Case Series: Novel Utilization of Rho-Kinase Inhibitor for the Treatment of Corneal Edema.

Abstract

PURPOSE:

To describe 3 cases of corneal clearance after the use of topical rho-kinase inhibitor, netarsudil, in the setting of endothelial cell dysfunction in comparison to one case without corneal clearance after the use of netarsudil.

METHODS:

Four patients presenting to a busy academic clinical corneal practice with visual complaints from corneal edema secondary to endothelial cell dysfunction were treated with topical netarsudil one drop daily in the affected eye.

RESULTS:

Corneal clearance was observed in 1) a case of peripheral corneal edema in the setting of iridocorneal endothelial syndrome after 4 weeks on netarsudil, 2) a case of corneal edema in the setting of early penetrating keratoplasty graft failure after 2-week use of netarsudil, and 3) a case of corneal edema in the setting of chronic penetrating keratoplasty graft failure after 4-week use of netarsudil. Corneal clearance was not observed in a case of corneal edema in the setting of pseudophakic bullous keratopathy from previous complicated intraocular lens exchange surgery with placement of an anterior chamber intraocular lens after the use of netarsudil for 12 weeks.

CONCLUSIONS:

Addition of topical rho-kinase inhibitor in the form of netarsudil can result in corneal clearance in a variety of certain cases of endothelial cell dysfunction, not previously documented in the literature.

• Authors: Emma Davies
• Journal: Cornea (Cornea) Vol. 40 Issue 1 Pg. 116-120 (Jan 2021) ISSN: 1536-4798 [Electronic] United States
• PMID: 33269892 (Publication Type: Case Reports, Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Benzoates
• Protein Kinase Inhibitors
• beta-Alanine
• rho-Associated Kinases
• netarsudil

Topics

• Aged
• Aged, 80 and over
• Benzoates (therapeutic use)
• Corneal Edema (drug therapy, etiology)
• Corneal Endothelial Cell Loss (complications)
• Corneal Pachymetry
• Corneal Topography
• Endothelium, Corneal (pathology)
• Female
• Humans
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Protein Kinase Inhibitors (therapeutic use)
• Retrospective Studies
• beta-Alanine (analogs & derivatives, therapeutic use)
• rho-Associated Kinases (antagonists & inhibitors)