Multifocal versus monofocal intraocular lenses after cataract extraction.

BACKGROUND: Good unaided distance visual acuity is now a realistic expectation following cataract surgery and intraocular lens implantation. Near vision however still requires additional refractive power, usually in the form of reading glasses. Multiple optic (multifocal) intraocular lenses are available which claim to allow good vision at a range of distances. It is unclear whether this benefit outweighs the optical compromises inherent in multifocal intraocular lenses. OBJECTIVES: The objective of this review is to assess the effects of multifocal intraocular lenses, including effects on visual acuity, subjective visual satisfaction, spectacle dependence, glare and contrast sensitivity, compared to standard monofocal lenses. SEARCH STRATEGY: We searched the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials - CENTRAL (which includes the Eyes and Vision Group trials register) on the Cochrane Library (Issue 1 2002), MEDLINE (1966 to March 2002) and EMBASE (1980 to February 2002). The reference lists of relevant articles were searched. Investigators of included studies and manufacturers of multifocal intraocular lenses were contacted for information about additional published and unpublished studies. SELECTION CRITERIA: All randomised controlled trials comparing a multifocal intraocular lens of any type with a monofocal intraocular lens as control were included. Both unilateral and bilateral implantation trials were included. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: Data were collected and trial quality assessed. Where possible, statistical summary measures were calculated, otherwise data was tabulated. MAIN RESULTS: Eight trials were identified. There was significant variability between the trials in which outcomes were reported. Unaided distance acuity was similar in multifocal and monofocal intraocular lenses (Peto Odds Ratio (OR) 1.21, 95% Confidence Interval (CI) 0.75 to 1.96). There was no statistical difference between multifocal IOLs and monofocals with respect to the proportion of participants achieving 6/6 best corrected visual acuity (Peto Odds Ratio 1.43, 95% CI 0.99 to 2.09). Unaided near vision was improved with the multifocal intraocular lenses. Total freedom from use of glasses was achieved more frequently with multifocal than monofocal IOLs (OR for spectacle dependence 0.15, 95% CI 0.11 to 0.22). Adverse effects included reduced contrast sensitivity and the subjective experience of haloes around lights. REVIEWER'S CONCLUSIONS: Multifocal intraocular lenses are effective at improving near vision relative to monofocal intraocular lenses. Whether that improvement outweighs the adverse effects of multifocal intraocular lenses will vary between patients, with motivation to achieve spectacle independence likely to be the deciding factor.

Single intraoperative application of 5-Fluorouracil versus placebo in low-risk trabeculectomy surgery: a randomized trial.

PURPOSE: Trabeculectomy is the procedure of choice for the surgical control of glaucoma, and is often augmented by intraoperative 5-fluorouracil application to reduce scarring. This study aims to assess the validity of this technique with a randomized placebo-controlled trial. METHODS: Patients without risk factors for bleb failure other than previous drop use who were undergoing trabeculectomy surgery as their first ocular procedure were randomized to receive fluorouracil or placebo. The main outcome measures were intraocular pressure and bleb morphology. RESULTS: Results from 40 eyes of 36 patients are presented; 23 eyes were treated with fluorouracil, and 17 eyes were treated with placebo. Mean intraocular pressure at 1 year and at the final follow-up examination was significantly lower than preoperatively, but was not different between fluorouracil and placebo groups. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis also failed to show any difference, though there was a trend toward better survival of an intraocular pressure of 16 mm Hg or lower. Bleb morphology was examined postoperatively in 24 patients, with no differences found between fluorouracil and placebo groups. CONCLUSIONS: No significant difference was found in trabeculectomy outcome between fluorouracil-treated and placebo-treated eyes. The study was too small to state definitively that no such difference exists, but suggests that any treatment effect is likely to be small.

Multifocal versus monofocal intraocular lenses after cataract extraction.

