Risk factors for a phacodonesis surprise during cataract surgery in patients with pseudoexfoliation.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the association of different pre-operative parameters with surprise phacodonesis during cataract surgery among patients with pseudoexfoliation (PXF). MATERIALS AND METHODS: This is a retrospective charts review of all PXF patients who underwent cataract surgery between the years 2013 and 2018. Pre-operative parameters (demographics, biometry, intraocular pressure (IOP), endothelial cell count, pupil size, cataract density, glaucoma status, cup to disc ratio, number of glaucoma medications, prior intra-vitreous injections, risk for intraoperative floppy iris syndrome) were compared between patients with and without surprise phacodonesis. Binary logistic regression was used to calculate the predictive value of each parameter. RESULTS: Out of 396 surgical cases with computerized pre-operative assessment, we included 127 eyes of 120 PXF patients without evidence of phacodonesis preoperatively. The mean age was 77.8 ± 12.0 years, 63 (52.7%) were male, and 106 (84.2%) underwent phacoemulsification surgery. We identified 10 cases of surprise phacodonesis during surgery (8.2%). Compared to PXF cases without intraoperative phacodonesis, they had higher pre-operative IOP (23.0 ± 11.0 mmHg vs. 14.9 ± 3.8 mmHg, p < 0.001) and a higher rate of B scan use due to dense cataract obscuring posterior pole evaluation [4 (40%) vs. 15 (12.8%), p = 0.04]. Multivariant binary logistic regression confirmed that only baseline IOP contributed to the prediction of surprise phacodonesis (OR 1.22 CI 1.04-1.43, p = 0.014). CONCLUSIONS: Among patients with PXF undergoing cataract surgery, elevated IOP and poor posterior segment visibility requiring B scan use were associated with zonular instability putting these patients at risk for intra-operative complications.

Corneal Staining and Hot Black Tea Compresses.

BACKGROUND: Warm compresses are widely touted as an effective treatment for ocular surface disorders. Black tea compresses are a common household remedy, although there is no evidence in the medical literature proving their effect and their use may lead to harmful side effects. OBJECTIVES: To describe a case in which the application of black tea to an eye with a corneal epithelial defect led to anterior stromal discoloration; evaluate the prevalence of hot tea compress use; and analyze, in vitro, the discoloring effect of tea compresses on a model of a porcine eye. METHODS: We assessed the prevalence of hot tea compresses in our community and explored the effect of warm tea compresses on the cornea when the corneal epithelium's integrity is disrupted. An in vitro experiment in which warm compresses were applied to 18 fresh porcine eyes was performed. In half the eyes a corneal epithelial defect was created and in the other half the epithelium was intact. Both groups were divided into subgroups of three eyes each and treated experimentally with warm black tea compresses, pure water, or chamomile tea compresses. We also performed a study in patients with a history of tea compress use. RESULTS: Brown discoloration of the anterior stroma appeared only in the porcine corneas that had an epithelial defect and were treated with black tea compresses. No other eyes from any group showed discoloration. Of the patients included in our survey, approximately 50% had applied some sort of tea ingredient as a solid compressor or as the hot liquid. CONCLUSIONS: An intact corneal epithelium serves as an effective barrier against tea-stain discoloration. Only when this layer is disrupted does the damage occur. Therefore, direct application of black tea (Camellia sinensis) to a cornea with an epithelial defect should be avoided.

Comparison of flanged polypropylene scleral intraocular lens fixation with scleral sutured fixation.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the outcome of 2 intraocular lens (IOL) scleral fixation techniques: double-flanged polypropylene and Hoffman scleral pocket. METHODS: Retrospective case series of all patients who underwent IOL scleral fixation by either the flange (flange group) or Hoffman scleral pocket (Hoffman group) techniques at the Kaplan Medical Center and the Edith Wolfson Medical Center. RESULTS: A total of 140 patients were included (63 flange, 77 Hoffman). The final distance-corrected visual acuity was similar between the flange and Hoffman groups (0.42 ± 0.5 and 0.51 ± 0.5 logMAR, respectively; p = 0.23), but the spherical equivalent was less myopic in the flange group (-0.63 ± 2 and -2.3 ± 1.3 D, respectively; p = 0.003). In the flange group, there were more cases of elevated IOP (17.5% vs 5.2%; p = 0.02), corneal edema (11.1% vs 1.3%; p = 0.02), cystoid macular edema (15.9% vs 2.6%; p = 0.005), and IOL decentration (19% vs 7.8%; p = 0.07). The flange group had a higher rate of combined additional procedures during the fixation surgery (68.3% vs 32%; p < 0.001), but surgery duration was not prolonged (70 vs 77 minutes; p = 0.29). CONCLUSION: Comparison of scleral IOL fixations performed with the recently developed flange technique to the conventional Hoffman scleral pocket technique resulted in similar visual outcomes and less myopization. There were more complications in the newly adopted flange technique, which may be related to the higher rate of combined anterior vitrectomy and pars plana vitrectomy. The flange technique is effective, with a shorter learning curve and similar surgical time. Therefore, it can become a viable method for scleral IOL fixation in the absence of zonular support.

