PRO score: predictive scoring system for visual outcomes after rhegmatogenous retinal detachment repair.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: To compare risk factors for poor visual outcomes in patients undergoing primary rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD) repair and to develop a scoring system. METHODS: Analysis of the Primary Retinal detachment Outcomes (PRO) study, a multicentre interventional cohort of consecutive primary RRD surgeries performed in 2015. The main outcome measure was a poor visual outcome (Snellen VA ≤20/200). RESULTS: A total of 1178 cases were included. The mean preoperative and postoperative logMARs were 1.1±1.1 (20/250) and 0.5±0.7 (20/63), respectively. Multivariable logistic regression identified preoperative risk factors predictive of poor visual outcomes (≤20/200), including proliferative vitreoretinopathy (PVR) (OR 1.26; 95% CI 1.13 to 1.40), history of antivascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) injections (1.38; 1.11 to 1.71), >1-week vision loss (1.17; 1.08 to 1.27), ocular comorbidities (1.18; 1.00 to 1.38), poor presenting VA (1.06 per initial logMAR unit; 1.02 to 1.10) and age >70 (1.13; 1.04 to 1.23). The data were split into training (75%) and validation (25%) and a scoring system was developed and validated. The risk for poor visual outcomes was 8% with a total score of 0, 17% with 1, 29% with 2, 47% with 3, and 71% with 4 or higher. CONCLUSIONS: Independent risk factors were compared for poor visual outcomes after RRD surgery, which included PVR, anti-VEGF injections, vision loss >1 week, ocular comorbidities, presenting VA and older age. The PRO score was developed to provide a scoring system that may be useful in clinical practice.

Outcomes of Patients With Thyroid Eye Disease Partially Treated With Teprotumumab.

PURPOSE: In response to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, teprotumumab production was temporarily halted with resources diverted toward vaccine production. Many patients who initiated treatment with teprotumumab for thyroid eye disease were forced to deviate from the standard protocol. This study investigates the response of teprotumumab when patients receive fewer than the standard 8-dose regimen. METHODS: This observational cross-sectional cohort study included patients from 15 institutions with active or minimal to no clinical activity thyroid eye disease treated with the standard teprotumumab infusion protocol. Patients were included if they had completed at least 1 teprotumumab infusion and had not yet completed all 8 planned infusions. Data were collected before teprotumumab initiation, within 3 weeks of last dose before interruption, and at the visit before teprotumumab reinitiation. The primary outcome measure was reduction in proptosis more than 2 mm. Secondary outcome measures included change in clinical activity score (CAS), extraocular motility restriction, margin reflex distance-1 (MRD1), and reported adverse events. RESULTS: The study included 74 patients. Mean age was 57.8 years, and 77% were female. There were 62 active and 12 minimal to no clinical activity patients. Patients completed an average of 4.2 teprotumumab infusions before interruption. A significant mean reduction in proptosis (-2.9 mm in active and -2.8 mm in minimal to no clinical activity patients, P < 0.01) was noted and maintained during interruption. For active patients, a 3.4-point reduction in CAS ( P < 0.01) and reduction in ocular motility restriction ( P < 0.01) were maintained during interruption. CONCLUSIONS: Patients partially treated with teprotumumab achieve significant reduction in proptosis, CAS, and extraocular muscle restriction and maintain these improvements through the period of interruption.

PREVALENCE, CHARACTERISTICS, AND OUTCOMES OF RHEGMATOGENOUS RETINAL DETACHMENT IN EYES WITH TRABECULECTOMY OR GLAUCOMA DRAINAGE DEVICES.

