Five-year results of iontophoresis-assisted transepithelial corneal cross-linking for keratoconus.

PURPOSE: To assess long-term efficacy and safety of iontophoresis-assisted transepithelial corneal cross-linking (I-CXL) for keratoconus. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Twenty-seven eyes of 21 patients (15 M, 6F) affected by progressive keratoconus were evaluated. All subjects were treated with iontophoresis-assisted transepithelial CXL. The patients were examined at baseline and each 6 months after the CXL procedure. Only subjects who completed the follow-up of 5 years were considered in this study. The main outcome measures were uncorrected visual acuity (UCVA), corrected visual acuity (CDVA), corneal transparency and corneal parameters such as K-max, central corneal thickness (CCT) and at the thinnest point, and high-order ocular aberrations (HOAs). The ABCD system was used to determine the progression and re-progression of ectasia. SETTING: Ophthalmology Clinic, University Hospital of Messina, Messina, Italy. RESULTS: At 5 years, significant improvements of UCVA from 0.53 ± 0.33 logMAR to 0.4 ± 0.33 logMAR (p = 0.001) and HOAs (p = 0.01) were registered. No significant changes of CDVA (p = 0.4), K-max (p = 0.75), CCT (p = 0.5) were observed at the end of follow-up period. The ABCD system showed re-progression in 25.9% of eyes after 5 years. No adverse events such as corneal opacities and infections were reported. CONCLUSIONS: Iontophoresis-assisted transepithelial CXL resulted to be safe and effective to stabilize progressive keratoconus in adults at a long-term follow-up.

Use of Lacrimal Symptoms Questionnaire After Punctoplasty Surgery: Retrospective Data of Technical Strategy.

ABSTRACT: The goal of this study is to evaluate postpunctoplasty symptoms with lacrimal symptoms questionnaire (Lac-Q). A retrospective study was conducted on 31 patients (14 men and 17 woman) with a diagnosis of canalicular stenosis: 26 patients with unilateral occlusion and 5 patients with bilateral occlusion. The Lac-Q was administered preoperative and at 1, at 3, and at 6 months following the surgery. Moreover, the Lac-Q questionnaire was administered by an independent observer (SI). The mono-lateral and bilateral postoperative Lac-Q score showed a significant improvement of symptoms at 1, 3, and 6 months than the preoperative results. The Lac-Q questionnaire is a way to evaluate the quality of outcomes after punctoplasty surgery. In this study, all patients showed a significant improvement of symptoms after surgery.

Central Serous Chorioretinopathy and Personality Characteristics: A Systematic Review of Scientific Evidence over the Last 10 Years (2010 to 2020).

Background and Objectives: to investigate the current state of art in the study of personality disorders in central serous chorioretinopathy (CSC), also taking into account the dimensional approach. Materials and Methods: this systematic review was conducted according to PRISMA guidelines. We included articles written in English or Italian, published in peer reviewed journals from 1 January 2010 to 31 December 2020. Results: after the screening, 10 studies were included. The results suggest that CSC patients are not characterized by the prevalence of a formal personality disorder, but they are better explained by typical personality traits that may alter their relationship with others. CSC patients seems to be characterized by high levels of aggressiveness and anxiety traits along with low sociability. We propose a model of disease where stress exacerbates prior specific traits in a vicious circle where some traits might be involved in disease progression and manifestation. Conclusions: maladaptive personality traits might be an essential feature of the disease and may represent a possible link between psychiatric symptoms, such as insomnia, anxiety, and depression, and endocrinological patterns. Further research should use a specific assessment scale evaluating both the level of interpersonal functioning and specific maladaptive traits.

