Injectable alginate-based in situ self-healable transparent hydrogel as a vitreous substitute with a tamponading function.

Retinal detachment and other vision-threatening disorders often necessitate vitreous body removal and tamponade injection for retina stabilization. Current clinical tamponades such as silicone oil and expansile gases have drawbacks, including patient discomfort and the need for secondary surgery. We introduce a transparent alginate-phenylboronic acid/polyvinyl alcohol composite hydrogel (TALPPH) as a novel vitreous substitute with tamponading capabilities. In vitro physicochemical, rheological, and optical characterization of in situ self-healable TALPPH was performed, and long-term biocompatibility was assessed in a rabbit model of vitrectomy retinal detachment. In vivo evaluations confirmed TALPPH's ability to inhibit retinal detachment recurrence and preserve rabbit vision without adverse effects. TALPPH's close resemblance to the natural vitreous body suggests potential as a vitreous tamponade substitute for future ophthalmological applications.

Early-scatter laser photocoagulation promotes the formation of collateral vessels in branch retinal vein occlusion.

PURPOSE: To investigate the effect of early-scatter laser photocoagulation on the formation of collateral vessels in branch retinal vein occlusion. METHODS: The medical records of 40 cases (40 patients) of branch retinal vein occlusion with macular edema were retrospectively reviewed. Of them, 23 patients were treated with intravitreal bevacizumab injection and 17 patients underwent intravitreal bevacizumab injection with additional laser treatment. Early-scatter laser photocoagulation was applied for capillary non-perfusion areas, regardless of retinal neovascularization. Collateral vessel presence, recurrence rate of macular edema, and number of intravitreal bevacizumab injections were compared between the groups. RESULTS: During the follow-up period, collateral vessel formation was noted in 10/23 eyes (43.5%) in the intravitreal bevacizumab injection group and 15/17 eyes (88.2%) in the laser combined treatment group (p = 0.004). The recurrence rate of macular edema was lower in the laser combined treatment group (29.4%) than in the intravitreal bevacizumab injection group (65.2%); this difference was statistically significant (p = 0.025). The average numbers of intravitreal bevacizumab injections were 3.57 ± 3.23 in the intravitreal bevacizumab group and 2.14 ± 2.26 in the laser combined treatment group (p = 0.044). CONCLUSION: Early-scatter laser photocoagulation promotes collateral vessel formation; the presence of collateral vessels seemed to affect the course of macular edema in branch retinal vein occlusion. Combined early-scatter laser photocoagulation treatment after intravitreal bevacizumab injection lowered the recurrence rate of macular edema and number of intravitreal bevacizumab injections in the cases of branch retinal vein occlusion.

Effects of upper lid blepharoplasty on visual quality in patients with lash ptosis and dermatochalasis.

AIM: To assess the effects of upper lid blepharoplasty on visual quality. METHODS: Seventy-three eyelids of 39 patients were subjected to upper lid blepharoplasty. Pre- and post-operative contrast sensitivity, visual acuity, vertical palpebral aperture and the degree of lash ptosis were measured. RESULTS: The mean log contrast sensitivities under photopic (P=0.017) and scotopic conditions (P=0.009) were improved after surgery, and these differences were significant. The degree of lash ptosis was also decreased after blepharoplasty (P<0.001). CONCLUSION: In our study, a significant increase in contrast sensitivity was found after surgery. These results suggest that upper lid blepharoplasty can be helpful for improving visual quality.

Effect of a topical nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory agent (0.1 % pranoprofen) on acute central serous chorioretinopathy.

PURPOSE: To investigate the effects of topical pranoprofen 0.1 % on acute central serous chorioretinopathy (CSC). METHODS: The medical records of 52 cases (52 patients) of CSC were retrospectively reviewed. Twenty-six patients were treated with topical pranoprofen 0.1 % (treatment group) and 26 patients did not receive treatment (control group). Baseline and follow-up values for visual acuity, subfoveal choroidal thickness (SCT), subretinal fluid (SRF) maximum height, and central macular thickness (CMT) were examined and compared between groups. RESULTS: In the treatment group, mean SCT decreased from 365.5 ± 52.9 µm at baseline to 288.9 ± 36.1 µm at 6 months after initiation of treatment (p = 0.005). Both SRF maximum height and CMT were also decreased from baseline at 1 month (SRF maximum height, baseline: 221.5 ± 108.4, 1 month: 97.7 ± 54.3 µm, p = 0.002; CMT, baseline: 403.9 ± 114.6, 1 month: 270.1 ± 37.9 µm, p = 0.003). In the control group, SCT decreased throughout the follow-up period, but the change was not significant. Subretinal fluid maximum height and CMT were significantly decreased after 3 months in the control group (SRF, baseline: 265.4 ± 112.4 µm, 6 months: 64.8 ± 116.9 µm, p = 0.005; CMT, baseline: 459.1 ± 104.9 µm, 6 months: 304.6 ± 92.8 µm, p < 0.001). Visual acuity was improved from baseline in both groups after 6 months, but the improvement was only significant in the treatment group (p = 0.002). The rate of disease recurrence was lower in the treatment group (23 %) than in the control group (38 %), but this difference between groups was not statistically significant (p = 0.229, chi-square test). CONCLUSIONS: Topical pranoprofen 0.1 % was effective in treating acute CSC, as demonstrated by an increase in visual acuity and a decrease in SRF, SCT, and CMT after treatment. These results suggest that topical pranoprofen 0.1 % may be useful in treating patients with acute CSC.

Reduction in Rectus Muscle Recession Depending on the Distance Between Rectus Muscle Suture Placement and Scleral Insertion in Rabbit Eyes.

PURPOSE: To quantitatively determine how a large tendon remnant reduces the effect of the rectus muscle recession procedure with respect to the distance between the placement of the muscle suture and the scleral insertion. METHODS: Thirty-six eyes from 18 rabbits were randomly divided into four groups according to the distance between the superior rectus muscle suture placement and the scleral insertion (1, 2, 3, and 4 mm). The superior rectus muscle was sutured at the previously listed distances from the insertion. Each superior rectus muscle was reattached using a scleral pass at a site 4 mm posterior to its original insertion. The amount of recession was measured as the distance between the most anterior aspect of the reattached muscle and the original insertion site. RESULTS: The mean amount of recession was 4.07 ± 0.25 mm in the 1-mm group and 2.76 ± 0.55 mm in the 4-mm group at postoperative week 4. There were significant differences in the amount of recession between the four groups. Linear regression analyses revealed a significant relationship between the distance of the muscle suture placement from the scleral insertion and the amount of recession (r(2) = 0.521). The superior rectus muscle was estimated to be reattached 0.437 mm anterior to the desired location for every 1 mm that the muscle suture was placed posterior to the scleral insertion. CONCLUSIONS: The potential error that depends on the distance between the muscle suture placement and the scleral insertion should be considered to reduce undercorrection and ensure a good surgical outcome.