Bilateral Subinternal Limiting Membrane Crystalline Deposits Secondary to Terson Syndrome.

Background: We report the case of bilateral, subinternal limiting membrane crystalline deposits in a patient with Terson syndrome, describe the possible pathogenesis, and highlight management. Case Presentation. A 24-year-old male with a history of traumatic massive parenchymal and subdural frontal hemorrhage presented to our clinic seven months after a motor vehicle accident, prolonged hospitalization, and rehabilitation, complaining of decreased vision in both eyes. The Snellen visual acuity was 1/60 in the right eye, and 6/60 in the left eye. Fundus examination showed an organized white vitreous hemorrhage in both eyes with almost no view of the retina. The anterior segments were normal. He underwent a 25-gauge pars plana vitrectomy in both eyes. During the surgery, golden crescent-shaped sediment consisting of small crystals was observed under the internal limiting membrane in both eyes: anterior to the inferior temporal vascular arcade in the right eye and posterior to it in the left eye. Internal limiting membrane (ILM) peeling after staining with ILM-blue dye was performed in the left eye, where the finding involved the macula. One year after the surgery, visual acuity significantly improved to 6/8.5 on the right and 6/6 on the left. Epiretinal membrane formation was observed in the right eye, where ILM peeling was not performed. Conclusion: Subinternal limiting membrane crystalline deposit finding is a rare condition. Consider performing internal limiting membrane peeling and sediment removal in cases with macular involvement. In cases where crystals are concentrated outside of the macula, follow-up may be considered.

THE EFFECT OF INTERNAL LIMITING MEMBRANE PEELING ON THE INNER RETINAL LAYERS IN PATIENTS WITHOUT MACULAR PATHOLOGIC CONDITION.

BACKGROUND: To examine the effect of internal limiting membrane peeling on the inner retinal layers in patients without macular pathological condition. METHODS: A prospective nonrandomized trial of patients undergoing pars plana vitrectomy with internal limiting membrane peeling for pathologic condition outside the macula was performed. Optical coherence tomography including macular ganglion cell layer, inner plexiform layer, and peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer imaging was performed before surgery, 1, 3, and 6 months postoperatively, and at the end of follow-up (ranges between 4 and 17 months). Patients with any macular pathological condition on optical coherence tomography before surgery were excluded. The main outcome measure was change in thickness of the ganglion cell layer and inner plexiform layer. RESULTS: Ten patients who underwent pars plana vitrectomy with internal limiting membrane peeling for macula-on retinal detachment were included in the analysis. The mean age was 55 years, and the mean follow up was 10.8 months. All patients completed at least two postoperative follow-up visits that included an optical coherence tomography as per the protocol (range 2-6 months). There was an immediate reduction in the global (G), inferotemporal, superotemporal, and superior (S) ganglion cell layer thickness at the first follow up as compared with the preoperative state ( P = 0.028, P = 0.027, P = 0.026, and P = 0.027 respectively). From the first follow-up visit onward until the final follow-up, the thinning persisted, although there was no further statistically significant thinning. CONCLUSION: Peeling of the internal limiting membrane causes significant ganglion cell layer thinning in maculae without pathologic condition before surgery. At up to 17 months of follow-up, this effect seems to be immediate and nonprogressive.

A Scleral Buckle Infection Caused by Cutibacterium Acnes (formerly Propionibacterium Acnes) Following An Atypical, Indolent Course.

PURPOSE: To report a case of atypical, indolent presentation of scleral buckle infection, caused by Cutibacterium acnes (formerly known as Propionibacterium acnes). METHODS: Observational case report. RESULTS: A 44-year-old healthy female with a history of scleral buckling procedure for retinal detachment repair sixteen years prior to presentation, was admitted with pain and redness in her left eye for six weeks. Conjunctival hyperemia and vascular congestion were noted over the scleral buckle in a circular manner without signs of exposure. After removal of the scleral buckle, cultures analysis revealed Cutibacterium acne. Systemic Amoxicillin was administrated. Over a 6-months follow-up, the retina remained attached. CONCLUSION: C. acne, known to be associated with chronic postoperative endophthalmitis after cataract surgery, may also lead to scleral buckle infection with an indolent, chronic course.

Polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy-characteristics and response to treatment with bevacizumab in caucasian patients.

PURPOSE: To investigate the features and treatment response in Caucasian patients with polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy (PCV), initially treated with bevacizumab. METHODS: 45 eyes of 43 treatment-naïve patients with PCV were included in this retrospective study, all uniformly initially treated with three bevacizumab injections monthly. OCT characteristics and clinical parameters were recorded and analyzed at presentation, after the initial 3 bevacizumab injections and at the final follow up period. RESULTS: Following 3 monthly bevacizumab injections visual acuity significantly improved with a mean gain of one line of vision. Central macular thickness (CMT) significantly improved from a mean of 402.1 ± 130.8 µm at presentation to 322.0 ± 96.8 µm (p < 0.01). Subretinal fluid, intraretinal fluid and submacular hemorrhage significantly improved. 53% were later switched to aflibercept and showed better response in the central macular thickness in comparison to those in which bevacizumab injections were continued. No correlation was found between the presence of pachyvessels or increased choroidal thickness and the improvement in VA or CMT. CONCLUSION: Fixed first-line treatment with intravitreal bevacizumab monotherapy in non-Asian PCV patients achieves satisfactory visual and anatomical outcomes.

Visual Performance of a Novel Optical Design of a New Multifocal Intraocular Lens.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the optical performance and quality of vision of a novel optical design of a new trifocal intraocular lens (IOL) using a proprietary modified algorithm. METHODS: In this prospective, non-randomized, single-armed, single-center, open-label study, a total of 20 patients (40 eyes) who were candidates for multifocal lens implantation were recruited for implantation with the multifocal Intensity SL IOL (Hanita Lenses). Evaluation performed at 1 and 7 to 10 days and 1 and 3 months after implantation included corrected and uncorrected distance visual acuities at far, intermediate (80 cm), and near (40 cm). Monocular and binocular visual acuities, defocus curves, and contrast sensitivity were measured and questionnaires for grading subjective visual quality, satisfaction, and visual function were provided. RESULTS: Three months postoperatively, monocular uncorrected visual acuity for distance, intermediate, and near averaged 0.03 ± 0.11, 0.09 ± 0.09, and -0.22 ± 0.09 logMAR, respectively (Snellen 20/21.4, 20/24.6, and 20/12). Corrected monocular visual acuity for distance, intermediate, and near averaged -0.07 ± 0.06, 0.03 ± 0.09, and -0.25 ± 0.07 logMAR (20/17, 20/21.4, and 20/11.2), respectively. Binocular corrected visual acuity for distance, intermediate, and near was -0.1 ± 0.06, -0.02 ± 0.09, and -0.28 ± 0.04 logMAR (20/15.8, 20/19, and 20/10.5), respectively. Contrast sensitivity was similar to the normal population in photopic and mesopic conditions. Defocus curves showed that this IOL provided visual acuity of 20/28.9 or better between a defocus of +1.00 and -3.50 diopters. The Visual Function Index-14 questionnaire showed that patients reported high satisfaction. Patients specifically noted good quality of vision at near and intermediate distances. CONCLUSIONS: The Intensity SL IOL can provide good quality distance, intermediate, and particularly strong near vision after cataract surgery and independence from spectacles with good patient satisfaction. [J Refract Surg. 2022;38(3):150-157.].

The Effect of Syringe-Filling Technique on the Risk for Endophthalmitis after Intravitreal Injection of Anti-VEGF Agents.

