Triamcinolone Acetonide Subconjunctival Injection as Stand-alone Inflammation Prophylaxis after Phacoemulsification Cataract Surgery.

PURPOSE: To compare the effectiveness and safety of a single injection of subconjunctival triamcinolone acetonide (TA) with that of postoperative topical prednisolone acetate (PA) with and without nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) for cataract surgery prophylaxis. DESIGN: Retrospective, comparative effectiveness cohort study. PARTICIPANTS: Patients at Kaiser Permanente Northern California from 2018 through 2021. INTERVENTION: Exposure groups included topical PA with or without NSAID and subconjunctival injection of TA (Kenalog; Bristol-Myers-Squibb) 10 mg/ml or 40 mg/ml in a low dose (1.0-3.0 mg) or high dose (3.1-5.0 mg). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The adjusted odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) for the association of postoperative macular edema (ME) and iritis diagnoses 15 to 120 days after surgery (effectiveness measures) and a glaucoma-related event (safety measure) between 15 days and 1 year after surgery. RESULTS: Of 69 832 eligible patient-eyes, postoperative ME, iritis, and a glaucoma-related event occurred on average in 1.3%, 0.8%, and 3.4% of eyes in the topical groups and 0.8%, 0.5%, and 2.8% of eyes in the injection groups, respectively. In multivariable analysis, compared with the PA reference group, the PA plus NSAID group had a lower OR of ME (OR, 0.88; 95% CI, 0.74-1.04; P = 0.135). and all injection groups had even lower odds, with the high-dose TA 10-mg/ml group reaching statistical significance (OR, 0.64; 95% CI, 0.43-0.97; P = 0.033). A trend of lower odds of a postoperative iritis diagnosis was noted in the high-strength (40 mg/ml) groups. For postoperative glaucoma-related events, compared with PA, the TA 10-mg/ml low-dose group showed lower odds (OR, 0.69; 95% CI, 0.55-0.86; P = 0.001), the TA 10-mg/ml high-dose group showed similar odds (OR, 0.90; 95% CI, 0.70-1.15; P = 0.40), and the TA 40-mg/ml low-dose and high-dose groups showed higher odds of an event occurring (OR, 1.46 [95% CI, 0.98-2.18; P = 0.062] and OR, 2.14 [95% CI, 1.36-3.37; P = 0.001], respectively). CONCLUSIONS: The TA 10-mg/ml high-dose (4 mg) group was associated with a lower risk of postoperative ME and a similar risk of glaucoma-related events compared with the topical groups. FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE(S): The author(s) have no proprietary or commercial interest in any materials discussed in this article.

Assessing the Efficacy of Four Diagnostic Devices and Four Nomograms in Posterior Chamber Phakic Intraocular Lens Size Selection.

PURPOSE: To assess the efficacy of different devices and nomograms in predicting the most optimal Implantable Collamer Lens (ICL) (STAAR Surgical) size. METHODS: This retrospective study includes 73 patients (142 eyes) who underwent ICL placement surgery. Anterior segment measurements were obtained by the OPD-Scan III (Marco), the Lenstar LS 900 (Haag-Streit AG/Alcon Laboratories, Inc), the Galilei G4 (Ziemer), and the VuMax ultrasound biomicroscopy device (UBM) (Sonomed Escalon). The efficacy of the four devices and four nomograms was assessed by comparing the indicated ICL sizes to the patient's postoperative vault measurements. RESULTS: Using white-to-white (WTW) measurements obtained by the Lenstar LS 900 and Galilei G4 coupled with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) (also called the manufacturer's) nomogram predicted the highest percentage (33% and 43%) of the 13.7 mm ICL sizes, respectively. Using the VuMax UBM coupled with the Dougherty nomogram indicated the highest percentage (80%) of the 12.6 mm ICL size. The ICL sizes predicted by UBM using the Parkhurst nomogram were comparable to those deemed ideal according to postoperative vault measurements. CONCLUSIONS: The Parkhurst nomogram predicted the most appropriate ICL size. When using WTW measurements, the optimized WTW nomogram showed promising results, especially in eyes whose preoperative calculations suggest low postoperative vaults. Moreover, clinicians should use caution when using the FDA nomogram because it showed a propensity toward indicating oversized ICLs. [J Refract Surg. 2022;38(2):106-111.].

