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Aims/Purpose: Brachytherapy using ruthenium is an established procedure for the treatment of uveal melanomas, the most common malignant primary intraocular tumour in adults. The supplementary use of transpupillary thermotherapy (TTT) with brachytherapy is known as sandwich therapy. Due to the rarity of uveal melanomas, long‐term outcome of large cohorts treated by ruthenium brachytherapy with and without TTT is of special clinical and scientific interest. Methods: Based on a retrospective longitudinal study, patients with uveal melanoma who received treatment using ruthenium brachytherapy at the Department of Ophthalmology from 1994 to 2021, were analysed. The evaluation includes tumour height, visual acuity, radiation data, side effects, local recurrence, bulbus preservation and occurrence of metastasis. Results: Overall, 150 patients with medium sized uveal melanoma (tumour height >3.0 and ≤7.0 mm) who received ruthenium brachytherapy were included. The mean age of patients at diagnosis was 63.5 ± 12.9 years (median 65), the proportion of women was 60.0%. Tumours were located centrally in 48.7% of cases; ciliary body involvement was seen in 4%. Additive transpupillary thermotherapy (TTT) was performed in 70.7% of cases as part of a sandwich therapy. After therapy and a mean follow‐up of 68.0 ± 58.3 years tumours height was significantly reduced from 4.5 ± 1.1 to 1.4 ± 1.6 mm (p < 0.001). Visual acuity showed deterioration from 0.25 ± 0.43 to 1.0 ± 0.85 logMAR (p < 0.001) due to the large proportion of centrally located tumours. In 29.9% of cases no side effects requiring therapy occurred. Within the remaining cases cataracta complicata (41.3%) and radiation retinopathy (30.0%) were observed. Local tumour control was achieved in 86.0% of patients, in 91.3% of cases the ocular globe was preserved. Metastatic free survival was seen in 86.4% of patients. Conclusions: Brachytherapy using ruthenium plaque with and without TTT represents a safe procedure in the treatment of uveal melanomas over the last three decades. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims/Purpose: Formation of a full‐thickness macular hole (MH) after vitrectomy is extremely rare. Previous studies only included small numbers of cases. Aim of the present study was to describe course, functional prognosis and risk factors of secondary macular hole development following surgical treatment of a primary rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD) in a large data set from two tertiary eye clinics. Methods: Formation of a full‐thickness macular hole (MH) after vitrectomy is extremely rare. Previous studies only included small numbers of cases. Aim of the present study was to describe course, functional prognosis and risk factors of secondary macular hole development following surgical treatment of a primary rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD) in a large data set from two tertiary eye clinics. Results: Out of 9317 eyes following PPV 28 eyes (mean age 58.7 ± 9.6 yrs, 50% male, 60.7% right eyes) could be included. The interval between vitrectomy and MH formation was 46.9 ± 80.3 (range: 1–373) months. 15 eyes showed history of macular involving RRD, 7 macular sparing RRD. Sulphur‐hexafluoride (SF6) 20–25% was used as endotamponade in 18 cases for RRD repair, silicone oil (Sil5000® and Sil2000®) in 4 cases. Six cases were not assessable due to earlier external surgery. In secondary MH re‐PPV with SF6 20–25% endotamponade in 21 eyes (thereof with an ILM flap in 8 cases), Sil5000® in 6 eyes and Densiron® in one eye was performed. A primary closure rate of 88.2% with gas was achieved with a final best corrected visual acuity of 0.67 ± 0.99 logMAR. Degree of myopia, which correlated with functional results (p = 0.019) and earlier time of onset (p = 0.007), as well as timing of cataract surgery (p < 0.001) could be identified as risk factor for secondary MH development. Conclusions: Secondary MH after RRD repair is rare. In our study with the largest cohort studied so far, we can identify risk factors that lead to earlier MH formation. Myopia was shown to be a prognostic factor for functional outcome. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To assess the influence of retinal macrophages and microglia on the formation of choroidal neovascularization (CNV). Therefore, we used a transgenic mouse (CD11b‐HSVTK) in which the application of ganciclovir (GCV) results in a depletion of CD11b+ cells. Methods: We first investigated if a local depletion of CD11b+ macrophages and microglia in the retina is feasible. In a second step, the influence of CD11b+ cell depletion on CNV formation was analysed. One eye of each CD11b‐HSVTK mouse was injected with GCV, and the fellow eye received sodium chloride solution (NaCl). Cell counting was performed at day 3 and 7 (one injection) or at day 14 and 21 (two injections). Choroidal neovascularization (CNV) was induced by argon laser and analysed at day 14. Results: The most effective CD11b+ cell depletion was achieved 7 days after a single injection and 14 days after two injections of GCV. After two injections of GCV, we found a significant reduction of CD11b+ cells in central (52 ± 23.9 cells/mm2) and peripheral retina (53 ± 20.6 cells/mm2); compared to eyes received NaCl (216 ± 49.0 and 210 ± 50.5 cells/mm2, p < 0.001, respectively). Regarding CNV areas, no statistical significance was found between the groups. Conclusion: The CD11b‐HSVTK mouse is a feasible model for a local depletion of CD11b+ cells in the retina. Nevertheless, only a partial depletion of CD11b+ cells could be achieved compared to baseline data without any intravitreal injections. Our results did not reveal a significant reduction in CNV areas. In the light of previous knowledge, the potential influence of systemic immune cells on CNV formation might be more relevant than expected. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose To investigate pathomechanisms involved in graft detachment after Descemet's membrane endothelial keratoplasty ( DMEK) and its clinical implications. Methods In a prospective case series, 30 eyes with Fuchs' endothelial dystrophy underwent DMEK. Intraoperatively obtained recipients' endothelium-Descemet's membranes ( EDMs) were investigated histologically and immunohistochemically. The postoperative donor graft status was categorized as attached or detached. Clinical and morphological parameters were analysed between the study groups. Results The detachment rate was 40% (12/30). There was no significant difference in postoperative visual acuity between the groups, but visual recovery was delayed in eyes with initially detached grafts. Gender, age, preoperative central corneal thickness or best corrected visual acuity did not influence the detachment rate. However, separation and disruption of the anterior banded layer ( ABL) were frequently observed in patients with graft detachment, and ABL thickness was identified as a significant predictor for graft detachment. The ABL thickness was 2.5 ± 0.9 μm and 3.5 ± 1.6 μm in patients with attached and detached grafts, respectively. Immunohistologically, a deficiency of fibronectin and cytokeratin was observed within the ABL of patients with detached grafts. In contrast, a complete removal of the EDM with residual stromal collagen fragments was observed in patients with adherent grafts. Conclusions Incomplete removal of the EDM, with residual ABL fragments on the recipients' corneal stroma, may be a risk factor for graft detachment after DMEK. The separation and disruption of the ABL might be promoted by a deficiency of matrix proteins, stronger biomechanical properties and a firm adherence to the posterior corneal stroma. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Brockmann, C., Mummert, R., Ruhberg, H. and Storch, V. 1999. Ultrastructural investigations of the female genital system of Epiperipatus biolleyi (Bouvier 1902) (Onychophora, Peripatidae). — Acta Zoologica (Stockholm) 80: 339–349. The female genital system of the neotropical peripatid Epiperipatus biolleyi was examined using transmission and scanning electron microscopy. Special attention is given to the two accessory organs of the paired oviducts: the receptacula seminis and the ovarian funnels (Ovarialtrichter). The latter occur only in the Peripatidae, whereas receptacula seminis may also be present in the Peripatopsidae, the only other family in the Onychophora. The ovarian funnels of E. biolleyi are thin-walled and closed from the haemocoel. This trait has also been reported from Epiperipatus trinidadensis, Macroperipatus torquatus, and Eoperipatus weldoni, whereas other peripatids have ovarian funnels which have been reported to open into the haemocoel. The occurrence of artificially opened ovarian funnels, caused by tissue rupture during specimen preparation, is discussed. The presence of spermatozoa both in the receptaculum seminis and in parts of the uterus of the female examined in this study supports the hypothesis that in E. biolleyi insemination of juvenile females occurs directly via the genital opening. The female contained one unstalked cleavage embryo in each uterus horn. Two features of the uterus were found to be unique to E. biolleyi: (1) a second cell layer overlying the uterine epithelium with a pronounced secretory activity (2) embryos are enclosed in a noncellular coat interspersed with numerous transport vesicles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A large number of experiments have demonstrated that misleading postevent information may result in distortions of eyewitness performance. However, most studies have employed a quite specific piece of misinformation (the colour of a car, a type of a road sign) rather than more general postevent information. In the present experiment subjects viewed a film depicting a traffic accident and were subsequently informed that the car driver had or had not committed hit-and-run behaviour and that the motorcyclist had or had not been drinking. An additional control group received no information. In a subsequent interrogation subjects were asked to rate the amount of cause, responsibility and guilt attributable to the car driver and motorcyclist. Results showed that responsibility and guilt and the statements on the accident-related behaviour were influenced by the postevent information. In general, subjects who had received negative information about one of the persons involved attributed higher amounts of responsibility and guilt to them and provided more negative statement s concerning their behaviour. However, details that were not closely related to the accident were no significantly influenced by postevent information. The results are discussed in terms of schematic memory reports. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A letter to the editor is presented in response to the article "Intraocular Collision Tumour: Case Report and Literature Review," that was published in the 2013 issue.

