Evaluation of epiretinal membrane formation after scleral buckling for treating rhegmatogenous retinal detachment: En face optical coherence tomography image-based study.

PURPOSE: To assess epiretinal membrane (ERM) formation, severity, and the associated risk factors after scleral buckling using en face optical coherence tomography (OCT) images. METHODS: Medical records of 61 consecutive patients (66 eyes) with rhegmatogenous retinal detachment who underwent scleral buckling were retrospectively reviewed. Posterior vitreous detachment (PVD) was determined based on B-scan OCT images. En face OCT images were used to visualize the ERM and retinal folds. ERM formation was identified by comparing en face images pre- and post-surgery. The maximum depth of the retinal folds (MDRF) was measured using en face imaging to objectively assess traction strength. RESULTS: ERM formation occurred in 15 (22.7%) eyes at the final visit; the foveal pit was preserved in all cases. Parafoveal retinal folds were present in 5 (7.6%) eyes, with a mean MDRF of 21.8 ± 12.6 µm. No significant difference was observed in best-corrected visual acuity (logarithm of the minimal angle of resolution) between the ERM formation (-0.019 ± 0.128) and non-ERM formation (-0.001 ± 0.213) groups at the final visit (P = 0.593; Mann-Whitney U test). Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that older age and the presence of PVD were significant risk factors for ERM formation (odds ratio 1.07, 95% confidence interval 1.01-1.14, P = 0.032; odds ratio 5.26, 95% confidence interval 1.06-26.10, P = 0.042; respectively). CONCLUSION: ERM occurred in 22.7% of cases but was mild and did not affect visual acuity. Older age and the presence of PVD are risk factors for ERM formation.

Invivo generated autologous plasmin enzyme assisted vitrectomy, partial circumferential-oral retinotomy, silicone oil injection in patients with chronic retinal detachment without posterior vitreous detachment.

PURPOSE: To report the results of invivo generated autologous plasmin enzyme(IVAP) assisted vitrectomy, partial circumferential-oral retinotomy and silicone oil injection for surgical treatment of patients with chronic retinal detachment without posterior vitreous detachment(PVD). METHODS: Study was performed in retrospective, comparative manner. A total of 16 consecutive eyes with chronic retinal detachment who had intravitreal injection of 50 µgr of t-PA and 0.1 ml of autologous whole blood, 3 days before surgery, underwent lens extraction with phacoemulsification, IVAP assisted vitrectomy, partial circumferential-oral retinotomy, and silicone oil injection(Study Group) were compared to a similar group of 15 eyes who had undergone vitrectomy, with or without lens extraction and silicone oil injection(Control Group) for the treatment of chronic retinal detachment. Primary outcome measures were initial retinal reattachment and number of operations at postoperative 6 months. RESULTS: Mean age of 16 patients of whom 7 were female, was 39.31 ± 17.76 years in study group and 15 patients of whom 4 were female, was 35.40 ± 11.92 years (p = 0.607). Mean follow-up time was 10.68 ± 7.15 months in study group and 29.13 ± 18.83 months in control group (p = 0.001). Initial retinal reattachment was achieved in 87.50% (14 out of 16 patients) in the study group, whereas it was 46.66% (7 out of 15 patients) in the control group (p = 0.017). The mean number of operations for reattachment in the study group was 1.12 ± 0.34, whereas it was 1.46 ± 0.51 in the control group (p = 0.039) at postoperative 6 months While the preoperative LogMAR visual acuity was 1.25 ± 0.64, it was 0.53 ± 0.37 at postoperative 6 months in study group (p = 0.001). Conversely, in the control group, the preoperative LogMAR visual acuity was 1.22 ± 0.33, it was 1.20 ± 0.89 at postoperative 6 months (p = 0.780). At postoperative 6 months,, epiretinal membrane developed in 2 eyes of the study group, 1 eye in the control group, and phthisis bulbi occurred in 1 eye of control group. CONCLUSION: IVAP assisted vitrectomy, partial circumferential-oral retinotomy and silicone oil injection is effective and safe for the surgical treatment of chronic retinal detachment without PVD.

PREDICTIVE FACTORS ASSOCIATED WITH THE VISUAL PROGNOSIS AFTER SURGERY FOR IDIOPATHIC VITREOMACULAR TRACTION.

