Diagnóstico diferencial de las reacciones inflamatorias tras uso de medicación intravítrea en degeneración macular asociada a la edad: estéril vs. infeccioso / Differential diagnosis of endophthalmitis after intravitreal drug injection for age related macular degeneration: Sterile vs. infectious

El interés por las complicaciones inflamatorias tras la inyección intravítrea de fármacos antiangiogénicos ha aumentado tras la comercialización de brolucizumab y el desarrollo de nuevas moléculas como el abicipar pegol. Dichos fármacos se asocian a una tasa de complicaciones inflamatorias mayor a los antiangiogénicos clásicos. En este contexto resulta clave el diferenciar procesos infecciosos y estériles para realizar un tratamiento efectivo y precoz. El solapamiento del cuadro clínico entre procesos infecciosos y estériles, la baja tasa de positividad en los cultivos y la heterogeneidad en la terminología son barreras para el correcto diagnóstico y reporte de las complicaciones inflamatorias tras la inyección de medicación antiangiogénica intravítrea. Los cuadros estériles comienzan de forma precoz tras la inyección, dentro de las primeras 48 h, o alrededor de 20 días después en los casos de vasculitis asociada a brolucizumab. Los procesos infecciosos comienzan como promedio en el tercer día tras la inyección, y hasta una semana después de la misma. La disminución grave de la agudeza visual, el dolor severo, la hiperemia severa, el hipopion y un mayor grado de inflamación intraocular deben orientar hacia procesos infecciosos. En los casos en que exista duda sobre la etiología de la inflamación, debe procederse a un control muy estrecho del paciente o al tratamiento antimicrobiano empírico junto con la toma de muestra para evitar complicaciones derivadas de una endoftalmitis infecciosa. Por el contrario, los fenómenos estériles deben ser tratados con observación en los casos más leves o corticoterapia adaptada a la gravedad de inflamación en los casos más graves (AU)

The recent release of brolucizumab and the development of new antiangiogenic molecules as abicipar pegol has increased the interest towards inflammatory complications after intravitreal drug injection. Those drugs are associated to a higher rate of inflammatory adverse events compared to classic drugs. In this context it is essential to differentiate between sterile and infectious cases for a fast and effective treatment. The clinical similarities between infectious and sterile cases, the high rate of culture negative patients and the heterogeneity in the terminology used are obstacles for a correct diagnosis and report of these complications. Sterile cases appear early after the injection, before 48h; or 20 days after in brolucizumab-related vasculitis cases. Infectious cases show up around the third day after injection and up to a week after it. A severe visual impairment, severe pain, severe hyperemia, hypopyon and a more severe intraocular inflammatory process are signs of a likely infectious origin. If the cause of the inflammation is uncertain we must follow up the patient closely or “tap and inject” antimicrobial agents in order to prevent the eventual complications of an infectious endophthalmitis. On the other hand, sterile endophthalmitis might be observed in mild cases or treated with steroids according to the severity of the inflammation (AU)

Agujero macular iatrogéno durante la inyección de perfluorocarbono líquido en una cirugía de desprendimiento de retina / Iatrogenic macular hole during liquid perfluorocarbon injection in retinal detachment surgery

Reportar la formación de agujero macular durante la inyección intravítrea de perfluorocarbono líquido en la cirugía programada de desprendimiento de retina. Caso clínico Varón de 73 años con desprendimiento de retina regmatógeno superotemporal. Durante la inyección de perfluorocarbono líquido se produce un agujero macular de espesor completo con acumulación del perfluorocarbono en el espacio subretiniano. El líquido se extrajo a través del agujero macular. La tomografía de coherencia óptica confirmó un agujero macular de espesor total en el examen postoperatorio. Un mes después se repara con técnica de colgajo invertido de membrana limitante interna con resultado funcional satisfactorio. La inyección de perflurocarbono líquido intravítreo es electiva, facilita el drenaje del fluido subretiniano en los desprendimientos de retina. Algunas complicaciones han sido asociadas a su empleo, intraoperatorias y postoperatorias. Hasta el momento no ha sido reportado ningún caso de agujero macular completo producido durante la inyección intravítrea de perfluorocarbono (AU)

