Proportion and risk factors of epiretinal membrane in residents of Brussels with versus without diabetes mellitus.

Purpose: To compare the proportion of epiretinal membrane (ERM) between individuals with diabetes mellitus (DM) and without DM, who live in Brussels, to investigate possible risk factors for ERM formation and to compare the results with the ones of large population studies.

Methods: Participants were divided into two groups; 99 patients with DM (group A) and 103 individuals without DM (group B). All participants underwent an undilated 7-field color fundus photography and a spectral domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT).

Cataract surgery using two 3D visualization systems: Complication rates, surgical duration & comparison with traditional microscopes.

Purpose: To compare the complication rates and surgical duration of cataract surgery using two 3D visualization systems and a traditional binocular microscope among experienced and inexperienced surgeons.

Methods: This retrospective case series included 571 eyes that received cataract surgery using either heads up cataract surgery, via a 3D head mounted system ( = 148-Group 1) or a 3D display screen ( = 338 eyes-Group 2), or traditional binocular microscope ( = 85 eyes-Group 3). The surgical records of consecutive patients who underwent cataract surgery by two groups of surgeons (experienced and inexperienced) were reviewed.

ZEPTO-assisted pseudophakic capsulotomy: Precision pulse technology for management of capsular contraction syndrome.

We describe a novel technique that uses precision pulse capsulotomy (PPC) to perform a secondary capsulotomy for the management of anterior capsule contraction syndrome (ACCS), a condition that comprises a late complication after cataract surgery and intraocular lens (IOL) implantation. Micropulse secondary capsulotomy offers a controlled and safe approach for patients with severe anterior capsule contraction syndrome and may be considered as an alternative surgical technique.

Current Developments in the Management of Amblyopia with the Use of Perceptual Learning Techniques.

: Amblyopia is a neurodevelopmental disorder caused by interocular suppression of visual input, affecting visual acuity, stereopsis, contrast sensitivity, and other visual functions. Conventional treatment comprises occlusion of the sound eye. In recent years, novel therapies that deploy perceptual learning (PL) principles have been introduced.

Short-Term Refractive Outcomes of Pseudomyopia Induced by Ocular Blunt Trauma.

A teenage female patient visited the ophthalmology emergency department reporting blunt ocular trauma from a stretched elastic band, accompanied by blurred vision. At presentation, uncorrected visual acuity (VA) was 6/60 in the affected eye, improving to 6/7.5 with pinhole.

Descemet's Stripping Automated Endothelial Keratoplasty Using Donor Tissue from an 83-Day-Old Infant.

Purpose: To report a case of Descemet stripping automated endothelial keratoplasty (DSAEK) combined with phacoemulsification in an adult recipient using endothelial graft from an 83-day-old infant donor.

Methods: A corneoscleral button was obtained from an infant donor and a DSAEK graft was prepared using a microkeratome. In comparison to the standard technique of DSAEK graft preparation some modifications were made in order to avoid inadvertent perforation, as the donor cornea had a very spherical shape, probably due to the very young age of the donor.

Potential Ophthalmological Side Effects Induced by Anti-Neoplastic Regimens for the Treatment of Genitourinary Cancers: A Review.

The outcomes of patients with genitourinary (GU) cancers have been steadily improving in recent years. Novel therapies have entered our armamentarium, while several other regimens are currently being studied in clinical trials. This recent explosion of new agents has improved patient survival and the quality of life for patients, but has also significantly increased the frequency of several side effects.

Incidence and Risk Factors of Bilateral Herpetic Keratitis: 2022 Update.

Simultaneously occurring bilateral herpetic keratitis is a rare clinical manifestation of ocular herpes. Immunocompromised patients are more susceptible to develop bilateral disease. The purpose of this study is to review recent literature on the topic and to highlight latest updates, regarding risk factors and possible correlations to the disease, as well as new therapeutic options.

Cystoid Macular Edema Associated With Venous Stasis in a Patient With Previously Undiagnosed Hyperhomocysteinemia.

A 74-year-old female patient visited our department reporting unilateral painless vision reduction in her left eye noticed a few months ago. Clinical examination revealed decreased visual acuity in the left eye. Fundoscopy showed bilateral retinal venous stasis with cystoid macular edema in the affected eye, also confirmed by optical coherence tomography (OCT) imaging.

Emerging Treatment Modalities for Neovascular Age-Related Macular Degeneration: A Systematic Overview.

Introduction: Neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD) represents a leading cause of irreversible visual loss affecting the quality of life of millions of elderly patients worldwide. Although the introduction of intravitreal injections with anti-vascular endothelial growth factors (anti-VEGF) agents has revolutionized the management of nAMD, their effectiveness and ultimate success are limited by several therapeutic challenges. Consequently, real-world efficacy appears significantly inferior to that reported by randomized controlled trials.