PURPOSE: To investigate the predictive factors for postsurgical visual prognosis in patients with vitreomacular traction (VMT). METHODS: This retrospective study enrolled 31 eyes from 29 patients who underwent vitrectomy for idiopathic VMT with a follow-up period of ≥3 months. The VMT was divided into three grades based on optical coherence tomography images: Grade 1 denoted partial vitreomacular separation with foveal attachment; Grade 2 exhibited intraretinal cysts or cleft with grade 1 findings; and Grade 3 was Grade 2 plus the subretinal fluid. RESULTS: Three eyes developed a full-thickness macular hole after surgery, all of which were Grade 3 patients. In the rest 28 eyes, the mean postoperative follow-up period was 23.3 ± 25.8 months. The postoperative central foveal thickness ( P = 0.001) and final best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA; P < 0.001) were both significantly improved from baseline. Fifteen eyes (53.8%) gained ≥ two Snellen lines. Multilinear regression analysis showed that the worse the baseline BCVA ( P = 0.004), or the more advanced the VMT grade ( P = 0.049), the worse the final BCVA. Baseline BCVA was negatively associated with the postoperative visual improvement ( P < 0.001). Those Grade 3 patients with baseline Snellen BCVA of ≥20/40 were more likely to achieve a final Snellen BCVA of ≥20/25 ( P = 0.035). CONCLUSION: The VMT grade is an important predictive factor for the postsurgical visual prognosis. Surgical intervention should be performed as early as possible for Grade 3 patients to prevent further disease progression and maximize the postsurgical visual benefit.

PROPHYLACTIC TREATMENT OF LATTICE DEGENERATION IN FELLOW EYES AFTER REPAIR OF UNCOMPLICATED PRIMARY RHEGMATOGENOUS RETINAL DETACHMENT.

PURPOSE: To evaluate prophylactic treatment (PTx) of lattice degeneration (LD) on retinal tear (RT) and rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD) risk in fellow eyes of patients after primary RRD repair in the first eye. METHODS: This was a consecutive case series with cohort control involving patients with RRD repair from January 1, 2013, through December 31, 2017. Patients received PTx (PTx cohort) or no PTx (No-PTx cohort) in fellow eye with 5-year follow-up. Primary outcome measure was proportion with new fellow eye RT/RRD. Secondary outcomes included logarithm of minimum angle of resolution (logMAR) best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and status of myopia, posterior vitreous detachment, and pseudophakia. RESULTS: Four hundred ninety-eight patients were divided into 146 and 352 in PTx and No-PTx cohorts, respectively. PTx cohort developed significantly ( P < 0.05) fewer RT/RRD (17%) than No-PTx cohort (41%). PTx significantly ( P < 0.05) lowered RT/RRD irrespective of posterior vitreous detachment and myopia status. PTx patients undergoing phacoemulsification demonstrated significantly ( P < 0.05) less RT/RRD (22%) than No-PTx cohort (31%). There was no significant ( P = 0.96) final BCVA difference between PTx (median = 0 logMAR) and No-PTx (median = 0 logMAR) cohorts. CONCLUSION: PTx of asymptomatic fellow eye LD reduced RT/RRD risk.

Outcomes of chronic macula-off retinal detachment repair.

PURPOSE: There have been disparate outcomes in the few studies that have looked at anatomic success and visual acuity (VA) in chronic retinal rhegmatogenous detachment (RRD) repair. Chronic retinal detachments (RD) without a posterior vitreous detachment (PVD) occur in young myopes often secondary to an atrophic hole. These patients are often asymptomatic, and studies report good surgical anatomic results. However, chronic RD with a PVD is symptomatic but presents late due to patient compliance. This paper aims to evaluate this lesser-studied chronic macula-off RD with PVD. METHODS: After obtaining Institutional Review Board (IRB) approval, patients who had undergone surgical intervention for all diagnosis codes of RD were identified in the Denver Health Medical Center database. Medical records were reviewed, and patients found to have open-globe injuries, tractional RD due to proliferative diabetic retinopathy, macula-on detachments, and RD due to previous ocular surgery were excluded. Similarly, patients without PVD were also excluded. A total of 37 patients with PVD-type chronic macula-off RD were thus identified and preoperative characteristics, surgical intervention, and complications were analyzed. RESULTS: The average patient age was 53.8 years. The length of RRD duration ranged from 30 to 365 days (mean 136.7 days). Twenty-six (70.3% patients had proliferative vitreoretinopathy (PVR) grade C or greater. Initial anatomic success-defined as re-attachment after one surgery-was 54.1%. The final attachment was 94.6%. Fifteen of 37 (40.5%) of the patients had issues with drop adherence, positioning, or missing post-operative appointments. CONCLUSION: Chronic macula-off RD with a PVD should be identified as it is associated with much lower rates of initial re-attachment. Socioeconomic factors likely are the driving factor for patients with PVD-type chronic macula-off RD to present late, struggle with positioning, and have difficulty with follow-up and drop compliance. These extended periods without treatment then lead to high rates of PVR and poor initial anatomic success. However, repair of PVD-type chronic macula-off RD should still be pursued as final anatomic success is high.

