Immunocytochemical Analysis of Crocin against Oxidative Stress in Trigeminal Sensory Neurons Innervating the Cornea.

Corneal diseases are a major cause of vision loss, often associated with aging, trauma and disease. Damage to corneal sensory innervation leads to discomfort and pain. Environmental stressors, such as short-wavelength light, can induce oxidative stress that alters mitochondrial function and affects cell and tissue homeostasis, including corneal innervation. Cellular antioxidant mechanisms may attenuate oxidative stress. This study investigates crocin, a derivative of saffron, as a potential antioxidant therapy. In vitro rat trigeminal sensory ganglion neurons were exposed to both sodium azide and blue light overexposure as a model of oxidative damage. Crocin was used as a neuroprotective agent. Mitochondrial and cytoskeletal markers were studied by immunofluorescence analysis to determine oxidative damage and neuroprotection. In vivo corneal innervation degeneration was evaluated in cornea whole mount preparations using Sholl analyses. Blue light exposure induces oxidative stress that affects trigeminal neuron mitochondria and alters sensory axon dynamics in vitro, and it also affects corneal sensory innervation in an in vivo model. Our results show that crocin was effective in preserving mitochondrial function and protecting corneal sensory neurons from oxidative stress. Crocin appears to be a promising candidate for the neuroprotection of corneal innervation.

Impact of Plasma Rich in Growth Factors (PRGF) Eye Drops on Ocular Redness and Symptomatology in Patients with Dry Eye Disease.

Background and Objectives: Dry eye disease (DED) is a common and very symptomatic pathology that affects normal daily activity. The aim of the study was to evaluate the efficacy of plasma rich in growth factors (PRGF) added to one routine treatment protocol for DED (artificial tears substitutes, lid hygiene, and anti-inflammatory therapy). Materials and Methods: Patients were divided into two groups of treatment: standard treatment group (n = 43 eyes) and PRGF group (n = 59). Patients' symptomatology (inferred from OSDI and SANDE questionnaires), ocular inflammation, tear stability, and ocular surface damage were analyzed at baseline and after 3 months of treatment. Results: OSDI test scores were significantly lower in both groups (p < 0.001). SANDE frequency test scores also improved statistically, with differences between groups (p = 0.0089 SANDE frequency and p < 0.0119 SANDE severity). There was a greater reduction in ocular redness (ocular inflammation) in the PRGF group (p < 0.0001) and fluorescein tear break-up time was significantly improved in the PRGF group (p = 0.0006). No significant changes were found in terms of ocular surface damage. No adverse events were obtained in either group. Conclusions: The addition of PRGF to the standard treatment of DED, according to the results obtained, proved to be safe and produced an improvement in ocular symptomatology and signs of inflammation, particularly in moderate and severe cases, when compared to standard treatment.

Refractive surgery after deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty: a review of the literature.

PURPOSE: The main objective of this work is to present an updated review of the different surgical procedures for the correction of residual refractive errors following deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty (DALK) surgery. METHODS: A review of the literature was conducted using PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus databases. The search was conducted in January 2022 and was limited to articles published in peer-reviewed journals. The information extracted from each publication included sample size, mean follow-up time, pre- and post-operative uncorrected (UDVA) and corrected distance visual acuity (CDVA), pre- and post-operative refraction and spherical equivalent (SE), safety and efficacy indexes and complications. RESULTS: Residual ametropias, mainly high astigmatism and myopia, and the resulting anisometropia are likely to occur following DALK. They become a limiting factor and may lead to unsatisfactory visual restoration, therefore affecting patients' quality of vision and life. Alternative surgical interventions may be required to treat this residual ametropia, such as corneal refractive surgery or intraocular lens implantation. A total of 47 relevant articles were studied in detail. Different refractive surgery techniques have been shown to be effective and safe for the correction of ametropia following the DALK procedure and to improve the patient's quality of vision, although more research is needed to confirm long-term results. CONCLUSION: The final refractive technique will depend on different factors, such as the amount of ametropia, the condition of the cornea or the patient's individual needs, economics, and occupational demands.

Protector Role of Intraocular Lenses under Artificial Light Conditions.