PURPOSE: To describe the prevalence, management, and outcomes of rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD) after incisional glaucoma filtering surgery. METHODS: All patients with a history of trabeculectomy or glaucoma drainage device surgery who were subsequently diagnosed with an RRD from January 1, 2016, to January 1, 2021, at the Wills Eye Hospital were identified. RESULTS: Forty-six eyes met the inclusion criteria. The mean age was 60.7 ± 19.6 years, and 15 patients (32.6%) were female. Of all eyes, 34 (73.9%) were diagnosed with primary open-angle glaucoma. The mean time from most recent incisional glaucoma surgery to RRD diagnosis was 1,133 ± 1,644 days. There were 19 eyes (41.3%) with preoperative proliferative vitreoretinopathy (9 eyes [19.6%] with Grade C proliferative vitreoretinopathy) and 35 eyes (76.1%) had macula-off RRD at the time of presentation. At RRD presentation, 4 eyes (8.7%) had concomitant endophthalmitis, 5 (10.9%) had concurrent choroidal detachment, and 2 (4.7%) had concurrent vitreous hemorrhage. Primary vitrectomy was performed in most (91.3%) cases. Silicone oil tamponade was often required (71.1%). The single surgery success rate was 65.2% (30 of 46). The mean preoperative logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution visual acuity was 1.72 ± 0.78 (Snellen acuity 20/1,050), and the mean final postoperative logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution was 1.59 ± 0.89 (20/778, P = 0.2853). Of glaucoma surgeries performed, the 5-year prevalence of RRD was 0.71% (26 of 3,664, 95% Poisson confidence interval 0.48%-1.04%). CONCLUSION: The 5-year prevalence of RRDs after trabeculectomy or glaucoma drainage device was 0.71%. Most patients presented with macula-involving detachments, often with proliferative vitreoretinopathy. Anatomical and visual outcomes were poor.

Predictors of Vision Loss after Surgery for Macula-Sparing Rhegmatogenous Retinal Detachment.

PURPOSE: To determine factors associated with loss of good vision (defined as Snellen visual acuity [VA] < 20/40) after surgery among eyes presenting with macula-on primary rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD) with initial VA ≥20/40. METHODS: Multicenter, retrospective, cohort study of eyes undergoing scleral buckle (SB), pars plana vitrectomy (PPV), or combined pars plana vitrectomy/scleral buckle (PPV/SB) for non-complex macula-on RRD with initial VA ≥20/40. RESULTS: Among 646 eyes with macula-on RRDs with initial VA ≥20/40, 106 (16.4%) had VA <20/40 (i.e. lost good vision) at final follow-up. Eyes losing good vision had slightly worse pre-operative logMAR VA (mean 0.15 ± 0.10 [20/28]) compared to eyes that preserved good vision (mean 0.11 ± 0.10 [20/26]) (p = 0.004). RRDs extending greater than 6 clock-hours were more likely to lose good vision than smaller detachments (multivariate OR 4.57 [95% CI 1.44-14.51]; p = 0.0099). Compared to eyes repaired with SB alone, eyes undergoing PPV (multivariate OR 7.22 [95% CI 2.10-24.90]; p = 0.0017) or PPV/SB (multivariate OR 10.74 [95% CI 3.20-36.11]; p = 0.0001) were each more likely to lose good vision. Eyes requiring further RRD-related (multivariate OR 8.64 [95% CI 1.47-50.66]; p < 0.017) and non-RRD related vitreoretinal surgery (multivariate OR 14.35 [95% CI 5.39-38.21]; p < 0.0001) were more likely to lose good vision. CONCLUSION: Among macula-on RRDs, loss of good vision was associated with worse vision on presentation, vitrectomy-based procedures, greater extent of detachment, and lack of single surgery success. Understanding predictors of visual outcome in macula-on RRD repair may guide pre-operative counseling regarding visual prognosis.

Survey of Vitreoretinal Specialists in the United States Regarding Telemedicine During the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Objective: To evaluate the attitudes, beliefs, and practice patterns of vitreoretinal specialists regarding the utilization of telemedicine during the COVID-19 pandemic, and to identify features which may predict future telemedicine use. Methods: An 11-question anonymous survey was completed electronically in July 2020 by vitreoretinal specialists practicing in the United States. Results: The survey response rate was 13.0% (361/2,774). Thirty-five respondents (9.7%) had used telemedicine before March 1, 2020; after March 1, 2020, 170 (47.1%) reported using telemedicine (p < 0.001). Of the 170 respondents who reported telemedicine use, a majority (65.3%;111/170) performed 0-5 patient visits per week. Female retina specialists, younger physicians, and those with prior telemedicine usage were more likely to use telemedicine. Barriers to telemedicine use included concern for misdiagnosis (332/361, 92.0%), inability to obtain optical coherence tomography imaging (330/361, 91.4%), inability to obtain fundus imaging (327/361, 90.6%), lack of access to and/or comfort with the technology (261/361, 72.3%), potential legal liability (229/361, 63.4%), and low reimbursement (227/361, 62.9%). The majority of respondents (225/361; 62.3%) reported that telemedicine without ancillary imaging was not an acceptable way to evaluate patients. However, 59.2% (214/361) would find telemedicine acceptable if remote imaging was available. Conclusions: The pandemic led to a rapid adoption of telemedicine by vitreoretinal specialists. The majority of specialists using telemedicine performed five or fewer visits per week. The availability of remote imaging may increase confidence in clinical outcomes with a subsequent increase in utilization of telemedicine by vitreoretinal specialists.

