Gene expression changes in conjunctival cells associated with contact lens wear and discomfort.

PURPOSE: This study aimed to analyze the differences in the expression of pain-related genes in conjunctival epithelial cells among symptomatic contact lens (CL) wearers (SCLWs), asymptomatic CL wearers (ACLWs), and non-CL wearers (non-CLWs). METHODS: For this study, 60 participants (20 non-CLWs, 40 CLWs) were enrolled. The CLW group comprised 20 ACLWs and 20 SCLWs according to the Contact Lens Dry Eye Questionnaire short form©. Conjunctival cells were collected using impression cytology, and RNA was isolated and used to determine the expression levels of 85 human genes involved in neuropathic and inflammatory pain. The effects of CL wear and discomfort were evaluated using mixed-effects ANOVA with partially nested fixed-effects model. Gene set enrichment analysis was performed to assign biological meaning to sets of differentially expressed genes. RESULTS: Six genes (CD200, EDN1, GRIN1, PTGS1, P2RX7, and TNF) were significantly upregulated in CLWs compared to non-CLWs. Eleven genes (ADORA1, BDKRB1, CACNA1B, DBH, GRIN1, GRM1, HTR1A, PDYN, PTGS1, P2RX3, and TNF) were downregulated in SCLWs compared to ACLWs. These genes were mainly related to pain, synaptic transmission and signaling, ion transport, calcium transport and concentration, and cell-cell signaling. CONCLUSIONS: CL wear modified the expression of pain- and inflammation-related genes in conjunctival epithelial cells. These changes may be in part, along with other mechanisms, responsible for CL discomfort in SCLWs.

Assessment of the iridocorneal angle pigmentation and structures after the implantation of EVO+ Visian Implantable Collamer Lens.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the effect of EVO+ Visian Implantable Collamer Lens (ICL) implantation on the iridocorneal angle pigmentation and structures. METHODS: Myopic refractive surgery candidates who underwent posterior chamber EVO+ ICL implantation were evaluated preoperatively and 3 and 6 months postoperatively. High-resolution images of the iridocorneal angle (nasal, superior, temporal and inferior quadrants) were acquired during gonioscopy. A masked observer, blinded to study visits and patients' information, evaluated the angle width, apparent iris root insertion, iris configuration, and trabecular meshwork pigmentation according to the Spaeth scale in two different occasions. The intra-rater reliability was estimated using the weighted Gwet's Agreement Coefficient (AC2). Differences between visits were analyzed using the Cochran Q test or the Friedman test. RESULTS: Twenty-one patients (13 females and 8 males) aging 31.3 ± 6.3 years old were recruited. The intra-rater reliability of gonioscopy assessment was excellent for every parameter assessed (AC2 ≥ 0.97). No significant differences were found among the study visits for any quadrant in the angle width (p ≥ 0.74), apparent iris root insertion (p ≥ 0.22), iris configuration (p ≥ 0.21) and trabecular meshwork pigmentation (p ≥ 0.24). Mean pigmentation of trabecular meshwork for the four quadrants did not vary either among visits (p = 0.25). CONCLUSIONS: The EVO+ ICL implantation after uneventful procedures appears not to clinically affect the iridocorneal angle pigmentation and/or structures during a short-medium follow-up using gonioscopy assessment. The intra-rater reliability of glaucoma specialists assessing iridocorneal angle structures using gonioscopy images is very high.

EVO/EVO+ Visian Implantable Collamer Lenses for the correction of myopia and myopia with astigmatism.

