Acuity Values Research Articles

Assessment of Macular Thickness in Different Grades of Myopia: An Optical Coherence Tomography Study in a Rural Tertiary Care Hospital

Abstract Background: Myopia is a condition related to the refractive error that causes visual disability. Due to its high prevalence, it can contribute to complicated cataracts and related conditions such as primary open-angle glaucoma. The risks of retinal detachment, chorioretinal atrophy, pigmentary degeneration, vitreous degeneration and retinal breaks may increase with an increase in axial length and severity of myopia, among other long-term effects of high myopia. The aim of this study was to assess the role of macular thickness and myopia in non-invasive optical coherence tomography (OCT). Materials and Methods: This was a prospective, hospital-based observational study conducted for 18 months in a tertiary care centre in Karnataka. A total of 155 consecutive myopia patients aged ≥10 years attending the outpatient Department of Ophthalmology were included in the study. The data were analysed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) for Windows, version 22.0 (SPSS Inc., Chicago). Result: The participants aged from 10 to 75 years with a female preponderance of 60%. The mean age of participants is 31.95 yrs. The majority of the patients had mild myopia (91.6%), compared with moderate (5.8%) and high (2.6%) myopia. The mean value of best-corrected visual acuity improved from 0.67 to 0.08 in high, 0.94 to 0.22 in mild and 0.71 to 0.26 in moderate myopia patients. The mean maximum retinal thickness was 472 micrometres, and the mean minimum retinal thickness was 178 micrometres. Conclusion: There is a high prevalence of mild myopia cases, especially at extremes of age. Myopia was more common among females. There was a significant difference among different classes of myopia with respect to uncorrected and best-corrected visual acuity. The parafovea was thinner and the fovea thicker among myopia.

Пилинг-ассоциированные тракции в хирургическом лечении диабетического макулярного отека

Vitreoretinal surgical treatment is indicated for diabetic macular edema (DME) in combination with vitreomacular interface abnormalities. Peeling of the retinal internal limiting membrane (ILM) is often used as part of the treatment. Tight adhesion of the posterior hyaloid membrane and the ILM may be the cause of the intraoperative retinal tractions development. Purpose. To assess the prevalence and impact of transient peeling-associated traction (tPAT) on the results and incidence of complications of surgical treatment of DME using ILM-peeling. Material and methods. As part of the study, a group of 40 patients was divided into 2 comparable subgroups according to the presence of tPAT (1st group — with tPAT, 2nd group — without tPAT). Patients in both groups received surgical treatment — three-port 27 Ga vitrectomy with ILM-peeling in a rounded area with a diameter of up to 2 DD centered on the fovea. ILM-peeling was performed using intraoperative tomographic control (optical coherence tomography). Results. In both groups, anatomical improvement was noted in the form of a decrease in foveal retinal thickness. At the same time, in 1st group there was no improvement in visual acuity, while in 2nd group its statistically significant increase was revealed. The presence of tPAT is associated with a higher incidence of postoperative neurodegenerative changes development of long-term follow-up period — disorganization of retinal inner layers and the formation of lamellar breaks in the fovea. According to correlation analysis, tPAT negatively affects the final value of visual acuity. Conclusion. It has been established that tPAT is a predictor of lower postoperative visual acuity, and is also a risk factor for retinal neurodegenerative changes in the long-term follow-up period. It is promising to evaluate the prevalence of tPAT in larger studies, reveal predictors of tPAT development and measures for their intraoperative prevention. Keywords: vitreoretinal surgery, ILM peeling, dosed fovea-sparing ILM peeling, optical coherence tomography, lamellar macular hole, disorganisation of retinal inner layers, peelingassociated tractions photocoagulation of the retina; long-term results

Evaluation of Steroid Pulse Therapy Responsiveness in Myelin-Oligodendrocyte Glycoprotein Antibody-Positive Optic Neuritis.

