Static cyclotorsion measurements using the Schwind Amaris laser.

PURPOSE: To assess the reliability and reproducibility of static cyclotorsion correction (SCC) measurements made using the Schwind Amaris Excimer laser in patients undergoing LASIK or PRK, and compare the outcomes of treating astigmatism with and without SCC. METHODS: Eighty eyes of 40 patients were included in this study. All eyes underwent 2 or 3 sets of five measurements: before and after speculum placement, and after flap-lift (in LASIK cases). We assessed the reproducibility, accuracy, and the percentage of "no catch" measurements. The astigmatism was calculated pre-and 3-months-postoperatively by vector analysis. RESULTS: The mean age of the patients was 23.67 ・} 4.19 years. Preoperative spherical equivalent and astigmatism were -2.56 ・} 2.86 D and +1.36 ・} 0.98 D, respectively. The mean measurement time was 15.1 seconds per measurement. The percentages of "no catch" were: 63.8%, 14.9%, and 26.9%; pre-speculum, post-speculum, and post flap-lift, respectively. Cyclotorsion of ≥}2° was seen in 41.25% and 66% of the cases before and after the flap-lift, respectively. Significant cyclotorsion (≥}5°) was seen in 12.50% and 18% of the eyes pre and post flap-lift. The mean astigmatism dropped from +1.53 D@1° to +0.34D@3° when SCC was used and from +1.86D@1° to +0.23D@7° when SCC was not used. No statistical difference was noticed between the groups (p>0.05) in the postoperative residual astigmatism. A postoperative astigmatism of ≥ D was seen in 10% and 20% of eyes with and without SCC, respectively (p<0.01). CONCLUSION: Although not always feasible, the SCC measurement is a simple and useful tool. Postoperative astigmatism showed less variability when SCC was used.

Static cyclotorsion measurements using the Schwind Amaris laser / Medições da ciclotorção estática usando o laser Schwind Amaris

Purpose: To assess the reliability and reproducibility of static cyclotorsion correction (SCC) measurements made using the Schwind Amaris Excimer laser in patients undergoing LASIK or PRK, and compare the outcomes of treating astigmatism with and without SCC. Methods: Eighty eyes of 40 patients were included in this study. All eyes underwent 2 or 3 sets of five measurements: before and after speculum placement, and after flap-lift (in LASIK cases). We assessed the reproducibility, accuracy, and the percentage of "no catch" measurements. The astigmatism was calculated pre-and 3-months-postoperatively by vector analysis. Results: The mean age of the patients was 23.67 ± 4.19 years. Preoperative spherical equivalent and astigmatism were -2.56 ± 2.86 D and +1.36 ± 0.98 D, respectively. The mean measurement time was 15.1 seconds per measurement. The percentages of "no catch" were: 63.8%, 14.9%, and 26.9%; pre-speculum, post-speculum, and post flap-lift, respectively. Cyclotorsion of ≥±2º was seen in 41.25% and 66% of the cases before and after the flap-lift, respectively. Significant cyclotorsion (≥±5º) was seen in 12.50% and 18% of the eyes pre and post flap-lift. The mean astigmatism dropped from +1.53 D@1º to +0.34D@3º when SCC was used and from +1.86D@1º to +0.23D@7º when SCC was not used. No statistical difference was noticed between the groups (p>0.05) in the postoperative residual astigmatism. A postoperative astigmatism of ≥1 D was seen in 10% and 20% of eyes with and without SCC, respectively (p<0.01). Conclusion: Although not always feasible, the SCC measurement is a simple and useful tool. Postoperative astigmatism showed less variability when SCC was used. .

Objetivo: Avaliar a confiabilidade e reprodutibilidade da correção da medida de ciclotorção estática (SCC), realizada com o excimer laser Schwind Amaris em pacientes submetidos a LASIK ou PRK, e comparar os resultados do tratamento de astigmatismo com e sem SCC. Método: Oitenta olhos (40 pacientes). Todos os olhos foram submetidos a 2 ou 3 séries de 5 medições: antes e após a colocação do espéculo, e depois do levantamento do flap (nos casos de LASIK). Foram avaliadas a reprodutibilidade, a precisão e a porcentagem de medições "não obtidas". O astigmatismo foi avaliado no pré-operatório e aos 3 meses de pós-operatório, por meio de análise vetorial. Resultados: A idade foi 23,67 ± 4,19 anos. O equivalente esférico e o astigmatismo pré-operatórios foram -2,56 ± 2,86 D, e 1,36 ± 0,98 D, respectivamente. O tempo de medição médio foi 15,1 segundos por medição; as porcentagens de medidas "não obtidas" foram: 63,8%, 14,9% e 26,9%; pré, pós-espéculo, e pós-levantamento do flap, respectivamente. Ciclotorção ≥±2º foi observada em 41,25% e 66 % dos casos pré e pós-levantamento do flap. Ciclotorção significativa (≥±5º) foi observada em 12,50% e 18% pré e pós-levantamento do flap. A média do astigmatismo diminuiu de 1,53D @ 1º para 0,34D @ 3º quando SCC foi usado e de 1,86D @ 1º a 0,23D @7º quando SCC não foi usado. O astigmatismo residual pós-operatório não foi estatisticamente diferente entre os grupos (p>0,05). O astigmatismo pós-operatório ≥1D foi observado em 10% e 20 % dos olhos com e sem SCC, respectivamente (p<0,01). Conclusão: A medição do SCC é fácil e útil, apesar de nem sempre ...

