothelium outward. The device was mounted in a 40-mL flask and preserved for 4 days on a rocker to simulate transportation (study A, n = 24) or shipped in the TM from Italy to the United Kingdom (study B, n = 9) and evaluated within 72 hours. All the tissues were stained with Alizarin red. Viability of the cells was checked postsimulations and posttransportation and was confirmed using live/dead staining. Expression of tight junction proteins was evaluated.
In study A, the endothelial cell loss observed from the TCM group was 20.8% (±5.2) compared with 19.5% (±6.7) from the TM group (P = 0.41) after transport simulation. Alizarin red showed minimal uncovered areas in both groups. There were no statistical differences in viability between the TM (80.83%) and TCM groups (78.83%). In study B, 12.9% (±7.8) endothelial cell loss was observed after transporting the tissues from Italy to the United Kingdom with no significant difference between prestrip and posttransportation (P = 0.05). Alizarin red staining did not show any uncovered area. Live/dead analysis showed 85.16% cell viability after transportation. zonula occludens-1 (ZO-1) was expressed in all tissues.
The DMEK Rapid device is safe for preloading and shipping DMEK grafts internationally with endothelium outward within 72 hours when preserved in the transport media.
The DMEK Rapid device is safe for preloading and shipping DMEK grafts internationally with endothelium outward within 72 hours when preserved in the transport media.
To describe the clinical features, microbiological profile, and outcome of a series of cases of Pythium keratitis treated with topical and oral linezolid and topical azithromycin eye drops.
This was a retrospective interventional case series of microbiologically and/or histopathologically proven cases of Pythium keratitis seen between October 2016 and December 2019. All patients received a combination of topical linezolid and/or azithromycin eye drops with oral linezolid. Analysis of demographic data, predisposing risk factors, microbiological results, treatment regimen, visual acuity, surgical intervention, and final outcome was performed. A subgroup analysis of cases >6 mm in size was performed. Success was defined as complete resolution on medical management. Failure was defined as worsening of infection necessitating therapeutic penetrating keratoplasty or evisceration.
Of 21 cases, 2 were lost to follow up, 1 was diagnosed on histopathology, and 1 received only topical linezolid. Characteristic microbiological features were noted on 10% potassium hydroxide calcofluor white wet mount in 20/21 (95.23%) and Gram stain in 18/21 (85.71%). On triple drug regimen, 14/17 cases (82.35%) resolved. Average time to resolution was 87.64 ± 44.44 days. More than 60% infiltrates (13/21) were large, and 66.66% infiltrates resolved in 109.3 ± 57.06 days. Of the 5 failures, 4 needed therapeutic keratoplasty and 1 needed evisceration. All grafts failed.
The dual topical drug regimen with oral linezolid has good cure rates (over 80%) for Pythium keratitis over prolonged duration. It is recommended to persevere with medical therapy even in large infiltrates because more than two thirds resolved.
The dual topical drug regimen with oral linezolid has good cure rates (over 80%) for Pythium keratitis over prolonged duration. It is recommended to persevere with medical therapy even in large infiltrates because more than two thirds resolved.
To assess whether Swiss adult citizens diagnosed with keratoconus have the minimal knowledge that a corneal specialist would expect they should have.
Experts defined the "minimal keratoconus knowledge" (MKK) with respect to definition, risk factors, symptoms, and possible treatment options of keratoconus. A survey was performed in 167 patients with keratoconus [mean age 38.8 years (SD 13.9), 77.7% male] in 5 specialized institutions. Of each participant, salient clinical characteristics, highest educational level, paramedical background, and specific health experience with keratoconus in the social surrounding were obtained. We calculated the proportion of MKK and examined whether patients with higher education and greater disease experience would perform better than those from other groups in multivariate analyses.
No single citizen reached 100% MKK. The mean MKK was 35.2%, and the range was 0% to 76.2%. Participants with a university degree had only a moderately higher MKK [+8.7% (95% confidence inter an inefficient care delivery and misunderstandings.
To examine tissue loss rates, processing time, and primary graft failure (PGF) of "prestripped-only" Descemet membrane endothelial keratoplasty (DMEK) grafts at a single eye bank and how these parameters changed after the introduction of steps to preload tissue among experienced processors.
Tissue loss and processing time during DMEK graft preparation as well as PGF were analyzed retrospectively at a single eye bank between 2012 and 2018. Outcomes were assessed in consecutive grafts before and after the introduction of preloading to the eye bank's standard operating procedure.
A total of 1326 grafts were analyzed, composed of the first 663 preloaded DMEK grafts and, for comparison, the 663 DMEK grafts processed immediately before starting the preloaded service. Mean processing time increased from 17.0 ± 3.9 minutes to 26.0 ± 5.4 minutes with the advent of preloading (P < 0.01). Initially, average processing time increased dramatically, with a maximum processing time of 51 minutes, before regressing to the average. No significant difference in the rate of tissue wastage was observed before versus after the implementation of preloaded DMEK (1.2% vs. 1.7%, P = 0.48). PGF occurred in 7 grafts before the preloaded service and 10 grafts after starting the service (1.6% vs. 2.3%, P = 0.47).
Preloading does not affect tissue wastage for experienced technicians or the PGF rate but increases processing time. Eye banks that are considering adding preloading to their standard operating procedure may need to account for longer processing times in their daily operations.
Preloading does not affect tissue wastage for experienced technicians or the PGF rate but increases processing time. Eye banks that are considering adding preloading to their standard operating procedure may need to account for longer processing times in their daily operations.
To evaluate the effects of the application of iontophoresis-assisted rose bengal and green light cross-linking (I-RGX) therapy on enucleated rabbit eyes for corneal biomechanical parameters, dye diffusion rates, and green light levels reaching deep tissues and to compare these parameters with a standard rose bengal and green light cross-linking (RGX) therapy.
Forty-five enucleated rabbit eyes were used in this study. To evaluate biomechanical changes, corneas were divided into the following 4 groups the control group, the 0.1% rose bengal application group, the RGX group (100 J/cm), and the I-RGX group (100 J/cm). After this, corneal strips were evaluated with a uniaxial extensometer. To assess corneal dye diffusion, postprocedure dye depth was recorded with anterior segment optic coherence tomography. The amount of irradiation passing through the cornea during irradiation with 250 mW/cm irradiation power was measured with a laser power meter at the first, third, and seventh minutes.
In the I-RGX-treated group especially, the mean elastic modulus and corneal stiffness values were about 4.