Myelin-oligodendrocyte glycoprotein antibody-positive optic neuritis (MOGON) is usually responsive to the steroid, but, for some patients, steroid pulse therapy alone may be inadequate. This study aimed to investigate the factors predicting the response to steroid pulse therapy in MOGON. This study included 17 patients (24 eyes) with MOGON, who received single steroid pulse therapy as initial treatment. Best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and mean deviation (MD) values after treatment were examined concerning findings at onset. No correlation was found between BCVA at onset and after treatment, but a correlation was observed between MD values at onset and after treatment (correlation coefficient 0.48, p=0.01, Spearman's rank correlation coefficient). Age, gender, duration from onset to treatment, magnetic resonance imaging findings, and optical coherence tomography findings did not affect visual function after treatment. Severe visual field impairment at onset may indicate that additional treatment may be necessary.

Comparison of three techniques for simultaneous intraocular lens implantation in subluxated cataract surgery: Transconjunctival intrascleral, Z-suture knotless transscleral, and Cionni capsular tension ring assisted.

To evaluate and compare the clinical outcomes of three different methods of intraocular lens (IOL) implantation in the surgery of subluxated cataracts. In this retrospective, comparative, clinical interventional study, the medical records of patients who underwent IOL implantation with sutureless 27-gauge needle-assisted transconjunctival intrascleral (Group 1), Z-suture knotless transscleral (Group 2), and Cionni capsular tension ring (Cionni-CTR) assisted (Group 3) simultaneously with subluxated cataract extraction between June 2010 and June 2022 were evaluated. Demographic characteristics, follow-up times, uncorrected distance visual acuity (UDVA), corrected distance visual acuity (CDVA), spherical and cylindrical refractive values, and spherical equivalent (SE) values of three groups were compared. Intraoperative and postoperative complications were recorded. There were 20 eyes in Group 1, 35 eyes in Group 2, and 40 eyes in Group 3. In all groups, statistically significant improvement was observed in postoperative UDVA and CDVA compared to preoperative values (each p < 0.05). There was no statistical difference between the groups in postoperative UDVA and CDVA values. (p = 0.130, p = 0.167 respectively). No significant difference was observed between the groups in terms of postoperative spherical, cylindrical, and SE values (each p > 0.05). The study suggests that three different IOL implantation techniques for simultaneous IOL implantation in subluxated cataract surgery have similar effects on visual and refractive outcomes.

Optimum pinhole size determination in pinhole pupilloplasty for higher-order aberrations.

To determine optimal pinhole size (OPS) and establish a relationship with visual acuity (VA) and RMS (root mean square) values in cases with higher-order aberrations (HOAs) undergoing pinhole pupilloplasty (PPP). Private practice, India. Prospective, interventional study. RMS value for 6-mm-diameter optical zone was determined by Scheimpflug imaging (Pentacam). Patients with RMS value >0.3 μm were included. Preoperatively, a hand-held pinhole gauge with varied apertures determined the OPS, and single-pass four-throw technique was used to perform pupilloplasty with Purkinje-1 reflex as a marker for centration. VA with OPS, correlation of RMS values with OPS and pupil size, and Strehl ratio were the main outcome measures. 29 eyes with HOAs were analyzed; all patients chose 1.0 or 1.5 mm as OPS. The mean preoperative and postoperative pupil size was 3.25 ± 0.81 mm and 1.8 ± 0.54 mm ( P = .000), respectively. Postoperative mean pupil size when compared with OPS denoted that 14 eyes had a difference of <0.1 mm, 8 eyes ranged from 0.2 to 0.45 mm, and 7 eyes had ≥0.6 mm (range from 0.6 to 1.8 mm) difference from OPS. Eyes with higher RMS values needed smaller pupil gauge to achieve better VA. Preoperatively, vision with OPS correlated well with preoperative 6-mm RMS HOAs ( r = 0.728; P = .00). Postoperative UDVA correlated well with VA measured with OPS ( r = 0.847; P = .00). The preoperative and postoperative mean Strehl ratio was 0.109 ± 0.07 and 0.195 ± 0.11 ( P = .001), respectively. Higher RMS values required a smaller pupil to achieve optimum VA. PPP can help achieve pinhole size in accordance with patient's optimum pinhole requirement.

Evaluation of Full-Field Stimulus Threshold Test Results in Retinitis Pigmentosa: Relationship with Full-Field Electroretinography, Multifocal Electroretinography, Optical Coherence Tomography, and Visual Field.

