Comparative Study of Primary SMILE, SMILE Enhancement, and Femtosecond Laser-Assisted LASIK on Higher Order Aberrations and Corneal Densitometry.

PURPOSE: To compare differences in corneal densitometry (CD) and higher order aberrations (HOAs) in eyes that underwent small incision lenticule extraction (SMILE) and femtosecond laser-assisted laser in situ keratomileusis (FS-LASIK) for the treatment of myopia and myopic astigmatism at postoperative months 3, 6, and 12, and to evaluate their changes in a separate cohort of eyes after SMILE enhancement. METHODS: In this prospective, randomized, paired-eye clinical trial, consecutive eligible participants were randomized to undergo SMILE or FS-LASIK in either eye. Main outcome measures were CD and HOAs preoperatively and at 3, 6, and 12 months postoperatively. A separate cohort of consecutive patients who had SMILE and underwent enhancement were also included for comparison. RESULTS: For CD, no significant differences were found between SMILE and FS-LASIK up to month 12. For HOA measured by wavefront aberrometry, both SMILE and FS-LASIK had an increase in total root mean square (RMS) HOAs, spherical aberration (SA), and vertical coma up to month 12. SMILE had an additional increase in vertical quatrefoil, and FS-LASIK had an increase in horizontal coma at month 12. FS-LASIK had higher SA than SMILE, whereas SMILE had higher vertical quatrefoil than FS-LASIK at month 12. Central and posterior zone CD had significantly decreased after SMILE enhancement compared to after primary SMILE up to 2 years after enhancement. RMS HOAs, lower order aberrations, and SA were all increased after SMILE enhancement compared to after primary SMILE. CONCLUSIONS: SMILE induced lower SA but higher vertical quatrefoil than FS-LASIK at 1 year. Both SMILE and FS-LASIK had similar increases in RMS HOAs and vertical coma up to 1 year. There were no differences in CD between both groups. SMILE enhancement additionally had decreased central and posterior CD but greater RMS HOAs and SA compared to primary SMILE. [J Refract Surg. 2024;40(5):e291-e303.].

Femtosecond laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis versus small-incision lenticule extraction: current approach based on evidence.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Laser keratorefractive surgery achieves excellent visual outcomes for refractive error correction. With femtosecond laser, small incision lenticule extraction (SMILE) is an increasingly viable alternative to laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis (LASIK). Comparative studies demonstrate similar efficacy and predictability between SMILE and LASIK, making it difficult for clinicians to choose which to use. This review thus compares femtosecond-LASIK (FS-LASK) and SMILE in various scenarios, to assist clinicians in deciding which refractive surgery procedure to recommend. RECENT FINDINGS: SMILE may be superior for highly myopic eyes due to a smaller decrease in functional optical zone. SMILE further induces less spherical aberration and less overall higher order aberrations in mesopic conditions. SMIILE also has less postoperative dry eye, making it suitable those with preexisting dry eye. For low to moderate myopic astigmatism correction, FS-LASIK has less undercorrection compared to SMILE. Lastly, SMILE has not yet received Food and Drug Administration or Conformité Européenne approval for hyperopic correction, rendering FS-LASIK the choice of procedure for hyperopic correction. SUMMARY: Both FS-LASIK and SMILE demonstrate good efficacy and predictability. Understanding specific clinical scenarios where one may be superior to the other will aid clinicians in choosing the most suitable procedure for personalized care.

Neuropathic Corneal Pain: Tear Proteomic and Neuromediator Profiles, Imaging Features, and Clinical Manifestations.

