Clinical macular edema following uneventful cataract surgery in eyes without pre-existing fundus diseases: risk factors and treatment prognosis.

BACKGROUND: To investigate the risk factors and prognosis of clinical pseudophakic cystoid macular edema (PCME) after uneventful phacoemulsification surgery in patients without pre-existing fundus diseases. METHODS: This was a retrospective case-control study. Medical records between August 2020 and August 2023 were reviewed for patients who had no previous fundus diseases and developed clinical PCME. A control group was randomly chosen and the risk factors for PCME was analyzed by binary logistic regression. Structure and visual prognosis of the PCME cohort were observed and compared among subgroups undergoing different treatment measures. RESULTS: Forty-seven eyes of 47 patients with PCME were included. The development of PCME was associated with higher systolic blood pressure (OR, 1.048; 95%CI 1.002, 1.097; P = .042), no posterior vitreous detachment (OR, 0.215; 95%CI: 0.553, 0.887; P = .032) and shorter axial lengths (OR, 0.401; 95%CI 0.161, 0.997; P = .049) compared to controls. During a mean follow-up of 8.26 months, 36 eyes (76.6%) showed visual improvement with decreased macular thickness. Different treatment modalities, including observation, topical NSAIDs, and intervention therapy, have no significant differences on the visual prognosis (P = 1.000). However, the intervention group had a shorter recovery time compared to the observation group (28.6 vs. 45.9 days, P = .037). CONCLUSION: PCME remains an encountered morbidity in patients without pre-existing fundus diseases. Shorter axial lengths, absence of posterior vitreous detachment, and higher systolic blood pressure are risk factors of PCME. Active intervention failed to improve the prognosis of PCME but could shorten the recovery time.

Risk of Pseudophakic Cystoid Macular Edema in Fellow-Eye Cataract Surgeries: A Multicenter Database Study.

PURPOSE: To quantify the risk of pseudophakic cystoid macular edema (pCME) in fellow-eye cataract surgery and to determine risk factors, including prior first-eye pCME. DESIGN: Retrospective, clinical database study. PARTICIPANTS: Patients undergoing bilateral nonsimultaneous cataract surgeries in 8 UK National Health Service clinical centers between July 2003 and March 2015. METHODS: We excluded patients with a history of diabetic macular edema (DME) or CME and perioperative topical nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug use in either eye. We calculated the overall risk of pCME and used Poisson model with robust estimation of standard error to identify potential risk factors for pCME in the fellow eye. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: The risk of postoperative clinical pCME in the fellow eye. RESULTS: A total of 54 209 patients were included. The mean age was 74.6 ± 10.4 years, and 38.8% were male. The fellow eye developed pCME in 544 patients (1%). The risk of fellow-eye pCME among patients without first-eye pCME was 0.9%. However, the risk of fellow-eye pCME among those with first-eye pCME was 10.7%. In the fully adjusted model, we found that the risk factors for the development of fellow-eye pCME were first-eye pCME (RR, 8.55, 95% confidence interval [CI], 6.19-11.8), epiretinal membrane (ERM) (RR, 4.1, CI, 2.63-6.19), history of retinal vein occlusion (RR, 2.94, CI, 1.75-4.93), diabetes without history of DME (RR, 2.08, CI, 1.73-2.5), advanced cataract (RR, 1.75, CI, 1.16-2.65), prostaglandin analogue use preoperatively (RR, 1.49, CI, 1.13-1.97), and male sex (RR, 1.19, CI, 1.0-1.41). CONCLUSIONS: History of pCME in the first-operated eye is the strongest independent risk factor for the development of pCME in the fellow eye. Our findings may guide clinicians in counseling patients on the risk of pCME before performing cataract surgery in the fellow eye and help in identifying high-risk patients who may benefit from prophylactic therapy. FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE(S): Proprietary or commercial disclosure may be found after the references.

Cystoid Macular Edema after Cataract Surgery in the United States: IRIS® Registry (Intelligent Research in Sight) Analysis.

