Biomarkers determining treatment interval of diabetic macular edema after initial resolution by anti-vascular endothelial growth factor.

PURPOSE: To identify predictive factors that help determine the interval of intravitreal anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF) injection after the initial resolution of diabetic macular edema (DME). METHODS: This retrospective case-control study enrolled treatment-naïve DME patients who had achieved DME resolution after intravitreal anti-VEGF injections. Patients were classified into the recurrence and no-recurrence groups, depending on the development of recurrent DME after deferring intravitreal anti-VEGF injection. The demographics and clinical features, including optical coherence tomography findings, were compared between the two groups. RESULTS: We enrolled 105 eyes. Sixty eyes (57.1%) belonged to the no-recurrence group, and 45 (42.9%), belonged to the recurrence group. The severity of diabetic retinopathy at baseline was related to early DME recurrence (P = 0.009). At the treatment deferring point, the non-recurrence group had both thinner central subfield thickness (289.5 ± 27.2 µm vs. 307.0 ± 38.2 µm, P = 0.011) and thinner central retinal thickness (214.9 ± 41.4 µm vs. 231.8 ± 41.2 µm, P = 0.043) compared to the recurrence group. Intraretinal cyst was observed in 34 eyes (56.7%) in the no-recurrence group and 42 eyes (93.3%) in the recurrence group at the deferring point (P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: A low risk of early DME recurrence is anticipated in the eyes with foveal thinning and no intraretinal cyst when anti-VEGF injection is deferred. These predictive biomarkers can be useful for patient monitoring and determining treatment strategies for DME patients.

Macular hole with epiretinal proliferation: diagnostic value of en-face optical coherence tomography and clinical characteristics.

PURPOSE: To elucidate the clinical features and surgical outcomes of full-thickness macular hole (FTMH) with epiretinal proliferation (EP) diagnosed by both en-face and B-mode optical coherence tomography (OCT). METHOD: This retrospective cohort study classified idiopathic FTMHs into two groups, based on B-scan and en-face OCT imaging: FTMH with EP (EP group) and without EP (non-EP group). The preoperative features, as well as postoperative outcomes up to 12 months, were compared between the two groups. RESULT: Among 318 eyes of idiopathic FTMH that met the inclusion criteria, 59 eyes (18.6%) were in the EP group, and others were in the non-EP group. In 9 eyes (15.3%) out of the EP group, EP was not detected in the preoperative B-mode OCT but was identified through the en-face OCT. Baseline features showed a higher male proportion (47.5% vs. 27.8%, P = 0.005) and a lower incidence of vitreofoveal traction (P < 0.001) in the EP group than in the non-EP group. The EP group showed worse visual recovery than the non-EP group (- 0.23 vs. - 0.41 logarithm of the minimum angle of the resolution at 12 months, P = 0.001). CONCLUSION: The en-face OCT enhances diagnostic accuracy of EP in FTMH eyes, especially in the case with smaller extent of EP. Eyes with FTMH with EP showed a worse visual recovery than FTMH without EP.

RISK OF EXUDATION IN EYES WITH NONEXUDATIVE POLYPOIDAL CHOROIDAL VASCULOPATHY.

PURPOSE: To investigate the characteristics and natural history of treatment-naive nonexudative polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy (PCV) and to determine biomarkers predicting exudative conversion. METHODS: Patients diagnosed with nonexudative PCV based on indocyanine green angiography and optical coherence tomography were included. Incidence of exudative conversion in nonexudative PCV patients and cumulative estimates for overall risk were assessed. Indocyanine green angiography and optical coherence tomography imaging-based features were analyzed to identify risk factors for exudative conversion. RESULTS: The study included 42 eyes of 40 patients with nonexudative PCV. The mean follow-up duration was 54.3 ± 35.5 months. Of the 42 eyes with nonexudative PCV, exudative conversion developed in 23 eyes (54.8%) after 42.2 ± 28.3 months (range, 8-103 months). Kaplan-Meier analysis showed that the exudation-free survival at 5 years after baseline was estimated to be 53.6%. Multivariate regression analysis showed that sequentially increased protrusion of retinal pigment epithelium in the polyp area was a significant risk factor for exudation in nonexudative PCV (odds ratio = 10.16; 95% CI 1.78-57.81; P = 0.01). CONCLUSION: Exudative conversion has been noted in nearly half of the nonexudative PCV cases in 5 years. The progressive protrusion of polypoidal lesions on optical coherence tomography examination may be a significant biomarker for predicting the near-term onset of exudation.

