Hard graft at the 2023 ANZ Cornea Society meeting

Interesting new techniques with corneal graft involvement were also covered by Dr David Gunn, a corneal and refractive specialist in Brisbane. He described corneal allogenic intrastromal ring segments (CAIRS) for keratoconus, which replace intracorneal ring segments (ICRS) by using ring implants from corneal donor tissue instead of keraring implants. A case series showed promising results, he said, with only one patient requiring further laser eye surgery for refractive correction. The benefits of donor tissue over keraring implant include biocompatibility, stability with reduced migration and minimal risk of extrusion, plus greater customisation for patients.

Dunedin-trained Dr Hong Sheng Chiong, a senior anterior segment fellow at Sydney Eye Hospital Foundation and co-founder of oDocs, shared his experience of patch endothelial keratoplasty for corneal perforations. The technique involves introducing a smaller circular endothelial graft via the anterior chamber and covering the perforation internally, through a larger corneal paracentesis. Good results have been achieved so far, which his group is hoping to publish. Our very own Dr Kim then talked about the management of endothelial graft dehiscence, with one corneal consultant adding endothelial glue to the mix.

This year’s Douglas J Coster lecture was given by the University of Sydney’s Professor Gerard Sutton, while Professor Graham Barrett, from the University of Western Australia and Lions Eye Institute, delivered the John Blandford lecture. Prof Sutton used the opportunity to update us on the BIENCO (BIo ENgineered COrnea) consortium’s solution, which is awaiting the results of a further grant application to progress to the next stage of development – our fingers are crossed! Prof Barrett discussed his Barrett Universal II and Barrett True K formulae in cataract surgery.

This was my first Cornea Society and Eye Bank Meeting and I found it incredibly informative. It was special to be among a pioneering group of surgeons aiming to eliminate blindness and it made me really appreciate the hard work that goes into managing an eye bank and the difficulties of tissue donation and supply. New Zealand relies heavily on overseas corneal donations, so if we take one thing away from this conference, it would be to promote eye tissue donation in our clinics – even a poster to prompt a conversation with a patient could make a world of difference.

Dr Lize Angelo is an HRC clinical research fellow in the University of Auckland’s ophthalmology department, headed by Professor Charles McGhee. She’s pursuing a PhD in diagnosing and treating keratoconus, including aspects of equity of access to services in Aotearoa.