Contrast Adaptation in Pseudophakic Patients with Macular Disorders.

PURPOSE: To learn whether contrast adaptation, induced by positive spherical defocus, is compromised by macular disorders such as age-related macular degeneration (AMD) or epiretinal membranes (ERM) and to gain further insight in the functionality of the pathological macula and the level of "functional reserve" often postulated for the indication of presbyopia correcting IOLs. METHODS: In a pilot study, patients with macular disorders, AMD and ERM, (n = 10) and healthy volunteers (n = 10) were tested to quantify contrast adaption after +4 D defocus for 10 min, by performing an interocular contrast matching task. Subjects manually adjusted the perceived contrast of the test patch as seen by the test eye to match to the contrast of a target patch with a fixed Michelson contrast of 0.2 as seen by the contralateral untreated eye. RESULTS: Patients with macular disorders subjectively matched the 0.2 target contrast with a contrast of 0.24 ± 0.06 (mean ± SD) before adaptation and with a contrast of 0.19 ± 0.04 after adaptation (p < 0.05). Accordingly, patients with macular disorders showed an induced contrast gain by adaptation of 0.05 (27%), which was not different from the control group, which showed an induced contrast gain by adaptation of 0.06 (35%). CONCLUSION: Patients with mild and moderate macular disorders, such as AMD and ERM, show an induced contrast adaptation, i.e. a gain in contrast sensitivity, at 3.2 cpd, which is not different in level from the induced contrast adaptation in healthy subjects. Macular disorders do not prevent adaptation of the patient's visual system to low contrast or blurred retinal images. Therefore, the implantation of presbyopia correcting IOLs is not a strict exclusion criterion for these patients, but the progressive nature of the macular disorder must be taken into account.

Non-Invasive Treatment of Early Diabetic Macular Edema by Multiwavelength Photobiomodulation with the Valeda Light Delivery System.

Purpose: Diabetes is associated with ocular complications including diabetic macular edema (DME). Current therapies are invasive and include repeated intravitreal injections and laser therapy. Photobiomodulation (PBM) is a treatment (Tx) that utilizes selected wavelengths of light to induce cellular benefits including reduction of inflammation and edema. This single-center, open-label, post-hoc analysis explored the utility of multiwavelength PBM in subjects with DME. Methods: Analysis included review of data from patients undergoing standard clinical care with an approved and marketed PBM medical device, the Valeda® Light Delivery System. Subjects with early-stage DME with good vision (Best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) > 20/25, logMAR > 0.1) were evaluated in clinic and treated with one series of multiwavelength PBM (Tx delivered 3x/week over 3-4 weeks; total of 9 Tx sessions). Clinical, anatomical, and safety parameters were assessed in addition to subjective quality of life. Results: A total of 30 eyes (19 subjects) were analyzed. Subjects were predominately male (68.4%) with a mean age of 56 ± 14 years. Reductions in central retinal thickness (CRT), resolution of intraretinal fluid (IRF) and improvement in diabetic retinopathy severity scale scores were observed following PBM treatment in select patients. Baseline BCVA remained stable over the follow-up observation period of 3 months post-PBM. Approximately 64% of patients reported subjective improvements in their ocular condition and decreased influence in everyday life. Detailed OCT evaluations confirmed no safety issues related to phototoxicity up to 16 months. Conclusion: Early-stage DME subjects treated with Valeda multiwavelength PBM showed improvements in clinical and anatomical parameters. The Valeda multiwavelength PBM approach demonstrates a favorable safety profile with no signs of phototoxicity following an independent OCT review. PBM therapy may offer an alternative, non-invasive treatment strategy with a unique mechanism and modality for patients with early-stage DME.

A Comparison of Optical Biometers Used in Children for Myopia Control.

