Sundeep Dev

Endophthalmitis After 25-gauge And 20-gauge Pars Plana Vitrectomy: Incidence and Outcomes

Purpose: To compare the rates of endophthalmitis after 20-gauge versus 25-gauge pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) and to investigate clinical features of, and visual acuity outcomes, for patients with endophthalmitis after PPV. Methods: A computerized database search was performed at each author’s institution to identify all patients who underwent PPV by any of the authors between January 1, 2005, and December 31, 2006, and were subsequently treated for endophthalmitis. In addition, all patients who underwent PPV and were subsequently treated for endophthalmitis at Pennsylvania State College of Medicine (Hershey, PA) and Bascom Palmer Eye Institute (Miami, FL) during the study period were included. The medical records of these patients were reviewed to confirm that the endophthalmitis was associated with PPV and to collect clinical data to meet the study objectives. Results: The incidence of endophthalmitis during the study period was 2 cases per 6,375 patients (or 1 case per 3,188 patients; 0.03%) for 20-gauge PPV compared with 11 cases per 1,307 patients (or 1 case per 119 patients; 0.84%) for 25-gauge PPV (P < 0.0001). Of 11 eyes that developed endophthalmitis after 25-gauge PPV, 9 received endophthalmitis prophylaxis with subconjunctival cefazolin after surgery. Median intraocular pressure on postoperative day 1 was 13 mmHg (range, 5–27 mmHg). Median time between PPV and endophthalmitis presentation was 3 days (range, 1–15 days). Presenting vision was hand motions or better in all eyes. Initial treatment included vitreous tap and injection of antibiotics in nine eyes and PPV and injection of antibiotics in two. All patients received intraocular treatment with vancomycin, and 10 received ceftazidime treatment. Eight patients had final visual acuity of ≥20/400, and four had visual acuity of ≥20/63. Cultures were negative in three cases; no culture specimens were obtained in one case. Six of the seven isolates were coagulase-negative staphylococci, and one was enterococcus. Five of six isolates tested for sensitivity to vancomycin were sensitive, and both isolates tested for sensitivity to ceftazidime were sensitive. Conclusions: The rate of endophthalmitis after 25-gauge PPV was significantly higher than that after 20-gauge PPV. Endophthalmitis after 25-gauge PPV occurred within 15 days of PPV, was usually due to coagulase-negative staphylococci sensitive to vancomycin, and was associated with variable visual outcomes.

Methotrexate treatment for sarcoid-associated panuveitis

OBJECTIVE To determine the safety and efficacy of low-dose methotrexate (MTX) for sarcoid-associated panuveitis. DESIGN Retrospective noncomparative case series. PARTICIPANTS Twenty eyes from 11 patients were analyzed. Eight patients had sarcoidosis. Three patients were clinically suspected of sarcoidosis despite negative laboratory testing. All charts of patients with sarcoidosis and idiopathic uveitis seen by the Duke Uveitis Service from 1989 to 1997 were retrospectively reviewed. Those with sarcoid-associated or sarcoid-suspected panuveitis treated with MTX with a minimum of 6 months of follow-up were studied. INTERVENTION Low-dose MTX was administered to patients weekly and patients were followed with serial ophthalmologic and medical examinations. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Visual acuity, oral and topical corticosteroid requirements, anterior chamber inflammation, and ability to undergo successful cataract extraction were used to measure the efficacy of MTX therapy. RESULTS After MTX treatment was initiated, 90% of eyes had preserved or improved visual acuity. Mean initial Snellen visual acuity was 20/62 and mean final acuity was 20/40 (P = 0.044). Of those patients initially requiring oral corticosteroids, the dosage was decreased in 100%, and they were completely discontinued in 86%. The mean initial oral corticosteroid dose was 26.6 mg and the mean final dose was 1.5 mg (P = 0.012). Topical corticosteroids were decreased in 63% of eyes. The mean initial use was once every 1.6 hours, and the mean final use was once every 3.9 hours (P = 0.001). Ninety-five percent of eyes had stabilized or decreased inflammation. The mean initial inflammation score was 1.2, and the mean final score was 0.5 (P = 0.007). Five of six eyes previously unable to have cataract extraction because of uncontrolled inflammation became quiet on MTX and underwent surgery. One hundred percent of these eyes had improved vision after surgery. Side effects were mild and transient or reversible. CONCLUSION Low-dose MTX is an effective and safe adjunct to treat chronic sarcoid-associated panuveitis.

