Hematoma endocapsular: complicación inusual tras facoemulsificación y esclerectomía profunda no perforante / Endocapsular haematoma: An unusual complication of phacoemulsification and non-penetrating deep sclerectomy

CASO CLÍNICO: Varón de 68 años con catarata y glaucoma primario de ángulo abierto no controlado con máximo tratamiento tópico en ojo derecho, intervenido de cirugía combinada de esclerectomía profunda no perforante y facoemulsificación. No presentó complicaciones intraoperatorias, pero en el postoperatorio inmediato acudió por disminución brusca de agudeza visual tras maniobra de Valsalva; se objetivó en la exploración un hematoma endocapsular. En ausencia de resolución espontánea, a los 3meses se realizó capsulotomía posterior con láser neodomio: YAG con mejoría visual inmediata y óptimo control de la presión intraocular. DISCUSIÓN: Se describe el primer caso de hematoma endocapsular como complicación de cirugía no perforante en glaucoma, manejado eficazmente con capsulotomía YAG

CASE REPORT: A 68-year-old male with a cataract and uncontrolled primary open angle glaucoma with maximal tolerated medication underwent non-penetrating deep sclerectomy combined with phacoemulsification surgery in right eye. There were no complications during the procedure, but shortly after the surgery, he lost visual acuity after a Valsalva manoeuvre due to an endocapsular haematoma. Neodymium:YAG laser posterior capsulotomy was performed for the treatment of an unresolving endocapsular haemorrhage at the third month of the follow-up, with immediate visual improvement and optimal control of intraocular pressure. DISCUSSION: To the best of our knowledge, this is the first reported case of endocapsular haematoma as a complication of non-penetrating glaucoma surgery that has been successfully solved by a YAG capsulotomy

Prospective evaluation of penetrating deep sclerectomy in advanced open-angle glaucoma: Filtration surgery adapted to resource scarcity in developing countries.

PURPOSE: Two of the hurdles that are facing ophthalmologists in developing countries are scarcity of resources and patient follow-up. Deep sclerectomy (DS) has proven less costly and more effective than topical therapies and has a more favorable safety profile than trabeculectomy. The main factors preventing its use in developing countries are the need to perform laser goniopuncture in 40-80% of cases to maintain filtration and the risk of postoperative iris incarceration. The purpose of this study is to assess the efficacy and safety profile in advanced open-angle glaucoma of a relatively new surgical technique designed to overcome this limitation: penetrating DS. SETTING: This was an investigator-initiated, prospective, interventional study, conducted at a single ophthalmology center in Kinshasa, Congo. The study was conducted in full compliance with the Declaration of Helsinki. METHODS: Fifty-one eyes (34 patients) with uncontrolled advanced primary open-angle glaucoma (visual field mean deviation<-10 dBs) were enrolled between October 2012 and June 2016. Age, gender, comorbidities (hypertension/diabetes), best-corrected visual acuity, topical medications, medicated and unmedicated intraocular pressure (IOP) were recorded. All patients underwent penetrating DS, during which, following standard dissection of the scleral flaps, the anterior chamber was penetrated through the trabeculo-Descemet membrane and an iridectomy was performed. Patients attended postoperative appointments at months 1, 3, 6 and 12. Surgical success was defined as a 20% reduction of IOP from baseline in conjunction with a 12-month unmedicated IOP≤12mmHg. RESULTS: The mean age was 64.5±14.0 years (44.1% female, 100% African). Mean IOP decreased from 20.2±6.1 (medicated) and 30.7±9.8mmHg (unmedicated) preoperatively to 12.1±4.1 at 12 months. Concomitantly, the number of topical medications decreased from 1.5±0.7 to 0.0. Complete surgical success was achieved in 64.7%. Four eyes (7.8%) were considered surgical failures due to uncontrolled IOP. None of the eyes lost light perception or required additional surgery. A significant association between surgical failure and hypertension was observed (HR=1.49; P=0.008). There were no intraoperative complications. Postoperatively, 4 bleb encapsulations (7.8%) and 1 iris incarceration (2%) were observed. CONCLUSIONS: The present study demonstrates that penetrating DS achieved similar efficacy and safety results to traditional non-penetrating DS. In addition, it showed a lower potential for intraoperative complications, which might be associated with a more benign surgical learning curve. Finally, the rates of serious postoperative complications (iris incarceration, choroidal effusion and hypotony) were significantly lower than in DS and trabeculectomy, and this technique does not require subsequent Nd: YAG laser goniopuncture to maintain filtration, making frequent follow-up visits less critical. In view of these findings, perforating deep sclerectomy could offer a viable option for glaucoma management in developing countries as well as worldwide.

