Evaluation of anterior-segment inflammation and retinal thickness change following cataract surgery.

PURPOSE: To investigate the physiological retinal response to uneventful cataract surgery using conventional time-domain (TD-OCT) and current spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) in combination with an assessment of the anterior chamber inflammatory reaction by laser flare/cell meter (LCFM). METHODS: Thirty-four patients scheduled for cataract surgery were included in this prospective pilot study. Retinal parameters were examined according to a standardized examination procedure using TD-OCT (Stratus; Carl Zeiss Meditec, Dublin, California, USA) and SD-OCT (Cirrus; Carl Zeiss Meditec) devices. The inflammatory reaction of the anterior chamber was measured by LFCM (Kowa FC-1000, Kowa Co. Ltd, Tokyo, Japan). Examinations were carried out preoperatively and at day 2, week 1 and week 4 postoperatively. RESULTS: A slight decrease of central retinal thickness values was identified at day 2 postoperatively followed by an increase of these parameters at week 4. LFCM showed peak values in all patients at day 2 postoperatively with a constant decrease at the following visits. No visible pathological retinal changes were seen after surgery. CONCLUSION: A biphasic retinal response after surgery could be shown with SD-OCT and TD-OCT technology. By using the advantages of rasterscanning mode, SD-OCT technology is superior to TD-OCT imaging in the investigation of the physiological retinal response to cataract surgery.

Biocompatibility of hydrophilic acrylic, hydrophobic acrylic, and silicone intraocular lenses in eyes with uveitis having cataract surgery: Long-term follow-up.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the long-term uveal and capsular biocompatibility of 5 intraocular lenses (IOLs) in eyes with uveitic cataract. SETTING: Department of Ophthalmology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria. DESIGN: Comparative case series. METHODS: Patients with uveitis of various origin were consecutively recruited for cataract surgery (1998-2006) and received 1 of 3 hydrophilic acrylic IOLs (Hydroview, AcrySof MA60BM, or Injectacryl F3000), a silicone IOL (CeeOn 911), or a hydrophilic acrylic IOL with heparin surface modification (BioVue(3)). A 7-year follow-up was performed in the Hydroview, AcrySof, and CeeOn groups. Visual acuity, anterior chamber flare measurements, specular microscopy, biomicroscopy, and fundoscopy were performed postoperatively at 6 months and 1, 2, and 3 years. RESULTS: The study enrolled 136 eyes of 115 patients. There were no significant differences in anterior chamber flare results between the 5 groups. The Hydroview group had the highest grade and the CeeOn IOL and AcrySof groups had the lowest grade of posterior capsule opacification. The BioVue(3) and Injectacryl IOLs had good uveal biocompatibility. Patients in all groups had better visual acuity postoperatively. CONCLUSIONS: Overall, patients with uveitis benefited from cataract surgery. The long-term results indicate that all sharp-edged hydrophilic and hydrophobic IOLs performed well in eyes with uveitis. Higher uveal biocompatibility was achieved with the modern hydrophilic acrylic IOLs than with the hydrophobic acrylic IOL. Modern hydrophilic acrylic IOLs seem to be a good option in these cases. FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE: No author has a financial or proprietary interest in any material or method mentioned.

Is acupuncture an useful tool for pain-treatment in ophthalmology?

Pain that does not respond to conventional treatment procedures makes it necessary to look for alternative methods. Acupuncture is an ancient procedure with empirical effects on pain. Previous studies established the increased output of messengers at neuronal junctions in spinal cord and hypothalamic locations, especially of endorphins which inhibit the perception of pain. We treated several painful symptoms with acupuncture and evaluated the outcome of the treatment. Patients with various kinds of therapy-refractory pain and patients in whom conventional treatment methods could not be applied were included in the study. The diagnoses included glaucoma. Tolosa-Hunt-Syndrome, ophthalmic migraine, blepharospasm, and dry eyes. In one case acupuncture was used for analgesia during surgery. Acupuncture was performed with sterile disposable needles, at points known to have an empirical analgesic effect. The stimulation was adapted to the patient's individual needs. VAS assessments before and after acupuncture were compared. The t-test was used for statistical evaluation. Acupuncture had no side effects, but reduced pain to a variable extent. Especially in cases of severe pain and in surgery, very effective pain reduction was achieved. In general, pain was significantly reduced in all patients by the use of acupuncture. A statistically significant effect was noted (p < 0.05). Further studies should be conducted to demonstrate the specific effect in larger patient populations. Monitoring neurotransmitter activity will possibly help to illustrate the effect.