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European Journal of Ophthalmology Apr 2021The treatment of floaters has consisted primarily of monitoring. The therapeutic approach is based on surgical removal or Nd:YAG laser treatment. The objective of this...
BACKGROUND
The treatment of floaters has consisted primarily of monitoring. The therapeutic approach is based on surgical removal or Nd:YAG laser treatment. The objective of this study was the assessment of the quality of life in patients treated with Nd:YAG laser for floaters.
METHODS
Single-center pretest-posttest design in a cohort of subjects treated with Nd-YAG laser with Ultra Q-Reflex technology. Health-related quality of life of the patients was measured before and after the intervention with the Visual Function Questionnaires VFQ-25 and VFQ-39. Anxiety level was measured with the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory. Visual acuity, contrast sensitivity, and safety parameters were also considered.
RESULTS
Thirty-four patients were included in the study. For the VFQ-25 baseline, the median was 73.05, interquartile range (19.25) versus a final median value of 93.76 (8.73) with < 0.01. The baseline median for the extended version VFQ-39 was 74.60 (19.01) versus the final median of 95.01 (6.50) with < 0.001. Regarding the anxiety, according to the STAI questionnaire, there were statistically significant differences between the baseline and the final conditions, with a baseline median of 38 (11) versus a final median of 18 (19); < 0.001. When the analyses differentiated between patients with and without myopia, there were statistically significant differences for VFQ-25 and VFQ-39.
CONCLUSIONS
This study shows an improvement in the health-related quality of life and a significant decrease in anxiety for patients that have undergone Nd: YAG Ultra-Q Reflex laser vitreolysis for floaters vaporization. The effect found is higher in myopic patients.
PubMed: 33827286
DOI: 10.1177/11206721211008036 -
Ophthalmology Apr 2021
Topics: Eye Diseases; Female; Fluorescein Angiography; Humans; Iatrogenic Disease; Laser Therapy; Lasers, Solid-State; Middle Aged; Retinal Hemorrhage; Retinal Vein Occlusion; Tomography, Optical Coherence; Ultrasonography; Vitrectomy; Vitreous Body; Vitreous Hemorrhage
PubMed: 33745529
DOI: 10.1016/j.ophtha.2020.10.026 -
Seminars in Ophthalmology Feb 2021To assess the quality, content, and readability of information available online on vitreous floater information.
OBJECTIVE
To assess the quality, content, and readability of information available online on vitreous floater information.
DESIGN
Cross-sectional study.
PARTICIPANTS
Not applicable.
METHODS
Websites were generated using a Google search of "vitreous floaters treatment" and "[State]" and were analyzed using a standardized checklist of 22 questions. Readability was assessed using the Flesch Reading Ease score. Websites met qualification criteria if they represented U.S.-based institutions, if they provided clinical care and addressed vitreous floater treatment on their website.
RESULTS
Of the 1,065 websites screened, 456 were included. Of these, 406 (89%) were private institutions, 24 (5.3%) were academic, and 26 (5.7%) were a combination of private and academic. The average readability score correlated to a 10th-12th grade reading level. Vitreous floater treatment was discussed on 283 (62.1%) websites and 63 (21.8%) websites discussed potential side effects. Google rank was inversely correlated with the depth of explanation (r = -0.114, = .016). Observation was the main treatment recommended (55.8%, n = 158), followed by laser treatment (27.6%, n = 78), no specific treatment recommendation (11.3%, n = 32), and vitrectomy (5.3%, n = 15). Centers with vitreoretinal surgeons were 16.43 times more likely to recommend vitrectomy than those without vitreoretinal surgeons ( < .001).
CONCLUSIONS
Online information about vitreous floater treatment is variable, and the material is at a higher than recommended reading level for health information. While treatment was discussed by nearly two thirds of websites, less than a quarter mentioned possible complications, and treatment recommendations varied significantly depending on physician training.
Topics: Comprehension; Consumer Health Information; Cross-Sectional Studies; Data Accuracy; Databases, Factual; Education, Distance; Eye Diseases; Humans; Internet; Patient Education as Topic; Search Engine; United States; Vitreoretinal Surgery; Vitreous Body
PubMed: 33599190
DOI: 10.1080/08820538.2021.1887898 -
Acta Ophthalmologica Sep 2021Effectiveness of ocriplasmin for vitreomacular traction (VMT) varies depending on the presence of common ocular conditions and patient selection criteria. We carried out... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
PURPOSE
Effectiveness of ocriplasmin for vitreomacular traction (VMT) varies depending on the presence of common ocular conditions and patient selection criteria. We carried out a systematic literature review and meta-analysis of ocriplasmin studies conducted in real-world settings (RWS) and compared outcomes with those from randomized controlled trials (RCTs).
