Surgical approaches to correct corneal astigmatism at time of cataract surgery: a mini-review

Among refractive errors,astigmatism is the most common optical aberration,where refraction changes in different meridians of the eye.It causes blurred vision at any distance and includes corneal,lenticular,and retinal astigmatism.Cataract surgery used to cause a progressive increase in the pre-exisiting corneal astigmatism because of creating a surgically induced astigmatism,for example,a large size surgery incision.The development of surgical techniques during last decades has made cataract surgery interchange to treat preoperative corneal astigmatism at time of surgery.Nowadays,three surgical approaches can be used.By placing a sutureless clear corneal incision on the steep meridian of the cornea,a preoperative corneal astigmatism less than 1.0 D can be corrected.Single or paired peripheral corneal relaxing incisions(PCRIs)provide 1.0-3.0 D corneal astigmatism correction.PCRIs are typically used for treating 1.0-1.5 D of regular corneal astigmatism,if more than 2.0 D,the risk of overcorrection and irregular astigmatism is increased.When toric intraocular lenses(IOLs)are unavailable in markets,PCRIs are still a reasonable option for patients with up to 3.0 D of pre-existing corneal astigmatism.Toric IOLs implantation can correct 1.0-4.5 D of corneal astigmatism.Several IOLs are approved to correct a high degree of corneal astigmatism with cylinder power up to 12.0 D.These approaches can be used alone or in combination.

Are there sex-based disparities in cataract surgery?

AIM:To investigate sex-based differences in the occurrence of intra-operative and post-operative complications and associated visual outcomes following cataract surgery.METHODS:This was a retrospective study of patients who had phacoemulsification cataract surgery at the University of Colorado School of Medicine.Data collected included the patient’s health history,ocular comorbidities,operative and post-operative complications,and the post-operative best corrected visual acuity(BCVA).The data were analyzed using univariate and multivariable logistic regression with generalized estimating equations to account for the correlation of some patients having two eyes included in the study.RESULTS:A total of 11977 eyes from 7253 patients were included in the study.Ocular comorbidities differed by sex,with males having significantly higher percentages of traumatic cataracts(males 0.7%vs females 0.1%),prior ocular surgery(6.7%vs 5.5%),and mature cataracts(2.8%vs 1.9%).Conversely,females had significantly higher rates of pseudoexfoliation(2.0%vs 3.2%).In unadjusted analysis,males had higher rates of posterior capsular rupture(0.8%vs 0.4%)and vitreous loss(1.0%vs 0.6%),but this difference was not significant after adjustment for confounders.Males had a significantly increased risk of post-operative retinal detachment,but in multivariable analysis this was no longer significant.Males were significantly less likely to undergo post-operative neodymium-doped yttrium aluminum garnet(Nd:YAG)laser capsulotomy for posterior capsule opacification(OR=0.8,95%CI=0.7-0.9,P=0.0005).The BCVA was slightly worse for males pre-operatively;but post-operatively,both sexes exhibited similar visual acuity of Snellen equivalent 20/25.CONCLUSION:The study finds that in a cohort of patients presenting for cataract surgery,sex differences exist in pre-operative comorbidities and surgical characteristics that contribute to higher rates of some complications for males.However,observed surgical complication rates exhibit almost no difference by sex after adjusting for pre-operative differences and post-operative BCVA is similar between sexes.

Efficacy of recombinant human epidermal growth factor plus sodium hyaluronate eye drops in diabetic dry eye post-cataract surgery

BACKGROUND Dry eye syndrome(DES)after diabetic cataract surgery can seriously affect the patient’s quality of life.Therefore,effective alleviation of symptoms in patients with this disease has important clinical significance.AIM To explore the clinical effect of recombinant human epidermal growth factor(rhEGF)plus sodium hyaluronate(SH)eye drops on DES after cataract surgery in patients with diabetes.METHODS We retrospectively evaluated 82 patients with diabetes who experienced DES after cataract surgery at Tianjin Beichen Hospital,Affiliated Hospital of Nankai University between April 2021 and April 2023.They were classified into an observation group(42 cases,rhEGF+SH eye drops)and a control group(40 cases,SH eye drops alone),depending on the different treatment schemes.The therapeutic efficacy,dry eye symptom score,tear film breakup time(TFBUT),basic tear secretion score[assessed using Schirmer I test(SIt)],corneal fluorescein staining(FL)score,tear inflammatory markers,adverse reactions during treat-ment,and treatment satisfaction were compared between the two groups.RESULTS Therapeutic efficacy was higher in the observation group compared with the control group.Both groups showed improved TFBUT and dry eye,as well as improved SIt and FL scores after treatment,with a more pronounced improvement in the observation group.Although no marked differences in adverse reactions were observed between the two groups,treatment satisfaction was higher in the observation group.CONCLUSION rhEGF+SH eye drops rendered clinical benefits to patients by effectively ameliorating dry eye and visual impairment with favorable efficacy,fewer adverse reactions,and high safety levels.Thus,this treatment should be promoted in clinical practice.

