Botulinum toxin augmented bilateral lateral rectus recession versus three muscles surgery in large-angle intermittent exotropia.

AIM: To report the surgical outcomes of correcting large angle intermittent exotropia in adult patients by bilateral lateral rectus muscle recession with intraoperative use of botulinum toxin and to compare the results with those of bilateral lateral rectus muscle recession and unilateral medial rectus resection. METHODS: The medical records of patients who underwent surgical correction of large angle intermittent exotropia [exotropia >50 prism dioptre (PD)] were retrospectively reviewed. Two groups of patients were identified; Group I (21 patients) had bilateral lateral recti recession augmented with intraoperative botulinum toxin A (BTA) injection into the recessed muscles and group II (30 patients) were treated by bilateral lateral recti recession with unilateral medial rectus muscle resection. Preoperative data were extracted for age, gender, refraction, type of exotropia, angle of stereopsis and angle of deviation. The main outcome measures were the postoperative angle of deviation and stereoacuity angle by Titmus test measured at the end of one year of postoperative follow up. RESULTS: By the end of the first postoperative year, 10 patients in group I (47.6%) and 20 patients in group II (66.7%) achieved esotropia/esophoria <5 PD or exotropia/exophoria <10 PD. The difference in surgical success rate was not statistically significant (P=0.1) but there was a statistically significant higher rate of undercorrection in group I (P=0.03). On the other hand, 3 patients in group I (14.3%) and 5 patients in group II (16.7%) had improved stereopsis; this difference in the sensory outcome was not statistically significant (P=0.8). In the BTA augmented surgery group, good stereoacuity and smaller preoperative angle of deviation were associated with significantly higher surgical success rate (P=0.004, 0.01 respectively). CONCLUSION: BTA augmented bilateral lateral recti recession is associated with higher rate of undercorrection as compared to bilateral lateral recti recession with unilateral medial rectus resection in the correction of large angle intermittent exotropia. The surgical success rate in BTA augmented surgery group is observed to be higher in patients with preoperative smaller angle of deviation and in patients with good stereoacuity.

Combined Photoactivated Chromophore for Infectious Keratitis-Corneal Collagen Cross-Linking (PACK-CXL) and Therapeutic Penetrating Keratoplasty for Resistant Bacterial Keratitis.

PURPOSE: To report the results of treating resistant bacterial keratitis by corneal collagen cross-linking followed by therapeutic penetrating keratoplasty and to compare with those of therapeutic penetrating keratoplasty alone. METHODS: Retrospective analysis of the medical records of 33 eyes of 33 patients diagnosed with resistant bacterial keratitis. Fourteen eyes (14 patients) were treated with photoactivated chromophore for infectious keratitis corneal collagen cross-linking (PACK-CXL) followed by therapeutic penetrating keratoplasty (TPK) (group I) and 19 eyes (19 patients) were treated by TPK alone (group II). The main outcome measures were graft clarity and the mean best corrected visual acuity at 1, 3, 6, 12 and 18 months after penetrating keratoplasty. RESULTS: The mean age of the patients was 53.6 ± 1.9 years and 52.3 ± 1.8 years in group I and group II, respectively (p = 0.374), the mean ulcer size was 49.9 ± 16.2 mm2 and 54.7.1 ± 15.1 mm2 in group I and group II, respectively (p = 0.239), the mean corneal infiltrate size was 58.2 ± 17mm2 and 59.9 ± 15.7 mm2 in group I and group II, respectively (p = 0.384). Hypopyon was seen in 6 eyes (41.7%) in group I and in 8 eyes (42.1%) in group II. At the last follow-up visit, 12 corneal grafts (85.7%) maintained their clarity in group I while 13 corneal grafts (68.4%) maintained their clarity in group II (p = 0.037) and the mean best corrected visual acuity was 0.84 ± 0.63 log MAR in group I and 1.27 ± 0.81 log MAR in group II (p = 0.024). Postoperatively, one eye (7%) showed graft reinfection in group I that was controlled medically while 5 eyes (26.3%) showed resistant graft reinfection and ended in graft opacification in group II (p = 0.042). CONCLUSION: In resistant bacterial keratitis, priming infected corneas with PACK-CXL before performing TPK improve the results in such cases.

Comparison between different techniques for treatment of submacular haemorrhage due to Age-Related Macular Degeneration.

