Luigi Scullica

Comparison of wavefront aberration changes in the anterior corneal surface after laser-assisted subepithelial keratectomy and laser in situ keratomileusis : Preliminary study

Purpose: To compare changes in anterior corneal wavefront aberrations after myopic laser‐assisted subepithelial keratectomy (LASEK) and laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK). Setting: Institute of Ophthalmology, Catholic University, Rome, Italy. Methods: This prospective study included 36 eyes of 25 myopic patients: 18 eyes of 12 patients had LASEK and 18 eyes of 13 patients, LASIK. The topography data (CSO EyeMap, version 6.2) were used to calculate corneal aberrations with 3.0 mm and 7.0 mm pupils before and 3 months after surgery. Results: Total corneal aberrations increased similarly after LASEK and LASIK with the 7.0 mm pupil but did not change with the 3.0 mm pupil. Coma‐like and spherical‐like aberrations changed similarly after both procedures, but spherical‐like aberrations increased after LASEK with the 3.0 mm pupil (P<.05, independent t test). With the 7.0 mm pupil, the amount of achieved correction was positively correlated with changes in total corneal aberrations after LASIK (P = .007) and with spherical‐like aberrations after LASEK (P = .03) and LASIK (P<.003). Although there was no significant difference between LASEK and LASIK (P>.05, independent t test), in individual eyes with an achieved correction less than 7.50 diopters (D), spherical‐like aberrations increased more after LASEK than after LASIK. Conclusions: In this preliminary study, myopic LASEK and LASIK changed total and higher‐order corneal aberrations. In both procedures, changes in spherical‐like aberrations were dependent on the achieved correction. However, in individual eyes, spherical‐like aberrations increased more after LASEK than after LASIK for low‐moderate achieved correction, suggesting that these procedures may induce the same optical changes in the anterior corneal surface in different ways.

Posterior pole retinal thickness in ocular hypertension and glaucoma: early changes detected by hemispheric asymmetries.

To evaluate retinal thickness at the posterior pole of the fundus in ocular hypertension (OHT) and open-angle glaucoma (OAG), and to correlate morphometric findings with visual sensitivity as determined by automated perimetry. Methods:One randomly selected eye from 41 patients with clinical diagnosis of OHT (n = 25) or early to moderate OAG (n = 16) and 16 age-matched normal controls was examined. Retinal thickness was measured by Retinal Thickness Analyzer (RTA), acquiring 5 pre-defined scans covering the central 20° of the fundus. RTA average thickness and thickness profile data, including hemispheric asymmetries calculated as relative (superior/inferior and nasal/temporal) or absolute (vertical and horizontal, ie, independent of which hemisphere was thinner) parameters, were calculated. For each eye, white-on-white Humphrey 30-2 visual field results were analyzed, in addition to standard global indices, by quantifying perimetric sensitivities for regions of the posterior pole corresponding to those sampled by the RTA. Results:On average, central retinal thickness was reduced (P < 0.05) in OAG compared with OHT or normal control eyes. Vertical hemispheric absolute thickness asymmetry was increased (P ≤ 0.01) in OAG eyes compared with the other groups. Horizontal hemispheric absolute thickness asymmetry was increased (P < 0.01) in both OHT and OAG eyes, compared with control eyes. At least one of the RTA parameters was altered in 13 of 25 OHT (52%) and 12 of 16 OAG eyes (75%), most frequently involving thickness asymmetries. In OAG, but not OHT eyes, superior/inferior asymmetry was positively (r = 0.69, P < 0.01) correlated with the corresponding asymmetry in perimetric sensitivity. Conclusions:The RTA can reveal increased hemispheric thickness asymmetries in both OHT and OAG eyes. In OAG eyes thickness asymmetries are associated with corresponding perimetric asymmetries. The findings in OHT eyes suggest that localized anatomic and functional damage to inner retina may not develop in parallel early in the disease process.

A new device for ocular surgical training on enucleated eyes

OBJECTIVE To develop a reliable inexpensive device for teaching ocular surgical procedures and practicing experimental techniques on enucleated eyes. DESIGN Teaching device trial. PARTICIPANTS Thirty enucleated porcine eyes. METHODS A Plexiglas ocular bulb holder was secured with its base support to a polyvinylchloride pillar on a modified polystyrene trial head. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE The convenience and reproducibility of both laser and surgical ocular techniques performed with this new device were evaluated. RESULTS This model allows curvilinear capsulorrhexis and phacoemulsification of porcine lenses through a corneal tunnel incision and insertion of a soft foldable acrylic intraocular lens into the capsular bag. Argon and neodymium:YAG laser iridotomy and retinal argon laser photocoagulation can also be performed with this model. CONCLUSIONS This inexpensive device is useful for teaching both surgical and laser ocular procedures.

Ocular motility of 72.000 vdu operators

Abstract Although visual disturbances related to the use of VDUs are far from being resolved, the present study will allow to evaluate more precisely the relationship between VDU work, some of the symptoms most frequently reported during VDU use and the eye condition. The epidemiological value of the data obtained in a study of this size (73.000) in evaluating the prevalence of some ocular pathology, is obviously enormous.