Occurrence of Corneal Staining after Cataract Surgery with and without Chitosan-N-Acetylcysteine Eye Drops.

INTRODUCTION: The objective of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of ocular surface damage assessed by corneal staining scores right after cataract surgery and whether it can be prevented using chitosan-N-acetylcysteine (C-NAC) eye drops. METHODS: We included patients scheduled for routine cataract surgery. Each patient was randomly assigned to one of three groups. Patients in group 1 underwent routine cataract surgery with no additional eye drops. In group 2, patients received C-NAC eye drops after cataract surgery, and in group 3, C-NAC was applied both before and after surgery. Both groups continued the treatment once daily for 4 days. Ocular surface alteration was assessed using the National Eye Institute (NEI) score, and the visual analog scale (VAS) was used to evaluate subjective complaints. RESULTS: Thirty-six patients were included in the final analyses. One hour after cataract surgery, a statistically significant increase in corneal fluorescein staining was observed in all groups, which decreased again after 1 week. There was no significant difference between the groups 1 h after cataract surgery, though a tendency toward lower NEI scores was observed during this time point in group 3. DISCUSSION: Cataract surgery induced ocular surface staining and subjective complaints after 1 h. However, the increase in VAS score was small and probably not clinically relevant. The application of perioperative C-NAC eye drops did reduce the rate of corneal staining after cataract surgery in a clinically relevant manner.

Structure-Function Analysis of MP-3 Microperimetry versus Octopus Perimetry in Central Glaucomatous Visual Field Defects.

INTRODUCTION: The aim of this study was to compare the structure-function relationship with microperimetry and Octopus perimetry in primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) patients with central visual field (VF) defects. METHODS: Forty eyes of 24 patients with POAG were enrolled. Circumpapillary retinal nerve fiber layer (cpRNFL) analysis measured by spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) of the superotemporal, temporal, and inferotemporal optic-nerve head sectors were related to corresponding microperimetric and Octopus VF clusters using the G2 grid-pattern with dynamic strategy, respectively. The structure-function relationships of both devices were assessed via a segmented regression, as well as linear regression across overall SD-OCT cpRNFL values and outside normative (<1%) SD-OCT cpRNFL values. RESULTS: Linear and segmented regression fits were similar with both devices. Across overall cpRNFL sectorial values, structure-function relations for the superotemporal, temporal, and inferotemporal sectors were R2 = 0.176 (p = <0.001), R2 = 0.008 (p = 0.069), and R2 = 0.294 (p = <0.001) for microperimetry and R2 = 0.189 (p = <0.001), R2 = 0.020 (p = 0.002), and R2 = 0.326 (p = <0.001) for Octopus perimetry. For corresponding values outside normative limits (<1%), the relationships were R2 = 0.113 (p = <0.001), R2 = 0.001 (p = 0.836), and R2 = 0.420 (p = <0.001) for microperimetry and R2 = 0.192 (p = <0.001), R2 = 0.002, (p = 0.336), and R2 = 0.366 (p = <0.001) for Octopus perimetry. DISCUSSION/CONCLUSION: Structure-function analysis was similar for both devices. Fundus-tracking should be further evaluated in a longitudinal setting in patients affected by glaucoma.

Clinical implementation of a 3D4K-exoscope (Orbeye) in microneurosurgery.

Exoscopic surgery promises alleviation of physical strain, improved intraoperative visualization and facilitation of the clinical workflow. In this prospective observational study, we investigate the clinical usability of a novel 3D4K-exoscope in routine neurosurgical interventions. Questionnaires on the use of the exoscope were carried out. Exemplary cases were additionally video-documented. All participating neurosurgeons (n = 10) received initial device training. Changing to a conventional microscope was possible at all times. A linear mixed model was used to analyse the impact of time on the switchover rate. For further analysis, we dichotomized the surgeons in a frequent (n = 1) and an infrequent (n = 9) user group. A one-sample Wilcoxon signed rank test was used to evaluate, if the number of surgeries differed between the two groups. Thirty-nine operations were included. No intraoperative complications occurred. In 69.2% of the procedures, the surgeon switched to the conventional microscope. While during the first half of the study the conversion rate was 90%, it decreased to 52.6% in the second half (p = 0.003). The number of interventions between the frequent and the infrequent user group differed significantly (p = 0.007). Main reasons for switching to ocular-based surgery were impaired hand-eye coordination and poor depth perception. The exoscope investigated in this study can be easily integrated in established neurosurgical workflows. Surgical ergonomics improved compared to standard microsurgical setups. Excellent image quality and precise control of the camera added to overall user satisfaction. For experienced surgeons, the incentive to switch from ocular-based to exoscopic surgery greatly varies.