THE IMPACT OF EARLY SURGICAL INTERVENTION ON ANISEIKONIA IN PATIENTS WITH EPIRETINAL MEMBRANE: A Prospective Cohort Study.

PURPOSE: To investigate the efficacy of early surgical intervention in ameliorating aniseikonia among patients with epiretinal membrane. METHODS: This prospective cohort study enrolled patients who underwent surgery for epiretinal membrane. Patients were divided into early (symptom onset within 1 year) and late (symptom onset ≥1 year) treatment groups. Changes in aniseikonia, best-corrected visual acuity, and tangential retinal displacement were assessed and compared at 6 and 12 months postoperatively. RESULTS: Of the 56 patients, 30 (53.6%) belonged to the early treatment group and 26 (46.4%) to the late treatment group. The early treatment group demonstrated a significant reduction in aniseikonia score at 6- and 12-month follow-up visits (-1.10 ± 1.50 [P = 0.002] and -1.18 ± 1.79 [P = 0.003], respectively); however, no improvement was observed in the late treatment group (0.98 ± 4.62 [P = 0.310] and 1.52 ± 4.35 [P = 0.124], respectively). The early treatment group showed larger tangential retinal displacement at the 12-month postoperative follow-up visit. In addition, the amount of tangential retinal displacement was associated with postoperative changes in aniseikonia. CONCLUSION: Early surgical intervention is helpful in improving aniseikonia in patients with epiretinal membrane. The degree of recovery in inner retinal displacement was associated with the improvement of aniseikonia.

Impact of Age-Related Macular Degeneration and Related Visual Disability on the Risk of Depression: A Nationwide Cohort Study.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the prospective association of age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and related visual disability (VD) with the risk of depression. DESIGN: This nationwide population-based cohort study used authorized clinical data provided by the Korean National Health Insurance Service. PARTICIPANTS: A total of 3 599 589 individuals older than 50 years participated in the Korean National Health Screening Program in 2009. METHODS: Age-related macular degeneration diagnosis and the presence of accompanying VD were verified using diagnostic codes and disability registration data. Data on covariates, including age, sex, income level, residential area, systemic comorbidities, and behavioral factors, were collected from health screening results and claims data. Patients were followed up until December 2019, and incident cases of depression were identified using registered diagnostic codes. The prospective association of AMD and related VD with new-onset depression was investigated using the multivariable-adjusted Cox proportional hazard model. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Hazard ratios and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for depression development according to the presence of AMD and VD. RESULTS: During an average follow-up period of 8.52 years, 1 037 088 patients received new diagnoses of depression. Patients with previous diagnoses of AMD showed a greater risk of new-onset depression, with a hazard ratio of 1.15 (95% CI, 1.13-1.17) compared with the control group in the fully adjusted model. Patients with AMD and accompanying VD showed a further increased risk of depression, with a hazard ratio of 1.23 (95% CI, 1.16-1.30). CONCLUSIONS: Individuals with a diagnosis of AMD have a higher risk of depression developing in the future. The risk of depression is increased further in patients with AMD who demonstrate VD. FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE(S): The author(s) have no proprietary or commercial interest in any materials discussed in this article.

SPONTANEOUS REATTACHMENT OF RHEGMATOGENOUS RETINAL DETACHMENT: Observations of the Vitreoretinal Interface.

PURPOSE: To describe the clinical characteristics and posterior vitreous findings of spontaneous reattachment of rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (SRRRD). METHODS: Eighty-six eyes from 80 patients who were diagnosed with SRRRD (SRRRD group) and 92 eyes from 92 patients who had undergone successful scleral buckling for rhegmatogenous retinal detachment ( group for comparison) were included. Ultrawide field fundus imaging and spectral domain optical coherence tomography were performed to evaluate fundus characteristics and vitreoretinal interface. RESULTS: A significant difference was found in the proportion of complete posterior vitreous attachment between the SRRRD and rhegmatogenous retinal detachment groups (44.2% vs. 19.6%, P < 0.001). The incidence of atypical epiretinal tissue (AET) in the SRRRD group was 14% (12 of 86 eyes), whereas none of the eyes in the rhegmatogenous retinal detachment group exhibited AET. In SRRRD eyes with AET, the visual acuity was lower (logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution, 0.51 ± 0.57 vs. 0.14 ± 0.15, P < 0.001), the mean age was higher (years, 61.7 vs. 39.4, P < 0.001), and the SRRRD lesion extent was wider (clock hours, 5.67 vs. 3.70, P = 0.004) than in SRRRD eyes without AET. CONCLUSION: Compared with the rhegmatogenous retinal detachment group, the SRRRD group had a higher incidence of posterior vitreous attachment. Furthermore, AET was a significant comorbidity in the eyes with SRRRD, particularly in the elderly and the area of presumed reattachment over two quadrants and was related to worse functional outcomes.

