Prevalence of vitreoschisis-induced vitreous cortex remnants over the peripheral retinal surface in eyes undergoing vitrectomy for primary rhegmatogenous retinal detachment.

PURPOSE: Unremoved vitreoschisis-induced vitreous cortex remnants over the peripheral retinal surface posterior to the vitreous base (pVCR) may increase the risk of surgical failure after primary rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD) repair. The purpose of this study was to validate our previous findings on pVCR prevalence during vitrectomy for RRD and to examine their association with proliferative vitreoretinopathy (PVR) and surgical failure. METHODS: Prospective observational multisurgeon study of 100 eyes of 100 consecutive patients who underwent vitrectomy for RRD by one of four vitreoretinal surgeons. Collected data included detected pVCR and known PVR risk factors. Pooled analysis with our previous retrospective study (251 eyes of 251 patients) was also performed. RESULTS: Initial PVR (≥C) was present and removed in 6/100 (6%) patients, pVCR were detected in 36/100 (36%) patients, pVCR were removed in 30/36 (83%) patients with pVCR, and 4/36 (11%) patients with pVCR were high myopes (≤-6D). Six per cent (6/100) developed a retinal redetachment, of which 3/6 (50%) had initial PVR (≥C). Surgical failure rates in eyes with and without pVCR were 17% (6/36) and 0% (0/64), respectively. In eyes with pVCR and surgical failure, pVCR were not or not completely removed during the first surgery. Overall analysis showed that pVCR were statistically significantly associated with PVR. CONCLUSIONS: This study confirms our previous findings: a pVCR prevalence of around 35% and an association between pVCR, PVR formation and surgical failure in patients undergoing vitrectomy for RRD. More research is needed to determine which patients would benefit most from pVCR removal.

Risk of Tertiary, Quaternary, and Quinary Proliferative Vitreoretinopathy: Analysis of a Nationwide Database (2010-2017).

OBJECTIVE: Primary proliferative vitreoretinopathy (PVR) is established as an important cause of the failed repair of a fresh retinal detachment (RD) and the consequent need for secondary repair. However, the burden of multiple repairs beyond the initial failure has not been studied in detail. We aimed to determine the association between primary PVR and the occurrence of tertiary, quaternary, and quinary RD repairs, using a nationwide database. DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study of insurance claims. SUBJECTS: Cases of rhegmatogenous RD that underwent primary surgical repair. METHODS: Cases of primary RD repair from 2010 to 2017 were categorized based on the absence (P0 group) or presence (P1 group) of primary PVR. In each group, we analyzed the frequency of subsequent RD repair procedures with concurrent PVR. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: The risk of secondary and higher multiples of PVR-associated RD repair. RESULTS: A total of 27 137 cases were included, with 24 500 (90.3%) in the P0 group and 2637 (9.7%) in the P1 group. The frequency (%) of cases ultimately requiring secondary, tertiary, quaternary, and quinary repair in P0 versus P1 was 1.88 versus 10.24 (P < 0.001), 0.26 versus 2.50 (P < 0.001), 0.07 versus 0.64 (P < 0.001), and 0.03 versus 0.08 (P = 0.272), respectively. The risk of undergoing secondary repair was higher in the P1 than in the P0 group (hazard ratio [HR], 6.02; 95% confidence interval [CI], 5.24-6.92; P < 0.001). The risk of undergoing tertiary repair was also higher in the P1 than in the P0 group (HR, 1.67; CI, 1.23-2.28; P = 0.001). There was no difference in the risk of undergoing quaternary repair between the groups (HR, 0.76; CI, 0.41-1.40; P = 0.37). Senary repairs were not detected in this dataset. CONCLUSIONS: Primary PVR may increase the risk of requiring multiple sequential retinal reattachment surgeries beyond the initial repair failure. Retinal detachment cases with primary PVR at the initial presentation of RD were more likely to undergo secondary and tertiary repairs than cases without primary PVR. Health care claims analysis may be a useful tool to study population-based estimates for multiple recurrences of RD in cases with PVR. FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE(S): Proprietary or commercial disclosure may be found after the references.

