Corneal High-Order Aberrations in Fuchs Endothelial Corneal Dystrophy and Subclinical Corneal Edema.

PURPOSE: High-order aberrations (HOAs) are known to be increased in corneas with Fuchs endothelial dystrophy (FECD) and are associated with visual impairment. This case series aimed to analyze whether tomographic changes in FECD affect the HOA in the early period of the disease. METHODS: In this retrospective single-center case series, 144 eyes of 85 patients were included, of which 78 eyes of 47 patients with FECD with slit-lamp biomicroscopically visible guttae but no visible corneal edema served as the study-cohort. According to Sun et al, included eyes were divided into 2 groups: group 0 (n = 28; no subclinical corneal edema) and group 1 (n = 50; subclinical corneal edema). A total of 66 healthy eyes of 38 patients served as control group. Mean values and standard deviations were calculated for the root mean square (RMS), coma, trefoil and spherical aberrations (SA) of the cornea (C), the anterior surface (CF), and the posterior surface (CB). RESULTS: Statistically significant differences (P < 0.001) in the RMS HOA (group 0: 0.209 ± 0.044 µm, group 1: 0.372 ± 0.122 µm) and in coma (group 0: 0.082 ± 0.054 µm, group 1: 0.214 ± 0.101 µm) and SA (group 0: -0.130 ± 0.038 µm, group 1: -0.176 ± 0.074 µm) of the CB were found in eyes in group 1 versus those in group 0. There were no statistically significant differences in HOA between the control group and eyes in group 0. CONCLUSIONS: FECD eyes with subclinical corneal edema demonstrated significant increase in RMS, coma, and SA of the CB. Tomographic analysis, therefore, helps in visual impairment assessment, disease progression, and decision-making for early endothelial keratoplasty in patients with FECD.

Evaluation of Dry Eye Treatment with Sodium Hyaluronate- and Dexpanthenol-Containing Eye Drops on Ocular Surface Improvement after Cataract Surgery.

BACKGROUND: To clinically evaluate how dry eye symptoms in preoperatively diagnosed dry eye patients change with the use of sodium hyaluronate- and dexpanthenol-containing eye drops (HYLO CARE (HC), URSAPHARM Arzneimittel GmbH, Saarbruecken, Germany) after cataract surgery. The aim of the study was not to compare different eye drops but to implement standard treatment in patients with dry eye undergoing cataract surgery. The impact of treatment was evaluated using Symptom Assessment Tools for Dry Eye. METHODS: In this prospective, single-center, open-label clinical trial, 49 patients undergoing cataract surgery were included who showed signs and symptoms of dry eye disease assessed by the Symptom Assessment in Dry Eye (Visual Analogue Scale (VAS)) questionnaire, Ocular Surface Disease Index (OSDI), and fluorescein tear break-up Time (TBUT). Patients were instructed to apply HC three to four times a day for 5 weeks in the operated eye in addition to the standard postoperative topical anti-inflammatory regimen. The primary endpoint was the change in TBUT. Secondary endpoints were the assessment of the subjective symptoms (VAS), corrected distance visual acuity (CDVA), and slit-lamp examination including the corneal staining score, Schirmer test, and intraocular pressure. RESULTS: At 5 weeks after operation, the mean TBUT increased from 6.42 ± 1.57 s (s) to 7.81 ± 1.83 s in the per-protocol (PP) population (p > 0.001) and from 6.33 ± 1.64 s to 7.71 ± 2.05 s in the intention-to-treat (ITT) population (p < 0.001). There was a statistically significant decrease in all scores (p < 0.05) from the VAS questionnaire except for the tearing score (p = 0.062) at 5 weeks after operation. The mean total corneal staining score also decreased statistically significantly from 8.85 ± 2.49 before operation to 5.61 ± 3.37 at 5 weeks after operation on a 15-point scale. CONCLUSIONS: Controlled standardized dry eye treatment (with HC) improved tear film stability, ocular surface defects, and subjective symptoms of dry eye disease in patients 5 weeks after undergoing cataract surgery. Both the patient and physician assessments indicated high efficacy, tolerability, and a reliable safety profile, as indicated by the low number of at least possibly related adverse events (AE), suggesting its beneficial role in the postoperative management of the ocular surface (OS) in patients with dry eye symptoms prior to and after cataract surgery.