The clinical and pathogenic significance of atypical epiretinal tissue in macular hole.

With the recent advent of high-resolution optical coherence tomography (OCT), atypical epiretinal tissue (AET), also known as epiretinal proliferation, has been frequently noted in various pathologies. AET presents as premacular tissue with homogenous medium reflectivity over the internal limiting membrane on OCT. Although AET is most frequently associated with a lamellar hole (LH), some cases of macular hole (MH) also accompany AET at the edge of the hole. MH with AET has been reported to have worse clinical and surgical outcomes than MH without AET. The imaging and histopathological findings of AET imply that the development of MH with AET may not have been driven by vitreofoveal traction. Instead, MH with AET might have evolved from LH with AET. This mini-review encompassed relevant studies on MH with AET published to date and explained the clinical, prognostic, and pathogenic significance of AET in MH in detail.

Long-term outcomes of polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy in comparison with typical exudative age-related macular degeneration.

PURPOSE: To compare long-term outcomes between typical exudative age-related macular degeneration (TexAMD) and polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy (PCV), and to investigate factors related to the outcomes. METHODS: This retrospective study included 319 eyes (164 with TexAMD and 155 with PCV) treated with anti-vascular endothelial growth factor and followed more than 5 years. The primary outcome was visual acuity (VA) change from baseline to final visit. Linear regression analyses were used to determine factors associated with final VA. RESULTS: Baseline logMAR VA was 0.7 ± 0.5 in the TexAMD group and 0.5 ± 0.4 in the PCV group (p < 0.001). After a mean follow-up of 9 years, final VA was also significantly worse in the TexAMD group than in the PCV group (0.9 ± 0.6 vs. 0.6 ± 0.5; p < 0.001). The PCV group showed longer maintenance of improved vision and later onset of significant visual decline than the TexAMD group. In multivariate analysis, loss to follow-up, worse baseline VA, macular atrophy, and subretinal fibrosis were significantly associated with poor final VA in both groups. CONCLUSION: PCV eyes showed relatively favorable long-term visual outcome than TexAMD eyes. The results of this study emphasized the importance of compliance with treatment, along with other well-known prognostic factors.

PARAFOVEAL INNER RETINAL THINNING AS THE BIOMARKER PREDICTING LESS RECURRENCE OF MACULAR EDEMA IN CENTRAL RETINAL VEIN OCCLUSION AFTER DISCONTINUING ANTIVASCULAR ENDOTHELIAL GROWTH FACTOR.

PURPOSE: To identify the predictive factors for the recurrence of macular edema after the cessation of antivascular endothelial growth factor treatment in eyes with central retinal vein occlusion (CRVO). METHODS: This retrospective study included participants who had discontinued intravitreal bevacizumab injections for complete resolution of macular edema related to CRVO at 3 months after the last injection. Fifty-two eyes were enrolled in this study and classified into two groups based on the recurrence of macular edema within 1 year after the stopping point, when the decision to discontinue injections was made. Clinical characteristics and optical coherence tomographic parameters at baseline and at the stopping point were investigated. RESULTS: Multivariate logistic regression analysis demonstrated that, at baseline, old age was associated with a significantly higher risk of macular edema recurrence (odds ratio, 1.092; P = 0.022). At the stopping point, parafoveal inner retinal thickness (odds ratio: 1.043, P = 0.014) and the presence of ellipsoid zone disruption (odds ratio: 5.922, P = 0.032) were predictive factors for recurrence. The receiver operating characteristic curve showed that parafoveal inner retinal thinning of >7 µm compared with that in the fellow eye was significantly associated with decreased recurrence of macular edema. CONCLUSION: Parafoveal inner retinal thinning and intact ellipsoid zone after resolution of macular edema by antivascular endothelial growth factor treatment were predictive of a lower risk of recurrence of macular edema in CRVO. These intuitive biomarkers may help predict future disease courses and design optimal treatment strategies.

