Retinal Image Quality Through an Operating Microscope With Wavefront Shaping Extended Depth of Focus Intraocular Lens in Model Eye.

PURPOSE: To compare the quality of images of gratings placed in a model eye viewed through an extended depth of focus (EDoF) intraocular lens (IOL) to that of diffractive bifocal IOL or monofocal IOL. DESIGN: Experimental laboratory investigation. METHODS: Nondiffractive wavefront shaping EDoF (CNAET0, Alcon Laboratories), echelette-designed EDoF (ZXR00V, Johnson & Johnson Vision), diffractive bifocal IOL with low power addition (SV25T, Alcon Laboratories), or monofocal IOL (CNA0T0, Alcon Laboratories) was placed in a fluid-filled model eye. A United States Air Force Resolution Grating Target was glued to the posterior surface of the model eye and viewed through a flat or a wide-angle contact lens. The contrast of the gratings viewed through the EDoF or multifocal IOLs was compared to that through the monofocal IOL. A wavefront analyzer was used to measure the spherical power of the central 4.5 mm optics of the EDoF, multifocal, and monofocal IOLs. The distribution of the dioptric power and the dioptric power map were compared. RESULTS: The gratings observed through the flat contact lens with CNAET0, ZXR00V, or SV25T were slightly blurred when viewed through the multifocal optics. The blurred area was in the circumferential area of CNAET0, the central area of SV25T, and the peripheral area of ZXR00V. The mean contrast was 0.258 ± 0.020 for CNAET0, 0.227 ± 0.025 for ZXR00V, and 0.221 ± 0.020 for SV25T for the 16.0 cyc/mm grating. The contrast was significantly lower for ZXR00V (P = .004) and SV25T (P = .004) than 0.303 ± 0.015 for CNA0T0 but the differences were not significant for CNAET0. For the wide-angle contact lens, the contrast for CNAET0 was 0.182 ± 0.009, for ZXR00V was 0.162 ± 0.011, and for SV25T was 0.163 ± 0.007 for the 16.0 cyc/mm grating, and none was significantly different from 0.188 ± 0.012 for CNA0T0. The dioptric variations of CNAET0 indicated a ring-shaped area of higher power corresponding to the circumferential blurred zone observed through the flat contact lens. CONCLUSIONS: The wavefront shaping and echelette-designed EDoF-IOLs reduce the contrast of the grating more than the monofocal IOL when viewed through the flat contact lens. The degree of reduction depended on the design of the extended-focus optics. The difference was less through the wide-angle contact lens.

Japan-epiretinal membrane (J-ERM) registry: A prospective cohort study protocol investigating the surgical outcome of epiretinal membrane.

BACKGROUND: Epiretinal membrane (ERM) causes visual impairment such as reduction in visual acuity and metamorphopsia due to retinal traction. With the improvement of optical coherence tomography (OCT) and microincision vitrectomy surgery (MIVS), the surgery of ERM has significantly advanced. However, there have been no large-scale studies on the following: (1) how to evaluate visual impairment in ERM, (2) the relationship between OCT findings and visual function, (3) when is the optimal timing of surgery, and (4) the relationship between the surgical instruments as well as techniques and prognosis. The purpose of this study was to obtain evidence regarding these ERM surgeries. METHODS AND DESIGN: This is a prospective, multicenter cohort study of ERM surgery in Japan from March 1, 2023, to March 31, 2027 (UMIN000048472, R-3468-2). Patients who underwent ERM surgery during the study period and agreed to participate in this study will be included. The goal is to have a total of 5,000 eyes surgically treated for ERM. The following data will be collected: age, gender, medical history, subjective symptoms, visual function before and 6 and 12 months after surgery, clinical findings, OCT data, surgical technique, instruments used in surgery, and complications. DISCUSSION: The results of this study will support the surgical decisions and procedures in ERM practices.