Bilateral decompression retinopathy after deep sclerectomy with mitomycin C in a child with tubulointerstitial nephritis and uveitis syndrome.

INTRODUCTION: To report the first case of bilateral ocular decompression retinopathy after uneventful non-perforating deep sclerectomy with mitomycin C in a child with tubulointerstitial nephritis and uveitis syndrome. CASE DESCRIPTION: An 8-year-old girl affected by tubulointerstitial nephritis and uveitis syndrome developed ocular hypertension (45 mmHg in the right eye and 42 mmHg in the left eye) associated with recurrent episodes of uveitis and chronic use of steroids despite maximum hypotensive medical treatment. Bilateral non-perforating deep sclerectomy with mitomycin C (0.2 mg/mL, 1 min) was performed under general anesthesia without complications. The first postoperative day, the visual acuity was reduced to 0.6 in the right eye and 0.05 in the left eye and the intraocular pressure was 3 mmHg in both eyes. Fundoscopy revealed bilateral optic nerve swelling and diffuse retinal hemorrhages, some of them with scattered-white centers. About 2 months after surgery, the visual acuity was normal and the fundus examination showed complete resolution. CONCLUSION: The ocular decompression retinopathy is an uncommon complication after non-perforating deep sclerectomy. This is the first case of bilateral ocular decompression retinopathy reported after non-perforating deep sclerectomy in a child with ocular hypertension secondary to recurrent uveitis and chronic use of steroids associated with tubulointerstitial nephritis and uveitis syndrome.

Effects on ocular discomfort and tear film dynamics of suturing 23-gauge pars plana vitrectomies / Efeito da sutura da vitrectomia via pars plana de calibre 23 no desconforto ocular e na dinâmica do filme lacrimal

ABSTRACT Purpose: To evaluate the effects of suturing 23-gauge pars plana vitrectomies on ocular discomfort and tear film dynamics. Methods: This retrospective chart review involved data from 50 procedures in 50 patients who underwent 23-gauge pars plana vitrectomy from January to November 2016. We divided the eyes into two groups according to the presence or absence of sutures; 35 eyes underwent sutureless vitrectomies (Group 1), and 15 eyes underwent vitrectomy with at least one sclerotomy suture site (Group 2). In each group, we assessed objective variables including tear film break-up time, Schirmer test I, corneal surface grading with Oxford system, and a quantitative method evaluating subjective dry eye symptoms using ocular surface disease index questionnaires preoperatively 1 week, and 1 and 3 months after surgery. Results: The tear film break-up time showed a significant difference at the 3-months follow-up (p=0.026). The Schirmer test I and corneal surface staining score showed no statistically significant differences between two groups at any time after the operations. The ocular surface disease index score was significantly lower in Group 1 than in Group 2 at 1 week (p=0.032), 1 month (p=0.026), and 3 months (p=0.041) after the operation. Conclusion: Sclerotomy suturing caused ocular discomfort and had a negative effect on tear film dynamics during the late postoperative period. Sclerotomies without suturing seem to reduce the ocular surface changes.

RESUMO Objetivo: Avaliar os efeitos da sutura da vitrectomia via pars plana de 23-gauge sobre o desconforto ocular e a dinâmica do filme lacrimal. Métodos: Esta revisão retrospectiva de prontuários envolveu dados de 50 casos em 50 pacientes submetidos à vitrectomia via pars plana de 23-gauge, de janeiro a novembro de 2016. Dividimos os olhos em dois grupos de acordo com a presença ou ausência de suturas; 35 olhos foram submetidos à vitrectomia sem sutura (Grupo 1) e 15 olhos foram submetidos à vitrectomia com pelo menos um ponto de sutura no local da esclerotomia (Grupo 2). Em cada grupo, avaliamos variáveis objetivas incluindo tempo de ruptura do filme lacrimal, teste de Schirmer I, gradação da superfície corneana com o sistema Oxford e um método quantitativo avaliando sintomas subjetivos de olho seco usando questionários de índice de doença da superfície ocular nos períodos: 1 semana do pré-operatório, 1 mês e 3 meses após a cirurgia. Resultados: O tempo de ruptura do filme lacrimal apresentou diferença significativa no seguimento de 3 meses (p=0,026). O teste de Schirmer I e o escore da coloração da superfície da córnea não mostraram diferenças estatisticamente significativas entre os dois grupos em nenhum momento após as operações. O escore do índice de doença da superfície ocular foi significativamente menor no Grupo 1 em relação ao Grupo 2 no período de 1 semana (p=0,032), 1 mês (p=0,026) e 3 meses (p=0,041) após a cirurgia. Conclusão: A sutura da esclerotomia causou desconforto ocular e teve um efeito negativo na dinâmica do filme lacrimal durante o período pós-operatório. Esclerotomias sem sutura parecem reduzir as alterações da superfície ocular.

