Jorge L. Alió del Barrio

Causes of IOL explantation in Spain

Purpose To study the reasons and the demography of pseudophakic intraocular lens (IOL) explantation in Spain. Methods In this observational multicenter retrospective study, the cases studied correspond to the 15 centers that constitute the Nodo Calidad Visual y Cirugia Refractiva of the Red Tematica de Investigacion Cooperativa (RETICS) sponsored by the Spanish Ministry of Health. Clinical data from all the patients who underwent explantation were assessed. The different reasons that caused the decision of explantation were analyzed. Results A total of 257 explanted pseudophakic IOLs have been studied. Patients’ mean age when explantation occurred was 67.5 years (SD 13.5 [22-99]) and 135 were female (52.5%). The main causes for explantation were dislocation/decentration in 145 cases (56.3%), incorrect lens power in 33 cases (12.8%), IOL opacification in 29 eyes (11.3%), neuroadaptation failure in 16 cases (6.2%), pseudophakic bullous keratopathy in 6 eyes (2.3%), endophthalmitis in 5 cases (1.9%), and “other causes” in 23 eyes (8.9%). Treatment after explantation was posterior chamber IOL implantation in 149 eyes (58%), anterior chamber IOL implantation in 49 eyes (19.1%), aphakia in 39 eyes (15.2%), and missing information in 20 cases (7.8%). Mean time from implantation to explantation was 3.97 (SD 4.68 [0.005-21.1]) years. Conclusions Dislocation/decentration (most of the time with lens in the bag) is the main cause for explantation in Spain, followed by incorrect lens power (which decreased greatly over past years) and IOL opacification. Posterior chamber IOL implantation is the most elected treatment after explantation.

Biointegration of corneal macroporous membranes based on poly(ethyl acrylate) copolymers in an experimental animal model.

Currently available keratoprosthesis models (nonbiological corneal substitutes) have a less than 75% graft survival rate at 2 years. We aimed at developing a model for keratoprosthesis based on the use of poly(ethyl acrylate) (PEA)-based copolymers, extracellular matrix-protein coating and colonization with adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells. Human adipose tissue derived mesenchymal stem cells (h-ADASC) colonization efficiency of seven PEA-based copolymers in combination with four extracellular matrix coatings were evaluated in vitro. Then, macroporous membranes composed of the optimal PEA subtypes and coating proteins were implanted inside rabbit cornea. After a 3-month follow-up, the animals were euthanized, and the clinical and histological biointegration of the implanted material were assessed. h-ADASC adhered and survived when cultured in all PEA-based macroporous membranes. The addition of high hydrophilicity to PEA membranes decreased h-ADASC colonization in vitro. PEA-based copolymer containing 10% hydroxyethyl acrylate (PEA-HEA10) or 10% acrylic acid (PEA-AAc10) monomeric units showed the best cellular colonization rates. Collagen plus keratan sulfate-coated polymers demonstrated enhanced cellular colonization respect to fibronectin, collagen, or uncoated PEAs. In vivo implantation of membranes resulted in an extrusion rate of 72% for PEA, 50% for PEA-AAc10, but remarkably of 0% for PEA-HEA10. h-ADASC survival was demonstrated in all the membranes after 3 months follow-up. A slight reduction in the extrusion rate of h-ADASC colonized materials was observed. No significant differences between the groups with and without h-ADASC were detected respect to transparency or neovascularization. We propose PEA with low hydroxylation as a scaffold for the anchoring ring of future keratoprosthesis.

Cellular Therapy with Human Autologous Adipose-derived Adult Stem Cells for Advanced Keratoconus

