Recommendations for ophthalmologic practice during the easing of COVID-19 control measures.

In the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, this paper provides recommendations for medical eye care during the easing of control measures after lockdown. The guidelines presented are based on a literature review and consensus among all Spanish Ophthalmology Societies regarding protection measures recommended for the ophthalmologic care of patients with or without confirmed COVID-19 in outpatient, inpatient, emergency and surgery settings. We recommend that all measures be adapted to the circumstances and availability of personal protective equipment at each centre and also highlight the need to periodically update recommendations as we may need to readopt more restrictive measures depending on the local epidemiology of the virus. These guidelines are designed to avoid the transmission of SARS-CoV-2 among both patients and healthcare staff as we gradually return to normal medical practice, to prevent postoperative complications and try to reduce possible deficiencies in the diagnosis, treatment and follow-up of the ophthalmic diseases. With this update (5th ) the Spanish Society of Ophthalmology is placed as one of the major ophthalmology societies providing periodic and systematized recommendations for ophthalmic care during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Intrastromal corneal ring segment implantation for high astigmatism after penetrating keratoplasty.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the safety and efficacy of intracorneal ring segments (ICRS) for high astigmatism after penetrating keratoplasty (PKP). SETTING: Department of Ocular Surface and Inflammation, Ophthalmology, Hospital Clínico San Carlos, Complutense University, Madrid, Spain. METHODS: This retrospective noncomparative study comprised eyes with high post-PKP astigmatism (>4.00 diopters [D]), contact lens intolerance, and a minimum follow-up of 24 months who had ICRS (Kerarings) implantation by mechanical stromal dissection. Corrected distance visual acuity (CDVA), refractive astigmatism, spherical equivalent (SE), surgically induced astigmatism (SIA), central corneal curvature, topographic corneal astigmatism, average corneal power, and complications were assessed. RESULTS: The mean CDVA was statistically significantly better postoperatively (0.23 +/- 0.21) than preoperatively (0.98 +/- 0.27) (P = .007); no eye lost CDVA. The mean refractive astigmatism decreased from 6.17 +/- 1.12 D to 4.04 +/- 1.67 D (P = .068) and the mean SE from -3.17 +/- 5.48 D to -0.12 +/- 2.40 D (P = .34). The mean SIA was 4.55 +/- 2.83 D. The mean central corneal curvature decreased from 46.28 +/- 1.73 D to 42.09 +/- 3.20 D (P<.01); the mean topographic corneal astigmatism, from 7.07 +/- 2.52 D to 4.48 +/- 2.00 D (P<.05) and the mean average corneal power from 45.92 +/- 1.59 D to 41.88 +/- 3.37 D (P<.01); all decreases were statistically significant. One patient developed deep vascularization in the lower temporal stromal channel that resolved after ICRS removal. One patient reported significant night halos. CONCLUSION: Implantation of ICRS for high post-PKP astigmatism reduced corneal curvature and topographic astigmatism, significantly improving CDVA.