RECURRENT FLOATERS AFTER LIMITED VITRECTOMY FOR VISION DEGRADING MYODESOPSIA.

PURPOSE: Limited vitrectomy improves vision degrading myodesopsia, but the incidence of recurrent floaters postoperatively is not known. We studied patients with recurrent central floaters using ultrasonography and contrast sensitivity (CS) testing to characterize this subgroup and identify the clinical profile of patients at risk of recurrent floaters. METHODS: A total of 286 eyes (203 patients, 60.6 ± 12.9 years) undergoing limited vitrectomy for vision degrading myodesopsia were studied retrospectively. Sutureless 25G vitrectomy was performed without intentional surgical posterior vitreous detachment (PVD) induction. CS (Freiburg Acuity Contrast test: Weber index, %W) and vitreous echodensity (quantitative ultrasonography) were assessed prospectively. RESULTS: No eyes (0/179) with preoperative PVD experienced new floaters. Recurrent central floaters occurred in 14/99 eyes (14.1%) without complete preoperative PVD (mean follow-up = 39 months vs. 31 months in 85 eyes without recurrent floaters). Ultrasonography identified new-onset PVD in all 14 (100%) recurrent cases. Young (younger than 52 years; 71.4%), myopic (≥-3D; 85.7%), phakic (100%) men (92.9%) predominated. Reoperation was elected by 11 patients, who had partial PVD preoperatively in 5/11 (45.5%). At study entry, CS was degraded (3.55 ± 1.79 %W) but improved postoperatively by 45.6% (1.93 ± 0.86 %W, P = 0.033), while vitreous echodensity reduced by 86.6% ( P = 0.016). New-onset PVD postoperatively degraded CS anew, by 49.4% (3.28 ± 0.96 %W; P = 0.009) in patients electing reoperation. Repeat vitrectomy normalized CS to 2.00 ± 0.74%W ( P = 0.018). CONCLUSION: Recurrent floaters after limited vitrectomy for vision degrading myodesopsia are caused by new-onset PVD, with younger age, male sex, myopia, and phakic status as risk factors. Inducing surgical PVD at the primary operation should be considered in these select patients to mitigate recurrent floaters.

Accuracy of biomicroscopy, ultrasonography and spectral-domain OCT in detection of complete posterior vitreous detachment.

BACKGROUND: To evaluate the accuracy of preoperative biomicroscopy (BM), ultrasonography (US), and spectral domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) to determine complete posterior vitreous detachment (PVD) confirmed by intraoperative findings of triamcinolone acetonide-assisted pars plana vitrectomy (PPV). METHODS: This prospective study included all consecutive patients admitted for surgical treatment of the epiretinal membrane (ERM) and macular hole (MH). The presence of complete PVD was determined one day before PPV using BM, US, SD-OCT. The preoperative findings were compared to the PVD status determined during PPV. RESULTS: A total of 123 eyes from 123 patients were included in the study. Indications for PPV included ERM in 57 (46.3%), full thickness macular hole in 57 (46.3%) and lamellar macular hole in 9 (7.3%) patients. Complete PVD during PPV was observed in 18 (31.6%; 95%CI:18.7-49.9) patients with ERM and 13 (19.7%; 95%CI:10.4-33.7) patients with MH. The sensitivity of preoperative BM, US, SD-OCT was 48.4% (95%CI:30.2-66.9), 61.3% (95%CI:42.2-78.2) and 54.8% (95%CI:36.0-72.7) respectively. The specificity of preoperative BM, US, SD-OCT was 81.5% (95%CI:72.1-88.9), 90.2% (95%CI:82.2-95.4) and 85.9% (95%CI:77.0-92.3) respectively. With a prevalence of 25.2% of PVD in our sample the positive predictive value of preoperative BM, US, SD-OCT was 46.9% (95%CI:29.1-65.3), 67.9% (95%CI:47.6-84.1) and 56.7% (95%CI:37.4-74.5) respectively. CONCLUSION: Preoperative BM, US, and SD-OCT showed relatively low sensitivity but also good specificity in assessing complete PVD. A combination of all three diagnostic methods can provide a good assessment of the vitreoretinal interface state.

