Toric intraocular lens versus limbal relaxing incisions for corneal astigmatism after phacoemulsification.

Background: Cataract is the leading cause of blindness in the world, and clinically significant astigmatism may affect up to approximately 20% of people undergoing cataract surgery. Pre-existing astigmatism in people undergoing cataract surgery may be treated, among other techniques, by placing corneal incisions near the limbus (limbal relaxing incisions or LRIs) or by toric intraocular lens (IOLs) specially designed to reduce or treat the effect of corneal astigmatism on unaided visual acuity.

Objectives: To assess the effects of toric IOLs compared with LRIs in the management of astigmatism during phacoemulsification cataract surgery.

Visual optics under the wavefront perspective.

Some intriguing concepts of visual optics cannot be explained by ray tracing. However, they can be clarified using wavefront formalism. Its main advantage is in the use of the concept of vergence, which is very helpful in interpreting the optical phenomena involved in the neutralization of the ametropias.

In vivo ultrathin Descemet stripping automated endothelial keratoplasty with a low-energy and high-frequency femtosecond laser.

This case report describes the production of an ultrathin endothelial donor corneal lamella using a femtosecond laser with low energy and a high frequency. In addition, we report its use in vivo in an eye with pseudophakic bullous keratopathy. The outcomes were observed 3 months after surgery in terms of the change in endothelial donor lamella and full cornea thickness (including pachymetric mapping), visual acuity, and endothelial cell count.

Bilateral progressive idiopathic annular lipid keratopathy.

Purpose. To report two unusual cases of idiopathic lipid keratopathy with symmetrical bilateral annular corneal lipid infiltration and describe confocal microscopy findings. Methods.

[In vivo confocal microscopy in amiodarone corneal deposits].

Purpose: To describe in vivo confocal microscopy findings in patients with different stages of amiodarone-induced keratopathy, and correlate biomicroscopy stages with confocal stages.

Methods: Twenty eyes of 10 patients (6 men and 4 women), who receive treatment with amiodarone were selected for the study with confocal microscopy (MC).

Results: The average age was 58 +/- 6.

[First Brazilian refractive surgery survey].

Purpose: To perform the first Brazilian refractive surgery survey.

Methods: Between August 2001 and February 2002, a questionnaire was mailed to 7890 Brazilian ophthalmologists. The questionnaire presented questions about demographic aspects, technology, instruments, market, trends, practice patterns and cost of refractive surgery.

Evaluation of a new system for obtaining donor lamellar grafts.

Purpose: To evaluate the performance of a new system for obtaining corneal lamellar grafts of preset sizes. The system consists of the combination of an artificial anterior chamber (MALKS) and an automated microkeratotome (MASYK).

Methods: A prospective study was performed.

[Evaluation of the cut quality of Masyk microkeratome in obtaining corneal flap from human eyes of an eye bank].

Purpose: To evaluate the cut quality of Masyk microkeratome in obtaining a corneal flap from human eyes of Eye Banks.

Methods: Prospective study with 20 human eyes from Eye Banks. All flaps were programmed to obtain 160 microm thickness and 9.

[In vivo confocal microscopy in the diagnosis of fungal keratitis: case report].

The authors describe a case of fungal keratitis that the in vivo confocal microscopy helped in the diagnosis and follow-up. Confocal microscopy was done in a patient's ulcer that did not improve with several topical medicines. Corneal scrapings were obtained and culture results were without conclusion.

[MALKS: specifications and development].

Purpose: To describe the characteristics of a new artificial anterior chamber (MALKS, Loktal, São Paulo, Brazil).

Methods: Characteristics analysis and description of a new artificial anterior chamber MALKS (Micro automated lamellar keratoplasty system).

Results: MALKS is composed of eight parts: a) artificial chamber; b) cornea's fix ring; c) nut to join the cornea's fix ring; d) rail and adjuster of lamellar diameter; e) flatteners, to pre-determine lamellar diameter; f) infusion system, that allows the digital objective peroperative control of the intracameral pressure; g) automated microkeratome, and h) marker.

[Evaluation of the cut quality of the Masyk microkeratome in obtaining corneal flap from porcine eyes].

Purpose: Evaluation of the cut quality of the Masyk microkeratome in obtaining corneal flap from porcine eyes.

Methods: Prospective study with 31 porcine eyes divided into two groups: 15 eyes with programmed flap thickness of 160 microm and 9.5 mm diameter (Group 1), and 16 eyes with programmed flap thickness of 140 microm and 8.