PURPOSE: To assess the reproducibility (i.e., inter-device reliability) of the biometers Topcon MYAH, Oculus Myopia Master, and Haag-Streit Lenstar LS900 with the Carl Zeiss IOLMaster 700 and the intra-subject repeatability in myopic children in order to reliably detect axial growth for myopia management. METHODS: Twenty-two myopic children (11.1 ± 2.4 yr) with a spherical equivalent of - 3.53 ± 2.35 D were examined with each of the biometers to assess axial length (AL) and corneal parameters (steepK, flatK, meanK, vectors J0, J45), and16 of these children agreed to a second round of measurements. Reproducibility of the first measurements between the IOLMaster and every other biometer was assessed employing a Bland-Altman approach and paired Student's t-test. Repeatability was assessed as intra-subject standard deviation and was used to estimate the minimum time interval required between two AL measurements to reliably detect axial growth of an eye of at least 0.1 mm/year. RESULTS: Repeatability for AL measurements was as follows: IOLMaster: 0.05 mm, Myopia Master: 0.06 mm, Myah: 0.06 mm, Lenstar: 0.04 mm; the respective minimal time interval for axial growth assessment in myopia management was estimated as 5.6, 6.6, 6.7, and 5.0 months, respectively. Best reproducibility of the AL measurement was found between IOLMaster and Lenstar [95% Limits of Agreement (LoA) for reproducibility - 0.06 to 0.02]. As regards to the measured means, Lenstar gave measures of AL that were longer than with the IOLMaster by 0.02 mm (p < 0.001). Myopia Master measures of meanK were significantly lower (by 0.21 D with p < 0.001) than the values from the IOLMaster. As for J0, all biometers deviated significantly from IOLMaster measurements (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Generally good agreement was observed between all the biometers. When assessing myopia progression in children, a time frame of at least 6 months between the AL measurements is advisable in order to reliably determine any deviation from a normal growth pattern.

[Post-SMILE-What myopes know about their secondary emmetropic eyes]. / Post-SMILE ­ Was Myope über ihre sekundär emmetropen Augen wissen.

BACKGROUND: Small incision lenticule extraction (SMILE) is popular among young myopic adults for long-term correction of myopia; however, the excessive axial lengths of myopic eyes and the associated risks for more serious eye diseases later on remain with surgical correction of the refractive error. These risks are greater the higher the myopia is. Are patients well informed about this and to what extent does further eye growth occur even after SMILE? MATERIAL AND METHODS: Myopic young adults who underwent binocular SMILE before 2019 were given the opportunity to have their eyes examined at a follow-up visit (biometry using IOL-Master 700 [Zeiss, Oberkochen, Germany], subjective refraction, examination of the anterior and posterior segments of the eye using the slit lamp) and to participate in a survey. Patients with a preoperative axial length ≥ 25.5 mm and a preoperative axial length < 25.5 mm (high myopia) were statistically evaluated separately. RESULTS: A total of 44 patients (age 30.39 ± 2.39 years) appeared at the visit and the SMILE was 3.18 ± 0.82 years ago: The spherical equivalent at the follow-up visit was -0.05 ± 0.21 dpt in the weaker myopes and -0.18 ± 0.23 dpt in the high myopes. Of the respondents 27% estimated that SMILE would reduce the risk of retinal detachment and cataract, with 80% of high myopes underestimating the individual risk of retinal detachment. Also, 57% said they would not see an ophthalmologist until within 1 week if they had symptoms consistent with acute retinal detachment, and only 27% would go to an emergency room immediately. In general, 59% reported having normal health awareness and 41% reported going for annual ophthalmological check-ups. CONCLUSION: The collected axial lengths and refractions show no relevant change in the eyes regarding progression of myopia; however, the patients' statements in the survey point out that most patients are not aware of the risk of serious eye diseases (retinal detachment, cataract). Therefore, repeated risk education and close postoperative care are needed, especially in preoperatively highly myopic patients.

Safety of DIMS Spectacle Lenses and Atropine as Combination Therapy for Myopia Progression. / Sicherheit von Brillengläsern mit DIMS-Technologie und Atropin in der Kombinationstherapie der Myopieprogression.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to evaluate traffic safety of Defocus Incorporated Multiple Segments (DIMS) spectacle lenses in combination therapy with atropine. PATIENTS AND METHODS: 12 young adults (age: 24 - 45; 30,1 ± 5,7 years) were recruited to evaluate corrected distance visual acuity (CDVA), contrast sensitivity (CS; FrACT), glare sensitivity (Mesotest) under the influence of DIMS spectacle correction alone and combination therapy with 0,01% atropine. RESULTS: When looking through the central area of the DIMS lens, far vision does not decrease due to the influence of atropine; influence of glare and atropine leads to a reduction of CDVA by 0.10 logMAR. When forced to look through the DIMS area, far vision is reduced by 0.09 logMAR due to the influence of atropine in the absence of glare; in the presence of glare, no further loss of visual acuity can be observed under the influence of atropine. Contrast vision with DIMS glasses is not altered by the effects of atropine. Concerning glare sensitivity, DIMS lenses did not show any visual impairment that would be relevant to vision and road safety. Additional atropinization does not affect glare sensitivity. CONCLUSION: DIMS spectacle lenses are safe for participation in road traffic and do not relevantly impair traffic safety, neither alone nor under the acute influence of 0,01% atropine.