INTRODUCTION: The aim of this work was to analyze, in an in vitro model, the possible protective effects of ultraviolet- (UV-) or UV/blue-filtering intraocular lens (IOL) under light-emitting diode (LED) lighting conditions. METHODS: Ten models of IOLs were evaluated. Light transmission spectrum was recorded from 300 to 800 nm, in steps of 1 nm. Photodamage in vitro model was induced in ARPE-19 cells by blue LED light (465-475 nm). Changes in cell viability and oxidative stress variables were studied to assess the protective effect of IOLs. RESULTS: UV/blue-filtering IOLs models block blue light spectrum in different proportion and UV-filtering IOLs blocking wavelength below 400 nm. However, in vitro study under blue LED light exposure does not show protective effects related with mitochondrial dysfunction and oxidative stress of UV/blue-filtering IOLs. CONCLUSIONS: The current in vitro study suggests that UV/blue filtering IOLs are not useful in terms of photoprotection in artificial light conditions. The results obtained indicate that it is needed to give attention to other IOL parameters besides the type of filter, as it seems they could have influence on the protective role.

Femto-LASIK after Deep Anterior Lamellar Keratoplasty to Correct Residual Astigmatism: A Long-Term Case Series Study.

Purpose: To evaluate the long-term outcomes of femtosecond laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis (Femto-LASIK) to correct residual astigmatism after deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty (DALK). Methods: This retrospective case series study included 10 eyes that underwent Femto-LASIK after a DALK. The refractive error, uncorrected (UDVA) and corrected (CDVA) distance visual acuities, thinnest corneal thickness (TCT), and central corneal thickness (CCT) were registered. The postoperative follow-up ranged between 36 and 60 months. Results: All surgeries were uneventful, with no intra- or postoperative complications. The mean UDVA (Snellen scale) rose from 0.13 ± 0.05 to 0.47 ± 0.15 six months after Femto-LASIK (p < 0.001). All cases experienced a significant improvement in UDVA. None of the eyes lost lines of CDVA, and seven eyes (70%) improved the CDVA compared to preoperative values. The refractive cylinder changed from a preoperative value of −3.88 ± 1.00 D to −0.93 ± 0.39 six months after Femto-LASIK (p < 0.0001). In eight eyes (80%), the UDVA and refractive outcomes remained stable at postoperative follow-up visits. In contrast, one eye experienced a refractive regression over the follow-up. TCT and CCT were stable at the different postoperative follow-up visits. Conclusions: Our findings suggest that Femto-LASIK might safely and effectively corrects residual astigmatism after DALK. Despite these encouraging results, further long-term studies, including a larger number of cases, are required to confirm the safety of the procedure. The refractive stability in eyes with prior RK might be lower than for other DALK indications.

Fibrin-Plasma Rich in Growth Factors Membrane for the Treatment of a Rabbit Alkali-Burn Lesion.

The purpose of this work is to describe the use of Fibrin-Plasma Rich in Growth Factors (PRGF) membranes for the treatment of a rabbit alkali-burn lesion. For this purpose, an alkali-burn lesion was induced in 15 rabbits. A week later, clinical events were evaluated and rabbits were divided into five treatment groups: rabbits treated with medical treatment, with a fibrin-PRGF membrane cultured with autologous or heterologous rabbit Limbal Epithelial Progenitor Cells (LEPCs), with a fibrin-PRGF membrane in a Simple Limbal Epithelial Transplantation and with a fibrin-PRGF membrane without cultured LEPCs. After 40 days of follow-up, corneas were subjected to histochemical examination and immunostaining against corneal or conjunctival markers. Seven days after alkali-burn lesion, it was observed that rabbits showed opaque cornea, new blood vessels across the limbus penetrating the cornea and epithelial defects. At the end of the follow-up period, an improvement of the clinical parameters analyzed was observed in transplanted rabbits. However, only rabbits transplanted with cultured LEPCs were positive for corneal markers. Otherwise, rabbits in the other three groups showed positive staining against conjunctival markers. In conclusion, fibrin-PRGF membrane improved the chemically induced lesions. Nonetheless, only fibrin-PRGF membranes cultured with rabbit LEPCs were able to restore the corneal surface.

Visual Function after Implantation of a Presbyopia-Correcting Trifocal Intraocular Lens.

