Efficacy and safety of 1% and 2% rebamipide clear solution in dry eye disease: a multicenter randomized trial.

BACKGROUND: To evaluate the efficacy of 1% and 2% rebamipide clear solution in the treatment of dry eye disease (DED). METHODS: Two hundred twenty patients with DED were randomly assigned to one of three groups: the 1% rebamipide, 2% rebamipide, or placebo (eye drops containing the same ingredients, except for the active components). Each eye drop was instilled four times daily for 12 weeks. Changes in tear film break-up time (TBUT), corneal and conjunctival staining score, Schirmer 1 test, and the Ocular Surface Disease Index (OSDI) from baseline to 12-week visit between the study groups were compared for efficacy assessment. RESULTS: The mean age of study patients was 43.8±14.2 years. The 1% and 2% rebamipide groups showed greater improvement in TBUT (1.99±1.87 and 2.02±2.21 s) at 12 weeks from baseline than the placebo group (1.25±2.93 s). The 2% rebamipide group showed greater improvement in the corneal staining score (- 3.15±2.00) at 12 weeks from baseline than the placebo group (- 2.85±1.80). The 1% and 2% rebamipide groups showed improvement in Schirmer 1 test (1.27±3.86 and 1.50±4.14 mm) at 12 weeks of treatment, but not the placebo group (0.55±2.99 mm). Both the rebamipide groups and the placebo group showed significantly improved OSDI after treatment for 12 weeks; however, there was no significant difference among the three groups. CONCLUSIONS: 1% and 2% rebamipide clear solutions are an effective therapeutic option for improving TBUT and tear volume, and stabilizing the corneal staining score in DED.

Chronic and Recurrent Herpes Zoster Ophthalmicus.

Background and Objectives: This study sought to investigate the natural course, the chronicity and recurrence rate, and the risk factors of chronic and recurrent herpes zoster ophthalmicus (HZO). We also evaluated the effects of long-term treatment for HZO. Materials and Methods: Patients diagnosed and treated for HZO were included in the retrospective medical chart review. Multivariable-adjusted logistic and Cox regression models were used to show risk factors for chronic and recurrent HZO along with hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Results: Among a total 130 of HZO patients, 31 patients (23.85%) had chronic disease and 19 patients (14.62%) had recurrent disease. The rate of chronic disease was higher in HZO with conjunctivitis, epithelial keratitis, and stromal keratitis. The recurrence rate increased in patients with chronic HZO (HR: 34.4, 95% CI: 3.6-324.6), epithelial keratitis (HR: 5.5, 95% CI: 1.3-30.0), stromal keratitis (HR: 18.8, 95% CI: 3.0-120.8), and increased intraocular pressure (IOP) (HR: 7.3, 95% CI: 1.6-33.2). Length of systemic antiviral therapy and anti-inflammatory eyedrop treatment were not associated with recurrent HZO (p = 0.847 and p = 0.660, respectively). The most common ocular manifestation for recurrent HZO was stromal keratitis. Conclusions: This study demonstrated a considerable frequency of chronic and recurrent HZO. Chronic HZO in the form of epithelial or stromal keratitis with increased IOP provoked a significant rise in the risk of recurrence.

Visual Acuity and Development of Parkinson's Disease: A Nationwide Cohort Study.

BACKGROUND: Visual dysfunction in Parkinson's disease (PD) is well known from previous reports, but the association of visual deficits with PD development has not yet been studied. The aim of this research was to evaluate the association of visual acuity with the risk of PD occurrence using a nationwide cohort in South Korea. METHODS: Among the population participating in the National Health Insurance Service, which is mandatory for all South Koreans, 6,055,113 individuals who had taken part in health screening programs between January 1, 2009, and December 31, 2012, were included in the cohort and followed until December 31, 2017. The hazard ratio was calculated for groups with high and low visual acuity using multivariate adjusted Cox regression analysis. RESULTS: A total of 22,872 subjects (0.38%) were diagnosed as having PD within the study period. Groups with low visual acuity showed a higher incidence of PD compared with groups with good visual acuity. Compared with the reference group (visual acuity better than 20/20), the adjusted hazard ratios and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) was 1.315 (95% CI, 1.261-1.371) for the group with visual acuity between 20/20 and 20/60, 1.357 (95% CI, 1.277-1.442) for the group with visual acuity between 20/60 and 10/100, and 1.267 (95% CI, 1.193-1.343) for the group with visual acuity less than 10/100. CONCLUSIONS: Low visual acuity was associated with the development of PD. This suggests that visual dysfunction is one of the premotor symptoms for PD development. © 2020 International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society.

