Scleral buckling surgery and eye pain: assessment of chronic eye pain during the postoperative period of scleral buckling surgery.

PURPOSE: To assess the progression of eye pain after scleral buckling surgery to treat rhegmatogenous retinal detachment and to investigate the occurrence and characteristics of chronic eye pain. METHODS: This was a longitudinal, prospective, and observational study. Eye pain was measured according to a numerical analog scale (range, 0-10) for 6 months after scleral buckling surgery. The sample was divided into two groups, with or without chronic eye pain, to perform statistical analyses. For this study, chronic eye pain was defined as postoperative pain beyond 30 days. The following variables were assessed to investigate the etiology of chronic eye pain: age, gender, ethnicity, degree of myopia, visual acuity, intraocular pressure, and degree of scleral indentation. RESULTS: A total of 100 patients were assessed in this study. One particular sequence of levels on the pain analog scale, specifically 3-2-1-0-0 (intensity of eye pain on postoperative Days 1, 14, 30, 60, and 180, respectively), was identified more frequently during the progression of eye pain in the 180-day follow-up period. The pain resolved for 72% of patients within 30 days. Chronic eye pain occurred in 18% of the patients. Scleral indentation was the only statistically significant variable investigated relative to the etiology of chronic eye pain (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Chronic eye pain correlated significantly with large scleral indentation. Patients with more intense pain at the onset of the postoperative period tended to develop chronic eye pain.

Potential Risk Factors for Ocular Pain in Patients Undergoing Multiple Intravitreal Injections of Anti-Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor.

Purpose: To assess ocular pain in patients undergoing multiple intravitreal injections of anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF) who have previous factors that may influence pain sensitivity. Methodology: This is a prospective, observational, case series study involving patients who underwent multiple (≥3) pro re nata intravitreal injections of ranibizumab or aflibercept to treat any cause of chorioretinal vascular disease. Ocular pain was assessed by the numerical analog scale during intravitreal injection. For this study, the main variable was ocular pain and the secondary variables included age, sex, previous history of glaucoma, primary retinal vascular disease, severe dry eye history, trigeminal pain, scleral buckle surgery, collagen diseases, fibromyalgia, severe migraine history, pars plana vitrectomy, scleral thickness measurements, and type of anti-VEGF. Results: In a total of 894 patients, 948 eyes (4822 intravitreal injections), 793 patients (88.6%) had ocular pain sensitivity between no pain to mild pain, 80 patients (8.9%) had moderate ocular pain, 15 patients (1.6%) had severe ocular pain, and 6 patients (0.7%) had extremely severe ocular pain. Patients with severe dry eye (p = 0.01) and previous history of scleral buckle surgery (p = 0.01) showed a significant correlation with ocular pain during intravitreal injection. Pars plana scleral thickness (>550 um) and diabetic neuropathy were associated with ocular pain but did not meet the criteria for statistical significance (p = 0.09 and p = 0.06, respectively). Conclusion: Dry eye and prior scleral buckle surgery may contribute to pain associated with intravitreal injection. These issues should be taken into consideration in patients undergoing multiple intravitreal injections.

Branch retinal artery occlusion with paracentral acute middle maculopathy related to a COVID-19 infection in a patient with Anosmia.

PURPOSE: To report a case of paracentral acute middle maculopathy (PAMM) due to branch retinal artery occlusion (BRAO) as a complication of COVID-19. METHODS: A case report evaluated through spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT), fluorescein angiography, and OCT angiography. RESULTS: A 55-year-old man complained of blurred vision in the right eye. He presented with anosmia and tested positive for COVID-19 one week before. Fundus examination revealed a superior temporal whitening of the retina, SD-OCT showed a hyperreflective band-like lesion on the nuclear layer consistent with PAMM. CONCLUSION: COVID-19 infection involves inflammatory and thrombotic events. Even patients with just anosmia may have complications such as BRAO associated with PAMM.

Retinal microvascular abnormalities, cotton wool-like lesions, and macular edema following COVID-19 in a patient previously vaccinated with AstraZeneca and idiopathic myopathy.

