Purpose: To compare the efficacy and safety of conventional scleral fixation (C-SF), retropupillary iris-claw intraocular lens (RP-IOL) implantation, and intrascleral fixation (ISF).
Methods: This retrospective observational study included 58 patients (58 eyes) who underwent C-SF (23 eyes), RP-IOL (23 eyes), and ISF (12 eyes) by a single surgeon at Samsung Medical Center from October 2017 to July 2020 and were followed up for at least 6 months. This study analyzed various clinical outcomes before surgery, and 1 day, 1 week, 1 month, 3 months, and 6 months after surgery.
Results: Six months after surgery, best-corrected visual acuity in logarithm of minimum angle of resolution was 0.08 ± 0.10, 0.08 ± 0.16, and 0.03 ± 0.04 in C-SF group, RP-IOL group, and ISF group, respectively, and there was a significant improvement in each group compared to preoperative best-corrected visual acuity. All groups showed a significant increase in astigmatism postoperatively, but no between-group differences were observed. The prediction error was -0.15 ± 0.77, 0.56 ± 0.62, and 0.44 ± 1.00 diopters in the three groups, respectively, indicating RP-IOL group and ISF group for hyperopic shift. The three groups did not differ in terms of absolute prediction error. Six months after surgery, the corneal endothelial cell counts were 2,073 ± 691, 2,014 ± 692, and 1,712 ± 891 cells/mm2, respectively, which were lower than before surgery. IOL dislocation occurred in five eyes only in RP-IOL group, two of which underwent two reoperations, and reenclavation was performed smoothly without complications in all cases.
Conclusions: Although the frequency of IOL dislocation in RP-IOL group was higher than that in the other groups, it can be reenclavated relatively easily. As a method of secondary IOL fixation, both RP-IOL implantation and ISF were as effective as conventional scleral fixation.
Purpose: Netarsudil is a Rho kinase inhibitor and the first new class of clinically useful ocular hypotensive agents. In this study, we conducted a systematic literature review and meta-analysis to summarize and synthesize the available evidence on the efficacy and safety of fixed-dose combination (FDC) therapy with netarsudil/latanoprost in patients with glaucoma.
Methods: We identified relevant studies in PubMed, Ovid Medline, Embase, and Cochrane Central until April 2021. The quality of the studies and the level of evidence were assessed using the Risk of Bias tool. Efficacy was measured as the mean difference in reducing intraocular pressure (IOP), and safety was assessed by the risk of conjunctival hyperemia (CH) due to FDC therapy, netarsudil monotherapy, or latanoprost monotherapy.
Results: Four studies met the predefined eligibility criteria and were included in the meta-analysis. The mean difference in the reduction in IOP after 2 weeks and 4 to 6 weeks of drug administration was -2.41 mmHg (95% confidence interval [CI], -2.95 to -1.87) and -1.77 mmHg (95% CI, -2.31 to -1.87), respectively, in patients receiving FDC therapy versus those receiving latanoprost monotherapy. On the other hand, latanoprost monotherapy had a greater effect in reducing IOP than netarsudil monotherapy after 4 to 6 weeks of administration (mean difference, 0.95 mmHg; 95% CI, 0.43 to 1.47). The risk of CH was significantly higher with both FDC therapy and netarsudil monotherapy compared to latanoprost monotherapy in week 12, where the relative ratio was 3.01 (95% CI, 1.95 to 4.66) and 2.33 (95% CI, 1.54 to 3.54), each.
Conclusions: Netarsudil/latanoprost FDC therapy has a significantly greater effect on reducing IOP than latanoprost alone. The symptoms of CH were mostly mild, and only a few glaucoma patients discontinued the medication owing to CH in earlier clinical trials. Therefore, it would be beneficial to consider the administration of netarsudil/latanoprost FDC therapy in patients with glaucoma.
MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are the small noncoding RNA molecules which regulate target gene expression posttranscriptionally. They are known to regulate key cellular processes like inflammation, cell differentiation, cell proliferation, and cell apoptosis across various ocular diseases. Due to their easier access, recent focus has been laid on the investigation of miRNA expression and their involvement in several conjunctival diseases. The aim of this narrative review is to provide understanding of the miRNAs and describe the current role of miRNAs as the mediators of the various conjunctival diseases. A literature search was made using PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science databases for studies involving miRNAs in the conjunctival pathological conditions. Original articles in the last 10 years involving both human and animal models were included. Literature search retrieved 27 studies matching our criteria. Pertaining to the numerous literatures, there is a strong correlation between miRNA and the various pathological conditions that occur in the conjunctiva. miRNAs are involved in various physiological processes such as cell differentiation, proliferation, apoptosis, development, and inflammation by regulating various signaling pathways, genes, proteins, and mediators. Pterygium was the most studied conjunctival disease for miRNA involvement, whereas miRNA research in allergic conjunctivitis is still in its early stages. Our review provides deep insights into the various miRNAs playing an important role in the various conjunctival diseases. miRNAs do have the potential to serve as noninvasive biomarkers with diagnostic, prognostic, and therapeutic implications. However, multitudinous studies are required to validate miRNAs as the reliable biomarkers in conjunctival pathologies and its targeted therapy.
Purpose: To assess the perinatal risk factors, clinical characteristics, and microbial profile in congenital nasolacrimal duct obstruction (CNLDO).
Methods: A prospective observational study was conducted in pediatric patients of age <5 years. After a thorough clinical evaluation, the diagnosis of the CNLDO was confirmed by a Jones dye test or fluorescein dye disappearance test. A microbiological culture of lacrimal sac resurge was done with a sterile swab stick without touching the lid margins. Antibiotic susceptibility was then performed for the standard antibiotics.
Results: Seventy-one eyes of 52 children were included in the study. The mean age was 3.4 months. Our research found an equal number of cases born via spontaneous vaginal delivery and Caesarean section. Nine children (17.3%) had associated systemic and ocular anomalies. The number of cultures that were positive for any growth was 19 (27%). The most common isolate was Streptococcus pneumoniae which constituted eight cases (42%), followed by Pseudomonas aeruginosa (15.8%), and Escherichia coli (10.5%). Other organisms that grew were Klebsiella pneumoniae, Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis and nonfermenting gram-negative bacilli. Gram-positive organisms were susceptible to ciprofloxacin, amoxiclav, and oxacillin, and most of them were resistant to erythromycin. In comparison, gram-negative organisms showed 62.5% resistance and 37.5% susceptibility to ciprofloxacin.
Conclusions: CNLDO was more commonly unilateral, in male, preterm, and normal birth weight infants. Bilateral CNLDO was more commonly associated with coexisting ocular or systemic anomalies. Prematurity, delivery by Caesarean section, and presence of congenital anomalies were associated with a prolonged course. S. pneumoniae was the predominant isolate in our patient population.
Purpose: To evaluate the level of agreement between ANTERION (Heidelberg Engineering, Heidelberg, Germany), OA-2000 (Tomey, Nagoya, Japan), and IOLMaster 500 (Carl Zeiss AG, Jena, Germany).
Methods: Fifty-one eyes of 51 patients were included in the study. Flat keratometry (K) and steep K, vector component of astigmatism (Jackson cross-cylinder at 0° and 90° [J0] and Jackson cross-cylinder at 45° and 135° [J45]), anterior chamber depth, and axial length were compared using the three devices. Repeated measures analysis of variance was conducted to compare the mean values of the biometrics. Pearson correlation test was conducted to analyze the correlations of the measured values, and a Bland-Altman plot was used to assess the agreement between the three devices. The predicted intraocular lens power of each device was compared to the others using the SRK/T, Haigis, Barrett Universal II, and Kane formulas.
Results: All K values measured using ANTERION were flatter than those of other instruments. However, good agreement was observed for flat K (ANTERION - OA-2000; 95% limits of agreement [LoA], 0.86 diopters [D]) and steep K (ANTERION - OA2000; 95% LoA, 0.93 D) and OA-2000 - IOLMaster 500 (95% LoA, 0.93 D). J0 and J45 vector components of astigmatism were not statistically different; however, the agreements were poor between the devices (95% LoA ≥1.97 D). Anterior chamber depth values of ANTERION and OA-2000 were interchangeable (95% LoA, 0.15 mm). The axial length showed a high agreement (95% LoA ≤0.17 mm) among the three devices. The predicted intraocular lens powers of the three devices were not interchangeable regardless of formulas (95% LoA ≥1.04 D).
Conclusions: Significant differences in ocular biometrics were observed between ANTERION and the other two devices. This study demonstrated that only axial length showed good agreement among devices.
Purpose: Mucormycosis is a multisystemic, aggressive, and an opportunistic fungal infection. The most common type is rhino-orbito-cerebral mucormycosis (ROCM) accounting for almost 40% of the cases. In this study, we analyzed the etiopathology, clinical features, treatment outcome, and the factors associated with outcome in ROCM.