Vision tests on spectacle lenses and contact lenses for optical myopia correction: a pilot study.

Objective: Visual performance and short-term tolerability of different designs of myopia correcting options, including therapeutically relevant bifocal contact lenses (CL) and spectacle lenses with 'defocus incorporated multiple segments (DIMS)' technology were compared. Methods and analysis: In myopic volunteering subjects (n=8; spherical equivalent range: -1 to -7 D) visual acuity (VA) using Landolt C and contrast sensitivity (CS) using contrast C were assessed at three different gaze positions (-22° nasal, +22° temporal and 0° central), corresponding to a gaze through the DIMS area or the clear area of the DIMS lens design, respectively, after short-term wear of each of single vision spectacle lenses (SV), DIMS spectacle lenses (DIMS), monofocal soft CL and centre-near multifocal soft CL (MCL). Also, CS was assessed under photopic and mesopic light conditions with and without glare using sinusoidal gratings at 1.5, 3, 6, 12 and 18 cpd. Results: Mean VA (Landolt C) was -0.12 to -0.10, -0.05 and 0.10 logMAR (SV, DIMS, CL, MCL) at central gaze (0°). At nasal gaze (-22°), VA differed by 0.12, 0.33, 0.05 and 0.01, and at temporal gaze (+22°) by 0.05, 0.26, 0 and -0.08 compared with central gaze values. Mean CS (Contrast C) was 1.74, 1.73, 1.69 and 1.61 logCS (SV, DIMS, CL, MCL) at central gaze at nasal gaze, CS differed by -0.02 to -0.13, -0.01 and -0.01, and at temporal gaze by -0.02 to -0.16, -0.01 and +0.06 compared with central gaze values. Conclusion: When compared with SV, MCL leads to a general decrease in VA and CS, while DIMS did not differ from SV at straight gaze (0° gaze). With DIMS, VA and CS are decreased to a similar level as with the MCL, but only at nasal and temporal gaze.

[Optometric eye screening in schools : First results of a pilot project on logistical feasibility]. / Optometrische Schulreihenuntersuchungen : Erste Ergebnisse eines Pilotprojekts zur logistischen Machbarkeit.

BACKGROUND: We present a pilot project to improve eye health in schoolchildren: annual optometric screening with a focus on early detection of school myopia. The logistical proof-of-concept is illustrated by way of a pilot project at a state high school in North Rhine-Westphalia. The collected biometric parameters also contribute to the collection of epidemiological data. MATERIAL AND METHODS: On organized examination days objective and subjective refractions of schoolchildren in grades 5-7 (ages 9-16 years) were determined, children were tested for abnormalities in binocular vision and the photopic and mesopic pupil diameters were determined. Noncontact biometry was used to measure the corneal radius, central corneal thickness, anterior chamber depth, lens thickness and axial length of the eyes. Optical coherence tomography (OCT) was used to also determine the central choroidal thickness of the eyes. Questionnaires were employed to inquire about the visual habits of the schoolchildren. RESULTS: In the fall of 2019 a total of 274 schoolchildren (11.2 ± 1.2 years) voluntarily participated in the examinations: 22% (61) showed myopia (spherical equivalent ≤ -0.50 D), of which 11% (7) were previously uncorrected (uncorrected distance visual acuity < 0.8). Of the schoolchildren 8% (5) showed an increase in myopia of more than -0.5 D compared to their actual spectacle values (distance visual acuity with ophthalmic lens < 0.8). A class of about 25 pupils can be examined within 2 regular periods. CONCLUSION: There is an actual need for optometric screening because a total of 4.4% (12) myopic schoolchildren could be identified who had a distance visual acuity of less than 0.8 even with the correction. By determining the axial length and classifying this value depending on age in the literature can help to predict the individual risk of myopia and to raise awareness among parents and children to address this problem. The planned repetition of these examinations enables a better understanding of eye growth in schoolchildren.

[Optometric eye screening in schools : First epidemiological data for children and adolescents in grades 5-7]. / Optometrische Schulreihenuntersuchungen : Erste epidemiologische Daten von Kindern und Jugendlichen der 5. bis 7. Klasse.

