The Effect of Blue-Light Filtering Intraocular Lenses on the Development and Progression of Neovascular Age-Related Macular Degeneration.

PURPOSE: To assess the effect of blue-light filtering (BLF) intraocular lenses (IOLs) on the prevention of neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD) after cataract surgery. DESIGN: Cohort study. PARTICIPANTS: Patients who underwent uneventful cataract surgery between 2007 and 2018 at the Ophthalmology Unit of Kymenlaakso Central Hospital, Kotka, Finland. METHODS: Subsequent nAMD rates were compared between patients who received BLF IOLs and those who received non-BLF IOLs. Kaplan-Meier and Cox regression analyses for the overall risk of nAMD developing were assessed. Best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), foveal thickness, treatment interval, and total number of intravitreal injections were secondary outcomes. A separate analysis was performed on patients with pre-existing nAMD to assess the effect of BLF IOLs on nAMD progression. A single eye of each patient was included. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Neovascular age-related macular degeneration-free survival. RESULTS: Included were 11 397 eyes of 11 397 patients with a mean age of 75.4 ± 8.3 years (62.5% women). The BLF IOL was used in 5425 eyes (47.6%), and the non-BLF IOL was used in 5972 eyes (52.4%). During follow-up (BLF IOL group, 55.2 ± 34.1 months; non-BLF IOL group, 50.5 ± 30.1 months; P < 0.001), 164 cases of new-onset nAMD were recorded (BLF group, n = 88; non-BLF group, n = 76). The nAMD-free survival was similar between the groups (P = 0.465, log-rank test). In a Cox regression analysis controlling for age, gender, and a documented diagnosis of macular degeneration, the use of a BLF IOL was not predictive of nAMD development (hazard ratio [HR], 1.075; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.79-1.47; P = 0.652). In nAMD patients, secondary clinical outcomes at 1 year were comparable for BCVA (0.57 ± 0.4 logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution vs. 0.45 ± 0.4 logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution; P = 0.136), foveal thickness (285 ± 109 µm vs. 299 ± 103µm; P = 0.527), number of anti-vascular endothelial growth factor injections (6.5 ± 2.5 vs. 6.2 ± 2.7; P = 0.548), and treatment interval (7.5 ± 2.4 weeks vs. 8.1 ± 2.4 weeks; P = 0.271) for BLF and non-BLF IOLs, respectively. Similarly to patients in whom nAMD developed after the surgery, among patients with nAMD before surgery (BLF, n = 71; non-BLF, n = 74), the clinical outcomes again were comparable (all P > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: In a large cohort of patients who underwent cataract surgery, the use of a BLF IOL resulted in no apparent advantage over a non-BLF IOL in the incidence of nAMD or its progression, nor in clinical variables related to nAMD severity.

Unilateral lateral rectus recession is an effective surgery for intermittent exotropia in young children.

BACKGROUND: Different surgical methods have been suggested for the correction of intermittent exotropia. Unilateral lateral rectus recession has been described as a surgical alternative for small and moderate-angle exotropia. In general, previous studies did not focus on the outcomes of unilateral lateral rectus recession in young children with intermittent exotropia. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the surgical outcomes of unilateral lateral rectus recession in the treatment of moderate-angle exotropia (≤ 25 PD (prism diopters)) in children. METHODS: The charts of all patients younger than 12 years of age with moderate-angle exotropia (up to 25 PD) who were operated during the years 2006-2018 were retrospectively reviewed. Fifty-eight patients underwent unilateral lateral rectus recession and had a minimum follow up of 6 months. The angle of exotropia (PD) before and after surgery and the success rate were documented. RESULTS: Mean age at surgery was 6.4 ± 1.9 (range 3.5-11.0) years. Exotropia improved from a preoperative angle of 21.4 ± 4.0 PD to 3.5 ± 5.9 PD postoperatively (p < 0.001). Success rate, defined as deviation of ≤ 10 PD, was achieved in 86.2%. There were 2 (3.4%) cases of overcorrection (consecutive esotropia). There were no intra- or postoperative complications. The mean follow-up duration after surgery was 2.3 ± 1.7 years. CONCLUSIONS: In children with moderate angle exotropia, good postoperative success rate was achieved by performing unilateral lateral rectus recession.

