Efficacy and safety of XEN 45 gel stent alone or in combination with phacoemulsification in advanced open angle glaucoma patients: 1-year retrospective study.

AIM: To assess the effectiveness of the XEN 45 gel stent, either alone or combined with cataract surgery, in advanced stage open angle glaucoma (OAG) patients. METHODS: Retrospective and single-center study conducted on consecutive OAG patients who underwent a XEN 45 gel stent implantation surgery, between July 2017 and September 2018. The primary efficacy end-point was the mean intraocular pressure (IOP) reduction at the end of the follow-up period. Success was defined as an IOP reduction of at least 20% and an IOP value ≤18 mm Hg without (complete) or with (qualified) hypotensive medication. RESULTS: Seventy-four patients (80 eyes) were included in the study. In the overall study sample, XEN implant significantly reduced IOP from 21.0 (19.8 to 22.1) mm Hg at baseline to 9.3 (8.2 to 10.4), 10.7 (9.6 to 11.9), 13.4 (12.2 to 14.7), 14.5 (13.6 to 15.4), 14.7 (13.8 to 15.6), and 14.7 (13.9 to 15.4) mm Hg at 1d, 1wk, 1, 3, 6, and 12mo of follow-up, respectively (P<0.0001 each). In the overall study population, at the end of the study the mean IOP reduction was 27.4% (23.3% to 31.5%). Adjusted IOP reduction was similar in XEN and XEN+phacoemulsification groups [30.0 (23.4 to 36.4) mm Hg vs 24.8 (18.4 to 31.2) mm Hg, respectively, P=0.2939]. At the last follow-up visit, 52 (65.0%) eyes were considered success, 29 (36.3%) eyes as complete success and 23 (28.7%) as qualified success. Mean number of hypotensive medications was significantly reduced from 2.8 (2.7 to 3.0) at baseline to 1.1 (0.8 to 1.3), P<0.0001. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis did not find any difference in the success rate between XEN and XEN+PHACO, mean hazard ratio 0.56, 95%CI 0.26 to 1.23; P=0.1469. Needling was performed in 7 (8.8%) eyes at months 1 (n=3); 3 (n=2); 4 (n=1) and 11 (n=1). Eleven (13.8%) eyes presented adverse events. CONCLUSION: XEN implant, either alone or in combination with phacoemulsification, significantly reduced the IOP and the number of hypotensive medications in patients with OAG in advanced stage.

First reported case of a corneal abscess caused by Massilia timonae / Primer caso descrito de absceso corneal causado por Massilia timonae

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Surgical Approaches for Vitreomacular Tractions.

PURPOSE: The aim is to describe the main characteristics of different approaches in vitreomacular traction surgery. Setting/Venue: The video (see www.karger.com/doi/10.1159/ 000442579) about vitreomacular traction surgery was created at the Department of Ophthalmology, Virgin Macarena University Hospital, Seville, Spain. METHODS: We present the surgical release of vitreomacular tractions in three different pathologies: (1) idiopathic epimacular membrane; (2) proliferative diabetic retinopathy with long-term hemovitreous, and (3) Coats' disease. RESULTS: Although functional success is less common than anatomical success, we will never be able to improve vision without restoring retinal anatomy. CONCLUSIONS: Vitreomacular tractions are perfectly well known by ophthalmologists. However, the method used to release them must be the least aggressive possible in order to avoid retinal tears or macular holes with subsequent visual loss.

Delayed Boston Keratoprosthesis Exchange due to a Preceding Vitreoretinal Surgery with Intraoperative Choroidal Detachment.

PURPOSE: The aim is to describe the main characteristics of an anterior/posterior segment surgery and how to resolve intraoperative complications. Setting/Venue: The anterior and posterior segment surgical video was created at the Department of Ophthalmology, Virgin Macarena University Hospital, Seville, Spain. METHODS: We present the case of a male with Stevens-Johnson syndrome and severe limbal deficiency who needed a Boston type 1 keratoprosthesis, reaching a visual acuity of 0.4 (0.05 before surgery). In the course of follow-up, he developed corneal melting with perforation, immune vitritis, and a large epimacular membrane. We decided to perform a 23-gauge vitrectomy associated with keratoprosthesis exchange. As a consequence of inappropriate anesthesia, the patient woke up during the surgery, provoking a retinal tear besides a choroidal detachment. These damages needed endolaser photocoagulation as well as silicone oil tamponade, forcing us to postpone the exchange. An intravitreal dexamethasone implant was also injected. Two months later, the silicone oil was removed, and the Boston keratoprosthesis was replaced by a new type 1 model with a titanium back plate, which likely improves biocompatibility and retention and may reduce complications such as retroprosthetic membranes and stromal corneal melts. RESULTS: Good anatomical results were achieved, and visual acuity slightly improved to 0.2. CONCLUSIONS: Combined anterior and posterior segment surgery represents a great challenge that can improve not only visual acuity but also quality of life in patients with severe diseases such as Stevens-Johnson syndrome.