Management of Optic Disk Pit-associated Macular Detachment with Human Amniotic Membrane Patch.

PURPOSE: To report a new surgical technique involving a human amniotic membrane patch (hAM) to solve a serous macular detachment associated with optic nerve head pit. METHODS: Three eyes of three patients affected by macular detachment associated with optic nerve head pit were enrolled. A 23-gauge pars plana vitrectomy were performed. hAM patch was implanted inside the optic nerve pit; air was used as endotamponade. The patients were instructed to maintain face-down position for the first days after surgery. RESULTS: The subretinal fluid gradually resolved during 6 months of follow-up, and visual acuity improved to 20/25 at the sixth month after surgery. We did not observe a recurrence of subretinal fluid during the 6 months of follow-up. No postoperative complications were reported during the follow-up. CONCLUSION: Implant of the hAM may be effective to repair optic disk pit maculopathy. All the cases were successful with encouraging visual acuity recovery.

Efficacy and safety of Ab interno XEN gel implant after a failed filtering surgery.

Purpose: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of Ab interno XEN gel stent in patients with open angle glaucoma who underwent a previous failed filtering surgery. Methods: A retrospective, observational, multi-centered and descriptive cohort study was conducted from January 2019 to February 2020 on patients with primary open angle glaucoma (POAG) who underwent XEN gel stent implant after a failed filtering surgical procedure. Main parameters evaluated were: changes in IOP measured with Goldmann applanation tonometer, number of anti-glaucomatous eye drops, postoperative complications, and necessity of further surgical procedures. The quantification of quality of life was obtained from the VFQ-25 questionnaire. A descriptive analysis based on pre- post- and intra-operative data was carried out. Results: In all patients included in the study (6 patients for a total of 7 eyes), IOP dropped during the follow up time. We found a mean percentage reduction of -41.5% at 9 months compared to the preoperative data (baseline). IOP lowered from 21.71 ± 4.64 mmHg to 9 ± 3,21 mmHg 1 day after the operation, 11 ± 3.21 at 1 week, 11.42 ± 1.81 mmHg at 1 month, 12.42 ± 3.10 mmHg at 3 months, 13.57 ± 3.45 at 6 months, 12.71 ± 1.79 at 9 months. In 71.4%, the procedure turned out to be complication free and only one case required needling of the bleb in order to achieve optimal intraocular pressure control. A total of 71.4% patients reached a medication free regimen with a percentage of reduction in the mean number of drugs needed of -88.9%. Conclusion: In our experience, XEN gel stent implant performed in Caucasian patients with POAG and a history of failed filtrating surgery, showed to be an effective and safe procedure.