Federico Tridico

Local and Systemic Complications after Intravitreal Administration of Anti-Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Agents in the Treatment of Different Ocular Diseases: A Five-Year Retrospective Study

Abstract Purpose: To observe the frequency of complications in patients undergoing intravitreal anti-VEGF injections for different ocular diseases in a five-year period. Materials and Methods: Charts of patients receiving intravitreal anti-VEGF were retrospectively reviewed. Out of 1173 eyes, 762 were treated with bevacizumab, 382 with ranibizumab, and 29 with pegaptanib. Data recorded included demographic information, clinical findings, total injections received, and info about the onset of adverse effects. Results: 12.86% of the eyes treated with bevacizumab presented side-effects, while ratings in the ranibizumab and pegaptanib groups were 15.97% and 20.69%, respectively. Odds ratios calculated comparing incidences after each anti-VEGF are 0.78 (bevacizumab versus ranibizumab, p = 0.152), 0.57 (bevacizumab versus pegaptanib, p = 0.227), and 0.73 (ranibizumab versus pegaptanib, p = 0.508). A total of 185 complications were detected (62.16% after bevacizumab). Ocular side-effects registered were 40 cases of sustained intraocular pression (IOP) elevation, one infectious uveitis, one retinal detachment, and one sub-retinal hemorrhage. Other cases were related to transient IOP elevation immediately after injection. Systemic complications registered were one case of nausea, one episode of chest pain with acute vision loss, and one case of acute blood hypertension. Conclusions: The majority of significant complications occurred in patients receiving multiple bevacizumab administrations. However, results may be affected by the difference in the utilization amount for each drug. AMD patients were the most represented, probably due to greater indication to treatment.

Ocular Complications in Laparoscopic Surgery: Review of Existing Literature and Possible Prevention and Treatment

ABSTRACT During laparoscopic surgery, ocular complications are possible, sometimes leading to devastating visual losses, hardly susceptible to recovery, although rare. Principal ocular adverse events are represented by corneal abrasions and the perioperative visual loss (POVL). POVL onset is related to intraocular pressure elevations (particularly after patient positioning in Trendelenburg or prone decubitus, depending on the surgical procedure), anesthesiologic factors and patients’ characteristics. In the light of evidence from the existing literature, the authors suggest surgical and anesthesiologic measures to prevent and manage ocular complications in laparoscopic surgery. Apart from general recommendations, this article indicates practical guidelines specific for robot-assisted laparoscopic interventions and spinal surgery, as well as laparoscopic colorectal resection, radical prostatectomy, and gynecologic surgery. In conclusion, in order to better manage these complications, it is advisable to develop an interdisciplinary collaboration between surgeons, anesthesiologists, and ophthalmologists, on a procedural and medico-legal level, with the intent of mutual training.

Glaucoma: Biological Trabecular and Neuroretinal Pathology with Perspectives of Therapy Innovation and Preventive Diagnosis

Glaucoma is a common degenerative disease affecting retinal ganglion cells (RGC) and optic nerve axons, with progressive and chronic course. It is one of the most important reasons of social blindness in industrialized countries. Glaucoma can lead to the development of irreversible visual field loss, if not treated. Diagnosis may be difficult due to lack of symptoms in early stages of disease. In many cases, when patients arrive at clinical evaluation, a severe neuronal damage may have already occurred. In recent years, newer perspective in glaucoma treatment have emerged. The current research is focusing on finding newer drugs and associations or better delivery systems in order to improve the pharmacological treatment and patient compliance. Moreover, the application of various stem cell types with restorative and neuroprotective intent may be found appealing (intravitreal autologous cellular therapy). Advances are made also in terms of parasurgical treatment, characterized by various laser types and techniques. Moreover, recent research has led to the development of central and peripheral retinal rehabilitation (featuring residing cells reactivation and replacement of defective elements), as well as innovations in diagnosis through more specific and refined methods and inexpensive tests.

Complications of Intravitreal Anti-VEGF Drugs: A Report on Our Personal Experience

Intravitreal anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) agents usage is widely spread as primary treatment of many vitreo-retinal disease such as neovascular age-related macular degeneration, diabetic macular edema, macular edema secondary to retinal vein occlusion and other conditions. Recently we conducted a five year retrospective chart analysis of patients that arrived at the Macular Disease Center of our institute in order to assess the frequency of local and systemic complication in patients undergoing intravitreal bevacizumab, ranibizumab and/or pegaptanib for the treatment of different ocular diseases [1].

Best Prophylactic Strategy in Groups at Risk of Intraoperative Floppy Iris Syndrome Development: Comparison Between Atropine Instillation and Adrenaline Intracameral Injection