BACKGROUND: Good unaided distance visual acuity is now a realistic expectation following cataract surgery and intraocular lens implantation. Near vision however still requires additional refractive power, usually in the form of reading glasses. Multiple optic (multifocal) intraocular lenses are available that are claimed to allow good vision at a range of distances. It is unclear whether this benefit outweighs the optical compromises inherent in multifocal intraocular lenses. OBJECTIVES: The objective of this review is to assess the effects of multifocal intraocular lenses, including effects on visual acuity, subjective visual satisfaction, spectacle dependence, glare and contrast sensitivity, compared to standard monofocal lenses. SEARCH STRATEGY: We searched the Cochrane Controlled Trials Register - CENTRAL (which includes the Cochrane Eyes and Vision Group specialised register), MEDLINE and EMBASE. The reference lists of relevant articles were searched. Investigators of included studies and manufacturers of multifocal intraocular lenses were contacted for information about additional published and unpublished studies. SELECTION CRITERIA: All randomised controlled trials comparing a multifocal intraocular lens of any type with a monofocal intraocular lens as control were included. Both unilateral and bilateral implantation trials were included. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: Data were collected and trial quality assessed. Where possible, statistical summary measures were calculated, otherwise data were tabulated. MAIN RESULTS: One ongoing and six completed trials were identified. There was significant variability between the trials in the outcomes reported. Unaided distance acuity was similar in multifocal and monofocal intraocular lenses (Peto odds ratio 1.27 (95% Confidence Interval (CI) 0.76 to 2.11)), with a small increase in the proportion of multifocal intraocular lens participants achieving less than 6/6 best corrected visual acuity (Peto odds ratio 1.64 (95% CI 1.10 to 2.42)). Unaided near vision tended to improve with the multifocal intraocular lenses. This resulted in decreased spectacle dependence with use of the multifocal intraocular lenses (Peto odds ratio 0.16 (95% CI 0.11 to 0.23)). Adverse effects included reduced contrast sensitivity and the subjective experience of haloes around lights. REVIEWER'S CONCLUSIONS: Multifocal intraocular lenses are effective at improving near vision relative to monofocal intraocular lenses. Whether that improvement outweighs the adverse effects of multifocal intraocular lenses will vary between patients, with motivation to achieve spectacle independence likely to be the deciding factor.

Prospective evaluation of a plate haptic toric intraocular lens.

PURPOSE: Standard intraocular lenses (IOL) only correct the spherical component of aphakic refractive error. This study describes clinical experience with a foldable, injectable, toric IOL. METHODS: Keratometric, refractive and visual data were collected on patients listed for cataract surgery. Toric IOLs were offered where keratometric cylinder was greater than 1.5 dioptres. Small-incision phacoemulsification surgery was performed and the IOL implanted with its long axis along the steep corneal axis. Post-operative refractive data were compared with pre-operative and expected refraction using vector analysis software. RESULTS: Results of 22 eyes of 16 consecutive patients implanted with toric IOLs are reported. Two IOLs rotated more than 30 degrees in the first 24 h and were re-dialled surgically. Two further IOLs (9%) rotated more than 30 degrees during follow-up. In 21 of 22 eyes (95%) the refractive astigmatism was reduced, with a mean 73% of planned correction (vector analysis) achieved. CONCLUSIONS: The toric IOL is a useful surgical tool to reduce the refractive effects of pre-existing corneal astigmatism. Design modification to prevent IOL rotation would make results more predictable.

Silent occult choroidal vascular abnormalities.

PURPOSE: To describe clinically occult choroidal vascular abnormalities that can be revealed by indocyanine green (ICG) angiography. METHODS: Out of approximately 2,700 patients who underwent ICG angiography, a lesion was incidentally observed in eight eyes of eight patients. In five patients, the ICG study included a second examination taken during artificially induced intraocular hypertension. Examinations were repeated in six patients over a follow-up period ranging from 4 months to 3 years. RESULTS: On ICG angiogram, the choroidal vasculopathy appeared as a round-oval hyperfluorescent area 2-4 disk diameters in size that was located at the temporal vascular arcades in six eyes, at the inferomacular region in one eye, and above the optic disk in one eye. The lesions were not identifiable with funduscopic, fluorescein angiographic, or ultrasonographic examination. The lesions filled at the same time as the choroidal arteries and lost fluorescence in mid-late phase of the ICG angiogram. The ICG series taken during induced intraocular hypertension showed the hyperfluorescent areas originated from choroidal arterial abnormalities giving rise to confluent hyperfluorescent patches. Draining vessels connecting the choroidal vasculopathy with a vortex vein were evidenced in three eyes. A sector of apparent choroidal hypoperfusion downstream from the lesion was present in three eyes. During the follow-up period, the lesions remained occult and with an unchanged ICG angiographic pattern in all patients. CONCLUSION: Some silent occult choroidal vascular abnormalities may be incidentally revealed by ICG angiography. These must be distinguished from ICG imaging of concomitant chorioretinal disorders.