A One Year Longitudinal Comparative Analysis of Visual Outcomes Between Femtosecond Laser-Assisted Cataract Surgery and Standard Phacoemulsification Cataract Surgery.

PURPOSE: To assess visual outcomes over time of femtosecond laser-assisted cataract surgery compared to standard phacoemulsification cataract surgery. DESIGN: A retrospective, single-center comparative study. METHODS: Patient data including demographics, ocular biometry, pre- and postoperative visual acuity, postoperative complications, primary (uncorrected distance visual acuity over time) and secondary visual outcomes (uncorrected near visual acuity, best distance visual acuity, patient complaints, satisfaction, and postoperative surgery) were gathered and statistically analyzed. Demographic differences between patients receiving femtosecond-laser assisted cataract surgery (FLACS) versus standard phacoemulsification cataract surgery (PCS) were corrected for outcome comparison. Safety, efficacy, predictability, and stability were analyzed for each procedure and compared. RESULTS: A total of 155 eyes in PCS and 143 eyes in FLACS were analyzed at 1 week, 3 months, and 1 year using odds ratio. The odds ratio of being 20/20 or better and 20/40 or better at the specified time periods were similar and statistically insignificant at all time periods analyzed except 20/20 or better for uncorrected distance visual acuity (UDVA) at 1 year (p=0.0001) and uncorrected near visual acuity (UNVA) at 1 week (p=0.02). In both cases, the odds of being 20/20 or better favored FLACS. Mean UDVA, UNVA, and best distance visual acuity (BDVA) were all similar and statistically insignificant between the two groups. Postoperative patient complaints, safety, efficacy, predictability, and stability between the two groups showed no statistical significance. CONCLUSION: Despite the odds ratio of being 20/20 or better favoring FLACS for UDVA at 1 year and UNVA at 1 week, the mean logMAR UDVA, BDVA, and UNVA were similar and statistically insignificant between the FLACS and PCS groups at 1 week, 3 months, and 1 year. Differences in visual acuity were likely due to differences other than surgical approaches. While both FLACS and PCS are appropriate approaches to cataract surgery, one does not appear to be superior when assessing longitudinal markers for visual acuity, safety, efficacy, predictability and stability.

Delayed Perforation of an Intrastromal Corneal Ring Segment into the Anterior Chamber: A Case Report and Review of the Literature.

Intrastromal corneal ring segments (ICRSs) are an effective treatment for stabilizing and normalizing corneal shape in patients with keratoconus and other corneal ectasias. Intraoperative segment perforation through the corneal endothelium into the anterior chamber (AC) is an uncommon but known complication. However, perforation into the AC postoperatively is an exceedingly rare complication with only 3 reported cases in the literature. One case was due to Descemet membrane detachment and another due to ocular trauma. In the third case, the mechanism for perforation was unclear. We present the fourth case of delayed ICRS perforation due to silent migration through the endothelium into the AC. We also present all reported cases in the literature of intraoperative and postoperative perforation into the AC.

Agreement of anterior segment measurements between four diagnostic imaging devices in myopic patients.

PURPOSE: To compare the inter-device agreement of anterior chamber depth (ACD), central corneal thickness (CCT), flat keratometry (K1), steep keratometry (K2), corneal astigmatism (ΔK), and white-to-white (WTW) measurements. METHODS: This is a retrospective study with 73 myopic patients (142 eyes). We extracted and compared anterior segment measurements (ACD, CCT, K1, K2, ΔK, and WTW) of four devices (OPD-Scan III, Pentacam HR, Lenstar LS 900, and Galilei G4), and performed pairwise agreement comparisons between them. RESULTS: Agreement analyses revealed that the most agreement occurred: in Pentacam HR and Galilei G4 for ACD measurements, in Pentacam HR and Lenstar LS 900 for CCT measurements, in OPD-Scan III and Galilei G4 for WTW measurements, in OPD-Scan III and Pentacam HR for K1 and K2 measurements, and OPD-Scan III and Galilei G4 for ΔK measurements. CONCLUSION: OPD-Scan III is interchangeable with both Galilei G4 and Lenstar LS 900 for WTW measurements. OPD-Scan III and the Pentacam-HR are interchangeable in K1, K2, and ΔK measurements. OPD-Scan III and Lenstar LS 900, and OPD-Scan III and Galilei G4 are interchangeable in K1 and ΔK measurements, respectively.

Comparison of 6.0 mm versus 6.5 mm Optical Zone on Visual Outcomes after LASIK.

