Intravitreal methotrexate as an adjuvant in vitrectomy in cases of retinal detachment with proliferative vitreoretinopathy.

PURPOSE: To compare the rate of re-detachment in patients with rhegmatogenous retinal detachment and Grade-C PVR following vitreoretinal surgery, with and without serial intravitreal injections of methotrexate. METHODS: It was a randomized control trial. Patients aged more than 18 years undergoing pars plana vitrectomy for rhegmatogenous retinal detachment with PVR grade C or more were included in the study. Patients treated with intravitreal injection of methotrexate were grouped as cases and those not injected served as controls. The cases received 3 intravitreal injections of methotrexate at monthly intervals. Patients were evaluated on Day 1, 1st month, 2nd month, 3rd month and 6th month in terms of BCVA, rate of re-attachment and grade of PVR. RESULTS: The case group had 23 patients and the control group had 20 patients. 2 patients in the case group were lost to follow-up after the first follow-up, so they were excluded. So 21 patients in case group and 20 patients in control group were followed up. Six months after surgery, 15 'cases' had completely attached retina whereas 6 patients had partial detachment with macula on. There was no patient amongst the cases with macula-off retinal re-detachment. Out of 20 patients in the control group, 9 had a complete retinal attachment, 4 had partial detachment with macula-on and 7 had partial detachment with macula-off. There was statistically significant difference in macula off retinal detachment rates (p-value- 0.003). CONCLUSION: Serial intravitreal methotrexate injections reduce the incidence of re-detachment in patients undergoing PPV for RRD with PVR-C. Further investigation into this promising therapeutic approach is warranted. KEY MESSAGES: What is known Methotrexate is an anti-inflammatory agent which is safe for intravitreal use There are case series retrospective and prospective studies suggesting potential benefit of intravitreal methotrexate in preventing re-detachment due to PVR What is new First randomized control trial studying the efficacy of intravitreal methotrexate in preventing re-detachment due to PVR Our study showed statistically significant difference in macula off retinal detachment between the 2 groups at 6 months of follow up.

Retinal manifestations in patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection and pathogenetic implications: a systematic review.

INTRODUCTION: The pandemic of COVID-19 has been caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) virus. Apart from respiratory malfunction, COVID-19 causes a system-wide thromboembolic state, leading to serious cardiovascular, cerebrovascular and peripheral vascular manifestations. However, our knowledge regarding retinal manifestations due to systemic COVID-19 is minimal. This systematic review has comprehensively summarized all retinal manifestations secondary to COVID-19 disease recorded till date since the beginning of the pandemic. METHODS: All studies published till November 27, 2020, which have reported retinal manifestations in COVID-19 patients were systematically reviewed using the PRISMA statement. RESULTS: We included 15 articles: 11 case reports and four cross-sectional case series. The most commonly reported manifestations which did not affect visual acuity were retinal hemorrhages and cotton wool spots. The most common vision threatening manifestation was retinal vein occlusion with associated macular edema. Rarely, patients may also present with retinal arterial occlusions and ocular inflammation. These manifestations may occur from as soon as within a week after the onset of COVID-19 symptoms to more than 6 weeks after. CONCLUSION: Mostly causing milder disease, COVID-19 may however lead to severe life-threatening thromboembolic complications, and systemic antithrombotic therapy has been suggested as a prophylactic and therapeutic management strategy for patients affected with serious systemic disease. However, both sick and apparently healthy patients may suffer from various retinal complications which may lead to loss of vision as well. No consensus regarding management of retinal complications with anticoagulants or anti-inflammatory medications have been proposed; however, they may be tackled on individual basis.

A rare case of orbital lymphangioma with persistent fetal vasculature and extraorbital vascular malformations treated with intralesional bleomycin.

Orbital lymphangiomas are isolated, benign vascular malformations of childhood. We report a case of orbital lymphangioma with acute intralesional hemorrhage in a 4-year-old boy that was associated with ipsilateral persistent fetal vasculature and extraorbital vascular malformations. Complete resolution of orbital lesion was achieved with chocolate cyst aspiration and intralesional injection of bleomycin.

Viscoelastic-augmented trabeculectomy: A newer concept.

PURPOSE: Comparison of conventional trabeculectomy (CT) and viscoelastic-augmented trabeculectomy (VAT) in primary open-angle glaucoma. METHODS: A total of 65 primary open-angle glaucoma cases were taken for each of the two groups, i.e., CT and VAT. Viscoelastic-augmented trabeculectomy constituted lamellar scleral flap, deep scleral flap, penetrating trabeculectomy, peripheral iridectomy, filling of the anterior chamber with viscoelastic (sodium hyaluronate) and balanced salt solution, movement of visco in bleb, and tight flap closure. Success criteria included intraocular pressure (IOP) <14 mmHg with no devastating complications. P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS: Mean IOP was significantly lower after VAT compared to CT at 6 weeks, 12 weeks, and 6 months postoperatively. Target IOP was achieved in 60% cases in VAT group compared to 36.92% in CT group. CONCLUSION: VAT is effective in reducing IOP to the target level for advanced glaucoma with lower postoperative complications.