To describe a macular hole development during intravitreal injection of perfluorocarbon liquid used to repair a rhegmatogenous retinal detachment. Clinical case A 73-year-old man presented with superotemporal rhegmatogenous retinal detachment. During surgery, along the perflorocarbon liquid injection, a full thickness macular developed and perfluorocarbon was accumulated in subretinal space. Perfluorocarbon liquid was then extracted through the macular hole. Postoperatively, ocular coherence tomography confirmed the existence of a full-thickness macular hole. One month later, this macular hole was successfully treated with the use of an inverted internal limiting membrane flap. Intravitreous liquid PFC injection is a resource to aid in subretinal fluid exit. A number of complications, both intra and postoperative, have been associated with the use of PFC. This is the first reported case of a complete macular hole secondary to PFC injection (AU)

RISK OF INTRAOCULAR INFLAMMATION AFTER INJECTION OF ANTIVASCULAR ENDOTHELIAL GROWTH FACTOR AGENTS: A Meta-analysis.

PURPOSE: This meta-analysis investigates the incidence of intraocular inflammation (IOI) after intravitreal antivascular endothelial growth factor injections in neovascular age-related macular degeneration. METHODS: A systematic search was performed on Ovid MEDLINE, Embase, and Cochrane Central from January 2005 to April 2021. Randomized controlled trials comparing IOI after intravitreal bevacizumab, ranibizumab, brolucizumab, or aflibercept in neovascular age-related macular degeneration were included. Primary outcomes were sight-threatening IOI, final best-corrected visual acuity, and change in best-corrected visual acuity from baseline. Secondary outcomes included the incidence of other IOI events. Meta-analysis was performed using a random-effects model. RESULTS: Overall, 11,460 unique studies were screened, of which 14 randomized controlled trials and 6,759 eyes at baseline were included. There was no difference between agents for the risk of endophthalmitis and retinal vascular occlusion. Compared with aflibercept, brolucizumab had a higher incidence of generalized IOI (risk ratio = 6.24, 95% confidence interval = [1.40-27.90]) and vitreous haze/floaters (risk ratio = 1.64, 95% confidence interval = [1.00-2.67]). There were no significant differences between comparators for other secondary end points. CONCLUSION: There was no difference in the risk of severe sight-threatening IOI outcomes between intravitreal antivascular endothelial growth factor agents. There was a significantly higher risk of generalized IOI after brolucizumab relative to aflibercept. Our results alongside other recent safety findings suggest the need for further investigation in the risk-benefit profile of brolucizumab for the treatment of neovascular age-related macular degeneration.

Clinical Characteristics and Outcomes of Eyes with Intraocular Inflammation after Brolucizumab: Post Hoc Analysis of HAWK and HARRIER.

