Long-term choroidal thickness changes based on the subtype of macular neovascularization in neovascular age-related macular degeneration (5-year follow-up).

PURPOSE: To evaluate the long-term choroidal thickness changes in combination with other morphological and functional outcomes during anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) treatment for neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD) based on the subtype of macular neovascularization (MNV): MNV-1 (within the subretinal pigment epithelium space) and MNV-2 (within the subretinal space). METHODS: This retrospective study included 58 eyes from 53 patients with naïve nAMD who received anti-VEGF therapy over a 60-month period. All eyes were treated initially with intravitreal bevacizumab following Pro re nata regimen. Main outcome measures included the following: subfoveal choroidal thickness (SFCT), best corrected visual acuity (BCVA), central macular thickness (CMT), development of subfoveal geographic atrophy (GA), and the number of injections. RESULTS: Thirty-four eyes had MNV-1 (group 1) and 24 eyes had MNV-2 (group 2). SFCT in group 1 vs group 2 was (210 ± 45 µm vs 191 ± 52 µm, p = 0.01) before treatment and (170 ± 47 µm vs 179 ± 48 µm, p = 0.24) after 60 months. BCVA (log MAR) in group 1 vs group 2 was (0.57 ± 0.18 vs 0.53 ± 0.22, p = 0.47) before treatment and (0.59 ± 0.23 vs 0.69 ± 0.16, p = 0.04) after 60 months. CMT in group 1 vs group 2 was (398 ± 154 µm vs 382 ± 103 µm, p = 0.86) before treatment and (297 ± 68 µm vs 283 ± 67 µm, p = 0.14) after 60 months. The number of injections per eye over a period of 60 months was significantly higher in group 1 (34.9 ± 11 vs 29.0 ± 14, p = 0.04). The proportion of eyes with subfoveal GA after 60 months was significantly higher in group 2 (13 eyes, 54%) than in group 1 (9 eyes, 25%) (p = 0.03). CONCLUSION: Over the full 60 months of anti-VEGF treatment, eyes with MNV-1 showed a greater reduction in choroidal thickness, better visual acuity, and less development of subfoveal geographic atrophy compared with eyes with MNV-2. The significantly thicker choroid in eyes with MNV type 1 at baseline seems to have a positive impact on long-term outcomes.

Surgical management of complicated Descemet's membrane detachment in corneas without prior endothelial keratoplasty.

PURPOSE: To provide insights into morphologic and functional features of eyes with complicated Descemet's membrane detachment (DMD) and report clinical outcomes after surgical intervention. METHODS: Retrospective study of 18 eyes with complicated DMD between 2010 and 2022. Complicated DMD was defined if any of the following criteria applied: prior penetrating keratoplasty (PKP), corneal thinning, total DMD or persistent DMD after Air/Gas-Descemetopexy. Causes, surgical management, and clinical outcomes were analyzed. Scheimpflug tomography, anterior segment optical coherence tomography (AS-OCT) and histologic examination were performed to characterize corneas with DMD. RESULTS: Fourteen eyes with prior PKP developed spontaneous DMD after 24.2 ± 12.9 years (range = 18 months - 47 years, median = 25.7 years). Complicated DMD without prior PKP was associated in three eyes after cataract surgery and in one eye after infectious keratitis. In cases with previous PKP, AS-OCT demonstrated rupture of Descemet's membrane (DM) in five eyes and spontaneous reattachment was found in four eyes within 8 weeks of initial diagnosis, with no rupture of DM in any of the cases. There was no rupture of DM in corneas without previous PKP. After prior keratoplasty, definitive surgical treatment was repeat PKP in 13 eyes and Air/Gas-Descemetopexy in one eye. In corneas without prior keratoplasty, three eyes underwent PKP and one eye Air/Gas-Descemetopexy. Histological examination of two corneal explants revealed a severely thinned graft-host junction and a disrupted DM close to the graft-host junction. Visual acuity improved from 1.80 ± 0.58 logMAR to 0.75 ± 0.69 logMAR after prior PKP and from 1.45 ± 0.65 logMAR to 0.85 ± 1.13 logMAR without prior PKP. The postoperative course was uneventful in 16 of 18 eyes. CONCLUSION: PKP is an effective treatment option for complicated DMD, especially in ectatic corneas, whereas Air/Gas-Descemetopexy or Descemet Membrane Endothelial Keratoplasty do not address the primary issue of the curvature anomaly.

