Comparative study of femtosecond laser-assisted cataract surgery and conventional phacoemulsification in vitrectomized eyes.

IMPORTANCE: To compare the safety and outcomes of femtosecond laser-assisted cataract surgery (FLACS) and conventional phacoemulsification in post-vitrectomy eyes. BACKGROUND: To compare visual outcomes and adverse outcomes of FLACS and conventional phacoemulsification in vitrectomized eyes. DESIGN: Single surgeon, retrospective study set in a private clinic in Auckland, New Zealand. Patients selected in a chronological manner, without masking or randomization. PARTICIPANTS: Only patients undergoing cataract extraction following vitrectomy were included. METHODS: The last 25 surgeries performed prior to acquisition of the femtosecond laser and the first 25 surgeries performed following acquisition of the femtosecond laser were included. Patient demographic data, preoperative and postoperative visual acuities were collected. Intraoperative and postoperative complications were compared. Follow-up ranged from 1 to 74 months. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The main outcome measures are postoperative visual outcomes and intra- and postoperative complications for both groups. RESULTS: Results of FLACS compared to conventional phacoemulsification are as follows: preoperative logMAR best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) (0.63 vs. 0.69), postoperative logMAR BCVA (0.17 vs. 0.19), posterior capsule complications (0% vs. 12%, P = 0.235), cystoid macular oedema (CMO) (12% vs. 20%, P = 0.705) and postoperative neodymium-doped yttrium aluminium garnet (Nd:YAG) capsulotomy (16% vs. 48%, P = 0.032). CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: FLACS demonstrates comparable visual outcomes to conventional phacoemulsification. Whilst outcomes measured were not statistically significant, except postoperative YAG capsulotomy, FLACS showed a trend towards a better intraoperative and postoperative safety profile. Femtosecond laser offers a theoretical advantage in reducing complication rates in post-vitrectomy eyes, further larger studies are needed.

In Vivo Confocal Microscopy of the Human Cornea in the Assessment of Peripheral Neuropathy and Systemic Diseases.

In vivo confocal microscopy (IVCM) of the living human cornea offers the ability to perform repeated imaging without tissue damage. Studies using corneal IVCM have led to significant contributions to scientific and clinical knowledge of the living cornea in health and pathological states. Recently the application of corneal IVCM beyond ophthalmology to wider clinical and research fields has been demonstrated. Abnormalities of the corneal subbasal nerve plexus have been associated with many forms of peripheral neuropathy and Langerhans cells correlate with systemic inflammatory states. There is a rapidly growing evidence base investigating the use of corneal IVCM in many systemic conditions and a well-established evidence base for IVCM imaging of the corneal subbasal plexus in diabetic peripheral neuropathy. This paper reviews the potential use of corneal IVCM in general clinical practice as a noninvasive method of assessing peripheral neuropathies, monitoring inflammatory states and clinical therapeutic response.

Effectiveness of cataract phacoemulsification with toric intraocular lenses in addressing astigmatism after keratoplasty.

PURPOSE: To assess the effectiveness of toric intraocular lenses (IOLs) in the management of post-keratoplasty astigmatism. SETTING: Public university hospital, Auckland, New Zealand. DESIGN: Retrospective case series. METHODS: The study analyzed post-keratoplasty eyes after cataract surgery and toric IOL (Acrysof SN60AT or T-flex 623T/573T) implantation. RESULTS: Twenty-six eyes were included. The mean age at cataract surgery was 57.1 years ± 11.2 (SD). Previous keratoplasty was penetrating (84.6%) or deep anterior lamellar (15.4%). Keratoconus (73.1%) was the major indication for keratoplasty. The mean IOL cylinder power was 6.85 ± 3.02 diopters (D). No IOL required postoperative realignment. The mean follow-up was 14 ± 11 months. The mean refractive spherical equivalent decreased significantly, from -3.67 ± 5.76 D to -0.58 ± 1.71 D (P=.01). The mean refractive astigmatism also decreased significantly, from -5.49 ± 3.72 D to -2.61 ± 2.10 D (P<.01). There was a significant improvement in the mean uncorrected distance visual acuity (UDVA) (from 1.12 ± 0.67 logMAR to 0.45 ± 0.39 logMAR) and in the mean corrected distance visual acuity (CDVA) (from 0.70 ± 0.66 logMAR to 0.15 ± 0.16 logMAR) from preoperatively to the last follow-up (both P<.01). Postoperatively, the UDVA and CDVA were 20/40 or better in 61.5% of eyes and 92.3% of eyes, respectively. CONCLUSION: Cataract surgery with toric IOL implantation was safe and effective in significantly reducing corneal astigmatism and improving visual acuity in a large cohort of post-keratoplasty eyes.

Sphere-forming cells from peripheral cornea demonstrate polarity and directed cell migration.

Sphere-forming cells from peripheral cornea represent a potential source of progenitor cells for treatment of corneal degenerative diseases. Control of cellular repopulation on transplantable substrates is important to prevent uncontrolled growth in unfavourable directions. The coordination of cellular outgrowth may be in response to environmental cues and/or cellular signals from other spheres. To investigate this, cell migration patterns were observed following placement of spheres on an adhesive surface. Human peripheral corneal cells were maintained using a sphere-forming assay and their behaviour on collagen substrate recorded by time-lapse imaging. Immunocytochemistry and proliferation assays were used to detect protein expression and cell division. Proliferation assays showed that spheres formed by a combination of cell division and aggregation. Cell division continued within spheres for up to 4 months and was up-regulated when exposed to differentiation medium and collagen substrate. The spheres expressed both epithelial and stromal cell markers. When exposed to collagen; (1) 25% of the spheres showed spontaneous polarised outgrowth. (2) One sphere initially showed polarised outgrowth followed by collective migration with discrete morphological changes to form leading and trailing compartments. (3) A sphere which did not show polarised outgrowth was also capable of collective migration using cell protrusion and retraction. (4) Active recruitment of cells into spheres was observed. (5) Placement of spheres in close proximity led to production of a cell exclusion area adjacent to spheres. Thus peripheral corneal cell spheres are dynamic entities capable of developing polarity and modifying migration in response to their environment.