Oral lamivudine in diabetic macular edema: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial.

Background: Diabetic macular edema (DME) affects millions worldwide. Intraocular injections of expensive anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) inhibitors associated with complications are standard therapy. Lamivudine, an inexpensive oral drug, inhibits inflammasome activation, which is implicated in DME.

Telementoring versus face-to-face mentoring in the training of scleral fixation surgery of intraocular lenses.

Purpose: To assess telementoring as a complementary tool for surgical training of a scleral fixation technique.

Design: Randomized, controlled, two-arm, blinded clinical trial.

Methods: Using a 3D visualization system, 132 participants were randomized in order of enrollment into traditional face-to-face mentoring (n = 66) and telementoring (n = 66).

Use of surgical videos available on social media among retina surgeons: results of a vitreoretinal specialist survey.

Purpose: This study aimed to assess and interpret how vitreoretinal surgeons use surgical videos available on social media as complementary learning tools to improve, review, or update their abilities, considering their different levels of expertise.

Methods: In this cross-sectional survey, an online survey was sent to vitreoretinal specialists and fellows.

Results: This survey included 258 participants, of whom 53.

Evaluating Adherence to Diabetic Retinopathy Care in an Urban Ophthalmology Clinic Utilizing the Compliance With Annual Diabetic Eye Exams Survey.

Introduction The objective of this study was to identify barriers that affect adherence to the management of diabetic retinopathy (DR) in an urban ophthalmology clinic. Patient beliefs regarding diabetic eye care, transportation to the eye clinic, the COVID-19 pandemic, and treatment with panretinal photocoagulation (PRP) or anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF) injections were investigated. Materials and methods The original Compliance with Annual Diabetic Eye Exams Survey (CADEES) included 44 statements designed with a 5-point Likert scale to assess patients' beliefs and understanding of their eye health and the importance of diabetic eye examinations.

Surgical classification for large macular hole: based on different surgical techniques results: the CLOSE study group.

Background: The CLOSE study group proposes an updated surgical classification for large macular holes based on a systematic review of new treatments. Recently, many new techniques have been introduced to treat large full-thickness macular holes (FTMH); although the indications are not clear. An updated surgical classification is needed to help surgical decision-making.

Outcomes of Pars Plana Vitrectomy and 4-Point Sutured Scleral Fixation of Akreos AO60 Intraocular Lens in Clinical Settings: A Case Series.

Purpose: To determine the long-term anatomic outcomes and surgical complications of pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) and 4-point Gore-Tex-sutured Akreos AO60 intraocular lens (IOL) scleral fixation.

Design: Retrospective, multicenter, multisurgeon case series.

Participants: Ninety-seven patients in tertiary eye care centers.

The risks behind the widespread use of siliconized syringes in the healthcare practice.

Injections are widely performed in the healthcare practice. Silicone has long been thought to be an inert and harmless material. Although used for decades in medical implants, including heart valves, breast implants, and as a tamponade for retinal detachment surgery, silicone oil might have deleterious effects.

Mechanisms of sterile inflammation after intravitreal injection of antiangiogenic drugs: a narrative review.

Background: Intraocular inflammation is an uncommon but potentially vision-threatening adverse event related to anti-VEGF therapy. This is of increasing importance given both the volume of injections performed, as well as the increased prevalence of inflammation seen with newer anti-VEGF agents. Brolucizumab, the newest anti-VEGF agent, has been associated with an inflammatory retinal vasculitis and the underlying mechanism is unclear.

Silicone oil-free syringes, siliconized syringes and needles: quantitative assessment of silicone oil release with drugs used for intravitreal injection.

Purpose: This study aimed to quantify the amount of silicone oil (SO) released across a variety of syringe and needle models routinely used for intravitreal injection.

Methods: The release of SO was assessed in eight models of syringes, two of which were reported to be 'SO-free', and eleven models of needles with unknown SO content. To evaluate SO release within the context of anti-VEGF therapeutics, syringes were evaluated using aflibercept, bevacizumab, buffer, ziv-aflibercept and formulation buffer.

Role of Vital Dyes in Chromovitrectomy.

Chromovitrectomy, the intraocular application of dyes to assist visualization of preretinal tissues during vitreoretinal surgery, was introduced to avoid ocular complications related to internal limiting membrane peeling, inadequate removal of the vitreous, and incomplete removal of epiretinal membranes. Since 2000, chromovitrectomy has become a popular approach among vitreoretinal specialists. The first vital dye used in chromovitrectomy, indocyanine green, facilitated identification of the fine and transparent internal limiting membrane.

Macular microhole and foveal red spot syndrome: a critical review of the literature.

Purpose: The purpose of this article is to review the literature on nomenclature, natural history, clinical features, diagnosis, management, and prognosis of both macular microhole (MMH) and foveal red spot syndrome (FRS).

Methods: A PubMed primary literature search (February 1, 2020) utilizing the terms macular microhole, foveal red spot syndrome, and outer retinal hole was conducted. All chosen articles were case reports or case series.

Occult inflammation detected by autofluorescence May Be the cause of idiopathic choroidal neovascularization.

Purpose: To describe retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) disease detected by fundus autofluorescence (FAF) imaging in eyes with idiopathic choroidal neovascularization (ICNV).