Associations between Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Gene Polymorphisms and Different Types of Diabetic Retinopathy Susceptibility: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

BACKGROUND: Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) gene polymorphisms have been shown to be associated with the risk of diabetic retinopathy (DR), but the results were inconsistent. The aim of this study was to systematically assess the associations between VEGF gene polymorphisms and different types of DR (nonproliferative DR and proliferative DR). METHODS: Electronic databases PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, CNKI, and WANFANG DATA were searched for articles on the associations between VEGF gene polymorphisms and different types of DR up to November 6, 2019. Pooled odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated, and subgroup analyses were conducted by ethnicity. Sensitivity analysis was conducted to assess the stability of the results. Publication bias was assessed by using the Egger regression asymmetry test and visualization of funnel plots. A systematic review was conducted for polymorphisms with a high degree of heterogeneity (I 2 > 75%) or studied in only one study. RESULTS: A total of 13 and 18 studies analyzed the associations between VEGF SNPs and nonproliferative DR (NPDR) as well as proliferative DR (PDR), respectively. There were significant associations between rs2010963 and NPDR in Asian (dominant model: OR = 1.29, 95%CI = 1.04 - 1.60); and rs2010963 is associated with PDR in total population (dominant model: OR = 1.20, 95%CI = 1.03 - 1.41), either Asian (recessive model: OR = 1.57, 95%CI = 1.04 - 2.35) or Caucasian (recessive model: OR = 1.83, 95%CI = 1.28 - 2.63). Rs833061 is associated with PDR in Asian (recessive model: OR = 1.58, 95%CI = 1.11 - 2.26). Rs699947 is associated with NPDR in the total population (dominant model: OR = 2.04, 95%CI = 1.30 - 3.21) and associated with PDR in Asian (dominant model: OR = 1.72, 95%CI = 1.05 - 2.84). CONCLUSIONS: Rs2010963, rs833061, and rs699947 are associated with NPDR or PDR, which may be involved in the occurrence and development of DR.

Frequency of retinal re-detachment after removal of silicone oil Tamponade in cases of proliferative vitreoretinopathy.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the frequency of retinal re-detachment (reRD) following silicone oil removal (SOR) in patients who had undergone pars planavitrectomy for treatment of Proliferative vitreoretinopathy (PVR) detachment. METHODS: A total of fifty (50) patients with diagnosis of PVR in LRBT hospital Lahore were selected within a duration of 12 months from April-2018 to April-2019 for this prospective observational study. Patients of rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RD) who underwent vitrectomy using temporary SO tamponade and had completely attached retina at the time of SOR, were included. SOR was done via 3 ports pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) using EVA DORC machine. In 20 patients, scleral buckling (SB) was also done alongwith vitrectomy procedure. After SOR all patients were followed up for 6 months to determine the frequency of retinal re-detachment. RESULTS: There was male pre-dominance with 30 (60%) of total proportion. There were 26 (52%) patients who had a grade C PVR (C1), 18 (32%) had grade B PVR. The retinal re detachment was found in 2 (4.0%) patients out of 50 patients. In comparison of retinal re-detachment, there was no case of retinal redetachment in patients with SB and re-detachment occurred in 2 (6.6%) out of 30 patients in whom SB was not done (p-value 0.51). CONCLUSIONS: The rate of retinal re-detachment after silicone oil removal (SOR) was 4.0%. Implantation of SB at the time of PPV is associated with lower risk of retinal re detachment after vitrectomy in patients of Proliferative vitreoretinopathy (PVR).

