Objective: Toric intraocular lens implantation has been used to correct corneal astigmatism during cataract surgery. The study aimed to compare the visual outcomes between manual vs markerless toric intraocular lens implantation in astigmatic correction. Methods: The medical records of patients at American Eye Center who underwent phacoemulsification by multiple surgeons with insertion of monofocal or multifocal toric lenses via manual marking and markerless method from 2010-2019 were reviewed. Results: A total of 70 patients were included in the study. Results showed no significant difference in the following characteristics between manual and markerless method at one month and two months post-cataract surgery: uncorrected distance visual acuity (UDVA), corrected distance visual acuity (CDVA), uncorrected near vision acuity (UNVA), corrected near vision acuity (CNVA), refraction spherical equivalent. The UDVA, CDVA, UNVA, CNVA and astigmatism had significantly lower median/mean-rank at one and two months postoperatively compared to preoperative values. Conclusion In conclusion, our findings indicated that both manual-based and markerless systems effectively facilitated accurate placement of the toric IOL on the desired axis. Notably, there was no significant difference observed between the two methods. Both systems are straightforward to execute. In low-resource settings like the Philippines, the manual marking method can be employed when markerless guidance equipment is unavailable.
Phacoemulsification ; Astigmatism ; Philippines

OBJECTIVE

Toric intraocular lens implantation has been used to correct corneal astigmatism during cataract surgery. The study aimed to compare the visual outcomes between manual vs markerless toric intraocular lens implantation in astigmatic correction.

The medical records of patients at American Eye Center who underwent phacoemulsification by multiple surgeons with insertion of monofocal or multifocal toric lenses via manual marking and markerless method from 2010-2019 were reviewed.

A total of 70 patients were included in the study. Results showed no significant difference in the following characteristics between manual and markerless method at one month and two months post-cataract surgery: uncorrected distance visual acuity (UDVA), corrected distance visual acuity (CDVA), uncorrected near vision acuity (UNVA), corrected near vision acuity (CNVA), refraction spherical equivalent. The UDVA, CDVA, UNVA, CNVA and astigmatism had significantly lower median/mean-rank at one and two months postoperatively compared to preoperative values.

In conclusion, our findings indicated that both manual-based and markerless systems effectively facilitated accurate placement of the toric IOL on the desired axis. Notably, there was no significant difference observed between the two methods. Both systems are straightforward to execute. In low-resource settings like the Philippines, the manual marking method can be employed when markerless guidance equipment is unavailable.

Objective: To report a case of a suture-related corneal abscess caused by Enterococcus casseliflavus on a phacoemulsification corneal incision. Method: This is a case report. Results: An elderly female underwent complicated phacoemulsification surgery on the left eye requiring sutures to seal the corneal incisions. Suture removal was incomplete at the side port, and a suture abscess developed after 9 weeks. Cultures revealed heavy growth of Enterococcus casseliflavus which was initially treated with an empiric broad-spectrum antibiotic (levofloxacin 1.5%) administered via intrastromal and subconjunctival injections, followed by culture-guided topical and oral medications. The corneal infection resolved but significant corneal thinning led to perforation, requiring a modified Gunderson flap procedure to repair the defect. Conclusion Intrastromal and subconjuctival injection of levofloxacin 1.5% may be a viable empiric treatment option for Enterococcus casseliflavus suture-related corneal abscess.
Phacoemulsification

Objective: We reported a case of Descemet's membrane detachment (DMD) following ripcord removal of a Baerveldt shunt in a post-corneal transplant eye, and the interventions done. Method: This is a case report Results: A 65-year-old male with multiple surgeries (phacoemulsification, two corneal transplants, and Baerveldt shunt implantation) in the right eye developed increased intraocular pressures, prompting removal of the intraluminal stent (ripcord) of the shunt. This was complicated by hypotony and DMD. Ripcord reinsertion and viscoelastic injection were performed to reattach the Descemet's membrane (DM) but failed. 0.1mL of 14% perfluoropropane (C3F8) gas was injected into the anterior chamber that successfully reattached the DM with return to pre-operative best-corrected visual acuity after 1 week. Conclusion Injection of an expansive gas (C3F8) was effective in repairing a corneal graft DMD in an eye with a Baerveldt shunt.
Glaucoma Drainage Implants ; Corneal Transplantation

