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The article focuses on written narratives of 51 Finnish university students who study German, Swedish or French as their major or one of their minors at an advanced level. The study aims to find what keeps these students motivated to study their L2. The data have been analyzed using analysis of narratives (Polkinghorne, 1995). Dörnyei’s (2009a, 2009b, 2014) L2 motivational self system (L2MSS), built around the concepts of ideal L2 self, ought-to L2 self and L2 learning experience, is used as the theoretical framework. The results indicate that perceived social pressure (ought-to L2 self) may be important when the study decision is made, but its importance diminishes during the studies. Instead, a future L2-related vision (ideal L2 self) as well as peers, teachers, course contents, and learning atmosphere (L2 learning experience) become increasingly important during the studies. The role of the emotional dimension of possible selves seems to be central in developing and preserving study motivation. At the end of the article, some implications of the results for higher education programs of languages other than English (LOTEs) are presented.

The focus of this article is the multilingualism of advanced university students of languages other than English. Our research questions are the following: 1) How many foreign languages do students know and use in their everyday life? 2) In which contexts do they use their various languages? 3) How do they reflect on their multilingualism? The data were collected at the University of Helsinki by means of an electronic questionnaire, through which students were invited to answer open questions about their language use. In all, 53 students of French, German, and Swedish answered the questionnaire. The results of this qualitative study have been presented from a holistic perspective, focusing on the dynamic nature of individual multilingualism (Jessner 2008). In the paper, we also discuss how the languages in the students’ language repertoire could be interpreted as being a part of (or outside) their (Aronin and Singleton 2012). The results show that students were aware of their language competence in their various L2s, although many of them did not seem to experience themselves as multilingual. Many students were strongly focused on one specific L2, but in some cases, it could be possible to talk about a more holistic (Henry 2017) beyond the individual language-specific identifications.

The focus of this article is the multilingualism of advanced university students of languages other than English. Our research questions are the following: 1) How many foreign languages do students know and use in their everyday life? 2) In which contexts do they use their various languages? 3) How do they reflect on their multilingualism? The data were collected at the University of Helsinki by means of an electronic questionnaire, through which students were invited to answer open questions about their language use. In all, 53 students of French, German, and Swedish answered the questionnaire. The results of this qualitative study have been presented from a holistic perspective, focusing on the dynamic nature of individual multilingualism (Jessner 2008). In the paper, we also discuss how the languages in the students’ language repertoire could be interpreted as being a part of (or outside) their dominant language constellation (Aronin and Singleton 2012). The results show that students were aware of their language competence in their various L2s, although many of them did not seem to experience themselves as multilingual. Many students were strongly focused on one specific L2, but in some cases, it could be possible to talk about a more holistic multilingual identity (Henry 2017) beyond the individual language-specific identifications.

The aim of this study was to review and meta-analyze whether there are differences between reported femtosecond (FS) lasers for laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) in terms of efficacy, predictability, and safety as primary outcomes and corneal flap thickness measurements and pre- and postoperative complications as secondary outcomes. A comprehensive literature search of PubMed, Science Direct, Scopus, and Cochrane CENTRAL Trials Library databases was conducted to identify the relevant prospective randomized controlled trials of FS lasers for LASIK. Thirty-one articles describing a total of 5,404 eyes were included. Based on efficacy, IntraLase FS 10 and 30 kHz gave the best results. Based on predictability and safety, there were no differences between various FS lasers. FEMTO LDV and IntraLase FS 60 kHz produced the most accurate flap thicknesses. IntraLase and Wavelight SF200 had the fewest intraoperative complications. IntraLase, Visumax, and Wavelight FS200 had the most seldom postoperative complications. There were dissimilarities between different FS lasers based on efficacy and intraoperative and postoperative complications. All FS lasers were predictable and safe for making corneal flaps in LASIK.

