Macular pucker formation after inverted internal limiting membrane flap technique: Two case reports.

PURPOSE: The inverted internal limiting membrane (ILM) flap technique is generally used to treat refractory macular holes (MHs). Recently, a case of macular pucker formation outside the ILM flap after using silicone oil was reported. Although the pucker formation was attributed to the silicone oil use in that case, here we report two cases of macular pucker that occurred after the inverted ILM flap technique was performed without silicone oil. In one case, the ILM flap and proliferated tissue was removed, followed by their histopathological examination. OBSERVATIONS: Two patients with MH underwent vitrectomies using the inverted ILM flap technique. In both patients, the visual acuity worsened postoperatively, and macular pucker formation, associated with the ILM flap, was observed. In one patient, visual acuity improved after ILM flap removal, and histopathological examination of the specimen indicated strong cellular proliferation between the ILMs. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPORTANCE: Following the inverted ILM flap technique, macular pucker may occur even without the use of silicone oil. Removal of the flap and associated proliferative tissue was effective and resulted in no recurrence of MH or pucker. Ophthalmologists should consider the possibility that tissues on the ILM may lead to macular pucker formation especially inside the flap, in the area between the ILMs.

Extending the Limbus-to-Cannula Distance to 6.0 mm During Pars Plana Vitrectomy in Highly Myopic Eyes.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the utility of extending the limbus-to-cannula distance to 6.0 mm during pars plana vitrectomy for highly myopic eyes. METHODS: Four eyes with axial lengths exceeding 31.0 mm, that underwent 25-gauge pars plana vitrectomy were retrospectively evaluated. Assuming that cannulas were inserted 3.5 mm and 6.0 mm from the corneal limbus, the distance from the cannula to the fovea (CF distance) was preoperatively evaluated using anterior segmental optical coherence tomography. Surgical complications were also investigated. RESULTS: The CF distance was shortened by 1.22 ± 0.05 mm and 1.22 ± 0.09 mm on the temporal and nasal sides, respectively, by inserting the cannula at 3.5 mm to 6.0 mm from the corneal limbus. As per the preoperatively measured CF distance, one of the cannulas was inserted 6.0 mm from the corneal limbus in three eyes. Their cannulas were confirmed to be inserted at the pars plana, and no surgical complications associated with this technique were observed. CONCLUSION: Extending the limbus-to-cannula distance to 6.0 mm during pars plana vitrectomy could be one of the options to reach the posterior pole in highly myopic eyes. A preoperatively measured CF distance can be a clinical criterion in determining the cannula position.

Foveal Crack Sign: An OCT Sign Preceding Macular Hole After Vitrectomy for Rhegmatogenous Retinal Detachment.

PURPOSE: To describe an optical coherence tomography (OCT) sign preceding macular hole (MH) formation after pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) for rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD). DESIGN: Retrospective observational case series. METHODS: Patients who underwent PPV for RRD at Osaka Rosai Hospital between January 2014 and December 2017 were examined. First, the medical records of the patients who had secondary MH after RRD repair were examined, and their sequential changes of the OCT images until MH formation were evaluated. Second, the OCT findings and the medical records of all patients who underwent PPV for RRD were evaluated based on the findings of the cases of secondary MH. RESULTS: Ten eyes of 10 patients who had secondary MH after PPV for RRD were enrolled. Before MH formation, all eyes had parafoveal epiretinal membrane (ERM) and a characteristic OCT sign that was termed a foveal crack sign (FCS), a hyperreflective vertical line in the foveola with a deformation of the fovea. FCS was found 255 ± 217 days after PPV for RRD, and MH developed 232 ± 171 days after FCS appearance. Furthermore, among 518 eyes that underwent PPV for RRD, FCS with parafoveal ERM was found in 3 eyes without succeeding MH after RRD repair. FCS of these 3 eyes were found 363 ± 4 days after PPV for RRD. CONCLUSIONS: In all cases of secondary MH formation after PPV for RRD, FCS with parafoveal ERM was found before MH formation. This sign may predict secondary MH formation caused by ERM traction.