FACTORS AFFECTING RETINAL REDETACHMENT AFTER SILICONE OIL REMOVAL FOR RHEGMATOGENOUS RETINAL DETACHMENTS.

PURPOSE: To report factors affecting the retinal redetachment rate after silicone oil removal (SOR) following rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD) repair. METHODS: Retrospective cohort study from December 1, 2014, to March 1, 2020, of 205 consecutive patients treated for RRD with silicone oil (SO) tamponade and subsequent SOR with at least 6-month follow-up. Primary outcome measure was the rate of retinal redetachment after SOR. RESULTS: The retinal redetachment rate after SOR was 18.5%. Preoperative macula and lens status, proliferative vitreoretinopathy, previous retinectomy, retinal detachment size, concomitant phacoemulsification, previous scleral buckling, and endolaser during SOR did not affect the redetachment rate after SOR. Previous SO exchange was associated with increased redetachment (OR 2.53, 95% CI [1.11-5.80], P = 0.0278). Twelve months of SO tamponade had lower redetachment rates compared with 3 months (OR 0.25, 95% CI [0.04-0.09], P = 0.048). Shorter SO tamponade (3 vs. 12 months) had better final visual outcomes after SOR (0.80 ± 0.61 vs. 1.41 ± 0.66, P < 0.0001). CONCLUSION: No preoperative or intraoperative factors in this analysis influenced the risk of redetachment after SOR except duration of SO tamponade and previous SO exchange. Although longer SO tamponade duration may be associated with lower rates of redetachment, visual outcomes may be worse.

Outcomes of Primary Rhegmatogenous Retinal Detachment Repair in Eyes With Preoperative Grade B or C Proliferative Vitreoretinopathy.

Purpose: This work evaluates the anatomic and functional outcomes of primary rhegmatogenous retinal detachments (RRDs) with preoperative grade B and C proliferative vitreoretinopathy (PVR) vs eyes without PVR. Methods: As a multi-institutional, interventional, retrospective study of all patients undergoing primary RRD surgical procedures from January 1, 2015, through December 31, 2015, this study evaluated the visual acuity (VA) outcomes and single-surgery anatomic success rates (SSAS) of patients with primary grade B and C PVR at the time of RRD repair. Results: A total of 2486 eyes underwent primary RD surgery during the study period, of which 153 eyes (6.2%) had documented preoperative PVR grade B or C. Eyes without PVR had better SSAS compared with eyes with grade B or C PVR (87% vs 83% vs 75%, respectively, P < .0001). Eyes without PVR also had better final mean (SD) logMAR VA (0.35 [0.47]; 20/45 Snellen equivalent) than eyes with PVR of grade B (0.50 [0.56]; 20/63 Snellen equivalent) or grade C (P < .0001). In only eyes with preoperative PVR, there were no significant differences in final VA or SSAS on multivariate analysis based on surgical approach or use of retinectomy or membrane peeling alone in the intraoperative management of PVR. Conclusions: Eyes with primary preoperative grade B and C PVR appear to have significantly worse VA outcomes and lower surgical success rates. Surgical approach and management of PVR membranes did not appear to affect VA or success rates, indicating that preoperative PVR severity may dictate these outcomes.

Scleral Buckling for Primary Retinal Detachment: Outcomes of Scleral Tunnels versus Scleral Sutures.

