Purpose To compare visual outcomes after implantation of AtLisa tri 839 MP and Symfony intraocular lenses (IOLs). Methods All subjects underwent sequential bilateral cataract extraction with AtLisa tri 839 MP or Symfony IOL implantation. The design is prospective case series. Each group consists of 20 patients (40 eyes). At 1 year postoperatively, the following parameters were analysed: binocular uncorrected visual acuity (log MAR): for distance (UDVA) at 4 m, for intermediate distances (UIVA) at 60, 70, 80 cm and for near (UNVA) at 40 cm, defocus curve, mesopic and photopic contrast sensitivities (CSs), spectacle independence, visual function test questionnaire modified VFQ-25), photopic phenomena and postoperative complications. Results In the AtLisa tri 839 MP group, the mean binocular UNVA and UIVA were significantly better than in the Symfony group (UNVA: − 0.01 ± 0.04 vs. 0.21 ± 0.15; p = 0.000; 60 cm UIVA: − 0.01 ± 0.04 vs. 0.09 ± 0.09, p = 0.001; 70 cm UIVA − 0.05 ± 0.06 vs. 0.11 ± 0.08, p = 0.002; 80 cm UIVA − 0.01 ± 0.06 vs. 0.15 ± 0.08, p = 0.019). There were no significant between-group differences in the mean binocular UDVA and CS, with one exception: the mean binocular distance CS (18 cpd) under mesopic conditions was significantly better in the Symfony group than in the AtLisa tri 839 MP group (1.39 ± 0.22 vs. 1.17 ± 0.27; p = 0.015). The defocus curve analysis revealed significant between-group differences at vergences of 2.0 to − 4.0 D (p < 0.05), except for 2.0, 1.0, 0 and − 1.5. All subjects in AtLisa tri 839 MP group and 18 subjects (90%) in Symfony group were spectacle independent. Patients from both groups highly rated their overall vision quality in the VFQ-25 (1.67 ± 0.47 vs. 1.85 ± 0.5 in the Symfony and AtLisa tri 839 MP group, respectively, p = NS). The scores for daytime driving (1.00 ± 0.00 vs. 1.21 ± 0.36; p = 0.002), night driving (1.57 ± 0.55 vs. 2.13 ± 1.15; p = 0.027) and difficult situation driving (1.14 ± 0.31 vs. 1.53 ± 0.56; p = 0.049) were significantly better in the AtLisa tri 839 MP group than in the Symfony group. The incidence and perception level of halo and glare were significantly reduced (p = 0.00) in the Symfony group as compared to the AtLisa tri 839 MP group. The postoperative course was uneventful in all subjects. Conclusions Visual outcomes achieved with both IOLs are comparable. In both groups, 90% of patients achieved spectacle independence. Whereas the AtLisa tri 839 MP IOL implantation was associated with slightly better intermediate distance VA and significantly better near VA, photic phenomena were less perceived by patients with Symfony IOLs.

The aim of the study was to investigate relationships between the concentrations of macroelements (Ca), microelements (Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Mo, Ni, Sn, Sr, V, Zn) and heavy metals (Ag, Cd, Pb) in the placenta, fetal membrane and umbilical cord. ‪Furthermore, we examined relationships between the concentrations of these metals in the studied afterbirths and maternal age, gestational age, placenta parameters (breadth, length, weight) and newborn parameters (length, weight and Apgar score). This study confirms previously reported Zn-Cd, Pb-Cd and Ni-Pb interactions in the placenta. New types of interactions in the placenta, fetal membrane and umbilical cord were also noted. Analysis of the correlations between metal elements in the afterbirths (placenta, fetal membrane and umbilical cord) and biological parameters showed the following relationships: maternal age and Mn (in the fetal membrane); gestational age and Cr, Fe, Zn (in the fetal membrane), Ag and Cu (in the umbilical cord); newborn’s length and Sr (in the placenta), Ag (in the umbilical cord); newborn’s weight and Sr (in the placenta), Cu (in the fetal membrane), Ag (in the umbilical cord); Apgar score and Ca, Cr and Ni (in the umbilical cord); placenta’s length and Cr and Sn (in the fetal membrane), Cu (in the umbilical cord); placenta’s width and Mo, Pb (in the placenta) and placenta weight and Sr (in the placenta), Ag, Fe, Mn (in the fetal membrane). The results show the influence of metals on the placenta, mother and newborn parameters, and the same point indicates the essential trace elements during the course of pregnancy.

