Six months' follow-up of combined phacoemulsification-kahook dual blade excisional goniotomy.

PURPOSE: This study reports on the combination of excisional goniotomy and cataract extraction in the management of glaucoma in terms of intraocular pressure (IOP) and glaucoma medication reduction. METHODS: This is a retrospective case series. Twenty-eight eyes of 22 patients with the diagnosis of cataract and ocular hypertension or glaucoma of any stage underwent combined phacoemulsification and Kahook Dual Blade (KDB) goniotomy, between March 2019 and September 2020. The parameters evaluated were postoperative best-corrected visual acuity, mean IOP reduction, number of IOP-lowering medications, and the surgical success rate defined as IOP reduction >20% and/or reduction in glaucoma medications >1. RESULTS: The mean IOP reduction at 6 months was 4.5 mmHg (P = 0.0007), which translates to 24.9% reduction from preoperative IOP. The mean preoperative number of glaucoma medications was 2.9 ± 1.0 (median of 3). It was reduced to 1.1 ± 1.1 (median of 1.5), 1.46 ± 1.17 (median of 2), 1.44 ± 1.28 (median of 2), and 1.56 ± 1.28 (median of 2) at 1 week, 1 month, 3 months, and 6 months, respectively. Twenty-nine percent (8/28) of the patients were off glaucoma medications at 6 months and 46% (13/28) had a reduction of more than 50% of their glaucoma medications. CONCLUSION: Combined phacoemulsification-KDB excisional goniotomy may be an effective and safe alternative to more invasive filtering surgery in glaucoma patients of any stage.

Intraocular application of Mitomycin C to prevent proliferative vitreoretinopathy in perforating and severe intraocular foreign body injuries.

AIM: To assess the long-term anatomical and functional outcomes in addition to complications of a new surgical technique of localized intraocular application of mitomycin C (MMC) to prevent proliferative vitreoretinopathy (PVR) in eyes with open globe trauma. METHODS: Prospective non-comparative interventional case series of 16 consecutive eyes with perforating and deep choroidal impact foreign body injuries presenting over a 2-year period. Patients underwent vitrectomy with intraocular application of MMC at the site of the chorioretinal injury and were followed-up for 1 year. The primary outcome measure was the rate of postoperative PVR. Secondary outcome measures were number of vitreoretinal surgeries (VRS) required, best corrected visual acuity (BCVA), final anatomical success rate and globe survival rate (GSR). RESULTS: Patients underwent VRS at a mean time of 8.5 ± 4.6 days after the injury. Postoperative PVR developed in 2 (13 %) eyes and required only one additional VRS each. One other eye underwent further peeling of an epimacular membrane. BCVA improved from mean LogMAR 3.08 ± 0.72 preoperatively to 0.66 ± 0.79 at 1 year. All 10 eyes without a macular injury had a final BCVA of LogMAR 0.40 or better. The final anatomical success rate was 94% and GSR rate was 100%. There were no complications related to the intraocular use of MMC. CONCLUSIONS: Vitrectomy and intraocular application of Mitomycin C may have a potential role in reducing the rate of post traumatic PVR and improving anatomical and functional outcomes in eyes with perforating and deep choroidal impact foreign body injuries.

Novel Missense Mutations in BEST1 Are Associated with Bestrophinopathies in Lebanese Patients.

To identify Bestrophin 1 (BEST1) causative mutations in six Lebanese patients from three families, of whom four had a presumed clinical diagnosis of autosomal recessive bestrophinopathy (ARB) and two showed a phenotype with a single vitelliform lesion, patients were subjected to standard ophthalmic examinations. In addition, BEST1 exons and their flanking regions were amplified and sequenced by Sanger sequencing. Co-segregation and detailed bio-informatic analyses were performed. Clinical examination results were consistent with ARB diagnosis for all index patients showing multifocal vitelliform lesions and a markedly reduced light peak in the electrooculogram, including the two patients with a single vitelliform lesion. In all cases, most likely disease-causing BEST1 mutations co-segregated with the phenotype. The ARB cases showed homozygous missense variants (M1, c.209A>G, p.(Asp70Gly) in exon 3, M2, c.1403C>T; p.(Pro468Leu) in exon 10 and M3, c.830C>T, p.(Thr277Met) in exon 7), while the two patients with a single vitelliform lesion were compound heterozygous for M1 and M2. To our knowledge, this is the first study describing mutations in Lebanese patients with bestrophinopathy, where novel biallelic BEST1 mutations associated with two phenotypes were identified. Homozygous mutations were associated with multifocal lesions, subretinal fluid, and intraretinal cysts, whereas compound heterozygous ones were responsible for a single macular vitelliform lesion.

