Phacoemulsification with and without iStent: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Comparative Studies.

Background: The iStent (Glaukos Corporation; Laguna Hills, CA, USA) is one of the minimally invasive glaucoma devices. It can be inserted at the time of phacoemulsification or as a stand-alone procedure to lower the intraocular pressure (IOP).

Objective: Our aim was to conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis comparing the effect of iStent insertion at the time of phacoemulsification with phacoemulsification alone in patients with ocular hypertension or open-angle glaucoma.

Small Incision Lenticule Extraction (SMILE): Myths and Realities.

The emergence of SMILE in the last decade has provided an alternative to LASIK for patients considering cornea laser refractive surgery. SMILE offers a novel approach using the femtosecond laser to create an intrastromal lenticule that can be removed through a small three to four millimeter incision.The purpose of this study is to review the recent literature on popular SMILE claims - reduced iatrogenic dry eye, better recovery of corneal sensation, and a biomechanically stronger cornea - summarize the published outcomes, and determine which claims are myths versus realities.

The effect of low predicted/calculated postoperative keratometry on corrected distance visual acuity after LASIK.

Purpose: To compare refractive outcomes of eyes with flat keratometry (K) to matched controls after myopic laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK).

Setting: Boston Eye Group, Brookline, Massachusetts, USA.

Design: Retrospective review.

Early Surface Ablation on Aborted LASIK Flaps.

Purpose: To report the outcomes of a series of 16 patients who had secondary surface ablation within 4 weeks of an aborted femtosecond laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis (FS-LASIK) procedure.

Methods: A retrospective chart review of electronic medical record data from 2011 to 2015 was performed to identify eyes of patients who had an aborted FS-LASIK procedure followed by secondary surface ablation (photorefractive keratectomy or laser epithelial keratomileusis) within 4 weeks of the primary procedure. Patients were required to have at least three postoperative visits to be included in the study.

Potential Savings from Visit Reduction of Continuous Intraocular Pressure Monitoring.

Introduction: A continuous method of measuring intraocular pressures (IOP) could be advantageous in the management of glaucoma. This report aims to analyze the potential savings from visit reduction of continuous IOP measurements obtained with an intraocular device.

Materials And Methods: We constructed a model adapted from a prior study based on the number of glaucoma patients among 5% of the Medicare population.

Femtosecond-assisted LASIK flaps resistant to lift secondary to corneal epithelial defects: Case reports and ex vivo studies.

Purpose: To evaluate why epithelial defects created before femtosecond laser ablation result in laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) flaps resistant to lift.

Setting: Boston Eye Group, Brookline, Massachusetts, USA.

Design: Case reports and ex vivo studies.

Surgical adhesives in ophthalmology: history and current trends.

Tissue adhesives are gaining popularity in ophthalmology, as they could potentially reduce the complications associated with current surgical methods. An ideal tissue adhesive should have superior tensile strength, be non-toxic and anti-inflammatory, improve efficiency and be cost-effective. Both synthetic and biological glues are available.

Chemical Burns of the Eye: The Role of Retinal Injury and New Therapeutic Possibilities.

Purpose: To propose a new treatment paradigm for chemical burns to the eye - in the acute and chronic phases.

Methods: Recent laboratory and clinical data on the biology and treatment of chemical burns are analyzed.

Results: Corneal blindness from chemical burns can now be successfully treated with a keratoprosthesis, on immediate and intermediate bases.

Accuracy of Visual Estimation of LASIK Flap Thickness.

Purpose: To assess the accuracy of surgeons' visual estimation of LASIK flap thickness when created by a femtosecond laser by comparing it to ultrasound measurements.

Methods: Surgeons were asked to visually estimate the thickness of a femtosecond flap during the procedure. Total corneal thickness was measured by ultrasound pachymetry prior to the procedure and the stromal bed was similarly measured after flap lifting.

Corneal Densitometry as a Tool to Measure Epithelial Ingrowth After Laser In Situ Keratomileusis.

Purpose: This study evaluates the correlation between corneal densitometry and epithelial ingrowth (EI) after laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK).

Methods: Corneal densitometry of 3 patients who developed EI after LASIK was measured with the Oculus Pentacam. Corneal densitometry readings of each patient were obtained preoperatively and postoperatively after ingrowth was discovered.

Corneal Resistance to Keratolysis After Collagen Crosslinking With Rose Bengal and Green Light.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the resistance to degradation by collagenase A of corneas that have been crosslinked with Rose Bengal and green light (RGX).

Methods: The ex vivo crosslinking procedure was performed on enucleated rabbit corneas. Corneas were deepithelialized after applying 30% alcohol.

Corneal Crosslinking With Rose Bengal and Green Light: Efficacy and Safety Evaluation.

Purpose: To evaluate crosslinking of cornea in vivo using green light activation of Rose Bengal (RGX) and assess potential damaging effects of the green light on retina and iris.

Methods: Corneas of Dutch belted rabbits were de-epithelialized, then stained with Rose Bengal and exposed to green light, or not further treated. Corneal stiffness was measured by uniaxial tensiometry.

Risk factors for loss of epithelial flap integrity in laser-assisted subepithelial keratectomy surgery.

Purpose: To evaluate risk factors leading to loss of epithelial flap integrity in laser-assisted subepithelial keratectomy (LASEK).

Setting: Boston Eye Group, Brookline, Massachusetts, USA.

Design: Retrospective case study.

Risk Factors for Retreatment Following Myopic LASIK with Femtosecond Laser and Custom Ablation for the Treatment of Myopia.

Purpose: To identify risks factors for retreatment post-laser in situ keratomeliusis (LASIK).

Materials & Methods: A retrospective chart review from December 2008 to September 2012 identified 1,402 patients (2,581 eyes) that underwent LASIK treatment for myopia with the Intralase™ FS, STAR S4 IR™ Excimer Laser, and WaveScan WaveFront™ technology. In this group, 83 patients were retreated.

Avoidance of serious medical errors in refractive surgery using a custom preoperative checklist.

Purpose: To implement and measure the effect of a surgical safety checklist on the prevention of serious medical errors (never-events).

Setting: Boston Eye Group, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.

Design: Retrospective cohort study.

Anterior chamber gas bubble emergence pattern during femtosecond LASIK-flap creation.

Aim: To characterise the emergence pattern of cavitation bubbles into the anterior chamber (AC) following femtosecond laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis (LASIK)-flap creation

Methods: Retrospective review of patients undergoing femtosecond LASIK surgery at Boston Laser, a private refractive surgery practice in Boston, Massachusetts, between December 2008 and February 2014. Patient charts were reviewed to identify all cases with gas bubble migration into the AC. Surgical videos were examined and the location of bubble entry was recorded separately for right and left eyes.

Cataract surgery outcomes at a UK independent sector treatment centre.

Background/aims: The goal of this study was to review cataract surgery outcomes at three independent surgery treatment centres established by the UK Specialist Hospitals (UKSH) and to compare these outcomes with recognised benchmarks.

Methods: All patients who underwent cataract surgery at UKSH between July 2005 and March 2013 were included. Complication rates were obtained using annual quality reports, logbooks kept in operating theatres and outpatient departments, and electronic medical records.

Scleral perforations during routine traction test in a patient with osteogenesis imperfecta.

Osteogenesis imperfecta comprises a rare group of genetic disorders caused by abnormal collagen that results in increased bone fragility and other sequelae. We describe a 37-year-old woman with osteogenesis imperfecta in whom two full-thickness scleral perforations were created by adjacent teeth of 0.5 mm forceps during traction testing while undergoing routine strabismus surgery.