Macular hole surgery follow-up with spectral domain-optical coherence tomography-guided facedown posturing.

PURPOSE: The main treatment for macular hole (MH) is pars plana vitrectomy, with or without internal limiting membrane (ILM) peeling, followed by gas tamponade and face-down positioning (FDP). This study aims to present the anatomical and visual outcomes following MH repair with optical coherence tomography (OCT)-guided FDP. METHODS: Thirty-two patients who underwent surgery for idiopathic MH were enrolled. The requirement for the prone position was lifted for those with MH closure observed under gas on postoperative day one OCT. Patients with unclosed MHs were instructed to maintain FDP until the 3rd day. Best-corrected visual acuity at preoperative, postoperative 1st month, and the last visit, closure time post-surgery, duration of prone position, and surgical success rate were recorded. RESULTS: Among the patients, 21 underwent phacovitrectomy + ILM peeling + gas tamponade, while 11 had vitrectomy + ILM peeling + gas tamponade. On postoperative day one, 28 out of 32 MHs closed, with 3 closures on day 3 and one on day 5. There were 18 stage two (56.3%), 13 stage three (40.6%) and 1 stage four (3.1%) MHs. The mean minimum MH diameter was 381.75 ± 68.07 (min 260-max 517) microns. All patients with MH closure time over postoperative day one had non-combined vitrectomy instead of phacovitrectomy. No late complications were observed. CONCLUSIONS: OCT-guided FDP approach yields excellent closure rates with no late complications and ensures good patient comfort.

Impact of drainage retinotomy on surgical outcomes of retinal detachment: insights from the Japan-Retinal Detachment Registry.

We investigated the impact of drainage retinotomy on the outcome of pars plana vitrectomy for repair of rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD). This study was a retrospective observational multicenter study. All patients were registered with the Japan-Retinal Detachment Registry. We analyzed 1887 eyes with RRD that had undergone vitrectomy and were observed for 6 months between February 2016 and March 2017. We compared the baseline characteristics and postoperative outcomes between eyes with and without drainage retinectomy. We then performed propensity score matching using preoperative findings as covariates to adjust for relevant confounders. Of 3446 eyes, 1887 met the inclusion criteria. Among them, 559 eyes underwent vitrectomy with drainage retinotomy, and 1328 eyes underwent vitrectomy without drainage retinotomy. After propensity score matching, each group comprised 544 eyes. There was no significant difference between the two groups in BCVA at 6 months after vitrectomy (0.181 vs. 0.166, P = 0.23), the primary anatomical success rate (6.3% vs. 4.4%, P = 0.22), or the rate of secondary surgery for ERM within 6 months (1.5% vs. 1.3%, P = 1.0). Drainage retinectomy does not increase the risk of decreased postoperative BCVA, surgical failure, or secondary surgery for ERM within six months outcomes.

Impact of duration of silicone oil tamponade on foveal and parafoveal thickness in rhegmatogenous retinal detachment: a retrospective cohort study.

PURPOSE: To detect and analyze the influence of the duration of tamponade with silicone oil on the foveal and parafoveal thickness in cases of rhegmatogenous retinal detachment. METHODS: This is a retrospective cohort study of 64 eyes with rhegmatogenous retinal detachment in one eye who underwent pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) with silicone oil injection during the period between January 2019 and December 2021. The patients were divided into 2 groups. Group A with early removal of the silicone oil after 3-4 months and Group B with late removal of the silicone oil (SOR) after 6-8 months. The 2 groups were compared as regards the central foveal (CFT) and parafoveal (PFT) thickness changes from baseline, just before SOR, and after SOR. Changes in best corrected visual acuity (BCVA), relative risk of severe thinning. It was conducted at Kasr Alainy Hospital. RESULTS: 64 eyes were enrolled in the study. Group A included 36 eyes, and group B included 28 eyes. The mean CFT changed insignificantly from 253 ± 52 µm to 252 ± 48 µm after SOR in group A; while it changed significantly from 211 ± 52 µm to 202 ± 46 µm after SOR in group B. The mean PFT decreased insignificantly from 299 ± 39 µm to 297 ± 40 µm in group A, while it decreased significantly from 284 ± 46 µm to 273 ± 44 µm in group B. Lines of improvement of BCVA were 4.11 ± 1.88 in group A, and 2.00 ± 1.24 in group B. Relative risk of severe foveal thinning after SOR was 14.3, and severe parafoveal thinning was 15.43, in group B compared to group A. CONCLUSION: Longer period of silicone oil tamponade may carry a higher risk for severe foveal and parafoveal thinning after silicone oil removal. TRIAL REGISTRATION: The study was registered at clinical trial.gov under the title of (Duration of silicone oil tamponade on foveal and parafoveal thickness in Rhegmatogenous Retinal Detachment) with an ID NCT05817630 at April 2023 "retrospectively registered".

