Clinical Analysis of Persistent Subretinal Fluid after Pars Plana Vitrectomy in Macula with Diabetic Tractional Retinal Detachment

(1) Background: We analyzed the duration of persistent subretinal fluid (PSF) and the contributing factors of PSF after pars plana vitrectomy in patients who had a macula with diabetic tractional retinal detachment (TRD). (2) Methods: Forty eyes of 40 patients who had pars plana vitrectomy due to a macula with diabetic TRD, between 2014 and 2020, were retrospectively reviewed. The duration of PSF, as well as relevant ocular and systemic factors, was analyzed. (3) Results: The mean duration of PSF was 4.4 ± 4.7 months. The prevalence of PSF was 75.0% at 1 month, 50.0% at 3 months, 30.0% at 6 months and 10.0% at 12 months after surgery. Blood urea nitrogen, creatinine, and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) were significantly associated with the duration of PSF in the univariate analysis. In the multivariate analysis, only eGFR was significantly associated with the duration of PSF (β = −0.089, p = 0.030). (4) Conclusion: PSF may persist for more than 12 months in a macula with diabetic TRD after vitrectomy. Moreover, patients with impaired kidney function tended to have a delayed subretinal fluid absorption. Therefore, careful investigation of preoperative systemic conditions, especially kidney function, should be considered before TRD surgery in diabetic patients.

Comparison of heads up three dimensional visualization system to conventional microscope in retinopathy of prematurity related tractional retinal detachment

To report the outcomes, advantages and disadvantages of a heads-up three-dimensional (3D) visualization system compared to the conventional microscope in pediatric tractional retinal detachment (TRD) surgery secondary to advanced stage retinopathy of prematurity (ROP). Medical records of patients with ROP stage 4 or 5 who underwent surgery for tractional retinal detachment at King Khaled Eye Specialist Hospital between September 2017 and July 2019 were identified and reviewed. Eyes were divided into 2 groups, eyes that underwent surgery with a 3D heads-up platform (3D group) and eyes that underwent surgery with a conventional microscope (conventional group). Data were collected on neonatal history, visual acuity, intraoperative complications and success rates between groups.Eighteen eyes of 14 patients who underwent surgical repair of TRD related to ROP. Postoperative outcomes were compared between 10 eyes (7 patients) in the 3D group and 8 eyes (7 patients) in the conventional group There was no statistically significant difference in success rate between both groups (75% conventional group vs 70% 3D group). Partial or complete reattachment was achieved in 7 eyes in 3D group compared to 6 eyes in conventional group. Lower postmenstrual age at the time of the first surgery and presence of retinal breaks were associated with poorer surgical outcome. Heads up 3D visualization system is feasible in tractional retinal detachment related to ROP with similar success rate and no increased risk of complications when compared to conventional microscope. This system may be advantageous in advanced pediatric tractional retinal detachment surgeries.

Management of Diabetic Retinopathy

Management in D.R. through prophylactic treatment (maintaining a glycemic level as close as possible to normal, control hypertension <150/85 mmHg, hyperlipidemia) and curative treatment of D.R. does not cure the disease, but may slow the evolution of D.M. and D.R. AntiVEGF agents are indicated as adjuvant therapy in pan-photocoagulation laser and / or vitrectomy in patients with DR to block angiogenesis by inhibiting VEGF. All antiVEGF agents are an effective treatment for the clinically significant macular edema. Photocoagulation laser is a treatment of choice in preproliferative and proliferative DR and an effective treatment of diabetic macular edema. The indications for laser treatment in diabetic retinopathy are related to the incidence, evolution of neovessels, duration of diabetes, HbA1c level, presence of macular edema, stage of DR. The laser for macular lesions reduces the risk of vision loss in the eyes with incipient and moderate non-proliferative DR and macular edema concomitant; the laser should be applied to all patients with clinically significant macular edema. Vitrectomy in proliferative DR is indicated in vitreous hemorrhage, tractional retinal detachment in order to remove the vitreous hermorrhage and excision of tractional preretinal membranes.

