Closure rates and patterns after light silicone oil tamponade for persistent full-thickness macular holes.

PURPOSE: To report outcomes of re-vitrectomy using light silicone oil (SO) tamponade for persistent macular holes (MHs). METHODS: We reviewed cases of patients with full-thickness MHs that underwent pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) with air/gas and were re-vitrectomized using light SO tamponade after primary non-closure (persistent MHs). Outcome measures included anatomic closure rates and patterns confirmed by optical coherence tomography (OCT) and changes in best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA). RESULTS: A total of 42 eyes of 41 patients with unsuccessful primary PPV with air/gas were included. After re-vitrectomy with light SO (1000-centistoke), 29 (69%) eyes demonstrated type 1 closure without neurosensory defects in OCT scans, whereas 9 eyes (21%) showed type 2 closure with persisting neurosensory defects. Available data (n = 21) showed a significant mean improvement of BCVA from 0.99 logMAR (SD 0.25, range 0.7-1.3) preoperatively to 0.74 logMAR (SD 0.42, range 0.2-1.5) postoperatively (p = 0.035). CONCLUSION: The treatment of persistent MHs with PPV and light SO tamponade resulted in high closure rates.

Role of the ABO blood groups as a risk factor for retinal vein occlusion.

Introduction A recent study suggested that non-O blood groups had an increased risk for the presence of RVO. In this study we investigated (i) an association between blood group and the presence of RVO and (ii) whether this association correlated to other RVO risk factors. Methods We included 485 RVO patients and 295 control subjects who were recruited in this case-control study. We determined ABO genotypes rs8176719 as a marker for the O allele and rs8176746 for the B allele by polymerase chain reaction. Results We did not find an association between ABO blood group and the presence of RVO. In detail, the proportion of ABO blood groups was similar among RVO patients and control subjects (p=0.527). In a logistic regression, non-O blood group was associated with 1.06-fold higher odds of being a RVO patient (95%CI: 0.78-1.45, p=0.693), and this lack of association prevailed upon multivariable adjustment for age, gender, history of stroke and venous thromboembolism and co-medication with lipid-lowering agents. Discussion Although non-O blood groups are a known risk factor for thrombotic and cardiovascular disease, they do not seem to be a major risk factor for the development of RVO.

CHANGES OF OPTICAL COHERENCE TOMOGRAPHY ANGIOGRAPHY PARAMETERS AFTER INTERNAL LIMITING MEMBRANE PEELING COMPARED WITH NONPEELING IN EPIRETINAL MEMBRANE SURGERY.

PURPOSE: To prospectively compare microvascular changes of internal limiting membrane (ILM) peeled and nonpeeled eyes in patients with idiopathic epiretinal membranes using optical coherence tomography angiography. METHODS: Forty-two patients with epiretinal membranes underwent vitrectomy with (n = 22) or without ILM peeling (n = 20). The mean superficial capillary plexus foveal avascular zone area change between preoperative and three-month postoperative readings served as the main outcome measure. Secondary outcome parameters included mean changes in superficial capillary plexus parafoveal vessel density, central foveal thickness, retinal volume, and best-corrected visual acuity. RESULTS: Mean superficial capillary plexus foveal avascular zone area change (µm 2 ) was 59 ± 74 in the ILM nonpeeling group compared with -12 ± 86 in the ILM peeling group ( P = 0.007). Similarly, mean superficial capillary plexus parafoveal vessel density change (%) was higher in the ILM nonpeeling group (ILM nonpeeling 4 ± 4, ILM peeling -2 ± 6, P = 0.003). The mean retinal volume reduction was higher in the ILM peeling group, and this difference also reached statistical significance ( P = 0.036). There were no intergroup differences in mean central foveal thickness change and mean best-corrected visual acuity change ( P = 0.409 and P = 0.440, respectively). Epiretinal membrane/ILM separation was achieved in 23 of 51 patients. CONCLUSION: The macular microvasculature demonstrated more remodeling in the ILM nonpeeling group after three months.