Optimized Artificial Intelligence for Enhanced Ectasia Detection Using Scheimpflug-Based Corneal Tomography and Biomechanical Data.

PURPOSE: To optimize artificial intelligence (AI) algorithms to integrate Scheimpflug-based corneal tomography and biomechanics to enhance ectasia detection. DESIGN: Multicenter cross-sectional case-control retrospective study. METHODS: A total of 3886 unoperated eyes from 3412 patients had Pentacam and Corvis ST (Oculus Optikgeräte GmbH) examinations. The database included 1 eye randomly selected from 1680 normal patients (N) and from 1181 "bilateral" keratoconus (KC) patients, along with 551 normal topography eyes from patients with very asymmetric ectasia (VAE-NT), and their 474 unoperated ectatic (VAE-E) eyes. The current TBIv1 (tomographic-biomechanical index) was tested, and an optimized AI algorithm was developed for augmenting accuracy. RESULTS: The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) of the TBIv1 for discriminating clinical ectasia (KC and VAE-E) was 0.999 (98.5% sensitivity; 98.6% specificity [cutoff: 0.5]), and for VAE-NT, 0.899 (76% sensitivity; 89.1% specificity [cutoff: 0.29]). A novel random forest algorithm (TBIv2), developed with 18 features in 156 trees using 10-fold cross-validation, had a significantly higher AUC (0.945; DeLong, P < .0001) for detecting VAE-NT (84.4% sensitivity and 90.1% specificity; cutoff: 0.43; DeLong, P < .0001) and a similar AUC for clinical ectasia (0.999; DeLong, P = .818; 98.7% sensitivity; 99.2% specificity [cutoff: 0.8]). Considering all cases, the TBIv2 had a higher AUC (0.985) than TBIv1 (0.974; DeLong, P < .0001). CONCLUSIONS: AI optimization to integrate Scheimpflug-based corneal tomography and biomechanical assessments augments accuracy for ectasia detection, characterizing ectasia susceptibility in the diverse VAE-NT group. Some patients with VAE may have true unilateral ectasia. Machine learning considering additional data, including epithelial thickness or other parameters from multimodal refractive imaging, will continuously enhance accuracy. NOTE: Publication of this article is sponsored by the American Ophthalmological Society.

Cataract surgery practice patterns worldwide: a survey.

OBJECTIVE: To report the results of a global survey on cataract practice patterns related to preoperative, intraoperative and postoperative care, surgical setting and personnel allocation. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: An online 28 questions survey was sent to 240 ophthalmologists asking to describe prevailing trends in their institutions across 38 countries and 5 continents. Questions inquired country, institution, surgical volume and setting, anaesthesia, preoperative and intraoperative examination and postsurgical care. Statistical analysis used crosstabs lambda statistics for non-parametric nominal variables. P value less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS: 209/240 (87%) ophthalmologists responded: 38% representing public hospitals, 36% private practices and 26% academic sites; overall surgical volume was between 241 700 and 410 500 cataracts per year. There was a significant correlation between type of institution and surgical volume. Complete results available in online (https://freeonlinesurveys.com/r/W6BcLLxy). CONCLUSION: Cataract surgery related patterns of perioperative care showed significant difference among respondents, regardless to type of institution, surgical volume and country. Many evidence-based procedures are unevenly practiced around the world and some widespread and expensive habits lack solid scientific evidence while consuming enormous amount of resources both monetary and human. There is a need to reach consensus and share evidence-based practice patterns.

Ciliary Muscle Electrostimulation to Restore Accommodation in Patients With Early Presbyopia: Preliminary Results.

