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PURPOSE: To investigate extended depth of focus intraocular lenses (EDOF IOLs), intended to extend the depth of field after cataract surgery in a comparative study at the optical bench. METHODS: An optical bench with either green or white light was used for this study. The artificial cornea used exhibited a spherical aberration of 0.2 µm. Examinations of the following lenses with a pupil opening of 3 and 4.5 mm were carried out: AcrySof IQ Vivity (Alcon Laboratories, Inc), Isopure (PhysIOL), Tecnis Eyhance (Johnson & Johnson), Vivinex Impress (Hoya Surgical Optics), and xact (Santen). RESULTS: Using green light and a pupil aperture of 3 mm, the AcrySof IQ Vivity showed the highest light energy for the intermediate area, whereas the Isopure and Vivinex Impress provided the highest energy for distance vision. Under the same examination conditions with a pupil opening of 4.5 mm, all lenses showed a low light distribution for the intermediate range. Regarding light distribution for distance, the Tecnis Eyhance had the highest light intensity. Using white light, the curves became much wider and more similar to each other. CONCLUSIONS: The five EDOF lenses investigated differ mainly by their different weighting of energy between the far and intermediate ranges. [ J Refract Surg . 2022;38(8):497–501.]

AimTo prospectively monitor subclinical changes in capillary perfusion and retinal layer thickness in patients with type 2 diabetes and early diabetic retinal disease over 2 years.MethodsIn this longitudinal study we performed biannual retinal vascular imaging using optical coherence tomography angiography (RTVue) to analyse the foveal avascular zone (FAZ) area, perimeter, acircularity index (AI) and parafoveal superficial/deep vessel density (VD). Spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (Spectralis) was used to measure the thickness of nine macular layers and the peripapillary nerve fibre layer.ResultsAmong 117 eyes (58 left) of 59 patients (21 female), 105 had no diabetic retinopathy (DR), 6 mild and 6 moderate non-proliferative DR at baseline. We found DR progression in 13 eyes at year 2. The FAZ area (+0.008±0.002 mm2/year, pConclusionSubclinical signs of microangiopathy and neurodegeneration appear in parallel and are highly progressive even in the earliest stages of diabetic retinal disease.Trial registration number EudraCT20156000239634.

Purpose To assess and compare safety and effectiveness between 23-gauge and 25-gauge vitrectomy systems for the treatment of common vitreoretinal diseases in non-vitrectomized eyes. Methods Retrospective evaluation of patients who underwent pars plana vitrectomy from April 2018 to December 2019 at the Department of Ophthalmology and Optometry at the Medical University of Vienna (MUV) for the following indications: macular epiretinal membrane, macular hole, macular lamellar hole, vitreous hemorrhage, vitreous opacities, vitreomacular traction syndrome and macular edema. Results 201 eyes of 195 patients that underwent 23-gauge (n = 105 eyes) or 25-gauge (n = 96 eyes) vitrectomy were included in this study. The mean best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) improved at 1–3 months postoperatively and beyond 3 months in both gauge groups. Risk of any complication within 1 month postoperatively was lower in the 25-gauge group, but the difference was statistically not significant (HR [95% CI]: 0.95 [0.53; 1.70], p = 0.85). Intraocular pressure less than 5 mmHg was observed in 2 eyes (2%) in the 23-gauge group at the first postoperative day. Intraocular pressure elevation over 25 mmHg occurred in 5 eyes (2 eyes, 2%, in 23-gauge and 3 eyes, 3%, in 25-gauge group) at postoperative day 1, between 7 and 28 days in 5 cases (2 eyes, 2%, in 23-gauge and 3 eyes, 3%, in 25-gauge group), and in 2 eyes (2%) of the 23-gauge group at postoperative day 145 and 61, respectively. Retinal detachment occurred in 1 eye (1%) in the 23-gauge and in 3 eyes (3%) in the 25-gauge group. We did not observe any cases of endophthalmitis. Conclusion Results in terms of safety, surgical success and visual outcomes for the treatment of common vitreoretinal surgery indications seem to be comparable between 23-gauge and 25-gauge vitrectomy systems, indicating that the two gauge systems can be used equally in the clinical routine.

Background The aim of our study was to investigate a possible association between macular perfusion status and retinal ischemia and leakage up to far peripheral retinal areas in eyes with early to advanced stages of diabetic retinopathy (DR). Methods In a retrospective, cross sectional analysis ultrawide field (UWF) color fundus photos (Optos, Optomap California) were graded for DR severity. Foveal avascular zone (FAZ) and vessel density from the superficial (SCP) and deep capillary plexus (DCP) were assessed on optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) scans (Topcon, DRI-OCT Triton). UWF angiography images were used to quantify leakage/ischemic index and number of microaneurysms (MA). Age, gender, disease duration, type of diabetes, HbA1C, hypertension, complications of diabetes and ocular history were recorded. Univariate mixed models and Spearman correlation analysis were used for statistical testing. Results 24 eyes of 17 laser-naive diabetic patients with different stages of DR were analyzed. The mean age was 59.56 ± 8.46 years and the mean disease duration 19.65 ± 12.25 years. No statistically significant associations between FAZ size, macular vessel density of SCP/DCP and peripheral retinal ischemia, leakage and MA number were demonstrated. Higher stages of DR were associated with ischemic index (estimate [95% CI]: 13.04 [1.5; 24.5], p = 0.033) and MA count (estimate [95% CI]: 43.7 [15.6; 71.8], p = 0.01), but no association with leakage index was observed. Only weak correlations between DR severity and anamnestic data were found. Conclusion Retinal ischemic index and the amount of MAs assessed on UWFA up to peripheral areas are indicators of DR severity but not related to microvascular perfusion status in the macular region. Significance and timely sequence of macular vessel density in DR progression may need to be re-evaluated in future studies.

Purpose To evaluate detailed changes in retinal layer thickness in spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) images during a 1-year follow-up of patients treated for diabetic macula oedema (DME). Methods Post hoc analysis of retinal layer thickness changes applying the automated layer segmentation of SD-OCT images in eyes with DME that were randomly assigned to receive pro re nata (PRN) treatment with either 0.5 mg ranibizumab or 8 mg triamcinolone. In each patient, seven retinal layers were segmented in 49 scans covering a 20° × 20° area of the macula at baseline and after 1 year of treatment. Changes in individual layer thickness were correlated with visual acuity (VA) and compared between treatment arms. Results Twenty-five patients (seven female, 60.2 ± 15.1 years) were evaluated. Thickness decrease of retinal nerve fibre layer (RNFL) was associated with a gain in VA over 12 months (r > 0.54; p

The aim of this study was to evaluate and compare microperimetry changes in patients with clinically significant diabetic macular edema secondary to diabetes mellitus, following intravitreal injections of bevacizumab or triamcinolone during a follow-up of 1 year after treatment.30 patients with clinically significant macular edema were randomized into two groups of 15 patients each. One group initially received three intravitreal injections of 2.5 mg bevacizumab at monthly intervals. The other received a single injection of 8 mg of triamcinolone followed by two sham interventions at monthly intervals. Best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and central retinal thickness (CRT) were measured. Macular function was documented by microperimetry at baseline, 3, 6, 9 months and at the last visit of each patient.In the bevacizumab group, the mean differential light threshold (±standard deviation) under therapy improved significantly from 8.40 (± 3.8) dB to 12.8 (±4.3) dB at the 12-month follow-up visit (p ≤ .05), whereas in the triamcinolone group it increased from 8.0 (± 2.4) dB at baseline to 9.3 (±3.6) dB at the last visit without reaching statistical significance (Central macular function as measured by microperimetry in patients with acute DME improved in addition to anatomical restoration after intravitreal bevacizumab and triamcinolone injection. In our clinical study, the measures of the variables in patients receiving bevacizumab were superior to those receiving triamcinolone throughout the one-year observation period.

