Femtosecond laser-assisted corneal pocket creation using a mask for inlay implantation.

To describe the technique of femtosecond laser-assisted intracorneal pocket creation, using a mask for the implantation of a corneal inlay in the non-dominant eye of a 56-year-old, emmetropic, presbyopic woman for the correction of presbyopia. Using the iFlap treatment-type software of the femtosecond laser (IntraLase 150, Abbott Medical Optics), a full lamellar cut was created at 280-μm depth. A keyhole-shaped mask was placed at the internal part of the glass of the applanation cone. A separator was used to separate the stroma, and an inserter was used to implant the inlay at the center of the line of sight. To determine the line of sight, the microscope and centration system of the excimer laser (Allegretto Wave 400 Hz, WaveLight Laser Technologie AG) were used. The Flexivue Microlens inlay (Presbia) was implanted. No intra- or postoperative complications occurred during follow-up. Uncorrected near visual acuity improved from 20/50 to 20/20 at the first postoperative week. Femtosecond-assisted intracorneal pocket creation using a mask is a simple, safe, and efficient approach for the implantation of corneal inlays

Interface lamellar keratitis induced by a post-Descemet stripping automated endothelial keratoplasty corneal trauma.

A 78-year-old female patient suffering from Fuchs endothelial dystrophy had uneventful Descemet stripping automated endothelial keratoplasty (DSAEK) on the right eye. One and a half months postoperatively, she underwent a corneal foreign body trauma and was referred to our clinic, complaining about vision deterioration. Slit-lamp examination revealed a severe and diffuse interface lamellar keratitis between the DSAEK graft and the recipient's cornea without any signs of graft dysfunction. Intensive treatment with local corticosteroids was applied immediately, resulting in prompt improvement of both visual acuity and clinical condition. A new clinical entity, described as interface lamellar keratitis after corneal trauma in a DSAEK patient, is presented. Early diagnosis and appropriate intensive treatment with local corticosteroids are essential to successfully address this uncommon post-DSAEK complication

Combined transepithelial phototherapeutic keratectomy and corneal collagen cross-linking for progressive keratoconus.

To compare the outcomes of corneal collagen cross-linking (CXL) for the treatment of progressive keratoconus using 2 different techniques for epithelial removal: transepithelial phototherapeutic keratectomy (t-PTK) versus mechanical epithelial debridement. Prospective, comparative, interventional case series. Thirty-four patients (38 eyes) with progressive keratoconus were enrolled. All patients underwent uneventful CXL treatment. Sixteen patients (19 eyes) underwent epithelial removal using t-PTK (group 1) and 18 patients (19 eyes) underwent mechanical epithelial debridement using a rotating brush (group 2) during CXL treatment. Visual and refractive outcomes were evaluated along with corneal confocal microscopy findings preoperatively and at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months postoperatively. Uncorrected distance visual acuity (UDVA), corrected distance visual acuity (CDVA), manifest refraction, and keratometry readings. No intraoperative or postoperative complications were observed in any of the patients. In group 1, logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution mean UDVA and mean CDVA improved from 0.99 ± 0.71 and 0.30 ± 0.26 preoperatively to 0.63 ± 0.42 (P = 0.02) and 0.19 ± 0.18 (P = 0.008) at 12 months postoperatively, respectively. In group 2, neither mean UDVA nor mean CDVA demonstrated a significant improvement at 12 months postoperatively (P>0.05). In group 1, mean corneal astigmatism improved from -5.84 ± 3.80 diopters (D) preoperatively to -4.31 ± 2.90 D (P = 0.015) at the last follow-up, whereas in group 2 there was no significant difference at the same postoperative interval (P>0.05). No endothelial cell density alterations were observed throughout the follow-up period for both groups (P>0.05). Epithelial removal using t-PTK during CXL results in better visual and refractive outcomes in comparison with mechanical epithelial debridement

Topography-guided transepithelial PRK after intracorneal ring segments implantation and corneal collagen CXL in a three-step procedure for keratoconus.

To present the results of topography-guided transepithelial photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) after intracorneal ring segments implantation followed by corneal collagen cross-linking (CXL) for keratoconus. In this prospective case series, 10 patients (16 eyes) with progressive keratoconus were included. All patients underwent topography-guided transepithelial PRK after Keraring intracorneal ring segments (Mediphacos Ltda) implantation, followed by CXL treatment. The follow-up period was 6 months after the last procedure for all patients. Time interval between both intracorneal ring segments implantation and CXL and between CXL and topography-guided transepithelial PRK was 6 months. LogMAR mean uncorrected distance visual acuity and mean corrected distance visual acuity were significantly improved (P<.05) from 1.14±0.36 and 0.75±0.24 preoperatively to 0.25±0.13 and 0.13±0.06 after the completion of the three-step procedure, respectively. Mean spherical equivalent refraction was significantly reduced (P<.05) from -5.66±5.63 diopters (D) preoperatively to -0.98±2.21 D after the three-step procedure. Mean steep and flat keratometry values were significantly reduced (P<.05) from 54.65±5.80 D and 47.80±3.97 D preoperatively to 45.99±3.12 D and 44.69±3.19 D after the three-step procedure, respectively. Combined topography-guided transepithelial PRK with intracorneal ring segments implantation and CXL in a three-step procedure seems to be an effective, promising treatment sequence offering patients a functional visual acuity and ceasing progression of the ectatic disorder. A longer follow-up and larger case series are necessary to thoroughly evaluate safety, stability, and efficacy of this innovative procedure

Simultaneous topography-guided photorefractive keratectomy followed by corneal collagen cross-linking for keratoconus.