Impact of vitrectomy and air tamponade on aspheric intraocular lens tilt and decentration and ocular higher-order aberrations: phacovitrectomy versus cataract surgery.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the impact of vitrectomy and air tamponade on aspheric intraocular lens (IOL) tilt and decentration and postoperative internal higher-order aberrations (HOAs) in combined cataract surgery and vitrectomy (phacovitrectomy). STUDY DESIGN: Prospective comparative observational study. METHODS: Forty-five eyes that underwent phacovitrectomy using aspheric IOLs and 18 eyes that only underwent cataract surgery also using aspheric IOLs were prospectively evaluated. The subjects were divided into three groups: phacovitrectomy without fluid-air exchange (F/Ax) or with F/Ax and cataract surgery alone (Groups A, B, and C, respectively) Surgery-induced changes in lens tilt and decentration and internal HOAs were compared between each pair of groups. Subgroup analysis was conducted for cases with largely tilted (> 7°) or decentered (> 0.40 mm) IOLs 1 month postoperatively. RESULTS: Surgery-induced changes in lens tilt in Group B were significantly more pronounced than those in Group C at 1 week, 1 month, and 3 months postoperatively (P = 0.007, 0.009, and 0.043, respectively), while there was no significant difference in surgery-induced changes in lens decentration among the groups. IOLs in Group B were tilted and decentered toward the inferonasal direction. In contrast, there was no significant difference in internal HOAs among the groups at any postoperative visit. Only Group B included cases with largely decentered IOLs, and the internal total HOAs in these cases were significantly larger than those in the others (P = 0.015). CONCLUSION: Although largely decentered IOLs were occasionally found in Group B, aspheric IOLs could be effectively used in phacovitrectomy.

Risk Factors, Onset, and Progression of Epiretinal Membrane after 25-Gauge Pars Plana Vitrectomy for Rhegmatogenous Retinal Detachment.

PURPOSE: To investigate the risk factors, onset timing, and progression of epiretinal membrane (ERM) after pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) for rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD). DESIGN: Retrospective, comparative case series. PARTICIPANTS: The study included 322 eyes of 322 patients who underwent primary PPV for RRD from January 2014 through December 2016. METHODS: Patients underwent OCT before and 1, 3, 6, and 12 months after surgery. Patients showing hyperreflective lines above the inner retinal surface and deformation of the foveal pit were defined as ERM cases. Those with loss of the foveal pit were defined as advanced ERM cases. A multivariate logistic regression model was used to evaluate the risk factors of postoperative ERM. The onset timing of ERM and progression to advanced ERM after PPV for RRD were also investigated based on the OCT findings. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Risk factors, onset timing, and progression of ERM after PPV for RRD. RESULTS: In the multivariate analysis, the incidence of postoperative ERM was significantly higher in eyes with preoperative vitreous hemorrhage (VH; P = 0.011) and without internal limiting membrane (ILM) peeling (P < 0.001). Among the patients who underwent ILM peeling, none demonstrated postoperative ERM. Postoperative ERM was observed in 39 of the 322 eyes (12.1%) within 1 year after surgery; in 30 of these eyes (76.9%), ERM occurred within 3 months after surgery. Advanced ERM was observed in 12 eyes (12/39 eyes [30.8%]). Among these, 9 eyes (9/12 eyes [75%]) showed progression within 3 months after surgery. CONCLUSIONS: Preoperative VH can increase the occurrence of postoperative ERM. In most patients with ERM, the occurrence and progression were detected relatively early after surgery; therefore, in high-risk patients, careful follow-up is encouraged until 3 months after surgery.

Paracentral Acute Middle Maculopathy following Vitrectomy for Proliferative Diabetic Retinopathy: Incidence, Risk Factors, and Clinical Characteristics.

