Correlation between aqueous flare and chorioretinal neovascularization in age-related macular degeneration following intravitreal bevacizumab injections.

PURPOSE: Prospective evaluation of aqueous flare following intravitreal bevacizumab (Avastin, Genentech Inc., San Francisco, CA, USA) injections in eyes with choroidal neovascularization due to age-related macular degeneration. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Sixteen eyes of eight patients were recruited. Aqueous humor flare was determined by laser flare meter every month after one intravitreal injection of 1.25mg of bevacizumab at baseline followed by a second injection at month3 (day 100±21days). Four patients received an injection at month6 (±10days), and one patient received an injection at month7. RESULTS: Two months after the first intravitreal bevacizumab injection, flare values decreased from 10±5.57 (mean±standard deviation) to 5.2±1.69photon count/ms (P=0.0207) and from 8.3±3.59 to 5.4±0photon counts/ms, 2months after the second injection (P=0.02). CONCLUSION: Significantly decreased aqueous humor flare levels were noted after repeated injections of bevacizumab.

[Intraocular foreign bodies (IOFB) of the posterior segment: retrospective analysis and management of 57 cases]. / Corps étrangers intraoculaires (CEIO) du segment postérieur : analyse rétrospective et prise en charge à propos de 57 cas.

PURPOSE: To determine the influence of prognostic factors and the type of tamponade agent in surgical management of intraocular foreign bodies (IOFBs) for better visual outcome. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Fifty-seven consecutive cases were retrospectively reviewed at the XV-XX National Hospital (Paris) between 1 January 2004 and 31 December 2007. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to identify prognostic variables. Several parameters were measured: pre- and postoperatively: best corrected visual acuity (BCVA), material and size of the foreign body, entry site, time from trauma to surgical removal, IOFB location, initial retinal detachment, choice of vitreous tamponade agent (none, gas, silicone oil), postoperative visual outcome, and complications (siderosis, endophthalmitis, and vitreoproliferative retinal detachment). RESULTS: Metal IOFBs accounted for the majority with 80.7% (n=46). The inferior retinal segment was the most frequent location found: 47.4% (n=27). Initial and final mean BCVAs were, respectively, 1.47 (±0.99) and 1.03 (±0.96) (LogMar scale). The mean follow-up was 20.7 months (range, 12-60 months). Initial retinal detachment was found in 24.56% (n=14), with a statically worse prognosis. The BCVA was better in the group with gas tamponade (n=16) than in the group with silicone tamponade (n=21) and the group without a tamponade agent (n=20). Initial BCVA was the most important predictive factor for final BCVA. Time to surgery was a predictive factor of final visual outcome with a cut-off in the first week. The scleral or corneoscleral entry site had a better prognosis than the corneal site. Five cases of siderosis (8.7%) related to delayed management and two cases of endophthalmitis (3.5%) were found (despite use of prophylactic systemic antibiotics). No statistical difference was found regarding the IOFB location on the retina, its size, or the material. Finally, the retina remained detached in nine cases (15.78%). A final BCVA of 20/40 or more was obtained in 39.3 and 17.5% had light perception or worse. CONCLUSION: The prognosis of an IOFB injury is for the most part uncertain due to a complex combination of parameters. Nevertheless, good postoperative results can be achieved without a silicone tamponade agent. The main prognostic factors related to better visual outcome were initial BCVA, time to surgery (first week), initially attached retina, and the scleral entry site. The main complications were vitreoproliferative retinal detachment, endophthalmitis, and siderosis. The location, type, and size of IOFBs were not statistically significant predictive factors in this study.

[23-gauge transconjunctival sutureless vitrectomy: a retrospective study of 164 consecutive cases]. / Vitrectomie transconjonctivale 23-gauge: étude rétrospective de 164 cas consécutifs.

PURPOSE: To describe our initial experience and to evaluate the outcomes of patients treated with 23-gauge transconjunctival sutureless vitrectomy for a variety of vitreoretinal conditions. METHODS: A single-center, retrospective chart review of 164 consecutive 23-gauge vitrectomy cases done by five vitreoretinal surgeons at the CHNO des XV-XX from May 2006 through December 2007. The main outcome measures included visual acuity and intraoperative and postoperative complications. RESULTS: The mean follow-up duration was 145 days. Mean overall acuity improved from 20/410 (0.5/10) at baseline to 20/101 (2/10) (p<0.0001) and the improvement in visual acuity was statistically significant for patients with macular hole, epiretinal membranes, retinal detachment, nonclearing vitreous hemorrhage, and silicone oil removal. There was a single case of intraoperative retinal tear. There were no postoperative complications of endophthalmitis or choroidal effusion and three cases of hypotony, which resolved spontaneously. Thirty-six of 80 phakic eyes had worsening of cataract, 29 of which occurred in the 1st postoperative month. Twenty patients had cataract surgery during the follow-up. Postoperative retinal detachment occurred in two cases after surgery for nonclearing vitreous hemorrhage. Retinal re-detachment after surgery for retinal detachment occurred in nine of 66 cases (14%). CONCLUSIONS: Twenty-three-gauge transconjunctival sutureless vitrectomy is an effective surgical technique for a variety of vitreoretinal surgical indications. The safety and efficacy profile compared favorably with the published literature on 20-gauge surgery.