Changes in patient subjective happiness and satisfaction with cataract surgery.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the changes in patient subjective happiness and satisfaction with cataract surgery and evaluate the association between satisfaction and types of cataract. This study surveyed 247 participants (mean age, 67.9 years) and they completed questionnaires on their satisfaction with the surgery, the subjective happiness scale (SHS) and the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) before and after surgery. The SHS increased postoperatively from 4.6 ± 0.7 to 4.8 ± 0.7 (P = 0.007) and 83.4% of patients were satisfied with the surgical results and the average satisfaction score was 4.2 out of a possible 5.0. Multiple regression analysis showed that patient satisfaction was significantly associated with the postoperative SHS (ß = 0.380; P < 0.001), the postoperative PSQI (ß = -0.041; P = 0.035) and the presence of a posterior subcapsular cataract (PSC) (ß = 0.277; P = 0.026). This study clarified that cataract surgery may improve both visual function and patient happiness and that patient satisfaction was affected by postoperative sleep quality and the disappearance of a PSC.

Randomized, Multicenter, Double-Blind Study of the Safety and Efficacy of 1%D-3-Hydroxybutyrate eye drops for Dry Eye Disease.

In a previous study, we demonstrated that topical D-beta-hydroxybutyrate ameliorates corneal epithelial erosion and superficial punctate keratopathy in a rat model of dry eye disease. In the current investigation, we performed a prospective, randomized, multicentre, double-blind, placebo-controlled study to assess the safety and efficacy of 1% D-3-hydroxybutyrate eye drops in patients with dry eye disease. A total of 65 patients were randomly assigned to either the placebo group or the 1% D-3-hydroxybutyrate group, and the treatments were administered 6 times a day for 4 weeks. We then evaluated corneal fluorescein staining, corneal and conjunctival rose Bengal staining, tear film break-up time (BUT), Schirmer score, and subjective symptoms. At both 2 and 4 weeks, the corneal rose Bengal score was significantly better in the 1% D-3-hydroxybutyrate group than in the placebo group. Among patients with an initial Schirmer score of ≤5 mm, the corneal fluorescein staining score was significantly better in the 1% D-3-hydroxybutyrate group than in the placebo group at two weeks. Mild ocular symptoms occurred in both groups, and these spontaneously resolved. The present study suggested that 1% D-3-hydroxybutyrate eye drops are safe and effective in treating ocular surface disorders in patients with tear-deficient dry eye disease.

[Traumatic flap dislocation after laser in situ keratomileusis].

PURPOSE: To report our experience in treating cases of flap dislocation caused by trauma after laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK). PATIENTS AND METHODS: We did a retrospective review of the case records of 16,319 patients (31,655 eyes) who underwent LASIK in Minamiaoyama Eye Clinic. Ten eyes of 9 patients were treated for flap dislocation. Conditions of the trauma occurrence, main findings of the eyes, treatments and clinical results are described. RESULTS: Dislocation occurred during a period of 5 days to 4 years after LASIK. Accidents happened when working, when playing with children or pets, or when fighting. The main findings were folds or microstriae, diffuse lamellar keratitis (DLK), and epithelial ingrowth, including partial splitting of the flap (1 eye) and only a crack in the epithelium of the flap edge (1 eye). Seven flaps were lifted, irrigated and repositioned, and observed after fitting the patients with soft contact lenses. Three flaps were treated with eye drops of hyaluronic acid only, or with systemic steroids, topical steroids, and antibiotics. Uncorrected visual acuity recovered to more than 1.0 in 7 eyes, and best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) was more than 1.0 in all eyes. However, 3 eyes lost one line and 1 eye lost two lines of BCVA. CONCLUSION: Many cases of flap dislocation showed recovery of good visual acuity with adequate and prompt treatment. However, it is possible to leave irregular astigmatism untreated which has a bad effect on visual acuity, depending on the affected part and the seriousness of the injury. The connection between patient and clinic is important for proper and prompt treatment.

