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Femtosecond laser-assisted cataract surgery has the potential to make critical steps of cataract surgery easier and safer, and reduce endothelial cell loss, thus, improving postoperative outcomes. This study compared FLACS with the conventional method in terms of endothelial cells behavior, clinical outcomes, and capsulotomy precision. Methods: In a single-center, randomized controlled study, 130 patients with cataracta senilis received FLACS or conventional cataract surgery. Results: A significant endothelial cell loss was observed postoperatively, compared to the preoperative values in both groups. The endothelial cell counts was significantly better in the FLACS group in cataract grade 2 (p = 0.048) patients, compared to conventionally at 4 weeks. The effective phaco time was notably shorter in grade 2 of the FLACS group (p = 0.007) compared to the conventional. However, no statistically significant differences were found for the whole sample, including all cataract grades, due to the overall cataract density in the FLACS group being significantly higher (2.60 ± 0.58, p < 0.001) as compared to conventional methods (2.23 ± 0.42). Conclusions: Low energy FLACS provides a better result compared to endothelial cell loss, size, and shape variations, as well as in effective phaco time within certain cataract grade subgroups. A complete comparison between two groups was not possible because of the higher cataract grade in the FLACS. FLACS displayed a positive effect on endothelial cell preservation and was proven to be much more precise.

PurposeTo assess the proportion of maculopathy detectable only on optical coherence tomography (OCT) versus slit lamp indirect ophthalmoscopy (SLIO) during cataract assessment.MethodsPopulation: Consecutive patients attending cataract assessments. Data collection: All patients underwent OCT and SLIO. SLIO findings were recorded before reviewing OCT. Scans were examined to compare with recorded SLIO findings. Primary outcome: analyse the proportion of eyes with maculopathy missed by SLIO. Secondary outcome: to assess the proportion of patients with maculopathy on OCT, the incidence of maculopathy in the fellow eye on OCT and proportion with cataracts too dense to allow SLIO or OCT.ResultsSix hundred twenty-six patients were enroled. Eighty (12.8%) had maculopathy detectable only on OCT which included: 26 (4.2%) epiretinal membrane (ERM), 25 (4%) dry age-related macular degeneration (AMD), 19 (3%) vitreomacular traction (VMT), 5 (0.8%) lamellar macular hole (LMH), 2 (0.3%) cystoid macular oedema (CMO) and 1 (0.2%) wet AMD. 166 (26.5%) had maculopathy on OCT, of which only 48 (7.7%) had known history of maculopathy. In fellow eyes, 29 (4.6%) had significant findings and 29 (4.6%) were unable to have SLIO or OCT due to dense cataract.ConclusionsA quarter of the patients had occult maculopathy. One-tenth of the occult maculopathy were missed without OCT, with ERM, dry AMD, VMT, LMH, CMO and wet AMD being the primary missed diagnosis. Less than 5% had occult maculopathy in fellow eye, and <5% had dense cataracts where neither SLIO nor OCT was not possible.

Purpose: To compare the safety and efficacy parameters of intravitreal ranibizumab vs intravitreal dexamethasone (IVD) in the treatment of patients with naïve diabetic macular edema (DME) in terms of best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), central macular thickness (CMT), and possible complications like intraocular pressure (IOP) rise and cataract progression. Methods: A hospital-based prospective and comparative study of naïve DME patients was conducted between November 2020 and October 2021 with a minimum follow-up (F/U) period of 6 months. Thirty phakic patients received one dose of IVD implant (Group A) and the other 30 (Group B) received three consecutive monthly doses of ranibizumab. The main exclusion criteria were steroid responders and the presence of ocular inflammation. Results: The mean pre-injection CMT in Group A was 405µ and reduced to 297.07µ at 3 months and 278.35µ at 6 months. Mean increase in logMAR BCVA was 0.55. The mean pre-injection IOP was 16.28 and 17.64 mm of Hg at 6 months. In Group B, the mean pre-injection CMT was 401.07µ and reduced to 276.1µ at 3 months and 292.9µ at 6 months. Mean BCVA increased to 0.37. The mean pre-injection IOP was 17.28 mm Hg and 16.42 mm Hg at 6 months. There was no significant progression of cataract in both groups. Conclusion: The mean decrease in CMT was comparable in both the groups at 6 months F/U with an improvement of BCVA with no significant IOP fluctuation or cataract progression. Hence, IVD appears to be noninferior to ranibizumab in the treatment of naïve DME.

