BackgroundTo assess closure rate after a single surgery of large macular holes and their visual recovery in the short term with three different surgical techniques.MethodsProspective multicenter randomized controlled trial. We included treatment-naïve patients with diagnosis of large macular hole (minimum diameter of > 400 µm). All patients underwent a comprehensive ophthalmological examination. Before surgery, the patients were randomized into three groups: group A: conventional internal limiting membrane peeling, group B: inverted-flap technique and group C: free-flap technique. All study measurements were repeated within the period of 1 and 3 months after surgery. Continuous variables were assessed with a Kruskal–Wallis test, change in visual acuity was assessed with analysis of variance for repeated measurements with a Bonferroni correction for statistical significance.ResultsThirty-eight patients were enrolled (group A: 12, group B: 12, group C: 14). The closure rate was in group A and B: 91.6%; 95% CI 61.52–99.79%. In group C: 85.71%; 95% CI 57.19–98.22%. There were no differences in the macular hole closure rate between groups (p = 0.85). All groups improved ≈ 0.2 logMAR, but only group B reached statistical significance (p < 0.007).ConclusionsDespite all techniques displayed a trend toward visual improvement, the inverted-flap technique seems to induce a faster and more significant recovery in the short term.

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BackgroundTo determine the effect of the silicone on the dexamethasone intravitreal implant.MethodsBasic, experimental, prospective and transversal study performed at the hospital “Nuestra Señora de la Luz” in Mexico City. One dexamethasone implant was placed in a test tube with 4 mL of each tamponade medium: 1000cS, 5000cS and heavy silicone oil; basic saline solution was used as the control medium. Photographs were taken weekly for 12 months. 200 µL samples were taken from each medium at 24 h, 1, 2 weeks and monthly for 12 months. ELISA test was performed to quantify dexamethasone release in every sample. An inflammatory stimulus was created and later exposed it to every sample in order to test their anti-inflammatory capacity by cytokine analysis using cytometric bead array. Statistically significant results were obtained with p < 0.05.ResultsPhotographic follow-up showed disintegration of the implant in control medium. Implants in silicone oil suffered no changes during follow-up. Dexamethasone levels in control medium showed stability from month 2 to 12. Silicone oil mediums showed irregular dexamethasone release during the 1 year period. Dexamethasone in control medium had inhibitory effects on TNF-α starting at 24 h (p < 0.001) and remained stable. Dexamethasone in 1000cS silicone oil showed inhibitory effects from month 2 (p < 0.001) until month 6 (p < 0.001). Implants in denser silicone oils showed no inhibitory effects in any of the samples.ConclusionsDenser mediums altered the implant pharmacokinetics and showed no anti-inflammatory effects even when concentrations were quantified at levels similar to control medium in vitro.

Intraoperative optical coherence tomography is helpful for a safe patient diagnosis. It does not affect the surgery time, and in some cases it is useful for optimising the procedure in vitreous-retinal surgery.

Case Report: This is a 19-year-old male with bilateral external rectus muscle palsy secundary to trauma. During treatment, an inadvertent intraocular injection of botulinum toxin was present, causing a retinal tear and localized retinal detachment. Both lesions were delimited with laser observing a spontaneous resolution of the detachment without presenting visual impairment during the follow-up. Discussion: Although intraocular botulinum toxin does not generate retinal toxicity, inadvertent intraocular injection should be closely monitored to avoid complications secondary to perforation.