BCLA CLEAR presbyopia: Management with intraocular lenses

Cataract surgery including intraocular lens (IOL) insertion, has been refined extensively since the first such procedure by Sir Harold Ridley in 1949. The intentional creation of monovision with IOLs using monofocal IOL designs has been reported since 1984. The first reported implantation of multifocal IOLs was published in 1987. Since then, various refractive and or diffractive multifocal IOLs have been commercialised. Most are concentric, but segmented IOLs are also available. The most popular are trifocal designs (overlaying two diffractive patterns to achieve additional focal planes at intermediate and near distances) and extended depth of focus designs which leave the patient largely spectacle independent with the reduced risk of bothersome contrast reduction and glare. As well as mini-monovision, surgical strategies to minimise the impact of presbyopia with IOLs includes mixing and matching lenses between the eyes and using IOLs whose power can be adjusted post-implantation. Various IOL designs to mimic the accommodative process have been tried including hinge optics, dual optics, lateral shifts lenses with cubic-type surfaces, lens refilling and curvature changing approaches, but issues in maintaining the active mechanism with post-surgical fibrosis, without causing ocular inflammation, remain a challenge. With careful patient selection, satisfaction rates with IOLs to manage presbyopia are high and anatomical or physiological complications rates are no higher than with monofocal IOLs.

Effect of residual sphere on uncorrected visual acuity and satisfaction in patients with monofocal and multifocal intraocular lenses

PURPOSE

To assess the effect of residual sphere on vision and satisfaction in pseudophakic patients.

SETTING

Private clinics, United Kingdom.

DESIGN

Retrospective case series.

METHODS

A multivariate model evaluated the effect of 1-month residual sphere on outcomes of pseudophakic patients. Odds ratios (ORs) were calculated to assess the relative risk of not achieving ≥20/20 monocular uncorrected distance visual acuity (UDVA), ≥20/50 uncorrected near visual acuity (UNVA), and not being satisfied with vision. ORs were assessed for residual sphere -1.00 to +1.00 diopter (D) in quarter-diopter steps, using 0.00 D as a reference.

RESULTS

The analysis included 38 828 multifocal and 11 571 monofocal intraocular lenses (IOLs). The residual myopic sphere ≤-0.25 D and hyperopic sphere ≥+0.50 D had a clinically meaningful effect on UDVA. Although monofocal IOLs had an improvement in UNVA with every additional 0.25 D of myopia, the change in ORs with increasing myopia was not significant for multifocal IOLs. The mean improvement in UNVA comparing eyes with 0.00 D and -1.00 D sphere was 0.26 logMAR for monofocal and 0.03 logMAR for multifocal IOLs. Low near-addition IOLs had a slightly higher gain in UNVA with increasing myopia, but the gain was not as substantial as with monofocal IOLs. The effect of ametropia on satisfaction was more pronounced for multifocal IOLs. For every 0.25 D of residual myopia, there was >25% increase in dissatisfied patients.

CONCLUSIONS

Although myopia improved UNVA in eyes with monofocal IOL, multifocal IOLs did not benefit from residual myopia. Multifocal IOL patients desiring distance vision should be targeted closest to emmetropia, even if it means targeting slight hyperopia.

Application of sentiment and word frequency analysis of physician review sites to evaluate refractive surgery care

Background

Online physician reviews increase transparency in health care, helping patients make informed decisions about their provider. Language processing techniques can quantify this data and allow providers to better understand patients' experiences, perspectives, and priorities. The objective of this study was to assess patient satisfaction and understand the aspects of care that are valued by patients seeking refractive care using sentiment and word frequency analysis.

Methods

Written reviews and Star ratings for members of the Refractive Surgery Alliance Society practicing in the United States were collected from Healthgrades, a popular physician rating website. Surgeons with at least one written review were included in the study. Reviews were scored from -1 (most negative) to +1 (most positive) using Valence Aware Dictionary sEntiment Reasoner (VADER). Reviews were stratified by demographic characteristics, namely gender, region, and years in practice. Word frequency analysis was applied to find the most common words and phrases.

