Background: Understanding factors that contribute to posterior capsular opacification (PCO) development is a significant public concern as treatment can lead to complications. In order to prevent PCO, a better understanding of intraocular lens (IOL) characteristics, including design and material, and patient interaction is required. Herein, we performed a retrospective multivariable analysis to determine which factors (IOL and patient based) were least likely to result in PCO.

Methods: One hundred eighty post-mortem eyes with implanted IOLs were collected from the Minnesota Eye Bank, along with clinical history, including date of cataract surgery and IOL model number. The capsular bag (CB) with the IOL implant was removed from all eyes to obtain digital images. PCO outcome was quantified on CB images using an objective, automated custom image analyzer (Medical Parachute Automated Detector Opacification Software). The software measured intensity and area of the opacification within the IOL optic edge, intra-optic edge (IOE = intensity/area), and in Soemmering’s ring (SR = intensity/area). Epidemiologic analysis assessed which IOL characteristics and patient-related factors correlated with PCO. IOL factors included material, edge design, lens filter, company, IOL model, decentration and time from cataract surgery to death. Patient factors included sex, age and diabetes, among others.

Results: Multivariate analyses showed non-diabetic patients had less PCO (P=0.05). Individuals 50–80 years old compared to 80+ had lower SR PCO (P=0.04). Non-blue light filter IOLs had lower SR and IOE PCO compared to filter IOLs (P=0.03, 0.001). Square and frosted optic edge design had lower SR and IOE PCO rates compared to OptiEdge and round optic edge design (P=0.002, 0.02). The IOL model that had the least PCO was the ZA9003 model, but this was only significant for SR and not IOE PCO (P=0.04). Adjusting for patient-factors, IOL lens model was no longer a confounding factor for PCO. Patients with an IOL implanted for <7 years had lower SR PCO, whereas lower IOE PCO was only seen in implants <4 years old (P=0.0001, 0.04).

Conclusions: In order to generate a lens that does not develop PCO, it is critical to understand the IOL- and patient-related factors that lead to PCO development. Based on our data, the most susceptible patients are elderly and diabetic, and it may be preferable to implant a square and frosted edge lens without blue-light filtering in this cohort.

Background: Understanding factors that contribute to posterior capsular opacification (PCO) development is a significant public concern as treatment can lead to complications. In order to prevent PCO, a better understanding of intraocular lens (IOL) characteristics, including design and material, and patient interaction is required. Herein, we performed a retrospective multivariable analysis to determine which factors (IOL and patient based) were least likely to result in PCO.

Methods: One hundred eighty post-mortem eyes with implanted IOLs were collected from the Minnesota Eye Bank, along with clinical history, including date of cataract surgery and IOL model number. The capsular bag (CB) with the IOL implant was removed from all eyes to obtain digital images. PCO outcome was quantified on CB images using an objective, automated custom image analyzer (Medical Parachute Automated Detector Opacification Software). The software measured intensity and area of the opacification within the IOL optic edge, intra-optic edge (IOE = intensity/area), and in Soemmering’s ring (SR = intensity/area). Epidemiologic analysis assessed which IOL characteristics and patient-related factors correlated with PCO. IOL factors included material, edge design, lens filter, company, IOL model, decentration and time from cataract surgery to death. Patient factors included sex, age and diabetes, among others.

Results: Multivariate analyses showed non-diabetic patients had less PCO (P=0.05). Individuals 50–80 years old compared to 80+ had lower SR PCO (P=0.04). Non-blue light filter IOLs had lower SR and IOE PCO compared to filter IOLs (P=0.03, 0.001). Square and frosted optic edge design had lower SR and IOE PCO rates compared to OptiEdge and round optic edge design (P=0.002, 0.02). The IOL model that had the least PCO was the ZA9003 model, but this was only significant for SR and not IOE PCO (P=0.04). Adjusting for patient-factors, IOL lens model was no longer a confounding factor for PCO. Patients with an IOL implanted for <7 years had lower SR PCO, whereas lower IOE PCO was only seen in implants <4 years old (P=0.0001, 0.04).

Conclusions: In order to generate a lens that does not develop PCO, it is critical to understand the IOL- and patient-related factors that lead to PCO development. Based on our data, the most susceptible patients are elderly and diabetic, and it may be preferable to implant a square and frosted edge lens without blue-light filtering in this cohort.

Background: Epidermolysis bullosa (EB) is a heterogynous group of skin disorders characterized by formation of blisters and erosions of the skin in response to minor trauma. Subtypes include EB simplex (EBS), junctional EB (JEB), dystrophic form of EB (DEB) and finally Kindler syndrome (KS). In addition to dermal manifestation, patients can present with various ophthalmic pathologies.

Methods: We reviewed the pathobiology, epidemiology and management of ocular manifestations as well as current and future innovative therapies for EB.

Results: The severity and incidence of ocular involvement were the highest in the recessive DEB-generalized severe and JEB-generalized severe subtypes. Recurrent corneal erosions and blisters were the most common finding and seem to correlate with skin disease. Other manifestations include corneal scaring, blepharitis, ectropion, symblepharon, infantile cataracts, lacrimal duct obstruction as well as meibomian gland deficiency.

Conclusions: Ophthalmology consult as well as regular follow-up are essential in the multi-disciplinary approach of this disease. Indeed, parents’ and patients’ education as well as early diagnosis and treatment are crucial to prevent permanent and long-term visual disabilities.

Background: Epidermolysis bullosa (EB) is a heterogynous group of skin disorders characterized by formation of blisters and erosions of the skin in response to minor trauma. Subtypes include EB simplex (EBS), junctional EB (JEB), dystrophic form of EB (DEB) and finally Kindler syndrome (KS). In addition to dermal manifestation, patients can present with various ophthalmic pathologies.

Methods: We reviewed the pathobiology, epidemiology and management of ocular manifestations as well as current and future innovative therapies for EB.

Results: The severity and incidence of ocular involvement were the highest in the recessive DEB-generalized severe and JEB-generalized severe subtypes. Recurrent corneal erosions and blisters were the most common finding and seem to correlate with skin disease. Other manifestations include corneal scaring, blepharitis, ectropion, symblepharon, infantile cataracts, lacrimal duct obstruction as well as meibomian gland deficiency.

Conclusions: Ophthalmology consult as well as regular follow-up are essential in the multi-disciplinary approach of this disease. Indeed, parents’ and patients’ education as well as early diagnosis and treatment are crucial to prevent permanent and long-term visual disabilities.

Abstract: Optical coherence tomography (OCT) angiography is a new non-invasive imaging modality which is providing clinicians with an alternative to traditional dye-based angiography. The images are obtained using the concept of motion contrast and provide a quicker safer way to image the retinal and choroidal circulation. Not only are there practical aspects to support its integration but new insights are being made into the path; hysiology of various retinal choroidal diseases due to its ability to provide a 3-dimensional view of the vasculature which can be segmented in many ways to focus in on the circulation of a given anatomic region of the retina. We are currently in the phase of integration of this new technology into our practices.

Abstract: Optical coherence tomography (OCT) angiography is a new non-invasive imaging modality which is providing clinicians with an alternative to traditional dye-based angiography. The images are obtained using the concept of motion contrast and provide a quicker safer way to image the retinal and choroidal circulation. Not only are there practical aspects to support its integration but new insights are being made into the path; hysiology of various retinal choroidal diseases due to its ability to provide a 3-dimensional view of the vasculature which can be segmented in many ways to focus in on the circulation of a given anatomic region of the retina. We are currently in the phase of integration of this new technology into our practices.