Tear Film Lipid Layer Changes Following Combined Effect of Heated Eye Mask with Intense Pulsed Light Therapy for Evaporative Dry Eye: A Randomized Control Study.

Background: Dry eye disease (DED) is a complex ocular surface inflammatory disorder with a multifactorial etiology. Therapies such as intense pulsed light (IPL) and heated eye mask (HEM) have been reported to improve the tear film lipid layer (TFLL) and signs and symptoms of DED. Methods: This randomized study aimed to compare the effects of IPL combined with HEM (IPL+HEM) group, IPL group, and control group in participants with evaporative DED. All participants were examined at baseline (D0), day 21 (D21), day 42 (D42), and day 84 (D84) for noninvasive tear breakup time (NITBUT), TFLL, corneal conjunctival staining (CS), meibomian gland quality (MGQ), meibomian gland expressibility (MGEx), and Ocular Surface Disease Index (OSDI). Results: The mean age of participants was IPL+HEM: 28.06 ± 3.88 years, IPL: 29.88 ± 4.68 years, and control: 28.52 ± 3.77 years. At D84, significant improvements in TFLL (p < 0.05), noninvasive tear breakup time (NITBUT) (p < 0.05), corneoconjunctival staining (CS) (p < 0.05), MGQ (p < 0.05), MGEx (p < 0.05), and OSDI (p < 0.05) were found in the IPL+HEM and IPL groups, whereas the control group had no significant improvements. Furthermore, ΔTFLL significantly correlated with ΔNITBUT (r = -0.678, p < 0.001), ΔCS (r = 0.321, p < 0.001), ΔMGQ (r = 0.669, p < 0.001), ΔMGEx (r = 0.598, p < 0.001), and ΔOSDI score (r = 0.649, p < 0.001). Conclusions: IPL therapy in combination with HEM and IPL therapy only can significantly improve the quality of TFLL and clinically reduce the sign and symptoms of evaporative DED. However, IPL therapy in combination with HEM was found to be more effective than IPL therapy alone.

Impact of Diquafosol Ophthalmic Solution on Tear Film and Dry Eye Symptom in Type 2 Diabetic Dry Eye: A Pilot Study.

Purpose: Diquafosol ophthalmic solution (DQS) stimulates P2Y2 receptors on the ocular surface, which enhances mucin secretion from goblet cells. Therefore, tear film stability and hydration of the ocular surface can be achieved independent from lacrimal gland function. Methods: This prospective, open-label pilot study included 60 eyes of 30 diabetic patients diagnosed with dry eye disease (DED) and were randomly assigned to either DQS (n = 30 eyes) or hyaluronate (HA) group (n = 30 eyes). Participants in the DQS group received 3% diquafosol ophthalmic solution, whereas HA group received 0.1% sodium HA preservative-free artificial tears. The dosage for both drugs was 1 drop, 6 times per day for 4 weeks. Tear film lipid layer (TFLL), noninvasive breakup time (NITBUT), corneoconjunctival staining (CS) score, meibomian gland (MG), conjunctival hyperemia [redness score (RS)], ocular surface disease index (OSDI) was assessed and compared at baseline, day 14, and day 28. Results: Comparing baseline and day 28 measurements revealed that both groups found significant improvements in NITBUT, CS, MG quality, MG expressibility, and OSDI scores significantly (P < 0.05), in addition TFLL improvements were only found in the DQS group. At day 28, the magnitude of change in mean NITBUT was 1.74 (DQS) versus 0.31 (HA), 1.16 (DQS) versus 0.37 (HA) point grade reduction in corneoconjunctival staining score and 9.80 (DQS) versus 4.80 (HA) point grade in mean OSDI score. Conclusion: Three percent diquafosol ophthalmic solution treatment demonstrated the ability to improve the tear film dry eye parameters and clinically reduced sign and symptoms of DED in diabetic dry eye patients. Clinical Trials.gov ID: NCT04980144.

An ensemble-based approach for estimating personalized intraocular lens power.

The fundamental difference between modern formulae for intraocular lens (IOL) power calculation lies on the single ad hoc regression model they use to estimate the effective lens position (ELP). The ELP is very difficult to predict and its estimation is considered critical for an accurate prediction of the required IOL power of the lens to be implanted during cataract surgery. Hence, more advanced prediction techniques, which improve the prediction accuracy of the ELP, could play a decisive role in improving patient refractive outcomes. This study introduced a new approach for the calculation of personalized IOL power, which used an ensemble of regression models to devise a more accurate and robust prediction of the ELP. The concept of cross-validation was used to rigorously assess the performance of the devised formula against the most commonly used and published formulae. The results from this study show that overall, the proposed approach outperforms the most commonly used modern formulae (namely, Haigis, Holladay I, Hoffer Q and SRK/T) in terms of mean absolute prediction errors and prediction accuracy i.e., the percentage of eyes within ± 0.5D and ± 1 D ranges of prediction, for various ranges of axial lengths of the eyes. The new formula proposed in this study exhibited some promising features in terms of robustness. This enables the new formula to cope with variations in the axial length, the pre-operative anterior chamber depth and the keratometry readings of the corneal power; hence mitigating the impact of their measurement accuracy. Furthermore, the new formula performed well for both monofocal and multifocal lenses.

