A Comparison of Optical Biometers Used in Children for Myopia Control.

PURPOSE: To assess the reproducibility (i.e., inter-device reliability) of the biometers Topcon MYAH, Oculus Myopia Master, and Haag-Streit Lenstar LS900 with the Carl Zeiss IOLMaster 700 and the intra-subject repeatability in myopic children in order to reliably detect axial growth for myopia management. METHODS: Twenty-two myopic children (11.1 ± 2.4 yr) with a spherical equivalent of - 3.53 ± 2.35 D were examined with each of the biometers to assess axial length (AL) and corneal parameters (steepK, flatK, meanK, vectors J0, J45), and16 of these children agreed to a second round of measurements. Reproducibility of the first measurements between the IOLMaster and every other biometer was assessed employing a Bland-Altman approach and paired Student's t-test. Repeatability was assessed as intra-subject standard deviation and was used to estimate the minimum time interval required between two AL measurements to reliably detect axial growth of an eye of at least 0.1 mm/year. RESULTS: Repeatability for AL measurements was as follows: IOLMaster: 0.05 mm, Myopia Master: 0.06 mm, Myah: 0.06 mm, Lenstar: 0.04 mm; the respective minimal time interval for axial growth assessment in myopia management was estimated as 5.6, 6.6, 6.7, and 5.0 months, respectively. Best reproducibility of the AL measurement was found between IOLMaster and Lenstar [95% Limits of Agreement (LoA) for reproducibility - 0.06 to 0.02]. As regards to the measured means, Lenstar gave measures of AL that were longer than with the IOLMaster by 0.02 mm (p < 0.001). Myopia Master measures of meanK were significantly lower (by 0.21 D with p < 0.001) than the values from the IOLMaster. As for J0, all biometers deviated significantly from IOLMaster measurements (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Generally good agreement was observed between all the biometers. When assessing myopia progression in children, a time frame of at least 6 months between the AL measurements is advisable in order to reliably determine any deviation from a normal growth pattern.

Safety of DIMS Spectacle Lenses and Atropine as Combination Therapy for Myopia Progression. / Sicherheit von Brillengläsern mit DIMS-Technologie und Atropin in der Kombinationstherapie der Myopieprogression.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to evaluate traffic safety of Defocus Incorporated Multiple Segments (DIMS) spectacle lenses in combination therapy with atropine. PATIENTS AND METHODS: 12 young adults (age: 24 - 45; 30,1 ± 5,7 years) were recruited to evaluate corrected distance visual acuity (CDVA), contrast sensitivity (CS; FrACT), glare sensitivity (Mesotest) under the influence of DIMS spectacle correction alone and combination therapy with 0,01% atropine. RESULTS: When looking through the central area of the DIMS lens, far vision does not decrease due to the influence of atropine; influence of glare and atropine leads to a reduction of CDVA by 0.10 logMAR. When forced to look through the DIMS area, far vision is reduced by 0.09 logMAR due to the influence of atropine in the absence of glare; in the presence of glare, no further loss of visual acuity can be observed under the influence of atropine. Contrast vision with DIMS glasses is not altered by the effects of atropine. Concerning glare sensitivity, DIMS lenses did not show any visual impairment that would be relevant to vision and road safety. Additional atropinization does not affect glare sensitivity. CONCLUSION: DIMS spectacle lenses are safe for participation in road traffic and do not relevantly impair traffic safety, neither alone nor under the acute influence of 0,01% atropine.

A retrospective analysis of the therapeutic effects of 0.01% atropine on axial length growth in children in a real-life clinical setting.

BACKGROUND: Several randomized controlled studies have demonstrated the beneficial effects of 0.01% atropine eye drops on myopia progression in children. However, treatment effects may be different in a routine clinical setting. We performed a retrospective analysis of our clinical data from children to investigate the effect of 0.01% atropine eye drops on myopia progression in a routine clinical setting. METHODS: Atropine-treated children were asked to instill one drop of 0.01% atropine in each eye every evening at 5 days a week. Myopic children who did not undergo atropine treatment served as controls. Objective refraction and ocular biometry of 80 atropine-treated and 103 untreated children at initial visit and 1 year later were retrospectively analyzed. RESULTS: Myopic refractions in the treated and untreated children at initial visit ranged from -0.625 to -15.25 D (-4.21 ± 2.90 D) and from -0.125 to -9.375 D (-2.92 ± 1.77 D), respectively. Ages at initial visit ranged from 3.2 to 15.5 years (10.1 ± 2.7 years) in the treated and from 3.4 to 15.5 years (11.2 ± 3.0 years) in untreated children. Two-factor ANOVA for age and atropine effects on axial length growth confirmed that axial length growth rates declined with age (p<0.0001) and revealed a significant inhibitory effect of atropine on axial length growth (p<0.0015). The atropine effect on axial length growth averaged to 0.08 mm (28%) inhibition per year. Effects on refraction were not statistically significant. CONCLUSION: The observed atropine effects were not very distinctive: Statistical analysis confirmed that atropine reduced axial length growth, but to an extent of minor clinical relevance. It was also shown that beneficial effects of 0.01% atropine may not be obvious in each single case, which should be communicated with parents and resident ophthalmologists.