METHODS
We included prospective and retrospective studies from RWS documenting effectiveness of ocriplasmin in patients with VMT with or without MH, and RCTs of ocriplasmin versus control. Key end-points were vitreomacular adhesion resolution (VMAR), nonsurgical MH closure, need for vitrectomy and safety. We conducted meta-regression on pooled results to evaluate effects of baseline covariates and study design on outcomes.
RESULTS
Thirty RWS (2402 patients) and 5 RCTs (737 patients) were included epiretinal membrane (ERM) and broad VMA were more prevalent in RCTs. Primary VMAR, vitrectomy and MH closure rates were comparable between RWS and RCTs. Rates of nsVMAR were significantly higher in RWS than RCTs (odds ratio 1.66; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.18-2.34). nsVMAR rates were inversely associated with ERM prevalence (odds ratio 0.20; 95% CI: 0.08-0.51). Compared with the recent OASIS trial, RWS reported a higher incidence of new/worsening subretinal fluid cases and less photophobia, photopsia, vitreous floaters, electroretinogram abnormalities and MH progression.
CONCLUSIONS
Ocriplasmin was significantly more effective in achieving nsVMAR in RWS than in RCTs. Lower ERM prevalence in RWS was the single significant explanatory variable for this difference. Conclusions on ocriplasmin safety in RWS are limited due to inconsistent reporting.
Topics: Fibrinolysin; Humans; Intravitreal Injections; Peptide Fragments; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; Retinal Diseases; Tomography, Optical Coherence; Visual Acuity
PubMed: 33369248
DOI: 10.1111/aos.14686 -
European Journal of Ophthalmology May 2021Vitreous floaters are a common and inconvenient phenomena. This study aims to examine the efficacy and safety in treating vitreous floaters using Nd:YAG laser... (Randomized Controlled Trial)
Randomized Controlled Trial
BACKGROUND
Vitreous floaters are a common and inconvenient phenomena. This study aims to examine the efficacy and safety in treating vitreous floaters using Nd:YAG laser vitreolysis.
METHODS
In this prospective double-blinded randomized clinical trial 24 eyes of twenty-four patients were randomized into intervention with YAG laser vitreolysis and control groups. Primary outcomes were visual disturbance on a 10-point scale, qualitative changes in a 4-level scale, contrast sensitivity measured with the Pelli-Robson table and the National Eye Institute Visual Functioning Questionnaire 25 (NEI VFQ-25). Secondary results included objective change in vitreous opacities, best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), variation in intraocular pressure (IOP) and other adverse events.
RESULTS
Twenty-one patients (21 eyes; 5 male, 16 female) were enrolled in this study (mean age 62 ± 7.9 years), three were lost during follow-up. In the YAG laser group, the 10-point visual disturbance score improved a mean of 4.7 points ( < 0.001) compared to the control group that improved 2.1 ( = 0.09). The YAG laser group reported greater subjectively symptomatic improvement (77%) than controls (25%). NEI VFQ-25 revealed improved general vision (75.8 versus 59.2; = 0.037) and in mental health at 6 months (84.3 versus 70.3; = 0.048). There was no significant difference in contrast sensitivity ( = 0.848) and in IOP ( = 0.505). No differences in adverse events between groups were identified.
CONCLUSION
Vitreolysis with Nd:YAG laser improves visual results in patients with symptomatic vitreous floaters, without adverse events considered clinically relevant. Other trials with a larger number of participants are required to corroborate these results.
Topics: Female; Humans; Laser Therapy; Lasers, Solid-State; Male; Prospective Studies; Visual Acuity; Vitrectomy
PubMed: 33148023
DOI: 10.1177/1120672120968762 -
Journal of Vitreoretinal Diseases 2021This article evaluates our experience at a retina-only private practice with small-gauge pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) for visually significant vitreous floaters. We...
PURPOSE
This article evaluates our experience at a retina-only private practice with small-gauge pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) for visually significant vitreous floaters. We review the surgical outcomes, complication rates, and percentage of second-eye surgery for the same indication.
METHODS
A retrospective, interventional case series was conducted of consecutive patients undergoing PPV for significant vitreous floaters from September 2014 to December 2018 at a high-volume vitreoretinal surgery practice. Preoperative visual acuity (VA), complication rates, and visual outcome following surgery were evaluated.
