Breakdown of the blood-eye barrier in choroidal melanoma after proton beam radiotherapy.

PURPOSE: Irradiation of choroidal melanoma is a safe and globe preserving procedure. Chronic inflammatory processes and ischemia are the main reasons for secondary enucleation in the long run. The aim of this study was to determine whether intraocular inflammation and especially inflammatory response after proton beam therapy (PBT) is related to primary tumor characteristics such as height, tumor volume, and initial flare values. METHODS: Twenty-six patients treated for uveal melanoma using PBT were included. All patients were examined for signs of inflammation using laser flare photometry (LFP). Each examination included assessment of the melanoma and fellow eye (which acted as the control) and imaging of the melanoma. RESULTS: Significant differences of flare values between melanoma eyes and control group were found both at baseline (median 17.65 ph/ms (min 4, max 37.10), 7.45 ph/ms (min 0.80, max 16.40), respectively) and during follow-up (median 21.45 ph/ms (min 4.5, max 70.90); 6.05 ph/ms (min 2.40, max 16.40), respectively) (p < 0.001, Wilcoxon test). Flare values in melanoma eyes increased significantly after PBT (p = 0.005, Wilcoxon test) and after a follow-up of 94 days (median, 7-420 days). Flare values of the control group did not change (p = 0.946, Wilcoxon test). The increase of flare values correlated significantly with maximum tumor height and volume (Spearman-Rho 0.633, p = 0.001 and 0.519, p = 0.007, respectively). CONCLUSION: LFP has proven to show significantly higher flare values in melanoma eyes as compared with the control group and provides data on the course of the inflammatory response after treatment. It may ease treatment planning both at baseline and during follow-up.

iStent inject as a reasonable alternative procedure following failed trabeculectomy?

PURPOSE:: The aim of this study is to assess the intraocular pressure lowering effect and the performance of the glaucoma therapy of the iStent inject in glaucoma patients with uncontrolled intraocular pressure after failed trabeculectomy. METHODS:: In this retrospective study, iStent inject implantation (Glaukos Corporation, Laguna Hills, CA, USA) was performed in 22 eyes of 21 subjects suffering from glaucoma (n = 18 primary open angle glaucoma, n = 3 pseudoexfoliation glaucoma, and n = 1 for secondary glaucoma) with an intraocular pressure above target pressure after failed trabeculectomy (mean = 9.6 ± 8.1 years; range: 1-35 years). The intraocular pressure and the number of antiglaucomatous medication were assessed preoperatively, 1 day, 6 weeks, 3 months, 6 months, and 1 year after surgery and compared to preoperative findings (SPSS v23.0; Shapiro-Wilk test, Wilcoxon test, Friedman test). RESULTS:: The results showed a significant intraocular pressure decrease from 22.5 ± 4.6 to 15.5 ± 3.4 mmHg after 1 year follow-up (p = 0.012). The glaucoma therapy was 2.6 ± 1.2 preoperatively and reduced to 2.25 ± 1.5 number of medications after 1 year (p > 0.05). There was no significant difference in the number of medication during the whole follow-up period (1 year, p = 0.012). No significant intra- or postoperative complications were reported. CONCLUSION:: Minimal invasive glaucoma surgery (iStent inject) can offer an effective intraocular pressure reduction in advanced adult primary and secondary open angle glaucoma after failed trabeculectomy in a follow-up period of 1 year. Glaucoma therapy, however, needs to be maintained to achieve an individual target pressure and to prevent glaucoma progression. In addition, a failure rate of 27.3% makes it necessary to select carefully patients for this treatment option.

Vascular Occlusions following Ocular Surgical Procedures: A Clinical Observation of Vascular Complications after Ocular Surgery.

