The incidence of acute angle closure in Scotland: a prospective surveillance study

PURPOSE

To estimate the incidence, and describe the clinical features and short-term clinical outcomes of acute angle closure (AAC).

METHODS

Patients with newly diagnosed AAC were identified prospectively over a 12-month period (November 2011 to October 2012) by active surveillance through the Scottish Ophthalmic Surveillance Unit reporting system. Data were collected at case identification and at 6 months follow-up.

RESULTS

There were 114 cases (108 patients) reported, giving an annual incidence of 2.2 cases (95% CI 1.8 to 2.6) or 2 patients (95% CI 1.7 to 2.4) per 1 00 000 in the whole population in Scotland. Precipitating factors were identified in 40% of cases. Almost one in five cases was associated with topical dilating drops. Best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) at presentation ranged from 6/6 to perception of light. The mean presenting intraocular pressure (IOP) was 52 mm Hg (SD 11). Almost 30% cases had a delayed presentation of 3 or more days. At 6 months follow-up, 75% had BCVA of 6/12 or better and 30% were found to have glaucoma at follow-up. Delayed presentation (≥3 days) was associated with higher rate of glaucoma at follow-up (22.6% vs 60.8%, p<0.001), worse VA (0.34 vs 0.74 LogMAR, p<0.0001) and need for more topical medication (0.52 vs 1.2, p=0.003) to control IOP.

CONCLUSION

The incidence of AAC in Scotland is relatively low compared with the Far East countries, but in line with previous European data. Almost one in five cases were associated with pupil dilation for retinal examination.

Initial experience using a femtosecond laser cataract surgery system at a UK National Health Service cataract surgery day care centre

OBJECTIVES

To describe the initial outcomes following installation of a cataract surgery laser system.

SETTING

National Health Service cataract surgery day care unit in North London, UK.

PARTICIPANTS

158 eyes of 150 patients undergoing laser-assisted cataract surgery.

INTERVENTIONS

Laser cataract surgery using the AMO Catalys femtosecond laser platform.

PRIMARY OUTCOME MEASURE

intraoperative complications including anterior and posterior capsule tears.

SECONDARY OUTCOME MEASURES

docking to the laser platform, successful treatment delivery, postoperative visual acuities.

RESULTS

Mean case age was 67.7±10.8 years (range 29-88 years). Docking was successful in 94% (148/158 cases), and in 4% (6/148 cases) of these, the laser delivery was aborted part way during delivery due to patient movement. A total of 32 surgeons, of grades from junior trainee to consultant, performed the surgeries. Median case number per surgeon was 3 (range from 1-20). The anterior capsulotomy was complete in 99.3% of cases, there were no anterior capsule tears (0%). There were 3 cases with posterior capsule rupture requiring anterior vitrectomy, and 1 with zonular dialysis requiring anterior vitrectomy (4/148 eyes, 2.7%). These 4 cases were performed by trainee surgeons, and were either their first laser cataract surgery (2 surgeons) or their first and second laser cataract surgeries (1 surgeon).

CONCLUSIONS

Despite the learning curve, docking and laser delivery were successfully performed in almost all cases, and surgical complication rates and visual outcomes were similar to those expected based on national data. Complications were predominately confined to trainee surgeons, and with the exception of intraoperative pupil constriction appeared unrelated to the laser-performed steps.

Laser-assisted cataract surgery versus standard ultrasound phacoemulsification cataract surgery

BACKGROUND

Cataract is the leading cause of blindness in the world, and cataract surgery is one of the most commonly performed operations in the Western world. Preferred surgical techniques have changed dramatically over the past half century with associated improvements in outcomes and safety. Femtosecond laser platforms that can accurately and reproducibly perform key steps in cataract surgery, including corneal incisions, capsulotomy and lens fragmentation, are now available. The potential advantages of laser-assisted surgery are broad, and include greater safety and better visual outcomes through greater precision and reproducibility.

OBJECTIVES

To compare the effectiveness of laser-assisted cataract surgery with standard ultrasound phacoemulsification cataract surgery by gathering evidence on safety from randomised controlled trials (RCTs).

