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Background: Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a chronic pruritic inflammatory skin disorder of childhood with a broad spectrum of ocular manifestations, including keratoconjunctivitis, keratoconus, cataract, and rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD). This study was aimed at reporting the visual outcomes in patients with bilateral cataract and RRD in the context of AD. Methods: This was a retrospective, observational case series. A thorough history, clinical features, and surgical management of seven consecutive patients who presented to the Birmingham and Midland Eye Centre with bilateral cataract and RRD secondary to severe AD were investigated. Results: Fourteen eyes of seven patients with AD were analyzed. Twelve of the 14 eyes had cataract (85.7%). Seven patients had anterior or posterior subcapsular cataract (58.3%); 13 of the 14 eyes had RRD (92.8%). Most cases were bilateral or simultaneous (85.7% and 71.4%, respectively). Eight eyes had involvement of the temporal quadrant (61.5%): three eyes had giant retinal tears (23%) and five eyes with proliferative vitreoretinopathy (38.5%). Three eyes underwent scleral buckle surgery with or without cryotherapy (21.4%), and eight eyes had PPV (57.1%) combined with other procedures. Two eyes (15.4%) had persistent RRD postoperatively. The latest recorded postoperative best-corrected distance visual acuity was 6/36 or better in 10 (71.4%) eyes. Conclusions: Temporal RRD was commonly observed in retinal detachment secondary to AD. Surgical repair was often challenging because of proliferative vitreoretinopathy and significant cataract. A further multidisciplinary study involving dermatologists would be helpful in identifying a larger high-risk population for AD and earlier detection of asymptomatic retinal tears or holes, which would allow preventive treatment and limit sight-threatening complications.

Purpose To investigate the direct contribution to carbon emissions of fluorinated gases used in all vitreoretinal (VR) procedures utilising gas tamponade and assess the respective carbon footprint of the three different gas delivery systems. Design A multicenter, retrospective, environmental impact study Methods All VR procedures using fluorinated gases between 2017-2020 at the Manchester Royal Eye Hospital (MREH) and Birmingham and Midland Eye Centre (BMEC) (the second and third largest VR centres in the UK), and between 2019-2020 at the University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire (UHCW) were included. CO2 equivalent mass (CO2EM) was calculated from mass of each gas used according to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. Results : A total of 4,877 (1,883 SF6[38.6%], 2,096 C2F6[43.0%], 897 C3F8[18.4%]) procedures were analysed. UHCW and BMEC utilise single use 30ml and 75ml canisters, respectively. MREH used four cylinders of each gas over four years (2kg SF6, 1kg C2F6, 1kg C3F8). Mean CO2EM per patient was MREH:111.8kg, BMEC:7.5kg for BMEC and UHCW:2.7kg. For MREH and BMEC, the CO2EM was 73.4 metric tonnes annually (if all cases performed with i)30ml:3.7tonnes and ii)cylinders:148.0 tonnes, x40 fold difference); equating to 599.4thousand (30.5thousand-1.2 million)km travelled by a passenger car. Current use of SF6 in VR surgery accounts for 0.11% of total SF6 use; if 30ml cylinders were exclusively used in the UK, this could be lowered to 0.01%. Conclusions We highlight the significant waste associated with large gas cylinders and demonstrate that 30 ml canisters can lead to a marked reduction in carbon emissions, even after accounting for the increased carbon footprint involved in their manufacture and disposal.

To primarily report the baseline characteristics and visual acuity (VA) outcomes of advanced nurse practitioners (ANP) compared to ophthalmologists following YAG posterior capsulotomy (YAGPC). We secondarily looked to characterise the risk factors that lead to a repeated YAGPC.Retrospective consecutive case series of 6,308 eyes attending the Birmingham and Midlands Eye Centre.ANPs performed 33.1% of YAGPC compared to 66.9% ophthalmologists. Compared to ophthalmologists, ANPs performed YAGPC in lower proportion of patients with ocular co-morbidities (p 0.001) and had lower proportion of patients requiring further YAGPC compared to ophthalmologists (p 0.001). Median pre, post-operative and LogMAR gain in VA of 0.48 (IQR 0.30-0.78), 0.18 (IQR 0.10-0.40) and 0.30 (0.08-0.48) LogMAR units, respectively. Multivariate regression showed that ANPs had a significantly lower rate of repeat YAGPC compared to ophthalmologists even when adjusting for age, ethnicity, training grade and ocular co-morbidities. No difference in visual outcomes was found between operator grade and ethnicity on multivariate analysis.YAGPC leads to excellent visual outcomes. ANPs can deliver safe and effective YAGPC.

To primarily measure the visual acuity (VA) outcomes and, secondarily, the baseline characteristics and complication rate of YAG anterior capsulotomy (AC, YAGAC) compared to surgical anterior capsulectomy in patients with anterior capsular contraction syndrome. Retrospective consecutive case series attending the Birmingham and Midlands Eye Centre. A total of 141 eyes were included (YAGAC: 108 and surgical AC: 33). The surgical AC group had a higher proportion of uveitis than the YAGAC group (eight [24.2%] and two [1.9%] respectively, p

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: To assess the refractive outcomes in patients who underwent combined phacovitrectomy for retinal detachment compared to phacoemulsification and intraocular lens (IOL) implant utilizing newer swept-source optical-coherence-tomography (SS-OCT) biometry and determine the requirement of an adjustment factor for superior predicted refractive outcomes. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Retrospective study of 95 eyes: 52 eyes that underwent phacovitrectomy and 43 eyes with phacoemulsification only that served as the control group. Mean refractive error (ME) and mean absolute error (MAE) were used to compare the groups. RESULTS: No statistically significant postoperative refractive shift was found between phacoemulsification and phacovitrectomy eyes for (1) ME (0.05 D [± 0.51 diopters (D)] and (0.03 [± 0.73 D], respectively; P = .348), (2) MAE (0.41 D ± 0.29 D and 0.60 ± 0.44 D, respectively), or (3) MAE of the control compared to macula-on/off eyes ( P = .160 and P = .078, respectively). CONCLUSION: The authors do not recommend an adjustment factor for IOL selection when utilizing SS-OCT biometry, as it provided refractive outcomes superior to those found in previous studies utilizing a partial coherence interferometry system. [ Ophthalmic Surg Lasers Imaging Retina . 2021;52:432–437.]