Optical coherence tomographic findings of glaucomatous eyes with papillomacular retinoschisis.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the relationship between the shape of the optic nerve head (ONH) margin detected by optical coherence tomography (OCT) and the clinical characteristics of glaucomatous eyes with papillomacular retinoschisis (PMRS). METHODS: The medical record of patients with a PMRS in a glaucomatous eye were reviewed. The eyes were placed into two groups determined by the shape of the ONH margin in the OCT images; eyes with an externally oblique ONH margin (Group 1) and eyes with an internally oblique ONH margin (Group 2). We compared the clinical characteristics of the PMRS of these two groups. RESULTS: We studied 31 eyes of 29 patients with PMRS and glaucoma with 24 eyes in Group 1 and 7 eyes in Group 2. The optic nerve fibre layer schisis on the lamina cribrosa (LC), beta zone, and gamma zone, and found that the LC defects were detected significantly more frequently in Group 1 than in Group 2 eyes (P < 0.05). A retinal nerve fibre schisis was observed around the ONH significantly more frequently in Group 2 than in Group 1 eyes (P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: The cases of glaucoma-associated PMRS could be classified into two groups according to the obliquity of the ONH. They had differences in the findings of OCT and FA. The possibility that the mechanism of PMRS development is different in both groups is suggested.

Characteristics of subretinal particles detected after pars plana vitrectomy for rhegmatogenous retinal detachment.

BACKGROUND: To determine the incidence and characteristics of the multiple subretinal particles (SRPs) present after pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) for rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD). METHODS: The medical records of 224 eyes of 224 patients that underwent PPV for RRD were reviewed. The presence of SRPs in the subretinal fluid blebs and the presence of subretinal deposits were determined by optical coherence tomography (OCT) and fundus autofluorescence (FAF). The characteristics of the FAF and infrared reflectance (IR) images of a scanning laser ophthalmoscope in eyes with SRPs (SRPs group) were compared to that of eyes without SRPs (control group). RESULTS: SRPs were observed in 27 eyes (12%), and they were completely resolved in 20 eyes (74%) after 6 months. The incidence of macula-off RRD (85%) and preoperative precipitates (41%) were significantly higher in the SRPs group than that in the control group (64%, P = 0.046; 12%, P = 0.002). The axial length was significantly shorter in the SRPs group than that in the control group (25.04 ± 1.54 mm, 26.00 ± 1.78 mm, P = 0.012). The preoperative and postoperative best-corrected visual acuity were not significantly different between the two groups (P = 0.702, P = 0.337). The subretinal fluid bleb determined by OCT were hyperfluorescent in the FAF images in 24 eyes (89%), and the subretinal deposits were hypofluorescent with solid appearance by OCT other than fluid in 3 eyes (11%). The hypofluorescent subretinal deposits in the FAF images were bright in the IR images in 2 eyes. CONCLUSIONS: The SRPs consist of lipofuscin-related hyperfluorescent subretinal fluid and the subretinal deposits containing bright IR melanin particles of proliferating retinal pigment epithelial cells.

Image sharpening algorithms improve clarity of surgical field during 3D heads-up surgery.

