Differences in change of post-operative antioxidant levels between laser-assisted lenticule extraction and femtosecond laser in situ keratomileusis.

To evaluate the change of total antioxidant capacity (TAC) and ascorbic acid (AA) between femtosecond laser in situ keratomileusis (FS-LASIK) and laser-assisted lenticule extraction (LALEX). A prospective non-randomized study was conducted, and 33 and 75 eyes that had undergone FS-LASIK or LALEX surgeries were enrolled, respectively. The tear films near corneal incisions were collected, and the concentrations of TAC and AA were determined. The generalized linear mixed model was adopted to calculate the adjusted odds ratio (aOR) with 95% confidence interval (CI) of TAC and AA between the two groups. The AA reduction was significant 1 month after the LALEX and FS-LASIK procedures (both p < 0.05), and the decrement in AA level was significantly larger in the FS-LASIK group compared to the LALEX group (p = 0.0002). In the subgroup analysis, the LALEX group demonstrated a lower decrement in TAC level in the individuals with dry eye disease (DED) than the FS-LASIK group (p = 0.0424), and the LALEX group demonstrated a significantly lower AA decrement in the participants with high myopia (p = 0.0165) and DED (p = 0.0043). The LALEX surgery causes lesser AA decrement compared to FS-LASIK surgery especially for the patients with DED.

Comparison of myopic control between orthokeratology contact lenses and defocus incorporated multiple segments spectacle lenses.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to compare the differences in myopic control effects between orthokeratology (OK) contact lenses and defocus incorporated multiple segments (DIMS) spectacle lenses. Methods: A retrospective cohort study was conducted that included patients who had received OK lens, DIMS spectacle lens or single-vision spectacle treatments. A total of 54 eyes from 27 individuals, 38 eyes from 19 individuals and 42 eyes from 21 individuals were enrolled into the OK lens, DIMS and control groups, respectively. The primary outcomes were the changes in the spherical equivalent refraction (SER) and axial length (AXL) among the groups. A repeated-measure ANCOVA was adopted to calculate the SER progression and AXL elongation of the OK lens group compared with the DIMS group. Results: The difference in the SER progression was clinically non-significant in the OK lens group compared with the DIMS and control groups (P = 0.001). The total AXL elongation results were similar between the OK lens and DIMS groups, but these were lower than in the control group (P = 0.005). The repeated-measure ANCOVA revealed that the SER progression difference during the study interval was clinically non-significant in the OK lens group when compared with the DIMS group (P = 0.028). The AXL elongation results between the OK lens and DIMS populations did not illustrate a significant difference (P = 0.607). In a subgroup analysis of moderate astigmatism, better AXL control was observed in the DIMS subgroup compared with the OK lens subgroup (P = 0.016). Conclusions: The OK lens demonstrated a clinically non-significant effect on the SER and AXL controls compared with the DIMS spectacle lens.

Prescription of glucagon-like peptide 1 agonists and risk of subsequent open-angle glaucoma in individuals with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Background: The glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor agonist (GLP-1RA) is an antidiabetic medication with vascular protection and anti-inflammatory properties. Theoretically, the use of GLP-1RA should inhibit the development of open-angle glaucoma (OAG) as both vascular damage and inflammation are associated with OAG. Therefore, our objective was to investigate the association between the application of GLP-1RA and the subsequent OAG in individuals with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Methods: We conducted a retrospective cohort study by using data from the National Health Insurance Research Database (NHIRD) of Taiwan. Participants with T2DM were divided into those who used GLP-1RA and those who did not, forming the GLP-1RA and control groups. The primary outcome was the occurrence of OAG based on diagnostic codes. Cox proportional hazard regression was employed to calculate the adjusted hazard ratio (aHR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) for OAG. Results: 91 patients in the control group developed OAG, and 40 patients in the GLP-1RA group developed OAG. After adjustment for all covariates, the GLP-1RA group exhibited a significantly lower incidence of OAG compared with the control group (aHR: 0.712, 95% CI: 0.533-0.936. P = 0.0025). In the subgroup analyses, the association between GLP-1RA use and OAG incidence was more pronounced in patients with T2DM using GLP-1RA and aged younger than 60 years (P = 0.0438). Conclusion: The prescription of GLP-1RA is associated with a lower incidence of subsequent OAG in individuals with T2DM, and this association was more significant in patients with T2DM under the age of 60 years.

