The potential influence of the ligament of Wieger on the crystalline lens shape.

This research uses mathematical modelling to evaluate the influence of the ligament of Wieger on the crystalline lens shape at rest, and during accommodation. An axisymmetric model of the anterior segment, including the ligament of Wieger, was created using the finite element method. Different conditions including variations of stiffness and positions of the ligament, with and without the ligament, were tested to see how they affected lens curvature and optical power. Adding the ligament of Wieger to the simulation had a noticeable impact on the optical power of the lens, particularly on the posterior surface power and total power. Ligament stiffness and width significant influenced the accommodative range of the eye by - 0.95D and - 2.39D for ligaments with the same and 3× the stiffness of the capsular bag, respectively. Ligament width and inner diameter had negligible effects on lens thickness but did have significant effects on posterior surface power and accommodation. In this simulation, we found that the ligament of Wieger can significantly affect the lens shape, both at rest and during accommodation, and may need to be considered in lens models.

RETINAL FLUORESCEIN ANGIOGRAPHY IN SUSAC SYNDROME: A SHIFTING PATTERN OF ARTERIOLAR WALL HYPERFLUORESCENCE-A REPORT OF TWO CASES.

BACKGROUND: Susac syndrome consists of the triad of encephalopathy, branch retinal artery occlusion, and hearing loss and is believed to be an immune-mediated endotheliopathy. Arteriolar wall hyperfluorescence (AWH) on retinal fluorescein angiography (FA) has been described in the literature as a classic ophthalmic sign for Susac syndrome. In this article, we report a pattern of distally shifting segments of AWH on FA over time that was observed in two cases. METHODS: Two cases of Susac syndrome are presented with an emphasis on FA findings, obtained at frequent intervals during follow-up. RESULTS: In both cases, FA displays a shifting pattern of segments of AWH distal to the localization of the AWH observed on the previous FA. CONCLUSION: In patients with Susac syndrome, FA plays an important role in aiding diagnosis and monitoring the efficacy of treatment and disease activity during follow-up. In these two cases, the angiography revealed how the AWH can migrate along the vessel over time. This is the first published report showing an evolving distally shifting pattern of AWH in patients with Susac syndrome.

Safety of the bag-in-the-lens implantation regarding the development of clinically significant pseudophakic cystoid macular edema: A retrospective case series study.

PURPOSE: To determine the incidence of clinically significant pseudophakic cystoid macular edema (CSPME) after phacoemulsification using the 'bag-in-the-lens' lens (BIL) implantation technique and to examine the influence of associated risk factors for clinically significant pseudophakic macular edema (CSPME), both ocular and systemic. METHODS: This retrospective study included 2419 first-operated eyes of 2419 adults who underwent phacoemulsification cataract surgery using the BIL implantation technique between January 2013 and December 2018 in the Antwerp University Hospital, Belgium. The significance of several risk factors (age, gender, previous history, intra- and postoperative complications) was examined by extraction of electronic medical files. RESULTS: The 3-month incidence of CSPME in the subgroup without risk factors was 0.00% (95% CI: 0.00 -NA). The 3-month incidence of CSPME in the subgroup with risk factors was 0.57% (95% CI 0.22-1.29%). The 3-month incidence of CSPME in the total population of 2419 patients was 0.29% (95% CI: 0.11-0.65%). The risk factors most significantly associated with CSPME included renal insufficiency (hazard ration [HR]: 5.42; 95% CI: 1.69-17.44; P = .014), exudative age-related macular degeneration (HR: 74.50, 95% CI: 25.75-215.6; P < .001) and retinal vein occlusion (HR: 22.48, 95% CI: 4.55-111.02; P = .005). CONCLUSIONS: In the absence of risk factors, the incidence of CSPME was zero. We can conclude that Primary Posterior Continuous Curvilinear Capsulorhexis (PPCCC) does not increase the risk for CSPME. Non-inferiority of the BIL implantation regarding the development of CSPME, relative to the traditional 'lens-in-the-bag' (LIB) implantation, confirms that BIL is a safe surgical technique. This study also illustrates a previously undescribed risk factor for developing CSPME, namely renal insufficiency.

