Clinical outcomes with a trifocal intraocular lens: a multicenter study.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the clinical results and safety obtained with a new type of multifocal intraocular lens (IOL) using a trifocal design to achieve pseudoaccommodation. METHODS: A pilot observational study of patients with a trifocal IOL (FineVision; PhysIOL, Liege, Belgium) implanted by 1 of 12 surgeons between March and December 2010. Visual outcomes that were assessed postoperatively included uncorrected and corrected distance, intermediate, and near visual acuity. RESULTS: One hundred ninety-eight eyes of 99 patients were analyzed. Patients were observed for an average of 6.44 ± 4.67 months (range: 0.2 to 17 months). Preoperative corrected distance visual acuity was 0.22 ± 0.26 logMAR. At the final follow-up visit, corrected distance visual acuity was 0.01 ± 0.10 logMAR, uncorrected distance visual acuity was 0.01 ± 0.06 logMAR, uncorrected intermediate visual acuity was 0.08 ± 0.10 logMAR, and mean uncorrected near visual acuity was 0.00 ± 0.04 logMAR. Postoperative binocular uncorrected distance visual acuity was 0.01 ± 0.07 logMAR, uncorrected intermediate visual acuity was 0.06 ± 0.08 logMAR, and uncorrected near visual acuity was -0.03 ± 0.04 logMAR. Postopeative mean residual sphere was 0.21 ± 0.48 diopters (D), with a residual cylinder of -0.24 ± 0.31 D. Postoperative spherical equivalent was 0.11 ± 0.36 D. CONCLUSIONS: The results demonstrated that the trifocal FineVision IOL is able to restore near, intermediate, and distance visual function.

Putting drug resistant epithelial herpes keratitis in the spotlight: A case series.

PURPOSE: To strengthen the sparse evidence on acyclovir (ACV) resistance, especially in recalcitrant herpetic keratitis (HK), by describing the clinical course of 3 genotypically proven ACV resistant HK cases. An overview of mechanisms of resistance and therapeutic options currently available to ophthalmologists is provided based upon recent literature search. OBSERVATIONS: Resistance to ACV due to known mutations in the gene encoding the viral thymidine kinase was confirmed in 2 cases, and a novel mutation in the UL23 gene (N202K) conferring phenotypical resistance to ACV was discovered in 1 case. Three unique therapeutic strategies finally led to epithelial closure. CONCLUSIONS: The novel thymidine kinase mutation (N202K) should be considered to infer resistance to all molecules requiring activation by the viral thymidine kinase. Current topical alternatives in the ophthalmologist's armamentarium include trifluridine 1%, foscarnet 1,2%-1,4% or cidofovir 0,2-0,5%. Epithelial debridement, high-frequency dosing and reduction of immunosuppression are useful adjuncts. IMPORTANCE: Clinicians should perform epithelial debridement in recalcitrant HK, allowing geno- and phenotypically guided therapy, even without a history of long-term anti-viral prophylaxis or recurrent HK. This report provides mandatory knowledge allowing the reader to comprehend how therapy should be altered based upon these results. To the best of our knowledge, successful treatment of proven ACV resistant HK with topical foscarnet has not yet previously been published.Furthermore, this paper highlights a lack of controlled studies investigating alternative topical treatments in case of viral resistance, offering opportunities for future research.

Phase I trial on robot assisted retinal vein cannulation with ocriplasmin infusion for central retinal vein occlusion.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the safety and feasibility of robot-assisted retinal vein cannulation with Ocriplasmin infusion for central retinal vein occlusion. METHODS: Prospective phase I trial including four patients suffering from central retinal vein occlusion (CRVO). Diagnosis was confirmed by preoperative fluo-angiography and followed by a standard three-port pars plana vitrectomy. Afterwards, a custom-built microneedle was inserted into a branch retinal vein with robotic assistance and infusion of Ocriplasmin started. Primary outcomes were the occurrence of intra-operative complications and success of cannulation. Secondary outcomes were change in visual acuity, central macular thickness (CMT) and venous filling times (VFT) during fluo-angiography two weeks after the intervention. RESULTS: Cannulation with infusion of ocriplasmin was successful in all four eyes with a mean total infusion time of 355 ± 204 seconds (range 120-600 seconds). Best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) remained counting fingers (CF) in case 3 and 4, increased in case 1 from CF to 0.9LogMAR and decreased in case 2 from 0.4 to 1.3 LogMAR. CMT and VFT both showed a trend towards significant decrease comparing preoperative measurements with two weeks postintervention (1061 ± 541 µm versus 477 ± 376 µm, p = 0.068) and 24 ll 4 seconds versus 15 ± 1 seconds, p = 0.068, respectively). In one eye a needle tip broke and could be removed with an endoforceps. There were no other intervention-related complications. CONCLUSION: Robot-assisted retinal vein cannulation is feasible and safe. Local intravenous infusion with Ocriplasmin led to an improved retinal circulation.

