Combined Epiretinal Proliferation and Internal Limiting Membrane Inverted Flap for the Treatment of Large Macular Holes.

We are presenting a new method for the treatment of large macular holes (MHs) with the use of an inverted flap consisting of both internal limiting membrane (ILM) and epiretinal proliferation (EP). A prospective interventional case series was conducted from September 2021 to January 2023. MH patients with coexistent EP visualized preoperatively in macula optical coherence tomography and with a MHs minimum linear diameter larger than 400 microns underwent standard pars plana vitrectomy with the creation of an inverted petaloid flap (consisting of both ILM and EP) and gas tamponade. Sixteen eyes were included in our case series. MHs closure was successful in all the eyes with a single procedure. The preoperative minimum linear diameter was 707.63 (±164.02 µm), and the preoperative best corrected visual acuity was 1.11 ± 0.52. The postoperative BCVA was 0.51 ± 0.20 (p = 0.01) at 6 weeks postoperatively, and the final BCVA was 0.45 ± 0.20 (p = 0.008). EP can be safely combined with ILM for the creation of an inverted, petaloid flap to cover and facilitate the closure of large MHs.

A Novel Technique Using Lyophilized Amniotic Membrane Patch (LAMPatch) as Primary Procedure in Patients with Myopic Traction Maculopathy with Macular Detachment.

Introduction: Maculopathy secondary to pathologic myopia (PM) is increasingly causing visual impairment and blindness worldwide. PM is associated with tractional maculopathy that ranges from macular foveoschisis to macular hole. These disorders are treated with different options that offer variable results, reflecting the need for new techniques that address myopic maculopathy with consistent outcomes. Methods: Since human amniotic membrane (HAM) has been reported to be safe for intraocular use and to promote retinal healing, it was incorporated as an adjuvant in pars plana vitrectomy in patients with different tractional disorders related to myopia. This work presents a prospective, consecutive case series of seven patients with high myopia who underwent a 25-gauge vitrectomy with ILM peeling and HAM transplantation. Results and Discussion: Our six-month results show that this novel technique delivers functional success related to tissue permanence without recurrence of traction that translates into visual acuity gain and maintenance that are superior to other techniques.

Safety Results for Geographic Atrophy Associated with Age-Related Macular Degeneration Using Subretinal Cord Blood Platelet-Rich Plasma.

Purpose: To evaluate the safety of subretinal injection of cord blood platelet-rich plasma (CB-PRP) and its possible effect in eyes affected by geographic atrophy (GA) associated with dry age-related macular degeneration (d-AMD). Design: Interventional, open-label study started in January 2021 with follow-up at 12 months (the Si.Cord Study). This study was a single-center, nonrandomized, sequential-assigned clinical trial conducted in Rome, Italy, at Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCCS (ClinicalTrials.gov NCT04636853). Participants: Thirteen patients (26 eyes) with bilateral d-AMD-related GA were enrolled. One eye from each patient (with more advanced GA) underwent CB-PRP treatment, and the fellow eye was considered the control. All patients participated in follow-up at 12 months. Intervention: All 13 eyes received 23-gauge (G) vitrectomy and subretinal injection of CB-PRP using a 41-gauge needle. Main Outcomes and Measures: Best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) with ETDRS letters, central macular thickness using OCT, and atrophic area measured on en face OCT images were assessed at baseline, 1, 3, 6, and 12 months. Results: The BCVA in the treated group was 34.46 ± 20.8 ETDRS at baseline, 40.84 ± 20.52 at 1 month, 40.07 ± 20.34 at 3 months, 39.38 ± 19.84 at 6 months, and 35.84 ± 18.38 at 12 months. In the untreated group, the BCVA was 53 ± 21.1 ETDRS letters at baseline, 51.54 ± 20.99 at 1 month, 46.62 ± 19.47 at 3 months, 46.85 ± 18.58 at 6 months, and 43.92 ± 17.97 at 12 months (2-way analysis of variance: interaction of treatment by eye or time, P = 0.084). Central macular thickness did not show a significant intereye difference at 12 months (P = 0.97). The atrophic geographic areas tended to increase in both treated and fellow eyes at 12 months (P < 0.0001). No inflammatory reaction, endophthalmitis, retinal detachment, uveitis, or other complications due to the subretinal injection of CB-PRP were observed during the follow-up. Conclusions: Subretinal injection of CB-PRP could be safely used for d-AMD in its GA form. Despite its safety, a larger cohort of patients, and probably a new way of administration, will be needed to understand whether the CB-PRP could have a role in the GA treatment. Financial Disclosures: Proprietary or commercial disclosure may be found in the Footnotes and Disclosures at the end of this article.

