Cryotherapy versus Laser Does Not Influence Anatomic Success after Vitrectomy for Primary Rhegmatogenous Retinal Detachment Repair: Registry Analysis of 2413 Patients.

PURPOSE: To determine whether a difference exists between cryotherapy and endolaser photocoagulation retinopexy in terms of the rates of anatomic success after primary rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD) repair with pars plana vitrectomy (PPV). DESIGN: Registry-based, nonrandomized, observational cohort study. SUBJECTS: Eyes with primary RRD in a binational retinal surgery registry that underwent repair with PPV and had a minimum of 3 months of follow-up. METHODS: Cases were recorded prospectively by participating surgeons, and the outcomes were recorded at 3 months. A generalized mixed model approach was used to compare the effect of retinopexy type on the outcomes. Variables known to be associated with retinal surgical success were considered as covariates for the final model. The eyes were divided into 2 groups: Cryo group (receiving cryotherapy as the only form of retinopexy) and Laser group (receiving endolaser as the only form of retinopexy). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The primary endpoint was the proportion of patients with stable retinal reattachment without the need for further retinal detachment surgery, assessed 3 months after the surgery. Failure was defined as either retinal redetachment or foveal attachment with long-term silicone oil tamponade at the endpoint. The secondary outcome measured was visual acuity at 3 months compared with baseline measurements. RESULTS: A total of 2413 patients were included, and the overall single-procedure success rate was 85%. There was no statistically significant difference in surgical success between the adjusted proportion of successful reattachment for the Cryo group (87%) and that of successful reattachment for the Laser group (82%) (P = 0.84; odds ratio, 1.04; 95% confidence interval, 0.74-1.46). There was no difference in the mean change in the visual outcomes at 3 months between the groups (adjusted mean change of -0.48 logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution [logMAR] for the Cryo group vs. -0.50 logMAR for the Laser group, P = 0.82). CONCLUSIONS: The choice of cryotherapy versus endolaser retinopexy was observed to influence neither the anatomic success of PPV for RRD nor the visual acuity outcomes at 3 months after the surgery.

Epiretinal membrane: A review.

The prevalence of epiretinal membrane (ERM) is 7% to 11.8%, with increasing age being the most important risk factor. Although most ERM is idiopathic, common secondary causes include cataract surgery, retinal vascular disease, uveitis and retinal tears. The myofibroblastic pre-retinal cells are thought to transdifferentiate from glial and retinal pigment epithelial cells that reach the retinal surface via defects in the internal limiting membrane (ILM) or from the vitreous cavity. Grading schemes have evolved from clinical signs to ocular coherence tomography (OCT) based classification with associated features such as the cotton ball sign. Features predictive of better prognosis include absence of ectopic inner foveal layers, cystoid macular oedema, acquired vitelliform lesions and ellipsoid and cone outer segment termination defects. OCT-angiography shows reduced size of the foveal avascular zone. Vitrectomy with membrane peeling remains the mainstay of treatment for symptomatic ERMs. Additional ILM peeling reduces recurrence but is associated with anatomical changes including inner retinal dimpling.

POPPER MACULOPATHY: LONG-TERM FOLLOW-UP AND CASE SERIES.

PURPOSE: To report a case series of popper maculopathy. METHODS: Clinical history, examination findings, retinal imaging, and progress of the disease are described. RESULTS: Four male patients with a mean age of 37 years (range 25-48) and different duration of popper use (ranging from first time user to chronic user) presented with central scotomata, phosphenes, or photophobia. Optical coherence tomography in all cases demonstrated subfoveal disruption of the ellipsoid zone. Three cases also showed hyperreflectivity of the ellipsoid zone, and one case had a foveal detachment. Chronic user of poppers was associated with more severe macular changes. One patient had a 3-year follow-up and demonstrated complete resolution of signs on retinal imaging after ceasing popper use. CONCLUSION: Popper maculopathy may show complete resolution of signs on long-term follow-up, even after chronic popper ingestion.

Primary Choroidal Lymphoma Diagnosed with 27-Gauge Pars Plana Vitrectomy Choroidal Biopsy.

