Subthreshold micropulse laser therapy for early postoperative macular thickening following surgical removal of epiretinal membrane.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to investigate the functional and anatomical outcomes of subthreshold micropulse laser (SMPL) therapy in eyes with early postoperative macular thickening after idiopathic epiretinal membrane (iERM) removal. METHODS: This was a prospective and interventional study. Forty-eight eyes from 48 patients with macular edema at 1 month after iERM removal were randomly divided into two groups. Patients in the SMPL group (n = 24) received SMPL therapy while no special intervention was used for the observation group (n = 24). Baseline demographic data and clinical findings before and at 1 and 3 months after SMPL treatment or observation, including best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and the changes in central subfield thickness (CST) and average macular thickness (AMT), were analyzed. RESULTS: An improvement in BCVA with a decrease in CST and AMT from baseline to the 3-month follow-ups were observed in both SMPL and observation groups. No significant difference in BCVA was observed between the SMPL group and observation group either in the 1-month (0.26 [0.15, 0.52] vs. 0.26 [0.15, 0.39], P = 0.852) or the 3-month (0.15 [0.10, 0.30] vs. 0.23 [0.15, 0.30], P = 0.329) follow-up. There was a greater reduction in CST in the SMPL group versus observation group between baseline and the 3-month follow-up (-77.8 ± 72.3 µm vs. -45.0 ± 46.9 µm, P = 0.049). The alteration in AMT did not differ between the two groups in either 1-month (-16.5 ± 20.1 µm vs. -19.7 ± 16.3 µm, P = 0.547) or 3-month (-36.9 ± 26.9 µm vs. -34.0 ± 20.1 µm, P = 0.678) follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: SMPL therapy led to a significant decrease in CST at the 3-month follow-up while did not significantly improve the visual acuity in patients with postoperative macular thickening following iERM surgery. TRIAL REGISTRATION: The study was registered on Aug 27, 2020 (Trial Registration Number: ChiCTR 2000037227).

Epiretinal Membrane Surgery in Eyes with Glaucoma: Visual Outcomes and Clinical Significance of Inner Microcystoid Changes.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate visual acuity (VA) outcomes and OCT-based biomarkers of vision outcomes in eyes with glaucoma undergoing pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) for idiopathic epiretinal membrane (ERM). DESIGN: Retrospective, consecutive case-control series. A previously described ERM grading scale was utilized for OCT analysis. SUBJECTS: Eyes with glaucoma undergoing PPV for idiopathic ERM. INTERVENTION: PPV with membrane peel (MP) surgery. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The primary outcome was VA at postoperative month 6. Outcomes were compared to a contemporary, matched control group of eyes without concurrent glaucoma undergoing PPV for idiopathic ERM. RESULTS: A total of 103 eyes from 103 patients with ERM and glaucoma were followed for a mean (± standard deviation) of 656 (± 421) days after PPV with MP surgery. Glaucoma was classified as open angle in 98 (95.1%) eyes and closed angle in 5 (4.9%) eyes. Visual acuity improved from 0.72 ± 0.48 (20/105) to 0.55 ± 0.51 (20/71) at 6 months and to 0.50 ± 0.56 (20/63) at final follow-up (P < 0.001 for both the time points). Eyes with preoperative inner microcystoid changes (n = 59; 57.3%) had significantly worse preoperative VA, postoperative VA at month 6, and final VA compared to eyes without inner microcystoid changes (P = 0.028, 0.004, and 0.007, respectively). Eyes were then compared to a matched control group of 139 eyes without glaucoma. Eyes with ERM and glaucoma had a higher rate of microcystic changes both before surgery (P < 0.001) and at postoperative month 6 (P < 0.001), and had a worse VA at 6 months (P = 0.03) and final follow-up (P = 0.04) compared to control eyes without glaucoma. Advanced disc cupping was the only factor independently correlated with worse 6-month (P = 0.01) and final (P = 0.007) VA in multivariate analysis. CONCLUSIONS: Preoperative inner microcystoid changes on OCT were present in over half of eyes with ERM and concurrent glaucoma, and may be a poor prognostic OCT biomarker. Eyes with ERM and concurrent glaucoma experienced worse vision outcomes compared to eyes with ERM alone, particularly those with advanced disc cupping.

Persistent macular holes - what is the best strategy for revision?

