Change in Subfoveal Choroidal Thickness following Cataract Surgery Imaged with Enhanced Depth Imaging Optical Coherence Tomography.

BACKGROUND: Due to its invasive nature, cataract surgery can lead to inflammatory processes in the posterior segment, which can result in prolonged recovery times, reduced functional outcomes, and late-onset complications. The aim of the current study was to identify wherever phacoemulsification parameters play a role in choroidal thickness change following cataract surgery. METHODS: This prospective single-center study enrolled 31 patients (31 eyes) scheduled to undergo routine cataract surgery. Patients with previous ocular surgeries, pathologies or general disorders affecting vision were excluded. Patients were examined preoperatively, as well as 1, 4, and 12 weeks after surgery. Corrected distance visual acuity (CDVA), intraocular pressure (IOP) as well as cumulative dissipated energy (CDE), ultrasound time (UT), and fluids used during surgery were recorded. Subfoveal choroidal thickness was measured manually by two masked independent experts using enhanced depth imaging (EDI) optical coherence tomography (OCT). Furthermore, cataract density was automatically calculated using a custom MATLAB script and an anterior segment OCT. RESULTS: Subfoveal choroidal thickness increased significantly (p < 0.001, Student's paired sample t-test) and continuously during the 12-week-long follow-up period. Both the nuclear lens density and the improvement in CDVA correlated significantly with this increase (r = 0.413, p = 0.021 and r = 0.421, p = 0.018, respectively). Neither the CDE (r = 0.334, p = 0.071), the UT (r = 0.102, p = 0.629), the amount of fluid used (r = 0.237, p = 0.27) nor the decrease in IOP (r = - 0.197, p = 0.288) showed any significant correlation with the choroidal swelling. CONCLUSION: Cataract surgery leads to an increase in subfoveal choroidal thickness. While no statistically significant correlation to the phacoemulsification parameters could be established, this might be because of a selection bias due to the technological constraints of the OCT. Nevertheless, the choroid might play a central role in early- and late-onset complications.

Preloaded injectors used in a clinical study: videographic assessment and laboratory analysis of injector nozzle damage.

PURPOSE: To evaluate quality and duration of implantation of 2 preloaded intraocular lens (IOL) injectors and assess postimplantation damage. SETTING: The David J. Apple Center for Vision Research, Department of Ophthalmology, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany. DESIGN: Prospective, randomized, comparative study with laboratory investigation. METHODS: Implantation videos and postuse injectors from 60 paired eyes of 30 bilateral cataract patients were included. Patient eyes were randomly assigned for implantation with 2 different preloaded injectors: the AutonoMe with a Clareon IOL (Alcon Laboratories, Inc.) and the iSert with a Vivinex IOL (Hoya Corp.). Videos were reviewed for events during the implantation procedure, and the duration of each step of implantation. Injector nozzles were examined under light and scanning electron microscopy. Damage was graded and correlated with the IOL power. Three months postoperatively IOLs were assessed for material changes. RESULTS: IOL delivery was without any critical events in 60 of the 60 eyes. The implantation took 56 seconds with the AutonoMe and 44 seconds with the iSert (P < .05). Most AutonoMe injectors (29; 97%) showed no damage or slight deformation. In most of the iSert injectors (25; 80%), short or extended cracks were present, and damage lengths correlated with the IOL power. All IOLs were free of material changes, including glistenings, 3 months postoperatively. CONCLUSIONS: Both preloaded IOL injectors allowed a safe and convenient IOL delivery. Implantation of the Clareon IOL took, on average, slightly longer than that of the Vivinex IOL, mostly due to a slower IOL unfolding. The AutonoMe showed less nozzle tip damage than that of the iSert.

Clinical Outcomes of a New Hybrid Monofocal IOL With Extended Depth of Focus.

PURPOSE: To evaluate a new extended depth of focus intraocular lens (IOL), the xact Mono-EDOF ME4 (Santen Pharmaceuticals), Conformitè Europëenne-marked as a monofocal IOL, which has four diffractive rings intended to enhance intermediate vision. METHODS: Results are reported for 47 IOLs implanted in 28 patients who underwent cataract surgery and implantation of the xact Mono-EDOF ME4 IOL in one (9 patients) or both (19 patients) eyes. Postoperative follow-up examinations included visual acuity testing (monocular and binocular; uncorrected distance visual acuity [UDVA], corrected distance visual acuity [CDVA], uncorrected intermediate visual acuity [UIVA], distance-corrected intermediate visual acuity [DCIVA]), defocus curve and contrast sensitivity testing, and dysphotopsia evaluation. RESULTS: Follow-up at 6 months postoperatively revealed a monocular UDVA of 0.08 ± 0.15 logMAR, binocular UDVA of -0.02 ± 0.09 logMAR, monocular CDVA of -0.07 ± 0.08 logMAR, binocular CDVA of -0.09 ± 0.09 logMAR, monocular UIVA (70 cm) of 0.18 ± 0.16 logMAR, binocular UIVA (70 cm) of 0.09 ± 0.12 logMAR, monocular DCIVA (70 cm) of 0.25 ± 0.14 logMAR, and binocular DCIVA (70 cm) of 0.13 ± 0.11 logMAR. Defocus curve testing demonstrated a functional defocus of 1.25 diopters at 0.20 logMAR for monocular and 1.50 diopters at 0.20 logMAR for binocular testing. The contrast sensitivity corresponded to the age-appropriate normal values. Patients reported low levels of halo and glare. CONCLUSIONS: The xact Mono-EDOF ME4 IOL showed good functional results for far and intermediate distance visual acuity while inducing a low level of photic phenomena. [J Refract Surg. 2021;37(9):601-608.].