Effect of Cataract Extraction on Retinal Sensitivity Measurements.

INTRODUCTION: Central and paracentral retinal function is often compromised in various retinal diseases. In these conditions, microperimetry is an important tool for assessing retinal sensitivity values. As retinal diseases are prevalent among the elderly, cataract often coexists. This study investigates the effect of cataract surgery on retinal sensitivity in patients with cataract without retinal disease. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A total of 30 patients already scheduled for cataract surgery were enrolled and microperimetry and visual acuity evaluation was performed before and after cataract extraction. The patients were allocated to 1 of 3 study groups in accordance with the main cataract subtype: nuclear, cortical, or posterior subcapsular (PSC) cataract. RESULTS: Visual acuity increased significantly after cataract surgery (from 0.34 to 0.00 logMar, p < 0.001, paired t test). Similarly, median retinal sensitivity increased significantly from 23 dB (IQR 21-25 dB) to 27 dB (IQR 25.75-28 dB) (p < 0.001, Wilcoxon test). The increase of retinal sensitivity after cataract surgery was highest in the PSC cataract group. CONCLUSION: This study showed an increase in retinal sensitivity values after cataract removal, especially in the PSC group. Therefore, coexisting cataract should be considered when interpreting microperimetry results.

Effect of Iatrogenic Traction during Macular Peeling Surgery on Postoperative Microperimetry.

INTRODUCTION: Vitrectomy with peeling of epiretinal membrane (ERM) and internal limiting membrane offers the chance for improvement of metamorphopsia and visual acuity. Microscope integrated intraoperative optical coherence tomography (iOCT) enables real-time imaging of retinal alterations during peeling, such as intraoperative transient retinal thickening owing to tractional forces during peeling. The aim of our study was to measure the amounts of transient retinal thickening due to tractional forces during membrane peeling, as documented with iOCT, and to analyze possible effects on postoperative retinal function. METHODS: This prospective, monocenter study included patients scheduled for pars plana vitrectomy with membrane peeling due to an idiopathic ERM. During peeling, an iOCT device (ReScan700, Carl Zeiss Meditec AG) with continuous OCT-assistance during the peeling procedure, and video documentation of the peeling procedure, was used for the assessment of intraoperative transient retinal thickening owing to tractional forces during peeling. Directly before and 3 months after surgery, macular-OCT scans and microperimetry were performed. RESULTS: Twenty-five eyes of 25 patients were included in the study. Microperimetry could be performed in all patients, while iOCT documentation could be analyzed in 22 patients. Transient retinal thickening owing to tractional forces during peeling could be observed in 14 patients (64%), with a median thickening to 143% of the normal (preoperative) retinal thickness at that location (IQR 132-163). Six patients (24%) developed new deep microscotomata as seen in microperimetry 3 months after surgery, among them were 2 patients who also had transient retinal thickening during peeling. CONCLUSION: New deep microscotomata developed only in a minority of patients with transient retinal thickening owing to tractional forces during peeling.

Reproducibility of Microperimeter 3 (MP-3) Microperimetry in Open-Angle Glaucoma Patients.

PURPOSE: Primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) is a chronic progressive optic neuropathy, leading to degeneration of retinal ganglion cells and characteristic morphological changes at the optic disc. In advanced stages of the disease, functional tests, such as standard automated perimetry (SAP), are the main diagnostic tools to detect progression. Compared to SAP, microperimetry offers fundus imaging with motion tracking to ensure precise stimulation of certain locations of the retina. Aim of the study was to assess reproducibility of microperimetry compared to SAP in patients with POAG. METHODS: This prospective monocenter study included patients suffering from POAG with visual field defects in the central 20° zone. After inclusion into the study, 3 consecutive study visits were scheduled within 1 month, assessing microperimetry and SAP at each visit. RESULTS: From 19 patients recruited, data from 18 patients could be analyzed. No significant difference between study visits could be detected in mean retinal sensitivity in microperimetry and SAP (microperimetry p = 0.401; SAP p = 0.644; Friedman's 2-way analysis of variance). The intraclass-correlation coefficient was 0.981 (95% CI 0.978-0.984) for microperimetry and 0.948 (95% CI 0.941-0.955) for SAP. Absolute agreement between deep scotoma points was found in 81 test locations (79%) in microperimetry and in 35 test locations (20%) in SAP (p = 0.003, chi-square test). CONCLUSIONS: Microperimetry and conventional perimetry showed high reproducibility, with slightly better performance of microperimetry. However, the reduced angle of visual field in microperimetry limits its application to central glaucomatous field damage.