INTRODUCTION: Intraocular lens implantation in phakic eyes for the correction of refractive error is currently a widespread procedure. The EVO and EVO+ Visian Implantable Collamer Lenses (ICL) are two of the most prevalent lenses implanted. They incorporate a central orifice to avoid the need for iridotomy. The main difference between both ICL is the higher optical diameter zone provided by the EVO+, allowing a better quality of vision at night. This review aims to provide an overview of the current ICL models available for correcting myopia and myopic astigmatism. AREAS COVERED: During the last decade, more than 100 scientific papers analyzing the performance of EVO and EVO+ lenses have been published. This review describes the objective visual performance achieved with the implantation of central hole ICL lenses and the subjective perception of the patients implanted with these lenses. In addition, the safety and the potential complications associated with undergoing an EVO and EVO+ ICL implantation have been addressed. EXPERT OPINION: Refractive surgeons and candidates to undergo ICL implantation should be aware of the excellent safety and visual outcomes provided by the implantation of central hole ICL lenses. However, future research could address minor issues currently not resolved.

Reliability and agreement of apparent chord mu measurements between static and dynamic evaluations.

PURPOSE: To assess the repeatability and agreement of Cartesian coordinates and the length of apparent chord mu and pupil diameter measurements during static (Galilei G4) and dynamic (Topolyzer Vario) evaluations. SETTING: IOBA-Eye Institute, Valladolid, Spain. DESIGN: Case series. METHODS: 3 consecutive measurements per scenario (Galilei G4 and Topolyzer Vario under low mesopic and photopic conditions) were performed by the same clinician. The intrasession repeatability was assessed using the within-subject SD (Sw), the precision, the coefficient of variation, and the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC). The agreement was analyzed using repeated-measures analysis of variance and the Bland-Altman method. RESULTS: Thirty-seven healthy participants were recruited. The Sw values for chord mu parameters and pupil diameter ranged from 0.01 to 0.03 and 0.08 to 0.21, respectively. The ICC was ≥0.89 for all parameters. Galilei G4 and Topolyzer Vario under low mesopic and photopic conditions provided significantly different measures of apparent chord mu length (0.23 ± 0.11 mm, 0.30 ± 0.10 mm, and 0.25 ± 0.11 mm, respectively, P ≤ .02), X-coordinate (-0.18 ± 0.12 mm, -0.27 ± 0.11 mm, and -0.21 ± 0.12 mm, respectively, P < .001), and pupil diameter (3.38 ± 0.50 mm, 6.29 ± 0.60 mm, and 3.04 ± 0.41 mm, respectively, P < .001). Y-coordinate values obtained by Galilei G4 and Topolyzer Vario under low mesopic conditions were significantly different (0.06 ± 0.13 mm vs 0.03 ± 0.11 mm, respectively, P = .02), in contrast to Galilei G4 and Topolyzer Vario under photopic conditions (0.05 ± 0.13 mm, P = .82) and both illumination conditions of Topolyzer Vario (P ≥ .23). CONCLUSIONS: Galilei G4 and Topolyzer Vario provide consistent measurements of apparent chord mu Cartesian coordinates and length, as well as pupil diameter; however, the measurements are not interchangeable. Ophthalmic surgeons should consider these findings when planning customized intraocular lens implantation and refractive surgery procedures.

Inter-eye and postoperative prediction of vault after implantation of EVO + Visian phakic implantable collamer lens.

PURPOSE: To assess whether the postoperative outcomes of the implantation of an EVO + implantable collamer lens (ICL) in one eye can be used as a predictor of the vault of the fellow eye, and to evaluate the vault changes of the implantation in both eyes during the postoperative period. METHODS: A prospective study including 40 eyes of 20 patients with a bilateral EVO + ICL implantation was performed. Subjects were evaluated before the surgery and 1 day, 1 week and 1, 3 and 6 months postoperatively. Central vault was assessed using spectral-domain optical coherence tomography. The inter-eye and follow-up analyses were performed using lineal models and the Bland-Altman method. RESULTS: The vault of the first implanted eye at the 1-day visit highly predicts the vault of the second eye (R2 = .87; P < .001); the mean inter-eye difference was - 0.95 µm, and the superior and inferior limits of agreement were -50.27 µm and 148.37 µm, respectively. This relationship was maintained during the medium-term follow-up, not finding differences in the slopes among visits (P ≥ .09). A progressive decrease of vault was found during the follow-up (P < .001). Larger vault change 6 months after the surgery was associated with higher vault 1 day after the ICL implantation (R2 = .19;P = .005). CONCLUSION: One-day postoperative vault in the first eye can help to predict the optimal ICL sizing in the second eye. Vault tends to decrease during the first 6 months after EVO + ICL implantation. Eyes with higher initial vaults will also show larger reductions during the medium-term follow-up.

