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Purpose: Most ophthalmologists in the United States recognize the name "Bascom Palmer" but few are familiar with the individual for whom the Eye Institute is named. This article reviews the biography of Bascom Headen Palmer, Jr, MD (1889-1954)., Design: Historical review., Methods: Historical documents were reviewed, including the archives of the University of Miami, the Miami Lighthouse for the Blind and Visually Impaired, and other sources., Results: Palmer, born in Lake City, Florida in 1889, was the younger son of a Florida politician. He graduated from what was then called the College of Medicine of the Tulane University of Louisiana (now the Tulane University School of Medicine) in 1914, followed by a 2-year internship at Touro Infirmary, service in the army during World War I, and finally a postgraduate course in ophthalmology at the University of Pennsylvania in 1923. He then moved to Miami, where he became influential in 2 new organizations: the University of Miami, founded in 1925, and the Florida Association of Workers for the Blind (now the Miami Lighthouse for the Blind and Visually Impaired), founded in 1930. He forged collaborations between these 2 organizations which eventually led to the foundation of the eponymous Eye Institute., Conclusions: The decades-long collaboration between the Miami Lighthouse and the University of Miami, facilitated by Palmer, ultimately led to the founding of the Eye Institute., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Background and Objective: This study evaluated the efficacy and durability of faricimab in patients with neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD) who were previously treated with anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF) agents., Patients and Methods: This retrospective case series was conducted at a single tertiary center in the United States. It focused on nAMD patients who transitioned to faricimab after initial anti-VEGF therapy, with a follow-up period of at least 9 months. "Complete dryness" was defined as the absence of intra- and/or subretinal fluid on optical coherence tomography. Durability was gauged by the extension of treatment intervals relative to the injection frequency of the previous agent., Results: Sixty-two eyes from 62 patients were included. Treatment interval ranged from 5 to 10 weeks; 10 (16%) patients were able to be extended by 2 or more weeks compared to their previous regimen. Median (interquartile range [IQR]) central field thickness was 310 μm (254, 376) on initiating faricimab and declined by the ninth month ( P values at 3, 6, and 9 months were 0.01, 0.02, and 0.07, respectively). Median (IQR) visual acuity at initiation of faricimab was 0.4 (0.20, 0.50) and did not change by the ninth month. Complete anatomical dryness was present in 10 (16%) eyes before switching; 90% remained dry at 9 months. Of 52 (84%) incompletely dry eyes before switching, 15% achieved complete dryness by 9 months on faricimab., Conclusions: Faricimab modestly improved the treatment intervals for a small proportion of previously treated patients on anti-VEGF therapy. [ Ophthalmic Surg Lasers Imaging Retina 2024;55:504-509.] .

Purpose: To investigate best corrected visual acuity (BCVA), subretinal fluid (SRF) absorption time or ellipsoid zone (EZ) restoration time and various variables in patients with persistent SRF after successful primary repair of rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD)., Methods: This retrospective multicenter study allowed independent analysis of the healing pattern by two observers based on composite of serial cross-sectional macular optical coherence tomography (OCT) scans. Univariate and multivariate analyses were implemented., Results: One hundred and three cases had persistent SRF after pars plana vitrectomy, scleral buckling, or pneumatic retinopexy. By univariate analysis, SRF resolution time correlated positively with the number of retinal breaks ( p  < 0.001) and with increased myopia ( p  = 0.011). Using multivariate analysis, final BCVA (log MAR) correlated positively with age, duration of RRD, initial BCVA (OR = 3.28; [95%CI = 1.44-7.47]; p  = 0.015), and SRF resolution time (OR = 0.46 [95%CI 0.21-1.05]; p  = 0.049). EZ restoration time was longer with increasing number of retinal tears (OR = 0.67; [95%CI 0.29-1.52]; p  = 0.030), worse final BCVA, and presence of macula-off RRD (OR = 0.26; [95%CI 0.08-0.88]; p  = 0.056). SRF resolution time correlated marginally with prone position., Conclusions: Residual posterior SRF is more common in eyes with multiple breaks or in myopic eyes. Final BCVA is better in younger subjects and in eyes with shorter duration of RRD. Persistent SRF is a self-limited disorder with a mean resolution of 11.2 months with good visual prognosis improving from a mean baseline logMAR of 1.08 to 0.25 at one year., Competing Interests: Declaration of conflicting interestsThe authors declared no potential conflicts of interest with respect to the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article.

Endophthalmitis is a rare but vision-threatening infection characterized by marked inflammation of intraocular fluids and tissues, uncommonly seen following surgery and intravitreal injection. Antimicrobials are used worldwide in the prophylaxis and treatment of bacterial and fungal infections of the eye and are standard treatment in the preoperative and postoperative care of surgical patients. However, antimicrobials are reported to be overprescribed in many parts of the world, which contributes to antimicrobial resistance (AMR). AMR complicates the prophylaxis and treatment of endophthalmitis. This article examines the prevalence and mechanisms of AMR in ocular microorganisms, emphasizing the importance of understanding AMR patterns for tailored treatments. It also explores prophylaxis and management strategies for endophthalmitis, with a discussion on the use of intracameral antibiotic administration. The use of prophylactic intracameral antibiotics during cataract surgery is common in many parts of the world but is still controversial in some locations, especially in the US. Finally, it highlights the role of stewardship in ophthalmology and its benefits in the treatment of endophthalmitis.

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a multifactorial genetic disease, with at least 52 identifiable associated gene variants at 34 loci, including variants in complement factor H ( CFH ) and age-related maculopathy susceptibility 2/high-temperature requirement A serine peptidase-1 ( ARMS2/HTRA1 ). Genetic factors account for up to 70% of disease variability. However, population-based genetic risk scores are generally more helpful for clinical trial design and stratification of risk groups than for individual patient counseling. There is some evidence of pharmacogenetic influences on various treatment modalities used in AMD patients, including Age-Related Eye Disease Study (AREDS) supplements, photodynamic therapy (PDT), and anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF) agents. However, there is currently no convincing evidence that genetic information plays a role in routine clinical care., Competing Interests: The authors declare no conflict of interest., (© 2024 The Author(s). Published by IMR Press.)

