In-Office Sulfur Hexafluoride (SF6) Injection to Close Recently Operated or Reopened Macular Holes: A Minimal Approach Technique.

To describe an in-office minimal approach technique for closing recently operated full thickness macular holes (FTMH), when closure was not fully achieved or there was macular hole re-formation, without performing another pars plana vitrectomy (PPV). Retrospective case series study. Nine patients were included in this case series. All patients were diagnosed with FTMH characterized by a decrease in visual acuity (VA) and metamorphopsias. All patients initially underwent a standard PPV procedure with 20% sulfur hexafluoride (SF6) injection. After 1-16 weeks, no closure or reformation of the macular hole was observed. Fluid-SF6 exchange was performed in the slit lamp, with the aim of injecting a 50% gas bubble of pure SF6 into the vitreous cavity, according to a minimally invasive in-office technique. Postoperatively, all patients achieved successful macular hole closure and VA showed an average improvement of approximately 4 lines on the EDTRS logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution (logMAR) chart. In particular, the mean corrected distance visual acuity improved from 0.99 ± 0.27 logMAR to 0.33 ± 0.23 logMAR (P = 0.03). The minimal surgical in-office technique of SF6 injection for the management of reopened macular holes after a recent PPV procedure shows promising results.

Learning curve of sutureless transconjunctival 20-gauge vitrectomy.

BACKGROUND: To report the learning curve of transition from 20-gauge (20 G) conventional vitrectomy to a 20 G sutureless vitrectomy technique. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This is a retrospective descriptive case study of 32 eyes from 32 consecutive patients who underwent sutureless 20 G pars plana vitrectomy. A 20 G microvitreoretinal blade was introduced, beveled transconjunctivally, slowly, parallel with the limbus, creating a conjunctivoscleral tunnel incision. Study participants were divided into three groups, and surgical time, induced astigmatism, and complications were compared. RESULTS: Of 32 consecutive patients, there was no significant difference in induced astigmatism or maneuvering between the early learning curve and other groups. The true learning curve was the first three patients. There were three cases where suturing the sclerotomy was necessary: one port in each case, three of 32 cases (9.3%), or three of 96 ports (2.9%). CONCLUSION: There were no significant difficulties in surgical maneuvers while performing 20 g sutureless vitrectomy.

Surgical treatment of retinal detachment associated with degenerative retinoschisis.

PURPOSE: Although degenerative retinoschisis is almost always asymptomatic, retinal detachment occurs in some patients with outer layer breaks (OLBs). The purpose of this study is to evaluate the different surgical techniques used for the treatment of this condition. METHODS: Retrospective interventional case series. The patients underwent either a Scleral-Buckling procedure (SB) or a 3-port pars plana vitrectomy (V). Pre-, intra-, and post-operative data were analyzed for the two groups. RESULTS: Thirty eyes of 30 consecutive patients were included in the analysis. There was a statistically significant difference (0.5 ± 0.48 LogMAR units for the SB group, 1.37 ± 1.4 LogMAR units for the V group, p = 0.027) in final BCVA when the two groups were compared, whereas there was no statistically significant difference in the baseline BCVA between the two groups (p = 0.38). The proportion of cases that were successfully attached with one operation was slightly lower in the V group (62% versus 76%). Conversely, the proportion of cases that were successfully attached with more than one operation was similar in both groups (23% and 24%, respectively). CONCLUSION: The present study highlights that retinoschisis-associated RD is a demanding situation to treat and remains a challenge for vitreoretinal surgeons. Scleral buckle procedure was found to be successful in eyes that have peripheral OLBs and not extensive RDs, and PPV should be considered for treating symptomatic, rather extensive schisis-RDs, especially in cases with large or posterior outer layer breaks.

Perfluorocarbon liquids in vitreoretinal surgery: a review of applications and toxicity.

Since their introduction by Chang et al. in 1987, perfluorocarbon liquids (PFCLs) have become a useful tool in vitreoretinal surgery. They are synthetic compounds with carbon-fluorine chemical chains that have specific physico-chemical properties, which make them valuable for the intraoperative management of the retina by simplifying vitreoretinal surgical maneuvers in a variety of settings. These maneuvers include retinal detachments associated with proliferative vitreous retinopathy, following penetrating trauma, giant retinal tears, dislocated lenses or lens implants and complications from proliferative diabetic vitreoretinopathy. Purified PFCLs are generally considered to be biologically inert. Despite the stability of PFCLs during vitreoretinal surgery, several studies have indicated that these compounds may be associated with toxicity in ocular tissues. The purpose of this review is to report the use and toxicity of PFCLs in vitreoretinal surgery and to present the latest perspectives on modified PFCLs (hydrofluorocarbon liquids (HFCLs) and HFCL-oligomers).

Does sulfur-hexafluoride tamponade, as an adjunct to vitrectomy and internal-limiting-membrane peeling, suffice for the treatment of retinal detachment associated with macular hole?

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy of sulfur hexafluoride tamponade, as an adjunct to vitrectomy and internal-limiting-membrane peeling, for the treatment of retinal detachment (RD) associated with macular hole (MH). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Our study was a retrospective interventional case series. We evaluated 9 phakic eyes of 9 consecutive patients with retinal detachment secondary to macular hole (MHRD) treated with 20-gauge (g) pars plana vitrectomy, which was followed with trypan blue-assisted internal-limiting-membrane peeling, fluid-air exchange, and 20% sulfur hexafluoride tamponade (SF(6)) gas exchange. All patients underwent optical coherence tomography, best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) measurement, and dilated fundus examination with indentation, pre- and postoperatively. RESULTS: The mean (± standard deviation) follow-up time was 13 ± 3 months (range 9-18). Postoperatively, all eyes demonstrated an attached retina, whereas MH closure was achieved in only 1 eye, and in a second eye after additional injection of gas and further posturing. The BCVA improved from 2.2 ± 0.4 logMAR (logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution) at baseline to 2.0 ± 0.5 logMAR at the end of follow-up (p = .05). CONCLUSION: The failure in MH closure in most of our cases strengthens the view that short-term tamponade with SF(6) may not suffice for achieving MH closure, and either prolonged tamponade (with C(3)F(8) or silicone oil) or additional photocoagulation may be a better option for eyes with MHRDs. In addition, it is possible that intravitreal injection of gas might be an option for the treatment of persistent MHs after vitrectomy for MHRD, especially when the MH is small. Further studies are required to evaluate the above findings, although the implementation of large series studies remains a challenge because of the rarity of cases with MHRDs.

