Nonrandomized Consecutive Case Series Research Articles

Risk Factors for Recurrence in the Treatment of Recurrent Pterygium.

The aim of this study was to identify the postoperative recurrence rate of recurrent pterygium and to evaluate risk factors for the recurrence. This study was a retrospective interventional nonrandomized consecutive case series. In this single-center study, 119 eyes of patients with recurrent pterygium who underwent surgery with a follow-up period of >12 months after the surgery were analyzed. The clinical characteristics of pterygium were classified according to the length of corneal involvement and Tan grade. The main outcome was the recurrence rate. The secondary outcome was the risk factors for recurrence. The mean follow-up period was 42 ± 28.6 months. Recurrence was observed in 15 patients (12.6%). The average postoperative recurrence period was 7.7 ± 6.7 months. Twelve patients experienced a recurrence within 12 months. Eyes with recurrence had a significantly greater length of corneal involvement (2.47 ± 0.72 mm) and number of previous surgery (1.9 ± 1.3) than those without (1.97 ± 0.74 mm, and 1.3 ± 0.7, both P = 0.04). Multivariate analysis showed that recurrence was significantly associated with the length of corneal involvement (odds ratio [OR] 2.38, 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.02-5.57, P = 0.05) and the number of previous surgeries (OR: 1.91, 95% CI, 1.03-3.58, P = 0.04) but not with sex (OR: 3.71, 95% CI, 0.90-15.2, P = 0.07), age (OR: 0.99, 95% CI, 0.94-1.04, P = 0.59), and use of mitomycin C (OR: 0.31, 95% CI, 0.07-1.21, P = 0.09). The postoperative recurrence rate of recurrent pterygium was 12.6%. The preoperative length of corneal involvement and number of previous pterygium surgeries were significantly correlated with recurrence. Male sex and nonuse of mitomycin C tended to correlate with recurrence.

Accuracy of Barrett versus third-generation intraocular lens formula across all axial lengths

The purpose of this study is to evaluate and compare the accuracy of Barrett Universal II versus third-generation formula for different intraocular lens (IOL) powers for Indian eyes with different axial lengths (ALs). This is a retrospective, nonrandomized consecutive case series. This study reviewed 981 eyes from 825 patients who had uneventful cataract surgery and IOL implantation. The eyes were separated into subgroups based on AL as follows: short (<22.0 mm), medium (22.01-23.99 mm), and long (>24.0 mm). The predicted refractive outcome using formulas was calculated and compared with the actual refractive outcome to give the prediction error. The percentage of every refractive error absolute value for each formula was calculated at <±0.50D, 0.50D-0.75D, and >±0.75D. In all, 981 eyes were analyzed. There were no significant differences in the median absolute error predicted by Barrett and the third-generation formulae. The Barrett Universal II formula resulted in significantly lowest mean spherical equivalent in short eyes (P = 0.0047) as well as a higher percentage of eyes with prediction errors within <±0.50D, 0.50D-0.75D, and >±0.75D. We found that the Barrett Universal II formula had the lowest predictive refraction error and mean absolute error across all ALs. The Barrett Universal II formula rendered the lowest predictive error compared with SRK/T, Holladay, and Hoffer Q formulas. Thus, the Barrett Universal II formula may be regarded as a more reliable formula for achieving emmetropia and reducing postoperative refractive surprises across all ALs.

Management of uncomplicated primary retinal rhegmatogenous detachment.

