High Dk piggyback contact lens system for contact lens-intolerant keratoconus patients

Management of Contact Lenses and Visual Development in Pediatric Aphakia

Congenital cataract is among the main causes of treatable vision loss in childhood. The first weeks and months of life are a critical time for the development of vision. Therefore, early cataract surgery and effective multifaceted treatment of the resulting aphakia in the early stages of life are of great value for the management of vision development. Among the treatment models, contact lenses (CL) have an important place in infancy and early childhood up to the age of 2 years. Although good visual gains were not considered very likely, especially in unilateral aphakia, important steps have been taken in the treatment of pediatric aphakia thanks to the surgical techniques developed over time and the increasing experience with optical correction systems, especially CLs. This review examines current developments in the types of CL used in pediatric aphakia, their application features, comparison with other optical systems, the features of amblyopia treatment in the presence of CL, and the results obtained with family compliance to CL wear and occlusion therapy in the light of existing studies.

Effects of Custom-Designed Soft Contact Lenses on Irregular Astigmatism Correction in Patients with Keratoconus

Purpose

To evaluate the efficacy of YOUSOFT soft contact lenses in correcting irregular astigmatism and prescription results of patients with keratoconus.

Patients and Methods

The retrospective observational study included 55 eyes (mean age, 32.2 ± 10.6 years; 36 men and 6 women) of 42 patients with keratoconus who tried YOUSOFT for rigid gas permeable (RGP) lens intolerance. Average keratometry, corneal astigmatism, and maximum keratometry were 49.4 ± 5.2 diopters (D), 3.7 ± 2.1 D, and 57.3 ± 8.2 D, respectively. Patients were divided into YOUSOFT prescription and non-prescription cases, wherein the prescription rates were calculated. YOUSOFT visual acuity was compared with spectacle-corrected distance visual acuity (CDVA) and RGP lens-CDVA.

Results

YOUSOFT was prescribed to 28 out of 42 patients (prescription rate 67%). In the YOUSOFT prescription cases, YOUSOFT-CDVA (logMAR -0.04; 95% confidence interval [CI]: -0.08 to 0.00) was significantly better than spectacle-CDVA (logMAR 0.23; 95% CI: 0.08 to 0.38; P < 0.0001), whereas YOUSOFT-CDVA (logMAR -0.03; 95% CI: -0.08 to 0.03) did not significantly differ from the RGP lens-CDVA (logMAR -0.02; 95% CI: -0.08 to 0.04; P = 0.856).

Conclusion

YOUSOFT was effective in correcting irregular corneal astigmatism, suggesting that it is highly effective in patients with RGP lens intolerance.

Management of keratoconus: an updated review

Keratoconus is the most common corneal ectatic disorder. It is characterized by progressive corneal thinning with resultant irregular astigmatism and myopia. Its prevalence has been estimated at 1:375 to 1:2,000 people globally, with a considerably higher rate in the younger populations. Over the past two decades, there was a paradigm shift in the management of keratoconus. The treatment has expanded significantly from conservative management (e.g., spectacles and contact lenses wear) and penetrating keratoplasty to many other therapeutic and refractive modalities, including corneal cross-linking (with various protocols/techniques), combined CXL-keratorefractive surgeries, intracorneal ring segments, anterior lamellar keratoplasty, and more recently, Bowman's layer transplantation, stromal keratophakia, and stromal regeneration. Several recent large genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have identified important genetic mutations relevant to keratoconus, facilitating the development of potential gene therapy targeting keratoconus and halting the disease progression. In addition, attempts have been made to leverage the power of artificial intelligence-assisted algorithms in enabling earlier detection and progression prediction in keratoconus. In this review, we provide a comprehensive overview of the current and emerging treatment of keratoconus and propose a treatment algorithm for systematically guiding the management of this common clinical entity.

Monocular Diplopia: An Optical Correction Modality

Post-surgical or traumatic corectopia is among the rare causes of monocular diplopia. A 26-years-old student presented to the Institute with a complaint of monocular double vision in the left eye. He had a penetrating ocular injury in the left eye and subsequently, undergone for multiple ocular surgeries. Following the final intraocular lens implantation, he experienced a monocular double vision in his left eye. Upon contact lens clinic presentation, visual acuities were 20/20 in the right and 20/320 in the left eye (improved to 20/25 with pinhole). Slit-lamp examination on the left eye revealed scarring in the superior nasal quadrant of the cornea, irregular mid-dilated pupil with exposed aphakic and pseudophakic portions. A range of different optical management options were implemented to eliminate monocular diplopia and to correct refractive error. Finally, a combination of prosthetic soft contact lens and spectacle correction was able to remove diplopia and provide binocular single vision.

Effects of Scleral Contact Lenses for Keratoconus Management on Visual Quality and Intraocular Pressure

Purpose

To evaluate the visual acuity level achieved by scleral contact lens (CL) fitting in patients affected by keratoconus and to evaluate possible intraocular pressure (IOP) changes during the scleral CL wear using a transpalpebral tonometer.

