Severe epithelial ingrowth after pars plana vitrectomy ten years after LASIK relifting.

Epithelial ingrowth is one of the most significant complications of Laser in Situ Keratomileusis (LASIK) refractive surgery. We present the case of a 72-year-old male with a history of myopic LASIK (1999), who underwent cataract surgery and a second thin LASIK sub-Bowman flap to correct refractive error. Then, three months after pars plana vitrectomy for an epiretinal membrane, the patient complained of progressive vision loss. A diffuse haze of the corneal stroma that did not exist before surgery was observed. As the main suspicion was epithelial ingrowth, the flap was lifted and meticulous de-epithelialization of the stromal bed was performed. Mitomycin C 0.02% was applied, the flap was sutured with 10-0 Nylon, and a bandage contact lens was placed. The epithelialization of the interface after vitrectomy in a patient with LASIK could occur even when it is a rare complication and without obvious flap traumatism.

Long-term results of treatment of neovascular age-related macular degeneration using antiangiogenic drugs: A review of the literature.

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is one of the main causes of visual acuity (VA) loss in people over 50 years of age worldwide, with neovascular AMD (nAMD) accounting for 80% of cases of severe vision loss due to this disease. Anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF) drugs have been used for the treatment of this disease for more than a decade, changing drastically the visual prognosis of these patients. However, initial studies reporting data on outcomes were short term. Currently, there are different series published on the long-term results of AMD after treatment with anti-VEGF, and the aim of this review is to synthesize these results. The mean follow-up of the included studies was 8.2 years (range 5-12 years). The mean initial VA was 55.3 letters in the Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study (ETDRS) (range 45.6-65) and the mean final VA was 50.1 letters (range 33.0-64.3), with a mean loss of 5.2 letters. At the end of follow-up, 29.4% of the patients maintained a VA > 70 letters. The 67.9% of patients remained stable at the end of follow-up (< 15 letter loss), with a severe loss (≥ 15 letters) of 30.1%. Fibrosis and atrophy were the main causes of long-term VA loss, occurring at the end of follow-up in 52.5% and 60.5%, respectively.

Assessment of the ciliary muscle and scleral anterior thickness in high myopia by optical coherence tomography.

PURPOSE: To assess ciliary muscle (CM) and anterior scleral thickness (AST) dimensions in vivo in high myopia using swept-source optical coherence tomography (SS-OCT) and to compare with emmetropic and hyperopic subjects. METHODS: Cross-sectional study that included 34 high myopic patients (≥ -6 diopters [D]), 90 emmetropes (-1 to +1 D) and 38 hyperopic patients (≥ +3.5 D). CM thickness (CMT) and AST were measured in the temporal and nasal quadrants at 1, 2, and 3 mm from the scleral spur using SS-OCT. In addition, the length of the CM (CML) was evaluated. RESULTS: The dimensions of the CML and the CMT at any of their measurement points were greater in high myopes and emmetropes than in hyperopes, both in the nasal and temporal quadrants (P < .001). However, there were no differences between high myopes and emmetropes for any of the parameters (P ≥ .076) except for the CMT at 3 mm in the temporal quadrant (P < .001). There were no differences in the AST between high myopes, emmetropes and hyperopes, in any of the measurement points or quadrants studied (P > .05). CONCLUSIONS: The SS-OCT allows to measure the CM in vivo, not observing differences in its dimensions between high myopes and emmetropes, but they were smaller in hyperopes. In the measurement of the anterior sclera, no differences were observed between the three groups analyzed according to refraction.

Diagnostic ability of vessel density of the optic nerve head and macula versus structural parameters with optical coherence tomography in pseudoexfoliative glaucoma.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the diagnostic ability of the vessel density (VD) of the optic nerve head (ONH) and the macula on optical coherence tomography (OCT) angiography and the retinal nerve layer thickness (RNFL) thickness and the macular ganglion cell complex (GCC) thickness on OCT in patients with pseudoexfoliative glaucoma (PXG). METHODS: Cross-sectional study including PXG patients and healthy controls. Demographic and clinical data were noted for all participants. Optical coherence tomography (OCT) and OCT angiography (OCTA) images of the ONH and macular area were obtained with the RS-3000 Advance OCT (Nidek Co., Gamagori, Japan). The RNFL and GCC thickness of different sectors was provided by the software. Macular VD of the superficial capillary plexus (SCP) and ONH VD of the radial peripapillary capillary plexus (RPCP) were registered. Groups were compared and area under the receiver operating characteristic (AUROC) curves were used to determine the power of discrimination of each parameter. RESULTS: RNFL and GCC thickness and ONH and macular VD were significantly lower in PXG patients compared with healthy controls (all, p<0.05). The best discrimination parameter was the average RNFL thickness (AUROC: 0.928). ONH VD AUROC was better than that of macular VD (AUROC: 0.897 and 0.780, respectively). ONH VD AUROC was comparable to RNFL thickness (p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The diagnostic ability of ONH vessel density in PXG appears comparable to that of the structural parameters, RNFL and GCC thickness, obtained with OCT, and may be a valuable tool in clinical practice.

