Effect of ultraviolet B radiation on the absorption characteristics of various intraocular lenses.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to determine the effect of ultraviolet B (UVB) exposure on UV filters of various intraocular lenses (IOLs). METHODS: Eight samples each of the hydrophobic acrylic, hydrophilic acrylic and silicone IOLs were used. Four IOLs of each type was selected randomly as the control group while the remaining four IOLs of each type were exposed to a UVB dose of 1.4 J/cm(2) (2.40 mW/cm(2)) for 9.45 min, two times with a 4-week interval. IOLs were evaluated for any sign of opacification under microscope weekly. After a follow-up period of 16 weeks, spectrometry for UV filter absorption rates, scanning electron microscopy for deposit formation and energy dispersive X-ray analysis for elemental composition were performed for all IOLs, and findings of the control group IOLs were compared with those of the UVB-exposed IOLs. All these procedures were done at the Department of Ophthalmology, Faculty of Medicine, Dokuz Eylul University. RESULTS: All the IOLs were free of any opacification during the follow-up period. Spectrometric analysis of their UV filters revealed a change in absorption rates in the hydrophilic acrylic and silicone IOLs compared to the control IOLs of the same type. Only the hydrophobic acrylic IOLs preserved the same UV absorption curve after UVB exposure. CONCLUSION: The pathogenesis of IOL opacification is still undetermined. Some reports claimed that the UV light was the responsible factor. Our experimental study revealed that high doses of UVB did not cause any opacification though they impaired the function of UV filters of the hydrophilic acrylic and silicone IOLs.

Staining of vitreous with triamcinolone acetonide in retained lens surgery with phacofragmentation.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the beneficial effects of triamcinolone-assisted vitrectomy during management of retained nuclei with phacofragmentation. SETTING: Dokuz Eylul University, Medical Faculty, Ophthalmology Department, and Retina Eye Center, Izmir, Turkey. METHODS: Twelve eyes of 12 patients were operated on between January 2002 and September 2003. Eleven patients were referred because of nucleus drop during phacoemulsification surgery. Six of these patients had mature white cataracts, and in 5 cases total nucleus luxation into vitreous cavity had occurred. In 1 case, approximately half of the nucleus was luxated. Five of the referred patients had pseudoexfoliation (PEX), 3 of whom also had phacodonesis. All of these patients had luxated nucleus segments of more than half. One patient was referred with an intraocular lens (IOL) implanted in the sulcus region. One patient who was not referred also had PEX, iridodonesis, and phacodonesis; total drop of nucleus had occurred in this case. All patients were treated with pars plana vitrectomy with triamcinolone acetonide staining of the vitreous material and phacofragmentation of the dropped nucleus segments. In 2 cases, transscleral foldable IOL fixation surgery was combined simultaneously. One patient already had an IOL at the time of referral. Nine patients were left aphakic for secondary procedures. RESULTS: All patients except 1 with subretinal neovascular membrane achieved best corrected visual acuities of equal or better than 0.5. No intraoperative or postoperative retinal complications were observed after 9 to 15 months of follow-up. CONCLUSION: Staining of the vitreous material with triamcinolone acetonide during vitrectomy and phacofragmentation surgery for luxated nuclei helped in total removal of the vitreous body, thus preventing the aspiration of peripheral vitreous fibrils by the phaco tip, which might induce retinal detachment intraoperatively or postoperatively.

Transscleral fixation of foldable intraocular lenses.

PURPOSE: To report the results of transscleral implantation of foldable intraocular lenses (IOLs). SETTING: Department of Ophthalmology Dokuz Eylül University School of Medicine, Izmir, Turkey. METHODS: Twenty eyes of 20 patients had transscleral fixation of a foldable IOL combined with conventional 3-port pars plana vitrectomy or anterior vitrectomy. Twelve eyes had lens luxation, 8 traumatic and 4 idiopathic. Six eyes were aphakic, 3 after extracapsular cataract extraction and 3 as a result of complicated phacoemulsification. One patient with a mature cataract and pseudoexfoliation had a wide zonular dialysis during phacoemulsification. One patient had an opacified hydrophilic acrylic IOL. RESULTS: The mean age of the patients was 52.9 years (range 17 to 80 years). The mean preoperative best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) was 20/63 (range counting fingers to 20/25). The mean preoperative refraction was +10.8 diopters (D) (range +10 to +13 D) and the mean preoperative astigmatism, 1.8 D (range 1.0 to 5.5 D). Sixteen IOLs were hydrophobic acrylic, 14 of which were 3-piece AcrySof MA60BM (Alcon) and 2 of which were Sensar AR40 (Allergan). Four IOLs, all VisaAcryl(Staar), were hydrophilic acrylic. The mean power of the IOLs was +22.0 D (range 19.0 to 26.0 D). The mean follow-up was 12 months (range 1 to 18 months). The postoperative BCVA ranged between 20/100 and 20/20, and the mean postoperative astigmatism was 1.1 D (range 0.5 to 4.0 D) at the last follow-up visit. The difference was statistically significant (P<.05). Suture exposure and cystoid macular edema were the only complications, each occurring in 2 eyes. CONCLUSION: Transscleral fixation of foldable IOLs takes less time and results in fewer complications and better visual outcomes.

