Topographic Findings of the Porcine Cornea

The porcine eye is often used as an ex vivo animal model in ophthalmological research. It is well suited for investigations concerning refractive surgery; however, corneal topography data are scarce. This study investigated the corneal topography and pachymetry of the porcine eye to provide further reproducible data. We evaluated freshly enucleated porcine eyes (n = 16) by performing computerized corneal topographies (Orbscan® IIz, Bausch and Lomb, Rochester, NY, USA). We assessed the steepest and flattest keratometric powers (K1 and K2, units in diopters (D)), astigmatism (D), white-to-white (WTW) diameter (mm), thinnest point pachymetry (µm), anterior and posterior best-fit sphere (BFS) (D), refractive power of the anterior and posterior curvatures, and total refractive power of the cornea (D). The mean keratometric powers were 39.6 ± 0.89 D (K1) and 38.5 ± 0.92 D (K2), and the mean astigmatism was 1.1 ± 0.78 D. The mean WTW diameter was 13.81 ± 0.83 mm, and the mean corneal thickness was 832.6 ± 40.18 µm. The BFSs were 38.14 ± 0.73 D (anterior) and 42.56 ± 1.15 D (posterior), and the mean refractive powers were 43.27 ± 1.08 D (anterior) and -5.15 ± 0.20 D (posterior); therefore, the mean of the total refractive power was 38.16 ± 1.00 D. The topography and pachymetry of the porcine cornea showed a specific configuration differing from the human cornea. When using animal ex vivo models such as porcine corneas for experimental corneal surgery, findings such as these should be considered

Topographic Findings of the Porcine Cornea

The porcine eye is often used as an ex vivo animal model in ophthalmological research. It is well suited for investigations concerning refractive surgery; however, corneal topography data are scarce. This study investigated the corneal topography and pachymetry of the porcine eye to provide further reproducible data. We evaluated freshly enucleated porcine eyes (n = 16) by performing computerized corneal topographies (Orbscan® IIz, Bausch and Lomb, Rochester, NY, USA). We assessed the steepest and flattest keratometric powers (K1 and K2, units in diopters (D)), astigmatism (D), white-to-white (WTW) diameter (mm), thinnest point pachymetry (µm), anterior and posterior best-fit sphere (BFS) (D), refractive power of the anterior and posterior curvatures, and total refractive power of the cornea (D). The mean keratometric powers were 39.6 ± 0.89 D (K1) and 38.5 ± 0.92 D (K2), and the mean astigmatism was 1.1 ± 0.78 D. The mean WTW diameter was 13.81 ± 0.83 mm, and the mean corneal thickness was 832.6 ± 40.18 µm. The BFSs were 38.14 ± 0.73 D (anterior) and 42.56 ± 1.15 D (posterior), and the mean refractive powers were 43.27 ± 1.08 D (anterior) and -5.15 ± 0.20 D (posterior); therefore, the mean of the total refractive power was 38.16 ± 1.00 D. The topography and pachymetry of the porcine cornea showed a specific configuration differing from the human cornea. When using animal ex vivo models such as porcine corneas for experimental corneal surgery, findings such as these should be considered

Surface Quality of Porcine Corneal Lenticules after Femtosecond Lenticule Extraction

Purpose: To determine the surface characteristics of porcine corneal lenticules after Femtosecond Lenticule Extraction. Methods: The Carl Zeiss Meditec AG VisuMax® femtosecond laser system was used to create refractive corneal lenticules on 10 freshly isolated porcine eyes. The surface regularity on the corneal lenticules recovered was evaluated by assessing scanning electron microscopy images using an established scoring system. Results: All specimens yielded comparable score results of 5–7 points (SD = 0.59) per lenticule (score range minimum 4 to maximum 11 points). Surface irregularities were caused by tissue bridges, cavitation bubbles or scratches. Conclusion: The Femtosecond Lenticule Extraction procedure is capable of creating corneal lenticules of predictable surface quality. However, future studies should focus on the optimization of laser parameters as well as surgical technique to improve the regularity of the corneal stromal bed