Surgical success of lateral rectus resection for residual and recurrent esotropia.

PURPOSE: To assess the surgical outcomes of reoperations for residual and recurrent esotropia. METHODS: A retrospective chart review of all patients who underwent surgery during 2000-2017 at a tertiary referral medical center for recurrent or residual esotropia was conducted. Patients who underwent bilateral medial rectus recession as primary surgery and lateral rectus resection as second surgery were included. The success rate of second surgery and its association to various factors were examined. Success of reoperation was defined as mean deviation of < 10 prism diopters (= PD) at last follow-up. RESULTS: Twenty-seven patients with mean post-operative follow-up of 50.4 ± 31.7 months were included. On last follow-up examination, 15 (55.6%) patients had a successful reoperation and 12 (44.4%) patients had unsuccessful reoperation. The two groups were similar in the pre-operative amount of esotropia for distance and near. On last follow-up examination, the amount of mean deviation was 1.9 PD esotropia (8 PD exotropia to 9 PD esotropia) in the success group and 11.2 PD esotropia (22.5 PD exotropia to 35 PD esotropia) in the failure group. In the failure group, 75.0% of patients were under-corrected (esotropia of ≥ 10 PD) on last follow-up examination. CONCLUSION: Strabismus reoperation in cases of residual or recurrent esotropia was successful in slightly more than half of the patients. Surgical failure was more commonly associated with undercorrection and less with overcorrection.

The effect of hemodialysis on individual retinal layer thickness.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to employ newly developed advanced image analysis software to evaluate changes in retinal layer thickness following hemodialysis. METHODS: A non-randomized prospective study of patients with end-stage renal disease assessed on the same day before and after hemodialysis. Intraocular pressure and central corneal thickness were analyzed, and spectral domain optical coherence tomography results were automatically segmented using the Orion software and then compared. All patients had normal retinal optical coherence tomography findings before hemodialysis. RESULTS: Of the 31 suitable end-stage renal disease patients treated with hemodialysis who provided consent to participate, seven were unable to complete all evaluations, leaving 24 patients for analysis in the final study group. Their mean age was 66.67±14.3 years (range: 35-88), and 62.5% were males. Mean central corneal thickness did not change following hemodialysis (563.4±30.2 µm to 553.1±47.2 µm, p=.247), while mean intraocular pressure decreased (14.48±2.5 mmHg to 13.16±2.28 mmHg, p=.028). Individual mean retinal layer thickness showed no significant change, including the retinal nerve fiber layer (40.9±6.8 µm to 40.1±5.2 µm, p=.412), the ganglion cell and the inner plexiform layer (68.66±8 µm to 69.03±7.6 µm, p=.639), and the photoreceptor layer (50.26±2.8 µm to 50.32±3.1 µm, p=.869). Total retinal thickness similarly remained constant, with a mean of 303.7±17.3 µm before and 304.33±18.4 µm after hemodialysis (p=.571). CONCLUSIONS: Thickness of retinal layers, as assessed by individual segmentation, and central corneal thickness were not affected by hemodialysis treatment, while intraocular pressure was significantly reduced among patients with end-stage renal disease without pre-existing ocular pathology who were undergoing hemodialysis. These results support the view that hemodialysis does not have a negative impact on the retinal morphology of end-stage renal disease patients, who comprise a population with high rates of diabetic and/or hypertensive retinopathy as well as vision-threatening complications.

Demographic, clinical features, and outcomes of pediatric non-penetrating ocular foreign bodies.

