Intrascleral fixation of intraocular lens haptics: histological advantages in a comparison with scleral suture fixation in rabbits.

PURPOSE: To disclose histological advantages of intrascleral fixation of intraocular lens haptics, in comparison with scleral suture fixation, in a study with rabbits. METHODS: Ten white rabbits, 10 weeks of age, were used in this experimental histopathological study. After unilateral lensectomy and anterior vitrectomy, an intraocular lens haptic was inserted into one eye of each rabbit. Intrascleral fixation was performed in five rabbits, whereas scleral suture fixation was performed in the others. At postoperative 1 week, the globe was enucleated in two rabbits in each group; at postoperative 8 weeks, the globe was enucleated in the remaining three rabbits in each group. Sections of the sclera around haptics and sutures were evaluated with haematoxylin and eosin and immunohistochemical staining methods. We assessed severity of inflammation on histopathological photos, taken near the haptic or suture in the sclera, by counting white blood cells. The Mann-Whitney U test was performed to analyse differences in the severity of inflammation between the groups. RESULTS: Samples in the intrascleral fixation group demonstrated reduced irregularity of collagen fibres; reduced infiltration of fibroblasts, giant cells, lymphocytes, neovascular cells, neutrophils and eosinophils and weaker staining for fibronectin (indicating tissue repair) and heat shock protein 70 (indicating cell damage). In addition, reduced white blood cell infiltration was observed in the intrascleral fixation samples at 8 weeks in both shallow sclera (p = 0.001) and deep sclera (p = 0.002). CONCLUSIONS: Histological analysis showed that intrascleral fixation caused fewer inflammatory changes than scleral suture fixation, with reduced fibroblast migration and production of cytotoxic factors.

Exposure of haptic of posterior chamber intraocular lens after sutureless intrascleral fixation.

BACKGROUND: A technique of sutureless intrascleral fixation of an intraocular lens (IOL) in an eye that lacks a posterior capsular support has been reported. The advantage of this technique was that the suture-related complications did not develop. However, the long-term complications of a sutureless IOL implantation have not been reported. CASE PRESENTATION: A 75-years-old man had a sutureless intrascleral fixation (Y-fixation) of an IOL 4 months before our examination. The nasal haptic became exposed and the temporal haptic was seen in the subconjunctiva. The tilted IOL was removed and replaced by a posterior chamber IOL that was sutured to the sclera. At the 6 months examination, the eye was quiet and the IOL was stable. CONCLUSION: We suggest that the exposure of the nasal haptic of an IOL that was implanted by sutureless intrascleral fixation (Y-fixation) was due to poor surgical technique and/or the erosion of a fragile sclera. Thus, eyes should be carefully and frequently monitored after sutureless intrascleral posterior chamber IOL implantation.

Relationship between anterior capsule opening and direction of intraocular lens decentration.

PURPOSE: To compare intraocular lens (IOL) decentration between patients in whom the continuous curvilinear capsulorhexis (CCC) completely covers the IOL optic and those in whom it incompletely covers the IOL optic and determine how an incompletely covered CCC affects the IOL position. SETTING: Tertiary hospital in Japan. DESIGN: Single-center retrospective study. METHODS: 57 eyes of 57 patients (mean age 70.8 ± 6.2 years) that underwent phacoemulsification and IOL (SN60WF) implantation in the bag between April 2010 and April 2015 were included in this study. The patients were classified based on whether the CCC completely (CC group) or incompletely (NCC group) covered the IOL optic using an anterior eye segment analysis system (EAS-1000). The IOL decentration of the groups was analyzed using EAS-1000 at 1 week, 1 month, 3 months, and 6 months postoperatively and compared. The relationship between the NCC location and the IOL direction at 3 months postoperatively was analyzed. RESULTS: The NCC group (25 eyes) had a significantly higher amount of IOL decentration than the CC group (32 eyes) at 1 week, 1 month, 3 months, and 6 months postoperatively ( P < .05). There was a correlation between the direction of IOL decentration and the NCC location, and IOL decentration in the NCC group occurred in the opposite direction to the NCC area. CONCLUSIONS: An anterior capsule opening that completely covers the IOL optic is important to control IOL decentration.

