Retained Intraocular Perfluoro-n-octane After Valved Cannula Pars Plana Vitrectomy for Retinal Detachment

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE

To investigate cases of retained intraocular perfluoro-n-octane (PFO) after pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) for retinal detachment (RD).

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Retrospective, noncomparative case series of six eyes with retained intraocular PFO after RD repair. Clinical data were supplemented with an experimental silicone eye model.

RESULTS

A cluster of six cases of retained intraocular PFO after PPV for RD repair were noted shortly after transitioning to valved cannulas. PFO was noted in the anterior chamber (AC) and/or vitreous and removed with AC paracentesis, AC wash-out, and/or PPV. A silicone eye model demonstrated that PFO levels are maintained anterior to cannula insertion with valved cannulas only.

CONCLUSION

The authors hypothesize that anterior PFO fill using valved cannulas can lead to sequestration within the AC, zonules, ciliary sulcus, ciliary teeth, and/or capsular bag. They suggest vigilance in not overfilling PFO, particularly when transitioning to use of valved cannulas, to minimize the risk of intraocular retention.

High-speed cannula detachment into the eye during hydrodissection

Detachment of a hydrodissection cannula during a phacoemulsification procedure appeared to produce no adverse sequelae during surgery. Day 1 postoperatively, two nonpenetrating hemorrhagic retinal lesions were identified; there was no evidence of posterior capsular perforation. Day 6 postoperatively, the pupil was temporally peaked by a fine vitreous strand running to the main-port incision in the superotemporal cornea. This was divided with Nd:YAG laser, and argon laser was applied to encircle the two retinal lesions. Postoperative uncorrected visual acuity remained 6/4 at day 1, day 6, and week 4 (3 weeks after laser application) follow-up visits. Surgeons must accept responsibility for confirming the integrity of the cannula and syringe connection before beginning hydrodissection, which can be highly destructive to intracameral structures.

Spontaneous fracture of an implanted posterior chamber polyimide intraocular lens haptic: a case report

A 57-year-old male patient visited our clinic for decreased visual acuity in the right eye for 10 days. He denied any trauma history, but recalled that the symptom developed after straining. He had undergone uncomplicated phacoemulsification and posterior chamber intraocular lens (IOL) implantation in the bag of the right eye 11 years ago. The IOL was a three-piece silicone polyimide-haptics design. On slit-lamp examination, the IOL optic and proximal part of nasal fractured haptic were found in the anterior chamber. The distal part of fractured haptic was observed in the capsular bag. He underwent IOL exchange. The fracture site of the haptic was near the optic-haptic junction. This is the unique case report of a spontaneous fracture of an implanted posterior chamber polyimide IOL haptic, which implies the possibility of IOL haptic fracture in various haptic materials.

Long-term hypotony because of accidental break of a 23 g microcannula after transconjunctival sutureless vitrectomy

PURPOSE

To report a case of long-lasting hypotony because of accidental break, with scleral tunnel entrapment, of a 23-gauge microcannula during transconjunctival sutureless vitrectomy.

METHODS

Interventional case report. An 80-year-old Spanish woman who underwent 23-gauge transconjunctival sutureless vitrectomy presented at the postoperative ocular examination with irreversible, refractory low intraocular pressure of unknown cause. Two weeks after surgery, a piece of the microcannula was found at the inferotemporal sclerotomy site during a scheduled medical appointment. Surgical intervention was indicated to explore and remove the foreign body.

RESULTS

The day after foreign body extraction, the patient's pressure rose to normal levels. However, her visual acuity did not improve until 3 weeks later.

CONCLUSION

Transient postoperative hypotony is unsurprising after 23-gauge vitrectomy because of leakage of small-diameter open sclerotomies. However, when long-term low intraocular pressure fails to return to normal levels because of an unidentified condition, breaking of the microcannula piece with scleral tunnel entrapment may be contemplated.

[Mason's lacing cord. Potential danger of severe open ocular injuries]

BACKGROUND

Introduction of new working equipment or the modification of established working routines could induce new trauma mechanisms. In all of theses cases ophthalmologists are not only responsible for ocular treatment they also have to act as assessors. This might include legal aspects, e.g. to validate the circumstances of an accident.

METHODS

We present a new trauma mechanism caused by a mason's lacing cord which was fixed with nails. In addition to two case studies we collected experimental data (maximum tension and maximum elongation of various mason's lacing cords) about the triggering event using standard test conditions.

RESULTS

A tensile force of 96.2 N was needed to achieve maximum elongation of mason's lacing cords. With a cord length of 5 m, an elongation of 0.09 m was enough to cause penetrating injuries (for 10 m cord length the critical elongation was 0.13 m). Under these conditions a nail could be accelerated to a velocity of 18 m/s. This may lead to open eyeball injuries with severe visual loss.

