The spherical aberration of aphakic eyes corrected with intra-ocular lenses

The spherical aberration of eyes corrected with intra-ocular lenses is investigated using a model eye with realistic levels of corneal asphericity. The results indicate that the aberration is intermediate between that of paraxial schematic eyes and real eyes. By using standard optical aberration theory, it is shown that for a plano-convex lens with the curved surface facing the cornea, the aberration is similar to that of normal phakic eyes and therefore probably too low to be of any clinical significance. However, for other lens orientations or designs, the level of aberration is usually higher and may lead to a refractive error varying with pupil size and a loss of acuity with large pupil diameters.     

Legal issues in contact lens practice with special reference to the practice of orthokeratology

This report aims to encourage optometrists to reflect on the legal implications of clinical contact lens practice, with particular reference to the practice of orthokeratology (ortho-k), which has seen a recent revival of interest. A patient may claim compensation if an optometrist is negligent by breaching his duty to exercise reasonable care and skill in diagnosis, advice or treatment. However, the optometrist will only be liable for reasonably foreseeable harm to the patient, so practitioners need to be fully aware of the foreseeable risks. Failure to adequately inform the patient may lead to a claim for negligence, if disclosure of the risks would have influenced the patient's decision to undergo or forego the procedure. It is important that the professional bodies establish guidelines on acceptable practice, with particular emphasis on the provision of information to patients. Reasonable disclosure, use of appropriate information/consent forms, and proper documentation of cases, should all focus on the needs of, and benefits to, patients.     

Morphology of corneal nerves in soft contact lens wear. A comparative study using confocal microscopy

The aim of this study was to evaluate corneal innervation in soft contact lens wearers using the Tomey Confoscan confocal microscope (40x/0.75 objective lens). Three distinct age- and sex-matched subject groups were involved, including extended soft (hydrogel and silicone-hydrogel) contact lens wearers, overnight soft (hydrogel) contact lens wearers, and non contact lens wearers. A number of variables were objectively measured, subjectively evaluated, or graded in order to investigate the distribution and morphology of corneal nerves. For most of the evaluated parameters, no statistically significant differences were found. However, qualitative observations showed noticeable differences in corneal nerve appearance among the different subject groups; the degree of corneal oedema was suggested as the main causative factor. In conclusion, neither the short-term (overnight wear) nor the long-term (12-month extended wear) soft contact lens wear appeared to affect the morphology and/or distribution of corneal nerves as viewed with confocal microscopy.     

Age, lens transmittance, and the possible effects of light on melatonin suppression

Recently it has been suggested that a previously undetected, rhodopsin-based, visual pigment, located in some retinal ganglion cells and having a peak sensitivity around 460 nm, may be responsible for light-induced melatonin suppression and, perhaps, maintenance of the circadian rhythm. Using data from the literature, it is shown that, as absorption in the crystalline lens for shorter visible wavelengths increases substantially with age, while the pupil diameter tends to decrease, the effective retinal exposure received under the same ambient lighting conditions by the pigment is almost 10 times lower in an old, as compared with a young, eye. Interestingly, replacement of the old crystalline lens by an intraocular implant restores the exposure to youthful levels. The possible effects of these changes with age on circadian rhythms are discussed.     

Practice of orthokeratology by a group of contact lens practitioners in Hong Kong

Purpose: The aim of the study was to provide information about the characteristics of three main types of orthokeratology (ortho‐k) lenses used in Hong Kong and to report on their performance based on the clinical impressions of a group of ortho‐k practitioners. Method: Twelve ortho‐k practitioners were interviewed between 1 March and 30 June 2001. Results: Most ortho‐k lenses were ordered from three manufacturers: DreimLens, Fargo and Contex. The median maximum myopia reduction reported for DreimLens, Contex and Fargo lenses were 6.25 D, 6.00 D and 4.50 D respectively. The time to reduce myopia by up to 4.00 D could be up to three weeks for Contex and DreimLens and up to four weeks for Fargo. For reduction of myopia by up to 4.00 D, the treatment usually required only one or two lenses per eye for all three types of lenses. The incidence of lens binding and lens tightening after achieving the optimal reduction was reported to be higher with the DreimLens design. Good centration, less lens binding, relatively lower incidence of complications and lens tightening after achieving the optimal reduction were reported with the Fargo lenses. Conclusions: DreimLens tended to be more effective for myopia reduction. However, some practitioners were concerned with the aggressiveness of myopia reduction using this lens design and the higher potential for ocular complications. Selection of the lens design is dependent on various factors, in particular, practitioners need to be comfortable with the design they choose and to consider the needs of their patients and the final goal of the treatment.     