Clinical Observation of Recombinant Bovine Basic Fibroblast Growth Factor Eye Gel Combined with Tobramycin Dexamethasone Eye Drops in the Treatment of Dry Eye Syndrome in Patients after Cataract Surgery

Objective:To evaluate the therapeutic effect of recombinant bovine basic fibroblast growth factor(rbFGF)eye gel combined with tobramycin-dexamethasone(TOB-Dex)eye drops on dry eye syndrome(DES)after cataract surgery.Methods:86 patients with DES after cataract surgery,admitted from November 2021 to November 2023,were randomly divided into groups.The observation group included 43 patients treated with rbFGF eye gel combined with TOB-Dex eye drops.The reference group included 43 patients treated with TOB-Dex eye drops alone.Multiple indicators,including total effective rate and clinical symptom scores,were compared between the two groups.Results:The total effective rate in the observation group was higher than in the reference group(P<0.05).Before treatment,there were no differences in clinical symptom scores,serum factors,or disease severity scores between the two groups(P>0.05).Three weeks after treatment,the observation group had lower clinical symptom scores,serum factors,and disease severity scores compared to the reference group(P<0.05).The adverse reaction rate in the observation group was lower than in the reference group(P<0.05).Conclusion:rbFGF eye gel combined with TOB-Dex eye drops can improve the clinical efficacy for patients with DES after cataract surgery,alleviate disease symptoms,reduce inflammatory responses,and have fewer adverse reactions.

Corneal astigmatic outcomes after femtosecond laser-assisted cataract surgery combined with surface penetrating arcuate keratotomies

AIM:To evaluate corneal astigmatic outcomes of femtosecond laser-assisted arcuate keratotomies(FAKs)combined with femtosecond-laser assisted cataract surgery(FLACS)over 12mo follow-up.METHODS:Totally 145 patients with bilateral cataracts and no ocular co-morbidities were recruited to a singlecentre,single-masked,prospective randomized controlled trial(RCT)comparing two monofocal hydrophobic acrylic intraocular lenses.Eyes with corneal astigmatism(CA)of>0.8 dioptres(D)received unpaired,unopened,surface penetrating FAKs at the time of FLACS.Visual acuity,subjective refraction and Scheimpflug tomography were recorded at 1,6,and 12mo.Alpins vectoral analyses were performed.RESULTS:Fifty-one patients(61 eyes),mean age 68.2±9.6y[standard deviation(SD)],received FAKs.Sixty eyes were available for analysis,except at 12mo when 59 attended.There were no complications due to FAKs.Mean pre-operative CA was 1.13±0.20 D.There was a reduction of astigmatism at all post-operative visits(residual CA 1mo:0.85±0.42 D,P=0.0001;6mo:0.86±0.35 D,P=0001;and 12mo:0.90±0.39,P=0.0001).Alpins indices remained stable over 12mo.Overall,the cohort was under-corrected at all time points.At 12mo,61%of eyes were within±15 degrees of pre-operative astigmatic meridian.CONCLUSION:Unpaired unopened penetrating FAKs combined with on-axis phacoemulsification are safe but minimally effective.CA is largely under-corrected in this cohort using an existing unmodified nomogram.The effect of arcuate keratotomies on CA remained stable over 12mo.

