Foldable iris-fixated intraocular lens implantation in children

Refractive Surgery in Myopic Children

In this paper, we summarize the current knowledge on refractive surgery performed in the myopic pediatric population. We describe the main concerns about refractive surgery in myopic children and the indications for refractive surgery in this age group. We present a range of surgical procedures that are being used for the management of unilateral/bilateral myopia in children: corneal refractive surgery (PRK, LASEK, LASIK, FS-LASIK and SMILE) and intraocular refractive surgery (phakic intraocular lens implantation, refractive lens exchange or clear lens extraction), with both their advantages and drawbacks. We also describe the various complications and measures to prevent them.

Anterior Chamber Iris-Fixated Phakic Intraocular Lens Implantation for Treatment of High Anisometropia in Children: Long-term Results

PURPOSE

To evaluate the long-term efficacy of anterior chamber iris-fixated phakic intraocular lens (PIOL) implantation in the treatment of high myopic (> -9.00 diopters [D]) or hyperopic (> +6.00 D) anisometropia in children with intolerance to spectacles or contact lenses.

METHODS

A total of 58 children with anisometropic myopia (range: -9.25 to -18.50 diopters [D]) and 13 children with anisometropic hyperopia (range: +6.00 to +8.50 D) underwent unilateral iris-claw PIOL implantation from 2008 to 2018. The mean age was 6.7 years. The mean follow-up was 38.5 months. Target refraction was emmetropia.

RESULTS

The cycloplegic refraction (mean spherical equivalent) improved from -12.47 D (range: -9.25 to -18.50 D) to -0.73 D (range: +0.75 to -1.50 D) in myopic eyes and reduced from +7.15 D (range: +6.00 to +8.50 D) to +0.94 D (range: -0.50 to + 1.75 D) in hyperopic eyes. Eighty-four percent of eyes were corrected to within ±1.00 D of emmetropia. The mean uncorrected distance visual acuity (UDVA) improved from 1.74 ± 0.36 to 0.45 ± 0.28 logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution (logMAR) (P = .0014). The mean corrected distance visual acuity (CDVA) changed from 0.68 ± 0.32 to 0.27 ± 0.15 logMAR (P = .02179). The safety index was 2.18 and the efficacy index was 1.51. The mean pre-operative endothelial cell count of 2,874.7 cells/mm² changed to 2,685.3 cells/mm² at 2 to 6 years postoperatively. Binocular vision quality was improved in 55 patients. No patient had serious complications or lost any Snellen lines of CDVA.

CONCLUSIONS

Iris-fixated PIOL implantation is an effective and safe method in the treatment of high anisome-tropic myopia and hyperopia and amblyopia in pediatric patients who are noncompliant with spectacles or contact lenses. [J Pediatr Ophthalmol Strabismus. 20XX;X(X):XX-XX.].

Myopia: Mechanisms and Strategies to Slow Down Its Progression

This topical review aimed to update and clarify the behavioral, pharmacological, surgical, and optical strategies that are currently available to prevent and reduce myopia progression. Myopia is the commonest ocular abnormality; reinstated interest is associated with high and increasing prevalence, especially but not, in the Asian population and progressive nature in children. The growing global prevalence seems to be associated with both genetic and environmental factors such as spending more time indoor and using digital devices, particularly during the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic. Various options have been assessed to prevent or reduce myopia progression in children. In this review, we assess the effects of several types of measures, including spending more time outdoor, optical interventions such as the bifocal/progressive spectacle lenses, soft bifocal/multifocal/extended depth of focus/orthokeratology contact lenses, refractive surgery, and pharmacological treatments. All these options for controlling myopia progression in children have various degrees of efficacy. Atropine, orthokeratology/peripheral defocus contact and spectacle lenses, bifocal or progressive addition spectacles, and increased outdoor activities have been associated with the highest, moderate, and lower efficacies, respectively.

Comparing Patient-Reported Outcomes of Laser In Situ Keratomileusis and Small-Incision Lenticule Extraction: A Review

PURPOSE

Laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) and small-incision lenticule extraction (SMILE) are popular refractive surgeries. The objective refractive outcomes of LASIK and SMILE have been studied extensively; both procedures have comparable safety, efficacy, and predictability. However, owing to various psychosocial factors, refractive patients may report dissatisfaction despite good postoperative vision. Hence the importance of studies on subjective patient-reported outcomes. This review discusses the role of psychometric-technique-based validated questionnaires when evaluating subjective outcomes. It also summarizes the literature on patient-reported outcomes for LASIK and SMILE.

DESIGN

A literature search was performed on PubMed database to identify studies that have assessed patient-reported outcomes for LASIK and SMILE.

RESULTS

Several studies have looked into patient-reported outcome measures for LASIK, but the number of equivalent studies for SMILE is limited. Questionnaires (validated and non-validated) are used to evaluate patient-reported outcomes. Validated questionnaires are designed based on psychometric techniques, such as Classic Test Theory, Item Response Theory, and Rasch analysis. The Quality of Life Impact of Refractive Correction (QIRC) questionnaire, a validated questionnaire administered to both LASIK and SMILE patients, suggests that both groups have comparable vision-related quality of life in the first few months postoperatively; but SMILE might confer a slight advantage in the later postoperative period (postoperative month 6).

