Intraocular methotrexate for epithelial downgrowth: long-term outcomes in a multicentre case series.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Sheet-like type of epithelial downgrowth (EDG) is not easily amenable to surgical excision. We describe long-term outcomes in patients with EDG treated with intraocular methotrexate (MTX). METHODS: This is a retrospective, multicentric case series including 10 eyes (nine patients) treated with intraocular MTX for sheet-like EDG. Relevant ocular history, previous EDG treatments, MTX injection regimen, long-term outcomes and complications are reported. RESULTS: All cases were associated with intraocular surgery. Most patients were treated with 400 µm/0.1 mL MTX injections with a starting frequency of two times per week or weekly injections. Mean and SD number of injections per eye was 16±13 injections and duration of follow-up was 54±36 months (range: 7-120 months). Eradication of EDG was achieved in seven eyes of which one required a second MTX treatment course to achieve eradication, while clinical resolution with recurrence was observed in two. One treatment failure occurred despite eight weekly injections which slowed but did not halt EDG progression; the patient later requested that treatments be stopped given difficulty to come to follow-ups. Surface epitheliopathy developed in eight patients and was used to titrate MTX treatment. Six patients also developed endothelial failure. CONCLUSION: We report the largest case series of diffuse, sheet-like EDG treated with intraocular MTX with follow-ups up to 10 years. Intraocular MTX may be used effectively to achieve eradication of EDG in cases where surgery is not amenable. However, further recommendations to guide treatment remain warranted.

High-vacuum clothesline technique for elevation and repositioning of posteriorly dislocated intraocular lens.

We describe a technique to simplify the retrieval process of an intraocular lens (IOL) that has fallen into the posterior segment of the eye. A high-vacuum level setting is used to achieve fixation of the IOL to the vitrectomy tip, permitting the IOL to be elevated into the anterior segment. The clothesline technique is then used to secure the IOL partially within the anterior chamber for subsequent suture fixation or explantation. This technique simplifies the elevation, repositioning, and/or explantation of a posteriorly dislocated IOL and eliminates the need to perform more complex and potentially traumatic maneuvers.

Dissecting Aortic Aneurysm 55 Years after Diagnosis of Iris Flocculi.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study is to report the clinical features, imaging studies, surgical removal, and pathology of congenital iris flocculi in a patient who developed a life-threatening dissecting aortic aneurysm after 55 years of follow-up. METHODS: Documentation with iris photography was performed from age 18 to 55 years, at which time anterior segment optical coherence tomography (OCT) was performed. At the time of subsequent cataract surgery, the iris flocculi were removed in each eye and submitted for light and electron microscopy. RESULTS: The size and shape of the iris flocculi waxed and waned over the years but caused no visual disturbance. Anterior segment OCT demonstrated clear, round cysts with thin lining and no solid component. At the age of 55, congestive heart failure from a dissecting aortic aneurysm was discovered and surgically repaired. Subsequent bilateral cataract surgery and cyst removal were performed, and the iris flocculi were studied with light and electron microscopy. CONCLUSIONS: Congenital iris flocculi cause little, if any, visual impairment in most cases. However, they are occasionally associated with dissecting aortic aneurysm due to a shared mutation in smooth muscle that affects both the iris and the aorta. Patients with iris flocculi should be monitored periodically for aortic abnormalities.

Implantation of multifocal intraocular lenses using a magnification strategy in cataractous eyes with age-related macular degeneration.

PURPOSE: To examine visual function after targeting -2.0 diopter (D) spherical equivalent (SE) when implanting a multifocal intraocular lens (IOL) in eyes with cataract and age-related macular degeneration (AMD). SETTING: Three private practices. DESIGN: Case series. METHODS: Lenses of cataractous eyes with AMD were replaced with the Acrysof Restor SN60D3 multifocal IOL, targeting an SE of -2.0 D, which yielded +5.2 D near addition. Near and distance visual acuities were examined. Patients completed a visual function questionnaire preoperatively and 6 months postoperatively. RESULTS: At 6 months, 13 patients with 20 eligible eyes were examined. The uncorrected near visual acuity improved in 18 eyes (90%) and was unchanged in 2 eyes. The corrected distance visual acuity improved in 14 eyes (70%), was unchanged in 4 eyes (20%), and decreased (≤ 3 lines) in 2 eyes (10%). All vision-related questionnaire items improved. CONCLUSION: For cataractous eyes with AMD, replacing the crystalline lens with this myopia-targeted multifocal IOL improved or maintained near vision without severely compromising distance vision. FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE: Drs. Mackool and Ernest are consultants to Alcon. Dr. Mackool is an inventor in the patent of the IOLs related to this strategy. No other author has a financial or proprietary interest in any material or method mentioned.