Ten years experience of corneal collagen cross-linking : An observational study of 6120 cases.

PURPOSE: To study the effect of corneal collagen cross-linking (CXL) using riboflavin and ultraviolet rays on cases of corneal ectasia in keratoconus cases, post-laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis ectasia, and pellucid marginal degeneration and to present its long-term results over many years. METHODS: This study was conducted throughout 10 "years" experience in corneal collagen CXL, including 6120 cases. The study consists of two parts: a retrospective and a prospective part. All patients in the retrospective part were operated by epi-off, while in the prospective part, the epi-on procedure was used. Also, other machines were used as Peschke Vario, Peschke Phoenix, and different types of riboflavin. The results were analyzed using SPSS. RESULTS: The study showed stabilization ectasia in 95% of cases using our standard protocol, and this was proved by topography, pachymetry, refraction, and visual acuity. The effect of CXL was continued in 20% of cases, over a period of 3-5 years, some cases needed to repeat CXL due to the progression of corneal ectasia after cross-linking, in six eyes, that were rubbing their eyes and/or hormonal disturbance. CONCLUSION: Corneal collagen cross-linking CXL is an effective method to prevent the progression of corneal ectasia, whether primary or post-laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis, and the effect was stable over the years of study.

Long-Term Refractive Outcome of Small Incision Lenticule Extraction in Very High Myopia.

PURPOSE: To assess the stability, safety, predictability, and efficacy of small incision lenticule extraction (SMILE) in high myopia. METHODS: The study was conducted as a retrospective noncomparative analysis of the records of 495 eyes of 270 patients treated by the ReLEx SMILE technique for a mean spherical myopic error of -12.84 ± 2.47 D (range: -10.0 to -14.0 D) combined with a mean astigmatism of -1.17 ± 1.34 D (up to -4.0 D). The mean LogMAR corrected distance visual acuity (CDVA) was 0.2 ± 0.6. In this study, 225 patients had the bilateral SMILE procedure, whereas 45 patients had a single eye treated with SMILE. RESULTS: One month after surgery, the mean refractive error was 20.72 ± 0.88 D (range: +1 to 21.5 D), and the mean postoperative astigmatism was -0.83 ± 1.04 D. The mean LogMAR UDVA was 0.2 ± 0.34. In the last follow-up visit, 3 years after surgery, all the before mentioned parameters were the same or within minimal changes with no statistically significant difference from the earlier results. However, the spherical error demonstrated a significant change from -0.72 ± 0.88 D at 1 month to -1.17 ± 1.01 D at the end of the follow-up. However, this change had an insignificant visual impact. At the end of the follow-up period, approximately 94% of patients had unchanged CDVA or gained one or more lines, 6% lost one line of CDVA, and 1% lost 2 lines. CONCLUSIONS: SMILE may be effective and safe, with a stable and predictable outcome for correction of very high myopia.

Treatment modalities in Duane's Retraction Syndrome.

AIM: To study the different treatment modalities needed in cases of Duane's Retraction Syndrome (DRS). METHODS: This prospective study undergone in more than four years, in Alexandria, included 238 patients of DRS, including type I, 162 patients (68%), type II 12 patients (5%) and type III 64 patients (27%). Surgery was indicated in 98 (41%) of them, to eliminate abnormal head posture, deviation of the eye in primary position, severe retraction of the globe or cosmetically unacceptable upshoot with attempted adduction. RESULTS: Type I was the most common and type II was the least. Females were predominant in this study, constituting 125 patients (52.5%), and males 113 patients (47.5%). Left eye was more affected, in 110 patients (46.2%), right eye in 91 patients (38.2%) and bilateral in 37 patients (15.6%). Amblyopia was found in 27 patients (11.3%) and treated in 13 patients under 10 years of age, by patching the normal eye. Ninety-eight patients (41%) were operated, the results were most satisfactory and a nomogram is followed in the surgical plan. CONCLUSION: The surgical management is needed in less than half of the cases and should be planned for every case individually according to the clinical findings, planned nomogram and modified intraoperatively according to the anatomical findings during surgery.