MANAGEMENT OF LARGE FULL-THICKNESS MACULAR HOLES: Long-Term Outcomes of Internal Limiting Membrane Flaps and Internal Limiting Membrane Peels.

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE: To determine and compare the efficacy of a surgical internal limiting membrane (ILM) flap technique with the traditional ILM peel on long-term visual and anatomical outcomes for large (>400 µm) full-thickness macular holes. METHODS: From October 2016 to July 2022, patients undergoing initial full-thickness macular hole repair with the ILM flap or ILM peel technique were reviewed. Final outcomes were recorded and based on size in microns: 401 to 800, 801 to 1,200, and >1,200. RESULTS: Patients treated with ILM flap (n = 52, 94.2% closure rate) or ILM peel (n = 407, 93.6% closure rate) were followed with a mean follow-up time of 15.0 ± 10.2 and 20.0 ± 13.4 months, respectively. Success rates for ILM flaps and ILM peels were compared for full-thickness macular holes of 401 to 800 (100%, 95.8%, P = 0.39), 801 to 1,200 (95%, 93%, P = 0.74), and >1,200 (86.7%, 86.7%, P = 1.0) µm. Mean best-recorded logarithm of the minimal angle of resolution visual acuity for ILM flaps and ILM peels, respectively, was 1.02 ± 0.46 and 0.87 ± 0.47 preoperatively, with follow-up acuity of 0.48 ± 0.32 (P < 0.03) and 0.39 ± 0.42 (P < 0.01) at Year 3. CONCLUSION: Both techniques provide a similar anatomical closure rate and functional improvement in vision. Comparisons should be cautiously made based on difference in preoperative hole size.

Safety and efficacy of ixoberogene soroparvovec in neovascular age-related macular degeneration in the United States (OPTIC): a prospective, two-year, multicentre phase 1 study.

Background: Gene therapy, successfully used in rare, monogenetic disorders, may prove to be a durable management approach for common, polygenetic conditions, including neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD). Repeated injections, oftentimes monthly, and possibly for decades, of vascular endothelial growth factor antagonists (anti-VEGF), is the standard for nAMD. We hypothesised that an in-office, intravitreal administration of ixoberogene soroparvovec (ixo-vec, formerly ADVM-022), a single-dose gene therapy encoding for the proven anti-VEGF protein, aflibercept, would transform retinal cells to continually produce aflibercept to minimise treatment burden in nAMD. Methods: In this two-year, open-label, prospective, multicentre phase 1 study, patients with nAMD responding to anti-VEGF were assigned to four cohorts differing by ixo-vec dose (2 × 1011 vs 6 × 1011 vector genomes (vg/eye)) and prophylactic steroids (oral prednisone vs topical difluprednate). The primary outcome was the type, severity, and incidence of ocular and systemic adverse events (AEs); secondary endpoints included vision, central subfield thickness (CST), and the number of supplemental injections. This study was registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT03748784. Findings: Thirty patients with nAMD were enrolled between November 14, 2018 and June 30, 2020 at nine study sites in the United States. No systemic ixo-vec related AEs were noted. Across both dose groups the most common adverse event was anterior chamber cell, which was reported in 11 participants in the 6 × 1011 dose group and in 7 participants in the 2 × 1011 dose group; intraocular inflammation was responsive to topical corticosteroids, with no anterior chamber cells or vitreous cells observed in 2 × 1011 vg/eye patients at the end of the study. Vision and CST remained stable throughout two years with annualised anti-VEGF injections reduced by 80% (10.0 mean annualised anti-VEGF injections to 1.9) in 2 × 1011 vg/eye and 98% (9.8 mean annualised anti-VEGF injections to 0.2) in 6 × 1011 vg/eye cohorts. Interpretation: Ixo-vec was generally well-tolerated, maintained vision, and improved anatomical outcomes in nAMD, with a substantial reduction in anti-VEGF injections. A single administration of an in-office gene therapy, with vectorised protein with an already established clinical benefit, has the potential to revolutionise the management of common ocular disorders requiring ongoing, frequent therapeutic interventions. Funding: Adverum Biotechnologies.