Diabetic macular edema associated with glitazone use.

Purpose: To describe diabetic macular edema (DME) in patients who developed fluid retention as a consequence of glitazone use. Methods: A chart review identified 30 patients who used pioglitazone or rosiglitazone and had both lower extremity edema and macular edema. Clinical reports, photographs, and fluorescein angiograms were reviewed. Patients followed for >3 months were analyzed separately. Results: Seventeen patients took oral pioglitazone, 11 took rosiglitazone, and 2 took both drugs at different times. Eleven patients were observed for >3 months after cessation of glitazones. Mean weight gain during drug administration in this group was 30 lb, and mean weight loss after drug discontinuation was 19 lb. Rapid reduction in macular edema off drug occurred in only 4 of 11 patients, but 8 of 11 had reduced edema over 2 years. Mean visual acuity in this group at the initial visit was 20/60, and at the final visit, it was 20/85. Four eyes of three patients had resolution of diffuse macular edema with improved vision after cessation of glitazones without laser treatment. Conclusions: Fluid retention occurs in 5% to 15% of patients taking glitazones. In some of these patients, glitazone use appears to be a cause of macular edema, and drug cessation appears to result in rapid resolution of both peripheral and macular edema. Fluid retention associated with glitazone use should be considered when assessing treatment options for patients with DME, especially those with concomitant peripheral edema.

Incidence of endophthalmitis after 20-gauge vs 23-gauge vs 25-gauge pars plana vitrectomy

PurposeTo compare endophthalmitis rates after 20-gauge versus 23-gauge versus 25-gauge pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) in 2007–2008, and compare the rates with those of 2005–2006.MethodsMulticenter study including all patients who developed endophthalmitis following PPV performed by any of the authors during 2005–2008, and all patients who developed endophthalmitis following PPV at Penn State College of Medicine and Bascom Palmer Eye Institute during 2005–2008. The endophthalmitis rates after 20-gauge, 23-gauge and 25-gauge PPV during 2007–2008 were compared to those from 2005–2006.ResultsThe endophthalmitis incidence during 2007–2008 was 1/4,403 (0.02%) for 20-gauge PPV, 1/3,362 (0.03%) for 23-gauge PPV, and 1/789 (0.13%) for 25-gauge PPV. There is no significant difference among these rates between any two of the three groups. Compared with the endophthalmitis rates among the same group of surgeons during 2005–2006, the 2007–2008 endophthalmitis rates following 20-gauge and 23-gauge PPV were stable, and the rate following 25-gauge PPV was marginally lower (p = 0.056; odds ratio = 0.15; 95% CI: (0.003, 1.03)).ConclusionsThere was no significant difference in the 2007–2008 rates of endophthalmitis following 20-gauge versus 23-gauge versus 25-gauge PPV; among the same group of surgeons, the 2007–2008 rate of endophthalmitis following 25-gauge PPV was marginally lower than the 2005–2006 rate.

Autosomal Recessive Vitelliform Macular Dystrophy In a Large Cohort Of Vitelliform Macular Dystrophy Patients

Purpose: To report 11 cases of autosomal recessive vitelliform macular dystrophy and to compare their molecular findings and phenotypic characteristics with those of patients with the more common and well-described dominant form of the disease. Methods: Blood samples were obtained from 435 unrelated individuals with a clinical diagnosis of vitelliform macular dystrophy and screened for mutations in the coding sequences of BEST1. Medical records and retinal photographs of selected patients were reviewed. Results: Nine of the 435 probands were found to have 2 plausible disease-causing variations in BEST1, while 198 individuals were found to have heterozygous variations compatible with autosomal dominant inheritance. Inheritance phase was determined in three of the recessive families. Six novel disease-causing mutations were identified among these recessive patients: Arg47Cys, IVS7−2A>G, IVS7+4G>A, Ile205del12ATCCTGCTCCAGAG, Pro274Arg, and Ile366delCAGGTGTGGC. Forty-four novel disease-causing mutations were identified among the patients with presumed autosomal dominant disease. The phenotype of patients with recessive alleles for BEST1 ranged from typical vitelliform lesions to extensive extramacular deposits. Conclusion: The authors provide evidence that two abnormal BEST1 alleles, neither of which causes macular disease alone, can act in concert to cause early-onset vitelliform macular dystrophy.