One-Year Results after Internal Limiting Membrane Flap Transposition for Surgical Repair of Macular Holes with Respect to Microperimetry.

PURPOSE: Internal limiting membrane (ILM) flap transposition in surgical repair of macular holes represents a new technique offering good anatomical success rates with large macular holes. The aim of the study was to examine microperimetric outcomes 1 year after ILM flap transposition for surgical repair of macular holes. METHODS: Patients with idi-opathic macular holes scheduled for 23-G pars plana vitrectomy with ILM peeling, ILM flap transposition, and SF6 tamponade were examined in a prospective case series. Distance corrected visual acuity (DCVA), optical coherence tomography, and microperimetry were measured before and 1 year after surgery. RESULTS: In all eyes, closure of the macular hole could be achieved. While foveal sensitivity improved in 71%, perifoveal sensitivity improved in 86% of the cases. DCVA improved in 83% and was unchanged in 17% of the cases. CONCLUSIONS: Beside visual acuity, foveal and perifoveal macular sensitivity improved, underlining the functional success of surgery after ILM peeling with ILM flap transposition.

Comparison of corneal aberrations from anterior segment swept source OCT versus Placido-topography combined spectral domain OCT in cataract patients.

BACKGROUND: To comprehensively evaluate the agreement of component corneal aberrations from the newly updated wavefront analysis software of a swept-source optical coherence tomographer (SS-OCT) and a referential Placido-topography combined OCT device in elderly cataract patients. METHODS: Retrospective study including 103 eyes from 103 elderly patients scheduled for cataract surgery that were measured on the same day with a SS-OCT (Heidelberg Engineering, Germany) device and a Placido-topography combined OCT device (CSO, Italy). Anterior, total, and posterior corneal wavefront aberrations were evaluated for their mean differences and limits of agreement (LoA) via Bland-Altman plots. Vector analysis was additionally employed to compare corneal astigmatism measurements in dioptric vector space. RESULTS: Mean differences of all corneal aberrometric parameters did not exceed 0.05 µm. Total corneal aberrations were not significantly different from 0 except for vertical coma (- 0.04 µm; P = 0.003), spherical aberration (- 0.01 µm, P < 0.001), and root mean square (RMS) higher-order aberration (HOA) (0.03 µm, P = 0.04). The 95% LoA for total corneal aberration parameters between both devices were - 0.46 to 0.42 µm for horizontal astigmatism, - 0.37 to 0.41 µm for oblique astigmatism, - 0.19 to 0.17 µm for oblique trefoil, - 0.33 to 0.25 µm for vertical coma, - 0.20 to 0.22 µm for horizontal coma, - 0.22 to 0.20 µm for horizontal trefoil, - 0.11 to 0.08 µm for spherical aberration, and - 0.22 to 0.28 µm for RMS HOA. Vector analysis revealed no statistically significant mean differences for anterior, total, and posterior corneal astigmatism in dioptric vector space. CONCLUSION: In eyes undergoing cataract surgery with a regular elderly cornea, corneal wavefront analysis from the SS-OCT device showed functional equivalency to the reference device. Nevertheless, clinically relevant higher order aberration parameters should be interpreted with caution for surgical decision-making.

Surface Photovoltage Study of Metal Halide Perovskites Deposited Directly on Crystalline Silicon.

