[Results of treatment of retinal angiomatous proliferation with photodynamic therapy]. / Resultados del tratamiento de la proliferación angiomatosa retiniana mediante terapia fotodinámica.

PURPOSE: To determine the effects of phothodynamic therapy using verteporfin in the treatment of patients with retinal angiomatous proliferation (RAP) and the incidence of this retinal disease in our area. METHODS: We performed a retrospective study of 11 cases of RAP who were treated with photodynamic therapy using verteporfin (PDT). RESULTS: The incidence of RAP in the group of eyes with minimally classic or occult subfoveal choroidal neovascularization was 8%. The mean follow-up time after treatment was 15 months. The visual acuity improved in 3, remained the same in 4, and decreased in 4. In 4 patients, angiomatous lesions were observed in both eyes. CONCLUSIONS: There is no method proven to be effective for the treatment of retinal angiomatous proliferation. Our results suggest that PDT may be useful therapy in patients with RAP as it appeared to reduce the risk of visual loss.

[Submacular hemorrhage following photodynamic therapy in the treatment of choroidal neovascularization]. / Hemorragia submacular tras terapia fotodinámica en el tratamiento de la neovascularización coroidea.

PURPOSE: To describe the incidence, clinical features and evolution of submacular hemorrhage (SMH) occurring after photodynamic therapy (PDT) with verteporfin in the treatment of choroidal neovascularization (CNV). METHODS: A retrospective analysis of the patients treated with PDT in our hospital between July 2002 and May 2005 was undertaken. RESULTS: 8 out of 504 eyes treated with PDT (1.58%) developed SMH; 4 of them (0.79%) required surgical attack. The incidence of SMH for every application of PDT was 0.65% (8/1221). The underlying disorder defined was age-related macular degeneration (AMD) in 7 cases (87.5%), and high myopia in one case (12.5%). Regarding the type of lesion, 5 were occult (62.5%; p=0.01), 1 predominantly classic, 1 minimally classic, and the last one was not classified. The average final visual acuity (VA) was 0.057, with 25% of patients having a VA >or= 0.1. Patients lost 4 Snellen lines on average. CONCLUSIONS: SMH after PDT was an event of unknown etiology and low frequency. The incidence in our series (1.58%) was comparable with that described in the world literature (0.24-9.0%). The greatest incidence of AMD was in the occult group with no classic type of CNV, suggesting a possible higher risk for SMH in this type of lesion. It is mandatory to inform patients of the possibility of this complication, which can compromise the visual result of the PDT, and sometimes require surgery. The low risk of SMH related to the PDT justifies its application when it is indicated.

[Herpes simplex virus type 1 acute retinal necrosis two years after presumably herpetic meningoencephalitis]. / Necrosis retiniana aguda por virus herpes simplex tipo 1 dos años después de meningoencefalitis presuntamente herpética.

CASE REPORT: We report the case of a 53-year-old woman with uveitis in her right eye. She suffered from meningoencephalitis two years before. In the ophthalmic examination she showed no light perception, mild anterior uveitis and severe vitritis, which prevented from visualizing the retina. We suspected herpetic acute retinal necrosis (ARN), so therapy with intravenous acyclovir was started and a diagnostic vitrectomy was performed. Peripheral retinal necrosis and pallor of the optic disc were observed. PCR of the vitreous was positive for herpes simplex virus type I. DISCUSSION: This is probably a case of brain-to-eye virus transmission. According to this, the ARN would support the etiologic suspicion of the previous encephalitis.

Phacoemulsification cataract surgery in vitrectomized eyes.

PURPOSE: To determine the problems, safety, and results of phacoemulsification cataract surgery in previously vitrectomized eyes. SETTING: Department of Ophthalmology of Galdácano Hospital, Galdacano, Spain. METHODS: In this prospective study, phacoemulsification was performed in 23 eyes that had had vitrectomy between February 1992 and May 1994. Surgical and postsurgical difficulties and complications and visual acuity results were analyzed. Follow-up ranged from 12 to 24 months. RESULTS: The incidence of surgical problems and complications was higher than usual: 7 eyes presented small pupil size (< 3.0 mm); sudden changes in anterior chamber depth and pupil size during surgery occurred in 6 eyes; unusual mobility and flaccidity of the posterior capsule was observed in 6 cases, which was associated with posterior subcapsular cataract and young age (< 50 years); posterior capsule tear occurred in 2 eyes, 1 of which required anterior vitrectomy. Postoperatively, best visual acuity improved two Snellen lines or more in 17 eyes (73.91%), did not change in 3 (13.04%), and worsened in 3. CONCLUSION: Phacoemulsification in vitrectomized eyes presented more problems and complications than usual. However, it seems to be safer than manual extracapsular surgery because it minimized the risk of intraoperative eye hypotony or collapse.