[Profile of neovascular glaucoma in Senegalese patients]. / Profil du glaucome néovasculaire chez les patients sénégalais.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the etiologies, clinical presentation and therapeutic management of neovascular glaucoma (NVG) in Senegalese patients. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We retrospectively studied the records of patients followed for NVG between 1993 and 2016. We included eyes with Iridis rubeosis with or without ocular hypertension. We recorded age, sex, medical and ophthalmologic history, results of the eye examination, treatment modalities broken up into hospitalisation, procedural interventions and number of antiglaucoma medications prescribed. The data analysis was performed by epi-info 7. RESULTS: Forty-eight eyes of 44 patients were included. The mean age was 59.7 years and sex ratio 2.1. Etiologies were type 2 diabetes in 31.8 % cases and central retinal vein occlusion in 16.6 % cases. All eyes were blind. Eye pain was present in 75 % of eyes, a limbal flush in 29.1 % of eyes and mydriasis in 31.25 % of eyes. Mean intraocular pressure was 49.7mmHg. Corneal edema occured in 54.1 % of eyes. Fundus examination showed proliferative retinopathy in 14.5 %. Treatment required hospitalisation for 43.75 % of patients. Therapeutic procedures were cyclocryoapplication for 31.25 % of eyes, retrobulbar xylo-alcohol injection for 14.5 % of eyes and panretinal laser photocoagulation (PRP) for 12.5 % eyes. Antiglaucoma preparations were used in dual therapy for 29 % of eyes, in triple therapy and quadruple therapy for 25 % of eyes each. DISCUSSION: The etiologies are comparable to those described in the literature. The diagnosis was late and treatment limited by adverse economic conditions. CONCLUSION: NVG in Senegalese patients is an affection of men in their sixties. It is responsible for irreversible painful blindness for which treatment is difficult - thus the interest in prevention by strict monitoring and prompt treatment of any retinal ischemia.

ASSOCIATION STUDY BETWEEN POLYMORPHISMS OF THE p53 AND LYMPHOTOXIN ALPHA (LTA) GENES AND THE RISK OF PROLIFERATIVE VITREORETINOPATHY/RETINAL DETACHMENT IN A MEXICAN POPULATION.

PURPOSE: To report the results of an association study between single-nucleotide polymorphisms of the p53 and LTA genes and the risk of proliferative vitreoretinopathy (PVR)/retinal detachment (RD) in a Mexican cohort. METHODS: A total of 380 unrelated subjects were studied, including 98 patients with primary rhegmatogenous RD without PVR, 82 patients with PVR after RD surgery, and 200 healthy, ethnically matched subjects. Genotyping of single-nucleotide polymorphisms rs1042522 (p53 gene) and rs2229094 (LTA gene) was performed by direct nucleotide sequencing. Allele frequencies, genotype frequencies, and Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium were assessed with HaploView software. RESULTS: No significant differences in the allelic distributions of the previously identified risk C allele for LTA rs2229094 were observed between RD subjects and controls (odds ratio [95% confidence interval] = 0.8 [0.5-1.2]; P = 0.3). Conversely, the C allele for rs1042522 in p53 was positively associated with an increased risk for RD (odds ratio [95% confidence interval] = 1.4 [1.01-1.9]; P = 0.04). No significant differences were observed when the subgroup of 82 RD + PVR subjects was compared with the subgroup of 98 patients with RD. CONCLUSION: The C allele for rs1042522 in p53 was genetically associated with a higher risk for RD but not for PVR in this cohort. This is the first association study attempting replication of PVR-associated risk alleles in a nonwhite population.

Physical activity and its correlation to diabetic retinopathy.

PURPOSE: The lack of physical activity, along with obesity, smoking, hypertension and hyperglycaemia are considered as risk factors for the occurrence of diseases such as diabetes. Primary objective of the study was to investigate potential correlation between physical activity and diabetic retinopathy. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Three hundred and twenty patients were included in the study: 240 patients with diabetes type 2 (80 patients with mild to moderate non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy, 80 patients with severe to very severe non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy and 80 ones with proliferative diabetic retinopathy) were compared with 80 non-diabetic patients (control group). Physical activity of patients was assessed by the international physical activity questionnaire (IPAQ, 2002). HbA1c and BMI were also measured in diabetic patients. Group comparisons were attempted for levels of physical activity and sedentary behavior. RESULTS: Total physical activity was decreased in patients with severe to very severe non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy and proliferative diabetic retinopathy as compared to patients with mild to moderate non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy and to the control group (p<0.05). Significant negative correlation was detected between HbA1c levels, BMI and physical activity (both p<0.05). Moreover, significant negative correlation between the severity of diabetic retinopathy and physical activity has been demonstrated (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Increased physical activity is associated with less severe levels of diabetic retinopathy, independent of the effects of HbA1c and BMI.