Purpose: We evaluated the clinical outcomes of intraocular inflammation (IOI) of eyes with neovascular age-related macular degeneration (AMD) injected with brolucizumab in our tertiary referral center., Methods: A retrospective case series for which clinical records of all eyes that received intravitreal brolucizumab at Bascom Palmer Eye Institute between December 1, 2019, and April 1, 2021, were reviewed., Results: There were 345 eyes of 278 patients who received 801 brolucizumab injections. IOI was detected in 16 eyes of 13 patients (4.6%). In those patients, baseline Logarithm of Minimu Angle of Resolution (logMAR) best-corrected visual acuity was 0.32 0.2 (20/42), while it was 0.58 0.3 (20/76) at IOI presentation. The mean number of injections among eyes experiencing IOI was 2.4, and the interval between the last brolucizumab injection and IOI presentation was 20 days. There was no known case of retinal vasculitis. Management of IOI included topical steroids in seven eyes (54%), topical and systemic steroids in five eyes (38%), and observation in one eye (8%). Best-corrected visual acuity returned to baseline and inflammation resolved in all eyes by the last follow-up examination., Conclusion: Intraocular inflammation after brolucizumab injection for neovascular AMD was not uncommon. Inflammation resolved in all eyes by the last follow-up visit.

Introduction: Diabetic retinopathy is a major cause of visual loss worldwide. The most important clinical findings include diabetic macular edema (DME) and proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR)., Areas Covered: PubMed was used for our literature review. Articles from 1995 to 2023 were included. Pharmacologic treatment of diabetic retinopathy generally involves the use of intravitreal anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) therapy for DME and PDR. Corticosteroids remain important second-line therapies for patients with DME. Most emerging therapies focus on newly identified inflammatory mediators and biochemical signaling pathways involved in disease pathogenesis., Expert Opinion: Emerging anti-VEGF modalities, integrin antagonists, and anti-inflammatory agents have the potential to improve outcomes with reduced treatment burdens.

Purpose: This report describes a case of hereditary transthyretin amyloidosis in an 82-year-old woman who presented with bilateral retinal arteriolar vascular sheathing and vitreous hemorrhage in one eye., Methods: The patient underwent a full history, physical examination, genetic workup, and cardiac imaging to establish the diagnosis. Fundus photographs, optical coherence tomography, fluorescein angiography, and indocyanine green angiography were performed throughout the patient's treatment course., Results: Fundus examination demonstrated segmental sheathing of the retinal arterioles, telangiectasias, and intraretinal hemorrhages in both eyes without neovascularization. Fluorescein angiography revealed delayed filling of the nasal retinal arterioles in the right eye with severe temporal nonperfusion and areas hyperfluorescent segmental sheathing in both eyes. Ocular coherence tomography demonstrated retinal vessels with hyperreflective thickened walls. Cardiac amyloid nuclear scan was consistent with transthyretin-mediated amyloidosis amyloid heart disease, and genetic testing confirmed a heterozygous pathogenic transthyretin mutation: c.290 C>A (p.Ser97Tyr) also known as Ser77Tyr., Conclusion: Amyloidosis should be considered in the differential of vasculitis and vitreous hemorrhage with or without significant vitreous opacities. Ophthalmologists aware of this diagnosis should complete a full review of systems with specific focus on cardiac history and symptoms of peripheral neuropathy when amyloidosis is in the differential.

The first successful planned extracapsular cataract extraction was reported by Jacques Daviel in 1752. The history of European cataract surgery in the first half of the 18th century, immediately preceding Daviel's report, contains interesting information that explains the foundations of this accomplishment. Daviel himself credited the prior work of Francois Pourfour du Petit. Other important advances were reported by Michel Brisseau, Antoine Maitre-Jan, Jean Méry and others. A critical insight during this time period was the realization that the cataract was, in fact, the opacified crystalline lens, rather than a membrane or opacity located anterior to the lens., (© 2022 Acta Ophthalmologica Scandinavica Foundation. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)

Purpose: To determine if intravitreal anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF) injections are associated with an increased risk of glaucoma drainage device (GDD) erosions., Patients and Methods: A retrospective chart review was conducted including patients with diabetic retinopathy and had a GDD implanted at a large academic institution. The rate of GDD erosions was compared between eyes that did or did not receive intravitreal anti-VEGF injections. A subanalysis was also performed the relationship between diabetic macular edema (DME) and intravitreal steroid injections and GDD erosions., Results: A total of 677 eyes from 608 patients was included. A total of 447 eyes received at least one anti-VEGF injection; 230 eyes never received such therapy. Twenty eyes (4.5%) receiving anti-VEGF had at least one erosion event, compared to 7 eyes (3.0%) of patients not receiving anti-VEGF therapy (OR 1.49, p=0.37). Diabetic macular edema was associated with a significantly increased rate of erosion in eyes not receiving anti-VEGF (71.4% versus 31.4%, p=0.034), but not in eyes receiving anti-VEGF (30.0% versus 40.7%, p=0.34). Receiving more than one specific anti-VEGF agent, an increased frequency or total number of anti-VEGF injections, or receiving intravitreal steroids were not associated with an increased risk of erosion (p>0.05)., Conclusion: In patients with diabetic retinopathy, the use of anti-VEGF does not result in an increased rate of GDD erosions or recurrent erosions. Further research is needed over a longer follow-up period to determine if longer or more frequent anti-VEGF treatment is a risk factor for recurrent erosions., Competing Interests: The authors report no conflicts of interest in this work., (© 2022 Islam et al.)

