Impact of duration of silicone oil tamponade on foveal and parafoveal thickness in rhegmatogenous retinal detachment: a retrospective cohort study.

PURPOSE: To detect and analyze the influence of the duration of tamponade with silicone oil on the foveal and parafoveal thickness in cases of rhegmatogenous retinal detachment. METHODS: This is a retrospective cohort study of 64 eyes with rhegmatogenous retinal detachment in one eye who underwent pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) with silicone oil injection during the period between January 2019 and December 2021. The patients were divided into 2 groups. Group A with early removal of the silicone oil after 3-4 months and Group B with late removal of the silicone oil (SOR) after 6-8 months. The 2 groups were compared as regards the central foveal (CFT) and parafoveal (PFT) thickness changes from baseline, just before SOR, and after SOR. Changes in best corrected visual acuity (BCVA), relative risk of severe thinning. It was conducted at Kasr Alainy Hospital. RESULTS: 64 eyes were enrolled in the study. Group A included 36 eyes, and group B included 28 eyes. The mean CFT changed insignificantly from 253 ± 52 µm to 252 ± 48 µm after SOR in group A; while it changed significantly from 211 ± 52 µm to 202 ± 46 µm after SOR in group B. The mean PFT decreased insignificantly from 299 ± 39 µm to 297 ± 40 µm in group A, while it decreased significantly from 284 ± 46 µm to 273 ± 44 µm in group B. Lines of improvement of BCVA were 4.11 ± 1.88 in group A, and 2.00 ± 1.24 in group B. Relative risk of severe foveal thinning after SOR was 14.3, and severe parafoveal thinning was 15.43, in group B compared to group A. CONCLUSION: Longer period of silicone oil tamponade may carry a higher risk for severe foveal and parafoveal thinning after silicone oil removal. TRIAL REGISTRATION: The study was registered at clinical trial.gov under the title of (Duration of silicone oil tamponade on foveal and parafoveal thickness in Rhegmatogenous Retinal Detachment) with an ID NCT05817630 at April 2023 "retrospectively registered".

Retrospective Study of Vitreous Tap Technique Using Needle Aspiration for Management of Shallow Anterior Chamber during Phacoemulsification.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the technique of vitreous tap using needle aspiration for management of anterior chamber shallowness during phacoemulsification. METHODS: A retrospective study included 26 eyes of 17 patients who underwent phacoemulsification in which vitreous tap was performed using a 27-gauge needle attached to a 5 ml syringe, inserted 3.5 mm from the limbus to aspirate 0.2 ml of liquefied vitreous if a cohesive (OVD) failed to sufficiently deepen the anterior chamber. RESULTS: Preoperative anterior chamber depth was 2.31 ± 0.26 mm, axial length was 21.7 ± 0.67 mm, lens thickness was 4.5 ± .19 mm, and cataract grade was 3.77 ± 1.4. Preoperative CDVA in LogMAR units was 0.98 ± 0.75. Coexisting angle closure glaucoma was present in 7 patients (26.92%) preoperatively. Vitreous needle tap was successful in vitreous removal on the first attempt in 26 eyes (100%). Postoperative follow-up period was 22.88 ± 10.24 (4-39) months. The final postoperative CDVA in LogMAR units was 0.07 ± 0.1, while the final postoperative IOP was 16.54 ± 1.45 mmHg. No complications related to vitreous tap were noted. CONCLUSION: Vitreous needle tap is a simple, cost-effective, and safe technique for management of shallow anterior chamber in phacoemulsification.

Novel approach for phacoemulsification during combined phacovitrectomy.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the safety and efficacy of surgeon's superior sitting position during temporal clear corneal incision (TCCI) phacoemulsification, with a 90° working angle, during combined phacovitrectomy. METHODS: Prospective interventional case series were performed on 65 eyes of 63 patients. TCCI phacoemulsification was done in all cases (whether right or left eyes), while the surgeon was sitting superiorly to the operating table. OUTCOME MEASURES INCLUDED: Shift in sitting position, keratometric astigmatism, surgically induced astigmatism, posterior capsule integrity, and intraocular lens centration. RESULTS: Phacoemulsification was performed completely in all cases (100%). Shift in position to temporal sitting position happened in two cases (3%). The keratometric astigmatism showed mean changes of 1.09 D (0.25-3.75 D) to 0.84 D (0.00-3.25 D) at 1 month, which remained stable at 6 months; 0.84 D (0.16-3.21 D). The surgically induced astigmatism was 0.25 DC (-0.50 to 1.0 DC) at 1 month, which stayed stable at 6 months; 0.25 D (-0.63 D to 0.98 D). Posterior capsular rupture occurred in one case (the second case) (1.5%). The intraocular lens was centered in all cases (100%). CONCLUSION: Superior sitting TCCI phacoemulsification, with a wide working angle, during combined phacovitrectomy proved safe and easy, without the burden of changing and disrupting the operative setting. The anatomical and optical outcomes were acceptable.