Pars Plana Vitrectomy Alone or Combined with Phacoemulsification to Treat Rhegmatogenous Retinal Detachment: A Systematic Review of the Recent Literature.

Pars plana vitrectomy is today a common first-line procedure for treatment of rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD). Removal or preservation of the natural lens at the time of vitrectomy is associated with both advantages and disadvantages. The combination of cataract extraction (i.e., phacoemulsification) with pars plana vitrectomy (PPVc) enhances visualization of the peripheral retina and the surgical management of the vitreous base. However, PPVc prolongs the surgical time and is associated with iatrogenic loss of the accommodation function in younger patients, possible postoperative anisometropia, and unexpected refractive results. Performance of pars plana vitrectomy alone (PPVa) requires good technical skills to minimize the risk of lens damage, and quickens cataract development. We retrieved all recent papers that directly compared PPVc and PPVa using parameters that we consider essential when choosing between the two procedures (the success rate of anatomical RRD repair, postoperative refractive error, intra- and postoperative complications, and costs). PPVa and PPVc were generally comparable in terms of RRD anatomical repair. PPVc was associated with fewer intraoperative, but more postoperative, complications. Macula-off RRD PPVc treatment was often associated with undesirable myopic refractive error. PPVa followed by phacoemulsification was the most expensive procedure.

Posterior capsule dynamics during femtosecond laser lens fragmentation.

PURPOSE: The dynamics of the posterior capsule during femtosecond laser lens fragmentation has received little attention in the literature. We analysed the movements of the posterior capsule to identify the rupture risk factors, if any, and to suggest possible modification of the laser spot energy pattern during fragmentation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Posterior capsule ruptures during fragmentation were identified over a 10-year period of femtosecond laser use. In addition, the dynamics of the posterior capsule were identified through the real-time swept-source OCT lateral view available during the surgeries. RESULTS: Out of the 1465 laser cataract procedures performed, we recorded 1 case of posterior capsule rupture during lens fragmentation, which was caused by eye movement that was detected but ignored by the surgeon. Three types of posterior capsule dynamics were identified, all related to a gas bubble formation during the first part of the lens fragmentation. In eyes with a hard nucleus, the concussion of the posterior capsule was evident, however, with no capsule rupture. DISCUSSION: Maintaining good docking throughout the whole procedure seems important in avoiding a posterior capsule cut by the femtosecond laser. In addition, a Gaussian pattern of spot energy is suggested when fragmenting hard cataracts.

Automated and subjective refraction with monofocal, multifocal, and EDOF intraocular lenses: review.

Automated refraction (Scheiner principle) is universally used to start a visual examination. Although the results are reliable in eyes implanted with monofocal intraocular lenses (IOLs), they may be less precise with multifocal (mIOL) or extended depth-of-focus (EDOF) IOLs and can even indicate a refractive error that does not clinically exist. Autorefractor results with monofocal, multifocal, and EDOF IOLs were investigated through literature search analyzing the papers reporting the difference between automated and clinical refraction. The average difference ranged between -0.50 diopter (D) and -1.00 D with most mIOL and EDOF IOLs. The differences in astigmatism were generally much lower. Autorefractors using infrared light cannot measure eyes with high technology IOLs precisely because of the influence of the refractive or of the diffractive near add. The systematic error induced with some IOLs should be mentioned in the IOL label to prevent possible inappropriate refractive procedures to treat apparent myopia.

Light- and drug-induced pupillary dynamics in eyes with a retropupillary iris-claw intraocular lens.

PURPOSE: We evaluated the pupillary characteristics and response to light and drugs in eyes with posterior chamber (PC) placement of iris-claw intraocular lens (IC-IOL). METHODS: In this cross-sectional, comparative study, we included adults with an IC-IOL implanted in the PC of a single eye. We excluded patients with ocular trauma, postoperative IC-IOL displacement or complications, and extended iris atrophy. We used anterior segment optical coherence tomography to perform light-controlled pupillography, measure the pupil diameter (PD), and estimated the pupil circularity under mesopic conditions. PD was also assessed under photopic, scotopic, pharmacological mydriasis, and miosis conditions. The results were compared to those of the fellow eye, phakic, or regular pseudophakic. RESULTS: The IC-IOL and control groups included 30 eyes each. The most frequent reasons for IC-IOL implantation were complicated cataract (37%) and dislocated/luxated prior IOL (33%). Compared to the control group, the IC-IOL group had lower visual acuity, a smaller PD under scotopic conditions (p = 0.0010) and after pharmacological mydriasis (p < 0.0001), and a larger PD after pharmacological miosis (p < 0.0001). Mesopic pupil circularity was comparable between the groups. We also considered ongoing extraocular treatments with possible effects on iris motility. CONCLUSIONS: The pupillary size and profile were similar between the groups in mesopic light. Reduced mydriasis was noted in response to light and drugs, while the degree of miosis was reduced in response to inducing drugs in the IC-IOL compared to the control group. This study complements previous results concerning the PC placement of IC-IOLs by adding original observations on drug-induced pupil motility.