CONCLUSIONS

Nails fixed to elastic mason's lacing cords are potential risk factors for occupational ocular injuries and severe loss of vision. Caution labels should be attached to the work equipment and proper eye protection should be used to prevent severe occupational ocular injuries.

BILATERAL ORBITO-OCULAR GUNSHOT INJURY IN A NIGERIAN MALE: CASE REPORT AND REVIEW OF LITERATURE

Orbito-ocular injuries with retained intra-orbital foreign bodies affecting both orbits are uncommon in civilian practice. This case report aims to highlight an unusual presentation of bilateral orbito-ocularinjury with retained intra-orbital foreignbodies following accidental explosion of a locally fabricated dane gun. A 30-year-old male presented with a five day history of bilateral orbito-ocular injury sustained following an explosion of a dane gun he was fabricating. There was immediate loss of vision in both eyes, and initial treatment was sought at a nearby private general medical clinic. Visual acuity at presentation was no perception of light and light perception with inaccurate projection in the right and left eye respectively, and he had an open wound over the left cheek with retained intra-orbital foreign bodies on plain radiographs. He subsequently underwent wound exploration and closure with removal of the foreign bodies. Vision however remained poor and he was lost to follow-up after being referred for vitreo-retinal consultation. The attendant socio-economic impact on the individual and family following severe bilateral orbito-ocular injury could be enormous when it results in bilateral loss of vision in a young adult. Measures should thus be put in place to regulate the handling of firearms so as to possibly reduce the resultant morbidity from such injuries.

Medical malpractice claims related to cataract surgery complicated by retained lens fragments (an American Ophthalmological Society thesis)

PURPOSE

To review malpractice claims associated with retained lens fragments during cataract surgery to identify ways to improve patient outcomes.

METHODS

Retrospective, noncomparative, consecutive case series. Closed claims data related to cataract surgeries complicated by retained lens fragments (1989 through 2009) from an ophthalmic insurance carrier were reviewed. Factors associated with these claims and claims outcomes were analyzed.

RESULTS

During the 21-year period, 117 (12.5%) of 937 closed claims associated with cataract surgery were related to retained lens fragments with 108 unique cataract surgeries, 97% against cataract surgeon and 3% against retinal surgeon. Twelve (11%) of 108 claims were resolved by a trial, 30 (28%) were settled, and 66 (61%) were dismissed. The defendant prevailed in 83% of trials. Indemnity payments totaling more than $3,586,000 were made in 32 (30%) of the claims (median payment, $90,000). The difference between the preoperative visual acuity and the final visual acuity was predictive of an indemnity payment (odds ratio [OR], 2.28; P=.001) and going to a trial (OR, 2.93; P=.000). Development of corneal edema was associated with an indemnity payment (OR, 3.50; P=.037). Timing of referral and elevated intraocular pressure (IOP) were statistically significant in univariate analyses but not in multivariate analyses for a trial.

CONCLUSIONS

Whereas the majority of claims were dismissed, claims associated with greater visual acuity decline, corneal edema, or elevated IOP were more likely to result in a trial or payment. Ways to reduce significant vision loss, including improved management of corneal edema and IOP, and timely referral to a subspecialist should be considered.

[Corneal foreign bodies in children]

The purpose of the study was to answered three questions. Which part of all patients with diagnosis of corneal foreign body (CFB) diagnosed in period from 2006 to 2010 were children? Is there any dependence on sex like in adults? Is there any typical mechanism of injury in children?

METHODS

Retrospective study analyzed data of 2381 patients with diagnosis of CFB, 2225 men and 156 women. There were in the group 0-17 years 154 patients, 82 boys and 72 girls, in group 18-64 years 2103 men and 80 women and in group patients older than the age of 65 years 40 men and 4 women. Mechanism of injury was analyzed in the group of children.

RESULTS

CFB is a common condition in working-age adult men due to occupational exposure, eg grinding, drilling or cutting. CFB is very rare in adult women. Similar dominance of men was in the group of patients older then the age of 65 years. The results demonstrate, that both sex in group of children occurred equally. The majority of the mechanism of injury in children wasnt recognized (115 children). The biggest recognised group was use of swing in case-history of 17 children with corneal metallic foreign body, 15 of them were children younger than the age of 7 years. Seven children suffered injury by part of plants such as thorns or bark from branch of tree. Three boys had in case-history common mechanism of grinding. Remaining mechanisms of injury were less frequent.

CONCLUSION

From 2006 to 2010, 154 (6.5 %) pediatric eye injuries of CFB were treated in Department of Ophthalmology for Children and Adults. Both sex in group of children occurred equally. Although majority of mechanism of injury remained unrecognised, use of swing is among children younger then the age of 7 years important unknown mechanism of injury. Is possible to prevent it, eg rust prevention of metallic suspensions of swing, protective eyeweare, cap.

