Search Results (6)

Background/Objectives: In Japan, artificial orbital implants are not approved as medical materials, limiting the number of facilities that perform orbital implant surgery. However, this procedure is crucial for improving the quality of life of ocular prosthesis users by enhancing cosmetic outcomes. This study aimed to evaluate the short-term outcomes of orbital implant surgery using costal cartilage grafts and assess the cosmetic impact by comparing upper eyelid positions between patients who underwent the procedure and those who did not. Methods: Patients were divided into two groups: those who underwent evisceration and orbital implant grafting with costal cartilage (Group 1) and those who used a prosthetic eye without an orbital implant (Group 2). In Group 1 cases, following evisceration, a spherical implant was created using the sixth autologous costal cartilage and covered with four pedicled scleral flaps. The incidence of complications and the necessity for additional surgery were investigated through medical records, and both complications and upper eyelid symmetry were assessed at least 12 months after the final surgical procedure. Results: A total of 23 patients were included: 13 in Group 1 and 10 in Group 2. Group 1 had a significantly lower median age (52 vs. 68 years, p = 0.002) and a higher proportion of females (76.9% vs. 30%, p = 0.024). Upper eyelid asymmetry was significantly greater in Group 2 than in Group 1 (p < 0.05). Orbital fracture was associated with a higher risk of requiring additional surgery (100% vs. 37.5%, p = 0.075), though not statistically significant. Conclusions: Orbital implant surgery with costal cartilage grafts improves eyelid symmetry and cosmetic appearance. Early and accurate orbital volume repair is essential for preventing enophthalmos. Full article

Objectives: This study compared long-term surgical outcomes of the scleral flap versus scleral pocket technique for sutureless intrascleral one-piece intraocular lens (IOL) fixation. Methods: A retrospective comparative study was conducted at a single center, involving consecutive patients undergoing sutureless intrascleral one-piece IOL implantation, between January 2020 and May 2022. Eyes were divided into two groups based on the surgical technique: group 1 underwent scleral flap (n = 64), and group 2 received scleral pocket technique (n = 59). Visual acuity, refractive outcomes, and complications were assessed over a minimum 24-month follow-up period. Results: Both groups showed improvements in best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), increasing from 0.84 ± 0.56 logMAR at baseline to 0.39 ± 0.23 logMAR (p = 0.042) at 24 months in group 1 and from 0.91 ± 0.63 logMAR at baseline to 0.45 ± 0.38 logMAR (p = 0.039) at 24 months in group 2. No significant differences in BCVA were observed between the groups at baseline (p = 0.991), 12 (p = 0.496) and 24 months (p = 0.557). Mean spherical equivalent (−0.73 ± 1.32 D in group 1 and −0.92 ± 0.99 D in group 2, p = 0.447), refractive prediction error (−0.21 ± 1.1 D in group 1 and −0.35 ± 1.8 D in group 2, p = 0.377), and surgically induced astigmatism (0.74 ± 0.89 D in group 1 and 0.85 ± 0.76 in group 2, p = 0.651) were comparable between the two groups. An IOL tilt of 5.5 ± 1.8 and 5.8 ± 2.0 degrees (p = 0.867) and an IOL decentration of 0.41 ± 0.21 mm and 0.29 ± 0.11 mm (p = 0.955) were obtained, respectively, in group 1 and group 2 at 24 months. Mean endothelial cell density remained stable at 24 months in both groups (p = 0.832 in group 1 and p = 0.443 in group 2), and it was 1747.20 ± 588.03 cells/mm² in group 1 and 1883.71 ± 621.29 cells/mm² in group 2 (p = 0.327) at baseline, 1545.36 ± 442.3 cells/mm² in group 1 and 1417.44 ± 623.40 cells/mm² in group 2 (p = 0.483) at 24 months. No cases of endophthalmitis were observed. Conclusions: The scleral pocket technique for sutureless intrascleral one-piece IOL fixation is comparable to the traditional scleral flap technique in terms of long-term visual outcomes and safety. The scleral pocket technique offers a simplified approach and a viable option even for less experienced surgeons. Full article

