Efficacy of Vitrectomy With Tamponade Versus No Tamponade for Myopic Traction Maculopathy: A Multicenter Study (SCHISIS Report No.1).

PURPOSE: To evaluate the influence of tamponade on the visual and anatomic outcomes of pars plana vitrectomy for myopic traction maculopathy (MTM). DESIGN: Multicenter, retrospective clinical cohort study. METHODS: Consecutive eyes that underwent vitrectomy for advanced MTM with tamponade of air, sulfur hexafluoride (SF6), or perfluoropropane (C3F8) or without tamponade with a minimum follow-up of 12 months were included. Main outcome measures included postoperative visual acuity (VA) at 12 months in eyes with vs without tamponade. RESULTS: We included a total of 193 eyes (193 patients) in this study; 136 eyes (70%) treated with tamponade were compared with 57 eyes (30%) treated without tamponade. Baseline characteristics did not differ significantly between the groups. Both groups showed significant visual improvement at 12 months (both P < .001). However, postoperative visual acuity and visual improvement at 12 months were significantly better (P = .003 and P = .028, respectively) in eyes without tamponade, although the MTM in these eyes without tamponade took longer to resolve (P = .039). Retinal thickness and the ellipsoid zone were more preserved in eyes without tamponade (P < .001 and P = .001, respectively). Complications such as macular holes did not differ between the groups. A novel imaging finding of "schisis bending (accordioning)" was identified during MTM resolution. CONCLUSIONS: Vitrectomy either with or without tamponade for MTM was effective in improving vision in this study. However, eyes without tamponade experienced even better visual improvement and preserved retinal anatomy, despite a longer schisis resolution time. Surgery without tamponade may achieve better visual outcomes.

Risk Factors and Outcomes of Postoperative Macular Hole Formation after Vitrectomy for Myopic Traction Maculopathy: SCHISIS Report No. 2.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the incidence, pathogenesis, risk factors, and treatment outcomes of postoperative macular hole (MH) after pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) for myopic traction maculopathy (MTM). DESIGN: Multicenter, interventional, retrospective case series. SUBJECTS: Consecutive eyes that underwent PPV for MTM with a minimum 6-month follow-up. METHODS: We investigated the characteristics and treatment outcomes of postoperative MH after MTM surgery. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Incidence, risk factors, and anatomic and visual outcomes of postoperative MH. RESULTS: We included 207 eyes (207 patients) with a mean follow-up of 25.9 months. During follow-up, 24 (11.6%) eyes developed MH (10 with concurrent MH retinal detachment); 15 eyes within 30 days (early), 4 eyes between 31 and 180 days (intermediate), and 5 eyes after 180 days (late). Logistic regression analysis revealed male gender (odds ratio [OR], 2.917; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.198-7.100; P = 0.018), thinner preoperative choroidal thickness (OR, 0.988; 95% CI, 0.976-1.000; P = 0.048), and use of indocyanine green for internal limiting membrane peeling (OR, 2.960; 95% CI, 1.172-7.476; P = 0.022) as significant risk factors for postoperative MH. Internal limiting membrane peeling with a fovea-sparing technique tended to protect against postoperative MH, but it was not statistically significant (P = 0.096), because 1 eye still developed MH. Postoperative MHs were treated by observation (6 eyes), in-office octafluoropropane (C3F8) gas injection (7 eyes), or PPV (11 eyes). Macular hole closure was achieved in 20 eyes (83%). The hole closure rate was 67% (4/6 eyes) after observation, 71% (5/7 eyes) after C3F8 gas injection, and 91% (10/11 eyes) after PPV. However, visual outcomes were significantly worse for eyes with postoperative MH than those without (0.38 ± 0.43 vs. 0.68 ± 0.46; P = 0.002). CONCLUSIONS: Postoperative MH may occur in 11.6% of patients with MTM at any time after surgery. Retreatment resulted in relatively favorable anatomic closure but unfavorable visual outcomes. FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE(S): Proprietary or commercial disclosure may be found in the Footnotes and Disclosures at the end of this article.