Cataract progression following lens-sparing pars plana vitrectomy for rhegmatogenous retinal detachment.

Lens-sparing pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) is often followed by cataract development. However, there have been few prospective studies evaluating the timing of cataract progression and potential associated factors. This was an observational study conducted at the Ophthalmology Unit of the University Hospital of Parma (Parma, Italy). Patients presenting with rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD), who underwent PPV with preservation of the lens, were examined according to a scheduled follow-up (3, 6 and 12 months after PPV) and then preoperatively when cataract extraction surgery (CES) was indicated, or at the end of the study follow-up period (May 2021). The primary outcome was the interval between PPV and CES indication (based on predefined refractive criteria). A total of 36 eyes of 36 patients (mean age: 52 ± 10 years) were included in the study. Nineteen eyes (53%) were indicated for CES a median of 14.5 months (IQR: 12.0-24.8) after PPV. The nuclear and posterior subcapsular forms of cataract progressed significantly starting at 6 months after PPV. Older age at the time of PPV, silicone oil tamponade and RRD without macular involvement were significantly and independently associated with an earlier indication for CES. Patient age and the use of silicone oil tamponade must be taken into consideration when evaluating the risk of cataract development after PPV.

Tilt and decentration of posterior and anterior iris-claw intraocular lenses: a pilot study using anterior segment optical coherence tomography.

BACKGROUND: Information on the centration and tilt of iris-claw intraocular lenses (IC-IOLs) is limited. In this study, we tested the capacity of an anterior segment optical coherence tomography (AS-OCT) instrument to measure decentration and tilt of anterior and posterior IC-IOLs through an integrated software. METHODS: The present observational, cross-sectional study was conducted at University Eye Clinic of Parma (Parma, Italy). The CASIA2 swept-source AS-OCT (Tomey Corp.) was used to measure the tilt and decentration of posterior and anterior IC-IOLs in patients implanted at least 6 months in advance. After failure with full-automation, semi-manual IOL tracing was applied. In-the-bag (IB) contralateral IOLs, when present, were measured automatically. The Bland-Altman method was used to evaluate the agreement between repeated measurements (2 images for each study eye). The amount and direction of tilt and decentration were recorded and plotted into polar charts for evaluation. RESULTS: A total of 21 patients were included: 14 with posterior and 7 with anterior IC-IOL fixation. In 17 eyes (81%), the AS-OCT provided a repeatable measurement of tilt and decentration. All contralateral eyes with IB IOL were automatically measured. The median decentration was 0.67 mm, 0.24 mm, and 0.24 mm in posterior IC-IOLs, anterior IC-IOLs, and IB IOLs group, respectively. The median tilt was 5.0°, 5.6°, and 5.6° for posterior IC-IOLs, anterior IC-IOLs, and IB IOLs, respectively. Tilt direction was mainly temporal, while decentration was inferior-temporal with posterior IC-IOLs and scattered with anterior IC-IOLs and IB IOLs. CONCLUSIONS: The semi-manual tracing function of the CASIA2 AS-OCT provides repeatable and affordable measurements of the decentration and tilt of IC-IOLs in both the anterior and posterior chamber. Data from the former group were similar to the IB group.

Multiple joint dislocations: an additional skeletal finding in Lowry-Wood syndrome?

We report on the case of a 17-year-old boy with clinical features compatible with Lowry-Wood syndrome: microcephaly, short stature, multiple epiphyseal dysplasia, tapetoretinal degeneration, and mental retardation. Bilateral restricted elbow extension, knock knees and hip dislocation were also present. Radiographs showed evidence of radial dislocation due to the absence of the radial heads, lateral dislocation of both patellae, multiple epiphyseal dysplasia that was more severe at the proximal femoral epiphyses, and dislocation of both hips with severe hip dysplasia. The patient developed a behavioral disorder at age 15. Conventional karyotyping was normal (46,XY). Molecular karyotyping, performed through array-based competitive genomic hybridization, showed copy number variants that were probably benign. We suggest that multiple joint dislocations, including the patellae, may be a sign of Lowry-Wood syndrome.