Surgical management of postoperative endophthalmitis: comparison of 2 techniques.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the results of 2 surgical techniques in eyes with postoperative endophthalmitis. SETTING: Department of Ophthalmology, Dokuz Eylul University, School of Medicine, Izmir, Turkey. METHODS: Twenty-four eyes with endophthalmitis after cataract surgery had vitrectomy as an initial procedure according to the Endophthalmitis Vitrectomy Study (EVS) criteria (Group 1, n = 24). These eyes were compared with 28 eyes that had total pars plana vitrectomy with an encircling band, silicone tamponade, and endolaser (Group 2, n = 28). The visual and anatomical outcomes and the need for additional procedures (repeat vitrectomy) were evaluated in the 2 groups. RESULTS: In Group 1, 6 eyes (25.0%) had an additional procedure, 3 eyes (12.5%) had phthisis, and 21 eyes (87.5%) had successful surgery. In Group 2, no eye had an additional procedure, 1 eye (3.5%) had phthisis, and 27 eyes (96.4%) had successful surgery. The number of additional procedures was significantly less and the rate of surgical success was significantly higher in Group 2 than in Group 1 (P<.01). CONCLUSION: Despite the poor visual prognosis of endophthalmitis surgery, more radical intervention can increase the chance of surgical success and decrease the number of additional procedures in eyes with postoperative endophthalmitis.

The role of needle revision and 5-fluorouracil application over the filtration site in the management of bleb failure after trabeculectomy: a prospective study.

Fifty-three eyes of 49 consecutive patients with an intraocular pressure (IOP) over 21 mmHg; without bleb or with a thick, flat bleb after the second postoperative week following trabeculectomy were included in the study. Needle revision was performed with a 26-gauge tuberculin syringe containing 5 mg (0.2 ml) 5-FU in a period of 2 weeks to 10 months postoperatively after unsuccessful digital massage and/or laser suture-lysis. 5-FU injection was not performed when a bleb formation was observed during needling. In case of no bleb formation, 5-FU was injected subconjunctivally over the scleral flap area and repeated a maximum of six times until a functioning bleb was maintained. Needle revision was successful in 14 of 53 eyes (26.4%) as an initial procedure and nine (16.9%) eyes maintained success. Forty-four eyes (83.1%) had 5-FU injection since needle revision did not provide bleb formation (39 eyes) or did not maintain initial success (five eyes). Mean IOP was 27.8+/-4.7 mmHg (range, 22-41) before any intervention and decreased to 20.5+/-4.8 mmHg (range, 8-35) after a mean follow-up of 25.1 months and the difference was statistically significant (p<0.001). Mean IOP after needle revision in 14 patients was 18.9+/-4.9 mmHg (range, 8-29) and 16.3+/-3.7 mmHg in nine out of 14 patients that maintained success. Mean IOP after the last 5-FU injection was 21.4+/-4.6 mmHg (range, 13 to approximately 35 mmHg). The mean number of 5-FU injections was 2.4 (range, 1-6). During a mean follow-up of 25.1 months (range, 1-48 months), three eyes (5.7%) had diffuse corneal punctate epitheliopathy lasting for 3-4 weeks and subconjunctival hemorrhage was seen in nine eyes (17%). Needle revision and/or subconjunctival injection of 5-FU over the bleb area is a safe, relatively efficient approach with a low rate of complications to overcome the early and mid term bleb failure after trabeculectomy.

Indocyanine green angiography in Bietti's crystalline retinopathy.

BACKGROUND: To our knowledge, the indocyanine green (ICG) angiographic features of Bietti's crystalline retinopathy have been described in a single case only. We report the ICG angiographic findings in four patients with Bietti's crystalline retinopathy and compare them with the fluorescein angiographic findings. METHODS: Review of the records of four patients with Bietti's crystalline retinopathy, three of whom were from a single consanguineous family. Fluorescein and ICG angiography were performed with the Heidelberg scanning laser ophthalmoscope. RESULTS: The ICG angiographic findings varied according to the stage of the disease. In the early stages no retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) alterations or choriocapillaris loss were noted. In advanced cases there was extensive chorioretinal atrophy. Most notably, intraretinal crystals did not exhibit fluorescence/cyanescence and had no masking effect on fluorescein or ICG angiography. In all cases angiography showed hypofluorescent/hypocyanescent dots, most likely corresponding to RPE alterations adjacent to atrophic areas. INTERPRETATION: ICG angiography does not give additional information in Bietti's crystalline retinopathy and probably is not superior to fluorescein angiography. However, it delineates the atrophic areas slightly better than does fluorescein angiography.