[Endogenous Candida endophthalmitis: diagnostics and treatment options based on case studies]. / Endogene Candida-Endophthalmitis: Diagnostik und Therapieoptionen anhand von Fallbeispielen.

BACKGROUND: Endogenous Candida endophthalmitis is an emergency that can threaten vision and the eye as a whole organ but also the life of the patient due to its systemic cause. MATERIAL AND METHOD: Retrospective case evaluation of the University Hospital for Ophthalmology Halle (Saale) and the Eye Clinic of the Ernst von Bergmann Hospital Potsdam from 2017-2022. (Age, gender, side involvement, underlying diseases, symptoms, preoperative and postoperative visual acuity, diagnostics, treatment and complications). The standardized procedures for endogenous Candida endophthalmitis are explained, the data are compared with the literature and treatment suggestions are presented. RESULTS: 8 patients with 14 eyes were treated for endogenous Candida endophthalmitis. Of the patients 2 were women and 6 were men. The overall average age was 70.25 years (53-82 years), 6 patients had bilateral eye involvement and 2 patients were affected on one side. All patients had several serious immunocompromising underlying diseases that were the cause of the candidemia. All patients underwent a pars plana vitrectomy (ppV) on the affected eyes except for one male patient who did not obtain permission for anesthesia. In addition to systemic treatment with antimycotics, voriconazole was routinely administered intravitreally during ppV. The patients received further intravitreal doses of voriconazole based on the findings. Vitreous body samples were taken from all patients during the ppV and detection of Candida albicans was possible in all cases. As part of the local perioperative treatment 1 patient received parabulbar administration of a triamcinolone depot in both eyes, 7 patients received a dexamethasone depot in 11 eyes and all 8 patients received findings-oriented local treatment with prednisolone acetate eye drops. visual acuity increased from preoperatively 1.2 logMar to 1.0 logMar. Postoperative retinal detachment did not occur and there were no serious perioperative complications. 2 patients died from one of the underlying diseases after 3 and 25 months, respectively. CONCLUSION: Despite an increasing number of case series, there are still no uniform guidelines for ophthalmologists in Germany. There is agreement regarding systemic treatment and the intravitreal administration of antifungal agents. The role of ppV has not yet been clearly defined and the question of the adjuvant use of steroids (systemic and/or local) has also not been conclusively clarified.

[Endogenous Candida endophthalmitis]. / Endogene Candida-Endophthalmitis.

Endogenous Candida endophthalmitis is a rare but vision-threatening disease. In most cases, endogenous endophthalmitis caused by Candida species has a better prognosis than endogenous endophthalmitis caused by other fungal species or bacteria but the prognosis still depends heavily on the time required for diagnosis and subsequent treatment as well as the initial visual acuity. Suggestions for treatment algorithms have already been made in the past but binding guidelines in ophthalmology only exist sporadically due to the rarity of the disease. This review discusses the current knowledge on endogenous Candida endophthalmitis and draws conclusions from the current study situation.

[Recurrent choroidal detachment in a patient undergoing hormone therapy for prostate cancer]. / Rezidivierende Aderhautamotio bei einem Patienten mit hormonell therapiertem Prostatakarzinom.

An 85-year-old male patient receiving hormone therapy for prostate cancer and secondary open-angle pseudoexfoliation glaucoma developed peripheral choroidal detachment in both eyes. The patient had been admitted to the eye hospital for clarification of a vascular occlusion in the left eye. Cerebral magnetic resonance imaging could exclude metastases and a cerebral space-occupying lesion as the cause of the ocular findings. The local antiglaucomatous treatment was interrupted and as a result the intraocular pressure normalized and the choroidal detachment receded completely. Patients with prostate cancer who receive hormone therapy should also undergo regular ophthalmological screening including funduscopy and measurment of intraocular pressure.

[High myopia in vitrectomized eyes : Contraindication for minimally invasive glaucoma surgery implant?] / Hohe Myopie bei vitrektomiertem Auge : Kontraindikation für minimal-invasive glaukomchirurgische Implantate?

