Improved Outcomes with Heavy Silicone Oil in Complex Primary Retinal Detachment: A Large Multicenter Matched Cohort Study.

PURPOSE: To establish whether Densiron 68, a heavier-than-water endotamponade agent, is an effective alternative to conventional light silicone oil in primary rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RD) surgery for eyes with inferior breaks in the detached retina and severe proliferative vitreoretinopathy (PVR). DESIGN: Cohort study of routinely collected data from the European Society of Retina Specialists and British and Eire Association of Vitreoretinal Surgeons vitreoretinal database between 2015 and 2022. PARTICIPANTS: All consecutive eyes that underwent primary rhegmatogenous RD surgery using Densiron 68 or light silicone oil as an internal tamponade agent. METHODS: To minimize confounding bias, we undertook 2:1 nearest-neighbor matching on inferior breaks, large inferior rhegmatogenous RDs, PVR, and, for visual analyses, baseline visual acuity (VA) between treatment groups. We fit regression models including prognostically relevant covariates, treatment-covariate interactions, and matching weights. We used g-computation with cluster-robust methods to estimate marginal effects. For nonlinear models, we calculated confidence intervals (CIs) using bias-corrected cluster bootstrapping with 9999 replications. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Presence of a fully attached retina and VA at least 2 months after oil removal. RESULTS: Of 1061 eyes enrolled, 426 and 239 were included in our matched samples for anatomic and visual outcome analyses, respectively. The primary success rate was higher in the Densiron 68 group (113 of 142; 80%) compared with the light silicone oil group (180 of 284; 63%), with an adjusted odds ratio of 1.90 (95% CI, 1.63-2.23, P < 0.001). We also observed a significant improvement favoring Densiron 68 of -0.26 logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution (logMAR) in postoperative VA between the 2 groups (95% CI, -0.43 to -0.10, P = 0.002). The anatomic benefit of using Densiron 68 in eyes with inferior retinal breaks and large detachments was more pronounced among eyes with PVR grade C. We found no evidence of visual effect moderation by anatomic outcome or foveal attachment. CONCLUSIONS: Densiron achieved higher anatomic success rates and improved visual outcomes compared with conventional light silicone oil in eyes with inferior retinal pathology and severe PVR. FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE(S): Proprietary or commercial disclosure may be found in the Footnotes and Disclosures at the end of this article.

Artificial intelligence using deep learning to predict the anatomical outcome of rhegmatogenous retinal detachment surgery: a pilot study.

PURPOSE: To develop and evaluate an automated deep learning model to predict the anatomical outcome of rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD) surgery. METHODS: Six thousand six hundred and sixty-one digital images of RRD treated by vitrectomy and internal tamponade were collected from the British and Eire Association of Vitreoretinal Surgeons database. Each image was classified as a primary surgical success or a primary surgical failure. The synthetic minority over-sampling technique was used to address class imbalance. We adopted the state-of-the-art deep convolutional neural network architecture Inception v3 to train, validate, and test deep learning models to predict the anatomical outcome of RRD surgery. The area under the curve (AUC), sensitivity, and specificity for predicting the outcome of RRD surgery was calculated for the best predictive deep learning model. RESULTS: The deep learning model was able to predict the anatomical outcome of RRD surgery with an AUC of 0.94, with a corresponding sensitivity of 73.3% and a specificity of 96%. CONCLUSION: A deep learning model is capable of accurately predicting the anatomical outcome of RRD surgery. This fully automated model has potential application in surgical care of patients with RRD.

A Novel Postoperative Drop Regimen Reduces Risk of Ocular Hypertension Following Pars Plana Vitrectomy.

