Explore the vast range of titles available.

Keratoconus is a progressive disease of the cornea which can lead to blindness as irregular astigmatism increases. Currently, a variety of methods are available for the treatment of keratoconus, and in certain cases, it may be difficult to choose the most appropriate option. This article reviews available treatment modalities for keratoconus to provide the practitioner with practical and useful information for selecting the most suitable option for each individual patient. To review treatment methods for different stages of keratoconus, PubMed (United States National Library of Medicine) and Scopus (Elsevier BV) databases were searched using the keywords \"keratoconus\", \"contact lens\", \"cross-linking\", \"Intacs\", \"keratoplasty\", \"gene therapy\", and \"irregular astigmatism\", and related articles were reviewed based on disease assessment parameters and treatment methods. Various methods are available for the treatment of keratoconus: eyeglasses and contact lenses in the early stages, cross-linking for stabilizing disease progression, intrastromal corneal ring segments (ICRS) for reducing refractive errors or flattening the cornea, and penetrating keratoplasty (PK) and deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty (DALK), conductive keratoplasty, gene therapy and more recently, bowman layer transplantation (BL transplantation) in advanced stages of the disease. To achieve optimum results, it is essential to choose the best option for each individual patient. A commonality of the reviewed papers was the advancement of novel diagnostic and treatment methods in ophthalmology, which can delay the need for corneal grafting. A better understanding of keratoconus treatment options can help enhance visual rehabilitation and prevent blindness in keratoconus patients.

A comprehensive review in congenital cataract management can guide general ophthalmologists in managing such a difficult situation which remains a significant cause of preventable childhood blindness. This review will focus on surgical management, postoperative complications, and intraocular lens (IOL)-related controversies. Electrical records of PubMed, Medline, Google Scholar, and Web of Science from January 1980 to August 2017 were explored using a combination of keywords: \"Congenital\", \"Pediatric\", \"Childhood\", \"Cataract\", \"Lens opacity\", \"Management\", \"Surgery\", \"Complication\", \"Visual rehabilitation”, and \"Lensectomy\". A total number of 109 articles were selected for the review process. This review article suggests that lens opacity obscuring the red reflex in preverbal children and visual acuity of less than 20/40 is an absolute indication for lens aspiration. For significant lens opacity that leads to a considerable risk of amblyopia, cataract surgery is recommended at 6 weeks of age for unilateral cataract and between 6 and 8 weeks of age for bilateral cases. The recommended approach in operation is lens aspiration via vitrector and posterior capsulotomy and anterior vitrectomy in children younger than six years, and IOL implantation could be considered in patients older than one year. Most articles suggested hydrophobic foldable acrylic posterior chamber intraocular lens (PCIOL) for pediatrics because of lower postoperative inflammation. Regarding the continuous ocular growth and biometric changes in pediatric patients, under correction of IOL power based on the child's age is an acceptable approach. Considering the effects of early and late postoperative complications on the visual outcome, timely detection, and management are of a pivotal importance. In the end, the main parts of post-operation visual rehabilitation are a refractive correction, treatment of concomitant amblyopia, and bifocal correction for children in school age. The management of congenital cataracts stands to challenge for most surgeons because of visual development and ocular growth. Children undergoing cataract surgery must be followed lifelong for proper management of early and late postoperative complications. IOL implantation for infants less than 1 year is not recommended, and IOL insertion for children older than 2 years with sufficient capsular support is advised.

The corneal flap created in LASIK is responsible for most of its advantages in comparison with surface ablation. However, lamellar dissection of the corneal layers in LASIK can also result in serious complications such as corneal ectasia. A 23-year-old man underwent LASIK for correction of −4.75 −2.00@15 in the right eye and −4.50 −2.00@160 in the left eye with a preoperative thinnest corneal thickness of 518 µm/right eye and 513 µm/left eye in 2009. An intended flap thickness and ablation depth in both eyes were 160 µm and 94 µm, respectively, and subsequently, residual stromal bed thickness was 264 µm/right eye and 259 µm/left eye. Several years after surgery, he was referred for the decreased vision. His corrected-distance visual acuity was 0.50 in both eyes. A scissoring reflex was found in retinoscopy. Orbscan imaging was compatible with keratoconus. Anterior segment optical coherence tomography was performed to measure the LASIK flap. It was much thicker (200 µm) than intended (160 µm), and therefore, the residual stromal bed thickness was much thinner. In summary, keratectasia may develop in cases where thicker than expected flaps result in excessive thinning of the residual stromal bed. The obtained results from this case emphasize and remind the importance of intraoperative measurement of flap thickness and using femtosecond and new criteria for patient selection to avoid post-LASIK keratectasia.

