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To present the efficacy and safety of surgical treatment of moderate to advanced stage of open-angle glaucoma using the surgical method of transscleral cyclophotocoagulation with MicroPulse® laser (Iridex, Silicon Valley, California, USA) and to compare these results with those of continuous transscleral cyclophotocoagulation with diode laser. In a prospective observational clinical study 22 patients (30 eyes) with moderate and advanced open-angle glaucoma underwent transscleral cyclophotocoagulation. 15 eyes were treated with transscleral cyclophotocoagulation with MicroPulse® laser with 2500 mW (group A) and 15 eyes with continuous diode laser 810 nm and power between 2000 and 2300 mW (group B). The follow-up period of the study was 12 months. A reduction of the intraocular pressure > 30% was achieved in 53.3% of the group A and in 60% of the group B during the follow-up period of 12 months. A statistically significant decrease of the number of antiglaucoma agents was observed in group A. One eye (6.6%) of group A underwent additional antiglaucoma procedures to achieve target intraocular pressure. The corresponding percentage is 40% in group B. The postoperative inflammatory response was significantly more limited in group A compared to group B. The transscleral cyclophotocoagulation with MicroPulse® diode laser with 2500 mW achieves a similar decrease of the intraocular pressure as cyclophotocoagulation with continuous diode laser for the first postoperative months, but more satisfactory reduction of the number of eye drops as well as more limited postoperative inflammatory response.

To compare the efficacy of transscleral cyclophotocoagulation with MicroPulse® laser (Iridex, Silicon Valley, California, USA) with 3000 mW to Ahmed valve implantation in eyes with advanced stage of primary open-angle glaucoma. In a prospective observational clinical study, 30 patients (30 eyes) with advanced open-angle glaucoma were randomized for either micropulse transscleral cyclophotocoagulation with 3000 mW or Ahmed valve implantation. Fifteen eyes were treated with transscleral cyclophotocoagulation with MicroPulse® laser with 3000 mW (group A) and 15 eyes with Ahmed valve implantation (group B). As inclusion criteria are included the diagnosis of advanced primary open-angle glaucoma, an intraocular pressure above 21 mmHg, cup-to-disk ratio 0.9–1.0, failure to meet the target IOP with either maximal tolerated local medical therapy (2–4 antiglaucoma agents) or systemic therapy (acetazolamide). The follow-up time of the study was 12 months. An absolute success was defined the achievement of IOP between 6 and 15 mmHg and at least 30% reduction of the IOP from baseline under reduced or the same number of antiglaucoma agents after the surgical procedure without following glaucoma surgeries and as qualified success the achievement of IOP between 6 and 18 mmHg and at least 20% reduction of the IOP from baseline regardless of the number of postoperative antiglaucoma agents. The efficacy was evaluated by estimating the absolute success rate and the qualified success rate using the Kaplan–Meier survival analysis. A reduction of the intraocular pressure > 30% was achieved in 33.3% of group A and in 73.3% of group B during the follow-up period of 12 months. A statistically significant decrease in the number of eye drops was observed in both groups (p < 0.01). 53.3% of the eyes of group A underwent additional anti-glaucoma procedures to achieve target intraocular pressure. The number of the local medications that were administered 12 months after the ocular surgery was 2 (± 1.3) in group A and 0.57 (± 0.9) in group B, compared to 3.2 (± 0.78) in group A and 3.33 (± 0.7) in group B administered prior to the surgery (p: 0.016). 8 eyes (53.33%) in group A were referred for additional treatment due to an acute postoperative rise in IOP (5 eyes: mTS-CPC, 1 eye: canaloplasty, 2 eyes: AGV implantation). No further anti-glaucoma procedures were necessary in group B. The Ahmed valve implantation achieves a more efficient decrease of the intraocular pressure as well as of the number of antiglaucoma agents than the transscleral cyclophotocoagulation with MicroPulse® diode laser 3000 mW. Additionally, the Ahmed valve implantation showed better results in terms of absolute and qualified success rates in the treatment of advanced primary open-angle glaucoma.

