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Our aim was to determine whether size impacts on the difference in metastatic mortality of genetically high-risk (monosomy 3) uveal melanomas (UM). We undertook a retrospective analysis of data from a patient cohort with genetically characterized UM. All patients treated for UM in the Liverpool Ocular Oncology Centre between 2007 and 2014, who had a prognostic genetic tumor analysis. Patients were subdivided into those with small (≤2.5 mm thickness) and large (&gt, 2.5 mm thickness) tumors. Survival analyses were performed using Gray rank statistics to calculate absolute probabilities of dying as a result of metastatic UM. The 5-year absolute risk of metastatic mortality of those with small monosomy 3 UM was significantly lower (23%) compared to the larger tumor group (50%) (p = 0.003). Small disomy 3 UM also had a lower absolute risk of metastatic mortality (0.8%) than large disomy 3 UM (6.4%) (p = 0.007). Hazard rates showed similar differences even with lead time bias correction estimates. We therefore conclude that earlier treatment of all small UM, particularly monosomy 3 UM, reduces the risk of metastatic disease and death. Our results would support molecular studies of even small UM, rather than ‘watch-and-wait strategies’.

Background Accurate survival prognostication for patients with uveal melanoma (UM) enables effective patient counselling and permits personalised systemic surveillance for the early detection of metastases and, in high-risk patients, enrolment in any trials of systemic adjuvant therapy. The aim of this work is to determine the success of prognostic UM tumour biopsy using an improved surgical approach and optimised sample handling workflow. Methods Patients with UM treated by primary radiotherapy between 2011 and 2013 and who underwent a prognostic biopsy with cytology, multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification and/or microsatellite analysis were included. The main outcomes and measures were success of cytology and genetic studies, and surgical complications. Results The cohort comprised 232 patients with UM having a median age of 59 years (range, 25–82) at treatment. The median largest basal diameter was 11.4 mm (range, 4.1–20.8) and tumour height was 3.4 mm (range, 0.7–10.3). Ciliary body involvement was noted in 42 cases. Treatment consisted of Ru-106 brachytherapy in 151 cases (65%) and proton beam radiotherapy in 81 cases (35%). With improvements in surgical techniques and laboratory methods over time, cytology success increased from 92% (131/142) to 99% (89/90) and the numbers of samples with sufficient DNA for genetic testing increased from 79% (104/131) to 93% (83/89). Overall, chromosome 3 loss was noted in 64/187 (34%) cases. Surgical complications, including transient localised bleeding, vitreous haemorrhage and retinal perforation, decreased over time. Eight patients required additional surgery. Conclusions Improved surgical techniques and laboratory methods yielded successful cytology and genetic information in the majority of cases. Precis Analysis of data from 232 patients with uveal melanoma undergoing prognostic tumour biopsy demonstrated that improved surgical techniques and laboratory methods yielded successful cytology and genetic information in 99% and 89% of cases, respectively.

Purpose: To demonstrate a case of massive vitreous haemorrhage obscuring the underlying diagnosis of a large mixed-cell choroidal melanoma which had undergone spontaneous necrosis. Case Report: A 49-year-old man in good general health suddenly lost vision in his right eye due to an extensive vitreous haemorrhage 1 day after a workout at the gym. He reported good vision prior to that without any symptoms of flashes, floaters, or shadows. He was referred to the vitreoretinal department of a tertiary eye hospital, where he presented with a drop in vision to light perception only in the right phakic eye. Pars plana vitrectomy was performed in the right eye, which revealed intraoperatively massive retinal ischemia and choroidal haemorrhage, but no obvious tumour mass that could have been biopsied. The vitrectomy cassette specimen was sent for histopathology, where “ghost-like” melanoma cells were identified. The eye was subsequently enucleated, revealing an extensively necrotic and haemorrhagic choroidal melanoma of mixed cell type with only small viable tumour foci at the base and almost complete lysis of the detached retina. Conclusion: Some uveal melanomas (UMs) undergo spontaneous necrosis due to rapid growth, with the centre of the tumour outstripping its established blood supply in the “watershed area” of the eye, and becoming hypoxic with associated necrosis of intraocular structures. Such UMs are often associated with haemorrhage and/or inflammation and usually cause significant destruction of ocular tissues, resulting in enucleation as the only treatment option.

