Flexural and Cell Adhesion Characteristic of Phakic Implantable Lenses.

Background and Objectives: In this study, we aimed to compare the physical properties of hole-implantable collamer lenses (H-ICLs) and implantable phakic contact lenses (IPCLs) and investigate their flexural and cell adhesion characteristics. Materials and Methods: Transverse compression load to achieve lens flexion and static Young's modulus were measured in H-ICLs and IPCLs using designated equipment. Load was measured both with and without restraining the optic section of the lenses. Adhesion of iHLEC-NY2 cells to the lens surfaces was examined using phase-contrast microscopy, and cell proliferation activity was evaluated using WST-8 assay. Results: The H-ICL showed a greater tendency for transverse compression load compared to IPCL, while the IPCL showed a higher Young's modulus with respect to the force exerted on the center of the anterior surface of the optic section. The joint between the optic section and haptic support in the IPCL was found to mitigate the effects of transverse compression load. Both lens types showed minimal cell adhesion. Conclusions: Our findings indicate that H-ICLs and IPCLs exhibit distinct physical properties and adhesive characteristics. The IPCL demonstrated higher Young's modulus and unique structural features, while the H-ICL required greater transverse compression load to achieve the flexion required to tuck the haptic supports into place behind the iris to fix the lens. The observed cell non-adhesive properties for both lens types are promising in terms of reducing complications related to cell adhesion. However, further investigation and long-term observation of IPCL are warranted to assess its stability and potential impact on the iris. These findings contribute to a better understanding of the performance and potential applications of H-ICLs and IPCLs in ophthalmology.

Smad2/Smad3 in endothelium is indispensable for vascular stability via S1PR1 and N-cadherin expressions.

Transforming growth factor-ß (TGF-ß) is involved in vascular formation through activin receptor-like kinase (ALK)1 and ALK5. ALK5, which is expressed ubiquitously, phosphorylates Smad2 and Smad3, whereas endothelial cell (EC)-specific ALK1 activates Smad1 and Smad5. Because ALK5 kinase activity is required for ALK1 to transduce TGF-ß signaling via Smad1/5 in ECs, ALK5 knockout (KO) mice were not able to give us the precise mechanisms by which TGF-ß/ALK5/Smad2/3 signaling is implicated in angiogenesis. To delineate the role of Smad2/3 signaling in endothelium, the Smad2 gene in Smad3 KO mice was selectively deleted in ECs using Tie2-Cre transgenic mice, termed EC-specific Smad2/3 double KO (EC-Smad2/3KO) mice. EC-Smad2/3KO embryos revealed hemorrhage leading to embryonic lethality around E12.5. EC-Smad2/3KO embryos exhibited no abnormality of vasculogenesis and angiogenesis in both the yolk sac and the whole embryo, whereas vascular maturation was incomplete because of inadequate assembly of mural cells in the vasculature. Wide gaps between ECs and mural cells could be observed in the vasculature of EC-Smad2/3KO mice because of reduced expression of N-cadherin and sphingosine-1-phosphate receptor-1 (S1PR1) in ECs from those mice. These results indicated that Smad2/3 signaling in ECs is indispensable for maintenance of vascular integrity via the fine-tuning of N-cadherin, VE-cadherin, and S1PR1 expressions in the vasculature.

Accuracy of new intraocular lens power calculation formula for short and long eyes using segmental refractive indices.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the accuracy of a new intraocular lens power calculation formula using segmental refractive index-based axial length (AL). SETTING: Chukyo Eye Clinic, Nagoya, Japan. DESIGN: Retrospective observational study. METHODS: This study included patients undergoing preoperative examination for cataract surgery with the new Barrett True AL (BTAL) and Emmetropia Verifying Optical (EVO) formulas using segmental refractive index, and conventional Barrett Universal II (BU II) formula using equivalent refractive index. The predicted refractive error of each formula was compared with the postoperative subjective spherical equivalent. RESULTS: The mean prediction error (MPE) in the short AL group (≤22 mm; 44 eyes) was 0.32 ± 0.40 diopter (D) for BU II, 0.22 ± 0.37 D for BTAL, and 0.10 ± 0.37 D for EVO ( P < .0001). MPE in the long AL group (≥26 mm; 92 eyes) was 0.01 ± 0.32 D for BU II, 0.04 ± 0.32 D for BTAL, and 0.09 ± 0.32 D for EVO ( P < .0001). In patients with an AL ≥ 28 mm, BU II showed a myopic trend in 57.1% of cases, while BTAL and EVO showed a hyperopic trend in 71.4%. The MPE for patients with an AL ≥ 28 mm was -0.16 ± 0.34 D for BU II, 0.18 ± 0.33 D for BTAL, and 0.16 ± 0.32 D for EVO ( P < .0001). CONCLUSIONS: The new EVO and BTAL formulas showed higher accuracy than BU II in short eyes, whereas there was no difference in long eyes.

