Digital 3D "Heads-up" Cataract Surgery: Safety Profile and Comparison with the Conventional Microscope System. / Digitale 3-D-Monitor-"Heads-up"-Kataraktchirurgie: Sicherheitsprofil und Vergleich zum konventionellen Mikroskopsystem.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to compare the complication rates between surgery performed using digital heads-up 3D system (3D group) and a conventional binocular microscope-based system (BM group) in a large series of cataract operations performed by the same surgeon. METHODS: This retrospective analysis included a consecutive series of 2,000 cataract operations. The 3D group included n = 1,000 operations performed immediately following the introduction of a 3D system (Alcon Ngenuity). For comparison, the last n = 1,000 operations performed with a binocular microscope were included in the BM group. The 3D system was adapted to the existing microscope so that the microscope optics remained unchanged. The In both groups, the surgical techniques used were either phacoemulsification or femtosecond laser cataract surgery. Complications were recorded and analyzed retrospectively. RESULTS: The proportion of femto-laser cataract operations was 19.8% in the 3D group and 18.6% in the BM group. Capsule rupture occurred in 10 eyes (3D: n = 4 (0.4%), anterior vitrectomy: n = 2, pars plana vitrectomy: n = 1; BM: n = 6 cases (0.6%), anterior vitrectomy: n = 4, pars plana vitrectomy: n = 1). A short-term iris prolapse occurred in 3 eyes (3D: n = 2, BM: n = 1). Zonulolysis occurred in 2 eyes (3D: n = 1, BM: n = 1). Overall, there was no statistically significant difference between the two groups (p > 0.5). There was no significant increase in the duration of surgery following the switch to the 3D technique. CONCLUSION: In a large series of 2000 eyes, there was no significant difference between 3D and BM surgery in terms of the safety profile during cataract surgery. 3D surgery can, therefore, be used for cataract operations without additional risk.

Treatment contentment and preference of patients undergoing intravitreal anti-VEGF therapy.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study is to investigate patients´ treatment preference between the pro re nata (PRN) and treat and extend (T&E) regimens and their feelings and contentment undergoing intravitreal injections (IVI) with anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF) agents. METHODS: Six months after the switch of the treatment regimen from PRN to T&E, answers of a 16-item questionnaire of 105 patients under IVI therapy regarding age, sex and treatment preference (T&E or PRN regimen), as well as burden and anxiety resulting from therapy, were evaluated. Analysis of associations between answers of the questionnaire was executed using Pearson's Chi2 test and Mann-Whitney U test. P values ≤ 0.05 were considered statistically significant. RESULTS: Nearly all patients (90.5%) felt well informed about disease and therapy. Comparing treatment regimen, 13.7% thought PRN was better and 23.3% felt T&E was better. The majority considered PRN and T&E to be equal (60.3%). No significant association between treatment regimen and age (p = 0.15), gender (p = 0.35) and duration of IVI therapy (p = 0.42) was seen. The examination results are associated with fear in the majority of patients (53.3%). Fear about the IVI was indicated by 47.6% of individuals and was significantly associated with pain during treatment (p = 0.0003), pain after treatment (p = 0.004) and fear about unfavourable examination results regarding disease activity (p = 7.94 × 10-7). CONCLUSIONS: Most patients are satisfied with the IVI therapy and the treatment regimen. Fear of the IVI and particularly of unfavourable examination results demonstrate the high treatment burden for patients undergoing anti-VEGF therapy. These aspects should be taken into account by healthcare professionals.

[Treatment of secondary glaucoma following intravitreal anti-VEGF therapy with the XEN® gel stent and mitomycin C]. / Therapie eines Sekundärglaukoms nach intravitrealer Anti-VEGF-Therapie mit dem XEN®-Gel-Stent und Mitomycin C.