Background/aimsProton beam radiotherapy and plaque brachytherapy are commonly applied in primary uveal melanoma (UM); however, their effect on chromosome 3 classification of UM by microsatellite analysis (MSA) for prognostication purposes is unknown, where the tumour is sampled post-irradiation. This study examined the prognostic accuracy of genotyping UM biopsied before or after administration of radiotherapy, by MSA.Methods407 UM patients treated at the Liverpool Ocular Oncology Centre between January 2011 to December 2017, were genotyped for chromosome 3 by MSA; 172 and 176 primary UM were sampled prior to and post irradiation, respectively.ResultsGenotyping by MSA was successful in 396/407 (97%) of UM samples (196 males, 211 females; median age of 61 years (range 12 to 93) at primary treatment). There was no demonstrable association between a failure of MSA to produce a chromosome 3 classification and whether radiation was performed pre-biopsy or post-biopsy with an OR of 0.96 (95% CI 0.30 to 3.00, p=0.94). There was no evidence of association (measured as HRs) between risk of metastatic death and sampling of a primary UM before administration of radiotherapy (HR 1.1 (0.49 to 2.50), p=0.81). Monosomy 3 (HR 12.0 (4.1 to 35.0), pConclusions and relevanceThis study revealed that successful genotyping of UM using MSA is possible, irrespective of irradiation status. Moreover, we found no evidence that biopsy prior to radiotherapy increases metastatic mortality.

Alternatives to fine-needle aspiration biopsy include vitreous cutter aspiration biopsy, incisional biopsy, and excisional biopsy. Vitreous cutter aspiration biopsy is performed with a 25- or 27-gauge vitreous cutter using a three-port, sutureless vitrectomy kit, without vitrectomy, retinopexy, or tamponade. Incisional biopsy of choroidal or ciliary body melanomas can be performed with Essen forceps through a deep sclerotomy under a superficial lamellar scleral flap, using tissue glue to close the flap and seal the wound, thereby preventing seeding of tumor cells into surrounding tissues. Excisional biopsy involves removal of the entire tumor, using techniques described elsewhere. Biopsy can be performed to establish a diagnosis (e.g., to differentiate melanoma from nevus or metastasis), or to identify the likely source of a metastasis, when the primary tumor is unknown, or to estimate the survival probability of a patient with uveal melanoma, by performing genetic tumor typing. Close collaboration with the laboratory is essential.

BACKGROUND To report a case of metastatic hepatocholangiocarcinoma to the vitreous and retina. CASE PRESENTATION A 70-year-old male, who was recently diagnosed with hepatocholangiocarcinoma, was complaining of floaters in his right eye over the past 5 months and was referred to the Liverpool Ocular Oncology Centre. On presentation, his visual acuity in the right eye was 6/24. Fundus exam revealed a whitish, unilateral, full-thickness retinal lesion at the inferotemporal arcade of his right eye, with vitreous infiltration and subretinal fluid. The patient underwent 25G pars plana vitrectomy with biopsy, resection of the lesion and intravitreal bevacizumab injection. Histopathology testing of the surgical specimens confirmed the diagnosis of metastatic carcinoma to the eye. Two months postoperatively his visual acuity had improved to 6/7.5 and there was no sign of active disease in his right eye, while 9 months postoperatively his visual acuity decreased to 6/9.5 due to developing nuclear sclerotic cataract in his right eye. CONCLUSION The current report presents the first case of a hepatocholangiocarcinoma metastasis to the vitreous and retina.

Aim To report on trans-scleral local resection of choroidal melanoma for exudative retinal detachment and neovascular glaucoma (toxic tumour syndrome) after proton beam radiotherapy (PBR). Methods A non-randomised, prospective study of secondary trans-scleral local resection of choroidal melanoma for exudative retinal detachment with or without neovascular glaucoma after PBR. The patients were treated at the Liverpool Ocular Oncology Centre between February 2000 and April 2008. The trans-scleral local resection was performed with a lamellar-scleral flap, using systemic hypotension to reduce haemorrhage. Results 12 patients (six women, six men) with a mean age of 51 years (range 20–75) were included in this study. The tumour margins extended anterior to ora serrata in six patients. On ultrasonography, the largest basal tumour dimension averaged 12.4 mm (range 6.8–18.1) and the tumour height averaged 7.1 mm (range 4.2–10.7). The retinal detachment was total in seven patients. Neovascular glaucoma was present in four patients. The time between PBR and local resection had a mean of 17.4 months (range 1–84). The ophthalmic follow-up time after the local resection had a mean of 46.2 months (range 14–99). At the latest known status, the eye was conserved in 10 patients, with a flat retina in all these patients and visual acuity equal or better than 6/30 in four patients. The reasons for enucleation were: patient request for enucleation when rhegmatogenous retinal detachment complicated the resection (one patient) and phthisis (one patient). Conclusions Exudative retinal detachment, rubeosis and neovascular glaucoma after PBR of a choroidal melanoma can resolve after trans-scleral local resection of the tumour. Our findings suggest that these complications are caused by the persistence of the irradiated tumour within the eye (‘toxic tumour syndrome’).