Comparing the intraoperative complication rate of femtosecond laser-assisted cataract surgery to traditional phacoemulsification

AIM: To compare the complication rate of femtosecond laser-assisted cataract surgery(FLACS) and traditional phacoemulsification for the first 18 mo of FLACS use at a private surgical center in Hawaii.METHODS: A retrospective chart review was conducted from January 2012 to June 2013. The first 273 consecutive eyes receiving FLACS and 553 eyes receiving traditional phacoemulsification were examined.All surgeries were performed at a single surgical center in Hawaii. The presence of intraoperative complications was used as the main outcome measure. Approval was obtained from the institutional review board of the University of Hawaii.RESULTS: The overall complication rate for FLACS was 1.8%, while that of the traditional procedure was5.8%(P 【0.05). A majority of the surgeons(80%) had a lower complication rate while using FLACS.CONCLUSION: FLACS is comparable in safety, if not safer, than traditional cataract surgery when performed by qualified cataract surgeons on carefully selected patients.

Comparing corneal outcome between femtosecond laser-assisted cataract surgery and conventional phaco surgery in Fuchs’endothelial dystrophy patients:a randomized pilot study with 6mo follow up

AIM:To compare the corneal outcome in Fuchs’endothelial dystrophy(FED)patients between femtosecond laser-assisted cataract surgery(FLACS)and conventional phaco surgery(CPS).METHODS:This was a randomized controlled study comparing one eye surgery by FLACS and the contralateral eye operated by CPS(stop and chop technique)in FED patients.Central corneal thickness,corneal light backscatter,corneal densitometry,and central corneal endothelial cell count and hexagonality(noncontact endothelial cell microscope),and corrected distance visual acuity(CDVA)were assessed preoperatively and at day 1,40,and 180 postoperatively.RESULTS:Totally 31 patients(16 women)were included.At day 40 postoperatively,the mean endothelial cell loss(ECL)was 23.67%by FLACS and 17.30%by CPS(P=0.53).At day 180 postoperatively,ECL was 25.58%in FLACS and 21.32%in CPS(P=0.69).Densitometry data in all layers and all annuli from anterior layer to posterior layer in annuli 0-2,2-6,6-10 and 10-12,total densitometry with all layers and all annuli was performed.A significant difference was found in 6-10(posterior layer)at day 1 with-1.42 grayscale units(GSU;95%CI:-2.66 to-0.19,P=0.02).In 10-12(anterior layer,central layer and all layers)at day 40 were significant different with 7.7(95%CI:1.89 to 13.50,P=0.009),3.97(95%CI:0.23 to 7.71,P=0.03),4.73 GSU(95%CI:0.71 to 8.75,P=0.02),respectively.In the remaining parameters we found no difference between the two groups(P>0.05).Three CPS eyes suffered from corneal decompensation.CONCLUSION:There is no significant difference in corneal outcome between FLACS and CPS.Endothelial cell density and pentacam corneal outcome may be inadequate as outcome parameters in FED patients.

Comparison of perioperative parameters in one-handed rotational phacoemulsification versus conventional phacoemulsification and femtosecond laser-assisted cataract surgery

AIM:To compare perioperative parameters of one-handed rotational phacoemulsification technique(one-handed phaco-roll)with each of other two techniques,“Divide et Conquer”and femtosecond laser-assisted cataract surgery(FLACS)METHODS:In this retrospective and comparative cohort study,eyes with uncomplicated cataract(nuclear density grade 2 to 3)treated routinely with one-handed phacoroll(n=23;Group 1)or“Divide et Conquer”(n=23;Group 2)or FLACS(n=23;Group 3)were enrolled.Intraoperative parameters including effective phaco-time(EPt),ultrasound time(USt),aspiration time,surgical time,phacoemulsification(phaco)-power,balanced salt solution(BSS)use,cumulative dissipated energy(CDE)were recorded and compared.Clinical outcomes including best corrected visual acuity(BCVA),corneal endothelial cell density(ECD),endothelial cell loss(ECL),central corneal thickness(CCT)and central macular thickness(CMT),were assessed and compared pre-operatively and at 1mo after surgery.RESULTS:Aspiration and surgical time,and BSS used were lower in Group 1(P<0.01)than other groups.EPt,phaco-power and CDE were lower in Group 1(P<0.05)than Group 2 but not significantly different from Group 3.In Group 1,USt was lower(P<0.05)than Group 2 but higher(P<0.05)than Group 3.BCVA improved in all groups without significant difference between Group 1 and the other ones.No significant differences regarding all post-operative morphologic outcomes(ECD,ECL,CCT,CMT)were reported.No clinical complications occurred.CONCLUSION:One-handed phaco-roll seems to be less time-consuming than“Divide et Conquer”and FLACS and less energy-consuming than“Divide et Conquer”.Furthermore,one-handed phaco-roll seems to have an equal safety profile compared to the other two techniques.

