Effect of Topical Instillation of Pegaptanib Sodium Upon Inflammatory Corneal Neovascularization in Rabbits.

Purpose: To evaluate the effect of topical instillation of pegaptanib sodium upon inflammatory angiogenesis induced in the rabbit cornea by alkaline cauterization. Methods: Inflammatory angiogenesis was induced by alkaline (sodium hydroxide) cauterization in the corneas of 29 male New Zealand rabbits. The animals were divided into 4 groups: a control group treated with 0.5% carboxymethylcellulose sodium eye drops, a group treated with 1.0% prednisolone acetate eye drops, a group treated with 0.5% pegaptanib sodium diluted in 15 mL 0.5% carboxymethylcellulose sodium, and a group treated with 1.0% pegaptanib sodium diluted in 15 mL 0.5% carboxymethylcellulose sodium. After cauterization, eye drops were administered every 12 hours for 21 days. The animals were evaluated every 3 days after cauterization, and the newly formed vessels were quantified from photographs. The treatment effectiveness was analyzed with 3 parameters of antiangiogenic response: neovascularization area (NA), total vascular length (TVL), and number of blood vessels (BVN). Results: Average NA, TVL, and BVN values were significantly higher in both pegaptanib groups than in the prednisolone group. A nonstatistically significant reduction in parameters on days 18 and 21 was the minimum achieved in both pegaptanib groups. The efficacy of the treatments in relation to the control was significantly greater in the prednisolone group than in the 0.5% pegaptanib group or the 1.0% pegaptanib group (P < 0.001). Conclusion: Topical instillation of 0.5% and 1.0% pegaptanib sodium diluted in 15 mL 0.5% carboxymethylcellulose sodium had no inhibitory effect on corneal neovascularization in this rabbit model.

A Novel Mobile Application for Preoperative and Intraoperative Assessments of Intrastromal Corneal Ring Segments Implantation for Keratoconus.

PURPOSE: To develop a mobile app that allows photographs to be captured and edited under the overlay of images and projection of a protractor with 360 degrees axis markings, which enables the surgeon to accurately visualize the programmed and marked alignment where the intrastromal corneal ring segments (ICRS) will be implanted, detecting possible marking errors. METHODS: A codesign methodology was chosen to develop the Eye Axis Check application. After app development, measurements were obtained, and comparisons were made between manual marks and ICRS alignment with and without the app in 13 eyes that had undergone ICRS implantation for keratoconus. The mobile app was made available to 15 ophthalmic surgeons in different cities to assess its usability. RESULTS: The users approved the developed application for ease of use and utility. No difference was found between the markings made manually and those made with the app, and the mean difference between ICRS centralization and assessment made by the app was 4.84 degrees (95% confidence interval: -5.32 to 15.01; P = 0.3193). On comparison of the agreement between app measurements and manual measurements for the ICRS centration, no significant differences were found, and excellent concordance (0.991) and a strong positive linear correlation (0.984) were observed. CONCLUSIONS: A mobile app for preoperative planning and intraoperative ICRS alignment was developed and revealed to be useful and easy to use, allowing the surgeon to visualize the programmed alignment where the ICRS will be implanted.

Mobile App for Pre- and Intraoperative Assessment of Astigmatism Correction with Toric Intraocular Lenses in Cataract Surgery.

PURPOSE: To develop a mobile app that allows capturing and editing of photographs, performs image transposition and projection of a protractor with 360° axis markings, and permits accurate visualization of programmed alignment for the positioning of toric intraocular lenses (IOLs). METHODS: In this prospective case series study, a codesign methodology was chosen to develop the Eye Axis Check application. After app development, measurements were obtained and comparisons were made between manual marks and toric IOL alignment without and with the app in 30 eyes that had undergone cataract surgery with toric IOLs. The mobile app was made available to 15 ophthalmic surgeons in different cities to assess its usability. RESULTS: The users approved the developed application for its ease of use and utility. The mean difference between the markings made manually and those made with the app was 1° (±2°; range: 0°-5°), and the mean difference between the IOL position and the assessment made by the app was 3° (±3°; range: 0°-12°). Upon comparison of the agreement between the app measurements and the manual measurements for the IOL angle, no significant differences were found, and an excellent concordance (0.997) and a strong positive linear correlation (0.995) were observed. CONCLUSION: A mobile app for preoperative planning and intraoperative toric IOL alignment was developed and revealed to be useful and easy to use.