Fibrovascular ingrowth at sclerotomy sites in vitrectomized diabetic eyes with recurrent vitreous hemorrhage: ultrasound biomicroscopy findings

PURPOSE: To evaluate the frequency of fibrovascular ingrowth (FVIG) at sclerotomy sites in vitrectomized eyes of diabetic patients with postoperative vitreous hemorrhage referred for ultrasound biomicroscopy (UBM). DESIGN: Retrospective observational case series. PARTICIPANTS: Twenty-six eyes of 23 diabetic patients with recurrent, nonclearing postoperative vitreous hemorrhage subsequent to pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) for proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR). METHODS: Ultrasound biomicroscopy evaluation of all sclerotomy sites in patients referred for postoperative nonclearing or recurrent vitreous hemorrhage after PPV for PDR. Correlation with intraoperative findings was obtained in eyes undergoing revision of the vitrectomy. Eight eyes underwent repeat UBM after revision of the vitrectomy, and changes at previous sclerotomy sites were evaluated. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Ultrasound biomicroscopy images at each sclerotomy site were classified into 3 categories: none (grade 0), minor (grade 1), and major (grade 2). The UBM characteristics of each category were defined by the examiner. Logistic regression analysis was performed to identify prognostic factors associated with development of FVIG in the study patients. RESULTS: Grade 1 or 2 FVIG was detected in 85% of cases, and grade 2 FVIG was identified in >/=1 sclerotomy site in 58% of cases. Grade 1 or 2 FVIG was detected in 56% of microvitrector sites, 41% of infusion sites, and 61% of light port sites. Ten patients underwent repeat vitrectomy because of recurrent nonclearing vitreous hemorrhage and UBM images showing FVIG. Inspection of the sclerotomy site confirmed the UBM findings in every case. Eight of these patients underwent follow-up UBM evaluation subsequent to the repeat vitrectomy. In 6 of the 8 patients, follow-up UBM showed no residual FVIG. CONCLUSIONS: Ultrasound biomicroscopy showed FVIG in a high proportion of eyes that experienced recurrent nonclearing vitreous hemorrhage after PPV for PDR. Ultrasound biomicroscopy is capable of detecting and characterizing FVIG at sclerotomy sites and may aid in reoperative planning.     

玻璃体切除联合超声乳化术巩膜穿刺口UBM临床分析

目的 通过UBM对比观察单纯玻璃体切除和玻切联合超声乳化术后巩膜穿刺口的愈合情况,分析联合手术是否可以减少巩膜穿刺口玻璃体增殖条索的形成.方法 UBM 检查巩膜穿刺口的愈合情况共分为4级,0级,无玻璃体嵌顿;1级,穿刺口内可见玻璃体嵌顿;2级,玻璃体嵌顿并形成同穿刺口相连的增殖条索;3级,出现牵拉性视网膜脱离或存在视网膜组织嵌顿.对30例单纯玻璃体切除手术和20例联合超声乳化手术后行UBM检查巩膜穿刺口的愈合情况,对检查结果进行x2检验,分析两组之间巩膜切口愈合情况的差异.结果 在单纯玻切手术组:0级、1级切口愈合17例,占56.7%;2级、3级切口愈合13例,占43.3%.联合超声乳化组:0级、1级切口愈合17例,占85.0%;2级愈合3例,占15.0%,无3级愈合病例.单纯玻切手术组术后巩膜切口发生玻璃体嵌顿并产生增殖牵拉的病例数明显高于联合手术组,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05).结论 玻璃体切除联合超声乳化手术可以减轻术后巩膜穿刺口的玻璃体嵌顿.     