Approval rates for corneal donation and the origin of donor tissue for transplantation at a university-based tertiary referral center with corneal subspecialization hosting a LIONS Eye Bank.

BACKGROUND: With the increasing demand for corneas, eye banks must optimize the tissue donation, collection, and selection process. This retrospective monocentric study analyzed the approval rates for corneal donation and the origin of and reasons for discarding donor corneas from 2010 to 2019. METHODS: Data included the number of deceased, approval or rejection by the family for corneal donation and contraindications. Corneal grafts were included from all deceased persons who were full-body and multi-organ donors at the Saarland University Medical Center (UKS) and from external institutions. Additional analyzed parameters included endothelial cell count (ECC), blood sample serology for infections, and conjunctival swab testing . RESULTS: A total of 1748 corneoscleral buttons were harvested from 10,265 deceased persons (17% with no contraindication) at the UKS between 2010 and 2019, with a consent rate of 23.3%. The number of keratoplasties increased from 136 in 2010 (15% of the deceased, total = 925) to 251 in 2019 (21%, total = 1214). Both the general and department-specific data showed similar percentages for corneal donation over the years, with intensive care and palliative units recently providing the most corneas. The increase in the number of corneas processed by the cornea bank over the years (368 in 2010 compared with 857 in 2019) was linked both to a better internal supply in 2010 (262, 71.2% of the total) compared with 2019 (519, 60.6%) and to an external supply by reinforcement of cooperation with external hospitals, including Luxembourg in 2010 (106, 28.8% of the total) compared with 2019 (338, 39.4%). A total of 195 of 377 corneas (52%) were discarded in 2009 compared with 260 out of 715 (36%) in 2019. The main reasons for discarding were low ECC (36% of discarded corneas in 2009; 11% in 2019), positive conjunctival swab (11% in 2009; 13% in 2019), and blood sample serology (6% in 2009 and in 2019). CONCLUSION: Despite an increasing number of donors, the demand for corneas is still rising. Improved cooperation with internal departments and with external clinics has led to an increasing number of explanted corneas. The main reason for discarding corneas was low ECC, followed by a positive conjunctival swab for fungal or bacterial contamination and serology. Increased donation rates and continued improvements in collection and selection processes are necessary to cover the high demand for corneas.

Graft Failure after PKP and DMEK: What is the Best Option? / Transplantatversagen nach PKP und DMEK: Was ist die beste Option?

Corneal transplantation is the most commonly performed human tissue transplantation procedure worldwide. Due to the large number of grafts, corneal graft failure has become one of the most common indications for corneal transplantation for immunological and non-immunological reasons (e.g. recurrence of underlying disease, high intraocular pressure, grafted guttae, transmitted HSV or CMV infection). The relatively recently developed lamellar grafting techniques have introduced certain potential complications that may lead to graft failure and require approaches other than penetrating keratoplasty for re-grafting. On the other hand, these new lamellar techniques also offer new possibilities for salvaging failed penetrating grafts, with potential advantages over successive penetrating keratoplasties, such as lower intraoperative risks, faster visual rehabilitation and reduced risk of immune reaction. Today, the patient with good healing who is satisfied with his graft before endothelial decompensation, with low astigmatism and no stromal scars, represents the optimal condition for DMEK after PKP. This can also be combined with phacoemulsification (so-called triple DMEK). Otherwise, a penetrating re-keratoplasty with a larger graft (typically excimer laser repeat PKP 8.5/8.6 mm) is performed to treat edema, scars and irregular astigmatism simultaneously. The medical history carries weight in this decision! Re-DMEK in case of graft failure after DMEK and DSAEK does not require any modification of the standard technique and leads to good visual acuity results if performed quickly. If there is clear stromal scarring after multiple (external) DMEKs, PKP can also be considered to rectify the situation. Otherwise causeless recurrent graft failures must suggest herpetic or CMV endotheliitis and, after PCR analysis of the aqueous humour aspirate, be treated appropriately with medication.

