The influence of corneal tunnel length on surgically induced astigmatism after various types of microincision phacoemulsification.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the influence of the corneal tunnel length on surgically induced astigmatism (SIA) after 3 phacoemulsification techniques. METHODS: Patients who underwent a planned phacoemulsification surgery with an implantation of a foldable, acrylic IOL were selected for the study. All surgeries were performed under topical anaesthesia, with the same phaco machine. Group I consisted of 30 eyes of 30 patients after bimanual 1.4 mm microincision cataract surgery (B-MICS). Group II consisted of 30 eyes of 30 patients after coaxial 1.8 mm microincision cataract surgery (C-MICS). Group III consisted of 30 eyes of 30 patients after coaxial 2.4 mm small incision cataract surgery (C-SICS).Best corrected visual acuity, autorefractometry, tonometry, a slit lamp examination and anterior segment OCT were performed preoperatively and 1, 7, 30 and 90 days postoperatively. The temporal peripheral corneal thickness and the chord length of the main incision were measured. Vector method was used to calculate SIA. RESULTS: Mean preoperative BCVA was 0.52 ± 0.19 and it improved to 0.98 ± 0.05 (p < 0.05). Mean corneal tunnel chord length was 1.30 ± 0.16 mm 90 days postoperatively in group I, 1.30 ± 0.19 mm in group II and 1.48 ± 0.22 mm in group III. SIA was 0.54 ± 0.48 mm in group I, 0.45 ± 0.21 mm in group II and 0.62 ± 0.30 mm in group III. There were no correlations between the chord length of the corneal tunnel and SIA calculated with using vector analysis method. CONCLUSIONS: Unlike the incision width, the length of the clear corneal tunnel in small incisions and microinicions, has no significant influence on SIA.

Pupil diameter during cataract surgery after intracameral injection of the first ready-to-use combination of mydriatics and anaesthetic at the beginning of surgery in patients with a preoperative pupil diameter <6 mm.

PURPOSE: We evaluated, in a real-life setting, the effect of Mydrane® (ready-to-use combination of tropicamide, phenylephrine hydrochloride and lidocaine, injected into the anterior chamber at the beginning of cataract surgery to induce mydriasis and intraocular anaesthesia) on the pupil diameter during cataract surgery in patients with a preoperative pupil diameter <6 mm after the use of topical mydriatics. METHODS: We collected and analysed the data of 59 consecutive patients whose pupils dilated to a diameter <6 mm after the administration of mydriatic eye drops during the preoperative visit and who received Mydrane® during cataract surgery. RESULTS: In the group of 59 patients with a preoperative pupil diameter <6 mm after topical mydriatics, cataract surgery was performed in 36 patients (61.0%) using only Mydrane® to obtain mydriasis, with no additional drug or medical device. The mean pupil diameters in this group (36 of 59) during the preoperative assessment after topical mydriatics and just before capsulorhexis when Mydrane® was injected during surgery were 5.1 ± 0.74 and 6.15 ± 1.14 mm. Additional drugs were used in 23 patients (39%). In this group, the mean pupil diameters after topical mydriatics and just before capsulorhexis using Mydrane® were 4.58 ± 1.06 and 5.6 ± 1.26 mm, respectively. CONCLUSION: In a real-life setting, the mean pupil diameter achieved during cataract surgery after the intracameral injection of Mydrane® in patients with a preoperative pupil diameter <6 mm was over 1 mm larger than the mean pupil diameter after topical mydriatics, despite the trauma caused by the operation.

Dry eye in Sjögren's syndrome - characteristics and therapy.