In this case study, the authors describe peculiar bilateral cotton wool-like retinal lesions associated with macular edema in a patient with COVID-19 who was vaccinated with a single dose of AstraZeneca one month earlier. This patient had no pulmonary or systemic cardiovascular complications from COVID-19, as reported in other papers that found retinal lesions. However, the patient was diagnosed with idiopathic myopathy when discovering the SARS-CoV-2 infection. The patient was a 22-year-old white female with no previous history of morbidity, complaining of blurred vision in both eyes seven days after testing positive for SARS-CoV-2 by PCR (using nasal and oral swab) and confirmed through ELISA blood test (IgM positive). There was no ancillary test revealing diabetes mellitus. The patient presented with scattered whitish cotton wool-like lesions and a few hemorrhages on the posterior pole in fundus examination. On spectral domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT), there were hyperreflective lesions in the nerve fiber layer, ganglion cell layer, inner nuclear layer, and inner and outer plexiform layers at the site corresponding to the whitish cotton wool-like lesions in the posterior fundus photos. Moreover, the macula of both eyes had intraretinal and subretinal fluid, reversible with corticosteroid therapy. In conclusion, COVID-19 has been associated with capillary disorders at different target sites such as retina, lungs, and central nervous system. Similarly, vaccination against SARS-CoV-2 has been linked to retinal complications in the literature; however, cotton wool-like lesions have not yet been reported. There are many questions yet to be answered about the implications of COVID-19 infection and its vaccines.

Transient central retina artery occlusion in patients undergoing intravitreal anti vegf injections.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the occurrence of transient central retinal artery occlusion following intravitreal anti-vascular endothelial growth factor injection. METHODS: Prospective, observational study of 807 patients (807 eyes) who were given intravitreal injections of ranibizumab or aflibercept to treat any cause of retinal vascular diseases between 1 January 2017 and 30 November 2018 at the Federal Fluminense University Hospital in Niteroi, and a private facility in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Patients who did not present transient central retinal artery occlusion were excluded. RESULTS: Among 4069 injections, only 18 patients (0.44%) presented transient central retinal artery occlusion, 14 mild cases (77.7%), and 4 severe cases (22.3%). The clinical factors associated with more severe cases of transient central retinal artery occlusion were the duration of the transient central retinal artery occlusion (p = 0.001), number of prior injections (p = 0.01), and a positive carotid Doppler test (p = 0.01). Twelve cases (66.6%) had positive carotid artery obstruction (atheroma plaque size ≥70%) while 6 cases (33.3%) had negative carotid artery obstruction (atheroma plaque size <70%). The age group >60 years old (p = 0.06), cup/disc ratio >0.6 (p = 0.06), and pseudophakic lens status were also factors with association with transient central retinal artery occlusion, although did not meet criteria for statistical significance. The only patient who experienced a recurrent episode of transient central retinal artery occlusion had diabetic macular edema, positive carotid Doppler test, and cup/optic disc ratio >0.6. CONCLUSION: Transient central retinal artery occlusion is a rare adverse event that can appear in patients with retinal vascular disease receiving anti-vascular endothelial growth factor therapy. The atheroma plaque size and the number of prior injections can be associated with the severity of the event.

The Central Subfoveal Bouquet in Idiopathic Epiretinal Membranes.

PURPOSE: To report both the unoperated clinical course and the surgical outcomes of eyes with a central foveal bouquet (CB) secondary to idiopathic epiretinal membranes (iERMs). DESIGN: Retrospective, consecutive, and observational case series. METHODS: All patients examined between January 1, 2014, and December 31, 2019, for evaluation of epiretinal membrane with a CB lesion identified on spectral domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) were included. Exclusion criteria included vitreoretinal comorbidities associated with secondary ERMs and an absence of CB lesions on SD-OCT. Patients were divided into two groups: those who were followed with observation (Group I) and those who received surgery (Group II). Each group had 3 different types of mechanical abnormalities of the CB previously described as cotton ball sign, subfoveal detachment, or acquired vitelliform lesion, without a subanalysis discrimination. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) at baseline and last follow-up, subjective metamorphopsia, central retinal thickness (CMT), mechanical stress lesions of the CB, and resolution or evolution of the CB lesions during the follow-up interval. RESULTS: Two hundred seventy-six eyes with iERM were reviewed, and 46 eyes met the inclusion criteria. Among these, 21 of 46 (46%) were observed, and 25 of 46 (54%) underwent surgery. Metamorphopsia was identified in 61.9% of patients in Group I and 81.2% of patients in Group II, at baseline. The mean BCVA was 0.19 ± 0.17 (20/30) in Group I and 0.31 ± 0.33 (20/40) in Group II at presentation. At the final exam, patients in Group I achieved a mean BCVA of 0.24 ± 0.18 (20/30), while patients in Group II obtained a mean BCVA of 0.15 ± 0.21 (20/30). Spontaneous resolution of the CB sign occurred in 5 of 21 eyes (23.8%) that were observed, whereas, after surgery, the CB sign resolved in 16 of 25 eyes (61.5%). Mean CMT was 422 ± 84.2µm in Group I and 531 ± 143.9µm in Group II, at baseline, while at the latest follow-up, the mean CMT was 400 ± 40.8µm in the cases followed with observation and 454 ± 148.7µm in the surgical cases. CONCLUSION: The clinical course and surgical outcomes of CB findings in iERM are favorable in terms of visual acuity. However, those receiving surgery had an increase in visual acuity and resolution of the CB abnormality.