Wound-assisted air injection in Descemet Stripping Automated Endothelial Keratoplasty.

Background: Early postoperative graft detachment remains one of the most common complications of DSAEK. Objectives: To describe a modification of a simple method to facilitate a firm AC, without a leak, during DSAEK. Method: Ten consecutive DSAEK surgeries were reviewed. Surgery was performed by a single surgeon (HA). At the beginning of surgery, a trapezoid paracentesis was made at the limbus using a 20G MVR blade. The trapezoid incision was made by inserting the blade halfway, creating a cut with an internal opening half the width of its external opening. After inserting the corneal disc and suturing the main incision, air was injected with a 25G tapered hydrodelineation cannula. The tip was engaged at the trapezoid paracentesis and did not enter the anterior chamber. A firm, full air bubble was formed in the anterior chamber, and no leaking occurred at the paracentesis site, which acted as a one-way valve. Results: All grafts were adhered from the first day after surgery, and no dislocations were observed. All corneas were clear at the one-month postoperative visit. Conclusions: Wound-assisted air injection is a safe, effective, simple method for achieving a firm air bubble during DSAEK, potentially reducing dislocation rates.

Effect of Rho-associated kinase inhibitor on human corneal endothelial cell apoptosis.

PURPOSE: To evaluate whether exposure to Rho-associated protein kinase (ROCK) inhibitor will promote human-cultured corneal endothelial cells (CECs) survival in a commercial storage medium. SETTING: Edith Wolfson Medical Center, Holon, and Sheba Medical Center, Tel Hashomer, Israel. DESIGN: Experimental study. METHODS: Fragments of human donor corneolimbal rings were stored in commercial storage media for 1 week, half with the addition of 10 µM ROCK inhibitor (Y-27632). Evaluation of CECs for early and late apoptosis\necrosis rates was performed using anti-human CD166 antibody and flow cytometric double staining analysis of propidium iodide and Annexin V. RESULTS: CECs of 6 corneolimbal rings demonstrated a reduced early apoptosis rate (4.35% ± 1.07% vs 12.18% ± 5.5%, P = .026) and a reduced late apoptosis\necrosis rate (5.5% ± 2.39% vs 9.43% ± 2.61%, P = .004) compared with control. Subsequently, the rate of apoptotic CECs expressing ROCK was significantly lower in cells exposed to ROCK inhibitor compared with cells that were not (19.01% ± 4.17 vs 30.42% ± 4.27, P < .001). CONCLUSIONS: ROCK inhibitor reduced endothelial cell loss in vitro and might be used to limit or slow CEC loss in donor corneal tissue during eye banking. This might be a promising new method for promoting future graft survival.

Prophylactic exposure of human corneal endothelial cells to Rho-associated kinase inhibitor reduced apoptosis rate after phacoemulsification: Ex vivo study.