PURPOSE: Data regarding ocular foreign body (FB) in the pediatric population is sparse. The purpose of this study is to describe the demographic features and the outcomes of pediatric non-penetrating ocular FB. METHODS: The charts of all children with non-penetrating ocular FB who presented at a tertiary medical center between 2011 and 2018 were retrospectively reviewed. Data analyzed included demographics, ocular FB site, the need for general anesthesia, or sedation for FB removal and clinical outcomes. RESULTS: Three hundred and fifty-two children (58.8% boys) with a mean age of 7.7 ± 3.7 years were included. Two hundred and fifty-one (71.3%) children presented on the same day of injury. Patients with developmental delay presented more often with restlessness than patients without developmental delay (p < 0.0001). One hundred and forty-six (41.5%) of FBs were found on the conjunctiva, 128 (36.4%) under the eyelid, and 62 (17.6%) on the cornea. In 19 (4.5%) cases, general anesthesia or sedation was required for FB removal. A multivariate analysis identified young age (OR 0.976, 95% CI 0.961-0.992, p = 0.003), corneal FB (OR 50.84, 95% CI 10.08-256.37, p < 0.0001), and developmental delay (OR 18.56, 95% CI 1.22-283.45, p = 0.036), as significant predictors for the need of general anesthesia or sedation. Among patients with corneal FB, in two (3.2%) cases, the corneal FB was complicated by infectious keratitis, resulting in mild corneal scar. CONCLUSION: The rate of general anesthesia for non-penetrating ocular FB removal in children is low. Children presenting with non-penetrating ocular FB have good prognosis without long-term complications.

Hyperopic laser keratorefractive surgery: Do steep corneas have worse outcomes?

PURPOSE: To report the visual and refractive outcomes of hyperopic patients undergoing laser keratorefractive surgery in preoperatively steep corneas versus a matched control group. METHODS: Retrospective cohort study. All patients underwent photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) or laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) at Care-Vision Laser Centers, Tel-Aviv, Israel, between 1/2000 and 11/2016. Patients were divided into two groups: steep corneas (mean keratometry ≥ 44.00 D) and control group (mean keratometry < 44.00 D). The two study groups were matched by age, gender, sphere and cylinder. Only the right eye of each patient was included. Outcomes included postoperative uncorrected distance visual acuity (UDVA), best-corrected distance visual acuity (CDVA), safety and efficacy indexes, refractive outcomes and retreatment rates. RESULTS: Five hundred and two patients were included. Both groups were similar in demographic data, visual acuity and refraction. Postoperatively, the steep corneas group had a significantly higher mean keratometry as compared to the control group (46.52 ± 1.43 D vs 44.58 ± 1.68 D, p < 0.001), Kmin (46.04 ± 1.50 D vs 44.12 ± 1.76 D, p < 0.001) and Kmax (46.99 ± 1.51 D vs 45.03 ± 1.77 D, p < 0.001). Both groups had similar postoperative UDVA and CDVA and achieved a similar final sphere (0.64 ± 0.19 vs 0.54 ± 1.19, p = 0.44) and cylinder (- 0.89 ± 0.59 vs - 0.86 ± 0.72, p = 0.67). Both groups had a similar efficacy index (0.92 ± 0.22 vs 0.90 ± 0.25, p = 0.33) and similar retreatment rates (4.2% vs 3.5%, p = 0.74). None of the patients in either group underwent more than one retreatment throughout the follow-up period. CONCLUSIONS: Hyperopic patients with steep corneas undergoing laser keratorefractive surgery can achieve adequate visual and refractive outcomes, similar to control group.

Why bilateral medial rectus recession fails? Factors associated with early repeated surgery.

BACKGROUND: To explore the risk factors for failure of bilateral medial rectus muscle recession (BMR) for esotropia. METHODS: We reviewed 171 consecutive patients with esotropia who underwent bilateral medial rectus muscle recession as a primary procedure from January 2009 to December 2011. Patients with infantile, partially accommodative and acquired esotropia were included. We compared patients who required more than one surgery to patients who only had one operation. RESULTS: A total of 171 patients (89 males, 52%, mean age 5.1 ± 6.0 years, range 0.4-51 years) fulfilled the inclusion criteria and comprised the study population. Mean follow-up period was 17.4 ± 15.5 months (range 1-65 months). A second strabismus surgery was performed in 17 (9.9%) cases within a mean time of 11.7 ± 9.2 months (range 0.4-27.7 months) from the initial surgery. Univariate analysis demonstrated that in patients younger than 1 year the odds ratio (OR) of failure was 4.00 (95% CI 1.12-14.35, p = 0.033) and for patients older than 7 years the OR of surgical failure was 3.27 (95% CI 1.10-9.76, p = 0.033). In addition, patients with esotropia > 60 prism diopters (PD) had a trend towards needing further surgery (OR = 3.91, 95% CI 0.93-16.44, p = 0.063). A multivariate model of regression revealed that age and angle of esotropia > 60 PD remained significant risk factors for requiring additional surgeries. CONCLUSIONS: In our cohort of patients who underwent BMR for esotropia, a large angle of esotropia and age were associated with failure of surgery and need for reoperation.