Purpose: The aim of this phase 1 study was to preliminarily evaluate the safety and efficacy of autologous adipose-derived adult stem cell (ADASC) implantation within the corneal stroma of patients with advanced keratoconus. Methods: Five consecutive patients were selected. Autologous ADASCs were obtained by elective liposuction. ADASCs (3 × 106) contained in 1 mL saline were injected into the corneal stroma through a femtosecond-assisted 9.5-mm diameter lamellar pocket under topical anesthesia. Patients were reviewed at 1 day, 1 week, 1, 3, and 6 months postoperatively. Visual function, manifest refraction, slit-lamp biomicroscopy, intraocular pressure, endothelial cell density, corneal topography, corneal optical coherence tomography, and corneal confocal biomicroscopy were recorded. Results: No intraoperative or postoperative complications were recorded, with full corneal transparency recovery within 24 hours. Four patients completed the full follow-up. All patients improved their visual function (mean: 1 line of unaided and spectacle-corrected distance vision and 2 lines of rigid contact lens distance vision). Manifest refraction and topographic keratometry remained stable. Corneal optical coherence tomography showed a mean improvement of 16.5 &mgr;m in the central corneal thickness, and new collagen production was observed as patchy hyperreflective areas at the level of the stromal pocket. Confocal biomicroscopy confirmed the survival of the implanted stem cells at the surgical plane. Intraocular pressure and endothelial cell density remained stable. Conclusions: Cellular therapy of the human corneal stroma in vivo with autologous ADASCs appears to be safe. Stem cells survive in vivo with intrastromal new collagen production. Future studies with larger samples are required to confirm these preliminary results.

Small incision lenticule extraction (SMILE) in the correction of myopic astigmatism: outcomes and limitations - an update

Small Incision Lenticule Extraction (SMILE) is a flap-free intrastromal technique for the correction of myopia and myopic astigmatism. To date, this technique lacks automated centration and cyclotorsion control, so several concerns have been raised regarding its capability to correct moderate or high levels of astigmatism. The objective of this paper is to review the reported SMILE outcomes for the correction of myopic astigmatism associated with a cylinder over 0.75 D, and its comparison with the outcomes reported with the excimer laser-based corneal refractive surgery techniques. A total of five studies clearly reporting SMILE astigmatic outcomes were identified. SMILE shows acceptable outcomes for the correction of myopic astigmatism, although a general agreement exists about the superiority of the excimer laser-based techniques for low to moderate levels of astigmatism. Manual correction of the static cyclotorsion should be adopted for any SMILE astigmatic correction over 0.75 D.

Accommodative intraocular lenses: where are we and where we are going

Presbyopia still remains the last frontier of refractive surgery. Its surgical management is under constant evolution due to the limitations that exist today with respect to its management, which is probably in relation with the multifactorial basis in which presbyopia is clinically developed in the human. Until currently, virtually all surgical techniques that have been proposed for its correction are based on the induction of pseudoaccommodation in the presbyopic eye, including multifocality. However, the real restoration of accommodation is more complex, and it has been tried by the use of different, so called, “accommodative” pseudophakic intraocular lenses (AIOL). Overall, the reported results with these lenses by independent authors have been modest in relation with the restoration of the accommodative power of the eye and these modest benefits are usually lost with time due to the long term changes in the capsular bag. This fact made these lenses to be almost abandoned in the last few years, but there are currently other AIOL models being used with innovative mechanisms of action and different anatomical support outside the capsular bag that offer encouraging preliminary results that could bring a new potential of application to these types of lenses.In this article, we will update the modern refractive surgeon about the fundamentals and provide updated information about the outcomes of AIOLs by reviewing the concept of accommodation, the different attempts that have been accomplished in the past, their demonstrated published results in human clinical trials, and the future alternatives that may arrive in the near future.

Outcomes of Toric Iris-Claw Phakic Intraocular Lens Implantation After Deep Anterior Lamellar Keratoplasty for Keratoconus

PURPOSE To assess visual and refractive outcomes of toric iris-claw phakic intraocular lens (IOL) implantation in patients who had previously undergone deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty (DALK). METHODS Retrospective case series including 24 eyes of 24 patients implanted with toric Artiflex or Artisan (Ophtec BV, Groningen, Holland) phakic IOL following DALK for keratoconus. During a 12-month follow-up, the main outcome measures were uncorrected and corrected distance visual acuities (UDVA and CDVA), refractive error components, topographic parameters, and endothelial cell count. Alpins vectorial analysis was performed. RESULTS At the last follow-up, the spherical equivalent (SE) was within ±0.50 diopters (D) in 71% of eyes and within ±1.00 D in 92% of eyes. Mean refractive astigmatism was reduced from -4.92 ± 1.55 D (range: -2.50 to -8.00 D) preoperatively to -0.66 ± 0.61 D (range: -2.00 to 0.00 D) after treatment, and 76.5% of cases were within ±1.00 D. No significant differences (P = .123) were detected in spherical equivalent values between 3- and 12-month follow-up visits. No eyes lost lines in CDVA, and 54% of eyes gained one or more lines. Postoperative UDVA was 20/40 or better in 88% of eyes. Efficacy and safety indexes at 12 months were 0.93 and 1.00, respectively. Mean endothelial cell loss was 6.10% at 12 months postoperatively. No intraoperative or postoperative complications were noted over the follow-up period. CONCLUSIONS The implantation of a toric iris-claw phakic IOL has shown high efficacy and safety in this series and may be considered as a reasonable option for the management of refractive errors after DALK. [J Refract Surg. 2017;33(8):538-544.].

