Purpose. To evaluate gel microstent (XEN, Aquesys, Inc) for treatment of primary open angle glaucoma (POAG). Methods. In this prospective interventional study, 13 eyes with POAG underwent XEN implantation with subconjunctival mitomycin-C. Of those eyes, 3 were pseudophakic and 10 underwent simultaneous phacoemulsification and XEN. Patients had uncontrolled IOP, had intolerance to therapy, or had maximal therapy but undergoing cataract extraction. Follow-up visits included IOP, number of medications, vision, and complications and lasted for 1 year. Complete success was defined as IOP reduction ≥20% from preoperative baseline at 1 year without any glaucoma medications while partial success as IOP reduction of ≥20% at 1 year with medications. Results. IOP dropped from 16 ± 4 mmHg pre-op to 9 ± 5, 11 ± 6, 12 ± 5, 12 ± 4, and 12 ± 3 mmHg at 1 week, 1, 3, 6, and 12 months (p = 0.004, 0.026, 0.034, 0.01, and 0.01, Wilcoxon Signed Ranks) consecutively. BCVA (LogMAR) was 0.33 ± 0.34 and improved to 0.13 ± 0.11 at 1 year. Mean number of medications dropped from 1.9 ± 1 preoperatively to 0.3 ± 0.49 (p = 0.003) at 1 year. 42% of eyes achieved complete success and 66% qualified success. Complications included choroidal detachment in 2 eyes, and implant extrusion in 1 eye, and 2 eyes underwent trabeculectomy. Conclusion. XEN implant is an effective surgical treatment for POAG, with significant reduction in IOP and glaucoma medications at 1 year follow-up.

Intacs intrastromal corneal rings used as a mechanical device may alter the biomechanical properties of the cornea for the correction of iatrogenic keratectasia and the associated residual myopia.

IMPORTANCE Literature suggests corneal morphologic characteristics compatible with keratoconus are present in a high percentage of patients with Down syndrome (DS), suggesting the need to perform a detailed examination of the anterior segment to try to avoid serious visual impairment in this group of patients. OBJECTIVE To characterize the abnormal features of the cornea in patients with DS and compare these with a control group. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTSMulticenter case-control study at Vissum Alicante, . The study included 321 eyes of 217 participants from 2 groups: 112 participants in the DS group and 105 healthy participants in the control group.INTERVENTIONS Patients were evaluated using Placido disc/Scheimpflug camera topographer (Sirius, CSO). Visual, refractive and anterior, and posterior corneal characteristics were assessed and compared in both groups.MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES Keratoconus diagnosis. Incidence of corneal morphologic irregularities similar to keratoconus in patients with DS. RESULTSIn the DS group, mean (SD) age was 14.88 (15.76) years, 54 (48%) were women, 66 (59%) were white, and 46 (41%) were Arab. In the control group, mean (SD) age was 40.29 (14.66) years, 54 (51%) were women, and all were white. Clinical assessment of corneal topography showed that 71.3% (95% CI, 45.2-97.4) of patients in the DS group showed characteristics compatible with keratoconus. Differences were found in steepest keratometry of 47.35 diopters (D) in patients with DS vs 43.70 D in control individuals (difference, 3.65 D; 95% CI, 3.23-4.35 D; P <.001) and in corneal pachymetry of 503 μm in patients with DS vs 545 μm in control individuals (difference, 42 μm; 95% CI, 38.8-56.7 μm; P <.001).CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE Patients with DS have steeper and thinner corneas and more corneal aberrations than those without genetic alterations and normal corneas. The findings suggest a detailed corneal study should be considered in such patients to detect keratoconus and implement treatment as appropriate to try to avoid serious visual impairment in this group of patients. JAMA Ophthalmol. 2018;136(9):971-978.

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Purpose. To review the epidemiology of serious pediatric ocular trauma presenting to Kasr El Aini Hospital, Cairo University. Methods. Children with serious ocular trauma during a six-month period were examined and their data was analyzed. Results. Eighty eyes of 75 patients were included in this study, with 64% males (P < 0.001) and average age of 5 years (5 months–15 years). There were 67 (83.75%) open globe injuries, 11 (13.75%) closed globe injuries, and 2 (2.5%) chemical injuries. Of the open globe injuries, 24 (30%) were ruptured globes and 43 (53.75%) were lacerations (31 penetrating injuries (38.75%), 6 IOFBs (7.5%), and 6 perforating injuries (7.5%)). Of the closed globe injuries, 3 had hyphema (3.75%), 5 had traumatic cataracts (6.25%), and 3 had vitreous hemorrhage with retinal detachment (3.75%). Forty-two patients (56%) presented within 24 hours, 28 patients (37.33%) presented between 24 hours and 1 week, and 5 patients (6.6%) presented after one week from the time of trauma. Seven eyes developed posttraumatic endophthalmitis (10% of open globe injuries). On leaving the hospital, 55 (68.75%) eyes had poor vision, 13 (16.25%) had moderate vision, and 12 (15%) had good vision. Conclusion. Children at a higher risk of trauma are males, >5 years, unsupervised, and involved in street activities. Immediate comprehensive primary management and secondary rehabilitation are mandatory in these cases.