[Timing of congenital cataract surgery : Amblyopia versus aphakic glaucoma]. / Operationszeitpunkt der kongenitalen Katarakt : Zwischen Amblyopie und Aphakieglaukom.

A congenital cataract is a rare disorder, which is associated with a high risk of amblyopia. Ophthalmologists are faced with many diagnostic and surgical challenges in the management of this disease. Older children can undergo primary treatment with an intraocular lens, whereas children younger than 12 months of age usually initially remain aphakic. The most frequent long-term complication of aphakic eyes following congenital cataract surgery in connection with posterior capsulorrhexis and anterior vitrectomy is aphakic glaucoma, which in individual cases can lead to substantial impairment of vision. Many factors have been reported to increase the risk of postoperative glaucoma, including microphthalmos, fetal nuclear cataract, conspicuous family history and associated ocular malformations, such as persistent fetal vasculature (PFV). Cataract surgery during early infancy is well-established to be the most important factor for the formation of postoperative aphakic glaucoma. In individual treatment planning it has to be considered that although younger age at the time of cataract removal can provide better prerequisites for prophylaxis of amblyopia, it also confers a higher risk of development of aphakic glaucoma. Children undergoing congenital cataract surgery have to be regularly monitored given the lifelong risk for postoperative complications, such as aphakic glaucoma.

[Work sampling in ophthalmological clinical studies. A multicenter field study]. / Zeiterfassung in ophthalmologischen klinischen Studien. Eine multizentrische Feldstudie.

BACKGROUND: Work in clinical studies is generally more elaborate and therefore more time-consuming in comparison to the clinical routine. The purpose of this study was to systematically investigate the time consumption in the German ophthalmological clinical trial centers. METHODS: The members of the working group of the German Ophthalmology Society clinical study centers (Arbeitsgemeinschaft DOG Klinische Studienzentren) were asked to fill in three questionnaires about best estimations for the time spent on study-related procedures and administration. Additionally, work sampling was performed for each employee at each study center over a period of 3 weeks. RESULTS: The questionnaires were completed by 9 of the 11 centers. Overall, 5504 working hours were recorded. On an average working day, the time spent for both documentation and administration averaged 4 h each. Operative interventions consumed a significant amount of time (2.8 h), as did ophthalmological examinations (2.5 h) and obtaining informed consent (1.5 h). The recorded time consumption for visual acuity testing, informed consent and documentation was well aligned with the best estimates of the three questionnaires. By contrast, interventions, ophthalmological examinations and biomaterial sample handling were underrated in the best estimations. DISCUSSION: A considerable amount of time in clinical studies is spent on documentation and administration. From work sampling, ophthalmological examinations and biomaterial sampling turned out to be surprisingly time consuming. This is probably due to preparation and postprocessing tasks. It is important to consider this when calculating the overall costs of a clinical study. In addition, many administrative activities cannot be attributed to specific patients and can therefore not be compensated on the basis of case payments alone. Additional remuneration is required to fully cover the costs in an ophthalmological study center.

[Hyperopic Laser-in-situ-Keratomileusis after trifocal intraocular lens implantation : Aberration-free femto-Laser-in-situ-Keratomileusis treatment after implantation of a diffractive, multifocal, toric intraocular lens-case analysis]. / Hyperope Laser-in-situ-Keratomileusis nach trifokaler Intraokularlinsen-Implantation : Aberrationsfreie Femto-Laser-in-situ-Keratomileusis-Behandlung nach Implantation einer diffraktiven, multifokalen, torischen Intraokularlinse ­ Fallanalyse.

A 52-year-old highly myopic female patient was implanted with a multifocal, diffractive, toric intraocular lens because of the wish to be independent of eyeglasses. Despite high-quality, extensive preoperative examinations, a hyperopic refractive error remained postoperatively, which led to the patient's dissatisfaction. This error was treated with Laser-in-situ-Keratomileusis (LASIK). After corneal LASIK treatment and implantation of a diffractive toric multifocal intraocular lens the patient showed a good postoperative visual result without optical phenomena.

[Panuveitis of infectious genesis]. / Panuveitis infektiologischer Genese.

In a patient with sub-acute loss of vision a panuveitis with papillitis and chorioretinitis was diagnosed within an initial diagnosis of lues and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Epidemiological data show an increasing incidence of HIV and lues infections in recent years. Therefore, ophthalmologists need to bear an infectious etiology of inflammation of the eye in mind.