Blue Dye-Assisted Intraoperative Optical Coherence Tomography for Macular Surgery.

INTRODUCTION: The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether vital blue dyes could enhance the contrast of intraoperative optical coherence tomography (OCT) during macular surgery. METHODS: Consecutive patients undergoing elective pars plana vitrectomy for vitreomacular interface disorders were enrolled. Intraoperative OCT was performed with the Artevo 800 microscope (Carl Zeiss Meditec AG, Jena, Germany) before and after injection of 0.2 mL of Trypan Blue and Brilliant Blue G Ophthalmic Solution. The OCT contrast ratio was measured with ImageJ, while the overall scan quality was subjectively classified using a 4-point scale. RESULTS: Ten eyes of 10 patients were enrolled in the study. The OCT contrast ratio was 9.39 ± 5.35 without blue dye and significantly improved to 14.31 ± 10.50 after blue dye injection (p = 0.027). The percentage of patients with a grade 4 scan quality also significantly improved (from 40% without blue dye to 90% with blue dye injection; p = 0.012). CONCLUSION: The use of blue dyes during intraoperative OCT is an effective strategy for improving contrast and scan quality without affecting the surgical time and workflow.

Imaging the Area of Internal Limiting Membrane Peeling after Macular Hole Surgery.

Background: The aim of this study was to compare en-face optical coherence tomography (OCT) imaging and confocal scanning laser ophthalmoscopy (cSLO) imaging at different wavelengths to identify the internal limiting membrane (ILM) peeling area after primary surgery with vitrectomy and ILM peeling for macular hole (MH). Methods: In total, 50 eyes of 50 consecutive patients who underwent primary surgery with vitrectomy and ILM peeling for MH were studied. The true ILM rhexis based on intraoperative color fundus photography was compared to the presumed ILM rhexis identified by a blinded examiner using en-face OCT imaging and cSLO images at various wavelengths. To calculate the fraction of overlap (FoO), the common intersecting area and the total of both areas were measured. Results: The FoO for the measured areas was 0.93 ± 0.03 for en-face OCT, 0.76 ± 0.06 for blue reflectance (BR; 488 nm), 0.71 ± 0.09 for green reflectance (GR; 514 nm), 0.56 ± 0.07 for infrared reflectance (IR; 815 nm) and 0.73 ± 0.06 for multispectral (MS). The FoO in the en-face OCT group was significantly higher than in all other groups, whereas the FoO in the IR group was significantly lower compared to all other groups. No significant differences were observed in FoO among the MS, BR, and GR groups. In en-face OCT, there was no significant change in the ILM peeled area measured intraoperatively and postoperatively (8.37 ± 3.01 vs. 8.24 ± 2.81 mm2; p = 0.8145). Nasal-inferior foveal displacement was observed in 38 eyes (76%). Conclusions: En-face OCT imaging demonstrates reliable postoperative visualization of the ILM peeled area. Although the size of the ILM peeling remains stable after one month, our findings indicate a notable inferior-nasal shift of the overall ILM peeling area towards the optic disc.

Small-Gauge Vitrectomy for Macular Surgery Using a Systematic Approach to Wound Closure: 27-Gauge vs 25-Gauge.

