Posterior Synechiae Formation Research Articles

The hole that saves the eye with no delay

A 28 year old patient was followed up for unilateral anterior synechial uveitis of the right eye, with an inconclusive etiological work-up. Multiple relapses resulted in posterior synechiae formation around the pupil with a tomato iris appearance (Figure 1).

Retrospective study of postoperative intraocular pressure and complications in phacoemulsification combined with endoscopic cyclophotocoagulation and phacoemulsification alone in dogs.

Long-term comparative data of phacoemulsification combined with endoscopic cyclophotocoagulation (phaco-ECP) versus phacoemulsification (phaco) alone in dogs are rare. To investigate the effects of ECP on postoperative intraocular pressure (IOP) and complications after phaco in dogs with normal IOP. Medical records of IOP, conjunctival hyperemia, corneal edema, aqueous flare, posterior synechia, intraocular fibrin, and posterior capsule opacification (PCO) formation in 15 canine eyes that underwent phaco-ECP and 36 eyes that underwent phaco alone were evaluated retrospectively. ECP was applied when either the iridocorneal angle or the ciliary cleft was narrow or closed. The IOP of the phaco-ECP group persisted within the normal range postoperatively. The phaco-ECP group had a shorter period of dorzolamide use than did the phaco group. PCO was formed earlier in the phaco-ECP group than in the phaco group. The phaco-ECP group showed more severe corneal edema than the phaco group at every follow-up visit. Posterior synechia was more severe in the phaco-ECP group than in the phaco group from two weeks until the last follow-up. Although ECP might cause more postoperative complications such as corneal edema and posterior synechia, it could effectively reduce the incidence of IOP increase after phaco in dogs with a high risk of postoperative glaucoma.

Recognising and treating uveitis in donkeys

There is a paucity of information in the veterinary literature regarding ophthalmic disease in the donkey. Uveitis is a potentially blinding condition, which warrants prompt diagnosis and treatment. Clinical signs associated with uveitis include epiphora, aqueous flare, miosis, corneal oedema, keratic precipitates and vitreal inflammation, posterior synechiae formation, cataract formation, lens luxation or subluxation, peripapillary scarring and retinal detachment. Treatment is aimed at suppressing the uveal tract inflammation, through the use of both topical and systemic medications. Surgical intervention may also be considered, with appropriate patient selection. This article describes the clinical signs, diagnosis and management of uveitis in the donkey.

Comparison of polymethylmethacrylate versus hydrophobic acrylic lenses for primary intraocular lens implantation in pediatric cataract surgery

AIM: To compare the visual results and postoperative complications of polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) and hydrophobic acrylic intraocular lenses (IOLs) in children who underwent cataract extraction with primary IOL implantation. METHODS: This retrospective study included 117 eyes of 63 children with bilateral pediatric cataract undergoing cataract surgery and primary IOL implantation. The patients were divided into two groups, Group I included 58 eyes of 30 patients with PMMA IOLs; Group II included 59 eyes of 33 patients with hydrophobic acrylic IOLs. The clinical features, refraction errors, best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and surgical complications were compared between two groups. RESULTS: The mean age at the time of surgery was 5.8 (2-12)y and mean follow up period was 40.5 (6-196)mo. Postoperatively, BCVA was ≥0.5 in 80 eyes (68.4%) and this was comparable in two groups. Visual axis opacification was seen in 28 eyes (48.3%) in Group I and 16 eyes (27.1%) in Group II and this difference was statistically significant (P=0.018). Postoperative IOL dislocation and posterior synechia formation were also noted. When all postoperative complications were considered, there were significantly less complications in the acrylic IOL group than PMMA IOL group (P=0.020). CONCLUSION: Pediatric cataract surgery with primary IOL implantation is a safe procedure. Hydrophobic acrylic IOLs may lead to less postoperative complications compared to PMMA IOLs.