EN-FACE IMAGING OF ATYPICAL EPIRETINAL TISSUE IN LAMELLAR MACULAR HOLE.

PURPOSE: To elucidate the significance of en-face optical coherence tomography imaging of atypical epiretinal tissue (AET) in the lamellar macular hole (LMH). METHODS: This study involved 29 eyes of 29 patients who underwent surgical treatment for LMH with AET. Best-corrected visual acuity, metamorphopsia assessment (M-score), and optical coherence tomography were evaluated before and 6 months after surgery. The novel en-face optical coherence tomography parameters, such as the area of AET and hyperreflective fringe, were correlated with clinical factors before and after LMH surgery. RESULTS: Preoperatively, hyperreflective fringe was noted in 25 (86.2%) patients. The splitting of the inner retina, disruption of the ellipsoid zone, the extent of foveal cavitation, symptom duration, and change in best-corrected visual acuity were correlated with the area of AET (all P < 0.05). Multivariate regression analysis revealed that a larger area of AET was associated with longer symptom duration and less improvement in postoperative vision (all P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The area of AET may represent the chronicity of LMH and is significantly associated with visual outcomes after LMH surgery. This novel en-face optical coherence tomography parameter can be used as a predictive factor for surgical outcomes in LMH with AET.

OCULAR MANIFESTATIONS OF ASP38ALA AND THR59LYS FAMILIAL TRANSTHYRETIN AMYLOIDOSIS.

PURPOSE: To describe the ophthalmic manifestations of familial transthyretin amyloidosis (FTA) mutations, including Asp38Ala and Thr59Lys, which have not been previously reported to have ocular involvement. METHODS: This is an observational case series of prospectively collected data of 16 patients with FTA who were taking tafamidis for mild peripheral neuropathy and underwent a comprehensive ophthalmic examination at a single tertiary center, between January 2013 and March 2020. The ocular involvement of each FTA mutation type and the specific manifestations were the main outcome measures. RESULTS: Six of 16 patients with FTA manifested ocular involvement. Ocular involvement was noted in two of three patients with Glu89Lys mutations having retinal deposits, retinal hemorrhages, and corneal opacity. Three of nine patients with Asp38Ala mutations and one of two patients with Thr59Lys mutations showed ocular involvement that had not been previously described. The ophthalmic findings included glaucoma, anterior lens capsule opacity, vitreous opacity, and retinal deposits. The decrease in vascular flow due to perivascular cuffing of the amyloid deposits was detected by optical coherence tomography angiography. CONCLUSION: The current study newly described that two transthyretin mutation types of FTA, Asp38Ala and Thr59Lys, may manifest with ocular findings such as anterior lens capsule opacity and retinal deposits.

ASSOCIATIONS WITH RECURRENCE OF MACULAR EDEMA IN BRANCH RETINAL VEIN OCCLUSION AFTER THE DISCONTINUATION OF ANTI VASCULAR ENDOTHELIAL GROWTH FACTOR.

PURPOSE: To identify factors predicting the recurrence of macular edema after the discontinuation of intravitreal antivascular endothelial growth factor injection in patients with branch retinal vein occlusion. METHODS: This retrospective study included only subjects who had discontinued injections at 3 months after the final bevacizumab injection due to fully resolved macular edema. Fifty-two eyes meeting the criteria were included in the study and divided into two groups (recurrence and no recurrence). Clinical features and measurements of retinal thickness at the time of the diagnosis and when the decision to stop injections was made (stopping point) were analyzed. RESULTS: At the stopping point, the no recurrence group showed a thinner parafoveal inner retina, better best-corrected visual acuity, and lower incidence of ellipsoid zone disruption in multivariate logistic regression analysis (all P < 0.05). Similarly, parafoveal inner retinal thinning of more than 30 µm, when compared with the corresponding region of the fellow eye or the unaffected region of the affected eye, was significantly related to less recurrence of macular edema. CONCLUSION: Thinning of the parafoveal inner retina as well as better vision and intact outer retinal layers are associated with a lack of recurrence of macular edema. These findings suggest that inner retinal atrophy after branch retinal vein occlusion may result in a reduction in oxygen demand in the affected retinal tissue and less production of vascular endothelial growth factor.