Topographic and surgical risk factors for high postoperative residual astigmatism after small incision lenticule extraction in patients with different degrees of myopia: a retrospective cohort study.

BACKGROUND: To evaluate the possible topographic and surgical risk factors for high postoperative residual astigmatism in patients who undergo small-incision lenticule extraction (SMILE) surgery and have different myopia degrees. METHODS: A retrospective cohort study was conducted, and patients who underwent SMILE surgery were enrolled. A total of 80 and 150 eyes from 40 to 75 individuals, respectively, were selected as the low myopia and high myopia groups. The demographic data, visual acuity, refraction, topographic parameters and surgical settings were recorded. Multiple linear regression with interaction tests were performed to survey the risk factors for high postoperative residual astigmatism in each group. RESULTS: Five (6.25%) and 9 (6.00%) eyes presented with high postoperative residual astigmatism in the low myopia and high myopia groups, respectively, but these differences were not significant (P = 0.569). A steep corneal curvature was correlated with a greater risk of high postoperative residual astigmatism in the low myopia group (P = 0.015), while a higher degree of cycloplegic cylinder power, steeper corneal curvature, greater topographic cylinder power, smaller optic zone and longer incision length were associated with a high rate of postoperative residual astigmatism in the high myopia group (all P < 0.05). In addition, the interaction effects of cycloplegic and topographic cylinder power and longer incision length on the incidence of high postoperative residual astigmatism development were more evident in the high myopia group than in the low myopia group (all P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: A steep corneal curvature correlates with a high risk of high postoperative residual astigmatism after SMILE surgery, and a higher degree of cycloplegic and topographic cylinder and longer incision are associated with high postoperative residual astigmatism in individuals with high myopia.

Effective Removal of Different Heavy Metals Ion (Cu, Pb, and Cd) from Aqueous Solutions by Various Molecular Weight and Salt Types of Poly-γ-Glutamic Acid.

In light of industrial developments, water pollution by heavy metals as hazardous chemicals has garnered attention. Addressing the urgent need for efficient heavy metal removal from aqueous environments, this study delves into using poly-γ-glutamic acid (γ-PGA) for the bioflocculation of heavy metals. Utilizing γ-PGA variants from Bacillus subtilis with different molecular weights and salt forms (Na-bonded and Ca-bonded), the research evaluates their adsorption capacities for copper (Cu), lead (Pb), and cadmium (Cd) ions. It was found that Na-bonded γ-PGA with a high molecular weight showed the highest heavy metal adsorption (92.2-98.3%), particularly at a 0.5% concentration which exhibited the highest adsorption efficiency. Additionally, the study investigated the interaction of γ-PGA in mixed heavy metal environments, and it was discovered that Na-γ-PGA-HM at a 0.5% concentration showed a superior adsorption efficiency for Pb ions (85.4%), highlighting its selectivity as a potential effective biosorbent for wastewater treatment. This research not only enlightens the understanding of γ-PGA's role in heavy metal remediation but also underscores its potential as a biodegradable and non-toxic alternative for environmental cleanup. The findings pave the way for further exploration into the mechanisms and kinetics of γ-PGA's adsorption properties.

Efficient thermal treatment of radish (Raphanus sativus) for enhancing its bioactive compounds.