The efficacy and safety outcomes of the 0.19 mg fluocinolone acetonide implant after prior treatment with the 0.7 mg dexamethasone implant in patients with diabetic macular edema.

PURPOSE: There are little or no published data comparing the outcomes of ILUVIEN® (0.19 mg fluocinolone acetonide [FAc]) and OZURDEX® (0.7 mg dexamethasone [DEX]) implants in patients with diabetic macular edema (DME), and this case sought to compare their outcomes. METHODS: This case was extracted from a monocentric audit involving a pool of 25 patients (33 eyes) with DME and treated with a single FAc implant between October 2013 and December 2016. This case, a 61-year-old male with a pseudophakic lens, is from a patient that had received 4 intravitreal injections of a DEX implant prior to FAc implant and then was monitored for 3 years until re-treatment with a second FAc implant. Parameters measured included visual acuity (VA), central retinal thickness (CRT), and intraocular pressure (IOP). RESULTS: After the DEX implants, CRT transiently improved. In March 2014, the decision was taken to administer an FAc implant, and this led to a reduction in CRT below 300 µm (from a baseline of 748 µm), and this was sustained for 30 months. VA remained above 65 Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study letters to month 36, after which time a second FAc implant (in April 2017) was administered due to recurrence of edema and CRT decreased to below 300 µm and VA improved to 70 letters. Side effects included elevated IOP, which was effectively managed with IOP-lowering drops. CONCLUSION: A single injection of FAc implant led to sustained improvements in CRT and VA that lasted for between 30 and 36 months, which is in contrast to the DEX implant where re-treatment was generally required within 6-7 months. After 36 months, re-treatment with the FAc implant again led to improved VA and CRT, and responses that were similar to those achieved with the first FAc implant.

[Unilateral combined strabismus surgery to correct esotropia : Video article on recession of the medial rectus muscle and plication of the lateral rectus muscle]. / Einseitige kombinierte Augenmuskeloperation zur Korrektur der Esotropie : Videobeitrag zur Rücklagerung des M. rectus medialis und Faltung des M. rectus lateralis.

OBJECTIVE OF SURGERY: The aim of strabismus surgery to correct esotropia is orthotropic alignment or microstrabismus to achieve best possible binocularity, a larger visual field, better appearance, and a frequently connected improved self-esteem. A widely used technique to correct esotropia is combined unilateral strabismus surgery with recession of the medial rectus muscle and plication of the lateral rectus muscle. INDICATIONS: Indications are esotropia of various origins or decompensating esophoria over 15 prism diopters. CONTRAINDICATIONS: Absolute contraindications are insufficient optical correction of hyperopia and sixth nerve palsy with unfinished spontaneous regeneration. A relative contraindication in children is untreated amblyopia. SURGICAL TECHNIQUE: The technique consists of unilateral recession of the medial rectus muscle and tucking of the lateral rectus muscle. The surgical technique is demonstrated in detail in two videos of the operation, which are available online. FOLLOW-UP: Antibiotic and lubricating eye drops are applied during the first week after surgery. In the early postoperative period, patients should be monitored for postoperative infection, conjunctival dehiscence, or corneal laceration. We review patients 4 months postoperatively for evaluation of the long-term result. EVIDENCE: Recent randomized controlled studies have shown that unilateral medial rectus muscle recession and resection surgery is comparable to bilateral recession surgery with regards to postoperative results in esotropia. The effect of lateral rectus muscle tuck is comparable to muscle resection with less trauma and potential reversibility during the first days after surgery.

[Prevalence of Elevated Lipoprotein (a) Levels in Patients < 60 Years of Age with Retinal Vein Occlusion]. / Prävalenz erhöhter Lipoprotein(a)-Spiegel bei unter 60-jährigen Patienten mit venösen retinalen Gefäßverschlüssen.

BACKGROUND: The potential impact of elevated Lipoprotein (a) [Lp(a)] levels on retinal venous occlusive (RVO) diseases with regard to age and various risk factors has not been studied extensively. PATIENTS AND METHODS: In a retrospective case-control study, thrombophilia data of 106 young patients (< 60 years at the time of the RVO or a previous thromboembolic event) with RVO and 76 healthy subjects were evaluated. RESULTS: Elevated Lp(a) plasma levels were significantly more prevalent among RVO patients (29.2 %) than among controls (9.2 %; p = 0.0009). Lp(a) levels were found to be significantly (p = 0.012) different between patients and controls. Moreover, we found that an unusual personal or family history of thromboembolism was a strong predictor of elevated Lp(a) (p = 0.03). We observed a significant correlation between elevated Lp(a) and other coagulation disorders (p = 0.005). Multivariate analysis showed that elevated lipoprotein(a) levels (OR: 3.5; p = 0.003) were an independent risk factor for the development of RVO. CONCLUSIONS: Elevated plasma levels of Lp(a) are associated with the development of RVO. Selective screening of young patients and subjects with a personal or family history of thromboembolism may be helpful in identifying RVO patients with elevated Lp(a).