Background Uveal metastasis is the most common intraocular malignancy. Methods This was a retrospective study of all patients with uveal metastases referred to the Liverpool Ocular Oncology Centre between January 2007 and December 2012. Biopsy was performed as a primary investigation if the clinical examination suggested metastasis with no evidence of any extraocular metastases. Results Ninety-six patients (109 eyes) were included. Breast and lung carcinomas were the most common primary malignancies, affecting 41 and 27 patients, respectively. The median time interval between detection of primary cancer and uveal metastasis was 24 months (range 1–288 months). Thirty-nine patients underwent ocular biopsy, confirming the diagnosis in all patients. The biopsy indicated the site of origin in 24 out of the 27 without a known primary tumour. In 7 of these 27 cases, previous systemic investigations had failed to identify the primary tumour. Seventy-three patients received external beam irradiation; two patients received photodynamic therapy; and two patients had Ru-106 plaque radiotherapy. The visual acuity was stable or improved in 75.5% of the cases. Conclusions Immediate biopsy provides a quick diagnosis that may expedite treatment and improve any opportunities for conserving vision while facilitating the general oncologic management on these patients.

Most uveal melanomas are treated with radiotherapy. An adequate understanding of the effects of radiation on the tumour and the healthy ocular tissues is necessary. Ionizing radiation damages cell membranes, organelles, and DNA. Irradiated cells are lysed or undergo apoptosis, necrosis, and senescence. These effects occur in tumour cells and vascular endothelial cells, resulting in tumour shrinkage, ischaemia, infarction, exudation, and fibrosis, which can cause exudative maculopathy, serous retinal detachment, rubeosis, and neovascular glaucoma (ie, 'toxic tumour syndrome'). Such abnormalities must be distinguished from collateral damage to healthy ocular tissues that receive high doses of radiation, and these include radiation-induced retinopathy, optic neuropathy, choroidopathy, cataract, and scleral necrosis. Radiation retinopathy can be treated effectively with photodynamic therapy, anti-angiogenic agents, and intravitreal steroid injections. In some patients, optic neuropathy may improve with intravitreal steroids or anti-angiogenic agents. Neovascular glaucoma resolves with intra-cameral bevacizumab. Exudative retinal detachment can regress with intra-vitreal steroid injections. Cataract is treated in the usual manner. Scleral necrosis, if severe, may require grafting, possibly using a lamellar flap from the same eye. Depending on the bulk of the residual toxic tumour, treatment can consist of intra-vitreal steroids and/or anti-angiogenic agents, transpupillary thermotherapy or photodynamic therapy to the tumour, or surgical removal of the tumour by endo- or exo-resection. Measures aimed at preventing collateral damage include eccentric placement of ruthenium plaques or iodine seeds and delivery of a notched proton beam. The decision to treat a uveal melanoma with radiotherapy requires the ability to manage iatrogenic side effects and complications.

Citation information: Hemmerdinger C, Beech M, Groenewald C & Damato B. Validation of an online referral guide for melanocytic fundus lesions.Ophthalmic Physiol Opt 2011, 31, 574–579. doi: 10.1111/j.1475-1313.2011.00830.x Abstract Aim: To assess the validity of an online referral guide for melanocytic fundus lesions available to optometrists. Methods: A prospective inter-observer agreement assessment of a novel grading system for melanocytic fundus lesions using digital images from the Liverpool Ocular Oncology Centre. Results: The study was completed by 94.5% (52/55) of optometrists recruited. A total of 2594 valid grading scores were obtained for 400 different melanocytic lesions which were assigned to three management categories (monitor, routine referral or urgent referral). The linear weighted kappa value between the optometrists and the ocular oncologist was 0.66 (95% CI 0.64–0.68). Optometrist inter-observer agreement was 0.62 (95%CI 0.57–0.67). Conclusions: This online referral guide for melanocytic lesions shows substantial agreement between optometrists and a gold standard opinion. It is easily accessible and could be helpful to community optometrists managing patients with a melanocytic fundus lesion.

Ziel Das Ziel ist die Evaluation des klinischen Einsatzes des schweren Silikonols (HSO) Densiron 68® in der Behandlung komplizierter Amotiones mit PVR (proliferative Vitreoretinopathie).