Bibliometric analysis of research relating to refractive cataract surgery over a 20-year period:from 2003 to 2022

AIM:To investigate the research trend on refractive cataract surgery,compare the contributions of different countries,institutions,journals,and authors in the past 20y,and explore its potential research hotspots.METHODS:All publications were extracted relating to refractive cataract surgery from 2003 to 2022 from Web of Science.Document types were limited to original articles and reviews,and the language was limited to English.Quantitatively and qualitatively of the publications were analyzed through Microsoft Excel and GraphPad Prism.VOSviewer and CiteSpace were used for bibliometric and visualized analysis.RESULTS:A total of 2090 publications were enrolled.The United States contributed the most publications(434,20.8%),followed by China(345,16.5%)and England(163,7.80%).Publications from the United States were cited more frequently(9552 citations)with the highest H-index of 48.China ranked second in the total number of publications,the papers were not cited that frequently(3237 citations),and the H-index ranked sixth(H-index=29).Journal of Cataract and Refractive Surgery published the most papers(333,15.9%),and the University of London had the highest number of publications(75,3.59%).Dick HB from Germany published the most papers.Corneal astigmatism-related research,cataract surgery methodrelated research,postoperative visual-quality relate to research,and postoperative complications-relate research are the hotspots in this field.The most significant limitation was that the database was updated frequently and the latest publications were not included.CONCLUSION:The bibliometric analysis shows a brief summarization of the contribution of the authors,institutions,countries,and journals.Corneal astigmatism,cataract surgery method,postoperative visual-quality and postoperative complications related researches have become the emerging hotspots,which can give a direction in the future researches.

Assessment of visual outcomes of cataract surgery in Tujia nationality in Xianfeng County, China

AIM: To evaluate the visual outcome and factors influencing visual outcome of manual small incision cataract surgery(MSICS) in the rural area in the Xianfeng County.METHODS: Eighty-two eyes of 82 patients who underwent cataract surgery performed by using MSICS technique were identified. Data collected included each patient’s age, gender, the level of education. Uncorrected and corrected distance visual acuity(UDVA and CDVA) at presentation and at 1, 6, 8wk postoperatively, pre-existing eye disease, operative findings and complications, the risk factors were evaluated.RESULTS: In 82 patients, the average age was 69.6±0.6y, illiterate were 52(63.4%). Of 82 eyes, pseudophakia was present in 77 eyes(93.9%). At 1wk postoperatively,47 eyes(57.3%) had the UDVA of ≥6/18, and 52 eyes(63.4%) had the CDVA of ≥6/18. At 6 to 8wk postoperatively, 50 eyes(61.0%) had UDVA of ≥6/18, and57 eyes(69.5%) had the CDVA of ≥6/18. Postoperative visual status was significantly related to the co-morbidities, such as corneal pathology, glaucoma(P 【0.001).Operative complications, such as posterior capsule opacity and cystoid macular edema were main operative cause for the poor visual outcome.CONCLUSION: MSICS provides a good visual recovery in our study but the vision outcome did not fulfill the standards proposed by WHO, which highlights the need for an improvement in local socioeconomic understanding, population education and surgery quality.

Visual outcome of manual small-incision cataract surgery:comparison of modified Blumenthal and Ruit techniques

