Characteristic cytokine profile of the aqueous humor in eyes with congenital cataract and pre-existing posterior capsule dysfunction.

Objectives: To investigate the characteristic cytokine profile of the aqueous humor in eyes with congenital cataract and pre-existing posterior capsule dysfunction (PCD). Methods: In this cross-sectional study, the enrolled eyes with congenital cataract and PCD were included in the PCD group, while those with an intact posterior capsule were included in the control group. Demographic data and biometric parameters were recorded. The levels of 17 inflammatory factors in the aqueous humor collected from the enrolled eyes were detected using Luminex xMAP technology, and intergroup differences in the collected data were analyzed. Results: The PCD group comprised 41 eyes from 31 patients with congenital cataract and PCD, whereas the control group comprised 42 eyes from 27 patients with congenital cataract and an intact posterior capsule. Lens thickness was significantly thinner in the PCD group than in the control group. However, the levels of monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1), transforming growth factor-ß2 (TGF-ß2), and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) were significantly higher in the PCD group than in the control group. Multivariate logistic regression confirmed that lens thickness and TGF-ß2 level were independent risk factors for PCD. Conclusion: A thinner lens thickness in eyes with congenital cataract and PCD could serve as a biometric feature of these eyes. The higher levels of MCP-1, TGF-ß2, and VEGF in eyes with PCD indicated a change in their intraocular inflammatory microenvironment, which possibly led to cataract progression. Lens thickness and TGF-ß2 level are independent risk factors for PCD.

The corneal biomechanical differences after wearing orthokeratology lenses and multifocal soft lenses in children: A self-control study.

BACKGROUND: To compare the changes in corneal biomechanics after orthokeratology (OK) lens and Defocus Incorporated Soft Contact (DISC) lens treatment. METHODS: Of 28 myopic children were recruited, with one eye wearing OK lens and the other eye wearing DISC lens for one year, and the data after discontinued for 4 weeks were also collected. Major outcomes were corneal biomechanics and axial length (AL) elongation. RESULTS: Throughout the follow-up period, the DISC group had longer the first applanation (A1) time, larger A1 deformation amplitude, A1 deflection length (A1 DLL), and A1 deflection amplitude than the OK group. AL elongation was less in the OK group at each visit (all P < 0.05) but faster in the OK group than in the DISC group after discontinuation (P = 0.006). Moreover, AL elongation was related to baseline A1 time, A1 velocity and whole eye movement max in the DISC group, and in the OK group, was related to the baseline the second applanation (A2) DLL, A2 delta arc length and stiffness parameter A1 (all P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The cornea was more deformable after wearing DISC lens than OK lens, and corneal biomechanical parameters were associated with AL elongation. Eyes showed less AL elongation during OK lens treatment while faster AL elongation after discontinuation than DISC lens. The baseline corneal biomechanics may help to predict AL elongation in myopic control strategies.

Short-term Changes in Epithelial and Optical Redistribution Induced by Different Orthokeratology Designs.

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to investigate corneal epithelial and topographic changes caused by two commercial myopia orthokeratology (ortho-k) designs. METHODS: Twenty-six subjects fitted with vision shape treatment (VST) lenses and 30 subjects fitted with corneal reshaping therapy (CRT) lenses were reviewed 1 day, 1 week, and 1 month after lens initiation. A spectral-domain optical coherence tomography system was used to create epithelial maps that were in turn used to determine the average epithelial thickness of each zone and the diameter of treatment zone. By measuring the topographic tangential differential map, the treatment zone diameter and the power and width of the high convex zone (HCZ) were obtained. All epithelial thicknesses and topographic corneal variations recorded were analyzed. RESULTS: At the central zone, the epithelial thickness changes (△ET) decreased significantly after 1 day of ortho-k in two groups. At 2- to 9-mm peripheral zone, ortho-k increased △ET until 1 week in the VST group, whereas it kept increasing in the CRT group after 1 week. At 1 month, the central △ET is -9.51±2.38 mm in the VST group, which was comparable to -8.72±3.43 mm in the CRT group. The nasal HCZ power and the △ET of nasal and inferior nasal were significantly larger in the CRT group. A positive correlation was found between the HCZ power and △ET generated by VST-type lenses inferiorly and temporally. For the CRT group, a positive correlation was found between inferior HCZ power and △ET. CONCLUSIONS: At the early stage of ortho-k, epithelial thickness and topography change quickly and simultaneously. Epithelial changes were in line with corneal topography reshaping. Epithelial and optical remodelling were affected by different lens types.