BACKGROUND: Ocular vascular occlusions following intraocular procedures are a rare complication. We report a case series of patients with retinal vascular occlusions or anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (AION) after anterior and posterior segment surgery and demonstrate possible risk factors. METHODS: Observational case series. RESULTS: In ten patients, vascular occlusions were observed within ten weeks after intraocular surgery: branch retinal arterial occlusion (BRAO) (n = 2), central retinal artery occlusion (CRAO) (n = 2), central retinal vein occlusion (CRVO) (n = 1), branch retinal vein occlusion (BRVO) (n = 1), anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (AION) (n = 3), and combined central artery and vein occlusion (n = 1). AION occurred later (27-69 d) than arterial occlusions (14-60 d) or venous occlusions (1-2 d). In all cases, either specific surgical manipulations or general vascular disorders were identified as risk factors. In addition to general cardiovascular risk factors (arterial hypertension n = 6, diabetes mellitus n = 4), internal workup disclosed bilateral stenosis of the carotid arteries (n = 1) and myeloproliferative syndrome (n = 1). CONCLUSION: Vascular occlusions after surgical ocular procedures seem to be more frequent when cardiovascular diseases coexist. Surgical maneuvers and intra- or postoperative pressure changes may act as a triggering mechanism in patients with underlying systemic cardiovascular disorders. Affected patients should undergo thorough internal examination to identify possible underlying diseases.

Neovascular glaucoma after proton beam therapy of choroidal melanoma: incidence and risk factors.

PURPOSE: To analyze the risk factors for the development of neovascular glaucoma (NVG) of patients with choroidal melanoma after proton beam therapy (PBT). METHOD: Clinical case series, retrospective study. We evaluated 629 consecutive patients receiving proton beam therapy for the treatment of a choroidal melanoma at the oncology service at Charité, Berlin and Helmholtz-Zentrum, Berlin between 05/1998 and 11/2008 regarding the development and risk factors of NVG. Patients with tumor resection, salvage proton beam therapy for recurrent disease and known glaucoma of other origin were excluded from the cohort. RESULTS: Of the 629 patients matching the inclusion criteria, 20.8% developed neovascularization of the iris after a mean time of 2.0 years (range 0.45 to 8.4 years) after PBT. Forty-seven percent of the patients with a neovascularization of the iris developed NVG after a mean time of 2.0 years after PBT, ranging from 5 months to 11.6 years. Univariate analysis revealed tumor height [p < 0.001, hazard ratio (HR): 2.71, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.36-5.35 for tumors >6 mm ≤9 mm and 11.32 (4.03-31.73) for tumors >9 mm], distance of the tumor to the optic disc (p < 0.001, HR: 0.43, 95% CI: 0.24-0.77 for >0 mm ≤3 mm and HR: 0.13, 95% CI: 0.04-0.37 for >3 mm), dose to the ciliary body (p < 0.001, HR: 9.21, 95% CI: 5.08-16.71 (21-40 cobalt gray equivalents (CGE), HR 27.23, 95% CI: 6.33-116.97 (41-60 CGE)), dose to the optic disc (p < 0.001, HR: 3.53, 95% CI: 1.11-11.27 (21-40CGE), HR: 5.37, 95% CI: 2.72-10.63 (41-60CGE)), the irradiated length of the optic nerve (p < 0.001, HR: 4.48, 95% CI: 2.47-8.13) and diabetes mellitus (p < 0.05, HR: 2.53, 95% CI: 1.4-4.5) were found to be risk factors for the development of NVG. Multivariate regression analysis identified the dose to the ciliary body [p < 0.001, HR: 4.39, 95% CI: 2.28-8.44 (21-40 CGE), HR: 11.04, 95% CI: 1.97-61.69 (41-60 CGE)], the irradiated length of the optic nerve (p < 0.001, HR: 3.88, 95% CI: 2.11-7.16), the existence of diabetes mellitus (p < 0.01, HR: 1.28, 95% CI: 1.24-4.21) and tumor height [p < 0.05, HR: 2.28, 95% CI: 1.17-4.83 (>6 mm ≤9 mm), HR: 3.74, 95% CI: 1.05-13.23, (>9 mm)] to be independent risk factors for the development of NVG. CONCLUSIONS: In the present analysis we found tumor height, dose to the ciliary body, irradiated length of the optic nerve and diabetes mellitus to be risk factors for the development of NVG. Whenever possible, critical structures of the anterior and posterior segment should be spared by beam shaping or changing of the beam entry angle.