Purpose: Comparison of three ultrasound (US) frequencies for phacoemulsification of hard cataracts to determine a frequency that makes phacoemulsification more efficacious and safer. Methods: A randomized controlled trial was undertaken at a medical college and hospital. In total, 207 patients with grade 5.6-6.9 (LOCS III) senile cataract were randomized into three groups. Group I underwent phacoemulsification with 28-kHz frequency, group II with 42-kHz frequency, and group III with 53-kHz frequency. The effective phacoemulsification time (EPT) and estimated fluid usage (EFU) were compared intraoperatively. The endothelial cell parameters were analyzed for 6 months. Results: The groups were matched for age (P = 0.467), gender (P = 0.497), nuclear grade (P = 0.321), and anterior chamber depth (P = 0.635). The EPT and EFU were significantly lower in group III, compared to group II and group I, with P < 0.0001 and P < 0.0001, respectively. Postoperatively, the endothelial cell density (ECD) was significantly higher in group III at 1 month (P < 0.0001), 3 months (P < 0.0001), and 6 months (P < 0.0001). The percentages of ECD loss were also significantly lower in group III; the difference was statistically significant (P < 0.0001) up to 6 months postoperatively Conclusion: Higher frequency ultrasound was associated with a lower EPT and EFU as well as better endothelial preservation than lower frequencies in hard cataracts.

Background Long-term use of inhaled corticosteroids (ICSs) has been associated with increased risk of bone and ocular comorbidities. We evaluated the effects of the triple fixed-dose combination budesonide/glycopyrrolate/formoterol fumarate metered dose inhaler (BGF MDI), formulated using co-suspension delivery technology, on bone mineral density (BMD) and ocular safety in patients with moderate-to-very severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Methods In this extension study, a subset of patients from the 24-week, phase III, randomized, double-blind KRONOS study (NCT02497001) continued treatment (BGF MDI 320/18/9.6 μg, budesonide/formoterol fumarate [BFF] MDI 320/9.6 μg or glycopyrrolate/formoterol fumarate [GFF] MDI 18/9.6 μg, as a non-steroidal comparator) for an additional 28 weeks. Primary endpoints were percentage change from baseline in lumbar spine BMD and change from baseline in lens opacities classification system III posterior subcapsular cataract (P) score, both at Week 52. Adverse events were also assessed. Results In total, 456 patients were included in the safety population (53.1% male, mean age 62.8 years). Changes from baseline in lumbar spine BMD (least squares mean [LSM] range − 0.12 to 0.38%) and P score (LSM range 0.02–0.15) were small for all treatments. Both BGF MDI and BFF MDI were non-inferior to GFF MDI using margins of −2% (BMD) and 0.5 units (P score). The incidence of treatment-emergent adverse events (TEAEs)  was generally similar among groups. Rates of confirmed pneumonia were low overall (2.4%) and highest in the GFF MDI group (3.4%), followed by BGF MDI (2.1%) and BFF MDI (1.1%). There were no cumulative adverse effects of treatment over time as the incidence and types of TEAEs, were generally similar in the first 24 weeks of the study and after Week 24. Conclusions In patients with COPD, both ICS-containing therapies were non-inferior to GFF MDI for the primary BMD and ophthalmological endpoints. Changes from baseline in all three treatment groups over 52 weeks were small and not clinically meaningful. All treatments were well tolerated with no new or unexpected safety findings. Trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov NCT02536508. Registered 27 August 2015.