Blood transcriptomics to facilitate diagnosis and stratification in pediatric rheumatic diseases - a proof of concept study.

BACKGROUND: Transcriptome profiling of blood cells is an efficient tool to study the gene expression signatures of rheumatic diseases. This study aims to improve the early diagnosis of pediatric rheumatic diseases by investigating patients' blood gene expression and applying machine learning on the transcriptome data to develop predictive models. METHODS: RNA sequencing was performed on whole blood collected from children with rheumatic diseases. Random Forest classification models were developed based on the transcriptome data of 48 rheumatic patients, 46 children with viral infection, and 35 controls to classify different disease groups. The performance of these classifiers was evaluated by leave-one-out cross-validation. Analyses of differentially expressed genes (DEG), gene ontology (GO), and interferon-stimulated gene (ISG) score were also conducted. RESULTS: Our first classifier could differentiate pediatric rheumatic patients from controls and infection cases with high area-under-the-curve (AUC) values (AUC = 0.8 ± 0.1 and 0.7 ± 0.1, respectively). Three other classifiers could distinguish chronic recurrent multifocal osteomyelitis (CRMO), juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA), and interferonopathies (IFN) from control and infection cases with AUC ≥ 0.8. DEG and GO analyses reveal that the pathophysiology of CRMO, IFN, and JIA involves innate immune responses including myeloid leukocyte and granulocyte activation, neutrophil activation and degranulation. IFN is specifically mediated by antibacterial and antifungal defense responses, CRMO by cellular response to cytokine, and JIA by cellular response to chemical stimulus. IFN patients particularly had the highest mean ISG score among all disease groups. CONCLUSION: Our data show that blood transcriptomics combined with machine learning is a promising diagnostic tool for pediatric rheumatic diseases and may assist physicians in making data-driven and patient-specific decisions in clinical practice.

Wave-like calcification on the posterior surface of an acrylic hydrophilic bag-in-the-lens (BIL) implant.

Purpose: To report secondary opacification of a hydrophilic bag-in-the-lens (BIL) which is a rare manifestation that can happen years after initial surgery. Observations: We describe a case of a prominent wave-like, rippled opacification on the posterior surface of the BIL. The opacification was composed of calcium deposits and seems to start in the periphery as a ring and progresses to the centre of the posterior surface. Due to the specific design of the BIL, there is direct contact between the BIL and the posterior chamber, both with the space of Berger, and the anterior hyaloid, particularly in this very hyperopic eye. Conclusions and importance: Abnormal fluid flow and stagnation in an unusual retrolenticular space is a possible explanation for this unusual pattern of posterior surface opacification.

Evaluation of the vitreolenticular interface with intraoperative OCT.

PURPOSE: To determine the prevalence of anterior vitreous detachment (AVD) in routine bag-in-the-lens (BIL) cataract cases and possibly to identify risk factors for its presence. SETTING: University Hospital of Antwerp, Belgium. DESIGN: Prospective cross-sectional study. METHODS: Patients having routine BIL cataract surgery were included. Patients with traumatic cataract, previous intraocular surgeries, YAG laser treatment, intravitreal injection, or medical conditions that might affect normal ophthalmologic anatomy were excluded. Several parameters were collected from the patients' records, and their surgical videos/photographs/optical coherence tomography were evaluated. RESULTS: 99 eyes of 99 patients were included. Detectable AVD was observed in 62 eyes (63%). AVD was not present in 37 eyes (37%). The difference in prevalence of AVD between men and women was not statistically significant ( P = .55, Pearson χ 2 test). The Mann-Whitney U test for axial length was not statistically significant ( P = .38). However, it was statistically significant for age ( P < .005). A logistic regression model to ascertain the effect of age on the likelihood that patients had AVD did reach statistical significance (χ 2 (1) = 8.246, P < .005). CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of AVD in a routine cataract population was 63%. Age was identified as a risk factor. This study model determined that the odds for AVD increase 5.3% with each year of patient age. These data allowed for better preoperative and postoperative assessment of complications. The BIL, by its mandatory primary posterior continuous curvilinear capsulorhexis, did not increase the risk for postoperative ocular complications in the posterior segment of the eye.

