MANAGEMENT OF AUTOLOGUS RETINAL TRANSPLANT COMPLICATIONS: A CASE SERIES.

PURPOSE: To present representative cases of the most common complications associated with an autologous retinal transplant (ART) for macular hole repair. METHODS: A retrospective, consecutive case series on patients who underwent an ART by a single provider (Tamer H. Mahmoud). RESULTS: Four cases were included in this review. Each suffered an ART-specific complication, including graft displacement and dislocation, sub-ART perfluoron, and a delayed proliferative vitreoretinopathy-associated retinal detachment. CONCLUSION: Because more surgeons use ART to treat atypical macular holes, an adequate understanding of surgery-specific complications and techniques to treat those complications is increasingly necessary.

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.

Patients' Preference Regarding Laser Photocoagulation or Cryoretinopexy for the Treatment of Retinal Pathology.

Purpose: High-risk peripheral retinal pathology can be prophylactically treated with both laser photocoagulation (laser) and cryoretinopexy (cryopexy). We sought to identify a possible preference by patients toward one modality and any underlying association. Methods: A single-center survey was conducted of patients with peripheral retinal pathology who received both laser and cryopexy at Associated Retinal Consultants (Royal Oak, Michigan). The main outcome measure was the preferred treatment modality. Results: Patients reported more pain after cryopexy (46%) than laser (11%). Most patients felt it was easier to recover from laser (52%) than cryopexy (13%). Overall, patients preferred laser (60%) to cryopexy (25%), with a minority (15%) having no preference. There was a negative relationship between a patient's likelihood of preferring cryopexy and the number of applications (P = .009). Conclusions: Most patients preferred laser (60%) to cryopexy. If cryopexy is performed, minimizing the number of freezes may improve the patient's experience and recovery.

Retinal Complications after Yttrium-Aluminum-Garnet Laser Vitreolysis for Vitreous Floaters.

This is an observational case series of two patients who developed direct retinal damage following neodymium-doped yttrium-aluminum-garnet (YAG) laser treatment for symptomatic vitreous floaters. The first patient developed a vitreous hemorrhage and subsequent branch retinal vein occlusion from laser damage to a major retinal venule. The second patient developed a temporal scotoma from a full-thickness retinal break in the posterior pole requiring laser retinopexy. Direct YAG laser damage to the posterior pole can cause permanent visual deficits. [Ophthalmic Surg Lasers Imaging Retina. 2021;52:610-613.].

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.

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.

Conserved regression patterns of retinopathy of prematurity after intravitreal ranibizumab: A class effect.

PURPOSE: To determine if fluorescein angiographic (FA) findings after intravitreal ranibizumab (IVR) for retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) conform to a class effect previously described with bevacizumab. METHODS: Single-center retrospective case series of all infants treated with 0.2 mg (0.02 mL) IVR for Type 1 ROP from July 2016 to November 2018. FA were obtained at 40, 52, 62, and 72 weeks of postmenstrual age (PMA) using wide-angle photography. FA images were analyzed and the peripheral avascular areas measured with ImageJ using a reference disc diameter (DD). Based on the extent of the avascular area and tortuosity of the retinal vessels all eyes were classified into four categories: complete vascular maturity (vascularization within 2 DD of the ora serrata), VAA (avascular area >2 DD of the ora serrata), VAT (avascular area >2 DD of the ora serrata and posterior tortuosity), and reactivation (recurrence of stage disease). RESULTS: About 13 infants were enrolled and 24 eyes were available in this study. None of the eyes reached complete vascular maturity at an average PMA of 60 weeks, 7 (29%) eyes presented with VAA, 8 (33%) with VAT, and 9 (37.5%) reactivated. The reactivated eyes presented with the largest area of peripheral ischemia, followed by the VAT and then the VAA groups (p = 0.02). CONCLUSION: IVR conforms to the previously described regression patterns following intravitreal bevacizumab for ROP indicative of a class effect. Follow-up using FA might help to optimize the management of these infants after injection of the drug.

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.

Interest in Telehealth Among Patients With Chronic Retinal Conditions.