Purpose: To ascertain the anatomic factors that help achieve non-surgical sealing in full thickness macular hole (FTMH)., Methods: Retrospective collaborative study of FTMH that closed without surgical intervention., Results: A total of 78 patients (mean age 57.9 years) included 18 patients with blunt ocular trauma, 18 patients that received topical or intravitreal therapies and 42 patients with idiopathic FTMH. Mean±SD of the initial corrected visual acuity (VA) in logMAR improved from 0.65±0.54 to 0.34±0.45 (p<0.001) at a mean follow-up of 33.8±37.1 months. FTMH reopened in seven eyes (9.0%) after a mean of 8.6 months. Vitreomacular traction was noted in 12 eyes (15.8%), perifoveal posterior vitreous detachment in 42 (53.8%), foveal epiretinal membrane in 10 (12.8%), cystoid macular oedema (CME) in 49 (62.8%) and subretinal fluid (SRF) in 20 (25.6%). By multivariate analysis, initial VA correlated to the height (p<0.001) and narrowest diameter of the hole (p<0.001) while final VA correlated to the basal diameter (p<0.001). Time for closure of FTMH (median 2.8 months) correlated to the narrowest diameter (p<0.001) and the presence of SRF (p=0.001). Mean time for closure (in months) was 1.6 for eyes with trauma, 4.3 for eyes without trauma but with therapy for CME, 4.4 for eyes without trauma and without therapy in less than 200 µm in size and 24.7 for more than 200 µm., Conclusion: Our data suggest an observation period in new onset FTMH for non-surgical closure, in the setting of trauma, treatment of CME and size <200 µm., Competing Interests: Competing interests: None declared., (© Author(s) (or their employer(s)) 2022. No commercial re-use. See rights and permissions. Published by BMJ.)

Purpose: To analyze the recovery course of foveal microstructures in eyes with nonsurgical healing of full-thickness macular hole (FTMH)., Methods: By serial OCT scans, the temporal healing sequences were analyzed in ocular trauma, vitreomacular traction (VMT), cystoid macular edema (CME), and the remaining group. We evaluated correlations between the final best-corrected spectacle visual acuity and reconstruction time of external limiting membrane (ELM), and inner segment/outer segment (IS/OS)., Results: The healing (mean±standard deviation in months) most involved fusion at the level of the outer nuclear layer (ONL) (6.3±10.5) followed by restoration of ELM (9.1±13.8), and lastly, by IS/OS regeneration (13.1±19.5). In severe blunt ocular trauma, healing was fast and involved subretinal zipper glue-like reapposition with resulting outer retinal atrophy. Best spectacle-corrected visual acuity correlated with normalization of the clivus (p=0.012), faster ELM (p=0.006), and IS/OS reconstitution (p=0.024). Recurrence of FTMH occurred when the healing was halted (3 eyes) or was aberrant by lamellar hole epiretinal proliferation (LHEP) (3 eyes) or by the persistence of VMT (1 eye)., Conclusion: Recovery sequences proceeded from the ONL to the deeper layers with BCVA correlating absolutely and temporally with the restoration of outer retinal layer integrity., (© 2022. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature.)

The 100 most cited papers on retinal detachment (RD) were analysed using a bibliographic study. The bibliographic databases of the ISI Web of Knowledge were searched, limited to research articles published between 1965 and 2020 in peer-reviewed journals. The papers were ranked in order of number of citations since publication. Ninety of the 100 most cited papers on RD were published in 12 ophthalmology journals, with 74 of them published in American Journal of Ophthalmology (n=31), Ophthalmology (n=23), Archives of Ophthalmology (n=10) and Investigative Ophthalmology and Visual Science (n=10); the remaining 10 papers were published in 8 journals from other fields of medical research. All papers in the top 100 were published in English. The 100 most cited papers on RD originated from 12 different countries, with the majority (72 papers) originating from the USA. The 100 identified papers represent a mix of clinical trials and animal/laboratory studies. This bibliographic study provides a unique perspective and insight into some of the most influential contributions in RD understanding and management over the last 55 years., Competing Interests: Competing interests: None declared., (© Author(s) (or their employer(s)) 2022. No commercial re-use. See rights and permissions. Published by BMJ.)

Foveal hypoplasia is the absence of a foveal depression and the presence of the ganglion cell layer in the foveola. A spectrum of clinical characteristics, including normal or variably decreased visual acuity, has been described in patients with blunted foveal contours. Multiple systemic and ophthalmologic conditions including albinism, aniridia, nanophthalmos, prematurity, and fovea plana have been associated with this anomaly. This article illustrates select clinical conditions characterized by a blunted foveal contour. Given the heterogeneity of findings, a thorough medical history and detailed physical and ocular examinations are usually sufficient for the clinician to make the correct diagnosis., Competing Interests: Conflict of interest statement: The authors declared no potential conflicts of interest with respect to the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article., (© The Author(s), 2022.)

Purpose: To describe the entry of cataract surgery into the British Isles., Methods: Handbills, books, and other historical sources were reviewed to determine when cataract surgery was first performed in the region., Results: Roman artifacts suggest that couching was performed in the British Isles in antiquity. Seemingly miraculous cures of blindness during the early Middle Ages might be consistent with couching. However, there is no strong evidence of medieval cataract surgery in the region. Cataract couching probably arrived in England by the 1560s, in Scotland by 1595, in Ireland by 1684, and in Anglo-America by 1751. Before the 18th century, cataract surgery was taught within families, apprenticeships, and mountebank troupes. Beginning in the 17th century, congenital cataract surgery permitted surgeons to tout their skills and to explore visual perception. However, in some cases, such as the couching of the 13-year-old Daniel Dolins by surgeon William Cheselden in 1727, whether the cataracts were truly congenital, and whether vision improved in any way, remain in doubt. Beginning in the 1720s, cataract surgery began to be performed by traditional surgeons in hospitals. However, for most of the century, the highest-volume cataract surgeons continued to be itinerant oculists, including those who performed cataract extraction in the latter half of the century., Conclusions: Cataract surgery might have been performed in Roman Britain. Specific evidence of cataract surgery emerges in the region in the Elizabethan era. Cataract extraction was performed in the British Isles by 1753, but couching remained popular throughout the 18th century. NOTE: Publication of this article is sponsored by the American Ophthalmological Society., (Copyright © 2021 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

The 100 most-cited papers on age-related macular degeneration (AMD) were analysed using a bibliographic study. The bibliographic databases of the Institute for Scientific Information Web of Knowledge were searched, limited to research articles published between 1965 and 2020 in peer-reviewed journals. The papers were ranked in order of number of citations since publication. Five of the top 10 (and 3 of the top 4) papers reported randomised clinical trial results for either anti-vascular endothelial growth factor agents or nutritional supplements. Four of the top 10 papers reported genotype-phenotype associations between AMD and variants in Complement Factor H . This bibliographic study provides perspective and insight into many of the most influential contributions in the understanding and management of AMD and its evolution over time., Competing Interests: Competing interests: None declared., (© Author(s) (or their employer(s)) 2021. Re-use permitted under CC BY-NC. No commercial re-use. See rights and permissions. Published by BMJ.)

