Outcomes of sutureless secondary intraocular lens fixation with haptic flanging in a cohort of surgically complex eyes.

PURPOSE: To describe clinical outcomes of secondary intraocular lens (IOL) implantation using sutureless trans-scleral techniques in surgically complex eyes. METHODS: Retrospective surgical case series of 45 eyes that underwent secondary IOL implantation using a sutureless haptic flange technique. Demographic data of age, sex, primary diagnosis, best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), refractive error, intraocular pressure, full ophthalmic exam findings, surgical approach, and any intraoperative complications were noted. RESULTS: The most common indication for secondary IOL implantation was aphakia, most commonly after ocular trauma. The primary outcome measures were pre-operative and post-operative BCVA, which revealed recovery of pre-operative vision levels by post-operative week 1 and improved vision by post-operative month 1 (p = 0.03). Secondary outcome measures of target refraction pre-operatively and post-operatively revealed significant reduction in post-operative spherical equivalent to achieve BCVA (p < 0.001). Targeting of the secondary IOLs using Barrett Universal II, Holladay 1, Holladay 2, and SRK/T all exhibited a hyperopic shift post-operatively in post-traumatic aphakic eyes and a myopic shift in the post complicated cataract extraction eyes. No intraoperative adverse events were noted. The most common post-operative complication was transient IOP elevation, with most patients completing 6 months of follow-up. CONCLUSION: There is rapid visual rehabilitation and reduction of spherical equivalent correction to attain BCVA in eyes with a history of ocular trauma that undergo secondary IOL implantation using a trans-scleral flange technique. Moreover, this study highlights that a specific IOL power formula can be more predictive of the desired refractive outcome depending on the indication for secondary IOL implantation.

Gabapentin for presumed neuropathic ocular pain.

PURPOSE: To report a case of chronic neuropathic ocular pain in a patient without visual complaints. OBSERVATIONS: A 37-year-old male with a history of bilateral laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) presented with pain symptoms of 8 months duration in the left eye. The prior LASIK surgery was complicated by corneal ectasia in the left eye requiring penetrating keratoplasty and subsequent placement of a glaucoma drainage implant for uncontrolled, elevated intraocular pressure. The patient was evaluated with a complete clinical examination, including Goldmann applanation tonometry, dilated fundus examination, fluorescein angiography, optical coherence tomography, and magnetic resonance imaging. After 3 weeks of treatment with gabapentin 300 mg BID, the patient reported complete resolution of the ocular pain. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPORTANCE: The pathophysiology of neuropathic ocular pain remains poorly understood. Clinical evaluation often reveals minimal ophthalmic exam findings, leading to an underdiagnosis of the condition by ophthalmologists. Gabapentin may be an underutilized medication in the treatment of chronic ocular pain.

Outcomes of 25-gauge vitrectomy with relaxing retinectomy for retinal detachment secondary to proliferative vitreoretinopathy.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study is to evaluate visual and anatomic outcomes of 25-gauge vitrectomy with relaxing retinectomies for complex retinal detachment (RD) secondary to proliferative vitreoretinopathy (PVR). METHODS: A single-center, retrospective case series of 44 patients who had undergone a 25-gauge vitrectomy with a relaxing retinectomy for the treatment of combined RD and PVR was performed. Pre-operative characteristics, intraoperative techniques, and outcomes were analyzed. The rates of attachment, complications, and visual acuity were analyzed. Institutional Review Board/Ethics Committee approval was obtained and the described research adhered to the tenets of the Declaration of Helsinki. RESULTS: At the final follow-up, 27 eyes (61%) had attachment after one surgery, 41 eyes (93%) ultimately had attached retinas, 3 eyes (7%) had hypotony, 3 eyes had become phthisical (7%), and 24 eyes (56%) had improved visual acuity. After stratifying by visual outcomes, 20/400 or better BCVA was not associated with age (p=0.66), RD etiology (p=0.61), pre-operative hypotony (p=0.60), nor size of retinectomy (p=0.48). Patients achieving 20/400 vision or better were statistically more likely to be pseudophakic (p=0.024) and have silicone oil removal (p<0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: The use of 25-gauge vitrectomy and relaxing retinectomy provides a high rate of reattachment and improved visual acuity.