PURPOSE: To evaluate distance, intermediate, and near visual performance in patients implanted with a trifocal aspheric presbyopia-correcting intraocular lens (IOL). METHODS: Forty patients were bilaterally implanted with the AcrySofIQ PanOptix IOL after femtosecond laser-assisted lens surgery. Binocular best corrected distance visual acuity (CDVA) (4 m), best distance-corrected near visual acuity (DCNVA) (40 and 30 cm), best corrected distance intermediate visual acuity (DCIVA) (70, 60, and 50 cm), binocular distance contrast sensitivity under photopic conditions (85 cd/m2), and defocus curves were evaluated at 6-months. RESULTS: Six months postoperatively, the mean binocular Snellen decimal CDVA and DCNVA were 0.94 ± 0.10 (ranging from 0.70 to 1.25) and 0.85 ± 0.13 (ranging from 0.63 to 1.00), respectively. At a distance, all patients showed a cumulative binocular distance-corrected visual acuity of 0.8 or better, and about 80% (n = 31) of the patients had a value of 1.0 (20/20). At near and intermediate distances, all patients showed a cumulative distance-corrected visual acuity of 0.5 (20/40) or better at 30, 40, 50, 60, and 70 cm. Specifically, 50 cm showed the highest percentage of patients with larger values of visual acuity (60% [n = 26] with 20/20). Defocus curve showed a wide range of useful vision with two peaks of best visual acuity at distance and at 50 cm, and the binocular distance contrast sensitivity was within normal limits. CONCLUSIONS: The outcomes of the present study show that the visual performance obtained with bilateral implantation of the trifocal aspheric AcrySofIQ PanOptix IOL is good at far, intermediate, and near distances.

Antioxidant Role of PRGF on RPE Cells after Blue Light Insult as a Therapy for Neurodegenerative Diseases.

Oxidative stress has a strong impact on the development of retinal diseases such as age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Plasma rich in growth factors (PRGF) is a novel therapeutic approach in ophthalmological pathologies. The aim of this study was to analyze the antioxidant effect of PRGF in retinal epithelial cells (EPR) in in vitro and ex vivo retinal phototoxicity models. In vitro analyses were performed on ARPE19 human cell line. Viability and mitochondrial status were assessed in order to test the primary effects of PRGF. GSH level, and protein and gene expression of the main antioxidant pathway (Keap1, Nrf2, GCL, HO-1, and NQO1) were also studied. Ex vivo analyses were performed on rat RPE, and HO-1 and Nrf2 gene and protein expression were evaluated. The results show that PRGF reduces light insult by stimulating the cell response against oxidative damage and modulates the antioxidant pathway. We conclude that PRGF's protective effect could prove useful as a new therapy for treating neurodegenerative disorders such as AMD.

Paracentesis as valve re-bubbling technique for Descemet's membrane endothelial keratoplasty (DMEK) graft detachment.

INTRODUCTION: We present a variation in the slit-lamp microscope re-bubbling technique for DMEK detachment in which a paracentesis is used as a self-sealing valve. METHODS: Of twenty-eight consecutive DMEK cases, five (18%) required re-bubbling. A 20-gauge side port blade was used to make a paracentesis in the inferior temporal quadrant. A 30-gauge cannula mounted on a 3 ml syringe was employed to inject air using the paracentesis as a valve allowing better control over intraocular pressure and percentage anterior chamber air fill. RESULTS: Graft re-attachment was achieved in all cases. One case required two re-bubbling procedures. There were no cases of pupil block glaucoma or other complications. CONCLUSION: Slit-lamp re-bubbling is a practical and safe alternative to taking patients back to the operating room. Using a new paracentesis for valve action control over air injection with a blunt cannula adds better control and may help to reduce complications.

Vertical implantable collamer lens (ICL) rotation for the management of high vault due to lens oversizing.

PURPOSE: To describe the good outcome of implantable collamer lens (ICL) rotation to reduce post-operative vault. METHODS: Retrospective analysis of case report. A 43-year-old woman had V4c EVO + myopic non-toric ICL implantation and post-operatively she presented with anisocoria and high vault. She underwent surgery to rotate the ICL 90 degrees to a vertical orientation. RESULTS: We achieved a reduction in the vault from 1020 to 486 µm after vertical ICL rotation. Satisfactory refractive outcome and optimal vault were achieved and maintained during the period of follow-up. CONCLUSION: Optimal ICL sizing is important as too high vault/clearance is associated with problems such as angle closure glaucoma, pupil dilatation and anisocoria and too low vault/clearance to increased risk of cataract formation. Non-toric ICL rotation can be a simple surgical technique to deal with oversized lenses thus avoiding ICL exchange.

Treatment of patients with neurotrophic keratitis stages 2 and 3 with plasma rich in growth factors (PRGF-Endoret) eye-drops.