BACKGROUND: Currently, transvitreal fine-needle aspiration biopsy is the most widely used tissue biopsy technique in cases of suspected intraocular lymphoma due to its relative simplicity and low trauma. The small sample produced, however, may be inadequate for diagnostic and prognostic analyses due to mechanical artefacts, insufficient material, or sampling errors. Small case series have demonstrated choroidal biopsy via vitrectomy to be safe and effective. With smaller-gauge vitrectomy instruments, visual recovery is rapid, and post-operative inflammation and conjunctival scarring is minimised. Furthermore, smaller-gauge instrumentation does not appear to affect the diagnostic yield of biopsies for intraocular lymphoma in vitro. We report a case of primary choroidal lymphoma successfully diagnosed with 27-gauge pars plana vitrectomy choroidal biopsy. CASE PRESENTATION: A 72-year-old female presented with a 6-month history of painless blurred vision in her right eye. Fundus examination revealed a large pale choroidal mass centred on the posterior pole with overlying exudative retinal detachment. Enhanced depth imaging optical coherence tomography revealed a markedly thickened choroid with an undulating appearance. B-scan ultrasonography demonstrated diffuse, smooth thickening of the choroid, and retrobulbar extrascleral hypoechoic nodules. A 27-gauge pars plana vitrectomy was performed and choroidal biopsy taken. Histopathologic, immunohistochemical, and flow cytometry studies confirmed a diagnosis of extranodal marginal zone B-cell lymphoma. Systemic workup found no evidence of systemic lymphoma. As such, the patient was diagnosed with primary choroidal lymphoma. She underwent intensity-modulated external beam radiotherapy with subsequent resolution of disease. CONCLUSIONS: Primary choroidal lymphoma can be safely and effectively diagnosed via 27-gauge vitrectomy choroidal biopsy.

NEW FINDINGS FROM MULTIMODAL FUNDUS IMAGING OVER 3 YEARS OF A PATIENT WITH MICROCEPHALY, CHORIORETINOPATHY, AND KIF11 MUTATION.

PURPOSE: To describe ocular features and long-term follow-up in a patient with microcephaly, chorioretinopathy, and KIF11 mutation. METHODS: Multimodal imaging including fundus color photography, autofluorescence, spectral-domain optical coherence tomography, visual fields, electrophysiologic assessment, and neuroimaging. RESULTS: A 44-year-old man with microcephaly and long-standing poor vision in his right eye presented for general ophthalmic review. Fundus examination revealed bilateral, symmetrical, inferior, atrophic chorioretinal lacunae, outer retinal and retinal pigment epithelial atrophy, curvilinear streaks, and retinal arteriolar sheathing. These findings were documented over a 3-year period by multimodal imaging and showed slow progressive deterioration in visual acuity, visual field testing, and fundus autofluorescence appearance. Genetic testing confirmed a KIF11 gene mutation. CONCLUSION: Curvilinear streaks and retinal arteriolar sheathing in this patient expand on the more typical fundus findings of KIF11 mutations. The outer retina is preferentially involved, and there is anatomical sparing of the macula until later in the disease state when multifocal electroretinography indicates functional impairment. Lacunae represent scleral depressions with the loss of overlying choroid and outer retina. Slow atrophic progression with loss of vision may occur over time.

SUCCESSFUL CLOSURE OF FULL-THICKNESS MACULAR HOLES SECONDARY TO MACULAR VITELLIFORM LESIONS.

PURPOSE: To describe the first reported cases of full-thickness macular holes secondary to vitelliform lesions that were successfully closed with vitrectomy surgery and gas tamponade. METHODS: Two female patients developed visual loss secondary to bilateral vitelliform lesions and associated full-thickness macular holes. The patients underwent 25-gauge pars plana vitrectomy, internal limiting membrane peeling, and 26% sulfur hexafluoride gas, followed by 3 days of face-down positioning. RESULTS: In both patients, the macular holes remain closed 3 and 25 months postoperatively. CONCLUSION: Vitrectomy surgery with gas tamponade may successfully close full-thickness macular holes secondary to macular vitelliform lesions.

Two cases of very late-onset capsular bag distension syndrome.

PURPOSE: We present two cases of late-onset capsular bag distension syndrome (CBDS). OBSERVATIONS: Two female patients were referred with decreased visual acuity and blurred vision. They had both undergone uncomplicated phacoemulsification and intraocular lens implantation into the capsular bag, seven and 13 years prior.Slit-lamp biomicroscopy and anterior segment optical coherence tomography demonstrated milky fluid between the intraocular lens and posterior capsules, consistent with late-onset capsular bag distension syndrome. A 25-gauge pars plana vitrectomy surgery was performed on each patient.This turbid retrolental fluid was successfully aspirated with posterior capsulotomy using 25-gauge pars plana vitrectomy surgery. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPORTANCE: Late-onset capsular bag distension syndrome may occur up to 13 years following cataract surgery; the longest reported duration of onset. Anterior segment optical coherence tomography is useful in aiding diagnosis. Management with vitrectomy surgery has the advantages of complete clearance of the turbid fluid and microbial and pathological testing.

Patient shoe covers: Transferring bacteria from the floor onto surgical bedsheets.

Forty disposable medical shoe covers were briefly exposed to the surgical floor and were found contaminated by a large number of bacteria. This study also demonstrated live bacteria, including pathogens attached to contaminated shoe covers, can be subsequently transferred to surgical bedsheets. We suggest an infection control policy should be considered to prevent patients returning to their bed with contaminated disposable shoe covers.