Incidence and progression of diabetic retinopathy in patients treated with glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists versus sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors: A population-based cohort study.

AIM: Glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor agonists (GLP1RA) and sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors (SGLT2i) are both recommended for patients with diabetes, yet their effects on the development or progression of diabetic retinopathy (DR) are largely unknown. METHODS: In this retrospective cohort study, data were collected from a nationwide database. Patients with diabetes who initiated treatment with a GLP1RA or SGLT2i between 1 May 2016 and 31 December 2017, were identified. Patients were divided into those with or without a previous diagnosis of DR and then categorized into the GLP1RA and the SGLT2i groups according to drug use. The primary outcome of interest in the DR group was the composite of new-onset proliferative DR, vitreous haemorrhage and tractional retinal detachment (RD). In the non-DR group, the primary outcome was the composite of newly diagnosed DR of any severity, vitreous haemorrhage and RD. RESULTS: In total, 97 413 patients were identified. After matching, 1517 patients were treated with a GLP1RA and 3034 with an SGLT2i in the DR cohort. In the non-DR cohort, 9549 initiated a GLP1RA and 19 098 initiated an SGLT2i. In patients with pre-existing DR, the incidence of any DR progression event was significantly higher in the GLP1RA group than the SGLT2i group (subdistribution hazard ratio 1.50, 95% confidence interval 1.01-2.23), primarily because of the increased risk of tractional RD. In patients without DR at baseline, the risks of all ocular outcomes were similar between the GLP1RA and SGLT2i groups. CONCLUSIONS: In patients with diabetes mellitus and established DR, GLP1RA treatment was associated with increased risks of DR progression compared with SGLT2i use.

Intraoperative challenges and management of fibrovascular membrane with tractional retinoschisis in proliferative diabetic retinopathy.

BACKGROUND: In severe Proliferative Diabetic Retinopathy (PDR), fibrovascular membrane (FVM) causes macular tractional retinal detachment (MTRD) which threatens vision and eventually leads to blindness. Here we present a case of separation between the inner and outer retina in tractional retinoschisis, induced during intraoperative FVM delamination. CASE PRESENTATION: A 68-year-old woman presented with PDR in the right eye, characterized by a combined FVM and retinal detachment, for which a vitrectomy was performed. Multiple holes, large retinal detachment extending to all quadrants, and white-lined blood vessels with FVM were found during the procedure. When membrane delamination was performed, it strayed into the space between the inner and outer retinal layers without being noticed due to retinoschisis and multiple retinal holes. After removing the FVM and detaching the separated inner retina, fluid-gas and photocoagulation were performed. Retinal reattachment was successfully achieved after surgery, and the postoperative visual acuity was improved and maintained for 26 months postoperatively. CONCLUSIONS: When tractional retinoschisis due to FVM is combined with retinal holes in tractional retinal detachment (TRD), care must be taken to prevent delamination from straying into retinoschisis during separation.

Chronic myeloid leukemia diagnosed from the course of diabetic retinopathy.

We report a case of chronic myeloid leukemia (CML), which was diagnosed during the management of proliferative retinopathy (PR) in a patient with type I diabetes mellitus due to the fulminant nature of the PR. This case highlights the importance of vigilance on the part of the ophthalmologist in the diagnosis of co-existing systemic disorders, notably hematological malignancy, which aggravates the posterior segment vasculopathy of the eye and the management of which is crucial for the patient. We also describe a short literature review on the clinical features, mechanism of the posterior segment vasculopathy of the eye, and management of PR co-existing in a patient with CML.

Endoscopy-assisted pars plana vitrectomy in retinal detachments associated with anterior proliferative vitreoretinopathy and epiciliary membranes.

