Proliferative diabetic retinopathy: Role of bevacizumab in decreasing the occurrence of vitreous hemorrhage after panretinal photocoagulation.

PURPOSE: To investigate the beneficial effect of bevacizumab injection one week prior to panretinal photocoagulation (PRP) on the occurrence of vitreous hemorrhage (VH) following PRP in high-risk proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR). METHODS: This was a case-control pilot study conducted on two groups: an anti-VEGF treatment group, treated with bevacizumab injection one week prior to the first PRP session, and a control group of treatment-naive PDR patients who underwent PRP treatment and were not given an intravitreal bevacizumab injection, consecutively recruited. In both groups, a complete ophthalmological examination was conducted prior to PRP and at 4, 9, and 16 weeks following treatment. The primary endpoint studied was the occurrence of VH. RESULTS: The control group included 69 patients (mean age 63±12.3 years) with high-risk PDR who received PRP treatment only, and the anti-VEGF treatment group included 67 patients (mean age 63.13±10.3 years). None of the demographic variables or comorbidities showed any significant difference between the two groups. The number of PRP sessions was not significantly correlated to the occurrence of VH in either of the groups (P=0.167). Vitreous hemorrhage within 16 weeks following laser treatment occurred in 10 patients (14.5%) in the control group and in only 3 patients (4.5%) in the anti-VEGF group (P=0.047). CONCLUSION: Our case-control pilot study demonstrates that a bevacizumab injection preceding the initial PRP session might be beneficial in reducing the occurrence of VH in the first 16 weeks following PRP.

Vitreous hemorrhage - Causes, diagnosis, and management.

Vitreous hemorrhage is associated with a myriad of conditions such as proliferative diabetic retinopathy, proliferative retinopathy following vascular occlusion and vasculitis, trauma, retinal breaks, and posterior vitreous detachment without retinal break. Multiple pathological mechanisms are associated with development of vitreous hemorrhage such as disruption of abnormal vessels, normal vessels, and extension of blood from an adjacent source. The diagnosis of vitreous hemorrhage requires a thorough history taking and clinical examination including investigations such as ultra-sonography, which help decide the appropriate time for intervention. The prognosis of vitreous hemorrhage depends on the underlying cause. Treatment options include observation, laser photo-coagulation, cryotherapy, intravitreal injections of anti-vascular endothelial growth factor, and surgery. Pars plana vitrectomy remains the cornerstone of management. Complications of vitreous hemorrhage include glaucoma (ghost cell glaucoma, hemosiderotic glaucoma), proliferative vitreoretinopathy, and hemosiderosis bulbi.

Terson's syndrome, the current concepts and management strategies: A review of literature.

Terson's Syndrome describes intraocular hemorrhage secondary to an acutely raised intracranial pressure (ICP). Although Terson's Syndrome is common amongst patients with subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH), it is underdiagnosed and often overlooked. This review discusses the current understanding of the etiopathogenesis, clinical features, and management of Terson's Syndrome and highlights the visual and prognostic implications to stress the importance of timely diagnosis and management. The origin of intraocular hemorrhage in Terson's Syndrome has been debated. A recognized theory suggests that an acutely raised ICP induces effusion of cerebrospinal fluid into the optic nerve sheath which dilates the retrobulbar aspect of the sheath in the orbit. Dilatation mechanically compresses the central retinal vein and retinochoroidal veins resulting in venous hypertension and rupture of thin retinal vessels. A commonly reported clinical feature is decreased visual acuity and blurred vision. These may be accompanied by symptoms of increased ICP including loss of consciousness and headache. Diagnosis is established using evidence from the clinical presentation, ophthalmoscopy, and, when required, imaging including B-mode ultrasound, CT, MRI, and fluorescein angiography. Terson's Syndrome is managed conservatively by observation for mild cases and with vitrectomy for bilateral cases and for patients whose hemorrhage has not spontaneously resolved after an observational period. Terson's Syndrome can be used as a prognostic indicator of morbidity and mortality in underlying pathology like SAH. Fundoscopy of patients with SAH, acutely raised ICP or visual disturbance with unknown etiology can help establish a timely Terson's Syndrome diagnosis. This may avoid the risk of permanent visual impairment.