Results

A total of 254 specialists and 3104 reviews were analyzed, with an average of 4.4/5 stars and mean 48 ratings each. Most physicians had positive reviews (96%, average VADER ​= ​0.69). Younger physicians (<20 years since residency) had significantly higher Stars rating than senior peers (>20 years) (P ​< ​0.001). A similar trend was observed in VADER score (0.71 vs 0.69), although not statistically significant (P ​= ​0.06). No statistical differences were observed between Stars rating and VADER score by gender (P ​= ​0.66, P ​= ​0.83) or by geographical region (P ​= ​0.74, P ​= ​0.07). "Staff" (n ​= ​1269), "professional" (n ​= ​631), "office" (n ​= ​523), "questions" (n ​= ​424), and "friendly" (n ​= ​386) were frequently used in reviews, along with phrases such as "the staff" (n ​= ​273) and "my questions" (n ​= ​174). "Surgery" (n ​= ​719), "staff" (n ​= ​576), "procedure" (n ​= ​251), "experience" (n ​= ​243), and "professional" (n ​= ​240) were the most common words in positive reviews, while "surgery" (n ​= ​147), "office" (n ​= ​86), "staff" (n ​= ​54), "time" (n ​= ​47), and "insurance" (n ​= ​28) were the most commonly used in negative reviews.

Conclusions

Both the average Stars and VADER sentiment score suggest a high satisfaction among refractive patients. Word frequency analysis revealed that patients value non-clinical aspects of care, including interactions with staff, insurance coverage, and wait-times, suggesting that improving non-clinical factors could enhance patient satisfaction with refractive surgery.

Optical and clinical simulated performance of a new refractive extended depth of focus intraocular lens

OBJECTIVES

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the optical and expected clinical performance of a new refractive Extended Depth of Focus (EDF) intraocular lens (IOL) designed to maintain a monofocal-like dysphotopsia profile.

METHODS

Simulated visual acuity (sVA) with varying defocus was calculated using the area under the Modulation Transfer Function measured in an average eye model and from computer simulations in eye models with corneal higher-order aberrations. Tolerance to defocus was evaluated using computer simulations of the uncorrected distance sVA under defocus. To evaluate the dysphotopsia profile, halo pictures obtained using an IOL-telescope, as well as simulated images in a realistic eye model under defocus were assessed. The results of the refractive EDF were compared to those of a diffractive EDF of the same platform.

RESULTS

The refractive EDF IOL provides similar range of vision to the diffractive EDF IOL with the same distance, and similar intermediate and near sVA. The refractive EDF IOL provides the same tolerance to hyperopia as the diffractive EDF but more tolerance to myopia. Halo pictures and simulations showed that the refractive EDF provides comparable dysphotopsia profile to the monofocal IOL and better than the diffractive EDF.

CONCLUSIONS

The results of this preclinical study in clinically relevant conditions show that the new refractive EDF IOL is expected to provide similar range of vision to the diffractive IOL of the same platform and higher tolerance to refractive errors. The refractive EDF provides a dysphotopsia profile that is better than the diffractive EDF and comparable to that of the monofocal IOL, also in the presence of residual refractive errors.

Angle Kappa is Not Correlated with Patient-Reported Outcomes After Multifocal Lens Implantation

Purpose

To examine the effect of preoperative angle kappa on patient-reported outcomes after multifocal lens placement during cataract surgery and determine if it is an effective measure for preoperative patients screening for multifocal lens placement.

Setting

Private refractive surgery clinics.

Design

Retrospective cohort study.

Methods

All patients undergoing bilateral cataract or refractive lens exchange surgery with a target of emmetropia between 2013 and 2017 at Optical Express (Glasgow, UK) with multifocal lens placement for whom preoperative angle kappa measurement and a postoperative month 1 patient-reported outcomes measures were available were included.

Results

A total of 1368 patients were identified. Median preoperative angle kappa was 0.41mm with an interquartile range of 0.30mm to 0.53mm. Preoperative angle kappa did not have a significant association with patient-reported satisfaction with vision (correlation coefficient 0.15, 95% confidence interval -0.081 to 0.39, P = 0.20) nor with patient-reported photic phenomena (P > 0.09 for all comparisons). A receiver-operator characteristic analysis did not yield a viable cutoff predictive of patient-reported satisfaction.

Conclusion

Angle kappa was not predictive of patient-reported satisfaction in this study. This study did not find evidence that it should be used as a screening test for patients considering multifocal intraocular lens placement.

Objective cataract grading methods and expected contrast sensitivity reestablishment with multifocal intraocular lenses

PURPOSE

To determine the cut-off points for age and metrics provided by cataract grading objective systems for which a reestablishment in contrast sensitivity (CS) is expected after multifocal intraocular lens (MIOL) implantation.