The purpose of this study was to compare the vitreoretinal surgery outcomes in patients with uncomplicated rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD). This was a retrospective, nonrandomized consecutive case series study. Six hundred and eighty-three eyes with primary uncomplicated RRD between 2013 and 2017 were included in this study. Patients were treated by one of the following methods: pars plana vitrectomy (PPV), scleral buckling (SB), and combined PPV with SB (PPV + SB). The success rate was divided into an anatomical and functional one, the anatomical success rate was retinal reattachment, and the functional success rate was defined as a statistically significant improvement in BCVA patients within a 6-month follow-up period. This study involved 683 eyes; of these, 79 eyes underwent PPV, combined PPV/SB was performed on 180 eyes, and 424 eyes underwent SB. The anatomical success rates were 83.5% for PPV and 80% for combined SB/PPV. The anatomical success rate for the SB group was 75.5%. There were no significant differences between these groups in terms of anatomical success rates (0.191) or functional success rates (p = 0.534). There was no significant difference between the PPV alone and PPV + SB in terms of the likelihood of anatomic success (p-value: 0.503) or functional success (p-value: 0.839). Preoperative worse BCVA and presence of PVR were associated with poor prognosis (p-value: 0.024, 0.013, respectively). In the setting of appropriate instruments for microincision pars plana deep vitrectomy, it seems the surgical outcomes of scleral buckling and PPV are not different in patients with primary uncomplicated RRD. The supplementary band has not additional benefits in patients who underwent PPV with this type of RRD.

Peripheral Anterior Chamber Depth and Angle Measurements Using Pentacam After Implantation of Toric and Non-toric Implantable Collamer Lenses.

Purpose: To evaluate the characteristics of peripheral anterior chamber measurements by Pentacam after posterior implantable collamer lenses (ICL) and toric ICL (TICL) with central hole (V4c) implantation.Methods: Prospective, non-randomized consecutive case series. Forty-six patients undergoing ICL implantation in one eye (Group A) and identically sized TICL in the contralateral eye (Group B) in the Refractive Surgery Center of Eye and ENT Hospital of Fudan University were prospectively included. According to ICL/TICL size, these eyes were further divided into four subgroups. Peripheral anterior chamber depth (PACD) and angle (ACA) in nasal and temporal sides were measured using Pentacam pre-operatively and 12-month post-operatively.Results: The safety indices were 1.34 ± 0.32 and 1.25 ± 0.16 and the efficacy indices were 1.20 ± 0.24 and 1.19 ± 0.19 for ICL and TICL groups, respectively. There was no significant difference in pre-operative PACD or ACA between the two groups. Post-operative PACD and ACA were significantly lower than pre-operative values. Variations of PACD and ACA of TICL group were significantly larger than those of ICL group. The change of ACA for 13.2 mm lenses was significantly larger than that of 12.6 mm lenses. Pre-operative CACD and vault were significantly associated with post-operative PACD, while pre-operative ACA and vault were significantly associated with post-operative ACA.Conclusions: Variations of PACD and ACA were greater in eyes after TICL (V4c) implantation compared with identically sized ICL (V4c) implantation and with larger size than smaller size lens implantation. Pre-operative anterior chamber structure and vault affect post-operative PACD and ACA.

Incidence and Risk Factors of Iatrogenic Retinal Breaks: 20-Gauge versus 25-Gauge Vitrectomy for Idiopathic Macular Hole Repair.

Purpose We compared the incidences of iatrogenic retinal breaks and postoperative retinal detachment between eyes that underwent 20-gauge vitrectomy and those that underwent 25-gauge vitrectomy for idiopathic macular hole repair. Methods This retrospective nonrandomized consecutive observational case series included 185 eyes of 183 patients (130 eyes of 129 patients and 55 eyes of 54 patients in the 20- and 25-gauge groups, respectively). We assessed the relationship between the incidence of retinal breaks and postoperative retinal detachment and related this to posterior vitreous detachment and lattice degeneration. Results The incidences of iatrogenic retinal breaks were 36.9% and 12.7% in the 20-gauge and 25-gauge groups, respectively. These groups did not differ in their respective frequencies of posterior vitreous detachment (the 20-gauge group: 31.5% and the 25-gauge group: 27.3%) and lattice degeneration (the 20-gauge group: 14.6% and the 25-gauge group: 7.3%). Among eyes without lattice degeneration, the 20-gauge group showed a higher incidence of iatrogenic retinal breaks than the 25-gauge group. However, among the eyes with lattice degeneration, the frequency of retinal breaks did not differ between the two surgery types, and four cases of postoperative retinal detachment were reported in both groups. Conclusions The incidence of retinal breaks related to idiopathic macular hole surgery is higher among patients undergoing 20-gauge vitrectomy than among those undergoing 25-gauge vitrectomy. Posterior vitreous detachment and lattice degeneration are associated with considerably increased incidences of retinal break.

