PurposeTo investigate the 2-year visual quality of Evolution Implantable Collamer Lens (EVO-ICL) and small incision lenticule extraction (SMILE) for the correction of low myopia.MethodsIn this prospective study, we included 25 eyes of 25 patients (7 men) who underwent EVO-ICL and 36 eyes of 36 patients (16 men) who underwent SMILE between January 2018 and December 2018. Subjective and objective visual outcomes were compared between ICL and SMILE. All patients were followed for 2 years.ResultsAt the postoperative 2-year visit, the percentage of patients with uncorrected distance visual acuity (UDVA) greater than or equal to preoperative corrected distance visual acuity (CDVA) was comparable in the ICL group (80%, 20/25) and SMILE group (88.89%, 32/36). Spherical equivalent (SE) was within ± 0.50 D in 96% (24/25) of the ICL group and 94.44% (34/36) of the SMILE group. No eyes lost more than 2 lines of CDVA. Postoperative high-order aberrations (HOAs) were significantly increased in the ICL group (p < 0.01) and in the SMILE group (p < 0.01). The most common visual complaint was halo after ICL and starburst after SMILE. There was no correlation between HOAs and visual complaints (p > 0.05).ConclusionEvolution Implantable Collamer Lens provides comparable safety, efficacy, long-term visual stability, and high patient satisfaction when compared to SMILE in correcting low myopia. EVO-ICL could be a favorable alternative for low myopia.Key messages What was known?•Visual outcomes of Evolution Implantable Collamer Lens (EVO-ICL) versus small incision lenticule extraction (SMILE) for correction of mild myopia remain unclear.What this paper adds?•Evolution Implantable Collamer Lens (EVO-ICL) provides comparable safety, efficacy, long-term visual stability, and high patient satisfaction when compared to small incision lenticule extraction (SMILE) in correcting low myopia.•The most common visual complaint was halo after ICL and starburst after SMILE.

Introduction: Implantable collamer lens have been used widely worldwide, and have been accepted by more and more doctors and patients due to good safety, stability, and effectiveness. However, there is still a problem of crystal rotation. The large angle rotation (over 10°) would weaken the original astigmatism correction effect and even induce irregular astigmatism, seriously affecting the visual quality of patients. Herein, we reported a case who had 2 times of crystal rotations after toric implantable collamer lens (TICL) implantation. Patient concerns: The patient was a 38-year-old man who underwent TICL implantation for the correction of high myopic astigmatism in eyes. He presented a sudden decrease in the visual acuity (VA) of the left eye 4 months after the TICL implantation. The uncorrected visual acuity (UCVA) was 8/20 (refraction, +2.25 −5.25 × 68). Diagnosis: Rotation of TICL was diagnosed. The toric marks with a rotation of 75° counter-clockwise from the original position were observed. Interventions: The TICL was re-set to the original position, leading to the UCVA of 12/20 in the left eye (refraction, −0.00 −0.75 × 131), with the vaulting of 589 μm. Ten months after the TICL relocation, the patient again presented a sudden decrease in the VA of the left eye, with the UCVA of 2/20 (refraction, +2.25 −5.00 × 66). Again, the toric marks with a rotation of 75° counter-clockwise from the original position was observed, just at the same position as the last rotation. This time, the TICL was removed. The axis and power were recalculated, and a new TICL was implanted, with the rotation of 73° counter-clockwise from the horizontal line of the temporal side. Outcomes: The patient obtained a final UCVA of 12/20 in the left eye (refraction, +0.50 −0.50 × 26), which remained stable in the 6-month follow-up period, with the vaulting of 602 μm. Lessons: Rotation is a common complication after TICL surgery. Relocation or replacement of TICL are safe and efficient ways to recover VA due to TICL rotation.

We report the case of a 26-year-old man under treatment with the antidepressant drugs olanzapine and buspirone, which are associated with anticholinergic effects, in whom an implantable collamer lens (ICL) became spontaneously dislocated. ICL dislocation and pupil capture occurred 10 months postoperatively. The lens was successfully repositioned. The possible role of these drugs in the dislocation of the ICL is discussed.

AIM: To investigate the histological characteristics and ultrastructure of recurrent Chinese R124L mutated corneal dystrophy after keratoplasty. METHODS: The subjects were enrolled from a Chinese family of corneal dystrophy with R124L heterozygous gene mutation and with a history of consanguineous marriage. Normal corneal samples were used as controls. RESULTS: In this family, 2 patients (3 eyes) underwent penetrating keratoplasty (PKP) and 2 patients (4 eyes) underwent lamellar keratoplasty (LKP). They had recurrence at 33.5±3.0 (range 30-36)mo after keratoplasty. Among them, 1 patient (1 eye) underwent PKP again and 1 patient (2 eyes) underwent LKP again. In the R124L mutated recurrent corneal dystrophy, the corneal turbidity was mainly distributed from the upper corneal cortex to the anterior stroma; the corneal epithelium surface was rougher and more uneven; and, the corneal erosions were larger. Hematoxylin-eosin staining showed that the thickness of the corneal epithelium was uneven; the arrangement of the epithelial cells was disordered; and, some corneal epithelial cells were swollen. The results of Congo red staining, Masson’s trichrome staining and Periodic acid-Schiff staining were positive, while that of Alcian blue staining was negative. Under a transmission electron microscope, deposition of high electron density substances between epithelial and basal cells, and, apoptosis of basal cells were observed. Many high electron density depositions were observed in the sub-epithelial and anterior corneal matrix. CONCLUSION: In the Chinese family of recurrent corneal dystrophy with R124L gene mutation, the corneal epithelia of the recurrent cases are rougher, and the corneal depositions are extracellular amyloid fibrin.

Purpose: To evaluate the anterior segment in children with corneal dystrophy (CD) and R124L mutations using optical coherence tomography (OCT) and confocal microscopy.Methods: We investigated a family with prevalent CD and an R124L mutation; 59 individuals (14 patients; six male and eight female, aged 2-69 years, six children, 2:4 male: female ratio) from four generations were included. We observed corneal lesions through ophthalmologic examinations, OCT, and confocal microscopy. The mean follow-up was 4.60±3.91 years.Results: The mean age for childhood CD onset was 0.90±0.61 years. An Avelino DNA test revealed a heterozygous R124L mutation. Clinical manifestations included recurrent photophobia, tearing, and a foreign body sensation. Recurrence frequency decreased with age. Slit lamp microscopy revealed a rough corneal epithelium. The anterior matrix under the corneal epithelium and the anterior elastic layer were scattered with gray and white opacity. From onset to follow-up, the children’s visual acuity decreased from 0.34±0.12 to 0.55±0.17 LogMAR units. OCT showed uneven corneal epithelial thickness. The Bowman’s layer was replaced by abnormal substances in the anterior segment. Corneal deposits became increasingly thicker; the average thickness at the last follow-up was 102.78±10.13 μm. Confocal microscopy revealed uneven and reflective signals in the corneal upper cortex and subepithelium, with unclear boundaries and a loss of normal cell morphology.Conclusion: We report an early age of onset in a family with prevalent CD due to R124L mutations. Anterior OCT is a convenient, quick, and non-contact tool for screening and monitoring the pathological process of corneal dystrophy.