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Background and Objectives: The objective of this paper is to compare the visual outcomes and quality of life (QoL) after bilateral ultrathin Descemet's stripping automated endothelial keratoplasty (UT-DSAEK) with bilateral penetrating keratoplasty (PK) for Fuchs' endothelial dystrophy (FED). Materials and Methods: Retrospective comparative cohort study, including 11 patients with FED who underwent bilateral PK and 13 patients with FED who underwent bilateral UT-DSAEK. All patients were already pseudophakic or had undergone a combined cataract procedure. The main outcomes were corrected distance visual acuity (CDVA) corneal higher-order aberrations (HOAs), contrast sensitivity (CS) and quality of life (QoL). Results: The mean follow-up after the second eye surgery was 32.5 ± 10.2 months in PK and 19.6 ± 8.6 months in UT-DSAEK patients. The CDVA in the UT-DSAEK group was significantly better than in the PK one (0.18 ± 0.07 vs. 0.35 ± 0.16 logMAR, p < 0.0001). The mean anterior corneal total HOAs of the central 5 mm were significantly lower in UT-DSAEK eyes than in PK eyes (0.438 ± 0.078 µ and 1.282 ± 0.330 µ respectively, p < 0.0001), whilst the mean posterior total HOAs did not differ between groups (0.196 ± 0.056 µ and 0.231 ± 0.089 µ, respectively, p = 0.253). The CS was lower at 0.75 and 1.5 cycles/degree in P the K group when compared to the DSAEK one ( p = 0.008 and 0.005, respectively). The QoL scores by the NEI RQL-42 test exhibited better values in DSAEK patients in 9 out of 13 scales. Conclusion: Our study confirms that UT-DSAEK provides a better visual function in terms of CDVA and CS, together with lower HOAs, when compared to PK. Hence, the vision-related QoL, binocularly evaluated by the NEI RQL-42 items, indicates a higher satisfaction in UT-DSAEK eyes.

Background and Objectives: To compare the long-term toxicity of infracyanine green (IFCG) to brilliant blue G (BBG) in inverted internal limiting membrane flap surgery (I-ILMFS) for large, full-thickness macular holes (FTMHs). Materials and Methods: Prospective randomized study including 39 eyes with ≥ 400 µm idiopathic FTMH who underwent I-ILMFS with either IFCG or BBG. Postoperative 6- and 12-month corrected distance visual acuity (CDVA), closure rate, and swept-source optical coherence tomography parameters, including ellipsoid zone (EZ) and external limiting membrane (ELM) mean defect length, central foveal thicknesses (CFT), parafoveal macular thickness (MT), ganglion cells and inner plexiform layer (GCL++) thickness, and peripapillary nerve fiber layer (pRNFL) thickness, were compared. Results: Nineteen eyes were included in the IFCG group and 20 eyes in the BBG group. In all cases a FTMH closure was found. CDVA improved at 6 and 12 months in both groups ( p < 0.0005); the increase at 12 months was greater in the BBG group (p = 0.036). EZ and ELM defects did not differ between groups at either follow-up time. CFT at 12 months was greater in the BBG group ( p = 0.041). A 12-months compared to 6-months MT decrease was present in both groups ( p < 0.01). The GCL++ superior inner sector was thicker in the BBG group at 12 months ( p = 0.036), as were the superior outer sector ( p = 0.039 and p = 0.027 at 6 and 12 months, respectively) and inferior outer sector ( p = 0.011 and p = 0.009 at 6 and 12 months, respectively). Conclusion: In our study BBG in I-ILMFS exhibits better long-term CDVA and retinal thickness than does IFCG, suggesting a lesser toxicity from BBG. These findings support the use of BBG over IFCG in I-ILMFS.