RESULTS
A total of 104 eyes in 81 patients underwent PPV for visually significant floaters; 35 (43.2%) patients had PPV in both eyes. Mean preoperative VA was 0.16 ± 0.17 logMAR (∼20/29 Snellen equivalent) and improved to 0.12 ± 0.15 logMAR (∼20/26 Snellen; Wilcoxon test, = .008) at the last follow-up after PPV. All patients had improvement in VA at the final postoperative visit, with a VA of 20/40 or better achieved in 93.3% of cases. The complication rate of vitreous hemorrhage postoperatively was 0.96%. There were no cases of postoperative retinal tears, breaks, or endophthalmitis.
CONCLUSIONS
Small-gauge PPV in the carefully selected patient is an effective and safe procedure to eliminate symptoms. VA following PPV for vitreous floaters significantly improved. Nearly half of the patients studied (43.2%) underwent PPV in the other eye.
PubMed: 37006520
DOI: 10.1177/2474126420961736 -
Retinal Cases & Brief Reports Sep 2022To evaluate the efficacy of combined pneumatic and enzymatic vitreolysis for treatment of severe cases of vitreomacular traction (VMT).
PURPOSE
To evaluate the efficacy of combined pneumatic and enzymatic vitreolysis for treatment of severe cases of vitreomacular traction (VMT).
METHODS
We analyzed a retrospective, consecutive series of five patients diagnosed with severe VMT refractory to pneumatic vitreolysis who then received an additional ocriplasmin injection while their gas bubble from pneumatic vitreolysis was still present between February 2015 and February 2019. Vitreomacular traction release was confirmed using spectral-domain optical coherence tomography.
RESULTS
Four of the five patients treated with combined pneumatic and enzymatic vitreolysis achieved VMT release by Day 28, and all cases eventually achieved complete VMT release. In addition to having VMT refractory to pneumatic vitreolysis, patient characteristics included broad adhesion diameter (>1,500 µ m, n = 1), presence of epiretinal membrane (n = 2), age >65 years (n = 4), and pseudophakia (n = 1). The visual acuity improved by three or more lines at 6 months in both of the patients with initial vision worse than 20/50 on an Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study chart but not in those whose vision was already fairly good (i.e., visual acuity >20/60). None of the patients experienced the following complications after receiving this combined treatment: retinal tears or detachments, vitreous floaters, and ellipsoid zone changes.
CONCLUSION
Sequential, combined pneumatic and enzymatic vitreolysis resulted in VMT release in all 5 cases (4 cases by 28 days) and may be a potentially useful alternative to surgical intervention for refractory VMT cases.
Topics: Aged; Fibrinolysin; Humans; Intravitreal Injections; Peptide Fragments; Retinal Perforations; Retrospective Studies; Tomography, Optical Coherence; Traction; Vision Disorders; Vitreous Detachment
PubMed: 32910027
DOI: 10.1097/ICB.0000000000001047 -
Ophthalmology. Retina Jan 2021To investigate the rate of return to the operating room after vitrectomy surgery for vitreous opacities.
PURPOSE
To investigate the rate of return to the operating room after vitrectomy surgery for vitreous opacities.
DESIGN
Retrospective registry cohort.
PARTICIPANTS
Individuals receiving care in ophthalmology practices participating in the Intelligent Research in Sight (IRIS®) Registry.
METHODS
Data from the IRIS Registry were analyzed for patients who underwent vitrectomy for vitreous opacities. Cases were identified by the combination of International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision, Clinical Modification (ICD-9-CM), and International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision, Clinical Modification (ICD-10-CM), codes (379.21, 379.22, 379.24, and 379.25), and a Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) code for vitrectomy surgery.
MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES
The number and percentage of eyes that underwent additional eye surgery within 1 year after vitrectomy for vitreous opacities were identified, as was the nature of the additional procedures per CPT code.
RESULTS
Fifty thousand eight hundred thirty-six eyes that underwent vitrectomy surgery linked to one of the ICD-9-CM or ICD-10-CM codes for vitreous opacities were identified. In 17 615 eyes, the surgery was linked to the vitreous opacities code exclusively, and not to epiretinal membrane or macular hole codes. Of these, 2187 eyes (12.4%) returned to the operating room for cataract surgery, and 643 eyes (3.7%) returned to the operating room for a noncataract procedure. Four hundred fifty-seven eyes (2.6%) returned to the operating room for retinal detachment repair.
CONCLUSIONS
In the IRIS Registry, eyes undergoing vitrectomy for vitreous opacities returned to the operating room for an ophthalmic surgery other than cataract extraction 3.7% of the time, and retinal detachment repair was performed 2.6% of the time.
