Sutureless intrascleral fixation using different three-piece posterior chamber intraocular lenses: a literature review of surgical techniques in cases of insufficient capsular support and a retrospective multicentre study.

We present a literature review of surgical techniques of intraocular lens placement in eyes with insufficient capsular support, focusing on the most recent publications, together with a retrospective multicentre consecutive case series analysis of 103 eyes undergoing pars plana vitrectomy and sutureless intrascleral (SIS) fixation of a standard three-piece PCIOL. Many different approaches appear in the literature without any specific procedure achieving superior outcomes. Advantages and disadvantages vary between techniques. Common complications related to IOL fixation techniques were as follow: anterior chamber IOL: transient/permanent corneal oedema (9-66.6%), uveitis (1.1-39.3%); iris-fixated IOL: pupil ovalization (16-47.7%); and sutured scleral-fixated IOL: suture breakage/exposure (6.1-11%), vitreous haemorrhage: (5.5-16.6%). In our retrospective case series, indications for surgery were postoperative aphakia in 50 eyes (49%), IOL dislocation in 38 eyes (37%) and natural lens dislocation in 15 eyes (14%). Scleral tunnels for haptic fixation were created with (28 eyes, 27.2%) or without (75 eyes, 72.8%) 25 gauge trocar cannulas. Complications included transient hypotony (n = 20; 19.4%), corneal decompensation (n = 7; 6.7%), IOL dislocation (n = 6; 5.8%), cystoid macular oedema (n = 5; 4.8%), vitreous haemorrhage (n = 4; 3.8%) and retinal detachment (n = 4; 3.8%). Mean best corrected visual acuity improved from logMAR 0.65 to 0.36 at the final visit (p = 0.001). In conclusion, SIS fixation provides good anatomical and functional outcomes; however, complications can occur. The number of surgical approaches for IOL dislocation described in the literature indicates that optimal treatment remains to be found.

Endophthalmitis after small-gauge vitrectomy: a retrospective case series from Sweden.

PURPOSE: To investigate the anatomical and functional outcomes of acute-onset endophthalmitis after small-gauge vitrectomy. METHODS: Retrospective case series of patients who underwent 23- or 25-gauge vitrectomy at four centres in Sweden between 2008 and 2012. Postvitrectomy endophthalmitis was identified through the search of the journal records of each institution, and the diagnosis was based on clinical criteria regardless of culture results. RESULTS: Twenty-four patients (24 eyes) were included. The incidence of endophthalmitis following small-gauge vitrectomy was 0.14%. Indications for small-gauge vitrectomy enclosed epiretinal membrane (n = 13), retinal detachment (n = 5) and others (n = 6). Surgical technique included 23- and 25-gauge vitrectomy (23:1). Four eyes had sutured sclerotomies, and two had postoperative hypotony <7 mmHg. Days to endophthalmitis presentation varied between 1 and 21 (mean 6 ± 6). Treatment methods included the following: tap and antibiotic injection (n = 7), tap, antibiotic injection with subsequent vitrectomy (n = 2) and prompt vitrectomy with antibiotics (n = 15). Sixteen eyes (66.7%) were culture positive, whereas the other eight cases were culture negative. Anatomical results included evisceration (n = 1), phthisis (n = 1), and globe intact (n = 22). Presenting best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) were hand motion (n = 14), light perception (n = 7), counting fingers (n = 2), and no data (n = 1). Functionally 19 eyes (79%) had Snellen VA ≥0.1; 11 eyes (46%) had VA ≥0.5 Mean logMar BCVA preoperatively and at the last follow-up were 2.07 ± 0.6 and 0.79 ± 0.99, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: In spite of good anatomical and functional results, this study showed higher rate of endophthalmitis than the latest reports suggesting that small-gauge vitrectomy has reached the safety level of standard 20-gauge vitrectomy when infectious endophthalmitis is concerned.

Comparison of 1.8-mm incision versus 2.75-mm incision cataract surgery in combined phacoemulsification and 23-gauge vitrectomy.

