Comparative study of 25- versus 20-gauge pars plana capsulotomy and vitrectomy in pediatric cataract surgery.

PURPOSE: To compare 25- and 20-gauge pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) for the management of pediatric cataract. METHODS: 20 eyes of 15 patients were randomly divided into two groups to undergo pars plana capsulotomy and vitrectomy by either 25-gauge (group A) or 20-gauge (group B) PPV after lens aspiration and IOL implantation. The two groups were compared for total surgical time, time taken in doing pars plana capsulotomy and vitrectomy, and the size of posterior capsulotomy. Post-operative astigmatism was compared at 3 months. RESULTS: The mean total surgical time in group A was 49.2 ± 6.7 min, while mean total surgical time in group B was 62.5 + 5.48 min (p = 0.001). The mean time taken for pars plana capsulotomy and vitrectomy was 4.1 ± 1.19 min in group A and 5.0 ± 0.73 min (p = 0.03) in group B. The mean size of the PCCC in group A was 3.3 ± 0.34 mm, while in group B it was 4.0 ± 0.33 mm (p = 0.001). The mean astigmatism at 3 months in group A was 0.65 ± 0.31 diopters, while in group B it was 1.45 ± 0.92 diopters (p = 0.019). CONCLUSIONS: 25-gauge transconjunctival sutureless PPV can be an attractive alternative to 20-gauge system in the management of pediatric cataracts.

To assess the efficacy of vertical muscle surgery for management of hypotropia in monocular elevation deficiency type II.

AIM: To assess the efficacy of vertical muscle surgery for management of hypotropia in monocular elevation deficiency (MED) type II. Knapp's is described as standard procedure for management of MED type II. However, it is not graded and has unpredictable amount of correction. Besides this, there is drift towards overcorrection with time and limitation of movements in extreme adduction and abduction. MED is a vertical misalignment for which vertical muscle surgery is also described but limited literature is available. METHODS: Thirteen fresh cases of MED type II with hypotropia >20 PD and age >4 years were included in our interventional study. All cases underwent superior rectus resection and inferior rectus recession (vertical R&R) depending upon amount of preoperative deviation. Success was defined as hypotropia <5 PD at 1-year follow-up. RESULTS: Twelve patients (92.30 %) were aligned to within 5 PD. Six patients (46.15 %) had gain in elevation. Bell's phenomenon was improved in six patients (46.15 %). There was no limitation in down gaze in any patient. None gained stereopsis. CONCLUSION: Vertical R&R is a good alternative for MED type II with predictable amount of correction especially in patients with higher preoperative deviation. It spares horizontal muscles for correction of any associated horizontal deviation.

Comparative evaluation of higher-order aberrations and corneal asphericity between wavefront-guided and aspheric LASIK for myopia.

PURPOSE: To compare visual outcome, higher-order aberrations, and corneal asphericity (Q value) between wavefront-guided and aspheric LASIK for myopia and myopic astigmatism. METHODS: Forty patients were randomly selected to receive wavefront-guided LASIK (wavefront-guided group) or aspheric LASIK (aspheric group) (40 eyes of 20 patients in each group) using the Technolas 217z excimer laser platform (Bausch & Lomb, Rochester, NY). Flaps were created using the Zyoptix XP microkeratome (Bausch & Lomb). Preoperative and postoperative evaluation included uncorrected distance visual acuity (UDVA), corneal topography, wavefront aberrometry, and contrast sensitivity. Minimum follow-up period was 6 months. RESULTS: At 6 months postoperatively, the aspheric group had significantly better UDVA (logMAR 0.04 ± 0.04 [Snellen 20/16] [range: -0.079 to 0.000]) and lower mean residual spherical error (+0.10 ± 0.52 diopters [D] [range: -1.12 to 1.25 D]) than the wavefront-guided group (logMAR UDVA 0.00 ± 0.07 [range: -0.079 to 0.176]; MRSE -0.35 ± 0.47 D [range: -1.5 to 0.62 D]) (P = .003 and < .001, respectively). Mean change in higher-order aberration root mean square at 6 months postoperatively (6-mm pupil) was 0.16 ± 0.17 µm after aspheric LASIK and 0.27 ± 0.28 µm after wavefront-guided LASIK (P = .02). Aspheric LASIK induced minimal change in spherical aberrations postoperatively (0.03 ± 0.12 µm, P = .09), unlike wavefront-guided LASIK (0.23 ± 0.17 µm, P < .01). Change in Q value was significantly less in the aspheric group (0.53 ± 0.31) than the wavefront-guided group (0.91 ± 0.30) (P < .01). The aspheric group had significant improvement in contrast sensitivity at all spatial frequencies (P < .01), whereas the wavefront-guided group showed a slight decrease at higher spatial frequency (18 cycles per degree). CONCLUSIONS: Aspheric LASIK induced significantly less change in higher-order aberrations and maintained corneal asphericity better than wavefront-guided LASIK. The visual outcome and contrast sensitivity was better in the aspheric group at 6 months postoperatively.

