Small-diameter acellular porcine corneal stroma for peripheral corneal ulceration treatment

AIM:To evaluate the clinical efficacy of small-diameter acellular porcine corneal stroma(SAPS)for the treatment of peripheral corneal ulceration(PCU).METHODS:This retrospective clinical study included 18 patients(18 eyes)with PCU between April 2018 and December 2020.All patients had PCU and underwent lamellar keratoplasty with SAPS.Observation indicators included preoperative and postoperative best-corrected visual acuity(BCVA)and transparency of SAPS.The infection control rate in the surgical eye-lesion area was also calculated.RESULTS:Eighteen patients underwent lamellar keratoplasty with SAPS to treat PCU.None of the patients experienced rejection after 6mo(18/18)and 12mo(16/16)of follow-up.The BCVA(0.47±0.30)at the 6mo followup after operation was significantly improved compared with the baseline(0.99±0.80),and the difference was statistically significant(Z=-3.415,P<0.05).The BCVA at the 12mo follow-up after operation was not statistically significant compared to the 6mo(Z=0,P=1).With time,the SAPS graft gradually became transparent.At the 6mo(18/18)and 12mo(16/16)follow-up,none of the patients had recurrent corneal infection.CONCLUSION:SAPS is clinically effective in the treatment of PCU,improving the patient’s BCVA and reducing the incidence of rejection after keratoplasty.

Effect of autologous serum after amniotic membrane transplantation for persistent corneal ulcers

AIM:To investigate the effect of adding autologous serum eye drops to the postoperative regime after amniotic membrane transplantation for severe persistent corneal ulcers.METHODS:Forty eyes of 40 patients with persistent corneal ulcers were randomly assigned to artificial tears(sodium hyaluronate 0.2%,ATs group,n=20)or autologous serum eye drops(ASEDs,n=20)following treatment with amniotic membrane transplantation.Digital slit lamp images were acquired from all patients before and 30d post treatment.The area with fibrovascular tissue was calculated using Image J.Central corneal sensitivity was assessed by Cochet-Bonnet aesthesiometry before and one month after treatment.Scar tissue transparency was assessed with a novel optical densitometry.RESULTS:Mean age of patients was 61.65±16.47y and 57.3±19.11y in the ATs group and ASEDs group,respectively.Twenty-two male and 18 female patients were included in the study.The improvement in visual acuity was significantly greater in the ASEDs group(0.14±0.04)than the ATs(0.08±0.04;P=0.00046).Cochet-Bonnet aesthesiometry improved significantly after treatment with a similar rate between groups.There were no statistically significant differences in the area of postoperative fibrovascular tissue between the two groups(P=0.082).The success rate in the two groups was similar.The difference in densitometry between the ATs and ASEDs group was statistically significant(P=0.042)with greater reduction from baseline in the ASEDS group.CONCLUSION:Autologous serum eye drops can lead to better visual acuity,more stable results and improved densitometry and should be considered in the postoperative care following amniotic membrane transplantation.

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.

Correlation of serum albumin level on postoperative day 2 with hospital length of stay in patients undergoing emergency surgery for perforated peptic ulcer

BACKGROUND Perforated peptic ulcer(PPU)is a common emergency surgical condition and a significant cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide.While advances in surgical techniques have improved outcomes for patients with PPU,many factors still affect postoperative hospital stay and overall prognosis.One potential factor is the serum albumin(SA)level,a widely utilized marker of nutritional status that has been associated with length of stay and complications in various surgical procedures.AIM To clarify the correlation of SA level on postoperative day 2 with hospital length of stay(HLOS)in patients undergoing emergency surgery for perforated peptic ulcer(PPU).METHODS We retrospectively collected and analyzed clinical baseline data,including blood routine and SA levels,of patients who underwent emergency PPU surgery and postoperative treatment at the Lingnan Hospital,the Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University between December 2012 and September 2021.Patients were grouped according to HLOS with 7 d as the cut-off value,and relevant indicators were analyzed using SPSS 26.0.RESULTS Of the 37 patients undergoing emergency surgery for PPU referred to our department,33 had gastric and 4 had duodenal ulcer perforation.The median HLOS was 10 d.There were 8 patients in the≤7-d group(median HLOS:7 d)and 29 patients in the>7-d group(median HLOS:10 d).The≤7-d group had markedly higher SA on postoperative day 2 than the>7-d group(37.7 g/L vs 32.6g/L;P<0.05).The SA level on postoperative day 2 was a protective factor for patients with HLOS>7 d(Odds ratio=0.629,P=0.015).The cut-off of SA on postoperative day 2 was 30.6g/L,with an area under the curve of 0.86 and a negative predictive value of 100%for the prediction of HLOS≤7 d.CONCLUSION The SA level on postoperative day 2 was associated with the HLOS in patients undergoing emergency surgery for PPU.The pre-and post-operative albumin levels should be monitored,and infusion of human SA should be considered in a timely manner.