Old preserved radish (OPR), a traditional pickled-food of Asia, contains the healthy bioactive compounds, such as phenols and flavonoids. To preserve the phenols levels in radish by thermal treatment, which are decreased due to the polyphenol oxidase activity during long storage. Range of thermal processing evaluated to retain the maximum phenols level in the radish while processed at temperatures of 70 °C, 80 °C and 90 °C for 30 days. In this study, the bioactive compounds and antioxidant activity of thermal processing radish (TPR) were evaluated and compared with commercial products of OPR. Results showed the best condition of thermal processing, 80°C for 30 days, could increase the values of phenols, flavonoids and antioxidant activity that were 2.27, 2.74 and 2.89 times, respectively. When comparing the thermally processed radish or TPR with OPR, TPR has a higher content of phenols and flavonoids, indicating that the thermal processing was effective to increase the content of functional compounds in radish and significantly improved its nutritional values.

The Impact of Different Pretreatment Processes (Freezing, Ultrasound and High Pressure) on the Sensory and Functional Properties of Black Garlic (Allium sativum L.).

Black garlic (BG) is an emerging derivative of fresh garlic with enhanced nutritional properties. This study aimed to develop functional BG products with good consumer acceptance. To this end, BG was treated with freezing (F-BG), ultrasound (U-BG), and HHP (H-BG) to assess its sensory and functional properties. The results showed that F-BG and H-BG had higher S-allyl-cysteine (SAC), polyphenol, and flavonoid contents than BG. H-BG and F-BG displayed the best sensory quality after 18 days of aging, while 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (5-HMF), SAC, and polyphenols were identified as the most influential sensory parameters. Moreover, the F-BG and H-BG groups achieved optimal taste after 18 days, as opposed to untreated BG, which needed more than 24 days. Therefore, the proposed approaches significantly reduced the processing time while enhancing the physical, sensory, and functional properties of BG. In conclusion, freezing and HHP techniques may be considered promising pretreatments to develop BG products with good functional and sensory properties.

Enhancing Bioactive Saponin Content of Raphanus sativus Extract by Thermal Processing at Various Conditions.

Pickled radish (Raphanus sativus) is a traditional Asian ingredient, but the traditional method takes decades to make this product. To optimize such a process, this study compared the saponin content of pickled radishes with different thermal processing and traditional processes (production time of 7 days, 10 years, and 20 years) and evaluated the effects of different thermal processes on the formation of radish saponin through kinetics study and mass spectrometry. The results showed that increasing the pickling time enhanced the formation of saponin in commercial pickled radishes (25 °C, 7 days, 6.50 ± 1.46 mg g-1; 3650 days, 23.11 ± 1.22 mg g-1), but these increases were lower than those induced by thermal processing (70 °C 30 days 24.24 ± 1.01 mg g-1). However, it was found that the pickling time of more than 10 years and the processing temperature of more than 80 °C reduce the saponin content. Liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) analysis showed that the major saponin in untreated radish was Tupistroside G, whereas treated samples contained Asparagoside A and Timosaponin A1. Moreover, this study elucidated the chemical structure of saponins in TPR. The findings indicated that thermal treatment could induce functional saponin conversion in plants, and such a mechanism can also be used to improve the health efficacy of plant-based crops.

S-Allyl cysteine in garlic (Allium sativum): Formation, biofunction, and resistance to food processing for value-added product development.

S-allyl cysteine (SAC), which is the most abundant bioactive compound in black garlic (BG; Allium sativum), has been shown to have antioxidant, anti-apoptotic, anti-inflammatory, anti-obesity, cardioprotective, neuroprotective, and hepatoprotective activities. Sulfur compounds are the most distinctive bioactive elements in garlic. Previous studies have provided evidence that the concentration of SAC in fresh garlic is in the range of 19.0-1736.3 µg/g. Meanwhile, for processed garlic, such as frozen and thawed garlic, pickled garlic, fermented garlic extract, and BG, the SAC content increased to up to 8021.2 µg/g. BG is an SAC-containing product, with heat treatment being used in nearly all methods of BG production. Therefore, strategies to increase the SAC level in garlic are of great interest; however, further knowledge is required about the effect of processing factors and mechanistic changes. This review explains the formation of SAC in garlic, introduces its biological effects, and summarizes the recent advances in processing methods that can affect SAC levels in garlic, including heat treatment, enzymatic treatment, freezing, fermentation, ultrasonic treatment, and high hydrostatic pressure. Thus, the aim of this review was to summarize the outcomes of treatment aimed at maintaining or increasing SAC levels in BG. Therefore, publications from scientific databases in this field of study were examined. The effects of processing methods on SAC compounds were evaluated on the basis of the SAC content. This review provides information on the processing approaches that can assist food manufacturers in the development of value-added garlic products.