[Nanosecond Laser Treatment in Chorioretinopathia Centralis Serosa without RPE Defects: A Retrospective Case Series]. / Nanosekundenlaserbehandlung bei Chorioretinopathia centralis serosa ohne RPE-Defekte: eine retrospektive Fallserie.

BACKGROUND: Chorioretinopathia centralis serosa (CCS) is a uni- or bilateral disease of the macula which is characterized by detachment of the neuro-sensory retina. The spontaneous resolution rate is 68% after four months and 84% after six months. PURPOSE: To investigate the efficacy of subthreshold nanopulse laser treatment for central serous chorioretinopathy (CCS) in the absence of any atrophy in the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE). METHODS: This retrospective study comprised 23 eyes of 23 patients without previous treatment. Patients were followed up to 12 months. Laser treatment was performed with the 2RT® nanolaser using a grid stimulation. Changes in corrected visual acuity (VA), microperimetry and subretinal fluid height in optical coherence tomographic images were measured. Saliences in autofluorescence images and angiographic images were observed. All results were documented 1, 3, 6 and 12 months after the first treatment. Patients did not receive any supplementary treatment. RESULTS: Two months after the first treatment, 74% of the patients showed complete SRF resolution and 91% of the patients within 6 months had complete resorption of the SRF. Central visual acuity and macula sensitivity significantly improved from 0.18 ± 0.16 logMAR to 0.09 ± 0.17 logMAR and 24.19 ± 3.96 dB to 27.59 ± 2.89 dB. The SRF decreased within one month significantly. No CNV was documented during the observation time. The baseline subretinal fluid height is a predictive factor of faster resolution. CONCLUSION: The evaluation of our treatment results shows that the therapy is a safe and promising method. Patients with a CCS without existing RPE defects benefit from the treatment with the 2RT® nanolaser, which is associated with an improvement of the macula function.

Systematic review: non-adherence and non-persistence in intravitreal treatment.

PURPOSE: Intravitreal injection of VEGF inhibitors has become the standard of care for different macular diseases within the last years resulting in improved visual outcomes. Under real-life conditions, however, the necessity for frequent retreatments and reexaminations poses a burden for patients and treatment centers. Non-adherence and non-persistence to intravitreal treatment may lead to inferior clinical outcomes, and knowledge of contributing factors is crucial to improve adherence. This systematic review analyzes current literature for potential factors involved in non-adherence and non-persistence. METHODS: A systematic search was conducted in PubMed and Embase including three different aspects of intravitreal injection therapy: (1) diseases with intravitreal injections as treatment, (2) intravitreal injection, and (3) aspects of therapy adherence or therapy persistence. Data from identified quantitative studies were further extracted and grouped according to WHO criteria (condition, socio-economy, therapy, patient, and health system). The methodological quality of identified studies was graded. Identified qualitative studies (i.e., interviews) were descriptively analyzed and their findings narratively reported. RESULTS: Twenty-four publications were included. In 16 of those publications, a quantitative data analysis was conducted, analyzing factors associated with non-adherence. Worse visual acuity at baseline and unfavorable development of visual acuity, higher age, and greater distance to the treatment center were associated with non-adherence, while there was inconsistent evidence for an association of comorbidity. In qualitative studies, high follow-up/treatment burden, fear and anxiety, disappointed patient expectations, and lack of motivation to continue treatment were reported as reasons for non-persistence. CONCLUSIONS: Knowledge of potential barriers in IVT treatment may improve adherence and potentially clinical results. Improvements can be achieved particularly in the healthcare complex (organizational improvements) and the "patient" complex by establishing realistic expectations. Recurrent education of the patient may be necessary.

[Current Review: Multifocal Intraocular Lenses and Extended Depth of Focus Intraocular Lenses]. / Aktuelle Übersicht: multifokale Linsen und Extended-Depth-of-Focus-Intraokularlinsen.