AIM:To compare the efficacy and visual results of the modified Blumenthal and Ruit techniques for manual small-incision cataract surgery(MSICS).· METHODS:This was a prospective,non-randomized comparison of 129 patients with senile cataracts scheduled to undergo routine cataract surgery via either a superior scleral tunnel incision,i.e.,the Blumenthal technique(group 1,n = 64) or a temporal scleral tunnel incision,i.e.,the Ruit technique(group 2,n =65).MSICS and intraocular lens implantation were performed through an unsutured 6.5-to 7.0-mm scleral tunnel incision.Uncorrected and corrected visual acuity,intraoperative and postoperative complications,and surgically induced astigmatism calculated by simple subtraction were compared.Patients were examined at 1 day,1 week,1 month,and 3 months after surgery.· RESULTS:Both groups achieved good visual outcome with minor complications.Three months after surgery,the corrected visual acuity was 0.73 in the Blumenthal group and 0.69 in the Ruit group(P =0.29).The average(SD) postoperative astigmatism was 0.87(0.62) diopter(D) for the Blumenthal group and 0.86(0.62) D for the Ruit group.The mean(SD) surgically induced astigmatism was 0.55(0.45) D and 0.50(0.44) D for the Blumenthal and Ruit groups,respectively(P =0.52).Common complications were minimal hyphema and corneal edema.There was no statistically significant difference in the complication rate between the groups(P >0.05).· CONCLUSION:In MSICS,both the Blumenthal and Ruit techniques achieved good visual outcomes,with low complication rates.

Blood pressure change during phacoemulsification and femtosecond laser-assisted cataract surgery

AIM： To evaluate blood pressure（BP） changes during phacoemulsification（PC） and femtosecond laser（FSL）-assisted cataract surgery.METHODS： A retrospective chart review was performed for all patients who received traditional phacoemulsification surgery（PC group） and FSL-assisted cataract surgery（FS group） from July 2013 to December 2014. Totally 206 eyes from 133 patients receiving the two types of procedures were included.Patient characteristics（age, gender, and hypertension history）, pre- and post-operative BPs were collected.RESULTS： The pro-operative systolic and diastolic BPs（mm Hg） were 124.89 ±20.48 vs 126.98 ±16.85, and71.88 ±9.81 vs 73.56 ±10.03, in PC and FS groups,respectively. While the post-operative systolic and diastolic BPs（mm Hg） were 130.13 ±22.59 vs 134.77 ±17.52, and 73.41 ±11.62 vs 78.89 ±12.2, in PC and FS groups, respectively. Paired-sample t-tests showed obvious systolic and diastolic BP elevations in FS group after surgery（P =0.001 and 0.007） and no reliability in PC group（P =0.094 and 0.359）. A linear regression model revealed systolic and diastolic BP elevations,which were related to longer surgical times for FS group（P =0.008 and 0.021）. Age, gender, and hypertension history were not correlated with blood pressure elevation in either group.CONCLUSION： BP increases but at a limited level after FSL-assisted cataract surgery compared to traditional phacoemulsification

Clinical outcomes and complications between FLACS and conventional phacoemulsification cataract surgery: a PRISMA-compliant Meta-analysis of 25 randomized controlled trials

AIM: To update and investigate the clinical outcomes and complications between femtosecond laser-assisted cataract surgery(FLACS) and conventional phacoemulsification cataract surgery(CPCS). METHODS: A Meta-analysis was performed using databases, including Pubmed, Embase, and the Cochrane library. At least one of the clinical outcomes and/or complications data in each included randomized controlled trials(RCT) was reported. The quality of the RCT was assessed with the Cochrane risk assessments tool.RESULTS: Overall, 25 RCTs including 3781 eyes were included. No statistically significant difference detected between FLACS and CPCS in terms of corrected distant visual acuity(CDVA), uncorrected distant visual acuity(UDVA), and central corneal thickness(CCT) at the longterm follow up, although FLACS showed better CDVA at 1 wk postoperatively, and less increase in CCT at 1 d and 1 wk. FLACS had better postoperative endothelial cell count(ECC) at 1 and 4-6 wk, while there was no significantly difference between FLACS and CPCS at 1 d, 3 and 6 mo [weighted mean difference(WMD): 51.54, 95% confidence interval(CI):-5.46 to 108.54, P=0.08;WMD: 48.52, 95%CI:-17.54 to 114.58, P=0.15;WMD: 12.17, 95%CI:-48.61 to 72.94, P=0.69, respectively]. Postoperative endothelial cell loss(ECL) of the FLACS was significantly lower than that of the CPCS at 1, 4-6 wk, and 3 mo(P=0.02, 0.008, 0.03, respectively). However, there was no significant difference between two groups at 6 mo(WMD:-30.36, 95%CI:-78.84 to 18.12, P=0.22). No significant difference was discovered with respect to the macular edema [odds ratio(OR): 0.93, 95%CI: 0.42 to 2.05, P=0.85], capsular complication excluding posterior capsular tears(OR: 0.79, 95%CI: 0.42 to 1.50, P=0.47) and intraocular pressure change(OR: 0.82, 95%CI: 0.39 to 1.72, P=0.60). However, posterior capsular tears were more common in CPCS group(OR: 0.12, 95%CI: 0.01 to 0.98, P=0.05). The effective phacoemulsification times were significantly lower in the FLACS group compared to the CPCS group(WMD:-0.78, 95%CI:-1.23 to-0.34, P=0.0006).CONCLUSION: No statistically significant difference is discovered between FLACS and CPCS in clinical outcomes at the long-term follow up. However, higher rate of posterior capsular tears is detected in patients receiving CPCS.