Purpose: To evaluate the effectiveness of and to compare vitrectomy performed with 25-gauge or 27-gauge instrumentation for macular surgery by assessing the surgical duration, wound closure, and complication rate using a systematic approach to wound closure. Methods: In this retrospective chart review, 125 25-gauge and 125 27-gauge consecutive small-gauge vitrectomy surgeries for epiretinal membrane, macular hole, vitreomacular adhesion, or a combination were analyzed during and immediately after surgery. Wound closure was performed using a systematic protocol. Results: Baseline characteristics were not statistically different between the 2 groups. The surgical duration was similar with 25-gauge vitrectomy and 27-gauge vitrectomy (P = .07). Although spontaneous wound closure was common in both groups, it was more common in the 27-gauge group (P = .22). Intraoperative and postoperative complications were uncommon in both groups. Conclusions: Findings show that 27-gauge vitrectomy is a safe, effective alternative to the more commonly used 25-gauge vitrectomy for macular surgery. Less manipulation was required to achieve wound closure with 27-gauge vitrectomy using a standardized wound-closure protocol. Smaller 27-gauge vitrectomy did not increase surgical time or complications over 25-gauge vitrectomy for macular surgery.

Operative Digital Enhancement of Macular Pigment during Macular Surgery.

PURPOSE: To describe the feasibility of intraoperative digital visualization and its contribution to the enhancement of macular pigmentation visualization in a prospective series of macular surgery interventions. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A prospective, single-center, single-surgeon study was performed on a series of 21 consecutive cases of vitrectomy for various types of macular surgery using a 3D visualization system. Two optimized filters were applied to enhance the visualization of the macular pigment (MP). For filter 1, cyan, yellow, and magenta color saturations were increased. Filter 2 differed from filter 1 only in having a lower level of magenta saturation for the green-magenta color channel. RESULTS: Optimized digital filters enhanced the visualization of the MP and the pigmented epiretinal tissue associated with the lamellar and macular holes. In vitreomacular traction surgery, the filters facilitated the assessment of MP integrity at the end of surgery. Filter 1 enhanced MP visualization most strongly, with the MP appearing green and slightly fluorescent. Filter 2 enhanced MP visualization less effectively but gave a clearer image of the retinal surface, facilitating safe macular peeling. CONCLUSION: Optimized digital filters could be used to enhance MP and pigmented epiretinal tissue visualization during macular surgery. These filters open new horizons for future research and should be evaluated in larger series and correlated with intraoperative OCT.

Dynamics of Epiretinal Membrane Peeling under Perfluorocarbon Liquid Evaluated by Intraoperative OCT.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study is to provide intraoperative data demonstrating a significant difference in the membrane peeling dynamics performed under a perfluorocarbon (PFCL) bubble, compared to normal balanced saline solution (BSS). METHODS: This is a prospective, interventional, single-center study on a series of 36 consecutive eyes of 36 patients affected by primary epiretinal membrane (ERM). Eighteen eyes underwent standard ERM peeling, while 18 eyes received a PFCL-assisted procedure. Intraoperative optical coherence tomography (iOCT) B-Scans were collected to evaluate the displacement angle (DA) between the underlying retinal plane and the flap of epiretinal tissue, along with the number of times the surgeon had to grab the flap during the intervention. Follow-up visits were carried out at postoperative week 1 and months 1, 3 and 6. RESULTS: The mean DA was 164.8° ± 4.0 in the PFCL-assisted group and 119.7° ± 8.7 in the standard group, with a statistically significant difference between groups (p < 0.001). Moreover, we found a significant difference in the amount of ERM grabs between the two groups (7.2 ± 2.5 in the PFCL-assisted group vs. 10.3 ± 3.1 in the standard group, p = 0.005). The mean BCVA and metamorphopsia significantly improved in both groups (p < 0.05), with no significant intergroup difference at all follow-up visits. Similarly, CST significantly decreased in both groups, and final CST was similar between the two groups (p = 0.719). Overall, three eyes in the standard group developed postoperative dissociated optic nerve fiber layer (DONFL, 16.6%), compared to none of the PFCL-assisted group. CONCLUSION: We reported a statistically significant difference in the intraoperative peeling dynamics of the PFCL-assisted group, accounting for a decreased tendency in the tearing of the ERM flap and possibly reduced damage to the fiber layer, with equal effectiveness in improving visual function and foveal thickness.

