Faricimab in Previously Treated Eyes With Neovascular Age-Related Macular Degeneration: An Assessment of Durability and Treatment Outcomes.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: This study evaluated the efficacy and durability of faricimab in patients with neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD) who were previously treated with anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF) agents. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This retrospective case series was conducted at a single tertiary center in the United States. It focused on nAMD patients who transitioned to faricimab after initial anti-VEGF therapy, with a follow-up period of at least 9 months. "Complete dryness" was defined as the absence of intra- and/or subretinal fluid on optical coherence tomography. Durability was gauged by the extension of treatment intervals relative to the injection frequency of the previous agent. RESULTS: Sixty-two eyes from 62 patients were included. Treatment interval ranged from 5 to 10 weeks; 10 (16%) patients were able to be extended by 2 or more weeks compared to their previous regimen. Median (interquartile range [IQR]) central field thickness was 310 µm (254, 376) on initiating faricimab and declined by the ninth month (P values at 3, 6, and 9 months were 0.01, 0.02, and 0.07, respectively). Median (IQR) visual acuity at initiation of faricimab was 0.4 (0.20, 0.50) and did not change by the ninth month. Complete anatomical dryness was present in 10 (16%) eyes before switching; 90% remained dry at 9 months. Of 52 (84%) incompletely dry eyes before switching, 15% achieved complete dryness by 9 months on faricimab. CONCLUSIONS: Faricimab modestly improved the treatment intervals for a small proportion of previously treated patients on anti-VEGF therapy. [Ophthalmic Surg Lasers Imaging Retina 2024;55:XX-XX.].

Free-Floating Pigmented Vitreous Cysts: Clinical-Histopathologic Correlation.

Free-floating, pigmented vitreous cysts were documented in two patients. In a 15-year-old girl with intermittent symptoms, a 2.4-mm cyst was observed; origin was attributed to prior trauma, and clinical observation was pursued. In a 35-year-old woman with progressive symptoms, a 11.5-mm cyst was observed; origin was attributed to a history of multiple ocular surgical interventions, and surgical excision by pars plana vitrectomy was performed. [Ophthalmic Surg Lasers Imaging Retina 2024;55:55-58.].

Ocular, Visual, and Anatomical Outcomes in Eyes Requiring Incisional Intraocular Pressure-Lowering Surgery Following the 0.19-mg Fluocinolone Acetonide Intravitreal Implant.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: To assess ocular, visual, and anatomical outcomes following the 0.19-mg fluocinolone acetonide (FAc) intravitreal implant (ILUVIEN®) and incisional intraocular pressure (IOP)-lowering surgery in diabetic macular edema. PATIENTS AND METHODS: From a 36-month, phase 4, open-label, observational study (N = 202 eyes, 159 patients), 8 eyes (7 patients) required IOP-lowering surgery post-FAc; eyes were segregated by FAc-induced (n = 5, 2.47%) versus neovascular glaucoma (NVG)-related (n = 3, 1.49%) IOP elevations and assessed for IOP, best corrected visual acuity (BCVA), central subfield thickness (CST), and cup-to-disc ratio (c/d). RESULTS: Changes at 36 months were +5.4 letters BCVA (P > 0.05) and +0.09 c/d (P = 0.0217); IOP and CST were unchanged. FAc-induced-group eyes required fewer IOP-lowering medications than NVG-group eyes (2.0 versus 4.0; P < 0.01) but for longer duration (15.2 versus 2.6 months; P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Post-FAc IOP-lowering surgery, regardless of cause, largely did not affect the outcomes measured; these procedures, then, may not meaningfully threaten positive outcomes. [Ophthalmic Surg Lasers Imaging Retina 2024;55:22-29.].

Retinal Detachment Associated with Retinal Dialysis: Clinical Features and Outcomes of Surgery in a 10-Year Study.