PurposeTo compare the accuracy of three devices (Pentacam, Sirius and OPD-Scan III) to differentiate subclinical keratoconus from normal corneas by wavefront parameters.MethodsTwo hundred and seventeen patients were enrolled in three groups [68 normal, 79 subclinical keratoconus (SKCN) and 70 KCN eyes] in this prospective diagnostic test study. Wavefront indices were evaluated between the groups using Pentacam, Sirius and OPD-Scan III. The accuracy of the parameters was determined by measuring the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) for each group.ResultsFront Baiocchi-Calossi-Versaci (BCV) index with Sirius (sensitivity = 87.7%, specificity = 83%, AUC = 0.887), front Vertical Coma (Z3−1) with Pentacam (sensitivity = 75%, specificity = 100%, AUC = 0.857) and Corneal Z3−1 with OPD-Scan III (sensitivity = 100%, specificity = 78.6%, AUC = 0.857) had the highest AUC values for the diagnosis of subclinical KCN. In the KCN group, the highest AUC values were obtained for front higher-order aberration (HOA), front/back Z3−1 and front Secondary Vertical Coma (Z5−1) with Pentacam (sensitivity = 100%, specificity = 100%, AUC = 1.00 for all three), front root mean square values per unit area (RMS/A), HOA, Residual HOA, BCV, RMS Trefoil and RMS Coma with Sirius (sensitivity = 100%, specificity = 100%, AUC = 1.00 for all) and Corneal HOA, RMS total Coma and Z3−1 with OPD-Scan III (sensitivity = 100%, specificity = 93%, AUC = 0.96 for all three).ConclusionCorneal wavefront indices generated from different devices have acceptable validity for differentiating normal cornea from the early form of KCN, and this can be very useful for preoperative screening before refractive surgery. The front BCV with Sirius was the most accurate parameter for diagnosis of SKCN followed by Z3−1 with Pentacam and OPD-Scan III.

To review the background, epidemiology and current management of trachoma in endemic areas and worldwide. Review of literature. Trachoma is one of the leading causes of preventable blindness in developing countries. It was reported as one of the seven most neglected tropical diseases that can be prevented via drug administration. Its infliction is primarily aimed at those living in areas deprived of clean water and proper sanitation. It is estimated that trachoma is the cause of visual impairment in about 2.2 million people worldwide of which about 1.2 million are completely blind. With implementation of the SAFE (surgery, antibiotics, facial cleanliness, and environmental control) strategy with support from the International Trachoma Initiative (ITI) the incidence of trachoma has decreased significantly in the Middle East and North Africa region. With the enhancement of socioeconomic and sanitary status of people, advent of new generations of antibiotics, training of expert ophthalmologists and eye care facilities the prevalence of trachoma is decreasing.

To review the historical background and basic principles of collagen cross-linking, to bring together the data regarding the outcomes and complications of collagen cross-linking and finally to explore the efficacy and safety of new variations of this technique. A literature review was performed using PubMed and Scopus. The following keywords were used for literature search: cross linking, crosslinking, cross-linking, keratoconus, keratectasia. In contrast to traditional treatment modalities for keratoconus (KCN), this new technique addresses the progression of the disease. Several clinical studies have been conducted to assess the efficacy of corneal collagen cross-linking (CXL) in the last decade. The results were promising as collagen cross-linking showed significant improvement in visual acuity and keratometric values. Moreover, initial results show that it is a safe procedure with few reported complications. CXL is an emerging treatment method in ophthalmology that offers the possibility to effectively treat progressive KCN.

