Yokoyama procedure for esotropia associated with high myopia: real-world data from a large-scale multicentre analysis.

PURPOSE: High myopic patients may develop strabismus due to globe dislocation out of the normal extraocular muscle cone. Surgical correction of this strabismus type is possible by joining the superior and lateral rectus muscles without the need for a scleral suture called the Yokoyama procedure. Data from large patient samples and the evaluation of a potential effect of an additional medial rectus recession (MRR) have been lacking so far. METHODS: We pooled retrospective patient data of 14 departments of ophthalmology in Germany and Switzerland and analysed determinants of postoperative results using multivariable regression models. RESULTS: We included 133 patients (mean age: 59.7 ± 13.4 years, surgery between 2008 and 2017) with a mean preoperative esotropia (both Yokoyama with and without MRR) of 23.8°±4.6°. The angle of preoperative esotropia increased with age. The postoperative esotropia was 8.7° ± 9.9°, and six patients were overcorrected. While preoperative esotropia was highly associated with postoperative results, we found no association of additional MRR with any of our postoperative outcome measures. The Yokoyama procedure had a higher absolute effect in patients with higher preoperative esotropia. CONCLUSION: Our study confirms the positive effect of the Yokoyama procedure on strabismus due to high myopia in large-scale real-world data. In some cases, MRR may be needed because of muscle contracture, although additional MRR statistically did not affect the postoperative outcome. In patients with bilateral high myopic strabismus, correction of both eyes seems beneficial. The effect size of the Yokoyama procedure appears to be mainly driven by preoperative esotropia.

Effect of antibiotic prophylaxis on Coagulase-negative Staphylococcus virulence factor profiles in patients undergoing cataract surgery.

PURPOSE: In this prospective study, multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was used to identify genes encoding virulence factors (ica, atlE and mecA) in Coagulase-negative Staphylococcus (CNS) isolates from the ocular microbiota of patients undergoing cataract surgery and to investigate possible changes in the CNS profile due to antibiotic prophylaxis. METHODS: Between 09/2011 and 08/2013, patients undergoing cataract surgery were recruited at the Department of Ophthalmology, National University of Asuncion, Paraguay. In the eye to be operated on, patients received moxifloxacin 0.5 % eye drops four times at the day before surgery and a last drop 1 hour before surgery (T1). The other eye remained as control (T0). Conjunctival swabs were taken from both eyes 1 hour after the last drop. The presence of genes encoding biofilm formation (ica and atlE) and methicillin resistance (mecA) was detected by a multiplex PCR. RESULTS: Of the 162 patients (162 study eyes, 162 fellow eye as control group), 87 (53.7 %) eyes were positive for CNS at T0 yielding 96 CNS isolates; 70 eyes (43.2 %) were positive at T1 yielding 77 CNS isolates. For this study, 43 CNS isolates (44.8 %) from T0 and 45 (64.3 %) from T1 were used. Of the total isolates, 81.8 % (72/88) had at least one virulence factor gene (37/43 from T0 and 35/45 from T1) (p = 0.314). Simultaneous detection of ica and atlE genes was higher in T0 (58.0 %) than T1 (46.7 %), but the difference was not significant (p = 0.28). CONCLUSION: A high frequency of genes encoding virulence factors was observed in the coagulase-negative Staphylococcus isolates. The use of moxifloxacin did not significantly modify the CNS virulence factor profiles.

Artificial iris implantation in a 9-year-old boy.

PURPOSE: To demonstrate the successful surgical treatment of congenital aniridia. METHODS: Development of sight-impairing cortical cataracts in a young boy with congenital aniridia led to the decision to perform phacoemulsification, intraocular lens implantation, and artificial iris implantation in each eye. RESULTS: Thorough examination showed that aniridia and cataract were the explanation for the patient's symptoms (sensitivity to glare and visual impairment). Combined surgery was performed without complication. A follow-up visit showed an improved corrected distance visual acuity of 8/20 (OU) and correctly centered implants. CONCLUSIONS: Artificial Iris® implantation combined with cataract surgery was successful in treating this child with congenital aniridia and lens opacification.