Adapted Bag-in-the-Lens Implantation Technique in Children with Congenital Ectopia Lentis.

BACKGROUND: Subluxation of the crystalline lens in childhood confronts the surgeon with a dilemma: to operate or to wait and see. Surgery is usually not performed when the subluxation is still limited. However, postponing the surgery increases the surgical difficulty as the capsular bag becomes more difficult to use as a means of support for the intraocular lens (IOL). A large number of children already present a pronounced subluxation at first presentation. In this paper, we describe a technique to optimise centration and fixation of the bag-in-the-lens (BIL) IOL in children younger than 7 years of age with congenital ectopia lentis. METHODS: Between October 2019 and December 2020, we performed lens extraction using a combination of bean-shaped segments to support the BIL IOL and a 6 - 0 polypropylene loop fixated at the sclera, following the Yamane technique, for the purpose of centration. We used this technique for seven eyes of four patients. The patients were between 2 and 6 years old; 3 boys and 1 girl. A definite diagnosis of Marfan syndrome was made for two children; for the other two, there was no proven underlying pathology. The luxation was upwards in all cases. The degree of luxation was severe in all eyes. The preoperative refraction values showed high astigmatism values for all eyes, ranging from 6.5 to 11.25 dioptres. Three out of the four patients were myopic, ranging from - 1.5 to - 9 dioptres. RESULTS: The surgery could be performed without major complications in all eyes. Good centration was obtained, which remained stable in the postoperative period. Refraction improved with greatly diminished degrees of astigmatism (ranging from 0.25 to 3 dioptres) and myopia (spheres ranging from - 2 to + 1.75 dioptres). CONCLUSION: Our novel technique incorporated the BIL technique with the addition of bean-shaped segments and a polypropylene 6/0 suture fixated at the sclera. In this way, we were able to obtain good centration and stability of the implanted IOL, as well as a good refractive outcome in all cases.

Real-time intraoperative OCT imaging of the vitreolenticular interface during pediatric cataract surgery.

PURPOSE: To report on the use of intraoperative optical coherence tomography (OCT) imaging of the vitreolenticular interface (VLI) during pediatric cataract surgery and to determine the incidence of VLI dysgenesis and surgical difficulties. SETTING: Department of Ophthalmology, Antwerp University Hospital, Edegem, Belgium. DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study. METHODS: This study included 51 pediatric patients who underwent cataract surgery between April 2016 and December 2018. Video recordings and OCT images of the VLI were analyzed and compared. VLI dysgenesis was considered present when intraoperative OCT images demonstrated partial or total adhesions between the posterior lens capsule and the anterior hyaloid membrane. Video recordings were analyzed to describe surgical difficulties, more specifically: inability to create a calibrated primary posterior continuous curvilinear capsulorhexis (PPCCC), occurrence of vitreous prolapse, need for anterior vitrectomy, and complicated IOL implantation. RESULTS: Of the 51 patients included, VLI dysgenesis was demonstrated in 27 patients (52.9%). The incidence of VLI dysgenesis was greater in children with unilateral cataract (72.4%), and children with a posterior capsule plaque (90%). PPCCC was challenging in 20 patients. A defect of the anterior hyaloid membrane was found in 16 patients. Anterior vitrectomy or cutting vitreous strands with scissors was necessary in 10 patients. CONCLUSIONS: Intraoperative OCT images were an excellent tool to evaluate the VLI and to demonstrate the presence of VLI dysgenesis during pediatric cataract surgery. Performing a calibrated PPCCC was more challenging in the presence of VLI dysgenesis. This can subsequently expose a defect in the anterior hyaloid membrane, which may result in vitreous prolapse.