BACKGROUND: Image-sharpening algorithms with color adjustments enable real-time processing of the surgical field with a delay of 4 msec for heads-up surgery using digital three-dimensional displays. The aim of this study was to investigate the usefulness of the algorithms with the Artevo 800® digital microscope. METHODS: Seven vitreoretinal surgeons evaluated the effects of image-sharpening processing on the clarity of the surgical field with the Artevo 800® system that is used for cataract and vitreous surgeries. The scorings were made on a 10-point scale for anterior capsulotomy, phacoemulsification, cortex aspiration, core vitrectomy, and peeling of an epiretinal membrane or an internal limiting membrane. In addition, the images during the internal limiting membrane peeling were processed with or without color adjustments. We also evaluated the skewness (asymmetry in the distribution of the pixels) and kurtosis (sharpness in the distribution of the pixel) of the images to evaluate the contrast with each intensity of image-sharpening. RESULTS: Our results showed that the mean visibility score increased significantly from 4.9 ± 0.5 at 0% (original image) to 6.6 ± 0.5 at 25% intensity of the image-sharpening algorithm (P < 0.01). The visibility scores of the internal limiting membrane increased significantly from 0% (6.8 ± 0.3, no color adjustments) to 50% after the color adjustments (7.4 ± 0.4, P = 0.012). The mean skewness decreased significantly from 0.83 ± 2.02 at 0% (original source) to 0.55 ± 1.36 at 25% intensity of the image-sharpening algorithm (P = 0.01). The mean kurtosis decreased significantly from 0.93 ± 2.14 at 0% (original image) to 0.60 ± 1.44 at 25% intensity of the image-sharpening algorithm (P = 0.02). CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that the image-sharpening algorithms can improve the clarity of the surgical field during 3D heads-up surgery by decreasing the skewness and kurtosis. TRIAL REGISTRATION: This was a prospective clinical study performed at a single academic institution, and the procedures used were approved by the Institutional Review Committee of the Kyorin University School of Medicine (reference number, 1904). The procedures also conformed to the tenets of the Declaration of Helsinki.

Rhegmatogenous Retinal Detachment in Musculocontractural Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome Caused by Biallelic Loss-of-Function Variants of Gene for Dermatan Sulfate Epimerase.

Musculocontractural Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, caused by biallelic loss-of-function variants for dermatan sulfate epimerase (mcEDS-DSE), is a rare connective tissue disorder. Eight patients with mcEDS-DSE have been described with ocular complications, including blue sclera, strabismus, high refractive errors, and elevated intraocular pressure. However, a case with rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD) has not been reported. We report our findings in a 24-year-old woman who was diagnosed with mcEDS-DSE in childhood and presented to our clinic with an RRD in the left eye. The RRD extended to the macula and was associated with an atrophic hole. The patient underwent scleral buckling surgery and cryopexy with drainage of subretinal fluid through a sclerotomy under local anesthesia. The sclera did not appear blue but was very thin at the sclerotomy site. The patient developed frequent bradycardia during the surgery. Subretinal or choroidal hemorrhages were not observed intraoperatively; however, a peripapillary hemorrhage was observed one day after operation. The retina was reattached postoperatively, and the peripapillary hemorrhage was absorbed after one month. The peripapillary retinal hemorrhages, thin sclera, and bradycardia were most likely due to the fragility of the eye. The genetic diagnosis of mcEDS-DSE played an important role before and during the surgery by alerting the surgeons to possible surgical complications due to the thin sclera.

Effects of image-sharpening algorithm on surgical field visibility during 3D heads-up surgery for vitreoretinal diseases.

We conducted clinical and experimental studies to investigate the effects of image-sharpening algorithms and color adjustments, which enabled real-time processing of live surgical images with a delay of 0.004 s. The images were processed with image-sharpening intensities of 0%, 12.5%, 25%, and 50% during cataract surgery, vitrectomy, peeling of epiretinal membrane, and peeling of internal limiting membrane (ILM) with the Ngenuity 3D visualization system. In addition, the images obtained with a yellow filter during the ILM peeling were processed with color adjustments. Five vitreoretinal surgeons scored the clarity of the images on a 10-point scale. The images of a 1951 United States Air Force grating target placed in no fluid (control), saline, and 0.1% and 1% milk solution were evaluated. The results showed that the mean visibility score increased significantly from 5.0 ± 0.6 at 0% to 6.4 ± 0.6 at 12.5%, 7.3 ± 0.7 at 25%, and 7.5 ± 0.9 at 50% (P < 0.001). The visibility scores during ILM peeling improved significantly with color adjustments (P = 0.005). In the experimental study, the contrast of the grating targets blurred by the 0.1% and 1% milk solution increased significantly by the image-sharpening procedure. We conclude that the image-sharpening algorithms and color adjustments improved the intraoperative visibility of 3D heads-up surgery.