EVO+ Implantable Collamer Lens KS-aquaPORT Location, Stability, and Impact on Quality of Vision and Life.

PURPOSE: To determine the longitudinal variation in the KS-aquaPORT central hole location of the phakic EVO+I Implantable Collamer Lens (ICL) (STAAR Surgical) and analyze its influence on visual performance, quality of vision (QoV), and quality of life (QoL). METHODS: A prospective study was performed including 36 patients who had EVO+ ICL implantation. The KS-aquaPORT central hole location (Cartesian and polar coordinates) was determined with respect to the pupil center and visual axis. The effect of time (6-month follow-up) on central hole location was analyzed using linear mixed models. The effect of the KS-aquaPORT location on visual performance, QoV, and QoL parameters was assessed with multivariate regression models. RESULTS: With respect to the visual axis, no significant changes in KS-aquaPORT location were found during follow-up. With respect to the pupil center, the X-coordinate and radius of KS-aquaPORT location showed modest, but significant (P ≤ .05) differences between 1-week and 3-month postoperative visits, and between 1-week and 6-month visits. X-coordinate variation was significant (P = .022) between 1-and 6-month visits. With respect to the visual axis, greater KS-aquaPORT decentration was associated with worse visual acuity (X-coordinate: P = .004; radius: P = .006), and inferior decentration with longer xenon-type glare photostress recovery time (P = .021). With respect to the pupil center, a lower radius was associated with better QoV scores (P ≤ .01) and temporal decentration produced higher ring-shaped dysphotopsia (P = .007). CONCLUSIONS: EVO+ ICL KS-aquaPORT location appears to be clinically stable up to 6 months postoperatively. A central location of the EVO+ ICL KS-aquaPORT hole is preferred because it allows reduced perception of dysphotopic phenomena that can result in better QoV. [J Refract Surg. 2022;38(3):177-183.].

Effect of the EVO+ Visian Phakic Implantable Collamer Lens on Visual Performance and Quality of Vision and Life.

PURPOSE: To assess the effect of EVO+ (V5) Visian implantable collamer lens implantation on mesopic visual performance, quality of vision (QoV), and quality of life (QoL). DESIGN: Prospective interventional case series. METHODS: Thirty-six eyes of 36 participants who underwent EVO+ implantation for myopia were evaluated preoperatively and at postoperative visits at 1 week and 1, 3, and 6 months. Visual acuity (VA) and mesopic contrast sensitivity (CS) with and without halogen- and xenon-type glare sources were evaluated at each visit. Subjective QoV was assessed with the QoV questionnaire and QoL assessed with the Quality of Life Impact of Refractive Correction (QIRC) questionnaire at each visit. Ring-shaped dysphotopsia was also assessed at each postoperative visit. Linear, cumulative link and logit mixed models were fitted to analyze the effect of the EVO+. RESULTS: Following EVO+ implantation, VA significantly (P ≤ .012) improved at the 4 postoperative visits. Mesopic CS progressively improved at 1, 3, and 6 months postoperatively (P ≤ .012). Halogen glare CS decreased at 1 week and halogen and xenon glare CS improved at 6 months (P ≤ .016). Photostress recovery time after halogen glare improved at 3 and 6 months (P ≤ .004). QoV scores improved at 1 week and 3 and 6 months (P ≤ .001). QIRC scores improved postoperatively (P < .001). Ring-shaped dysphotopsia decreased at 3 and 6 months (P ≤ .007). CONCLUSIONS: EVO+ implantation provides good mesopic visual performance, QoV, and QoL during up to 6 months follow-up. Some activities performed under mesopic conditions with glare sources may be affected during the first postoperative week. Ring-shaped dysphotopsia is negligibly bothersome 6 months after surgery.