PURPOSE: To provide preliminary data about efficacy and safety of plasma rich in growth factors (PRGF) eye-drops in neurotrophic keratitis (NK) and to analyze the possible influence of certain variables on treatment outcomes. METHODS: This retrospective study included patients with stages 2-3 of NK treated with PRGF eye-drops. Primary endpoint was the resolution time of corneal ulcer defect. Outcome measures including percentage of ulcer closure at 4 weeks, Ocular Surface Disease Index (OSDI), Best-Corrected Visual Acuity (BCVA) and Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) were also evaluated before and after treatment with PRGF. The influence of some patients' clinical variables on results was assessed. Safety assessment was also performed reporting all adverse events. RESULTS: Thirty-eight treated eyes in a total of thirty-one patients were evaluated, of which five cases had no prior response to autologous serum treatment. Most cases (97.4%) achieved the complete resolution of corneal defect/ulcer. Mean resolution time was 11.4 weeks (SD = 13.7). A statistical significant (p < 0.05) reduction in OSDI (60.9%), VAS frequency (59.9%), VAS severity (57.0%) and improvement in BCVA (52.8%) was observed. The results were stratified according to the pathology stage and to the identified potential effect modifiers variables. Only one adverse event was reported in one patient (2.6%). CONCLUSIONS: PRGF eye-drops could be a safe and effective therapeutic option for patients with stages 2-3 of NK, showing high rates of corneal defect/ulcer resolution in short times, either in reducing signs and symptoms of NK, and therefore preventing the progression of NK to greater ocular complications.

Triple Procedure: A Stepwise Combination of Deep Anterior Lamellar Keratoplasty and Cataract Surgery.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to evaluate clinical outcomes of the combined surgery (triple procedure) of deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty (DALK), phacoemulsification, and intraocular lens (IOL) implantation using a new surgical strategy. METHODS: The study included 43 eyes of 43 patients who underwent a triple procedure. Twenty-six eyes with good visibility through the cornea underwent phacoemulsification before the stromal dissection. Seventeen eyes with bad visibility underwent the DALK procedure first until achieving enough visibility to perform the lensectomy. IOL power calculation was performed for a postoperative estimated flat keratometry of 43.5 and aiming to avoid hyperopic postoperative refraction. The postoperative visual examination included uncorrected and corrected distance visual acuity (CDVA) measurements and manifest refraction. RESULTS: The mean follow-up time after suture removal was 3.06 ± 2.14 years. Mean CDVA significantly changed from 0.86 ± 0.56 logMAR preoperatively to 0.37 ± 0.28 logMAR in the last visit ( P < 0.0001). The percentage of eyes with CDVA ≤0.3 logMAR changed from 6.9% preoperatively to 62.8%. No eyes lost lines of vision after surgery, and 80% experienced an improvement of 2 or more lines. The safety index was 2.2. The mean postoperative refractive sphere was +0.13 ± 2.04 D, and the postoperative refractive cylinder was -4.02 ± 2.24 D. Only 2 cases (4.65%) obtained postoperative hyperopic astigmatism. No intraoperative complications were found. CONCLUSIONS: Combined surgery of DALK, phacoemulsification, and IOL implantation is an effective and safe procedure. Depending on the corneal transparency, different surgical strategies can be established to provide more efficacy and safety.

Inferior intrastromal corneal ring segments in paracentral keratoconus with no coincident topographic and coma axis.

PURPOSE: To assess the visual and refractive outcomes of implantation of intrastromal corneal ring segments (ICRS) in keratoconic eyes with no coincident topographic and comatic axes. METHODS: Forty-one keratoconic eyes of 39 patients with no coincident topographic and comatic axes were implanted inferiorly with a Ferrara-type ICRS (Keraring SI6; Mediphacos Inc., Belo Horizonte, Brazil) of 150° of arc with a thickness of 150, 200, and 250 µm. Uncorrected distance visual acuity (UDVA), corrected distance visual acuity (CDVA), corneal coma-like root mean square, and residual refractive errors analyzed using vector analysis were recorded before and 6 months after the ICRS implantation. RESULTS: Mean UDVA was 0.76 ± 0.41 logMAR before and 0.53 ± 0.46 logMAR after surgery (P = .0006). CDVA was 0.13 ± 0.14 logMAR before and 0.07 ± 0.09 logMAR after surgery (P = .0007). Two eyes (4.9%) lost two lines or more of CDVA, 3 eyes (7.32%) lost one line, 16 eyes (39.02%) had no change in CDVA, 9 eyes (21.95%) gained one line, and 11 eyes (26.83%) gained two lines or more of CDVA. The safety index was 1.10. Spherical equivalent was significantly reduced after ICRS implantation (P < .001). Corneal coma-like root mean square changed from 0.80 ± 0.53 µm before surgery to 0.61 ± 0.59 µm after surgery (P = .02) for 4.5 mm of pupil size. CONCLUSIONS: One Ferrara-type ICRS of 150° of arc with a thickness of 150, 200, or 250 µm implanted inferiorly may reduce both astigmatism and corneal coma-like aberrations in keratoconic eyes with no coincident topographic and comatic axes, providing an improvement of UDVA and CDVA values.