Purpose: This work investigated interest in telehealth services for patients with chronic retinal conditions. Methods: A single-center, multi-office study was conducted of patients with chronic retinal conditions who were seen by 1 of 4 physicians during June 2020. Patients whose next appointment was 6 months or later were telephoned. Patients completed a phone interest survey about their interest in a hybrid telehealth evaluation instead of a complete office evaluation with their provider. Results: Of 2136 patients reviewed, 453 met eligibility to participate in the survey. A total of 159 patients (35.1%) participated, of whom 91 (57.2%) indicated an interest in telehealth at their next follow-up visit. Of the 68 (42.8%) patients without a current interest in telehealth, 13 (19.1%) expressed interest in pursuing telehealth in the future. Age (P = .19), sex (P = .22), race (P = .79), office location (P = .19), number of prior visits (P = .58), and median household income by patient's zip code (P = .14) were not predictors of telehealth interest. Among diagnoses, dry age-related macular degeneration was associated (P = .04) with increased interest in telehealth. An increased number of ocular diagnoses were also found to predict a decreased (P = .04) interest in telehealth. multivariable analysis revealed healthcare provider as the only significant predictor for interest in telehealth (P = .03). Conclusions: Most patients with chronic retinal conditions may be interested in incorporating telehealth into routine care. Considerations should be made to evaluate interest in telehealth to guide patients to clinical experiences that best suit their needs.

Influenza-Induced Acute Macular Neuroretinopathy With Cerebral Involvement in a Ten-Year-Old Boy.

A 10-year-old male presented with 1-week duration of painless bilateral central vision loss after having been diagnosed with influenza A. Optical coherence tomography revealed superficial retinal nerve fiber layer infarcts, hyperreflectivity of the inner nuclear layer consistent with paracentral acute middle maculopathy (PAMM), and outer nuclear layer hyperreflectivity and disruption of the ellipsoid zone suggesting acute macular neuroretinopathy (AMN). Brain MRI revealed enhancement of the right basal ganglia consistent with focal encephalitis. He was diagnosed with presumed influenza-induced leukocytoclastic vasculitis (LCV) and treated with intravenous steroids. Influenza-induced LCV is a rare phenomenon and can present with AMN, PAMM, and encephalitis. [Ophthalmic Surg Lasers Imaging Retina. 2020;51:293-297.].

Von Hippel-Lindau Syndrome Phenotype With Prominent Vitreoretinal Neovascularization Treated With Early PPV: A Case Series and Literature Review.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: To describe a case series of three patients in one family with Von Hippel-Lindau (VHL) disease who presented with vitreoretinal neovascularization and resulting tractional retinal detachments (TRDs). This vitreoretinal phenotype of VHL may benefit from early surgical intervention. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Descriptive case series of three patients in one family with VHL disease. A review of the literature regarding surgical intervention for VHL was performed. RESULTS: All three patients developed prominent intravitreal neovascularization with fibrovascular growth within the vitreous secondary to a retinal capillary hemangioma. Two subjects with intravitreal neovascularization were treated with laser and cryotherapy but eventually developed a TRD. The final vision in these two patients was light perception and 20/300. The eye that was preemptively treated with vitrectomy to remove the vitreous sustaining the neovascularization had visual acuity of 20/50 after surgery. CONCLUSION: Intravitreal neovascularization with fibrovascular proliferation may be an indication for vitrectomy prior to the development of retinal detachment. [Ophthalmic Surg Lasers Imaging Retina. 2020;51:109-115.].

Periorbital Subcutaneous Perfluoron Is Well Tolerated Following Intravitreal Surgery.

Purpose: Perfluorocarbon liquids (PFCLs) are well tolerated in intraocular surgery, but chronic exposure can cause inflammation. PFCL leakage into the orbit without significant sequelae has been reported, but PFCL leakage into the preseptal subcutaneous tissues has not been described. Methods: A case report is presented. Results: A 46-year-old man presented with hand motion vision from a ruptured globe and retained intraocular foreign body. Intraoperatively, the foreign body could not be removed, and PFCL extravasated from the posterior globe rupture. Postoperative imaging revealed hyperdense material in the orbit, lids, and superficial adnexal tissues. The patient tolerated the retained PFCL, and imaging 10 months later demonstrated interval resorption. The patient eventually developed ocular siderosis and underwent transconjunctival orbitotomy with foreign body extraction. Two years following the initial injury, his vision remained stable at 20/40 without further sequelae. Conclusions: PFCL is well tolerated in the extraocular space and may resorb with conservative management.