Ultrasound biomicroscopy of sclerotomy sites: the effect of vitreous shaving around sclerotomy sites during pars plana vitrectomy

PURPOSE: To study the difference in the amount of vitreous incarceration between conventional pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) and PPV with vitreous shaving around sclerotomy sites. METHODS: A dynamic in vivo examination using ultrasound biomicroscopy (UBM) was performed on the sclerotomy sites of 22 eyes after PPV. Patients were divided into two groups. In the study group (n = 11), the vitreous was completely shaved from the internal initial sclerotomy by cotton-tip depressed vitrectomy under coaxial illumination. In the control group (n = 11), no vitreous shaving was performed. RESULTS: Vitreous incarceration into sclerotomy sites was significantly less in the study group compared with the control group (P <0.001). No difference was seen among the three sclerotomy sites regarding vitreous incarceration within individual eyes. No difference was seen between eyes operated by right- and left-handed surgeons. CONCLUSIONS: Vitreous shaving of sclerotomy sites using depressed vitrectomy significantly reduces vitreous incarceration. This may reduce the rate of sclerotomy-related complications following PPV in selected cases.     

Ultrasound biomicroscopy for examination of the sclerotomy site in eyes with proliferative diabetic retinopathy after vitrectomy

PURPOSE: We evaluated the capability of ultrasound biomicroscopy (UBM) to predict fibrovascular proliferation at sclerotomy sites in eyes with postoperative vitreous hemorrhage due to proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR). METHODS: Ultrasound biomicroscopy was used for examining the sclerotomy sites in 13 eyes of 11 patients with PDR experiencing postoperative vitreous hemorrhage (PDR group). Thirty-nine sclerotomy sites (all entry sites of each eye) were examined before reoperation, and the UBM images were compared with findings obtained during revision of the vitrectomy. Thirteen eyes of 13 patients undergoing vitrectomy for nondiabetic diseases were used as controls and examined after vitrectomy. RESULTS: The UBM images were classified into the following four categories: A, tent; B, spheroid; C, trapezoid; and N, none. The findings were distributed as follows in the PDR group: category A, 18%; B, 5%; C, 56%; and N, 21 %; and as follows in the control group: category A, 28%; B, 5%; C, 5%; and N, 62%. In the PDR group, 11 of 12 sclerotomy sites disclosing fibrovascular proliferation possessed the trapezoidal image. Mean length of trapezoidal base was 2.49+/-0.97 mm and 1.51+/-0.75 mm in the groups with and without fibrovascular proliferation, respectively (P<0.01). The average relative reflectivity of the trapezoidal image against the sclera was 0.501+/-0.169 in the fibrovascular proliferation group and 0.891+/-0.183 in the fibrous ingrowth group (P<0.01). CONCLUSION: Ultrasound biomicroscopy is useful in detecting fibrovascular proliferation at sclerotomy sites because a large and low-reflecting trapezoidal UBM image is highly correlated to its presence.     

Fibrovascular ingrowth and recurrent haemorrhage following diabetic vitrectomy

AIM: To investigate the prevalence and the outcome of management of fibrovascular ingrowth (FVI) in eyes undergoing vitreous cavity washout (VCWO) following vitrectomy for diabetic retinopathy. METHOD: FVI was searched for at VCWO for in 19 consecutive eyes with proliferative diabetic retinopathy undergoing vitreous surgery for recurrent vitreous cavity haemorrhage over an 18 month period; the findings were correlated with the presence or absence of associated sclerotomy vessels externally. Eyes with richly vascularised ingrowths from the pars plana entry sites, as well as eyes with less extensive ingrowths but extensive retinal ablation applied at previous surgery for recurrent haemorrhage, underwent lensectomy and ciliary membrane dissection in addition to extensive retinopexy (n=6). Less severe cases received peripheral laser and cryotherapy only. The outcome of repeat surgery was studied prospectively in the 11 eyes with FVI. RESULTS: 11 of the 19 eyes had a definite FVI from one or more of the original pars plana sclerotomies. In six of 11 eyes with FVI a large external episcleral vessel was present entering the original sclerotomy sites at which ingrowth was found peroperatively, but such sclerotomy vessels were also present in three of eight eyes with no FVI detected on the internal aspect of the sclerotomy. Two patients were lost to follow up and the remaining nine patients with FVI had no further vitreous cavity haemorrhage during initial follow up of 2-5 months. CONCLUSIONS: FVI has until now been considered an infrequent occurrence following vitrectomy for diabetic retinopathy. These findings would suggest that it is not uncommon and careful examination of the sclerotomy sites should be undertaken in all cases with recurrent haemorrhage and if FVI is found this should be treated appropriately.     