Recovery of Corneal Innervation after Treatment in Dry Eye Disease: A Confocal Microscopy Study.

PURPOSE: To analyze the changes in corneal innervation by means of in vivo corneal confocal microscopy (IVCM) in patients diagnosed with Evaporative (EDE) and Aqueous Deficient Dry Eye (ADDE) and treated with a standard treatment for Dry Eye Disease (DED) in combination with Plasma Rich in Growth Factors (PRGF). METHODS: Eighty-three patients diagnosed with DED were enrolled in this study and included in the EDE or ADDE subtype. The primary variables analyzed were the length, density and number of nerve branches, and the secondary variables were those related to the quantity and stability of the tear film and the subjective response of the patients measured with psychometric questionnaires. RESULTS: The combined treatment therapy with PRGF outperforms the standard treatment therapy in terms of subbasal nerve plexus regeneration, significantly increasing length, number of branches and nerve density, as well as significantly improving the stability of the tear film (p < 0.05 for all of them), and the most significant changes were located in the ADDE subtype. CONCLUSIONS: the corneal reinnervation process responds in a different way depending on the treatment prescribed and the subtype of dry eye disease. In vivo confocal microscopy is presented as a powerful technique in the diagnosis and management of neurosensory abnormalities in DED.

Early Lensectomy in Patients With Pseudoexfoliation: Long-Term Effectiveness and Safety Outcomes.

PRCIS: Early lensectomy in patients presenting pseudoexfoliation (PXF) in an asymmetric clinical stage resulted in effective, safe, and predictable long-term results. Good intraocular pressure (IOP) was found, thus it might be considered as a possible surgical approach in these patients. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to assess the long-term effectiveness, predictability, and safety of cataract surgery performed in patients with capsular PXF at an early stage of the disease. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This retrospective, comparative study included PXF patients who underwent phacoemulsification with hydrophobic acrylic intraocular lens implantation in both eyes with a postoperative follow-up ≥5 years. Patients were classified in 2 groups: symmetric PXF (n=102) and asymmetric PXF (n=59). Preoperative and postoperative uncorrected and corrected distance visual acuity, manifest refraction, IOP, number of hypotensive drugs, visual field mean deviation, and the incidence of complications were registered. RESULTS: The mean follow-up time was 8.5±2.8 years. Six months after cataract surgery, monocular uncorrected and corrected distance visual acuity were 0.3±0.4 and 0.1±0.3 logMAR, respectively, for the symmetric PXF, and 0.2±0.2 and 0.1±0.2 logMAR, respectively, for the asymmetric group. Total 95% and 96% of eyes were within ±1.00D in symmetric and asymmetric groups, respectively. At the final follow-up, IOP decreased only in the asymmetric group (P=0.004), with a reduction in the number of medications in both eyes (P<0.001). Mean deviation changed from -8.8 to -11.6 dB in the symmetric group (P<0.001), and from -5.0±6.2 to -7.9±10.6 dB (P=0.42) in the asymmetric group. Intraoperative complications were only registered in the symmetric group: 7 (3.4%; P=0.04). Ten cases (4.9%) of late intraocular lens dislocation were found, all from the symmetric group (P=0.03). CONCLUSIONS: Early lensectomy in patients with PXF before its symmetric presentation resulted in effective, safe, and predictable long-term results.

Beam-Shaping Extended Depth of Focus Intraocular Lens: Optical Assessment With Corneas of Increasing Spherical Aberration.