Association between choriocapillaris flow deficit and choroidal neovascularization activity in eyes with myopic choroidal neovascularization.

Although choriocapillaris flow deficit (CFD) around choroidal neovascularization (CNV) is less associated with CNV activity in myopic eyes, no reports are investigating its size as an indicator of CNV activity. We investigated the relationship between CFD and high myopia-related CNV. In this retrospective, observational study, patients underwent optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) with split-spectrum amplitude-decorrelation angiography for diagnosing pathological myopic CNV (mCNV); CFD features around CNV margins were evaluated. Of the 33 eyes (30 patients), 11 (33.3%) had active mCNV, and 22 (66.7%) had inactive CNV. Six eyes (18.2%) were treatment-naïve, while the remainder previously underwent anti-vascular endothelial growth factor therapy. On OCTA, blood flow signals were detected in CNV in the outer retinal layer in 28 (84.8%) eyes, including all active cases (11 cases) and 17 (77.3%) of 22 inactive cases. CNV flow signal size correlated significantly with activity (P < 0.001). CFD around CNV was observed in 24 eyes (72.7%), including all active cases (11 cases) and 13 (59.1%) of 22 inactive cases. CFD size correlated significantly with CNV activity (P < 0.001). The size of both the CFD area around CNV and CNV flow signal area are useful indicators of CNV activity in eyes with mCNV, which may help determine treatment timing.

IMI Pathologic Myopia.

Pathologic myopia is a major cause of visual impairment worldwide. Pathologic myopia is distinctly different from high myopia. High myopia is a high degree of myopic refractive error, whereas pathologic myopia is defined by a presence of typical complications in the fundus (posterior staphyloma or myopic maculopathy equal to or more serious than diffuse choroidal atrophy). Pathologic myopia often occurs in eyes with high myopia, however its complications especially posterior staphyloma can also occur in eyes without high myopia. Owing to a recent advance in ocular imaging, an objective and accurate diagnosis of pathologic myopia has become possible. Especially, optical coherence tomography has revealed novel lesions like dome-shaped macula and myopic traction maculopathy. Wide-field optical coherence tomography has succeeded in visualizing the entire extent of large staphylomas. The effectiveness of new therapies for complications have been shown, such as anti-VEGF therapies for myopic macular neovascularization and vitreoretinal surgery for myopic traction maculopathy. Myopia, especially childhood myopia, has been increasing rapidly in the world. In parallel with an increase in myopia, the prevalence of high myopia has also been increasing. However, it remains unclear whether or not pathologic myopia will increase in parallel with an increase of myopia itself. In addition, it has remained unclear whether genes responsible for pathologic myopia are the same as those for myopia in general, or whether pathologic myopia is genetically different from other myopia.

Fovea-Sparing versus Standard Internal Limiting Membrane Peeling for Myopic Traction Maculopathy: A Study of 102 Consecutive Cases.