Background: Optic disc pit (ODP) is a rare congenital defect of the optic disc that can lead to maculopathy and gradual visual impairment. This review summarizes our current knowledge on the diagnostic and therapeutic approaches to ODP maculopathy (ODP-M) in children. Methods: A thorough literature search was performed using the PubMed/MEDLINE database from 1960 to 2020. An additional search was conducted using Google Scholar for completeness. Results: ODP-M is characterized by the accumulation of subretinal and/or intraretinal fluid. The exact pathogenetic mechanisms are not fully understood, and the origin of the fluid remains unknown. Although ODP-M is more likely to occur during the third or fourth decade of life, cases of children with serous retinal detachment have been recorded. Early diagnosis of ODP-M and prompt, appropriate management are crucial, particularly in patients of amblyogenic age. In adults, ODP-M may resolve spontaneously, but most cases require surgical intervention to prevent permanent loss of vision. However, the fact that ODP-M may spontaneously resolve in children cannot be ignored. Various surgical methods have been described, including pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) combined with various techniques, including laser photocoagulation, intravitreal gas injection, and macular buckling. Conclusions: PPV remains the mainstay surgical approach for ODP-M. However, ODP-M may differ between children and adults. Children constitute a unique population of patients that require a different and probably more tailor-made approach. Detailed clinical examination, combined with a thorough analysis of retinal imaging, may improve our understanding of the background and pathophysiology of the disease and eventually provide us with new insights into the management of ODP-M in the pediatric population. How to cite this article: Kalogeropoulos D, Asproudis I, Ch’ng SW, Mitra A, Sharma A, Katsikatsos K, Asproudis C, Kalogeropoulos C. Diagnostic and therapeutic approaches to optic disc pit maculopathy in children. Med Hypothesis Discov Innov Optom.2021 Spring; 2(1): 24-35. DOI: https://doi.org/10.51329/mehdioptometry122

PURPOSE To evaluate the efficacy of repeat pars plana vitrectomy and gas tamponade for persistent macular holes (MHs), especially looking at a predictive value of optical coherence tomography parameters in revisional surgery. METHODS Retrospective, nonrandomized interventional case series of consecutive patients with a persistent MH that underwent revisional pars plana vitrectomy and gas tamponade. The primary outcome measure was anatomical closure of the MH after revisional surgery. The secondary outcome measure was a functional outcome of the MH closure based on the best-corrected visual acuity. The changes of minimum linear diameter and MH index after the primary surgery were evaluated to see if they were prognostic markers of success for the revisional surgery. RESULTS A total of 27 patients with a persistent MH after primary MH surgery were identified, all of whom underwent a second operation with pars plana vitrectomy and gas tamponade with an internal limiting membrane peel extension in 20 cases. The MH closure rate after revisional surgery was 89% (24/27). Twenty-two cases were included in the optical coherence tomography analysis, of which 14 MHs that showed both a reduction of the minimum linear diameter and an increase in the MH index after the primary repair closed after revisional surgery. The mean best-corrected visual acuity before revisional surgery was 0.86 logMAR (20/145 Snellen) but increased significantly postoperatively to 0.69 (±0.15) logMAR (20/98 Snellen) at 3 months and to 0.49 logMAR (20/62 Snellen) at 12 months. CONCLUSION For a persistent idiopathic MH, simple repeat pars plana vitrectomy with gas tamponade has a good anatomical and functional success rate in selected cases. The minimum linear diameter and MH index can be useful optical coherence tomography markers for prognostic guidance.

Purpose: To review the effect of COVID-19 on rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD) rate following primary retinopexy. Methods: Retrospective consecutive case series of 183 patients attending Birmingham and Midlands Eye Centre undergoing primary retinopexy (cryotherapy and laser) between March 23rd to June 30th in 2019 (Group 1) and 2020 (Group 2). Results: In total we reviewed 183 retinopexies, 122 in Group 1 and 61 in Group 2, a reduction of 50%. In Group 2 compared to Group 1, we showed a significant difference in characteristics of patients having primary retinopexy with an increase in proportion of male patients from 50 (41.0%) to 39 (63.9%) ( p = 0.005), increase in high myopes from 1 (0.8%) to 4 (6.6%) ( p = 0.043), more slit lamp laser retinopexy from 83 (68.0%) to 52 (85.2%) ( p = 0.013) and less cryopexy from 21 (17.2%) to 2 (3.3%) ( p = 0.008). In Group 2, primary retinopexy resulted in significantly more 3-month RRD rate 1 (0.8%) to 5 (8.2%) ( p = 0.016). There were no changes in number of patients requiring further retinopexy ( p = 1.000) Conclusion: This study demonstrates a reduction of primary retinopexy, an increased risk for RRD following primary retinopexy and a significant shift in type of primary retinopexy performed, demographics, operator and change in characteristics of type of retinal break observed during this pandemic. This study contributes to the growing literature of the secondary effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on other aspects of healthcare that is not just limited to the virus itself.