有晶状体眼的全玻璃体切除术

目的 :探讨有晶状体眼切除全玻璃体的可能性及其效果。方法 :对 4 8例 ( 50只 )有晶状体眼患者 ,做标准经睫状体平部三通道玻璃体切除术 ,同时将基底部和睫状体平部玻璃体一起切除。其中裂孔性视网膜脱离 1 4只眼 (包括巨大裂孔 3只眼 ) ,闭合性眼外伤 4只眼和开放性眼外伤 1 1只眼 (包括化脓性眼内炎 2只眼 ) ,黄斑部疾病 7只眼 ,各种原因玻璃体出血 5只眼 ,静脉周围炎 4只眼 ,急性视网膜坏死综合征 3只眼 ,糖尿病性视网膜病变 2只眼。手术后定期检查视力、眼球前段、眼底和眼压 ,最后复诊时用压陷三面镜检查并在再次手术中探查睫状体平部。结果 :充分全玻璃体切除 38只眼 ,部分全玻璃体切除 1 2只眼。无巩膜穿刺孔玻璃体嵌顿和轻度嵌顿者占 86 % ,未发生前段增生性玻璃体视网膜病变。无咬伤晶状体和睫状体并发症。一次手术成功率是 90 % ,再次视网膜和玻璃体手术总的成功率是 94 % ,患者视力较术前明显提高 (P <0 .0 5)。主要并发症是医源性视网膜裂孔、角膜上皮水肿、巩膜穿刺孔并发症、青光眼、视网膜再脱离和术中术后白内障。结论 :有晶状体眼全玻璃体切除术切实可行 ,能预防或减少与巩膜穿刺孔相关的并发症和前段增生性玻璃体视网膜病变。     

严重PDR玻璃体切割术后雷珠单抗注射的效果观察

目的：对严重增殖性糖尿病视网膜病变的患者行玻璃体切割术后行雷珠单抗注射的效果观察。方法：回归性分析。12例严重增殖性糖尿病视网膜病变患者(12眼)接受睫状体平坦部玻璃体切割术,同时给予硅油、惰性气体或者平衡液的玻璃体腔填充。在手术结束的同时给予雷珠单抗的玻璃体腔注射。结果：随访时间平均为2.75 mo。这12眼中分别包括玻璃体积血(1眼);玻璃体积血伴纤维血管化增生(1眼);玻璃体积血伴牵拉性视网膜脱离(3眼);纤维血管化增生伴牵拉性视网膜脱离(2眼);玻璃体积血伴新生血管性青光眼伴牵拉性视网膜脱离(1眼);玻璃体积血伴纤维血管化增生伴牵拉性视网膜脱离(2眼);玻璃体积血伴纤维血管化增生伴新生血管性青光眼伴牵拉性视网膜脱离(1眼);玻璃体积血伴牵拉性孔源性视网膜脱离(1眼)。12眼中,8眼行玻璃体腔硅油填充,2眼行惰性气体填充,2眼行平衡液填充。所有的患者之前均未接受任何治疗。视网膜脱离复位率为10/10(100%)。1眼术后出现前房积血。9眼术后最佳矫正视力较术前提高,2眼无明显变化,1眼较术前下降。 OCT检查显示8眼术后未见黄斑水肿。结论：玻璃体切割术后雷珠单抗注射对严重增殖性糖尿病视网膜病变患者有明显的治疗效果：手术成功率明显提高;患者视力显著提高;糖尿病黄斑水肿的发生概率减少;术中及术后并发症的发生率降低。     

Illuminated curved 25-gauge vitrectomy probe for removal of subsclerotomy vitreous in vitreoretinal surgery

