A review of posterior chamber phakic intraocular lenses.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Posterior chamber phakic intraocular lenses (pIOLs) are increasing in popularity as a viable alternative to laser refractive surgery. The purpose of this review is to evaluate the recent updates to pIOLs and to assess the advancements and safety of the procedure. RECENT FINDINGS: Accurate lens sizing is the key determinant to suitable vault prediction, advancements to sizing formulae including the use of very high frequency (VHF) digital ultrasound and the application of artificial intelligence and machine learning has led to improved vault prediction and safety. The introduction of the central aquaport has been shown to reduce the formation of cataract and is now adopted in most myopic pIOLs. Recently published studies have demonstrated that pIOLs have an excellent safety profile with no increased risk of retinal detachment or endothelial cell loss. Advancements have led to the introduction of extended depth of focus pIOLs for the correction of presbyopia, further research is required to evaluate the efficacy of new lens designs. SUMMARY: pIOL surgery is experiencing traction with improved lens design and increased lenses choices such as larger optical zone and presbyopic options. Accuracy of implantable collamer lens sizing is paramount to the safety and clinical outcomes, greater predictability is likely to encourage more posterior chamber pIOL users due to fewer sizing related complications.

Incidence of Microfolds Using a Standardized Three-Stage LASIK Flap Replacement Protocol.

PURPOSE: To describe a standardized three-stage flap replacement protocol and report the incidence of microfolds after femtosecond laser-assisted laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) surgery. METHODS: A retrospective analysis of 14,374 consecutive LASIK procedures with the VisuMax femtosecond laser (Carl Zeiss Meditec) by two surgeons was conducted. As per the standardized procedure, all eyes underwent the three-stage flap replacement protocol consisting of controlled standardized minimal irrigation and flap repositioning after ablation, followed by fluorescein-controlled slit-lamp adjustments and slit-lamp adjustments on day 1 (if required). Microfold incidence was recorded at all subsequent visits and recorded by independent observers classified using a standardized 6-point grading system including whether they were refractively or visually significant. RESULTS: Flap thickness used was 80 to 89 µm (7.2%), 90 to 99 µm (51.7%), 100 to 109 µm (17.8%), and 110 to 130 µm (23.2%). Slit-lamp adjustment at day 1 was performed in 956 eyes (6.77%), with the highest incidence in 80 to 89 µm flaps (27.6%). A flap slip occurred in 23 eyes (0.16%) and was managed at the slit lamp for 21 eyes and in the operating room for 2 eyes. At 3 months after surgery, trace microfolds were present in 158 eyes (1.10%), grade 1 in 26 eyes (0.184%), and grade 2 in 2 eyes (0.016%). Grade 1 microfold incidence per flap thickness group was 39.1% for 80 to 89 µm, 30.4% for 90 to 99 µm, 13% for 100 to 109 µm, and 17.4% for 110 to 130 µm. No eyes required a flap lift for microfolds in the operating room. Multivariate regression analysis found microfold incidence to be higher for thinner flaps, higher correction, and larger optical zone. CONCLUSIONS: The three-stage protocol for flap positioning and management resulted in a low incidence of clinically visible microfolds and no visually significant microfolds. Day 1 slit-lamp adjustment was required more frequently in ultra-thin 80 to 89 µm flaps. [J Refract Surg. 2023;39(6):388-396.].

Transient Light Sensitivity Syndrome (TLSS) Incidence Following Femtosecond LASIK for Myopic and Hyperopic Eyes and Femtosecond SMILE for Myopic Eyes.