Unsupervised Learning Based on Meibography Enables Subtyping of Dry Eye Disease and Reveals Ocular Surface Features.

Purpose: This study aimed to establish an image-based classification that can reveal the clinical characteristics of patients with dry eye using unsupervised learning methods. Methods: In this study, we analyzed 82,236 meibography images from 20,559 subjects. Using the SimCLR neural network, the images were categorized. Data for each patient were averaged and subjected to mini-batch k-means clustering, and validated through consensus clustering. Statistical metrics determined optimal category numbers. Using a UNet model, images were segmented to identify meibomian gland (MG) areas. Clinical features were assessed, including tear breakup time (BUT), tear meniscus height (TMH), and gland atrophy. A thorough ocular surface evaluation was conducted on 280 cooperative patients. Results: SimCLR neural network achieved clustering patients with dry eye into six image-based subtypes. Patients in different subtypes harbored significantly different noninvasive BUT, significantly correlated with TMH. Subtypes 1 and 5 had the most severe MG atrophy. Subtype 2 had the highest corneal fluorescent staining (CFS). Subtype 4 had the lowest TMH, whereas subtype 5 had the highest. Subtypes 3 and 6 had the largest MG areas, and the upper MG areas of a person's bilateral eyes were highly correlated. Image-based subtypes are related to meibum quality, CFS, and morphological characteristics of MG. Conclusions: In this study, we developed an unsupervised neural network model to cluster patients with dry eye into image-based subtypes using meibography images. We annotated these subtypes with functional and morphological clinical characteristics.

Repeatability and reproducibility of anterior lens zonule length measurement using ArcScan insight 100 very high-frequency ultrasound.

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to evaluate the intra-examiner repeatability and inter-examiner reproducibility in lens zonular length measurements using very high-frequency digital ultrasound (Insight 100). METHODS: Two examiners performed ultrasound imaging independently in each subject. The length of temporal and nasal zonules were then measured with a built-in software. Coefficient of variations (CVs) of the three repeated measurements were used to determine intra-examiner variances. Inter-examiner reproducibility was evaluated using intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs) and the Bland-Altman method. RESULTS: 40 eyes of 40 subjects (14male and 26female; mean age 23.9 ± 2.4 years) were included in the study. The CVs for intra-examiner measurement were 2.74% temporally and 4.32% nasally for Examiner 1, and were 1.96% temporally and 1.75% nasally for Examiner 2. For inter-examiner reproducibility, all ICCs were above 0.9. However, there were significant differences between the two examiners in temporal zonular length measurements (p = 0.001), and the differences mainly came from measuring the zonular length manually (p = 0.001) rather than recording images (p = 0.480). No significant differences were found between two measurements by the same examiner after one month (all p > 0.05, all ICCs > 0.8). CONCLUSION: The Insight 100 device can be used to measure the length of anterior lens zonule with relatively good repeatability and reproducibility. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION: www.clinicaltrials.gov identifier is NCT05657951.