How Implementing a Quality Management System at the LIONS Eye Bank Saar-Lor-Lux, Trier/Western Palatinate from 2006 to 2016 Impacted the Rate and Reasons for Discarding Human Organ-Cultured Corneas. / Einfluss der Einführung des Qualitätsmanagementsystems auf die Verwerfungsrate und -gründe von menschlichem organkultivierten Spendergewebe der LIONS-Hornhautbank Saar-Lor-Lux, Trier/Westpfalz von 2006 bis 2016.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to explore how the implementation of the quality management system (QM; according to DIN EN ISO 9001 : 2008) at the LIONS Eye Bank impacted the rate and reasons for discarding donated corneas. The QM system was introduced in November 2010. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The rate of and reasons for discarding cornea tissues at the LIONS Eye Bank Saar-Lor-Lux,Trier/Western Palatinate from 2006 to 2016 were analysed retrospectively. 4,140 corneas from 2,084 donors were analysed. 1,640 corneas were processed before the QM system had been introduced and 2,500 corneas thereafter. Main reasons for discarding cornea tissues were endothelial quality, contamination of the medium and a positive conjunctival swab. The data was extracted from clinical files and data filing systems, entered into a Microsoft Access database and analysed statistically with SPSS. OUTCOME: Following the implementation of a QM system, the discard rate decreased significantly from 50.1% to 39.7% (p < 0.0001). Prior to the implementation of the QM system, 493 (30.1%) cornea tissues had been discarded due to endothelial quality, while this figure improved significantly to 604 (24.2%) after the QM system had been implemented (p < 0.0001). Contamination was the reason for discarding tissue in 173 (10.5%) cases before implementation of the QM system, and in 124 (5.0%) cases thereafter (p < 0.0001). Positive conjunctival swab was the reason for discarding tissue in 10 (0.6%) cases before the QM system had been implemented, and in 53 (2.1%) cases thereafter (p < 0.0001). CONCLUSION: Implementation of a QM system significantly reduced the rate of discarded donor tissue in the LIONS Eye Bank. Better management of contamination as a reason for discarding cornea tissues can be attributed to improved standards, protocols and training that are part of this QM system.

The Homburg Cross-Stitch Marker for Double-Running Sutures in Penetrating Keratoplasty.

INTRODUCTION: Until now, the double-running cross-stitch according to Hoffmann used in penetrating keratoplasty (PKP) has been routinely carried out by simply using a sense of proportion. As a result, the estimation of the precisely defined entry and exit points of the sutures and, by extension, the success of the running cross-stitch suture was completely dependent on the practical experience of the surgeon. Therefore, we introduced the cross-stitch marker as a supporting instrument for PKP surgery. METHODS: Description of the Homburg cross-stitch marker with an exact step-by-step guide on how the instrument is implemented while performing a PKP to mark entry and exit points for sutures including a video to demonstrate the use of this instrument. RESULTS: The new Homburg cross-stitch marker ensures the precise localisation of the entry and exit points of the suture. This new instrument allows inexperienced surgeons in particular to feel very confident when performing the running sutures. CONCLUSION: Surgeons with little experience can completely avoid using their still imprecise sense of proportion and significantly shorten the learning curve for this procedure.