Comparison of INTREPID® balanced and hybrid tips on anterior capsule rupture in ex vivo porcine eyes.

Phacoemulsification has emerged as the global standard for cataract surgery, and various novel methods, tools, and agents have promoted surgical efficiency and reduced complications. Conventionally, the phaco tip, which cleaves and aspirates the cataractous lens, has been mainly constructed of metal. In this study, the risk of anterior capsule rupture was evaluated under conditions of different power modes, longitudinal (Mode-L), torsional (Mode-T), or both (Mode-LT), and different aspiration powers (0 or 200 mmHg), using a traditional metal phaco tip (Group-M) or a new phaco tip with a high-strength polymer overmold on the needle edge (Group-P), which was developed to reduce the risk of capsule rupture. One hundred twenty porcine eyes were used for experiments within a setting of typical human physiological intraocular pressure. We found that Group-M showed capsule rupture with a smaller ultrasound power than did Group-P, regardless of power mode or aspiration power. In Group-M, there was no significant difference in risk of capsule rupture among power modes, however in Group-P, capsule rupture was least likely to occur with Mode-T. These results provide useful information for inexperienced ophthalmologists to improve surgical safety.

Refractive prediction error in cataract surgery using an optical biometer equipped with anterior segment OCT.

PURPOSE: To evaluate refractive error after cataract surgery using an optical biometer equipped with anterior segment optical coherence tomography (AS-OCT). SETTING: Chukyo Eye Clinic, Nagoya, Japan. DESIGN: Retrospective observational design. METHODS: In total, 150 patients with cataract (150 eyes, mean age 73.4 ± 8.2 years, men 76, women 74), who underwent measurement of parameters with the AS-OCT scanners ANTERION (AS-OCTB) and IOLMaster 700 (OCTB) before cataract surgery, were enrolled in the study. Refractive prediction error was compared between the 2 devices using the SRK/T, Haigis, and Barrett Universal II (UII) formulas for intraocular lens (IOL) power calculation. RESULTS: There were significant differences between AS-OCTB and OCTB in axial length, mean corneal refractive power, anterior chamber depth, lens thickness, and corneal diameter (n = 150). In the SRK/T formula, the arithmetic means of refractive prediction errors for AS-OCTB and OCTB were -0.06 ± 0.46 diopters (D) and 0.02 ± 0.42 D, respectively. In the Haigis formula, the arithmetic means of refractive prediction errors for AS-OCTB and OCTB were -0.23 ± 0.40 D and -0.08 ± 0.35 D, respectively. In the Barrett UII formula, the arithmetic means of refractive prediction errors for AS-OCTB and OCTB were -0.02 ± 0.38 D and 0.11 ± 0.36 D, respectively. AS-OCTB showed significantly larger refractive prediction error toward myopia than OCTB in all 3 formulas (P < .0001). CONCLUSIONS: The refractive prediction error using AS-OCTB showed a small difference from that using OCTB. While clinically comparable, the 2 methods could drive meaningful differences in IOL selection.

Endothelial-specific depletion of TGF-ß signaling affects lymphatic function.