Correlation Between Lens Density Measured by Swept-Source Optical Coherence Tomography and Phacodynamic Parameters of Centurion Phacoemulsification.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the correlation between lens density measured by IOL-Master 700 based on swept-source optical coherence tomography (SS-OCT) technology and the phacodynamic parameters of Centurion phacoemulsification in cataract surgery. METHODS: This prospective study included 66 patients (83 eyes) with age-related cataracts. Using the Lens Opacities Classification System III (LOCS III), the lens nuclear color (NC), lens nuclear opalescence (NO), cortical (C), and posterior subcapsular (P) opacities were obtained. Six meridian orientations of IOL-Master 700 images were captured, and the lens and nuclear regions were analyzed using ImageJ to generate the average lens nucleus density (AND) and average lens density (ALD). Phacodynamic parameters were recorded. The correlation between lens density and the phacodynamic parameters was analyzed. According to the AND, patients were divided into four groups (soft, medium-hard, hard, and extremely hard nucleus), and the phacodynamic parameters were compared among groups. RESULTS: The correlation between the AND obtained by LOCS III grading and SS-OCT-based cataract quantification system score (NC and NO) was statistically significant (rNC = 0.795, rNO=0.794, both p = .000). AND correlated significantly with cumulative dissipated energy (CDE, r = 0.545, p = .000), total ultrasound time (TUST, r = 0.354, p = .001), and total torsional ultrasound time (TTUT, r = 0.314, p = .004). Among the four groups divided by AND, the difference in CDE (P13 = 0.002, P14 < 0.001, P24 = 0.002) was statistically significant. CONCLUSION: AND measured by IOL-Master 700, SS-OCT correlated significantly with LOCS III classification and phacodynamic parameters of the Centurion system, especially with CDE, TUST, and TTUT. AND can be used as an indicator for quantitative evaluation and help inform the surgical plan.

Analysis of the Dysfunctional Lens Index as a Novel Criterion for Surgical Decision-Making in Age-Related Cataracts.

BACKGROUND: The dysfunctional lens index (DLI) provided by a ray-tracing aberrometry system is an objective index in cataract assessment. The purpose of this study is to evaluate correlations among Lens Opacities Classification System III (LOCS III) grades, Catquest 9SF scores, and the (DLI) and the DLI's role in surgical decision-making in age-related mixed cataract. METHODS: This trial was registered at NIH (clinicaltrial.gov) on January 5, 2021 (NCT04711395). In this prospective cross-sectional study, age-related mixed cataract patients were recruited. One high-volume and two low-volume surgeons made surgical decisions based on corrected distance visual acuity (CDVA), LOCS III graded photographs, and Catquest 9SF scores. Their decision-making agreement was evaluated with Cohen's kappa coefficient. Correlations among the parameters were analyzed. The optimal cut-off DLI was calculated using a receiver operating characteristic curve. RESULTS: Overall, 106 patients (106 eyes) were included. Very good agreement levels were noted among the high- and low-volume surgeons (Cohen's kappa coefficient, 0.848) (95% CI, 0.748-0.948). The DLI had the strongest correlation with Catquest 9SF scores (R2 = 0.566), followed by with posterior subcapsular (R2 = 0.418), nuclear opalescence (R2 = 0.388), and cortical (R2 = 0.333, all P < .0001) cataract LOCS III grades. Catquest 9SF scores were correlated with cortical (R2 = 0.249), nuclear opalescence (R2 = 0.278), and posterior subcapsular (R2 = 0.235, all P < .0001) cataract LOCS III grades. A cut-off DLI of 5.36 was identified as a surgical criterion (specificity, 86.9%; sensitivity, 93.3%). CONCLUSIONS: The DLI is valuable for objectively assessing patient complaints and lens opacity severity. LOCS III remains effective and economical in assessing early cortical cataracts with relatively clear central lenses. A cut-off DLI ≤5.36 could be a criterion for preoperative decision-making.

Morphological changes in the iridocorneal angle and their relationship with intraocular pressure after infantile cataract surgery.

AIM: To evaluate morphological changes in the iridocorneal angle after pediatric cataract surgery. METHODS: Children who underwent primary infantile cataract surgery were included and 64 eyes from 41 children, including 18 with unilateral cataracts (18 eyes) and 23 with bilateral cataracts (46 eyes) were examined. All patients underwent two gonioscopic examinations to evaluate the iridocorneal angle, before the primary lens removal and before the secondary intraocular lens implantation. The anatomical changes in the iridocorneal angle and the relationship between intraocular pressure (IOP) and iridocorneal angle changes were also analyzed. RESULTS: The iridocorneal angle was wide in 64 eyes before and after surgery. The trabecular meshwork pigmentation, number of iris processes in every quadrant of the iridocorneal angle, and the width of the ciliary body band in the superior and inferior quadrants at the second gonioscopic examination were significantly increased compared to those at the first examination (P<0.001, P<0.05, P<0.05, and P<0.05, respectively). IOP gradually increased at 1mo after operation, and returned to the preoperative level at 3mo. However, IOP still increased significantly at 6 and 12mo. CONCLUSION: The main changes after pediatric cataract surgery include an increase in trabecular meshwork pigmentation and number of iris processes, IOP gradually increase and has positive correlation with trabecular meshwork pigmentation and anterior insertion of iris process.