Purpose To identify the effects of pan-retinal laser treatment on the integrity of neurosensory retinal layers. Methods Patients were examined with fluorescence angiography after a standardized examination for diabetic retinopathy and a peripapillary ring scan with spectral domain optical coherence tomography. A single-session pan-retinal photocoagulation was performed using the PASCAL pattern scanning argon laser applying a minimum of 1,500 spots. Optical coherence tomography was evaluated more than 6 months. Results Eighteen eyes of 12 consecutive patients with new onset, treatment-naive proliferative diabetic retinopathy secondary to diabetes Type 2 were treated and retinal optical coherence tomography morphology evaluated. Retinal nerve fiber layer thickness increased statistically significantly from baseline to week 1, when it reached its peak. The combined thickness of the outer plexiform and the inner nuclear layers and the combined thickness of the inner plexiform and the ganglion cell layers showed no relevant changes. The combined thickness of the retinal pigment epithelium and the photoreceptor cell layers decreased at month 1 followed by a steady increase in thickness, which remained below baseline values over time. Conclusion Pan-retinal photocoagulation in proliferative diabetic retinopathy leads to a slowly reversible, marked biological response with statistically significant morphometric changes detected by spectral domain optical coherence tomography. Swelling of the retinal nerve fiber and outer nuclear layers induce an increase in peripapillary total retinal thickness. Simultaneously, the photoreceptor and retinal pigment epithelium layers decrease in thickness. These changes indicate diffuse retinal inflammation after pan-retinal laser therapy.

SummaryBackground: Two years ago, the Diabetic Retinopathy (DRP) and Traumatology clinic of the Department of Ophthalmology and Optometrics at the Medical University of Vienna, Austria switched from paper-based to electronic health records. A customized electronic health record system (EHR-S) was implemented.Objectives: To assess the completeness of information documented electronically compared with manually during patient visits.Methods: The Preferred Practice Pattern for Diabetic Retinopathy published by the American Academy of Ophthalmology was distilled into a list of medical features grouped into categories to be assessed and documented during the management of patients with DRP. The last seventy paper-based records and all electronic records generated since the switch were analyzed and graded for the presence of features on the list and the resulting scores compared.Results: In all categories, clinical documentation was more complete in the EHR group.Conclusions: In our setting, the implementation of an EHR-S showed a statistically significant positive impact on documentation completeness.Citation: Mitsch C, Huber P, Kriechbaum K, Scholda C, Duftschmid G, Wrba T, Schmidt-Erfurth U. Impact of Electronic Health Records on the Completeness of Clinical Documentation Generated during Diabetic Retinopathy Consultations. Appl Clin Inform 2015; 6: 478–487http://dx.doi.org/10.4338/ACI-2015-03-RA-0028

PURPOSE Reduced thickness of the ganglion cell inner plexiform layer indicates diabetic neurodegeneration and can be assessed by spectral domain optical coherence tomography. The authors investigated the comparability of ganglion cell inner plexiform layer measurements from two spectral domain optical coherence tomography devices in patients with diabetic macular edema (DME). METHODS Analysis of optical coherence tomography data sets of eyes with and fellow eyes without DME. Macular cube scans of sufficient signal strength on Cirrus (Carl Zeiss Meditec) were compared with correlating scans on Spectralis (Heidelberg Engineering, Germany) being acquired within 1 hour. RESULTS Eighty-one equivalent data sets for 20 eyes with DME (20 patients; 6 female) and 33 for 9 fellow eyes without DME (9 patients; 2 female) were included from each device. In DME eyes, mean ganglion cell inner plexiform layer thicknesses were 62.5 ± 20.4 μm on Cirrus and 91.2 ± 9.3 μm on Spectralis. Ganglion cell inner plexiform layer was significantly thicker on Spectralis analyzing eyes with and without signs of DME (P < 0.001). The ganglion cell inner plexiform layer variance (54.2%) related to device differences decreased to 34.8% in eyes without DME. CONCLUSION Ganglion cell inner plexiform layer data from different devices vary considerably and cannot be used interchangeably. As spectral domain optical coherence tomography is indispensable for identifying ganglion cell loss associated with diabetic neurodegeneration, clinicians should be aware of the difference when monitoring patients.

The objective was to compare retinal morphology and function following intravitreal injections of bevacizumab (Avastin) or triamcinolone (Volon A) in patients with early diabetic macular edema (DME). The study was planned as a randomized, prospective, interventional clinical trial. A total of 30 diabetic patients with treatment-naive, clinically significant macular edema were included in this study and randomized to two equal groups. One group initially received three injections of 2.5 mg bevacizumab in monthly intervals. The second group received a single injection of 8 mg triamcinolone, followed by two sham interventions. Functional and anatomic results were evaluated monthly using ETDRS vision charts and spectral-domain optical coherence tomography. According to the study protocol, retreatment after 3 months was dependent on functional and anatomic outcome in a PRN regimen. Baseline best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) was 0.30 logMAR and central retinal subfield thickness (CSRT) was 505 μm in the bevacizumab group and 0.32 logMAR and 490 μm CSRT in the triamcinolone group. After 3 months, BCVA improved to 0.23 logMAR (bevacizumab) and 358 μm CRST and 0.26 logMAR (triamcinolone) and 308 μm CSRT. After 12 months, BCVA further recovered in the bevacizumab group (0.18 logMAR) but slightly decreased in the triamcinolone group (0.36 logMAR). Intravitreal bevacizumab and triamcinolone are both equally effective in reducing CSRT in early DME. After 6 months, rehabilitation of vision was comparable in both treatment arms, whereas at the final follow-up at month 12, BCVA was superior in the bevacizumab than in the triamcinolone sample. This may be related to cataract development following steroid treatment, as well as to substance-specific mechanisms within the angiogenic versus the inflammatory cascade.

Purpose To compare the incidence and intensity of posterior capsule opacification (PCO) between 2 similar 1-piece foldable hydrophobic acrylic intraocular lenses (IOLs) over 3 years. Setting Department of Ophthalmology, Medical University Vienna, Vienna, Austria. Design Randomized prospective patient- and examiner-masked clinical trial with intraindividual comparison. Methods Patients with bilateral age-related cataract had cataract surgery and implantation of a Tecnis ZCB00 continuous-optic-edge IOL in 1 eye and an Acrysof SA60AT interrupted-optic-edge IOL in the other eye. Postoperative examinations were performed at 6 months and 3 years. Digital retroillumination images were taken of each eye. The amount of PCO (score 0 to 10) was assessed subjectively at the slitlamp and objectively using automated image-analysis software. Results The study comprised 54 patients (108 eyes). The mean objective PCO score was 1.3 ± 1.7 (SD) for the continuous-optic-edge IOLs and 0.9 ± 1.3 for the interrupted-optic-edge IOLs ( P =.10). Three years postoperatively, a neodymium:YAG (Nd:YAG) capsulotomy was performed in 26.1% of eyes with the continuous-optic-edge IOL and 21.7% with the interrupted-optic-edge IOL ( P =.56). There was no significant difference in corrected distance visual acuity, capsulorhexis–IOL overlap, capsule folds, or anterior capsule opacification 3 years after surgery. Conclusions Both IOLs had comparable PCO and Nd:YAG rates 3 years postoperatively. The optimized barrier function of the continuous-optic-edge IOL and the material properties of the interrupted-optic-edge IOL seemingly outbalanced the effect on lens epithelial cell migration and proliferation beneath the optic. Financial Disclosure No author has a financial or proprietary interest in any material or method mentioned.

The management of diabetic retinopathy, a frequent ophthalmological manifestation of diabetes mellitus, consists of regular examinations and a standardized, manual classification of disease severity, which is used to recommend re-examination intervals. To evaluate the feasibility and safety of implementing automated, guideline-based diabetic retinopathy (DR) grading into clinical routine by applying established clinical decision support (CDS) technology. We compared manual with automated classification that was generated using medical documentation and an Arden server with a specific medical logic module. Of 7169 included eyes, 47% (n=3373) showed inter-method classification agreement, specifically 29.4% in mild DR, 38.3% in moderate DR, 27.6% in severe DR, and 65.7% in proliferative DR. We demonstrate that the implementation of a CDS system for automated disease severity classification in diabetic retinopathy is feasible but also that, due to the highly individual nature of medical documentation, certain important criteria for the used electronic health record system need to be met in order to achieve reliable results.