Comparative study of the clinical profile of chronic dacryocystitis and chronic rhinosinusitis after external dacryocystorhinostomy.

PURPOSE: To compare the clinical profile of patients with chronic dacryocystitis (CDC) with and without associated chronic rhinosinusopathies who had been submitted to external dacryocystorhinostomy (EDCR). METHODS: This was a retrospective, observational, and longitudinal study that included all patients diagnosed with CDC who were submitted to EDCR at the Antonio Pedro University Hospital. Patients were divided into two groups, with and without rhinosinusopathies (Group I and Group II, respectively). The following variables were assessed to compare the Group I and Group II: age, ethnicity, epiphora, discharge by expression of the lacrimal sac, duration of the CDC, and previous history of CDC exacerbation. RESULTS: The study included a total of 78 patients, 22 patients (28.2%) in Group I and 56 patients (71.8%) in Group II. The mean age was 64.3 (±19.7) years. In Group I and II predominated elderly, female, and White (p=0.93, p=0.38, p=0.77). In relation to the clinical characteristics, most of the patients presented epiphora and discharge by compression of the lacrimal sac in both Groups (p=0.61, p=0.44). In relation to a previous history of exacerbations of the CDC, six patients in Group I and four patients in Group II presented it as purulent discharge (p=0.04). CONCLUSION: Chronic rhinosinusopathies may favor episodes of exacerbations of chronic dacryocystitis in particular with the presence of purulent discharge.

Diathermy for 23-gauge sclerotomy: a functional and morphologic study to avoid ocular hypotony.

PURPOSE: To evaluate diathermy to minimize sclerotomy leakage during small-gauge vitrectomy and prevent ocular hypotony. METHODS: This observational prospective study included 327 patients (327 eyes) who underwent diathermy to close the sclerotomy sites during 23-gauge pars plana vitrectomy (PPV). All patients were operated by a single surgeon (ED) and evaluated at 30 and 60 days postoperatively. Patients with glaucoma, topical/systemic steroids use exceeding 30 days, ocular inflammation, or trauma were excluded. Chi-square, Kruskal-Wallis, Fisher Exact test, and multivariate statistical analyses were performed to evaluate potential risk factors. The primary outcomes were open sclerotomies, leakage, and ocular hypotony. RESULTS: Sclerotomies remained open in 12 (3.6%) and 2 (0.6%) patients, respectively, at 30 and 60 days postoperatively, revealing no case of ocular hypotony. Leakage only occurred in four patients (1.2%) during week 1 postoperatively. Multivariate analysis indicated that additional vitreoretinal surgeries and longer surgeries were risk factors for persistent sclerotomy opening. CONCLUSION: Diathermy was safe and feasible to close sclerotomies. Vitreoretinal surgery reoperations and longer surgeries were the most significant (P<0.05) risk factors for persistent sclerotomy opening, which may be functionally closed without evidence of leakage or ocular hypotony.

