Cataract surgical training: Analysis of the results of the European Board of Ophthalmology survey in the Swiss cohort.

Introduction: This study, part of a series, analyses the Swiss cohort from an EBO survey on cataract surgery training in Europe, focusing on Switzerland's unique program. The survey identifies two models: training all residents in surgery, and a "high-volume surgeon" model where only some learn CS post-residency.

Methods: This study analyses the survey results of Swiss participants in the EBO examinations (2018-2022) and compared them with the most important cohorts (Germany, France and Spain).

Insight into small eyes: a practical description from phenotypes presentations to the management.

This narrative review aimed to have an algorithmic approach to microphthalmos by a systematic search. The definition can be related to a number of special phenotypes. In the more challenging cases of complex microphthalmos, relative anterior microphthalmos, and nanophthalmos, the surgeon can approach these cases more safely if they have a deep understanding of the anatomical variations and ideal formulae for intraocular lens computation and knows how to avoid intra- and post-operative complications.

Association of Patient Satisfaction with Cataract Grading in Five Types of Multifocal IOLs.

Introduction: This study investigated patient satisfaction levels in five premium intraocular lenses (IOLs). A secondary aim was to determine whether patient satisfaction was associated with the cataract grade before lens surgery.

Methods: In this multicenter prospective comparative study, 164 patients from diverse backgrounds underwent cataract surgery and were assigned for identical bilateral implantation of multifocal IOLs.

DMEK surgical training: An instructional guide on various wet-lab methods.

Descemet membrane endothelial keratoplasty (DMEK) is a partial-thickness corneal transplantation procedure that involves selective transplantation of the Descemet membrane and endothelium. DMEK offers significant advantages over other keratoplasty techniques, such as faster visual rehabilitation, better final visual acuity due to minimal optical interface effects, lower risk of allograft rejection, and less long-term dependence on topical steroids. Despite all its advantages, DMEK has been found to be more challenging than other corneal transplantation techniques, and its steep learning curve appears to be an obstacle to its widespread use and adoption by corneal surgeons worldwide.

Intraocular bag-in-the-lens exchange: indications, outcomes, and complications.

Purpose: To report the indications, outcomes, and complications regarding bag-in-the-lens (BIL) intraocular lens (IOL) exchange over a period of 13 years in a tertiary ophthalmologic center.

Setting: Department of Ophthalmology of the University Hospital of Antwerp, Belgium.

Design: Observational retrospective study.

Phacoemulsification After Descemet Membrane Endothelial Keratoplasty: Incidence and Influence on Endothelial Cell Density.

Purpose: To analyze the incidence of cataract extraction after Descemet membrane endothelial keratoplasty (DMEK) in phakic eyes and to evaluate the effect of phacoemulsification after DMEK on the donor endothelial cell density (ECD).

Methods: The clinical data of phakic patients with DMEK were examined. From this cohort, all patients who subsequently underwent phacoemulsification after DMEK were reviewed.

Fifteen years of IOL exchange: indications, outcomes, and complications.

Purpose: To report the indications, frequency, and outcomes regarding intraocular lens (IOL) exchange in 2 university hospital tertiary referral settings over a period of 15 years.

Setting: Ophthalmology departments of the University Hospital Antwerp and the University Hospital Leuven, Belgium.

Design: Retrospective cross-sectional study.

Evaluation and Transplantation of Human Corneal Endothelial Cells Cultured on Biocompatible Carriers.

Corneal transplantation is currently the only effective treatment option for dysfunctional corneal endothelial cells (CEC). In this study, we test the surgical potential of cultivated human corneal endothelial cells (hCEC) on human anterior lens capsule (HALC), LinkCell™ bioengineered collagen sheets of 20-µm thickness (LK20), and denuded Descemet membrane (dDM) as tissue-engineered grafts for Descemet membrane (DM) endothelial keratoplasty (DMEK) to bypass the problem of donor tissue availability. Primary hCEC cultured on all carriers formed a monolayer of tightly packed cells with a high cell viability rate (96% ± 4%).

Corneal regeneration: A review of stromal replacements.

Unlabelled: Corneal blindness is traditionally treated by transplantation of a donor cornea, or in severe cases by implantation of an artificial cornea or keratoprosthesis. Due to severe donor shortages and the risks of complications that come with artificial corneas, tissue engineering in ophthalmology has become more focused on regenerative strategies using biocompatible materials either with or without cells. The stroma makes up the bulk of the corneal thickness and mainly consists of a tightly interwoven network of collagen type I, making it notoriously difficult to recreate in a laboratory setting.

Scleral Lenses Reduce the Need for Corneal Transplants in Severe Keratoconus.

Purpose: To investigate the success and failure rates of scleral lens correction in severe keratoconus.

Design: Retrospective case series.

Methods: Study population comprised patients with keratoconus who attended the keratoconus clinic at the Antwerp University Hospital, Belgium, between January 1, 2010, and December 31, 2014.

A review of the evidence for in vivo corneal endothelial regeneration.

Human corneal endothelium has long been thought to be a nonmitotic cell layer with no endogenous reparative potential. Pathologies that damage endothelial function result in corneal decompensation and, if untreated, blindness. The mainstay of treatment involves partial or complete corneal replacement, amounting to 40% of all corneal transplants performed worldwide.

Repeatability and inter-device agreement for three different methods of keratometry: Placido, Scheimpflug, and color LED corneal topography.

Purpose: To determine the repeatability of a color LED corneal topographer (Cassini; iOptics, The Hague, The Netherlands) and compare it with Placido and Scheimpflug based devices (EyeSys 2000; EyeSys Laboratories, Houston, TX, and Pentacam HR; Oculus Optikgeräte GmbH, Wetzlar, Germany).

Methods: This prospective study involved 20 healthy volunteers (20 eyes) recruited from the staff of the Antwerp University Hospital. For each eye, three measurements were taken using each device, from which eight parameters describing keratometry and astigmatism were derived.

Iris atrophy and erosion caused by an anterior-chamber angle-supported phakic intraocular lens.

Unlabelled: We report a case in which an angle-supported phakic IOL was implanted to correct high myopia. Subsequently, the patient experienced photophobia, glare, halo, and loss of visual acuity and became concerned about the cosmetically deforming aspect of her eye. Findings included endothelial cell loss, cataract, pupil ovalization, and severe iris atrophy.

Results of a phase I/II clinical trial: standardized, non-xenogenic, cultivated limbal stem cell transplantation.

Background: To determine if a standardized, non-xenogenic, reduced manipulation cultivation and surgical transplantation of limbal stem cell grafts is a safe and effective treatment option for patients with total and partial limbal stem cell deficiency.

Methods: In vitro cellular outgrowth and phenotype of the limbal epithelial cell and composite grafts were validated using a new protocol. Patients received either autologous (n = 15) or allogenic (n = 3) explants cultured using a standardized protocol free from xenogenic products.

Bean-shaped ring segments for capsule stretching and centration of bag-in-the-lens cataract surgery.

The bag-in-the-lens (BIL) is a unique approach to IOL placement in cataract surgery. The BIL intraocular lens (IOL) is suspended centrally, supported by the anterior and posterior capsulorhexes. The placement confers a high degree of centration and stability; however, it is dependent on capsular and zonular integrity.

Atypical sino-orbital inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor with bone and cerebral invasion extending to the orbit.

Purpose: To report the case of an atypical sino-orbital inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor.

Methods: Case report.

Results: A 71-year-old man presented slowly progressive painless diplopia followed by unilateral proptosis of the left eye with slight edema of the upper eyelid.