The full-field stimulus threshold (FST) test was developed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of treatments of hereditary retinal diseases. In this study we performed the FST test in patients with retinitis pigmentosa (RP) and compared the results with findings from other ophthalmological tests. The study included 51 intermediate and advanced RP patients and 21 normal subjects. All patients and controls underwent routine examination and ophthalmological tests including visual field, optical coherence tomography, full-field and multifocal electroretinography (mfERG), and FST tests. During FST testing, the perception thresholds of retina to the white, blue, and red FST were determined in decibels. The mean age of the patients and the controls were 35.2 and 33.5 years, respectively. For all RP patients, no response was obtained on full-field ERG. All subjects were able to perform reliable FST tests. The mean values of visual acuity and central macular thickness were significantly lower and visual field mean deviation values were significantly higher in the RP group than the controls. When we evaluated the mfERG findings, the mean P1 wave amplitudes in all rings were significantly lower and the mean peak times were significantly longer in RP patients than controls. In comparisons of FST test results, the mean values for white, blue, red and the difference between blue-red thresholds were significantly lower in the RP group than the control group. The FST test is a fast and a reliable exam which can be done in subjects with poor visual acuity and reduced visual field. The results of this study confirm that the FST test can measure retinal sensitivity in severely affected RP subjects with flat flash ERG.

Clinical usefulness of the baby vision test in young children and its correlation with the Snellen chart.

To investigate the efficacy of a new visual acuity (VA) screening method, the baby vision test for young children. A total 105 eyes of 65 children aged 2-8y were included in the study. Acuity testing was conducted using a standardized recognition acuity chart (Snellen visual chart: at 3 m) and the baby vision model assessment. The baby vision device includes a screen, a near infrared camera and a computer. Children were seated at a measured distance of 33-40 cm from a display for testing. VA was estimated according to the highest resolution the children could follow. Decimal VA data were converted to logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution (logMAR) for statistical analysis. The VA results for each child were recorded and analyzed for consistency. The mean VA measured using the Snellen visual chart was 0.62±0.32, and that assessed using the baby vision test was 0.66±0.27. The 95% limit of agreement was -0.609 to 0.695, with 95.2% (100/105) plots within the 95% limits of agreement. VA values of the baby vision test were significantly correlated with those of the Snellen chart (R=0.274, P=0.005). The baby vision test can be used as a relatively reliable method for estimating VA in young children. This new acuity assessment might be a valid predictor of optotype-measured acuity later in preverbal children.

Vessel density on optical coherence tomography angiography is prognostic for future disease course in intermediate uveitis.

As most rare diseases, intermediate uveitis lacks reliable endpoints necessary for randomized clinical trials. Therefore, we investigated longitudinal changes of retinal and choriocapillaris perfusion on optical coherence tomography angiography (OCT-A) in intermediate uveitis and their prognostic value for future best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and central retinal thickness (CRT). In this retrospective, longitudinal cohort study eyes of patients with intermediate uveitis were imaged by swept-source OCT-A (macula-centered 3 × 3mm; PLEX Elite 9000, Zeiss) and stratified into clinically stable, worsened and improved based on changes in clinical parameters. Superficial (SRL) and deep retinal layers (DRL) were automatically analyzed for vessel density (VD) and choriocapillaris layer for non-perfused area (CCNPA) using ImageJ. Mixed-effects regression analysis controlling for age, sex, and OCT-A signal strength index (SSI) was used to evaluate the prognostic value of OCT-A parameters. 91 eyes (62 stable, 12 worsened, and 17 improved) were included in the analysis and mean follow-up time was 296 days. Longitudinal changes of VD were different between all three groups (p = 0.002 for SRL and p = 0.017 for DRL). Clinically worsened eyes showed a decrease in VD (- 0.032 ± 0.055 for SRL and - 0.027 ± 0.025 for DRL), whereas clinically improved eyes showed an increase in VD (0.037 ± 0.039 for SRL and 0.001 ± 0.023 for DRL). No difference was found for CCNPA. When controlling for age, sex, and SSI, observed differences held true in clinically worsened eyes for DRL (p = 0.011) and in clinically improved eyes for SRL (p = 0.002). An increase of CCNPA in clinically worsened eyes (p = 0.03) compared to clinically stable and improved eyes was evident. Predictive analysis revealed an association of VD in SRL and DRL at baseline with BCVA at follow-up (p = 0.039 and p = 0.047, respectively) and of VD in SRL at baseline with CRT at follow-up (p = 0.046). Alterations in retinal perfusion on OCT-A in intermediate uveitis are partly reversible and OCT-A VD may serve to predict future BCVA and CRT. Thus, perfusion parameters on OCT-A might aid monitoring and serve as prognostic imaging-biomarker.