Outcome of optical iridectomy in Peters anomaly.

PURPOSE: Optical iridectomy creates a defect in the iris to allow an alternative clear visual axis in cases of central corneal opacities occluding the pupillary axis. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the outcomes of optical sector iridectomy in children with Peters anomaly. METHODS: Retrospective case series. The medical records of all patients diagnosed with Peters anomaly who underwent optical iridectomy during the years 2002-2014 were reviewed. Data collection included surgical and visual acuity outcomes. RESULTS: Twenty-nine eyes (22 patients) were included in the study. Mean age at the time of surgery was 15.6 ± 26.3 months. Eighteen (81.8%) patients had bilateral disease. No intraoperative complications occurred. A red reflex was obtained in 28 (96.6%) eyes after surgery. Mean visual acuity improved from 2.5 ± 0.3 to 1.8 ± 0.6 in logMAR (p < 0.001). Vision improved in 21 (72.4%) eyes, remained stable in 5 (17.2%) eyes, and deteriorated in 3 (10.3%) eyes. Postoperatively visual acuity improved significantly in the patients with the bilateral disease (p < 0.05), but not in the unilateral group (p = 0.056). Mean follow-up time was 41.6 ± 43.8 months. During the follow-up period, five (17.2%) eyes were diagnosed with glaucoma, two (6.9%) eyes underwent PK, one (3.4%) eye underwent an additional sector iridectomy, and one (3.4%) eye underwent keratoprosthesis. CONCLUSIONS: In this largest series published of optical iridectomy for Peters anomaly, it was found to be a safe procedure. Improvement in visual acuity is expected, particularly in bilateral cases. The utility of optical iridectomy in unilateral cases necessitates further studies.

Outcomes of complex Descemet Stripping Endothelial Keratoplasty performed by cornea fellows.

BACKGROUND: A major obstacle that academic institutions face is the steep learning curve for cornea fellows initially learning to perform Descemet Stripping Endothelial Keratoplasty (DSEK). The purpose of this study is to evaluate the outcomes of complex DSEK performed by cornea fellow supervised by an attending surgeon at an academic institution. METHODS: Patients who underwent a complex DSEK procedure performed by a cornea fellow during the years 2009-2013 were included. All the surgeries were supervised by the same cornea attending. All patients had a minimum follow-up of 6 months. Charts were reviewed for demographic data, intraoperative and postoperative complications and clinical outcomes. Corneal graft survival was calculated using the Kaplan-Meier analysis. RESULTS: Fifty-seven eyes of 55 patients (mean age 77.5 ± 8.5 years) were included in the study with a mean follow-up time of 16.4 ± 15.6 months. Previous graft failure, presence of a tube and history of trabeculectomy were the leading diagnoses to define the surgery as complex. No intraoperative complications occurred. In 21.1% of cases a corneal graft detachment was documented in the first postoperative day. Mean visual acuity improved from 1.06 LogMAR (20/230) preoperatively to 0.39 LogMAR (20/50, p < 0.001) by the sixth postoperative month and to 0.52 LogMAR (20/65, p < 0.001) at the last follow-up visit. Graft failure rate was 29.8%. Kaplan-Meier analysis found a 67.2% graft survival rate at 20 months. CONCLUSIONS: Complex DSEK can be performed successfully with an acceptable postoperative complication rate by cornea fellows during their training period when supervised by an experienced attending.

Comparison of graft survival following penetrating keratoplasty and Descemet's stripping endothelial keratoplasty in eyes with a glaucoma drainage device.

