Incidence of rhegmatogenous retinal detachments is increasing in Wenzhou, China.

AIM: To estimate and compare the incidence and characteristics of rhegmatogenous retinal detachments (RRDs) in the Wenzhou area in 2015 to 2019. METHODS: All newly developed RRD cases among residents of the Wenzhou area, from January 2015 to December 2019, were retrospectively retrieved from hospital records. Annual population data were extracted from the Wenzhou Statistical Yearbook. RESULTS: There were 3629 eligible cases. The average incidence of RRD was 7.79 cases per 100 000 population (95% confidence interval, 7.24-8.34), and the incidences were 7.99 and 7.56 for males and females, respectively. The annual incidence increased gradually from 7.26 cases per 100 000 in 2015 to 10.00 cases per 100 000 in 2019, with an overall increase of 37.74%. The highest rate of increase occurred in the age group from 60 to 69 years. Of 2750 eyes with axial length (AL) data, 1675 (60.91%) had an AL greater than 24 mm. CONCLUSION: A trend to increasing RRD incidence is observed in the Wenzhou area over the past 5-year period.

Inner limiting membrane peeling prevents secondary epiretinal membrane after vitrectomy for proliferative diabetic retinopathy.

AIM: To evaluate the role of internal limiting membrane (ILM) peeling in preventing secondary epiretinal membrane (ERM) formation in pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) for proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR). METHODS: This retrospective study analyzed the medical records of patients who underwent PPV for PDR and were followed up for minimum 3mo. ILM peeling was performed based on the intraoperative surgeons' judgments. ERM was assessed by optical coherence tomography photography. The relationship between ILM peeling and postoperative ERM was analyzed. RESULTS: In total, 212 eyes from 197 patients were included in this study. The incidence of secondary ERM in the ILM non-peeling group was significantly higher than that in the ILM peeling group (37.0% vs 14.0%; P<0.001). Multivariate logistical regression revealed that ILM peeling was highly associated with the prevention of secondary ERM development [odds ratio 0.38; 95% confidence interval 0.17-0.86; P<0.05]. CONCLUSION: ILM peeling during PPV for PDRs can effectively reduce the incidence of secondary ERM development and is worth consideration by vitreoretinal surgeons.

New technique for removal of perfluorocarbon liquid related sticky silicone oil and literature review.

AIM: To investigate the safety and efficacy of sticky silicone oil (SSO) removal using a 22-gauge vein detained needle and inner limiting membrane (ILM) wrap-and-peel technique. METHODS: This retrospective consecutive case series reviewed the records of patients with a history of retinal detachment who had received silicone oil and perfluorocarbon liquid (PFCL) as intraocular tamponades. Patients were included in the analysis if they exhibited SSO remnants during silicone oil removal. The aspiration of most of the SSO remnants was performed by a 22-gauge vein detained needle. The small amounts of droplets adhered to the macula and epi-macular membrane were subsequently removed by the ILM warp-and-peel technique. The anatomical and functional outcomes, and postoperative complications were recorded. In vitro experiments were performed to simulate the formation of SSO remnants in four groups. RESULTS: Of 711 patients who underwent silicone oil removal during the study period, 9 patients exhibited SSO remnants and underwent follow-up for at least 3mo. Seven eyes (78%) underwent the ILM wrap-and-peel technique to completely remove small droplets of SSO that were glued to the macula and epi-macular membrane. No obvious complications occurred. Postoperative optical coherence tomography revealed normal retinal structure in all patients. In vitro analyses showed that balanced salt solution and prolonged vibration (for 1wk) had the strongest effects on silicone oil and PFCL compound opacities. CONCLUSION: SSO remnants could be removed in an intact manner and without complications, using a vein detained needle-assisted and ILM wrap-and-peel technique. The findings suggest that PFCL and infusion fluid should be completely removed before silicone oil injection to prevent SSO formation.

Internal Limiting Membrane Peeling versus Nonpeeling to Prevent Epiretinal Membrane Formation following Vitrectomy for Posterior Segment Open-Globe Injury.

PURPOSE: Approximately 30% of patients with an open-globe injury (OGI) develop a secondary epiretinal membrane (ERM). This study was performed to assess whether internal limiting membrane (ILM) peeling in the treatment of posterior segment OGI prevents ERM formation. METHODS: The medical records of 33 patients who underwent vitrectomy for posterior segment OGI from 2016 to 2019 were retrospectively analyzed. Of these patients, 17 underwent ILM peeling during the vitrectomy and 16 did not. The patients' demographic and surgical data were collected. The associations of ILM peeling with the preoperative findings of posterior segment OGI and development of a postoperative ERM were analyzed. Student's t-test was used to evaluate differences in continuous variables, and the chi-squared test or Fisher's exact test was used for categorical variables. Time-to-event curves were calculated from postestimation Cox proportional hazards models. RESULTS: An ERM developed in three eyes (17.6%) in the ILM peeling group and in eight eyes (50.0%) in the nonpeeling group (p < 0.05). There was no statistically significant difference between the groups in visual acuity at baseline (1.68 vs. 1.58 logMAR, p=0.68) or at final follow-up (0.72 vs. 0.78 logMAR, p=0.66). Median visual acuity significantly improved in both groups (p < 0.001). In the multivariable models, ILM peeling (odds ratio, 0.19; 95% confidence interval, 0.04-0.91; p=0.04) and worse preoperative vision (odds ratio, 0.29; 95% confidence interval, 0.10-0.80; p=0.02) were associated with lower likelihood of ERM formation. CONCLUSION: Preventative treatment with ILM peeling contributed to decreased development of an ERM in patients with OGI involving areas near the fovea.

Therapeutic difference between orbital decompression and glucocorticoids administration as the first-line treatment for dysthyroid optic neuropathy: a systematic review.

To assess all available data to compare the efficacy of glucocorticoids treatment and orbital decompression for dysthyroid optic neuropathy (DON). PubMed, EMBASE, the Cochrane Library databases as well as other sources were searched by two independent reviewers followed by extensive hand-searching for the identification of relevant studies. The primary outcomes were the improvement in visual acuity and responder rate. Secondary outcomes were the proptosis reduction, change in diplopia, and clinical activity score (CAS). One randomized controlled trial, three retrospective case series and one prospective case series met the inclusion criteria. They were divided into intravenous high-dose glucocorticoids (ivGC) group and orbital decompression (OD) group. Both groups demonstrated improvement in visual acuity. In addition, the proportion of patients with improved vision in OD group was higher than that in ivGC group (P<0.001). Post-treatment proptosis reduction was also reported in both groups. Overall, weighted mean in proptosis reduction estimated at 1.64 and 5.45 mm in patients treated with ivGC and OD respectively. This study also presented results regarding pre-existing and new-onset diplopia. Apart from diplopia, a wide variety of minor and major complications were noted in 5 included studies. The most common complication in ivGC group and OD group was Cushing's syndrome and epistaxis respectively. The present systematic review shows that both glucocorticoids treatment and OD are effective in treating DON and OD may work better in improving visual acuity and reducing proptosis. However, high-quality, large-sample, controlled studies need to be performed in the future.