BACKGROUND: Annually recurring optometric screening helps to identify children with increased axial growth and also to create awareness for wearing properly corrected glasses and for spending enough time outdoors, both of which are crucial for healthy eyes. The obtained biometric data help to expand the epidemiological information on myopia in schoolchildren, which is fundamental for the selection of the correct treatment. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Contact-free biometry of the eye was used to assess central corneal thickness, anterior chamber depth, lens thickness and axial length. Central choroidal thickness was manually assessed using optical coherence tomography (OCT). In addition, the mesopic and photopic pupil sizes were measured. RESULTS: Biometric data were obtained from 257 (mean age 11.2 ± 1.1 years, 31.9% female, n = 82, 68.1% male, n = 175) out of a total of 274 examined children. Mean corneal radius (mean ± SD, female/male) was 7.74 ± 0.23 mm/7.89 ± 0.22 mm, central corneal thickness was 556.80 ± 31.31 µm/565.68 ± 33.12 µm, anterior chamber depth was 3.62 ± 0.28 mm/3.71 ± 0.25 mm, lens thickness was 3.48 ± 0.18 mm/3.46 ± 0.17 mm and axial length was 23.03 ± 0.88 mm/23.51 ± 0.88 mm. Choroidal thickness was assessed in 240 children and was 335.12 ± 60.5 µm. Mesopic and photopic pupil sizes were 6.38 ± 0.70 mm and 3.11 ± 0.63 mm, respectively. CONCLUSION: The axial lengths found are consistent with the normal values for European children. A difference between male and female eyes could be observed. The repetition of these examinations in the future will enable the generation of growth charts.

[Myopia treatment and prophylaxis with defocus incorporated multiple segments spectacle lenses]. / Myopietherapie und Prophylaxe mit "Defocus Incorporated Multiple Segments"-Brillengläsern.

Excessive axial eye growth in children and adolescents leads to progressive myopia and can result in severe ocular diseases in adulthood. Various strategies have already been developed to inhibit progression of myopia. The novel single vision lens presented in this article features the defocus incorporated multiple segments (DIMS) technology and adds an easy to use, noninvasive option to the portfolio of myopia treatment. Initial studies showed promising results with only a very low side effect profile.

A retrospective analysis of the therapeutic effects of 0.01% atropine on axial length growth in children in a real-life clinical setting.

BACKGROUND: Several randomized controlled studies have demonstrated the beneficial effects of 0.01% atropine eye drops on myopia progression in children. However, treatment effects may be different in a routine clinical setting. We performed a retrospective analysis of our clinical data from children to investigate the effect of 0.01% atropine eye drops on myopia progression in a routine clinical setting. METHODS: Atropine-treated children were asked to instill one drop of 0.01% atropine in each eye every evening at 5 days a week. Myopic children who did not undergo atropine treatment served as controls. Objective refraction and ocular biometry of 80 atropine-treated and 103 untreated children at initial visit and 1 year later were retrospectively analyzed. RESULTS: Myopic refractions in the treated and untreated children at initial visit ranged from -0.625 to -15.25 D (-4.21 ± 2.90 D) and from -0.125 to -9.375 D (-2.92 ± 1.77 D), respectively. Ages at initial visit ranged from 3.2 to 15.5 years (10.1 ± 2.7 years) in the treated and from 3.4 to 15.5 years (11.2 ± 3.0 years) in untreated children. Two-factor ANOVA for age and atropine effects on axial length growth confirmed that axial length growth rates declined with age (p<0.0001) and revealed a significant inhibitory effect of atropine on axial length growth (p<0.0015). The atropine effect on axial length growth averaged to 0.08 mm (28%) inhibition per year. Effects on refraction were not statistically significant. CONCLUSION: The observed atropine effects were not very distinctive: Statistical analysis confirmed that atropine reduced axial length growth, but to an extent of minor clinical relevance. It was also shown that beneficial effects of 0.01% atropine may not be obvious in each single case, which should be communicated with parents and resident ophthalmologists.

Efficacy of nanosecond laser treatment in central serous chorioretinopathy with and without atrophy of retinal pigment epithelium.