Audit of CBT for Depression and Anxiety in a Non-Randomized Routine-Practice Consecutive Case-Series of Adults with ABI

There is a gap in the literature concerning the efficacy versus effectiveness of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) for Acquired Brain Injury (ABI). Effectiveness relates to how treatments work in practice. Efficacy measures how they work in clinical trials with stringent inclusion and exclusion criteria. We assessed treatment in a regular clinic setting to determine effectiveness of CBT as it is usually delivered. This study audits the effectiveness of CBT in a real-world setting rather than efficacy.

Precision of bag-in-the-lens intraocular lens power calculation in different age groups of pediatric cataract patients: Report of the Giessen Pediatric Cataract Study Group

To evaluate the precision of bag-in-the-lens intraocular lens (BIL IOL) power calculation in different age groups of pediatric cataract patients. Department of Ophthalmology, Justus-Liebig-University Giessen, University Hospital Giessen and Marburg GmbH, Campus Giessen, Giessen, Germany. Retrospective nonrandomized consecutive case series. Pediatric patients diagnosed with cataract and operated with BIL IOL implantation were divided into 4 age groups: Group 1 (0 to 3months), Group 2 (>3months, <12months), Group 3 (12 to 36months), and Group 4 (>36months to 17years). BIL IOL power was calculated with the SRK/T formula. The prediction error (PE) was defined as the absolute difference between the preoperative selected target and postoperative achieved refraction. The impact of age at the time of surgery, axial length (AL), keratometry, and corneal astigmatism on PE was analyzed. The study comprised 87 eyes of 56 pediatric patients. The mean and median PEs for the entire group were 1.79 diopters (D) and 1.23 D, respectively. The mean PE in each age group was: 3.43 D in Group 1, 2.14 D in Group 2, 1.60 D in Group 3, and 1.33 D in Group 4. The mean PE in eyes with ALs shorter than 20mm was 2.67 D, and 1.44 D in eyes with an AL of 20 mm or longer. Themean PE in eyes with corneal radii less than 7.3mm was 2.45 D, and 1.66 D in eyes with corneal radii of 7.3mm or more. In the age and AL subgroups, the PE differences were statistically significant (P<.05). The PE was larger in the youngest study group, and it decreased gradually with age and in eyes with ALs shorter than 20mm. The PE has to be considered during BIL IOL power calculation in children.

Analysis and management of intraoperative and early postoperative complications of bag-in-the-lens intraocular lens implantation in different age groups of paediatric cataract patients: report of the Giessen Paediatric Cataract Study Group.

To report the rate and management of intra- and early postoperative complications of bag-in-the-lens intraocular lens (IOL) implantation technique for cataract treatment in paediatric patients of different age groups. Department of Ophthalmology, Justus-Liebig-University Giessen, University Hospital Giessen and Marburg GmbH, Campus Giessen, Giessen, Germany. Retrospective non-randomized consecutive case series. Ninety eyes of 60 paediatric cataract patients were enrolled to this retrospective non-randomized observational consecutive case series single-centre study. All patients underwent cataract surgery with bag-in-the-lens IOL implantation between January 2008 and December 2018, performed by two experienced surgeons. The entire cohort was divided into four age groups: first - 0-<3months, second - 3-<12months, third - 12-<36 and fourth - >36months-17years of age. The intra- and postoperative complications were based on the clinical records. The description of management of complications related specifically to bag-in-the-lens IOL technique was based on the 39 consecutive cases operated since 1 Jan 2016 by one single surgeon that were all video documented. The early postoperative period was defined as 12months after surgery. Overall, there were 27 unilateral and 33 bilateral surgical cases of 24 female and 36 male children. The mean age at surgery was 45.25months (range 1-200months). The most common intraoperative events were vitreous prolapse and anterior capsule rupture with 28.9% and 13.3%, respectively. Within 12months of follow-up, five eyes (5.6%) were re-operated because of visual axis reo-pacification (VAR). Intraocular hypertension was diagnosed in seven eyes (7.8%), including two cases that required surgical treatment. In all cases with intra- and early postoperative complications related specifically to bag-in-the-lens technique, it was possible to manage them and successfully implant bag-in-the-lens IOL. Implementation of bag-in-the-lens technique in the treatment of paediatric cataract was associated with a relatively low rate of intra- and postoperative complications, including rare cases of VAR. The correct management of complications related specifically to bag-in-the-lens IOL implantation technique shall to be considered during the learning curve.