Background: The microbiome is strongly linked to many extra-intestinal disorders. Gut commensal microbiota, in particular, plays an active role in human immune and intestinal homeostasis. Complex interactions of the microbiota with host genetics and other underlying factors lead to intestinal dysbiosis, which is thought to be linked to ocular inflammatory diseases. Thus, the aim of this review is to analyze the role of intestinal microbiome in age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Methods: A thorough literature search was performed using PubMed/MEDLINE, limited to English language publications, from January 2004 to March 2020. An additional search was made employing Google Scholar to complete the collected data as per the above-mentioned time-line and language limitations. The main keywords used included age-related macular degeneration, microbiome, dysbiosis, autoimmunity, gut microbiota, epigenetics, immune-mediated inflammatory diseases, and gut-retina axis. Results: Recent studies have proposed the role of intestinal microbiota in the pathogenesis of AMD. Changes in the microbiome have been shown to trigger several ocular inflammatory processes. There is increasing evidence demonstrating that intestinal microbial imbalance may play an important role in the pathogenesis of AMD. Conclusions: This review summarizes how alterations in the intestinal microbiota can be associated with the pathogenesis of AMD and how new therapeutic modalities can be designed to target this microbiome to limit the severe nature of this disease. Future advances in microbiome research may unveil a new era in understanding and managing AMD.

Neuro-ophthalmological emergency disorders typically present with symptoms of visual loss, diplopia, ocular motility impairment or anisocoria. The ocular manifestations of these disorders are sometimes indicative of a more serious global neurology disease rather than an isolated ocular disease. The aim of this review is to highlight four important neuro-ophthalmological emergency disorders that must not be missed by an ophthalmologist. These include acute painful Horner’s syndrome, painful cranial nerve III palsy, giant cell arteritis and transient ischaemic attack with amaurosis fugax. The delayed diagnosis of these clinical entities puts the patient at risk of blindness or death. Therefore, prompt diagnosis and management of these conditions are essential. This can be acquired from understanding the main signs and symptoms of the disease presentation together with a high index of suspicion while working at a busy eye emergency department.

Anterior capsular contraction syndrome (ACCS) describes the progressive fibrotic phimosis of the anterior capsular bag that usually occurs a few months after cataract surgery. YAG laser anterior capsulotomy (YAGAC) is the most common treatment option due to the low-risk profile of this intervention.In this series, we evaluated the outcomes of an advanced nurse practitioner (ANP) in conducting this laser intervention, comparing the results with those of ophthalmologists.Our study represents a single-centre, retrospective, continuous case series of 108 eyes that underwent YAGAC due to ACCS between January 2017 and July 2020 at the Birmingham and Midland Eye Centre, the second largest tertiary referral centre in the United Kingdom.The groups treated by ANPs and ophthalmologists were similar in respect to age, gender, and laterality of the laser procedure. Eyes treated by ophthalmologists had significantly more ocular comorbidities (p.001), the most common of which was glaucoma. Although the complication rate was higher in the ophthalmologist group, it did not reach statistical significance. However, there was a trend toward significance in the retreatment rate, with 8.6% (7/81) of eyes lasered by ophthalmologists requiring further YAGAC, and no repeat procedure was needed in the ANP group.YAGAC leads to good visual outcomes and a low complication rate in both ophthalmologist and ANP groups.Advanced nurse practitioners can deliver results that are comparable with those of experienced ophthalmologists.

There are 16 vitreoretinal (VR) fellowships listed on the British and Eire Association of Vitreoretinal Surgeons (BEAVRS) website offering places to 23 applicants, however, this list is not exhaustive. The purpose of this survey was to evaluate surgical volume, training, and experience of VR fellows in the UK.An anonymous survey was disseminated online to current and past VR fellows who are members of BEAVRS. Participants were asked about their surgical experience and confidence, before and during their fellowship, in performing a variety of procedures. Participants were also asked about their academic achievements and their career prospects.All 26 respondents felt that their fellowship met their surgical needs and would recommend it to others. Upon completion, 92% felt prepared to work as a consultant. Following fellowship completion, the median (IQR) number of procedures performed were: phacoemulsification: 91 (51-131), pars-plana vitrectomy (PPV): 351 (226-451), simple-retinal detachment (RD): 176 (126-226), complex-RD: 31 (16-51), scleral buckle (SB): 16 (80-26), membrane-peels: 76 (41-88), intraocular-foreign body (IOFB) removal: 3 (3-3), indirect laser: 51 (11-91), scleral-fixated intraocular-lens (sfIOL): 3 (3-8), removal-of-dropped-nucleus (RODN): 16 (8-26), diabetic membrane delaminations: 16 (8-16); with an increase of confidence in performing all VR procedures (p 0.001). Participants completed 2 (1-2) presentations and 2 (0-3) papers with no difference in academic performance between those with/without postgraduate qualifications (p = 0.409).Overall, fellowships in the UK are of a high quality and prepare the fellow adequately for progression into a consultant post. They help increase surgical confidence and provide opportunities to complete academic work. Fellowships without VR on-call commitments can be improved by incorporating on-call duties. Finally, COVID-19 impacted exposure to elective cases.