Background: The Carlevale lens (FIL SSF, Soleko IOL Division, Italy) is a new lens for suture-less scleral fixation. This paper aimed to systematically review articles on this lens, the surgical techniques used for its implantation, complications and outcomes. Methods: This systematic review was performed following the PRISMA guidelines. The search string used was “Carlevale” AND “scleral fixation” from inception until March 2024. For completeness, either case-control studies, case reports or case series written in English were included. The authors used the Newcastle–Ottawa scale for the case-control studies and the JBI Critical Appraisal Checklist for case reports and case series. Results: Twenty-nine articles were included. Scleral fixation with Carlevale lens can be performed by creating scleral flaps or, alternatively, by using scleral pockets. The two sclerotomies must be diametrically opposed, and are preferably created by 25-gauge trocars. A pars plana vitrectomy should be performed every time, and the design of the lens should be suitable for self-anchoring to the sclera; the most accredited strategy to achieve this is to avoid scleral sutures. There were only a few intraoperative and postoperative complications reported; vitreous hemorrhages were the most frequent intraoperative events, while the most relevant postoperative complications were vitreous hemorrhages, cystoid macular oedema and transient variations in the intraocular pressure. Excellent results have been obtained in terms of BCVA, IOL centration and stability, mean intraocular pressure, postoperative spherical equivalent, separation between anterior and posterior chamber and the distance of the IOL from anterior chamber structures. Conclusions: The foldable hydrophilic design of the Carlevale lens has shown good effectiveness, IOL stability and few intra and post-operative complications. Full article

This paper describes a technique for using swept-source anterior segment optical coherence tomography (AS-OCT) to visualize internal bleb microstructure and objectively quantify dimensions of the scleral flap and trabeculo-Descemet window (TDW) in non-penetrating glaucoma filtration surgery (GFS). This was a cross-sectional study of 107 filtering blebs of 67 patients who had undergone deep sclerectomy surgery at least 12 months prior. The mean post-operative follow-up duration was 6.5 years +/− 4.1 [standard deviation (SD)]. The maximal bleb height was significantly greater in the complete success (CS) blebs compared to the qualified success (QS) and failed (F) blebs (1.48 vs. 1.17 vs. 1.10 mm in CS vs. QS vs. F, one-way ANOVA, p < 0.0001). In a subcohort of deep sclerectomy blebs augmented by intraoperative Mitomycin-C, the trabeculo-Descemet window was significantly longer in the complete success compared to the qualified success group (613.7 vs. 378.1 vs. 450.8 µm in CS vs. QS vs. F, p = 0.004). The scleral flap length, thickness, and width were otherwise similar across the three outcome groups. The quantification of surgical parameters that influence aqueous outflow in non-penetrating GFS can help surgeons better understand the influence of these structures on aqueous outflow and improve surgical outcomes. Full article

The deep sclerectomy technique was modified to enhance aqueous humor (AH) outflow via the non-trabecular pathway. A pilot study was carried out to assess its safety and effectiveness. Thirty-eight patients were under observation. After superficial scleral flap (4 × 4 mm), deep scleral layers were divided into three parts by three parallel-to-limbus incisions. Deep sclerectomy without creating a window in the Descemetes’ membrane was carried out in the distal part. A collagen implant was placed under the sclera of the remaining two parts with one end in the intrascleral pool. The third proximal part was excised to expose the uvea and implant. A Nd:YAG laser trabeculotomy at the surgery site was made on postoperative days 7–10. Outcome measures were IOP change, use of hypotensive medication(s), complications, and the need for a second surgery. At six months, the mean IOP decreased from 29.1 ± 9.2 mm Hg to 14.0 ± 4.3 mm Hg (p = 1.4 × 10⁻⁹); hypotensive medication use reduced from 2.9 ± 0.9 to 0.6 ± 1.0 (p = 1.3 × 10⁻¹⁰); complete success was achieved in 68.4% of cases and partial success was achieved in 31.6% of cases. Intraoperative and postoperative complications were rare and manageable. The OCT of the surgery site revealed the absence of bleb in all cases. Lymphatic vessels with characteristic bicuspid valves in their lumen were detected in conjunctiva near the operation site and over it in 32 patients. IOP decrease in the proposed technique was achieved by activation of the uveolymphatic route of AH outflow. Full article

This study aimed to investigate the arithmetic mean of surgically induced astigmatism (M-SIA) and the centroid of surgically induced astigmatism (C-SIA) after standard trabeculectomy. We comprised 185 eyes of 143 consecutive patients (mean age ± standard deviation, 67.7 ± 11.6 years) who underwent trabeculectomy and completed at least a 3-month routine follow-up. In all cases, the scleral flap was made at the nasal-superior location. Corneal astigmatism was measured with an automated keratometer. We calculated the M-SIA and the C-SIA using vector analysis and applied the astigmatism double angle plot. The magnitude of corneal astigmatism increased significantly, from 1.17 ± 0.92 D preoperatively to 1.77 ± 1.05 D postoperatively (paired t-test, p < 0.001). The M-SIA was 1.12 ± 0.55 D, and the C-SIA was 0.73 D @64° ± 1.02 D in the right eye group, and the M-SIA was 1.08 ± 0.48 D and the C-SIA was 0.60 D @117° ± 1.03 D in the left eye group. The C-SIA showed an astigmatic shift toward the nasal-superior location of the scleral flap creation. Our results revealed that trabeculectomy induced the SIA in the direction of the scleral flap location and that the C-SIA was much lower than the M-SIA in eyes undergoing trabeculectomy. Full article