Orthokeratology effect on the corneoscleral profile: Beyond the bull's eye.

PURPOSE: To assess the impact of 3 months of orthokeratology (ortho-k) contact lenses (CLs) for myopia correction on the corneoscleral profile, as changes in scleral geometry could serve as indirect evidence of alteration in the corneal biomechanical properties. METHODS: Twenty subjects (40 eyes) were recruited to wear ortho-k lenses overnight; however, after discontinuation (two CL fractures, one under-correction and two non-serious adverse events), 16 subjects (31 eyes) finished a 3-month follow-up. Corneoscleral topographies were acquired using the Eye Surface Profiler (ESP) system before and after 3 months of lens wear. Steep (SimKs) and flat (SimKf) simulated keratometry and scleral sagittal height measurements for 13-, 14- and 15-mm chord lengths were automatically calculated by the ESP software. Additionally, sagittal height and slope were calculated in polar format from 21 radii (0-10 mm from the corneal apex) at 12 angles (0-330°). Linear mixed models were fitted to determine the differences between visits. RESULTS: SimKs and SimKf were increased significantly (p ≤ 0.02). The sagittal height in polar format increased significantly (p = 0.046) at a radius of 2.5 mm for 150°, 180°, 210° and 240° orientations and at a radius of 3.0 mm for 210°. Additionally, the slope in polar format significantly decreased (p ≤ 0.04) at radii ranges of 0.0-0.5, 0.5-1.0 and 1.0-1.5 mm for multiple angles and at a radii range of 5.0-5.5 mm for 90°. It also increased significantly (p ≤ 0.045) at a radii range of 1.5-2.0 mm for 30° and at radii ranges of 2.0-2.5, 2.5-3.0 and 3.0-3.5 mm for multiple angles. No significant changes were found for any parameter measured from the scleral area. CONCLUSIONS: Three months of overnight ortho-k lens wear changed the central and mid-peripheral corneal geometry as expected, maintaining the peripheral cornea and the surrounding sclera stability.

Senile Cataract Formation Does Not Affect Crystalline Lens Thickness.

INTRODUCTION: Characterizing lens thickness (LT) in patients with cataracts is important for better understanding the lens aging process and for designing new intraocular lens power formulas. This study aimed to analyze the influence of common senile cataract formation on the LT, anterior (ACS) and posterior (PCS) cortex space, and nuclear thickness (NT), controlling for sex, age, and axial length. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was performed. A consecutive sample of 603 volunteers (403 women, 200 men) aged 59.1 ± 18.8 years was recruited. The standardized Lens Opacification Classification System (LOCS)-III was used to classify eyes (randomly selected) into cataractous and non-cataractous groups. Also, they were classified according to the cataract location (presence or absence of cortical, nuclear, or posterior subcapsular cataract). Optical biometry was performed to measure LT, ACS, NT, and PCS. Propensity score was used to match participants one-to-one for sex, age, and axial length. Groups were compared using the Student's t test or Yuen's test. RESULTS: The four classifications divided unmatched eyes into: 361 cataractous lenses and 242 non-cataractous, 226 cortical and 377 non-cortical cataractous, 313 nuclear and 290 non-nuclear cataractous and 242 subcapsular and 361 non-subcapsular cataractous. Before matching, cataractous eyes showed significantly higher LT (4.52 ± 0.39 vs. 3.94 ± 0.46 mm, p < 0.001), ACS (0.75 ± 0.20 vs. 0.58 ± 0.23 mm, p < 0.001), NT (3.34 ± 0.23 vs. 3.18 ± 0.25 mm, p < 0.001) and PCS (0.42 ± 0.19 vs. 0.37 ± 0.19 mm, p = 0.003). Matched lens, cortical, nuclear, and subcapsular cataract samples comprised 146, 258, 182, and 226 eyes, respectively. After matching, no significant differences were observed in LT (4.34 ± 0.37 vs. 4.33 ± 0.36 mm, p = 0.94), ACS (0.72 ± 0.20 vs. 0.76 ± 0.19 mm, p = 0.08), NT (3.31 ± 0.22 vs. 3.30 ± 0.23 mm, p = 0.24) and PCS (0.42 ± 0.19 vs. 0.43 ± 0.16 mm, p = 0.79). CONCLUSIONS: The presence of senile cortical, nuclear, and posterior subcapsular cataract have no effect on LT, ACS, NT, and PCS. Confounding factors should be controlled for when measuring LT and its main components.

Reliability and agreement of subjective and objective non-invasive break-up time measurements in contact lens wearers.