Given the scarcity of data regarding ocular complications following COVID‐19 vaccination, the approach toward patients with suggestive symptoms and established clinical practice is lacking. Herein, we report the first case of herpetic endotheliithis and secondary stromal keratitis following inactivated COVID‐19 vaccination who experienced a relapse due to poor adherence. Although the causality between COVID‐19 vaccination and herpetic keratitis cannot be established, this case report highlights the need for practitioners to be mindful of the possibility of herpetic keratitis reactivation in patients with suggestive symptoms and previous COVID‐19 vaccination and urges the need for proper follow‐up and treatment.

We introduce a simple, easy to learn, fast and safe technique to facilitate nucleus management in patients with zonular weakening in uncomplicated cases. The surgery begins with a temporal 3.2 mm clear corneal incision under topical anesthesia. Two side-port incisions are made on the inferior and superior sides. Anterior continuous curvilinear 5-6 mm diameter capsulorhexis and hydrodissection are performed to loosen capsule cortical attachments. The nucleus is not rotated, and an appropriated groove (80-90% depth) is sculpted using phaco machine. The groove is cracked into two hemispheres; lateral pressure and a side port manipulator. Then, 15-30 degree phaco tip is introduced and embedded into one hemisphere of nucleus beside the capsulorhexis edge at temporal or nasal part. After complete removal of the first hemisphere, the second is flipped again from bag into iris plane and phacoemulsified in the same manner.

Purpose: To report the clinical findings of unilateral central toxic keratopathy (CTK) associated with inadvertent exposure to topical minoxidil 5% solution 1 day after bilateral photorefractive keratectomy (PRK). Methods: Anterior segment slit-lamp photography, anterior segment optical coherence tomography (AS-OCT), pachymetry map, epithelial map, and manifest refractions were recorded. Results: This is a case of a 27-year-old male who underwent bilateral PRK and presented 5 days after surgery with the complaint of acute decreased visual acuity in the left eye (LE). His LE was reportedly exposed to topical ethanol-based minoxidil 5% on postoperative day 1, which he was using as a posthair transplant treatment. Clinical examination showed hyperopic shift, poor visual acuity, central corneal opacity, epithelial irregularity, central corneal thinning, and flattening on AS-OCT. These findings were consistent with a diagnosis of CTK. The patient was monitored with conservative treatment and demonstrated full recovery after 6 months. Conclusion: It is recommended to warn patients who have undergone refractive surgery concerning the use of ethanol-containing agents, such as minoxidil solution, because of the possible risk of CTK, a complication not formally recognized.

Purpose To evaluate the quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) analysis in herpes simplex virus (HSV) keratitis with and without epithelial involvement. Methods This cross-sectional study was performed on 70 patients with different HSV types and an active ocular lesion in Farabi Eye Hospital, Tehran, Iran. From these 70 patients, 171 samples were collected, including seventy tear samples and 33 scraping samples from involved eyes; and 68 samples from uninvolved fellow eyes. Samples were frozen at − 70 °C until DNA extraction was performed. Quantity of HSV was measured using qRT-PCR in all three samples. Results The mean age of HSV patients was 52.19 ± 20.42 years (range, 4–85 years). Forty-one (58.6%) HSV patients had epithelial involvement, and 29 (41.4%) patients did not have epithelial involvement. In PCR-positive cases, the mean number of viruses in affected eyes’ tears (8,831,234 ± 4,051,979) was significantly higher than uninvolved eyes’ tears (182,603 ± 69,141) ( P  = 0.02). The mean of PCR in HSV patients with and without epithelial involvement was 10,320,269 ± 5,329,800 and 1,469,419 ± 1,070,396, respectively ( P  = 0.04). The qRT-PCR of involved tears in both groups (with and without epithelial involvement) was significantly higher than unaffected eyes’ tears ( P  < 0.0001 and P  = 0.01, respectively). In cases with and without epithelial involvement, the cutoff points of viral load in involved eyes’ tears were 281,000 and 126,000 copies, respectively. Conclusion The results indicated that qRT-PCR is an excellent method for the detection of herpes simplex keratitis.