Young Ju Lew

Wound Leakage and Hypotony After 25-Gauge Sutureless Vitrectomy: Factors Affecting Postoperative Intraocular Pressure

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE To investigate the factors related to postoperative hypotony after 25-gauge sutureless vitrectomy. PATIENTS AND METHODS Of 109 consecutive eyes undergoing sutureless vitrectomy, 95 fluid-filled eyes were randomly assigned to three groups according to the order of infusion cannula removal. In group 1 (30 eyes), the infusion was removed first. In group 2 (32 eyes), the infusion was removed after another cannula. In group 3 (33 eyes), the infusion was removed last. Intraocular pressure (IOP) was measured on preoperative day 1 and postoperative days 1, 7, and 30. RESULTS Mean age was 58.9 +/- 11.6 years (range: 18 to 80 years). Among each factor (including order of infusion removal, age, sex, axial length, preoperative IOP, previous vitrectomy, indications for vitrectomy and lens status), only age was significantly correlated with IOP on postoperative day 1 (P = .019). In 13 eyes in which hypotony persisted through postoperative day 2 (IOP < or = 5 mm Hg), the age of the patients was significantly younger than those who did not experience persisting hypotony (P = .006). CONCLUSION Younger patients were more likely to experience early postoperative hypotony.

OCT-guided hyaloid release for vitreomacular traction syndrome.

Purpose To evaluate the usefulness of OCT retinal mapping in determining the configuration of a vitreomacular adhesion and selecting a meridian for entry into the subhyaloid space in patients with vitreomacular traction syndrome. Methods Six consecutive patients (6 eyes) with vitreomacular traction syndrome underwent vitrectomy with peeling of posterior hyaloid. Ocular coherence tomography (OCT) retinal mapping was performed preoperatively. Access to the subhyaloid space was made by creating an opening with a 25 gauge needle at a location where the detached posterior hyaloid membrane was farthest from the retinal surface. The location was selected based on six preoperative meridional OCT scans. The posterior hyaloid was then gently peeled off in a circular fashion around the fovea with a micropick. Visual acuity and foveal thicknesses were measured before the operation and 3 months afterwards. Results After the operation, visual acuity improved and central macular thicknesses were reduced significantly in all six patients. The best corrected visual acuity improved from 0.4 to 0.75 with a mean increase by 3.5 lines on a Snellen chart 3 months after the operation. The mean foveal thickness was reduced from 406 µm to 241 µm. The restoration of foveal pit was observed in five patients. Neither intraoperative nor postoperative complications were observed during the follow up period. Conclusions An OCT retinal mapping program is a valuable diagnostic tool in understanding the configuration of vitreomacular adhesion and planning the surgical approach for operating on vitreomacular traction syndrome.

Fellow-eye neovascularization in unilateral retinal angiomatous proliferation in a Korean population.

To evaluate the incidence of fellow‐eye neovascularization in retinal angiomatous proliferation (RAP) in a Korean population and associated risk factors.

Intravitreal ranibizumab injections with and without pneumatic displacement for treating submacular hemorrhage secondary to neovascular age-related macular degeneration.

Purpose: To evaluate the efficacy of intravitreal ranibizumab with and without pneumatic displacement for the treatment of submacular hemorrhage secondary to neovascular age-related macular degeneration. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 93 treatment-naive patients (93 eyes) with submacular hemorrhage secondary to neovascular age-related macular degeneration. All patients were treated with an initial series of 3 monthly intravitreal ranibizumab injections, followed by as-needed injections. For the patients treated with pneumatic displacement, expansive gas was injected at the time of the first ranibizumab injection. Results: Mean submacular hemorrhage area was 8.2 ± 5.8 disk areas, and mean symptom duration was 8.2 ± 5.2 days at baseline. Twelve months into treatment, the mean logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution of best-corrected visual acuity of all subjects significantly improved from 1.19 ± 0.55 (20/309) at baseline to 0.96 ± 0.39 (20/182, P = 0.007) at 12 months. The mean central foveal thickness also significantly improved from 473 ± 223 &mgr;m at baseline to 279 ± 134 &mgr;m (P < 0.001) at 12 months. However, no significant difference in best-corrected visual acuity and mean central foveal thickness between ranibizumab monotherapy (58 eyes) and combination therapy groups (35 eyes) was observed at 12 months. Conclusion: Intravitreal ranibizumab injections with and without pneumatic displacement are viable treatment options for submacular hemorrhage secondary to neovascular age-related macular degeneration.

Clinical Outcomes of Eyes with Submacular Hemorrhage Secondary to Age-related Macular Degeneration Treated with Anti-vascular Endothelial Growth Factor.

Purpose To evaluate the long-term outcomes of intravitreal anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) monotherapy for patients diagnosed with submacular hemorrhage secondary to exudative age-related macular degeneration. Methods This retrospective, observational study included 49 patients (49 eyes) who initially presented with submacular hemorrhage associated with exudative age-related macular degeneration and who were followed-up for at least 24 months. Only eyes that were treated with intravitreal anti-VEGF monotherapy were included in the study. Best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) measurements obtained at diagnosis, six months, and the final visit were compared. The associations of BCVA at the final visit with baseline BCVA, BCVA at six months, symptom duration, hemorrhage extent, and central foveal thickness were also analyzed. Results Over the course of follow-up (mean, 32.1 ± 8.5 months), an average of 5.1 ± 2.2 anti-VEGF injections were administered. Recurrent hemorrhage was noted in 13 eyes (26.5%). The mean logarithm of the minimal angle of resolution BCVA at diagnosis, six months, and the final visit were 1.40 ± 0.52, 0.87 ± 0.64, and 1.03 ± 0.83, respectively. Both baseline BCVA (p = 0.012) and BCVA at six months (p < 0.001) were significantly associated with BCVA at the final visit. Conclusions Improved visual acuity was maintained for more than two years with intravitreal anti-VEGF monotherapy. BCVA at six months is a useful clinical index to predict long-term visual prognosis.