Long-term effectiveness and safety of trabecular microbypass stent implantation with cataract surgery in patients with glaucoma or ocular hypertension: Five-year outcomes

To assess 5-year outcomes after implantation of 1 trabecular microbypass stent during cataract surgery in eyes with open-angle glaucoma (OAG) or ocular hypertension. Private ophthalmology clinic (AaM Augenklinik am Marienplatz, Munich, Germany). Prospective nonrandomized consecutive case series. One trabecular microbypass stent was implanted after phacoemulsification cataract surgery by one surgeon over 4years. Evaluations included intraocular pressure (IOP), medications, corrected distance visual acuity, cup-to-disc ratio, complications, and adverse events. This case series included 65 eyes of 43 patients with OAG (including primary, n=39; pseudoexfoliative, n=14; secondary uveitic, n=1; posttraumatic, n=1) or ocular hypertension (n=10). Thirty-eight percent of eyes had previous trabeculectomy and/or glaucoma laser procedures, and 68% were on 2 or more preoperative medications. Twenty-six eyes completed follow-up through 5years, and follow-up is ongoing. Among eyes without additional glaucoma surgery, the mean year 5 IOP decreased by 38% to 14.7mm Hg±3.0 (SD) versus 23.7±7.4mm Hg preoperatively; 92% of eyes had a mean year 5 IOP of 18mm Hg or lower and 65% had an IOP of 15mm Hg or lower. Medications were reduced by 75% to 0.5±0.9 medications versus 2.0±1.0 preoperatively, with 4% of eyes on 3 to 4 medications versus 28% preoperatively, and 69% medication-free versus 5% preoperatively. The mean IOP at all postoperative visits was 16.0mm Hg or lower and the mean medication number was 0.5 or less. Safety was favorable throughout the follow-up. In a real-life cohort of eyes with OAG or ocular hypertension, substantial, durable, and safe IOP and medication reductions were achieved through 5years after trabecular microbypass stent implantation with cataract surgery.

NEAR VISION OUTCOME IN PATIENTS WITH AGE-RELATED MACULAR DEGENERATION TREATED WITH AFLIBERCEPT.

The aim of this study was to investigate the outcome in near vision and the best-corrected visual acuity in patients with wet, age-related macular degeneration treated with aflibercept in a fixed bimonthly regimen in an ordinary clinical setting. The study was a retrospective, nonrandomized consecutive case series including 85 patients with wet, age-related macular degeneration followed for 18 months. During the first year all the patients received aflibercept injections in a fixed regimen at the following time points: Month 0, 1, 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, and 12. From Month 12 to Month 18, patients were treated with a treat and extend algorithm. The median near visual acuity improved from 12 points (95% confidence interval [CI] 10.5-13.4) at baseline to 5 points both at Month 12 (95% CI 3.8-6.2) and at Month 18 (95% CI 3.6-6.4) (P < 0.0001). At the 18-month visit, 58% (42/73) of the patients had a near visual acuity of at least 5 points compared with 7% (6/85) (P < 0.0001) at baseline. Best-corrected visual acuity improved from 60.9 letters (Snellen 20/63) (95% CI 58.4-63.4) at baseline to 68.1 letters (20/40) (95% CI 65.3-70.9) (P < 0.001) at Month 12 and 69.6 letters (20/40) (95% CI 66.7-72.5) (P < 0.001) at Month 18. Significant improvements were found in near vision and best-corrected visual acuity. The improvement in near vision was comparably greater than the change in best-corrected visual acuity. Monitoring near vision can contribute additional information when managing the patient with wet, age-related macular degeneration.

Impact of low mesopic contrast sensitivity outcomes in different types of modern multifocal intraocular lenses.

