UNASSIGNED: The purpose of this clinical report was to describe an unprecedented case of bilateral pressure-induced stromal keratopathy (PISK) following corneal photorefractive keratectomy, associated with presumed herpetic keratitis, and to present tomographic and biomechanical findings before and after appropriate treatment.
UNASSIGNED: A 33-year-old male patient was referred to our clinic with suspected delayed corneal epithelial healing 3 weeks after an uncomplicated PRK. A central layer of corneal opacity with a presumed fluid-filled interface area was observed upon slit lamp biomicroscopy. Scheimpflug images from the Pentacam® revealed a hyperreflective area beneath the central cornea. Scheimpflug-based corneal tomography, biomechanical assessment using the Pentacam® AXL Wave, and the Corvis ST® were conducted. Goldmann applanation tonometry measured 23/13 mm Hg, while noncontact tonometry intraocular pressure measured with the Corvis ST® (Corvis ST IOPnct) was 40.5/43.5 mm Hg. Treatment with oral valacyclovir, combined with ocular hypotensive therapy, led to a significant reduction in IOP and improved corneal deformation parameters after 1 month.
UNASSIGNED: Surgeons should be aware of the inaccuracy of Goldmann applanation tonometry in PISK, which can occur after LASIK or surface ablation.

Different types of refractive surgeries often exhibit differences in wound healing responses. The current study investigated post-operative tear protein profiles in subjects who underwent LASIK and SMILE to elucidate global changes to the proteomic profile during the period the patient cornea undergoes healing. In this study, 10 patients underwent LASIK and SMILE surgery with a contralateral paired eye design. Tear samples were collected using Schirmer\'s strips preoperatively, at 1 month, 3 months and 6 months postoperatively. Quantitative ITRAQ labeled proteomics was performed and the tear protein ratios were normalized to pre-operative protein levels for each subject. Whole proteomics identified 1345 proteins in tears from LASIK and 1584 proteins in SMILE across time points. About 67 proteins were common in LASIK and SMILE tears across all the time points. Wound healing responses were differentially regulated between two refractive surgeries (SMILE and LASIK). The proteins Ceruloplasmin, Clusterin, Serotransferrin were upregulated at 1 month and 3 months and downregulated at 6 months post operatively in LASIK surgery where as in SMILE these were downregulated. Galectin 3 binding protein showed upregulation at 1 month and the levels decreased at 3 months and 6 months postop in LASIK tears whereas the levels increased at 3 months and 6 months post-op in SMILE tears. The levels of proteins that protect from oxidative stress were higher in SMILE as compared to LASIK postoperatively. The extracellular matrix proteins showed an increase in expression at 6 months in SMILE tears and was stabilized at 6 months in LASIK tears post operatively. Different refractive surgeries induce distinct wound healing responses as identified in tears. This study has implications in targeting key proteins for improving the clinical outcome postrefractive surgery.

UNASSIGNED: To evaluate the effectiveness of Zhang and Zheng\'s InnovEyes (ZZ InnovEyes) strategy for optimizing outcomes of ray-tracing-guided laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) compared to the standard automated strategy.
UNASSIGNED: A total of 38 patients (71 eyes) undergoing therapeutic refractive surgery at Hangzhou MSK Eye Hospital were randomly assigned to the ZZ InnovEyes and automated groups using double-masked randomization. The study assessed visual acuity, refractive outcomes, and higher-order aberrations preoperatively and at 1-day, 2-week, 1-month, and 3-month follow-ups. Statistical analysis was done with Microsoft Excel and SPSS 19.0.