PURPOSE: To compare corneal graft survival rates after penetrating keratoplasty (PK) and Descemet's stripping endothelial keratoplasty (DSEK) in patients with a glaucoma drainage device (GDD) or medically managed glaucoma. METHODS: A retrospective chart review was conducted on consecutive patients who underwent primary PK or primary DSEK. Inclusion criteria consisted of eyes with a diagnosis of glaucoma prior to corneal transplantation and a minimum of 6 months of follow-up. Graft failure was defined as an edematous cornea with failure to maintain deturgescence lasting beyond a period of 1 month of intense steroid therapy or vascularization and scarring resulting in irreversible loss of central graft clarity. Corneal graft survival was calculated using Kaplan-Meier survival analysis. Patients were divided into four groups: GDD-PK, GDD-DSEK, medical-PK and medical-DSEK. RESULTS: Fifty-six eyes of 56 patients were identified as meeting inclusion criteria. Among eyes with a GDD, there was no difference in the proportion of failures between PK grafts (48%) and DSEK grafts (50%) (p = 0.90). Failure occurred earlier in DSEK recipients compared to PK recipients, 5.82 ± 6.77 months versus 14.40 ± 7.70 months, respectively (p = 0.04). A Kaplan-Meier analysis did not identify a difference between the four groups with respect to graft failure (p = 0.52). CONCLUSION: There is no significant difference in graft survival rates between medically and surgically treated glaucoma patients for either PK or DSEK grafts. In patients with GDD, graft failure occurs earlier in DSEK compared to PK.

Partial thickness corneal tissue as a patch graft material for prevention of glaucoma drainage device exposure.

BACKGROUND: To protect from erosion of the tube in glaucoma drainage device (GDD), the tube is covered by a biologic tissue which is roofed by the conjunctiva. Sclera, pericardium, dura mater and cornea are available as a patch graft. Drawbacks of some of these materials may include high cost and poor appearance. The purpose of this study is to report the long-term outcomes of partial thickness corneal grafts to cover the tube and prevent its exposure, in GDD surgeries. METHODS: This was a retrospective review of all patients who underwent Ahmed glaucoma valve implantation and had a minimum follow-up of 12 months. The tube was covered by a 300-micron partial thickness corneal graft taken either from a previous Descemet stripping endothelial keratoplasty procedure or cut from a whole corneal graft button unsuitable for keratoplasty. RESULTS: Forty-four patients (45 eyes, mean follow-up of 27.6 ± 11.4 months) were enrolled. The partial thickness corneal grafts maintained clarity throughout follow-up with satisfactory cosmetic results. Mild conjunctival retraction occurred in 4 eyes (8.9%) between 1 and 12 months after the surgery. Corneal graft melting occurred in 3 (6.7%) eyes. Tube exposure and additional surgery to re-patch or suture the conjunctiva over the tube was needed in 1 (2.2%) eye. None of the patients had graft infection or immunologic rejection. CONCLUSIONS: Partial thickness corneal grafts have favorable long-term outcome as a patch for GDD tubes with low rates of tube exposure and other complications.

Effect of Corneal Thickness on the Penetration of Topical Vancomycin.

PURPOSE: To study the influence of corneal thickness on intraocular penetration of topical ophthalmic drops, using vancomycin 50 mg/mL drops as a model. METHODS: The study included 58 eyes of 58 patients undergoing phacoemulsification cataract extraction. The central corneal thickness was measured by ultrasonic pachymetry on the day of surgery. Thirty minutes before the surgery, one drop of topical vancomycin 50 mg/mL was instilled three times with 10-minute intervals: 30 minutes, 20 minutes, and 10 minutes before the surgery. At the beginning of surgery, a small specimen of aqueous humor was aspirated and sent to the laboratory for measurement of drug concentration to determine the effect of corneal thickness on vancomycin concentration in the anterior chamber. RESULTS: There was insufficient amount of aqueous humor for analysis in 9 samples, leaving a total of 49 samples. The mean central corneal thickness was 539.7 (±39.5) µm (range, 458 to 635 µm). The mean vancomycin concentration in the anterior chamber was 0.220 (±0.209) µg/mL. There was no significant association between vancomycin concentration and corneal thickness (r = -0.07, p = 0.62, Pearson correlation). When patients were divided into three groups based on the mean (±1 SD) central corneal thickness, no significant differences in vancomycin concentrations (in micrograms per milliliter) were encountered: 0.267 (±0.247) (for corneal thickness <500.2 µm), 0.209 (±0.212) (for corneal thickness of 500.2 to 579.2 µm), and 0.200 (±0.160) (for corneal thickness >579.2 µm) (p = 0.73, analysis of variance). CONCLUSIONS: Corneal thickness does not influence the penetration of topically applied vancomycin into the anterior chamber.