Comparison of total corneal power measurements obtained with different devices after myopic keratorefractive surgery

AIM:To analyze the differences,agreements,and correlation among total corneal power parameters generated by different instruments after myopic keratorefractive surgery.METHODS:The prospective cross-sectional study included patients who underwent myopic keratorefractive surgery and received measurements of corneal power 3mo after surgery.Automated keratometer was used for the measurement of simulated keratometry(Sim K),sweptsource optical coherence tomography(SS-OCT)based biometer for total keratometry(TK),anterior segment-OCT for real keratometry(RK),and Scheimpflug keratometer for the true net power(TNP),the total corneal refractive power(TCRP)and equivalent K-readings(EKR).The differences among these parameters were analyzed,and the agreements and correlation between Sim K and other total corneal power parameters were investigated.RESULTS:A total of 70 eyes of 70 patients after myopic keratorefractive surgery were included.The evaluated corneal power parameters were as follows:Sim K 38.32±1.93 D,TK 37.54±2.12 D,RK 36.64±2.09 D,TNP 36.56±1.97 D,TCRP 36.70±2.01 D,and EKR 37.55±2.00 D.Pairwise comparison showed that there were significant differences(P<0.001)among all parameters except for between TK and EKR,RK and TNP,RK and TCRP(P=1.000,1.000,1.000,respectively).The limits of agreement between Sim K and TK,RK,TNP,TCPR,and EKR were 1.08,1.08,1.43,1.48,and 1.73 D,respectively.All parameters showed good correlation with Sim K,and the correlation coefficients were 0.995,0.994,0.983,0.982,and 0.975.CONCLUSION:Among the corneal power parameters after myopic keratorefractive surgery,the value of Sim K is the largest,followed by TK and EKR,with TCRP,RK,and TNP being the smallest.The differences among the parameters may be attributable to the different calculation principles.Correct understanding and evaluation of corneal power parameters can provide a theoretical basis for taking advantage of the total corneal power to improve the accuracy of intraocular lens calculation after keratorefractive surgery.

Impact of tibial transverse transport in tissue regeneration and wound healing with perspective on diabetic foot ulcers

In this editorial,we comment on an article by Liao et al published in the current issue of the World Journal of Diabetes.We focus on the clinical significance of tibial transverse transport(TTT)as an effective treatment for patients with diabetic foot ulcers(DFU).TTT has been associated with tissue regeneration,improved blood circulation,reduced amputation rates,and increased expression of early angiogenic factors.Mechanistically,TTT can influence macrophage polarization and growth factor upregulation.Despite this potential,the limitations and conflicting results of existing studies justify the need for further research into its optimal application and development.These clinical implications highlight the efficacy of TTT in recalcitrant DFU and provide lasting stimuli for tissue re-generation,and blood vessel and bone marrow improvement.Immunomodu-lation via systemic responses contributes to its therapeutic potential.Future studies should investigate the underlying molecular mechanisms to enhance our understanding and the efficacy of TTT.This manuscript emphasizes the potential of TTT in limb preservation and diabetic wound healing and suggests avenues for preventive measures against limb amputation in diabetes and peripheral artery disease.Here,we highlight the clinical significance of the TTT and its importance in healing DFU to promote the use of this technique in tissue regeneration.

Corneal re-innervation following refractive surgery treatments

Laser refractive surgery is one of the most performed surgical procedures in the world. Although regarded safe and efficient, it has side effects. All of the laser based refractive surgical procedures invoke corneal nerve injury to some degree. The impact of this denervation can range from mild discomfort to neurotrophic corneas. Currently, three techniques are widely used for laser vision correction: small incision lenticule extraction, laser-assisted keratomileusis in situ and photorefractive keratotomy. Each of these techniques affects corneal innervation differently and has a different pattern of nerve regeneration. The purpose of this review is to summarize the different underlying mechanisms for corneal nerve injury and compare the different patterns of corneal reinnervation.