BACKGROUND: To evaluate the outcomes of subthreshold nanosecond laser treatment of chronic central serous chorioretinopathy (CSC) as a function of the severity of concomitant of retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) defects. METHODS: This retrospective study compares data from 23 CSC diagnosed eyes with only mild RPE defects (group 1), 16 CSC eyes with moderate RPE defects (group 2), and 17 CSC eyes having severe RPE defects (group 3). After subthreshold treatment with the standard Ellex 2RT™ nanosecond laser (Ellex Medical Lasers Ltd, Australia), changes in macular structure and levels of subretinal fluid (SRF) were assessed by OCT-SD, OCT-A, functional integrity of the retina was assessed by corrected distance visual acuity (CDVA) and microperimetry, each at baseline and 1, 3, 6, and 12 months after initial treatment; re-treatment took place in cases of persistent SRF pro re nata. RESULTS: During the 12 months observation period, group 1 and 2 mostly required on initial and one re-treatment (1.9 ± 1.0 treatments; 1.9 ± 1.3 treatments). In contrast, group 3 was subject to three to four treatments (3.7 ± 1.5 treatments). 6 to 12 months after treatment, subretinal fluid (SRF) disappeared in 100% of the eyes of group 1 and in 76.9%, and 42.9% of the eyes of group 2 and group 3, respectively. Retinal sensitivity and CDVA improved in group 1 and 2, but did not change significantly in group 3 during the 12 months period. CONCLUSIONS: Subthreshold nanosecond laser treatment is an effective and safe method for the restoration of macular anatomy and sensitivity in acute and chronic CSC cases with only mild or moderate RPE defects. However, this laser treatment has very limited outcome in CSC eyes with more severe RPE defects.

[Selection of Intraocular Lenses for Patients with Maculopathies]. / Selektion von Intraokularlinsen bei Patienten mit Makulopathien.

BACKGROUND: Multifocal intraocular lenses (MIOLs) may bring independence from glasses. In practice the question often arises as to which patient would be suitable for the implantation of MIOLs. Surgeons are hesitant to implant MIOLs in patients with macular or retinal pathologies, mostly due to a fear that the multifocality of the implanted IOL might increase patients' existing visual handicap. In this study we use virtual implantation to determine how various multifocal intraocular lens designs impact visual performance in the presence of macular pathologies. PATIENTS, MATERIAL AND METHODS: 17 pseudophakic normal eyes (group 1) and 13 pseudophakic eyes with retinal maculopathologies (group 2) and lower visual acuity were included in this study. We analysed best-corrected distance visual acuity (BCDVA), near- and distance-corrected near visual acuity (DCNVA) and contrast sensitivity (CS) while the patients were looking through the VirtIOL optical simulator to virtually experience vision through implanted intraocular lenses (IOL). Three different IOL types: aspheric monofocal, EDOF (extended depth of focus) and diffractive trifocal were tested. Comparisons were made between the different IOL types and between groups 1 and 2. RESULTS: Group 2 had lower visual acuity and also lower CS than group 1. The benefit from the multifocal IOLs was seen as a significantly increased DCNVA over the monofocal IOL. This was demonstrated in both groups: increases of 0.29 logMAR and 0.39 logMAR in DCNVA with EDOF- and trifocal IOL in group 1, respectively, and increases of 0.17 logMAR and 0.25 logMAR in DCNVA in group 2, respectively. However, at lower spatial frequencies of 3 cpd, CS was reduced in both groups compared to monofocal IOL. CONCLUSIONS: For the visual functions tested here, MIOLs are a viable option for patients with maculoretinal pathologies or previous retinal surgery to support their wish for independence from glasses. Although their visual performance is limited, they can still benefit from MIOLs with improved reading performance without near addition.

Subretinal electrical stimulation of the rabbit retina with acutely implanted electrode arrays.

BACKGROUND: Subretinal implants intend to replace photoreceptor function in patients suffering from degenerative retinal disease by topically applying electrical stimuli from the subretinal space. This study intended to prove the feasibility of a newly developed transchoroidal surgery and, furthermore, of a subretinal electrode array, which closely resembles envisioned human implants to electrically stimulate the visual system in rabbits. METHODS: Five rabbits (ten eyes) were implanted with a 4x2-electrode array via a transchoroidal access to the subretinal space. The electrodes were connected to an arbitrary stimulus generator to apply voltage pulses. Retinae were accessed by light microscopy after stimulation with various intensities. RESULTS: The stimulating foil could be introduced into the subretinal space in all eyes. In seven of ten eyes electrically evoked cortical potentials following subretinal electrical stimulation could be elicited. Threshold voltages ranged from less than 0.1 to 2.38 V with a corresponding threshold charge of approximately 1.0 nC per electrode or 10 micro C/cm(2). Histology revealed localized retinal damage over some of the electrodes succeeding stimulation strengths of 2 V and consistent damage over all electrodes succeeding voltages of 3 V. CONCLUSIONS: The study demonstrates the feasibility of the transchoroidal surgical access to place subretinal implants in rabbit eyes and provides proof of successful cortical activation following subretinal electrical stimulation by an electrode array envisioned for human implantations.