METHODS

One hundred seven subjects were included in this retrospective analysis carried out during the screening for presbyopia and cataract surgery. Monocular distance corrected contrast sensitivity defocus curve (CSDC) and visual acuity were measured, and crystalline lens sclerosis was graded with three objective metrics: Ocular Scatter Index (OSI), Dysfunctional Lens Index (DLI) and Pentacam Nucleus Staging (PNS). A CS value of 0.8 logCS at far distance, following published literature on this matter, was selected to compute the cut-off that maximized the detection of eyes exceeding this value at the preoperative screening, either for age or objective metrics.

RESULTS

The CDCS showed a stronger correlation than CDVA with objective grading methods, whereas all objective metrics were significantly correlated between them (p < 0.05). The cut-offs for age, OSI, DLI and PNS were ≤ 62, ≤ 1.25, ≥ 7.67 and ≤ 1, respectively. The OSI provided the highest area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (0.85) followed by the age (0.84), DLI (0.74) and PNS (0.63).

CONCLUSIONS

Surgeons conducting clear lens exchange should communicate the possible distance CS loss after surgery with MIOL implantation according to the previous described cut-offs points. Age in combination with any cataract grading objective system is recommended to detect possible inconsistencies.

TFOS Lifestyle: Impact of elective medications and procedures on the ocular surface

The word "elective" refers to medications and procedures undertaken by choice or with a lower grade of prioritization. Patients usually use elective medications or undergo elective procedures to treat pathologic conditions or for cosmetic enhancement, impacting their lifestyle positively and, thus, improving their quality of life. However, those interventions can affect the homeostasis of the tear film and ocular surface. Consequently, they generate signs and symptoms that could impair the patient's quality of life. This report describes the impact of elective topical and systemic medications and procedures on the ocular surface and the underlying mechanisms. Moreover, elective procedures performed for ocular diseases, cosmetic enhancement, and non-ophthalmic interventions, such as radiotherapy and bariatric surgery, are discussed. The report also evaluates significant anatomical and biological consequences of non-urgent interventions to the ocular surface, such as neuropathic and neurotrophic keratopathies. Besides that, it provides an overview of the prophylaxis and management of pathological conditions resulting from the studied interventions and suggests areas for future research. The report also contains a systematic review investigating the quality of life among people who have undergone small incision lenticule extraction (SMILE). Overall, SMILE refractive surgery seems to cause more vision disturbances than LASIK in the first month post-surgery, but less dry eye symptoms in long-term follow up.

Glaucoma Medication and Quality of Life after Phacoemulsification Combined with a Xen Gel Stent

Glaucoma has a significant impact on quality of life. Here, we aimed to evaluate the influence of a reduction in glaucoma medications on quality of life and patient satisfaction after phacoemulsification combined with the Xen gel stent. We carried out a cross-sectional survey of patients who underwent phacoemulsification with the Xen gel stent at the Medical University of Graz, Austria. Quality of life was assessed using the German version of the Glaucoma Symptoms Scale (GSS)—questionnaire. Patients were also asked whether the operation reduced glaucoma medications and to indicate their overall satisfaction from 1 (totally discontented) up to 10 (totally contented). Questionnaires of 80 patients were evaluated. A total of 36 patients (45.0%) reported a reduction in glaucoma medications. Three items of the GSS were significantly better in patients who needed fewer glaucoma medications after the operation (“hard to see in daylight”, 75.0 ± 31.1 vs. 57.7 ± 39.1, p = 0.035; “hard to see in dark places”, 81.1 ± 28.7 vs. 54.9 ± 41.2, p = 0.002; and “halos around lights”, 88.3 ± 25.9 vs. 68.8 ± 38.6, p = 0.002). Patient satisfaction was significantly higher when the procedure led to a reduction in glaucoma medication (8.3 ± 2.0 vs. 6.8 ± 3.1; p = 0.034). The reported quality of life and patient satisfaction were significantly better when phacoemulsification with the Xen gel stent reduced the number of glaucoma medications needed.

Clinical Outcomes, Contrast Sensitivity, Reading Performance and Patient Satisfaction Following Bilateral Implantation of AT LARA 829MP EDoF IOLs

Purpose

To evaluate the visual outcomes, contrast sensitivity, reading performance and patient satisfaction after bilateral implantation of AT LARA extended depth of focus (EDoF) intraocular lenses (IOLs).