Kaminari Kagura: the "lightning bolt shape" technique for posterior vitreous detachment induction.

PURPOSE: To describe and evaluate the effectiveness of the Kaminari Kagura technique as a posterior hyaloid detachment treatment. STUDY DESIGN: This was a prospective, consecutive, randomized interventional study. METHODS: This study examined 30 eyes from 30 patients divided into two groups: (1) a Kaminari Kagura group (15 eyes) and (2) a control group (15 eyes) scheduled for vitrectomy with an optical coherence tomography (OCT)-based diagnosis of adherent posterior hyaloid. RESULTS: The mean time for posterior vitreous detachment (PVD) induction in the Kaminari Kagura group was 58 ± 6.6 s, and that in the control group was 69 ± 9 s (p < 0.005). No intra- or post-operative complications were reported. CONCLUSIONS: The Kaminari Kagura technique results in effective posterior hyaloid detachment in less time than that required for posterior vitreous cortex engagement.

Anatomical and functional outcomes of pneumatic vitreolysis for treatment of vitreomacular traction with and without macular holes.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the outcome of pneumatic vitreolysis (PVL) for vitreomacular traction (VMT) with or without full thickness macular hole (MH) < 400 µm. METHODS: Forty-seven eyes of 47 patients were included who had undergone PVL for VMT with or without MH. Main outcome measures were release of VMT, MH closure, best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and adverse events. RESULTS: Thirty-three patients had isolated VMT and 14 patients VMT with a MH. Four weeks after PVL, the overall VMT release rate was 35/47 (74.5%): 25/37 (67.6%) in phakic and 10/10 (100%) in pseudophakic eyes (p = 0.03). Four of 14 MH (28.6%) were closed. Twenty-two of 47 (46.8%) eyes required a subsequent PPV: 12/33 (36.4%) in the VMT only group and 10/14 (71.4%) in the VMT with MH group. Mean BCVA improved from 0.48 (± 0.24) to 0.34 (± 0.23) logMAR at 6 months in patients with VMT alone (p < 0.001), and from 0.57 (± 0.27) to 0.41 (± 0.28) logMAR in patients with VMT and MH (p = 0.008). Adverse events included new formation of a large MH in 4/33 (12.1%) eyes, failure of MH closure in 10/14 (71.4%) eyes, progression of mean minimum linear diameter (MLD) MH size from baseline 139 (± 67) to 396 (± 130) µm (p < 0.001) and development of a retinal detachment in 4/47 (8.5%) eyes. CONCLUSION: While PVL leads to a high VMT release rate particularly in pseudophakic eyes, it is associated with a relatively high incidence of MH formation, MH size progression and retinal detachment.

POSTERIOR VITREOUS DETACHMENT STATUS AS A PREDICTIVE FACTOR FOR OUTCOMES OF VITRECTOMY FOR DIABETIC VITREOUS HEMORRHAGE.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the prognostic utility of the degree of vitreous attachment for predicting outcomes of vitrectomy for nonclearing vitreous hemorrhage associated with proliferative diabetic retinopathy. METHODS: Medical records of patients who underwent primary vitrectomy for dense nonclearing vitreous hemorrhage secondary to proliferative diabetic retinopathy were examined retrospectively. Eyes were divided into four groups based on the intraoperatively assessed stage of posterior vitreous detachment (PVD), ranging from Stage 0/1 (complete or near-complete vitreoretinal adhesion) to Stage 4 (complete PVD). RESULTS: Overall, 136 eyes (117 patients) were included. In comparison with eyes with a partial or complete PVD (Stages 2-4), eyes with no PVD (Stage 0/1) had a higher incidence of postoperative hypotony (8%, P = 0.03) and traction retinal detachment (27%, P = 0.002), an increased rate of repeat vitrectomy (49%, P = 0.04), and poorer best-corrected visual acuity at 6 months and 1 year postoperatively (P = 0.04 and P = 0.01, respectively). Presence of a complete PVD at baseline was independently associated with improved postoperative vision at 6 months (P = 0.04). CONCLUSION: More extensive vitreoretinal adhesion is associated with higher rates of reoperation and poorer visual outcomes after vitrectomy for dense nonclearing vitreous hemorrhage associated with proliferative diabetic retinopathy. Preoperative determination of PVD status using B-scan ultrasonography may be useful for predicting anatomical and functional outcomes after vitrectomy in these patients.