The coverage of chronic and painful corneal defects with a complete or partial conjunctival flap is a surgical practice that is still applied to advanced stage of keratopathies, which insist despite repeated treatments with a therapeutic contact lens, corneal transplantation or amniotic membrane transplantation.37 cases of refractory corneal defects were treated between January 2006 and December 2019 with conjunctival flap. 27 cases underwent a complete and 10 cases a partial conjunctival flap. The mean age of the patients (n = 37, 23 women and 14 men subjects) was 73 years (23 - 87 years). Unsuccessful efforts of intensive conservative treatment and repetitive surgical procedures for several weeks or even months ended up to the indication of performance of a conjunctival flap. Conjunctival flap was performed using the Gundersen technique. A very thin flap of the upper bulbar conjunctiva is dissected downward towards the limbus without creating buttonholes. When the limbus is reached, the resultant flap is freed and without tension it is pulled over the corneal defect and sutured with nylon sutures placed at the limbus (complete conjunctival flap) or at the stroma of healthy cornea (partial conjunctival flap).This kind of conjunctival flap has low rates of complication. The postoperative follow-up after the partial or complete conjunctival flap was satisfying in 34 cases and showed a good healing process without major complications. Partial conjunctival flap shrinkage was observed in 3 cases, which could be revised in 2 of them. One case underwent enucleation, because of recurrent severe keratopathy.Conjunctival flap is an established surgical procedure that is applied rarely. The more frequent performance of this technique is suggested as it consists the ultima ratio for the treatment of refractory neurotrophic keratitis and non-healing epithelial defects.Partielle oder auch komplette Bindehautdeckungen haben ihre Indikation fast nur noch bei chronischen und schmerzhaften Oberflächenproblemen der Hornhaut, die dauerhaft gelöst werden sollen.Wir berichten über 37 Patienten, 23 Frauen und 14 Männer, mit einem Alter von 23 – 87 Jahren (Mittelwert 73 Jahre), bei denen wir in dem Zeitraum 1/2006 bis 12/2019 27 × eine komplette und 10 × eine partielle Bindehautdeckung durchgeführt haben. Vor der eigentlichen chirurgischen Maßnahme der Bindehautdeckung erfolgt i. d. R. eine wochen- bis monatelange ambulante wie auch stationäre Behandlung der chronischen therapieresistenten Oberflächenveränderungen und auch der Schmerzsymptomatik. Dafür muss ein Bindehautlappen partiell oder komplett möglichst spannungsfrei über die Hornhaut gezogen und dann stromal oder am Limbus verankert werden, bis eine Verwachsung der Subkonjunktiva mit den erkrankten Hornhautarealen erfolgt ist. In der Regel wird heutzutage dafür die Technik nach Gundersen durchgeführt.Insgesamt ist diese Bindehautdeckung komplikationsarm. Bei 34 Patienten waren die postoperativen Verläufe regelrecht. Die partiellen oder auch kompletten Bindehautdeckungen heilten komplikationslos ein. In 3 Fällen wurde eine Bindehautretraktion beobachtet, die in 2 Fällen revidiert werden konnte. In einem Fall musste eine Enukleation vorgenommen werden.Bindehautdeckungen sind eine etablierte, leider zu selten durchgeführte Operationstechnik, die häufiger zur Behandlung einer neurotrophen Keratitis oder bei persistierenden, nicht abheilenden Epitheldefekten zur Anwendung kommen sollte.

