A 21-Year Study of Vitreoretinal Surgery for Aphakic Retinal Detachment: Long-Term Surgical Outcomes and Complications

New Device for the Correction of Aphakia Without Capsular Support

PURPOSE

This study describes a prototype developed for aphakia without capsular support (AWCS) and its proof of concept.

METHODS

This descriptive study used a 3D software to create and analyze virtual prototypes before manufacturing. A nylon-6/nylon-6.6 copolymer filament and a 3D printer were used for prototyping. A device implantation technique was developed using a 23-gauge hypodermic needle. Two opposing markings, 2 mm posterior to the limbus, were made to determine the location of the scleral punctures and the final position of the device. After adequate centralization and positioning of the device, its haptics were cut and cauterized to generate thermal modeling of the extremity and allow the thickening of the tips (flange), serving as an anchoring mechanism to the sclera. The efficacy and adequacy of the technique and device were then evaluated.

RESULTS

Vitreous tissue extrusion was not observed during the sclerotomy. The device was well fixed to the sclera; however, adequate IOL stability and centralization still needed to be achieved. The surgeon evaluated the adequacy of all the other devices' characteristics.

CONCLUSIONS

The development of a technology prototype for correcting AWCS was possible. Although the proposed prototype met most of the established concept guidelines, the stability of the IOL position remains challenging.

Characteristics and Risk Factors for Rhegmatogenous Retinal Detachment Related to Endophthalmitis

Purpose: To evaluate the risk factors for the development of concurrent or delayed-onset rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD) related to endophthalmitis as well as the anatomic and visual outcomes with subsequent RRD repair. Methods: In this retrospective case study, a 2-tailed t test (continuous) and Fisher exact test were used to determine statistical significance of the observed findings. The relative risk (RR) and 95% CIs were calculated to assess statistical significance. Results: Of the 170 patients included, 22 were found to have a concurrent or subsequent RRD. Initial treatment with pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) (RR, 3.544; 95% CI, 1.650-7.614), aphakia (RR, 4.150; 95% CI, 1.434-12.011), endogenous endophthalmitis (RR, 2.684; 95% CI, 1.065-6.764), and posterior synechiae (RR, 3.026; 95% CI, 1.408-6.505) were statistically significant risk factors for RRD. Anatomically successful repair was achieved in 77.7% of patients. Conclusions: In addition to preexisting risk factors, the initial treatment of endophthalmitis may be a significant risk factor for RRD development, with a higher incidence of subsequent RRD in patients who have PPV as the initial treatment for endophthalmitis.

Postoperative positioning regimens in adults who undergo retinal detachment repair: A systematic review

Little is known about the comparative benefit of different positioning regimens in rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD) repair. We compared outcomes of different postoperative posturing regimens following pars plana vitrectomy (PPV). MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Cochrane CENTRAL were searched from 2000 to February 2022 for original studies that compared at least 2 postoperative posturing regimens in adults who underwent PPV for RRD. Seven comparative studies and 703 eyes were included. There were no differences in final visual acuity between posturing regimens. Single-procedure reattachment rates were higher with alternative positioning compared to prone positioning in patients with inferior breaks. Prone and alternative positioning were associated with similar risks of complications. In contrast, prone posturing had a higher risk of neck pain and intraocular pressure elevation than support-the-break, which had a greater risk of retinal displacement, retinal folds, and binocular diplopia. Immediate prone positioning was superior to delayed prone for the risk of retinal displacement. The present review shows that prone positioning was associated with a lower reattachment rate than alternative positioning. There were trade-offs in complications between prone and support-the-break positioning. Retinal displacement could be mitigated when prone positioning is maintained immediately after surgery.

Retinal Detachment After Endophthalmitis: Risk Factors and Outcomes

Purpose

To analyze the risk factors, clinical course, and visual and anatomic outcomes of retinal detachment (RD) after endophthalmitis.

Patients and Methods

This retrospective study included 108 patients diagnosed with endophthalmitis between August 2014 and May 2019 at a single tertiary referral center. Sixteen patients developed RD after endophthalmitis. Retrospective analysis was performed to compare the cohort of endophthalmitis alone versus the cohort that developed RD after endophthalmitis, with analysis of potential risk factors for RD after endophthalmitis and treatment outcomes.

Results

The incidence of RD after endophthalmitis was 14.8% (N=16/108). The median time to develop RD after endophthalmitis was 27 days (range: 1-581 days, IQR: 25.3). Thirteen (81.3%) cases of RD occurred less than 2 months after the diagnosis of endophthalmitis. The incidence of aphakia (p=0.023) and posterior synechia (PS) (p=0.014) were significantly higher in the RD group. The mean initial and final visual acuity (VA) of the endophthalmitis alone group was 1.9±0.8 logMAR and 1.2±1.0 logMAR (p<0.0001), respectively, and 1.9±0.9 logMAR and 1.3±1.2 logMAR (p=0.07) in the RD group, respectively. Enucleation or evisceration occurred in 31.3% of cases with RD after endophthalmitis. The rate of final retinal re-apposition for the RD cohort was 56.3%.

Conclusion

The anatomic and functional outcomes for RD after endophthalmitis remain poor, with significant risk for permanent vision loss. Aphakia and posterior synechiae were seen more often in cases with RD after endophthalmitis.