Autologous anterior lens capsule flap and serum transplant in managing idiopathic and refractory full-thickness macular holes.

PURPOSE: To report the results of pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) with inner limiting membrane (ILM) peeling alongside phacoemulsification and intraocular lens (IOL) implantation with autologous anterior lens capsule flap (ALCF) and autologous serum transplantation (AST) into full-thickness macular holes (FTMH) and 14% perfluoropropane (C3F8) tamponade for idiopathic and refractory FTMHs. METHODS: Retrospective study involving eleven patients with idiopathic FMTHs and seven with refractory FMTHs after standard surgery with PPV, ILM peeling, and gas tamponade. All eyes underwent a 'combination procedure' of PPV with ILM peeling alongside phacoemulsification and IOL implantation with autologous ALCF and AST into the FTMH and 14% C3F8 tamponade. A face-down position for one week was recommended. RESULTS: The mean preoperative FMTH size was 558.95 ± 186.30 µm. Seven patients aged 64 ± 5 years had a refractory FMTH and eleven patients with a mean age of 63.72 ± 4.97 years had an idiopathic FMTH. The main BCVA improvement six months postoperatively was 0.3 ± 0.29 logMAR. Seventeen macular holes fully closed six months postoperatively, with one FTMH closure failure because of a retinal detachment. CONCLUSIONS: ALCF transplantation alongside AST may help to improve the closure rate and visual outcomes in both idiopathic and refractory FMTHs.

A Case of Traumatic Submacular Hemorrhage Treated with tPA and Pneumatic Displacement.

This is a case of a 31-year-old female who presented to the emergency department at a London teaching hospital with a 24-h history of visual loss following an assault. The ophthalmological routine examination showed a submacular hemorrhage (SMH), and a computerized tomography scan demonstrated a displaced orbital floor fracture with inferior rectus entrapment and a medial wall fracture. To induce displacement of the SMH, intravitreal injection of 0.25 µg tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) was combined with 0.3 mL of intravitreal 100% perfluoropropane (C3F8) gas. At the 1-day follow-up, there was an inferotemporal displacement of the blood clot, and visual acuity improved from hand motions to 6/5 within 3 months. No complications occurred over 2 years of follow-up, with a final visual acuity of 6/5. This case shows us that intravitreal tPA and gas appear safe and effective as a treatment for traumatic SMHs. Furthermore, our results demonstrate that prompt treatment leads to favorable anatomical and functional outcomes.

Intravitreal gas for symptomatic vitreomacular adhesion: a synthesis of the literature.

Symptomatic vitreomacular adhesion (sVMA) is defined as visual loss secondary to foveal damage from vitreomacular traction (VMT) and includes isolated VMT, impending macular hole (MH), and full-thickness MH with persisting vitreous attachment. Management options include pars plana vitrectomy (PPV), intravitreal ocriplasmin, intravitreal gas injection or observation. This synthesis of the literature aimed to assess the safety and efficacy of intravitreal gas for sVMA. Articles describing patients with VMT or MH treated with intravitreal expansile gas were selected by systematic literature review using MEDLINE, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Database of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) up to September 2016. The main outcomes at 1 month and final review were logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution (logMAR) visual acuity (VA), anatomical success (absence of both VMT and MH, without PPV) and adverse events (AEs). The intended comparator was observation. Nine of 106 identified articles were eligible, and none were randomized controlled trials. The mean VA of 91 eyes improved from 0.55 (Snellen equivalent 6/21) to 0.48 (6/18) logMAR at 1 month and to 0.35 (6/13) logMAR at final review. The mean VA at final review, prior to a vitrectomy, was 0.42 (6/16). Anatomic success was 48% at 1 month and 57% at final review. The reported AEs comprised retinal detachment in two highly myopic eyes. Intravitreal gas injection can relieve sVMA. Larger controlled studies are needed to determine safety and efficacy relative to observation, ocriplasmin, or vitrectomy.

Gas Tamponade for Retinectomy in PVR-Related Retinal Detachments: A Retrospective Study.