Chirurgie combinée vitrectomie et phakoéxérèse avec implantation bag-in-the-lens (BIL) ou de sac : comparaison de l’acuité visuelle finale

Combined vitrectomy-lensectomy surgery is a safe and effective procedure. Nevertheless, it is frequently complicated by posterior capsule opacification and the formation of posterior synechiae. These complications can be avoided by placing a "bag in the lens" (BIL) implant. The objective of this study is to compare the visual acuity gain (VA) after combined vitrectomy-lensectomy surgery between a group implanted with the BIL technique and a group with implantation in the bag (LIB). We included in the study all vitrectomy-lensectomy procedures for epiretinal membrane and vitreomacular traction performed between May 2013 and July 2016 at the Hospital and University Center of Caen. We compared the VA gain between the BIL group and the LIB group six months after surgery. A total of 33 patients were included in the study, consisting of 28 eyes in the BIL group and 8 eyes in the LIB group. The mean VA gain in the BIL group was -0.52 LogMAR (P<0.0001) and -0.56 LogMAR (P=0.0047) for the LIB group. The difference between the two groups was not significant (P=0.74). The use of the BIL technique during vitrectomy-lensectomy allows visual recovery as good as implantation within the capsular bag. In addition, this implant has the advantage of significantly reducing the occurrence of posterior synechiae and preventing anterior and posterior capsular proliferation.

Clinical Characteristics and Outcomes of Malignant Glaucoma after Different Procedures Treated with Pars Plana Vitrectomy: A 10-Year Retrospective Study.

Background and objectives: Despite established common risk factors, malignant glaucoma (MG) remains a rare condition with challenging management. We aimed to analyze differences in risk factors for MG after different surgeries and outcomes after pars plana vitrectomy (PPV). Materials and Methods: This retrospective study included cases of MG treated with PPV between January 2005 and December 2015 in the Department of Ophthalmology, Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, Kaunas, Lithuania. Results: A total of 39 cases were analyzed: 23 (59%) after cataract surgery, 13 (33.3%) after trabeculectomy, and 3 (7.7%) after other interventions. Characteristics among the groups did not differ. Intraocular lens refractive power was significantly higher in the cataract group, in which intraocular pressure (IOP) before MG was significantly greater in the affected eye. Normotension was achieved in 92.3%, and a normal anterior chamber in 75%. Additional measures included eye drops (n = 24), trabeculectomy (n = 5), bleb revision (n = 2), synechiotomy (n = 4), and cyclophotocoagulation (n = 1). The proportion of drop-free patients significantly increased after PPV compared with that before MG development (38.5% versus 15.4%). Complications were observed in 11 cases: choroidal detachments with spontaneous resolution (n = 2); retinal detachment (n = 1); constant mydriasis (n = 1), neovascular glaucoma (n = 1); obstruction of filtrating zone by iris (n = 1) and by blood clot (n = 1); posterior synechia formation causing IOP rise (n = 4 (all resolved after synechiotomy)). The cataract group experienced significantly fewer complications than the trabeculectomy group (17.4% vs. 53.8%, respectively). Conclusions: There were no differences in the risk of MG among the different surgeries. However, higher IOP in the predisposed eye (versus contra-lateral eye) could indicate additional risk of MG after cataract surgery. PPV afforded reliable treatment for MG and the possibility for glaucoma patients to discontinue topical treatment.

Demographic and Clinical Characteristics of Uveitis in Turkey: The First National Registry Report

ABSTRACTPurpose: To describe the demographic and clinical profiles of uveitis patients seen at secondary and tertiary care centers in Turkey.Methods: A nationwide web-based registry of patients with uveitis was initiated in November 2008. We analyzed data from a single baseline registry-enrollment visit.Results: In 33 centers, 6967 eyes of 4863 consecutive patients were registered. The mean age at presentation was 36.6 ± 15.7 (1–92) years; 51.3% were male. Behçet disease was the leading diagnosis (24.9%), followed by ankylosing spondylitis and/or HLA-B27-associated anterior uveitis (9.7%), toxoplasmosis (7.1%), Fuchs uveitis (6.3%), and presumed herpetic anterior uveitis (6.0%). Visual acuity was 0.1 or worse in 22% of eyes. The most common ocular complications were posterior synechiae (16.2%) and cataract formation (16.2%).Conclusions: Behçet disease is still the most common non-infectious etiology in Turkish uveitis patients, while ocular toxoplasmosis and herpetic anterior uveitis are the most common infectious uveitic entities.