PURPOSE: There are primarily two techniques for affixing the scleral buckle (SB) to the sclera in the repair of rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD): scleral tunnels or scleral sutures. METHODS: This retrospective study examined all patients with primary RRD who were treated with primary SB or SB combined with vitrectomy from January 1, 2015 through December 31, 2015 across six sites. Two cohorts were examined: SB affixed using scleral sutures versus scleral tunnels. Pre- and postoperative variables were evaluated including visual acuity, anatomic success, and postoperative strabismus. RESULTS: The mean preoperative logMAR VA for the belt loop cohort was 1.05 ± 1.06 (Snellen 20/224) and for the scleral suture cohort was 1.03 ± 1.04 (Snellen 20/214, p = 0.846). The respective mean postoperative logMAR VAs were 0.45 ± 0.55 (Snellen 20/56) and 0.46 ± 0.59 (Snellen 20/58, p = 0.574). The single surgery success rate for the tunnel cohort was 87.3% versus 88.6% for the suture cohort (p = 0.601). Three patients (1.0%) in the scleral tunnel cohort developed postoperative strabismus, but only one patient (0.1%) in the suture cohort (p = 0.04, multivariate p = 0.76). All cases of strabismus occurred in eyes that underwent SB combined with PPV (p = 0.02). There were no differences in vision, anatomic success, or strabismus between scleral tunnels versus scleral sutures in eyes that underwent primary SB. CONCLUSION: Scleral tunnels and scleral sutures had similar postoperative outcomes. Combined PPV/SB in eyes with scleral tunnels might be a risk for strabismus post retinal detachment surgery.

Fluctuations in Central Subfield Thickness Associated With Worse Visual Outcomes in Patients With Diabetic Macular Edema in Clinical Trial Setting.

PURPOSE: This study examines the relationship between fluctuations in central subfield thickness (CST) and visual acuity (VA) in patients with diabetic macular edema (DME) using data from 2 large clinical trials. DESIGN: Clinical cohort study using post hoc analysis of clinical trial databases. METHODS: Standard deviation (SD) of all recorded CSTs for each patient during the study period were used to quantify the fluctuations in CST. Patients from each protocol were grouped into quartiles based on the CST SD. Eyes with at least 3 CSTs and VA at 1 year were included. The main outcome measures were VA at 1 and 2 years for each protocol, stratified by SD quartile. RESULTS: A total of 1197 eyes were included in the analysis. There were significant VA differences based on CST SD quartile for both protocols while adjusting for mean baseline VA, baseline CST, lens status, hemoglobin A1c, and treatment arm. At week 52 in protocol T, the difference between the first and fourth quartiles was -1.61 Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study letters (95% confidence interval [CI] -3.52 to 0.30, P = .0986). At week 104, this difference was -3.59 letters (95% CI -6.17 to -1.00, P = .0066). In protocol V, at week 52, the difference between the first and fourth quartiles was -3.04 letters (95% CI -4.18 to -1.91, P < .0001). At week 104, this difference was -2.35 letters (95% CI -3.58 to -1.13, P = .0005). CONCLUSION: Large fluctuations in CST may portend worse VA outcomes at the 2-year end point in patients with DME.

Comparative Incidence of Postoperative Hemorrhage in Vitreoretinal Surgery in Patients on Anti-Coagulants.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Data regarding hemorrhagic complications of direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) and vitreoretinal surgery are limited. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Multicenter analysis of longitudinal, aggregated electronic health records of patients undergoing pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) with no prior history of ocular hemorrhage. Retrospective analysis of patients undergoing PPV between January 1, 2013, and December 31, 2019. The main outcomes were development of postoperative hemorrhagic complications within 1 month following vitreoretinal surgery. RESULTS: A total of 58,131 eyes underwent PPV, with 2,956 (5.1%) on anticoagulant medication prior to surgery. Eight hundred twenty-eight eyes (1.4%) developed a postoperative hemorrhage. Of eyes with anticoagulation use, 50 of 2,956 (1.29%) developed a hemorrhage, whereas 778 of 55,175 (1.41%) of the eyes with no prior anticoagulation use developed a postoperative hemorrhage (P = .2107). CONCLUSION: Use of DOACs prior to vitreoretinal surgery does not appear to be associated with increased rates of postoperative intraocular hemorrhage. [Ophthalmic Surg Lasers Imaging Retina. 2021;52:374-379.].

