Fifteen years follow-up of photorefractive keratectomy up to 10 D of myopia: outcomes and analysis of the refractive regression.

PURPOSE: To evaluate outcomes of photorefractive keratectomy up to -10.00 D of myopia and -4.50 of astigmatism and to develop a predictive model for the refractive changes in the long term. SETTING: Vissum Corporation and Miguel Hernandez University (Alicante, Spain). DESIGN: Retrospective-prospective observational series of cases. METHODS: This study included 33 eyes of 33 patients aged 46.79±7.04 years (range 40-57) operated with the VISX 20/20 excimer laser with optical zones of 6 mm. No mitomycin C was used in any of these cases. The minimum follow-up was 15 years. The main outcome measures were: uncorrected and corrected distance visual acuity, manifest refraction and corneal topography. Linear regression models were developed from the observed refractive changes over time. RESULTS: Safety and efficacy indexes at 15 years were 1.18 and 0.83, respectively. No statistically significant differences were detected for any keratometric variable during the follow-up (p≥0.103). 15 years after the surgery 54.55% of the eyes were within ±1.00 D of spherical equivalent and 84.85% within ±2.00 D. The uncorrected distance visual acuity at 15 years was 20/25 or better in 60.6% of the eyes and 20/40 or better in 72.73% of the eyes. The correlation between the attempted and the achieved refractions was r=0.948 (p<0.001) at 1 year, and r=0.821 (p<0.001) at 15 years. No corneal ectasia was detected in any case during the follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: Photorefractive keratectomy is a safe refractive procedure in the long term within the range of myopia currently considered suitable for its use, although its efficacy decreases with time, especially, in high myopia. The model developed predicts a myopic regression of 2.00 D at 15 years for an ablation depth of 130 µm.

Laser in situ keratomileusis for -6.00 to -18.00 diopters of myopia and up to -5.00 diopters of astigmatism: 15-year follow-up.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the long-term outcomes of laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) for high myopia with or without astigmatism. SETTING: Vissum Instituto Oftalmologico de Alicante and Miguel Hernandez University, Alicante, Spain. DESIGN: Retrospective-prospective case series. METHODS: Laser in situ keratomileusis was performed using the Visx 20/20 excimer laser. The minimum follow-up was 15 years. The main outcome measures were uncorrected (UDVA) and corrected (CDVA) distance visual acuities, manifest refraction, and corneal topography. RESULTS: This study included 40 patients (40 eyes) with a mean age of 51.08 years ± 6.67 (SD) (range 41 to 60 years) with high myopia (-6.00 to -18.00 diopters [D]). At 15 years, the safety index was 1.23 and the efficacy index, 0.95. During the follow-up, a significant increase in the dioptric power of all keratometric variables was detected (P≤.028, Friedman test), the most notable increase occurring between 3 months and 1 year (P≤.005). At 15 years, 46.15% of the eyes were within ±1.00 D of the attempted spherical equivalent and 64.10% were within ±2.00 D. The UDVA at 15 years was 20/25 or better in 43.59% of eyes and 20/40 or better in 64.10% of eyes. The postoperative CDVA was significantly better than preoperatively (P<.001). The postoperative complications were minor except in 1 eye in which ectasia occurred. CONCLUSIONS: Laser in situ keratomileusis for high myopia was safe over the long term. However, significant myopic regression with time was detected. Low preoperative pachymetry and low residual stromal bed were predictors of keratometric regression. FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE: No author has a financial or proprietary interest in any material or method mentioned.

Mesothelial cells: a cellular surrogate for tissue engineering of corneal endothelium.

