RECURRENT FLOATERS AFTER LIMITED VITRECTOMY FOR VISION DEGRADING MYODESOPSIA.

PURPOSE: Limited vitrectomy improves vision degrading myodesopsia, but the incidence of recurrent floaters postoperatively is not known. We studied patients with recurrent central floaters using ultrasonography and contrast sensitivity (CS) testing to characterize this subgroup and identify the clinical profile of patients at risk of recurrent floaters. METHODS: A total of 286 eyes (203 patients, 60.6 ± 12.9 years) undergoing limited vitrectomy for vision degrading myodesopsia were studied retrospectively. Sutureless 25G vitrectomy was performed without intentional surgical posterior vitreous detachment (PVD) induction. CS (Freiburg Acuity Contrast test: Weber index, %W) and vitreous echodensity (quantitative ultrasonography) were assessed prospectively. RESULTS: No eyes (0/179) with preoperative PVD experienced new floaters. Recurrent central floaters occurred in 14/99 eyes (14.1%) without complete preoperative PVD (mean follow-up = 39 months vs. 31 months in 85 eyes without recurrent floaters). Ultrasonography identified new-onset PVD in all 14 (100%) recurrent cases. Young (younger than 52 years; 71.4%), myopic (≥-3D; 85.7%), phakic (100%) men (92.9%) predominated. Reoperation was elected by 11 patients, who had partial PVD preoperatively in 5/11 (45.5%). At study entry, CS was degraded (3.55 ± 1.79 %W) but improved postoperatively by 45.6% (1.93 ± 0.86 %W, P = 0.033), while vitreous echodensity reduced by 86.6% ( P = 0.016). New-onset PVD postoperatively degraded CS anew, by 49.4% (3.28 ± 0.96 %W; P = 0.009) in patients electing reoperation. Repeat vitrectomy normalized CS to 2.00 ± 0.74%W ( P = 0.018). CONCLUSION: Recurrent floaters after limited vitrectomy for vision degrading myodesopsia are caused by new-onset PVD, with younger age, male sex, myopia, and phakic status as risk factors. Inducing surgical PVD at the primary operation should be considered in these select patients to mitigate recurrent floaters.

Combination therapy for neovascular age-related macular degeneration refractory to anti-vascular endothelial growth factor agents.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the outcomes of combination anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and photodynamic therapy (PDT) for the treatment of neovascular age-related macular degeneration (AMD) refractory to anti-VEGF monotherapy. DESIGN: Retrospective, interventional case series. PARTICIPANTS: Twenty-six eyes of 26 patients treated with anti-VEGF monotherapy for neovascular AMD with persistent subretinal or intraretinal fluid after at least 3 anti-VEGF injections in the 7 months before combination treatment. INTERVENTION: Combination anti-VEGF treatment and PDT. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Visual acuity at 1 or 2, 3, and 6 months and central retinal thickness at 1 or 2, 3, and 6 months. Secondary outcome measures were change in number of fluid-free visits and interval between treatments in the 7 months before and 6 months after combination therapy. RESULTS: Statistically significant improvements in logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution visual acuities were present at 1 month (P = 0.01) and 3 months (P = 0.01). Significant decreases in central subfield retinal thickness on optic coherence tomography (OCT) were seen at 1 month (P = 4×10(-5)), 3 months (P = 3×10(-4)), and 6 months (P = 4×10(-5)) as compared with precombination treatment OCT scans. The percentage of patient visits with no subretinal fluid increased from 0.5% to 41% after the initiation of combination therapy (P = 1×10(-5)). The interval between treatments increased from once every 1.6 months in the 7 months before combination treatment to once every 2.7 months in the 6 months after combination treatment (P = 0.002). No ocular complications attributable to PDT were seen. CONCLUSIONS: Rescue therapy with the combination of anti-VEGF and PDT in eyes that have failed anti-VEGF monotherapy resulted in a mean improvement in vision, a decreased central subfield retinal thickness, and an increase in fluid-free intervals. FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE(S): The author(s) have no proprietary or commercial interest in any materials discussed in this article.