BACKGROUND: Proliferative vitreoretinopathy (PVR) is the leading cause of recurrent retinal detachment. Anterior PVR can contribute to recurrent retinal detachment and is often difficult to remove during conventional pars plana vitrectomy. The purpose of this study is to report surgical outcomes of single endoscopy-assisted pars plana vitrectomy (E-PPV) in patients with tractional retinal detachments associated with anterior proliferative vitreoretinopathy and epiciliary membranes. METHODS: Retrospective review of E-PPV between 2017 and 2021 at a tertiary referral center. Inclusion criteria involved adult patients who underwent E-PPV for tractional retinal detachment with anterior PVR and epiciliary membranes. Data collection included patients' demographics, ophthalmic exam findings, and surgical outcomes. A series of independent sample tests of proportion were conducted using a p-value of 0.05 as the threshold for statistical significance. RESULTS: Eighteen out of 55 patients who underwent E-PPV met the inclusion criteria. There were six females (33%) and 12 males (p-value = 0.096). Age ranged between 27 and 82 years old (mean age 52.1 ± 17.3 years). Nine patients (50%) had a history of ipsilateral retinal detachment repair. Single E-PPV success rate was 100% after three months, and 94.4% at the latest follow up visit. Recurrent retinal detachment with posterior PVR occurred in one patient four months after surgery. Cataract progressed in 57% (8/14) of phakic patients, with 63% (5/8) undergoing cataract extraction surgery within the first postoperative year. CONCLUSION: E-PPV enabled epiciliary membrane and anterior PVR visualization and removal. The single E-PPV success rate remained high at the latest follow up visit. E-PPV enabled the preservation of the phakic lens in all study patients. Larger prospective studies are needed on the role of E-PPV in retina surgeries.

Comparison of before versus after intravitreal bevacizumab injection, growth factor levels and fibrotic markers in vitreous samples from patients with proliferative diabetic retinopathy.

PURPOSE: In diabetic retinopathy patients, intravitreal bevacizumab (IVB) injections are widely used to facilitate dissection of retinal fibrovascular membranes during surgery, reduce the rate of perioperative hemorrhage, and prevent recurrent neovascularization. Previous studies have shown that IVB may worsen fibrosis and thereby impair vision. The aim of this study was to determine which markers are associated with fibrosis. METHODS: Twenty-three patients with proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR) underwent pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) with IVB pretreatment for intraocular hemorrhage (IOH) and/or tractional retinal detachment (TRD). Vitreous samples were obtained at the time of IVB injection and again at the beginning of PPV, about a week later. Using Western blot analysis, the concentrations of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), placental growth factor (PIGF), insulin like growth factor-1 (IGF-1), angiogenin-1 (Ang-1), and vascular endothelial cadherin (VE-cadherin) were measured in vitreous samples. RESULTS: After treatment with IVB, VEGF, PIGF, and VE-cadherin concentrations in the vitreous significantly decreased (p < 0.001, p < 0.001, and p = 0.001, respectively), whereas the concentrations of IGF-1 increased (p = 0.001). There were no significant changes in Ang-1 concentrations in the vitreous after IVB injection (p = 0.732). There were no statistically significant differences in VEGF-A, PIGF, VE-cadherin, IGF, and Ang-1 levels before and after IVB injection when the IOH and TRD groups underwent subgroup analysis (p = 0.696, p = 0.516, p = 0.498, p = 0.188, and p = 0.243, respectively). CONCLUSION: The levels of VEGF and other cytokines changed in the vitreous after IVB. The adverse effects associated with IVB, such as fibrosis, may result from modulation of vitreous cytokine concentrations. In the treatment of PDR, drugs that optimize the effects of PIGF, IGF-1, and VE-cadherin to reduce these side effects may be useful.

The efficacy and safety of intravitreal injection of Ranibizumab as pre-treatment for vitrectomy in proliferative diabetic retinopathy with vitreous hemorrhage.