Macular Morphologic and Microvascular Analysis in Pseudophakic Children with Previous Pediatric Cataract Using Optical Coherence Tomography Angiography.

INTRODUCTION: The macular morphologic and microvascular changes in children with pseudophakia after pediatric cataract surgery remain unknown. The aim of this study was to analyze macular morphologic and microvascular remodeling in children with pseudophakia after pediatric cataract surgery using optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA). METHODS: Consecutive cases between December 1, 2018, and November 31, 2020 were recruited. Sixty-one participants (31 pseudophakic children and 30 healthy controls) met the inclusion criteria and were included for final analysis. OCTA was used to measure macular vascular density, the foveal avascular zone (FAZ), and macular thickness. The parameters were compared between pseudophakic and healthy eyes using binary logistic regression, with adjustment for the effect of refractive error, age, and axial length. RESULTS: Compared with normal eyes, a significantly reduced area of the FAZ (p = 0.042), increased superficial foveal vascular density (p = 0.033), and increased inner and outer foveal thickness (p = 0.034 and 0.029, respectively) were noted in pseudophakic eyes. The deep parafoveal vascular density was generally lower in eyes with cataracts (p ≤ 0.044). The inner foveal thickness was positively correlated with the superficial foveal vascular density (r = 0.889, p < 0.001) and negatively correlated with the area of the FAZ (r = -0.903, p < 0.001). The outer foveal thickness was positively correlated with the deep foveal vascular density (r = 0.399, p = 0.002). CONCLUSIONS: Morphological and microvascular remodeling in children with previous pediatric cataract indicates foveal underdevelopment. The underlying mechanism requires further investigation.

Air pollutant emission and reduction potentials from the sintering process of the iron and steel industry in China in 2017.

The iron and steel industry (ISI) is one of the most energy-intensive industries in China, which makes a substantial contribution to the emissions of air pollutants. Among the various manufacturing processes, sintering is the major emitting process, which shares over half of the emissions of sulfur dioxide (SO2), nitrogen oxide (NOx) and particulate matter (PM) for the entire industry. In this study we made a comprehensive evaluation of the air pollutant emissions from the sintering process of China's ISI in 2017 based on the Continuous Emission Monitoring System (CEMS) database and estimated the future reduction potentials. We found that there was a general decreasing trend of emission concentrations in the sintering flue gas in response to the strengthened emission control policies, but the mild increase of the oxygen content in the second half of the year flattened the decreasing trend, indicating the necessity for simultaneous control of the oxygen content in the flue gas. Despite the relative high standard-reaching rates of 90% to the emission concentration limits in GB 28662-2012, the standard-reaching rates to the ultra-low emission standards were only 12%, 40% and 27% for NOx, SO2 and PM respectively, with the lowest value mostly occurred in the western provinces. In 2017, the NOx, SO2 and PM emissions from the sintering process were 378.6 kt, 169.0 kt and 51.9 kt, respectively. If the ultra-low emission standards were met, the corresponding NOx, SO2 and PM emissions would decrease by 69.9%, 52.9%, and 56.4% respectively, illustrating large emission reducing potentials by achieving the ultra-low emission standards.

Clinical outcomes of single-step transepithelial photorefractive keratectomy and off-flap epipolis-laser in situ keratomileusis in moderate to high myopia: 12-month follow-up.