INTRODUCTION: Postoperative steroid/antibiotic drop regimens are known to effectively suppress inflammation and infection following pars plana vitrectomy (PPV), but the steroid frequently induces ocular hypertension (OHT). The aim of this contemporaneous cohort-control study was to assess safety and efficacy of a novel post-PPV drop regimen conceived to address this problem. METHODS: Electronic case notes of consecutive eyes undergoing PPV between December 2020 and April 2021 at St. Thomas' Hospital, London, UK, were reviewed retrospectively. Postoperative drops in the intervention cohort consisted of 1-week g. dexamethasone 0.1%/antibiotic QDS and 1-month g. ketorolac TDS. Standard care controls received 1-month g. dexamethasone 0.1%/antibiotic QDS. RESULTS: Fifty-eight patients were in the intervention cohort, and 151 received standard care. The primary outcome measure was IOP ≥30 mm Hg 2 weeks postoperatively. This occurred in none of the intervention group but in 14% of controls (p = 0.01). Secondary outcomes of rates of anterior uveitis and cystoid macular edema did not differ significantly between the groups, but those in the intervention cohort had fewer hospital visits (p = 0.0004). CONCLUSION: A post-PPV drop regimen of 1-week dexamethasone 0.1%/antibiotic and 1-month ketorolac may be as effective as an anti-inflammatory but safer in terms of OHT incidence than standard care 1-month dexamethasone 0.1%.

Rate of Postoperative Autofluorescent Macular Shift with Expanding Gas Bubble Tamponade and No Prone Posture Ambulatory Care in Patients with Macula-Involved Retinal Detachment.

PURPOSE: Chronically distorted vision is an important adverse outcome in patients with otherwise successfully treated macula-involved retinal detachment (RD). Symptomatic distortion is associated with macular vessel shift on fundus autofluorescence (FAF) imaging. Immediate prone posture has to date been the only mechanism adopted to reduce postoperative FAF shift. The aim of this study was to establish the rates of primary anatomical success and (FAF) macular shift in 67 eyes with macula-involved RD and superior breaks treated with vitrectomy, retinopexy, 0.7-1 mL 100% gas tamponade, and no prone posture. METHODS: Single-center, retrospective series. RESULTS: Rates of primary anatomical success and fundus autofluorescent imaging macular shift were 89 and 26%, respectively. CONCLUSION: Vitrectomy with a 0.7-1 mL expanding gas bubble tamponade and no prone posture were associated with an acceptable rate of primary anatomical success. We found the lowest yet reported rate of FAF shift in patients with macula-involved RD. If confirmed, this simple technique modification could improve the visual outcome of RD surgery whilst facilitating postoperative ambulatory care.

THE ROLE OF INTRAOCULAR GAS TAMPONADE IN RHEGMATOGENOUS RETINAL DETACHMENT: A Synthesis of the Literature.

PURPOSE: To review the literature regarding intraocular gas tamponade after vitrectomy for rhegmatogenous retinal detachment. METHODS: The history and evolution of the use of gas is described. The theories explaining gas tamponade are discussed, and efficacy and safety studies in human and animal models are covered. RESULTS: A total of 61 articles relating to gas tamponade were cited in this review. CONCLUSION: Gas tamponade is a frequently used procedure in vitreoretinal surgery. An understanding of its mechanism of action is crucial for its safe use when determining which gas is to be used and at what concentration.

THEORETICAL GAS CONCENTRATIONS ACHIEVING 100% FILL OF THE VITREOUS CAVITY IN THE POSTOPERATIVE PERIOD: A Gas Eye Model Study.