BACKGROUND: Intravitreal injection of anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) has become first line therapy for diabetic macular edema. This study evaluated the efficacy and safety of intravitreal injection of Ranibizumab (IVR) as pre-treatment for pars plana vitrectomy in proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR) patients with vitreous hemorrhage. METHODS: This pilot randomized controlled trial included 48 eyes with vitreous hemorrhage resulting from active PDR. Eyes were treated with IVR 1 or 3 days before vitrectomy or a sham subconjunctival injection 3 days before surgery. The occurrence of new tractional retinal detachment (TRD), total operation time, and intraoperative findings were compared. The concentrations of VEGF and connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) in aqueous humor and plasma collected at the time of IVR and vitrectomy were determined by ELISA. RESULTS: None of the patients who received IVR experienced new TRD. Ranibizumab injection improved intraoperative outcomes. The mean concentrations of VEGF in aqueous humor were significantly lower after than before IVR in patients who received IVR 1 and 3 days before surgery (P < 0.001 each). The CTGF/log10 (VEGF) ratio was significantly higher after than before IVR in patients who received IVR 3 days before vitrectomy (P = 0.046). CONCLUSION: Preoperative IVR is an effective and safe strategy for the surgical treatment of severe PDR combined with vitreous hemorrhage. IVR 1 and 3 days before surgery can significantly reduce VEGF content in aqueous humor and effectively improve intraoperative conditions without causing TRD. TRIAL REGISTRATION: This study was registered with the Chinese Clinical Trial Registry. Name of the registry: Exploratory analysis of effect of intravitreal ranibizumab as pre-treatment for pars plana vitrectomy in proliferative diabetic retinopathy. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: ChiCTR-ONC-16009520. Date of registration: October 20, 2016. URL of trial registry record: http://www.chictr.org.cn/searchprojen.aspx.

The Learning Curve of Surgery of Diabetic Tractional Retinal Detachment-A Retrospective, Comparative Study.

Background and Objectives: There are few data in the literature concerning the learning curve of tractional retinal detachment (TRD) surgery. We have analyzed the experience gained by a vitreoretinal surgeon over 10 years. Materials and Methods: A retrospective, comparative study of 34 TRD cases operated using 20G instruments between 2008 and 2011 (group A) and 94 cases operated using 23G instruments between 2015 and 2019 (group B). The preoperative characteristics, the type of endotamponade, and the anatomical and functional success were reviewed. Results: The group A patients had a significantly higher rate of concomitant vitreous hemorrhage (VH) at presentation (64.7% vs. 37.2%) and of non-macular retinal detachments (52.9% vs. 39.3%). The rate of silicone oil endotamponade was high in both groups (76.4% vs. 68.1%), but in group B 25.5% were left without a tamponade (vs. none in group A). A postoperative anatomical success was obtained in 76.5% of eyes in group A and 84.04% of eyes in group B (where it was improved to 89.3% by reinterventions). The presenting visual acuity (VA) was very low in both groups (0.01 and 0.05, respectively). The proportion of eyes with improved or stabilized VA was 85.3% in group A and 79.8% in group B (statistically non-significant difference). Conclusions: The anatomical success rate improves quite slowly with increasing surgeon experience and can be further improved by reinterventions. Visual improvement does not match the rate of anatomical improvement. With increasing experience and self-confidence, the surgeon will approach more difficult cases, a fact that may slow down the increase in surgical success rates.

Surgical outcomes of vitrectomy surgery for proliferative diabetic retinopathy in patients with abnormal renal function.

PURPOSE: To analyse the influence of renal function on the outcomes of vitrectomy for tractional-related complications in cases of severe proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR). METHODS: Retrospective consecutive case series of 109 eyes that underwent vitreoretinal interventions for traction-related complications of severe PDR from 2014 to 2017. Data collected included patient demographics, best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), surgical complications, and systemic markers including HbA1c and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR). Renal function categories were defined as low (eGFR < 30 mL/min/1.73 m2), medium (eGFR 30-60 mL/min/1.73 m2), and normal (eGFR > 60 mL/min/1.73m 2). RESULTS: A total of 109 eyes (56% (n = 61) female) were included in the study. Overall, mean baseline BCVA improved from 1.33 logMAR to 0.91 logMAR (p < 0.001) postoperatively. Patients with low eGFR had significantly worse baseline BCVA (p = 0.039) and demonstrated greater improvement in mean BCVA (p = 0.059). Multivariate regression analysis indicated that seven predictors explained 65.5% of the variance (R2 = 0.655, F(11,97) = 16.7, p < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Reduced renal function does not adversely affect visual outcomes of vitrectomy for traction-related complications of PDR.

