Intravitreal Infliximab for the Treatment of Proliferative Vitreoretinopathy (FIXER): A Randomized Controlled Phase II Trial.

OBJECTIVE: To study the safety and efficacy of intravitreal infliximab administered at the conclusion of pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) in the treatment of proliferative vitreoretinopathy (PVR) associated with rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD). DESIGN: Randomized controlled phase II clinical trial. SUBJECTS: Patients with primary RRD and grade C PVR, according to the updated Retina Society Classification. METHODS: Sixty-six patients were randomized in a 1:1 ratio to undergo PPV and silicone oil (SO) injection with or without intravitreal injection of 1 mg/0.05 mL of infliximab in the air-filled globe before SO injection at PPV conclusion. Surgeons were masked to treatment allocation until PPV conclusion. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The primary outcome measure was anatomic success (defined as complete retinal reattachment without a tamponade at 6 months post SO removal). Secondary outcome measures were final best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), single-operation success rate (SOSR), rate of recurrent detachment, central macular thickness (CMT) by macular OCT, macular function by multifocal electroretinogram, and macular vascular density (VD) by OCT angiography. RESULTS: Sixty eyes of 60 patients, 30 eyes in each group, completed the study. At baseline, there were no differences regarding age, gender, history of trauma, lens status, duration of RRD, BCVA, intraocular pressure (IOP), intraocular inflammation (IOI), detachment extent in clock hours, number/size of breaks, presence of vitreous hemorrhage, axial length, or grade/extent of PVR between both groups. For the outcome measures, 30 eyes in the infliximab group achieved anatomic success vs. 29 eyes in the control group. The SOSR was higher in the infliximab group (26) vs. the control (23), but this was not statistically significant (P = 0.317). Final logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution BCVA was better in the infliximab group (mean, 0.96; standard deviation [SD], 0.4; Snellen equivalent ≈ 20/180) vs. the control (mean, 1.14; SD, 0.4); Snellen equivalent ≈ 20/280; P = 0.044). There were no differences regarding IOP, IOI, time of SO removal, macular function, CMT, or VD. CONCLUSIONS: Pars plana vitrectomy with SO tamponade with or without intravitreal infliximab is effective in treating PVR-associated RRD. Infliximab may be associated with modest improvement in final visual outcomes but not anatomic outcomes. FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE(S): The authors have no proprietary or commercial interest in any materials discussed in this article.

Short-term perfluorocarbon liquid tamponade in choroidal melanoma endoresection.

PURPOSE: To report the use of short-term perfluorocarbon liquid (ST-PFCL) tamponade following choroidal melanoma endoresection. METHODS: Patients with medium to large choroidal melanomas not amenable to primary Ruthenium-106 brachytherapy underwent choroidal melanoma endoresection following gamma knife radiosurgery. During surgery, a complete vitrectomy was performed followed by PFCL injection, then a retinectomy with endoresection of the melanoma and underlying choroid was done. Complete PFCL filling was then achieved, and laser barrage surrounding the retinectomy was done. A Ruthenium-106 plaque was then inserted. Postoperatively, supine positioning was maintained for three days followed by plaque and PFCL removal with silicone oil injection. Several months later, silicone oil was removed. RESULTS: Four eyes of 4 patients underwent endoresection with ST-PFCL tamponade. Mean height of tumor was 8.6 ± 0.85 mm, while mean maximal basal diameter was 11.5 ± 1.1 mm. Mean preoperative logMAR best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) was 1.76 ± 0.18. All patients underwent preoperative gamma knife radiosurgery and postoperative brachytherapy. There were no major intraoperative or postoperative complications. All patients underwent silicone oil injection with PFCL/plaque removal after 3 days, while silicone oil was removed after 4 ± 1.2 months. Mean postoperative logMAR BCVA 3 months following oil removal was 0.89 ± 0.22 (p = 0.02). Mean follow-up duration was 17 ± 2.8 months. No patient developed local tumor recurrence, distant metastases, or vitreoretinal complications by final visit. CONCLUSION: ST-PFCL tamponade may reduce the risk of intraoperative and postoperative complications associated with choroidal melanoma endoresection.

Management of Choroidal Neovascularization Associated with Optic Disc Melanocytoma with Intravitreal Aflibercept: A Case Report and Review of the Literature.

PURPOSE: To report a rare case of melanocytoma associated choroidal neovascularization (CNV) treated with intravitreal aflibercept. METHODS: We reviewed the literature for the previous reports and different methods of treatment. RESULTS: Optic disc melanocytoma has been considered as a benign melanocytic tumor that rarely affects vision. There is evidence in the literature of association between choroidal neovascular membrane and disc melanocytoma. CONCLUSIONS: In conclusion, our article provides a review of literature of such a rare association in which the ophthalmologists must be aware of its occurrence and possible ways of management.

Choroidal Melanoma Resection.

Uveal melanoma is the most common intraocular malignant tumor, with the choroid being the most common site. Management of choroidal melanoma has evolved greatly over the past years. In the past, the conventional method of treatment was enucleation of the affected eye with a debate regarding the effect of enucleation to promote or prevent metastasis. However, nowadays, there are many therapeutic options available including plaque radiotherapy, proton beam radiotherapy, argon laser photocoagulation, transpupillary thermotherapy, stereotactic radiotherapy using gamma knife, enucleation, and surgical resection of the tumor whether through transscleral approach "Exoresection" or less commonly through internal resection approach "Endoresection." The indications and complications of each technique are reviewed. Although radiotherapy is the primary treatment of choroidal melanoma in most ocular oncology centers, it is used as an adjuvant therapy in combination with surgical resection. Preoperative stereotactic radiotherapy before endoresection and brachytherapy to the surgical bed in both exo and endoresection can effectively decrease the recurrence rate. In this article, we will focus on surgical resection of choroidal melanoma whether endoresection or exoresection. We collected data published in indexed journals and related books.

Submacular sclerosing capillary hemangioblastoma.

PURPOSE: To report a case of submacular cystic lesion that turned out to be a sclerosing capillary hemangioblastoma. The retinal capillary hemangioblastoma may arise as a part of von Hippel-Lindau syndrome 1 however, they may occur as an isolated entity 2, but submacular capillary hemangioblastoma has never been reported. OBSERVATIONS: A case of a 56-year-old female who presented with a right yellow submacular lesion. The mass was excised via pars-plana vitrectomy and histopathological assessment revealed a submacular sclerosing capillary hemangioblastoma. CONCLUSION: and importance: The capillary hemangioblastoma is a benign vascular tumor that may arise submacularly and is not necessarily associated with von Hippel-Lindau disease. It is difficult to be differentiated clinically from other submacular lesions but the possibility should be considered.