Clinical update in nanophthalmos: Features, diseases and complications associated.

Nanophthalmos is a rare congenital condition of the eyeball that is characterised by a smaller size of the anterior and posterior segments without associated ocular malformations. Typical features that have traditionally been described in these eyes are short axial length, thickened sclera, cornea with a smaller diameter, narrow anterior chamber, and an increased lens to globe volume ratio. However, at present, there is still a lack of recognised diagnostic criteria for nanophthalmos and a classification of its severity. Its clinical relevance stems from the increased risk of multiple ocular conditions, such as high hyperopia, amblyopia, angle-closure glaucoma, retinal detachment, and cataracts. Likewise, in relation to surgery in these eyes, there are particularities in cataract and glaucoma surgery and with a greater risk of associated intra- and postoperative complications. In this way, the treatment of nanophthalmos focuses on controlling the associated eye conditions and reducing and controlling surgical complications. This review aims to update what has been published in recent years regarding nanophthalmos.

Comparative analysis of the quality of life among different retinal diseases.

PURPOSE: To assess the impact on the quality of life (QoL) among different retinal diseases such as diabetic macular edema (DME), retinal vein occlusion (RVO), pathologic myopia (PM), neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD) and central serous chorioretinopathy (CSC). METHODS: A cross-sectional study was carried out in 241 patients, affected by DME (n=44), RVO (n=41), PM (n=34) and nAMD (n=85) receiving intravitreal injections due to the presence of macular edema or choroidal neovascularization. The CSC patients included (n=37) were candidates for laser treatment. The patients included completed the National Eye Visual Functioning Questioning-25 (NEI VFQ-25). Best eye visual acuity (BEVA) was recorded using the Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study (ETDRS) scale. RESULTS: There were significant differences between subgroups for all the domains, except for the general vision in which all scores among diseases ranged from 40.7 to 45.2 out of 100 (P=.436), despite the difference in BEVA (CSC: 86.3±11.9; RVO: 78.5±15.5, DME: 73.3±15.2, nAMD: 72.9±12.6 and PM: 68.5±18.1 letters respectively; P<.001). The lowest VFQ-25 total score was observed in the PM patients (52.1±20.9), followed by nAMD (55.3±20.8), RVO (65.0±22.3), DME (68.6±21.0) and CSC (70.9±16.2). The DME group reported the worst score for general health (38.9±21.4). Mental health and role difficulties were lowest for PM (48.2±28.8 and 48.2±31.9, P<.007). CONCLUSIONS: This study reveals the differences in the QoL among DME, RVO, nAMD, PM and CSC, describing the different repercussions that they can suffer, observing a higher impact in PM and nAMD.

Primary hyperaldosteronism in Acute Central Serous Chorioretinopathy: a real need for screening?

PURPOSE: Central Serous Chorioretinopathy (CSCR) is a prevalent ocular disease classified in the pachychoroidal spectrum with an elevated morbidity. Although the pathogenesis is yet unclear, mineralocorticoid-mediated pathways seem to be implicated. Primary hyperaldosteronism (PA) is a relatively frequent, albeit underdiagnosed, cause of hypertension, and has a specific therapy. A previous study assessed the prevalence of CSCR-like signs in a cohort of patients diagnosed with PA and found signs in seven out of thirteen PA patients. The present study aims to study the contrary, screening for PA in a cohort of acute CSCR patients. METHODS: Between March 2017 and September 2018 all patients with acute CSCR were systematically referred to Endocrinology Department after complete ophthalmic evaluation was performed with visual acuity, spectral domain optical coherence tomography, fundus autofluorescence, fluorescein and indocyanine green angiography. The method applied for detection of PA was the 2-h 25 mg captopril challenge test (CCT). RESULTS: Of the nineteen patients screened, two of them had a CCT positive for PA (2-h plasma aldosterone/renin ratio > 50 and/or an aldosterone level of 130 pg/ml or higher), and were treated with mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists (MRA). No ophthalmic pattern was identified in them in terms of time to resolution, recurrences or features of the acute episode. The only differential feature in the fundus of PA patients was pathological arteriovenous crossings (AVC) as well as elevated BP levels. CONCLUSION: a high incidence of PA was found among acute CSCR patients. This preliminary study suggests a need for screening for PA in hypertensive CSCR patients in real clinical practice.