PURPOSE: To evaluate whether prophylactic exposure of corneal endothelial cells (CECs) to a selective Rho-associated kinase (ROCK) inhibitor will inhibit CEC apoptosis after phacoemulsification. SETTING: Laboratory evaluations at the Edith Wolfson Medical Center, Holon, Israel and the Chaim Sheba Medical Center, Tel-Hashomer, Ramat-Gan, Israel and the Chaim Sheba Medical Center, Tel-Hashomer, Ramat-Gan, Israel. DESIGN: Experimental study. METHOD: Human donor corneolimbal rings were divided into fragments that were stored in commercial storage media with or without the addition of 10 mM ROCK inhibitor for 1 week and were then exposed to phacoemulsification energy. Samples were dissociated into single cells by trypsin digestion and CECs were targeted using the antihuman CD166 antibody, a new biomarker. The CEC survival was evaluated for early and late apoptosis rate with flow cytometric analysis of annexin-V and propidium iodide (PI) double staining. RESULTS: Six corneoscleral rings from 4 donors were studied. After phacoemulsification, CEC exposed to ROCK inhibitor demonstrated a 37.06% reduction in early apoptosis rate (29.36% ± 4.33% [SD] versus 46.65% ± 1.51%, P = .006) and 45.27% reduction in late apoptosis rate (17.6% ± 16.81% versus 32.16% ± 26.30%, P = .007), compared with controls. Subsequently, ROCK levels in apoptotic CECs were significantly lower in cells incubated with ROCK inhibitor than the control medium. CONCLUSIONS: In this ex vivo study, ROCK inhibitor reduced endothelial loss and thus, could be used to limit or slow down CEC loss. Rho-associated kinase inhibitor might be used before cataract surgery, especially in high risk patients. This might be a promising new method for preventing pseudophakic bullous keratopathy.

Rehabilitation time after simultaneous bilateral photorefractive keratectomy for low to moderate myopia.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the visual acuity rehabilitation time after simultaneous bilateral photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) using a flying small spot laser. SETTING: Eye Tech Medical Laser, Tel Aviv, Israel. METHODS: In this prospective interventional nonrandomized clinical trial, 42 consecutive eyes (21 patients) with myopia ranging from -0.75 to -5.50 diopters (D) (mean -2.75 D +/- 1.18 [SD]) and astigmatism up to -2.75 D (mean -0.64 +/- 0.55 D) were treated with bilateral simultaneous PRK using the ESIRIS excimer laser (Schwind). Main outcome measures were uncorrected visual acuity (UCVA), best corrected visual acuity (BCVA), and manifest refraction up to 12 weeks after surgery. Both eyes of each patient were examined at the same follow-up after initial treatment. RESULTS: Within 2 weeks and 1 month of the laser procedure, the UCVA was at least 20/40 in 1 eye in 85.7% of patients (18 patients) and 100% of patients (21 patients), respectively. After 2 weeks, UCVA was at least 20/20, 20/25, and 20/40 in 7.1%, 40.5%, and 80.9% of eyes. The final mean manifest spherical equivalent 12 weeks post laser treatment was -0.10 +/- 0.26 D, with a mean sphere of +0.02 +/- 0.22 D and a mean cylinder of -0.24 +/- 0.37 D. No eye had a BCVA loss during the follow-up. CONCLUSION: Simultaneous bilateral PRK using a flying small spot excimer laser for low to moderate myopia allowed most patients to return to most daily tasks in a couple of weeks without compromising safety.

Minimal astigmatism after sutureless planned extracapsular cataract extraction.

PURPOSE: To evaluate astigmatism after mini-nuc extracapsular cataract extraction (ECCE) in which a chevron incision is enlarged to 6.0 to 7.0 mm for easier nucleus removal and to compare the results with those using a 5.0 mm incision. SETTING: Department of Ophthalmology, The Edith Wolfson Medical Center, Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel-Aviv University, Holon, Israel. METHODS: Thirty eyes of 29 patients were enrolled in this study. Keratometry was performed preoperatively and 3 to 9 months postoperatively. The incision length was 6.0 mm in 6 eyes, 6.5 mm in 10 eyes, and 7.0 mm in 14 eyes that had mature cataract. RESULTS: The mean induced astigmatism calculated by simple subtraction was 0.12 diopter (D) +/- 0.51 (SD), 0.16 +/- 0.98 D, and 0.67 +/- 0.91 D for the 6.0 mm, 6.5 mm, and 7.0 mm incision, respectively. By vector analysis, the mean induced astigmatism was 0.60 +/- 0.30 D, 0.75 +/- 0.67 D, and 1.36 +/- 0.77 D, respectively. Results by both methods showed no significant difference between the previously reported 5.0 mm incision and the 6.0 mm and 6.5 mm incisions. The 7.0 mm group had statistically significantly greater induced astigmatism than the 5.0 mm group (P =.01, simple subtraction; P =.002, vector analysis). CONCLUSIONS: Enlarging the size of the chevron incision up to 7.0 mm resulted in a small increase in induced astigmatism. The enlarged incision simplified the operative technique.