Incidence and risk factors for vitreous loss in residents performing manual small-incision cataract surgery

AIM: To assess the incidence of vitreous loss and associated risk factors in residents performing manual small-incision cataract surgery(MSICS). METHODS: The present retrospective record review study was performed on 490 patients who underwent MSICS performed between November 2018 and December 2019 by 7 third-year postgraduate residents. The study group comprised of patients having intraoperative vitreous prolapse. All the surgeries were performed under supervision of a trained assistant. RESULTS: The mean age of the participants at the time of surgery was 68.42±2.05 y. Of the 490 patients, 250 patients were male, and 240 patients were female(P=0.23). A total of 215(43.9%) eyes had mature white cataract, 185(37.8%) eyes had brown cataract, and 90(18.3%) eyes had immature senile cataract. The incidence of intraoperative vitreous loss among residents was 2%(10/490). Vitreous loss occurred during hydrodissection [1/10(10%)], nucleus delivery [3/10(30%)], irrigation and aspiration [5/10(50%)], and intraocular lens insertion [1/10(10%)]. Multivariate stepwise Logistic regression analysis confirmed immature senile cataract [odds ratio(OR)=3.99;P=0.02], irrigation and aspiration of cortical material(OR=3.07;P=0.03), and anterior capsular extension(OR=3.22, P=0.03) as independent risk factors for vitreous loss. CONCLUSION: Immature senile cataract, irrigation and aspiration of cortical material, and anterior capsular extension are independent risk factors for vitreous loss. Our findings may serve as a guide for future trainers or residents learning MSICS.

Cataract surgery in aged patients:phacoemul-sification or small-incision extracapsular cataract surgery

AIM: To evaluate the effects and safety of phacoemulsification (Phaco) or small-incision extracapsular cataract surgery (SICS) and intraocular lens (IOL) implantation for aged patients. METHODS: Totally 137 aged patients (149 eyes) underwent cataract operation in the case of stable systemic condition, the blood pressure less than 160/95mmHg, blood glucose less than 8mmol/L, and under the help of electrocardiogram surveillance by anesthesiologists during the operation. 106 aged patients (114 eyes) underwent Phaco while 31 aged patients (35 eyes) underwent SICS. The postoperative visual acuity, corneal endothelial cell loss, surgery time and major complications were observed and analyzed retrospectively. RESULTS: The best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) of >= 0.6 was achieved in 135 eyes (92.6%) at 1 month postoperatively (chi(2)=259.730, P<0.001). For aged patients, both Phaco and SICS could significantly improve visual acuity with no significant difference (chi(2)=4.535, P > 0.05). Postoperative corneal endothelial cell loss was 18.6%, in PHACO group, the rate was 18.5%; in SICS group, the rate was 19.0%, the difference of which was no significant (chi(2)=0.102, P>0.05). The surgery time was different in two groups. No severe complications occurred. CONCLUSION: Both Phaco and SICS combined with IOL implantation for aged patients are effective and safe. Before surgery, detailed physical examination should be performed. When the systemic condition is stable, cataract surgery for aged patients is safe.

