Trends in glaucoma surgery in a tertiary hospital in Spain: 2010-2022.

OBJECTIVE: This study aims to conduct an analysis glaucoma surgeries performed over a 13-year period at a tertiary hospital affiliated with the Spanish National Health System, with the goal of assessing temporal trends. METHODS: This retrospective observational study scrutinized surgeries undertaken in the glaucoma unit of a tertiary center in Spain between 2010 and 2022. Data collected included surgical dates, procedure performed, whether it was standalone or combined, as well as patient demographics including age, sex, and type of underlying glaucoma. Surgeries on individuals under 18 years of age were excluded. An annual comparative analysis was performed to ascertain the evolving trends in glaucoma surgical interventions. RESULTS: A total of 12,944 surgeries were included in the analysis, comprising 9428 isolated cataract surgeries and 2975 glaucoma procedures. Trabeculectomy, glaucoma drainage devices (GDD), and cyclodestruction, collectively referred to as traditional surgery, demonstrated a decline from 93.2% to 23.6% over the study duration. Minimally invasive glaucoma surgery (MIGS) and minimally invasive bleb surgery (MIBS) demonstrated a significant increase from 3.8% in 2010 to 74.7% in 2022, relative to the total glaucoma surgeries. Furthermore, combined surgeries manifested a noteworthy increase from 39.0% in 2010 to 44.2% in 2022, with 86.4% of combined procedures in 2022 being MIGS or MIBS. CONCLUSION: In recent years, there has been a noticeable change in the trend of glaucoma surgeries, with MIGS and MIBS procedures experiencing a significant increase and becoming the most commonly performed glaucoma procedures. Consequently, traditional glaucoma surgeries have decreased in frequency.

Intraoperative OCT to check the correct postimplant position of PreserfloTM.

INTRODUCTION: This study was designed to examine the capacity of intraoperative optical coherence tomography (OCT) to predict the postimplant position of the glaucoma drainage device PreserfloTM. METHODS: 13 eyes (mean age 65.42 (14.89) years) underwent PreserfloTM (Santen, Osaka, Japan) placement. Before surgery, participants were subjected to a comprehensive ophthalmic examination (intraocular pressure (IOP), cup to disk ratio (C/D), visual field, OCT, endothelial cell count). Anterior segment OCT scans were obtained intraoperatively using a Rescan 700 OCT system (Carl Zeiss Meditec, Inc., Oberkochen, Germany). One day postsurgery, anterior segment OCT using the Spectralis OCT (Heidelberg Engineering GmbH) was performed in a sitting position to capture the same chamber cross-section as before. The main outcome variables were tube-endothelium distance (T-E) and tube length (TL) in the anterior chamber measured using both OCT systems. Correlation between intraoperative and office measurements was examined through Pearson correlation (r) and intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC). RESULTS: Mean intraoperative and in-office T-E were 625.26 (SD 366.60) versus 561.16 (SD 364.62) µm respectively (p = 0.540). Intraoperative and in-office anterior chamber TL were 1386 (SD 701.82) and 1433.91 (SD 713.55) µm, respectively (p = 0.029). Excellent correlation was observed between both sets of T-E (r = 0.992; p = 0.008) and TL (r = 0.984; p = 0.016) values. Both OCT systems showed good agreement yielding ICCs of 0.992 (p < 0.001) for T-E and 0.995 (p = 0.001) for TL. DISCUSSION: Excellent correlation was observed between our intraoperative and postoperative OCT measurements. These results support the usefulness of intraoperative OCT to confirm the correct position of an implanted PreserfloTM microshunt.

Prescription trends for preservative free glaucoma medication in a public health system.

PURPOSE: To analyze the prescribing trends over a 7-years period, between 2013 and 2020, in a tertiary hospital (Hospital Clinico San Carlos, Madrid, Spain) and its health area. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A retrospective study on the data collected from the information systems, "farm@web" and "Farmadrid", of glaucoma prescriptions in the framework of a public health system (Spanish National Health System) during the last seven years. RESULTS: Prostaglandin analogues were the most commonly used drugs in monotherapy during the study period (range: 36.82% - 47.07%). Fixed combinations of topical hypotensives had an upward trend since 2013 (range: 39.99% - 54.21%), becoming the most dispensed drugs in 2020 (48.99%). Preservative-free eye drops (lacking benzalkonium chloride, BAK) have displaced preservative containing topical treatments in all pharmacological groups. In 2013, BAK-preserved eye drops accounted for 91.1% of the total prescriptions, however in 2020 they only accounted for 34.2% of total prescriptions. CONCLUSIONS: The results of the present study highlight the current trend to avoid BAK-preserved eye drops for the treatment of glaucoma.