PNEUMATIC VITREOLYSIS VERSUS PARS PLANA VITRECTOMY IN FOCAL SYMPTOMATIC VITREOMACULAR TRACTION SYNDROME: A Randomized Trial.

PURPOSE: To compare pneumatic vitreolysis and pars plana vitrectomy in the management of focal symptomatic vitreomacular traction (VMT). METHOD: Patients aged 18 years or older, with idiopathic focal symptomatic VMT and best-corrected visual acuity <20/40, without any other retinal pathology were randomized to undergo pneumatic vitreolysis (Group 1) or pars plana vitrectomy (Group 2). The primary outcome measure was resolution of traction confirmed with optical coherence tomography at 3 months. Secondary outcome measures were to compare changes in best-corrected visual acuity, central foveal thickness, and complications if any. RESULTS: A total of 30 eyes of 30 patients were included with 15 eyes in each group. Vitreomacular traction resolved successfully in 12 of 15 (80%) eyes in Group 1 and in all (100%) eyes in Group 2 (P = 0.224). The mean visual acuity improved from 0.80 ± 0.26 (20/126 Snellen's equivalent) to 0.70 ± 0.46 logMAR (20/100 Snellen's equivalent) in Group 1 (P = 0.71) and from 0.904 ± 0.44 (20/160 Snellen's equivalent) to 0.47 ± 0.26 logMAR (20/59 Snellen's equivalent) in Group 2 (P = 0.0016). Although 4 of 15 (26.66%) eyes in Group 1 had formation of full-thickness macular hole and 7 eyes required resurgery (4 for full-thickness macular hole and 3 for unresolved VMT), none in the pars plana vitrectomy group had any complications requiring resurgery (P = 0.0063). Two eyes in the pars plana vitrectomy group had intraoperative deroofing of the fovea leading to full-thickness macular hole. CONCLUSION: Pars plana vitrectomy is better than pneumatic vitreolysis as a single intervention in the management of focal symptomatic VMT.

Pneumatic Vitreolysis with Perfluoropropane for Vitreomacular Traction with and without Macular Hole: DRCR Retina Network Protocols AG and AH.

PURPOSE: To evaluate pneumatic vitreolysis (PVL) in eyes with vitreomacular traction (VMT) with and without full-thickness macular hole (FTMH). DESIGN: Two multicenter (28 sites) studies: a randomized clinical trial comparing PVL with observation (sham injection) for VMT without FTMH (Protocol AG) and a single-arm study assessing PVL for FTMH (Protocol AH). PARTICIPANTS: Participants were adults with central VMT (vitreomacular adhesion was ≤3000 µm). In Protocol AG, visual acuity (VA) was 20/32 to 20/400. In Protocol AH, eyes had a FTMH (≤250 µm at the narrowest point) and VA of 20/25 to 20/400. METHODS: Pneumatic vitreolysis using perfluoropropane (C3F8) gas. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Central VMT release at 24 weeks (Protocol AG) and FTMH closure at 8 weeks (Protocol AH). RESULTS: From October 2018 through February 2020, 46 participants were enrolled in Protocol AG, and 35 were enrolled in Protocol AH. Higher than expected rates of retinal detachment and tear resulted in early termination of both protocols. Combining studies, 7 of 59 eyes (12% [95% CI, 6%-23%]; 2 eyes in Protocol AG, 5 eyes in Protocol AH) that received PVL developed rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (n = 6) or retinal tear (n = 1). At 24 weeks in Protocol AG, 18 of 23 eyes in the PVL group (78%) versus 2 of 22 eyes in the sham group (9%) achieved central VMT release without rescue vitrectomy (adjusted risk difference, 66% [95% CI, 44%-88%]; P< 0.001). The mean change in VA from baseline at 24 weeks was 6.7 letters in the PVL group and 6.1 letters in the sham group (adjusted difference, -0.8 [95% CI, -6.1 to 4.5]; P = 0.77). In Protocol AH, 10 of 35 eyes (29% [95% CI, 16%-45%]) achieved FTMH closure without rescue vitrectomy at 8 weeks. The mean change in VA from baseline at 8 weeks was -1.5 letters (95% CI, -10.3 to 7.3 letters). CONCLUSIONS: In most eyes with VMT, PVL induced hyaloid release. In eyes with FTMH, PVL resulted in hole closure in approximately one third of eyes. These studies were terminated early because of safety concerns related to retinal detachments and retinal tears.

Impact of posterior vitreous detachment on contrast sensitivity in patients with multifocal intraocular lens.