Predictive risk factors for radiation retinopathy and optic neuropathy after proton beam therapy for uveal melanoma.

PURPOSE: This study was performed in order to evaluate the incidence of radiation retinopathy and optic neuropathy occurring after proton beam therapy for uveal melanoma. METHODS: Included in this study were all patients who had been treated with primary proton beam therapy for uveal melanoma at the oncology service between May 1998 and June 2014 with a minimum follow-up of 12 months. Excluded were all patients who underwent re-irradiation, or vitrectomy due to exudative retinal detachment or for tumor-resection. RESULTS: During this period, 1127 patients matched the inclusion criteria, of whom 768 (68.1 %) and 463 (41.0 %) developed radiation retinopathy and optic neuropathy after a median time of 18.9 months (2.0-99.84 months) and 19.8 months (0.2-170.4 months), respectively. Mean follow-up was 53.4 months (12-170.4 months). Included were 558 men (49.5 %) and 569 women (50.5 %). Mean age was 61 years (16-89 years). Visual acuity slightly decreased from initial levels of 0.3 logMAR-0.4 logMAR in patients without developing any radiation-induced complication but severely decreased to 1.0 logMAR or 1.5 logMAR in the case of developing radiation retinopathy only or optic neuropathy, respectively. Independent risk factors for radiation retinopathy were a centrally (<2.5 mm from sensitive structures) located tumor or a thick tumor located more than 2.5 mm from sensitive structures, while those for radiation optic neuropathy comprised a short distance and applied dose to the optic disk. CONCLUSION: The risk for radiation retinopathy is higher in central uveal melanoma. Mid-/peripheral tumors are at high risk for radiation retinopathy and maculopathy if presenting with increased thickness.

PREDICTORS OF TREATMENT RESPONSE OF VASOPROLIFERATIVE RETINAL TUMORS TO RUTHENIUM-106 BRACHYTHERAPY.

PURPOSE: To identify predictors of treatment response by evaluating long-term outcomes of vasoproliferative retinal tumors after ruthenium-106 brachytherapy. METHODS: In a retrospective case series, 39 eyes of 38 patients with vasoproliferative retinal tumors received ruthenium-106 brachytherapy between 2001 and 2013. Baseline clinical and morphologic parameters were analyzed regarding posttreatment tumor activity status. RESULTS: Within a median follow-up period of 2.9 ± 2.9 years, overall, a tumor inactivation was achieved in 72% of cases and visual acuity remained stable in 69%. The mean apex dose was 90 ± 23 Gy (range, 51-140 Gy). Mean tumor thickness decreased significantly, from 2.9 ± 0.9 mm to 1.5 ± 1.0 mm (P < 0.001; paired t-test). Persistence or recurrence of tumor activity occurred in 28% of cases, requiring secondary intervention with intravitreal drug injections, vitrectomy, cryotherapy, or repeated brachytherapy. Comparison of inactive and active vasoproliferative retinal tumors revealed significant correlation between both initial basal tumour diameter and area and subsequent tumour activity status. In particular, a diameter >7.5 mm was associated with an 8-fold risk of persistent or recurrent activity, whereas basal area >40 mm demonstrated a 6-fold risk (P = 0.009 and 0.021, respectively; Fisher's exact-test). In contrast, tumor thickness was not found to be of prognostic relevance. CONCLUSION: Ruthenium-106 brachytherapy is an effective and safe therapeutic option for vasoproliferative retinal tumors. Additionally, tumor diameter and area are efficient predictors of persistence or recurrence of tumor activity.

Antiangiogenic or Corticosteroid Treatment in Patients With Radiation Maculopathy After Proton Beam Therapy for Uveal Melanoma.