PURPOSE: To report the surgical approaches and outcomes in patients undergoing surgery for retinal detachment associated with retinal dialysis. DESIGN: Retrospective, consecutive case series. SUBJECTS: All patients who underwent surgery for retinal detachment secondary to retinal dialysis between January 1, 2012, and January 1, 2022. METHODS: Retrospective consecutive case series. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), single-operation success rate. RESULTS: The study cohort included 60 eyes of 58 patients with a mean age of 26.4 (standard deviation, 13.0) years. Males comprised 49 (84.5%) patients. Known trauma occurred in 35 (61.4%) cases. Initial surgical management included scleral buckling (SB) in 49 (81.7%) eyes and combined SB and pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) in 11 (18.3%) eyes. Preoperative BCVA correlated with BCVA at last follow-up visit (r = 0.66; P < 0.001). At last visit, the SB group had a mean logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution BCVA of 0.36 (20/46) and a single-operation success rate of 76.9% at 6 months, whereas the SB/PPV group had a mean logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution BCVA of 1.08 (20/238) and single-operation success rate of 77.8% (P = 0.04 and P = 0.96, respectively). Six eyes in the SB/PPV group received silicone oil tamponade. In eyes with at least 1 year of follow-up, 4 (14.8%) in the SB group and 6 (100%) in the SB/PPV group developed a visually significant cataract requiring cataract surgery (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Retinal detachment associated with retinal dialysis is typically associated with trauma and more often occurs in young male patients. The current study confirms that SB without PPV is an effective initial treatment strategy for most patients with retinal dialysis and has a low rate of cataract formation. FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE(S): Proprietary or commercial disclosure may be found in the Footnotes and Disclosures at the end of this article.

Dynamic Infrared Imaging of Vitreous Floaters.

Background and Objective: To evaluate the use of dynamic infrared (IR) imaging as a tool for the objective evaluation of symptomatic vitreous floaters and to correlate it with the patient symptomatology. Study Design/Materials and Methods: Retrospective study that examined 66 eyes of 44 patients with symptomatic and asymptomatic vitreous opacities. Patients were imaged using the Heidelberg Spectralis dynamic infrared (IR) image in video mode to record the vitreous movements and shadow artifacts within 30 degrees of the center of the macula. Patients were also asked how symptomatic their vitreous floaters were from absent to severe. After reviewing IR videos and OCT, a grading system was created to evaluate the floaters and a masked reader was asked to evaluate the videos and OCT based on the grading system created. Results: A total of 66 eyes were identified and examined with the IR videos, 50 were symptomatic, and 16 were asymptomatic. After masked review and analysis of the IR videos, there were 4 characteristics that correlated with the patient's symptoms: size, location, movement, and density of obscuration of the OCT B Scan by the vitreous opacity. A table with grading of these characteristics was created to analyze how symptomatic patients were. A masked grader was asked to grade the videos and OCT using the grading system created. A positive correlation was found between the masked grader and the symptoms of patients. (0.70039; p < 0.00001). Conclusion: Dynamic IR video capture of vitreous opacities is a new imaging technique that can qualitatively assess vitreous opacities in a way that correlates to a patient's symptoms. This imaging modality can provide a qualitative assessment of the patient's severity of symptoms based on the location, density, and movement of the visualized vitreous opacities in the imaged video.

Pars Plana Vitrectomy for Retained Lens Fragments After Cataract Surgery: Outcomes Based on Timing of Surgery.

Purpose: To evaluate the outcomes and complications in patients with retained lens fragments (RLF) after cataract surgery, comparing those who received pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) on the same day, within 1 week, or later than 1 week after cataract surgery. Patients and Methods: Retrospective case series of all patients who underwent PPV for RLF at Bascom Palmer Eye Institute between January 1, 2012 and September 30, 2020. Individuals with less than 3 months of follow-up, chronic uveitis, congenital cataract, previtrectomy retinal detachment (RD), and severe trauma were excluded. All analyses for categorical and binary variables used chi-squared tests. Analyses for continuous variables were performed using multivariate analyses of covariance, adjusting for differences in baseline visual acuity before cataract surgery. Results: The study included 246 eyes of 246 patients. The timing distribution included the following: 140 (57%) eyes underwent same-day PPV, 33 (13%) eyes underwent same-week PPV, and 73 (30%) eyes underwent PPV after 1 week (up to 90 days). When all eyes were included in analysis, there were no statistically significant differences in mean best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) between groups at last follow-up examination (P = 0.07). When only eyes without known pre-existing ocular disease (N = 157) were included in analysis, there were no differences in mean BCVA between groups at all postoperative timepoints (P > 0.05). The rate of RD did not differ between groups when eyes with and without pre-existing ocular disease were analyzed (P > 0.05). Conclusion: In the current study, there were no statistically significant differences in postoperative BCVA or rates of RD at last follow-up examination in eyes undergoing PPV for RLF on the same day, within 1 week, or later than 1 week after cataract surgery.