Purpose: Exophytic juxtapapillary retinal capillary hemangioblastoma (JRCH) can be difficult to diagnose. We explore the value of multimodal imaging to aid in the diagnosis., Design: Retrospective case series., Methods: Medical records and multimodal imaging studies were reviewed on all patients diagnosed with RCH at Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, Miami, Florida, between January 2013 and December 2019. Patients with exophytic lesions within 2 mm of the disc were included. One patient from the Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas was included. Patient demographics, referring diagnosis, history of von Hippel-Lindau syndrome, initial and last visual acuity, and treatments were recorded. Fundus photography, fundus autofluorescence, fluorescein angiography, indocyanine green angiography, optical coherence tomography (OCT), OCT angiography, and B-scan images were reviewed., Results: Twelve patients were identified with exophytic JRCH. The mean age was 54 years (range 38-73 years). Five patients had von Hippel-Lindau syndrome. The most common referral diagnoses were choroidal neovascularization and neuroretinitis. Imaging features included nodular outer retinal thickening with shadowing and intra-/subretinal fluid on OCT, hypoautofluorescence on fundus autofluorescence, middle to outer retinal hypervascularity on OCT angiography, early hyperfluorescence with late leakage on fluorescein angiography, and lack of choroidal vascular lesion on indocyanine green angiography. Treatments included photodynamic therapy (6 patients), intravitreal anti-vascular endothelial growth factor therapy (6 patients), argon laser photocoagulation (2 patients), intravitreal or sub-Tenon's triamcinolone (3 patients), and observation (4 patients)., Conclusions: A key to the accurate diagnosis of exophytic JRCH is its intraretinal location, typically involving the outer retinal layers, which results in a clinical appearance that is distinct from the more common and easily recognizable endophytic RCH. Multimodal imaging can aid in ruling out choroidal neovascularization and disc edema by demonstrating an absence of involvement of those structures., (Copyright © 2021 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Purpose: To describe the clinical features and outcomes in patients with rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD) after intravitreal injection of pharmacologic agents., Design: Retrospecitve case series., Participants: Patients diagnosed with rhegmatogenous retinal detachment within 3 months of receiving an intravitreal injection of a pharmacologic agent for treatment of macular disease., Methods: Retrospective case series of reported cases of RRD in patients with prior intravitreal injection who underwent subsequent surgical repair at a university referral center., Main Outcome Measures: Visual acuity (VA), single surgery anatomic success rate (SSAS) and retinal reattachment at last follow-up., Results: Thirteen patients were identified to have RRD within 3 months of intravitreal injection. Injection was performed in the inferotemporal quadrant in 12 of 13 eyes (92%) with a 31- or 32-gauge needle. Additional risk factors for RRD other than intravitreal injection were present in 5 of 13 eyes (38%), including prior pars plana vitrectomy (3 eyes), history of retinal tear (1 eye), and history of RRD in the fellow eye (1 eye). Average duration from time of injection to diagnosis of RRD was 27 days (range, 5-43 days). Retinal reattachment was achieved in 12 of 13 eyes (92%). Visual acuity returned to baseline in only 3 of 13 eyes (23%) at the last follow-up visit., Conclusions: Although RRD after intravitreal injection is rare, prior retinal surgery and alternate risk factors for RRD may predispose to RRD after intravitreal injection. Surgical outcomes were generally favorable, but VA outcomes were limited by the high rate of macula-off RRD and the underlying macular disease., (Copyright © 2020. Published by Elsevier Inc.)

Improved surgical techniques have led to an increase in the number of outpatient ophthalmic procedures. In spite of decreased surgical times and overall improved outcomes, endophthalmitis remains one of the most severe complications of ophthalmic surgery. Although there are well known risk factors for postoperative endophthalmitis, some prophylaxis strategies remain controversial. A category of noninfectious postoperative inflammation, known as toxic anterior segment syndrome (TASS), is a rare but important complication of cataract surgery. While several worldwide outbreaks of TASS have occurred, it is challenging to identify an etiology in order to reduce the risk of further cases. Endophthalmitis and TASS cannot be prevented completely, but their rates may be decreased through risk reduction strategies supported by peer-reviewed evidence. This review highlights the current evidence in the prevention strategies for postoperative endophthalmitis and TASS., Competing Interests: Conflicts of Interest: All authors have completed the ICMJE uniform disclosure form (available at http://dx.doi.org/10.21037/atm-2019-rcs-02). The series “Recent developments in cataract surgery” was commissioned by the editorial office without any funding or sponsorship. AG served as the unpaid Guest Editor of the series. SGS reports personal fees from Welch Allyn, outside the submitted work; and this study was supported in part by an unrestricted grant from Research to Prevent Blindness (New York, New York), NIH Center Core Grant P30EY014801 (Bethesda, Maryland), and the department of Defense (DOG Grant #W81XWH-09-1-0675) (Washington, D.C.). The sponsor or funding organization had no role in the design or conduct of this study. AG reports grants from Alcon, personal fees and non-financial support from Pfizer, personal fees from Santen, grants from Zeiss, grants from Bausch & Lomb, outside the submitted work. Dr. Flynn reports grants from Supported in part by NIH Center Core Grant P30EY014801 (Bethesda, Maryland) and Research to Prevent Blindness Unrestricted Grant to U.M during the conduct of the study. The other authors have no other conflicts of interest to declare., (2020 Annals of Translational Medicine. All rights reserved.)