Presumed endophthalmitis following Boston keratoprosthesis treated with 25 gauge vitrectomy: a report of three cases.

BACKGROUND: Although endophthalmitis is known to occur frequently in patients with KPros, the management remains a challenge both due to the lack of evidence and the exceptionality of the examination and the therapeutic approach. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Three patients implanted with Boston keratoprosthesis for management of ocular cicatricial pemphigoid and severe alkali injury presented with severe late-onset (10-24 months post-operatively), presumed bacterial endophthalmitis. Three-port 25-gauge (g) pars plana vitrectomy was performed in all patients; vitreous samples were acquired and intravitreal vancomycin and cefuroxime were administered. RESULTS: Post-operative outcome was significantly improved in all three cases. Visual acuity improved from perception of light (PL) to 20/400 in the first, PL to counting fingers in the second and PL to 20/400 in the third patient. CONCLUSION: We present our experience from managing presumed bacterial endophthalmitis with 25 g PPV in patients previously implanted with Boston Kpro, which to the best of our knowledge has not been reported before. Although the number of cases is small to draw accurate conclusions, we have to report that 25 g vitrectomy was performed without significant difficulties and seems to be a useful tool for the management of patients with Kpros requiring vitreoretinal surgery.

Optic disc pit maculopathy treated with vitrectomy, internal limiting membrane peeling, and gas tamponade: a report of two cases.

PURPOSE: Two cases with optic disc pit associated maculopathy, treated with vitrectomy surgery with internal limiting membrane peeling (ILM) and gas tamponade, are presented. METHODS: Interventional case reports. RESULTS: Two patients with serous macular detachment associated with a congenital optic pit underwent vitrectomy surgery, induction of posterior vitreous detachment, peeling of the ILM, and gas tamponade. In both cases, complete resolution of intraretinal and subretinal fluid was observed within a few months after surgery. The retina remained attached during a follow-up of 12 months and the visual acuity of both patients improved. CONCLUSIONS: Vitrectomy with ILM peeling and gas tamponade without any additional laser photocoagulation seems to be sufficient for the treatment of optic disc pit maculopathy. Further studies are required to evaluate the above findings, although the implementation of large-series studies remains a challenge due to the rarity of cases with optic disc maculopathy.

Sutureless Transconjunctival 20 Gauge pars plana Vitrectomy.

PURPOSE: Sutureless Transconjunctival 20 Gauge Vitrectomy (20G STV) is a technique that reduces the operating time and the post-operative inflammation. PATIENTS AND METHOD: Eighty-four eyes underwent this new technique. Conjunctival diathermy over the ports before sclerostomy produced adhesions adequate to stop transoperative conjunctival chemosis. The MVR blade introduced into the conjunctiva-sclera in a bevelled direction. The tunnel incision that was created left without a suture at the end of the operation. RESULTS: Three patients (3,5%) had hypotony (2-6 mmHg) on day 1 that was normalized 3 days later. Two of them had a bleb formation and the rest a very minor leakage through a flat conjunctiva. No other serious complications occurred as a result of this novel transconjunctival approach. Also there were no differences in visual acuity, intraocular pressure, redetachments, or inflammations between the patients who underwent this technique and the patients having the conventional 20-gauge pars plana technique. CONCLUSION: 20G STV is a safe and practical technique for the full spectrum of vitreoretinal surgery. It makes the surgery quicker and is well tolerated by patients.

Perifoveal traction retinal detachment following successful optic disc pit surgery.

A 25-year-old male presented 8 years after a successful vitreoretinal operation for a left optic disc pit (ODP). On presentation his visual acuity had reduced from 6/5 (20/15) to 6/12 (20/40) in his operated eye. On examination an annular serous retinal detachment possibly secondary to tangential traction by either the internal limiting membrane (ILM) or residual lamellar vitreous cortex or both around the peripheral macular area was seen. The central fovea was flat. Following an uncomplicated vitrectomy and ILM peel, visual acuity improved to 6/6 (20/20) postoperatively. The author suggests that traction forces are responsible for the development of the serous detachment in eyes with ODP. Epiretinal membranes together with the ILM should be removed in all patients undergoing therapy for a retinal detachment associated with ODP in an effort to initially achieve a further relief of all forces and to try to avoid the late retinal detachment associated with epiretinal membrane or ILM contraction.

Lamina puncture: pars plana optic disc surgery for central retinal vein occlusion.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the feasibility of creating a perivascular space adjacent to the central retinal vein at the level of the lamina cribrosa as a potential method of reestablishing perfusion in central retinal vein occlusion. METHODS: Various designs for a puncture instrument, or lamina puncture lancet, were investigated in cadavers, pigs that had undergone enucleation, and in vivo rabbit eyes. RESULTS: A lancet with a sharp cutting edge on one side and an opposing blunt edge is repeatedly able to create a perivascular space with limited optic nerve fiber damage. CONCLUSIONS: Lamina puncture is technically feasible, and evaluation in carefully selected patients appears warranted.