Functional Monitoring after Trabeculectomy or XEN Microstent Implantation Using Spectral Domain Optical Coherence Tomography and Visual Field Indices—A Retrospective Comparative Cohort Study

The aim of this study was to compare the efficacy of trabeculectomy (TE), single XEN microstent implantation (solo XEN) or combined XEN implantation and cataract surgery (combined XEN) in primary open-angle glaucoma cases, naïve to prior surgical treatment, using a monocentric retrospective comparative cohort study. Intraocular pressure (IOP) and the number of IOP-lowering drugs (Meds) were monitored during the first 24 months after surgery. Further disease progression was monitored using peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thickness examinations using spectral domain optical coherence tomography (OCT) as well as visual acuity (VA) and visual field (VF) tests. In the TE group (52 eyes), the mean IOP decreased from 24.9 ± 5.9 to 13.9 ± 4.2 mmHg (p < 0.001) and Meds decreased from 3.2 ± 1.2 to 0.5 ± 1.1 (p < 0.001). In the solo XEN (38 eyes) and the combined XEN groups, the mean IOP decreased from 24.1 ± 4.7 to 15.7 ± 3.0 mmHg (p < 0.001) and 25.4 ± 5.6 to 14.7 ± 3.2 mmHg (p < 0.001), while Meds decreased from 3.3 ± 0.8 to 0.8 ± 1.2 (p < 0.001) and 2.7 ± 1.2 to 0.4 ± 1.0 (p < 0.001), respectively. The VF and VA indices showed no sign of further deterioration, the RNFL thickness further decreased in all treatment groups after surgery. TE and XEN led to comparable reductions in IOP and Meds. Although the VA and VF indices remained unaltered, the RNFL thickness continuously decreased in all treatment groups during the 24-month follow-up

Retinal Vascular Occlusion after COVID-19 Vaccination : More Coincidence than Causal Relationship? Data from a Retrospective Multicentre Study

Background: To investigate whether vaccination against SARS-CoV-2 is associated with the onset of retinal vascular occlusive disease (RVOD). Methods: In this multicentre study, data from patients with central and branch retinal vein occlusion (CRVO and BRVO), central and branch retinal artery occlusion (CRAO and BRAO), and anterior ischaemic optic neuropathy (AION) were retrospectively collected during a 2-month index period (1 June–31 July 2021) according to a defined protocol. The relation to any previous vaccination was documented for the consecutive case series. Numbers of RVOD and COVID-19 vaccination were investigated in a case-by-case analysis. A case– control study using age- and sex-matched controls from the general population (study participants from the Gutenberg Health Study) and an adjusted conditional logistic regression analysis was conducted. Results: Four hundred and twenty-one subjects presenting during the index period (61 days) were enrolled: one hundred and twenty-one patients with CRVO, seventy-five with BRVO, fifty-six with CRAO, sixty-five with BRAO, and one hundred and four with AION. Three hundred and thirty-two (78.9%) patients had been vaccinated before the onset of RVOD. The vaccines given were BNT162b2/BioNTech/Pfizer (n = 221), followed by ChadOx1/AstraZeneca (n = 57), mRNA1273/Moderna (n = 21), and Ad26.COV2.S/Johnson & Johnson (n = 11; unknown n = 22). Our case–control analysis integrating population-based data from the GHS yielded no evidence of an increased risk after COVID-19 vaccination (OR = 0.93; 95% CI: 0.60–1.45, p = 0.75) in connection with a vaccination within a 4-week window. Conclusions: To date, there has been no evidence of any association between SARS-CoV-2 vaccination and a higher RVOD risk

Forms of anesthesia in ophthalmology

The range of anesthesiological procedures in ophthalmology has not changed significantly over the last decades, with local anesthesia clearly coming to the fore. The development of minimally invasive surgical techniques requires significantly less analgesia and economic constraints to shorten operating times. The increasing proportion of outpatient ophthalmic surgery requires a short analgesia of the surgical area with as few complications as possible. Nevertheless, the selection of the procedures, which are described here in detail, must be made individually for each patient. General anesthesia continues to have its place, especially in cases of reduced compliance and difficult surgical conditions. The close cooperation between anesthetists and ophthalmic surgeons, e.g. for analgosedation in the outpatient area, can create a very pleasant surgical experience for the patient. An important goal should always be sufficient anxiolysis, analgesia and, in special operations, sufficient akinesia

Outcome of a single XEN microstent implant for glaucoma patients with different types of glaucoma

