Sensory Changes in the Ocular Surface After Pterygium Removal.

Purpose: We measure changes in ocular surface sensation after pterygium surgery with a conjunctival autograft. Methods: This prospective, interventional study was carried out in patients, with nasal primary pterygium undergoing pterygium surgery with conjunctival autograft. Sensation was measured by applying the tip of the Cochet-Bonnet esthesiometer filament perpendicular to the ocular surface in the cornea and conjunctiva. Patients were tested preoperatively (baseline), and at 2 weeks, 2 and 4 months, postoperatively. Results: Nineteen eyes of 18 patients completed the 4-month follow-up. Mean age was 61±10.1 (range 36-76) years. Corneal sensation returned to normal values in all at 2 and at 4 months. The central cornea was significantly more sensitive compared to the average of the four peripheral measurements pre- (59.2 mm vs 48.3 mm, p=0.000) and postoperatively (59.2 mm vs 48.4 mm, p=0.000). Conjunctival sensation was reduced significantly 2 months postoperatively in the inferior region (p=0.04). Four months postoperatively, it was more sensitive in the superior area (13.9 mm vs 17.1 mm, p=0.01) and the inferior area (13.7 mm vs 19.5 mm, p=0.003). In each matching area, the cornea was significantly more sensitive than the conjunctiva pre- and postoperatively (p=0.00). Sensation was not significantly different between the sexes or age groups. Conclusion: This study demonstrates the presence of inferior and superior conjunctival hyperesthesia at conjunctival autograft sites after pterygium surgery. The healing process, sensory input, tear film instability and epitheliopathy of the ocular surface are possible explanations for these novel findings.

Neovascular age-related macular degeneration presenting at extremities of age: a comparative study.

PURPOSE: To compare the characteristics and response to treatment between patients with NVAMD presenting at the extremities of the AMD age spectrum. METHODS: Fifty-four eyes of 47 patients were included in this retrospective study, divided by age at NVAMD presentation under 65 (n = 15) or over 85 (n = 39) years. All patients were initially treated with 3 monthly bevacizumab injections, followed by a PRN protocol. Clinical parameters and OCT characteristics were recorded and analyzed at presentation, after the initial 3 monthly injections and at 1 year. RESULTS: At presentation, patients in the young group had significantly higher rates of subretinal fluid (p = 0.005), a polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy-like pattern (p < 0.01) and a history of smoking (p = 0.004). Submacular hemorrhage and pigment epithelial detachments were more common in young patients, and intraretinal fluid was more common in elderly patients (all with borderline statistical significance). VA improved significantly more in the younger patients at 3 months and 1 year (p = 0.001 and 0.002, respectively), despite similar treatment protocols and mean number of injections. Bilateral involvement at baseline was more common in elderly patients (p = 0.008). The differences in OCT characteristics between groups remained throughout the study period. CONCLUSION: There are considerable differences in the clinical manifestations and response to treatment between NVAMD patients at the extremities of the AMD age spectrum. Different pathophysiological, systemic, and genetic factors may play a role in such patients.

A Two-Port Inexpensive and Effective Method for Silicone Oil Removal.

BACKGROUND: There are several ways to remove silicone oil (SO) from the vitreous cavity. OBJECTIVES: To describe a simple, safe and inexpensive method of 2-port SO removal. METHODS: Medical charts of 33 patients who underwent SO removal combined with cataract extraction were retrospectively reviewed, from a cohort of 119 patients who had silicone oil removal. The primary outcome was the rate of re-detachment, secondary outcomes included visual acuity (VA) and intraoperative and postoperative complications. RESULTS: Mean follow-up time was 27.6 months (0.25-147 ± 33.1), and mean tamponade duration prior to SO removal was 16.77 months (4-51.5 ± 14.6). The re-detachment rate was 3% (one patient). Postoperatively, seven patients (20%) had epiretinal membrane (ERM), eight patients had posterior capsule opacification (24%), and proliferative vitreoretinopathy (PVR) was diagnosed in two patients (6%). Compared to the mean VA (logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution [LogMAR]) at the preoperative examination, the mean VA (LogMAR) improved significantly at the last visit when including all ranges of VA (n=32, LogMAR 1.52 vs. 1.05 P = 0.0002 [Student's t-test] and P = 0.001 [Wilcoxon test]). CONCLUSIONS: The technique described is fast and simple, keeping the posterior capsule intact in pseudophakic patients, which is advantageous in the event of future re-detachment necessitating SO reinjection. Rates of re-detachment and postoperative ERM and PVR were low. Furthermore, our method does not require the use of a surgical microscope with posterior segment viewing systems, or opening a full disposable vitrectomy set, thus drastically reducing the procedure's cost.