Perovskite (PVK) films deposited directly on n-type crystalline Si substrates were investigated by two operating modes of the surface photovoltage (SPV) method: (i) the metal-insulator-semiconductor (MIS) mode and (ii) the Kelvin probe force microscopy (KPFM). By scanning from 900 to 600 nm in the MIS mode, we consecutively studied the relatively fast processes of carrier generation, transport, and recombination first in Si, then on both sides of the PVK/Si interface, and finally in the PVK layer and its surface. The PVK optical absorption edge was observed in the range of 1.61-1.65 eV in good agreement with the band gap of 1.63 eV found from photoluminescence spectra. Both SPV methods evidenced an upward energy band bending at the PVK/n-Si interface generating positive SPV. Drift-diffusion modeling allowed us to analyze the shape of the wavelength dependence of the SPV. It was also observed that the intense illumination in the KPFM measurements induces slow SPV transients which were explained by the creation and migration of negative ions and their trapping at the PVK surface. Finally, aging effects were studied by measuring again SPV spectra after one-year storage in air, and an increase in the concentration of shallow defect states at the PVK/n-Si interface was found.

Digital adaptive optics based on digital lateral shearing of the computed pupil field for point scanning retinal swept source OCT.

A novel non-iterative digital adaptive optics technique is presented in which the wavefront error is calculated using the phase difference between the pupil field and its digital copies translated by a pixel along the horizontal and vertical direction in the pupil plane. This method provides slope data per pixel, thus can generate > 50k local slope data samples for a circular pupil of diameter 256 pixels with high accuracy and dynamic range. It offers more than 12x faster computational speed in comparison to the sub-aperture based digital adaptive optics method. Furthermore, it is independent of any system parameters, the light distribution in the pupil plane, or the intensity of the image. The technique is useful in applications such as interferometric or digital holography based microscopy, metrology, and as digital wavefront sensor in adaptive optics, where focusing of light in the sample is involved that creates a guide star or where the sample itself exhibits guide star-like structures. This technique is implemented in a point scanning swept-source OCT at 1060 nm, and a large wavefront error with a peak to valley of 20 radians and root mean square error of 0.71 waves is detected and corrected in case of a micro-beads phantom sample. Also, human photoreceptor images are recovered from aberrated retinal OCT volumes acquired at eccentricities of 2 and 2.5 degrees from the fovea in vivo.

Surgical Management of Failed Revascularization in Moyamoya Vasculopathy.

Objectives: Moyamoya vasculopathy (MMV) is a rare stenoocclusive cerebrovascular disease associated with increased risk of ischemic and hemorrhagic stroke, which can be treated using surgical revascularization techniques. Despite well-established neurosurgical procedures performed in experienced centers, bypass failure associated with neurological symptoms can occur. The current study therefore aims at characterizing the cases of bypass failure and repeat revascularization at a single center. Methods: A single-center retrospective analysis of all patients treated with revascularization surgery for MMV between January 2007 and December 2019 was performed. Angiographic data, cerebral blood flow analysis [H2O PET or single-photon emission CT (SPECT)], MRI, and clinical/operative data including follow-up assessments were reviewed. Results: We identified 308 MMV patients with 405 surgically treated hemispheres. Of the 405 hemispheres treated, 15 patients (3.7%) underwent repeat revascularization (median age 38, time to repeat revascularization in 60% of patients was within 1 year of first surgery). The most common cause of repeat revascularization was a symptomatic bypass occlusion (80%). New ischemic lesions were found in 13% of patients prior to repeat revascularization. Persistence of reduced or progressive worsening of cerebrovascular reserve capacity (CVRC) compared with preoperative status was observed in 85% of repeat revascularization cases. Intermediate-flow bypass using a radial artery graft was most commonly used for repeat revascularization (60%) followed by re-superficial temporal artery to middle cerebral artery (re-STA-MCA) bypass (26%). High-flow bypass using a saphenous vein graft and using an occipital artery to MCA bypass was each used once. Following repeat revascularization, no new ischemic events were recorded. Conclusion: Overall, repeat revascularization is needed only in a small percentage of the cases in MMV. A rescue surgery should be considered in those with neurological symptoms and decreased CVRC. Intermediate-flow bypass using a radial artery graft is a reliable technique for patients requiring repeat revascularization. Based on our institutional experience, we propose an algorithm for guiding the decision process in cases of bypass failure.

