Risk factors and management of choroidal effusions.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Choroidal effusions are recognized as a common early postoperative complication of glaucoma surgery, and although often benign, they may cause significant ocular morbidity. This article aims to summarize current research on the risk factors and management of choroidal effusions. RECENT FINDINGS: Glaucoma drainage device (GDD) implantation and trabeculectomy are the most commonly performed surgeries for the management of moderate to severe glaucoma. Common postoperative complications of these procedures include hypotony and the development of choroidal effusions. Choroidal effusions have recently been associated with the oral administration of certain drugs, including select monoclonal antibody, antiseizure and bisphosphonate medications. Risk factors for effusion development include specific patient characteristics such as pseudoexfoliative glaucoma, older age and hypertension. Although choroidal effusions typically resolve with medical therapy alone, surgical intervention may be required. Various methods of surgical intervention, such as surgical drainage or GDD tube ligation, can be utilized to treat choroidal effusions when conservative management with medical treatment fails, but themselves carry alternative risks that must be considered. SUMMARY: Minimizing the incidence and duration of hypotony following ophthalmic surgery and careful monitoring of patients starting certain oral medications are important in limiting the occurrence of choroidal effusions. Risk factors for choroidal effusions have been recently identified in the literature. A better understanding of these risk factors, as well as the outcomes of choroidal effusion management, can help to reduce the occurrence of effusions overall and minimize ocular morbidity.

Efficacy of Pneumatic Retinopexy Preceding Pars Plana Vitrectomy in Managing Combined Retinal and Choroidal Detachment: A Retrospective Study of 64 Patients.

BACKGROUND Combined retinal and choroidal detachment (RD-CD) poses significant challenges in ophthalmic treatment, often requiring surgical intervention for optimal outcomes. The selection of the appropriate surgical procedure is crucial for ensuring visual restoration and overall eye health. This study delves into the therapeutic benefits and outcomes of two distinct surgical approaches for RD-CD: pneumatic retinopexy (PR) followed by pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) and PPV alone, in an attempt to guide optimal clinical decision-making. MATERIAL AND METHODS We retrospectively analyzed data from 64 consecutive patients diagnosed with RD-CD. They were categorized into two groups: Group A consisted of 34 patients (34 eyes) who underwent PR as an initial treatment and subsequently received PPV, while Group B, serving as a control, comprised 30 patients (30 eyes) treated solely with PPV. RESULTS The application of PR in Group A notably accelerated intraocular pressure (IOP) increase (P.

Choroidal detachment and hypotony following selective laser trabeculoplasty: a case report.

BACKGROUND: Selective laser trabeculoplasty (SLT) is relatively safe and effective in lowering intraocular pressure (IOP). However, although rare, complications can occur after SLT. This report describes a patient with choroidal detachment due to hypotony following SLT without anterior chamber (AC) inflammation. CASE PRESENTATION: A 67-year-old man was referred for elevated IOP in his left eye with advanced glaucomatous visual field loss. He had previously been diagnosed with idiopathic uveitic glaucoma in the left eye, for which he underwent laser iridotomy, trabeculectomy, and cataract surgery. At the first visit, the IOP of his left eye measured by Goldmann tonometry was 28 mmHg despite maximally tolerated medical treatment. SLT was performed in his left eye, resulting in an IOP of 7 mmHg 7 days later. At 3 weeks post-procedure, the patient experienced ocular pain and decreased visual acuity in his left eye. Slit-lamp examination revealed deep anterior chamber depth and no inflammation reaction, but the IOP in his left eye was 4 mmHg, and both fundus and B-scan ultrasonography showed serous choroidal detachment. All anti-glaucoma agents were stopped, and the patient was started on treatment with oral prednisolone and cyclopentolate eye drops. Three weeks later, choroidal detachment had resolved and the IOP in his left eye had stabilized at 8 mmHg. Follow-up 3 months later showed that the IOP in his left eye remained stable. CONCLUSIONS: Choroidal detachment-related hypotony is a rare complication of SLT. This possible complication following SLT should be informed to the patients and considered when performing the procedure.

Quadrantic vortex vein decompression with subretinal fluid drainage for manangement of Nanophthalmic choroidal effusions- a review of literature and case series.

BACKGROUND: Uveal effusion syndrome is a rare entity of idiopathic exudative detachments of uveal tissues and retina. Medical treatments with systemic steroids and antimetabolites have been tried but with variable results. Scleral windows or vortex decompressions are usually performed and surgeons usually perform partial sclerectomy in all the quadrants. CASE PRESENTATION: For the first time, we report 2 cases of nanophthalmic uveal effusion syndrome managed with our technique. CONCLUSION: Quadrantic vortex vein decompression with external drainage for nanophthalmic uveal effusion can provide immediate and stable gain in vision.

Incidental Finding of Suprachoroidal Space's Silicone Oil Migration: A Tumor-Mimicking Lesion and Its Clinical Management.

