Comparison of the Effects of Phacoemulsification and Dexamethasone Implantation in the Same Session with Other Phakic Conditions.

Objectives: The objective of the study is to evaluate anatomical and functional results such as best corrected visual acuity (BCVA), central macular thickness (CMT), and intraocular pressure (IOP) in patients who received intravitreal dexamethasone (DEX) implant for diabetic macular edema (DME), and to compare the efficacy according to patients' lens status and concurrent phacoemulsification surgery. Methods: A total of 70 eyes of 55 patients with DME who received intravitreal DEX implantation were included in this retrospective study. Patients who received intravitreal DEX implantation were divided into three groups phaco-DEX (group 1), pseudophakic (group 2), and phakic (group 3). The BCVA, CMT, and IOP changes were compared between the three groups. Results: One month after the intravitreal DEX implant, BCVA improved in all three groups. (p=0.001, p=0.01, and p=0.009, respectively). There was a decrease in CMT at the end of 1st and 4th months in all three groups compared to the preoperative measurements (p=0.005, p<0.001, p<0.001 respectively). While IOP was increased in group 2 and group 3, no IOP increase was observed in group 1. (p=0.41, p=0.01, and p=0.01, respectively). Conclusion: Combining intravitreal DEX implantation with phacoemulsification surgery seems to be an effective and reliable method in patients with DME accompanied by cataract. The IOP elevation in follow-up visits of phakic and pseudophakic patients after intravitreal DEX implantation was not observed in the Phaco-DEX group.

Effect of Diabetes Mellitus and Systemic Hypertension on Macular Hole Surgery.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the anatomical and functional results of macular hole surgery in patients with diabetes mellitus (DM) and hypertension (HT) without retinopathy. STUDY DESIGN: Descriptive comparative study. PLACE AND DURATION OF STUDY: Department of Ophthalmology, Health Sciences University Haydarpasa Numune Training and Research Hospital, Turkey between January 2016 and December 2020. METHODOLOGY: This study included 141 eyes of 139 patients who underwent pars plana vitrectomy for macular holes. The patients were divided into two groups according to the anatomic closure after surgery. Group 1 (cases) were patients with macular hole closure, and group 2 (controls) were patients whose macular hole was not closed. The patients with and without diabetes mellitus (DM) or hypertension (HT) were compared. All patients did not have retinopathy. After surgery, the anatomical closure rate of the macular hole and the amount of increase in visual acuity were measured. Significance of the difference between the groups was evaluated using chi-square test. RESULTS: The best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) was 1.30 logMAR before surgery and 0.7 logMAR after surgery (p<0.001). While BCVA was 1.3 logMAR before surgery in the group with DM, it was 0.7 logMAR after surgery (p<0.001). In the group with HT, BCVA was 1.3 logMAR before surgery and 0.7 logMAR after surgery (p<0.001). The anatomic success rate after surgery in patients with DM was similar to the group without DM (p=0.93). The anatomic success rate after surgery in patients with HT was similar to the group without HT (p=0.46). CONCLUSIONS: In the absence of retinopathy there is no difference between the success rates of the macular hole surgery in patients with or without DM and HT. KEY WORDS: Diabetes mellitus, Hypertension, Vitrectomy, Macular hole.

The Importance of Anatomic Configuration and Cystic Changes in Macular Hole: Predicting Surgical Success with a Different Approach.

PURPOSE: This study aimed to define a novel metric for the area of the macular hole (MH) and cysts located around the hole using an optical coherence tomography (OCT) device. METHODS: This study was conducted with 58 eyes of 56 patients. The patients were divided into two groups according to anatomic closure after surgery. Using the metrics of macular hole index (MHI), tractional hole index (THI), hole forming factor (HFF), macular hole area (HA), the cystoid space areas in the inner retinal layers (CA), and our novel metric, the cyst hole area index (CHAI) was calculated. The correlation of the CA, the HA, and the CHAI with other indexes were assessed. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves and cut-off values were derived for indexes predicting type 1 or type 2 closures. RESULTS: The CA showed a strong positive correlation with the base MH size and the maximum MH height (r = 0.624, p < 0.001; r = 0.722, p < 0.001, respectively). The HA showed a strong positive correlation with basal MH size and minimum MH size (r = 0.934, p < 0.001; r = 0.765, p < 0.001). The HA showed a moderate positive correlation with maximum MH height (r = 0.483, p < 0.001, respectively). CHAI showed a moderate positive correlation with minimum MH size (r = 0.297, p = 0.02). CHAI and HA showed a moderate negative correlation with post-operative BCVA (r = -0.39, p = 0.003; r = -0.357, p = 0.006; respectively). ROC curve analysis showed that MHI (0.823), THI (0.750), and HFF (0.722) predicted type 1 closure and that CHAI (0.769) and HA (0.709) predicted type 2 closures. CONCLUSION: MHI and our novel index CHAI, which can be calculated without any additional software, could successfully predict type 1 and type 2 closures, respectively.