Pediatric retinal damage due to soccer-ball-related injury: Results from the last decade.

OBJECTIVE: To outline the incidence of posterior segment injuries related to soccer-ball blunt trauma in children. METHODS: Retrospective search of the computerized hospital medical database between the years 2007 and 2017. All pediatric trauma cases were reviewed and cases with blunt trauma related to direct orbital/ocular hit from a soccer-ball were included. Cases were divided into two groups (non-severe and severe) based on the presence of sight-threatening findings on presentation (e.g. retinal tear, vitreous hemorrhage, retinal detachment, and macular edema). RESULTS: Out of 343 pediatric patients with relevant diagnoses, 14 (4.1%) were treated for injuries related to soccer-ball trauma. All patients were males at their early-to-mid teens (14.3 ± 2.1 years). The most common funduscopic finding was peripheral commotio retina (13, 93%). There was equal distribution between the two groups (seven each). Retinal injury in the severe group included retinal tear (3), vitreous hemorrhage (4), retinal detachment (1), and macular hole (1). Five patients in this group presented with visual acuity of 20/25 or better. Rate of external signs of injury were similar in both groups. CONCLUSION: Soccer-ball blunt trauma in children can cause significant posterior segment injuries regardless of the presence of external injury or ocular complaints. A thorough ocular exam is mandatory in all cases for the detection of vision-threatening retinal injuries.

Updated Systematic Review and Clinical Spectrum of Peripheral Exudative Hemorrhagic Chorioretinopathy.

Peripheral exudative hemorrhagic chorioretinopathy (PEHCR) is a rare retinal vasculopathy that might cause subretinal and/or vitreous hemorrhages. Although the primary etiology is still unknown, choroidal neovascularization is mainly involved in the pathogenesis. The main risk factors are age and systemic hypertension. Ancillary testing such as fluorescein angiography, indocyanine green angiography and ultrasonography can be of great value for diagnosing this entity and distinguishing PEHCR from other lesions as choroidal melanoma and retinal vasoproliferative tumor. Various treatments have been reported including photocoagulation, cryotherapy, intravitreal injection of anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (Anti-VEGF) and surgical intervention as pars plana vitrectomy. This review handles an up-to-date perspective regarding PEHCR.

Intravitreal Aflibercept injection with Panretinal photocoagulation versus early Vitrectomy for diabetic vitreous hemorrhage: randomized clinical trial.

BACKGROUND: To compare efficacy and safety of intravitreal aflibercept (IVA) injection with panretinal photocoagulation (PRP) versus early vitrectomy for diabetic vitreous hemorrhage (VH). METHODS: Prospective, randomized study that included 34 eyes with diabetic VH. They were divided into two groups, Group Ι (17 eyes) received three successive IVA injections followed by PRP and group ΙΙ (17 eyes) for whom early vitrectomy was done. Follow up was carried out after one, two, three, six and nine months. The primary outcome measure was change in the mean best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) after nine months, secondary outcome measures were mean duration of clearance of VH and rate of recurrent hemorrhage with any additional treatment in both groups. Complications were reported. RESULTS: There was no statistically significant difference regarding initial demographic criteria between both groups. The mean final log MAR BCVA was statistically better than the initial BCVA in both groups (0.51 ± 0.20, 1.17 ± 0.48 for group I and 0.48 ± 0.18, 1.44 ± 0.44 for group II, P < 0.001). There was no statistically significant difference between both groups regarding the mean final Log Mar BCVA (0.51 ± 0.20 for group I, 0.48 ± 0.18 for group II, p ≥ 0.05), the mean duration of clearance of VH was 7.8 ± 1.8 weeks, 5 days for group I and II respectively. PRP was completely done for all eyes in group I after three months. The difference in the recurrence rate between group I (29.4%) and group II (11.8%) was statistically significant (p < 0.05). Vitrectomy was done for three eyes (17.6%) due to recurrent non-resolving VH in group I. late recurrent VH occurred in two eyes (11.8%) in group II, IVA was given with complete clearance of the hemorrhage. No vision threatening complications were reported in both groups. CONCLUSION: Both intravitreal injection of aflibercept followed by PRP and early vitrectomy are effective and safe modalities for treatment of diabetic vitreous hemorrhage. Early vitrectomy leads to faster vision gain with less incidence of recurrence than intravitreal injection. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Randomized clinical trial under the number of NCT04153253 on November 6, 2019 "Retrospectively registered".