Pulsed electric field-assisted drying: A review of its underlying mechanisms, applications, and role in fresh produce plant-based food preservation.

Drying is a key processing step for plant-based foods. The quality of dried products, including the physical, nutritional, microbiological, and sensory attributes, is influenced by the drying method used. Conventional drying technologies have low efficiency and can negatively affect product quality. Recently, pulsed electric field (PEF)-assisted techniques are being explored as a novel pretreatment for drying. This review focuses on the application of PEF as pretreatment for drying plant-based products, the preservation effects of this pretreatment, and its underlying mechanisms. A literature search revealed that PEF-assisted drying is beneficial for maintaining the physicochemical properties of the dried products and preserving their color and constituent chemical compounds. PEF-assisted drying promotes rehydration and improves the kinetics of drying. Unlike conventional technologies, PEF-assisted drying enables selective cell disintegration while maintaining product quality. Before the drying process, PEF pretreatment inactivates microbes and enzymes and controls respiratory activity, which may further contribute to preservation. Despite numerous advantages, the efficiency and applicably of PEF-assisted drying can be improved in the future.

Successful Phakic Intraocular Lens Implantation with the Usage of Topical Ascorbic Acid in Patient with Reduced Corneal Endothelial Cell Density.

We aimed to describe the use of topical ascorbic acid (AA) in a patient with reduced endothelial cells density (ECD) who was scheduled for phakic intraocular lens (pIOL) implantation. A 28-year-old woman presenting with dry eye and reduced ECD would like to have her high myopia (spherical equivalence >−15.0 D) corrected. The procedure of laser refractive surgery or even pIOL was not indicated for the reduced ECD of 1865/mm2 in the right eye and 2188/mm2 in the left eye, as well as level 3 dry eye. Fortunately, the ECD increased to 3144/mm2 in the right eye and 2538/mm2 in the left eye after topical AA was prescribed for one year preoperatively and one month postoperatively, with concomitant improvement of dry eye to level 1. Finally, bilateral pIOL implantation was performed smoothly and no sign of corneal decompensation was found postoperatively. Three months postoperatively, the ECD showed a satisfactory level of 2983/mm2 in the right eye and 3003/mm2 in the left eye. In conclusion, topical AA instillation might increase and maintain the density of central human corneal endothelial cells (HCECs) even after pIOL implantation.

Enhancing the Antioxidant Ability of Trametes versicolor Polysaccharopeptides by an Enzymatic Hydrolysis Process.

Polysaccharopeptides (PSPs) are among the main bioactive constituents of Trametes versicolor (T. versicolor). The purpose of this research was to investigate the antioxidant activities of enzymatic hydrolysates obtained from T. versicolor polysaccharopeptides by 80 U/mL ß-1,3-glucanase (PSPs-EH80). The half-inhibitory concentration (IC50) of PSPs-EH80 in metal chelating assay, ABTS and DPPH radical scavenging test results were 0.83 mg/mL, 0.14 mg/mL and 0.52 mg/mL, respectively, which were lower than that of PSPs-EH 20 U/mL. The molecular weights of the PSPs-EH80 hydrolysates were 300, 190, 140 and 50 kDa, respectively, and the hydrolysis of polysaccharides by ß-1,3-glucanase did not change the original functional group. PSPs-EH80 reduced the reactive oxygen species (ROS) content at least twice that of treatment without PSPs-EH80. In addition, an oxidative damage test showed that PSPs-EH80 can improve HaCaT cell survival. According to our results, PSP demonstrates the potential of anti-oxidative damage; besides, enzyme hydrolysis can improve the ability of the PSP.