Background: The optimal management of patients with endophthalmitis is challenging and includes both intravitreal and, in some cases, systemic antimicrobials. Systemic antimicrobials may be administered either intravenously or orally. In this article we review systemic antimicrobial options currently available for the treatment of types of endophthalmitis and the role of systemic antimicrobials (antibiotics and antifungals) in these treatments., Review: While systemic antimicrobials are not universally utilized in the management of endophthalmitis, they may be helpful in some circumstances. The blood-retinal barrier affects the penetration of systemic medications into the posterior segment of the eye differently; for example, moxifloxacin and imipenem cross the blood-retinal barrier relatively easily while vancomycin and amikacin do not. However, inflammation, including endophthalmitis, may disrupt the blood-retinal barrier, enhancing the penetration of systemic agents into the eye., Conclusion: Systemic antimicrobials may be particularly beneficial in patients with certain types of endophthalmitis; as such, they are standard treatment in the management of endogenous endophthalmitis (fungal and bacterial) and also widely used for prophylaxis and treatment of open-globe injuries. Although systemic antimicrobials are used in some patients with acute-onset postoperative endophthalmitis following cataract surgery, the literature generally does not support this practice. It is noted that there are currently no randomized clinical trials demonstrating a benefit of systemic antibiotics for any category of endophthalmitis.

Background: Retinitis pigmentosa (RP) comprises a group of hereditary eye diseases characterized by progressive degeneration of retinal photoreceptors. It results in severe visual loss that may lead to blindness. Symptoms may become manifest during childhood or adulthood which include poor night vision (nyctalopia) and constriction of peripheral vision (visual field loss). Visual field loss is progressive and affects central vision later in the disease course. The worldwide prevalence of RP is approximately 1 in 4000, with 100,000 individuals affected in the USA. At this time, there is no proven therapy for RP., Objectives: The objective of this review was to synthesize the best available evidence regarding the effectiveness and safety of vitamin A and fish oils (docosahexaenoic acid (DHA)) in preventing the progression of RP., Search Methods: We searched the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), which contains the Cochrane Eyes and Vision Trials Register (2020, Issue 2); Ovid MEDLINE; Embase.com; PubMed; Latin American and Caribbean Health Sciences Literature Database (LILACS); ClinicalTrials.gov; the World Health Organization (WHO) International Clinical Trials Registry Platform (ICTRP); and OpenGrey. We did not use any date or language restrictions in the electronic searches for trials. We last searched the electronic databases on 7 February 2020., Selection Criteria: We included randomized controlled trials that enrolled participants of any age diagnosed with any degree of severity or type of RP, and evaluated the effectiveness of vitamin A, fish oils (DHA), or both compared to placebo, vitamins (other than vitamin A), or no therapy, as a treatment for RP. We excluded cluster-randomized trials and cross-over trials., Data Collection and Analysis: We prespecified the following outcomes: mean change from baseline visual field, mean change from baseline electroretinogram (ERG) amplitudes, and anatomic changes as measured by optical coherence tomography (OCT), at one-year follow-up, and mean change in visual acuity, at five-year follow-up. Two review authors independently extracted data and evaluated risk of bias for all included trials. We also contacted study investigators for further information when necessary., Main Results: In addition to three trials from the previous version of this review, we included a total of four trials with 944 participants aged 4 to 55 years. Two trials included only participants with X-linked RP and the other two included participants with RP of all forms of genetic predisposition. Two trials evaluated the effect of DHA alone; one trial evaluated vitamin A alone; and one trial evaluated DHA and vitamin A versus vitamin A alone. Two trials recruited participants from the USA, and the other two recruited from the USA and Canada. All trials were at low risk of bias for most domains. We did not perform meta-analysis due to clinical heterogeneity. Four trials assessed visual field sensitivity. Investigators found no evidence of a difference in mean values between the groups. However, one trial found that the annual rate of change of visual field sensitivity over four years favored the DHA group in foveal (-0.02 ± 0.55 (standard error (SE)) dB versus -0.47 ± 0.03 dB, P = 0.039), macular (-0.42 ± 0.05 dB versus -0.85 ± 0.03 dB, P = 0.031), peripheral (-0.39 ± 0.02 versus -0.86 ± 0.02 dB, P < 0.001), and total visual field sensitivity (-0.39 ± 0.02 versus -0.86 ± 0.02 dB, P < 0.001). The certainty of the evidence was very low. The four trials evaluated visual acuity (LogMAR scale) at a follow-up of four to six years. In one trial (208 participants), investigators found no evidence of a difference between the two groups, as both groups lost 0.7 letters of the Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study (ETDRS) visual acuity per year. In another trial (41 participants), DHA showed no evidence of effect on visual acuity (mean difference -0.01 logMAR units (95% confidence interval -0.14 to 0.12; one letter difference between the two groups; very low-certainty evidence). In the third trial (60 participants), annual change in mean number of letters correct was -0.8 (DHA) and 1.4 letters (placebo), with no evidence of between-group difference. In the fourth trial (572 participants), which evaluated (vitamin A + vitamin E trace) compared with (vitamin A trace + vitamin E trace), decline in ETDRS visual acuity was 1.1 versus 0.9 letters per year, respectively. All four trials reported electroretinography (ERG). Investigators of two trials found no evidence of a difference between the DHA and placebo group in yearly rates of change in 31 Hz cone ERG amplitude (mean ± SE) (-0.028 ± 0.001 log μV versus -0.022 ± 0.002 log μV; P = 0.30); rod ERG amplitude (mean ± SE) (-0.010 ± 0.001 log μV versus -0.023 ± 0.001 log μV; P = 0.27); and maximal ERG amplitude (mean ± SE) (-0.042 ± 0.001 log μV versus -0.036 ± 0.001 log μV; P = 0.65). In another trial, a slight difference (6.1% versus 7.1%) in decline of ERG per year favored vitamin A (P = 0.01). The certainty of the evidence was very low. One trial (51 participants) that assessed optical coherence tomography found no evidence of a difference in ellipsoid zone constriction (P = 0.87) over two years, with very low-certainty evidence. The other three trials did not report this outcome. Only one trial reported adverse events, which found that 27/60 participants experienced 42 treatment-related emergent adverse events (22 in DHA group, 20 in placebo group). The certainty of evidence was very low. The rest of the trials reported no adverse events, and no study reported any evidence of benefit of vitamin supplementation on the progression of visual acuity loss., Authors' Conclusions: Based on the results of four studies, it is uncertain if there is a benefit of treatment with vitamin A or DHA, or both for people with RP. Future trials should also take into account the changes observed in ERG amplitudes and other outcome measures from trials included in this review., (Copyright © 2020 The Cochrane Collaboration. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.)