To investigate the low mesopic contrast sensitivity function (LMCSF) of patients implanted with different modern optical bifocal and trifocal designs of multifocal intraocular lenses (mfIOLs). This prospective, comparative, nonrandomized consecutive case series included 180 eyes that underwent cataract surgery. Six groups of eyes were differentiated: group A, eyes with the diffractive AT LISA tri 839MP; group B, eyes with diffractive FineVision; group C, eyes with the bifocal Lentis Mplus-LS313; group D, eyes with the diffractive bifocal Acri.Lisa 366D; group E, eyes with the diffractive apodized Acrysof ReSTOR SN6AD1; group F, as the control group, implanted with a monofocal spherical intraocular lens. The LMCSF was evaluated with the OPTEC® 6500 device at 3 months postoperatively using a luminance of 3 cd/m2. No significant differences among groups were detected in LMCSF for the spatial frequencies of 1.5, 3.0, 6.0, and 12.0 cpd (1.5 cpd: F = 1.81, p = 0.13; 3.0 cpd: F = 1.14, p = 0.14; 6.0 cpd: F = 1.87, p = 0.11; 12.0 cpd: F = 1.26, p = 0.29), but significant differences were found among groups for the spatial frequency of 18 cpd (F = 2.62, p = 0.03). When comparing the groups in pairs, only statistically significant differences were observed between groups E and F for the spatial frequency of 18.0 cpd (t = 3.27, p = 0.03) with better values for group F. No significant differences were observed in LMCSF among the different mfIOLs studied. The third focus of trifocal IOL models did not adversely affect the LMCSF. The ReSTOR SN6AD1 showed the poorest LMCSF for the highest spatial frequency analyzed when compared with the control group.

Clinical and Echographic Features of Retinochoroidal and Optic Nerve Colobomas.

We reported the clinical and echographic features of colobomas, prevalence of retinal detachment, and associated visual acuity in these patients. The study is a nonrandomized consecutive case series of 140 colobomatous eyes in 98 patients (age range, 0-83 years). Coloboma depth, width, volume, and relative coloboma excavation (coloboma depth/axial length) were measured using standardized echographic images. The presence of structural and other ocular abnormalities was noted. The clinical and echographic findings present were correlated with visual acuity of the patient. In addition, these features were correlated with the presence or absence of retinal detachment. Increased relative coloboma excavation was significantly associated with an increased risk of retinal detachment. A relative coloboma excavation (ratio of coloboma depth to axial length) greater than 0.15 was associated with an increased risk of retinal detachment (52%), compared to those with a relative coloboma excavation less than 0.15 (23%, P = 0.014). The presence of any structural abnormality and the presence of a retrobulbar cyst were associated with increased risk of retinal detachment and severe visual impairment (worse than 20/200). Increased coloboma depth, width, volume, and relative coloboma excavation were not associated with increased risk of severe visual impairment. Clinical and echographic features of colobomas may be used in predicting the risk of retinal detachment. Measuring relative coloboma excavation upon presentation may alter follow-up and assist in the diagnosis of retinal detachment.

Development of a nomogram to achieve ultrathin donor corneal disks for Descemet-stripping automated endothelial keratoplasty

To report the predictability of a nomogram for ultrathin donor lamella creation for Descemet-stripping automated endothelial keratoplasty (DSAEK) with an automated microkeratome. Instituto de Oftalmología La Arruzafa, Córdoba, Spain. Prospective nonrandomized consecutive case series. This study enrolled eyes of consecutive patients in which DSAEK was performed to treat Fuchs dystrophy or bullous keratopathy. Patients with macular pathology or other vision-limiting pathology were included. The same surgeon performed all surgeries using an automated keratome (Amadeus II) linked to an artificial anterior chamber. The target donor lamella thickness was from 70 to 120 μm based on a nomogram that incorporates advancement speed, blade holder size, and corneal thickness. The decimal corrected distance visual acuity (CDVA) at 3 months postoperatively, graft thickness at 1 month, and complications were recorded. Fifty-one patients (60 eyes) were enrolled. One month postoperatively, the mean donor lamella thickness was 99.33 μm ± 16.97 (SD) (range 67 to 130 μm). The target thickness range was achieved in 96.66% of cases (58 eyes). In 32 patients with a potential visual acuity of 20/20, the mean postoperative CDVA was 0.80 ± 0.16 (range 0.55 to 1.20). There were no complications during flap preparation, intraoperatively, or postoperatively and no events caused donor corneal tissue to be discarded. The use of a nomogram with an automated microkeratome for DSAEK provided good visual outcomes with a thin donor lamella (≤120 μm). The outcomes with the nomogram were similar to those reported for Descemet membrane endothelial keratoplasty. Neither author has a financial or proprietary interest in any material or method mentioned.