Bevacizumab and ranibizumab tachyphylaxis in the treatment of choroidal neovascularisation.

AIMS: To evaluate the effect of switching to bevacizumab or ranibizumab after developing tachyphylaxis during anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) therapy for choroidal neovascularisation (CNV). METHODS: The authors reviewed the records of all patients who received both ranibizumab and bevacizumab for treatment of CNV to identify those who developed tachyphylaxis, defined as optical coherence tomography evidence of initial decreased exudation followed by lack of further reduction or an increase in exudation. Signs of exudation included subretinal fluid (SRF), pigment epithelial detachment (PED) and/or cystoid macular oedema (CMO). RESULTS: 26 eyes were included. 10 were initially treated with bevacizumab and then changed to ranibizumab for persistent SRF, PED and/or CMO. Of these, seven had occult CNV and three had predominantly classic CNV. One eye in the occult CNV group did not respond after being switched to ranibizumab. Six eyes had a positive therapeutic response, after one injection in four eyes, and after two or three injections in one eye each. In the classic group, two responded to ranibizumab and one did not. Sixteen eyes were initially treated with ranibizumab before changing to bevacizumab. Of these, 15 had occult CNV and 1 was predominantly classic. Three of the 16 eyes failed to respond to bevacizumab; 6 improved after one injection and 5 after two injections. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with CNV who develop tachyphylaxis to ranibizumab or bevacizumab may respond to another anti-VEGF drug. The majority of cases (81%) in this series demonstrated at least some response after switching therapies.

Acute severe visual decrease after photodynamic therapy with verteporfin: spectral-domain OCT features.

In this report, spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (OCT) was used to characterize the acute morphologic alterations that occur when photodynamic therapy with verteporfin results in an acute severe visual decrease. The clinical and imaging records of a patient with neovascular age-related macular degeneration who suffered this complication were reviewed. Using spectral-domain OCT, two relatively distinct subretinal fluid compartments were visualized: a sparsely hyperreflective pocket of subretinal fluid overlying the fibrovascular pigment epithelial detachment, consistent with fibrinous exudation, and a more homogeneously hyporeflective compartment at the periphery of the choroidal neovascular lesion, consistent with serous exudation. The higher axial resolution, and greater sensitivity, of spectral-domain OCT allows improved visualization of the subretinal space. As experience with spectral-domain OCT grows, new parameters will emerge-such as those related to subretinal fluid-that will facilitate improvements in both the qualitative and quantitative evaluation of macular disease.

Vitreoretinal traction created by conventional cutters during vitrectomy.

PURPOSE: To quantify the vitreous traction created by pneumatic (20-, 23-, and 25-gauge) and electric cutters (20- and 25-gauge) during vitrectomy. DESIGN: Experimental study. PARTICIPANTS: This is a preclinical study, and no patients were involved. METHODS: Five separate cutters for each drive mechanism and gauge (20-, 23-, and 25-gauge pneumatic and 20- and 25-gauge electric) were used for each cut speed at predetermined aspiration rates. The retinal layers of fresh porcine eyes were transfixed with a 0.15-mm steel wire and fixed to the load cell of a strain gauge. The cutter to be assessed was introduced into the eye by a micromanipulator at a 45-degree angle adjacent to the retina. The traction force was determined and evaluated at a distance of 3 and 5 mm from the retina with different vacuum and cut rates. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Vacuum, cut speed, force (dynes), distance (millimeters), vitreoretinal traction, and gauge. RESULTS: The 20-, 23-, and 25-gauge pneumatic cutters have a range of traction from 2.06 to 37.22 dynes, 3.85 to 15.38 dynes, 5.13 to 27.91 dynes, respectively. The 20- and 25-gauge electric cutters have a range of traction from 3.60 to 41.78 dynes and 5.28 to 27.91 dynes, respectively. All results are related to distance, cut, and aspiration rate. With an increase of 100 mmHg of vacuum/aspiration, the traction increased from 7.89 to 3.14 dynes (e.g., 4.96 for 20-gauge pneumatic). The traction decreased as the cut rate was increased, from 5.71 to 2.51 dynes (e.g., 3.41 for 20-gauge pneumatic). CONCLUSIONS: The results indicate that retinal traction increased with increasing aspiration vacuum and proximity to the retina; conversely, retinal traction decreased with increasing cut rate. The present study demonstrates that the effects of aspiration, distance from the retina, and cut rate are crucial factors in the amount of retinal traction created by vitreous cutters. FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE(S): Proprietary or commercial disclosure may be found after the references.

