John W. Kitchens

Indocyanine green-assisted internal limiting membrane peeling for macular holes: toxicity?

Background: Indocyanine green (ICG) staining facilitates definitive internal limiting membrane (ILM) peeling during macular hole surgery (MHS), but might cause toxicity. Purpose: To determine if ICG to assist in ILM peeling has an effect on anatomic or visual results in MHS with ILM peeling. Methods: Retrospective, comparative review including primary analysis of 173 cases undergoing MHS. Visual acuity ≥20/50, ≤20/200, three-line visual acuity improvement, and anatomic success rates were analyzed as endpoints. Results: The single operation hole closure rate was 87% with ICG versus 83% without ICG (P = 0.52). Postoperative median best-corrected visual acuity was 20/70 and 20/80 in the ICG and no ICG groups with median follow-up intervals of 8 and 9 months. The use of ICG was associated with a higher rate of ≤20/200, but ILM peeling and ICG use was not associated with better anatomic success, visual improvement, or ≥20/50 visual acuity. Conclusions: ICG usage during macular hole surgery was not associated with worse visual outcomes, suggesting possible toxic effects reported are not clinically significant. If the ILM cannot be peeled effectively, ICG should be considered a safe option.

Triamcinolone Acetonide Preparations: Impact of Crystal Size on In Vitro Behavior

Purpose: To characterize the in vitro behavior of three preparations of triamcinolone acetonide (TA). Methods: Three preparations of TA were mixed with Balanced Salt Solution Plus: commercially available TA (Kenalog 40, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Princeton, NJ), compounded preservative-free triamcinolone acetonide (PFTA, New England Compounding Center, Framingham, MA), and triamcinolone acetonide injectable suspension (TAIS, TRIESENCE, Alcon, Inc., Fort Worth, TX). We determined the mean number of crystalline aggregates per high-power deconvolution microscopy field, largest aggregate area, and spectroscopic photometric absorption. Results: Preservative-free triamcinolone acetonide had larger mean number of aggregates compared with TA (time 0 P = 0.002, 10 minutes P < 0.001) and TAIS (time 0 P < 0.001, 10 minutes P = 0.003). Aggregate size varied at both 0 and 10 minutes: TAIS > TA > PFTA. Spectroscopic photometric absorption decreased in direct correlation to aggregate size over time for all three preparations. Conclusion: In vitro, PFTA in Balanced Salt Solution Plus had more aggregates of smaller size than either TA or TAIS. By contrast, TAIS had much larger aggregate size than both PFTA and TA, and this increased over time. These findings correlate with the clinical observations that PFTA and TA tend to disperse throughout the vitreous, whereas TAIS tends to conglomerate and gravitate toward the most dependent portion of the eye in a globular fashion.

Active aspiration of suprachoroidal hemorrhage using a guarded needle.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE To describe a novel technique using a guarded needle to drain suprachoroidal hemorrhage. PATIENTS AND METHODS A guarded needle is used to drain suprachoroidal hemorrhage under direct microscope visualization. A scleral buckling sleeve is used to create a guarded 26-gauge needle to avoid over-penetration of the needle beyond the suprachoroidal space. Active extrusion can be used to drain suprachoroidal blood. RESULTS The authors report two cases in which active aspiration using a guarded needle was successful in draining suprachoroidal hemorrhage without complications. In both cases, the vitreous cavity could be restored, allowing for subsequent pars plana vitrectomy. CONCLUSION The technique of active aspiration using a guarded needle optimizes surgeon control of suprachoroidal hemorrhage drainage and also has the added benefit of easy transition to secondary vitrectomy after drainage has been completed.

The Role of Anti-VEGF Therapy in the Treatment of Diabetic Macular Edema

Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is the leading cause of blindness among working-age adults. DR often leads to diabetic macular edema (DME), which often goes unnoticed until a patient presents with vision loss. However, treatment options and data for DME are continually improving. We know that vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) plays a key role in DME progression; therapies that act by inhibiting VEGF production seem to improve visual acuity in patients with DME. Of the anti-VEGF therapies available, two have been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to treat DME: ranibizumab (Lucentis; Genentech, South San Francisco, CA) and aflibercept (Eylea; Regeneron, Tarrytown, NY). Bevacizumab (Avastin; Genentech, South San Francisco, CA), which is approved for the treatment of certain types of cancer, is occasionally used off-label to treat DME. Anti-VEGF therapy can stop vision loss and even improve visual acuity. Other treatments remain effective, and these various treatment options fuel a need for new data and discussion. This roundtable discussion, which took place during the 2015 annual meeting of the American Academy of Ophthalmology, outlines the current protocols used to treat DME and provides clinical opinions about selecting and treating with an appropriate anti-VEGF therapy. [Ophthalmic Surg Lasers Imaging Retina. 2016;47:S5-14.].

PRN Ranibizumab in the Treatment of Choroidal Neovascularization Secondary to Ocular Histoplasmosis

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE Ranibizumab (Lucentis; Genentech, South San Francisco, CA) is used off-label for the treatment of choroidal neovascularization secondary to ocular histoplasmosis syndrome (OHS). This study prospectively evaluates the safety and efficacy of two treatment paradigms utilizing ranibizumab 0.5 mg: one or three initial injections followed by monthly visits with PRN treatment through Month 12. PATIENTS AND METHODS In this prospective, open-label study, 21 subjects were evaluated monthly and retreated during the pro re nata treatment phase if specific criteria were met, including loss of vision, increase in subretinal fluid, or hemorrhage. Adverse events, best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), and central subfield retinal thickness (CST) were evaluated. RESULTS No adverse events were observed. Mean BCVA improved in both groups by approximately 2 lines, and mean CST decreased by approximately 100 μm at month 12. The number of injections was the same (5.7 and 5.8 injections). CONCLUSION Results suggest that ranibizumab is safe and efficacious for treatment of CNV secondary to OHS. [Ophthalmic Surg Lasers Imaging Retina. 2018;49:20-26.].

Neovascular AMD With Marked Macular Fluid and Rapid Response to Anti-VEGF Therapy

The authors describe the clinical management and spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) findings of three unusual cases of neovascular age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Each patient presented with decreased vision and a diagnosis of neovascular AMD, with SD-OCT findings of marked macular fluid. Macular fluid was noted to be subretinal fluid, pigment epithelial detachment, or both. In each case, visual acuity improved and the fluid resolved rapidly with monthly anti-vascular endothelial growth factor therapy.