Effect of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Surgical Outcomes for Rhegmatogenous Retinal Detachments.

We reviewed the medical records of 438 eyes in 431 patients who had undergone surgeries for rhegmatogenous retinal detachments (RRD) or proliferative vitreoretinopathy (PVR ≥ Grade C) to determine whether the COVID-19 pandemic had affected outcomes. The patients were divided into 203 eyes in Group A that had undergone surgery from April to September 2020, during the pandemic, and 235 eyes in Group B that had undergone surgery from April to September 2019, before the pandemic. The pre- and postoperative visual acuity, macular detachment, type of retinal breaks, size of the RRD, and surgical outcomes were compared. The number of eyes in Group A was fewer by 14%. The incidence of men (p = 0.005) and PVR (p = 0.004) was significantly higher in Group A. Additionally, the patients in Group A were significantly younger than in Group B (p = 0.04). The differences in the preoperative and final visual acuity, incidence of macular detachment, posterior vitreous detachment, types of retinal breaks, and size of the RRD between the two groups were not significant. The initial reattachment rate was significantly lower at 92.6% in Group A than 98.3% in Group B (p = 0.004). The COVID-19 pandemic affected the surgical outcomes for RRD with higher incidences of men and PVR, younger aged patients and lower initial reattachment rates even though the final surgical outcomes were comparable.

Evaluations of bridging sutures in preventing iris capture in eyes with intrascleral fixation of implanted intraocular lens.

PURPOSE: The study aims to determine the effectiveness of bridging sutures in preventing iris capture and a subsequent reverse pupillary block after an intrascleral fixation of an implanted intraocular lens (IOL). METHODS: We studied 6 eyes that had an iris capture with reverse pupillary block due to a dislocated IOL after an intrascleral fixation. After the dislocated IOL was repositioned, 10-0 polypropylene sutures were inserted 1.5 mm posterior to the limbus and directed to run between the iris and the IOL. The sutures were placed orthogonal to the haptics of the IOL. Anterior segment optical coherence tomography (AS-OCT) was used in 4 eyes to evaluate the degree of iridodonesis before and after the bridging sutures. The heights of the temporal and nasal sectors of the middle iris from the iris plane (the line between anterior chamber angles) were compared for each 0.2-s AS-OCT image taken immediately after the eye moved from a lateral to a primary position. RESULTS: None of the eyes had a recurrence of the iris capture after the bridging sutures. The refractive error, anterior chamber depth, and vision were not significantly altered after the bridging sutures were placed. The AS-OCT images showed that the height of the nasal iris was decreased more at 0 s postoperatively blocking the excessive downward movement of the nasal iris but not the iridodonesis. CONCLUSION: Bridging sutures were effective in preventing iris capture and subsequent reverse pupillary block after an intrascleral fixation of an IOL.

Large Amplitude Iris Fluttering Detected by Consecutive Anterior Segment Optical Coherence Tomography Images in Eyes with Intrascleral Fixation of an Intraocular Lens.

Saccadic eye movements induce movements of the aqueous and vitreous humor and iris fluttering. To evaluate iris fluttering during eye movements, anterior segment optical coherence tomography (AS-OCT) was used in 29 eyes with pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) and intrascleral fixation of an intraocular lens (ISF group) and 15 eyes with PPV and an IOL implantation into lens capsular bag (control group). The height of the iris from the iris plane (the line between the anterior chamber angles) was compared every 0.2 s after the eye had moved from a temporal to the primary position (time 0). The height of the nasal iris in the ISF group decreased to −0.68 ± 0.43 mm at 0 s (p < 0.001) and returned to −0.06 ± 0.23 mm at 0.2 s. The height of the temporal iris increased to 0.45 ± 0.31 mm at 0 s (p < 0.001) and returned to −0.06 ± 0.18 mm at 0.2 s. The height of the nasal iris at 0 s in the ISF group was significantly lower, and that of the temporal iris was significantly higher than the control (−0.05 ± 0.09 mm, 0.03 ± 0.06 mm, p < 0.001, respectively). Iris fluttering can act as a check valve for aqueous and vitreous humor movements and can be quantified by consecutive AS-OCT images. Large amplitude iris fluttering in eyes with intrascleral fixation is important because it can lead to a reverse pupillary block.