Repeatability of intraoperative Hartmann-Shack wavefront sensing in cataract surgery.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the repeatability of aphakic intraoperative wavefront aberrometry and compare it with preoperative and postoperative aberrometry. SETTING: Department of Ophthalmology, Hanusch Hospital, Vienna, Austria. DESIGN: Prospective case series. METHODS: Patients scheduled for cataract surgery were each measured 3 consecutive times using Hartmann-Shack wavefront sensing (HS-WFS) preoperatively, intraoperatively in aphakia, and 2 months postoperatively after intraocular lens implantation by a single examiner. Intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs) of spherical equivalent (SE) values were evaluated for each timepoint. Intrasubject standard deviation (Sw) as repeatability (Sr) with corresponding repeatability limit () and mean SE differences with corresponding limits of agreement (LoA) were calculated for comparison. RESULTS: A high consistency of repeated measurements was found with ICCs above 0.9 for each of the 3 timepoints. Intraobserver repeatability (Sr) and repeatability limit (r) of intraoperative aberrometry SE measurements (30 eyes of 30 patients) were 0.34 diopters (D) and 0.95 D, respectively. The LoA for intraoperative aphakic SE across 3 consecutive measurements were -0.71 to +0.85 D. For comparison, Sr and r for phakic preoperative measurements in the cataractous state (30 eyes of 30 patients) and postoperative measurements in the pseudophakic state (24 eyes of 24 patients) were 0.33 D and 0.93 D and 0.23 D and 0.64 D, respectively. Similarly, the LoA for preoperative and postoperative SE measurements were -0.66 to +0.60 D and -0.27 to +0.45 D, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: HS-WFS test-retest reliability was high for all 3 timepoints, but the intraoperative setting resulted in a lower repeatability and broadened the agreement range.

Repeatability of 2 swept-source OCT biometers and 1 optical low-coherence reflectometry biometer.

AIM: To compare the repeatability of 2 swept-source optical coherence tomography (SS-OCT) biometers, IOLMaster 700 (biometer A, Carl Zeiss Meditec AG) and ANTERION (biometer B, Heidelberg Engineering GmbH) and 1 optical low-coherence reflectometry (OLCR) device (biometer C, LENSTAR, LS900; Haag-Streit AG). SETTING: Department of Ophthalmology, Hanusch Hospital, Vienna Institute for Research in Ocular Surgery-Karl Landsteiner Institute, Vienna, Austria. DESIGN: Prospective study that included patients scheduled for cataract surgery. METHOD: Three consecutive measurements were performed with 2 SS-OCT devices and 1 OLCR device. The repeatability of the following biometry variables was compared: keratometry, central corneal thickness, anterior chamber depth (ACD), lens thickness (LT), and axial eye length (AL). To assess the repeatability of each parameter, the within-subject SD (Sw) and coefficient of variation (CoV) were calculated. RESULT: Fifty eyes of 50 patients were included. The CoV values were below 0.5 for all variables, except for ACD and LT for biometer C. The Sw values for mean keratometry were 0.018 for biometer A, 0.083 for biometer B, and 0.137 for biometer C. For the ACD, the Sw values were 0.039 and 0.004 for biometer A and biometer B, respectively, and 0.134 for biometer C. For the AL, the values were 0.006 for biometer A, 0.008 for biometer B, and 0.012 for biometer C. CONCLUSIONS: All biometry devices included in the analysis presented a high repeatability. The SS-OCT devices showed a higher repeatability performance compared with the OLCR device.

Digital ocular swept source optical coherence aberrometry.

Ocular aberrometry is an essential technique in vision science and ophthalmology. We demonstrate how a phase-sensitive single mode fiber-based swept source optical coherence tomography (SS-OCT) setup can be employed for quantitative ocular aberrometry with digital adaptive optics (DAO). The system records the volumetric point spread function at the retina in a de-scanning geometry using a guide star pencil beam. Succeeding test-retest repeatability assessment with defocus and astigmatism analysis on a model eye within ± 3 D dynamic range, the feasibility of technique is demonstrated in-vivo at a B-scan rate of >1 kHz in comparison with a commercially available aberrometer.

Anterior chamber depth variability between 2 hydrophobic acrylic 1-piece intraocular lenses: randomized trial.