Effects on ocular discomfort and tear film dynamics of suturing 23-gauge pars plana vitrectomies.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the effects of suturing 23-gauge pars plana vitrectomies on ocular discomfort and tear film dynamics. METHODS: This retrospective chart review involved data from 50 procedures in 50 patients who underwent 23-gauge pars plana vitrectomy from January to November 2016. We divided the eyes into two groups according to the presence or absence of sutures; 35 eyes underwent sutureless vitrectomies (Group 1), and 15 eyes underwent vitrectomy with at least one sclerotomy suture site (Group 2). In each group, we assessed objective variables including tear film break-up time, Schirmer test I, corneal surface grading with Oxford system, and a quantitative method evaluating subjective dry eye symptoms using ocular surface disease index questionnaires preoperatively 1 week, and 1 and 3 months after surgery. RESULTS: The tear film break-up time showed a significant difference at the 3-months follow-up (p=0.026). The Schirmer test I and corneal surface staining score showed no statistically significant differences between two groups at any time after the operations. The ocular surface disease index score was significantly lower in Group 1 than in Group 2 at 1 week (p=0.032), 1 month (p=0.026), and 3 months (p=0.041) after the operation. CONCLUSION: Sclerotomy suturing caused ocular discomfort and had a negative effect on tear film dynamics during the late postoperative period. Sclerotomies without suturing seem to reduce the ocular surface changes.

A Comparison of Deep Sclerectomy Trainer Versus Trainee Outcomes.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to compare the results of deep sclerectomy (DS) and combined deep sclerectomy with phacoemulsification (phaco-DS) performed by clinical fellows with those by an experienced glaucoma surgeon and DS trainer. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This is a retrospective nonrandomized study of 266 eyes of 226 consecutive patients who had DS or phaco-DS between March 2014 and December 2016 which were included from a database of all glaucoma surgery performed in our department. A minimum of 9 months follow-up was required. The cases were recorded as to whether a fellow or consultant performed the entire procedure. Overall, 114 surgeries were performed by the consultant and 164 surgeries were performed by the fellow, in which 91 cases received no assistance from the consultant. Intraocular pressure (IOP) success criteria were: (A) IOP<22 mm Hg and/or 20% decrease from baseline off any glaucoma medications and (B) IOP<16 mm Hg and/or 30% drop from baseline off any glaucoma medications. RESULTS: No statistically significant difference was noted by any criteria (P<0.05) between the 2 groups. The Kaplan-Meir IOP success rates at 2 years with criteria B (IOP<16 mm Hg without medications) were 64% for consultant, 76% for independent surgeries done by a fellow and 72% for surgeries with assistance from the consultant trainer (P=0.15). There were no significant differences between measured IOPs at any time after surgery. Intraoperative perforation of trabeculo-Descemet membrane was noted in 4 cases (3.5%) done by the consultant and 12 cases (7.3%) performed by fellows (Fisher exact P=0.19). CONCLUSIONS: IOP outcomes of DS and phaco-DS were not adversely affected if fellows performed surgery, whether under supervision or independently.