Background: Intraoperative Floppy Iris Syndrome (IFIS) is an important cause of surgical complications and iris defects in patients undergoing phacoemulsification that were treated with selective subtype α1A receptor antagonists for a long period of time. To date, no definitive preventive strategy has emerged, yet. The need of prophylaxis is dictated by the high prevalence of males affected by benign prostatic hyperplasia undergoing cataract surgery. Objective: To identify the best prophylactic strategy in groups at risk of IFIS development by comparing two mydriatic treatments in course of phacoemulsification surgery. Methods: 81 eyes of 81 patients in treatment with Tamsulosin were enrolled in the study. 43 eyes were treated with atropine sulfate 1% while 38 eyes received an injection of mydriatic solution containing epinephrine in the anterior chamber. All phacoemulsifications were videotaped in order to assess the occurrence of IFIS and the severity of the syndrome. Results: The treatment group showed a statistically significant reduction (p = 0.0115) of floppy iris syndrome incidence, from 86.05% (37/43) of the atropine group to 60.53% (23/38). The analysis showed a reduction of IFIS mild form only, whereas the incidence of severe forms remained unchanged. Conclusions: We believe that IFIS may arise through two different mechanisms: pharmacological antagonism and anatomical modifications. Patients suffering from mild forms of the disease showed a statistically significant reduction of IFIS incidence after intraoperative prophylaxis due to epinephrine’s ability to displace Tamsulosin, resulting in the increase of iris tone when the disease is caused mainly by receptorial antagonism. On the contrary, prophylaxis does not deliver any valuable result in case of severe forms where the anatomical variations play a major role.

From DMEK to Corneal Endothelial Cell Therapy: Technical and Biological Aspects

The main treatment available for restoration of the corneal endothelium is keratoplasty and DMEK provides faster visual recovery and better postoperative visual acuity when compared to DSAEK. However, the technical challenges related to this technique and the steep technical learning curve seem to prevent the overcoming of DSAEK in favor of DMEK. Furthermore, the outcome of lamellar keratoplasty techniques is influenced by problems related to corneal grafting tissue availability, management, and quality. On the other hand, improvements in the field of cell engineering have opened the way for the use of stem cells-derived corneal endothelial cells with regenerative intent. In this overview, latest findings in endothelial cell engineering are reported, and perspectives of clinical application of mesenchymal stem cells for corneal endothelial replacement and regeneration are evaluated.

Efficacy of Subconjunctival Bevacizumab Injections before and after Surgical Excision in Preventing Pterygium Recurrence

Purpose To evaluate the efficacy of subconjunctival bevacizumab injections, before and after surgical excision with bare sclera technique, in preventing postoperative pterygium recurrence. Material and Methods 83 eyes of 83 patients affected with primary pterygia underwent surgical excision. 42 eyes received two subconjunctival bevacizumab injections, at the dosage of 2.5 mg/0.1 ml, one week prior surgery and one week after intervention. Recurrence rate was evaluated among the two groups. Moreover, modifications of pterygium size and grade one week after the first injection were evaluated. Results At 6 months after surgery, the recurrence rate was 7.14% in the bevacizumab group and 24.39% in the control group. Significant changes of pterygium size and grade were reported after the first injection. No important complications related to bevacizumab subconjunctival injections were registered. Conclusions The application of subconjunctival bevacizumab injections, at the dosage of 2.5 mg/0.1 ml, before and after surgical pterygium excision, may be useful in preventing lesion recurrence after bare scleral procedures. Furthermore, bevacizumab subconjunctival administration is well tolerated and may represent a safer alternative if compared with other surgical techniques and adjunctive drugs. This trial is retrospectively registered with ISRCTN Registry on 18 April 2017, TRN: ISRCTN11424742.

Minimally Invasive Surgery of Lachrymal Outflow: Comparison of Techniques with Presentation of a Novel Surgical Dacryocystectomy Variant

Objective: The surgical treatment of epiphora and dacryocistitis includes Dacryocystorhinostomy (DCR) and Dacryocystectomy (DCT). To date, dacryocystectomy has been considered a secondary procedure and is not properly considered among the currently available surgical options. Intubation of the lacrimal system often improves surgical outcomes. In this study, a new variant of surgical technique, dacryocystectomy with lacrimal canalicula silicone intubation, is presented. All novel aspects and possible indications are discussed.Methods: Patients with chronic dacryocystitis associated with epiphora and lacrimal stenosis were enrolled for dacryocystectomy with silicon intubation. During follow-up, prevalence of epiphora, disease recurrences and adverse events have been investigated. Also, a retrospective clinical charts comparison with patients that received dacryocystorhinostomy ab externo has been performed.Results: No significant differences were found in terms of postoperative epiphora, silicon tube dislocation and overall adverse events have been observed between the compared groups (p>0.1). Persistent bleeding events were significantly more frequent in the DCR group (p<0.05). No severe adverse events were observed in both groups.Conclusions: Lacrimal intubation may improve classical dacryocystectomy outcomes with greater reduction of the epiphora. This technique, when well indicated (especially following a proper intraoperative clinical evaluation), may provide a decisive resolution of infective/inflammatory lacrimal affections and can avoid intra and postoperative complications associated with DCR.

Implantation of a Multifocal Toric Intraocular Lens after Radial Keratotomy and Cross-Linking with Hyperopia and Astigmatism Residues: A Case Report

Radial keratotomy is a refractive surgical technique, widely used in the 80s and early 90s to correct myopia and astigmatism, but now overcome by more recent laser techniques. Important consequences, often in patients with more than 45 years of age, are progressive hyperopic shift and/or an increase in corneal astigmatism, whose main cause seems to be an increase in the curvature radius of the central portion of the cornea. This seems to be due to radial keratotomy incisions – with the consequent need for cross-linking – intraocular pressure, and corneal biomechanical parameters. The authors propose phacoemulsification with a customized multifocal toric intraocular lens implantation to correct the induced shift and hyperopic astigmatism. A decent postoperative visual acuity was observed with good patient satisfaction. A specific protocol must be applied to optimize the correct diagnosis, presurgical evaluation and postsurgical outcomes that are to be maintained over time, without regressions.