Preliminary study on the computer-based optokinetic nystagmus analyzer to detect the visual acuity of preschool children.

The purpose of this study is to examine the viability, precision, and consistency of a computer-based optokinetic nystagmus analyzer (nystagmus meter) for diagnosing eyesight in preschoolers. A total of 59 subjects who could pass the log of minimum angle of resolution (LogMAR) visual acuity chart were divided into three groups by age, 4-, 5-, and 6-year-old groups, and their visual acuity was tested with nystagmus meter. The percentage of children in each age group that could be detected by nystagmus was recorded along with the differences between these groups. The correlation between the test results from the two methods was found for each age group using the correlation coefficient method. Repeated measurements were used to assess the two visual acuity values of the measured nystagmus, and the repeatability of the two measurement techniques for different age groups was compared. The overall measurability of the visual acuity detected by nystagmus was 93.22%, and the measurability of the 4-, 5-, and 6-year-old groups was 90%, 95%, and 94.74%, respectively. There was no statistically significant difference in the measurability of subjects among all age groups (P = 1.0). The outcomes of the LogMAR visual acuity chart had a negative correlation with the visual acuity measured by the nystagmus meter. The overall correlation coefficient R value was -0.80, and the correlation coefficient R value of the 4-, 5-, and 6-year-old groups was -0.79, -0.76, and -0.87, respectively. The nystagmus meter has good feasibility, accuracy, and stability in visual acuity testing and can be used for visual acuity testing in children.

Liberty® by Medicontur, a Complex in Structure, Hydrophilic Intraocular Lens in the Correction of Eyes with Preoperative Myopia

A retrospective analysis of visual function in patients with preoperatively diagnosed myopia, after implantation of Liberty® intraocular lens, including the influence of some factors like a kind of surgery, values of angle alpha and kappa, pupil size, values of higher order aberrations generated by the lens on visual acuity to far and near distances was done. Lens removal and Liberty® implantation was done 47 eyes, including in 13 patients in both eyes. In 7 eyes, it was a toric lens. A mean preoperative value of myopia was -6.72 Dsph. Cataract removal accounted for 55% of all procedures performed, the rest being Refractive Lens Exchange. Preoperative pupil size was between 3.6 and 6,4 mm. The average postoperative visual acuity to far distances was 0.13 (logMar), and to near distances was 0.51 (Snellen). Rare cases of insufficient quality of vision to intermediate distances, when the postoperative pupil size was greater than 4 mm, resolved after increasing light intensity in the room. A bigger values of higher order aberrations corresponded with lower values of preoperative visual acuity to far distances. A bigger values of angle alpha corresponded with lower values of postoperative visual acuity to far distances, which were significantly higher in cataract group. Visual acuity to far distances was also better in eye with bigger pupil size. A specific structure of the lens allows patients to see good to the near distances, even if the light intensity not perfect.

Clinical Performance of an Omnidirectional Aberration-Free Trifocal Toric Intraocular Lens.