Risk Factors for the Development of Fellow Eye Horseshoe Retinal Tears Following Horseshoe Retinal Tear in the Presenting Eye.

BACKGROUND: This study investigated factors associated with fellow eye horseshoe retinal tear (HST) development in consecutive patients with a presenting eye HST. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Medical records were reviewed for patients with initial HSTs between 2015 and 2017 and 24 factors were analyzed. Logistic regression was used to assess factors associated with fellow eye HST development. RESULTS: In total, 242 patients with an HST were identified with mean follow-up of 68.3 months. Four associations with fellow eye HST development were identified: (1) presence of fellow eye lattice degeneration, (2) subsequent presenting eye HSTs, (3) fellow eye vitreous hemorrhage at presenting eye HST occurrence, (4) OCT-determined stage 3 fellow eye posterior vitreous detachment at presenting eye HST occurrence. CONCLUSION: Four clinical findings associated with fellow eye HST development following presenting eye HST were identified. These factors may be important considerations during management patients with HST. [Ophthalmic Surg Lasers Imaging Retina 2023;54:338-345.].

Impact of Race and Ethnicity on Presentation and Surgical Outcomes of Idiopathic Macular Holes.

There is limited data on the presentation and surgical outcomes of idiopathic macular holes (IMH) for different ethnic and racial groups. Recognition of distinct, clinically-relevant patient subgroups may provide opportunities to identify specific unmet needs including possible barriers to optimal healthcare delivery. Medical records of patients who underwent surgery for IMH (between 2016 and 2022) at a large, urban retina practice were reviewed and self-reported ethnicity (Hispanic and non-Hispanic) and race (Asian, Black, White, and Other) were captured. The primary variables included (1) mean minimum linear diameter (MLD) at presentation and (2) surgical outcome (IMH closure status). Overall, mean MLD for all study eyes (515) was 366.1 µm, and surgical success was achieved in 489 (95.0%) eyes. Hispanic eyes presented with larger mean MLD (p = 0.002) compared to non-Hispanic eyes. Asian, Black, and Other eyes presented with larger mean MLD (p = 0.033, p < 0.001, p < 0.001) when compared to White eyes. The presentation of IMH varied in severity among different ethnic and racial groups. Hispanic patients were found to have worse preoperative visual acuity (VA), longer time to surgery, and larger mean MLD and BD compared to non-Hispanic participants. Black and Other patients were found to have worse VA, time to surgery, and larger mean MLD and BD when compared to White participants.

Outcomes of Eyes Undergoing Multiple Surgical Interventions after Failure of Primary Rhegmatogenous Retinal Detachment Repair.

PURPOSE: To assess outcomes among eyes undergoing surgery for recurrent rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD) and investigate variables that correlate with visual and anatomic outcomes. DESIGN: Retrospective, consecutive case series. PARTICIPANTS: Eyes in which initial RRD repair failed that underwent ≥2 surgeries for RRD repair between January 1, 2016, and December 31, 2020. METHODS: A retrospective analysis of eyes that underwent ≥2 RRD repairs. Eyes with etiologies of retinal detachment other than RRD, previous vitreoretinal surgery, and proliferative diabetic retinopathy were excluded. One-way analysis of variance with Tukey honestly significant difference testing and multivariate regression analyses were used to assess statistical significance. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Anatomic success rate and habitual best recorded visual acuity (VA) at postoperative time intervals and at final follow-up. RESULTS: The single-operation success rate (SOSR) among eyes that underwent primary RRD repair over a 5-year period was 92.4% (2021 of 2187 eyes). The remaining 166 eyes (164 patients) in which primary RRD repair failed were included in this study. Although the anatomic success rates after the second and third RRD repairs were lower than the SOSR (71.7% and 68.1%, respectively), the final anatomic success rates did not significantly differ between eyes that underwent ≥2 RRD repairs (range, 90.6%-100%) (P > 0.05), and final anatomic success was achieved in 95.8% of the eyes. The average VA at both postoperative time intervals and final follow-up decreased with an increased total number of RRD repairs. Eyes that received silicone oil endotamponade during the second RRD repair were 20.3% (P = 0.03) and 38.4% (P = 0.04) less likely to require a third RRD repair compared with eyes that received octafluoropropane and sulfur hexafluoride gases, respectively. Eyes that developed a third RRD due to proliferative vitreoretinopathy (PVR) (n = 43) were 110% more likely to require a fourth RRD repair than eyes that developed a third RRD due to a new tear or failure to reattach (n = 4) (P = 0.04). CONCLUSIONS: In this series, the rates of anatomic success appeared consistent after each surgery when multiple reoperations were required for RRD. The VA decreased with an increased total number of RRD repairs, and the endotamponade choice might have affected the risk of additional reoperations. Proliferative vitreoretinopathy was a significant prognostic factor for RRD recurrence.

