LONG-TERM VISUAL OUTCOMES AND THE TIMING OF SURGICAL REPAIR OF FOVEA-SPLITTING RHEGMATOGENOUS RETINAL DETACHMENTS.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the visual outcomes and the affect of timing of surgical repair of fovea-splitting rhegmatogenous retinal detachments. METHOD: A retrospective, consecutive cohort from multiple surgeons at a single center. Fovea status (fovea-on, fovea-splitting, or fovea-off) was classified by preoperative optical coherence tomography. The primary outcome measure was the visual acuity at the last follow-up that was further correlated with the timing of surgical repair. RESULTS: One hundred and ninety-five eyes were included with 62 fovea-on, 65 fovea-splitting, and 68 fovea-off detachments. The mean preoperative logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution visual acuity for fovea-on, fovea-splitting, and fovea-off groups was 0.16 ± 0.21, 0.70 ± 0.56, and 1.67 ± 0.87, respectively (P = <0.001). Mean postoperative logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution visual acuity for fovea-on, fovea-splitting, and fovea-off groups were 0.07 ± 0.13, 0.10 ± 0.15, and 0.20 ± 0.22, respectively (P = <0.001). A statistically significant difference in mean postoperative logMAR visual acuity was found between fovea-off and fovea-on groups (P = 0.003) and between fovea-off and fovea-splitting groups (P = 0.013), however not between fovea-on and fovea-splitting groups (P = 0.827). Visual acuity improved when repair was performed earlier after presentation for fovea-on (R = 0.378, P = 0.002) and fovea-off groups (R = 0.277, P = 0.022), but not for the fovea-splitting group (R = 0.089, P = 0.481). CONCLUSION: We described the favorable visual outcomes of surgery for fovea-splitting rhegmatogenous retinal detachment and correlated these with the timing of surgical repair, which may help guide the management of this urgent, vision-threatening condition.

FEATURES AND OUTCOMES OF EYES THAT UNDERWENT SURGICAL REPAIR OF RHEGMATOGENOUS RETINAL DETACHMENTS AFTER BEING TREATED FOR ACUTE ENDOPHTHALMITIS.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the etiology, clinical course, and outcomes of eyes that suffered postendophthalmitis rhegmatogenous retinal detachments. METHODS: A retrospective, consecutive case series was conducted of patients managed at Associated Retinal Consultants P.C. from January 2013 to December 2019. Patients were identified as having had endophthalmitis by ICD-9/10 codes. Those with endophthalmitis and/or rhegmatogenous retinal detachment not managed at Associated Retinal Consultants from January were excluded. RESULTS: Charts of 413 patients were reviewed and 19 met inclusion criteria. Incidence of rhegmatogenous retinal detachment following infectious endophthalmitis was 4.6%. The most common inciting events for endophthalmitis was intravitreal injection (9 of 19) and cataract surgery (7 of 19). Fifteen of 19 patients were treated with an injection of intravitreal antibiotics and 4 underwent immediate vitrectomy with antibiotic injection. Biopsy cultures were obtained in 18 of 19 patients and yielded positive growth in 12 (66.7%). Seventeen of the 19 eyes were operable. Final retinal reattachment rate was 88.2% (15 of 17). Mean final logMAR visual acuity was 1.58 (Snellen 20/765). Factors associated with worse final visual acuity after surgical repair included preceding intravitreal injection (P = 0.001), streptococcus species (P = 0.024), presence of proliferative vitreoretinopathy (P = 0.015), and use of silicone oil during primary rhegmatogenous retinal detachment repair (P = 0.010). CONCLUSION: Rhegmatogenous retinal detachments following endophthalmitis occur infrequently. Although most eyes can be repaired surgically, visual outcomes are often poor, particularly in eyes that were infected with streptococcal species and had associated proliferative vitreoretinopathy.

REFRACTIVE OUTCOMES AFTER SUTURELESS INTRASCLERAL FIXATION OF INTRAOCULAR LENS WITH PARS PLANA VITRECTOMY.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the refractive outcomes of sutureless intrascleral fixation of intraocular lens with pars plana vitrectomy. METHOD: A retrospective, consecutive cohort from multiple surgeons of a single center. Primary outcomes included spherical equivalent (SEQ) and change in SEQ (ΔSEQ) from preoperative intraocular lens power calculations. Secondary outcomes included refractive outcomes of fixation at 1.5 mm, 2 mm, and 2.5 mm posterior to the limbus. RESULTS: In total, 84 eyes of 80 patients were included. Preoperative logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution visual acuity was 1.21 ± 0.68 (20/320). The mean follow-up time was 2.33 ± 1.36 years. At 3 months, SEQ was -0.50 ± 1.59 D and ΔSEQ was 0.58 ± 1.49 D. At 1 year, SEQ was -0.55 ± 1.32 D and ΔSEQ was 0.39 ± 1.42 D. At the last follow-up, logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution visual acuity was 0.34 ± 0.34 (20/40), SEQ was -0.51 ± 1.44 D, and ΔSEQ was 0.57 ± 1.27 D. There was no difference between SEQ or ΔSEQ throughout follow-up (P = 0.97 and P = 0.96, respectively). At fixation distances more posterior to the limbus, mean ΔSEQ was more hyperopic at 3 months, 1-year, and the last follow-up (P = 0.02, P = 0.01, and P = 0.006, respectively). CONCLUSION: Refractive outcomes for sutureless intrascleral fixation of intraocular lens with pars plana vitrectomy were favorable and showed stability postoperatively. These results may aid surgeons achieve better desired refractive outcomes for this technique.