Effects of Ab Interno XEN Gel Implantation on Postural Intraocular Pressure Elevations.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to analyze the postural intraocular pressure (IOP) changes in open-angle glaucoma after ab interno XEN gel implant surgery and to compare them with the changes observed with trabeculectomy and medical treatment.Patients and Methods: The study sample included 18 patients with XEN gel implants, 30 patients who had trabeculectomy, and 30 medically managed glaucoma patients. All patients in XEN gel implant and trabeculectomy groups had at least 11 months of follow-up and had successful surgeries that resulted in medication-free control of IOP. A rebound tonometer (Icare, Finland Oy, Helsinki, Finland) was used to measure the IOP levels at the sitting, supine, and dependent lateral decubitus (DLDP) positions after a 5-minute rest at each position.Results: In all the groups, the mean IOP values in the DLDP and supine positions were significantly higher than the sitting position. The IOP elevation after moving from sitting to supine position was significantly reduced in XEN gel implant and trabeculectomy groups compared to medical treatment group (p = .001 and p = .002, respectively). The IOP elevation after a moving from sitting to DLDP was also significantly reduced in XEN gel implant and trabeculectomy groups compared to the medical treatment group (p = .003 and p = .01, respectively). However, there was no significant difference in IOP change after moving from sitting to supine or DLDP positions between XEN gel implant and trabeculectomy groups (p = .74 and p = .98, respectively).Conclusion: This study demonstrated that XEN gel implant could reduce postural elevations in IOP to the same degree as trabeculectomy and provide significantly better postural IOP control than medical treatment. This surgery can be an effective minimally invasive alternative for patients with significant positional IOP elevations.

Partial Schlemm Canal, Trabecular Meshwork, and Descemet Membrane Separation During Gonioscopy-assisted Transluminal Trabeculotomy: A Case Report.

Gonioscopy-assisted transluminal trabeculotomy (GATT) is a surgery that opens the trabecular meshwork (TM) circumferentially after cannulation of the Schlemm canal (SC) with a flexible illuminated microcatheter or suture. The main purpose of this case report was to describe a new complication of GATT. Herein, we report a case of partial SC, TM, and Descemet membrane (DM) separation during GATT. The patient was a 60-year-old man with a history of glaucoma who underwent GATT. SC, TM, and DM separation occurred intraoperatively during 360 degrees trabeculotomy. The separated tissue fragment was removed from the anterior chamber and later confirmed to be a part of the SC, TM, and DM by histopathologic examination. In our patient, this complication did not cause surgical failure. Various complications associated with GATT have been reported previously. Partial SC, TM, and DM separation may occur during this surgery.

Efficacy of long scleral tunnel technique in preventing Ahmed glaucoma valve tube exposure through conjunctiva.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the efficacy of long scleral tunnel technique used in Ahmed glaucoma valve (AGV) implantation in preventing tube exposure through conjunctiva. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients of adult age, who were unresponsive to maximum medical treatment and underwent AGV implantation, were divided into two groups and investigated retrospectively. Group 1 consisted of 40 eyes of 38 patients that underwent surgery by long scleral tunnel technique and Group 2 consisted of 38 eyes of 35 patients that underwent implantation by processed pericardium patch graft method. RESULTS: The mean age was 54.8 ± 14.6 years (range 26-68 years) and the mean follow-up duration was 46.7 ± 19.4 months (range 18-76 months) for the patients in Group 1, whereas the mean age was 58.6 ± 16.7 years (range 32-74 years) and mean follow-up period was 43.6 ± 15.7 months (range 20-72 months) for the patients in Group 2 (p > 0.05). In the course of follow-up, tube exposure was detected in one (2.5%) eye in Group 1 and in three (7.9%) eyes in Group 2 (p = 0.042). CONCLUSION: Long scleral tunnel technique is beneficial in preventing conjunctival tube exposure in AGV implantation surgery.