PURPOSE: To reveal differences or advantages in regard to different treatment options after proton beam therapy for uveal melanoma. DESIGN: Retrospective, comparative, interventional case series. METHODS: All patients receiving intravitreal treatment between January 2011 and July 2014 for radiation maculopathy after proton beam therapy were included. Excluded were all patients who required re-irradiation, vitrectomies, or tumor resections; and those whose treatment was performed for potentially other reasons, such as radiation-induced optic neuropathy, or where visual outcome was influenced by tumor growth under the macula or macular ischemia. Minimum follow-up was 12 months after last injection. RESULTS: Of 78 patients, 38 (48.7%) received bevacizumab injections, 35 (44.9%) triamcinolone acetonide injections, and 5 (6.4%) a dexamethasone implant. In the bevacizumab group visual acuity improved in 11 patients (28.9%) by 0.25 logMAR (0.1-0.4 logMAR) and remained stable in 24 patients (63.2%) 4 weeks after injection. In the triamcinolone group visual acuity showed improved outcomes in 10 patients (28.6%) by 0.25 logMAR (0.1-0.4 logMAR) and stability in function in 20 patients (57.1%). Four weeks after dexamethasone implantation visual acuity remained stable in 4 patients (80%). No differences among the groups were detected regarding functional outcome or reduction in central foveal thickness. CONCLUSIONS: This study showed that antiangiogenic or corticosteroid intravitreal treatment led to reduced central foveal thickness and visual improvement in some patients without showing differences or advantages. Therefore a patient-specific treatment choice can be recommended.

Cataract development in patients treated with proton beam therapy for uveal melanoma.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the incidence, risk factors, and dosages of proton beam therapy associated with cataract development, and long-term visual outcomes after treatment of uveal melanoma. METHODS: All patients receiving primary proton beam therapy for uveal melanoma between 1998 and 2008 with no signs of cataract before irradiation were included. A minimum follow-up of 12 months was determined. Exclusion criteria included all applied adjuvant therapies such as intravitreal injections, laser photocoagulation, tumor resections, or re-irradiation. For subgroup analysis, we included all patients who underwent brachytherapy between 1998 and 2008 for uveal melanoma, considering the above mentioned inclusion and exclusion criteria. RESULTS: Two hundred and fifty-eight patients matched our inclusion criteria. Median follow-up was 72.6 months (12.0-167.4 months). Of these 258 patients, 71 patients (66.3 %) presented with cataract after 31.3 months (0.7-142.4 months), of whom 35 (20.4 %) required surgery after 24.2 (0.7-111.1 months) to ensure funduscopic tumor control. Kaplan-Meier estimates calculated a risk for cataract of 74.3 % after 5 years. There was no increase in metastasis or local recurrence in these patients. Patient's age was the sole independent statistically significant risk factor for cataract development. The probability of cataract occurrence significantly increased with doses to lens exceeding 15-20 CGE. Neither the appearance of cataract nor cataract surgery influenced long-term visual outcome. CONCLUSION: Cataract formation is the most frequent complication after irradiation. There is no benefit vis-a-vis brachytherapy with regard to cataract development. Data indicate a dose-effect threshold of 0.5 CGE for cataractogenesis, with significantly increasing risk above a dose of 15 CGE. Furthermore, cataract surgery can be performed without an increased risk for metastasis.

Trabeculectomy in patients with uveal melanoma after proton beam therapy.

