A Modified Girth-Hitch Suture Technique to Rescue Single-Haptic Dislocation of Scleral Fixated IOL's.

PURPOSE: To describe the technique of modified girth-hitch suture for one side transscleral fixation to rescue a single haptic dislocation. METHODS: In this surgical technique report, dislocated scleral fixated posterior chamber IOL were secured to the sclera using 10-0 polypropylene suture looped around the IOL haptic. Three types of IOL were secured in this study (4 case of 1-piece PMMA IOL, 1 case of 3-piece acrylic IOL with PMMA loop and 1 case of acrylic foldable IOL with a two-plate loop design). RESULTS: Six patients, who had subluxation of the scleral-fixated posterior-chamber IOL due to single-knot dehiscence, underwent refixation of scleral-fixated IOL surgery using this technique. In all cases successful repositioning with stable and central fixation of the IOLs was achieved. No intraoperative or postoperative complications were noted. CONCLUSION: Internal re-fixation with a girth-hitch suture is relatively quick and convenient method for management of a dislocated IOL haptic on one side.

Effect of cataract surgery in patients with neovascular age-related macular degeneration: further evidence from disciform scars.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the effect of cataract surgery on disease activation and visual outcomes in neovascular age-related macular degeneration (AMD). METHODS: In this retrospective case-control study, study arm consisted of neovascular AMD patients, who underwent phacoemulsification surgery. Patients did not have any disease activation at least 6 months before the inclusion, and all had at least 12-month follow-up thereafter. Control group consisted of phakic patients, who did not undergo eye surgery during the study period. Primary outcomes were the presence of the disease activation and the change in best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA). RESULTS: A total of 114 neovascular AMD patients [55 (48%) in exudative group and 59 (52%) in disciform group] were included. Preoperative logMAR BCVA was significantly improved after cataract surgery [0.8 (0.6-1.0) vs. 0.4 (0.4-0.7), P < 0.001 in exudative AMD; 1.85 (1.1-1.9) vs. 1.09 (0.8-1.9), P = 0.001 in disciform scar], but this improvement was not maintained during the study period in patients with both exudative AMD and disciform scar [0.6 (0.3-1.1), P = 0.313 in exudative AMD; 1.30 (1-1.9), P = 0.03 in disciform scar]. The incidence of disease activation was not statistically significant between surgery and control groups in patients with exudative AMD [5 (25%) patients in surgery group and 8 (22%) patients in the control group, P = 0.886, Cox proportional hazards regression analysis]. In disciform scar, disease activation was observed in 4 (17%) patients in the surgery group; however, no patient in the control group had disease activation (P = 0.009, HRs could not be estimated, 95% CI 0.001-43.49, Cox proportional hazards regression analysis). CONCLUSION: Cataract surgery has benefit on early postoperative visual improvement in patients with neovascular AMD. The incidence of disease activation was not affected after surgery in exudative AMD.

Impact of dehydration and fasting on intraocular pressure and corneal biomechanics measured by the Ocular Response Analyzer.

PURPOSE: To investigate the effects of dehydration and fasting on the intraocular pressure (IOP) and corneal biomechanics during Ramadan in healthy subjects. METHODS: A total of 36 healthy fasting male volunteers with a mean age of 32.7 ± 5.1 years (range 28-38 years) were enrolled in the study. A Reichert Ocular Response Analyzer (ORA) was used to measure the corneal resistance factor (CRF), corneal hysteresis (CH), Goldman-correlated IOP (IOPg), and corneal-compensated IOP (IOPcc), additionally IOP with Goldmann applanation tonometer (IOP-GAT) was taken. All measurements were recorded at 8:00 am and 4:00 p.m. during Ramadan and during a 1-month follow-up after Ramadan was over. RESULTS: Statistical analysis demonstrated no difference in the ORA measurements including CH, CRF, IOPcc, and IOPg; CCT and CV values between fasting and non-fasting periods or within a single day (diurnal changes). Nine volunteers (25% of total subjects) were excluded because eyedrops were believed to disrupt the Ramadan fast consequently IOP-GAT could not be measured from these subjects. No statistically significant difference was noted between IOP-GAT and IOPg measurements of twenty-seven subjects at the different periods and time points. CONCLUSIONS: Our results reveal that fasting during Ramadan does not profoundly affect corneal biomechanics and IOP values in healthy volunteers without ocular diseases such as glaucoma. When planning corneal refractive surgery and determining IOP, the ORA measurements can be done safely during a Ramadan fast. Moreover, ORA may be a better alternative for patients that refuse IOP measurement via GAT for examining the accuracy of IOP during fasting. Further studies are needed to better understand the role of these parameters on corneal disease and glaucoma during fasting.