Outcomes of Micropulse Transscleral Cyclophotocoagulation in Uncontrolled Glaucoma Patients.

PURPOSE: This study aimed at evaluating the intermediate-term efficacy and safety of micropulse transscleral cyclophotocoagulation (MP-TSCPC) in cases of uncontrolled glaucoma. METHODS: Patients with moderate to advanced glaucoma and uncontrolled intraocular pressure (IOP) despite maximally tolerable antiglaucoma medications were selected to undergo MP-TSCPC using the MP3 handpiece with the Iridex Cyclo G6 (IRIDEX Laser Systems). Follow-up examinations took place on a regular basis until 15 months postoperatively. RESULTS: Seventy-five eyes of 69 patients (53.6% male patients) were included. Mean age was 55.5±22.9 years. Primary open-angle glaucoma was the most common diagnosis. Corrected distance visual acuity at baseline ranged between 0 and 2.1 logMAR. Mean prelaser IOP was 26.0±7.91 mm Hg. This was reduced significantly to 13.8±5.6 mm Hg (44.0% reduction, P<0.001) at week 1, and to 18.0±7.7, 18.4±7.1, 16.7±6.2, 15.1±4.1, 15.7±5.32, and 14.8±5.50 mm Hg at months 1, 3, 6, 9, 12, and 15, respectively. The mean number of antiglaucoma drops decreased significantly up to 12 months of follow-up (P=0.008) and that of oral acetazolamide tablets decreased significantly up to 15 months (P<0.001). The success rate decreased progressively with time, reaching 81.4% at 6 months and 73.3% at 1 year. No major postoperative complications were encountered, and no eye lost vision completely. CONCLUSIONS: MP-TSCPC is an efficient noninvasive glaucoma treatment that achieves sustained IOP reduction and reduced need for ocular antihypertensive medications for up to 15 months. The optimal laser parameters to achieve the best success rate with the least side effects still need to be determined.

Rate of corneal collagen crosslinking redo in private practice: risk factors and safety.

Objective. To report the rate of progression of keratectasia after primary crosslinking (CXL) and evaluate the safety and efficiency of CXL redo. Materials and Methods. We conducted a retrospective analysis of the patients who underwent CXL between 2010 and 2013 at the Beirut Eye Specialist Hospital, Lebanon. Progression of keratectasia was based on the presence of an increase in maximum keratometry of 1.00 D, a change in the map difference between two consecutive topographies of 1.00 D, a deterioration of visual acuity, or any change in the refraction. Primary and redo CXL were done using the same protocol. Results. Among the 221 eyes of 130 patients who underwent CXL, 7 eyes (3.17%) of five patients met the criteria of progression. All patients reported a history of allergic conjunctivitis and eye rubbing and progressed within 9 to 48 months. No complications were noted and all patients were stable 1 year after CXL redo. Conclusion. Allergic conjunctivitis and eye rubbing were the only risk factors associated with keratoconus progression after CXL. A close followup is thus mandatory, even years after the procedure. CXL redo seems to be a safe and efficient technique to halt the progression after a primary CXL.

