hirano koji

Purpose: In clinical practice we sometimes encounter patients with severe corneal ulcers who have been treated with topical corticosteroids. This study reviewed the clinical features and visual outcomes of these patients and investigated the background of the prescription of topical corticosteroids. Patients and Methods: The medical records of patients who visited the Cornea Service at Fujita Health University Bantane Hospital and were treated for infectious keratitis from April 2016 to March 2020 were retrospectively reviewed. Patients treated with topical corticosteroids before a culture-proven diagnosis were studied in terms of demographics, best-corrected visual acuity at arrival and at last visit, the clinical course after visit, ocular history, and combination therapy by the previous ophthalmologist. Results: Out of the 200 eyes of 197 patients with infectious keratitis, 14 eyes of 14 patients were treated with topical corticosteroids before a culture-proven diagnosis. All 14 patients were referred, as they had severe keratitis that could not be cured with topical antibiotics and corticosteroids. Based on the culture results, we diagnosed Acanthamoeba keratitis (AK) in six patients, fungal keratitis (FK) in two patients, bacterial keratitis (including a suspected case) in two patients, and unknown cause in four patients. Two patients with AK, FK, and unknown keratitis had unfortunate clinical courses and poor visual outcomes. From the information in the referral letters, at least six of the 14 patients were treated with either acyclovir ocular ointment or valaciclovir tablets, along with topical corticosteroids. Conclusion: Application of topical corticosteroids for keratitis that does not respond to empirical antibiotic therapy is harmful since AK or FK is likely involved in these topical antibiotic-resistant cases. Microbiological evidence, as well as a differential diagnosis of herpetic stromal keratitis, is needed when prescribing topical corticosteroid for the treatment of suspected infectious keratitis.

We describe the histological changes in the collagen fibers of a 50-year-old male who presented keratoconus with secondary corneal amyloidosis. Corneal tissue from the patient was obtained following a penetrating keratoplasty and was subjected to histochemical analysis using Masson's trichrome staining, Congo red staining, anti-lactoferrin antibody, and anti-transforming growth factor-beta-induced protein (TGFBIp) antibody. A Congo red-positive region was detected in the anterior half of the stroma in the center and inferior cornea. Although hemotoxylin and eosin staining revealed irregularity in the Congo red-positive region, other parts of the stroma did not show any abnormalities. Positive staining both by anti-TGFBIp and anti-lactoferrin antibodies was observed in the Congo red-positive region. Interestingly, all the layers of the corneal stroma, including the peripheral region, were positively stained by anti-TFGBIp antibody, even in the Congo red-negative area. Masson's trichrome staining also showed irregular staining throughout the corneal stroma, even outside of the Congo red-positive region. Additionally, Bowman's layer, which consists of collagen type IV, was damaged. TGFBIp was strongly expressed and Masson's trichrome staining was reduced throughout the entire keratoconic stroma. The constant qualitative changes in keratoconic collagen fibers, along with the observed abnormality in the Bowman's membrane, might point to the pathogenesis of secondary corneal amyloidosis in keratoconus.

Background: Deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty (DALK) is indicated to correct high astigmatism in patients with keratoconus (KC) and no evidence of Descemet's membrane rupture. However, some patients with KC experience graft rejection-like inflammatory reactions within 2 months (usually in the first week) after DALK. The aim of this study was to identify the characteristics and influencing factors of these reactions by reviewing the records of patients who underwent DALK or penetrating keratoplasty (PKP) for KC or other corneal problems. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of patients who underwent DALK for KC (DALK/KC), PKP for KC (PKP/KC), or DALK for other corneal problems (DALK/non-KC) at Ban Buntane Hotokukai Hospital between January 2006 and December 2015 and who were followed for more than 1 year. We collected data on the characteristics and incidence of severe inflammatory graft reactions in the early postoperative phase (ie, within 2 months after keratoplasty) and visual outcomes after these inflammatory reactions. Results: Postoperative inflammatory reactions characterized by persistent epithelial defects, loose suture with infiltration, and vessel invasion occurred in seven of eleven DALK/KC patients, three of 50 DALK/non-KC patients, and none of five PKP/KC patients. These reactions were nonresponsive to topical steroids, and suture removal was required. Although a clear corneal graft in the pupillary area was obtained and best-corrected visual acuity was good after the resolution of inflammation, a risk of corneal astigmatism remained. Conclusion: The incidence of these reactions in the early postoperative period is high after DALK for KC. These reactions do not respond well to topical steroids, and suture removal may be required, which may cause high astigmatism after the inflammation subsides. Lamellar keratoplasty should be considered carefully for patients with KC.

PURPOSE: Leukoplakia is the term given to a white patch or plaque that is found mainly on the oral mucus membrane. It can occasionally be seen on the corneal surface. We report our clinical and histopathological findings in a case of unilateral corneal leukoplakia. METHODS: A 26-year-old woman was referred to our hospital because of a white patch on her right cornea that continued to expand. She first noticed the white patch when she was 20 years old, and the white patch had expanded to cover the pupillary area affecting her vision. After plastic surgery on both eyelids for bilateral entropion to alleviate the pain caused by the eyelashes rubbing the cornea, the white corneal patch decreased in size. Because of this reduction, we performed surgery to remove the patch with microforceps under topical anesthesia. The plaque was removed easily and completely, and submitted for histopathological examination. RESULTS: Histopathological examination showed that the specimen had characteristics of epidermis with a basal cell layer, spinous cell layer, granular cell layer, and horny layer with hyperkeratosis. She was diagnosed with leukoplakia of the corneal surface. The basic structure of the squamous cell layer was preserved, and there were no signs of metaplasia. Six months after the removal of the leukoplakia, no recurrence was seen and her corrected decimal visual acuity recovered to 1.0. CONCLUSION: Our case of unilateral corneal leukoplakia without limbal involvement was most likely caused by chronic irritation of the cornea by the eyelashes. Although it was totally removed with good recovery of vision, we continue to follow the patient because of the potential of malignant transformation.

PURPOSE: To describe observations by ultrahigh-resolution optical coherence tomography (OCT) in a secondary corneal amyloidosis (SCA) patient with histological analysis of excised tissue. A unique finding under OCT of her fellow eye is also described. CASE: A 39-year-old female had suffered from trichiasis in both of her eyes for more than 30 years. Slit-lamp examination showed a milky-white soft mass on her left cornea and a linear opacity on the fellow cornea at the cilia-attached region. OCT demonstrated the presence of a mass region within a thin epithelial layer and no destruction of Bowman's layer in her left cornea. In the fellow cornea, which exhibited a linear opacity, a high-density spot in Bowman's layer was observed at the cilia-attached region covered by the epithelial layer, with normal thickness. Histological examination of the excised cornea showed that the mass was positive with both Congo red and antilactoferrin antibody. CONCLUSION: SCA, amyloid gradually accumulates above Bowman's layer, occupying the epithelial layer, with no destruction of Bowman's layer until the advanced stage. A high-density spot in Bowman's layer might be the first stage of SCA.