The reattachment rate, macular hole (MH) closure rate, visual acuity improvement and re-detachment rate of MH retinal detachment (MHRD) of high myopia are not satisfactory owing to long axis oculi, posterior scleral staphyloma and macular atrophy. At present, minimally invasive vitrectomy surgery combined with the internal limiting membrane flap technique has become popular in the treatment of MHRD, as it can promote MH closure, and significantly improve the outcome of MHRD. However if this method can improve the postoperative visual function is still controversial. The advantage of this technique is that the loosened internal limiting membrane is applied to cover the MH surface to form a scaffold structure similar to the basement membrane. It can stimulate Müller cell gliosis more effectively, and promote tissue filling in the MH which results in MH closure. It can also promote retinal reattachment and reduce the likelihood of retinal re-detachment. This technique is expected to be a standard surgical method for the treatment of MHRD of high myopia in the future. The inserted internal limiting membrane flap technique is relatively easy to perform, induces stable flaps by simple procedures, and can be an essential complement procedure of the inverted internal limiting membrane flap technique. In order to reduce the recurrence rate in the future, it is necessary to further define the indications of different surgical methods and the predictive effects of MH healing mode on the success rate and visual function recovery.
Myopic foveoschisis (MF) has mild early symptoms, however, its course is progressive. When the secondary macular detachment or macular hole occurs, it can cause severe vision loss. Therefore, it is generally believed that MF patients should undergo surgical intervention early after the onset of symptoms to prevent them from further developing into a macular hole or macular hole retinal detachment.It is generally believed that the traction of the vitreous cortex and posterior scleral staphyloma to the retina plays an important role in the occurrence and development of MF. The operation mode is divided into vitreoretinal surgery and macular buckling, the former release the retinal traction via the vitreous body and the latter reattaches the retina via the extrascleral approach. There is no consensus on whether to perform internal limiting membrane peeling and gas tamponade in vitreoretinal surgery and the fovea-sparing internal limiting membrane peeling has become a hot topic in recent years. Compared with vitreoretinal surgery, macular buckling can release the traction of the retina caused by posterior scleral staphyloma, but it cannot relieve the traction in the tangential direction of the retina. Vitreoretinal surgery and extrascleral surgery seems to make up the shortcomings of both, however, the effect of treatment on patients still needs further verification. In clinical work, it is necessary to conduct individualized analysis of MF patients, weigh the advantages and disadvantages of each operation, and choose the most suitable operation mode for patients with different conditions. In the future, the emphasis of our work is to develop operation mode with great curative effect and less complications.
The internal limiting membrane (ILM), composed of collagen fibers, glycosaminoglycans, laminin and fibronectin, is the basement membrane of the retinal Müller glia cells and serves as an interface between the vitreous and retina. The ILM is the structural interface between the vitreous and retina. ILM removal ensures separation of the posterior hyaloid from the macular surface, which can relieve macular traction and prevent postoperative epiretinal membrane formation. Thus, vitrectomy with ILM peeling has become an increasingly utilized and vital component in surgical intervention for various vitreoretinal disorders. However, many recent studies showed that ILM peeling is a procedure that can cause immediate traumatic effects and progressive modification on the underlying inner retinal layers.There were some surgical strategy (fovea-sparing ILM peeling or inverted internal limiting membrane flap technique, or Abrasion Technique). But some controversies exist, such as when ILM peeling is necessary, which adjuvant to use to perform the procedure, and what is the best technique to peel the ILM. A full assessment ILM structure and function and related factors of surgery is helpful to predict the anatomical and functional prognosis.
Idiopathic macular hole after the internal limiting membrane (ILM) is removed during surgery, the intraoperative optical coherence tomography can be used to observe the presence of debris tissue (RF) protruding into the vitreous cavity at the edge of the hole. Current studies suggest that RF may be caused by epiretinal proliferation and vitreomacular traction, but it is still controversial, and the influence of postoperative anatomical and functional recovery is not clear. Common points can still be found, some of the studies suggest that RF is not conducive to postoperative anatomical and functional recovery during the operation, ILM fragments remain on RF tissues after ILM peeling and re-staining. However, in some studies suggest that RF is beneficial to postoperative anatomical and functional recovery, and ILM fragments on RF are removed. This suggests that whether ILM is removed on RF lead to a certain influence on the postoperative efficacy. There are few researches on RF at present, so it is necessary to understand RF from its essence and assist judgment through histological analysis.