Management of duodenal ulcer bleeding resistant to endoscopy:Surgery is dead!

Acute massive duodenal bleeding is one of the most frequent complications of peptic ulcer disease.Endoscopy is the first-line method for diagnosing and treating actively bleeding peptic ulcers because its success rate is high.Of the small group of patients whose bleeding fails to respond to endoscopic therapy,increasingly the majority is referred for embolotherapy.Indeed,advances in catheter-based techniques and newer embolic agents,as well as recognition of the effectiveness of minimally invasive treatment options,have expanded the role of interventional radiology in the management of hemorrhage from peptic ulcers over the past decade.Embolization may be effective for even the most gravely ill patients for whom surgery is not a viable option,even when extravasation is not visualized by angiography.However,it seems that careful selection of the embolic agents according to the bleeding vessel may play a role in a successful outcome.The role of the surgeon in this clinical sphere is dramatically diminishing and will certainly continue to diminish in ensuing years,surgery being typically reserved for patients whose bleeding failed to respond all previous treatments.Such a setting has become extremely rare.

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.

Clinical observation of removal of the necrotic corneal tissue combined with conjunctival flap covering surgery under the guidance of the AS-OCT in treatment of fungal keratitis

AIM: To study the clinical observation of removal of the necrotic corneal tissue combined with conjunctival flap covering surgery under the guidance of the AS-OCT in treatment of fungal keratitis. METHODS:A retrospective study was done to 10 patients (10 eyes) who had accepted removal of the necrotic corneal tissue combined with conjunctival flap covering surgery for fungal keratitis,the diagnosis by corneal scraping and smear examination or confocal microscopy check hyphae. Local and systemic antifungal therapy more than one week for all patients, corneal ulcer enlarge or no shrink. Slit lamp microscope examination the diameter of corneal ulcer about 2mm-4mm. Anterior segment optical coherence tomography (AS-OCT)examine the depth of corneal ulcer between 1/3-1/2, infiltrate corneal stroma about 20um-80um,the diameter of corneal ulcer about 3mm-6mm.Type-B ultrasonic exclusion endophthalmitis. Complete removal lesions until transparent of stoma, make conjunctival flap equal or greater than ulcer 1mm nearby conjunctiva. Continued antifungal therapy. The vision, fungal recurrence, conjunctival flap rollback or desquamate were analysed. ' RESULTS:Ten patients had success done this surgery, the corneal ulcer was not enlarge and healing afteroperation. 7 cases were bridging conjunctival flap and 3cases were single conjunctival flap. Preoperation vision above 0.1 had 8 cases,7 cases had vision above 0.1 one week after surgery, while 1 cases vision droped from 0.3 to 0.05.There was not recurrent for fungal,2 cases conjunctival flap rollback:1 case was bridging and 1case was single flap, no conjunctival flap desquamate. CONCLUSION: It is safe and effective to perform removal of the necrotic corneal tissue combined with conjunctival flap covering surgery under the guidance of the AS-OCT in treatment of fungal keratitis which werenot sensitive or aggravate for antifungal drugs.

Changes of corneal central thickness of aphakia following congenital cataract surgery under the first six months of life

AIM: To observe the central corneal thickness (CCT) changes in infants and young children who had been undergone bilateral congenital cataract surgery, and to compare the changes with normal control group which was selected from healthy population. METHODS: A cross section case-control study contained 28 cases (56 eyes) of bilateral aphakia (aphakic group) due to congenital cataract surgery combining with posterior continuous curvilinear capsulorhexis and with anterior vitrectomy during 2-6 months after birth. Fourteen children (28 eyes) of age-sex matched with the aphalic group were selected as normal control group. CCT and intraocular pressure (TOP) were measured postoperatively and the results were compared between groups. RESULTS: The mean CCT was 653.5 +/- 82.4 mu m in the aphakic group and 579.6 +/- 39.2 mu m in the control group, with a significant difference (P=0.000). The mean value of TOP in aphakic group (22.0 +/- 1.6mmHg) was greater than that of control group (16.9 +/- 2.1mmHg), P=0.023. There was a negative correlation between age and CCT in normal control group (r=-0.531, P=0.026), and there was no correlation in bilateral aphakia group (r=-0.324, P=0.165). CONCLUSION: Aphakic children due to congenital cataract surgery have a greater CCT than normal children. It is necessary to consider CCT in evaluating IOP for children after congenital cataract surgery.

