Improvement in Accommodation and Dynamic Range of Focus After Laser Scleral Microporation: A Potential Treatment for Presbyopia.

Purpose: To examine the ocular changes in accommodation, wavefront aberrations, and dynamic range of focus (DROF) after laser scleral microporation (LSM) for treating presbyopia.

Methods: Four presbyopic aged cynomolgus macaques (>13 years; n = 8 eyes) were included. All eyes received LSM with erbium: yttrium-aluminum-garnet laser.

Femtosecond laser-assisted corneal transplantation with a low-energy, liquid-interface system.

Femtosecond laser-assisted keratoplasty has been proposed as a treatment option for corneal transplantation. In this study, we investigated and compared the outcomes of Ziemer Z8 femtosecond laser (FSL)-assisted penetrating keratoplasty (PK) using a liquid interface versus flat interface. Thirty fresh porcine eyes underwent FSL-assisted PK with the Z8 using different levels of energies (30%, 90% or 150%) and different interfaces (liquid or flat).

Effect of peripheral iridectomy on VEGF-A and TGF-β levels in rabbit aqueous humour.

Background: Peripheral iridectomy (PI), routinely performed during glaucoma filtration surgery, may contribute to scarring. This study aims to determine whether PI alters the concentrations of VEGF-A and TGF-β isoforms in the rabbit aqueous humour.

Methods: Anterior chamber paracentesis (ACP) was performed in both eyes of six New Zealand white rabbits, with additional surgical PI performed in the right eyes.

Safety profiles of terahertz scanning in ophthalmology.

Terahertz (THz) technology has emerged recently as a potential novel imaging modality in biomedical fields, including ophthalmology. However, the ocular biological responses after THz electromagnetic exposure have not been investigated. We conducted a rabbit study to evaluate the safety profiles of THz scanning on eyes, at a tissue, cellular, structural and functional level.

Evaluation of femtosecond laser-assisted anterior capsulotomy in the presence of ophthalmic viscoelastic devices (OVDs).

The introduction of femtosecond laser-assisted cataract surgery is an alternative approach to conventional cataract surgery. Our study aimed to determine the effectiveness of femtosecond laser-assisted capsulotomy in the presence of different ophthalmic viscoelastic devices (OVDs) in the anterior chamber. Fresh porcine eyes (n = 96) underwent LDV Z8-assisted anterior capsulotomy, either in the presence of an OVD (Viscoat, Provisc, Healon, Healon GV or HPMC) or without, using 90% and 150% energies respectively.

Tissue Responses and Wound Healing following Laser Scleral Microporation for Presbyopia Therapy.

Purpose: To investigate the postoperative inflammatory and wound-healing responses after laser scleral microporation for presbyopia.

Methods: Thirty porcine eyes were used for the optimization of laser intensities first. Six monkeys (12 eyes) received scleral microporation with an erbium yttrium aluminum garnet (Er:YAG) laser, and half of the eyes received concurrent subconjunctival collagen gel to modulate wound-healing response.

A Novel Approach of Harvesting Viable Single Cells from Donor Corneal Endothelium for Cell-Injection Therapy.

Donor corneas with low endothelial cell densities (ECD) are deemed unsuitable for corneal endothelial transplantation. This study evaluated a two-step incubation and dissociation harvesting approach to isolate single corneal endothelial cells (CECs) from donor corneas for corneal endothelial cell-injection (CE-CI) therapy. To isolate CECs directly from donor corneas, optimization studies were performed where donor Descemet's membrane/corneal endothelium (DM/CE) were peeled and incubated in either M4-F99 or M5-Endo media before enzymatic digestion.

Optical Coherence Tomography Angiography Imaging to monitor Anti-VEGF treatment of Corneal Vascularization in a Rabbit Model.

Optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) is a well-established non-invasive retinal vascular imaging technique. It has been recently adapted to image the anterior segment and has shown good potential to image corneal vascularisation. The purpose of the study is to evaluate the usefulness of OCTA to monitor regression of corneal vessels following anti-VEGF (vascular endothelial growth factor) treatment using a previously established corneal vascularisation rabbit model.

Corneal remodelling and topography following biological inlay implantation with combined crosslinking in a rabbit model.

Implantation of biological corneal inlays, derived from small incision lenticule extraction, may be a feasible method for surgical management of refractive and corneal diseases. However, the refractive outcome is dependent on stromal remodelling of both the inlay and recipient stroma. This study aimed to investigate the refractive changes and tissue responses following implantation of 2.

Correction to: Vessel density and En-face segmentation of optical coherence tomography angiography to analyse corneal vascularisation in an animal model.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1186/s40662-018-0128-8.].

Vessel density and En-face segmentation of optical coherence tomography angiography to analyse corneal vascularisation in an animal model.

Background: Optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) is a novel non-invasive angiography technology that has recently been extensively studied for its utility in anterior segment imaging. In this study, we compared a split-spectrum amplitude decorrelation angiography (SSADA) OCTA and an Complex OCT signal difference angiography [corrected] (CODAA SD) [corrected] OCTA system to current angiographic technique, indocyanine green angiography (ICGA), to assess corneal vascularisation in an animal model.

Methods: We imaged 16 rabbits, (one eye per animal) with corneal vascularisation using SSADA OCTA (AngioVue; Optovue Inc.

Comparison of Optical Coherence Tomography Angiography to Indocyanine Green Angiography and Slit Lamp Photography for Corneal Vascularization in an Animal Model.

Corneal neovascularization (CoNV) could be treated by novel anti-angiogenic therapies, though reliable and objective imaging tools to evaluate corneal vasculature and treatment efficacy is still lacking. Optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) -currently designed as a retinal vascular imaging system- has been recently adapted for anterior-segment and showed good potential for successful imaging of CoNV. However, further development requires an animal model where parameters can be studied more carefully with histological comparison.

