Widespread Adoption of Microincision Vitrectomy Surgery Improves Visual Outcomes in Endogenous Endophthalmitis with Poor Initial Vision: A 21-Year Experience in Taiwan.

PURPOSE: To review the presentation and visual prognostic factors of patients with endogenous endophthalmitis before and after the introduction of microincision vitrectomy surgery (MIVS), at a tertiary referral hospital in Taiwan, over a 21-year period. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed medical records of patients diagnosed with endogenous endophthalmitis before and after the introduction of MIVS between January 2002 and December 2022. RESULTS: Data were collected from 147 patients. Diabetes mellitus was the most common comorbidity (59.9%). Liver abscess (32.7%) was the leading source of infection, followed by urinary tract infection (15.0%), and infective endocarditis (5.4%). Klebsiella pneumoniae (50.4%) was the most common pathogen, followed by Staphylococcus aureus (13.5%), and Candida albicans (8.3%). Poor initial visual acuity worse than counting fingers (CF) (p < 0.001) and diabetes mellitus (p = 0.008) were significantly associated with poor visual outcomes. In the treatment of 98 patients with poor initial visual acuity worse than CF, the proportion of vitrectomy surgeries performed increased from 13/56 (23.2%) to 24/42 (57.1%) (p = 0.001) after the introduction of MIVS. Final visual acuity of CF or better increased from 7/56 (12.5%) to 12/42 (28.6%) after the introduction of MIVS (p = 0.046). Vitrectomy was a better prognostic factor for final visual outcome in patients with poor initial visual acuity of worse than CF (p = 0.011) than other factors. CONCLUSION: In endogenous endophthalmitis patients presenting with poor initial visual acuity, vitrectomy was a better visual prognostic factor. MIVS has allowed more patients to undergo vitrectomy and improved visual outcomes.

Changing etiology of sympathetic ophthalmia: A 10-year study from a tertiary referral center in Taiwan.

PURPOSE: In this study, we describe our experience of sympathetic ophthalmia (SO) at a tertiary referral center in Taiwan. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed records of patients diagnosed with SO from January 2011 to December 2020. RESULTS: We collected data of 15 patients diagnosed with SO (eight males, seven females). Six patients developed SO after ocular penetrating trauma, and nine developed SO after ocular surgery, including seven with vitrectomy, one with penetrating keratoplasty, and one with cataract surgery. Penetrating ocular trauma was the primary cause of SO in the first 5 years (four of six cases), but the proportion was much lower in the last 5 years (two of nine cases). The interval between trigger events and SO ranged from 0.2 to 120 months. Nine patients received oral steroids alone, five patients received methylprednisolone pulse therapy followed by oral steroids, and immunosuppressants were added in four cases. Visual acuity of sympathetic eyes and exciting eyes improved after treatment. The initial visual acuity of sympathetic eyes in trauma related and ocular surgery related revealed no significant difference, but the final visual acuity of sympathetic eyes was better in ocular surgery-related cases than in the trauma-related cases (mean ± standard deviation, 1.01 ± 1.33 versus 0.49 ± 0.68 logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution, P = 0.021). CONCLUSIONS: With the increased number of eye surgeries performed in recent years, eye surgery has emerged as the dominant etiology of SO in our 10-year study. Early detection and proper treatment help to maintain vision in most of the SO patients.

Treatment of persistent flap closure with fluid gas exchange after inverted internal limiting membrane flap technique for idiopathic macular hole.