Optimal incision sites to reduce corneal aberration variations after small incision phacoemulsification cataract surgery

AIM： To analyze the effect of steep meridian small incision phacoemulsification cataract surgery on anterior,posterior and total corneal wavefront aberration.· METHODS： Steep meridian small incision phacoemulsification cataract surgery was performed in age-related cataract patients which were divided into three groups according to the incision site： 12 o＇clock, 9o＇clock and between 9 and 12 o＇clock（BENT） incision groups. The preoperative and 3-month postoperative root mean square（RMS） values of anterior, posterior and total corneal wavefront aberration including coma,spherical aberration, and total higher-order aberrations（HOAs）, were measured by Pentacam scheimpflug imaging. The mean preoperative and postoperative corneal wavefront aberrations were documented.·RESULTS： Total corneal aberration and total lower-order aberrations decreased significantly in three groups after operation. RMS value of total HOAs decreased significantly postoperatively in the 12 o＇clock incision group（P 〈0.001）. Corneal spherical aberration was statistically significantly lower after steep meridian small incision phacoemulsification cataract surgery in BENT incision group（P 〈0.05） and Pearson correlation analysisindicated that spherical aberration changes had no significant relationship with total astigmatism changes in all three corneal incision location.·CONCLUSION： Corneal incision of phacoemulsification cataract surgery can affect corneal wavefront aberration.The 12 o＇clock corneal incision eliminated more HOAs and the spherical aberrations decreased in BENT incision group obviously when we selected steep meridian small incision. Cataract lens replacement using wavefront-corrected intraocular lens combined with optimized corneal incision site would improve ocular aberration results.

Corneal neuromediator profiles following laser refractive surgery

Laser refractive surgery is one of the most commonly performed procedures worldwide.In laser refractive surgery,Femtosecond Laser in Situ Keratomileusis and Refractive Lenticule Extraction have emerged as promising alternatives to microkeratome Laser in Situ Keratomileusis and Photorefractive Keratectomy.Following laser refractive surgery,the corneal nerves,epithelial and stromal cells release neuromediators,including neurotrophins,neuropeptides and neurotransmitters.Notably,nerve growth factor,substance P,calcitonin gene-related peptide and various cytokines are important mediators of neurogenic inflammation and corneal nerve regeneration.Alterations in neuromediator profiles and ocular surface parameters following laser refractive surgery are attributed to the surgical techniques and the severity of tissue insult induced.In this review,we will discuss the(1)Functions of neuromediators and their physiological and clinical significance;(2)Changes in the neuromediators following various laser refractive surgeries;(3)Correlation between neuromediators,ocular surface health and corneal nerve status;and(4)Future directions,including the use of neuromediators as potential biomarkers for ocular surface health following laser refractive surgery,and as adjuncts to aid in corneal regeneration after laser refractive surgery.

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.

Changes in interleukin-6 tear concentration and clinical outcome in moderate-to-severe bacterial corneal ulcers after corneal collagen cross-linking

We aimed to evaluate interleukin-6（IL-6） tear concentration and clinical outcome in patients with moderate-to-severe bacterial corneal ulcers post corneal collagen cross-linking（CXL） therapy. This pre-post designed study involving 21 moderate-to-severe corneal ulcer patients who underwent CXL therapy. Patients with infectious corneal ulcer were given CXL therapy as adjunctive treatment after 5 d of broadspectrum antibiotic treatment. Patients with moderate to severe infectious bacterial corneal ulcers were included in this study. Tear sampling was performed before CXL therapy, using sterile Schimer paper from conjunctival inferior fornix. CXL therapy was performed in accordance with the CXL Dresden protocol. Data recording and tear sampling were then performed at day 1 and day 7 after CXL therapy. Data recording included, presence of conjunctival hyperemia, visual analogue scale（VAS）, size of corneal defects, and decemetocele. There was a decrease in IL-6 tear concentration by day 7 after CXL therapy（P=0.001）. IL-6 concentration at 1 h after therapy（2274.67±2120.46 pg/m L） tended to be lower than before therapy（4330.09±3169.70 pg/m L）, but the difference was not statistically significant（P=0.821）. The size of corneal defects decreased significantly post CXL（P=0.007）. The log MAR visual acuity before and after CXL therapy was not found to be significantly different（P=0.277）. There was a significant decrease in VAS values（P=0.018） and blepharospasm（P=0.011） pre and post CXL. There was no significant decrease in conjunctival hyperemia pre and post CXL（P=0.293）. There was significant reduction in IL-6 tear concentration and clinical improvement in moderateto-severe bacterial corneal ulcers which underwent CXL therapy.