Comparison of outcomes of four different treatment modalities for diabetic vitreous haemorrhage.

We compared outcomes of four different management modalities for diabetic VH. Patients with diabetic VH were identified in this retrospective study undertaken at King Khaled Eye Specialist Hospital, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Eyes were grouped based on the treatment received: control (observation only), intravitreal bevacizumab (IVB) injection(s), pars plana vitrectomy (PPV), and preoperative single IVB injection before PPV. Best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and status of VH were noted at baseline and the last follow up (Minimum: 6 months, maximum: 29 months). The proportion of eyes with Snellen BCVA improvement by two lines or more and VH clearance at the last follow up were compared between groups. The four groups - Control, IVB, PPV, and IVB-before-PPV had 23, 29, 17, and 20 eyes, respectively. The proportion of eyes gaining ≥2 lines was substantially higher in the IVB-before-PPV and PPV groups (90% and 77%, respectively) compared with IVB and observation groups (41% and 22%, respectively). Surgical treatment was associated with a 2.38 times higher likelihood of gaining ≥2 lines than the non-surgical one (incidence ratio: 2.38, 95% CI 1.19, 4.78 P = 0.015) after adjusting for age, hyperglycemia and BCVA at presentation. Less invasive treatment such as IVB injections did not result in the same amount of improvement in vision as did PPV. Prospective randomized studies are needed to better define the role of IVB injections in the management of diabetic VH.

Intravitreal ranibizumab versus vitrectomy for recurrent vitreous haemorrhage after pars plana vitrectomy for proliferative diabetic retinopathy: a prospective study.

PURPOSE: To compare prospectively intravitreal ranibizumab treatment and pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) in patients with recurrent vitreous haemorrhage (VH) due to proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR), who were previously treated with PPV. METHODS: Participants in this prospective study were 37 patients (37 eyes) with PDR, previously treated with PPV. All patients presented recurrent VH and were treated with either ranibizumab (n = 18) or PPV (n = 19). All participants were examined at week 2 post-treatment and every month thereafter for 1 year. Main outcomes were the need of PPV, the rate of recurrence of VH and the change in visual acuity by the end of the 12-month follow-up. RESULTS: At month 12, there was statistically significant improvement in visual acuity in both groups compared to baseline, but the two groups did not differ regarding the change in visual acuity. In ranibizumab group, two patients presented recurrent VH during the follow-up and one patient needed PPV to clear the VH by month 12. In PPV group, two patients had mild recurrent VH, which cleared itself. No statistically significant difference was noticed regarding the rate of recurrent VH and the need of PPV between the two groups. CONCLUSION: Intravitreal ranibizumab seems to be a safe and effective treatment alternative in patients with recurrent VH secondary to PDR, who had been previously treated with PPV.

Reoperation following vitrectomy for diabetic vitreous hemorrhage with versus without preoperative intravitreal bevacizumab.