PURPOSE: To investigate the long-term outcomes of pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) with fovea-sparing internal limiting membrane (ILM) peeling (FSIP) and standard ILM peeling for myopic traction maculopathy (MTM). DESIGN: Retrospective case series. PARTICIPANTS: A total of 102 eyes of 96 consecutive patients who underwent primary PPV for MTM and were followed up for at least 12 months. METHODS: We compared the outcomes of eyes that underwent vitrectomy with FSIP from October 2012 to March 2017 with those of eyes that underwent vitrectomy with standard ILM peeling from June 2008 to September 2012. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) at 12 months and the final follow-up visit after surgery, time to MTM resolution, and postoperative complications such as macular hole (MH) formation. RESULTS: There were 26 and 76 eyes in the FSIP and standard ILM peeling groups, respectively. In both groups, the mean visual acuity (VA) at the 12-month follow-up was significantly improved relative to the mean preoperative VA (P < 0.001 for both groups). The preoperative and postoperative BCVA (logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution) showed no significant between-group differences (preoperative: 0.60±0.35 in the FSIP group and 0.61±0.39 in the standard ILM peeling group, P = 0.935; postoperative BCVA: 0.32 ± 0.43 in the FSIP group and 0.37 ± 0.38 in the standard ILM peeling group, P = 0.281). The mean time to the resolution of foveal retinal detachment and schisis was also comparable between groups (8.9 ± 4.8 months in the FSIP group and 6.9 ± 4.6 months in the standard ILM peeling group, P = 0.084). None of the eyes in the FSIP group and 6 eyes (8%) in the standard ILM peeling group developed postoperative MH. Consequently, the BCVA at 12 months deteriorated by 3 or more lines for 4 eyes (5%) in the standard ILM peeling group; this deterioration was not observed for any eye in the FSIP group. Risk factors for postoperative MH formation were worse preoperative visual acuity (P = 0.035) and thinner choroidal thickness (P = 0.025). CONCLUSIONS: The visual and anatomic improvements after vitrectomy with FSIP may be comparable to those after vitrectomy with standard ILM peeling, with FSIP showing the ability to prevent postoperative MH formation and a consequent impairment in vision.

Accuracy of a deep convolutional neural network in the detection of myopic macular diseases using swept-source optical coherence tomography.

This study examined and compared outcomes of deep learning (DL) in identifying swept-source optical coherence tomography (OCT) images without myopic macular lesions [i.e., no high myopia (nHM) vs. high myopia (HM)], and OCT images with myopic macular lesions [e.g., myopic choroidal neovascularization (mCNV) and retinoschisis (RS)]. A total of 910 SS-OCT images were included in the study as follows and analyzed by k-fold cross-validation (k = 5) using DL's renowned model, Visual Geometry Group-16: nHM, 146 images; HM, 531 images; mCNV, 122 images; and RS, 111 images (n = 910). The binary classification of OCT images with or without myopic macular lesions; the binary classification of HM images and images with myopic macular lesions (i.e., mCNV and RS images); and the ternary classification of HM, mCNV, and RS images were examined. Additionally, sensitivity, specificity, and the area under the curve (AUC) for the binary classifications as well as the correct answer rate for ternary classification were examined. The classification results of OCT images with or without myopic macular lesions were as follows: AUC, 0.970; sensitivity, 90.6%; specificity, 94.2%. The classification results of HM images and images with myopic macular lesions were as follows: AUC, 1.000; sensitivity, 100.0%; specificity, 100.0%. The correct answer rate in the ternary classification of HM images, mCNV images, and RS images were as follows: HM images, 96.5%; mCNV images, 77.9%; and RS, 67.6% with mean, 88.9%.Using noninvasive, easy-to-obtain swept-source OCT images, the DL model was able to classify OCT images without myopic macular lesions and OCT images with myopic macular lesions such as mCNV and RS with high accuracy. The study results suggest the possibility of conducting highly accurate screening of ocular diseases using artificial intelligence, which may improve the prevention of blindness and reduce workloads for ophthalmologists.

Effect of intravitreal injection of aflibercept or ranibizumab on chorioretinal atrophy in myopic choroidal neovascularization.

