Aim: To assess the efficacy of focal photocoagulation of capillary macroaneurysms (CMA) to reduce the burden of intravitreal injections (IVI) in patients with macular edema (ME). Materials and Methods: Retrospective multicenter study in patients with diabetic ME or ME secondary to retinal vein occlusion (ME-RVO). CMA associated with ME were selectively photocoagulated. Patients were followed for one year after photocoagulation. Results: 93 eyes of 76 patients were included in this study. At 6 months after the laser (n = 93), there was a significant decrease in mean macular thickness (from 354 µm to 314 µm, p < 0.001) and in mean IVI number (from 2.52 to 1.52 at 6 months, p < 0.001). The mean BCVA remained stable (0.32 and 0.31 logMAR at baseline and 6 months, p = 0.95). At 12 months (n = 81/93), there was a significant decrease in mean macular thickness (from 354 µm to 314 µm, p < 0.001) and in mean IVI number (from 4.44 to 2.95 at 12 months, p < 0.001), while the mean BCVA remained stable (0.32 and 0.30 logMAR at baseline and 12 months, p = 0.16). Conclusion: Focal laser photocoagulation of CMA seems to be effective and safe for reducing the burden of IVI in patients with ME. Their screening during the follow-up should be considered closely.
Diabetic macular edema (DME) is a common complication of diabetic retinopathy. Treatment with intravitreal injections is effective in most cases but is associated with a high therapeutic burden for patients. This implies the need for long-term treatments, such as the fluocinolone acetonide (FAc) implant. A review of basic science, pharmacology, and clinical data was conducted to provide a state-of-the-art view of the FAc implant in 2024. Although generally well tolerated, the FAc implant has been associated with ocular hypertension and cataract, and caution should be advised to the patients in this regard. By synthesizing information across these domains, a comprehensive evaluation can be attained, facilitating informed decision-making regarding the use of the FAc implant in the management of DME. The main objective of this review is to provide clinicians with guidelines on how to introduce and use the FAc implant in a patient with DME.
17 January 2024 in European Journal of Ophthalmology
Purpose: To report three cases of postoperative opacification of sutureless scleral-fixed hydrophilic intraocular lens (FIL SSF IOL, Soleko, Italy) after gas tamponade. Two cases occurred after pars plana vitrectomy and one case after Descemet membrane endothelial keratoplasty. Case report: Two diabetic patients underwent a FIL SSF IOL implantation after posterior capsular rupture during cataract surgery. Rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD) was observed in one patient during the initial surgery. A second patient developed a RRD five months after surgery. Both RRDs were treated with pars plana vitrectomy and perfluoroethane (C2F6) gas tamponade. A few days after the surgery, C2F6 was observed in the anterior chamber of both patients. Two months after gas tamponade, opacification of the anterior surface of the IOL was observed. The third patient was a 74-year-old woman, who underwent a combined Descemet membrane endothelial keratoplasty (DMEK) and FIL SSF IOL implantation. Two rebubblings with sulfur hexafluoride (SF6) retreatments were required due to corneal graft detachment. One month later, an opacification of the anterior surface of the IOL was observed. Explantation with implantation of iris-claw IOL was decided, which resulted in an improvement of BVCA. Analysis of the IOL showed a positive Von Kossa staining, indicating calcification of the IOL. We performed a review of all the cases of FIL SSF IOL implantation in our centers. The overall rate of FIL SSF IOL opacification was 2.1% (3/140). Amongst patients treated with gas tamponade, the rate of opacification was 27.3% (3/11). Although FIL SSF IOL implantation appears to be an effective option for the treatment of aphakia, caution should be exercised regarding the risk of opacification following gas tamponade, especially since these patients are at risk of retinal detachment.
1 November 2023 in Journal Français d'Ophtalmologie
Purpose: To compare the efficacy and safety between a first and a second injection of fluocinolone acetonide implants (FAc-I) in the treatment of diabetic macular oedema (DMO). Methods: This retrospective, multicentre cohort study included eyes with chronic DMO that received two consecutive FAc-I injections. We analysed visual and anatomical outcomes, additional DMO treatments, and intraocular pressure (IOP)-related adverse events. Results: We included 61 eyes from 44 patients. Stable or improved BCVA was observed in 100% of eyes after the first injection and in 93% after the second, demonstrating statistical equivalence within a ±15% margin (p = 0.005). Statistical equivalence was also found for the lowest CRT (±10% margin, p < 0.001) and for the proportion of eyes with ≥20% CRT decrease (±20% margin, p = 0.026). The proportion of patients requiring additional treatments during the first year was equivalent between injections (p = 0.036), with a therapeutic burden reduction of 63% and 59%, respectively. Regarding peak IOP, equivalence was observed between the two injections (±5 mmHg margin, p < 0.001). The incidence of OHT was numerically higher after the second injection (19.7% vs 11.5%, p = 0.302), but this difference was not statistically significant. Conclusion: Multiple FAc-I injections are a safe and effective treatment option for chronic DMO in real life. The second injection maintained similar functional and anatomical outcomes to the first, supporting the sustainability and repeatability of the treatment.