PURPOSE: To determine the incidence, risk factors, and visual outcomes of cystoid macular edema (CME) after cataract surgery in the United States. DESIGN: Retrospective, longitudinal, case-control study. PARTICIPANTS: Patients aged ≥ 18 years who underwent phacoemulsification cataract surgery. METHODS: The American Academy of Ophthalmology IRIS® Registry (Intelligent Research in Sight) was used to analyze patients who underwent cataract surgery between 2016 and 2019. Patients who received a diagnosis of CME within 90 days after cataract surgery were classified as cases, and the rest were classified as controls. Multivariable logistic regression was used to calculate odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for risk factors associated with the development of CME as well as poor visual outcome (defined as a best-recorded visual acuity worse than 20/40 Snellen equivalent at postoperative month 12). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Incidence, demographics, baseline characteristics, and visual outcomes. RESULTS: Of 3.1 million cataract surgeries performed during the study period, CME was diagnosed in 25 595 eyes (0.8%), with an average onset of 6 weeks. Patients with CME were more likely to be male, to be aged < 65 years, to be Black, and to have preexisting diabetic retinopathy. Patients with CME were more likely to have a poor visual outcome (OR, 1.75; 95% CI, 1.66-1.84; P < 0.001), with a mean best-recorded visual acuity of 20/30 at postoperative month 12 (compared with 20/25 for those without CME; P < 0.001). Other factors associated with a poor visual outcome included smoking, Medicaid insurance, non-White race, and baseline ocular comorbidities such as macular degeneration and retinal vein occlusion. CONCLUSIONS: Although the incidence of CME after cataract surgery is low and most eyes achieve a visual acuity of 20/40 or better, there are significant outcome disparities that warrant further exploration. FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE(S): Proprietary or commercial disclosure may be found in the Footnotes and Disclosures at the end of this article.

Expansile gas concentration in primary pseudophakic retinal detachment repair, effect on intraocular pressure and outcomes; the Manchester Pseudophakic Retinal Detachment Study.

PURPOSE: To investigate the effect of isovolumetric and expansile gas tamponade concentrations on single surgery anatomical success (SSAS) and day 1 intraocular pressure (IOPD1) following pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) for mild-moderate complexity primary pseudophakic rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (PRD). METHODS: We conducted a single-centre retrospective continuous and comparative study on eyes that had undergone small-gauge PPV using isovolumetric versus expansile gas for PRD repair between 2011 and 2020 at a single tertiary vitreoretinal centre in UK. We performed propensity score matching (PSM) using preoperative findings as covariates to account for relevant confounders. Significant risk factors such as proliferative vitreoretinopathy C or giant retinal tears were excluded. RESULTS: From 456 eyes, PSM analysis matched 240 eyes with 120 in each group. The median (interquartile range) follow-up was 96 (59 to 218) days. The SSAS was 229/240 (95.8%) overall; 115/120 (95.8%) and 114/120 (95.0%) in isovolumetric and expansile groups, respectively (p = 1.000). Relative to the isovolumetric group, the expansile group had lower proportion of eyes with IOP ≤ 21 mmHg (odds ratio, 95% confidence interval, 0.40 [0.23-0.68], p < 0.001); but significantly higher number of eyes with IOP ≥ 22 mmHg (2.53 [1.48-4.34], p < 0.001), ≥ 25 mmHg (2.77 [1.43-5.33], p < 0.001), ≥ 30 mmHg (2.90 [1.28-6.58], p = 0.006) and ≥ 40 mmHg (p = 0.029, isovolumetric: 0 [0%] vs expansile group: 6 [5%]). There was only one case of hypotony (≤ 5 mmHg) 1/240 (0.4%) which occurred in the expansile group. CONCLUSIONS: Expansile gas concentration does not impact SSAS but is associated with significantly raised IOPD1 with no reduction in hypotony rates following PPV for primary PRD.

Changes in chorioretinal flow index after cataract surgery: an optical coherence tomography angiography study.

PURPOSE: Pseudophakic cystoid macular edema (CME) occurs in up to 2% of uneventful cataract surgeries. This study evaluates changes in macular blood flow succeeding uneventful phacoemulsification cataract extraction among otherwise visually healthy subjects. METHODS: This prospective study included 18 eyes of 18 patients undergoing routine phacoemulsification. Optical coherence tomography angiography (OCT-A) was performed using the Angio-Retina 6 × 6 mm protocol with the XR Avanti Angio-Vue system (Optovue Inc., Fremont, California) prior to the surgery and 4-8 weeks thereafter. Exclusion criteria included motion artifacts, segmentation errors and signal strength index (SSI) < 40. The main outcome measure was change in flow index (FI) measured in all 4 retinal segmentation layers within an area of 1 mm diameter around the foveal center. RESULTS: Following surgery, a significant increase in SSI (46.65 ± 8.62 versus 53.12 ± 8.07, p = 0.01), superficial plexus FI (0.98 ± 0.23 versus 1.16 ± 0.16, p = 0.02) and deep plexus FI (0.54 ± 0.46 versus 0.93 ± 0.39, p = 0.01) was found. No significant changes were noted in the outer retina or the choriocapillaris. CONCLUSION: The study demonstrates a significant increase in FI in the superficial and deep retinal plexus following uneventful cataract surgery, with the greatest changes occurring in the latter. These findings corroborate evidence from structural imaging and support the vascular etiology of pseudophakic CME.