Purpose To image the ultrastructural morphology of retinal laser effects and their healing response in vivo using spectral domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT). Design Prospective, interventional study. Participants Ten patients undergoing panretinal photocoagulation for proliferative diabetic retinopathy. Methods Panretinal photocoagulation (PRP) was performed using a semiautomated patterned scanning laser system providing a raster of effects with homogenous intensity. Retinal morphology and localization of effects owing to laser–tissue interaction were imaged at 1 day, 1 week, and at monthly intervals for 6 months. The characteristic, specific structural changes during the healing process were followed over time using an SD-OCT device (Spectralis OCT) allowing for high-resolution raster scanning of the entire lesion pattern with identification of identical retinal sites (tracking modality). Main Outcome Measures Retinal morphology and localization of effects of photocoagulation on SD-OCT images. Results At day 1 after PRP, the photocoagulation effects were sharply delineated from the surrounding unaffected retina and all spots seemed to be identical in size and location. The area of tissue destruction was confined to the outer retinal layers, extending from the outer nuclear layer (ONL) to the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE). At 1 week, images showed a progressive loss of the affected outer retinal layers, namely, the ONL and the outer plexiform layer. Concomitant distortion of the inner nuclear and plexiform layers generated a pattern of "archways" between adjacent laser spots. The photoreceptor layers (PRL) seemed to be eliminated in the photocoagulated area, particularly at the borders of each lesion. The lesion center contained a condensed RPE and PRL segment. The ONL recovered partially, but the PRL inner and outer segments remained absent. During the long-term follow-up, RPE cells migrated to the center of the lesion, forming a hyperplastic scar. Conclusions The characteristic morphology of retinal photocoagulation effects in vivo and over time was identified for the first time in human eyes using SD-OCT. The OCT imaging demonstrated a well-defined reproducible area of destruction confined to the outer retinal layers. Healing proceeded as the condensation of the RPE and PRL in the lesion center. Financial Disclosure(s) The authors have no proprietary or commercial interest in any of the materials discussed in this article.

Purpose To analyze immediate in vivo intraretinal morphologic changes secondary to standardized grid photocoagulation using spectral domain optical coherence tomography (SD OCT). Design Prospective clinical trial. Participants Thirteen consecutive patients with treatment-naive clinically significant diabetic macular edema (DME). Methods Before and 1 day after standardized grid photocoagulation using the PASCAL system (Pattern Scan Laser, OptiMedica Corporation, Santa Clara, CA), Spectralis OCT (Heidelberg Engineering, Heidelberg, Germany) examinations based on an eye-tracking system, infrared fundus imaging, color fundus photography, and biomicroscopy were performed. A standardized visual acuity assessment (Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study protocol) and fluorescein angiography were performed at baseline. Main Outcome Measures Morphologic changes secondary to grid laser treatment. Results One day after laser therapy, immediate morphologic alterations of only the outer retinal layers, that is, the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE), the photoreceptor layer (PRL), and the outer nuclear layer (ONL), were observed. The shape of the laser-induced lesions did not show a sagittal alteration pattern throughout all 3 of the layers, however, but rather seemed to follow an oblique pathway throughout the ONL, changing direction at the level of the external limiting membrane and proceeding sagittally through the PRL and RPE. These morphologic changes also induced biometric changes, such as a decrease in central retinal thickness combined with local thickening at the lesion site, especially in the PRL. Conclusions Spectral domain optical coherence tomography provides new insight into the immediate morphologic changes after laser treatment using the PASCAL laser system. Standardized grid photocoagulation induces characteristic homogenous alteration in the neurosensoric retinal layers. Biometric changes, indicating an immediate effect, were observed within 1 day after treatment. Financial Disclosure(s) Proprietary or commercial disclosure may be found after the references.

Die wichtige Rolle des vaskularen endothelialen Wachstumsfaktors (VEGF) bei vielen neovaskularen und exsudativen Erkrankungen des Auges hat sich in den letzten Jahren in zahlreichen experimentellen und klinischen Studien herausgestellt. Das therapeutische Konzept der Anti-VEGF-Therapie zeigte sich in zahlreichen prospektiven, kontrollierten Studien mit unterschiedlichen Anti-VEGF-Praparaten als viel versprechend. Besonders bei der neovaskularen altersbezogenen Makuladegeneration (AMD) scheint es moglich geworden zu sein, nicht nur den Visusverlust zu verlangsamen, sondern in einem nicht unerheblichen Anteil der Patienten eine Visusverbesserung zu erreichen. Bevacizumab (Avastin®) ist ein monoklonaler Antikorper, der alle Isoformen des VEGF bindet. Er wurde primar fur die systemische Therapie in der Onkologie entwickelt. Prospektive und retrospektive Fallserien zur systemischen und intravitrealen Anwendung von Bevacizumab bei der neovaskularen AMD aber auch bei anderen neovaskularen und exsudativen Erkrankungen des Auges haben sehr viel versprechende Ergebnisse bei insgesamt gutem Sicherheitsprofil gezeigt. Es ist jedoch nicht davon auszugehen, dass Bevacizumab in nachster Zukunft eine Zulassung fur die Anwendung in der Augenheilkunde erhalten wird. Wie bei vielen anderen Praparaten in der Augenheilkunde wird die Behandlung mit Bevacizumab weiterhin nur off label oder in klinischen Studien moglich sein. Um die Rolle von Bevacizumab bei der Behandlung verschiedener Augenerkrankungen abschliesend bewerten zu konnen, bleiben jedoch prospektive Langzeitstudien abzuwarten.

To evaluate the long-term effects of anterior capsule polishing on regeneratory posterior capsule opacification (PCO), anterior capsule opacification (ACO), and fibrotic PCO with a silicone intraocular lens (IOL) with sharp optic edges.Department of Ophthalmology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria.This prospective bilateral randomized patient- and examiner-masked clinical trial comprised 130 eyes of 65 patients with bilateral age-related cataract. All eyes had implantation of a 3-piece silicone IOL with a truncated, sharp-edged optic (CeeOn Edge 911A, Advanced Medical Optics). In 1 eye, the anterior capsule was extensively polished using an aspiration curette after phacoemulsification and cortex aspiration. Regenerative PCO was quantified objectively, while ACO and fibrotic PCO were graded subjectively 1, 2, 3, and 5 years postoperatively.The mean ACO score was significantly lower in the eyes in which the anterior capsule had been polished (1 year, P.02; 2 years, P.03; 3 years, P.01; 5 years, P.01). The mean difference in regeneratory PCO and fibrotic PCO scores between the 2 groups was not statistically significant.Three years after cataract surgery, eyes in which the anterior capsule had been polished had significantly less ACO. However, polishing did not lower PCO intensity when a sharp-edged CeeOn 911A IOL was implanted in the bag. Although results indicate that anterior capsule polishing may enhance the development of regeneratory PCO, this trend did not reach statistical significance.

