Macular toxicity following brilliant blue G-assisted macular hole surgery - a report of three cases.

INTRODUCTION: Brilliant blue G is a new dye used for staining the internal limiting membrane to ease its peeling in cases like a macular hole. CASES: Three patients presented with full-thickness idiopathic macular hole. They underwent pars planavitrectomy, Brilliant Blue G (BBG) stained internal limiting membrane peeling and fluid gas exchange. OBSERVATIONS: Postoperatively,the macular hole closed but foveal thinning and perifoveal hyperpigmentation presumably due to BBG toxicity were observed in all three patients. All of them had a subnormal final best corrected visual acuity. CONCLUSION: This case series highlights the unusual occurrence of macular toxicity following brillantblue G-assisted macular hole surgery.

Endophthalmitis following open-globe injuries.

The incidence of traumatic endophthalmitis may be decreasing due to earlier wound closure and prompt initiation of antibiotics. Risk factors for endophthalmitis include retained intraocular foreign body, rural setting of injury, disruption of the crystalline lens, and a delay in primary wound closure. The microbiology in the post-traumatic setting includes a higher frequency of virulent organisms such as Bacillus species. Recognizing early clinical signs of endophthalmitis, including pain, hypopyon, vitritis, or retinal periphlebitis may prompt early treatment with intravitreal antibiotics. Prophylaxis of endophthalmitis in high-risk open-globe injuries may include systemic broad-spectrum antibiotics, topical antibiotics, and intravitreal antibiotics to cover both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. For clinically diagnosed post-traumatic endophthalmitis, intravitreal vancomycin, and ceftazidime are routinely used. Concurrent retinal detachment with endophthalmitis can be successfully managed with vitrectomy and use of intravitreal antibiotics along with a long acting gas or silicone oil tamponade. Endophthalmitis is a visually significant complication of open-globe injuries but early wound closure as well as comprehensive prophylactic antibiotic treatment at the time of injury repair may improve visual acuity outcomes.

Macular spectral-domain optical coherence tomography in patients with X linked retinoschisis.

AIM: To evaluate macular anatomy in patients with X linked retinoschisis (XLRS) using spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT). METHODS: Consecutive observational case series. Clinical features were obtained through retrospective chart review. Only eyes without prior surgical interventions and those scanned with SD-OCT were included. The OCT images were analysed. RESULTS: Fourteen eyes of seven males with XLRS scanned with SD-OCT, age 5 to 45 years, were identified. On clinical examination, stellate spoke-like cystic maculopathy was present in nine eyes, and an atrophic foveal lesion in five eyes. SD-OCT revealed cystoid spaces accounting for retinal splitting in the inner nuclear layer in 12 eyes, and outer plexiform layer in two eyes of one patient. A few small cysts, not accounting for the foveal splitting, were seen in the outer nuclear layer in four eyes and in the ganglion cell layer and/or nerve fibre layer in six eyes. CONCLUSIONS: SD-OCT localised the foveomacular retinoschisis in XLRS to the retinal layers deeper than the nerve fibre layer. In the present study, the foveomacular schisis was seen most frequently in the inner nuclear layer.

Tractional retinal detachment following intravitreal bevacizumab (Avastin) in patients with severe proliferative diabetic retinopathy.

AIMS: The aim of this study was to report the development or progression of tractional retinal detachment (TRD) after the injection of intravitreal bevacizumab (Avastin) used as an adjuvant to vitrectomy for the management of severe proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR). METHODS: The clinical charts of patients who experienced the development or progression of TRD after an intravitreal injection of 1.25 mg bevacizumab before vitrectomy for the management of PDR were reviewed. RESULTS: Eleven eyes (patients) out of 211 intravitreal injections (5.2%) that developed or had progression of TRD were identified. All eyes had PDR refractory to panretinal photocoagulation (PRP). Nine patients had type 1 diabetes mellitus (DM), and two patients had type 2 DM. Patients had a mean age of 39.5 years (range 22-62 years). In the current study, all patients used insulin administration and had poor glycaemic control (mean HbA(1c) 10.6%). Time from injection to TRD was a mean of 13 days (range 3-31 days). Mean best correct visual acuity (BCVA) at TRD development or progression was logarithm of the minimal angle of resolution (LogMAR) 2.2 (range 1.0-2.6) (mean Snellen equivalent hand motions; range 20/200 to light perception), a statistically significant worsening compared with baseline BCVA (p<0.0001). Eight eyes underwent vitrectomy and three patients refused or were unable to undergo surgery. The final mean BCVA after surgery was LogMAR 0.9 (range 0.2-2.0) (mean Snellen equivalent 20/160; range 20/32 to counting fingers), a statistically significant improvement compared with TRD BCVA (p = 0.002). CONCLUSIONS: TRD may occur or progress shortly following administration of intravitreal bevacizumab in patients with severe PDR.

