Retro-mode imaging and fundus autofluorescence with scanning laser ophthalmoscope of retinal dystrophies

Background

To evaluate results after seven years using prophylactic intracameral cefazolin for the prevention of endophthalmitis in cataract surgery.

Methods

A prospective, observational study of all patients submitted to cataract surgery over the period January 1996 to December 2009. All cases of postoperative endophthalmitis over that period were reviewed. The patients were classified in two groups: Group 1 (11,696 patients) operated on between January 1996 and December 2002, Group 2 (13,305 patients) between January 2003 and December 2009 (in whom a 1 mg/0.1 bolus of intracameral cefazolin was instilled).

Results

During the study period, 76 cases of endophthalmitis were observed in Group 1, and seven in Group 2. The rate of postoperative endophthalmitis reduced from 0.63% to 0.05% with a cefazolin injection. The relative risk (RR) for endophthalmitis in Group 1 against group 2 was 11.45 [95% CI 5.72-22.84, p < 0.001].

Conclusions

An intracameral bolus injection of cefazolin (1 mg in 0.1 ml solution) at the conclusion of the cataract surgery significantly reduced the rate of postoperative endophthalmitis.     

Granuloma piogénico tras blanqueamiento ocular cosmético

Clinical caseA 46-year-old caucasian male with a history of chronic conjunctival hyperemia, presented at our clinic 5 years after he underwent the surgical procedure of cosmetic eye whitening. On examination we observed pyogenic granuloma in the right eye; besides acute nongranulomatous anterior uveitis and necrotizing scleritis in both eyes.ResultComplete clinical evaluation and full work-up exclusion of systemic diseases was done. The pyogenic granuloma was treated with surgical resection, as well as anterior uveitis and necrotizing scleritis were successfully treated with systemic corticoesteroids and methotrexate.ConclusionThe surgical cosmetic eye whitening could have as complication the pyogenic granuloma in addition to necrotizing scleritis and nongranulomatous anterior uveitis; and be present 5 years after the procedure. The surgical resection is a successful treatment for this presentation of pyogenic granuloma.     

Perilimbal topical anesthesia for clear corneal phacoemulsification

PURPOSE: To evaluate the efficacy of perilimbal topical anesthesia for clear corneal cataract surgery. SETTING: Department of Ophthalmology, University of Udine, Udine, Italy. METHODS: Seventy-five consecutive patients were studied for perioperative pain, visual outcome, and intraoperative complications. Topical anesthesia was administered with a cellulose sponge soaked in preservative-free lidocaine 2%. The perilimbal area was touched 360 degrees for 30 seconds with the sponge tip under the operating microscope just before surgery. No sedation or adjunctive anesthetic drops were given. Surgery was performed through a temporal corneal tunnel with the easy-chop technique. Pain was scored on a subjective scale from 0 (no pain) to 3 (severe pain). Visual acuity was measured 1 day and 1 week after surgery. Mean operating time was recorded. RESULTS: Sixty-nine patients (92%) tolerated the procedure well, giving a pain score of 0 or 1. Six (8%) of the 40 patients who had a single stitch at the end of surgery scored 2. No patient reported pain during iris touch, intraocular lens implantation, or conjunctiva manipulation. No intraoperative complications were recorded. Mean operating time was 12.7 minutes +/- 3.7 (SD) (range 7 to 34 minutes). Mean preoperative visual acuity was 0.4 +/- 0.2 (range 0.01 to 0.80). Visual acuity of 0.5 or better was attained in 93.6% of eyes 1 day and in 96% 1 week postoperatively. CONCLUSIONS: Perilimbal topical anesthesia was an effective and easy-to-administer anesthetic procedure for phacoemulsification, providing good perioperative pain tolerance by patients and rapid visual recovery.     

A novel spectral-domain optical coherence tomography model to estimate changes in vitreomacular traction syndrome

Purpose

To analyze the course of eyes with vitreomacular traction (VMT), and to find by optical coherence tomography (OCT) possible correlations between vitreomacular interface area changes and the chance of spontaneous VMT resolution.

Methods

Retrospective analysis of all consecutive patients presenting with VMT over a 24-month period. We introduced a novel OCT evaluation model to assess the vitreomacular interface area. Central foveal thickness (CFT) and best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) were also analyzed throughout follow-up.

Results

Twenty-six eyes of 18 symptomatic patients were followed for 12.9?±?4.8 months. Eyes were subdivided into groups according to their clinical course. Six eyes (23%) had a spontaneous resolution of the VMT (group A), and the interface area before its occurrence (39565?±?26409 μm²) was smaller than at study entry (99434?±?38819 μm²; p?=?0.03). The interface area did not significantly change throughout follow-up in the group that underwent surgery (group B, 11 eyes) and in the group that remained overall stable (group C, 9 eyes). At baseline, the interface area was smaller in group A compared to groups with non-resolved VMT (mean values of group B and C together) (785095?±?920721 μm²; p?=?0.002). CFT and BCVA did not significantly change in any of the studied groups. Vitreomacular interface area of 101002 μm² was identified as the threshold value separating the spontaneous VMT resolution group from the group with non-resolved VMT (p?Conclusions The more the vitreomacular interface area reduced over time, the higher was the chance of spontaneous VMT resolution. An area below 101002 μm² was the threshold value indicating a higher chance of spontaneous release of VMT.     

Natural course of photic maculopathy secondary to uncomplicated cataract surgery

We report on a 36‐year‐old man who developed photic maculopathy in the left eye shortly after uncomplicated cataract surgery. The visual acuity (VA) of the left eye was 6/39 and spectral domain optical coherence tomography (SD‐OCT), performed one week after surgery, revealed a hyporeflective space in the outer retina (a ‘partial‐thickness hole’) at the fovea. Microperimetry showed a relative central scotoma and multifocal electroretinogram (ERG) showed reduced responses within the central 10°. Two months later, VA in the felt eye improved to 6/6 and SD‐OCT showed an almost complete resolution of the ‘partial‐thickness hole’. Microperimetry showed the resolution of the relative scotoma at the fovea and multifocal ERG showed improved responses within the central 10°. SD‐OCT, microperimetry and multifocal ERG are useful tools in the diagnosis and follow‐up of photic maculopathy after uncomplicated cataract surgery. Its natural history may be characterised by resolution of both morphological and functional changes shortly after surgery.     

Paracentral acute middle maculopathy as a cause of unexplained visual loss in central retinal vein occlusion

A 79-year-old man presented with unilateral unexplained sudden onset visual loss in the setting of central retinal vein occlusion (CRVO). Non ischemic CRVO in the right eye (RE) was confirmed on fluorescein angiography. Spectral domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) showed absence of macular edema and hyperreflective band-like lesions in the middle retinal layers of the RE suggesting a diagnosis of paracentral acute middle maculopathy (PAMM). Patient was observed and after 3 months, best-corrected visual acuity in the RE spontaneously improved from 38 to 56 ETDRS letters. SD-OCT scans showed thinning of the inner nuclear layer of the RE. OCT angiography in the RE revealed a mild attenuation of the vascular flow signal in the superficial capillary plexus and patchy areas of vascular flow void in the deep capillary plexus, as compared to the fellow eye.The present case outlines the importance of recognising PAMM as a cause of unexplained visual loss. In the setting of a CRVO with sudden vision loss and absence of macular edema, clinicians should pay attention to any hyperreflectivity and/or to thinning of the middle retinal layers on SD-OCT.