Significant efforts have been made to develop lens implants or refilling procedures that restore accommodation. Even with monofocal implants, apparent or pseudoaccommodation may provide the patient with substantial though varying spectacle independence. True pseudophakic accommodation with a change of overall refractive power of the eye may be induced either by an anterior shift or a change in curvature of the lens optic. Passive-shift lenses were designed to move forward under ciliary muscle contraction. This is the only accommodative lens type currently marketed (43E/S by Morcher; 1CU by HumanOptics; AT-45 by Eyeonics). The working principle relies on various hypothetical assumptions regarding the mechanism of natural accommodation. Dual-optic lenses were designed to increase the dioptric impact of optic shift. They consist of a mobile front optic and a stationary rear optic which are interconnected with spring-type haptics. With active-shift lens systems the driving force is provided by repulsing mini-magnets. Lens refilling procedures replace the lens content by an elastic material and provide accommodation by an increase of surface curvature. Findings with passive-shift lenses have been contradictory. While uncorrected reading vision results were initially reported to be favorable with the 1CU, and excellent with the AT-45 lens, distant-corrected near vision did not exceed that with standard monofocal lenses in later studies. Mean axial shift from laser interferometric measurements under stimulation with pilocarpine showed a moderate anterior shift with the 1CU, while the AT-45 paradoxically exhibited a small posterior shift. With the 1CU, the shift-induced accommodative effect was calculated to be less than +0.5 D in most cases, while +1 D was achieved in a single case only. Ranges and standard deviations were very large in relation to the mean values. Under physiological near-point stimulation, however, no shift was seen at all. Prevention of capsule fibrosis by extensive capsule polishing did not enhance the functional performance. Dual optic lenses are under clinical investigation and are reported to provide a significant amount of accommodation. However, possible long-term formation of interlenticular opacifications remains to be excluded. Regarding magnet-driven active-shift lens systems, initial clinical experience has been promising. Prevention of fibrotic capsular contraction is crucial, and it has been effectively counteracted with a special capsular tension ring, or lens fixation technique, together with capsule polishing. Lens refilling has been extensively studied in the laboratory and in primates. Though it offers great potential for fully restoring accommodation, a variety of problems must be solved, such as achieving emmetropia in the relaxed state, adequate response to ciliary muscle contraction, satisfying image quality over the entire range of accommodation and sustained functioning. The key problem, however, is again after-cataract prevention. As opposed to psychophysical evaluation techniques, laser interferometry measures what shift lenses are designed to provide: axial shift on accommodative effort. While under pilocarpine some movement was recorded, no movement at all was found under near-point stimulation with any of the lenses currently marketed. In contrast, magnetic-driven active-shift lens systems carry the potential of sufficiently topping up apparent accommodation to provide for clinically useful accommodation while using conventional lens designs with proven after-cataract performance. Dual optic implants significantly increase the impact of axial optic shift. The main potential problem, however, is delayed formation of interlenticular regenerates. Lens refilling procedures offer the potential of fully restoring accommodation due to the great impact of increase in surface curvature on refractive lens power. However, various problems remain to be solved before clinical use can be envisaged, above all, again, after-cataract prevention. The concept of passive single-optic shift lenses has failed. Concomitant poor capsular bag performance makes these lenses an unacceptable trade-off. Magnet-assisted systems potentially combine clinically useful accommodation with satisfactory after-cataract performance. Dual optic lenses theoretically offer substantial accommodative potential but may allow for interlenticular after-cataract formation. Lens refilling procedures have the greatest potential for fully restoring natural accommodation, but will again require years of extensive laboratory and animal investigations before they may function in the human eye.

Purpose To compare the long-term effect of extensive polishing and nonpolishing of the anterior lens capsule on posterior capsule opacification (PCO) and neodymium:YAG (Nd:YAG) capsulotomy rates. Setting Department of Ophthalmology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria. Methods This prospective randomized bilateral double-masked study included 108 eyes of 54 consecutive patients with age-related cataract. Following phacoemulsification, 3-piece intraocular lenses (IOLs) with round-edged silicone optics were implanted. Patients received an Allergan SI-40 IOL with a truncated, round optic edge or a Domilens Silens6 IOL with a fully round optic edge. Patients were randomly assigned to have extensive anterior capsule polishing with the Menapace aspiration curette or no treatment in the first eye; the second eye received the opposite treatment. Digital retroillumination images were taken at 1 week, 1 year, and 3 years, and Nd:YAG capsulotomy rates were evaluated. Posterior capsule opacification was objectively scored using automated image analysis software (AQUA) or estimated based on clearly defined assumptions if a capsulotomy had been performed. Results Thirty-nine patients (78 eyes) concluded the study. Three-year PCO scores after polishing did not differ significantly (P>.05). However, 21 polished eyes (53.8%) required Nd:YAG laser capsulotomy compared with 14 nonpolished eyes (35.9%). The mismatch between PCO scores and Nd:YAG rates resulted from a change in PCO morphology that is not detected by scoring methods based on retroillumination photography but is visually disturbing to patients. Conclusions Polishing the anterior capsule was effective in reducing fibrotic opacification but ineffective in reducing regeneratory opacification. Changes in regeneratory PCO morphology not picked up by retroillumination photography increased the need for Nd:YAG laser capsulotomy.

Purpose Most trials that study the lens movement of accommodative intraocular lens (IOLs) use pilocarpine to stimulate ciliary muscle contraction. The aim of this study is to assess in vivo whether a more physiologic, stimulus-driven accommodation is comparable to pilocarpine-induced IOL movement. Design Controlled patient- and examiner-masked clinical trial. Participants The study population included 38 eyes with accommodative IOL implants (1CU) and a control group of 28 eyes with conventional open-loop IOLs. Methods A high-precision biometry technique, partial coherence interferometry, was used to measure IOL position. Anterior chamber depth was measured during physiologic (near point) and pharmacological (pilocarpine 2 % ) stimulation. In a subgroup of 14 1CU eyes, IOL position was determined repeatedly within 90 minutes after pilocarpine administration. A different subgroup was investigated as to the effect of cyclopentolate on IOL position. Best-corrected distance visual acuity (VA), best-corrected near VA, and distance-corrected near VA (DCNVA) were assessed using logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution charts. Main outcome measures Anterior chamber depth change under pilocarpine and near-point–driven accommodation. Results Near-point accommodation did not induce movement of either the accommodating 1CU or the control IOLs. Pilocarpine induced a 201±0.137-mm anterior movement of the 1CU IOL ( P P >0.05). There was no significant ( P >0.05) difference in DCNVA between the accommodative and open-loop IOLs. No correlation between near point– or pilocarpine-stimulated IOL movement and DCNVA was found. Concerning the time course of movement after pilocarpine administration, most of the 1CU IOLs showed some movement 30 minutes after application. Cyclopentolate-induced ciliary muscle relaxation caused a posterior IOL movement, as compared with the relaxed state, when focusing on a distant target. Conclusion Pilocarpine-induced ciliary muscle contraction seems to overestimate IOL movement relative to a monocular near-driven stimulus. Therefore, concerning IOL movement, pilocarpine may act as a superstimulus and may not adequately simulate daily life performance of accommodative IOLs. However, it may be helpful to evaluate the maximum potential of an accommodating IOL.

To investigate the axial movement in the first postoperative week and the influence of capsular bag size with an angulated, 3-piece, open-loop, acrylic intraocular lens (IOL).Department of Ophthalmology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria.Twenty-nine eyes of 29 patients with age-related cataract were included in this study. In study 1, an open-loop, 3-piece IOL (AR40e, AMO) was implanted in a standardized fashion in 15 eyes of 15 patients. In study 2, before IOL implantation, a capsular tension ring (CTR) was inserted (14 eyes of 14 patients). Anterior chamber depth (ACD) was assessed with partial coherence interferometry 2 hours; 1, 3, and 5 days; 1 week; and 1 month postoperatively. The capsular bag diameter (CBD) was assessed using gonioscopic measurement of the eyelets of the CTR 1 day, 1 week, and 1 month postoperatively.In the first postoperative week, there was a significant mean forward movement of -196 microm +/- 117 (SD) (P.005) in study 1 and -139 +/- 97 microm in study 2 (P.005). These movements correspond to refractive changes of -0.31 diopter (D) and -0.20 D, respectively. The movement was linear in the first 5 days after surgery. Different patterns of early postoperative movement were seen, illustrating interindividual variability. A significant correlation of 0.67 (P.05) was found between the change in ACD and CBD.A linear forward movement of the IOL during the first postoperative week was followed by a relatively stable IOL position. Loss of haptic memory seemed to be the most likely cause. Myopic eyes with large capsular bags showed less IOL shift in the early postoperative period than hyperopic eyes with smaller capsular bags.

Purpose: To predict the postoperative IOL position and refraction as accurately as possible independent of individualization of the parameters. Setting: Universitats-Augenklinik, Mainz, Germany, and Vienna, Austria. Methods: One patient cohort (189 eyes, Vienna) was used to calibrate the prediction method, which was then applied to a second cohort (65 eyes, Mainz). All calculations were based on consistent numerical ray tracing of the pseudophakic eye using the original manufacturer's intraocular lens (IOL) data (radii, thickness, refractive index). A new algorithm to predict IOL position was developed. Ultrasound (US) axial lengths were calibrated relative to partial coherence interferometry (PCI). Corneal radii extracted from topography were checked against radii measured with the IOLMaster (Zeiss) and by Littmann keratometry. Results: Zero mean prediction errors for IOL position and refraction were obtained without adjusting the parameters and with PCI lengths or US lengths calibrated relative to the PCI values. There was no significant loss of accuracy of US data compared to PCI data. Corneal radii extracted from topography were slightly but statistically significantly different from the Littmann values, and they were more accurate than the latter with respect to prediction error. The measured mean central IOL position (distance from posterior corneal surface) for all IOL types was 4.580 mm, a value very close to the mean recalculated from A-constants (4.587 mm). The difference in the individual central IOL position relative to the mean value depended only linearly (ie, no higher orders such as square or cubic are needed) on axial length, with the mean central IOL position as a free parameter. This parameter should be 4.6 ± 0.2 mm (the same value as independently measured or recalculated) to obtain zero steepness of the prediction error as a function of axial length, producing zero bias for long and short eyes. Conclusions: Calculation errors from formulas and confusing adjusting parameters can be avoided if calculations and measurements are performed on a clear and simple physical basis. Nevertheless, an individual prediction error, typically 0.5 to 1.0 diopter, seems to be unavoidable.