CONCLUSIONS

Future LASIK-SMILE comparative studies utilizing standardized validated questionnaires for patient-reported outcome measures with longer follow-up durations would be a welcome contribution to this important aspect of refractive surgery.

Patient-reported Outcomes for Assessment of Quality of Life in Refractive Error: A Systematic Review

SIGNIFICANCE

This review has identified the best existing patient-reported outcome (PRO) instruments in refractive error. The article highlights the limitations of the existing instruments and discusses the way forward.

PURPOSE

A systematic review was conducted to identify the types of PROs used in refractive error, to determine the quality of the existing PRO instruments in terms of their psychometric properties, and to determine the limitations in the content of the existing PRO instruments.

METHODS

Articles describing a PRO instrument measuring 1 or more domains of quality of life in people with refractive error were identified by electronic searches on the MEDLINE, PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Cochrane databases. The information on content development, psychometric properties, validity, reliability, and responsiveness of those PRO instruments was extracted from the selected articles. The analysis was done based on a comprehensive set of assessment criteria.

RESULTS

One hundred forty-eight articles describing 47 PRO instruments in refractive error were included in the review. Most of the articles (99 [66.9%]) used refractive error-specific PRO instruments. The PRO instruments comprised 19 refractive, 12 vision but nonrefractive, and 16 generic PRO instruments. Only 17 PRO instruments were validated in refractive error populations; six of them were developed using Rasch analysis. None of the PRO instruments has items across all domains of quality of life. The Quality of Life Impact of Refractive Correction, the Quality of Vision, and the Contact Lens Impact on Quality of Life have comparatively better quality with some limitations, compared with the other PRO instruments.

CONCLUSIONS

This review describes the PRO instruments and informs the choice of an appropriate measure in refractive error. We identified need of a comprehensive and scientifically robust refractive error-specific PRO instrument. Item banking and computer-adaptive testing system can be the way to provide such an instrument.

Phakic Intraocular Collamer Lens (Visian ICL) Implantation for Correction of Myopia in Spectacle-Aversive Special Needs Children

PURPOSE

A subset of children with high anisometropia or isoametropia and neurobehavioral disorders have chronic difficulties with spectacle or contact lens wear. We report the results of refractive surgery in a series of these children treated using bilateral or unilateral intraocular collamer lens (Visian ICL) implantation for moderate to high myopia.

DESIGN

Prospective nonrandomized cohort study.

METHODS

Clinical course and outcome data were collated prospectively for 40 implanted eyes in 23 children (mean age 10.2 ± 5.3 years, range, 1.8-17 years). Myopia ranged from -3.0 to -14.5 diopters (D), mean -9.2 ± 3.5 D. Goal refraction was plano to +1 D. Correction was achieved by sulcus implantation of a Visian ICL (STAAR Surgical, Monrovia, California, USA) under general anesthesia. Mean follow-up was 15.1 months (range, 6-22 months).

RESULTS

Thirty-five eyes (88%) were corrected to within ±1.0 D of goal refraction; the other 5 (12%) were corrected to within 1.5 D. Uncorrected distance visual acuity improved substantially in all eyes (from mean 20/1050 [logMAR 1.72] to mean 20/42 [logMAR 0.48]). Spherical regression at last follow-up was an average of +0.59 D. Visuomotor comorbidities (eg, amblyopia, nystagmus, foveopathy, optic neuropathy) accounted for residual postoperative subnormal visual acuity. Thirteen of the 23 children (57%) had a neurobehavioral disorder (eg, developmental delay/intellectual disability/mental retardation, Down syndrome, cerebral palsy, autism spectrum disorder). Eighty-five percent (11/13) of those children were reported to have enhanced visual awareness, attentiveness, or social interactions. Endothelial cell density was measureable in 6 cooperative children (10 eyes), showing an average 1% decline. Central corneal thickness, measured in all children, increased an average of 8 μm. Two children (8%) required unplanned return to the operating room on the first postoperative day to alleviate pupillary block caused by a nonpatent iridotomy. No other complications were encounterd.

CONCLUSION

Visian ICL implantation improves visual function in special needs children who have moderate to high myopia and difficulties wearing glasses or contact lenses.

The role of phakic intraocular lens implants in treatment of high-refractive errors and amblyopia in children

Introduction

This article aims to evaluate the role of phakic intraocular lens (pIOL) implants in the treatment of high-refractive errors and amblyopia in the pediatric setting.

Methods

A literature search of the PubMed database was conducted in December 2012 using the keywords: pIOL implants, amblyopia, pediatric refractive surgery and ametropia, and articles of high or medium clinical relevance were selected for review. Inclusion criteria were children aged 0–17 years who had undergone pIOL implantation for the treatment of refractive errors and/or amblyopia.

Results

Multiple studies have shown the relevancy and effectiveness of pIOL implantation as an alternative surgical management for highly significant pediatric ametropia in selective patients who are noncompliant with medical treatment.

Conclusions

In the management of clinically significant severe pediatric ametropic and/or anisometropic myopia or hyperopia and in the event of nonadherence to traditional medical treatment, phakic anterior chamber IOL implantation is currently considered an effective modality of treatment. Long-term follow-up of pediatric patients following pIOL implantation is necessary. Future clinical trials are needed to address the safety and efficacy of the type of and the best time for pIOL implantation in treatment and/or prevention of amblyopia in children.