Intravitreal Infliximab for the Treatment of Proliferative Vitreoretinopathy (FIXER): A Randomized Controlled Phase II Trial.

OBJECTIVE: To study the safety and efficacy of intravitreal infliximab administered at the conclusion of pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) in the treatment of proliferative vitreoretinopathy (PVR) associated with rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD). DESIGN: Randomized controlled phase II clinical trial. SUBJECTS: Patients with primary RRD and grade C PVR, according to the updated Retina Society Classification. METHODS: Sixty-six patients were randomized in a 1:1 ratio to undergo PPV and silicone oil (SO) injection with or without intravitreal injection of 1 mg/0.05 mL of infliximab in the air-filled globe before SO injection at PPV conclusion. Surgeons were masked to treatment allocation until PPV conclusion. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The primary outcome measure was anatomic success (defined as complete retinal reattachment without a tamponade at 6 months post SO removal). Secondary outcome measures were final best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), single-operation success rate (SOSR), rate of recurrent detachment, central macular thickness (CMT) by macular OCT, macular function by multifocal electroretinogram, and macular vascular density (VD) by OCT angiography. RESULTS: Sixty eyes of 60 patients, 30 eyes in each group, completed the study. At baseline, there were no differences regarding age, gender, history of trauma, lens status, duration of RRD, BCVA, intraocular pressure (IOP), intraocular inflammation (IOI), detachment extent in clock hours, number/size of breaks, presence of vitreous hemorrhage, axial length, or grade/extent of PVR between both groups. For the outcome measures, 30 eyes in the infliximab group achieved anatomic success vs. 29 eyes in the control group. The SOSR was higher in the infliximab group (26) vs. the control (23), but this was not statistically significant (P = 0.317). Final logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution BCVA was better in the infliximab group (mean, 0.96; standard deviation [SD], 0.4; Snellen equivalent ≈ 20/180) vs. the control (mean, 1.14; SD, 0.4); Snellen equivalent ≈ 20/280; P = 0.044). There were no differences regarding IOP, IOI, time of SO removal, macular function, CMT, or VD. CONCLUSIONS: Pars plana vitrectomy with SO tamponade with or without intravitreal infliximab is effective in treating PVR-associated RRD. Infliximab may be associated with modest improvement in final visual outcomes but not anatomic outcomes. FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE(S): The authors have no proprietary or commercial interest in any materials discussed in this article.

Retinal Pigment Epithelial Adenoma: Initial Treatment Outcomes following Episcleral Brachytherapy.

Introduction: We aim to explore the safety and efficacy of episcleral brachytherapy as a primary management option for eyes with retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) adenoma. Methods: Retrospective chart review of the demographic, clinical, ancillary, and postoperative outcome data of patients with RPE adenoma in 2 tertiary referral centers. Tumor regression, final visual acuity, and complications were assessed. Results: Five patients (3 females and 2 males) were included. Four of the 5 eyes had peripheral and mid-peripheral lesions, while one tumor was juxtapapillary. Three eyes were treated with ruthenium-106 (100 Gray), and 2 received iodine-125 episcleral plaques (85 Gray). All eyes showed clinical and imaging-based evidence of regression. Four eyes had stable or improved visual acuity, while 1 eye exhibited one line loss of visual acuity due to radiation retinopathy. Local recurrence was not observed in any eye over a median follow-up of 24 (range 6-112) months. Conclusions: Episcleral brachytherapy is an effective management option for select cases of RPE adenoma that is capable of achieving tumor regression while maintaining favorable visual acuity. The initial safety profile of brachytherapy is good without significant vision-compromising complications.

Short-term perfluorocarbon liquid tamponade in choroidal melanoma endoresection.

PURPOSE: To report the use of short-term perfluorocarbon liquid (ST-PFCL) tamponade following choroidal melanoma endoresection. METHODS: Patients with medium to large choroidal melanomas not amenable to primary Ruthenium-106 brachytherapy underwent choroidal melanoma endoresection following gamma knife radiosurgery. During surgery, a complete vitrectomy was performed followed by PFCL injection, then a retinectomy with endoresection of the melanoma and underlying choroid was done. Complete PFCL filling was then achieved, and laser barrage surrounding the retinectomy was done. A Ruthenium-106 plaque was then inserted. Postoperatively, supine positioning was maintained for three days followed by plaque and PFCL removal with silicone oil injection. Several months later, silicone oil was removed. RESULTS: Four eyes of 4 patients underwent endoresection with ST-PFCL tamponade. Mean height of tumor was 8.6 ± 0.85 mm, while mean maximal basal diameter was 11.5 ± 1.1 mm. Mean preoperative logMAR best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) was 1.76 ± 0.18. All patients underwent preoperative gamma knife radiosurgery and postoperative brachytherapy. There were no major intraoperative or postoperative complications. All patients underwent silicone oil injection with PFCL/plaque removal after 3 days, while silicone oil was removed after 4 ± 1.2 months. Mean postoperative logMAR BCVA 3 months following oil removal was 0.89 ± 0.22 (p = 0.02). Mean follow-up duration was 17 ± 2.8 months. No patient developed local tumor recurrence, distant metastases, or vitreoretinal complications by final visit. CONCLUSION: ST-PFCL tamponade may reduce the risk of intraoperative and postoperative complications associated with choroidal melanoma endoresection.