Topical insulin, a novel corneal epithelial regeneration agent in dry eye disease.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy of insulin eye drops for dry eye disease in reducing corneal staining and improving symptoms. METHODS: In this retrospective case series, patients with dry eye disease treated with off-label use of insulin eye drops were collected. The main inclusion criterion was diagnosis of dry eye disease with epithelial damage and acceptance of the off-label use of topical insulin. Age, sex, type of dry eye disease, time since diagnosis, previous ocular surgeries, concomitant treatment, best corrected visual acuity, symptoms, conjunctival hyperemia and corneal staining were recorded. Data from the 1 and 3-month visit were included. RESULTS: 16 patients (32 eyes) were treated with insulin (14 females and 2 males; mean age 61.3 ± 16.8 years). 12 patients (71%) were also on autologous serum and 10 patients (63%) on cyclosporine. Symptoms were 3.4 ± 1.3 (range 2-5) when scaled from 0 to 5. Mean hyperemia was 1.0 ± 0.9 (range 0-3) and corneal staining was 2.5 ± 1.3 (range 0-5). After 3 months, 5 patients (31%) referred to be much better, 6 (38%) better, 3 (19%) slightly better and 2 patients (13%) were subjectively similar, mean symptoms being 2.3 ± 1.0 (range 1-4; p = 0.001). Hyperemia was 0.3 ± 0.4 (range 0-1) and corneal staining was 1.1 ± 1.0 (range 0-3; both p < 0.001). Topical insulin was well tolerated with no adverse events. CONCLUSIONS: The excellent results presented in these case series illustrate topical insulin as a promising treatment in dry eye disease with refractory epithelial damage.

Aqueous Humor Cytokine Profile in Primary Congenital Glaucoma.

BACKGROUND: Cytokine profile in patients with primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) differs from that in healthy controls. Due to the different pathophysiological mechanisms involved in the genesis of primary congenital glaucoma (PCG) and POAG, it is possible that the cytokine profile could also differ. The main objective of this study was to compare the concentrations of cytokines in the aqueous humor of patients with PCG with those of POAG patients and a control group. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted. Aqueous humor samples were taken from PCG and POAG patients eligible for glaucoma or cataract surgery and from patients undergoing cataract surgery. Twenty-seven cytokines were analyzed using the Human Cytokine 27-Plex Immunoassay Kit (Bio-Rad Laboratories, Hercules, CA, USA). RESULTS: A total of 107 subjects were included: patients with PCG (n = 19), patients with POAG (n = 54), and a control group (CG) of patients undergoing cataract surgery (n = 34). Most cytokines measured in aqueous humor in PCG presented decreased values compared with POAG and controls. A statistically significant difference was observed in IL-1ra, IL-2, IL-5, IL-7, IL-8, IL-10, IL-12, IL-15, IL-17A, Eotaxin, FGF basic, G-CSF, GM-CSF, IFN-γ, MIP-1α, PDGF-bb, MIP-1ß, RANTES, TNF-α, and VEGF. CONCLUSION: PCG patients have a cytokine profile in aqueous humor different from POAG patients and patients without glaucoma, characterized by lower concentrations of multiple cytokines.

Anatomical and functional impact of verteporfin shortage in patients with chronic central serous chorioretinopathy.