Higher-Order-Aberrations Following Hyperopia Treatment: Small Incision Lenticule Extraction, Laser-Assisted In Situ Keratomileusis and Lenticule Implantation.

Purpose: To compare the postoperative higher-order-aberrations (HOAs) after hyperopic small incision lenticule extraction (SMILE), hyperopic laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis LASIK), and lenticule implantation for correction of hyperopia.

Methods: Eighteen monkeys were divided to six groups: +2.00 D and +4.

A Biodegradable, Sustained-Released, Tacrolimus Microfilm Drug Delivery System for the Management of Allergic Conjunctivitis in a Mouse Model.

Purpose: To investigate the drug release profiles of a tacrolimus-loaded poly(D,L-lactide-co-ε-caprolactone) (PLC) microfilm, and to evaluate its efficacy on the treatment of allergic conjunctivitis using a mouse model.

Methods: The in vitro and in vivo drug release profiles were first characterized. Balb/c mice were immunized with short ragweed (SRW) injection followed by re-challenges with topical SRW solution.

Biological corneal inlay for presbyopia derived from small incision lenticule extraction (SMILE).

Corneal inlays are a relatively new treatment option for presbyopia. Using biological inlays, derived from lenticules extracted from small incision lenticule extraction, may offer advantages over commercialized synthetic inlays in the aspect of biocompatibility. We conducted a non-human primate study to evaluate the safety, predictability, efficacy and tissue response after autogeneic, decellularized xenogeneic and xenogeneic lenticule implantation.

Retreatment strategies following Small Incision Lenticule Extraction (SMILE): In vivo tissue responses.

With any refractive correction, including Small Incision Lenticule Extraction (SMILE), there may be a residual refractive error that requires a retreatment. Here, we investigated the tissue responses following various retreatment procedures in a rabbit model of SMILE. All rabbits underwent a -6.

A Rabbit Model Study to Determine the Efficacy of a Prototype Corneal Endothelium Protector during Cataract Surgery.

. We evaluated the efficacy and safety of a mechanical device, the P-chute, in corneal endothelium preservation during phacoemulsification in a rabbit model. .

Early wound healing and refractive response of different pocket configurations following presbyopic inlay implantation.

Background: Presbyopic inlays have mostly been implanted under a corneal flap. Implantation in a pocket has advantages including less postoperative dry eye and neurotrophic effect, and better biomechanical corneal stability. This study investigated the effect of different pocket and flocket dimensions on corneal stability and refractive power after Raindrop™ implantation, and the associated wound healing response.

Altered Anterior Segment Biometric Parameters in Mice Deficient in SPARC.

Purpose: Secreted protein acidic and rich in cysteine (SPARC) and Hevin are structurally related matricellular proteins involved in extracellular matrix assembly. In this study, we compared the anterior chamber biometric parameters and iris collagen properties in SPARC-, Hevin- and SPARC-/Hevin-null with wild-type (WT) mice.

Methods: The right eyes of 53 WT, 35 SPARC-, 56 Hevin-, and 63 SPARC-/Hevin-null mice were imaged using the RTVue-100 Fourier-domain optical coherence tomography system.

Sequentially-crosslinked bioactive hydrogels as nano-patterned substrates with customizable stiffness and degradation for corneal tissue engineering applications.

Naturally-bioactive hydrogels like gelatin provide favorable properties for tissue-engineering but lack sufficient mechanical strength for use as implantable tissue engineering substrates. Complex fabrication or multi-component additives can improve material strength, but often compromises other properties. Studies have shown gelatin methacrylate (GelMA) as a bioactive hydrogel with diverse tissue growth applications.

Wound healing profiles of hyperopic-small incision lenticule extraction (SMILE).

Refractive surgical treatment of hyperopia still remains a challenge for refractive surgeons. A new nomogram of small incision lenticule extraction (SMILE) procedure has recently been developed for the treatment of hyperopia. In the present study, we aimed to evaluate the wound healing and inflammatory responses of this new nomogram (hyperopic-SMILE), and compared them to those of hyperopic-laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis (LASIK), using a rabbit model.

Evaluation of a Micro-Optical Coherence Tomography for the Corneal Endothelium in an Animal Model.

Recent developments in optical coherence tomography (OCT) systems for the cornea have limited resolution or acquisition speed. In this study we aim to evaluate the use of a 'micro-OCT' (μOCT ~1 μm axial resolution) compared to existing imaging modalities using animal models of corneal endothelial disease. We used established cryoinjury and bullous keratopathy models in Sprague Dawley rats comparing ex vivo μOCT imaging in normal and diseased eyes to (1) histology; (2) in vivo confocal microscopy (IVCM); and (3) scanning electron microscopy (SEM).

Early Corneal Wound Healing and Inflammatory Responses After SMILE: Comparison of the Effects of Different Refractive Corrections and Surgical Experiences.

Purpose: To investigate the early corneal wound healing and inflammatory responses after small incision lenticule extraction (SMILE) with different power of corrections and surgical experiences using a rabbit model.

Methods: Twenty-four rabbits underwent SMILE with -2.00, -4.

Collagen-Based Artificial Corneal Scaffold with Anti-Infective Capability for Prevention of Perioperative Bacterial Infections.

Bacterial infection following implantation of an artificial corneal scaffold is a serious complication. Conventional antibiotic prophylaxis, which includes topical vancomycin application, is limited by low bioavailability, high dosing requirement, and poor patient compliance. The ideal option to overcome these issues is an antibiotic-eluting corneal prosthesis that sustains the local release of drug.