Previous studies have demonstrated safety and efficacy using 6.0 and 6.5 mm optical zones in the WaveLight EX500 Excimer Laser System but have not evaluated if differing optical zone sizes influence refractive outcomes. This study examines visual outcomes between two study populations undergoing LASIK with either a 6.0 mm (1332 patients) or 6.5 mm (1332 patients) optical zone. Outcomes were further stratified by severity of myopia (low, moderate, and high) and astigmatism (low and high). Patients were matched by age and preoperative manifest sphere and cylinder. Postoperative measurements were then compared. The 6.5 mm group demonstrated better postoperative manifest refractive spherical equivalent (MRSE), manifest sphere, and absolute value of the difference in actual and target spherical equivalent refraction (|∆ SEQ|), within the total population, moderate myopia, and low astigmatism groups, but this did not lead to improved postoperative uncorrected distance visual acuity (UDVA) or best corrected distance visual acuity (CDVA). Though astigmatic correction and postoperative angle of error were similar between optical zone sizes, they were significantly worse with high myopia. Overall, this study demonstrates differences in visual outcomes between the 6.0 and 6.5 mm optical zone sizes that may warrant consideration; however, essentially, the results are comparable between them.

Ectasia After Corneal Refractive Surgery: A Systematic Review.

INTRODUCTION: The incidence of ectasia following refractive surgery is unclear. This review sought to determine the worldwide rates of ectasia after photorefractive keratectomy (PRK), laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis (LASIK), and small incision lenticule extraction (SMILE) based on reports in the literature. METHODS: A systematic review was conducted according to modified Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. Publications were identified by a search of eight electronic databases for relevant terms between 1984 and 2021. Patient characteristics and preoperative values including manifest refractive spherical refractive equivalent (MRSE), central corneal thickness (CCT), anterior keratometry, postoperative residual stromal bed (RSB), and percent tissue altered (PTA) were summarized. In addition, annual rates of each refractive surgery were determined, and incidence of post-refractive ectasia for each type was calculated using the number of ectatic eyes identified in the literature. RESULTS: In total, 57 eyes (70 eyes including those with preoperative risk factors for ectasia) were identified to have post-PRK ectasia, while 1453 eyes (1681 eyes including risk factors) had post-LASIK ectasia, and 11 eyes (19 eyes including risk factors) had post-SMILE ectasia. Cases of refractive surgery performed annually were estimated as 283,920 for PRK, 1,608,880 for LASIK, and 96,750 for SMILE. Reported post-refractive ectasia in eyes without preoperative identifiable risk factors occurred with the following incidences: 20 per 100,000 eyes in PRK, 90 per 100,000 eyes in LASIK, and 11 per 100,000 eyes in SMILE. The rate of ectasia in LASIK was found to be 4.5 times higher than that of PRK. CONCLUSION: Post-refractive ectasia occurs at lower rates in eyes undergoing PRK than LASIK. Although SMILE appears to have the lowest rate of ectasia, the number of cases already reported since its recent approval suggests that post-SMILE ectasia may become a concern. Considering that keratoconus is a spectrum of disease, pre-existing keratoconus may play a larger role in postoperative ectasia than previously accounted for in the literature.

Toric Implantable Collamer Lens for the Treatment of Myopic Astigmatism.

PURPOSE: To report visual outcomes following surgical correction of myopic astigmatism with Visian Toric implantable collamer lens (ICL) (STAAR Surgical, Monrovia, CA, USA) at a single tertiary refractive center in the United States. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Toric ICL was implanted in 96 eyes (55 patients) with mean preoperative sphere of -8.98 ± 3.04 diopters (D) and cylinder of -2.67 ± 1.02 D from December 2018 to February 2021. Primary visual outcomes of efficacy, safety, stability, predictability of refractive correction, and astigmatic analysis were reported at three and twelve months postoperatively. Secondary subjective outcomes included patient-reported dry eye symptoms and glare/halos at postoperative visits. Other secondary outcomes were biometric data and postoperative vault over time. RESULTS: At three and twelve months, 75 and 46 eyes were evaluated, respectively. At twelve months, the mean manifest refraction spherical equivalent (MRSE) was -0.23 ± 0.47 D with 93% achieving within ±1.00 D of target refraction. The manifest refractive cylinder (MRC) at twelve months was -0.73 ± 0.51 D, with 86% within ±1.00 D of target. Uncorrected distance visual acuity (UDVA) was 20/20 or better in 74% of eyes at twelve months. No patients lost ≥2 lines of corrected distance visual acuity (CDVA) at twelve months. The mean angle of error was -0.9 ± 10.2° at three months and -1.6 ± 12.8° at twelve months. One patient required bilateral lens rotation, four patients underwent secondary enhancement with LASIK/PRK, and seven patients underwent postoperative limbal relaxing incisions. CONCLUSION: This initial single-site experience finds Toric ICL implantation for myopic astigmatism to be safe and effective. Patients can achieve markedly improved UDVA in a single surgery with stable vision over time and minimal adverse subjective symptoms.