Comparison of early dexamethasone retreatment versus standard dexamethasone regimen combined with PRN ranibizumab in diabetic macular edema.

The purpose of the study is to evaluate the efficacy and safety of as-needed dexamethasone (DEX) retreatment compared with standard DEX retreatment combined with PRN ranibizumab injections among patients with persistent diabetic macular edema (DME). Twenty-eight patients with persistent macular edema having recurrence earlier than 6 months after initial DEX implantation were included in this retrospective study. Group I consisted of 13 patients retreated using monthly PRN ranibizumab injections combined with standard 6-monthly DEX implantation; Group II consisted of 15 patients retreated with DEX implantation earlier than 6 months on an "as-needed" basis. There was no significant difference between the groups with regarding to age, gender, HbA1C levels, duration of diabetes, duration of macular edema, baseline central macular thickness (CMT), best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), and intraocular pressure (IOP) values (p > 0.05). The mean follow-up time of the whole study population was 10.13 ± 1.75 months (range 9-15). The mean CMT values were significantly decreased in both groups compared to baseline values except for the 6th-month CMT in Group I (p < 0.05). The mean logMAR BCVA values were not statistically different between groups during the follow-up compared to baseline BCVA values (p > 0.05). However, a significant change in mean BCVA from baseline was seen at 4th, 6th, and 9th months in Group II (p ≤ 0.05). The mean number of total intravitreal treatments was 3.50 ± 0.77 in Group I and 2.53 ± 0.51 in Group II (p = 0.001). During the follow-up period, one patient in Group I and five patients in Group II had increased IOP (≥25 mmHg). Early DEX retreatment improved vision with superior anatomical improvement at 6th month and with fewer intravitreal treatments in eyes with DME. However, improvement in visual acuity is similar with standard DEX retreatment combined with PRN ranibizumab group.

Efficacy of single-dose dexamethasone implantation in patients with persistent diabetic macular edema.

To investigate the efficacy of single-dose intravitreal dexamethasone implantation in the treatment of persistent diabetic macular edema (DME) unresponsive to 3 consecutive ranibizumab injections over a period of 6 months. Forty-one patients with a previous history of treatment for DME including at least three consecutive intravitreal ranibizumab injections were enrolled in this retrospective study. Main outcome measures were change in best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), central macular thickness (CMT), and intraocular pressure from baseline to 6th month. At the baseline, the mean CMT was 572.4 ± 123.1 µm which improved to 264.2 ± 114.4, 317.7 ± 141.7, 410.6 ± 169.1, and 382.8 ± 181.5 µm at the 1st, 3rd, 5th, and 6th month, respectively (p < 0.05). The preoperative mean BCVA was 0.85 ± 0.54 logMAR units which improved to 0.76 ± 0.5 (p = 0.08), 0.69 ± 0.4 (p = 0.02), 0.74 ± 0.4 (p = 0.284), and 0.72 ± 0.3 (p = 0.489) logMAR units at the 1st, 3rd, 5th, and 6th months, respectively. Additional injections were required for 13 (31 %) eyes at 3rd month and 14 (34 %) eyes at 5th month due to recurrence of macular edema. Intravitreal dexamethasone implantation caused a significant improvement of BCVA and reduction of CMT in the patients with persistent DME that were unresponsive to 3 consecutive ranibizumab injections. However, retreatment before 6 months in the majority of the patients was needed despite the beneficial effects after the index procedure.

