Ophthalmic manifestations of COVID-19; a less-appreciated yet significant challenge.

AIM: The current world has changed in all shapes since the emergence of the novel coronavirus (nCoV-2) also known as COVID-19. Among the extra-pulmonary manifestations of nCoV-2, ophthalmic symptoms have less been systematically studied. The so far existing body of evidence indicates that nCoV-2 has the potential to affect both anterior and posterior chambers of the eye. Albeit, the exact mechanisms which underlie ophthalmic manifestations of nCoV-2 are yet to be elucidated. METHODS: The present brief review is an attempt to put together and highlight the significant yet limited number of studies which have spotlighted ophthalmic issues in nCoV-2 patients using a systematic literature search strategy. RESULTS: All case series or reports (including both published and preprint articles) which described ocular manifestations of patients with COVID-19 and/or documented testing of SARS-COV-2 in ocular secretions via various sampling or detection methods were sought to be included. CONCLUSION: The ophthalmic presentations in SARS-COV-2 are often found to be salient. Raising awareness in this respect may help defining evidencebased protective measures in today's practice of ophthalmology and allied disciplines.

Comparison between bilateral implantation of a trifocal intraocular lens (Alcon Acrysof IQ® PanOptix) and extended depth of focus lens (Tecnis® Symfony® ZXR00 lens).

PURPOSE: To compare the visual performance outcomes following bilateral cataract surgery using trifocal intraocular lens (Alcon Acrysof IQ® PanOptix) and extended depth of focus lens (Tecnis® Symfony® ZXR00 lens). METHODS: In this prospective, non-randomized, comparative trial, a total of 40 subjects (80 eyes) were divided into two different groups and submitted to bilateral cataract surgery and implantation of the two different IOLs, Alcon Acrysof IQ® PanOptix® TNFT00 in group A and Tecnis® Symfony® ZXR00 lens (Johnson & Johnson Vision) in group B, was assessed. The uncorrected and corrected near (33 cm), intermediate (60 cm), and far (4 m) binocular visual acuity was measured, and visual binocular defocus curves were also measured in the photopic condition with a long-distance visual acuity and the qualitative visual function was assessed by NEI VFQ-25. RESULTS: Group A comprised 20 patients; 11 women (55%) and 9 men (45%) with a mean age of 62.1 ± 5.4. In group B 20 patients were recruited; 12 women (60%) and 8 men (40%) with a mean age of 63.2 ± 6.1. The postoperatively calculated mean sphere was + 0.35 ± 0.12 D and - 0.14 ± 0.13 D in groups A and B, respectively. The postoperative uncorrected distance visual acuity (UDVA) as well as uncorrected intermediate visual acuity (UIVA) were statistically equal in both groups (P = 0.12, P = 0.17); meanwhile, the postoperative uncorrected near visual acuity (UNVA) was significantly better in patients with PanOptix IOL implantation (P = 0.01) compared to the binocular defocus curve; the results of the PanOptix group were better than the Symfony group in intermediate and near distance (P = 0.089, P = 0.001) and according to the VFQ-25 questionnaire, then ear vision score as well as sum score turned out to be significantly higher in groups A than B (P = 0.001 and P = 0.015, respectively). CONCLUSION: Both strategies were able to provide good vision for far, intermediate and near distances.

The Argus-II Retinal Prosthesis Implantation; From the Global to Local Successful Experience.

Over the past few years, visual prostheses (namely, Argus II retinal implant) and gene therapy have obtained FDA approval in treating blindness resulting from retinitis pigmentosa. Compared to gene therapy; Argus II is less costly with a demonstrated favorable outcome, though the vision is yet artificial. To obtain better results, expectation counseling and preoperative retinal assessment are critical. The global experience with Argus II has enrolled no more than 300 cases so far. The first Argus II retinal prosthesis in Iran was successfully implanted in Shiraz (October 2017). To date, Argus II artificial retina is implanted in four patients in Iran. Beside successful surgery and post-operative care, rehabilitation efforts with validated outcome measures including visual rehabilitation together with neurovisual, visuo-constructive and cognitive rehabilitation/empowerment approaches are expected to boost the functional outcome. A multidisciplinary approach within a cross-functional team would optimize strategies toward better patient outcomes. As such, establishing a collaborative network will foster organized research efforts to better define outcome assessment and rehabilitation strategies. This technology report paper has been an attempt to provide an overview of Argus-II retinal implant global experience as well as the clinical outcome of the so far cases in Iran. Insights from this report were communicated during the first "Brain Engineering and Computational Neuroscience Conference," 31 January-2 February 2018 in Tehran.