Presbyopia and cataract patients' wish to be increasingly independent of spectacles after surgery and this is one of the main drivers for the development of multifocal intraocular lenses (MIOL) and extended depth of focus (EDOF) intraocular lenses (IOL). As education, biometry, diagnostics, surgical techniques, and MIOL/EDOF IOL designs have improved over the past decade, an increasing number of cataract surgeons have become cataract refractive surgeons to help address this need. There is not one single MIOL/EDOF IOL, however, that suits all patients' needs. The wide variety of MIOL and EDOF IOL, their optics, and their impact on our patients' quality of vision have to be fully understood if we have to choose the appropriate IOL for each individual; MIOL/EDOF IOL surgery has to be customized. This review article looks at the different optical aspects and clinical consequences of MIOL/EDOF IOL, in order to help surgeons find an appropriate solution for each of their individual patients.

[Selection of Intraocular Lenses for Patients with Maculopathies]. / Selektion von Intraokularlinsen bei Patienten mit Makulopathien.

BACKGROUND: Multifocal intraocular lenses (MIOLs) may bring independence from glasses. In practice the question often arises as to which patient would be suitable for the implantation of MIOLs. Surgeons are hesitant to implant MIOLs in patients with macular or retinal pathologies, mostly due to a fear that the multifocality of the implanted IOL might increase patients' existing visual handicap. In this study we use virtual implantation to determine how various multifocal intraocular lens designs impact visual performance in the presence of macular pathologies. PATIENTS, MATERIAL AND METHODS: 17 pseudophakic normal eyes (group 1) and 13 pseudophakic eyes with retinal maculopathologies (group 2) and lower visual acuity were included in this study. We analysed best-corrected distance visual acuity (BCDVA), near- and distance-corrected near visual acuity (DCNVA) and contrast sensitivity (CS) while the patients were looking through the VirtIOL optical simulator to virtually experience vision through implanted intraocular lenses (IOL). Three different IOL types: aspheric monofocal, EDOF (extended depth of focus) and diffractive trifocal were tested. Comparisons were made between the different IOL types and between groups 1 and 2. RESULTS: Group 2 had lower visual acuity and also lower CS than group 1. The benefit from the multifocal IOLs was seen as a significantly increased DCNVA over the monofocal IOL. This was demonstrated in both groups: increases of 0.29 logMAR and 0.39 logMAR in DCNVA with EDOF- and trifocal IOL in group 1, respectively, and increases of 0.17 logMAR and 0.25 logMAR in DCNVA in group 2, respectively. However, at lower spatial frequencies of 3 cpd, CS was reduced in both groups compared to monofocal IOL. CONCLUSIONS: For the visual functions tested here, MIOLs are a viable option for patients with maculoretinal pathologies or previous retinal surgery to support their wish for independence from glasses. Although their visual performance is limited, they can still benefit from MIOLs with improved reading performance without near addition.

[Comparison of Long-term Results with Small Incision Refractive Lenticule Extraction (ReLEX SMILE) vs. Femto-LASIK]. / Vergleich der Langzeitergebnisse bei Small Incision Refractive Lenticule Extraction (ReLEx SMILE) und Femto-LASIK.

AIM: Our aim was to retrospectively compare ReLEx Smile to femtosecondlaser-assisted LASIK (FsLASIK, femto-LASIK) in terms of safety, efficacy, stability as well as intraoperative complications. Comparable studies only show the results over the course of 3 years, making our data the first to examine longer term results. MATERIALS/METHODS: To accomplish this, we compared 404 eyes after FsLASIK (Mel 80, Carl Zeiss Meditec) and 1192 eyes after ReLEx SMILE (VisuMax, Carl Zeiss Meditec). We collected patients' data at 6 months, 1 year, 2 years and 5 years after refractive surgery. RESULTS: Five years postoperatively, the 2 methods showed equally good results in all investigated parameters. Over the course of these 5 years, the ReLEx SMILE achieved significantly better results for safety (p < 0.05) after 6 months, 1 year and 2 years. The results for visual acuity were significantly better for ReLEx SMILE after 1, 2 and 3 years. The predictability of both methods was consistently good over the entire period of time and intraoperative complications were equally low. CONCLUSION: After retrospective analysis of the visual outcomes of our patients up to 5 years after surgery, the ReLEx SMILE method turned out to be at least as safe and efficient as the FsLASIK. The stability of the refractive outcome was equally good with the 2 methods. Due to the high level of satisfaction experienced by the patients, high patient comfort intra- and postoperatively, absence of dry eyes, and the absence of flap complications, ReLEx SMILE has replaced the FsLASIK in our daily practice and become our method of choice for corneal refractive surgery when it comes to the correction of myopia and myopic astigmatism.