Visual outcomes and safety after bilateral implantation of a trifocal presbyopia correcting intraocular lens in a Korean population: a prospective single-arm study.

BACKGROUND: To investigate the 3-month postoperative performance and safety after implantation of a trifocal intraocular lens (IOL) in a Korean population. METHODS: This was a clinical, prospective, multicenter, single-arm study. Forty-four subjects (88 eyes) with bilateral cataract with expected postoperative corneal astigmatism of < 1.00 diopter (D) and no ocular disease or eye condition underwent bilateral implantation of the AcrySof IQ® PanOptix IOL (TFNT00). Postoperative examination at 3 months included binocular defocus curve; binocular best corrected distance visual acuity (BCDVA); monocular/binocular uncorrected VA (UCVA) at distance (4 m), intermediate (60 cm), and near (40 cm); contrast sensitivity under photopic conditions with/without glare; and subjective outcomes, including satisfaction and spectacle independence. RESULTS: Binocular defocus curve at 3 months after bilateral implantation showed VA of 0.1 logMAR or better from + 0.5 D through - 2.5 D. Binocular BCDVA mean ± SD at 4 m was - 0.05 ± 0.07 logMAR. Binocular and monocular UCVA was 0.03 ± 0.1 and 0.08 ± 0.12 logMAR (4 m), - 0.00 ± 0.11 and 0.05 ± 0.13 logMAR (60 cm), and 0.03 ± 0.12 and 0.09 ± 0.13 logMAR (40 cm), respectively. Contrast sensitivity with glare was 1.67 ± 0.13, 1.91 ± 0.17, 1.54 ± 0.21, and 1.14 ± 0.20 log units at 3, 6, 12, and 18 cycles/degree, respectively. At near and intermediate distances, 84 and 77% of subjects reported good/excellent satisfaction, and 84 and 91% of subjects reported spectacle independence, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: In a Korean population, visual performance of the trifocal TFNT00 IOL 3 months postoperatively was < 0.1 logMAR for binocular UCVA at all distances, with high subject satisfaction and spectacle independence. TRIAL REGISTRATION: www.ClinicalTrials.gov ( NCT03268746 ). Registered August 31, 2017.

Comparison of outcomes after topography-modified refraction versus wavefront-optimized versus manifest topography-guided LASIK.

BACKGROUND: To compare the outcomes of myopia and myopic astigmatism corrected with topography-modified refraction laser in situ keratomileusis (TMR-LASIK), wavefront-optimized (WFO) LASIK, and topography-guided (TG) LASIK with a correction target based on the manifest refraction (manifest TG-LASIK). METHODS: This observational, retrospective cohort study included patients who underwent LASIK using the WaveLight® EX500 excimer laser to correct myopia and myopic astigmatism between August 2016 and July 2017. Patients who underwent TMR-LASIK (85 patients), WFO-LASIK (70 patients), or manifest TG-LASIK (40 patients) were enrolled, and only one eye from each patient was analyzed. All participants underwent measurement of the uncorrected distance visual acuity (UDVA), best-corrected distance visual acuity (BCVA), manifest refraction, vector analysis of astigmatic change, corneal topography, and corneal wavefront analysis at baseline and at every posttreatment visit. RESULTS: Three months postoperatively, a UDVA of 0.0 logMAR or better and manifest refraction spherical equivalent (MRSE) within ±0.5 diopters (D) did not differ across the TMR-, WFO-, and manifest TG-LASIK groups. However, the residual cylinder in the TMR group was significantly larger than that in the WFO and manifest TG groups. The magnitude of error in the TMR group measured using astigmatism vector analysis was significantly higher than that in the WFO and manifest TG groups. CONCLUSIONS: Although these three LASIK platforms achieved the predicted surgical outcomes, TMR-LASIK overcorrected astigmatism and showed a higher residual postoperative astigmatism compared with WFO- and manifest TG-LASIK.

Retraction Note: Comparison of 0.05% cyclosporine and 3% diquafosol solution for dry eye patients: a randomized, blinded, multicenter clinical trial.

An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via the original article.

Markedly increased ocular side effect causing severe vision deterioration after chemotherapy using new or investigational epidermal or fibroblast growth factor receptor inhibitors.

