Jana Nekolová

Comparison of posterior capsule opacification after two different surgical methods of cataract extraction.

PURPOSE To compare the extent of posterior capsule opacification (PCO) after AquaLase and NeoSoniX phacoemulsification methods using two types of software for PCO quantification. DESIGN Prospective, randomized clinical trial. METHODS At the Department of Ophthalmology, University Hospital in Hradec Králové, 50 patients (100 eyes) were analyzed one year after surgery. AquaLase was used in the right eye and NeoSoniX in the left eye of each patient. One year after surgery, digital retroillumination photographs of anterior segments were obtained. The Evaluation of Posterior Capsule Opacification (EPCO) 2000 software (Berlin, Germany) and the Open-Access Systematic Capsule Assessment (OSCA) system (Edinburgh, United Kingdom) were used for PCO assessment. Best-corrected Snellen visual acuity (BCVA) was evaluated before and after surgery. Statistical analysis was performed using parametric tests. RESULTS The EPCO 2000 results were as follows: mean value for right eyes, 0.324+/-0.305; mean value for left eyes, 0.298+/-0.341; no difference was proved (P=.532). The OSCA results were as follows: for right eyes, 0.7097+/-0.3777; for left eyes, 0.8584+/-0.4323; significant difference (P=.046), worse for left eyes. No correlation between EPCO 2000 and OSCA results was established (P>.001; correlation coefficient, 0.347). BCVA for the right eyes was 0.837+/-0.262 and for the left eyes was 0.849+/-0.224. Neodymium:yytrium-aluminum-garnet capsulotomy was performed in one eye in the NeoSoniX group, and in no eyes in the AquaLase group. CONCLUSIONS There was no significant difference in PCO measured by EPCO 2000, however, PCO after AquaLase as assessed by EPCO 2000 was slightly denser. The OSCA system gave significantly higher scores in the NeoSoniX group. No correlation between EPCO 2000 and OSCA outcomes was proved.

Three-Year Follow-up of Posterior Capsule Opacification After AquaLase and NeoSoniX Phacoemulsification

PURPOSE To prospectively compare the degree of posterior capsule opacification (PCO) after AquaLase and NeoSoniX phacoemulsification methods during the 3-year follow-up period. DESIGN Prospective, randomized clinical trial. METHODS Setting at the Department of Ophthalmology, University Hospital in Hradec Králové. Patients with bilateral cataract were included. AquaLase was used in the right eye and NeoSoniX in the left eye of each patient. The AcrySof SA60AT intraocular lens (Alcon Laboratories, Fort Worth, Texas, USA) was implanted in all eyes. The Evaluation of Posterior Capsule Opacification (EPCO) 2000 software (Developed by Tetz MR and associates, Berlin, Germany) and the Open-Access Systematic Capsule Assessment (OSCA) system (Devised by Aslam TM, Edinburgh, United Kingdom) were used for PCO assessment 1, 2, and 3 years after cataract surgery. RESULTS Fifty patients were analyzed 1 year, 47 patients 2 years, and 46 patients 3 years after cataract surgery. Mean EPCO 2000 values were for the AquaLase group 0.324 +/- 0.305 and for the NeoSoniX group 0.298 +/- 0.341 (P = .53) 1 year after surgery, for the AquaLase group 0.429 +/- 0.322 and for the NeoSoniX group 0.478 +/- 0.337 (P = .30) 2 years after surgery, and for the AquaLase group 0.582 +/- 0.506 and for the NeoSoniX group 0.594 +/- 0.515 (P = .87) 3 years after surgery. The OSCA results were for the AquaLase group 0.7097 +/- 0.3778 and for the NeoSoniX group 0.8584 +/- 0.4323 (P = .046) 1 year after surgery, for the AquaLase group 0.7515 +/- 0.4555 and for the NeoSoniX group 0.8103 +/- 0.4498 (P = .44) 2 years after surgery, and for the AquaLase group 0.9667 +/- 0.736 and for the NeoSoniX group 0.9540 +/- 0.5250 (P = .91) 3 years after surgery. Neodymium-yttrium-aluminun-garnet capsulotomy rate for AquaLase vs NeoSoniX was 0:1 eyes 1 year, 1:3 eyes 2 years, and 1:4 eyes 3 years after surgery. No significant difference between those 2 groups was established, except the OSCA outcomes 1 year postoperatively. CONCLUSION There was only minimal PCO difference between these 2 approaches, AquaLase and NeoSoniX. Neither AquaLase nor NeoSoniX technique was able to prevent a natural progression of PCO.