Intravitreal bevacizumab for retinal capillary hemangioblastoma: A case series and literature review.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the long-term outcomes of intravitreal bevacizumab for peripheral and juxtapapillary retinal capillary hemangioblastoma (RCH). DESIGN: We conducted a retrospective noncomparative interventional case series. PARTICIPANTS: There were 4 patients (5 eyes) presenting with RCH. METHODS: Five eyes with RCH presented with exudative changes and visual loss. Three eyes of 2 patients with peripheral RCH were treated with cryotherapy and 2 intravitreal injections of bevacizumab (0.5 mg). Two eyes with juxtapapillary RCH were treated with 3 intravitreal injections of bevacizumab. The main outcome measures were changes in best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), lesion size, exudation, and retinal thickness. RESULTS: In peripheral RCH, improvement of BCVA from counting fingers to 20/400 was obtained in 1 eye. One patient with bilateral RCH maintained a vision of 20/20 in 1 eye with complete anatomic regression of the 3 small peripheral RCH lesions. The fellow eye with fibrotic bands from the RCH to the optic nerve head developed a tractional retinal detachment after the first injection and was treated with pars plana vitrectomy. In patients with juxtapapillary RCH, bevacizumab injections resulted in an improvement of BCVA from 20/80 to 20/20 in 1 eye, whereas the second eye did not show an improvement of BCVA despite a regression of the tumour. CONCLUSIONS: Intravitreal anti-vascular endothelial growth factor agents, alone or in combination with other treatment modalities, may improve visual acuity. Further trials evaluating the dose, the number of injections, and the route of administration will be important in advancing antiangiogenic therapies for RCH.

New technique of intracorneal ring segments suturing after migration.

PURPOSE: To describe a new technique for suturing of the intracorneal ring segments to stabilize it in the proper location and to prevent recurrent displacement of the ring. METHODS: Two patients with recurrent ring segment migration toward the incision were treated with this new surgical technique between 2010 and 2013. The first case had Intacs ring (Addition Technology, Fremont, CA) and migration occurred 2 months after implantation. The second case had Keraring segment (Mediphacos, Belo Horizonte, Brazil) and migration occurred 1 week postoperatively. The ring segments were fixated to the cornea with a 10-0 nylon suture through the channel. The suture was removed at 1 month postoperatively. RESULTS: Ring segments remained in the desired location with a follow-up period of at least 6 months after implantation. CONCLUSIONS: This newly described ring suturing technique is an effective procedure that can be used to treat ring segment migration in the channel.

New technique of intracorneal ring segments suturing after migration.

PURPOSE: To describe a new technique for suturing of the intracorneal ring segments to stabilize it in the proper location and to prevent recurrent displacement of the ring. METHODS: Two patients with recurrent ring segment migration toward the incision were treated with this new surgical technique between 2010 and 2013. The first case had Intacs ring (Addition Technology, Fremont, CA) and migration occurred 2 months after implantation. The second case had Keraring segment (Mediphacos, Belo Horizonte, Brazil) and migration occurred 1 week postoperatively. The ring segments were fixated to the cornea with a 10-0 nylon suture through the channel. The suture was removed at 1 month postoperatively. RESULTS: Ring segments remained in the desired location with a follow-up period of at least 6 months after implantation. CONCLUSIONS: This newly described ring suturing technique is an effective procedure that can be used to treat ring segment migration in the channel.

Combined lensectomy, vitrectomy, and primary intraocular lens implantation in patients with traumatic eye injury.

PURPOSE: To analyse the postoperative anatomic and functional outcomes in addition to complications after combined lensectomy, vitrectomy, and primary intraocular lens (IOL) implantation in patients with traumatic eye injury. METHODS: Retrospective review of patients with traumatic cataract and posterior segment injury who underwent combined lensectomy, vitrectomy, and primary IOL implantation with a minimum follow up (FU) of 3 months. RESULTS: Thirteen consecutive patients (all male) with a mean age of 42.8 years (range 17-82 years) underwent combined lensectomy, vitrectomy, and primary IOL implantation from February 2000 to January 2006. Postoperative FU ranged from 3 to 54 months (mean 17.6 months). Best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) at presentation ranged from 20/30 to hand movement and was worse than 20/200 in eight patients (61%). Four patients (31%) had blunt trauma with no globe rupture. Of the nine patients (69%) with a penetrating eye injury (PEI), eight had an intraocular foreign body (IOFB) with one retinal detachment at presentation. Four patients had primary closure at the time of the vitrectomy. All eight IOFBs were removed. Seven patients had additional scleral buckling and four intravitreal gas injection. BCVA at last FU ranged from 20/20 to 20/300 and was 20/40 or better in eight eyes (62%). All patients had an attached retina at last FU. One eye had further surgery for epiretinal membrane proliferation and ptosis. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that combined vitrectomy, lensectomy and primary intraocular implantation can offer good visual rehabilitation in patients with traumatic cataract and posterior segment injury.