PURPOSE: To report the incidence of, risk factors for, and characteristics of paracentral acute middle maculopathy (PAMM) after 25-gauge pars plana vitrectomy for proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR). DESIGN: Retrospective, consecutive, interventional case series. PARTICIPANTS: Five hundred thirty eyes of 427 patients who underwent primary vitrectomy for PDR from 2013 through 2016. METHODS: The patients underwent measurement of best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), fundus photography, and OCT before and within 2 weeks after vitrectomy. A generalized linear mixed-effects model was used to evaluate risk factors for development of PAMM. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The incidence, associated risk factors, and clinical characteristics of PAMM following vitrectomy, including the change in BCVA in eyes with PAMM and the distribution of PAMM as determined by en face OCT. RESULTS: Four hundred ninety-six eyes of 395 patients who met the eligibility criteria were evaluated. The incidence of PAMM was 3.8% (15/395) for patients and 3.6% (18/496) for eyes. Multivariate analysis showed the significant risk factors for PAMM development to be younger age (mean age, 49 years in patients and 59 years in control participants; odds ratio [OR] 0.94; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.89-0.99; P = 0.021) and female gender (66.7% of patients and 31.3% of control participants; OR, 4.48; 95% CI, 1.57-12.6; P = 0.005). The PAMM was distributed on either side of the causative arterioles. In 14 of the 18 eyes (78%), PAMM was located within a 3-mm diameter of the fovea. In 10 eyes (56%), PAMM measured 1 disc diameter or more, and in 5 eyes (28%), PAMM measured one third disc diameter or less. No emboli were found in any eyes; however, multiple segmental arterial constrictions were confirmed during vitrectomy in 1 eye. The BCVA decreased more than 2 lines in 2 eyes (5%). CONCLUSIONS: Paracentral acute middle maculopathy can develop after pars plana vitrectomy for PDR, especially in patients who are younger and female. Impaired blood flow in arterioles, which leads to tissue hypoxia, was associated with development of PAMM.

Influence of Surgical Procedures and Instruments on the Incidence of Suprachoroidal Hemorrhage during 25-gauge Pars Plana Vitrectomy.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the influence of surgical procedures and instruments that are associated with intraocular pressure (IOP) fluctuations on the incidence of suprachoroidal hemorrhage (SCH) during 25-gauge pars plana vitrectomy (25G-PPV), and to investigate the clinical features of SCH during 25G-PPV. DESIGN: Retrospective, comparative case series. PARTICIPANTS: A total of 3034 cases that underwent initial 25G-PPV at a single surgical center. METHODS: Univariate analysis was performed to evaluate the relationships between the incidence of SCH during 25G-PPV and the surgical procedures and instruments that were associated with IOP fluctuations. The participants were divided into 4 groups that underwent the following procedures: neither fluid-air exchange nor vitreous shaving under scleral depression (group 1, n = 1144); fluid-air exchange alone (group 2, n = 463); vitreous shaving under scleral depression alone (group 3, n = 639); and both procedures (group 4, n = 788). The incidence of SCH in each group was compared. The clinical features and surgical outcomes of SCH during 25G-PPV were also investigated. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The incidence of SCH during 25G-PPV and the clinical features and surgical outcomes of SCH during 25G-PPV. RESULTS: The incidence of SCH was significantly higher in cases that underwent fluid-air exchange (P = 0.0047) or vitreous shaving under scleral depression (P = 0.0157). There were no significant relationships between the incidence of SCH and the use of surgical instruments. The incidence of SCH in group 4 (8/788, 1.02%) was significantly higher than that in groups 1 (1/1144, 0.09%), 2 (0/463, 0%), and 3 (0/639, 0%) (P = 0.01). Almost all SCH cases were localized, and there were no cases of SCH involving the posterior pole. Of all the SCH cases, only one case required reoperation for retinal redetachment. No cases required secondary surgical management for SCH. CONCLUSIONS: There remains a slight risk of SCH during 25G-PPV in cases that require both fluid-air exchange and vitreous shaving under scleral depression. Even if SCH occurs during 25G-PPV, the surgical outcomes after SCH may not be substantially worse.