Hydrogel ocular sealant for wound closure during intrastromal corneal ring segment implantation.

UNLABELLED: We present a new technique for the sutureless closure of corneal incisions after intrastromal corneal ring segment (ICRS) insertion. Twelve eyes of 7 patients with keratoconus were treated at our institution by the same surgeon with femtosecond laser-assisted ICRS implantation followed by slit-incision closure with a hydrogel ocular sealant. A retrospective review of clinical characteristics was performed over a mean follow-up of 5 months and compared with previously published data on traditional methods for wound management after ICRS insertion. All visual, refractive, and topographic outcomes were within expected limits. No adverse events were observed. Hydrogel ocular sealant was deemed to be a safe, effective, and surgeon-friendly option for wound closure during ICRS implantation. FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE: None of the authors has a financial or proprietary interest in any material or method mentioned.

Safety of undiluted intracameral moxifloxacin without postoperative topical antibiotics in cataract surgery.

The objective of this study is to evaluate the safety of undiluted 0.5 % intracameral moxifloxacin for postoperative endophthalmitis prophylaxis in cataract surgery patients without the use of additional postoperative topical antibiotics. All phacoemulsification cataract surgeries performed by a single surgeon (B.A.) at the John A. Moran Eye Center from June 2012 to May 2015 were reviewed retrospectively. From June 2012 to April 2014, patients were given topical 0.5 % moxifloxacin postoperatively. From May 2014 to May 2015, all patients were given moxifloxacin intracamerally with no antibiotics postoperatively. The follow-up period was 1 month after surgery. Preoperative visual acuity and postoperative visual acuity, corneal edema, and anterior chamber reaction were recorded and compared between the two groups. 384 cataract surgeries were performed during the study period. None of the 384 eyes in the study developed endophthalmitis. Of those 384 eyes, 222 were included in the study for analysis based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria. 131 were part of the topical antibiotic group and 91 were part of the intracameral group. The differences in uncorrected visual acuity at 1 day postoperatively (p = 0.595) and best corrected visual acuity at 1 month postoperatively (p = 0.099) were not statistically significant. Differences in corneal edema (p = 0.370) and anterior chamber reaction (p = 0.069) at 1 day postoperatively and corneal edema (p = 0.512) and anterior chamber reaction (p = 0.512) at 1 month postoperatively were also not statistically significant. Undiluted 0.5 % moxifloxacin can be safely injected intracamerally following cataract surgery without additional postoperative antibiotic prophylaxis to prevent endophthalmitis without adverse effects on patient outcomes.

Intravitreal AAV2.COMP-Ang1 Prevents Neurovascular Degeneration in a Murine Model of Diabetic Retinopathy.

Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is the leading cause of blindness in the working-age population in the U.S. The vision-threatening processes of neuroglial and vascular dysfunction in DR occur in concert, driven by hyperglycemia and propelled by a pathway of inflammation, ischemia, vasodegeneration, and breakdown of the blood retinal barrier. Currently, no therapies exist for normalizing the vasculature in DR. Here, we show that a single intravitreal dose of adeno-associated virus serotype 2 encoding a more stable, soluble, and potent form of angiopoietin 1 (AAV2.COMP-Ang1) can ameliorate the structural and functional hallmarks of DR in Ins2Akita mice, with sustained effects observed through six months. In early DR, AAV2.COMP-Ang1 restored leukocyte-endothelial interaction, retinal oxygenation, vascular density, vascular marker expression, vessel permeability, retinal thickness, inner retinal cellularity, and retinal neurophysiological response to levels comparable with nondiabetic controls. In late DR, AAV2.COMP-Ang1 enhanced the therapeutic benefit of intravitreally delivered endothelial colony-forming cells by promoting their integration into the vasculature and thereby stemming further visual decline. AAV2.COMP-Ang1 single-dose gene therapy can prevent neurovascular pathology, support vascular regeneration, and stabilize vision in DR.