Methods

Patients undergoing phacoemulsification for age-related cataract and satisfying the eligibility criteria underwent bilateral implantation with AT LARA EDoF IOLs (Carl Zeiss Meditec, Jena, Germany). At follow-up visits of 1, 3, 6 and 12 months, binocular uncorrected and corrected distance, intermediate and near visual acuity, reading performance, defocus curve, contrast sensitivity and patient satisfaction for dysphotopsia and spectacle independence were evaluated.

Results

A total of 60 eyes from 30 patients with a mean age of 65.40±7.71 years were included in the study. At 12 months, 83% of patients (n=25) had binocular cumulative uncorrected distance visual acuity (UDVA) of 20/20 or better. Postoperative spherical equivalent refraction accuracy was within ±0.50 D for 95% of eyes (n=57) and refractive cylinder accuracy was within ≤0.50 D in 95% of eyes (n=57). The mean binocular uncorrected near visual acuity (UNVA) was 0.16±0.09 logMAR, and the mean uncorrected intermediate visual acuity (UIVA) at 60 and 80 cm was 0.01±0.09 and 0.03±0.08 logMAR, respectively, at 12 months. Reading speeds at 40, 60 and 80 cm showed improvement over time. No patient had complaints of severe dysphotopsia and none of the patients required glasses for any activity. No eye underwent YAG-laser capsulotomy for significant posterior capsule opacification at the end of mean follow-up.

Conclusion

In our limited experience of 30 patients at 12 months, AT LARA EDoF IOLs resulted in excellent visual outcomes for uncorrected distance, intermediate and near visual acuity. The incidence of dysphotopsia and spectacle dependence was low, resulting in good patient satisfaction.

Trial Registry

CTRI/2020/08/027105 (www.ctri.nic.in).

Visual outcomes and patient satisfaction 1 and 12 months after combined implantation of extended depth of focus and trifocal intraocular lenses

Purpose

To assess the 1-month and 12-month postoperative visual performance and subjective outcomes following combined implantation of an extended depth of focus (EDOF) intraocular lens (IOL) and a trifocal IOL.

Methods

The study enrolled consecutive patients undergoing refractive lens extraction or cataract surgery with combined implantation of an EDOF IOL (dominant eye) and trifocal IOL. Uncorrected (UDVA) and best-corrected (CDVA) distance visual acuities, uncorrected intermediate (UIVA) and near (UNVA) visual acuities, and subjective questionnaires were evaluated 1 month and 12 months postoperatively.

Results

The study enrolled 58 consecutive patients. Binocular UDVA, UIVA and UNVA were − 0.08 ± 0.07 logMAR, 0.15 ± 0.14 logMAR and 0.17 ± 0.11 logMAR at 1 month, compared to − 0.09 ± 0.06 logMAR (P = .323), 0.11 ± 0.10 logMAR (P = .030) and 0.13 ± 0.10 logMAR (P = 0.008) at 12 months. Satisfaction was high with 93.1% of patients fulfilled or more than fulfilled postoperatively, and 84.5% and 86.3% reported spectacle independence for near at the respective postoperative assessments. The mean daytime and nighttime quality of vision (QoV) scores were 9.12 ± 0.94 and 7.88 ± 1.74 at 1 month, compared to 9.24 ± 0.78 (P = .183) and 8.26 ± 1.38 (P = .043) at 12 months.

Conclusions

This IOL combination provides good unaided visual acuity at 1 and 12 months postoperatively, with high functional vision and postoperative satisfaction reported at 1 and 12 months. However, a significant improvement in overall nighttime QoV at the 12 months assessment was found.

Extended depth-of-focus intraocular lenses: power calculation and outcomes

The extended depth-of-focus intraocular lenses (EDOF IOLs) represent one of the most exciting advancements in the field of lens surgery. EDOF IOLs promise an excellent visual experience, minimizing visual disturbances (ie, halos and glare) commonly associated with multifocal IOLs. The pros and cons of EDOF IOLs should be evaluated in comparison with other more traditional multifocal or monofocal IOLs. The aim of this review is to provide the most current information regarding EDOF IOLs for power calculating formulas, refractive outcomes, incidence of photic phenomena, and patient satisfaction.

Effect of residual astigmatism on uncorrected visual acuity and patient satisfaction in pseudophakic patients

PURPOSE

To evaluate the effect of residual astigmatism on postoperative visual acuity and satisfaction after intraocular lens (IOL) surgery.

SETTING

Private practice, United Kingdom.

DESIGN

Retrospective case series.