PURPOSE: To assess the reliability and agreement of non-invasive break-up time (NIBUT) in symptomatic and asymptomatic contact lens (CL) wearers using automatic objective and conventional subjective techniques. METHODS: In this prospective cross-sectional study, soft CL wearers, classified into symptomatic and asymptomatic based on the Contact Lens Dry Eye Questionnaire-8, underwent NIBUT assessment with the CL in situ. The CA-800 Corneal Analyzer and the EasyTear® VIEW+ Tearscope were used for objective and subjective evaluation, respectively. The within-subject repeatability and intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) were calculated. The agreement between the devices was compared using the Bland-Altman method. RESULTS: A total of 141 CL wearers (51 male and 90 female) with a mean age of 33.6 (SD = 12.2) years were included. The repeatability and ICC values obtained with the CA-800 device when measuring NIBUT were 5.4 s and 58.6% across the whole sample, 4.2 s and 48.8% for the asymptomatic group and 7.1 s and 68.4% for the symptomatic group. When using the subjective method (EasyTear®), the respective repeatability and ICC values were 7.3 s and 32.7% for the whole sample, 6.5 s and 30.4% for the asymptomatic group and 8.6 s and 35.9% for the symptomatic group. The CA-800 device provided significantly (p < 0.001) shorter NIBUT values compared with EasyTear® for the whole sample (3.3 [2.9] vs. 8.1 [3.4] s), the asymptomatic (3.3 [3.0] vs. 7.7 [3.6] s) and the symptomatic (3.8 [2.9] vs. 8.6 [3.0] s) groups. CONCLUSION: Objective (CA-800) NIBUT assessment provides more reliable measurements than the conventional subjective technique using the EasyTear® device. However, CL practitioners should also be aware that the objective method indicates shorter NIBUT values. Symptomatic CL wearers may also need a higher number of NIBUT measurements to obtain reliable estimations.

Visual Performance and Higher Order Aberrations Obtained With Omafilcon A Dual-Focus and Single-Vision Contact Lens Designs.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to assess the visual performance and monochromatic higher-order aberrations (HOAs) obtained while wearing a MiSight dual-focus (DF) contact lenses (CL) in comparison with a single-vision contact lens (SVCL). METHODS: A randomized, double-masked, cross-over study was performed. Participants were fitted with a DFCL and a SVCL composed of the same material (omafilcon A) and parameters. Logarithm of the Minimum Angle of Resolution high-contrast (100%) and low-contrast (10%) visual acuity (VA) and contrast sensitivity (CS) for 3, 6, 12, and 18 cycles per degree were measured. Higher-order aberrations were also evaluated using a Hartmann-Shack aberrometer with the CLs on. RESULTS: Twenty-four subjects (21 females and 3 males) with a mean age of 21.9±1.9 years (range: 18-27) were included. Low-contrast VA was significantly lower with the DFCL regarding the SVCL design (0.39±0.23 vs 0.25±0.18, P=0.002). However, there were no differences in high-contrast VA between both CLs (-0.03±0.10 vs -0.09±0.14, P=0.187). Contrast sensitivity was lower with the DFCL under all spatial frequencies (P≤0.048). Second-, third-, fourth-, and fifth-order aberrations were significantly (P<0.001) higher for the DFCL. There were also significant differences between DFCL and SVCL in defocus (0.87±0.28 vs 0.16±0.35, P<0.001), oblique trefoil (-0.16±0.27 vs -0.01±0.08, P=0.005), vertical coma (0.13±0.17 vs 0.00±0.08, P=0.002), and spherical aberration (0.09±0.11 vs -0.02±0.05, P=0.002). CONCLUSION: Visual performance for detecting low-contrast targets is reduced when wearing MiSight DFCL compared with a SVCL with the same material. The main reason might be the induction of second-order and HOAs by the DFCL design.

Gene expression changes in conjunctival cells associated with contact lens wear and discomfort.