[Visual improvement by aberration-free excimer laser retreatment : Therapy after combined photorefractive keratectomy and keratome laser in situ keratomileusis treatment]. / Visusverbesserung durch eine aberrationsfreie Excimerlaser-Nachbehandlung : Therapie nach kombinierter photorefraktiver Keratektomie und Keratom-Laser-in-situ-Keratomileusis-Behandlung.

A 23-year-old male patient presented with reduced visual acuity of the right eye, along with halos and starbursts in both eyes after a one-stage tissue-saving treatment, a combination of myopic photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) and laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK). After an extensive preliminary examination and analysis of the examination results, aberration-free LASIK retreatment for reducing astigmatism and enlargement of the optical zone with an excimer laser was performed on the right eye. The visual performance and the subjectively perceived optical quality improved postoperatively.

[Intraocular pressure after implantation of an ICL with aquaport : Development of intraocular pressure after implantation of an ICL (model V4c) with aquaport without iridotomy]. / Augeninnendruck bei implantierten ICL mit Aquaport : Entwicklung des intraokularen Augendrucks nach Implantation einer ICL (Modell V4c) mit einem Aquaport ohne Anlegen einer Iridotomie.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: The latest version of the intraocular lens (ICL V4c) has a central hole (aquaport) that avoids a pupillary block. Due to this laser iridotomy or intraoperative surgical peripheral iridectomy are no longer required. In this study, we examined the intraocular pressure (IOP) after implantation of the ICL with aquaport, with special reference to the development of a possible pupillary block glaucoma. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This retrospective non-randomized study included 87 eyes from 46 patients (consecutive case series). These patients had the ICL model V4c (without a laser iridotomy or peripheral iridectomy) implanted between January 2013 and October 2014. The preoperative IOP values were compared with the postoperative values 1-2 h, 1 day, 1 week and 1 month after implantation. RESULTS: The median intraocular pressure was 14 ± 2 mm Hg before implantation of the ICL, palpatory normotensive 1-2 h after implantation, 13 ± 3 mm Hg 1 day after implantation, 15 ± 3 mm Hg 1 week after implantation and 16 ± 4 mm Hg 1 month after implantation (a slight statistically significant increase of the intraocular pressure, p < 0.05). In 2 patients there was a steroid response in both eyes with IOP reaching up to a maximum of 28 mm Hg. There were no peaks of intraocular pressure due to a pupillary block. CONCLUSION: It is possible to implant the latest ICL V4c with a central hole (Aquaport) without a laser iridotomy or peripheral iridectomy or development of a pupillary block.

[Ophthalmological health care of the institutionalized elderly : The OVIS study]. / Ophthalmologische Versorgung in Seniorenheimen : Die OVIS-Studie.

BACKGROUND: Due to demographic change and societal transformation the number of elderly persons living in retirement homes is growing in Germany. Access to health care is more complicated in the setting of nursing homes. Different regional studies suggest unmet ophthalmological health care needs in institutionalized elderly people. This study assessed the current ophthalmological health care structure and supply status in nursing homes in Germany. METHODS: This prospective, multicenter cross-sectional study was conducted by 14 study centers in Germany. Elderly people living in 32 nursing homes were included after approval by the local institutional review boards. A standardized examination was performed which included a detailed medical and ocular history, refraction, visual acuity testing, tonometry, biomicroscopy and dilated funduscopy. Unmet ophthalmological health care needs were documented and the data were analyzed descriptively and via logistic regression modelling. RESULTS: A total of 600 participants (434 women and 166 men) aged 50-104 years were examined of which 368 (61%) had ophthalmological conditions requiring treatment. The most prevalent findings were cataracts (315; 53%), disorders of the eyelids (127; 21%), dry eye disease (57; 10%) and posterior capsule opacification (43; 7%). In 63 (11%) of the participants glaucoma was suspected and 55 (9%) of the examined population had a known diagnosis of glaucoma, of whom one third was not on any or on insufficient anti-glaucomatous therapy. 236 (39%) showed signs of age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Only 52% of the examined cohort had been examined by an ophthalmologist within the last 5 years and 39% stated that they would currently not be able to consult an ophthalmologist. Reported barriers were mainly transport and lack of support. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrates considerable unmet ophthalmological health care needs of the institutionalized elderly in Germany. Novel and reformed models of specialist care provision have to be developed.