BACKGROUND: To describe the functional and anatomical impact that the worldwide shortage of verteporfin has had on patients diagnosed with chronic central serous chorioretinopathy (cCSCR) whose treatment with photodynamic therapy (PDT) had to be delayed. METHODS: Prospective observational study. Patients were divided into two groups based on the time interval since PDT had been indicated: groups 1 and 2, with waiting times of less and more than 9 months respectively. Best corrected visual acuity (BCVA), the maximum height of the subretinal fluid (MSRF) and subfoveal choroidal thickness (SFCT) at the baseline visit and the last visit were compared. RESULTS: 49 eyes of 48 patients with cCSCR were included. The mean waiting time for PDT was 9.0 ±3.8 months. The mean BCVA was 69.0 ±17.1 letters and 68.9 ±16.4 letters for the baseline and last visit respectively, showing no difference (p= 0.958). Although there was no difference in the mean global BCVA, 15 eyes (30.5%) showed a deterioration of ≥5 letters, including 7 eyes (14%) with a decrease of ≥10 letters. Mean MSRF height was 151.4 ±97.2 µm and 98.2 ±83.1 µm for the baseline and last visit respectively (p= 0.005), persisting in 74.5% of the eyes. CONCLUSION: No significant impact was observed in the BCVA in cCSCR due to the shortage of verteporfin. However, one-third of patients had BCVA loss. There was a significant spontaneous decrease in MSRF, but it persisted in the majority of the patients, still susceptible to PDT.

Fuji sign: Prevalence and predictive power to photodynamic therapy in chronic central serous chorioretinopathy.

AIM: To determine the prevalence of Fuji sign in central serous chorioretinopathy (cCSC) patients and its predictive power of good response to photodynamic therapy (PDT). METHODS: Retrospective study, including 135 eyes of 130 patients diagnosed with cCSC treated with PDT between 2017 and 2021. Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) images from these patients were compiled and analyzed. The presence of the Fuji sign, an anatomical finding recently described as a predictor of spontaneous resolution of the subretinal fluid (SRF) in cCSC, as assessed in basal images and the maximum height of SRF pre- and post-PDT OCT was measured. RESULTS: Mean age was 56.6 years, 69.4% were men and the percentage of partial or complete resolution of the SRF after PDT was 75.55%. Only 8.9% of patients (12/135) had positive Fuji sign at baseline OCT. Among them, 50% (6/12) presented a complete response to the PDT (pre-PDT SRF: 109.00 (29.61) µm), 8.3% (1/12) had a partial resolution of the SRF (127 µm to 66 µm) and 41.6% (5/12) did not respond to PDT (pre-PDT SRF: 71.00 (22.82) µm, post-PDT SRF: 83.60 (36.13) µm). CONCLUSIONS: Fuji sign has a low prevalence in cCSC and its presence is not associated with a good response to PDT.

Peripapillary and macular vascular parameters by optical coherence tomography angiography in primary congenital glaucoma.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the differences in peripapillary and macular vascular parameters by optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) between patients with primary congenital glaucoma (PCG) and healthy controls; and to determine their diagnostic accuracy. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Observational, cross-sectional study including 39 eyes with PCG and 78 healthy eyes. Only one eye per patient was included. All included patients underwent a comprehensive ophthalmic examination and peripapillary and macular analysis were performed by AngioplexTM OCTA (Cirrus HD-OCT 5000) with a 4.5 × 4.5 mm optic nerve head scan and 6 × 6 mm macular scan. Global data and quadrant data from peripapillary vascular parameters and global data and circular sectors data from macular superficial plexus parameters were compared between groups. The glaucoma discrimination capability of these parameters was calculated as areas under the receiver operating characteristics curve (AUC ROC). RESULTS: Mean age was 14.1 ± 8.7 years for the PCG patients and 11.7 ± 6.2 years for controls (p = 0.093). All vascular peripapillary measurements (global and quadrants; all p < 0.001) and all macular measurements (p < 0.042) excepting perfusion density in the inner circle (p = 0.087), were reduced in the PCG group compared to controls. According to AUC ROC, peripapillary (all ≥ 0.706) and macular parameters (all ≥ 0.699) showed good diagnostic capacity. AUC ROC for the most discriminatory measurements corresponding to blood flux index (0.887) and whole macula vascular density (0.855) were similar (p = 0.085). CONCLUSION: Peripapillary and macular vascular parameters by OCTA are decreased in patients with PCG, showing a good capacity to discriminate between normal and glaucomatous eyes.

Efficacy and safety of topical 5-fluorouracil in conjunctival intraepithelial neoplasia refractory to interferon alpha-2b.