PURPOSE: To determine the concentrations of different gas tamponades in air to achieve 100% fill of the vitreous cavity postoperatively and to examine the influence of eye volume on these concentrations. METHODS: A mathematical model of the mass transfer dynamics of tamponade and blood gases (O2, N2, and CO2) when injected into the eye was used. Mass transfer surface areas were calculated from published anatomical data. The model has been calibrated from published volumetric decay and composition results for three gases sulphahexafluoride (SF6), hexafluoroethane (C2F6), or perfluoropropane (C3F8). The concentrations of these gases (in air) required to achieve 100% fill of the vitreous cavity postoperatively without an intraocular pressure rise were determined. The concentrations were calculated for three volumes of the vitreous cavity to test whether ocular size influenced the results. RESULTS: A table of gas concentrations was produced. In a simulation of pars plana vitrectomy operations in which an 80% to 85% fill of the vitreous cavity with gas was achieved at surgery, the concentrations of the 3 gases in air to achieve 100% fill postoperatively were 10% to 13% for C3F8, 12% to 15% for C2F6, and 19% to 25% for SF6. These were similar to the so-called "nonexpansive" concentrations used in the clinical setting. The calculations were repeated for three different sizes of eye. Aiming for an 80% fill at surgery and 100% postoperatively, an eye with a 4-mL vitreous cavity required 24% SF6, 15% C2F6, or 13% C3F8; 7.2 mL required 25% SF6, 15% C2F6, or 13% C3F8; and 10 mL required 25% SF6, 16% C2F6, or 13% C3F8. When using 100% gas (e.g., used in pneumatic retinopexy), to achieve 100% fill postoperatively, the minimum vitreous cavity fill at surgery was 43% for SF6, 29% for C2F6, and 25% for C3F8 and was only minimally changed by variation in the size of the eye. CONCLUSION: A table has been produced, which could be used for surgical innovation in gas usage in the vitreous cavity. It provides concentrations for different percentage fills, which will achieve a moment postoperatively with a full fill of the cavity without a pressure rise. Variation in axial length and size of the eye does not seem to alter the values in the table significantly. Those using pneumatic retinopexy need to increase the volume of gas injected with increased size of the eye to match the percentage fill of the vitreous cavity recommended for a given tamponade agent.

INTRAOPERATIVE AND POSTOPERATIVE COMPLICATIONS IN PHACOVITRECTOMY FOR EPIRETINAL MEMBRANE AND MACULAR HOLE: A Clinical Audit of 1,000 Consecutive Eyes.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to report the intraoperative and postoperative complications of phacovitrectomy for epiretinal membrane (ERM) and macular hole (MH). METHODS: This was a retrospective audit of 1,052 phacovitrectomy operations (410 for ERM and 642 for MH) by the same surgical team between 1998 and 2017. Outcome measures included rates of intraoperative anterior segment and posterior segment complications such as posterior capsule rupture and retinal breaks. A subgroup analysis of 189 procedures in which postoperative complications were rigorously recorded was also undertaken. RESULTS: The rate of posterior capsule rupture was 2.2%, with no difference between ERM and MH (1.7 vs. 2.5%; P = 0.40). Iatrogenic retinal tears were more common in MH than in ERM surgery (15.6 vs. 6.8%; P < 0.001). The chance of one or more anterior segment or posterior segment intraoperative complications occurring (excluding iatrogenic retinal breaks) was not associated with: indication for surgery, grade of surgeon, gauge of surgery, surgical machine, diabetic status, patient sex, or patient age. Subgroup analysis showed postoperative events as follows: posterior capsular opacification 10.6% (20/189), posterior synechiae 4.2% (8/189), uveitis 2.1% (4/189), angle closure glaucoma 1.6% (3/189), and rhegmatogenous retinal detachment 1.1% (2/189). CONCLUSION: Phacovitrectomy seems to be safe in phakic patients with ERM or MH, performed either by fellows or consultants. It avoids the requirement for repeat surgery and is more cost and resource efficient.

ROYAL COLLEGE OF OPHTHALMOLOGISTS' NATIONAL DATABASE STUDY OF VITREORETINAL SURGERY: Report 7, Intersurgeon Variations in Primary Rhegmatogenous Retinal Detachment Failure.

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE: To audit variations in primary rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RD) anatomical failure rates between surgeons, grades of surgeons, and techniques of RD surgery. METHODS: Clinical data of a total of 5,857 eyes undergoing primary RD surgery, from 2000 to 2013 were retrospectively extracted from 15 centers using the same commercially available electronic medical record system, from three vitreoretinal units using an in-house electronic medical record, and from the British and Eire Association of Vitreoretinal Surgeons online registry. RESULTS: The 5,857 primary RD operations were performed by 117 surgeons: 3,349 (57.2%) by consultants, 520 (8.9%) by independent nonconsultants, and 1,988 (33.9%) by trainees. Surgery comprised pars plana vitrectomy for 4,666 (79.7%) operations, scleral buckle for 815 (13.9%), and pars plana vitrectomy + scleral buckle for 376 (6.4%). The RD reoperation rate at 6 months after primary surgery was 13.9% (725/5,202) and did not differ significantly between consultants and trainees (P = 0.382). For surgeons contributing ≥50 cases, the mean (range) reoperation rates were 13.1% (6.7%-26.8%), 15.1% (11.3%-18.2%), and 15.3% (9.4%-22.1%) for consultants, independent nonconsultants, and trainee surgeons, respectively. The scleral buckle failure rate was not significantly different from pars plana vitrectomy (P = 0.095). Data were not adjusted for case-mix complexity. CONCLUSION: The grades of surgeons and the technique of surgery were not associated with a significant difference in primary unadjusted RD failure rates.