Outcomes of epiretinal proliferation embedding technique in the surgery for full-thickness macular hole.

To compare visual and anatomical outcomes between peeling and embedding of epiretinal proliferation in patients with full-thickness macular holes (FTMH) with epiretinal proliferation (EP), this retrospective cohort study classified patients into two groups based on whether EP was completely peeled (peeling group, n = 25 eyes), or embedded into the hole (embedding group, n = 31 eyes) during surgery. Preoperative characteristics and postoperative outcomes, including best-corrected visual acuity and the length of the disrupted external limiting membrane and ellipsoid zone, were compared. Preoperative features including visual acuity and hole size did not differ between the two groups. All studied eyes achieved closure of the macular hole postoperatively. Visual acuity significantly improved at 3, 6, and 12 months postoperatively in both groups. The visual acuity 1-month after surgery was better in the embedding group than that in the peeling group (0.28 ± 0.29 vs. 0.50 ± 0.42 logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution, P = 0.016), although the difference was not noted after 3 months postoperatively. The embedding group showed shorter disruption of the external limiting membrane than the peeling group postoperatively (62.6 ± 40.2 µm vs. 326.2 ± 463.9 µm at postoperative 12 months, P = 0.045). In conclusion, the embedding technique during surgical repair of a FTMH with EP facilitates recovery of the outer foveal layers and promotes earlier restoration of visual function.

A novel vector field analysis for quantitative structure changes after macular epiretinal membrane surgery.

The aim of this study was to introduce novel vector field analysis for the quantitative measurement of retinal displacement after epiretinal membrane (ERM) removal. We developed a novel framework to measure retinal displacement from retinal fundus images as follows: (1) rigid registration of preoperative retinal fundus images in reference to postoperative retinal fundus images, (2) extraction of retinal vessel segmentation masks from these retinal fundus images, (3) non-rigid registration of preoperative vessel masks in reference to postoperative vessel masks, and (4) calculation of the transformation matrix required for non-rigid registration for each pixel. These pixel-wise vector field results were summarized according to predefined 24 sectors after standardization. We applied this framework to 20 patients who underwent ERM removal to obtain their retinal displacement vector fields between retinal fundus images taken preoperatively and at postoperative 1, 4, 10, and 22 months. The mean direction of displacement vectors was in the nasal direction. The mean standardized magnitudes of retinal displacement between preoperative and postoperative 1 month, postoperative 1 and 4, 4 and 10, and 10 and 22 months were 38.6, 14.9, 7.6, and 5.4, respectively. In conclusion, the proposed method provides a computerized, reproducible, and scalable way to analyze structural changes in the retina with a powerful visualization tool. Retinal structural changes were mostly concentrated in the early postoperative period and tended to move nasally.

Traumatic terson syndrome with a peculiar mass lesion and tractional retinal detachment: a case report.

BACKGROUND: To report a case with bilateral Terson syndrome presented with a unique mushroom-like mass lesion on the optic disc along with proliferative vitreoretinopathy and tractional retinal detachment. CASE PRESENTATION: A 33-year-old man was injured during a traffic accident and had diffuse brain swelling and intraocular hemorrhage. Poor vision in both eyes was noted after the patient regained consciousness. B-scan ultrasonography showed extensive vitreous opacity with a posterior vitreous detachment and without obvious retinal detachment. Vitrectomy was performed in both eyes five months after the accident. After clearing up the vitreous opacity, a peculiar pigmented mushroom-like mass lesion was noted in the posterior pole and had severe adhesion to the underneath optic disc. Extensive multilayered peripapillary epiretinal membrane was found covering the posterior pole and led to tractional retinal detachment around the macula. The mass was presumed to be an organized vitreous hemorrhage originated from the optic disc. The extensive and adherent epiretinal membrane together with the mass lesion were removed as much as possible and silicon oil was injected for tamponade. However, in the right eye, the retina redetached under silicon oil, whereas in the left eye, his vision improved to 20/100. CONCLUSIONS: Terson syndrome usually has a favorable prognosis but may be complicated by proliferative vitreoretinopathy and tractional retinal detachment. Careful monitoring is warranted and early vitrectomy should be considered in cases suspecting additional pathologies.