We evaluated the results of fluid-gas exchange (FGE) for long-term flap closure of idiopathic macular holes (MH) using the inverted internal limiting (ILM) flap technique. We retrospectively included eyes showing flap closure without complete MH closure and connection of separate macular tissue 1 month postoperatively after the inverted ILM flap technique was detected by ocular coherence tomography at follow-up. Eyes remained flap closure at 2 months after surgery further underwent in-office FGE with 16% C3F8. Of the 153 eyes using the inverted ILM flap technique for idiopathic MH between June 2015 and November 2018, 10 eyes (6.99%) remained flap closure at 1 month postoperatively. Among 10 eyes, 5 eyes (50%) showed flap closure at 2 months postoperatively further underwent FGE for complete MH closure, while the remaining 5 eyes (50%) progressed directly to normal macular structures at 2 months postoperatively. Improvement in vision of all flap closure from baseline was significant (P = .015), with a mean baseline vision of 1.19 [Snellen equivalent (SE), 20/307] ±â€…0.52 logMAR and the mean final vision of 0.63 (SE, 20/85) ±â€…0.38 logMAR. The group that underwent FGE showed better final vision of 0.45 (SE, 20/75) ±â€…0.23 logMAR than the group that did not undergo FGE (0.81 [SE, 20/128] ±â€…0.44 logMAR). All eyes achieved complete MH closure, including the eyes that underwent FGE in a mean period of 5.60 months (range 3-10 months) after the inverted ILM flap technique. Eyes that underwent FGE achieved a higher rate of foveal restoration [complete external limiting membrane 80%; complete ellipsoid zone (EZ) 60%] than those that did not receive FGE (complete external limiting membrane: 40%; complete EZ: 10%). Eyes with persistent flap closure for more than 2 months postoperatively that underwent FGE showed accelerated complete MH closure, better final vision, and foveal restoration.

Attenuation of epithelial-mesenchymal transition via SGLT2 inhibition and diabetic cataract suppression by dapagliflozin nanoparticles treatment.

AIMS: Chronic hyperglycemia triggers overproduction of AKR1B1 (aldo-keto reductase family 1 member B) and receptor for advanced glycation end product (RAGE), which causes epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in the lens epithelial cells (LECs) of diabetic mellitus (DM) cataracts. However, it is unclear whether EMT in LECs is related to abnormal increase of SGLT2. Sodium glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitor, also known as dapagliflozin (Dapa) can be used to treat diabetes. Here, we examined how Dapa or nano eye-drops (DapaN) reduce EMT in LECs of DM cataracts. The nano eye-drop provides an ophthalmic treatment that suppressed diabetic cataract progression and improved potency with reduced side effects. MAIN METHODS: SD rats were injected with streptozocin (STZ) (65 mg/kg, ip), nano-Dapa drops (0.456 mg/10 ml/eye) or Dapa (1.2 mg/kg/day) treatment for 6-12 weeks. Immunofluorescence staining was used for protein quantification of RAGE, SGLT2, N-cadherin and E-cadherin in the LECs of rats. KEY FINDINGS: In this study, Dapa applies nanotechnology-based delivery system and it contains polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) and HPBCD. Dapa showed therapeutic effect on DM cataracts, wherein it targeted EMT biomarker, E-cadherin. The nano-Dapa drops or oral Dapa inhibited SGLT2, suppressed AKR1B1 expression, decreased AcSOD2- and RAGE-induced EMT in diabetic cataracts. Our findings suggest that nanotechnology-based Dapa eye drops (Dapa-PVP-HPBCD) can effectively improve solubility of Dapa in aqueous solution. SIGNIFICANCE: Taken together, results suggest that the SGLT2-mediated DM cataract therapy may involve the AKR1B1-RAGE-AcSOD2-EMT pathway. The nano eye drops and Dapa show potential beneficial effects for cataract prevention. This study conveys new insights into cataract treatment and supplementation of nano-Dapa drops shows promising result in preventing diabetic cataracts.

Treatment outcomes of acute poptoperative infectious endophthalmitis.