Endophthalmitis caused by Moraxella species.

PURPOSE: To report the incidence, clinical presentation, antibiotic sensitivities, and treatment outcomes for endophthalmitis caused by Moraxella species. METHODS: Consecutive interventional case series. Medical records were reviewed of all patients treated at Bascom Palmer Eye Institute between 1991 and 2000 for endophthalmitis caused by Moraxella species. RESULTS: Moraxella species were recovered from 9 patients (10 eyes), or 1.3% (10 of 757) of all culture-proven bacterial endophthalmitis cases; Moraxella catarrhalis was recovered from 7 eyes and Moraxella osloensis from 3. Endophthalmitis was delayed-onset (5 months to 10 years postoperatively) and bleb-associated in 9 eyes and trauma-related in 1. All isolates were sensitive to ceftazidime, ciprofloxacin, and the aminoglycosides, and they were resistant to vancomycin; resistance to ampicillin and trimethoprim/sulfa was 11%. Although presenting vision was hand motion or worse in 7 of 10 eyes, all but 3 regained baseline visual acuity (including two eyes in which the post-treatment course was complicated by retinal detachment and one eye with coexistent traumatic injuries). CONCLUSION: Endophthalmitis caused by Moraxella species is usually delayed-onset and bleb-associated. Although patients usually present with a profound decrease in vision, the organisms are sensitive to most antibiotics and, unlike most series of delayed-onset bleb-associated endophthalmitis, visual outcomes are generally good unless coexistent ocular morbidities exist.

Surgical management of secondary glaucoma after pars plana vitrectomy and silicone oil injection for complex retinal detachment.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the outcomes of surgical intervention for secondary glaucoma after pars plana vitrectomy and silicone oil injection for repair of complex retinal detachment. DESIGN: Retrospective noncomparative interventional case series. PARTICIPANTS: Forty-three eyes of 43 patients who underwent incisional surgery for secondary glaucoma after pars plana vitrectomy and silicone oil injection for repair of complex retinal detachment over a 9-year period. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Intraocular pressure (IOP), intraoperative and postoperative complications, visual acuity, and the need for further surgical intervention for glaucoma. Success was defined as IOP < or =21 mmHg and > or =5 mmHg with or without medication but without surgical reoperation for glaucoma. RESULTS: Findings associated with elevated IOP included emulsified oil in the anterior chamber (n = 14), pupillary block from silicone oil (n = 13), open-angle glaucoma without silicone oil in the anterior chamber (n = 9), and angle-closure glaucoma without pupillary block (n = 7). The mean (+/- standard deviation) IOP was 41.4 +/- 15.1 mmHg before surgery for glaucoma and 17.2 +/- 10.2 mmHg after an average follow-up of 19.6 months (P < 0.001). Cumulative success was 69%, 60%, 56%, and 48% at 6, 12, 24, and 36-months respectively. In patients who underwent silicone oil removal alone for surgical management of glaucoma (n = 32), 11 of 12 IOP failures (92%) were due to uncontrolled IOP, whereas most IOP failures in the group who underwent silicone oil removal plus glaucoma surgery (n = 8) failed because of hypotony (3 of 4, 75%, P = 0.027). Of three patients who underwent glaucoma surgery alone to control IOP, one failed because of hypotony. There was no significant change in visual function at last follow-up (logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution [logMAR] 2.01) compared with preoperative visual function (logMAR 2.07, P = 0.74). CONCLUSION: Surgical management of secondary glaucoma after silicone oil injection for complex retinal detachment may achieve good IOP control and stabilization of visual function in most patients. Patients who undergo silicone oil removal alone to control IOP are more likely to have persistent elevation of IOP and possibly undergo reoperation for glaucoma, whereas patients who undergo concurrent silicone oil removal and glaucoma surgery are more likely to have hypotony.