PURPOSE: To investigate the tear proteomic and neuromediator profiles, in vivo confocal microscopy (IVCM) imaging features, and clinical manifestations in neuropathic corneal pain (NCP) patients. DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. METHODS: A total of 20 NCP patients and 20 age-matched controls were recruited. All subjects were evaluated by corneal sensitivity, Schirmer test, tear break-up time, and corneal and ocular surface staining, Ocular Surface Disease Index and Ocular Pain Assessment Survey questionnaires were administered, as well as IVCM examinations for corneal nerves, microneruomas, and epithelial and dendritic cells. Tears were collected for neuromediator and proteomic analysis using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and data-independent acquisition mass spectrometry. RESULTS: Burning and sensitivity to light were the 2 most common symptoms in NCP. A total of 188 significantly dysregulated proteins, such as elevated metallothionein-2, creatine kinases B-type, vesicle-associated membrane protein 2, neurofilament light polypeptide, and myelin basic protein, were identified in the NCP patients. The top 10 dysregulated biological pathways in NCP include neurotoxicity, axonal signaling, wound healing, neutrophil degradation, apoptosis, thrombin signaling mitochondrial dysfunction, and RHOGDI and P70S6K signaling pathways. Compared to controls, the NCP cohort presented with significantly decreased corneal sensitivity (P < .001), decreased corneal nerve fiber length (P = .003), corneal nerve fiber density (P = .006), and nerve fiber fractal dimension (P = .033), as well as increased corneal nerve fiber width (P = .002), increased length, total area and perimeter of microneuromas (P < .001, P < .001, P = .019), smaller corneal epithelial size (P = .017), and higher nerve growth factor level in tears (P = .006). CONCLUSIONS: These clinical manifestations, imaging features, and molecular characterizations would contribute to the diagnostics and potential therapeutic targets for NCP.

Cataract surgery after corneal refractive surgery: preoperative considerations and management.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Corneal refractive surgery (CRS) is one of the most popular eye procedures, with more than 40 million cases performed globally. As CRS-treated patients age and develop cataract, the number of cases that require additional preoperative considerations and management will increase around the world. Thus, we provide an up-to-date, concise overview of the considerations and outcomes of cataract surgery in eyes with previous CRS, including surface ablation, laser in-situ keratomileusis (LASIK), and small-incision lenticule extraction (SMILE). RECENT FINDINGS: Challenges associated with accurate biometry in eyes with CRS have been mitigated recently through total keratometry, ray tracing, intraoperative aberrometry, and machine learning assisted intraocular lens (IOL) power calculation formulas to improve prediction. Emerging studies have highlighted the superior performance of ray tracing and/or total keratometry-based formulas for IOL power calculation in eyes with previous SMILE. Dry eye remains a common side effect after cataract surgery, especially in eyes with CRS, though the risk appears to be lower after SMILE than LASIK (in the short-term). Recent presbyopia-correcting IOL designs such as extended depth of focus (EDOF) IOLs may be suitable in carefully selected eyes with previous CRS. SUMMARY: Ophthalmologists will increasingly face challenges associated with the surgical management of cataract in patients with prior CRS. Careful preoperative assessment of the ocular surface, appropriate use of IOL power calculation formulas, and strategies for presbyopia correction are key to achieve good clinical and refractive outcomes and patient satisfaction. Recent advances in CRS techniques, such as SMILE, may pose new challenges for such eyes in the future.

Management of keratoconus: an updated review.

Keratoconus is the most common corneal ectatic disorder. It is characterized by progressive corneal thinning with resultant irregular astigmatism and myopia. Its prevalence has been estimated at 1:375 to 1:2,000 people globally, with a considerably higher rate in the younger populations. Over the past two decades, there was a paradigm shift in the management of keratoconus. The treatment has expanded significantly from conservative management (e.g., spectacles and contact lenses wear) and penetrating keratoplasty to many other therapeutic and refractive modalities, including corneal cross-linking (with various protocols/techniques), combined CXL-keratorefractive surgeries, intracorneal ring segments, anterior lamellar keratoplasty, and more recently, Bowman's layer transplantation, stromal keratophakia, and stromal regeneration. Several recent large genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have identified important genetic mutations relevant to keratoconus, facilitating the development of potential gene therapy targeting keratoconus and halting the disease progression. In addition, attempts have been made to leverage the power of artificial intelligence-assisted algorithms in enabling earlier detection and progression prediction in keratoconus. In this review, we provide a comprehensive overview of the current and emerging treatment of keratoconus and propose a treatment algorithm for systematically guiding the management of this common clinical entity.

Identifying Content for an Item Bank to Measure the Quality-of-Life Impact of Myopia Refractive Interventions.