Subtenon’s depot corticosteroid injections in patients with a history of corticosteroid-induced intraocular pressure elevation☆

PURPOSE To determine whether a history of intraocular pressure elevation from local corticosteroid administration could predict subsequent intraocular pressure elevation after posterior subtenons corticosteroid injection. METHODS A retrospective review was performed of 64 consecutive patients (64 eyes) receiving posterior subtenons corticosteroid injection. Patients were categorized as either historical corticosteroid responders or nonresponders based on intraocular pressure response to topical corticosteroid drops in the same eye or to previous posterior subtenons corticosteroid injection of the fellow eye. Historical responders were defined as having a relative intraocular pressure increase of 5 mm Hg and absolute intraocular pressure greater than 24 mm Hg with an anatomically open angle. Relative risk of intraocular pressure elevation was evaluated based on historical response and presenting diagnosis. RESULTS Nine eyes were historical responders, and 55 eyes were historical nonresponders. A higher rate of recurrent intraocular pressure elevation developed in historical responder eyes (4 of 9, 44%) compared with nonresponders (7 of 55, 13%) after posterior subtenons injection (P = .04, Fishers test; P = .07, Kaplan-Meier analysis). Historical responders with uveitis were at significantly higher risk of intraocular pressure elevation than nonresponders without uveitis (hazard ratio = 10.8, P = .04, Cox proportional hazards). All but one eye that developed intraocular pressure elevation from posterior subtenons injection was adequately controlled with topical antiglaucoma therapy. CONCLUSION In nonglaucomatous eyes, a previous history of corticosteroid-induced intraocular pressure elevation is a relative, not absolute, contraindication to posterior subtenons corticosteroid injection, because the risk of intraocular pressure elevation is not absolute, and because it can usually be well controlled with topical antiglaucoma therapy.

Visual outcomes after pars plana vitrectomy for epiretinal membranes associated with pars planitis

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the results of pars plana vitrectomy and membrane stripping for visually significant macular epiretinal membranes associated with chronic idiopathic pars planitis. DESIGN Consecutive noncomparative case series. PARTICIPANTS AND METHODS The records of all patients who underwent pars plana vitrectomy for pars planitis from 1988 through 1997 were retrospectively reviewed. Seven eyes of five patients who were diagnosed with visually significant epiretinal membranes associated with pars planitis and who underwent vitrectomy and membrane stripping were analyzed. Patients were diagnosed with pars planitis based on characteristic clinical signs and pertinent negative laboratory test results. INTERVENTION Pars plana vitrectomy and epiretinal membrane stripping. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Visual acuity and inflammatory grade were compared between the last preoperative visit and the most recent follow-up visit. Intraoperative and postoperative complications were also analyzed. RESULTS The mean patient age was 31 years (range, 6 to 45 years). The mean duration of uveitis was 6.4 years (range, 6 months to 13 years). All patients were treated with combinations of periocular, topical, and oral corticosteroids before surgery. Five eyes had laser retinopexy, and two eyes had cryopexy to the inferior retina at the time of surgery. Five eyes had at least 3 Snellen lines of visual acuity improvement, and visual acuity in one eye worsened by 2 lines. Mean preoperative visual acuity was 20/73 (range, 20/50 to 20/300), and mean final visual acuity was 20/37 (range, 20/25 to 20/70). Five eyes had a final visual acuity of 20/40. Vitritis improved in all cases. Mean follow-up was 23 months (range, 3 to 54 months). Six of seven eyes had progressive cataract development, four of which underwent cataract extraction. No other intraoperative or postoperative complications occurred. CONCLUSIONS Removal of epiretinal membranes associated with pars planitis can be safely performed and may result in improved visual acuity. Patients often require subsequent cataract extraction to obtain the best long-term final acuity.