The prevalence of retinal and optical coherence tomography findings in preeclamptic women.

PURPOSE: To evaluate retinal and optical coherence tomography findings and establish their prevalence in preeclamptic women. METHODS: Twenty-seven preeclamptic women who underwent clinical examinations with both slit-lamp biomicroscopy and optical coherence tomography were prospectively studied. RESULTS: Three of the 4 women (14.8%) identified by clinical examinations as having retinal findings related to preeclampsia had visual disturbances. Optical coherence tomography revealed retinal pathology in 2 women (7.4%) consisting of retinal edema, subretinal fluid, photoreceptors irregularities, and lesions at the retinal pigment epithelium level (Elschnig spots). The mean retinal nerve fiber layer thickness was significantly higher in women with pathologic funduscopic findings (P = 0.009) than in women with normal eye examinations. All women with ocular findings had severe preeclampsia and higher systolic blood pressure than women without ocular findings (P = 0.03). CONCLUSION: The prevalence of retinal involvement is high in severe preeclampsia and low in asymptomatic preeclampsia. Preeclamptic women diagnosed as having ocular involvement should be evaluated and monitored by optical coherence tomography, provided that their systemic condition allows it. Findings of retinal nerve fiber layer thickening in these women may indicate occult central nervous system involvement.

Correlation of Refractive Error with Anisometropia Development in Early Childhood.

PURPOSE: This study aims to investigate the relationship between the type and severity of refractive error and anisometropia development in preschool children. DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study. METHODS: Data from Maccabi Healthcare Services, Israel's second-largest Health Maintenance Organization (HMO), were analyzed. The study included all isometropic children aged 1 to 6 years, re-examined for refraction at least 2 years following their initial examination between 2012 and 2022. Anisometropia was defined as a ≥1 diopter interocular difference in spherical equivalent. Relationships were assessed using logistic regression models adjusted for key sociodemographic factors. RESULTS: Among 33,496 isometropic children (51.2% male, mean age 3.2 ± 1.5 years), the prevalences of emmetropia, myopia, and hyperopia were 26.7% (n = 8944), 4.2% (n = 1397), and 69.1% (n = 23,155), respectively. Over a mean follow-up period of 5.1 ± 2.4 years, 2593 children (7.7%) were diagnosed with anisometropia. Adjusted odds ratios (ORs) for anisometropia gradually increased with baseline refractive error severity, reaching 13.90 (5.32-36.34) in severe myopia and 4.19 (3.42-5.15) in severe hyperopia. This pattern was also evident in cylindrical anisometropia, where ORs increased with greater baseline astigmatism, peaking at 12.10 (9.19-15.92) in children with high astigmatism (≥3 D). Associations remained consistent in sensitivity and subgroup analyses including across both sexes and when using a stricter anisometropia criterion. CONCLUSIONS: Children aged 1 to 6 years, initially without anisometropia but showing increasing severity of myopia, hyperopia, or astigmatism, are more likely to develop anisometropia. This underscores the importance of follow-up refractive measurements within this population to promptly diagnose and treat anisometropia and prevent potential visual complications.

Factors Predicting Slow Visual Recovery Following Hyperopic LASIK.

PURPOSE: To identify factors predicting slow visual recovery following hyperopic laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK). METHODS: The study included consecutive patients who underwent hyperopic LASIK between January 2005 and December 2019 at a single medical center. Patients were divided into two groups according to whether they experienced normal recovery of visual acuity (1-week visit) or slow visual recovery (1-month visit). Visual recovery was defined as achieving an efficacy index of 0.9 or greater. Efficacy index was calculated as postoperative uncorrected distance visual acuity / preoperative corrected distance visual acuity. A comparison of baseline and intraoperative parameters was performed. Binary logistic regression was performed to identify potential predictors of slow visual recovery. RESULTS: Overall, 861 eyes of 861 patients were included. Mean age was 48.0 ± 9.5 years and 55.9% were women. Two hundred forty-nine patients (28.9%) experienced slow visual recovery. Younger age (P = .01), a larger preoperative spherical equivalence (P = .002), and greater maximum ablation depth (P = .002) were predictors of slow visual recovery. In binary logistic regression, female gender (P = .036) and greater spherical equivalence (P = .007) remained significant predictors of slow visual recovery. CONCLUSIONS: Female gender and greater preoperative spherical equivalence were associated with slow visual recovery. Patients may be advised accordingly. [J Refract Surg. 2024;40(1):e42-e47.].