Purpose: To report on the content generation and item refinement phases for a myopia refractive intervention-specific quality-of-life (QoL) item bank that will be operationalized using computerized adaptive testing. Methods: Myopia refractive intervention-specific QoL domains and items were generated from (1) a literature search of existing refractive-intervention QoL questionnaires; (2) semistructured interviews with myopic patients corrected using spectacles, contact lenses and/or refractive surgery (n = 32); (3) and myopia experts (n = 9) recruited from the Singapore National Eye Centre. After a thematic analysis, items were systematically refined and tested using cognitive interviews with 24 additional patients with corrected myopia. Results: Of the 32 participants with myopia interviewed (mean ± standard deviation age, 35.6 ± 9.0 years; 71.9% female; 78.1% Chinese), 12 (37.5%) wore spectacles, 7 (21.9%) used contact lenses, and 20 (62.5%) had undergone laser refractive surgery. Initially, 912 items within 7 independent QoL domains were identified. After refinement, 204 items were retained, including those relating to mobility challenges and work-related difficulties that are not well-represented in current refractive intervention-specific questionnaires. Conclusions: Through a rigorous item generation and selection process, we have developed a 204-item and 7-domain myopia refractive intervention-specific item bank that will now undergo rigorous psychometric testing to generate item calibrations for the validation of a novel computerized adaptive testing instrument designed for use in research and routine clinical practice. Translational Relevance: Once psychometrically validated and operationalized using computerized adaptive testing, this myopia refractive intervention-specific instrument will enable researchers and clinicians to quickly and comprehensively assess the impact of myopic refractive interventions across seven QoL domains.

Bilateral sequential small-incision lenticule extraction and LASIK result in similar short-term quality-of-life outcomes.

PURPOSE: To compare quality of life (QoL) between patients who receive bilateral small-incision lenticule extraction (SMILE) or laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) vs bilateral sequential SMILE-LASIK (BSSL) surgery. SETTING: Singapore National Eye Centre, Singapore. DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study. METHODS: 2 patient cohorts were recruited (2010-2012; 2014-2016). The bilateral SMILE (BS) and bilateral LASIK (BL) groups comprised patients (mean ± SD age: 30.3 ± 6.5, 50% male) from a prospective nonrandomized study who chose SMILE and LASIK, respectively. The BSSL group comprised patients (mean ± SD age: 28.6 ± 6.2, 64.3% male) randomized to receive SMILE in 1 eye and LASIK in the other. Rasch-scaled scores of the QoL Impact of Refractive Correction questionnaire between groups postoperatively at 1 and 3 months were compared. RESULTS: At month 1, scores on 3 QoL without emotional well-being items were worse in the BSSL (n = 70) compared with the BL group (n = 25), specficially, "using sunglasses" (ß: -20.6, 95% CI, -34.3 to -6.9), "reliance on refractive correction" (-23.1, 95% CI, -40.9 to -5.4), and "medical complications from optical correction" (ß: -14.8, 95% CI, -27.9 to -1.7). Emotional well-being (overall), and items "feeling able to do things" (ß: 11.0, 95% CI, 1.6-20.4) and "feeling eager to try new things" (ß: 14.1, 95% CI, 3.6-24.6) were better in the BSSL compared with the BS group (n = 25). No substantive differences were observed at month 3. CONCLUSIONS: Refractive correction-related QoL differences at month 1 between BSSL and BS/BL patients attenuated by month 3. Bilateral sequential SMILE-LASIK surgery appeared unlikely to negatively affect QoL beyond 3 months.

Survey of Ophthalmology Training Experiences Among Young Ophthalmologists in the Asia-Pacific.

PURPOSE: To describe ophthalmology training experiences across the Asia-Pacific (APAC). DESIGN: Survey study. METHODS: We utilized an anonymous online survey, which was previously validated and conducted in Europe, through Young Ophthalmologist leaders from the national member societies of the Asia-Pacific Academy of Ophthalmology (APAO) from September 2019 to July 2021. Responses were based on a 5-point Likert scale (where applicable) and data were analyzed using Microsoft Excel. Our main outcome measures were differences between regions, that is, Southeast Asia (SEA) and Western Pacific (WP); and seniority, that is, trainees/junior ophthalmologists and senior ophthalmologists. RESULTS: We collated 130 responses representing 20 regions in the APAC region. The year of completion of ophthalmic training ranged from 1999 to 2024. The mean duration of training was 3.7±1.0 years. Most (98/130, 75%) indicated an interest for a common training standard across the APAC. Comparing SEA and WP trainees, both regions had similar working environments, but those in SEA reported significantly lower remuneration than their counterparts in WP ($600 vs $3000, P <0.05). WP trainees performed more phacoemulsification surgeries (76 WP vs 19 SEA), while SEA trainees conducted more manual small incision cataract surgeries (157 WP vs 1.5 SEA per duration of training). Senior ophthalmologists performed more cataract surgeries (210.9 senior ophthalmologists vs 40.1 junior ophthalmologists). Trainees had less confidence in medical competency areas such as interpreting an electroretinogram/visual evoked potential/electrooculogram (SEA=1.8, WP=2.1) and conducting an angiography (SEA=2.8, WP=3.4). CONCLUSIONS: Our study highlighted heterogeneity among ophthalmology training experiences in the APAC region, with the majority indicating an interest in a common training standard.