Pars plana vitrectomy under melphalan irrigation for recurrent retinal detachment in eyes treated for retinoblastoma: a case report.

BACKGROUND: Tractional retinal detachment with or without secondary tear is a rare complication reported in less than 0.5% of in eyes treated for retinoblastoma. Pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) in eyes with history of retinoblastoma has been associated with a significant risk for recurrence, extraocular spread, and systemic metastases. We report here the successful management by PPV under melphalan irrigation of 2 children presenting with tractional retinal detachment after retinoblastoma therapy and scleral buckle surgery. CASE PRESENTATION: A 7-year-old girl with a history of bilateral retinoblastoma (group D) presented with light perception best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and tractional retinal detachment (RD) in her left eye, 3 years after the last intra-arterial chemotherapy (IAC) injection. Moreover, she had history of left eye rhegmatogenous RD treated by scleral buckle 1 month after the last IAC and cataract surgery 12 months later. PPV associated with retinectomy, laser photocoagulation and silicone oil tamponade was performed. Silicone oil was removed 4 months later. Fifteen months after PPV, BCVA had increased to 20/32 without recurrence of RD and no evidence of tumor activity. A 7-year-old boy with a history of unilateral retinoblastoma (group D) in his left eye presented with rhegmatogenous RD 21 months after the last treatment for retinoblastoma. Scleral buckle surgery was performed, but 3 weeks later the patient presented with tractional RD associated with proliferative vitreo-retinopathy. BCVA was counting fingers. PPV associated with membrane peel, laser photocoagulation and silicone oil tamponade was performed. Silicone oil was removed after 5 months followed by cataract surgery 5 months later. Twenty months after PPV, BCVA was 20/20 and there was no sign of tumor recurrence. CONCLUSIONS: PPV under melphalan irrigation, with retinectomy, if necessary, and silicone oil tamponade, allows anatomical and functional improvement in eyes with history of retinoblastoma and scleral buckling developing tractional RD.

A case of tractional retinal detachment associated with congenital retinal vascular hypoplasia in the superotemporal quadrant treated by vitreous surgery.

BACKGROUND: Here we report a case of traction retinal detachment (TRD) associated with congenital retinal vascular hypoplasia localized in the superotemporal quadrant that was treated with vitrectomy. CASE PRESENTATIONS: A 58 year-old female presented with a gradual decrease of visual acuity (VA) and distorted vision in her left eye. She had a past history of amblyopia in her left eye from early childhood, and a previous examination performed at a nearby hospital revealed that the corrected visual acuity (VA) in that eye was 0.15. Upon initial examination, no abnormal findings were observed in her right eye, yet optic-disc traction and macular rotation with a folded TRD extending superotemporally from the macular region was observed in her left eye. Fluorescein fundus angiography showed a retinal nonperfused area localized in the superotemporal quadrant surrounded by a retinal avascular area. The optic disc in her left eye was smaller than that in her right eye. Vitrectomy was performed to remove the proliferative membrane and created an artificial posterior vitreous detachment (PVD). Following surgery, the patient's corrected VA improved from 0.04 to 0.1. CONCLUSIONS: The present case was likely to be TRD caused by PVD in the presence of localized congenital retinal vascular hypoplasia secondary to optic-disc hypoplasia.

Eicosanoid Profiles in the Vitreous Humor of Patients with Proliferative Diabetic Retinopathy.