Validity of aqueous flare measurement in predicting proliferative vitreoretinopathy in patients with rhegmatogenous retinal detachment.

PURPOSE: To investigate aqueous flare as a preoperative predictor for later proliferative vitreoretinopathy (PVR) development in patients with rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RD) and to determine the validity of this measurement in patients at low clinical risk for postoperative PVR. METHODS: This study included 100 eyes of 100 patients who underwent surgery for primary RD. Aqueous flare was determined preoperatively with a laser flare-cell meter (Kowa FM-500, Kowa Company Ltd, Tokyo, Japan). Patients were followed for at least 6 months postoperatively. Failures related to PVR were recorded for statistical analysis. RESULTS: Twenty eyes (20%) developed PVR postoperatively. Preoperative flare values in these eyes were significantly higher than in eyes with no redetachment (48.12 ± 61.24 versus 17.74 ± 29.63 photon counts per millisecond (pc/ms), p = 0.002). The odds ratio for PVR development with flare values >15 pc/ms was 12.3 (p < 0.0001, 95% confidence interval, 3.54-42.59). Of 54 eyes at low clinical risk for postoperative PVR, five developed PVR postoperatively. Flare values were significantly higher in these eyes (25.30 ± 7.10 pc/ms) than in eyes with no redetachment (12.44 ± 10.16 pc/ms, p = 0.008). Using logistic regression, the odds ratio of PVR redetachment risk increased by the factor 1.078 per 1 pc/ms of flare value (95% CI, 1.01-1.15). CONCLUSION: Preoperative aqueous flare is a strong predictive factor for PVR redetachment. The laser flare-cell meter provides a fast and safe tool to accurately identify patients at risk for postoperative PVR, especially when clinical examination did not predict this risk.

SMOKING IS A RISK FACTOR FOR PROLIFERATIVE VITREORETINOPATHY AFTER TRAUMATIC RETINAL DETACHMENT.

PURPOSE: To determine the incidence of retinal redetachment due to proliferative vitreoretinopathy after open-globe trauma in smokers and nonsmokers. METHODS: A total of 892 patients comprising 893 open-globe injuries, in whom 255 eyes were diagnosed with a retinal detachment, and 138 underwent surgical repair were analyzed in a retrospective case-control study. Time to redetachment was examined using the Kaplan-Meier method and analysis of risk factors was analyzed using Cox proportional hazards modeling. RESULTS: Within one year after retinal detachment surgery, 47% (95% CI, 39-56%) of all 138 repaired retinas redetached because of proliferative vitreoretinopathy. Being a smoker was associated with a higher rate of detachment (adjusted hazard ratio 1.96, P = 0.01). As shown in previous studies, the presence of proliferative vitreoretinopathy at the time of surgery was also an independent risk factor for failure (adjusted hazard ratio 2.13, P = 0.005). Treatment with vitrectomy-buckle compared favorably to vitrectomy alone (adjusted hazard ratio 0.58, P = 0.04). Only 8% of eyes that redetached achieved a best-corrected visual acuity of 20/200 or better, in comparison to 44% of eyes that did not redetach (P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Proliferative vitreoretinopathy is a common complication after the repair of retinal detachment associated with open-globe trauma, and being a smoker is a risk factor for redetachment. Further study is needed to understand the pathophysiologic mechanisms underlying this correlation.

Global DNA methylation as a possible biomarker for diabetic retinopathy.