Characterizing Progression to Neovascular AMD in Fellow Eyes of Patients Treated With Intravitreal Anti-VEGF Injections.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to assess the real-world incidence of conversion to bilateral neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD) following treatment initiation of nAMD in the initial eye. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This was a retrospective cohort of electronic health records from retinal centers across the United States (Vestrum Database) of all patients with unilateral nAMD treated with anti-vascular endothelial growth factor therapy. RESULTS: A total of 22,553 patients with unilateral nAMD were included. Fellow eyes of 8,522 patients (38%) converted to nAMD. Among these, 2,639 (12%), 2,030 (9%), and 1,802 (8%) patients converted in Years 1, 2, and 3, respectively, after diagnosis in the first eye. Fellow eyes had better vision at conversion and 1 year following conversion. CONCLUSIONS: The fellow eye should be monitored at regular intervals to detect signs of neovascularization. Fellow eyes presented with significantly better vision at diagnosis than the initial eye and maintained better visual acuity with less injections. [Ophthalmic Surg Lasers Imaging Retina. 2021;52:123-128.].

Risk Factors for Presence of Cystoid Macular Edema following Rhegmatogenous Retinal Detachment Surgery.

Purpose: Cystoid macular edema (CME) following cataract surgery is a well-known entity. Less is known regarding the risk factors of developing CME following repair of rhegmatogenous retinal detachments (RRD).Methods: This was a multi-institutional study of primary RRD surgeries from 1/1/2015 through 12/31/2015. The primary outcome was the development of postoperative CME following RRD surgery. Post-operative optical coherence tomography imaging and 3 months of follow-up following RRD repair were required.Results: There were 1,466 eyes that met the inclusion criteria, and 140 (9.6%) developed postoperative CME following primary RRD repair. On multivariate analysis, the statistically significant metrics were older patient age (OR 1.03 per year, 95% CI 1.01 to 1.05), pre-operative proliferative vitreoretinopathy (PVR, OR 1.74, 95% 1.03 to 2.95), and cataract surgery following RRD repair (OR 2.18, 95% CI 1.47 to 3.25). Single surgery success was protective against CME (OR 0.20 (95% CI 0.14-0.30). Seventy-six (9.0%) of the phakic eyes and 60 (9.9%) of the pseudophakic eyes developed post-operative CME. Multivariate analysis showed that cataract surgery following RRD repair (p < .0001) for phakic eyes and older age (p = .0075) for pseudophakic eyes were risk factors. In eyes that underwent successful retinal reattachment with one surgery, post-operative cataract surgery (p = .0005) and pre-operative PVR (p = .0011) were risk factors for CME in this subgroup.Conclusion: CME occurred in nearly 10% of the eyes following RRD repair. The biggest risk factors were recurrent RRD, preexisting PVR, older age, and cataract surgery following RRD repair.

Opioids and ophthalmology: review of the current literature.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: The number of opioid-related overdose deaths has rapidly increased since 2000, increasing more than five-fold from 1999 to 2016. Although surgeons only write 10% of opioid prescriptions annually, with ophthalmologists writing only a fraction of this amount, all physicians need to be cognizant of the current opioid epidemic and ways to decrease unnecessary opioid prescriptions. RECENT FINDINGS: Previous work within ophthalmology has shown that retrobulbar anesthesia along with peri-operative intravenous or oral nonopioid analgesics can lead to decreased postoperative opioid use following ophthalmic surgery. Recent literature has shifted focus towards the use of opioid prescription guidelines in managing postoperative pain and decreasing the number of unnecessary opioids being prescribed by ophthalmologists. Overall, the frequency of opioid prescriptions may have gradually declined the past few years with such efforts, increased awareness, and new healthcare policies to monitor opioid prescriptions. However, ophthalmologists still continue to prescribe a substantial number of opioid medications, much of which may not be necessary. SUMMARY: This review serves as a tool to aid all ophthalmologists in managing postoperative pain. There is a recent trend in addressing the opioid epidemic and efforts are being made to limit the overprescribing of opioids. Continued efforts are still required by all ophthalmologists to address the current opioid epidemic.