The effect of anterior segment parameters on surgical success of Descemet membrane endothelial keratoplasty: a prospective study.

PURPOSE: To investigate how anterior segment parameters affect the success of Descemet membrane endothelial keratoplasty (DMEK) in patients with endothelial insufficiency without stromal opacities and to identify factors predisposing them to repeat keratoplasty. METHODS: Our prospective observational study included patients who underwent primary DMEK for Fuchs' endothelial dystrophy and pseudophakic bullous keratopathy between March 2019 and March 2020. After a detailed ophthalmologic examination, corneal topographic analysis, anterior segment optical coherence tomography (AS-OCT) scans, endothelial cell density (ECD) and axial length (AL) measurements were performed. Surgical success was defined as no endothelial dysfunction during follow-up. Changes in the parameters and how preoperative parameters affect surgical success were investigated. RESULTS: In 43 eyes of 43 patients (mean age: 68.58 ± 8.51 years), mean visual acuity was 1.73 ± 0.74 LogMAR before DMEK and 0.31 ± 0.29 LogMAR in the final visit. Central corneal thickness (CCT, p = 0.026) and mean anterior chamber depth (ACD, p = 0.001) affected surgical success. Preoperative CCT values greater than 770 µm increased the risk of repeat keratoplasty by 8.75-fold, whereas preoperative ACD values less than 2.5 mm increased the risk by 2.92-fold. CONCLUSION: Preoperative higher CCT and lower ACD values were associated with surgical failure after DMEK. Early surgery may be considered for more successful results. TRIAL REGISTRATION: This prospective study has been registered on the ClinicalTrials.gov system with the registration number NCT04420429 on 06/06/2020.

Visual outcomes after vitrectomy for epiretinal membrane in pseudophakic eyes with a diffractive trifocal intraocular lens: a retrospective cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Diffractive intraocular lenses (IOLs) could affect visual acuity in patients with macular pathologies such as epiretinal membrane (ERM) and could influence the results of pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) for ERM removal in pseudophakic eyes with these IOLs. The aim of this study is to evaluate the effect on visual outcomes of a diffractive trifocal IOL in PPV for ERM peeling. METHODS: This is a retrospective cohort study on 20 eyes with a single model of trifocal IOL that underwent PPV for removal of ERM between January 2015 and September 2018 in our clinics. Follow up was at least 1 year. Primary outcome measure was mean change in visual acuity. Secondary outcome measures were mean change in central macular thickness (CMT), recovery of the external retinal layers, and change in spherical equivalent (SE). RESULTS: Mean corrected distance visual acuity (CDVA) was 0.03 ± 0.03 logMAR after phacoemulsification; this worsened to 0.23 ± 0.10 logMAR with ERM, improving to 0.10 ± 0.04 log MAR 12 months after PPV (p = 0.001). Mean uncorrected near visual acuity (UNVA) was Jaeger 2.62 ± 0.51 after lensectomy. This worsened to Jaeger 5.46 ± 1.67 with ERM and improved to the initial Jaeger 2.69 ± 0.84 after PPV (p = 0.005). CMT decreased significantly, from 380.15 ± 60.50 µm with the ERM to 313.70 ± 36.98 µm after PPV. Mean SE after lensectomy was - 0.18 ± 0.38 D, which minimally changed to - 0.18 ± 0.47 D after PPV (p = 0.99). The only complication recorded after PPV was a case of cystoid macular edema. No difficulties in visualization due to IOL design were reported during PPV. CONCLUSION: PPV for ERM in eyes with this trifocal IOL seems to be safe and effective, and allows recovery of the loss of UNVA.

Spontaneous closure of a chronic full-thickness idiopathic macular hole after Irvine-Gass syndrome resolution.