INTRODUCTION: The purpose of the study was to evaluate the anatomical and functional results in patients with proliferative vitreoretinopathy (PVR) treated with retinectomy and perfluoro-octane gas (C3F8) as a tamponade agent. METHODS: 12 patients with inferior and anterior complicated PVR-related retinal detachment, who were treated with retinectomy, where C3F8 was used as the tamponade agent were examined. Primary outcome was the anatomical success, while visual acuity, existence of an epiretinal membrane (ERM) and intraocular pressure (IOP) postoperatively were secondary outcomes. RESULTS: The primary success rate was 75% (mean follow-up of 9.8 months). Reoperation was needed on 25% of patients after the retinectomy procedure. Preoperative best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) was poor due to macular involvement in all cases. BCVA was improved in three patients (25%), remained stable in 25% and deteriorated in 16.7%. Two patients were lost during the follow-up period. Postoperative ERM formation was noted in 33.3% of patients. One patient developed hypotony, while no other complications were observed. CONCLUSION: Retinectomy with C3F8 as the tamponade agent provides anatomical and functional restoration at a 75% primary success rate in PVR-related retinal detachment.

Safety testing of epimacular brachytherapy with microperimetry and indocyanine green angiography: 12-month results.

PURPOSE: To determine if epimacular brachytherapy is associated with reduced retinal sensitivity or choroidal nonperfusion. METHODS: A prospective intervention case series of 12 participants with neovascular age-related macular degeneration requiring frequent ranibizumab underwent vitrectomy and epimacular brachytherapy. The Strontium 90/Yttrium 90 source delivered a single 24-Gy dose at the center of the treatment zone. The dose attenuated with increasing distance from the source. Microperimetry and indocyanine green angiography were performed at baseline and 12 months. The main outcome measures were mean sensitivity and choroidal nonperfusion. A linear mixed model was used to assess the association between the dose of radiation and the change in mean sensitivity. RESULTS: Mean visual acuity remained within 1 letter of baseline at 12 months (-0.33 ± 13.2 letters). There was no statistically significant change in mean sensitivity within the neovascular age-related macular degeneration lesion area (gain of 0.94 ± 3.25 dB; P = 0.339) or in neighboring unaffected retina (0.66 ± 4.14 dB; P = 0.594), defined using fluorescein angiography. Within the lesion area, mean sensitivity improved by an average of 0.23 ± 0.16 dB (P = 0.006) for every additional gray of radiation received. Indocyanine green angiography failed to demonstrate any choroidal nonperfusion or radiation damage at 12 months after the treatment. CONCLUSION: Stable retinal sensitivity in areas not manifestly affected by neovascular age-related macular degeneration suggests that epimacular brachytherapy does not damage retinal function. The presence of a dose response suggests that the positive effect of epimacular brachytherapy relates more to beta irradiation than vitrectomy.

Intravitreal tissue plasminogen activator, perfluoropropane (C3F8), and ranibizumab or photodynamic therapy for submacular hemorrhage secondary to wet age-related macular degeneration.

PURPOSE: To report a combined intravitreal treatment for submacular hemorrhage. METHODS: This retrospective, noncomparative, interventional case series included 7 patients with neovascular age-related macular degeneration and 2 with idiopathic polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy, presenting with fovea-involving submacular hemorrhage ≥ 4 disk areas in size, of <10 days of duration. All patients received a single 0.05-mL intravitreal injection of 50 µg alteplase, 0.3 mL of 100% C3F8, and facedown positioning for 1 week. Patients with newly diagnosed age-related macular degeneration received 3 consecutive monthly intravitreal injections of 0.5 mg ranibizumab, followed by monthly retreatment as needed. Those with idiopathic polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy were treated with photodynamic therapy. RESULTS: Mean (± SD) logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution visual acuity improved from 0.75 ± 0.35 at presentation to 0.35 ± 0.30 at a mean final follow-up of 15.1 months (P = 0.0078). Median Snellen acuity improved from 20/200 to 20/32. Visual acuity was stable in one case and improved in eight. The average size of submacular hemorrhage was 6.8 disk areas at presentation, reducing to 2.6 within 1 month (P = 0.0039). Subfoveal hemorrhage was displaced in all cases within 9 weeks. The mean pretreatment central retinal thickness of 669 µm reduced to 528 µm (P = 0.0039). One case developed transiently elevated intraocular pressure. Two developed breakthrough vitreous hemorrhage. No adverse events were attributed to tissue plasminogen activator. CONCLUSION: Tissue plasminogen activator and C3F8, combined with intravitreal ranibizumab or photodynamic therapy, may result in anatomical clearance of submacular hemorrhage and improved visual acuity, in a condition with an otherwise poor visual prognosis.

Intravitreal injection of expansile perfluoropropane (c(3)f(8)) for the treatment of vitreomacular traction.