ObjectiveTo observe the different changes of macular microstructure in patients with large idiopathic macular hole (IMH) treated with vitrectomy combined with internal limiting membrane (ILM) transplantation or not. MethodsForty eyes in 40 consecutive patients with giant IMH (≥500 μm) were included in the study. Twenty eyes received vitrectomy with ILM transplantation (ILM transplantation group) and others with ILM peel off (ILM removal group). During the operation, a proper size of the ILM was removed and filled in the bottom of the macular hole. The age, duration of disease and the ocular laterality of the two groups of patients were not statistically significant (P>0.05). Minimum resolution angle in logarithmic (logMAR) best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and frequency domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) scan were examined. There was no statistically significant difference in logMAR BCVA, average defect diameter of photoreceptor ellipsoid (IS/OS) and average defect diameter of external limiting membrane (ELM) between two groups (t=0.128, 1.452, 1.321; P>0.05). The logMAR BCVA and SD-OCT were examined on 1, 3, 6, 12 months postoperatively. ResultsOn 1 month after the surgery, there was no statistically significant difference in logMAR BCVA, average defect diameter of IS/OS and average defect diameter of ELM between two groups (t=1.226, 1.435, 1.018; P>0.05). On 3, 6, 12 months after the surgery, compared with ILM removal group, the logMAR BCVA (t=2.059, 2.871, 2.415) increased and the average defect diameter of IS/OS (t=2.070, 2.110, 2.121) and ELM (t=2.034, 3.647, 3.556) significantly reduced in ILM transplantation group (P<0.05). On 1 month after the surgery, there was statistically significant difference in CRT between two groups (t=2.113, P<0.05). On 3, 6, 12 months after the surgery, there was no statistically significant difference in CRT between two groups (t=0.428, 0.847, 0.849; P>0.05). ConclusionCompared with vitrectomy combined with ILM peeling surgery, the diameter of IS/OS and ELM defect were significantly decreased after vitrectomy combined with ILM transplantation in the patients with large IMH.
Refractory macular holes typically represent macular holes larger than 400 μm, macular holes in pathological myopic eyes or complicated with myopic schisis, chronic holes longer than 6 months, persistent macular holes after surgeries, and some subtypes of secondary macular holes. A routine pars plana vitrectomy combined with internal limiting membrane peeling yielded a lower closure rate and unsatisfying visual rehabilitation in patients with refractory macular holes, which raised concerns among vitreoretinal surgeons. This editorial reviewed the new upcoming surgical techniques which were reportedly to improve the anatomical and visual prognosis of major subtypes of refractory macular holes. Although with a great variability, these surgical techniques are based the following surgical strategies: firstly, to sufficiently unravel the epi-macular tractional force; secondly, to bridge the defect of neurosensory retina by tissue insertion or implantation and stimulate wound healing process; thirdly, proper tamponade of gas or silicone oil so that the surface tension can stabilize the inserted or implanted tissue and encourage closure of the holes. In conclusion, surgical strategies for refractory macular holes should be made after a comprehensive consideration and a customized design.
Silicone oil is widely used in intraocular filling of fundus disease after vitrectomy, which improves retinal reattachment rate andpostoperative visual function of patients. With the era of minimally invasive vitreous surgery coming, the utilization rate of silicone oil filling is decreasing, however, it still plays an indispensable role in the surgical treatment of complex fundus diseases. In the process of using silicone oil, the indications should be strictly selected, and the potential risks should be fully considered and possibly avoided. The study of vitreous substitutes with certain physiological functions is currently a research hotspot in the field of fundus diseases.
ObjectiveTo develop a simple and effective subretinal injection pipeline system to enhance the accuracy and precision of subretinal injection volume control. MethodsA retrospective case series study. From May to October 2023, 18 patients (18 eyes) with submacular hemorrhage (SMH) who continuously received modified subretinal injection treatment in Department of Ophthalmology of Peking Union Medical College Hospital were included in the study. Among them, there were 10 males and 8 females. The mean age was (60.00±7.41) years. The primary causes included polypoid choroidal vasculopathy (14 cases), retinal macroaneurysm (2 cases), traumatic retinopathy (1 case), and Valsalva retinopathy (1 case). Hemorrhage affected 14 eyes of the fovea centralis. All affected eyes underwent standard three-channel 25G vitrectomy via the flat part of the ciliary body combined with modified subretinal injection of recombinant tissue plasminogen activator. The improved injection system consisted of a 1 ml syringe, a Q-SyteTM connector, a 41G subretinal microinjection needle, a converter and a viscoelastic substance control pipeline. The drug preparation time for subretinal injection (i.e., the time consumed by the system connection step), the injection time, whether bubbles occur during the injection process, and the perioperative complications were recorded and analyzed. ResultsThe preparation time prior to drug injection ranged from 230 to 335 seconds, while the injection completion time varied between 43 and 75 seconds. Both times decreased progressively as operator proficiency improved. Among the treated eyes, five received a target injection dose of 0.05 ml and thirteen received 0.10 ml, with all eyes achieving the preset dose accurately. No subretinal bubbles were observed during the injection procedure. Additionally, no intraoperative complications such as retinal hemorrhage or tear secondary to mechanical trauma at the injection site were recorded. Postoperatively, one eye developed anterior chamber hemorrhage, which resolved following intraocular pressure-lowering treatment. No other postoperative complications, including hemorrhage, rhegmatogenous retinal detachment, or infection, were observed in the remaining eyes. ConclusionThe retinal drug injection system developed in this study has a simple structure, safe and stable operation, can achieve precise drug injection, and effectively avoid the formation of bubbles.