Comparison of 1-day versus 1-hour application of topical neomycin/polymyxin-B before cataract surgery.

PURPOSE: To compare the efficacy of 2 prophylaxis regimens before cataract surgery using topical antibiotics (1 hour before surgery versus the day before), both with povidone-iodine, with regard to reducing the preoperative conjunctival bacterial load. SETTING: Tertiary ophthalmic referral center, Munich, Germany. DESIGN: Prospective comparative case series. METHODS: Eyes were treated with topical antibiotics and their conjunctival sac flush irrigated using 10 mL of povidone-iodine 1.0%. All eyes were randomized to receive either 4 applications of topical 3500 IU/mL neomycin sulfate/6000 IU/mL polymyxin-B sulfate within 1 hour preoperatively (Group 1) or on the day before surgery (Group 2). Conjunctival specimens were obtained at 4 timepoints: T0C untreated fellow eye (control), T0 surgery eye (after antibiotic prophylaxis but before povidone-iodine irrigation), T1 after povidone-iodine, and T2 at the conclusion of surgery. All specimens were inoculated onto blood and chocolate-blood agar and into thioglycollate broth. RESULTS: One hundred thirty-three eyes of 133 consecutive patients were included (Group 1, 64 eyes; Group 2, 69 eyes). The antibiotic regimens were equally effective in reducing the aerobic and microaerophilic conjunctival flora (Group 1, P=.028; Group 2, P=.000), but had no significant effect on anaerobic bacteria (Group 1, P=.201; Group 2, P=.117). Flush irrigation of the conjunctival sac using 10.0 mL povidone-iodine 1.0% significantly decreased the conjunctival bacterial load in both groups. CONCLUSION: Topical neomycin/polymyxin-B was equally effective in reducing the conjunctival bacterial load whether given 1 day or 1 hour before surgery. The greatest effect was achieved by irrigating the conjunctival sac using povidone-iodine. FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE: No author has a financial or proprietary interest in any material or method mentioned.

Incidence of postoperative endophthalmitis from 1990 to 2009 using povidone-iodine but no intracameral antibiotics at a single academic institution.

PURPOSE: To correlate the incidence of postoperative endophthalmitis with changes in the preoperative prophylaxis over a 20-year period. SETTING: Department of Ophthalmology, Ludwig-Maximilians-University, Munich, Germany. DESIGN: Retrospective chart review. METHODS: Patients diagnosed with postoperative endophthalmitis from 1990 to 2009 after intraocular surgery performed at the same institution were included. Because of changes in the preoperative prophylaxis during the study period, 3 groups were formed for data analysis: Period 1 (1990 to 1992), no standardized prophylaxis regimen; period 2 (1993 to 1998), preoperative topical medication, povidone-iodine 10.0% periorbitally, and 1 drop of povidone-iodine 1.0% in the conjunctiva sac; and period 3 (1999 to 2009), similar to period 2 except with irrigation of the conjunctival sac with 10 mL of povidone-iodine 1.0%. RESULTS: The overall rate of postoperative endophthalmitis was 0.113% (77/68,323) for all intraocular surgeries. It decreased significantly from 0.291% (16/5505) in period 1 to 0.170% (33/19,413) in period 2 to 0.065% (28/43,405) in period 3 (P < .001). In cataract surgery, the overall rate of postoperative endophthalmitis was 0.125% (30/24,034). It decreased in each subsequent period, from 0.338% (9/2662) in period 1 to 0.224% (15/6696) in period 2 to 0.041% (6/14,676) in period 3 (P < .001). Coagulase-negative Staphylococcus was the most commonly isolated organism (47.4%). CONCLUSIONS: The rate of postoperative endophthalmitis decreased over a 20-year period at a single academic institution. Although multiple factors might have contributed to this decline, implementation of a preoperative prophylaxis protocol using copious povidone-iodine might have been the most important contributor. FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE: No author has a financial or proprietary interest in any material or method mentioned.

Reasons reported by African ophthalmologists for staying in Africa and for considering migrating.

