Flushing versus not flushing the interface during small-incision lenticule extraction.

PURPOSE: To assess the differences in outcomes between interface flushing with a balanced salt solution after refractive lenticule removal in simultaneous uneventful bilateral small-incision lenticule extraction (SMILE). SETTING: Six study centers in Germany. DESIGN: Prospective case series. METHODS: Patients with myopia or myopic astigmatism of similar magnitude in both eyes with a spherical equivalent less than or equal to 10.0 diopters (D), preoperative corrected distance visual acuity (CDVA) of 0.80 decimal or better, and anisometropia less than or equal to 2.0 D were enrolled and followed for 3 months. One eye of each patient was treated with interface flushing after dry extraction of the lenticule. Flushing was performed with 1.0 cc balanced salt solution using a single-use 27-gauge cannula. The uncorrected distance visual acuity (UDVA) at 1 day, 1 week, and 3 months; the CDVA at 3 months; and postoperative differences at the slitlamp examination were recorded. Statistical analyses were performed with logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution values using paired t tests. The P value for significance was less than 0.05. RESULTS: The study analyzed 470 eyes. One day postoperatively, the mean UDVA was 0.81 in the non-flush group and 0.83 in the flush group (P = .110). At the last visit 3 months postoperatively, the mean UDVA was 1.04 and 1.05, respectively (P = .172). No significant differences in the rate of postoperative complications were found. CONCLUSION: Interface irrigation with 1.0 cc of balanced salt solution after the removal of the refractive lenticule has neither advantages nor disadvantages in terms of visual recovery, postoperative complications, or final visual acuity.

Bilateral Fusarium oxysporum keratitis after laser in situ keratomileusis.

UNLABELLED: We report the successful management of a rare case of bilateral post-laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) Fusarium oxysporum keratitis and propose a therapeutic strategy. A 19-year-old white man with no systemic diseases was referred to our emergency service 3 days after microkeratome-assisted myopic bilateral LASIK correction. He complained of blurred-vision, photophobia, and ocular pain. Clinical findings (satellite lesions, hypopyon) suggested fungal keratitis. Flaps were immediately lifted and rinsed with povidone-iodine 10%, and intensive topical and systemic and combined antifungal and antibacterial treatment was introduced. Topical cortisone drops were administered after 3 days. Despite initial deterioration of the clinical picture, all symptoms resolved quickly. Polymerase chain reaction indicated F oxysporum. Relapse occurred in the left eye, which was successfully managed. The final uncorrected distance visual acuity was 20/20 in both eyes. Fusarium oxysporum post-LASIK keratitis may occur in the early phase. Prompt diagnosis, interface irrigation with povidone-iodine solution, and intensive long-term treatment contribute to a favorable outcome. FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE: No author has a financial or proprietary interest in any material or method mentioned.

Experimental femtosecond laser-assisted nanosurgery of anterior lens capsule.

PURPOSE: To investigate femtosecond laser-assisted nanosurgery of the anterior lens capsule in a prospective in vitro study. METHODS: Eight anterior lens capsules obtained during conventional phaco surgery were irradiated with a nonamplified 80-MHz near-infrared 800-nm titanium:sapphire femtosecond laser. Line intratissue laser cuts were examined by femtosecond multiphoton laser scanning microscopy (MLSM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). RESULTS: Speed parameters of the laser beam, laser ablation time, and pulse power determined the width of the lesions, which ranged from 220±40 nm (SD) to 1.49±0.15 µm. Both MLSM and TEM revealed minimal collateral alterations in the tissue surrounding the laser cuts. CONCLUSIONS: Nonamplified near-infrared femtosecond laser pulses at low pulse energies may be a promising strategy for precise noncontact nanosurgery of the anterior lens capsule with minimal collateral damage to surrounding tissue. High-resolution MLSM offers 3-dimensional, noninvasive, nondestructive imaging at submicrometer resolution within seconds before and after ablation.