PURPOSE: This study aimed to analyze the differences in the expression of pain-related genes in conjunctival epithelial cells among symptomatic contact lens (CL) wearers (SCLWs), asymptomatic CL wearers (ACLWs), and non-CL wearers (non-CLWs). METHODS: For this study, 60 participants (20 non-CLWs, 40 CLWs) were enrolled. The CLW group comprised 20 ACLWs and 20 SCLWs according to the Contact Lens Dry Eye Questionnaire short form©. Conjunctival cells were collected using impression cytology, and RNA was isolated and used to determine the expression levels of 85 human genes involved in neuropathic and inflammatory pain. The effects of CL wear and discomfort were evaluated using mixed-effects ANOVA with partially nested fixed-effects model. Gene set enrichment analysis was performed to assign biological meaning to sets of differentially expressed genes. RESULTS: Six genes (CD200, EDN1, GRIN1, PTGS1, P2RX7, and TNF) were significantly upregulated in CLWs compared to non-CLWs. Eleven genes (ADORA1, BDKRB1, CACNA1B, DBH, GRIN1, GRM1, HTR1A, PDYN, PTGS1, P2RX3, and TNF) were downregulated in SCLWs compared to ACLWs. These genes were mainly related to pain, synaptic transmission and signaling, ion transport, calcium transport and concentration, and cell-cell signaling. CONCLUSIONS: CL wear modified the expression of pain- and inflammation-related genes in conjunctival epithelial cells. These changes may be in part, along with other mechanisms, responsible for CL discomfort in SCLWs.

Clinical characterisation of contact lens discomfort progression.

PURPOSE: This study aimed to assess the subjective and objective differences among the steps of the contact lens discomfort (CLD) progression classification established by the Tear Film & Ocular Surface Society (TFOS) using questionnaires and clinical signs, and to propose a simplified classification. METHODS: Contact lens (CL) wearers were evaluated in a single visit. The Contact Lens Dry Eye Questionnaire (CLDEQ)-8, the Contact Lens Discomfort Index, and Visual Analog Scales for discomfort and dryness were administered. The non-invasive break-up time, the tear film lipid layer thickness, conjunctival hyperaemia and papillae, lid-parallel conjunctival folds, the fluorescein tear film break-up time, corneal and conjunctival staining, lid wiper epitheliopathy, and the Schirmer test were assessed. Sign and symptom scores were compared among TFOS CLD progression steps using analysis of variance or the Kruskal-Wallis H test. Steps 1 and 2 (reduced comfort), and steps 3 and 4 (reduced wearing time) of the TFOS classification were combined to obtain a simplified classification, and the same comparison was performed. A p-value ≤ 0.05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS: One hundred-fifty CL wearers (97 women and 53 men) aged 34.4 ± 12.6 years were included. In the TFOS classification, there were significant differences between step 0 (no CLD) and the rest of the severity steps for the scores obtained in all questionnaires (p ≤ 0.015). All steps were differentiated (p ≤ 0.032) based on the simplified classification for all questionnaires, except steps 1 and 2 for the CLDEQ-8 and dryness VAS (p = 0.089 and p = 0.051, respectively). There were no differences (all p ≥ 0.06) between the sign scores among the steps of either classification. CONCLUSION: CLD management is encouraged from its first appearance. Simplifying the phases of CLD severity may allow a more accurate classification and a better awareness of the problem by clinicians and CL wearers by using more straightforward simple messages.

Assessment of the iridocorneal angle pigmentation and structures after the implantation of EVO+ Visian Implantable Collamer Lens.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the effect of EVO+ Visian Implantable Collamer Lens (ICL) implantation on the iridocorneal angle pigmentation and structures. METHODS: Myopic refractive surgery candidates who underwent posterior chamber EVO+ ICL implantation were evaluated preoperatively and 3 and 6 months postoperatively. High-resolution images of the iridocorneal angle (nasal, superior, temporal and inferior quadrants) were acquired during gonioscopy. A masked observer, blinded to study visits and patients' information, evaluated the angle width, apparent iris root insertion, iris configuration, and trabecular meshwork pigmentation according to the Spaeth scale in two different occasions. The intra-rater reliability was estimated using the weighted Gwet's Agreement Coefficient (AC2). Differences between visits were analyzed using the Cochran Q test or the Friedman test. RESULTS: Twenty-one patients (13 females and 8 males) aging 31.3 ± 6.3 years old were recruited. The intra-rater reliability of gonioscopy assessment was excellent for every parameter assessed (AC2 ≥ 0.97). No significant differences were found among the study visits for any quadrant in the angle width (p ≥ 0.74), apparent iris root insertion (p ≥ 0.22), iris configuration (p ≥ 0.21) and trabecular meshwork pigmentation (p ≥ 0.24). Mean pigmentation of trabecular meshwork for the four quadrants did not vary either among visits (p = 0.25). CONCLUSIONS: The EVO+ ICL implantation after uneventful procedures appears not to clinically affect the iridocorneal angle pigmentation and/or structures during a short-medium follow-up using gonioscopy assessment. The intra-rater reliability of glaucoma specialists assessing iridocorneal angle structures using gonioscopy images is very high.

Relationship between the main components of the crystalline lens and the anterior chamber depth after cataract formation.

