Comparison of three techniques of harvesting full-thickness retinal tissue for large or persistent macular holes

Purpose: To evaluate the success rate of autologous retinal graft (ARG) for the closure of full?thickness macular holes (MHs) and compare the outcomes of three different techniques of harvesting the graft. Methods: Clinic files of all patients who had undergone ARG for MH using intraocular scissors, membrane loop, or retinal punch to harvest retinal tissue were retrospectively reviewed. All patients were evaluated for MH closure, retinal reattachment, and visual improvement. Results: Twenty?two eyes of 22 patients were included. ARG was done for 16 eyes (72.7%) with failed, large persistent MH, and six eyes (27.3%) also underwent simultaneous repair of retinal detachment. The basal diameter of MH was 1103.67 ± 310.09 (range 650–1529) ?m. Intraocular scissors were used in 10 eyes (45.5%), a membrane loop in five eyes (22.7%), and a retinal punch in seven eyes (31.8%). Silicone oil tamponade was used in seven (31.8%) eyes and gas in 15 (68.1%) eyes. The follow?up ranged from 6 to 18 months. The hole closure rate was 72.7% (16/22). Visual improvement was noted in 18 eyes (81.8%). Retinal reattachment was seen in all eyes. Good graft integration with the surrounding area was seen in 17 eyes (77.3%). Graft retraction was seen in four eyes (18.18%) and graft loss in one eye (4.55%). No significant differences were noted among the three groups. Conclusion: ARG is successful in closing large, failed MH with and without retinal detachment. A membrane loop and retinal punch are equally useful in harvesting the graft, but scissors are preferable in case the retina is detached. With all three techniques, integration of the graft with the surrounding tissue can be achieved

A hybrid 26G needle drainage technique in scleral buckling: A mini scleral cut-down

Purpose: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of hybrid 26?gauge needle drainage in scleral buckling for rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD). Methods: In this retrospective study, we included patients who underwent scleral buckling surgery along with subretinal fluid (SRF) drainage using the ‘Hybrid 26G needle drainage technique’. Pre?operative assessment included the best corrected visual acuity (BCVA), lens status, and extent of retinal detachment. Intra?operative surgical details such as the height of retinal detachment, number of attempts required to drain the fluid, amount of fluid drained, adequacy of break buckle relationship, and any intra?operative or post?operative complications were noted. Post?operatively, the final visual outcome and retina status were assessed at 3 months of follow?up. Results: A total of 10 eyes with primary RRD and proliferative vitreoretinopathy C1 or less were included. Pre?operatively, the mean BCVA was 2.43 ± 1.01 logMAR units, which improved significantly to 0.679 ± 0.45 logMAR units (p value < 0.05) at 3 months of follow?up. Regarding the extent of RRD, five eyes (50%) had a total detachment, two eyes (20%) had a sub?total detachment, and three eyes (30%) had an inferior detachment. Four eyes had shallow detachment, four had a moderate detachment, and two eyes had bullous detachment. Complete drainage of SRF (>75%) was achieved in five patients, and a partial but adequate drainage (50–75%) was achieved in the rest of the five patients. In none of the patients, inadequate or dry tap was encountered. No intra?operative complications were encountered. The retina was attached in eight out of ten eyes at 1 week and at a 1?month follow?up period. Two patients required pars plana vitrectomy for persistent SRF. The retina was attached in all the patients at 3 months of follow?up. Conclusion: The ‘Hybrid needle drainage’ technique is a safe and effective technique for SRF drainage in scleral buckling surgery

Morphological characterization of subretinal hyper-reflective material in posterior uveitis using swept-source optical coherence tomography and optical coherence tomography angiography

Purpose: To analyze the structural features of subretinal hyper-reflective material (SHRM) in posterior uveitis using swept-source optical coherence tomography (SS-OCT) and optical coherence tomography angiography (SS-OCTA). Methods: In this observational study, subjects with quiescent posterior uveitis and the presence of SHRM on SS-OCT were subjected to SS-OCTA to identify the presence of an intrinsic choroidal neovascular (CNV) network. OCT features were compared for SHRM harboring CNV (vascular SHRM) with those without CNV network (avascular SHRM) to identify clinical signs pointing toward the presence of CNVM inside SHRM. Results: Forty-two eyes of 33 subjects (18 males; mean age: 29.52 ± 12.56 years) were evaluated. Two-thirds (28/42) of eyes having SHRM on SS-OCT harbored intrinsic neovascular network (vascular SHRM). Increased reflectivity of SHRM (P < 0.001) and increased transmission of OCT signal underlying SHRM (P = 0.03) were suggestive of the absence of CNVM. The presence of intra/subretinal fluid (P = 0.08) and pitchfork sign (P = 0.017) were important markers of vascular SHRM. Conclusion: SHRM is an important OCT finding in eyes with posterior uveitis. Meticulous assessment of SHRM characteristics on SS-OCT can aid in identifying the underlying intrinsic neovascular network.

Oral valganciclovir in human immunodeficiency virus-positive patients suffering from cytomegalovirus retinitis at a tertiary care hospital in North India

Purpose: To study clinical efficacy of valganciclovir in cytomegalovirus retinitis (CMVR) in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)?positive?positive patients in a tertiary care clinic in a developing nation. Methods: In a retrospective study, systemic and ocular records of HIV patients suffering from CMVR and treated with valganciclovir, were analyzed. Primary outcome measures were involvement of the other eye, incidence of retinal detachment, systemic involvement, and mortality encountered. Secondary outcome measures included change in BCVA. Results: Out of nine patients who were included, two patients developed CMVR in the other eye and only one patient (11.11%) developed retinal detachment during the course of the study. No patient developed any systemic manifestations or had mortality during the course of the study. The change in BCVA was not statistically significant. Conclusion: Use of oral valganciclovir showed good outcome and was found to be a better alternative compared to the use of intravitreal ganciclovir in the literature. Introduction of valganciclovir at an affordable price in developing nations can decrease disease burden

Redrawing vitreoretinal surgical training program in the COVID-19 era: Experiences of a tertiary care institute in North India

Purpose: The COVID?19 pandemic has brought medical and surgical training to a standstill across the medical sub?specialties. Closure of outpatient services and postponement of elective surgical procedures have dried up opportunities for training vitreoretinal trainees across the country. This “loss” has adversely impacted trainees’ morale and mental health, leading to feelings of uncertainty and anxiety. Therefore, there is an urgent need to redraw the surgical training program. We aimed to describe a systematic stepwise approach to vitreoretinal surgical training. Methods: We introduced a three?pronged approach to vitreoretinal surgical training comprising learn from home, wet lab and simulator training, and hands?on transfer of surgical skills in the operating room in our institute. Results: Encouraging results were obtained as evaluated by feedback from the trainees about the usefulness of this three?pronged approach in developing surgical skills and building their confidence. Conclusion: The disruption caused by the COVID?19 global pandemic should be used as an opportunity to evolve and reformulate surgical training programs to produce competent vitreoretinal surgeons of the future.