Duration of intraocular gases following vitreoretinal surgery.

BACKGROUND: Intraocular gas tamponades are an important tool in modern vitreoretinal surgery. However, there is considerable variation in their use and perceptions amongst clinicians regarding these agents. METHODS: An electronic survey of vitreoretinal surgeons in the UK was undertaken to establish the patterns of use and surgeons' estimates of the longevity and expansion timing of gas tamponades. In addition, data were prospectively collected on the longevity of gas tamponades in 114 patients from our unit. An analysis was performed to identify patient or surgery factors affecting gas longevity RESULTS: A wide variation in the patterns of use and estimates of longevity and expansion timing of intraocular tamponades was found in the survey of vitreoretinal surgeons. Data from our unit give informed estimates on the longevity of three commonly used tamponades. For 30 % sulphur hexafluoride (SF6), mean 18.0 days, standard deviation (SD) 2.6 days. For 20 % hexafluoroethane (C2F6), mean 34.5 days, SD 3.3 days. For 15 % perfluoropropane (C3F8), mean 67.7 days SD 5.5 days. In the C2F6 group there was correlation between longer duration of the gas bubble and longer axial length (r = 0.438, p = 0.02) and longer gas duration with male sex (p = 0.002). CONCLUSIONS: We present informed gas tamponade longevity figures in clinical practice and report statistically significant associations between longer gas longevity and increasing axial length and male sex.

INCIDENCE OF LENS TOUCH DURING PARS PLANA VITRECTOMY AND OUTCOMES FROM SUBSEQUENT CATARACT SURGERY.

PURPOSE: To determine the incidence of lens touch during pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) and evaluate cataract surgery complications after lens touch. METHODS: One thousand three hundred and ninety nine phakic patients who underwent PPV during the period from 2001 to 2013 were included in the study. Data of the PPV and lens touch (excluding lens bite) complications were reviewed from an electronic database (VITREOR). Subsequent cataract surgery data and intraoperative complications were reviewed. A control group consisted of 149 cases of phakic patients who underwent PPV with no lens touch then subsequent cataract surgery. All surgeries were performed by senior surgeons, and no cataract was present before the PPV. RESULTS: The incidence of lens touch was 3.7% (52 of 1,399 phakic patients). The Demographics and presenting complaints of the patients were not significantly associated with lens touch, but retinal detachment with proliferative vitreoretinopathy, the use of silicone oil and use of relaxing retinectomy were associated with more lens touch. Cataract developed in 49 patients of whom 45 underwent cataract surgery. Nuclear sclerosis developed in 22 patients, 16 had posterior subcapsular, 8 had mixed lens opacities, and 3 had white cataract. The median duration between PPV and cataract surgery was 4 months in the lens touch group, which was significantly shorter than the median of 8 months in the control group (P = 0.001). During the subsequent cataract surgery in the lens touch group, 5 patients (11%) had a posterior capsule rupture, whereas the control group had only 2 cases of posterior capsule rupture 1.4% (P = 0.008). Final visual acuity was 0.3 LogMar or better in 22 patients (44%). CONCLUSION: Lens touch is a frequent complication of PPV in a phakic eye. It is more common in patients having surgery for proliferative vitreoretinopathy. Care should be taken when performing subsequent cataract surgery on an eye with lens touch as it carries a significantly increased chance of posterior capsule rupture.

MEASUREMENT OF RETINAL DISPLACEMENT AND METAMORPHOPSIA AFTER EPIRETINAL MEMBRANE OR MACULAR HOLE SURGERY.

