Toric Monofocal Intraocular Lenses for the Correction of Astigmatism during Cataract Surgery: A Report by the American Academy of Ophthalmology.

PURPOSE: To review the published literature evaluating the visual and refractive outcomes and rotational stability of eyes implanted with toric monofocal intraocular lenses (IOLs) for the correction of keratometric astigmatism during cataract surgery and to compare those outcomes with outcomes of eyes implanted with nontoric monofocal IOLs and other astigmatism management methods performed during cataract surgery. This assessment was restricted to the toric IOLs available in the United States. METHODS: A literature search of English-language publications in the PubMed database was last conducted in July 2022. The search identified 906 potentially relevant citations, and after review of the abstracts, 63 were selected for full-text review. Twenty-one studies ultimately were determined to be relevant to the assessment criteria and were selected for inclusion. The panel methodologist assigned each a level of evidence rating; 12 studies were rated level I and 9 studies were rated level II. RESULTS: Eyes implanted with toric IOLs showed excellent postoperative uncorrected distance visual acuity (UCDVA), reduction of postoperative refractive astigmatism, and good rotational stability. Uncorrected distance visual acuity was better and postoperative cylinder was lower with toric IOLs, regardless of manufacturer, when compared with nontoric monofocal IOLs. Correcting pre-existing astigmatism with toric IOLs was more effective and predictable than using corneal relaxing incisions (CRIs), especially in the presence of higher magnitudes of astigmatism. CONCLUSIONS: Toric monofocal IOLs are effective in neutralizing pre-existing corneal astigmatism at the time of cataract surgery and result in better UCDVA and significant reductions in postoperative refractive astigmatism compared with nontoric monofocal IOLs. Toric IOLs result in better astigmatic correction than CRIs, particularly at high magnitudes of astigmatism. FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE(S): Proprietary or commercial disclosure may be found in the Footnotes and Disclosures at the end of this article.

Late approach for LASIK flap striae.

A 24-year-old man was referred for postrefractive surgery evaluation. The patient had a history of uneventful laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) in both eyes 3 months previously. According to the surgeon who originally performed the surgery, on slitlamp examination, only microstriae in the left eye was detected on postoperative day 1 and a more conservative follow-up approach was adopted without further immediate intervention. The patient returned only 3 months after surgery, complaining of low vision in the left eye that, according to the patient, had been present since postoperative week 2. The patient was then referred for examination and surgical procedure with a diagnosis of significant postoperative striae. The slitlamp examination revealed a LASIK flap with striae, epithelial filling, and a wrinkled appearance (Figure 1JOURNAL/jcrs/04.03/02158034-202312000-00017/figure1/v/2023-11-20T151558Z/r/image-tiff). There were no signs of infection or inflammation. Originally, the LASIK flap was programmed to be 110 µm. Preoperative manifest refraction in the right eye was -5.25 (20/20) and in the left eye was -5.25 (20/20). Assuming it is a case of late-approach LASIK flap striae, how would you proceed? Would you try to hydrate and lift the flap and just reposition it? Would you avoid lifting and associate phototherapeutic keratectomy (PTK) with excimer laser on top of the flap? Would you consider topo-guided surgery with regularization of the visual axis or even amputation of the flap?

Compliance With Hydroxychloroquine Screening Guidelines at a Large Academic Medical Center.

Purpose: Long-term hydroxychloroquine use can result in irreversible maculopathy and vision loss. New screening guidelines to identify early maculopathy were issued by American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO) in 2016; however, few studies have evaluated compliance with these updated guidelines. Methods: This cross-sectional study evaluated compliance with hydroxychloroquine maculopathy screening examinations at a large academic institution. Patients seen in the ophthalmology department who were prescribed hydroxychloroquine between 2011 and 2021 were included. This retrospective chart review included patients screened for hydroxychloroquine toxicity between 2011 and 2021. The main outcome measure was compliance with AAO screening guidelines (based on 2011 guidelines for patients screened between 2011 and 2015 and on 2016 guidelines for those screened in 2016 and later). Results: Of the 419 patients included, 239 were evaluated between 2011 and 2015 and 357 between 2016 and 2021. Only 60.7% of patients screened before 2016 met the recommended screening examination frequency, while 40.6% received adequate visual field screenings. Of patients screened after 2016, 55.3% met the recommended examination screening frequency, 46.4% received screening with macula ocular coherence tomography at the recommended interval, and 21.0% received appropriate visual field screening. One third of patients were prescribed higher than the recommended 5 mg/kg/day of hydroxychloroquine. Ten patients developed definite macular toxicity; most had concomitant risk factors for toxicity. Conclusions: Despite clear guidelines set forth by AAO in 2011 and 2016, compliance with screening was suboptimal. Hydroxychloroquine prescribers and eye care providers must collaborate to ensure patients are not overdosed and that they receive appropriate maculopathy screening.

Ethical Considerations for Surgical Planners from the Lessons Learned on USNS COMFORT (T-AH 20) Deployment 2019.

Ethical issues can arise when planning for direct patient care surgical missions. Based on the lessons learned from the USNS COMFORT Deployment 2019, the authors present concise considerations and recommendations for future hospital ship surgical mission planning.