Ocular surface response to fibrin sealant versus vicryl suture for conjunctival closure after strabismus surgery: An objective assessment.

PURPOPSE: This study aims to evaluate the ocular surface response after strabismus surgery, using two different materials for conjunctival closure. METHODS: Randomized prospective comparative study was done. After performing strabismus surgery, conjunctival flap was apposed with fibrin sealant in Group 1 and 8-0 vicryl suture with buried knots in Group 2. Preoperative and postoperative measurement of tear film break up time and Schirmer test for tear secretion was done in both the groups of 30 patients each at regular follow-up visit up to 2 months. Postoperatively, both the groups were also compared for the resolution of discomfort and redness. RESULTS: Conjunctival recession was not seen in any group. Mean period was 5.8 days for resolution of discomfort (pain, lacrimation, and irritation) and 7.2 days for redness in Group 1 compared to 12 and 16 days in Group 2 (P < 0.05). During the study, we noticed significant decrease in tear film stability and increase in tear secretion in both the groups. However, in Group 2, the parameters were significantly more altered and even changes persisted for longer duration. CONCLUSION: Early rehabilitation of ocular surface might be related to unaltered healing process with the use of a biological substance (fibrin sealant) as compared to suture.

Comparison of conventional and Hang-back methods of inferior oblique recession in V-pattern strabismus with inferior oblique overaction.

AIM: To compare outcomes of conventional and Hang-back methods of inferior oblique (IO) recession in V-pattern strabismus with inferior oblique overaction (IOOA). METHODS: Comparative randomized study was conducted consisting of 50 patients, age 6 to 35y having V-pattern strabismus [>15 prism diopter (PD)] with IOOA. They were divided equally in two groups and underwent IO recession, group A by conventional method and group B by Hang-back method. Parameters evaluated were reduction in V-pattern and IOOA, shift in torsion, improvement in binocular status. Success was a residual V-pattern of less than 10 PD at 1y of follow up. RESULTS: The mean V-pattern preoperatively and postoperatively at 1y was 24±5.4 PD and 4.2±3.51 PD in group A and 23.44±6.44 PD and 5.76±3.8 PD in group B respectively. The mean reduction in V-pattern was 20±6.78 PD in group A and 18.2±5.48 PD in group B. The mean correction of IOOA was 18.48±3.13 PD in group A and 16±2.93 PD in group B. Mean shift in extorsion was 3.08±1.8 degree in group A and 3.72±2.14 degree in group B. CONCLUSION: Both the procedures achieve a significant and comparable reduction in V-pattern and IOOA. Hang-back recession being a landmark free surgery eliminates the need for intrascleral suturing thereby reducing the risk of scleral perforation with possible postoperative adjustment of muscle. It may be considered as a good alternative for IO recession in patients of V-pattern strabismus with mild to moderate amount of IOOA.

Comparative evaluation of rotational stability and visual outcome of toric intraocular lenses with and without a capsular tension ring.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the rotational stability of toric intraocular lens (IOL) when co-implanted with a capsular tension ring (CTR) as compared to that of a toric IOL without a CTR. METHODS: This was a prospective randomized clinical trial performed in a tertiary care centre in India. Fifty adult human eyes with visually significant cataract and regular corneal astigmatism ≥1.5D divided into two groups of 25 eyes each, A and B by simple randomization. Eyes with corneal pathology, lens subluxation, and a specular endothelial cell count <2000/mm2 were excluded from the study. The eyes in both the groups underwent standard phacoemulsification and were implanted with a toric IOL. In Group A, a CTR was put in the bag before IOL implantation. The groups were called for follow-up on day 1, 1 week, 1 month, and 3 months, postoperatively. The axis of the toric IOL on each visit was measured by slit lamp imaging in retroillumination and analyzed digitally. RESULTS: Mean rotation of toric IOL at 3 months postoperatively was 1.85 ± 1.72° in Group A and 4.02 ± 2.04° in Group B. The difference was statistically significant (P = 0.003). CONCLUSION: Coimplantation of a CTR is a safe and effective technique for ensuring better rotational stability of toric IOLs.

Comparison of adjustable sutures versus nonadjustable sutures in intermittent exotropia.