PURPOSE: To compare the outcome of vitrectomy, subretinal tissue plasminogen activator (TPA), and gas with and without subretinal air versus Intravitreal TPA and gas in the treatment of submacular haemorrhage (SMH) due to Neovascular age related macular degeneration. METHODS: We analysed the notes of 29 cases presented with SMH in the period between 01/2016 and 09/2018 at James Cook University Hospital. Presenting visual acuity (BCVA), size and location of SMH, Procedure done, final BCVA at 6 months and any surgical complications were recorded. 11 Cases (Group 1) received intravitreal TPA (50 µg in 0.1 ML), 0.3 ml of pure sulfur hexafluoride (SF6). 18 cases (Group 2) received 23 G Pars Plana vitrectomy, Subretinal TPA injection (25 µg in 0.1 ml), and 20% SF6 gas filling. Group 2 was further divided into 2A (10 patients) who received only subretinal TPA and group 2B (8 patients) who received additional 0.1 ml subretinal air. RESULTS: The mean BCVA at presentation was 0.0068 in group 1 and 0.0067 in group 2 (p = 0.8734). The mean postoperative BCVA at 6 months was 0.31 in group 1 and 0.58 in group 2 (p = 0.0015). Subgroup analysis of group 2 didn't show statistically significant difference in outcome when adding subretinal air to the vitrectomy procedure (p = 0.7009). CONCLUSION: Vitrectomy, gas and subretinal TPA has more successful displacement rate and better visual outcome than Intravitreal TPA & Gas alone in treating SMH involving the fovea in age-related macular degeneration. Additional subretinal air doesn't seem to improve the outcome in cases having vitrectomy.

A Mitomycin C-Sparing Novel Technique for Subscleral Trabeculectomy in Primary Congenital Glaucoma.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the safety and efficacy of a novel modified subscleral trabeculectomy technique in management of primary congenital glaucoma. METHODS: This study included 25 infants diagnosed of having bilateral primary congenital glaucoma. For each patient, one eye was assigned to undergo subscleral trabeculectomy with trimming of the edges of the scleral bed (group I), while the contralateral eye underwent subscleral trabeculectomy with application of mitomycin C (0.4 mg/ml for 3 min) (group II). All the patients were followed up for a period of 14 ± 3 months (range 13-22 months). RESULTS: 25 eyes were included in each group. Patients' mean age was 2.5 ± 0.5 months (range 1.8-6.5 months). The mean preoperative intraocular pressure was 31 ± 4.9 mmHg and 32.1 ± 4.0 mmHg in group I and II, respectively. The mean postoperative intraocular pressure was 9.0 ± 1.0, 11.0 ± 3.2, 12.5 ± 0.9, 13.0 ± 2.9, and 15.5 ± 1.5 mm Hg in group I and was 10.3 ± 1.2, 12.0 ± 2.5, 13.5 ± 1.7, 15.0 ± 1.5, and 17.1 ± 2.8 mm Hg in group II at the first week and 1, 3, 6, and 12 months, respectively. There was no statistically significant difference between the mean intraocular pressure values recorded at both groups preoperatively and at each follow-up visit. Failure necessitating further surgical interventions was recorded in 4 eyes (16%) in group I as compared to 3 eyes (12%) in group II (P > 0.05). Postoperative complications included mild hyphema, which occurred in one eye (4%) in group I and 2 eyes (8%) in group II, and shallow anterior chamber in 3 eyes (12%) in group I and in 2 eyes (8%) in group II. One eye (4%) in group I developed drawn-up pupil. Choroidal effusion developed in one eye (4%) at each group. CONCLUSION: Trimming the edges of the scleral bed adjacent to the sclera flap is a safe and effective surgical step which can be added to the subscleral trabeculectomy procedure to effectively control the intraocular pressure in patients with primary congenital glaucoma, sparing them the hazards associated with mitomycin C application.

Secondary Intraocular Lens Implantation After Simultaneous Penetrating Keratoplasty and Cataract Extraction for Coexisting Corneal and Lens Opacities.

