Purpose
To determine whether there is a correlation between the clinicals characteristics including various types of keratic precipitates and the copy numbers of the DNA of cytomegalovirus (CMV) in eyes with CMV corneal endotheliitis.
Methods
We reviewed the medical charts of four cases of corneal endotheliitis that were CMV-positive. We have classified types of clinical phenomenon into four types: coin-shaped KPs, sectoral corneal edema with or without Khodadoust line-like KPs, mutton-fat KPs, and fine KPs and have graded their severity. We also determined the copy numbers of the DNA of CMV in the aqueous humor by real-time polymerase chain reaction before and during the treatment. We evaluated the correlation between the patterns of clinical characteristics and copy number of the DNA of CMV.
Results
There were clinical improvements in all eyes following topical ganciclovir in conjunction with low dose of topical steroid treatment, with or without oral valganciclovir. The clinical characteristics and the copy numbers of the DNA of CMV varied during the treatment period. The presence of coin-shaped KPs was correlated with high copy numbers (105–103 copies/ml) of the DNA of CMV. The copy numbers of the DNA of CMV with sectoral corneal edema with or without Khodadoust line-like KPs ranged from 104 to 102 copies/ml, and it was occasionally accompanied by high intraocular pressure. Mutton-fat KPs were observed inferiorly, sometimes together with coin-shaped KPs and sectoral corneal edema, or solely. The copy numbers in eyes with mutton-fat KPs varied and occasionally less than the cutoff level. Fine-pigmented KPs were observed after the resolution of the endotheliitis, and no DNA of CMV was detected in the aqueous humor.
Conclusions
Careful observations of the clinical characteristics such as the KPs and corneal edema might be helpful in estimating the amount of the DNA of CMV in eyes with corneal endotheliitis.
Purpose: To evaluate effects of the EX-PRESS ® glaucoma filtering device on the corneal endothelial cell density (ECD) in eyes with open angle glaucoma (OAG).Designs: A prospective, non-comparative study. Methods: We prospectively evaluated the changes in the ECD, hexagonality, and coefficient of variation (CV) in 20 eyes of 19 patients who had an implantation of the EX-PRESS ® . The type of glaucoma was exfoliation glaucoma in 6 eyes, uveitic glaucoma in 5 eyes, secondary glaucoma following vitrectomy in 4 eyes, primary OAG in 3 eyes, and neovascularization glaucoma in 2 eyes. Corneal specular microscopy was performed at the central cornea before, 1, and 2 years after the EX-PRESS ® implantation. Results: The mean ECD was 2008 cells/mm 2 before the surgery, 1956 cells/mm 2 at 1 year, and 1846 cells/mm 2 at 2 years after the surgery which represent a decrease of 5.0% at 1 year and a further decrease of 9.4% at 2 years. The decrease in the ECD from baseline to 1 year was not statistically significant, however the decreases from the baseline to 2 years (P<.0001) and from 1 year to 2 years (P=.0001) were significant. There was a significant change in the CV between the baseline and 1 year (P=0.03), and the change between baseline and 2 years was close to a statistically significant difference (P=0.07). There was no significant change in hexagonality during the 2 years. Two eyes with low preoperative ECD had a marked decrease in the ECD at 2 years. Conclusions: There is a slow decrease in the ECD after the EX-PRESS ® implantation.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.