Incarceration of vitreous in sclerotomy sites during pars plana vitrectomy can lead to wound-related complications similar to vitreous incarceration in cataract surgery. We describe an illuminated curved 25-gauge vitrectomy probe for removing vitreous from sclerotomy sites. Polyester tubing is used to secure a fiber optic endoilluminator (0.5 mm) with the curved 25-gauge vitrector (0.5 mm). The resultant illuminated curved vitrector (20 G) has a diameter of 1.0 mm. It facilitates complete removal of vitreous around the internal sclerotomies under direct visualization in both phakic and pseudophakic eyes. The same was confirmed with ultrasound biomicroscopy of the sclerotomy sites. Curved vitrector reduces postoperative complications related to incarcerated vitreous in phakic and pseudophakic eyes and other sclerotomy-related wound complications.     

Ultrasound biomicroscopy of conventional and sutureless pars plana sclerotomies: a comparative and longitudinal study

PURPOSE: To report the rate of ultrasonically visible vitreous incarceration and longitudinal changes of incarcerated vitreous in pars plana sclerotomies after conventional suturing or sutureless technique using ultrasound biomicroscopy. METHODS: Twenty-five consecutive eyes (25 patients) undergoing primary three-port pars plana vitrectomy participated. The first 16 pars plana vitrectomies were performed with standard conventional sutured sclerotomies, and the following nine pars plana vitrectomies were performed with modified sutureless sclerotomies. Patient demographics, diagnoses, procedures, and complications were recorded. Each patient had ultrasound biomicroscopy performed 1 week before surgery, and also after surgery at 1 week, 2 weeks, 3 weeks, 4 weeks, 2 months, 3 months, and 6 months. Visible vitreous incarceration was graded as 0 to 3. RESULTS: Vitreous incarceration was seen in 41 of 48 sclerotomies (85.4%) in the conventionally sutured group, and in 23 of 27 sclerotomies (85.2%) in the sutureless group, with no significant difference in severity among sclerotomies within each group and between the two groups. There was a significant difference in the rate of vitreous incarceration between diabetic patients with proliferative retinopathy and others (P =.002). No progressive change of visible vitreous incarceration was noted in any eye during the 6-month postoperative period. No sclerotomy-related complications occurred during the study period. CONCLUSIONS: Ultrasound biomicroscopy showed no difference in the amount of visible vitreous incarceration in conventionally sutured or sutureless sclerotomies. There was no visible longitudinal change in the incarcerated vitreous during the 6 months of follow-up in uncomplicated cases.     

Bevacizumab pretreatment and long-acting gas infusion on vitreous clear-up after diabetic vitrectomy

PURPOSE: To evaluate the effects of bevacizumab pretreatment combined with intravitreal infusion of C3F8 10% on the clearance speed of early postoperative vitreous hemorrhage in diabetic vitrectomy for eyes with active fibrovascular proliferation. DESIGN: Prospective, nonrandomized, comparative case study. METHODS: Sixteen eyes (15 patients) that underwent primary pars plana vitrectomy for active proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR) were prospectively enrolled with a follow-up period of six months or more. These cases received an intravitreal injection of bevacizumab (1.25 mg/0.05 ml) one week prior to surgery and intravitreal C3F8 10% infusion during surgery. The severity of intraoperative bleeding, vitreous clear-up time, percentage of prolonged vitreous clear-up (> or = three weeks), and recurrent hemorrhage respectively were compared with those in a control group (24 eyes in 24 patients) that received gas infusion alone. RESULTS: The severity of intraoperative bleeding was significantly lower in the study group than in the control group. Vitreous clear-up time for the study group and the control group was 7.2 +/- 5.6 days and 15.2 +/- 11.4 days, respectively (P = .04). Prolonged vitreous clear-up time (> or = three weeks) was observed in one of 16 (6.3%) and nine of 24 (37.5%) of the cases, respectively (P = .03). Early recurrent vitreous hemorrhage rates in the two groups were zero of 16 (0%) and one of 24 (4.2%), respectively (P = .41). Multiple logistic regression analyses showed that bevacizumab pretreatment reduced vitreous clear-up time. CONCLUSIONS: Bevacizumab pretreatment combined with C3F8 10% infusion could be an effective adjunct to vitrectomy in accelerating postoperative vitreous clear-up for eyes with active PDR.     