Optimization of ultrasonic-assisted extraction of cordycepin from Cordyceps militaris using orthogonal experimental design.

This study reports on the optimization of the extraction conditions of cordycepin from Cordyceps militaris by using ultrasonication. For this purpose, the orthogonal experimental design was used to investigate the effects of factors on the ultrasonic-assisted extraction (UAE). Four factors: extraction time (min), ethanol concentration (%), extraction temperature (°C) and extraction frequency (kHz), were studied. The results showed that the highest cordycepin yield of 7.04 mg/g (86.98% ± 0.23%) was obtained with an extraction time of 60 min, ethanol concentration of 50%, extraction temperature of 65 °C and extraction frequency of 56 kHz. It was found that the cordycepin extraction yield increased with the effect of ultrasonication during the extraction process. Therefore, UAE can be used as an alternative to conventional immersion extraction with respect to the recovery of cordycepin from C. militaris, with the advantages of shorter extraction time and reduced solvent consumption.

Myopic Regression after FS-LASIK and SMILE.

PURPOSE: To compare the degree of myopic regression after myopia correction with either femtosecond laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis (FS-LASIK) or small-incision lenticule extraction (SMILE) over 18 months. METHODS: Patients undergoing FS-LASIK or SMILE surgery for myopia correction were retrospectively recruited. The propensity scores were used to match patients by age and preoperative manifest spherical equivalent (SEQ) from these 2 groups. Myopic regression was analyzed using the Cox proportional hazard model. RESULTS: A total of 416 eyes of 416 patients undergoing FS-LASIK and 416 eyes of 416 patients undergoing SMILE were matched. Using 1-month SEQ as baseline, the SEQ regression values after FS-LASIK were 0D, -0.17 ± 0.69D, -0.24 ± 0.65D, -0.31 ± 0.65D, -0.32 ± 0.63D, and -0.33 ± 0.62D and the SEQ regression values after SMILE were 0D, -0.07 ± 0.75D, -0.18 ± 0.77D, -0.23 ± 0.82 D, -0.21 ± 0.77D, and -0.24 ± 0.68D at 1, 3, 6, 9, 12, and 18 months, respectively. The Cox proportional hazard model showed that preoperative manifest SEQ (P = 0.021) and designed optical zone (P = 0.048) are significant predictors. The selected surgical procedure had no significant effect on predicting myopic regression (P = 0.470). The cumulative survival rates of myopic regression were 54.74% and 42.10% in the FS-LASIK group and 58.66% and 43.83% in the SMILE group, at 12 and 18 months, respectively (log-rank test, P = 0.11). CONCLUSIONS: After matching based on age and preoperative manifest SEQ, we found that higher myopia and a smaller optical zone contribute significantly to the development of myopic regression after undergoing FS-LASIK or SMILE surgery at 18 months. The selected surgical procedure, however, does not affect the likelihood of myopic regression.

The Extents of Coronary Heart Disease and the Severity of Newly Developed Dry Eye Disease: A Nationwide Cohort Study.

This study aimed to evaluate the potential association between coronary heart disease (CHD) severity and the subsequent dry eye disease (DED) with a different severity through the use of the National Health Insurance Research Database (NHIRD) of Taiwan. A retrospective cohort study was conducted. The CHD population was further divided into a severe CHD that had received coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery group and a mild CHD that had received medicine group, then matched with a 1:2 ratio, and 29,852 and 14,926 CHD patients were put into the severe CHD and mild CHD groups, respectively. The primary outcomes were the development of DED and severe DED after CHD diagnosis. The Cox proportional hazards regression was used to produce the adjusted hazard ratio (aHR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) of DED and severe DED between groups. There were 3440 and 1276 DED cases in the mild CHD and severe CHD groups, respectively. And another 37 and 48 severe CHD events were observed in the mild and severe CHD groups, respectively. The incidence of severe DED in the severe CHD group was significantly higher compared to the mild CHD group (aHR: 5.454, 95% CI: 1.551-7.180, p = 0.0001). The cumulative probabilities of DED and severe DED were significantly higher in the severe CHD group than the mild CHD group (both p < 0.0001). In the subgroup analysis, the correlation between severe CHD and DED was higher in the patients aged older than 70 years (p < 0.0001). In conclusion, severe CHD is associated with a higher incidence of severe DED with a higher cumulative incidence.