Comparison of the Visual Outcomes of an Extended Depth-of-Focus Lens and a Trifocal Lens.

PURPOSE: To compare the visual performance of the AcrySof IQ PanOptix trifocal intraocular lens and the TECNIS Symfony extended depth-of-focus lens at near and distance visual ranges. METHODS: A total of 146 patients (221 eyes) who underwent phacoemulsification and cataract extraction and received either a PanOptix or Symfony lens from January 2019 to July 2020 were included in the study (83 PanOptix non-toric, 30 PanOptix toric, 70 Symfony non-toric, and 38 Symfony toric). Uncorrected distance (UDVA), uncorrected near (UNVA), and corrected distance (CDVA) visual acuity were assessed at one-day, one-month, and three-months postoperatively. Averages of UDVA, UNVA, and CDVA were taken to evaluate which lens was superior at near and distance visual ranges. Secondary outcome measures including glare, halo, dryness, and problems with night vision were documented at each postoperative visit. RESULTS: At one month postoperatively, the average UNVA was 0.16 ± 0.14 logMAR in the PanOptix group and 0.21 ± 0.14 logMAR in the Symfony group (P=0.007); the average UDVA for the PanOptix group was 0.09 ± 0.13 logMAR compared to the Symfony group at 0.10 ± 0.14 logMAR (P=0.67); and the average CDVA was 0.02 ± 0.05 logMAR in the PanOptix group and 0.00 ± 0.04 logMAR in the Symfony group (P=0.11). At three months postoperatively, there were no statistically significant differences in UNVA, UDVA, or CDVA between the two groups (P=0.18, 0.79, 0.68 respectively). There was no statistically significant difference in secondary outcome measures at one- and three-months (P=0.49, 0.10 respectively). CONCLUSION: The AcrySof IQ PanOptix trifocal intraocular lens appears to afford better UNVA compared to the TECNIS Symfony extended depth-of-focus intraocular lens at one-month postoperatively, though this difference was not seen at three months postoperatively. There is no statistically significant difference in UDVA and CDVA between the two groups at postoperative day one, one-month, and three-months.

Corneal Donation: Current Guidelines and Future Direction.

PURPOSE: This review aims to outline current practices and guidelines of corneal donation and eye banking, describes the implications of COVID-19 and emerging diseases on the corneal donor pool, and discusses future trends to improve and increase the efficiency of the processes involved in corneal donation and eye banking. SUMMARY: Corneal screening, preservation, corneal storage, and prevention of systemic disease transmission from donor to recipient have been crucial in shaping the policies of the FDA and eye banks across the world. Eye banks globally have developed varying guidelines and criteria for evaluating the viability of donor corneas. Variables such as the age of the donor, medical history, and potential disease transmission are important screening parameters. While known infectious diseases may be transmissible through the cornea, emerging infectious diseases that are not well studied may be more transmissible than other infections. In particular, coronavirus has impacted corneal transplantation as SARS-CoV-2 expression has been detected in corneal tissue and conjunctiva. In recent years, partial-thickness corneal transplantations have been introduced. Lamellar grafts and other corneal layers are now utilized for transplantation of the specific areas that are damaged.

Five-Year Incidence, Management, and Visual Outcomes of Diffuse Lamellar Keratitis after Femtosecond-Assisted LASIK.

