Preservative-free lidocaine 1%: a new approach for the prevention of posterior capsule opacification [PCO]: a clinical study

The aim of the present study is to detect the effect of preservative-free lidocaine 1% applied into the capsular bag by the end of phacoemulsification on the behaviour of posterior capsule opacification [PCO]. Thirty patients aged from 40-65 years [mean 52.2 +/- 6.38SD] presented by bilateral cataracts were included. Patients were randomly divided into two study groups; Group 1: Comprised 30 eyes in which 1.0 mL preservative-free lidocaine 1% was applied for irrigating the capsular bag before in the bag implantation. Group 2 [control group]: Comprised the fellow eyes [30 eyes] of the first group patients with no application of preservative-free lidocaine 1% during phacoemulsification. The mean follow-up period was 8.7 +/- 2.58 months, however 10 patients could achieved a follow-up period of 12 months. No intra-operative complications reported in both groups. A mild to moderate anterior segment reaction [flare + and ++] was reported in the early postoperative, with no statistical difference between both groups. An immediate spike of increased IOP was reported in 5 eyes [16.6%] of group 1 [Lidocaine group] and 4 eyes [13.3%] of group 2, however the mean postoperative IOP by the end of the follow-up period was 14.26 +/- 1.48 mm Hg and 13.86 +/- 1.5 mm Hg in both group 1 and 2 respectively, with no statistical differences between both groups. No major corneal complications reported in both groups and specular microscopic examination by the end of 6 months follow-up revealed no gross abnormalities. The mean post-operative endothelial cell count was 2742/mm3 +/- 534.81 with no statistical difference between both groups and the pre-operative count. Five eyes of group 1 [16.66%] treated with preservative free lidocaine 1% developed posterior capsule opacity detected by slit lamp examination at the end of the follow-up period with Nd:YAG posterior capsulotomy was applied for 2 eyes with dense PCO, however 10 eyes [33.33%] in group 2 [control group], developed posterior capsule opacification and Nd: YAG capsulotomy was applied to clarify the visual axis. Preservative-free lidocaine 1% might decrease the incidence and density of post-cataract posterior capsule opacification compared with eyes not treated with lidocaine intraoperatively with no major intraocular complications

new non-penetrating procedure for the treatment of glaucoma: a preliminary report

To asses the effectiveness of scleral expansion procedure in lowering the IOP in eyes with absolute glaucoma. Unicenter, randomized, investigator-masked clinical trial. Patients included in the study had absolute primary glaucoma with no PL vision. They all underwent scleral expansion procedure with intrascleral implantation of silicone implants. The main measure was mean change from the pre-operative IOP [ranging from 26 to 42mmHg]. Other measures to asses the safety of the procedure included complete ophthalmologic examination and adverse side effects. At the end of the study, 75% of the patients included showed drop to a mean IOP of 20 +/- 2mmHg. None of the patients showed any serious post-operative complications showing that the SEP is a relatively safe procedure. SEP is an effective and safe non-penetrating IOP lowering procedure for further study

Treatment of mild to moderate unilateral congenital ptosis using single suture levator resection

To assess the effectiveness single large suture levator resection in the repair of mild to moderate unilateral congenital ptosis. All patients included in the study were younger than 7 years. They all had unilateral congenital ptosis with fair to good levator function. They all underwent levator resection by a single large suture in the ptotic eyelid. At the end of our study, 80% of patients showed sufficient elevation of the ptotic eyelid with a MRD of >/=4mm. 75% of the patients showed symmetry between the two eyelids with eyelid margins within 1mm of each other. The results of our study suggest that the single large suture levator resection procedure is effective in the treatment of mild to moderate unilateral congenital ptosis

Anterior chamber phakic IOL [the phakic 6] in the treatment of myopia and hypermetropia: 5-year follow-up

The aim of this study is to evaluate the efficacy and safety of anterior chamber phakic intraocular lenses in correcting high myopia and hypermetropia using the Safety Flex Phakic 6 anterior chamber intraocular lens [AC-IOL]. The study included 32 eyes [24 myopes and 8 hypermetropes]. The age ranged from 20 to 45 years. They we all phakic, with intact accommodation. They all underwent implantation of the Phakic 6 AC-IOL and they were followed-up for 5 years. Correction of the refractive error was achieved with a mean postoperative refractive error of -1.34D after one year which dropped to -1.95D after 5 years, and improvement of best corrected visual acuity was 17%. There were no significant complications and a high safety profile was achieved in the follow-up period. The phakic 6 proved to be a safe and effective method of correcting high myopia and hypermetropia according to the results of our study

6-month randomized clinical trial comparing the ocular hypotensive effect of bimatoprost 0.03% [lumigan] and dorzolamide 2% [trusopt] in glaucoma

To compare the intraocular pressure lowering effect and safety of topical bimatoprost [0.03%] with dorsolamide [2%]. Unicenter, randomized, investigator-masked clinical trial. After washout of glaucoma medications, primary open angle glaucoma [POAG] patients randomly received bimatoprost 0.03% once daily and dorsolamide 2% twice daily for 6 months. The primary measure was mean change from base-line intra-ocular pressure [IOP] [8-12mmHg]. Secondary measures included mean IOP, complete ophthalmic examination, adverse side effects and the prevalence of patients reaching specific target IOP. Mean change from base-line IOP was significantly greater for patients on bimatoprost 0.03% than for those on dorzolamide 2% on each study visit. At the end of the study, 70% of patients on bimatoprost 0.03% achieved a >20% reduction of the base-line IOP while with those on dorzolamide 2% the percentage was only 60%. Bimatoprost 0.03% is more effective than dorzolamide 2% in lowering the IOP in cases of POAG, and both drugs have proved to be well tolerated