Six year trend in cataract surgical techniques in Iran

To determine the cataract surgery techniques performed in Iran from 2000 to 2005. Materials and Methods- This study was part of the Iranian Cataract Surgery Survey [ICSS] which was a retrospective cross-sectional study. All major ocular surgery units and 10% of randomly selected minor units throughout Iran were included. Excluding the 2 week Iranian New Year holiday, 1 week per season between 2000 and 2005 [a total of 24 weeks] was selected for each center, and data on all cataract surgeries performed during these weeks were collected by reviewing patient records. The ANOVA repeated measure test was performed to determine longitudinal changes with a P<0.05 denoting statistical significance. Phacoemulsification with intraocular lens [IOL] implantation has become the surgical method of choice in Iran, increasing from less than 7% in 2000 to 57% in 2005 [P<0.000l]. Extracapsular cataract extraction showed a reverse trend compared to phacoemulsification, decreasing from greater than 91% in 2000 to 41% in 2005 [P<0.000l]. Intracapsular cataract extraction and lensectomy were rarely performed without significant changes over time [P>0.05] Phacoemulsification with IOL implantation has become the preferred cataract surgery method in Iran during recent years

Visual outcomes of conductive keratoplasty to treat hyperopia and astigmatism after laser in situ keratomileusis and photorefractive keratectomy

To determine the effect of conductive keratoplasty [CK] for the treatment of induced hyperopia and astigmatism after complicated myopic laser in situ keratomileusis [LASIK] or photorefractive keratectomy [PRK]. In this interventional case series, 11 eyes of seven subjects with a history of previous LASIK or PRK with inadequate stromal bed or flaps complications were enrolled. Inclusion criteria included residual spherical hyperopia of 1.00 to 3.00 diopters [D] and cylinder of-0.75 to-3.00 D. The modified Refractec nomogram and the LightTouch technique of CK were performed on all eyes. To treat cylinder, a pair of spots per-0.75 D of cylinder were delivered to the flat meridian. Uncorrected visual acuity at near and far [UCVAN and UCVAF respectively, logMAR], best corrected VA at near and far [BCVAN and BCVAF respectively, logMAR] were measured. Refractive outcome, contrast sensitivity, wave front aberrations were measured preoperatively and postoperatively. Statistical analysis was performed with the Wilcoxon signed rank test and the repeated measures analysis of variance with P<0.05 indicating statistically significant change from preoperatively to 1 year postoperatively. The mean preoperative sphere [MS] was 2.57 +/- 1.19 D and cylinder [MC] was-1.5 +/- 0.49 D. Postoperatively, there was a significant decrease in MS to 0.36 +/- 0.98 D [P=0.003] and MC to-1.25 +/- 0.76 D at 1 year [P<0.05, both cases]. Spherical equivalent [SE] significantly decreased from +2.13 +/- 1.09 D to-0.47 +/- 1.29 D [P<0.001]. The mean UCVAN significantly improved from 0.56 +/- 0.32 preoperatively to 0.17 +/- 0.16 postoperatively [P=0.003]. The mean UCVAF was 0.29 preoperatively and 0.22 postoperatively [P=0.353]. Mean BCVAN was 0.18 and 0.02 after surgery, and mean BCVAF for far was 0.07 [P>0.05, both cases]. CK is a predictable and reliable method to correct hyperopia after LASIK and PRK, however cylinder correction may induce irregular and unpredictable outcomes and a modified nomogram is required for further studies

Day to Day clinically relevant corneal elevation, thickness, and curvature parameters using the orbscan ii scanning slit topographer and the pentacam scheimpflug imaging device

The introduction of different techniques and computerized devices into clinical ophthalmology has significantly improved our knowledge of the eyes, optics, and eye conditions. Today, corneal topography is performed with a wide range of devices that implement a variety of techniques. Advance computerized analysis systems provide us with simple and quick evaluation procedures, yet the sophisticated data and clinical information that is generated can only be interpreted with adequate knowledge of the system itself as well as the accepted normal ranges of various properties assessed with these systems. Two computerized topography systems that are in common use are the Orbscan [Bausch and Lomb Inc., Rochester, NY, USA] and the Pentacam [Oculus GmBH, Wetzlar, Germany]. The Orbscan is a slit-scanning device and the Pentacam is Scheimpflug imaging device. In this review, we present a brief description of both technologies, the techniques implemented in each device and the acquisition process with each. This will be followed by a list of corneal parameters that need to be assessed in screening patients for refractive surgery. We will discuss how these parameters are displayed, how each parameter may serve as clinic criteria, and how data should be interpreted. We will also try to provide evidence regarding the accuracy of different measurements, and the comparability of the two devices