BACKGROUND: Full-thickness idiopathic macular hole (IMH) usually causes serious visual deformities and visual acuity loss. Pseudophakic cystic macular edema, also known as Irvine-Gass syndrome, is another entity that causes visual disturbances, and occurs mainly after cataract extraction. We present a case report of a patient that was diagnosed with a full-thickness macular hole that spontaneously closed after the resolution of an Irvine-Gass syndrome, which occurred after an uneventful cataract extraction. CASE PRESENTATION: A 75 years-old female presented with the complaints of decreased visual acuity and color contrast sensitivity on both eyes (OU) and central visual field deformations on her left eye (LE). She was diagnosed with a full-thickness IMH on her LE, and cataract on OU. After an uneventful cataract extraction via phacoemulsification, she developed an Irvine-Gass syndrome at her LE, which was treated topically. The IMH closed spontaneously after the resolution of the Irvine-Gass syndrome, and the patient is being followed with no further complaints. CONCLUSION: The exact mechanism for spontaneous closure of full-thickness idiopathic macular holes is still not completely understood. In this case, we hypothesize that the coalesced intraretinal cysts caused by the Irvine-Gass syndrome formed a bridge-like structure connecting the inner walls of the macular hole, thus connecting the remnants of the Muller cells which enabled the full recovery of the normal foveal structure.

Systemic immune-inflammation index could be associated with pseudophakic cystoid macular edema after an uneventful phacoemulsification surgery in patients without risk factors.

BACKGROUND: To evaluate the association between serum biomarkers and pseudophakic cystoid macular edema (PCME) in eyes without risk factors after uneventful phacoemulsification cataract surgery. METHODS: This is a case-control study. Patients without risk factors and who developed clinically significant PCME after uncomplicated phacoemulsification surgery were enrolled in the study. The age- and sex-matched control group that had normal fundus examination findings and 10/10 visual acuity in the first week, first month and following postoperative control visits was randomly recruited from the same study cohort. The neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR), and systemic immune-inflammation index (SII) were obtained from the preoperative complete blood count (CBC) test and compared between the two groups. Linear regression analysis was used to assess the relationship between central macular thickness (CMT) and biomarkers. A binary logistic regression model was generated to evaluate the significance of the biomarkers in predicting PCME. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves of the significant parameters in the logistic regression model were presented to detect the area under the curve (AUC), the cut-off point, the sensitivity and the specificity. RESULTS: The study cohort included 5352 patients. Of these patients, 52 (0.97%) met the inclusion criteria, and 60 age- and sex-matched patients were recruited as the control group. PLR, NLR, and SII were significantly different between the two groups (p = 0.006, p = 0.002, p < 0.001, respectively). According to the linear regression analysis, SII was found to have a significant relationship with CMT (p < 0.001). Only SII was assessed as significant in the logistic regression model (p = 0.046). In the ROC curve, the AUC of SII was 0.709. The sensitivity and specificity of SII for PCME prediction were 65.38% and 75%, respectively, and the cut-off point was 433.70. CONCLUSION: SII is associated with the occurrence of PCME in eyes without risk factors after uneventful phacoemulsification surgery. SII could be a useful tool to predict PCME in eyes without risk factors.

Calculation of Equivalent and Toric Power in AddOn Lenses Based on a Monte Carlo Simulation.

INTRODUCTION: Additional lenses implanted in the ciliary sulcus (AddOn) are one option for permanent correction of refractive error or generate pseudoaccommodation in the pseudophakic eye. The purpose of this paper was to model the power and magnification behaviour of toric AddOn and to show the effect sizes with a Monte Carlo simulation. METHODS: Anonymized data of a cataractous population uploaded for formula constant optimization were extracted from the IOLCon platform. After filtering out data with refractive spherical equivalent (RSEQ) between -0.75 and 0.25 dpt and refractive cylinder (RCYL) lower than 0.75, for each of the N = 6,588 records, a toric AddOn was calculated which transfers the refraction error from spectacle plane to AddOn plane using a matrix-based calculation strategy based on linear Gaussian optics. The equivalent (AddOnEQ) and toric (AddOnCYL) power of the AddOn and the overall lateral magnification change and meridional magnification were derived for the situations before and after AddOn implantation, and a linear modelling was fitted for all 4 parameters. RESULTS: RSEQ is the dominant effect size in the prediction of AddOnEQ and overall change in magnification (ΔM), whereas the lens position (LP), corneal thickness (CCT), and mean corneal radius (CPa) play a minor role. In a simplified model, AddOnEQ can be estimated by 0.0179 + 1.4104 RSEQ. RCYL and corneal radius difference (CPad) are the dominant effect sizes in the prediction of AddOnCYL and the change in meridional magnification (ΔMmer), whereas LP, CCT, CPa, and RSEQ play a minor role. In a simplified model, AddOnCYL can be predicted by -0.0005 + 0.0328 CPad + 1.4087 RCYL. Myopic eyes gain in overall magnification, whereas in hyperopic eyes, we observe a loss. Meridional distortion could be in general reduced to 35% on average with a toric AddOn. CONCLUSION: Our simulation shows that with a linear model, the equivalent and toric AddOn power, as well as overall change in magnification, meridional distortion before and after AddOn implantation, and the reduction in meridional distortion, can be easily predicted from the biometric data in pseudophakic eyes with moderate refractive error.

