RISK FACTORS FOR SURGERY OR BLINDNESS IN NEOVASCULAR GLAUCOMA EYES TREATED WITH ANTI-VEGF INJECTIONS BY A RETINA SPECIALIST.

PURPOSE: To determine baseline patient characteristics that predict the need for glaucoma surgery or blindness in eyes with neovascular glaucoma (NVG) despite intravitreal antivascular endothelial growth factor therapy. METHODS: This is a retrospective cohort study of patients with NVG who had not previously received glaucoma surgery and were treated with intravitreal antivascular endothelial growth factor injections at the time of diagnosis, from September 8, 2011, to May 8, 2020, at a large, retina subspecialty practice. RESULTS: Of 301 newly presenting NVG eyes, 31% required glaucoma surgery and 20% progressed to no light perception vision despite treatment. Patients with intraocular pressure >35 mmHg ( P < 0.001), two or more topical glaucoma medications ( P = 0.003), worse than 20/100 vision ( P = 0.024), proliferative diabetic retinopathy ( P = 0.001), eye pain or discomfort ( P = 0.010), and new patient status ( P = 0.015) at the time of NVG diagnosis were at a higher risk of glaucoma surgery or blindness regardless of antivascular endothelial growth factor therapy. The effect of panretinal photocoagulation was not statistically significant in a subgroup analysis of patients without media opacity ( P = 0.199). CONCLUSION: Several baseline characteristics at the time of presentation to a retina specialist with NVG seem to portend a higher risk of uncontrolled glaucoma despite the use of antivascular endothelial growth factor therapy. Prompt referral of these patients to a glaucoma specialist should be strongly considered.

FACTORS AFFECTING RETINAL REDETACHMENT AFTER SILICONE OIL REMOVAL FOR RHEGMATOGENOUS RETINAL DETACHMENTS.

PURPOSE: To report factors affecting the retinal redetachment rate after silicone oil removal (SOR) following rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD) repair. METHODS: Retrospective cohort study from December 1, 2014, to March 1, 2020, of 205 consecutive patients treated for RRD with silicone oil (SO) tamponade and subsequent SOR with at least 6-month follow-up. Primary outcome measure was the rate of retinal redetachment after SOR. RESULTS: The retinal redetachment rate after SOR was 18.5%. Preoperative macula and lens status, proliferative vitreoretinopathy, previous retinectomy, retinal detachment size, concomitant phacoemulsification, previous scleral buckling, and endolaser during SOR did not affect the redetachment rate after SOR. Previous SO exchange was associated with increased redetachment (OR 2.53, 95% CI [1.11-5.80], P = 0.0278). Twelve months of SO tamponade had lower redetachment rates compared with 3 months (OR 0.25, 95% CI [0.04-0.09], P = 0.048). Shorter SO tamponade (3 vs. 12 months) had better final visual outcomes after SOR (0.80 ± 0.61 vs. 1.41 ± 0.66, P < 0.0001). CONCLUSION: No preoperative or intraoperative factors in this analysis influenced the risk of redetachment after SOR except duration of SO tamponade and previous SO exchange. Although longer SO tamponade duration may be associated with lower rates of redetachment, visual outcomes may be worse.

Resolution of Pseudophakic Cystoid Macular Edema: 2 mg Intravitreal Triamcinolone Acetonide versus 40 mg Posterior Sub-Tenon Triamcinolone Acetonide.

PURPOSE: To compare 2 mg intravitreal triamcinolone (IVT) versus 40 mg posterior sub-Tenon triamcinolone acetonide (STT) for the treatment of eyes with pseudophakic cystoid macular edema. METHODS: A retrospective, single-center review of eyes receiving 2 mg IVT between 3/1/2012-3/1/2017 and 40 mg STT between 1/1/2015-3/1/2017. Visual acuity (VA) and central macular thickness (CMT) were recorded at baseline, 1-, 3-, and 6-month follow-up visits. RESULTS: Forty-five eyes were included in the IVT group and 50 eyes in the STT group. Change in VA from baseline to 1, 3, and 6 months was not significantly different between IVT and STT (6 months: 2.3 lines vs. 2.4 lines, p = .10). The IVT group achieved significantly better CMT improvement from baseline compared to STT at 1 month (255 µm vs. 187 µm; p = .03), but this difference was not present at month 3 (214 µm vs. 212 µm; p = .79) or month 6 (176 µm vs. 207 µm; p = .29). During the 6-month follow-up period, approximately 7% of eyes in the IVT group and 12% of eyes in the STT group developed ocular hypertension (p = .43), and all cases were successfully managed with topical anti-ocular hypertensive therapy or observation. CONCLUSIONS: 2 mg IVT and 40 mg STT both achieved significant improvement in vision and CMT with no significant difference between interventions at 3- and 6-month follow-up.