PURPOSE: This study aims to analyze the success rate and functional outcome after revision surgery of persistent idiopathic full-thickness macular holes in a large patient cohort and to identify the optimal tamponade strategy and the value of new adjunctive manipulation techniques for persistent macular hole (pMH) closure. METHODS: Retrospective, comparative, non-consecutive case series of all revisional surgeries for idiopathic pMH between 2011 and 2019 at the Eye Clinic Sulzbach were identified. Of 1163 idiopathic MH surgeries, 74 eyes of 74 patients had pMH. Of those, group 1 (n = 38) had vitrectomy with tamponade alone (20% sulfur hexafluoride gas, 15% hexafluoroethane gas, silicone oil 5000, Densiron®), while group 2 (n = 36) included tamponade with adjuvant manipulation (internal limiting membrane (ILM) translocation, subretinal fluid injection, epiretinal amniotic membrane, free retina graft, or autologous blood). Main statistical outcomes were anatomic closure rate, visual acuity (VA), minimum linear diameter (MLD), and base diameter (BD). RESULTS: Overall total anatomical success rate was 81.1% and mean VA improved 3.5 lines from LogMAR 1.03 ± 0.30 to 0.68 ± 0.38 (p < .001). Preoperative MLD or BD had no effect on total anatomic success (p = 0.074, p = 0.134, respectively). When comparing the two groups, slightly better anatomic success rates were achieved in group 1 (84.2%) compared to that in group 2 (77.8%) (p = 0.68). Final VA in group 1 (LogMAR 0.67 ± 0.39) outperformed group 2 (LogMAR 0.86 ± 0.38) (p = 0.03). CONCLUSIONS: Revisional surgery for persistent idiopathic MH with tamponade alone had comparable anatomical closure but better VA outcomes, compared to tamponade with adjuvant manipulation.

Anatomical and functional outcomes one year after vitrectomy and retinal massage for large macular holes.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to report results of macular hole closure, visual benefit and longitudinal changes in foveal architecture over 1 year following macular hole surgery with retinal massage. Methods: Records of patients with full thickness macular hole (FTMH) with minimum basal diameter of 550 µ who underwent vitrectomy, internal limiting membrane (ILM) peeling and retinal massage were drawn up. Retinal massage was performed after dye assisted ILM peeling, using a 27G flute needle with a long and soft silicone tip under air in a centripetal direction around the FTMH. At the end, 10% C3F8 gas was used as tamponade. The foveal contour at 1 year follow up was recorded based on its cross sectional appearance on OCT and was classified into U, V and irregular types of closure as previously described. Results: Forty-one eyes of 41 patients with a mean age of 70.4 ± 6.9 years were included. The mean preoperative vision was 0.99 ± 0.07 logMAR and mean maximum basal diameter of the FTMH was 835 ± 208 µ. Macular hole closure was seen in all patients at 1-month follow up. The BCVA improved to 0.5 ± 0.1 log MAR at 6 months (P < 0.001) and then stabilized. The U shaped closure was the commonest pattern (n = 22, 54%), followed by V-shaped closure (n = 16, 39%) while irregular closure was seen in 3 eyes (7%). Conclusion: Retinal massage after ILM peeling is a very simple, and as yet under-utilized manoeuvre that may improve hole closure rates and lead to potentially greater improvement in vision compared to existing techniques for large holes.

Incidence and impact factors of intraoperative loss of light perception under sub-Tenon's anesthesia in patients with macular diseases.

PURPOSE: To investigate the incidence and impact factors of intraoperative loss of light perception (LP) under sub-Tenon's anesthesia in patients with macular diseases. METHODS: Eighty-five consecutive patients received standard phacoemulsification combined pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) under sub-Tenon's anesthesia. At several checkpoints during the surgery (the end of phacoemulsification, the end of vitrectomy, and the end of surgery), participants were interviewed about whether they had LP or not after removing the influence of contralateral eye and the photo-bleaching effect. In patients treated with retinal photocoagulation, visual experience on laser flashes was evaluated. RESULTS: Under routine draping, no patients reported loss of LP at all the checkpoints. When the contralateral eye was tightly covered, the rates of LP loss were 84.7%, 97.6%, and 87.1% at the end of phacoemulsification, the end of vitrectomy, and the end of surgery, respectively. When the photo-bleaching effect was also removed, the rates of LP loss were 61.2%, 82.4%, and 56.5% at each checkpoint, respectively, and there were 87.1% (74/85) of patients reporting visual loss in at least one checkpoint. In addition, 76.9% (50/65) of patients could not feel laser flashes during retinal photocoagulation. CONCLUSION: Intraoperative loss of LP under sub-Tenon's anesthesia was a relatively common and reversible event. The conduction block of optic nerve by anesthetic mainly contributed to the visual loss during surgery. Photo-bleaching effect also has some effect on the LP evaluation. Surgeons need to inform and counsel the patients about the intraoperative loss of LP, to prevent any sudden panic attacks in them.

Brilliant Blue G double staining enhances successful internal limiting membrane peeling with minimal adverse effect by low cellular permeability into live cells.