PURPOSE: To compare chorioretinal atrophy (CRA) progression in myopic choroidal neovascularization (mCNV) between intravitreal injections of ranibizumab (IVR) and aflibercept (IVA) in the eyes with mCNV. METHODS: Thirty eyes (28 patients) with treatment-naïve mCNV were included in this study. IVR or IVA was administered for up to 1 year. The best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) was measured, and fundus photographs and fundus autofluorescence were obtained before and 1, 3, 6, and 12 months after the initial treatment. The clinical characteristics including the macular choroidal thickness in various areas and CRA progression were compared between the drugs. The clinical characteristics and macular choroidal thicknesses were compared between eyes with and without CRA progression. RESULTS: The BCVA improved significantly (p < 0.05 for all comparisons) from 0.44 to 0.26, 0.19, 0.20, and 0.17 after 1, 3, 6, and 12 months, respectively. CRA progressed in 12 (40%) eyes over 1 year. The CRA progression did not differ significantly between aflibercept and ranibizumab. The foveal choroid was significantly (p = 0.0043) thinner in aflibercept-treated eyes compared with ranibizumab-treated eyes at 1 year. Subfoveal CNV tended to cause CRA progression more frequently at 1 year, although this did not reach significance. CONCLUSIONS: IVA to treat mCNV caused more severe thinning of the foveal choroid than ranibizumab; however, no significant difference was seen in CRA progression between the drugs and the choroidal thickness should not be associated with CRA progression. The CNV location may predict CRA progression after anti-vascular endothelial growth factor therapy for mCNV.

Diagnosis and treatment guideline for myopic choroidal neovascularization due to pathologic myopia.

Pathologic myopia is a leading cause of visual impairment. Development of myopic choroidal neovascularization (CNV) is one of the most common complications that leads to central vision loss in patients with pathologic myopia. If left untreated, it can cause scarring with expanding macular atrophy leading to irreversible visual loss in a period as short as 5 years. Advancements in multimodal imaging technology have furthered our understanding of the condition; however, further studies are necessary to extend its utility in the diagnosis of myopic CNV. Intravitreal anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF) therapy has become the standard-of-care and the recommended first-line treatment option for myopic CNV. Long-term studies have demonstrated that early treatment of confirmed myopic CNV cases with an intravitreal anti-VEGF agent is useful to avoid late-stage complications. This strategy has also been shown to achieve visual outcome improvements for up to 4 years and visual stabilization up to 6 years. This review article provides an overview of the current knowledge on myopic CNV and discusses recent updates in the diagnosis and management of the condition. Furthermore, treatment recommendations are provided based on the authors' expert opinions.

MACULAR HOLE CLOSURE OVER RESIDUAL SUBRETINAL FLUID BY AN INVERTED INTERNAL LIMITING MEMBRANE FLAP TECHNIQUE IN PATIENTS WITH MACULAR HOLE RETINAL DETACHMENT IN HIGH MYOPIA.

PURPOSE: To describe the closure of a macular hole over residual subretinal fluid in patients with macular hole retinal detachment in high myopia who had been treated using an inverted internal limiting membrane flap technique. METHODS: Three patients with macular hole retinal detachment in high myopia underwent pars plana vitrectomy using the inverted internal limiting membrane flap technique. One patient received a silicone oil injection, and the other two patients received a long-acting gas injection at the end of the surgery. After surgery, spectral domain ocular coherence tomography examination was performed. RESULTS: In the patient with the silicone oil injection, spectral domain optical coherence tomography revealed that the macular hole was sealed with an inverted internal limiting membrane flap in the presence of subretinal fluid 1 day after surgery. The inner retinal layers gradually regained a more physiologic configuration over the residual subretinal fluid. In all patients, macular holes were completely closed over the subretinal fluid, which was gradually absorbed. CONCLUSION: Using the inverted internal limiting membrane flap technique, macular holes were closed over residual subretinal fluid in patients with macular hole retinal detachment. The results indicate that reattachment of the retina may not be necessary for closure of macular holes.

Intravitreal Aflibercept Injection in Patients with Myopic Choroidal Neovascularization: The MYRROR Study.