BACKGROUND: We evaluated whether global levels of DNA methylation status were associated with retinopathy as well as providing a predictive role of DNA methylation in developing retinopathy in a case-control study of 168 patients with type 2 diabetes. METHODS: The 5-methylcytosine content was assessed by reversed-phase high-pressure liquid chromatography of peripheral blood leukocytes to determine an individual's global DNA methylation status in the two groups, either with or without retinopathy. RESULTS: The global DNA methylation levels were significantly higher in diabetic retinopathy patients compared with those in non-retinopathy patients (4.90 ± 0.12 vs. 4.22 ± 0.13, respectively; p = 0.001). There was a significant increasing trend in global DNA methylation levels in terms of progressing retinopathy (without retinopathy, 4.22 ± 0.13; non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy, 4.62 ± 0.17; proliferative diabetic retinopathy, 5.07 ± 0.21) (p = 0.006). Additionally, global DNA methylation independent of retinopathy risk factors, which include dyslipidaemia, hypertension, hyperglycaemia and duration of diabetes, was a predictive factor for retinopathy (OR = 1.53, p = 0.015). CONCLUSIONS: Global DNA methylation is modulated during or possibly before the primary stage of diabetes. This observation verifies the metabolic memory effect of hyperglycaemia in early stage of an aetiological process that leads to type 2 diabetes and its associated complications.

[Scleral buckling for inferior rhegmatogenous retinal detachments]. / Les décollements de rétine rhegmatogènes inférieurs traités par cryo-indentation.

PURPOSE: To investigate the epidemiological, clinical, therapeutic and prognostic factors in cases of inferior rhegmatogenous retinal detachments (RD) treated by scleral buckling surgery. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A retrospective chart review was performed on 45 patients (45 eyes) with inferior RD with only inferior tears (4:00-8:00), who had been treated by scleral buckling surgery over a 6-year period from 2006 to 2011. The parameters studied included patient demographics, refractive status, time until consultation, clinical exam data, treatment modalities and functional and anatomic results. RESULTS: Forty-five cases were included in this study (45 eyes), with an average patient age of 44.5 years (14 to 75 years) and a slight male predominance (56%). Myopia was observed in 60%. Mean time until consultation was 3.5 months. Visual acuity on admission was less than 1/10 in 53.33%. Macular detachment was found in 80%. Causative lesions were holes in 26 eyes. Proliferative vitreoretinopathy was essentially stage B in 48.9%. Scleral buckling surgery was performed in all patients, with drainage of subretinal fluid in 37.8%. Retinal reattachment was obtained in 36 eyes (80%) with a final visual acuity greater than or equal to 1/10 in 71.11%. The mean follow-up in our study was 6.62 months. CONCLUSION: Inferior retinal detachment has a predilection for young myopes. The time until consultation is often long, and extraocular surgery, although difficult, exhibits documented efficacy.

There is no relation between the occurrence of proliferative vitreoretinopathy and the location of the donor site after transplantation of a free autologous retinal pigment epithelium-choroid graft.

PURPOSE: A free autologous retinal pigment epithelium (RPE)-choroid graft can be harvested during transplantation surgery from a 6 or 12 o'clock site in the midperiphery. This study evaluated whether proliferative vitreoretinopathy (PVR) occurs more frequently in patients with an inferior donor site retinotomy, which is not closed by the tamponade and is in contact with the hydrophilic, pro-inflammatory and fibrotic environment, than in patients with a superior donor site retinotomy. METHODS: Retrospective analysis of a prospective cohort of 246 patients with exudative age-related macular degeneration treated with an RPE-choroid graft transplantation and a lighter-than-water, 5000 centistoke silicone oil endotamponade. The location of the donor site, the presence or absence of PVR development and the location of PVR were noted. The two-tailed Fisher's exact test was used for statistical analysis. RESULTS: Thirty-nine of 246 (15.9%) patients developed PVR, of whom 35 had a superior donor site and four an inferior donor site. Of the 209 patients without PVR, 155 had a superior donor site and 25 had an inferior one. For 27 patients, no donor site location was explicitly documented in the patient files. We found no difference between the groups with a superior or inferior donor site and the occurrence of PVR (p=0.8). CONCLUSION: Shifting the inflammatory aqueous milieu away from the graft donor site does not prevent the occurrence of PVR.

Vitreo-retinal disorders at high altitude in Nepal.

