Tunnel-floor entry continuous curvilinear capsulorhexis technique: Rhexis in a controlled and stable anterior chamber always

Continuous circular capsulorhexis (CCC) was demonstrated independently by Thomas Neuhann, Kimiya Shimizu, and Howard Gimbel in the 1980s and it finds mention in the landmark paper by Gimbel and Neuhann. The authors describe a technique of achieving the rhexis in a stable, viscoelastic-filled anterior chamber using the tunnel floor as the entry. This gets covered by the roof of the tunnel postoperatively and, therefore, does not leak. There is no oar-locking or striae even when cystitome goes beyond the edge of the tunnel. As there is no escape of the viscoelastic substance, there is no change in the pressure or shallowing of the anterior chamber. It is a useful technique for beginners. It is of great help in difficult cases like intumescent cataracts, shallow anterior chambers, hyperopes, nanophthalmos, pseudoexfoliation, small non-dilating pupils, intraoperative floppy iris syndrome (IFIS), and phacomorphic glaucoma.

Comparison of clinical and biometric characteristics between nanophthalmic children and age-matched controls

Purpose: To compare the clinical and biometric characteristics of children presenting with nanophthalmos (NO group) with that of age?matched controls (CO group). Methods: Electronic medical records of 40 children (<18 years of age) with diagnosis of nanophthalmos (NO), presented to a tertiary center in Tamil Nadu between January 2010 and December 2019, were reviewed and compared with 30 age?matched controls (CO) presenting for routine eye examination between October 2019 and December 2019. Clinical parameters compared were best?corrected visual acuity (BCVA), axial length (AxL), keratometry (K), anterior chamber depth (ACD), lens thickness (LT), retinochoroidal scleral thickness (RCS), corneal diameter, central corneal thickness (CCT), intraocular pressure (IOP), lens axial length factor (LAF), and lens thickness/anterior chamber depth ratio (LT/ACD). Results: Mean age of the NO group was 8.95 ± 4.0 years. Mean spherical equivalent (SE) in NO group was 10.87 ± 3.1 D and was inversely correlated to AxL (r = ?0.46, P value = 0.003). All biometric parameters (AxL, ACD, LT, RCS, LAF, and LT/ACD), except CCT were significantly different between NO and CO groups. NO group children had 52.5% visual impairment with BCVA ? 6/24 and 17.5% had esotropia. Common ocular associations in NO group were amblyopia (64.3%), primary angle?closure glaucoma (PACG) (17.8%), pigmentary retinopathy (14.3%), and retinal detachment (3.6%). Angle?closure disease was seen in 50% of NO group and 30% underwent laser peripheral iridotomy (LPI). There was a significant difference in SE, ACD, and LAF among NO children with AxL <17 mm or >17 mm. Multivariable regression analysis revealed a significant correlation of SE and ACD with AxL. Conclusion: Nanophthalmos in children often present as amblyopia with visual impairment and strabismus. NO group with AxL <17 mm, had angle?closure disease as a common association with significantly lower ACD, higher SE, and LAF. All morphometric characteristics, except CCT, were significantly different between NO and CO groups. Close monitoring with serial biometry in NO group is needed for the timely diagnosis and prompt intervention to avoid visual impairment, due to glaucoma

A report on a series of nanophthalmos with histopathology and immunohistochemistry analyses using light microscopy

We aimed to study the histopathological and immunohistochemistry features in clinically diagnosed cases of nanophthalmos using light microscopy. This was an observational comparative study. We enrolled four eyes of four consecutive patients with nanophthalmos and visually significant cataract, who underwent cataract surgery with prophylactic posterior sclerostomy. Histological analysis of the excised scleral tissue was done and compared with age-matched cadaver controls between January 2021 and October 2021. Hematoxylin and Eosin (H&E) stains were used for histological analysis, and was further supplemented with immunohistochemistry (IHC) and immunofluorescence (IF) analyses using a simple light microscope. The immunostained sections were analyzed using confocal microscope for the fibronectin expression level. The main outcome measure was demonstration of histological changes of sclera in nanophthalmic eyes undergoing cataract surgery. Light microscopic features of nanophthalmos revealed thick fibers with fraying and lightly stained cores, irregular serrated edges, and randomly interspersed fibroblasts compared to regular arrangement of collagen fibers seen in cadaver controls. Immunohistochemistry analysis with anti-fibronectin antibody showed strong positivity in clustered fibers in nanophthalmos, and less intense diffuse staining in cadaver tissue. Histoclinical correlation was observed in one nanophthalmic scleral tissue with axial length less than 17 mm showing severe disorganization with diffuse collagenization, loss of fibrillary architecture compared to another specimen with axial length more than 17 mm. Simple, cost-effective light microscopy using basic stains was effective in identifying the characteristic histopathological features in nanophthalmic eyes, and this was further highlighted by immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence analyses.