Descemet Membrane Endothelial Keratoplasty (DMEK) in Previously Vitrectomized Eyes: Complications and Clinical Outcomes.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the results and complications of Descemet membrane endothelial keratoplasty (DMEK) in previously vitrectomized eyes. DESIGN: Retrospective study of 35 eyes that had undergone DMEK, due to Fuchs endothelial corneal dystrophy (FECD), at our department with a follow-up after 6 months postoperatively. We compared the intraoperative procedure, complications, and results of DMEK between 14 previously vitrectomized pseudophakic eyes (group 1) and a control group of 21 pseudophakic non-vitrectomized eyes (group 2). RESULTS: The unfolding time (in minutes) was significantly longer in group 1 than in group 2 (10.5 ± 6.4 vs. 3.2 ± 1.5, p < 0.01). A single re-bubbling was needed in 8 patients in group 1 (57.1%) and in 3 patients in group 2 (14.2%) (p < 0.01). Repeated re-bubbling (≥ 1 time) was performed in only 5 patients of group 1 (35.7%). There was significant postoperative improvement in best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA, in LogMAR) in both groups (p = 0.04 in group 1 and p < 0.01 in group 2). The central corneal thickness (CCT, in µm) did not differ significantly between the two groups preoperatively (p = 0.4) or postoperatively (p = 0.1). However, the CCT decreased significantly postoperatively in both groups (p < 0.01 in both groups). The postoperative endothelial cell density (ECD in cell/mm²) was significantly lower in group 1 than in group 2 (p = 0.03). CONCLUSION: DMEK in previously vitrectomized eyes presents a surgical challenge, which requires special, and sometimes unpredictable, intraoperative maneuvers, but good functional and morphological results can be achieved. The use of the endothelial Descemet membrane lamellae (EDML) of older donors might be recommended to facilitate the intraoperative unfolding process.

[Analysis of Factors Influencing the Suitability of Donor Corneas in the LIONS Cornea Bank Saar-Lor-Lux, Trier/Westpfalz from 2006 to 2016]. / Analyse von Einflussfaktoren auf die Eignung von kornealem Spendergewebe in der LIONS Hornhautbank Saar-Lor-Lux, Trier/Westpfalz von 2006 bis 2016.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: With the discrepancy between availability and demand for corneal donors, the purpose of our study was to identify significant factors influencing the suitability and affecting the main reasons for discarding organ-cultured corneas. We thus aimed to minimise the percentage of unsuitable corneas in the long term. PATIENTS AND METHODS: 4140 corneas of 2083 donors were analysed between 2006 and 2016. The factors included age, gender and medical history of the donors as well as storage factors such as post-mortem times. The data was recruited in a Microsoft Access database and evaluated with SPSS 20.0, using logistic regression analyses. In a multiple regression model, six factors influencing the suitability of the donor tissue were analysed. All corneas that did not meet the criteria for elective keratoplasty were considered unsuitable. RESULTS: A high donor age of > 80 years was found to be a significantly negative factor on the suitability of the cornea (p = 0.001) compared to the reference group of donors < 40 years. Previous cataract surgery (p < 0.001) also significantly reduced suitability. Male corneas were significantly less suitable than female corneas (p = 0.028). Hypertension (p = 0.612), chemotherapy (p = 0.745) or diabetes mellitus (p = 0.321) did not significantly affect the suitability. Sepsis (p = 0.026) and multiorgan failure (p < 0.001) as cause of death resulted in significantly higher discarding rates due to contamination of the culture medium. Corneas in which the blood sample collection took more than 12 h from death of the donor had to be discarded significantly more frequently due to a positive donor serology. CONCLUSIONS: Factors such as a history of cataract surgery and high donor age reduced the suitability of corneal donor tissue in organ culture. Diabetes, arterial hypertension and chemotherapy in the donor history did not statistically significantly affect the suitability of donor tissue. Causes of death such as sepsis or multi-organ failure increased the contamination rate of the medium. Post-mortem blood collection after more than 12 h should be avoided due to increased positive serology results.

Intravitreal ranibizumab versus aflibercept following treat and extend protocol for neovascular age-related macular degeneration.

