INTRAVITREAL NEEDLE TECHNIQUE FOR INTRASCLERAL HAPTIC FIXATION OF POSTERIORLY DISLOCATED THREE-PIECE INTRAOCULAR LENSES.

PURPOSE: Double-needle intrascleral haptic fixation (Yamane) technique is a minimally invasive method for posterior chamber intraocular lens (IOL) fixation in the setting of absent or inadequate capsule support. A modified intravitreal needle technique is herein described for the management of three piece IOLs which are dislocated into the vitreous cavity. METHODS: In this technique, after completing pars plana vitrectomy, under the noncontact ophthalmomicroscope, the haptic of the dislocated IOL is docked directly in the vitreous cavity into a 27-G needle which is inserted through a transconjunctival tunneled scleral incision 2 mm. from the corneal limbus, and externalized from the conjunctiva and fixated sclerally. RESULTS: The technique is described with a case report. A male patient of 65 years old who underwent a complicated cataract surgery was operated using this technique. No preoperative or postoperative complication was seen. CONCLUSION: In this technique, the dislocated IOL is not taken in the anterior segment before the scleral fixation. The haptics are threaded into the 27-G needle directly in the vitreous cavity during the vitrectomy. This is a short cut Yamane technique for posteriorly dislocated three-piece IOLs. This technique may shorten the surgical time and minimize surgical trauma in cases with posteriorly dislocated three-piece IOL.

Optimising image quality with EyeMax Mono lens in dry age-related macular degeneration.

BACKGROUND: To investigate clinical outcomes in patients with dry age-related macular degeneration (AMD) after intracapsular implantation of a novel EyeMax Mono macular lens. METHODS: In this study, 22 phakic eyes of 19 moderate to advanced dry AMD patients with macular disciform scar and/or macular atrophy who were followed up for ≥ 3 months after surgery were studied. A thorough pre-operative ophthalmological examination was performed, including measurement of corrected distance visual acuity in logMAR and ETDR. Following phacoemulsification, the EyeMax Mono lens was implanted intracapsularly via a 2.2-mm clear corneal incision to improve retinal image quality in all areas of the macula ≤ 10° from the central fovea. Main outcome measures included optimisation of corrected distance visual acuity and surgical safety. RESULTS: Male-to-female ratio was 13:6. Mean age at surgery was 68.37 ± 10.23 years. The mean duration of post-operative follow-up was 7.91 ± 3.42 months. The mean post-operative refractive spherical equivalent improved to + 2.31 ± 1.56 D with significant visual improvement as early as 3 months post-operatively. Post-operative corrected distance visual acuity improved significantly from 1.05 ± 0.45 to 0.72 ± 0.43 logMAR (P < 0.001), equivalent to mean ETDRS of 49.55 ± 20.05 (P < 0.001). There were no major surgical complications, either intra- or post-operatively, except in two patients who experienced intra-operative haptic rupture. CONCLUSIONS: Extended macular vision lenses appear to have a comparable safety profile as standard IOLs in the short to medium term. It could be the preferred lens for improving and preserving visual acuity in moderate to advanced dry AMD patients.

The novel haptic-twist method for a sutureless double-needle intrascleral haptic fixation technique.

PURPOSE: Description of a novel modified technique known as haptic-twist method for placing a trailing haptic into a 27 G needle during double-needle intrascleral haptic fixation (Yamane technique) in the absence and/or inadequacy of capsular support. METHODS: The trailing haptic was threaded into the needle lumen using a haptic-twist method in 12 eyes of 11 patients with aphakia. The haptic was grasped by a forceps 2-3 mm from the tip, while the forceps was rotated by 180° counter-clockwise around its own axis. This maneuver enabled the trailing haptic to be slightly twisted without any deformation and to coordinate with the needle in the proper angle. The surgical technique has also been mentioned in a surgical video. RESULTS: Mean age of the patients was 62 years ± 18 (range 46-78 years). Although the mean pre-operative best-corrected visual acuity was 0.70 ± 0.35 logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution (logMAR) (range 1.30-0.20 logMAR), an improvement of up to 0.40 ± 0.32 logMAR (range 1.0-0.1 logMAR) was observed 3 months after surgery. No trailing haptic bending or breakage was observed during the process. Furthermore, no optical tilting or decentralization was observed post-operatively. CONCLUSIONS: Although threading the leading haptic into the needle is reasonably straightforward, the trailing haptic positioning can be difficult due to an inappropriate gesture of both the haptic and the needle. We fervently believe that this novel haptic-twist method can provide a much simpler and easier approach, and thus contribute to better surgical outcomes.