Background: Retinal detachment (RD) with proliferative vitreoretinopathy (PVR) often requires surgery to restore normal anatomy and to stabilize or improve vision. PVR usually occurs in association with recurrent RD (that is, after initial retinal re-attachment surgery), but occasionally may be associated with primary RD. Either way, for both circumstances a tamponade agent (gas or silicone oil) is needed during surgery to reduce the rate of postoperative recurrent RD., Objectives: The objective of this review was to assess the relative safety and effectiveness of various tamponade agents used with surgery for RD complicated by PVR., Search Methods: We searched CENTRAL (which contains the Cochrane Eyes and Vision Trials Register) (the Cochrane Library 2019, Issue 1), Ovid MEDLINE, Ovid MEDLINE In-Process and Other Non-Indexed Citations, Ovid MEDLINE Daily, Ovid OLDMEDLINE (January 1946 to January 2019), Embase (January 1980 to January 2019), Latin American and Caribbean Literature on Health Sciences (LILACS) (January 1982 to January 2019), the metaRegister of Controlled Trials (mRCT) (www.controlled-trials.com), ClinicalTrials.gov (www.clinicaltrials.gov) and the WHO International Clinical Trials Registry Platform (ICTRP) (www.who.int/ictrp/search/en). We did not use any date or language restrictions in the electronic searches for trials. We last searched the electronic databases on 2 January 2019., Selection Criteria: We included randomized controlled trials (RCTs) on participants undergoing surgery for RD associated with PVR that compared various tamponade agents., Data Collection and Analysis: Two review authors screened the search results independently. We used the standard methodological procedures expected by Cochrane., Main Results: We identified four RCTs (601 participants) that provided data for the primary and secondary outcomes. Three RCTs provided data on visual acuity, two reported on macular attachment, one on retinal reattachment and another two on adverse events such as RD, worsening visual acuity and intraocular pressure. Study Characteristics Participants' characteristics varied across studies and across intervention groups, with an age range between 21 to 89 years, and were predominantly men. The Silicone Study was conducted in the USA and consisted of two RCTs: (silicone oil versus sulfur hexafluoride (SF 6 ) gas tamponades; 151 participants) and (silicone oil versus perfluropropane (C 3 F 8 ) gas tamponades; 271 participants). The third RCT compared heavy silicone oil (a mixture of perfluorohexyloctane (F 6 H 8 ) and silicone oil) with standard silicone oil (either 1000 centistokes or 5000 centistokes; 94 participants). The fourth RCT compared 1000 centistokes with 5000 centistokes silicone oil in 85 participants. We assessed most RCTs at low or unclear risk of bias for most 'Risk of bias' domains. Findings Although SF 6 gas was reported to be associated with worse anatomic and visual outcomes than was silicone oil at one year (quantitative data not reported), at two years, silicone oil compared to SF 6 gas showed no evidence of a difference in visual acuity (33% versus 51%; risk ratio (RR) 1.57; 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.93 to 2.66; 1 RCT, 87 participants; low-certainty evidence). At one year, another RCT comparing silicone oil and C 3 F 8 gas found no evidence of a difference in visual acuity between the two groups (41% versus 39%; RR 0.97; 95% CI 0.73 to 1.31; 1 RCT, 264 participants; low-certainty evidence). In a third RCT, participants treated with standard silicone oil compared to those receiving heavy silicone oil also showed no evidence of a difference in the change in visual acuity at one year, measured on logMAR scale ( mean difference -0.03 logMAR; 95% CI -0.35 to 0.29; 1 RCT; 93 participants; low-certainty evidence). The fourth RCT with 5000-centistoke and 1000-centistoke comparisons did not report data on visual acuity. For macular attachment, participants treated with silicone oil may probably experience more favorable outcomes than did participants who received SF 6 at both one year (quantitative data not reported) and two years (58% versus 79%; RR 1.37; 95% CI 1.01 to 1.86; 1 RCT; 87 participants; low-certainty evidence). In another RCT, silicone oil compared to C 3 F 8 at one year found no evidence of difference in macular attachment (RR 1.00; 95% CI 0.86 to 1.15; 1 RCT, 264 participants; low-certainty evidence). One RCT that compared 5000 centistokes to 1000 centistoke reported that retinal reattachment was successful in 67 participants (78.8%) with first surgery and 79 participants (92.9%) with the second surgery, and no evidence of between-group difference (1 RCT; 85 participants; low-certainty evidence). The fourth RCT that compared standard silicone oil with heavy silicone oil did not report on macular attachment. Adverse events In one RCT (86 participants), those receiving standard 1000 centistoke silicone oil compared with those of the 5000 centistoke silicone oil showed no evidence of a difference in intraocular pressure elevation at 18 months (24% versus 22%; RR 0.90; 95% CI 0.41 to 1.94; low-certainty evidence), visually significant cataract (49% versus 64%; RR 1.30; 95% CI 0.89 to 1.89; low-certainty evidence), and incidence of retina detachment after the removal of silicone oil (RR 0.36 95% CI 0.08 to 1.67; low-certainty evidence). Another RCT that compared standard silicone oil with heavy silicone oil suggests no difference in retinal detachment at one year (25% versus 22%; RR 0.89; 95% CI 0.54 to 1.48; 1 RCT; 186 participants; low-certainty evidence). Retinal detachment was not reported in the RCTs that compared silicone oil versus SF 6 and silicone oil versus to C 3 F 8 ., Authors' Conclusions: There do not appear to be any major differences in outcomes between C 3 F 8 and silicone oil. Silicone oil may be better than SF 6 for macular attachment and other short-term outcomes. The choice of a tamponade agent should be individualized for each patient. The use of either C 3 F 8 or standard silicone oil appears reasonable for most patients with RD associated with PVR. Heavy silicone oil, which is not available for routine clinical use in the USA, may not demonstrate evidence of superiority over standard silicone oil., (Copyright © 2020 The Cochrane Collaboration. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.)