Assessment of the Choroidal Vascular Structure in Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Children.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the choroidal vascular structure in cases of multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C). METHODS: This prospective study included 38 eyes of 19 patients with MIS-C and 60 eyes of 30 healthy participants. Optical coherence tomography (OCT) imaging was performed at 1 month after diagnosis in the MIS-C group. Using enhanced depth imaging OCT, choroidal thickness was measured in the subfoveal, nasal, and temporal quadrants at 500 and 1,500 µm distances from the fovea (SCT, N500CT, T500CT, N1500CT, and T1500CT, respectively). The luminal, stromal, and total choroidal areas were evaluated with the binarization method in ImageJ software (National Institutes of Health). The ratio of the luminal area to the total choroidal area was determined as the choroidal vascular index (CVI). RESULTS: The age and sex distributions of the two groups without any ophthalmologic pathology were similar (P > .05). The choroidal thickness values in all quadrants except for T1500CT were similar between the two groups (P > .05). T1500CT was significantly lower in the MIS-C group (P = .02). The luminal choroidal area was 1.04 ± 0.10 mm2 in the MIS-C group and 1.26 ± 0.24 mm2 in the healthy control group (P < .001), and the CVI values were 0.52 ± 0.04 and 0.57 ± 0.09, respectively (P = .01). The stromal and total choroidal area values did not significantly differ between the two groups (P > .05). CONCLUSIONS: This is the first study to evaluate CVI in patients with MIS-C. It was observed that the choroidal vascular structure could be affected in the early period of MIS-C, as shown by a decrease in the CVI value and luminal vascular area. OCT can be used to monitor ocular vascular changes in these patients. [J Pediatr Ophthalmol Strabismus. 2024;61(2):120-126.].

Is Intravitreal Injection of Recombinant Tissue Plasminogen Activator Effective for the Treatment of Refractory Diabetic Macular Edema in Patients With Posterior Vitreous Detachment?

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether intravitreal injection of recombinant tissue plasminogen activator (rTPA) is effective for the treatment of refractory diabetic macular edema (DME) in patients who already had posterior vitreous detachment (PVD). METHODS: It is a retrospective chart review of the patients with refractory DME and PVD. The efficacy of intravitreal injection of rTPA was assessed based on the changes in central macular thickness (CMT) and best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) in these patients. RESULTS: Nine eyes of nine patients as the study group and 14 eyes of the 14 patients as the control group were examined. Before the injections, the mean CMT was 470.0± 107.6 in the study group, compared to 536.2± 150.5 in the control group, with no statistical significance (p=0.403). The statistical analysis revealed no significant differences in the mean changes in CMT from baseline to one and three months after injections between the study and control groups (p=0.439, p=0.781, respectively). Likewise, no statistically significant disparities were observed in the mean pre-injection BCVA between the study group (0.877± 0.349) and the control group (0.950± 0.300) (p=0.415). Additionally, after three months of injection, there were no significant changes in the mean BCVA of the study group (0.844± 0.304) and the control group (0.864± 0.253) (p=0.512). CONCLUSION: This study showed that rTPA has no effect on changes in CMT and BCVA in patients who had refractory DME and PVD at the same time. This may suggest that the improvement in CMT in previous studies may be due to the induction of PVD.

Effect of Nondominant Left-Handed Phacoemulsification Surgery on Corneal Endothelium.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the effect of phacoemulsification surgery performed with the nondominant left hand on the corneal endothelium. METHODS: The study included 160 patients who were followed up for at least six months after uneventful cataract surgery. Seventy-seven patients who underwent nondominant left-handed phacoemulsification were evaluated as Group 1 and 83 patients who underwent dominant right-handed phacoemulsification were evaluated as Group 2. In all the patients, preoperative axial length (AL), aqueous depth (AD), anterior chamber depth (ACD), and lens thickness (LT) were evaluated. All phacoemulsification procedures were undertaken with the same device by two surgeons using the same technique, and the intraoperative cumulative dissipated energy (CDE) value, effective phacoemulsification time, and total operative time were recorded. Corneal endothelial cell density (ECD), coefficient of variation (CV) percentage, hexagonal cell percentage (HCP), and central corneal thickness (CCT) measurements were evaluated by specular microscopy preoperatively and at the postoperative first and sixth months. RESULTS: The two groups had a similar age and gender distribution and did not significantly differ in terms of the preoperative AL, AD, ACD, LT, intraoperative CDE, effective phacoemulsification time, and total operative time with similar age and gender distribution (p > 0.05 for all). The preoperative and postoperative first- and sixth-month specular microscopy measurements of ECD, CV, HCP, and CCT ​​were also similar in the groups (p > 0.05 for all). CONCLUSIONS: In this study, it was observed that nondominant left-handed phacoemulsification resulted in similar changes in endothelial cell count and morphology to those obtained from dominant-handed phacoemulsification.

