Iris melanocytic tumours in New Zealand/Aotearoa: presentation, management and outcome in a high UV exposure environment.

Background/objectives: Iris melanoma, a rare intraocular malignancy, represents the smallest subgroup of uveal melanoma. This first, comprehensive study of iris melanocytic lesions in the high ultraviolet environment in New Zealand/ Aotearoa (NZ) examines diagnosis, management and outcomes.

Subjects/methods: Retrospective study of iris melanocytic tumours referred to tertiary referral centres in Auckland, NZ, over 20 years (1999-2018).

Prospective one year study of corneal biomechanical changes following high intensity, accelerated cornea cross-linking in patients with keratoconus using a non-contact tonometer.

Purpose: To characterize corneal biomechanical properties utilizing a dynamic ultra-high-speed Scheimpflug camera equipped with a non-contact tonometer (CorVis ST, CST) in keratoconic corneas following continuous high intensity, high irradiance corneal cross-linking.

Design: Prospective longitudinal single-centre study at a tertiary referral center.

Methods: Corneal biomechanical properties were measured in patients with progressive keratoconus undergoing high intensity (30 mW/cm), high irradiance (5.

Five-year results of a prospective, randomised, contralateral eye trial of corneal crosslinking for keratoconus.

Background: Few studies have evaluated corneal crosslinking (CXL) in a prospective, randomised fashion. This study aimed to determine the efficacy and safety of CXL to reduce the progression of keratoconus.

Methods: Prospective, unmasked, randomised, contralateral eye controlled trial at a tertiary eye centre.

Integration and remodelling of a collagen anterior lamellar keratoplasty graft in an animal model - A preliminary report.

There is an international shortage of donor corneas for transplantation to treat the 1.5-2.0 million new cases of blindness secondary to corneal disease.

The Aotearoa Research Into Keratoconus Study: Geographic Distribution, Demographics, and Clinical Characteristics of Keratoconus in New Zealand.

Purpose: To investigate the epidemiologic, demographic, and basic clinical characteristics of individuals with keratoconus managed by optometrists in New Zealand (NZ)/Aotearoa.

Methods: A prospective, longitudinal, nationwide, survey protocol was completed for every patient with keratoconus who underwent a consultation with participating optometrists in a 2-year period. Data for each patient included date of birth, sex, self-reported ethnicity, new or previous diagnosis, uncorrected (UCVA) and best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), type of refractive correction required to obtain BCVA and keratometric readings obtained using keratometry or computerized topography.

Microdroplet and spatter contamination during phacoemulsification cataract surgery in the era of COVID-19.

Importance: Determine phacoemulsification cataract surgery risk in a Covid-19 era.

Background: SARS-CoV-2 (Covid-19) transmission via microdroplet and aerosol-generating procedures presents risk to medical professionals. As the most common elective surgical procedure performed globally; determining contamination risk from phacoemulsification cataract surgery may guide personal protection equipment use.

Topographic screening reveals keratoconus to be extremely common in Down syndrome.

Importance: Keratoconus disproportionately affects people with Down syndrome (DS). This is the first study of its kind in Australasia.

Background: To investigate the prevalence of keratoconus in DS.

Characteristics of Platelet Lysate Compared to Autologous and Allogeneic Serum Eye Drops.

Purpose: Platelet lysate produced from platelet apheresis components has been proposed as an alternative to serum eye drops in the treatment of ocular surface disease. This study compared the effects of platelet lysate and serum on growth factor, cytokine and nanoparticle concentrations, and corneal epithelial cell proliferation.

Methods: The concentration of growth factors, cytokines, and nanoparticles in platelet lysates manufactured from either fresh or expired platelet apheresis concentrations collected with Trima or Haemonetics technology was characterized and compared with those of allogeneic, autologous, and fetal calf serum.

Measurement of refractive, wavefront, topographic, and keratometric changes attributable to epithelial removal in keratoconus.

Objective: The corneal epithelium is able to mask topographic and keratometric abnormalities of the underlying Bowman layer in keratoconus, but its contribution to refractive and wavefront parameters has not yet been studied. This study compared the refractive and aberrometric features of the corneal epithelium and Bowman layer in eyes with keratoconus before and after epithelial debridement.

Methods: Corneal refractive and wavefront variables were measured in patients with keratoconus undergoing corneal crosslinking-immediately before and after epithelial debridement using a third-generation combined corneal topographer, autorefractor, and aberrometer.

Measurement of In Vivo Biomechanical Changes Attributable to Epithelial Removal in Keratoconus Using a Noncontact Tonometer.

Purpose: To compare the biomechanical properties of the cornea after epithelial removal in eyes with keratoconus undergoing corneal cross-linking.