Femtosecond (FS) lasers initially had a higher incidence of diffuse lamellar keratitis (DLK) compared with microkeratome flap creation. It has been theorized that higher-frequency lower-energy (HFLE) FS lasers would reduce the incidence of DLK. Our study sought to evaluate the incidence of newer HFLE FS lasers with pulse frequencies above 60 kHz. It was a retrospective case-control study evaluating the incidence of DLK following flap creation with one of three FS lasers (AMO iFs, WaveLight FS200, Zeiss VisuMax). Uncomplicated LASIK cases were included as the control group (14,348 eyes) and cases of DLK were recorded in the study group (637 eyes). Of the 637 cases of DLK, 76 developed stage II, 25 progressed to stage III, and only three developed stage IV DLK. The overall incidence rate of DLK was 4.3%; it has fallen with the invention of newer HFLE FS lasers and is approaching the DLK incidence rates of DLK with microkeratome.

Incidence, Risk, and Visual Outcomes after Repositioning of Acute Non-Traumatic Flap Dislocations Following Femtosecond-Assisted LASIK.

Although the use of femtosecond lasers instead of mechanical devices has decreased the incidence of flap complications following laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis (LASIK), dislocations and striae still occur. Flap repositioning is an effective intervention to improve visual outcomes after acute flap complications in both microkeratome-assisted and femtosecond-assisted LASIK. This retrospective case series included patients undergoing flap repositioning secondary to acute flap dislocation and/or visually significant striae within the first two weeks following femtosecond LASIK (FS-LASIK) from 2015 to 2020 at a single institution. Preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative de-identified data were analyzed for incidence, risk factors, and visual acuity outcomes. The incidence of flap repositioning was 0.35% in 21,536 eyes (n = 70). Indications for repositioning included acute flap dislocation (35.7%) and visually significant striae (64.3%). High myopia (OR = 3.04, p = 0.001) and patient age over 50 years (OR = 3.69, p = 0.001) were the strongest risk factors for these complications. Prior to flap repositioning, uncorrected distance visual acuity (UDVA) of 20/20 or better and 20/40 or better occurred in 19% and 57% of eyes, respectively. After repositioning, a final UDVA of 20/20 or better and 20/40 or better occurred in 78% and 98% of eyes, respectively. After repositioning, one line of UDVA was lost in two eyes (2.8%) and two lines were lost in one eye (1.4%). Risk factors for acute flap dislocation included high myopia and age over 50 years. Flap repositioning was effective in salvaging visual outcomes.

Neuropathic Corneal Pain Following LASIK Surgery: A Retrospective Case Series.

INTRODUCTION: Transient dry eye symptoms have been reported following laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK). Very rarely, patients may present with debilitating symptoms of dry eye syndrome (DES) with limited or no evidence of ocular surface disease. These patients are diagnosed with a form of DES known as neuropathic corneal pain (NCP). PATIENTS AND METHODS: This study is a retrospective medical record review of a case series of 18 patients who developed NCP post-LASIK over the years 1996-2021. All patients who developed severe ocular pain following LASIK consistent with NCP were included. Patients with severe ocular pain who had evidence of severe ocular surface disease or other ophthalmic etiology to explain their debilitating symptoms were not included. RESULTS: The average age of patients in our study was 39.5 years. The majority of our patients were female (72.2%) and of Caucasian ancestry (83.3%). The average onset of symptoms was 9.6 months post-LASIK. Patients had past medical histories significant for neuropsychiatric conditions (50%), functional pain syndromes (22.2%), autoimmune diseases (33.3%), and hypothyroidism (27.8%), and the occurrence of these was higher than the national prevalence of these diseases. Symptoms were consistent with the severity and characteristics defining NCP. Treatment was multimodal, involved topical and systemic therapies, and was unique to each patient. Overall, the majority of patients had clinical improvement in symptoms following treatment with regular follow-up. CONCLUSION: Although rare, the 26-year prevalence of NCP post-LASIK in our study was roughly 1 in 900 cases. The mean time to onset after surgery was delayed at 9.6 months. Certain risk factors such as neuropsychiatric conditions, history of functional pain syndromes, history of autoimmune conditions, and hypothyroidism may predispose patients to the development of this condition. Patients benefited from proper diagnosis and a multimodal approach to treatment.

Anterior Chamber Retained Lens Fragments After Cataract Surgery: A Case Series and Narrative Review.

