Basic setup and disinfection.

Vitrectomy is one of the ophthalmic surgeries that require a large number of instruments. Despite a growing array of single-use disposable instruments, vitrectomies for refractory diseases still involve complicated procedures and many surgical devices. As to the arrangement of materials and instruments on the surgical table, fluids that must not be introduced intraocularly, infusion fluid for washing the ocular surface, fluids for intraocular injection, and fluids for periocular injection are classified and marked to avoid using the wrong fluid.

Prophylaxis for acute scleral buckle infection using 0.25 % povidone-iodine ocular surface irrigation during surgery.

To investigate whether repeated washing of the ocular surface with 0.25 % povidone-iodine during scleral buckling surgery minimizes ocular surface bacterial contamination at completion of the procedure. A total of 489 consecutive eyes that underwent scleral buckling at a single institution were categorized into two groups according to the intraoperative ocular surface washing method used during two separate time periods--a group using physiological saline (saline group, 222 consecutive eyes) and a group using 0.

Minimizing the endophthalmitis rate following intravitreal injections using 0.25% povidone-iodine irrigation and surgical mask.

Background: To examine the efficacy of complying with an infection control manual for intravitreal injection of anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) preparations in reducing the rate of endophthalmitis.

Methods: We retrospectively reviewed intravitreal anti-VEGF injections conducted by vitreoretinal specialists at the outpatient injection room of a single university hospital between July 2009 and July 2012. The injections were conducted following an infection control manual established by our department.

Reducing bacterial contamination inside fluid catch bag in 25-gauge vitrectomy by use of 0.25 % povidone-iodine ocular surface irrigation.

To examine the bacterial detection rate in infusion fluid collected inside the fluid catch bag during 25-gauge (25G) vitrectomy when the ocular surface was irrigated with infusion fluid or 0.25 % povidone-iodine. Two groups using different fluids for ocular surface irrigation during 25G vitrectomy were studied.

Depiction of the vitreous pocket by optical coherence tomography.

The reported shape and size of the vitreous pocket vary depending on the method of visualization. We used spectral domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) to clarify the structure of the normal vitreous pocket. The macular retina of 20 consecutive non-highly myopic eyes of 10 healthy young adults (aged 22-27 years) was examined using spectral SD-OCT.

A new infusion sustainer that stabilizes perfusion during sutureless 25-gauge vitrectomy.

To stabilize perfusion during sutureless 25-gauge (25G) vitrectomy, we designed an infusion sustainer and examined its usefulness. A reusable infusion sustainer was constructed by soldering a piece of metal wire to a metal paper clip and curling the two ends of the wire. For use, the sustainer was clipped onto the lip retractor, and the infusion line and chandelier fiber were passed through the wire loops.

Bimanual anterior vitrectomy using a 25-gauge high-speed cutter to manage vitreous loss during phacoemulsification.

We examined the usefulness of bimanual anterior vitrectomy with a 25-gauge high-speed cutter and infusion cannula for managing vitreous loss during phacoemulsification. Three eyes underwent phacoemulsification under topical anesthesia, during which, posterior capsule rupture occurred, resulting in vitreous loss and residual nuclear fragments. A 25-gauge high-speed cutter (2,500 cuts/min) and a 25-gauge infusion cannula were inserted into the 3 and 9 o'clock ports.

Transient increase in macular edema following vitrectomy for retinal branch vein occlusion.

Purpose: We confirmed a transient increase in macular edema in some patients after simple vitrectomy for macular edema associated with branch retinal vein occlusion (BRVO).

Methods: We studied 54 consecutive patients (54 eyes) with macular edema secondary to BRVO and preoperative visual acuity of 0.5 or below, who underwent vitrectomy and were followed for at least 1 year.

Role of photodynamic therapy in polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy.

Purpose: To determine the efficacy of photodynamic therapy (PDT) with verteporfin for polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy (PCV).

Methods: PDT was performed in 35 patients (35 eyes) with PCV. We evaluated the number of treatments and compared visual acuity (VA), ophthalmological findings, and changes in polypoidal lesions and branching vascular networks by measuring lesion diameters using Heidelberg retina angiography before PDT, and then every 3 months for 1 year after PDT.

Thermal injury caused by chandelier fiber probe.

Purpose: To investigate thermal changes produced by a chandelier fiber probe (CFP).

Design: Interventional single case report and laboratory investigation.

Methods: When CFP was used for 25-gauge vitrectomy, an abnormal odor was emitted, and the CFP was instantly removed.

[Reading performance in patients with central visual field disturbance due to glaucoma].

Purpose: To evaluate the relationship between central visual field disturbance due to glaucoma and reading performance.

Subjects And Methods: We evaluated the reading performance of 11 patients (14 eyes) with visual acuities of 1.0 and higher who had absolute scotoma within 3 degrees of the central visual field.

[Assessment of the quality of life of patients with age-related macular degeneration after photodynamic therapy].

