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In the United Kingdom, it is estimated that 5,000 patients sustain eye injuries or ocular trauma requiring hospital admission annually, of which 250 patients will be permanently blinded. This study explores the cost-effectiveness of Adjunctive Steroid Combination in Ocular Trauma (ASCOT) given during surgery versus standard treatment in vitreoretinal surgery in patients with open globe trauma. This economic evaluation was embedded alongside the ASCOT RCT (ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02873026). We conducted a primary cost-effectiveness analysis from a National Health Service perspective using the proportion of patients who achieved a visual acuity of 10 or more letter improvement on the Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study (ETDRS) scale as the measure of effect, in developing incremental cost-effectiveness ratios (ICERs). Secondary cost-utility analysis using the EuroQol 5 Dimension 5 Level (EQ-5D-5L) to generate a cost per quality-adjusted life-year (QALY), and a cost-effectiveness analysis using vision-specific quality of life (QoL) was conducted. Sensitivity analyses were also applied to investigate parameter uncertainties. The sample size of the ASCOT intervention arm and standard care arm of this study was 130 and 129, respectively. The intervention cost per patient was estimated at £132. The proportion of participants with an ETDRS of 10 or more letter improvement was 0.47 for the ASCOT group with a mean cost of £5,526 per patient, while the standard care group had an effect of 0.43 with a mean cost of £5,099 per patient. The ICER value of the primary outcome was £12,178 per 10 or more letter improvement on the ETDRS score. The secondary result in terms of cost per QALYs gained had a probability of 44% being cost-effective at a willingness-to-pay threshold of £30,000/QALY gained. Though there is no formally accepted cost-effectiveness willingness-to-pay threshold for 10-letter or more improvement, the ASCOT intervention for open globe trauma is a low-cost intervention. The ASCOT intervention is not cost-effective when compared to the standard care in this group and setting. The proportion of patients in the ASCOT intervention arm with 10 or more letter improvement produced some positive results but this is outweighed by the costs.

Background/aimsTo investigate the clinical effectiveness of adjunctive triamcinolone acetonide (TA) given at the time of vitreoretinal surgery following open globe trauma (OGT).MethodsA phase 3, multicentre, double-masked randomised controlled trial of patients undergoing vitrectomy following OGT comparing adjunctive TA (intravitreal and subtenons) against standard care (2014–2020). The primary outcome was the proportion of patients with at least 10 Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study (ETDRS) letter improvement in corrected visual acuity (VA) at 6 months. Secondary outcomes included: change in ETDRS, retinal detachment (RD) secondary to PVR, retinal reattachment, macular reattachment, tractional RD, number of operations, hypotony, elevated intraocular pressure and quality of life.Results280 patients were randomised over 75 months, of which 259 completed the study. 46.9% (n=61/130) of patients in the treatment group had a 10-letter improvement in VA compared with 43.4% (n=56/129) of the control group (difference 3.5% (95% CI −8.6% to 15.6%), OR=1.03 (95% CI 0.61 to 1.75), p=0.908)). Secondary outcome measures also failed to show any treatment benefit. For two of the secondary outcome measures, stable complete retinal and macular reattachment, outcomes were worse in the treatment group compared with controls, respectively, 51.6% (n=65/126) vs 64.2% (n=79/123), OR=0.59 (95% CI 0.36 to 0.99), and 54.0% (n=68/126) vs 66.7% (n=82/123), OR=0.59 (95% CI 0.35 to 0.98), for TA vs control.ConclusionThe use of combined intraocular and sub-Tenons capsule TA is not recommended as an adjunct to vitrectomy surgery following OGT.Trial registration number NCT02873026.

Significant integrative advances are needed for intraoperative optical coherence tomography (iOCT) to achieve widespread use across ophthalmic surgery. A surgeon feedback system that provides microscope integration, heads-up display and foot pedal control of the OCT scan location represents a major interval advance in ophthalmic surgery. In this report, we describe the preliminary findings of the Determination of feasibility of Intraoperative Spectral domain microscope Combined/integrated OCT Visualisation during En face Retinal and ophthalmic surgery (DISCOVER) study, a multisurgeon investigational device study examining the role of microscope integrated iOCT systems with surgeon heads-up display feedback (eg, Carl Zeiss Meditec RESCAN 700, Cole Eye Institute iOCT prototype). During surgical manoeuvres in anterior segment and posterior segment surgery, this technology provides rapid visualisation of the area of interest and provides the surgeon with information regarding instrument–tissue interactions. This system represents a major advance in iterative technology for iOCT and may provide the first widely available platform for surgeons to seamlessly assimilate this technology into the operating room theatre.

