Management of endophthalmitis related to glaucoma drainage devices: review of the literature and our experience.

Glaucoma drainage device (GDD)-related endophthalmitis is a devastating complication of device implantation. There are no guidelines in the literature to assist clinicians in deciding if the GDD should be explanted or if patients require pars plana vitrectomy (PPV). This study compares the outcomes of GDD explantation with device retention and also independently compares the outcomes of PPV versus intravitreal antibiotics alone in patients with GDD-related endophthalmitis.

Efficacy of combined intravitreal bevacizumab and triamcinolone for branch retinal vein occlusion.

Purpose: To evaluate the efficacy of combined treatment with intravitreal bevacizumab (IVB) and triamcinolone acetate (IVT) for patients with macular edema secondary to branch retinal vein occlusion (BRVO).

Materials And Methods: Retrospective analysis of 20 eyes injected with 1.25 mg IVB and 2 mg IVT for clinically identified BRVO within 8 weeks of onset.

A comparison of two-way text versus conventional paging systems in an academic ophthalmology department.

Alphanumeric paging systems are unidirectional without prioritization capabilities. Newer electronic communication devices such as two-way text paging systems are capable of bidirectional paging and prioritization. While previous studies have evaluated alphanumeric paging systems in academic hospital settings, bidirectional two-way text paging systems have not been investigated.

Fibrous membranes in diabetic retinopathy and bevacizumab.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine the histopathologic characteristics of bevacizumab-treated human proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR) membranes with particular regard to membrane vasculature as a step toward addressing the effects of the drug on PDR membranes. Intravitreous injection of bevacizumab, an antivascular endothelial growth factor monoclonal antibody, has recently been advocated as an adjunct in surgery for PDR. In this context, a clinically observed decrease in PDR epiretinal membrane vascularity (vascular regression) occurs from 24 hours to 48 hours after injection, but the exact mechanisms of drug action are unknown.

Visual loss associated with tacrolimus: case report and review of the literature.

Tacrolimus is an immunosuppressive medication in the class of calcineurin inhibitors that acts by inhibiting T-cell and interleukin-2 activity, and is commonly used after allogeneic organ transplant. We present a patient who used tacrolimus after cadaveric kidney transplant and experienced blurry vision. Ocular examination and patient's course subsequently revealed aqueous tear deficiency as a dose-dependent adverse effect of oral tacrolimus.

Does the presence of an epiretinal membrane alter the cleavage plane during internal limiting membrane peeling?

Purpose: To determine whether the presence of a clinically and/or microscopically detectable epiretinal membrane (ERM) alters the cleavage plane during internal limiting membrane (ILM) peeling.

Design: Retrospective, observational, immunohistochemical study of ILM specimens using archival formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissue.

Participants: Fifty-one patients who had had ILM excision.

Surgical management of massive submacular hemorrhage associated with age-related macular degeneration.

Purpose: To investigate the safety and efficacy of surgical drainage of massive and elevated submacular hemorrhage associated with age-related macular degeneration through circumferential peripheral 180° temporal retinotomy.

Methods: Prospective interventional case series of first eyes of six consecutive patients with large elevated submacular hemorrhage. The surgical approach consisted of combined cataract surgery, three-port pars plana vitrectomy, induction of retinal detachment, and circumferential peripheral temporal 180° retinotomy.

Management of exudative retinal detachment in choroidal melanoma.

Exudative retinal detachment is the most common source of visual loss associated with malignant melanoma of the uveal tract. Management has historically been conservative, leading to irreversible visual loss from photoreceptor damage during the several months needed for post-radiation resolution. The purpose of this paper is to describe timely vitreoretinal surgical intervention for exudative retinal detachments associated with choroidal melanomas.

Can an intraoperative bevacizumab injection prevent recurrent postvitrectomy diabetic vitreous hemorrhage?

Purpose: To evaluate the recurrence of vitreous hemorrhage (VH) in patients treated with intravitreal bevacizumab (IVB) injection (2.5 mg/0.1 mL) intraoperatively at the end of vitrectomy for treatment of diabetic nonclearing VH.