PURPOSE: To assess the morphological and functional outcome and stability of the "treat and extend" protocol using aflibercept compared to ranibizumab for the treatment of eyes with neovascular age-related macular degeneration. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This retrospective study included 100 eyes of 94 patients with primary onset neovascular age-related macular degeneration followed up for 12 months. We studied two groups of eyes: group 1, 50 eyes treated with 0.5 mg/0.05 mL ranibizumab and group 2, 50 eyes treated with 2.0 mg/0.05 mL aflibercept. During the first year, all eyes received 3 aflibercept or ranibizumab injections monthly as upload phase. Then, eyes were treated with a treat and extend algorithm. Main outcome measures included: best corrected visual acuity (BCVA), central macular thickness (CMT), and the number of injections. In addition, we compared recurrence rates between the two groups. RESULTS: BCVA (log MAR) in group 1 vs group 2 was 0.54 ± 0.31 vs 0.49 ± 0.30 (p = 0.38) before treatment and 0.49 ± 0.33 vs 0.47 ± 0.32 (p = 0.85) after treatment. The visual improvement (decimal) was 0.05 ± 0.13 vs 0.04 ± 0.12 (p = 0.91). CMT in group 1 vs group 2 was 375.6 ± 98.3 µm vs 369.6 ± 103.7 µm (p = 0.73) before treatment and 306.3 ± 71.8 µm vs 294.8 ± 96 µm (p = 0.54) after treatment. The decrease in CMT was 69.3 ± 93 µm vs 74.8 ± 96 µm (p = 0.77). The number of injections/eye after upload phase in group 1 vs group 2 was 5.88 ± 1.4 vs 6.16 ± 1.3 (p = 0.25). Finally, major recurrence rates were statistically significantly different between the two groups (2% vs 6%, p = 0.04). CONCLUSIONS: Significant differences regarding BCVA, central macular thickness, and the number of injections were not found between aflibercept and ranibizumab during the first year following the treat and extend protocol. However, the significantly higher major recurrence rates in the aflibercept group after extending the treatment interval to 10 weeks might suggest that aflibercept should better not to be used in longer than 8 weeks intervals during the first year of treatment.

Negative impact of dextran in organ culture media for pre-stripped tissue preservation on DMEK (Descemet membrane endothelial keratoplasty) outcome.

PURPOSE: To assess the morphological and functional outcomes of Descemet membrane endothelial keratoplasty (DMEK) performed with pre-stripped tissue preserved in organ culture medium containing dextran compared to tissue preserved in dextran-free medium. METHODS: In this retrospective study, we reviewed the clinical records of 103 patients who underwent DMEK surgery with pre-stripped tissue in our department between June 2015 and September 2016. The endothelium-Descemet membrane layer was preserved in organ culture medium for a maximum of 48 h for all patients. For group 1, 49 endothelium-Descemet membrane (EDM) were stripped and preserved in medium 1 (dextran-free organ culture medium), while 54 EDM were stripped and preserved in medium 2 (organ culture medium supplemented with 6% dextran T-500) for group 2. Outcome measures included best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), central corneal thickness (CCT), and endothelial cell density (ECD) of all eyes in both groups at three consecutive postoperative time points: 2 weeks, 6 weeks, and 6 months postoperatively. We also compared the repeat keratoplasty rates between the groups. RESULTS: Group 1 showed a statistically significant better BCVA compared to group 2 at each time point (p < 0.05). The percentage of grafts achieving 0.5 or better after 6 months in group 1 was 96% and in group 2, it was 66% (P < 0.001). CCT was significantly lower in group 1 compared to group 2 at 2 weeks and 6 months after surgery (p < 0.05). ECD was comparable between donor grafts before surgery but was significantly greater in groups 1 after 2 and 6 weeks (p < 0.05), but not after 6 months. Necessity for repeat keratoplasty (repeat DMEK, subsequent penetrating keratoplasty (PKP)) was significantly lower in group 1 (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Pre-stripped tissue for DMEK preserved in dextran-free medium led to better visual recovery, thinner postoperative corneas, a higher endothelial cell density, and a lower rate of repeat keratoplasty, indicating that dextran has an unfavorable impact on the preservation of pre-stripped DMEK tissue.

Tenonplasty for closing defects during sclerocorneal surgery-A brief review of its anatomy and clinical applications.