INTRODUCTION: Nepal has many mountains including the highest one in the world. People living in high altitude are often involved in climbing mountains. OBJECTIVE: To explore the pattern of vitreo-retinal disorders at high altitude in Nepal. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Consecutive patients aged 40 years and older who presented at the micro-surgical eye camp at Lukla of Solukhumbu district (2,860 metres) were included. Detailed ocular and systemic histories and ocular examination including dilated fundus evaluation were done. RESULTS: There were a total 81 patients with the mean age of 56.7 years (S.D 11.15). Females (51.9 %) outnumbered males. Sherpa comprised of 76.5 % followed by Rai (9.8 %). The main occupation was agriculture (51.9 %) followed by mountain trekking (28.4 %). Smokers comprised of 13.5 %. Hypertension was the predominant systemic problem (28 %). The best corrected visual acuity of 6/18 and better was found in 86.4 % of cases and less than 3/ 60 in 3.6 % of cases. Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) was found in 19.6 % of cases with a predominant mild AMD (16 %), hypertensive retinopathy in 12.2 %, with grade I hypertensive change in 8.6 %, retinal vein occlusion (RVO) in 7.1 % of cases and with a branch RVO in 4.9 %. Dilated and tortuous retinal vessels were present in 25.9 % of cases; out of this, 9.8 % of the cases had concurrent AMD and/or hypertensive retinopathy. Other retinal problems were macular hole (2.46 %), solar retinopathy (2.46 %) and choroidal tear (1.2 %). CONCLUSION: AMD, hypertensive retinopathy, and RVO are the main vitreo-retinal disorders besides the dilated and tortuous retinal vessels in people living at high altitude in Nepal.

Protection from sickle cell retinopathy is associated with elevated HbF levels and hydroxycarbamide use in children.

Elevated foetal haemoglobin (HbF) levels are protective against some manifestations of sickle cell anaemia but the impact on retinopathy is unknown. We report on 123 children with HbSS, 10.6% of whom developed retinopathy. Independent of hydroxycarbamide, children with a HbF <15% had 7.1-fold (95% confidence interval, 1.5-33.6) higher odds of developing retinopathy. In children treated with hydroxycarbamide, those with retinopathy had lower HbF levels compared to children without retinopathy (9% vs. 16%; P = 0.005). We report a protective benefit of elevated HbF regarding retinopathy, and our data suggests induction of HbF with hydroxycarbamide may prevent retinopathy in children.

[Long-term use of silicone oil: indications and tolerance]. / Tamponnement prolongé par huile de silicone: indications et tolérance.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to analyze the indications and the effect of permanently maintaining silicone oil in the treatment of certain cases of vitreoretinal pathology. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Twenty-seven cases seen from January 2002 to December 2008 were retrospectively studied. Silicone oil was kept in the eyes for more than 2years. The surgical file was analyzed in all cases. The evaluation criteria were ocular pressure, emulsification, cataract, corneal dystrophy, and the functional response of the retina and optic nerve. Ultrasound echography (12 MHz), magnetic resonance imaging, and electrophysiological explorations (visual evoked potential and electroretinography) were performed. RESULTS: Twenty-seven eyes of 27 patients were included in this study. The main reasons for maintaining long-term silicone oil are recurrent vitreous hemorrhage, retinal detachment with severe proliferative vitreoretinopathy, and penetrating injury. The patients were distributed into two groups: group 1 included patients with both functional and anatomic failure, group 2 patients had achieved ambulatory vision. Follow-up ranged from 27 to 72months. Cataract incidence was approximately 91% in group 2. Emulsification was noted without high pressure in 50% of the cases in group 1. High pressure averaged 31.8% in group 2. Keratopathy was observed in 9% of the cases in group 2. Intraorbital migration of silicone oil was found in one case. The visual field was improved in 77% of the cases in group 2. CONCLUSION: This study provided interesting insights into certain clinical situations in which silicone oil has to be maintained permanently. The complications stem not only from the presence of silicone oil, but also from the preoperative status of the eye and the vitreoretinal surgery.