Clinical evaluation of surgery-induced astigmatism in cataract surgery using 2.2 mm or 1.8 mm clear corneal micro-incisions

AIM： To evaluate corneal astigmatism after phacoemulsification using 2.2 mm or 1.8 mm clear corneal micro-incisions and its effects on visual function.METHODS： Sixty cases （60 eyes） with cataract were randomly divided into groups A （n=30） and B （n=30） respectively underwent 2.2 mm and 1.8 mm clear corneal tunnel incision phacoemulsification combined with folding intraocular lens implantation from the time direction of 11：00. On day 1 and at 1, 4, and 6wk after operation, patients’ vision was measured and both the corneal curvature and corneal thickness （CT） were recorded using Pentacam.RESULTS： The measured surgery-induced astigmatism （SIA） in both groups A and B peaked on day 1 after operation, and then gradually decreased and eventually stabilized in week 4. No statistically significant difference was found in corneal astigmatism between two groups （P〉0.05）. The measured corneal astigmatism at 4wk and 6wk postoperatively were 0.28±0.09 D and 0.27±0.10 D for groups A and 0.27±0.09 D and 0.25±0.10 D for groups B without statistically significant difference （P〉0.05）. In addition, no significant differences in visual acuity and CT were found between groups A and B before or after operation.CONCLUSION： Both 2.2 mm and 1.8 mm micro-incision cataract surgeries result in relatively small SIA with no difference in visual function and corneal astigmatism between two surgery approaches. Thus, the two types of surgical systems are safe and efficient for cataract treatment, by which satisfactory uncorrected visual acuity can be regained early postoperatively.

Changes of lactate dehydrogenase in corneal edema after cataract surgery treated with trans-corneal oxygenation therapy

AIM:To investigate the changes in levels of the lactate dehydrogenase(LDH)enzyme in corneal edema after cataract surgery with trans-corneal oxygenation therapy.METHODS:This pre-post design study design conducted on 15 patients with corneal edema after cataract surgery and receiving trans-corneal oxygenation therapy.Tear sample(using Schirmer paper,from the inferior fornix of the conjunctiva)was carried out prior to trans-corneal oxygenation therapy,on the day 2(D2)and day 5(D5)postoperatively before and after trans-corneal oxygenation therapy.Visual acuity[VA(Log MAR)],corneal endothelial density,central corneal thickness(CCT),and coefficient of variation corneal endothelial(Co V)were recorded.The value of LDH was measured using ELISA.The difference in mean LDH value before and after trans-corneal oxygenation therapy,between two groups were analyzed using Wilcoxon signed rank test.RESULTS:There was a decrease in LDH tear concentration at D2(pre vs post:1127.54±497.09 vs 696.91±489.49;P=0.002)and D5(pre vs post:1064.17±677.77 vs 780.28±428.95;P=0.027)after trans-corneal oxygenation therapy as well as decrease in LDH concentration on the D2 compared to D5(P=0.041).The mean CCT was decreased significantly after the administration of trans-corneal oxygenation(pre vs post:632.10±25.66 vs 563.90±51.54;P=0.005).The mean VA and Co V increased significantly after the administration of trans-corneal oxygenation(P=0.001 and P=0.028,respectively).However,there was no difference in mean of corneal endothelial density(P=0.814).CONCLUSION:Trans-corneal oxygenation therapy is associated with significant decrease of tears LDH levels in post cataract surgery with corneal edema.It is accompanied by clinical improvement such as significant reduction of CCT.