In sub-Sahara Africa, the shortage of ophthalmologists is a major obstacle in the struggle of fighting preventable blindness. Migration of well-trained ophthalmologists has an additional negative effect on the low number of caregivers. However, to date, the reasons affecting migration of ophthalmologists have not been completely understood. The present study evaluates reasons reported by ophthalmologists for staying in their current work setting/country and potential reasons why they might consider migrating. In the years 2009-2011, after approval was obtained from the Institutional Review Board, a questionnaire evaluating reasons for and against migration of ophthalmologists was distributed to the participants of 2-week courses in Ethiopia, Cameroon and Kenya providing continuing medical education in the field of ophthalmology. A total of 84 ophthalmologists participated in this survey. The main reasons for staying in their current region/country were good working conditions, commitment to help, possibility of further training, familial ties and general feeling of satisfaction. Professional development elsewhere and better income abroad were named as the main reasons for considering migration. Almost half of the survey participants reported good infrastructure, equipment, and consumables, which is encouraging. Programs aimed at continuing medical education of ophthalmologists to enable professional development may have an appropriate role in the establishment of an ophthalmic infrastructure which can meet patients' needs.

Dermis fat grafts as primary and secondary orbital implants.

INTRODUCTION: This study was performed to evaluate the outcome after autologous dermis-fat graft [DFG] orbital implants in a large sample. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective chart review of all primary and secondary DFGs in a 16-year period was done. Aesthetic and functional results, patients' satisfaction and postoperative complications were evaluated. RESULTS: In total 468 DFGs were performed in the study period (315 primary [I°] and 153 secondary [II°] DGFs). In the analysis, 173 DFG I° and 66 DFG II° were included as sufficient follow-up was available. Median follow-up after DFG I° was 21.5 months and 14 months after DFG II°. After DFG I°, in 76% of patients motility of the graft was possible in all directions; 81% had good fitting of the prosthesis and 83% were highly satisfied with the results. Mean width of palpebral apertures was 0.2 mm smaller and Hertel exophthalmometry revealed a mean enophthalmus of 1.6 mm on the operated side compared to the fellow-eye. After DFG II°, motility was possible in all directions in 34% of patients. Fitting of the prosthesis was good/reasonable in 49%/41% and patients were highly satisfied in 57%. On average, on the operated side palpebral apertures were 0.6 mm smaller and Hertel measurements showed an enophthalmus of 2.6 mm. Major complications were uncommon. Complete necrosis of the implant was more often observed after II° (6.1%) than after I° DFG (3.5%). DISCUSSION: In this large sample, DFG proved to be an effective and safe method for the reconstruction of anophthalmic sockets.

Endophthalmitis after intravitreal injection: decreasing incidence and clinical outcome-8-year results from a tertiary ophthalmic referral center.

PURPOSE: To report the incidence, clinical features, microbiologic culture results, management and visual outcome of patients with endophthalmitis after intravitreal injections (IVTs). METHODS: This retrospective chart review included all patients receiving IVTs between January 2005 and July 2012. Cases of suspected and confirmed endophthalmitis after IVT were identified and reviewed. RESULTS: A total of 20,179 IVTs were perfomed during the study period. Six cases of supected endophthalmitis were identified clinically (0.03%), of which 3 were culture positive (0.015%). The risk of culture-positive post-IVT endophthalmitis was 2/8,882 (0.023%) in the 2005 to 2008 period and 1/11,297 (0.009%) in the period 2009 to 2012. Symptoms developed within the first 3 days after IVT in 4 of the 6 patients and visual acuity was reduced to hand motion in 4 of the 6 patients. Microbiologic specimens were positive on 3 of the 6 cases (coagulase-negative Staphylococcus, n = 2; Staphylococcus aureus, n = 1). Mean visual acuity before patients with endophthalmitis was 20/100, whereas mean final visual acuity at last follow-up was 20/200. CONCLUSION: The incidence of endophthalmitis after IVT was low with no cases because of Streptococcus species in the present setting using povidone-iodine in the preoperative disinfection of the conjunctival sac. Therefore, adherence to standardized protocols including the use of povidone-iodine when performing IVTs is recommended.

Quality of life in the follow-up of uveal melanoma patients after CyberKnife treatment.