Evaluation of a stereoscopic camera-based three-dimensional viewing workstation for ophthalmic surgery.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the effectiveness of a prototype stereoscopic camera-based viewing system (Digital Microsurgical Workstation, three-dimensional (3D) Vision Systems, Irvine, California, USA) for anterior and posterior segment ophthalmic surgery. DESIGN: Institutional-based prospective study. METHODS: Anterior and posterior segment surgeons performed designated standardized tasks on porcine eyes after training on prosthetic plastic eyes. RESULTS: Both anterior and posterior segment surgeons were able to complete tasks requiring minimal or moderate stereoscopic viewing. The results indicate that the system provides improved ergonomics. Improvements in key viewing performance areas would further enhance the value over a conventional operating microscope. CONCLUSIONS: The performance of the prototype system is not at par with the planned commercial system. With continued development of this technology, the three- dimensional system may be a novel viewing system in ophthalmic surgery with improved ergonomics with respect to traditional microscopic viewing.

Conjunctival epithelium in pars plana vitrectomy specimens.

PURPOSE: To review histopathology of vitrectomy specimens obtained during routine pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) for evidence of inadvertent introduction of conjunctival epithelium into the vitreous cavity during PPV. METHODS: Retrospective review of all vitreous specimens obtained from PPV over a 3-year period during which vitreous samples were routinely submitted from routine and diagnostic PPV. Patient charts and operative reports were reviewed, with particular attention to history of postoperative endophthalmitis, and the use of transconjunctival PPV. RESULTS: A total of 650 specimens were obtained over a 3-year period. Three specimens with conjunctival epithelium were identified. None of these cases resulted in endophthalmitis. Two of these three cases used transconjunctival techniques. In one case all three sclerotomies were made using transconjunctival techniques. CONCLUSIONS: The presence of conjunctiva in the vitreous aspirate from completely transconjunctival PPV indicates that conjunctival epithelium can be inadvertently introduced into the vitreous cavity during PPV. Although none of these cases resulted in endophthalmitis, special care to sterilize the conjunctiva before the creation of transconjunctival sclerotomies is warranted.

A self-stabilizing lens ring for 25-gauge vitrectomy surgery.

PURPOSE: To design an improved self-stabilizing lens ring for 25-gauge vitrectomy. DESIGN: Device report. METHODS: A lens ring was designed to be fixated to the globe using 25-gauge transconjunctival cannulas. RESULTS: This ring consists of a single plastic component with multiple concavities at the ring margin to fit 25-gauge cannulas. The ring can accommodate conventional standard and panoramic vitrectomy lenses. CONCLUSIONS: A lens ring has been designed for 25-gauge vitrectomy and to hold conventional contact lenses. Stability of the lens ring is achieved without the need for sutures and instead is achieved by the three point fixation provided by the existing 25-gauge cannula system.