Ectasia Detection by Anterior Segment Optical Coherence Tomography in Scheimpflug Tomographically Normal Keratoconus Fellow Eyes.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to determine whether the Scheimpflug tomographically normal fellow eyes of keratoconus patients are also classified as normal using an ectasia screening algorithm based on anterior segment optical coherence tomography (AS-OCT). METHODS: This monocentric cross-sectional study included 22 very asymmetric ectasia patients with tomographically significant keratoconus in 1 eye and normal Scheimpflug tomography in the fellow eye. Twenty-two eyes of 22 healthy subjects served as a control group. We performed corneal tomography using Pentacam AXL (Oculus, Wetzlar, Germany) and used Belin/Ambrósio Enhanced Ectasia total deviation index as well as Belin ABCD keratoconus classification to identify Scheimpflug tomographically normal eyes. We also performed AS-OCT using Anterion (Heidelberg Engineering, Heidelberg, Germany) and analyzed for the presence of ectasia using the Screening Corneal Objective Risk of Ectasia (SCORE) algorithm, with positive values indicating ectasia suspect tomography. RESULTS: The SCORE value was positive in 9.1% (n = 2) of the healthy eyes, in 45.5% (n = 10) of the Scheimpflug tomographically normal eyes of keratoconus patients and in all eyes (n = 22) with tomographically significant keratoconus. The Scheimpflug tomographically normal eyes of keratoconus patients had higher SCORE values compared with healthy controls (P < 0.001). The median (interquartile range) SCORE value was -1.7 (1.3) in healthy controls, -0.5 (2.2) in Scheimpflug tomographically normal eyes of keratoconus patients, and 11.1 (11.0) in tomographically significant keratoconus eyes. CONCLUSIONS: The Scheimpflug tomographically normal fellow eyes of keratoconus patients had higher AS-OCT-based SCORE values than healthy controls, with positive SCORE values found in 46% of the eyes, indicating early tomographic ectatic changes.

Longitudinal Evaluation of Biomechanical Indices in Fellow Eyes of Patients With Keratoconus Classified as Having Very Asymmetric Ectasia With Normal Topography.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the biomechanical longitudinal variability and progression of tomographically normal fellow eyes of patients with keratoconus. METHODS: Of 513 patients with keratoconus, 30 patients with tomographically normal fellow eyes were included in this study. Tomographic and biomechanical parameters of the Pentacam and Corvis ST (Oculus Optikgeräte GmbH) were analyzed in multiple follow-up examinations, including the ABCD grading, Belin/Ambrósio Enhanced Ectasia total deviation index (BAD-D), Corvis Biomechanical Index (CBI), Corvis Biomechanical Factor (CBiF), and Tomographic and Biomechanical Index (TBI). A mixed regression model was applied. The results were compared to a healthy control group (n = 17) and a keratoconus group (n = 20). RESULTS: Within a maximum observation period of 3.3 years, no fellow eye (0%) showed a progression to tomographically evident keratoconus. No significant change in tomographic or biomechanical parameters was detected over the study period. The indices BAD-D, CBI, CbiF, and TBI exhibited a certain variability over time, whereas the tomographic ABC parameters and maximum keratometry barely changed. This was also shown in the control group and for all parameters in the keratoconus group, except the TBI. CONCLUSIONS: During the observation period none of the normal fellow eyes progressed to tomographically detectable keratoconus. However, biomechanical parameters CBI, CbiF, and TBI showed pathological values in 43.3% of eyes and certain variability. Subsequent studies with a longer observation period are warranted to confirm the biomechanical trends seen in this study and to rate the ability of single measurements to diagnose early keratoconus. [J Refract Surg. 2024;40(1):e48-e56.].

