Longitudinal Evaluation of Trifocal and Extended Depth of Focus Lenses Implantation using Standard Automated Perimetry Parameters

Purpose: To evaluate reliability and global indices parameters from standard automated perimetry (SAP) in normal eyes undergoing phacoemulsification cataract surgery with implantation of trifocal or extended depth of focus intraocular lens (IOL).Methods: Prospective comparative study. Comparison of trifocal IOL AcrySof IQ PanOptix® and extended depth of focus intraocular lens (EDOF) Tecnis Symfony® IOL. Patients underwent SAP pre- and postoperatively. Reliability indices (false negative rate - FN, false positive rate – FP), global indices (foveal sensitivity threshold, visual field index - VFI, standard pattern deviation – PSD, mean deviation MD) and test duration were analyzed.Results: A total of 23 eyes from 13 patients were in the trifocal IOL group and a total of 22 eyes from 14 patients were in the EDOF group The following results were obtained by analyzing pre- and postoperative SAP of EDOF IOL: the rate of change of FN was 1.95/1.41% (p=0.61); FP 1.64/1.27 (p=0.60); MD -1.60/-1.08dB (p=0.15); foveal sensitivity was 34.5/33.9dB (p=0.41); VFI 98.5/98.4% (p>0.99); PSD 1.85/1.86 (p=0.07); and for test duration 305.81/298.36s (p=0.35); all respectively. Analysis of pre- and postoperative parameters of trifocal IOL was: the rates of change of FN 1.22/1.83% (p=0.29); FP 1.65/1.48% (p=0.95); MD -1.55/-1.37dB (p=0.19) ; foveal sensitivity 33.9/34.9dB (p=0.47) ; VFI 98.6/98.3% (p=0.62); PSD 1.58/2.05 (p=0.02); and test duration 297.17/298.57s (p=0.87); all respectively. Conclusion: We identified a change in the PSD parameters in the trifocal IOL group. No other significant changes were identified in SAP parameters after implantation of trifocal AcrySof IQ PanOptix® and EDOF Tecnis Symfony® IOL. Longitudinal evaluation showed no changes in SAP after Trifocal and EDOF IOL implantation in normal subjects.

Comparative quantification of focal and diffuse visual field loss by the SPARK Precision threshold algorithm and SITA

Purpose The aims of this paper were to examine focal and diffuse visual field loss in terms of threshold agreement between the widely used SITA Standard Humphrey Field Analyser (HFA) threshold algorithm with the SPARK Precision algorithm (Oculus Twinfield 2). Methods A total of 39 treated glaucoma patients (34 primary open angle and 5 primary angle closure glaucoma) and 31 cataract patients without glaucoma were tested in succession with the Oculus Twinfield 2 (Oculus Optikgeräte GmbH, Wetzlar, Germany) using the SPARK Precision algorithm and with the HFA 3 (Carl Zeiss Meditec, Dublin, CA) using the 30–2 SITA Standard algorithm. Results SPARK Precision required around half the testing time of SITA Standard. There was a good correlation between the MS of the two threshold algorithms but MD and PSD were significantly less severe with SPARK Precision in both glaucoma (focal field loss) and cataract (diffuse field loss) groups (p < 0.001). There was poor agreement for all global indices (MS, MD and PSD) between the two algorithms and there was a significant proportional bias of MD in the glaucoma group and PSD in both glaucoma and cataract groups. The pointwise sensitivity analysis yielded higher threshold estimates in SPARK Precision than in SITA Standard in the nasal field. Classification of glaucoma severity using AGIS was significantly lower with SPARK Precision compared to SITA Standard (p < 0.001). Conclusion SITA renders deeper defects than SPARK. Compared to the SITA Standard threshold algorithm, SPARK Precision cannot quantify early glaucomatous field loss. This may be due to the mathematical linear interpolation of threshold sensitivity or deeper scotomas due to the plateau effect caused by the reduced dynamic range of the Twinfield 2 perimeter. Although not of clinical significance in early glaucoma, the plateau effect may hinder the long-term follow-up of patients during disease progression.