INTRODUCTION: Retained lens fragments in the anterior chamber following cataract extraction (CE) with phacoemulsification are rare but can lead to significant patient morbidity. Our study aimed to identify risk factors associated with retained lens fragments. METHODS: Patients who underwent cataract surgery and subsequently identified to have retained lens fragments in the anterior segment were included. Incidence per year, patient demographics, visual acuity, ocular biometrics, surgical technique, surgeon performing CE, and outcomes were collected retrospectively and compared to a control group. RESULTS: Twenty-four patients were identified with retained lens fragments, with an incidence of 0.10%. The mean age was 76 years ±6.72 (60-80) compared to 63 ±11.41 (22-86) in the control group (p <0.001). Patients with UDVA 20/150 or worse experienced a greater average improvement in visual acuity compared to patients with UDVA better than 20/150 (logMAR 0.46 vs logMAR 0.05). The mean intraocular pressures before (CE), after CE but before fragment removal, and following fragment removal were 14 mmHg ±2.59, 19 mmHg ±8.20, and 11 mmHg ±2.75, respectively. Twenty-two patients presented with inferiorly located fragments. Statistically significant biometrics include mean anterior chamber depth (3.1 mm ±0.37 vs 3.33 mm ±0.39, p = 0.01) and lens thickness (4.77 mm ±0.44 vs 4.35 mm ±0.44, p = <0.001). Yearly incidence rates per surgeon ranged from 0.00% to 0.85%. In 2003 and 2004, one surgeon had significantly higher incidence rates (0.31 and 0.40%) compared to the average combined rate of all surgeons throughout the study (0.10), with p values of 0.001 and 0.003, respectively. The mean number of days between CE and fragment removal was 26 ±40 (1-138). CONCLUSION: Increased patient age, shallow anterior chamber depth, and thick lens may be risk factors for retained lens fragments. There may be additional surgeon-specific risk factors. Phacoemulsification technique (Divide-and-Conquer versus Horizontal Chop) showed no significant difference.

Five-Year Occurrence and Management of Central Toxic Keratopathy After Femtosecond Laser-Assisted LASIK.

PURPOSE: To report the 5-year occurrence, management, and outcomes of 12 eyes diagnosed as having central toxic keratopathy (CTK) after femtosecond laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis (FS-LASIK). METHODS: A retrospective chart review was conducted on 20,622 FS-LASIK procedures performed at a single site from January 2015 to December 2019 to identify patients diagnosed as having central toxic keratopathy. Preoperative and postoperative visual acuity, refraction, and imaging were recorded and analyzed. RESULTS: CTK occurred in 12 eyes of 8 patients after FSLASIK. A total of 75% of eyes were diagnosed during an outbreak that happened over 2 months and the remaining 25% were considered sporadic. Five eyes were treated with flap lift and irrigation and 7 eyes were treated non-surgically. The average time to resolution of CTK in eyes that underwent flap lift and irrigation was 53 days compared to 33 days in eyes treated non-surgically. All 5 eyes treated with flap lift and irrigation ultimately achieved uncorrected distance visual acuity of 0.1 logMAR or better, whereas only 3 of 7 eyes treated non-surgically achieved the same. At the final postoperative visit, the eyes treated with flap lift and irrigation measured on average 14 µm thinner and 1.60 diopters (D) flatter than the expected postoperative pachymetry and keratometry, respectively. Those treated non-surgically were on average 28 µm thinner and 1.70 D flatter than expected. CONCLUSIONS: CTK is a rare complication of FS-LASIK but can occur in clusters. Although management of CTK is debated, flap lift and irrigation may lead to better visual acuity and refractive and anatomic outcomes in some cases. [J Refract Surg. 2021;37(1):25-31.].

PRK Enhancement for Residual Refractive Error After Primary PRK: A Retrospective Study.