Autologous Retinal Transplantation for Primary and Refractory Macular Holes and Macular Hole Retinal Detachments: The Global Consortium.

PURPOSE: To report the anatomic and functional outcomes of autologous retinal transplantation (ART). DESIGN: Multicenter, retrospective, interventional, consecutive case series. PARTICIPANTS: One hundred thirty eyes of 130 patients undergoing ART for the repair of primary and refractory macular holes (MHs), as well as combined MH-rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (MH-RRD), between January 2017 and December 2019. METHODS: All patients underwent pars plana vitrectomy and ART, with surgeon modification of intraoperative variables. A large array of preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative data was collected. Two masked reviewers graded OCT images. Multivariate statistical analysis and subgroup analysis were performed. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Macular hole closure rate, visual acuity (VA), external limiting membrane and ellipsoid zone (EZ) band integrity, and alignment of neurosensory layers (ANL) on OCT. RESULTS: One hundred thirty ART surgeries were performed by 33 vitreoretinal surgeons worldwide. Patient demographics were: mean age of 63 ± 6.3 years, 58% female, 41% White, 23% Black, 19% Asian, and 17% Latino. Preoperative VA was 1.37 ± 0.12 logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution (logMAR; Snellen equivalent, approximately 20/500), which improved significantly to 1.05 ± 0.09 logMAR (Snellen equivalent, approximately 20/225; P < 0.001) after surgery (mean follow-up, 8.6 ± 0.8 months). Autologous retinal transplantation was performed for primary MH repair in 27% of patients (n = 35), for refractory MH in 58% of patients (n = 76; mean number of previous surgeries, 1.6 ± 0.2), and for MH-RRD in 15% of patients (n = 19). Mean maximum MH diameter was 1470 ± 160 µm, mean minimum diameter was 840 ± 94 µm, and mean axial length was 24.6 ± 3.2 mm. Overall, 89% of MHs closed (78.5% complete; 10% small eccentric defect), with a 95% closure rate in MH-RRD (68.4% complete; 26.3% small eccentric defect). Visual acuity improved by at least 3 lines in 43% of eyes and by at least 5 lines in 29% of eyes. Reconstitution of the EZ (P = 0.02) and ANL (P = 0.01) on OCT were associated with better final VA. Five cases of ART graft dislocation (3.8%), 5 cases of postoperative retinal detachment (3.8%), and 1 case of endophthalmitis (0.77%) occurred. CONCLUSIONS: In this global experience, patients undergoing ART for large primary and refractory MHs and MH-RRDs achieved good anatomic and functional outcomes, with low complication rates despite complex surgical pathologic features.

Management of Choroidal Neovascularization Associated with Optic Disc Melanocytoma with Intravitreal Aflibercept: A Case Report and Review of the Literature.

PURPOSE: To report a rare case of melanocytoma associated choroidal neovascularization (CNV) treated with intravitreal aflibercept. METHODS: We reviewed the literature for the previous reports and different methods of treatment. RESULTS: Optic disc melanocytoma has been considered as a benign melanocytic tumor that rarely affects vision. There is evidence in the literature of association between choroidal neovascular membrane and disc melanocytoma. CONCLUSIONS: In conclusion, our article provides a review of literature of such a rare association in which the ophthalmologists must be aware of its occurrence and possible ways of management.

Choroidal Melanoma Resection.

Uveal melanoma is the most common intraocular malignant tumor, with the choroid being the most common site. Management of choroidal melanoma has evolved greatly over the past years. In the past, the conventional method of treatment was enucleation of the affected eye with a debate regarding the effect of enucleation to promote or prevent metastasis. However, nowadays, there are many therapeutic options available including plaque radiotherapy, proton beam radiotherapy, argon laser photocoagulation, transpupillary thermotherapy, stereotactic radiotherapy using gamma knife, enucleation, and surgical resection of the tumor whether through transscleral approach "Exoresection" or less commonly through internal resection approach "Endoresection." The indications and complications of each technique are reviewed. Although radiotherapy is the primary treatment of choroidal melanoma in most ocular oncology centers, it is used as an adjuvant therapy in combination with surgical resection. Preoperative stereotactic radiotherapy before endoresection and brachytherapy to the surgical bed in both exo and endoresection can effectively decrease the recurrence rate. In this article, we will focus on surgical resection of choroidal melanoma whether endoresection or exoresection. We collected data published in indexed journals and related books.

Submacular sclerosing capillary hemangioblastoma.

PURPOSE: To report a case of submacular cystic lesion that turned out to be a sclerosing capillary hemangioblastoma. The retinal capillary hemangioblastoma may arise as a part of von Hippel-Lindau syndrome 1 however, they may occur as an isolated entity 2, but submacular capillary hemangioblastoma has never been reported. OBSERVATIONS: A case of a 56-year-old female who presented with a right yellow submacular lesion. The mass was excised via pars-plana vitrectomy and histopathological assessment revealed a submacular sclerosing capillary hemangioblastoma. CONCLUSION: and importance: The capillary hemangioblastoma is a benign vascular tumor that may arise submacularly and is not necessarily associated with von Hippel-Lindau disease. It is difficult to be differentiated clinically from other submacular lesions but the possibility should be considered.