BACKGROUND: Retrospective evaluation of intraocular pressure, use of topical and systemic anti-glaucoma medication, secondary complications, local tumor control and survival in patients treated with trabeculectomy for the regulation of the intraocular pressure (IOP) after proton beam therapy for uveal melanoma. METHODS: In this retrospective clinical case series we evaluated the follow-up of 15 patients receiving a trabeculectomy as surgical treatment if the IOP could not be lowered adequately by medications or laser surgery. All patients had received proton beam therapy for uveal melanoma at the Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin between 1998 and 2010. RESULTS: The median IOP decreased significantly from 35 mmHg ± 8.8 before TE to 16 mmHg ± 8.2 (=52.3 %) six months after TE (Wilcoxon-Mann-Whitney-U Test, p<0.01). None of the patients needed any glaucoma medication six months after trabeculectomy. Two patients developed local recurrence during follow-up, which were independent of the trabeculectomy. One patient had to be enucleated due to intractable pain and suspected remaining tumor activity. One patient died due to metastasis. CONCLUSIONS: Trabeculectomy is an option in intractable glaucoma in patients with uveal melanoma after proton beam therapy in single cases. Secondary interventions are common. Inoculation metastases are possible. Secure local tumor control must be a prerequisite for filtrating operations.

Retinal vessel diameter changes in different severities of diabetic retinopathy by SD-OCT.

PURPOSE: To evaluate retinal vessel diameters in relation to different severity grades of diabetic retinopathy (DR) using spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT). METHODS: Patients with varying degrees of nonproliferative DR (NPDR) underwent circular OCT scans centered on the optic nerve head using a SD-OCT. These cases were retrospectively reviewed. The presence and severity of DR was assessed using Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study protocols. The 5 largest retinal arterioles and venules were labeled and measured on OCT scans for each patient according to previously published methods. Vertical vessel inner contour diameter, vertical vessel outer contour diameter, and reflectance shadowing width were among the documented parameters. RESULTS: Of 59 eyes from 45 patients examined, 30 (50.2%) and 29 (49.8%) had mild and severe NPDR, respectively. Eyes with severe NPDR had narrower mean arteriolar vertical vessel inner diameter (87.9 ± 10.8 µm), vertical vessel outer diameter (119.1 ± 9.7 µm), and vessel shadow width (78.8 ± 10.9 µm) than eyes with mild NPDR (89.8 ± 12.1 µm, 120.9 ± 12.9 µm, 81.3 ± 15.3 µm). However, the differences were not statistically significant (p = 0.53, 0.55, 0.47). No correlation was shown between the severity of NPDR and arteriolar parameters (p = 0.31, 0.59, 0.75). Wider venular diameters were associated with increasing severity of NPDR (p<0.001, <0.001, 0.007, respectively). The association remained after multivariate adjustment for age, sex, eye, and cataract surgery (p = 0.04, 0.01, 0.007, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Wider retinal venule diameter was significantly associated with the severity of NPDR by SD-OCT-assisted measurement. Prospective studies would be needed to evaluate whether change in retinal venule could be used as a clinical indicator of DR progression.

Anti-VEGF therapy in symptomatic peripheral exudative hemorrhagic chorioretinopathy (PEHCR) involving the macula.

INTRODUCTION: The purpose of this study was to describe the anatomical and functional outcome of vascular endothelial growth factor inhibitor (anti-VEGF) treatment in symptomatic peripheral exudative hemorrhagic chorioretinopathy (PEHCR) involving the macula. METHODS: Clinical records from patients seen between 2012 and 2013 at a single academic center were reviewed to identify PEHCR patients receiving anti-VEGF therapy due to disease-associated changes involving the macula. Affected eyes were either treated with consecutive intravitreal injections of anti-VEGF or vitrectomy combined with anti-VEGF followed by pro re nata injections. RESULTS: The mean age of the patients was 76 years (range 70-89 years). In all nine eyes, visual acuity was reduced due to central subretinal fluid. On average, three anti-VEGF injections (range 2-5 injections) were required initially to achieve complete resolution of macular subretinal fluid. In three eyes, subretinal fluid reappeared after an average of 10 months (range 5-16 months), and an average of 2.5 anti-VEGF injections (range 2-3 injections) were necessary to attain complete resolution of macular subretinal fluid a second time. Median visual acuity at the visit before the first injection was 1.0 logMAR (range 2.1-0.4 logMAR) and increased to 0.8 logMAR (range 2-0.1 logMAR) at the last visit. CONCLUSION: Results of this study show that for cases in which PEHCR becomes symptomatic due to macular involvement, anti-VEGF treatment may have drying potential. Although vision was improved in some patients, it remained limited in cases with long-term macular involvement, precluding any definitive functional conclusion. However, we believe that the use of anti-VEGF agents should be recommended in PEHCR that threatens the macula. Due to its often self-limiting course, peripheral lesions should be closely observed. Larger studies are needed in order to provide clear evidence of the efficacy of anti-VEGF therapy in PEHCR.