Treatment of diabetic macular edema in real-world clinical practice: The effect of aging.

AIMS/INTRODUCTION: In older patients, the management of diabetic macular edema (DME) can be complicated by comorbidities, geriatric syndrome, and socioeconomic status. This study aims to evaluate the effects of aging on the management of DME. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This is a real-world clinical study including 1,552 patients with treatment-naïve center-involved DME. The patients were categorized into 4 categories by age at baseline (C1, <55; C2, 55-64; C3, 65-74; and C4, ≥75 years). The outcomes were the change in logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution best-corrected visual acuity (logMAR BCVA) and central retinal thickness (CRT), and the number of treatments from baseline to 2 years. RESULTS: From baseline to 2 years, the mean changes in logMAR BCVA from baseline to 2 years were -0.01 in C1, -0.06 in C2, -0.07 in C3, and 0.01 in C4 (P = 0.016), and the mean changes in CRT were -136.2 µm in C1, -108.8 µm in C2, -100.6 µm in C3, and -89.5 µm in C4 (P = 0.008). Treatments applied in the 2 year period exhibited decreasing trends with increasing age category on the number of intravitreal injections of anti-VEGF agents (P = 0.06), selecting local corticosteroid injection (P = 0.031), vitrectomy (P < 0.001), and laser photocoagulation outside the great vascular arcade (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Compared with younger patients with DME, patients with DME aged ≥75 years showed less frequent treatment, a lower BCVA gain, and a smaller CRT decrease. The management and visual outcome in older patients with DME would be unsatisfactory in real-world clinical practice.

Circulating Vitreous microRNA as Possible Biomarker in High Myopic Eyes with Macular Hole.

High myopia is a major cause of irreversible visual impairment globally. In the present study, we investigated the microRNA (miRNA) profile in the vitreous of macular hole (MH) and high myopic MH. We performed miRNA analysis using TaqMan® Low Density Arrays (Thermo Fisher Scientific, Waltham, MA, USA) to investigate the circulating vitreous miRNA profile from patients with MH (axial length < 26.5 mm, n = 11) and high myopic MH (axial length ≥ 26.5 mm, n = 11) who underwent pars plana vitrectomy. The vitreous inflammatory cytokine signature was examined in high myopic MH eyes using a multiplex assay. A miRNA-Array analysis revealed that let-7c was significantly up-regulated and miR-200a was significantly down-regulated in high myopic MH eyes compared to those in MH eyes. The bioinformatics analysis for up-regulated miRNA targeted gene identified 23 pathways including mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) and several inflammatory signaling pathways, whereas the bioinformatics analysis for down-regulated miRNA targeted genes showed 32 enriched pathways including phosphoinositide 3-kinase/protein kinase B (PI3K/AKT). The levels of inflammatory cytokines including IP-10, IFN-γ, and MCP-1 were significantly higher in the vitreous of high myopic MH eyes. These results suggest that specific miRNAs expressed in the vitreous may be associated with the pathological condition of high myopic MH and the above mentioned miRNAs may contribute to the development of inflammatory status in the vitreous of high myopic eyes.