Primary vitreous cysts.

Objective: To report two cases of vitreous cysts with discussion of their pathophysiology and management. Methods: Clinical examination with fundus photography, ultrasound and optical coherence tomography. Histopathology was performed in the first case. Results: The first case illustrates a pigmented, free-floating cyst, which was removed during a 27-gauge vitrectomy. The histopathology shows a single layer of pigmented epithelium and confirms the previously reported presence of a PAS-positive basement membrane. The second case shows a sessile, non-pigmented cyst associated with significant anisometropia. Conclusion: Primary vitreous cysts are rare and can have a wide range in their clinical aspect. This likely reflects whether they originate either from the pigment epithelium or the primary hyaloidal system. The management of vitreous cysts is mostly conservative, but pars plana vitrectomy can be used safely if the symptoms are debilitating.

Optical formula to predict outcomes after implantation of accommodating intraocular lenses.

PURPOSE: To analyze the effect of optical parameters on the outcomes of accommodating intraocular lens (IOL) implantation in cataract surgery. SETTING: Department of Ophthalmology, KULeuven University, Leuven, Belgium. METHODS: Thin-lens approximation optics were used to obtain a formula containing the following variables: axial length (AL), mean keratometry (Km), anterior chamber depth (ACD), and presumed anterior shift of the IOL (dACD). The influence of these variables was separately analyzed. RESULTS: The accommodative amplitude (AA) decreased with a longer AL and higher Km. The AA varied between -5.4 diopters (D) and 0.0 D in eyes with an AL between 20.0 mm and 28.0 mm and a Km between 38.0 D and 52.00 D. The dACD was also a significant factor influencing the AA. The ACD had less influence on the AA. CONCLUSION: The obtained formula could guide selection of candidates for accommodating IOL implantation.

Physiological constraints for an intraocular inductive distance sensor.

In this paper the design restrictions of an inductive sensor for an intraocular lens with focus control on the basis of a marker implanted in the ciliary muscle of the eye are discussed in the framework of anatomical and physiological influences and constraints: limitations on the marker size, influences of tissue conduction and effects of off-axis implantation of the marker with respect to the coil.

Intraocular electro-optic lens with ciliary muscle controlled accommodation.

In this paper a concept is proposed of an intraocular lens implant with electro-optic accommodation of a variable-focus hybrid liquid-crystal-based lens. The dioptric strength of the lens is electronically controlled by a signal that is derived from the change of inductance of a sensing coil due to a marker implanted in the nearby contracting or decontracting ciliary muscle. Analytical, numerical and experimental results are reported on the dependency of the frequency of a Colpitts oscillator circuit on the location of a nearby conductive marker. A concept is also reported on the use as an electro-optic lens of a device based on a liquid crystal in planar alignment, which is held between a flat and a curved window coated with optically transparent and electrically conductive layers.

Visual and refractive outcomes after implantation of a fully diffractive trifocal lens.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to record the visual outcomes of patients treated by six surgeons after implantation of a trifocal lens. METHODS: The setting for this study comprised six ophthalmology units and eye clinics in Belgium and France, with a coordinating center in France, and data management and statistical analysis in France and Belgium. Ninety-four eyes from 47 patients were implanted with a trifocal FineVision(®) intraocular lens by six surgeons. Monocular and binocular, uncorrected and best distance-corrected, and photopic and mesopic visual acuity was measured, as well as the defocus curve between +4 D and -4 D with best distance correction. RESULTS: Near and far monocular visual acuities were similar to the data published after bifocal intraocular lens implantation. Intermediate vision was improved, and was demonstrated by scores of near visual acuity as well as far visual acuity with defocus -1.5 D-add lens. Far vision is maintained in mesopic conditions. CONCLUSION: The trifocal intraocular lens provides good far, intermediate, and near visual acuity.

Chronic central serous choroidopathy with severe visual loss in hyperopic microphthalmic identical twins.

OBJECTIVE: To report chronic central serous choroidopathy with severe visual loss in hyperopic microphthalmic identical twins. METHODS: The index patient was first examined in 1994, at age 31, and has been followed up closely for 17 years. He had repeated fluorescein and indocyanine green angiograms, OCT, ultrasound biometry, and recently also autofluorescence and EDI OCT. His twin brother was first examined in 2010, at age 47, and had a similar extensive exploration. RESULTS: The index patient had a mean refractive error of +6 D OU and VA was 20/32++ in the RE and 20/200 in the LE in 1994. Vision slowly went down to 20/800+ in the RE and 20/600 in the LE in 2011. His twin brother has a mean refractive error of +6 D OU and VA 20/400 OU. Both have a short axial length of the eye, a thick choroid with dilated vessels, and central serous choroidopathy with cystic degeneration of the macula and retina in the posterior pole. CONCLUSIONS: We add to the reported complications of microphthalmos, chronic central serous choroidopathy.