PURPOSE: To report the results of a new approach to the 2-stage surgical management of coexisting visually significant corneal opacities and cataract. METHODS: A retrospective analysis of eyes with corneal opacities and cataract that were surgically treated with simultaneous penetrating keratoplasty and cataract surgery, followed by secondary intraocular lens (IOL) implantation after removal of corneal sutures, was conducted. The parameters used for assessment were the following: mean percentage of graft endothelial cell loss after IOL implantation, deviation of the postoperative mean spherical equivalent from the target refraction, and mean uncorrected distance visual acuity (UDVA). RESULTS: Twenty-nine eyes were included in the study. The mean baseline UDVA was 1.94 ± 0.46, and the mean baseline best-corrected distance visual acuity was 1.56 ± 0.42. The mean interval between the 2 surgical interventions was 13.3 ± 2.2 months. Just before secondary IOL implantation, the mean endothelial cell density was 2198 ± 311 cells. The mean percentage of corneal endothelial cell loss was 7.3% at 6 months after IOL implantation (P = 0.16). Before IOL implantation, the mean spherical equivalent was +11.75 ± 3.38 D. After IOL implantation, the mean spherical equivalent improved to -0.19 ± 0.93 D (P = 0.003) at 6 months. The mean UDVA improved to 0.34 ± 0.18 (P = 0.017), whereas the mean corrected distance visual acuity improved to 0.18 ± 0.29 at 6 months (P = 0.016). All grafted corneas maintained their clarity until the final follow-up visit. CONCLUSIONS: Postponing IOL implantation some months after simultaneous penetrating keratoplasty and cataract extraction has a negligible effect on the corneal graft endothelium and achieves near postoperative target refraction with significant improvement in UDVA.

Twenty-Four Months Follow-Up of Intravitreal Bevacizumab Injection Versus Intravitreal Triamcinolone Acetonide Injection for the Management of Persistent Non-Infectious Uveitic Cystoid Macular Edema.

PURPOSE: To report the efficacy of intravitreal bevacizumab (IVB) injection versus intravitreal triamcinolone acetonide (IVT) for persistent non-infectious uveitic cystoid macular edema (CME). METHODS: Interventional retrospective comparative case series evaluated 37 consecutive patients (44 eyes) with completely controlled uveitis and recalcitrant CME. Patients received repeated injections of 1.25 mg of IVB or 4 mg of IVT. RESULTS: Best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) at baseline and 24 months was logMAR 1 and 0.8 respectively, in the IVB group (p = 0.002) and; logMAR of 1.1 and 0.6, in the IVT group (p = 0.001). Central macular thickness at baseline and 24 months was 399.2 µm and 333.7 µm (p < 0.0009), respectively, for the IVB group and; 464.4 µm and 316.5 µm in the IVT group (p = 0.044). Postoperatively, IOP increased in the IVT group. CONCLUSIONS: Repeated injections with IVT improve BCVA as effectively as repeated injections with IVB in the long-term management of persistent uveitic CME.

Intravitreal Clindamycin and Dexamethasone Combined with Systemic Oral Antitoxoplasma Therapy versus Intravitreal Therapy Alone in the Management of Toxoplasma Retinochoroiditis: A Retrospective Study.

PURPOSE: To compare clinical outcome of IVCD combined with oral therapy with IVCD alone in patients with toxoplasmic retinochoroiditis. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Thirty eyes were reviewed. Two equal groups were identified (15 eyes each). Clinical outcome measures were resolution of active inflammation, changes in BCVA and CMT, adverse drug reactions, and rate of recurrence. RESULTS: Mean baseline of BCVA 1.08 ± 0.17 and 1.03 ± 0.15 improved to 0.64 ± 0.18 and 0.69 ± 0.17 at the end of follow-up in group I and II, respectively. No statistically significant difference was observed. CMT was 392.6 ± 33.16 µm and 397.3 ± 14.6 µm significantly decreased to 314.7 ± 4.43 µm and 319.6 ± 7.8 µm. Resolution of acute inflammation was achieved in all cases in both groups. There were no recurrent cases in group I, and only one out of 15 (6.7%) in group II. No ocular or systemic adverse events were recorded. CONCLUSION: IVCD is an effective route of treatment for active toxoplasmic retinochoroiditis that can be used solely without the need to use systemic medications..

