Needle size in intravitreal injections - pain evaluation of a randomized clinical trial.

Purpose: To evaluate the influence of the needle size used for intravitreal (IVT) injections on patients' pain experience in a randomized, double-armed, single-blinded, clinical trial.

Methods: Patients included were randomized to have an IVT injection performed with a 27-gauge needle (group 1) or with a 30-gauge needle (group 2). The topical anaesthesia before the injection was standardized.

Transconjunctival sutureless vitrectomy versus 20-gauge vitrectomy for vitreoretinal surgery: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

Background: Transconjunctival sutureless vitrectomy is appealing to vitreoretinal surgeons around the world. However, its use versus 20-gauge vitreoretinal surgery is still controversial. The aim of this meta-analysis was to compare the safety and functional outcomes of transconjunctival sutureless vitrectomy versus 20-gauge vitrectomy for vitreoretinal surgery.

Choroidal blood flow and progression of age-related macular degeneration in the fellow eye in patients with unilateral choroidal neovascularization.

Purpose: Cardiovascular risk factors such as smoking, hypertension, and atherosclerosis seem to play an important role in the development of choroidal neovascularization (CNV). Recent studies have also provided evidence suggesting that choroidal and retinal blood flow is decreased in patients with AMD. On the basis of these results, the hypothesis for this study was that lower choroidal blood flow is associated with an increased risk of CNV in patients with AMD.

23-Gauge versus 20-gauge system for pars plana vitrectomy: a prospective randomised clinical trial.

Aim: To compare the sutureless 23-gauge system with a standard 20-gauge system in pars plana vitrectomy.

Methods: 60 patients in two randomised groups were included in this prospective clinical trial. Pars plana vitrectomy with either 23- or 20-gauge instruments was performed.

Entry-site-related retinal detachment after pars plana vitrectomy.

Purpose: Today, pars plana vitrectomy represents a standard surgical procedure for a number of retinal diseases that were previously considered inoperable. The aim of the present study is to investigate the entry site of pars plana vitrectomy as a possible source of retinal detachment.

Methods: We reviewed retrospectively all cases of uncomplicated pars plana vitectomies because of macular hole, macular pucker and diabetic macular oedema performed in our department between 1 January 2001 and 7 July 2004.