TOPICAL DORZOLAMIDE-TIMOLOL WITH INTRAVITREOUS ANTI-VASCULAR ENDOTHELIAL GROWTH FACTOR FOR RETINAL VEIN OCCLUSION: A PILOT STUDY.

PURPOSE: To evaluate topical dorzolamide hydrochloride-timolol maleate as an adjunct therapy to intravitreous anti-vascular endothelial growth factor injections in eyes with retinal vein occlusion resistant to treatment. METHODS: Retinal vein occlusion patients with a history of persistent macular edema, despite fixed-interval intravitreous anti-vascular endothelial growth factor injections, were enrolled between April 4, 2016, and June 4, 2017. On enrollment, patients were instructed to administer one drop of topical dorzolamide-timolol twice daily for the duration of the study. They were maintained on the same anti-vascular endothelial growth factor drug and same interval between injections as preenrollment for the subsequent two visits. Primary outcome measures were change in central foveal thickness, central subfield thickness, and thickest macular cut at the final study visit. RESULTS: Eight patients (8 eyes) were eligible for enrollment and completed the study. There was a significant decrease in central foveal thickness (P = 0.02), central subfield thickness (P = 0.03), and thickest macular cut (P = 0.01) between the enrollment visit and the final visit. There was a decrease in mean (±SD) logarithm of the minimal angle of resolution from 0.52 (±0.35) (20/66, Snellen equivalent) at the enrollment visit to 0.41 (±0.35) (20/51, Snellen equivalent) at the final visit (P = 0.08). CONCLUSION: Topical dorzolamide-timolol may have a beneficial anatomical and functional effect in eyes with macular edema secondary to retinal vein occlusion resistant to treatment.

The Impact of Physician Face Mask Use on Endophthalmitis After Intravitreal Anti-Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Injections.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the effect of physician face mask use on rates and outcomes of postinjection endophthalmitis. DESIGN: Retrospective, comparative cohort study. METHODS: Setting: Single-center. StudyPopulation: Eyes receiving intravitreal anti-vascular endothelial growth factor injections from July 1, 2013, to September 1, 2019. INTERVENTION: Cases were divided into "Face Mask" group if face masks were worn by the physician during intravitreal injections or "No Talking" group if no face mask was worn but a no-talking policy was observed during intravitreal injections. MainOutcomeMeasures: Rate of endophthalmitis, visual acuity, and microbial spectrum. RESULTS: Of 483,622 intravitreal injections administered, 168 out of 453,460 (0.0371%) cases of endophthalmitis occurred in the No Talking group, and 9 out of 30,162 (0.0298%) cases occurred in the Face Mask group (odds ratio, 0.81; 95% confidence interval, 0.41-1.57; P = .527). Sixteen cases of oral flora-associated endophthalmitis were found in the No Talking group (1 in 28,341 injections), compared to none in the Face Mask group (P = .302). Mean logMAR visual acuity at presentation in cases that developed culture-positive endophthalmitis was significantly worse in the No Talking group compared to the Face Mask group (17.1 lines lost from baseline acuity vs 13.4 lines lost; P = .031), though no difference was observed at 6 months after treatment (P = .479). CONCLUSION: Physician face mask use did not influence the risk of postinjection endophthalmitis compared to a no-talking policy. However, no cases of oral flora-associated endophthalmitis occurred in the Face Mask group. Future studies are warranted to assess the role of face mask use to reduce endophthalmitis risk, particularly attributable to oral flora.

Neglected Coats Disease.

Coats disease is a rare, non-hereditary retinal vascular abnormality that typically presents in the first two decades of life and is characterized by idiopathic retinal telangiectasia with progressive exudation. The authors describe a patient with Coats disease in which the family neglected treatment, demonstrating the natural course of this disease. [J Pediatr Ophthalmol Strabismus. 2020;57:e82-e85.].

Use of Telehealth Screening to Detect Diabetic Retinopathy and Other Ocular Findings in Primary Care Settings.