To review the sustained effect of COVID-19 on rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD) baseline characteristics and outcomes.This was a retrospective consecutive case series at the Birmingham and Midlands Eye Centre including patients undergoing primary RRD repair between 23 March and 31 December 2017-2019 (Group 1) and 2020 (Group 2). The deciles of indices of multiple deprivation (IMD) were determined by postcode to group patients into least deprived (IMD1-5) and most deprived (IMD6-10).In total we reviewed 1310 patients, 1003 in Group 1 and 307 in Group 2. Relative to 2017-2019, during the first lockdown, we observed (a) a reduction in the number of patients with RRD, (b) an increase in macula-off detachments, (c) an increase in RRD primary failure, and (d) that the least deprived had proportionately higher primary failure than the most deprived (The previously observed findings of lower presentation rates of RRD during the beginning of the first lockdown and the decreased number of macula-on RRD were not sustained over a longer period of observation or found to recur after a second national lockdown. Patients from areas with the least socioeconomic deprivation seemed to be more negatively affected by the first lockdown, with later presentation and higher rates of re-detachments compared with the most deprived during the first lockdown. Our findings offer reassurance that patient behaviour and health services had adapted to the pandemic by the second national lockdown.The online version of this article (10.1007/s00717-022-00521-0) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.Ziel der vorliegenden Arbeit war es, anhaltende Auswirkungen von COVID-19 auf Ausgangsmerkmale und Ergebnisse rhegmatogener Netzhautablösungen (RRD) zu untersuchen.Es handelt sich um eine retrospektive Serie aufeinanderfolgender Fälle im Birmingham and Midlands Eye Centre mit Patienten, bei denen eine primäre RRD-Therapie zwischen 23. März und 31. Dezember der Jahre 2017–2019 (Gruppe 1) und des Jahres 2020 (Gruppe 2) erfolgt war. Die Zehntelsegmente (Dezile) der Indizes der Mehrfachbenachteiligung (IMD) wurden anhand der Postleitzahlen bestimmt, mit denen in am wenigsten benachteiligte (IMD1-5) und am meisten benachteiligte Patienten (IMD6-10) eingeteilt wurde.Daten von 1310 Patienten wurden ausgewertet, 1003 in Gruppe 1 und 307 in Gruppe 2. Im Vergleich zu 2017–2019 stellte sich während des ersten Lockdowns a) eine geringere Anzahl von Patienten mit RRD heraus, b) ein Anstieg bei Makulaablösungen, c) ein Anstieg des Versagens der Primärtherapie bei RRD und d), dass die am wenigsten Benachteiligten ein proportional höheres Versagen der Primärtherapie als die am meisten Benachteiligten aufwiesen (Die frühere Beobachtung niedrigerer Vorstellungsraten von RDD-Patienten während des anfänglichen ersten Lockdowns und die verminderte Anzahl von RRD ohne Makulaablösung bestand nicht anhaltend über einen längeren Beobachtungszeitraum oder trat nicht erneut nach einem zweiten nationalen Lockdown auf. Patienten aus Gebieten mit der geringsten sozioökonomischen Benachteiligung schienen stärker negativ vom ersten Lockdown betroffen zu sein – aufgrund späterer ärztlicher Vorstellung und höherer Raten erneuter Ablösungen – als die am stärksten Benachteiligten. Die vorliegenden Ergebnisse sprechen dafür, dass das Patientenverhalten und die Einrichtungen zur medizinischen Versorgung sich beim zweiten nationalen Lockdown an die Pandemie angepasst hatten.

To report the contribution to carbon dioxide equivalent mass [CORetrospective, continuous, comparative multicentre study of all procedures using fluorinated gases between 01/01/17-31/12/20 at the Manchester Royal Eye Hospital and Birmingham and Midland Eye Centre, and between 01/01/19-31/12/2020 at the University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire.Across 4877 procedures, the use of fluorinated gases produced 284.2 tonnes (71.2 tonnes annually) COWe demonstrated that SF

Purpose: To investigate the features and outcomes of retinoblastoma (Rb) patients complicated by development of retinal detachment (RD) following systemic chemotherapy with or without local focal consolidation treatment and without external beam radiotherapy (EBRT). Methods: A retrospective study of all Rb patients between April 2002 and April 2012 at a tertiary hospital center (Birmingham Children’s Hospital and Birmingham Midlands Eye Centre, United Kingdom). All eyes that had developed RD during or after systemic treatment with or without local focal consolidation treatment were included in the study. The time interval between the type of treatment of Rb, development of RD and relevant surgical intervention were analyzed. Patients with exudative RD were treated conservatively through observation and patients with rhegmatogenous RD were treated with scleral buckling. Final anatomical retinal reattachment rate and visual acuity outcomes were analyzed. Results: A total of 258 patients were treated for Rb over the 10-year period. One hundred sixty-nine patients were managed with globe conserving treatment. Ten (5.92%) eyes of 10 patients were complicated with RD. Five eyes were exudative or presumed exudative type of RD while the other five eyes were rhegmatogenous or presumed rhegmatogenous RD. In the exudative group, two patients achieved visual acuity (VA) of 0.2 Single Kays (20/32 Snellen), and the other two patients achieved 0.85 and 0.86 Crowded Kays (20/142 and 20/145 Snellen), respectively, after the RD had resolved. The last patient in the group had to be enucleated due to tumor recurrences. The median time for the exudative RD to resolve is 15 weeks (range, 4–36 weeks). In the rhegmatogenous group, 3 of the 4 operated patients achieved retinal reattachment. The final postoperative VA ranged between 0.05 Crowded Kays to 1.84 Crowded Kays (20/22 to 20/1384 Snellen). The other patient was treated conservatively as no retinal breaks were found with previous cryotherapy and thermotherapy. The final VA in this patient was hand movement, and the RD did not reattach. The median time for the rhegmatogenous RD to reattach is 6 weeks (range, 4–8 weeks). There were no intra- and postoperative complications. Conclusions: With long-term conservative management through observation, exudative Rb after systemic treatment of Rb will tend to resolve by itself. However, supplementary local treatment with cryoretinopexy or laser photocoagulation during the systemic treatment of Rb can lead to an increased risk of rhegmatogenous RD. In these cases, most rhegmatogenous RD are successfully repaired with non-drainage scleral buckling and cryoretinopexy. Keywords: Retinoblastoma, Rhegmatogenous retinal detachment, Scleral buckling, Cryoretinopexy

The aim of this review is to summarize the current knowledge about clinical findings, diagnostic work-up, and treatment of uveomeningeal syndromes, with special emphasis on the uveitic features of these pathologies. A thorough literature search was performed in the PubMed database. An additional search was conducted in Google Scholar to complete the collected items. Uveomeningeal syndromes is an umbrella term for a group of pathologies that affect the uvea, retina, and meninges. They present with a plethora of clinical features ranging from meningitis and meningoencephalitis to uveitis. A wide spectrum of infectious, inflammatory, and neoplastic conditions have been associated with these clinical entities. However, these syndromes are probably an autoimmune and inflammatory disorder, as they mainly cause inflammation to the ocular and neurologic body structures. However, less frequently, infectious uveitis with concomitant acute or chronic meningoencephalitis can also lead to uveomeningeal syndrome. Primary vitreoretinal (and central nerve system) lymphoma, as well as paraneoplastic disorders, should also be part of the differential diagnosis, before diagnosing a case as uveomeningeal syndrome. The diagnostic approach in a patient with uveomeningeal syndrome can be extremely challenging. Thorough ophthalmic and medical history together with a detailed ophthalmic and systematic assessment forms the cornerstone of a holistic approach to these cases. A systematic algorithm is necessary for a methodical diagnostic and treatment approach, to organize an effective management plan for patients with uveomeningeal syndromes.