BACKGROUND: To compare the reoperation rate in patients with vitreous hemorrhage (VH) secondary to proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR) with or without preoperative intravitreal bevacizumab (IVB). METHODS: In this retrospective study, 280 patients (362 eyes) with diabetic VH were divided into a group that received preoperative IVB and a group that did not receive preoperative IVB. According to B-scan or color Doppler ultrasonography, the eyes were grouped as a VH group and a tractional retinal detachment (TRD) group. The reoperation rate, visual and anatomical outcomes of treatment were evaluated after 6 months. RESULTS: There were 17.4% of eyes in the VH group that did not receive preoperative IVB later required additional vitrectomy, while only 7.7% of the eyes in the VH group that received preoperative IVB required additional vitrectomy (P = 0.025). There were 45.5% of eyes in the TRD group that did not receive preoperative IVB had no reoperation, while only 21.4% of the eyes in the TRD group that received preoperative IVB had no reoperation (P = 0.004). The patients with one operation achieved better vision than those required reoperations in the VH group (P = 0.038) and TRD group (P = 0.019). CONCLUSIONS: Preoperative IVB significantly reduced the re-vitrectomy rate in patients with VH without TRD, but there was an increase in the reoperation rate in patients with VH combined with TRD.

Pediatric vitreous hemorrhage: A narrative review.

Vitreous hemorrhage is one of the most common causes of sudden, painless loss of vision in adults. This is probably one of the reasons why it has been extensively studied and reported in literature. However, the same cannot be said when it comes to vitreous hemorrhage in the pediatric age group. The causes of vitreous hemorrhage in children tend to differ from those of adults. Not much data exist regarding their presentation and management. In addition to trauma, certain spontaneous causes such as pediatric tumors and congenital conditions assume importance while considering the differential diagnosis of vitreous hemorrhage in the pediatric age group. However, it is natural that the treating ophthalmologist is faced with challenges when a child presents with vitreous hemorrhage. In this narrative review, we have attempted to analyze the retrospective observational studies regarding pediatric vitreous hemorrhage reported in English literature till date. The article sheds some light on the prevailing epidemiology, management strategies employed and the visual outcome among different regions of the world.

Intravitreal ranibizumab injection at the end of vitrectomy for diabetic vitreous hemorrhage (Observational Study).

To evaluate the outcomes and complications of intravitreal injections of ranibizumab in patients during pars plana vitrectomy for treatment of diabetic vitreous hemorrhage. This retrospective, observational, comparative study included 103 patients (103 eyes) who underwent pars plana vitrectomy for treatment of diabetic vitreous hemorrhage. Sixty-six patients received an intravitreal injection of 0.05 mg (0.05 cc) of ranibizumab at the end of surgery. Main outcome measures were the occurrence of recurrent early vitreous hemorrhage, reoperation, intraocular pressure, best corrected visual acuity. Mean follow-up time was 6 months. The rate of rebleeding in the intravitreal ranibizumab (IVR) group was 6.1% (4 eyes), which is significantly lower than the control group (24.3%, 9 eyes, P < .01). The incidence of postoperative diabetic vitreous hemorrhage (PDVH) was significantly lower in the IVR group than the control group, OR=0.26, 95% CI= (0.06, 0.95). Visual acuity 6 months after operation was better in IVR group (P<.01) There was no difference in mean intraocular pressure between the 2 groups (P=.56). The present clinical study suggests that intravitreal injection of ranibizumab is effective in the prevention of postoperative diabetic vitreous hemorrhage in eyes undergoing pars plana vitrectomy for the treatment of diabetic vitreous hemorrhage.

The use of pan-retinal photocoagulation to treat recurrent vitreous haemorrhage with neovascularisation in the context of Epstein syndrome: an MYH9-related disorder.

A female patient presented with stable chronic thrombocytopaenia with large platelets, sensorineuronal deafness and renal impairment. Her treatment was refractory to intravenous immunoglobulins (IVIG) and steroids for a putative diagnosis of immune thrombocytopaenic purpura (ITP). She underwent genetic testing which revealed a MYH9 mutation in-keeping with a diagnosis of Epstein Syndrome. Subsequently to this she developed globally constricted fields on Goldmann visual field testing. MRI pituitary was unremarkable but she was diagnosed with a pituitary microprolactinoma secondary to raised prolactin in the blood responsive to carbegoline therapy. She subsequently developed retinal haemorrhages and recurrent vitreous haemorrhages due to neovascularisation. Fluorescein angiography revealed the extent of the neovascularisation and microvascular ischaemia. She underwent pan-retinal photocoagulation (PRP) to treat the ischaemic stimulus which resulted in regression of the new vessels and cessation of vitreous haemorrhages. There are no previous reported cases of microvascular retinal disease in the literature in the context of Epstein Syndrome, and this is the first report of successful treatment with PRP.