Posterior segment intraocular foreign bodies: the effect of weight and size, early versus late vitrectomy and outcomes.

BACKGROUND: The objective of this study was to identify the effects of weight and size characteristics of posterior segment intraocular foreign bodies (IOFBs) in open globe injuries. METHODS: Fifty-eight eyes of 58 patients with posterior segment IOFBs were enrolled in the study. All IOFBs were removed by pars plana vitrectomy. Factors including age, gender, best corrected visual acuity (BCVA), nature of IOFBs, weight and dimensions of IOFBs, initial ocular features, timing of IOFB removal, entry site of IOFBs, interventions and complications were evaluated. RESULTS: Mean age of the patients was 32.7±14.2 years, and mean follow up period was 18±13.3 months. Weight, length, width and thickness of IOFBs were found negatively correlated with initial and final BCVA levels (p<0.05). Weight of IOFBs was significantly greater in eyes with initial hyphema, vitreous hemorrhage, retinal hemorrhage, retinal detachment, and uveal prolapse (p<0.05). Width and thickness of IOFBs were significantly greater in eyes with hyphema, vitreous hemorrhage, retinal hemorrhage and uveal prolapse (p<0.05). Length of IOFBs was significantly longer in eyes with hyphema (p<0.05). Presence of initial or subsequent retinal detachment was associated with poor final BCVA (p<0.05). There was no association between the timing of IOFB removal and incidence of endophthalmitis. CONCLUSION: Greater weight and size of posterior segment IOFBs were associated with worse outcomes in open globe injuries. Protective eyewear has a crucial importance to avoid work-related injuries. In our study, early or late vitrectomy for an IOFB removal had no significant effect on anatomic and visual outcomes. Therefore, vitrectomy can be postponed until optimal conditions are obtained.

Surgical outcomes of transconjunctival sutureless 23-gauge vitrectomy with silicone oil injection.

AIMS: To evaluate the outcomes and complications of 23-gauge transconjunctival sutureless vitrectomy (TSV) with Silicone oil (SO) tamponade in complex vitreoretinal diseases. SETTINGS AND DESIGN: Ege university hospital ophthalmology department. Retrospective case series. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty eyes of 40 patients with diabetic tractional retinal detachment (DTRD) and proliferative vitreoretinopathy (PVR) were included in the study. Vitrectomy using 23-gauge system with SO endotamponade was performed. Peroperative and postoperative complications, anatomical and visual results were evaluated. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS USED: Paired Student's t-test. RESULTS: Simultaneous cataract surgery was performed in 17 eyes. Peroperative complications were posterior capsule rupture during phacoemulsification in one patient, vitreous and retinal incarceration in one patient. One eye required suture placement at the end of surgery due to SO leakage. Postoperatively, a small subconjunctival SO bubble in three patients, and hypotony in one patient (6 mmHg) were observed. Recurrent retinal detachment under SO occurred in one patient. Mean follow-up was 6.5 months (+/-2.7). Pre- and postoperative mean visual acuity was 2.22+/-0.91 logMAR and 1.11+/-0.8 logMAR, respectively ( P< 0.001). Mean intraocular pressure (IOP) on the first postoperative day was lower than preoperative IOP (11.3 +/-3.2 versus 14.0 +/-2.4 mmHg) ( P< 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Twenty-three gauge instrumentation seems to be feasible, effective and safe for vitrectomy with SO injection in DTRD and PVR, and can be considered in the surgical management of these complex vitreoretinal diseases.

Prognostic factors in vitrectomy for posterior segment intraocular foreign bodies.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to identify the prognostic factors influencing outcome after the removal of retained posterior segment intraocular foreign bodies (IOFBs) by pars plana vitrectomy. METHODS: We reviewed the records of 42 consecutive patients (39 men and 3 women with a mean age of 26.8 years) operated between January 2001 and January 2005 by the same surgeon for IOFB after penetrating ocular injury. All eyes underwent IOFB removal via pars plana vitrectomy. Postoperative retinal detachment was considered as the anatomic failure. Associations between anatomic outcome and various preoperative, operative, and postoperative variables were statistically analyzed. Chi-square test and Mann-Whitney U test were used to evaluate the association between two categorical variables. RESULTS: The mean time interval between the trauma and the IOFB removal was 5.3 days (range, 1 day to 30 days). The mean length of follow-up was 18.3 months (range, 6 months to 3 years). Preoperative retinal detachment was present in 19% of patients. After the IOFB removal, the retina was detached in 28.5% of patients (12 of 42 patients). After a second vitrectomy performed in 10 patients, final anatomic success rate was 89.8% (37 of 42 patients). Time between trauma and IOFB extraction, presence of intraocular hemorrhage, preoperative retinal detachment and primary surgical repair combined with the IOFB removal were significantly associated with the postoperative retinal detachment. Age, sex, entrance wound location, presence of endophthalmitis, location of IOFB, nature of IOFB, preoperative visual acuity, use of an encircling band, type of endotamponade, use of lensectomy were not significantly associated with the presence of postoperative retinal detachment. CONCLUSIONS: Delay in IOFB extraction, presence of intraocular hemorrhage, preoperative retinal detachment, primary surgical repair combined with IOFB removal are the predictive factors for anatomic failure.