PURPOSE: This analysis of the pivotal phase 3 HAWK and HARRIER trials aimed to provide insights on the timing of presentation, management, and outcomes of intraocular inflammation (IOI)-related adverse events (AEs), as reported by investigators in these trials. DESIGN: Post hoc analysis of investigator-reported IOI-related AEs in HAWK and HARRIER. PARTICIPANTS: Of 1088 brolucizumab-treated eyes (3 or 6 mg), 49 eyes demonstrated at least 1 IOI-related AE and were included in this analysis. METHODS: Reports of IOI-related AEs were analyzed and descriptive statistics were provided for outcome measures. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Incidence and description of eyes with IOI-related AEs, timing of presentation, management, clinical outcomes, and brolucizumab treatment after the first IOI-related AE. RESULTS: Seventy IOI-related AEs were reported in 49 eyes. Before the onset of first IOI-related AE, eyes received a mean ± standard deviation (SD) of 3.9 ± 2.2 brolucizumab injections. Median time to first IOI-related AE from the last administered brolucizumab injection was 18.0 days (interquartile range, 4.0-29.0 days). Of the 70 AEs, 61 (87.1%) were treated, most with topical corticosteroids; systemic and intraocular corticosteroids were used for 3 AEs each. Overall, inflammation resolved completely in 39 eyes (79.6%), resolved with sequelae in 5 eyes (10.2%), and did not resolve in 5 eyes (10.2%) by end-of-study (EOS). Overall, the mean ± SD best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) change from baseline to EOS, before AE to the lowest BCVA in 3 months after AE, and from before AE to EOS were -0.84 ± 20.6 , -16.31 ± 17.6, and -0.22 ± 18.9 Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study (ETDRS) letters, respectively. Of the 36 eyes (73.5%) that continued with brolucizumab therapy after the first IOI-related AE, 24 completed the trials and 12 discontinued; mean ± SD BCVA change in these eyes was 2.6 ± 17.6, 7.8 ± 13.2, and -7.7 ± 21.3 ETDRS letters, respectively, from baseline to EOS. The remaining 13 eyes (26.5%) were not treated with brolucizumab after first IOI-related AE and showed a mean ± SD BCVA change of -10.4 ± 25.5 ETDRS letters from baseline to EOS. CONCLUSIONS: Findings of this analysis highlight the need for continued vigilance and monitoring for any signs of IOI-related events in patients receiving brolucizumab.

Fungal Necrotizing Scleritis After Intravitreal Injection Therapy.

PURPOSE: To report a case of infectious necrotizing scleritis secondary to Aspergillus terreus after intravitreal injection therapy. METHODS: This is a case report with literature review. RESULTS: A 98-year-old woman receiving intravitreal aflibercept injections for neovascular age-related macular degeneration in the left eye presented with severe pain, redness, and purulent discharge at the injection site. She was initially treated with topical fortified antibiotics, and clinical improvement was achieved, although microbial cultures showed negative results. Two months later, she presented with severe ocular pain and was diagnosed with anterior necrotizing scleritis. Scleral scrapings were collected for cultures, and intensive topical antibiotic therapy was reintroduced. Evaluation for autoimmune etiology and microbiological testing showed negative results. Because of the progression of the scleral necrotic area, empirical therapy with topical voriconazole was initiated, and surgical debridement was performed. Finally, the culture was positive for A. terreus. The modified therapy consisted of topical voriconazole and oral voriconazole for 3 months with an excellent clinical outcome. CONCLUSIONS: To our knowledge, this is the first case of fungal necrotizing scleritis secondary to intravitreal injection. Diagnosis was delayed due to its chronic clinical course and the slow fungal growth in culture media, but the combined medical and surgical approach resulted in a satisfactory outcome.

Acute and subacute macular and peripapillary angiographic changes in choroidal and retinal blood flow post-intravitreal injections.

Whether post injectional acute intraocular pressure (IOP) increase is associated with decreased peripapillary and macular perfusion is still under debate. Here, we investigated early changes in the choroidal and retinal blood flow using OCTA imaging in a cohort of patients undergoing anti-VEGF intravitreal injections (IVI) for macular edema following retinal vein occlusion and diabetic retinopathy. In this prospective single-center, observational study, the pre- and post-IVI changes in retinal perfusion were examined via assessment of vessel length density (VLD) and vessel density (VD) in deep and superficial capillary segmentations (DCP and SCP), foveal avascular zone (FAZ) in SCP, as well as flow signal deficits in the choriocapillaris segmentation. Mean IOP significantly changed over the study course (p = 0.000; ANOVA). Measurements at 5 min post-IVI (33.48 ± 10.84 mmHg) differed significantly from baseline (17.26 ± 2.41 mmHg, p = 0.000), while measurements from one day, one week, and one-month post-IVI did not (p = 0.907, p = 1.000 and p = 1.000 respectively). In comparison to baseline, no changes in OCTA parameters, including FAZ, VD, VLD, and FV, were detected 5 min post-IVI. No significant alterations in OCTA parameters were observed during study course. Increased IOP spikes were detected post-IVI; however, no potential permanent ischemic retinal damage was suspected.

