Iodine Plaque Brachytherapy a Customized Conservative Approach to the Management of Medium/Large-sized Uveal Melanoma.

Background/aim: The objective of this study was to assess the role of iodine (I) plaque brachytherapy in the management of uveal melanoma.

Patients And Methods: This is a retrospective study of 50 patients (median age 67 years; range=33-86 years) with uveal melanoma, treated with I plaque brachytherapy at the University Hospital of Pisa. Uveal melanoma was diagnosed with A-scan and B-scan standardized echography, fluorescein angiography, indocyanine green-angiography, optical coherence tomography, and/or magnetic resonance imaging.

Photon-based high-dose single-fraction radiosurgery, an effective treatment modality for recurrent uveal melanoma.

Introduction: To evaluate and report the outcome of a patient with locally recurrent uveal melanoma (UM) previously treated with brachytherapy (BT), using a second personalized globe-sparing radiotherapy approach.

Material And Methods: In June 2020, a 78-year-old man arrived at our institution with diplopia and suspected uveal melanoma. At the ophthalmological evaluation (B-scan and A-scan ultrasonography) a lesion in the right eye at 6-7 hours of about 5 mm thickness, with internal lacunar areas, approximately 7 mm away from the limbus, was observed.

An empirical approach to the definition of the target margins in eye radiosurgery.

Introduction: A system for stabilizing and monitoring eye movements during LINAC-based photon beam one single fraction stereotactic radiotherapy was developed at our Institution. This study aimed to describe the feasibility and the efficacy of our noninvasive optical localization system that was developed, tested, and applied in 20 patients treated for uveal melanoma.

Methods: Our system consisted of a customized thermoplastic mask to immobilize the head, a gaze fixation LED, and a digital micro-camera.

Photon-based High-dose Single-fraction Radiosurgery, an Effective Treatment Modality for Large and Posterior Uveal Melanoma.

Background/aim: Uveal melanoma (UM) is the most common primary intraocular malignant tumor. This malignancy is frequently treated using brachytherapy, stereotactic radiotherapy, or proton therapy. The objective of this study was to assess the role of stereotactic radiosurgery in the treatment of large and posterior UM.

Quality of Life, Depression, and Anxiety in Patients with Uveal Melanoma: A Review.

The aim is to summarize current knowledge on both QoL and depressive/anxious symptoms in patients with UM, including studies on the effect on QoL and psychological status of genetic testing related to the risk of metastatic disease. A review from the last 25 years by using the databases "PsycInfo," "Medline," and "Science Direct" was performed. As a total result, eighteen papers were retrieved.

EFFECTS OF A MODIFIED VITRECTOMY PROBE IN SMALL-GAUGE VITRECTOMY: An Experimental Study on the Flow and on the Traction Exerted on the Retina.

Purpose: Thorough this experimental study, the physic features of a modified 23-gauge vitrectomy probe were evaluated in vitro.

Methods: A modified vitrectomy probe to increase vitreous outflow rate with a small-diameter probe, that also minimized tractional forces on the retina, was created and tested. The "new" probe was created by drilling an opening into the inner duct of a traditional 23-gauge probe with electrochemical or electrodischarge micromachining.

The Argus II Retinal Prosthesis: 12-month outcomes from a single-study center.

Purpose: To study the anatomic and functional outcomes of Argus II Retinal Prosthesis System implantation in patients with retinitis pigmentosa.

Design: Interventional case series.

Methods: The study population included 6 patients with visual acuity no better than light perception.

Colored perfluorocarbon liquids as novel intraoperative tools.

Background: Perfluorocarbon liquids (PFCLs) are used as intraoperative tools to stabilize the retina during vitreoretinal surgeries. Their use would be much facilitated if PFCLs were colored and not transparent. We describe the development of a colored PFCL for vitreoretinal surgeries.

Optic disc pit maculopathy: the value of small-gauge vitrectomy, peeling, laser treatment, and gas tamponade.

Purpose: To report the outcome of 10 patients with optic pit maculopathy (OPM) and evaluate the role of small-gauge vitrectomy, gas endotamponade, and additional laser photocoagulation treatment.