Illuminated endochopper in the management of posteriorly dislocated lens nucleus.

We describe the use of an illuminated endochopper (a prototype instrument produced by DORC International) in the management of a posteriorly dislocated lens nucleus or lens particles. This instrument helps to divide the lens nucleus or its fragments into small pieces and thus reduces time and ultrasound energy.

Comparison of achromatic and blue-on-yellow perimetry in patients with resolved central serous chorioretinopathy.

Central serous chorioretinopathy (CSCR) is a disorder characterized by the serous detachment of the sensory retina in the posterior pole. Although CSCR usually resolves spontaneously, the patients may notice residual visual deficits, despite recovering normal visual acuity. The aim of this study is to compare the blue-on-yellow perimetric parameters with conventional automated perimetric parameters in the detection of visual deficits in patients with resolved CSCR. Eighteen patients who had spontaneous recovered from CSCR were enrolled this study. All subjects were examined twice with each type of perimetry. Wilcoxon test was used for statistical analysis. The achromatic perimetric mean deviation values were significantly higher in patients with CSCR than in the control group, while statistically a significant difference was determined for all of blue-on-yellow perimetric values. In conclusion the loss of central retinal sensitivity remains after resolution of the CSCR even if the visual acuity has recovered to normal. Blue-on-yellow perimetry is more sensitive than achromatic perimetry to reveal this central sensitivity loss.

Human cataractous lens nucleus implanted in a sheep eye lens as a model for phacoemulsification training.

We describe a realistic and inexpensive experimental cataract model for phacoemulsification training. After a capsulorhexis is performed, a deep cavity in the lens of an enucleated sheep eye is formed by phacoemulsification through a lateral incision. An undamaged human cataractous lens nucleus obtained by extracapsular cataract extraction is inserted in the preformed cavity, resting in the center of a cortex cushion. Phacoemulsification training is performed through a corneal tunnel incision. The experimental model is prepared with a human cataractous lens nucleus of the preferred hardness, simulating nuclear phacoemulsification in humans.

Conventional buckling surgery or primary vitrectomy with silicone oil tamponade in rhegmatogenous retinal detachment with multiple breaks.

BACKGROUND: There is controversy about the most appropriate operating methods for complicated rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RD) including multiple tears, and surgical techniques may be changed according to the preference of the surgeon. In this retrospective study, we compared the surgical results of conventional buckling surgery and vitrectomy with silicone oil tamponade for rhegmatogenous (RD) with multiple breaks. METHODS: Thirty patients who underwent scleral buckling surgery (group 1) and 22 patients who underwent pars plana vitrectomy with silicone oil tamponade (group 2) as the primary surgery for rhegmatogenous RD with multiple breaks were included in this study. The follow-up period was longer than 6 months after surgery. The anatomical success rates and complications were evaluated for both groups. RESULTS: Retinal reattachment was achieved in 24 of 30 eyes (80%) in group 1 and in 20 of 22 eyes (90.9%) in group 2 after the initial surgery. In group 1, subretinal hemorrhage developed due to the drainage of subretinal fluid in 2 eyes (6.6%) intraoperatively. Elevated intraocular pressure (3.3%), ocular motility disturbances (13.2%), and proliferative vitreoretinopathy (3.3%) were seen in the postoperative period. In group 2, iatrogenic breaks (7.3%) and lens damage (9.09%) occurred during the operation. Macular pucker (4.5%), postoperative cataract progression (22.7%), ocular hypertension (9.09%) and PVR (9.09%) were noted postoperatively. CONCLUSIONS: Both surgical procedures can achieve favorable and comparable anatomic outcomes in the majority of patients in the treatment of RD with multiple breaks. Intra-and postoperative complications are different in the two procedures.

Incidence of cystoid macular edema after uncomplicated phacoemulsification.