PURPOSE: To report the efficacy and safety of 5-fluorouracil as the second line of treatment for two cases of conjunctival intraepithelial neoplasia refractive to topical interferon alpha-2b. CASE REPORT: In the first case, a 77-year-old woman was evaluated because of a fleshy vascularized lesion in the temporal conjunctiva on her right eye with leukoplakia of the corneal epithelium from 10- to 5-o'clock limbus. In the second case, an 81-year-old man, a nodular lesion in the temporal conjunctiva on his RE, with corneal adjacent opalescence, one millimeter in extent, was observed. Both patients were initially treated with excisional surgery, the samples being reported as conjunctival intraepithelial neoplasia with high-grade dysplasia. Co-adjuvant treatment with topical interferon alpha-2b 1 mIU/mL was indicated 4 times/day uninterruptedly. In the first case, there was no response despite 8 months of treatment, while in the second, the corneal lesion progressed in an arboriform pattern after 4 months of topical chemotherapy. MANAGEMENT & OUTCOME: In the absence of efficacy, the treatment was then changed to topical 5-fluorouracil (1%), 4 times/day for 7 days with a time-lapse of 21 days off, which constitutes a course. Two and four courses of treatment with 5-fluorouracil 1% were completed in both cases in the absence of important side effects. After the first course, both patients showed complete remission of the lesions. No clinical signs of relapse were noted after 1 year of follow-up. DISCUSSION: The treatment with 5-fluorouracil is a good option as the second line of treatment for conjunctival intraepithelial neoplasia who are low-responders to interferon alpha-2b, with fewer side effects than other currently available alternatives.

Intense pulsed light-based treatment for the improvement of symptoms in glaucoma patients treated with hypotensive eye drops.

BACKGROUND: Ocular surface disease in glaucoma patients is a significant ocular co-morbidity that can affect 40% to 59% of these patients worldwide. The current study was aimed at evaluating the potential clinical benefit of an intense pulsed light (IPL)-based treatment in glaucomatous patients with ocular surface disease due to prolonged hypotensive eyedrop treatments. To our knowledge, this is the first series analyzing the therapeutic effect of this treatment option in this type of patients. METHODS: This non-comparative prospective case series study enrolled a total of 30 glaucoma patients ranging in age from 57 to 94 years old and treated with hypotensive eyedrops for years with dry eye symptomatology. All patients received four sessions of IPL treatment using the Optima IPL system (Lumenis, Yokneam, Israel) adjusted to the official optimized Lumenis setting. Changes in symptomatology, corneal staining, conjunctival hyperemia, non-invasive break-up time (NIBUT), tear osmolarity, tear meniscus height (TMH), meiboscore and meibomian gland expressibility was analyzed after treatment. RESULTS: Statistically significant reductions were observed after IPL treatment in the symptomatology scores measured with different questionnaires [ocular surface disease index (OSDI), standard patient evaluation of eye dryness (SPEED) and symptom assessment questionnaire in dry eye (SANDE)] as well as with the visual analogue scale (P < 0.001). Mean change in OSDI was - 15.0 ± 11.3. A significant reduction was found after treatment in the corneal staining score (P < 0.001). A significant reduction was found in tear film meniscus height (P = 0.012), as well as in tear film osmolarity (P = 0.001). A significant reduction was also found in meibomian gland expressibility (P = 0.003), changing the percentage of grade 3 eyes from 44.4% before IPL to 17.2% after treatment. CONCLUSIONS: IPL therapy combined with meibomian gland expression (MGX) seems to be an effective option to improve symptomatology in glaucomatous patients with ocular surface disease due to prolonged hypotensive eyedrop treatments, with an additional improvement in clinical signs, such as tear osmolarity and corneal staining.

Binocular Visual Field and Vision-Related Quality of Life in Patients With Hemianopia.

