Microscope-Integrated Optical Coherence Tomography-Guided Rapid Resolution of Acute Hydrops

Abstract

An 18-year-old boy presented with blurred visual acuity in the left eye for three days associated with mild pain and photophobia. On examination, he had diffuse corneal stromal edema. Anterior segment optical coherence tomography (AS-OCT) revealed stromal edema with a large hypodense fluid pocket in the posterior stroma. A diagnosis of acute hydrops with an intrastromal cleft in the left eye was made, and he was planned for intracameral gas injection. Intraoperatively, microscope-integrated OCT (Mi-OCT)-guided intracameral isoexpansile sulphur hexafluoride(SF6) was injected ensuring an 80% fill of the anterior chamber. Mi-OCT-assisted venting incision with drainage of stromal fluid clefts was done. On the first postoperative day, the fluid pocket and stromal edema resolved completely. At six weeks' follow-up, the central cornea remained clear with the formation of a paracentral scar. Thus, intracameral gas combined with stromal cleft drainage appears to be a highly effective management option for acute hydrops with a single large stromal fluid cleft. Intraoperative OCT (Mi-OCT) can guide real-time drainage of intrastromal fluid clefts, facilitating the closure of focal Descemet's membrane (DM) defects and enabling early visual rehabilitation, as demonstrated in this case as early as one-day postprocedure.