Novel 'heavy' dyes for retinal membrane staining during macular surgery: multicenter clinical assessment.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the feasibility of two novel 'heavy' dye solutions for staining the internal limiting membrane (ILM) and epiretinal membranes (ERMs), without the need for a prior fluid-air exchange, during macular surgery. METHODS: In this prospective nonrandomized multicenter cohort study, the high molecular weight dyes ILM-Blue™ [0.025% brilliant blue G, 4% polyethylene glycol (PEG)] and MembraneBlue-Dual™ (0.15% trypan blue, 0.025% brilliant blue G, 4% PEG) were randomly used in vitrectomy surgeries for macular disease in 127 eyes of 127 patients. Dye enhanced membrane visualization of the ILM and ERMs, 'ease of membrane peeling', visually detectable perioperative retinal damage, postoperative best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), dye remnants and other unexpected clinical events were documented by 21 surgeons. RESULTS: All surgeries were uneventful, and a clear bluish staining, facilitating the identification, delineation and removal of the ILM and ERMs, was reported in all but five cases. None of the surgeries required a fluid-air exchange to assist the dye application. BCVA at 1 month after surgery improved in 83% of the eyes in the MembraneBlue-Dual™ group and in 88% in the ILM-Blue™ group. No dye remnants were detected by ophthalmoscopy, and no retinal adverse effects related to the surgery or use of the dyes were observed. CONCLUSION: The 'heavy' dye solutions ILM-Blue™ and MembraneBlue-Dual™ can be injected into a fluid-filled vitreous cavity and may facilitate staining and removal of the ILM and/or ERMs in macular surgery without an additional fluid-air exchange.

Impact of AREDS in a developing country 5 years after publication of the study.

PURPOSE: The Age-Related Eye Disease Study (AREDS) is the only large-scale study to demonstrate a reduction in the risk of progression to end-stage age-related macular degeneration (AMD) when vitamin supplementation was given to patients with advanced forms of the disease. Our study assesses the impact of this study on vitamin supplementation in patients with advanced AMD from 5 years before publication of the AREDS results until 5 years after. METHODS: Medical records of patients with AMD presenting between September 1996 and October 2006 were reviewed. Patients were subclassified according to AREDS categories. The proportion of advanced cases on vitamin replacement before October 2001 was compared to that after October 2001. Since October 2001, the different reasons for abstinence were investigated and analyzed. RESULTS: Only 2403 patients of the 40,000 medical records reviewed met the AREDS AMD criteria. Of these, 137 patients verifying categories 3 and 4 were diagnosed prior to October 2001. Fourteen were on supplements then. Fifty-three patients complied with the represcribed vitamins during subsequent visits after October 2001, raising the percentage significantly to 48.9% (p<0.001). Also, from October 2001 until October 2006, an additional 76 patients verified categories 3 and 4. Fifty-three (69.7%) of them were on vitamins (p=0.001). Financial burden was the principal reason for abstinence in 67.7% of patients prescribed vitamins after October 2001. CONCLUSIONS: The results of AREDS had an impressive impact on prescribing supplements in AREDS category 3 and 4 patients in Lebanon. The main reason for noncompliance is financial.

Mild myopic astigmatism corrected by accidental flap complication: a case report.

A 35-year-old female presented for laser in-situ keratomileusis (LASIK). Her preoperative eye exam was normal, with a preop refraction of OD -2.50 D Sph +1.25 D Cyl x175 and OS -2.75 D Sph +1.50 D Cyl x165 (cycloplegic and manifest), with 20/20 BCVA OU. The central pachymetry reading was 553 mum in the right eye. Preoperative topography was normal. At the start of the pendular microkeratome path, some resistance was felt, but the microkeratome continued along its path. Upon inspection of the flap, there was a central rectangle of intact epithelium with two mirror-image flaps on both sides. The flap was repositioned and LASIK was discontinued. The cornea healed with two faint thin linear vertical parallel scars at the edge of the pupil. Postoperative inspection of the blade revealed central blunting. One month postoperatively, the uncorrected visual acuity (UCVA) was 20/20. Manifest and cycloplegic refractions were plano. This is an interesting case of accidental flap complication resulting in the correction of mild myopic astigmatism.