Surgical techniques for primary rhegmatogenous retinal detachments between surgeons with high versus low single surgery success rates.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: To identify differences in preoperative characteristics and intraoperative approaches between surgeons with higher versus lower single surgery success rates (SSSR) for repair of rhegmatogenous retinal detachments (RRDs). METHODS: This study is a sub-analysis of subjects who underwent RRD repair in the Primary Retinal Detachment Outcomes (PRO) study, a multi-institutional, retrospective comparative interventional study. The PRO study examined consecutive primary RRD surgeries from January 1, 2015 through December 31, 2015. The primary outcome was variations in surgical approach to different types of RRDs with secondary analyses of pre and intraoperative metrics for surgeons with SSSR > 90% compared to those <80% who performed at least 40 operations during the study period. RESULTS: A total of 689 surgeries were included in the analysis. The mean SSSR was 94% for the higher tier and 75% for the lower tier (p < 0.0001). Surgeons with >90% SSSR were more likely to have graduated fellowship more recently (p = 0.0025), use less perfluorocarbon liquid (p < 0.0001), perform less 360 degree laser retinopexy (p < 0.0001), and perform a higher percentage of primary buckles and combined PPV/SB (p < 0.0001). For pseudophakic eyes there was no difference between PPV and PPV/SB use (p = 0.6211). CONCLUSION: Surgeons with high SSSR typically performed SB as well as combination PPV/SB for more RRDs. Similar numbers of PPV and PPV/SB were performed for pseudophakic eyes, suggesting that the difference in SSSR between the two groups may be related to a combination of preoperative and intraoperative decisions as well as differences in technique.

RETINAL DETACHMENT WITH INFERIOR RETINAL BREAKS: Primary Vitrectomy Versus Vitrectomy With Scleral Buckle (PRO Study Report No. 9).

INTRODUCTION: Rhegmatogenous retinal detachments with inferior retinal breaks are believed to have a higher risk of recurrent rhegmatogenous retinal detachment. This study compared anatomic and visual outcomes between primary pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) and combination PPV with scleral buckle (PPV/SB) for rhegmatogenous retinal detachments with inferior retinal breaks. METHODS: This is an analysis of the Primary Retinal Detachment Outcomes study, a multi-institutional cohort study of consecutive primary rhegmatogenous retinal detachment surgeries from January 1, 2015, through December 31, 2015. The primary outcome was single-surgery success rate. Only eyes with inferior retinal breaks (one break in the detached retina between five and seven o'clock) were included. RESULTS: There were 238 eyes that met the inclusion criteria, 95 (40%) of which underwent primary PPV and 163 (60%) that underwent combined PPV/SB. The single-surgery success rate was 76.8% for PPV and 87.4% for PPV/SB (P = 0.0355). This remained significant on multivariate analysis (P = 0.01). Subgroup analysis showed that a superior single-surgery success rate of PPV/SB was especially noted in phakic eyes (85.2% vs. 68.6%; P = 0.0464). CONCLUSION: Retinal detachment with inferior retinal breaks had a higher single-surgery success rate if treated with PPV/SB compared with PPV alone, particularly in phakic eyes.

Comparison of Visual and Anatomic Outcomes Following RRD Surgery Using 23-Gauge Versus 25-Gauge Vitrectomy: PRO Study Report No. 12.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Most surgeons now utilize small-gauge (23- or 25-gauge) pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) with or without scleral buckling for repair of rhegmatogenous retinal detachments (RRD), in addition to primary scleral buckle (SB), but comparative data between the two gauges are limited. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This study is an analysis of primary RRD repairs comparing 23- versus 25-gauge vitrectomy for PPV or combination PPV/SB from January 1, 2015, through December 31, 2015, across multiple institutions. The primary outcome was single-surgery success and secondary outcomes included postoperative complications. RESULTS: There were 1,932 eyes that met inclusion criteria. There was no statistically significant difference in single-surgery success (82.9% vs. 83.8%; P = 0.6329). There were similar rates of postoperative hypotony, endophthalmitis, vitreous hemorrhage, and choroidal detachment. The findings were similar when analyzing only eyes that underwent primary PPV without SB. CONCLUSION: Both 23- and 25-gauge vitrectomy systems have similar anatomic and visual outcomes in the primary repair of RRD. [Ophthalmic Surg Lasers Imaging Retina. 2021;52:70-76.].