BACKGROUND: Sjögren's syndrome is an autoimmune disease, and its important feature is the lymphocyte infiltration of exocrine glands, including lacrimal glands. It contributes to defects of their activity and causes that one of the main manifestation of Sjögren's syndrome is dry eye. Unfortunately, the discrimination between dry eye related and non-related to Sjögren's syndrome is difficult at the initial stages of diseases. In addition, the available agents for the treatment of Sjögren's syndrome-related dry eye have limited efficacy. AIM: The purpose of this study was to describe and emphasize differences between Sjögren's Syndrome-related dry eye and non-Sjögren's Syndrome-related dry eye together with the determination of novel therapeutic options for Sjögren's Syndrome-related dry eye. METHOD: A review of the relevant papers describing characteristics of Sjögren's Syndrome-related dry eye and its therapy was conducted. This article is based on both pre-clinical and clinical evidences. RESULTS: On the basis of our analysis, we indicated differences between Sjögren's Syndrome-related dry eye and non-Sjögren's Syndrome-related dry eye. Moreover, there are some novel markers that could be used in the diagnosis of Sjögren's Syndrome-related dry eye. In addition, expect artificial tear, other agents e.g. hydroxychloroquine can be effective in therapy of disease. CONCLUSIONS: Sjögren's Syndrome-related dry eye is a disorder, whose diagnosis may be difficult and mistaken for non-Sjögren's Syndrome-related dry eye. However, Sjögren's Syndrome-related dry eye has some specific features. In addition, the development of newer and safer therapeutic agents for Sjögren's syndrome-related dry eye is needed, and therefore further clinical, randomized studies are necessary.

Optical Coherence Tomography in the Differential Diagnosis of Patients with Multiple Sclerosis and Patients with MRI Nonspecific White Matter Lesions.

In the differential diagnosis of nonspecific white matter lesions (NSWMLs) detected on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), multiple sclerosis (MS) should be taken into consideration. Optical coherence tomography (OCT) is a promising tool applied in the differential diagnostic process of MS. We tested whether OCT may be useful in distinguishing between MS and NSWMLs patients. In patients with MS (n = 41) and NSWMLs (n = 19), the following OCT parameters were measured: thickness of the peripapillary Retinal Nerve Fibre Layer (pRNFL) in superior, inferior, nasal, and temporal segments; thickness of the ganglion cell-inner plexiform layer (GCIPL); thickness of macular RNFL (mRNFL); and macular volume (MV). In MS patients, GCIPL was significantly lower than in NSWMLs patients (p = 0.024). Additionally, in MS patients, mRNFL was significantly lower than in NSWMLs patients (p = 0.030). The average segmental pRNFL and MV did not differ between MS and NSWMLs patients (p > 0.05). GCIPL and macular RNFL thinning significantly influenced the risk of MS (18.6% [95% CI 2.7%, 25.3%]; 27.4% [95% CI 4.5%, 62.3%]), and reduced GCIPL thickness appeared to be the best predictor of MS. We conclude that OCT may be helpful in the differential diagnosis of MS and NSWMLs patients in real-world settings.

Stable Mydriasis After Intracameral Injection of a Combination of Mydriatics and Anesthetic During Cataract Surgery: A Real-Life, Multicenter Study.

Purpose: To evaluate the effect of Mydrane (contains tropicamide, phenylephrine hydrochloride, and lidocaine hydrochloride) on time needed to induce mydriasis and mydriasis stability during cataract surgery. Methods: This was an observational, non-interventional, multicenter study of patients undergoing cataract surgery who received Mydrane for mydriasis and intraocular anesthesia. The study was conducted at seven ophthalmology departments at university hospitals in Poland. Patients admitted for cataract surgery within a 2-week period were asked to participate in the study. Patients whose pupils dilated to a diameter ≥6 mm after topical mydriatic administration during preoperative examinations were scheduled to receive Mydrane and included in the registry. No additional inclusion criteria were used. Patients' medical histories, examination results, and operative details were recorded. Pupil diameter was measured during surgery. Surgeons were asked to complete a Likert-based survey in parallel. Results: A total of 307 patients were enrolled. The mean pupil diameter was 7.0 ± 1.0 mm before capsulorhexis and 6.9 ± 1.2 mm before lens implementation. A pupil diameter ≥6 mm was achieved in 91.9% and 87.6% of patients before capsulorhexis and lens implantation, respectively. We asked 58 surgeons whether they agreed with the statement "Mydriasis was obtained in a short time after the administration of Mydrane"; the surgeons agreed with this statement after 92.2% (283/307) of surgeries. In addition, after 88.2% of surgeries, the surgeons agreed with the statement "Mydriasis was stable after the administration of Mydrane." Conclusions: Mydriasis was rapidly and stably obtained after Mydrane injection, as demonstrated by pupil diameter measurements during surgery and surgeons' feedback.

Contrast sensitivity assessment in primary open angle glaucoma and ocular hypertension.