Characterisation of uveitis in association with multiple sclerosis.

PURPOSE: To characterise uveitis in association with multiple sclerosis (MS). METHODS: We conducted a retrospective chart review of patients with uveitis and MS at two uveitis centres (Portland, Oregon, USA and Heidelberg, Germany). Baseline characteristics and ophthalmic data were collected at the patient's first and last visits. Additionally, neurological records were obtained when possible. RESULTS: We identified 113 patients (196 eyes) with uveitis and MS. Of these, 53 had a diagnosis of MS confirmed by review of neurological records, 50 additional patients fulfilled the Poser criteria for MS and 10 with MS were referred by an outside neurologist. Among them, 83 (73%) were women and the mean age of presentation was 40.6 years (range 13-64 years). The average visual acuity in affected eyes at presentation was 20/39. There were 90 patients (80%) who presented with intermediate uveitis and 24 patients (15%) with anterior uveitis. Posterior and pan-uveitis were found in four patients (3%) and two patients (2%), respectively. During a median follow-up of 3.2 years (range 0.04-21 years), visual acuity improved -0.09 logMar/year. Compared with our location-matched controls with idiopathic intermediate uveitis (n=16), patients with MS and intermediate uveitis were significantly older when diagnosed with uveitis (p=0.027) and more likely to be female (p=0.01). There was no statistical difference in visual acuity or rate of vision change between our cases and controls (p=0.58 and p=0.36, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Uveitis with MS generally presents as intermediate uveitis with a minority presenting with anterior uveitis. Patients are significantly older and more likely to be women than patients with idiopathic intermediate uveitis. The visual prognosis is generally favourable.

In vivo ZW800-microbead imaging of retinal and choroidal vascular leakage in mice.

The eye is an attractive organ for non-invasive discovery and monitoring of disease progression. Traditionally, fluorescein angiography (FA) and indocyanine green angiography (ICGA) have been used for dynamic evaluation of the retina and its vasculature. However, both fluorescein and indocyanine green (ICG) possess considerable disadvantages. FA is limited to assessing superficial retinal blood flow and often results in an unclear view due to fluorescein leakage. This obscures important pathologies such as neovascularization, ischemia and inflammation. ICG, a near-infrared fluorophore (NIRF), has nonspecific binding, high uptake and retention in tissues, as well as detrimental effects on the hepatobiliary tract. Here, we present a potential contrast agent for imaging ocular vascular permeability with ZW800, a heptamethine indocyanine NIRF, conjugated to polystyrene latex beads (ZW800m). ZW800 is an excellent alternative for near-infrared imaging, as it has excellent contrast, superior clearance, and is amendable to conjugation. ZW800m conjugation is an easy, attractive method of in vivo imaging and real-time tracking of ocular vascular pathologies. ZW800m is readily imaged via commercially available laser ophthalmoscope (SLO, HRA OCT, Spectralis) to assess vascular permeability in the mouse retina and choroid. In Type 1 diabetic Ins2Akita mice, ZW800m was observed in mouse retina but not in wild-type mice. After laser-induced choroidal neovascularization (CNV), ZW800m was observed in mouse choroid but not in control. In both CNV and diabetic mice, ZW800 imaging showed increased hyperfluorescence on ICG modality (ICGA) not seen on FA. Presence of ZW800m in respective tissues was confirmed ex vivo with flatmounts visualized with EVOS 800 nm light cube. ZW800 imaging may be easily employed in the research laboratory.

Injection frequency and anatomic outcomes 1 year following conversion to aflibercept in patients with neovascular age-related macular degeneration.