Visual outcomes and patient satisfaction 1 and 12 months after combined implantation of extended depth of focus and trifocal intraocular lenses.

PURPOSE: To assess the 1-month and 12-month postoperative visual performance and subjective outcomes following combined implantation of an extended depth of focus (EDOF) intraocular lens (IOL) and a trifocal IOL. METHODS: The study enrolled consecutive patients undergoing refractive lens extraction or cataract surgery with combined implantation of an EDOF IOL (dominant eye) and trifocal IOL. Uncorrected (UDVA) and best-corrected (CDVA) distance visual acuities, uncorrected intermediate (UIVA) and near (UNVA) visual acuities, and subjective questionnaires were evaluated 1 month and 12 months postoperatively. RESULTS: The study enrolled 58 consecutive patients. Binocular UDVA, UIVA and UNVA were - 0.08 ± 0.07 logMAR, 0.15 ± 0.14 logMAR and 0.17 ± 0.11 logMAR at 1 month, compared to - 0.09 ± 0.06 logMAR (P = .323), 0.11 ± 0.10 logMAR (P = .030) and 0.13 ± 0.10 logMAR (P = 0.008) at 12 months. Satisfaction was high with 93.1% of patients fulfilled or more than fulfilled postoperatively, and 84.5% and 86.3% reported spectacle independence for near at the respective postoperative assessments. The mean daytime and nighttime quality of vision (QoV) scores were 9.12 ± 0.94 and 7.88 ± 1.74 at 1 month, compared to 9.24 ± 0.78 (P = .183) and 8.26 ± 1.38 (P = .043) at 12 months. CONCLUSIONS: This IOL combination provides good unaided visual acuity at 1 and 12 months postoperatively, with high functional vision and postoperative satisfaction reported at 1 and 12 months. However, a significant improvement in overall nighttime QoV at the 12 months assessment was found.

Comparative Analysis of Paper-Based and Web-Based Versions of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network-Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-Breast Cancer Symptom Index (NFBSI-16) Questionnaire in Breast Cancer Patients: Randomized Crossover Study.

BACKGROUND: Breast cancer remains the most common neoplasm diagnosed among women in China and globally. Health-related questionnaire assessments in research and clinical oncology settings have gained prominence. The National Comprehensive Cancer Network-Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-Breast Cancer Symptom Index (NFBSI-16) is a rapid and powerful tool to help evaluate disease- or treatment-related symptoms, both physical and emotional, in patients with breast cancer for clinical and research purposes. Prevalence of individual smartphones provides a potential web-based approach to administrating the questionnaire; however, the reliability of the NFBSI-16 in electronic format has not been assessed. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to assess the reliability of a web-based NFBSI-16 questionnaire in breast cancer patients undergoing systematic treatment with a prospective open-label randomized crossover study design. METHODS: We recruited random patients with breast cancer under systematic treatment from the central hospital registry to complete both paper- and web-based versions of the questionnaires. Both versions of the questionnaires were self-assessed. Patients were randomly assigned to group A (paper-based first and web-based second) or group B (web-based first and paper-based second). A total of 354 patients were included in the analysis (group A: n=177, group B: n=177). Descriptive sociodemographic characteristics, reliability and agreement rates for single items, subscales, and total score were analyzed using the Wilcoxon test. The Lin concordance correlation coefficient (CCC) and Spearman and Kendall τ rank correlations were used to assess test-retest reliability. RESULTS: Test-retest reliability measured with CCCs was 0.94 for the total NFBSI-16 score. Significant correlations (Spearman ρ) were documented for all 4 subscales-Disease-Related Symptoms Subscale-Physical (ρ=0.93), Disease-Related Symptoms Subscale-Emotional (ρ=0.85), Treatment Side Effects Subscale (ρ=0.95), and Function and Well-Being Subscale (ρ=0.91)-and total NFBSI-16 score (ρ=0.94). Mean differences of the test and retest were all close to zero (≤0.06). The parallel test-retest reliability of subscales with the Wilcoxon test comparing individual items found GP3 (item 5) to be significantly different (P=.02). A majority of the participants in this study (255/354, 72.0%) preferred the web-based over the paper-based version. CONCLUSIONS: The web-based version of the NFBSI-16 questionnaire is an excellent tool for monitoring individual breast cancer patients under treatment, with the majority of participants preferring it over the paper-based version.

Visual Outcomes and Subjective Experience After Combined Implantation of Extended Depth of Focus and Trifocal IOLs.