Evaluation of long-term biocompatibility and capsular bag opacification with a new silicone–polyimide plate-type intraocular lens in the rabbit model

To evaluate the long-term biocompatibility and safety of the new SC9 intraocular lens (IOL) after implantation in rabbit eyes, in accordance with the requirements of the International Organization for Standardization 11979-5, Annex G:2006(E). John A. Moran Eye Center, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA. Experimental study. Bilateral phacoemulsification was performed on 9 New Zealand white rabbits; 1 eye received the test IOL and the contralateral eye received a commercially available plate-type silicone control IOL (AA4204VL). Two rabbits were humanely killed at 2months and the remaining at 6months. After gross examination of the eyes from the posterior Miyake-Apple view, select IOLs were explanted and had surface staining for implant cytology. All globes were then sectioned and processed for complete histopathologic examination. Overall uveal biocompatibility was similar between the test IOLs and control IOLs throughout the study. The mean posterior capsule opacification at 6months was 0.8±0.27 (SD) in the test group and 4.0±0 in the control group (P=.001, t test: paired 2-sample for means). The mean posterior synechiae formation at 6months was 1.28±1.25 in the test group and 2.71±0.75 in the control group (P=.01). A histopathologic examination confirmed the relative lack of capsule opacification in the study eyes compared with the control eyes and the absence of untoward inflammatory reaction or toxicity in all eyes. The new IOL maintained an open capsular bag secondary to its design, which appeared to prevent overall capsular bag opacification and retain uveal and capsule biocompatibility. None of the authors has a financial or proprietary interest in any material or method mentioned.

A prospective study of incidence and risk factors for secondary glaucoma after penetrating keratoplasty

Aim : To carry out a prospective study to analyze the incidence and risk factors for secondary glaucoma after penetrating keratoplasty (PK). Materials and Methods: Three hundred and eleven consecutive penetrating keratoplasties that were performed between January 1, 2006, and December 31, 2008, with a follow-up of 12 months were prospectively analyzed to determine the factors associated with postoperative glaucoma. Results: Of 311 eyes, secondary glaucoma developed in 57 cases. This yields an incidence of 18.3%. In conditions, such as aphakic bullous keratopathy, the incidence of post-PK glaucoma was 3.0%; in pseudophakic bullous keratopathy 14.0%, and in cases of failed graft 16.0%, while in cases of corneal ulcer and corneal opacity it was 49.0% and 18.0%, respectively. Conclusion: We conclude in our study that the incidence of glaucoma developing post-PK was highest in phakic eyes, which may be due to the formation of posterior synechiae and development of intumescent cataract. Higher incidence of glaucoma developing in infective cases could be due to recipient hot eye and the high incidence in cases of large graft could be attributed to the formation of peripheral anterior synechiae.

Combined phacovitrectomy with preoperative cyclosporin A in management of resistant panuveitis

PurposeThis paper evaluates the visual outcome and report complications and uveitis control of one-stage combined pars plana vitrectomy, phacoemulsification, and intraocular lens (IOL) implantation in eyes with resistant noninfective uveitis after preoperative control by oral cyclosporin A (CSA).MethodsThis paper uses an interventional case-series study of ten eyes in nine patients with panuveitis, controlled by oral CSA with the least dose of topical and systemic steroids. All eyes underwent standard pars plana vitrectomy, microcoaxial phacoemulsification, and IOL implantation. The data recorded were visual acuity (VA), intraoperative and postoperative complications, and recurrences of activity through a minimum follow-up of 6 months.ResultsThe mean logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution (logMAR) significantly improved from 1.597 at baseline (3/60 Snellen’s equivalent), to 0.819 at the 3-month follow-up meeting (6/45 Snellen’s equivalent), to 0.663 at the 6-month postoperative visit). VA improved in 70% of eyes, worsened in 20%, and stabilized in 10%. There was improvement (>6 lines) in 30% of eyes. The rate of posterior synechia formation and uncontrollable glaucoma decreased from 60% preoperative to 10% postoperative (P = 0.01). There was significant decline in the number of eyes requiring topical steroids from 100% preoperative to 50% postoperative (P = 0.01). The same is true for oral CSA, which decreased from 100% preoperatively to 10% postoperatively.ConclusionA single-stage combination of phacovitrectomy and IOL implantation is able to control noninfective panuveitis with less need for systemic treatment and topical steroids, and results in fewer incidence of glaucoma and posterior synechia. Furthermore, it restores useful postoperative vision.