BACKGROUND: Hemianopias can have a severe impact on functional ability and quality of life (QoL). Binocular visual field (VF) analysis is clinically more relevant to visual function than monocular VF. The aim is to analyze the binocular VF of patients with hemianopias and its association with the monocular VF and to assess the QoL of these patients through questionnaires specifically related to vision compared with healthy controls. METHODS: The case-control study included patients with hemianopias and controls. Sex, age, general history, etiology, location of the lesion, and time since the lesion appeared were recorded. Monocular VF and Esterman binocular VF were performed. VF defect, mean defect (MD), and Esterman scores were recorded. Visual Activities Questionnaire (VAQ-33) and Visual Function Questionnaire (VFQ-25) questionnaires were administered. RESULTS: Twenty patients with hemianopia and 22 healthy controls were included. The Esterman score in homonymous hemianopia patients (n = 17) correlated with best eye MD (r = -0.62, P = 0.01), worst eye MD (r = -0.70, P = 0.002), and average MD (r = -0.68, P = 0.003). Compared with healthy control subjects, patients with homonymous hemianopia had significantly lower VFQ-25 score and in 10/12 subscales (all P < 0.001). VAQ-33 scores revealed lower overall and subscales scores with the exception of light/dark adaptation (P = 0.08). Correlations were found between monocular and binocular VF scores and general vision (r = -0.55), peripheral vision (on both questionnaires, r-range -0.75 to 0.47), VFQ-25 and VAQ-33 overall scores (r = -0.59, -0.49 and 0.50), and glare disability (r = 0.53 and 0.67). CONCLUSIONS: Hemianopic VF defects involve a major alteration in the patients' vision-related QoL.

Effects of Corneal Biomechanical Properties on Rebound Tonometry (Icare200) and Applanation Tonometry (Perkins) Readings in Patients With Primary Congenital Glaucoma.

OBJECTIVE: The aim was to assess the influence of corneal biomechanics on intraocular pressure (IOP) measurements made with the Icare200 (IC200) rebound tonometer and the Perkins handheld applanation tonometer in patients with primary congenital glaucoma (PCG). MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 40 PCG patients and 40 healthy controls, age, and sex-matched, were recruited. IOP was measured with the Ocular Response Analyzer (IOPc, IOPg), IC200 and Perkins. The variables age, IOP, corneal hysteresis (CH), corneal resistance factor (CRF), central corneal thickness (CCT), best-corrected visual acuity, spherical equivalent, medications, and glaucoma surgeries were recorded for each subject. Univariate and multivariate analysis were used to detect effects of variables on IOP measurements. RESULTS: Mean CCT was 545.65±71.88 µm in PCG versus 558.78±27.58 µm in controls (P=0.284). CH and CRF were significantly lower in PCG group than in control group: mean CH 8.11±1.69 versus 11.15±1.63 mm Hg (P<0.001), and mean CRF 9.27±2.35 versus 10.71±1.75 mm Hg (P=0.002). Mean differences between IOP IC200-Perkins were 0.79±0.53 mm Hg in PCG versus 0.80±0.23 mm Hg in controls (P<0.001) and mean differences IC200-IOPc were -0.89±5.15 mm Hg in PCG (P<0.001) versus 1.60±3.03 mm Hg in controls (all P<0.009). Through multivariate analysis, CRF showed positive association and CH negative association with IOP measured with Perkins or IC200 in both subject groups. No association was detected for CCT, age, or sex. CONCLUSION: CH and CRF were identified as the main factors interfering with IOP measurements made with both tonometers in patients with PCG and healthy controls.

Comparison of the efficacy of topical insulin with autologous serum eye drops in persistent epithelial defects of the cornea.

PURPOSE: To investigate the effect of topical insulin on epithelization in persistent epithelial defects (PED) refractory to usual treatment compared to autologous serum. DESIGN: Retrospective, consecutive case-control series. METHODS: The charts of 61 consecutive patients with PED treated with topical insulin (case group) and 23 treated with autologous serum (control group) were reviewed. Primary efficacy end points were the percentage of patients in which epithelization was achieved, as well as the rate and time until epithelization. Secondary efficacy point was need for amniotic membrane transplantation (AMT) or other surgeries. RESULTS: Mean time between PED diagnosis and start of topical insulin was 22.7 ± 18.5 days (range 13-115) and the mean area was 14.8 ± 16.2 mm2 (range 1.1-70.6). In the control group, mean time was 27.9 ± 16.8 days, mean epithelial defect area being 18.6 ± 15.0 mm2 (range 1.7-52.9). No differences in baseline characteristics were found between groups (p > 0.05). Epithelization was achieved in 51 patients (84%) on insulin and 11 patients (48%) on autologous serum (p = 0.002). In those patients, mean time until reepithelization was 32.6 ± 28.3 days (range 4-124) in the insulin group and 82.6 ± 82.4 days (range 13-231) in the autologous serum group (p = 0.011). The need for AMT was significantly lower in the insulin group (p = 0.005). PED recurrence was higher in patients treated on autologous serum (43%) compared with insulin (11%) (p = 0.002). CONCLUSIONS: Topical insulin is an effective treatment and safely promotes healing of PED. In our series, topical insulin presented better epithelization outcomes than autologous serum and could thus be considered as a first-line treatment.