BACKGROUND: We sought to describe corneal epithelial changes after using epidermal (EGFR) or fibroblast growth factor receptor (FGFR) inhibitors as chemotherapy and to clarify incidence and prognosis. MATERIALS: Retrospective chart review. RESULTS: Among 6871 patients and 17 EGFR or FGFR inhibitors, 1161 patients (16.9%) referred for ophthalmologic examination. In total, 1145 patients had disease-related or unrelated ocular complications. Among 16 patients with treatment-related ocular complications, three patients had treatment-related radiation retinopathy and one patient showed treatment-related corneal ulcer. Finally the authors identified that, in 12 patients, three EGFR inhibitors and two FGFR inhibitors caused corneal epithelial lesions. Vandetanib, Osimertinib, and ABT-414 caused vortex keratopathy in nine patients, while ASP-5878 and FPA-144 caused epithelial changes resembling corneal dysmaturation in three patients. The mean interval until symptoms appeared was 246 days with vandetanib, 196 days with osimertinib, 30 days with ABT-414, 55 days with ASP-5878, and 70 days with FPA-144. The mean of the lowest logarithm of minimal angle of resolution visual acuity results of the right and left eyes after chemotherapy were 0.338 and 0.413. The incidence rates of epithelial changes were 15.79% with vandetanib, 0.5% with osimertinib, 100% with ABT-414, 50.0% with ASP-5878, and 18.2% with FPA-144. After excluding deceased patients and those who were lost to follow-up or still undergoing treatment, we confirmed the reversibility of corneal lesions after the discontinuation of each agent. Seven patients showed full recovery of their vision and corneal epithelium, while three achieved a partial level of recovery. Although patients diagnosed with glioblastoma used prophylactic topical steroids before and during ABT-414 therapy, all developed vortex keratopathy. CONCLUSIONS: EGFR and FGFR inhibitors are chemotherapy agents that could make corneal epithelial changes. Contrary to the low probability of ocular complication with old EGFR drugs, recently introduced EGFR and FGFR agents showed a high incidence of ocular complication with severe vision distortion. Doctors should forewarn patients planning chemotherapy with these agents that decreased visual acuity could develop due to corneal epithelial changes and also reassure them that the condition could be improved after the end of treatment without the use of steroid eye drops. TRIAL REGISTRATION: This study was approved by the institutional review board (IRB) of Samsung Medical Center (IRB no. 2019-04-027) and was conducted according to the principles expressed in the Declaration of Helsinki.

SOX2 Activation Using CRISPR/dCas9 Promotes Wound Healing in Corneal Endothelial Cells.

There are no effective treatments for corneal endothelial diseases, except for corneal transplantation, as human corneal endothelial cells (hCECs) do not regenerate. The regeneration of hCECs could be induced through regulation of the expression of specific genes. In this study, we investigated whether the overexpression of sex-determining region Y-box 2 (SOX2) can regenerate hCECs in vivo and in vitro. SOX2 was activated using the clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)/deactivated CRISPR-associated protein 9 (dCas9) activation system. Genes were transfected into the corneal endothelium of Sprague-Dawley rats. Central corneal thickness and opacity were measured, and alizarin red S staining was performed. Corneal opacity and central corneal thickness were reduced in the SOX2 group compared with the control group. The density of CECs was higher in the SOX2 group compared with the control group. Additionally, hCECs were cultured and analyzed after overexpressing SOX2. Cell viability, proliferation rate, and the number of cells in S-phase were increased after SOX2 overexpression (p < .05). Cyclin-dependent kinase 1 and cyclin D1 were found to be overexpressed (p < .05). WNT signaling was repressed, and the AKT pathway was activated by SOX2 overexpression. Mitochondrial oxidative stress and energy production were increased by SOX2 overexpression (p < .05). In conclusion, SOX2 activation promotes wound healing and regeneration in CECs. SOX2 activation using the CRISPR/dCas9 system may thus be useful for the treatment of hCEC diseases. Stem Cells 2018;36:1851-12.

Protocol for the first clinical trial to investigate safety and efficacy of corneal xenotransplantation in patients with corneal opacity, corneal perforation, or impending corneal perforation.