Arteriovenous Crossing Dissection Without Separation Of The Retina Vessels For Treatment Of Branch Retinal Vein Occlusion

Purpose To evaluate visual outcome after arteriovenous (AV) crossing dissection for the treatment of branch retinal vein occlusion (BRVO) and secondary macular dysfunction in which difficulty separating the retinal vessels was experienced. Methods A pars plana vitrectomy and dissection of the involved AV crossing site were performed consecutively in 20 eyes of 20 patients with BRVO and vision loss. The overlying retinal artery was dissected free from the retinal surface, and separation of the artery and vein at the crossing site was attempted. Results In 19 of 20 eyes, the retinal artery was dissected around the crossing site, but a marked adhesion between the artery and vein precluded separation. After a mean follow-up of 10.5 months, VA improved by at least two lines in 16 eyes (80%), remained unchanged in three eyes (10%), and worsened by at least two lines in three eyes (10%). Mean change (± SE) in logMAR acuity was −0.28 ± 0.11 (two or three lines of improvement, P = 0.016) at 1 to 2 months’ follow-up and −0.44 ± 0.14 (three or four lines of improvement, P = 0.008) at the final follow-up. Cataract formation or progression occurred in 88%. Conclusions A surgically important adhesion between the retinal artery and vein at proximal AV crossings was encountered in all eyes undergoing AV crossing dissection, correlating with previous histologic and cadaver eye studies. Cataract formation or worsening was a frequent complication. Visual improvement may occur after vitrectomy and AV crossing dissection without separation of the retinal vessels.

Rate of vascularization of coralline hydroxyapatite spherical implants pretreated with saline/gentamicin, rTGF-β2, and autogenous plasma

Several authors have reported significant exposure rates using the hydroxyapatite orbital implant in the treatment of the anophthalmic socket. Histologic studies by ourselves and others have suggested that lack of fibrovascular ingrowth into the implants may contribute to conjunctival breakdown and exposure. Recently, much attention has been given to angiogenic factors, such as rTGF-β2 and those found in plasma, in accelerating wound healing and fibrovascular ingrowth. This pilot study compares the rate of vascularization of hydroxyapatite orbital implants pretreated with plasma, rTGF-β2, and a saline/gentamicin solution with that in untreated controls in a population of New Zealand albino rabbits. Hydroxyapatite orbital spheres were implanted subcutaneously and in enucleated orbits. Untreated implants were used as a control. Implants pretreated with plasma, rTGF-β2, and a saline/gentamicin solution were removed and examined histologically at weekly intervals for the first 3 weeks after implantation. Histologic studies demonstrated that the rate of vascularization significantly increased between 2 and 3 weeks postoperatively in all study groups. Pretreating the implants with rTGF-β2 in phosphate buffered solution (PBS) or autogenous plasma did not significantly increase the rate of vascularization in comparison with controls at weeks 1 and 2. However, pretreating the implants with a saline/gentamicin solution or PBS alone was associated with an increased rate of vascularization at weeks 2 and 3. No statistically significant difference in vascularization was noted between the subcutaneous and orbital implants at any week. Hydroxyapatite implants pretreated with saline/gentamicin or phosphate buffered solutions underwent more rapid vascularization at weeks 2 and 3 in comparison with controls. Additionally, all groups were noted to have a more rapid rate of ingrowth between weeks 2 and 3 than between weeks 1 and 2. Plasma and rTGF-β2 (at the dose used) did not significantly alter the rate of vascularization of hydroxyapatite implants during the first 2 to 3 weeks. The significance of these findings is discussed.

Progression of diabetic retinopathy after endophthalmitis.

OBJECTIVE To determine the effect of endophthalmitis on diabetic retinopathy. DESIGN Noncomparative case series. METHODS The records of all consecutive patients with endophthalmitis treated between 1992 and 1997 at the Medical College of Wisconsin were retrospectively reviewed. Those patients with diabetes mellitus were analyzed. PARTICIPANTS From 77 reviewed records, 11 patients (12 eyes; 14%) were identified as diabetics with endophthalmitis and were studied. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Stage of diabetic retinopathy, time to retinopathy progression, and visual acuity. RESULTS Mean patient age was 68 years, and mean duration of diabetes was 11.7 years. Mean patient follow-up was 17 months. Of the six cases without evidence of retinopathy before the endophthalmitis, none went on to develop retinopathy. Of six eyes with pre-existing nonproliferative retinopathy, four showed evidence of progression within 6 months of the infection. Three developed severe proliferative disease and macular edema, and one developed severe nonproliferative disease. More patients without pre-existing retinopathy achieved a final visual acuity of 20/40 or greater. CONCLUSIONS Patients with pre-existing diabetic retinopathy may be at increased risk for rapid retinopathy progression and a poorer visual outcome after endophthalmitis. These results support the concept that inflammation may exacerbate diabetic retinopathy.