THE TEXAS TACO TECHNIQUE FOR INTERNAL LIMITING MEMBRANE FLAP IN LARGE FULL-THICKNESS MACULAR HOLES: A Short-Term Pilot Study.

PURPOSE: To determine the efficacy of a novel application of a surgical internal limiting membrane flap technique that requires no additional surgical adjuvants in closure of large full-thickness macular holes (FTMHs). METHODS: The electronic medical records of patients (n = 8) with large (>400 µm) FTMHs repaired with the "Texas Taco" technique were retrospectively reviewed. RESULTS: Operated patients had a mean age of 63.8 ± 19.2 (range, 19-80) years. There were five (62.5%) phakic and three (37.5%) pseudophakic eyes preoperatively. Mean follow-up time was 9.1 ± 4.7 (1.5-14.5) months. Across all patients, mean FTMH diameter at the shortest and greatest widths were 529 ± 101 (404-661) and 1,189 ± 290 (829-1,656) µm, respectively. Mean best-corrected logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution visual acuity was 1.3 ± 0.23 preoperatively (approximately Snellen acuity 20/400) and 0.66 ± 0.40 postoperatively (approximately Snellen acuity 20/100) (P < 0.001). All FTMHs remained closed at all postoperative visits. CONCLUSION: The Texas Taco technique provided anatomical and functional improvement in challenging cases of large FTMHs without the need of additional surgical adjuvants.

Fovea-sparing rhegmatogenous retinal detachments: impact of clinical factors including time to surgery on visual and anatomic outcomes.

PURPOSE: Evaluate the impact of time to surgery and other clinical factors on visual and anatomic outcomes following surgical repair of fovea-sparing rhegmatogenous retinal detachments (RRD). METHODS: Visual and anatomic outcomes were analyzed for their association with clinical factors, including lens status, preoperative visual acuity (VA), contralateral RRD, RRD symptom duration, time to surgery, single-operation anatomic success, number of quadrants involved, posterior RRD extent, RRD extent closest to the fovea, number of retinal breaks, quadrants with retinal breaks, and surgery performed Saturday or Sunday versus Monday-Friday. RESULTS: Medical records of 423 eyes with fovea-sparing RRD repaired with pneumatic retinopexy (PR), scleral buckle (SB), pars plana vitrectomy (PPV), and PPV with SB (PPV/SB) were included. Sixty-seven percent and 89% were operated within 24 and 72 h of RRD presentation, respectively. Single-operation anatomic success rates were 59%, 89%, 84%, and 92% for PR, SB, PPV, and PPV/SB interventions, respectively. Final anatomic success was 100%. Three clinical factors correlated with faster time to surgery: shorter symptom duration (p < 0.02), RRD superior location (p = 0.001), and posterior extension into the macula (p = 0.01). The time to surgery did not correlate with visual or anatomic outcomes. Two clinical factors positively correlated with postoperative vision: preoperative VA (r > 0.25, p < 0.04) and single-operation anatomic success (p < 0.04). Surgeries performed on Monday through Friday (n = 411) were associated with better anatomic outcomes compared with the limited number performed on Saturday or Sunday (n = 12) (p = 0.005), although a greater proportion of operated cases over the weekend were PR. CONCLUSIONS: In the context of the current series, time to surgery did not correlate with visual or anatomic outcomes following the surgical repair of fovea-sparing RRDs. Preoperative VA and single-operation anatomic success correlated with improved visual outcome.