Purpose To compare the 27G versus 25G vitrectomy in patients with epiretinal membrane (ERM). Patients and methods Sixty pseudophakic eyes of 60 consecutive patients treated by pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) using 27G (30 eyes) or 25G (30 eyes) were prospectively evaluated including eye's inflammation, surgery time, ERM ? ILM removal time and complications. Additionally, 1, 3, 7, 14, 30, 90 and 180 days after PPV, the following were estimated: intraocular pressure (IOP), sclerotomy wound closure time, distance best corrected visual acuity (DBCVA), foveal macular thickness (FMT) and surgically induced astigmatism (SIA). Results The eye's inflammation resolved within 30 days after surgery in both groups. The surgery and ERM ? ILM times were longer in the 27G group (p B 0.02). The most common postoperative complication was hypotony in both groups, more common in 25G group (23.3% vs. 10% of eyes). In 27G group, the mean IOP prior to 180 days postoperatively was higher (p \ 0.05) and the sclerotomy wound closure time was shorter (p \ 0.001). Mean DBCVA values (7, 14, 30 days after surgery) were significantly better in 27G group (p \ 0.001). The mean FMT values were similarly and significantly reduced in both groups 1 day postoperatively (p \ 0.05) as compared to preoperative values and then stabilized during follow-up. Mean SIA was lower in 27G group 30, 90 and 180 days after surgery (p \ 0.001). Conclusion The use of 27G PPV in patients with ERM significantly reduced sclerotomy wound closure time and surgically induced astigmatism, better stabilized intraocular pressure and allowed to achieve faster visual acuity improvement, as compared to 25G PPV. Keywords Epiretinal membrane Á 27-gauge Á 25-gauge Á Pars plana vitrectomy Á Visual acuity Á Surgery time Á Self-sealing sclerotomy time Á Intraocular pressure Á Complications

Purpose To assess the efficacy and safety of the XEN Gel Stent in patients with primary open-angle glaucoma.Materials and methods Twenty eyes of 17 patients (6 males, 11 females) with primary open-angle glaucoma were implanted with XEN Gel Stent. The following data were ascertained in each participant at baseline and at 1, 3, 6, 9 and 12 months following implanting procedure: intraocular pressure, number of anti-glaucoma medications, retinal sensitivity (PS 24/2 w/w), pattern electroretinogram (ISCEV standard), as well as the number of complications. Results The mean intraocular pressure reduction in a 1-year follow-up was 18% (21.56 vs. 17.69 mmHg, p \ 0.001). The mean number of anti-glaucoma medications was reduced from 3.2 to 1.6 (p = 0.001). The PERG parameters at baseline and at 12 months postoperatively included a stable amplitude of P50 (2.55 lV vs. 2.65 lV, p = 0.024) and N95 (3.45 lV vs. 3.38 lV, p = ns) waves. The delta N95 and delta P50 amplitudes remained stable over the follow-up period (p = ns). The mean deviation (MD) of PS 24/2 was -6.54 dB vs. -8.43 dB, p = ns, whereas the pattern standard deviation (PSD) was 6.18 dB vs. 6.91 dB, p = ns. Transient hypotony within the first postoperative week occurred in 18 eyes (90%), whereas hyphema occurred in two eyes (10%). Needle revision of a filtration bleb was performed in five eyes (25%). Conclusions The XEN Gel Stent enables significant reduction in intraocular pressure with very low complication rates. It ensures a stabilization of the retinal function as established with the PERG.

Background To evaluate retinal ganglion cell (RGC) function after intraocular pressure (IOP) reduction measured by pattern electroretinogram (PERG) in patients with newly diagnosed, non-treated preperimetric and early stages of primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG).MethodsTwenty-four eyes from 24 patients with POAG: 11 eyes with preperimetric glaucoma and 13 eyes with early glaucoma received Ganfort ® (bimatoprost + timolol) once a day for a period of 1 month. Before and after the treatment, following measurements were analyzed: IOP, mean ocular perfusion pressure (MOPP), peak time of P50 and amplitude of P50 and N95 waves in PERG (ISCEV standard 2012). Correlations between PERG P50 and N95 waves, IOP and MOPP were calculated.ResultsAfter therapy, IOP significantly decreased in all eyes, on average 31%. Significant increase in MOPP in all eyes on average 14% was detected. PERG amplitude of P50 and N95 waves increased in 75 and 79% eyes, respectively, on average P50 by 28% and N95 by 38%. There were no significant interactions between the change of PERG parameters in time and stage of glaucoma.ConclusionsSignificant IOP-lowering therapy can improve RGC function measured by PERG, in patients with preperimetric and early stages of POAG.