One-port vitreous cavity lavage with hybrid 27G infusion and 23G cannula.

PURPOSE: To describe a new surgical technique for performing vitreous cavity lavage. METHODS: After a 23G trocar cannula was inserted into the vitreous cavity at the lowest point of the eyeball 3.5 or 4 mm posterior to the limbus, a 27G infusion line with balanced salt solution was attached to the cannula. The infusion tube was partially withdrawn and the vitreous fluid with blood flowed out through the space between the larger lumen of the cannula and the smaller infusion tube. Meanwhile, vitreous cavity was irrigated with fresh balanced salt solution through the infusion line and the intraocular pressure (IOP) was maintained. The vitreous clarity was checked by indirect ophthalmoscopy. RESULTS: A total of 14 eyes of 14 patients with postvitrectomy hemorrhage were treated with the lavage technique. The vision improved and the fundus could be sufficiently viewed next day in all cases. This fluid/fluid exchange procedure was also performed in fluid/air exchange in two cases of unclosed idiopathic macular hole with switching to air infusion instead of balanced salt solution infusion. CONCLUSION: This minimally invasive technique is a simple, safe, and efficient way of performing postvitrectomy vitreous cavity fluid/fluid or fluid/air exchange.

Effect of intravitreal triamcinolone acetonide injection at the end of vitrectomy for vitreous haemorrhage related to proliferative diabetic retinopathy.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: To investigate whether intravitreal injection of triamcinolone acetonide (IVTA) combined with vitrectomy prevents postoperative inflammation in patients with vitreous haemorrhage (VH) due to proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR). METHODS: This prospective, multicentre, randomised study conducted at seven sites in Japan enrolled patients diagnosed as having VH following PDR. Patients underwent vitrectomy with (IVTA+VIT group) or without (VIT group) IVTA at the end of the surgery. Anterior flare intensity (AFI), central retinal thickness (CRT), best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and intraocular pressure (IOP) were measured before and at 3 days, 1 week, 1, 3 and 6 months after surgery and compared. RESULTS: Number of patients who completed 6 months of follow-up was 40 and 41 in VIT group and IVTA+VIT group, respectively. AFI was significantly higher in the VIT group than in the IVTA+VIT group at 3 days (P=0.033), 1 week (P=0.019) and 1 month (P=0.037). There were no significant differences in CRT, BCVA and IOP between the groups through the observational periods. In the cases with macular oedema >350 µm of CRT at 3 days, CRT was significantly lower in the IVTA+VIT group than in the VIT group at 1 month (P=0.041). CONCLUSIONS: IVTA combined with vitrectomy and cataract surgery contributed to inhibit the postoperative inflammation in patients with VH due to PDR. The effect of IVTA in the reduction of diabetic macular oedema may be limited to the early stage after surgery. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: UMIN000020376, Post-results.

Floorball-related eye injuries: The impact of protective eyewear.

Several previous studies have shown that floorball belongs to a high-risk group of sports in terms of eye injuries. Protective eyewear is available, but the extent of its use and impact on eye injuries are unknown. The purpose of this study was to investigate the current incidence of eye injuries caused by floorball and to compare it with the present use of protective eyewear. Medical records were used to identify all eye injuries suffered while playing floorball in Jönköping County from 2008 to 2011 (N = 167). All these patients were sent a questionnaire that included inquiries about the use of protective eyewear. The study shows that floorball caused more eye injuries than all other sports combined (56%). Prolonged decreased visual acuity was very unusual (0.5%), but moderate eye injuries with some risk of future problems were seen in 62% of the sample. More than one fifth of the injured patients reported some kind of vision-related problem 2-7 years after the original injury. Only one player had been using protective eyewear at the time of injury. Our results underline the importance of protective eyewear to prevent floorball-related injuries.

[Non-traumatic vitreous hemorrhage]. / Hémorragies du vitré non traumatiques.