Characteristics of cases with postoperative vitreous hemorrhage after 25-gauge vitrectomy for repair of proliferative diabetic retinopathy.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to compare ocular and systemic parameters between proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR) cases with postoperative vitreous hemorrhage (PVH) and those without PVH after 25-gauge vitrectomy, and to investigate the predictors of PVH. METHODS: The medical records of 106 eyes of 78 consecutive patients who underwent primary 25-gauge vitrectomy were reviewed. RESULTS: The incidences of early and late PVH were found to be 18.9 % (20/106 eyes) and 17.9 % (19/106 eyes) respectively. On multiple logistic regression analysis, intraoperative bleeding from new vessels on the disc was identified as the most important factor, with the greatest odds ratio, for the development of early PVH (odds ratio = 3.395, P = 0.134), while the HbA1c level was identified as the most important significant factor, with the greatest odds ratio, for the development of late PVH (odds ratio = 1.403, P = 0.014). CONCLUSIONS: Early PVH tends to occur in severe PDR cases, while late PVH tends to occur in cases with poor diabetic control.

Retrospective comparisons of vitrectomy with and without air tamponade to repair lamellar macular hole.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: To investigate the surgical outcomes of vitrectomy with to that without air tamponade in eyes with a lamellar macular hole. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The medical records of 23 eyes that underwent 25-gauge vitrectomy with air tamponade and 18 eyes that underwent 25-gauge vitrectomy alone were reviewed. RESULTS: The pre- and postoperative best corrected visual acuities (BCVAs) in logarithm of the minimum angle resolution units were 0.26 ± 0.27 and 0.12 ± 0.15 in eyes with tamponade and 0.35 ± 0.30 and 0.14 ± 0.23 in eyes without tamponade. There were no significant differences in BCVAs between the two groups both pre- and postoperatively. Postoperative BCVA was significantly improved in eyes with tamponade (P = .023) and without tamponade (P < .001). None of the cases developed a full-thickness macular hole postoperatively. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that air tamponade may not be required during vitrectomy to achieve good BCVA and anatomic closure in eyes with a lamellar macular hole.

Retrospective comparison of 25-gauge vitrectomy for repair of proliferative vitreoretinopathy with or without anterior proliferation.

PURPOSE: The purpose of the study was to compare the outcomes of 25-gauge vitrectomy for the repair of rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD) complicated by proliferative vitreoretinopathy (PVR) with and without anterior PVR (A-PVR). METHODS: We reviewed the medical records of 26 eyes of 26 patients who underwent 25-gauge vitrectomy for grade C PVR with A-PVR and 16 eyes of 16 patients who underwent the same procedure for grade C PVR without A-PVR. RESULTS: The number of previous surgeries for RRD was significantly higher in A-PVR cases than in those without A-PVR (P = 0.021). Scleral buckling and retinotomy/retinectomy were performed significantly more frequently in A-PVR eyes than in those without A-PVR (P = 0.017 and <0.001, respectively). The A-PVR eyes required longer surgical times than those without A-PVR (P =0.001). Final anatomical success was achieved in 24 of 26 (92.3 %) eyes with A-PVR and 16 of 16 (100 %) eyes without A-PVR (P =0.517). Best-corrected visual acuity before and six months after vitrectomy was 1.41 ± 0.96 and 0.86 ± 0.78 logarithm of minimal angle of resolution (logMAR) units, respectively, in eyes with A-PVR and 1.17 ± 0.87 and 0.63 ± 0.72 logMAR units, respectively, in eyes without A-PVR (P =0.355 and 0.276, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: These results indicate that 25-gauge vitrectomy can be used for both types of PVR, although eyes with A-PVR may require scleral buckling and retinotomy/retinectomy more often and may require longer surgical times.