Pars plana incisions of four patients: histopathology and electron microscopy.

The pathology of pars plana incisions of four patients is described: three with light microscopy and one with light and electron microscopy. Two eyes were removed because of choroidal melanoma, immediately and 8 days after vitrectomy and transvitreous retinal biopsy. Considerable disruption of tissues surrounding the pars plana incisions was observed. Vitreous was incarcerated in the wounds, which healed with granulation tissue. One eye was examined 4 months after vitrectomy for diabetic retinopathy and a failed pars plana filtering operation. It contained fibrovascular ingrowth from all the incisions, infiltrating the vitreous base with granulation tissue and causing vitreous haemorrhage and retinal detachment. One eye was removed 1 year after vitrectomy for anterior hyaloidal fibrovascular proliferation and early phthisis. The wound had fibrous ingrowth histologically and evidence of active fibroplasia.     

Management of glaucoma implants occluded by vitreous incarceration

PURPOSE: To review the authors' experience in the management of aphakic or pseudophakic patients without an intact posterior capsule who had undergone glaucoma implant surgery complicated by vitreous incarceration in the tube, resulting in increased intraocular pressure or combined rhegmatogenous and tractional retinal detachment. METHODS: Retrospective review of the clinical features, treatment, and outcomes of eight patients who had vitreous incarceration in a glaucoma implant drainage tube. In each patient, a model 425 (7 patients) or model 350 (1 patient) Baerveldt glaucoma implant was used. RESULTS: Vitreous incarceration in the tube was first diagnosed 1 day to 49 weeks after surgery (mean, 7.5 weeks; median, 1 week). The interval between glaucoma implant surgery and pars plana vitrectomy ranged from 22 to 365 days (mean, 125 days). Before management with pars plana vitrectomy or neodymium:yttrium-aluminum-garnet laser vitreolysis, intraocular pressure ranged from 25 to 62 mm Hg (mean, 40 mm Hg). Four patients were initially treated with neodymium:yttrium-aluminum-garnet laser vitreolysis, which was successful in only one patient. Six patients were successfully treated with pars plana vitrectomy, and one patient declined surgery. Follow-up after treatment of the incarceration ranged from 5 weeks to 15 months (mean, 8.3 months). After pars plana vitrectomy, intraocular pressure ranged from 9 to 24 mm Hg (average, 14 mm Hg). Postoperative visual acuity remained within one line of the preoperative visual acuity in each of the six patients undergoing pars plana vitrectomy. CONCLUSIONS: Pars plana vitrectomy is effective in managing vitreous incarceration in glaucoma implant tubes. Previous anterior vitrectomy does not prevent incarceration.     

Ultrasound biomicroscopy study of vitreous incarceration subsequent to intravitreal injections

ObjectiveTo study the existence of vitreous incarceration by ultrasound biomicroscopy (UBM) at the pars plana after direct intravitreal injection of triamcinolone acetonide ± bevacizumab without anterior chamber paracentesis.DesignInterventional case series.ParticipantsPatients undergoing intravitreal injection of triamcinolone acetonide with or without intravitreal bevacizumab.MethodsIn 21 eyes, the existence of vitreous incarceration at the pars plana site of intravitreal injection of 0.05 mL of drug was studied by UBM (50 MHz probe of the VUmax, Sonomed, NY), the day after surgery, by 1 technician. The reason for injection was diabetic retinopathy in 12 (57.1%) eyes; age-related macular degeneration in 6 (28.6%) eyes; branch retinal vein occlusion in 2 (9.5%) eyes; and choroiditis in 1 eye (4.8%). In 1 eye, only triamcinolone acetonide was injected, and in the other eyes, bevacizumab mixed with triamcinolone acetonide was injected.ResultsWe studied 21 eyes in 13 patients. Of the subjects, 61.5% were male. The mean age of the patients was 62.2 years. On the day after intravitreal injection of the drug, vitreous incarceration into the pars plana site was detected by UBM in 42.9% of the eyes.ConclusionVitreous incarceration exists after intravitreal injection of drug, but its clinical importance is still unknown. Further long-term prospective studies are recommended.     