Comparison of complications of intrascleral fixation according to the extent of vitrectomy.

BACKGROUND: Intraocular lens (IOL) fixation is performed after intraoperative anterior or total vitrectomy. This study aimed to compare the intraoperative and postoperative complications of these two techniques. METHODS: This retrospective study included 235 eyes that underwent intrascleral fixation surgery at our hospital between July 2014 and January 2021. The eyes were classified into the anterior vitrectomy group (A-vit group; 134 eyes) and the pars plana vitrectomy group (PPV group; 101 eyes). The age, preoperative and postoperative best-corrected visual acuity, observation period, preoperative and postoperative intraocular pressure, and the incidence of intraoperative and postoperative complications were assessed. RESULTS: Intrascleral fixation was performed more frequently in the PPV group, and a significant difference was observed between the eyes with a history of vitrectomy and eyes with scleral buckles (p = 0.00041). In terms of the incidence of postoperative complications following intrascleral fixation, the incidence of low intraocular pressure postoperative was higher in the PPV group than that in the A-vit group, and a significant difference was observed between the two groups (p = 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: The visual outcome and complications following intrascleral fixation did not differ according to the extent of vitreous excision.

[Surgical therapy and pathogen detection in endogenous endophthalmitis : Analysis of data from five German eye hospitals]. / Operative Therapie und Keimnachweis bei endogener Endophthalmitis : Datenauswertung aus 5 Augenkliniken.

BACKGROUND: Endogenous endophthalmitis results from hematogenous spread of bacterial or fungal infection in severely diseased patients. Specific systemic and intraocular therapy is required. The basis for this treatment is causal pathogen detection in blood culture or vitreous sample. However, functional results are limited. OBJECTIVE: The current article provides practical hints for surgical therapy and pathogen detection in patients with endogenous endophthalmitis. METHODS: A retrospective analysis of anonymous data of 68 male and female patients from 2018-2023 from five ophthalmology clinics in Germany was performed. RESULTS: Mean age of affected patients was 71.4 years (31-96 years). Surgical therapy included pars plana vitrectomy (ppV) and intravitreal injection (IVOM). In 44 of 68 patients (65%), 1-3 surgeries were performed, 4-6 surgeries were required in 14/68 (21%) of patients, and 10 or more surgeries were required in 4/68 patients (6%). Pathogen detection was possible in 34% of vitreous specimens and in 11% of anterior chamber samples. Mean initial visual acuity was logMAR 1.5. After treatment and a mean follow-up of 2.5 months, mean visual acuity was logMAR 1.3. Preanalytical methods for specimen collection like the Freiburg endophthalmitis set to optimize pathogen detection are presented. CONCLUSION: Severe inflammatory intraocular reactions in endogenous endophthalmitis necessitate a combination of ppV and repeated IVOM. In addition to providing a vitreous sample, ppV also serves to remove inflammatory fibrin membranes. Early pars plana vitrectomy with specific antibiotic or antifungal therapy should be sought in addition to the focus search and systemic therapy.

Effect of topical bromfenac on intraretinal cystoid lesion in simultaneous cataract and idiopathic epiretinal membrane surgery.

PURPOSE: To investigate the effect of topical nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs,) bromfenac on the intraretinal cystic lesions (IRC) when performing simultaneous cataract and idiopathic epiretinal membrane (iERM) surgery. METHODS: This study included patients with iERM who had been followed up for 6 months after vitrectomy, membrane removal, and concurrent cataract surgery. Eyes were treated with topical bromfenac or not. The baseline fluorescein angiography (FA) was obtained to assess the microvascular leakage (ML). Structural changes of macula, including IRC and central macular thickness (CMT) were assessed using optical coherence tomography (OCT). The main outcome measures were changes in IRCs and best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) regarding FA findings. RESULTS: One hundred eighteen eyes were included. IRC and ML were observed in 51 eyes (43.2%) and 63 eyes (53.4%), respectively. The IRC did not show any association with the ML. Of total, 29 eyes (24.6%) were treated with topical bromfenac (Group A). Compared to Group B, topical bromfenac did not show beneficial effects in aspect of preventions for the newly developed IRC and treatment for pre-existed IRC. Whether the ML existed or not, topical bromfenac did not show any different effect on the changes in BCVA and IRC. CONCLUSION: When performing simultaneous cataract and ERM surgery, topical NSAIDs, bromfenac did not show beneficial effects on the preventions and treatment of IRC in both eyes with and without the ML.