Local Recurrence After Primary Proton Beam Therapy in Uveal Melanoma: Risk Factors, Retreatment Approaches, and Outcome.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the risk factors, recurrence rates, retreatments, and long-term patient outcomes following proton beam therapy for uveal melanoma. DESIGN: Retrospective interventional case series. METHODS: All patients treated with primary proton beam therapy for uveal melanoma at the oncology service at Charité-Berlin and Helmholtz-Zentrum-Berlin between May 1998 and December 2008 were reviewed for local recurrence. Of 982 patients, 982 eyes matched the inclusion criteria. The data were obtained from electronic health records, operative reports, discharge letters, and radiation planning. Comparisons of fundus photographs and ultrasound measurements were performed to assess the growth pattern of the tumor and to determine the success of retreatment, in the case that a globe-retaining therapy was undertaken. RESULTS: Of 982 patients, 35 patients (3.6%) developed local recurrence. The median follow-up was 60.7 months (6.0-170.4 months). Local control rate was 96.4% and the overall eye retention rate was 95.0% in this cohort. Local recurrence was correlated with a higher risk for metastasis and reduced survival. Largest tumor diameter was identified as the sole statistically significant risk factor for local recurrence (P = .00001). All globe-retaining retreatment approaches for local recurrence, including proton beam therapy, brachytherapy, and transpupillary thermotherapy used for recurrences at the tumor margins, showed good local tumor control and similar metastasis-free survivals. CONCLUSIONS: This study showed that each globe-retaining retreatment approach can result in satisfying local tumor control. In case of early detection of local recurrence, preservation of the globe can be warranted. Therefore, regularly performed follow-ups should be ensured.

Salvage proton beam therapy in local recurrent uveal melanoma.

PURPOSE: To evaluate survival and ocular outcome in recurrent uveal melanoma treated with proton beam therapy as salvage therapy. DESIGN: Retrospective, interventional case series. METHODS: We evaluated 48 patients with local recurrence of uveal melanoma after primary treatment with brachytherapy, transpupillary thermotherapy, proton beam therapy, laser photocoagulation, CyberKnife radiation, or photodynamic therapy. All patients received proton beam therapy as a salvage therapy at the Helmholtz Zentrum Berlin between July 2000 and December 2010. Kaplan-Meier analysis was used to obtain survival rates. RESULTS: The Kaplan-Meier estimator for local tumor control was 92.1% at 10 years after secondary treatment with proton beam therapy. Local recurrence developed in 3 patients; 1 of them underwent enucleation. During follow-up, 20.8% of the patients died (16.7% of metastasis, 4.1% of other causes or not specified). The most frequent surgical interventions were phacoemulsification (20.8%) and pars plana vitrectomy (10.4%). The Kaplan-Meier estimators were 77.4% for survival and 70.1% for the absence of metastasis 10 years after the primary treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Proton beam therapy as a salvage treatment resulted in high local tumor control rates in recurrent uveal melanoma, especially if the primary therapy was transpupillary thermotherapy or plaque brachytherapy. Preservation of the globe was possible in most patients. Enucleations were indicated only in case of re-recurrences of uveal melanoma, but not because of secondary complications like intractable pain or secondary glaucoma. Retreatment was associated with vision deterioration, but loss of vision remained exceptional. Further larger prospective studies are needed to confirm the presented results of our retrospective analysis.