Short-term effects of low-concentration atropine eye drops on pupil size and accommodation in young adult subjects.

PURPOSE: A single eye drop containing 0.01% atropine every evening has previously been found to inhibit myopia progression in young adults. We have tested the short-term effects of very low-dose atropine eye drops on pupil sizes and accommodation in young adult subjects. METHODS: Fourteen eyes of young adult subjects participated in the clinical observation. A single eye drop was applied with concentrations of either 0.01%, 0.005%, or 0.001% in the evening. Baseline parameters were measured before atropine application. Changes of pupil sizes, under photopic and mesopic conditions, as well as accommodation amplitudes were observed over the next day and analyzed by paired the Wilcoxon signed-rank test. RESULTS: The pupil was significantly dilated 12 h after instillation of 0.01% atropine eye drops, both under photopic (3.3 ± 0.5 mm vs. 4.9 ± 0.9 mm) and mesopic (4.8 ± 0.7 mm vs. 6.1 ± 0.7 mm) conditions. Pupil sizes recovered over the day but were still significantly larger in the evening, compared to the baseline parameters measured on the day before (3.9 ± 0.5 mm vs. 5.3 ± 0.6 mm). The subjective near point of accommodation was reduced from 8.0 ± 2.4 to 6.6 ± 2.8 dpt in the morning and to 7.0 ± 2.9 dpt in the evening. At 0.005%, the pattern of results remained still similar, although the magnitude of the effects was generally smaller. At 0.001%, pupil sizes were still weakly significantly larger in the morning. CONCLUSIONS: At a dose of 0.01%, clinically significant short-term effects were detected on pupil size and accommodation for at least 24 h. At the lowest dose of 0.001%, only tiny effects on pupil size were detectable.

Quality of life related variables measured for three multifocal diffractive intraocular lenses: a prospective randomised clinical trial.

IMPORTANCE: Quality of vision after multifocal intraocular lens (IOLs) implantation in relation to patient satisfaction. It is important to include the evaluation of visual quality and patient satisfaction in clinical practice. BACKGROUND: To evaluate and compare quality of life and patient satisfaction after implantation of three types of diffractive-refractive and apodized-diffractive bifocal and trifocal multifocal IOLs. DESIGN: Comparative, prospective, case series and randomized. PARTICIPANTS: Hundred and four eyes of 52 patients. METHODS: Three multifocal IOLs: AT LISA 809 M (Carl Zeiss Meditec) (AT LISA group, 38 eyes), AT LISAtri 839MP (Carl Zeiss Meditec) (AT LISAtri group, 32 eyes), and ReSTOR SN6AD1 (Alcon) (ReSTOR group, 34 eyes) were implanted after cataract surgery. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Contrast sensitivity, photopic phenomena, patient satisfaction and quality of life criteria were evaluated. RESULTS: Patient of ≥ 88% were satisfied with near and intermediate visual outcomes. Better distance-corrected intermediate visual acuity at 90 cm was detected for AT LISA tri group (P < 0.04). No statistically significant differences were found among groups in postoperative contrast sensitivity (P ≥ 0.053). There were no significant differences in spectacle dependence scores among the groups (P ≥ 0.180). The addition of an intermediate focus did not statistically affect halo and glare size and intensity (P ≥ 0.256) or subjective impact (P ≥ 0.077). Patient satisfaction was consistently high for all groups (P ≥ 0.154). CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: Contrast sensitivity outcomes and patient satisfaction remained high in the trifocal group when compared to the bifocal IOL groups.