睫状体平坦部四切口玻璃体手术治疗严重增生性糖尿病视网膜病变

目的探讨睫状体平坦部四切口玻璃体手术治疗有广泛纤维血管膜增生的糖尿病视网膜病变（PDR）的临床效果。方法为病例对照试验。回顾性选择27例（28只眼）有广泛纤维血管膜增生的PDR Ⅵ期患者作为试验组,采用睫状体平坦部四切口玻璃体手术,双手进行眼内操作,如膜分离与切除,视网膜复位,眼内光凝硅油充填。选择同期有广泛纤维血管膜增生的PDR Ⅵ期患者30例（30只眼）作为对照组,由同一术者完成睫状体平坦部三切口玻璃体手术。结果试验组28只眼均顺利完成膜分离与切除,1只眼出现2个医源性视网膜裂孔。随访7～54个月,术后视网膜均复位,多数患者视力有不同程度提高。对照组2只眼有部分膜残留,3只眼出现4个医源性视网膜裂孔,随访12个月视网膜均复位,3只眼发生新生血管性青光眼。结论四切口玻璃体手术采用双手操作眼内剥膜,可明显提高手术效率,减少组织损伤,是治疗有广泛纤维血管膜增生的严重PDR的较好方法。（中华眼科杂志,2008,44：17—19）     

Massive suprachoroidal hemorrhage with retinal and vitreous incarceration; a vitreoretinal surgical approach

Suprachoroidal hemorrhage(SH) may cause the expulsion of the intraocular contents. Vitreous incarceration in the wound and retinal detachment with SH are extremely poor prognostic signs. Treatment modalities depend on the severity of eye damage. This particular patient had "kissing" hemorrhagic choroidal detachment which completely filled the vitreous cavity after cataract surgery. It seemed to be inoperable. Secondary surgery was delayed 3 days to lower IOP to normal levels. The eye underwent anterior drainage sclerotomy under constantly-maintained limbal or pars plana infusion fluid line pressure. The authors performed a pars plana vitrectomy, followed by perfluorocarbon liquid injection and a silicone oil tamponade. After this surgical approach, the patient attained an attached retina and a visual acuity of 5/200 at the 3 month follow-up.     

Early vitrectomy for progressive diabetic proliferations covering the macula.

The clinical course in 50 eyes was analysed after pars plana vitrectomy for progressive diabetic fibrovascular proliferations. Patients were assigned to pars plana vitrectomy if progression of proliferations occurred despite a photocoagulation treatment with a mean number of 3500 burns and additional peripheral cryoablation. All cases had visual impairment because of fibrovascular tissue covering the macula without detachment of the macula. Flat proliferations were present in all eyes without retinal elevation, vitreous detachment, or vitreous haemorrhage. The follow up intervals ranged from 13 months to 39 months (mean interval 24 months). Twelve months postoperatively, 36 eyes (72%) showed improved visual acuity, five eyes (10%) were worse, and nine eyes (18%) were unchanged. Thirty two eyes (64%) achieved a final visual acuity of 0.2 or better, and 45 eyes (90%) gained 0.05 or better. In only two eyes could reproliferation be observed. The postoperative course indicates that pars plana vitrectomy for diabetic fibrovascular proliferations covering the macula can preserve socially useful visual acuity of at least 0.05 in most cases.     