Surgical removal of submacular choroidal neovascularization: a clinicopathologic study and factors influencing visual outcomes.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Clinical and histopathologic characteristics of submacular choroidal neovascular membranes (CNV) are investigated and features predictive of postoperative complications or poorer visual outcome following CNV removal are identified. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Records of patients who underwent submacular CNV removal at Bascom Palmer Eye Institute between 1991 and 1998 are reviewed. RESULTS: At 6 months postoperatively, vision was stable or improved in 19/26 (73%) eyes, with 15/26 (58%) having 20/200 to 20/400 vision. Postoperative retinal detachment occurred more commonly in age-related macular degeneration eyes (AMD) (P <0.05), and CNV recurrence occurred most frequently in presumed ocular histoplasmosis (POHS) eyes (P <0.05). The one eye with an extrafoveal CNV in-growth site had the largest improvement in vision postoperatively. Choroid in the specimen was associated with worse postoperative vision (P = 0.05). CONCLUSION: Submacular CNV removal achieves visual stabilization at the 20/200 to 20/400 level in most eyes. Potential risk factors for postoperative complications or poorer visual outcome include the underlying disease process, subfoveal in-growth site of CNV, and presence of choroid in the specimen.

Late endophthalmitis associated with glaucoma drainage implants.

OBJECTIVE: To report the clinical course of a series of patients who had late endophthalmitis develop after glaucoma drainage implant (GDI) surgery. DESIGN: Noncomparative, interventional, consecutive case series. PARTICIPANTS: Four patients were identified with late endophthalmitis associated with Baerveldt glaucoma implants. METHODS: The medical records of all patients with endophthalmitis associated with a GDI treated at the Bascom Palmer Eye Institute or University of Florida between January 1, 1987 and December 31, 1999 were retrospectively reviewed. Patients with culture-positive endophthalmitis diagnosed more than 1 month after GDI surgery were included in this series. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Visual acuity and intraocular pressure (IOP). RESULTS: Late endophthalmitis associated with Baerveldt glaucoma implants developed 7 weeks to 2 years postoperatively. Exposure of the GDI tube was present in all cases. The implant was removed in three of four patients. Visual acuity worsened from preinfection level in two of four cases. IOP was controlled at last follow-up in all patients, although replacement of the explanted GDI was required in one patient. CONCLUSIONS: Late endophthalmitis may occur after GDI surgery. Exposure of the GDI tube seems to represent a major risk factor for these infections. To prevent this potentially devastating complication, we recommend prophylactic surgical revision with a patch graft in all cases in which there is an exposed GDI tube.

Suprachoroidal hemorrhage during pars plana vitrectomy.

Suprachoroidal hemorrhage is an uncommon but serious complication of pars plana vitrectomy that can be associated with a guarded visual prognosis. Risk factors for development of suprachoroidal hemorrhage during pars plana vitrectomy include high myopia, history of previous retinal detachment surgery, rhegmatogenous retinal detachment, use of cryotherapy, scleral buckling at the time of pars plana vitrectomy, external drainage of the subretinal fluid, intraoperative systemic hypertension, and bucking during general anesthesia. In eyes with suprachoroidal hemorrhage during pars plana vitrectomy, the final visual and anatomic outcomes may be compromised by persistent retinal detachment, secondary glaucoma, and ocular hypotony. In most cases, intraoperative drainage of suprachoroidal hemorrhage is not associated with a better outcome. The prognosis is more favorable if the suprachoroidal hemorrhage is localized and does not extend in to the posterior pole.

Long-term follow-up of unoperated macular holes.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the anatomic and visual acuity outcomes among patients with unoperated macular holes and at least 5 years of follow-up. DESIGN: Retrospective, noncomparative case series from an institutional practice setting. PARTICIPANTS: All patients with unoperated full-thickness macular holes evaluated at Bascom Palmer Eye Institute between January 1, 1968 and December 31, 1993 and observed for at least 5 years. METHODS: Demographic and clinical data were abstracted from patients' medical records and ophthalmologic photography records. For patients with bilateral macular holes, only one eye was included. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Visual acuity and clinical features on initial examination, at 5 years, and at final follow-up. RESULTS: The study included 65 eyes of 65 patients with a median age of 65 years (range, 52-85 years) and a median follow-up of 9.3 years (range, 5-29 years). On initial examination at Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, the macular hole was stage 2 in 15 eyes (24%), stage 3 in 23 eyes (37%), and stage 4 in 25 eyes (40%). At final follow-up, the macular hole was stage 3 in 10 eyes (16%) and stage 4 in 53 eyes (84%). Visual acuity was 20/200 or worse in 35 eyes (54%) on initial examination, in 43 eyes (74%) at 5 years, and in 53 eyes (82%) at final follow-up. Poorer visual acuity on initial examination was a significant predictor of poorer final vision (P < 0.01). Other accompanying clinical features such as the presence of operculum, posterior vitreous detachment, and epiretinal membrane were not significantly associated with final vision. Throughout follow-up, there was a redistribution and reduced number of yellow nodular opacities at the level of the retinal pigment epithelium at the base of the macular holes and the development of retinal pigment epithelial atrophy around the macular holes. CONCLUSIONS: Long-term follow-up of unoperated macular holes demonstrates progression in hole size and stage, vision loss which generally stabilizes at the 20/200 to 20/400 level, a redistribution and reduced number of yellow nodular opacities at the level of the retinal pigment epithelium, and the development of retinal pigment epithelial atrophy surrounding the macular hole, resulting in a "bull's-eye" macular appearance.