Purpose To report preliminary 6-month results on the use of the Preserflo Microshunt implant with and without Ologen in 50 pseudophakic eyes with moderate to advanced primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG). Methods Fifty pseudophakic eyes underwent ab externo Preserflo Microshunt implantation. Data was gathered retrospectively and two groups were then created, group A with application of MMC 0.2 mg/ml and group B with MMC 0.2 mg/ml and Ologen collagen matrix (OCM) implantation. Absolute success was regarded as the percentage of eyes achieving: a) 5 ≤ intraocular pressure (IOP) ≤ 13 mmHg, b) 5 ≤ IOP ≤ 16 mmHg, and c) 5 ≤ IOP ≤ 21 mmHg without additional medication or surgery and qualified success was regarded as the percentage of eyes achieving a) IOP ≤ 13 mmHg, b) IOP ≤ 16 mmHg, and c) IOP ≤ 21 mmHg with or without medication. Evaluation was performed using a log-rank Kaplan-Meier test. A scatterplot analysis presented the treatment effect data of all eyes with a minimum of 20% IOP reduction per case. Failure was defined as requiring additional surgery, IOP greater than 21 mmHg with or without medication and failure to reach 20% IOP reduction. Results Mean postoperative IOP was significantly lower in both groups. IOP decreased by 49.06% in group A and by 53.01% in group B at 6 months (P P P > 0.05). Cumulative IOP results per case were not statistically different in group A compared with group B. One revision surgery in group A (4% failure rate) and three in group B (12% failure rate) were performed. Conclusions Both groups showed equal results in terms of cumulative and mean IOP reduction, medication reduction as well as in absolute and qualified success rates. No significant difference was found in any parameters tested between Preserflo Microshunt with MMC 0.2 mg/ml and with or without OCM implantation at 6 months. Long-term follow-up is required to further evaluate this data.

Keratoconus is a relatively common ectatic, non-inflammatory corneal disorder that involves gradual visual deterioration through progressive alteration of the shape of the cornea. The corneal thinning, irregular astigmatism and higher order aberrations that occur as the disease progresses pose major challenges in the visual rehabilitation of such patients. This paper summarizes the current literature regarding the results of visual enhancement procedures in patients with stable keratoconus treated with standalone anterior or posterior chamber phakic intraocular lens implantation and monofocal, toric or multifocal toric intraocular lens implantation following phacoemulsification for age-related cataract extraction or refractive lens exchange.

Background The aim of this study is to review the outcomes of canaloplasty versus canaloplasty combined with phacoemulsification in a retrospective cohort study and to evaluate the efficacy of these methods in terms of intraocular pressure (IOP) lowering effect, postoperative complications and additional glaucoma surgery or reintroduction of medical therapy over a 12-month follow-up. Methods In a retrospective cohort study, 602 eyes with primary open angle glaucoma (POAG) were treated with canaloplasty or canaloplasty combined with phacoemulsification. The results were evaluated separately in two main groups; group A canaloplasty (262 eyes) and group B canaloplasty combined with phaco (322 eyes). Each group was then subdivided into three additional groups according to the severity of glaucoma. The criteria for successful treatment were evaluated between three IOP ranges; IOP ≤ 16 mmHg, 18 mmHg and 21 mmHg. Complete success was considered the percentage of eyes reaching target IOP with no medication and partial success with medication. Groups A and B subgroups were compared using the Kaplan Meier test. Mean IOP, reduction of antiglaucoma agents and additional IOP lowering methods were also evaluated. The follow-up time was 12 months. Statistical significance was set at p