BACKGROUND: Recurrent treatment with intravitreal anti-VEGF (vascular endothelial growth factor) administration can in rare cases lead to secondary glaucoma that is difficult to adjust. The goal of this case series was to analyze the treatment results of the XEN® gel stent in combination with mitomycin C. METHODS: The long-term follow-up over a period of 18 months was evaluated for 3 eyes in 3 patients that underwent treatment with a XEN® gel stent in combination with mitomycin C as a surgical procedure to reduce intraocular pressure. RESULTS: The eyes had a baseline pressure of 21-31 mm Hg with 3-5 antiglaucoma medications following 15-25 intravitreal injections. In all 3 eyes a pressure drop of almost 50% to 9-14 mm Hg could be achieved after 18 months with complete discontinuation of all local and systemic medications to reduce intraocular pressure in 2 of the 3 eyes. In 1 eye a choroidal detachment occurred for 2 weeks postoperatively. In another eye a surgical revision of conjunctival penetration was carried out. In two eyes needling was necessary due to scarring. In 2 out of 3 eyes, further intravitreal treatment (9 and 13 respectively) was necessary due to the macular disease but no further increase in intraocular pressure occurred. CONCLUSION: The XEN® gel stent in combination with mitomycin C is a therapeutic option for difficult to adjust secondary glaucoma following intravitreal anti-VEGF therapy. A continuation of intravitreal anti-VEGF therapy did not lead to a recurrent increase of intraocular pressure.

[Clinical experience with the Clareon® IOL and the AutonoMe® implantation system]. / Klinische Erfahrung mit der Clareon®-IOL und dem AutonoMe®-Implantationssystem.

BACKGROUND: The AutonoMe® implantation system with a preloaded, monofocal, aspherical, hydrophobic Clareon® intraocular lens (IOL) has recently become available. The aim of this analysis was the most comprehensive review of intraoperative and postoperative outcomes to date. METHODS: Prospective evaluation of intraoperative features in all eyes scheduled to have cataract surgery with Clareon® IOL implantation using the AutonoMe® implantation system between December 2017 and September 2018 with follow-up at 4-6 weeks. Inclusion of all patients, regardless of comorbidities and accompanying ocular surgery. RESULTS: A total of 391 eyes were evaluated for the intraoperative analysis and 144 eyes were evaluated for postoperative follow-up. There was one IOL-associated intraoperative complication in which the posterior haptic was not correctly loaded and should not have been implanted. The best corrected distance visual acuity (BCDVA) increased from a mean of 0.33 logMAR (SD 0.21) preoperatively to 0.09 logMAR (SD 0.21) postoperatively, independent of ocular comorbidities. The BCDVA in patients without ocular comorbidities increased from 0.27 logMAR (SD 0.13) preoperatively to 0.03 logMAR (SD 0.05) postoperatively. Using the SRK®/T formula 87.5% of all eyes had a refractive error of ≤0.5 D and 98.0% had a refractive error of ≤1 D 4-6 weeks after surgery. CONCLUSION: This study showed that using the recommended safety guidelines, the AutonoMe® system enables safe implantation of the IOL. The Clareon® IOL showed good postoperative visual outcomes and refraction results using the SRK®/T formula.

RANIBIZUMAB IN PIGMENT EPITHELIAL TEARS SECONDARY TO AGE-RELATED MACULAR DEGENERATION: A Prospective Study.

PURPOSE: To assess efficacy of intravitreal ranibizumab in retinal pigment epithelium tears secondary to neovascular age-related macular degeneration. METHODS: The Ranibizumab In Pigment epithelial tears secondary to age-related macular degeneration (RIP) study is a prospective, single-arm, multicenter, investigator-initiated trial. Twenty four eyes of 24 patients with a retinal pigment epithelium tear secondary to age-related macular degeneration received monthly intravitreal injection of 0.5mg ranibizumab for 12 months, together with monthly assessments of morphologic and functional efficacy parameters. Primary outcome measure was mean best-corrected visual acuity at final visit compared with baseline. RESULTS: Mean best-corrected visual acuity remained stable over the 12-month study period with 50.3 Early Treatment of Diabetic Retinopathy Study letters (±18.7; Snellen equivalent 20/100) at baseline and 52.9 letters (±19.7; Snellen equivalent 20/100) at final visit (P = 0.39). One eye (4%) experienced a vision loss of ≥15 letters, and 2 eyes (8%) gained ≥15 letters. Mean central retinal thickness decreased from 571 µm (±185 µm) to 436 µm (±171 µm; P = 0.0001). Vision-related quality of life was stable with a mean VFQ-25 score of 79.0 (±10.8) at baseline and 74.3 (±13.9) at final visit (P = 0.12). CONCLUSION: In retinal pigment epithelium tears secondary to age-related macular degeneration, monthly intravitreal ranibizumab therapy results in stabilization of visual acuity over 12 months.