Assessment of the biometric modifications of the eye in LASIK during suction.

PURPOSE: To study the biometric modifications of the eyeball during suction in Laser assisted in Situ Keratomileusis (LASIK). METHODS: Observational and cross-sectional study. We studied 43 patients who underwent surgery for myopia and myopic astigmatism. Mean age was 38.3 ±â€¯11.5 years, and 19 were female (44.2%). Conventional LASIK surgery with a manual microkeratome was performed. Before and during the suction maneuvre the following parameters were measured using an 11 Mhz biometric probe: aqueous depth (AQD), lens thickness (LT), vitreous cavity length (VCL) and axial length (AXL). Paired t-test was used to compare the biometric measurements before and during suction. RESULTS: The mean spherical equivalent refractive error was -4.5 ±â€¯2.3 diopters. During suction, the AQD did not change significantly (p = 0.231). However, AXL and VCL increased by 0.12 mm and 0.22 mm respectively (p = 0.039 and <0.01) and LT decreased by 0.20 mm (p < 0.01). AXL increased in 42% of the eyes and decreased in 16%, VCL increased in 70% of the eyes and decreased in 9%, and the LT was reduced in 67% of the eyes. CONCLUSIONS: Suction maneuvres during LASIK surgery produce changes of little magnitude in the eye globe, mainly a decrease in LT and an increase in VCL and AXL. Therefore, these modifications are expected to produce minimal anatomic alterations.

Glistening on intraocular lenses: A review.

The glistening in intraocular lenses (IOLs) is a phenomenon in which tiny water-filled microvacuoles (MVs) form within the IOL material, causing light to scatter and create a sparkling or shimmering effect. The presence of glistening is common in many types of IOL materials and models and has been extensively studied in recent years to determine its incidence, risk factors, evolution, and possible clinical relevance. Classically, it has been studied in vitro in the laboratory or by means of photography obtained with a slit lamp, but these were techniques that required either specific technology or an expert explorer, complex image processing, and required a lot of time. In recent years, proposals based on the Scheimpflug camera and optical coherence tomography have emerged to try to simplify the analysis of glistening in IOLs. It has been described that the manufacturing process, the hydrophobic acrylic material, or the time since surgery are risk factors for the appearance of glistening. In addition, many issues related to this phenomenon are still unknown, such as not knowing from what number of points or their size they may have relevance to visual function since different optical phenomena related to glistening have been described on the IOLs.

[Detection of anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies in tears: Ocular surface immunity to COVID-19]. / Detección de anticuerpos anti-SARS-CoV-2 en lágrimas: inmunidad de la superficie ocular frente a COVID-19.

Purpose: To evaluate the presence of SARS-CoV-2 specific IgA and IgG antibodies in tears of unvaccinated and anti-COVID-19 vaccinated subjects with previous history of SARS-CoV-2 infection. To compare results in tears with those in saliva and serum and correlate with clinical data and vaccination regimens. Methods: Cross-sectional study including subjects with a previous history of SARS-CoV-2 infection, both unvaccinated and vaccinated against COVID-19. Three samples were collected: tears, saliva and serum. IgA and IgG antibodies against S-1 protein of SARS-CoV-2 were analyzed with a semi-quantitative ELISA. Results: Thirty subjects, mean age 36.4 ± 10, males 13/30 (43.3%) with history of mild SARS-CoV-2 infection were included. 13/30 (43.3%) subjects had received a 2-dose regimen and 13/30 (43.3%) a 3-dose regimen of anti-COVID-19 vaccine, 4/30 (13.3%) subjects were unvaccinated. All the participants with full anti-COVID-19 vaccination (2-or 3-doses) presented detectable anti-S1 specific IgA in all 3 biofluids, tears, saliva and serum. Among unvaccinated subjects, specific IgA was detected in 3/4 subjects in tears and saliva, whereas IgG was not detected. Considering IgA and IgG antibodies titers, no differences were observed between the 2- and 3-dose vaccination regimen. Conclusions: SARS-CoV-2-specific IgA and IgG antibodies were detected in tears after mild COVID-19, highlighting the role of the ocular surface as a first line of defense against infection. Most naturally infected unvaccinated individuals exhibit long-term specific IgA in tears and saliva. Hybrid immunization (natural infection plus vaccination) appears to enhance mucosal and systemic IgG responses. However, no differences were observed between the 2- and 3-dose vaccination schedule.

