[Tonometry and pachymetry to evaluate fluctuations of intraocular pressure in the context of SCUBA diving].

Background: It is currently still not clarified whether diving using a self-contained breathing apparatus (SCUBA) is associated with intraocular pressure (IOP) fluctuations of clinical relevance and whether intensive diving could exacerbate the damage in glaucoma patients.

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the effect of SCUBA diving on IOP in healthy volunteers without prior eye injuries or surgery.

Hypothesis: recreational diving does not lead to significant increases or fluctuations of the IOP.

Opacification of Hydrophilic Acrylic Intraocular Lenses: Overview of Laboratory Methods for Histological Analysis and Replication of IOL Calcification.

Opacification of intraocular lenses (IOLs) due to material changes is a serious complication that can compromise the good visual outcomes of uncomplicated cataract surgery. In hydrophobic acrylic IOLs, opacification can result from glistening formation, while in hydrophilic acrylic IOLs, there is a risk of calcification due to the formation of calcium phosphates within the polymer. Over time, various methods have been developed to investigate calcification in hydrophilic acrylic IOLs.

Reversible Multifocality Achieved Through Polypseudophakia.

Simultaneous implantation of a monofocal or monofocal toric intraocular lens (IOL) into the capsular bag and a multifocal IOL into the ciliary sulcus, referred to as duet procedure, allows us to create multifocality that is more easily reversible than the implantation of a capsular bag-fixated multifocal IOL. The optical quality and results after the duet procedure are equivalent to those of a capsular bag-fixated multifocal IOL. Patients who cannot tolerate the side effects of multifocal optics or who develop an ocular condition leading to loss of function such as age-related macular degeneration (AMD) or glaucoma in the course of their lives may benefit from the reversibility of the procedure.

Safety and Precision of Two Different Flap-morphologies Created During Low Energy Femtosecond Laser-assisted LASIK.

Purpose: Currently, two major principles exist to create LASIK flaps: firstly, a strictly horizontal (2D) cut similar to the microkeratome-cut and secondly an angled cut with a "step-like" edge (3D). The strictly horizontal (2D) cut method can be performed using apparatus such as the low-energy FEMTO LDV Z8 laser and its predecessors which are specific to this type. Alternatively, the low-energy FEMTO LDV Z8 laser's 3D flap design creates an interlocking flap-interface surface which potentially contributes toward flap stability.

[Traumatology-an interdisciplinary task: exclusively for educational purposes?].

Background: Traumatology of the head and neck region is not only a part of otorhinolaryngology, but also has a large overlap with neighboring disciplines of the head and neck region. In Freiburg, an interdisciplinary lecture on "ENT emergencies" was implemented in the 21/22 winter semester. The aim was to provide an even more realistic view on interdisciplinary patient care and to make evident the areas of intersection of four of the major head disciplines (otorhinolaryngology, neurosurgery, ophthalmology, and maxillofacial surgery).

[Fusarium Keratitis-an upcoming threat in Germany?].

Background: Fungal keratitis due to Fusarium species is known to be typical of developing countries; however, with the increasing use of contact lenses a rise of Fusarium keratitis has been observed in Germany.

Methods: In a monocentric retrospective study, we analyzed all patients who presented to our university eye hospital with infectious keratitis between January 2011 and December 2021 and had a proof of Fusarium species in either microscopy, culture or PCR.

Results: We could identify 13 patients with a proof of Fusarium species.

Comparative Surface Imaging Study of Multifocal Diffractive Intraocular Lenses.

Purpose: To analyse and compare the surface topography and roughness of three different types of diffractive multifocal IOLs.

Methods: Using scanning electron microscope (SEM, Inspect F, 5.0 KV, maximum magnification up to 20,000) and atomic force microscope (AFM, Park Systems, XE-100, non-contact, area profile comparison, 10 × 10 µm, 40 × 40 µm), the surface quality of the following diffractive IOLs was studied: the AcrySof IQ PanOptix (Alcon, USA), the AT LARA 829MP (Carl Zeiss Meditec, Germany), and Tecnis Symfony (Johnson&Johnson Vision, USA).

[Orbital firearm injuries].

Background: Injuries caused by firearms are fortunately rare in the field of ophthalmology. The treatment of an affected patient is a special challenge both ophthalmologically and emotionally.

Methods: We report on seven consecutive cases of patients with an orbital gunshot injury who presented in a university hospital over a period of 11 years.

[Comparison of visual acuity measurement with Landolt rings versus numbers].

Purpose: Landolt rings are commonly used for the measurement of visual acuity, especially for legal purposes. For multiple reasons, in clinical practice these optotypes are not in use and not practical. Therefore, the difference between visual acuity tested with Landolt rings as opposed to numbers was evaluated.

[Astigmatism].

Astigmatism is the most frequent refractive error worldwide followed by hyperopia and myopia. Internal astigmatism has to be differentiated from external astigmatism. Furthermore, external astigmatism can be divided into "with the rule", "against the rule" and "oblique".

[Eruptive epidermoid cysts after imiquimod treatment of recurrent basal cell carcinoma : A case report].

Eruptive epidermoid cysts are a rare adverse event of imiquimod treatment for basal cell carcinoma. Up to date, 8 cases have been described in the literature. We present the case of a 75-year-old Caucasian woman with recurrent basal cell carcinoma on the nose.

[Corneal refractive surgery despite systemic diseases?].

According to the literature there are a large number of potential systemic contraindications for corneal refractive surgery. In cases with relative contraindications, surgery should be performed only after weighing up the individual risks and under controlled disease conditions; however, the "evidence" for many of these contraindications is based only on case reports or series, expert opinions or known complications in non-laser-assisted eye surgery. Randomized clinical trials are therefore required.

[(Neuro-)ophthalmogical aspects of driving ability].

The requirements regarding visual functioning needed for driving ability are stipulated in Annex 6 of the German driving licence regulations: In case of a visual disorder an ophthalmological assessment is essential: It is of crucial importance for the examining ophthalmologist to exhaust all ocular-medical possibilities to enable the applicant to maintain or regain his driving permission. In the overwhelming majority of the cases this is eminently feasible.However, there is no way to attest driving ability in a patient suffering acute one-sided visual loss for a period of 3 months on the basis of legal recommendations.

[Electronic vision aids : New options for rehabilitation of the visually impaired].

Due to technical advances, there has been an enormous improvement of electronic vision aids in recent years. New developments are especially small portable devices which can be easily carried. The majority of electronic vision aids serve as a reading aid.

[Closed-circuit television systems : Current importance and tips on adaptation and prescription].

Closed-circuit television systems (CCTVs) have become an indispensable tool in rehabilitating low vision patients. Compared to optical visual aids, apart from providing maximum magnification these devices have the additional advantage of improved contrast sensitivity and an enlarged field of view. They are often the only visual aid enabling patients to regain reading ability.

[Provision of aids to visually impaired people at the workplace].

The provision of aids for occupational use with partially sighted and blind people is not a measure for the necessary care but for an optimal work performance to secure the long-term occupational participation. This objective requires a significantly expanded consultation, which includes the occupational requirements at the specific workplace. The costs are not usually borne by the statutory health insurance but by another social insurance agency depending on the individual case.