PURPOSE: To assess the relationship between anterior chamber depth (ACD) and lens thickness (LT), as well as its three main components (anterior and posterior cortex and nucleus thickness), in cataractous and non-cataractous eyes, depending on the axial length (AxL). METHODS: Anterior and posterior cortex and nucleus thickness of the crystalline lens, ACD, and AxL were measured using optical low-coherence reflectometry in cataractous and non-cataractous eyes. They were also classified into hyperopia, emmetropia, myopia, and high myopia, depending on AxL; thus, eight subgroups were created. A minimum sample size of 44 eyes (of 44 patients) for each group was recruited. Linear models were fitted for the whole sample and each AxL subgroup to assess if there were differences in the relationships between the crystalline lens variables and ACD, including age as a covariate. RESULTS: Three hundred seventy cataract patients (237 females, 133 males) and 250 non-cataract controls (180 females, 70 males), aged 70.5 ± 9.4 and 41.9 ± 15.5 years, respectively, were recruited. The mean AxL, ACD, and LT for the cataractous and non-cataractous eyes were 23.90 ± 2.05, 24.11 ± 2.11, 2.64 ± 0.45, and 2.91 ± 0.49, 4.51 ± 0.38, 3.93 ± 0.44 mm, respectively. The inverse relationship of LT, anterior and posterior cortex, and nucleus thickness with ACD was not significantly (p ≥ 0.26) different between cataractous and non-cataractous eyes. Further subclassification of the sample depending on AxL showed that the inverse relationship between the posterior cortex and ACD was no longer significant (p > 0.05) for any non-cataractous AxL group. LT, anterior and posterior cortex, and nucleus thickness was not significantly (p ≥ 0.43) different between cataractous and non-cataractous eyes for the whole sample, and all AxL groups after adjusting for age. CONCLUSIONS: The presence of cataracts does not modify the inverse relationship of the LT, anterior and posterior cortex, and nucleus with ACD. And this relationship does not seem to depend importantly on AxL. Besides, the possible differences in LT, anterior and posterior cortex, and nucleus between cataractous and non-cataractous eyes may not be caused by lens opacification, but possibly by the progressive lens growth due to aging.

EVO/EVO+ Visian Implantable Collamer Lenses for the correction of myopia and myopia with astigmatism.

INTRODUCTION: Intraocular lens implantation in phakic eyes for the correction of refractive error is currently a widespread procedure. The EVO and EVO+ Visian Implantable Collamer Lenses (ICL) are two of the most prevalent lenses implanted. They incorporate a central orifice to avoid the need for iridotomy. The main difference between both ICL is the higher optical diameter zone provided by the EVO+, allowing a better quality of vision at night. This review aims to provide an overview of the current ICL models available for correcting myopia and myopic astigmatism. AREAS COVERED: During the last decade, more than 100 scientific papers analyzing the performance of EVO and EVO+ lenses have been published. This review describes the objective visual performance achieved with the implantation of central hole ICL lenses and the subjective perception of the patients implanted with these lenses. In addition, the safety and the potential complications associated with undergoing an EVO and EVO+ ICL implantation have been addressed. EXPERT OPINION: Refractive surgeons and candidates to undergo ICL implantation should be aware of the excellent safety and visual outcomes provided by the implantation of central hole ICL lenses. However, future research could address minor issues currently not resolved.

Reliability and agreement of apparent chord mu measurements between static and dynamic evaluations.

PURPOSE: To assess the repeatability and agreement of Cartesian coordinates and the length of apparent chord mu and pupil diameter measurements during static (Galilei G4) and dynamic (Topolyzer Vario) evaluations. SETTING: IOBA-Eye Institute, Valladolid, Spain. DESIGN: Case series. METHODS: 3 consecutive measurements per scenario (Galilei G4 and Topolyzer Vario under low mesopic and photopic conditions) were performed by the same clinician. The intrasession repeatability was assessed using the within-subject SD (Sw), the precision, the coefficient of variation, and the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC). The agreement was analyzed using repeated-measures analysis of variance and the Bland-Altman method. RESULTS: Thirty-seven healthy participants were recruited. The Sw values for chord mu parameters and pupil diameter ranged from 0.01 to 0.03 and 0.08 to 0.21, respectively. The ICC was ≥0.89 for all parameters. Galilei G4 and Topolyzer Vario under low mesopic and photopic conditions provided significantly different measures of apparent chord mu length (0.23 ± 0.11 mm, 0.30 ± 0.10 mm, and 0.25 ± 0.11 mm, respectively, P ≤ .02), X-coordinate (-0.18 ± 0.12 mm, -0.27 ± 0.11 mm, and -0.21 ± 0.12 mm, respectively, P < .001), and pupil diameter (3.38 ± 0.50 mm, 6.29 ± 0.60 mm, and 3.04 ± 0.41 mm, respectively, P < .001). Y-coordinate values obtained by Galilei G4 and Topolyzer Vario under low mesopic conditions were significantly different (0.06 ± 0.13 mm vs 0.03 ± 0.11 mm, respectively, P = .02), in contrast to Galilei G4 and Topolyzer Vario under photopic conditions (0.05 ± 0.13 mm, P = .82) and both illumination conditions of Topolyzer Vario (P ≥ .23). CONCLUSIONS: Galilei G4 and Topolyzer Vario provide consistent measurements of apparent chord mu Cartesian coordinates and length, as well as pupil diameter; however, the measurements are not interchangeable. Ophthalmic surgeons should consider these findings when planning customized intraocular lens implantation and refractive surgery procedures.

