MACULAR CHORIORETINAL ATROPHY AND VISUAL OUTCOMES IN RANIBIZUMAB- OR AFLIBERCEPT-TREATED MYOPIC CHOROIDAL NEOVASCULARIZATION.

PURPOSE: To investigate the predictors of macular chorioretinal atrophy, consisting of patchy atrophy (PA) at the macula and choroidal neovascularization (CNV)-related macular atrophy (CNV-MA), during treatment with ranibizumab or aflibercept for myopic CNV (mCNV) and its impact on visual outcomes. METHODS: This retrospective study included 82 eyes with treatment-naïve mCNV who were treated with pro re nata injections of ranibizumab or aflibercept. RESULTS: Nine eyes (11.0%) presented with macular PA at baseline (PA group), and 73 eyes (89.0%) did not (non-PA group). VA improved during the first year in the non-PA group; a similar trend was noted in the PA group until 3 months after initial treatment. This improvement was maintained until 24 months ( P < 0.001) in the non-PA group, but not in the PA group. In the PA group, macular chorioretinal atrophy progressed faster ( P < 0.0001), and CNV-MA was more frequent during the 2 years of treatments ( P = 0.04). Even non-PA group eyes sometimes developed CNV-MA (42% at Month 24) if they had a larger CNV and thinner subfoveal choroidal thickness at baseline, resulting in poorer visual prognosis ( P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: Macular PA at baseline was a risk factor for CNV-MA development and was associated with poor visual outcomes.

Involvement of endothelins in neuroprotection of valosin-containing protein modulators against retinal ganglion cell damage.

We have previously shown that Kyoto University Substances (KUSs), valosin-containing protein (VCP) modulators, suppress cell death in retinal ganglion cells of glaucoma mouse models through alterations of various genes expressions. In this study, among the genes whose expression in retinal ganglion cells was altered by KUS treatment in the N-methyl-D-aspartic acid (NMDA) injury model, we focused on two genes, endothelin-1 (Edn1) and endothelin receptor type B (Ednrb), whose expression was up-regulated by NMDA and down-regulated by KUS treatment. First, we confirmed that the expression of Edn1 and Ednrb was upregulated by NMDA and suppressed by KUS administration in mice retinae. Next, to clarify the influence of KUSs on cell viability in relation to the endothelin signaling, cell viability was examined with or without antagonists or agonists of endothelin and with or without KUS in 661W retinal cells under stress conditions. KUS showed a significant protective effect under glucose-free conditions and tunicamycin-induced stress. This protective effect was partially attenuated in the presence of an endothelin antagonist or agonist under glucose-free conditions. These results suggest that KUSs protect cells partially by suppressing the upregulated endothelin signaling under stress conditions.

Factory-Made Elastic Silicone Sheet as an Alternative for the Posterior Capsule of the Lens During Phacoemulsification for Dislocated/Subluxated Lenses.

BACKGROUND: We previously reported a novel technique using an elastic silicone bowl, which was handmade from a phaco test chamber, to salvage dislocated lenses and perform phacoemulsification and aspiration (PEA) on the bowl. However, creating the bowl was challenging. METHODS: A factory-made elastic silicone sheet (ESS), a ready-to-use alternative for the posterior capsule of the lens, was prepared. We used this sheet to salvage and support the dislocated/subluxated lenses in 11 eyes of nine patients. RESULTS: We could use a sheet immediately after we opened the package. In all the cases, we could insert a sheet beneath the lens and PEA performed at the center of the operative field. There was only one incident where the lens could not be placed onto the disc at the first attempt, but the lens was eventually salvaged. There was no risk of rupture during PEA, and the ESS could be removed completely without any complications. CONCLUSION: The factory-made ESS described here can be used for salvaging dislocated/subluxated lenses and safely performing PEA.

Scleral Buckle Infection Caused by Mycobacterium chelonae: A Case Report.

A 63-year-old female with a history of retinal detachment repair with scleral buckle from 28 years prior presented with exposure of the buckle in her right eye. After removing the buckle and anchoring sutures, the operation field was washed with 0.25% polyvinyl alcohol-iodine, vancomycin, and ceftazidime. Cultures revealed Mycobacterium chelonae. Systemic meropenem was discontinued on postoperative day 5. The retina remained attached, and there was no recurrence over a 1-year follow-up. We report a case of NTM buckle infection that responded well to thorough washings with polyvinyl alcohol-iodine and antibiotic solutions instead of using a prolonged course of systemic antibiotics.

Three-dimensional ocular endoscope system for vitrectomy.