PURPOSE: To compare 1.8 mm micro-incision and 2.75 mm standard incision in coaxial cataract surgery combined with 23-Gauge (23G) vitrectomy with respect to intraoperative and postoperative complications and outcomes. METHODS: In this prospective study 30 eyes of 30 patients planned for combined phacoemulsification and 23G vitrectomy were enrolled, and randomized to undergo either Standard 2.75 mm Incision Cataract Surgery (SICS, 15 eyes) or Coaxial 1.8 mm Micro-Incision Cataract Surgery (C-MICS, 15 eyes) followed by vitrectomy. Inclusion criteria were cataract and macular disorders including macular hole, epiretinal membrane and vitreomacular traction. Data were collected at preoperative evaluation and 1 and 12 months or more after surgery. RESULTS: Incision leakage occurred in two eyes (7%: one per group), retinal break in nine (30%: four in C-MICS, five in SICS). Fibrin in anterior chamber (AC) occurred day 1 in three eyes (10%: two C- and one SICS). Posterior capsule opacification developed in 22 eyes (78%: 13 MICS, nine SICS, p = 0.1). A myopic shift of -0.63 ± 0.7 was noted (-0.59 ± 0.8 MICS, -0.68 ± 0.6 SICS, p = 0.74). Surgically induced astigmatism (SIA) was significantly smaller in C-MICS group (ΔKP, -0.019 ± 0.095 versus -0.141 ± 0.219, p = 0.0038) at 1 month but not at final follow-up (ΔKP, 0.0005 ± 0.16 in C-MICS versus -0.057 ± 0.12, p = 0.3 CONCLUSIONS: Both techniques were equally safe with respect to intraoperative and postoperative findings. Coaxial micro-incision cataract surgery (C-MICS) was associated with less surgically-induced astigmatism (SIA) 1 month after surgery but differences were not statistically significant at final follow-up indicating a faster refractive recovery with C-MICS than with SICS.

Outcomes after combined 1.8-MM microincision cataract surgery and 23-gauge transconjunctival vitrectomy for posterior segment disease: a retrospective study.

PURPOSE: The aim of the study was to retrospectively review indications, intraoperative and postoperative complications, and outcomes of combined coaxial microincision cataract surgery and 23-gauge vitrectomy for posterior segment disease. METHODS: The outcomes and findings of surgery in 50 patients (50 eyes) who underwent coaxial microincision cataract surgery and foldable intraocular lens implantation combined with 23-gauge vitrectomy for a variety of indications between January 2010 and March 2012. RESULTS: No posterior capsule tear was observed during surgery. Intraoperatively, a retinal break was found in 9 eyes (18%), which were successfully treated with laser and/or cryotherapy. Corneal suture was done in 6 eyes (12%), 5 of them left and 1 right. Sclerotomy was sutured in 2 left and 2 right eyes, respectively, a total of 4 eyes (8%). In 1 case, 23-gauge vitrectomy was converted to 20-gauge vitrectomy. The postoperative intraocular pressure (millimeters of mercury, mean ± standard deviation) was 16.7 ± 9.8. Hypotony (intraocular pressure < 9 mmHg) occurred in 9 eyes (18%). In 1 eye (2%) posterior iris synechia were observed 2 weeks after surgery, and intraocular pressure was >40 mmHg. Intraocular pressure was normalized after Nd:YAG laser iridotomy. Fibrin reaction in the anterior chamber was observed in 1 eye (2%) Day 1 after surgery. Posterior capsule opacification, which required Nd:YAG laser capsulotomy, was observed in 11 eyes (22%) during the follow-up. CONCLUSION: Combined sutureless coaxial microincision cataract surgery and 23-gauge vitrectomy offers the advantages of both coaxial microincision cataract surgery (less wound leakage, good anterior chamber stability, and safety) and 23-gauge vitrectomy (decreased inflammation and faster rehabilitation after surgery).