Novel robotic catheter manipulation system integrated with remote magnetic navigation for fully remote ablation of atrial tachyarrhythmias: a two-centre evaluation

Studies have shown that remote magnetic navigation is safe and effective for ablation of atrial arrhythmias, although optimal outcomes often require frequent manual manipulation of a circular mapping catheter. The Vdrive robotic system ('Vdrive') was designed for remote navigation of circular mapping catheters to enable a fully remote procedure. This study details the first human clinical experience with remote circular catheter manipulation in the left atrium. This was a prospective, multi-centre, non-randomized consecutive case series that included patients presenting for catheter ablation of left atrial arrhythmias. Remote systems were used exclusively to manipulate both the circular mapping catheter and the ablation catheter. Patients were followed through hospital discharge. Ninety-four patients were included in the study, including 23 with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (AF), 48 with persistent AF, and 15 suffering from atrial tachycardias. The population was predominately male (77%) with a mean age of 60.5 ± 11.7 years. The Vdrive was used for remote navigation between veins, creation of chamber maps, and gap identification with segmental isolation. The intended acute clinical endpoints were achieved in 100% of patients. Mean case time was 225.9 ± 70.5 min. Three patients (3.2%) crossed over to manual circular mapping catheter navigation. There were no adverse events related to the use of the remote manipulation system. The results of this study demonstrate that remote manipulation of a circular mapping catheter in the ablation of atrial arrhythmias is feasible and safe. Prospective randomized studies are needed to prove efficiency improvements over manual techniques.

BILATERAL EFFECT OF UNILATERAL RANIBIZUMAB IN PATIENTS WITH UVEITIS-RELATED MACULAR EDEMA

To describe an observed therapeutic effect of ranibizumab in untreated contralateral eyes of patients with bilateral uveitis-related cystoid macular edema. The authors conducted an open-label, prospective, nonrandomized, interventional study to evaluate the effect of intravitreal ranibizumab injections for the off-label treatment of persistent uveitic cystoid macular edema. Patients were given 3 monthly injections of 0.5 mg intravitreal ranibizumab in the eye with worse vision. Subsequent monthly ranibizumab injections were administered based on macular thickness measurements. Best-spectacle corrected visual acuity measurements and optical coherence tomography scans were performed on both eyes at baseline and at monthly follow-up visits. Three of the seven patients in our nonrandomized consecutive case series presented with controlled uveitis and cystoid macular edema bilaterally. Two of the three patients demonstrated a significant improvement in visual acuity and a reduction in macular edema in both eyes after three monthly injections to the study eye. One patient experienced limited effect bilaterally possibly because of the presence of epiretinal membranes in both eyes. The authors observed a beneficial effect of ranibizumab in both eyes of patients who were treated unilaterally for uveitis-related cystoid macular edema. This warrants further investigation of the pharmacokinetics and systemic availability of ranibizumab, particularly in patients with uveitis.