To assess quality of life in uveal melanoma patients within the first and second year after CyberKnife radiosurgery. Overall, 91 uveal melanoma patients were evaluated for quality of life through the Short-form (SF-12) Health Survey at baseline and at every follow-up visit over 2 years after CyberKnife radiosurgery. Statistical analysis was carried out using SF Health Outcomes Scoring Software and included subgroup analysis of patients developing secondary glaucoma and of patients maintaining a best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) of the treated eye of 0.5 log(MAR) or better. Analysis of variance, Greenhouse-Geisser correction, Student's t-test, and Fisher's exact test were used to determine statistical significance. Physical Functioning (PF) and Role Physical (RP) showed a significant decrease after CyberKnife radiosurgery, whereas Mental Health (MH) improved (P=0.007, P<0.0001 and P=0.023). MH and Social Functioning (SF) increased significantly (P=0.0003 and 0.026) in the no glaucoma group, MH being higher compared with glaucoma patients (P=0.02). PF and RP were significantly higher in patients with higher BCVA at the second follow-up (P=0.02). RP decreased in patients with BCVA<0.5 log(MAR) (P=0.013). Vitality (VT) increased significantly in patients whose BCVA could be preserved (P=0.031). Neither tumor localization nor size influenced the development of secondary glaucoma or change in BCVA. Although PF and RP decreased over time, MH improved continuously. Prevention of secondary glaucoma has a significant influence on both SF and MH, whereas preservation of BCVA affects VT. Emotional stability throughout follow-up contributes positively toward overall quality of life. CyberKnife radiosurgery may contribute to attenuation of emotional distress in uveal melanoma patients.

Comparison of the efficacy of povidone-iodine 1.0%, 5.0%, and 10.0% irrigation combined with topical levofloxacin 0.3% as preoperative prophylaxis in cataract surgery.

PURPOSE: To compare the efficacy of povidone-iodine 1.0%, 5.0%, and 10.0% in combination with topical levofloxacin 0.3% in reducing the preoperative conjunctival bacterial load before cataract surgery. SETTING: Department of Ophthalmology, Ludwig-Maximilians-University, Munich, Germany. DESIGN: Randomized clinical trial. METHODS: This study enrolled patients scheduled for cataract surgery between July 2010 and January 2011. All patients received topical levofloxacin 0.3% 4 times on the preoperative day and were randomly assigned to these study groups: Group 1 (povidone-iodine 1.0%), Group 2 (povidone-iodine 5.0%), and Group 3 (povidone-iodine 10.0%). In all groups, the conjunctiva was flush irrigated with 10 mL of povidone-iodine of the respective concentration. Conjunctival specimens were obtained at 4 timepoints: baseline (no-surgery eye), before povidone-iodine irrigation, after povidone-iodine irrigation, and at the end of surgery. All specimens were inoculated onto blood and chocolate agars and into thioglycolate broth. RESULTS: The study was completed by 271 patients. In the control smear (no-surgery eye), no significant difference in positive cultures was found. After 10 mL povidone-iodine irrigation, a considerable reduction in the conjunctival bacterial load occurred in all groups. The difference in positive cultures was statistically significant between Group 1 and Group 3 (P=.024) and between Group 2 and Group 3 (P=.029). Coagulase-negative Staphylococcus was the most commonly isolated bacteria in all groups. CONCLUSION: Povidone-iodine 10.0% was more effective than povidone-iodine 1.0% and 5.0% in decreasing the conjunctival bacterial load before surgery. FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE: No author has a financial or proprietary interest in any material or method mentioned.

The therapeutic potential of intraocular depot steroid systems: developments aimed at prolonging duration of efficacy.