UNASSIGNED: The exposure and control groups comprised 36 and 35 eyes, respectively. The ZZ InnovEyes group demonstrated significant advantages in manifest refraction spherical equivalent (MRSE) correction compared to the automated approach group (0.13 ± 0.30 D vs 0.62 ± 0.40 D, p < 0.001), achieving 97.22% uncorrected distance visual acuity (UDVA) of 20/16 or better compared to 85.71% in the automated group at the 3-month follow-up (p = 0.08), and achieving 50.00% UDVA of 20/12.5 or better compared to 28.57% in the automated group at the 3-month follow-up (p = 0.06). Loss lines from preoperative corrected distance visual acuity to postoperative UDVA were lower in the ZZ InnovEyes group (0.00%) than the automated group (8.57%; p = 0.07). Both groups exhibited similar astigmatism corrections and higher-order aberrations.
UNASSIGNED: The ZZ InnovEyes strategy, which incorporates manifest and wavefront refraction for ray-tracing-guided LASIK, demonstrated superior MRSE correction and potential advantages in visual acuity outcomes compared to the standard automated strategy. This study highlights the need for ongoing optimization and research in refractive surgery.
UNASSIGNED: ChiCTR2300078709.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to compare outcomes of topography-guided laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis (TG-LASIK) and small incision lenticule extraction (SMILE®) for correcting myopia and myopic astigmatism.
METHODS: In this prospective, randomized contralateral study, 34 patients (68 eyes) received TG-LASIK in one eye, and SMILE in their fellow eye. Efficacy, safety, predictability, higher-order aberrations, corneal tomography, biomechanics, and patient-reported outcomes (PROs) were assessed preoperatively and up to 3 months postoperatively.
RESULTS: Both platforms showed comparable efficacy at 3 months (TG-LASIK 1.08 ± 0.19; SMILE 0.98 ± 0.17, p = 0.055). However, TG-LASIK demonstrated quicker visual recovery, with 63% and 89% achieving uncorrected distance visual acuity (UDVA) of 20/16 or better at 1 day and 1 week, respectively, compared to SMILE (34% and 63%; p < 0.05). Safety index at 3 months did not significantly differ between TG-LASIK and SMILE (p = 0.223). TG-LASIK and SMILE had 44% and 56% of eyes within 0.13 D of spherical equivalent (SEQ) target, respectively. SMILE induced more total higher-order aberrations (HOAs), vertical coma, and oblique trefoil than TG-LASIK at 3 months (p < 0.05). Both platforms showed similar increases in epithelial remodeling, but SMILE induced thicker epithelium than TG-LASIK at the 7.0-mm nasal zonal area. No significant differences were found in corneal hysteresis (CH) or corneal resistance factor (CRF) at 3 months (p > 0.05). Reported symptoms of glare, halos, rings, starbursts, or dry eye did not significantly differ between groups at 3 months (p > 0.05). Overall, 59% of patients preferred their TG-LASIK treated eye at 1 month, but 65% of patients had no specific eye preference at 3 months.
CONCLUSIONS: TG-LASIK and SMILE demonstrate excellent and comparable efficacy, safety, and predictability at 3 months, but TG-LASIK offers faster postoperative visual recovery at 1 day and 1 week. TG-LASIK induces fewer HOAs than SMILE, but both procedures affect corneal biomechanics similarly.
BACKGROUND: ClincialTrials.gov identifier, NCT05611294.

Some patients develop persistent eye pain after refractive surgery, but factors that cause or sustain pain are unknown. We tested whether tear proteins of patients with pain 3 months after surgery differ from those of patients without pain. Patients undergoing refractive surgery (laser in situ keratomileusis or photorefractive keratectomy ) were recruited from 2 clinics, and tears were collected 3 months after surgery. Participants rated their eye pain using a numerical rating scale (NRS, 0-10; no pain-worst pain) at baseline, 1 day, and 3 months after surgery. Using tandem mass tag proteomic analysis, we examined tears from patients with pain [NRS ≥ 3 at 3 months (n = 16)] and patients with no pain [NRS ≤ 1 at 3 months (n = 32)] after surgery. A subset of proteins (83 of 2748 detected, 3.0%) were associated with pain 3 months after surgery. High-dimensional statistical models showed that the magnitude of differential expression was not the only important factor in classifying tear samples from pain patients. Models utilizing 3 or 4 proteins had better classification performance than single proteins and represented differences in both directions (higher or lower in pain). Thus, patterns of protein differences may serve as biomarkers of postsurgical eye pain as well as potential therapeutic targets.