The article focuses on written narratives of 51 Finnish university students who study German, Swedish or French as their major or one of their minors at an advanced level. The study aims to find what keeps these students motivated to study their L2. The data have been analyzed using analysis of narratives (Polkinghorne, 1995). Dörnyei’s (2009a, 2009b, 2014) L2 motivational self system (L2MSS), built around the concepts of ideal L2 self, ought-to L2 self and L2 learning experience, is used as the theoretical framework. The results indicate that perceived social pressure (ought-to L2 self) may be important when the study decision is made, but its importance diminishes during the studies. Instead, a future L2-related vision (ideal L2 self) as well as peers, teachers, course contents, and learning atmosphere (L2 learning experience) become increasingly important during the studies. The role of the emotional dimension of possible selves seems to be central in developing and preserving study motivation. At the end of the article, some implications of the results for higher education programs of languages other than English (LOTEs) are presented.

To compare factors affecting patient satisfaction after femtosecond laser in situ keratomileusis (FS-LASIK) and small incision lenticule extraction (SMILE) for myopia in the real-life situation study. The SMILE group included 100 eyes (51 patients) and the FS-LASIK group 200 eyes (102 patients). In addition to clinical examination, dry eye symptoms and patient satisfaction with far and near vision were reported and graded on the visual analog scale preoperatively and one month after the operation. Case-control pairs were selected for the SMILE patients from FS-LASIK-treated patients to ensure the homogeneity in spherical equivalent refraction, preoperative dry eye, and visual satisfaction. Eighty percent of SMILE eyes and 83% of FS-LASIK eyes achieved an uncorrected distance visual acuity of 20/20 or better. Predictability (±0.5 D of mean target spherical equivalent refraction) was 91% in SMILE and 93.5% in FS-LASIK. No eyes lost two or more Snellen lines of corrected distance visual acuity. Based on case-control pairs, dry eye symptoms remained the same after one month in the FS-LASIK-treated eyes ( =0.87) but decreased in the SMILE-treated eyes ( =0.01) compared with the preoperative situation. Patient satisfaction with far vision improved significantly in both groups ( <0.001), but satisfaction with near vision improved significantly only in FS-LASIK ( <0.001) and not in SMILE ( =0.58). There was more postoperative astigmatism in SMILE in comparison with FS-LASIK ( =0.002). In a real-life situation, patients with preoperative dry eye experience were often directed to the SMILE operation, which resulted in beneficial decrease in their dry eye symptoms. Patient satisfaction with far vision decreased with increasing dry eye symptoms and postoperative astigmatism in both SMILE- and FS-LASIK-treated emmetropic patients. Safety, efficacy, and predictability were comparable in both treatments.

To study self-reported patient satisfaction and dry eye symptoms in hyperopic correction with femtosecond laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis (FS-LASIK). Ninety-eight eyes (53 patients) were treated with FS-LASIK for hyperopia. Patients' self-reported dry eye symptoms and satisfaction with near and far vision were graded on the visual analog scale (VAS) preoperatively and 1 month postoperatively. Ninety-one percent of the eyes with the plano target (54 eyes) achieved an uncorrected distance visual acuity of 20/20 or better. Predictability, defined as spherical equivalent refraction within ±0.5 D of target, was 88% of all eyes. None of the eyes lost two or more Snellen lines of corrected distance visual acuity. There was no significant change in the self-reported dry eye sensation (VAS score from 2.7±2.0 to 2.8±2.0; =0.66). In 44 monovision patients, satisfaction with both far vision (from 71.2±19.8 to 89.2±8.7; <0.0001) and near vision (from 51.7±26.2 to 89.3±13.2; <0.0001) increased significantly. In nine emmetropic patients, satisfaction with neither far vision nor near vision was significantly improved, although there was a clear tendency (from 73.7±23.7 to 86.9±15.3; =0.22, and from 58.9±29.1 to 81.6±17.4; =0.11, respectively). In the monovision patient group, far vision satisfaction decreased when dry eye symptoms increased. Monovision patients, as predicted, were more satisfied with their near vision, when postoperative spherical equivalent from target was on the myopic side. FS-LASIK correction of hyperopia significantly improved patient satisfaction with both near and far vision in monovision patients. Hyperopic patients had no significant changes in postoperative dry eye symptoms compared to preoperative values.