PURPOSE: To evaluate whether mouse adipose tissue mesothelial cells (ATMCs) share morphologic and biochemical characteristics with mouse corneal endothelial cells (CECs) and to evaluate their capacity to adhere to the decellularized basal membrane of human anterior lens capsules (HALCs) as a potential tissue-engineered surrogate for corneal endothelium replacement. METHODS: Adipose tissue mesothelial cells were isolated from the visceral adipose tissue of adult mice, and their expression of several corneal endothelium markers was determined with quantitative RT-PCR, immunofluorescence, and Western blotting. Adipose tissue mesothelial cells were cultured in a mesothelial retaining phenotype medium (MRPM) and further seeded and cultured on top of the decellularized basal membrane of HALCs. ATMC-HALC composites were evaluated by optical microscopy, immunofluorescence, and transmission electron microscopy. RESULTS: Mesothelial retaining phenotype medium-cultured ATMCs express the corneal endothelium markers COL4A2, COL8A2, SLC4A4, CAR2, sodium- and potassium-dependent adenosine triphosphatase (Na(+)/K(+)-ATPase), ß-catenin, zona occludens-1, and N-cadherin in a pattern similar to that in mouse CECs. Furthermore, ATMCs displayed strong adhesion capacity onto the basal membrane of HALCs and formed a confluent monolayer within 72 hours of culture in MRPM. Ultrastructural morphologic and marker characteristics displayed by ATMC monolayer on HALCs clearly indicated that ATMCs retained their original phenotype of squamous epithelial-like cells. CONCLUSIONS: Corneal endothelial cells and ATMCs share morphologic (structural) and marker (functional) similarities [corrected]. The ATMCs adhered and formed structures mimicking focal adhesion complexes with the HALC basal membrane. Monolayer structure and achieved density of ATMCs support the proposal to use adult human mesothelial cells (MCs) as a possible surrogate for damaged corneal endothelium.

Comparative outcomes of bimanual MICS and 2.2-mm coaxial phacoemulsification assisted by femtosecond technology.

PURPOSE: To compare the efficacy and safety outcomes of bimanual microincision cataract surgery (MICS) versus 2.2-mm coaxial phacoemulsification assisted by Femtosecond LenSx (Alcon-LenSx Inc., Aliso Viejo, CA). METHODS: This prospective, randomized, observational, comparative case series comprised 50 cataractous eyes of 50 patients receiving femtosecond laser refractive lens surgery followed by a bimanual MICS technique with two 1-mm incisions (25 patients) (FemtoMICS group) and a coaxial phacoemulsification technique with a 1-mm paracentesis and a 2.2-mm principal incision (25 patients) (FemtoCoaxial group). The main outcomes measures were: ultrasound power, effective phacoemulsification time, postoperative spherical equivalent, higher-order aberrations (corneal and internal), corneal thickness, endothelial cell count, macular thickness, and complications during and after surgery. Both groups were absolutely comparable for all variables preoperatively. RESULTS: Mean ultrasound power was 1.8% ± 0.9% for MICS and 14.7% ± 4.9% for 2.2-mm incisions (P < .001). Effective phacoemulsification time values for MICS and 2.2-mm incisions were 1.5 ± 0.9 and 4.5 ± 2.9 sec, respectively (P = .002). Mean postoperative spherical equivalent was −0.26 for FemtoMICS and −0.33 for FemtoCoaxial (P > .05). The efficacy index at 1 month postoperatively was 160.2% for FemtoMICS and 149% for FemtoCoaxial. No significant differences were found in corneal thickness, endothelial cell count, and macular thickness. Complications included posterior capsule rupture (4%) and anterior capsule rupture with no posterior capsule tear (4%) for FemtoMICS and bridges due to incomplete capsulorhexis (4%) for FemtoCoaxial. CONCLUSIONS: MICS and coaxial phacoemulsification techniques assisted by the Femtosecond LenSx achieved excellent safety and efficient outcomes. The FemtoMICS technique was surgically and statistically more efficient than the FemtoCoaxial technique.

MICS with toric intraocular lenses in keratoconus: outcomes and predictability analysis of postoperative refraction.

AIMS: To investigate the visual and refractive outcomes, safety, efficacy and stability of cataract surgery in eyes with stable keratoconus. METHODS: 17 eyes (10 patients) diagnosed as stable keratoconus, aged from 34 to 73 years (56.63 ± 12.47), underwent micro-incision cataract surgery (MICS) followed by implantation of toric intraocular lens (IOL). Seven of them were operated bilaterally and three unilaterally. A complete ophthalmological examination was performed preoperatively and postoperatively. The main outcome measures were: uncorrected distance visual acuity (UDVA), corrected distance visual acuity (CDVA), keratometry and manifest refraction. RESULTS: Sphere changed from -1.77 ± 6.57D (-11.00 to 7.00) preoperatively to 0.08 ± 0.79D (-1.25 to 1.75) postoperatively (p=0.211), and cylinder changed from -2.95 ± 1.71D (-7.00 to -0.75) to -1.40 ± 1.13D (-3.25 to 0.00) (p=0.016). UDVA (logMAR) changed from 1.33 ± 0.95 (0.40 to 2.77) to 0.32 ± 0.38 (0.00 to 1.30) (p=0.008) and CDVA (logMAR) changed from 0.32 ± 0.45 (0.01 to 1.77) to 0.20 ± 0.36 (-0.03 to 1.30) (p=0.013). Efficacy and safety indexes were 1.38 ± 0.58 and 1.17 ± 0.66, respectively. Refraction and corneal topography were stable during the follow-up (9.10 ± 5.54 months, 3-15) CONCLUSIONS: MICS surgery using corneal topography data and standard formulas for the calculation of the IOL power is a safe and effective procedure regarding keratometric stability, visual and refractive results.