Description and management of retinopathy of prematurity reactivation after intravitreal antivascular endothelial growth factor therapy.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: To review the literature regarding reactivation of retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) after treatment with antivascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF) agents. RECENT FINDINGS: Reactivation can occur after anti-VEGF or laser. Risk factors for reactivation include patient and disease-related factors. Various studies are evaluating the use of different anti-VEGF agents and reactivation rates. However, the definition of reactivation varies between studies. SUMMARY: The literature has varied definitions of reactivation, which is often used interchangeably with recurrence. It is important to recognize features of reactivation of ROP to appropriately manage patients and conduct clinical trials. The International Classification of ROP 3rd edition has established a consensus guideline regarding terminology describing reactivation.

Complications of retinopathy of prematurity treatment.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: The purpose of this review is to summarize complications of treatment for retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) and to compare complications of laser and intravitreal antivascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) injections. RECENT FINDINGS: Poor structural outcomes and myopia are more common with laser for severe ROP than with anti-VEGF. Clinical trial data show unfavourable outcomes in 9.1-9.5% of laser treated, and 1.4-3.6% of anti-VEGF treated eyes. Additional randomized trial data show risk for very high myopia (≥-8.00D) to be 3.8 and 51.4% for zone I eyes treated with bevacizumab and laser, respectively. However, anti-VEGF may be complicated by late recurrence and is more likely to require retreatment than laser. Laser often necessitates general anaesthesia with its attendant risks, including worse short-term respiratory outcomes. Neurodevelopmental complications have been reported with anti-VEGF, but existing studies are subject to bias. SUMMARY: Treatment complications are substantially different for the two modalities in common use today. In more severe cases, risk of poor structural outcome and myopia favour treatment with anti-VEGF. In less severe ROP, risk of recurrence and the need for additional treatments may favour laser. Additional data are needed to establish comparative risks of neurodevelopmental complications.

Rates of Suspected Endophthalmitis Following Intravitreal Injections in Clinical Practices in the United States.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: To evaluate rates of suspected endophthalmitis following intravitreal injections of aflibercept, bevacizumab, ranibizumab (vial and pre-filled), dexamethasone implant, and triamcinolone in clinical practice. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Retrospective study of aggregated electronic medical records from the Vestrum Health Database. Eyes with a diagnosis of suspected endophthalmitis based on billing codes between January 2013 and June 2019 were included. RESULTS: Total number of injections, suspected endophthalmitis cases, and medication rate, respectively, were: aflibercept (1,412,699; 687; 0.049%); bevacizumab (1,467,722; 379; 0.026%); ranibizumab vial (884,061; 233; 0.026%), ranibizumab pre-filled (427,763; 96; 0.022%); dexamethasone implant (49,464; 53; 0.107%); and triamcinolone (75,038; 110; 0.147%). Rates were lower for bevacizumab and ranibizumab (vial and pre-filled) compared to aflibercept, dexamethasone implant, and triamcinolone (P < .05). Triamcinolone had a higher rate compared to all of the other medications (P < .05). CONCLUSIONS: Suspected endophthalmitis rates following anti-vascular endothelial growth factor injections in clinical practice were similar to reported rates in clinical trials. Rates of suspected endophthalmitis following steroid injections trended higher with significantly higher rates with triamcinolone. [Ophthalmic Surg Lasers Imaging Retina. 2021;52:312-318.].