PURPOSE: To assess the optical quality and halo formation of a beam-shaping extended depth-of-focus (EDOF) intraocular lens (IOL) (AcrySof IQ Vivity; Alcon Laboratories, Inc) with corneas of long-range spherical aberration (SA) such as those resulting from myopic laser ablations. METHODS: The optical quality of the EDOF IOL and a reference monofocal IOL was evaluated with three corneas (A, B, and C, with SA =+0.135, +0.290, +0.540 µm, respectively, for a 5.15-mm pupil at the IOL plane). The through-focus modulation transfer function area (MTFa) curves were obtained between -5.00 and +2.00 diopters (D) defocus range. The halo was also assessed with the three corneas. RESULTS: Through-focus MTFa curves for a 4.5-mm IOL pupil showed a slight decrease in the maximum MTFa value provided by the EDOF IOL compared to the monofocal IOL in the three corneal situations (A: 45.9 vs 38.6 units; B: 41.1 vs 33.1 units, and C: 26.9 vs 23.8 units). For the 3.0-mm pupil, the EDOF IOL also had lower maximum MTFa than the monofocal IOL; however, the depth-of-focus increased to -2.20 D. With corneas A and B, the halo induced was of low energy with both IOLs. With cornea C, the EDOF IOL created a much larger and intense halo. CONCLUSIONS: The EDOF IOL provided a good distance optical performance and an extended range of focus of approximately 2.00 D, with a halo of low intensity when evaluated with a corneal SA similar to the one induced by a low to moderate myopic ablation. With a high myopic ablation, the halo induced would be of considerable size and energy. [J Refact Surg. 2023;39(2):95-102.].

Long-Term Follow-Up of a 150° Arc-Length Intrastromal Corneal Ring Segment Implantation in Post-LASIK Ectasia.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the outcomes of implanting a 150° arc-length intrastromal corneal ring segment (ICRS) using a femtosecond laser in patients with post-LASIK ectasia throughout a 5-year follow-up period. METHODS: This study enrolled 45 eyes of 45 patients diagnosed with post-LASIK ectasia who underwent a 150° arc-length Ferrara-type ICRS implantation. The uncorrected (UDVA) and corrected (CDVA) distance visual acuities, residual refractive errors, and root mean square (RMS) for coma-like aberration were evaluated preoperatively and at 6-, 12-, 36, and 60 months postoperatively. RESULTS: Mean UDVA (logMAR) ameliorated from 0.53 ± 0.33 preoperatively to 0.26 ± 0.24 at 6 months postoperatively (p < 0.0001). Mean CDVA improved from 0.12 ± 0.13 to 0.04 ± 0.06 (p < 0.0001). Mean UDVA and CDVA remained stable throughout the 5-year follow-up (p > 0.1). No eyes lost lines of CDVA at any follow-up visit compared to preoperatively, and most eyes gained lines. The eyes with a refractive cylinder ≤ 2.00 D varied from 26.7% preoperatively to more than 75% at all postoperative follow-up visits. The maximum keratometry was significantly flattened (p < 0.0001), and the RMS for corneal coma-like aberration was halved (p < 0.0001). 93.3% of the eyes did not show signs of disease progression or regression of the visual or refractive outcomes at any follow-up visits. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that implanting a single 150° arc-length Ferrara-type ICRS is a safe, effective and stable procedure for visual restoration in post-LASIK ectasia. In very few cases, visual and/or refractive instability was experienced throughout the follow-up.

Intrastromal Corneal Ring Segments Implantation After Deep Anterior Lamellar Keratoplasty for Astigmatism Correction: Mid-term and Long-term Follow-up.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to assess the long-term outcomes of implanting intrastromal corneal ring segments (ICRSs) using a femtosecond laser for correcting astigmatism in patients who had previous deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty (DALK) throughout a 5-year follow-up period. METHODS: This retrospective study included 40 eyes of 40 patients with previous DALK and astigmatism ≥3.00 D who underwent Ferrara-type ICRS implantation. The manifest refraction, uncorrected (UDVA) and corrected (CDVA) distance visual acuity (logMAR), and corneal topography were recorded preoperatively and at 6, 12, 36, and 60 months postoperatively. RESULTS: The mean UDVA (logMAR scale) improved from 1.39 ± 0.55 preoperatively to 0.71 ± 0.37 at 6 months postoperatively ( P < 0.0001). The mean CDVA (logMAR) significantly improved from 0.36 ± 0.17 to 0.22 ± 0.12 at 6 months after surgery ( P < 0.0001). Both UDVA and CDVA remained unchanged throughout the follow-up ( P = 0.09). Postoperatively, no eyes lost lines of CDVA compared to preoperatively, and around 80% of the eyes gained lines of CDVA. The safety index remained stable at a value of 1.4 throughout the follow-up. The refractive cylinder decreased from -6.86 ± 2.62 D preoperatively to -2.33 ± 1.09D at 6 months postoperatively ( P < 0.0001), and subsequently, it was stable over the postoperative period ( P = 0.2). The maximum and minimum keratometry measurements significantly decreased after surgery and remained stable over the postoperative follow-up period ( P > 0.07). CONCLUSIONS: This study shows the long-term viability of Ferrara-type ICRS implantation using a femtosecond laser as a surgical alternative for astigmatism correction in post-DALK eyes.