BACKGROUND: Corticosteroids play a major role in the treatment of many diseases of the posterior ocular segment. Systemically or topically administered steroids usually do not attain therapeutic concentrations in the retina, as they must first cross the blood-retina barrier. Intravitreal application is a useful alternative means of achieving therapeutic concentrations in the posterior segment but must be repeated every few weeks, because drugs given in this way have a short half-life. Intraocular sustained-release implants have been now developed in order to prolong the effect of intravitreal drugs and to lessen the need for repeated application. Macular edema is a typical indication for intravitreal steroid treatment. METHODS: Selective review of the literature. RESULTS: Various intravitreal corticosteroid implants have been evaluated in prospective, randomized clinical trials in recent years, and some have been approved for clinical use. Implants are either longer-acting and non-resorbable (fluocinolone acetonide implants) or shorter-acting and resorbable (dexamethasone implants). Major adverse effects of intravitreal corticosteroids include the induction or worsening of cataracts and elevated intraocular pressure. The likelihood of a complication varies from implant to implant and depends on the duration of action of the particular one used. CONCLUSION: Intravitreal corticosteroid implants are a new option in the treatment of diseases of the posterior ocular segment. Long-term results are not yet available. The optimal treatment for these diseases will need to be the focus of further clinical research.

Large choroidal melanoma diagnosed after cataract surgery.

A dense cataract prevents detailed fundus examination which may lead to delayed diagnosis of undiscovered intraocular pathology before cataract surgery. We report two cases where large choroidal melanomas were diagnosed after cataract surgery and/or Nd:Yag laser capsulotomy. In the first case, a dense cataract prevented proper examination of the fundus of an 84-year-old female. A brownish choroidal lesion was seen after cataract surgery and diagnosed as postoperative choroidal detachment. As this lesion persisted over months, the patient was sent to our hospital for evaluation where a diagnosis of choroidal melanoma with extrascleral growth was made and an enucleation with implantation of a dermis-fat graft was performed without complication 10 days later. In the second case, a 58-year-old female patient had Nd:Yag laser treatment 2 years after cataract surgery had been performed. During fundus examination 1 day after treatment, the ophthalmologist noticed a choroidal lesion which he suspected to be a reaction to the laser treatment and referred the patient to our hospital where a diagnosis of a mushroom-shaped choroidal melanoma with serous retinal detachment was made. These cases show that preoperative evaluation of the posterior segment prior to cataract surgery or other therapeutic interventions is essential in order to identify any pathology. In case of a dense cataract, additional imaging such as ultrasound sonography is recommended in order to exclude intraocular lesions and to visualize the optic disc in suspected glaucoma.

Application of 10% povidone iodine reduces conjunctival bacterial contamination rate in patients undergoing cataract surgery.

PURPOSE: To determine the efficacy of 10% povidone iodine (PVI) drops given before cataract extraction in addition to routine irrigation of the conjunctival sac with 1% PVI. METHODS: This prospective, randomized, single-center study at the Department of Ophthalmology, Ludwig-Maximilians-University, Munich, includes 263 eyes of 242 patients undergoing cataract surgery. Patients were randomized to receive 3 drops of 10% PVI into the conjunctival sac (study group) or no PVI drops (control group). All patients underwent periorbital disinfection with 10% PVI followed by irrigation of the conjunctiva with 10 mL of 1% PVI. Specimens were obtained prior to the application of PVI, after antibiotic administration (T1), after irrigation with PVI but before surgery (T2), and at the conclusion of surgery (T3). RESULTS: After PVI disinfection, the number of positive cultures was significantly reduced in all groups (p<0.0001) from 69%-93% at T1 to 1%-16% at T3. In outpatients, the study group showed significantly fewer positive cultures at the conclusion of surgery compared to the control group (4% vs 16%; p=0.03). Also in inpatients significant fewer positive cultures were found in the study group compared to the control group at T2 (12% vs 28%; p=0.03) and at T3 (1% vs 10%; p=0.03). CONCLUSIONS: Three additional drops of 10% PVI prior to surgery provided additional benefit by reducing the conjunctival bacterial contamination rate even in the setting of preoperative irrigation of the conjunctiva with 1% PVI.

Receiver operating characteristic analysis: calculation for the marker 'melanoma inhibitory activity' in metastatic uveal melanoma patients.