Purpose: To determine the incidence of diabetic retinopathy (DR) and other ocular findings in previously diagnosed diabetes using telehealth retinal screening with nonmydriatic fundus photography (nFP) in primary care physicians' offices.Methods: A retrospective study based on electronic chart review was performed. All diabetic patients who participated in the Wills Eye Hospital (WEH) telehealth retinal screening program from July 1, 2012 to February 20, 2017 were included. In addition to evaluation of DR, other eye pathologies of the retina were detected using nFP.Results: Overall, 9,946 diabetics participated in the WEH telehealth screening system. After exclusion of missing or unreadable images, 15,180 eyes of 7,624 (76.7%) patients were eligible for final analysis. A total of 1,269 (16.6%) patients were noted to have DR changes in at least one eye. Of those, 475 (37.4%) had mild nonproliferative DR (NPDR) in the more severely affected eye, 712 (56.1%) had moderate NPDR, 33 (2.6%) had severe NPDR, 19 (1.5%) had proliferative DR, and 30 (2.4%) have received pan-retinal photocoagulation previously. In addition, there was evidence of diabetic macular edema detectable on nFP in 34 eyes of 29 patients. Other ocular findings included hypertensive retinopathy (709, 9.3%), increased or asymmetric cup-to-disc ratio (562, 7.4%), age-related cataract (379, 5.0%), cotton-wool spots (221, 2.9%), choroidal nevus (74, 1.0%), age-related macular degeneration (AMD) (66, 0.9%), and epiretinal membrane (48, 0.6%). Patients with hypertensive retinopathy, glaucomatous findings, cataract, or AMD were significantly older (p < 0.001) than those without these ocular pathologies.Conclusion: The WEH Telehealth Screening Program identified DR in approximately one out of six patients and other ocular pathologies in over 25% of the diabetic population that received screenings in Philadelphia area primary care offices. Given the importance of early detection and routine eye care to prevent vision loss for DR patients, these findings have a significant impact.

Effect of Serial Intrasilicone Oil Bevacizumab Injections in Eyes With Recurrent Proliferative Vitreoretinopathy Retinal Detachment.

PURPOSE: To investigate the effect of serial intrasilicone oil bevacizumab injections (1.25 mg/0.05 mL) on visual acuity (VA) and anatomic outcomes in eyes undergoing proliferative vitreoretinopathy (PVR)-related retinal detachment (RD) repair. DESIGN: Prospective, nonrandomized, historical-control pilot study. METHODS: setting: Tertiary care center. STUDY POPULATION: Nondiabetic eyes undergoing pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) and silicone oil tamponade with or without scleral buckling procedure (SBP) for recurrent RD due to PVR. INTERVENTION: Intrasilicone oil injection of 1.25 mg bevacizumab was performed intraoperatively and at postoperative months 1, 2, and 3. OUTCOMES: Retinal reattachment rate, final VA, and rate of epiretinal membrane (ERM) formation at month 6. RESULTS: Twenty eyes of 20 patients were enrolled and compared to a historical control group composed of 35 age- and sex-matched controls. In the study group, logMAR VA improved from mean 1.78 ± 0.43 (Snellen 20/1205) to 1.43 ± 0.70 (Snellen 20/538, P = .04), retinal reattachment was achieved in 14 of 20 eyes (70%), and ERM formation was observed in 7 of 20 eyes (35%) at 6 months. In the control group, logMAR VA improved from mean 1.50 ± 0.74 (Snellen 20/632) to 1.43 ± 0.58 (Snellen 20/538, P = .64), retinal reattachment was achieved in 25 of 35 eyes (71%), and ERM formation was observed in 7 of 35 eyes (20%) at 6 months. No significant difference in final VA (P = .96), retinal reattachment rate (P = .75), or ERM formation (P = .33) was observed between groups. No intrasilicone oil injection-related adverse events occurred. CONCLUSIONS: Serial intrasilicone oil injections of bevacizumab did not improve retinal reattachment rate, improve final VA, or reduce ERM formation in patients undergoing PVR-related RD surgery.

Intravitreal bevacizumab for choroidal neovascularization associated with choroidal nevus.