CHOROIDAL AMYLOID DEPOSITION: A Multicenter Study of Amyloid Lesions Identified in Late Indocyanine Green Angiography.

PURPOSE: To characterize choroidal amyloid angiopathy (CAA) using late-phase indocyanine green angiography (ICGA). METHODS: This was a multicenter retrospective observational case series on patients with transthyretin (ATTR) and AL amyloidosis who underwent ICGA. The timing of hyperfluorescence and longitudinal changes were analyzed. RESULTS: Thirty-two patients (27 with ATTR and 5 with AL) with mean age of 58.9 ± 17.4 years were included. Hyperfluorescent spots in the very late phases of ICGA, corresponding to CAA, were observed in 49 of 55 eyes (89%). The median time to maximal staining was 672 (95% confidence interval, 644-752) seconds, which was significantly later than the initial staining (503 [95% confidence interval, 447-521], P < 0.0001; Wilcoxon signed rank test). In seven patients with ATTR amyloidosis who underwent follow-up of ICGA, the CAA was stable in two patients and improved in five patients during treatment. However, 3 patients (43%) had worsening vitreous opacities in both eyes, and 4 patients (57%) developed secondary open-angle glaucoma. CONCLUSION: Most patients with amyloidosis were found to have CAA on ICGA. Up to 12.5 minutes is required for maximal ICG staining. Choroidal amyloid angiopathy improved in most patients with systemic treatment and may serve as a marker of systemic disease status.

Natural and artificial sources of genetic variation used in crop breeding: A baseline comparator for genome editing.

Traditional breeding has successfully selected beneficial traits for food, feed, and fibre crops over the last several thousand years. The last century has seen significant technological advancements particularly in marker assisted selection and the generation of induced genetic variation, including over the last few decades, through mutation breeding, genetic modification, and genome editing. While regulatory frameworks for traditional varietal development and for genetic modification with transgenes are broadly established, those for genome editing are lacking or are still evolving in many regions. In particular, the lack of "foreign" recombinant DNA in genome edited plants and that the resulting SNPs or INDELs are indistinguishable from those seen in traditional breeding has challenged development of new legislation. Where products of genome editing and other novel breeding technologies possess no transgenes and could have been generated via traditional methods, we argue that it is logical and proportionate to apply equivalent legislative oversight that already exists for traditional breeding and novel foods. This review analyses the types and the scale of spontaneous and induced genetic variation that can be selected during traditional plant breeding activities. It provides a base line from which to judge whether genetic changes brought about by techniques of genome editing or other reverse genetic methods are indeed comparable to those routinely found using traditional methods of plant breeding.

Diagnosis and management of iatrogenic trochar-induced cyclodialysis cleft with intraoperative gonioscopy and argon endolaser.

Purpose: To report a case of iatrogenic vitrectomy trochar-induced cyclodialysis cleft successfully treated with intraoperative argon endolaser. Observations: A 68-year-old Caucasian male with a history of high myopia underwent pars plana vitrectomy to clear symptomatic vitreous opacities but developed early postoperative hypotony that was recalcitrant to medical management for the first 6 postoperative months. Intraoperative gonioscopy demonstrated a cyclodialysis cleft and argon endolaser was applied to close the cleft. Conclusions and Importance: Endolaser is an effective treatment for cyclodialysis clefts and intraoperative gonioscopy allows direct visualization of the cleft in a controlled operating room setting. Placement of vitrectomy ports should be done with care in high myopes to avoid accidental piercing of the ciliary body and inducing a cyclodialysis cleft.

Pseudoangiomatous retinal gliosis (PARG) treated with iodine plaque in patient with chronic retinal detachment.