Inter-eye and postoperative prediction of vault after implantation of EVO + Visian phakic implantable collamer lens.

PURPOSE: To assess whether the postoperative outcomes of the implantation of an EVO + implantable collamer lens (ICL) in one eye can be used as a predictor of the vault of the fellow eye, and to evaluate the vault changes of the implantation in both eyes during the postoperative period. METHODS: A prospective study including 40 eyes of 20 patients with a bilateral EVO + ICL implantation was performed. Subjects were evaluated before the surgery and 1 day, 1 week and 1, 3 and 6 months postoperatively. Central vault was assessed using spectral-domain optical coherence tomography. The inter-eye and follow-up analyses were performed using lineal models and the Bland-Altman method. RESULTS: The vault of the first implanted eye at the 1-day visit highly predicts the vault of the second eye (R2 = .87; P < .001); the mean inter-eye difference was - 0.95 µm, and the superior and inferior limits of agreement were -50.27 µm and 148.37 µm, respectively. This relationship was maintained during the medium-term follow-up, not finding differences in the slopes among visits (P ≥ .09). A progressive decrease of vault was found during the follow-up (P < .001). Larger vault change 6 months after the surgery was associated with higher vault 1 day after the ICL implantation (R2 = .19;P = .005). CONCLUSION: One-day postoperative vault in the first eye can help to predict the optimal ICL sizing in the second eye. Vault tends to decrease during the first 6 months after EVO + ICL implantation. Eyes with higher initial vaults will also show larger reductions during the medium-term follow-up.

Influence of decentration and tilt of Tecnis ZCB00 on visual acuity and higher order aberrations.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: To determine the influence of decentration and tilt of a pseudophakic aspheric intraocular lens (IOL) on visual acuity (VA) and higher-order aberrations (HOAs), and to analyze the agreement between pupil center/axis and iridocorneal angles center/axis when assessing IOL decentration and tilt. SUBJECTS/METHODS: A prospective interventional case series study including thirty-three patients undergoing Tecnis ZCB00 (Abbott Medical Optics) implantation. IOL decentration and tilt with respect to two reference systems (pupil and iridocorneal angles centers/axes), in cartesian (X,Y) and polar (radius/tilt, polar angle/azimuth) coordinates, were assessed with optical coherence tomography. VA and internal and ocular HOAs were evaluated. Multiple linear regression models and intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) were computed. RESULTS: IOL decentration only showed a significant effect on internal HOAs for [Formula: see text] (R2 = 0.20, P = 0.04). IOL decentration with respect to the pupil center showed a significant effect on ocular [Formula: see text] (R2 = 0.18, P = 0.05), [Formula: see text] (R2 = 0.36, P = 0.001) and [Formula: see text] (R2 = 0.24, P = 0.02); and with respect to the center of iridocorneal angles, on ocular [Formula: see text] (R2 = 0.21, P = 0.03), [Formula: see text] (R2 = 0.32, P = 0.003), primary coma (R2 = 0.41, P < 0.001), and coma-like (R2 = 0.40, P = 0.001). Poor agreement between both reference systems was found for IOL decentration measurements (ICC ≤ 0.41), except for the polar angle coordinate (ICC = 0.83). Tilt measurements showed good agreement (ICC ≥ 0.75). CONCLUSIONS: Tecnis ZCB00 decentration and tilt values after uneventful implantation appear not to have influence on VA, and their effect on HOAs are not high enough to clinically affect quality of vision. Pupil and iridocorneal angles used as reference systems may be interchangeable for IOL tilt measurements, but not for decentration.

Is contact lens discomfort related to meibomian gland morphology?