THE ASSOCIATION OF EPIRETINAL MEMBRANE WITH MACULAR HOLE FORMATION AFTER RHEGMATOGENOUS RETINAL DETACHMENT REPAIR.

PURPOSE: To describe the clinical and optical coherence tomography findings associated with the development of full-thickness macular holes after rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD) repair. METHODS: Retrospective, interventional case series. All patients who developed full-thickness macular holes after successful RRD repair from 3 clinical practices were reviewed. All cases of combined/simultaneous full-thickness macular hole and RRD were excluded. The main outcome measure was the presence of an epiretinal membrane at time of diagnosis of macular hole. RESULTS: Twenty-five full-thickness macular holes were diagnosed after successful retinal detachment repair. Surgical approach to RRD repair included pneumatic retinopexy (6, 24%), scleral buckle alone (5, 20%), pars plana vitrectomy only (8, 32%), and combined scleral buckle and pars plana vitrectomy (6, 24%). The preceding RRD involved the macula in 19 patients (76%) before the formation of the macular hole. The median time to full-thickness macular hole diagnosis after RRD repair was 63 days (range, 4-4,080 days). An epiretinal membrane was present in all 25 (100%) macular holes. Two macular holes (8%) spontaneously closed, whereas the other 23 (92%) were successfully closed with a single surgical procedure. Mean visual acuity improved by approximately 5 lines to 20/72 (range, 20/20 to counting fingers at 1 foot) from 20/240 (range, 20/30 to hand motions) after macular hole repair (P < 0.0001). CONCLUSION: Full-thickness macular hole formation can occur after all types of RRD repair and is associated with an epiretinal membrane. The epiretinal membrane may play a role in the pathogenesis of secondary macular hole formation after RRD repair.

CHOROIDAL NEOVASCULARIZATION SECONDARY TO ALEXANDRITE LASER EXPOSURE.

PURPOSE: To report macular photic trauma after accidental occupational exposure to a 750-nm Alexandrite laser and management of secondary choroidal neovascularization. METHODS: Institutional review board-approved retrospective case report. RESULTS: A 30-year-old woman presented with immediate vision loss in her left eye after direct inadvertent exposure to a single discharge from an occupational 750-nm Alexandrite laser used for laser hair removal. Baseline Snellen visual acuity was 20/40 in the involved left eye. One week after the initial exposure, the patient experienced subjective visual decline to 20/50, was treated with oral prednisone, and then developed a subretinal hemorrhage (SRH) in the setting of choroidal neovascularization 2 weeks later, or 3 weeks after initial trauma. The patient subsequently received 5 intravitreal ranibizumab injections over 25 weeks with resolution of the SRH. Final visual acuity was 20/50. CONCLUSION: The present case documents development and management of subretinal hemorrhage associated with choroidal neovascularization following macular photic trauma after accidental occupational to a 750-nm Alexandrite laser.

ENDOPHTHALMITIS AFTER INTRAVITREAL INJECTION: Role of Prophylactic Topical Ophthalmic Antibiotics.

PURPOSE: To determine the rate of postintravitreal injection endophthalmitis and to assess microbiological features and outcomes with and without the use of peri-intravitreal injection topical ophthalmic antibiotics. METHODS: Consecutive series of endophthalmitis cases retrospectively identified after intravitreal injection at a multicenter, retina-only referral practice (Retina Consultants of Houston) from January 1, 2011 to December 31, 2014. Prophylactic peri-intravitreal injection topical antibiotics were routinely used during the initial 12-month period (January 1, 2011-December 31, 2011) and not used in the final 24-month period (January 1, 2013-December 31, 2014). Main outcome measures were incidence of endophthalmitis, microbiology results, treatment strategies, and visual outcomes. RESULTS: Of 90,339 intravitreal injections, 30 cases of endophthalmitis were identified (endophthalmitis rate = 0.033%; 95% confidence interval, 0.021-0.045%; or approximately 1 of 3,011 intravitreal injections). The most common organisms isolated were coagulase-negative staphylococci (n = 10, 33%), followed by Streptococcus mitis (n = 2, 7%). Fourteen cases (47%) were culture negative. Peri-intravitreal injection topical antibiotic prophylaxis did not decrease the rate of endophthalmitis (0.035% [95% CI, 0.007-0.064%] with antibiotic use versus 0.021% [95% CI, 0.008-0.033%] without antibiotic use; P = 0.261). CONCLUSION: The risk of endophthalmitis after intravitreal injection remains low, with coagulase-negative staphylococci and Streptococcus mitis the most common bacterial isolates identified. Prophylactic peri-intravitreal injection topical ophthalmic antibiotic use did not decrease the endophthalmitis rate.