Visual outcome and prognostic factors in posterior segment intraocular foreign bodies

OBJECTIVE

To identify the prognostic factors that predict visual outcome in eyes with penetrating ocular injuries with retained intraocular foreign bodies (IOFBs).

DESIGN

Retrospective cases series

MATERIAL AND METHOD

The authors reviewed the records of 228 patients who had penetrating eye injuries with retained posterior segment IOFBs managed at Siriraj Hospital between June 1995 and February 2008. One hundred and forty-one patients (61.8%) were included in the present study. Associations between final visual outcome and various pre-operative and post operative variables were statistically analyzed.

RESULTS

After a mean follow-up of 10.4 +/- 7.7 months, 68 eyes (48.2%) achieved visual acuity of 6/18 or better The final visual acuity ranged between 6/24 and 6/60 in 22 eyes (15.6%) and 51 eyes (36.2%) had visual acuity less than 6/60. Final visual acuity significantly depended on initial visual acuity (p = 0.002), size of entry wound (p = 0.020), size of foreign body (p = 0.018), presence of vitreous hemorrhage (p = 0.014), retinal detachment (p = 0.026) and endophthalmitis (p < 0.0001).

CONCLUSION

Visual outcome in penetrating ocular injuries with retained IOFBs was affected by initial visual acuity, size of entry wound, size of foreign body, vitreous hemorrhage, retinal detachment and endophthalmitis. These factors may be helpful for pre-operative counseling and predicting the final visual outcome.

Vitreoretinal surgery in the management of war-related open-globe injuries

BACKGROUND

Ranking among the most severe combat damages, war-related open-globe injuries (WROGIs) are not uniform, so the treatment approaches are sometimes unclear. The essential issue is to define exact indications for time- and resource-intensive vitreoretinal surgery (VRS), known to be an effective procedure for severe posterior segment injuries. We studied WROGI structure, and summarized the experience of specialized ophthalmologic care (SOC) management during local armed conflicts (LACs).

METHODS

This was a retrospective multicenter study that included case series of 203 wounded subjects (314 eyes) with WROGIs sustained during LACs treated in the hospitals of first, second and third echelons of SOC. Ocular trauma was classified according to the International Society of Ocular Trauma (ISOT) classification, and only open-globe injuries (OGI) made up two groups of study: injured eyes that underwent VRS, n = 135, and those eyes on which VRS was not performed, n = 119. Two subgroups according to stages of VRS were also included. We reviewed the demographic characteristics, the time between injury and surgery, the number of stages in which surgery was performed, and initial visual acuity (IVA) at arrival and final visual acuity (FVA), 12 months after surgery.

RESULTS

WROGI constituted 65.1 % of all eyes injured. The visual outcomes after VRS were favorable in ruptures of the eye, penetrating WROGIs, intraocular foreign body (IOFB) WROGIs, perforating WROGIs (types A, B, C, D) of grades 1-4. Those WROGIs of grade 5 had poor visual outcomes irrespective of the surgeries. In 19.1% of all cases wherein either the eye wall or eye content were extensively damaged (included types A, C, D, E of grade 5), all attempts to save the eye through reconstructive surgery were unsuccessful and led to enucleation (evisceration).

CONCLUSIONS

Medical service management in LACs demands to define groups of priority for VRS between the wounded with WROGI during triage at the first echelon of SOC. Multistage VRS determines unfavorable outcomes of the WROGI. Treatment should be determined by diagnosis, and there is a need to introduce a new category into the OGI classification--eye destruction, because only this damage determines the choice of enucleation/evisceration of the eye.

Corneal metallic foreign body injuries due to suboptimal ocular protection

Retrospective review of 100 consecutive presentations of metallic corneal foreign body to the Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital emergency department was undertaken between November and December 2009. The majority of the patients (97%) were male with a mean age of 42 ± 13 years (range 19-73 years). The most common mode of injury was grinding (88%). Nearly half (45%) of patients were wearing "safety eye wear" at the time of injury. Combination of 25-gauge needle and burr was the commonest method employed for removal of foreign body. Overall, 88% (n = 88) cases healed with corneal scar at the site of corneal foreign body and 1 case developed bacterial keratitis. Metallic corneal foreign bodies are common presentations to the emergency department and may be related to inadequate implementation of occupational safety measures.

[Potential of ultrasound biomicroscopy in diagnosis of ocular trauma with intraocular metallic foreign bodies]

A detailed analysis of ultrasound biomicroscopy (UBM) scanogramms of 4 patients with a history of trauma and signs of metallosis is performed. In all cases foreign body was found and its precise localization in relation to anterior segment structures was identified. The following changes were revealed and described: pathological changes of cornea, lens and its fibers, uveal tract in silent zone, zone of retinal periphery and secondary vitreous changes due to trauma itself and chemically active foreign body invasion and long persistence. UBM is recommended to be the part of examination algorithm in patients with penetrating ocular trauma and screening of latent metallosis.