ESCRS 2019 Poster Prize Winners

Attendees at the 37th Congress of the ESCRS in Paris, France, had the opportunity to view hundreds of posters relating to numerous aspects of cataract and refractive surgery. The refractive and cataract posters that were awarded first, second, and third prizes reported findings from clinical and laboratory research conducted by investigators representing three continents. Emilio Torres-Netto (left) received first prize for his poster in the refractive category. Daniel Chang received first prize for his poster in the cataract category Refractive posters First prize in the refractive category was given to Emilio Torres-Netto MD, Zurich, Switzerland, for the poster “Stromal bed smoothness after excimer laser surface ablation as a key element for the expression of inflammatory genes”. The poster presented findings from a study conducted in animal eyes that identified expression of inflammatory genes following PRK performed with a standard versus low fluence ablation. Ablations were done using technology based on a three-dimensional fullerene model to smooth the stromal bed. The results showed that the optimisation of new algorithms for energy settings allowed for reduction of the inflammatory response after refractive laser surgery. In addition, Dr. Torres-Netto concluded that postoperative corneal smoothness appears to be the key factor in regulating the inflammatory response. Yuka Horigome MD, Yokohama, Japan received the second prize for refractive posters for work presenting a “Novel technique of intrascleral IOL fixation with intraoperative adjustment of refraction”. It described a study involving 28 eyes that demonstrated refraction could be adjusted intraoperatively by cutting the haptics when using the flanged intrascleral IOL fixation method. Dr Horigome and co-workers concluded that this technique may minimize postoperative refractive error. Third prize went to Zhou Jihong MD, Beijing, China, for the poster “Clinical outcomes of a large sample after small incision lenticule extraction (SMILE) and femtosecond laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis (FS-LASIK) for myopia by generalised linear mixed models (GLMM) analysis”. The poster presented results from data collected between 1 day and 1 year after surgery from more than 4800 eyes that showed the two techniques were similar for most outcomes, but FS-LASIK was associated with a better refractive outcome at 1 year postoperatively. Cataract posters First prize for cataract posters was awarded to Daniel Chang MD, Bakersfield, CA, USA, for the poster titled “Visual outcomes and defocus curve profile of a next-generation diffractive presbyopia-correcting intraocular lens”. The poster presented defocus curve and visual acuity outcomes from a multicenter randomized study that included 148 patients bilaterally implanted with the Tecnis Synergy IOL or the +3.25 D Tecnis Multifocal IOL. The surgeries were performed at 12 centres across the United States. The study found that the Tecnis Synergy IOL maintained excellent continuous vision up to 33 cm with distance vision better than 1.0 (20/20). Compared with the multifocal IOL, the Tecnis Synergy provided both better DCIVA and had a better range of vision. Second prize for cataract posters went to Grzegorz Labuz MD, Heidelberg, Germany, for the poster describing “Laboratory assessment of the effect of spectral filters on the optical performance in an extended-depth-of-focus intraocular lens”. Using a model eye, the study showed that image quality of a Tecnis Symfony IOL varied depending on light wavelength, being intermediate-dominant in blue light, far dominant in red light, and having comparable performance at far and intermediate in green light. Evaluations of chromatic aberrations showed that while the IOL could lower chromatic dispersion of the pseudophakic eye, the correction in vitro was more effective at the intermediate focus than at the far focus. Arthur Cummings MD, Dublin, Ireland, received the third prize for the poster “Does an objective evaluation of patients’ daily life influence surgeon selection of presbyopia-correcting IOLs?”. The poster presented a multicenter study investigating the effect of the Visual Behaviour Monitor (VBM) on surgical decision-making. It analysed data from 129 who wore the VBM, which is a wearable device that tracks an individual’s visual lifestyle using sensors that measure working distances, ambient light, and head position. The results showed that the objective information provided by the VBM could have a positive influence on surgeons’ decision-making, improve patient satisfaction and visual outcomes, and increase the usage of presbyopia-correcting IOLs. ends

Tags: catararact and refractive poster prize