Objective: To present a case of neovascular glaucoma secondary to ocular ischemic syndrome following an uncomplicated phacoemulsification Methods: This is a case description of a 74-year-old male who developed blurred vision and increased intraocular pressure (IOP) two months after an uncomplicated phacoemulsification cataract surgery with posterior chamber lens implantation of the left eye. There was iris neovascularization with absence of retinal dot/blot hemorrhages or neovascularization. The fluorescein angiogram (FA) showed delayed choroidal fluorescence and arteriovenous time. IOP-lowering medications and intravitreal injection of aflibercept were given. Carotid doppler test showed 70% stenosis of the ipsilateral artery but a subsequent magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) did not show evidence of significant stenosis. Results: At his last consultation, visual acuity improved to counting fingers. IOP was maintained at 12 mmHg with one anti-glaucoma medication. Conclusion Ocular ischemia can confound the outcome of an uncomplicated cataract surgery. Doppler scans are usually chosen as the first-line exam for those suspected of carotid stenosis but, at times, may have contradictory results with MRA.
Glaucoma, Neovascular ; Phacoemulsification

Posterior capsule opacification (PCO), a common complication after cataract surgery, impacts a patient's long-term visual quality to various degrees. Although a neodymium:yttrium aluminum garnet (Nd:YAG) laser posterior capsulotomy is a very effective treatment, it may lead to a serial of complications. Accordingly, the search for simple, safe, and effective methods to prevent PCO has received widespread attention. Various researchers are committed to the interdisciplinary collaboration between medicine and engineering fields, such as functionalizing the surface of the intraocular lens (IOL) via supercritical fluid impregnation, coating the surface of the IOL, high-concentration drug immersion, and application of a drug delivery system, to effectively reduce the incidence and severity of PCO.
Humans ; Capsule Opacification/surgery* ; Lens Implantation, Intraocular ; Cataract/etiology* ; Lens Capsule, Crystalline/surgery* ; Lenses, Intraocular/adverse effects* ; Treatment Outcome ; Postoperative Complications ; Prosthesis Design

Objective: To determine refractive changes in children post-cataract extraction and intraocular lens (IOL) implantation at a Philippine tertiary hospital. Methods: This is a retrospective cohort study involving patients aged 1 to 10 years in the Department of Ophthalmology of a Philippine tertiary hospital who underwent cataract extraction and IOL implantation between 2004 to 2013. Results: We included 55 eyes of 34 patients in the analysis. Thirty-eight eyes (69%) eyes underwent primary IOL implantation. The mean duration of follow-up was 3.5 ± 2.1 years. The median refractive changes were -2.00 (-2.50, -0.50) diopters (D) for the 1- to 3-year-old group, -1.25 (-1.50, -0.25) D for the 4- to 7-year-old group, and -1.00 (-1.63, -0.25) D for the 8- to 10-year-old group. Only the 1- to 3-year-old group had significant difference between the initial post-operative refraction and the latest follow-up refraction (p<0.001). For the primary implantation group, patients in the 1- to 3-year-old group had the highest median refractive change at -2.00 (-3.125, -1.00) D while patients in the 8- to 10-year-old group had the highest median refractive change at -2.12 (-2.56, -1.69) D in the secondary implantation group. Refractions of eyes with IOL-implanted and normal eyes showed a median difference of -1.00 (-0.25, -3.5) D. Conclusion The determination of the power of IOL implants in pediatric patients who underwent cataract extraction remains challenging despite availability of recommendations.
Lens Implantation, Intraocular ; Child ; Cataract