PURPOSE: To examine the relationship between contact lens (CL) discomfort and meibomian gland (MG) morphology assessed by a semi-objective software in subjects without an alteration of MG function (meibum quality and expressibility). METHODS: Nineteen symptomatic (CLDEQ-8 ≥ 12) CL wearers, 19 asymptomatic (CLDEQ-8 < 12) wearers, and 22 non-wearers were recruited. Upper and lower eyelid meibography images were taken and the following parameters were analysed using a semi-objective software in the central 2/3 of each eyelid: number of MG, number of partial MG, percentage of MG loss and percentage of tortuosity. One-way ANOVA or Kruskal-Wallis H test were used for comparisons among groups. The relationships between CLDEQ-8 and MG morphology parameters were analysed using the Spearman correlation coefficient and multivariable linear regression models. RESULTS: No significant differences were found among groups in the MG morphology of the upper or lower eyelids. In all CL wearers, a significant correlation with CLDEQ-8 was found in the upper eyelid for the number of MG (rho = 0.47, p = 0.003). In symptomatic wearers, significant correlations with CLDEQ-8 were found in the lower eyelid for the number of partial MG (rho = 0.49, p = 0.03) and the percentage of partial MG (rho = 0.61, p = 0.005). In all CL wearers, multivariable models were fitted to explain CLDEQ-8 score including the number of MG, the number of partial MG and the percentage of MG loss from the lower eyelid (R2 = 0.19; p = 0.007), and the number of MG from the upper eyelid (R2 = 0.19; p = 0.001). In symptomatic wearers, a model was fitted including the percentage of MG loss from the lower eyelid (R2 = 0.30; p = 0.016). CONCLUSIONS: Alterations of MG morphology, without clinically apparent alteration of MG function, can be involved in causing CL discomfort and influence the degree of symptoms. The differences in findings between eyelids indicate the need to monitor both eyelids, especially the lower one, in CL wearers.

EVO+ Implantable Collamer Lens KS-aquaPORT Location, Stability, and Impact on Quality of Vision and Life.

PURPOSE: To determine the longitudinal variation in the KS-aquaPORT central hole location of the phakic EVO+I Implantable Collamer Lens (ICL) (STAAR Surgical) and analyze its influence on visual performance, quality of vision (QoV), and quality of life (QoL). METHODS: A prospective study was performed including 36 patients who had EVO+ ICL implantation. The KS-aquaPORT central hole location (Cartesian and polar coordinates) was determined with respect to the pupil center and visual axis. The effect of time (6-month follow-up) on central hole location was analyzed using linear mixed models. The effect of the KS-aquaPORT location on visual performance, QoV, and QoL parameters was assessed with multivariate regression models. RESULTS: With respect to the visual axis, no significant changes in KS-aquaPORT location were found during follow-up. With respect to the pupil center, the X-coordinate and radius of KS-aquaPORT location showed modest, but significant (P ≤ .05) differences between 1-week and 3-month postoperative visits, and between 1-week and 6-month visits. X-coordinate variation was significant (P = .022) between 1-and 6-month visits. With respect to the visual axis, greater KS-aquaPORT decentration was associated with worse visual acuity (X-coordinate: P = .004; radius: P = .006), and inferior decentration with longer xenon-type glare photostress recovery time (P = .021). With respect to the pupil center, a lower radius was associated with better QoV scores (P ≤ .01) and temporal decentration produced higher ring-shaped dysphotopsia (P = .007). CONCLUSIONS: EVO+ ICL KS-aquaPORT location appears to be clinically stable up to 6 months postoperatively. A central location of the EVO+ ICL KS-aquaPORT hole is preferred because it allows reduced perception of dysphotopic phenomena that can result in better QoV. [J Refract Surg. 2022;38(3):177-183.].