PURPOSE: To evaluate intravitreal aflibercept 2 mg in patients with myopic choroidal neovascularization (CNV). DESIGN: An international, phase III, multicenter, randomized, double-masked, sham-controlled study. PARTICIPANTS: Patients aged ≥ 18 years with high myopia (≤-6.0 diopters or axial length of ≥ 26.5 mm), active myopic CNV, and best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) of 73-35 Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study letters in the study eye were included. METHODS: Patients were randomized 3:1 to intravitreal aflibercept or sham. In the intravitreal aflibercept arm, patients received 1 injection at baseline. Additional injections were performed in case of CNV persistence or recurrence at monthly visits through week 44. In the sham arm, patients received sham injections through week 20. At week 24, after assessment of the primary efficacy end point, sham patients received a mandatory intravitreal aflibercept injection followed by intravitreal aflibercept (if disease persisted/recurred) or sham injection every 4 weeks. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Mean change in BCVA from baseline to week 24. RESULTS: A total of 122 patients were randomized to intravitreal aflibercept (n = 91) or sham (n = 31). Baseline demographics were similar across groups. At week 24, patients in the intravitreal aflibercept and sham groups gained 12.1 and lost 2 letters, respectively (P < 0.0001). By week 48, patients in the intravitreal aflibercept and sham/intravitreal aflibercept groups gained 13.5 and 3.9 letters. Patients in the intravitreal aflibercept group received 2 injections (median) in the first study quarter (week 0-8). Median number of injections in quarters 2 to 4 was 0. Patients in the "sham/intravitreal aflibercept" group received 2 and 1 (median) intravitreal aflibercept injections in quarters 3 and 4. Central retinal thickness improved in parallel with visual gains. Incidence of ocular adverse events was similar in both groups through week 48 (37.4% vs. 38.7); most were assessed by investigators as mild. No deaths occurred. CONCLUSIONS: Intravitreal aflibercept 2 mg was effective for treatment of myopic CNV with clinically important visual and anatomic benefits achieved with a limited number of injections given in the first 8 weeks of treatment. No new safety concerns occurred with treatment. Intravitreal aflibercept should be considered as a treatment option for myopic CNV.

Comparison of visual prognoses between natural course of simple hemorrhage and choroidal neovascularization treated with intravitreal bevacizumab in highly myopic eyes: a 1-year follow-up.

PURPOSE: To compare the long-term outcomes of simple hemorrhage (SH) without any treatments and myopic choroidal neovascularization (mCNV) treated with intravitreal bevacizumab in highly myopic eyes. METHODS: Twenty eyes (17 patients) with SH and 28 eyes (27 patients) with mCNV were included. We retrospectively evaluated the refractive error, axial length, age, best-corrected visual acuity, and the integrity of photoreceptor inner segment/outer segment junction and compared the two groups. RESULTS: The mean patient age was 41.6 ± 11.2 years, the mean refractive error -12.7 ± 3.57 diopters, and the mean axial length was 29.64 ± 1.42 mm. Patients in the SH group were significantly (P < 0.001) younger than those in the mCNV group (34.8 vs. 46.5 years, respectively). There were no significant differences in other parameters between the groups. Compared with baseline, the best-corrected visual acuity improved significantly (P < 0.01) at 12 months in both groups. The change in vision at 12 months in the SH group was significantly (P < 0.05) better than that in the mCNV group, although there were no significant differences at 3 months or 6 months. The final integrity of photoreceptor inner segment/outer segment junction was significantly associated with the final best-corrected visual acuity (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Eyes with SH had a more favorable visual prognosis compared with eyes with mCNV treated with intravitreal bevacizumab. The differential diagnosis of these pathologies is important.

Consecutive case series with long-term follow-up of full macular translocation for myopic choroidal neovascularisation.

AIM: To examine the long-term outcomes of full macular translocation (FMT) for myopic choroidal neovascularisation (mCNV). METHODS: We evaluated a consecutive case series of 60 eyes with mCNV that underwent FMT. We assessed the best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), fundus photographs and fluorescein angiography images, and evaluated the anatomic and visual outcomes. RESULTS: The mean follow-up period was 76.3 months. The macula was relocated successfully in all eyes. The mean distance of macular translocation was 2842 µm. The baseline BCVA was 0.78 logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution (logMAR) unit; the logMAR BCVA values at 1, 3 and 5 years postoperatively significantly (p<0.001) improved to 0.54 at 1 year and then remained stable. The new fovea was associated with enlargement of the myopic chorioretinal atrophy in 19 (31.7%) eyes. Subfoveal or juxtafoveal CNV at the translocated new fovea developed in five (8.3%) eyes. CONCLUSIONS: FMT for mCNV maintained the improvement in VA for more than 5 years. However, postoperative complications and progression of chorioretinal atrophy due to myopia still seem to limit the visual improvement after FMT for mCNV.