A classification of idiopathic epiretinal membrane based on foveal avascular zone area using optical coherence tomography angiography.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the characteristics and prognoses of idiopathic macular epiretinal membrane (iERM) using a classification based on the foveal avascular zone (FAZ) area. METHOD: IERMs were classified into four stages based on the FAZ area. Baseline FAZ-related parameters, pre-and postoperative central macular thickness (CMT), and best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) were observed and compared between different stages. The correlations of structural parameters with pre-and postoperative logMAR BCVA were analyzed. RESULTS: 162 iERM eyes were enrolled, including 105 eyes followed up for 12 months after surgery. The preoperative BCVA was better at the early stage. Postoperative BCVA at Stages 2 and 3 were better compared to Stage 4. The early stage was associated with thinner CMT pre-and postoperatively. However, there was no significant difference in CMT between postoperative Stages 1 and 2 or Stages 3 and 4. Preoperative logMAR BCVA was negatively correlated with FAZ area, perimeter, and FD-300 and was positively correlated with CMT and acircularity index (AI). CMT correlated positively with BCVA for each stage, except Stage 4; FAZ area, perimeter, and FD-300 had a negative correlation at Stage 1. Baseline BCVA and CMT positively correlated with BCVA at the last follow-up, while FAZ area and FD-300 were negatively correlated. Baseline BCVA had a positive correlation for each stage, except Stage 1; FD-300 had a negative correlation at Stages 2 and 3; CMT had a positive correlation at Stage 3. CONCLUSION: A classification based on the FAZ area was established innovatively. This classification can reflect the progression of iERM and is helpful to the postoperative prognosis.

(1) Classification based on FAZ area facilitate automation and consistency compared to the previous OCT-based qualitative grading.(2) With baseline FAZ stage advanced, thickened CMT and worsened BCVA was observed at baseline and 1-year post-operation. (3) Baseline FAZ area and FD-300 negatively correlated with logMAR BCVA at the last follow-up, reflecting the nonnegligible prognostic impact of macular vascular changes.

Aeromonas veronii-associated endogenous endophthalmitis: a case report.

BACKGROUND: Aeromonas veronii is a very rare and highly pathogenic microorganism. We investigate the clinical characteristics and significance of endogenous endophthalmitis caused by Aeromonas veronii in our patient. CASE PRESENTATION: A 30-year-old Asian women with systemic lupus erythematosus, uremia, and hypertension developed acute infectious endophthalmitis caused by Aeromonas veronii. After emergency vitrectomy and antibiotic therapy, the clinical condition worsened requiring enucleation. CONCLUSIONS: Aeromonas veronii can cause infection in the human eye, which can manifest as acute endophthalmitis. Early diagnosis and targeted therapy are important for successful treatment.

Optical coherence tomography parameters as prognostic factors for stereopsis after vitrectomy for unilateral epiretinal membrane: a cohort study.

This retrospective cohort study explored the relationship between monocular and interocular optical coherence tomography (OCT) parameters and stereopsis in 56 patients undergoing pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) for unilateral idiopathic epiretinal membrane (IERM). IERM impairs visual functions, with symptoms ranging from asymptomatic to severe impairment. Despite established surgical interventions, including PPV with membrane peeling, the impact on advanced three-dimensional visual functions such as stereopsis remains inadequately investigated. All subjects were assessed for stereopsis, visual acuity, and metamorphopsia, alongside spectral domain OCT parameters. These visual functions significantly improved 3-month postoperatively. Central retinal thickness at the fovea, parafovea, and perifovea (CFT, CRT-3 mm, and CRT-6 mm), ectopic inner foveal layer thickness, and retinal layer thickness notably decreased 1 week to 3 months after surgery. The interocular difference in OCT parameters between bilateral eyes was included as a parameter. Baseline CRT-3 mm difference and inner nuclear layer (INL) thickness were independently correlated with postoperative stereopsis on the Titmus Stereo Test, while baseline CRT-6 mm difference and INL thickness were independently related to stereopsis on the TNO stereotest. This study highlights the substantial enhancement in stereopsis post-IERM surgery, with both interocular and monocular OCT parameters independently influencing postoperative stereopsis. These findings underscore the importance of retinal microstructures in assessing and predicting stereopsis in IERM patients after vitrectomy.

Retinal detachment.