PURPOSE: To study the efficacy of a single intravitreal injection of expansile gas in releasing vitreomacular traction. DESIGN: Retrospective, interventional case series. METHODS: Fifteen eyes of 14 consecutive patients with symptomatic and persistent vitreomacular traction (>3 months' duration) on spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD OCT) received a single intravitreal injection of 0.3 mL 100% perfluoropropane (C(3)F(8)) as an alternative to pars plana vitrectomy (PPV). Primary outcome was the number of eyes with complete vitreomacular traction release on OCT 1 month following treatment. Secondary outcomes included changes in visual acuity (VA), foveal contour, central foveal thickness, and maximal foveal thickness 1 month following treatment, and final VA. RESULTS: Mean age (± SD) was 72.1 ± 12.6 years. Mean follow-up was 398.7 ± 174.4 days. Vitreomacular traction was idiopathic in 7 eyes and associated with diabetes in 6. One month following treatment, vitreomacular traction was released in 6 eyes (40%). Three further eyes (20%) had resolution of vitreomacular traction within 6 months, 4 (27%) underwent PPV, and 2 (13%) subsequently declined surgery. Foveal contour was restored in 7 eyes (47%). VA and central foveal thickness were similar 1 month following treatment, but maximal foveal thickness decreased by 65.8 µm (P = .041). Mean final VA decreased 0.03 logMAR units from baseline (P = .536). Eyes with vitreomacular traction release within 1 month had less extensive vitreomacular traction (P = .037), low vitreous face reflectivity, and maximal foveal thickness <500 µm (P = .004) pretreatment. There were no associated adverse events. CONCLUSIONS: Intravitreal C(3)F(8) injection could offer a minimally invasive alternative to PPV in patients with symptomatic and persistent vitreomacular traction. It appears particularly effective in eyes with less extensive vitreomacular traction and low vitreous face reflectivity on SD OCT. Further studies are warranted.

Intravitreal gas injection for the treatment of diabetic macular edema.

PURPOSE: This study investigates the efficacy of an intravitreal gas injection in inducing a posterior vitreous detachment (PVD) in patients with clinically significant diabetic macular edema refractory to laser therapy. METHODS: A local ethics committee-approved technique of an intravitreal injection of pure perfluoropropane gas (C(3)F(8)) was performed for all participants. After a period of prone positioning, the patients underwent regular and detailed clinical review. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The induction of a PVD, change in macular thickness, change in visual acuity. RESULTS: A PVD was induced in all five eyes with subsequent signs of reduction in macular thickness and resolution of exudates. Mean visual improvement was 11 ETDRS (Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study) letters (range 4-21). Apart from a transient vitreous hemorrhage in one eye, there were no significant treatment-related complications. CONCLUSION: The induction of a PVD by pneumatic retinopexy appears to have a significant influence on diabetic macular edema in eyes which have not successfully responded to macular laser therapy. A randomized clinical trial is justified on the basis of the initial promising data.

Optical coherence tomography may be used to predict visual acuity in patients with macular edema.

PURPOSE: To determine whether the volume of retinal tissue passing between the inner and outer retina in macular edema could be used as an indicator of visual acuity. METHODS: Diabetic and uveitic patients with cystoid macular edema (81 subjects, 129 eyes) were recruited. Best corrected logMAR visual acuity and spectral optical coherence tomography (OCT/SLO; OTI, Toronto, ONT, Canada) were performed in all patients. Coronal OCT scans obtained from a cross section of the retina between the plexiform layers were analyzed with a grid of five concentric radii (500, 1000, 1500, 2000, and 2500 µm centered on the fovea). The images were analyzed to determine the amount of retinal tissue present within each ring. A linear regression model was developed to determine the relationship between tissue integrity and logMAR visual acuity. RESULTS: A linear relationship between tissue integrity and VA was demonstrated. The volume of retinal tissue between the plexiform layers in rings 1 and 2 (up to 1000 µm from the foveal center) predicted 80% of visual acuity. By contrast, central macular thickness within the central 1000 µm predicted only 14% of visual acuity. CONCLUSIONS: This study showed that the cross-sectional area of retinal tissue between the plexiform layers in cystoid macular edema, as imaged by OCT, is the best indicator of visual function at baseline. Further prospective treatment trials are needed to investigate this parameter as a predictor of visual outcome after intervention.

Pneumatic retinopexy for the management of impending macular hole: an optical coherence tomography study.

The intravitreal injection of an expansile gas bubble can relieve vitreofoveal traction and be used as an outpatient-based procedure for impending macular hole. We present a case in which this procedure was successfully employed and demonstrated with spectral domain optical coherence tomography (OCT) imaging.

Micropulsed diode laser therapy: evolution and clinical applications.