Risk assessment of sudden visual loss following non-penetrating deep sclerectomy in severe and end-stage glaucoma.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: To assess the risk of immediate sudden visual loss ("wipe-out" phenomenon) following non-penetrating deep sclerectomy (NPDS) for end-stages glaucoma within the first 6-months postoperative period. SUBJECTS/METHODS: Monocenter database study. We reviewed the results for 73 eyes with severe or end-stage glaucoma that underwent NPDS. End-stage glaucoma (stage 5) was defined by the inability of patients to perform the Humphrey visual field test or by a visual acuity <20/200 due to glaucoma, according to the Glaucoma Staging System classification. Severe glaucoma (stage 4) was defined by a mean deviation (MD) <-20 dB by the preoperative 24-2 Humphrey visual field assessment. All eyes had a severe defect on the central 10° visual field: only a central island of vision remained. "Wipe-out" was defined as the permanent postoperative reduction of visual acuity to <20/200 or to "counting fingers" or less if preoperative visual acuity was <20/200. RESULTS: The mean age was 60 years (range 22-86). Before surgery, the average MD (Humphrey 24-2) was -25.6 ± 3.8 dB, the MD (Humphrey 10-2) -19.9 ± 7.0 dB, and the VFI 24.6 ± 13%. There were no cases of postoperative flat anterior chamber. No patients experienced "wipe-out" within the first 6 months following surgery. At the six-month visit, intraocular pressure (IOP) had decreased significantly from 22.0 ± 8.8 to 13.5 ± 4.5 mmHg (P<0.001). There were no significant changes in mean visual acuity after 6 months (P = 6). CONCLUSIONS: In our study, NPDS provided considerable IOP decrease with no occurrences of "wipe-out" and few other complications. Consideration of NPDS in end-stage and severe glaucoma is advisable given its low risk of intraoperative and postoperative complications and the low risk of wipe out. This surgery should probably be offered with less apprehension about the risk of "wipe-out" in end-stages glaucoma.

Decompression retinopathy following nonpenetrating deep sclerectomy for primary congenital glaucoma.

BACKGROUND: To describe a unique case of decompression retinopathy manifesting as pre-macular subhyaloid hemorrhage that occurs in a nine-day old child after undergoing a non-penetrating deep sclerectomy for primary congenital glaucoma. CASE PRESENTATION: We report a single case of a 9-day-old boy who was referred to our department of ophthalmology for bilateral buphtalmia and corneal edema. He presented marked elevation of the intraocular pressure in both eyes (22 mmHg and 26 mmHg, in the right eye and left eye respectively) associated with significant optic nerve cupping. Non-penetrating deep sclerectomy was performed for each eye, with effective reduction of the intraocular pressure during the first week postoperatively (11 mmHg and 7 mmHg in the right eye and left eye respectively). The right eye presented an isolated subhyaloid hemorrhage located in the pre-macular area, persisting 3 weeks after the initial surgery and requiring pars-plana vitrectomy to clear the visual axis. This uncommon complication was identified as decompression retinopathy. The intraocular pressure remained controlled in the normal range three years after initial surgery in both eyes, with reversal of optic disc cupping. CONCLUSIONS: Decompression retinopathy is a potential complication after non-penetrating deep sclerectomy in primary congenital glaucoma, requiring prompt treatment strategy to prevent potential organic amblyopia.

Supraciliary Implant Placement and Postoperative Suprachoroidal Hemorrhage After Nonpenetrating Deep Sclerectomy.

PURPOSE: The purpose if this study was to evaluate the clinical characteristics and risk factors of 3 eyes (3 patients), with primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG), in whom a postoperative suprachoroidal hemorrhage (SCH) occurred after a previous nonpenetrating deep sclerectomy (NPDS) augmented with a supraciliary nonabsorbable implant placement. METHODS AND SURGICAL TECHNIQUE: This is a report of 3 eyes of the 3 patients who underwent NPDS in 3 different centers, by 3 experienced surgeons, and were the only ones to develop postoperative SCH in the last 18 years. All were operated with a one-third thickness outer scleral flap measuring 5×5 mm dissected until it reached 1 to 2 mm into the clear cornea. Mitomycin C (MMC, 0.02%) was applied for 1 minute and an inner scleral flap measuring 4×4 mm was dissected leaving only 10% of scleral thickness below. Then, the inner wall of Schlemm canal was removed. A supraciliary implant, T-flux (Carl Zeiss Meditec, Zeiss, Spain) in case 2 and Esnoper (AJL Ophthalmics SA, Miñano, Spain) in cases 1 and 3, was placed through a full-thickness escleral incission 2 mm behind the scleral spur. RESULTS: Three eyes with uncontrolled primary open-angle glaucoma had a delayed SCH after an uneventful NPDS. Time lapse from filtering surgery to the SCH ranged from 12 hours in case number 1, to 3 weeks in case 3. Several risk factors for DSH were present, but the only common clinical feature for all of them, was the nonabsorbable implant that was placed in the supraciliary space. A Hema implant (Esnoper) was used in 2 eyes (cases 1 and 3), and T-flux, was implanted in the case 2. Case 1 required vitreoretinal surgery and had poor visual outcome, but cases 2 and 3 recovered with conservative treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Although taking the potential bias arising from the nature of the current cases report into consideration, supraciliary placement of the implant in NPDS could be a risk factor for SCH. Consequently, it seems reasonable to avoid it, especially in the presence of other best recognized factors.

