Not-so-minimal for minimally invasive surgery

Sub?macular hemorrhage poses a potential threat to vision if left untreated. The preferred surgical technique to clear sub?macular hemorrhage includes vitrectomy followed by retinotomy using a 41G needle with subsequent injection of recombinant tissue plasminogen activator (r?tPA) followed by air/SF6 injection into the sub?retinal space. A malleable nature, increased resistance, and the cost of the 41G needle limit its use. We evaluated the safety and efficacy of a 26G needle for retinotomy as a supplement for the 41G needle in a series of six subjects with sub?macular hemorrhage. A slight modification in the procedure was done by injecting air into the sub?retinal space prior to the r?tPA injection. We found that our technique of using the 26G needle for retinotomy is safe and effective due to its stable nature and self?sealing properties. An air injection prior to r?tPA allows for increased bioavailability of the drug by preventing efflux due to its tamponading effect.

Novel technique of sutureless glueless scleral fixated intraocular lens (SFIOL)

Purpose: To report results of a novel technique for sutureless, glueless intrascleral fixation of three-piece posterior chamber intraocular lens (IOL) using 26-G needle for management of aphakia. Methods: In this prospective series, 30 eyes of 20 patients with aphakia, subluxated IOL, or crystalline lens were included. 26-G-needle-guided intrascleral fixation of three-piece posterior chamber IOL was performed according to the described technique. The patients were evaluated on day 2, 1 week, 6 weeks, and 3 months postoperatively for change in best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), intraocular pressure (IOP), IOL centration, and any other complications. The postoperative tilt of the IOL was indirectly measured by determining the lenticular astigmatism which in turn was calculated by the difference between net corneal astigmatism and refractive astigmatism. Paired t-test was used to determine the significance of any association between the preoperative and postoperative BCVA and IOP. P < 0.05 was considered significant. Results: Of 30 eyes (n = 30 patients), 18 were surgical aphakia, 6 traumatic aphakia, 5 subluxated IOL, and 1 ectopia lentis (Marfan syndrome). The mean preoperative BCVA was 1.37 ± 0.37 (logMAR) and postoperative BCVA at 3 months was 0.37 ± 0.29 (logMAR). A significant improvement in the mean BCVA (P < 0.05) was observed after the procedure. The mean IOP preoperatively was 13.33 ± 4.18 and postoperatively at 3 months was 12.82 ± 3.97 (P > 0.05), which was not significant. None of the eyes developed any intraoperative and postoperative complications. The IOLs had appropriate centration and stability. Conclusion: We have developed this new technique for intrascleral IOL fixation which is quite simple, cost-effective, minimally invasive, neither requires glue nor suture and gives consistent outcome.