Secondary angle-closure glaucoma due to posterior synechiae formation following phacovitrectomy

Iris posterior synechiae formation after phacovitrectomy is usually regarded as a trivial problem. We report a case of secondary angle-closure glaucoma due to 360°PS 5years after a phacovitrectomy for recurrent vitreous haemorrhage secondary to diabetic retinopathy. To our knowledge this is the first such reported case of this potentially sight-threatening complication of phacovitrectomy. We discuss our successful management of our patient, as well as potential risk factors and preventative measures.

Favourable outcome after cataract surgery with IOL implantation in uveitis associated with juvenile idiopathic arthritis

Management of uveitic cataract in patients with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) is challenging, and intraocular lens (IOL) implantation is controversial. This study investigated the outcome after minimally invasive surgery with IOL implantation. Retrospective analysis after phacoemulsification with in-the-bag IOL implantation was performed in 16 patients (17 operations) with ANA-positive JIA-associated chronic uveitis. In these patients, 25 G capsulectomy and anterior vitrectomy was performed and they received an intravitreal triamcinolone (TA) injection. Mean age at uveitis onset was 5 ± 2 years, and surgery was performed at a mean age of 11 ± 2.2 years. Preoperatively, uveitis was inactive in all patients, and visual acuity was logMAR 0.8 ± 0.44; additional uveitis complications were present in all patients, and 15 patients were receiving systemic immunosuppression/biologicals. After surgery (mean follow-up 26.5 ± 11.7 months), presence of cystoid macular oedema, papilloedema, ocular hypertension/glaucoma and hypotony did not increase compared with baseline. There was no significant worsening of AC inflammation (by cell numbers and laser flare values). IOL deposits persisted in four patients, and synechiae developed in eight. The visual acuity was improved (≥2 lines) in all patients (mean logMAR 0.3 ± 0.24). Retrolental membrane formation was not noted. Secondary capsular opacification was observed in seven patients, requiring Nd:YAG capsulotomy in five of them. Phacoemulsification and in-the-bag IOL implantation may improve visual outcome in JIA-associated uveitis with minimally invasive surgical technique and intravitreal TA injection. Well-controlled uveitis with appropriate use of topical steroids and systemic immunosuppression or biologicals appears as a perioperative requirement.

Intraocular lens capture in combined cataract extraction and pars plana vitrectomy: Comparison of 1-piece and 3-piece acrylic intraocular lenses

To report and compare the incidence of pupillary capture and posterior synechiae formation after combined cataract extraction and pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) with a 1-piece versus a 3-piece acrylic intraocular lens (IOL). Royal Alexandra Hospital Eye Clinic, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. Comparative case series. Consecutive patients who had combined cataract extraction with PPV were retrospectively reviewed. The outcomes in patients who received a 1-piece acrylic IOL and those who received a 3-piece acrylic IOL were compared. The proportion of patients with pupillary IOL capture and/or posterior synechiae postoperatively was recorded. The cohort comprised 145 patients. All cases of IOL capture occurred in eyes with a 1-piece IOL (n = 7; 7.7%); the difference between the 1-piece IOL group and the 3-piece IOL group was statistically significant (P = .043). There was no significant difference between the 2 IOL types in the rate of posterior synechiae formation. Regression analysis showed that the odds of posterior synechiae formation were significantly higher in cases in which perfluoropropane (C(3)F(8)) (odds ratio [OR], 24.01; P = .006), sulfur hexafluoride (SF(6)) (OR, 25.23; P = .007), or silicone oil (OR, 47.78; P<.001) was used. The incidence of IOL capture was significantly greater after implantation of a 1-piece IOL than after implantation of a 3-piece IOL during combined cataract extraction and PPV. Posterior synechiae formation was associated with the use of silicone oil, SF(6), or C(3)F(8).