Echographic evaluation of a patient with diabetes and dense vitreous hemorrhage: an avulsed retinal vessel may mimic a tractional retinal detachment.

PURPOSE: To report that an avulsed retinal vessel may appear as a tractional retinal detachment on echographic evaluation. METHODS: Case report. RESULTS: A 57-year-old diabetic woman presented with a nonclearing vitreous hemorrhage of 2 months duration in the left eye. Echography was consistent with a localized tractional retinal detachment on longitudinal sections; transverse sections demonstrated a pinpoint opacity in the vitreous cavity. Intraoperatively, an avulsed retinal vessel was noted in the area of echographic abnormality. CONCLUSION: An avulsed retinal vessel may mimic tractional retinal detachment on echography. Although trained ophthalmic echographers routinely perform both longitudinal and transverse sections during an echographic evaluation, less skilled observers must be aware of the importance of performing both longitudinal and transverse sections for accurate echographic diagnosis.

Surgery for idiopathic macular holes associated with extensive subretinal fluid.

PURPOSE: To study the baseline characteristics and outcomes of surgery for idiopathic macular holes associated with localized macular detachment. METHODS: In this case-control study, eight consecutive patients with idiopathic macular hole associated with localized macular detachment (cases) and 30 randomly selected patients with idiopathic macular hole not associated with macular detachment underwent macular hole surgery. RESULTS: The mean age (62.1 versus 68.2 years; P = 0.086), mean refractive error (-0.13 versus +0.23 diopters; P = 0.68), average duration of symptoms (5.9 versus 4.6 months; P = 0.47), and macular hole stage (P = 0.43) were similar in the cases and controls. The baseline visual acuity ranged from 20/50-20/80 (1 [13%] versus 1 [3%]) to 20/100-20/200 (2 [25%] versus 24 [80.0%]) to < 20/200 (5 [63%] versus 5 [17%]) (P = 0.10). Single-operation anatomic success was achieved in 2 (25%) cases and 24 (80%) controls (P = 0.007). Visual acuity 3 months after the last macular hole surgery was worse in cases compared to controls: > or = 20/40 in 0 versus 6 (20%), 20/50-20/80 in 1 (13%) versus 13 (43%), 20/100-20/200 in 4 (50%) versus 10 (33%), and < 20/200 in 3 (38%) versus 1 (3%) (P = 0.003). The mean improvement in visual acuity was 0.2 logMAR units in cases versus 0.4 logMAR units in controls (P = 0.054). CONCLUSIONS: Surgical outcomes for idiopathic macular hole associated with a localized macular detachment compare poorly with the outcomes for macular hole not associated with extensive surrounding subretinal fluid.

Outcomes of vitreoretinal surgery for complications of branch retinal vein occlusion.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate outcomes of vitreoretinal surgery for complications of branch retinal vein occlusion (BRVO). DESIGN: Retrospective, noncomparative case series. PARTICIPANTS: The medical records of all patients who underwent vitreoretinal surgery for complications of BRVO at Bascom Palmer Eye Institute between January 1, 1991 and December 31, 1998 were reviewed. Thirty-six eyes from 36 consecutive patients were identified. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Visual acuity outcomes include preservation of preoperative visual acuity and visual acuity greater than or equal to 20/40, 20/200 and 5/200. When preoperative retinal detachment was present, the anatomic outcome assessed was complete retinal attachment. Postoperative event rates of retinal detachment, vitreous hemorrhage, epiretinal membrane (ERM), and cataract were tabulated. All outcomes were assessed at 6 months. RESULTS: Surgical indications included nonclearing vitreous hemorrhage (17 patients), traction retinal detachment involving the macula (15), and ERM (4). Mean follow-up was 19 months. Preoperatively, best-corrected vision was greater than or equal to 20/200 in 19/36 (53%) eyes. Six months postoperatively, best-corrected vision was greater than or equal to 20/40 in 12/36 (33%) eyes, greater than or equal to 20/200 in 27/36 (75%) eyes, and greater than or equal to 5/200 in 31/36 (86%) eyes. Postoperative complications included retinal detachment (2/36; 6% eyes), ERM (3; 8%), vitreous hemorrhage (2; 6%), suprachoroidal hemorrhage (1; 3%), central retinal vein occlusion (1; 3%), and central retinal artery occlusion (1; 3%). Clinical features associated with better visual outcome include better preoperative visual acuity (P: = 0.05), absence of preoperative afferent pupillary defect (P: = 0.01), and absence of preoperative macular edema (P: = 0.08). CONCLUSIONS: Following surgery, retinal attachment and improved visual acuity were achieved in the majority of patients. Pre-existing pathology and postoperative complications may limit final vision in eyes with BRVO.