Methods

In a prospective case series a comparison was made between visual acuity obtained with glasses, RGP and 16.8mm diameter scleral CL in 30 consecutive patients affected by keratoconus. IOP was tested during scleral CL wear by transpalpebral Diaton Tonometer (DT) and also by Goldmann Applanation Tonometer (GAT) before and after scleral CL wear.

Results

The mean logMAR visual acuity improved from 0.2±0.25SD with glasses and 0.1±0.02SD with RGP, to −0.002±0.041SD when using the scleral CL (p<0.05). The mean IOP value before scleral CL wear was 12.93mmHg±2.20SD when measured with GAT and 7.85mmHg±2.27SD when measured with DT. During scleral CL wear, IOP was assessed through DT, with a mean value of 8.86mmHg±2.36SD; values were stable after 8 hours of scleral CL use. Immediately after scleral CL removal, the mean IOP measured with GAT was 12.85mmHg ±2.40SD and the mean IOP measured with DT was 7.66mmHg±1.88SD. Therefore, during scleral CL wear, it was evidenced a small but statistically significant increase of the mean IOP value (1.01mmHg; p<0.01), with a reversion to values prior to application when scleral CL was removed.

Conclusion

Scleral CLs remarkably improved visual acuity in keratoconus patients when compared to glasses or RGP contact lenses. Even if it was evidenced a small increase of the mean IOP value during their wear, it may not be significant in otherwise healthy eyes. Statistical analysis demonstrated good agreement between GAT and DT but their numerical values presented a constant gap, that should be taken into account when there is a need to relate the DT values to the reference ones.

Update on Contact Lens Treatment of Keratoconus

Keratoconus (KC) is a progressive disease that leads to a decrease in visual acuity and quality and impairs vision-related quality of life. Contact lens (CL) application has a primary place and importance in the correction of the optic problems due to the disease. The corneal changes and increased irregular astigmatism that occur with KC progression necessitate special CL designs and fitting methods. In addition to disease stage, the patient's lens tolerance also plays a role in the application of CLs in KC patients. With recent advances in materials and design technology, the CLs used in the treatment of KC have developed considerably and there are various types available. In this review, we discuss the wide range of CLs, including rigid and soft lenses, hybrid and scleral lenses, and even custom lens designs, in light of recent scientific advances.

Alterations in contact lens fitting parameters following cross-linking in keratoconus patients of Indian ethnicity

BACKGROUND

Most studies have either excluded patients using contact lens or not taken their effect while analyzing post-collagen cross-linkage (CXL) changes. This study aims to study impact of CXL on lens fit in both quantitative and qualitative manner.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate changes in CL fit post-CXL and to correlate these changes with alterations in corneal topographic parameters.

STUDY DESIGN

Prospective intervention study on 20 keratoconic eyes of 14 patients (age > 18 years), with mean follow-up of 6 months.

METHODS

Preoperative evaluation included UCVA, BCVA, corneal topography, AS-OCT and contact lens fit. Patients were evaluated at 2 weeks, 1, 3, 4 and 6 months post-CXL; contact lens trial with standard rigid gas permeable (RGP) lens performed at 3 and 6 months.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE

Changes in objective and subjective parameters of lens fit.

RESULTS

Over 6-month follow-up post-CXL, improvement in visual acuity by one Snellen line, both UCVA and BCVA, and decrease in flat/mean/apical K by 0.8 D, 0.8 D and 1.3 D, respectively, resulted in significant improvement in RGPCL fit. Almost 20% increase in near-ideal fit, 100% acceptable fit, 65% improved subjective comfort with 8 h/day increase in duration of comfortable CL wear were observed.

CONCLUSION

Despite no statistically significant change in objective parameters of lens fit, a tendency for flatter lens fit along with contact lens induced further flattening of the ectatic cornea which resulted in marked improvement in both objective and subjective contact lens fit.

Nonsurgical Procedures for Keratoconus Management

Objectives

To describe the past 20 years' correction modalities for keratoconus and their visual outcomes and possible complications.

Methods

A review of the published literature related to the visual outcomes and possible complications in the context of keratoconus management using nonsurgical procedures for the last 20 years (glasses and contact lenses) was performed. Original articles that reported the outcome of any correction modalities of keratoconus management were reviewed.

Results

The most nonsurgical procedure used on keratoconus management is the contact lens fitting. Soft contact lenses and soft toric contact lenses, rigid gas-permeable contact lenses, piggyback contact lens system, hybrid contact lenses, and scleral and corneoscleral contact lenses form the contemporary range of available lens types for keratoconus management with contact lenses. All of them try to restore the vision, improve the quality of life, and delay surgical procedures in patients with this disease. Complications are derived from the intolerance of using contact lens, and the use of each depends on keratoconus severity.

Conclusions

In the context of nonsurgical procedures, the use of contact lenses for the management of keratoconic patients represents a good alternative to restore vision and improve the quality of live in this population.