Anatomic and functional outcomes of 25-gauge vitrectomy for repair of eyes with rhegmatogenous retinal detachment complicated by proliferative vitreoretinopathy.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the outcome of 25-gauge vitrectomy for repair of rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD) complicated by proliferative vitreoretinopathy (PVR). METHODS: Twenty-seven eyes of 27 patients who had undergone 25-gauge vitrectomy for grade C PVR were investigated retrospectively. The surgical procedures, anatomic success, and best-corrected visual acuity were assessed. RESULTS: The mean number of operations was 1.4 (range 1-4). During the 25-gauge vitrectomy, 20-gauge instruments were needed in eleven eyes (40.7%) to remove resilient fibrous preretinal membranes, to extract subretinal proliferations, or to remove or infuse silicone oil. The retina was reattached in 21 eyes (77.8%) after the initial vitrectomy and in 25 eyes (92.6%) at the final examination. The mean best-corrected visual acuity in logarithm of the minimal angle of resolution units was 1.36 ± 0.81 before vitrectomy and 0.79 ± 0.71 at one month, 0.73 ± 0.72 at 3 months, 0.73 ± 0.75 at 6 months, and 0.75 ± 0.78 at 12 months after vitrectomy. The best-corrected visual acuities were significantly improved compared with the preoperative ones at all postoperative assessments (P<0.001). CONCLUSION: Twenty-five gauge vitrectomy is a relatively safe and efficacious method of treating RRD with PVR, although combined use of 20-gauge instruments may be needed for certain surgical procedures.

Hyperautofluorescent ring in eyes with macular holes.

BACKGROUND: Fundus autofluorescence studies in eyes with macular holes (MHs) have shown a hyperautofluorescent spot corresponding to the hole and a hypoautofluorescent ring corresponding to the fluid cuff surrounding the hole. The purpose of this report is to present three cases of MH with a different fundus autofluorescence pattern. CASE REPORTS: Case 1 was a 62-year-old woman who did not know the duration of the MH in her left eye. Her decimal best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) was 0.08. The left eye had a one-half disc diameter MH with a depigmented ring surrounding the area of the fluid cuff. Fundus autofluorescence showed a hyperautofluorescent ring corresponding to the depigmented ring. After vitrectomy, fundus autofluorescence showed the same size hyperautofluorescent ring despite the decreased size of the opened MH. Case 2 was a 69-year-old woman who had been diagnosed with MH in the right eye 13 years earlier. Her decimal BCVA was 0.1. The right eye had a one-half disc diameter MH with a depigmented ring surrounding the area of the fluid cuff. Fundus autofluorescence showed a hyperautofluorescent ring corresponding to the depigmented ring. Postoperative fundus autofluorescence showed the same size hyperautofluorescent ring despite the hole being closed. The decimal BCVA was 0.2 in her right eye 6 months after vitrectomy. Case 3 was a 71-year-old woman who had been diagnosed with MH in the right eye 15 years earlier. Her decimal BCVA was 0.1. The right eye had a one-half disc diameter MH with a depigmented ring which corresponded with a hyperautofluorescent ring. Postoperative fundus autofluorescence showed the same size hyperautofluorescent ring despite the hole being closed. The decimal BCVA was 0.2 in her right eye 6 months after vitrectomy. CONCLUSION: Our findings suggest that a hyperautofluorescent ring in eyes with MHs may be an indicator of a poor surgical prognosis both anatomically and functionally.

Early vitreous hemorrhage after vitrectomy with preoperative intravitreal bevacizumab for proliferative diabetic retinopathy.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the effect of preoperative intravitreal bevacizumab (IVB) on surgical procedures, visual prognosis, and postoperative complications, especially postoperative vitreous hemorrhage, in cases with proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Seventy-one eyes of 54 consecutive patients (23 eyes of 18 women, 48 eyes of 36 men) were investigated in this study. Twenty-five eyes received IVB one to 30 days before the vitrectomy (Bevacizumab Group) and the other 46 eyes had the vitrectomy alone (Control Group). The surgical procedures, best-corrected visual acuities at baseline, 1, 3, and 6 months after the vitrectomy, and postoperative complications in the Bevacizumab Group were compared to the Control Group. RESULTS: The patients were significantly younger in the Bevacizumab Group compared to the Control Group (P = 0.008). The incidence of preoperative vitreous hemorrhage, tractional retinal detachment, and iris neovascularization was significantly higher in the Bevacizumab Group than in the Control Group (P = 0.017, 0.041, and 0.018, respectively). The surgical procedures performed and the visual acuity at all time points was not significantly different between groups (P > 0.05, all comparisons). The incidence of early (≤ 4 weeks) postoperative vitreous hemorrhage was significantly higher in the Bevacizumab Group (27%) than in the Control Group (7%; P = 0.027) although the rate of late (>4 weeks) postoperative vitreous hemorrhage was not significantly different between groups (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: Vitrectomy with preoperative IVB may have no detrimental effect on surgical procedures and achieves the surgical outcomes for repair of PDR equal to vitrectomy alone despite the obvious selection bias of the patients in this study. However, special monitoring is highly recommended for early postoperative vitreous hemorrhage because bevacizumab in the vitreous may be washed out during vitrectomy.