Clinical analysis of combined microsurgery for nanophthalmic patients with uncontrolled intraocular pressure after peripheral iridectomy / 中华显微外科杂志

Objective:To evaluate the efficacy and safety of limited pars plana vitrectomy(LPPV), pressure-controlled phacoemulsification(PCP), intraocular lens implantation(IOL), and posterior capsulotomy (PC) in treatment of nanophthalmic glaucoma eyes which intraocular pressure(IOP) were still out of control after peripheral iridectomy.Methods:All 24 patients(29 eyes) with nanophthalmic glaucoma whose IOP failed to be reduced after peripheral iridectomy and needed LPPV plus PCP plus IOL plus PC were recruited from July 2017 to April 2021. The age of these patients was(44.6±11.0) years old. Preoperative and postoperative IOP, best corrected visual acuity(BCVA), anterior chamber depth(ACD) and number of glaucoma medications were recorded by chart review and compared by using paired t-test or Wilcoxon signed rank-sum test. P<0.05 was considered as statistical significant. IOP could be controlled in normal range(≥5 mmHg and≤21 mmHg), without both of disease progression and serious complications were regarded as the success criteria of the operation. Surgical success rate was evaluated. Surgery-associated complications were recorded. Results:The average follow-up time was(11.52±12.44) months. After the microsurgery, IOP decreased from(33.12±9.25) mmHg to(14.23±3.44) mmHg( P<0.01); The ACD increased from(1.23±0.46) mm to(2.86±0.62) mm, and the median number of glaucoma medications dropped from 3(3,4) to 3(0,3) at final follow-up visit( P<0.05). There were no significant differences in BCVA( P=0.196) and the degrees of angle closure(AC) ( P=0.478) before and after operation. The total surgical success rate was 86.2%(25/29) at the final follow-up visit. Two eyes suffered from local choroidal detachment which recovered within 2 weeks with medical treatment. Conclusion:LPPV plus PCP plus IOL plus PC is a safe and effective novel surgical procedure in the treatment of nanophthalmic glaucoma patients with uncontrolled IOP after peripheral iridectomy. It could significantly decrease IOP, increase the depth of ACD, reduce the number of glaucoma medications and maintain BCVA. It can be considered as a first choice for the surgical management for patients with a such condition.

Measurement of biological parameters of nanophthalmos and its correlation with axial length / 中华实验眼科杂志

Objective@#To quantitatively measure biological parameters of nanophthalmos and analyze the correlation between axial length (AL) and the other biological parameters.@*Methods@#The clinical data of 71 eyes of 43 patients identified with nanophthalmos (AL≤20 mm) from September 2012 to August 2018 in Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center were retrospectively analyzed.All enrolled patients underwent ophthalmological examinations including best-corrected visual acuity, refraction, slit-lamp biomicroscopy, fundus examination, Goldmann applanation tonometry, A-scan ultrasound examinations, ultrasound biomicroscopy, spectral domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) and nonmydriatic fundus photography.Pearson correlation analysis was used to analyze the relationship between AL and all biological parameters.This study followed the Declaration of Helsinki and was approved by the Ethics Committee of Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center (NO.2017KYPJ092). All patients signed informed consent.@*Results@#Of the 43 patients, the average age was (46.00±12.75) years, the mean intraocular pressure was (24.97±14.87)mmHg (1 mmHg=0.133 kPa). The mean best corrected visual acuity was 1.14±0.79, the mean refraction was (11.61±4.09)D.The mean AL, central corneal thickness (CCT), central anterior chamber depth(ACD), anterior chamber width (ACW), len thickness(LT) and vitreous cavity length(VCL) was (17.13±1.57)mm, (550±60)μm, (1.64±0.37)mm, (11.17±0.61)mm, (5.01±0.51)mm and (10.10±1.80)mm, respectively.The average retinal nerve fiber layer thickness (mRNFLT), macular foveal retinal thickness (FRT) and subfoveal choroidal thickness (SFCT) was (98.51±40.93), (294.46±116.83) and (488.72±133.06)μm, respectively.The ratio of ACD to AL, LT to AL, and VCL to AL was 9.6%, 29.4% and 59.3%, respectively.The ACW and VCL were positively correlated with AL(r=0.432, 0.978; both at P<0.001); whereas, LT and FRT were negatively correlated with AL(r=-0.272, P=0.027; r=-0.679, P<0.001). There was no correlation between CCT, central ACD, mRNFLT, SFCT and AL (r=0.153, -0.053, -0.322, 0.063; all at P>0.05).@*Conclusions@#Nanophthalmos has the characteristics of narrow anterior and posterior segment structure.The ratio of LT to AL is increased and the ratio of VCL to AL is decreased.The AL is positively correlated with ACW and VCL, negatively correlated with LT and FRT.