PURPOSE: This study aimed to compare the risk for post-injection endophthalmitis between different anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) agents and syringe preparation techniques. METHODS: A retrospective study of anti-VEGF injections performed in 3 large ophthalmology departments between 2013 and 2019 was conducted. Injections were categorized according to the drug and the syringe-filling technique - prefilling by a hospital pharmacy, prefilling by a good manufacturing practice (GMP) pharmacy, self-drawing from the vial by the injecting physician, and use of a prefilled syringe. Cases of endophthalmitis were identified, and their rates were analyzed. RESULTS: A total of 197,402 injections were included, and 53 cases of endophthalmitis were identified (0.027% risk). The risk of endophthalmitis following injections with syringes that were prefilled by GMP pharmacies or the manufacturers was significantly lower than that following injections which were self-drawn by the physician (0.019% vs. 0.055%, p < 0.0001). For ranibizumab, risk of endophthalmitis decreased since it became available in a prefilled syringe (0.054% vs. 0.014%, p = 0.066), bordering on statistical significance. CONCLUSIONS: The syringe-filling technique is an important factor determining risk of post-injection endophthalmitis. Use of GMP-grade prefilling by professional pharmacies or the manufacturers significantly reduces this risk and should be the technique of choice for all drugs administered by intravitreal injection.

Pars plana vitrectomy for posteriorly dislocated intraocular lenses: risk factors and surgical approach.

PURPOSE: To present updated risk factors, anatomical and visual outcomes and a surgical approach to posteriorly dislocated intraocular lenses (IOL). METHODS: A retrospective case series review of patients presenting with posteriorly dislocated IOL to the vitreous was performed. All cases were managed surgically with pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) followed by IOL repositioning and refixation or IOL exchange. Clinical characteristics, risk factors for IOL dislocation, visual outcomes and intraoperative and postoperative complications were investigated. RESULTS: Forty patients with posteriorly dislocated IOL underwent 3-port PPV and lens retrieval at an average of 6.5 years after cataract surgery. The main causes of IOL dislocation were previous PPV, myopia, pseudoexfoliation syndrome, ocular trauma and recurrent intravitreal injections. The existing IOL was repositioned and secured in 90% of the cases. Visual acuity improved in 34 patients, maintained in 5 and deteriorated in 1. All IOLs were central and stable at final follow-up. CONCLUSION: Posterior intraocular lens dislocation is becoming more prevalent. The main underlying causes found in this series were previous vitrectomy, myopia and recurrent intra-vitreal substance injections. Visual acuity improved in most cases after lens repositioning; however visual outcome is often limited due to associated ocular co-morbidities despite adequate lens position. Despite complete lack of zonular support, a posteriorly dislocated IOL can often be preserved by repositioning and fixation of the lens in the posterior chamber. Pathologies primarily associated with this type of lens malposition include history of vitrectomy, high myopia and multiple intravitreal substance injections.

Immediate Sequential Bilateral Vitreoretinal Surgery: Descriptive Case Series and Literature Review.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Bilateral vision-threatening disease necessitating urgent surgery in both eyes is challenging in vitreoretinal disorders, where surgeries are often longer and higher risk than in other ocular disorders. The authors present a case series of patients undergoing immediate sequential bilateral vitreoretinal surgery (ISBVS) on the same day. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Retrospective case series and literature review. Main outcome measures were surgical indications, systemic diseases, presenting and final visual acuity, and adverse events or complications during or after surgery. RESULTS: During the time period searched, 14 patients underwent ISBVS, without significant adverse events, infections, or complications. Illustrative cases are presented. CONCLUSION: The authors recommend considering ISBVS under certain conditions, such as in patients who are unable to undergo local anesthesia surgery, and in those who definitely require urgent or semi-urgent bilateral vitreoretinal surgery requiring a second general anesthesia in the near future if performed separately, especially in cases where the anesthesia is considered high risk. [Ophthalmic Surg Lasers Imaging Retina. 2020;51:494-498.].

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.

Study of wetting of the animal retinas by Water and organic liquids and its Implications for ophthalmology.

Interfacial properties of the animal retinas are reported. Wetting of the retina-retinal pigment epithelium-choroid-sclera tissues of cow, sheep, and pig eyes by water, silicone and castor oil was explored experimentally. Both water and silicone oils demonstrated complete wetting of the retina, regardless of the viscosity of the silicone oil, whereas the castor oil demonstrated a partial wetting regime. Similar wetting regimes were observed for sheep, cow and pig retinas. The intact surface of animal retina was found to be both hydrophilic and oleophilic. Wetting experiments with double sandwich oil/water layers were performed. Water demonstrated stronger affinity to the retina than silicone and castor oils, and eventually replaced the oils at the liquid/retina interface. We conclude that aqueous solutions continuously secreted in the living eye may displace silicone oil from the retinal surface and contribute to retinal re-detachment. Study of dynamics of wetting of the animal retina by water and organic oils is reported. The exponent describing the dynamics of spreading of the castor oil is lower than that predicted by the Tanner law. Castor oil may provide more effective tamponade than silicone oil.