PURPOSE: To investigate posterior vitreous detachment (PVD) and pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) effects on contrast sensitivity function (CSF) in patients with a multifocal intraocular lens (MfIOL). METHODS: This single-center prospective case-control study analyzed 27 patients with 43 consecutive eyes. Twenty patients with 36 consecutive eyes received MfIOL implantation with either ZLB00 or ZMB00. CSF was measured as the area under the log contrast sensitivity function (AULCSF) in the presence and absence of PVD (PVD+ group and PVD- group, respectively). Seven eyes associated with a symptomatic PVD and severe visual dissatisfaction after MfIOL implantation underwent PPV (symptomatic PVD+ group). CSF was measured prior to and after PPV. RESULTS: The mean AULCSF was significantly lower in the PVD+ group (1.5 ± 0.1) versus the PVD- group (1.7 ± 0.1, p < 0.0001). Major complaints in the symptomatic PVD+ group included floaters (n = 2) and blurry vision (n = 5). The preoperative AULCSF (1.4 ± 0.1) was significantly lower in the symptomatic PVD+ group versus the PVD- group (p < 0.0001) and PVD+ group (p = 0.02). The preoperative AULCSF in the symptomatic PVD+ group was significantly improved after PPV (1.4 vs. 1.7, respectively, p = 0.002). CONCLUSIONS: PVD significantly decreased CSF in patients with MfIOL. Patients with symptomatic PVD exhibited the greatest decrease in CSF, which was significantly improved after PPV. Measurement of CSF and careful assessment of PVD may be useful in determining the appropriateness of surgical intervention for improving visual performance and satisfaction in MfIOL patients with symptomatic PVD.

OUTCOME OF ACUTE NONTRAUMATIC VITREOUS HEMORRHAGE IN HEALTHY PATIENTS.

PURPOSE: To compare outcomes in dense vitreous hemorrhage versus mild vitreous hemorrhage due to nontraumatic posterior vitreous detachment. METHODS: We compared 315 eyes, divided into 2 patient groups, one with dense and the other with mild vitreous hemorrhage. The main outcome measures were final mean best-corrected visual acuity, number of retinal tears, number of retinal detachments, and the number of pars plana vitrectomy and/or scleral buckle surgeries. RESULTS: In 33.4% of the patients, posterior vitreous detachment without complications was found. Retinal breaks after posterior vitreous detachment were found in 59% of the eyes. Rhegmatogenous retinal detachment was principally treated with pars plana vitrectomy and scleral buckle. In nonvisible fundus hemorrhage group, 44.4% of the patients underwent vitrectomy. In visible fundus hemorrhage group, 9.52% of the patients underwent pars plana vitrectomy. The mean final visual acuity was 20/25, without significant difference between groups (P = 0.064). CONCLUSION: Acute, spontaneous, nontraumatic posterior vitreous separation with vitreous hemorrhage is associated with a high incidence of retinal complications. Close follow-up is necessary. We did not find significant differences in final visual acuity neither between the two groups nor among the treatments.

STRICT POSTURING WITH OR WITHOUT BILATERAL PATCHING FOR POSTERIOR VITREOUS DETACHMENT-RELATED VITREOUS HEMORRHAGE.

PURPOSE: To determine whether bilateral patching with posturing is superior to posturing alone in visualizing the superior retina in suspected posterior vitreous detachment (PVD)-related vitreous hemorrhage (VH). METHODS: Prospective randomized controlled trial: 80 patients with fundus-obscuring VH due to suspected retinal tear were randomized to strict posturing and bilateral patching overnight (Treatment A, 40 patients) or posturing (Treatment B, 40 patients). PRIMARY OUTCOME: Visualization of ≥4 clock hours superior retina. SECONDARY OUTCOME MEASURES: laser treatment, vitrectomy rate, and retinal detachment within 12 months. RESULTS: Intention-to-treat analysis: In 38/40 (95%) with Treatment A and 32/40 (80%) with Treatment B, the confirmed diagnosis was PVD-related VH. Visibility of the superior retina for all patients: 29/40 (73%) after Treatment A and 21/40 (53%) after Treatment B (P = 0.07). Subgroup analysis for confirmed PVD-related VH; visibility of the superior retina: 29/38 (76%) after Treatment A and 15/32 (47%) after Treatment B (P = 0.01). In subgroup analysis, vitrectomy rate within 12 months was 61% (Treatment A) and 53% (Treatment B) (P = 0.63). Retinal detachment: eight patients after each treatment. CONCLUSION: In patients with suspected PVD-related VH, overnight bilateral patching was not superior to posturing alone in superior retina visualization, but in a post-hoc analysis of patients with confirmed PVD-related VH, bilateral patching was superior.