Measurement of biological parameters of nanophthalmos and its correlation with axial length / 中华实验眼科杂志

Objective To quantitatively measure biological parameters of nanophthalmos and analyze the correlation between axial length ( AL) and the other biological parameters. Methods The clinical data of 71 eyes of 43 patients identified with nanophthalmos ( AL≤20 mm ) from September 2012 to August 2018 in Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center were retrospectively analyzed. All enrolled patients underwent ophthalmological examinations including best-corrected visual acuity,refraction,slit-lamp biomicroscopy,fundus examination,Goldmann applanation tonometry,A-scan ultrasound examinations, ultrasound biomicroscopy, spectral domain optical coherence tomography ( SD-OCT) and nonmydriatic fundus photography. Pearson correlation analysis was used to analyze the relationship between AL and all biological parameters. This study followed the Declaration of Helsinki and was approved by the Ethics Committee of Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center (NO. 2017KYPJ092). All patients signed informed consent. Results Of the 43 patients,the average age was (46. 00±12. 75) years,the mean intraocular pressure was (24. 97± 14. 87)mmHg (1 mmHg=0. 133 kPa). The mean best corrected visual acuity was 1. 14±0. 79,the mean refraction was (11.61±4.09)D. The mean AL,central corneal thickness (CCT),central anterior chamber depth(ACD), anterior chamber width (ACW),len thickness(LT) and vitreous cavity length(VCL) was (17. 13±1. 57)mm,(550± 60)μm,(1. 64±0. 37)mm,(11. 17±0. 61)mm,(5. 01±0. 51)mm and (10. 10±1. 80)mm,respectively. The average retinal nerve fiber layer thickness ( mRNFLT ) , macular foveal retinal thickness ( FRT ) and subfoveal choroidal thickness (SFCT) was (98. 51±40. 93),(294. 46±116. 83) and (488. 72±133. 06)μm,respectively. The ratio of ACD to AL, LT to AL, and VCL to AL was 9. 6％, 29. 4％ and 59. 3％, respectively. The ACW and VCL were positively correlated with AL(r=0. 432,0. 978;both at P<0. 001);whereas,LT and FRT were negatively correlated with AL(r=-0. 272,P=0. 027;r=-0. 679,P<0. 001). There was no correlation between CCT,central ACD, mRNFLT,SFCT and AL (r=0. 153,-0. 053,-0. 322,0. 063;all at P>0. 05). Conclusions Nanophthalmos has the characteristics of narrow anterior and posterior segment structure. The ratio of LT to AL is increased and the ratio of VCL to AL is decreased. The AL is positively correlated with ACW and VCL,negatively correlated with LT and FRT.

Full-thickness Sclerotomy for Uveal Effusion Syndrome

To report the surgical outcome of full-thickness sclerotomy in five cases of uveal effusion syndrome (UES). Full-thickness sclerotomy without sclerectomy was performed on five eyes of four patients with UES with or without nanophthalmos. In four of the eyes, exudative retinal detachment associated with UES resolved after the sclerotomy. The subretinal fluid in one eye, which had a normal axial length, was relieved after undergoing three sclerotomy procedures. Full-thickness sclerotomy without vortex vein decompression or sclerectomy is an effective surgical option for the management of significant UES.