PURPOSE: To quantify retinal displacement and metamorphopsia after surgery for epiretinal membrane (ERM) or full-thickness macular hole (FTMH). METHODS: Fundus autofluorescence imaging was analyzed for evidence of retinal displacement. Displacement was quantified using a novel standardized approach with measures of vertical interarcade distance, fovea to disk margin, and perimacular area. The vertical disk diameter and normal fellow eyes served as controls. Metamorphopsia was quantified using the Morphision test. RESULTS: Thirty-three eyes of 33 consecutive patients underwent vitrectomy (21 for ERM; 12 for FTMH). After surgery for ERM, the macula expanded (perimacular area: +10.14%, P < 0.0001; intraarcade distance: +6.10%, P < 0.0001; fovea to disk margin: +4.80%, P = 0.0042). Conversely, after surgery for FTMH the macula parameters showed evidence of constriction (interarcade distance: -2.11%, P = 0.0047; perimacular area: -2.95%, P = 0.0197; fovea to disk margin: -4.69%, P = 0.0010). The degree of change in intraarcade distance and perimacular area was greater for the ERM compared with the FTMH (P < 0.0001). The vertical disk diameter was not altered by surgery for either the ERM or the FTMH. The average change in any measurements between visits in control eyes was just 0.61%, representing high test-retest reliability. Preoperative morphision distortion scores were worse with FTMH (57.3%) than ERM (38%, P = 0.0636) and improved overall after surgery (43.6-21.3%, P = 0.0019). CONCLUSION: Serial fundus autofluorescence imaging, with the measurement parameters used here, is a reliable means of monitoring retinal blood vessel movement over time. Significant retinal displacement occurs after vitrectomy for FTMH and ERM with the retina expanding after ERM removal and contracting after FTMH closure, with associated improvements in measured metamorphopsia.

EXTENT AND LOCATION OF INTRARETINAL AND SUBRETINAL FLUID AS PROGNOSTIC FACTORS FOR THE OUTCOME OF PATIENTS WITH OPTIC DISK PIT MACULOPATHY.

PURPOSE: To determine if baseline fundoscopic and optical coherence tomography (OCT) features influence the clinical course of optic disk pit maculopathy. METHODS: A multicenter retrospective case note review was undertaken, using standardized OCT and clinical data collection. Visual success was defined as at least a two-line visual acuity improvement, anatomical success as full resolution of OCT foveal fluid with restoration of the normal foveal contour, and partial anatomical success as incomplete resolution of the OCT foveal fluid. Outcomes were compared with a synthesis of the literature, using similar eligibility criteria. RESULTS: Of 36 patients (36 eyes), 2 spontaneously improved and 34 underwent surgery. Visual success was achieved in 64% of surgical cases, anatomical success in 36%, and partial anatomical success in 47%. Cases with multilayer intraretinal and subretinal fluid were less likely to have visual success (P = 0.003). Cases where the fluid did not extend to the macular arcade vessels also had better visual and anatomical outcomes (P = 0.004 and 0.005, respectively). CONCLUSION: Fundoscopic and OCT features can help predict surgical outcome in optic disk pit maculopathy.

Spectral domain optical coherence tomography findings in long-term silicone oil-related visual loss.

PURPOSE: To investigate spectral domain optical coherence tomography findings in long-term silicone oil-related visual loss. METHODS: Four symptomatic patients were reviewed 4 years to 9 years after vitrectomy with silicone oil tamponade for macula-on retinal detachment. Three lost vision with oil in situ, with one at the time of oil removal. Eleven control eyes with good vision were included. Patients underwent assessment of best-corrected visual acuity, contrast sensitivity, Farnsworth-Munsell 100 Hue testing, static perimetry, and spectral domain optical coherence tomography imaging of the macula and disk. RESULTS: Long-term best-corrected visual acuity was significantly reduced in affected eyes (range, 0.44-1.02), as was contrast sensitivity (0.75-1.35) and color discrimination (Farnsworth-Munsell-100 Hue score, 151-390). Static perimetry showed a central scotoma in all affected eyes. Optical coherence tomography revealed microcystic macular changes in the inner nuclear layer of all affected eyes associated with severe loss of the papillofoveal retinal nerve fiber layer. In one patient, serial optical coherence tomography images showed development of microcystic macular changes 18 months after oil removal. Control eyes lacked these features, except two asymptomatic eyes that showed microcystic changes on optical coherence tomography with a corresponding paracentral scotoma. CONCLUSION: We have demonstrated microcystic macular changes in the inner nuclear layer of affected eyes, as well as focal severe loss of the papillofoveal projection. These changes share significant morphologic features reported in multiple sclerosis-associated optic neuritis and Leber hereditary optic neuropathy.