INTRODUCTION: The efficacy and safety of photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) has been well documented, but outcomes of PRK enhancement following PRK remain understudied. This study aimed to evaluate the safety, efficacy, and predictability of PRK enhancement in patients with residual refractive error after primary PRK and compare these results to prior studies as well as Food and Drug Administration (FDA) safety and efficacy clinical endpoints. METHODS: This non-randomized, retrospective chart analysis included eyes with a history of PRK that underwent PRK enhancement at a single center. Post-enhancement data were documented at 3-month and 1-year visits. Patient characteristics between the study group and a control group who underwent primary PRK only were compared. Safety and efficacy measures included change in uncorrected distance visual acuity (UDVA), change in corrected distance visual acuity (CDVA), manifest refraction spherical equivalent (MRSE), amount of induced astigmatism, and presence of serious adverse events. RESULTS: A total of 188 eyes from 141 patients were included. When compared to the control group, women underwent PRK enhancement at a higher rate than men (P = 0.004). The group undergoing PRK enhancement had a higher sphere (P = 0.013) and spherical equivalent (P = 0.004) than the control group at the time of primary PRK. MRSE was reduced to - 0.97 ± 0.72 D (- 2.25 to + 2.13 D) from pre-enhancement values of - 0.98 ± 0.66 D (- 2.75 to + 1.75 D) and stable over 12-month visits with 86% and 98% of eyes within ± 0.50 D and ± 1.00 D of target, respectively. UDVA of 20/20 or better was achieved in 75% of eyes. The UDVA of 75% of eyes remained the same or improved by 1 or more Snellen lines compared with pre-enhancement CDVA. CONCLUSION: Our results demonstrate that, when compared with previous studies, modern PRK enhancement after PRK has improved visual acuity and refractive outcomes. Though PRK enhancement is not an FDA approved procedure, we show that it meets or exceeds the FDA criteria for the correction of refractive error.

Delayed Epithelial Healing with Corneal Edema and Haze After Photorefractive Keratectomy Using Intraoperative Mitomycin C.

We report an unusual presentation of presumed mitomycin C toxicity with possible subsequent hypersensitization to other medication toxicities. A 50-year-old female presented three months after photorefractive keratectomy with intraoperative mitomycin C for the management of persistent epithelial defects, corneal haze, and edema. She was found to have used an expansive and rapidly changing medical regimen which may have caused additional toxicity. These medications included besifloxacin, bromfenac, and ketotifen. Additives such as benzalkonium chloride and DuraSite® may have also contributed. Intraoperative mitomycin C can result in longstanding corneal haze, edema, and delayed epithelial healing in the setting of corneal refractive surgery. These may leave the cornea more susceptible to additional subsequent medication toxicities during the postoperative period. This report describes a case of mitomycin C exposure leading to a prolonged sensitivity to other medication toxicities, which has not been discussed elsewhere in the literature.

Refractive enhancements for residual refractive error after cataract surgery.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Advances in cataract surgery have allowed surgeons to achieve superior refractive outcomes but have also led to higher patient expectations. Despite ever-evolving technology, residual refractive errors still occur. Postcataract refractive enhancements may be required to deliver satisfactory visual outcomes. This review aims to discuss the potential causes of residual refractive errors and the various enhancement modalities to correct them. RECENT FINDINGS: A thorough preoperative workup to detect and address underlying pathologic causes of impaired vision should be performed prior to enhancement or corrective procedures. Corneal-based procedures are the safest and most accurate methods of correcting mild cases of residual refractive error. Hyperopic, high myopic, and high astigmatic errors are best managed with lens-based enhancements. Piggyback intraocular lenses (IOLs) are safer and more effective compared with IOL exchange. Toric IOL rotation and IOL exchange are ideally performed in the early postoperative period. SUMMARY: A multitude of options exist for effective correction of residual refractive errors. The choice on how to best manage these patients depends on many factors such as the cause of refractive error, type of IOL used, ocular comorbidities, and patient preference.

Use of presbyopia-correcting intraocular lenses in patients with prior corneal refractive surgery.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Corneal refractive surgery has achieved spectacle-free vision for millions of patients, but this aging population is now developing cataracts. Many of these patients may wish to avoid reliance on glasses after cataract surgery. Presbyopia-correcting intraocular lenses (IOLs) offer a solution, but corneal changes after refractive surgery may compound higher order aberrations and dysphotopic symptoms associated with these IOLs. This review aims to discuss potential factors that could aid in determining suitable postkeratorefractive candidates for presbyopia-correcting IOLs. RECENT FINDINGS: Studies investigating which preoperative measures influence outcomes are lacking. The few studies that have examined presbyopia-correcting IOLs in postkeratorefractive patients report that satisfactory outcomes are possible. However, recommendations for preoperative thresholds appear limited to expert opinion and studies involving virgin corneas. SUMMARY: As the number of presbyopia-correcting IOLs and postkeratorefractive patients grows, continued investigation into relevant preoperative factors and appropriate IOLs is required to make evidence-based decisions. The current literature shows that with rigorous counseling and appropriate patient selection, presbyopia-correcting IOLs can provide postkeratorefractive patients with satisfactory results and spectacle independence. In addition, the development of postoperative modifiable IOLs may prove to be the preferred option.