BACKGROUND: To compare the quantitative and qualitative optical outcomes of single-step transepithelial photorefractive keratectomy (TPRK) and off-flap epipolis-laser in situ keratomileusis (Epi-LASIK) in moderate to high myopia. METHODS: In this prospective self-control study, we included patients with moderate to high myopia who were randomized to undergo TPRK in one eye and Epi-LASIK in the other eye. Twelve-month follow-up results for visual acuity, refraction, ocular high-order aberrations, contrast sensitivity, postoperative pain, epithelial healing, and haze grade were assessed. RESULTS: A total of 64 eyes (32 patients) were enrolled in the study. More eyes completed re-epithelialization in the TPRK group than in the Off-flap Epi-LASIK group 3-4 days postoperatively, while all eyes completed re-epithelialization by 7 days. More eyes achieved a visual acuity (both UDVA and CDVA) of better than 20/20 in the TPRK group than in the Off-flap Epi-LASIK group. The ±0.50 D predictability for correction of the spherical equivalent (SE) was higher in the eyes of the TPRK group (91%) than in those of the off-flap Epi-LASIK group (80%) 12 months after surgery. No significant differences in ocular aberrations, including coma, spherical, and trefoil, were found between the two groups at 12 months. There were also no significant differences in visual acuity, contrast sensitivity, pain, and haze grading between the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: Both TPRK and off-flap Epi-LASIK are safe, effective, and predictable treatments for moderate to high myopia with comparable surgical outcomes. TRIAL REGISTRATION: This study was retrospectively registered on ClinicalTrial.gov ( NCT05060094 , 17/09/2021).

Posterior Capsular Outcomes of Pediatric Cataract Surgery With In-The-Bag Intraocular Lens Implantation.

Aim: To investigate the change of posterior capsular outcomes of pediatric cataract surgery with primary in-the-bag intraocular lens (IOL) implantation. Methods: We conducted a case series of pediatric cataract children who underwent cataract extraction with primary in-the-bag IOL implantation, posterior capsulorhexis or vitrectorhexis, and limited anterior vitrectomy at the Eye Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University between 2016 and 2019. Digital retro-illumination photographs of pediatric eyes were obtained at baseline and 6 months, 12 months, and the last visit postoperatively. Capsular outcomes of the posterior capsular opening area (PCOA) and lens reprolifration area at those time points were compared. Correlations between the PCOA and influential factors, such as age at surgery, axial growth, and follow-up duration, were analyzed. The study was registered at register.clinicaltrials.gov (NCT04803097). Results: Data of 23 patients (27 eyes) were used in the final analysis. During follow-up, the PCOA enlarged at a rate of 0.29-0.32 mm2/month during the first six months postoperatively and 0.05-0.08 mm2/month over the next 1-2 years. Six months postoperatively, the PCOA enlargement statistically and positively correlated with the follow-up duration and axial growth. The area of lens reprolifration was 0.46 ± 1.00 mm2 at six months postoperatively and then remained stable. Conclusion: The PCOA enlarged rapidly within the first six months after the pediatric cataract surgery with primary IOL implantation. Six months postoperatively, the enlargement of PCOA was positively correlated with follow-up duration and axial growth. Posterior capsulorhexis or capsulectomy should be performed with a diameter of 3.0 to 4.0 mm for good visual axis transparency and the protection of in-the-bag IOL.