It is a challenge to rescue ophthalmology examinations performed in children in the sedation room after initial chloral hydrate failure. Intranasal dexmedetomidine can be used in rescue sedation in children undergoing computed tomography. The present study aimed to assess the efficacy and tolerability of intranasal dexmedetomidine use in children undergoing ophthalmic examination after chloral hydrate failure. Sixty uncooperative pediatric patients with cataract (aged 5–36 months; weight, 7–15 kg) presented for follow-up ophthalmic examination. Patients who experienced chloral hydrate failure were randomized to 1 of 2 groups to receive intranasal dexmedetomidine 1 or 2 μg/kg for rescue sedation. Each group contained 30 patients. The primary outcome was the rate of a successful ophthalmic examination. Secondary outcomes included sedation onset time, recovery time, duration of examination, discharge time, and adverse events, including percentage of heart rate reduction, respiratory depression, vomiting, and postsedative agitation. A successful ophthalmic examination was achieved in 93.3% (28/30) of patients in the 2-μg/kg dose group and in 66.7% (20/30) of patients in the 1-μg/kg dose group (P = 0.021). The onset time, recovery time, and discharge time did not significantly differ between the 2 groups. None of the patients required clinical intervention due to heart rate reduction, and none of the patients in either group experienced vomiting, respiratory depression, or agitation after the administration of dexmedetomidine. In children undergoing ophthalmic examination, intranasal dexmedetomidine can be administered in the sedation room for rescue sedation after chloral hydrate failure, with the 2-μg/kg dose being more efficacious than the 1-μg/kg dose, as measured by success rate. ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT02077712.

To compare the sealability of femtosecond laser-constructed and manual clear corneal incisions (CCIs) in patients undergoing cataract surgery. This prospective, randomized study included 62 eyes of 62 patients with cataract grade 1 to 2 (LOCS scale). The patients were randomly assigned (1:1) for creation of either manual CCI (with a 2.4-mm keratome) or femtosecond laser-assisted CCI (LENSAR, Inc., Orlando, FL) (31 eyes in each group) before undergoing femtosecond laser-assisted cataract surgery. Wound sealability was assessed as grade 1, 2, or 3 (1: need to reform anterior chamber and hydrate wound at end of surgery; 2: need to reform anterior chamber only; 3: formed anterior chamber, no hydration or anterior chamber reformation necessary). The nuclear sclerosis grade, cumulative dissipated energy and phacoemulsification time were comparable between the two groups. No complications were experienced in any of the patients. The mean wound sealability for the femtosecond laser group (2.35 ± 0.84) was statistically significantly better in comparison to the manual group (1.32 ± 0.65) (P < .001). At the end of the surgery, 22.6% (n = 7) of eyes in the femtosecond laser group needed reformation of the anterior chamber and hydration of the wound compared to 77.4% (n = 24) of eyes in the manual group. Conversely, 58.1% (n = 18) of eyes in the femtosecond laser group compared to 9.7% (n = 3) of eyes in the manual group were observed to have a formed anterior chamber. Femtosecond laser-created CCIs had significantly better wound sealability compared to those created with a metal keratome. [J Refract Surg. 2017;33(11):744-748.].

Aim:To evaluate the reliability of lens density measurement with anterior segment optical coherence tomography (OCT) and its association with the Lens Opacity Classification System Version III (LOCS III) grading.Methods:Fifty-five eyes from 55 age-related cataract patients were included. One eye from each subject was selected at random for lens evaluation. After dilation, lens photographs were taken with a slit lamp and graded against the LOCS III standardised condition. Anterior segment OCT imaging was performed on the same eyes with a high-resolution scan. The association between the anterior segment OCT nucleus density measurement and LOCS III nuclear opalescence (NO) and nuclear colour (NC) scores was evaluated with the Spearman correlation coefficient. Anterior segment OCT measurement precision, coefficient of variation (CVw), and intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) were calculated.Results:The mean NO and NC scores were 3.39 (SD 1.10) and 3.37 (SD 1.27), respectively. Significant correlations were found between anterior segment OCT nuclear density measurements and the LOCS III NO and NC scores (r = 0.77 and 0.60, respectively, both with p<0.001). The precision, CVw and ICC of anterior segment OCT measurement were 2.05 units, 4.55% and 0.98, respectively.Conclusion:Anterior segment OCT nucleus density measurement is reliable and correlates with the LOCS III NO and NC scores.