BACKGROUND: Xenotransplantation using fresh porcine corneas has been suggested as a feasible alternative to overcome the shortage of human donor corneas. Successful long-term survival of grafts without evidence of xenozoonosis in clinically applicable pig-to-non-human primate corneal transplantation model has brought researchers close to human clinical trials. Accordingly, we aimed to prepare a clinical trial protocol to conduct the first corneal xenotransplantation. METHODS: We developed the clinical trial protocol based on international consensus statement on conditions for undertaking clinical trials of corneal xenotransplantation developed by the International Xenotransplantation Society. Detailed contents of the protocol have been modified with reference to comments provided by ophthalmologists and multidisciplinary experts, including an infectionist, an organ transplantation specialist, a clinical pharmacologist, a neuropsychiatrist, a laboratory medicine doctor, and a microbiologist. RESULTS: Two patients with bilateral legal corneal blindness (best-corrected visual acuity ≤20/200 in the better eye and ≤20/1000 in the candidate eye) or with (impending) corneal perforation will be enrolled. During the screening period, participants and their family members will have two separate deep consideration periods before signing informed consent forms. Each patient will undergo corneal xenotransplantation using fresh corneas from Seoul National University miniature pigs. Commercially available immunosuppressants will be administered and systemic infection prophylaxis will be performed according to the program schedule. After transplantation, each patient will be monitored at a specialized clinic to investigate safety up to 2 years and efficacy up to 1 year. CONCLUSIONS: A detailed clinical trial protocol for the first corneal xenotransplantation reflecting the global guidelines is provided.

Refractive corneal inlay for presbyopia in emmetropic patients in Asia: 6-month clinical outcomes.

BACKGROUND: To evaluate the 6-month clinical outcomes of Flexivue Microlens refractive corneal inlay in emmetropic patients in Asia for the surgical compensation of presbyopia. METHODS: In this retrospective study, corneal inlay implantation was done using a femtosecond laser. The follow-up period was 6 months. Near/intermediate/distant visual acuities, refraction, keratometry, defocus curve, wavefront aberrations, contrast sensitivity, Scheimpflug corneal scanning, endothelial cell density, dry eye test, confocal microscopy scanning, and patient questionnaires were evaluated. RESULTS: The inlay implantation was performed in 21 eyes from June 2015 to April 2017. 6 months after surgery, the uncorrected near visual acuity of the operated eyes increased significantly from 0.55 ± 0.22 logMAR preoperatively to 0.25 ± 0.15 logMAR (p < 0.05) but mean bilateral uncorrected distant visual acuity did not change significantly (p = 0.90). Total higher-order aberration and spherical aberration increased, and the contrast sensitivity of the operated eyes decreased. Endothelial cell density and central corneal thickness did not change from preoperative values. Patient satisfaction for near vision was increased 6 months after implantation, and 50.0% of patients were independent of near spectacles. Explantation was done in 2 cases. CONCLUSION: The Flexivue Microlens refractive corneal inlay was effective for improving near visual acuity at 6 months follow-up But proportion of spectacle independency and patient satisfaction were lower in this Korean population than in previous reports. Further study with a longer follow-up period is needed.

Comparison of 0.05% cyclosporine and 3% diquafosol solution for dry eye patients: a randomized, blinded, multicenter clinical trial.

BACKGROUND: This study is aim to compare the clinical effectiveness between the two most prominent dry eye disease (DED)-specific eye drops, 0.05% cyclosporine (CN) and 3% diquafosol (DQ). METHODS: This is a multi-centered, randomized, masked, prospective clinical study. A total of 153 DED patients were randomly allocated to use CN twice per day or DQ six times daily. Cornea and conjunctival staining scores (NEI scale), tear break-up time (TBUT), Schirmer test scores, and ocular surface disease index (OSDI) score were measured at baseline, 4 and 12 weeks after treatment. RESULTS: At 12 weeks after treatment, NEI scaled scores were significantly reduced from the baseline by - 6.60 for CN and - 6.63 for DQ group (all P < 0.0001, P = 0.9739 between groups). TBUT and Schirmer values for CN were significantly improved from the baseline at 4 and 12 weeks (P = 0.0034, P < 0.0001 for TBUT, P = 0.0418, P = 0.0031 for Schirmer test). However, for DQ, TBUT showed significant improvement at 12 weeks only (P = 0.0281). Mean OSDI score differences from the baseline to 12 weeks were improved by - 13.03 ± 19.63 for CN and - 16.11 ± 20.87 for DQ, respectively (all P < 0.0001, P = 0.854 between groups). Regarding drug compliance, the mean instillation frequency of CN was less than that of DQ (P < 0.001). There were no statistically significant intergroup differences in safety evaluation. CONCLUSIONS: The level of improvement regarding NEI, TBUT, and OSDI scores were not significantly different between the two treatment groups. However, with regards to the early improvement of TBUT and patient compliance, patients using CN improved faster and with greater adherence to drug usage than did those treated with DQ. TRIAL REGISTRATION: KCT0002180 , retrospectively registered on 23 December 2016.