Retinal detachment (RD) occurs when the neurosensory retina, the neurovascular tissue responsible for phototransduction, is separated from the underlying retinal pigment epithelium (RPE). Given the importance of the RPE for optimal retinal function, RD invariably leads to decreased vision. There are three main types of RD: rhegmatogenous, tractional and exudative (also termed serous) RD. In rhegmatogenous RD, one or more retinal breaks enable vitreous fluid to enter the subretinal space and separate the neurosensory retina from the RPE. In tractional RD, preretinal, intraretinal or subretinal membranes contract and exert tangential forces and elevate the retina from the underlying RPE. Finally, in exudative RD, an underlying inflammatory condition, vascular abnormality or the presence of a tumour causes exudative fluid to accumulate in the subretinal space, exceeding the osmotic pump function of the RPE. The surgical management of RD usually involves pars plana vitrectomy, scleral buckling or pneumatic retinopexy. The approach taken often depends on patient characteristics as well as on practitioner experience and clinical judgement. Advances in surgical technology and continued innovation have improved outcomes for many patients. However, even if retinal re-attachment is achieved, some patients still experience decreased vision or other visual symptoms, such as metamorphopsia, that diminish their quality of life. Continued research in the areas of neuroprotection and retinal biology as well as continued surgical innovation are necessary to enhance therapeutic options and outcomes for these patients.

Effect of silicone oil versus gas tamponade on macular layer microstructure after pars plana vitrectomy for macula on rhegmatogenous retinal detachment.

PURPOSE: To analyze structural changes in the macular retinal layers and sub-foveal choroidal thickness (SFCT) in eyes after macula-on rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD) repair by pars plana vitrectomy with either silicone oil (SO) or gas tamponade, and the effect of these changes on visual acuity. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Retrospective study which included 26 eyes in the SO Group and 32 in the Gas Group. Optical coherence tomography (OCT) scans of the affected eyes were obtained before surgery, and 3 months after PPV in the Gas Group, and during silicone oil in situ and 3 months after SO removal, in the SO Group. Qualitative assessment of photoreceptor layer and foveal contour, along with quantitative assessment of macular retinal thickness and SFCT was performed. Postoperative OCT macular microstructural changes were recorded and correlated to corrected distance visual acuity (CDVA). Intraocular pressure (IOP) was measured preoperative and at 3 months post operative. RESULTS: There was a 2-line loss (from 20/28 preoperatively to 20/40 at final follow-up) of CDVA in the SO Group (p=0.051), while there was no statistically significant change in CDVA in the Gas Group (p=0.786). There was no significant correlation between CDVA loss and duration of silicon tamponade (r=-0.031, p=0.893). There was a statistically significant increase in IOP from its baseline to final follow-up of 0.7 mmHg in the SO Group (p=0.023) while there was no statistically significant change in IOP in the Gas Group. During silicone oil tamponade, there was approximately 11% and 5% of retinal and sub-foveal choroidal thinning respectively, which was moderately resolved following silicone oil removal. 20% (5/24) of eyes in the SO Group had qualitative flattening of foveal contour during SO tamponade that resolved after SO removal. CONCLUSION: Thinning of the macula was noticed after macula-on RRD repair with SO tamponade. Such thinning was only partially reversible after the removal of SO.

Internal limiting membrane peeling in rhegmatogenous retinal detachment: A meta-analysis.

PURPOSE: To determine whether pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) with internal limiting membrane (ILM) peeling for rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD) could get better functional and anatomical outcomes. METHODS: A comprehensive literature search was performed to find relevant studies. A meta-analysis was conducted by comparing the weighted mean differences (WMD) in the mean change of best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) from baseline and calculating the odd ratios (OR) for rates of epiretinal membrane (ERM) formation and recurrence of retinal detachment (RD). RESULTS: Fourteen studies were selected, including 2259 eyes (825 eyes in the ILM peeling group and 1434 eyes in the non-ILM peeling group). There was no significant difference in terms of mean change in BCVA from baseline and the rate of RD recurrence (WMD = 0.02, 95% CI, -0.20 to 0.24, P = 0.86, and OR = 0.55, 95% CI, 0.24 to 1.26, P = 0.16), but ILM peeling was associated with a significantly lower frequency of postoperative ERM formation (OR = 0.13, 95% CI, 0.06 to 0.26, P<0.00001). Similar results were obtained in a sub-analysis based on macula-off RRD. CONCLUSION: ILM peeling results in similar BCVA, with same rate of RD recurrence, but lower rate of postoperative ERM development. ILM peeling could be considered in selected cases with risk factors that are likely to develop an ERM.