PURPOSE: To compare adjustable sutures versus nonadjustable sutures for intermittent exotropia. METHODS: In this randomized prospective interventional study, 40 adult patients with intermittent exotropia were randomly divided into 2 equal groups. Both groups underwent bilateral lateral rectus recession. In group A, adjustable suture recession was performed, and in group B, nonadjustable suture recession was performed. Patients were followed up for 6 months and outcome measures were residual deviation, binocular status, and need for resurgery. RESULTS: Success was defined as alignment of 2 eyes <10 prism diopters (PD) of deviation at the end of 12 weeks. Need for resurgery in a 12-week follow-up period was considered to be failure. At the end of the study, 90% of the patients in group A and 85% of the patients were within 10 prism diopters of orthophoria (p = 0.316). At the end of 6 months, mean deviation in group A was 6.20 PD and in group B it was 5.60 PD (p = 0.31). No patient underwent resurgery. CONCLUSIONS: Adjustable hang-back recession has no definite added advantage over nonadjustable hang-back recession in intermittent exotropia.

Simultaneous use of amniotic membrane and Mitomycin C in trabeculectomy for primary glaucoma.

PURPOSE: This study aimed to propose the role of amniotic membrane transplantation (AMT) as an additional modulator in primary Mitomycin C (MMC)-augmented trabeculectomy. METHODS: This was a randomized prospective interventional study. Forty eyes of 39 adult patients with uncontrolled primary glaucoma were randomly divided into two equal groups. Control group underwent trabeculectomy augmented with MMC while the study group underwent additional AMT. Patients were followed up for 12 months and outcomes measured were intraocular pressure (IOP), need for additional intervention, and bleb morphology. RESULTS: Complete success (defined as IOP <16 mmHg on no medication) could be achieved in 85% eyes in study group while it was 60% in control group (P = 0.04). IOP reduced by 71.1% in study group from 41.9 ± 10.6 to 12.1 ± 2.7 mmHg and from 40.5 ± 8.5 to 12.8 ± 4.5 mmHg in control group, a decline of 68.29%. Blebs in AMT group showed better bleb morphology in terms of significantly better extent (E3) on day 1 (P = 0.03) and better height (H2 and H3) (P = 0.04), according to the Indiana Bleb Appearance Grading Scale, at all follow-up visits along with normal vascularity. The study group required significantly lesser (P = 0.03) bleb needlings as compared to control group. CONCLUSION: Amnion enhanced the efficacy of MMC-modulated trabeculectomy in terms of eyes with complete success and lesser interventions such as bleb needling. This reiterates the role of amnion as a safe and effective bleb modulator. A diffusely elevated bleb with healthier conjunctiva can go a long way in predicting better health and longevity of the bleb.

Refractive outcome of wavefront guided laser in situ keratomileusis and wavefront guided photorefractive keratectomy in high pre-existing higher order aberration.

PURPOSE: To compare visual outcome and higher order aberrations (HOA) between wavefront-guided LASIK (WF-LASIK) and wavefront guided PRK (WF-PRK) in patients with high preoperative HOA. METHODS: Randomized prospective interventional study. Conducted at Guru Nanak Eye Centre, Maulana Azad Medical College, Delhi, India. Eighty myopic eyes of forty patients were included. INCLUSION CRITERIA: age more than 21 years, best corrected visual acuity of 20/20 or better, a stable refraction, to be off soft contact lens for minimum 14 days prior to preoperative examination, preoperative RMS HOA more than 0.35 µ, preoperative central corneal thickness at least 500 µm, estimated residual stromal bed thickness of at least 275 µm in patients undergoing WF-LASIK and 350 µm in patients undergoing WF-PRK. Exclusion criteria were severe dry eye, blepharitis, corneal disease and warpage, uveitis, posterior segment abnormalities involving the macula or optic nerve and systemic diseases. Patients were randomly divided into two groups. They underwent either WF-LASIK (group A) or WF-PRK (group B) over 2 years (40 eyes each). Patients were followed up for 6 months. Main outcome measures were efficacy, safety, stability, predictability and HOA. RESULTS: At 6 months mean uncorrected visual acuity (logMAR) in group A was -0.01 ± 0.04 and group B was 0.00 ± 0.07 (P = 0.23). HOA RMS (6mm pupil) in group A was 0.61 ± 0.24 µm and group B was 0.55 ± 0.25 µm. The increase was statistically significant in both the groups (P < 0.05). Both the groups showed similar efficacy, predictability and safety. CONCLUSION: WF-LASIK and WF-PRK have similar efficacy, safety and predictability, though WF-PRK induces less HOA.