The Clinical Course of Patients with Idiopathic Epiretinal Membranes and Good Visual Acuity Managed Without Surgery.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: To report the clinical course of patients with idiopathic epiretinal membranes (iERMs) and good baseline best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) managed without surgical treatment. METHODS: Retrospective, observational case series of patients with iERMs and 20/50 or better BCVA who did not undergo surgery between January 2014 and December 2017 with a 1-year follow-up. Secondary epiretinal membranes were excluded. iERMs were stratified into two groups: Group I (BCVA 20/30 or better) and Group II (BCVA 20/40 to 20/50). The main outcome measures included baseline and final follow-up BCVA, central macular thickness (CMT) on OCT. RESULTS: The study included 174 eyes (145 patients): 139 eyes (79.8%) had typical iERMs and 35 eyes (18%) had LMH. For Group I typical iERMs, the logMAR baseline and final mean BCVA were 0.09 ± 0.1 (Snellen equivalent 20/25) and 0.10 ± 0.1 (20/25+) respectively (p = 0.22). In this group, the baseline and final mean CMT were 335 ± 73µm and 342 ± 78µm, respectively (p = 0.47). For Group II typical iERMs, the logMAR baseline and final mean BCVA were 0.3 ± 0.1 (20/44) and 0.4 ± 0.2 (20/45) respectively (p = 0.31). In this group, the baseline and final mean CMT were 386 ± 95µm and 391 ± 93µm, respectively (p = 0.84). CONCLUSION: The clinical course of patients with iERM and good baseline BCVA is generally favorable without surgery and includes stable BCVA and OCT measurements after at least one year.

Outer Retinal Tubulation and Neovascular Age-Related Macular Degeneration: A Review of the Pathogenesis and Clinical Implications.

Outer retinal tubulation (ORT) is a retinal finding that can mimic intraretinal fluid and has been identified with spectral-domain optical coherence tomography in patients with age-related macular degeneration (AMD). The purpose of this review is to summarize the findings related to the pathogenesis of ORT and its clinical implications. Studies reporting the pathogenesis and the clinical implications of ORT in patients with AMD were identified and summarized. A total of 18 studies were included in this review. The body of evidence to date regarding ORT in patients with AMD indicates that ORT is a structure associated with advanced macular diseases that does not require anti-vascular endothelial growth factor treatment. [Ophthalmic Surg Lasers Imaging Retina. 2018;49:870-876.].

Scleral wound healing with cross-link technique using riboflavin and ultraviolet A on rabbit eyes.

PURPOSE: The aim of study was to evaluate the cross-link using riboflavin and ultraviolet A (UVA) for improving scleral wound healing. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was an experimental study involving four New Zealand rabbits (eight eyes). Therapy procedure was chosen for the right eye and control procedure for the left one. UVA irradiation of 365 nm with a surface irradiance of 3 mW/cm2 and a photosensitizer of riboflavin drops were applied for 30 minutes on the right eye at 2 mm from the limbus. Sclerotomy incision was performed at 2 mm from the limbus in both right (on the cross-link-treated area) and left eye. Then, 30 days after surgery, a morphological analysis and histological staining with hematoxylin-eosin and picrosirius red were performed, and the sclerotomy cicatrization of right and left eyes was compared. The variables investigated were as follows: sclerotomy incision pictures and measurements were made using the ImageJ Software. Scleral thickness was measured (employing the anterior optical coherence tomography and the digital caliper). Collagen fiber density stained with picrosirius red staining was measured using the Image Pro Plus software. RESULTS: The morphological analysis showed that in all samples, the right eye presented sclerotomy closure, and in two eyes, among them, there were no visible edges of the sclerotomies incision. The left eye presented sclerotomy closure and incision edges. The Image Pro demonstrated a higher density of collagen fibers in the right eye when compared to the one. The statistical analysis was significant when compared to the collagen fiber density in the treated eyes with the control eyes. CONCLUSION: The cross-link procedure resulted in a better sclerotomy wound healing.

Ocular diseases at geriatric clinics in Rio de Janeiro: social and epidemiological considerations among patients with motor locomotion deficit.

OBJECTIVE: To identify the causes of low visual acuity and systemic morbidities that limit ambulation and access to eye care in geriatric clinics in Rio de Janeiro. METHODS: This cross-sectional study evaluated 187 patients from three geriatric clinics in Rio de Janeiro between January 2010 and January 2011. The inclusion criteria were individuals with a visual acuity of less than of equal to 20/200 in either eye (118 individuals), without optical correction. The exclusion criteria were individuals who refused to participate and those unable to undergo screening because of mental disabilities (6 individuals). Of the 187 individuals evaluated, 63 had visual acuity above 20/200. RESULTS: A total of 118 individuals with a visual acuity of ≤20/200 effectively participated in the study after meeting the inclusion and exclusion criteria. In addition, 57 participants (48.3%) presented systemic disabling morbidities. Of the 118 individuals with low visual acuity, 27.96% had cataract and 26.27% had refractive errors. CONCLUSION: Most of the patients from geriatric clinics experienced ocular morbidities, but their proper treatment resulted in improved visual acuity. A more socially oriented problem associated with eye care involved the difficulty of access to ophthalmologic consultations.