Methods: A retrospective review of patients seen during a 14-month period with the diagnosis of ICNV was performed to identify patients with RPE disease, defined as hypo or hyperautofluorescent lesions on FAF. The presence of ICNV was confirmed by clinical history, ophthalmoscopic examination, fluorescein angiography (FA), and spectral domain-optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT).

Effects of phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitors on choroid and ocular vasculature: a literature review.

To provide information on the effects of phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5) inhibitors on choroidal vessels and central serous chorioretinopathy (CSC) and possible implications for development of exudative age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Two independent investigators conducted a qualitative review of PubMed to identify studies on the choroidal effect of PDE5 inhibitors in June 2019. The search used key words that included PDE5 inhibitors, sildenafil, tadalafil, vardenafil, choroid, choroidal flow, choroidal vessels, choroidal thickness, CSC, AMD or a combination.

Critical analysis of techniques and materials used in devices, syringes, and needles used for intravitreal injections.

Intravitreal injections have become the most commonly performed intraocular treatments worldwide. Because intravitreal injections may induce severe adverse events, such as infectious and noninfectious endophthalmitis, cataract, ocular hypertension, vitreous hemorrhage, or retinal detachment, appropriate awareness of the materials and techniques used are essential to reduce these sight-threatening complications. This review provides insights into the needles, syringes, silicone oil coating, sterilization methods, devices to assist intravitreal injections, scleral piercing techniques using needles, syringe handling, anesthesia, and safety issues related to materials and techniques.

[Closure of Persisting Full Thickness Macular Holes by Subretinal Fluid Application: Technical Approach and Surgical Considerations].

Introduction: Firm adhesions between the retina and adjacent retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) may prevent the closure of macular holes (MH) after chromovitrectomy. Controlled application of subretinal (SR) fluid with BSS may release these adhesions leading to closure of the retracted retina in large and or refractory macular holes.

Methods: For a standardized procedure, it is recommended to exclude residues of epiretinal membranes on the retinal surface preoperatively at OCT or intraoperatively by means of vital dyes.

Cost-effectiveness of Anti-VEGF treatments for age-related macular degeneration: a Brazilian perspective.

Purpose: To study the cost-effectiveness of ranibizumab and bevacizumab for the treatment of age-related macular degeneration.

Methods: We used a decision tree model to analyze the cost-effectiveness of ranibizumab and bevacizumab for the treatment of age-related macular degeneration, from the Brazilian Public Health System (SUS) perspective. Ranibizumab and bevacizumab were administered to patients with the same treatment procedure, and the difference in treatment costs was calculated based on the cost of the drugs.

Photodynamic Therapy of Presumed Choroidal Metastasis Secondary to Colorectal Carcinoma: Literature Review.

Colorectal cancer may yield metastasis to the choroid. Its management may be challenging, since there is no consensus about treatment. We describe a case of a 70-year-old male with colon cancer who complained of worsening visual acuity of his better-seeing eye to 20/40 secondary to a nonpigmented choroidal mass of medium reflectivity under the inferior temporal arcade and neurosensory foveal detachment.

Application of glycerol as carbon source for continuous drinking water denitrification using microorganism from natural biomass.

The contamination of water resources by nitrate is a global problem. Indeed, traditional treatment technologies are not able to remove this ion from water. Alternatively, biological denitrification is a useful technique for natural water nitrate removal.

Changes in retinal and choriocapillaris density in diabetic patients receiving anti-vascular endothelial growth factor treatment using optical coherence tomography angiography.

Background: Optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) enables detailed, non-invasive assessment of ocular vasculature. This study uses OCTA imaging to evaluate choriocapillaris and retinal capillary perfusion density (CPD) changes in diabetic retinopathy following anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) treatment.

Methods: Records of 38 eyes at a single institution were reviewed, grouped as non-diabetic controls (19 eyes), diabetes mellitus patients with diabetic retinopathy (DR, 19 eyes) and macular edema (DME).

Prevalence of silicone oil droplets in eyes treated with intravitreal injection.

Objective: To assess the number of eyes with silicone oil in the vitreous after intravitreal injection.

Methods: This cross-sectional, comparative study was divided into 2 groups: (1) treatment-eyes subjected to antiangiogenic therapy; (2) control-no history of intravitreal injection. Subjects were assessed regarding age, gender, clinical diagnosis, lens status, visual acuity and number of previous intravitreal injections.

Inflammatory Reaction After Aflibercept Intravitreal Injections Associated With Silicone Oil Droplets Released From Syringes: A Case-Control Study.

Background And Objective: To determine factors causing inflammation after intravitreal aflibercept injections.

Patients And Methods: This case-control study included aflibercept-treated eyes with inflammation post-injection and aflibercept-treated control eyes. Medical records were analyzed to identify contributing factors.

Release of silicone oil and the off-label use of syringes in ophthalmology.

Background/aims: To assess silicone oil (SO) release by different brands of syringes used for intravitreal injection under different handling conditions.

Methods: Eight syringes were analysed: from the USA, Terumo 0.5 mL, Becton-Dickinson (BD) Tuberculin 1 mL, BD Luer-lok 1 mL, BD Ultra-Fine 0.