To assess the refractive and visual outcomes at different distances following cataract surgery with implantation of an omnidirectional aberration-free diffractive trifocal toric intraocular lens (IOL). A total of 24 patients who underwent bilateral implantation with the TrivaT-aAY IOL were analyzed at 3-4 months post-surgery. Refractive error, monocular and binocular uncorrected and corrected-distance visual acuity (UDVA, CDVA), uncorrected and corrected-distance intermediate visual acuity (UIVA, CDIVA) at 60 cm, uncorrected and corrected-distance near visual acuity (UNVA, CDNVA) at 40 cm, monocular and binocular defocus curve and rotational stability were measured. Patients also completed the Catquest-9SF questionnaire at the last postoperative visit. The postoperative mean values of binocular logMAR CDVA, CDIVA and CDNVA were -0.06±0.06, 0.05±0.07 and 0.07±0.08, respectively. One hundred percent of patients showed a cumulative binocular CDVA ≥20/25, and 95.83% of patients showed a cumulative binocular CDIVA and CDNVA ≥20/32. The mean postoperative spherical equivalent was 0.07±0.26D and 100% and 97.92% eyes were within ±1.00D and ±0.50D, respectively. The mean postoperative refractive cylinder was -0.22±0.29D and 100% and 89.58% eyes showed a value ≤1.00D and ≤0.50D, respectively. The defocus curves showed a wide range of useful vision, with visual acuity values >0.2 logMAR. Mean absolute IOL rotation was 2.19±2.17 degrees and all eyes had a rotation <10 degrees. For the questionnaire, 95.83% of patients reported being quite satisfied to very satisfied with their vision and about 79.17% did not report any difficulty with their vision in their everyday life. Between 83.33% and 95.83% of patients reported no difficulty performing different tasks. No intra- and postoperative complications were reported during the follow-up. Our study shows that the TrivaT-aAY IOL provides good visual acuities at all distances and refractive outcomes with excellent rotational stability and with high satisfaction among our patients after its implantation.

Should intravitreal dexamethasone implant in refractory diabetic macular edema be used as an adjuvant therapy or switch therapy?

To compare the outcomes of intravitreal dexamethasone implant used as either an adjuvant or a switching therapy for diabetic macular edema in patients with poor anatomic response after three consecutive monthly injections of ranibizumab. This retrospective study included patients with diabetic macular edema who received three consecutive doses of ranibizumab as initial therapy and demonstrated poor response. A single dose of intravitreal de xamethasone implant was administered to these patients. The patients were divided into two groups according to the treatment modalities: the adjuvant therapy group, consisting of patients who continued treatment with ranibizumab injection after receiving intravitreal dexamethasone implant, and the switch therapy group, consisting of patients who were switched from ranibizumab treatment to intravitreal dexamethasone implant as needed. The main outcome measurements were best corrected visual acuity and central retinal thickness at baseline and at 3, 6, 9, and 12 months of follow-up. In this study that included 64 eyes of 64 patients, the best corrected visual acuity and central retinal thickness values did not significantly differ between the groups at baseline and at 6 months of follow-up (p>0.05). However, at 12 months, the best corrected visual acuity values in the adjuvant and switch therapy groups were 0.46 and 0.35 LogMAR, respectively (p=0.012), and the central retinal thickness values were 344.8 and 270.9, respectively (p=0.007). In a real-world setting, it seems more reasonable to use intravitreal dexamethasone implant as a switch therapy rather than an adjuvant therapy for diabetic macula edema refractory to ranibizumab despite three consecutive monthly injections of ranibizumab. Patients switched to intravitreal dexamethasone implant were found to have better anatomic and visual outcomes at 12 months than those who continued ranibizumab therapy despite their less-than-optimal responses.

Results of office-based fluid-air exchange for postvitrectomy hemorrhage in diabetic retinopathy.

This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy and clinical outcomes of a one-way fluid-air exchange procedure for the treatment of postvitrectomy diabetic vitreous hemorrhage in patients with proliferative diabetic retinopathy. This retrospective study included 233 patients with proliferative diabetic retinopathy, who underwent vitrectomy. A one-way fluid-air exchange procedure was performed in 24 eyes of 24 (10.30%) patients with persistent vitreous cavity rebleeding after the operation. Preprocedural and postprocedural best-corrected visual acuity values were achieved. Complications occurring during and after the procedure were analyzed. Significant visual improvement was observed 1 month after the one-way fluid-air exchange procedure (2.62 ± 0.60 LogMAR at baseline vs. 0.85 ± 0.94 LogMAR at postprocedure, p<0.0001). Moreover, 19 (79.17%) eyes needed the procedure once, and 5 (20.83%) eyed had the procedure more than twice. In 3 (12.50%) eyes, reoperation was eventually required because of persistent rebleeding despite several fluid-air exchanges. No complication was observed during the follow-up. The one-way fluid-air exchange procedure can be an excellent alternative to re-vitrectomy for patients with proliferative diabetic retinopathy suffering from postvitrectomy diabetic vitreous hemorrhage by removing the hemorrhagic contents directly and achieving fast recovery of visual function without apparent complications.