Minimally invasive glaucoma surgery (MIGS) implants, such as XEN® gel stent are additional procedures in glaucoma treatment, which were designed to reduce the postoperative risk of severe hypotony and further complications. Until now the contraindications for every implant have not yet been identified. This case report describes the disastrous follow-up after implantation of a XEN® gel stent in the only high myopic eye of a patient. Despite elaborate subsequent interventions massive choroidal hemorrhage occurred with loss of the remaining visual field and total loss of visual acuity. The ocular pressure could be stabilized only after explantation of the XEN® gel stent. Patients with high myopia and the associated thin sclera, vitrectomized eyes and previous treatment with mitomycin C should be selected very carefully for XEN® gel stent. If these criteria are present the XEN® gel stent should be avoided whenever possible.

[Tyrosine kinase inhibitor-associated choroidopathy]. / Tyrosinkinaseinhibitor-assoziierte Choroidopathie.

A 66-year-old male patient presented to the ophthalmology department with bilateral blurred vision, which had persisted for 1 week. Due to a pulmonary melanoma metastasis, the patient received a combination treatment with dabrafenib and trametinib. At the first presentation visual acuity was 1.2 on the right and 1.0 on the left. A normotensive intraocular pressure was measured in both eyes. Fundoscopy showed bilateral white, areolar alterations in the choroid and choroid folds and in the left eye a bullous choroidal detachment. Bilateral neurosensory detachment and subretinal fluid were found in optical coherence tomography (OCT). After reduction of the local treatment for pressure reduction and under local and systemic anti-inflammatory treatment, the choroidal swelling was progressive, the visual acuity dropped to 0.5 in the right and to 0.1 in the left eye. A significant regression of the findings occurred only after pausing the treatment with trametinib. Visual acuity rose to 1.0 (left) and 0.8 (right). The OCT showed a dry macula on the right and a small amount of residual subretinal fluid in the left eye.

[Ocular injuries from fireworks in the past 11 years : Evaluation of the University Hospital and Polyclinic for Ophthalmology Halle]. / Feuerwerksverletzungen am Auge in den letzten 11 Jahren : Eine Auswertung der Universitätsklinik und Poliklinik für Augenheilkunde Halle.

PURPOSE: Every year around New Year's Eve severe eye injuries are caused by fireworks. There is a large variety ranging from slight superficial injuries to very severe trauma necessitating extensive and sometimes repeated surgical treatment. As a consequence the patients not only suffer from functional or cosmetic impairments but also from socioeconomic problems, such as reduced capacity to work and inability to work. All firework-related eye injuries treated at the University Hospital Halle from 2008 to 2018 were retrospectively and systematically analyzed. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The patients were analyzed with respect to age, gender, injury distribution, type of injury, circumstances, form of treatment, consequences and duration of inability to work. RESULTS: From the turn of the year 2008/2009 to the turn of the year 2018/2019 a total of 144 eyes from 116 patients were treated at the ophthalmology department of the University Hospital Halle. The injuries involved 80 male patients (69%) and 36 female patients (31%), among them 44 children (38%) aged under 18 years, 81 right and 63 left eyes. In 28 patients both eyes were affected. Of the patients 44% handled the fireworks themselves and 56% were bystanders. Injuries were mostly caused by bangers (37%) and rockets (24%). Of the patients 37 had to be hospitalized, 14 eyes needed immediate surgical treatment, 2 eyes needed surgery later on in irritation-free intervals and 12 eyes needed repeated surgery. The duration of inability to work was on average 21.6 days, 2 eyes went blind because of the fireworks-related injury and 29% of the patients had visual impairments of which 43% were classified as severe impairments. CONCLUSION: Fireworks-related injuries are preventable injuries. As in most cases children, young adults and bystanders are affected by fireworks injuries, prophylactic and educational programs are urgently needed and legal regulations are necessary.

[Pediatric acute dacryocystitis due to frontoethmoidal mucocele]. / Akute Dakryozystitis im Kindesalter bei frontoethmoidaler Mukozele.