Effect of surgeon-related factors on outcome of retinal detachment surgery: analyses of data in Japan-retinal detachment registry.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of surgeon-related factors on the surgical outcome of pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) and scleral buckling (SB) surgery on eyes with a rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD). This was a nationwide, multicenter, observational study of the data in the Japan-RD Registry. Registered cases that had undergone surgery for a RRD by 128 accredited surgeons in 26 institutions were studied. The surgeon-related factors that significantly affected surgical success and visual outcomes of simple RRD treated by PPV or SB at 6 months postoperatively were analyzed and compared. Among 3446 registered cases, 2533 cases met the inclusion criteria with 1896 in the PPV group and 637 cases in the SB group. The median total number of lifetime cases was 150 and the rate of surgeries/year was 22. Multivariate regression analyses showed that the number and rate of surgeries/year were not significantly associated with the surgical outcome in the PPV group. However, surgeons with a higher average annual number of surgeries had significantly better surgical outcomes in the SB group (P = 0.038). Analyses of a nationwide registry showed that SB but not PPV surgeries require sufficient experience and case numbers to acquire and maintain skills to treat RRDs successfully.

Comparisons of Flow Dynamics of Dual-Blade to Single-Blade Beveled-Tip Vitreous Cutters.

INTRODUCTION: The aim of this study was to compare the flow dynamics of the dual-blade to the single-blade beveled-tip vitreous cutters. METHODS: The aspiration rates of balanced salt solution (BSS) and swine vitreous were measured for the 25-gauge and 27-gauge dual- and single-blade beveled-tip vitreous cutters. The flow dynamics of BSS and diluted vitreous mixed with fluorescent polymer at the maximal cutting rates and the reflux of BSS were measured in images obtained by a high-speed camera. The distal end of the cutter was defined as the head end. RESULTS: The aspiration rates of BSS and vitreous by the 25- and 27-gauge dual-blade cutters were significantly higher than those of both single-blade cutters at the maximal cutting rate (all p ≤ 0.01). The mean aspiration flow of BSS in front of the port from a lateral view was significantly faster for both dual-blade cutters than for both single-blade cutters (p = 0.003, p = 0.019). The angle of the mean flow of BSS of both dual-blade cutters was from the distal end (p < 0.001, p < 0.001) but that of the single-blade cutters was from the proximal end. The velocity and angle of the mean reflux flow of both types of cutters were not significantly different. The mean aspiration flow of diluted vitreous was significantly faster for 25-gauge dual-blade cutters with the angle more from the proximal end and 27-gauge dual-blade cutters more from the distal end than both single-blade cutters (p = 0.018, p = 0.048). CONCLUSION: The dual-blade beveled-tip vitreous cutters improve the efficiency of the vitrectomy procedures and maintain the distal aspirating flow by the beveled tip.

Adjustment of intraocular lens tilt during intrascleral fixation assisted by intraoperative OCT.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the efficacy of using intraoperative optical coherence tomography (iOCT) to adjust the tilting of an intraocular lens (IOL) during implantation with intrascleral fixation. SETTING: Kyorin University Hospital, Tokyo, Japan. DESIGN: Retrospective, case-control, single-center study. METHODS: Thirty-seven eyes of 37 patients who had undergone pars plana vitrectomy with intrascleral fixation of an IOL by a single surgeon were retrospectively studied. The length of the externalized haptics was determined when the anterior surface of the IOL was parallel to the plane of the iris as observed by iOCT. The maximal IOL tilt relative to the visual axis and to the iris plane was measured by anterior segment OCT (CASIA2; Tomey Corp.). RESULTS: Intraoperative crosssectional OCT (RESCAN 700: Carl Zeiss Meditec AG) scans were used to adjust the degree of IOL tilt in 23 eyes (iOCT group) and not used in 14 eyes (control group). The maximal angle of IOL tilt relative to the visual axis was significantly smaller in the iOCT group than that in the control group (5.45 ± 2.63 degrees vs 10.38 ± 10.48 degrees, P = .034). The maximal angle of the IOL tilt to the iris plane was also significantly smaller in the iOCT group than that in the control group (4.58 ± 1.86 degrees vs 9.60 ± 10.82 degrees; P = .040). The distance of decentration was greater in the iOCT group (0.56 ± 0.29 mm) than that of the control group (0.41 ± 0.41 mm, P = .005). CONCLUSIONS: Intraoperative OCT can be used to adjust the degree of IOL tilt to reduce the lenticular astigmatism during intrascleral fixation surgery.

