SUBRETINAL DRUSENOID DEPOSITS AND SOFT DRUSEN: Are They Markers for Distinct Retinal Diseases?

PURPOSE: Soft drusen and subretinal drusenoid deposits (SDDs) characterize two pathways to advanced age-related macular degeneration (AMD), with distinct genetic risks, serum risks, and associated systemic diseases. METHODS: One hundred and twenty-six subjects with AMD were classified as SDD (with or without soft drusen) or non-SDD (drusen only) by retinal imaging, with serum risks, genetic testing, and histories of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and stroke. RESULTS: There were 62 subjects with SDD and 64 non-SDD subjects, of whom 51 had CVD or stroke. SDD correlated significantly with lower mean serum high-density lipoprotein (61 ± 18 vs. 69 ± 22 mg/dL, P = 0.038, t-test), CVD and stroke (34 of 51 SDD, P = 0.001, chi square), ARMS2 risk allele (P = 0.019, chi square), but not with CFH risk allele (P = 0.66). Non-SDD (drusen only) correlated/trended with APOE2 (P = 0.032) and CETP (P = 0.072) risk alleles (chi square). Multivariate independent risks for SDD were CVD and stroke (P = 0.008) and ARMS2 homozygous risk (P = 0.038). CONCLUSION: Subjects with subretinal drusenoid deposits and non-SDD subjects have distinct systemic associations and serum and genetic risks. Subretinal drusenoid deposits are associated with CVD and stroke, ARMS2 risk, and lower high-density lipoprotein; non-SDDs are associated with higher high-density lipoprotein, CFH risk, and two lipid risk genes. These and other distinct associations suggest that these lesions are markers for distinct diseases.

The historical development and an overview of contemporary keratoprostheses.

Corneal blindness is a major cause of ocular morbidity that affects 4.5 million people worldwide. Though penetrating keratoplasty is an excellent option for most patients with corneal blindness, there are various conditions for which corneal transplantation carries a low likelihood of success. In cases of multiple failed transplants, the keratoprosthesis, an artificial cornea, is a well-documented surgical option, though few models are commercially available. Keratoprostheses also provide a solution to those in developing areas of the world who do not have access to penetrating keratoplasty owing to limitations in the supply of corneal donor tissue. We summarize the history of keratoprostheses, examine the various keratoprosthesis models used across the globe, and highlight efforts to improve the accessibility and biointegration of keratoprosthesis through novel technological developments.

Refractive enhancements for residual refractive error after cataract surgery.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Advances in cataract surgery have allowed surgeons to achieve superior refractive outcomes but have also led to higher patient expectations. Despite ever-evolving technology, residual refractive errors still occur. Postcataract refractive enhancements may be required to deliver satisfactory visual outcomes. This review aims to discuss the potential causes of residual refractive errors and the various enhancement modalities to correct them. RECENT FINDINGS: A thorough preoperative workup to detect and address underlying pathologic causes of impaired vision should be performed prior to enhancement or corrective procedures. Corneal-based procedures are the safest and most accurate methods of correcting mild cases of residual refractive error. Hyperopic, high myopic, and high astigmatic errors are best managed with lens-based enhancements. Piggyback intraocular lenses (IOLs) are safer and more effective compared with IOL exchange. Toric IOL rotation and IOL exchange are ideally performed in the early postoperative period. SUMMARY: A multitude of options exist for effective correction of residual refractive errors. The choice on how to best manage these patients depends on many factors such as the cause of refractive error, type of IOL used, ocular comorbidities, and patient preference.

Use of presbyopia-correcting intraocular lenses in patients with prior corneal refractive surgery.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Corneal refractive surgery has achieved spectacle-free vision for millions of patients, but this aging population is now developing cataracts. Many of these patients may wish to avoid reliance on glasses after cataract surgery. Presbyopia-correcting intraocular lenses (IOLs) offer a solution, but corneal changes after refractive surgery may compound higher order aberrations and dysphotopic symptoms associated with these IOLs. This review aims to discuss potential factors that could aid in determining suitable postkeratorefractive candidates for presbyopia-correcting IOLs. RECENT FINDINGS: Studies investigating which preoperative measures influence outcomes are lacking. The few studies that have examined presbyopia-correcting IOLs in postkeratorefractive patients report that satisfactory outcomes are possible. However, recommendations for preoperative thresholds appear limited to expert opinion and studies involving virgin corneas. SUMMARY: As the number of presbyopia-correcting IOLs and postkeratorefractive patients grows, continued investigation into relevant preoperative factors and appropriate IOLs is required to make evidence-based decisions. The current literature shows that with rigorous counseling and appropriate patient selection, presbyopia-correcting IOLs can provide postkeratorefractive patients with satisfactory results and spectacle independence. In addition, the development of postoperative modifiable IOLs may prove to be the preferred option.