Purpose To measure the axial movement of an accommodating intraocular lens (IOL) induced by ciliary muscle contraction after application of pilocarpine. Design Randomized, controlled, patient- and examiner-masked trial with intrapatient comparison. Participants and controls One hundred ten eyes of 55 patients with age-related bilateral cataract. Methods This study was divided into 3 parts. In the first, the accommodating IOL (1CU) was compared with a 3-piece open-loop acrylic IOL that served as the control. In the second, to assess the effect of capsule fibrosis on the potential accommodating performance of the accommodating IOL, extensive polishing of the anterior capsule with a slit cannula was compared with standard surgery. In the third, the effect of a posterior capsulorhexis was compared with that of standard surgery. Anterior chamber depth (ACD) was assessed with partial coherence interferometry, measured before and after topical application of pilocarpine 2%, and near visual acuity (VA) was evaluated 3 months after surgery. Main outcome measure Pilocarpine-induced change in ACD. Results The accommodating IOL showed a forward movement under pilocarpine with a median amplitude of movement of −314 μm (95% confidence interval [CI]: −148 to −592), compared with the backward movement of 63 μm (95% CI: 161 to −41) for the open-loop control IOL ( P = 0.001). Capsule polishing and a posterior capsulorhexis had no effect on IOL movement with the accommodating IOL. The median near VA with distance correction was 20/60. Conclusion Pilocarpine induced a small but significant forward movement of the accommodating IOL. However, the amount of movement was calculated to result in a refractive change of

To compare the inhibiting effect on posterior capsule opacification (PCO) of a silicone intraocular lens (IOL) with a sharp posterior optic edge (ClariFlex OptiEdge, Advanced Medical Optics) and a silicone IOL with a round optic edge (PhacoFlex SI-40, Advanced Medical Optics).Department of Ophthalmology, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria.This prospective randomized patient- and examiner-masked study comprised 104 eyes of 52 patients with bilateral age-related cataract. All patients had cataract surgery in both eyes and received a sharp-edged IOL in 1 eye and a round-edged IOL in the other eye. Postoperative examinations were at 1 week, 1 and 6 months, and 1 year. Digital slitlamp and retroillumination images were taken of each eye. The amount of PCO was assessed subjectively at the slitlamp and objectively using Automated Quantification of After-Cataract (AQUA) automated-image analysis software.The sharp-edged IOL group had significantly less regeneratory and fibrotic PCO 1 month, 6 months, and 1 year after surgery. The mean AQUA PCO score (scale 0 to 10) was 0.71 in the sharp-edged IOL group and 1.40 in the round-edged IOL group (P.001). The sharp-edged IOL group had less peripheral fibrotic PCO. There was no significant difference between the 2 IOL groups in patient reports of edge glare.The sharp-edged design of the ClariFlex OptiEdge silicone IOL led to significantly less PCO than the round-edged PhacoFlex SI-40 IOL 1 year postoperatively.

Purpose: To compare measured and calculated postoperative anterior chamber depths (ACDs). Setting: Department of Ophthalmology and Institute of Medical Physics, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria, and Department of Ophthalmology, University of Mainz, Mainz, Germany. Methods: The postoperative ACD was measured in 189 pseudophakic eyes using a laboratory prototype of partial coherence interferometry (PCI). In 6 intraocular lens (IOL) groups, the mean ACD was calculated by ray tracing based on the best-known A-constants of the SRK formulas. In addition, for each IOL type, each measured ACD was compared with a value calculated using the individual spherical equivalent of the postoperative refraction. Results: The measured and the calculated ACD values were close and did not show systematic differences. The ACD values obtained in the study, however, differed significantly from the values published by the IOL manufacturers. A comparison of the PCI-assessed ACDs and the calculated values using the postoperative refraction showed more scattered results for the refraction-based data, which was probably the result of higher measurement errors with the autorefractometer than with PCI. Conclusions: High-precision interferometry measurements and ray-tracing calculations confirmed each other. The resulting mean ACD values should be used instead of the manufacturers' values. The refractive outcome of cataract surgery can be improved by combining preoperative high-precision PCI biometry and numerical ray tracing for IOL power calculations.

To compare measurements performed with the IOLMaster (Carl Zeiss, Meditec AG) with those obtained by applanation ultrasound (US) and manual keratometry and to evaluate the effect of operator experience on US biometry.Department of Ophthalmology, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria.The axial length (696 eyes) and anterior chamber depth (ACD) (462 eyes) were measured in 377 patients with cataract using the IOLMaster and applanation US. To assess the effect of operator experience on the biometric results, the operators were divided into 2 groups: experienced and less experienced in performing US biometry. The difference in measurements between the methods and the variability of the difference were compared between the 2 groups.Applanation US measured axial length and ACD shorter than the IOLMaster; the mean numerical difference was 0.13 mm and 0.19 mm, respectively (P.01). For axial length, the absolute difference was smaller with experienced operators than with less experienced operators (0.15 mm versus 0.22 mm) (P.01). For ACD, experienced operators obtained a smaller difference between measurement techniques (0.21 mm versus 0.29 mm; P.05).Experienced US operators had less difference and lower variability in the difference between applanation US and IOLMaster readings for axial length and ACD measurements. The noncontact optical method, which is essentially operator independent, gave significantly more reliable biometry before cataract surgery, especially in the case of less experienced operators.

Purpose To compare anterior chamber depth (ACD) measurements in phakic and pseudophakic eyes using a slit-beam photographic technique (IOLMaster, Carl Zeiss Meditec AG) with those obtained with the laboratory prototype version of partial coherence interferometry (PCI) and with conventional applanation ultrasound in phakic eyes. Setting Department of Ophthalmology, Vienna General Hospital, Vienna University, Vienna, Austria. Methods Thirty-three ACDs of 28 patients with age-related cataract were measured preoperatively with a slit-beam photographic technique (IOLMaster) and the prototype version of PCI. In 24 eyes, the ACD was also assessed with applanation ultrasound. In addition, 34 ACDs of 18 pseudophakic patients in a different study population were examined postoperatively with the IOLMaster and PCI. Results The median ACD in the phakic eyes was 3.06 mm (range 1.93 to 3.90 mm) with the IOLMaster, 3.09 mm with PCI (range 1.49 to 4.06 mm), and 2.87 mm (range 2.18 to 3.33 mm) with applanation ultrasound. The precision was 0.005 mm for PCI and 0.015 mm for IOLMaster measurement. The median difference between the IOLMaster and PCI ACD biometry was 0.01 mm ± 0.14 (SD) (range −0.44 to 0.17 mm) (P = .71). In pseudophakic eyes, the 2 methods showed a median difference of −0.22 mm (range −0.45 to 1.99 mm) (P > .1) and did not correlate (r = 0.21; P > .2). Conclusions In phakic eyes, the difference between IOLMaster and PCI measurements was small and not statistically significant. In pseudophakic eyes, the difference was larger and the methods did not correlate.

To compare the posterior capsule opacification (PCO) inhibiting effect of the sharp posterior optic edge design of the Sensar OptiEdge AR40e intraocular lens (IOL) (Allergan Surgical) with that of the round-edged design of the Sensar AR40 IOL. Setting Department of Ophthalmology, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria.This prospective randomized patient- and examiner-masked study comprised 106 eyes of 53 patients with bilateral age-related cataract. Each patient had cataract surgery in both eyes and received an AR40 IOL in 1 eye and an AR40e IOL in the other eye. Postoperative examinations were at 1 week, 2 and 6 months, and 1 year. Digital slitlamp and digital retroillumination images of each eye were taken. The amount of PCO was assessed subjectively at the slitlamp and objectively using automated image-analysis software.The AR40e group had significantly less regeneratory and fibrotic PCO 1 year after surgery. The mean automated image-analysis software PCO score (scale 0 to 10) was 2.19 in the AR40 group and 1.10 in the AR40e group (P.001). The AR40e group had less peripheral fibrotic PCO. There was no significant difference in patient-reported edge glare between the 2 IOL groups.The sharp-edged design of the Sensar OptiEdge AR40e IOL led to significantly less PCO than the round-edged AR40 IOL 1 year postoperatively.

