National survey of back & neck pain amongst consultant ophthalmologists in the United Kingdom.

Repetitive tasks, awkward or prolonged working postures, and high cognitive load are risk factors for occupational musculoskeletal disorders. Ophthalmologists may be vulnerable given that they are exposed to a combination of these factors. This national study assesses the prevalence, severity and associations of back and neck pain amongst UK consultant ophthalmologists. A postal survey was conducted using addresses supplied by the Royal College of Ophthalmologists. Statistical analysis was performed using Pearson correlation coefficient, two-tailed probability testing, analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Dunn's multiple comparison test. 518 responses were received (50.3 % response rate). Back and neck pain were reported by 50.6 % (262/518) and 31.8 % (165/518) of respondents, respectively, with 62.4 % (323/518) reporting one or both. 33.6 % (174/518) reported pain whilst operating, of whom 78.7 % (137/174) found operating exacerbated their pain. 31.7 % (164/518) reported pain when using the slit lamp, of whom 71.3 % (117/164) found it exacerbated their pain. Individual subspecialties showed a significant relative risk of back or neck pain in some circumstances, when compared to ophthalmologists as a whole. Occupational back and neck pain remains a problem amongst ophthalmologists. Recommendations are made for modifications to the working environment, and consideration should be given to improving education for trainees.

Localized opacification of hydrophilic acrylic intraocular lenses after procedures using intracameral injection of air or gas.

PURPOSE: To describe clinical and laboratory findings in a series of cases of intraocular lens (IOL) opacification after procedures involving intracameral injections of air or gas. SETTING: John A. Moran Eye Center, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA. DESIGN: Experimental study. METHODS: Seven hydrophilic acrylic IOLs explanted after Descemet-stripping endothelial keratoplasty (DSEK) or Descemet-stripping automated endothelial keratoplasty (DSAEK) because of a localized central optic opacification associated with decrease in visual acuity and complaints of foggy vision were analyzed. The explanted IOLs were sent to our laboratory in the dry state or in fixative by the explanting surgeons. They underwent pathological and histochemical evaluation (alizarin red and von Kossa method). Light scattering measurements were also performed on the surface of 1 explant using Scheimpflug photography. A questionnaire was sent to the surgeons to obtain information pertinent to each case. RESULTS: The 7 explanted IOLs were represented by 6 hydrophilic acrylic designs from 5 manufacturers. Gross and light microscopy showed that granular deposits were densely distributed in an overall round pattern within the margins of the capsulorhexis or the pupil on the anterior surface/subsurface of the IOLs. The granules stained positive for calcium (alizarin red and von Kossa method). Light scattering on the anterior optic surface was very high (228 versus 13 computer-compatible tapes on a control IOL). CONCLUSIONS: A localized pattern of calcification was seen on the anterior surface/subsurface of various hydrophilic acrylic IOLs. Surgeons should be aware of this phenomenon following DSEK/DSAEK procedures in pseudophakic patients with hydrophilic acrylic IOLs. FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE: No author has a financial or proprietary interest in any material or method mentioned.

In vivo optical coherence tomography (OCT) in periocular basal cell carcinoma: correlations between in vivo OCT images and postoperative histology.

AIM: To investigate in vivo optical coherence tomography (OCT) for imaging of periocular basal cell carcinoma (BCC). METHODS: Consecutive patients with periocular BCC were prospectively investigated with VivoSight OCT imaging prior to surgical excision. Histology sections were compared with OCT images with regard to lesion measurements (x, y and z dimensions) and histological features. RESULTS: A total of 15 patients with biopsy proven BCC were recruited. The OCT horizontal margins correlated positively with histology (r=0.8 and 0.66, x and y axes) and could be identified in 3/15 (x axis) and 6/15 (y axis) cases. The vertical margin correlation was r=0.43 and BCC depth could be measured in 9/15 cases. The following histological features of BCC could be identified on OCT images: (1) lobular pattern (100%); (2) dilated blood vessels (80%); (3) reflective margins of tumour lobules (100%); and (4) epidermal thinning overlying BCC lobules (100%). CONCLUSIONS: This study indicated a strong positive correlation between the margins of periocular BCCs measured using in vivo OCT and histology, and a weak positive correlation with depth of invasion. VivoSight OCT produced high resolution images of BCC morphology. The limitations in horizontal margin measurements could potentially be overcome by design modification of the scanning probe.