Optimizing the algorithm for assessing the efficacy of treatment for amblyopia in astigmats through the investigation of the features of meridional acuity characteristics as vector quantities

Background: Refractive asymmetry associated with astigmatism may cause a special form of amblyopia, meridional amblyopia (MA). MA manifests itself as alterations in selective mechanisms of visual stimulus processing during recognition of contours of a certain orientation. Current routine examination of amblyopes does not include meridional acuity assessment and thus does not allow determining whether MA is present or not, as well as performing a more detailed evaluation of the efficacy of treatment for amblyopia in astigmats. Purpose: To optimize the algorithm for assessing the efficacy of stand-alone and complex methods of treatment for amblyopia in astigmats through the determination of the features of changes in visual acuities in orthogonal retinal meridians as vector quantities. Material and Methods: Twenty-four hyperopic astigmats with amblyopia (48 eyes) aged 5 to 12 years were involved in the study. Patients were treated by accommodative facility training only and, in 3 months, by complex therapy (accommodative facility training plus the use of device-based methods). Treatment course duration was 10 days. The results were assessed by changes in best-corrected visual acuity (Sivtsev Chart) and meridional separable visual acuity (MSVA) determined with the software which generates Landolt ring optotypes. Results: The study sample was found to be heterogeneous regarding the features of asymmetries in MSVA. Separable visual acuity in the horizontal meridian was equal in magnitude to that in the vertical meridian in 16.65% of patients. Asymmetries in separable visual acuity that may be considered MA were found in dominant and non-dominant (fellow) eyes in 83.35% of astigmats with amblyopia. Two different clusters were determined in the group with asymmetries in MSVA. Separable visual acuity in the horizontal meridian was higher than that in the vertical meridian in 35.45% of eyes in cluster 1, and lower than that in the vertical meridian in 47.85% of eyes in cluster 2. After treatment, mean separable visual acuity value in the vertical meridian was practically similar to that in the horizontal meridian in both groups for the dominant and fellow eyes, which allowed concluding that both methods were equally effective in treating the disease. However, the number of eyes with the same MSVA in orthogonal meridians increased by 10.41% after MA treatment with accommodative facility training only versus 18.75% after complex treatment. Conclusion: Assessing the features of changes in visual acuities in orthogonal retinal meridians as vector quantities enables obtaining principally new information on the performance of sensory functions in patients with amblyopia and assessing more reliably the efficacy of stand-alone and complex pleoptic methods as methods of treatment for MA.

Treatment Adherence Effect on the Visual Acuity of Behçet’s Uveitis Patients

ABSTRACT Purpose This study aimed to explore the relationship between treatment adherence, visual acuity, quality of life (QoL), depression, and anxiety levels in individuals with Behçet’s uveitis (BU). Methods A total of 55 BU patients and 55 healthy controls completed sociodemographic questionnaires, the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI), World Health Organization Quality of Life Questionnaire-BREF version (WHOQOL-BREF), Self-reported Questionnaire About Treatment Compliance, and the Morisky Medication Adherence Scale (MMAS). The scores obtained from these scales were analyzed to assess the relationship between treatment adherence, visual acuity, QoL, depression, and anxiety levels. Results The results revealed that 36 (65.4%) of the 55 BU patients exhibited depressive symptoms, while 45 (81.8%) of them experienced symptoms of anxiety. Patients with BU demonstrated significantly higher BAI and BDI scores compared to the healthy control group (p < 0.001). Furthermore, the patient group reported lower mean scores across multiple domains of the WHOQOL-BREF questionnaire, including general health, psychological health, social relationships, and environment (p < 0.05). Moreover, a significant association was observed between low treatment adherence and lower values of best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) (p < 0.05), as well as a higher frequency of uveitis attacks (p = 0.005). Conclusion Poor treatment adherence in BU patients has a negative effect on final visual acuity outcomes. Moreover, BU patients experience lower QoL and higher rates of depression and anxiety compared to the healthy control group. These findings highlight the importance of addressing treatment adherence and psychological well-being in the management of BU.