Optical Coherence Tomography Angiography Description of Ocular Decompression Retinopathy After Deep Sclerectomy in Traumatic Glaucoma.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this article is to present a case of ocular decompression retinopathy (ODR) occurring after uncomplicated deep sclerectomy with Mitomycin C using optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA). PATIENT AND METHOD: This is a single case report. RESULTS: A 55-year-old man with traumatic glaucoma in the right eye complained of blurred vision. Visual acuity was 20/25 and intraocular pressure (IOP) was 50 mm Hg. Deep sclerectomy with Mitomycin C was performed. On the first postoperative day, best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) was light perception and IOP was 6 mm Hg. At 3 months follow-up, BCVA was 20/40 and IOP was 14 mm Hg. Fundoscopy showed multiple diffuse round retinal hemorrhages over the posterior pole, in all quadrants. On OCTA (RTVue XR Avanti; Optovue Inc., Fremont, CA), hemorrhages were present in superficial and deep retinal layers, with a normal vascularization in the en face image. BCVA improved to 20/32 at postoperative month 4 with reduced but persistent retinal hemorrhages. CONCLUSIONS: ODR is a rare complication of filtering surgery. To the best of our knowledge, this is the second reported case of ODR occurring after deep sclerectomy and first description using OCTA. OCTA showed superficial and deep retinal hemorrhages with a normal vascular configuration. High-preoperative IOP seems to be the most important risk factor for this complication.

Transscleral tunnel incision related arterial hemorrhage in 23-gauge Vitrectomy: case report.

BACKGROUND: Transscleral tunnel incisions are commonly made to avoid postoperative leakage in small gauge sutureless vitrectomy. We present an unreported intraoperative complication, tunnel incision related arterial hemorrhage from sclerotomy, in 23-gauge (23G) vitrectomy. CASE PRESENTATION: Two cases of intraocular arterial hemorrhage from superonasal sclerotomy were observed at the beginning of vitrectomy. The bleeding filled the vitreous cavity quickly and gushed out from the incision port after the involved supronasal cannula was removed. The active bleeding seemed not to stop spontaneously. We controlled the active bleeding by relocating the involved cannula, elevating the intraocular pressure and compressing the sclera wound. Post-operative intraocular hemorrhage from the sclerotomy was not found in any of the two cases. CONCLUSIONS: We suggest that the bleeding was from injured ciliary artery when the incision crossed 3 or 9 o'clock accidently. Surgeons might avoid this complication by locating the superior incisions away from the horizontal axis, and should be aware the proper management.

Risk factors for suture requirement and early hypotony in 23-gauge vitrectomy for complex vitreoretinal diseases.

PURPOSE: To find out the rate of suture requirement and post-operative hypotony in a series of 23-gauge pars plana vitrectomy cases and analyze the factors affecting post-operative hypotony and leakage of sclerotomy leading to suture placement. METHODS: This is a single-center retrospective interventional case series. Eighty-four eyes underwent 23-gauge vitrectomy. Primary endpoint measures were rate of leakage of 23-gauge sclerotomies requiring suture placement at the end of surgery and rate of early post-operative hypotony. Secondary endpoint measures were risk factors for early hypotony and leakage requiring suture placement at the end of surgery. RESULTS: Suture placement in at least one sclerotomy because of sclerotomy leakage was required in 28.6 % (24 of 84) of eyes at the end of surgery. Early post-operative hypotony was seen in 14.3 % (12 of 84). Silicone oil endotamponade and single-step surgery were found as factors increasing the risk of sclerotomy leakage leading to suture placement. Suture placement was the only significant factor increasing the risk of early post-operative hypotony. CONCLUSION: Sclerotomy sutures may be required in 23-gauge surgery, more frequently in cases of single-step sclerotomy and/or silicone oil endotamponade. Meticulous suturation of leaking sclerotomies may decrease the rate of post-operative hypotony.