To provide insight into the clinical anatomy of Tenon's capsule and to describe a technique to manage sclerocorneal defects using autologous Tenon's tissue. A thin layer of Tenon's capsule harvested from the patient's own eye is used to seal the defect and act as a scaffold. The Tenon's flap is spread over the defect and held in place by Vicryl sutures. A bandage contact lens is then placed on the eye. Tenon's capsule is composed of thick fibrous tissue with smooth muscle fibers and a thin posterior capsule of orbital fat. It is rich in fibroblasts, which can accelerate wound healing and eventually lead to robust scarring without risk of immunogenicity and without cost. Tenonplasty uses easily-available autologous Tenon's tissue in patients with sclerocorneal defects to preserve globe morphology. The technique is a feasible alternative not limited by the availability of graft tissue. Clin. Anat. 31:72-76, 2018. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

First-Year Real-Life Experience with Intravitreal Faricimab for Refractory Neovascular Age-Related Macular Degeneration.

Background: To evaluate the outcomes of intravitreal faricimab (IVF) for refractory neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD) and investigate the impact of baseline optical coherence tomography, biomarkers for total IVF injections are needed. Methods: A retrospective analysis of 33 eyes of patients who completed one year (52 W) of treatment with IVF. The eyes received four IVF injections (6 mg/0.05 mL) as the upload phase. Thereafter, the treatment interval was extended to 8 or 12 weeks if disease activity was not recorded. The outcome measures included best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), central macular thickness (CMT), subfoveal choroidal thickness (SFCT), and retinal fluid distribution. Results: A total of 33 eyes were included. CMT decreased significantly at 52 W (p < 0.01). BCVA and SFCT did not change significantly at 52 W (p > 0.05). The number of eyes with subretinal fluid decreased significantly at 52 W (p < 0.01). Complete fluid resolution was achieved in 20 eyes (60%). The total number of injections was significantly negatively correlated with the presence of hyperreflective dots at baseline (HRDs, p < 0.01) and SFCT at baseline (p < 0.01). Conclusions: IVF led to a significant reduction in CMT with stabilization of BCVA. The total number of injections was lower in eyes with HRDs and increased SFCT at baseline. This might provide clues regarding response to IVF for future studies.

Indications and Results of Emergency Penetrating Keratoplasty With Simultaneous Cataract Surgery ("Triple-PKP à Chaud").

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to analyze the indications and clinical results of emergency penetrating keratoplasty with simultaneous cataract surgery ("Triple-PKP à chaud"). METHODS: This study included all subjects who underwent Triple-PKP à chaud between 2006 and 2020 at the Department of Ophthalmology, Saarland University Medical Center, Homburg/Saar in Germany. Data obtained from patient records were retrospectively analyzed. RESULTS: Triple-PKP à chaud was successfully performed in 27 of 29 eyes with a mean age of 66.0 ± 19.9 years. Previous surgery was performed in 20 eyes (69.0%), most frequently amniotic membrane transplantation in 11 eyes (37.9%) and previous keratoplasty in 9 eyes (31.0%). The most common indication was infectious keratitis (62.1%). In 27 subjects (93.1%), capsulorhexis was performed using the open-sky technique. The most frequent intraoperative complication was positive vitreous pressure (24.1%). In 2 eyes (6.9%), no intraocular lens implantation was performed because of posterior capsule rupture. The preoperative uncorrected visual acuity improved from 2.2 ± 0.6 logMAR (range = 3.0-0.7 logMAR) to 1.3 ± 0.7 logMAR (range = 3.0-0.18 logMAR) postoperatively ( P < 0.001). Common postoperative complications were suture loosening (44.4%) and corneal epithelial defects (33.3%). Repeat keratoplasty was necessary in 14 eyes (51.9%), including 9 eyes (64.2%) within 12 months postoperatively. The mean graft survival was 12.2 ± 17.9 months (range = 1-69 mo). CONCLUSIONS: Triple-PKP is also feasible in emergency conditions. Nevertheless, the surgery is associated with an increased risk of intraoperative and postoperative complications. Combined surgery should, therefore, only be performed in severely diseased eyes with progressed stage of cataract.

Assessing the Learning Curve for DMEK Using Post-Procedural Clinical Outcomes-Comparison of Four Different Surgeons during Two Different Periods.