[Developments and inventions from Germany : Influence on international ophthalmology]. / Entwicklungen und Erfindungen aus Deutschland : Einfluss auf die internationale Augenheilkunde.

There are various developments and inventions from Germany that have influenced not only the domestic but also the international field of ophthalmology. Beginning with the invention of the ophthalmoscope by Hermann von Helmholtz in 1850, to the establishment of the "Archives of Ophthalmology" medical journal, a publication founded by Albrecht von Graefe in 1854, through to the development of the retinal chip by Eberhart Zrenner and colleagues with the first clinical data collected in 2007. The abovenamed and further developments and the German ophthalmologists behind these inventions are discussed in more detail.

[Laser in situ keratomileusis with microkeratome or femtosecond laser]. / Laser-in-situ-Keratomileusis mit Mikrokeratom oder Femtosekundenlaser.

OBJECTIVE AND PRINCIPLES: In LASIK, after cutting a lamellating stromal corneal incision (flap) with a microkeratome or a femtosecond laser, the underlying tissue is treated with an excimer laser for refractive correction. The objective is to achieve independency from spectacles and contact lenses due to correction of ametropia. INDICATIONS: Surgery is indicated when the patient wishes to achieve independency from spectacles and contact lenses. For LASIK, the German Commission for Refractive Surgery defined a range of applicability for myopic correction up to -8 diopters (D), astigmatic correction up to 5 D and hyperopic correction up to +3 D. Borderline applicability is defined as myopic correction up to -10 D, astigmatic correction up to 6 D and hyperopic correction up to +4 D. OPERATIVE TECHNIQUE: The surgical technique is demonstrated in detail with the help of a video of the operation, which is available online. The flap incision is created with a microkeratome or a femtosecond laser. After lifting and folding the flap, excimer ablation is performed. An eye tracking system ensures correct location of ablation by compensating for intraoperative eye movements. After repositioning the flap, the interface is irrigated and the edge of the flap is adapted with a sponge. RESULTS: The LASIK procedure is safe, predictable and efficient with a high rate of patient satisfaction. The complication rate can be minimized by using a careful and standardized surgical approach.

[Multiple thrombophilic risk markers in patients ≺65 years of age with retinal vein occlusion]. / Multiple thrombophile Risikomarker bei Patienten ≺65 Jahre mit venösen retinalen Gefäßverschlüssen.

BACKGROUND: The potential impact of multiple thrombophilic defects on retinal venous occlusive (RVO) diseases with regard to age and various risk factors has not been studied extensively. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In a retrospective, multicenter study, thrombophilia data of 128 patients <65 years of age with RVO and 110 healthy subjects were evaluated. The main measure outcome was the prevalence of multiple thrombophilic disorders. RESULTS: Multiple thrombophilic defects were significantly more prevalent among RVO patients (18.0%) than among controls (1.8%; P < 0.0001). We identified factor VIII elevation, elevated lipoprotein(a) plasma levels and resistance to activated protein C as the most prevalent combined disorders. Factor XII deficiency and prothrombin mutation G20210A were found to be isolated thrombophilic risk factors. Multiple thrombophilic defects were significantly associated with RVO recurrence (P = 0.008). CONCLUSION: Multiple thrombophilic disorders are associated with the development of RVO among patients younger than 65 years of age. Moreover, our results suggest that patients with RVO associated with underlying combined thrombophilic defects are at increased risk for RVO recurrence. Further studies are required to analyze whether the diagnosis of combined thrombophilic defects among RVO patients could be a predictor for RVO recurrence.

[Impact of timing of surgery on outcome in children with bilateral congenital cataract]. / Bilaterale kongenitale Katarakt: Klinische und funktionelle Ergebnisse in Abhängigkeit vom Operationszeitpunkt.