Background: The aim of this retrospective study was to compare the efficacy and safety profile of a single XEN-microstent in different types of primary and secondary open angle glaucoma. Methods: A single XEN microstent was implanted in patients with primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG), normal-tension glaucoma (NTG), pseudoexfoliation glaucoma (PEX) and secondary glaucoma (Sec.Gl). The intraocular pressure (IOP), the active substances of the applied IOP-lowering drugs, the best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and the mean deviation (MD) of the perimetry were measured at baseline and at regular follow-ups, scheduled at 2 days and 1, 3, 6 and 12 months after surgery. Results: 153 eyes were included in this analysis. 113 eyes were affected by POAG (74%), 5 eyes by NTG (3%), 22 eyes by PEX (14%) and 13 eyes by Sec. Gl (9%). Mean IOP decreased in all treatment groups during the 12 months of follow-up (complete group: 23.9 ± 7.4 to 15.4 ± 5.1 mmHg (p < 0.01); POAG: 22.8 ± 6.5 to 15.1 ± 4.6 mmHg (p < 0.01); NTG: 16.6 ± 3.4 to 11.6 ± 2.2 mmHg (p < 0.05); PEX: 28.0 ± 7.9 to 17.1 ± 6.6 mmHg (p < 0.01); Sec.Gl: 28.9 ± 13.9 to 15.5 ± 6.9 mmHg (p < 0.05)). In the 153 eyes the average number of IOP-lowering drugs applied decreased from 2.6 ± 1.2 to 0.8 ± 1.3 12 months after surgery (p < 0.01). BCVA and mean deviation of automated standard perimetry remained stable in all groups during follow-up. Conclusion: As in eyes suffering from POAG, IOP and number of IOP-lowering drugs applied can be effectively reduced by XEN implantation in eyes suffering from NTG, PEX and secondary glaucoma while leaving BCVA and visual field unchanged

Evaluation of Predictive Factors for Successful Intravitreal Dexamethasone in Pseudophakic Cystoid Macular Edema

Purpose. To determine the efficacy, safety, and predictive outcome factors for intravitreal dexamethasone implant (DEX) in pseudophakic cystoid macular edema (PCME). Methods. Retrospective, interventional, controlled study. Patients included had to have clinically significant PCME and have been treated with the DEX between 2012 and 2015. Charts and one-year data were selected consecutively, and efficacy and safety were abstracted. Visual acuity (VA) and central foveal thickness (CFT) were analysed. Results. Nineteen patient data sets were analysed. After treatment with DEX, mean VA increased significantly by 0.2 logMAR (p=0.034), while the mean CFT was reduced significantly by 162.79 μm (p<0.001). Five patients receiving a combination of DEX/bevacizumab have not experienced a higher mean VA gain or CFT reduction compared to fourteen patients receiving DEX alone. Decision rules, when to combine DEX with bevacizumab, have not been defined before the study. Only posttreatment VA gains in the nonhypertensive subgroup (n=11) were significantly better (p=0.026). Analysis of data from diabetes patients (n=4) versus nondiabetics yielded no significant differences in efficacy. There have been no adverse events within follow-up time. Conclusion. The use of DEX in PCME showed significant improvements in VA and CFT. The VA seems to show greater improvements in patients without hypertension

Evaluation of Predictive Factors for Successful Intravitreal Dexamethasone in Pseudophakic Cystoid Macular Edema

Purpose. To determine the efficacy, safety, and predictive outcome factors for intravitreal dexamethasone implant (DEX) in pseudophakic cystoid macular edema (PCME). Methods. Retrospective, interventional, controlled study. Patients included had to have clinically significant PCME and have been treated with the DEX between 2012 and 2015. Charts and one-year data were selected consecutively, and efficacy and safety were abstracted. Visual acuity (VA) and central foveal thickness (CFT) were analysed. Results. Nineteen patient data sets were analysed. After treatment with DEX, mean VA increased significantly by 0.2 logMAR (p=0.034), while the mean CFT was reduced significantly by 162.79 μm (p<0.001). Five patients receiving a combination of DEX/bevacizumab have not experienced a higher mean VA gain or CFT reduction compared to fourteen patients receiving DEX alone. Decision rules, when to combine DEX with bevacizumab, have not been defined before the study. Only posttreatment VA gains in the nonhypertensive subgroup (n=11) were significantly better (p=0.026). Analysis of data from diabetes patients (n=4) versus nondiabetics yielded no significant differences in efficacy. There have been no adverse events within follow-up time. Conclusion. The use of DEX in PCME showed significant improvements in VA and CFT. The VA seems to show greater improvements in patients without hypertension