PURPOSE: To evaluate postoperative visual performance and patient-reported outcomes following combined implantation of an extended depth of focus (EDOF) intraocular lens (IOL) and a trifocal IOL. METHODS: The study enrolled consecutive patients undergoing refractive lens extraction or cataract surgery with combined implantation of an EDOF IOL (dominant eye) and a trifocal IOL in the nondominant eye. Uncorrected (UDVA) and corrected (CDVA) distance visual acuities, uncorrected intermediate (UIVA) and near (UNVA) visual acuities, defocus curves, and subjective questionnaires were evaluated 1 month postoperatively. RESULTS: The study enrolled 100 consecutive patients (200 eyes). The postoperative mean binocular UDVA, UIVA, and UNVA were -0.08 ± 0.07, 0.13 ± 0.12, and 0.17 ± 0.11 logMAR, respectively. The percentage of eyes within ±0.50 and ±1.00 diopters of the refractive target was 65% and 96% with EDOF IOLs, and 76% and 99% with trifocal IOLs, respectively. Of all patients, 91% were satisfied or more than satisfied with the procedure, and 87% of patients were spectacle free for near vision. On a scale from 0 (not at all) to 3 (very), mean scores of 0.52 ± 0.83, 0.71 ± 0.83, and 0.34 ± 0.73 were reported for glare, halos, and starbursts. The mean daytime and nighttime Quality of Vision scores were 9.13 ± 0.91 and 7.96 ± 1.57, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The combination of an EDOF IOL and a trifocal IOL provides good unaided visual acuity for distance and near. This IOL combination provides high postoperative satisfaction and functional vision, but some early visual side effects were reported. [J Refract Surg. 2020;36(5):326-333.].

Investigating the impact of preoperative corneal astigmatism orientation on the postoperative spherical equivalent refraction following intraocular lens implantation.

BACKGROUND: To investigate the impact of the orientation of preoperative corneal astigmatism on achieving the postoperative target refraction following monofocal intraocular lens (IOL) implantation. METHODS: This study enrolled 339 eyes who had uneventful cataract surgery or refractive lens exchange (RLE) with subsequent monofocal IOL implantation. Eyes were initially categorized dependent upon axial length and then on the orientation of preoperative anterior corneal astigmatism. Group 1 had against-the-rule (ATR) anterior corneal astigmatism, group 2 had with-the-rule (WTR) anterior corneal astigmatism, and group 3 had oblique (OB) anterior corneal astigmatism. The preoperative corneal astigmatism was determined by the IOLMaster (Carl Zeiss Meditec AG). Postoperative refraction was completed for all eyes, and the results were calculated and compared for the separate groups. RESULTS: In eyes with axial lengths greater than 22.0 mm and less than 25.0 mm there was a significant difference between the magnitude of preoperative corneal astigmatism between groups 2 and 3 with 0.827 ± 0.376 D in group 2, and 0.677 ± 0.387 D in group 3. The mean postoperative spherical equivalent (SE) prediction error was - 0.132 ± 0.475 D in group 1, 0.026 ± 0.497 D in group 2, and - 0.130 ± 0.477 D in group 3. There was a significant difference between groups 1 and 2. There was no significant difference in the magnitude of preoperative corneal astigmatism and postoperative SE prediction error between the anterior corneal astigmatism orientation groups in eyes with axial lengths of less than or equal to 22.0 mm and greater than or equal to 25.0 mm. CONCLUSIONS: The orientation of preoperative anterior corneal astigmatism significantly affected the postoperative biometry prediction error in eyes with astigmatism of 1.75 D or less in eyes with the axial length between 22.0 mm and 25.0 mm. However, the results were not clinically significant.

Effect of position of near addition in an asymmetric refractive multifocal intraocular lens on quality of vision.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the impact of the position of an asymmetric multifocal near segment on visual quality. SETTING: Cathedral Eye Clinic, Belfast, United Kingdom. DESIGN: Retrospective comparative case series. METHODS: Data from consecutive patients who had bilateral implantation of the Lentis Mplus LS-312 multifocal intraocular lens were divided into 2 groups. One group received inferonasal near-segment placement and the other, superotemporal near-segment placement. A +3.00 diopter (D) reading addition (add) was used in all eyes. The main outcome measures included uncorrected distance visual acuity (UDVA), uncorrected near visual acuity (UNVA), contrast sensitivity, and quality of vision. Follow-up was 3 months. RESULTS: Patients ranged in age from 43 to 76 years. The inferonasal group comprised 80 eyes (40 patients) and the superotemporal group, 76 eyes (38 patients). The mean 3-month spherical equivalent was -0.11 D ± 0.49 (SD) in the inferonasal group and -0.18 ± 0.46 D in the superotemporal group. The mean postoperative UDVA was 0.14 ± 0.10 logMAR and 0.18 ± 0.15 logMAR, respectively. The mean monocular UNVA was 0.21 ± 0.14 logRAD and 0.24 ± 0.13 logRAD, respectively. No significant differences were observed in the higher-order aberrations, total Strehl ratio (point-spread function), or modulation transfer function between the groups. Dysphotopic symptoms measured with a validated quality-of-vision questionnaire were not significantly different between groups. CONCLUSION: Positioning of the near add did not significantly affect objective or subjective visual function parameters.