Long-term results after proton beam therapy for retinal papillary capillary hemangioma.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the potential benefit and risk of proton beam therapy in the treatment of symptomatic retinal papillary capillary hemangioma. DESIGN: Retrospective interventional case series. METHODS: This study included patients presenting with symptomatic exudative retinal papillary capillary hemangioma with or without association with von Hippel-Lindau disease. All patients were treated either as a first or a secondary treatment option by proton beam therapy between 2001 and 2009. The minimum follow-up was 30 months. RESULTS: Eight eyes of 8 patients (3 male and 5 female, with a mean age of 36 years [range 22-80 years]) were treated for symptomatic papillary retinal hemangioma. The median interval between onset of macular edema and proton beam therapy was 1.7 months (range 0.5-3.3 months). The median follow-up period was 84 months (range 32-106 months) between proton beam treatment and last follow-up. Exudation completely resolved in all but 1 patient after 4.2 months on average (range 2.8-7.2 months). Mean visual acuity prior to proton beam irradiation was 0.7 logMAR (0.2 DIN (DIN 58220 norm)) (range 2-0.3 logMAR) and declined to 0.8 logMAR (0.16 DIN; range 2-0.1 logMAR) at last follow-up examination (no statistical significance, P=.071). CONCLUSION: The anatomic outcome after proton beam therapy for retinal papillary hemangioma is convincing, whereas functional outcome may be compromised because of tumor location, long-persisting macular edema, extensive exudation, and poor initial visual acuity. In patients with extended retinal detachment surgical intervention was still necessary. Although proton beam therapy is proven to be a therapeutic option, treatment will remain challenging.

Incidence of rhegmatogenous retinal detachments after intravitreal antivascular endothelial factor injections.

PURPOSE: To determine the incidence of rhegmatogenous retinal detachments (RD) after intravitreal injection in six high-volume centres. METHODS: A consecutive, interventional, multicenter case series measured the incidence of RD in patients receiving intravitreal anti-VEGF. A total of 35 942 intravitreal anti-VEGF injections (the number of the injections determined by review of injection log books over a 3 year period) were performed under sterile conditions with the patient in a supine position. Injections were given 3.5-4.0 mm behind the limbus in a tunnelled fashion. RESULTS: During 36 consecutive months, five RD were reported, between 2 and 6 days after the injection. Of the affected eyes, four were myopic -1.75 to -5.5 dpt. The incidence rate of rhegmatogenous RD was 0.013% (5/35 942) per injection. CONCLUSIONS: The incidence of RD in our community setting was very low (1 per 7188 injections). All RD occurred during the early postoperative period. The risks of RD can be minimized by a careful injection technique.

Incidence of damage to the crystalline lens during intravitreal injections.

PURPOSE: To report the incidence of traumatic lens injuries as a complication of intravitreal injection at 5 high-volume academic centers. METHODS: We determined in a retrospective, interventional, multicenter case series the consecutive number of the injections between January 5, 2006 and December 22, 2008 from the injection log books. All injections were performed under sterile conditions in a laying position, 3.5-4.0 mm behind the limbus in an oblique fashion. The main outcome measure was the incidence of lens damage. RESULTS: A total of 32,318 intravitreal injections were performed, and 3 cases of iatrogenic lens damage were reported during 36 consecutive months. All affected eyes were hyperopic. The overall incidence rate of lens injury was 0.006% (2/32,318) for intravitreal injections and 1 during a paracentesis 0.003 (1/32,318). The rate of phakic eyes determined was 67%, and thus, the incidence rate of lens damage in phakic eyes was 0.009% (2/21,653) (95% confidence interval, 0.00%-0.05%). CONCLUSIONS: Although there is no agreement regarding the proper intravitreal injection technique, the incidence of traumatic injuries to the crystalline lens was very low in a large series of injected patients in a community setting. The incidence compares favorably with that reported in clinical trials in which much more extensive preinjection preparation was mandated. A good preparation of the surgical incision with proper anesthesia and detailed information of the patient, as well as good anatomical skills of the treating physician, are mandatory to prevent this rare adverse event.