Implantation of an Artificial Endothelial Layer for Treatment of Chronic Corneal Edema.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to describe a novel device that may serve as an alternative to Descemet membrane endothelial keratoplasty (DMEK) for the treatment of chronic corneal edema. METHODS: The EndoArt (EyeYon Medical, Israel) is a flexible, 50-µm thin artificial endothelial layer that matches the cornea's posterior curvature and functions as a fluid barrier at the posterior stroma, replacing the diseased endothelium. Similar to a DMEK approach, it is implanted into the anterior chamber, carefully positioned on the posterior stroma, and secured using an air-gas mixture. Two patients with chronic corneal edema resulting from endothelial decompensation underwent implantation of the new artificial lamella. RESULTS: In patient 1, the central corneal thickness (CCT) decreased from 730 µm preoperatively to 593 µm at 1 day postoperatively. In patient 2, the CCT decreased from 761 µm preoperatively to 487 µm at 1 day postoperatively. Both patients reported high satisfaction and an overall brighter visual quality. Although dislocation of the lamella occurred in both cases, the CCT was promptly restored after a repositioning procedure and remained stable at the 17-month follow-up (CCT of 526 and 457 µm for patients 1 and 2, respectively). In contrast to DMEK donor tissue, the artificial lamella is sufficiently robust to allow easy intraocular manipulation without the risk of damaging the implant. It is easily removable and does not require any immunosuppressive treatment because of its nonbiological nature. CONCLUSIONS: Implantation of the EndoArt led to rapid corneal deturgescence and CCT restoration, presenting a possible option for patients with chronic corneal edema.

Injection time related to intraocular pressure using a CO2 driven preloaded injector: An experimental laboratory study.

PURPOSE: Experimental study to measure the intraocular lens (IOL) injection time and injection speed at different intraocular pressure (IOP) settings when using the AutonoMe® injector. METHODS: In this experimental study, following phacoemulsification in porcine cadaver eyes, a trocar was inserted at pars plana with a connected infusion and IOPs of 20, 50 and 80 mmHg were generated by altering the infusion height. Twelve CO2 gas-driven injectors were used to implant an IOL via a corneal incision of 2.2 mm. For each IOP setting, the duration of the IOL injection and the injection speed was measured by analyzing a video recording of the procedure. RESULTS: The mean ±SD injection time (seconds) was 4.47±0.50 at 20 mmHg, 4.98±0.55 at 50 mmHg and 5.47±0.20 at 80 mmHg. The mean ±SD injection speed (millimeters per seconds) was 1.36±0.15 at 20 mmHg, 1.22±0.14 at 50 mmHg and 1.10±0.04 at 80 mmHg. There was a significant (p<0.05) difference between the 20 and 80 mmHg groups in mean injection duration and injection speed. CONCLUSION: The CO2 gas driven injector allows a safe IOL injection even at elevated IOP. Although the implantation time is slightly extended at higher IOPs, this does not seem to be clinically relevant. No IOL damage was observed at these pressure settings.

The impact of glistenings on the optical quality of a hydrophobic acrylic intraocular lens.

PURPOSE: To study the effect of glistenings on the optical quality of a hydrophobic acrylic intraocular lens (IOL). SETTING: David J. Apple Laboratory, Heidelberg, Germany. DESIGN: An in vitro laboratory study. METHODS: An accelerated aging protocol was used to induce glistenings (microvacuoles) in 38 hydrophobic acrylic IOLs. The IOLs were warmed to 45°C and then cooled to 37°C. Image analysis of light-microcopy photographs determined the number and size of microvacuoles (MV). A classification was applied based on the glistening number per mm2: grade 0 (none), grade 1 (1-100), grade 2 (101-200), grade 3 (201-500) and grade 4 (more than 500). An optical bench was used to measure each IOL's modulation transfer function (MTF) and Strehl ratio to evaluate the impact of glistenings on image quality. RESULTS: Glistenings were observed in all IOLs. The mean glistening numbers ± SD (MV/mm2) in grades 1 through 4 were 74 ± 12.7, 142 ± 22.2, 297 ± 76.2, and 1509 ± 311.9, respectively. The mean glistening sizes in grades 1 through 4 were 13.28 ± 3.85 µm, 15.88 ± 2.08 µm, 16.85 ± 3.23 µm, and 15.27 ± 2.25 µm, respectively. Statistical analysis showed that grades 1 through 3 did not change the optical quality; however, in grade 4, the MTF and the Strehl ratio were significantly affected. CONCLUSION: A limited number of glistenings (<500 MV/mm2) had no effect on the image quality. Although statistically significant deteriorations in the MTF and the Strehl ratio were observed in grade 4, the effects found were small and are unlikely to affect the visual quality.