Outcome of a single XEN microstent implant for glaucoma patients with different types of glaucoma

Background!#!The aim of this retrospective study was to compare the efficacy and safety profile of a single XEN-microstent in different types of primary and secondary open angle glaucoma.!##!Methods!#!A single XEN microstent was implanted in patients with primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG), normal-tension glaucoma (NTG), pseudoexfoliation glaucoma (PEX) and secondary glaucoma (Sec.Gl). The intraocular pressure (IOP), the active substances of the applied IOP-lowering drugs, the best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and the mean deviation (MD) of the perimetry were measured at baseline and at regular follow-ups, scheduled at 2 days and 1, 3, 6 and 12 months after surgery.!##!Results!#!153 eyes were included in this analysis. 113 eyes were affected by POAG (74%), 5 eyes by NTG (3%), 22 eyes by PEX (14%) and 13 eyes by Sec. Gl (9%). Mean IOP decreased in all treatment groups during the 12 months of follow-up (complete group: 23.9 ± 7.4 to 15.4 ± 5.1 mmHg (p &amp;lt; 0.01); POAG: 22.8 ± 6.5 to 15.1 ± 4.6 mmHg (p &amp;lt; 0.01); NTG: 16.6 ± 3.4 to 11.6 ± 2.2 mmHg (p &amp;lt; 0.05); PEX: 28.0 ± 7.9 to 17.1 ± 6.6 mmHg (p &amp;lt; 0.01); Sec.Gl: 28.9 ± 13.9 to 15.5 ± 6.9 mmHg (p &amp;lt; 0.05)). In the 153 eyes the average number of IOP-lowering drugs applied decreased from 2.6 ± 1.2 to 0.8 ± 1.3 12 months after surgery (p &amp;lt; 0.01). BCVA and mean deviation of automated standard perimetry remained stable in all groups during follow-up.!##!Conclusion!#!As in eyes suffering from POAG, IOP and number of IOP-lowering drugs applied can be effectively reduced by XEN implantation in eyes suffering from NTG, PEX and secondary glaucoma while leaving BCVA and visual field unchanged.!##!Trial registration!#!Trial was registered at DRKS (registration number: DRKS00020800 , Registered 25.February 2020 - Retrospectively registered)

Comparable effects on tear film parameters after femtosecond laser-assisted and conventional cataract surgery

Purpose!#!Dry eye symptoms after conventional cataract surgery are a very common problem. Until now, only few data are available on objective tear film parameters in regard to femtosecond laser-assisted cataract surgery (LCS). Aim of this study was therefore to analyze and compare tear film parameter changes between LCS and conventional cataract surgery.!##!Methods!#!A consecutive group of 34 patients, scheduled for cataract surgery, were randomly selected for either LCS or conventional cataract surgery (17 patients/group). Tear film assessments including tear film osmolarity, Schirmer test, MMP-9 analysis via quantitative ELISA, corneal sensitivity, corneal fluorescein staining, and conjunctival fluorescein staining were sequentially evaluated pre- as well as 1 and 3 months postoperatively.!##!Results!#!Both groups showed no significant difference in baseline characteristics. All surgeries were performed without any complications. After 1 and 3 months, there was no statistically significant difference in regard to tear film osmolarity (1 month: p = 0.81, 3 months: p = 1.0), Schirmer test (1 month: p = 0.35, 3 month: p = 0.08), and MMP-9 concentration (1 month: p = 0.36, 3 month: p = 0.28) between the two groups.!##!Conclusions!#!Neither LCS nor conventional cataract surgery affected objective tear film parameters significantly during our 3-month postoperative observation period. Hence, both surgical techniques can be equally used to treat patients without prior dry eye symptoms

Confocal Cornea Microscopy Detects Involvement of Corneal Nerve Fibers in a Patient with Light-Chain Amyloid Neuropathy Caused by Multiple Myeloma: A Case Report

Changes in the subbasal corneal plexus detected by confocal cornea microscopy (CCM) have been described for various types of neuropathy. An involvement of these nerves within light-chain (AL) amyloid neuropathy (a rare cause of polyneuropathy) has never been shown. Here, we report on a case of a patient suffering from neuropathy caused by AL amyloidosis and underlying multiple myeloma. Small-fiber damage was detected by CCM