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BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the preoperative and intraoperative findings as prognostic indicators of functional and anatomic results of idiopathic epiretinal membrane (ERM) surgery. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Vitrectomies included ERM and internal limiting membrane (ILM) removal with vital dyes. Best corrected visual acuity (BCVA), optical coherence tomography (OCT), fluorescein angiography, and autofluorescence were performed at baseline and postoperatively. Intraoperative ILM status after ERM removal was also evaluated. RESULTS: Thirty-one eyes were monitored for a mean of 16.78 months. BCVA and central foveal thickness (CFT) improved significantly ( P < .001) from baseline at 3 and 12 months. Preoperative hyperautofluorescence was associated with greater CFT reduction ( P < .005). ILM status after ERM peeling did not influence visual recovery but was associated with anatomical results as measured by OCT. CONCLUSION: Preoperative poor initial BCVA and RPE defects by FAF may not be bad prognostic factors. Preoperative hyperautofluorescence was associated with greater CFT reduction. Intraoperative classification of ILM status after ERM and ILM staining/peeling was reported and may be useful for future studies, though it was not associated neither with preoperative nor postoperative BCVA. [ Ophthalmic Surg Lasers Imaging Retina . 2015;46:457–462.]

PURPOSE To determine and compare 20-, 23-, and 25-gauge retinal infusion air jet impact pressure (force per unit area) in an experimental setting. METHODS Experimental laboratory investigation. Infusion cannulas were connected to a compressed air system. A controlled valve mechanism was used to obtain increasing levels of infusion pressure. Each infusion tube was positioned in front of a manual transducer to measure force. Impact pressure was calculated using known formulas in fluid dynamics. RESULTS The 20-gauge infusion jet showed similar impact pressure values compared with the 23-gauge infusion jet. Both showed higher levels than the 25-gauge infusion jet. This was because of the smaller jet force for the 25-gauge system. CONCLUSION In this experimental study, both the 23- and the 20-gauge air infusion jet showed higher impact pressure values compared with the 25-gauge air infusion jet. This could be of concern regarding air infusion during 23-gauge vitrectomy since retinal damage has been shown in standard-gauge surgeries.

Purpose To summarize current concepts and recent data from the literature about different vitrectomy machines and small-gauge systems based on physical laws. Design Interpretive essay. Methods Review and synthesis of selected recent literature with interpretation and perspective. Results Pars plana vitrectomy can be performed with a wide variety of treatment strategies, for multiple diseases, and with different materials (solids and fluids). We discuss a variety of machines and system settings (peristaltic pump, duty cycle, aspiration, and infusion controls) targeting safer and the most effective surgery with detailed explanations of the physical properties. Conclusions Effective management of new surgical strategies is based on recognizing and addressing various physical characteristics in disease and ocular settings. Although the properties of machine are expanding, the long-term efficacy and safety of most new approaches have yet to be established in controlled clinical trials.