Effects of Combined Cataract Surgery on Outcomes of Descemet's Membrane Endothelial Keratoplasty: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Objective: A systematic review and meta-analysis of literature-to-date regarding the effects of combined cataract surgery on outcomes of DMEK. Methods: Multiple electronic databases were searched, including Cochrane Library databases, PubMed, Web of Science, and ClinicalTrials.gov. The final search was updated on 10th February 2022. We included randomized controlled trials (RCTs), non-randomized studies and large case series (≥25 eyes) of DMEK (pseudophakic/phakic) and "triple DMEK". A total of 36 studies were included in this study. Meta-analyses were done with risk differences (RD) computed for dichotomous data and the mean difference (MD) for continuous data via random-effects model. Primary outcome measure: postoperative re-bubbling rate; secondary outcome measures: complete/partial graft detachment rate, best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), endothelial cell loss (ECL), primary graft failure, and cystoid macular edema (CMO). Results: A total of 11,401 eyes were included in this review. Based on non-randomized studies, triple DMEK demonstrated a better BCVA at 1-month postoperative than DMEK alone (MD 0.10 logMAR; 95% CI: 0.07-0.13; p < 0.001), though not statistically significant at 3-6 months postoperative (MD 0.07 logMAR; 95% CI: -0.01 to 0.15; p = 0.08). There was no significant difference in rebubbling, ECL, graft failures, and CMO postoperatively between the two groups (p = 0.07, p = 0.40, 0.06, and 0.54 respectively). Conclusion: Our review suggests that DMEK has a similar post-operative complication risk compared to "triple DMEK" (low-quality evidence), with comparable visual outcome and graft survival rate at 6 months postoperative. High-quality RCTs specifically studying the outcomes of combined vs. staged DMEK are still warranted. Systematic Review Registration: https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?ID=CRD42020173760, identifier: CRD42020173760.

Anterior Segment Optical Coherence Tomography Angiography Following Trabecular Bypass Minimally Invasive Glaucoma Surgery.

Objective: To assess anterior segment optical coherence tomography angiography (AS-OCTA) imaging of the episcleral vessels before and after trabecular bypass minimally invasive glaucoma surgery (MIGS). Design: A prospective, clinical, single-centre, single-arm pilot feasibility study conducted at National University Hospital, Singapore. Subjects: Patients with primary glaucomatous optic neuropathy undergoing Hydrus Microstent (Ivantis Inc., Irvine, CA, USA) implantation, who require at least one intra-ocular pressure-lowering medication. One or two eyes per patient may be enrolled. Methods: We performed AS-OCTA (Nidek RS-3000 Advance 2, Gamagori, Japan) pre- and up to 6 months post-MIGS implantation using a standard protocol in all cornealimbal quadrants, to derive episcleral vessel densities (VD) using a previously described technique. Main Outcome Measures: Episcleral VD pre- and post-surgery, in sectors with and without the implant. Results: We obtained serial AS-OCTA images in 25 eyes undergoing MIGS implantation (23 subjects, mean age 70.3 ± 1.5, 61% female) with mean preoperative intraocular pressure (IOP) of 15.5 mmHg ± 4.0. We observed reductions in postoperative episcleral VD compared to preoperative VD at month 1 (mean difference -3.2, p = 0.001), month 3 (mean difference -2.94, p = 0.004) and month 6 (mean difference -2.19, p = 0.039) in sectors with implants (overall 6 month follow-up, p = 0.011). No significant changes were detected in episcleral VD in the sectors without implants (p = 0.910). Conclusion: In our pilot study, AS-OCTA was able to detect changes in the episcleral VD following trabecular bypass MIGS, which may be a useful modality to evaluate surgical outcomes if validated in future studies.