The migration of silicone oil into the suprachoroidal region is a rare complication of vitrectomy. A 70-year-old man was admitted to our ocular oncology unit with a choroidal elevation in the nasal area, as well as signs of pars plana vitrectomy surgery performed about 5 years ago for retinal detachment. The patient underwent ocular ultrasound, visual field test, fluorangiography, and magnetic resonance imaging, which led to the diagnosis of silicone oil migration in the suprachoroidal space. Silicone oil may move into the suprachoroidal area, mimicking choroidal neoformation. It is important to have a comprehensive diagnosis and then set up the appropriate treatment. [Ophthalmic Surg Lasers Imaging Retina 2024;55:104-108.].

Ab-externo intraluminal stent for prolonged hypotony and choroidal detachment after Preserflo implantation.

PURPOSE: To describe a case of prolonged hypotony and choroidal detachment following insertion of a Preserflo™ MicroShunt in a patient with primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG). CASE REPORT: An 84-year-old Caucasian man with medically uncontrolled POAG developed refractory hypotony and choroidal detachment following a mitomycin C augmented Preserflo MicroShunt (PMS) insertion. Initial medical treatment with Dexamethasone 2 mg/mL and Atropine 1% for the hypotony (4 mmHg) and choroidal detachment was unsuccessful, BCVA decreased from the preoperative 20/28 to 20/60. After 90 days, surgery revision was carried out by inserting a 10-0 nylon monofilament suture through the distal end of the PMS reaching the opposite end of the tube. The free end of the nylon suture was exposed from the conjunctiva in the inferotemporal quadrant close to the fornix to ensure access to the occlusive stent. After one month intraocular pressure (IOP) was 7 mmHg, the choroidal detachment was completely regressed, and best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) increased to 20/28, at that time the exposed part of the stent was trimmed. 6 months after the revision surgery IOP was 14 mmHg, BCVA was 20/25, and the nylon stent was retained side to side inside the PMS lumen. CONCLUSION: The management of hypotony and choroidal detachment after a glaucoma drainage device (GDD) implantation is still unstandardized. The ab externo insertion of a nylon suture grants multiple advantages over the other techniques when performed on a PMS tube.

Appositional Choroidal Detachment Following XEN45 Gel Stent Requiring Surgical Drainage.

An 82-year-old man with severe primary open-angle glaucoma on maximal medical therapy underwent an ab externo closed conjunctival Xen45 device insertion with mitomycin C. The surgery was uncomplicated, with a first postoperative day intraocular pressure of 4 mm Hg and visual acuity of 20/40 OD. Ten days later, the patient presented with an intraocular pressure of 5 mm Hg and a visual acuity of counting fingers at 5 feet. Examination showed Seidel negative bleb, shallow anterior chamber, and large nonappositional choroidal detachments. Medical therapy with steroids and cycloplegia was initiated. One week later, the serous choroidal detachments became appositional, and Xen explantation and surgical drainage of the choroidal detachment was performed. Postoperatively, the vision improved to 20/60. Significant choroidal detachments can occur after XEN45 implantation requiring surgical intervention.

A Retrospective Case Series of Uveal Effusion Syndrome.

PURPOSE: This study aimed to describe the clinical findings and management of eyes affected by uveal effusion syndrome. METHODS: We retrospectively evaluated the charts of 13 eyes of 8 consecutive patients diagnosed with uveal effusion syndrome attending the Ophthalmology Unit of the University Hospitals Leuven, Belgium, between 2007 and 2018. The presenting features, investigations, management, and outcomes were analyzed for each case. RESULTS: Cataract surgery was the predisposing factor for uveal effusion in 6 eyes, 2 bilateral uveal effusions (4 eyes) were considered to be medication-induced, and in 3 eyes, the uveal effusion was described as idiopathic. Fundus examination of 5 of 13 eyes showed bullous choroidal detachment, treated with pars plana vitrectomy with superotemporal sclerectomy or transscleral punction. Fundoscopy showed uveal effusion without serous retinal detachment in 3 eyes. Serous retinal detachment accompanied by uveal swelling was observed in 3 eyes and the 2 remaining eyes presented with uveal swelling only. The 8 nonbullous choroidal detachments were treated in a conservative way. A rapid resolution of subretinal fluid and uveal effusion was observed in all cases. CONCLUSIONS: A conservative approach with acetazolamide treatment or just observation was used in our case series in choroidal detachment without substantial visual loss if, over time, slow improvement was documented. However, further studies are needed to verify the effectiveness of the reported therapy.

Intra-Scleral Ciliary Sulcus Suprachoroidal Microtube: Making Supraciliary Glaucoma Surgery Affordable.