OBJECTIVES: To investigate angle Kappa and diopter distribution in myopic patients and the changes of angle Kappa and corneal morphology after Sub-Bowman-Keratomileusis (SBK), and to analyze the effects of the surgery on corneal morphologic changes and the patients' near fixation characteristics. METHODS: The clinical data of 134 myopic patients (268 eyes) undergoing SBK from August 2015 to August 2016 were retrospectively analyzed. Angle Kappa, corneal curvature in the central corneal region of 3 mm, and post-corneal Diff value were measured by Orbscan IIz Corneal Topography System before operation, 1 month and 6 months after operation. According to the values of angle Kappa before SBK, the patients were divided into 2 groups: the large K group (angle Kappa≥5°, 71 eyes) and the small K group (angle Kappa<5°, 197 eyes). Correlation analysis of the factors influencing angle Kappa at 6 months after operation was performed. RESULTS: In the large K group, angle Kappa was (5.67±0.65)°, spherical equivalent was (-4.84±2.32) D, and angle Kappa was decreased after operation (both CONCLUSIONS The angle Kappa is decreased in low-moderate myopia patients with large angle Kappa, while is increased in high myopia patients with small angle Kappa after SBK. Myopia patients after SBK will look for the new balance of the binocular accommodation and vergence function for improving the comfort in the near-work situations.
Cornea/surgery* ; Humans ; Keratomileusis, Laser In Situ ; Myopia/surgery* ; Refraction, Ocular ; Retrospective Studies

Purpose: To connect didactic learning to clinical application is a challenging task both for the teachers and students. Target-Oriented Clinical Skill Enhancement (TOCSE) is a teaching and learning tool that integrates basic medical sciences at the clinical level. The authors sought to determine if TOCSE is effective in bridging didactic knowledge to clinical skill and enhancing the clinical performance of fourth year medical students.

Method: Between March 2021 and June 2021, in an online platform, the authors randomly allocated 141 fourth year medical students into the experimental (n=12 groups; n=63) and control groups (n=12 groups; n=78). Participants in the experimental group underwent the TOCSE module workshop while the control group utilized the standard method of teaching. The actively teaching faculty staff blinded of group allocation were invited to assess case presentations using a standardized rubric. A survey was done by the students (experimental and control) to evaluate how they perceived TOCSE to their performance and learning. Independent parametric t-test was performed to compare the clinical skill scores between the two groups.

Results: The experimental group had a mean clinical skill score of 35.29 (SD=2.64, excellent) while the control group had a mean clinical skill score of 31.96 (SD=4.04, satisfactory). The between-group comparisons using independent t-test indicated that the mean difference of -3.33 clinical skills scores between the experimental and control groups was statistically significant (t=-2.39, p=0.026, 95% CI=-6.22 to -0.45). Moreover, the perceived usefulness score (scale 10 as highest) among the TOCSE presenters (experimental groups) was 8.43 (SD=0.84) and scores among the TOCSE audience (control groups) was comparable at 8.36 (SD=0.71), both of which were interpreted as very helpful.

Conclusion: TOCSE is effective in bridging didactic knowledge to clinical skill and enhancing clinical performance of fourth year medical students.

Aims: Thiamethoxam (THIA) is a pesticide that has been widely used for its effectiveness in controlling and preventing insect pests. However, the use of THIA diffused in soil, surface and groundwater pose severe toxicity to the ecosystem. The hazardous pollution caused by the toxicity of THIA demands for remediation to ensure degradation of THIA into its safe constituent elements. Thus, the aim of this study is to isolate and identify potential THIA degraders for future bioremediation. Methodology and results: Bacteria were isolated from soil sample collected at a corn plantation which utilizes THIA as a source of pesticide. Overall, two bacterial isolates were isolated from the soil sample. The bacterial isolates were screened and identified for their ability to degrade pesticide by culturing in minimal salt media (MSM) supplemented with 50 mg/L THIA. The growth of isolates was observed and analyzed through spectrophotometry analysis, standard plate count method and pH value of culture medium. As a result, isolate THIA 1 had been found to possess the ability to degrade pesticide as it showed a high rate in growth of bacteria compared to its controls. Meanwhile, isolate THIA 2 showed no degrading activities while under treatment as it showed similar rate of growth towards its control. Isolate THIA 1 was identified as Acinetobacter sp. UMTFA THIA 1. Conclusion, significance and impact of study The isolation and identification of the pesticide degrading bacteria will provide promising source of pesticide degrading enzyme that can be further developed for enzymatic pesticide biodegradation. This will pave the way forward in bioremediation where new effective degradation tools can be developed for pesticide residue which otherwise lead to serious ecological problem.
Thiamethoxam ; Bacteria ; Corneal Transplantation