Risk Factors and Incidence of Elevated Intraocular Pressure after Dexamethasone Intravitreal Implant

PURPOSE: To report the incidence of intraocular pressure (IOP) elevation and identify the risk factors of IOP elevation after intravitreal dexamethasone 0.7 mg (Ozurdex®, Allergan, Irvine, CA, USA) implant. METHODS: A total of 86 eyes of 79 patients who underwent intravitreal dexamethasone implantation and who were followed for ≥ 3 months were included in the present study. IOP elevation was defined as a pressure > 21 mm Hg at some time during follow-up. RESULTS: Twenty-nine eyes (33.7%) had an IOP > 21 mm Hg after dexamethasone intravitreal implant. The incidence of IOP elevation increased rapidly at 2–3 months after dexamethasone intravitreal implant. The Kaplan-Meier estimated incidence of IOP elevation was 25.6 ± 4.7% (mean ± standard error) at 81 days. Cox multivariate analysis showed the significant risk factors of IOP elevation to be age < 55 years (p = 0.045), baseline IOP ≥ 15 mm Hg (p < 0.001), and history of intraocular surgery (p = 0.039). CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrates the incidence of IOP elevation to be 33.7% and describes the risk factors associated with IOP elevation. Clinicians should be cautious regarding the possibility of IOP elevation after intravitreal dexamethasone implant, especially in the presence of identified risk factors.

Accuracy of Predictive Refraction in Combined Vitrectomy-Cataract Surgery for Epiretinal Membrane and Macular Hole

PURPOSE: To evaluate the accuracy of predictive refraction and the factors influencing the predictability in combined vitrectomy and cataract surgery. METHODS: We retrospectively investigated patients who received combined vitrectomy and cataract surgery for idiopathic epiretinal membrane (ERM) and macular hole (MH), followed up for a minimum of 6 months. Preoperative refraction, target refraction, postoperative refraction, predictive refraction error (target refraction - postoperative refraction), accuracy of predictive refraction error (predictive refraction error was within +/-0.5 diopter), intraocular pressure, axial length, central macular thickness, and tools that were used for intraocular lens power calculation (A-scan and IOL master) were assessed by analyzing medical records. RESULTS: A total of 176 eyes (including 132 idiopathic ERM cases and 44 MH cases) were included in this study. The accuracy of predictive refraction error was 60.8% at 6 months and there was no difference between the idiopathic epiretinal membrane group (59.8%) and the macular hole group (63.6%). There was no significant difference in predictive refraction error according to axial length and tools (IOL master vs A-scan). Predictive refraction error correlated positively with preoperative refraction (r = 0.227; p = 0.002). In the ERM group, predictive refraction error correlated negatively with both preoperative central macular thickness and the change in central macular thickness between, before, and 6 months after surgery (r = -0.211; p = 0.015 and r = -0.241; p = 0.005). CONCLUSIONS: The accuracy of predictive refraction error was approximately 60% in combined vitrectomy and cataract surgery. Postoperative refraction appeared to be myopia relative to target refraction with higher preoperative myopia and thicker preoperative central macular thickness. Hence, the intraocular lens power should be determined considering the above factors.

Clinical Manifestations and Treatment of Idiopathic Optic Perineuritis

PURPOSE: To investigate the clinical and radiologic manifestations of idiopathic optic perineuritis (OPN), and to evaluate the outcomes of steroid treatment for OPN. METHODS: We reviewed the medical records and radiologic findings of 10 patients (13 eyes) who were diagnosed with OPN and treated with steroid. RESULTS: The mean age was 56.5 +/- 9.3 years (range, 35-77 years) and the sex ratio was equal. The main complaint was decrease in visual acuity combined with ocular pain during extraocular eye movement in 9 patients. The median visual acuity at the first visit was 0.2 (HM-0.8) and the relative afferent papillary defect was observed in 12 eyes. Additionally, combined orbital diseases included posterior scleritis in 1 eye and myositis in 1 eye. Orbit magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans demonstrated intraorbital optic nerve sheath enhancement in all patients, occasionally with orbital fat involvement. All patients demonstrated improved visual acuity after high-dose oral steroid therapy (6 patients) or intravenous (IV) pulse steroid therapy (4 patients). Relapse occurred in 4 patients during steroid tapering. CONCLUSIONS: The population in this study was composed predominantly of patients with OPN in their 50's. The primary symptom of OPN was visual acuity decrease combined with ocular pain during extraocular eye movement. Radiologically, orbit MRI scans demonstrated intraorbital optic nerve sheath enhancement. The patients in this study demonstrated good responses to steroid treatment, but clinicians must be aware of the high recurrence rate during steroid tapering in this condition. A combination of clinical and radiologic findings was helpful to diagnose OPN.