Purpose Socio-economic deprivation and ethnic variation have been frequently linked to poorer health outcomes. We collected a large series of primary macula-on rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD) cases and analysed the effect of socio-economic deprivation and ethnicity on both six-month retinal re-detachment rate and visual outcomes. Materials and methods Retrospective consecutive case series of 568 patients attending Birmingham and Midlands Eye Centre from January 2017–2020. Multiple Indices of Deprivation (IMD) deciles were used for deprivation status and split to two groups: IMD-A (Decile 1–5) and IMD-B (Decile 6–10). The two largest subgroups of ethnicities were compared, White and South Asians (SA). Results We report an overall retinal re-detachment rate of 8.5%. IMD-A re-detached significantly more than IMD-B (11.2% vs 6.0% respectively, p = 0.034). No statistical significance was found between White and SA re-detachment rate (9.1% and 5.6% respectively, p = 0.604). SA median age significantly lower at 49 years (IQR: 37–61) compared to White patients at 57 years (IQR: 50–65) (p = Conclusion We demonstrated an increased retinal re-detachment rate in our more deprived patients according to IMD and a younger cohort of SA compared to White ethnicity. Further prospective studies are required to demonstrate the link between socio-economic deprivation and surgical success.

Purpose Retinopexy is the most common vitreo-retinal procedure performed in the eye emergency department and significantly reduces the risk of a rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD). There are various indications for retinopexy, with the most common being horseshoe-tears (HST). Multiple treatment techniques exist, ranging from slit-lamp laser-retinopexy, indirect laser-retinopexy or cryopexy. We report on our primary retinopexy 6-month RRD rate, repeat retinopexy rate and compare outcomes of different indications and treatment modalities. Methods Retrospective consecutive case series of 1157 patients attending Birmingham and Midlands Eye Centre, UK between January 2017 and 2020. Results The RRD rate at 6 months was 3.9%, with 19.1% requiring subsequent retinopexies. Multivariate Cox survival regression analysis showed that significant risk factors for RRD following primary retinopexy included male gender (p = 0.012), high myopia (≤ - 6.00D, p = 0.004), HST (compared to round holes, p = 0.026) and primary cryopexy (compared to slit-lamp laser, p = 0.014). HST was the most common indication for retinopexy (812 [70.2%]) in which 118 (14.5%) had multiple tears. Slit-lamp laser was used in 883 (76.3%) of cases. The rate for subsequent epiretinal membrane peel surgery was 3 (0.3%) and was higher in eyes that required multiple retinopexy procedures (p = 0.035). Conclusion With our large cohort of patients over three years, we provide additional evidence on the RRD and subsequent retinopexy rate after primary retinopexy. Further retinopexy is a common occurrence, particularly in high-risk retinal tears such as HST. Strict monitoring and prompt follow-up after retinopexy is important to prevent progression to RRD and should be of priority in the clinicians post-retinopexy management plan, particularly in those with associated risk factors.

PURPOSE To investigate different baseline characteristics, clinical indications, repeat retinopexy rate, and 6-month detachment rate of primary laser retinopexy across different ethnicities. METHOD Retrospective, single-centre, consecutive comparative study, looking at all patients who had primary laser retinopexy between January 2017 and 2020. Multivariate Cox survival [reporting hazard ratio (HR)] and binary logistic regression (reporting odds ratio) analyses were performed to investigate differences between ethnicities with age, gender, operator level (vitreoretinal or general ophthalmologist) and high myopia status (≤-6.0 Dioptres) as covariates. RESULTS We report on 812 patients in three ethnicities: Black [69 (8.5%)], South Asian [SA, 156 (19.2%)] and White [587 (72.3%)] with overall 6-month detachment rate of 31 (3.8%). Rate for subsequent retinopexies was Black: 12 (17.4%), SA: 15 (9.6%) and White: 131 (22.3%), p = 0.002. Multivariate Cox survival regression analysis found no difference in detachment rate between ethnicities. South Asian (SA) had lower repeat retinopexy rate than White patients [HR, 0.40 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.22-0.71, p = 0.002)]. Multivariate binary logistic regression found that Black and SA patients compared with White, have the following: (i) higher proportion of round holes relative to horseshoe tears [OR, 2.31 (95% CI, 1.19-4.49, p = 0.014) and OR, 2.06 (95% CI, 1.25-3.40), p = 0.004, respectively] and (ii) higher proportion of high myopia [OR, 2.99 (95% CI, 1.20-7.46, p = 0.019) and OR, 2.35 (95% CI, 1.11-4.96), p = 0.025, respectively]. Ethnic minorities were younger than White patients: SA [43, interquartile range (IQR), 28-61], Black (49, IQR, 35-57) and White (61, IQR, 54-67 years, p

PURPOSE To compare refractive outcomes and accuracy of modern optical biometry, swept-source optical coherence tomography, ultrasound biometry, and effect of the macula status in rhegmatogenous retinal detachment managed with either combined phacovitrectomy or sequential vitrectomy and cataract surgery compared with a control, phacoemulsification alone. METHODS Retrospective, comparative, consecutive study of 154 eyes; Group 1 underwent phacovitrectomy (n: 70), Group 2 underwent vitrectomy with subsequent cataract surgery (n: 41), and Group 3 underwent cataract surgery alone (n: 43). RESULTS No difference in the mean absolute error was found between Group 2 (0.41 ± 0.56) and Group 3 (0.41 ± 0.29); both were superior to Group 1 (0.74 ± 0.57). Between Group 1 and Group 2, no statistically significant difference in the mean absolute error was found between macula-on subgroups (P = 0.057), but this was statistically significant between macula-off subgroups (P = 0.009). Subgroup analysis by biometry showed that the difference in the mean absolute error between macula-off optical biometry Group 1 and Group 2 against our control, Group 3, were not significant (P = 0.078 and P = 0.119, respectively); the mean absolute error was significantly different when considering macula-off ultrasound biometry cases (P < 0.001 and P = 0.038, respectively). CONCLUSION All three groups had comparable refractive outcomes when using optical biometry. However, phacovitrectomy macula-off cases had inferior refractive outcomes when the ultrasound biometry had to be used. In macula-off rhegmatogenous retinal detachment, when optical biometry is not reliable, it is preferable to perform sequential surgery rather than phacovitrectomy.