Trends in Endophthalmitis Associated With Intravitreal Injection of Anti-VEGF Agentsat a Tertiary Referral Center.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: To report the incidence and clinical features of infectious endophthalmitis after intravitreal (IV) injection of anti-vascular endothelial growth factor inhibitors (VEGF) between 2018 and 2020 and to compare to prior rates. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Retrospective analysis of patients with endophthalmitis after anti-VEGF IV injections treated at Bascom Palmer Eye Institute between January 1, 2018, and December 31, 2020. RESULTS: Between 2018 and 2020, the rate of clinically diagnosed endophthalmitis was 0.014% (10/71,858) and of culture-positive was 0.008% (6/71,858). Clinically diagnosed endophthalmitis rates per injection were: aflibercept (0.022%); ranibizumab (0.019%); bevacizumab (0%); and brolucizumab (0%). Clinically diagnosed endophthalmitis rates were similar in the present study compared to those from 2005 to 2017 (P = .84). Fifteen eyes were diagnosed with endophthalmitis (10 in-house, five external referrals). Of culture-positive eyes, the organisms were coagulase-negative Staphylococcus (8/11), Streptococcus species (2/11), and Abiotrophia defectiva (1/11). A universal face-masking policy in 2020 did not lower infection rates (P = .73). CONCLUSION: Endophthalmitis rates after IV anti-VEGF remain low and are similar to prior reports. [Ophthalmic Surg Lasers Imaging Retina. 2021;52:319-326.].

Incidence of elevated intraocular pressure after intravitreal injection in Japanese patients with age-related macular degeneration.

The purpose of this study was to report the incidence of elevated intraocular pressure (IOP) after intravitreal injection (IVI) of anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in Japanese patients with age-related macular degeneration (AMD). A retrospective study of chart review of patients who underwent ≥ 10 intravitreal anti-VEGF injections between April 2009 and December 2019 was conducted. Elevated IOP was defined as IOP ≥ 25 mmHg at one visit. Cases with elevated IOP resulting from IVI were identified. Furthermore, the association between elevated IOP and some parameters, as the risk factors that influence elevated IOP, was investigated. A total of 402 eyes of 370 patients were included in this study. Twenty-eight eyes of 26 patients (7.0%) were identified as cases with elevated IOP after IVI. The mean time of elevation after baseline was 50.6 ± 26.5 months. History of glaucoma (p = 0.021; odds ratio, 5.85), treatment modality (p = 0.019; odds ratio, 6.32), and total number of injections (p = 0.003; odds ratio, 1.03) were significantly associated with elevated IOP. A late complication of elevated IOP is associated with IVI in patients with AMD. Particularly, history of glaucoma and treat and extend regimen with frequent injections were found to be risk factors of elevated IOP.

ENDOPHTHALMITIS AFTER INTRAVITREAL INJECTIONS DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC WITH IMPLEMENTATION OF UNIVERSAL MASKING.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the rates of postintravitreal injection-related endophthalmitis during the COVID-19 pandemic with institution of both physician and patient face masking. METHODS: All eyes receiving intravitreal injections of any kind from a single large tertiary retina practice in Houston, TX before (August 2017-March 22, 2020) and after (March 23, 2020-September 2020) COVID-19 pandemic universal masking protocols. The total number of injections and cases of acute injection-related endophthalmitis were determined from billing records and subsequent retrospective chart review. The primary outcome was the rate of endophthalmitis after intravitreal injection. Secondary outcomes included visual acuity, time until initial presentation, patient age, and differences in the overall number of injections performed monthly pre-COVID-19 and post-COVID-19. RESULTS: A total of 134, 097 intravitreal injections were performed during the study period (111,679 pre-COVID-19 and 22,418 post-COVID-19 masking protocols). A total of 41 cases of acute endophthalmitis occurred in the pre-COVID group (0.04%, one in 2,500) and 7 cases in the post-COVID group (0.03%, one in 3,333) P = 0.85. CONCLUSION: In this single center, retrospective study, the implementation of universal patient and physician masking as practiced during the COVID-19 pandemic did not significantly affect the rate of postintravitreal injection endophthalmitis.

The Influence of Universal Face Mask Use on Endophthalmitis Risk after Intravitreal Anti-Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Injections.