Assessment of histological and immunohistochemical features of retinal tissues using a novel tissue submission procedure.

We introduce a novel tissue submission procedure without additional equipment or storage facilities for assessing the histological and immunohistochemical features of retinal tissues. In total, 150 specimens were collected from patients who underwent vitrectomy or macular surgery from January to December 2020. Ninety-eight specimens were submitted using the new procedure, and 58 specimens were submitted as flat-mount slides to compare specimen adequacy. The tissues submitted using the new procedure were subjected to paraffin-embedding and sectioning for hematoxylin & eosin staining. Additional immunohistochemical analysis was performed to assess the cellular composition in retinal tissues with diverse etiologies. The new submission procedure had an adequacy ratio of 75.51%, which was comparable to that of the flat-mount method (p = 0.1397). The new method could produce high-quality images of histological features of tissues and facilitated immunohistochemical analysis to demonstrate cell origins. More glial cells (p = 0.000) and myofibroblasts (p = 0.012) were detected in the epiretinal membranes (ERMs) than in the internal limiting membranes (ILMs). Subgroup analysis revealed that secondary ERMs contained more macrophage-like cells (p = 0.001) and retinal pigment epithelial cells (p = 0.000) than did idiopathic ERMs. Our novel tissue submission procedure can be applied to routine clinical practice. Our study provides additional histological and immunohistochemical evidence of cellular components in retinal tissues based on a large number of human tissue samples. Moreover, tissues submitted using the new method can be permanently preserved, enabling future investigation for potential prognostic or therapeutic targets.

Embedding Technique versus Conventional Internal Limiting Membrane Peeling for Lamellar Macular Holes with Epiretinal Proliferation.

PURPOSE: To examine the outcomes of pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) with lamellar hole-associated epiretinal proliferation (LHEP) embedding and conventional internal limiting membrane (ILM) peeling for lamellar macular holes (LMHs) with LHEP. DESIGN: Retrospective observational study. SUBJECTS: Forty eyes of 39 consecutive patients with LMHs and LHEP who underwent 3-port PPV with a minimum follow-up of 3 months. METHODS: We compared the results of eyes that underwent PPV with LHEP embedding and ILM peeling (group E) with those of eyes that underwent PPV with ILM peeling only (group I) from September 2010 to September 2021. We confirmed whether the LHEP was embedded using postoperative OCT in all the cases. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Postoperative best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and the development of macular holes (MHs) were assessed. RESULTS: The mean patient age was 73.3 years. The mean follow-up duration was 23.1 months. There were 23 and 17 eyes in groups E and I, respectively. Preoperative BCVA (P = 0.774) and central retinal thickness (CRT) (P = 0.800) did not differ significantly between the 2 groups. The final BCVA in group E was better than that in group I (P = 0.059). The final CRT in group E was thicker than that in group I (P < 0.001). Postoperatively, a significant improvement in BCVA was observed in group E at 3 months (P = 0.001) and at the final visit (P < 0.001). None of the eyes in group E developed postoperative MHs, whereas 5 eyes in group I developed postoperative MHs. CONCLUSIONS: Pars plana vitrectomy using the LHEP embedding technique improved visual acuity significantly and yielded better anatomic outcomes than those with PPV using conventional ILM peeling; MH formation did not occur. Embedding LHEP is more effective than conventional surgical procedures for LMHs.

[Functional results and complications in the long-term follow-up after 25-gauge vitrectomy of epiretinal membrane]. / Funktionelle Ergebnisse und Komplikationen im Langzeitverlauf nach 25-Gauge-ppV bei epiretinaler Gliose.