Glaucoma and risk factors three years after congenital cataract surgery.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to identify the incidence of and risk factors for postoperative glaucoma-related adverse events at various time points after congenital cataract surgery. METHODS: This retrospective cohort study enrolled 259 eyes from 174 patients (surgical age ≤ 7 years) who underwent congenital cataract surgery. All surgical procedures were conducted at the Eye Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University between May 2011 and March 2019. Patients were classified into group 1 [primary intraocular lens (IOL) implantation, N = 111 eyes], group 2 (secondary IOL implantation, N = 85 eyes), and group 3 (no IOL implantation, N = 63 eyes). We recorded demographic factors and incidence and risk factors for glaucoma-related adverse events. RESULTS: Glaucoma-related adverse events occurred in 21 (8.1%) eyes, whereas 27 (10.4%) eyes developed steroid-induced ocular hypertension. The percentage of glaucoma-related adverse events was 0%, 1.2%, 1.2%, 1.6%, 4.0%, and 8.9% at 1 month, 6 months, 1 year, 2 years, 3 years and 4 years after surgery, respectively. Sixteen (18.8%), five (7.9%), and zero eyes developed glaucoma-related adverse events in groups 2, 3, and 1, respectively. Family history of congenital cataract [hazard ratio (HR), 50.463; 95% confidence interval (CI), 7.051-361.139; P < 0.001], preoperative central corneal thickness (CCT) [HR, 1.021; 95% CI, 1.009-1.034; P = 0.001], preoperative horizontal corneal diameter (HCD) [HR, 3.922; 95% CI, 1.558-9.804; P = 0.004], and preoperative lens thickness (LT) [HR, 3.745; 95% CI, 1.344-10.417; P = 0.012] were identified as predictors of postoperative glaucoma-related adverse events. CONCLUSIONS: Family history of congenital cataract, thicker preoperative CCT, smaller preoperative HCD, and thinner preoperative LT are the main risk factors of postoperative glaucoma-related adverse events. Regular monitoring of children after cataract surgery with these risk factors may help ophthalmologists detect susceptible individuals and provide timely interventions in the clinic.

A GEE model for predicting axial length after cataract surgery in children younger than 2 years of age.

PURPOSE: To develop a model for predicting postoperative axial length (AL) in children undergoing cataract surgery younger than 2 years of age. SETTING: The Eye Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Hangzhou, China DESIGN: Retrospective study. METHODS: Children were included only if AL data were available before surgery and at least 1 year after surgery. Eyes were divided into pseudophakic, aphakic, and unaffected eye groups. Variables that could influence axial growth were analyzed and a multivariable generalized estimating equation regression model was developed to predict postoperative AL. RESULTS: 333 eyes from 190 patients were included. We observed a logarithmic linear correlation between age and AL in the unaffected eye group, AL = (2.7924 × log of age in months) + 17.607, R2 = 0.6596. Meanwhile, The GEE model of eyes with cataracts can be written as follows: Postoperative AL = 6.408 + 0.611 × (baseline AL) + 0.007 × (baseline age) - -0.006 (baseline age) × (age at follow-up) - -0.391 × coefficient of surgery. The ages were recorded in months, the ALs were recorded in millimeter. CONCLUSIONS: The assessment of AL is one of the most important parts of successful postoperative management in congenital cataract patients. This study established an AL estimate formula for children aged ≤ 2 years with congenital cataract who underwent cataract surgery. This model theoretically could be used to predict individual future AL for child undergoing cataract surgery.

Effect of age and cycloplegia on the morphology of the human crystalline lens: swept-source OCT study.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the effect of age and cycloplegia on the morphology of the crystalline lens using a swept-source optical coherence tomography (SS-OCT) system. SETTING: Hospital. DESIGN: Prospective cross-sectional study. METHODS: The parameters including anterior chamber depth (ACD), the radii of curvature of the anterior and posterior surface of the crystalline lens (ALR and PLR), lens thickness (LT), lens equatorial diameter (LED), and lens vault (LV) were quantified by the SS-OCT before and after cycloplegia. The paired t test was used to compare the parameters before and after cycloplegia. A multivariate linear regression model was built to analyze the association between the parameters/cycloplegia-induced changes and age, while adjusting for the effect of axial length, refractive status, and sex. RESULTS: 76 individuals (age range, 18 to 86 years) were recruited. The ALR and ACD were negatively correlated with age (P ≤ .002), and the LT, LV, and LED were positively correlated with age (P ≤ .004). In participants younger than 60 years, the ALR and ACD significantly increased, whereas the LV and LT significantly decreased after cycloplegia (all P < .001). With aging, cycloplegia-induced differences of ALR (P = .001) and ACD (P = .014) significantly decreased, and of LT (P < .001), LT (P < .001), and LV (P = .001) significantly increased. CONCLUSIONS: The crystalline lens morphology measured by the SS-OCT revealed steepening anterior surface and increasing equatorial diameter with age. Cycloplegia caused a significant change of anterior surface morphology in participants younger than 60 years, and this effect diminished with age.

