Treated retinal breaks: clinical course and outcomes.

PURPOSE: To report rates and timing of retreatments, new break formation, and vitreoretinal surgical intervention after initial treatment of retinal breaks, and to identify factors associated with increased rates of additional vitreoretinal interventions. METHODS: Retrospective, consecutive case series of all patients who were diagnosed with a retinal break and underwent laser retinopexy for prophylaxis of retinal detachment at the Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, Miami, FL, from 2013 through 2016 were reviewed. The main outcome measure was if additional laser treatment or vitreoretinal surgical procedure was performed after the initial laser retinopexy. RESULTS: Additional laser retinopexy was performed in 75 (18.7%) of 401 study eyes over 113 sessions: 58 (51.3%) sessions to retreat the original tear and 55 (48.7%) to treat a new tear. Vitreoretinal surgery for retinal detachment after the initial laser retinopexy was performed in 23 (5.7%) eyes. Risk factors associated with vitreoretinal surgery after initial laser treatment included superotemporal location (OR = 3.62; p = 0.008), vitreous hemorrhage (OR = 2.62; p = 0.017), and multiple breaks (OR = 2.60; p = 0.014). CONCLUSIONS: Additional treatment is often performed after the initial treatment of a retinal break. Although progression to retinal detachment is not common, regular follow-up examinations are recommended.

Update on ocular gene therapy and advances in treatment of inherited retinal diseases and exudative macular degeneration.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: The purpose of this article is to provide an update on ocular gene therapy and discuss current active clinical trials. RECENT FINDINGS: The main target for ocular gene therapy involves the retinal pigment epithelium or photoreceptors. The most common method to deliver viral vectors to these cells includes intravitreal injection, subretinal injection, or access from the suprachoroidal space. Recombinant adeno-associated virus and lentivirus can be engineered to maximize gene delivery to specific targets. There are several clinical trials currently aimed at treating inherited and retinal diseases with gene therapy via viral vectors. SUMMARY: Recent advances in gene therapy have allowed for a better understanding of inherited and proliferative retinal diseases. New techniques have been developed to improve delivery of viral vectors to their cellular targets. There are currently multiple active clinical trials involving gene therapy underway with promising preliminary results.

The role of TRB3 in mast cells sensitized with monomeric IgE.

Mast cells play a key role in immunoglobulin E (IgE)-associated allergic disorders; however, the cellular effects of sensitization remain poorly understood. Using gene microarrays and the multiplexing ELISA method, we examined the effects of sensitization on RBL-CCR1 cell transcription and chemokine/cytokine secretion. Sensitization most prominently increased transcription of Trb3, the gene for tribbles homolog 3 (TRB3), and also increased the release of most of the cytokines and chemokines tested. Knockdown of TRB3 via RNAi significantly induced the production of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-4 (IL-4), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and the chemokine mast cell protease-1 (MCP-1). TRB3 deficiency also induced IκBα phosphorylation. TRB3 may therefore serve as a negative regulator of pro-inflammatory cytokines and chemokines, controlling the extent of the inflammatory response.

RETINOCYTOMA WITH VITREOUS SEEDING: NEW INSIGHTS FROM ENHANCED DEPTH IMAGING OPTICAL COHERENCE TOMOGRAPHY AND HIGH-RESOLUTION POSTERIOR SEGMENT ULTRASONOGRAPHY.

PURPOSE: To report an atypical case of a patient with symptomatic retinocytoma associated with diffuse calcified vitreous seeds. METHODS: Retrospective chart review. RESULTS: A 46-year-old healthy woman presented with a history of floaters in the right eye for several months. She had been referred for abnormal findings in the retina and vitreous on routine examination. Visual acuity was 20/20. An incidental retinocytoma associated with extensive calcified vitreous seeding was observed. Enhanced depth optical coherence tomography showed an absence of normal retinal layers with numerous cystoid cavities throughout the lesion. High-resolution 20-MHz posterior B-scan ultrasonography demonstrated that the calcified vitreous seeds emanated from the peaked portion of the retinal tumor. CONCLUSION: Calcified vitreous seeding is a rare finding associated with retinocytomas. Enhanced depth imaging optical coherence tomography and high-resolution B-scan ultrasonography may be useful tools in the diagnosis of this uncommon retinal tumor.