Risk factors for failure of resolving optic disc pit maculopathy after primary vitrectomy without laser photocoagulation.

PURPOSE: To determine factors significantly correlated with the failure of macular reattachment by pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) without laser photocoagulation of the optic disc margin to treat optic disc pit (ODP) maculopathy. DESIGN: Retrospective, interventional case series. METHODS: We reviewed the medical records of 35 consecutive patients with ODP maculopathy who underwent PPV without laser photocoagulation. PPV with the creation of a posterior vitreous detachment (PVD) was performed in 34 eyes. An epiretinal membrane and internal limiting membrane present in the other eye with a PVD were removed. Patients were followed for 12-193 months (mean 58 months) after surgery. The main outcome measures were the postoperative rate of retinal reattachment and best-corrected visual acuity. The preoperative clinical characteristics of the successful cases were compared to those of the unsuccessful cases. RESULTS: A complete retinal reattachment was attained in 31 of 35 eyes and it required about one year. The 4 other eyes that did not achieve a macular reattachment after the primary PPV underwent additional therapies. The factors that were significantly associated with a failure of a retinal reattachment after primary PPV were the presence of a retinal detachment connected to the optic disc (P < 0.001) and the presence of preoperative headaches (P = 0.030). CONCLUSIONS: Clinicians should be aware that the presence of a preoperative macular detachment connected to the optic disc margin and preoperative headaches are indicators for an unsuccessful outcome of PPV without laser photocoagulation in eyes with ODP maculopathy.

Intraoperative optical coherence tomography-assisted displacement of prepapillary membrane in eyes with optic disc pit maculopathy.

PURPOSE: To determine the efficacy of displacing a prepapillary membrane during vitrectomy assisted by intraoperative optical coherence tomography (OCT) to treat eyes with optic disc pit maculopathy. METHOD: Pars plana vitrectomy was performed with 27-gauge instruments on 4 eyes of 4 consecutive patients for optic disc pit maculopathy with retinoschisis and foveal detachment. After creating a posterior vitreous detachment, the prepapillary membrane was made visible by brilliant blue G staining. The membrane was peeled from the central retinal vessel and inverted and placed over intraretinal clefts or stuffed into the optic disc pit. These procedures were guided by intraoperative OCT. A gas tamponade and peripapillary laser was not used. The preoperative and postoperative OCT images and surgical outcomes were evaluated. RESULT: Intraretinal clefts connected to an inner retinoschisis were detected at the edge of the optic disc pit in 3 eyes with intraoperative OCT and 2 eyes with preoperative OCT. The foveal detachment and retinoschisis were resolved completely in all 4 eyes at postoperative 13 to 15 months. The postoperative vision improved from 20/25 to 20/18 at the final examination in all eyes. CONCLUSION: Intraoperative OCT can detect intraretinal clefts at the edge of the optic disc pit, and the OCT images are helpful in guiding the peeling and placement of the prepapillary membrane to achieve anatomical and visual recovery.

Vitrectomy combined with subretinal injection of tissue plasminogen activator for successful treatment of massive subretinal hemorrhage.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the outcome of vitrectomy combined with a subretinal injection of tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) to treat a massive subretinal hemorrhage. METHODS: The medical records of 11 eyes of 11 patients (seven men, four women, mean age; 74.5 ± 9.6 years) with a massive (>10 disc area) subretinal hemorrhage were reviewed. The patients were treated with vitrectomy combined with a subretinal injection of tPA with or without external drainage. RESULTS: The mean baseline visual acuity was 2.10 ± 0.45 logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution (logMAR) units. The hemorrhage was externalized in three eyes due to bullous hemorrhagic retinal detachment. The subretinal hemorrhage was displaced away from the fovea in 10 eyes (91%) and reduced in one eye. Retinal reattachment was achieved in all eyes however reoperations were needed in five eyes (45%) among the eight eyes (73%) with recurrent vitreous and/or subretinal hemorrhages. The postoperative vision at 3 months was significantly improved to 1.32 ± 0.65 logMAR units (p = 0.0076). The vision in the two eyes without postoperative subretinal hyperreflective material at the fovea recovered to 0.4 logMAR units but none of the nine eyes with the foveal subretinal hyperreflective material had vision better than 0.1 logMAR units. CONCLUSION: Vitrectomy with subretinal injection of tPA with or without external drainage of the subretinal hemorrhage was effective in treating massive subretinal hemorrhages.