Posterior pole retinal tears following blunt ocular trauma.

PURPOSE: Posterior pole retinal tears occur rarely following blunt trauma. We describe a case of traumatic macular tears, without concurrent peripheral retinal tears or holes. OBSERVATIONS: A 17-year-old patient presented to our emergency unit with blunt ocular trauma and multiple maxillofacial fractures after being assaulted. On examination visual acuity was 20/200 in the left eye with scant vitreous and preretinal hemorrhages. Funduscopic examination revealed multiple choroidal ruptures running concentrically to the optic disc, a subretinal macular hemorrhage, and a large macular tear in the area of the inferior vascular arcade just temporal to the macula. Optical coherence tomography revealed subretinal fluid in the foveal area, choroidal ruptures and a slight elevation of the macular retinal tear margins without subretinal fluid. Laser retinopexy was performed around the macular tear nasally. On follow-up, the retina in the lasered area remained flat, while a shallow retinal detachment had developed temporal to the tear, with a second tear appearing supero-temporally to the macula. Laser retinopexy was not possible due to surrounding subretinal hemorrhage. The clinical course was later complicated by macular detachment, necessitating pars plana vitrectomy with endolaser around the posterior tears and the retinal periphery, and silicone oil injection. CONCLUSIONS: While traumatic macular holes and traumatic macular choroidal ruptures have both been extensively described, posterior pole and macular retinal tears following blunt trauma have rarely been reported. This case illustrates this unusual finding, discussing the possible pathogenic mechanisms and the importance of close follow-up of patients after blunt trauma with appropriate imaging.

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.

Fluid viscosity but not surface tension, determines the tamponade effect of intravitreal fluids in a novel in vitro eye model of retinal detachment.

PURPOSE: To determine the effect of varying surface tension and viscosity of fluids used as tamponade in an in vitro eye model of retinal detachment. METHODS: We used an in vitro eye model simulating retinal detachment. Fluids with varying surface tension and identical viscosity, and fluids with varying viscosities and identical surface tension were used as tamponade agents to prevent retinal detachment in the model, to determine which of these properties affects each fluid's effectiveness as a retinal tamponade. RESULTS: The membrane (simulating retinal detachment) changes over time in a vitro eye model were not affected by varying surface tension given constant fluid viscosity. However, membrane changes were proportional to the viscosity of the fluid, given constant surface tension. CONCLUSIONS: The tamponade effect of an intravitreal fluid against retinal detachment may not be related as previously assumed, solely to surface tension, but rather is proportionally related to its viscosity.

Spontaneous closure of bilateral macular holes.

PURPOSE: To present a case of a right eye spontaneous closure of a full thickness macular hole (FTMH), followed several years later by a left eye spontaneous closure of a FTMH, in an otherwise healthy woman. OBSERVATIONS: We show the temporal changes and spontaneous resolution observed with Spectral-Domain Ocular Coherence Tomography (SD-OCT) of a FTMH in the right eye and a FTMH secondary to vitreomacular traction in the left eye of the same patient 5 years later, also with full spontaneous resolution. Following the resolution, SD-OCT demonstrated outer retinal layer disruption recovery and visual acuity improvement in both eyes. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPORTANCE: Spontaneous closure of macular holes is an uncommon event, with most descriptions in the literature being of single cases or very small series, including several reports in patients who have undergone vitrectomy for other causes, or in highly myopic eyes. Bilateral spontaneous closure of macular holes in the same patient is an even more uncommon event, described only once in one patient previously in the literature to our knowledge.

Bilateral simultaneous central retinal vein occlusion in hyperviscosity retinopathy treated with systemic immunosuppressive therapy only.