PurposeTo compare surgical parameters among eyes undergoing laser-assisted cataract surgery (LACS) using different lens fragmentation patterns (LFP).MethodsProspective, randomized, unmasked clinical trial. One-hundred eyes underwent LACS and were randomly assigned to 1 of 3 LFP treatment groups: (1) laser capsulotomy only; no lens fragmentation (NLF) (n = 34); (2) three-plane chop (TPC) (n = 33); and, (3) pie-cut pattern (PCP) fragmentation (n = 33). Prechop phacoemulsification (PHACO) was performed on all eyes using the same femtosecond (FS) laser and active-fluidics PHACO machine. Main outcome measures: FS laser dock time (s), PHACO time (s), PHACO power (%), cumulative dissipated energy (CDE) (%-s), irrigating fluid volume, and operative time.ResultsThe 3 treatment groups were comparable in terms of patient age (P = 0.164) and nuclear density (P = 0.669). FS dock time was higher in the PCP group (184.18 ± 25.86) compared to the TPC (145.09 ± 14.15) group (P < 0.001). PHACO time was significantly shorter in the PCP (23.19 ± 17.20 s) compared to TPC (35.27 ± 17.70) and NLF (46.15 ± 23.72) groups (P < 0.001). PHACO power was lower in the PCP (11.81 ± 3.71) compared to the NLF (14.41 ± 1.88) and TPC (14.04 ± 2.46) groups (P < 0.001). CDE was lower in the PCP (2.85 ± 2.32) compared to NLF (6.55 ± 3.32) and TPC (6.55 ± 5.45) groups (P < 0.001). Fluid volumes and operative times were similar.ConclusionLFP can influence PHACO surgical parameters. Extensive fragmentation patterns such as PCP appear to lower PHACO time, power, and CDE and may potentially reduce the risk of PHACO related complications.

To compare the efficacy and safety of the intraocular lens (IOL)-shell procedure versus conventional phacoemulsification for the surgical treatment of dense cataracts. Eighty eyes with dense nuclear cataracts were enrolled in a prospective, randomized controlled study. Patients were assigned to two groups. In Group I, the IOL was traditionally implanted after all nuclear fragments were completely removed, and in Group II, the IOL was innovatively implanted in the bag before the last residual nuclear fragment was removed. This novel adjusted surgical procedure, named the \"IOL-shell technique\", features use of the IOL as a protective barrier rather than simply as a refractive alternative, and it is conceptually different from the traditional step-by-step procedure. Clinical examinations, including uncorrected visual acuity, central corneal thickness (CCT), temporal clear corneal incision thickness and corneal endothelial cell density, were carried out. The inter-group difference in temporal corneal thickness was found to be of no statistical significance at any of the visits. Compared to eyes in Group I, those in Group II were shown to have significantly less corneal endothelial cell loss on both the 7th and 30th day following surgery. At 7 days after surgery, the mean corneal endothelial cell loss in Group II was 10.29%, compared to 14.37% in Group I (P<0.05). The mean endothelial cell loss measured on postoperative day 30 was 16.88% in Group II compared to 23.32% in Group I (P<0.05). On the 1st day after surgery, the mean CCT of eyes in Group II was significantly smaller compared to Group I (Group I vs. Group II: 19.42% vs. 13.50%, P<0.05). Compared to conventional phacoemulsification, the IOL-shell technique was shown to be a relatively safer procedure without compromised efficiency for dense cataracts, and it caused less corneal endothelial cell loss and milder postoperative corneal edema (Clinical Trials Identifier: NCT02138123). ClinicalTrials.gov NCT02138123.