Revision Endoscopic Dacryocystorhinostomy with Betamethasone Injection under Assisted Local Anaesthetic

Purpose: To determine the success rate of revision endoscopic dacryocystorhinostomy (DCR) with an injection of intraoperative betamethasone under local anaesthetic.Methods: In a prospective, nonrandomized consecutive case series, 16 adult patients (19 eyes) with failed primary endoscopic DCR underwent revision surgery under assisted local anaesthetic. During revision endoscopic DCR, 1mg of betamethasone was injected into the lacrimal sac and scar tissue surrounding the surgical osteum. The surgical success rate was then determined based on anatomical patency and resolution of patient symptoms.Results: There were 16 patients (12 female, 4 male) and 3 had bilateral surgery. Patient ages ranged from 43 to 92 (mean 67). Follow up ranged from 1 to 15 months (mean 9). Anatomical patency was achieved in 16 cases (84%) and patient symptoms had improved in 17 cases (89%). Of the two cases that continued to have symptoms 1 achieved anatomical patency and the other had not.Conclusions: Revision endoscopic DCR, under assisted local anaesthetic, had a high success rate (89%) when an injection of betamethasone was administered intraoperatively.

Combined treatment of acute subretinal haemorrhages with intravitreal recombined tissue plasminogen activator, expansile gas and bevacizumab: a retrospective pilot study

To assess the effectiveness of consecutive intravitreal injections of recombined tissue plasminogen activator (rtPA), expansile gas and bevacizumab in eyes with acute subretinal haemorrhage (SRH). A retrospective, non-randomized consecutive case series included 19 eyes in 19 patients with SRH related to exudative age-related macular degeneration (AMD). The initial size of the subfoveal SRH was 1-3 disc diameters. Each patient received a triple procedure using 0.05 ml rtPA (50 microg), 0.3 ml of sulphur hexafluoride (SF6) gas and 0.05 ml bevacizumab (1.25 mg). Lesion size, location of the SRH and early treatment in diabetic retinopathy study (ETDRS) visual acuity were evaluated pretreatment as well as 1 and 3 months after the procedure. At the initial presentation, the patients' mean age was 77 years (range 63-88 years) and the mean duration of symptoms was 9.3 days (range 4-12 days). The mean visual acuity pretreatment (20/133) improved significantly to 20/86 at 1 month and to 20/74 at 3 months. The mean ETDRS visual acuity improved from baseline by 2.1 lines at 1 month (Wilcoxon ranks test; P < 0.005) and 3.7 lines at 3 months after treatment (Wilcoxon ranks test; P < 0.005). None of our patients had reading visual acuity prior to treatment, with visual acuity below 0.3. One month after the triple procedure, 25% of our patients had reading visual acuity (> or = 0.4); at 3 months, the figure was 35%. A successful inferior displacement of the SRH was achieved in 17/19 eyes. Eyes with elevated intraocular pressure were treated immediately by a corneal paracentesis. The intravitreal application of rtPA, gas and bevacizumab appears to be beneficial and well tolerated in the treatment of SRH in the short term. The triple approach seems a logical alternative to the current combined dual approach in limiting the progression of the underlying disease and achieving better visual outcome. Further randomized evaluations are warranted.

Décollements de rétine récidivants après vitrectomie en première intention chez le patient pseudophake

The aim of this study was to evaluate the incidence of pseudophakic retinal detachment (RD) recurrence after primary vitrectomy. This was a prospective nonrandomized consecutive case series study, evaluating two series presenting to our clinic with pseudophakic RD from 1998 to 2004 (103 eyes of 97 patients). The study included 24 consecutive pseudophakic eyes treated with gas vitrectomy surgery with placement of an encircling band from January 1998 to December 2000 (group A) and 79 consecutive pseudophakic eyes treated with gas vitrectomy surgery with no encircling band from January 2001 to December 2004 (group B). Pre- and postoperative characteristics were analyzed in both groups. In the cases of postoperative RD recurrence, we particularly analyzed the pre- and postoperative risk factors, as well as the anatomic and functional outcome. Visual acuity improved in 74/103 (71.8%) eyes from both groups postoperatively. Recurrence of RD after primary vitrectomy occurred in eight of 103 (7.8%) eyes in both groups. More specifically, two of 24 (8.3%) eyes in group A and six of 79 (7.6%) eyes in group B presented a recurrence after gas vitrectomy with encircling band and gas vitrectomy alone, respectively. Among these eight eyes, four eyes (50%) presented proliferative vitreoretinopathy (PVR) at the time of initial vitrectomy, while all eyes presented PVR at the time of recurrence (one grade B, seven grade C). These eyes required two additional interventions on average. Five eyes (62.5%) required silicone-oil tamponade for a good anatomic reapplication. These results show that recurrence after primary vitrectomy for pseudophakic RD is most often related to the presence of PVR before or after the first intervention. This series reports a success rate of 91.7% and 92.4%, respectively, for group A and B, thus demonstrating the efficacy of vitrectomy in the treatment of pseudophakic RD. This study also shows a nonsignificant difference in the recurrence rate among patients treated by gas vitrectomy and those undergoing gas vitrectomy in association with encircling band placement, which raises the question of the usefulness of an additional encircling band in pseudophakic RD.