PURPOSE To identify the morphologic changes secondary to macular grid photocoagulation in diabetic macular edema in vivo using spectral domain optical coherence tomography. METHODS In this prospective cohort study, 13 consecutive patients with vision loss because of clinically significant macular edema associated with diabetes mellitus Type 2 underwent grid laser treatment (PASCAL). Best-corrected visual acuity, Spectralis optical coherence tomography, infrared fundus imaging, and biomicroscopy were performed at baseline, Day 1, Week 1, and Months 1, 2, and 3 after treatment. Fluorescein angiography was performed at baseline and at 3 months. RESULTS Mean central 1-mm thickness decreased significantly from 438 ± 123 μm (mean ± SD) at baseline to 391 ± 111 μm (P < 0.05) at 3 months with a nonsignificant trend of best-corrected visual acuity improvement. A wipeout of the photoreceptor layer and the inner segment/outer segment line together with an alteration of the overlaying outer nuclear layer and external limiting membrane was seen at Day 1. The lesion was reduced to a focal hyperreflective deposit on the retinal pigment epithelium boundary. In 55% of lesions, the external limiting membrane as well as the previously interrupted inner segment/outer segment line revealed intact continuity at Month 3. In some areas, repair was incomplete indicated by a focal condensation interrupting the inner segment/outer segment line in the lesion center. CONCLUSION In vivo imaging of morphologic lesion repair in human eyes after PASCAL grid laser of diabetic macular edema demonstrates progressive restoration of the external limiting membrane and inner segment/outer segment integrity as previously described in animal models.

PURPOSE We evaluated the morphologic changes in retinal structure after laser photocoagulation using supra- and subthreshold laser fluence. METHODS In a prospective cohort study 10 consecutive patients received scatter laser photocoagulation. Treatment was performed using a semiautomated patterned scanning laser system. In a study area adjacent to the temporal vessel arcades, 2 × 2 pattern laser spots were applied with halving the flux of the laser power in a stepwise manner starting from a power producing a typical grayish lesion. The study areas then were imaged on days one, three, and seven, and on months one, two, three, and six using color fundus photography, autofluorescence (AF), infrared (IR) imaging, and spectral domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT). RESULTS The starting threshold power lesions each were visible on color fundus photography, IR, and AF in all patients, and showed characteristic changes on OCT throughout the follow-up period. The halved flux laser burns (first step) were undetectable ophthalmoscopically during the laser session, but during the follow-up always were detectable on IR and AF images, and sometimes on fundus photography. On OCT they showed changes similar to the suprathreshold laser scars, but were much smaller in diameter, and in some instances an inward migration of the photoreceptor layer was observed. CONCLUSIONS Subthreshold laser burns with halved energy flux produced similar morphologic changes in the retina as threshold power, but with a smaller size. They induced less collateral damage to the neuroretina, and permit a level of reorganization in the outer retina. (ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT00682240.).

The performance of a primary posterior capsulorhexis (PPC) with and without posterior optic buttonholing (POBH) may significantly influence the intraocular pressure (IOP) after cataract surgery in age-related cataract patients.The prospective randomized clinical study was performed at the department of Ophthalmology, Medical University of Vienna, Austria. Thirty consecutive cataract patients with bilateral same-day cataract surgery (60 eyes) under topical anesthesia were enrolled. In randomized order, cataract surgery with combined PPC/POBH was performed in one eye; in the other eye, cataract surgery was performed with PPC and in-the-bag implantation of the intraocular lens (IOL). Standardized IOP measurements by Goldmann applanation tonometry were performed preoperatively, 1, 2, 4, 6, 8 and 24 hours postoperatively, as well as 1 week and 1 month postoperatively.During the first 24 hours after surgery, all IOP measurements were significantly lower in eyes with combined PPC/POBH when compared to eyes with solitary PPC (p 0.001). No IOP peaks of more than 27 mmHg were observed with combined PPC/POBH. In contrast, in eyes with PPC and in-the-bag IOL implantation, seven patients had an IOP peak of more than 27 mmHg and four IOP peaks of more than 30 mmHg. One week and 1 month postoperatively, IOP measurements were statistically comparable, and no significant differences could be observed between the two groups (p 0.05).Postoperative IOP peaks after cataract surgery with sole PPC can be effectively prevented by the buttonholing of the IOL through the posterior capsulorhexis.

Purpose To study the changes in the distribution and morphologic features of intraretinal microexudates after macular photocoagulation. Design Prospective cohort study. Participants Thirteen treatment-naive patients with clinically significant macular edema in type 2 diabetes. Methods Patients were treated with focal macular photocoagulation. Changes in the localization of hyperreflective foci were analyzed by spectral domain (SD) optical coherence tomography (OCT) during follow-up at day 1, week 1, and months 1, 2, 3, and 4 in defined areas. Further, fundus photography and infrared imaging were performed at all visits and findings were correlated to OCT results. Main Outcome Measures Changes in retinal morphologic features detected in OCT. Results A dynamic change in the distribution pattern of hyperreflective foci was observed over 4 months after the photocoagulation. With the decrease of retinal thickness, the dots either resolved completely or became confluent at the apical border of the outer nuclear layer, and finally formed ophthalmoscopically detectable hard exudates during extended follow-up. In the event of retinal thickening despite laser treatment, the hyperreflective dots maintained their previous distribution throughout all retinal layers. As a fourth response, dissemination of plaques of hard exudates into multiple, separate, hyperreflective foci were detected. Conclusions Hyperreflective foci in the retina seem to represent precursors or components of hard exudates. Their specific localization depends greatly on the presence of microvascular extravasation and intraretinal fluid accumulation. Retinal photocoagulation has a major impact on retinal edema and subsequently on the distribution of intraretinal lipid deposits. Financial Disclosure(s) The author(s) have no proprietary or commercial interest in any materials discussed in this article.

The aim of the study was to evaluate functional and anatomical changes after intravitreal bevacizumab (Avastin) in eyes with persistent macular oedema secondary to branch retinal vein occlusion (BRVO) or central retinal vein occlusion (CRVO).Twenty-nine consecutive eyes with macular oedema secondary to BRVO (21 eyes) or CRVO (eight eyes) were included in a prospective clinical trial. Eyes were treated with three initial intravitreal bevacizumab injections of 1 mg at a monthly interval. Retreatment was based on central retinal thickness (CRT) based on optical coherence tomography. If continuous injections were indicated up to month 6, the dose was increased to 2.5 mg.After 12 months of follow-up, mean visual acuity increased from 50 letters (20/100) at baseline to 66 letters (20/50(+1); +16 letters; p0.001) at month 12 and CRT decreased from 558 mum at baseline to 309 mum at month 12 (-249 mum; p0.001). Patients received a mean of eight out of 13 possible injections. No drug-related systemic or ocular side effects following intravitreal bevacizumab treatment were observed. Fluorescein angiography revealed no progression of avascular areas.Intravitreal therapy using bevacizumab appears to be a safe and effective treatment in patients with macular oedema secondary to retinal vein occlusion. However, the main limitations of this treatment modality are its short-term effectiveness and high recurrence rate.