Visual outcomes after surgery for primary rhegmatogenous retinal detachment in era of microincision vitrectomy: Japan-Retinal Detachment Registry Report IV.

BACKGROUND/AIM: To determine the preoperative ocular factors and surgical methods that led to best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) after pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) or scleral buckling (SB) for rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD). METHODS: This was a prospective, nationwide, multicentre, observational study. Data from the Japanese Retina and Vitreous Society registry from 2016 to 2017 were used to determine the association between preoperative clinical factors, surgical procedures and postoperative BCVA at 6 months. Japanese individuals >40 years of age were included. Eyes with proliferative vitreoretinopathy were included. The primary outcome was the percentage of eyes that achieved 20/25 vision. RESULTS: Of the 3219 registered cases, 2192 met the inclusion criteria (344 SB, 1738 PPV, 110 PPV+SB). Cases with preoperative BCVA (≤0 logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution (logMAR) units) had good postoperative BCVA (OR=3.97, CI 2.87 to 5.51). Older age (>70 years), low intraocular pressure (<10 mm Hg), high myopia (<-5 dioptres), multiple retinal breaks (>4), giant retinal tear (>90°), wide retinal detachment (>3 quadrants) and macula-off detachment were associated with less probability of postoperative 20/25 vision (OR=0.39, 0.64, 0.62, 0.60, 0.12, 0.51 and 0.36, respectively). Postoperative BCVA was 0.03±0.23 and 0.10±0.32 logMAR units after SB and PPV, respectively. The percentage of cases that achieved 20/25 vision was not significantly different after PPV or SB if cases that had concurrent cataract surgery were excluded (p=0.251). CONCLUSIONS: Better BCVA in patients with RRD who had undergone PPV was observed. However, if concurrent cataract surgery is not performed, BCVA will be comparable with either PPV or SB.

FLOW DYNAMICS OF BEVELED-TIP AND FLAT-TIP VITREOUS CUTTERS.

PURPOSE: To compare the flow dynamics of beveled-tip to that of flat-tip vitreous cutters. METHOD: The aspiration rates of balanced salt solution and swine vitreous were measured for 25-gauge and 27-gauge beveled-tip and flat-tip vitreous cutters. Fluorescent polymer microspheres were mixed with balanced salt solution to make the flow visible. The flow dynamics at maximal cutting rates and reflux of balanced salt solution were measured with video images of a high-speed camera. RESULTS: The aspiration rates of balanced salt solution of the 25-gauge and 27-gauge beveled-tip cutters were significantly higher than that of the flat-tip cutters at 7,500 cut/min (P = 0.0001, P = 0.038, respectively). The aspiration rate of swine vitreous by the 25-gauge beveled-tip cutter was significantly higher than that of the flat-tip cutters (P = 0.006). The mean aspiration flow in front of the cutter was significantly faster for both beveled-tip than flat-tip cutters (P = 0.003, P = 0.023). The angle of the mean aspiration flow of both beveled-tip cutters was turned to the proximal side (P = 0.004, P = 0.003). The mean reflux flow of both beveled-tip cutters was significantly faster than that of the flat-tip cutters (P = 0.006, P = 0.006). CONCLUSION: The beveled-tip cutters have a greater velocity of aspirating frontal and proximal flow resulting in higher aspiration rates and greater reflux flow velocity.