Endothelial cell loss associated with minimally invasive glaucoma surgery.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Minimally invasive glaucoma surgery (MIGS) represents a safer, albeit moderately effective surgical option for intraocular pressure control. However, the CyPass Micro-Stent (Alcon Laboratories) was withdrawn from the market in 2018 as the COMPASS-XT study demonstrated greater cornea endothelial cell (CEC) loss in patients who received the CyPass Micro-Stent with phacoemulsification compared with phacoemulsification alone. This led to the increased attention on MIGS-associated CEC loss and thus, this review will summarise the recent, available evidence on MIGS-associated CEC loss. RECENT FINDINGS: Prospective clinical trials and retrospective observational studies published between 2011 and 2021 reported a wide range of 12 month CEC loss from 'insignificant', and up to 14.6%, for phacoemulsification combined with various MIGS procedures. Recent clinical trials over the same time period reported CEC loss of 12.8-15.2% associated with phacoemulsification alone. SUMMARY: Apart from the CyPass Micro-Stent clinical trial, no other studies on combined phacoemulsification with MIGS that is 'phaco-plus' procedures have reported a higher short-term CEC loss compared with phacoemulsification alone. However, studies that specifically examine postprocedural CEC loss following phacoemulsification compared to 'phaco-plus' procedures over a longer follow-up period are required.

Anterior segment reconstruction with artificial iris and Descemet membrane endothelial keratoplasty: a staged surgical approach.

PURPOSE: To describe a surgical approach that involves anterior segment reconstruction with CustomFlex Artificial Iris (CAI; HumanOptics, Erlangen, Germany) followed by Descemet membrane endothelial keratoplasty (DMEK) in complex eyes with corneal decompensation. METHODS: Restrospective case series of eyes that underwent anterior segment restoration involving (1) synechiolysis of peripheral anterior synechiae and excision of iris remnants, (2) securing a well-fixated posterior chamber intraocular lens and (3) suture-fixated or capsular bag placement of CAI. All eyes then underwent DMEK using a pull-through technique with the DMEK EndoGlide (Network Medical Products, Ripon, UK). Main outcomes were successful anterior segment restoration and corneal clarity with central corneal thickness (CCT). RESULTS: Five eyes of five patients (median age 61 years, range 27-69 years; 60% female) underwent anterior segment reconstruction with CAI implantation (4 suture-fixated), followed by successful DMEK surgery (median 2 months later, range 1-5 months). There were no major intraoperative complications or primary graft failure, with one peripheral graft detachment that underwent a successful re-bubble at 1 week. All eyes had stable CAI implants and DMEK grafts remained clear at last follow-up with reduction in mean central corneal thickness (preoperative: 658±86 µm vs postoperative: 470±33 µm, p=0.005). CONCLUSION: This pilot study highlights a feasible approach of initial anterior segment reconstruction with CAI implantation, prior to DMEK, in eyes with significant anterior segment abnormalities such as iris damage or extensive peripheral anterior synechiae and corneal decompensation.

Anterior Segment Optical Coherence Tomography Angiography Assessment of Corneal Vascularisation After Combined Fine-Needle Diathermy with Subconjunctival Ranibizumab: A Pilot Study.

INTRODUCTION: To describe anterior segment optical coherence tomography angiography (AS-OCTA) imaging to monitor corneal vascularisation (CoNV) and scar reduction after combined fine-needle diathermy (FND) with subconjunctival ranibizumab. METHODS: Prospective clinical study of six eyes from six subjects with corneal scar and CoNV which underwent combined FND with subconjunctival ranibizumab. All eyes were imaged using slit-lamp photography (SLP) and AS-OCTA (Optovue, Inc., Fremont, CA, wavelength: 840 nm) before and after the operation, with two independent masked assessors analysing all images. Main outcome measures were changes in median corneal scar area and vessel density (AS-OCTA) comparing pre- and postoperative imaging up to month 3 and 6. RESULTS: The mean age of the subjects was 60 ± 23 years, with three males and three females. CoNV and corneal scarring involving the visual axis were present in all eyes, secondary to previous infective keratitis (n = 3), severe blepharokeratoconjunctivitis (n = 2), or chemical injury (n = 1). Follow-up time frame ranged from 2 to 6 months postoperation. There was a reduction in median corneal scar area from 30.2 mm2 (IQR 18.7-38.5) before surgery to 14.8 mm2 (IQR 7.1-19.6) after surgery, with a median reduction of 37.1% (IQR = - 3.1-86.9, p = 0.046). There was also a reduction in median cornea vessel density (AS-OCTA) from 20.8% (IQR 16.1-20.8) before surgery to 17.6% (IQR 14.0-17.6) after surgery, with a median reduction of 15.1% (IQR 13.2-15.1, p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Combined imaging of SLP and AS-OCTA is useful for monitoring treatment response of corneal scarring and CoNV after combined FND with subconjunctival Ranibizumab.