PURPOSE: The suprachoroidal space (SCS) has been a successful target to lower intraocular pressure (IOP) in glaucoma patients. We present the results of 4 patients who underwent a novel glaucoma surgical procedure to lower IOP: Intrascleral Ciliary Sulcus-Suprachoroidal Microtube. METHODS: A sterile medical grade silicone microtube (Tube extender, New World Medical) was surgically placed to drain aqueous from the posterior chamber ciliary sulcus of the eye to the SCS. The internal diameter of the tube was 300 um and the length varied from 8-10mm. After informed consent was obtained and witnessed, this procedure was performed in glaucoma patients with pseudophakia. The tube was placed intrasclerally beneath an inferotemporal sclera flap (50% thickness approximately 4mm x 4mm). The anterior end of the tube was inserted into the ciliary sulcus approximately 2mm from the limbus and the posterior end was placed into the SCS approximately 4mm from the limbus. The microtube was sutured to the sclera with a 10-0 nylon suture. 8-0 vicryl sutures were used to close the sclera flap and the conjunctiva inferotemporally. RESULTS: All 4 patients had lower IOP. The average reduction of IOP was 36% at 3 months. The amount of glaucoma medications per patient at 3 months dropped from an average of 3 to 0.25. The risks are similar to traditional glaucoma incisional surgery. CONCLUSION: This new technique of Intrascleral Ciliary Sulcus-Suprachoroidal Microtube in all four patients with mild, moderate, and advanced glaucoma demonstrated a significant lowering of IOP and a decrease in the number of medications. Further research is required to assess long term efficacy and safety.

Systemic Approach to Prevent Inadvertent Perfusion in Eyes with Extensive Choroidal Detachment, Suprachoroidal Fluid, and Hypotony During Pars Plana Vitrectomy.

INTRODUCTION: Rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD) with extensive choroidal detachment (CD), suprachoroidal fluid (SCF), and lower intraocular pressure (IOP) markedly increase the difficulty of pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) because it makes the insertion and placement of the trocar cannulas for PPV time-consuming and technically challenging. In this study, we developed a systemic approach that avoids the risks of sclerotomy or using a longer trocar to help in the safe placement of the trocar cannulas in order to prevent inadvertent fluid/air perfusion during PPV in RRD eyes with extensive CD, SCF, and hypotony. METHODS: This is a prospective case series study. Consecutive patients diagnosed with RRD with extensive CD, SCF, and hypotony were recruited. The main steps included injecting transconjunctival intravitreal fluid to increase IOP and enable the passive egress of SCF into the subconjunctival space, creating and broadening the inner opening for the trocar cannulas, transillumination with an endoillumination light pipe, and indentation of the infusion cannula to create maximum visual exposure of the inner segment and help peripheral shaving around the infusion tip. MAIN OUTCOMES: the success rate of the infusion placement into the vitreous cavity, surgical duration, intra- and postoperative complications, and functional and anatomical outcomes. RESULTS: Thirty-eight patients (38 eyes) were included. The first-time success rate of cannula placement into the vitreous cavity was 100%, with a mean surgical duration of 8.5 ± 1.8 min. No intra- or postoperative complications related to the approach were observed. Significant vision improvement was noted in 68.4% (26/38) of the patients at the final follow-up. The primary and final retinal reattachment rates were 94.7% (36/38) and 100% (38/38), respectively. CONCLUSION: This systemic approach is a feasible option to ensure the safe placement of trocar cannulas and prevent inadvertent perfusion during small-gauge PPV in RRD eyes with extensive CD, SCF, and hypotony, without the need for a draining sclerotomy, a longer trocar, or a sharp clearing of the cannula tip.

Anatomic Outcomes and Prognostic Factors of Vitrectomy in Patients with Primary Rhegmatogenous Retinal Detachment Associated with Choroidal Detachment.

PURPOSE: This study was undertaken to assess the associations between the anatomic outcomes of patients who underwent vitrectomy for rhegmatogenous retinal detachment associated with choroidal detachment (RRDCD) and their preoperative variables. METHODS: A total of 175 patients with RRDCD who underwent vitrectomy in one eye were included in the analysis. The primary outcome measured was the retinal status after primary vitrectomy and at the end of follow-up. RESULTS: The retinal reattachment rate was 72.57% after primary surgery, and the final total reattachment rate was 89.14% after follow-up. Binary logistic regression analysis identified that the retinal reattachment rate after primary vitrectomy was significantly associated with older age (odds ratio = 1.03, p = 0.02), mild proliferative vitreoretinopathy (PVR) (PVR grade C vs. PVR grades A-B: odds ratio = 0.31, p = 0.04; PVR grade D vs. PVR grades A-B: odds ratio = 0.03, p < 0.01), and intravitreal steroid treatment (odds ratio = 4.60, p = 0.02), and that the final retinal reattachment rate was independently associated with older age (odds ratio = 1.05; p = 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Vitrectomy is a good surgical option for RRDCD. Older age, mild preoperative PVR, and perioperative intravitreal triamcinolone acetonide injections increase the primary reattachment rates after one operation. Older age was the only independent prognostic factor for the final retinal reattachment in patients with RRDCD.