Nanophthalmos and situs inversus totalis.

Nanophthalmos is characterized by short axial length, high hypermetropia, thick sclera and a normal-sized crystalline lens. Situs inversus totalis is the mirror image of the normal morphology of the thoracic and abdominal viscera. To the best of our knowledge this is the first report of a nanophthalmic patient with situs inversus totalis. Therefore, we would like to invite the attention of our colleagues to our case and underline the importance of the systemic examination of the nanophthalmic patients to detect systemic malformations and visceral transpositions.

Scleral Window Surgery with Mitomycin C for Nanophthalmic Uveal Effusion: Case Report

PURPOSE: To report the case of a 36-year-old patient with nanophthalmic uveal effusion was treated with scleral window surgery and topical administration of mitomycin C (MMC). CASE SUMMARY: A 36-year-old woman presented with decreased visual acuity and blurred vision in the both eyes during 3 months. Fundus examination revealed choroidal effusion and retinal detachment with thickend sclera wall and short axial lengh. Partial-thickness sclera flap with deep sclerostomy was performed and topical MMC was administered to one quadrant of the equatorial sclera. The subretinal fluid resorbed gradually and visual acuity improved. CONCLUSIONS: Scleral window surgery and topical mitomycin C might relieve the blocked transscleral outflow of intraocular fluid in the small area of a sclerostomy in young patient with nanophthlamos.

Pseudophakic hyperopia in nanophthalmic eyes managed by a posterior chamber implantable collamer lens.

We report a case of a bilateral posterior chamber implantable collamer lens (ICL) implantation post-clear lens extraction, to reduce the residual hyperopia, in a patient with nanophthalmic eyes. A 30-year-old female patient, keen to reduce her dependency on glasses and contact lenses, came to our refractive surgery department. Her refractive error was +12.0 and +12.5 diopters in the right and left eye, respectively, with steep corneas on keratometry and a shallow anterior chamber depth. She underwent clear lens extraction with implantation of +35.0 D and +40.0 D IOL in the right eye and left eye, respectively. Her post-operative best-corrected visual acuity was 20/30 with +8.5 D in the right eye and +6 D in the left. She underwent bilateral ICL implantation. Postoperatively after 6 months, her unaided visual acuity was 20/30 in both eyes. In conclusion, ICL implantation can be considered to correct residual hypermetropic ametropia in pseudophakic eyes when other options have limitations.

A Case of Acute Angle-Closure Glaucoma in a Nanophthalmos Patient

PURPOSE: To present a case of acute angle-closure glaucoma in a nanophthalmos patient. CASE SUMMARY: A 28-year-old woman visited the hospital for a sudden pain in the left eye, she had a small orbital bone and narrow palpebral fissurea in both eyes. Her intraocular pressure (IOP) was 58 mmHg in the left eye. The slit lamp examination showed shallow anterior chambers in both eyes, and the gonioscopic examination showed a closed angle in the left eye. The diameters of the corneas were 11 mm , and the axial lengths were 19.7 mm in the right eye and 19.6 mm in the left eye. The depths of the anterior chambers were 1.51 mm in the right eye and 1.82 mm in the left eye. The disease was diagnosed as acute angle-closure glaucoma in the left eye of the patient with nanophthalmos, and thus the IOP of the left eye was lowered using ophthalmic drugs and medications. Laser iridotomy was performed on both eyes. CONCLUSIONS: For around a year of follow-up after laser iridotomy, complications such as the rise of intraocular pressure and choroidal effusion were not observed. This suggests that laser iridotomy can be an effective treatment for acute angle-closure glaucoma accompanying nanophthalmos.