Methods: We retrospectively investigated 10 patients who underwent small-gauge, sutureless vitrectomy for OPM, detachment of the posterior hyaloid, internal limiting membrane (ILM) peeling, endolaser photocoagulation on the temporal margin of the optic disc, and gas tamponade. Preoperative and postoperative best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) was recorded and optical coherence tomography (OCT) imaging was performed.

Suprachoroidal drug infusion for the treatment of severe subfoveal hard exudates.

Purpose: To evaluate the safety, feasibility, and preliminary efficacy of suprachoroidal drug delivery with a microcatheter for the treatment of severe subfoveal hard exudates (SHE) in retinal vasculopathies. Definitive treatments for SHE have not yet been identified and prognosis is unfavorable.

Methods: In this prospective, interventional pilot study, six eyes of six patients with central or branch retinal vein occlusion or diffuse diabetic macular edema accompanied by massive refractory SHE underwent a single treatment with bevacizumab and triamcinolone administered to the submacular suprachoroidal space via a microcatheter introduced at the pars plana and advanced posteriorly.

Comparative study between a standard 25-gauge vitrectomy system and a new ultrahigh-speed 25-gauge system with duty cycle control in the treatment of various vitreoretinal diseases.

Aim: To compare a standard 25-gauge vitrectomy system with a new ultrahigh-speed (UHS) 25-gauge system with duty cycle control for pars plana vitrectomy.

Methods: In this prospective, controlled clinical trial, 120 patients (divided into 2 groups of 60 patients) underwent a 3-port pars plana vitrectomy for the treatment of epiretinal membranes, macular holes, retinal detachment, and complications of diabetic retinopathy. Evaluations were performed preoperatively, intraoperatively, on the first 3 postoperative days, and at 1 week, 1 month, and 3 months.

Surgical results of heavy silicone oil HWS-45 3000 as internal tamponade for inferior retinal detachment with PVR: a pilot study.

Purpose: To report the results of a prospective pilot study using a new heavy agent, HWS-45 3000, as endotamponade in complicated inferior retinal detachment.

Methods: Ten consecutive patients satisfying the enrolment criteria were studied. Inclusion criteria was the presence of inferior retinal detachment complicated by PVR grade C2 or more (according to Retina Society classification) or retinal detachment due to penetrating ocular trauma or giant retinal tears.

Incidence of retinal detachment after small-incision, sutureless pars plana vitrectomy compared with conventional 20-gauge vitrectomy in macular hole and epiretinal membrane surgery.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the incidence of retinal detachment (RD) after a small-incision, sutureless vitrectomy compared with conventional 20-gauge vitrectomy in macular hole and epiretinal membrane surgery and to investigate the clinical features and possible causative agents.

Methods: The authors performed a computerized database analysis to retrospectively identify all patients who underwent vitrectomy at our institution between March 2001 and March 2009 for epiretinal membrane and macular hole. The authors further investigated the clinical features of patients who showed RD within 6 months postoperatively in the study eye.

Retinal detachment after small-incision, sutureless pars plana vitrectomy: possible causative agents.

Background And Purpose: To identify possible agents causing retinal detachment following small-incision, sutureless vitrectomy.

Methods: Computer-based, retrospective analysis to identify all patients who had undergone small-incision sutureless vitrectomy and presented retinal detachment (RD) in the study eye within 6 months postoperatively. The clinical charts of these patients were reviewed.

Heavy silicone oil (Densiron-68) for the treatment of persistent macular holes: Densiron-68 endotamponade for persistent macular holes.

Purpose: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of the use of Densiron-68 as intraocular endotamponade for the treatment of persisting macular holes (persistent MHs).

Methods: Retrospective interventional case study on 23 consecutive eyes showing persistent MHs after unsuccessful primary surgery that underwent retreatment with pars plana vitrectomy and Densiron-68 filling. The main outcome measures were: anatomic closure evaluated with optical coherence tomography (OCT), final best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), and postoperative complications.

A multimodal approach to the treatment of bilateral choroidal metastases from thyroid carcinoma.

A 58-year old man, affected by metastatic thyroid carcinoma, experienced a progressive bilateral visual impairment. Ophthalmic examination revealed the presence of a choroidal mass with an associated exudative retinal detachment in both eyes. Twelve years before, a diagnosis of metastatic thyroid carcinoma had been established and the patient had been subject to several therapeutic procedures.