BACKGROUND: Acute postoperative endophthalmitis is one of the most severe complications of modern ophthalmic procedures including cataract surgeries, vitrectomy and intravitreal injection (IVI). We evaluated the treatment outcomes of acute postoperative infectious endophthalmitis. METHODS: In this retrospective study, we collected data from 82 patients with acute infectious endophthalmitis within 6 weeks after intraocular surgeries, including cataract surgeries, vitreoretinal surgeries, and IVI, from January 2010 to December 2019. We analyzed the pre-treatment, treatment-related and post-treatment factors that affected visual outcomes. RESULTS: The mean age was 67.65 ± 9.52 years, the proportion of male patients was 56.1%. The mean baseline vision was 1.92 (Snellen Equivalent SE], counting finger [CF]) ± 0.54 logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution (log MAR) and the mean final vision was 0.71 (SE, 39/200) ± 0.80 logMAR. Visual improvement was significant (P < 0.001). The pre-treatment factors affecting final visual outcomes were diabetes, hemodialysis, baseline vision, signs of vitreous opacity, and different surgeries before endophthalmitis; the treatment-related factors affecting visual outcomes were the choice factors between IVI of antibiotics alone and vitrectomy combined with IVI of antibiotics, and the injection numbers of antibiotics; post-treatment factors affecting visual outcomes were complications such as retinal detachment (RD), glaucoma and macular pucker. Furthermore, prior cataract surgery was associated with a better mean final vision of 0.57 (SE, 54/200) ± 0.67 logMAR while prior vitrectomy resulted in the worst mean final vision of 1.38 (SE, 21/500) ± 0.75 logMAR. CONCLUSIONS: The important factors that affected the final visual prognosis, included diabetes, hemodialysis, baseline vision, severity of vitritis, treatment strategies and complications. The treatment outcomes revealed better final vision in prior cataract surgery than vitrectomy.

Result of intravitreal aflibercept injection for myopic choroidal neovascularization.

BACKGROUND: The current study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of intravitreal aflibercept injections as the primary treatment for subfoveal/juxtafoveal myopic choroidal neovascularization (CNV) by using optical coherence tomography (OCT). Optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) was further used for some patients to detect the changes of CNV after treatment. METHODS: In the present study, 21 treatment-naive eyes of 21 patients with subfoveal/juxtafoveal myopic CNV received primary intravitreal aflibercept injections and were under follow-up for a minimum duration of 12 months. Among the 21 patients, 12 underwent OCTA to evaluate the changes in central foveal thickness, selected CNV area, and flow area. RESULTS: The mean best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) pertaining to all the patients significantly improved from the baseline value of 0.7 to 0.3 logMAR after treatment for 12 months (P = 0.001). However, the improvements in the median BCVA after treatment for three and 12 months were not statistically significant in the younger group (< 50 years), compared to the older group (≥ 50 years). One aflibercept injection resolved the CNV in 47.6% (10/21) of the patients. The younger group displayed greater improvement in the median central foveal thickness, compared to the older group. OCTA revealed interlacing or disorganized pattern at the level of the outer retinal layer in 12 subjects with myopic CNV. After 3 months of treatment, both groups displayed a decrease in the size of the selected CNV area and flow area. The interlacing group displayed a trend towards better anatomical improvements. CONCLUSION: Intravitreal aflibercept injection provides long-term improvement in visual acuity in patients with myopic CNV. Eyes with the interlacing pattern on OCTA displayed a greater decrease in size and flow after aflibercept injection. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Before data collection, written informed consent was obtained from each participant, whose identity information was protected by encryption and conversion to a non-identifiable format and removing data links. This study was approved by the Institutional Review Board of Kaohsiung Veterans General Hospital ( KSVGH21-CT1-17 ).

3H-1,2-Dithiole-3-Thione Protects Lens Epithelial Cells against Fructose-Induced Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition via Activation of AMPK to Eliminate AKR1B1-Induced Oxidative Stress in Diabetes Mellitus.

Studies demonstrated that the receptor of advanced glycation end products (RAGE) induced epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) formation in the lens epithelial cells (LECs) of diabetic cataracts. This work investigated how 3H-1,2-dithiole-3-thione (D3T) reduces EMT formation in LECs of the fructose-induced diabetes mellitus (DM). LECs were isolated during cataract surgery from patients without DM or with DM. In a rat model, fructose (10% fructose, eight weeks) with or without D3T (10 mg/kg/day) treatment induced DM, as verified by blood pressure and serum parameter measurements. We observed that the formation of advanced glycation end products (AGEs) was significantly higher in epithelial human lens of DM (+) compared to DM (-) cataracts. Aldose reductase (AKR1B1), AcSOD2, and 3-NT were significantly enhanced in the rat lens epithelial sections of fructose-induced DM, however, the phosphorylation level of AMPKT172 showed a reversed result. Interestingly, administration of D3T reverses the fructose-induced effects in LECs. These results indicated that AMPKT172 may be required for reduced superoxide generation and the pathogenesis of diabetic cataract. Administration of D3T reverses the fructose-induced EMT formation the LECs of fructose-induced DM. These novel findings suggest that the D3T may be a candidate for the pharmacological prevention of cataracts in patients with DM.