The Relationship Between Age and the Morphology of the Crystalline Lens, Ciliary Muscle, Trabecular Meshwork, and Schlemm's Canal: An in vivo Swept-Source Optical Coherence Tomography Study.

Purpose: To evaluate the effects of age on the morphologies of the crystalline lens, ciliary muscle (CM), Schlemm's canal (SC), and trabecular meshwork (TM) using swept-source optical coherence tomography (SS-OCT). Methods: Images of the crystalline lens and iridocorneal angle were obtained in healthy participants' eyes using SS-OCT. Morphological parameters of the crystalline lens, CM, and TM/SC were measured, and the relationship between these parameters and age was evaluated. Results: A total of 62 healthy participants were enrolled, with an age range of 7-79 years. With adjustments for the effects of axial length and sex, both the nasal and temporal SC cross-sectional areas (CSA) and the cross-sectional area of the CM (CMA), distance from the scleral spur to the inner apex of the ciliary muscle (IA-SS), and nasal SC volume were negatively correlated with age (P ≤ 0.041). Meanwhile, the lens thickness (LT) (P < 0.001) and lens vault (LV) (P < 0.001) were positively correlated with age, and the radius of the curvature of the anterior lens (ALR) was negatively correlated with age (P < 0.001). Conclusion: Increasing age was associated with a thicker crystalline lens, a steeper anterior lens curvature, an anteriorly located and smaller CM, and a narrower SC. Clinical Trial Registration: https://register.clinicaltrials.gov/prs/app/action/Select Protocol?sid=S000A3JZ&selectaction=Edit&uid=U00019K7&ts=4&cx=-c5xxp8, identifier [NCT04576884].

Meibomian Gland Morphology Changes After Cataract Surgery: A Contra-Lateral Eye Study.

Purpose: To evaluate the morphology changes of meibomian glands (MGs) after cataract surgery. Setting: Hangzhou Branch of the Eye Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Zhejiang, China. Methods: In this contra-lateral eye study, 40 patients received unilateral cataract surgery for age-related cataract. All the patients underwent the evaluation of non-invasive break-up time (NIBUT) and lower tear meniscus height (TMH) before the surgery and 6 months post-operatively. The MGs were evaluated via ImageJ and Meibomian Gland Bio-image Analyzer. MG dropout, length, width, area, gland diameter deformation index (DI), and gland signal index (SI) were recorded. Results: MG length, width, area, DI, and SI were significantly decreased after cataract surgery in the study group (operated eyes, P < 0.001, P = 0.003, P < 0.001, P = 0.001, and P < 0.001, respectively) and showed no significant changes in the control group (non-operated eyes) (all P > 0.05). MG loss increased more in the study group (P = 0.030), and the changes in TMH and NIBUT were not significantly different between the two eyes (both P > 0.05). Conclusion: Cataract surgery aggravated meibomian gland morphology, such as MG loss, MG length, width, area, and SI, and produced no change in NIBUT and TMH at 6 months post-operatively.

Assessment of anterior chamber angle changes after phacoemulsification with swept-source OCT.

AIM: To assess the changes of anterior chamber angle in patients with shallow anterior chamber after phacoemulsification combined with intraocular lens (IOL) implantation, based on anterior segment swept-source optical coherence tomography (AS-SS-OCT) measurements. METHODS: This was a prospective case control study; sixty eyes of sixty case were scheduled for cataract surgery with normal intraocular pressure (IOP). Based on anterior chamber depth (ACD) and gonioscopy findings, the eyes were divided into two groups: group of shallow anterior chamber and narrow angle (SAC group, 30 eyes); and group of normal anterior chamber group with wide angle (NAC group, 30 eyes). Measurements of ACD, anterior chamber volume (ACV), iris volume (IV), lens vault (LV), angle opening distance (AOD), angle recess area (ARA), trabecular iris space area (TISA), and trabecular iris angle (TIA) were conducted in each group before and 3mo after surgery. RESULTS: There was no significant difference in age, axial length (AL), corneal curvature, corneal diameter, intraocular pressure, and IV between two groups before surgery, except for the LV (P=0.000). ACD and ACV were prominently larger in the NAC group than the SAC group 3mo after operation (3.69±0.38 vs 3.85±0.39 mm, P=0.025; 161.37±19.47 vs 178.26±20.30 mm3, P=0.002). AOD750, ARA750 in nasal and inferior quadrants, TISA750 in all quadrants except temporal, and TIA750 in all quadrants in SAC group were significantly smaller than those in NAC group after operation (all P<0.05). CONCLUSION: Cataract surgery can deepen anterior chamber and increase the width of anterior chamber angle in Chinese subjects, but the angle related parameters including AOD750, ARA750, TISA750, TIA, TISA750, and ACV in patients with shallow anterior chamber and narrow angle do not reach the normal level.