Symptomatology in head and neck district in coronavirus disease (COVID-19): A possible neuroinvasive action of SARS-CoV-2.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this manuscript is to investigate transversally Ear Nose Throat (ENT) symptoms COVID-19 infection correlated and to study the neurotropism and neuroinvasiveness of the virus in the head-neck district through the investigation of the sense of smell, taste, tearing, salivation and hearing. METHODS: A total of 50 patients with laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 infection were included in our study. For each patient we evaluated the short version of the Questionnaire of Olfactory Disorders-Negative Statements (sQOD-NS), the Summated Xerostomia Inventory-Dutch Version (SXI-DV), The Standardized Patient Evaluation of Eye Dryness (SPEED), Schirmer test I, the Hearing Handicap Inventory For Adults (HHIA) and the Tinnitus Handicap Inventory (THI). All the tests we carried out were performed during the active phase of the symptomatology from COVID-19 (Condition A) and 15 after SARS-COV-2 RT-PCR test negative (Condition B). RESULTS: A total of 46 patients (92%) had olfactory dysfunction related to the infection. The 70% of patients reported gustatory disorders. Cough, fever, headache and asthenia were the most prevalent symptoms. There was a statistically significant difference (p < 0,001) in sQOD-NS, SXI-DV, SPEED, Schirmer test, HHIA and THI between Condition A and Condition B. CONCLUSIONS: In our population there was an alteration of the sense of taste, of the sense of smell, dry eyes and of the oral cavity and an auditory discomfort, symptoms probably linked to the neurotropism of the virus. Furthermore, anosmia, dysgeusia and xerostomia are early symptoms of COVID-19, which can be exploited for an early quarantine and a limitation of viral contagion.

The Application of a Venous Catheter for the Surgical Treatment of Punctal Occlusion.

PURPOSE: Presentation about advantages of a new surgical technique in 20 patients with punctal occlusion with a venous catheter during punctoplasty. METHODS: The arrangement of a 30-mm venous catheter used during puncoplasty surgery was performed in 10 patients with punctal occlusion. The venous catheter was removed after 15 to 45 days after surgery. RESULTS: The use of the venous catheter supports the recanalization of the lacrimal drainage system 15 days after surgery. The venous catheter is easy to find, not expensive, and easy to use. CONCLUSION: The technique is performed under regional anesthesia. Furthermore, after surgery, the recanalization of the lacrimal drainage system was observed with a significant reduction of the epiphora in 6 months after surgery.

Surgical Treatment of Dacryocystitis by Using a Venous Catheter.

PURPOSE: Aim of this work is to highlight the advantages of a new surgical technique performed over 15 patients affected dacryocystitis and treated by using a venous catheter.The arrangement of a 30 mm venous catheter used at the end of a dacryocystectomy (DCT) was performed in 15 patients with dacryocystitis. The venous catheter was removed at 30 days after the surgery.The use of the venous catheter allows washing the lacrimal drainage system, reducing the risk of postoperative infections and supports the recanalization of the lacrimal drainage system 30 days after surgery.The presented cases demonstrated how the technique is easy and it reduces the possibility of the post-operative infection. It could be performed under regional anesthesia. Furthermore, after the surgery the recanalization of the lacrimal drainage system with a significant reduction of the epiphora in 6 months after surgery has been observed.

Rhino-Orbito-Cerebral Mucormycosis in Diabetic Disease Mucormycosis in Diabetic Disease.

The authors present their experience about clinical evidences that include patients with an untreated diabetes who developed rhino-orbito-cerebral mucormycosis (ROCM). They were treated with endoscopic sinus surgery and medical treatment with intravenous, intradural therapy, and sinus washes with amphotericin B. The ROCM is a disease with a rapid evolution and an increase in mortality rate, especially if the fungus enters the cranial cavity. Therefore, it would be necessary in all diabetic patients with sinus symptoms, headaches, visual changes, suspect a mucormycosis, and perform a careful radiology assessment and a nasal endoscopy. Often, despite an early diagnosis and rapid treatment for ROCM, it is not possible to stem the disease, which ends with the patient's death.

A Randomized, Controlled Trial of Cyclosporine A Cationic Emulsion in Pediatric Vernal Keratoconjunctivitis: The VEKTIS Study.

