Long-Term Refractive Outcomes and Visual Quality of Multifocal Intraocular Lenses Implantation in High Myopic Patients: A Multimodal Evaluation.

Purpose: To perform a multimodal assessment of refractive outcomes and quality of vision (QoV) in patients with high myopia submitted to multifocal intraocular lens (IOL) implantation. Methods: Retrospective study that included consecutive eyes with high myopia (axial length [AL] >26.00mm) submitted to multifocal IOL implantation between January 2014 and February 2020. Minimum follow-up time was 3 years. QoV was evaluated with the Objective Scatter Index (OSI) and the Modular Transfer Function (MTF) by HD Analyzer®. Two QoV questionnaires were applied to patients in which both eyes were included: the McAlinden and the Catquest-9 SF. Results: We included 50 eyes (28 patients). The mean follow-up time was 5.4±1.0 years. Comparing to month 1 after surgery, at the last follow-up visit, there was a decrease in the uncorrected visual acuity (0.14±0.13 vs 0.08±0.09 LogMAR, p=0.024), a negative increase in the spherical equivalent (-0.31±0.60 vs -0.02±0.20, p=0.006) and no changes in the best-corrected visual acuity (p>0.999). An uncorrected near visual acuity of at least J2 was achieved in 89% of eyes one month after surgery and in 91% of eyes at the last follow-up visit (p=0.829). At the last follow-up, the mean OSI was 5.1±1.8 and the mean MTF was 17.5±10.6. Some degree of near vision difficulty was reported by 91% of patients, and 74% of patients reported photic phenomena (halos, glare, starbursts). However, most patients reported that these symptoms caused none to little bothersome. At the last follow-up, 87% of patients were at least fairly satisfied with the surgery. Conclusion: Even after a mean follow-up time of 5 years, patients maintained good uncorrected visual acuity. Even though most patients experienced some degree of near vision difficulty and visual symptoms, globally, our patients were satisfied with their current vision, and the experienced symptoms did not have a significant impact on their daily lives.

Refractive Management of Surgical-Induced Presbyopia in a Young Patient with Vision-Related Quality of Life Complaints: A Case Report.

Visual difficulties can negatively impact life quality. Our purpose was to report the refractive surgical planning and outcomes of a young patient with mixed astigmatism and phacoemulsification-induced presbyopia due to congenital cataracts who was unsatisfied with her vision-related quality of life. A 32-year-old woman, submitted to phacoemulsification with implantation of a monofocal intraocular lens (IOL) and Nd:YAG laser posterior capsulotomy 3 years before, due to congenital cataracts, was referred to the Refractive Surgery Unit of Centro Hospitalar Universitário de Santo António. She had mixed astigmatism (+1.00-4.00 × 10° in the right eye [RE] and +0.50-1.75 × 180° in the left eye [LE]) and surgical-induced presbyopia, was intolerant to contact lenses, and felt that her vision significantly impaired her life quality. A trifocal Sulcoflex® (Rayner) IOL was implanted to correct the spherical and near refractive errors. In a second surgical time, a photorefractive keratectomy was performed to correct the residual astigmatism (-3.50 × 10° in the RE and -1.50 × 170° in the LE). In the last visit, distance and near uncorrected visual acuity were 20/20 (Snellen) and Jaeger 1, respectively, in both eyes, and the patient was very satisfied. When assessing the surgical options of young, working-age patients, clinicians should, when possible, consider alternative solutions to monofocal IOLs. In this patient, the combination of corneal and intraocular procedures allowed the correction of both the distance and near refractive errors, with a subsequent significant improvement in the patient's quality of life.

Phakic intraocular lens explantation: series of 175 surgeries.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the indications for pIOL explantation, pIOL survival time, and visual outcomes and access endothelial cell loss (ECL) after explantation. SETTING: Ophthalmology Department, Centro Hospitalar Universitário do Porto, Portugal. DESIGN: Retrospective longitudinal study. METHODS: A chart review was performed for all consecutive patients who underwent pIOL explantation from January 2010 to December 2019 in a single center. RESULTS: This study included 175 eyes of 112 patients (77% women). The mean pIOL survival was 12.9 ± 4.8 (3.7 to 28.6) years, and the mean follow-up period after explantation was 4.1 ± 3.0 (0.3 to 9.9) years. The most frequent causes for explantation were cataract formation (44.0%, n = 77) and ECL (50.3%, n = 88). During the follow-up period after explantation, the mean ECL rate was 2.27 ± 9.32%/year in the cataract group and -2.14 ± 10.24%/year in the ECL group, reflecting a positive change in cell density in the latter. 8 eyes (4.6%) required a corneal transplant during the follow-up. The mean corrected distance visual acuity was 0.17 ± 0.24 logMAR at the last visit. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrated that pIOL explantation, after a mean survival time of 13 years, was a safe procedure. The main causes for explantation were cataract formation and ECL. Most patients showed a sustained improvement in visual acuity and endothelial cell density after pIOL explantation, and yet its timing should be ideal to avoid irreversible complications.

The Role of Corneal Biomechanics in the Assessment of Ectasia Susceptibility Before Laser Vision Correction.