UNASSIGNED: To evaluate and compare the effect of femtosecond laser-assisted cataract surgery on corneal astigmatism in post-LASIK eyes and virgin eyes.
UNASSIGNED: Patients who underwent femtosecond laser-assisted cataract surgery were included in the study and categorized into two groups: Group A, consisting of patients with post-LASIK eyes, and Group B, consisting of patients with virgin eyes. Visual acuity, corneal astigmatism, and surgically induced astigmatism (SIA) were evaluated. Additionally, the correlation between SIA and preoperative corneal astigmatism, mean corneal curvature, and central corneal thickness was also analyzed.
UNASSIGNED: A total of 168 eyes were enrolled in this study, with 62 eyes in Group A and 106 eyes in Group B. Significant differences in corneal astigmatism and SIA were observed between the two groups in the early postoperative period following cataract surgery (P<0.05). However, there was no significant difference at 6 months postoperatively (P>0.05). Corneal astigmatism demonstrated an against-The-rule shift in both groups postoperatively. No significant correlation was identified between SIA and preoperative corneal astigmatism, corneal curvature or corneal thickness. Additionally, there was no significant difference observed between the two groups in terms of uncorrected distance visual acuity (UDVA) at 6 months postoperatively.
UNASSIGNED: The effect of femtosecond laser-assisted cataract surgery on corneal astigmatism in post-LASIK eyes and virgin eyes was different in the early postoperative period. However, there was no significant difference at 6 months postoperatively. The post-LASIK eyes exhibited a delayed recovery compared to the virgin eyes.

Corneal techniques for enhancing near and intermediate vision to correct presbyopia include surgical and contact lens treatment modalities. Broad approaches used independently or in combination include correcting one eye for distant and the other for near or intermediate vision, (termed monovision or mini-monovision depending on the degree of anisometropia) and/or extending the eye\'s depth of focus [1]. This report reviews the evidence for the treatment profile, safety, and efficacy of the current range of corneal techniques for managing presbyopia. The visual needs and expectations of the patient, their ocular characteristics, and prior history of surgery are critical considerations for patient selection and preoperative evaluation. Contraindications to refractive surgery include unstable refraction, corneal abnormalities, inadequate corneal thickness for the proposed ablation depth, ocular and systemic co-morbidities, uncontrolled mental health issues and unrealistic patient expectations. Laser refractive options for monovision include surface/stromal ablation techniques and keratorefractive lenticule extraction. Alteration of spherical aberration and multifocal ablation profiles are the primary means for increasing ocular depth of focus, using surface and non-surface laser refractive techniques. Corneal inlays use either small aperture optics to increase depth of field or modify the anterior corneal curvature to induce corneal multifocality. In presbyopia correction by conductive keratoplasty, radiofrequency energy is applied to the mid-peripheral corneal stroma, leading to mid-peripheral corneal shrinkage and central corneal steepening. Hyperopic orthokeratology lens fitting can induce spherical aberration and correct some level of presbyopia. Postoperative management, and consideration of potential complications, varies according to technique applied and the time to restore corneal stability, but a minimum of 3 months of follow-up is recommended after corneal refractive procedures. Ongoing follow-up is important in orthokeratology and longer-term follow-up may be required in the event of late complications following corneal inlay surgery.

OBJECTIVE: The study investigates the influence of changes in keratometric parameters after refractive surgery on the results of Maklakov tonometry.
METHODS: The study examined a total of 61 people (121 eyes). The patients were divided into a control group with no history of surgery (16 people, 31 eyes), a LASIK group (13 people, 26 eyes), a femtosecond-assisted LASIK (FS-LASIK) group (16 people, 32 eyes), and a photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) group (16 people, 32 eyes). The patients underwent standard examination, keratometry (Km), Maklakov tonometry with a 10 g weight, and elastotonometry with 5, 7.5, and 15 g weights.