Mikulicz's Disease: A New Perspective and Literature Review

To report the clinical and pathophysiologic features of two patients with Mikulicz's disease and to further characterize recommendations for diagnosis and management with a review of the literature. Retrospective nonrandomized consecutive case series, Jules Stein Eye Institute, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA. Mikulicz's disease is characterized by symmetric lacrimal, parotid, and submandibular gland enlargement with associated lymphocytic infiltrations. The authors noted two cases of Mikulicz's disease. The diagnosis of Mikulicz's disease was based on the following criteria: 1) symmetric and persistent swelling of the lacrimal glands and either or both of the major salivary glands (parotid and submandibular); and 2) the exclusion of other diseases that may mimic this presentation, such as sarcoidosis, viral infection, or lymphoproliferative disorders. Mikulicz's disease is a condition in which there is bilateral lacrimal and salivary gland swelling that is not associated with other systemic conditions. The condition is self-limiting and most often, the diagnosis is a clinical one. Previously, Mikulicz's disease was often considered as a subtype of Sjögren's syndrome (SS). Clinical and immunologic differences between Mikulicz's disease and SS may warrant further consideration of Mikulicz's disease as a specific autoimmune phenomenon separate from SS, and Mikulicz's disease may be amenable to different treatment modalities than those employed in patients with SS.

Thermal Modification of Partial Tears of the Anterior Cruciate Ligament

Partial tears of the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) are common, representing 10% to 28% of all ACL tears. Untreated partial tears of the ACL may go on to complete rupture in up to 42% of cases, and as few as 30% of patients return to their preinjury activity level. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of thermal modification for the treatment of partial tears of the ACL. A prospective, nonrandomized consecutive case series. Thirteen patients with a partial tear of a native ACL were treated with thermal modification of the ACL. All patients had a preoperative office examination significant for an end-point to Lachman examination and pivot-glide. All patients had bilateral preoperative KT-1000 measurements. All tears were confirmed by arthroscopy to constitute a 50% or less loss of structural integrity of the ligament. The ACL underwent thermal modification using the Oratec thermal probe (Oratec Interventions, Menlo Park, CA), and was examined by intraoperative KT-1000 testing. Patients were evaluated postoperatively at 6 weeks, and at 3, 6, 12, and 24 months by office examination and functional outcome scoring. KT-1000 arthrometer testing revealed a mean side-to-side difference of 4.35 mm preoperatively (SD = 1.1 mm). At the most recent follow-up, averaging 23 months (range, 18 to 28 months), 10 patients had a negative Lachman examination and no pivot-shift. Two patients had persistent grade II Lachman and complaints of giving way 3 months postoperative. Both patients underwent ACL reconstruction. One patient was lost to follow-up. Of the remaining 10 patients, all patients achieved full extension, and the average flexion range of motion was 131 degrees (SD = 5.6). Compared with the preoperative KT-1000 arthrometer testing, the most recent evaluation revealed a decrease in mean side-to-side difference to 1.9 mm (SD = 1.5 mm). At most recent follow-up, the mean Lysholm score was 96.3 (SD = 4.4), the mean Tegner score was 6.1 (SD = 1.2), and the mean Cincinnati score was 94 (SD = 3.0). With cautious application, thermal modification may be a viable treatment option for partial tears of the ACL in a select subset of patients. Further investigation is necessary to determine the long-term effectiveness of this procedure. Level IV, Therapeutic Case Series Study (no or historical control group).