INTRODUCTION: Contrast sensitivity assessment is an important additional examination, which enables the full insight into the patient's quality of vision, and early diagnosis of visual disturbances. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Forty six patients (92 eyes) with primary open angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension were enrolled in the study. The enrolment criteria were full or almost full visual acuity and the patients with visual field defects or any other ocular disease were excluded. Contrast sensitivity was assessed both under photopic and mesopic conditions (with and without glare) using the Functional Vision Analyzer separately for each eye. Furthermore, the retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thickness was measured using scanning laser polarimetry (GDx). RESULTS: Contrast sensitivity was significantly reduced under both mesopic and photopic conditions in patients with primary open angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension. CONCLUSIONS: Evaluation of contrast sensitivity is a valuable diagnostic test, which enables the assessment of visual dysfunction in patients with primary open angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension persisting despite good visual acuity.

The effect of corneal tunnel length in patients after standard phacoemulsification through a 2.75 mm incision on surgically induced astigmatism, corneal thickness and endothelial cell density.

PURPOSE: The purpose was to determine the effect of the corneal tunnel length in the 2.75 mm wide clear corneal incision, created during phacoemulsification on surgically induced astigmatism, central corneal thickness and corneal endothelial cell loss. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study comprised 27 eyes (27 patients) who underwent phacoemulsification through 2.75 mm temporal clear corneal incision. Patients were examined preoperatively, 1 day, 7 days and 1 month postoperatively. Exclusion criteria were: previous intraocular surgery, corneal disorders and previous ocular trauma. Best corrected distance visual acuity, keratometry, slit-lamp examination, anterior segment optical coherence tomography and corneal endothelial cell density measurement were performed. Surgically induced astigmatism was calculated with vector method. Statistical analysis was done using non-parametric tests: Wilcoxon test, Mann-Whitney U test and Spearmann correlation coefficient. RESULTS: Mean best-corrected distance visual acuity was 0.30±0.24 preoperatively and 0.94 ± 0.18 postoperatively (p<0.05). Mean corneal incision length 1 day postoperatively was 1.84±0.36 mm. Surgically induced astigmatism was 0.51 ± 0.41 D one month postoperatively. Clear corneal incision length and surgically induced astigmatism were positively correlated (p<0.05). Mean central corneal thickness was 0.51 ± 0.05mm preoperatively, 0.56± 0.09 mm one day and 0.51 ±0.05 mm one month postoperatively (p <0.05). Clear corneal incision length and central corneal thickness 30 days postoperatively were not corrdlated (p=0.27). Mean corneal endothelial cell density was 2483?417 cells/mm² preoperatively and 2325 ± 410 cells/mm² postoperatively. The difference was significant (p<0.05). Clear corneal incision length and corneal endothelial cell loss were not correlated (p>0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The results suggest that the length of the 2.75 mm clear corneal incision influences the surgically induced astigmatism, but it doesn't influence the central corneal thickness and corneal endothelial cell loss. Shorter clear corneal incisions induce smaller surgically induced astigmatism in comparison with longer incisions of the same width and localization. Unequivocal confirmation.of the influence of clear corneal incision length on surgically induced astigmatism requires further investigation on a larger group of patients. Using laser techniques could help, as it would enable to examine patients in groups with different predefined clear corneal incision lengths.

Treatment outcomes of pars plana vitrectomy in patients with Benson's disease.

Introduction: In Benson's disease (scintillatio albescens or asteroid hyalosis) slight, white condensations of phospholipids are seen in the vitreous. In advanced stages, the decrease of visual acuity or subjective discomfort of vision may follow due to floaters. The pars plana vitrectomy is the treatment of choice in these patients. Purpose: To evaluate surgical treatment outcomes in Bensons' disease. Material and methods: The research was carried out in a group of patients with Benson's disease, who had undergone 23G or 25G pars plana vitrectomy in 2012­2014. The evaluated data included: diagnosis, the pre- and postoperative best corrected visual acuity as well as the pre- and postoperative ocular ultrasound (B scans). The study group consisted of 7 patients (8 eyes), including 5 men and 2 women, at the age of 66 to 82 years (mean age of 74 years). Results: In 5 patients with concomitant cataract, combined procedures of phacoemulsification and pars plana vitrectomy were performed. In one patient, pars plana vitrectomy was done first followed by phacoemulsification with intraocular lens implantation at a later date. In two cases, only pars plana vitrectomy was performed. All patients were examined 7 days postoperatively and the follow up period ranged from 1 month to 1 year (mean follow up duration of 8 months). Visual acuity and subjective comfort of vision improved in all cases. Conclusions: Pars plana vitrectomy enables improvement of visual acuity and subjective comfort of vision in patients with Benson's disease. It was confirmed in both subgroups, i.e. in patients who underwent both pars plana vitrectomy and phacoemulsification with intraocular lens implantation, and those in whom only vitrectomy was performed