PURPOSE: To report short-term results of pulsed ciliary muscle electrostimulation to improve near vision, likely through restoring accommodation in patients with emmetropic presbyopia. METHODS: In a prospective non-randomized trial, 27 patients from 40 to 51 years old were treated and 13 age- and refraction-matched individuals served as untreated controls. All patients had emmetropia and needed near sphere add between +0.75 and +1.50 diopters. The protocol included four sessions (one every 2 weeks within a 2-month period) of bilateral pulsed (2 sec on; 6 sec off) micro-electrostimulation with 26 mA for 8 minutes, using a commercially available medical device. The uncorrected distance visual acuity (UDVA) (logMAR) for each eye, uncorrected near (40 cm) visual acuity in each eye (UNVA) and with both eyes (UNVA OU) (logMAR), and reading speed (number of words read per minute at 40 cm) were measured preoperatively and 2 weeks after each session. Overall satisfaction (0 to 4 scale) was assessed 2 weeks after the last session. RESULTS: UDVA did not change and no adverse events were noted in either group. Bilateral and monocular UNVA and reading speed were stable in the control group, whereas they continuously improved in the treated group (Friedman, P < .00001). Post-hoc significant differences were found for monocular and binocular UNVA after the second treatment and after the first treatment considering words read per minute (P < .001). One patient (3.7%) was not satisfied and 18 patients (66.7%) were very satisfied (score of 4). Average satisfaction score was 3 (satisfied). CONCLUSIONS: Ciliary muscle contraction to restore accommodation was safe and improved the short-term accommodative ability of patients with early emmetropic presbyopia. [J Refract Surg. 2017;33(9):578-583.].

Biomecânica da córnea após laser de femtossegundo na cirurgia de catarata / Changes of corneal biomechanical after femtosecond laser–assisted for cataract surgery

Objetivo:Avaliar as alterações da biomecânica da córnea após laser de femtosegundo na cirurgia de catarata e comparar os parâmetros biomecânicos derivados do Corvis ST (Oculus Corvis ST, Scheimpflug Technology; Wetzlar, Germany) entre as técnicas do laser de femtossegundo e a facoemulsificação convencional após a cirurgia de catarata.Métodos:Estudo observacional, prospectivo envolvendo 151 olhos de 127 pacientes com diagnóstico de catarata nuclear. Setenta olhos de 65 pacientes foram submetidos à técnica do laser de femtossegundo (Alcon LenSx, Aliso Viejo,USA) e 76 olhos de 62 pacientes por meio da facoemulsificação convencional (Alcon Infinit, Fort Worth, USA). O sistema de tonometria de não contato integrado com a câmera ultrarrápida de Scheimpflug (Oculus Corvis ST, Scheimpflug Technology; Wetzlar, Germany) foi utilizado para avaliação da biomecânica da córnea antes e após a cirurgia de catarata pelas técnicas do laser de femtossegundo e a facoemulsificação convencional. Os parâmetros biomecânicos utilizados foram: deformidade de amplitude (DA), pressão intraocular, 1st A time, tempo de concavidade máxima, 2nd A time, 1st A Length, 2nd A Length, raio de curvatura de maior alcance, raio de curvatura normal, velocidade de entrada (Vin) e de saída (Vout). A densitometria do cristalino (scattering) através do PNS (Pentacam Nucleus Staging) foi realizado pela tomografia de córnea e segmento anterior (Pentacam® – Oculus, Wetzlar, Germany) em todos os pacientes para diagnóstico objetivo da opacidade do cristalino. Os critérios de exclusão foram: doença corneana, doenças da retina e/ou nervo óptico e cirurgia ocular prévia. O teste de Kolmogorov-Smirnov foi utilizado para avaliar a distribuição normal. O teste de Wilcoxon e o test-T foram utilizados para avaliação entre o pré-operatório e o primeiro dia de pós-operatório (D1) nos grupos do laser de femtossegundo (LFS) e do faco convencional (FC), respectivamente. O teste de Mann-Whitney foi realizado para avaliar as diferenças dos parâmetros biomecânicos da córnea derivados do Corvis ST entre os dois grupos (LFS; FC) após a cirurgia de catarata (D1). Foi considerado como estatisticamente significante p ≤ 0,05%.Resultados:A média de idade dos pacientes do grupo do LFS foi de 67,6 anos (± 9,9) e do grupo do FC foi de 68,4 anos (± 11,8).A média do PNS entre todos os pacientes (análise objetiva do cristalino) foi de 0,62 (± 0,67). No grupo do LFS, 9 dos 11 parâmetros foram estatisticamente significativos entre o Pré e D1; e no grupo do FC, 7 dos 11 parâmetros estudados foram estatisticamente significativos entre o Pré e D1. De todos os parâmetros biomecânicos derivados do Corvis ST estudados, somente o tempo de concavidade máxima da córnea (HC-time; p ≤ 0.0387) foi diferente entre os dois grupos (laser de femtossegundo x faco convencional) em D1.Conclusão:O laser de femtossegundo para cirurgia de catarata e a técnica de facoemulsificação convencional induziram alterações nas propriedades biomecânicas da córnea pelo Corvis ST no D1. Apenas 1 dos 11 parâmetros biomecânicos estudados foi diferente estatisticamente entre os grupos do LFS e FC.

