Clinical Results of Femtosecond Laser-assisted Cataract Surgery in Eyes with Posterior Chamber Phakic Intraocular Lens

Purpose@#To investigate the clinical results of femtosecond laser-assisted cataract surgery (FLACS) in eyes previously implanted with a posterior chamber phakic intraocular lens (PIOLs). @*Methods@#The medical records of 27 eyes were retrospectively reviewed. Each eye had history of implantation of posterior chamber PIOLs and newly got FLACS. Complications of intraoperative anterior capsulotomy and lens fragmentation were investigated. Uncorrected and corrected visual acuities (UCVA and BCVA), keratometric and manifest refraction (MR) values were compared preoperatively and postoperatively 1 day, 2 months and 6 months. @*Results@#All eyes completed anterior capsulotomy without any intraoperative complication. However, 13 eyes out of 18 eyes experienced incomplete lens fragmentation. Vaultings of 5 eyes with complete lens fragmentation were 460.40 ± 199.11 μm (0.84 ± 0.35 corneal thickness [CT]) and vaultings of the other 13 eyes with incomplete lens fragmentation were 225.85 ± 151.2 μm (0.43 ± 0.29 CT). 2 eyes with vaultings of 460 μm and 412 μm failed to complete lens fragmentation due to corneal opacity. All eyes could be completed whole surgery without additional complications. @*Conclusions@#FLACS in eyes with posterior chamber PIOLs is useful to execute anterior capsulotomy. However, there is a limitation in doing lens fragmentation because of bubble accumulated under PIOLs.

Observational Study in Drusen Patients with Epiretinal Membrane after Vitrectomy and Membrane Peeling

Purpose@#To observe results in drusen patients with epiretinal membrane after a vitrectomy and membrane peeling. @*Methods@#This retrospective, observational study included drusen patients diagnosed with epiretinal membrane after vitrectomy with membrane peeling. Twenty eyes had epiretinal membrane with drusen (group 1) and 112 eyes had epiretinal membrane without drusen (group 2). At the 6 month follow-up, central foveal thickness and changes in best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) were evaluated. In Group I, the results with drusen size 65 μm were compared. The largest drusen size change was measured and compared according to the existence of preoperative intraretinal cysts or ellipsoid zone disruption. @*Results@#Preoperatively and at 6 months postoperatively, the average size of the largest drusen was 198.23 ± 27.34 and 192.23 ± 26.12 μm, respectively, and there was no significant change during the follow-up period. Group I patients with intraretinal cysts and ellipsoid zone disruption experienced low BCVA during the preoperative period; the BCVA had improved postoperatively at 6 months, but with limitations. @*Conclusions@#Postoperatively at 6 months, no significant change was observed in the largest drusen size after vitrectomy and membrane peeling. Thus, drusen patients with epiretinal membrane, as well as intraretinal cysts or ellipsoid zone disruption can expect an extended recovery period and slow BCVA improvement.

Observational Study in Drusen Patients with Epiretinal Membrane after Vitrectomy and Membrane Peeling

Purpose@#To observe results in drusen patients with epiretinal membrane after a vitrectomy and membrane peeling. @*Methods@#This retrospective, observational study included drusen patients diagnosed with epiretinal membrane after vitrectomy with membrane peeling. Twenty eyes had epiretinal membrane with drusen (group 1) and 112 eyes had epiretinal membrane without drusen (group 2). At the 6 month follow-up, central foveal thickness and changes in best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) were evaluated. In Group I, the results with drusen size 65 μm were compared. The largest drusen size change was measured and compared according to the existence of preoperative intraretinal cysts or ellipsoid zone disruption. @*Results@#Preoperatively and at 6 months postoperatively, the average size of the largest drusen was 198.23 ± 27.34 and 192.23 ± 26.12 μm, respectively, and there was no significant change during the follow-up period. Group I patients with intraretinal cysts and ellipsoid zone disruption experienced low BCVA during the preoperative period; the BCVA had improved postoperatively at 6 months, but with limitations. @*Conclusions@#Postoperatively at 6 months, no significant change was observed in the largest drusen size after vitrectomy and membrane peeling. Thus, drusen patients with epiretinal membrane, as well as intraretinal cysts or ellipsoid zone disruption can expect an extended recovery period and slow BCVA improvement.

Visual and Structural Differences in Idiopathic Epiretinal Membrane According to the Presence of Retinoschisis

PURPOSE: To present differences in visual acuity and macular structure before and after surgery in patients with idiopathic epiretinal membrane (ERM) according to the presence of retinoschisis. METHODS: This retrospective observational study included 324 eyes with idiopathic ERM, that underwent pars plana vitrectomy with ERM and internal limiting membrane peeling, and were followed for more than 6 months. Subjects were classified into two groups according to the presence of retinoschisis using preoperative optical coherence tomography (OCT; group 1, ERM with retinoschisis; group 2, ERM without retinoschisis). Preoperative and postoperative macular structure changes and surgical outcomes were compared. RESULTS: Group 1 included 61 eyes, and group 2 included 263 eyes. Group 1 had a significantly higher preoperative and final postoperative best-corrected visual acuity compared with group 2 (p = 0.01, p = 0.02). Preoperative disorganization of retinal inner layers (DRIL) was significantly less in group 1 than group 2 (p = 0.01). Preoperative central macular thickness was not significantly different between the two groups. However, postoperative central macular thickness was significantly lower in group 1 than group 2 (p = 0.02, p = 0.01, p < 0.01). The ratio of the inner or outer layer in the total retinal thickness before surgery was significantly smaller in group 1 than in group 2 (p = 0.02, p = 0.04). CONCLUSIONS: Preoperative visual acuity was better and the occurrence of DRIL was less in idiopathic ERM with retinoschisis than without retinoschisis. Postoperative visual and structural outcome was better in idiopathic ERM with retinoschisis than without retinoschisis. Retinoschisis may have played a role in reducing the tractional force given to the inner and outer retina.