To present the long-term results after simultaneous photorefractive keratectomy followed by corneal collagen cross-linking for keratoconus. Prospective, interventional, consecutive case series. In this study, 26 patients (31 eyes) with progressive keratoconus were included. All patients underwent customized topography-guided photorefractive keratectomy immediately followed by corneal collagen cross-linking with the use of riboflavin and ultraviolet A irradiation. Epithelium was removed by transepithelial phototherapeutic keratectomy in all cases. Mean follow-up was 19.53 ± 3.97 months (range, 12 to 25 months). Mean preoperative spherical equivalent was -2.3 ± 2.8 diopters (D), whereas at the last follow-up examination, it was significantly (P < .001) reduced to -1.08 ± 2.41 D. Logarithm of the minimal angle of resolution uncorrected and best-corrected visual acuity were reduced significantly by 0.46 and 0.084 (P < .001), respectively, at the last follow-up examination. Finally, mean steep and flat keratometry readings were reduced by 2.35 (P < .001) and 1.18 (P = .013) at the last follow-up examination. Simultaneous photorefractive keratectomy followed by corneal collagen cross-linking seems to be a promising treatment alternative in our series of keratoconic patients

Visual outcomes and safety of a small diameter intrastromal refractive inlay for the corneal compensation of presbyopia.

To investigate the outcomes and safety of an intrastromal refractive inlay (Invue Lens, Biovision AG) for the corneal compensation of presbyopia. This prospective, noncomparative, interventional clinical study comprised 45 emmetropic presbyopes with a mean age of 52.3 ± 3.3 years (range: 47 to 58 years). The refractive inlay was inserted in the non-dominant eye within a corneal pocket that was created using a mechanical microkeratome. Last follow-up was 12 months in all patients and examinations were scheduled at 1 week and 1, 3, 6, and 12 months after surgery. Visual, wavefront, contrast sensitivity, and topographic outcomes as well as structural corneal alteration were evaluated. Twelve months after surgery, uncorrected near visual acuity was 20/32 or better in 98% of operated eyes and binocularly, whereas uncorrected distance visual acuity was 20/40 or better in 93% of operated eyes and 20/25 or better in all patients binocularly. Three patients lost one line of corrected distance visual acuity in the operated eye. Overall, higher order aberrations were increased and contrast sensitivity was decreased in the operated eye. No tissue alterations were found using corneal confocal microscopy. No intra- or postoperative complications occurred. The intracorneal refractive inlay (Invue Lens) seems to be an effective surgical method for the corneal compensation of presbyopia in emmetropes aged between 45 and 60 years

Visual outcomes and safety of a refractive corneal inlay for presbyopia using femtosecond laser.

To evaluate the outcomes and safety of a refractive inlay (Flexivue Micro-Lens, Presbia Coöperatief U.A.) for the corneal compensation of presbyopia. This prospective, interventional clinical study comprised 47 emmetropic presbyopes with a mean age of 52±4 years (range: 45 to 60 years). The inlay was inserted, centered on the line of sight, inside a corneal pocket created in the patient's nondominant eye, using a femtosecond laser. Follow-up was 12 months. Visual acuity, corneal topography, wavefront aberrometry, contrast sensitivity, structural corneal alterations, and questionnaires were evaluated. Twelve months after surgery, uncorrected near visual acuity was 20/32 or better in 75% of operated eyes, whereas mean uncorrected distance visual acuity (UDVA) of operated eyes was statistically significantly decreased from 0.06±0.09 logMAR (20/20) (range: -0.08 to 0.26) preoperatively to 0.38±0.15 logMAR (20/50) (range: 0.12 to 0.8) (P<.001), and mean binocular UDVA was not significantly altered (P=.516). Seventeen patients lost one line of corrected distance visual acuity in the operated eye. No patient lost 2 lines in CDVA in the operated eye. Overall, higher order aberrations increased and contrast sensitivity decreased in the operated eye. No tissue alterations were found using corneal confocal microscopy. No intra- or postoperative complications occurred. Twelve months after implantation, the Flexivue Micro-Lens intracorneal refractive inlay seems to be an effective method for the corneal compensation of presbyopia in emmetropic presbyopes aged between 45 and 60 years old