Artificial intelligence in myopia: current and future trends.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Myopia is one of the leading causes of visual impairment, with a projected increase in prevalence globally. One potential approach to address myopia and its complications is early detection and treatment. However, current healthcare systems may not be able to cope with the growing burden. Digital technological solutions such as artificial intelligence (AI) have emerged as a potential adjunct for myopia management. RECENT FINDINGS: There are currently four significant domains of AI in myopia, including machine learning (ML), deep learning (DL), genetics and natural language processing (NLP). ML has been demonstrated to be a useful adjunctive for myopia prediction and biometry for cataract surgery in highly myopic individuals. DL techniques, particularly convoluted neural networks, have been applied to various image-related diagnostic and predictive solutions. Applications of AI in genomics and NLP appear to be at a nascent stage. SUMMARY: Current AI research is mainly focused on disease classification and prediction in myopia. Through greater collaborative research, we envision AI will play an increasingly critical role in big data analysis by aggregating a greater variety of parameters including genomics and environmental factors. This may enable the development of generalizable adjunctive DL systems that could help realize predictive and individualized precision medicine for myopic patients.

The effects of laser displacement on femtosecond laser-assisted conjunctival autograft preparation for pterygium surgery.

AIMS: To evaluate the effects of no-suction femtosecond laser (FSL) stability on conjunctival autograft (CAG) dissection in pterygium surgery. METHODS: Prospective analysis of 35 eyes from 34 subjects who underwent femtosecond laser-assisted pterygium surgery with the Ziemer Z8 laser (Ophthalmic Systems AG, Switzerland). Intraoperative absolute FSL displacements were measured and correlated with the duration and ease of CAG peel, CAG thickness, measured with intraoperative optical coherence tomography, and deviation from intended graft thickness. RESULTS: The median absolute FSL displacement was 22 µm (interquartile range [IQR] 14.7 to 60.8), while median vertical FSL displacement was 14.7 µm (IQR 7.3 to 44) and median horizontal FSL displacement was 22.0 µm (IQR 14.7 to 44). 65.7% had a grade 1 peel, 11.4% had grade 2 peel, 14.3% had grade 3 peel and 8.6% had grade 4 peel. The median duration of CAG peel was 5.4 seconds (IQR 3 to 21.4). The median CAG thickness was 69 µm (IQR 60.3 to 78.5), and the median deviation from targeted graft thickness was 9 µm (IQR 1 to 16). Eyes with more difficult peels and longer duration of CAG peels had significantly greater vertical FSL displacements (p = 0.04 and 0.02 respectively), but not horizontal displacement, age, ethnicity, CAG thickness or deviation from original thickness, compared to those with better quality and shorter duration peels. 1 eye (2.9%) had an incomplete CAG peel with a buttonhole and 2 eyes had graft tears (5.7%). CONCLUSION: Micro-displacements during the suction-free CAG preparation are common but they did not affect the quality of the CAG peel, duration of peel, or CAG thickness. However, vertical globe displacement during FSL-assisted CAG creation was significantly associated with a more difficult and longer CAG peel duration. This highlights the importance of the cornea traction suture fixation to ensure stability of the eye during FSL application.

Artificial intelligence for anterior segment diseases: Emerging applications in ophthalmology.

With the advancement of computational power, refinement of learning algorithms and architectures, and availability of big data, artificial intelligence (AI) technology, particularly with machine learning and deep learning, is paving the way for 'intelligent' healthcare systems. AI-related research in ophthalmology previously focused on the screening and diagnosis of posterior segment diseases, particularly diabetic retinopathy, age-related macular degeneration and glaucoma. There is now emerging evidence demonstrating the application of AI to the diagnosis and management of a variety of anterior segment conditions. In this review, we provide an overview of AI applications to the anterior segment addressing keratoconus, infectious keratitis, refractive surgery, corneal transplant, adult and paediatric cataracts, angle-closure glaucoma and iris tumour, and highlight important clinical considerations for adoption of AI technologies, potential integration with telemedicine and future directions.