Retinal nerve fibre layer and ganglion cell layer changes in children who recovered from COVID-19: a cohort study.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the optic nerve and macular parameters of children who recovered from COVID-19 compared with healthy children using optical coherence tomography (OCT). DESIGN: Cohort study. SETTING: Hospital Clinico San Carlos, Madrid. PATIENTS: Children between 6 and 18 years old who recovered from COVID-19 with laboratory-confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection and historical controls were included. INTERVENTIONS: All patients underwent an ophthalmological examination, including macular and optic nerve OCT. Demographic data, medical history and COVID-19 symptoms were noted. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Peripapillary retinal nerve fibre layer thickness, macular retinal nerve fibre layer thickness, macular ganglion cell layer thickness and retinal thickness. RESULTS: 90 patients were included: 29 children who recovered from COVID-19 and 61 controls. Patients with COVID-19 presented an increase in global peripapillary retinal nerve fibre layer thickness (mean difference 7.7; 95% CI 3.4 to 12.1), temporal superior (mean difference 11.0; 95% CI 3.3 to 18.6), temporal inferior (mean difference 15.6; 95% CI 6.5 to 24.7) and nasal (mean difference 9.8; 95% CI 2.9 to 16.7) sectors. Macular retinal nerve fibre layer analysis showed decreased thickness in the nasal outer (p=0.011) and temporal inner (p=0.036) sectors in patients with COVID-19, while macular ganglion cell layer thickness increased in these sectors (p=0.001 and p=0.015, respectively). No differences in retinal thickness were noted. CONCLUSIONS: Children with recent history of COVID-19 present significant changes in peripapillary and macular OCT analyses.

Ocular related emergencies in Spain during the COVID-19 pandemic, a multicenter study.

PURPOSE: To evaluate ophthalmological emergencies (OE) during the COVID-19 pandemic comparing them with the same period of the previous year. METHODS: Retrospective observational study of all OE visits in four tertiary hospitals in Spain comparing data from March 16th to April 30th, 2020 (COVID-19 period) and the same period of 2019 (pre-COVID-19 period). Severity of the conditions was assessed following Channa et al. publication. Data on demographics, diagnosis and treatments were collected from Electronic Medical Records. RESULTS: During lockdown, OE significantly declined by 75.18%, from 7,730 registered in the pre-COVID-19 period to 1,928 attended during the COVID-19 period (p < 0.001). In 2019, 23.86% of visits were classified as emergent, 59.50% as non-emergent, and 16.65% could not be determined. In 2020, the percentage of emergent visits increased up to 29.77%, non-emergent visits significantly decreased to 52.92% (p < 0.001), and 17.31% of the visits were classified as "could not determine". During the pandemic, people aged between 45 and 65 years old represented the largest attending group (37.89%), compared to 2019, where patients over 65 years were the majority (39.80%). In 2019, most frequent diagnosis was unspecified acute conjunctivitis (11.59%), followed by vitreous degeneration (6.47%), and punctate keratitis (5.86%). During the COVID-19 period, vitreous degeneration was the first cause for consultation (9.28%), followed by unspecified acute conjunctivitis (5.63%) and punctate keratitis (5.85%). CONCLUSIONS: OE visits dropped significantly during the pandemic in Spain (75.18%), although more than half were classified as non-urgent conditions, indicating a lack of understanding of the really emergent ocular pathologies among population.

Retinal and peripapillary vessel density increase in recovered COVID-19 children by optical coherence tomography angiography.

