Reply to Cione et al. Comment on "Moshirfar et al. Accuracy of Six Intraocular Lens Power Calculations in Eyes with Axial Lengths Greater than 28.0 mm. J. Clin. Med. 2022, 11, 5947".

We thank Cioni et al. for their suggestions and comments [...].

The Impact of Antiviral Resistance on Herpetic Keratitis.

ABSTRACT: Herpes simplex keratitis resistance to antiviral treatment presents a growing concern. The herpes simplex virus has many different mechanisms of resistance to antiviral treatment, which have been well described. Resistance to acyclovir occurs because of mutations in the viral thymidylate kinase and DNA polymerase that decrease this enzyme's affinity for its substrate. This article discusses factors that explain the prevalence of this resistance, the ability for recurrences in immunocompromised populations, current treatments for acyclovir-resistant herpes simplex keratitis, and novel therapies for this growing concern.

Accuracy of Six Intraocular Lens Power Calculations in Eyes with Axial Lengths Greater than 28.0 mm.

The purpose of this study was to compare the accuracy of several intraocular (IOL) lens power calculation formulas in long eyes. This was a single-site retrospective consecutive case series that reviewed patients with axial lengths (AL) > 28.0 mm who underwent phacoemulsification. The Wang−Koch (WK) adjustment and Cooke-modified axial length (CMAL) adjustment were applied to Holladay 1 and SRK/T. The median absolute error (MedAE) and the percentage of eyes with prediction errors ±0.25 diopters (D), ±0.50 D, ±0.75 D, and ±1.00 D were used to analyze the formula's accuracy. This study comprised a total of 35 eyes from 25 patients. The Kane formula had the lowest MedAE of all the formulas, but all were comparable except Holladay 1, which had a significantly lower prediction accuracy with either AL adjustment. The SRK/T formula with the CMAL adjustment had the highest accuracy in predicting the formula outcome within ±0.50 D. The newer formulas (BU-II, EVO, Hill-RBF version 3.0, and Kane) were all equally predictable in long eyes. The SRK/T formula with the CMAL adjustment was comparable to these newer formulas with better outcomes than the WK adjustment. The Holladay 1 with either AL adjustment had the lowest predictive accuracy.

A Prospective Analysis of the Simplified Student Sight Savers Program on Open-Angle Glaucoma Cost Burden in Underserved Communities.

(1) Background: Glaucoma is a leading cause of irreversible blindness worldwide. Unfortunately, no noticeable symptoms exist until mid- to late-stage glaucoma, leading to substantial costs to the patient and the healthcare system. (2) Methods: The Student Sight Savers Program, an initiative started at Johns Hopkins University, was designed to meet the needs of community screening for glaucoma. Several medical students at the Rocky Vista University in Saint George, Utah, were trained, and screened patients at local fairs and gathering places using a modified version of this program. Patients found to have elevated pressure (>21 mmHg) or other ocular abnormalities were referred for an ophthalmological examination. (3) Results: Individuals from medically underserved areas/populations (MUA/Ps) were nearly three times as likely to have elevated intraocular pressure as individuals not in underserved areas (p = 0.0141). A further analysis demonstrates that medical students can help reduce medical costs for patients and the healthcare system by providing referrals to ophthalmologists and reaching populations that are not usually screened for glaucoma. (4) Conclusions: Allowing medical students to perform community-based glaucoma screening events in MUA/Ps using handheld tonometers may decrease the cost burden associated with late diagnosis, and raise awareness about glaucoma, especially in underserved populations.

Thygeson Superficial Punctate Keratitis: A Clinical and Immunologic Review.

ABSTRACT: Thygeson superficial punctate keratitis (TSPK) is clinically characterized by exacerbations and remissions of gray-white opacities within the corneal epithelium, most often bilateral but may be asymmetric. Symptoms typically include photophobia, tearing, blurring, and eye irritation. Although disease progression and prognosis are well described, the exact cause is unknown. Hypotheses exist implicating virus-mediated immunity as the cause of TSPK following cases of viral keratitis; however, several polymerase chain reaction studies refute the infectious process concurrently with symptomatic TSPK. This is further supported by the consistent lack of response to antiviral and antibacterial treatment. A subset of dendritic cells known as Langerhans cells (LC) found within the corneal epithelium has been positively correlated with exacerbations of TSPK. Langerhans cells proliferate to protect and mitigate the cornea's inflammatory response, but the inflammatory triggers and relapses associated with TSPK are not well understood. Several topical drugs exist to treat inflammation related to TSPK; however, drug delivery is a major barrier to treatment because of the tear film and epithelial barrier. Drug-eluting contact lenses that target intermediates of inflammation could serve as a more effective treatment modality because of the increased bioavailability of the drugs. This review is an in-depth survey of the literature regarding the relationship between the origin and pathophysiology of LC and TSPK at the immunologic level. We also discuss potential pharmacotherapeutic interventions for TSPK prevention and treatment.

In vivo evaluation of a new hydrophobic acrylic intraocular lens in the rabbit model.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the uveal and capsular biocompatibility as well as positioning stability of a new hydrophobic acrylic intraocular lens (IOL) in vivo in the rabbit model and compare it with a commercially available IOL. SETTING: John A Moran Eye Center, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA. DESIGN: Experimental study. METHODS: Fifteen New Zealand rabbits had the new test IOL (Clareon CNA0T0) implanted in one eye and a control IOL (Acrysof SN60WF) implanted in the contralateral eye. The test IOL is manufactured from a new hydrophobic acrylic material incorporating ultraviolet blocker and blue light filter. Its design is based on the control IOL's platform. The rabbits were followed up with weekly slitlamp evaluations, which assessed inflammatory reactions as well as capsular bag opacification. Anterior chamber depth was measured at 1 and 4 weeks post-implantation (high-frequency ultrasound). After 4 weeks, the rabbits were killed humanely and the eyes were enucleated. The anterior segment was evaluated from the posterior or Miyake-Apple view, and was then processed for complete histopathology. RESULTS: There were no statistically significant differences between test and control eyes in terms of postoperative inflammation and capsular biocompatibility, including posterior capsule opacification (P = .34, paired t test), and anterior capsule opacification (P = .53, paired t test), as observed during clinical and pathological evaluation. In vivo axial positioning for the test IOL was comparable to the control IOL and stable over time (P = .531 versus P = .788). CONCLUSIONS: The new IOL showed biocompatibility and stability comparable to the control IOL.