Efficacy of topical dexamethasone eye drops in preventing ocular inflammation and cystoid macular edema following uncomplicated cataract surgery with or without injection of a single dose perioperative subtenon triamcinolone acetonide.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of topical dexamethasone (DEX) eye drops in combination with a single perioperative subtenon triamcinolone acetonide (sTA) injection versus conventional topical DEX eye drops in the prevention of ocular inflammation and cystoid macular edema following cataract surgery. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Medical records of 245 eyes of 245 patients who underwent uncomplicated cataract surgery were analyzed in this retrospective controlled clinical study. Topical DEX eye drops were administered to 128 eyes routinely postoperatively, and 117 eyes were given a single dose of sTA (40 mg/ml) together with topical DEX eye drops for postoperative care. Postoperative topical antibiotic prophylaxis was applied to all eyes. The primary outcomes were anterior chamber (AC) cells and flare, central macular thickness (CMT), best corrected visual acuity (BCVA), and intraocular pressure (IOP) measurements on day 7, day 30, day 90, and day 180 following surgery. RESULTS: Although CMT increased in the DEX group, no increment was observed in the DEX + sTA treated group for all follow-up periods (on day 7 (+1.3 ± 18.6 and -8.7 ± 21.9 µm, p = 0.038), on day 30 (+20.5 ± 58.4 and -4.1 ± 25.2 µm, p = 0.009), on day 90 (+7.2 ± 19.9 and -5.7 ± 30.6 µm, p = 0.029), and on day 180 (+8.2 ± 22.6 and -6.4 ± 32.9 µm, p = 0.032)). There was no significant difference in terms of AC cells and flare between the two groups during the entire follow-up period (p > 0.05). Significant improvement in BCVA was observed in the DEX + sTA group at day 30 (p = 0.008). IOP differences were comparable, and both groups had high ocular tolerance. There were no severe adverse effects recorded. CONCLUSIONS: Topical DEX eye drops in combination with single dose perioperative injection of sTA have robust efficacy in preventing ocular inflammation and the development of cystoid macular edema following uncomplicated cataract surgery.

Pseudophakic Cystoid Macular Oedema (PCME) Prevention in Patients with Non-Proliferative Diabetic Retinopathy (NPDR)-Randomized Controlled Trial.

Background and Objectives: The purpose of this study was to compare the effect of topical bromfenac and dexamethasone on the intraocular concentration of interleukin 6 (IL-6) and incidence of pseudophakic cystoid macular oedema (PCME) after cataract surgery in patients with non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy (NPDR). Materials and Methods: Ninety eyes of patients with mild-to-moderate NPDR that underwent phacoemulsification cataract surgery were divided into three groups. A detailed description of the clinical study protocol is described later in paper. In short, Group 1 received topical bromfenac (0.9 mg/mL), Group 2 dexamethasone (1 mg/mL), and Group 3 placebo, both preoperatively and postoperatively. Additionally, all patients received combined topical steroid and antibiotic drops (dexamethasone, neomycin and polymyxin B) 3 weeks postoperatively. On the day of the surgery, aqueous humour samples (0.1-0.2 mL) were obtained and IL-6 concentrations were analysed. Central foveal subfield thickness (CFT) measured using spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) was analysed preoperatively and postoperatively. Results: There was no significant difference in IL-6 concentrations between groups. Postoperative CFT was significantly lower in the dexamethasone group compared to the placebo group. In addition, the correlation between IL-6 and CFT was statistically significant in the dexamethasone group. No patient developed PCME in any of the three groups. No adverse events were reported during the study. Conclusion: Topical bromfenac and dexamethasone have no significant effect on intraocular IL-6 concentration in patients with NPDR. Topical bromfenac is not more effective than topical dexamethasone in reducing postoperative CFT in patients with NPDR.

[Morphological characteristics of Descemet's membrane removed during endothelial keratoplasty (case study)]. / Morfologicheskie osobennosti udalennoi pri endotelial'noi keratoplastike destsemetovoi membrany (klinicheskie nablyudeniya).