The Association between Ovarian Cancer and the Incidence of Newly Developed Dry Eye Disease: A Nationwide Population-Based Study.

We aim to investigate the potential correlation between the presence of ovarian cancer and the development of dry eye disease (DED) via the usage of the Longitudinal Health Insurance Database (LHID) of Taiwan. A retrospective cohort study was executed, and patients with ovarian cancer were selected according to the diagnostic and procedure codes. One ovarian cancer patient was matched to four non-ovarian cancer participants which served as control group, and a total of 4992 and 19,968 patients constructed the ovarian cancer and control groups, respectively. The primary outcome in the current study is the development of DED according to the diagnostic and procedure codes. Cox proportional hazard regression was utilized to produce the adjusted hazard ratio (aHR) and related 95% confidence interval (CI) of DED between the two groups. There were 542 and 2502 DED events observed in the ovarian cancer group and the control group, respectively. The ovarian cancer group illustrated a significantly higher incidence of DED development than the control group after the adjustment of several confounders (aHR: 1.10, 95% CI: 1.01-1.21, p = 0.040). In the subgroup analysis stratified by age, ovarian cancer patients aged older than 60 years showed a higher incidence of DED compared to the non-ovarian cancer population (aHR: 1.19, 95% CI: 1.08-1.28, p = 0.011). In addition, ovarian cancer patients with a disease duration longer than five years also showed higher incidence of DED formation than the non-ovarian cancer population (aHR: 1.13, 95% CI: 1.04-1.22, p = 0.027). In conclusion, the presence of ovarian cancer is associated with higher incidence of subsequent DED, especially in those older than 60 years and with a disease interval of more than five years.

The Effect of Myopic Control between the Dual-Focus Contact Lenses and High-Concentration Atropine in an Asian Population.

We aim to investigate the myopic control effect of high-concentration atropine (ATR) and dual-focus contact lenses (DFCLs). A retrospective cohort study was conducted. A total of 182 eyes in 91 individuals who used high-concentration ATR (0.125%) and another 70 eyes in 35 individuals who used DFCLs were enrolled in the ATR and DFCL groups, respectively. The primary outcomes were spherical equivalent refraction (SER) progression and axial length (AXL) elongation. The generalized estimate equation was utilized to yield the adjusted odds ratio (aOR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) of cycloplegic SER progression and AXL elongation between groups. According to the multivariable analysis, the change in cycloplegic SER progression was similar between the DFCL and ATR groups (aOR: 1.305, 95% CI: 0.247-2.515, p = 0.803). The DFCL group demonstrated a numerically higher rate of AXL elongation compared to the ATR group (aOR: 1.530, 95% CI: 0.980-1.894, p = 0.051). In the subgroup analysis, cycloplegic SER progression was insignificant between ATR and DFCL users in different subgroups (all p > 0.05). The DFCL patients with moderate astigmatism and high AXL (both p < 0.001) presented a high risk of AXL elongation. In conclusion, DFCL usage demonstrated similar myopic control of cycloplegic SER and AXL compared to high-concentration ATR, while DFCLs showed lower AXL control, mainly in patients with moderate astigmatism and high AXL.

The use of sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors and the incidence of uveitis in type 2 diabetes: a population-based cohort study.

