Purpose: Dirofilariasis is a zoonotic infectious disease caused by a species belonging to the Dirofilaria genus. Human dirofilariasis cases have increased in Europe in the last few decades. Dogs and wild canids represent the definitive hosts and principal reservoirs of Dirofilaria repens, while mosquito species are biological vectors. Humans act as accidental hosts, and clinical manifestations depend on the location of the worm in the organs or tissues. We described the first case of ocular dirofilariasis in the Aosta Valley region (Italy). Case description: a 62-year-old Italian woman complained of recurrent ocular redness, pain and discomfort, accompanied by itching and foreign body sensation in the right eye. The slit lamp biomicroscopic examination revealed conjunctival congestion on the temporal region of bulbar conjunctiva, and a long whitish vermiform mobile mass was detected under the conjunctiva. The anterior chamber showed no flare or cells in either eye, and the dilated fundus examination was normal. The worm was immediately surgically removed to prevent further migration, and was diagnosed morphologically and molecularly as D. repens. Following surgical removal, the symptoms resolved completely and rapidly, with no recurrence of ocular symptoms recorded during 12-month follow-up visits. Conclusions: Ocular dirofilariasis can lead to misdiagnosis due to its rare ocular manifestations, and it is considered an emergent zoonosis in European countries. Accurate diagnosis and control of ocular dirofilariasis by D. repens require a multidisciplinary approach under the One Health framework to effectively address this emergent zoonosis.

Recurrence of retinal detachment (RD) following pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) with silicone oil tamponade is a surgical challenge. This study proposes a novel approach utilizing segmental scleral buckle to manage early recurrences, especially in inferior quadrants. A retrospective case series of four patients with early recurrent inferior RD post-PPV with silicone oil tamponade was conducted. The segmental scleral buckle technique, with or without subretinal fluid drainage, was employed. Clinical and surgical data were collected, including visual outcomes and complications. No intraoperative or postoperative complications were observed during the 6-month follow-up period. Visual acuity remained stable, and retinal reattachment was achieved in 100% of cases after silicone oil removal. Segmental scleral buckle emerges as a promising technique for managing early recurrent inferior RD in silicone oil-filled eyes. The technique demonstrates favorable outcomes, including retinal reattachment and visual acuity stability, without significant complications. Further studies are warranted to validate its efficacy and establish standardized protocols.

Purpose: We aimed to compare the anatomical and functional outcomes, postoperative complications, and intraocular lens (IOL) positioning of two different techniques of sutureless scleral fixation: the Yamane double-needle flanged technique and the Carlevale intraocular lens. Methods: This retrospective, single-center, comparative observational study included 100 eyes of 100 patients who underwent secondary scleral-fixated IOL implantation between January 2021 and December 2024. Sixty-nine eyes underwent Yamane fixation and 31 eyes received a Carlevale IOL. Best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), postoperative complications, and anatomical stability were evaluated. In a subgroup of 33 patients, IOL tilt and decentration were objectively assessed at 6 months using second-generation swept-source anterior segment optical coherence tomography (AS-OCT; Casia 2, Tomey, Nagoya, Japan). Results: Both techniques provided significant visual improvements compared with baseline. AS-OCT demonstrated comparable anatomical stability between groups, with mean tilt values of 6.9° and 6.4° and mean decentration values of 0.61 mm and 0.48 mm for the Yamane and Carlevale groups, respectively, without statistically significant differences. Cystoid macular edema was observed numerically more often in the Yamane group (23.1% vs. 15.4% at 6 months; p = 0.604), and anterior chamber blood Tyndall effect was recorded respectively in 13% vs. 6% of eyes; these differences were not statistically significant. Early postoperative complications were generally mild and self-limiting in both groups. Conclusions: Both the Yamane technique and the Carlevale IOL were associated with significant visual improvement and acceptable safety profiles for secondary sutureless scleral fixation in eyes without adequate capsular support. In this sample the Carlevale IOL showed a trend toward better centration, whereas second-generation swept-source AS-OCT proved to be a valuable objective imaging modality for the postoperative evaluation of scleral-fixated IOLs. Larger prospective multicenter studies are needed to confirm these findings.