Purpose: During bank holidays and weekends (BHWE), many primary macula-on retinal detachments (RD) across the United Kingdom are performed unsupervised out-of-hours by experienced vitreoretinal (VR) fellows. We aimed to determine whether first-year (F1) and second-year (F2) fellows could safely operate out-of-hours independently with remote supervision on primary macula-on RDs. Methods: This is a retrospective consecutive series of 435 patients attending the Birmingham and Midlands Eye Centre from January 2017 to July 2020. We evaluated (i) 6-month re-detachment rate and (ii) visual outcomes of F1, F2, and consultants during office hours and BHWE as well as the effects of supervision versus non-supervision. Results: For the re-detachment rate, no difference was found between surgeon grade (p = 0.821), whether supervised (p = 1.000), whether BHWE (p = 1.000), unsupervised BHWE and supervised mid-week (p = 0.757), and unsupervised F1 and F2 (p = 1.000), with non-significance maintained on multivariate regression. No difference was detected in the level of supervision (15.7%) between fellow grades during BHWE (p = 0.761) or mid-week (p = 0.295) or between surgeon grade and logMAR letters gained pre-postoperatively (p = 0.834). Conclusion: Safe VR services can be provided by experienced VR fellows during office hours, BHWE, supervised, or unsupervised, with similar primary success and visual outcomes to consultants in this patient subgroup. Initial intensive supervision and feedback and a gradual increase in independence is fundamental for VR fellows to gain confidence and become safe independent surgeons.

Purpose To evaluate anatomic and functional outcomes of full-thickness macular holes (FTMH) larger than 400 μm following vitrectomy, internal limiting membrane peel, gas tamponade, and face-down posturing. Design A retrospective interventional case series. Methods A total of 258 consecutive eyes with FTMH larger than 400 μm were enrolled at the Manchester Royal Eye Hospital study over a 5-year period from 2012 to 2017. All eyes underwent pars plana vitrectomy, ILM peel, and gas tamponade. Anatomic success rates were measured. A correlation between macular hole size and closure was evaluated. Results A total of 258 eyes were analyzed. The anatomic closure rate was 89.92%. When divided into quartiles, the closure rate of FTMH was 98% (64/65) in the 400–477 μm quartile, 91% (59/65) in the 478–558 μm quartile, 94% (60/64) in the 559–649 μm quartile, and 76% (49/64) in the 650–1416 μm quartile. Using receiver operating characteristic and area under the curve analysis, the maximum sensitivity and specificity was obtained with a cutoff ≤ 630 μm (sensitivity 76.7%, specificity 69.2%) giving a Youden index (J) of 0.46. One hundred and forty-six eyes (56.6%) improved by 0.3 logMAR units from their preoperative best-corrected visual acuity at 3 months following surgery. Conclusion This study shows that standard FTMH surgical repair has very high success rate up to 650 μm. It may suggest that there is a need for a reclassification of large FTMH, and new surgical techniques such as internal limiting membrane flaps should be reserved for macular holes larger than 650 μm.

Context: Anatomical and visual outcomes of phacoemulsification and 23-gauge (23G) pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) assisted with perfluorocarbon liquid (PFCL) and 27-gauge twin-chandelier endoillumination for primary rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD). Aims: This study aims to determine the anatomical and visual outcomes of phacoemulsification and 23G PPV for primary RRD assisted with 27-gauge (27G) transconjunctival twin-chandelier endoillumination and bimanual vitreous base shaving under PFCL. Settings and Design: A prospective single tertiary center cohort study of 65 consecutive eyes by a single surgeon between August 2013 and June 2014. Subjects and Methods: The primary outcome measure was the primary retinal reattachment rate. The secondary outcome measure was best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA). All patients were reviewed postoperatively up to 4 months. Statistical Analysis Used: Chi-squared, Student's t-test, and one-way ANOVA test were used in this study. Results: At 4 months, overall retinal reattachment was 83.1% with a single operation and 87.7% with a second surgery. After exclusion of the proliferative vitreoretinopathy (PVR) cases, the primary retinal reattachment rate improved to 93.9% and secondary retinal reattachment rate was 98.0%. The mean BCVA improved from logMAR 1.06–0.83 (P = 0.002). PVR (P = 0.0001), silicone oil tamponade (P = 0.002), macula-off RD (P = 0.12), location of RRD (P = 0.09), and delay of more than 7 days for surgery (P = 0.09) were associated with a higher redetachment rate. The main postoperative complications were small bubbles of PFCL in the posterior segment (18.5%) and subretinal PFCL (3.1%). Conclusions: Chandelier endoillumination and PFCL-assisted 23G PPV with phacoemulsification has reattachment rates and visual outcomes similar to the current standard of RRD repair of different complexities. This surgical technique can be considered an alternative method of repairing RRD, with some advantages.