Purpose: To describe a case of a chronic retinal detachment complicated by the development of pre and subretinal hemorrhage secondary to a large pseudoangiomatous retinal gliosis (PARG) that interfered with retinal reattachment. After the lesion was regressed following plaque radiotherapy retinal reattachment was successfully completed. Observations: A 56y.o healthy man with known history of a chronic inferior rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RD) of the left eye (OS) presented to the Bascom Palmer Eye Institute (BPEI) emergency department (ED) complaining of new floaters OS. On examination, the patient had a visual acuity of 20/30 right eye (OD) and 20/200 OS. Fundoscopic examination showed a treated tear in OD and dense vitreous hemorrhage OS. Initial B-scan ultrasonography OS showed an inferior RD with diffuse hyperechoic material in the vitreous cavity, preretinal and subretinal space most consistent with hemorrhage. Three days later the patient presented with further vision loss and a repeat B scan showed total RD and increasing subretinal hemorrhage with a solid mass like lesion. At this point, decision was made to proceed with retinal detachment repair, removal of the vitreous hemorrhage, and retina evaluation. During surgery, a total retinal detachment was encountered with poor view of the inferior retina due to a large round vascular lesion in the subretinal space with surrounding hemorrhage and clots. The retina was reattached during surgery, however, the postop was complicated by recurrence of VH, dense hyphema, increased IOP, recurrence of retinal detachment, and growth of the mass like lesion noted during surgery. Consultation with ocular oncology diagnosed the patient with secondary PARG lesion and plaque radiotherapy was given achieving remarkable regression of the lesion. After the lesion had regressed, successful retinal reattachment was achieved, and the patient had excellent visual recovery. Conclusion and importance: PARG lesions are uncommon in particular when associated to chronic retinal detachments. This case highlights the importance of having a high clinical suspicion for the development of these lesions to diagnose them correctly and treat them aggressively with plaque radiotherapy in order to be able to manage the underlying complex retinal detachment.

Surgical Outcomes of Acute Retinal Necrosis-Related Retinal Detachment in Polymerase Chain Reaction-Positive Patients: A Single-Center Experience.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the clinical features, operative techniques, and surgical outcomes of patients who underwent surgery for acute retinal necrosis (ARN)-related retinal detachment (RD). DESIGN: Retrospective, longitudinal, consecutive case series. PARTICIPANTS: Patients with polymerase chain reaction-positive ARN presenting from 2011 to 2021 who underwent vitreoretinal surgery for ARN-related RD at our institution. METHODS: Univariate, multivariate, and survival analyses were used to determine predictors of anatomic and functional outcomes. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Single-surgery anatomic success rate, recurrent RD, and visual acuity (VA) at 1 year. RESULTS: Thirty-four eyes of 34 patients (32.4% women, mean age, 45.1 ± 20.4 years) were included for analysis with a median follow-up of 2.5 years (interquartile range [IQR], 0.8-5.5 years). Presenting VA was 1.1 ± 0.8 logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution (LogMAR) (Snellen ∼20/250). The median time from presentation to RD surgery was 1.7 months (IQR, 0.8-4.1 months), and the mean preoperative VA was 1.6 ± 0.8 LogMAR (Snellen ∼20/800). Small-gauge pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) with or without a scleral buckle (SB) was performed for all eyes with an overall single-surgery success rate of 63.6%, with no statistically significant differences in visual/anatomic outcomes between PPV and PPV/SB cases. Silicone oil was used for tamponade in 33 (97.1%) cases and was removed in 10 (30.3%) with good anatomic and final functional outcomes (Snellen âˆ¼20/80). Independent predictors of recurrent RD included the female sex (hazard ratio, 8.38; 95% confidence interval, 2.03-34.68; P < 0.01) and zone 1 retinitis involvement at presentation (hazard ratio, 10.95; 95% confidence interval, 2.12-56.48; P < 0.01). The mean VA at 1 year (VA1year) and at the final follow-up both had a Snellen equivalent of 20/640 (P > 0.05 for both compared with preoperative VA, respectively). Eyes that achieved single-surgery success had VA1year of 20/200 versus hand movements in those with single-surgery failure (P < 0.01). On multivariate linear regression, younger age (P = 0.04) and better presenting VA (P < 0.01) were both associated with better VA1year. CONCLUSIONS: Moderate single-surgery anatomic success can be achieved with modern vitreoretinal surgical techniques for ARN-related RD, although visual outcomes remain poor. Further studies investigating interventions for increasing single-surgery success rates, for the inflammatory complications of ARN, and for preventing ARN-related RD are needed.

Outcomes of Pars Plana Vitrectomy Alone versus Combined Scleral Buckling plus Pars Plana Vitrectomy for Primary Retinal Detachment.