Faster recovery after 25-gauge microincision vitrectomy surgery than after 20-gauge vitrectomy in patients with proliferative diabetic retinopathy.

BACKGROUND AND METHODS: We compared surgical procedures and outcomes, including duration of recovery period, in eyes with proliferative diabetic retinopathy that underwent 25-gauge microincision vitrectomy surgery with those that underwent 20-gauge vitrectomy. Seventy-two eyes from 53 patients that underwent 20-gauge vitrectomy in 2006 and 87 eyes from 55 patients that underwent 25-gauge vitrectomy in 2010 were studied. The surgical procedures, ie, number of vitreous procedures, operating time, and ratio of type of intraocular tamponade were compared between the two groups. In addition, the outcomes, ie, postoperative complications, anatomical success, postoperative best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), and duration of hospitalization as an indicator of the postoperative recovery period were also compared. RESULTS: There were no significant differences in surgical procedures or ratio of cases with postoperative complications between cases with 20-gauge and 25-gauge vitrectomy. The final anatomical success rate was 100% in the two groups. BCVA at 6 months after the final vitrectomy was significantly better than the preoperative BCVA for both types of vitrectomy (P < 0.05), and was not significantly different between the two groups. The average duration of hospitalization was 19.5 days after 20-gauge vitrectomy, which was significantly longer than the 11.0 days after 25-gauge vitrectomy (P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: These results indicate that the anatomical and functional improvements after 25-gauge microincision vitrectomy surgery are not significantly different from those after 20-gauge vitrectomy in eyes with proliferative diabetic retinopathy. However, the significantly shorter recovery period after 25-gauge microincision vitrectomy surgery suggests that it is less traumatic than 20-gauge vitrectomy.

25-gauge vitrectomy versus intravitreal bevacizumab for macular edema secondary to branch retinal vein occlusion: 1 year follow-up.

INTRODUCTION: This study aims to compare the long-term efficacy of 25-gauge vitrectomy to that of intravitreal bevacizumab (IVB) for the treatment of macular edema (ME) secondary to branch retinal vein occlusion (BRVO). MATERIALS AND METHODS: The medical records of 46 eyes of 46 consecutive patients were reviewed. Twenty-seven eyes underwent 25-gauge vitrectomy (VIT Group) and 19 eyes received 1.25 mg of IVB (IVB Group). The best-corrected visual acuities (BCVAs) in logarithm of minimum angle resolution units and central macular thicknesses (CMTs) were evaluated before and 3, 6, and 12 months after the initial treatment. RESULTS: There was no significant difference in the pre-treatment BCVA and CMT between the 2 groups. In the VIT Group, the preoperative BCVA was 0.59 and the CMT was 587.3 µm and the BCVA was 0.35 and the CMT was 286.6 µm, 12 months after the vitrectomy. Both values were significantly (P <0.05) better at 12 months than the preoperative values. In the IVB Group, the average number of IVB was 2.4 during the 1-year period. The BCVA was 0.69 and the CMT was 590.9 µm before the IVB, and the BCVA was 0.36 and the CMT was 360.1 µm, 12 months after the initial IVB. The improvements of these 2 parameters were significant (P <0.05) at 12 months after the initial IVB. The differences in the BCVA and CMT at 12 months between the 2 groups were not significant. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that the 25-gauge vitrectomy and IVB have similar effects in improving the BCVA and CMT in eyes with ME secondary to BRVO. However, IVB often required several injections to preserve the improvement.