Purpose: To evaluate the structural and visual outcomes after pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) for idiopathic full-thickness macular hole (MH) with at least 5 years of follow-up information., Design: Retrospective case series., Participants: Patients with idiopathic MH who had at least 5 years of follow-up information after PPV., Methods: Best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) was recorded preoperatively and, when available, at 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, and 10 years after surgery. Reestablishment of the postoperative integrity of the ellipsoid zone (EZ) and the external limiting membrane (ELM) and presence of cystoid spaces were evaluated using spectral-domain (SD) OCT., Main Outcome Measures: Postoperative BCVA and its correlation with different SD OCT parameters., Results: Eighty-seven eyes of 80 patients with a mean age at surgery of 68.9±7.03 years were included. The mean postoperative follow-up was 9.6±4.3 years (median, 9 years; range, 5-22 years). The mean preoperative BCVA was 0.20±0.14 (range, 0.03-0.66). Postoperative BCVA was improved at all time points compared with preoperative BCVA (P < 0.05). Improvement in the postoperative BCVA remained stable 10 years after surgery. Initial successful closure of MH was achieved in 82 eyes (94%). Macular hole reopening occurred in 7 eyes (8.0%). Eleven eyes (13%) were reoperated: 4 eyes (4.5%) for persistence and 7 eyes (8.0%) for reopening of MH. Indocyanine green (ICG) stain was used in 22 eyes (25.2%). Among 57 patients (66%) who were phakic before surgery, 52 eyes (91.2%) underwent cataract extraction after PPV at a mean duration of 32.7±38.5 months (range, 2-187 months). Postoperative EZ integrity was restored in 52 eyes (60%), ELM integrity was restored in 54 eyes (62%), and cystoid spaces of variable severity were observed in 28 eyes (32%). Preoperative BCVA of 20/60 or better and postoperative reestablished ELM and EZ integrity were associated significantly with better postoperative BCVA at different postoperative follow-up visits (P < 0.05)., Conclusions: Visual acuity improvement after MH surgery continued during the first 3 years after PPV and was maintained thereafter in a substantial fraction of patients, and final BCVA correlated with better preoperative BCVA and better postoperative OCT parameters., (Copyright © 2019 American Academy of Ophthalmology. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Purpose: This article reports the influence of timing on the clinical outcomes in primary extramacular rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD) at a tertiary referral center., Methods: A retrospective case series was conducted of all patients presenting between January 1, 2014 and December 31, 2016, with primary extramacular RRD. Retinal detachments with grade C proliferative vitreoretinopathy, combined tractional and RRD, eyes with inflammatory disease, and prior retinal surgery were excluded. The main outcome measures were single-operation anatomic success (SOAS), final anatomic success, and best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA)., Results: There were 202 eyes of 198 patients with an average of 22 months' follow-up (range, 6-47 months). Eyes were operated on an average of 1.1 days after initial presentation. At last clinical examination, SOAS had been achieved in 174 (86%) eyes, final anatomic success in 200 (99%) eyes, and average postoperative logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution (logMAR) BCVA was 0.18 (Snellen equivalent, 20/30; SD, 0.36). In those treated the day of presentation, average postoperative logMAR BCVA was 0.18 (Snellen, 20/31) in comparison to 0.18 (Snellen, 20/30) in those treated the day after presentation and 0.14 (Snellen, 20/28) in those treated after 2 days or more ( P = .92)., Conclusions: Regarding timing of surgery, SOAS and BCVA outcomes in primary extramacular RRDs were favorable with an urgent and semiurgent approach to repair. There was no difference in visual and anatomic outcomes between patients who were operated on the day of presentation and those treated a short time later when clinical decisions were made by the treating surgeon on a case-by-case basis., Competing Interests: The author(s) declared no potential conflicts of interest with respect to the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article., (© The Author(s) 2019.)

At the start of the third century, a story told by Claudius Aelianus, Leonidas of Alexandria and pseudo-Galen held that couching originated when a goat with cataract punctured its eye with a thorn. The significance of this story is unknown. We reviewed Graeco-Roman texts to identify the relevance of the goat to the eye. In the works of Hippocrates, Aristotle and Galen, the goat's eye was an eye with intermediate brightness or colour. A dark brown eye with a black pupil was healthy and required no treatment. A bright glaukos eye, with extensive corneal edema or scarring, was not amenable to couching. An eye with a white cataract behind an undilated pupil would appear to have an intermediate brightness and was potentially amenable to couching. The origin myth probably arose when an instructor explained that couching works best for a goat's eye, that is, an eye with intermediate brightness., (© 2018 Acta Ophthalmologica Scandinavica Foundation. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)

Introduction: The aim of the study was to evaluate complications of cataract surgery in eyes filled with silicone oil., Methods: This retrospective, noncomparative, consecutive case series analyzed medical files of patients with eyes filled with silicone oil undergoing cataract surgery. Phacoemulsification with posterior chamber intraocular lens implantation was conducted with or without concurrent silicone oil removal., Results: In this study, 121 eyes of 120 patients were included. In 32 eyes (26.4%) with evident silicone oil microemulsification or silicone oil-associated open-angle glaucoma, silicone oil was removed prior to phacoemulsification through a pars plana incision and no cases of posterior capsular rupture occurred during the subsequent cataract surgery. In the remaining 89 eyes, phacoemulsification was performed with silicone oil in the vitreous cavity. In these eyes, the rate of posterior capsular rupture was 9/89 (10.1%) and the rate of silicone oil migration into the anterior chamber through an apparently intact posterior capsule was 5/89 (5.6%). In 94 eyes (77.7%), an intraocular lens was inserted into the capsular bag, in 3 eyes (2.5%) into the sulcus, and in 1 eye (0.8%) a transscleral suturing was performed., Conclusions: In this series, complications related to the silicone oil were not uncommon during cataract surgery. In the majority of patients without evident silicone oil microemulsification or silicone oil-associated open-angle glaucoma, cataract surgery and posterior chamber intraocular lens implantation were performed while leaving the silicone oil in place.