Proliferative diabetic retinopathy is a potentially blinding sequela of uncontrolled diabetes that involves a complex interaction of pro-angiogenic and inflammatory pathways. In this study, we compared the levels of pro-angiogenic arachidonic acid-derived mediators in human vitreous humor obtained from eyes with high-risk proliferative diabetic retinopathy versus controls. The results indicated that lipoxygenase and cytochrome P450-derived eicosanoids were elevated (5-HETE, 12-HETE, 20-HETE, and 20-COOH-AA), and there appeared to be no differences in levels measured in eyes with tractional retinal detachments versus those without. These results provide further insight into the pathogenesis of this disease and for the development of future potential therapeutic agents that target arachidonic acid metabolites to treat diabetic retinopathy.

[Melfalan in the treatment of proliferative vitreoretinopathy (experimental study)]. / Melfalan pri lechenii proliferativnoi vitreoretinopatii (eksperimental'noe issledovanie).

PURPOSE: To study of the effectiveness of the drug Melphalan as an antiproliferative agent during experimental proliferative vitreoretinopathy (PVR). MATERIAL AND METHODS: The experimental study used data from 24 eyes of 12 Chinchilla rabbits weighing 2.5-3.0 kg, which had PVR modeled in both eyes by intravitreal injection of a culture of heterogeneous activated fibroblast cells consisting of 200,000 cells in 0.1 ml. Treatment of experimental PVR was performed 1 day after the modeling process. In the first group of animals (6 eyes), 0.02 mg of Melphalan was administered intravitreally. In the second group of animals (6 eyes), 0.005 mg of Melphalan concentrated in 0.1 ml was administered intravitreally. Left eyes in both groups remained without treatment. Animals were observed for 1 month using biomicroscopy and ophthalmoscopy. 30 days after the animals were removed from the experiment, the eyes were enucleated, fixed in 10% buffered formalin and subjected to standard histological examination. The study of paraffin sections of the eyes was performed using the microscopic system «Leica¼ (Leica Microsystems, Germany) with built-in digital camera at the magnification of 200-600. RESULTS: In groups 1 and 2 of the study in the eyes of rabbits that received treatment, PVR was absent, unlike the eyes without treatment, where PVR remained. In group 1, where the dose of Melphalan was 0.02 mg in 0.1 ml, there were changes in the RPE (retinal pigment epithelium), which was regarded as a retinotoxic effect. Glial degeneration and thinning of the retina with disappearance of the photoreceptor layer (the outer nuclear and plexiform layers) resulted from the disturbance of retinal metabolism caused by RPE destruction. In group 2, structure of the retina remained more intact: isolated foci were noted with a decrease in the volume of the outer nuclear layer, shortening of rods and cones with preservation of the inner layers of the retina. CONCLUSION: A single intravitreal injection of 0.005 mg Melphalan had a positive therapeutic antiproliferative effect on the PVR model with minimal retinotoxic changes.

Functional and anatomical outcomes following surgical management of persistent fetal vasculature: a single-center experience of 44 cases.

PURPOSE: To investigate the functional and anatomical outcomes following surgical management of persistent fetal vasculature (PFV). METHODS: Single-center, retrospective, interventional consecutive case series of 41 patients (44 eyes) who underwent vitrectomy with or without lensectomy through a limbal or pars plana/plicata approach with diagnosis of anterior, posterior, or combined anterior and posterior segment PFV were included. RESULTS: The median age at the time of surgery was 3 months (range, 1-36 months), and the mean follow-up period was 37.2 ± 38.1 months (range, 12-164 months). Of the 44 eyes, 5 (11%) had clinical and ultrasonographic findings of anterior PFV, 5 (11%) had posterior PFV, and 34 (78%) had components of both anterior and posterior disease. At the last visit, 38 eyes (87%) were aphakic, 5 eyes (11%) were phakic, and 1 eye (2%) was pseudophakic. The mean Snellen equivalent VA at the final visit for the 14 (32%) eyes with measurable VA was 20/283. Nine (20%) eyes had final VA of only light perception or no light perception. The remaining 21 (48%) eyes behaved consistently with form vision, but the patients were not able to report VA. CONCLUSIONS: Most of the eyes achieved at least form vision, with acceptable postoperative complication rates. Functional and anatomical outcomes are not strictly dependent on axial length, and microphthalmic eyes with mild posterior segment involvement have the potential for good visual results. Outcomes after surgery for posterior PFV associated with tractional retinal detachment are limited. Anatomical success does not always equate to functional improvement.