IMPACT OF VITREORETINAL INTERFACE ARCHITECTURE ON SUCCESSFUL VITREOMACULAR TRACTION RESOLUTION IN EYES SCHEDULED FOR INTRAVITREAL OCRIPLASMIN THERAPY.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the impact of the vitreoretinal interface architecture, in specific the angle between the posterior vitreous cortex and the internal limiting membrane, on vitreomacular traction (VMT) resolution in eyes treated with intravitreally injected ocriplasmin (Jetrea). METHODS: Retrospective, multicenter cohort study and exploratory data analysis. Spectral domain optical coherence tomography assessments were performed before scheduled ocriplasmin injections. General (age and sex) as well as ocular variables (lens status, presence of epiretinal membrane formations, horizontal diameter of VMT, central retinal thickness, and in particular various prespecified angles between the posterior vitreous cortex and internal limiting membrane) were analyzed to evaluate their impact on successful VMT resolution. RESULTS: Fifty-nine eyes of 59 patients were included. Univariate analysis of age (odds ratio [OR]: 0.881; 95% CI: [0.812-0.955]; P = 0.0022) and lens status (OR: 11.03; 95% CI: [2.23-54.57]; P = 0.0033) had a significant impact on successful VMT resolution, whereas sex (OR: 0.668; 95% CI: [0.126-2.065]; P = 0.4906), epiretinal membrane formation (OR: 0.581; 95% CI: [0.168-2.006]; P = 0.3903), horizontal diameter of VMT (OR: 0.99930; 95% CI: [0.99825-1.00035]; P = 0.1886), and central retinal thickness (OR: 0.9985; 95% CI: [0.9934-1.00436]; P = 0.56) failed. The angle at 500 µm apart from the fovea centralis, irrespective if measured nasally (OR: 1.135; 95% CI: [1.013-1.272]; P = 0.0289) or temporally (OR: 1.099; 95% CI: [1.001-1.208]; P = 0.0485), showed a significant correlation with VMT resolution. CONCLUSION: The angle between the posterior vitreous cortex and the internal limiting membrane 500 µm apart from the fovea centralis correlates with VMT resolution and may be a clinically useful marker for selection of patients to be treated with ocriplasmin. This observation needs to be proven in a prospective confirmatory investigation.

Clinical Outcomes and Capsular Bag Stability of a Four-Point Haptic Bitoric Intraocular Lens.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the visual, refractive, and aberrometric outcomes of a bitoric intraocular lens (IOL) and its stability and alignment within the capsular bag. METHODS: A retrospective study including 41 eyes of 24 patients with preexisting corneal astigmatism of 0.75 diopters or greater undergoing cataract surgery with implantation of the bitoric IOL AT TORBI 709M (Carl Zeiss Meditec, Jena, Germany). Visual and refractive outcomes were evaluated during a 3-month follow-up period. The misalignment between intended and real axis and the levels of corneal, internal, and ocular aberrations (KR-1W; Topcon, Tokyo, Japan) were also evaluated. RESULTS: A total of 76% and 97% of eyes had a postoperative spherical equivalent within ± 0.50 and ± 1.00 diopters of emmetropia, respectively. Likewise, a total of 86% and 95% of eyes had a postoperative absolute value of refractive cylinder of 0.50 or less and 1.00 or less diopters, respectively. Mean postoperative corrected distance visual acuity was 0.00 logMAR (20/20 Snellen). Mean values of postoperative monocular and binocular uncorrected distance visual acuity were 0.10 and 0.00 logMAR (20/25 and 20/20 Snellen), respectively. The aberrometric analysis confirmed that the magnitude of ocular higher-order aberrations was mainly due to corneal optics and that the corneal astigmatism correction was sufficient with the toric IOL. Mean absolute IOL misalignment was 3.5° with values ranging from 0° to 10°. CONCLUSIONS: The bitoric IOL AT TORBI 709M is able to provide a predictable correction of corneal astigmatism with low postoperative levels of ocular higher-order aberrations.

Clinical Outcomes After Implantation of a Trifocal Toric Intraocular Lens.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the visual, refractive, and contrast sensitivity outcomes, as well as the level of photic phenomena, after cataract surgery with implantation of a trifocal diffractive toric intraocular lens (IOL). METHODS: This prospective study included 56 eyes with corneal astigmatism of 1.00 diopters (D) or greater of 28 patients (age: 23 to 78 years) undergoing cataract surgery with implantation of the trifocal toric IOL AT LISA tri toric 939MP (Carl Zeiss Meditec, Jena, Germany). Monocular and binocular visual outcomes, refractive changes, contrast sensitivity, and photic phenomena perception (Halo & Glare Simulator; Eyeland-Design Network GmbH, Vreden, Germany) were evaluated at 3 months postoperatively. RESULTS: Mean 3-month postoperative monocular uncorrected distance (UDVA), intermediate (UIVA), and near (UNVA) visual acuities were 0.13±0.15, 0.08±0.15, and 0.13±0.18 logMAR, respectively. Binocular postoperative CDVA, DCIVA, and DCNVA values were 0.10 logMAR or better in all cases. A total of 88.2%, 88.2%, and 95.5% of eyes achieved binocular UDVA, UIVA, and UNVA values of 0.20 logMAR or better, respectively. Postoperative refractive cylinder was 0.50 D or less and 1.00 D or less in 78.6% and 98.2% of eyes, respectively. Photopic contrast sensitivity was significantly better than mesopic values for the spatial frequencies of 6 (P=.007), 12 (P=.005), and 18 cycles/degree (P=.011). Mean size and intensity of halos were 50.67±15.69 and 54.89±17.86, respectively. Mean glare size and intensity were 39.67±3.51 and 44.67±15.01, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The evaluated trifocal diffractive toric IOL provides an effective restoration of the distance, intermediate, and near vision after cataract surgery with good levels of visual quality and minimal photic phenomena.