27-GAUGE SUTURELESS INTRASCLERAL FIXATION OF INTRAOCULAR LENSES WITH HAPTIC FLANGING: Short-Term Clinical Outcomes and a Disinsertion Force Study.

PURPOSE: To determine whether haptic flanging during 27-gauge sutureless intrascleral fixation of intraocular lenses (IOLs) increases IOL stability and to report the short-term clinical outcomes of sutureless intrascleral surgery using 27-gauge trocar cannulas with haptic flanging. METHODS: Retrospective surgical case series using live and cadaveric human eyes. RESULTS: In the cadaveric experiment using five eyes, flanged haptics required more force to dislocate the IOL compared with unflanged haptics (14 ± 4 vs. 3 ± 1 g, P = 0.03). The clinical series included 52 eyes from 52 patients. The average age at the time of surgery was 73 ± 14 years, with a mean follow-up of 27 ± 19 weeks. The most common indication for surgery was IOL dislocation/subluxation (n = 43, 83%). Mean visual acuity improved from 20/140 preoperatively to 20/50 at postoperative Month 1 (P < 0.001). The most common postoperative issue was intraocular pressure elevation (n = 12, 23%). Two patients (4%) needed a reoperation for IOL dislocation. CONCLUSION: Haptic flanging during 27-gauge sutureless intrascleral surgery creates a more stable scleral-fixated IOL compared with the traditional unflanged technique based on a cadaveric human eye study. In addition, this variation of sutureless intrascleral surgery seems safe and effective for patients who require secondary IOLs.

Vitrectomy for floaters: prospective efficacy analyses and retrospective safety profile.

PURPOSE: Floaters impact vision but the mechanism is unknown. We hypothesize that floaters reduce contrast sensitivity function, which can be normalized by vitrectomy, and that minimally invasive vitrectomy will have lower incidences of retinal tears (reported at 30%) and cataracts (50-76%). METHODS: Seventy-six eyes (34 phakic) with floaters were evaluated in 2 separate studies. Floater etiologies were primarily posterior vitreous detachment in 61 of 76 eyes (80%) and myopic vitreopathy in 24 of 76 eyes (32%). Minimally invasive 25G vitrectomy was performed without posterior vitreous detachment induction, leaving anterior vitreous, and using nonhollow probes for cannula extraction. Efficacy was studied prospectively (up to 9 months) in 16 floater cases with Freiburg Acuity Contrast Testing (Weber index [%W] reproducibility = 92.1%) and the National Eye Institute Visual Function Questionnaire. Safety was separately evaluated in 60 other cases followed up on an average of 17.5 months (range, 3-51 months). RESULTS: Floater eyes had 67% contrast sensitivity function attenuation (4.0 ± 2.3 %W; control subjects = 2.4 ± 0.9 %W, P < 0.013). After vitrectomy, contrast sensitivity function normalized in each case at 1 week (2.0 ± 1.4 %W, P < 0.01) and remained normal at 1 month (2.0 ± 1.0 %W, P < 0.003) and 3 months to 9 months (2.2 ± 1.5 %W, P < 0.018). Visual Function Questionnaire was 28.3% lower in floater patients (73.2 ± 15.6, N = 16) than in age-matched control subjects (93.9 ± 8.0, N = 12, P < 0.001), and postoperatively improved by 29.2% (P < 0.001). In the safety study of 60 floater cases treated with vitrectomy, none developed retinal breaks, infection, or glaucoma after a mean follow-up of 17.5 months. Only 8 of 34 cases (23.5%) required cataract surgery (none younger than 53 years) at an average of 15 months postvitrectomy. CONCLUSION: Floaters lower contrast sensitivity function, which normalizes after vitrectomy. Visual Function Questionnaire quantified improvement in satisfaction. Not inducing posterior vitreous detachment reduced retinal tear incidence from 30% to 0% (P < 0.007). Postvitrectomy cataract incidence was reduced from 50% to 23.5% (P < 0.02). This approach thus seems effective and safe in alleviating the visual dysfunction induced by floaters.

