State of the Art in Robot-Assisted Eye Surgery.

Despite the advantages that robot-assisted surgery can offer to patient care, its use in ophthalmic surgery has not yet progressed to the extent seen in other fields. As such, its use remains limited to research environments, both basic and clinical. The technical specifications for such ophthalmic surgical robots are highly challenging, but rapid progress has been made in recent years, and recent developments in this field ensure that the use of this technology in operating theatres will soon be a real possibility. Fully automated ocular microsurgery, carried out by a robot under the supervision of a surgeon, is likely to become our new reality. This review discusses the use of robot-assisted ophthalmic surgery, the recent progress in the field, and the necessary future developments which must occur before its use in operating theatres becomes routine.

LONG-TERM EVOLUTION OF DOME-SHAPED MACULA: Increased Macular Bulge is Associated With Extended Macular Atrophy.

PURPOSE: Dome-shaped macula (DSM) may cause impaired vision. This study analyzed the long-term evolution of DSM, most particularly macular changes: serous retinal detachment, retinal pigment epithelium atrophy, and DSM bulge increase. METHODS: Twenty-nine eyes presenting with DSM were retrospectively studied. Clinical data, color photographs, fluorescein angiographs, and optical coherence tomography examinations were reviewed. Patients were followed up from 6 months to 111 months (mean, 37.89 months). The height of the macular bulge, the size of retinal pigment epithelium macular atrophy, and serous retinal detachment progression were studied. Other macular changes were noted. RESULTS: Mean vision remained stable. Dome-shaped macula height increased significantly from 338.9 µm to 364.3 µm (P = 0.007). Serous retinal detachment was present initially in 15 of 29 eyes; it increased in 4 cases and resolved spontaneously in 7. Macular retinal pigment epithelium atrophy correlated with the bulge height (P = 0.015), and it enlarged during follow-up (1.12 vs. 1.34, P = 0.04). Other macular anomalies were present initially or appeared during follow-up: macular pucker, choroidal neovascularization (CNV), subretinal pigmentary clumps, and flat irregular pigmented epithelium detachment. A few treatments were proven in serous retinal detachment cases but were ineffective in restoring vision. CONCLUSION: In DSM, vision may be stable for years while macular changes progress: the macular bulge increases as does retinal pigment epithelium atrophy.

Macular Choroidal Thickness in Myopic Eyes with and without a Dome-Shaped Macula: A Case-Control Study.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Dome-shaped macula (DSM) has recently been described with myopic staphyloma, which may cause decreased vision. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the choroidal thickness of eyes with and eyes without DSM. METHODS: A total of 26 eyes with DSM were paired based on axial length with 26 eyes without DSM. All patients underwent spectral-domain OCT examination using the 7-line EDI (enhanced depth imaging) protocol. The mean choroidal thickness was measured using Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study (ETDRS) grid areas. RESULTS: Both nasal choroidal thickness and temporal choroidal thickness were significantly thinner in the DSM group (120.43 vs. 159.46 µm, p = 0.035, and 142.17 vs. 187.23 µm, p = 0.021, respectively). However, the mean central choroidal thickness did not differ (152.61 vs. 175.96 µm, p = 0.20). The ratio between central and peripheral choroidal thickness was very significantly elevated with DSM (1.18 ± 0.12 vs. 0.99 ± 0.09, p < 0.0001). CONCLUSION: Choroidal thickness decreases at the periphery but not in the macular area with DSM. DSM seems not to be due to an inward protrusion of the globe but due to macular anatomical preservation in a growing staphyloma.

Epiretinal Membrane in Dome-Shaped Macula Complicated with Serous Retinal Detachment: Transient Efficacy of Surgery.

Dome-shaped macula (DSM) is an entity recently described as a convex anterior protrusion of the macular area within a posterior myopic staphyloma. Specific complications were associated with DSM, like serous retinal detachment (SRD). We describe a woman presenting with a decreased vision at 20/50. SD-OCT scans were performed, showing a macular bulge. SRD was present and an epiretinal membrane could also be observed. Fluorescein angiography and indocyanin green angiography did not show any leakage nor choroidal neovascularization. Epiretinal membrane peeling was performed, and 3 months after surgery, SRD completely disappeared. However, SRD reappeared 1 year after surgery and enlarged within 2 years following surgery. In conclusion, two mechanisms could be considered for physiopathology of SRD: first, the epiretinal membrane may have exerted traction on the macular retina, second, vitreous body might constitute a tank for cytokines and/or other factors, triggering subretinal fluid accumulation, leading to SRD.

Robot-Assisted Pterygium Surgery: Feasibility Study in a Nonliving Porcine Model.

PURPOSE: This study aims to investigate the feasibility of pterygium surgery using the DaVinci Si HD robotic surgical system, and to describe a porcine model for pterygium surgery and evaluate its usefulness. METHODS: The pterygium models were constructed using enucleated pig eyes and cold cuts. Robotically-assisted pterygium surgeries in nonliving biological pterygium models were performed using the DaVinci Si HD robotic surgical system. Twelve models were prepared, and 12 pterygium excision and conjunctival autografts were performed. RESULTS: The DaVinci system provided the necessary dexterity to perform delicate ocular surface surgery and robotic tools were safe for the tissues. The mean duration of the surgical procedures was 36 minutes. There were no intraoperative complications and no unexpected events. CONCLUSIONS: Robotic-assisted pterygium surgery is technically feasible for porcine eyes using the DaVinci Si HD robotic surgical system. The pterygium model that we describe could be of interest for surgical training. TRANSLATIONAL RELEVANCE: Little research has been done in robotic microsurgery. Animal experimentation will allow the advantages of robotic-assisted microsurgery to be identified, while underlining the improvements and innovations necessary for clinical use.