PURPOSE: To report 10 cases of occult choroidal neovascularization (CNV) associated with choroidal nevus managed with intravitreal bevacizumab. METHODS: Interventional case series. Each nevus was examined and imaged with fluorescein angiography, B-scan ultrasonography, and optical coherence tomography. Data were retrospectively analyzed to evaluate outcomes of treatment response and visual acuity. RESULTS: Nine patients presented with CNV overlying a chronic choroidal nevus with a posterior margin within 1.5 mm of the foveola. In the 10th patient, the posterior margin of the nevus was located 10 mm from the foveola with extension of subretinal fluid into the macula. The CNV was subfoveolar in four cases, juxtafoveolar in two cases, and extrafoveolar in four cases. Initial visual acuity was 20/20 to 20/50 in 5, 20/60 to 20/100 in 2, and 20/200 or worse in 3 cases. Clinical features included subfoveolar fluid in nine, exudation in five, and hemorrhage in four cases. Intravitreal bevacizumab (1.25 mg/0.05 cc) was injected with regression of CNV in all 10 cases using 2 to 14 injections (median 3 injections). In 2 eyes, after therapeutic response to bevacizumab later consolidation with photodynamic therapy (juxtafoveolar CNV) (n = 1) or conventional laser (extrafoveolar CNV) (n = 1) was provided. In the remaining 8 eyes, after discontinuation of bevacizumab, there was no recurrence of CNV over mean 10.1 months. At overall mean follow-up of 22.5 months, final visual acuity decreased by 1 line in 4 cases and improved by mean of 3 lines (range, 1-8 lines) in 6 cases. There were no adverse effects from bevacizumab injections. All 10 choroidal nevi remained stable. CONCLUSION: Intravitreal bevacizumab appears to be an effective treatment option for CNV secondary to choroidal nevus. In some cases, depending on the proximity of the CNV to the foveola, photodynamic therapy or conventional laser may be useful adjunctive therapy.

Acute visual acuity loss following intravitreal bevacizumab for diabetic macular edema.

A 58-year-old woman with non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy presented with decreased visual acuity from chronic macular edema. She had undergone multiple treatments previously, including focal laser treatment and intravitreal triamcinolone acetonide. Within 2 days of treatment with intravitreal bevacizumab, the patient noted a significant decrease in visual acuity. Fluorescein angiogram demonstrated an enlargement of the foveal avascular zone and persistent late leakage following intravitreal bevacizumab; optical coherence tomography performed before and after treatment revealed persistent cystoid macular edema. The use of intravitreal bevacizumab in chronic, refractory diabetic macular edema may cause acute visual acuity loss by disrupting an already fragile vascular perfusion status, leading to macular ischemia.

Effect of oral pentoxifylline on cystoid macular edema associated with central retinal vein occlusion.

PURPOSE: To determine whether oral pentoxifylline, a xanthine-derived hemorheologic agent, decreases cystoid macular edema (CME) and improves visual acuity in eyes with a perfused central retinal vein occlusion (CRVO). METHODS: Retrospective chart review of consecutive patients on pentoxifylline (400 mg po TID) for CRVO was performed. Inclusion criteria included CME, pentoxifylline use for at least 1 month, and a follow-up period of at least 4 months. Exclusion criteria included nonperfused or indeterminate CRVO, the presence of neovascularization, and previous or concurrent laser therapy or any other treatment for CRVO. Statistical analysis of collected data was performed. RESULTS: Eleven patients were identified. All patients had a perfused CRVO. The mean best-corrected Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study visual acuity was 60 letters (Snellen equivalent 20/128) before the initiation of oral pentoxifylline. The mean time from onset of CRVO to start of pentoxifylline therapy was 5 months (range, 1-12 months). The mean duration of pentoxifylline use was 5.3 months (range, 2.5-10.2 months). The mean follow-up period was 8 months (range, 2.7-16.5 months). Cystoid macular edema had improved in 64% (7/11) of eyes at last follow-up as measured by biomicroscopy and optical coherence tomography. The visual acuity was not significantly changed at 62 letters (20/128 +2) (Student t-test, P = 0.7) at last follow-up. There were no significant side effects from pentoxifylline. One patient had mild gastrointestinal disturbance. CONCLUSION: Pentoxifylline has a favorable adverse effect profile, and can reduce CME in eyes with CRVO. Visual acuity does not appear to change significantly. A larger, randomized, multiarmed clinical trial evaluating the effects of pentoxifylline as an adjunctive treatment modality may be of benefit since even a small positive effect in altering the natural history of CME related to CRVO may be of value for these patients.

Pars plana vitrectomy versus combined pars plana vitrectomy-scleral buckle for primary repair of pseudophakic retinal detachment.