Outcomes of 140 consecutive cases of 25-gauge transconjunctival surgery for posterior segment disease.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the safety and efficacy of 25-gauge instrumentation for a variety of vitreoretinal conditions on previously nonvitrectomized eyes. DESIGN: Single-center, retrospective, interventional case series. PARTICIPANTS: One-hundred forty eyes of 140 patients were evaluated at the Doheny Retina Institute from July 2002 to July 2003. INTERVENTION: All patients underwent surgical procedures using the Millennium 25-gauge Transconjunctival Standard Vitrectomy system. Twenty eyes (14.3%) underwent procedures without vitrectomy. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Postoperative visual acuity (VA), intraocular pressure, surgical time, postoperative inflammation, complications, and number of sutured sites. RESULTS: No intraoperative complications were noted. No cases required conversion to 20-gauge machines. Ten cases (7.1%) involved single-site sclerotomy suture placement due to bleb formation at the conclusion of the procedure, but 5 of these entry sites were enlarged to facilitate larger instrumentation for tissue manipulation. Median VA improved from 20/250 (logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution, 1.08+/-0.47) preoperatively to 20/60 (0.47+/-0.30) (P<0.0001) at final visit. Mean follow-up was 33.8+/-9.7 weeks, and all eyes were observed for a minimum of 12 weeks. Mean total surgical time was 17.4+/-6.9 minutes. Intraocular pressures remained stable throughout the postoperative course. Five eyes (3.8%) presented on day 1 with shallow choroidal detachments, but all resolved by day 7, and none required volume infusion during the postoperative period. All but one of these cases was within the first 50 procedures performed. No detectable inflammation was noted in any eyes by 4 weeks postoperatively. No case of retinal detachment or endophthalmitis was recorded. CONCLUSIONS: Transconjunctival surgery using 25-gauge instrumentation may hasten postoperative recovery by decreasing overall surgical time and postoperative inflammation. Procedures requiring minimal intraocular manipulation did not require sutures and, thus, may be better suited for this surgical modality.

Late-onset bacteria endophthalmitis following glaucoma drainage implantation.

A clinicopathologic report of late-onset bacterial endophthalmitis 4 years after implantation of a Baerveldt drainage implant is described. An 80-year-old woman with glaucoma presented 8 years after tube shunt implantation with clinical endophthalmitis. During surgical removal of the implant, a small conjunctival buttonhole caused by the suture securing the plate to the sclera was noted to be the only entry site. Vitreous and anterior chamber taps were performed with intravitreal antibiotics. Cultures revealed Streptococcus pneumoniae infection. The pathologic analysis showed epithelialization of the conjunctival button-hole and diffuse ocular inflammation, mucopurulent material, and fibrovascular membranes. Due to severe pain, the eye was enudeated after 1 week.

Late-onset bacterial endophthalmitis following glaucoma drainage implantation.

Abstract. A clinicopathologic report of late-onset bacterial endophthalmitis 4 years after implantation of a Baerveldt drainage implant is described. An 80-yearold woman with glaucoma presented 8 years after tube shunt implantation with clinical endophthalmitis. During surgical removal of the implant, a small conjunctival buttonhole caused by the suture securing the plate to the sclera was noted to be the only entry site. Vitreous and anterior chamber taps were performed with intravitreal antibiotics. Cultures revealed Streptococcus pneumoniae infection. The pathologic analysis showed epithelialization of the conjunctival buttonhole and diffuse ocular inflammation, mucopurulent material, and fibrovascular membranes. Due to severe pain, the eye was enucleated after 1 week. [Ophthalmic Surg Lasers Imaging 2003;34:128-130.].

Vitrectomia no tratamento do edema cistóide de mácula pós-pseudofacia / Vitrectomy in pseudophakic cystoid macular edema

Introduçäo: o edema cistóide de mácula (ECM) é uma das principais patologias que determinam baixa acuidade visual em pacientes após cirurgia de catarata. O objetivo desse estudo retrospectivo é determinado a eficácia da vitrectomia no tratamento do edema cistóide de mácula pós-pseudofacia em pacientes com falta de integridade da cápsula posterior. Material e métodos: foram analisados retrospectivamente prontuários de 11 pacientes pseduofácicos com rotura ou falta de cápsula posterior, com diagnóstico de Edema Cistóide de Mácula, que foram submetidos à vitrectomia para tratamento do Edema Cistóide de Mácula. Resultados: Houve significante melhora da acuidade visual após a vitrectomia. Näo houve diferença entre os subgrupos com lente intra-ocular de câmara anterior e posterior ..