[Diabetic retinopathy screening and teleophthalmology]. / Cribado de retinopatía diabética y teleoftalmología.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence of diabetic retinopathy (DR) and evaluate our experience in DR screening in a study carried out between the Ophthalmology Department of the University General Hospital of Alicante and Department 19 Primary Care of Alicante by using a non-retinal mydriatic camera and telemedicine. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A descriptive, cross-sectional study was conducted on 2,435 diabetic patients from 1 February 2006 to 1 February 2009. Three 45° retinographies of both eyes of each patient were obtained and sent to the Department of Ophthalmology via the hospital intranet. These were then evaluated by 2 ophthalmologists, experts in the retina, with each issuing an individualized report for each patient. RESULTS: The prevalence of DR was 17.90%, with 80.73% of them having mild-moderate proliferative DR, 12.16% severe non-proliferative DR, 2.29% proliferative DR, and 4.82% with diabetic maculopathy associated with any level of retinopathy. The retinographies were considered low quality in 41 patients (1.69%). CONCLUSIONS: We highlight the benefits of the tele-ophthalmology in screening diabetic patients to enable early diagnosis and treatment, and improving the circuit of communication between primary and specialist care.

Sensorineural hearing loss--a common finding in early-onset type 2 diabetes mellitus.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the prevalence and potential associations of hearing impairment in patients 30 to 50 years old with diabetes diagnosed before age 40 years-early-onset type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). METHODS: The study cohorts consisted of 46 consecutive patients with early-onset T2DM and 47 age-matched control subjects with rheumatoid arthritis. All study subjects completed clinical, serologic, and auditory assessments. RESULTS: The patients with T2DM had a mean age of 42 ± 6 years and a mean disease duration of 11 ± 6 years. Microalbuminuria was present in 26.1%, proliferative retinopathy in 26.1%, and symptomatic peripheral neuropathy in 23.9%. The prevalence of unilateral or bilateral hearing loss was significantly higher in the patients with T2DM than in the patients with rheumatoid arthritis (21.7% versus 6.4%, respectively; P = .01). Most cases of hearing loss were mild and involved high or acute tones. After multivariate analysis with adjustment for age, there was a significant association between hearing loss and hemoglobin A1c (odds ratio, 1.3; 95% confidence interval, 1.02 to 1.81; P = .035). In the patients with T2DM, the lengthening of the brainstem response was not significantly increased; however, the wave morphologic features were abnormal and the reproducibility was poor in both ears in 11 patients (24%). CONCLUSION: Patients with early-onset T2DM and poor glycemic control have an increased prevalence of subclinical hearing loss and impaired auditory brainstem responses. Hearing impairment may be an underrecognized complication of diabetes.

A propensity score matching application: indications and results of adding scleral buckle to vitrectomy: The Retina 1 Project: Report 3.

PURPOSE: To identify the indications and differences in outcomes for adding a scleral buckle (SB) to pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) in a prospective series of rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RD) by using propensity score matching (PSM) to analyze causal effects in observational studies. METHODS: Data were collected from the Retina 1 Project, a prospective, interventional, nonrandomized study of consecutive RDs. Case selection was based upon treatment with PPV or PPV+SB. Surgeons followed personal criteria for the inclusion of SB in the PPV. Propensity score matching corrected for selection biases. Outcomes were assessed by anatomic and visual criteria and the development of proliferative vitreoretinopathy. RESULTS: Of 523 patients analyzed, 251 had PPV and 272 had PPV+SB. Surgeons used PPV+SB more frequently in younger patients with RD, in those with posterior or unidentified breaks, in phakic eyes, in eyes with the posterior vitreous attached, and for more extended RDs. Overall single surgery anatomic success rate was 86.4%. Based on PSM, there were no difference in reattachment rates of the PPV group, 86.9%, and the PPV+SB group, 85.93%. The incidence of PVR was similar in both groups, with 8.5% in the PPV group and 10.5% in the PPV+SB group. CONCLUSIONS: Data from the Retina 1 Project established the indications for adding SB to PPV in treating primary RD in this series. No anatomic or visual differences between PPV and PPV+SB were found.