Background and Objective: Nearly 30 years have passed since limbal stem cell deficiency (LSCD) was first identified by pioneers and given clinical attention. LSCD remains a difficult disease to treat. It can potentially lead to blinding. At present, understanding of limbal stem cells (LSCs) has deepened and various treatment options for LSCD have been devised. The objective of this review is to summarize basic knowledge of LSCD and current treatment strategies.

Methods: PubMed search was performed to find studies published in English on LSCs and LSCD including original reports and reviews. Literatures published from 1989 to 2022 were reviewed.
Key Content and Findings: LSCs are enigmatic stem cells for which no specific marker has been discovered yet. Although LSCD is not difficult to diagnose, it is still challenging to treat. An important advancement in the treatment of LSCD is the provision of guidelines for selecting systematic surgical treatment according to the patient’s condition. It is also encouraging that stem cell technologies are being actively investigated for their potential usefulness in the treatment of LSCD.

Conclusions: Although various treatment options for LSCD have been developed, it should be kept in mind that the best chance of treatment for LSCD is in the early stage of the disease. Every effort should be made to preserve as many LSCs as possible in the early treatment of LSCD.

Background: Necrotising fasciitis (NF) is a rare but severe necrotising infection of the subcutaneous tissues. We report a case of periocular NF associated with a concurrent COVID-19 infection and explore potential mechanisms of pathogenesis of COVID-19 infection and necrotising superinfections.

Case Description: A 33-year-old previously healthy female presented with right-sided progressive periocular swelling, erythema, pain and fever, two days after sustaining a laceration to the right superolateral brow from a clenched fist. She had a concurrent COVID-19 infection, detected on nasopharyngeal polymerase chain reaction swab thirteen days prior to presentation and again at presentation. She did not have an oxygen requirement. There was a large bulbous collection of the right upper lid with fluctuance and overlying erythema, and a communicating sinus drained frank pus from the superolateral brow. Pre-operative T2-weighted MRI demonstrated fascial hyperintensity involving the pre-septal tissues and extending to the anterior temporal fossa. She was commenced on intravenous meropenem, clindamycin and vancomycin, and underwent early surgical debridement. Initial debridement demonstrated right upper lid necrosis involving the dermal and pre-septal layers, including the orbicularis, but sparing the tarsus. Streptococcus pyogenes was isolated, and she was continued on a prolonged course of intravenous antibiotic. Periocular defects were repaired with a right-sided brow adipo-fascial flap based on the supratrochlear artery, browpexy and dual full thickness skin grafts on the right upper lid and flap.

Conclusions: NF is an acute fulminant infection rarely affecting the periocular tissues. This represents a unique case of periocular NF associated with a concurrent COVID-19 infection.

Backgrounds: To assess changes in anterior segment biometry during accommodation using a swept source anterior segment optical coherence tomography (SS-OCT).

Methods: One hundred-forty participants were consecutively recruited in the current study. Each participant underwent SS-OCT scanning at 0 and ?3 diopter (D) accommodative stress after refractive compensation, and ocular parameters including anterior chamber depth (ACD), anterior and posterior lens curvature, lens thickness (LT) and lens diameter were recorded. Anterior segment length (ASL) was defined as ACD plus LT. Lens central point (LCP) was defined as ACD plus half of the LT. The accommodative response was calculated as changes in total optical power during accommodation.

Results: Compared to non-accommodative status, ACD (2.952±0.402 vs. 2.904±0.382 mm, P<0.001), anterior (10.771±1.801 vs. 10.086±1.571 mm, P<0.001) and posterior lens curvature (5.894±0.435 vs. 5.767±0.420 mm, P<0.001), lens diameter (9.829±0.338 vs. 9.695±0.358 mm, P<0.001) and LCP (4.925±0.274 vs. 4.900±0.259 mm, P=0.010) tended to decreased and LT thickened (9.829±0.338 vs. 9.695±0.358 mm, P<0.001), while ASL (6.903±0.279 vs. 6.898±0.268 mm, P=0.568) did not change significantly during accommodation. Younger age (β=0.029, 95% CI: 0.020 to 0.038, P<0.001) and larger anterior lens curvature (β=?0.071, 95% CI: ?0.138 to ?0.003, P=0.040) were associated with accommodation induced greater steeping amplitude of anterior lens curvature. The optical eye power at 0 and ?3 D accommodative stress was 62.486±2.284 and 63.274±2.290 D, respectively (P<0.001). Age was an independent factor of accommodative response (β=?0.027, 95% CI: ?0.038 to ?0.016, P<0.001).

Conclusions: During ?3 D accommodative stress, the anterior and posterior lens curvature steepened, followed by thickened LT, fronted LCP and shallowed ACD. The accommodative response of ?3 D stimulus is age-dependent.

Conjunctival flaps have previously proven to be effective in preserving the globe for individuals with severe ocular surface disease. Infectious keratitis, neurotrophic keratitis, nontraumatic corneal melts, descemetoceles, perforations, and corneal burns are all indications for this procedure. The flaps promote nutrition, metabolism, structure, and vascularity, as well as reduce pain, irritation, inflammation, and infection. Furthermore, patients avoid the emotional and psychological repercussions of enucleation or evisceration, while requiring fewer postoperative medications and office visits. Currently, fewer flaps are performed due to the emergence of additional therapeutic techniques, such as serum tears, bandage lenses, corneal grafting, Oxervate, amniotic membrane, and umbilical cord grafting. However, despite newer conservative medical methods, conjunctival flaps have been demonstrated to be useful and advantageous. Moreover, future technologies and approaches for globe preservation and sight restoration after prior conjunctival flaps are anticipated. Herein, we review the history, advantages, and disadvantages of various surgical techniques: Gundersen’s bipedicle flap, partial limbal advancement flap, selective pedunculated conjunctival flap with or without Tenon’s capsule, and Mekonnen’s modified inferior palpebral-bulbar conjunctival flap. The surgical pearls and recommendations offered by the innovators are also reviewed, including restrictions and potential complications. Procedures for visual rehabilitation in selective cases after conjunctival flap are reviewed as well.