THE ROYAL COLLEGE OF OPHTHALMOLOGISTS' NATIONAL OPHTHALMOLOGY DATABASE STUDY OF VITREORETINAL SURGERY: Report 4, Epiretinal Membrane.

PURPOSE: To report pragmatic outcomes from a database study of epiretinal membrane surgery. METHODS: Prospective anonymized clinical audit data from electronic medical records were pooled over 10 years into a national database, from 1,131 primary epiretinal membrane operations, by 69 surgeons, in 16 U.K. vitreoretinal units. RESULTS: The median age of 1,131 patients was 71.6 years. A pars plana vitrectomy and epiretinal membrane peel were combined with internal limiting membrane peel in 17.0% of operations, and cataract surgery in 49.9%. Use of general anesthesia declined from 94.1% in 2001 to 28.9% in 2010. One or more intraoperative complication occurred in 9.8% (8.1% excluding cataract surgery complications). The median preoperative logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution (logMAR) visual acuity improved from 0.60 to 0.30 (Snellen 20/80-20/40) after a median follow-up of 7.0 months; 41.7% of eyes improved ≥0.30 logMAR units (approximately 2 Snellen's lines). The percentages of eyes undergoing subsequent surgery were 3.3%, 1.0%, 0.4%, and 0.8% for epiretinal membrane, retinal detachment, macular hole, and other vitreoretinal indications, respectively. Excluding pseudophakic eyes, 51.7%, 73.2%, and 76.2% of eyes underwent cataract surgery within 1 year, 2 year, and 3 years respectively. CONCLUSION: These results may help vitreoretinal surgeons to benchmark their surgical outcomes, and patients to assess the risks and benefits of surgery.

Suprachoroidal hemorrhage in pars plana vitrectomy: risk factors and outcomes over 10 years.

PURPOSE: To investigate the rate and risk factors of developing suprachoroidal hemorrhage (SCH) after pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) and the outcomes as a result. DESIGN: Retrospective, comparative consecutive series. PARTICIPANTS: A total of 5459 patients who underwent pars plana vitrectomies over 10 years in 3 surgical centers. METHODS: All patient demographic, medical, and ophthalmic data and operative information from 3 vitreoretinal centers were entered prospectively into an electronic medical record. Univariate analysis was undertaken, comparing risk factors between cases (SCH) and controls. Multivariable logistic regression was performed to test for independence between the risk factors (P < 0.2 in univariate analysis) and SCH. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Risk factors for developing SCH. Visual outcome and development of complications. RESULTS: A total of 5459 PPVs were undertaken for a wide range of indications. Fifty-six cases of PPV were complicated by SCH (1.03%). Multivariable logistic regression showed that significant risk factors for developing this included advancing age, (mean age, 69 years in cases and 60 years in controls; odds ratio [OR], 1.04; P = 0.001), male sex (76.8% of cases and 58.7% of controls; OR, 2.38; P = 0.008), presence of rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD) (80.3% of cases and 52.5% of controls; OR, 5.92; P < 0.0001), presence of a dropped lens fragment (10.7% of cases and 4.5% of controls; OR, 6.94; P = 0.002), and the use of antiplatelet or anticoagulant drugs (33.9% of cases and 17.7% of controls; OR, 2.29; P = 0.007). Suprachoroidal hemorrhage was more common with increasing quadrants of RRD. The significant operative risk factor was application of an explant (25% of cases and 4.07% of controls; OR, 5.63; P < 0.0001). Phthisis (7.1% of cases and 0.9% of controls; P = 0.002, Fisher exact test) and glaucoma (14.3% of cases and 7.2% of controls; P = 0.044, chi-square test) were more common in cases than in controls. CONCLUSIONS: The risk factors for developing intraoperative SCH during PPV are male sex, advancing age, RRD, a scleral explant, a dropped lens fragment, and the use of aspirin or warfarin. Patients with this complication have a greater risk of developing ocular hypertension requiring treatment and phthisis.