PURPOSE: We compared the outcomes of primary uncomplicated rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD) repair using pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) alone versus combined scleral buckling plus PPV (SB+PPV). DESIGN: Retrospective, observational study. PARTICIPANTS: Patients with primary RRD who underwent PPV or SB+PPV from June 1, 2014, through December 31, 2017. METHODS: We performed a single-institution, retrospective, observational study of 488 consecutive patients with primary RRD repaired via PPV alone or SB+PPV and gas tamponade. We excluded patients younger than 18 years and those with advanced proliferative vitreoretinopathy, giant retinal tear, trauma, or secondary forms of RRD. We performed logistic regression and Cox proportional hazard regression analyses to identify potential risk factors associated with a retinal redetachment. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Single-operation anatomic success (SOAS), defined as adequate retinal reattachment achieved with only 1 procedure. RESULTS: The mean follow-up interval was 14.3 months. Single-operation anatomic success and final anatomic success were achieved in 425 eyes (87.1%) and 487 eyes (99.8%), respectively. Single-operation anatomic success was achieved in 90 of 111 eyes (81.1%) with PPV alone compared with 345 of 374 eyes (92.2%) with SB+PPV (P = 0.0010). Scleral buckling plus PPV showed greater SOAS than PPV alone in phakic eyes (P < 0.0001), but not in eyes with a posterior chamber intraocular lens (PCIOL). Retinal redetachments occurred on average at 1.5 and 9 months after the initial surgery. Significant best-corrected visual acuity improvement was associated with SOAS (P < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: Scleral buckling plus PPV resulted in greater SOAS outcomes than PPV alone for primary RRD repair. Phakic eyes achieved greater surgical success with SB+PPV, whereas eyes with a PCIOL achieved similar results with both methods. Most retinal redetachments occurred within the initial postoperative 3-month period. Single-operation anatomic success was associated with statistically significant visual improvement.

Refractive Outcomes of Four-Point Scleral Fixation of Akreos AO60 Intraocular Lens Using Gore-Tex Suture.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVE: To determine the refractive outcomes after 4-point scleral fixation of the Akreos AO60 intraocular lens with Gore-Tex suture. METHODS: This was a single referral center, multi-surgeon, retrospective consecutive case series. A total of 63 eyes met the inclusion criteria for having received surgical implantation of the Akreos AO60 intraocular lens with Gore-Tex suture from August 2014 to December 2018. Exclusion criteria included all ocular pathology that precluded an accurate refraction, concurrent ocular surgery, poor corrected pre-operative visual potential, among other factors. Main outcome measures included post-operative uncorrected visual acuity (VA), best-corrected VA, and spherical equivalent deviation from target. RESULTS: Mean pre-operative BCVA was 0.67 ± 0.64 LogMAR (20/93 Snellen). Mean final post-operative BCVA was 0.17 ± 0.18 (20/28 Snellen) and mean final post-operative UCVA was 0.31 ± 0.22 (20/41 Snellen). Mean post-operative spherical equivalent was -0.57 D. Mean post-operative astigmatism was 0.85 D. CONCLUSION: Refractive outcomes after secondary implantation with Akreos AO60 are favorable in eyes with good visual potential.

The Influence of Surgical Timing on Clinical Outcomes in Primary Extramacular Retinal Detachment in a Tertiary Referral Center.

Purpose: This article reports the influence of timing on the clinical outcomes in primary extramacular rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD) at a tertiary referral center. Methods: A retrospective case series was conducted of all patients presenting between January 1, 2014 and December 31, 2016, with primary extramacular RRD. Retinal detachments with grade C proliferative vitreoretinopathy, combined tractional and RRD, eyes with inflammatory disease, and prior retinal surgery were excluded. The main outcome measures were single-operation anatomic success (SOAS), final anatomic success, and best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA). Results: There were 202 eyes of 198 patients with an average of 22 months' follow-up (range, 6-47 months). Eyes were operated on an average of 1.1 days after initial presentation. At last clinical examination, SOAS had been achieved in 174 (86%) eyes, final anatomic success in 200 (99%) eyes, and average postoperative logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution (logMAR) BCVA was 0.18 (Snellen equivalent, 20/30; SD, 0.36). In those treated the day of presentation, average postoperative logMAR BCVA was 0.18 (Snellen, 20/31) in comparison to 0.18 (Snellen, 20/30) in those treated the day after presentation and 0.14 (Snellen, 20/28) in those treated after 2 days or more (P = .92). Conclusions: Regarding timing of surgery, SOAS and BCVA outcomes in primary extramacular RRDs were favorable with an urgent and semiurgent approach to repair. There was no difference in visual and anatomic outcomes between patients who were operated on the day of presentation and those treated a short time later when clinical decisions were made by the treating surgeon on a case-by-case basis.