Comparison of spectral-domain and high-penetration OCT for observing morphologic changes in age-related macular degeneration and polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy.

BACKGROUND: We compared the visibility of retinal and choroidal pathologies using high-penetration optical coherence tomography (HP-OCT) with a long-wavelength light source (1,050 nm) and conventional spectral-domain OCT (SD-OCT) in age-related macular degeneration (AMD). METHODS: One hundred and forty-six eyes were included: 63 eyes with AMD, 79 eyes with polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy (PCV), and four eyes with retinal angiomatous proliferation. The SD-OCT and HP-OCT images were compared using the grading criteria to grade the visibility of the retinal changes, the line corresponding to the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE), and the chorioscleral interface (CSI). In 132 eyes with a pigment epithelial detachment (PED), we graded the structures inside the PED, Bruch's line, and the CSI. We compared the visibility of those changes in eyes with subretinal hyperreflective changes due to a subretinal hemorrhage (SRH) (n = 17) or a hemorrhage inside the PED (HPED) (n = 12). RESULTS: HP-OCT provided superior visibility of the following structures compared to SD-OCT (P < 0.01): the CSI, structures inside the PED, Bruch's line inside the PED, the CSI inside the PED, SRH, type 1 CNV, polyps, and HPED. There were no significant differences between the two OCT devices in the scores for the RPE line, retinal morphology, or type 2 CNV and/or fibrin. CONCLUSION: HP-OCT visualizes morphologies beneath the RPE better than SD-OCT, and is equivalent to SD-OCT for visualizing morphologies above the RPE.

Changes in choroidal thickness after cataract surgery.

PURPOSE: To evaluate changes in choroidal thickness before and after cataract surgery and factors affecting the changes. SETTING: Tsukazaki Hospital, Himeji, Japan. DESIGN: Prospective interventional study. METHODS: Patients having cataract surgery without other eye pathology were studied. The corrected distance visual acuity (CDVA), intraocular pressure (IOP), axial length (AL), and enhanced-depth-imaging optical coherence tomography (OCT) were measured preoperatively. The choroidal thickness was measured at 5 points (subfoveal and 1.5 mm nasal, temporal, superior, and inferior to the fovea) using the OCT device's software. Enhanced-depth-imaging OCT and IOP measurements were obtained 3 days, 1 and 3 weeks, and 3 and 6 months postoperatively and compared with the baseline values. Stepwise analysis determined which factors (ie, age, CDVA, preoperative IOP, AL, operative time, changes in IOP) were associated with changes in choroidal thickness. RESULTS: One hundred eyes were analyzed. The postoperative IOP significantly decreased at 3 weeks, 3 months, and 6 months. The postoperative choroidal thickness significantly increased at the foveal and inferior regions throughout the follow-up; at the nasal region at 3 days, 1 week, and 6 months; at the temporal region at 1 week; and at the superior region at 6 months. These changes negatively correlated with those in IOP early after surgery. The changes in choroidal thickness later negatively correlated with the AL in all regions. CONCLUSION: Cataract surgery caused changes in choroidal thickness. The AL and changes in the IOP are critical for evaluating the changes in choroidal thickness. FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE: No author has a financial or proprietary interest in any material or method mentioned.

Risk factors for development of full-thickness macular holes after pars plana vitrectomy for myopic foveoschisis.

