Comparison between Active and Gravity-based Phacoemulsification Fluidics Systems in Immediate Sequential Bilateral Cataract Surgery

PURPOSE: To compare the clinical outcomes during phacoemulsification when using active fluidics (Centurion®) and gravity-based fluidics (Infiniti®) in immediate sequential bilateral cataract surgery. METHODS: From January 2015 to September 2015, 68 eyes of 34 patients with bilateral cataract were assigned to receive immediate sequential bilateral cataract surgery by Centurion® in one eye and Infiniti® in the other eye. We measured and compared intraoperative factors, including cumulative dissipated energy (CDE), ultrasound time, mean amount of balanced salt solution (BSS) used, and pain using a scale. Best corrected visual acuity (BCVA), central corneal thickness (CCT), and endothelial cell density (ECD) were also evaluated preoperatively and 1 month postoperatively. RESULTS: Intraoperative measurements showed significantly less CDE (5.05 ± 2.18 vs. 7.05 ± 3.82), ultrasound time (24.65 ± 9.68 vs. 34.95 ± 17.95 seconds), and mean amount of BSS used (37.06 ± 10.25 vs. 44.88 ± 16.38 mL) in the Centurion® group than in the Infiniti® group (p = 0.011, p = 0.005, p = 0.021, respectively). The intraoperative pain scale was 0.26 ± 0.51 in the Centurion® group and 0.50 ± 0.71 in the Infiniti® group, and was not significantly different (p = 0.121). BCVA, increase of CCT and decrease of ECD were not significantly different between the two groups at 1 month postoperatively. CONCLUSIONS: The efficacy of phacoemulsification in the Centurion® group was superior to that in the Infiniti® group. The level of intraoperative pain and clinical outcomes 1 month after surgery were not significantly different between the two groups.

Comparison of Clinical Outcomes between Laser Blended Vision and Monovision Laser Refractive Surgery for Presbyopia

PURPOSE: To compare the efficacy and safety of Laser Blended Vision (LBV) and monovision laser refractive surgery (monovision) for presbyopia correction in patients with myopia. METHODS: This retrospective comparative study included 42 eyes of 21 patients with LBV and 50 eyes of 25 patients with monovision. Monocular and binocular distance, intermediate and near visual acuity, and refractive changes were evaluated preoperatively and 3 months after the surgery and compared. The patients in the LBV group underwent further evaluation of spherical aberration 3 months after the surgery and treatment satisfaction 3-6 months after the surgery. RESULTS: The mean age of the patients was 47.9 years in the LBV group and 41.7 years in the monovision group. Three months after surgery, the spherical equivalents were +0.11 ± 0.17 D in the dominant eye and -1.52 ± 0.36 D in the non-dominant eye in the LBV group. In contrast, the spherical equivalents were +0.23 ± 0.26 D in the dominant eye and -0.82 ± 0.28 D in the non-dominant eye in the monovision group. All patients achieved a binocular uncorrected distance visual acuity of 0.10 (log MAR) or better, and 86% of the LBV group and 100% of the monovision group achieved a binocular uncorrected intermediate visual acuity of better than 0.10. Moreover, 95% of the LBV group and 100% of the monovision group achieved a binocular uncorrected near visual acuity of better than 0.18. In the LBV group, mean spherical aberration increased after surgery than before, but it was not statistically significant. Complications such as corneal opacity that could decrease visual acuity were absent in both groups. Overall patient satisfaction after surgery was 80% in the LBV group. CONCLUSIONS: Despite the relatively higher mean age of the LBV group, both groups showed similar results regarding presbyopia correction in patients with myopia.