Clinical Results of Cataract Surgery in Nanophthalmic Eyes

PURPOSE: To evaluate the outcomes in patients with nanophthalmos that had phacoemulsification and intraocular lens (IOL) implantation. METHODS: This retrospective study included 13 eyes of eight patients with nanophthalmos who had phacoemulsification with IOL implantation: Preoperative and postoperative manifest refraction, best-spectacle corrected visual acuity (BSCVA), preoperative axial length, anterior chamber depth, corneal diameter, manual keratometry, intraocular pressure (IOP), and postoperative complications were analyzed. RESULTS: Eight patients (13 eyes) had phacoemulsification with IOL implantation, 11 eyes by posterior chamber IOL implantation, and two eyes by ciliary sulcus fixation. The mean change in visual acuity from preoperative to postoperative was 2.1+/-2.0 lines. IOP was well controlled postoperatively, but one eye required a trabeculectomy. No patients required partial sclerotomy during the operation. Choroidal effusions or choroidal detachment was not observed intraoperatively or postoperatively. The mean endothelial cell loss was 12.6+/-17.7% at two months postoperative. CONCLUSIONS: The results of phacoemulsification and IOL implantation through clear corneal incision in nanophthalmic patients are encouraging. Most patients showed improved visual acuity without severe complications.

Cataract Surgery Using Piggyback Method in Patient With Nanophthalmos

PURPOSE: To report a case of cataract surgery using a piggyback method in a patient with pure nanophthalmos with an axial length under 16.00 mm in both eyes. CASE SUMMARY: The authors performed cataract surgery using a piggyback method inserting two intraocular lenses (IOLs) in a 44-year-old male with nanophthalmos with axial lengths of OD 15.36 mm, and OS 15.59 mm. Primary implantation of two IOLs of +53.0D as calculated by the SRK/T and Holladay formula was performed in the right eye using a piggyback method. In the left eye, two IOLs of +60.0D calculated by the Hoffer Q formula were implanted. Postoperative hyperopic refractive errors occurred in both eyes. The differences between the preoperative target spherical equivalent (SE) and the postoperative one year four month SE were 9.68D in the right eye and 1.63D in the left eye. CONCLUSIONS: Due to high diopter IOL requirements in nanophthalmic patients (less than 16.00 mm) during cataract surgery, the refractive errors were well corrected, without complications, by using a piggyback method. In the present case study, the Hoffer Q formula produced better results than did the SRK/T or Holladay formula in reducing the difference in preoperative and postoperative SEs, but more surgical cases and research are required to establish the most appropriate formula for cataract surgery in nanophthalmos.

Bilateral Brown's syndrome associated with nanophthalmos and generalized joint stiffness / 国际眼科杂志(Guoji Yanke Zazhi)

Brown's syndrome is characterized by absence or severe limitation of elevation in adduction with a positive forced duction test and minimal elevation deficit in abduction and primary position. Nanophthalmos is an uncommon congenital ocular malformation characterized by an extremely small eye. In this report,a case with bilateral Brown's syndrome and nanophthalmos combined with generalized joint stiffness was presented.

A Case of Nanophthalmos

Nanophthalmos is a rare disease that results from arrested development of the globe after closure of the embryonic fissure and is characterized by a small eye with thickened sclera, uveal effusion, non-rhegmatogenous retinal detachment and narrow angle glaucoma. Treatments include medical, laser and surgical theraphy for glaucoma, and surgical treatments like scleral resection, anterior sclerotomy and vortex vein decompression surgery for the drainage of the uveal effusion, etc. We experienced a case of nanophthalmos with narrow angle glaucoma and choroidal effusion in 34 year-old male patients. Anterior sclerotomy for the drainage of the uveal effusion was performed and the scleral tissue obtained. Histopathologic study on the sclera showed abnormal collagen fibers.

To enhance the understanding of treatment for nanophthalmos secondary glaucoma / 眼科

It is not rare for nanophthalmos secondary glaucoma that filtration operation results in blindness,especially after the filtration operation is more popular,but surgical skill is not enough even for every surgeon.Thus the eye axis measurement is empha- sized for patients with angle closure glaucoma in order to affirm whether it is nanophthalmos,and a simple three-step method is intro- duced to recognize nanophthalmos quickly.We should stress the general detail design for treatment of nanophthalmos secondary glauco- ma.It should be careful to use miotic agents during its treatment.If have to do surgeries,we should know their high risks and can cor- rectly deal with complications such as malignant glaucoma,uveal effusion,choroid detachment,expulsive hemorrhage and so on.Its sur- gical fashions will depend on pathophysiological mechanisms and structure of ocular anterior segment of patients with nanophthalmos. Good communications with patients and their relatives and excellent operative skills are important factors for ensuring successful surgeries.