Objective: To quantify quality of life (QOL) changes in patients who have received a single session of photodynamic therapy (PDT) for subfoveal choroidal neovascularization, secondary to age-related macular degeneration (AMD), and to identify factors that correlate with the QOL changes.

Methods: The QOL changes in 88 patients with AMD were scored with the 25-Item National Eye Institute Visual Function Questionnaire (VFQ-25) before and 3 months after a single PDT with routine ophthalmologic examinations. We used multiple regression analysis to evaluate VFQ-25 sub-scale scores and ophthalmologic findings in these patients before PDT, to identify impact on the effectiveness of PDT.

[Clinical effects of photodynamic therapy with Verteporfin for age-related macular degeneration 1: three-month results].

Purpose: To evaluate the 3-month effects after one-time photodynamic therapy (PDT) for subfoveal choroidal neovascularization (CNV) in age-related macular degeneration (AMD).

Subjects And Methods: The subjects were 122 patients with subfoveal CNV due to AMD detected by fluorescein angiography (FA). FA, indocyanine-green angiography (IA), and the examination of visual acuity were done before and 3 months after PDT.

Clinicopathological findings of retinal angiomatous proliferation.

Background: Neovascular membranes obtained from surgical excision of neovascularization for retinal angiomatous proliferation (RAP) were examined histopathologically in an attempt to elucidate the pathogenic mechanism of RAP.

Methods: Nine eyes of eight patients (mean age, 79 +/- 6 years) who underwent neovascularization excision were studied. Three eyes had stage II with RPE detachment, six had stage III.

Preoperative factors influencing visual outcome following surgical excision of subfoveal choroidal.

Purpose: To evaluate long-term visual acuity outcomes and the influences of various preoperative factors on visual outcome in patients undergoing surgical removal of choroidal neovascular neovascularization (CNV) caused by age-related macular degeneration (ARMD).

Methods: The authors studied 146 eyes of 146 patients who were followed for at least 1 year after surgical excision of CNV associated with ARMD. Surgical indications included subfoveal active CNV localized mainly above the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) and a standard Japanese decimal visual acuity of 0.

[Preoperative factors for postoperative resolution of metamorphopsia in idiopathic macular hole surgery].

Purpose: To elucidate factors for resolution of metamorphopsia after successful surgery for idiopathic macular hole.

Patients And Methods: A series of 15 cases of 15 patients with successful surgery for idiopathic macular hole were evaluated for signs of metamorphopsia before and one year after surgery. Preoperative and postoperative assessments included testing of metamorphopsia using M-CHART and optical coherence tomography.

Surgical excision of type 1 + 2 choroidal neovascularization in age-related macular degeneration.

Purpose: To evaluate the visual acuity outcome and the various factors influencing visual outcome in patients undergoing surgical removal of type 1 + 2 choroidal neovascularization (CNV) caused by age-related macular degeneration (AMD).

Methods: We studied the records of 54 patients (54 eyes) followed for at least 1 year after surgical excision of CNV associated with AMD.

Results: The final visual acuity was 0.

Surgical excision of type 2 choroidal neovascularization in age-related macular degeneration.

Purpose: To evaluate the visual acuity outcome and the influence of various factors on visual outcome in patients undergoing surgical removal of type 2 choroidal neovascular neovascularization (CNV) caused by age-related macular degeneration (AMD).

Methods: We studied the records of 92 patients (92 eyes) who were followed for at least 1 year after surgical excision of CNV associated with AMD.

Results: The final visual acuity was 0.

[Reading performance in the scar stage of age-related macular degeneration].

Purpose: To evaluate reading performance in patients with age-related macular degeneration (AMD).

Subjects And Methods: Six normal subjects over 50 years of age and 40 patients with AMD were evaluated. Near visual acuity, critical print size, and maximum reading speed were tested to compare the data from normal subjects with those from AMD patients.

Correlation between angiographic and pathological findings in experimental choroidal neovascular membranes after transpupillary thermotherapy.

Purpose: To evaluate the correlation between angiographic and pathological findings in experimental choroidal neovascular membranes after transpupillary thermotherapy (TTT).

Methods: Experimental subretinal choroidal neovascular membranes were produced in the monkey eye macula by intense photocoagulation. TTT was delivered, targeting the choroidal neovascular membranes, using a diode laser at 810 nm.

[Fixation points and retinal sensitivity observed in reading text by patients with bilateral macular atrophy].

Purpose: To study by use of a scanning laser ophthalmoscope(SLO). How patients with bilateral macular atrophy use their retinas in reading Japanese sentences of varying sizes.

Methods: Thirty-eight eyes of 19 patients with bilateral macular atrophy were examined.

Correlation between indocyanine green angiographic findings and histopathology of polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy.

Purpose: To analyze the histopathology of polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy (PCV) and choroidal neovascularization (CNV) developing from PCV, the authors evaluated correlations between pathological findings and the findings of preoperative indocyanine green angiography (IA).

Methods: Two specimens were obtained during CNV excision associated with PCV. PCV tissue was excised with the CNV.