Comparison of clinical outcomes of toric intraocular lens, Precizon vs Tecnis: a single center randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: To compare the clinical outcome of Precizon toric intraocular lens (IOL) (Ophtec Inc.) to that of Tecnis toric IOL (Abbott Medical Optics Inc.). METHODS: This randomized comparative study included 40 eyes (Precizon, 20 eyes; Tecnis, 20 eyes) of 40 patients with visually significant cataract and corneal astigmatism who underwent cataract surgery. Changes in uncorrected distant visual acuity (UCDVA), best corrected distant visual acuity (BCDVA), uncorrected intermediate visual acuity (UCIVA), refraction, residual astigmatism, rotation of the IOL axis, and higher order aberrations at 3 months postoperatively were evaluated. Vector analysis was performed using the Alpins method. RESULTS: Both groups showed significant reduction in refractive astigmatism after the surgery (Precizon: - 1.06 ± 0.94 Diopter (D) to - 0.31 ± 0.29 D, p = 0.042; Tecnis: - 1.83 ± 1.29 D to - 0.41 ± 0.33 D, p = 0.015). There was no significant (p > 0.05) difference in postoperative UCDVA, BCDVA, or residual astigmatism between the two groups, although a tendency of better UCIVA was observed in the Precizon group. Vector analysis parameters showed no statistically significant difference beween groups(P > 0.05). Significant difference in rotation of toric IOL axis was found between the two groups (Precizon: 1.50° ± 0.84, Tecnis: 2.56° ± 0.68, p = 0.010). Spherical aberration in the Precizon group was significantly (p = 0.005) lower than that in the Tecnis group. CONCLUSIONS: The Precizon toric IOL group had better rotational stability at 3-month postoperatively. Both Precizon toric IOL and Tecnis toric IOL could be effectively used by cataract surgeons to correct preexisting corneal astigmatism through cataract surgery. TRIAL REGISTRATION: http://clinicaltrials.gov , NCT03085901 , retrospectively registered on 21 March 2017.

Prospective study of bilateral mix-and-match implantation of diffractive multifocal intraocular lenses in Koreans.

BACKGROUND: To evaluate monocular and binocular visual outcomes for near, intermediate, and far distance in patients implanted with diffractive multifocal intraocular lenses (IOLs) with different add power contralaterally. METHODS: This is a prospective contralateral study. Two diffractive multifocal IOLs with different added power were implanted bilaterally in twenty patients. TECNIS® ZKB00 (+ 2.75 D) was implanted in a dominant eye, and TECNIS® ZLB00 (+ 3.25 D) was implanted in a non-dominant eye. Uncorrected distance visual acuity (UDVA), uncorrected intermediate visual acuity (UIVA), uncorrected near visual acuity (UNVA), and manifest refraction (MR) values were measured at 1 month and 3 months postoperatively. At the 3-month follow-up, defocus curve, contrast sensitivity, and reading performance were evaluated. Quality of vision, overall satisfaction, and spectacle independence were evaluated by questionnaire. RESULTS: Postoperative binocular UDVA, visual acuity at 80 cm, 60 cm, 50 cm, 43 cm, 33 cm were - 0.08 ± 0.10, 0.12 ± 0.14, 0.09 ± 0.09, 0.07 ± 0.11, 0.14 ± 0.09, 0.25 ± 0.11 logMAR. The binocular defocus curve showed an extended range of good visual acuity with sharp vision being observed from 0 D to - 2.50 D defocus (logMAR≤0.1). Reading performance was significantly improved compared to baseline. All patients were spectacle-free at distance, and 94.74% of the patients did not require glasses for near and intermediate vision. CONCLUSIONS: Mix-and-match implantation of diffractive multifocal IOLs with different add power provides an excellent wide range of vision, as well as high levels of visual quality and patient satisfaction. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov , NCT02556944, https://clinicaltrials.gov/show/NCT02556944.

Risk factors of presenile nuclear cataract in health screening study.