Macular edema after cataract surgery in diabetic eyes evaluated by optical coherence tomography

AIM：To assess quantitative changes of the macula in diabetic eyes after cataract surgery using optical coherence tomography（OCT）and to estimate the incidence of development or worsening of macular edema（ME）in diabetic eyes with or without pre-existing ME.·METHODS：In this prospective,observational study,92eyes of 60 diabetic patients who underwent cataract surgery were evaluated before surgery and 1,3mo after surgery using OCT.Macular thickness was measured with OCT at nine macular subfields defined by the 9zones early treatment of diabetic retinopathy study（ETDRS）,as well as total macular volume obtained by OCT at 1,3mo after surgery were compared with baseline features obtained before surgery.In addition,the incidence of development or worsening of ME was analyzed in diabetic eyes with or without pre-existing ME.·R ESULTS：The central subfield mean thickness increased 21.0μm and 25.5μm at 1,3mo follow-up,respectively（〈0.01）.The average thickness of inner ring and outer ring increased 14.2μm and 9.5μm at 1mo,18.2μm and 12.9μm at 3mo.Central-involved ME developed in 12 eyes at 3mo,including 4 eyes with preexisting central-involved and 8 eyes with pre-existing non-central involved ME.Pre-existing diabetic macular edema（DME）was significantly associated with centralinvolved ME development（〈0.001）.·C ONCLUSION：A statistically significant increase could be detected in the central subfield as well as perifoveal and parafoveal sectors though the increase was mild.And eyes with pre-operative DME prior to cataract surgery are at higher risk for developing central-involved ME.

Correction of low corneal astigmatism in cataract surgery

· AIM: To evaluate and compare aspheric toric intraocular lens(IOL) implantation and aspheric monofocal IOL implantation with limbal relaxing incisions(LRI) to manage low corneal astigmatism(1.0-2.0 D) in cataract surgery.· METHODS: A prospective randomized comparative clinical study was performed. There were randomly recruited 102 eyes(102 patients) with cataracts associated with corneal astigmatism and divided into two groups. The first group received toric IOL implantation and the second one monofocal IOL implantation with peripheral corneal relaxing incisions. Outcomes considered were: visual acuity, postoperative residual astigmatism, endothelial cell count, the need for spectacles, and patient satisfaction. To determine the postoperative toric axis, all patients who underwent the toric IOL implantation were further evaluated using an OPD Scan III(Nidek Co, Japan). Follow-up lasted 6mo.· RESULTS: The mean uncorrected distance visual acuity(UCVA) and the best corrected visual acuity(BCVA) demonstrated statistically significant improvement after surgery in both groups. At the end of the follow-up the UCVA was statistically better in the patients with toric IOL implants compared to those patients who underwent implantation of monofocal IOL plus LRI. The mean residual refractive astigmatism was of 0.4 D for the toric IOL group and 1.1 D for the LRI group(P 【0.01). No difference was observed in the postoperative endothelial cell count between the two groups.· CONCLUSION: The two surgical procedures demonstrated a significant decrease in refractive astigmatism. Toric IOL implantation was more effective and predictable compared to the limbal relaxing incision.

Phacoemulsification versus small incision cataract surgery in patients with uveitis

AIMTo compare the safety and efficacy of phacoemulsification and small incision cataract surgery (SICS) in patients with uveitic cataract.METHODSIn a prospective, randomized multi-centric study, consecutive patients with uveitic cataract were randomized to receive phacoemulsification or manual SICS by either of two surgeons well versed with both the techniques. A minimum inflammation free period of 3mo (defined as less than 5 cells per high power field in anterior chamber) was a pre-requisite for eligibility for surgery. Superior scleral tunnel incisions were used for both techniques. Improvement in visual acuity post-operatively was the primary outcome measure and the rate of post-operative complications and surgical time were secondary outcome measures, respectively. Means of groups were compared using t-tests. One way analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used when there were more than two groups. Chi-square tests were used for proportions. Kaplan Meyer survival analysis was done and means for survival time was estimated at 95% confidence interval (CI). A P value of &#x0003c;0.05 was considered statistically significant.RESULTSOne hundred and twenty-six of 139 patients (90.6%) completed the 6-month follow-up. Seven patients were lost in follow up and another six excluded due to either follow-up less than six months (n=1) or inability implant an intraocular lens (IOL) because of insufficient capsular support following posterior capsule rupture (n=5). There was significant improvement in vision after both the procedures (paired t-test; P&#x0003c;0.001). On first postoperative day, uncorrected distance visual acuity (UDVA) was 20/63 or better in 31 (47%) patients in Phaco group and 26 (43.3%) patients in SICS group (P=0.384). The mean surgically induced astigmatism (SIA) was 0.86&#x000b1;0.34 dioptres (D) in the phacoemulsification group and 1.16&#x000b1;0.28 D in SICS group. The difference between the groups was significant (t-test, P=0.002). At 6mo, corrected distance visual acuity (CDVA) was 20/60 or better in 60 (90.9%) patients in Phaco group and 53 (88.3%) in the manual SICS group (P=0.478). The mean surgical time was significantly shorter in the manual SICS group (10.8&#x000b1;2.9 versus 13.2&#x000b1;2.6min) (P&#x0003c;0.001). Oral prednisolone, 1 mg/kg body weight was given 7d prior to surgery, continued post-operatively and tapered according to the inflammatory response over 4-6wk in patients with previously documented macular edema, recurrent uveitis, chronic anterior uveitis and intermediate uveitis. Rate of complications like macular edema (Chi-square, P=0.459), persistent uveitis (Chi-square, P=0.289) and posterior capsule opacification (Chi-square, P=0.474) were comparable between both the groups.CONCLUSIONManual SICS and phacoemulsification do not differ significantly in complication rates and final CDVA outcomes. However, manual SICS is significantly faster. It may be the preferred technique in settings where surgical volume is high and access to phacoemulsification is limited, such as in eye camps. It may also be the appropriate technique for uveitic cataract under such circumstances.