Many clinical trials have demonstrated the clinical efficacy of laser photocoagulation in the treatment of retinal vascular diseases, including diabetic retinopathy. There is, however, collateral iatrogenic retinal damage and functional loss after conventional laser treatment. Such side effects may occur even when the treatment is appropriately performed because of morphological damage caused by the visible endpoint, typically a whitening burn. The development of the diode laser with micropulsed emission has allowed subthreshold therapy without a visible burn endpoint. This greatly reduces the risk of structural and functional retinal damage, while retaining the therapeutic efficacy of conventional laser treatment. Studies using subthreshold micropulse laser protocols have reported successful outcomes for diabetic macular edema, central serous chorioretinopathy, macular edema secondary to retinal vein occlusion, and primary open angle glaucoma. The report includes the rationale and basic principles underlying micropulse diode laser therapy, together with a review of its current clinical applications.

Micropulse diode laser photocoagulation for central serous chorio-retinopathy.

PURPOSE: Central serous chorioretinopathy (CSC) is usually characterized by a localized detachment of the neurosensory retina that is self-limiting. However, some cases may persist or recur leading to degenerative changes of the retinal pigment epithelium and the neurosensory retina resulting in severe visual loss and requiring intervention. METHODS: This retrospective case series reports the long-term visual outcome of the use of micropulse laser photocoagulation for this condition with a review of literature. RESULTS: The mean follow up was 17.1 months. Four of the five patients had complete resolution of symptoms whereas one patient had recurrent CSC from a new leak that failed to resolve after repeat micropulse treatment despite improvement in symptoms. DISCUSSION: The outcomes in this case series confirm the long-term efficacy of micropulse laser in the management of CSC. It produces therapeutic effects that appear comparable to those of conventional photocoagulation with no detectable signs of laser-induced iatrogenic damage.

Subthreshold micropulse diode laser photocoagulation for clinically significant diabetic macular oedema: a three-year follow up.

PURPOSE: To report the long-term visual outcome of subthreshold micropulse diode laser photocoagulation for clinically significant diffuse diabetic macular oedema (CSME). DESIGN: Non-comparative case-series. METHODS: The main outcome measures of this 3-year follow-up study of infrared (810 nm) subthreshold diode micropulse laser photocoagulation for CSME were visual outcome and the angiographic CSME status of 19 patients (25 eyes). RESULTS: Visual acuity stabilized or improved in 84% of treated eyes by the end of the first year. The result was maintained in the second year and by the third year, 92% maintained vision. However, more patients needed supplementary grid laser in the third year than in the second year. CSME decreased in 92% of the eyes and resolved in 88% in the first year. By the second year, 92% showed complete resolution. However, in the third year, recurrent CSME was noted in 28% of patients. CONCLUSION: This study has the longest follow up reported so far and demonstrating that subthreshold micropulse diode laser photocoagulation has a beneficial long-term effect on visual acuity and resolution of CSME with minimal chorio-retinal damage.

PaCE: a technique to avoid subretinal fluid drainage in retinal detachment surgery.

PURPOSE: Subretinal fluid (SRF) drainage and thus the potential complications of this procedure during scleral buckling can be avoided by inducing SRF absorption preoperatively. The technique described in this series is named PaCE (Pneumatic Cryo Explant). METHODS: A total of 22 eyes of 22 patients with primary bullous rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD) were included in this prospective non-comparative case trial. All satisfied specific inclusion criteria similar to those used in previous pneumatic retinopexy (PR) studies. Under direct visualization, 0.3 ml C3F8 100% was injected into the vitreous cavity through the pars plana. Postoperative posturing was encouraged. Retinopexy with either cryotherapy or laser was performed, combined with scleral buckling (SB) when the SRF was absorbed. Avoidance of SRF drainage and persistent reattachment of the retina at the end of the 12-month follow-up was considered a successful outcome. A change in vision by one line (logMAR) was considered significant. RESULTS: Resolution of SRF before retinopexy and the SB procedure was achieved in 20 of 22 eyes (90.9%) and hence SRF drainage was not required. Visual improvement was achieved in 95% of cases. One eye (4.5%) lost vision due to a total RD after gas injection (further surgery was not carried out). CONCLUSION: PaCE should be considered in any suitable case of primary RRD where SRF drainage is deemed necessary. The potential complications associated with this procedure are relatively less serious and it does not compromise the viability of subsequent procedures.

Choroidal neovascularization after laser in situ keratomileusis in a patient with low myopia.

We report a case of choroidal neovascularization after laser in situ keratomileusis in a 37-year-old man with low myopia.