Bilateral Implantation of a New Refractive Multi-Segmented Multifocal Intraocular Lens in Cataract or Refractive Lens Exchange Patients.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the safety and efficacy of a new multi-segmented refractive multifocal intraocular lens (IOL) after phacoemulsification and refractive lens exchange (RLE). PATIENTS AND METHODS: In this prospective, multicenter clinical trial, 63 presbyopic subjects who had cataract or where RLE candidates were bilaterally implanted with the Precizon Presbyopia IOL (Ophtec BV, Groningen, the Netherlands) after phacoemulsification. The study was conducted at 6 clinical centers in Germany, the Netherlands, Belgium, Turkey and Spain. Subjects were evaluated at baseline and at 1 day, 1 week, 1 and 3 months postoperatively for monocular and binocular uncorrected (UDVA) and corrected distance visual acuity (CDVA), uncorrected (UIVA) and distance-corrected intermediate visual acuity (DCIVA), uncorrected (UNVA), corrected (CNVA) and distance-corrected near visual acuity (DCNVA), contrast sensitivity and quality of vision. RESULTS: Three months postoperatively, binocular UDVA and CDVA of ≥20/40 was achieved in 98.4% (60/61) and 100%, respectively. Binocular UIVA and DCIVA of ≥20/40 was achieved in 96.7% (59/61) and 93.4% (57/61) respectively. Binocular UNVA, CNVA and DCNVA of ≥20/40 was achieved in 93.4% (57/61), 98.4% (60/61) and 95% (57/60) subjects, respectively. Complete spectacle independence was achieved in 80% (49/61) patients; 93% of patients reported that they were quite or very satisfied with the outcomes of the procedure. CONCLUSION: Precizon Presbyopia IOL implantation is a safe and effective method to provide good visual acuity at all distances in presbyopic and cataract patients.

System based on the contrast of Purkinje images to measure corneal and lens scattering.

Current methods to measure intraocular scattering provide information on the total scattered light, which consists of the combined contributions originating from different ocular structures. In this work, we propose a technique for the objective and independent assessment of scattering caused by the cornea and the lens based on the analysis of the contrast of the third and fourth Purkinje images. The technique is preliminarily validated first by using artificial eyes with different levels of corneal and lens scattering; second, it is validated in eyes wearing customized contact lenses to simulate corneal scattering and eyes with nuclear cataracts. Finally, it is tested on a larger population of eyes with cataracts and corneal disorders to prove its clinical usefulness.

Variability of subjective classifications of corneal topography maps from LASIK candidates.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the variability of subjective corneal topography map classification between different experienced examiners and the impact of changing from an absolute to a normative scale on the classifications. METHODS: Preoperative axial curvature maps using Scheimpflug imaging obtained with the Pentacam HR (Oculus Optikgeräte, Wetzlar, Germany) and clinical parameters were sent to 11 corneal topography specialists for subjective classification according to the Ectasia Risk Scoring System. The study population included two groups: 11 eyes that developed ectasia after LASIK and 14 eyes that had successful and stable LASIK outcomes. Each case was first reviewed using the absolute scale masked to the patient group. After 3 months, the same cases were represented using a normative scale and reviewed again by the same examiners for new classifications masked to the patient group. RESULTS: Using the absolute scale, 17 of 25 (68%) cases had variations on the classifications from 0 to 4 for the same eye across examiners, and the overall agreement with the mode was 60%. Using the normative scale, the classifications from 11 of 25 (44%) cases varied from 0 to 4 for the same eye across examiners, and the overall agreement with the mode was 61%. Eight examiners (73%) reported statistically higher scores (P < .05) when using the normative scale. Considering all 550 topographic analyses (25 cases, 11 examiners, and two scales), the same classification from the two scales was reported for 121 case pairs (44%). CONCLUSION: There was significant inter-observer variability in the subjective classifications using the same scale, and significant intra-observer variability between scales. Changing from an absolute to a normative scale increased the scores on the classifications by the same examiner, but significant inter-observer variability in the subjective interpretation of the maps still persisted.

Accommodative intraocular lens tilting.

PURPOSE: To report an unusual complication of accommodative intraocular lens (IOL) implantation after clear lens extraction for hyperopia correction. DESIGN: Observational case report. METHOD: A 48-year-old woman underwent clear lens exchange for the correction of moderate hyperopia. A Crystalens Model AT-45 Accommodating Posterior Chamber IOL (AT-45 IOL) was implanted to allow optimal distance and near vision. At the 3-week follow-up appointment, she complained of monocular diplopia. Ocular examination showed an increased astigmatism, causing decreased visual acuity. Scheimpflug Pentacam Image and Wave Front Analysis supported the diagnosis of IOL tilting. RESULTS: IOL repositioning was unsuccessful because of fibrosis of the haptics. It was necessary to replace AT 45 IOL with a monofocal acrylic sulcus-fixated IOL. CONCLUSION: Control of capsular fibrosis should be a major concern, especially in this type of IOL. Accommodating IOL exchange appears to be a safe alternative to manage this complication.

Surgical strategies in patients with cataract and glaucoma.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: This review analyzes the most relevant studies on current surgical strategies to treat glaucoma patients with cataracts. RECENT FINDINGS: No clear evidence has confirmed better results with trabeculectomy alone compared with phacotrabeculectomy. Recent studies have reported successful outcomes combining deep sclerectomy and two-site phacoemulsification. The phacoemulsification cataract extraction will not vary the intraocular pressure of patients with previous deep sclerectomy. Mitomycin C proved to be effective in maintaining lower pressure levels with the combined surgery technique; however, 5-fluorouracil did not show any improvement. Minimally invasive cataract surgery reduces surgical trauma, making it possible to obtain better results with combined surgery and previous glaucoma surgery. SUMMARY: The surgical strategy decision must be customized to every patient. Only filtering surgeries are recommended in glaucoma patients with incipient cataract. Combined surgical procedures are recommended for progressive or advanced glaucoma. Two-site phacotrabeculectomy with mitomycin C achieves better stabilized results; however, combined phacoemulsification with deep sclerectomy or viscocanalostomy achieves similar results with a lower rate of complications. These promising findings need more study to be confirmed.