Efficacy and Safety of Immediate Sequential Bilateral Cataract Surgery

PURPOSE: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of immediate sequential bilateral cataract surgery with respect to patient outcomes and complication rates. METHODS: From January 2010 to December 2014, we conducted a retrospective study of patients who had immediate sequential bilateral cataract surgery (ISBCS) and delayed sequential bilateral cataract surgery (DSBCS) with an interval of one to two months between the first and the fellow eye operations. The changes in visual acuity, manifest spherical equivalent, and refractive error of 140 eyes of 70 patients of both groups were compared postoperatively at one month. The incidence of endophthalmitis was investigated during the same period. RESULTS: At one month postoperatively, log MAR best corrected visual acuity were measured to be 0.06 +/- 0.72 in the ISBCS group and 0.09 +/- 0.66 in the DSBCS group, and that of the fellow eyes were 0.07 +/- 0.64 and 0.07 +/- 0.18, respectively (p = 0.331, p = 0.781, respectively). The postoperative spherical equivalents were -0.18 +/- 0.23 D in the ISBCS group and -0.19 +/- 0.25 D in the DSCBS group, and that of the fellow eyes were -0.15 +/- 0.18 D and -0.16 +/- 0.21 D, respectively. There were no significant statistical differences between the two groups (p = 0.835, p = 0.676, respectively). The postoperative refractive error was -0.20 +/- 0.21 D in the ISCBS group and -0.18 +/- 0.13 D in the DSBCS group, and that of the fellow eyes were -0.14 +/- 0.22 D and -0.19 +/- 0.22 D, respectively (p = 0.482, p = 0.237, respectively). A total of 21,140 eyes had cataract surgery performed, and only 10 eyes (0.05%) developed endophthalmitis. Endophthalmitis did not occur in the ISBCS group. CONCLUSIONS: In experienced hands, with stringent patient selection criteria and with a strict aseptic protocol, ISBCS can safely provide comparable visual outcome and better satisfaction of the patient with good efficacy.

Analysis of Factors Affecting the Decrease of Endothelial Cell Density in Imported Donor Corneas

PURPOSE: To evaluate the difference between corneal endothelial cell density at the moment of preservation and at keratoplasty in imported donor corneas and to analyze the correlated factors of the difference. METHODS: Eighty-seven imported corneas were evaluated. Corneal endothelial cell density at the moment of preservation was obtained from the medical record and was measured just before the keratoplasty. Correlation of the difference in endothelial cell density with the following factors were analyzed; donor sex, donor age, death-to-preservation time, preservation-to-surgery time, death-to-surgery time, endothelial cell density at the moment of preservation, and preservation period of the corneas. RESULTS: All of the corneas showed a decrease in endothelial cell density. Mean endothelial cell density of imported donor corneas at the moment of preservation and at keratoplasty was 2789 +/- 235 cells/mm2 and 2592 +/- 254 cells/mm2 (p < 0.001), respectively. Mean endothelial cell loss was 197 +/- 148 cells/mm2, which was significantly correlated with preservation-to-surgery time, death-to-surgery time and a preservation period longer than 7 days (p = 0.042, p = 0.045, p = 0.036, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Reduced death-to-surgery time and keratoplasty before 7 days of preservation are needed for better surgical outcome.

The Short-Term Efficacy of Intravitreal Ranibizumab in the Treatment of Diabetic Macular Edema

PURPOSE: To evaluate the short-term effect of an intravitreal injection of ranibizumab in the treatment of diabetic macular edema. METHODS: Eighteen eyes of 18 patients who underwent intravitreal ranibizumab injection for the treatment of diabetic macular edema between March 1 and November 30, 2009 were retrospectively evaluated. Complete ophthalmic examinations including best corrected visual acuity and optical coherence tomography (OCT) were performed at baseline and follow-up visits at one and three months. RESULTS: The mean Visual Acuity Improved From Logmar 0.74 +/- 0.45 At Baseline To Logmar 0.44 +/- 0.26 At One Month And To Logmar 0.42 +/- 0.23 At Three Months (P < 0.05). The Mean Central Macular Thickness Decreased From 429.5 +/- 71.9 microM At Baseline To 299.9 +/- 81.2 microM At One Month And To 284.6 +/- 82.6 microM At Three Months (P < 0.05). No Adverse Side Effects Were Observed Following the injections. CONCLUSIONS: The observed macular edema and visual acuity improvements demonstrated that intravitreal ranibizumab injection may be useful for the treatment of patients with diabetic macular edema.