Current Knowledge about the Anterior Interface in Children Operated for Congenital Cataract.

The relationship between the anterior vitreous interface and the posterior capsule has received increasing attention in the past decade. The advent of integrated intraoperative optical coherence tomography has allowed a real-time opportunity to grasp this dynamic understanding. Here we describe the normal anatomy of this interface in children and then demonstrate the variation in this interface with different forms of pediatric cataract, namely a posterior plaque and posterior capsular opacity due to abnormal adherence to the vitreous face. The authors describe these changes using meticulous annotation. An understanding of these differences will aid the surgeon in managing pediatric cataracts in a more confident and safe manner.

Clinically significant pseudophakic cystoid macular edema after bag-in-the-lens implantation.

PURPOSE: To determine the incidence of clinically significant pseudophakic cystoid macular edema (CSPME) after phacoemulsification using the bag-in-the-lens intraocular lens (BIL IOL) implantation technique and to examine the influence of associated risk factors, both ocular and systemic. SETTING: Monocentric, Antwerp University Hospital, Belgium. DESIGN: Retrospective. METHODS: This study included 1 077 first-operated eyes of 1 077 adults who underwent phaco-emulsification cataract surgery using the BIL IOL implantation technique between January 2013 and December 2015. RESULTS: The 3-month incidence of CSPME in the subgroup without risk factors was 0% (95% CI, 0.0-0.0). The 3-month incidence of CSPME in the subgroup with risk factors was 2.8% (95% CI, 1.3-4.3). The 3-month incidence of CSPME in the total group of 1077 patients was 1.4% (95% CI, 0.6-2.1). The risk factors most significantly associated with CSPME included diabetes (hazard ratio [HR]: 5.37; 95% CI, 1.5-19.3; P = .019), exudative age-related macular degeneration (HR: 121; 95% CI, 36.1-409; P < .001), and macular traction (HR: 6.47; 95% CI, 1.9-22.1; P < .009). CONCLUSIONS: The incidence of CSPME was zero in eyes without risk factors. The incidence was consistent with previous reports in the literature regarding the lens-in-the-bag IOL implantation technique in eyes with risk factors. This indicates that the BIL IOL implantation technique is a safe procedure and does not confer a higher risk for developing cystoid macular edema after cataract surgery compared with the lens-in-the-bag IOL implantation technique, despite the requirement of a primary posterior continuous curvilinear capsulorhexis.

Intraocular lens exchange technique for an opacified bag-in-the-lens.

We describe the intraocular lens (IOL) exchange technique that is specific to the bag-in-the-lens IOL. The subsequent IOL analysis displayed a deep granular opacification consisting predominantly of calcium and phosphates that has been described in hydrophilic IOLs.

Perforated oculomotor nerve after endovascular coiling: complete regeneration after microsurgical repair. case report.

BACKGROUND AND IMPORTANCE: We describe a patient who developed complete right oculomotor nerve palsy after endovascular coiling for a ruptured posterior communicating artery aneurysm caused by migration of the coils outside the aneurysm. CLINICAL PRESENTATION: A 50-year-old woman was admitted with an acute subarachnoid hemorrhage. She underwent, on the day of admission, endovascular coiling of a ruptured posterior communicating artery aneurysm. Four hours postcoiling, complete right oculomotor nerve palsy developed because of extrusion of the coils outside the aneurysm. The patient recovered completely after surgical exploration with removal of the migrated coils and microsurgical repair of the oculomotor nerve. CONCLUSION: This report illustrates that oculomotor nerve palsy is a rare complication after coiling of a posterior communicating artery aneurysm, and it should serve as a reminder to encourage neurovascular teams to consider surgical exploration in cases of third nerve palsy after endovascular coiling.