Femtosecond laser assisted cataract surgery followed by coaxial phacoemulsification or microincisional cataract surgery: differences and advantages.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: This review outlines the advantages and the differences of femtosecond laser-assisted cataract surgery (FLACS) following a coaxial or microincision cataract surgery phacoemulsification in the surgical outcome and greater control of cataract surgery. RECENT FINDINGS: FLACS offers minimal tissue damage and extreme precision during corneal incision creation, continuous circular capsulorhexis (CCC) and nuclear fragmentation. It also allows diminishing the mean average ultrasound power to emulsify the nucleus followed by a coaxial or a biaxial procedure. The impact of reduced phacoemulsification energy on the corneal endothelium is an interesting topic that is being investigated. Despite its benefits, this technology has relevant financial issues and a high learning curve. SUMMARY: FemtoMICS appears to be surgically and statistically more efficient than the FemtoCoaxial technique and Femtoincisions prove to be stable and do not change the corneal high order aberration significantly with favorable results of the triplanar configuration.

Visual outcomes of a trifocal aspheric diffractive intraocular lens with microincision cataract surgery.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the visual outcomes of patients with a new diffractive trifocal intraocular lens (IOL). METHODS: A trifocal diffractive Fine Vision IOL (Physiol, Liege, Belgium) was implanted after microincision cataract surgery (MICS) in 40 eyes of 20 patients with bilateral cataract. The monocular and binocular visual performance and the refractive status were assessed, as well as the defocus curve and contrast sensitivity at 1 and 6 months postoperatively. RESULTS: The monocular visual outcomes (logMAR) at 6 months postoperatively were uncorrected distance visual acuity 0.18 ± 0.13, uncorrected near visual acuity 0.26 ± 0.15, and uncorrected intermediate visual acuity 0.20 ± 0.11. With the best distance correction, the visual outcomes were 0.05 ± 0.06 for corrected distance visual acuity, 0.16 ± 0.13 for distance corrected near visual acuity, and 0.17 ± 0.09 for distance corrected intermediate visual acuity. Binocular defocus curve at 6 months shows a wide range of useful vision with 0.19 ± 0.08 (logMAR) at -1.50 diopter defocus. The monocular contrast sensitivity under scotopic conditions (3 cd/m(2)) was within normal range for a population older than 60 years. CONCLUSION: The trifocal Fine Vision IOL can restore vision at different distances after cataract surgery, specifically intermediate and near vision.

Femtosecond laser cataract incision morphology and corneal higher-order aberration analysis.

PURPOSE: Analysis of the femtosecond laser refractive lens surgery corneal incision configuration and corneal higher-order aberration (HOA) effect from the first postoperative day. METHODS: High-resolution anterior segment optical coherence tomography was used to assess 20 eyes undergoing femtosecond laser refractive lens surgery with 2.2-mm minimal incision. The primary incision (tri-planar) actual length, cord length, surface angle, surface irregularity, and regional pachymetry values and the secondary incision (uni-planar) length, angle, surface irregularity, and pachymetry values were analyzed. Hartmann-Shack aberrometer was used to assess corneal HOAs to correlate the effect. Assessment was done preoperatively and 1 month postoperatively. RESULTS: The actual length, cord length, and surface angle means for the primary incision in the first postoperative day and month were 1.50 ± 0.1 and 1.47 ± 0.2 mm (P = .5), 1.41 ± 0.1 and 1.42 ± 0.2 mm (P = .8), and 27° ± 4° and 23° ± 5° (P = .07), respectively. The length and surface angle for the secondary incision in the first postoperative day and month were 1.17 ± 0.01 and 1.04 ± 0.1 mm (P = .05) and 52° ± 3° and 42° ± 5° (P = .007). The regional pachymetry values for the primary and secondary incisions were significantly increased in the first postoperative day and then significantly decreased after 1 month. All irregularities occurred in the posterior surface (endothelium): 2 cases of posterior gap (first day) and 1 case of posterior retraction (first month). The HOAs had not significantly changed preoperatively and after 1 month. CONCLUSIONS: The femtosecond laser refractive lens surgery incision is stable and does not significantly change the HOA.