PURPOSE: Vernal keratoconjunctivitis (VKC) is a chronic, allergic, and potentially severe ocular disease affecting children and adolescents that can lead to impaired quality of life (QoL) and loss of vision. This study evaluated the efficacy and safety of an investigational therapy for severe VKC, cyclosporine A (CsA) cationic emulsion (CE), an oil-in-water emulsion with increased bioavailability versus conventional CsA formulations. DESIGN: The VErnal KeratoconjunctiviTIs Study (VEKTIS) is a phase 3, multicenter, double-masked, vehicle-controlled trial. PARTICIPANTS: Pediatric patients (4 to younger than 18 years) with active severe VKC (grade of 3 or 4 on the Bonini severity scale) and severe keratitis (corneal fluorescein staining [CFS] score of 4 or 5 on the modified Oxford scale). METHODS: One hundred sixty-nine patients were randomized to CsA CE 0.1% (1 mg/ml) eye drops 4 times daily (high dose), CsA CE twice daily (low dose) plus vehicle twice daily, or vehicle 4 times daily for 4 months. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The primary end point was a mean composite score that reflected CFS, rescue medication use (dexamethasone 0.1% 4 times daily), and corneal ulceration over the 4 months. RESULTS: Differences in least-squares means versus vehicle for the primary end point were statistically significant for both the high-dose (0.76; P = 0.007) and the low-dose (0.67; P = 0.010) groups, with treatment effect mainly driven by CFS score. Significant differences were found between both active treatment groups and vehicle for use of rescue medication. Vernal keratoconjunctivitis symptoms and patient QoL (assessed by visual analog scale and the Quality of Life in Children with Vernal Keratoconjunctivitis questionnaire) improved in all 3 groups, with significant improvements for high-dose CsA CE versus vehicle. CONCLUSIONS: The efficacy of high-dose CsA CE in improving keratitis, symptoms, and QoL for those with severe VKC was demonstrated in these study patients. In addition, in this study cohort, CsA CE was well tolerated.

The Use of a Venous Catheter as a Stent for Treatment of Acquired Punctal and Canalicular Stenosis.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to describe a simple technique to insert a venous catheter as a stent for the treatment of acquired punctal and canalicular stenosis. METHODS: We performed this technique using a central venous catheter as a stent for the treatment of acquired punctal and canalicular stenosis. RESULTS: The results show the easy availability of the material used for the intervention, its easy execution, and the low costs of materials. The goal of this technique is to have a lacrimal dot dilated and canalicular duct easy to irrigate. CONCLUSION: The use of a venous catheter as a stent for treatment of acquired punctal and canalicular stenosis seems to be simple, safe, repeatable, and noninvasive.

The Use of a Double Suture and Conjunctival Cuts in the Lateral Tarsal Strip: A New Approach to Involutional Ectropion.

PURPOSE: To describe the use of a double suture and conjunctival cuts in the lateral tarsal strip (LTS) and to evaluate postsurgical outcome in patients with severe involutional ectropion. METHODS: A prospective randomized study was conducted on 16 eyelids of 8 patients with symptomatic severe involutional ectropion. The 8 patients were between 62 and 79 years. They were distributed into 2 groups consisting of 4 patients each. The control group was treated with a conventional lateral tarsal strip (C-LTS), the second group underwent a modified lateral tarsal strip (M-LTS). The mean follow-up was 18 months. Success was defined as relief in lid laxity. The recurrence rate was also evaluated. RESULTS: Patients treated with M-LTS showed lower horizontal laxity (3.5 ±â€Š0.2) than patients treated with C-LTS (5.7 ±â€Š0.2). During the 18-month follow-up, a statistically significant difference was found between the 2 groups with P value <0.05. CONCLUSIONS: The use of a double suture and conjunctival cuts in the lateral tarsal strip proposed by Meduri showed a reduction of postsurgical ectropion's grade and postsurgical recurrences. This technique could be used for the treatment of patients with a severe ectropion.

The correct diagnosis and therapeutic management of tear dysfunction: recommendations of the P.I.C.A.S.S.O. board.

PURPOSE: To describe a standard approach to manage tear dysfunction (TD), in order to obtain a clinically favourable outcome. TD is a highly prevalent, yet largely underdiagnosed, condition that affects from 5 to 30% of the population above 50 years old. Left untreated, TD is associated with eye discomfort and ocular surface disease, substantially affecting quality of life. Although the prevalence of this problem is increasing significantly, a standard approach to its prevention and treatment is not available yet. METHODS: In September 2015, a team of Ocular Surface Italian Experts convened for a roundtable to discuss on the latest knowledge about diagnosis and treatments for TD and the real issues in the management of these patients. The discussion centred on the appropriate definition of TD, proposing a new classification of risk factors and how to identify them, how to make a correct diagnosis choosing the rational therapy (questionnaires, symptoms' time relation, seasonality, low tech diagnostic manoeuvres, specific tests for the detection of tear film disturbances leading to recognition of the level of disease and of the ocular system elements involved), which artificial tear matches the ideal profile for a rational therapy and which questions should be done to the patient. RESULTS: A multi-item flowchart for tear film dysfunction, with point-by-point explanatory guide, to better identify and manage the patient with this disorder is provided. CONCLUSIONS: The growing prevalence of TD demands increased attention. An appropriate prevention and a treatment pattern for the patient, combined with greater patient-practitioner interaction, and patient education is offered.