Topics: Eye Diseases; Follow-Up Studies; Humans; Operating Rooms; Postoperative Complications; Registries; Reoperation; Retrospective Studies; Visual Acuity; Vitrectomy; Vitreous Body
PubMed: 32688085
DOI: 10.1016/j.oret.2020.07.015 -
Retina (Philadelphia, Pa.) Feb 2021Randomized clinical trials have demonstrated the safety and efficacy of ocriplasmin in patients with vitreomacular traction (VMT), including those with macular hole... (Observational Study)
Observational Study
PURPOSE
Randomized clinical trials have demonstrated the safety and efficacy of ocriplasmin in patients with vitreomacular traction (VMT), including those with macular hole (MH). The INJECT study prospectively evaluated ocriplasmin in the setting of clinical practice.
METHODS
INJECT was a Phase 4, multicenter, prospective observational study. Patients were followed up for 12 months. Assessments included nonsurgical VMT resolution, nonsurgical MH closure, best-corrected visual acuity, occurrence of vitrectomy, and adverse events.
RESULTS
The efficacy population (N = 395) received an ocriplasmin injection and had optical coherence tomography-confirmed VMT at baseline. At Day 28, the rate of nonsurgical VMT resolution was 40.7% in the overall group, and the rate of nonsurgical MH closure was 36.0% in the VMT with MH group. At Month 12, the rate of ≥2-line best-corrected visual acuity gain (irrespective of vitrectomy) was 36.8% in the overall group and 59.6% in the VMT with MH group. The percentage of patients who underwent vitrectomy in the study eye was 29.1% in the overall group and 55.6% in the VMT with MH group. Photopsia (9.8%) and vitreous floaters (6.8%) were the most frequent adverse events.
CONCLUSION
The INJECT study showed that ocriplasmin is effective in a clinical setting in patients with VMT, with or without MH. No new safety signals were identified from this large and surgeon-selected patient group, although the significant limitations of the study design without an image reading center and scheduled study visit timings should be noted.
Topics: Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Female; Fibrinolysin; Follow-Up Studies; Humans; Intravitreal Injections; Male; Middle Aged; Peptide Fragments; Prospective Studies; Retinal Perforations; Tomography, Optical Coherence; Treatment Outcome; Vitrectomy; Vitreous Body; Vitreous Detachment
PubMed: 32496343
DOI: 10.1097/IAE.0000000000002862 -
BMC Ophthalmology May 2020To review treatment outcomes from real-world data of patients with neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD) treated with intravitreal aflibercept (IVT-AFL)... (Randomized Controlled Trial)
Randomized Controlled Trial
BACKGROUND
To review treatment outcomes from real-world data of patients with neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD) treated with intravitreal aflibercept (IVT-AFL) injection.
METHODS
RAINBOW (ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT02279537) is an ongoing, observational, 4-year study to monitor the effectiveness and safety of IVT-AFL in patients with nAMD in clinical practice in France. Treatment-naïve patients diagnosed with nAMD who had been prescribed IVT-AFL by their treating physician were eligible. The regimens of interest were regular treatment interval cohort (patients who received three initial monthly IVT-AFL injections followed by regular injections every 2 months) and two irregular treatment interval cohorts (with and without three initial monthly injections). Here we describe results at 24 months in patients according to IVT-AFL treatment regimen.
RESULTS
The mean change in best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) with IVT-AFL from baseline to 24 months was + 3.0 letters in the overall population (P < 0.05 vs baseline). The mean change was positive for the regular and irregular treatment interval cohorts with initial doses (+ 4.9 and + 4.0 letters, respectively; P < 0.05 vs baseline) and negative for the irregular treatment interval cohort without initial doses (- 2.5 letters; P = 0.365 vs baseline) at 24 months. The mean overall number of IVT-AFL injections over 12 and 24 months was 6.0 and 8.8, respectively. The most common ocular adverse events were lack of efficacy (6.3%), vitreous floaters (2.7%), and increased lacrimation (1.7%).
CONCLUSIONS
In the real-world RAINBOW study, visual outcomes observed at 24 months were consistent with results from the primary endpoint at 12 months. In this study, treatment-naïve patients who received three initial IVT-AFL doses and regular IVT-AFL treatment over the first 24 months experienced better visual outcomes than patients who received no initial doses and an irregular treatment regimen.
TRIAL REGISTRATION
www.ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT02279537). Registered 29 October 2014.
Topics: Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Angiogenesis Inhibitors; Choroidal Neovascularization; Female; Follow-Up Studies; Humans; Intravitreal Injections; Male; Receptors, Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor; Recombinant Fusion Proteins; Tomography, Optical Coherence; Treatment Outcome; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; Visual Acuity; Wet Macular Degeneration
PubMed: 32450838
DOI: 10.1186/s12886-020-01468-z