GAP IN CAPILLARY PERFUSION AND BURDEN OF TREATMENT IN BRANCH RETINAL VEIN OCCLUSION: A Wide-Field Optical Coherence Tomography Angiography Study.

PURPOSE: To evaluate correlations between the burden of antivascular endothelial growth factor treatment and microperfusion status in superficial capillary plexus and deep capillary plexus (SCP and DCP) using wide-field optical coherence tomography angiography. METHODS: A total 19 eyes with branch retinal vein occlusion were included in this retrospective study. Area of foveal avascular zone, capillary nonperfusion area, vascular density, and perfusion gap were compared between superficial capillary plexus and DCP. Internal areas of 3, 6, and 12 mm in diameter around the fovea were analyzed separately. RESULTS: The mean number of injections per months was 0.20 ± 0.12. The number of antivascular endothelial growth factor injections per month showed a significant correlation with perfusion gap in 12 mm area (P = 0.010), but not with perfusion gap in 3-mm or 6-mm area. Correlations were also found between the final best-corrected visual acuity and vascular density in the 12 mm area of DCP (P = 0.031) and foveal avascular zone area (P = 0.033). CONCLUSION: Wide-field optical coherence tomography angiography is very useful for assessing the microperfusion status in branch retinal vein occlusion. In extended field of view (12 mm × 12 mm), a larger perfusion gap was associated with frequent requirements of antivascular endothelial growth factor injections for macular edema. Reduction in vessel density was significantly correlated with poor visual outcome.

CHOROIDAL NEOVASCULARIZATION SECONDARY TO PHOTODYNAMIC THERAPY FOR CENTRAL SEROUS CHORIORETINOPATHY: Incidence, Risk Factors, and Clinical Outcomes.

PURPOSE: To investigate the incidence, risk factors, and clinical outcomes of complicated choroidal neovascularization (CNV) after reduced-fluence photodynamic therapy (PDT) for central serous chorioretinopathy. METHODS: This is a retrospective consecutive interventional study including 559 eyes from 520 patients treated by reduced-fluence PDT for central serous chorioretinopathy. The incidence of complicated CNV within 3 months after PDT was calculated. Baseline demographics and ocular findings were investigated to identify risk factors. The clinical course of complicated CNV was analyzed. RESULTS: Seven cases experienced development of active CNV after PDT within 3 months with a median interval of 4 weeks (range, 2-12 weeks). The incidence was estimated as 1.25% (95% CI, 0.55-2.62%). Complicated CNV developed in 6 among 138 eyes (4.35%) with flat irregular pigment epithelial detachment and in 1 among 421 eyes (0.24%) without flat irregular pigment epithelial detachment (P < 0.001, Fisher's exact test). The median best-corrected visual acuity recovered from 20/100 at the time of CNV development to 20/20 after anti-vascular endothelial growth factor injections (median, 3 times). CONCLUSION: In approximately 1%, reduced-fluence PDT for central serous chorioretinopathy may be complicated by CNV, which can be well controlled with anti-vascular endothelial growth factor injection. Flat irregular pigment epithelial detachment increases the risk of secondary CNV following PDT.

FEMALE REPRODUCTIVE FACTORS AND THE RISK OF EXUDATIVE AGE-RELATED MACULAR DEGENERATION: A Nationwide Cohort Study.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the association between female reproductive factors and the incidence of exudative age-related macular degeneration (AMD). METHODS: A total of 1,297,388 postmenopausal women over 50 years of age who participated in both national health screening and cancer screening in 2009 were identified using the Korea National Health Insurance System database. Data on female reproductive factors were collected using a self-administered questionnaire. Patients were followed up until 2018, and the incident cases of exudative AMD were identified. The hazard ratios and 95% confidence intervals for exudative AMD were estimated using the multivariable-adjusted Cox proportional hazard model. RESULTS: During a mean follow-up of 7.27 years, 4,086 patients were newly diagnosed with exudative AMD. The hazard ratio (95% confidence intervals) for exudative AMD was 1.14 (1.01-1.31) for a reproductive period ≥40 years compared with a reproductive period <30 years, 1.72 (1.48-2.00) for patients with ≥5 years of hormone replacement therapy, and 1.29 (1.09-1.52) for those with 2 to 5 years of hormone replacement therapy compared with those who never underwent hormone replacement therapy. CONCLUSION: Female reproductive factors were associated with the risk of exudative AMD. Greater lifetime exposure to endogenous and exogenous estrogen was associated with a higher incidence of exudative AMD.