Background: Femtosecond laser astigmatic keratotomy (FSAK) and toric intraocular lens (IOL) implantation have been studied individually for comparison to treat astigmatism at cataract surgery. We report a case of surgically induced high corneal astigmatism by laser thermal keratoplasty (LTK) in a patient with cataract who was successfully treated with simultaneous combination of FSAK and toric IOL implantation with femtosecond laser-assisted cataract surgery (FLACS). This is the first report of both procedures combined simultaneously, with or without history of LTK.

Case Description: A 68-year-old male presented with a history of LTK with two enhancements each eye in 2004, with subsequent surgically induced high corneal astigmatism, and with age-related nuclear cataract of both eyes. IOL master demonstrated +7.71 diopters of astigmatism at 163 degree right eye and +3.29 diopters of astigmatism at 4 degree left eye. After extensive discussion of the risks and benefits, the patient agreed to undergo FLACS with FSAK with two 61 degrees of relaxation incisions (RIs) and toric IOL (Alcon SN6AT9) right eye; FLACS with toric IOL (Alcon SN6AT7) alone left eye. At 2-year follow-up, uncorrected visual acuity was 20/30 right eye, 20/25 left eye. His best corrected visual acuity was 20/25 (+0.25 +1.00 axis 21) right eye and 20/20 (plano +0.25 axis 90) left eye; his best corrected near visual acuity was J1+ with add +2.50 diopters right eye and left eye.

Conclusions: Patients with age-related cataract and LTK induced high corneal astigmatism can hardly be sufficiently treated with FSAK or toric IOL alone at the time of cataract surgery. An effective way is to combine large FSAK and toric IOL of the highest cylindrical power of T9, in our case, simultaneously, which can achieve an excellent long term visual outcome.

A blepharoplasty flap has been previously reported as a useful reconstruction approach for anterior lamellar defects lying between the lash line and the eyelid crease. We herein describe a variation of the blepharoplasty flap and suggest its use as an adjunct in the reconstruction of full-thickness lateral upper eyelid defects. Technique description and retrospective interventional case series. The reconstruction technique was used by an experienced oculoplastics surgeon (ASL) in 3 adults with malignant lesions involving the lateral upper eyelid margin, resulting in a post-excision 50% full-thickness defect between November 2017 and June 2020. The posterior lamella was reconstructed using an ipsilateral free tarsal graft and an inferiorly hinged transposition periosteal flap. The anterior lamella reconstruction was then performed using a local advancement flap utilizing the principles of upper blepharoplasty and Burow’s triangle. Almost full eyelid excursion and full gentle closure were evident at 1–2 weeks follow-up in all three cases. One case later developed 1–2 mm of gentle closure lagophthalmos and was managed successfully with topical lubricants. In all patients, the final eyelid contour and symmetry were adequate, with only minimal scarring, evident already 3 to 4 months postoperative. There were no major complications or need for revisions. The technique described herein highlights the utility of the blepharoplasty flap for lateral, full-thickness upper eyelid defects. This logical variation enables the reconstruction of significant defects using only local tissue, obeying the “like with like” principle, and helps avoid the need for a bridging flap. We provide preliminary evidence of the potential of a good cosmetic outcome of upper lid appearance and contour, together with a fast recovery of appropriate eyelid function.

Abstract: To report a palliative and alternative surgical procedure, allogeneic sclera graft combined with autologous conjunctival flap (ASGACF), employing to repair the large emergent corneal perforation. The detail protocol of the surgical procedure was characterized and four representative cases were reviewed. An allogeneic sclera graft and recipient bed were prepared as the traditional penetrating keratoplasty (PK). And then sutured the sclera graft to the bed with 10-0 nylon suture and covered with a pedicled autologous conjunctival flap in half size. In the follow-up, the ASGACF repaired all of the corneal perforations and restored the integral walls of eyeballs, in spite of one who underwent a second surgery. This surgical procedure provided a palliative method to repair the large emergent corneal perforation while there is the lack of a corneal graft.

Background: To assess the safety and efficacy of supracapsular implantation with optic capture of the posterior chamber intraocular lens in Chinese children with aphakic after traumatic cataract.

Methods: It was a retrospective case series study. Fifteen cases (15 eyes) Chinese children received supracapsular implantation with optic capture of the posterior chamber intraocular lens. Pre- and post-operative visual acuities were recorded. Intra- and post-operative complications were observed. The follow-up period ranged from 7 to 43 (28.7±7.2) months.

Results: Implantation of optic capture of the posterior chamber intraocular lens was successfully performed in 15 eyes. The best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) ranged from 0.3 to 1.0 (0.61±0.19). No optic axis opaque was found in 15 eyes with optic capture. The major complications of optic capture were iris posterior synechia and intraocular lens (IOL) precipitates. Intraocular dislocation was found in one case three weeks after the operation.

Conclusions: Supracapsular implantation with optic capture of the posterior chamber intraocular lens is safe and effective for the treatment of traumatic cataract in Chinese children.