Background and ObjectivesPediatric ophthalmologic surgery is traditionally accomplished by general anesthesia with opioids, but respiratory depression remains a major concern. Our study compared the efficacy of retrobulbar block with systemic fentanyl on pain, hemodynamic, and stress response in pediatric vitreoretinal surgery.MethodsA prospective double-blind, randomized controlled study was performed comparing retrobulbar block with intravenously administered fentanyl in 28 children aged 1 to 6 years undergoing vitreoretinal surgery. After general anesthesia was induced, retrobulbar block with 0.5% ropivacaine was accomplished in group RB (general anesthesia plus retrobulbar block) (n = 13), and normal saline was injected into retrobulbar space in group F (general anesthesia alone) (n = 15). Fentanyl 0.5 μg/kg was administered when signs of inadequate anesthesia were observed.ResultsRespiratory depression (defined as a persistent respiratory rate <10 breaths/min or persistent oxygen desaturation <92%) was observed in 5 of 15 patients in group F after laryngeal mask airway was removed in the operating room, compared with none in group RB. All children in group F consumed intraoperative fentanyl rescue (average intraoperative fentanyl consumption, 1.3 ± 0.3 μg/kg) compared with none in group RB. Pain scores assessed with Faces, Legs, Activity, Cry and Consolability were significantly lower in group RB than in group F (1 [0, 3.5] vs 5 [3, 7], P = 0.003) immediately after laryngeal mask airway removal. Heart rate in group RB was significantly lower than that in group F before anesthesia induction, at the beginning and end of surgery, respectively. Mean blood pressure in group RB was significantly lower than that in group F at the beginning of surgery. Postoperative tumor necrosis factor α concentration in group RB was significantly lower than that in group F.ConclusionsRetrobulbar block is safe and effective as an alternative to systemic fentanyl and could provide better pain management, hemodynamic suppression, and stress response suppression in pediatric vitreoretinal surgery.

AimRoutine alcohol testing of practicing physicians remains controversial since there are no uniform guidelines or legal regulations in the medical field. Our aim was to quantitatively study the acute and next-morning effects of breath alcohol concentration (BAC)-adjusted alcohol intake on overall simulated surgical performance and microtremor among senior vitreoretinal surgeons.MethodsThis prospective cohort study included 11 vitreoretinal surgeons (>10 years practice). Surgical performance was first assessed using the Eyesi surgical simulator following same-day alcohol consumption producing a BAC reading of 0.06%–0.10% (low-dose), followed by 0.11%–0.15% (high-dose). Dexterity was then evaluated after a ‘night out’ producing a high-dose BAC combined with a night’s sleep. Changes in the total score (0–700, worst-best) and tremor (0–100, best-worst) were measured.ResultsSurgeon performance declined after high-dose alcohol compared with low-dose alcohol (−8.60±10.77 vs −1.21±7.71, p=0.04, respectively). The performance during hangover was similar to low-dose alcohol (−1.76±14.47 vs −1.21±7.71, p=1.00, respectively). The performance during hangover tended to be better than after high-dose alcohol (−1.76±14.47 vs −8.60±10.77, p=0.09, respectively). Tremor increased during hangover compared with low-dose alcohol (7.33±21.65 vs −10.31±10.73, p=0.03, respectively). A trend toward greater tremor during hangover occurred compared with high-dose alcohol (7.33±21.65 vs −4.12±17.17, p=0.08, respectively).ConclusionAlcohol-related decline in simulated surgical dexterity among senior vitreoretinal surgeons was dose-dependent. Dexterity improved the following morning but remained comparable to after low-dose alcohol ingestion. Tremor increased during hangover compared with same-day intoxication. Further studies are needed to investigate extrapolations of these data to a real surgical environment regarding patient safety and surgeon performance.