PURPOSE: To introduce a new three-dimensional (3D) endoscope system for vitrectomy. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: We report a single-center, retrospective, consecutive surgical case series of 391 eyes that underwent 25G hybrid vitrectomy. To create 3D endoscopic images, a 3D converter HD-3D-A was connected to a monocular endoscopic system. RESULTS: The 3D endoscope system was successfully used to perform hybrid vitrectomy. No intra- or postoperative complications related to this system were encountered in any of the cases. CONCLUSION: This 3D endoscope system appears to be a valuable and promising tool for use in vitrectomy.

Repairing iridodialysis by riveting with a double-flanged polypropylene suture.

Three patients with iridodialysis were recruited. A 6-0 polypropylene suture was cut to the proper length and flanged by cautery. A long (19.0 mm), ultrathin 30-gauge needle was inserted in the anterior chamber from the sclera around the iris and penetrated in the dialyzed iris, then exited through the cornea on the contralateral side. The flanged polypropylene suture was inserted in the needle from the unflanged side. After the 30-gauge needle was withdrawn, the flanged suture remained, passing the dialyzed iris and sclera. The unflanged ends of the polypropylene sutures were cut and flanged until each flange reached the sclera. It was easy to place multiple sutures. There were no cases of extrusion of the suture nor of the recurrence of iridodialysis up to 1 year. This technique is a good alternative to repair iridodialysis.

Updated chandelier illumination-assisted scleral buckling using 3D visualization system.

PURPOSE: To assess the updated chandelier illumination-assisted scleral buckle procedures using a 3D visualization system. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: We report a single-center, retrospective, consecutive surgical case series of 18 eyes of 16 patients that underwent scleral buckle procedures combining the use of chandelier endoillumination, a noncontact wide-angle viewing system, an anti-drying contact lens, and a recently developed 3D visualization system. The mean age of the patients was 30.2 years, and the mean follow-up time was 11.3 months. RESULTS: Retinal reattachment was achieved after the first surgery in all cases. There were no cases that required conversion of the 3D visualization to a conventional microscopic view. This updated chandelier-assisted scleral buckle procedure was successfully performed without any intraoperative or postoperative complications, except for the occurrence of postoperative diplopia in one case in which a supplementary radial buckle was used for a deep tear. CONCLUSION: The updated chandelier illumination-assisted scleral buckling surgery using a 3D visualization system appears to be a valuable and promising method for managing rhegmatogenous retinal detachment due to atrophic holes in lattice degeneration or ciliary tears in younger cases.

Baerveldt tube shunt implantation through a long scleral tunnel.

PURPOSE: To develop a new technique for the placement of a Baerveldt glaucoma implant tube through a long scleral tunnel. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients with refractory glaucoma undergoing the maximum tolerated medical therapy were recruited. We created a scleral tunnel with a 24-gauge catheter needle and used the external tube for guidance when introducing a Baerveldt glaucoma implant tube. Main outcome measures included intraocular pressure, supplemental medical therapy score, intraoperative complications, and postoperative complications. RESULTS: Nine eyes of six patients were included in the study. The mean preoperative intraocular pressure (score) was 41.0 mmHg (4.78). Mean postoperative intraocular pressures were 18.3 mmHg (0.22), 18.8 mmHg (0.13), and 16.9 mmHg (0.50) at postoperative 1, 3, and 6 months, respectively. Minor vitreous hemorrhages were observed in three cases. Postoperative hypotony (<5 mmHg) was observed only in the first case at postoperative day 3. In one case, a stent suture could not be placed because the patient was restive intraoperatively, which resulted in an expulsive hemorrhage at 3 months postoperatively. The tube could have penetrated into the anterior chamber in another case. Tube exposure and corneal erosions were not observed in all cases. CONCLUSION: We developed a new technique to place a Baerveldt glaucoma implant tube through a long scleral tunnel. The outcomes were comparable to other reports of Baerveldt glaucoma implant surgery, although the number of cases was limited in this study. A long scleral tunnel can substitute for a preserved scleral patch and self-scleral flap to avoid tube-related complications.

Remnant extraction by using an intraocular lens injector with essential flow.

PURPOSE: To describe a new technique for remnant removal in cases of posterior capsular rupture during cataract surgery and Soemmering ring extraction during intraocular lens (IOL) removal. METHODS: An IOL injector, inserted into the anterior chamber, provides a new exit for residual lens fragments. Passive fluid flow, supplied by an anterior chamber maintainer or some ocular viscoelastic device (OVD) injection, delivers the residual fragments into a lumen of the injector in assistance with a second device such as a phaco-chopper and vitreous cutter. RESULTS: Soemmering rings can be removed safely through small incisions even when under the iris. Nucleus fragments in anterior chamber can be removed safely. Fragments that fall into the vitreous cavity can float up for removal by passive flow. CONCLUSIONS: This new technique, remnant extraction through lens injector with essential flow, has several practical advantages over existing methods including reduced OVD injection and smaller incision size. It may offer an alternative to existing methods of remnant removal in cases of posterior capsular rupture during cataract surgery and Soemmering ring extraction.