Effect of Environmental Conditions on the Concentration of Tear Inflammatory Mediators During Contact Lens Wear.

PURPOSE: To analyze the influence of environmental conditions on the concentrations of tear inflammatory mediators during contact lens (CL) wear. METHODS: Fifty-four CL wearers completed 4 visits combining the bilateral use of omafilcon A or comfilcon A CL and a 90-minute exposure to 2 environmental conditions: standard [50% relative humidity (RH), 23°C, 930 mb] or adverse (5% RH, localized air flow, 23°C, 750 mb). Four microliters of tears was collected by capillarity from each subject. Changes in concentration of epidermal growth factor (EGF); interleukin (IL)-1 receptor antagonist, IL-1ß, IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, and IL-8; tumor necrosis factor (TNF) α; monocyte chemoattractant protein-1; and matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-9 were analyzed. The effects of the environment, CL type, and symptoms were evaluated using a 3-way mixed analysis of variance with repeated measures. RESULTS: Under the standard condition, EGF significantly increased [0.36; 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.08 to 0.64], and IL-1ß (-0.48; 95% CI, -0.84 to -0.12) and IL-2 (-0.48; 95% CI, -0.87 to -0.09) significantly decreased. Under the adverse condition, IL-6 significantly increased (0.35; 95% CI, 0.09 to 0.62). Comparing conditions, EGF change was significantly lower (P = 0.02) and IL-1ß, IL-2, IL-6, and TNF-α changes were significantly higher (P ≤ 0.04) under the adverse condition. Additionally, IL-1ß significantly decreased with comfilcon A (-0.51; 95% CI, -0.88 to -0.15), being significantly lower (P = 0.01) than the change with omafilcon A (0.06; 95% CI, -0.23 to 0.35). CONCLUSIONS: The secretion of several tear inflammatory mediators during CL wear differs depending on the environmental conditions and the CL type used. These outcomes might help to understand the effect of the environment and CL materials on the ocular surface of CL wearers.

Corneal Sensitivity and Inflammatory Biomarkers in Contact Lens Discomfort.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to analyze whether symptoms of discomfort in hydrogel contact lens (HCL) wearers were associated with changes in corneal sensitivity or levels of tear inflammatory mediators. METHODS: Sixty-six subjects were included: 47 HCL wearers, further divided into 24 symptomatic and 23 asymptomatic wearers by the Contact Lens Dry Eye Questionnaire short form and 19 non-contact lens wearers. At least 24 h after HCL removal, we obtained scores from the Ocular Surface Disease Index and mechanical, hot, and cold corneal thresholds using a Belmonte esthesiometer. We collected 4 µl of tears with a capillary micropipette and measured levels of 12 inflammatory markers using a bead-based array: epidermal growth factor, fractalkine, interleukin-10 (IL-10), IL-1ß, IL-1 receptor antagonist, IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, IL-8, monocyte chemoattractant protein 1, tumor necrosis factor-α, and matrix metalloproteinase 9. RESULTS: There were no significant differences between groups in corneal sensitivity thresholds and levels of tear molecules. The following significant correlations were found in the total sample pooled: Ocular Surface Disease Index correlated with mechanical threshold (p < 0.01; rho = -0.324) and epidermal growth factor (p < 0.01, rho = -0.330), and mechanical threshold correlated with heat threshold (p < 0.01, rho = -0.321). CONCLUSIONS: Twenty-four hours after HCL removal, symptoms of discomfort in HCL wearers are not related to changes in corneal sensitivity or tear inflammatory mediator levels. This might indicate either that HCL wear has no effect on these parameters or that ocular surfaces recover from HCL-caused effects during the first hours after HCL removal. However, there were correlations for associations between symptoms, corneal sensitivity, and some molecules in tears.