Nano-engineered optimal templates for surface-plasmon enhanced Raman scattering.

We investigated the critical conditions to realize reliable and nano-engineered templates for surface-plasmon enhanced Raman scattering (SERS). Ultra-sensitive SERSs of thymine oligonucleotides were successfully realized on the template of Au nanoparticle arrays which were prepared by the combination of electron-beam lithography and post-chemical modification techniques. Drastic enhancement of Raman signal from the thymine oligonucleotides was only observed on the optimized templates, where the tuning of the plasmon resonance condition and the formation of the hot spots were both critical. Our results suggest that the artificial generation of reproducible and controlled hot spots can be achieved by our approach.

Early postoperative intraocular pressure stability after combined 23-gauge sutureless vitrectomy and cataract surgery in patients with proliferative diabetic retinopathy.

PURPOSE: To compare rates of early postoperative hypotony and intraocular pressure (IOP) elevation between 23-gauge sutureless vitrectomies with and without phacoemulsification and intraocular lens implantation in patients with proliferative diabetic retinopathy. METHODS: This study reviewed the medical records of 302 eyes of patients who underwent primary 23-gauge sutureless vitrectomy for the complications of proliferative diabetic retinopathy. A case series of 207 eyes that underwent combined vitrectomy and cataract surgery (combined group) was compared with that of 95 eyes that underwent vitrectomy only (vitrectomy group): The eyes that remained phakic after the vitrectomy were excluded from this study. The main outcome measures were postoperative hypotony (IOP < 6 mmHg or IOP < 10 mmHg with choroidal detachment) and IOP elevation (>30 mmHg). RESULTS: Postoperative hypotony was identified in 4 (1.9%) of 207 eyes in combined group, but in 7 (7.4%) of 95 eyes in vitrectomy group (P = 0.048). Rate of IOP elevation was very low and not different between the two groups. The multivariate analysis showed that vitrectomy without cataract surgery was associated with the postoperative hypotony (odds ratio = 4.6, P = 0.045). CONCLUSION: The incidence of early postoperative hypotony was lower in combined sutureless vitrectomy and cataract surgery than in sutureless vitrectomy alone and that of IOP elevation was very low in both groups. The maintenance of a stable IOP with a low risk of IOP fluctuation may be an additional advantage of sutureless diabetic vitrectomy combined with cataract surgery.

Combined 23-gauge sutureless vitrectomy and clear corneal phacoemulsification in patients with proliferative diabetic retinopathy.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the results and complications of combined 23-gauge sutureless vitrectomy, clear corneal phacoemulsification, and intraocular lens implantation in patients with proliferative diabetic retinopathy. METHODS: This was a retrospective, consecutive, noncomparative, interventional case series of 136 eyes of 108 patients who underwent combined sutureless vitrectomy and clear corneal cataract surgery for the complications of proliferative diabetic retinopathy. The main outcome measures were visual outcomes and surgical complications. RESULTS: Main indications for the combined surgery were vitreous hemorrhage (78 eyes, 57.4%) and tractional retinal detachment (36 eyes, 28.7%). The logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution visual acuity (mean ± SD) improved from 0.86 ± 0.59 preoperatively to 0.39 ± 0.52 six months postoperatively (P < 0.0001). Intraoperative retinal tear occurred in 7 eyes (5.1%) and postoperative vitreous hemorrhage in 10 eyes (7.5%). Even in the absence of suturing of sclerotomy sites, only 1 eye (0.7%) had postoperative hypotony (<6 mmHg). During the 6 months after surgery, only 1 eye (0.7%) developed neovascular glaucoma and 6 eyes (4.4%) required a repeat vitrectomy (3 for retinal detachment and 3 for vitreous hemorrhage). CONCLUSION: Combined 23-gauge sutureless vitrectomy and clear corneal phacoemulsification in patients with proliferative diabetic retinopathy was safe and effective. It may have not only the known advantages of conventional combined surgery but also additionally those such as faster visual rehabilitation and less conjunctival fibrosis.

