The coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic has significantly limited the capacity of healthcare systems to provide elective services like cataract surgery. Cataract formation is a frequent complication after pars plana vitrectomy. In this paper, we review the pros and cons of combined phacovitrectomy as opposed to sequential surgery in the postpandemic era. In particular, we discuss the patient-level visual benefits and societal economic advantages of this procedure.

Purpose. To report long-term visual and anatomical outcomes in eyes with neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD) treated with a treat-and-extend regimen (TER) of intravitreal antivascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF) injections in real-world settings. Methods. Retrospective cohort study of consecutive patients with nAMD treated with a TER of anti-VEGF intravitreal injections by a single retina specialist (GC). Patients with nAMD who had at least one year of follow-up were identified using an electronic database. Best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), comprehensive ophthalmologic examination, and macular OCT were performed at each visit. Patients received a loading dose of three monthly intravitreal injections and then were treated according to a TER of bevacizumab, ranibizumab, and/or aflibercept. The number of injections, BCVA, and central retinal thickness (CRT) were evaluated during the follow-up period. Results. 180 eyes from 180 patients were included in the study. Mean age was 75 ± 9 (range: 51–96). Mean BCVA was 0.77 ± 0.64 LogMAR at baseline, 0.69 ± 0.58 LogMAR (p=0.0057) after loading phase, 0.64 ± 0.55 LogMAR (p=0.0001) after 6 months of TER, and 0.76 ± 0.71 LogMAR after 6 years of treatment (n = 32 at year 6). CRT decreased significantly after the loading phase (p=0.0002). The mean number of intravitreal injections per year was 7.6 during the first three years of treatment and then decreased to 5.9 during year 4 to 7. Conclusions. This retrospective study of 180 nAMD patients treated with a TER of intravitreal anti-VEGF demonstrates an initial improvement of BCVA after loading phase, followed by long-term visual stabilization for at least six years. These results were obtained with a high number of injections, averaging close to six injections per year during long-term follow-up. In light of the natural evolution of nAMD, these data support the long-term efficacy of this treatment under real-world conditions of heterogeneity of patients and type of anti-VEGF used.

Purpose: To report a case of displacement of retained subretinal perfluorocarbon liquid (PFCL) through therapeutic retinal detachment (RD) induced by balanced salt solution (BSS) injection. Methods: This is a surgical case report. We present a case of a 61-year-old woman who presented with subretinal PFCL at the papillo-macular bundle with best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) of 20/200 at four weeks following RD surgery in her right eye. She underwent a three-port pars plana vitrectomy with therapeutic RD of a portion of the posterior pole and inferior periphery induced by BSS injection, followed by complete air-fluid exchange, and kept an upright position for three days to force the displacement of the PFCL bubble towards the inferior retinal periphery. BCVA assessment, dilated fundus examination (DFE), and optical coherence tomography (OCT) were performed before and after the surgery. Results: Two weeks after the procedure, BCVA improved to 20/40, the subretinal PFCL was not visible on DFE, and a control OCT confirmed displacement of the PFCL bubble with atrophy at the papillo-macular bundle. There were no complications. Conclusion: Displacement of retained subretinal PFCL through therapeutic RD induced by BSS injection seems to be an effective technique with fewer potential complications in comparison to the more traditional approach of removal by direct aspiration.

To systematically review the characteristics of patients with endogenous tuberculous (TB) endophthalmitis and panophthalmitis in an effort to help clinicians with diagnosis and treatment. Patients and Methods: We conducted a systematic literature search in MEDLINE/ PubMed, EMBASE and Web of Science from inception to August 2020. References and abstracts were screened independently by two authors. Included studies were case reports and case series reporting endogenous TB endophthalmitis and panophthalmitis secondary to Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex (MTBC). Available-case analysis was employed to handle missing data. Results: A total of 1343 articles were found using the search strategy. Following abstract screening, 51 articles were selected for full text-review, from which 26 were deemed eligible for inclusion in the study. Forty-four cases from 26 articles were included in the quantitative analysis. The median age of presentation was 29.5 (range: 1 to 81), and 11/44 patients (25.0%) were pediatric. Immunosuppression was seen in 9/36 cases (25.0%). Most patients (24/38, 63.2%) had no prior history of tuberculosis. Systemic symptoms were absent in half of the patients (16/32, 50.0%). Visual acuity was poor, with 23/27 cases (85.2%) being 20/ 200 or worse at presentation. Poor organ and visual outcomes were reported: 36/43 cases (83.7%) resulted in enucleation/evisceration or exenteration. Intraocular tumors were suspected in 5/34 cases (14.7%). Pulmonary tuberculosis was seen in 15/35 cases (42.8%), and miliary tuberculosis was seen in 7/35 cases (20.0%). The earliest source of TB diagnosis was through histopathologic specimen after eye removal in 32/44 cases (72.7%), vitreous specimen in 6/44 cases (13.6%) and aqueous specimen in 3/44 cases (6.8%). Conclusion: TB endophthalmitis is a rare and sight-threatening manifestation of ocular tuberculosis. It can occur in apparently healthy individuals and can mimic intraocular tumors and other infectious etiologies. Diagnosis remains a significant challenge, which, often delayed, leads to profound visual loss. Early detection and treatment of intraocular tuberculosis may be associated with better ocular and systemic outcomes.