Management of neovascular age-related macular degeneration: Taiwan expert consensus.

Neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD) is a leading cause of irreversible vision loss. The present consensus provides suggestions on diagnosis, evaluation, treatment, and follow-up strategies for nAMD from a panel of 11 practicing ophthalmologists. The experts suggest that the baseline visit for nAMD management should include a comprehensive ophthalmologic examination via a multimodal approach consisting of visual and anatomical evaluation. Patients diagnosed with nAMD should be subjected to treatment with the goal of maintaining visual function while diminishing anatomical disease activity and minimizing treatment burden. Currently, anti-VEGF therapy is the main treatment strategy for nAMD, and evaluation involving comprehensive ophthalmologic examination within 1 month of completion of the loading phase comprising three monthly injections is recommended to guide subsequent management. Either a treat-and-extend or pro re nata regimen can be considered for the maintenance phase of anti-VEGF therapy, and the regimen should be chosen and adjusted according to disease activity, reimbursement criteria, financial burden, and patient preferences. In the event of inactive nAMD or poor treatment outcomes, after thorough evaluation and patient education, anti-VEGF therapy may be stopped. The consensus provides practical nAMD management guidelines for ophthalmologists and fellow healthcare professionals.

Surgical outcomes of centripetal non-fovea-sparing internal limiting membrane peeling for myopic foveoschisis with and without foveal detachment: a follow-up of at least 3 years.

BACKGROUND: We evaluated the surgical outcomes of vitrectomy with non-fovea-sparing internal limiting membrane (ILM) peeling for myopic foveoschisis with a follow-up of at least 3 years. METHODS: In this retrospective study, 32 consecutive eyes with high myopia with or without foveal detachment underwent vitrectomy and centripetal, non-fovea-sparing ILM peeling with gas tamponade for myopic foveoschisis. Outcome measures were visual acuity (VA) and optical coherence tomography findings. RESULTS: Mean axial length was 29.39±1.92 mm; mean follow-up was 42.66 (±8.29) months. Foveoschisis and foveal detachment completely resolved in all eyes postoperatively. Mean central foveal thickness (CFT) improved significantly from 631.88±191.72 to 232.65±69.67 µm, and mean best-corrected visual acuity improved significantly from 0.90 (Snellen equivalent (SE), 20/160)±0.43 logarithm of minimum angle of resolution (logMAR) to 0.43 (SE, 20/54)±0.29 logMAR (both p<0.001; two-tailed, paired t-test). Eyes with foveal detachment (n=10) at baseline had thicker preoperative CFT (737.8±239.83 vs 583.73±147.78 µm; p=0.033) but thinner postoperative CFT (188.20±31.52 vs 252.86±73.29 µm; p=0.012). Eyes without foveal detachment at baseline had significantly better postoperative VA (0.33 (SE, 20/43)±0.18 vs 0.65 (SE, 20/86)±0.37 logMAR; p=0.002). No macular hole or other complications occurred during follow-up. CONCLUSION: Centripetal, non-fovea-sparing ILM peeling with gas tamponade may achieve myopic foveoschisis resolution and vision improvement without macular hole formation during at least 3-year follow-up.

Dapagliflozin Prevents NOX- and SGLT2-Dependent Oxidative Stress in Lens Cells Exposed to Fructose-Induced Diabetes Mellitus.