Comparison of the effect of AquaLase and NeoSoniX phacoemulsification on the corneal endothelium

PURPOSE: To compare the extent of corneal endothelial cell loss and pachymetry changes in 2 age‐based groups of patients who had cataract removal by AquaLase (Alcon) phacoemulsification in 1 eye and NeoSoniX (Alcon) phacoemulsification in the contralateral eye. SETTING: Department of Ophthalmology, University Hospital, Hradec Králové, Czech Republic. METHODS: This prospective clinical study comprised 28 patients younger than 80 years (Group A) and 28 patients 80 years or older (Group B) with bilateral cataract having lens removal using AquaLase in the right eye and NeoSoniX in the left eye. The nuclei were graded clinically on the basis of hardness. The endothelial cell count (ECC), pachymetry, and best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) were evaluated preoperatively and postoperatively. The mean ECC and pachymetry values (±SD) were calculated in each group, with differences between right and left eyes analyzed using the paired t test. RESULTS: In Group A, the differences in the postoperative changes in ECC and pachymetry between AquaLase and NeoSoniX were not statistically significant. In Group B, there were statistically significant differences in postoperative changes in ECC and pachymetry, with the results better in the AquaLase eyes. The BCVA immediately after surgery was better than preoperatively in all eyes. CONCLUSION: The results suggest that AquaLase cataract extraction is safe for the endothelium, even in older patients with harder cataracts and a lower ECC count preoperatively.

Microincision 25G pars plana vitrectomy with peeling of the inner limiting membrane and air tamponade in idiopathic macular hole.

Purpose To evaluate the success of a mini-invasive technique for operation of idiopathic macular hole (IMH). Methods We retrospectively examined 29 patients (30 eyes) in whom 25-G pars plana vitrectomy (PPV), peeling of the inner limiting membrane (ILM), and application of air tamponade were performed. The group of the patients included 7 males and 22 females (76%), age range 57-79 years (median 70). The follow-up period was 3-47 months (median 17). Results Pars plana vitrectomy was indicated only in the stages of full-thickness macular hole. Prior to operation, 13 eyes (43%) were in stage 2, 15 eyes (50%) in stage 3, and 2 eyes (7%) in stage 4. The IMH healed in 28 eyes after operation. Persistence of IMH occurred in 2 eyes (7%). After subsequent reoperation with extension of the peeling zone of the ILM and gas tamponade (with 10% C3F8), these macular holes also healed (100%). Prior to carrying out PPV, best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) ranged between 20/40 and 20/500 (median 20/125). At the end of the follow-up period, BCVA was improved to 20/40 (median). The change in the final BCVA compared to the initial visual acuity was statistically significant (p = 0.008; Wilcoxon). Conclusions The 25-G PPV with peeling of the ILM and air tamponade is an effective technique and presents no increased risks in comparison with routine procedures. The main benefit of the intervention is its good tolerance by the patient, particularly with respect to painfulness and postoperative irritation.

Scharioth Macula Lens: A new intraocular implant for low-vision patients with stabilized maculopathy- first experience

AIMS To present the initial results of Scharioth Macula Lens (SML) implantation. The SML is a new add-on intraocular lens designed to increase uncorrected near visual acuity (UCVA) in patients with stabilized maculopathy. METHODS Eight patients were included in the study. All met the indication criteria before SML implantation. An SML was implanted in the better seeing eye. Near and distance visual acuity were tested. Possible complications and patient complaints were recorded and patients were asked about their quality of vision after SML implantation. The examination was carried out on day 1, 1 week, 1, 3 and 6 months after surgery. RESULTS Six-month-results are presented. Apart from one, all patients with the SML had good near visual acuity at a recommended reading distance of 15 cm. Preoperatively, the mean (min-max) near UCVA was J13 (J8-J16), mean distance BCVA was 0.27. Postoperatively, the best results were after 1 month - near UCVA was J2.5 (J1-J7), distance BCVA was 0.26. Three months after surgery, this decreased to J4.5 (J1-J8); distance VA remained 0.25. Six months postoperatively - near vision was J4 (J1-J8) and distance VA was unchanged. Patients reported problems with reading speed and reading distance. Daily exercise improved their reading ability. One patient converted to wet AMD 3 months post-implantation. CONCLUSION The SML is a new hope for low-vision patients. It acts as a magnifier in the eye. It is a suitable method for increasing near visual acuity in patients with inactive maculopathy.

