Orlando G. Gonzalez Martinez

To evaluate the efficacy and safety of MicroPulse transscleral laser therapy (MPTLT) for cyclophotocoagulation in the treatment of glaucoma with different doses of energy. A retrospective review was done of 136 eyes in 90 patients treated with MPTLT between 2018 and 2022. Intraocular pressures (IOP) at follow-ups were compared with a paired student t-test and treatment outcomes with a Chi-squared test. The cohort was stratified into subgroups to analyze the effect of total applied energy on outcomes. The variance between energy groups was analyzed with the Kruskal–Wallis test adjusted for multiple comparisons. A total of 136 eyes of 90 patients underwent MPTLT for mostly open angle (36.0%) and childhood glaucoma (30.1%). Applied energy range was between 37.5 and 195.6 J with a mean [standard deviation (SD)] of 100.7 (34.3) J. Applied energy of 125–200 J reduced IOP the most at 2 years with 90% of eyes within 6–21 mm Hg and 66% of eyes having IOP reduced at least 20% (p < 0.001) from baseline. However, at 2 years, energy 50–75 J achieved fewer eyes with two or more Snellen lines lost than energy 125–200 J and a lower proportion of eyes with at least one symptom (p < 0.05). No severe complications of hypotony, phthisis bulbi, or chronic inflammation were reported. IOP reduction and safety outcome of MPTLT varied with applied energy. Doses should be adjusted to target the treatment goals for individual patients. MPTLT was found to be effective in lowering IOP in glaucoma. Using high levels of energy is associated with higher rates of complications. Nguyen J, González-Martínez OG, Khouri AS. MicroPulse Transscleral Laser Therapy: A Retrospective Study of Dose Efficacy and Safety. J Curr Glaucoma Pract 2024;18(3):121–129.

Purpose: To report on our experience using intravitreal methotrexate (MTX) in patients with retinal detachment associated with proliferative vitreoretinopathy and/or open globe injury. Methods: This study performed a retrospective chart review of a consecutive series of 21 eyes of 21 patients who underwent serial intravitreal MTX injection for treatment and/or prevention of proliferative vitreoretinopathy from December 2021 to January 2024. Results: Twenty-one patients underwent pars plana vitrectomy, membrane peeling, laser photocoagulation, silicone oil infusion, and intravitreal MTX injection. Postoperatively, all eyes received a series of intravitreal MTX (400 μg/0.1 mL) injections. Optimally, injections were administered weekly for 8 weeks and every 2 weeks for four weeks for a total of 13 injections, beginning intraoperatively at the conclusion of retinal reattachment surgery. Mean baseline preoperative and postoperative visual acuity was logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution 3.2 (approximately hand motions vision) and 2.5 (between CF and hand motions vision), respectively, yielding an average improvement in visual acuity of 0.7 logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution units (0 ETDRS lines/letters). These 21 patients received an average of 10.5 injections. With a single operation, detachments in 19 (90%) of 21 eyes were successfully reattached. Corneal epithelial defects were noted in 7 (33%) of 21 patients. Conclusion: Serial intravitreal MTX injection was associated with 90% single operation retinal reattachment rate in the setting of retinal detachment with proliferative vitreoretinopathy or retinal detachment at high risk of proliferative vitreoretinopathy.

Age-related macular degeneration and retinitis pigmentosa are degenerative retinal diseases that cause severe vision loss. Early clinical trials involving transplantation of photoreceptors as treatment for these conditions are underway. In this review, we summarize recent progress in the field of photoreceptor transplantation, including some pertinent results regarding photoreceptor manufacture, photoreceptor transplantation, mechanisms of donor–host cell integration such as material transfer and photoreceptor transplant immunology. We conclude by proposing several approaches that may provide a rational basis for selecting a vision restoration strategy (eg, donor–host synapse formation vs donor–host nanotube formation) and improved transplant efficiency.

Age-related macular degeneration and retinitis pigmentosa are degenerative retinal diseases that cause severe vision loss. Early clinical trials involving transplantation of retinal pigment epithelial cells and/or photoreceptors as a treatment for these conditions are underway. In this review, we summarize recent progress in the field of retinal pigment epithelium transplantation, including some pertinent clinical trial results as well as preclinical studies that address issues of transplant immunology, cell delivery, and cell manufacturing.

Context.—: Ophthalmic pathology is a discipline that relies heavily on a knowledge of clinical ophthalmology. The diagnosis of ocular and periocular lesions can be challenging because some lesions and diseases are unique to this region, whereas others may demonstrate site-specific differences from nonocular counterparts. Because of these challenges, ocular and periocular biopsies are frequently referred to specialized ophthalmic pathology centers for second-opinion diagnoses. Objective.—: To analyze the referral patterns, diagnostic challenges, and diagnostic discrepancies for second-opinion referrals at a dedicated ophthalmic pathology laboratory with an emphasis on lesions of special interest in ophthalmic pathology. Data Sources.—: Data sources included the pathology records of all slides and blocks received in consultation at the referral eye pathology center between December 1, 2015, and December 1, 2022, the personal experience of senior authors, and published peer-reviewed literature. Conclusions.—: Corneal, intraocular, and conjunctival biopsies are the most common types of cases received in consultation without the referring pathologist's diagnosis, likely reflecting diagnostic challenges. Degenerative intraocular processes occasionally raise concern for a neoplasm. Conjunctival melanocytic lesions are the most common conjunctival biopsies referred for second-opinion diagnosis and require careful tissue sampling and clinical-pathologic correlation. Careful clinical-pathologic correlation, a high level of suspicion, and adequate sampling also are required for the accurate diagnosis of periocular sebaceous carcinoma. The diagnostic discrepancies involving uveal, retinal, conjunctival, eyelid, and temporal artery biopsies are most likely to adversely influence patient management and possible outcome. Such specimens may benefit from referral to specialized ophthalmic pathology laboratories.

We report a case of macular telangiectasia type 2 with an associated choroidal neovascular membrane and its treatment. A 54-year-old female presented with a history of gradual vision loss in both eyes. A physical exam showed visual acuity of 20/40 in both eyes and significant metamorphopsia in the right eye. A fundus examination of the right eye was remarkable for right-angled vessels in the juxtafoveal region and subretinal fibrosis temporal to the fovea. A fundus examination of the left eye revealed intraretinal crystals in the juxtafoveal region and right-angled vessels. Optical coherence tomography and angiography confirmed the diagnosis of macular telangiectasia type 2 as well as the presence of a choroidal neovascular membrane in the right eye. The patient was treated with 18 intravitreal injections of anti-vascular endothelial growth factor agent in the right eye for two years, with five to six weeks between each treatment, which resulted in the membrane's stability. Our report suggests that anti-vascular endothelial growth factor therapy via intravitreal injection may be beneficial in treating choroidal neovascular membranes in patients with macular telangiectasia type 2.