[Phase III open-label study of nepafenac ophthalmic suspension 0.1% for inflammation and ocular pain following ophthalmic surgery].

PURPOSE: To examine the efficacy and safety of nepafenac ophthalmic suspension 0.1% on postoperative inflammation and eye pain with intraocular surgery, other than cataract surgery. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Patients scheduled to undergo vitreous surgery, trabeculectomy, laser iridotomy, laser trabeculoplasty and laser posterior capsulotomy were investigated in a multicenter, open-label study. RESULTS: The total rate of patients cured in all the intraocular surgery methods was 85.6% (95/111), and that of the patients who were pain free was 91.0% (101/111). The rate cured by vitreous surgery was 80.4% (45/56), by laser iridotomy 93.3% (14/15) and by laser posterior capsulotomy was 94.6% (35/37). The rate of patients free from pain following vitreous surgery was 85.7% (48/56), laser iridotomy 100.0% (15/15) and by laser posterior capsulotomy was 94.6% (35/37). A total of 23 adverse events were reported in 22 patients (19.6%). Allergic conjunctivitis was observed in one patient (0.9%) as an adverse event, in which the relationship cannot be denied. This allergic conjunctivitis was mild and resolved after treatment. CONCLUSION: Nepafenac ophthalmic suspension 0.1% is considered safe and efficious not only following cataract surgery but also for postoperative inflammation and eye pain in intraocular surgery.

Comparison of the outcomes of limbal-based trabeculectomy with and without anchor sutures.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: To retrospectively evaluate the efficacy and safety of limbal-based trabeculectomy with anchor sutures compared to standard limbal-based trabeculectomy. Limbal-based trabeculectomy was performed with a new technique using anchor sutures, which involved tying the conjunctiva to the sclera at a deep fornix incision to prevent bleb localization induced by slippage of the conjunctival suture scar toward the scleral flap. PATIENTS AND METHODS: In this retrospective, comparative, interventional case series, 45 eyes that underwent limbal-based trabeculectomy with anchor sutures and 27 eyes that underwent standard limbal-based trabeculectomy were analyzed (primary surgery). RESULTS: At a target intraocular pressure of 15 mm Hg, the 3-year survival rate using Kaplan-Meier analysis was 76.2% in the limbal-based trabeculectomy with anchor sutures group and 55.6% in the standard limbal-based trabeculectomy group. Bleb morphology analysis using the Moorfields Bleb Grading System showed that blebs in the limbal-based trabeculectomy with anchor sutures group were more diffused than those in the standard limbal-based trabeculectomy group. CONCLUSION: Limbal-based trabeculectomy with anchor sutures appears to be an effective method for decreasing intraocular pressure and improving morphology of blebs.

The impact of different anti-vascular endothelial growth factor treatment regimens on reducing burden for caregivers and patients with wet age-related macular degeneration in a single-center real-world Japanese setting.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the burden associated with different anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) treatment strategies for wet age-related macular degeneration (wAMD) in a real-word setting in Japan. METHODS: Single-center, cross-sectional survey of caregivers of patients with wAMD performed in a hospital in Mito-City, a rural area in Japan. Caregiver burden was evaluated using the Burden Index of Caregivers (BIC-11), and depressive symptoms were assessed by the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression scale. Retrospective medical chart review was conducted to monitor resource use and visual acuity outcomes in patients. The productivity loss of caregivers accompanying patients on hospital visits was estimated using the human capital method. RESULTS: Seventy-one patient-caregiver pairs were included. Most caregivers were female (74.6%), spouse/partner (54.9%), employed (46.5%), and the primary caregiver (85.9%). Patients received anti-VEGF treatment as follows: treat-and-extend (T&E; n = 42), switch (from as-needed [PRN] to T&E; n = 18), PRN (n = 10), and other (n = 1). Caregiver-related burden (total BIC-11 scores) were 4.29 (T&E) 4.60 (PRN), and 5.33 (switch) (p = NS). The mean number of hospital visits was lower with T&E than PRN (7.88 vs. 14.0 [p = 0.00674] in year 1 and 5.68 vs. 9.0 in year 2). For patients who switched from PRN to T&E, the mean number of hospital visits decreased from 13.21 to 7.43 (p<0.0001) in the first year after switch. The productivity loss associated with accompanying patients to the hospital was lower for caregivers of patients receiving T&E than PRN (mean differences: 74,456.04 JPY [p = 0.00284] in year 1 and 40843.14 JPY in year 2), and was also reduced for caregivers of patients who switched from PRN to T&E. CONCLUSION: wAMD treatment with anti-VEGF agents via T&E reduced hospital visits compared with PRN, where associated monitoring visits are necessary to provide good patient outcomes. T&E was associated with a reduction trend in caregiver burden, including time and costs.