SEARCH METHODS

We searched CENTRAL (which contains the Cochrane Eyes and Vision Trials Register) (2016, Issue 4), Ovid MEDLINE, Ovid MEDLINE In-Process and Other Non-Indexed Citations, Ovid MEDLINE Daily, Ovid OLDMEDLINE (January 1946 to May 2016), EMBASE (January 1980 to May 2016), Latin American and Caribbean Health Sciences Literature Database (LILACS) (January 1982 to May 2016), the ISRCTN registry (www.isrctn.com/editAdvancedSearch), ClinicalTrials.gov (www.clinicaltrials.gov), the World Health Organization (WHO) International Clinical Trials Registry Platform (ICTRP) (www.who.int/ictrp/search/en) and the U.S. Food and Drugs Administration (FDA) website (www.fda.gov). We did not use any date or language restrictions in the electronic searches for trials. We last searched the electronic databases on 10 May 2016.

SELECTION CRITERIA

We included randomised controlled trials where laser-assisted cataract surgery was compared to standard ultrasound phacoemulsification cataract surgery. We graded the certainty of the evidence using GRADE.

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS

Two review authors independently screened the search results, assessed risk of bias and extracted data using the standard methodological procedures expected by Cochrane. The primary outcome for this review was intraoperative complications in the operated eye, namely anterior capsule and posterior capsule tears. The secondary outcomes were visual acuity (corrected distance visual acuity (CDVA) and uncorrected distance visual acuity (UDVA)), refractive outcomes, quality of vision (as measured by any validated visual function score), postoperative complications and cost-effectiveness.

MAIN RESULTS

We included 16 RCTs conducted in Germary, Hungary, Italy, India, China and Brazil that enrolled a total of 1638 eyes of 1245 adult participants. Overall, the studies were at unclear or high risk of bias. In 11 of the studies the authors reported financial links with the manufacturer of the laser platform evaluated in their studies. Five of the studies were within-person (paired-eye) studies with one eye allocated to one procedure and the other eye allocated to the other procedure. These studies were reported ignoring the paired nature of the data.The number of anterior capsule and posterior capsule tears reported in the included studies for both laser cataract surgery and manual phacoemulsification cataract surgery were low. There were four anterior capsule tears and one posterior capsule tear in 1076 eyes reported in 10 studies (2 anterior capsule tears in laser arms, 2 anterior capsule tears and 1 posterior capsule tear in standard phacoemulsification arms). We are very uncertain as to the effect of laser-assisted surgery compared to standard phacoemulsification surgery with respect to these two outcomes. For postoperative cystoid macular oedema and elevated postoperative intraocular pressures, again the evidence was inconclusive (odds ratio (OR) 0.58, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.20 to 1.68; 957 eyes, 9 studies, low certainty evidence; and OR 0.57, 95% CI 0.11 to 2.86; 903 eyes, 8 studies, low certainty evidence).We found little evidence of any important difference in postoperative visual acuity between laser-assisted and standard phacoemulsification arms. There was a small advantage for laser-assisted cataract surgery at six months in CDVA. However, the mean difference (MD) was -0.03 logMAR (95% CI -0.05 to -0.00; 224 eyes, 3 studies, low certainty evidence) which is equivalent to 1.5 logMAR letters and is therefore, clinically insignificant. No studies reported patient-reported outcome measures such as visual function.There were no data reported on costs or resource use but three studies reported the time taken to do the surgery. There was little evidence of any major difference between the two procedures in this respect (MD 0.1 minutes, 95% CI -0.02 to 0.21; 274 eyes, low certainty evidence).

AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS

The evidence from the 16 randomised controlled trials RCTs included in this review could not determine the equivalence or superiority of laser-assisted cataract surgery compared to standard manual phacoemulsification for our chosen outcomes due to the low to very low certainty of the evidence available from these studies. As complications occur rarely, large, adequately powered, well designed, independent RCTs comparing the safety and efficacy of laser-assisted cataract surgery with standard phacoemulsification cataract surgery are needed. Standardised reporting of complications and visual and refractive outcomes for cataract surgery would facilitate future synthesis. Data on patient-reported outcomes and cost-effectiveness are needed. Paired-eye studies should be analysed and reported appropriately.