Long-term outcomes of sutureless 25-G+ pars-plana vitrectomy for the management of diabetic tractional retinal detachment.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the short- and long-term surgical and clinical outcomes in eyes with diabetic tractional retinal detachment (TRD) undergoing 25-G+ pars-plana vitrectomy (PPV). METHODS: A total of 238 patients were reviewed for inclusion in this study. A retrospective cohort study of 109 eyes of 73 patients operated on for diabetic TRD were included. All eyes received intraocular tamponade of air, sulfur hexafluoride, octofluropropane or silicone oil. All patients were followed up for a minimum period of one year. RESULTS: The mean age of all patients at surgery was 53.9 years ± 9.2, while the mean duration of diabetes was 18.7 ± 10.4 years. The mean length of follow-up was 923 ± 87 days after surgery (range, 432-1792 days). Thirty-two cases (29.3 %) had an associated rhegmatogenous component. Mean BCVA improved from logarithm minimum angle of resolution (logMAR) 1.17 (20/300) to 0.812 (20/130) (p < 0.05). All eyes underwent intraoperative laser photocoagulation. Primary, single-surgery anatomic reattachment was achieved in 99 eyes (91 %). Final anatomic attachment was achieved in 107 eyes (98 %). There was no statistically significant difference in primary or secondary re-attachment rate in terms of type of tamponade agent used. There were five cases of post-operative hypotony (≤5 mmHg) on postoperative day 1, while 11 eyes had IOP ≥ 30 mmHg. There were no cases of endophthalmitis in our cohort. CONCLUSIONS: 25G+ PPV provides for safe and effective repair of diabetic TRDs. Patients experienced positive functional and anatomic outcomes, with no significant intraoperative complications and minimal postoperative sequelae.

OCT-Based Description of Spontaneous Reattachment of Macula-Off Tractional Retinal Detachment With Significant Vision Improvement.

Purpose: To describe the clinical course and optical coherence tomography (OCT) features of patients with spontaneous reattachment of macula-off tractional retinal detachments (TRDs). Methods: Findings on clinical examination and OCT were evaluated. Results: Four eyes of 4 patients with a history of macula-off TRD secondary to diabetic retinopathy (n = 3) or sickle cell retinopathy (n = 1) were included. OCT confirmed spontaneous resolution of the macular RD without complete posterior vitreous separation in all eyes. The median (interquartile range [IQR]) time from TRD diagnosis to OCT-confirmed foveal reattachment was 6 months (10.25; range, 1-12 months). The median logMAR visual acuity (VA) at the time of macula-off TRD was 0.544 (IQR, 0.452; Snellen 20/70), which improved to 0.350 (IQR, 0.156; Snellen 20/45), with reattachment characterized by OCT (P = .068). Conclusions: Nonsurgical spontaneous retinal reattachment and significant VA improvement can occur in eyes with a TRD, albeit rarely. In these cases, no OCT evidence of posterior vitreous separation was found, suggesting that some relaxation of the contractile fibrovascular membranes occurred.

Long-Standing Macula-Involving Diabetic Tractional Retinal Detachments with Good Visual Acuity: How Should We Manage These Patients?