Retinal protection using a viscoadaptive viscoelastic agent during removal of a luxated crystalline lens by intravitreal phacoemulsification.

PURPOSE: To report a method of retinal protection using a viscoadaptive viscoelastic agent during removal of a luxated crystalline lens by intravitreal phacoemulsification. DESIGN: Interventional case report. METHODS: A 65-year-old man presented with a totally luxated crystalline lens in the vitreous cavity of the left eye. After total vitrectomy was performed, a viscoadaptive viscoelastic agent was applied over the retina and optic disk. Then the luxated lens was removed by intravitreal phacoemulsification. The lens dropped several times during the surgery but the thick viscoadaptive viscoelastic agent protected the posterior retina. RESULTS: In two cases treated this way, no complications occurred at six months after surgery. CONCLUSION: This method may be useful for protecting the retina from damage by a luxated crystalline lens and is less costly than perfluorocarbon liquid.

Suture fixation of an intraocular lens combined with pars plana vitrectomy and gas tamponade.

We describe suturing an intraocular lens (IOL) after pars plana lensectomy and vitrectomy combined with gas tamponade in 4 patients with vitreoretinal disease and subluxated lenses that could not be managed with capsular tension rings. The IOL haptics were sutured before the fluid-gas exchange in a horizontal (case 1), oblique (cases 2 and 4), and vertical (case 3) manner. In a case of unavoidable horizontal fixation due to limited scleral space, the upper part of the IOL tilted anteriorly postoperatively because of the enhanced effect of the gas bubble. A peripheral anterior iris synechia also occurred. The IOL remained well positioned in cases with oblique and vertical fixations, and no other complications occurred. Careful preoperative planning of the surgical design can help avoid unnecessary horizontal fixation.

Luxated intraocular lens fixation using intravitreal cow hitch (girth) knot.

OBJECTIVE: To describe a technique for suturing a luxated intraocular lens (IOL) in the vitreous cavity to the ciliary sulcus using intraocular cow hitch (girth) knots without IOL extraction. DESIGN: Non-comparative interventional case series. PARTICIPANTS: Five patients with a luxated IOL in the vitreous cavity. INTERVENTION: All patients underwent surgery to fixate the IOL using this technique. METHODS: A three-port vitrectomy was performed in all five cases. A needle with looped 10-0 polypropylene was introduced into the vitreous cavity through a sclerotomy incision, and only the needle was passed out of the eye, guided by a bent 27-gauge needle from the 3-o'clock position 1.5 mm from the limbus. A cow hitch (girth) knot at the end of the loop was made outside the globe, grasped with a straight intravitreal forceps, and introduced into the vitreous cavity. Hooking the cow hitch (girth) knot around the haptics of the IOL in the vitreous cavity, the 10-0 polypropylene was pulled so that the IOL haptic was fixated onto the sulcus. After the opposite haptic was brought into the anterior chamber, the 10-0 polypropylene was looped around the haptics of the IOL and manipulated with a push-and-pull hook in the anterior chamber through the two corneal side ports to make a cow hitch (girth) knot outside the anterior chamber. By pulling up the suture, the knot was brought back and tied in the anterior chamber. It was then fixated to the ciliary sulcus at the 9-o'clock position. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Patients were evaluated for visual acuity, refraction, and surgical complications associated with the procedure. RESULTS: In all five cases, the IOL fixated stably and remained well positioned. No significant intraoperative or postoperative complications occurred. CONCLUSIONS: This technique enables secure fixation of the luxated IOL in the vitreous without extracting it.