Idiopathic macular hole: analysis of visual outcomes and the use of indocyanine green or brilliant blue for internal limiting membrane peel.

BACKGROUND: Our aim was to analyze outcomes of idiopathic macular hole surgeries in relation to staging and the use of indocyanine green (ICG) or brilliant blue (BB) for internal limiting membrane (ILM) peel. METHODS: Baseline, surgical, and outcome data for 351 consecutive primary macular hole surgeries was prospectively collected using electronic medical record software between 2001 and 2011. The outcomes for these cases were analysed in relation to staging and the use of ICG (0.5 mg/ml) or BB for ILM peel. RESULTS: Mean age was 68.9 years (range 39-87) with 66.4 % females and 54.1 % right eyes. Follow-up duration was median 0.55 years. Vision was significantly improved from logMAR 0.97 (SD 0.45) (Snellen equivalent 20/185) preoperatively to 0.65 (SD 0.51) (20/90) at final follow-up. One hundred and eighteen patients had stage 2 macular holes, 185 stage 3, and 48 stage 4. Mean duration of symptoms varied with stage of hole: stage 2 0.53 years (SD 0.43), stage 3 0.79 years (SD 0.68), and stage 4 1.20 years (SD 1.26), p = 0.0002. Closure rates of the holes were significantly different, with stage 2 closing in 95.8 %, stage 3 in 73.0 %, and stage 4 in 56.3 %, p < 0.0001. At final follow-up, mean visual acuity (VA) was 0.42 (SD 0.33) (20/50) for stage 2, 0.75 (SD 0.53) (20/110) for stage 3, and 0.87 (SD 0.60) (20/145) for stage 4 holes, p < 0.0001. Postoperative VA was 0.71 (SD 0.53) (20/100) for patients in whom ICG was used, and 0.52 (SD 0.43) (20/70) for BB, p = 0.003. The proportion of patients who achieved a closed hole was less for ICG (73.2 %) than BB (89.9 %), p = 0.0005. For those patients with stage 2 hole who achieved hole closure, mean improvement in VA was significantly better for BB (0.47, SD 0.36) than for ICG (0.30, SD 0.31), p = 0.01. CONCLUSIONS: Macular hole stage is a useful measure to help predict the chance of postoperative hole closure and visual outcome. The relationship between duration of symptoms and increasing stage suggests macula hole patients require prompt referral for consideration of early surgery. Better visual outcomes were achieved with BB for ILM peel than with ICG.

An analysis of the outcomes for patients with failed primary vitrectomy for rhegmatogenous retinal detachment.

PURPOSE: Our aim was to identify the timing of retinal redetachments and the prognosis for affected patients. METHODS: Retrospective review of electronic patient records and casenotes from two centres. Inclusion criteria were failed primary vitrectomy for rhegmatogenous retinal detachment during a 12-year period. Failure was defined as re- or persistent detachment of the retina prior to a further procedure or at final follow-up. RESULTS: The records of 133 cases of failed primary PPV for RRD were analysed. The mean age at time of primary surgery was 62.9 years, and mean follow-up was over 3 years from the date of primary surgery. In 72.9 % of cases, the redetachment was diagnosed within 2 months of the primary surgery. Eighty-five percent were diagnosed within 3 months, 89.5 % within 4 months, and 97.7 % within 6 months. For patients in whom the primary surgery had failed, the rates of attached retina at final follow-up were 80.5 %, or 68.8 % if PVR B/C were present at the time of primary surgery. The final follow-up success rates (attached retina with no tamponade) were 66.2 % for all patients, and 59.4 % for the subset with PVR B/C at the time of primary surgery respectively. Of the total, 33.8 % had one further vitreoretinal procedure, 30.8 % two more, 25.6 % three more, and 5.3 % had four or more. Visual outcome was better with final success (attached retina and no tamponade, p < 0.0001) and worse with PVR B/C evident on diagnosis of failed primary surgery (p < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: A short duration of follow-up can over-estimate surgeon success rates for retinal detachment repair. For patients in whom primary surgery has failed, the prognosis for ultimate success is markedly lower than for primary surgery, and most patients require two or more further procedures to achieve this.

