ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION: To prevent local reduction in retinal function caused by retained subretinal perfluorocarbon liquid (PFCL), it has been noted that removal of PFCL under the fovea should be considered, with a vitrectomy selected for such removal. CASE REPORT: A vitrectomy was performed for traumatic retinal detachment during which PFCL was temporarily used as an intraocular tamponade for retina flattening. Following surgery, subfoveal PFCL was retained beneath the retina. Two months later, a macular hole developed and visual acuity decreased to 20/100, for which a vitrectomy was planned as treatment. However, the macular hole spontaneously closed and visual acuity eventually recovered to 20/25. CONCLUSION: Our findings indicate that PFCL retained underneath the retina in the macular region can cause a macular hole, though spontaneous discharge may subsequently occur, leading to resolution.
ABSTRACT
PURPOSE: To investigate long-term results of vitrectomy for the removal of submacular hard exudates in patients with diabetic maculopathy. METHODS: Thirteen eyes of 10 patients with diabetic maculopathy underwent vitrectomy to remove submacular hard exudates from December 1993 to March 1999. The mean preoperative logMAR visual acuity +/- SD was 1.54 +/- 0.43. Preoperatively, the exudates ranged from 0.5 to 3 disk diameters (average, 1.25 disk diameters). Exudates were removed using subretinal forceps through a minimal paramacular retinotomy after vitrectomy. In all cases, 20% SF6 gas tamponade was added. The mean postoperative observation period was 43.2 months. RESULTS: Visual acuity was improved in 7 eyes (54%) 1 year after surgery; however, visual acuity over longer periods was improved in only 5 eyes (38%) as compared with the preoperative findings. The mean final visual acuity +/- SD was 1.62 +/- 0.59, which did not show statistically significant improvement over that in the control group. Although submacular hard exudates and macular edema disappeared during the postoperative period, atrophic or degenerative changes occurred in many cases. CONCLUSION: Visual improvement could not be obtained for a long period after removing submacular hard exudates in most of the patients, suggesting that diabetic maculopathy should be treated before massive exudate deposits appear in the macula.
Subject(s)
Diabetic Retinopathy/surgery , Macular Edema/surgery , Vitrectomy , Aged , Diabetic Retinopathy/complications , Exudates and Transudates , Female , Follow-Up Studies , Humans , Intraoperative Complications , Macular Edema/etiology , Male , Middle Aged , Postoperative Complications , Prognosis , Sulfur Hexafluoride/therapeutic use , Visual AcuityABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: A case of nonischemic central retinal vein occlusion, which developed severe neovascular complication after unsuccessful laser chorioretinal venous anastomosis is reported. CASE: The patient was a 50-year-old man with nonischemic central retinal vein occlusion of the right eye. Two weeks after laser chorioretinal venous anastomosis attempt, closure of the venous segment distal to the anastomotic sites occurred and a choroidovitreal neovascularization developed, so that vitreous surgery was needed 2 months after the laser attempt. CONCLUSION: Laser chorioretinal venous anastomosis should be used only on carefully selected patients, and close follow-up is needed after this treatment.