Minimal fluid-air exchange in combined 23-gauge sutureless vitrectomy, phacoemulsification, and intraocular lens implantation.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to compare rates of postoperative hypotony and intraocular lens-related complications between minimal fluid-air exchange and partial fluid-air exchange in combined 23-gauge vitrectomy and cataract surgery. METHODS: A prospective, consecutive, interventional case series of 48 eyes that underwent 23-gauge vitrectomy with a minimal fluid-air exchange (minimal F-A group) was compared with a retrospective, consecutive case series of 38 eyes that underwent 23-gauge vitrectomy with a partial fluid-air exchange (partial F-A group). The main outcome measures were postoperative hypotony (<6 mmHg) and intraocular lens-related complications, such as posterior capsule opacification or pupillary capture. RESULTS: Two (5.3%) of 38 eyes in the partial F-A group had hypotony, and only 1 (2.1%) of 48 eyes in the minimal F-A group had hypotony (P > 0.05). Posterior capsule opacification was identified in 11 (28.9%) of 38 eyes in the partial F-A group but only in 4 (8.3%) of 48 eyes in the minimal F-A group (P = 0.013). Pupillary capture was observed in 3 (7.9%) of 38 eyes in the partial F-A group, but it was absent in the minimal F-A group (P = 0.049). No retinal detachment or endophthalmitis was developed in both groups during follow-up. CONCLUSION: Minimal fluid-air exchange in combined 23-gauge sutureless vitrectomy and cataract surgery may reduce postoperative hypotony and intraocular lens-related complications.

Comparison of posterior capsular opacification between a combined procedure and a sequential procedure of pars plana vitrectomy and cataract surgery.

PURPOSE: To compare posterior capsular opacification (PCO) between a combined procedure and a sequential procedure of pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) and cataract surgery (CS). METHODS: The medical records of 89 eyes of 85 patients who underwent PPV and CS were retrospectively reviewed. There were 56 eyes of 52 patients with a combined PPV and CS (the combined surgery group), and 33 eyes of 33 patients with CS in a previously vitrectomized eye (the sequential surgery group). The control group was comprised of 130 eyes of 102 patients who underwent CS alone. All patients were followed up for at least 1 year after CS. The major outcome measures were the PCO rate and the interval between CS and PCO formation. There were no significant differences in age and the incidence of diabetes among the 3 groups. RESULTS: The PCO rate checked at 1 year after CS was 12.5% (7/56) in the combined surgery group, 24.2% (8/33) in the sequential surgery group, and 4.6% (6/130) in the control group. The differences in the PCO rate between the subgroups as well as among the 3 groups were statistically significant (p < 0.05). There were no significant differences in the interval between CS and PCO formation among the 3 groups. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrates that the PCO rate may be lower in patients who have a combined procedure of PPV and CS than in those who have a sequential procedure.

Effect of volume used in sub-Tenon's anesthesia on efficacy and intraocular pressure in vitreoretinal surgery.

PURPOSE: To compare the effect of volumes used in sub- Tenon's anesthesia on efficacy and intraocular pressure (IOP) in vitreoretinal surgery. METHODS: A prospective clinical trial was conducted on patients undergoing sub-Tenon's anesthesia for vitreoretinal surgery. Patients were randomized to receive either 3-, 5- or 7-ml volumes of anesthetic solution. IOP were measured immediately prior to injection, immediately after injection and at 2, 5 and 10 min after injection. Pain scores were assigned using a numerical visual analogue scale immediately after surgery, and again on postoperative day 1. RESULTS: A total of 108 patients (119 eyes) were studied, including 35 eyes in the 3-ml group, 48 eyes in the 5-ml group, and 36 eyes in the 7-ml group. There were significant elevations in mean IOP following injection in all groups, and a trend for larger rises in IOP with larger volumes of anesthesia (p < 0.01). Mean IOP were elevated after injection, and reduced at all time intervals. However, the reduction in the 3-ml group took levels to preinjection amounts. There were no significant differences in patient-reported pain scores among the groups when assessed immediately after surgery or on postoperative day 1. The incidence of chemosis and high IOP elevations (>or=40 mm Hg) were more frequent in the 7-ml group (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Sub-Tenon's anesthesia is effective in vitreoretinal surgery. It would appear that a 3-5-ml volume of anesthetic is safe, when considering the associated complications.