Evaluation of the association between functional and anatomic retinal changes during anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) therapy with bevacizumab (Avastin) in patients with cystoid macular edema secondary to retinal vein occlusion (RVO) using microperimetry and spectral domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT).Prospective, uncontrolled study (EUDRACT NR-2005-003288-21).Twenty-eight patients with cystoid macular edema secondary to RVO.Patients initially received 3 consecutive intravitreal injections of 1.25 mg bevacizumab at 4-week intervals. Further treatment was based on morphologic (OCT) and functional best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) findings. During the 1-year follow-up, a rigorous standardized evaluation was performed monthly. Macular function was documented by microperimetry (Nidek, MP1 Microperimeter) and BCVA based on the Early Treatment in Diabetic Retinopathy Study (ETDRS). Morphologic parameters included central retinal thickness (CRT) as measured by conventional OCT (Stratus), and central subfield thickness (CST), mean retinal thickness (MRT), and retinal volume (RV) measured by SD-OCT.Imaging of retinal morphology using OCT and SD-OCT and evaluation of retinal function assessed with microperimetry and ETDRS charts during 12 months of anti-VEGF treatment.Within 6 months, the mean area of absolute scotoma was reduced from 21.4% of the central visual field to 6.4% and remained at this level until month 12 (7.4%). Mean BCVA improved from 51 to 66 letters on ETDRS charts. The CRT, CST, and MRT decreased significantly (P0.002) and remained stable during the follow-up. The RV values did not improve significantly under therapy. Statistical analysis using a linear effects model revealed significant associations between the functional and morphologic outcomes, most notably between BCVA, macular sensitivity, CRT (Stratus OCT), CST, and MRT (Cirrus OCT) values.Central retinal morphology, especially CRT and CST measured by conventional and SD-OCT, and retinal function improved significantly during treatment of RVO with a flexible dosing regimen of intravitreal bevacizumab. Functional (central visual acuity and visual field) and morphologic parameters (retinal thickness) were significantly related. These associations highlight the value of OCT imaging for assessing this disease entity.

Purpose To evaluate the effect of primary posterior continuous curvilinear capsulorhexis (PCCC) with and without posterior optic buttonholing (POBH) on the anterior chamber reaction after small-incision cataract surgery. Setting Department of Ophthalmology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria. Methods Consecutive patients with age-related cataract having cataract surgery in both eyes under topical anesthesia were prospectively enrolled in a randomized clinical trial. In randomized order, cataract surgery with combined primary PCCC and POBH was performed in 1 eye; in the other eye, cataract surgery was performed with primary PCCC and in-the-bag implantation of an intraocular lens. Intraocular flare was measured with an FC-1000 laser flare–cell meter preoperatively and postoperatively at 1, 4 to 6, and 24 hours, 1 week, and 1 month. Results Thirty patients (60 eyes) were evaluated. The peak of intraocular flare was 1 hour postoperatively in all study eyes. In both groups, the response steadily decreased thereafter. Anterior chamber flare was statistically significantly higher in eyes with primary PCCC without POBH than in eyes with combined primary PCCC–POBH at all postoperative testing points ( P P = .01). Conclusions Cataract surgery with combined primary PCCC–POBH led to significantly lower postoperative anterior chamber reaction than conventional in-the-bag implantation during a 4-week follow-up. The tight capsule–optic diaphragm effectively prevented the ophthalmic viscosurgical device captured behind the optic from entering the anterior chamber postoperatively.

Objective: To evaluate efficacy and safety of intravitreal bevacizumab (Avastin) in eyes with macular oedema secondary to central retinal vein occlusion (CRVO) or branch retinal vein occlusion (BRVO). Methods: Twenty-eight consecutive patients (28 patients, 29 eyes, 8 CRVO, 21 BRVO) were enrolled in the study. Three intravitreal injections of 1 mg bevacizumab (0.04 ml) were administered at 4-week intervals; further retreatment was based on optical coherence tomography (OCT) findings. Follow-up examinations were done at days 1, 7 and 28 and at monthly intervals thereafter. Results: Mean baseline central retinal thickness (CRT) in OCT was 558 µm (range 353–928 µm) and mean BCVA was 20/100. One day after the first injection, CRT significantly decreased to 401 μm (p −2 (p Conclusion: Intravitreal injections of bevacizumab appear to be a safe and effective therapy in the treatment of macular oedema secondary to retinal vein occlusion.

To compare the posterior capsule opacification (PCO) inhibiting effect of the sharp posterior optic edge design of the Sensar OptiEdge AR40e intraocular lens (IOL) with that of the double-round edge design of the Sensar AR40 IOL over a period of 3 years.Department of Ophthalmology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria.Fifty-three patients with bilateral age-related cataract (106 eyes) were included in this randomized prospective bilateral patient- and examiner-masked clinical trial with intraindividual comparison. Each study patient had cataract surgery in both eyes and received a Sensar AR40 IOL (anterior and posterior round optic edges) in 1 eye and a Sensar OptiEdge AR40e IOL (round anterior and sharp posterior optic edge) in the other eye. Follow-up examinations were at 1 week, 1 and 6 months, and 1, 2, and 3 years. Digital retroillumination images were taken of each eye. The amount of PCO was assessed subjectively at the slitlamp and objectively using automated image-analysis software (AQUA) 1, 2, and 3 years after surgery.The sharp-edged AR40e lens showed significantly less regeneratory and fibrotic PCO 1, 2, and 3 years after surgery. The mean AQUA PCO score was 2.18 for the AR40 and 1.00 for the AR40e lens after 1 year; 2.94 and 1.56 after 2 years, and estimated at 3.13 and 1.77, respectively, after 3 years (scale 0 to 10; P.001). The neodymium:YAG laser capsulotomy rate was significantly higher in the AR40 group. The AR40e lens also led to less peripheral fibrotic PCO. There was no significant difference in complaints concerning edge glare between the groups.Compared with the AR40 IOL, the sharp posterior optic edge design of the Sensar OptiEdge AR40e IOL led to significantly less PCO 1, 2, and 3 years postoperatively. In contrast with most past studies on PCO-preventative factors, this study varied only 1 parameter, namely the optic edge design, and the main outcome measure (PCO) was assessed with an objective image-analysis system.

With the recent introduction of potentially accommodative intraocular lenses (IOL), there is a need for methods to evaluate their accommodative potential. In most studies assessing IOL movement, pilocarpine is used to stimulate contraction of the ciliary muscle. The aim of this study is to determine if pilocarpine-induced ciliary muscle contraction is comparable to physiological stimulus-driven accommodation in young and presbyopic subjects. Ten emmetropic young subjects (23-25 years) and 11 emmetropic presbyopic subjects (51-62 years) were included in this study. Anterior chamber depth (ACD) and lens thickness (LT) were assessed with partial coherence interferometry (PCI). A moveable stimulus was coupled to the PCI equipment for measurement of biometric lens changes. ACD was measured with the stimulus at infinity and then at the subjects individual nearpoint, and after application of two drops of 2% pilocarpine. In young subjects, there was no significant difference in lens change between nearpoint and pilocarpine stimulation. Presbyopic subjects showed no relevant lens change when accommodating at the nearpoint, however, under pharmacologically induced ciliary muscle contraction with pilocarpine, there was a significant forward shift of the anterior and posterior lens pole, leading to a translational forward lens shift of about 150 microm. This study demonstrates that pilocarpine acts "physiologically" in young phakic subjects, but is a "superstimulus" in presbyopic phakic subjects. Therefore, IOL movement may be overestimated when using pilocarpine to stimulate accommodation.

To measure the shift of an accommodating plate-haptic intraocular lens (IOL) along the visual axis induced by ciliary muscle contraction after application of pilocarpine.Department of Ophthalmology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria.Fifty-four eyes of 28 patients with age-related cataract comprised this prospective study. Each patient received an AT-45 silicone accommodating IOL (Crystalens, Eyeonics Corp.) after standardized cataract surgery. In a subgroup of 24 eyes, capsular bag fibrosis was reduced by extensive polishing of the anterior capsule with a slit cannula. Assessment included measurements of anterior chamber depth, assessed with partial coherence interferometry, before and after application of pilocarpine 2% and evaluation of near visual acuity 1 month and 3 months postoperatively.A slight backward shift of the IOL of 151 mum in the nonpolished group (P.001) and 122 mum in the polished group (P.005) could be detected after application of pilocarpine. Polishing the capsule did not influence IOL shift. The median near visual acuity with distance correction 1 month and 3 months postoperatively was J5 and J4, respectively, in the nonpolished group and J6 at both times in the polished group.Pilocarpine induced a counterproductive active backward shift of the AT-45 IOL. Polishing of the capsular bag had no impact on accommodative ability. The reading performance of patients with the AT-45 IOL patients at 1 and 3 months was not significantly different from that of with a standard IOL under similar testing methods.