PURPOSE: Routine use of face masks for patients and physicians during intravitreal anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) injections has increased with the emergence of the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic. This study evaluates the impact of universal face mask use on rates and outcomes of post-injection endophthalmitis (PIE). DESIGN: Retrospective, multicenter, comparative cohort study. PARTICIPANTS: Eyes receiving intravitreal anti-VEGF injections from October 1, 2019, to July 31, 2020, at 12 centers. METHODS: Cases were divided into a "no face mask" group if no face masks were worn by the physician or patient during intravitreal injections or a "universal face mask" group if face masks were worn by the physician, ancillary staff, and patient during intravitreal injections. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Rate of endophthalmitis, microbial spectrum, and visual acuity (VA). RESULTS: Of 505 968 intravitreal injections administered in 110 547 eyes, 85 of 294 514 (0.0289%; 1 in 3464 injections) cases of presumed endophthalmitis occurred in the "no face mask" group, and 45 of 211 454 (0.0213%; 1 in 4699) cases occurred in the "universal face mask" group (odds ratio [OR], 0.74; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.51-1.18; P = 0.097). In the "no face mask" group, there were 27 cases (0.0092%; 1 in 10 908 injections) of culture-positive endophthalmitis compared with 9 cases (0.004%; 1 in 23 494) in the "universal face mask" group (OR, 0.46; 95% CI, 0.22-0.99; P = 0.041). Three cases of oral flora-associated endophthalmitis occurred in the "no face mask" group (0.001%; 1 in 98 171 injections) compared with 1 (0.0005%; 1 in 211 454) in the "universal face mask" group (P = 0.645). Patients presented a mean (range) 4.9 (1-30) days after the causative injection, and mean logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution (logMAR) VA at endophthalmitis presentation was 2.04 (~20/2200) for "no face mask" group compared with 1.65 (~20/900) for the "universal face mask" group (P = 0.022), although no difference was observed 3 months after treatment (P = 0.764). CONCLUSIONS: In a large, multicenter, retrospective study, physician and patient face mask use during intravitreal anti-VEGF injections did not alter the risk of presumed acute-onset bacterial endophthalmitis, but there was a reduced rate of culture-positive endophthalmitis. Three months after presentation, there was no difference in VA between the groups.

Impact of air injection on subretinal fluid following successful scleral buckling surgery for macular-involving retinal detachment.

Air injection is an accessory technique during scleral buckling (SB). Subclinical subretinal fluid (SRF) may presence and persistent after SB. The impact of air injection on SRF is unclear. In the study, we retrospectively enrolled 51 patients with macular-involving RD who had undergone successful SB. They were categorized into Group A (SB without air injection) and Group B (SB with air injection). First, we found that although group B seem to be severer than group A before surgery, Kaplan-Meier graph showed that SRF absorbed more rapidly in group B after surgery, and the incidence of SRF in group B was much lower during the whole follow-up period. Moreover, the cases with superior breaks had the lowest incidence. Second, during the follow-up period, there was no significant difference about postoperative complication between two groups. Lastly, risk factors for persistent SRF were investigated with binary logistic regression, and no risk factor was found. In conclusion, air injection during the SB might accelerate SRF absorption and reduce the incidence of persistent SRF, especially for the longstanding macular-off RD with superior breaks.

Endophthalmitis following Intravitreal Anti-Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Therapy: Changes in Incidence and Outcomes over a 9-Year Period.