Combined intrastromal injection of amphotericin B and topical fluconazole in the treatment of resistant cases of keratomycosis: a retrospective study.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the efficacy of combination therapy of a single intrastromal injection of amphotericin B and topical fluconazole in resistant cases of fungal keratitis, and also topical amphotericin B as monotherapy in terms of the duration of the recovery period and toxic drug effects. METHODS: This retrospective 2-year study reviewed 68 cases of unilateral fungal keratitis diagnosed by clinical features and positive laboratory culture results. Forty-one cases were resistant and did not respond to monotherapy with an antifungal agent. Thus, they were treated with a single intrastromal injection of amphotericin B in addition to topical fluconazole as combined antifungal therapy, representing group A. Twenty-seven cases were treated with topical amphotericin B as antifungal monotherapy, representing group B. Topical atropine 1% and different antibiotic eye drops were added to the antifungal agents in both groups. Follow-up of patient records was performed monitoring cure rate, duration of recovery period, and toxic drug effects such as pain, burning sensation, and corneal melting. RESULTS: The results revealed that group A, treated with combination therapy, showed recovery of 34 cases (82.9%) with a mean duration of 24±6.42 days, significantly different from group B which showed recovery of 16 cases (59.3%) with a mean duration of 39.66±13.6 days. Group A also showed less manifestation of drug toxicity than group B. CONCLUSION: Combined intrastromal injection of amphotericin B and topical fluconazole can provide a good modality in the treatment of resistant cases of fungal keratitis, exhibiting highly potent antifungal effects, shorter recovery period, and reduced corneal toxicity.

Novel ADAM9 homozygous mutation in a consanguineous Egyptian family with severe cone-rod dystrophy and cataract.

OBJECTIVE: To genetically and phenotypically describe a new ADAM9 homozygous mutation in a consanguineous family from Egypt with autosomal recessive cone-rod dystrophy (arCRD), anterior polar and posterior subcapsular cataract. DESIGN, SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS: The parents and their six children were included. They underwent a complete ophthalmic examination with fundus photography and optical coherence tomography (OCT). INTERVENTION: DNA was extracted from peripheral blood from all family members. Screening for mutations in genes known to be implicated in retinal disorders was done with the IROme, an in-solution enrichment array, followed by high-throughput sequencing. Validation of the results was done by bidirectional Sanger sequencing of ADAM9 exon 14, including exon-intron junctions. Screening of normal controls was done by denaturing high-performance liquid chromatography. RESULTS: arCRD was diagnosed in the mother and two of her children. Bilateral anterior polar and posterior subcapsular cataract was observed in the mother and bilateral dot cataract was diagnosed in three of the four children not affected with arCRD, one of whom also had glaucoma. The characteristics of the arCRD were childhood-onset visual impairment, reorganisation of the retinal pigment epithelium with mid-periphery greyish-white discolouration, attenuated retinal vasculatur and optic disc pallor. A coloboma-like macular lesion was observed in one of the arCRD-affected children. IROme analysis identified a c.1396-2A>G homozygous mutation in the splice acceptor site of intron 13 of ADAM9. This mutation was homozygous in the two children affected by arCRD and in their affected mother. This mutation was heterozygous in the unaffected father and the four unaffected children. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: We identified a novel autosomal recessive ADAM9 mutation causing arCRD in a consanguineous Egyptian family. The percentage of arCRD cases caused by mutation in ADAM9 remains to be determined. Few families are reported in the literature to date; hence extensive clinical descriptions of families with ADAM9 mutations are of significant importance.

Short-term results of a single intravitreal bevacizumab (avastin) injection versus a single intravitreal triamcinolone acetonide (kenacort) injection for the management of refractory noninfectious uveitic cystoid macular edema.

PURPOSE: To report the short-term results of a single intravitreal injection of bevacizumab (IVB) versus a single intravitreal injection of triamcinolone acetonide (IVT) to treat refractory noninfectious uveitic cystoid macular edema (CME). METHODS: Twenty-eight consecutive patients (36 eyes) were retrospectively included. Patients received either 2.5 mg of IVB (16 eyes) or 4 mg of IVT (20 eyes). RESULTS: In the IVT group, baseline best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) was logMAR 1.1 +/- 0.2, and improved to 0.7 +/- 0.3 (p < .001) at 6 months. In the IVB group, baseline BCVA was logMAR of 1.2 +/- 0.4 and improved to 0.8 +/- 0.4 at 6 months (p = .031). At 6 months, central macular thickness (CMT) in the IVT group improved from 454.8 +/- 238.9 microm to 296 +/- 134.4 microm (p < .0001). CONCLUSION: A single IVT injection improves BCVA and reduces CMT more effectively than IVB in refractory noninfectious uveitic CME at 6 months.