Anterior uveitis after treatment of hepatitis C with alpha interferon: the recurrence of a previous inflammatory process due to presumed ocular toxocariasis.

OBJECTIVE: To report a case of recurrent unilateral presumed ocular toxocariasis after treatment of hepatitis C. DESIGN: Case study. METHODS: Clinical findings, ultrasonography, computed tomography, and serological tests were performed. Once diagnosis was made, effective treatment was administered. RESULTS: A 46-year-old woman with a long history of decreased unilateral visual acuity presented with anterior uveitis after the use of interferon alpha and ribavirin for treatment of hepatitis C. A biomicroscopic examination revealed active anterior uveitis, with ultrasonography and computed tomography demonstrating a central granuloma due to partially calcified toxocariasis. After treatment with corticosteroids and cycloplegics, the symptoms were alleviated. CONCLUSION: immunostimulation could cause a relapse of the inflammatory reaction found in uveitis due to toxocariasis.

Ocular diseases at geriatric clinics in Rio de Janeiro: social and epidemiological considerations among patients with motor locomotion deficit / Morbidades oculares em clínicas geriátricas do Rio de Janeiro: considerações sociais e epidemiológicas associados a indivíduos com déficit de locomoção

Objective: To identify the causes of low visual acuity and systemic morbidities that limit ambulation and access to eye care in geriatric clinics in Rio de Janeiro. Methods: This cross-sectional study evaluated 187 patients from three geriatric clinics in Rio de Janeiro between January 2010 and January 2011. The inclusion criteria were individuals with a visual acuity of less than of equal to 20/200 in either eye (118 individuals), without optical correction. The exclusion criteria were individuals who refused to participate and those unable to undergo screening because of mental disabilities (6 individuals). Of the 187 individuals evaluated, 63 had visual acuity above 20/200. Results: A total of 118 individuals with a visual acuity of ≤20/200 effectively participated in the study after meeting the inclusion and exclusion criteria. In addition, 57 participants (48.3%) presented systemic disabling morbidities. Of the 118 individuals with low visual acuity, 27.96% had cataract and 26.27% had refractive errors. Conclusion: Most of the patients from geriatric clinics experienced ocular morbidities, but their proper treatment resulted in improved visual acuity. A more socially oriented problem associated with eye care involved the difficulty of access to ophthalmologic consultations. .

Objetivo: Identificar causas de baixa acuidade visual e morbidades sistêmicas que dificultem a deambulação e o acesso à tratamento oftalmológico em clínicas geriátricas do Rio de Janeiro. Métodos: Estudo transversal com 187 indivíduos de 3 clínicas geriátricas do Rio de Janeiro, no período de janeiro de 2010 à janeiro de 2011. O critério de inclusão foi todos os indivíduos com acuidade visual menor ou igual a 20/200 em qualquer olho (118 indivíduos) e sem atualização da correção óptica. O critério de exclusão foi indivíduos que se recusaram à participar do estudo e indivíduos incapazes de realizarem os exames por déficit mental (6 indivíduos). Dos 187 indivíduos avaliados, 63 indivíduos tinham acuidade visual melhor que 20/200. Resultados: Participaram do estudo efetivamente, após os critérios de inclusão e exclusão, 118 indivíduos com variadas causas de acuidade visual menor ou igual 20/200. Foram encontrados no estudo 57 (48,3%) indivíduos com a presença de morbidades sistêmicas incapacitantes. Dos 118 indivíduos com baixa acuidade visual, que participaram do estudo, 27,96% apresentaram catarata e 26,27% ametropias. Conclusão: A maioria dos indivíduos destas clínicas geriátricas apresentou morbidades oculares que com tratamento adequado permitem a melhora da acuidade visual. Foi encontrado um problema mais de cunho social pela dificuldade de acesso à consulta oftalmológica. .