PurposeTo evaluate macular function and structure before and after epimacular membrane surgery and to estimate the usefulness of pattern ERG test parameters in predicting the postoperative visual acuity.MethodsWe evaluated 32 eyes of 32 patients (mean age 70.8 ± 6.7 years) before and 12 months after successful 25G pars plana vitrectomy with epimacular membrane removal and internal limiting membrane peeling. Distance best-corrected visual acuity (DBCVA—logMAR), foveal thickness (optical coherence tomography—OCT) and macular function [pattern electroretinogram—PERG (ISCEV standard): amplitudes (A) of P50- and N95-waves, implicit time (IT) of P50-wave] were assessed. To estimate the differences between the mean values of considered characteristics, the t test or Wilcoxon matched pair test was used. Correlation between preoperative data of PERG and preoperative and final DBCVA were investigated using Pearson correlation analysis. A receiver operating characteristic curve was constructed to obtain a cutoff value allowing prediction of visual prognosis. We tried to obtain the P50 and N95 amplitudes cutoff value in prediction of good visual outcome (DBCVA of 0.3 or less).ResultsTwelve months after surgery, mean of DBCVA significantly increased in comparison with preoperative value (0.31 ± 0.12 vs. 0.6 ± 0.15; p < 0.001) and 23/32 eyes (72 %) achieved visual improvement of two and more Snellen lines. In OCT test, the significant reduction in foveal thickness mean (313.34 ± 47.01 vs. 509.03 ± 93.88 µm; p < 0.001) was obtained. In PERG test, the significant increase in the mean amplitudes of P50- (AP50) and N95 (AN95)-waves as well as significant decrease in the mean implicit time (IT) of P50-wave were achieved (AP50: 3.41 ± 1.48 vs. 2.38 ± 1.23 µV; p < 0.001; AN95: 5.46 ± 1.72 vs. 3.75 ± 1.48 µV; p < 0.001; IT P50: 55.00 ± 3.60 vs. 56.75 ± 5.78 ms; p < 0.001). Twelve months postoperatively, DBCVA was significantly correlated with preoperative IT P50 (r = 0.39; p = 0.027), AP50 (r = −0.68; p < 0.001) and AN95 (r = −0.73; p < 0.001).ConclusionRemoval of idiopathic epimacular membranes with internal limiting membrane peeling not only provided increase in visual acuity and reduction in foveal thickness but also caused improvement of innermost retinal layer function in macular region. Pattern ERG test might be a valuable tool in predicting the postoperative visual acuity.

Introduction: Studies on many populations have shown that the length of the second finger (2D) compared to the fourth (4D), expressed as the finger length ratio (2D:4D), might be characteristic for sexual dimorphism. It was also found that the values of 2D:4D differ significantly between examined populations. It is thought that the value of 2D:4D is determined in early foetal life under the influence of genetic factors and the strong influence of sex hormones. It has been proven that the values of 2D:4D are related to, for instance, sexual orientation, and artistic and sporting ability. Recently, increasing interest in the clinical significance of finger length ratio in the diagnosis of somatic and mental disorders has been observed. For example, it was found that values of 2D:4D in individuals suffering from congenital adrenal hyperplasia or autism were significantly lower compared to healthy subjects. The aim of the study was to determine sexual dimorphism in finger length ratio among representatives of the Polish population.Materials and methods: The study group comprised 115 people (57 females and 58 males). Anthropometric measurements were taken from the second and fourth finger of the right and left hands – from the point of dactylion (da) to pseudophalangion (pph) using analogue callipers. We calculated the significance of differences in 2D:4D between males and females separately for the right and left hands.Results: In both hands mean 2D:4D values were lower in males than in females. The difference in the right hand reached the statistical significance level with p < 0.05.Conclusions: Among the subjects from the examined population the 2D:4D ratio shows trends characteristic for sexual dimorphism.

Background. Inflammation associated with biomaterials of Ahmed® glaucoma drainage devices may cause the formation of a capsule around the device and can thus have a significant influence on the level of intraocular pressure reduction.