Age-related changes in crystalline lens tilt and decentration: swept-source OCT study.

PURPOSE: To investigate the age-related tilt and decentration of crystalline lenses using a swept-source optical coherence tomography biometer (SS-OCT) (CASIA2, Tomey Corp.). SETTING: Eye Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China. DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. METHODS: The direction and magnitude of the crystalline lens were evaluated in 230 participants with ages ranging from 7 to 90 years using SS-OCT. The participants were divided into 4 age groups, and the differences among the groups were analyzed. Multiple linear regression was used to investigate the main factors influencing crystalline lens tilt and decentration. RESULTS: The natural crystalline lens tilted toward the inferotemporal direction with a mean magnitude of 4.3 ± 1.5 degrees (range 0.7 to 8.95 degrees). The mean decentration toward the superotemporal direction was 0.17 ± 0.12 mm (range 0.03 to 1.15 mm). There was mirror symmetry between the right and left eyes. There were statistically significant differences in the crystalline lens tilt and decentration among the age groups. Multiple linear regression showed that changes in crystalline lens tilt depended on angle α (P < .01) and anterior chamber depth (ACD; P = .008), whereas crystalline lens decentration depended on angle κ (P = .003), age (P < .01), and angle α (P = .002). CONCLUSIONS: Although there was a statistically significant difference in crystalline lens tilt and decentration among age groups, the variation in the crystalline lens position was partially affected by age. The crystalline lens tilt was greater in eyes with wider angle α and shallower ACD, whereas crystalline lens decentration was greater in younger eyes with wider angles κ and α.

Early changes in retinal microcirculation after uncomplicated cataract surgery using an active-fluidics system.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the early changes in retinal microcirculation after uncomplicated cataract surgery using an active-fluidics system. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients underwent uncomplicated cataract surgery for both eyes were enrolled. The two eyes of the patients were randomly assigned to two groups, the active-fluidics group and the gravity-fluidics group. One eye using an active-fluidics system, and the other using a gravity-fluidics system. Optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) was performed at 1 day, 7 days, 30 days, and 90 days after surgery. RESULTS: Fifty eyes (25 patients) were included in the final analysis. A significantly lower cumulative dissipated energy (CDE), estimated fluid usage (EFU), and total aspiration time (TAT) were observed in the active-fluidics group (all P<0.05). The superficial vessel density at parafoveal region increased at 7 days and 30 days after cataract surgery in the eyes of both the active-fluidics and gravity-fluidics groups, with the fluctuation in eyes of the gravity-fluidics group more significant. The vessel density of deep capillary plexus remained stable during the follow-up period. Significant changes of retinal thickness in macular region (fovea, parafovea) were observed in eyes of the gravity-fluidics group through the comparison of corresponding values at different time points (p = 0.008, 0.005). No significant change in retinal thickness was observed in eyes of the active-fluidics. CONCLUSIONS: Retinal microcirculation and thickness were disturbed after cataract surgery using the gravity-fluidics infusion system. The active-fluidics system not only improved the surgical efficacy but also protected the retinal vasculature during cataract surgery. CLINICAL TRIALS REGISTRATION: The study has been registered at www.clinicaltrials.gov with its clinical trial accession number of NCT0130500.