United Kingdom National Ophthalmology Database Study of Cataract Surgery: Report 3: Pseudophakic Retinal Detachment

PURPOSE

To investigate time to pseudophakic retinal detachment (RD) after cataract surgery with posterior capsule rupture (PCR) to provide an evidence-based guide for postoperative management.

DESIGN

Retrospective case series.

PARTICIPANTS

A total of 61 907 eyes of 46 824 patients undergoing cataract surgery.

METHODS

Subanalysis of the United Kingdom Royal College of Ophthalmologists' National Ophthalmology Database from 13 sites where data on both cataract and vitreoretinal surgery were recorded on the same electronic medical records system. Overall, 61 907 cataract operations were performed between October 2006 and August 2010. Analyses were restricted to cases with at least 3 months of potential postoperative follow-up.

RESULTS

Pseudophakic RD surgery was performed on 131 eyes of 129 patients (0.21%; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.18%-0.25%). Of these, 36 were in eyes that had PCR during cataract surgery (3.27%; 95% CI, 2.37%-4.50%) and 95 were in eyes that did not have PCR (0.16%; 95% CI, 0.13%-0.19%). For eyes that progressed to RD surgery, the median time to pseudophakic RD surgery was 44 days for eyes with PCR, and 6.3 months for eyes without PCR. For all eyes (both with and without PCR), pseudophakic RD occurred earlier in cases performed by a trainee cataract surgeon.

CONCLUSIONS

Pseudophakic RD occurs earlier after cataract surgery complicated by PCR. Surgeon grade is a risk factor for pseudophakic RD. Posterior vitreous detachment and RD symptoms should be discussed with patients who undergo cataract surgery and have PCR to facilitate early attendance, and careful dilated postoperative examination for retinal tears is recommended in the first 2 months after surgery.

Characterizing the lacrimal punctal region using anterior segment optical coherence tomography

PURPOSE

Abnormalities of lacrimal punctum size and morphology probably contribute to excess tearing, with significant effects on quality-of-life for affected individuals. Our current understanding of normal punctal morphology originates from ex vivo studies, which are unlikely to capture the true nature of the living punctum. This study used enhanced depth anterior segment optical coherence tomography (OCT) to give improved characterization and understanding of lacrimal punctal structure.

METHODS

Qualitative and quantitative assessments were performed on spectral domain OCT images collected prospectively from 40 lower puncta of 20 healthy volunteers.

RESULTS

The average external lower lid punctal diameter was 0.646 mm (SD 150 μm) on OCT imaging, measured at the largest diameter, which was in parallel to the mucocutaneous junction. Fifty-five per cent of puncta appeared closed, whilst the eyelids were open. Fluid menisci were visible within 73% of puncta. A postpunctal 'ampulla' was visible within three systems, one of which was imaged through the conjunctival surface. Ampullary dilatation occurred laterally, rather than at the medial wall.

CONCLUSION

Optical coherence tomography provides quick and non-invasive assessment of the lacrimal punctum and its neighbouring tissue layers. This assessment of punctal size and morphology has the potential for further investigation of punctal physiology, for aiding diagnosis, and for monitoring the results of treatment. The average external diameter of the punctal opening measured in this study is greater than that recorded in anatomical textbooks.

The Royal College of Ophthalmologists' National Ophthalmology Database Study of cataract surgery: report 2, relationships of axial length with ocular copathology, preoperative visual acuity, and posterior capsule rupture

PURPOSE

To describe the relationships of axial length with ocular copathology, preoperative visual acuity, and posterior capsule rupture rates in patients undergoing cataract surgery.DesignThe Royal College of Ophthalmologists' National Ophthalmology Database (NOD) study.

METHODS

Anonymised data on 180 114 eyes from 127 685 patients undergoing cataract surgery between August 2006 and November 2010 were collected prospectively from 28 sites. Data parameters included: demographics, biometry, ocular copathology, visual acuity measurements, and surgical complications including posterior capsule rupture, or vitreous loss or both (PCR).