PURPOSE: Evaluating the learning curve of individual surgeons for Descemet Membrane Endothelial Keratoplasty (DMEK) and Triple-DMEK and assessing outcome with experience. METHODS: The first 41 and the last 41 surgeries of each of the four surgeons were retrospectively included. Surgery duration and graft preparation time were recorded. Corrected distance visual acuity (CDVA, logMAR) and central corneal thickness (CCT, µm) were collected preoperatively after 6 and 12 months, as well as postoperative complications, e.g., re-bubbling or repeat penetrating keratoplasty. RESULTS: Surgical duration for Triple-DMEK and DMEK decreased significantly by 21 min and 14 min between the two periods (p < 0.001; p < 0.001). Graft preparation time decreased significantly from 13.3 ± 5.2 min (95%CI 12.8-14.3) in period 1 to 10.7 ± 4.8 min (95%CI 10.2-11.4) in period 2 (p = 0.002). The postoperative changes in CDVA and CCT over both periods were not significant (p = 0.900; p = 0.263). The re-bubbling rate decreased significantly from 51.2% in period 1 to 26.2% in period 2 (p < 0.001). The repeat penetrating keratoplasty (PKP) was 7.3% in period 1 and 3.7% in period 2 (p = 0.146). Re-DMEK was necessary in 6.1% in period 1 and 4.9% in period 2 (p = 0.535). Several parameters showed significant differences between the surgeons in both periods (surgical duration: period 1: p < 0.001, period 2 p < 0.001; graft preparation: period 1: p < 0.001, period 2 p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Significant decrease in surgery duration, graft preparation time, and the re-bubbling rate can be attributed to gained individual experience.

Macular vascularisation changes analysed using OCT angiography after successful rhegmatogenous retinal detachment repair.

AIM: To analyse the macular vascularisation changes analysed using optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) after successful rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD) repair by comparing gas vs silicone oil and macula-on vs macula-off. METHODS: This retrospective data collection included 77 eyes with RRD that underwent pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) and gas or silicone oil tamponade. We performed an OCTA during the postoperative control between 6 and 24mo after the last surgery and evaluated the main parameters measured by OCTA: foveal avascular zone (FAZ) and parafoveolar vascular density (PVD) in the superficial capillary plexus. The patients were divided into four groups: RRD with macular involvement treated with gas tamponade, RRD without macular involvement treated with gas tamponade, RRD with macular involvement treated with silicone oil tamponade and RRD without macular involvement treated with silicone oil tamponade. A one-way ANOVA test combined with post hoc Bonferroni corrections compared FAZ sizes and PVD in all four groups. RESULTS: The FAZ size was statistically significantly larger in eyes with RRD involving the macula than in those not involving it (P=0.005). There was no statistically significant difference in the FAZ sizes of the eyes treated with silicone oil tamponade compared to those treated with gas tamponade (P=0.54). There was no statistically significant difference in the PVD comparing all four groups. CONCLUSION: Despite the known risks associated with silicone oil, our findings suggest that the type of tamponade used during PPV to treat an RRD has no significant effect on the future integrity of the PVD or the size of the FAZ in the superficial capillary plexus as measured by OCTA.

First Year Real Life Experience With Intravitreal Brolucizumab for Treatment of Refractory Neovascular Age-Related Macular Degeneration.

Purpose: To assess the morphological and functional outcomes within the first year of treatment with intravitreal brolucizumab for refractory neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD). Methods: This retrospective study included 21 eyes from 19 patients with refractory nAMD followed for 12 months. All patients were switched to brolucizumab after treatment with at least two other anti-vascular endothelial growth factors (VEGF). All eyes received 3x brolucizumab 6 mg/0.05 ml intravitreal injections (IVI) monthly as an upload phase. Then eyes received an IVI every 8 weeks with interval adjustment to every 12 weeks if disease activity was not present. Main outcome measures: best corrected visual acuity (BCVA), central macular thickness (CMT) and retinal fluid distribution. In addition, we reported the adverse event rate. Results: The number of previous anti-VEGF IVIs/eye was 36 ± 22 before switching to brolucizumab. BCVA (ETDRS) was 51 ± 16 before treatment and 50 ± 19 at week 52 (p = 0.6). CMT was 374 ± 158 µm before treatment and 298 ± 92 µm at week 52 (p = 0.01). The number of IVIs/eye decreased from 9.6 ± 1.9 IVIs in the last year before switching to 6.4 ± 0.9 IVIs in the first year after switching to brolucizumab (p < 0.001). The rate of eyes with subretinal fluid and pigment epithelial detachment decreased at week 52. Finally, two cases of intraocular inflammation were observed as adverse events. Conclusion: In the first year of treatment, intravitreal brolucizumab was able to stabilize visual acuity with significantly less IVIs in patients with refractory nAMD. It also improved anatomic outcomes in these patients, particularly reducing subretinal fluid and pigment epithelial detachment and subsequently central macular thickness. However, two cases of intraocular inflammation were observed as adverse events.