BACKGROUND: Idiopathic epiretinal membranes can lead, among other things, to visual impairment and metamorphopsia. The treatment of choice is a pars plana vitrectomy with removal of the membrane. The improvement of visual acuity and postoperative complications have already been described in several studies. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this retrospective study is to evaluate the long-term outcome of at least 3 years. MATERIAL AND METHODS: In the period from 2011 to 2016, a total of 667 eyes underwent 25-gauge pars plana vitrectomy, membranectomy and peeling of the ILM (Internal limiting membrane) because of epiretinal membrane by the same surgeon. This study included 51 eyes from 51 patients who had returned to our clinic after at least 3 years. For the follow-up, data were collected after 3 months and then annually, if available. The mean follow-up time was 57 months (37-104 months). In the postoperative follow-up visual acuity, intraocular pressure and complications were recorded. RESULTS: Of the 51 eyes included 34 had a 25-gauge pars plana vitrectomy with phacoemulsification and artificial lens implantation, 8 eyes without phako and 9 eyes were already pseudophakic. The most common complication in the follow-up period was a persistent macular edema with 5.9% (3 eyes) and a recurrence of epiretinal membrane in 5.9% of cases. The best corrected logMar visual acuity was 0.4 (0.1-1.3; n = 51) preoperatively, at the last examination 0.23 (0-1.0; n = 51, p < 0.001). Three months postoperatively, the logMar visual acuity was 0.29 (n = 41), after 1 year 0.25 (n = 35), 2 years 0.23 (n = 29), after 3 years 0.26 (n = 29), after 4 years 0.27 (n = 27), after 5 years 0.24 (n = 17) and after 6 years 0.24 (n = 13). CONCLUSION: The 25-gauge pars plana vitrectomy is a low complication procedure for the removal of epiretinal membranes. The clearest increase in visual acuity can be seen within the first 3 months postoperatively, but then stabilizes. In the long-term follow up a change in visual acuity can also be found after more than 3 years.

Iatrogenic choroidal neovascularization associated with subretinal gene therapy surgery.

Purpose: To report a case of iatrogenic choroidal neovascularization (CNV) developing one month after subretinal gene therapy surgery. Observations: A 16-year-old male with biallelic RPE65 mutation associated retinal dystrophy was treated with subretinal voretigene neparvovec in the left eye. During initiation of a balanced salt solution pre-bleb, a faint and transient subretinal hemorrhage was observed at the retinotomy site. One month post-operatively, multi-modal imaging detected a CNV and a break in Bruch's membrane at the retinotomy site. The asymptomatic CNV was observed without treatment and resolved spontaneously. Conclusions & importance: As subretinal gene therapy surgery becomes more common, clinicians should monitor for possible trauma induced CNV associated with retinotomy formation and subretinal injection.

Corrigendum: Customized Color Settings of Digitally Assisted Vitreoretinal Surgery to Enable Use of Lower Dye Concentrations During Macular Surgery.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2021.810070.].

Natural History and Surgical Timing for Idiopathic Epiretinal Membrane.

PURPOSE: This study assessed the prevalence of progression to surgery on idiopathic epiretinal membrane (iERM) and compared the results with those of immediate surgery. DESIGN: Retrospective study with nested case-control comparison. SUBJECTS: Patients with mild iERM at initial presentation METHODS: A retrospective study with a nested case-control study was conducted to compare the outcomes of those who later progressed to surgery ("deferred surgery") with those of a control group that underwent surgery within 6 months of initial presentation ("immediate surgery"). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The prevalence of performing vitrectomy with membrane peeling after initial deferral, features associated with deferred surgery, and the visual acuity (VA) outcomes of surgery compared with those with immediate surgery. RESULTS: A total of 413 patients were included in the base study cohort: 369 did not undergo iERM peeling, whereas 44 (10.7%) underwent deferred surgery at a mean duration of 18.1 months after initial presentation. The factor most associated with later progression to surgery, determined using a multivariate analysis, was symptoms at initial presentation (odds ratio [95% confidence interval], 8.75 [3.80-20.15]; P < 0.0001). The immediate surgical group (controls) had a poorer logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution (logMAR) best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) at presentation compared with the deferred surgery group (cases), but this decreased in the latter group to about the same preoperative level immediately before the deferred surgery (typically why they underwent surgery). The final logMAR BCVA was similar in the deferred and immediate surgical groups when only pseudophakic cases were analyzed. An analysis of the change from preoperative BCVA (instead of initial) to final BCVA showed no difference in the magnitude of change between the pseudophakic subgroups of the deferred and immediate surgery groups (median [interquartile range] preoperative VA of 0.52 [0.40-0.60] in the deferred surgery group and 0.44 [0.39-0.60] in the immediate surgery group [P = 0.7256]). Within the deferred and immediate surgery groups, the median change from preoperative BCVA to final BCVA in the pseudophakic subgroups was 0.22 (P = 0.0082) in the former and 0.21 (P = 0.0001) in the latter. CONCLUSIONS: The vast majority of eyes with iERM remain stable after initial presentation. The deferral of surgery in the minority of patients who progress does not have a disadvantageous final outcome compared with immediate surgery.