Aim: To determine if the internal limiting membrane (ILM) was present in the epiretinal membrane (ERM) when we deliberately tried to perform a “double peel” for macular pucker. Methods: Pars-plana vitrectomy and a “double peel” were carried out. The ERM and ILM were stained with Trypan Blue and peeled separately over the same area. The amount of ERM present in ILM specimens and the amount of ILM present in ERM specimens were evaluated by histological examination. Results: Seventeen eyes in 17 patients were included. It was possible to double peel in all cases. Five of 17 ERM specimens (29%) contained ILM fragments. When ILM was present on the ERM, it represented less than 50% of the sample. One ILM specimen was lost as result of an administrative error; of the remaining 16 specimens, residual ERM was found in six, and cellular remnants were observed on the vitreous surface in a further six of the ILMs. Clinically, no recurrence of ERM was found. Conclusion: ILM was present in some ERM specimens seemingly over the same area that an intact ILM was subsequently peel. We speculate that the ILM in the ERM represent a secondary basement membrane and that the surgical plane of dissection for most ERM peel is between the ERM and the native ILM, making it feasible to double peel routinely.

Aim: To present a case of neoadjuvant treatment of uveal melanoma with a limited core endoresection, which enabled ruthenium plaque radiotherapy to be administered. Material and Methods: A 77-year-old woman presented in 2005 with a ciliochoroidal uveal melanoma measuring 7.2 by 6.5 mm basally with a thickness of 6.2 mm. The vision in the affected eye was 6/9. Because of diagnostic uncertainty, we performed a biopsy, which produced a copious sample. The biopsy serendipitously reduced the tumour thickness to 4.4 mm, making ruthenium plaque brachytherapy possible. Results: Histopathological examination showed the tumour to be a melanoma predominantly of spindle cell type. Postoperative complications included a dense vitreous haemorrhage, which cleared spontaneously, and raised intraocular pressure, controlled with latanoprost. Seven years after brachytherapy, the vision was 6/5 and the thickness of the residual tumour was 2.5 mm. Nine years after treatment, there was no evidence of any intra- or extraocular seeding or distant metastases. Conclusions: Core endoresection of a ciliochoroidal melanoma may reduce tumour thickness enough to allow subsequent ruthenium plaque radiotherapy.

Aim: To investigate the cause of visual loss following removal of intraocular silicone oil in patients who underwent vitrectomies for retinal detachment or giant retinal tear. Methods: The clinical records of three cases with visual loss following removal of silicone oil were reviewed. Investigations carried out included fundus fluorescein angiogram, optical coherence tomography, and electrophysiological studies. Results: Visual acuities dropped from 6/9 to 6/36 in two cases and 6/24 to 3/24 in the third. None of the three cases had macula detachment at any stage. Fundus fluorescein angiogram and optical coherence tomography were normal in all cases. Pattern electroretinogram showed reduced amplitudes of the P50 and N95 components. Multifocal electroretinogram indicated a selective damage to the central part of the macula. Conclusions: The results suggest that the abnormality arises predominantly in the central part of the macula, especially the outer and middle layers. However, the exact mechanism still remains obscure., link_to_OA_fulltext

Histological changes in the retina during the use of heavy tamponade agents have been linked with the pressure on the retina caused by the increased specific gravity of the agent. This paper calculates the possible increases in pressure due to these agents and questions the validity of this argument.A model eye chamber was used to make measurements of the shape of F6H8 bubbles, with incrementally increasing volumes, and thus calculate the maximum possible increase in pressure under the tamponade agent.The maximum increase in pressure under an F6H8 tamponade which completely fills an eye with a diameter of 2.2 cm would be 0.52 mmHg.This increase in pressure is within normal diurnal pressure changes in the eye; therefore, it would seem unlikely that such an increase could cause the histological changes observed. With increasing volumes of a heavy tamponade agent, aqueous is excluded from a greater area of retina. This could account for the pathological changes reported.

Background: To date there has been no randomised controlled trial demonstrating the safety and efficacy of macular relocation surgery (MRS) for age related macular degeneration (AMD). Vision can be improved in some patients and made worse in others despite successful surgery or because of complications. Purpose: To determine which patients would benefit from MRS. Methods: Twenty nine patients with exudative AMD took part in a prospective, non-comparative, interventional study. Macular relocation surgery involved phacoemulsification, vitrectomy, 360° retinotomy, excision of choroidal neovascular membrane, and macular relocation using an infusion of 5-fluorouracil and low molecular weight heparin as adjuvant to prevent proliferative vitreoretinopathy. Patients underwent protocol refraction preoperotively and six-monthly postoperatively by designated optometrists. Preoperotive fundus fluorescein angiograms were read by masked observers and the lesions were classified according to a set protocol. The main outcome measures were visual improvement, final vision of better than 20/400, reading speed, critical print size. Logistic and multiple stepwise linear regressions were used to identify independent factors which predicted the main outcomes. Results: Preoperative visual acuity (20/120 or worse) and lesion type (predominantly classic or submacular haemorrhage) were significantly associated with visual improvement (coefficient of regression B = 26.8, p, link_to_OA_fulltext