PURPOSE: To evaluate and compare the incidence of transient light sensitivity syndrome (TLSS) after myopic laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK), hyperopic LASIK, and myopic small incision lenticule extraction (SMILE). METHODS: A retrospective analysis was performed of consecutive LASIK and myopic SMILE cases, performed with the VisuMax femtosecond laser and MEL 80 or MEL 90 excimer laser (both Carl Zeiss Meditec AG) between January 2010 and February 2021 at London Vision Clinic, London, United Kingdom. A chart review was performed to find cases of clinically significant TLSS, identified as patients prescribed anti-inflammatory medications between 2 weeks and 6 months after surgery to manage photophobia. The incidence of TLSS was calculated for three groups: myopic SMILE, myopic LASIK, and hyperopic LASIK. The incidence of TLSS was then calculated for three subgroups within each treatment type based on spherical equivalent refraction treated. For myopic SMILE and myopic LASIK, it was 0.00 to -4.00 diopters (D) (low), -4.01 to -8.00 D (moderate), and -8.01 to -14.00 D (high). For hyperopic LASIK, it was 0.00 to +2.00 D (low), +2.01 to +4.00 D (moderate), and +4.01 to +6.50 D (high). RESULTS: The range of treatment for myopia was similar between the LASIK and SMILE groups. The incidence of TLSS was 1.2% for the myopic SMILE group, 5.3% for the myopic LASIK group, and 9.0% for the hyperopic LASIK group. The difference was statistically significant between all groups (P < .001). For myopic SMILE, the incidence of TLSS was independent of spherical equivalent refraction for low (1.4%), moderate (1.0%), and high (1.1%) myopia (P > .05). Similarly, for hyperopic LASIK, the incidence was similar for low (9.4%), moderate (8.7%), and high (8.7%) hyperopia (P > .05). In contrast, for myopic LASIK, the incidence of TLSS was "dose-dependent" on refractive error treated, with an incidence of 4.7% for low, 5.8% for moderate, and 8.1% for high myopia (P < .001). CONCLUSIONS: The incidence of TLSS was higher after myopic LASIK than after myopic SMILE, higher after hyperopic than myopic LASIK, and "dose-dependent" for myopic LASIK but did not vary by correction in myopic SMILE. This is the first report describing the phenomenon of late TLSS occurring between 8 weeks and 6 months after surgery, [J Refract Surg. 2023:39(6):366-373.].

Refractive and Visual Outcomes of SMILE for Compound Myopic Astigmatism With the VISUMAX 800.

PURPOSE: To report the first refractive and visual outcomes of small incision lenticule extraction (SMILE) using the VISUMAX 800 femtosecond laser (Carl Zeiss Meditec AG). METHODS: This was a retrospective analysis of consecutive eyes treated by SMILE using the VISUMAX 800 femtosecond laser at London Vision Clinic, EuroEyes Group, London, United Kingdom. Inclusion criteria were patients aged younger than 45 years, a corrected distance visual acuity (CDVA) of 20/20 or better, and the 3-month postoperative timepoint data being available for analysis. Standard outcomes analysis and vector analysis by the Alpins method were performed. RESULTS: During the study period, 128 eyes of 66 consecutive patients were treated. Three-month data were available for 118 eyes (92%), and 10 eyes (8%) were lost to follow-up. The mean attempted spherical equivalent refraction (SEQ) was -4.65 ± 1.91 diopters (D) (range: -1.90 to -10.05 D) and the mean cylinder was -0.98 ± 0.78 D (range: 0.00 to -4.00 D). The mean age was 30 ± 5 years (range: 20 to 43 years), with 54% women and 46% men. Postoperative SEQ was within ±0.50 D in 86% and ±1.00 D in 100% of eyes. Uncorrected distance visual acuity was 20/20 or better in 91% of eyes. One line of CDVA was lost in 8% of eyes, and no eyes lost two or more lines. There was a small but statistically significant increase in contrast sensitivity at 3, 6, 12, and 18 cpd. CONCLUSIONS: Early outcomes data for SMILE with the second generation VISUMAX 800 femtosecond laser demonstrated an effective and safe option equivalent to published first generation VisuMax outcomes for the treatment myopia and astigmatism. [J Refract Surg. 2023;39(5):294-301.].

New Sizing Parameters and Model for Predicting Postoperative Vault for the Implantable Collamer Lens Posterior Chamber Phakic Intraocular Lens.