RESULTS

Consultant surgeons performed a higher proportion of operations on eyes whose axial length were at the extremes. Glaucoma and age related macular degeneration were more common in eyes with shorter axial lengths, whilst previous vitrectomy was associated with longer axial lengths. Eyes with brunescent or white cataracts or amblyopia were more common at both axial length extremes. Preoperative visual acuities were similar for eyes with axial length measurements up to approximately 28 mm and worse for eyes with longer axial length measurements. PCR rates showed little change with axial length (overall mean 1.95%, 95% CI: 1.89 to 2.01%), except for a borderline increase in eyes with axial length <20.0 mm where rates were 3.6% (95% CI: 2.0 to 6.3%). The likelihood of PCR in eyes with axial length <20.0 mm was 1.88 times higher than those of ≥20.0 mm (P=0.0373).

CONCLUSION

Rates of ocular comorbidities vary by axial length. PCR rates in eyes with very short or long axial lengths were lower than expected.

Randomised, single-masked non-inferiority trial of femtosecond laser-assisted versus manual phacoemulsification cataract surgery for adults with visually significant cataract: the FACT trial protocol

INTRODUCTION

Cataract is one of the leading causes of low vision in the westernised world, and cataract surgery is one of the most commonly performed operations. Laser platforms for cataract surgery are now available, the anticipated advantages of which are broad and may include better visual outcomes through greater precision and reproducibility, and improved safety. FACT is a randomised single masked non-inferiority trial to establish whether laser-assisted cataract surgery is as good as or better than standard manual phacoemulsification.

METHODS AND ANALYSIS

808 patients aged 18 years and over with visually significant cataract will be randomised to manual phacoemulsification cataract surgery (standard care) or laser-assisted cataract surgery (intervention arm). Outcomes will be measured at 3 and 12 months after surgery. The primary clinical outcome is uncorrected distance visual acuity (UDVA, logMAR) at 3 months in the study eye recorded by an observer masked to the trial group. Secondary outcomes include UDVA at 12 months, corrected distance visual acuity at 3 and 12 months, complications, endothelial cell loss, patient-reported outcome measures and a health economic analysis conforming to National Institute for Health and Care Excellence standards.

ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION

Research Ethics Committee Approval was obtained on 6 February 2015, ref: 14/LO/1937. Current protocol: v2.0 (08/04/2015). Study findings will be published in peer-reviewed journals.

ISRCTN

77602616.

Genotype-phenotype analysis of SNPs associated with primary angle closure glaucoma (rs1015213, rs3753841 and rs11024102) and ocular biometry in the EPIC-Norfolk Eye Study

AIMS

To investigate if the single nucleotide polymorphisms rs3753841, rs1015213 and rs11024102, recently implicated in the development of acute primary angle closure or primary angle closure glaucoma, are associated with ocular biometric characteristics of British adults in the European Prospective Investigation of Cancer-Norfolk eye study.

METHODS

Genotyping data on rs1015213 (between PCMTD1 and ST18), rs11024102 (at PLEKHA7) and rs3753841 (at COL11A1) were available on 3268 participants. Direct genotypic data was available for rs1015213 and rs3753841. Data was imputed for rs11024102. Ocular biometric data was available on 1137 participants who attended the third European Prospective Investigation of Cancer health examination and 988 (87%) of these participants had no previous cataract surgery either eye. Axial length (AL), anterior chamber depth (ACD) and corneal keratometry were measured by using the Zeiss IOLMaster.

RESULTS

Presence of at least one A allele (AG or AA genotype) for rs1015213 was associated with a shallower ACD (-0.07 mm, 95% CI -0.01 to -0.14 mm, p=0.028) after adjusting for age and sex (both p≤0.001). There was no association with AL or corneal keratometry for rs1015213 genotypes. AL, ACD and keratometry were not associated with rs3753841 or rs11024102 genotypes including after adjusting for age and sex.

CONCLUSIONS

This study suggests that primary angle closure glaucoma susceptibility at the PCMTD1-ST18 locus may be partly explained by an association between rs1015213 and ACD in European populations. This effect is equivalent to almost 20% of the SD of the mean ACD of phakic individuals in this cohort. We were not able to identify any association between rs3753841 or rs11024102 and ocular biometry.