RESULTS: In the LASIK group, the indentation diameter with 5 and 7.5 g weights correlated with Km in the central and near-paracentral zone (r=0.3-0.5). Tonometry with a 10 g weight did not correlate with anything. Tonometry with a 15 g weight inversely correlated with Km in the paracentral points (4 mm) of the strong meridian (r= -0.5 ... -0.7). In the FS-LASIK group, a significant inverse correlation with Km was observed only for the indentation diameter with a 10 g weight in the paracentral (3-4 mm) zone (r= -0.4 ... -0.5). In the PRK group, weak (r<0.4) correlations were found between Km and the indentation diameter of the 7.5 and 10 g weights for the central zone (1-2 mm). No significant correlations were found for 5 and 15 g weights.
In the control group, there were practically no correlations for 5 and 7.5 g weights. The indentation diameter of the 10 g weight evenly correlated with Km at all points (r= -0.38 ... -0.60), the indentation of the 15 g weight correlated mainly with the curvature of the horizontal meridian (r= -0.37 ... -0.49).
CONCLUSIONS: Tonometry readings with the 10 g weight are the most dependent on Km in different groups, and the readings with the 5 g weight are the least dependent. LASIK is characterized by the largest scatter of dependencies for weights of different masses, FS-LASIK - by the smallest. Tonometry readings with the 5 g weight correlated with Km only in the LASIK group, and this was the only direct correlation. Considering the inverse nature of most correlations, higher Km may be associated with an overestimation of tonometry results, and lower Km - with its underestimation.
UNASSIGNED: Изучить влияние изменения кератометрических параметров после рефракционной хирургии на результаты тонометрии по Маклакову.
UNASSIGNED: Обследован 61 человек (121 глаз). Пациенты разделены на контрольную группу без операций в анамнезе (16 человек, 31 глаз), группу LASIK (13 человек, 26 глаз), LASIK с фемтосекундным сопровождением (FS-LASIK) (16 человек, 32 глаза) и группу фоторефракционной кератэктомии (ФРК) (16 человек, 32 глаза). Пациентам проводили стандартное обследование, кератометрию (Км), тонометрию по Маклакову грузом 10 г, эластотонометрию грузами 5, 7,5 и 15 г.
UNASSIGNED: В группе LASIK диаметр тонометрии грузами 5 и 7,5 г коррелировал с Км в центральной и ближней парацентральной зоне (r=0,3—0,5). Тонометрия грузом 10 г не коррелировала ни с чем. Тонометрия грузом 15 г обратно коррелировала с Км в парацентральных точках (4 мм) сильного меридиана (r= –0,5 ... –0,7). В группе FS-LASIK достоверная обратная корреляция с Км наблюдалась только для диаметра тонометрии грузом 10 г в парацентральной (3—4 мм) зоне (r= –0,4 ... –0,5).
В группе ФРК выявлены слабые (r<0,4) корреляции между Км и диаметром отпечатка груза 7,5 и 10 г для центральной зоны (1—2 мм). Не было зафиксировано значимых корреляций для грузов массой 5 и 15 г.
В контрольной группе практически не было корреляций для грузов 5 и 7,5 г. Диаметр отпечатка груза 10 г равномерно коррелировал с Км во всех точках (r= –0,38 ... –0,60), отпечаток груза 15 г коррелировал преимущественно с кривизной горизонтального меридиана (r=-0,37... –0,49).