PURPOSE: To describe the tomographic and corneal biomechanical status of a sample of eyes excluded from LVC and to present the differences in biomechanical behavior in relation to cutoffs of clinical- and tomography-based screening methods used in clinical practice. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Observational cross-sectional study including 61 eyes from 32 consecutive patients who were excluded from LVC in our department. Clinical and demographic data were collected from the patients' clinical records. Tomographic data was assessed with a Scheimpflug camera (Pentacam, OCULUS®). Ablation depth (µm) and residual stromal bed (µm) were calculated by the WaveLight® EX500 laser system software (Alcon, EUA). The corneal biomechanical assessment was made through ultra-high speed Scheimpflug imaging during noncontact tonometry (Corvis ST, OCULUS®). Several ectasia risk scores were analyzed. RESULTS: Mean age was 31.0±6 years old and mean manifest spherical equivalent was -2.01 ± 2.3D. Belin-Ambrósio deviation index was the tomographic parameter with higher proportion of eyes within the ectasia high risk interval. In the biomechanical assessment, more than 95% of eyes met the criteria for ectasia susceptibility in four of the first generation and in two of the second generation parameters. In a cutoff based comparative analysis, eyes with Kmax ≥45.5 D, eyes with VCOMA <0 and eyes with ARTmax ≤350 presented significantly softer corneal biomechanical behavior. CONCLUSION: The majority of eyes excluded from LVC in the present study met the criteria for ectasia susceptibility in several biomechanical parameters, validating the clinical and tomographic based screening prior to LVC in our center. Differences found in the biomechanical assessment regarding cutoffs used in clinical practice highlight its differential role in characterizing risk profile of these patients. Tomography should not be overlooked and the integration of all data, including treatment-related parameters, can be the future of risk ectasia screening prior LVC.

Keratitis by Scopulariopsis brevicaulis Fungus After LASIK - A Case Report.

PURPOSE: To describe a rare case of an interface filamentous fungal keratitis and its successful clinical approach and management. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Retrospective case report. Analysis of the patient's clinical records. RESULTS: A healthy 30-year-old woman presenting with complaints of blurred vision, photophobia and intense pain, was previously diagnosed with a suspected unilateral diffuse lamellar keratitis after laser in situ keratomileusis surgery, and accordingly treated with a scheme of oral and subconjunctival corticosteroids. Due to worsening of symptoms, the patient was later referred to our ophthalmology department. Upon examination, a corneal infiltration was observed and a fungal infection was suspected. Treatment with fortified Voriconazole (1%) was initiated and both topical and oral corticosteroids were tapered. The infiltrate resolved after 6 weeks of antifungal topical treatment. Scopulariopsis brevicaulis was isolated on culture media. At the end of follow-up, the uncorrected distance visual acuity was 20/20 with mild scarring. CONCLUSION: Scopulariopsis brevicaulis can be associated with post-laser in situ keratomileusis interface infection. A quick intervention may dictate a good outcome, when combining early suspicion and microbiological diagnosis, and an appropriate conservative management. Furthermore, Voriconazole seems to be effective and safe in the treatment of such cases.

Visian® ICLV4c™ and Artiflex®: Comparative Analysis with the HD AnalyserTM and Integration with Subjective Performance and Anatomical Parameters.

PURPOSE: To analyze and compare the mid-term objective and subjective performance of two phakic intraocular lenses (PIOLs) - Visian® ICL™ V4c and Artiflex® and to correlate those results with anatomical parameters. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Observational retrospective study including thirty patients (15 for each PIOL) randomly selected from those who underwent bilateral implantation of one of the PIOLs (60 eyes were analysed). Uncorrected and corrected distance visual acuities (UDVA and CDVA), anterior chamber structural parameters, and corneal endothelial cells density and morphology were evaluated. Quality of vision was assessed both subjectively with a questionnaire, and objectively using a double-pass technology optical quality analysis system. RESULTS: At the end of follow-up the Artiflex® group showed better UDVA (0.95±0.11 vs 0.99±0.05, p=0.027) and higher proportion of eyes reaching at least 20/20 (28/30 vs 18/30, p=0.005). Excellent and similar objective scatter index (1.79±0.9 vs 2.14±1.6, p=0.306) and modular transfer function cutoff frequency (26.91±9.2 vs 26.51±11.9, p=0.784) results were achieved in the HD Analyzer® and the questionnaire showed comparable high Satisfaction (55.7±3.5 vs 54.3±5.4, p=0.386) and low Dysphotopsia Scores (3.1±1.8 vs 2.1±2.2, p=0.213). The ICL group showed inferior anterior chamber volume (p<0.001), and angle (p<0.001) and superior pupillary diameter (p=0.007). Minimum follow-up was 24 months. CONCLUSION: Both the Visian® ICLV4c™ and the Artiflex® showed excellent optical performance through the HD AnalyzerTM technology, translated in high patient satisfaction. Overall, both PIOLs showed similar safety, predictability, stability and effectiveness of for the reduction of high sphero-cylindrical refractive errors, despite better UDVA results with the Artiflex®.