The serological marker melanoma inhibitory activity (MIA) has been shown to be significantly higher in the serum of patients suffering from metastatic uveal melanoma than in progression-free patients. The objective of this study was to calculate a meaningful receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve for MIA based on a large patient collective and to find an appropriate threshold value. MIA tumor marker levels of 503 outpatients suffering from uveal melanoma were evaluated using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Fifty-four patients had confirmed metastases and 449 patients showed no overt metastatic disease at the time the blood sample was taken. ROC analysis was performed and the area under the curve (AUC) was calculated. Metastatic patients showed significantly higher MIA levels (median 11.69 ng/ml) than patients in the group without overt metastatic disease (median 6.97 ng/ml) (the Mann-Whitney test, P<0.001). The AUC was 0.84 (95% confidence interval: 0.76-0.91). The ROC resulting from our study can be applied for test comparison by means of AUC. The AUC value of 0.84 for MIA demonstrates the accurate performance of the test. On the basis of this ROC curve, we propose a MIA threshold value for uveal melanoma patients of 8.3 ng/ml (with a corresponding sensitivity of 82% and specificity of 77%, positive predictive value of 0.30 and negative predictive value of 0.97). In patients with higher MIA serum levels, further diagnostics should be initiated.

Whole-body F-18-fluoro-2-deoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography imaging in the follow-up of metastatic uveal melanoma.

Metastasis has been reported in the follow-up of up to 50% of uveal melanoma patients. Established oncological diagnostic modalities in tumor follow-up so far have limited sensitivity and specificity. The diagnostic value of combined positron emission tomography (PET)/computed tomography (CT) scans in the follow-up of patients with metastatic uveal melanoma was assessed. Eleven patients with successfully treated and one patient with suspected uveal melanoma underwent combined PET/CT scan. The indication for PET/CT scan was heterogenous and ranged from suspected metastatic choroidal melanoma in conventional imaging (n=3) to exclusion of further organ involvement before local therapy of liver metastases (n=5) and restaging after local or systemic therapy of metastases (n=4). PET/CT scan showed vital metastases from uveal melanoma in all patients (n=12). Ten patients showed vital hepatic metastases (83%), five osseous (42%), four lymphatic (33%), two pulmonary (17%), one adrenal (8%) and one had muscular metastases (8%). Six patients showed multiple organ involvement (50%). In addition, PET/CT scan correctly identified a primary intraocular tumor and ruled out pulmonary metastatic involvement with suspicious intrapulmonary findings in a CT scan and chest X-ray in two patients. It could also confirm an equivocal intrahepatic finding in an MRI scan as a vital metastasis. PET/CT scan is a very sensitive and specific tool for the detection and localization of metastatic disease in patients with uveal melanoma, assessing both anatomical morphology and cell metabolism in one single examination. With novel therapeutic approaches in evolution, PET/CT scanning can be of great importance for therapy planning and monitoring.

Efficacy and safety of hyaluronidase 75 IU as an adjuvant to mepivacaine for retrobulbar anesthesia in cataract surgery.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of hyaluronidase as an adjuvant to mepivacaine for retrobulbar anesthesia in cataract surgery. SETTING: Department of Ophthalmology, Ludwig-Maximilians-University, Munich, and Eye Center Munich East, Munich-Haar, Germany. METHODS: Eyes having cataract surgery at 1 of the 2 centers were included in this prospective randomized double-blind placebo-controlled clinical trial. Retrobulbar anesthesia was administered by the surgeon using a solution of 5 mL mepivacaine 1% with additional hyaluronidase (Hylase Dessau) 75 IU (40 eyes) or additional placebo (40 eyes). The main target parameter was akinesia 5 minutes after administration of the study medication. Secondary parameters were akinesia at later times, additional injections, ptosis of the upper eyelid, time to reach complete anesthesia, assessment of pain using a visual analog scale, assessment of efficacy and tolerability by the patient and the surgeon, and adverse events. RESULTS: Complete akinesia 5 minutes after retrobulbar injection was reached in significantly more cases in the hyaluronidase group (29) than in the placebo group (13) (P < .001). Additional injections were necessary in 5 placebo-treated eyes. The administration of hyaluronidase yielded significantly better results than the placebo in terms of ptosis, time to reach complete anesthesia, assessment of efficacy, tolerability, and postoperative pain. No adverse events occurred in either group. CONCLUSION: The addition of hyaluronidase to mepivacaine for retrobulbar anesthesia in cataract surgery enhanced the safety of the surgical procedure due to more complete akinesia and quicker onset of complete anesthesia.