Aflibercept for pigment epithelial detachment for previously treated neovascular age-related macular degeneration.

OBJECTIVE: Assess the efficacy of intravitreal aflibercept on pigment epithelial detachments (PED) associated with previously treated patients with neovascular age-related macular degeneration (AMD). DESIGN: Retrospective study. PARTICIPANTS: Sixty eyes. METHODS: Patients with persistent PED who were treated with intravitreal aflibercept (2.0 mg) with ≥2 previous injections of bevacizumab (1.25 mg) or ranibizumab (0.5 mg) were analyzed. RESULTS: Mean number of prior injections was 24.8 during a mean of 32 months of management (range 3-77 months). Baseline mean PED height was 258 µm (range 80-687 µm), which decreased at 1, 6, and 12 months upon switching to aflibercept to 226 µm (-14%, range 34-701 µm), 215 µm (-18%, range 0-666 µm), and 208 µm (-22%, range 0-752 µm), respectively. The majority of eyes experienced a decrease in PED height after switching to aflibercept: 50/58 (86%), 38/47 (81%), and 37/47 (79%) at months 1, 6, and 12, respectively. Reduction in PED height was weakly correlated with improved visual acuity (R(2) = 0.11). CONCLUSIONS: Intravitreal aflibercept resulted in significant reduction in PED height in previously treated eyes with neovascular AMD.

Progressive retinal nonperfusion in ischemic central retinal vein occlusion.

BACKGROUND: Serial wide-field fluorescein angiography was performed on eyes with preproliferative (ischemic) central retinal vein occlusion to evaluate retinal perfusion. METHODS: Serial wide-field fluorescein angiography was performed on 12 preproliferative central retinal vein occlusion eyes in the 3-year Rubeosis Anti-VEGF (RAVE) trial using the Staurenghi lens (Ocular Staurenghi 230SLO Retina Lens) with a scanning laser ophthalmoscope (Heidelberg HRA Spectralis). "Disk area" was defined anatomically for each eye. RESULTS: Mean total field of gradable retina was 290 disk areas (range, 178-452). All eyes demonstrated extensive areas of retinal nonperfusion; at baseline, mean area of retinal perfusion was 106 disk areas (range, 37-129), correlating with a mean of 46.5% perfused retinal area (range, 19.1-56.4%). The area of retinal nonperfusion increased in all eyes with a mean loss of approximately 8.1% of perfused retinal area per year (range, 4.3-12.4%), which corresponded to a mean 15-disk areas (range, 12-35) of retina evolving from perfused to nonperfused annually. The extent of baseline and final nonperfusion was not significantly different between eyes that developed neovascularization and eyes that did not. CONCLUSION: In this population of severe central retinal vein occlusion eyes, profound retinal nonperfusion was observed with wide-field fluorescein angiography at baseline and the extent of nonperfusion progressed while undergoing anti-vascular endothelial growth factor therapy.

Comparison of spectral-domain and time-domain optical coherence tomography in the detection of neovascular age-related macular degeneration activity.