Introduction: To survey the potential correlation between the application of sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors and the incidence of uveitis in individuals with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Material and methods: A retrospective cohort study using the National Health Insurance Research Database (NHIRD) was conducted. The T2DM patients using SGLT2 inhibitors and those taking other anti-diabetic medications were assigned to the SGLT2 group and the control group, respectively, with a 1 : 2 ratio via the propensity score-matching (PSM) method. The major outcome in this study is the development of uveitis according to the diagnostic codes. The Cox proportional hazard regression was adopted to yield the adjusted hazard ratio (aHR) with 95% confidence interval (CI) between the groups. Results: There were 147 and 371 new uveitis episodes in the SGLT2 and control groups after the follow-up period up to 5 years. The incidence of uveitis in the SGLT2 group (aHR = 0.736, 95% CI: 0.602-0.899, p = 0.0007) was significantly lower than that in the control group after adjusting for the effect of all the confounders. In the subgroup analyses, the SGLT2 inhibitors showed a higher correlation with low uveitis incidence in T2DM patients aged under 50 than T2DM individuals aged over 50 years (p = 0.0012), while the effect of SGLT2 inhibitors on the incidence of anterior and posterior uveitis development was similar (p = 0.7993). Conclusions: The use of SGLT2 inhibitors could be an independent protective factor for uveitis development in T2DM population.

Topographic and Surgical Risk Factors for Early Myopic Regression between Small Incision Lenticule Extraction and Laser In Situ Keratomileusis.

Our objective was to evaluate the topographic and surgical factors of early myopic regression between laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) and small-incision lenticule extraction (SMILE). A retrospective case-control study was conducted, and 368 and 92 eyes were enrolled in the LASIK and SMILE groups via propensity score matching (PSM). Visual acuity, refractive status, axial length, and topographic/surgical parameters were collected. Multiple linear regression was applied to the yield coefficient and the 95% confidence interval (CI) of the parameters. The cumulative incidence of early myopic regression was higher in the LASIK group (p < 0.001). In the SMILE group, a lower central corneal thickness (CCT) thinnest value and a higher corneal cylinder associated with early myopic regression were observed; meanwhile, in the LASIK group, a lower CCT thinnest value, a higher steep corneal curvature, a larger optic zone, and a lower flap thickness related to early myopic regression were observed (all p < 0.05). In the SMILE group, a higher CCT difference correlated with early myopic regression was observed compared to the LASIK group (p = 0.030), and higher steep corneal curvature and lower cap/flap thickness (both p < 0.05) correlated with early myopic regression were observed in the LASIK group compared to the SMILE group. In conclusion, CCT differences significantly influence early myopic regression in the SMILE group; meanwhile, corneal curvature and flap thickness affect early myopic regression principally in the LASIK group.

Risk Factors for Corneal Endothelial Decompensation after Penetrating Keratoplasty: A Population-Based Cohort Study.

(1) Background: Endothelial decompensation is a common complication after penetrating keratopathy (PK), while the risk factors for endothelial decompensation after PK have not been fully elucidated. Consequently, we aim to investigate the possible risk factors for endothelial decompensation after PK. (2) Methods: This retrospective study was conducted using the National Health Insurance Research Database (NHIRD) of Taiwan. The main outcome was the development of endothelial decompensation after PK surgery. The effects of potential risk factors were compared between the patients with endothelial decompensation and the patients without endothelial decompensation via Cox proportional hazard regression, which produced the adjusted hazard ratio (aHR) and a 95% confidence interval (CI). (3) Results: Overall, 54 patients developed endothelial decompensation after PK surgery, with a ratio of 16.12 percent. The pre-existing type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) (aHR: 1.924, 95% CI: 1.257-2.533, p = 0.0095) and history of cataract surgery (aHR: 1.687, 95% CI: 1.328-2.440, p = 0.0026) were correlated with the development of endothelial decompensation. In the subgroup analysis, the correlation between a history of cataract surgery and post-PK endothelial decompensation was more prominent in patients older than 60 years compared to their younger counterparts (p = 0.0038). (4) Conclusions: Pre-existing T2DM and a history of cataract surgery are associated with a higher incidence of post-PK endothelial decompensation.