New supplementary intraocular lens for refractive enhancement in pseudophakic patients.

PURPOSE: To assess the efficacy and safety of implanting a secondary intraocular lens (IOL) in the ciliary sulcus to correct pseudophakic ametropia. SETTING: Department of Ophthalmology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria. METHODS: This prospective nonrandomized study included patients who had implantation of a secondary IOL (Sulcoflex 653L) to correct residual refractive error after phacoemulsification with IOL implantation in the capsular bag. After implantation of the secondary IOL in the ciliary sulcus, visual and refractive outcomes were evaluated. Inflammation was measured with a laser flare-cell meter. The position and rotation of the IOLs were documented at all control visits, and Scheimpflug images were taken. Postoperative follow-up was at 1 week and 1, 6, 12, and 17 months. RESULTS: Twelve eyes of 10 patients were evaluated. The mean spherical equivalent decreased from -1.25 diopters (D) +/- 0.25 (SD) (range -2.00 to +4.00 D) preoperatively to -0.25 +/- 0.40 D (range -0.50 to +0.25 D) postoperatively. Uncorrected distance visual acuity improved in all cases. There were no significant intraoperative or postoperative complications. CONCLUSIONS: Sulcus implantation of the secondary IOL to correct pseudophakic refractive error was safe and predictable. The IOL was well tolerated in all eyes. FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE: Neither author has a financial or proprietary interest in any material or method mentioned. Additional disclosures are found in the footnotes.

Efficacy and tolerability of preservative-free and preserved diclofenac and preserved ketorolac eyedrops after cataract surgery.

PURPOSE: To compare the anti-inflammatory efficacy and subjective tolerability of preservative-free and preserved diclofenac 0.1% and preserved ketorolac 0.5% eye drops for prophylaxis and management of inflammation after cataract surgery. DESIGN: Prospective, randomized, investigator-masked, parallel-group, comparative clinical trial. METHODS: One hundred two patients who underwent small-incision phacoemulsification cataract surgery in an institutional setting were assigned randomly to receive preservative-free diclofenac sodium 0.1% (Voltaren ophtha SDU; Novartis Pharma), preserved diclofenac sodium 0.1% (Voltaren ophtha; Novartis Pharma), or preserved ketorolac tromethamine 0.5% (Acular; Pharm Allergan) eyedrops 4 times daily for 4 weeks after surgery. During the 1-month follow-up, anterior chamber flare and mean foveal thickness were evaluated for objective comparison of the anti-inflammatory effect. Ocular tolerability was assessed by observer-based grading of conjunctival hyperemia and ocular discomfort, as well as obtaining subjective ratings of ocular tolerability on a visual analog scale. Distance and near visual acuity and intraocular pressure served as safety measures. RESULTS: All 3 formulations demonstrated equal anti-inflammatory efficacy as measured by reduction of anterior chamber flare after surgery and prevention of postoperative macular edema. Patients treated with preservative-free diclofenac eyedrops reported significantly better subjective tolerability values (P = .001), were classified as having less ocular discomfort (P < .001), and experienced earlier reduction of postoperative conjunctival hyperemia (P = .029). CONCLUSIONS: Anti-inflammatory efficacy was comparable for all 3 agents. However, preservative-free diclofenac 0.1% eyedrops exhibited a significantly better postoperative subjective and objective tolerability when compared with preserved eyedrops containing ketorolac or diclofenac.

Intraindividual comparison of surgical trauma after bimanual microincision and conventional small-incision coaxial phacoemulsification.

PURPOSE: To compare the surgical trauma after microincision phacoemulsification and small-incision coaxial phacoemulsification after implantation of conventional, foldable, hydrophobic acrylic intraocular lenses (IOLs). SETTING: Department of Ophthalmology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria. METHODS: A prospective investigator-masked case series comprised patients with bilateral cataract who had cataract surgery on the same day. Thirty-three patients (66 eyes) were randomized. Microincision cataract surgery (MICS) was performed through 2, 1.4 mm clear corneal incisions (CCIs) using bimanual sleeveless phacoemulsification (cool phaco) in 1 eye. Small-incision cataract surgery (SICS) was performed on the other eye through a 3.2 mm CCI. In all cases, an AcrySof SA60AT IOL was inserted, in the MICS group after the CCI was enlarged. Laser flare photometry, specular microscopy, corneal endothelial cell density, and pachymetry were evaluated preoperatively and postoperatively. Intraindividual comparison and statistical analyses were performed. RESULTS: There were no relevant clinical differences or perioperative complications in either group. There were no statistically significant differences between preoperative and postoperative anterior chamber flare or endothelial cell loss. On the first postoperative day, the MICS group had statistically significantly increased corneal swelling (P = .008). Postoperatively, the mean endothelial cell density loss was higher in the MICS group (6.2%) than in the SICS group (3.10%); however, the difference between groups was not significant (P = .08) CONCLUSIONS: Microincision cataract surgery was a safe and reproducible technique. The postoperative results in the MICS group were comparable to those in the SICS group.

Seven years of HAART impact on ophthalmic management of HIV-infected patients.

PURPOSE: The widespread use of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) has changed the clinical picture of HIV-associated eye disease. We evaluated the incidence of ocular manifestations of HIV infection since the introduction of HAART. METHODS: Between January 1996 and December 2002, we examined 539 HIV-infected patients in our hospital. Follow-up of the patients was performed in case of ophthalmologic symptoms, regardless of current immunologic status, or for screening. RESULTS: A total of 217 patients (40.3%) had HIV-associated eye disease. Of these patients, 42.0% had no eye symptoms. Fifty-eight (10.8%) of the 539 patients had cytomegalovirus (CMV) retinitis, most of whom had CMV retinitis before receiving HAART. Four patients developed immune-recovery uveitis. A total of 145 patients (26.9%) had HIV-related microangiopathy and 96 (17.8%) had dry-eye syndrome. CONCLUSION: The introduction of HAART had a major impact on the medical history of patients with HIV-related eye disease with improved survival time and decreased morbidity.

Changes of axial length and keratometry after keratoplasty for keratoconus using the guided trephine system.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to examine the cause of increasing myopia after penetrating keratoplasty for keratoconus with the guided trephine system. DESIGN: Prospective interventional study cohort. METHODS: Thirty eyes (28 patients) after keratoplasty for keratoconus were examined. Preoperatively and 1, 3, 6, 12, and 24 months postoperatively subjective refraction was evaluated. Keratometry was calculated with a computerized videokeratoscope (TMS-1). Axial length was measured using applanation ultrasonography before surgery and 2 years after surgery. Anterior chamber depth, lens thickness, and vitreous length were taken into consideration. RESULTS: The mean spherical equivalent was + 2.22 +/- 3.47 diopters 1 month postoperatively and had a continuous myopic shift to -1.02 +/- 2.65 diopters 2 years postoperatively. This was associated with a significant increase in mean keratometric levels from + 41.72 +/- 2.96 diopters 1 month postoperatively to + 43.77 +/- 2.29 diopters 2 years postoperatively (r(s) = -0.36, P =.05). Overall, no significant changes in axial length were observed. However, vitreous length showed a small but statistically significant increase. As expected, mean anterior chamber depth decreased significantly postoperatively (P