Intraocular lens extraction using the cartridge pull-through technique.

Current intraocular lens (IOL) explantation techniques are limited to cutting the optic and removing the pieces through a small incision or folding single-piece acrylic IOLs using a 2-handed technique. Poor execution of IOL explantation can result in injury to intraocular structures, including the corneal endothelium and iris. The minimally invasive cartridge pull-through technique uses a cartridge for IOL implantation and new forceps optimized for secure grasping of the IOL for removal. This method involved less manipulation in the anterior chamber, thereby reducing the risks for complications such as corneal and iris injuries. A dropped IOL lying on the retinal surface can be extracted directly without lifting it onto the iris first. The cartridge pull-through technique offers a more streamlined and potentially safer approach for IOL explantation.

Long-term surgical outcomes of the inverted internal limiting membrane flap technique in highly myopic macular hole retinal detachment.

BACKGROUND: Pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) procedures are used for the surgical treatment of macular hole retinal detachment (MHRD) associated with high myopia. Re-detachment of the retina has been reported in MHRD associated with high myopia. Our aim was to evaluate the 1-year outcomes of vitrectomy, performed using an inverted internal limiting membrane (ILM) flap technique with gas tamponade, in five cases of MHRD associated with high myopia. METHODS: We performed a retrospective review of medical records of five consecutive cases of highly myopic MHRD. The following postoperative data were collected: refractive error, best-corrected visual acuity, intraocular pressure, ophthalmic fundus examination findings, ocular coherence tomography at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months postoperatively; duration of the follow-up period; and intra- and postoperative complications. The primary endpoint of the study was the rate of postoperative retinal reattachment and macular hole (MH) closure. Paired t-tests were conducted to evaluate postoperative changes. RESULTS: Mean visual acuity improved significantly (P = 0.008), with an improvement of ≥2 lines on LogMAR value gained in three of the five eyes. Retinal reattachment was maintained in all cases, with no cases of MH reopening identified over the mean follow-up period of 20.2 months. No complications were identified in any eye. CONCLUSIONS: The inverted ILM flap technique and gas tamponade provided primary retinal reattachment and MH closure over the ≥12-month follow-up period.

Case-matched comparison of vitrectomy, peripheral retinal endolaser, and endocyclophotocoagulation versus standard care in neovascular glaucoma.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the efficacy of combination pars plana vitrectomy, endoscopic peripheral panretinal photocoagulation, and endocyclophotocoagulation (ECP) as compared with standard care in patients with neovascular glaucoma. METHODS: This age-matched case-controlled retrospective series of 54 eyes compared the clinical outcomes between a consecutive series of combination pars plana vitrectomy/panretinal photocoagulation/ECP (n = 27) versus the current standard of care (n = 27) for patients with neovascular glaucoma. "Standard" treatments for patients with neovascular glaucoma include panretinal photocoagulation, intravitreal bevacizumab, filtration surgery, pars plana vitrectomy, and Ahmed valve placement. RESULTS: After 1 year, mean intraocular pressure reduced from 40.7 ± 12.40 mmHg preoperatively to 12.3 ± 4.84 mmHg (P < 0.001) in the ECP group and from 34.7 ± 12.38 mmHg to 23.2 ± 12.34 mmHg in the control group (P = 0.002). Compared with controls, the mean drop in intraocular pressure in the ECP group was significantly greater at all postoperative visits. Logarithm of the minimal angle of resolution visual acuity outcomes were similar in both groups. There were 2 cases (7.4%) of postoperative phthisis bulbi in each group. CONCLUSION: Endoscopic pars plana vitrectomy, panretinal photocoagulation, and ECP seem to control intraocular pressure to a greater extent than standard glaucoma treatments in patients with neovascular glaucoma. In this aged-matched comparative case series, there was no significant difference between the two treatments' effects on visual acuity.

Morphologic differences in epiretinal membranes on ocular coherence tomography as a predictive factor for surgical outcome.

PURPOSE: To evaluate whether morphologic differences in idiopathic epiretinal membranes seen on optical coherence tomography may help predict surgical outcomes. METHODS: Seventy-five eyes of 74 patients who underwent primary pars plana vitrectomy with membrane peeling were retrospectively reviewed. Outcome measures included visual acuity, macular contour on optical coherence tomography, central macular thickness, and reoperation rate. RESULTS: According to the preoperative macular contour, 75 eyes were categorized into 4 types: 42 eyes were included in the diffuse (DIF) type, 12 in the cystoid macular edema (CME) type, 14 in the pseudolamellar hole (PLH) type, and 7 in the vitreomacular traction (VMT) type. Surgical procedure significantly improved vision in all types except for the PLH type (DIF, P < 0.0001; CME, P = 0.0378; PLH, P = 0.838; and VMT, P = 0.0273). There was a significant relationship between pre- and postoperative macular contour. All preoperative VMT showed normal contour on postoperative optical coherence tomography but had the highest reoperation rate. CONCLUSION: Surgical intervention for the PLH-type epiretinal membrane was not associated with the visual improvement seen in other epiretinal membrane types, and the VMT type had the highest reoperation rate. Future studies should evaluate the potential benefit of internal limiting membrane peeling with or without short-term gas tamponade in these cases.

A retrospective analysis of triple combination therapy with intravitreal bevacizumab, posterior sub-tenon's triamcinolone acetonide, and low-fluence verteporfin photodynamic therapy in patients with neovascular age-related macular degeneration.

PURPOSE: To assess the efficacy of triple combination therapy (TCT) including bevacizumab (BEV), low-fluence photodynamic therapy, and posterior sub-Tenon's triamcinolone acetonide in patients with wet age-related macular degeneration. METHODS: This institutional review board-approved retrospective consecutive case series included 31 eyes treated for wet age-related macular degeneration with TCT at the Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center between June 2004 and November 2008. Outcome measures included visual acuity, retinal thickness as measured by optical coherence tomography, time to retreatment, and complications. RESULTS: Triple combination therapy eyes showed significant 3-month and 6-month improvement in visual acuity of 0.140 ± 0.273 logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution and 0.182 ± 0.383 logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution after treatment, respectively (P = 0.0219 and 0.0470, respectively). Central retinal thickness significantly improved at 3 months (-123.8 ± 102.7 µm), 6 months (-87.7 ± 99.8 µm), and 12 months (-101.6 ± 103.3 µm) on optical coherence tomography. Half of eyes that underwent TCT required retreatment by the conclusion of their follow-up, and eyes that underwent TCT had a 1-year Kaplan-Meier survival rate of 62.1 ± 10.8%. CONCLUSION: Triple combination therapy (TCT) appears to effectively improve visual acuity and decrease retinal thickness often without need for subsequent retreatment within the first year of follow-up. Further investigation of TCT in prospective trials is warranted.

Corneal remodeling by hard contact lenses to manage microstriae after laser in situ keratomileusis.

Gas-permeable hard contact lenses were prescribed to 2 patients with corneal microstriae 3 months and 9 months, respectively, after laser in situ keratomileusis. The uncorrected visual acuity (UCVA) in both patients when the hard contact lenses were prescribed was 20/30 with +2.25 -1.25 x 60 and +1.50 -2.25 x 150, respectively. At 6 months in Case 1 and 3 months in Case 2, the topographic change showed corneal remodeling, with the UCVA 20/20 in both cases.