METHODS

Postoperative data of patients who had previously undergone refractive lens exchange or cataract surgery were used in a multivariate regression model to assess the effect of residual astigmatism on 3 months postoperative monocular uncorrected distance visual acuity (UDVA) and patient satisfaction. The analysis was based on residual refraction in the dominant eye of each patient. Odds ratios were calculated to demonstrate the effect of increasing residual astigmatism on UDVA and satisfaction with separate calculations for monofocal and multifocal IOLs.

RESULTS

Three months postoperative outcomes of 17 152 dominant eyes were used in multivariate regression analysis. Compared with eyes with 0.00 diopter (D) residual astigmatism, the odds of not achieving 20/20 vision in eyes with 0.25 to 0.50 D residual astigmatism increased by a factor of 1.7 and 1.9 (P < .0001) in monofocal and multifocal IOLs, respectively. For the residual astigmatism 0.75 to 1.00 D, the odds ratio for not achieving 20/20 vision compared with eyes with no astigmatism was 6.1 for monofocal and 6.5 for multifocal IOLs (P < .0001). The effect of residual astigmatism on satisfaction was more evident at the 0.75 to 1.00 D level, where the odds of not being satisfied with vision increased by a factor of 2.0 and 1.5 in patients with monofocal and multifocal IOLs, respectively (P < .0001). The orientation of astigmatism was not a significant predictor in multivariate analysis.

CONCLUSIONS

Multivariate analysis in a large population of patients demonstrated that low levels of residual astigmatism can degrade visual acuity. Corneal astigmatism of 0.50 D or greater should be included in surgical planning.

One-Year Outcomes in a Large Series of Patients Following Implantation of an Extended Depth of Focus Intraocular Lens

PURPOSE

To evaluate clinical outcomes 1 year after implantation of an extended depth of focus intraocular lens (IOL) in a large series of patients.

METHODS

Outcomes of patients who underwent refractive lens exchange or cataract surgery with the implantation of the AT LARA 829MP IOL (Carl Zeiss Meditec AG) were retrospectively reviewed. The near (40 cm), intermediate (66 cm), and distance visual acuity, refractive outcomes, and cumulative rate of adverse events and secondary procedures were evaluated at 12 months postoperatively.

RESULTS

A total of 1,894 eyes of 977 patients were implanted with the AT LARA 829MP IOL, with 62.1% of eyes available for the 12-month visit. The overall secondary procedure rate for the whole cohort was: Nd:YAG = 7.8%, laser vision correction = 7.5%, and IOL explantation = 0.63%. The reasons for IOL exchange were intraoperative complications (3 eyes/0.16%) and quality of vision issues (9 eyes/0.48%). Of all eyes available for the 12-month visit that did not undergo laser vision correction or an IOL exchange, 72.0% had monocular uncorrected distance visual acuity of 20/20 or better and the percentage of eyes with monocular uncorrected intermediate and near visual acuity of 20/50 or better was 96.2% and 81.0%, respectively. At 12 months postoperatively, 87.6% of eyes were within ±0.50 diopters of emmetropia. No change in refraction occurred between the 6- and 12-month postoperative visits.

CONCLUSIONS

The AT LARA 829MP extended depth of focus IOL is able to provide functional distance, intermediate, and near visual acuity. Complications related to the platform of the IOL were uncommon. [J Refract Surg. 2021;37(6):380-388.].

Lens-based surgical correction of presbyopia. Where are we in 2020?

INTRODUCTION

Presbyopia is the progressive and irreversible loss of accommodation due to aging. It is one of the main causes of loss of quality of life in people from 45 years of age, due to the, often novel, dependence on spectacles. The eagerness to correct it by ophthalmologists impulsed by the desire of millions of people who suffer from it, has become one of the main drivers for the development of intraocular lens (IOL) technology over the last twenty years.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

This review briefly presents the different alternatives that have allowed us to improve the crystalline lens surgical approach of presbyopia; from monofocal lenses and monovision technique, accommodative, refractive, and diffractive multifocal lenses, and finally the most recent extended depth of focus/field lenses known as EDOFs.

RESULTS

Each IOL has its advantages, limitations and disadvantages. Furthermore, there is no single lens that suits the needs of all patients.

CONCLUSIONS

It is necessary to know the variety of lenses available, and to have an in-depth understanding of their optical properties, as well as the impact that these will have later on their clinical performance and on the visual quality of the patients. This should help us to select the best alternative for each of them.