Short-term efficacy of intravitreal triamcinolone acetonide for bevacizumab-resistant diabetic macular oedema

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Imaging Suprachoroidal Layer in Exudative Age-Related Macular Degeneration

Abstract Purpose: To evaluate the prevalence of a visible suprachoroidal layer (SCL) on optical coherence tomography (OCT) in exudative age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Materials and methods: This retrospective study included 252 eyes of 252 patients with treatment-naive typical exudative AMD (n = 80), polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy (PCV) (n = 138) and retinal angiomatous proliferation (RAP) (n = 34). The presence of SCL was identified based on enhanced-depth imaging OCT images, and the prevalence was compared among the three disease groups. In addition, subfoveal choroidal thickness was compared between patients with and without SCL. Results: The SCL was noted in 56 eyes (22.2%). The prevalence was 22.5% in typical exudative AMD (18 of 80 eyes), 18.8% in PCV (26 of 138 eyes) and 35.3% in RAP (12 of 34 eyes) (p = 0.118). Patients with SCL showed significantly thinner choroid (207.5 ± 83.9 µm versus 279.7 ± 116.5 µm, p < 0.001) and were relatively older (72.1 ± 8.1 versus 70.1 ± 8.7 years, p = 0.124) than those without SCL. Conclusion: The prevalence of visible SCL was 22.2% in patients with exudative AMD. Age-related changes, including choroidal thinning, may contribute to the development of a visible SCL.

Intravitreal anti-vascular endothelial growth factor for typical exudative age-related macular degeneration in eyes with good baseline visual acuity.

Purpose To investigate 12-month treatment outcomes of anti-vascular endothelial growth factor therapy in eyes with typical exudative age-related macular degeneration with good baseline visual acuity. Methods This retrospective observational case series included 18 eyes (18 patients) with typical exudative age-related macular degeneration with a baseline best-corrected visual acuity of 20 / 25 or better. Patients were treated with anti-vascular endothelial growth factor monotherapy during the 12-month follow-up period. Baseline visual acuity and central foveal thickness were compared to the values at 12 months. Results Patients received an average of 4.4 ± 1.3 intravitreal anti-vascular endothelial growth factor injections. The mean logarithm of minimum angle of resolution visual acuity was 0.08 ± 0.04, 0.08 ± 0.07, 0.12 ± 0.09, and 0.16 ± 0.11 at baseline, three months, six months, and 12 months, respectively. Visual acuity at 12 months was significantly worse than the baseline value at diagnosis (p = 0.017), and the mean central foveal thickness at the defined time points was 270.2 ± 55.6, 204.4 ± 25.4, 230.1 ± 56.3, and 216.8 ± 48.7 µm, respectively. The central foveal thickness at 12 months was significantly less than the baseline value at diagnosis (p = 0.042). Conclusions Deterioration in visual acuity was noted in eyes with typical exudative age-related macular degeneration with good baseline visual acuity, suggesting the need for close patient monitoring and prompt treatment even in patients with good baseline visual acuity.

The Efficacy of Intravitreal Aflibercept in Submacular Hemorrhage Secondary to Wet Age-related Macular Degeneration

Purpose To evaluate the efficacy of intravitreal aflibercept monotherapy in submacular hemorrhage (SMH) secondary to wet age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Methods This study included 25 eyes in 25 patients with SMH involving the fovea secondary to wet-AMD. All patients were treated with three consecutive monthly intravitreal aflibercept (2.0 mg/0.05 mL) injections, followed by as-needed reinjection. They were followed for at least 6 months. Best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), central foveal thickness (CFT), and area of SMH were measured at diagnosis, as well as at 3 and 6 months after treatment initiation. Results The BCVA significantly improved from 0.79 ± 0.41 logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution (logMAR) at baseline to 0.54 ± 0.41 logMAR at 6 months (p < 0.001). BCVA ≥3 lines and stable vision were observed in 96% of the eyes. The CFT significantly decreased from 560.8 ± 215.3 µm at baseline to 299.8 ± 160.2 µm at 6 months (p < 0.001). The area of SMH significantly decreased from 10.5 ± 7.1 mm2 at baseline to 1.8 ± 6.5 mm2 at 6 months (p < 0.001). The BCVA, CFT, and area of SMH at baseline, as well as duration of symptoms, all correlated with BCVA at the 6-month follow-up. Conclusions Intravitreal injection of aflibercept is an effective treatment option for patients with SMH secondary to wet-AMD; however, there may be limited efficacy in eyes with large SMH area and cases in which treatment is delayed.

A case of branch retinal artery obstruction complicated after anterior ischemic optic neuropathy.

AIM To report a case of branch retinal artery obstruction (BRAO) complicated after anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (AION). METHODS A 42 year-old woman who complained of visual disturbance was performed ophthalmological examinations such as fundus photography, fluorescent angiography (FAG) and visual field test. RESULTS At first visit, disc swelling was noted and arterial circulation was intact, however, 1 week after onset, the inferior branch retinal artery began to shrink and the flame hemorrhage intensified. Sixteen months later, the optic disc evidenced an atrophic change; additionally, a ghost vessel in the inferior branch retinal artery was found. CONCLUSION We report a case of complications of BRAO arising after AION which caused the mechanical compression on the arterial circulation.