The small eye phenotype in the EPIC-Norfolk eye study: prevalence and visual impairment in microphthalmos and nanophthalmos

OBJECTIVE

To describe the prevalence and phenotypic characteristics of small eyes in the European Prospective Investigation of Cancer (EPIC)-Norfolk Eye Study.

DESIGN

Community cross-sectional study.

SETTING

East England population (Norwich, Norfolk and surrounding area).

PARTICIPANTS

8033 participants aged 48-92 years old from the EPIC-Norfolk Eye Study, Norfolk, UK with axial length measurements. Participants underwent a standardised ocular examination including visual acuity (LogMAR), ocular biometry, non-contact tonometry, autorefraction and fundal photography. A small eye phenotype was defined as a participant with one or both eyes with axial length of <21 mm.

OUTCOME MEASURES

Prevalence of small eyes, proportion with visual impairment, demographic and biometric factors.

RESULTS

Ninety-six participants (1.20%, 95% CI 0.98% to 1.46%) had an eye with axial length less than 21 mm, of which 74 (77%) were women. Prevalence values for shorter axial lengths were <20 mm: 0.27% (0.18% to 0.41%); <19 mm: 0.17% (0.11% to 0.29%); <18 mm: 0.14% (0.08% to 0.25%). Two participants (2.1%) had low vision (presenting visual acuity >0.48 LogMAR) and one participant was blind (>1.3 LogMAR). The prevalence of unilateral visual impairment was higher in participants with a small eye. Multiple logistic regression modelling showed presence of a small eye to be significantly associated with shorter height, lower body mass index, higher systolic blood pressure and lower intraocular pressure.

CONCLUSIONS

The prevalence of people with small eyes is higher than previously thought. While small eyes were more common in women, this appears to be related to shorter height and lower body mass index. Participants with small eyes were more likely to be blind or to have unilateral visual impairment.

Spectral domain optical coherence tomography imaging of the aqueous outflow structures in normal participants of the EPIC-Norfolk Eye Study

PURPOSE

To measure the dimensions of aqueous outflow structures and to investigate associations with intraocular pressure (IOP) and ocular biometry parameters in an older British population.

METHOD

Fifty-two participants from the European Prospective Investigation of Cancer-Norfolk eye study underwent imaging using the Heidelberg Spectralis optical coherence tomographer with an anterior segment module. Pseudophakic participants and those known or suspected to have glaucoma were excluded, leaving 46 participants for analysis. Schwalbe's line (SL), scleral spur (SS), Schlemm's canal (SC) diameter and the trabecular meshwork cross-sectional area (TM cross-sectional area (CSA)) were identified and traced using ImageJ software. IOP was measured using the Ocular Response Analyser. Ocular biometry was measured by partial coherence interferometry.

RESULTS

The mean (SD) subject age was 65.7 years (5.6). The SL and SS were identifiable in all nasal and temporal scans. The mean SL-SS distance was 800 μm (104) nasally and 808 μm (102) temporally. Repeatability of SS-SL, SS-SC, SC and TM CSA was good to excellent, and reproducibility fair to good. Nasal SL-SS distance was inversely associated with anterior chamber depth (ACD) (p=0.007, -116 μm per mm ACD, R(2)=0.18). Multiple linear regression showed nasal TM CSA was significantly associated with age and IOP (age: p=0.025, 0.007 mm(2) per decade of age; IOP: p=0.029, -0.0012 mm(2) per mm Hg, R(2)=0.23).

CONCLUSIONS

Aqueous outflow structures can be measured by optical coherence tomography, and their dimensions vary significantly with ocular biometric characteristics and IOP. Further investigation is required to determine associations between outflow structure sizes in different populations and pathologies, including ocular hypertension and glaucoma.

Accuracy of intraocular lens power calculations in eyes with axial length <22.00 mm

BACKGROUND

To assess the accuracy of Haigis, Holladay 1, Hoffer Q and SRK/T formulae in eyes with axial length of <22.00 mm.

DESIGN

Retrospective comparative analysis.

PARTICIPANTS

163 eyes of 97 patients undergoing phacoemulsification and intraocular lens (IOL) implantation.