Long-term follow-up of posterior capsule opacification after AquaLase and NeoSoniX phacoemulsification.

AIM To compare the degree of posterior capsule opacification (PCO) after AquaLase and NeoSoniX phacoemulsification methods during an 8-year follow-up period using two types of software. DESIGN Prospective, randomized clinical trial. METHODS AquaLase was used in the right eye and NeoSoniX in the left eye of each patient with bilateral cataract. RESULTS Fifty patients were analyzed 1 year, 46 patients 3 years, and 37 patients 8 years after cataract surgery. Mean EPCO 2000 values were for the AquaLase group 0.324 ± 0.305 and for the NeoSoniX group 0.298 ± 0.341 (P = 0.53) 1 year after surgery, for the AquaLase group 0.582 ± 0.506 and for the NeoSoniX group 0.594 ± 0.515 (P = 0.87) 3 years after surgery, and for the AquaLase group 0.648 ± 0.567 and for the NeoSoniX group 0.673 ± 0.542 (P = 0.30) 8 years after surgery. The OSCA results were for the AquaLase group 0.7097 ± 0.3778 and for the NeoSoniX group 0.8584 ± 0.4323 (P = 0.046) 1 year after surgery, for the AquaLase group 0.9667 ± 0.736 and for the NeoSoniX group 0.9540 ± 0.5250 (P = 0.91) 3 years after surgery, and for the AquaLase group 1,035 ± 0,952 and for the NeoSoniX group 1,103 ± 0,741 (P = 0.44) 8 years after surgery. CONCLUSION There was minimal PCO difference between these 2 approaches, AquaLase and NeoSoniX. Neither AquaLase nor NeoSoniX technique was able to prevent a natural progression of PCO.

Liquefaction in the Prevention of Posterior Capsule Opacification-Safety and Efficacy

Purpose: To evaluate the extent of posterior capsule opacification (PCO) following cataract surgery – torsional phacoemulsification with liquefaction method removal of the epithelial cells (right eye), and straight forward torsional phacoemulsification (left eye), with subsequent implantation of the AcrySof SA60AT intraocular lens. Methods: In this prospective clinical trial patients with bilateral cataract were observed. The Evaluation of Posterior Capsule Opacification (EPCO) 2000 software and the Open-Access Systematic Capsule Assessment (OSCA) system were used for PCO assessment at 3, 6, 12 and 24 months after surgery. Postoperative changes in endothelial cell count (ECC) and pachymetry were also evaluated. Results: The mean value for total EPCO index at 3, 6, 12 and 24 months postoperatively was respectively for the right eye 0.289 ± 0.223, 0.276 ± 0.176, 0.309 ± 0.185 and 0.418 ± 0.253, and for the left eye 0.302 ± 0.191, 0.301 ± 0.168, 0.355 ± 0.206 and 0.468 ± 0.309. The mean value for OSCA score (New Analysis) was for the right eye 0.612 ± 0.279, 0.603 ± 0.339, 0.559 ± 0.265 and 0.642 ± 0.401, and for the left eye 0.630 ± 0.398, 0.629 ± 0.366, 0.535 ± 0.331 and 0.574 ± 0.340. One patient underwent Nd-YAG laser capsulotomy one year after surgery (both eyes), and one patient two years postoperatively (right eye). There was minimal reduction in endothelial cell count and minimal changes in corneal thickness in both eyes. Conclusions: The AquaLase method is safe for ocular tissue. Two years after surgery, most cases of PCO were graded as minimal by both systems of analysis. Not withstanding the slightly better results in eyes with AquaLase polishing of the posterior capsule, this technique was not able to completely prevent a natural progression of PCO.