Evaluation of the optical coherence tomography findings of patients with idiopathic epiretinal membrane.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to determine the relationship between basal visual acuity (VA) and basal optical coherence tomography (OCT) parameters of patients with idiopathic epiretinal membrane (iERM). METHODS: The study included 200 eyes of 200 patients with iERM. In the evaluation of basal VAs, logMAR 0.3 (0.5 on Snellen chart) was accepted as the limit, and the patients were divided into two groups as Group 1 with VA values below logMAR 0.3 and Group 2 with those above logMAR 0.3. Using OCT, the ellipsoid zone (EZ), interdigitation zone (IZ), external limiting membrane (ELM) integrity, peaked appearance of EZ in the fovea, disorganization of the inner retinal layers (DRIL), central foveal thickness (CFT), maximum retinal thickness (MRT), total photoreceptor length (TPL), photoreceptor outer segment length (PROSL), photoreceptor deformity index (PDI), and inner retinal layer irregularity index (IRLII) were evaluated and compared between the groups. RESULTS: There were an equal number of patients in Group 1 and Group 2. The preservation of ELM, EZ, and IZ integrity and the peaked appearance of EZ in the fovea were observed at higher rates in Group 1, whereas the rate of DRIL was higher in Group 2 (p < 0.05 for all). In the multiple regression analysis performed to evaluate categorical OCT parameters, only the presence of DRIL was found to be significantly associated with VA (p < 0.003). CFT*, MRT*, and IRLII** were significantly lower in Group 1 (*p < 0.001, **p = 0.001). TPU, PROSL, and FDI were similar between the two groups (p > 0.05 for all). CONCLUSION: According to the multiple regression analysis, only the presence of DRIL was correlated with lower VA values. Among the OCT parameters, an increase in CFT and MRT, as well as the IRLII value moving away from 1 were related to lower VA values.

Electrolyte, Nitric Oxide and Oxidative Stress Levels of Aqueous Humor in Patients with Retinal Detachment and Silicone Oil Tamponade.

Purpose: To enlighten the pathogenesis of silicone oil (SiO)-related complications via measuring aqueous humor levels of electrolytes, nitric oxide (NO), and oxidative stress in SiO, retinal detachment (RD), and control groups. Materials and Methods: In this prospective study, 56 patients were grouped as SiO (n = 29), RD (n = 12), and control (n = 15). The results of pre- and post-operative ophthalmological examinations, aqueous humor electrolyte and NO levels, total antioxidant and oxidant status (TAS, TOS) and oxidative stress index (OSI) were analyzed. Results: SiO group had a higher mean Na+ level compared to controls (144.77 ± 11.48 vs 137.56 ± 6.57 mmol/kg, p = .02). Also, the mean Na+ and Cl- levels of RD group were higher than controls (149.04 ± 12.05 vs. 137.56 ± 6.57 mmol/kg, p = .02, 115.2 ± 7.79 vs 106.23 ± 8.99 mmol/kg, p = .031 for Na+ and Cl-, respectively). The mean NO level of RD group was higher than that of SiO group (51.07 ± 19.56 vs. 34.07 ± 13.84 µM, p = .009). The mean TAS and TOS were lower in SiO group compared to controls (1.92 ± 0.64 vs. 2.49 ± 0.56 µmolTroloxEqv./L, p = .021, 34.98 ± 26.55 vs. 61.46 ± 22.69 µmolH2O2Eqv./L, p = .004 for TAS and TOS, respectively). Intraocular retention time of SiO demonstrated positive correlation with post-operative visual acuity (logMAR) and negative correlation with TOS. Conclusions: Elevated aqueous humor Na+ and Cl- in RD patients might reflect abolished function of ion channels on detached retina. Increased Na+ and lack of NO response to elevated intraocular pressure in SiO-filled eyes might contribute to secondary cataract and glaucoma formation. SiO is associated with low levels of oxidative stress in aqueous humor; however, increased intraocular retention time of SiO is related to a poor visual outcome.