Purposes: Coats disease is a rare retinal vascular disorder characterized by telangiectasia and exudation affecting predominantly young male. Due to its rareness, analyses of large cohorts over long periods are of particular importance to give a prognosis for the usually very young patients and their parents, especially with regard to required therapy. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed patients diagnosed with Coats disease and treated between May 1992 und March 2019. The minimum follow‐up was 12 months. We evaluated the interventional procedures with regard to the initial stage. Results: Seventy‐seven eyes of 75 patients were included in the analyses. Eighty‐one percent were male; mean age was 17.8 ± 18.2 years (range 1–71; median 10.0). Mean follow‐up time was 7.3 ± 5.6 years (range 1.1–21.4; median 6.5). In eyes with stage 1 (n = 2) only lasercoagulation (LC) was necessary. In stage 2A 65% (11/17) of eyes required LC, 30% (5/17) cryotherapie (CT), 25% (4/17) vitrectomy (VT) and 18% (3/17) ruthenium brachytherapy (RT) due to secondary vasoproliferative retinal tumor. In stage 2B 88% (29/33) were treated with LC, 30% (10/33) with CT, 21% (7/33) needed VT and 6% (2/33) RT. In 89% (8/9) of eyes staged 3A1 LC was necessary, in 100% (9/9) CT and in 44% (4/9) VT. Three eyes were staged 3A2 and all of them required VT, two additional LC and one additional CT. Similar results were seen in stage 3B (five eyes): in all eyes VT was performed, in 80% (4/5) LC and CT was done in addition. Four of six (66%) stage 4 eyes were enucleated, the 2 remaining received CT and VT or RT. We had 2 stage 5 eyes, thereof one required enucleation. Conclusion: Therapy in patients with Coats' disease strongly depends on the initial stage with less intense procedures in early stages. While most invasive treatment was necessary in stage 3, the rate of enucleation was, as expected, highest in stage 4. Therefore early diagnosis and immediate treatment is of highest priority to preserve the eye. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To assess the influence of retinal macrophages and microglia on the formation of choroidal neovascularization (CNV). Therefore, we used a transgenic mouse (CD11b-HSVTK) in which the application of ganciclovir (GCV) results in a depletion of CD11b + cells., Methods: We first investigated if a local depletion of CD11b + macrophages and microglia in the retina is feasible. In a second step, the influence of CD11b + cell depletion on CNV formation was analysed. One eye of each CD11b-HSVTK mouse was injected with GCV, and the fellow eye received sodium chloride solution (NaCl). Cell counting was performed at day 3 and 7 (one injection) or at day 14 and 21 (two injections). Choroidal neovascularization (CNV) was induced by argon laser and analysed at day 14., Results: The most effective CD11b + cell depletion was achieved 7 days after a single injection and 14 days after two injections of GCV. After two injections of GCV, we found a significant reduction of CD11b + cells in central (52 ± 23.9 cells/mm 2 ) and peripheral retina (53 ± 20.6 cells/mm 2 ); compared to eyes received NaCl (216 ± 49.0 and 210 ± 50.5 cells/mm 2 , p < 0.001, respectively). Regarding CNV areas, no statistical significance was found between the groups., Conclusion: The CD11b-HSVTK mouse is a feasible model for a local depletion of CD11b + cells in the retina. Nevertheless, only a partial depletion of CD11b + cells could be achieved compared to baseline data without any intravitreal injections. Our results did not reveal a significant reduction in CNV areas. In the light of previous knowledge, the potential influence of systemic immune cells on CNV formation might be more relevant than expected., (© 2018 Acta Ophthalmologica Scandinavica Foundation. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)