Methods: Prospective interventional case series at a university hospital tertiary referral center. Corneal biomechanical properties were measured in patients with keratoconus undergoing corneal cross-linking, immediately before and after epithelial debridement by using a dynamic ultrahigh-speed Scheimpflug camera equipped with a noncontact tonometer.

Successful culture of human transition zone cells.

Background: Human corneal endothelial cells undergo very little or no proliferation and respond to cell loss by migration and cellular enlargement. Significant cell loss or damage may result in corneal oedema, opacity and loss of vision. In vitro expansion of corneal endothelial cells (CECs) is a promising strategy for corneal regeneration.

Auckland Cataract Study IV: Practical application of NZCRS cataract risk stratification to reduce phacoemulsification complications.

Importance: Reduction of intraoperative complications in phacoemulsification cataract surgery.

Background: To assess practicability of a risk stratification system, the New Zealand Cataract Risk Stratification (NZCRS) system, in a major teaching hospital service, without investigator oversight, to ascertain whether benefits identified in research studies are maintained in busy clinical practice.

Design: Prospective cohort study in a major public teaching hospital.

The Rapid Transformation of Transplantation for Corneal Endothelial Diseases: An Evolution From Penetrating to Lamellar to Cellular Transplants.

The cornea is the major focusing structure of the human eye and the corneal endothelium maintains the relatively dehydrated state of the cornea required for clarity. The endothelial cells respond to disease or injury by migration and cellular enlargement. Our current understanding is that there is a very limited degree of proliferative or regenerative capacity in the human corneal endothelium.

Comparison of corneal biomechanical properties following penetrating keratoplasty and deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty for keratoconus.

Importance: Keratoplasty is a surgical procedure to create a more regular optical surface following biomechanical weakening of the cornea in keratoconus. The ideal keratoplasty procedure should also restore corneal biomechanics to that of the healthy cornea.

Background: This study aimed to evaluate and compare the biomechanical properties of corneas following penetrating keratoplasty (PKP) and predescematic deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty (DALK) to those of healthy eyes.

Repeat corneal transplantation in Auckland, New Zealand: Indications, visual outcomes and risk factors for repeat keratoplasty failure.

Importance: In New Zealand, repeat keratoplasty has become the second leading indication for corneal transplantation.

Background: To report the indications, outcomes and survival of repeat keratoplasty and evaluate the risk factors for graft failure.

Design: Retrospective study in a public corneal service.

Cystoid macular oedema following cataract surgery: A review.

Pseudophakic cystoid macular oedema (PCMO) remains a significant cause of compromised postoperative vision in contemporary cataract surgery. Well-established risk factors include intraoperative complications such as posterior capsule rupture and preoperative factors including: diabetes mellitus, uveitis, retinal vein occlusion, epiretinal membrane. The role of topical glaucoma medications in PCMO continues to be debated.

In vivo confocal microscopy of the inflamed anterior segment: A review of clinical and research applications.

In vivo confocal microscopy (IVCM) allows non-invasive imaging of the living human cornea, specifically enabling the detection of immune cells in the healthy and diseased ocular anterior segment. Studies using IVCM have provided insight into the effects of contact lens wear on corneal Langerhans cell density and morphology, and the effects of eye drops on conjunctiva-associated lymphoid tissue. IVCM has also been shown to be a useful adjunctive diagnostic tool in distinguishing infective and non-infective uveitis and in diagnosing atypical infective keratitis.

The Molecular Basis of Fuchs' Endothelial Corneal Dystrophy.

Fuchs' endothelial corneal dystrophy (FECD) is a common disease resulting from corneal endothelial cell dysfunction. It is inherited in an autosomal dominant fashion with incomplete penetrance, and with a female bias. Approximately half of cases occur sporadically, and the remainder are familial.

Auckland Cataract Study III: Refining Preoperative Assessment With Cataract Risk Stratification to Reduce Intraoperative Complications.

Purpose: To assess intraoperative complications of phacoemulsification surgery in public teaching hospital settings using modified preoperative risk stratification systems.

Design: Prospective cohort study.

Methods: Preoperative risk stratification of 500 consecutive cataract cases using the New Zealand Cataract Risk Stratification (NZCRS) scoring system.

The rising tide of Acanthamoeba keratitis in Auckland, New Zealand: a 7-year review of presentation, diagnosis and outcomes (2009-2016).

Importance: Acanthamoeba is an increasingly prevalent cause of vision-threatening microbial keratitis.

Background: To assess the incidence, clinical presentation, diagnosis and outcomes of patients with Acanthamoeba keratitis (AK) in Auckland, New Zealand over a 7-year period.

Design: Retrospective observational consecutive case series.