PURPOSE: Cataracts in patients with diabetes mellitus (DM) are a major cause of blindness in developed and developing countries. This study aims to examine whether the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) via the increased expression of glucose transporters (GLUTs) and the receptor for advanced glycation end products (RAGE) influences the cataract development in DM. METHODS: Lens epithelial cells (LECs) were isolated during cataract surgery from patients without DM or with DM, but without diabetic retinopathy. In a rat model, fructose (10% fructose, 8 or 12 weeks) with or without dapagliflozin (1.2 mg/day, 2 weeks) treatment did induce DM, as verified by blood pressure and serum parameter measurements. Immunofluorescence stainings and immunoblottings were used to quantify the protein levels. Endogenous O2˙¯ production in the LECs was determined in vivo with dihydroethidium stainings. RESULTS: We investigated that GLUT levels in LECs differed significantly, thus leading to the direct enhancement of RAGE-associated superoxide generation in DM patients with cataracts. Superoxide production was significantly higher in LECs from rats with fructose-induced type 2 DM, whereas treatment with the sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitor dapagliflozin prevented this effect in fructose-fed rats. Protein expression levels of the sodium/glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2), GLUT1, GLUT5, the nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate reduced form (NADPH) oxidase subunit p67-phox, NOX2/4 and RAGE were upregulated in fructose-fed animals, whereas dapagliflozin treatment reversed these effects. CONCLUSIONS: In rats with fructose-induced DM, dapagliflozin downregulates RAGE-induced NADPH oxidase expression in LECs via the inactivation of GLUTs and a reduction in ROS generation. These novel findings suggest that the SGLT2 inhibitor dapagliflozin may be a candidate for the pharmacological prevention of cataracts in patients with DM.

Imaging analysis with optical coherence tomography angiography after primary repair of macula-off rhegmatogenous retinal detachment.

PURPOSE: To evaluate changes in the microcirculation of various retinal layers and choroid following successful repair of macula-off rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD) using optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA). METHODS: Twenty-eight patients (28 eyes) who underwent successful repair of macula-off RRD were prospectively investigated. Differences in OCTA characteristics between retinal detachment (RD) and fellow eyes were compared. Quantitative measurements of the retinal capillary and choriocapillary associated with the preoperative and intraoperative factors were analyzed. RESULTS: The mean vessel and parafoveal vessel densities were significantly lower in the superficial retinal capillary plexus (SCP) and deep retinal capillary plexus (DCP) in the RD eyes than the fellow eyes. Presence of preoperative intraretinal separation in the RD eyes was significantly associated with both an enlarged foveal avascular zone (P = 0.022) and a lower DCP vessel density (P = 0.031) postoperatively. Eyes with a scleral buckle alone had a greater postoperative subfoveal choroidal thickness (P = 0.037). Eyes undergoing vitrectomy alone had a higher postoperative vessel density in the choriocapillaris (P = 0.035). Eyes undergoing a vitrectomy and scleral buckle had a lower SCP (P = 0.031) and DCP (P = 0.035) vessel density postoperatively. CONCLUSIONS: Macula-off RRD may cause not only retinal structural damage but also decreased retinal perfusion even after successful anatomical repair. Our findings suggested that RD eyes had a significantly lower vessel density than fellow eyes after surgery. The combined procedure might result in a lower vessel density, as compared with a scleral buckle or vitrectomy alone.

SURGICAL OUTCOMES IN EYES WITH EXTREMELY HIGH MYOPIA FOR MACULAR HOLE WITHOUT RETINAL DETACHMENT.

PURPOSE: The authors evaluated surgical outcomes in eyes with extremely high myopia for macular hole (MH) without retinal detachment. METHODS: In this retrospective study, 14 eyes with axial lengths of ≥30.0 mm underwent vitrectomy and internal limiting membrane (ILM) peeling with or without inverted ILM flap insertion for MH without retinal detachment (October 2009-June 2016). Outcome measures were MH closure confirmed by optical coherence tomography, best-corrected visual acuity, and complications. RESULTS: The mean axial length was 30.69 ± 0.76 mm. The overall final closure rate was 85.7% (12/14 eyes); the mean follow-up was 17.29 (±20.20) months. Primary anatomical MH closure after 1 operation was achieved in three of eight eyes (37.5%) without an inverted ILM flap and was achieved in six of six eyes (100%) with inverted ILM flap insertion (P = 0.031). There was no reopening of MH during follow-up. Mean visual acuity improved significantly from 1.10 ± 0.43 logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution (Snellen equivalent, 20/254) to 0.84 ± 0.50 logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution (Snellen equivalent, 20/138) (P = 0.046; 2-tailed, paired t-test). Only 1 eye developed an MH-associated retinal detachment 4.5 years after previously failed MH surgery; reattachment was achieved after a second operation. CONCLUSION: Patients with extremely high myopia obtained anatomical and functional improvements from MH surgery; inverted ILM flap insertion achieved significantly higher primary success rates in MH closure.