360° inverted internal limiting membrane flap technique for idiopathic macular holes ≤ 250 µm, > 250 and ≤ 400 µm, and > 400 µm.

PURPOSE: To study the functional and morphological results of the inverted internal limiting membrane (ILM) flap technique for the treatment of idiopathic macular holes (MHs) sized ≤ 250 µm, > 250 and ≤ 400 µm, and > 400 µm. METHODS: Retrospective, nonrandomized interventional study of 65 eyes with primary idiopathic MHs who underwent pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) with the inverted ILM flap technique. Closure rate, best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), and integrity of external limiting membrane (ELM) and ellipsoid zone (EZ) were analyzed by optical coherence tomography (OCT). RESULTS: Total closure rate was 96.9% with 100% in the ≤ 250 µm group, 100% in the > 250 and ≤ 400 µm group, and 91.7% in the > 400 µm group. Mean BCVA significantly improved after treatment: from 0.7 to 0.3 LogMAR in the ≤ 250 µm group (n = 15, p < 0.001), from 0.9 to 0.4 LogMAR in the > 250 and ≤ 400 µm group (n = 26, p < 0.001), and from 1.0 to 0.5 LogMAR in the > 400 µm group (n = 24, p < 0.001). A total of 16 patients had follow-up over 14 months: BCVA increased from 0.9 LogMAR preoperatively to 0.4 after 1 month (p < 0.00001) and to 0.3 LogMAR after 14 months (p = 0.03). A recovered ELM could be observed in 56.3% after 1 month and in 87.5% after 14 months. A recovered EZ could be observed in 18.8% after 1 month and in 68.8% after 14 months. CONCLUSION: The study demonstrates a high closure rate with corresponding restitution of outer retinal layers. In addition to its importance for the treatment of MHs > 400 µm, the inverted ILM flap technique also appears to be effective and safe for the treatment of MHs < 400 µm. TRIAL REGISTRATION: WHO: DRKS00021241.

Central Retinal Thickness and Visual Acuity Outcomes After Vitrectomy for Epiretinal Membrane With and Without Internal Limiting Membrane Peel.

Purpose: This work compares best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and central retinal thickness (CRT) outcome measures following pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) with and without internal limiting membrane (ILM) peel for epiretinal membrane (ERM). Methods: A retrospective cohort study was conducted of 114 eyes of 114 patients with visually significant ERM undergoing PPV with membrane peel (PPV/MP) at a single institution. CRT measurements were collected from Heidelberg and Zeiss spectral-domain optical coherence tomography imaging units. Results compared preoperative and postoperative CRT and BCVA among patients with at least 60 days of follow-up. Results: A total of 114 eyes with ERM met the inclusion criteria. Eighty-one eyes (71%) underwent PPV/MP with ILM peel and 33 eyes (29%) underwent PPV/MP without ILM peel. There was no statistically significant difference between preoperative CRT between the 2 study groups (P = .95). The mean follow-up time of eyes undergoing PPV/MP without ILM peel and with ILM peel was 391 days and 319 days, respectively. There was no statistical difference in the mean reduction of CRT between the 2 groups (P = .470). Both groups had improvement of BCVA following surgery and there was no statistical difference in final logMAR visual acuity when comparing the 2 groups (P = .738). Conclusions: There was an overall improvement of CRT and BCVA among patients undergoing PPV/MP for ERM with or without ILM peel. There was no statistically significant difference in the final BCVA or CRT between the 2 groups.

