Optical Biometry Derived Axial Length Measurements Following Intravitreal Anti-Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Treatment for Macular Edema.

PURPOSE: To evaluate axial length (AL) alterations in patients with macular disease over the course of intravitreal anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF) treatment. METHODS: In this prospective, comparative study, 33 patients with macular edema underwent unilaterally intravitreal anti-VEGF therapy and were followed for two months; the contralateral eyes were considered as controls. Central retinal thickness (CRT) was measured with spectral-domain optical coherence tomography and AL with an IOL-Master optical biometer. RESULTS: CRT of the treated eyes decreased by 35.33 ± 65.59 µm (range, -222.00-67 µm), while AL increased by 0.008 ± 0.062 mm (range, -0.11-0.18 mm). CRT of the control group decreased by 9.82 ± 65.40 µm (range, -203-182 µm), and AL increased by 0.011 ± 0.129 mm (range, -0.20-0.67 mm). No significant correlation was detected between CRT and AL parameters (rhos=0.026, P=0.882). CONCLUSIONS: Anti-VEGF administration has no significant impact on optical biometry-derived AL measurements.

Femtosecond laser-assisted intracorneal biopolymer insertion for the symptomatic treatment of bullous keratopathy.

PURPOSE: To describe a new minimally invasive surgical technique for the symptomatic management of bullous keratopathy in blind eyes. METHODS: Four patients with severe corneal edema due to endothelial decompensation and no visual function in the affected eye presented for the relief of their ocular symptoms (pain and tearing). Femtosecond laser technology was used to create a deep corneal pocket into which silicone oil was inserted. RESULTS: After the procedure, all patients demonstrated immediate relief of their symptoms, along with restoration of a normal corneal surface 7 days after the procedure (no bullae and no epithelial defects). All patients remained free of symptoms during the entire follow-up period (from 24 to 31 months). Anterior to the inserted implant, the corneal lamellae remained compact, transparent, and without bullae; whereas the posterior corneal stroma under the implant was edematous. No intraoperative or postoperative complications were noted. CONCLUSIONS: Intracorneal insertion of silicone oil is a feasible new technique for the symptomatic treatment of bullous keratopathy in blind eyes.