Surgical timing and presence of a vitreoretinal fellow on postoperative adverse events following pars plana vitrectomy.

INTRODUCTION: To evaluate the adverse event rate following pars plana vitrectomy as a function of surgical start time and the presence of a vitreoretinal fellow. METHODS: Single-institution retrospective cohort study of patients undergoing pars plana vitrectomy from 1 January 2016 to 31 December 2016 at Stanford University School of Medicine (Palo Alto, CA, USA). Records were reviewed for surgical start time, the presence of vitreoretinal fellow, and postoperative adverse events defined as any finding deviating from the expected postoperative course requiring observation or intervention. RESULTS: A total of 310 pars plana vitrectomies were performed. There was no statistical difference in the rate of any adverse event when comparing cases starting after 16:01 (9/13, 69.2%) and after 12:01 (42/99, 42.4%) to a morning start time (69/198, 34.9%, adjusted p = 0.083). There was a statistically significant increase in the risk of postoperative vitreous hemorrhage with afternoon and evening cases as compared to morning cases (adjusted p = 0.021). In addition, there was no difference in any adverse event with a fellow present (93/244, 38.1%) compared to without (27/66, 40.9%, adjusted p = 0.163). There was a higher risk of postoperative hypotony when a fellow was involved (6.6% vs 0%, p = 0.028), though this difference disappeared after adjusting for confounders (adjusted p = 0.252). There was no difference in the length of surgery with and without a fellow (49 vs 54 min, respectively; p = 0.990). DISCUSSION: Afternoon start time and the presence of a fellow were not independent risk factors for postoperative adverse events.

Posterior Scleritis.

The patient is a 19-year-old female who presented with 3 weeks of right eye pain, eyelid swelling, blurry vision, and headache. Visual acuity was counting fingers at 1 foot. Intraocular pressure was normal, and there was diffuse scleral injection on anterior examination. She had a mild anterior chamber reaction with 15 cells/high-powered field and a mild vitreous inflammatory reaction. Fundus examination revealed diffuse choroidal thickening with multilobulated serous retinal detachments worse inferiorly (Figures 1 and 2). Fluorescein angiography demonstrated severe optic disc leakage. Ultrasonography demonstrated diffuse choroidal thickening, a serous retinal detachment, and a prominent "T-sign" (Figure 3). The patient was diagnosed with posterior scleritis and treated with 80 mg of oral prednisone. [Ophthalmic Surg Lasers Imaging Retina. 2019;50:660.].

Displacement of Submacular Hemorrhage With Subretinal Injection of Recombinant Tissue Plasminogen Activator and Gas Tamponade in the Setting of Myopic Degeneration.

Myopic submacular hemorrhage (SMH) usually arises from either a break in Bruch's membrane (lacquer cracks) that damages the underlying choriocapillaris or the development of a choroidal neovascular membrane (CNVM) at the sites of prior lacquer cracks.1,2 In pathologic myopia (PM), axial elongation leads to thinning of the choroid and retinal pigment epithelium, predisposing to rupture of Bruch's membrane.3 If large hemorrhages involving the fovea are left untreated, subretinal hemorrhage and CNVM can cause devastating long-term vision loss due to irreversible retinal atrophy.4 In this video, the authors describe their technique of using a subretinal injection of recombinant tissue plasminogen activator with a concurrent gas tamponade to displace SMH.

Optical Coherence Tomography Angiography Highlights Chorioretinal Lesions in Ocular Coccidioidomycosis.

A 34-year-old woman presented after recovering from a disseminated Coccidioides immitis infection of the lungs, blood, brain, and placenta. The patient was asymptomatic for visual complaints. Visual acuity was 20/20 in both eyes. Fundus examination demonstrated bilateral chorioretinal infiltrates worse in the left eye. Fluorescein angiography (FA) was unable to be performed as the patient was breastfeeding, prompting the use of optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) imaging to further investigate the infiltrates. OCTA imaging was able to detect all visualized chorioretinal infiltrates and showed an additional non-visualized deep choroidal lesion. OCTA is a valuable tool in detecting chorioretinal lesions when FA is contraindicated. [Ophthalmic Surg Lasers Imaging Retina. 2019;50:e71-e73.].