UNASSIGNED: Наиболее зависимым от Км в разных группах является отпечаток груза 10 г, наименее — отпечаток груза 5 г. LASIK характеризуется наибольшим разбросом зависимостей для грузов разной массы, FS-LASIK — наименьшим. Отпечаток груза массой 5 г коррелировал с Км только в группе LASIK, также это единственная прямая корреляция. Учитывая обратную природу большинства корреляций, бо́льшая Км может ассоциироваться с завышением результатов тонометрии, меньшая — с занижением.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study is to evaluate the use of a varenicline solution nasal spray (VNS) for reducing the signs and symptoms of dry eye following laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK).
METHODS: Subjects electing to undergo LASIK were randomized to VNS (study group) or placebo/vehicle (control group) and initiated treatment with the nasal spray twice daily 28 days prior to surgery with continued treatment for 84 days following LASIK. After initiation of treatment, subjects were seen on the day of surgery and postoperatively on Days 1, 7, 28, 84 (3 months) and 168 (6 months). The primary outcome measure was the mean change in NEI-VFQ-25, a 25-item dry eye questionnaire, from baseline to 3 months. The second primary outcome measure was the mean change in corneal fluorescein staining. Secondary outcome measures included evaluation of tear break-up time, Schirmer testing, tear osmolarity and eye dryness score (EDS).
RESULTS: Twenty subjects were enrolled in each group and successfully underwent LASIK. Both groups demonstrated an improvement in the National Eye Institute Visual Function Questionnaire (NEI-VFQ) at 3 months. The study group demonstrated improved corneal staining scores at months 1 and 3. Similarly, the study group demonstrated improvement in tear osmolarity scores versus the placebo group at the same time points. Although the study group was numerically greater than placebo for each time point for both corneal staining and tear osmolarity, the differences were not statistically significant for any primary or secondary outcome measures.
CONCLUSIONS: VNS is a dry eye treatment option for patients following LASIK and may have potential benefit for patients hoping to avoid additional topical medications. The results were not statistically significant compared to placebo in this trial, and further investigation of the use of VNS following LASIK in a larger trial would be beneficial.
Laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) is a very successful refractive surgery option for patients hoping to reduce or eliminate their need for spectacles. Signs and symptoms of dry eye disease are very common after LASIK owing to the transection of corneal nerves that occurs during the procedure, and many patients are advised to manage it with frequent instillation of artificial tears. This study evaluated the use of a varenicline solution nasal spray, a recently introduced pharmacologic option that stimulates natural tear production through activation of the trigeminal nerve pathway. This is the first study to evaluate the use of the varenicline solution nasal spray in patients after refractive surgery and demonstrates that it could represent a favorable, ocular surface-sparing option for patients to minimize the signs and symptoms of dry eye following LASIK, a procedure known to trigger symptoms of dry eye disease.

Background: This retrospective chart review compared the higher-order aberrations (HOAs) among photorefractive keratectomy (PRK), laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis (LASIK), and small incision lenticule extraction (SMILE) alongside changes in spherical equivalent (SEQ) and corneal shape (Q-value). Methods: Analyzing 371 myopic eyes, including 154 LASIK, 173 PRK, and 44 SMILE cases, Pentacam imaging was utilized pre-operatively and at one-year post-operative visits. Results: All procedures resulted in 100% of patients achieving an uncorrected distance visual acuity (UDVA) of 20/40 or better, with 87% of LASIK and PRK, and 91% of SMILE patients having 20/20 or better. Significant increases in HOAs were observed across all procedures (p < 0.05), correlating positively with SEQ and Q-value changes (LASIK (0.686, p < 0.05), followed by PRK (0.4503, p < 0.05), and SMILE (0.386, p < 0.05)). Vertical coma and spherical aberration (SA) were the primary factors for heightened aberration magnitude among the procedures (p < 0.05), with the largest contribution in SMILE, which is likely attributed to the centration at the corneal apex. Notably, PRK showed insignificant changes in vertical coma (-0.197 µm ± 0.0168 to -0.192 µm ± 0.0198, p = 0.78), with an increase in oblique trefoil (p < 0.05). Conclusions: These findings underscore differences in HOAs among PRK, LASIK, and SMILE, helping to guide clinicians.