Refractive Astigmatism Outcomes of Femtosecond Laser-Assisted Arcuate Keratotomies Combined with Femtosecond Laser-Assisted Cataract Surgery: Two-Year Results.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the effectiveness and stability of refractive astigmatism reduction after penetrating femtosecond laser-assisted arcuate keratotomy performed at the time of femtosecond laser-assisted cataract surgery. METHODS: Non-randomized retrospective data analysis of all patients that underwent femtosecond laser-assisted cataract surgery with femtosecond laser-assisted arcuate keratotomy over a 4-year period with a non-toric monofocal intraocular lens (2017-2021) at a tertiary care academic center. Postoperative visual acuity, manifest refraction, and predicted residual refractive error were also recorded at 1 month, 3-6 months, 12-18 months, and 2 years postoperatively. Preoperative keratometric astigmatism was compared to postoperative refractive astigmatism using vector calculations and the ASCRS double-angle plot tool. RESULTS: This study comprised 266 eyes (179 patients) that met inclusion criteria. The mean preoperative keratometric astigmatism magnitude was 0.99 ± 0.53 D. At 1 month, 3-6 months, 12-18 months, and 2 years postoperatively, the mean refractive cylinder was 0.49 ± 0.45 D, 0.49 ± 0.45 D, 0.55 ± 0.54 D, and 0.52 ± 0.46 D, respectively. Horizontal against-the-rule astigmatism showed a higher tendency toward undercorrection than vertical with-the-rule astigmatism, which had a slightly higher tendency toward overcorrection. With-the-rule astigmatism had smaller difference vectors between target-induced astigmatism and surgically induced astigmatism. CONCLUSIONS: Femtosecond laser-assisted arcuate keratotomy performed at the time of femtosecond laser-assisted cataract surgery was an effective option for correcting low-to-moderate corneal astigmatism for up to 2 years.

Current trends in the management of corneal neovascularization.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: The aim of this study was to highlight recent developments in the medical and surgical management of corneal neovascularization (NV). RECENT FINDINGS: Improved understanding and diagnostic criteria among clinicians have led to advancements in the characterization of corneal NV and objective assessment of treatment response through ancillary imaging devices. Developments in corneal NV treatments, such as antivascular endothelial growth factor, fine needle diathermy, and photodynamic therapy, have improved treatment success rates and visual outcomes. More recent surgical treatment advancements include corneal cross-linking, endothelial keratoplasty, and mitomycin intravascular chemoembolization. Finally, a greater appreciation of the molecular pathogenesis and angiogenic factors involved in corneal NV has identified numerous potential targeted therapies in the future. SUMMARY: The management of corneal NV has evolved to include several standalone and combination medical and surgical options. Additionally, improvements in quantifying corneal NV and understanding its molecular basis have contributed to new management strategies with improved outcomes.

Treatment of Non-Infectious Corneal Injury: Review of Diagnostic Agents, Therapeutic Medications, and Future Targets.

Corneal injuries can occur secondary to traumatic, chemical, inflammatory, metabolic, autoimmune, and iatrogenic causes. Ocular infection may frequently occur concurrent to corneal injury; however, antimicrobial agents are excluded from this present review. While practitioners may primarily rely on clinical examination techniques to assess these injuries, several pharmacological agents, such as fluorescein, lissamine green, and rose bengal, can be used to formulate a diagnosis and develop effective treatment strategies. Practitioners may choose from several analgesic medications to help with patient comfort without risking further injury or delaying ocular healing. Atropine, cyclopentolate, scopolamine, and homatropine are among the most frequently used medications for this purpose. Additional topical analgesic agents may be used judiciously to augment patient comfort to facilitate diagnosis. Steroidal anti-inflammatory agents are frequently used as part of the therapeutic regimen. A variety of commonly used agents, including prednisolone acetate, loteprednol, difluprednate, dexamethasone, fluorometholone, and methylprednisolone are discussed. While these medications are effective for controlling ocular inflammation, side effects, such as elevated intraocular pressure and cataract formation, must be monitored by clinicians. Non-steroidal medications, such as ketorolac, bromfenac, nepafenac, and diclofenac, are additionally used for their efficacy in controlling ocular inflammation without incurring side effects seen with steroids. However, these agents have their own respective side effects, warranting close monitoring by clinicians. Additionally, ophthalmologists routinely employ several agents in an off-label manner for supplementary control of inflammation and treatment of corneal injuries. Patients with corneal injuries not infrequently have significant ocular surface disease, either as a concurrent pathology or as an exacerbation of previously existing disease. Several agents used in the management of ocular surface disease have also been found to be useful as part of the therapeutic armamentarium for treatment of corneal injuries. For example, several antibiotics, such as doxycycline and macrolides, have been used for their anti-inflammatory effects on specific cytokines that are upregulated during acute injuries. There has been a recent wave of interest in amniotic membrane therapies (AMTs), including topical, cryopreserved and dehydrated variants. AMT is particularly effective in ocular injuries with violation of corneal surface integrity due to its ability to promote re-epithelialization of the corneal epithelium. Blood-based therapies, including autologous serum tears, plasma-enriched growth factor eyedrops and autologous blood drops, have additionally been explored in small case series for effectiveness in challenging and recalcitrant cases. Protection of the ocular surface is also a vital component in the treatment of corneal injuries. Temporary protective methods, such as bandage contact lenses and mechanical closure of the eyelids (tarsorrhaphy) can be particularly helpful in selective cases. Glue therapies, including biologic and non-biologic variants, can also be used in cases of severe injury and risk of corneal perforation. Finally, there are a variety of recently introduced and in-development agents that may be used as adjuvant therapies in challenging patient populations. Neurotrophic corneal disease may occur as a result of severe or chronic injury. In such cases, recombinant human nerve growth factor (cenegermin), topical insulin, and several other novel agents may be an alternate and effective option for clinicians to consider.

Anterior pituitary, sex hormones, and keratoconus: Beyond traditional targets.

"The Diseases of the Horny-coat of The Eye", known today as keratoconus, is a progressive, multifactorial, non-inflammatory ectatic corneal disorder that is characterized by steepening (bulging) and thinning of the cornea, irregular astigmatism, myopia, and scarring that can cause devastating vision loss. The significant socioeconomic impact of the disease is immeasurable, as patients with keratoconus can have difficulties securing certain jobs or even joining the military. Despite the introduction of corneal crosslinking and improvements in scleral contact lens designs, corneal transplants remain the main surgical intervention for treating keratoconus refractory to medical therapy and visual rehabilitation. To-date, the etiology and pathogenesis of keratoconus remains unclear. Research studies have increased exponentially over the years, highlighting the clinical significance and international interest in this disease. Hormonal imbalances have been linked to keratoconus, both clinically and experimentally, with both sexes affected. However, it is unclear how (molecular/cellular signaling) or when (age/disease stage(s)) those hormones affect the keratoconic cornea. Previous studies have categorized the human cornea as an extragonadal tissue, showing modulation of the gonadotropins, specifically luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH). Studies herein provide new data (both in vitro and in vivo) to further delineate the role of hormones/gonadotropins in the keratoconus pathobiology, and propose the existence of a new axis named the Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Adrenal-Corneal (HPAC) axis.