To report the efficacy of ab externo canaloplasty by exclusively using only a nonabsorbable suture as a standalone operation or combined with phacoemulsification in terms of mean intraocular pressure (IOP), medication reduction, and intra- and postoperative complication rates as well as additional glaucoma surgery.Forty-eight patients with primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) and 50 eyes were divided into two groups according to the operation performed (Group A canaloplasty, n = 34 and Group B canaloplasty combined with phaco, n = 16), respectively. The success criteria were evaluated between three IOP ranges: a) IOP ≤ 16 mmHg, b) ≤ 18 mmHg, and c) ≤ 21 mmHg. Complete success was considered the percentage of eyes reaching these goals with no medication and qualified success with or without medication. Groups A and B were compared with the Kaplan-Meier test. Mean IOP and medication reduction as well as additional glaucoma surgery were also evaluated. The follow-up time was 6 months. Statistical importance was given at p 0.05.Fail rate and intraoperative conversion of canaloplasty to other surgery (trabeculotomy due to extensive cheese-wiring) accounted for 12% (6 eyes), while a mandatory usage of the iTrack 250A microcatheter to successfully overcome intracanalicular bridging of the Schlemm's canal accounted for 20% (10 eyes). The most common early postoperative complications in both groups were hyphema, cheese wiring, and transient IOP rising. The mean IOP in Group A reduced from 23.67 ± 6.06 mmHg to 13.35 ± 4.23 mmHg and in Group B, it reduced from 23.55 ± 6.19 mmHg to 12.75 ± 1.5 mmHg at 6 months (p 0.001). Group A's absolute success rates accounted for a) 44%, b) 47.1%, and c) 52.9% in comparison to Group B [a) 50%, b) 50%, and c) 56.3%] at 6 months (p 0.05). Qualified success with or without medication showed no statistical differences between the groups. The mean medication reduction was significantly lower (p 0.001) in both groups (Group A from baseline 3.2 ± 1.23 to 0.95 ± 1.35 and Group B from 3.12 ± 0.88 to 1.12 ± 0.75 at 6 months, respectively). Five eyes (10%) required additional glaucoma surgery.Ab externo canaloplasty by exclusively using only a nonabsorbable suture as a standalone operation or combined with phacoemulsification seems to lower the mean IOP and medication sufficiently. However, they pose a greater surgical challenge and intraoperative complication rate. Additional glaucoma surgery or medication following both procedures may be necessary to achieve an optimal target IOP.Berichterstattung über die Wirksamkeit der Ab-externo-Kanaloplastik durch ausschließliche Verwendung nur einer nicht resorbierbaren Naht als eigenständige Operation oder in Kombination mit einer Phakoemulsifikation in Bezug auf den Mittelwert des Augeninnendrucks und die Reduktion der Antiglaukomatosa, die intra- und postoperativen Komplikationsraten sowie die zusätzliche Glaukomoperation.48 Patienten (50 Augen) mit POAG wurden gemäß der durchgeführten Operation in 2 Gruppen eingeteilt (Gruppe A Kanaloplastik, n = 34, und Gruppe B Kanaloplastik kombiniert mit Phako, n = 16). Die Erfolgskriterien wurden zwischen 3 IOP-Bereichen bewertet: a) IOD ≤ 16 mmHg, b) ≤ 18 mmHg und c) ≤ 21 mmHg. Der vollständige Erfolg wurde als Prozentsatz der Augen angesehen, die diese Zieldrücke ohne Antiglaukomatosa erreichten, und als qualifizierter Erfolg mit oder ohne Antiglaukomatosa. Gruppe A und B wurden mit dem Kaplan-Meier-Test verglichen. Der Mittelwert des Augeninnendrucks und die Reduktion der Antiglaukomatosa sowie eine zusätzliche Glaukomoperation wurden ebenfalls ausgewertet. Die Nachbeobachtungszeit betrug 6 Monate. Die statistische Signifikanz wurde bei p 0,05 angegeben.Die Umstellung der Kanaloplastik auf andere chirurgische Eingriffe (Trabekulotomie aufgrund umfangreichem „cheese wiring“) betrug 12% (6 Augen). Die Verwendung des iTrack 250A-Mikrokatheters zur erfolgreichen Katheterisierung des Kanals und Lösung der intrakanalikulären Vernarbungen des Schlemm-Kanals war bei 20% (10 Augen) erforderlich. Die häufigsten frühen postoperativen Komplikationen in beiden Gruppen waren Hyphema, „cheese wiring“ und vorübergehender Anstieg des Augeninnendrucks. Der Mittelwert des Augeninnendrucks wurde in Gruppe A von 23,67 ± 6,06 auf 13,35 ± 4,23 mmHg and in Gruppe B von 23,55 ± 6,19 auf 12,75 ± 1,5 mmHg nach 6 Monaten reduziert (p 0,001). Die absoluten Erfolgsraten der Gruppe A waren a) 44%, b) 47,1% und c) 52,9% im Vergleich zu denen der Gruppe B a) 50%, b) 50% und c) 56,3% nach 6 Monaten (p 0,05). Qualifizierter Erfolg mit oder ohne Antiglaukomatosa zeigte keine statistischen Unterschiede zwischen den Gruppen. Die mittelwertige Reduktion der Antiglaukomatosa war in beiden Gruppen signifikant niedriger (p 0,001) (Gruppe A von 3,2 ± 1,23 auf 0,95 ± 1,35 und Gruppe B von 3,12 ± 0,88 auf 1,12 ± 0,75 nach 6 Monaten). Fünf Augen (10%) erforderten eine zusätzliche Glaukomoperation.Eine Ab-externo-Kanaloplastik mithilfe einer nicht resorbierbaren Naht als eigenständige Operation oder in Kombination mit einer Phakoemulsifikation kann den mittleren Augeninnendruck und die Antiglaukomatosa ausreichend senken. Diese operative Technik stellt jedoch eine größere chirurgische Herausforderung dar und scheint eine höhere intraoperative Komplikationsrate zu haben. Zusätzliche Glaukomoperationen oder Antiglaukomatosa nach beiden Verfahren können erforderlich sein, falls ein optimaler Zieldruck nicht erreicht ist.