Aims: To report on the use of trypan blue (TB) 0.06% for staining the internal limiting membrane (ILM) and epiretinal membrane (ERM) during vitrectomy and report on their histology. Method: 14 consecutive patients with idiopathic macular hole or macular pucker (seven patients each) were prospectively recruited for ILM or ERM peel respectively. After pars plana vitrectomy and induction of posterior vitreous detachment, 0.5 ml TB 0.06% in phosphate buffered saline (VisonBlue) was injected over the posterior pole in an air filled eye and left for 2 minutes. The stained tissue was peeled with intraocular forceps. Specimens were evaluated using histochemical and immunohistochemical methods. Results: The average follow up was 4.4 months. Internal limiting membranes and epiretinal membranes were stained satisfactorily in all cases and removed successfully. Eight patients (57%) had improvement of 2 or more Snellen lines. All seven macular holes closed. In the ERM cases, no residual membranes were observed clinically, at the latest follow up. No complicatians relating to the use of the dye were encountered intraoperatively or postoperatively. Of the 14 procedures, nine (four macular hole and five macular pucker) yielded sufficient tissue for histopathological evaluation. Histological and immunohistological assessment revealed that the morphology of these specimens was similar to that observed in macular hole ILM and macular pucker ERM removed without the aid of dye. Conclusion: TB staining facilitated the identification and delineation of ILM and ERM removal during the surgical management of macular holes and macular pucker. The visual outcome of this series and the specimens removed suggest they are no different from those without TB staining. Its use in posterior segment appears to be safe but further studies are required to investigate its long term safety., link_to_OA_fulltext

Objective To report on the incidence and outcome of rhegmatogenous retinal detachment after transscleral local resection of choroidal melanoma. Design Prospective, noncomparative, interventional case series. Participants One hundred fifty-six patients with choroidal melanoma treated by transscleral local resection between January 1993 and June 2000. Intervention Transscleral choroidectomy or cyclochoroidectomy for uveal melanoma, with ocular decompression by single-port pars plana vitrectomy and, in most patients, adjunctive ruthenium plaque radiotherapy. Main outcome measures Incidence of rhegmatogenous retinal detachment according to predictive factors and outcomes reported in terms of anatomic success, visual acuity, and ocular conservation. Results Rhegmatogenous retinal detachment occurred in 28 (18%) eyes and was significantly more common in patients with thick tumors (Cox univariate analysis, P = 0.001) and in males (Cox univariate analysis, P = 0.013), with posterior tumor extension being of borderline significance (Cox univariate analysis, P = 0.069). Surgical treatment of the retinal detachment was performed in 25 patients; it was undertaken at our center in 22 patients and at the referring hospital in 3 patients. Anatomic success was achieved in 21 (84%) of these 25 patients, with 7 eyes retaining counting fingers vision, and 3 eyes seeing 6/60 or better. Ten eyes treated for retinal detachment were enucleated because of recurrent tumor (four eyes), retinal detachment (three eyes), wound dehiscence (one eye), phthisis (one eye), and poor visual acuity (one eye). Eleven eyes known to have a retinal tear underwent prophylactic vitreoretinal surgery at the end of the local resection, with only one (9%) of these subsequently developing retinal detachment. Conclusions Rhegmatogenous retinal detachment after transscleral choroidectomy or cyclochoroidectomy for uveal melanoma is a serious complication requiring early vitreoretinal surgery.

PURPOSE To report an isolated case of extraocular seeding of choroidal melanoma after a transretinal biopsy. METHODS A 74-year-old man with a choroidal melanoma in the left eye underwent a 3-port transconjunctival 25-gauge transretinal biopsy (for cytogenetic prognostication) followed by proton beam radiotherapy. Biopsy showed the melanoma to be predominantly of spindle cell type with chromosome 3 loss. He presented 14 months later with two pigmented conjunctival lesions, corresponding to the site of the pars plana sclerotomy. RESULTS Excision biopsy of the conjunctival lesions confirmed subconjunctival seeding of melanoma cells at the sites of sclerotomy. CONCLUSION The seeding of melanoma corresponded to the sites of sclerotomy, indicating extraocular seeding of the primary tumor after transretinal biopsy. We discuss the possible reasons for this occurrence and strategies to prevent extraocular seeding of melanoma after transretinal biopsy.