Clinical variations and therapeutic challenges in the management of symptomatic retinal artery macroaneurysm: a tertiary center experience.

Purpose: To find out clinical characteristics, therapeutic options, and visual outcome in symptomatic retinal artery macroaneurysm (RAMA) patients.

Method: Newly diagnosed cases of symptomatic RAMA from January 2015 to December 2019 were included. Fifteen eyes of 15 patients with mean age 62.

Cataract Services in Greek Public Hospitals through and after the Austerity Period.

The recent financial crisis caused several problems in the health systems of affected countries like Greece. The present short report highlights several issues regarding the operation of cataract services in Greek public hospitals while certain acts are proposed to cope with recently appeared tight spots. The final aim is to promote relevant discussion in Greece and countries in the region that similar conditions may apply.

Teleophthalmology and Artificial Intelligence As Game Changers in Ophthalmic Care After the COVID-19 Pandemic.

The current COVID-19 pandemic has boosted a sudden demand for telemedicine due to quarantine and travel restrictions. The exponential increase in the use of telemedicine is expected to affect ophthalmology drastically. The aim of this review is to discuss the utility, effectiveness and challenges of teleophthalmological new tools for eyecare delivery as well as its implementation and possible facilitation with artificial intelligence.

Outcomes of toric IOL implantation guided by iris-registered femtosecond laser capsulotomy markings.

Purpose: To assess the accuracy and stability of iris-registered femtosecond laser-assisted anterior capsule axis markings (compensating cyclotorsion) along with refractive and visual outcomes after toric IOL implantation.

Methods: This prospective case series included eyes with visually significant cataracts and regular corneal astigmatism ranging from 1.25D to 4.

Branch Retinal Vein Occlusion as a Rare Presentation of Antisynthetase Syndrome.

A 52-year-old woman developed branch retinal vein occlusion (BRVO) in her right eye, resulting in blurred vision with visual acuities of 6/9 and 6/6-2 in the affected and unaffected eye respectively (Snellen). The patient was successfully treated with a course of eight intravitreal aflibercept injections, improving binocular visual acuity to 6/6. During the course of her ocular management, she was admitted for acute dyspnoea secondary to interstitial lung disease (ILD).

Reoperations After Cataract Surgery: Is the Incidence Predictable Through a Risk Factor Stratification System?

Introduction The objective of the study was to quantify the number of procedures needed to achieve the best possible surgical outcome, depending on the number and type of risk factors identified. Methods Two independent observers reviewed the medical records of 1,502 patients who underwent phacoemulsification surgery, during a two-year period (January 1, 2014 to December 31, 2015). Preoperative risk factors were documented according to the stratification system used.

Optical Coherence Tomography Angiography in Neurodegenerative Diseases: A Review.

Background: Optical coherence tomography angiography (OCT-A) has emerged as a novel, fast, safe and non-invasive imaging technique of analyzing the retinal and choroidal microvasculature in vivo. OCT-A captures multiple sequential B-scans performed repeatedly over a specific retinal area at high speed, thus enabling the composition of a vascular map with areas of contrast change (high flow zones) and areas of steady contrast (slow or no flow zones). It therefore provides unique insight into the exact retinal or choroidal layer and location at which abnormal blood flow develops.

Outcomes of toric intraocular lens implantation after femtosecond laser and traditional cataract surgery.

Clinical Relevance: Having an understanding of the refractive outcomes of different forms of cataract surgery will assist optometrists in explaining the implication of such procedures to patients being referred for such procedures.

Background: The purpose of this study was to compare the refractive outcomes after toric intraocular lens implantation between femtosecond laser-assisted cataract surgery and traditional phacoemulsification.

Methods: This retrospective non-randomised case series included 114 eyes of 92 consecutive patients (59 male and 55 female) aged 71.

Ophthalmology Training in Greece as Perceived by Resident Ophthalmologists in the Times of Crisis: A National, Questionnaire-based Survey.

Purpose: To assess the level of perceived satisfaction with the current level of ophthalmology training in Greece from the perspective of residents and to identify deficiencies in the training curriculum.

Methods: This is a prospective, cross-sectional questionnaire-based study. An online, semi-structured questionnaire was designed to evaluate ophthalmology residents' extent of satisfaction with the quality of their postgraduate medical training.

Ease of Hydrodissection during Phacoemulsification: A Comparison between Patients with and Those without Exfoliation Syndrome.

Background: Exfoliation syndrome (XFS), which is associated with increased surgical complications during phacoemulsification, has a relatively high incidence in Greece. Multiannual surgical experience in XFS patients has led to the clinical observation that hydrodissection occurs more easily in XFS patients.

Objective: To compare the ease of hydrodissection between cataract patients with and those without XFS.