The two most used modifications of endothelial keratoplasty (EK) are Descemet's membrane endothelial keratoplasty (DMEK) and Descemet's stripping automated endothelial keratoplasty (DSAEK). The leading complication of EK surgeries is graft detachment in the early postoperative period. This article reports on two cases of endothelial graft adhesion depending on morphological characteristics of the Descemet's membrane (DM) removed during EK. In the first case, complete graft attachment to the recipient's posterior stroma was observed after DMEK. Morphological analysis of the DM showed clean stromal surface. In the second case there was a false chamber between the endothelial transplant and the posterior stroma of the patient. OCT scans revealed separate stromal fibers protruding into the false chamber; morphological analysis of the removed DM showed stromal fragments fixed to the anterior surface of the DM. The revealed changes indicate damage to the posterior stroma the suffered received during descemetorhexis, which may be the cause for incomplete graft attachment. Complete attachment after repeated EK (DSAEK) in this case was due to a thin stromal layer on the graft that provided high degree of adhesion to the posterior corneal surface. DSAEK can be indicated as a repeated EK surgery in cases of persistent endothelial graft non-attachment after DMEK.

[Morphological features of the cornea in eyes with pseudophakic bullous keratopathy and Fuchs endothelial corneal dystrophy]. / Morfologicheskie osobennosti rogovitsy pri psevdofakichnoi bulleznoi keratopatii i endotelial'noi distrofii Fuksa.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the morphological features of posterior corneal layers in pseudophakic bullous keratopathy (PBK) and Fuchs endothelial corneal dystrophy (FECD). MATERIAL AND METHOD: The study included 20 patients (20 eyes) aged 73.8±7.8 with PBK and 24 patients (25 eyes) aged 72.5±10.6 with FECD. Central corneal thickness was measured in all eyes before the surgery by anterior segment optical coherence tomography (AS-OCT, RTVue-100, Optovue, USA). All patients underwent corneal transplantation (DSAEK or DMEK). Postoperative donor graft status was assessed as attached or detached by AS-OCT (RTVue-100, Optovue, USA). Specimens of Descemet's membranes (DMs) were obtained intraoperatively and investigated histologically (hematoxylin and eosin staining). Morphometric analysis was performed using optical microscope Leica DM-2500 (Digital Color Camera Leica DFC295) and ImageScope M software. RESULTS: There was no difference in thickness of DMs' prenatal anterior banded layer (2.58±0.49 µm) and postnatal posterior non-banded layer (11.30±2.64 µm) between PBK and normal cornea. In FECD eyes, DM was significantly thickened by additional collagen layer and guttate excrescences (postnatal layer thickness - 16.62±4.34 µm). Morphological study of the DMs of patients with graft detachment in the early postoperative period revealed residual stromal collagen fibrils that were fixed to the area with dense extracellular matrix. CONCLUSION: The study shows that chronic corneal edema is associated with pathological morphological changes in the posterior corneal layers in PBK and FECD. Individual features of the dense extracellular matrix in the DMs may play a key role in the attachment of donor graft to the corneal stroma and affect the postoperative outcome.

Retinal detachment after phacoemulsification in refractive surgery clinics: a large series analysis with variable follow-up during 16 years.

PURPOSE: To determine the long-term incidence of pseudophakic retinal detachment (PRD) after phacoemulsification and the weight of the main risk factors in the appearance of such complication in a large sample. To implement a customized formula and a software calculation program able to quantify the risk of suffering PRD applicable to all lens extraction patients. METHODS: Retrospective cumulative risk analysis conducted on 178,515 eyes operated under similar conditions in a group of refractive surgery clinics (Clínica Baviera SL) located in a relatively limited geographical area (Spain). A survival analysis was performed and the data were modelled using the Weibull regression to determine the risk over a period of 16 years and to estimate the association of different risk factors: sex, age, axial length (AXL) of the eye, intraoperative posterior capsule rents (PCR), and YAG laser capsulotomies. The resulting estimates were translated into a predictive equation for hazard rates and survival probabilities. Later, an application was developed to make prediction available for the clinical community in order to estimate the potential risk of any hypothetical case before lens surgery. RESULTS: Globally, 1521 (0.85%) cases of PRD were diagnosed during the period. The risk for PRD was significantly greater in males (5.48 [2.94-10.2]; p < 0.001), in long eyes (1.24 [1.21-1.26]; p < 0.001), and also after posterior capsule rents (13.97 [11.61-16.82]; p < 0.001). Posterior capsule rupture increased the risk of PRD up to fourteen times. CONCLUSIONS: From weaker to stronger impact, age, axial length, sex, and intraoperative posterior capsule rent were significant risk factors for the appearance of PRD after lens extraction.