To evaluate the 24-month outcomes following STARflo™ implantation in patients with moderate or advanced open-angle glaucoma. We enrolled 32 patients (40 eyes) with high intraocular pressure (IOP) resistant to topical and systemic medical therapy. After baseline assessments, patients were implanted with STARflo™ implants with the goal of IOP reduction and long-term maintenance. Patients were followed for 24 months. Complete success of implantation was defined as a restoration of normal IOP without topical glaucoma medications, while qualified success was defined as a restoration of normal IOP with implantation and topical glaucoma medications. STARflo™ did not satisfactorily reduce IOP at 24 months. Twenty-eight eyes (70%) had elevated IOP at least once during the 24 months post-implantation period. Five eyes (12.5%) developed corneal decompensation. The average IOP 24 months after the surgery was 13.42 ± 6.03 mmHg and was not significantly different than IOP at 12 months (13.2 ± 5.59 mmHg). Moreover, 45% of treated eyes needed additional glaucoma procedures after 1 year and 2 years to achieve these IOPs. STARflo™ did reduce the average number of topical glaucoma medications from 2.7 pre-implantation to 1.17 at 24 months postoperatively in the rest 55% of the eyes. The STARflo™ implantation did not meet success criteria and so appears to be an ineffective alternative to filtering surgical procedures for patients with treatment-refractory open-angle glaucoma.

The STARflo glaucoma implant is a drainage-free system designed for the operative treatment of refractory open-angle glaucoma. The purpose of this study is to investigate the safety and efficacy of the STARflo implant. The results of 12 months follow-up are presented in patients with open-angle glaucoma, PEX–glaucoma, and congenital glaucoma. A prospective study with a total of over 29 patients (36 eyes), in which the suprachoroidal implantation of the STARflo was indicated for long-term intraocular pressure reduction, is still in process and evaluation. The reduction of intraocular pressure was satisfying after 12 months with an average intraocular pressure of 15.0 (± 2.5) mmHg in comparison to 21.08 (± 7.29) mmHg preoperatively. There was a significant 66.7% reduction in local glaucoma drops 12 months postoperatively (p

Low grade endophthalmitis is usually a chronic indolent inflammation that may be misdiagnosed as noninfectious uveitis. Therefore, this form of endophthalmitis is often unsuccessfully treated with corticosteroids. We describe the case of a patient with low grade endophthalmitis caused by Propionibacterium acnes after cataract surgery. This case report presents the difficulties in establishing the diagnosis of this form of endophthalmitis as well as the benefits of a combined operative therapy with pars plana vitrectomy, intravitreal antibiotics and posterior capsulectomy for successful treatment in such cases.