BACKGROUND: Pediatric acute dacryocystitis typically develops due to persistence of Hasner's membrane. Pediatric paranasal mucoceles are rare entities. In contrast, chronic dacryocystitis in cases of congenital dacryostenosis is one of the most frequent pediatric ophthalmologic issues. METHODS: The case report of a 10-year-old girl suffering acute dacryocystitis is presented. RESULTS: The area around the left lacrimal sac showed a painful swelling with edema and hyperemia. Systemic and local antibiotic therapy resulted in only slight improvement. Dacryoendoscopy detected acute dacryocystitis with significant stenosis of the nasolacrimal duct. The nasolacrimal duct was widened dacryoendoscopically and autostable bicanalicular nasolacrimal intubation was performed. Nevertheless, the lacrimal ducts were blocked subtotally and a widening of the ethmoid on the left side was shown by rhinoscopy. Magnetic resonance imaging confirmed a frontoethmoidal mucocele which was treated by marsupialization. During the 24-month follow-up there was no recurrence of acute dacryocystitis. There were no signs of sinusitis. CONCLUSION: Paranasal mucoceles, e. g., ethmoidal mucoceles, can compress the lacrimal pathways and cause acute lacrimal inflammation in childhood. Paranasal mucoceles should thus be excluded in cases of unclear masses in the lacrimal region.

[When the "lantern goes out"-maximum surgery pays off in the case of severe eye trauma]. / Wenn die "Laterne ausgeht" ­ Maximalchirurgie lohnt sich bei schwerstem Augentrauma.

Trauma surgeons are often confronted with severe complex eyeball injuries. The primary wound treatment and internal reconstruction are carried out depending on the surgical experience. The following case report describes a patient with severe eyeball rupture, from the preoperative findings up to the current status 1 year after the injury. After the initial severe trauma and complex primary reconstruction with subsequent pole to pole surgery in the irritation-free interval, a good functional and cosmetic result was achieved. Even after severe eyeball injuries the best possible primary reconstruction should be strived for. Secondary corrections are possible in irritation-free periods and can help the patient to achieve functional and cosmetic rehabilitation.

[The German keratomycosis registry : Initial results of a multicenter survey]. / Das Deutsche Pilz-Keratitis-Register : Erste Ergebnisse einer multizentrischen Erhebung.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Mycotic keratitis is a serious but relatively rare disease. No targeted data collection in Germany existed until the foundation of the German Pilz-Keratitis Register in 2015. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The inclusion of retrospective and prospective patients was carried out. INCLUSION CRITERIA: diagnosis confirmed by the polymerase chain reaction (PCR), culture, histology or confocal microscopy (IVCM). Collected parameters: date of symptom onset, date and method of diagnosis, risk factors, visual acuity and findings at admission and at follow-up, conservative and surgical treatment. RESULTS: By January 2018, a total of 102 eyes from the years 2000-2017 were reported from 16 centers (64.3% female, mean age 52 years, range 18-95 years). The initial diagnosis was made correctly in only 20.6% of cases. The mean time to correct diagnosis was 31.7 ±â€¯46.9 (0-296) days. The diagnosis was confirmed in cultures in 74.5%, histologically in 30.4%, by PCR in 38.2% and IVCM in 27.4%. Fungal species identified were: 36.7% Fusarium spp., 35.8% Candida spp., 6.4% Aspergillus spp. and 21.1% other. The most important risk factor was the use of contact lenses. The most commonly used antifungal agent was voriconazole (64.7%) followed by amphotericin B (37.2%). Penetrating keratoplasty was performed in 65.7% of the cases and 8.8% of the affected eyes had to be enucleated. The visual acuity of the entire study population increased from the initial 0.16 ±â€¯0.25 (0.001-1.0) decimal to 0.28 ±â€¯0.34 (0-1.0) decimal. CONCLUSION: The correct diagnosis of fungal keratitis is often significantly delayed. The treatment can be very difficult and keratoplasty is often necessary. In order to gain a better understanding of this disease, to recognize previously unknown risk factors and, if necessary, a change in the spectrum of pathogens and to identify approaches to treatment optimization, the fungal keratitis registry will be continued.

Electrochemotherapy with bleomycin and cisplatin enhances cytotoxicity in primary and metastatic uveal melanoma cell lines in vitro.