PURPOSE: Brilliant Blue G is used as a surgical adjuvant for retinal surgery. Although BBG double or multiple staining was reported, the effectiveness and safety of repeated staining is still elusive. To further examine the effectiveness and safety, we examined BBG in clinical cases in vivo, primary cell culture in vitro, and surgically resected specimen ex vivo. METHODS: A retrospective interventional case series with in vitro and ex vivo studies were performed. Vitrectomy was performed in 28 cases of epiretinal membrane with BBG single to multiple staining. The surgically resected membranes were stained by BBG with or without cellular fixation. Primary cell cultures were examined with BBG and live/death cell markers, such as Calcein AM and TUNEL. RESULTS: Single staining provided satisfactory staining in seven cases. Double or multiple staining substantially visualized internal limiting membrane (21 cases), especially the edges of remaining internal limiting membrane (11 cases). Adverse retinal staining was not noted and the final visual acuity showed no difference with multiple staining. The live cells barely stained with BBG, while some dead cells were stained. CONCLUSION: Brilliant Blue G multiple staining substantially enhanced the visualization of internal limiting membrane. The absence of abnormal staining supports the safety of repeated BBG staining.

Posterior hyaloid detachment and internal limiting membrane peeling assisted by anthocyanins from acai fruit (Euterpe oleracea) and 10 other natural vital dyes: experimental study in cadaveric eyes.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to determine whether natural dyes facilitate posterior hyaloid detachment (posterior vitreous detachment [PVD]) and retinal internal limiting membrane (ILM) peeling in human eyes. METHODS: Open-sky vitrectomy with posterior hyaloid and ILM removal was performed in 86 human cadaveric eyes. After core vitrectomy, 11 different dyes were injected into the vitreous cavity to aid hyaloid detachment and ILM removal. The dyes were allowed to settle on the macula for 5 minutes after PVD and were removed by mechanical aspiration. Intraocular forceps were used for ILM peeling, which was confirmed by light microscopy of the peeled tissue. Acai fruit (Euterpe oleracea) extract and 10 additional dyes from plants or animal sources were tested: pomegranate (Punica granatum), logwood (Haematoxylum campechianum), chlorophyll extract from alfalfa (Medicago sativa), cochineal (Dactylopius coccus), hibiscus (Hibiscus rosa-sinensis), indigo (Indigofera tinctoria), paprika (Capiscum annuum), turmeric (Curcuma longa), old fustic (Maclura tinctoria), and grape (Vitis vinifera). RESULTS: The dyes facilitated PVD and ILM peeling. Acai fruit (E. oleracea) extract, logwood (H. campechianum), cochineal (D. coccus), and old fustic (M. tinctoria) facilitated PVD in all cases; dye-assisted PVD was compared with triamcinolone-assisted PVD performed previously in a comparative model. Acai fruit (E. oleracea) extract, cochineal (D. coccus), and chlorophyll extract from alfalfa (M. sativa) showed the best capability for ILM staining; dye-assisted ILM removal was compared with the ILM peeling guided by indocyanine green staining performed previously in a comparative model. Light microscopy confirmed the ILM removal in all cases. CONCLUSION: Anthocyanin dye of the acai fruit (E. oleracea) and the dyes from cochineal (D. coccus) and chlorophyll extract from alfalfa (M. sativa) resulted in the best capability for posterior hyaloid and ILM staining in human cadaveric eyes and may be a useful tool for vitreoretinal surgery.

Retinal vascular occlusion after vitrectomy with retrobulbar anesthesia-observational case series and survey of literature.

BACKGROUND: Severe postoperative loss of vision has been occasionally reported as a rare complication of retrobulbar anesthesia, and several possible causes have been proposed in the literature. In this work, our own and other investigators' experiences with these complications are surveyed with a view to identifying its pathophysiology. PATIENTS: This observational case series refers to six patients who presented during a 3-month period with occlusion of either the central artery itself (n = 3) or a branch thereof (n = 3) 2-14 days after uneventful vitreoretinal surgery following retrobulbar anesthesia with a commercial preparation of mepivacaine (1% Scandicain®, Astra Chemicals, Sweden) containing methyl- and propyl parahydroxybenzoate as preservatives. RESULTS: Three of the patients carried risk factors, which were medically controlled. In three individuals, vasoocclusion was observed after a second vitreoretinal intervention, which was performed 3-12 months after uneventful primary surgery. Good visual recovery was observed in only one instance. CONCLUSIONS: In patients who were anesthetized with preservative-free mepivacaine, no vasoocclusion occurred. In individuals who were anesthetized with mepivacaine containing the preservatives methyl- and propyl parahydroxybenzoate, a tenfold increase in the incidence of eyes requiring re-operation was documented, with a 2- to 14-day lapse in the onset of vasoocclusion. These findings reveal a possible implication of preservatives contained in the local anesthetic solution for the vasoocclusive events. Due to this potential hazard, the use of preservative-free preparations of local anesthesia in ocular surgery is emphasized in order to prevent this sight-threatening complication.