Geometry, penetration force, and cutting profile of different 23-gauge trocars systems for pars plana vitrectomy.

BACKGROUND: To investigate the geometry, penetration force, and cutting profile of 23-gauge trocar systems for pars plana vitrectomy based on their grinding methods in a standardized laboratory setting. METHODS: In this experimental study, Eleven different commercially available 23-gauge sclerotomy trocar systems were divided into 4 groups according to their needle grinding and deburring: "back" bevel, "spear" bevel, "lancet" bevel, and "spatula" bevel. The normative geometrical data of the trocar systems were systematically analyzed according to nomenclature ISO 7864 and ISO 9626. Force to penetrate a 0.4-mm thick polyurethane foil was measured by a Penetrometer, when the trocar needle was piercing, cutting, and sliding through the foil at different defined loading phases and plotted as a load-displacement diagram. Magnified images of the consecutive cut were taken under a microscope after the entire penetration through the foil. Three physicians used all trocar systems in a masked fashion on human sclera to evaluate the manual penetration force in 30° and 90°. RESULTS: The mean outer diameter of the trocar systems was 0.630 ± 0.009 mm, and the mean outer diameter of the trocars was 0.750 ± 0.013 mm. The mean point length was 3.11 ± 0.49 mm, and the mean length of the bevel was 1.46 ± 0.23 mm. The primary bevel angle was 10.75 ± 0.41°, and the secondary bevel angle was 65.9 ± 42.56°. The piercing forces of the back bevel and spear-pointed trocars/needles were at the same level (0.087 ± 0.028 N). The lancet-pointed needle had remarkable low piercing and cutting forces with 0.41 N (range, 0.35-0.47 N). The spatula bevel tip showed the highest penetration piercing force with 1.6 N (range, 1.59-1.73 N). The back bevel systems induced frequently triangular-shaped incisions, with two nearly rectangular cuts of short length. The spear bevels produced a regular characteristic linear cut. Especially, the lancet blade created straight cut with a linear wound apposition. Spatula trocar systems caused usually an arched accurate incision. The manual force to penetrate the human sclera in an angled and rectangular angle appeared in the surgeons hand lower with a back bevel, lancet, or spear tip, whereas higher with spatula bevel systems. CONCLUSION: Lancet and back bevel systems show less penetration force of inner needles than the spatula systems. The results of the penetration force experiments correlated well with the manual force on sclera.

Preservatives and pH in low-dose atropine formulations for clinical trials.

Over a century ago, atropine has been tested to arrest myopia progression with good results. In recent years, many randomized clinical trials have tested different concentrations against placebo. Three recent such studies with low-dose atropine showed that it was less effective than previous studies, even the last one showing no difference in myopia progression between the treated and control group. Previous randomized studies had been performed in Asian populations, and these last three were extended to Western Caucasian populations, based on the initial observation that differences in iris pigmentation could be a factor for a difference in effectiveness. We have noticed that the three last studies in the West have used the same patented formulation, while previous studies have preferred compounded low-dose atropine. Here we review how the power of hydrogen (pH) and preservatives could account for differences in drug penetration to the eye, possibly explaining the differences between studies.

Customizing Clinical Outcomes with Implantation of Two Diffractive Trifocal IOLs of Identical Design but Differing Light Distributions to the Far, Intermediate and Near Foci.