Visual Outcomes After Sequential Posterior Chamber Phakic IOL with Corneal Refractive Surgery (Bioptics) for the Treatment of Myopic Astigmatism.

PURPOSE: To report the outcomes of sequential posterior chamber phakic intraocular lens (PC-pIOL) with corneal refractive surgery in conventional (PC-pIOL prior to refractive surgery) and reverse (refractive surgery prior to PC-pIOL) bioptics for treating high myopic astigmatism. SETTING: Tertiary refractive center, Draper, Utah, USA. DESIGN: Retrospective case series. METHODS: Medical records of patients who underwent planned bioptics were reviewed. Surgery involved PC-pIOL placement using an implantable collamer lens (ICL) with preceding or subsequent LASIK or PRK. Pre- and postoperative manifest spherical equivalent (SEQ), visual acuity, and PC-pIOL vault were analyzed. RESULTS: Of the 51 eyes present at 12 months postoperatively, 49 eyes (96%) achieved target SEQ within ±1.00 D and an identical amount achieved refractive astigmatism ≤1.00 D. Post-bioptics eyes achieved a postoperative UDVA equal to or better than preoperative CDVA in 45 eyes (88%). Efficacy and safety indices were 1.08 ± 0.20 (41 eyes) and 1.13 ± 0.22 (44 eyes) for conventional bioptics and 0.99 ± 0.42 (7 eyes) and 1.15 ± 0.38 (7 eyes) for reverse bioptics eyes at 12 months. The maximum PC-pIOL vault of conventional bioptics eyes (27 eyes) within 6 months before and after LASIK/PRK was 385 ± 159 µm and 377 ± 135 µm, respectively (P = 0.71). CONCLUSION: Bioptics for high myopic astigmatism was safe and effective. Reverse bioptics, although not as traditional, could provide similar results. Additionally, the PC-pIOL vault does not appear to be affected by LASIK/PRK.

Initial Single-Site Experience Using SMILE for the Treatment of Astigmatism in Myopic Eyes and Comparison of Astigmatic Outcomes with Existing Literature.

PURPOSE: To assess a single site's initial experience with SMILE for the treatment of myopic astigmatism and compare outcomes and vector analysis results with the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) results and published literature. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Forty-eight eyes (29 patients) with mean preoperative sphere of -5.11 ± 1.31 diopters (D) and cylinder of -1.12 ± 0.60 D underwent SMILE. Visual acuity, refractive, and vector analysis outcomes as well as subjective measures were reported at three and twelve months postoperatively and compared with FDA results and the published literature between 2014 and 2020 involving treatment of patients with mean cylinders of >-0.50 to ≤-3.00 D. RESULTS: At three and twelve months, 43 and 32 eyes were evaluated, respectively. At twelve months, mean cylinder power was reduced to -0.38 ± 0.38 D with 78.1% achieving ≤±0.50 D. Uncorrected distance visual acuity (UDVA) ≥20/20 was achieved in 77.4% of eyes by twelve months with 100% achieving ≥20/30 UDVA. No loss of corrected distance visual acuity was observed in eyes seen at twelve months. Correction index (CI) at twelve months was 0.90 indicating overall undercorrection of 10%. Twelve-month CI was 0.96, 0.90, and 0.83 in eyes with preoperative cylinders of <-1.00 D, ≥-1.00 to <-2.00 D, and ≥-2.00 D, respectively. Mean angle of error was -1.58 ± 11.61° ranging from -24.22° to 37.75°. CONCLUSION: We found SMILE to be an effective and safe means of achieving spectacle independence and improving visual acuity in patients with myopic astigmatism. SMILE has the potential for improved clinical outcomes with better nomogram guidance and advancements in technique. However, surgeons must be aware of the potential for undercorrection in with-the-rule astigmatism and at higher preoperative cylinders and as well as the potential for overcorrection in against-the-rule and lower preoperative cylinder astigmatism.