Visual System Involvement in Patients with Newly Diagnosed Parkinson Disease.

Purpose To assess intracranial visual system changes of newly diagnosed Parkinson disease in drug-naïve patients. Materials and Methods Twenty patients with newly diagnosed Parkinson disease and 20 age-matched control subjects were recruited. Magnetic resonance (MR) imaging (T1-weighted and diffusion-weighted imaging) was performed with a 3-T MR imager. White matter changes were assessed by exploring a white matter diffusion profile by means of diffusion-tensor imaging-based parameters and constrained spherical deconvolution-based connectivity analysis and by means of white matter voxel-based morphometry (VBM). Alterations in occipital gray matter were investigated by means of gray matter VBM. Morphologic analysis of the optic chiasm was based on manual measurement of regions of interest. Statistical testing included analysis of variance, t tests, and permutation tests. Results In the patients with Parkinson disease, significant alterations were found in optic radiation connectivity distribution, with decreased lateral geniculate nucleus V2 density (F, -8.28; P < .05), a significant increase in optic radiation mean diffusivity (F, 7.5; P = .014), and a significant reduction in white matter concentration. VBM analysis also showed a significant reduction in visual cortical volumes (P < .05). Moreover, the chiasmatic area and volume were significantly reduced (P < .05). Conclusion The findings show that visual system alterations can be detected in early stages of Parkinson disease and that the entire intracranial visual system can be involved. © RSNA, 2017 Online supplemental material is available for this article.

Matrix metalloproteinase 9 and transglutaminase 2 expression at the ocular surface in patients with different forms of dry eye disease.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the expression of matrix metalloproteinase 9 (MMP9) and transglutaminase 2 (TG2) in different forms of dry eye. DESIGN: Case control study. PARTICIPANTS: Seventy-five female subjects divided into 3 groups: group 1, 15 healthy controls; group 2, 30 subjects with Sjögren syndrome (SS); and group 3, 30 subjects with Meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD). METHODS: A clinical assessment was carried out and impression cytologic specimens were processed for immunoperoxidase staining for MMP9 and TG2 and real-time polymerase chain reaction analyses were carried out for MMP9, TG2, interleukin-6, interferon-γ, B-cell lymphoma 2, and caspase 3. To study MMP9 and TG2 expression after anti-inflammatory treatment, patients were divided into 2 subgroups, one treated with saline and the other treated with saline plus topical corticosteroid eye drops (0.5% loteprednol etabonate) 4 times daily for 15 days. For statistical analysis, Student t test, Mann-Whitney U test, and Spearman's correlation coefficient were used as appropriate. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Conjunctival expression of MMP9 and TG2. RESULTS: MMP9 and TG2 expression were higher in both patient groups than in controls (P < 0.0001). Group 2 patients showed higher expression than group 3 (P < 0.0001). The Spearman's correlation coefficient showed in group 2 a positive correlation between MMP9 and TG2 expression (ρ = 0.437; P = 0.01), but no correlation in group 3 (ρ = 0.143; P = 0.45). Corticosteroid treatment significantly reduced MMP9 and TG2 expression in both groups, ameliorating symptoms and signs. A much higher percentage reduction was observed in SS. CONCLUSIONS: The pathogenic mechanisms of the 2 forms of dry eye give an account for the different MMP9 and TG2 expressions in the 2 groups of patients. The higher expression in SS is determined by the direct autoimmune insult to the ocular surface epithelia, whereas in MGD patients, with an epithelial damage due to an unbalanced tear secretion, the molecules expression is significantly lower, although higher than in controls. The corticosteroid treatment induced a reduction of both molecules, although higher in SS than in MGD, because of its direct inhibitory effect on inflammation.

Macular corneal dystrophy: in vivo confocal and structural data.