Laser-Assisted in Situ Keratomileusis with Optimized, Fast-Repetition, and Cyclotorsion Control Excimer Laser to Treat Hyperopic Astigmatism with High Cylinder:

Purpose To evaluate the visual outcomes after femtosecond laser-assisted laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) surgery to correct primary compound hyperopic astigmatism with high cylinder using a fast repetition rate excimer laser platform with optimized aspheric profiles and cyclotorsion control. Methods Eyes with primary simple or compound hyperopic astigmatism and a cylinder power ≥3.00 D had uneventful femtosecond laser-assisted LASIK with a fast repetition rate excimer laser ablation, aspheric profiles, and cyclotorsion control. Visual, refractive, and aberrometric results were evaluated at the 3- and 6-month follow-up. The astigmatic outcome was evaluated using the Alpins method and ASSORT software. Results This study enrolled 80 eyes at 3 months and 50 eyes at 6 months. The significant reduction in refractive sphere and cylinder 3 and 6 months postoperatively (p<0.01) was associated with an improved uncorrected distance visual acuity (p<0.01). A total of 23.75% required retreatment 3 months after surgery. Efficacy and safety indices at 6 months were 0.90 and 1.00, respectively. At 6 months, 80% of eyes had an SE within ±0.50 D and 96% within ±1.00 D. No significant differences were detected between the third and the sixth postoperative months in refractive parameters. A significant increase in the spherical aberration was detected, but not in coma. The correction index was 0.94 at 3 months. Conclusions Laser in situ keratomileusis for primary compound hyperopic astigmatism with high cylinder (>3.00 D) using the latest excimer platforms with cyclotorsion control, fast repetition rate, and optimized aspheric profiles is safe, moderately effective, and predictable.

Corneal Irregularity Following Refractive Surgery: Causes and Therapeutic Approaches

Corneal irregularity is the most frequent complication of corneal refractive surgical procedures. Corneal topography and corneal aberrometry are both important in understanding the challenge of corneal irregularity. Macro- and micro-irregular components may appear individually or associated, depending on the case. A comprehensive approach and grading of the clinical characteristics and impact of the symptoms in the patient’s quality of life are important in the management of each case. Consecutive approaches can successfully treat most of the cases, avoiding corneal grafting.

Post-LASIK Corneal Dysesthesia

Corneal dysesthesia after LASIK is the symptomatic presence of persistent dry eye disease post-operatively, with the absence of clinical signs. Patients complain of symptoms such as foreign body sensation, burning, and pain with no or minimal clinical evidence of dry eye signs and without any other ocular surface inflammatory conditions.

Treatment of chronic and extreme ocular hypotension following glaucoma surgery with intraocular platelet-rich plasma: A case report

Purpose: To report a new approach for the treatment of severe ocular hypotony secondary to glaucoma filtering surgery with mitomycin C by injecting autologous eye platelet-rich plasma (E-PRP) in the anterior chamber to block excessive diffuse filtration through an abnormally thinned sclera. Methods: A 49-year-old patient with the Axenfeld–Rieger syndrome and severe chronic hypotony and corneal edema following filtering glaucoma surgery with mitomycin C received an isolated injection of 0.3 mL of autologous platelet-rich plasma in the anterior chamber. Results: Intraocular pressure measured by Goldman’s applanation tonometry 6 h after the procedure improved to 18 mmHg. Intraocular pressure remained stable along the full follow-up period of 6 month. No filtration or hypotony or any other complications were observed. Conclusion: Intracameral platelet-rich plasma (E-PRP) injection was an effective, rapidly effective, and safe procedure for treatment of severe chronic ocular hypotony following glaucoma filtrating surgery.