BACKGROUND: To identify risk factors for the development of presenile nuclear cataract in health screening test. METHODS: The cross sectional study included a total of 532 eyes of 266 participants aged 30 to 49 years of Samsung Medical Center from February 2013 to April 2015. Presence of nuclear cataract was defined when the log MAR visual acuity with correction was greater than or equal to 0.2 and one or more of the following were met: Pentacam Nuclear Staging (PNS) grading score ≥ 1, average value of nuclear density ≥ 15%, maximum value of nuclear density ≥ 30%. Possible risk factors were obtained from blood tests and questionnaires of a health screening test of Samsung Medical Center. Association between nuclear cataract and risk factors was investigated using univariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis by generalized estimating equation (GEE) models. RESULTS: Five factors were significantly associated with presenile nuclear cataract: current smoking [odds ratio (OR) = 2.80, 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.10-7.12, p = 0.0310], non-exercise and high amount of daily physical exercise (OR = 3.99, 95% CI, 1.27-12.52, p = 0.0178; OR = 2.92, 95% CI, 1.38-6.22, p = 0.0053), asthma (OR = 8.93, 95% CI, 1.12-71.15, p = 0.0386), tuberculosis (OR = 4.28, 95% CI, 1.36-13.50, p = 0.0131), and higher total iron binding capacity (OR = 1.01, 95% CI, 1.00-1.02, p = 0.0059). CONCLUSIONS: Presenile nuclear cataract is related to current smoking, non-exercise or high amount of physical exercise, asthma, tuberculosis, and iron deficiency status. The association of non-exercise group and presenile nuclear cataract seems to be related to co-morbidity. Patients with asthma, tuberculosis, or iron deficiency anemia are recommended to receive frequent ophthalmic examination to detect cataract.

Correction to: Risk factors of presenile nuclear cataract in health screening study.

Following publication of the original article [1], the authors notified us of that due to miscommunication during proofing their given names were not presented in their full form, but only using the initials.

Association of Axial Length Growth and Topographic Change in Orthokeratology.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the topographic factors related to axial length (AL) growth rate in orthokeratology. METHODS: Clinical data of myopic children with orthokeratology lenses from 2010 to 2016 were investigated. Corneal topography (Orbscan II) and IOLMaster-measured AL at baseline and every posttreatment visit were analyzed. Optical map topographies from baseline- and posttreatment-stabilized corneas were analyzed to calculate the refractive power difference between the apex and the periphery (apex-periphery refractive power difference [ARPD]), which estimates the change of peripheral refraction. A generalized estimating equation (GEE) was used to assess the associations between AL growth and topographic changes in both eyes. RESULTS: The mean baseline spherical equivalent (SE) was -2.40±1.12 diopters (D) and the mean AL was 24.38±0.77 mm. Over a mean follow-up period of 41.9 months, the mean AL growth rate was 0.22±0.15 mm/year. In a univariable GEE analysis, age at initial lens wear, baseline AL, baseline SE, central corneal thickness (CCT), baseline apex power, and posttreatment ARPD on optical topography maps were all significantly correlated with AL growth rate (P<0.001, 0.009, 0.024, 0.011, 0.010, and 0.006, respectively). In a multivariable GEE, CCT and posttreatment ARPD were identified as significant factors (P=0.014 and 0.016, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: The AL growth rate was significantly associated with CCT and posttreatment relative peripheral refractive power, in addition to age at initial lens wear. These associations might possibly demonstrate an effect of treatment-induced peripheral refraction changes on retardation of myopic progression, whereas younger age might significantly influence both AL growth rate and corneal deformation.

Comparison of astigmatism prediction error taken with the Pentacam measurements, Baylor nomogram, and Barrett formula for toric intraocular lens implantation.