Objective To determine the outcomes of vitreoretinal surgery after choroidal tumor biopsy. Design Retrospective, single-center, consecutive case series. Participants A total of 739 consecutive patients undergoing choroidal tumor biopsy. Methods All subjects who underwent transretinal or transscleral choroidal tumor biopsy for diagnostic or prognostic purposes between May 1993 and May 2013 were identified in our database. We then reviewed patients who subsequently required secondary vitreoretinal surgery for complications arising from such biopsies. Main Outcome Measures Reason for vitreoretinal surgery, association with biopsy procedure, best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA; logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution [logMAR]), intraocular or extrascleral tumor dissemination, resolution of vitreous hemorrhage, reattachment of the retina with a single vitreoretinal procedure, number of additional vitrectomies undertaken, and number of enucleations. Results A total of 20 of 739 eyes (2.7%) underwent vitreoretinal surgery for complications arising from choroidal tumor biopsy. The tumors consisted of choroidal melanoma in all 20 eyes. The reasons for the secondary surgery included persistent vitreous hemorrhage in 1.9% (14/739), rhegmatogenous retinal detachment in 0.7% (5/739), and endophthalmitis in 0.14% (1/739). Median BCVA improved from 2.0 logMAR (mean, 1.92 logMAR; range, 0.8–2.7 logMAR) before vitrectomy to 0.72 logMAR (mean, 0.88 logMAR; range, −0.14 to 2.7 logMAR) after vitrectomy and 0.76 logMAR (mean, 1.14 logMAR; range, 0.1–3.0 logMAR) at the final visit ( P t test). Permanent resolution of vitreous hemorrhage was achieved in 6 of 14 patients, and reattachment of the retina was achieved in 2 of 5 patients after the first vitrectomy. A median of 1 (mean, 1.5; range, 1–3) additional vitrectomy was performed. Enucleation was necessary in 3 of 20 eyes (15%). There were no cases of intraocular invasion or extrascleral extension after vitrectomy. Conclusions Vitrectomy for complications of choroidal tumor biopsy is rare. Such corrective surgery is complex and is best undertaken by specialized ocular oncologists or vitreoretinal surgeons with experience in managing this problem.

Aim To determine the reduction of choroidal melanoma thickness 6 months after ruthenium 106-brachytherapy according to chromosome 3 status, which correlates strongly with metastatic death. Methods Transscleral fine needle aspiration biopsy was performed prior to the insertion of a radioactive plaque if the tumour was deemed sufficiently thick and anterior for such a procedure. Transretinal biopsy with a 25-gauge vitreous cutter was performed for thin and posterior tumour within a month of plaque removal. The chromosome 3 status was determined by fluorescence in situ hybridisation from 2002 until 2006, and by either multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification and/or microsatellite analysis after this period until the end of the study. The choroidal melanoma dimensions were obtained from outpatient visits. Results 149 eyes from 149 patients were included. The mean age was 60.8 years. 84 eyes (56.4%) had disomy 3 and 65 eyes (43.6%) monosomy 3. The median pretreatment tumour thickness was 3.0 mm in disomy 3 and 4.1 mm in monosomy 3 tumours (p=0.018). The follow-up duration medians were 6.3 months for disomy 3 and 6.4 months for monosomy 3 tumours (p=0.68). The rates of thickness reduction were 6.7% and 7.0% per month, respectively (p=0.59). Thickness reduction exceeding 50% occurred in 32 (38.1%) disomy 3 and 24 (36.9%) monosomy 3 tumours. Conclusions The rate of choroidal melanoma regression after ruthenium-106 brachytherapy does not appear to correlate with chromosome 3 loss, suggesting that tumour thickness reduction 6 months after treatment is unlikely to predict survival.

Purpose: To evaluate the visual outcome of patients with posteriorly dislocated lens fragments after phacoemulsification managed with pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) and identify risk factors for poor visual outcome. Setting: Vitreo-Retinal Service, St. Paul Eye Unit, Liverpool, United Kingdom. Methods: The medical records of all patients who had PPV for posteriorly dislocated lens fragments after phacoemulsification between March 1993 and August 1998 were retrospectively reviewed. Demographics, preexisting eye conditions, details of the previous cataract surgery, findings at presentation, details of the vitreoretinal procedure, final visual acuity, and complications observed during the follow-up were evaluated. Univariate and multiple regression analyses were used to determine the significance of these clinical variables as determinants of poor visual outcome (visual acuity 6/12 or worse). Results: Of the 106 patients identified, 89 had a full set of data and were included in the study. In 79 patients (89%), PPV was performed from 1 to 357 days (median 15 days) after cataract extraction. In 10 patients (11%), PPV was done on the same day as the cataract surgery. Sixty-two patients (69%) had a final visual acuity of 6/12 or better. Preexisting eye disease (P < .01), PPV delayed for more than 4 weeks (P < .03), occurrence of retinal detachment after vitrectomy (P < .01), and the use of ultrasound (US) fragmentation (P < .01) were statistically significantly correlated with a poor visual outcome. Conclusions: Posterior dislocated lens fragments after phacoemulsification were safely retrieved using PPV. It appears that intervening early (within 4 weeks) and avoiding the use of US fragmentation are associated with a better visual outcome and reduced rate of postoperative complications.