OBJECTIVE: To demonstrate the corneal morphologic aspects obtained with in vivo confocal microscopy (CM) and light and electron microscopy of specimens obtained from the same patients with macular corneal dystrophy (MCD). DESIGN: Case series. PARTICIPANTS: Five consecutive patients affected by MCD undergoing penetrating keratoplasty (PK) in 1 eye. METHODS: The patients were examined with the slit-lamp, optical pachymetry, and CM before undergoing PK. The corneal buttons were processed for light, transmission, and scanning electron microscopy. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Corneal in vivo CM, corneal light, and electron microscopy. RESULTS: Confocal microscopy showed areas of altered reflectivity in basal epithelial cells, which appeared hyperreflective or completely white. In the anterior stroma, rectilinear hyperreflective areas were shown. The stroma was characterized by a granular appearance of both keratocytes and extracellular matrix. Dark striae of different length and orientation were present in the middle and posterior stroma. The corneal endothelium showed polymegethism and cells containing bright granules in their cytoplasm. The histopathologic study demonstrated areas of thickened Bowman's layer covered by an epithelium reduced in height. The Bowman's layer thickenings were due to the accumulation of free or vesiculated material of different electron density. The keratocytes showed intracytoplasmatic vesicles, whereas the extracellular matrix presented a large quantity of intercellular electron-lucent material and parallel lamellae with an undulated course. Occasional macrophages, filled with vesicles of granular-filamentous material and evident podosomes, were observed. Descemet's membrane was formed by a normal anterior banded zone and a posterior nonbanded zone of honeycombed aspect. The endothelial cells showed a large number of intracytoplasmic vesicles. CONCLUSIONS: The structural changes observed with the histopathologic methods give an account and provide an explanation for the pathologic changes demonstrated by CM in the course of MCD. This may contribute to the understanding of in vivo imaging, allowing a better, noninvasive study of the disease evolution.

4A syndrome: ocular surface investigation in an Italian young patient.

BACKGROUND: Allgrove's 4A syndrome determines ocular surface changes. This is the first report providing an up-to-dated analysis of the ocular surface in an affected patient. CASE PRESENTATION: An 18-years-old male Caucasian patient, with a complex progressive gait disorder and adrenal insufficiency, was referred for ophthalmic evaluation, as part of the clinical assessment. He underwent the following tests: best corrected visual acuity, tear osmolarity, tear film break-up time (BUT), corneal fluorescein staining, Schirmer's I test, lid margin assessment, corneal sensitivity, in vivo corneal confocal microscopy, conjunctival impression cytology, tonometry and fundus exam. A dry eye condition was documented by the Schirmer's I test of 0 mm/5' in both eyes, accompanied by tear hyperosmolarity, mild meibomian gland dysfunction, reduced BUT, mucus filaments in the tear film and conjunctival epithelium metaplasic changes. The corneal confocal microscopy showed the presence of activated keratocytes, while the nerve pattern was normal. CONCLUSIONS: The dry eye in this patient appears to be due to tear aqueous deficiency and can be considered as part of the 4A syndrome. The decreased tear production, resulting from a deterioration of the autonomic innervation of the lacrimal glands rather than an impaired corneal innervation, can be considered as part of the systemic autonomic dysfunction present in this disease.

Protective effects of trehalose on the corneal epithelial cells.

PURPOSE: Aim of the present work was to evaluate the effects of the trehalose on the corneal epithelium undergoing alcohol delamination. METHODS: Twelve patients undergoing laser subepithelial keratomileusis (LASEK) were consecutively included in the study. The right eyes were pretreated with 3% trehalose eye drops, whilst left eyes were used as control. Epithelial specimens were processed for cells vitality assessment, apoptosis, and light and transmission electron microscopy; a morphometric analysis was performed in both groups. RESULTS: In both trehalose-untreated eyes (TUE) and trehalose-treated eyes (TTE), the percentage of vital cells was similar and no apoptotic cells were observed. In TUE, the corneal epithelium showed superficial cells with reduced microfolds, wing cells with vesicles and dilated intercellular spaces, and dark basal cells with vesicles and wide clefts. In TTE, superficial and wing cells were better preserved, and basal cells were generally clear with intracytoplasmatic vesicles. The morphometric analysis showed statistically significant differences between the two groups: the TTE epithelial height was higher, the basal cells showed larger area and clearer cytoplasm. The distribution of desmosomes and hemidesmosomes was significantly different between the groups. CONCLUSIONS: Trehalose administration better preserved morphological and morphometric features of alcohol-treated corneal epithelium, when compared to controls.