BACKGROUND: To evaluate and compare the astigmatism prediction errors taken with the Pentacam measurements, Baylor nomogram, and Barrett formula for toric intraocular lens (IOL) implantation. METHODS: Phacoemulsification with toric Precizon IOL implantation was performed in 41 eyes with corneal astigmatism (range, 1 to 5 diopters (D)) determined by IOLMaster and SimK on Pentacam. Preoperative corneal astigmatism measurements were obtained from IOLMaster readings (IOLMaster, Baylor-IOLMaster, and Barrett-IOLMaster) and Pentacam readings (SimK, Baylor-SimK, Barrett-SimK, wavefront, true net power, total corneal refractive power, and vector derived by manual vector summation using corneal front and back astigmatism). Prediction error and intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) between the measured (or calculated) astigmatism by IOLMaster and Pentacam and the estimated corneal astigmatism estimated by IOL toricity power and residual astigmatism were determined. RESULTS: The centroid errors in prediction error with IOLMaster, SimK, Baylor-IOLMaster, Baylor-SimK, Barrett-IOLMaster, Barrett-SimK, wavefront, true net power, total corneal refractive power, and vector were 0.59@103, 0.61 @103, 0.37@161, 0.41@162, 0.24@171, 0.36@162, 0.42@106, 0.04@8, 0.07@82, and 0.03@82, respectively, in with-the-rule (WTR) astigmatism eyes at postoperative 3-month. They were 0.22@87, 0.20@74, 0.16@21, 0.54@10, 0.43@3, 0.33@19, 0.51@25, 0.31@58, 0.29@50, and 0.14@50 in against-the-rule (ATR) astigmatism eyes. Of the ten modalities, vector showed the lowest WTR astigmatism prediction error and the highest ICC between the predicted and the estimated corneal astigmatism for both WTR and ATR eyes. CONCLUSION: Vector summation using anterior and posterior corneal surface power taken with the Pentacam yields the least astigmatism prediction error and is a promising tool for determining toric IOL cylinder power.

Buffering zone of implantable Collamer lens sizing in V4c.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to identify factors related to the unexpected vault in V4c implantable collamer lens (ICL; STAAR Surgical) implantation. METHODS: V4c ICLs were implanted in 43 eyes of 43 patients for the correction of myopia. The implanted V4c ICL sizes were determined individually with our previous V4 ICL sizing nomogram based on the sulcus-to-sulcus diameter (STS), and the V4 ICL sizes were then converted to V4c ICL sizes with a size-converting table. We defined the "normal-sizing group" as having a pre-converted ICL size larger than the STS, and the "under-sizing group" as having a pre-converted ICL size smaller than the STS. Refractive outcomes, safety and parameters related to postoperative vault were compared between the two groups. RESULTS: The value of "actual ICL size - STS" differed significantly between the normal-sizing and under-sizing groups (p < 0.001), but postoperative vault did not differ significantly (p = 0.442). The demographics, implanted ICL characteristics, effectiveness indexes, safety indexes, and parameters related to postoperative vault did not differ significantly between the two groups (p > 0.05). Two patients in the normal-sizing group exhibited over-vaulting; these patients had shallow anterior chambers and were implanted with high-dioptric-power ICLs. CONCLUSIONS: The achievement of acceptable vault in both normal-sizing and under-sizing groups indicates the existence of a buffering zone in V4c ICL sizing. The smaller size of V4c ICLs should be considered in patients susceptible to over-vaulting, such as those with shallow anterior chambers and high-dioptric-power ICLs.

Identification of cornifelin and early growth response-1 gene as novel biomarkers for in vitro eye irritation using a 3D reconstructed human cornea model MCTT HCE™.

Evaluation of the eye irritation is essential in the development of new cosmetic products. Draize rabbit eye irritation test has been widely used in which chemicals are directly applied to rabbit eye, and the symptoms and signs of eyes are scored. However, due to the invasive procedure, it causes substantial pain and discomfort to animals. Recently, we reported in vitro eye irritation test method using a 3D human corneal epithelial model (MCTT HCE™) which is reconstructed from remaining human tissues after a corneal transplantation. This model exhibited an excellent predictive capacity for 25 reference chemicals (sensitivity 100%, specificity 77% and accuracy 88% vs. GHS). To improve the test performance, we explored new biomarkers for the eye irritation through transcriptomic approach. Three surfactants were selected as model eye irritants that include sodium lauryl sulfate, benzalkonium chloride and triton X-100. After test chemicals were treated, we investigated differentially expressed genes through a whole-gene microarray (Affymetrix GeneChip(®) Human Gene 2.0 ST Array, 48,000 probes). As a result, we identified that mRNAs of cornifelin (CNFN), a constituent of the insoluble cornified cell envelope of stratified squamous epithelia, and early growth response-1 (EGR1), a nuclear transcriptional regulator, were significantly up-regulated by all three irritants. Up-regulation of CNFN and EGR1 was further confirmed by Q-RT-PCR, and immunohistochemistry revealed increased level of CNFN in irritant-treated tissues, supporting the relevance of CNFN and EGR1 as new biomarkers for eye irritation.