Corneal iontophoresis and cross linking: a preliminary report of our experience.

Purpose: To evaluate the effect induced by UVA radiation with corneal iontophoresis and cross-linking.

Materials And Methods: From February 2013 to August 2014 we saw 15 eyes of 15 patients, age range 19-38 years (10 women and 5 men) keratoconus stage 1-2. Vision evaluation was carried out with ETDRS scale and Topography and Pachymetry.

Endoscopic laser-assisted dacryocistorhinostomy DCR with the placement of a customised silicone and Teflon bicanalicular stent Endoscopic laser-assisted dacryocystorhinostomy (DCR).

Introduction: We present our experience in endoscopic laser assisted dacryocystorhinostomy (DCR) analyzing the results obtained with a new technique that involves placing bicanalicolar silicone stent more Teflon tube, in combination with paraseptal silastic sheet.

Materials And Methods: In our study 49 of 57 patients (85%) at a mean follow up of at least 12 months have not reported epiphora or more episodes of acute dacryocystitis.

Results: 49 out of the 57 patients (85%) in our group reported no additional epiphora or episodes of acute dacryocystitis.

Mutational screening of VSX1, SPARC, SOD1, LOX, and TIMP3 in keratoconus.

Purpose: To evaluate the involvement of Visual System Homeobox 1 (VSX1), Secreted Protein Acidic and Rich in Cysteine (SPARC), Superoxide Dismutase 1 (SOD1), Lysyl Oxidase (LOX), and Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinase 3 (TIMP3) in sporadic and familial keratoconus.

Methods: Mutational analysis of the five genes was performed by sequencing and fragment analysis in a large cohort of 302 Italian patients, with a diagnosis of keratoconus based on clinical examination and corneal topography. The variants identified in VSX1 and SPARC were also assessed in the available relatives of the probands.

Arcuate keratotomy for high postoperative keratoplasty astigmatism performed with the intralase femtosecond laser.

Purpose: To evaluate the refractive and keratometric effect of arcuate keratotomy performed using the IntraLase femtosecond laser (Abbott Medical Optics) in patients with high postoperative keratoplasty astigmatism.

Methods: Nine eyes of nine patients (mean age 45 +/- 7.5 years; mean spherical equivalent refraction -2.

A new transepithelial phototherapeutic keratectomy mode using the NIDEK CXIII excimer laser.

Purpose: To evaluate epithelial healing, postoperative pain, and best spectacle-corrected visual acuity (BSCVA) after transepithelial photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) performed with a new phototherapeutic keratectomy (PTK) mode using the NIDEK CXIII excimer laser.

Methods: Fifteen eyes from 10 patients with myopia underwent transepithelial PRK using a multistage program to perform PTK followed by PRK. The PTK incorporated Flex Scan, which accounts for the loss of radial ablation efficiency on the peripheral cornea.