CHARACTERISTICS AND SURGICAL OUTCOMES OF RHEGMATOGENOUS RETINAL DETACHMENT IN OLDER ADULTS: A Multicenter Comparative Cohort Study.

PURPOSE: To describe characteristics and outcomes of primary rhegmatogenous retinal detachment in older adults (age ≥ 80). METHODS: Consecutive patients with rhegmatogenous retinal detachment undergoing pars plana vitrectomy (PPV), scleral buckling (SB), or PPV/SB in the Primary Retinal Detachment Outcomes Study were evaluated. Outcome measures included single surgery anatomic success and visual acuity. RESULTS: Of 2,144 patients included, 125 (6%) were 80 years or older. Compared with younger patients (age 40-79), older adults were more likely to be pseudophakic (P < 0.001), have macula-off detachments (P < 0.001), and have preoperative proliferative vitreoretinopathy (P = 0.02). In older adults, initial surgery was PPV in 73%, PPV/SB in 27%, and primary SB in 0%. Single surgery anatomic success was 78% in older adults compared with 84% in younger patients (P = 0.03). In older adults, single surgery anatomic success was 74% for PPV and 91% for PPV/SB (P = 0.03). The final mean logMAR was lower for older adults (0.79 [20/125] vs. 0.40 [20/40], [P < 0.001]). In older adults, the final mean logMAR for eyes that underwent PPV was 0.88 (20/160) compared with 0.50 (20/63) for PPV/SB (P = 0.03). CONCLUSION: Octogenarians and nonagenarians presented with relatively complex pseudophakic rhegmatogenous retinal detachments. Single surgery anatomic success and visual outcomes were worse compared with younger patients, and PPV/SB had better outcomes compared with PPV alone.

Clinical Presentation of Rhegmatogenous Retinal Detachment during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Historical Cohort Study.

PURPOSE: To investigate the effect of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic on the clinical presentation of acute, primary rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD). DESIGN: Single-center, consecutive case series with historical controls. PARTICIPANTS: Consecutive patients seeking treatment for primary RRD in a 50-day period during the COVID-19 pandemic (March 9-April 27, 2020) and the corresponding 50-day period during the previous year (March 4-April 22, 2019) in the United States. METHODS: The cohorts were compared to assess demographic variables and clinical presentations. Multivariate logistic regression was used to identify factors predictive of presenting macular attachment status. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The primary outcome was the proportion of patients with macula-on RRD at presentation. Secondary outcomes included visual acuity (VA), duration of symptoms before presentation, proportion seeking treatment within 1 day of symptom onset, and presence of primary proliferative vitreoretinopathy (PVR). RESULTS: Eighty-two patients were included in the 2020 cohort compared with 111 patients in the 2019 primary control cohort. Demographic factors were similar between the groups. Significantly fewer patients demonstrated macula-on RRD in the 2020 cohort (20/82 patients [24.4%]) than in the 2019 cohort (55/111 patients [49.5%]; P = 0.001). Patients in the 2020 cohort showed worse median VA at presentation (1.00 logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution [logMAR; Snellen equivalent, 20/200] in 2020 vs. 0.48 logMAR [Snellen equivalent, 20/60] in 2019; P = 0.008), fewer patients sought treatment within 1 day of symptoms (16/80 patients [19.5%] in 2020 vs. 41/106 patients [36.9%] in 2019; P = 0.005), and a greater proportion demonstrated primary PVR (11/82 patients [13.4%] in 2020 vs. 5/111 patients [4.5%] in 2019; P = 0.03). In multivariate analysis, younger age (P = 0.03) and established patient status (P = 0.02) were independent predictors of macula-on status in the 2020 cohort. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with primary RRD during the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic were less likely to have macula-on disease and more likely to delay seeking treatment and to show worse vision and PVR.