BACKGROUND/AIM: To evaluate the clinical, anatomic and functional effects of conversion to aflibercept following ranibizumab and/or bevacizumab in patients with neovascular age-related macular degeneration (AMD). METHODS: A retrospective review of patients with neovascular AMD treated with intravitreal ranibizumab and/or bevacizumab who were switched to aflibercept was performed. The primary outcome was change in injection frequency in the year following the change. Secondary outcomes included change in central macular thickness (CMT) at 6 months and 1 year, presence of intraretinal and subretinal fluid at 6 months and visual acuity at 1 year. RESULTS: A total of 109 eyes with neovascular AMD were switched to aflibercept and met inclusion criteria. Overall, aflibercept injection frequency was unchanged with patients receiving 7.4 antivascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) injections the year prior to conversion compared with 7.2 aflibercept injections in the year following (p=0.47). However, the change to aflibercept was associated with improvement in CMT from 324 to 295 µm (p=0.0001) at 6 months and 299 µm (p=0.0047) at 1 year. There was no effect on visual acuity at 1 year. In a subgroup analysis, patients who had received ≥10 anti-VEGF injections in the year prior had fewer injections (11.1 to 8.4, p<0.0001) and clinic visits (13.9 to 9.6, p<0.0001) as well as a significant decrease in CMT (-35 µm, p=0.02). CONCLUSIONS: In our population, switching to aflibercept therapy was not associated with a change in injection frequency nor improved visual acuity, but was associated with improved CMT at 6 months and 1 year. In patients who received at least 10 anti-VEGF injections in the year prior, transitioning to aflibercept was associated with a reduced injection frequency and CMT, suggesting potential cost savings in this population.

Ophthalmic findings in an infant with phosphomannomutase deficiency.

INTRODUCTION: We present the ocular features including full-field electroretinography (ff-ERG) and spectral domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) in a 14-month-old infant with congenital disorder of glycosylation type 1a (PMM2-CDG). METHODS AND RESULTS: An infant with failure to thrive, bilateral neurosensory hearing loss, cerebellar hypoplasia, and pericardial effusions was referred to ophthalmic genetics for evaluation. The patient had fix and follow vision, an intermittent esotropia, moderate myopia, a hypo pigmented macula, and mild attenuation of the retinal vasculature. Electroretinography showed severe reduction in both rod and cone-dependent responses with a negative waveform pattern. Handheld SD-OCT revealed severe attenuation of the outer retina throughout the macula, but with preservation of outer retinal structures in the fovea. CONCLUSION: PMM2-CDG is a rare congenital disorder for which both ff-ERG and SD-OCT were useful in demonstrating early changes in retinal architecture and function.

Fluocinolone acetonide intravitreal implant for the treatment of diabetic macular edema.

Diabetic macular edema (DME) remains one of the leading causes of moderate to severe vision loss. Although laser photocoagulation was the standard of care for several years, few patients achieved significant improvements in visual acuity. As a result, several pharmacotherapies and surgeries have been investigated. The fluocinolone acetonide devices are one of the latest therapies considered for the treatment of DME. Despite bringing significant improvements in visual acuity, fluocinolone devices are associated with cataract formation, increased intraocular pressure (IOP), and surgery to lower IOP. Due to the risk of complications, fluocinolone acetonide devices should be considered only in cases refractive to first-line therapies. In this review, we evaluate current and emerging therapies for DME, with special emphasis on fluocinolone acetonide intravitreal devices.

Let's Get Healthy! Health awareness through public participation in an education and research exhibit.

BACKGROUND: Health information technology (HIT) offers a resource for public empowerment through tailored information. OBJECTIVE: Use interactive community health events to improve awareness of chronic disease risk factors while collecting data to improve health. METHODS: Let's Get Healthy! is an education and research program in which participants visit interactive research stations to learn about their own health (diet, body composition, blood chemistry). HIT enables computerized data collection that presents participants with immediate results and tailored educational feedback. An anonymous wristband number links collected data in a population database. RESULTS AND LESSONS LEARNED: Communities tailor events to meet community health needs with volunteers trained to conduct research. Participants experience being a research participant and contribute to an anonymous population database for both traditional research purposes and open-source community use. CONCLUSIONS: By integrating HIT with community involvement, health fairs become an interactive method for engaging communities in research and raising health awareness.