Evolution of therapies for the corneal endothelium: past, present and future approaches.

Corneal endothelial diseases are leading indications for corneal transplantations. With significant advancement in medical science and surgical techniques, corneal transplant surgeries are now increasingly effective at restoring vision in patients with corneal diseases. In the last 15 years, the introduction of endothelial keratoplasty (EK) procedures, where diseased corneal endothelium (CE) are selectively replaced, has significantly transformed the field of corneal transplantation. Compared to traditional penetrating keratoplasty, EK procedures, namely Descemet's stripping automated endothelial keratoplasty (DSAEK) and Descemet membrane endothelial keratoplasty (DMEK), offer faster visual recovery, lower immunological rejection rates, and improved graft survival. Although these modern techniques can achieve high success, there are fundamental impediments to conventional transplantations. A lack of suitable donor corneas worldwide restricts the number of transplants that can be performed. Other barriers include the need for specialized expertise, high cost, and risks of graft rejection or failure. Research is underway to develop alternative treatments for corneal endothelial diseases, which are less dependent on the availability of allogeneic tissues - regenerative medicine and cell-based therapies. In this review, an overview of past and present transplantation procedures used to treat corneal endothelial diseases are described. Potential novel therapies that may be translated into clinical practice will also be presented.

Refractive surgery beyond 2020.

Refractive surgery refers to any procedure that corrects or minimizes refractive errors. Today, refractive surgery has evolved beyond the traditional laser refractive surgery, embodied by the popular laser in situ keratomileusis or 'LASIK'. New keratorefractive techniques such as small incision lenticule extraction (SMILE) avoids corneal flap creation and uses a single laser device, while advances in surface ablation techniques have seen a resurgence in its popularity. Presbyopic treatment options have also expanded to include new ablation profiles, intracorneal implants, and phakic intraocular implants. With the improved safety and efficacy of refractive lens exchange, a wider variety of intraocular lens implants with advanced optics provide more options for refractive correction in carefully selected patients. In this review, we also discuss possible developments in refractive surgery beyond 2020, such as preoperative evaluation of refractive patients using machine learning and artificial intelligence, potential use of stromal lenticules harvested from SMILE for presbyopic treatments, and various advances in intraocular lens implants that may provide a closer to 'physiological correction' of refractive errors.

Modified manual small incision cataract surgery technique for phacoemulsification-trained surgeons.

PURPOSE: To present the technique and outcomes of a modified manual small incision cataract surgery designed for the phacoemulsification surgeons who are learning to perform manual small incision cataract surgery. METHODS: This was a retrospective, single-centred, comparative study. We included all the patients who underwent the modified manual small incision cataract surgery for visually significant cataract at Singapore National Eye Centre. All surgeries were performed by either a senior phaco-trained surgeon (M.A.) who had performed more than 500 manual small incision cataract surgery or a junior phaco-trained surgeon (D.C.) who had performed around 500 phacoemulsification but never performed any manual small incision cataract surgery. The main modification of this technique lies in the creation of an additional phaco-like main wound at 90° to the scleral tunnel wound, with most surgical steps performed through this additional wound. The outcomes were analysed and compared between the senior and junior surgeons. The main outcome measures were visual outcome and major intraoperative complications such as posterior capsular rupture and zonular dialysis. RESULTS: A total of 132 cases were included; 102 (77.3%) and 30 (22.7%) cases were performed by the senior and junior surgeons, respectively. Pre-operatively, 85.6% eyes had best-corrected visual acuity of counting fingers or worse. Postoperatively, the visual outcome at 1 month was similar between the senior and junior surgeons, with 68.7% eyes achieving a best-corrected visual acuity of ⩾6/12 (p = 0.17). No posterior capsular rupture, zonular dialysis or endophthalmitis was observed during the study period. CONCLUSIONS: This modified technique may serve as a useful transition technique for the phaco-trained surgeons to develop skills in manual small incision cataract surgery, with demonstrable good visual outcome and safety.