PURPOSE: To identify parameters influencing the postoperative vault of the Implantable Collamer Lens (ICL) (STAAR Surgical) using the Artemis Insight 100 very high-frequency (VHF) digital ultrasound robotic scanner (ArcScan, Inc) and develop a model to improve lens vault prediction. METHODS: This was a retrospective analysis of 147 consecutive V4c EVO and EVO+ ICL implantation procedures performed over three phases in myopic eyes. In the initial phase, lens size was defined by published sulcus-to-sulcus and crystalline lens rise measurements (Kojima formula) from VHF digital ultrasound biometry. From these data, a stepwise multivariate regression analysis was performed to develop a model for predicting central vault including the following variables: ICL size, ICL power, sulcus-to-sulcus (STS), ciliary body inner diameter (CBID), zonule-to-zonule, STS lens rise (STSL), ACD, anterior chamber angle, scotopic pupil diameter (SPD), angle-to-angle, and white-to-white diameter. The resulting regression model was used in coordination with the Kojima formula to select the lens size for the next series of eyes. The regression analysis was then repeated and a further series were treated. The postoperative achieved vault at 1 month was compared to the target vault predicted by the formula. A comparison analysis of the new model was made to previously published lens sizing formulas. RESULTS: Statistically significant variables were ICL size, ICL power, CBID, STSL, and SPD. The primary 42 eyes (Kojima formula) achieved a mean vault of 506 ± 233 µm, a range of 810 µm (114 to 924 µm), and an interquartile range (IQR) of 391 µm. Using the Reinstein formula v1.0 for the next 36 eyes, the mean vault relative to target was +7 ± 123 µm, range of 569 µm (-278 to +291 µm), and IQR of 169 µm. Using the Reinstein formula v2.0 for the next 69 eyes, the mean vault relative to target was +67 ± 121 µm, range of 573 µm (-219 to +354 µm), and IQR of 131 µm. The achieved vault was within ±100, ±200, and ±300 µm of target in 33%, 50%, and 74% of eyes, respectively, for the training group, 58%, 89%, and 100% for the Reinstein formula v1.0 group, and 62%, 84%, and 94% for the Reinstein formula v2.0 group. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first report describing the ciliary body inner diameter, which proved to be more highly correlated with vault than STS, and thus CIBD supersedes STS from the previous widely accepted improvement over WTW sizing. The new model also found scotopic pupil size to be a significant predictor, which has not been a part of any previously published model. The significant improvement in vault predictability afforded by these parameters and the new model enables charting attempted versus achieved vault outcomes for the first time. [J Refract Surg. 2022;38(5):272-279.].

Small Incision Lenticule Extraction (SMILE) for the Correction of High Myopia With Astigmatism.

PURPOSE: To report the outcomes of small incision lenticule extraction (SMILE) for high myopia between -9.00 and -14.00 diopters (D). METHODS: This was a prospective study of SMILE for high myopia using the VisuMax femtosecond laser (Carl Zeiss Meditec). Inclusion criteria were attempted spherical equivalent refraction (SEQ) between -9.00 and -14.00 D, cylinder up to 7.00 D, corrected distance visual acuity (CDVA) of 20/40 or better, age 21 years or older, and suitable for SMILE. The sub-lenticule thickness was 220 µm or greater, and the total uncut stromal thickness was 300 µm or greater. Patients were to be followed up for 1 year. Standard outcomes analysis was performed using 12-month data where available or 3-month data otherwise. RESULTS: Of 187 eyes treated, data were available at 12 months for 181 eyes (96.8%) and 3 months for 4 eyes (2.1%), and 2 eyes (1.1%) were lost to follow-up. Mean attempted SEQ was -10.55 ± 1.00 D (range: -9.00 to -12.99 D). Mean cylinder was -1.19 ± 0.83 D (range: 0.00 to -4.00 D). Preoperative CDVA was 20/20 or better in 73% of eyes. Postoperative uncorrected distance visual acuity was 20/20 or better in 57% and 20/25 or better in 82% of eyes. Mean SEQ relative to target was -0.22 ± 0.48 D (range: -1.63 to +1.38 D), 66% ± 0.50 D and 93% ±1.00 D. Mean SEQ 12-month change was -0.08 ± 0.34 D (range: -1.75 to +0.88 D). There was loss of one line of CDVA in 4% of eyes, and no eyes lost two or more lines. Contrast sensitivity was unchanged. Patient satisfaction was 8 or more out of 10 in 94% and 6 or more in 99% of patients. CONCLUSIONS: Outcomes of SMILE for myopia greater than -9.00 D at 3 to 12 months showed excellent efficacy, safety, stability, and predictability, with high patient satisfaction. [J Refract Surg. 2022;38(5):262-271.].