PURPOSE: To compare the sensitivity of commonly used time-domain (TD-OCT) and spectral-domain optical coherence tomography platforms and scanning modalities in the management of neovascular age-related macular degeneration in a population with a high prevalence of exudative disease activity. METHODS: Fifty consecutive patients within the prospective SAVE (Super-dose Anti-Vascular Endothelial growth factor) trial, which analyzed the utility of 2.0 mg intravitreal ranibizumab for the treatment of recalcitrant neovascular age-related macular degeneration, were enrolled in a comparison trial of 3 different optical coherence tomography (OCT) platforms. Stratus TD-OCT radial scan (Carl Zeiss Meditec, Inc) was compared with 3 Heidelberg Spectralis Heidelberg Retinal Angiograph+OCT (Heidelberg Engineering) acquisition settings (radial, 7-line raster, volumetric) and 2 Cirrus high definition (HD)-OCT (Carl Zeiss Meditec, Inc) acquisition settings (5-line raster, volumetric). RESULTS: Using every imaging platform and acquisition setting, evidence of exudative disease activity was positively identified in 163 of 191 patient visits (85.3%). Intraretinal cysts were identified in 83 of 191 visits (43.5%), and subretinal fluid was identified in 116 of 191 visits (60.7%). Of these positive visits, the Stratus TD-OCT radial scanning technology demonstrated a significantly lower rate of detection (71.8%) when compared with the Spectralis HRA+OCT spectral domain scanning modalities (radial 87.1%, P < 0.001; 7-line raster 92.0%, P < 0.001; volumetric 94.5%, P < 0.001) or the Cirrus HD-OCT spectral domain scanning modalities (5-line raster 81.6%, P = 0.001; volumetric 92.0%, P < 0.001). Intraretinal cysts and subretinal fluid were identified in 83 visits (43.5%) and 116 visits (60.7%), respectively, with 36 eyes (18.8%) having fluid in both locations. No individual imaging modality demonstrated a diagnostic advantage for detecting subretinal fluid versus intraretinal cysts (e.g., Cirrus volume detected 86.7% of intraretinal cysts and 88.8% of subretinal fluid, P = 0.33). CONCLUSION: In this neovascular age-related macular degeneration patient population, spectral-domain ocular coherence tomography was a superior diagnostic tool when compared with TD-OCT, with each spectral domain platform and acquisition setting identifying significantly more exudative disease activity. The two spectral domain platforms (Cirrus and Spectralis) were not directly compared because identical image acquisition parameters were not used. No individual imaging modality demonstrated a diagnostic advantage for detecting subretinal fluid versus intraretinal cysts.

SAVE (Super-dose anti-VEGF) trial: 2.0 mg ranibizumab for recalcitrant neovascular age-related macular degeneration: 1-year results.

OBJECTIVES: To assess durability of visual and anatomic gains with 2.0 mg ranibizumab in recalcitrant neovascular age-related macular degeneration (AMD). METHODS: Phase I-II trial of 88 patients with recalcitrant neovascular AMD treated as needed every 4 (cohort A) or 6 weeks (cohort B) following three monthly doses. ETDRS refraction and spectral-domain OCT-guided as-needed re-treatments. RESULTS: Seventy-nine patients completed the 12-month endpoint and were given 11.6 (cohort A) and 8.6 (cohort B) mean treatments. Mean best corrected visual acuity gains of 4.1 letters following three monthly doses were sustained for 12 months for both cohorts. Anatomic improvements were sustained for 12 months for cohort A, but not for cohort B; cohort B demonstrated a gradual increase in mean central retinal thickness (P = .03). CONCLUSION: Visual and anatomic gains achieved with 2.0 mg ranibizumab in recalcitrant neovascular AMD were sustained for 1 year with monthly treatment. In comparison, anatomic gains were diminished with less than monthly treatment.

Super-dose anti-VEGF (SAVE) trial: 2.0 mg intravitreal ranibizumab for recalcitrant neovascular macular degeneration-primary end point.