Endogenous aeromonas hydrophila endophthalmitis in an immunocompromised patient.

PURPOSE: To report a case of endogenous endophthalmitis due to Aeromonas hydrophila in a patient with distal common bile duct carcinoma and biliary sepsis. METHODS: A 72-year-old woman with distal common bile duct carcinoma, obstructive jaundice, diabetes mellitus, and hypertension had a 1-day history of blurred vision, redness, and eye discharges in the right eye. An ophthalmic examination showed no light perception vision, increased intraocular pressure, severe corneal edema, severe anterior chamber reaction, exudative membranes on the anterior lens surface, and severe vitreal reaction. There was no ocular history of trauma, infection, or surgery in either eye. RESULTS: Under the impression of endogenous bacterial endophthalmitis, immediate intraocular cultures and intravitreal antibiotic injections were performed, but the anterior chamber reaction, and the ultrasonogram findings were deteriorated. Evisceration was undertaken because of extrusion of the intraocular contents, and Aeromonas hydrophila was isolated by intraocular culture. CONCLUSIONS: Endogenous endophthalmitis due to Aeromonas hydrophila is rare, but has a rapid clinical course and a poor prognosis, despite of prompt diagnosis and management.

Combined 23-gauge sutureless vitrectomy and clear corneal phacoemulsification for rhegmatogenous retinal detachment repair.

AIM: To assess the outcomes of combined 23-gauge sutureless vitrectomy and clear corneal phacoemulsification with intraocular lens implantation for rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD) repair. METHODS: This was a retrospective, consecutive, non-comparative, interventional case series of 30 eyes of 30 patients who underwent combined sutureless vitrectomy and clear corneal cataract surgery for the repair of RRD. The principal outcome measures were primary anatomical success rate, reasons for redetachment, final visual acuity, and surgical complications. RESULTS: Primary reattachment was achieved in 27 eyes (90.0%). The reasons for redetachment (3 eyes, 10%) were incomplete laser retinopexy, persistent chronic subretinal fluid, and proliferative vitreoretinopathy, respectively. The logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution visual acuity (mean±SD) improved from 0.76±0.74 preoperatively to 0.21±0.37 6 months' postoperatively (P<0.0001). Postoperative hypotony was not detected, but 1 eye (3.3%) had increased intraocular pressure (30mmHg) with spontaneous resolution. No endophthalmitis developed during follow-up. Macular pucker was detected in 3 eyes (10.0%). CONCLUSION: Combined 23-gauge sutureless vitrectomy and clear corneal phacoemulsification with intraocular lens implantation for RRD repair was proven safe and effective. It may provide not only the known advantages of conventional combined surgery, but also additional advantages such as less conjunctival fibrosis and the maintenance of stable intraocular pressure with low risks of postoperative hypotony and intraocular pressure elevation.

Changes in aqueous cytokines after intravitreal triamcinolone versus bevacizumab for macular oedema in branch retinal vein occlusion.