Long-term progression of geographic atrophy in age-related macular degeneration does the phakic status matter?

PURPOSE: To assess the long-term risk of geographic atrophy (GA) progression after cataract surgery. METHODS: Subjects with GA secondary to AMD followed for at least 1 year with fundus autofluorescence imaging and with at least two visits at our centre were included. Patients with wet AMD, disciform scar, past history of intravitreal injections or laser treatment, other maculopathies and with poor quality images were excluded. GA area at baseline and at follow-up visit was measured. Three study groups were defined according to their phakic status: (A) pseudophakia, (B) phakic and (C) phacoemulsification surgery performed during the study. Differences of GA area progression were compared between these study groups. In addition, comparison between GA progression rate in group (C) before and after the surgery was performed. The enlargement rate (ER) was calculated for lesion size after transforming the measurements to the square-root scale. RESULTS: A total of 92 eyes of 92 patients were enrolled. Median follow-up time was 4 [1-10] years. Regarding the eye's phakic status, 29 (31.5%) were pseudophakic and 63 (68.5%) were phakic; of these, 22 underwent phacoemulsification during the study. Overall, the median baseline and follow-up area of GA were 1.42 [0.04-32.10] mm2 and 6.48 [0.25-47.40] mm2, respectively. The ER was similar between phakic and pseudophakic eyes (0.18 [0.01-1.03] vs 0.15 [0.01-0.65] mm/year, p = 0.62). In patients that underwent cataract surgery during the study, the GA ER remained stable (0.13 [0.01-0.92] vs 0.14 [0.01-0.63] mm/year, p = 0.43). CONCLUSION: These results suggest that cataract surgery does not increase the risk of pre-existing GA progression. Therefore, cataract surgery seems safe and a potential therapeutic weapon to improve visual acuity and consequently quality of life in GA patients.

Topical NSAIDs, intravitreal dexamethasone and peribulbar triamcinolone for pseudophakic macular edema.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study is to assess the effectiveness of topical nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and corticosteroids (intravitreal dexamethasone and peribulbar triamcinolone) in treating pseudophakic macular edema (PME). METHODS: Retrospective study of 33 eyes. Variables included best corrected visual acuity (BCVA; logMAR scale) and central retinal thickness (CRT) and central choroidal thickness (CCT) assessed with swept-source OCT. All patients were initially prescribed topical NSAIDs and reevaluated after 2 months. If improvement in BCVA or CRT was noted, topical NSAIDs were continued until resolution. If no improvement was observed at 2 months or subsequent visits, intravitreal dexamethasone implant was performed. Patients who refused intravitreal treatment were offered peribulbar triamcinolone. RESULTS: After treatment with topical NSAIDs for a median of 2 months, BCVA increased significantly from 0.5 to 0.3 while CRT decreased significantly from 435 to 316 µm. PME resolved in 19 of the 33 eyes (57.6%). Of the 14 recalcitrant cases, 13 were treated with corticosteroids. Of these 13 cases, 9 (69.2%) resolved. BCVA increased non-significantly from 0.7 to 0.4. CRT and CCT decreased significantly from 492 to 317 µm and from 204 to 182 µm respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The overall success rate of the treatment algorithm was greater than 80%, a remarkable finding considering that no randomized study has yet been conducted to determine the optimal therapeutic protocol for PME. This is the first study to evaluate choroidal thickness in PME using SS-OCT, which could play a key role in its pathophysiology and provide useful information to improve the management of PME.