Improvement in best corrected visual acuity in amblyopic adult eyes after laser in situ keratomileusis.

PURPOSE: To evaluate improvement in best spectacle-corrected visual acuity (BSCVA) after laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) in adult patients with amblyopia. SETTING: Refractive Eye Surgery Center, Wilmer Eye Institute, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA. METHODS: The charts of consecutive patients with a diagnosis of amblyopia at the time of refractive evaluation who had LASIK were reviewed retrospectively. The preoperative and postoperative uncorrected visual acuity (UCVA) and BSCVA were analyzed. RESULTS: Twenty-one eyes of 19 patients were identified as having amblyopia and LASIK surgery. Eight patients (42.1%) were diagnosed with amblyopia only, 6 patients (31.6%) had anisometropic amblyopia, 4 patients (21.1%) had strabismic amblyopia, and 1 patient (5.2%) had anisometropic and strabismic amblyopia. Eleven eyes (52.4%) had myopic astigmatism, 7 eyes (33.3%) were hyperopic, and 3 eyes (14.3%) had mixed astigmatism. Seven eyes (33.3 %) experienced more than a 1-line improvement in postoperative UCVA compared with the preoperative BSCVA. Nine eyes (42.8%) experienced more than a 1-line improvement in postoperative BSCVA compared with the preoperative BSCVA. The BSCVA was unchanged in 11 eyes (52.4%) and was worse by 2 lines in 1 eye (4.8%). CONCLUSION: After LASIK, the postoperative BSCVA was better than preoperatively in 42.8% of eyes with a history of amblyopia and the postoperative UCVA was better than the preoperative BSCVA in 33.3%.

Survey of complications and recommendations for management in dissatisfied patients seeking a consultation after refractive surgery.

PURPOSE: To review complications associated with and management options for dissatisfied patients seeking a consultation after refractive surgery performed elsewhere. SETTING: Refractive Eye Surgery Center, The Wilmer Institute, Lutherville, Maryland, USA. METHODS: In this retrospective review, charts of consecutive dissatisfied patients who sought a refractive consultation between June 1999 and January 2003 after refractive surgery performed elsewhere were reviewed and the following parameters were analyzed: visual acuity (uncorrected and best spectacle corrected), prior manifest refraction, complications, and recommendations. The subjective complaints, complications, and visual acuity were reviewed, and the associated historical or visual risk factors as well as treatment options were analyzed. RESULTS: One hundred sixty-one eyes in 101 patients with ocular complaints were identified. One hundred thirty-four eyes (83.2%) had had laser in situ keratomileusis; 22 eyes, photorefractive keratectomy; 4 eyes, radial keratotomy; and 1 eye, laser thermokeratoplasty. The most common subjective complaints were blurred distance vision (59.0%), glare and night-vision disturbances (43.5%), and dry eyes (21.1%). The most common complications were overcorrection (30.4%), irregular astigmatism (29.8%), dry eyes (29.8%), glare (26.1%), difficulty with night driving (16.7%), and corneal haze (16.7%). The most common cause identified in eyes with best spectacle-corrected visual acuity worse than 20/40 was irregular astigmatism (10 of 18 eyes [55.5%]). The most common recommendation for management was medical treatment or observation (68.3%). Medical therapies recommended included lubrication, punctal plugs, topical and systemic pharmaceutical agents to modulate ocular surface, spectacles, and contact lenses. Keratoplasty (lamellar or penetrating) was recommended in 4 patients (4 eyes [2.5%]). The diagnoses included corneal ectasia in 3 eyes and severe flap complication with irregular astigmatism in 1 eye. Nine patients (5.6% eyes) required nonkeratoplasty surgery. In other patients, waiting for advances in technology, including wavefront-guided customized retreatment, was recommended. CONCLUSIONS: A spectrum of complications associated with refractive surgery may result in patient dissatisfaction. Proper patient selection, prevention strategies, and prompt diagnosis and medical or surgical intervention may be beneficial in managing complications and improving patient satisfaction.