Trans-vitreal endoresection for vasoproliferative retinal tumours.

We present an interventional consecutive case series to describe our experience of transvitreal endoresection (TVE) for vasoproliferative retinal tumours (VPRTs). Three patients with VPRTs refractory to conventional treatment modalities of cryotherapy, plaque radiotherapy and anti-VEGF presented with macular exudative changes and were offered TVE. Complete ophthalmic examination with colour fundal photographs was performed before and during the follow-up period.

Can a preoperative bevacizumab injection prevent recurrent postvitrectomy diabetic vitreous haemorrhage?

Aims: To evaluate the recurrence rate of vitreous haemorrhage (VH) in patients treated with one intravitreal bevacizumab (IVB) injection (2.5 mg/0.1 ml) before planned pars plana vitrectomy for treatment of diabetic non-clearing VH.

Heavy silicone oil tamponade after failed macular hole surgery with perfluoropropane (C3F8): a report of five cases.

Unlabelled: We report five cases of persistent macular holes following conventional surgery. Subsequent management included pars plana vitrectomy, extended Trypan Blue-assisted ILM peel and heavy silicone oil (HSO) tamponade with supine posture.

Purpose: To report results of redo macular hole surgery using heavy silicone oil (HSO) tamponade.

Perfluorocarbon liquid assisted large retinal epithelium patching in sub-macular hemorrhage secondary to age related macular degeneration.

Background: We investigate the safety and feasibility of large retinal pigmentary epithelium (RPE)-Choroid-free graft after surgical drainage of massive sub-macular hemorrhage (SMH) due to age-related macular degeneration (ARMD).

Methods: Four previously untreated patients (three females and one male) underwent to three port pars plana vitrectomy, induction of retinal detachment and peripheral temporal 180 degrees retinotomy. The retina was then folded nasally, to allow access for removal of sub-macular Hg and CNV complex.

[Densiron-68 heavy silicone oil in cases of PVR. Anatomic and functional outcomes].

Purpose: To evaluate the safety and efficacy of Densiron-68 heavy silicone oil in the clinical management of complex retinal detachments with proliferative vitreoretinopathy (PVR).

Methods: We present a prospective, interventional noncomparative case series of 80 eyes of 79 consecutive patients. The primary end point was anatomical reattachment of the retina, defined as retinal reattachment in the absence of any tamponade agent.

Primary vitrectomy with Densiron-68 for rhegmatogenous retinal detachment.

Background: To report a retrospective non-comparative interventional study on the effectiveness and ocular tolerance of a heavy silicone oil tamponade (HSO, Densiron-68) for primary inferior rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD).

Methods: Forty-one eyes of 41 consecutive patients were recruited between January 2004 and August 2006. Primary vitrectomy with Densiron-68, a heavy silicone oil, was used in all cases.

A guide to the removal of heavy silicone oil.

Aim: Heavy silicone oil removal can be challenging and differs considerably from conventional oil. Traditionally, strong active aspiration had to be applied through a long 18G needle just above the optic disc. We present a novel technique using a much shorter (7.

Heavy tamponade 2 Densiron 68 in routine clinical practice: anatomical and functional outcomes of a consecutive case series.

Purpose: To evaluate the safety and efficacy of Densiron 68 in the clinical management of complex vitreoretinal cases with inferior retinal pathology.

Methods: We present a prospective interventional non-comparative case series of 122 eyes of 121 consecutive patients. The primary end point was anatomical re-attachment of the retina, defined as retinal re-attachment in the absence of any tamponade agent.

Peel and peel again.

Aim: To determine if the internal limiting membrane (ILM) was present in the epiretinal membrane (ERM) when we deliberately tried to perform a "double peel" for macular pucker.

Methods: Pars-plana vitrectomy and a "double peel" were carried out. The ERM and ILM were stained with Trypan Blue and peeled separately over the same area.