Detection of anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies in tears: Ocular surface immunity to COVID-19.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the presence of SARS-COV-2 specific IgA and IgG antibodies in tears of unvaccinated and anti-COVID-19 vaccinated subjects with previous history of SARS-COV-2 infection. To compare results in tears with those in saliva and serum and correlate with clinical data and vaccination regimens. METHODS: Cross-sectional study including subjects with a previous history of SARS-CoV-2 infection, both unvaccinated and vaccinated against COVID-19. Three samples were collected: tears, saliva and serum. IgA and IgG antibodies against S-1 protein of SARS-CoV-2 were analyzed with a semi-quantitative ELISA. RESULTS: 30 subjects, mean age 36.4 ±â€¯10, males 13/30 (43.3%) with history of mild SARS-CoV-2 infection were included. 13/30 (43.3%) subjects had received a 2-dose regimen and 13/30 (43.3%) a 3-dose regimen of anti-COVID-19 vaccine, 4/30 (13.3%) subjects were unvaccinated. All the participants with full anti-COVID-19 vaccination (2-or 3-doses) presented detectable anti-S1 specific IgA in all three biofluids, tears, saliva and serum. Among unvaccinated subjects, specific IgA was detected in 3/4 subjects in tears and saliva, whereas IgG was not detected. Considering IgA and IgG antibodies titers, no differences were observed between the 2- and 3-dose vaccination regimen. CONCLUSIONS: SARS-CoV-2-specific IgA and IgG antibodies were detected in tears after mild COVID-19, highlighting the role of the ocular surface as a first line of defense against infection. Most naturally infected unvaccinated individuals exhibit long-term specific IgA in tears and saliva. Hybrid immunization (natural infection plus vaccination) appears to enhance mucosal and systemic IgG responses. However, no differences were observed between the 2- and 3-dose vaccination schedule.

Reproducibility of peripapillary, optic nerve head and macular vessel density by OCT-A according to glaucoma severity staging.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the reproducibility of peripapillary, optic nerve head (PP-ONH) and macular vessel density (VD) by Spectral Domain optical coherence tomography angiography (SD OCT-A) in glaucoma patients and healthy subjects. METHODS: Cross-sectional study assessing 63 eyes of 63 subjects, including 33 glaucoma patients and 30 healthy subjects. Glaucoma was classified in mild, moderate, or advanced. Two consecutive scans were acquired by Spectralis Module OCT-A (Heidelberg, Germany), and provided images of the superficial vascular complex (SVC), nerve fiber layer vascular plexus (NFLVP), superficial vascular plexus (SVP); deep vascular complex (DVC), intermediate capillary plexus (ICP) and deep capillary plexus (DCP). VD (%) was calculated by AngioTool. Intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs) and coefficients of variation (CV) were calculated. RESULTS: Among PP-ONH VD, better ICC presented advanced (ICC 0.86-0.96) and moderate glaucoma (ICC 0.83-0.97) compared with mild glaucoma (0.64-0.86). For the macular VD reproducibility, ICC results for superficial retinal layers were better for mild glaucoma (0.94-0.96) followed by moderated (0.88-0.93) and advanced glaucoma (0.85-0.91), and for deeper retinal layers ICC was better for moderate glaucoma (0.95-0.96) followed by advanced (0.80-0.86) and mild glaucoma (0.74-0.91). CVs ranged from 2.2% to 10.94%. Among healthy subjects, ICCs for the PP-ONH VD measurements (0.91-0.99) and for the macular VD measurements (0.93-0.97) were excellent in all layers, with CVs from 1.65% to 10.33%. CONCLUSIONS: SD OCT-A used to quantify macular and PP-ONH VD showed excellent and good reproducibility in most layers of the retina, both in healthy subjects and in glaucoma patients regardless of the severity of the disease.

Update on the diagnosis and treatment of choroidal hemangioma.

Choroidal hemangioma (CH) is a benign vascular tumor dependent on the choroid. Two types of lesions are distinguished: circumscribed (CCH), the most frequent variant, and diffuse (DCH), normally associated with Sturge-Weber syndrome. HCC appears as an orange mass that can present asymptomatically, however, when it produces symptoms, the most frequent is decreased visual acuity due to neurosensory retinal detachment. Due to its benign nature, only those that produce symptoms should be eligible for treatment. Knowledge of this pathology and its correct differential diagnosis is very relevant to establish the appropriate diagnosis and treatment, avoiding unnecessary treatments. There is currently a wide variety of multimodal diagnostic imaging tests that allow us to identify and adequately monitor this tumor. In addition, in recent years, there has been a change in the paradigm of the treatment of these tumors thanks to the use of photodinamic therapy, which has led to a significant improvement in the visual prognosis of these patients. This has been due to the use of photodynamic therapy as the treatment of choice for HCC.