A Case ofPantoeaEndophthalmitis

A previously healthy 50-year-old man was transferred to our hospital for evaluation of acute inflammation in his right eye after ocular trauma while using a grass mower. Slit lamp examination showed 1 mm-length full thickness corneal laceration without leakage, 4+ cells and inflammatory membrane in the anterior chamber, 10% hypopyon, posterior synechiae formation, and cataract change. Upon orbital computerized tomography, a metallic intraocular foreign body in the lens was indentified. Vitrectomy, phacoemulsification, foreign body removal, anterior chamber irrigation, and intravitreal antibiotics injections of vancomycin and ceftazidime were performed. In a culture of humor from the anterior chamber grew Pantoea species. More procedures were performed, including intravitreal antibiotics injection of ceftazidime. Upon administering a course of intravenous ceftazidime, fortified ceftazidime and moxifloxacin eye drops, and oral prednisolone, the patient improved.

Effect of heparin in the intraocular irrigating solution on postoperative inflammation in the pediatric cataract surgery

To evaluate the influence of irrigation of the anterior chamber with heparin sodium on postoperative inflammation after pediatric cataract surgery. Kartal Training and Research Hospital, First Eye Clinic, Istanbul, Turkey. Randomized prospective double-blind study. Fourteen consecutive eyes from 14 patients aged 8.9 +/- 5.9 years, (range 3-18 years) (group 1) and 19 eyes from 19 patients aged 9.1 +/- 5.2 (range 1.5-18 years) (group 2) underwent pediatric cataract surgery. Five patients in group 1 were between three and five years old. One patient was 1.5 years old and six patients in group 2 were between three and five years old. During the procedure, group 1 received anterior chamber irrigation with heparin sodium (5 IU/cc) and 1 ml of heparin sodium (concentration 10 IU/ml) added to the irrigating balanced salt solution (BSS Plus; Alcon Laboratories, Inc., Fort Worth, TX, USA) while group 2 received BSS without heparin sodium only. Cases aged under three years received anterior vitrectomy in addition to posterior capsulorrhexis. One eye received anterior vitrectomy in group 1 and two eyes received anterior vitrectomy in group 2. Cases with preoperative complications were not included in the study. Early and late postoperative inflammatory complications, including fibrin formation, anterior and posterior synechia, cyclitic and pupillary membrane formation were recorded and compared. Mild anterior chamber reaction was observed in three patients in Group 1, while nine cases in group 2 experienced marked anterior chamber reaction. In four of nine patients from group 2, anterior chamber reaction was severe and resulted in pupillary membrane and synechia despite treatment in the postoperative 7th day, while in all three cases in group 1, reaction disappeared by the 7th day. Anterior chamber irrigation with heparin during pediatric cataract surgery may minimize early inflammatory reaction and decrease the number of postoperative inflammatory related complications.

Exfoliation syndrome and heparin surface modified intraocular lenses

Either heparin surface modified (HSM) or regular polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) intraocular lenses (IOLs) were implanted after extracapsular cataract extraction in 40 human eyes with exfoliation syndrome in a double-masked, randomized study. The patients were investigated preoperatively, and then 1 day, 1 week, 3, 6 and 12 months postoperatively. In eyes implanted with the HSM IOL, 26% had a fibrinoid reaction anterior to the IOL, while this complication was found in 50% of eyes implanted with the regular IOL. Pigment and cell deposits were more frequent on the regular IOLs than on the HSM lenses postoperatively. Posterior synechia formation between the iris and the implant or lens capsule was more common in the eyes with regular IOL compared to HSM IOL. No difference in visual acuity between the two groups was found either before or after surgery. The results suggest that in eyes with exfoliation syndrome, a heparin surface modified IOL reduces clinical complications associated with cataract surgery.

