Subjective and objective measures of the patient experience before, during, and after intravitreal anti-vascular endothelial growth factor injections.

Purpose: To assess patient experience of intravitreal injections using vital-signs, visual-experience, pain-rating and emotional response during intravitreal anti-VEGF injections. Methods: A prospective observational study of patient experience of intravitreal anti-VEGF injections done following metrics were collected pre-injection, during injection, and post-injection: pain assessment using visual analog score, fear-response rating, visual-experience questionnaire, and vital-signs. Results: A total of one-hundred-and-seventy-four patients undergoing intravitreal anti-VEGF injections for retinal pathologies were included in the study. Mean age was 58.8 ± 10.4 years in <5 injection group (n = 133) and 59.02 ± 9.0 years in ≥5 injection group (n = 41) (P = 0.90).During injection, 90.2% of patients in <5 injection group reported moderate or severe pain compared to 78% of patients in ≥5 injection group. In pre and post-injection phases, mild-to-moderate pain was reported in both groups (P = <0.001). Ninety-two (52.9%) patients reported having a mild frightening experience. There was no statistical significance in patients assessment of fear with respect to age, sex, or number of injections. The Systolic Blood Pressure (SBP) during and following injection ((SBP 171.7 ± 21.1,150.8 ± 16.2) procedures was significantly higher in cases with <5 injections when comparing to cases with >5 injections (SBP 159.7 ± 26.4, 143.2 ± 17.0) (P = 0.003), (P = 0.011). DBP, heart rate, pulse rate measurements were similar among patients in all phases of the study. Conclusion: We report a large sample size with comprehensive assessments of the patient experience. Higher pain ratings in the <5 injection group, the increase in the SBP in the pre-and during injection phases, and the overall rating of mild-to-moderate fear during the procedure.

Encapsulated metallic intraocular foreign body of long duration presenting with cystoid macular edema and normal full-field electroretinogram.

The purpose of the study is to report an unusual case of encapsulated iron intraocular foreign body (IOFB) of long duration presenting with cystoid macular edema (CME) and normal full-field electroretinogram (ERG). A 28-year-old male presented with a history of metal injury 5 years back and subsequent visual loss in the left eye for 3 months. Fundus examination of the left eye showed an encapsulated cyst-like structure inferior to the disc with the surrounding pigmentary changes and CME. B-scan ultrasonography and computed tomography scan confirmed metallic IOFB. A full-field ERG performed before surgery showed a normal response. He underwent pars plana vitrectomy with IOFB extraction and silicone oil injection as a tamponade. Two months later, silicone oil removal was combined with intravitreal triamcinolone acetonide (IVTA) injection for persistent edema. Meticulous clinical evaluation, imaging, electrophysiological testing coupled with surgical intervention, and IVTA injection resulted in resolution of CME with minimal visual improvement. In conclusion long-standing encapsulated iron IOFB on the retina can cause vision-threatening complications without siderosis.

Combined Cataract Extraction With Pars Plana Vitrectomy and Metallic Intraocular Foreign Body Removal Through Sclerocorneal Tunnel Using a Novel "Magnet Handshake" Technique.

PURPOSE: To study the outcomes of combined cataract extraction with pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) and metallic intraocular foreign body (IOFB) removal through a sclerocorneal tunnel using the "magnetic handshake" technique. DESIGN: A retrospective review. METHODS: Retrospective review of case records of 14 patients from 2010 to 2016 with metallic IOFB and traumatic cataract was performed. Cataract extraction was combined with PPV. Two intraocular magnets (IOMs) introduced through 20-gauge vitrectomy port and sclerocorneal tunnel helped achieve safe delivery of IOFB outside the globe by the "magnetic handshake" technique. RESULTS: All patients were males with a mean age of 33.04 years. A final best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) of 20/60 or better was noted in 10 (71.42%) of 14 patients. Final reattachment with more than 1 surgery was achieved in 13 (92.85%) patients. Postoperative complications included retinal detachment (RD) and phthisis bulbi in 1 (14.28%) patient each. CONCLUSIONS: Combined cataract extraction with PPV and metallic IOFB removal through sclerocorneal tunnel using the "magnet handshake" technique gives good visual and surgical outcomes.

Acute angle closure glaucoma secondary to polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy - a devastating complication.

Acute angle closure glaucoma (ACG) in the setting of polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy (PCV) is a catastrophic complication that has been documented infrequently in literature. Ours is the second only report that describes hemorrhagic choroidal detachment as an event leading to acute angle closure glaucoma in PCV patients and the first one to describe the use of diode cyclophotocoagulation (CPC) for this condition. The purpose of this article is to familiarize readers with this entity that has an extremely dismal visual prognosis. Ours is a descriptive case report of two patients with PCV complicated by sudden onset hemorrhagic choroidal detachment (CD) and acute ACG. Both patients had severe pain with no perception of light at presentation with an acute angle closure attack. Both underwent diode CPC for pain relief and control of intraocular pressure (IOP). Both our patients did not regain any vision, but their pain was relieved by diode CPC. Both eyes eventually became phthisical. Acute ACG following massive hemorrhagic CD is a rare but grave complication of PCV, not amenable to treatment. Diode CPC is an effective palliative modality of management to achieve pain relief in such cases.

Traumatic endophthalmitis following a crane pecking injury - An unusual mode.

PURPOSE: To report a case of beta-hemolytic streptococcal endophthalmitis following crane-pecking injury. CASE REPORT: A twelve-year-old boy was brought to us by his father with history of crane beak injury in his right eye. On examination, his vision was 6/24 Snellen's acuity. Anterior segment examination showed a full thickness two mm corneo-limbal tear at 1 o'clock with iris prolapse. Pupil showed peaking through the wound with a clear crystalline lens. There was no evidence of hypopyon in the anterior chamber and B-scan ultrasonography showed acoustically clear vitreous with an attached retina. Left eye was within normal limits. Primary corneo-limbal tear repair was performed within 24 hours from the time of presentation. Intra-operatively, the corneal surgeon noted turbid aqueous with minimal hypopyon. In view of clinical suspicion of infection, an intravitreal tap for culture was taken during the primary repair, and prophylactic intravitreal antibiotics were given. The culture report showed beta-hemolytic streptococci. Pars plana vitrectomy with intravitreal antibiotics was performed after 2 days as serial ultrasound scans showed appearance and worsening of endophthalmitis. A month after the surgery, his best corrected visual acuity improved to 6/12. CONCLUSION: Ocular injuries resulting from bird pecking are very rare. We treated a case of full thickness corneo-limbal tear with endophthalmitis caused by beta-hemolytic streptococci following a crane-pecking injury. We recommend that injecting intravitreal antibiotics along with primary globe repair in case of severe/contaminated injuries and early pars plana core-vitrectomy would result in better outcome like in our case.