Intravitreal PRN ranibizumab treatment for macular edemadue to branch retinal vein occlusion.

BACKGROUND/AIM: To evaluate the effect of intravitreal pro re nata (PRN) ranibizumab treatment from the start on the best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and the central retinal thickness (CRT) in macular edema (ME) due to branch retinal vein occlusion (BRVO). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients with ME secondary to BRVO, who were treated on a PRN basis after a single intravitreal ranibizumab injection, were retrospectively evaluated. The main outcome measures were changes in BCVA and CRT as measured by optical coherence tomography. RESULTS: The number of injections over 6 months was 2.43 ± 1.16. The mean BCVA of the patients was 0.84 ± 0.10 logMAR at baseline and 0.41 ± 0.06 at the 6th month (P < 0.001). Mean BCVA of the ischemic BRVO group was 1.06 ± 0.68 logMAR at baseline and 0.44 ± 0.30 logMAR at the 6th month (P < 0.05). Similarly, the mean BCVA of the nonischemic BRVO group was 0.77 ± 0.53 logMAR at baseline and 0.41 ± 0.36 logMAR at the 6th month (P < 0.05). Between groups, there was no significant difference in mean BCVA at any examination. CONCLUSION: Intravitreal ranibizumab is a safe and effective treatment option for ME due to ischemic and nonischemic BRVO using PRN from the start.

Alteration of retinal layers in healthy subjects over 60 years of age until nonagenarians.

PURPOSE: To assess alterations of retinal layers in healthy subjects over 60 years old. METHODS: Retinal layers of 160 healthy subjects (aged 60-100 years) without any retinal pathology were imaged using spectral domain optical coherence tomography. Mean thickness of retinal nerve fiber layer, ganglion cell/inner plexiform layer (GCLIPL), inner nuclear layer, outer plexiform layer/outer nuclear layer, photoreceptor complex (PR) and retinal thickness (RT) were measured in a 3.45 mm grid. Correlations between age and layers were estimated and linear regression equations were calculated. Different age-groups (60-69, 70-79, 80-89 years and nonagenarians, each group with 40 participants) were compared. RESULTS: Significant age-thickness correlations were observed for GCLIPL (P<0.001, r=-0.394), PR (P<0.001, r=-0.370) and RT (P<0.001, r=-0.290). A comparison between age groups 60-69 years and nonagenarians showed no significant thickness alteration of retinal nerve fiber layer (21.80±2.18 µm vs 22.82±2.97 µm, P=0.163), inner nuclear layer (37.23±3.02 µm vs 36.01±3.24 µm, P=0.07) and outer plexiform layer/outer nuclear layer (104.95±6.56 µm vs 104.23±7.59 µm, P=0.567), while GCLIPL (83.35±7.35 µm vs 74.38±9.09 µm), PR (83.03±3.31 µm vs 79.34±2.09 µm) and RT (330.64±12.63 µm vs 316.83±18.35 µm) showed a significant decrease (P<0.001 for all). CONCLUSION: Our study provides normative data of alterations of retinal layers for persons aged 60 years to nonagenarians and indicates a continuous decrease of RT, PR, and GCLIPL. This data may be useful for clinical trials investigating macular diseases in older patients.

Clinical outcomes of 25-gauge vitrectomy surgery for vitreoretinal diseases: comparison of vitrectomy alone and phaco-vitrectomy.

