Aspergillus Endophthalmitis Secondary to Infectious Scleritis: Utility of Diagnostic PCR.

PURPOSE: To describe a case of delayed-onset Aspergillus fumigatus endophthalmitis secondary to infectious fungal scleritis diagnosed with broad range polymerase chain reaction (PCR) from scleral nodular debridement and vitreous sampling during vitrectomy. METHODS: Retrospective case report with slit lamp photography, optical coherence tomography, and fundus photography. RESULTS: A 76-year-old man presented with right eye worsening vision and pain concerning for progressive nodular scleritis and endophthalmitis eight months following a reportedly innocuous tree branch injury. Following the injury, he underwent an MRI, surgical exploration, subconjunctival antibiotic administration, and culturing due to persistent foreign body sensation. Cultures were negative, and the patient was started on oral NSAIDs, oral prednisone, and periocular triamcinolone injections following negative/normal infectious and rheumatologic workup for scleritis. The patient was referred for worsened scleritis with development of endophthalmitis. He underwent lamellar sclerectomy, debridement, and culture of purulent material from scleral nodules in coordination with diagnostic vitrectomy, vitreous sampling, and subconjunctival and intravitreal antibiotic and antifungal treatment. Broad range PCR was positive for Aspergillus fumigatus and targeted antifungal treatment initiated. The eye did not regain visual function and was enucleated for progressive pain six months following diagnosis. CONCLUSION: Fungal scleritis and endophthalmitis results in significant morbidity. Diagnostic vitrectomy and broad range PCR can aid in prompt diagnosis and targeted treatment, and may be useful in refractory cases.

Peripheral Exudative Hemorrhagic Chorioretinopathy (PEHCR): Diagnostic and Therapeutic Challenges.

Background and Objectives: Peripheral exudative hemorrhagic chorioretinopathy (PEHCR) is a peripheral retinal vascular abnormality that is likely underreported. We review the differential diagnoses, etiology, and treatment options for PEHCR. Methods: We present a case of an asymptomatic 72-year-old female referred following left eye fundus photography finding of the peripheral lesion. Results: Fundus photography demonstrated a large temporal pigment epithelial detachment (PED) with adjacent fibrovascular membrane. Optical coherence tomography (OCT) confirmed the PED with trace subretinal fluid. Fluorescein angiography (FA) demonstrated early and late hypofluorescence of the PED with late leakage of the adjacent temporal fibrovascular membrane. Observation was elected, visual acuity remained unaffected, and the PED spontaneously resolved. Conclusions: Due to the peripheral location, patients often present as asymptomatic; however, vision loss can occur due to vitreous hemorrhage or extension of subretinal fluid, hemorrhage, or exudate to the macula. Commonly, these lesions are referred with concern for choroidal melanoma due to their large, dark, elevated presentation in the peripheral retina. Multimodal testing using B-scan, FA, and OCT is important in establishing the proper diagnosis. PEHCR lesions can often be observed without treatment, though intravitreal injection of anti-VEGF is increasingly used to prevent secondary causes of vision loss.

Coats' Disease in a Patient With Cornelia de Lange Syndrome: Management With Laser and Bevacizumab.

Cornelia de Lange syndrome is a congenital disorder with multisystem abnormalities including multiple ocular findings. The authors report a case of Coats' disease in a patient with Cornelia de Lange syndrome who was successfully treated with laser and intravitreal bevacizumab. This case demonstrates the importance of fluorescein angiography in making the diagnosis and directing treatment and the efficacy of combined laser with intravitreal anti-vascular endothelial growth factor therapy for persistent vascular leakage associated with Coats' disease in Cornelia de Lange syndrome. [J Pediatr Ophthalmol Strabismus. 2023;60(4):e45-e48.].

Purtscher-Like Retinopathy with Cardioembolic Stroke: Case Report and Literature Review.

Purtscher-like retinopathy (PUR) is a rare condition characterized by sudden vision loss with associated retinal white patches thought to be due to precapillary arteriolar occlusion. We present a case of PUR associated with a cardioembolic stroke in a patient following temporary cessation of anticoagulant therapy for a surgical procedure. Our patient presented with multiple risk factors for PUR and classic signs and symptoms including multiple peripapillary white retinal lesions near arterioles and sudden unilateral decrease in visual acuity. Optical coherence tomography showed inner retinal hyperreflectivity and thinning consistent with inner retinal ischemia, and fluorescein angiography showed delayed retinal filling. Her complement C5 factor was elevated on laboratory testing. Brain magnetic resonance imaging showed acute/subacute left occipital lobe ischemia thought to be from a cardioembolic stroke. Shortly prior to visual symptoms, our patient's apixaban was held due to surgical drainage of a gluteal abscess. This case highlights the rare occurrence of PUR associated with cardioembolic stroke and the importance of cerebral imaging in a patient presenting with PUR of uncertain etiology.