PURPOSE: To analyze the difference in anterior chamber depth (ACD) after uneventful cataract surgery between 2 hydrophobic acrylic 1-piece intraocular lenses (IOLs) with different material properties. SETTING: Hanusch Hospital, Vienna, Austria. DESIGN: Single-center, bilateral randomized paired-eye controlled study. METHODS: Patients scheduled for bilateral cataract surgery were randomized to receive the Clareon IOL in 1 eye and the AcrySof IQ IOL (both Alcon Laboratories, Inc.) in the contralateral eye. Preoperatively, a slitlamp examination, optical biometry (IOLMaster 700, Carl Zeiss Meditec AG), refraction, and visual acuity measurements were performed. ACD was assessed 1 hour and 1 week postoperatively and with additional measurement of uncorrected (UDVA) and corrected distance visual acuity (CDVA) 6 months postoperatively. RESULTS: 80 eyes of 40 patients were analyzed in this study. ACD at the 6-month follow-up was 3.94 ± 0.30 mm for the Clareon IOL and 3.91 ± 0.32 mm for the AcrySof IQ IOL (P = .08). Statistically significant differences in the ACD shift between both IOLs were detected between 1 week and 6 months (P = .04) and 1 hour and 6 months (P = .04). There were no statistically significant differences between both IOLs in UDVA (P = .78), CDVA (P = .59), and spherical equivalent (SE, P = .39) at the 6-month visit. The mean absolute error between the measured and the aimed SE was not significant (P = .97). CONCLUSIONS: There was no clinically relevant difference in ACD between the Clareon IOL and the AcrySof IQ IOL in patients after uneventful cataract surgery. Both IOLs yielded good refraction and visual acuity outcomes.

Xenon inhibits excitatory but not inhibitory transmission in rat spinal cord dorsal horn neurons.

BACKGROUND: The molecular targets for the promising gaseous anaesthetic xenon are still under investigation. Most studies identify N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptors as the primary molecular target for xenon, but the role of alpha-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazole-4-propionic acid (AMPA) receptors is less clear. In this study we evaluated the effect of xenon on excitatory and inhibitory synaptic transmission in the superficial dorsal horn of the spinal cord using in vitro patch-clamp recordings from rat spinal cord slices. We further evaluated the effects of xenon on innocuous and noxious stimuli using in vivo patch-clamp method. RESULTS: In vitro, xenon decreased the amplitude and area under the curve of currents induced by exogenous NMDA and AMPA and inhibited dorsal root stimulation-evoked excitatory postsynaptic currents. Xenon decreased the amplitude, but not the frequency, of miniature excitatory postsynaptic currents. There was no discernible effect on miniature or evoked inhibitory postsynaptic currents or on the current induced by inhibitory neurotransmitters. In vivo, xenon inhibited responses to tactile and painful stimuli even in the presence of NMDA receptor antagonist. CONCLUSIONS: Xenon inhibits glutamatergic excitatory transmission in the superficial dorsal horn via a postsynaptic mechanism. There is no substantial effect on inhibitory synaptic transmission at the concentration we used. The blunting of excitation in the dorsal horn lamina II neurons could underlie the analgesic effect of xenon.

Visual performance after bilateral toric extended depth-of-focus IOL exchange targeted for micromonovision.

PURPOSE: To evaluate overall patient satisfaction, spectacle independence, binocular visual acuity, rotational stability, prevalence of optical phenomena, and decentration and tilt after bilateral toric extended depth-of-focus intraocular lens (EDOF IOL) implantation targeted for micromonovision. SETTING: Department of Ophthalmology, Hanusch Hospital, Vienna, Austria. DESIGN: Prospective case series. METHODS: The study included 52 eyes of 26 patients with regular corneal astigmatism from 0.75 to 2.60 diopters (D) that were implanted bilaterally with a toric EDOF IOL targeted for micromonovision. Postoperative visual acuity, astigmatism reduction, rotation, tilt, decentration, spectacle independence, patient satisfaction, and photic phenomena were assessed. RESULTS: For the 52 eyes studied, binocular means expressed in logarithm of the minimum angle resolution for postoperative corrected distance, uncorrected distance, uncorrected intermediate, and uncorrected near visual acuities were -0.10 (±0.12), -0.01 (±0.13), 0.01 (±0.14), and 0.13 (±0.14), respectively. Mean refractive astigmatism reduction was 1.31 ± 0.67 D resulting in a mean refractive cylinder of 0.47 ± 0.46 D at the 3-month visit. Mean postoperative rotation was 3.5 ± 3.5 degrees, at the 3-month time point. Most prevalent dysphotopsia were halos, starburst, and glare affecting 6 (23%), 6 (23%), and 5 (19%) of 26 patients, respectively; 20 (77%) of 26 patients reported spectacle independence, with 19 (95%), 19 (95%), and 14 (70%) of 20 patients questioned being satisfied with distance, intermediate, and near vision, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Toric EDOF IOL implantation targeted for micromonovision resulted in reliable reduction of preoperative astigmatism with a high degree of postoperative rotational predictability and centration, enabling functional distance, intermediate, and near vision, which manifested itself in high patient satisfaction.

