Comparison between bilateral implantation of a trifocal intraocular lens (Alcon Acrysof IQ® PanOptix) and extended depth of focus lens (Tecnis® Symfony® ZXR00 lens).

PURPOSE: To compare the visual performance outcomes following bilateral cataract surgery using trifocal intraocular lens (Alcon Acrysof IQ® PanOptix) and extended depth of focus lens (Tecnis® Symfony® ZXR00 lens). METHODS: In this prospective, non-randomized, comparative trial, a total of 40 subjects (80 eyes) were divided into two different groups and submitted to bilateral cataract surgery and implantation of the two different IOLs, Alcon Acrysof IQ® PanOptix® TNFT00 in group A and Tecnis® Symfony® ZXR00 lens (Johnson & Johnson Vision) in group B, was assessed. The uncorrected and corrected near (33 cm), intermediate (60 cm), and far (4 m) binocular visual acuity was measured, and visual binocular defocus curves were also measured in the photopic condition with a long-distance visual acuity and the qualitative visual function was assessed by NEI VFQ-25. RESULTS: Group A comprised 20 patients; 11 women (55%) and 9 men (45%) with a mean age of 62.1 ± 5.4. In group B 20 patients were recruited; 12 women (60%) and 8 men (40%) with a mean age of 63.2 ± 6.1. The postoperatively calculated mean sphere was + 0.35 ± 0.12 D and - 0.14 ± 0.13 D in groups A and B, respectively. The postoperative uncorrected distance visual acuity (UDVA) as well as uncorrected intermediate visual acuity (UIVA) were statistically equal in both groups (P = 0.12, P = 0.17); meanwhile, the postoperative uncorrected near visual acuity (UNVA) was significantly better in patients with PanOptix IOL implantation (P = 0.01) compared to the binocular defocus curve; the results of the PanOptix group were better than the Symfony group in intermediate and near distance (P = 0.089, P = 0.001) and according to the VFQ-25 questionnaire, then ear vision score as well as sum score turned out to be significantly higher in groups A than B (P = 0.001 and P = 0.015, respectively). CONCLUSION: Both strategies were able to provide good vision for far, intermediate and near distances.

Corneal Cross-linking as an Adjunct for The Management of Refractory Fungal Keratitis.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the effectiveness of ultraviolet (UV)-A/Riboflavin corneal cross-linking (CXL) for the treatment of the refractory cases of fungal keratitis. METHODS: In this prospective interventional study, 9 patients with the diagnosis of fungal keratitis that were referred to our emergency eye center were included. These patients were resistant to conventional treatment and underwent therapeutic UV-A/Riboflavin CXL. Response to the treatment was considered as good if rapid epithelialization and rapid decrease in stromal infiltration was occurred after PACK-CXL, and poor when the emergency transplantation was necessary to eradicate the infection. RESULTS: Nine patients treated with CXL due to recalcitrant fungal keratitis. Culture of the corneal scrapings showed Aspergillus species in 4 patients, Candida albicans in 1 patient and Fusarium species in the remainder of them. CXL was performed from 1 to 20 days after the presentation of corneal ulcers (Mean: 9.12 ± 4.02; range: 5-20 days). Postoperatively, the mean time to epithelialization was 14.25 ± 2.38 days, and mean time to resolution of stromal infiltration was 22.5 ± 7.29 days, in responsive cases. Four out of 9 eyes showed good response, and five patients showed no response, and corneal transplantation was performed to eradicate the infection. There was no statistically significant difference in mean depth of infiltration and mean size of ulcer between responsive and unresponsive patients (P = 0.86 and 0.08, respectively). CONCLUSION: Although UV-A/Riboflavin CXL is not a definite treatment for all of the fungal keratitis, it seems promising in the management of some refractory cases.