Fellow-eye comparison of posterior capsule opacification between 2 aspheric microincision intraocular lenses.

PURPOSE: To compare posterior capsule opacification (PCO) between 2 microincision hydrophilic intraocular lenses (IOLs) and with a conventional spherical hydrophobic IOL. SETTING: St. Thomas' Hospital, London, United Kingdom. DESIGN: Prospective randomized comparative study. METHODS: A microincision Acri.Smart 36A (negatively aspheric) or Akreos MI-60 (aspherically neutral) IOL was randomized to the first eye of patients with the alternative IOL implanted in the fellow eye within 3 weeks. Postoperatively, 100% and 9% logMAR corrected distance visual acuity (CDVA) were assessed. Retroillumination photographs were analyzed using the posterior capsule opacity software system. The data on PCO scores were compared with those of a conventional spherical hydrophobic IOL (Acrysof SN60AT). RESULTS: One hundred percent CDVA was significantly better at 12 months and 9% CDVA was better at 6, 12, and 24 months (P<.05) with the negatively aspheric IOL. One eye in each group with microincision IOLs developed capsule phimosis at 1 month. Neodymium:YAG capsulotomies were required by 2 years in 2 eyes with a negatively aspheric IOL and 8 eyes with an aspherically neutral IOL. At 24 months, the mean PCO score remained less than 10% with the conventional spherical IOL, whereas it increased with time in the negatively aspheric IOL (up to 16%) and the aspherically neutral IOL (up to 23%). CONCLUSIONS: The negatively aspheric IOL had a better PCO profile than the aspherically neutral IOL. This may be attributed to the difference in the edge design between the IOLs. The microincision IOLs had more PCO than the conventional 1-piece hydrophobic IOL.

Comparison of near vision, intraocular lens movement, and depth of focus with accommodating and monofocal intraocular lenses.

PURPOSE: To compare visual acuity, intraocular lens (IOL) movement, and depth of focus with the Crystalens HD single-optic accommodating IOL and the Tecnis ZCB00 aspheric monofocal IOL. SETTING: St. Thomas' Hospital, London, United Kingdom. DESIGN: Prospective randomized controlled trial. METHODS: Patients with bilateral symptomatic cataract had bilateral sequential cataract surgery within 6 weeks with randomized implantation of the accommodating or monofocal IOL in both eyes. Exclusion criteria included other ocular conditions and corneal astigmatism greater than 2.00 diopters. The primary outcome was uniocular distance-corrected near visual acuity (DCNVA). Secondary measures were IOL movement, depth of focus, intermediate and distance vision, objective refraction, and pupil size at distance and near fixation. Results from 3 months postoperatively are presented. RESULTS: Three months postoperatively, 64 patients (32 in each group) were available for study. The distance vision was not statistically significantly different between the accommodating IOL and monofocal IOL (mean 0.05 logMAR versus 0.06 logMAR). The mean DCNVA (0.48 logMAR ± 0.15 [SD] versus 0.61 ± 0.13 logMAR) and intermediate visual acuity (0.08 ± 0.1 logMAR versus 0.20 ± 0.09 logMAR) were significantly better with the accommodating IOL (P<.001). Neither IOL had clinically significant movement, and near vision did not directly correlate with movement of the accommodating IOL. The accommodating IOL provided greater depth of focus. CONCLUSIONS: Near and intermediate acuities were better with the accommodating IOL. This effect was not directly linked to IOL movement but was at least partly due to depth of focus.

Calcification in hydrophilic intraocular lenses associated with injection of intraocular gas.