Certain aspects of current state of domestic financial market

Introduction. The financial market, as a combination of exchange and redistribution relations associated with the processes of purchase and sale of financial resources is a complex system that is an indicator of the development of the economy as a whole. In the context of global challenges, the development trends of the financial market and its components are expanding. The securities market today occupies an increasing segment of the financial market, despite the fact that it is under development. Recently, it is characterized by a high level of dynamism. And already now it has positive results for the participants. Purpose. A study of the securities market, the structure of its financial instruments and the circle of participants. Results. Modern financial processes are characterized by the emergence of new financial instruments and technologies, which expands and forms an alternative to the placement and attraction of financial resources outside of banking institutions and increases the circle of participants. An example is the emergence of Internet trading. Internet trading is a system of securities work that gives the investor access to exchange information, and also makes it possible to conclude transactions on the purchase and sale of securities on the exchange in real time using a special certified program installed on a personal computer. The expansion of the range of financial instruments that contribute to the increase of the circle of participants in the financial process in the stock market occurred at the expense of Bonds of Internal Government Loans of Ukraine, whose income rates are higher then bank. They became the first hryvnia instruments included in the global indices of debt securities MVIS (MV Index Solutions. Also in October this year, the National Commission on Securities and Stock Market decided to allow the circulation of foreign securities in Ukraine. As a result, today Ukrainian investors can use the opportunity to invest in 85 securities of foreign issuers. All this makes it possible to obtain additional financial resources for both individual (households) and collective entities (communities). Conclusion. Domestic government bonds are effective financial instruments for the majority of participants in the investment process in the stock market are the first hryvnia instruments to be included in the the global MVIS debt securities indices. There is also a tendency to expand the circle of participants and the structure of financial instruments of the Ukrainian stock market due to the possibility of purchasing state securities by territorial communities, as well as admission of foreign securities by the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine.

Governance quality, administrative values and disaster risk management

PurposeThis study explores the relationships between governance quality and disaster risk in respect to the pillar values of public administration. The objective is to strengthen the focus and resolve of bureaucratic institutions to engage with disaster risk management (DRM) as a core function.Design/methodology/approachMultiple correlation analysis is conducted using data from global indices of disaster risk and governance quality. This is situated in the argument for the importance of public administration to conduct DRM under the auspices of core values for governance.FindingsThere are strong relationships between measures of disaster risk and various qualities of governance that adhere to the administrative theories of public welfare management, particularly through measures for mitigation and preparedness.Research limitations/implicationsThis study is conducted at the national level and may obscure regional effects of governance quality and disaster risk that occur in larger and environmentally diverse countries.Originality/valueThere are few studies that champion the value of public administration's qualities and values in the efforts of DRM. This research provides support for such a position by connecting governance quality to disaster risk and overlaying the influence of the core administrative values of efficiency, effectiveness, the economy and equity.

Optimum Project Portfolio Selection for Developmental Plans Using Goal Programming

In vision-driven development plans, such as the Kuwait Mid-Range Development Plan 2015/2016–2019/2020, themes and pillars are derived from the plan's vision, and global indices are assigned by international organizations to accurately measure the performance against the vision's themes. This allows for comparison with other countries, and it also set targets for progression over time. One or more projects are assigned to the indicators of these global indices. A Multi-Criteria Mathematical Programming Technique (e.g., Goal Programming) is used with multiple goals and priorities where an Optimal Portfolio of Projects is found that satisfied the selection criteria.

Optimum Project Portfolio Selection for Developmental Plans Using Goal Programming

In vision-driven development plans, such as the Kuwait Mid-Range Development Plan 2015/2016–2019/2020, themes and pillars are derived from the plan's vision, and global indices are assigned by international organizations to accurately measure the performance against the vision's themes. This allows for comparison with other countries, and it also set targets for progression over time. One or more projects are assigned to the indicators of these global indices. A Multi-Criteria Mathematical Programming Technique (e.g., Goal Programming) is used with multiple goals and priorities where an Optimal Portfolio of Projects is found that satisfied the selection criteria.

Endocyclophotocoagulation combined with phacoemulsification in surgically naive primary open-angle glaucoma: three-year results

Objective To assess the safety and efficacy of endocyclophotocoagulation with phacoemulsification (phaco-ECP) in surgically naive, primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG). Methods A retrospective case series of patients undergoing phaco-ECP between 2007 and 2017 at a single centre in London, UK. The primary outcome was intraocular pressure (IOP). Secondary outcomes were visual acuity, visual field global indices, topical medications and surgical complications. Failure criteria were: (1) IOP > 21 mmHg or <20% reduction at two consecutive visits, (2) IOP <5 mmHg and (3) further IOP-lowering surgery. Results Eighty-three eyes from 83 patients were eligible. Pre-operatively, mean IOP (±SD) was 18.4 ± 5.2 mmHg. The mean number of topical agents (±SD) was 2.7 ± 0.9. Mean IOP (±SD) significantly reduced to 14.3 ± 4.7 at 1 year, 14.1 ± 4.0 at 2 years and 13.6 ± 3.7 at 3 years (p < 0.0001). Topical medications were significantly reduced to 1.3 ± 1.2 at 1 year, 1.7 ± 1.2 at 2 years and 1.8 ± 1.3 at 3 years (p < 0.0001). Annual IOP ‘survival’ was 70%, 54% and 45% at year 1, 2 and 3, respectively. Complications included uveitis (6%), macular oedema (2%), IOP spikes (1%) and corneal decompensation (1%) with no episodes of hypotony or retinal detachment. One patient underwent filtration surgery within 3 years (1%). Conclusion Phaco-ECP facilitates significant IOP lowering and reduction of medication burden in surgically naive POAG requiring cataract extraction. The procedure is relatively safe and without the use of implants and their associated risks.