Spontaneous vitreous hemorrhage is a serious disease whose incidence is 7 per 100,000 people per year. Posterior vitreous detachment with or without retinal tear, diabetic retinopathy, vascular proliferation after retinal vein occlusion, age-related macular degeneration and Terson's syndrome are the most common causes. Repeated ultrasonography may ignore a retinal tear or detachment and delay vitrectomy that is the only treatment for serious forms. The occurrence of retinal tear or detachment is a surgical emergency as well as rubeosis or diabetic tractional retinal detachment involving the macula. Intravitreal injection of antiangiogenic agents are helpful in clearing the vitreous cavity, facilitating laser photocoagulation and reducing the risks of bleeding during preretinal neovascular membranes dissection.

INTRAVITREAL CONBERCEPT (KH902) FOR SURGICAL TREATMENT OF SEVERE PROLIFERATIVE DIABETIC RETINOPATHY.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the role, safety, and effectiveness of intravitreal conbercept (KH902) injections as an adjunct to vitrectomy in the management of severe proliferative diabetic retinopathy. METHODS: A randomized controlled trial was performed on 36 eyes of 36 patients affected by vitreous hemorrhage and tractional retinal detachment, which occurred as a consequence of active proliferative diabetic retinopathy. The patients were randomly assigned to two groups. The patients in one of the groups received an intravitreal injection of conbercept in the inferior temporal sector 4 mm from the sclerocorneal limbus with a sterile technique 1 week before vitrectomy. RESULTS: In the group without conbercept, intraoperative bleeding occurred in 14 patients (77.8%), and in five of these cases, bleeding was significant. The use of endodiathermy was necessary in 8 patients (44.4%). In 3 patients (16.6%), iatrogenic retinal breaks occurred, and in 1 patient (5.5%), a relaxing retinotomy was performed. Endotamponade with silicone oil was performed in 12 patients (66.6%). In the group treated with conbercept, intraoperative bleeding occurred in 2 cases (11.1%). The use of endodiathermy was necessary in 1 patient (5.5%). No patients experienced iatrogenic breaks or relaxing retinotomy during the surgery. Endotamponade with silicone oil was performed in 2 patients (11.1%). CONCLUSION: Preoperative intravitreal injection of conbercept could reduce the chances of intraoperative bleeding, which are beneficial in the management of proliferative diabetic retinopathy.

Intraocular surgery with melphalan irrigation for vitreous hemorrhage in an only eye with retinoblastoma.

PURPOSE: To illustrate the successful outcome of pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) with melphalan irrigation for vitreous hemorrhage (VH) with suspected viable retinoblastoma. Despite the high risk of intraocular surgery, it was performed to preserve the only potentially seeing eye with treated retinoblastoma. METHODS: Vitreous hemorrhage occurred in the only eye of a 4-year-old boy after treatment for recurrent multifocal group C retinoblastoma with systemic chemotherapy (carboplatin, etoposide, and cyclophosphamide; and vincristine, cyclophosphamide, and doxorubicin), ruthenium brachytherapy with plaque repositioning, cryotherapy, and external radiotherapy. The VH developed 8 months after repeated brachytherapy with subsequent intravitreal melphalan chemotherapy. The patient's parents refused to remove the eye. The fellow eye was enucleated earlier because of VH and secondary glaucoma, without histologic signs of a viable tumor. Pars plana lensectomy, 25-G vitrectomy with melphalan irrigation (5 µg/mL), and silicone oil tamponade were performed. RESULTS: No ophthalmoscopic or morphologic signs of a viable tumor were detected. Four months later, the silicone oil was removed. Visual acuity was 20/200 with aphakic correction. Follow-up for 34 months revealed no signs of tumor recurrence or dissemination. CONCLUSIONS: Despite the high risk of intraocular surgery, the need to preserve the only potentially seeing eye with treated retinoblastoma may require PPV. Thus, in unclear cases of VH with suspected viable tumor, PPV with intraocular melphalan irrigation, with caution, may be a reasonable procedure.