BACKGROUND: Transforming growth factor (TGF)-ß is a multifunctional cytokine involved in cell differentiation, cell proliferation, and tissue homeostasis. Although TGF-ß signaling is essential for maintaining blood vessel functions, little is known about the role of TGF-ß in lymphatic homeostasis. METHODS: To delineate the role of TGF-ß signaling in lymphatic vessels, TßRIIfl/fl mice were crossed with Prox1-CreERT2 mice to generate TßRIIfl/fl; Prox1-CreERT2 mice. The TßRII gene in the lymphatic endothelial cells (LECs) of the conditional knockout TßRIIiΔLEC mice was selectively deleted using tamoxifen. The effects of TßRII gene deletion on embryonic lymphangiogenesis, postnatal lymphatic structure and drainage function, tumor lymphangiogenesis, and lymphatic tumor metastasis were investigated. RESULTS: Deficiency of LEC-specific TGF-ß signaling in embryos, where lymphangiogenesis is active, caused dorsal edema with dilated lymphatic vessels at E13.5. Postnatal mice in which lymphatic vessels had already been formed displayed dilation and increased bifurcator of lymphatic vessels after tamoxifen administration. Similar dilation was also observed in tumor lymphatic vessels. The drainage of FITC-dextran, which was subcutaneously injected into the soles of the feet of the mice, was reduced in TßRIIiΔLEC mice. Furthermore, Lewis lung carcinoma cells constitutively expressing GFP (LLC-GFP) transplanted into the footpads of the mice showed reduced patellar lymph node metastasis. CONCLUSION: These data suggest that TGF-ß signaling in LECs maintains the structure of lymphatic vessels and lymphatic homeostasis, in addition to promoting tumor lymphatic metastasis. Therefore, suppression of TGF-ß signaling in LECs might be effective in inhibiting cancer metastasis.

Clinical and ex vivo laboratory comparison of the self-sealing properties and dimensional stability between the femtosecond laser and manual clear corneal incisions.

PURPOSE: To compare the self-sealing features and dimensional stability between the femtosecond laser (FL) and manual knife corneal incision. METHODS: For the clinical study, 29 consecutive eyes from 29 patients and 28 eyes from 28 patients who underwent cataract surgery with FL corneal incision and manual knife incision, respectively, were enrolled. Immediately after cataract surgery, the self-sealing features of the corneal incisions were evaluated. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images were obtained. For the experimental study, clear corneal incisions with a knife or FL with different energy settings (3, 6 and 9 µJ) were created in fresh porcine eyes, followed by a stress test. The incision width was measured before and after the stress test. RESULTS: In the clinical study, the knife group had a higher self-sealing score (0.60 ± 0.49 points) than the FL group (0.17 ± 0.38 points). In the experimental study, the deformation rate in the knife incision (5.04 ± 1.93) was significantly lower than that in the FL with any energy. The deformation rate in the 9 µJ (12.98 ± 2.76) was significantly higher than in the 3 µJ (8.54 ± 2.38) and 6 µJ (8.82 ± 2.85) FL energies. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images revealed that the corneal stromal surface of the knife incision was smoother than that of the FL. Higher energy FL showed more irregular surfaces. CONCLUSION: Higher FL energy tended to widen a clear corneal incision when mechanical stress was applied. The histological differences at the inner tunnel surface may cause differences in wound stability of the corneal incision.

Comparison of Maximum Stretch Forces between Femtosecond Laser-Assisted Capsulotomy and Continuous Curvilinear Capsulorhexis.

The current study reports comparing the postoperative mechanical properties of the anterior capsule between femtosecond laser capsulotomy (FLC) and continuous curvilinear capsulorhexis (CCC) of variable size and shape in porcine eyes. All CCCs were created using capsule forceps. Irregular or eccentric CCCs were also created to simulate real cataract surgery. For FLC, capsulotomies 5.3 mm in diameter were created using the LenSx® (Alcon) platform. Fresh porcine eyes were used in all experiments. The edges of the capsule openings were pulled at a constant speed using two L-shaped jigs. Stretch force and distance were recorded over time, and the maximum values in this regard were defined as those that were recorded when the capsule broke. There was no difference in maximum stretch force between CCC and FLC. There were no differences in circularity between FLC and same-sized CCC. However, same-sized CCC did show significantly higher maximum stretch forces than FLC. Teardrop-shaped CCC showed lower maximum stretch forces than same-sized CCC and FLC. Heart-shaped CCC showed lower maximum stretch forces than same-sized CCC. Conclusively, while capsule edge strength after CCC varied depending on size or irregularities, FLC had the advantage of stable maximum stretch forces.