Cataract surgery in previously vitrectomized eyes.

Because of the application of vitreoretinal surgical techniques to a broader range of posterior segment diseases and because cataract develops frequently in postvitrectomy eyes, cataract surgeons should be familiar with the challenges of cataract extraction in vitrectomized eyes. The cataract surgeon can prepare for these challenges with awareness of such potential factors as an excessively mobile posterior capsule, possible need for vitrectomy equipment, and special considerations concerning intraocular lens selection and power calculation. Knowledge of ocular comorbidities will help the cataract surgeon to counsel the patient appropriately and will help the patient to form realistic expectations. Despite the challenges it presents, cataract extraction in postvitrectomy eyes is usually associated with favorable visual outcomes.

Retained lens fragments after cataract surgery.

In conclusion, the incidence of retained lens fragments appears to have increased in recent years. The timing of vitrectomy can be delayed to permit improvement of corneal edema, ocular congestion, and acute postoperative inflammation. Placement of a posterior chamber intraocular lens at the time of the initial cataract surgery does not adversely affect final visual results. Retinal detachment is a frequent adverse event in these eyes. Vitrectomy and removal of retained lens fragments restores good visual acuity and reduces secondary glaucoma in the majority of patients.

First operation anatomic success and other predictors of postoperative vision after complex retinal detachment repair with vitrectomy and silicone oil tamponade.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the role of first operation anatomic success compared with success after reoperation and preoperative characteristics in achieving ambulatory vision (>/=4/200) and good vision (>/=20/100) after repair of complex retinal detachment with vitrectomy and silicone oil tamponade. METHODS: A prospective, observational, multicenter study of patients who underwent vitrectomy with silicone oil for retinal detachments associated with cytomegalovirus necrotizing retinitis or a non-cytomegalovirus necrotizing retinitis etiology, including proliferative diabetic retinopathy, giant retinal tear, proliferative vitreoretinopathy, and ocular trauma. RESULTS: A higher rate of ambulatory vision was achieved in the first operation anatomic success cases, compared with the reoperation cases, for eyes with cytomegalovirus necrotizing retinitis (72% vs 50%, P < 0.01) and eyes without cytomegalovirus necrotizing retinitis (51% vs 38%, P = 0.04). For eyes with cytomegalovirus necrotizing retinitis, preoperative ambulatory vision (RR = 2.3, P < 0.0001) and reoperation (RR = 0.4, P = 0.05) were independent predictors of postoperative ambulatory vision. For eyes without cytomegalovirus necrotizing retinitis, preoperative ambulatory vision (RR = 4.0, p < 0.0001) and retinal detachment etiology (P = 0.02) were prognostic factors. Compared to eyes with trauma, eyes with giant retinal tear, proliferative vitreoretinopathy and proliferative diabetic retinopathy were 2.8 (P < 0.003), 2.2 (P = 0.01) and 1.6 (P = 0.17) times as likely to achieve postoperative ambulatory vision, respectively. Within the giant retinal tear group, a higher rate of ambulatory vision was achieved in the first operation anatomic success cases compared with the reoperation cases (66% vs 31%, P = 0.03). Although not statistically significant, similar outcomes occurred in the proliferative diabetic retinopathy (48% vs 25%) and proliferative vitreoretinopathy groups (54% vs 45%). Similar prognostic relationships were found for good visual acuity outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: First operation anatomic success, preoperative visual acuity, and giant retinal tear or proliferative vitreoretinopathy as the retinal detachment etiology are important factors that predict visual outcome.