BACKGROUND: The optimal time for surgical intervention in bilateral congenital cataract is still a matter of controversy. OBJECTIVES: Herein, we evaluated clinical and functional results after bilateral congenital cataract surgery and performed subgroup analysis based on the age at the time of surgery. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the records of 52 eyes of 26 children who underwent surgery for bilateral congenital cataract without intraocular lens implantation within the first 12 months of life; 16 eyes underwent phacoaspiration within the first 10 weeks of life (group A) and 26 eyes had cataract extraction at an age of >10 weeks (group B). We defined the primary outcome measure to be the prevalence of mild, moderate, and severe amblyopia in relationship to age-dependent visual acuity norms after a mean follow-up of 59.7 ± 43.2 months. Secondary outcome measures were interocular difference of visual acuity and the presence of strabismus, nystagmus, posterior capsule opacification, and aphakic glaucoma. RESULTS: The prevalence of amblyopia was not statistically different between the two age groups. Of all children, 62.5 % (A) and 61.1 % (B) developed age-dependent normal visual acuity or mild amblyopia. However, the younger cohort developed significantly less strabismus than the older cohort (P = 0.03). There was a strong relationship between cataract surgery within the first 14 weeks of life and the development of aphakic glaucoma. All children developing secondary cataract formation underwent cataract surgery in the first 20 weeks of life. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that long-term prevalence of mild, moderate, and severe amblyopia is similar between the two cohorts of bilateral congenital cataract eyes based on the age ≤ or >10 weeks at the time of surgery. Because there is a strong relationship between postoperative complications and a young age at the time of cataract surgery, close postoperative follow-up is essential. Strabismus is less likely to develop in infants after bilateral cataract surgery within the first 10 weeks of life.

[Phakic intraocular lenses]. / Phake Intraokularlinsen.

Refractive surgical procedures are generally divided into additive procedures with, e. g. implantation of an artificial lens and subtractive procedures with ablation of corneal tissue. In this article the current status of phakic intraocular lens (IOL) implantation for correction of refractive errors is reviewed. Phakic IOLs are constructed as angle-supported or iris-fixated anterior chamber lenses and sulcus-fixated posterior chamber lenses. The implantation of phakic IOLs has been demonstrated to be an effective, safe, predictable and stable procedure to correct higher refractive errors. Complications are rare and depend to a large extent on the location. For anterior chamber lenses the main concern is critical endothelial cell loss and for posterior chamber lenses early cataract formation.

[Increased prevalence of congenital dacryostenosis following cesarean section]. / Erhöhte Prävalenz konnataler Tränenwegsstenosen nach Sectio caesarea.

BACKGROUND: Congenital nasolacrimal duct obstruction (dacryostenosis) with a persisting membrane at Hasner's valve is the most common cause of persistent tear and ocular discharge in infants. PURPOSE: To evaluate whether there is an association between congenital dacryostenosis and delivery via cesarean section. MATERIAL AND METHODS: In a prospective study we examined 107 children (mean age 9.2 ± 7.1 months) with congenital dacryostenosis. We evaluated data about the mode of delivery (vaginal delivery versus cesarean section) and gestational age at the time of birth. Within the first 8 months of life children were treated by probing using local anesthesia, whereas older children were treated using general anesthesia. After the age of 11 months treatment included nasolacrimal duct intubation with a bicanalicular stent. Statistical analyses were performed using binomial tests, Fisher's exact test and the t-test. RESULTS: In this study 51 children delivered by cesarean section were compared with 56 children delivered by spontaneous vaginal delivery. A total of 44 age-matched pairs from both groups were evaluated in order to eliminate confounding factors due to gestational age at delivery. Based on the published rate of cesarean sections from the same region of the State of Hesse between 2002-2004 we observed a statistically significant association between congenital dacryostenosis and delivery by cesarean section among the 88 age-matched patients (P = 0.009). Moreover, subgroup analysis revealed a significant association between congenital dacryostenosis and delivery by primary cesarean section (P = 0.00004). The prevalence of surgical treatment was not statistically different between both groups based on the mode of delivery (P = 0.8). CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that delivery via cesarean section is associated with a significantly higher prevalence of congenital dacryostenosis.

[Complications of corneal lamellar refractive surgery]. / Komplikationen der lamellären refraktiven Hornhautchirurgie.

Techniques available for corneal lamellar refractive surgery are laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) using a microkeratome or femtosecond laser incision followed by excimer laser corneal ablation, and femtosecond laser-assisted refractive lenticule extraction (ReLEx). These treatments are nowadays considered to be safe and effective standard procedures for surgical correction of mild to moderate ametropia. Possible complications include too small or decentered optical zones, intraoperative flap cutting errors and postoperative inflammation (e.g. diffuse lamellar keratitis, DLK), epithelial or flap folds, epithelial ingrowths or iatrogenic ectasia. The occurrence of complications may be significantly reduced by compliance to corresponding standards of indication and treatment that are based on current scientific knowledge.