SCLEROTOMY LEAKAGE IN TRANSCONJUNCTIVAL SMALL-GAUGE PARS PLANA VITRECTOMY: Effect of Removing the Cannula Over the Light Pipe.

PURPOSE: To determine the effect of cannula removal over the light pipe on the incidence of sclerotomy leakage and to evaluate other factors that may influence the incidence of sclerotomy leaks and hypotony on conclusion of small-gauge transconjunctival pars plana vitrectomy. METHODS: Retrospective, interventional clinical study of consecutive patients who underwent small-gauge transconjunctival pars plana vitrectomy at a single academic center. Eyes were divided into a group in which cannulae were removed over the light pipe (Group L) and a group in which cannulae were simply pulled out (Group N). The primary comparison was the comparison in requirement for suturing of sclerotomies between Groups L and N. RESULTS: Forty-eight eyes of 48 patients were included in the study (Group L: 21 eyes; Group N: 27 eyes). In Group L, 14/42 (33%) superior sclerotomies required suturing compared with 7/54 (13%) sclerotomies in Group N (P = 0.024). Superior sclerotomy leaks were also more common in Group L (28/42, 67%) compared with Group N (23/54, 43%, P = 0.024). Similarly, more eyes had hypotony after cannula removal in Group L (11/21; 52%) compared with Group N (5/27; 19%, P = 0.03). There were no differences in any of these measures when comparing fluid-filled to air- or gas-filled eyes. CONCLUSION: Removing the cannula over the light pipe results in a greater frequency of leaking, including leaking that results in hypotony or that requires suturing. The technique of cannula removal affects the risk of leakage and the risk of requiring suturing of a sclerotomy.

Fungal Endophthalmitis Associated With DSAEK and Thermal Sclerostomy.

An 85-year-old man with remote thermal sclerostomy and Descemet's stripping automated endothelial keratoplasty (DSAEK) in the right eye presented urgently for pain and blurred vision in that eye. Examination revealed bleb purulence and vitreous cellular aggregates concerning for endophthalmitis. Microscopy of a vitreous sample revealed yeast and pseudohyphae. He developed corneal infiltrates consistent with fungal infection. Therapy included topical, intravitreal, and systemic antifungals voriconazole and amphotericin. Fungal pathogens have very rarely been reported to cause bleb-associated endophthalmitis and should be considered in addition to bacterial pathogens. Vitreous aspiration should be performed in all cases of bleb-related endophthalmitis and include fungal studies. [Ophthalmic Surg Lasers Imaging Retina. 2016;47:691-693.].

Comparison of Conjunctival Cytological Alterations following Conventional and Sutureless Sclerotomies.

PURPOSE: To assess the alterations in conjunctival impression cytology following 23-gauge transconjunctival sutureless versus conventional pars plana vitrectomy. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Sixty consecutive patients were enrolled in the study. Conjunctival impression cytology was performed on 30 eyes (of 30 subjects) with 23-gauge transconjunctival sutureless vitrectomy and on 30 eyes (of 30 subjects) with conventional vitrectomy. Conjunctival impression cytology was performed preoperatively on the 1st day and in the 3rd month after the surgery. Impression cytology specimens of each group were graded and scored using a range of 0-3 according to Nelson's method. RESULTS: In the conventional pars plana vitrectomy group, statistically significant alterations in the conjunctival impression cytology were detected on the 1st postoperative day (p = 0.001) and in the 3rd postoperative month (p = 0.001), whereas in the 23-gauge transconjunctival sutureless pars plana vitrectomy group, statistically significant changes were observed on the 1st postoperative day. However, no significant changes were observed in the following 3 postoperative months (p = 0.08). CONCLUSION: The properties of impression cytology were altered in the early postoperative period after sutureless and conventional vitrectomy. These changes were improved in the sutureless vitrectomy group only. Sutureless vitrectomy also had an advantageous effect on the conjunctival cytological changes and conjunctival structure.

[Application of mitomycin in primary covered sclerotomy]. / Die gedeckte Sklerotomie mit primärer Mitomycin-C-Applikation.