Clinical Results of Accelerated Iontophoresis-Assisted Epithelium-on Corneal Cross-linking for Progressive Keratoconus in Children.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the clinical characteristics of pediatric patients with progression of keratoconus after accelerated iontophoresis-assisted epithelium-on corneal cross-linking (I-ON CXL) and to assess the efficacy and safety of re-treatment using accelerated epithelium-off CXL (epi-OFF CXL). METHODS: Sixteen eyes of 16 patients (mean age: 14.6 ± 2.5 years) with keratoconus underwent I-ON CXL. The main outcome measures were uncorrected distance visual acuity, corrected distance visual acuity, maximum keratometry index (Kmax), minimum corneal thickness, elevation front and elevation back measured at the thinnest point, total higher order aberrations root main square (HOA RMS), coma RMS, and spherical aberration. An increment of Kmax greater than 1.00 diopter (D) and a decrease of greater than 20 µm in pachymetry were considered to determine the progression of keratoconus. Patients with progression of keratoconus after I-ON CXL were re-treated using an epi-OFF CXL protocol. RESULTS: Two years after I-ON CXL, 12 patients showed progression of keratoconus, whereas 4 patients were stable. There was significant worsening of Kmax (P = .04) and steepest keratometric reading (P = .01). Furthermore, a significant correlation was documented between progression of keratoconus and age (P = .02). These patients were re-treated using an epi-OFF protocol and after 2 years all patients were stable, and a statistically significant reduction of the mean Kmax (P = .007), HOA RMS (P = .05), and coma RMS (P = 05) was observed. CONCLUSIONS: I-ON CXL was ineffective in the treatment of pediatric keratoconus in younger children, whereas it had an efficacy of 2 years in older children. Re-treatment using epi-OFF CXL proved effective to halt progression of keratoconus after I-ON CXL failure. [J Pediatr Ophthalmol Strabismus. 2024;61(1):44-50.].

Effectiveness of a New Active Tear Substitute Containing 0.2% Hyaluronic Acid and 0.001% Hydrocortisone on Signs and Symptoms of Dry Eye Disease by Means of Low- and High-Tech Assessments.

INTRODUCTION: An innovative eye drops formulation containing 0.2% hyaluronic acid and a low concentration of hydrocortisone (0.001%; hereafter HALH) has been recently placed on the market (Idroflog®, Alfa Intes, Italy) to manage the dysregulated parainflammation in patients with dry eye disease (DED). In the present paper, the effectiveness of HALH on the signs and symptoms of DED was retrospectively evaluated and compared with that one obtained using standard tear substitutes (STS) by means of low- and high-tech (Keratograph®) assessments. METHODS: This was a multicenter retrospective study carried out between February and April 2023, involving adult patients with DED diagnosis owing to post-cataract surgery, meibomian gland dysfunction, allergy, or glaucoma medications. The primary aim was to compare the changes induced by different therapies on Keratograph® parameters (noninvasive Keratograph tear breakup time [NIKBUT], tear meniscus height [TMH], eyelid meibography, conjunctival hyperemia, and conjunctivochalasis) or collected by traditional low-tech measures (tear breakup time [TBUT], Schirmer test, Efron score, and epithelial alterations) and the Ocular Surface Disease Index score. RESULTS: Data from 155 patients were analyzed. The effectiveness of HALH and STS was reported by both high- and low-tech measures. NIKBUT-first showed a significant improvement in the HALH group versus the STS one at 15 days (6.4 ± 3.6 vs 5.4 ± 3.7 s, p = 0.02), whereas this difference was latent with low-tech TBUT until 45 days (6.8 ± 2.6 vs 5.6 ± 2.3 s, p = 0.03). Patients with DED occurring after cataract surgery reported an enhanced activity of HALH versus STS, particularly for NIKBUT-first, TMH, Schirmer test, and hyperemia stage. CONCLUSION: These findings highlighted the effectiveness of HALH in all DED subtypes, especially in patients with post-cataract surgery, as well as its superiority versus STS in terms of tear film stability improvement. We recommend longer observation (i.e., 3-6 months) to fully ascertain whether the early improvement detected by high-tech measures will be confirmed in subsequent time points even using low-tech tests.