CHOROIDAL NEOVASCULARIZATION AND CHORIORETINAL ATROPHY IN A PATIENT WITH MELANOMA-ASSOCIATED RETINOPATHY AFTER IPILIMUMAB/NIVOLUMAB COMBINATION THERAPY.

PURPOSE: To describe a case of choroidal neovascularization (CNV) and chorioretinal scarring in a patient with melanoma-associated retinopathy after ipilimumab/nivolumab combination immune therapy for malignant melanoma. METHODS: Retrospective case report with fundus photography, fluorescein angiography, optical coherence tomography, and electroretinography. RESULTS: A 65-year-old woman presented with symptoms of photopsia and visual field loss. She had previously undergone ipilimumab/nivolumab combination chemotherapy treatment for malignant melanoma 14 months earlier coinciding with the onset of her visual symptoms. Fundus photography showed bilateral atrophic chorioretinal lesions and peripheral retinal pigment epithelial changes. Fluorescein angiography revealed retinovascular leakage in both eyes with CNV in the right eye. Optical coherence tomography showed a pigment epithelial detachment with subretinal fluid and subretinal hyperreflective material consistent with occult CNV. Visual field testing showed generalized visual field loss in both eyes. Bloodwork discovered an elevated angiotensin-converting enzyme. Electroretinography revealed abnormal peripheral rod and cone function with impairment of the photoreceptor and inner nuclear layer. Serum Western blot was positive for 60 kDa antiretinal autoantibody. After a single bevacizumab injection in the right eye, CNV resolved and visual acuity improved from 20/50 before the injection to 20/25 3 months after the injection. Visual acuity in the left eye deteriorated for months to counting fingers but then improved to 20/100 on follow-up examinations. CONCLUSION: Ipilimumab and nivolumab have been associated with immune-related ocular adverse effects. We report a case of combination therapy presenting with chorioretinal scarring and subsequent CNV in a patient with melanoma-associated retinopathy, a rare yet important adverse effect.

Ocular Ischemic Syndrome With Congenital Absence of Internal Carotid Artery.

Purpose: This article describes a case of ocular ischemic syndrome (OIS) in a patient with a congenitally absent left internal carotid artery (ICA). Methods: Retrospective case report with anterior-segment and fundus photography, fluorescein angiography (FA), and computerized tomography angiography (CT-A). Results: A 31-year-old-man was found to have neovascularization of the iris (NVI) and angle of the left eye. FA showed capillary nonperfusion in the temporal periphery. He required intravitreal bevacizumab and triamcinolone injections and 2 panretinal photocoagulation treatments for persistent rubeosis and cystoid macular edema. Transient right-eye vision loss prompted CT-A, revealing an absent left ICA. Three years following presentation, FA continued to show delayed arteriovenous flow suggestive of OIS. He has required intravitreal bevacizumab injections every 12 weeks for persistent NVI. Conclusion: Congenitally absent left ICA with resultant cerebrovascular insufficiency is a rare cause of OIS, underscoring the pathophysiological principles of insufficient blood supply to the ophthalmic artery.

PARACENTRAL ACUTE MIDDLE MACULOPATHY AFTER PREWORKOUT HAVOK INGESTION.

PURPOSE: To describe a case of transient, partial, central retinal artery occlusion with paracentral acute middle maculopathy optical coherence tomography presentation in a young healthy patient after ingestion of the synephrine-containing supplement, Havok. METHODS: Retrospective case report with fundus photography, fluorescein angiography, and optical coherence tomography. RESULTS: A 20-year-old man presented with severe acute vision loss in the right eye. Dilated examination demonstrated cherry red spot with surrounding edema in the macula. Optical coherence tomography showed hyperreflectivity in the middle retinal layer of the macula consistent with paracentral acute middle maculopathy. Fluorescein angiography showed delayed arteriovenous transit time consistent with a central retinal artery occlusion. Bloodwork to investigate a hypercoagulable state and vasculitis were negative. At 1-week follow-up, dilated examination demonstrated resolution of the cherry red spot. At 3 months, the patient's visual acuity was back to normal. Fluorescein angiography showed complete resolution of the retinal artery occlusion, but optical coherence tomography of the macula demonstrated mild, residual middle retina thinning consistent with chronic presentation of paracentral acute middle maculopathy. CONCLUSION: Because of synephrine's physiological and structural similarity to the vasoconstrictive compound ephedra, it is reasonable to suggest that there is potential health hazard in this performance-enhancing compound.This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-Non Commercial-No Derivatives License 4.0 (CCBY-NC-ND), where it is permissible to download and share the work provided it is properly cited. The work cannot be changed in any way or used commercially without permission from the journal.