Browsing by Author "Rechichi, Miguel"

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    Ocular Surface Microbiota in Naïve Keratoconus : A Multicenter Validation Study
    (2023-10) Rocha-de-Lossada, Carlos; Mazzotta, Cosimo; Gabrielli, Federico; Papa, Filomena Tiziana; Gómez-Huertas, Carmen; García-López, Celia; Urbinati, Facundo; Rachwani-Anil, Rahul; García-Lorente, María; Sánchez-González, José María; Rechichi, Miguel; Rubegni, Giovanni; Borroni, Davide
    In the field of Ophthalmology, the mNGS 16S rRNA sequencing method of studying the microbiota and ocular microbiome is gaining more and more weight in the scientific community. This study aims to characterize the ocular microbiota of patients diagnosed with keratoconus who have not undergone any prior surgical treatment using the mNGS 16S rRNA sequencing method. Samples of naïve keratoconus patients were collected with an eNAT with 1 mL of Liquid Amies Medium (Copan Brescia, Italy), and DNA was extracted and analyzed with 16S NGS. The microbiota analysis showed a relative abundance of microorganisms at the phylum level in each sample collected from 38 patients with KC and 167 healthy controls. A comparison between healthy control and keratoconus samples identified two genera unique to keratoconus, Pelomonas and Ralstonia. Our findings suggest that alterations in the microbiota may play a role in the complex scenario of KC development.
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    Selective transepithelial ablation with simultaneous accelerated corneal crosslinking for corneal regularization of keratoconus : STARE-X protocol
    (2021-11-01) Rechichi, Miguel; Mazzotta, Cosimo; Oliverio, Giovanni William; Romano, Vito; Borroni, Davide; Ferrise, Marco; Bagaglia, Simone; Jacob, Soosan; Meduri, Alessandro; Department of Ophthalmology
    PURPOSE: To evaluate the changes in refractive outcomes and corneal aberrations in central and paracentral keratoconus after selective transepithelial topography-guided photorefractive keratectomy combined with accelerated corneal crosslinking (STARE-X). SETTINGS: Centro Polispecialistico Mediterraneo, Siena Crosslinking Center, and University of Messina, Italy. DESIGN: Prospective, interventional, multicentric study. METHODS: Patients were subdivided into 2 groups: Group 1 with cone located within the central 3 mm zone (50 eyes) and Group 2 (50 eyes) with cone located outside the central 3 mm zone. Follow-up was 2 years at least for all eyes. Outcome parameters included uncorrected distance visual acuity (UDVA) and corrected distance visual acuity (CDVA). Corneal tomography and corneal wavefront aberrations were assessed and compared before and 2 years after the treatment. RESULTS: 100 eyes of 100 patients underwent STARE-X protocol. At 2 years, UDVA and CDVA improved, and sphere, cylinder, and Kmax reduced after treatment in both groups (P < .001, respectively). Moreover, a statistically significant reduction was observed of total higher-order aberrations root main square (RMS), coma RMS, and spherical aberration RMS in both groups (P < .001, respectively). However, CDVA improved more in Group 1 than in Group 2 (P < .02). CONCLUSIONS: The STARE-X protocol demonstrated effective results in halting keratoconus progression and improving corneal regularity with a safe and effective profile. STARE-X improved both visual acuity and corneal aberration at 2 years. Longer follow-up studies are warranted to observe further long-term CXL flattening effect on the cone.
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    Tips, Tricks, and Guides in Descemet Membrane Endothelial Keratoplasty Learning Curve
    (2021) Borroni, Davide; Rocha De Lossada, Carlos; Parekh, Mohit; Gadhvi, Kunal; Bonzano, Chiara; Romano, Vito; Levis, Hannah J.; Tzamalis, Aris; Steger, Bernhard; Rechichi, Miguel; Rodriguez-Calvo-De-Mora, Marina; Department of Doctoral Studies
    Lamellar keratoplasty is fast becoming the most popular form of corneal transplantation. The adoption of Descemet membrane endothelial keratoplasty (DMEK) in the management of Fuchs endothelial dystrophy and pseudophakic bullous keratopathy is partly responsible for this shift in the paradigm of management of corneal pathology. The learning curve of DMEK, however, has been proven to be much steeper than previous endothelial keratoplasty procedures. To ease the procedure, experts have proposed multiple innovative techniques from tissue preparation to graft unfolding to aid the more novice surgeon. Here, we collate and share tips and tricks from our collective experiences to support the learning curve and outcomes in DMEK for both the novice and more experienced corneal transplant surgeons.