Outcomes of 23-gauge transconjunctival sutureless vitrectomy for acute postoperative endophthalmitis.

BACKGROUND: To report our 3-year experience of 23-gauge transconjunctival sutureless vitrectomy (TSV) for acute postoperative endophthalmitis at a tertiary referral center in southern Taiwan. METHODS: This retrospective chart review study included 19 patients with acute postoperative endophthalmitis who underwent 23-gauge TSV from January 2011 to January 2015 at Kaohsiung Veterans General Hospital, Taiwan. Bacterial and fungal cultures from aqueous samples, vitreous samples, or both were performed. RESULTS: Nineteen patients (12 male; 7 female) were included. The mean age was 72.4 ± 8.29 years. Acute postoperative endophthalmitis was noted in 18 patients after cataract surgery and in 1 patient after 23-gauge vitrectomy for a rhegmatogenous retinal detachment. Upon presentation, visual acuity was less than hand movement for 80% of the patients. Chief complaints included blurred vision (19 patients, 100%), followed by pain (10 patients, 52.6%) and red eye (4 patients, 21%). All patients were administered an intravitreal injection (IVI) of antibiotics and 23-gauge TSV, and the average number of IVIs was 2.68 ± 1.73 (1-9 IVIs). The interval between their initial eye symptoms and vitrectomy was 4.11 ± 4.73 days (0-2 days), and the interval between diagnosis with endophthalmitis and a vitrectomy was 1.11 ± 1.52 days (0-6 days). The final visual acuity was no light perception for 1 patient (5.3%), between 6/60 and 6/12 for 8 patients (42.1%), and 6/12 or better for 9 patients (47.4%). No retinal detachment or hypotony was noted postoperatively in any case. CONCLUSION: 23-gauge vitrectomy is safe and effective for the management of acute postoperative endophthalmitis. Early diagnosis and treatment with 23-gauge vitrectomy may provide a good visual outcome.

FIVE-YEAR OUTCOMES OF INTRAVITREAL INJECTION OF RANIBIZUMAB FOR THE TREATMENT OF MYOPIC CHOROIDAL NEOVASCULARIZATION.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the 5-year outcomes, efficacy, and safety of intravitreal ranibizumab injections for the treatment of myopic choroidal neovascularization. METHODS: The medical records of 18 consecutive eyes of 14 patients who received intravitreal injections of ranibizumab for myopic choroidal neovascularization with a follow-up of 5 years were retrospectively reviewed. Outcomes included best-corrected visual acuity, total number of treatments, and complications. RESULTS: The average number of injections over 5 years was 4.56 ± 3.52. Ten eyes (55.56%) had no need for treatment after the first year. Mean best-corrected visual acuity improved from 0.59 ± 0.47 logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution (Snellen equivalent, 6/24) at baseline to 0.32 ± 0.35 logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution (Snellen equivalent, 6/13) at 1 year, and to 0.38 ± 0.42 logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution (Snellen equivalent, 6/15) at 2 years (P = 0.001 and 0.020, respectively; paired t-test). After 2 years, although mean best-corrected visual acuity remained better than baseline, the difference was not statistically significant. At 5 years, vision improved by at least 1 line for 61.11% of eyes and by more than 3 lines for 33.33%. The final visual acuity of 2 eyes was worse than baseline because of disease activity and profound chorioretinal atrophy, which increased in six eyes. No complications were noted. CONCLUSION: Intravitreal ranibizumab was safe and effective for treating myopic choroidal neovascularization. Only 44% of eyes required retreatment after the first year, and vision improved in more than 60% of eyes over 5 years.

Successful Management in a Case of Traumatic Retinal Detachment due to Open Globe Injury Using Microincisional Vitrectomy.

