Worldwide Argus II implantation: recommendations to optimize patient outcomes

Abstract Background A position paper based on the collective experiences of Argus II Retinal Prosthesis System investigators to review strategies to optimize outcomes in patients with retinitis pigmentosa undergoing retinal prosthesis implantation. Methods Retinal surgeons, device programmers, and rehabilitation specialists from Europe, Canada, Middle East, and the United States were convened to the first international Argus II Investigator Meeting held in Ann Arbor, MI in March 2015. The recommendations from the collective experiences were collected. Factors associated with successful outcomes were determined. Results Factors leading to successful outcomes begin with appropriate patient selection, expectation counseling, and preoperative retinal assessment. Challenges to surgical implantation include presence of staphyloma and inadequate Tenon’s capsule or conjunctiva. Modified surgical technique may reduce risks of complications such as hypotony and conjunctival erosion. Rehabilitation efforts and correlation with validated outcome measures following implantation are critical. Conclusions Bringing together Argus II investigators allowed the identification of strategies to optimize patient outcomes. Establishing an on-line collaborative network will foster coordinated research efforts to advance outcome assessment and rehabilitation strategies.http://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/134581/1/12886_2016_Article_225.pd

Visual recovery after surgical repair of chronic macular detachment associated with peripheral retinoschisis

Purpose: To report 2 cases of chronic macular detachment associated with peripheral retinoschisis in which surgical repair resulted in significant visual recovery. Observations: A 44-year-old man and 60-year-old woman were evaluated for chronic macular detachment, with a duration of 5 years and 6 months, respectively. In each case, optical coherence tomography was used to establish a diagnosis of full-thickness macular detachment resulting from peripheral retinoschisis and to confirm or identify the pathogenic outer layer breaks. After surgical repair with pars plana vitrectomy, endolaser photocoagulation of outer layer breaks, and gas tamponade, both patients had significant improvement in vision. The best-corrected visual acuity improved from 20/50- to 20/20 at one year post-operatively in the first patient and from 20/1250 to 20/200 at 8 months post-operatively in the second. Conclusion and importance: In cases of chronic schisis-detachment involving the macula, surgical intervention can sometimes result in unexpected levels of visual recovery. Keywords: Chronic, Detachment, Retina, Retinoschisis, Schisis-detachment, Vitreous surger

Fungal Endophthalmitis Associated With DSAEK and Thermal Sclerostomy

An 85-year-old man with remote thermal sclerostomy and Descemet\u27s stripping automated endothelial keratoplasty (DSAEK) in the right eye presented urgently for pain and blurred vision in that eye. Examination revealed bleb purulence and vitreous cellular aggregates concerning for endophthalmitis. Microscopy of a vitreous sample revealed yeast and pseudohyphae. He developed corneal infiltrates consistent with fungal infection. Therapy included topical, intravitreal, and systemic antifungals voriconazole and amphotericin. Fungal pathogens have very rarely been reported to cause bleb-associated endophthalmitis and should be considered in addition to bacterial pathogens. Vitreous aspiration should be performed in all cases of bleb-related endophthalmitis and include fungal studies. [Ophthalmic Surg Lasers Imaging Retina. 2016;47:691-693.]

Safety and Feasibility of Quantitative Multiplexed Cytokine Analysis From Office-Based Vitreous Aspiration

PURPOSE: The goals of this study were to evaluate the safety of office-based vitreous sampling, and determine the utility of these samples with multiplex cytokine analysis. METHODS: Vitreous samples were collected from office-based needle aspiration and the rate of adverse events during follow-up was reviewed. The vitreous cytokine concentrations in a subset of patients with diabetic macular edema (DME) were analyzed using a 42 plex-cytokine bead array. These results were compared with vitreous cytokine concentrations in proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR) and controls (macular hole, epiretinal membrane, symptomatic vitreous floaters) from pars plana vitrectomy. RESULTS: An adequate volume of vitreous fluid (100–200 μL) was obtained in 52 (88%) of 59 office-based sampling attempts. The average length of follow-up was 300 days (range, 42–926 days). There were no complications, including cataract, retinal tear or detachment, and endophthalmitis. Two patients (3%) had posterior vitreous detachments within 3 months. Vitreous cytokine concentrations were measured in 44 patients: 14 controls, 13 with DME, and 17 with PDR. The concentration of ADAM11, CXCL-10, IL-8, and PDGF-A were higher in PDR compared with controls and DME. The concentration of IL-6 was higher in PDR compared with controls, but not compared with DME. CONCLUSIONS: Office-based vitreous aspiration is safe and yields high-quality samples for multiplex vitreous cytokine analysis. Significant elevations of vitreous cytokines were found in PDR compared with DME and controls, including the novel finding of elevated ADAM11. As such, office-based aspiration is a safe and effective means to identify vitreous factors associated with vitreoretinal disease

Worldwide Argus II implantation: recommendations to optimize patient outcomes

Abstract Background A position paper based on the collective experiences of Argus II Retinal Prosthesis System investigators to review strategies to optimize outcomes in patients with retinitis pigmentosa undergoing retinal prosthesis implantation. Methods Retinal surgeons, device programmers, and rehabilitation specialists from Europe, Canada, Middle East, and the United States were convened to the first international Argus II Investigator Meeting held in Ann Arbor, MI in March 2015. The recommendations from the collective experiences were collected. Factors associated with successful outcomes were determined. Results Factors leading to successful outcomes begin with appropriate patient selection, expectation counseling, and preoperative retinal assessment. Challenges to surgical implantation include presence of staphyloma and inadequate Tenon’s capsule or conjunctiva. Modified surgical technique may reduce risks of complications such as hypotony and conjunctival erosion. Rehabilitation efforts and correlation with validated outcome measures following implantation are critical. Conclusions Bringing together Argus II investigators allowed the identification of strategies to optimize patient outcomes. Establishing an on-line collaborative network will foster coordinated research efforts to advance outcome assessment and rehabilitation strategies