Assessment of refractive astigmatism and simulated therapeutic refractive surgery strategies in coma-like-aberrations-dominant corneal optics.

Background: The aim of the study is to raise the awareness of the influence of coma-like higher-order aberrations (HOAs) on power and orientation of refractive astigmatism (RA) and to explore how to account for that influence in the planning of topography-guided refractive surgery in eyes with coma-like-aberrations-dominant corneal optics.

Methods: Eleven eyes with coma-like-aberrations-dominant corneal optics and with low lenticular astigmatism (LA) were selected for astigmatism analysis and for treatment simulations with topography-guided custom ablation. Vector analysis was used to evaluate the contribution of coma-like corneal HOAs to RA.

The Italian Catquest-9SF cataract questionnaire: translation, validation and application.

Background: To validate the Catquest-9SF questionnaire in Italian, assess the change in visual disability with cataract surgery and determine the correlation between pre-operative Catquest-9SF scores and Lens Opacities Classification System (LOCS) III cataract grading.

Methods: Prospective, questionnaire validation study. The Catquest-9SF questionnaire was forward and back translated and completed by 209 Italian patients before and three months following cataract surgery.

PACK-CXL: Corneal cross-linking in infectious keratitis.

Background: Corneal cross-linking (CXL) using ultraviolet light-A (UV-A) and riboflavin is a technique developed in the 1990's to treat corneal ectatic disorders such as keratoconus. It soon became the new gold standard in multiple countries around the world to halt the progression of this disorder, with good long-term outcomes in keratometry reading and visual acuity. The original Dresden treatment protocol was also later on used to stabilize iatrogenic corneal ectasia appearing after laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) and photorefractive keratectomy (PRK).

Where does selective laser trabeculoplasty stand now? A review.

Background: Chronic treatment of glaucoma can present a challenge in patients who lack the means and/or the discipline to use daily glaucoma medication. We wondered if selective laser trabeculoplasty (SLT) could be a useful alternative.

Inclusion Criteria: controlled trials comparing efficacy of SLT in adult patients with any form of open angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension and case reports on side effects of SLT.

The use of intracorneal ring segments in keratoconus.

Keratoconus is a corneal degeneration that usually appears during puberty and may seriously deteriorate the quality of life of the patients. This corneal disease is today the first indication of corneal transplantation in young patients. Until the last decade of the XX century, keratoplasty procedures were the only alternative to treat this pathological condition.

Assessing progression of keratoconus: novel tomographic determinants.

Several methods have been described in the literature to both evaluate and document progression in keratoconus, but there is no consistent or clear definition of ectasia progression. The authors describe how modern corneal tomography, including both anterior and posterior elevation and pachymetric data can be used to screen for ectatic progression, and how software programs such as the Enhanced Reference Surface and the Belin-Ambrosio Enhanced Ectasia Display (BAD) can be employed to detect earlier changes. Additionally, in order to describe specific quantitative values that can be used as progression determinants, the normal noise measurement of the three parameters (corneal thickness at the thinnest point, anterior and posterior radius of curvature (ARC, PRC) taken from the 3.

High intercorneal symmetry in corneal biomechanical metrics.

Backgroud: To evaluate the symmetry of corneal biomechanical metrics, measured using an ocular response analyzer (ORA) and self-built corneal inflation test platform, in bilateral rabbit corneas and to investigate their relationship with physical intraocular pressure (IOPp).

Methods: Twenty fresh enucleated eyes from ten rabbits were used for ex vivo whole ocular globe inflation. IOP was increased from 7.

Higher incidence of steroid-induced ocular hypertension in keratoconus.

Background: To compare intraocular pressure (IOP) changes following topical dexamethasone administration for 1 month in keratoconic versus normal eyes.

Methods: This is a retrospective, single-center, non-randomized case series evaluation of 350 eyes. Two groups were formed: normal/control Group A (nA =73), eyes that underwent excimer laser photorefractive keratectomy; and keratoconic (KCN) Group B (nB =277), eyes that were subjected to partial laser photorefractive keratectomy combined with collagen cross-linking (The Athens Protocol).