Purpose To clarify the definition, prevalence and classification of different types of unexplained vision loss associated with silicone oil (SO) endotamponades (SO in situ (SOIS) or after removal of SO (ROSO)) in vitreoretinal surgery and identifying the most specific clinical findings and suggesting possible causes. Methods Review of the literature regarding randomized clinical trials (RCTs), retrospective case–control, cohort studies and case series evaluating the risk of using SO, published in English between 1994 and 2023, conducting a computer-based search of the following databases: PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus and Embase. The search was supplemented using the Medline option ‘Related Articles’ and consulting review articles on the topic. Results Findings from reported clinical examinations in SOIS and ROSO are analyzed and finally different theories regarding the underlying pathophysiology are described. From the clinical point of view, findings have been found in OCT, OCTA, microperimetry and electrophysiological studies. Other clearly identifiable causes of vision loss related to the use of SO are listed and commented as differential diagnosis. Finally, the different physiopathological theories of the two types of causes of unexplained vision have been analyzed. Conclusion Unexpected vision loss under or after SO tamponade (SOIS and ROSO) is a significant concern which is probably underestimated because it is not a clearly defined and known entity. The most frequently described changes were in the ganglion cell complex but this unexpected vision loss remains a serious and unexplained concern for vitreoretinal surgeons and should be identified by clinicians, addressed by manufacturers and reported to Health Authorities as a serious incident according to the new regulation.

Ophthalmic surgeries consist of highly demanding microsurgical tasks that require surgeons to sustain mental focus and extreme manual dexterity for extended periods. To improve surgical precision and decision-making, intraoperative Optical Coherence Tomography (iOCT) has been integrated into surgical microscopes, offering cross-sectional imaging of anatomical tissues and instruments alongside the traditional microscopic view. While the clinical benefits of iOCT have been demonstrated across various ophthalmic procedures, the impact of this auxiliary information on the surgeon’s cognitive load has not yet been explored. This work is the first study to investigate physiological and subjective cognitive load during simulated iOCT-guided retinal surgery in 17 novice users. The eye tracking capabilities of a virtual reality eye surgery simulator were used to capture blink rate and pupil diameter. Electrocardiography was used to record heart rate (HR) and heart rate variability (HRV). iOCT-guided surgery resulted in significantly higher cognitive load than traditional microscope-guided surgery, indicated by increased HR (p<0.01), HRV (p<0.05), subjective task load (p<0.001) (NASA-TLX, mental effort), and task time (p<0.001). However, our findings indicate that although iOCT initially imposed a higher cognitive load on novice users, it ultimately enhanced their depth-related targeting precision, which is crucial for improving surgical accuracy and overall outcomes in vitreoretinal surgery.

Perioperative monitoring of the ocular heat transfer is important for increasing the safety of long-term vitreoretinal surgery. The study is aimed at studying new thermoelectric measuring devices for comprehensive perioperative monitoring of ocular temperature and heat fluxes in vitreoretinal surgery. This pilot, open-label, prospective study included 23 patients (23 eyes) with proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR) in both eyes. The thermoelectric devices were developed for measuring intraocular temperature in vitreoretinal surgery and for determining the ocular surface temperature (OST) and heat flux (HF) density. In all cases, OST and HF density of both eyes were recorded (before and after surgery). Intraocular temperature and temperature of the irrigation fluid were measured intraoperatively. No complications associated with the perioperative use of thermoelectric temperature and HF sensors were identified during the study. The successful application of thermoelectric temperature and HF sensors, developed specifically for ophthalmological applications, in comprehensive perioperative monitoring of ocular heat transfer in patients with PDR in vitreoretinal surgery was demonstrated for the first time. Further research is needed to confirm the benefits of perioperative temperature monitoring in vitreoretinal surgery, as well as to develop equipment for active management of temperature in surgical practice.

Vitreoretinal surgeries either in the form of external compression by buckles or by increasing the intraocular volume by tamponades can cause a significant rise in intraocular pressure (IOP), causing glaucoma to be one of the most common consequences of vitreoretinal surgeries despite improved surgical techniques. Identifying the mechanism that causes the raised IOP is crucial as the management of glaucoma can differ accordingly. Intravitreal (IVT) injections in the form of IVT steroids or anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF) injections can also cause a significant rise in the IOP and effect, especially the glaucomatous eyes, which are already predisposed. Not just the overlapping clinical features make the diagnosis confusing but also associated scarring of the conjunctiva, and the presence of episcleral hardware in some cases due to scleral buckle make the surgical management of glaucoma in these eyes very challenging. In this review, we describe in detail the various mechanisms causing secondary glaucoma post vitreoretinal surgeries with a focus on how to distinguish between them. We also discuss the possible consequences of anti-VEGF agents on IOP, various surgical challenges, and modifications with newer surgical options in the management of this refractory glaucoma.