Taurine activates glycine and gamma-aminobutyric acid A receptors in rat substantia gelatinosa neurons.

Taurine has been suggested to modulate nociceptive information at the spinal cord level. In this study, the pharmacological properties of taurine were investigated in adult rat substantia gelatinosa (SG) neurons using whole-cell patch-clamp method. We found that taurine seemed to have higher efficacy than glycine on glycine receptors in SG neurons. An increase in chloride conductance was responsible for taurine-induced currents. Taurine at 0.3 mM activated glycine receptors, whereas at 3 mM activated both glycine and gamma-aminobutyric acid A receptors. The currents activated by coapplication of taurine and glycine are cross inhibitive. Altogether these results show that taurine might represent another important neurotransmitter or modulator in SG neurons, which may be involved in antinociception.

Test-Retest Reproducibility of the Microperimeter MP3 With Fundus Image Tracking in Healthy Subjects and Patients With Macular Disease.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the test-retest reproducibility of a novel microperimeter with fundus image tracking (MP3, Nidek Co, Japan) in healthy subjects and patients with macular disease. METHODS: Ten healthy subjects and 20 patients suffering from range of macular diseases were included. After training measurements, two additional microperimetry measurements were scheduled. Test-retest reproducibility was assessed for mean retinal sensitivity, pointwise sensitivity, and deep scotoma size using the coefficient of repeatability and Bland-Altman diagrams. In addition, in a subgroup of patients microperimetry was compared with conventional perimetry. RESULTS: Average differences in mean retinal sensitivity between the two study measurements were 0.26 ± 1.7 dB (median 0 dB; interquartile range [IQR] -1 to 1) for the healthy and 0.36 ± 2.5 dB (median 0 dB; IQR -1 to 2) for the macular patient group. Coefficients of repeatability for mean retinal sensitivity and pointwise retinal sensitivity were 1.2 and 3.3 dB for the healthy subjects and 1.6 and 5.0 dB for the macular disease patients, respectively. Absolute agreement in deep scotoma size between both study days was found in 79.9% of the test loci. CONCLUSION: The microperimeter MP3 shows an adequate test-retest reproducibility for mean retinal sensitivity, pointwise retinal sensitivity, and deep scotoma size in healthy subjects and patients suffering from macular disease. Furthermore, reproducibility of microperimetry is higher than conventional perimetry. TRANSLATIONAL RELEVANCE: Reproducibility is an important measure for each diagnostic device. Especially in a clinical setting high reproducibility set the basis to achieve reliable results using the specific device. Therefore, assessment of the reproducibility is of eminent importance to interpret the findings of future studies.

Impaired decision-making in psychopathic heroin addicts.

Substance-dependent individuals (SDIs) often show neurocognitive deficits in decision-making, such that their choices are biased toward the greatest immediate reward rather than the optimal future outcome. However, studies of SDIs are often hampered by two significant methodological challenges: polysubstance dependence and comorbid conditions, which are independently associated with neurocognitive impairments. We addressed these methodological challenges by testing heroin addicts in Bulgaria, where heroin addiction is highly prevalent but polysubstance dependence is rare. The goal of the current study was to evaluate the potential contribution of psychopathy to decision-making processes among this group of Bulgarian heroin addicts. We tested 78 male currently abstaining heroin addicts, classified as psychopathic or non-psychopathic using the Hare Psychopathy Checklist, Revised (PCL-R). Psychopathic heroin addicts showed notable deficits in decision-making in that they made significantly more disadvantageous decisions relative to non-psychopathic heroin addicts. Results indicate that the presence of psychopathy may exacerbate decision-making deficits in heroin addicts.