Corneal topography in keratoconus: state of the art.

The morphological characterization of the cornea using corneal topographers is a widespread clinical practice that is essential for the diagnosis of keratoconus. The current state of this non-invasive exploratory technique has evolved with the possibility of achieving a great number of measuring points of both anterior and posterior corneal surfaces, which is possible due to the development of new and advanced measurement devices. All these data are later used to extract a series of topographic valuation indices that permit to offer the most exact and reliable clinical diagnosis.

Wavefront-optimized surface retreatments of refractive error following previous laser refractive surgery: a retrospective study.

Background: Retreatments are sometimes necessary to correct residual or induced refractive errors following refractive surgery. Many different combinations of primary treatment methods and retreatment techniques have been studied, however, few studies have investigated wavefront-optimized (WFO) technology for retreatment following primary refractive surgery. This study aimed to report the outcomes of WFO photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) retreatments of refractive error following previous laser refractive surgery with PRK, laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK), or laser-assisted subepithelial keratectomy (LASEK).

Corneal surgery in keratoconus: which type, which technique, which outcomes?

Keratoconus is a disease characterized by progressive thinning, bulging, and distortion of the cornea. Advanced cases usually present with loss of vision due to high irregular astigmatism. A majority of these cases require surgical intervention.

In pursuit of objective dry eye screening clinical techniques.

Dry eye is a multifactorial, progressive, and chronic disease of the tears and ocular surface. The disease is multi-factorial and has intermittent symptoms. Discomfort, visual disturbance, tear film instability with potential damage to the ocular surface, and increased tear film osmolarity are known associates.

Safety and efficacy of VisuMax® circle patterns for flap creation and enhancement following small incision lenticule extraction.

Background: The purpose of this case series is to evaluate the safety and efficacy of VisuMax® Circle patterns in eyes that have undergone small incision lenticule extraction, thus creating a flap to perform an enhancement procedure or residual lenticule extraction.

Methods: This prospective, single center, case study series evaluated the use of a VisuMax® Circle pattern to create a corneal flap following small incision lenticule extraction. Patients were treated and followed at TRSC International LASIK Center (Bangkok, Thailand) for 3 months to assess the efficacy and safety of the procedure.

In vivo study of corneal responses to increased intraocular pressure loading.

Background: The cornea is responsible for two-thirds of the eye's refractive power which is a function of the shape and refractive index. The aim of this present study is to examine human eyes in vivo for corneal shape changes in response to short-term elevation in intraocular pressure.

Methods: Videokeratographic and tonometric assessments at baseline were compared with the same assessments when intraocular pressure was elevated to approximately double (199 ± 22 %) the baseline levels using ophthalmodynamometer applanation of the sclera.

Collagen cross-linking: when and how? A review of the state of the art of the technique and new perspectives.

Since the late 1990s corneal crosslinking (CXL) has been proposed as a new possibility to stop progression of keratoconus or secondary corneal ectasia, with the promising aim to prevent progressive visual loss due to the evolution of the pathology and to delay or avoid invasive surgical procedures such as corneal transplantation. The possibility of strengthening corneal tissue by means of a photochemical reaction of corneal collagen by the combined action of Riboflavin and ultraviolet A irradiation (UVA), radically modified the conservative management of progressive corneal ectasia. This is a review of the state of the art of CXL, reporting basic and clinical evidence.

An experimental model of vitreous motion induced by eye rotations.

Background: During eye rotations the vitreous humour moves with respect to the eye globe. This relative motion has been suggested to possibly have an important role in inducing degradation of the gel structure, which might lead to vitreous liquefaction and/or posterior vitreous detachment. Aim of the present work is to study the characteristics of vitreous motion induced by eye rotations.

Outer retinal tubulation in diabetic macular edema following anti-VEGF treatment.

Background: To address the presence and features of outer retinal tubulation (ORT) found in diabetic macular edema (DME) treated with anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF) and to differentiate between ORT and cystoid DME, which have different plans of management.