Idiopathic epiretinal membrane (iERM) is very rare in adolescent patients. The pathogenesis remains unclear although the role of hyalocytes is of major importance. The clinical features in young patients are different from those in older patients. We describe a case of iERM in a 15-year-old girl who presented with metamorphopsia of the right eye. This case report presents the basis for the decision for surgical treatment as well as the clinical features at follow-up examination 9 months after surgery.

Backgrounds: To report 2 cases of multidrug-resistant fungal keratitis caused by Fusarium solani. The patients underwent a different conservative and surgical therapy including in both of them a keratoplasty a chaud. Methods and findings: A 21-years-old male and a 26- years-old female patient, who both used soft contact lenses developed corneal infiltrates. In the first case the diagnosis was delayed because multiple microbiological examinations of corneal scrapings were initially negative for fungi. A combined empirical therapy against Acanthamoeba and bacteria resulted in no improvement of the clinical findings. The patient underwent a keratoplasty a chaud and the histopathologic analysis of the corneal button yielded Fusarium solani multiresistant to all antifungal agents. In the second case, Fusarium solani was detected in the initial microbiological examination of the corneal scrapings. Although the fungus was multiresistant to all antifungal agents, an aggressive multiple topical antifungal therapy as well as lyposomal Amphotericin B i.v was applied successfully after the keratoplasty a chaud combined with application of Polyvidon-Iodine on the infected cornea and cryocoagulation circular at limbus. Results: Although a therapy with topical Amphotericin B and systemic lyposomal Amphotericin B was applied by the first case the infection progressed to an endophthalmitis. Unfortunately an enucleation was unavoidable. The multiple conservative antifungal therapy in the second case was successful, and the corneal transplant remained free from new infiltrations. Conclusion: We consider the fast diagnosis of multidrug resistance of great importance. Secondly, a penetrating keratoplasty early on the course of the disease increases the chances of a successful outcome.

Osteoprotegerin (OPG), a member of the tumor necrosis factor (TNF) receptor superfamily, contributes determinatively to the bone remodeling as well as to the pathogenetic mechanism of bone malignancies and disorders of mineral metabolism. There is additional evidence that OPG can promote cell survival by inhibiting TNF-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL)-induced apoptosis. A number of recent in vitro, in vivo and clinical studies have defined the role of the RANK/RANKL/OPG pathway in skeletal and vascular diseases. These works were the milestone of the deep understanding of the mechanism of OPG. This review provides an overview of the potential innovative therapeutic strategies of OPG in metastatic breast and prostate carcinoma, multiple myeloma, postmenopausal osteoporosis, glucocorticoid-induced osteoporosis and rheumatoid arthritis. Special reference is given to the increasing evidence that RANKL and OPG may link the skeletal with the vascular system.

Osteoprotegerin (OPG), member of tumor necrosis factor (TNF) receptor superfamily, has various biological functions including bone remodeling. OPG binds to receptor activator of nuclear factor-kB ligand (RANKL) and prevents osteoclastic bone resorption. Recently, OPG has gained more clinical interest as its role in cancer-mediated bone destruction and the potential of RANKL inhibition could act as a novel treatment in tumor-induced bone disease. OPG protects prostate cancer cells from apoptotic effects of TRAIL and therefore provides tumor cells producing OPG with survival advantages. Additionally, the increased RANKL/OPG ratio in metastatic breast cancer results in severe osteolysis. Thus, bone formation and resorption are the crux of cancer metastasis, resulting in bone pain and pathological fractures. This review provides an overview of the role of OPG in cancer-induced bone disease.