Mechanism of visual sensations experienced during pars plana vitrectomy under retrobulbar anesthesia.

PURPOSE: To investigate the visual sensations experienced by patients during vitrectomy under retrobulbar anesthesia. METHODS: 30 men and 45 women with a mean age of 65.3 +/- 10.6 years underwent vitrectomy under retrobulbar anesthesia for macular disease. 28 eyes had an idiopathic epiretinal membrane, 13 had an idiopathic macular hole, 32 had macular edema (17 diabetic retinopathy and 15 retinal vein occlusion), and 2 had submacular hemorrhage. 49 patients with nonmacular disease underwent similar vitrectomy procedures and were used for comparison. An interview was conducted with the patient about his/her visual sensations during and within 3 h of the vitrectomy. RESULTS: 70 (93.3%) of the patients reported seeing lights, 53 (70.7%) reported seeing colors, and 48 (64.0%) reported seeing movements or moving objects. Of the patients who reported seeing movements or moving objects, 44 (58.7%) reported seeing surgical instruments, and 5 (6.7%) saw the surgeon's fingers or hands. Patients with macular diseases tended to report more visual sensations than patients with nonmacular diseases. The patients' description and drawings appeared to arise mainly from the shadows cast by the intravitreal objects, and some patients perceived highly accurate details including the movements and color of the objects. CONCLUSIONS: Visual sensations are experienced by approximately 90% of the patients, and there may be a common mechanism by which patients perceive the intravitreal objects that are not focused on by the retina through the eye's optical system.

Retreatment of full-thickness macular hole: predictive value of optical coherence tomography.

AIM: To determine whether the efficacy of re-operation for idiopathic full-thickness macular hole (FTMH) remaining open after initial surgery with internal limiting membrane (ILM) peeling is correlated with macular hole configuration as determined by optical coherence tomography (OCT), macular hole size, macular hole duration before the first operation, or type of tamponade (gas or silicone oil). METHODS: A retrospective consecutive interventional case series of 28 patients (28 eyes) with a persisting macular hole after vitrectomy, ILM peel, and gas tamponade. 28 patients underwent repeat surgery involving vitrectomy and gas (n = 15) or silicone oil tamponade (n = 12) or no tamponade (n = 1). Autologous platelet concentrate (n = 22), autologous whole blood (n = 1), or no adjuvant (n = 5) was used. Preoperative OCT was undertaken in all eyes. The main outcome measures were anatomical closure and improvement of best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA). RESULTS: Anatomical closure was achieved in 19 of 28 eyes (68%). BCVA improved in 12 eyes, remained unchanged in nine, and worsened in seven. BCVA improved in 11 of 19 eyes with anatomical closure, and in one of eight eyes without closure. Anatomical closure and improvement of BCVA correlated with preoperative macular hole configuration on OCT, with higher rates of closure (18 of 20 eyes versus one of eight eyes, p = 0.001) and greater improvement of BCVA (p = 0.048) in eyes with a cuff of subretinal fluid at the break margin. Macular hole size, type of tamponade, macular hole duration before the first operation, or preoperative BCVA did not significantly correlate with visual or anatomical outcome. CONCLUSION: Macular hole configuration seems to be a strong prognostic indicator of anatomical closure and may help identify those patients most likely to benefit from re-operation.

Preclinical investigation of fluorometholone acetate as a potential new adjuvant during vitreous surgery.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the effects of intravitreal fluorometholone acetate (FMT) on the morphology and function of the retina and to investigate its possible use for vitreous surgery. METHODS: Brown Norway rat eyes (n = 6, 12 groups) were injected with 0.05 ml of SF6 gas for vitrectomization. Four weeks later, FMT solution was injected into the vitreous cavity/subretinal space of the vitrectomized eyes at doses of 10, 20, and 40 mg/ml (0.05 ml/eye, n = 12 for each group). The retinal function was evaluated by electroretinography (ERG) at 4 and 8 weeks after FMT injection. Retinal toxicity was also assessed histologically by a light microscopy. Sham-operated eyes (0.05 ml of irrigating solution, n = 12) were used as control animals. FMT-assisted pars plana vitrectomy with internal limiting membrane (ILM) peeling was performed in primate eyes (n = 2). Retinal toxicity was assessed by ophthalmoscope, fluorescein angiography and electron microscopy three months after the vitreous surgery. RESULTS: There was no remarkable reduction in any ERG waves at either time interval at 4 and 8 weeks after the intravitreal/subretinal injection of FMT. No obvious histological change was observed in any of the rat eyes either. Using ophthalmoscope, fluorescein angiography and electron microscopy, the appearance of the primate retinas remained to be in a non-pathological condition. CONCLUSION: FMT appears to be a potentially useful tool in assisting vitreous surgery including safe ILM peeling.