Surgical Outcomes Of Rhegmatogenous Retinal Detachment In Young Adults Ages 18-30 Years.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to investigate associations with and surgical outcomes of rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD) in young adults. METHODS: This is a retrospective consecutive case series of patients aged 18-30 years who underwent surgical repair for RRD between January 1, 2014 and December 1, 2016 at a university referral center. RESULTS: The current study includes 38 eyes with RRD. Documented high or moderate myopia was present in 28 (74%) eyes. Connective tissue disease was present in 3 (8%) eyes. Median pre-operative visual acuity (VA) was 20/70. Surgery was performed via scleral buckle (SB) alone in 27/38 (71%) and via combined SB and pars plana vitrectomy (SB/PPV) in 11/38 (29%) eyes. Single surgery anatomical success (SSAS) rate was 20/27 (74%) for SB and 7/11 (64%) for SB/PPV. The retina was reattached at last follow-up in 25/27 (93%) for SB and 11/11 (100%) for SB/PPV. The median postoperative VA was 20/40. CONCLUSION: In the current study of young adults with RRD, the most common association was high or moderate myopia. Visual and anatomic outcomes at last follow-up were generally favorable.

Clinical outcomes of 4-point scleral fixated 1-piece hydrophobic acrylic equiconvex intraocular lens using polytetrafluoroethylene suture.

PURPOSE: To report the visual outcomes and complications of scleral fixated intraocular lenses (IOLs) using Gore-Tex suture. METHODS: The current study is a retrospective noncomparative case series including patients who underwent scleral fixation of IOL (Akreos AO60) using Gore-Tex suture from August 2015 to March 2017 at a university teaching center. Primary outcome measures were visual acuity and complications at last follow-up. RESULTS: The current study included 49 eyes of 48 patients. Mean follow-up duration postsurgery was 6.9 months (range: 0.9-29.4 months). The indications for secondary IOL surgery were dislocated IOL in 16/49 (33%), subluxed IOL in 9/49 (18%), dislocated or subluxed crystalline lens in 9/49 (18%), traumatic cataract in 8/49 (16%), and complicated cataract surgery in 7/49 (14%). Mean best-corrected logMAR visual acuity improved from 1±0.7 (20/200 Snellen equivalent) preoperatively to 0.5±0.5 (20/63 Snellen equivalent) at last follow-up. There were no intraoperative complications noted. Early postoperative complications included significant persistent corneal edema (longer than 1 week) in 4/49 (8.2%), ocular hypertension (intraocular pressure ≥25 mmHg) in 8/49 (16.3%), hypotony (intraocular pressure ≤5 mmHg) in 6/49 (12.2%), cystoid macular edema 3/21 (6.1%), IOL tilt 2/49 (4.1%), hyphema in 2/49 (4.1%), and vitreous hemorrhage in 5/49 (4.8%). There was one case of recurrent retinal detachment. One patient presented with an erosion of the Gore-Tex suture through the conjunctiva resulting in a purulent scleritis 6 months after the initial surgery, and was managed with removal of the IOL, debridement, and cryotherapy. Forty-one of 49 patients completed 3-month follow-up, among which visual acuity improved, deteriorated, or remained same compared to baseline in 27/49 (55.1%), 8/49 (16.3%), and 6/49 (12.2%) eyes, respectively. CONCLUSION: In the current study, visual acuity outcomes were generally favorable. The complications were largely transient. Significant complications included a suture-related infection, which required removal of the IOL, and a recurrence of a retinal detachment.

Diabetic Macular Edema: Current Understanding, Pharmacologic Treatment Options, and Developing Therapies.

Diabetic retinopathy and diabetic macular edema comprise a major source of visual disability throughout the developed world. The etiology and pathogenesis of macular edema is intricate and multifactorial, in which the hyperglycemic state in diabetes induces a microangiopathy. Through several inflammatory and vasogenic mediators, including vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) upregulation and inflammatory cytokines and chemokines, pathologic changes are induced in the vascular endothelium triggering breakdown of the blood retinal barrier, causing extravasation of fluid into the extracellular space and manifesting clinically as macular edema, resulting in visual loss. The advent of medications targeting the VEGF pathway has led to great clinical improvements compared with the previous standard of care of laser therapy alone, as shown in studies such as RISE, RIDE, VIVID, VISTA, and DRCR. However, analyses have shown that many patients have inadequate response or are nonresponders to anti-VEGF therapy, demonstrating the need for additional therapies to more comprehensively treat this disease. Although corticosteroid treatments and implants have demonstrated some efficacy in adjunctive and supplemental treatment, the need to more adequately treat macular edema remains. Our knowledge of diabetic macular edema continues to grow, leading to new currently available and emerging pharmacotherapies to further enhance our treatment and restore vision in those affected by diabetic macular edema. This review will discuss the pathogenesis of diabetic macular edema and the pharmacologic therapies available for its treatment, including anti-VEGF, steroids, and newer therapies still in development, such as angiopoietin antagonists, Tie2 agonists, kallikrein inhibitors, interleukin inhibitors, and others.