PURPOSE: To evaluate retinal vascular changes in children who have recovered from coronavirus disease (COVID-19) using optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) and to compare the results with age-matched healthy children. METHODS: In this cross-sectional case-control study, children 6-18 years of age with laboratory-confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection were compared with historic healthy controls. All participants underwent ophthalmological examination, including fundus photography and OCTA of the macular region and optic disk. COVID-19 children were examined 4-8 weeks after COVID-19 diagnoses. Demographic data, medical history, and COVID-19 symptoms were noted. OCTA parameters in the superficial capillary plexus (SCP) were analyzed according to ETDRS sectors and peripapillary quadrants. RESULTS: A total of 72 patients were included: 27 recovered COVID-19 children and 45 controls. Mean age for cases was 11.96 ± 3.8 years (18 females [66%]); for controls, 11.02 ± 2.0 years (29 females [64%]). Macular OCTA of the SCP showed a significant increase in retinal vessel density (VD) in recovered COVID-19 children compared with healthy controls in the inner ring (P = 0.001). Macular perfusion density (mPD) was also increased in the inner ring (P = 0.001). Peripapillary OCTA evidenced a significant higher flux index (FI) in all four quadrants (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Recovered COVID-19 children present increased retinal VD, mPD, and peripapillary FI shortly after recovery. Since the retinal vasculature is considered a unique window to assess microvascular changes, these findings may represent a potential in vivo biomarker of vascular abnormalities in COVID-19 children in other organs.

Repeatability of Macular and Optic Nerve Head Measurements by Optical Coherence Tomography Angiography in Healthy Children.

Aims: To evaluate the repeatability of the peripapillary and macular vascular parameters using optical coherence tomography angiography (OCT-A) in healthy children.Materials and methods: Cross-sectional study including 34 eyes of 34 healthy children. After a complete medical examination, two consecutive OCT-A exams were done using AngioPlex Cirrus 5000 (Carl Zeiss Meditec, Dublin, CA, USA) in the same session. The scan area used was 6 × 6 mm for the analysis of the superficial vascular plexus (SVP) in the macula, and 4.5 × 4.5 mm for the peripapillary plexus. To study the repeatability of the measurements, the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) and the coefficient of variation (CV) of each pair of exams were calculated.Results: The mean age of the children included was 10.77 ± 2.49 years (range 6 to 15 years). Good and excellent ICCs were obtained for all the parameters considered. Peripapillary vascular parameters showed greater reproducibility than macular ones (global peripapillary perfusion density (pPD): ICC = 0.834 CV = 0.89% vs. whole macular area PD (w-mPD): ICC = 0.697 CV = 3.49%; global peripapillary flux index (FI): ICC = 0.858 CV = 1.28%; whole macular area vascular density (VD): ICC = 0.699 CV = 3.30%). Amongst the macular parameters, the characteristics of the foveal avascular zone (FAZ) were the ones showing higher rates of repeatability (FAZ circularity: ICC = 0.858 CV = 8.83%).Conclusion: OCT-A is a non-invasive, time-efficient technology that may be useful in the evaluation of the retinal and peripapillary vascular network in healthy children. The repeatability of the measures will allow the follow-up and evaluation of any change occurring in the macular or optic nerve perfusion.

Corneal densitometry and biomechanical properties in patients with primary congenital glaucoma.

OBJECTIVE: To describe corneal densitometry, topographic measurements, and biomechanical properties in patients with primary congenital glaucoma (PCG) and healthy patients. To examine correlations between variables and determine their glaucoma diagnostic capacity. METHODS: This was a cross-sectional, case-control study conducted in 50 eyes of 50 patients with PCG (G1) and 40 eyes of 40 healthy patients (G2). The variables determined in each participant were: intraocular pressure, best corrected visual acuity (BCVA), corneal densitometry, topographic data using the Pentacam HR-Scheimpflug imaging system (Oculus Optikgerate GmbH, Wetzlar, Germany), and corneal hysteresis (CH) and corneal resistance factor (CRF) using the Ocular Response Analyzer (Reichert Ophthalmic Instruments, Depew, NY). RESULTS: Overall densitometry was significatively higher in the PCG group (G1: 17.94 ± 4.99 vs G2: 13.25 ± 1.96, p < 0.001). CH (G1: 8.02 ± 11.35 vs G2: 11.35 ± 1.42, p < 0.001) and CRF (G1: 9.48 ± 2.83 vs G2: 10.77 ± 1.34, p < 0.001) were lower in the glaucoma group. Mean posterior, central, and anterior elevation and mean keratometry were higher in G1 (p < 0.05). In the PCG group, overall densitometry showed significant correlation with CH (r = -0.321, p = 0.028) and with BCVA (r = -0.498, p = 0.002). AUCs (areas under the curve) for CH and overall densitometry were high (0.839 and 0.899 respectively) and the best overall densitometry; CH and CRF cutoffs were 14.0, 9.3 and 9.2 respectively. CONCLUSION: Densitometry is increased, and biomechanical corneal properties are decreased in patients with PCG. Densitometry and visual acuity showed a negative and significant correlation, so this measurement could be used as an indirect parameter of BCVA in the clinical practice.