Aims: To evaluate whether the incidence, microbial spectrum, and visual outcomes of endophthalmitis following intravitreal injections have changed over time.Methods: Retrospective cohort study of endophthalmitis in eyes receiving intravitreal injection of anti-vascular endothelial growth factor between 2009-2012 and 2016-2017 at a single, large retina practice.Results: A total of 283,315 injections resulted in 96 suspected infectious endophthalmitis cases. Comparing 2009-2012 and 2016-2017, the rate of suspected endophthalmitis changed from 1 in 2,663 injections to 1 in 3,195 injections (p = .37). Visual outcomes 6 months after endophthalmitis were significantly better during the latter period (p = .04), with an average loss of 6.3 lines of VA in 2009-2012 compared to a loss of 3.6 lines in 2016-2017. In multivariate analysis, a "no-talking" policy during injections resulted in a trend towards a decrease in endophthalmitis incidence (p = .08). Cessation of post-injection topical antibiotic use did not independently decrease endophthalmitis incidence (p = .24) when the effect of a "no-talking" policy was taken into account. A lower rate of endophthalmitis was seen after prefilled vs. conventionally prepared ranibizumab syringe use for injection (0.014% vs. 0.035%, respectively), though this difference did not meet statistical significance (p = .16).Conclusion: The incidence of endophthalmitis after intravitreal injection decreased and visual outcomes improved between the periods of 2009-2012 and 2016-2017. A "no-talking" policy during injections was associated with a trend toward a decrease in endophthalmitis rate.

Three Japanese cases of intraocular inflammation after intravitreal brolucizumab injections in one clinic.

INTRODUCTION: To report the development of intraocular inflammation (IOI) in three Japanese patients in the same clinic after intravitreal injections (IVI) of brolucizumab to treat neovascular age-related macular degeneration. CASES REPORTS: The major findings were: (1) all three eyes had a history of treatment with multiple anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) agents; (2) the time to the onset of IOI after the first IVI of brolucizumab varied, i.e., onset occurred after the first IVI in two cases and after the second IVI in one case; (3) the degree of vitreous opacities resulting from the IOI varied among the three cases and directly affected the degree of the decrease in the visual acuity (VA) and the timing of the VA recovery; (4) an injection of triamcinolone acetonide into the sub-Tenon's capsule (STTA) resulted in resolution of the IOI and improvement of the VA; and (5) the sheathed retinal vessels indicating vasculitis improved associated with reduction of the IOI after STTA. COMMENTS: Although all three cases responded well to the injection of triamcinolone acetonide into the sub-Tenon's capsule, physicians should fully disclose to patients both the potential for this adverse effect, especially those patients with a history of anti-VEGF therapy, and the benefits of therapy with brolucizumab. Immediate steroid therapy is recommended to possibly reduce deterioration of the visual function caused by persistent IOI.

Intra-operative scleral rupture during 23 gauge pars plana vitrectomy: a case report.

BACKGROUND: Use of perfluorocarbon liquid (PFCL) has been increasingly growing as an adjuvant in vitreo-retina surgeries. Some commonly encountered complications with its use include subretinal migration, formation of sticky silicone oil or retained PFCL in vitreous cavity and anterior chamber. Scleral rupture during PFCL injection has a rare occurrence. We report an unexpected event of scleral rupture during PFCL injection and discuss the management challenges faced by the surgeon. CASE PRESENTATION: A 66 year indo-aryan male was undergoing pars-plana vitrectomy (PPV) with diagnosis of subtotal rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RD) with Proliferative Vitreo-retonipathy (PVR)-B. After near total vitrectomy PFCL was being injected and then there was sudden poor visualization of fundus with development of bullous RD and globe hypotony. The surgeon was not able to figure out the cause of hypotony and air was switched on in the infusion cannula. This further complicated the situation resulting in migration of air in the anterior chamber, posterior dislocation of intraocular lens complex, 180° inferior retinal dialysis and ballooning of the conjunctiva which gave a clue of probable scleral rupture. Conjunctival peritomy was performed superiorly and scleral defect was noted. Intraocular tissue incarceration and air leak was visible from the wound. This confirmed scleral rupture during PFCL injection. Repositioning of incarcerated retina was not possible and retinectomy was performed followed by repair of scleral rupture with lots of difficulty in a vitrectomised eye. CONCLUSION: PFCL injection, a crucial step of vitreoretina surgery, should be performed slowly with extreme caution maintaining an optimal intraocular pressure to prevent devastating complications like scleral rupture.