Epiretinal Membrane Surgery after Retinal Detachment Repair: Visual Acuity Outcomes and OCT Analysis.

PURPOSE: To assess visual acuity (VA) outcomes of epiretinal membrane (ERM) surgery following primary rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RD) repair and to identify OCT features predictive of visual outcomes. DESIGN: Retrospective, consecutive case series. SUBJECTS: Eyes undergoing pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) with membrane peel (MP) surgery for ERM following primary RD repair (PPV with or without scleral buckle (SB) and gas tamponade). METHODS: Retrospective chart review from 2015 to 2018. A previously described ERM grading scale was utilized for OCT structural analysis. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Visual acuity (VA) and change in VA from pre- MP to 6 months and final follow-up. Secondary outcomes included RD and OCT features predictive of VA, as well as RD factors associated with need for subsequent MP surgery. RESULTS: 53 eyes of 53 patients underwent MP following RD repair. VA improved significantly from logMAR 1.00 ± 0.51 (Snellen 20/200) pre-MP to 0.45 ± 0.41 (20/56) at 6 months and 0.42 ± 0.41 (20/53) at final follow-up, (p<0.001) for each respectively. Macula on eyes had better 6 month [0.29 ± 0.18 (20/39) vs. 0.51 ± 0.46 (20/65), p=0.02] and final VA [0.29 ± 0.14 (20/39) vs. 0.46 ± 0.47 (20/58), p=0.04] after MP surgery. VA improved significantly from pre-MP to 6 months and final follow-up regardless of macula status. MP occurring ≤180 days from RD repair and IS/OS loss were associated with worse pre-MP VA [1.13 ± 0.09 (20/270) vs. 0.82 ± 0.07(20/132), p=0.01 and 1.21 ± 0.07 (20/324) vs. 0.74 ± 0.09 (20/110) p=0.0003, respectively]. IS/OS loss [adjusted means 0.54 ± 0.07 (20/69) vs. 0.25 ± 0.08 (20/36) at final visit, p=0.006] and RD repair with PPV/SB [0.53 ± 0.08 (20/68) vs. 0.31 ±0.07 (20/41) at final visit, p=0.03] were significantly associated with worse VA at both 6 months and final follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: Eyes undergoing MP after RD repair have significant visual acuity gains independent of macula-status at time of RD repair. Pre-operative IS/OS disruption was the OCT feature best predictive of visual acuity.

Long-term follow-up of retinal sensitivity assessed by microperimetry in patients with internal limiting membrane peeling.

PURPOSE: To evaluate anatomical and functional changes in patients with vitreomacular interface disease after internal limiting membrane (ILM) peeling, using microperimetry along with usual clinical and multimodal retinal imaging. METHODS: Patients with vitreomacular interface disease requiring vitrectomy underwent multimodal retinal evaluation, including visual acuity assessment, fundus color photograph, Spectral-Domain Optical Coherence Tomography, Optical Coherence Tomography-Angiography, and microperimetry. They were examined at baseline (M0), 6 months (M6) and 18 months (M18) after surgery. Retinal sensitivity was subdivided into three concentric polygons: Large, Medium, Small. RESULTS: Eleven eyes of 11 patients were analyzed, including 10 epiretinal membranes (ERMs). Best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) improved in all patients from 0.51 logarithm of the minimal angle of resolution (logMAR) to 0.067 (p = 0.0074). Retinal sensitivity improved between M0 and M6 in all polygons and continued to improve between M6 and M18 for polygons Medium (M) and Small (S) with no statistical significance. At M18, BCVA and retinal sensitivity were similar in the operated eye compared with the fellow eye for all patients. Dissociated optic nerve fiber layer appearance was observed in 8 patients at M18. It was not correlated with either retinal sensitivity or BCVA or microscotomas. No recurrence of ERM or macular hole occurred during follow-up. CONCLUSION: After surgery, the retinal sensitivity assessed by microperimetry gradually improved until the 18th month and was not different from the values of the fellow eye. These results seemed to confirm that ILM peeling can be an effective and safe technique to treat patients with vitreomacular interface disease.