Biopsy involves the removal of a tissue sample, laboratory analysis and interpretation of the results. The usual objective of biopsy has been to establish or confirm a diagnosis [1]. For example, biopsy is useful when clinical examination fails to distinguish a melanoma from a nevus or metastasis. Even when there is a confident clinical diagnosis, biopsy may be performed to determine the tumour subtype. For example, when a choroidal metastasis is diagnosed in a patient who does not have a past history of systemic malignancy, morphological and immunohistochemical examinations of the biopsy may indicate the likely site of the primary tumor so that investigations can be targeted accordingly. Increasingly, uveal melanoma biopsy is being performed to enhance prognostication, by integrating histologic and genetic findings with clinical tumor stage [2].

AIMS/BACKGROUND A prospective, randomised, controlled clinical trial was conducted to investigate the effect of performing cryotherapy before drainage of subretinal fluid (SRF) on the incidence of intraocular haemorrhage (IOH) in the management of retinal detachment. METHODS Eighty eyes of 80 patients with rhegmatogenous retinal detachment requiring SRF drainage were recruited. Thirty four cases were randomised to receive drainage before cryotherapy (drainage, air injection, cryotherapy, and explant = DACE group) while 46 cases had drainage after cryotherapy (cryotherapy, drainage, air injection, and explant = CDAE group). All cases had trans-scleral drainage of SRF using a 27 gauge hypodermic needle combined with prolonged, intraocular hypertension. RESULTS There was a low incidence of IOH associated with drainage in both groups with no statistically significant difference between the groups (DACE group = 2.9%; CDAE group = 4.3%; p = 0.43). There was no significant difference between the groups in the rate of anatomical success with a single operation (DACE group = 82.4%; CDAE group = 86.9%; p = 0.38). There was no significant difference between the groups in the visual outcome. An improvement of two Snellen lines or more occurred in 52.9% of the DACE group and in 56.5% of the CDAE group (p = 0.93). CONCLUSION It was concluded that the surgical sequence of applying cryotherapy before drainage of SRF can be safely and effectively performed. The sequences CDAE and CDE, when air injection is not required, along with DACE should all be part of the surgical repertoire for the management of retinal detachments.

Long-acting intraocular gas bubbles are frequently used during vitrectomy to tamponade retinal breaks. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of nitrous oxide anaesthesia on the size and effectiveness of the post-vitrectomy gas bubble. Twenty vitrectomy procedures with injection of 12% perfluoropropane (C3F8) gas were performed. For 10 of the cases routine anaesthesia with nitrous oxide was used and for 10 cases non-nitrous anaesthesia with propofol was used. The volume of the intraocular gas bubble was estimated 24 hours post-operatively using A-scan biometry. At 24 hours the gas bubble occupied a mean of 65.1% of the eye in anaesthesia with nitrous oxide and a mean of 66.1% in anaesthesia with intravenous propofol. The wide range of values of gas-fill recorded at 24 hours makes comparison of the two groups inappropriate. Several factors may account for this spread of values, but in our opinion it is the uncontrolled leakage from the sclerostomies which is the most likely. This study suggests that anaesthesia using nitrous oxide does not adversely affect the size of the C3F8 gas bubble at 24 hours post-vitrectomy when compared with anaesthesia without nitrous oxide.

A 15-year-old boy was referred for reduced left-eye vision 2 weeks after a blunt trauma. The presenting visual acuities were 6/12 in the right eye and counting fingers in the left eye. Examination revealed a white cataract in the left eye with loss of convexity of the anterior lens surface. Ultrasonography confirmed a ruptured posterior capsule. Removal of the lens was approached via a clear corneal cataract incision. After insertion of an anterior chamber maintainer and capsulorhexis was performed, the lens matter was removed with vitreous cutter via the cataract incision, using its cutting and aspirating modes. A foldable intraocular lens (IOL) was inserted in the capsular bag. Visual acuity improved to 6/18 1 month after surgery and further improved to 6/6 at 6 months. The IOL was stable with no decentration or posterior capsule opacification.