Agreement between rebound (Icare ic200) and applanation tonometry (Perkins) in patients with primary congenital glaucoma.

PURPOSE: To examine agreement between intraocular pressure (IOP) measurements made using the rebound tonometer Icare ic200 (RT200) and the Perkins handheld applanation tonometer (PAT) in patients with primary congenital glaucoma (PCG). The impacts of several covariables on measurements using the two devices were also assessed. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Intraocular pressure measurements were made in a single session in 86 eyes of 86 patients with PCG (46 under anaesthesia, 40 in the office). The order was RT200 then PAT. The variables age, central corneal thickness (CCT), corneal state and anaesthesia were recorded in each patient. Data were compared by determining interclass correlation coefficients (ICC) for each tonometer and representing the differences detected as Bland-Altman plots. Effects of covariables were assessed through univariate and multivariate regression. RESULTS: Mean IOP difference between tonometers (RT200 minus PAT) was 1.26 mmHg (95%: 0.22-2.31). Absolute agreement (ICC) was 0.73 (95% CI: 0.62-0.82). Lower and upper limits of agreement (95%) were -8.06 mmHg (95% CI: -9.87 to -6.25) and 10.59 mmHg (95% CI: 8.77-12.40), respectively. The tonometers showed systematic differences (a = -4.63 mmHg; 95% CI: -9.11 to -1.44) and proportional differences; for each mmHg increase in PAT-IOP, the RT200 reading increased by 1.28 mmHg (b = 1.28; 95% CI: 1.12-1.53). None of the variables tested as predictors were able to explain differences between the tonometers. CONCLUSIONS: Despite the good overall agreement between both tonometers, caution should be taken in high values of IOP, considering the interchangeability of its readings as systematic and proportional differences appear to exist between both methods.

Efficacy of Low-Dose Radioiodine Ablation in Low- and Intermediate-Risk Differentiated Thyroid Cancer: A Retrospective Comparative Analysis.

(1) Background-low-dose radioiodine ablation is an accepted strategy for the treatment of low- and intermediate-risk thyroid carcinomas, although there is no international consensus. The aim of this study is to describe the clinical experience with low-dose radioiodine ablation in patients with low- and intermediate-risk thyroid cancer compared to high-dose ablation. (2) Methods-174 patients with low- and intermediate-risk thyroid cancer, 90 treated with low-dose ablation and 84 treated with high-dose ablation, were included. The primary endpoint was response to treatment one year after ablation, defined by stimulated thyroglobulin, whole body scan and ultrasound imaging. (3) Results-an excellent response rate of 79.8% in the low-dose group and 85.7% in the high-dose group was observed (p = 0.049). Stimulated thyroglobulin at the moment of ablation (p = 0.032) and positive antithyroglobulin antibodies (p < 0.001) were independent predictive factors for nonexcellent response. Young age (p = 0.023), intermediate initial recurrence risk (p < 0.001) and low-dose ablation (p = 0.004) were independent predictive factors for recurrence. (4) Conclusion-low-dose ablation seemed to be less effective than high-dose ablation, especially in those patients with positive antithyroglobulin antibodies or higher stimulated thyroglobulin levels at the moment of ablation. Low dose was associated with higher recurrence rates, and lower age and intermediate initial recurrence risk were independent risk factors for recurrence in our sample.