Factors Predicting Slow Visual Recovery Following Hyperopic LASIK.

PURPOSE: To identify factors predicting slow visual recovery following hyperopic laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK). METHODS: The study included consecutive patients who underwent hyperopic LASIK between January 2005 and December 2019 at a single medical center. Patients were divided into two groups according to whether they experienced normal recovery of visual acuity (1-week visit) or slow visual recovery (1-month visit). Visual recovery was defined as achieving an efficacy index of 0.9 or greater. Efficacy index was calculated as postoperative uncorrected distance visual acuity / preoperative corrected distance visual acuity. A comparison of baseline and intraoperative parameters was performed. Binary logistic regression was performed to identify potential predictors of slow visual recovery. RESULTS: Overall, 861 eyes of 861 patients were included. Mean age was 48.0 ± 9.5 years and 55.9% were women. Two hundred forty-nine patients (28.9%) experienced slow visual recovery. Younger age (P = .01), a larger preoperative spherical equivalence (P = .002), and greater maximum ablation depth (P = .002) were predictors of slow visual recovery. In binary logistic regression, female gender (P = .036) and greater spherical equivalence (P = .007) remained significant predictors of slow visual recovery. CONCLUSIONS: Female gender and greater preoperative spherical equivalence were associated with slow visual recovery. Patients may be advised accordingly. [J Refract Surg. 2024;40(1):e42-e47.].

Efficacy comparison of combining cross-linking and refractive laser ablation in progressive keratoconus: systematic review and meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVE: This study assessed the effect of combining corneal collagen cross-linking (CXL) with refractive laser ablation techniques for the treatment of keratoconus, a progressive corneal disorder. METHODS: We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis to assess the effect of combined CXL and refractive techniques. We included all published clinical trials or observational studies published by September 1, 2023. We calculated and compared the standardized mean difference (SMD) between CXL alone and CXL plus laser ablation for uncorrected distance visual acuity, best-corrected distance visual acuity, spherical equivalent manifest refraction, sphere and cylinder, flat keratometry (K1), steep keratometry (K2), and central corneal thickness. RESULTS: We identified 13 studies that fulfilled our inclusion and exclusion criteria. The average follow-up was 21.3 ± 11.8 months. The CXL plus laser ablation group showed improvement in uncorrected distance visual acuity logMAR (SMD, -0.35; 95% CI, -0.67 to -0.04; p = 0.029), best-corrected distance visual acuity logMAR (SMD, -0.17; 95% CI, -0.30 to -0.03; p = 0.014), spherical equivalent manifest refraction (SMD, -0.28; 95% CI, 0.06-0.50; p = 0.013), and change in maximal corneal curvature (Kmax; SMD, -0.41; 95% CI, -0.69 to -0.13; p = 0.004) compared with CXL alone. However, central corneal thickness decreased further among patients who underwent CXL plus laser ablation (SMD, -0.37; 95% CI, -0.66 to -0.07; p = 0.016). No effect was observed in terms of sphere (p = 0.878), cylinder (p = 0.859), K1 (p = 0.907), or K2 (p = 0.169). Ectasia was not observed as an adverse effect resulting from the additional corneal ablation performed during the CXL treatments. CONCLUSIONS: This study showed that combining refractive laser ablation techniques with standard or accelerated CXL treatment improved visual and refractive outcomes and anterior corneal curvature values.

Modified Nishida's procedure for esotropia in Duane syndrome associated with Goldenhar syndrome.

Modified Nishida's procedure (no split, no tenotomy transposition) has been recently described as an effective surgery for monocular elevation deficiency and for traumatic rupture of the inferior rectus muscle. We report the modified Nishida's procedure combined with medial rectus muscle recession for the treatment of esotropia in unilateral Duane syndrome associated with Goldenhar syndrome. Following the surgery and over a 1-year follow-up period, the patient was orthophoric at distance and near, abduction improved, and the abnormal head position resolved.