Morphologic changes in the anterior segment after phacovitrectomy for proliferative diabetic retinopathy

To determine whether combined phacoemulsification and intraocular lens implantation with pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) (phacovitrectomy) in patients with proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR) causes morphologic changes in the anterior segment and to evaluate whether there is a relationship between the anatomic changes and inflammatory complications. Department of Ophthalmology, Chonnam National University Hospital, Gwangju, South Korea. Patients who had uneventful surgery for PDR were divided into 2 groups (phacovitrectomy and PPV only). Morphologic changes in the ciliary regions were measured by ultrasound biomicroscopy (UBM) 1 day before surgery and 1, 2, 3, 5 days, 2 weeks, 1 and 2 months after surgery. The UBM parameters and inflammatory complications in the 2 groups were compared. The study comprised 60 patients; 30 had phacovitrectomy and 30, PPV only. The frequency of supraciliary effusions was higher in the phacovitrectomy group (24/30, 80%) than in the PPV-only group (14/30, 46%) (P = .015). The decrease in angle opening and anterior chamber depth was more prominent after phacovitrectomy. The incidence of complications was higher in the phacovitrectomy group than in the PPV-only group (60% versus 30%, abnormal intraocular pressure; 30% versus 7%, intraocular fibrin and posterior synechia formation); the complications were associated with supraciliary effusions. The results indicate that phacovitrectomy for PDR may induce more morphologic changes in the anterior segment. Supraciliary effusions were associated with inflammatory complications. Appropriate control of postsurgical inflammation is necessary in phacovitrectomy for PDR.

A simple technique to administer mydricaine in needle-phobic patients

Subconjunctival mydricaine injections are used in routine practice in patients with uveitis to prevent the formation of permanent posterior synechiae.1 Mydricaine No 2 (Moorfields Eye Hospital formulation) contains a combination...

Risk Factors of Iris Posterior Synechia Formation after Phacovitrectomy with Three-Piece Acrylic IOL or Single-Piece Acrylic IOL

Aims: To identify the risk factors of posterior iris synechia formation after phacovitrectomy with posterior chamber single-piece acrylic intraocular lens (IOL; Acrysof® SA60AT) or 3-piece acrylic IOL (Acrysof® MA60BM) implantation. Methods: We selected 153 eyes of 153 patients treated by phacovitrectomy between March 2000 and August 2006 and retrospectively reviewed the relationship between iris posterior synechiae and various factors, such as IOL type, tamponade, preoperative iris posterior synechiae, major indications for surgery, axial length and preoperative anterior chamber (AC) depth. Results: IOL type (p = 0.0447), C₃F₈ gas tamponades (p = 0.0074), preoperative iris posterior synechiae (p = 0.0001) and postoperative AC fibrin deposition (p = 0.0303) were significantly associated with postoperative iris posterior synechiae by multiple logistic regression analysis. The odds ratio (OR) for single-piece IOL versus 3-piece IOL was 2.658 (95% confidence interval, CI: 1.010–6.993), the OR for C₃F₈ gas versus balanced salt solution was 4.051 (95% CI: 1.455–11.281), for the presence of preoperative iris posterior synechiae 12.868 (95% CI: 3.511–47.165), and the OR for postoperative AC fibrin deposition was 6.012 (95% CI: 1.186–30.468). Conclusion: Preoperative iris posterior synechiae, C₃F₈ gas tamponade, postoperative AC fibrin deposition and the single-piece IOL could increase the rates of iris posterior synechiae after phacovitrectomy.

Intraokulare Drucksteigerung bei Uveitis

Glaucoma, a common and potentially devastating complication of intraocular inflammation, remains a considerable therapeutic challenge. During uveitis, breakdown of the blood-ocular barrier occurs with subsequent influx of proteins as well as inflammatory and immunocompetent cells. These mediators, including cytokines and chemokines, are considered to have a major impact on secondary elevated intraocular pressure (IOP). Several mechanisms are involved in the pathogenesis of inflammatory glaucoma, including obstruction of the trabecular meshwork by inflammatory cells and proteins, trabeculitis, formation of anterior and/or posterior synechiae, pupillary block, neovascularization, and anterior rotation of the lens-iris diaphragm. In addition, the use of steroids to control intraocular inflammation may cause secondary elevation of IOP.The management of uveitic glaucoma requires a careful balance between adequate anti-inflammatory therapy and appropriate lowering of IOP to prevent long-term visual loss. Despite the availability of many new medical treatments for both conditions, control of IOP in these patients remains challenging.