[Postoperative endophthalmitis-a review of literature]. / Postoperative Endophthalmitis im Spiegel der Literatur.

Postoperative endophthalmitis is one of the most feared complications for ophthalmologists, and the number of infections after intraocular procedures have been increasing. Nonetheless, a prompt intervention can result in the recovery of vision. In the past, endophthalmitis after cataract surgery was accountable for the majority of cases but is becoming less frequent due to the progress of surgical techniques and demographic developments with a steadily increasing number of intravitreal injections. In this article, the different forms of postoperative endophthalmitis are assessed in terms of pathophysiology and their specific characteristics depending on their etiology.

[Evaluation of a virtual reality simulator for learning direct ophthalmoscopy in student teaching]. / Evaluierung eines VR-Simulators zum Erlernen der direkten Ophthalmoskopie in der studentischen Lehre.

BACKGROUND: The use of direct ophthalmoscopy in non-ophthalmological specialties seems to be decreasing in the clinical routine. This could be due to a lack of training and thus an uncertain assessment. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness and acceptance of learning direct ophthalmoscopy on a simulator in comparison to the classical teaching method among students. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Within the framework of the student block internship for ophthalmology, a total of 34 students took part in the project. The first group received classical training, the second group received simulator training. The learning success was assessed by an objective structured clinical examination (OSCE). RESULTS: The simulator training group showed a significantly higher points score in individual disciplines. The subjects in the classical group achieved a learning success in the OSCE of 78%. In the simulator-based group a higher score of 91% was achieved with a lower scatter in all subdisciplines. DISCUSSION: The patient and instructor-independent availability of the teaching materials, a reduction of light exposure for patients and test subjects, as well as a standardized and controlled mediation of physiological and pathological findings can be emphasized as advantages of the tested simulator. CONCLUSION: The simulator-based training for learning direct funduscopy is effective. The virtual reality simulator evaluated in this project can improve the training of students and residents.

[Suprachoroidal Hydrogel Buckle - a New Minimal-Invasive Technique in Treatment of Rhegmatogenous Retinal Detachment]. / Suprachoroidale Hydrogelplombe ­ eine neue minimalinvasive Technik zur Behandlung der rhegmatogenen Netzhautablösung.

The suprachoroidal hydrogel buckle is a new, simple and safe procedure for the treatment of rhegmatogenous retinal detachment. This technique combines the advantages of modern vitrectomy and classic buckling surgery. Placing the suprachoroidal buckle is possible as a stand-alone procedure or in addition to vitrectomy. The cross-linked hyaluronic acid seems to be the ideal agent for the suprachoroidal buckle with a buckling effect over 8 weeks. We need further investigations with long-term results.

[Importance of vitrectomy in endophthalmitis : How immediate vitrectomy can restore visual acuity]. / Stellenwert der Vitrektomie bei Endophthalmitis : Wie eine prompte Vitrektomie den Visus wiederherstellen kann.

This article presents a case of endophthalmitis after intravitreal injection with bevacizumab (Avastin®) in a patient suffering from exudative age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Within 1h after diagnosis the patient underwent vitrectomy with intravitreal injection of antibiotics combined with corticosteroids and 4 weeks after the endophthalmitis the visual acuity increased to 0.5. This case report demonstrates that an immediate vitrectomy combining intravitreal injection of medication can lead to a good visual outcome even in the case of severe endophthalmitis.

[Novel vitreous body replacement with hydrogel?] / Neuer Glaskörperersatz mit Hydrogel?

Although the surgical treatment of rhegmatogenous retinal detachment has advanced, there still is a significant risk of redetachment and a slow visual rehabilitation due to the use of endotamponades. Hydrophobic tamponades act via a buoyancy vector causing an accumulation of proinflammatory cytokines opposite the buoyancy vector. So far, the use of hydrophilic endotamponades is very promising because they represent a possible solution for the abovementioned problems of surgical ablation. This article presents the current developments in this field.

[Intramuscular depot steroids : Possible treatment of postsurgical cystoid macula edema with steroid response?] / Intramuskuläres Depot-Steroid : Therapieoption bei postoperativem zystoidem Makulaödem mit Steroidresponse?

We report on a patient with postsurgical cystoid macular edema (CME) after phacoemulsification and multifocal intraocular lens (MIOL) implantation. At first, there was a very good reaction to intravitreal triamcinolone, inducing complete regression of the edema without increasing intraocular pressure (IOP). One year later the patient suffered from retinal detachment and was treated with vitrectomy, laser, and gas tamponade. Afterward, he developed macular pucker with edema. After surgical treatment with pucker peeling and intravitreal triamcinolone, the patient showed a steroid response and an increase IOP. Postoperatively, there was a recurrence of CME. A coincidental administration of a steroid injection intramuscularly by the general practitioner achieved a prompt reduction of the CME without increasing IOP. This case shows that an initially good reaction to triamcinolone without increasing IOP does not rule out a future steroid response, and that a potential treatment option for CME in patients with a known steroid response could consist of intramuscularly injected steroids.