AIM: To compare the clinical outcomes of combined 25-gauge pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) and phacoemulsification/posterior chamber intraocular lens (PC-IOL) implantation with vitrectomy alone surgery in patients with various vitreoretinal diseases. METHODS: A total of 306 eyes (145 with PPV alone and 161 with phaco-vitrectomy) were enrolled in this retrospective analysis. The surgical approach was 25-gauge PPV combined with phacoemulsification and PC-IOL implantation at the same time in eyes in phaco-vitrectomy group and only PPV in eyes in vitrectomy alone surgery group. The main outcome measures were postoperative clinical outcomes included anterior chamber inflammation, changes in intraocular pressure (IOP) and best corrected visual acuity (BCVA). RESULTS: The most common postoperative complication was anterior chamber reaction which has higher incidence in phaco-vitrectomy group (P<0.001). The mean postoperative 1(st) day IOP of vitrectomy alone group was significantly lower than that of phaco-vitrectomy group (16.3±5.8 mm Hg vs 17.8±8.1 mm Hg, respectively, P=0.02). Hypotony (IOP≤8 mm Hg) was not different between groups in the postoperative 1(st) day (P>0.05). The mean preoperative visual acuity was not different between groups (1.6±0.9 logMAR vs 1.8±0.9 logMAR, respectively, P>0.05). However, the mean visual acuity was decreased in vitrectomy alone group at the final visit compared to phaco-vitrectomy group (1.2±0.8 logMAR, 0.9±0.7 logMAR, respectively P<0.05). CONCLUSION: Twenty-five gauge PPV combined with phacoemulsification surgery is a safe and efficient procedure, which can be preferred in phacic patients with a variety of vitreoretinal diseases compared to vitrectomy alone. Despite improved outcomes, this approach is not free of limitations as anterior chamber complications especially with combined surgery.

A Novel Tool for the Assessment Oxidative Stress in Age-Related Macular Degeneration: Thiol/Disulfide Homeostasis Revisited.

PURPOSE: To investigate thiol/disulfide status using a novel automated assay in patients with age-related macular degeneration (AMD) compared to age-matched healthy controls. METHODS: A total of 64 AMD patients [51 (79%) non-exudative, 13 (21%) exudative AMD] and 21 age-matched healthy control subjects were enrolled in this study. Plasma total thiol, native thiol, disulfide levels were measured and native thiol/disulfide ratio (TDR) was calculated using a novel spectrophotometric assay. RESULTS: Patients with AMD had significantly lower levels of total thiol (434.8 ± 7.0 µmol/L vs. 472.2 ± 7.9 µmol/L, p < 0.001), native thiol (393.6 ± 6.5 µmol/L vs. 437.5 ± 7.1 µmol/L, p = 0.004) compared to healthy controls. However, plasma disulfide levels were higher in AMD patients (20.6 ± 0.9 µmol/L vs. 17.3 ± 1.3 µmol/L, p = 0.113) compared to healthy controls. The TDR was not statistically different between the early AMD group and healthy controls (24.2 ± 2.3 vs. 29.5 ± 3.1, p = 0.345). However, intermediate and advanced stage AMD groups had significantly lower levels of TDR compared to healthy controls (21.6 ± 2.6 vs. 29.5 ± 3.1, p = 0.023 and 20.3 ± 1.2 vs. 29.5 ± 3.1, p = 0.005, respectively). Native TDR was significantly lower in patients with exudative and non-exudative AMD (19.9 ± 2.3 vs. 29.5 ± 3.1, p = 0.024 and 21.8 ± 1.14 vs. 29.47 ± 3.1 respectively, p = 0.011). CONCLUSION: A greater extent of thiol consumption occurred in AMD patients compared to age-matched healthy controls. However, despite the similar levels of total thiol levels between several grades of AMD, the plasma native TDR value was decreased in accordance with the severity of the disease, which reflected the disease grade better.

Suspected bacterial endophthalmitis following sustained-release dexamethasone intravitreal implant: a case report.

A 58-year-old man admitted to our opthalmology department with the complaint of branch retinal vein occlusion. He was treated with intravitreal Ozurdex in the right eye. Two days after the injection, the patient presented with ocular pain and the visual acuity was hand movement. A diagnosis of endophthalmitis was made. We performed emergent pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) and the implant was removed from the vitreous cavity using a retinal forceps. A combination of vancomycin 1.0 mg and amikacin 0.4 mg was injected intravitreally. However, because of the blurring in the vitreus one week after the procedure, phacoemulsification and a repeat PPV was performed. Five days after the last procedure the signs and symptoms of endophthalmitis were resolved. Our case demonstrated that endophthalmitis could develop after intravitreal implantation of Ozurdex. Surgical removal of the implant and immediate vitrectomy seems to be a useful treatment option in these cases.