Methods: This was a retrospective review of a total of 514 patients investigated with spectral domain optical coherence tomography (OCT) in patients with diabetic macular edema treated with anti-VEGF. ORT was seen in 12 eyes of 11 patients.

The European registry of quality outcomes for cataract and refractive surgery (EUREQUO): a database study of trends in volumes, surgical techniques and outcomes of refractive surgery.

Background: A European web-based registry for refractive surgery was established in 2008; The European Registry of Quality Outcomes for Cataract and Refractive Surgery (EUREQUO). The aim of the registry was to improve treatment and standards of care for refractive surgery. Further aims were to offer a tool for benchmarking by establishing a reference database and for surgeons to enter and analyze their own outcomes.

Development and validation of a novel PCR-RFLP based method for the detection of 3 primary mitochondrial mutations in Leber's hereditary optic neuropathy patients.

Background: Leber's Hereditary Optic Neuropathy (LHON; MIM 535000) is one of the most commonly inherited optic neuropathies and it results in significant visual morbidity among young adults with a peak age of onset between the ages of 15-30. The worldwide incidence of LHON is approximately 1 in 31,000. 95 % of LHON patients will have one of 3 primary mitochondrial mutations, G3460A (A52T of ND1), G11778A (R340H of ND4) and T14484C (M64V of ND6).

Epidemiology of diabetic retinopathy, diabetic macular edema and related vision loss.

Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is a leading cause of vision-loss globally. Of an estimated 285 million people with diabetes mellitus worldwide, approximately one third have signs of DR and of these, a further one third of DR is vision-threatening DR, including diabetic macular edema (DME). The identification of established modifiable risk factors for DR such as hyperglycemia and hypertension has provided the basis for risk factor control in preventing onset and progression of DR.

Anti-glaucoma potential of Heliotropium indicum Linn in experimentally-induced glaucoma.

Background: Heliotropium indicum is used as a traditional remedy for hypertension in Ghana. The aim of the study was to evaluate the anti-glaucoma potential of an aqueous whole plant extract of H. indicum to manage experimentally-induced glaucoma.

Corneal collagen cross-linking (CXL) in thin corneas.

Corneal collagen cross-linking (CXL) is a therapeutic procedure aiming at increasing the corneal stiffness in the keratoconus eyes by induction of cross-links within the extracellular matrix. It is achieved by ultraviolet-A (370 nm) irradiation of the cornea after saturation with the photosensitizer riboflavin. In the conventional CXL protocol, a minimum de-epithelialized corneal thickness of 400 μm is recommended to avoid potential irradiation damage to the corneal endothelium.

Efficacy, predictability and safety of small incision lenticule extraction (SMILE).

Background: The purpose of this case series is to report the one-year outcomes of small incision lenticule extraction (SMILE) using the VisuMax® femtosecond laser.

Methods: Two hundred and six patients were recruited for this retrospective, single center study at TRSC International LASIK Center in Bangkok, Thailand. Patients underwent SMILE, whereby an intrastromal lenticule was cut using a femtosecond laser and then manually extracted without the need for flap creation.

Predictability of refraction following immediate sequential bilateral cataract surgery (ISBCS) performed under general anaesthesia.

Background: To evaluate the predictability of refraction following immediate sequential bilateral cataract surgery (ISBCS) performed under general anaesthesia.

Methods: This is a retrospective review of all ISBCS performed at Kantonsspital Winterthur, Switzerland, between April 2000 and September 2013. The case notes of 250 patients were reviewed.

The evolution of corneal and refractive surgery with the femtosecond laser.

The use of femtosecond lasers has created an evolution in modern corneal and refractive surgery. With accuracy, safety, and repeatability, eye surgeons can utilize the femtosecond laser in almost all anterior refractive procedures; laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK), small incision lenticule extraction (SMILE), penetrating keratoplasty (PKP), insertion of intracorneal ring segments, anterior and posterior lamellar keratoplasty (Deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty (DALK) and Descemet's stripping endothelial keratoplasty (DSEK)), insertion of corneal inlays and cataract surgery. As the technology matures, it will push surgical limits and open new avenues for ophthalmic intervention in areas not yet explored.