Purpose: We assess the merits of pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) in subjects with good visual acuity (VA) and a chronic macula-involving tractional retinal detachment (TRD) secondary to proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR). Methods: A retrospective review of medical records was undertaken. Subjects were divided into 1) a Study Group of subjects who underwent prompt PPV and 2) a Control Group of subjects in which PPV was deferred in favor of less invasive treatment options or observations. Both study and control subjects had a baseline Snellen VA of ≥20/50 and a PDR-associated macula-involving TRD of >6 months duration with a minimum follow-up of 12-months. Results: There were 58 patients analyzed over an average follow-up period of 27.6 (±7.1) months. The change in VA was similar in the Study Group compared to the Control Group (p=0.94) with both groups losing about three lines of VA during the study period (-0.30 ±0.52 logMAR). Although the rates of maintaining ≥20/200 Snellen VA and ≥20/50 Snellen VA were similar in the Study Group compared to the Control Group (p=0.55 and p=0.28, respectively), the Study Group had more subjects gaining ≥2 lines of VA during the study period (p=0.002). Conclusion: Patients presenting with good VA and a PDR-associated macula-involving TRD of >6 months were more likely to gain ≥2 lines of VA when PPV was performed at baseline compared to PPV deferral until further deterioration occurred.

The Awareness and Knowledge of Retinopathy of Prematurity Among Pediatricians in Saudi Arabia.

BACKGROUND: Retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) affects premature low birth-weight infants with potentially blinding complications. Early diagnosis and treatment for indicated cases are essential to prevent unfavorable effects of the disease. OBJECTIVES: To determine the awareness and the level of knowledge of ROP among pediatricians in all regions of Saudi Arabia who worked at neonatal intensive care units. DESIGN AND SETTING:  This was a cross-sectional study. This study was undertaken in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. MATERIALS AND METHODS:  A semi-self-structured online questionnaire was designed to study the awareness and knowledge of ROP. The questionnaire contained items related to demographic data, participants' level of understanding and knowledge of ROP, and items related to hospital facilities, the availability of a trained ophthalmologist, and the source of knowledge. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The awareness and knowledge of ROP among pediatricians of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. SAMPLE SIZE: The study included 145 pediatricians. RESULTS:  Awareness of ROP was found in 138 participants (95.2%). Seven participants (4.8%) were not aware of ROP and were excluded from further analysis. Of the participants, 116 (84.0%), 127 (92.0%), and 130 (94.3%) had knowledge about the stages, treatment, and precautions of treatment of ROP, respectively. Of the participants, 77 (55.8%), 63 (45.7%), 113 (81.9%), and 56 (40.6%) gave the correct answer about the indications of fundus examination, exact time of the first fundus examination, place of fundus examination, and minimum number of screening fundus examination for ROP, respectively. CONCLUSIONS:  The awareness and knowledge of ROP among pediatricians of Saudi Arabia is good, but knowledge about the indications and proper time of first referral to an ophthalmologist should be improved.

Macular Holes in Tractional Retinal Detachments Secondary to Diabetic Retinopathy.

Purpose: To characterize the visual outcomes and rate of macular hole (MH) closure with tractional retinal detachment (TRD) and proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR). Methods: Visit data of patients who had pars plana vitrectomy were retrospectively reviewed; patient demographics, other procedure(s), the MH closure rate, and visual outcomes were also collected. Paired t, Fisher exact, and Mann-Whitney U tests were performed. Results: Ten patients (10 eyes) developed a TRD MH; 3 distinct MH presentations were identified. At the 3-month follow-up, 90% of MHs remained closed without the need for further reoperation (n = 6, type 1 closure; n = 3, type 2 closure). All MHs were closed 12 months after the initial surgery, with 1 eye requiring a single reoperation. The mean visual acuity (VA) at baseline and at 12 months was 20/235 and 20/138, respectively. Conclusions: MHs in the setting of fibrovascular proliferation resulting from PDR present with varied morphology. There is a high rate of MH closure and a trend toward improved VA.