Purpose: To evaluate clinical outcomes after bilateral or contralateral implantation of the Gemetric™ (G) and Gemetric™ Plus (GPlus) diffractive trifocal intraocular lenses (IOLs). Methods: This was a prospective, randomized, multi-center open-label study comparing clinical results and subjective patient responses around 6 months after implantation of the study lenses (toric and non-toric) in three different groups (bilateral G, bilateral GPlus and contralateral G/GPlus implantation). Results included the manifest refraction, uncorrected and distance corrected monocular and binocular visual acuity (VA) at distance, intermediate and near; the defocus curve; contrast sensitivity; and patient reported outcomes regarding spectacle independence, satisfaction and visual disturbances. Results: There was no statistically significant difference in the mean refraction spherical equivalent between the two lens models (p = 0.33) or between the toric and non-toric lenses (p = 0.06). Monocular VA was better at distance with the G lens and better at near with the GPlus lens (p < 0.01). Mean binocular VA was better than 0.1 logMAR at all distances for all groups, both uncorrected and distance corrected. The mean binocular distance corrected VA was better than 0.15 logMAR from 0.0 D to -3.50 D for all groups. All VA data for the contralateral group was as good or better than for the bilateral GPlus group. Questionnaire results showed no difference between groups for the frequency, severity, or degree of bother of visual disturbances (p > 0.24). Conclusion: The two diffractive trifocal IOLs studied here may be used either bilaterally or contralaterally for the correction of presbyopia in cataract patients, providing excellent visual acuity with low levels of visual disturbances and high rates of overall spectacle independence. Bilateral Gemetric implantation resulted in slightly better distance and intermediate vision while contralateral implantation provided slightly better near vision. There was no apparent advantage to implanting the GPlus IOL bilaterally.

Contrast Adaptation in Pseudophakic Patients with Macular Disorders.

PURPOSE: To learn whether contrast adaptation, induced by positive spherical defocus, is compromised by macular disorders such as age-related macular degeneration (AMD) or epiretinal membranes (ERM) and to gain further insight in the functionality of the pathological macula and the level of "functional reserve" often postulated for the indication of presbyopia correcting IOLs. METHODS: In a pilot study, patients with macular disorders, AMD and ERM, (n = 10) and healthy volunteers (n = 10) were tested to quantify contrast adaption after +4 D defocus for 10 min, by performing an interocular contrast matching task. Subjects manually adjusted the perceived contrast of the test patch as seen by the test eye to match to the contrast of a target patch with a fixed Michelson contrast of 0.2 as seen by the contralateral untreated eye. RESULTS: Patients with macular disorders subjectively matched the 0.2 target contrast with a contrast of 0.24 ± 0.06 (mean ± SD) before adaptation and with a contrast of 0.19 ± 0.04 after adaptation (p < 0.05). Accordingly, patients with macular disorders showed an induced contrast gain by adaptation of 0.05 (27%), which was not different from the control group, which showed an induced contrast gain by adaptation of 0.06 (35%). CONCLUSION: Patients with mild and moderate macular disorders, such as AMD and ERM, show an induced contrast adaptation, i.e. a gain in contrast sensitivity, at 3.2 cpd, which is not different in level from the induced contrast adaptation in healthy subjects. Macular disorders do not prevent adaptation of the patient's visual system to low contrast or blurred retinal images. Therefore, the implantation of presbyopia correcting IOLs is not a strict exclusion criterion for these patients, but the progressive nature of the macular disorder must be taken into account.

[Aflibercept in a real-world setting: the AURIGA study : 24-month results of the German cohort of treatment-naïve patients with macular edema following retinal vein occlusion receiving intravitreal aflibercept]. / Aflibercept im klinischen Alltag: die AURIGA-Studie : 24-Monats-Ergebnisse der deutschen Kohorte behandlungsnaiver Patienten mit Makulaödem bei retinalem Venenverschluss unter Therapie mit intravitrealem Aflibercept.

BACKGROUND: AURIGA is the largest prospective real-world study to evaluate intravitreal aflibercept 2 mg (IVT-AFL) treatment of macular edema (ME) secondary to retinal vein occlusion (RVO) and diabetic macular edema. Here we present the 24-month data from the German cohort of treatment-naïve patients with ME due to RVO. METHODS: Treatment-naïve patients with ME secondary to RVO were treated with IVT-AFL 2 mg in the routine clinical practice. The primary endpoint was mean change in visual acuity (VA, early treatment diabetic retinopathy, ETDRS, letters) at month 12 compared to baseline. Analyses were descriptive. RESULTS: Analysis included 130 patients with RVO (n = 61, 46.9% with central RVO, n = 69, 53.1% with branch RVO). The mean (± SD) time the RVO patients remained in the study was 18.4 ± 7.4 months. The mean VA gain (95% confidence interval) in the overall cohort was +10.9 (7.5-14.2) letters at month 12 and +9.7 (6.1-13.3) at month 24 (baseline VA 56.5 ± 18.9 letters). At 24 months, 67% of RVO patients gained ≥5 letters and 40% gained ≥15 letters. The mean number of injections was 4.4 ± 1.3 up to month 6, 6.2 ± 2.7 up to month 12 and 8.2 ± 4.5 up to month 24. The mean central retinal thickness (CRT) reduction was -206µm (-252 to -160µm) at 12 months and -219µm (-263 to -175µm) at 24 months (baseline CRT 507 ± 177 µm). The safety profile was consistent with that of previous studies. DISCUSSION: In the German AURIGA cohort of treatment-naïve patients with ME secondary to RVO, IVT-AFL 2 mg treatment in clinical practice resulted in rapid and clinically relevant VA gains and a reduction in CRT. These results were largely maintained over 24 months despite the low injection frequency from month 6.