There has been ongoing progress in the new technique and equipment in vitreoretinal surgery in recent years, contributing to the improvement of treatment of various vitreoretinal diseases. The application of 3D heads-up display viewing system (3D viewing system) has been one of the most fascinating breakthroughs in vitreoretinal surgery. Unlike the traditional method in which the surgeons have to look through the microscope eyepieces, this system allows them to turn their heads up and operate with their eyes on a high-definition 3D monitor. It provides the surgeons with superior visualization and stereoscopic sensation. And increasing studies have revealed it to be as safe and effective as the traditional microscopic system. Furthermore, the surgeons can keep a heads-up position in a more comfortable posture and lesson the pressure on cervical spine. Meanwhile, 3D viewing system makes it easier for the teaching and learning process among surgeons and assistants. However, there are still potential disadvantages including the latency between surgeon maneuver and visualization on the display, learning curves and cost. We hope that the 3D viewing system will be widely used and become a useful new tool for various vitreoretinal diseases in the near future with rapid development in the technology and constant upgrade of the system.
ObjectiveTo compare clinical outcomes in eyes with macula-off rhegmatogenous retinal detachments (RRD) with peripheral breaks managed by surgical protocols that result in either complete (CSFD) or partial subretinal fluid drainage (PSFD). MethodsFollowing the clinical detection of a macula-off RRD with peripheral retinal breaks, patients were offered the opportunity to enroll in the study, and those patients who signed the consent were evaluated for eligibility based upon the inclusion and exclusion criteria for this clinical study, and if fully eligible they were assigned prospectively to one of the two surgical designs (PSFD or CSFD, 1:1) using a random number table. Seventy-two eyes of 72 patients were enrolled and studied. Patients were treated with 25G plus vitrectomy, endolaser or transscleral cryopexy, either complete (n=36), or partial (n=36) subretinal fluid drainage, and 14%C3F8 (PFO) was used for intraocular tamponade. After surgery, all patients were kept in a supine position for 24 hours, and then in a clinically optimal position for 6-10 days. The study patients were examined at 1, 3 and 6 months after surgery with thorough ophthalmic examinations. Macular optical coherence tomography (OCT) imaging was acquired in 1 month. Anatomical and visual outcomes as well as intra-operative and postoperative complications of the two groups were compared. Furthermore, the persistence of subfoveal fluid in OCT images and the symptoms of distortion at 3 months were measured and recorded. The primary study endpoint of anatomic retinal reattachment for each group was based upon the 6-month time-point. ResultsThe preoperative baseline characteristics between the two groups were not significantly different. The single-operation success rates were 88.9% and 91.6% respectively for the CSFD and the PSFD groups (χ2=0.158, P>0.05). The mean best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) at 6 month endpoint were 0.99±0.52 minimum resoluation angle in logarithmic (logMAR) for the CSFD group and 1.07±0.34 logMAR for the PSFD group(t=0.580,P=0.564). The mean operative time was longer in the CSFD group (62.25±4.32) minutes than that in the PSFD group (47.9±5.0) minutes (t=0.580, P=0.564). seven of 29 (24.1%) phakic eyes in the CSFD group had lens injury during SRF drainage, and none of the 31-phakic eyes in the PSFD group sustained lens damage. Residual PFO was present in 6 of 36 CSFD cases (16.7%). Successful retinal reattachment after primary surgery was achieved in 33) PSFD eyes and in 32 CSFD eyes based upon OCT imaging at 1 month demonstrated reattached foveae with no residual subfoveal fluid. Among these patients, 22 patients (62.5%) in the CSFD group and 23(69.7%) patients in the PSFD group reported distortion in the operated eye or/and a difference in image size between the two eyes at the 6 month visit (P=1.00). ConclusionsPartial subretinal fluid drainage during pars plana vitrectomy for the repair of macula-off RRD with peripheral breaks is effective. The success rates are not statistically different. Additionally, PSFD procedures can simplify the surgery procedure, shorten operative time and, and to some extent, reduce the incidence of complications relevant to the CSFD approach.