Injection of intravitreal bevacizumab (Avastin) as a preoperative adjunct before vitrectomy surgery in the treatment of severe proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR).

Purpose: To evaluate the use of preoperative intravitreal bevacizumab (IVB) in patients undergoing pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) for complications of proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR).

Methods: We studied 22 patients with severe PDR. A preoperative complexity score (CS) was recorded.

A new heavy silicone oil (HWS 46-3000) used as a prolonged internal tamponade agent in complicated vitreoretinal surgery: a pilot study.

Purpose: To report the results of a prospective pilot study using a new heavy agent, HWS 46-3000, as long-term endotamponade in complicated retinal detachment.

Methods: Thirty-two consecutive patients were enrolled in the study. Indications for enrollment included retinal detachment with proliferative vitreoretinopathy arising from inferior or posterior tears.

Sutureless 25-gauge vitrectomy for idiopathic macular hole repair.

Background: We investigated the feasibility and safety of a 25-gauge, transconjunctival sutureless vitrectomy system for macular hole repair.

Methods: Eighty-four eyes of 77 consecutive patients with idiopathic macular hole were operated on using a transconjunctival sutureless 25-gauge vitrectomy system. A complete vitrectomy was performed using triamcinolone acetonide to visualize the vitreous gel and to remove the posterior vitreous cortex.

Modified incision in 25-gauge vitrectomy in the creation of a tunneled airtight sclerotomy: an ultrabiomicroscopic study.

Background: The standard straight incision for 25-gauge vitrectomy may not close well at the end of surgery with post-operative hypotony. To overcome incompetent wound closure, oblique insertion of the trocars has been suggested. More recently we have developed an oblique incision.

Successful treatment of persistent macular holes using "heavy silicone oil" as intraocular tamponade.

Background: Silicone oil tamponade has been suggested in the treatment of persistent macular hole, but visual outcome is often poor. We describe two patients who underwent reoperation for persistent macular hole using "heavy silicone oil" (HSO) tamponade.

Methods: Two patients who underwent vitrectomy, removal of the posterior vitreous cortex, peeling of the internal limiting membrane, and long-acting gas tamponade had persistent macular hole 3 months after surgery.

Modified technique for safer indocyanine-green-assisted peeling of the internal limiting membrane during vitrectomy for macular hole repair.

Background: During macular hole surgery, indocyanine green (ICG) has access to the subretinal space and can lead to toxic and phototoxic damage of the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE). To reduce its toxicity and to avoid contact between ICG and the RPE, we have developed a modified technique by using autologous whole blood.

Methods: Thirty-one eyes underwent vitrectomy for idiopathic macular hole repair.

The combined use of perfluorohexyloctane (F6H8) and silicone oil as an intraocular tamponade in the treatment of severe retinal detachment.

Background: The purpose of this study was to investigate the combined use of perfluorohexyloctane (F6H8) and 1,000-centistoke silicone oil as a long-term intraocular tamponade in the treatment of complicated retinal detachment.

Methods: Sixty consecutive eyes affected by complicated retinal detachment with (1) retinal breaks of the lower two quadrants and severe proliferative vitreoretinopathy, (2) inferior giant retinal tear, (3) penetrating trauma or (4) choroidal detachment underwent pars plana vitrectomy using a combined internal tamponade of F6H8 and silicone oil. The double filling (DF) was removed after 40-50 days.

25-gauge, sutureless vitrectomy and standard 20-gauge pars plana vitrectomy in idiopathic epiretinal membrane surgery: a comparative pilot study.

Background: The aim of the study was to evaluate the safety and functional outcome of a small incision, sutureless vitrectomy in the treatment of idiopathic epiretinal membranes (ERM) compared with a standard 20-gauge vitrectomy system.

Methods: Forty-six consecutive patients with idiopathic ERM were recruited for this study and prospectively evaluated. In group 1 (n=26) we used a transconjunctival sutureless 25-gauge vitrectomy system (TSV), patients in group 2 (n=20) were operated on using a standard 20-gauge vitrectomy system.