Background Endoresection of choroidal melanoma may offer the best hope of conserving vision in some patients but is controversial because of concerns regarding iatrogenic tumour dissemination. Methods Retrospective, non-randomised study of consecutive patients who underwent endoresection for choroidal melanoma at the Liverpool Ocular Oncology Centre between 1996 and 2010. Results The study included 71 patients with a mean age of 58.7 years. The tumour extended within 2 disc diameters of the optic disc in 46 (65%) eyes, involving the disc in 24 (34%) eyes. The mean largest basal tumour diameter and tumour thickness were 9.5 mm and 4.4 mm, respectively. The median follow-up was 4.1 years. The visual acuity at the latest follow-up was better than 6/30 in 31% eyes. The main causes of visual loss were foveal excision, rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RD) and proliferative vitreo-retinopathy (PVR). Local recurrence developed in two patients (3%), who were treated by enucleation and proton beam radiotherapy, respectively. RD occurred in 16 cases (22%). Three (4%) eyes were enucleated, two because of PVR and one because of local tumour recurrence. Five patients died of metastatic disease. Conclusions Endoresection achieved high rates of local tumour control. This operation would seem to be a useful alternative to radiotherapy as a means of conserving vision in eyes with juxtapapillary melanoma.

Aims: To assess the vitreous penetration of oral levofloxacin (a new fluoroquinolone antibiotic with improved Gram positive activity) in uninflamed phakic eyes. Methods: 15 patients for macula hole surgery were recruited to the study. 10 received a single 500 mg dose of levofloxacin by mouth preoperatively. Five acted as controls. Serum and undiluted vitreous samples were obtained at surgery and analysed by HPLC. Results: Levofloxacin was detectable 2.5 hours after administration in the vitreous. A peak concentration of 1.6 μg/ml (or mg/l) was measured between 2.5 and 4 hours post-dose. Conclusion: Oral levofloxacin reaches the vitreous rapidly in the uninflamed phakic eye. Levels did not reach MIC 90 for the commonest infecting organisms. Nevertheless, levofloxacin would be expected to be active against a higher proportion of infecting organisms than either ciprofloxacin or ofloxacin., link_to_OA_fulltext

Purpose To describe the pathology and clinical features of radiation-induced maculopathy and retinopathy and to discuss treatment. Methods Direct maculopathy occurs when the macula has received a high dose of radiation whereas indirect maculopathy occurs as a result of exudation from the irradiated tumour. Investigations include: fluorescein angiography, optical coherence tomography and visual acuity testing. Treatments include: photoablation of leaking retinal vessels as well as transpupillary thermotherapy or photodynamic therapy, endoresection or exoresection of the exudative tumour. Results Direct radiation-induced maculopathy is essentially untreatable but it is often possible to reverse visual loss occurring as a result of exudation from the 'toxic tumour'. Conclusion It is important to differentiate direct from indirect radiation-induced maculopathy so that the appropriate treatment can be administered.

Recurrent hypopyon due to methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus after cataract surgery

Background To report a retrospective non-comparative interventional study on the effectiveness and ocular tolerance of a heavy silicone oil tamponade (HSO, Densiron-68) for primary inferior rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD). Methods Forty-one eyes of 41 consecutive patients were recruited between January 2004 and August 2006. Primary vitrectomy with Densiron-68, a heavy silicone oil, was used in all cases. Inclusion criteria were primary RRD with at least one retinal break between 4 and 8 clock hours. The study protocol consisted of a minimum of eight clinic visits: baseline, surgery, 1 week, 1 month and 3 months after the initial surgery; removal of oil and 1 week, 1 month and 3 months postoperatively. The primary endpoint was anatomical re-attachment of the retina. Cases were judged successful when there was reattachment of the retina in the absence of any tamponade agent. The secondary endpoint was to record the visual function and any complications arising from the surgery. Out of 41 patients initially included in the study, 33 completed all follow-up visits. Results Anatomical success was achieved in 91% of cases (30 out of 33) with one retinal operation, and rose to 94% (31 out of 33) with additional surgery. Mean visual acuity improved from logMAR 1.19 (SD 0.9) to 0.5 (SD 0.51, p=0.001). No significant ocular hypertension, clinically significant emulsification of the tamponade or inflammation developed during follow-up. Conclusion With Densiron-68, high anatomical and functional success rates can be achieved with primary vitrectomy for RRD and predominantly inferior pathology.

Although no randomized, prospective studies have been performed, evidence suggests that in general uveal tumor biopsy with the 25-gauge vitreous cutter produces a larger sample than FNAB and more quickly and safely than transscleral incisional biopsy or using the 20-gauge vitrectomy system. Early results are encouraging, but it is likely that results will improve with further refinements of the technique and developments in laboratory methods.

Nasal epipapillary membrane causing visual field loss following macular hole surgery: Does it throw fresh light on the retinotopic arrangement of the nerve fibre layer?