Calculation of ocular magnification in phakic and pseudophakic eyes based on anterior segment OCT data.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to develop a straightforward mathematical concept for determination of object to image magnification in both phakic and pseudophakic eyes, based on biometric measures, refractometry and data from an anterior segment optical coherence tomography (OCT). METHODS: We have developed a strategy for calculating ocular magnification based on axial length measurement, phakic anterior chamber and lens thickness, keratometry and crystalline lens front and back surface curvatures for the phakic eye, and axial length measurement, anterior chamber and lens thickness, keratometry and intraocular lens power, refractive index and shape factor for the pseudophakic eye. Comparing the magnification of both eyes of one individual yields aniseikonia, while comparing the preoperative and postoperative situation of one eye provides the gain or loss in ocular magnification. The applicability of this strategy is shown using a clinical example and a small case series in 78 eyes of 39 patients before and after cataract surgery. RESULTS: For the phakic eye, the refractive index of the crystalline lens was adjusted to balance the optical system. The pseudophakic eye is fully determined and we proposed three strategies for considering a potential mismatch of the data: (A) with spherical equivalent refraction, (B) with intraocular lens power and (C) with the shape factor of the lens. Magnification in the phakic eye was -0.00319 ± 0.00014 and with (A) was -0.00327 ± 0.00013, with (B) was -0.00323 ± 0.00014 and with (C) was -0.00326 ± 0.00013. With A/B/C, the magnification of the pseudophakic eye was on average 2.52 ± 2.83%/1.31 ± 2.84%/2.14 ± 2.80% larger compared with the phakic eye. Magnification changes were within a range of ±10%. CONCLUSIONS: On average, ocular magnification does not change greatly after cataract surgery with implantation of an artificial lens, but in some cases, the change could be up to ±10%. If the changes are not consistent between the left and right eyes, then this could lead to post-cataract aniseikonia.

Microscope-Assisted Episcleral Surgery with Encircling Buckles and Chandelier Endoillumination for Primary Rhegmatogenous Retinal Detachment in Phakic and Pseudophakic Patients: A 12-Month Comparative Study.

INTRODUCTION: The aim of the study was to compare postoperative outcomes after microscope-assisted encircling buckle and chandelier endoillumination for primary rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD) in phakic and pseudophakic (PFK) patients. METHODS: 121 eyes of 117 patients were divided into 2 groups depending on the lens status (group 1, PFK, 53 eyes; group 2, phakic, 68 eyes). The main outcomes include retinal reattachment rate (RRR) and best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) at 1 week, 1, 3, 6, and 12 months. RESULTS: The overall primary RRR was 91.7% (111/121). In group 1, the primary RRR was 90.6% (48/53), whereas in group 2 it was 92.6% (63/68). The mean preoperative BCVA improved in both groups at 12 months. Undetected retinal breaks were found in 9.9% of cases. When an encircling 5-mm oval sponge was used, no additional exoplants were required and transcleral drainage was performed in 89.7% of the eyes. In group 1, among the 5 PFK eyes with persistent RRD, 4 eyes had a sulcus intraocular lens. CONCLUSIONS: Microscope-assisted episcleral surgery with chandelier endoillumination is an effective technique for primary RRD in both phakic and PFK eyes with uncomplicated cataract surgery. Chandelier endoilluminators help to visualize undetected retinal breaks, especially in PFK eyes. In case of a circumferential 5-mm oval sponge, additional exoplants are not required and transcleral drainage is strongly recommended to flatten the retina by closing the causative breaks.

The impact of late-treated pediatric cataract on intraocular pressure.

PURPOSE: To assess the intraocular pressure and visual acuity before and after pediatric congenital cataract surgery performed at a relatively older age. METHODS: A retrospective analysis of all consecutive pediatric patients diagnosed and operated for bilateral congenital cataracts during a seven-year period (2012-2018) in rural southern Ethiopia. Non-ambulatory vision was defined as hand motion or worse. The main outcome measures were intraocular pressure (IOP) and visual acuity. RESULTS: Thirty-two children were included, 17 females (53.1%), with a mean age of 11 years (± 2.83) [range, 7-18]. A total of 59 eyes were operated on. The mean follow-up was 4.8 ± 1.8 years (range, 2-8). VA improved from 20/1400 preoperatively to 20/440 postoperatively OD and 20/540 OS (p < 0.001). More eyes had ambulatory vision after cataract surgery than pre-surgery (56 eyes [95%] vs. 29 eyes [49%], p < 0.001). The IOP decreased from a mean preoperative value of 18.4 ± 7.1 mmHg to 14.5 ± 2.9 postoperatively OD (p < 0.001) and 16.3 ± 5.9 mmHg to 13.9 ± 3.5 OS (p < 0.001). Fifteen eyes (24%) had increased IOP (> 21 mmHg) preoperatively, of which three remained high after surgery. Positive correlations were found between IOP, axial length and cup-to-disc ratio. None of the patients required pressure-lowering procedures. CONCLUSION: Bilateral congenital cataracts may be associated with ocular hypertension, with possible progression to glaucoma if left untreated. Surgery at a relatively older age often was associated with a significant improvement in intraocular pressure and ambulatory vision.