Clinical Performance of Toris K Contact Lens in Patients with Moderate to Advanced Keratoconus: A Real Life Retrospective Analysis

Objectives. To evaluate the visual performance of Toris K soft contact lenses in patients with moderate-to-advanced keratoconus and also to compare the results according to cone types, cone location, and severity of keratoconus. Materials and Methods. Sixty eyes of 40 participants were included in this retrospective study. Uncorrected visual acuity (UCVA), best-spectacle corrected visual acuity (BCVA), best-contact lens corrected visual acuity (BCLCVA), and comfort rating via visual analogue scales (VAS) were measured. Results. The mean age was 27.3 ± 8.6 years (range: 18 to 54). The mean logMAR UCVA, BCVA, and BCLCVA were 0.85 ± 0.38 (range: 0.30–1.30), 0.47 ± 0.27 (range: 0.10–1.30), and 0.16 ± 0.20 (range: 0–1.00). There were significant increases in visual acuities with contact lenses (p < .05). BCLCVA was significantly better in oval type than globus type (p = .022). UCVA and BCLCVA were significantly better in moderate keratoconus group (p = .015, p = .018). The mean line gain in Snellen was 3.6 ± 1.8 lines (range: 0–7 lines). The mean line gain was higher in central cone group than paracentral cone group and oval group than globus group (p = .014, p = .045). The mean VAS score was 8.14 ± 1.88 (range: 6–10). Conclusions. Toris K can improve visual acuity of patients with keratoconus. Toris K is successful even in the moderate and advanced form of the disease.

Improved Vision and Contact Lens Wear Time With Piggy-Back Contact Lens Systems in Children After Penetrating Corneal Trauma

OBJECTIVE

Consecutive case series of children treated successfully with "piggy-back" (PB) contact lens systems after corneal trauma.

METHODS

We reviewed the medical record of all children ages 4 to 14 years treated at the Emory Eye Center between January 11, 2003 and January 11, 2013 with PB contact lens systems.

RESULTS

Four children with a history of corneal penetrating trauma were treated with a PB lens system, with a mean age of 7±0.08 (range: 6-8) years. Best-corrected spectacle vision was count fingers in two children and logMAR +0.70 (Snellen equivalent 20/100) and logMAR +0.6 (Snellen equivalent 20/80) in the remaining two. The PB lens system was introduced with a mean of 15.7±6.5 (range: 9-22) months after the injury. All patients were initially fitted with gas-permeable (GP) lenses. Each child achieved 11 or more hours of daily contact lens wear time in PB systems. The mean best-corrected logMAR visual acuity using the PB system was 0.26±0.21 (Snellen equivalent 20/36). The mean improvement in best-corrected logMAR between GP and PB lens systems was +0.21±0.11, which corresponds to an improvement of greater than two lines on the Snellen chart.

CONCLUSION

Piggy-back contact lens systems can be helpful to improve vision and contact lens wearing time in children with irregular astigmatism after corneal trauma, who are intolerant of GP contact lenses.

Success of hydrocone (TORIS-K) soft contact lens for keratoconus and traumatic keratopathy

Objective:

To present success of Toris-K contact lenses in keratoconus and traumatic keratopathy with irregular corneal surface.

Methods:

Toris-K contact lenses were used to treat 7 eyes of 4 patients with traumatic keratopathy (Case 1) or keratoconus (Case 2, Case 3, and Case 4). All cases had a complete eye examination before the contact lens application. The case with traumatic keratopathy was a 32-year-old male who had corneal penetrating injury due to hobnail strike 23 months ago. The other 3 keratoconus cases were females at the age of 14, 16 and 22 years old. They had high myopia and irregular astigmatism due to keratoconus. All patients refused using rigid gas permeable contact lens because of intolerance. Toris-K contact lenses were fitted on all eyes. All patients were followed-up for 28 months with a complete ophthalmic examination and corneal topography every two months.

Results:

Improvement of BCVA of the cases was remarkable. All cases were comfortable with their Toris-K contact lenses for 28 months. There was no significant distortion on the lenses during follow-up period.

Conclusion:

Toris-K lenses may be an effective alternative treatment option for the patients with keratoconus and traumatic keratopathy, especially who cannot tolerate rigid gas permeable contact lenses.

Contact lens in keratoconus

Contact lenses are required for the visual improvement in patients with keratoconus. Various contact lens options, such as rigid gas permeable (RGP) lenses, soft and soft toric lenses, piggy back contact lenses (PBCL), hybrid lenses and scleral lenses are availble. This article discusses about selection of a lens depending on the type of keratoconus and the fitting philosophies of various contact lenses including the starting trial lens. A Medline search was carried out for articles in the English language with the keywords keratoconus and various contact lenses such as Rose k lens, RGP lens, hybrid lens, scleral lens and PBCL.

[Keratoconus lenses: the small correction miracle]

Keratoconus is a non-inflammatory corneal disease associated with a cone-shaped protrusion and progressive corneal thinning. Apart from progression control and stabilizing interventions, correcting the optical error induced by a mostly highly irregular corneal surface is of paramount importance with respect to quality of life and ability to work. This goal can be achieved efficiently by contact lenses with only rare adverse conditions. This article provides a current overview on contact lens fitting in keratoconus and presents own associated results.