PURPOSE: To determine whether a higher dose of intravitreal ranibizumab could improve the anatomy and best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) in eyes with neovascular age-related macular degeneration (AMD) with persistent disease activity despite monthly intravitreal anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) injections. DESIGN: Phase I to II multicenter, open-label, controlled clinical trial. PARTICIPANTS: Eighty-seven patients with recalcitrant neovascular AMD, defined as having leakage on fundus fluorescein angiography or spectral domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) despite monthly anti-VEGF injections. METHODS: Patients were treated with 2.0-mg ranibizumab injections monthly for 3 doses and monitored with Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study (ETDRS) 4-m refractions, clinical examinations, and SD-OCT. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The mean change in baseline visual acuity (VA), the percentage of patients who experienced a loss or gain of 15 or more letters in ETDRS BCVA, the mean change in central retinal thickness, and the incidence of adverse events. RESULTS: Eighty-seven patients with an average of 24 injections before enrollment and a mean of 10.4 injections in the preceding 12 months had a mean refracted VA of 69.2 ETDRS letters (20/41 Snellen) and a mean central subfield of 422 µm at baseline. Mean VA gain over baseline was +2.5 letters at day 7 (n = 82), +3.7 letters at month 1 (n = 87), +3.9 letters at month 2 (n = 87), and +3.3 letters at month 3 (20/36 Snellen; P = 0.001; n = 86). Anatomic outcomes showed a mean optical coherence tomography central subfield thickness improvement from baseline of -48.4 µm at day 7 (n = 84), -37.5 µm at month 1 (n = 87), -42.4 µm at month 2 (n = 85), and -33.1 µm at month 3 (P = 0.01; n = 86). CONCLUSIONS: Intravitreal injections of 2.0 mg ranibizumab led to statistically significant VA gains and anatomic improvement in patients with persistent intraretinal, subretinal, or subretinal pigment epithelial fluid during a previous regimen of chronic monthly 0.5-mg ranibizumab injections.

Purtscher-like retinopathy associated with pemphigus vulgaris.

PURPOSE: To report a case of Purtscher-like retinopathy associated with pemphigus vulgaris. METHOD: Case report of a 25-year-old Hispanic male who was referred for sudden and severe reduction of vision from his right eye shortly after an exacerbation of pemphigus vulgaris. RESULTS: Fundus examination of the right eye revealed severe macular edema, nerve fiber layer infarcts, flame-shaped hemorrhages, and venous dilation. Fluorescein angiography and optical coherence tomography findings of flecken, ischemia with subsequent nerve fiber layer atrophy, and capillary leakage were consistent with Purtscher-like retinopathy. The patient was treated with 5 consecutive monthly intravitreal injections of 0.5 mg of ranibizumab. Visual acuity improved with resolution of macular edema, and the patient was started on systemic mycophenolate mofetil. Continued ocular stability was achieved with 11 subsequent intravitreal injections over the following 2 years. CONCLUSION: Purtscher-like retinopathy may have been associated with pemphigus vulgaris through a complement activation process that is previously undescribed. Retinal findings were successfully mitigated with the use of intravitreal anti-vascular endothelial growth factor therapy.

Use of nepafenac (Nevanac) in combination with intravitreal anti-VEGF agents in the treatment of recalcitrant exudative macular degeneration requiring monthly injections.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to determine the efficacy of combining topical nepafenac with monthly intravitreal injections of ranibizumab or bevacizumab in the treatment of recalcitrant exudative macular degeneration. METHODS: This was a retrospective, consecutive case series of patients with exudative macular degeneration requiring maintenance therapy of antivascular endothelial growth factor ( anti-VEGF) injections at least every 6 weeks, who were started on topical nepafenac. Despite frequent anti-VEGF dosing, all patients included in the study had persistence of any combination of the following: intraretinal cysts, subretinal fluid, and/or pigment epithelial detachment. Patients underwent pinhole visual acuity, clinical exam, and optical coherence tomography (OCT) at baseline and every follow-up visit. Response to therapy was graded by reviewing quantitative and qualitative OCT data, and statistical analysis was done with paired Student's t-test. RESULTS: Twenty-five patients (average age 77; 14 male and 11 female) were reviewed; the mean number of previous injections was 17.4 (range 3-31). Baseline mean visual acuity was 20/55, and final mean visual acuity after 3 months of treatment was 20/51 (P = 0.13). Monthly mean central foveal thickness measurements were 248, 250, 257, and 247 µm (P = 0.53) at baseline, 1, 2, and 3 months, respectively. By the end of the 3-month time point, qualitative OCT findings on 13 patients treated with nepafenac were classified as stable, 10 as better, and 2 as worse. CONCLUSIONS: There was no significant change in visual acuity or quantitative OCT measurements, but there appeared to be a mild trend toward improved anatomy and qualitative OCT findings when topical nepafenac was added to monthly anti-VEGF injections in patients with persistent intraretinal cysts, subretinal fluid, and/or pigment epithelial detachment. Further prospective studies with longer follow-up may be warranted.