Evaluation of preoperative dry eye in people undergoing corneal refractive surgery to correct myopia

AIM: To investigate the incidence of preoperative dry eye and related factors in patients undergoing corneal refractive surgery to correct myopia.METHODS: A total of 141 patients with myopia who underwent corneal refractive surgery were surveyed by questionnaires, tear film break-up time(BUT) test, Schimer I test(SIt), corneal fluorescein staining(FL) test and diagnosed according to the currently recognized domestic diagnostic criteria for dry eye. Correlation analysis of factors such as age, gender, regular wearing of contact lens(CL), diopter(spherical equivalent), corneal thickness, and corneal curvature that may affect the onset of dry eye was carried out to clarify the main influencing factors. RESULTS: There were 64 patients(45.39%) diagnosed with dry eye. The male patients(20.31%) was significantly less than that of non-dry eye subjects(41.56%;χ~2=7.260, P=0.007);the proportion of patients with dry eye wearing CL(81.25%) was significantly higher than that of non-dry eye subjects(51.95%;χ~2=13.234, P<0.001);the median diopter level of dry eye patients was-6.59(IQR:-8.87,-4.58) D, and the median diopter level of non-dry eye subjects was-5.69(IQR:-7.15,-4.03) D. The diopter level of dry eye patients was significantly higher(Z=-2.086, P=0.019). However, the age, best corrected visual acuity, and intraocular pressure of dry eye patients were not statistically different from those of non-dry eye subjects(t=-0.257,-0.383 and 0.778, P=0.798, 0.702, and 0.438);the corneal thickness and corneal curvature(K1 and K2) were also not statistically different either(Z=-1.487,-1.036 and-1.707, P=0.137, 0.300, and 0.088). The research further analyzes the three significant factors in the single factor analysis(gender, CL wear, and diopter) in a multi-factor way: CL wear and diopter were the influencing factors of dry eye disease. Among them, CL wear increased the risk of dry eye by 2.934 times compared with no CL wear;for every 1 D increase in diopter, the risk of dry eye increased by 0.761 times.CONCLUSION: Preoperative dry eye is relatively common in patients who undergo corneal refractive surgery to correct myopia, especially in patients who have a history of CL wear and a high diopter level before surgery. Therefore, it is necessary to carry out preoperative screening and timely treatment of dry eye to obtain the best treatment outcome and postoperative satisfaction.

Stress gastric ulcer after cardiac surgery: Pathogenesis risk factors and medical management

Stress ulcer lesions of upper gastrointestinal tract are well recognized in patients undergoing open cardiac surgery. Gastrointestinal bleeding following cardiac surgery is infrequent with significant morbidity and mortality. The pathogenesis of mucosal lesions and subsequent haemorrhage is complex and multifactorial. The diagnosis as well as the treatment of this complication remains a challenge for surgeons. Identifying the source of bleeding can be difficult. Despite of the successful control of haemorrhage using various combinations of endoscopic and pharmacological therapies, the mortality rate remains unchanged. Benefit of routine stress ulcer prophylaxis remains controversial.

Effect of femtosecond laser-assisted steepest-meridian clear corneal incisions on preexisting corneal regular astigmatism at the time of cataract surgery

AIM:To investigate the clinical efficacy and safety of femtosecond laser-assisted steepest-meridian clear corneal incisions for correcting preexisting corneal astigmatism performed at the time of cataract surgery.METHODS:This prospective case series study comprised consecutive age-related cataract patients with corneal regular astigmatism(range:+0.75 to+2.50 D)who had femtosecond laser-assisted steepest-meridian clear corneal incisions(single or paired).Corneal astigmatism was performed with the Pentacam preoperatively and 3 mo postoperatively.Total corneal astigmatism and steepestmeridian measured in the 3-mm central zone were used to guide the location,size and number of clear corneal incision.The vector analysis of astigmatic change was performed using the Alpins method.RESULTS:Totally 138 eyes of 138 patients were included.The mean preoperative corneal astigmatism was 1.31±0.41 D,and was significantly reduced to 0.69±0.34 D(equivalent to difference vector)after surgery(P<0.01).The surgically-induced astigmatism was 1.02±0.54 D.The correction index(ratio of target induced astigmatism and surgically-induced astigmatism:0.72±0.36)as well as the magnitude of error(difference between surgically-induced astigmatism and target induced astigmatism:-0.29±0.51)represented a slight under correction.For angle of error,the arithmetic mean was 1.11±13.70,indicating no significant systematic alignment errors.CONCLUSION:Femtosecond-assisted steepest-meridian clear corneal incision is a fast,customizable,adjustable,precise,and safe technique for the reduction of low to moderate corneal astigmatism during cataract surgery.