Untersuchungen zur Optimierung von barrierefreien visuellen Kontrasten

Die visuelle Barrierefreiheit ist eine Voraussetzung dafür, dass Personen mit Seheinschränkungen selbstständig am öffentlichen Leben teilnehmen können. In Anforderungen und Normen gibt es deshalb Mindestkontraste und Vorgaben für die Reflexionsgrade der Materialen, mit denen die Sehobjekte realisiert werden müssen. Die Anforderungen an die Kontraste sind so groß, dass sie mit vielen Materialen nur schwer erfüllt werden können. Es ist bekannt, dass eine Optimierung der Beleuchtung dazu führt, dass auch weniger hohe Kontraste sicher erkannt werden. Dazu zählen die Erhöhung der Leuchtdichte und die Vermeidung von Blendung. Im Rahmen einer Forschung wurde ein Teststand entwickelt, mit dem die Parameter gezielt variiert werden konnten und an Testpersonen Untersuchungen zum Kontrastsehen durchgeführt wurden. Die Erhöhung der Umfeldleuchtdichte führte dabei zu einer Verbesserung der Wahrnehmung von Kontrasten. Trotz Erhöhung der Umfeldleuchtdichte konnte nicht jeder Kontrast von allen Probanden erkannt werden. Direktblendung führt dazu, dass Kontraste schlechter wahrgenommen wurden

Untersuchungen zur Optimierung von barrierefreien visuellen Kontrasten

Die visuelle Barrierefreiheit ist eine Voraussetzung dafür, dass Personen mit Seheinschränkungen selbstständig am öffentlichen Leben teilnehmen können. In Anforderungen und Normen gibt es deshalb Mindestkontraste und Vorgaben für die Reflexionsgrade der Materialen, mit denen die Sehobjekte realisiert werden müssen. Die Anforderungen an die Kontraste sind so groß, dass sie mit vielen Materialen nur schwer erfüllt werden können. Es ist bekannt, dass eine Optimierung der Beleuchtung dazu führt, dass auch weniger hohe Kontraste sicher erkannt werden. Dazu zählen die Erhöhung der Adaptations-Leuchtdichte und die Vermeidung von Blendung. Im Rahmen einer Forschung wurde ein Teststand entwickelt, mit dem die Parameter gezielt variiert werden können und an dem mit Testpersonen Untersuchungen zum Kontrastsehen durchgeführt werden. Es werden das Testkonzept und erste Ergebnisse vorgestellt

Repeatability and Agreement of Central Corneal Thickness and Keratometry Measurements between Four Different Devices

Background. To estimate repeatability and comparability of central corneal thickness (CCT) and keratometry measurements obtained by four different devices in healthy eyes. Methods. Fifty-five healthy eyes from 55 volunteers were enrolled in this study. CCT (IOLMaster 700, Pentacam HR, and Cirrus HD-OCT) and keratometry readings (IOLMaster 700, Pentacam HR, and iDesign) were measured. For statistical analysis, the corneal spherocylinder was converted into power vectors (J0, J45). Repeatability was assessed by intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC). Agreement of measurements between the devices was evaluated by the Bland-Altman method. Results. The analysis of repeatability of CCT data of IOLMaster 700, Pentacam HR, and Cirrus HD-OCT showed high ICCs (range 0.995 to 0.999). The comparison of CCT measurements revealed statistically significant differences between Pentacam HR versus IOLMaster 700 (p<0.0001) and Pentacam HR versus Cirrus HD-OCT (p<0.0001), respectively. There was no difference in CCT measurements between IOLMaster 700 and Cirrus HD-OCT (p=0.519). The repeatability of keratometry readings (J0 and J45) of IOLMaster 700, Pentacam HR, and iDesign was also high with ICCs ranging from 0.974 to 0.999. The Pentacam HR revealed significantly higher J0 in comparison to IOLMaster 700 (p=0.009) and iDesign (p=0.041); however, no significant difference was between IOLMaster 700 and iDesign (p=0.426). Comparison of J45 showed no significant difference between IOLMaster 700, Pentacam HR, and iDesign. These results were in accordance with Bland-Altman plots. Conclusion. In clinical practice, the devices analyzed should not be used interchangeably due to low agreement regarding CCT as well as keratometry readings