Human amniotic membrane for the treatment of large and refractory macular holes: a retrospective, multicentric, interventional study.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of the current study is to report the anatomical and functional results of off-label human amniotic membrane graft as primary intervention to repair large to giant macular holes and in reoperations when wide internal limiting membrane peeling was unsuccessful. METHODS: Retrospective chart review was carried out in five different centers to identify all cases that had undergone off-label human amniotic membrane graft for the treatment of large or failed macular holes (MH). Data collected included age, gender, other concomitant diagnosis, symptoms duration, lens status, number of previous surgeries, macular hole measurements (minimum and base linear diameters), mean post-operative follow-up (months), and pre- and post-operative best corrected visual acuity (BCVA). Main outcome measures were anatomical MH closure rates and final BCVA (in logMAR). Nonparametric Wilcoxon rank-sum test was used because the data was not normally distributed, a P values < 0.05 were considered statistically significant. RESULTS: Nineteen eyes of 19 patients were identified and included in the study. Mean age was 66.21 ± 14.96 years and predominantly females (84%). All eyes had successfully closed MH with a single intervention with no recurrences during a mean of 9 ± 3.87 months follow-up. The median BCVA in logMAR preoperative was 1.30 ± 0.44 (0.80-2.0), approximately 20/400 on Snellen chart and the median BCVA in logMAR postoperative was 1.0 ± 0.72 (0.4-3.0) approximately 20/200 (p < 0.0001) with median of three lines of visual improvement. CONCLUSION: The use of human amniotic membrane graft seems to be a viable and effective alternative for the treatment of large and persistent macular holes. However, further larger prospective controlled studies are necessary to confirm our preliminary results of this new surgical technique.

Comparison of Anatomical and Functional Results of Surgeries Performed with Nitinol Flex Loop or Forceps in Primary Epiretinal Membrane.

Purpose: To compare surgery's effect with nitinol flex loop (NFL) or forceps on retinal layers and functional outcomes in the primary epiretinal membrane (ERM).Methods: The operations were classified according to the use of the NFL or forceps. Automatic segmentation of the individual inner retinal layers was performed by spectral-domain optical coherence tomography software, and best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) before surgery and at the last follow-up visit postoperatively were compared.Results: Forty-two eyes of 42 patients were included with a mean age of 66.9 ± 5.7 years. 45.2% of the surgeries were NFL assisted, 54.8% were forceps assisted. The mean follow-up duration was 9.8 ± 1.3 months. The mean BCVA was 0.79 ± 0.42 vs 0.77 ± 0.39 logMAR in the preoperative period and 0.42 ± 0.27 vs. 0.40 ± 0.21 logMAR at last follow-up in the NFL vs forceps group respectively (p= .403). The retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL)(32.5% vs. 50.1%, p= .009), ganglion cell layer (18.1% vs. 41.4%, p= .021), inner plexiform layer (13.5% vs. 32.7%, p= .031) and inner nuclear layer (15.5% vs. 30.3%, p= .011) thickness decreased significantly more in the forceps group. The mean surgical time was not significantly different (45.2 ± 5.1 vs. 51.1 ± 6.1 minutes) in the NFL vs. forceps groups, respectively (p= .331).Conclusion: Following primary ERM surgery, the inner retinal layers become thinner; RNFL impacted the most, which was found higher in forceps assisted surgeries. This result shows that the NFL can be used safely in macular surgery.