PURPOSE: To evaluate pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) versus a combined PPV and scleral buckle (PPV/SB) for repair of noncomplex, pseudophakic retinal detachment. DESIGN: Retrospective, nonrandomized, comparative interventional study. PARTICIPANTS: One hundred fifty-two eyes of 152 patients followed up for a mean of 10 months. The case series included 68 consecutive patients who underwent PPV and 84 consecutive patients who underwent a PPV/SB for primary repair of primary pseudophakic retinal detachment at Wills Eye Hospital between 2002 and 2004. METHODS: All primary PPV cases were performed by 2 surgeons who perform primary vitrectomy without regard to location of detachment, number and location of break(s), refractive error, or macula status. All primary PPV/SB were performed by a group of surgeons who solely perform PPV/SB on pseudophakic retinal detachments. All eyes underwent a standard 3-port 20-gauge PPV under wide-field viewing and scleral depression. Endolaser photocoagulation was applied either around the retinal tears or 360 degrees to the vitreous base region followed by gas tamponade. Patients with proliferative vitreoretinopathy grade C or worse were excluded from the study. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: (1) Single surgery anatomic success rates, (2) preoperative and postoperative visual acuity, and (3) complications. RESULTS: The single surgery anatomic success rate in the primary PPV group was 63 of 68 eyes (92.6%; 95% confidence interval [CI], 84%-98%) and in the primary PPV/SB group was 79 of 84 eyes (94.0%; 95% CI, 87%-98%). Both groups obtained 100% final reattachment rate. There was no statistically significant difference between the success rates (P = 0.75, Fisher exact test). The PPV group's best-corrected postoperative visual acuity demonstrated a +0.10 logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution improvement over the PPV/SB group (P = 0.07). The PPV group had a smaller incidence of postoperative complications (13/68 patients [19.1%] vs. 27/84 patients [32.1%]; P = 0.10, Fisher exact test). CONCLUSIONS: Primary PPV and PPV/SB seem to have similar efficacy in the repair of a matched group of patients with primary noncomplex pseudophakic retinal detachment. There was no statistically significant difference in complication rate between the 2 groups.

Optical coherence tomography following photodynamic therapy with verteporfin for subfoveal predominantly classic choroidal neovascularization.

We characterized the changes in optical coherence tomography following photodynamic therapy (PDT) for subfoveal predominantly classic choroidal neovascularization (CNV) in 26 eyes before, 1 week after, and 3 months after treatment. There appears to be a temporal decrease in central retinal thickness, increase in central retinal pigment epithelium/CNV complex thickness, and decrease in subretinal fluid following PDT, making it a useful adjunct in the management of CNV due to of age-related macular degeneration.

Hemi-retinal vein occlusion following LASIK.

We report a case of hemi-retinal vein occlusion following laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) in a healthy 46-year-old Caucasian male. A hemi-retinal vein occlusion following LASIK could be coincidental. However, young age, absence of risk factors and negative laboratory testing require consideration of a causal relationship.

Macular translocation surgery with 360-degree peripheral retinectomy following ocular photodynamic therapy of choroidal neovascularization.

PURPOSE: To determine the visual outcomes of eyes that underwent macular translocation surgery with 360 degrees peripheral retinectomy and silicone oil tamponade (MTS360) following ocular photodynamic therapy (OPT) with verteporfin for subfoveal choroidal neovascularization (CNV) associated with age-related macular degeneration (ARMD). DESIGN: Observational case series. METHODS: A retrospective review of patients who underwent MTS360 with silicone oil tamponade from August 5, 1998 through December 1, 2002. Patients who had at least one episode of OPT with verteporfin before surgery were identified. The number of OPT session, best-corrected Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study (ETDRS) visual acuity, complications (including postoperative CNV, retinal detachment [RD]), the presence or absence of cystoid macular edema (CME) by optical coherence tomography (OCT) were recorded. RESULTS: Eight eyes of eight patients were identified that fulfilled the inclusion criteria. All eyes had at least one episode of OPT (mean, 1.5 treatments). All of these patients at the time of MTS360 demonstrated continued visual loss following the most recent OPT session. The mean preoperative visual acuity was 56 letters. Four of the eight eyes demonstrated CME by OCT on preoperative examination. There were no significant postoperative complications other than one eye that had a successful repair of an RD. At 3 months, the mean visual acuity was 54 letters. At last follow-up (mean, 10 months), the mean visual acuity was 61 letters (P =.5). The final mean visual acuity change for the patients who had only one prior OPT (five eyes) was +10 letters. The mean final visual acuity change for the patients who had multiple OPT sessions (three eyes) was -1 letter. Three of the four eyes that had preoperative CME continued to demonstrate CME at last follow-up. Two eyes that had concurrent cataract extraction surgery with MTS360 did not develop CME. No eyes developed a recurrent CNV during the postoperative period. CONCLUSIONS: MTS360 with silicone oil tamponade for CNV associated with ARMD appears to be a viable option for patients who are continuing to lose vision in their better seeing eye following OPT with verteporfin. MTS360 appears to be effective in stabilizing vision, especially in patients who had previously undergone only one OPT session. Further studies are indicated to evaluate the efficacy of MTS360 in this current era of OPT.