Contact lens fitting following corneal graft surgery

Contact lens fitting may be required following keratoplasty for either optical or thera‐peutic reasons. Optical indications for contact lens fitting include the correction of irregular astigmatism, high regular astigmatism, anisometropia and secondary aniseikonia, as well as simple ametropia, where the patient desires to wear contact lenses in preference to spectacles. Therapeutic lenses are not routinely fitted following kerate plasty, although this management is advised in certain cases, such as when there are protruding sutures or epithelial healing is impaired. Designing a contact lens for a patient who has undergone keratoplasty will require the practitioner to carefully assess all the relevant features of the corneal graft. In this regard, there are many factors that need to be considered including the diameter of the graft zone, the topographical relationship between the host cornea and donor cornea, the corneal (graft) toricity and the location of the graft. Special designs, such as reverse geometry lenses, or more complex contact lens modalities, such as piggyback contact lens systems, may be required to achieve success in fitting.     

Measurement of axial edge lift of rigid corneal lenses*

A simple but reliable method was used to measure the axial edge lift at the total diameter over a range of back optic zone radii of several proprietary designs of rigid gas-permeable corneal lens. One of these was found to have a constant axial edge lift construction.     

Downward deviation of progressive addition lenses in a myopia control trial

PURPOSE: To clarify how the downward deviation of progressive addition lenses (PALs) reduces their near-addition effect in schoolchildren participating in a myopia control trial. METHODS: Among 95 schoolchildren wearing PALs for 6 months (age range: 6-12 years; refractive error range: -6.00 to -1.25 D), facial images were captured with a digital still camera placed 60 cm in front of the eyes while he or she was looking ahead with natural head posture. The vertical deviations of PALs from their ideal position (mm) were evaluated by analysing these images. RESULTS: The mean (+/-SD) downward deviations of PALs for the right and left eyes were 3.7 +/- 2.3 and 3.7 +/- 2.0 mm, respectively, and the largest downward deviation was 10.2 mm. For simulations using the average downward deviation, the near-addition effect of PALs was reduced to 30 and 63% of the expected value at the 10 degrees and 20 degrees downward eye positions, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The downward deviation of PALs is a significant factor in reducing their therapeutic effect for near-addition. To ensure the proper alignment of PALs in children, the conventional spectacle-frame-fitting procedure is not sufficient, and repeated confirmation using a testing method similar to that used in this study is required.     

透明晶体超声乳化摘除和低或负度数折叠人工晶体植入治疗高度近视

目的:探讨透明晶体超声乳化吸出并植入后房型折叠人工晶体矫正高度近视的安全性和有效性.方法:对32例(50眼)均采用表麻下经透明角膜切口行透明晶体超声乳化吸出并植入后房型折叠人工晶体.眼轴长平均29.64mm.比较手术前后最佳矫正视力(BCVA),散光度及角膜内皮计数,随访观察手术并发症情况.并对术前BCVA低于0.3的37只患眼应用扫描激光检眼镜(SLO)的微视力软件,检查微视力,评估术后潜在视力.周边视网膜格子样变性7只眼,均行氩激光周边变性区光凝.结果:术后随访平均24月.BCVA由术前0.20±0.19,术后提高到0.61±0.24,其中≥0.5的由术前4只眼(8％)增加到34只眼(68％)。手术前后平均散光度比较,经t检验无显著性差异(P>0.1).手术后无1例发生视网膜脱离,有5只眼发生后发障,均行YAG激光治疗.角膜内皮计数术后平均损失207个/mm2±96个/mm2.且SLO作为术后潜在视力预测手段拥有很高的准确度(94.6％).结论:透明晶体超声乳化摘除加后房型折叠人工晶体植入矫正高度近视是少数屈光矫正有效方法之一,可获得较好的术后BCVA.但是熟练掌握超声乳化手术操作及采取术前积极的预防性治疗是开展此项技术的根本和关键,且需进行长期的临床随访.     

外伤性白内障术后二期人工晶状体植入术

目的 探讨外伤性白内障术后二期植入后房型人工晶状体的时机和手术方式。方法 对34例(34只眼)外伤性白内障术后无晶状体眼根据不同情况采用直接睫状沟植入法或缝线固定法进行二期植入后房型人工晶状体，观察两组患者的术后反应和治疗效果。结果 直接睫状沟植入法14只眼(41．2％)，缝线固定法20只眼(58．8％)，31只眼(91．2％)视力达到0．1以上，21只眼(61．76％)视力达0．3以上，28只眼(82．4％)术后矫正视力等于或高于术前最佳矫正视力。结论 选取合适的时机和方式二期植入人工晶状体，有助于减少术后并发症，提高视功能的恢复。