Clinical Characteristics and Surgical Outcomes of Patients Undergoing Pars Plana Vitrectomy for Proliferative Diabetic Retinopathy.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate clinical characteristics impacting surgical outcomes of patients undergoing pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) for complications of proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR). DESIGN: Retrospective consecutive observational case series of patients at a large county hospital in Dallas, Texas, from 2014 to 2019. SUBJECTS: Seven hundred thirty-two patients (933 eyes) undergoing PPV for PDR complications. METHODS: Collected data included demographics, surgical indication, adjuvant therapies, intraoperative course, complications, and best corrected visual acuity (BCVA). Patients with < 6 months of follow-up were excluded. Best corrected visual acuity was converted to logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution for analysis. Statistics performed included t test, analysis of variance, and multivariate analyses. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Postoperative BCVA, primary anatomic success rate, and postoperative complications. RESULTS: Three hundred ninety-three patients were male (509 eyes; 54.5%) with an average age of 52 years. Postoperative BCVA at 6 months was significantly different among surgical indications: 0.79 versus 0.77 versus 1.20 (P < 0.0001) for vitreous hemorrhage (VH), vitreomacular interface abnormalities, and tractional retinal detachment (TRD), respectively. Adjuvant preoperative therapy with panretinal photocoagulation (PRP) versus no PRP (0.95 vs. 1.25; P < 0.001) and insulin versus no insulin (0.99 vs. 1.17; P < 0.01) were associated with improved vision. Iatrogenic breaks were associated with decreased postoperative vision (1.40 vs. 0.88; P < 0.001). The primary anatomic success rate for TRD was 85% (495 eyes). Combined TRD/RRD (tractional and rhegmatogenous retinal detachment) was associated with a lower success rate compared with macula-on/macula-off TRD, with odds ratios of 0.36, 0.46, and 0.53, respectively. Patients experiencing recurrent detachment postsurgery had worse preoperative visual acuity (VA) (1.93 vs. 1.63; P < 0.01) and were younger (47.6 vs. 50.0; P = 0.02). Postoperative complications occurred in 699 eyes (75%), with VH (498 eyes, 53%), cataract (465, 50%), and elevated intraocular pressure (149, 16%) being the most common. Two hundred thirty-six eyes (25%) required a second PPV operation. Endophthalmitis (1 eye; <1%) and choroidal detachment (5 eyes; <1%) were rare. CONCLUSIONS: In this retrospective series analyzing surgical outcomes among patients with complications from PDR, vitrectomy led to improved vision on average, with a meaningful proportion of patients receiving additional surgical intervention. Surgical indication, presenting VA, age, and adjuvant therapies appeared to impact outcomes. FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE(S): The author(s) have no proprietary or commercial interest in any materials discussed in this article.

Glue-Assisted Retinopexy for Retinal Detachments Study Report 2: Fibrin Glue As a Surgical Adjunct in Complex Rhegmatogenous Retinal Detachment.

Purpose: To present the successful application of fibrin glue as a surgical adjunct in the management of complex rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD). Methods: In this retrospective case series, fibrin glue was used as a surgical adjunct in 5 cases of complex RRD. In each case, standard pars plana vitrectomy and laser retinopexy were performed by the same surgeon. Fibrin glue was used intraoperatively as a tamponade to seal the breaks because the isolated use of conventional tamponade agents was not feasible given the variable nature of the complex RRDs, the anatomy of the eye, or an inability to maintain postoperative positioning. Results: In 1 patient previously treated for a large corneoscleral tear, fibrin glue was used to seal a large iatrogenic retinal break caused by a fragmatome-related surge that led to a quadrantic RD. In 2 patients treated for combined RRD, fibrin glue was used with silicone oil to manage recurrent RRD with incompletely drained thick subretinal fluid and blood. In 2 other cases, fibrin glue was applied to manage RRD in congenital aniridia with advanced glaucoma and aphakia. In all cases, retinal attachment without serious adverse effects was attained over a follow-up ranging from 4 to 6 months. Conclusions: Fibrin glue is an effective, safe surgical adjunct in complex RRD. It can be used to transiently seal a retinal break when use of a conventional tamponade agent is not possible or not sufficient alone.