Among the promising treatment candidates include ALK-001, fenretinide, and A1120 as pharmacological agents to modulate the visual cycle, StarGen as a vector for supplementation of a functional ABCA4 gene, and stem-cell transplantation of hESC-RPE cells for regeneration of the retinal pigment epithelium. This study aims to systematically review and summarize evidence concerning the most up-to-date developments in pharmacologic, gene, and stem-cell therapies as novel therapeutic strategies to improve vision for patients with Stargardt disease.

Conventional glaucoma surgeries, such as trabeculectomy and glaucoma drainage device (GDD) surgery, have been enhanced by surgeons to improve outcome and decrease complications. Over the last two decades, adjuncts, such as collagen matrix implants, fibrin adhesives, and amniotic membrane transplantation (AMT) have been found to be effective in modulating fibrosis and scarring during the wound-healing process, reducing postoperative inflammation, and repairing bleb leakage or conjunctival erosion. The use of these tools provides several advantages when used in trabeculectomy, GDD surgery, and surface reconstruction associated with glaucoma surgery complications. Their use will be discussed in this review.How to cite this article: Lu LJ, Hall L, Liu J. Improving Glaucoma Surgical Outcomes with Adjunct Tools. J Curr Glaucoma Pract 2018;12(1):19-28.

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Purpose: To report 2 cases of herpes simplex virus (HSV) stromal keratitis with epithelial ulceration that were managed using optical coherence tomography–generated pachymetric and corneal epithelial thickness maps. Methods: Two patients with a history of HSV keratitis with nonhealing epithelial defects were referred to the Athens Vision Eye Institute. Anterior segment optical coherence tomography–generated pachymetric and corneal epithelial thickness maps showed subclinical stromal edema and irregular epithelium, thus indicating diagnoses of HSV stromal keratitis with epithelial ulceration. The patients were administered topical preservative-free dexamethasone and oral antiviral therapy. Steroid tapering was guided by pachymetric and corneal epithelial thickness maps at each follow-up visit. Results: Both patients experienced initial healing of the epithelium and resolution of stromal inflammation. One patient had a recurrence of HSV stromal keratitis with epithelial defect 3 months after initial improvement, with pachymetric and corneal epithelial thickness maps indicating subclinical stromal edema. He was reintroduced to topical steroid therapy, and the stromal edema and epithelial defect subsequently resolved. Both patients have had no recurrences in the past year. Conclusions: Pachymetric and corneal epithelial thickness maps provide an objective assessment of stromal inflammation and the following 2 clinical advantages in the management of HSV stromal keratitis with epithelial ulceration: (1) they help differentiate it from HSV epithelial keratitis with geographic ulceration and neurotrophic keratopathy and (2) offer objective measurements to guide management with topical corticosteroids until resolution of stromal edema. Thus, treatment can be initiated in a timely manner, and the blinding complications of HSV stromal keratitis can be avoided.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to report the clinical etiologies, microbial spectrum, antibiotic resistance, and visual acuity (VA) outcomes associated with acute endophthalmitis. Methods: A retrospective chart review of patients with International Classification of Diseases (ICD)-9 and ICD-10 codes for endophthalmitis over a 6-year period (2011-2016) at a tertiary referral center was performed. The clinical records were reviewed to evaluate clinical etiologies, microbial spectrum, antibiotic susceptibilities and resistance, and visual outcomes. Results: Medical records of 94 patients treated for culture-proven endophthalmitis were reviewed. The etiologies of endophthalmitis were exogenous in 68.8% of cases and endogenous in 31.2% of cases. The most common inciting factors for exogenous endophthalmitis were progression of corneal ulcer and postoperative infection after cataract extraction. The microbial spectrum of causative organisms was dominated by coagulasenegative Staphylococcus (30.9%), followed by Staphylococcus aureus (23.4%). The most frequent fungal isolates were Candida species. Antibiotic susceptibilities of gram-positive bacteria ranged from 96.7% for vancomycin to 28.8% for penicillin G. Antibiotic susceptibilities of gram-negative bacteria were overall very high, with >90% susceptibility among isolated culture samples. Final VA outcomes of 20/400 or better were reported in 62.5% of patients. Conclusions: The study demonstrates that the most frequent clinical etiology of endophthalmitis was exogenous due to progression of corneal ulcer and postoperative infection after cataract extraction. The spectrum of pathogens causing endophthalmitis is composed of mainly Gram-positive organisms (particularly coagulasenegative Staphylococcus). VA was improved in the majority of patients after treatment for endophthalmitis.