Purpose. An alteration in corneal innervation has been described in dry eye associated with diabetes mellitus, contact lens use, and LASIK. The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether dry eye not related to Sjögren’s syndrome (NSDE) and dry eye related to primary Sjögren’s syndrome (PSDE) are associated with an alteration of the corneal nerves and sensation. methods. Twenty-one patients with dry eye (10 NSDE and 11 PSDE) and 20 healthy volunteers were studied. Healthy volunteers were divided into two groups: one younger than 60 years (N<60) and the other 60 years of age or older (N≥60). The study of the epithelium, stroma, and subbasal corneal nerves was performed with a confocal microscope. Mechanical, chemical, and thermal sensation was evaluated using the Belmonte noncontact esthesiometer. results. A statistically significant decrease in the number and density of subbasal nerves (P < 0.0001) and the density of superficial epithelial cells (P < 0.0001) was observed in dry eyes. The number and density of subbasal nerves was higher in the N<60 group. A significant decrease was found with respect to mechanical, chemical, and thermal sensitivity (P < 0.0001). Sensibility was better in the healthy eyes. A strong correlation was found between the density of superficial epithelial cells and the nerves and between the number and density of subbasal nerves and sensation (P < 0.001). conclusions. The use of confocal microscopy and noncontact esthesiometry allow the detection of the presence of corneal neuropathy in patients with dry eye.

Aims To evaluate the long-term efficacy and safety of combined cataract surgery and Glaukos iStent implantation for coexistent open-angle glaucoma and cataract. Methods Prospective, non-comparative, uncontrolled, non-randomised, interventional case series study. Subjects older than 18 years with coexistent uncontrolled mild or moderate open-angle glaucoma (including pseudoexfoliative and pigmentary) and cataract underwent phacoemulsification and intraocular lens implantation along with ab-interno gonioscopically guided implantation of one Glaukos iStent. The variables recorded during a minimum of 3 years of follow-up were: intraocular pressure (IOP), number of antiglaucoma medications and best-corrected visual acuity. Results The 19 patients enrolled were 58–88 years old (mean age 74.6±8.44 years). Mean follow-up was 53.68±9.26 months. Mean IOP was reduced from 19.42±1.89 mm Hg to 16.26±4.23 mm Hg (p=0.002) at the end of follow up, indicating a 16.33% decrease in IOP. The mean number of pressure-lowering medications used by the patients fell from 1.32±0.48 to 0.84±0.89 (p=0.046). In 42% of patients, no antiglaucoma medications were used at the end of follow-up. Mean best-corrected visual acuity significantly improved from 0.29±0.13 to 0.62±0.3 (p<0.001). No complications of surgery were observed. Conclusion Combined cataract surgery and Glaukos iStent implantation seems to be an effective and safe procedure to treat coexistent open-angle glaucoma and cataract.

Collagen cross linking (CXL) of the cornea has been developed recently as a new treatment for multidrug-resistant infectious keratitis. The aim of this study is to summarize the previously published data and evaluate the effectiveness of this treatment.

To evaluate intraoperative endothelial damage after planned extracapsular cataract extraction (ECCE) with difference capsulotomy techniques and phacoemulsification. San Carlos University Hospital, Castroviejo Institute, Madrid, Spain. In this prospective, randomized study, 60 patients with senile cataract scheduled for cataract surgery were divided into three groups of 20 each: Group 1 had phacoemulsification; Group 2, planned ECCE with continuous curvilinear capsulorhexis; and Group 3, ECCE with letter-box capsulotomy. Preoperatively and 3 months postoperatively, endothelial cell density, percentage of hexagonality, and the cell size variation coefficient were determined by contact specular microscopy; endothelial permeability was examined by anterior segment fluorophotometry and central corneal thickness, by ultrasonic pachymetry. Results were analyzed using the two-tailed Student's t-test and analysis of variance. In all three groups, endothelial permeability and cell loss increased significantly from the preoperative values, but there were not significant differences among the postoperative values. Mean cell loss was 11.8% in Group 1, 12.8% in Group 2, and 10.1% in Group 3. There were no differences between the preoperative and postoperative morphometric indexes. Postoperative pachymetric measurements were not significant. Endothelial response was not statistically significantly different among the surgical techniques, although endothelial damage was lower in Group 3, which could indicate a protective effect of the anterior capsule during cataract extraction. Endothelial barrier function remained disturbed despite the apparent morphological stabilization.

Purpose. To evaluate the long-term efficacy and safety of the iStentinjectdevice (Glaukos Corporation, Laguna Hills, CA) combined with phacoemulsification in patients with coexistent cataract and open-angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension (OHT).Methods. A prospective, uncontrolled, nonrandomized, interventional case series study was conducted in patients with both mild or moderate open-angle glaucoma or OHT and cataract. Patients underwent cataract surgery along with the implant of two iStentinjectdevices. Outcome measures were intraocular pressure (IOP), topical hypotensive medications required, and best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA).Results. 20 patients were enrolled. Mean follow-up was47.4±18.46months. Mean baseline IOP was19.95±3.71 mmHg with medication and26±3.11 mmHg after washout. Mean end-follow-up IOP was16.25±1.99 mmHg, representing an IOP decrease of 36.92%,9.74±3.14 mmHg (P<0.001), from baseline washout IOP. The mean number of medications was significantly reduced from1.3±0.66to0.75±0.79(P=0.017). 45% of patients were medication-free by the end of follow-up. Meanlog⁡MARBCVA improved significantly from0.42±0.16to0.18±0.16(P<0.001). No complications of surgery were observed.Conclusion. The iStentinjectdevice combined with cataract surgery served to significantly reduce both IOP and medication use in the long term in patients with coexistent open-angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension (OHT) and cataract.

Aims To evaluate the mid-term efficacy and safety of the GTS-400-iStent combined with phacoemulsification in patients with cataract and open-angle glaucoma (OAG) or ocular hypertension (OHT). Methods Prospective, non-comparative, uncontrolled, interventional case series study. Subjects underwent phacoemulsification and two GTS-400 implantation. Efficacy outcomes: intraocular pressure (IOP) and antiglaucoma medications. Safety outcomes: complications, best-corrected visual acuity and endothelial cell count (ECC). Follow-up was 1 year. Results 20 patients were enrolled (mean age: 75.1±8.6 years). Mean medicated baseline IOP was 19.95±3.71 mm Hg and 26±3.11 mm Hg without medication. Mean final IOP was 16.75±2.24, determining a final IOP decrease of 35.68% (9.42±3 mm Hg; p<0.001), from baseline washout IOP. Mean number of medications fell from 1.3±0.66 to 0.3±0.57 (P<0.001). 75% of patients were off medications at one year. Mean ECC decreased from 2289.64±393.5 cells/mm² to 1986.95±520.58 cells/mm². Conclusions Combined cataract surgery with implantation of GTS-400-iStent seems to be an effective and safe procedure.