PURPOSE: To investigate the changes in the aqueous levels of various cytokines after intravitreal triamcinolone or bevacizumab for branch retinal vein occlusion (BRVO). METHODS: Twenty-four eyes with macular oedema associated with BRVO and six eyes of six patients undergoing cataract surgery participated in this study. Each patient with BRVO randomly received an intravitreal injection of either 4 mg triamcinolone or 1.25 mg bevacizumab. Aqueous samples were obtained before and 4 weeks after the intravitreal injection in the BRVO group and before surgery in the control group. Aqueous concentrations of 16 cytokines were measured via multiplex bead assay. RESULTS: Prior to the administration of the drugs, aqueous levels of interleukin (IL)-6, IL-8, IL-17 and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) were significantly higher in the BRVO group than in the control group (p=0.044, p=0.013, p<0.001, and p=0.008, respectively). Between the control group and the BRVO group, no significant differences were noted between pre- and postinjection best-corrected visual acuity (p=0.60, p=0.54) and central foveal thickness (p=0.47, p=0.82). In the triamcinolone group, levels of IL-6, IL-17, IP-10, platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF)-AA and VEGF were reduced significantly (p=0.012, p<0.001, p<0.001, p=0.015, and p<0.001, respectively). But in bevacizumab group, only VEGF was significantly reduced (p<0.001). Between the IVTA group and the IVBe group, no significant differences in the changes in VEGF levels were noted (p=0.06). CONCLUSION: Triamcinolone injection reduces plural inflammatory cytokines in BRVO, while bevacizumab has no influence on other cytokines as selective anti-VEGF therapy. No differences in the therapeutic effect were noted between an inhibition of plural inflammatory cytokines and an inhibition of VEGF only.

Changes in aqueous concentrations of various cytokines after intravitreal triamcinolone versus bevacizumab for diabetic macular edema.

PURPOSE: To investigate the changes in aqueous inflammatory and angiogenic cytokine levels after intravitreal injection of triamcinolone or bevacizumab for reducing foveal thickness in diabetic macular edema (DME). DESIGN: Prospective, interventional case series. METHODS: Twenty-two eyes of 11 patients with bilateral DME and 6 eyes of 6 patients undergoing cataract surgery participated in this study. In each DME patient, 1 eye received an intravitreal injection of 4 mg triamcinolone acetonide and the other eye received 1.25 mg bevacizumab. Aqueous humor samples were obtained before and 4 weeks after the intravitreal injection in the DME group and before the surgery in the control group. Aqueous concentrations of interleukin (IL)-6, IL-8, interferon-induced protein (IP)-10, monocyte chemotactic protein (MCP)-1, platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF)-AA, and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) were measured by multiplex bead assay. RESULTS: Before the administration of the drugs, aqueous levels of IL-8, IP-10, MCP-1, and VEGF were significantly higher in the DME group than in the control group. After intravitreal injection, foveal thickness was more decreased in the triamcinolone acetonide (IVTA) group compared with the bevacizumab (IVBe) group. IL-6, IP-10, MCP-1, PDGF-AA, and VEGF were significantly decreased in the IVTA group, but only VEGF in the IVBe group. Aqueous levels of VEGF were more decreased in the IVBe group than in the IVTA group. CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that the pathogenesis of DME is not only related to VEGF dependency, but also to other mechanisms suppressed by corticosteroids. We suppose that these cytokines would have an important role in both the pathogenesis of DME and the underlying mechanism of intravitreal injections.

Presumed sclerotomy site bleeding inflowing into the anterior chamber after the removal of a 23-gauge microcannula in 23-gauge sutureless vitrectomy.

We experienced two cases of the influx of the sclerotomy site bleeding into the anterior chamber during 23-gauge sutureless vitrectomy for pseudophakic rhegmatogenous retinal detachment. Soon after the removal of a 23-gauge microcannula at the end of the surgery, presumed sclerotomy site hemorrhage was rapidly fluxed into the anterior chamber. The anterior chamber bleeding might come from the sclerotomies rather than from episcleral vessels. The posterior pressure in the gas-filled pseudophakic eye might have pushed the sclerotomy site bleeding into the anterior chamber. We could not find any vitreous hemorrhages. The hemorrhage within the anterior chamber spontaneously absorbed within 14 days.