Natural History of Visual Acuity and Microperimetry-Based Functional Outcome Measures of the Macula in Patients with Geographic Atrophy: A Retrospective Chart Review Study in Germany.

Background/Objectives: Geographic atrophy (GA) is an advanced form of age-related macular degeneration (AMD) leading to the progressive and irreversible loss of visual function. Characteristics of GA include atrophic lesions resulting from the loss of photoreceptors, retinal pigment epithelium, and choriocapillaris. During GA progression, atrophic lesions typically advance from the macular periphery to the center, affecting foveal light sensitivity and visual acuity. This study analyzed changes in light sensitivity and visual acuity during the natural course of GA progression using the topographic analysis of structural and functional changes based on Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study (ETDRS) charts, multimodal imaging, and microperimetry assessment. Methods: Medical chart data of GA patients between 2014 and 2022 from the Internationale Innovative Ophthalmochirurgie GbR (I.I.O.) research center (Düsseldorf, Germany) were retrospectively analyzed. All patient eyes fulfilling the phase 3 OAKS study inclusion criteria were included and followed up for 60 months. The imputation of missing measurements and dropouts was performed by linear mixed models. Results: A total of 20 GA eyes from 13 GA patients were included in the study. At the index, 53.8% of patients had bilateral GA, with 70.0% of the eyes showing multifocal GA and 30.0% subfoveal encroachment (SFE). A total of 35.0% of the eyes had 2-5, and 15.0% over 20, areas of atrophy. Over time, the GA lesion size increased from 6.4 mm2 to 11.8 mm2 (1.08 mm2/year). After an average observation time of 2.9 years, 78.6% of the initially unaffected study eyes developed SFE. The percentage of study eyes without visual impairment decreased from 55.0% to 30.0%, with mean normal-luminance best-corrected visual acuity (NL-BCVA) reducing from 63.7 to 55.7 ETDRS letters. The share of absolute scotoma points in microperimetry assessment increased from 15.7% to 43.5% while overall average macular sensitivity declined from 15.7 dB to 7.4 dB. Conclusions: The substantial deterioration of macular outcomes and visual function was comprehensively detected. The results were a documentation of structural and functional aspects of the natural progression of GA for a 60-month follow-up, providing a typical outline for AMD patients with GA.

Age-matched analysis of axial length growth in myopic children wearing defocus incorporated multiple segments spectacle lenses.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Defocus incorporated multiple segments (DIMS) spectacle lenses are known to be able to inhibit axial length (AL) growth in myopic children compared with single vision (SV) spectacle lenses. However, it is not known whether AL growth is sufficiently inhibited to achieve the treatment goal of physiological AL growth. METHODS: Of the data already collected in 2014-2017 by Lam et al, the AL growth with DIMS and SV spectacle lenses was re-evaluated according to the age-matched myopia control system. The individual AL growth after the first year of treatment of each eye was plotted against the corresponding age of the same time point in a colour-coded scheme. The two treatment groups were further subdivided based on their age and their baseline AL. RESULTS: Overall, 65% (61% of male, 70% of female) of eyes with DIMS spectacle lenses and 16% (16% of male, 16% of female) of eyes with SV spectacle lenses are within range of physiological AL growth rate. Median AL growth rate of eyes with DIMS spectacle lenses is also within the range of physiological growth. In the subgroups, eyes with DIMS spectacle lenses were also superior to the ones with SV spectacle lenses regarding this treatment goal. Of the children with SV spectacle lenses, older children and children with eyes with high baseline AL were least likely to achieve physiological AL growth rate. CONCLUSIONS: DIMS spectacle lenses can bring the AL growth rate of myopic children to the level of physiological AL growth rate, indicating 100% reduction of excessive myopic AL growth, independent of age and baseline AL. Older children and children with eyes with high AL have the risk to have increased AL growth without treatment.