Circular RNA expression profile identifies potential circulating biomarkers for keratoconus

Early diagnosis is important for improving the outcomes of keratoconus (KC). Stable expression and a closed-loop structure of circular RNAs (circRNAs) make them ideal for the diagnosis and treatment of diseases. However, the expression pattern and potential function of circRNAs in KC is not studied yet. Hence, this study explored the circRNA expression profile of KC corneas through transcriptome sequencing and circRNA expression profile analysis. The diagnostic potential of blood circRNAs for KC was explored by analysing the circRNAs' expression levels of fifty paired blood samples from patients with KC and normal controls. The results showed that 107 significantly upregulated and 145 significantly downregulated circRNAs (|fold change| ≥ 2.0, p-value <0.05) were identified in KC tissues. Eight top differently expressed circRNAs were further validated in more cornea samples. Among them, five circRNAs expressed in peripheral blood, and four circRNAs (circ_0006156, circ_0006117, circ_0000284 and circ_0001801) showed significant downregulation in KC patients’ peripheral blood too. The blood circ_0000284 expression levels of early, moderate, and advanced KC patients both were significantly lower than the controls. The blood circ_0006117 expression levels present a positive correlation with corrected distance visual acuity values, and a negative correlation with back elevation values of KC eyes. Notably, the expression levels of these circRNAs distinguished KC patients from their healthy counterparts, with the area under the curve (AUC) of circ_0000284, circ_0001801, and circ_0006117 being 0.7306, 0.6871 and 0.6701, respectively. Further, the AUC value for five circRNAs under the logistic regression model was 0.8203, indicating that they can function as effective biomarkers for the KC diagnostics. In conclusion, the expression of circRNAs showed a relationship with KC, with four significantly differentially expressed circRNAs demonstrating potential as biomarkers for the disease.

Altering chromatic aberration: how this latest trend in intraocular-lens design affects visual quality in pseudophakic patients

BackgroundChromatic aberration of the eye results from the dispersion of polychromatic light at the interfaces of ocular media. An intraocular lens (IOL) based approach utilizing the diffractive-multifocal principle has been proposed for its correction, but the clinical evidence on the impact of reducing or increasing chromatic aberration on the visual quality of pseudophakic patients remains scarce.MethodsIn this cross-sectional study, longitudinal chromatic aberration (LCA) effects were studied monocularly in 37 patients implanted with a monofocal lens. LogMAR corrected distance visual acuity (VA) and defocus curve at the + 1.0 D to − 2.0 D range were assessed. Contrast sensitivity (CS) was evaluated at far and at four spatial frequencies. Measurements were performed with the eye's natural conditions, as well as with increased and corrected (by the same amount) LCA, which was altered by introducing zero-power trial triplets.ResultsThe mean (± standard deviation) logMAR VA was − 0.11 ± 0.07 for the natural condition, − 0.13 ± 0.07 for the LCA-corrected eye, and − 0.06 ± 0.08 for the eye with increased LCA. A sharp decline of the defocus tolerance was found after the LCA correction with the VA value of 0.38 ± 0.15 logMAR at − 1.5 D. However, for the natural and increased LCA, it was 0.32 ± 0.16 logMAR and 0.25 ± 0.13 logMAR, respectively. CS was improved at all spatial frequencies after the LCA correction, which was closely followed by the natural-eye performance. Increased LCA resulted in reduced CS, mainly at higher spatial frequencies.ConclusionsWe demonstrated that elevating chromatic aberration above the natural level of monofocal patients extends their depth of focus while causing a measurable albeit minimal reduction in visual function. Still, the observed changes indicate that neither correction nor increase of LCA yields a substantial clinical effect on distance VA and CS in monofocal pseudophakia.

Assessing the Correlation Between Visual Acuity and Critical Fusion Frequency in Acute Optic Neuritis Before and After Steroid Therapy.

