Intraoperative Foveal Traction in Patients with Epiretinal Membrane

PURPOSE: To determine influences of intraoperative foveal traction during membrane peeling in idiopathic epiretinal membrane (ERM) surgery. METHODS: This retrospective observational study included 46 eyes of 46 patients with idiopathic ERM who underwent pars plana vitrectomy with ERM and internal limiting membrane peeling from February 2015 to September 2015. The presence of intraoperative foveal traction during membrane peeling was reviewed using video records. The main outcome measures were best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), central foveal thickness (CFT), foveal contour, and photoreceptor inner segment/outer segment junction disruption using optical coherence tomography at baseline and at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months after surgery. RESULTS: Group 1 (ERM with intraoperative foveal traction) included 22 eyes, and group 2 (ERM without intraoperative foveal traction) included 24 eyes. Preoperatively, convex pattern ERM was observed more often in group 1. Group 1 had a significantly thicker CFT and a lower BCVA compared to group 2 at baseline and during the first 6 months, but the final postoperative BCVA and CFT were not significantly different between the groups at 12 months. Among 22 eyes, 12 eyes (54.5%) were restored to flat or concave ERM patterns at an average of 5.4 months after surgery in group 1, and 18 out of 24 eyes (75%) recovered at 2.4 months (p < 0.01) in group 2. CONCLUSIONS: Preoperative thick CFT and convex pattern ERM indicated a high possibility of intraoperative foveal traction in idiopathic ERM surgery. There were no differences in long-term BCVA and restoration of foveal configuration according to foveal traction during membrane peeling.

Clinical Outcomes of Combined Vitrectomy and Intrascleral Fixation of New Intraocular Lenses in In-the-bag Dislocations

PURPOSE: To investigate the clinical outcomes of combined vitrectomy and intrascleral fixation of a new posterior chamber intraocular lens (PC IOL) as a treatment for IOL dislocation. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective interventional study at our medical facility from January 2015 to January 2017. Posteriorly dislocated IOLs were removed with pars plana vitrectomy. Two intrascleral tunnels, 2.0 mm in length, were created 1.5 mm to the limbus at 6 and 12 o'clock positions. Both haptics of new foldable acrylic 3-piece IOLs were inserted into the tunnel until the IOL was secured in a central position. We analyzed the preexisting ocular condition, visual acuity (VA), and refractive error preoperatively and postoperatively, and recorded postoperative complications. RESULTS: Forty-nine patients (50 eyes) were enrolled in the study. The mean follow-up period was 12.8 ± 6.6 months. A best-corrected VA of 6/12 or better was achieved in 43 eyes (86%). The mean VA significantly improved from 0.32 logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution (logMAR) at baseline to 0.18 logMAR at last follow-up (p = 0.03). The refractive status after intrascleral fixation of the PC IOL revealed a mean hyperopic shift of +1.09 ± 1.28 diopters from the predicted spherical equivalent. Postoperative vitreous hemorrhages occurred in six cases and were cleared without visual compromise. Cystoid macular edema was well-controlled by topical nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID) medications in two cases. In two cases, IOL dislocation recurred and required re-operation. There were no serious adverse events of suture-related complications, retinal detachment, corneal compromise, or endophthalmitis in any of the patients. CONCLUSIONS: Our data revealed that use of combined vitrectomy and intrascleral fixation of PC IOLs is a safe and efficient technique to correct IOL dislocation. We observed good visual outcomes with only minor complications.

Intravitreal Aflibercept Monotherapy for Treating Submacular Hemorrhage Secondary to Neovascular Age-related Macular Degeneration

PURPOSE: To evaluate the effects of intravitreal aflibercept injection in the treatment of submacular hemorrhage secondary to neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD). METHODS: This retrospective, observational study included patients diagnosed with nAMD with submacular hemorrhage treated with intravitreal aflibercept monotherapy. A total of 54 eyes of 54 patients were treated with an initial series of three monthly intravitreal aflibercept injections followed by as-needed injections. At the 6 month follow-up, changes in best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), central macular thickness (CMT), and submacular hemorrhage area (SMH) were evaluated. RESULTS: The mean preoperative BCVA was 0.79 ± 0.59 logMAR, which improved significantly to 0.53 ± 0.46 logMAR at 3 months and 0.48 ± 0.50 logMAR at 6 months (p < 0.001, in both). The CMT significantly decreased in all eyes: preoperative, 454.4 ± 131.5 µm, to 242.6 ± 39.7 µm at 6 months. The SMH was also reduced in all eyes: preoperative, 6.4 ± 4.8 disc areas (DAs) to 0.8 ± 1.4 DAs at 6 months. Ten eyes were diagnosed with typical nAMD (18.5%) and 44 eyes were diagnosed polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy (81.5%). There was no significant difference at 6 months in the visual outcomes of the subgroups. CONCLUSIONS: Intravitreal aflibercept monotherapy is well-tolerated as a treatment in maintaining or improving vision in patients with SMH secondary to nAMD.

Long-term Changes in the Spherical Equivalent and Axial Length in Bilateral High-hyperopia Children

PURPOSE: To explore changes in the spherical equivalent refractive error and axial length of both eyes of children with high hyperopia over time. METHODS: Children with bilateral hyperopia ≥ 4.0 diopters (D) underwent visual acuity testing and comprehensive ophthalmic examinations. The mean age at the first visit was 6.5 years and spherical equivalent refractive error and axial length were measured at least three times over the following year. Axial length was measured using an intraocular lens Master instrument (Carl Zeiss Meditec, Jena, Germany). RESULTS: The mean annual increase in axial length was +0.21 mm and the mean annual reduction in spherical equivalent refractive error was −0.39 D. Between the ages of 3 and 5 years, the mean annual increase in axial length was +0.36 ± 0.26 mm. In patients aged ≥ 9 years old, the mean annual increase was +0.12 ± 0.09 mm (p = 0.00). The mean annual reduction in spherical equivalent refractive error was −0.53 ± 1.00 D between the ages of 3 and 5 years, but became −.32 ± 0.54 D at age ≥ 9 years old. This difference was not significant (p = 0.11). CONCLUSIONS: In children with bilateral hyperopia, the spherical equivalent refractive error decreased and the axial length increased with age. The rate of axial length growth was higher in younger children.

Change in Subfoveal Choroidal Thickness after Patterned Panretinal Photocoagulation in Patients with Diabetic Retinopathy

PURPOSE: To evaluate changes in subfoveal choroidal thickness (SFCT) after patterned panretinal photocoagulation (PRP) using pattern scan laser (PASCAL) in patients with diabetic retinopathy. METHODS: This study included 39 patients (50 eyes) treated with patterned PRP using PASCAL and who were followed for at least 3 months. Patients were classified into 2 groups according to severity: severe non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy and proliferative diabetic retinopathy. SFCT was measured by enhanced depth imaging of spectral-domain optical coherence tomography. The change in SFCT was analyzed at 1 and 3 months after PRP. RESULTS: SFCT was 270.42 ± 61.44 µm before PRP, 264.52 ± 60.78 µm at 1 month, and 255.74 ± 56.89 µm at 3 months after PRP. Significant change of SFCT was found at 3 months after PRP. Central macular thickness was 275.56 ± 50.61 µm before PRP and increased to 295.18 ± 52.80 µm and 293.10 ± 57.24 µm at 1 and 3 months post-treatment, respectively. There were no significant differences between groups in SFCT at baseline or in the amount of change in SFCT after PRP. CONCLUSIONS: SFCT significantly decreased after patterned PRP using PASCAL.