A goat eye, wet lab model for training in Descemet membrane endothelial keratoplasty

Here we describe a new, non-human, ex-vivo model (goat eye model) for training surgeons in DMEK surgeons. In a wet lab setting, goat eyes were used to obtain a pseudo-DMEK graft of 8 mm from the goat lens capsule that was injected into another goat eye with the same maneuvers described for human DMEK. The DMEK pseudo-graft can be easily prepared, stained, loaded, injected, and unfolded into the goat eye model reproducing the similar maneuvers used for DMEK in a human eye, except for the descemetorhexis, which cannot be performed. The pseudo-DMEK graft behaves similar to human DMEK graft and useful for surgeons to experience and understand steps of DMEK early in learning curve. The concept of a non-human ex-vivo eye model is simple and reproducible and obviates the need for human tissue and the issues of poor visibility in stored corneal tissue.

Development of ocular hypertension secondary to tamponade with light versus heavy silicone oil: A systematic review.

Aim: The intraocular silicone oil (SO) tamponades used in the treatment of retinal detachment (RD) have been associated with a difference ocular hypertension (OH) rate. To clarify, if this complication was associated to use of standard SO (SSO) versus heavy SO (HSO), we performed a systematic review and meta‑analysis of comparative study between two kind of SO (standard or light vs. heavy) for the treatment of RD and macular hole, without restriction to study design. Materials and Methods: The methodological quality of two randomized clinical trials (RCTs) were evaluated using the criteria given in the Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews of Intervention, while three non‑RCTs were assessed with the Newcastle– Ottawa Scale and Strengthening the Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology checklists. We calculated Mantel–Haenszel risk ratio (RR) with 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs). The primary outcome was the rate of patients with OH treated with SSO compared to HSO. Results: There were a higher number of rates of OH in HSO compared to SSO. This difference was statistically significant with the fixed effect model (Mantel–Haenszel RR; 1.55; 95% CI, 1.06–2.28; P = 0.02) while there was not significative difference with the random effect model (Mantel–Haenszel RR; 1.51; 95% CI, 0.98–2.33; P = 0.06). Conclusion: We noted a trend that points out a higher OH rate in HSO group compared to SSO, but this finding, due to the small size and variable design of studies, needs to be confirmed in well‑designed and large size RCTs.

Quality of vision in patients implanted with aspherical and spherical intraocular lens: Intraindividual comparison.

Aims: To compare the quality of vision in pseudophakic patients implanted with aspherical and spherical intraocular lenses (IOLs). Materials and Methods: Randomized prospective longitudinal intrapatient comparison between aspherical and spherical IOLs performed on 22 patients who underwent bilateral cataract surgery. Best corrected visual acuity, subjective contrast sensitivity, Strehl ratio and spherical aberrations (SA), and higher order wavefront aberrations for a 3.5 mm and a 6.0 mm pupil were measured after 3 months of cataract surgery. Results: SA (Z4,0) decreased significantly in eyes with aspherical IOL implant (P = 0.004). Modulation transfer function (MTF) and point spread function (PSF) resulted no significant difference between the two groups (P = 0.87; P = 0.32). Conclusion: Although the SA is significantly lower in eyes implanted with aspherical IOL, the quality of vision determined with MTF and PSF does not significantly differ for subjective and objective parameters that were analyzed.