PURPOSE: To describe the clinical presentation and imaging features of a patient presenting with bilateral central retinal vein occlusion (CRVO), who was subsequently diagnosed with hyperviscosity retinopathy due to B cell lymphoproliferative disease, and had a good response to systemic immunosuppressive therapy. OBSERVATIONS: A clinical case report of an 87-year-old woman who presented with bilateral CRVO. Visual acuity, clinical examination, spectral domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT), color fundus photography and systemic evaluation were obtained. Ocular examination at presentation revealed bilateral CRVO, and OCT examination revealed significant central macular edema bilaterally. Six months after the diagnosis of hyperviscosity retinopathy and administration of systemic cyclophosphamide immunosuppressive therapy for B cell lymphoproliferative disease, most of the retinal hemorrhages resolved and partial resolution of the macular edema in the left eye was observed. CONCLUSION AND IMPORTANCE: This case describes the association between bilateral simultaneous CRVO and hyperviscosity. Under unique circumstances our patient received systemic therapy alone, without plasmapheresis. Although only limited therapy was applied, she didn't have deterioration or recurrent events; she had a small improvement in her macular edema and a significant improvement in her systemic functional state as well as reduction in her monoclonal IGM level.

Pseudo-duplication of the optic disc with maculo-schisis in a 9-year-old patient.

PURPOSE: To report a unique case of pseudo-duplication of the optic disc with maculo-schisis. OBSERVATIONS: A 9-year-old girl presented with decreased vision in the left eye. Her measured visual acuity was 20/50. Dilated fundus examination revealed an optic disc-like lesion with a large crater-like depression, pale color and aberrant retinal vasculature arising from its lower region. Optical coherence tomography (OCT) demonstrated maculo-schisis emerging from the optic disc complex and involving the foveal region. Further pathological findings of cellophane maculopathy with retinal striae was observed at the papillo-macular bundle. On MRI scan there were neither signs of doubling of the optic nerve nor any other optic nerve malformations. The patient underwent 25 Gauge Pars Plana vitrectomy (PPV) with posterior hyaloid peel, ILM peel and gas tamponade with SF6. Eight month post-operatively, a significant reduction in intra-retinal fluids and an improvement in the maculo-schisis magnitude were seen. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPORTANCE: To the best of our knowledge, this is the first reported case of a pseudo-duplication of the optic disc with maculo-schisis treated with PPV.

Feasibility of using experimental high viscosity silicone oils: a pilot study.

BACKGROUND: Polydimethyl silicones (silicone oils) are used in complex retinal surgeries, including difficult or recurrent retinal detachments, severe eye trauma, and other indications for long term tamponade. Two major problems with currently available silicone oils are emulsification and recurrent retinal detachment. The primary endpoint of this study was to evaluate the toxicity and safety of high viscosity silicone oils and second, the feasibility of using them with currently available vitrectomy systems. METHODS: In this experimental study, 8 eyes of 8 New Zealand White rabbits underwent vitrectomy. The vitreous cavities of 2 eyes were filled with medical grade 5500 cS silicone oil, 4 eyes with 12,500 cS oil, and 2 eyes with 30,000 cS oil for 3 months, after which the animals were sacrificed and the eyes sent for histopathological examination. The duration required to inject 5 cc each of 1300, 12,500 and 30,000 cS oils, using a commercially available system (Alcon VFC Pac) were also evaluated. RESULTS: Retinal histopathology was comparable in all eyes, with no excess toxic effect or damage seen in eyes with experimental oils. All oils were readily injectable with the VFC Pac system. CONCLUSIONS: High viscosity experimental silicone oils have similar chemical and physical properties to lower viscosity oils currently used. Therefore, toxicities are expected to be similar. In a small pilot sample of 8 rabbit eyes filled with silicone oil for 3 months, histopathology in eyes with 12,500, 30,000 cS or medical grade 5500 cS silicone oil were similar. Injecting these oils using available vitrectomy equipment is feasible. New, high viscosity silicone oils may offer several advantages over currently available oils for some patients.