Design of a questionnaire for detecting contact lens discomfort: the Contact Lens Discomfort Index.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Questionnaires can provide unique information regarding the status of a condition from the perspective of the patient. Contact lens (CL) discomfort (CLD) is a condition subjectively reported by CL users; thus, updated and reliable questionnaires are needed. BACKGROUND: The objective of this study was to design a new questionnaire for identifying CLD, based on the currently established CLD definition considered in the Tear Film and Ocular Surface CLD Workshop. METHODS: A survey to characterise CL wearers was created and administered. Some items of the survey were selected by a focus group and analysed using a Rasch model to develop a questionnaire to identify CLD. Unidimensionality was checked applying principal components analysis. To build a plausible CLD classification (symptomatic vs asymptomatic), an unsupervised cluster analysis was used. Gower's general similarity coefficient, the partitioning around medoids algorithm, and the silhouette width were calculated. The reliability of the questionnaire was assessed using the intraclass correlation coefficient and Cohen's kappa coefficient. A study was performed to compare this questionnaire with the Contact Lens Dry Eye Questionnaire (CLDEQ)-8. RESULTS: The 31-item survey was completed by 1104 volunteers, and the posterior analysis resulted in a 9-item questionnaire, the Contact Lens Discomfort Index (CLDI). It showed a good fit with the model (mean square infit and outfit values range was 0.76-1.10), and good unidimensionality (eigenvalues ≤ 1.3). The CLDI score range was 0-18 and the cut-off score for identifying CLD was 8. The intraclass correlation coefficient was 0.88 (95% confidence interval, 0.75-0.94), and kappa was 0.67 (95% confidence interval, 0.41-0.93). Comparison of the CLDI with the CLDEQ-8 in a sample of 58 CL wearers showed that 70.7% were classified equally by both questionnaires. CONCLUSIONS: The CLDI is a well-structured instrument, with acceptable psychometric properties, making it a valid and reliable tool to measure CL-related symptoms.

Effect of the EVO+ Visian Phakic Implantable Collamer Lens on Visual Performance and Quality of Vision and Life.

PURPOSE: To assess the effect of EVO+ (V5) Visian implantable collamer lens implantation on mesopic visual performance, quality of vision (QoV), and quality of life (QoL). DESIGN: Prospective interventional case series. METHODS: Thirty-six eyes of 36 participants who underwent EVO+ implantation for myopia were evaluated preoperatively and at postoperative visits at 1 week and 1, 3, and 6 months. Visual acuity (VA) and mesopic contrast sensitivity (CS) with and without halogen- and xenon-type glare sources were evaluated at each visit. Subjective QoV was assessed with the QoV questionnaire and QoL assessed with the Quality of Life Impact of Refractive Correction (QIRC) questionnaire at each visit. Ring-shaped dysphotopsia was also assessed at each postoperative visit. Linear, cumulative link and logit mixed models were fitted to analyze the effect of the EVO+. RESULTS: Following EVO+ implantation, VA significantly (P ≤ .012) improved at the 4 postoperative visits. Mesopic CS progressively improved at 1, 3, and 6 months postoperatively (P ≤ .012). Halogen glare CS decreased at 1 week and halogen and xenon glare CS improved at 6 months (P ≤ .016). Photostress recovery time after halogen glare improved at 3 and 6 months (P ≤ .004). QoV scores improved at 1 week and 3 and 6 months (P ≤ .001). QIRC scores improved postoperatively (P < .001). Ring-shaped dysphotopsia decreased at 3 and 6 months (P ≤ .007). CONCLUSIONS: EVO+ implantation provides good mesopic visual performance, QoV, and QoL during up to 6 months follow-up. Some activities performed under mesopic conditions with glare sources may be affected during the first postoperative week. Ring-shaped dysphotopsia is negligibly bothersome 6 months after surgery.

Conjunctival Neuropathic and Inflammatory Pain-Related Gene Expression with Contact Lens Wear and Discomfort.

Purpose: To identify alterations in neuropathic and inflammatory pain gene expression associated with contact lens (CL) wear and CL discomfort (CLD).Methods: Eight non-wearers, eight asymptomatic CL wearers (CLWs) and eight symptomatic CLWs were included. Conjunctival cells were collected by impression cytology and the mRNA expression levels of 85 genes were analyzed. Differentially expressed genes between non-wearers and CLWs and between asymptomatic and symptomatic CLWs were analyzed. An enrichment analysis was also performed.Results: Twelve genes were upregulated (including IL10, PDYN and PENK) and 28 downregulated (CCL2, IL1A, IL1B, IL2 and NGF) in CLWs (p ≤ 0.050). Eleven genes were upregulated (CCL2, IL1A, IL1B, IL2 and NGF) and nine downregulated (PDYN and PENK) in symptomatic CLWs (p ≤ 0.035). Enriched overrepresented terms were related to pain, neuronal transmission and inflammation.Conclusion: Contact lens wear might produce a desensitization-like mechanism responsible for comfortable CL wear. A malfunction of this mechanism might contribute to CLD.

Substance P Level in Tears as a Potential Biomarker for Contact Lens Discomfort.