A clinical comparison of safety and efficacy in phacoemulsification with versus without ophthalmic viscoelastic device.

PURPOSE: To evaluate in a comparative manner the safety and efficacy of 1.0% sodium-Hyaluronate used during capsulorhexis and intraocular lens (IOL) implantation in phacoemulsification surgery. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 1.0% sodium-Hyaluronate, which is commonly used as one of the ophthalmic viscoelastic devices, was compared to intraocular irrigating solution, which can bring up these effects. In addition, the effect of both methods on occurring corneal endothelial cell (CEC) loss was investigated. RESULTS: Each group comprised 19 eyes. The mean preoperative CEC density was 2525.68 ± 181.85 in Group H and 2514.16 ± 174.59 in Group V; no statistically significant difference was found between the groups (p > 0.05). Preoperative and postoperative first and twelfth week CEC densities were 2438.21 ± 198.12 (p < 0.001) and 2390.74 ± 202.31, respectively, in group H (p < 0.001). Preoperative and postoperative first and twelfth week CEC densities were 2415.32 ± 197.24 (p < 0.001) and 2353.47 ± 212.69 in group V (p < 0.001). Compared with preoperative values, decrease in CEC density on the postoperative first and twelfth weeks was not statistically significant in either group (p > 0.05). CONCLUSION: Although it was found that there was no statistically difference in terms of preventing CEC loss between 1.0% sodium-Hyaluronate and the irrigation method during phacoemulsification, it was observed clinically that 1.0% sodium-hyaluronate can make the procedure easy, safer, very helpful, especially for understanding phacoemulsification.

Traumatic wound dehiscence after penetrating keratoplasty.

BACKGROUND: We aimed to evaluate the risk factors, clinical features and outcomes of surgery for traumatic wound dehiscence (TWD) following penetrating keratoplasty (PK). METHODS: Twenty-six patients with TWD following PK were evaluated retrospectively in terms of factors related to the trauma, types of reconstructive surgery, final graft clarity, and visual acuity. RESULTS: There were 26 patients with a mean age of 40.7±19.6 years. In 12 (46.1%) patients, the better eye was affected by the trauma. The most frequent type of trauma was blunt trauma by various objects (9). In all cases, the dehiscence was at the graft host junction. The mean extent of detachment was 135.4°±57.6°. Crystalline or intraocular lens damage was present in 42.3% of cases. Median follow-up time after the reconstructive surgery was 36 months. The graft remained clear in 13 (50%) patients, whereas graft insufficiency/graft rejection developed in 13 (50%) patients. Final visual acuity was over 20/200 in 13 (50%) patients. CONCLUSION: TWD may occur at any time after PK, most frequently within the first postoperative year. Low visual acuity in the other eye seems to be a major risk factor. In patients without major complications such as posterior segment damage, visual outcomes and graft survival can be favorable.

Long-term vision-threatening complications of phakic intraocular lens implantation for high myopia.

AIM: To report the long-term vision-threatening complications in patients who underwent phakic intraocular lens (pIOLs) implantation for high myopia. METHODS: This study was designed from a consecutive series of phakic intraocular lens complication and corrective surgeries. Sixteen eyes of 13 patients had implantation of phakic intraocular lens for correction high myopia and developed serious complications have been included in this study. The mean age of patients was 38.6±6.35y (range 32-50y) and the mean time of history of pIOL implantation for high myopia was 6±2y (range 2-10y). Before corrective surgery, best spectacle-corrective visual acuity (BSCVA) ranged from perception to 20/200 in the eyes in which severe complications occurred. RESULTS: Corneal decompensation occurred in 12 eyes of 9 high myopic patients after anterior chamber pIOL implantation. Rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD) occurred in 4 eyes of 4 high myopic patients following anterior chamber and posterior chamber pIOL implantation. Patients with corneal decompensation, had combined procedures consisting of pIOL removal and penetrating keratoplasty (PKP). Removals of pIOL, phacoemulsification and pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) with silicone oil tamponade were performed in patients with RRD. After corrective surgeries, all patients but one (P+, patient 2, right eye) achieved moderate BSCVA ranged from 20/200 to 20/50 at the last visit. CONCLUSION: Phakic IOLs may be effective for the correction of high myopia. Although these IOLs may have severe complications and it affects safety and efficacy of this surgery. As seen here, corneal decompensation and rhegmatogenous retinal detachment are possible postoperative vision-threatening complications of phakic IOLs. Patients must be carefully examined before and after surgery for possible endothelial cell loss and vitreoretinal problems.

