Purpose To quantify the changes of subbasal nerve plexus in patients with limbal stem cell deficiency (LSCD) using in vivo laser scanning confocal microscopy. Design: Retrospective cross-sectional comparative study Methods Confocal images of 51 eyes of 37 patients with LSCD collected between 2010 and 2015 by the Heidelberg Retina Tomograph III Rostock Corneal Module Confocal Microscope. Two independent observers evaluated the scans of the central cornea. Seventeen normal eyes of 13 patients served as controls. Total subbasal nerve density (SND), density of long nerves (i.e., nerves 200 μm or longer) and the degree of tortuosity were quantified. Results The mean (± SD) total SND and long nerve density were 48.0 ± 34.2 nerves/mm2 and 9.7 ± 10.9 nerves/mm2, respectively, in all eyes with LSCD and 97.3 ± 29.9 nerves/mm2 and 35.3 ± 25.3 nerves/mm2, respectively, in eyes of the control group (P<0.001 for both comparisons). Compared with SND in control subjects, SND was reduced by 34.9% in the early stage, 54.0% in the intermediate stage, and 73.5% in the late stage of LSCD. The degrees of nerve tortuosity were significantly greater in patients with LSCD than in control subjects and differed among the early, intermediate, and late stages of LSCD. Reductions in total SND and long nerve density were positively correlated with the severity of LSCD. Conclusions Reductions in total SND and long nerve density were accompanied by increases in nerve tortuosity in eyes with LSCD. These parameters could be used as quantifiable measures of LSCD severity.

Purpose: To grade the severity of limbal stem cell deficiency (LSCD) based on the extent of clinical presentation and central cornea basal epithelial cell density (BCD). Methods: This is a retrospective observational case-control study of forty-eight eyes of 35 patients with LSCD and 9 eyes of 7 normal subjects were included. Confocal images of the central cornea were acquired. A clinical scoring system was created based on the extent of limbal and corneal surface involvement. LSCD was graded as mild, moderate, and severe stages based on the clinical scores. The degree of BCD reduction was given a score of 0 to 3. Results: Compared with BCD in control eyes, BCD decreased by 23.0%, 40.4%, and 69.5% in the mild, moderate and severe stages of LSCD classified by the clinical scoring system, respectively. The degree of BCD reduction was positively correlated with larger limbal and corneal surface involvement, and when the central visual axis was affected (all p≤0.0005). The mean CDVA LogMAR was 0.0±0.0 in control eyes, 0.2±0.5 in mild LSCD, 0.6±0.4 in moderate LSCD, and 1.6±1.1 in severe LSCD (p<0.0001). There was a significant correlation between a higher clinical score and CDVA LogMAR (rho = 0.82; p<0.0001) and a greater decrease of BCD (rho = −0.78; p<0.0001). Conclusion: A clinical scoring system was developed to assess the extent of clinical presentation of LSCD. A classification system to grade the severity of LSCD can be established by combining the BCD score with the clinical score.

ERED associated with a COL17A1 mutation has been previously reported in only 6 families, all white. Identification of the c.3156C>T mutation, previously identified in 5 of these 6 families, in the Thai family we report indicates conservation of the genetic basis of ERED across different races and underscores the importance of ophthalmologists around the globe being familiar with ERED, which has only recently become a recognized corneal dystrophy.

PurposeTo evaluate the postoperative refraction of intended undercorrection after intraocular lens (IOL) implantation in pediatric cataract patients.DesignA cross-sectional study (data collected by retrospective chart review).Patients and methodsThe medical records of children aged under 10 years, who underwent cataract surgery with IOL implantation at the Ramathibodi Hospital between January 2000 and May 2018, were reviewed. IOL power calculations were 30%, 25%, 20%, 15% and 10% under-corrected if children were aged 6–12, 13–24, 25–36, 37–48 and 49–60 months, respectively. Two diopters (D) undercorrection was used in children aged between 5 and 8 years and one diopter undercorrection was used in children aged between 8 and 10 years. The main outcome measure was the postoperative refractive errors at the last follow-up visit.ResultsIn total, 50 children (21 females and 29 males, 16 unilateral and 34 bilateral, 84 eyes) met the inclusion criteria for this study. Mean age at the time of surgery was 77.82±31.24 months. Mean follow-up time was 56.56±45.83 months. The main outcome in this study was the postoperative refractive error in children aged 7 years or more. We found 74 eyes of 44 children who were aged 7 years or more at last follow-up visit. In total, 45 eyes were myopic (−0.25 to −8.25 D) with a mean refraction of −2.26±2.16 D. A further 21 eyes were hyperopic (+0.25 to +3.25 D), with a mean refraction of +1.05±0.79 D and eight eyes were emmetropic or having only astigmatism.ConclusionThe major postoperative refractive error at the last follow-up time was myopia. We have to adjust the IOL calculation formula to specify more undercorrection, with the aim of achieving more optimal refractive outcomes in adulthood.