Vitrectomy, Laser Photocoagulation, and Intravitreal Triamcinolone for Combined Hamartoma of the Retina and Retinal Pigment Epithelium.

Combined hamartoma of the retina and retinal pigment epithelium (CHRRPE) is a rare, benign tumor, but there are no established managements for CHRRPE. A patient with CHRRPE who is treated successfully by the new combination therapy was described. A 32-year-old man was diagnosed as having CHRRPE after evaluation with ophthalmoscopy, fluorescein angiography (FA), and optical coherence tomography (OCT). First performed intravitreal triamcinolone acetonide (IVTA) (4 mg/0.1 mL) and laser photocoagulation to treat the vascular component. There was a rapid and good response after that therapy, but a recurrence 3 months later. To relieve the glial component, we simultaneously combined vitrectomy with IVTA and laser photocoagulation. After the combination therapy, there were no recurrences or complications. A combination therapy of vitrectomy, laser photocoagulation, and intravitreal triamcinolone could be considered as a possible management for CHRRPE with the vascular and glial components.

Surgeon-controlled-endoillumination-guided irrigation and aspiration during combined 23-gauge sutureless vitrectomy and cataract surgery in eyes with poor fundus reflex.

We describe a surgeon-controlled-endoillumination-guided irrigation and aspiration (I/A) technique that can be used to polish the posterior capsule during combined 23-gauge sutureless vitrectomy and cataract surgery in eyes with a poor red fundus reflex. In a dark room with the microscope light turned off, the surgeon holds and controls a 23-gauge endoilluminator with the left hand to achieve better retroillumination during I/A. Using surgeon-controlled endoillumination, it is possible to follow and guide the posterior capsule area undergoing I/A. The excellent visibility of the posterior capsule facilitates posterior capsule polishing with no intraoperative complications.

Influence of atmospheric fluorine plasma treatment on thermal and dielectric properties of polyimide film.

Plasma treatment of polyimide surfaces not only causes structural modification during the plasma exposure, but also leaves active sites on the surfaces that are subject to post-reaction. In this work, the effects of atmospheric fluorine plasma treatment on the surface properties and dielectric properties of polyimide thin film were investigated by using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), Fourier transform-IR (FT-IR) spectroscopy, and contact angle measurement. The results indicated that plasma treatment successfully introduced fluorine functional groups on the polyimide surfaces. The polyimides also exhibited good thermal stability and a lower dielectric constant. It appears that the replacement of fluorine led to the decrease of the local electronic polarizability of polyimide. Consequently, it was found that the atmospheric fluorine plasma-treated polyimides possessed lower dielectric characteristics than the untreated polyimides.

Cataract and refractive surgery in ; a survey of KSCRS members from 1995~2006.

PURPOSE: This purpose of this report was to study trends in cataract and refractive surgeries conducted during the past twelve years and to compare results to previous reports from the ASCRS and New Zealand (NZ) in order to forecast future medical services. METHODS: We surveyed members of the Korean Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery (KSCRS) every year from 1995 to 2006, and studied changes in cataract and refractive surgeries (RS). RESULTS: The duration of hospitalization has been gradually decreasing to the point that a one day hospitalization following surgery has become common. The rate of topical anesthesia use has significantly increased since 1998. Sutureless incision methods are now commonly practiced. The use of acryl IOL as an optic material has been gradually increasing for cataract surgeries. KSCRS members showed an interest in the special intraocular lenses as multifocal IOL. While Excimer laser PRK was the most popular refractive surgery during the first stage, KSCRS members increasingly prefer LASIK to the Excimer laser PRK. Regression of the corrected visual acuity, dry eye, night halo, and flashes were the most common complications following refractive surgeries. Medical disputes related to PRK and LASIK have been gradually increasing throughout the study period. CONCLUSIONS: We confirm that the KSCRS practice styles for cataract and RS are similar to those of the ASCRS and NZ. We infer a world-wide trend from the comparison of these three societies.