PURPOSE: To report a distinct type of calcification in hydrophilic intraocular lenses in complicated, traumatized eyes with a history of intraocular gas use. DESIGN: Observational case series. METHODS: Three cases of hydrophilic intraocular lens (IOL) opacification confined to the pupillary area are reported from clinical practice in London, UK. Clinical details and analysis of the explanted intraocular lenses are provided with environmental scanning electron microscopy images and x-ray energy-dispersive spectroscopy results. RESULTS: All cases were associated with use of intraocular gas in complicated traumatized eyes, and had central areas of IOL opacification over the pupillary zone, confined to the anterior surface of the IOL. Analysis of the lenses showed the opacified areas to be composed of calcium and phosphate. CONCLUSION: The areas of opacification in all 3 hydrophilic IOLs were attributable to calcification. We postulate that intraocular gas use and the altered blood-aqueous barrier of these complicated traumatized eyes co-act to trigger secondary IOL calcification. Further experimental testing is needed to confirm this clinical association.

Effect of intraocular lens asphericity on posterior capsule opacification between two intraocular lenses with same acrylic material: a fellow-eye study.

PURPOSE: To evaluate intra-individual differences in posterior capsule opacification (PCO) and visual performance between spherical AcrySof SN60AT and an aspheric AcrySof SN60WF intraocular lens (IOL) with a posterior aspheric surface, both of which are made of same hydrophobic acrylic material. SETTING: Ophthalmology Department, St Thomas' Hospital, London, UK. METHODS: In this prospective randomized, fellow-eye comparison, an aspheric IOL, which is 9% thinner in comparison with the spherical IOL, was randomized to the first eye of 47 patients and fellow-eye surgery was performed within 3 weeks. Follow-up was at 1, 3, 6, 12 and 24 months. Corrected logMAR visual acuity (CDVA) was measured at 100% and 9% contrast. After pupil dilation, digital retroillumination photographs were taken and the mean PCO percentage was calculated using poco software at each follow-up visit. RESULTS: At 1, 3, 6, 12 and 24 months, 47 (94 eyes), 44 (88 eyes), 42 (84 eyes) and 41 (82 eyes) patients were followed-up respectively. Hundred per cent and 9% of LogMAR CDVA was not significantly different between the two IOLs (p = NS at all time-points). Percentage area PCO scores (mean ± SD) at 1, 3, 6, 12 and 24 months with the spherical IOL was 5.82 ± 9.89, 7.76 ± 16.83, 7.21 ± 12.46, 9.29 ± 18.25 and 14.39 ± 25.42, respectively, and with an aspheric IOL was 8.91 ± 12.79, 5.97 ± 10.32, 5.15 ± 7.92, 7.68 ± 11.18 and 12.18 ± 20.10, respectively (p = NS at all time-points). CONCLUSIONS: Posterior capsule opacification was not significantly different between the spheric and aspheric IOLs in this fellow-eye, randomized comparison. Additional asphericity on the existing model of IOL does not influence PCO performance.

Use of the double-pass technique to quantify ocular scatter in patients with uveitis: a pilot study.

PURPOSE: to assess whether the double-pass technique can be employed to quantify the amount of light scattering in patients with uveitis. METHODS: 56 eyes of 44 patients with intraocular inflammation were consecutively recruited from the uveitis clinic over 9 months. The degree of intraocular inflammation was recorded according to the Standardization of Uveitis Nomenclature criteria and the eyes were grouped as having anterior, intermediate, posterior or panuveitis. Objective scatter index (OSI) was assessed using a double-pass technique with the Optical Quality Analysis System II. RESULTS: twenty-four eyes had anterior uveitis, 9 eyes had intermediate uveitis, 10 eyes had posterior uveitis and 13 eyes had panuveitis. The OSI was significantly different between all 4 groups (p = 0.0005). The mean OSI was highest in eyes with anterior uveitis (2.6 ± 3.1) and lowest in posterior uveitis (1.9 ± 1.3). Anterior chamber cells significantly correlated with OSI (R(2) = 0.8726, p = 0.007), unlike posterior chamber cells (R(2) = 0.0189, p = 0.588) and flare (R(2) = 0.0048, p = 0.471). CONCLUSION: patients with anterior uveitis have more ocular scatter, and anterior chamber cells scatter more light. This pilot study opens new avenues for research in use of the double-pass technique to assess light scattering in uveitis.