BACKGROUND: The covered sclerotomy is a minimally invasive, standardized fistulating glaucoma surgical procedure with reduced risk of complications. Early postoperative bleb fibrosis is a main success-limiting problem. In this clinical study IOP follow-up and the one year success rate after primary application of mitomycin C (MMC) is analyzed. PATIENTS AND METHODS: In 76 eyes with advanced glaucoma and without previous fistulating surgery, a covered sclerotomy combined with 3-minute-application of MMC0,02 % was performed. Over a period of 12 months, bleb and pressure were controlled regularly. The success rates were compared primarily with data from an earlier study without application of MMC. RESULTS: The mean age of the patients was 70 ± 11 years. 45 % had a pseudoexfoliation syndrome while 41 % were pseudophakic. The mean intraocular pressure (IOP) was 27 ± 8,5 mmHg preoperatively. After 12 months it was 16,2 ± 4,3 mmHg (p < 0.05) with a mean IOP reduction of 40 %. The absolute success rate (intraocular pressure < 21 mmHg without antiglaucoma therapy) was 58 % and the relative success rate (intraocular pressure < 21 mmHg under treatment) was 71 %. A revision or a needling was performed in 22 eyes (29 %). MMC-related complications were not observed. CONCLUSION: Through the additional MMC application on the base of the primary covered sclerotomy a significant pressure reduction could be achieved. 58 % of the patients didn't need any glaucoma medicine. The absolute success rate was higher than without additional inhibitions of the fibrosis.

Evaluation of the safety of sclerotomy incision in patients with choroidal colobomas with/without associated microcornea.

PURPOSE: Whether the position of the ora serrata is normal in patients with choroidal colobomas remains unknown. The aim of this study was to measure the distance between the ora serrata and limbus in these patients and define safe sclerotomy sites for standard three-port pars plana vitrectomy. METHODS: Twelve patients with choroidal colobomas with normal corneas (Group 1) and 11 patients with choroidal colobomas with microcornea (Group 2) were included in the study. Twelve patients with simple retinal detachment served as control subjects. All participants underwent vitrectomy. The distance between the limbus and ora serrata, corneal diameter, and ocular axial length were measured. RESULTS: The average corneal diameter was 10.9 mm in Group 1, 7.9 mm in Group 2, and 11.4 mm in the control group. The average distance between the limbus and ora serrata was 6.3 mm in Group 1, 7.6 mm in Group 2, and 6.2 mm in the control group. There were significant differences in the distance between the limbus and ora serrata among the 3 groups (analysis of variance test, P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Our study confirmed that it is safe to perform a sclerotic puncture 4 mm posterior to the limbus for vitrectomy in patients with choroidal colobomas with or without microcornea.

Surgically induced astigmatism following glaucoma surgery in Egyptian patients.

PURPOSE: The altered visual function induced by changes in corneal curvature following filtration surgery is distressing to patients. The aim of this study was to evaluate surgically induced astigmatism following trabeculectomy in comparison with deep sclerectomy. METHODS: In a prospective interventional comparative study, patients with primary open-angle glaucoma were randomly allocated to either group A or B; deep sclerectomy with mitomycin C 0.2 mg/mL and trabeculectomy with mitomycin C 0.2 mg/mL, respectively. Keratometry was performed using Topcon KR-7000P autokerato-refractometer preoperatively and at 6 months postoperatively. Vector analysis was used to analyze the surgically induced astigmatism. RESULTS: Sixty eyes of 45 patients in group A, and 60 eyes of 42 patients in group B were enrolled for vector analysis. The mean preoperative astigmatic vector power was -0.49±1.65 D and +0.47±2.18 D in groups A and B, respectively. The mean postoperative astigmatic vector power was -1.14±1.55 D in group A and -0.35±1.8 D in group B. The mean change in astigmatic vector powers was -0.67±1.63 D in group A and -0.82±2.0 D in group B. When compared with preoperative data in either group, the differences were significant, P=0.001 & 0.007 in groups A and B respectively, whereas the postoperative difference between either group was insignificant (P=0.723). A total of 40% of corneas got flatter in group B compared with 25% in group A, P=0.057. CONCLUSIONS: Both trabeculectomy and deep sclerectomy induced considerable postoperative astigmatism. A longer follow-up period is recommended to study the different patterns of astigmatism in either procedure.