COMPARING INTRAVITREAL AIR AND GAS FOR THE TREATMENT OF VITREOMACULAR TRACTION.

PURPOSE: To compare the effect of intravitreal injections of air with gas on vitreomacular traction (VMT) release and attempt to analyze predictive factors for success. METHODS: The medical records of patients with symptomatic VMT undergoing intravitreal injections (0.3 mL) of either octafluoropropane (C3F8) or air were retrospectively reviewed. The VMT release (primary end point) and the best-corrected visual acuity (secondary end point) were noted 1 month after injection. At baseline and 1 month after the injection, a macular optical coherence tomography was performed. RESULTS: Twenty-four eyes of 22 patients were included. Vitreomacular traction was released in 10 cases, 7 among 11 C3F8-injected eyes (63%) and 3 among 13 air-injected eyes (23%) (P = 0.045). In eyes with released VMT, ETDRS improved from 61 ± 35 (0-100) to 65 ± 37 (0-100) 1 month after the injection (P = 0.03). All patients with VMT release had a horizontal vitreomacular adhesion of less than 600 µm. Five eyes (23%) underwent vitrectomy after the injection of gas or air. CONCLUSION: Posterior vitreous detachment in VMT can be observed with both air and gas injection with a low complication rate. The occurrence of VMT release observed with air seemed to be less frequent than that observed with gas.

Anatomical configurations of vitreomacular traction syndrome: influence on clinical course and surgical outcomes.

PURPOSE: To develop a new classification system for vitreomacular traction (VMT) syndrome according to spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) imaging and to investigate the clinical course of VMT patients. METHODS: This study included 68 eyes of 68 consecutive patients who were followed with observation or treated with vitrectomy for idiopathic VMT. Eyes were classified into one of three groups according to SD-OCT findings: group A (foveal pseudocyst, which was defined as the formation of cystoid cavity located in the inner part of the central fovea along with foveal thickening), group B (parafoveal retinoschisis, which was defined as intraretinal cysts or clefts along with no apparent foveal thickening), and group C (outer retinal dehiscence at the fovea, which is sometimes accompanied by foveal thinning). The minimum required follow-up period was 1 year. Clinical course and anatomical and functional outcomes were compared among the groups. RESULTS: Twenty-seven eyes (39.7%) were included in group A, 22 eyes (32.4%) were included in group B, and 19 eyes (27.9%) were included in group C. Among the 24 eyes that were managed by observation, a significantly larger percentage of patients in group A (6/10 [60%]) exhibited more spontaneous resolution of VMT compared with those in groups B (9.1%) or C (0%) (P = 0.010). In the 44 eyes that were managed with vitrectomy, a significantly larger percentage of patients in group C (4/16 [25%]) experienced subsequent full-thickness macular hole development following vitrectomy compared with those in groups B (0%) or C (0%) (P = 0.014). The percentage of patients with photoreceptor inner segment/outer segment disruption was significantly reduced in group A after vitrectomy, with group C exhibiting the lowest recovery rate. Postoperatively, group A experienced a significantly better visual outcome than group C (P = 0.021). CONCLUSIONS: A novel configuration system offering insight into the clinical course of VMT is proposed. According to this system, anatomical and functional outcomes were favorable in group A and worse in group C.

FULL DIAGNOSTIC VITRECTOMY WITH POSTERIOR VITREOUS DETACHMENT INDUCTION FOR THE DIAGNOSIS OF VITRITIS DUE TO UNCERTAIN ETIOLOGY.

PURPOSE: To report on the diagnostic outcomes and safety of full diagnostic vitrectomy (FDV) with surgical posterior vitreous detachment induction for diagnosing vitritis of uncertain etiology. METHODS: Forty-nine patients underwent primary FDV using the cassette washings for histopathological analysis. In addition, an undiluted core vitreous sample was obtained for microbial analysis in suspected infective cases. Cases were retrospectively given a diagnosis of inflammatory, infective, or neoplastic based on the results at final follow-up and the outcome of primary FDV categorized as diagnostic or nondiagnostic. The success of FDV was evaluated in relation to the final diagnosis. The need for additional intraocular biopsies and intraoperative or postoperative complications was also recorded. RESULTS: Full diagnostic vitrectomy was diagnostic in 26/49 cases (53%) and nondiagnostic in 23 (47%). The diagnostic success rate was greatest in neoplastic (16/20, 80%) and infective cases (9/13, 69%). Seven cases (14%) required additional biopsies to establish the diagnosis, and in 15/49 cases (31%), no cause of vitritis was identified. Intraoperative retinal breaks occurred in 3/49 cases (6%) and retinal detachment in 1/49 cases (2%). Three of 49 cases (6%) developed transiently elevated intraocular pressure postoperatively. CONCLUSION: Full diagnostic vitrectomy in combination with an undiluted core vitreous biopsy for suspected infections is safe and effective at securing a diagnosis in vitritis, particularly in cases of neoplasia.