Background Optic nerve diseases include inflammatory optic nerve diseases such as vasculitis, metabolic optic neuropathy, ischemic optic neuropathy, and optic neuritis. In this study, patients with acute optic neuritis are classified with better and poor visual acuity based on visual acuity after one month of steroid pulse therapy. To determine prognosis, initial visual acuity and critical fusion frequency (CFF) values will be compared with those recorded one month after treatment and at the last visit. Methods Visual acuity and CFF were evaluated one month after the start of treatment in patients diagnosed with acute optic neuritis, and follow-up was available for at least three months at Hiroshima University Hospital. Results All patients received steroid pulse therapy as initial treatment. After one month of treatment, visual acuity and CFF at the last visit were significantly improved in the group with improved visual acuity compared to the group with impaired visual acuity. Conclusions Visual acuity at the initial visit did not affect treatment outcome, and final visual acuity and CFF after one month of treatment for acute optic neuritis were better in patients with better visual acuity. Therefore, visual acuity values one month after treatment initiation may affect treatment outcomes.

Optical-Quality Analysis and Defocus-Curve Simulations of a Novel Hydrophobic Trifocal Intraocular Lens.

The optical function of a novel refractive-diffractive trifocal intraocular lens (IOL) was tested in vitro to provide preclinical metrics that predict postoperative performance and may guide patient selection. Fundamental optical characteristics of a trifocal hydrophobic-acrylic IOL with a C-loop haptic configuration (AT ELANA 841P, Carl Zeiss Meditec) were assessed using a fully automated optical test device under both monochromatic and polychromatic conditions combined with increased or compensated spherical aberration (SA). The area under the modulation transfer function (MTFa) was calculated across a defocus range from +1D to -3.5D and used to simulate visual acuity (VA). A polychromatic point spread function (PSF) was employed to assess the light distribution and identify photic phenomena. The highest MTFa values were obtained under monochromatic conditions using an SA-neutral corneal model. Nevertheless, after introducing SA and polychromatic light, the IOL performance remained good. Simulated VA values were 0.00 logMAR for distance, 0.1 logMAR at 100 cm, and progressively improving to 0.05 logMAR at 40 cm from the intermediate point. The light-spread analysis confirmed halos around the PSF center, which is a characteristic of trifocal technology. AT ELANA 841P demonstrated good optical performance across various distances, independently of spectral and SA conditions, resulting in good simulated VA. Although light spread resembles standard trifocal IOLs, clinical studies are essential to confirm these laboratory results.

Correlation between retinal sensitivity and retinal vascular perfusion after idiopathic epiretinal membrane peeling.

To evaluate the correlations between anatomical and functional changes after idiopathic epiretinal membrane (iERM) surgery. In this prospective, observational, single-center study, consecutive patients who underwent iERM peeling were enrolled. Reported data were pre- and postoperative best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), retinal sensitivity (RS) and fixation stability values on microperimetry, structural macular features on SD-OCT and OCTA. RS of foveal and parafoveal area was analysed and two sub-groups were identified whether RS improved or remained unchanged/worsened after surgery; consequently, vascular perfusion density (VPD) of the same area was studied. Twenty-nine eyes of 29 patients were examined. The post-operative improvement in terms of BCVA, RS and fixation within the central 4 degrees was significant (p < 0.001, p < 0.001, p = 0.001), as well as the foveal thickness and macular volume change/reduction (p < 0.001). The pre-operative superficial VPD, choriocapillaris VPD and capillary free zone (CFZ) area were significantly reduced compared to the fellow healthy eye (p = 0.001, p = 0.02, p < 0.001). Choriocapillaris VPD showed a statistically significant increase after surgery (p < 0.02). Superficial, deep and choriocapillaris VPD of the improved RS group showed a significant increase both in foveal (p = 0.03, p = 0.03, p = 0.01) and parafoveal areas (p = 0.01, p = 0.03, p = 0.001). We reported a higher VPD in the retinal area that experienced a retinal sensitivity improvement 6 months after ERM surgery. This result objectifies the tight bond between visual function and retinal perfusion in ERM patients.