PURPOSE: To identify risk factors for development of secondary full-thickness macular holes after pars plana vitrectomy with internal limiting membrane (ILM) peeling for myopic foveoschisis. DESIGN: Retrospective, interventional case series. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the records of 42 eyes (42 patients) treated with pars plana vitrectomy (vitreous separation, internal limiting membrane peeling, and gas tamponade) for myopic foveoschisis with and without a retinal detachment but without a macular hole from January 2002 through June 2012. Cataract surgery was performed in all phakic eyes. Patients were followed up for 6 months after the initial surgery, and optical coherence tomography images were obtained at every visit. The factors associated with development of postoperative full-thickness macular holes were investigated. RESULTS: A postoperative macular hole developed in 8 (19.0%) eyes. No significant correlations of age (P = .369), axial length (P = .113), visual acuity (P = .859), foveal status (P = .331), posterior staphyloma (P = 1.000), or chorioretinal atrophy (P = .837) were found between patients with and without secondary macular holes. Among the characteristics seen on the optical coherence tomography images, the percentage of eyes with an inner segment/outer segment junction defect was significantly (P = .013, Fisher exact test) higher in patients with a macular hole than in those without a macular hole. Logistic regression analysis showed that only an inner segment/outer segment junction defect (P = .018) was a significant risk factor for development of secondary macular holes. CONCLUSIONS: Secondary macular holes can develop in myopic foveoschisis after pars plana vitrectomy with internal limiting membrane peeling. A preoperative inner segment/outer segment junction defect can be a risk factor for development of a macular hole.

Commercially available rigid gas-permeable contact lens for protecting the cornea from drying during vitrectomy with a wide viewing system.

PURPOSE: We evaluated the usefulness of commercially available materials for protecting the cornea from drying during vitrectomy with a wide-angle viewing system. METHODS: THREE VITREORETINAL SURGEONS EVALUATED FUNDUS VISIBILITY DURING VITRECTOMY ON THE IMAGES OF FIVE STUDY MATERIALS USED ON THE CORNEA: balanced saline solution, a viscoelastic agent, a vitrectomy contact lens, a rigid gas permeable (RGP) contact lens, and a soft contact lens. Fundus visibility was graded using the following scale: grade 1, unclear; grade 2, slightly unclear; grade 3, clear; and grade 4, very clear. RESULTS: RESPECTIVE SCORES FOR EACH MATERIAL USED DURING CORE VITRECTOMY AND MEMBRANE REMOVAL WERE: balanced saline solution, 3.3/3.3; viscoelastic agent, 3.8/3.3; vitrectomy contact lens, 3.3/4.0; RGP contact lens, 4.0/3.9; soft contact lens, 1.1/not applicable. CONCLUSION: The RGP contact lens provided visibility similar to or clearer than that obtained with other methods. Because of its ease of use and lower cost, use of the RGP contact lens is ideal during vitrectomy performed with a wide-angle viewing system.

Long-term follow-up after vitrectomy to treat idiopathic full-thickness macular holes: visual acuity and macular complications.

BACKGROUND: To assess time-course changes in best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) up to 5 years after vitrectomy to treat idiopathic full-thickness macular holes (MHs) and identify the relationship of the changes to postoperative complications. METHODS: Twenty-three consecutive patients with an idiopathic MH underwent vitrectomy without adjuvant treatment. BCVA and complications were assessed postoperatively. RESULTS: Twenty-two of 23 (95.7%) MHs closed after the first surgery, with a final anatomic success rate of 100%. The time course of the BCVA was analyzed in 20 cases in which data were obtained for over 5 years. The BCVA improved by 0.43 logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution (logMAR) unit 6 months postoperatively (P < 0.001) and continuously improved by 0.05, 0.06, and 0.07 logMAR units between 6 months and 1 year, 1 year and 3 years (by 0.11 logMAR unit between 6 months and 3 years; P = 0.049), and 3 years and 5 years (P = 0.018) postoperatively, respectively. Macular complications developed in seven (35%) of the 20 cases; the mean BCVA at 5 years in these cases was significantly (P < 0.001) worse than in cases without complications. CONCLUSION: The BCVA might improve gradually for 5 years after vitrectomy to treat MHs. However, the macular complications that can develop postoperatively could limit that possibility.