We determined the incidence and causes of clinical and angiographic cystoid macular edema (CME) after uncomplicated phacoemulsification and intraocular lens implantation in otherwise normal eyes. This study comprised 252 eyes of 252 patients who had uncomplicated phacoemulsification with continuous curvilinear capsulorhexis and in-the-bag acrylic intraocular lens implantation. The presence of clinical and angiographic CME was evaluated 45 days after surgery, using fundus fluorescein angiography. Age, sex, cataract type, iris color, and real phacoemulsification time of the patients were also recorded. The mean age of the patients was 69.86 (range 60-82) years). Clinical CME was not detected in any eye at any postoperative visit. There were 23 cases with angiographic CME (9.1%). There were no significant differences between the groups who were later found to be angiographically CME-positive or CME-negative in any variable recorded (p >0.05). The incidences of clinical and angiographic CME after uncomplicated phacoemulsification were 0 and 9.1%, respectively. These results indicate that the occurrence of clinical CME has greatly reduced after uncomplicated phacoemulsification operations, but the incidence of angiographic CME is still nearly equal to the incidence of the extracapsular technique.

Asymptomatic cytomegalovirus retinitis after cardiac transplantation.

PURPOSE: To determine the prevalence and the risk factors of cytomegalovirus (CMV) retinitis after cardiac transplantation in visually asymptomatic patients. METHODS: Ophthalmoscopic examinations including fundus fluorescein angiography were performed in asymptomatic patients who had cardiac transplantation at Ege University Hospital between April 1998 and June 2002 to screen for evidence of diagnostic CMV retinitis lesions to determine the prevalence in this population. RESULTS: Thirteen patients (aged 40 +/- 12.6) who had cardiac transplantation underwent ophthalmoscopic examination 2-50 months (23.5 +/- 16.2 months; mean +/- SD) after transplantation. All recipients had positive serology to CMV before transplantation. During the study period, 3 patients developed asymptomatic CMV reactivation. One patient developed CMV disease (pneumonia). All of the patients were visually asymptomatic during the study period. Two patients (15%) had a history of diabetes mellitus and chronic severe arterial hypertension. Seven recipients (53%) had been heavy cigarette smokers and 3 patients (23%) had hyperlipidemia. Two (15%) of 13 patients with arterial hypertension and diabetes had evidence of asymptomatic active CMV retinitis. These patients were treated with intravenous ganciclovir. CONCLUSIONS: Active cytomegalovirus retinitis lesions were found in 2 (15%) of 13 cardiac transplantation patients who had no visual symptoms. We think that the patients with systemic microvascular risk factors such as diabetes, hypertension and smoking should be screened closely for the development of CMV retinitis after cardiac transplantation even if the patients have no visual symptoms.

Blue-on-yellow perimetry versus achromatic perimetry in type 1 diabetes patients without retinopathy.

In this study, we compared the blue-on-yellow perimetric parameters with conventional automated static threshold perimetric parameters in the detection of psychophysical abnormality in patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus (DM) without diabetic retinopathy. Forty-three patients with type 1 DM without diabetic retinopathy were included this study. Thirty subjects served as age-matched control group. Blue-on yellow perimetry was performed and the results compared to white-on-white perimetry. The values of mean deviation by blue-on-yellow perimetry in the diabetic group were significantly higher than in the control group (P=0.0001). The indices of short fluctuation, pattern standard deviation, corrected pattern standard deviation and foveal sensitivity which all relate to localized depression in sensitivity were similar in both groups. The achromatic perimetric parameters were not different between the groups. We conclude that the short-wavelength-sensitive cones are vulnerable to damage from hyperglycemia and this influence can be detected early by blue-on-yellow perimetry in diabetic patients without retinopathy.

Color Doppler imaging of choroidal circulation in patients with asymmetric age-related macular degeneration.

We aimed at evaluating the possible role of choroidal perfusion abnormalities in the development of choroidal neovascularisation (CNV) in patients with age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Twenty-six patients who had non-exudative AMD in the first eye and CNV secondary to AMD in the fellow eye were enrolled. Blood flow velocities, vessel pulsatilities and resistivities were measured from ophthalmic artery, nasal and temporal posterior ciliary arteries using colour Doppler imaging. Systolic and diastolic velocities were lower in eyes with CNV for all vessels, except for the systolic velocity of the nasal posterior ciliary artery (p >0.05). Pulsatility and resistivity indices were higher in eyes with CNV for all vessels. This difference was statistically significant for the resistivity index of the nasal and temporal posterior ciliary arteries (p = 0.032 and p = 0.021, respectively) and the pulsatility index of the nasal posterior ciliary artery (p = 0.035). We have shown that in patients with AMD choroidal blood flow is more impaired in the eyes with CNV than in the fellow eyes.