Quantification of Ocular Parameters To Create An Anatomical Eye Model for The Japanese Population

This prospective observational study aimed to evaluate the eye shape and visual function of Japanese people through a multicenter approach and to create a Japanese model eye. Uncorrected and corrected distance visual acuity (UDVA and CDVA, respectively) in the log minimum angle of resolution (logMAR), subjective and objective spherical equivalent values (SE) of ocular refraction, anterior and posterior corneal curvature (ACC and PCC, respectively), anterior and posterior corneal asphericity (ACA and PCA, respectively), central corneal thickness (CCT), anterior chamber depth (ACD), and ocular axial length (AL) were measured in the eyes of 250 participants (mean age = 46.5 ± 18.0 years, range: 20–90 years) across five institutions in Japan. The mean UDVA, CDVA, subjective SE, objective SE, ACC, PCC, ACA, PCA, CCT, ACD, and AL were 0.68, -0.08, -2.42 D, -2.66 D, 7.77 mm, 6.33 mm, -0.31, -0.39, 0.55 mm, 2.92 mm, and 24.78 mm, respectively. Age-related changes and sex-based differences were observed in the visual acuity, refraction, corneal shape, ACD, and AL. Although the sample size needs to be increased, the results of this study can be applied to the development of refractive correction methods and various vision-related fields.

Dr. Father Waclaw Szuniewicz, a forgotten pioneer in refractive surgery and his work in China

Father Wacław Szuniewicz (1891-1963) was a skilled ophthalmic surgeon, missionary, and teacher. For several years he worked in China, afterwards in the United States and in Brazil. The aim of the paper is to present the unanalyzed issues of Szuniewicz’s research regarding corneal refractive surgery. Szuniewicz performed experiments on changing the corneal curvature with anterior, posterior and full-thickness incisions. The results of modifying the anterior and posterior corneal curvature were satisfactory, however, diminished significantly within months after surgery. Corneal band resections were superior in terms of efficacy, however, such an intervention commonly led to complications in animal studies. Szuniewicz’s work was not published during his life. Nevertheless, as a result of strong impact of his personality and ideas, he is frequently considered as a pioneer of corneal refractive surgery.

Characteristics of corneal high-order aberrations in adolescents with mild to moderate myopia

Background This study investigated the characteristics of corneal higher-order aberrations (HOAs) of the anterior surface, posterior surface, and total cornea in adolescents with mild to moderate myopia. Methods A total of 183 patients with myopia (183 eyes) aged 8 to 18 years were enrolled in this study. The axial length (AL) of the eyes was measured by an IOL-Master, and corneal curvatures (K-values) and HOAs were measured by a Pentacam anterior segment diagnostic analyzer. Results Results of this study showed that the anterior, posterior and total corneal horizontal coma Z31 were − 0.1249 ± 0.105 μm, 0.0009 ± 0.001 μm, and − 0.1331 ± 0.116 μm, respectively; the anterior, posterior and total corneal vertical coma Z3− 1 were − 0.0212 ± 0.164 μm, 0.0003 ± 0.043 μm, and − 0.0216 ± 0.168 μm, respectively; and spherical aberration (SA) Z40 values were 0.2244 ± 0.091 μm, 0.1437 ± 0.029 um, and 0.1889 ± 0.090 μm, respectively. Total corneal Z31 was statistically correlated with posterior corneal astigmatism (K2b − K1b) (p = 0.038). Total corneal Z3− 1 was correlated with anterior corneal astigmatism (K2f − K1f) (p = 0.027). Anterior, posterior, and total corneal Z40 were correlated with anterior and posterior corneal curvature (K1f, K2f, K1b, K2b) (p = 0.001). Posterior corneal Z40b was also significantly correlated with AL. Conclusions In adolescents with mild to moderate myopia, the posterior corneal surface shape may play a compensatory role in the balance of corneal aberrations, and the posterior corneal SA tended to become less negative as the AL increased. The corneal coma may also play a compensatory role in posterior corneal surface astigmatism, which was valuable for the treatment for improving visual quality. This conclusion still needs to be verified.

Validation of posterior corneal curvature measurements with color light-emitting diode topography

Purpose: To evaluate the intrasession repeatability and validity of posterior corneal curvature and astigmatism measurements provided by a color light-emitting diode reflection topography system in healthy eyes. Methods: A total of 40 healthy eyes of 40 patients (age, 16–66 years) were enrolled. A complete eye examination was performed in all cases including posterior topographic analysis with two systems: the Scheimpflug-based system (Pentacam; Oculus Optikgeräte GmbH, Wetzlar, Germany) and the Cassini system (i-Optics; Ophthec, The Hague, The Netherlands). With this last system, three consecutive measurements were taken to assess the level of intrasession repeatability (within-subject standard deviation, Sw; intraclass correlation coefficient). The Bland & Altman analysis was used to evaluate the interchangeability of both devices. Results: The Sw was ⩽0.06 mm for all posterior corneal radius measurements, with intraclass correlation coefficient of ⩾0.960. The Sw for the magnitude of astigmatism, J0, and J45 were 0.15, 0.04, and 0.04 D, respectively, with intraclass correlation coefficient values of 0.876, 0.897, and 0.840, respectively. Statistically significant differences between devices were found in all parameters evaluated (p ⩽ 0.025). The interchangeability analysis revealed the presence of clinically relevant limits of agreement for the flattest (0.03 to 0.50 mm) and steepest posterior corneal radii (–0.01 to 0.39 mm). In contrast, limits of agreements were not clinically relevant for the magnitude of posterior astigmatism (–0.17 to 0.27 D) and their power vector components (–0.11 to 0.15 D). Conclusion: The Cassini system provides consistent measures of posterior corneal curvature and astigmatism in healthy eyes, but only measures of posterior astigmatism can be considered as interchangeable with those provided by the Pentacam.

Can we predict the refractive outcome after triple Descemet membrane endothelial keratoplasty?

Purpose: To analyze and correlate corneal parameters with refractive shift after Descemet membrane endothelial keratoplasty combined with cataract surgery (triple Descemet membrane endothelial keratoplasty). Methods: This single-center retrospective observational case series included 152 eyes of 152 consecutive patients undergoing triple Descemet membrane endothelial keratoplasty in the first eye for Fuchs endothelial corneal dystrophy. Patients were examined preoperatively, as well as at 3, 6, and 12 months after surgery. The main outcome measures were: refractive shift (predicted refractive outcome based on intraocular lens calculation compared to actual postoperative refractive outcome), central corneal thickness, corneal volume, anterior and posterior corneal curvature, and corneal densitometry. These parameters were analyzed and correlated with the refractive shift after surgery. Results: After 3 months from surgery, a mean refractive shift of +1.12 ± 1.10 D was observed and remained stable until the last follow-up at 12 months (+1.24 ± 1.07 D). Correlation analysis showed a weak but significant positive correlation between refractive shift and preoperative posterior curvature (rho = 0.314; p = 0.002) or preoperative posterior densitometry (rho = 0.227; p = 0.008). No correlation was found between refractive shift and preoperative central corneal thickness, corneal volume, anterior curvature, or anterior/mid-cornea densitometry. Conclusion: Changes of the posterior cornea may have an influence on the refractive shift. Patients with flatter posterior corneal curvature or higher posterior corneal density seem to exhibit a higher hyperopic shift. The weak correlations indicate a poor predictive value of any preoperative parameter used in our study.