SUSPECTED INTRAUTERINE INJURY CAUSING ABUSIVE OCULAR TRAUMA.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this report is to describe a patient who has fluorescein angiographic evidence and retinal changes suspicious for intrauterine abusive ocular trauma. METHODS: A case report of a premature ward of the state with no prenatal care and a presentation suspicious for intrauterine abusive ocular trauma. We performed serial ophthalmologic examinations, reviewed available prenatal history with the infant's social worker, and all relevant hospital notes, laboratory results, and imaging results. RESULTS: After initial empiric treatment for possible viral retinitis in the setting of a positive urine cytomegalovirus, repeat examinations demonstrated fluorescein angiographic evidence and clinical findings suspicious for abusive ocular trauma including neovascularization and no evidence of retinitis; therefore, the child was treated with laser photocoagulation. CONCLUSION: At-risk newborns will benefit from an examination of the retinal periphery and wide field fluorescein angiography. Intrauterine abusive ocular trauma should be included in the differential of retinal hemorrhage and avascular retinal periphery. It is imperative for clinicians to recognize this presentation to prevent progression of associated visual morbidity.

Clinical Course and Characteristics of Eyes with Recurrent Episodes of Endophthalmitis.

PURPOSE: Infectious endophthalmitis is a devastating, yet rare, complication after intraocular surgery, trauma, and systemic illness. Given its rare incidence, few patients would be expected to experience more than 1 episode of infectious endophthalmitis in their lifetime. We reviewed our patients who were diagnosed with and treated for at least 2 separate episodes of endophthalmitis. DESIGN: A retrospective, consecutive case series was conducted of patients managed at Associated Retinal Consultants PC (Royal Oak, Michigan) from January 2013 through December 2019. PARTICIPANTS: Patients were identified with the diagnosis of endophthalmitis by International Classification of Diseases, Ninth and Tenth Editions, codes. METHODS: Those diagnosed and then treated either with a vitreous tap and intravitreal injection of antibiotics or with pars plana vitrectomy at least twice were included. Those treated multiple times for the same episode of endophthalmitis were excluded. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Cause and risk factors for recurrent endophthalmitis. RESULTS: Charts of 535 patients were reviewed, and 12 patients met inclusion criteria. The median age at initial presentation was 72.5 years, and 33.3% were men. Eight of the 12 patients (66%) experienced recurrent endophthalmitis in the same eye, and 4 of the 12 patients (33%) experienced separate episodes in different eyes. The average time between episodes was 604 days (range, 90-2366 days). The average follow-up from the second episode was 492 days (range, 119-1185 days). The most common cause for both the first and second episodes was recent intravitreal injection (50% and 58.3%, respectively) followed by surgery associated (41.6% and 33.3%, respectively). The cause was the same for the first and second episodes of 8 patients (75%). Of the 24 recorded episodes of endophthalmitis, culture results were positive in 41.6%, with coagulase-negative Staphylococcus being the most common bacteria identified. CONCLUSIONS: Recurrent endophthalmitis is rare and seen most commonly after intravitreal injections. Most patients in this series showed culture-negative results. Each successive episode of endophthalmitis was associated with a worse final visual outcome. The cumulative number of intravitreal injections may be an independent risk factor for recurrent postinjection endophthalmitis.

Ultrasound-based quantification of vitreous floaters correlates with contrast sensitivity and quality of life.

PURPOSE: Clinical evaluation of floaters lacks quantitative assessment of vitreous structure. This study used quantitative ultrasound (QUS) to measure vitreous opacities. Since floaters reduce contrast sensitivity (CS) and quality of life (Visual Function Questionnaire [VFQ]), it is hypothesized that QUS will correlate with CS and VFQ in patients with floaters. METHODS: Twenty-two eyes (22 subjects; age = 57 ± 19 years) with floaters were evaluated with Freiburg acuity contrast testing (FrACT; %Weber) and VFQ. Ultrasonography used a customized probe (15-MHz center frequency, 20-mm focal length, 7-mm aperture) with longitudinal and transverse scans taken in primary gaze and a horizontal longitudinal scan through premacular vitreous in temporal gaze. Each scan set had 100 frames of log-compressed envelope data. Within each frame, two regions of interest (ROIs) were analyzed (whole-central and posterior vitreous) to yield three parameters (energy, E; mean amplitude, M; and percentage of vitreous filled by echodensities, P50) averaged over the entire 100-frame dataset. Statistical analyses evaluated E, M, and P50 correlations with CS and VFQ. RESULTS: Contrast sensitivity ranged from 1.19%W (normal) to 5.59%W. All QUS parameters in two scan positions within the whole-central ROI correlated with CS (R > 0.67, P < 0.001). P50 in the nasal longitudinal position had R = 0.867 (P < 0.001). Correlations with VFQ ranged from R = 0.52 (P < 0.013) to R = 0.65 (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Quantitative ultrasound provides quantitative measures of vitreous echodensity that correlate with CS and VFQ, providing objective assessment of vitreous structure underlying the functional disturbances induced by floaters, useful to quantify vitreous disease severity and the response to therapy.