PURPOSE: To present the flap characteristics and short-term efficacy and safety of 787 consecutive LASIK procedures with the FEMTO LDV femtosecond laser (Ziemer Ophthalmic Systems) for the treatment of refractive errors. METHODS: Seven hundred eighty-seven consecutive eyes of 405 previously non-operated patients were treated with the FEMTO LDV. Intended flap thickness was 110 µm and intended flap diameter varied from 8.5 to 9.5 mm. Refractive treatment was performed with the WaveLight ALLEGRETTO WAVE Concerto 500 Hz excimer laser. All eyes were wavefront-optimized. RESULTS: The mean flap thickness, measured by ultra-sound pachymetry, was 90.0±5.5 µm (range: 67 to 107 µm) in right eyes and 90.1±4.6 µm (range: 77 to 106 µm) in left eyes. Mean flap diameter was 9.1±0.2 mm (range: 8.4 to 9.9 mm) in right eyes and 9.1±0.2 mm (range: 8.0 to 10.0 mm) in left eyes. Increasing flap thickness was correlated with increasing corneal thickness in right eyes and flatter keratometric value K1 in left eyes. The most common complication was minor bleeding during the procedure (12.7%). All other complications were rare (8.4%), and none prevented further laser ablation. CONCLUSIONS: The Ziemer FEMTO LDV laser created thinner LASIK flaps than intended but with a low standard deviation and minimal intraoperative complications. [J Refract Surg. 2010;26:7–16.]

Background The aim of this paper is to present the accuracy, predictability, and safety outcomes of LASIK enhancements performed with the FEMTO LDV femtosecond laser (Ziemer Ophthalmic Systems, Port, Switzerland) and the Allegretto Wave Concerto 500 Hz excimer laser (Wavelight AG, Erlangen, Germany), following previous LASIK treatments. Methods FEMTO LDV was used for flap creation in 85 previously LASIK-treated eyes of 62 patients. The intended flap thickness was 90 μm in 81 eyes and 140 μm in 4 eyes. The size of the suction ring was 9.0 mm in 72 eyes and 9.5 mm in 13 eyes. Flap dimensions were measured and correlated to preoperative characteristics. Results With the intended flap thickness of 90 μm in previously LASIK-treated eyes, the actual flap thickness was 90.2 ± 6.6 μm (range 80–122), and the flap diameter was 9.2 ± 0.2 mm (range 8.7–9.9). The mean hinge length was 4.0 ± 0.2 mm (range 3.0–4.8). Flap thickness correlated positively with patient age and hinge length. Complications were reported in 12 eyes (14.1 %). Most of the complications were very mild, and none of them prevented further refractive laser treatment. One eye lost two Snellen lines of best spectacle-corrected visual acuity. Conclusions Femtosecond LASIK enhancement is warranted only in rare cases. Surgical experience is needed and special caution must be practiced. For cases of a primary free cap, femtosecond LASIK is not recommended.

In vitro biocompatibility of 50:50 PDLGA, 85:15 PDLGA, and Inion GTR TM membrane was evaluated in cell line cultures from various ocular tissues, in human corneal epithelial cells (HCE), rabbit stromal fibroblasts (SIRC), bovine corneal endothelial cells (BCE), human conjunctival epithelial cells (IOBA-NHC), and human retinal pigment epithelial cells (ARPE-19). To study the toxicity of degradation products, the biomaterials were extracted in phosphate buffered saline at 70 °C for 24 h. The cell cultures were exposed to biomaterial extract diluted in medium (1:1–1:8) and the biocompatibility was evaluated by the WST-1 cytotoxicity/cell proliferation test. In all experiments without pH neutralization, cell viability increased with decreasing biomaterial extract volume. The highest extraction ratio 1:1 of PDLGA 50:50 decreased viability from 5–20%, from the control level, depending on the cell type. The corresponding cell viability values for PDLGA 85:15 and Inion GTR membrane ranged from 47–87% and 66–92%, respectively. When the pH of biomaterial extract was neutralized, Inion GTR membrane and PDLGA 85:15 had no effect on viability. BCE, HCE, and IOBA-NHC appeared to the most sensitive cell types, while SIRC and ARPE-19 were more resistant. The results of our in vitro studies suggest that the polymers tested are satisfactorily biocompatible.