Intravitreal Injection for Diabetic Macular Edema as Adjunctive Therapy for Proliferative Diabetic Retinopathy: A Retrospective Study.

PURPOSE: To detect the impact of intravitreal injection (IVI) therapy with sole anti-vascular-endothelial-growth-factor (VEGF) or combined with steroids treating diabetic macular edema (DME) on activity of proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR) based on total number of panretinal photocoagulation (PRP) spots needed within 2 years. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A retrospective study of 102 eyes with primary-onset PDR and minimum follow-up of 24 months divided into 2 groups: Group 1 (G1) 40 eyes received only PRP and did not develop DME. Group 2 (G2) 62 eyes received additional IVI-therapy due to concomitant DME, with anti-VEGF only (subgroup 2a, G2a) or in combination with steroids (subgroup 2b, G2b). Main outcomes: central macular thickness (CMT, µm), best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA, LogMAR) and total number of needed PRP spots and IVI after 24 months. RESULTS: CMT was significantly higher in G2 compared to G1, initially (p < 0.01) and after 24 months (p = 0.01). CMT was significantly higher in G2b compared to G2a, both initially (p = 0.01) and after 24 months (p < 0.01). BCVA was significantly higher in G1 compared to G2, initially and after 24 months (p = 0.01). BCVA was not significantly different between the two subgroups, initially (p = 0.54) and after 24 months (p = 0.29). The total number of PRP spots was significantly higher in G1 compared to G2 (p < 0.01) but not significantly different between the subgroups (p = 0.8). CONCLUSION: Regardless of severity of concomitant DME, IVI with sole anti-VEGF or combined with steroids reduced the total number of PRP spots needed within 2 years significantly indicating a favorable effect on activity of PDR.

Eplerenone for treatment of chronic central serous chorioretinopathy.

PURPOSE: To assess the morphological and functional outcome of oral eplerenone for treatment of patients with chronic central serous chorioretinopathy (CSC) in a real life experience. PATIENTS AND METHODS: In this retrospective study, we reviewed the clinical files of 30 patients with chronic CSC. All patients were treated with eplerenone for a period of 6 weeks or 3 months depending on the clinical response. Main outcome measures included: best corrected visual acuity (BCVA), central macular thickness (CMT) and height of the subretinal fluid (SRF). Comparisons between responders and non-responders were performed to identify factors that were predictive of the treatment response. RESULTS: All patients were treated with eplerenone 18 ± 20 weeks after onset of the first symptoms. BCVA (LogMAR) improved from 0.2 ± 0.2 to 0.13 ± 0.18 at 6 weeks (p = 0.01) and to 0.09 ± 0.15 at 3 months (p = 0.01). Mean CMT decreased from 409 ± 136 to 323 ± 87 µm at 6 weeks (p = 0.001) and to 298 ± 98 µm at 3 months (p = 0.01). Mean height of SRF decreased from 153 ± 126 to 73 ± 79 µm at 6 weeks (p = 0.001) and to 49 ± 88 µm at 3 months (p = 0.005). Complete resolution of SRF was achieved in 20 patients after 3 months (67%). Reported stress in the medical history was the only statistical significant predictive factor associated with a positive treatment response. CONCLUSION: This study showed a statistically significant improvement of the best corrected visual acuity and a significant reduction of macular thickness and subretinal fluid in patients with chronic CSC treated with oral eplerenone, especially in patients under stress.