Objective: To study silicone oil (SO) emulsification, anatomic and visual outcome after complicated retinal detachment surgery by pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) with intraocular SO tamponade, comparing between low and high viscosity SO. Design: Randomized, double-blinded, controlled trial. Patients and Methods: Patients with complicated retinal detachment who had been surgically treated by PPV and intraocular SO tamponade were randomly divided into low viscosity (Group 1) or high viscosity (Group 2). Main Outcome Measures were rate of silicone oil emulsification, anatomic retinal reattachment and visual outcome, assessed at 1,3,6,9 and 12 months. Results: One hundred patients were divided into 50 patients in each group. The rate of silicone oil emulsification in Group 1 (63.64%) was higher than Group 2 (40%), but the difference was not statistically significant (p = 0.08). Rates of anatomic retinal reattachment were 88% in Group 1 and 90% in Group 2 (p = 0.76). For functional visual outcome, final best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) at Month 12 compared with the baseline BCVA was improved vision 52% in Group 1 and 58% in Group 2 (p = 0.82). Conclusion: SO emulsification rate in low viscosity group is non-significantly higher than high viscosity group, but results in a comparable reattachment rate and final visual recovery. Emulsification in both groups is detected at as early as 1 month and mostly within 3 months. We recommend using either low or high viscosity SO in complicated retinal detachment surgery and removing it as early as possible to prevent the consequent serious complications. Clinical Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02988583.

BackgroundTo characterize the causative pathogens and the visual outcomes among patients with endophthalmitis at a large referral center in northeastern Thailand.MethodsAll cases of infectious endophthalmitis treated between 1983 and 2007 were reviewed retrospectively. The patient data – including age, sex, history of ocular injuries, previous treatment and duration of the symptoms – were recorded. The ocular examination included affected side, anterior chamber reaction, vitreous haze, and presence of intraocular foreign bodies. Smears and cultures were prepared from anterior chamber paracentesis and/or vitreous tapping. Intraocular antibiotics were administered at the time of anterior chamber paracentesis and/or vitreous tapping. Vitrectomy and/or lensectomy were performed when indicated. Initial visual acuity before treatment and the final best-corrected vision were compared.ResultsA total of 420 cases of endophthalmitis were reviewed: 181 cases (43.1%) had ocular trauma before the infection; 135 (32.2%) developed endophthalmitis after intraocular surgery; and, 122 (29.1%) had a positive culture. Bacteria were isolated in 114 cases (93.4%) and fungi were noted in eight (6.6%). The common causative bacterium was Staphylococcus epidermidis. Combined vitrectomy and intraocular antibiotics were performed in 189 cases (45.0%), whereas 69 cases (16.4%) were treated with intraocular antibiotics alone.ConclusionMost of the reviewed cases were associated with trauma and intraocular surgery. The most frequently encountered bacterium causing infectious endophthalmitis was S. epidermidis. Most cases were treated with combined vitrectomy and intraocular antibiotics. The final visual outcomes seem to vary according to the type of endophthalmitis.

ObjectiveTo evaluate visual outcomes and possible predictive factors in the treatment of infectious endophthalmitis caused by Streptococcus species during 2012–2016 at a large referral eye center in northeastern Thailand.MethodsA retrospective medical record chart review of patients with culture-positive endophthalmitis caused by Streptococcus species was conducted. Demographic data including age, gender, occupation, duration of symptoms, time to surgery, surgical procedures, initial visual acuity at presentation, and final visual acuity after treatment were collected and analyzed. Possible predictive factors associated with improved visual outcomes were also studied.ResultsForty-five eyes of 45 patients were recruited for the study. The 3 most common types of endophthalmitis were postoperative (35.56%), posttraumatic (20%), and endogenous (15.56%). At presentation, most patients (95.56%) had visual acuity of hand motion (55.56%), light perception (28.89%), or no light perception (11.11%). The 3 most common isolates were Streptococcus pneumoniae (44.44%), Group B β-hemolytic Streptococcus (26.68%), and Streptococcus viridans (20%). Most patients (62.22%) were treated with surgical interventions, either pars plana vitrectomy with intravitreal antibiotics or pars plana vitrectomy with intravitreal antibiotics and silicone oil tamponade. After treatment, improved visual outcome was noted in only 9 patients (20%), and no visual improvement was seen in 36 patients (80%). Evisceration and enucleation were performed in 15 patients (33.33%). The only possible predictive factor associated with improved visual outcomes was early vitrectomy, performed within 3 days.ConclusionStreptococcal endophthalmitis is often associated with poor visual prognosis. Only 9 patients (20%) had improved vision after treatment. The only possible predictive factor associated with improved visual outcomes was vitrectomy within 3 days. Early diagnosis and early vitrectomy are therefore recommended.

ObjectiveThis study aimed to study the prevalence and characteristics of idiopathic polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy (IPCV) in Thai patients with clinical and angiographic choroidal neovascularization (CNV).Patients and methodsA consecutive case study of 140 patients presenting with CNV was conducted in nine large referral eye centers throughout Thailand. The demographic data, fundus photographs, fundus fluorescein angiography and indocyanine green angiography of the patients were analyzed.ResultsOf 129 patients with clinical and angiographic CNV, IPCV was diagnosed in 100 patients (77.52%), idiopathic CNVs in 16 patients (12.40%) and age-related macular degeneration (AMD) in 12 patients (9.30%). Of the 107 eyes with IPCV, 90 eyes (84.11%) had both branching venous networks (BVNs) and polypoidal lesions. Most IPCV patients (93%) had unilateral involvement and were at a younger age than AMD patients. In all, 79 eyes (73.83%) had lesions found in the macular area, 14 eyes (13.08%) in the temporal to vascular arcades, ten eyes (9.35%) in the peripapillary area and four eyes (3.74%) in both macular and peripapillary areas. The clinical manifestations of IPCV at presentation were categorized into two patterns. There were 95 eyes (88.79%) of a hemorrhagic pattern and 12 eyes (11.21%) of an exudative pattern.ConclusionIPCV is the most common macular disease in Thai patients with CNV. Most IPCVs have both BVNs and polypoidal lesions located in the macular area and present with a hemorrhagic pattern.

Background: To compare blood culture bottles and conventional media for the vitreous culture in patients with clinically suspected infectious endophthalmitis.