BACKGROUND: Retinal detachment (RD) following ocular trauma often results in guarded visual prognosis and sometimes leads to loss of the eye. With the advent of microincisional vitrectomy surgery and the development of surgical techniques, the management of ocular trauma has been transformed. CASE PRESENTATION: A 34-year-old man sustained an open globe injury from fragmented glass at work. He received primary repair and another follow-up surgery 9 days later, including vitrectomy, silicone oil tamponade, and lensectomy for RD and traumatic cataract at another medical center. However, his retina was totally detached and completely curled up in a roll with choroid on display when he was seen by us 1 month later. He was managed with vigilant and patient peeling and unfolding of the retina using a 23-gauge forceps and silicone oil tamponade, and achieved anatomical success and preservation of his eye at 6-month follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: This report demonstrates that even in cases which appear to be hopeless at presentation, the surgeon's perseverance and surgical technique can salvage an eye that may otherwise be phthisical. It also encourages retinal surgeons to use microincisional vitrectomy to manage severe traumatic RD.

Efficacy and Safety of Dexamethasone Intravitreal Implant for Treatment of Refractory Macular Edema Secondary to Retinal Vein Occlusion in Taiwan.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the long-term efficacy and safety of slow-release dexamethasone intravitreal implant (DEX implant) in patients with refractory macular edema (ME) secondary to retinal vein occlusion (RVO) in Taiwan. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective chart review of patients with a diagnosis of ME secondary to RVO who received the DEX implant at Kaohsiung Veterans General Hospital from October 2010 to February 2014. RESULTS: A total of 28 patients with an average age of 60.7 ± 11.1 years were examined. Of these patients, 17 were diagnosed with branch RVO (BRVO) and 11 were diagnosed with central RVO (CRVO). The mean maximal change in vision from the baseline after the final injection was an improvement of 1.7 ± 2.8 lines (equivalent to 8.5 ETDRS letters; p<0.0001). The response to the first injection was similar across both BRVO and CRVO groups, but patients with BRVO showed a more favorable response than those with CRVO after the second injection. The response in patients who had refractory ME after at least 3 previous interventions was similar to the whole group. Three patients (10.7%) had elevated intraocular pressure (IOP) that was well controlled by IOP-lowering medications. None of these patients required laser or glaucoma surgery. Five patients (17.9%) exhibited cataract progression during the observation period. CONCLUSION: The DEX implant is an effective and safe treatment for ME, secondary to RVO, including refractory ME.

Two-year outcome of intravitreal injections of ranibizumab for myopic choroidal neovascularization.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the 2-year outcome, efficacy, and safety of intravitreal ranibizumab injections for myopic choroidal neovascularization (CNV). METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 28 consecutive eyes that received intravitreal injections of ranibizumab for myopic CNV with a 24-month follow-up. Retreatment was performed as needed in eyes with persistent or recurrent CNV. Patient demographic data, best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), CNV findings on fluorescent angiography, central macular thickness on optical coherence tomography, total number of treatments, and complications were recorded. RESULTS: Mean baseline BCVA was 0.53±0.32 logMAR [Snellen equivalent (SE), 6/20], and improved significantly to 0.28±0.32 logMAR (SE, 6/11) at 1 year and 0.29±0.28 logMAR (SE, 6/12) at 2 years (both P<0.01, Wilcoxon signed-rank test). The average number of total injections over 2 years was 3.32 (SD 2.13). A mean of 2.82 injections were performed in the first year, and 0.50 in the second year. Twenty-three eyes (82.1%) had no need for treatment during the second year of follow-up. Mean improvement from the baseline was 2.57 Snellen lines (SD 2.35) at 1 year, and 2.29 lines (SD 2.69) at 2 years. At 2 years, 11 eyes (39.3%) showed a gain of at least 3 lines after treatment. No complications were noted after treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Intravitreal ranibizumab injection was safe and effective in treating myopic CNV, with visual improvement maintained over 2 years.

One-year outcome of two different initial dosing regimens of intravitreal ranibizumab for myopic choroidal neovascularization.