Myopic foveal detachment associated with pachychoroid characteristics.

PURPOSE: To describe myopic nontractional foveal detachment associated with pachychoroid diseases. METHODS: This retrospective study included 15 myopic eyes which had nontractional serous foveal detachment. The eyes were divided into myopic central serous chorioretinopathy (CSC) group (n = 8) and a myopic pachychoroid neovascularization (PNV) group (n = 7) according to the presence of type 1 choroidal neovascularization on multimodal imaging. The findings of multimodal imaging and treatment response were described. RESULTS: In myopic CSC group, pachychoroid features such as pachyvessels, choroidal vascular hyperpermeability and punctate hyperfluorescent spots were noted in 8 eyes (100%), 8 eyes (100%), 5 eyes (62.5%) respectively. The above features were noted in 7 eyes (100%), 5 eyes (83.3%), 5 eyes (83.3%), respectively, in the myopic PNV group. Five of 8 eyes in myopic CSC and all 7 eyes received treatment including anti-vascular endothelial growth factor injection and/or photodynamic therapy. However, only five eyes had a complete response. CONCLUSIONS: The pachychoroid phenotype may coexist with high myopia and lead to myopic nontractional serous foveal detachment. Our series suggest that the response to treatment for these conditions would be limited.

Prevalence and Pattern of Geographic Atrophy in Asia: The Asian Eye Epidemiology Consortium.

PURPOSE: Although there have been many population-based studies of age-related macular degeneration (AMD), only limited information is available in Asia on the epidemiology of geographic atrophy (GA). We aimed to determine the prevalence and patterns of GA through an analysis of multiple studies conducted within the Asian Eye Epidemiology Consortium (AEEC). DESIGN: Cross-sectional meta-analyses. PARTICIPANTS: A total of 97 213 individuals aged 40 years and older. METHODS: Data from 22 population-based studies from countries belonging to the AEEC were included. In all studies, AMD was defined on the basis of standardized grading systems. Geographic atrophy was defined as an area of pallor in the fundus with visibility of the underlying choroidal blood vessels and sharply defined borders. Random-effects meta-analysis was performed to estimate overall and age-, gender-, and region-specific pooled prevalence of GA. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Prevalence of GA per 1000 persons. RESULTS: The mean age was 60.8 ± 10.0 years, and 42 673 (43.9%) were male. Overall, a total of 223 individuals (0.2%) had GA. The pooled overall prevalence of GA was 1.57 per 1000 persons (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.04-2.10), which was 3 times less than that of neovascular AMD of 5.20 per 1000 persons (95% CI, 3.97-6.43). Compared with those aged 50 to 59 years, the prevalence of GA increased from 0.34 per 1000 persons (95% CI, 0.07-0.62) to 2.90 per 1000 persons (95% CI, 1.55-4.25) in those aged ≥70 years. The GA prevalence per 1000 persons was similar between urban (2.22; 95% CI, 1.22-3.23) and rural residents (1.33; 95% CI, 0.70-1.96). Geographic atrophy was more prevalent in South Asia (based on studies from India and Nepal, 3.82 per 1000 persons; 95% CI, 1.72-5.93) compared with East Asia (based on studies from China, Korea, Hong Kong, Taiwan, and Japan, and the Singapore Chinese Eye Study, 0.76 per 1000 persons; 95% CI, 0.31-1.22, P = 0.005). CONCLUSIONS: Geographic atrophy is uncommon in Asian populations compared with those of European ancestry. Even within Asia, geographic differences in GA prevalence were seen. The findings of this meta-analysis suggest that better dissection of risk factors in the Asian population for GA may provide insights into the biological pathways that drive these late-stage manifestations, thus suggesting better targets for prevention.