Effectiveness of 1.25 % povidone-iodine combined with topical levofloxacin against conjunctival flora in intravitreal injection.

PURPOSE: To compare the effect of a reduced concentration (1.25 %) of povidone-iodine (PI) eye drops, combined with 0.5 % topical levofloxacin (LVFX), with that of the standard of care (5 % PI) on conjunctival flora before intravitreal injections (IVT). METHODS: A prospective, randomized, single-blind clinical trial. One hundred eyes from 100 patients who underwent IVT were included. Eyes were randomly assigned to two groups and underwent different preparatory procedures before therapeutic IVT. LVFX drops were instilled three times every 5 min and then either 1.25 % PI drops were instilled three times every few minutes in group A or 5 % PI drops were instilled three times every few minutes in group B, the control. Conjunctival flora and the injection needles were collected for culture both before and after preparation. The number of positive cultures, the species isolated, and the minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) of the antibiotics were assessed. RESULTS: The pretreatment culture was positive for 45 eyes (86.5 %) in group A (n = 52) and for 37 eyes (77.1 %) in group B (n = 48). After the preparatory procedure, the cultures were positive for 25 eyes (48.1 %) in group A and for 27 eyes (56.3 %) in group B (P = 0.43). After preparation, the number of positive cultures decreased by 46.7 % in group A and by 33.4 % in group B (P = 0.48). No needle samples were contaminated in either group. The most common isolate in both groups after preparation for surgery was Propionibacterium acnes. Among the different antibiotics, vancomycin and oxacillin had the lowest MIC >90 for overall isolates. CONCLUSIONS: 1.25 % PI with LVFX is as effective as 5 % PI. P. acnes was the most common conjunctival flora detected. Vancomycin has been confirmed as the best choice for treating infectious endophthalmitis after IVT.

Three-year visual and anatomic results of administrating intravitreal bevacizumab in inflammatory ocular neovascularization.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the 3-year visual outcome of intravitreal bevacizumab in inflammatory ocular neovascularization. DESIGN: Experimental study. METHODS: Retrospective multicenter consecutive case series in 81 patients with inflammatory ocular neovascularization refractory to standard therapy and treated with intravitreal bevacizumab. The outcome measures included improvement of best corrected visual acuity expressed as logarithm of minimum angle of resolution (logMAR) and paired comparison decrease in central foveal thickness by optical coherence tomography. RESULTS: Mean best corrected visual acuity improved from baseline 0.699 (6/30 or 20/101) (SD 0.434) to 0.426 (6/16 or 20/53) (SD 0.428) (n = 81; p < 0.001), a gain of 2.7 lines (median 3 injections; 81 eyes; 81 patients). Paired comparisons revealed significant central foveal flattening at 3 years of 97.9 µm (n = 51; p < 0.001). In a subgroup analysis, visual improvement was significant for ocular histoplasmosis (p = 0.026); multifocal choroiditis (p = 0.05); serpiginous choroiditis (p = 0.028); ocular toxoplasmosis (p = 0.042); and punctate inner choroidopathy (p = 0.015). In a subgroup analysis, foveal flattening was significant for ocular histoplasmosis (p = 0.004); multifocal choroiditis (p = 0.007); serpiginous choroiditis (p = 0.011); and punctate inner choroidopathy (p = 0.001). Of the group, 5 eyes developed submacular fibrosis, 1 eye retinal pigment epithelial tear, and 1 eye macular ischemia in the context of vasculitis. CONCLUSION: At 3 years, intravitreal bevacizumab sustained significant visual improvement of 2.7 lines and significant foveal flattening of 98 µm in a wide variety of inflammatory ocular diseases without major complications after a median of 3 injections.