Introduction It is hypothesized that using fluocinolone acetonide (FAc) implants such as Iluvien for the treatment of diabetic macular edema (DME) may reduce the total number of intravitreal injections and clinic visits, resulting in an overall treatment cost reduction. The primary aim of this study is to identify the real-world cost savings achievable in a tertiary National Health Service (NHS) hospital. Methods A retrospective cost analysis study was conducted. The inclusion criteria were patients with refractory DME who were switched to Iluvien. The average yearly costs were calculated both before and after the switch to Iluvien. All costs including medicines, investigations, clinics, and management of raised intraocular pressure (IOP) were calculated. The cost differences over the 3 years’ worth of Iluvien treatment were calculated and analyzed. To ensure non-inferiority of this treatment intervention, the best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and central retinal thickness (CRT) were also analyzed. Statistical analysis was conducted with a Student t test where appropriate and statistical significance is identified where p

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to analyze the diagnostic and therapeutic approach of five cases with optic disc pit (ODP) maculopathy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was a retrospective study of five patients diagnosed with ODP maculopathy. Four of these cases had unilateral involvement, whereas one case had bilateral findings. The medical notes of these individuals were reviewed in order to record the presenting symptoms, clinical signs, visual acuity (VA), imaging, management, and the final visual outcome on their last follow-up appointment. RESULTS: The first patient (53-year-old female) underwent a left pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) combined with inner retinal fenestration, endolaser, and perfluoropropane (C3F8) gas tamponade and her VA improved from 6/24 to 6/9 Snellen. A focal retinal laser treatment was carried out on our second patient leading to decrease of the subretinal fluid but had a poor visual outcome due to the underlying secondary glaucoma from iris melanoma treatment in the past. The third patient was an asymptomatic 7-year-old girl in which the maculopathy resolved spontaneously without any surgical intervention with a final VA of 6/5. The fourth and fifth patients were asymptomatic with good vision in both eyes and were, therefore, only monitored with follow-ups. CONCLUSION: ODP maculopathy remains a challenging clinical entity for a vitreoretinal surgeon. The current management for ODP maculopathy involves surgical procedures with PPV being a common treatment of choice. Spontaneous resolution of ODP maculopathy has also been reported. Our study highlights the contrasting management that can be adopted in the treatment of ODP maculopathy, and there is not one definite treatment for this condition.

Primary vitreoretinal lymphoma (PVRL) is a rare ocular lymphoid malignancy, which consists a subset of primary central system lymphoma (PCNSL) and the most common type of intraocular lymphoma. The involvement of eyes is estimated to be approximately 20% of PCNSL, but the brain involvement may be up to 80% of PVRL. Typically, PVRL is a high grade B-cell malignancy of the retina and needs to be assorted from choroidal low-grade B-cell lymphomas. Very often PVRL masquerades and can be erroneously diagnosed as chronic uveitis, white dot syndromes or other neoplasms. Establishing an accurate diagnosis may involve cytology/pathology, immunohistochemistry, flow cytometry, molecular pathology and cytokine profile analysis. There is inadequate information about PVRL’s true incidence, ethnic/geographical variation and pathogenetic mechanisms. The therapeutic approach of PVRL involves aggressive chemotherapy and radiation therapy. Although PVRL tends to have a good response to the initial treatment, the prognosis is poor and the survival restricted due to the high relapse rates and CNS involvement. Keywords: B-cell lymphoma, Primary vitreoretinal lymphoma, Intraocular lymphoma, Primary CNS lymphoma, Masquerade syndrome

Optic disc pit (ODP) is a rare congenital anomaly of the optic disc that can be associated with maculopathy leading to progressive visual deterioration. The vast majority of cases are sporadic and no obvious factors have been correlated with the development of maculopathy. Optic disc pit maculopathy is defined by the concentration of intraretinal and subretinal fluid at the area of macula. Despite the advances in the imaging of the fundus, the origin of the fluid remains unknown and the exact pathogenesis of the maculopathy is not fully understood. Although some cases have been reported to resolve spontaneously, most cases require surgical intervention in order to treat ODP maculopathy and prevent loss of vision. Currently, there is no definite treatment for these patients and several surgical methods have been described, including pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) (combined with various techniques, such as inner retinal fenestration, autologous fibrin, and glial tissue removal), laser photocoagulation, intravitreal gas injection, and macular buckling. Overall, PPV remains the main form of surgical repair of ODP maculopathy. Although our understanding of the background and the pathophysiology of the disease has significantly improved, more studies are required in order to define the optimal treatment. This review summarizes the potential pathogenesis, as well as the diagnostic and therapeutic approach of ODP maculopathy.

A 38-year-old man with a traumatic full-thickness macular hole (FTMH) presented to our eye casualty department with a sudden deterioration of his right eye vision to hand movements over the past one week. The suspected traumatic FTMH was present since he was 13 years old from a direct impact of a golf ball in his right eye and his best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) has always remained at 1/60 Snellen vision. On examination, he had a very large FTMH measuring 1635 µm with central foveal retinal detachment. Pars plana vitrectomy combined with large inverted internal limiting membrane (ILM) peel flap, 5000 Cs silicone oil tamponade, and autologous platelets implantation was performed. Follow-up visits revealed that the FTMH was closed under silicone oil. The silicone oil was removed six months after the surgery and the FTMH remained close with the retina remaining attached. His BCVA was restored to his previous baseline level of 1/60 Snellen vision. With the advent of multiple techniques to repair FTMH such as the ILM flaps, we have combined this technique with older proven techniques such as silicone oil tamponade and autologous platelets implantation to close the giant traumatic FTMH. This case study demonstrates that combining techniques can help close a FMTH that is otherwise deemed impossible in the past.