Posterior Vitreous Detachment and the Posterior Hyaloid Membrane.

PURPOSE: Despite posterior vitreous detachment being a common ocular event affecting most individuals in an aging population, there is little consensus regarding its precise anatomic definition. We investigated the morphologic appearance and molecular composition of the posterior hyaloid membrane to determine whether the structure clinically observed enveloping the posterior vitreous surface after posterior vitreous detachment is a true basement membrane and to postulate its origin. Understanding the relationship between the vitreous (in both its attached and detached state) and the internal limiting membrane of the retina is essential to understanding the cause of rhegmatogenous retinal detachment and vitreoretinal interface disorders, as well as potential future prophylactic and treatment strategies. DESIGN: Clinicohistologic correlation study. PARTICIPANTS: Thirty-six human donor globes. METHODS: Vitreous bodies identified to have posterior vitreous detachment were examined with phase-contrast microscopy and confocal microscopy after immunohistochemically staining for collagen IV basement membrane markers, in addition to extracellular proteins that characterize the vitreoretinal junction (fibronectin, laminin) and vitreous gel (opticin) markers. The posterior retina similarly was stained to evaluate the internal limiting membrane. Findings were correlated to the clinical appearance of the posterior hyaloid membrane observed during slit-lamp biomicroscopy after posterior vitreous detachment and compared with previously published studies. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Morphologic appearance and molecular composition of the posterior hyaloid membrane. RESULTS: Phase-contrast microscopy consistently identified a creased and distinct glassy membranous sheet enveloping the posterior vitreous surface, correlating closely with the posterior hyaloid membrane observed during slit-lamp biomicroscopy in patients with posterior vitreous detachment. Immunofluorescent confocal micrographs demonstrated the enveloping membranous structure identified on phase-contrast microscopy to show positive stain results for type IV collagen. Immunofluorescence of the residual intact internal limiting membrane on the retinal surface also showed positive stain results for type IV collagen. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study provide immunohistochemical evidence that the posterior hyaloid membrane is a true basement membrane enveloping the posterior hyaloid surface. Because this membranous structure is observed only after posterior vitreous detachment, the results of this study indicate that it forms part of the internal limiting membrane when the vitreous is in its attached state.

Cost-Utility of Evaluation for Posterior Vitreous Detachment and Prophylaxis of Retinal Detachment.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the costs and cost-utility of examination for posterior vitreous detachment (PVD) and treatment of associated pathology, and of managing various other peripheral retinal disorders to prevent retinal detachment (RD). DESIGN: A decision analysis model of cost-utility. PARTICIPANTS: There were no participants. METHODS: Published retrospective data on the natural course of PVD, retinal tears, and lattice degeneration were used to quantitate the visual benefits of examination and treatment. Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services data were used to calculate associated modeled costs in a hospital/facility-based and nonfacility/ambulatory surgical center (ASC)-based setting. Published standards of utility for a given level of visual acuity were used to derive costs and quality-adjusted life years (QALYs). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Cost of evaluation and treatment, utility of defined health states, QALY, and cost per QALY. RESULTS: The modeled cost of evaluation of a patient with PVD and treatment of associated pathology in the facility/hospital (nonfacility/ASC)-based setting was $65 to $190 ($25-$71) depending on whether a single or 2-examination protocol was used. The cost per QALY saved was $255 to $638/QALY ($100-$239/QALY). Treatment of a symptomatic horseshoe tear resulted in a net cost savings of $1749 ($1314) and improved utility, whereas treatment of an asymptomatic horseshoe tear resulted in $2981/QALY ($1436/QALY). Treatment of asymptomatic lattice degeneration in an eye in which the fellow eye had a history of RD resulted in $4414/QALY ($2187/QALY). CONCLUSIONS: Evaluation and management of incident acute PVD (and symptomatic horseshoe tears) offer a low cost and a favorable cost-utility (low $/QALY) as a result of the minimization of the cost and morbidity associated with the development of RD, thus justifying current practice standards.