Infliximab therapy in Behçet's uveitis.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the efficacy of infliximab (IFX) therapy in patients with Behçet's uveitis (BU) refractory to conventional immunomodulatory treatment (IMT). MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study, trial registration number TCTR20200806007, included cases of BU with a minimum of 18 months follow-up on IFX treatment. Demographic characteristics, ophthalmological examination findings, control of ocular inflammation with IFX, response to treatment and the rate of clinical remission were analyzed in this study. RESULTS: Sixty-two eyes of 35 patients on IFX therapy were included in the study. The mean follow-up was 49.5±25.9months. The mean frequency of recurrences during the IMT was 1.47±0.78 (attacks/year), decreasing to 0.31±0.40 (attacks/year) with IFX (P<0.001). Visual acuity improved significantly in the 1st month of IFX treatment (P=0.026). Partial response to treatment was achieved in 91.4% of cases. CONCLUSION: IFX is a safe and effective treatment in cases of BU refractory to conventional IMT.

Comparison of two techniques in posterior lens dislocations: Scleral suture fixation vs. modified Yamane intrascleral lens fixation.

PURPOSE: To compare the use of Yamane flanged intrascleral haptic fixation and scleral suture fixation (SSF) techniques in combination with pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) for treatment of posterior lens dislocations. METHODS: Patients who underwent PPV and scleral fixated IOL implantation due to subluxation/luxation of the crystalline lens/intraocular lens (IOL) were included in this retrospective study. The Yamane group included patients who underwent Yamane flanged intrascleral haptic fixation technique, while the SSF group consisted of patients who underwent conventional SSF. All patients underwent comprehensive ophthalmologic examinations preoperatively and postoperatively. Intraoperative and postoperative complications were recorded. RESULTS: The Yamane group comprised of 39 eyes of 39 patients, and the SSF group included 35 eyes of 35 patients. Postoperative complications included hyphema (Yamane group: 2/39 (5.1%); SSF group: 0/35 (0%)) IOL decentration (Yamane group: 5/39 (12.8%); SSF group: 0/35 (0%)), corneal edema (Yamane group: 4/39 (10.2%); SSF group: 0/35 (0%)) cystoid macular edema (CME) (Yamane group: 1/39 (2.5%); SSF group: 3/35 (8.5%)) and retinal detachment (Yamane group: 1/39 (2.5%); SSF group: 1/35 (28.5%). The mean surgery time was significantly lower in the Yamane group compared with the SSF group (P<0.001). No cases of hypotony, conjunctival erosion, haptic exposure or endophthalmitis were encountered throughout follow-up. CONCLUSION: SSF remains a safe and effective technique for management of posterior lens dislocations. The Yamane intrascleral IOL fixation technique is an effective alternative to conventional SSF, which has a relatively steep learning curve. Postoperative complications, including IOL tilt and decentration, may be experienced in the initial cases.

Clinical outcomes of posterior segment intraocular foreign bodies: The volume effect.

PURPOSE: To assess the effect of foreign body volume on visual and anatomic outcomes in patients with a posterior segment intraocular foreign body (IOFB). METHODS: Patients were divided into three groups according to the volume of the IOFB; group 1 (n=18 eyes) with IOFBs<2mm3, group 2 (n=15 eyes) with 2mm3≤IOFBs<6mm3, group 3 (n=18 eyes) with IOFBs≥6mm3. All eyes underwent pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) for removal of the IOFB. Demographic characteristics, features of the injury and IOFB, findings of the initial and final ophthalmological examinations, and timing of IOFB removal were studied. RESULTS: The mean age was 38.8±12.0years, and the median follow-up period was 12.0 (range: 6-98) months. Initial visual acuity (VA) was significantly lower in group 3 (P=0.005), while final VA was similar between the three subgroups. Frequencies of primary globe repair, initial vitreous hemorrhage (VH), corneoscleral entry, and IOFB removal through the cornea were significantly higher in eyes with large volume IOFBs (P<0.05). Siderosis was only seen in 4 patients in group 1 (22.2%). No patients developed postoperative endophthalmitis. CONCLUSION: Large volume posterior segment IOFBs are associated with poor initial VA, initial VH and corneoscleral injury. Nevertheless, PPV and IOFB extraction under favorable conditions may provide significant visual improvement in eyes with large volume IOFBs.

Long-term outcomes of pars plana vitrectomy without internal limiting membrane peeling for optic disc pit maculopathy.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the results of surgical treatment of maculopathy secondary to congenital optic pit anomaly with pars plana vitrectomy (PPV), endolaser to the temporal edge of the optic disc and C3F8 tamponade without internal limiting membrane (ILM) peeling. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Thirteen eyes of 12 patients with serous macular detachment and/or macular retinoschisis secondary to congenital optic disc pit (ODP) were included in the study. All eyes underwent PPV, posterior hyaloid removal, endolaser photocoagulation on the temporal margin of the optic disc and 12% C3F8 gas tamponade. Anatomic success and functional outcome determined retrospectively by optical coherence tomography and measurement of best corrected visual acuity (BCVA), respectively were the main outcome parameters. RESULTS: Two lines or more improvement in BCVA was obtained in 11 eyes and 6 of these eyes had 20/40 or better BCVA at the final visit. Subretinal or intraretinal fluid was completely resorbed postoperatively in 12 eyes but a little intraretinal fluid persisted in one eye at the 16-month follow-up. Better visual improvement was observed in patients treated by earlier surgical intervention. CONCLUSION: PPV, C3F8 gas tamponade and endolaser to the optic disc margin without ILM peeling may yield favourable results in the treatment of ODP maculopathy.

Phakic iris-claw IOL implantation, with Bursa technique, through a self-sealing scleral tunnel and without iridotomy or iridectomy.

PURPOSE: To present a novel technique for the implantation of phakic iris-claw intraocular lenses (IOL) in highly myopic cases. METHODS: Twelve cases, under the age of 40, with high myopia were included in this retrospective study. The mean follow-up span was 14.4+/-5.8 months. Phakic iris-claw IOL implantation was performed, through a 5.5 or 6.5 mm self sealing scleral tunnel with Bursa technique. No suturing and opening a peripheral iridectomy or iridotomy was required in our study. Pre- and postoperative patient evaluation included manifest and cycloplegic refractions, uncorrected visual acuity, best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), induced astigmatism, and intraocular pressure (IOP) assessments. RESULTS: All eyes gained one to nine lines of BCVA of the Snellen chart. The vector analysis revealed an induced astigmatism of 0.63 D. No significant IOP change was detected throughout the follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: The data suggest that nonfoldable iris fixated phakic IOL implantation, through a self-sealing incision with Bursa technique, is safe and requires no iridectomy or iridotomy in cases with deep anterior chambers.