Purpose:To evaluate the changes of corneal biomechanical after femtosecond laser – assisted cataract and to compare the parameters derived by Corvis ST between standard phacoemulsification and femtosecond laser – assisted in cataract surgeryMethods:This is a prospective study. 151 eyes of 127 patients were under went cataract surgery. 75 eyes of 65 patients were with femtosecond laser–assisted (FS)(Alcon Len Sx, Aliso Viejo,USA) and 76 eyes of 62 patients with standard phacoemulsification (SP) (Alcon Infinit, Fort Worth, USA). Lens scattering was evaluated using Scheimpflug Anterior Segment Tomography, using the new software PNS. The Scheimpflug images were taken with an ultra - high - speed camera during each measurement by the Corvis ST. The deformation amplitude (DA) and other parameters (e.g., pachyapex, intraocular pressure, 1st A time, highest concavity - time, 2nd A time, 1st A Length, 2nd A Length, curvature radius highest concavity, curvature radius normal, Vin, Vout) measured by the Corvis ST were studied in groups FLS and SP before an dafter cataract surgery. Exclusion criteria: corneal disease, retinal or optic nerves disease or previous ocular surgery. This is study analyzed was Kolmogorov-Smirnov for Normality. The Wilcoxon-test and t-test were utilized to evaluate the differences between pre and day 1in FS and SP, respectively. The Mann-Whitney test was used to compare the differences of parameters derived by Corvis ST - biomechanical properties between two groups (FS;SP). The p value less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant.Results:The mean age from patients of group FS was 67.6 y (± 9.9) and the group SP was 68.4 y (± 11.8). The mean PNS was 0.62 (±0.67). In group of FS, 9 of 11 parameters derived from Corvis ST were statisticall ysignificant (ss). In group of SP, 7 of 11 parameters derived from Corvis ST were ss. Only the HC - time was statistically significant between two groups (FS;SP) with p d” 0.0387.Conclusions:The use of the femtosecond laser – assisted system for cataract surgery and standard phacoemulsification induzed changes of biomechanical properties of the cornea by Corvis ST. Only 1 of 11 parameters studied was different statistically in two groups.

The use of NIDEK OPD Scan II wavefront aberrometry in toric intraocular lens implantation.

PURPOSE: To present case examples outlining the use of wavefront aberrometry for toric intraocular lens (IOL) implantation pre- and postoperatively. METHODS: Twelve eyes that underwent AcrySof Toric IOL (Alcon Inc Laboratories) implantation were assessed pre- and postoperatively using the NIDEK OPD Scan II (NIDEK Co Ltd). Wavefront aberrometry, corneal topography, and objective visual quality were measured using the OPD Scan II with OPD-Station software. The internal and corneal aberrations were evaluated separately to determine whether the source of astigmatism was corneal, internal, or a combination of both. RESULTS: All IOLs were implanted using a 2.75-mm incision. Wavefront aberrometry was used to determine the position of the incision to minimize postoperative astigmatism. The postoperative objective visual quality and wavefront maps were used to determine the effect of residual irregular or regular astigmatism. CONCLUSIONS: The OPD Scan II determines whether irregular or regular astigmatism is due to the corneal surface or to the internal aberrations of the eye. The magnitude, type, and location of astigmatism can guide the proper placement of toric IOLs.