Dry eye in mind: Exploring the relationship between sleep and ocular surface diseases.

PURPOSE: Dry Eye Disease (DED) is regarded as the most common ocular surface disease worldwide, entailing symptoms that have a major impact on the physical and psychological well-being of DED patients. In this context, the impact of sleep quality on DED has recently attracted attention. Indeed, although little is known about the mechanisms underlying the relationship between sleep and ocular surface diseases, recent evidence suggests that a reciprocal relationship exists between sleep quality and DED. Aim of the study was to investigate such relationship by means of both survey-based and instrumental analysis in a large population. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The present cross-sectional study included 1182 DED patients who completed the Insomnia Severity Index (ISI) and the Ocular Surface Disease Index (OSDI) questionnaires. Moreover, tear break-up time (TBUT) and ocular surface staining (OSS) data of included patients were collected by physicians. RESULTS: According to the findings of this study, in DED patients, the severity of dry eye symptoms and signs, assessed by OSDI score, TBUT, and ocular surface staining, is associated with more severe insomnia symptoms. Furthermore, higher severity of DED symptoms seems to be associated with the occurrence of nocturnal awakenings rather than with problems in falling asleep. CONCLUSIONS: Present work contributes to the understanding of the complex relationship between DED and insomnia by showing that in a large population of DED patients, the more severe the insomnia, the more severe the DED symptoms and signs.

Prediction of total corneal power in keratoconus using anterior surface data.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Keratoconus results in an increase in anterior and posterior curvatures and a reduction in corneal thickness. Anterior corneal ectasia is partially compensated by remodelling the corneal epithelium. Therefore, there is an alteration in the relationship between corneal surfaces and variation in corneal power. The variation in corneal power is one of the sources that induces errors in IOL power calculation. BACKGROUND: This study aimed to assess a method for predicting total corneal power in keratoconus using several anterior surface parameters at 3 mm and 4 mm. METHODS: Tomographic data obtained using Pentacam (Oculus, Germany) were analysed from 280 eyes of 140 patients with keratoconus using anterior and posterior keratometry, anterior Q-value at 8 mm, central corneal thickness, Kmax location and value, and true net power at 4 mm (TNP). Calculated total corneal power (TCPc) at 3 mm was obtained using the Gauss formula. Predicted total corneal power at 3 mm (TCPp3) and 4 mm (TCPp4) was obtained from univariate (TCPp3u and TCPp4u) and multivariate linear regression formulae (TCPp3m and TCPp4m). SimK, anterior Q-value, vertical location, and Kmax value were used in the multivariate formulae. Mean absolute error (MAE) and median absolute error (MedAE) were also calculated. Absolute frequencies within dioptric ranges of all formulas divided for keratoconus grading were evaluated. RESULTS: TCPc and TNP exhibited a good correlation (R2 = 0.58, p < 0.05) with a higher dispersion above 50 D of corneal power. Highly significant correlations were observed between TCPp3u and TCPc (R2 = 0.978, p < 0.05) and TCPp3m and TCPc (R2 = 0.989, p < 0.05). Lower but significant correlations were observed between TCPp4u and TNP (R2 = 0.692, p < 0.05) and between TCPp4m and TNP (R2 = 0.887, p < 0.05). The best results for TCP prediction at 3 and 4 mm were obtained with TCPp3m and TCPp4m as follows: MAE of TCPp3m was 0.24 ± 0.20 (SD) D with MedAE of 0.20 D, while MAE of TCPp4m was 0.96 ± 0.77 D with MedAE of 0.80 D. The 3 mm multivariate regression formula results in higher absolute frequencies of prediction errors in the total eyes within 0.5 D (93%) than the univariate formula (81%). At 4mm, the multivariate regression formula has a lower percentage within 0.5 D (32%) than the univariate formula (41%), but the percentage of the multivariate formula is higher within 1 D (63%) than the univariate formula (56%). CONCLUSION: All formulas show a decrease in accuracy with increasing grades of keratoconus. Multivariate linear regression formulae using only anterior surface data can predict TCP with good approximation in eyes with keratoconus in cases where posterior surface parameters are unavailable. The vertical location of Kmax and the anterior asphericity could play a relevant role in the prediction of total corneal power in keratoconus.