Visually Significant Cystoid Macula Edema After Glaucoma Drainage Implant Surgery.

PURPOSE: This study examines the incidence of visually significant cystoid macular edema (CME) after glaucoma drainage implant (GDI) surgery and analyses risk factors associated with developing CME and prognosis with treatment. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In total, 185 eyes from 185 glaucoma patients (mean age, 72.46±13.94 y) who underwent GDI surgery at a tertiary eye institute were recruited. Patients were classified based on the presence (CME) or absence (No-CME) of CME. Pre-GDI and post-GDI best-corrected visual acuity, number of intraocular pressure (IOP)-lowering medications, IOP, standard automated perimetry and post-GDI complications, were recorded and compared between the 2 groups. Optical coherence tomography (OCT) was used to quantify retinal thickness and monitor CME. RESULTS: In total, 41 (22.2%) eyes developed visually significant CME after GDI surgery. Patients with CME had a higher incidence of pre-GDI nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (P<0.01) use and higher number of prior glaucoma surgeries (P<0.01). CME patients had a higher (P<0.01) incidence of iritis, epiretinal membrane, and hypotony. CME eyes responded well to steroids, with resolving macular edema (458.4±151.9 vs. 322.0±92.0 µm, P<0.01) and improving visual acuity (0.73±0.48 vs. 0.56±0.56 logarithm of minimum angle of resolution, P<0.01). Both CME and non-CME groups had equivalent lowering of IOP and post-GDI glaucoma medications; with no significant elevation in IOP in the steroid-treated CME group. CONCLUSIONS: Post-GDI surgery visually significant CME rates are potentially higher in a real hospital scenario compared with controlled clinical trials. With diligent treatment, CME resolves effectively restoring visual acuity and central macular thickness.

Visualization of the retina and vitreous during vitreoretinal surgery: new technologies.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Visualization remains a critical factor in successful ocular surgery.Here we review new technology that has the potential to allow for safer and more efficient retinal surgery. RECENT FINDINGS: Vitreoretinal surgery poses unique visualization challenges such as the need for specialized optical systems and the delicate and microscopic features of retinal structures. Better retinal visualization allows for new approaches to increasingly complex retinal cases. Wide-angle viewing has allowed stereopic visualization of the peripheral retina. Improved lighting systems have shown better safety profiles and can facilitate bimanual techniques. The potential to improve surgical decision making has been shown with intraoperative imaging such as optical coherence tomography. SUMMARY: Although some of the benefits of these developments have yet to be proven, improved technology for visualization during retinal surgery will hopefully allow for safer and more efficient surgeries.

Clinical Features and Management of Subretinal Abscesses Secondary to Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus Endogenous Endophthalmitis.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: To describe the clinical features, management, and immediate outcomes of patients with subretinal abscesses secondary to methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) endogenous endophthalmitis. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Eleven eyes of seven patients were identified by retrospective chart review. Demographics, initial presentation, examination findings, imaging, cultures, treatments, and short-term outcomes were reviewed. RESULTS: Eleven eyes of seven patients presented with subretinal abscesses secondary to MRSA endogenous endophthalmitis. Four had history of recurrent MRSA infections or active soft-tissue ulceration. Six underwent vitreous tap for culture without growth. Three had positive blood cultures for MRSA. Six received empiric therapy with intravenous vancomycin, one received oral trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, and six received intravitreal vancomycin. Consolidation of abscesses was seen within days of initial treatment. Visual outcomes were contingent on abscess location and time to initial treatment. CONCLUSION: Prompt diagnosis and systemic antibiotic therapy is paramount in the treatment of this rare presentation. [Ophthalmic Surg Lasers Imaging Retina. 2017;48:134-142.].