Low vision has been defined by best-corrected visual acuity worse than 20/40 in the better eye, substantial visual field loss, or substantial loss of contrast sensitivity that cannot be corrected by refraction, medical treatment, or surgery. In the United States, low vision is most commonly caused by age-related macular degeneration, glaucoma, and diabetic retinopathy. Most patients with low vision are elderly, although patients of all ages - including pediatric patients - may be affected. Low vision may decrease a patient's quality of life substantially, leading to emotional distress and possibly depression. Low vision specialists aim to maximize the remaining vision of a patient by providing optical aids, orientation and mobility training, psychosocial support, and other methods of rehabilitation. Innovations in technology and devices offer additional options in low vision rehabilitation. Clinicians should consider referral to low vision specialists when a patient has difficulty with reading, mobility, driving, recognizing faces, or suffers from emotional distress due to low vision. Early referral may lead to improved outcomes., Competing Interests: Conflict of interest statement: The author(s) declared the following potential conflicts of interest with respect to the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article: S.G.S. reports consulting fees from Alimera and Welch Allyn. The other authors have no interests to declare.

Background and Objective: To report the incidence rates, causative organisms, and visual acuity (VA) outcomes in patients with endophthalmitis associated with intravitreal injection of anti-vascular endothelial growth factor inhibitors., Patients and Methods: Retrospective case series between 2005 and 2017., Results: The study included 39 eyes of 39 patients, including 27 (69%) referred and 12 (31%) institutional patients. The use of topical antibiotics after an injection was gradually phased out at the authors' institution, where the preinjection rate of all clinically suspected endophthalmitis was 0.013% (24 of 183,898). The most common isolates were coagulase-negative Staphylococcus and Streptococcus. A VA of 5/200 or better was achieved in 21 of 39 eyes (54%) overall and in two of 15 eyes (13%) infected with Streptococcus., Conclusions: The rate of post-intravitreal injection endophthalmitis is low. Outcomes were generally poor, and the worst were associated with Streptococcus. [Ophthalmic Surg Lasers Imaging Retina. 2018;49:313-319.]., (Copyright 2018, SLACK Incorporated.)

Background and Objective: This study is designed to illustrate various clinical findings associated with fovea plana in normal children., Patients and Methods: A retrospective chart review of pediatric subjects with a diagnosis of fovea plana was conducted to evaluate the characteristics associated with this condition., Results: All eyes had 20/40 or better best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA). In five of six subjects (83%), there was bilateral fovea plana. Astigmatism equal or greater than +1.5 diopters was present in 45% of eyes. On spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT), a foveal depression was absent in 82% of eyes and the inner nuclear layer was present in the center of the fovea in all eyes analyzed., Conclusion: Fovea plana is typically a bilateral disease and occurs in patients with generally good BCVA despite abnormal SD-OCT findings. However, unilateral disease may also be present. Astigmatism may be more prevalent in patients with fovea plana than initially suspected. [Ophthalmic Surg Lasers Imaging Retina. 2018;49:251-257.]., (Copyright 2018, SLACK Incorporated.)

Background: Currently, diabetic retinopathy is the leading cause of permanent visual loss in workingage adults in industrialized nations. The chronic microangiopathic changes associated with diabetic retinopathy lead to the most common causes of severe permanent visual loss: diabetic macular edema (DME) and proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR). Multiple studies have evaluated different pharmacotherapies for different levels of retinopathy., Methods: A review of the pathophysiology of diabetic retinopathy and current and emerging pharmacotherapies for diabetic retinopathy., Results: Historically, DME has been the primary focus of treatment in patients with nonproliferative diabetic retinopathy (NPDR). Due to the rapidly increasing number of agents and treatment options, management algorithms for DME have become increasingly complex. Furthermore, spectral domain optical coherence tomography (OCT) has allowed unparalleled sensitivity and specificity for detecting macular edema. All available intravitreal vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) inhibitors have demonstrated efficacy in the treatment of patients with DME and PDR. Intravitreal triamcinolone acetonide has also proven beneficial in diabetic retinopathy. Most recently, various corticosteroids have been designed as sustained-release intraocular implants in order to reduce the burden and risks associated with retreatment. Current research is focused on providing new agents that target alternate pathways and signaling molecules to provide patients with additional therapeutic tools, especially in patients who have an incomplete response to the current medications., Conclusion: Anti-VEGF therapy has revolutionized the medical management of diabetic retinopathy. The most important existing challenges in the treatment of diabetic retinopathy are improving visual outcomes and decreasing the treatment burden associated with repeated intravitreal injections. Combination therapy with anti-VEGF and corticosteroids with other previously available treatments, such as panretinal photocoagulation, may be a reasonable clinical strategy to reduce the intravitreal injections burden. Many exciting novel drugs that target newly discovered pathways hold clinical promise. The results of ongoing randomized clinical trials will answer the important concerns surrounding new drugs and delivery devices: safety and visual outcomes., (Copyright© Bentham Science Publishers; For any queries, please email at epub@benthamscience.net.)

Background: Myopic choroidal neovascularization (CNV) is a common cause of central visual loss in patients with high myopia, and the most common form of CNV in younger individuals. Pharmacologic therapy is the current mainstay of treatment of these patients., Methods: Review of pharmacological treatment options for myopic CNV, which primarily involves intravitreal administration of anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF) agents., Results: At this time, anti-VEGF therapy agents are the first-line therapy in these patients. Comparative trials have not identified any major differences in treatment outcomes between aflibercept, bevacizumab, and ranibizumab. Only ranibizumab is approved for this indication in the US. Best visual outcomes are associated with younger age, smaller lesion size, and absence of chorioretinal atrophy., Conclusion: Anti-VEGF therapy is generally very effective in the treatment of myopic CNV., (Copyright© Bentham Science Publishers; For any queries, please email at epub@benthamscience.net.)