EN-FACE OPTICAL COHERENCE TOMOGRAPHY IN PATIENTS WITH EPIRETINAL MEMBRANE: Intuitive Method for Predicting Functional Outcomes.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the correlation between en-face optical coherence tomography (OCT) parameters and functional outcomes before and after idiopathic epiretinal membrane (ERM) surgery. METHODS: This retrospective cohort study involved 80 eyes from 80 patients who underwent surgery for idiopathic ERM. Best-corrected visual acuity, metamorphopsia assessment (M-score), and OCT were assessed before surgery and six months after. The adhesive zone (A-zone) and retinal fold, a novel en-face OCT parameter reflecting inner retinal layer changes, were evaluated. Correlations between the area of A-zone and the number of retinal folds on en-face OCT images and other B-scan OCT parameters were evaluated regarding visual outcomes before and after ERM surgery. RESULTS: The defect size of the ellipsoid zone, interdigitation zone, and external limiting membrane were significantly correlated with preoperative and postoperative 6-month best-corrected visual acuity (all P < 0.05). The central foveal thickness, A-zone area, number of marginal retinal folds, and fovea involvement in the A-zone were correlated with the preoperative and postoperative 6-month M-score (all P < 0.05). The A-zone area was significantly associated with the preoperative and postoperative 6-month M-score in a multiple linear regression model (P < 0.001, P = 0.008, respectively), and the number of marginal retinal folds was significantly associated with the preoperative M-score (P < 0.001) and marginally significantly with the postoperative 6-month M-score (P = 0.106). CONCLUSION: The A-zone area and the number of marginal retinal folds were significantly associated with the M-score before and after ERM surgery. These novel en-face OCT parameters can serve as a novel surrogate tool for predicting the functional outcomes in idiopathic ERM.

DEVELOPMENT OF IDIOPATHIC MACULAR HOLE IN FELLOW EYES: Spectral Domain Optical Coherence Tomography Features.

PURPOSE: To investigate the long-term incidence and risk factors of macular hole (MH) development in the fellow eyes of patients with unilateral idiopathic MH. METHODS: The retrospective case-control study involved the fellow eyes of 215 consecutive patients with idiopathic MH. The patients were classified into two groups according to the presence or development of MH in the fellow eye. The spectral domain optical coherence tomography features and clinical characteristics of each group were compared. RESULTS: Twelve (5.6%) patients presented with bilateral MH at the initial visit, whereas 20 (9.3%) initially unilateral patients developed MH in the fellow eye over a median interval of 44 months. Vitreomacular traction and inner foveal cyst were noted more frequently in the baseline spectral domain optical coherence tomography scans of fellow eyes of the bilateral group (P < 0.01). An outer foveal defect was found in five patients (35.7%) of the bilateral MH group (P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: The incidence of MH in fellow eyes was approximately 10%. The presence of outer foveal defect, inner foveal cyst, and vitreomacular adhesion or traction on spectral domain optical coherence tomography in the fellow eye was the risk factor for MH.

Structural profile of dome-shaped macula in degenerative myopia and its association with macular disorders.

BACKGROUND: To evaluate the detailed structural profile of dome-shaped macula and its association with myopic macular complications. METHODS: This retrospective study included 147 eyes of 93 patients who were diagnosed with degenerative myopia. The height of the scleral dome and diameter of the dome base were measured via enhanced depth imaging optical coherence tomography images with 1:1 µm setting. Spherical equivalent and best-corrected visual acuity were compared in eyes with and without dome-shaped macula. In eyes with dome-shaped macula, the height and diameter of the dome were compared in eyes with and without myopic macular complications including choroidal neovascularization, myopic foveoschisis, and macular hole. RESULTS: Dome-shaped macula was noted in 60 eyes (40.8%) of 42 patients. The mean height of the dome in the eyes with dome-shaped macula was 126.5 ± 69.4 µm (53 to 345 µm) and the mean diameter of the dome base was 2862.1 ± 794.9 µm (1567 µm to 4886 µm). In comparing eyes with and without dome-shaped macula, eyes with dome-shaped macula had higher myopia (- 13.7 diopters vs - 12.1 diopters, P = 0.022). There was no difference in visual acuity in eyes with or without dome-shaped macula (P = 0.132). The height and diameter of the dome in eyes with and without myopic foveoschisis were 78.6 ± 20.6 µm and 134.9 ± 71.6 µm, 2499.2 ± 303.1 µm and 2969.3 ± 645.7 µm, respectively (P = 0.009 and P = 0.017). However, the height and diameter of the dome were not related to the incidence of a macular hole (P = 0.324 and P = 0.605) and choroidal neovascularization (P = 0.835 and P = 0.905). CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of dome-shaped macula was about 40% in the eyes with degenerative myopia. Although dome-shaped macula was associated with higher degrees of myopia, a prominent dome seemed to be protective against myopic foveoschisis.