The opinion of the Expert Group of the Polish Society of Ophthalmology on using nepafenac in the prevention of postoperative macular edema after cataract surgery in diabetic patients.

Nepafenac is an innovative non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug used in ophthalmology for the prevention of macular edema after cataract surgery. Along with its anti-inflammatory effect, nepafenac has some unique properties which distinguish it from other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. It is a prodrug activated to amfenac after it penetrates through the corneal layers to the aqueous humour and the ciliary body. Having electrically neutral molecules of lipophilic properties, nepafenac does not accumulate in the cornea and does not cause its degeneration. Additionally, it quickly achieves higher concentrations in the aqueous humour as compared to other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Nepafenac shows high selectivity and activity against COX-2 isoform, the key enzyme implicated in inducing inflammation, which is the main cause of macular edema. Furthermore, nepafenac has the unique scleral and suprachoroidal distribution pathways. Finally, its effect on the intraocular pressure is none to negligible. Nepafenac treatment should be initiated prior to cataract surgery and continued long enough to reduce the risk of late-onset macular edema. The Expert Group of the Polish Society of Ophthalmology consider using nepafenac in the prevention of post­operative macular edema in diabetic patients undergoing cataract surgery as expedient and reasonable. The proposed optimum pre- and postoperative treatment regimen can be modified for individualised therapy.

Intraoperative floppy iris syndrome ­ epidemiology and clinical assessment.

Purpose: To assess the incidence, and to identify medications and clinical features associated with intraoperative floppy iris syndrome in patients undergoing cataract surgery. Material and methods: The non-randomized, observational, prospective study was performed in 616 eyes (610 patients) after cataract surgery to determine the incidence of intraoperative floppy iris syndrome and the medications associated with its higher prevalence. We used a slit lamp adapted optical coherence tomography to evaluate anterior segment of 155 eyes (154 patients), measuring pupil diameter before and after the use of mydriatics and assessing the pre-dilated iris thickness at the dilator and sphincter muscle region. Results: The overall incidence of intraoperative floppy iris syndrome was 4% (25/616 eyes). The highest prevalence of intraoperative floppy iris syndrome was shown in patients exposed to tamsulosin (39%). Pupil diameter in mm before and after mydriasis was significantly smaller in patients with intraoperative floppy iris syndrome as compared to the syndrome-free ones (pre-dilated ­ 1.85 ± 0.43 vs. 2.16 ± 0.37; p < 0.01; dilated ­ 5.04 ± 1.01 vs. 5.70 ± 0.87; p < 0.01). The thickness of the iris in sphincter muscle region in µm was similar in patients with and without intraoperative floppy iris syndrome (520.3 ± 76.1 vs. 520.6 ± 72.4; p > 0.05). Significantly thinner iris in dilator muscle region was found in patients with intraoperative floppy iris syndrome as compared to the syndrome-free ones (409.9 ± 55.7 vs. 448.6 ± 55.8; p < 0.05). The presence of intraoperative floppy iris syndrome was correlated with a higher risk of intraoperative complications. Conclusions: Patients with intraoperative floppy iris syndrome have decreased pupil diameter and a thinner iris in dilator muscle region. Slit lamp optical coherence tomography is a useful device to preoperatively detect clinical features associated with intraoperative floppy iris syndrome. These findings may warn the surgeon of potential intra-operative difficulties. Slowa kluczowe: zespól sródoperacyjnie wiotkiej teczówki (IFIS), epidemiologia, operacja zacmy, optyczna koherentna tomografia skojarzona z lampa szczelinowa (sl-OCT).