Comparative clinical outcomes of Tecnis toric IOL implantation in femtosecond laser-assisted cataract surgery and conventional phacoemulsification surgery

AIM: To compare the short-term visual outcomes, residual refractive cylinder, and rotation stability after Tecnis toric intraocular lens(IOL) implantation during femtosecond laserassisted cataract surgery(Femto phaco) and conventional phacoemulsification surgery(Conventional phaco).METHODS: In a prospective cohort study, Conventional phaco and Femto phaco(anterior capsulotomy and lens fragmentation by a femtosecond laser) with Tecnis toric IOL implantation were performed in 40 eyes from 36 patients and 37 eyes from 33 patients, respectively. The uncorrected distance visual acuity(UDVA), corrected distance visual acuity(CDVA), and manifest refraction were assessed during 1 d, 1 wk, and 1 mo follow-ups. The orientation of the Tecnis Toric IOL was evaluated during 1 wk and 1 mo follow-ups.RESULTS: There were no significant differences in UDCA or CDVA between two groups at 1 mo postoperatively, though relatively more subjects had UDVA values of 20/25 or better in Femto phaco group than in the Conventional group(P>0.05). A lower but not significantly lower rate of having more than 5° of IOL rotation was observed in Femto phaco group at the 1-month follow-up, while a significant lower rate of residual astigmatism of ≤1 D was observed in Femto phaco group.CONCLUSION: The Femto phaco group has significantly more subjects with the residual astigmatism of ≤1 D, but there are no significant differences in rotation stability and visual outcomes as compared with the Conventional phaco group after the application of the Tecnis toric IOL in this cohort.

Comparison of postoperative corneal changes between dry eye and non-dry eye in a murine cataract surgery model

AIM： To compare the effects of the surgical insult of cataract surgery on corneal inflammatory infiltration, neovascularization （NV） and lymphangiogenesis （LY） between the dry eye and non-dry eye in murine cataract surgery models.METHODS： We established two groups of animals, one with normal eyes （non-dry eye） and the second with induced dry eyes. In both groups, we used surgical insults to mimic human cataract surgery, which consisted of lens extraction, corneal incision and suture. After harvesting of corneas on the 9th postoperative day and immunohistochemical staining, we compared NV, LY and CD11b＋ cell infiltration in the corneas.RESULTS： Dry eye group had significantly more inflammatory infiltration （21.75%±7.17% r/s 3.65%±1.49%; P=0.049）. The dry eye group showed significantly more NV （48.21% ±4.02% ys 26.24% ±6.01% ; P =0.016） and greater levels of LY （9.27%±0.48% ys 4.84%±1.15%; P= 0.007）. In corneas on which no surgery was performed, there was no induction of NV in both the dry and non- dry group, but dry eye group demonstrated more CD11b＋ cells infiltration than the non-dry eye group （0.360%± 0.160% vs 0.023%±0.006%; P=0.068）. Dry eye group showed more NV than non-dry eye group in both topical PBS application and subconjunctival PBS injection （P= 0.020 and 0.000, respectively）.