Purpose To study the change in postoperative position of an angulated, 3-piece, foldable acrylic intraocular lenses (IOLs) and evaluate the effect of a sharp posterior optic edge compared with that of a round optic edge on the change in postoperative anterior chamber depth (ACD). Setting Department of Ophthalmology, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria. Methods This randomized intraindividual-comparison study comprised 104 eyes of 52 patients with age-related cataract. Patient received a sharp-edged Sensar® OptiEdge AR40e IOL (Allergan Surgical) in 1 eye and a round-edged Sensar AR40 IOL in the other eye. Postoperative follow-up included ACD measurement by partial coherence interferometry and evaluation of the capsulorhexis area by standardized retroillumination photography at 1 day, 1 week, and 1 and 6 months. Results A decrease in ACD during the first postoperative week was followed by a small increase in ACD during the first 6 months. There was no significant difference between the sharp-edged group and the round-edged group. Conclusions The angulated 3-piece acrylic IOLs showed significant forward movement over the first postoperative 6 months. Although the change in refraction was small, there was variability among patients. The sharp posterior optic edge design did not affect the IOL's movement in the capsular bag.

To measure the axial movement of an accommodating intraocular lens (IOL) induced by ciliary muscle contraction after application of pilocarpine.Randomized, controlled, patient- and examiner-masked trial with intrapatient comparison.One hundred ten eyes of 55 patients with age-related bilateral cataract.This study was divided into 3 parts. In the first, the accommodating IOL (1CU) was compared with a 3-piece open-loop acrylic IOL that served as the control. In the second, to assess the effect of capsule fibrosis on the potential accommodating performance of the accommodating IOL, extensive polishing of the anterior capsule with a slit cannula was compared with standard surgery. In the third, the effect of a posterior capsulorhexis was compared with that of standard surgery. Anterior chamber depth (ACD) was assessed with partial coherence interferometry, measured before and after topical application of pilocarpine 2%, and near visual acuity (VA) was evaluated 3 months after surgery.Pilocarpine-induced change in ACD.The accommodating IOL showed a forward movement under pilocarpine with a median amplitude of movement of -314 microm (95% confidence interval [CI]: -148 to -592), compared with the backward movement of 63 microm (95% CI: 161 to -41) for the open-loop control IOL (P = 0.001). Capsule polishing and a posterior capsulorhexis had no effect on IOL movement with the accommodating IOL. The median near VA with distance correction was 20/60.Pilocarpine induced a small but significant forward movement of the accommodating IOL. However, the amount of movement was calculated to result in a refractive change of0.5 diopters (D) in most patients, reaching 1 D or slightly more in only single cases, with a large variability of movement. Neither polishing of the capsule bag nor a posterior capsulorhexis could enhance the accommodative ability.

Purpose: To compare the postoperative changes in anterior chamber depth (ACD) between single-piece and multipiece AcrySof® intraocular lenses (IOLs) (Alcon Laboratories, Inc.) and their effect on the postoperative refractive shift. Setting: Department of Ophthalmology, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria. Methods: This prospective randomized bilateral study with intraindividual comparison comprised 104 eyes of 52 consecutive patients with age-related cataract. All patients had standardized cataract surgery with a temporal self-sealing incision, phacoemulsification, and IOL implantation in the capsular bag. The first 30 patients received a single-piece, 5.5 mm optic IOL (AcrySof SA30) in 1 eye and a multipiece IOL (AcrySof MA30) in the other eye. Another 22 patients received the corresponding 6.0 mm optic models (AcrySof SA60 and AcrySof MA60, respectively). Anterior chamber depth measurements and evaluation of the change in ACD during the first 6 postoperative months were performed using partial coherence laser interferometry. The amount of change in capsulorhexis size during the first 6 postoperative months was assessed using standardized retroillumination photographs. Results: Single-piece IOLs shifted significantly less postoperatively than multipiece IOLs. The multipiece IOLs shifted forward, especially from 1 day to 1 month. The change in the capsulorhexis area was similar between IOL types. Conclusions: Single-piece AcrySof IOLs shifted minimally after the first postoperative day; therefore, the prescription for spectacles in eyes with this IOL can be obtained soon after surgery.

Purpose To investigate concentrations of growth factors and inflammatory cytokines in eyes with central (CRVO) and branch (BRVO) retinal vein occlusion before and during therapy with bevacizumab and to identify associations with disease activity. Methods In a prospective clinical trial, 13 eyes of patients with CRVO (n = 5) or BRVO (n = 8) were included. Bevacizumab was administered intravitreously at baseline and months 1 and 2. Retreatments were given at monthly visits if OCT showed edema or when vision loss occurred. Aqueous humor samples were taken each time injections were performed. Follow-up was 15 months. Samples from patients with cataract served as the control. Multiplex bead assays were used for measurement of 28 growth factors and cytokines. Results During therapy with bevacizumab, VEGF levels were reduced to below detection in the first 2 months. Whenever criteria for retreatment were met, VEGF was measurable again. The decrease in VEGF was associated with a decrease in central retinal thickness (CRT) and improvement in visual acuity (VA). Significantly increased concentrations of VEGF, IL-6, IL-8, IP-10, MCP-1, and PDGF-AA were observed in aqueous humor samples of patients with CRVO compared with the control samples. Conclusions VEGF levels were significantly elevated in patients with CRVO compared with control subjects. Intravitreal injections of bevacizumab resulted in a substantial decrease of VEGF under physiologic levels and remained low under the loading dose of three consecutive monthly retreatments. Macular edema was related to VEGF levels in the aqueous humor.

PURPOSE. To identify characteristic features of classic and occult choroidal neovascularization (CNV) by using a novel technique of topographic angiography for three-dimensional (3D) visualization. METHODS. A confocal scanning laser ophthalmoscope (SLO, Heidelberg Retina Angiograph; Heidelberg Engineering, Dossenheim, Germany) was used to perform fluorescein (FA) and indocyanine green (ICGA) angiography in158 patients. Ninety-four eyes had predominantly classic and 64 eyes had occult lesions. With an image frequency of 20 Hz, a tomographic series of 32 images per set were taken over a depth of 4 mm. Axial analyses for each Χ/year position were performed, to determine the fluorescence distribution along the z-axis. After the axial location of hyperfluorescence was detected, a depth profile was generated. All results were integrated into a grayscale-coded depth image and imaged as a 3D relief. RESULTS. Characteristic features of classic and occult lesions were distinguished. Classic CNV appeared as a well-demarcated lesion with steep, prominent borders, often craterlike, and frequently surrounded by a halo, suggesting choroidal perfusion changes. Occult CNV was documented by 3D as a convex lesion with flat, ill-defined borders and without any surrounding halo. Topographic imaging is superior to conventional angiography regarding definition of lesion type, configuration, and extension, because masking phenomena do not interfere. CONCLUSIONS. Topographic angiography allows a realistic 3D representation of CNV. Characteristic features based on the neovascular architecture and the differences in leakage behavior of different lesion types are clearly identified.

PURPOSE: To evaluate anterior segment biometry using the ACMaster (Carl Zeiss Méditée AG, Jena, Germany) in regard to precision of measurement and clinical performance compared to the original laboratory prototype of the partial coherence interferometry technique. METHODS: Ten phakic (20 eyes) and 27 Pseudophakie (44 eyes) patients were included in this study. Anterior segment biometry of phakic and Pseudophakie study eyes was performed using the ACMaster and the laboratory prototype of the partial coherence interferometry technique. The ACMaster isa commercially available device based on the partial coherence interferometry technique, which provides high precision anterior segment measurements in a quick and user-friendly fashion. Examination included measurement of central corneal thickness, anterior chamber depth, and lens thickness, the latter only in the phakic eyes. RESULTS: The consistency of anterior segment measurements performed with both units was excellent in phakic as well as in Pseudophakie eyes. In Pseudophakie eyes, the measurement of anterior chamber thickness and lens thickness with the ACMaster produced several (typical) measurement artifacts in some cases, which partially aggravated the identification of the A-scan peak representing the anterior intraocular lens surface. CONCLUSIONS: The ACMaster is a user-friendly device that enables axial anterior segment biometry using the partial coherence interferometry technique with a reproducibility similar to that of the original laboratory prototype. [J Refract Surg. 2006;22:811-816.]