Rotational Stability of Toric Capsular Bag-Fixated Intraocular Lenses in Duet Procedure for Reversible Trifocality.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the long-term rotational stability of capsular bag-fixated toric intraocular lenses (IOLs) in polypseudophakic eyes of patients who underwent duet procedure for reversible trifocality. DESIGN: Retrospective interventional case series. METHODS: We included 34 eyes of 20 patients who underwent duet procedure with implantation of a monofocal toric IOL (RayOne toric, Hoya XY1AT, or a Tecnis ZCT800) into the capsular bag and a trifocal-diffractive Sulcoflex IOL into the ciliary sulcus. All toric IOLs were implanted with image-guided navigation. The manifest refraction and uncorrected and distance corrected visual acuity at far, intermediate, and near distance were measured. The position of the axis of the toric IOL was determined with the Pentacam device (Oculus GmbH) by evaluating retroillumination images. The results were compared with the preoperatively planned axis position. RESULTS: The median follow-up was 27 months. The spherical equivalent of manifest refraction was -0.04 ± 0.34 diopters (D) postoperatively, and the refractive cylinder was -0.14 ± 0.22 D on average. Binocular uncorrected and corrected distance visual acuity were 0.05 ± 0.11 logMAR and 0.02 ± 0.09 logMAR, respectively. The mean deviation from the calculated cylinder axis was 3.8° ± 3.5° with a median of 2.8° and a maximum deviation of 15.0°. Ninety-four percent of all eyes showed a deviation of less than 10°. CONCLUSIONS: The long-term axial alignment of capsular bag-fixated toric IOLs in polypseudophakic eyes was comparable to the results reported for single implantation of toric IOLs. The polypseudophakic approach did not affect the rotational stability of capsular bag-fixated IOLs.

Biomechanical Analysis of Tomographically Regular Keratoconus Fellow Eyes Using Corvis ST. / Biomechanische Analyse von tomografisch unauffälligen Keratokonus-Partneraugen mit dem Corvis ST.

BACKGROUND: Keratoconus is a bilateral, yet asymmetric disease. In rare cases, the second eye may show no signs of tomographic changes. The purpose of this study was to analyze the biomechanical characteristics in tomographically regular keratoconus fellow eyes. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This retrospective, consecutive case series analyzed 916 eyes of 458 patients who presented to our keratoconus clinic between November 2020 and October 2022. Primary outcome measures included best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), tomographic Scheimpflug analysis using Pentacam AXL (Oculus, Wetzlar, Germany), and biomechanical assessment using Corvis ST (Oculus, Wetzlar, Germany). Tomographic changes were assessed via analysis of the anterior and posterior curvature, K-max, thinnest corneal thickness (TCT), the Belin/Ambrosio Deviation Display (BAD-D), and the ABCD-Grading. Biomechanical changes were analyzed using Corvis Biomechanical Index (CBI) and Tomographic Biomechanical Index (TBI). RESULTS: Of 916 eyes, 34 tomographically regular fellow eyes (7.4%) were identified and included in the analysis. Overall, the mean BCVA was - 0.02 ± 0.13 logMAR. Tomographic analysis showed mean K-max of 43.87 ± 1.21 D, mean TCT of 532 ± 23 µm, and mean BAD-D of 1.02 ± 0.43. Biomechanical analysis demonstrated mean CBI of 0.28 ± 0.26 and mean TBI of 0.34 ± 0.30. While normal CBI-values were observed in 16 (47%) of 34 eyes, only 13 eyes (38%) showed a regular TBI and only 7 eyes (21%) showed regular TBI and CBI. The sensitivity of CBI and TBI to detect a tomographically normal keratoconus fellow eye was 53% and 62%, respectively. CONCLUSION: A highly asymmetric corneal ectasia with regular tomographic finding in a fellow eye is rare among keratoconus patients. In such cases, a biomechanical analysis may be useful in detecting early signs of corneal ectasia. In our analysis, the TBI showed high sensitivity for detecting a biomechanical abnormality in tomographically regular fellow eyes.