Clinical and Aberrometric Outcomes of a New Implantable Collamer Lens for Myopia and Presbyopia Correction in Phakic Patients.

PURPOSE: To assess the clinical and aberrometric outcomes of a new Implantable Collamer Lens (EVO Viva ICL; STAAR Surgical) to correct moderate to high myopia and presbyopia. METHODS: The study included 80 eyes of 40 patients who had bilateral EVO Viva ICL implantation. Uncorrected (UDVA) and corrected (CDVA) distance visual acuities, refraction, presbyopic add power, binocular through-focus visual acuity, total ocular spherical aberration (SA), coma aberration, and root mean square of ocular higher order aberrations (RMS HOAs) (i-Trace Aberrometer; Tracey Technologies) for a 4.5-mm pupil size were evaluated. RESULTS: The mean binocular postoperative UDVA and CDVA were 0.09 ± 0.19 and 0.02 ± 0.03 logMAR, respectively. The postoperative spherical equivalent was -0.61 ± 0.54 diopters (D). The presbyopic add power reduced from +1.31 ± 0.74 D preoperatively to +0.44 ± 0.58 D after surgery (P < .0001). The mean visual acuity was 0.1 logMAR or better (20/25 or better) across the vergence range from +0.50 to -1.50 D, better than 0.2 logMAR (20/32 or better) up to the vergence of -2.00 D, and remained better than 0.3 logMAR (20/40 or better) up to the vergence of -2.50 D. The total ocular aberrations induced by EVO Viva ICL were -0.34 ± 0.09 µm of SA, 0.24 ± 0.18 µm of coma, and 0.26 ± 0.12 µm of RMS HOAs. CONCLUSIONS: The outcomes support that the new ICL might be a good alternative for myopia and presbyopia correction in patients aged between 45 and 55 years. Further studies are needed to evaluate the threshold lens misalignment from which the patient´s visual quality would be affected. [J Refract Surg. 2023;39(9):589-596.].

Ten-Year Follow-up of Posterior Chamber Phakic Intraocular Lens with Central Port Design in patients with low- and normal-vault.

PURPOSE: To assess the clinical outcomes and postoperative complications of the Implantable Collamer Lens (ICL) with a central port throughout ten years of follow-up in patients with low- and normal-vault. SETTING: Fernández-Vega Ophthalmological Institute, Oviedo, Spain. DESIGN: Retrospective and comparative case series. METHODS: This study included eyes that underwent a V4c ICL implantation with ten years of follow-up. The eyes were divided into two groups according to the vault at one year postoperatively: Vault < 250 µm; and between 250 and 800 µm. Uncorrected (UDVA), corrected distance visual acuity (CDVA), intraocular pressure (IOP), endothelial cell density (ECD), vault, complications and secondary surgeries were analysed. RESULTS: 37 and 90 eyes were enrolled in the low- and normal-vault groups. No differences in UDVA, CDVA and refraction were found between groups at ten years of follow-up. No cases developed ICL-induced anterior subcapsular opacity over the follow-up. Two (5.4%) and eight eyes (8.9%) in the low- and normal-vault-groups required ICL exchange. One (2.8%) and two eyes (2.2%) in the low- and normal-low-vault groups required excimer laser to correct residual refractive error. The IOP remained stable throughout the 10-year follow-up. The loss in ECD from the preoperative at the 10-year postoperatively was 3.8% and 4.5% in the low- and normal-vault groups (P=0.4). No pigment dispersion glaucoma or other vision-threatening complications were reported. CONCLUSIONS: This study shows the good long-term outcomes of the V4c ICL, supporting that the central hole provides safety to the procedure and prevents the potential risk associated with the low vault.