Effect of intravitreal bevacizumab injection before Ahmed glaucoma valve implantation in neovascular glaucoma.

PURPOSE: To assess the efficacy of preoperative intravitreal bevacizumab injection (IVB) before Ahmed glaucoma valve (AGV) implantation in the treatment of neovascular glaucoma (NVG). METHODS: This retrospective, comparative and consecutive case series study included 41 eyes from 41 patients who underwent AGV implantation for treatment of NVG. The study group was composed of 19 patients (19 eyes) to whom IVB was administered before surgery, while the control group was composed of 22 patients (22 eyes) to whom IVB was not administered before AGV implantation. Findings such as intraocular pressures measured before and after surgery, surgical success rates, and postoperative complications were compared between the groups. RESULTS: There were no significant differences in preoperative data between groups. The surgical success rate in the study group (79%) was better than in the control group (64%), but this difference was not statistically significant (p = 0.28). Early postoperative complications such as fibrinous reaction in the anterior chamber as well as hyphema were less frequently observed in the study group. CONCLUSIONS: Intravitreal bevacizumab is a useful preparatory step to safely and effectively implant an aqueous shunting tube in eyes with severe NVG and intractable intraocular pressure.

Exogenous group G Streptococcus endophthalmitis following intravitreal ranibizumab injection.

We report a case of group G Streptococcus endophthalmitis following an intravitreal ranibizumab injection for a choroidal neovascular membrane. Pars plana vitrectomy was applied for endophthalmitis and group G Streptococcus cultures were isolated in the vitreous samples taken from the patient. Twenty-four hours following pars plana vitrectomy the patient underwent myocardial infarction and cardiac arrest. To our knowledge this is the first reported case of group G Streptococcus endophthalmitis following an intravitreal injection.

Incidence of and risk factors for increased intraocular pressure after penetrating keratoplasty.

PURPOSE: To identify the incidence of and risk factors associated with the development of glaucoma after penetrating keratoplasty. METHODS: A retrospective study was carried out between September 1996 and January 2007 with 729 patients' 749 eyes, which underwent penetrating keratoplasty at the 1st Eye Clinic at Dr. Lütfi Kirdar Kartal Training and Research Hospital, Istanbul. Six attending surgeons performed all the surgeries at the same center. Age, sex, preoperative diagnosis, the presence of preoperative glaucoma, the status of the lenses, and additional surgery performed during keratoplasty, which may affect the postoperative intraocular pressure, were evaluated. RESULTS: The patients' ages ranged from 5 to 86 years (with a mean of 40.9 +/- 20.4 years). Two hundred seventy-seven (61.9%) of the patients were female and 452 (38.1%) were male. Intraocular pressure increases in the early postoperative period occurred in 41 (5.5%) eyes and chronically elevated intraocular pressure was found in 124 (16.6%) eyes. Preoperative diagnosis of inflammatory diseases such as graft thinning (relative risk [RR] = 4.96), traumatic scar formation (RR = 2.66), graft abscess (RR = 2.62), graft rejection (RR = 2.61), bullous keratopathy (RR = 2.59), and corneal abscess (RR = 1.52) were found to be risk factors for the development of glaucoma. Also, the following were significantly associated with an increased risk of glaucoma: peripheral anterior synechia (P = 0.019), preoperative glaucoma (P = 0.0001), and additional surgery combined with penetrating keratoplasty (P = 0.0001). The average period between surgery and the first intraocular pressure elevation was 5.0 +/- 6.5 months for all eyes. The mean intraocular pressure value of eyes that developed glaucoma after penetrating keratoplasty was 27.9 +/- 5.8 mmHg. CONCLUSIONS: Increased intraocular pressure after penetrating keratoplasty is a common clinical problem, and the risk factors are preoperative diagnosis of inflammatory diseases, peripheral anterior synechia, preoperative glaucoma, and additional surgery combined with penetrating keratoplasty.

Inadvertent use of water-based ink instead of trypan blue in cataract surgery.

We report a case of iris atrophy and corneal endothelial decompensation following the inadvertent use of water-based ink for capsular staining during cataract surgery. The anterior chamber was thoroughly irrigated with balanced salt solution after the identification of the wrong dye. Phacoemulsification with minimal ultrasound energy and intraocular lens implantation were performed without complications, and the operation was completed. The patient finally developed bullous keratopathy and underwent penetrating keratoplasty 4 months later.