Background: To evaluate the visual and refractive outcomes of cataract surgery with toric intraocular lens (IOL) implantation at a teaching hospital of the United Kingdom. Design: Prospective interventional case series. Materials and Methods: This study compared the outcome of 3 groups of patients: Group 1 included 25 eyes with cataract and more than 2.5 diopters (D) of corneal astigmatism receiving a toric monofocal IOL; Group 2 had 18 patients with cataract and more than 2.5 D of astigmatism but receiving a non-toric monofocal IOL; while Group 3 had 25 patients with cataract and less than 1.5 D of astigmatism and receiving a non-toric monofocal IOL. Data collected included uncorrected (UDVA) and corrected (CDVA) distance visual acuities, refraction and corneal keratometry. Postoperative examinations were scheduled at 1 and 6 weeks. Results: Postoperatively the mean UDVA was LogMAR 0.27 ± 0.20 (equivalent snellen acuity of 20/37) in Group 1, 0.54 ± 0.22 (20/69) in Group 2 and 0.16 ± 0.20 (20/29) in Group 3. The mean CDVA was LogMAR 0.08 ± 0.13 (20/24) in Group 1, 0.23 ± 0.16 (20/34) in Group 2 and 0.04 ± 0.13 in Group 3 (20/22). The mean preoperative keratometric cylinder was 3.78 ± 1.0 D in Group 1, 3.41 ± 1.47 D in Group 2 and 0.97 ± 0.43D in Group 3; the mean postoperative subjective cylinder was 1.2 ± 0.68 D in Group 1, 3.23 ± 1.41 D in Group 2 and 0.95 ± 0.58 D in Group 3. The difference was statistically significant for the postoperative refractive cylinder values when comparing Group 1 to Group 2 (P =

Purpose : To study the incidence and risk factors for retinal pigment epithelium tears following intravitreal anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) injections. Methods : Retrospective longitudinal study. 4027 intravitreal anti-VEGF injections in 628 patients (676 eyes) for choroidal neovascularisation associated with age related macular degeneration in a period of 18 months were studied. Results : Seventeen patients (mean age 83.95±5.84) developed retinal pigment epithelium tears. The incidence rate was 0.4%. Fibrovascular pigment epithelium detachment (PED) was previously observed in all cases. In 88 % (15/17) of AMD patients that had a RPE tear, PED height was found to be less than 400 microns at presentation. In 5 of 7 patients with RPE tear grade Conclusion : Critical risk factors for RPE tears are presence of PED as well as advanced age. Visual improvement appears to depend more on the extent and location of the RPE tear and less on the PED height.

Acute retinal necrosis (ARN) is a rare, potentially blinding condition typically affecting immunocompetent individuals. It is defined by the clinical triad of vitreous inflammation, occlusive vasculopathy, and progressive retinal necrosis, usually located in peripheral retina with circumferential extension. Varicella zoster virus (VZV), herpes simplex virus (HSV), Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) and occasionally cytomegalovirus (CMV) are the common causative agents of ARN. Reports of human herpesvirus 6 (HHV6) infection of the central nervous system (CNS) associated with ocular inflammatory disease are extremely rare. We here report the case of a 22-year-old immunocompetent male who presented with acute bilateral ARN and fourth nerve palsy, following HHV6 infection of the CNS and EBV infectious mononucleosis.

Bestrophinopathies result from mutations within the BEST1 gene; although multiple gene mutations have been identified, the recessive form is often the form which gives rise to the rarer complication of choroidal neovascularization. We describe a child with treated choroidal neovascularization secondary to Best disease with a newly identified genetic mutation.Case report.A 9-year-old child reported unilateral blurred vision; the acuity deteriorated over the following months to 3/18 due to the development of a choroidal neovascular membrane. She was treated with three injections of bevacizumab with recovery to 6/12 vision and no subsequent recurrence over the follow-up period of 2 years, and no secondary complications from the drug. Genetic analysis revealed a novel heterozygous mutation in the BEST1 gene, with no evidence of disease in the family.We describe a novel mutation within the BEST1 gene of the heterozygous form giving rise to vitelliform lesions and secondary neovascularization successfully treated in a child with a course of bevacizumab. The genetic testing has implications on genetic counseling in such patients and the genetic analysis of all such patients ought to be routinely considered.

PURPOSE The purpose of this report is to describe an unusual presentation of vitreous hemorrhage (VH) in a patient with an immunosuppressive condition. METHODS Retrospective case report. RESULTS A 72-year-old woman with known T-cell prolymphocytic leukemia treated with a course of alemtuzumab presented to our department with a VH in her left eye after a fall. An initial diagnosis of hemorrhagic posterior vitreous detachment was made. However, as the VH was resolving, she was found to have underlying vitritis, occlusive vasculitis, and a pale optic nerve head. Vitreous biopsy confirmed cytomegalovirus retinitis. Despite treatment with intravenous foscarnet and oral valganciclovir, her vision continued to remain poor because of the severe damage from the retinal vasculitis and residual VH. CONCLUSION As indications for immunosuppression increase, the incidence of cytomegalovirus retinitis in non-HIV-immunosuppressed patients is expected to rise. Therefore, in this subgroup of patients, we should be aware of any underlying retinitis especially in cases with an unusual presentation of VH.

Frontal sinus mucoceles are epithelium-lined mucus-containing sacs that are capable of bony expansion causing a spectrum of ophthalmological symptoms. If left untreated, they can erode the thin sinus wall causing life-threatening complications such as meningitis. We would like to alert the clinicians to this diagnosis that can be easily misdiagnosed. The first patient appeared to have an allergic blepharo-conjunctivitis that was not responding to topical and systemic medications. The second patient presented with recurrent preseptal cellulitis unresponsive to oral antibiotics. CT imaging of both patients revealed frontal sinus mucoceles. Both patients recovered well with sinus surgery. Management of these patients needed a close liaison with our ENT and radiology colleagues to warrant a good outcome.

A 26-year-old Caucasian female with keratoconus presented with an acutely painful and red left eye. Visual acuity on presentation was 3/60. Slit lamp examination revealed localised Descemet’s membrane break with iris partially plugging it. There was a bulging stromal cyst which would intermittently flatten and reform. The appearance when the cyst was flattened mimicked a full thickness corneal perforation. However, no obvious overlying epithelial defect was detected and an intermittent leakage through micro-perforations in the corneal epithelium was the probable cause of the variable appearance. The anterior chamber reformed and iris plug freed following an insertion of a bandage contact lens and taped eyelid. On follow-up, the Descement’s membrane had healed with visual acuity improving to 6/18. Our case illustrates the importance of identifying corneal hydrops mimicking a full thickness perforation as conservative management has a greater chance of recovery.