Acute Noninfectious Endophthalmitis after Removal of Silicone Oil and Posterior Capsulectomy in Proliferative Diabetic Retinopathy

Purpose: Here, we report a case of acute noninfectious endophthalmitis after removal of silicone oil (SO) and posterior capsulectomy in a patient with proliferative diabetic retinopathy.Case summary: SO removal and posterior capsulectomy were performed in a 61-year-old man who had undergone vitrectomy with combined cataract surgery, membrane peeling, laser photocoagulation, and SO injection to treat vitreous hemorrhage and tractional retinal detachment three months previously. The patient’s best-corrected visual acuity on the day after surgery was 20/50; it decreased to hand motion at five days after SO removal. Exudative membrane with hypopyon, anterior chamber cell (trace), and mild conjunctival injection were observed. The patient did not complain of ocular pain. Topical steroid was applied following a diagnosis of postoperative noninfectious endophthalmitis. The exudative membrane and hypopyon decreased after three days of treatment and had resolved completely after one month of treatment. The patient’s visual acuity improved to 20/50.Conclusions: Noninfectious endophthalmitis can develop after removal of SO and posterior capsulectomy. Topical steroid treatment is effective in such cases.

Neuro-Ophthalmological Emergencies. Are They Always Innocent? A Case Report and a Literature Review

Neuro-ophthalmogical complications are rare but can be serious after regional block. We present a case of a 54-year-old diabetic patient who was scheduled for pars plana vitrectomy of his right eye due to tractional retinal detachment, under a peribulbar block with a mixture of lidocaine and ropivacaine. He presented with tachycardia, hypertension, seizures, respiratory distress and apnea. He was intubated for less than 24 hours. He was discharged with no neurological deficit. A review regarding these rare but serious neurological complications of ophthalmic surgery is presented, to raise awareness of neurologists, who are called to evaluate and treat these patients

Impact of COVID-19 lockdown on Retinal Surgeries

Objectives: To determine the frequency and severity of surgical Vitreo-Retinal diseases during COVID-19 lockdown period (LP) and compare it with same period last year. Methods: Single hospital based retrospective Cohort Study. Data of the patients that underwent retinal surgeries during the COVID-19 LP i.e., 23-03-2020 till 23-06-2020 and same period last year i.e., 23-03-2019 till 23-06-2019 was analyzed. Results: One hundred thirty-six eyes of 105 patients were included. Among these eyes, 48 (35.3%) were operated during the COVID-19 LP while 88 (64.7%) were operated during the same time last year. A decline of 45.5% (p=0.023) was observed in the frequency of surgeries during the LP. Mean age of patients during the LP was 43.2 ± 20.3 years compared to 48.4 ± 17.9 years last year. There was reduction in the surgeries for Diabetic Tractional Retinal Detachment (11.4% vs 4.2% during LP, p=0.166), Vitreous hemorrhage (10.2% vs 8.3% during LP, p=0.04), Full thickness macular hole (3.4% vs 0% during LP) and Epiretinal membrane (12.5% vs 0% during LP). While Rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (27.3% vs 58.3% during LP, p<0.001) among other disorders had a higher proportion during the LP. Conclusion: The decline in the frequency of retinal surgeries during the LP is indicative of complex pathologies presenting later with more advanced disease. However, earlier presentation and an increase trend in surgeries for RRD during the LP shows the positive impact of free time on the health concerns of our population. doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.37.7.4291 How to cite this:Awan MA, Shaheen F, Mohsin F. Impact of COVID-19 lockdown on Retinal Surgeries. Pak J Med Sci. 2021;37(7):---------. doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.37.7.4291 This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

Retinal Vasculitis: Fundamentals, Diagnostics, and Management

Retinal vasculitis is inflammation of retinal blood vessels typically resulting from infection or immune-mediated inflammatory processes. It may present as isolated ocular inflammation or as a part of severe or potentially fatal systemic disease. Ocular complications of retinal vasculitis include cystoid macular edema, neovascularization, tractional retinal detachment, and vitreous hemorrhage, which all greatly threaten vision. Multimodal imaging and thorough systemic investigations are the main tools for making a precise diagnosis, which aids in predicting disease prognosis and visual outcome as well as preserving a patient’s vision and possibly their life. This review aims to discuss the current understanding of retinal vasculitis as well as current diagnostic tools and treatments.