Pre-injection fluorescence in indocyanine green angiography.

PURPOSE: To verify whether infrared pre-injection fluorescence can be observed in patients undergoing indocyanine green (ICG) angiography. METHODS: Infrared fundus photographs were taken before dye injection for 450 consecutive patients undergoing ICG angiography for different chorioretinal disorders. The authors used a high-resolution videoangiography system with the standard ICG filters inserted (overlap, < 0.5%) and the highest flash intensity. RESULTS: Pre-injection fluorescence was detected in 184 patients (40.8%). It was a strong fluorescence in 75 patients (40.7%) and a faint fluorescence in 109 (59.2%). When fluorescence was strong, it simulated vascular filling on the ICG angiogram. Pre-injection fluorescence resulted from the following lesions: (1) old grayish subretinal hemorrhages (35 patients); (2) lipofuscin-like deposits (65 patients); (3) pigmented choroidal neovascular membranes (72 patients); and (4) serous retinal detachments lasting from several months or years (12 patients). Highly reflecting white lesions were not fluorescent. CONCLUSION: Pre-injection fluorescence of chorioretinal lesions is frequently detectable in patients with diseases requiring ICG examination. A pre-injection photograph may help to avoid misinterpretation of the angiograms. The authors' findings may be interpreted as pseudofluorescence or autofluorescence. Pigments contained in pathologic structures of the ocular fundus may be the source of autofluorescence emissions in the near-infrared range.

Indocyanine green angiography of circumscribed choroidal hemangiomas.

BACKGROUND: Indocyanine green (ICG) angiography performed with the modern high resolution digital system already has improved our knowledge of several chorioretinal disorders. It could provide new information on circumscribed choroidal hemangiomas. METHODS: Twelve consecutive patients with circumscribed choroidal hemangioma underwent both fluorescein angiography and ICG angiography with a digital high resolution system. In each patient, two ICG angiograms were taken - with normal and with artificially increased intraocular pressure. The latter method allowed analysis of the vascular connections of the tumor with the adjacent choroid during the induced slowdown of blood flow. RESULTS: With ICG, the authors obtained a clear delineation of the choroidal hemangiomas. In all cases, the lesion was better defined on the ICG than on the fluorescein angiogram. Nutrient and draining vessels of the tumors were identified. Nutrient vessels were represented by short posterior ciliary arteries in five eyes with severe exudative syndrome, and by ramifications of choroidal arteries in the other cases. Further special ICG findings were apparent choroidal ischemia downstream from the tumor (9 eyes), and clearing of the dye with a "washout" phenomenon. CONCLUSION: Indocyanine green angiography can be helpful in the clinical evaluation of circumscribed choroidal hemangiomas. The blood supply to these tumors is provided directly by short posterior ciliary arteries or by ramifications of choroidal arteries. An adjacent compromised choroidal perfusion may be present.

Indocyanine green angiographic findings in central serous chorioretinopathy.

The purpose of this study is to better characterise, on the basis of a large number of cases and follow-up evaluations, choroidal abnormalities recently observed with indocyanine green (ICG) angiography in central serous chorioretinopathy (CSC). Digital ICG videoangiography was performed in 145 patients with active or inactive, acute or chronic CSC. Forty-eight patients were re-examined in a follow-up period of 6-22 months (mean 10 months). Areas of choroidal leakage attributable to hyperpermeability of the choriocapillaris were found in 98.6% of patients in association with active or resolved pigment epithelial leaks and pigment epithelial detachments. Diffusion of ICG into the choroid was characterised by rapid centrifugal spreading of the dye with a wash-out pattern which was particularly evident in areas corresponding to pigment epithelial detachments. In patients with a long-standing disease, when choroidal hyperfluorescence faded, hypofluorescent spots became increasingly evident revealing pigment epithelial alterations not shown by fluorescein angiography. Areas of choroidal leakage remained unchanged in each patient during the follow-up period, even when subretinal exudation resolved either spontaneously or after photocoagulation. In 5 eyes we observed the appearance of leakage points on pre-existing areas of choroidal leakage. Zonal hyperpermeability of the choriocapillaris characterises all the evolutional stages of CSC and seems to be the primary alteration of this disease. When it corresponds to pigment epithelial detachments choriocapillaris hypermeability is probably associated with local hyperperfusion.