PURPOSE: To evaluate and compare the 12-month outcomes of two different initial dosing regimens of intravitreal ranibizumab for myopic choroidal neovascularization (CNV). METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 46 consecutive, treatment-naive eyes which received intravitreal ranibizumab for subfoveal and juxtafoveal CNV secondary to pathologic myopia with a follow-up of 12 months. Two groups were created according to different initial dosing regimens: group 1 included 25 eyes treated by a single intravitreal injection; group 2 included 21 eyes treated by three consecutive monthly injections. Additional injections were performed if needed. Patients' demographic data, best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), recurrence of CNV and total number of treatments were recorded and evaluated. RESULTS: There was no significant difference between two groups among baseline demographic data. At 12 months, the mean logMAR BCVA improved from 0.58 to 0.23 in group 1 and from 0.55 to 0.22 in group 2 (both p < 0.001; Wilcoxon signed-rank test). The mean logMAR BCVA at 12 months did not differ significantly. The average number of injections was 2.32 (SD 1.22) in group 1 and 3.57 (SD 1.12) in group 2 (p = 0.001; two-tailed t-test). During the follow-up, 17 of 25 eyes in group 1 and 5 of 21 eyes in group 2 received additional injections (p = 0.004). CONCLUSIONS: Similar visual improvement was achieved in both groups. Although the eyes with a loading dose of 3 monthly injections required a higher number of total injections over 1 year, there was a much lower rate of retreatment needed.

The effect of autologous serum on vitrectomy with internal limiting membrane peeling for idiopathic macular hole.

PURPOSE: We sought to evaluate the effects of intraoperative adjunctive autologous serum in idiopathic full-thickness macular hole surgeries, and to compare the surgical outcomes with a no-serum control group. METHODS: In this retrospective, case-control study, 38 consecutive eyes received vitrectomy with internal limiting membrane removal for idiopathic full-thickness macular holes. Two groups were created according to the use of autologous serum. Outcome measures were visual acuity (VA), closure of the macular hole confirmed by optical coherence tomography, and surgical complications. RESULTS: Anatomical closure of the macular hole was achieved in 18 of 19 eyes (94.7%) in the vitrectomy with the autologous serum group, and in 18 of 19 eyes (94.7%) in the control group. The closure rates did not differ significantly between 2 groups (P=1.000; the Fisher's exact test). At the final follow-up, the mean logMAR VA improved significantly in both groups (SD, standard deviation) [from 1.08 (0.21) to 0.47 (0.21) in vitrectomy with the serum group and from 1.01 (0.32) to 0.44 (0.30) in the control group (both P<0.001; 2 tailed, paired t test)]. There was no significant difference between these 2 groups in terms of visual outcomes (P=0.738; 2-tailed t test). There were no surgical complications, such as retinal detachment and endophthalmitis. CONCLUSIONS: The outcome of macular hole surgery did not differ both anatomically and functionally regardless of the use of adjuvant autologous serum. There seemed to be no additive effect with autologous serum.

Tumor seeding after diagnostic vitrectomy for choroidal metastasis in breast cancer.

Choroidal metastasis is the most common type of intraocular tumor in adults, and in females the most common primary site is the breast. We report a case of unilateral choroidal metastasis with exudative retinal detachment as the initial presentation of recurrent breast cancer, and subsequent ophthalmic metastasis following diagnostic vitrectomy. A 49-year-old woman with a 7-year-history of well-treated bilateral breast cancer had been suffering from blurred vision in the left eye for 1 week. Ocular examination was normal except for superotemporal retinal detachment in the left eye. Neither retinal break nor choroidal mass was seen. The patient received scleral buckling and pneumatic retinopexy without significant improvement. Fluorescein angiography revealed a suspected choroidal metastasis in the left eye, but ocular ultrasonography did not show a visible choroidal mass. Two consecutive diagnostic vitrectomies with cytology could not confirm malignancy. A systemic workup was also negative. Six months later, two tumor masses were noted over two of the sclerotomy wounds of the left eye. Pathology showed adenocarcinoma compatible with invasive ductal carcinoma of the breast. Ocular metastasis may present as infiltrative choroidal lesions with exudative retinal detachment without a visible mass. Invasive procedures, such as fine-needle aspiration biopsy and diagnostic vitrectomy, may risk tumor seeding.