METHODS

Ocular biometry was performed using IOLMaster laser interferometry. Predicted refractive outcomes before and after lens constant adjustment were compared to actual refractive outcomes.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Mean prediction (ME) and mean absolute errors (MAE) with standard deviations (±SD).

RESULTS

Mean preoperative spherical equivalent was +5.44D ± 1.97D. Mean axial length was 21.20 mm ± 0.60 mm. Using standard IOL constants the MAE for Hoffer Q (0.62D, ±0.52D) and Holladay 1 (0.66D ± 0.52D) were significantly lower than SRK/T (MAE 0.91D ± 0.64D; P = <0.0005 and P = 0.001 respectively), but not Haigis (MAE 0.82D ± 0.83D, P = 0.071 and 0.22 respectively). MAEs for all formulae were significantly reduced by IOL constant adjustment (all P = <0.001). Following this there was no statistically significant difference in MAEs between formulae (range 0.50-0.57D, P = 0.57). Increasing MAE was significantly associated with reducing axial length and increasing IOL power for all formulae. For bilateral cases, prediction errors between eyes were significantly correlated across all formulae (all P = <0.0001) and explained 32-42% of the variance in prediction error between eyes.

CONCLUSIONS

Prediction of postoperative refraction in patients with short axial lengths is challenging and at the limit of current, popular IOL formulae. There is now a clear need for prospective studies to assess latest generation IOL formulae such as Holladay 2 or Olsen in small eyes.

Eyelid necrotizing fasciitis: what were the early signs?

BACKGROUND

Necrotizing fasciitis is a rare, life-threatening subcutaneous soft tissue infection that causes massive tissue destruction.

OBJECTIVES

To illustrate the warning signs of this condition by reporting a rare case of eyelid necrotizing fasciitis.

CASE REPORT

A previously healthy 22-year-old man presented with a preseptal eyelid infection that spread rapidly despite prompt treatment with several intravenous antibiotics. He developed the characteristic clinical and radiologic features of necrotizing fasciitis, and required surgical debridement to cure the infection. Histology confirmed the diagnosis.

CONCLUSION

In this article, we suggest the indicators that may enable physicians to think of the development of necrotizing fasciitis in patients with infections of the skin and subcutis.

Pilocarpine induced acute angle closure

A 34-year-old Caucasian female with advanced primary angle closure glaucoma developed acute angle closure following administration of g.pilocarpine 2% given as preparation for laser peripheral iridotomies. Subsequent investigations supported an underlying diagnosis of spherophakia with no systemic associations. She required peripheral iridotomies, bilateral clear lens extractions and left cyclodiode laser to control her intraocular pressures. This case highlights the situations when pilocarpine should be given with caution and also the increasing role of phacoemulsification as an alternative to filtration surgery in primary angle closure glaucoma management.

Electrodiagnostic and two-wavelength fundus autofluorescence imaging investigations in acute idiopathic maculopathy

The aim is to characterise a case of acute idiopathic maculopathy (AIM) using detailed electrophysiology and 2-wavelength fundus autofluorescence (FAF) imaging. A 32-year-old woman presented with reduced visual acuity in her right eye. Imaging investigations performed included 1 & 2 wavelength FAF, fluorescein and ICG angiography and Fourier domain OCT imaging. International-standard pattern and full-field electroretinography (PERG; ERG), electro-oculography (EOG) and multifocal ERG testing were performed. Multifocal ERGs demonstrated evidence of localised macular dysfunction consistent with mild right pattern ERG P50 reduction. Full-field ERGs were within normal limits. The EOG was normal bilaterally. The use of 1 & 2 wavelength FAF imaging revealed a low density macular area, not explained by luteal pigment absorption, that was associated with macular dysfunction. Two-wavelength FAF imaging allows the accurate quantification of macular pigment and the imaging of the underlying relative distribution of lipofuscin. AIM was characterised by a discrete area of disrupted retinal pigment epithelium metabolism and atrophy associated with localised macular dysfunction. Complimentary use of dual-wavelength FAF imaging and electrophysiology may have application to disorders other than AIM.