Deep lamellar keratoplasty provides a safer and successful alternative to penetrating keratoplasty for keratoconus patients but remains a challenging procedure. Endothelial graft rejection is absent after DALKP. However, stromal graft rejection, although very rare, does occur.

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Amniotic tissue prepared in a commercial laboratory or by properly qualified eye bank personnel may be used for AMT in eyes with persistent corneal epithelial defects with minimal risk of microbial keratitis in the first postoperative month.

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Decreased endothelial cell density is uncommon after resolution of acute hydrops, although morphologic changes may be present in a majority of cases.

Background Professionalism is hard to quantify but essential in medical practice. We present a survey tool for ophthalmologists that assessed professionalism using case-based scenarios in central Saudi Arabia. Methods Ophthalmologists (resident, fellows and consultants) participated in a web-based survey in 2015. Out of 44 attributes related to professionalism, experts selected 32 attributes with validity indices of ≥0.80. To evaluate these attributes, 51 scenario-based questions were developed and included in the survey. For each attribute, participants were given choices of close ended responses: unacceptable (1), probably unacceptable (2), acceptable (3), probably acceptable (4). The attribute score was compared to the gold standard (responses of an expert group). An attribute score was generated and compared among subgroups. Results Of the 155 ophthalmologists, responses of 147 ophthalmologists who completed more than 50% of questions were reviewed. Their mean attribute score was 84.1 ± 10.1 (Median 87.1; 25% quartile 78.1; minimum 50; and maximum 100). The variation in attribute score among consultants, fellows and resident ophthalmologists was significant (P = 0.008). The variation of attribute score by groups of attributes was also significant (P < 0.05). The score for ‘Personal characteristics’ was on a lower scale compared to that of other attribute groups. The variation in the scores for attribute groups; ‘Personal characteristics attribute’ group (p < 0.01) and ‘Workplace practices & relationship’ group (P = 0.03) for consultants, fellows and residents were significant. Conclusions Professionalism among ophthalmologists and those in training was high and influenced by years of experience. The survey tool appeared to show differences in responses to specific professional attribute groups between trainees and consultants. Additional studies with a larger sample size might be helpful in validating the survey as a tool to be used to assess professionalism in graduate medical education in ophthalmology.

Background:We present the incidence and determinants of endophthalmitis between July 2010 and June 2012 at King Khaled Eye Specialist Hospital, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. On its basis, we recommended recommendations to strengthen the infection prevention and control strategies.Methods:This is a retrospective review of health records type of study. The details of cases reported having endophthalmitis among those operated in 2 years of study period were studied. The incidence of endophthalmitis was calculated for different eye surgeries and epidemiological variables. The causative organisms in vitreous tap were reviewed. The visual outcomes 6 weeks following intervention/treatment of endophthalmmitis were also studied.Results:Of the 22,554 cases operated, 17 developed endophthalmitis. The incidence was 0.08% (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.04–0.11). The incidence of endophthlamitis among cataract surgeries was 0.12% (95% CI 0.04–0.21). Five specimens did not show any bacteria or fungus. Staphylococcus epidermis (3 cases) was the main pathogen identified. In 8 (47%) eyes, vision deteriorated in spite of treatment. In 5 (29%) eyes, it became stable and in 4 (23.5%) eyes, it improved following treatment. Signs of infection were noted in 1st week, 3 weeks and 12 weeks in 4, 6 and 5 eyes respectively. Late presentation of infection (6 months postoperatively) was reported in two eyes.Conclusions:A vigilant infection control unit in a large eye hospital helps in monitoring endophthalmitis related catastrophes and suggests timely preventive measures to reduce the occurrence and appropriate measures to limit visual disabilities following eye surgery related endophthalmitis.

PURPOSE:To compare the efficacy of the olive tipped (OT) cannula to the conventional Steven's cannula for sub-Tenon block (STB) before cataract surgery.METHODS:This prospective, randomized, double-masked compared STB delivered in cataract surgery patients with an OT cannula or a conventional Steven's cannula (ST). Outcome variables included the akinesia score and lid movement scores at 5 and 10 min. The patient perception of pain during delivery of the STB and surgery were also compared between groups. Surgeon satisfaction with anesthesia was compared between groups. P <0.05 was statistically significant.RESULTS:There were sixty patients in each group. The age between groups was not statistically different (P = 0.4). The body mass index was higher in the ST group compared to the OT group (P < 0.001). The akinesia score at 5 and 10 min did not differ between groups (P = 0.07 and P = 0.6, respectively). The patient perception of pain during STB and surgery were similar between groups (P = 0.1 and P = 0.06, respectively). There were six patients with mild chemosis and redness in the OT group and 15 patients in the ST group.CONCLUSION:An OT cannula is equally effective as the conventional Steven's cannula for delivering STB anesthesia before cataract surgery.