The Effect of Meibomian Gland Dysfunction on Laser-Assisted In Situ Keratomileusis in Asymptomatic Patients.

INTRODUCTION: To evaluate the impact of asymptomatic meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD) on laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) outcomes and dry eye signs and symptoms. METHODS: A retrospective analysis of patients who underwent LASIK surgery between July 2017 and February 2018 at Care Vision Refractive Clinic, Tel Aviv, Israel, was done. Patients were divided into those who had preoperative asymptomatic significant MGD (MGD group) and those who did not have preoperative significant MGD (control group). Outcomes were the postoperative presence of punctate epithelial erosions, dry eye symptoms, the number of postoperative visits as a measure of adverse events, visual acuity, spherical equivalent, safety index, efficacy index, and the type of refractive error (myopia or hyperopia). RESULTS: A total of 497 eyes were included in this study. Both groups had similar rates of punctate epithelial erosions, 30 (12.9%) patients vs. 39 patients (14.8%) (p = 0.31); postoperative complaints of dryness, 75 patients (32.3%) vs. 90 patients (34.2%) (p = 0.36); and postoperative number of visits, 3.15 ± 0.75 vs. 3.12 ± 0.54 (p = 0.59). Uncorrected visual acuity (logMAR) at 1 month (0.026 ± 0.09 vs. 0.026 ± 0.17, p = 0.99) after surgery was similar in both groups. Mean spherical equivalent was 0.03 ± 0.17 and - 0.03 ± 0.18 (p = 0.99) in both groups. Safety index was 1.024 ± 0.06 in the clinically significant MGD group and 1.029 ± 0.07 in the control group (p = 0.45). Efficacy index was also similar in both groups (0.966 ± 0.155 and 0.979 ± 0.14, respectively, p = 0.31). No differences were found between patients with myopia and hyperopia. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with preoperative asymptomatic MGD have similar LASIK outcomes to patients without preoperative asymptomatic MGD. Accordingly, no preoperative MGD treatment or special caution is needed in these cases.

Pain control and subconjunctival haemorrhage after intravitreal injection using cooled anaesthetic eyedrops and antiseptics: A prospective, double-blind, randomized controlled trial.

PURPOSE: To evaluate whether cooled anaesthetic eyedrops and antiseptics alleviate pain and minimise subconjunctival haemorrhage following intravitreal injection. METHODS: A prospective, double-masked, randomised controlled trial of 100 participants receiving either cooled (n = 50) or room temperature (n = 50) topical anaesthetic eyedrops and antiseptics before receiving an injection of bevacizumab. Baseline tolerability was estimated using a self-reported pain sensitivity questionnaire. RESULTS: Overall tolerability was comparable between the study group and the control group (0.75 ± 0.13 vs. 0.74 ± 0.14, respectively, p = 0.99). Subconjunctival haemorrhage incidence was similar in both groups (80% vs. 86%, respectively, p = 0.113), as was subconjunctival haemorrhage size (2.75 ± 5.51 mm2 vs. 5.53 ± 10.72 mm2 , respectively, p = 0.11). Sub-group analysis demonstrated that the participants taking daily ocular eyedrops who received cooled anaesthetic eyedrops and antiseptics reported less pain at 10 min and less burning sensation at 24 h compared with matched controls (0.67 ± 1.50 vs. 2.50 ± 3.03, respectively, p = 0.040 and 0.00 ± 0.00 vs. 1.44 ± 2.96, respectively, p = 0.045). Participants who received cooled eyedrops and did not use antithrombotic therapy had smaller-sized subconjunctival haemorrhages compared with matched controls (1.55 ± 1.87 mm2 vs. 8.29 ± 14.61 mm2 , respectively, p = 0.038). Participants with hypertension who received cooled eyedrops had smaller-sized subconjunctival haemorrhage compared with matched controls (2.33 ± 4.99 mm2 vs. 6.89 ± 12.41 mm2 , respectively, p = 0.045). CONCLUSION: The benefit of using cooled anaesthetic eyedrops and antiseptics to alleviate pain and minimise subconjunctival haemorrhage following intravitreal injection was not proven in the general population. It may be beneficial in part for some patients, such as those who regularly use eyedrops, patients with hypertension or those not on antithrombotic therapy.