Long-term Results of Arcuate Keratotomy in Femtosecond Laser-assisted Cataract Surgery

PURPOSE: To investigate the long-term follow-up results of arcuate keratotomy in femtosecond laser-assisted cataract surgery. METHODS: The medical records of 78 patients (99 eyes) with corneal astigmatism >0.5 diopters (D) who underwent arcuate keratotomy concurrent with femtosecond laser-assisted cataract surgery were retrospectively reviewed. Uncorrected and corrected visual acuities and keratometric and higher order aberration outcomes were compared preoperatively and 2 years postoperatively. RESULTS: The mean uncorrected visual acuities and corrected visual acuities changed from 0.55 ± 0.31 D and 0.33 ± 0.26 D, preoperatively to 0.13 ± 0.19 D and 0.07 ± 0.09 D, 2 years postoperatively. The mean preoperative corneal astigmatism was −1.15 ± 0.66 D. This was reduced to −0.79 ± 0.38 D at 1–2 days after surgery (p < 0.001), followed by no significant change for 2 years. The mean target-induced astigmatism was 1.15 ± 0.66 D preoperatively, and the mean surgically-induced astigmatism and difference vector were 0.69 ± 0.43 D and 0.83 ± 0.48 D, 2 years postoperatively. The mean correction index was 0.68 ± 0.45, 2 years postoperatively. There was no significant difference in higher order aberrations except 4 mm and 6 mm total higher order aberrations and 6 mm trefoil between preoperatively and 2 years postoperatively. CONCLUSIONS: Arcuate keratotomy concurrent with femtosecond laser-assisted cataract surgery is a safe and effective way to reduce corneal astigmatism which remained stable over 2 years of follow-up with below moderate astigmatism.

Intraoperative Foveal Traction in Patients with Epiretinal Membrane

PURPOSE: To determine influences of intraoperative foveal traction during membrane peeling in idiopathic epiretinal membrane (ERM) surgery. METHODS: This retrospective observational study included 46 eyes of 46 patients with idiopathic ERM who underwent pars plana vitrectomy with ERM and internal limiting membrane peeling from February 2015 to September 2015. The presence of intraoperative foveal traction during membrane peeling was reviewed using video records. The main outcome measures were best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), central foveal thickness (CFT), foveal contour, and photoreceptor inner segment/outer segment junction disruption using optical coherence tomography at baseline and at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months after surgery. RESULTS: Group 1 (ERM with intraoperative foveal traction) included 22 eyes, and group 2 (ERM without intraoperative foveal traction) included 24 eyes. Preoperatively, convex pattern ERM was observed more often in group 1. Group 1 had a significantly thicker CFT and a lower BCVA compared to group 2 at baseline and during the first 6 months, but the final postoperative BCVA and CFT were not significantly different between the groups at 12 months. Among 22 eyes, 12 eyes (54.5%) were restored to flat or concave ERM patterns at an average of 5.4 months after surgery in group 1, and 18 out of 24 eyes (75%) recovered at 2.4 months (p < 0.01) in group 2. CONCLUSIONS: Preoperative thick CFT and convex pattern ERM indicated a high possibility of intraoperative foveal traction in idiopathic ERM surgery. There were no differences in long-term BCVA and restoration of foveal configuration according to foveal traction during membrane peeling.

Clinical Outcomes of Combined Vitrectomy and Intrascleral Fixation of New Intraocular Lenses in In-the-bag Dislocations

PURPOSE: To investigate the clinical outcomes of combined vitrectomy and intrascleral fixation of a new posterior chamber intraocular lens (PC IOL) as a treatment for IOL dislocation. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective interventional study at our medical facility from January 2015 to January 2017. Posteriorly dislocated IOLs were removed with pars plana vitrectomy. Two intrascleral tunnels, 2.0 mm in length, were created 1.5 mm to the limbus at 6 and 12 o'clock positions. Both haptics of new foldable acrylic 3-piece IOLs were inserted into the tunnel until the IOL was secured in a central position. We analyzed the preexisting ocular condition, visual acuity (VA), and refractive error preoperatively and postoperatively, and recorded postoperative complications. RESULTS: Forty-nine patients (50 eyes) were enrolled in the study. The mean follow-up period was 12.8 ± 6.6 months. A best-corrected VA of 6/12 or better was achieved in 43 eyes (86%). The mean VA significantly improved from 0.32 logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution (logMAR) at baseline to 0.18 logMAR at last follow-up (p = 0.03). The refractive status after intrascleral fixation of the PC IOL revealed a mean hyperopic shift of +1.09 ± 1.28 diopters from the predicted spherical equivalent. Postoperative vitreous hemorrhages occurred in six cases and were cleared without visual compromise. Cystoid macular edema was well-controlled by topical nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID) medications in two cases. In two cases, IOL dislocation recurred and required re-operation. There were no serious adverse events of suture-related complications, retinal detachment, corneal compromise, or endophthalmitis in any of the patients. CONCLUSIONS: Our data revealed that use of combined vitrectomy and intrascleral fixation of PC IOLs is a safe and efficient technique to correct IOL dislocation. We observed good visual outcomes with only minor complications.