25-G玻璃体手术系统在儿童白内障手术中的应用

目的 探讨儿童白内障手术中在无灌注状态下应用25-G玻璃体切除头切除视轴区晶状体后囊膜和玻璃体前皮质的安全性和有效性.方法 为前瞻性系列病例研究.对连续30例(40只眼)儿童白内障在全身麻醉下进行晶状体前囊环形撕开、白内障吸出和囊袋内折叠式人工晶状体(IOL)植入后,在前房保留黏弹剂的状态下,经扁平部应用25-G玻璃体切除头行视轴区晶状体后囊膜切开和前玻璃体皮质切除.观察记录手术切除时间、眼压变化、穿刺口愈合情况、手术并发症和手术疗效.结果 所有手术均顺利进行,术中无前房塌陷、晶状体后囊膜撕裂和其他并发症,IOL均位于囊袋内.视轴区后囊膜切开和玻璃体前皮质切除的时间为20～60 s,平均(38.8±11.2)s.有2只眼术后发生短暂低眼压,均在3 d内恢复正常,其余患儿术后眼压在正常范围.术后2只眼前房出现轻度纤维性渗出,在术后37～d完全吸收.超声活体显微镜显示巩膜穿刺口在术后1个月左右痊愈.随访时间4～30个月,平均8个月.所有患儿瞳孔均圆而居中,无虹膜后粘连、后囊膜切开区混浊、IOL偏位或夹持、玻璃体脱出、视网膜脉络膜脱离及增生性玻璃体视网膜病变发生.结论 在儿童白内障手术中利用25-G玻璃体切除头在无灌注状态下行视轴区晶状体后囊膜切开和玻璃体前皮质切除术安全有效,手术创伤小,操作容易控制,术后炎症反应轻.长期疗效及与其他手术方式疗效的比较还需进一步观察.     

Pars plana vitrectomy for aphakic cystoid macular edema

The authors used a combined limbal and pars plana vitrectomy approach to treat 17 consecutive eyes (16 patients) with chronic aphakic cystoid macular edema associated with vitreous incarceration in the cataract wound. Criteria for surgery included: decreased visual acuity to 20/50 or worse; cystoid macular edema confirmed by fluorescein angiography; persistent edema of 6 months or longer; and visible vitreous incarceration in the limbal wound. The vitreous was successfully removed from the limbal wound in 16 of 17 eyes. Postoperatively, vision improved by two lines or more in 11 eyes (65%). The surgical technique is described.     

Modified sutureless sclerotomies in pars plana vitrectomy

PURPOSE: To study the effectiveness and safety of a modified sutureless sclerotomy technique in pars plana vitrectomy. METHODS: We rotated the scleral tunnels of the original sutureless sclerotomy technique through 90 degrees, thus rendering them parallel to the corneoscleral limbus. This modified technique was applied to 25 consecutive eyes (25 patients) that had pars plana vitrectomy during a 2-month period. RESULTS: Twenty (80%) of 25 eyes (25 patients) did not require suturing of the sclerotomy sites associated with pars plana vitrectomy. Eight (11%) of 75 sclerotomy sites required suturing to ensure watertight closure. No clinically significant complications were encountered. CONCLUSION: The modified sutureless sclerotomy technique was found to be safe, more convenient, and easier to perform, especially in eyes with small interpalpebral space.     

Persistent unsealed sclerotomy after intravitreal injection of triamcinolone acetonide with a 30-gauge needle

We report the case of a persistent unsealed sclerotomy following intravitreous injection of triamcinolone through the pars plana using a 30-gauge needle. The injection was made for the treatment of diabetic macular edema. The eye had been treated 9 months before by pars plana vitrectomy and pan retinal photocoagulation for vitreous hemorrhage complicating diabetic proliferative retinopathy. Five days after injection, the patient presented with severe hypotony and chemosis. A conjunctival Seidel was noted at the site of injection. Surgical exploration revealed a punctiform scleral wound without vitreous incarceration, which was closed with a 10-0 nylon suture. No other complication occurred. Our observation highlights that in spite of its simplicity, intravitreous injection of triamcinolone is an invasive procedure that requires rigorous follow-up. In vitrectomized eyes, the higher risk of unsealed scleral wound after intravitreous injection should encourage this injection to be made in a site where no sclerotomy usually occurs. The 6'o-clock meridian could be a good location.