Purpose: To analyze the effects of contact lens (CL) wear, time of the day, and CL discomfort (CLD) on clinical signs, tear inflammatory mediators and substance P.Methods: Thirty symptomatic and 30 asymptomatic CL wearers attended two visits (morning and afternoon) on two days (non-CL and CL wearing days). Comfort, meniscus area, noninvasive breakup time (NIBUT), tear collection, hyperemia, lid parallel conjunctival folds, fluorescein staining, and sensitivity were performed. The tear levels of 23 inflammatory mediators and substance P were measured.Results: Comfort, meniscus area, NIBUT, and MMP-9 were lower while conjunctival staining and EGF higher (p ≤ 0.015) on the CL wearing day. Comfort, IL-8/CXCL8, and VEGF were lower while EGF, IP-10/CXCL10, and MCP-1/CCL2 higher (p ≤ 0.047) in the afternoon. Comfort was lower and substance P higher (p ≤ 0.006) in symptomatic wearers.Conclusion: Substance P may be implicated in CLD etiology; its role and potential application as a biomarker should be further studied.

Tear Inflammatory Molecules in Contact Lens Wearers: A Literature Review.

BACKGROUND: Numerous studies have analysed the effect of using different Contact Lenses (CLs) or care solutions, and suffering discomfort or diseases associated with CL wear on the inflammatory mediator release into the tears. OBJECTIVE: To summarize the published data on tear inflammatory molecules related to CL use. METHODS: A PubMed-NCBI search has been conducted and those publications which carried out original investigations including the analysis of tear inflammatory mediators in CL wearers were selected. RESULTS: Forty-three articles, from 1990 to 2019, have been included. Wearing hydrogel CLs, rigid gas permeable CLs, and special designs for irregular corneas in keratoconus patients (CLs with keratoconic design, hybrid CLs, piggyback fit, and scleral CLs) have been reported to alter the concentration of several molecules in tears. Moreover, there seems to be an effect of the wearing time and schedule, CL materials and designs, and care solutions used. Regarding CL discomfort, its relation with inflammatory mediators is not clear. However, some diseases associated to CL wear, such as giant papillary conjunctivitis, CL induced acute red eye, CL induced peripheral ulcer, and acanthamoeba keratitis have been related to the release of certain inflammatory mediators, which may serve as potential biomarkers. CONCLUSION: There is evidence suggesting that different aspects of CL wear alter the inflammatory mediator profile in tears, which may indicate an inflammatory state of the lacrimal functional unit. However, more studies need to be carried out to better understand how this inflammatory process works and its repercussion on the different aspects of CL wear.

Changes in the tarsal conjunctiva viewed by in vivo confocal microscopy are associated with ocular symptoms and contact lens wear.

PURPOSE: To investigate the effect of soft contact lens (CL) wear on the morphology of the epithelial-lamina propria junction as well as the possible association with symptoms of discomfort. METHODS: Ninety-two subjects were recruited, including 60 soft CL wearers, 16 previous wearers, and 16 non-wearers. Additionally, subjects were classified as symptomatic or asymptomatic using the Contact Lens Dry Eye Questionnaire 8 for the CL wearers (a score ≥ 12 was considered symptomatic) and the Dry Eye Questionnaire 5 for the previous wearers and non-wearers (a score ≥ 5 was considered symptomatic). In vivo confocal microscopy of the tarsal conjunctiva was performed on a single occasion. Papillae density, shortest diameter, longest diameter, area, circularity, lumen/wall brightness ratio, irregularity, reflectivity, inhomogeneous appearance of wall and inhomogeneous appearance of rete ridges were evaluated. Effects of CL wear, symptoms and their interaction were analysed using two-way analysis of variance. Correlations were investigated using Spearman's coefficient. Data are presented as mean (standard deviation) or median [interquartile range]. RESULTS: Contact lens wearers, compared to previous wearers and non-wearers, showed higher circularity [0.65 (0.08) vs 0.59 (0.10) vs 0.57 (0.11), p = 0.003]. Subjects with symptoms, compared to asymptomatic participants, showed higher circularity [0.64 (0.08) vs 0.61 (0.10), p < 0.001] and lower irregularity (1.0 [0.7-2.0] vs 1.3 [1.0-2.3], p = 0.009). For previous wearers, those with symptoms showed greater density (135.4 [107.3-183.3] vs 87.5 [85.4-116.7], p = 0.013) and circularity [0.64 (0.07) vs 0.54 (0.10), p = 0.016]. For non-wearers, those with symptoms showed higher circularity [0.65 (0.08) vs 0.50 (0.08), p < 0.001]. DEQ-5 correlated with circularity (ρ = 0.55, p = 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Soft CL wear modifies papillae of the epithelial-lamina propria junction into a more rounded shape; however, CL cessation appears to resolve this alteration. Additionally, a more rounded papillae shape is associated with ocular symptoms in subjects not actively wearing CLs.