Characteristics of rhegmatogenous retinal detachment and their relationship to success rates of surgery.

PURPOSE: To determine features of rhegmatogenous retinal detachment predictive of anatomical success with surgical procedure. METHODS: All patients undergoing surgery at a tertiary referral practice had contemporaneous data collection in an electronic database. Overall, 847 eyes from 847 patients undergoing surgical procedure for rhegmatogenous retinal detachment were included in this study. RESULTS: Mean age was 62.2 years with 60% male subjects and 56% right eyes. Mean postoperative follow-up was 9.6 months (range, 6 weeks to 10 years). With univariate analysis, the presence of superotemporal breaks was associated with a reduction in the chance of failed primary surgery (P = 0.005); detached inferonasal breaks (P = 0.002), proliferative vitreoretinopathy (PVR) (P < 0.0001), breaks in detached inferior retina (P < 0.0001), fovea off (P = 0.001), and 4-quadrant rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (P < 0.0001) increased the risk of failure. After multivariate analysis PVR, detached inferior breaks, increased number of breaks, and 4-quadrant detachment remained associated with an increased risk of failure, and superotemporal detached breaks with the reduced risk of failure (r(2) = 0.08). For patients without PVR, only inferonasal detached breaks and 3 to 4 quadrants of detachment remained predictive of failure (r(2) = 0.04). For patients with PVR (n = 120), multivariate analysis showed that PVR C4-12 and posterior breaks increased the failure risk and detached superotemporal breaks reduced the risk of failure (r(2) = 0.22). CONCLUSION: Number of breaks, inferior positioning of breaks, the extent of rhegmatogenous retinal detachment, and PVR are associated with failed primary surgery.

Foveal light exposure is increased at the time of removal of silicone oil with the potential for phototoxicity.

BACKGROUND: There is sudden and dramatic visual function deterioration in 1-10 % of eyes filled with silicone oil at the time of removal of silicon oil. Transmission of high-energy blue light is increased in eyes filled with silicone oil. We sought to identify if increased foveal light exposure is a potential factor in the pathophysiology of the visual loss at the time of removal of silicone oil. METHODS: A graphic ray tracing computer program and laboratory models were used to determine the effect of the intraocular silicone oil bubble size on the foveal illuminance at the time of removal of silicone oil under direct microscope light. The graphic ray tracing computer program revealed a range of optical vignetting effects created by different sizes of silicone oil bubble within the vitreous cavity giving rise to an uneven macular illumination. The laboratory model was used to quantify the variation of illuminance at the foveal region with different sizes of silicone oil bubble with in the vitreous cavity at the time of removal of silicon oil under direct microscope light. To substantiate the hypothesis of the light toxicity during removal of silicone oil, The outcome of oil removal procedures performed under direct microscope illumination in compared to those performed under blocked illumination. RESULTS: The computer program showed that the optical vignetting effect at the macula was dependent on the size of the intraocular silicone oil bubble. The laboratory eye model showed that the foveal illuminance followed a bell-shaped curve with 70 % greater illuminance demonstrated at with 50-60 % silicone oil fill. The clinical data identified five eyes with unexplained vision loss out of 114 eyes that had the procedure performed under direct microscope illumination compared to none out of 78 eyes that had the procedure under blocked illumination. CONCLUSIONS: Foveal light exposure, and therefore the potential for phototoxicity, is transiently increased at the time of removal of silicone oil. This is due to uneven macular illumination resulting from the optical vignetting effect of different silicone oil bubble sizes. The increase in foveal light exposure may be significant when the procedure is performed under bright operating microscope light on already stressed photoreceptors of an eye filled with silicon oil. We advocate the use of precautions, such as central shadow filter on the operating microscope light source to reduce foveal light exposure and the risk of phototoxicity at the time of removal of silicone oil. The graphic ray tracing computer program used in this study shows promise in eye modeling for future studies.