Effect of central corneal thickness and corneal hysteresis on tonometry as measured by dynamic contour tonometry, ocular response analyzer, and Goldmann tonometry in glaucomatous eyes.

PURPOSE: The dynamic contour tonometer (DCT; Pascal tonometer) and the Ocular Response Analyzer (ORA) are novel tonometers designed to measure intraocular pressure (IOP) independent of corneal properties and central corneal thickness (CCT), respectively. We wanted to compare the corneal compensated IOP (IOPcc) as measured by ORA with IOP values measured by DCT and Goldmann applanation tonometry (GAT) with respect to IOP readings and the influence of corneal hysteresis (CH) and CCT in glaucoma patients. PATIENTS AND METHODS: In a study of 94 glaucomatous eyes, IOP measurements by ORA, DCT, and GAT were compared, and the effects of CCT and CH were analyzed. All measurements were taken by 1 of the authors only. RESULTS: The Mean CCT was 550+/-44 mum and mean CH 10.24+/-3.3 mm Hg. The mean value for IOPcc was 17.94+/-5.9 mm Hg, 15.14+/-3.7 mm Hg for DCT, and 14.3+/-4.3 mm Hg for GAT. The mean difference was 3.65+/-3.85 mm Hg between IOPcc and GAT and 2.80+/-4.9 mm Hg between IOPcc and DCT (P<0.001) and -0.85+/-3.3 mm Hg between GAT and DCT (P=0.015). None of the methods was related to CCT. In contrast, CH was highly statistically significant related to IOPcc (P<0.0001), whereas GAT and DCT showed only weak relation to CH (P=0.05). CONCLUSIONS: IOP measurements with the ORA are significantly higher than DCT or GAT with no apparent linear correction factor. To date, we cannot estimate the impact of differences in CH in relation to IOP and its measurement.

Changes in corneal hysteresis after clear corneal cataract surgery.

PURPOSE: To assess the changes in corneal hysteresis (CH) as measured by the Ocular Response Analyzer (ORA; Reichert Ophthalmic Instruments, Buffalo, New York, USA) to describe the influence of clear corneal cataract surgery on corneal viscoelastic properties and intraocular pressure (IOP) measured by noncontact tonometry (NCT) and Goldmann applanation tonometry (GAT). DESIGN: Retrospective, interventional, comparative study. METHODS: One hundred and one eyes of 101 consecutive patients who underwent routine clear corneal cataract surgery were evaluated. CH, NCT, and central corneal thickness (CCT) were measured by ORA before surgery and at postoperative day 1. A control group of 48 pseudophakic eyes (surgery >3 months previously) was included. RESULTS: CCT increased from 556.82 +/- 32.5 microm before surgery to 580.26 +/- 45.5 microm after surgery (P < .001; control, 555.16 +/- 42.33 microm). Mean CH decreased from 10.35 +/- 2.5 mm Hg before surgery to 9.20 +/- 1.9 mm Hg after surgery (P < .001; control, 10.47 +/- 1.63 mm Hg). NCT values rose from 17.85 +/- 3.8 mm Hg before surgery to 20.10 +/- 6.3 mm Hg after surgery. GAT values were 14.85 +/- 2.8 mm Hg before surgery and 15.24 +/- 4.1 mm Hg after surgery (P = .52). There was no significant difference of CCT or CH between the preoperative values and the values of the control group (CCT, P = .986; CH, P = .166), in contrast to the difference between postoperative values and the values of the control group (CCT, P = .005; CH, P = .031). CONCLUSIONS: At day 1 after clear corneal cataract surgery, CH is diminished, whereas CCT is increased significantly. Postoperative corneal edema leads to a change of corneal viscoelastic properties, resulting in a lower damping capacity of the cornea. It is supposed that GAT and NCT measurements are significantly different because of postoperative changes in viscoelastic properties of the cornea.