Methods: Case records of 52 patients of ROCM were analyzed. Clinical parameters, laboratory parameters, imaging findings, treatment regime, and treatment outcome details were retrieved from each case record. The outcome measures were evaluated as treatment success and treatment failure. Univariate and logistic regression analyses were performed to identify factors associated with treatment outcome.
Results: On univariate analysis, factors associated with poor treatment outcome were uncontrolled blood sugar, blood urea, diabetic ketoacidosis, duration of ocular symptoms, no perception of light at presentation, ptosis, conjunctival chemosis, relative afferent pupillary defect, two or more sinus involvement, bony erosion of orbital wall, intracranial extension, intraconal invasion, etc. On subsequent logistic regression analysis, factors that maintained significant association with poor treatment outcome were uncontrolled blood sugar (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 1.17; p = 0.018), no perception of light at presentation (aOR, 10.67; p = .006), ptosis at presentation (aOR, 3.90; p = 0.03), conjunctival chemosis (aOR, 7.11; p = 0.024), relative afferent pupillary defect (aOR, 10.60, p = 0.01), central retinal artery occlusion at presentation (aOR, 3.54; p = 0.021) and two or more sinus involvement (aOR, 4.90; p = 0.009).
Conclusions: The current study identified newer factors in the form of presenting ocular and radiological features as predictors for aggressive systemic disease and poor treatment outcome. Future prospective studies are, however, needed to substantiate these associations.
Purpose: To evaluate the clinical availability of a multifunctional ocular biometric unit, MR-6000, for simultaneous keratometry, tonometry, topography, and pachymetry evaluation, and compare anterior segment measurements with five other devices: autokeratometer (KR-1), Scheimpflug camera (Pentacam HR), swept-source optical coherence tomography (IOLMaster 700), Placido disk scanning-slit topography (Orbscan II), and noncontact tonometry (FT-1000).
Methods: Thirty eyes from thirty patients who visited Severance Hospital for cataract surgery were examined using MR6000 and the other devices. The mean keratometry, central corneal thickness (CCT), white-to-white (WTW) distance, and intraocular pressure (IOP) values were compared. Repeated measures analysis of variance, Wilcoxon signed-rank test, intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC), and Bland-Altman plot were used to assess the correlation and agreement between devices.
Results: Thirty eyes of thirty patients were evaluated. Statistically significant differences in mean keratometry between MR6000, KR-1, Pentacam HR, and IOLMaster 700 were not observed (p > 0.05). All five devices, including Orbscan II, had almost perfect agreement in measuring keratometry (ICC > 0.80, p < 0.05). CCT measured by MR-6000 was significantly different from that of Pentacam HR and Orbscan II measurements (p < 0.05) but correlated with that of Pentacam HR and Orbscan II measurements (ICC > 0.60, p < 0.05). The WTW distance measured by MR-6000 was not significantly different from that measured by IOLMaster 700 but was different from that measured by Orbscan II. IOP measured by MR-6000 was not correlated with FT-1000.
Conclusions: Keratometric values obtained through MR-6000 can be used interchangeably with other devices based on good correlation and agreement. However, the CCT, WTW, and IOP values were not interchangeable with a single multifunctional unit for cataract surgery preoperative examination.
Purpose: Although there is still no consensus on the best animal model for dry eye disease research, a model based on lacrimal gland extraction (LGE) model is widely used. In this study, we aimed to investigate the histopathological changes taking place on the contralateral eye after unilateral LGE to determine whether it is useful as a control.
Methods: Seven-week-old male C57BL/6 mice were divided into naive control, environmental chamber model, and LGE groups. Corneal fluorescein staining was scored to quantify the severity of damage. Morphological changes in the cornea, conjunctiva, and lacrimal gland (LG) were determined by hematoxylin and eosin staining and compared to those on naive control animals.
Results: Compared to naive subjects, the unilateral LGE model showed enhanced corneal erosion scores and loss of conjunctival goblet cells, not only on the ipsilateral but also on the contralateral side. These changes in the ocular surface became more pronounced in a time-dependent manner. Furthermore, loss of LG acinar cells and leukocyte infiltration were detected in the contralateral LGs of the LGE model.
Conclusions: Considering the changes observed in the ocular surface and LGs, the contralateral side of the LGE model may not offer proper control conditions for the experimental comparison of the effects of dry eye disease in vivo. There may be regulatory feedback or crosstalk system between both eyes activated in response to LGE.