Electrochemotherapy (ECT) enhances responsiveness to cytotoxic drugs in numerous cell lines in vitro. Clinically ECT is widely applied for skin tumor ablation and has shown efficacy in treating non-resectable colorectal liver metastases. There is limited experience of ECT for ocular tumor therapy. We investigated the cytotoxic effect of bleomycin and cisplatin in combination with electroporation on chemoresistant human uveal melanoma (UM) cell lines in vitro. Four UM cell lines (Mel 270, 92-1, OMM-1, OMM-2.5) were treated with electroporation (pulse amplitude 300-1000 V/cm, 8-80 pulses, 100 µs, 5 Hz) and increasing concentrations of bleomycin and cisplatin (0-7.5 µg/ml). Cell survival was analyzed by MTT viability assay after 36 hours. UM cell lines were resistant to both bleomycin and cisplatin. In combination with electro- poration, the effects of bleomycin and cisplatin were increased 8-70 fold and 3-15 fold, respectively, in all UM cell lines. At the lowest concentration of bleomycin tested (1 µg/ml), viability was maximally reduced in all UM cell lines by ≥69% with electroporation conditions of 750 V/cm and 20 pulses. All UM cell lines were more resistant to cisplatin; however, electro- poration of 1000 V/cm and 8 pulses resulted in similar reductions in cell viability of 92-1, Mel270 with 2.5 µg/ml cisplatin, OMM2-5 cells with 5 µg/ml cisplatin and OMM1 cells with 1 µg/ml cisplatin. In vitro ECT with bleomycin or cisplatin is more effective than the highest concentration of the antineoplastic drug or electroporation alone, opening new perspectives in primary and metastatic UM treatment.

Anatomy-based DMEK Wetlab in Homburg/Saar: Novel aspects of donor preparation and host maneuvers to teach descemet membrane endothelial keratoplasty.

Use of Descemet Membrane Endothelial Keratoplasty (DMEK) has been limited because of problems with donor preparation, i.e. tearing of the Descemet membrane and difficulties in unfolding the Endothelium-Descemet-Membrane-Layer (EDML) in the anterior chamber (AC). The purpose of this work was to describe a novel approach to teaching anatomy-based donor and recipient preparation in a DMEK-Wetlab. We teach successful mono-manual donor preparation of human corneas in organ culture not suitable for transplantation, including peripheral markers for orientation. We also teach safe recipient preparation in a freshly-enucleated pig eye in organ culture preservation medium for atraumatic introduction of the EDML roll into the AC, reliable orientation of the EDML during surgery, and stepwise unfolding within the AC. Twenty-two candidates in the 1. Homburg Cornea Curriculum HCC 2015 who practiced both preparations using three human donor corneas and three pig eyes assessed the procedure as follows: (1) overall grade of the Wetlab 1.4 (median 1, range 1 to 2 - on a scale from 1 (excellent) to 6 (terrible); (2) most participants and tutors stated that the Wetlab is most effective for colleagues who have some previous experience with corneal microsurgery. Our novel anatomy-based approach to simulating donor preparation and graft implantation for DMEK seems to meet the expectations and requirements of colleagues with previous experience in corneal microsurgery and will help to reduce the rate of complications for incipient DMEK surgeons in the future. Clin. Anat. 31:16-27, 2018. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

[Ultrasound biomicroscopy in giant cell arteritis]. / Ultraschallbiomikroskopie bei Riesenzellarteriitis.

Giant cell arteritis may lead to irreversible blindness due to an anterior ischemic optic neuropathy or central retinal artery occlusion. Diagnosis of the giant cell arteritis is sometimes a problem: Difficulties may arise since a negative biopsy can not rule out the diagnosis. This case report demonstrates acute changes in the temporal artery as demonstrated by Ultrasound Biomicroscopy and documents its course during therapy with corticosteroids.

[Intravitreal ganciclovir as an additional therapy option in acute retinal necrosis]. / Intravitreales Ganciclovir als additive Therapieoption bei akuter retinaler Nekrose.

Acute retinal necrosis (ARN) is a rare viral inflammatory disease, characterized by uveitis, retinal vasculitis, and necrosis in the late stages. Therapeutic management is based on the clinical findings. The positive outcome in our patient (VA 0.6) indicates that, beside the management of retinal detachment and lens opacification, additional intravitreal injections of 2 mg ganciclovir may achieve better results than systemic/topical antiviral application alone.