Functional outcomes after bilateral refractive lens exchange with a continuous-range-of-vision intraocular lens.

PURPOSE: To clinically evaluate a diffractive continuous-range-of-vision intraocular lens (IOL) that combines bifocal and extended depth-of-focus technologies in refractive lens exchange (RLE) patients. SETTING: University eye clinic. DESIGN: Prospective interventional clinical study. METHODS: Bilateral implantation of the TECNIS Synergy IOL was performed during a RLE procedure in 28 patients. At 3 months postoperatively, uncorrected (UDVA) and corrected (CDVA) distance visual acuities, uncorrected (UIVA) and distance-corrected (DCIVA) intermediate visual acuities at 80 cm, and uncorrected (UNVA) and distance-corrected (DCNVA) near visual acuities at 40 cm were assessed. Defocus curve testing and contrast sensitivity testing were also performed. RESULTS: Binocular UDVA and CDVA of 56 eyes (28 patients) were -0.06 ± 0.07 logMAR and -0.13 ± 0.05 logMAR, respectively. UIVA and DCIVA were -0.06 ± 0.05 logMAR and -0.08 ± 0.06 logMAR, and UNVA and DCNVA were -0.01 ± 0.07 logMAR and -0.04 ± 0.07 logMAR. The defocus curve revealed a visual acuity of 0.10 logMAR or better from +0.50 to -3.00 diopters (D). Photopic contrast sensitivity at spatial frequencies 3.0, 6.0, 12.0, and 18.0 was 1.68 ± 0.20, 1.77 ± 0.19, 1.45 ± 0.18, and 1.02 ± 0.19 log units, respectively. Mesopic contrast sensitivity at the same frequencies was 1.56 ± 0.20, 1.44 ± 0.25, 0.92 ± 0.38, and 0.44 ± 0.37, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The Synergy IOL provided very good distance, intermediate, and near visual outcomes. A visual acuity of 0.10 logMAR or better was achieved from +0.50 to -3.0 D. Contrast sensitivity was within the normal range.

Enlargement of main corneal incision: clinical intraindividual comparison of two preloaded intraocular lens injectors.

PURPOSE: To compare the enlargement of the clear corneal incision from IOL implantation with 2 different intraocular lens (IOL) injectors: the AutonoMe preloaded with the Clareon IOL and the Multisert preloaded with the Vivinex IOL. SETTING: The David J. Apple Center for Vision Research, Department of Ophthalmology, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany. DESIGN: Prospective randomized clinical comparative study. METHODS: 96 eyes of 48 patients with cataract were intraindividually randomized to treatment with 1 of the 2 injectors. For Multisert eyes, the insert shield (IS) was used in the advanced position in 23 eyes. The initial incision was 2.2 mm, and intraoperative measurements of the incision size were made before and after IOL injection. 3 months postoperatively, keratometry and uncorrected (UDVA) and corrected (CDVA) distance visual acuities were assessed. RESULTS: Results are reported for 96 eyes of 48 patients. The mean incision enlargement was 0.213 ± 0.068 mm in the Multisert with the IS group, 0.265 ± 0.055 mm in the fellow eyes (AutonoMe) ( P < .05), 0.272 ± 0.060 mm in Multisert eyes treated without the IS, and 0.296 ± 0.066 mm for the fellow eyes (AutonoMe) ( P > .05). The mean absolute surgically induced astigmatism was 0.42 ± 0.23 diopters (D), 0.50 ± 0.25 D, and 0.44 ± 0.18 D in the Multisert with the IS, Multisert without the IS, and AutonoMe group, respectively ( P > .05). The UDVA and CDVA were comparable in all groups. CONCLUSIONS: The Multisert was associated with less wound enlargement than the AutonoMe. All groups had comparable functional outcomes. Therefore, the observed difference in incision enlargement may be of limited clinical relevance.