Congenital Hypertrophy of the Retinal Pigment Epithelium Presenting With Secondary Choroidal Neovascularization.

The authors report a case of a congenital hypertrophy of the retinal pigment epithelium (CHRPE) associated with choroidal neovascularization (CNV) causing symptomatic vision loss. Two intravitreal injections of bevacizumab (Avastin; Genentech, South San Francisco, CA) 4 weeks apart resolved the fluid and improved the visual acuity. This case demonstrates that CHRPE can rarely be complicated by CNV, which may respond to intravitreal bevacizumab therapy. [Ophthalmic Surg Lasers Imaging Retina. 2018;49:276-277.].

Acute-onset endophthalmitis caused by Staphylococcus lugdunensis.

PURPOSE: To report a series of patients with acute-onset bacterial endophthalmitis caused by culture proven Staphylococcus lugdunensis, and to characterize clinical outcomes and microbiologic susceptibilities of this organism. OBSERVATIONS: The study included six eyes of 6 patients. The etiologies included cataract surgery (3), open globe injury (2), and intravitreal injection (1). Isolates of S. lugdunensis demonstrated sensitivity to vancomycin in all cases reported. Three of 6 isolates of S. lugdunensis demonstrated resistance to oxacillin and 1 isolate demonstrated resistance to ciprofloxacin. Best-corrected visual acuity was ≥20/400 in 6/6 (100%) of eyes and ≥20/40 in 3/6 (50%) of cases. CONCLUSION AND IMPORTANCE: Acute-onset endophthalmitis caused by S. lugdunensis is associated with variable visual outcomes. Vancomycin provides consistent coverage of acute-onset endophthalmitis cause by S. lugdunensis.

Primary Vitreoretinal Lymphoma Presenting as a Posterior Capsule Plaque.

Primary vitreoretinal lymphoma (PVRL) can be a diagnostic challenge and commonly presents as a partially steroid-responsive vitritis or as subretinal cream-colored infiltrates. The authors present a patient with PVRL who initially presented with bilateral vitritis; however, after two non-diagnostic vitrectomy specimens and two unremarkable brain MRIs, she was lost to follow-up. She presented 2.5 years later with a white plaque on the posterior capsule of her left intraocular lens, though the vitreous cavity was free of infiltrate. Repeat biopsy revealed diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, and brain MRI demonstrated an enhancing lesion of the cerebellum, consistent with primary central nervous system lymphoma.

Cost Savings Analysis for a Diabetic Retinopathy Teleretinal Screening Program Using an Activity-Based Costing Approach.

PURPOSE: To examine the costs and cost savings associated with a large, urban teleretinal screening program for diabetic retinopathy (DR). DESIGN: Retrospective analysis. PARTICIPANTS: Eighteen thousand twenty-five patients (36 050 eyes) screened via the Harris Health System (HHS) DR teleretinal screening program between June 2013 and April 2014. METHODS: Activity-based costing applied to the operational screening pathway was implemented to determine the cost of screening. Actual costs were calculated based on retrospective chart review and figures obtained from the HHS and Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. Theoretical costs of in-clinic examinations and delayed intervention were compared with actual costs of screening and treatment to determine costs savings. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Costs and cost savings in United States dollars were estimated. RESULTS: The per-patient cost of teleretinal screening itself was found to be $27.35, whereas the average total cost (factoring in treatment) per patient was determined to be $43.14. The physical examination-only and treatment-only models yielded cost savings estimates of $2 047 442.53 and $1 148 597.35, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The cost savings yielded by the HHS DR teleretinal screening program compared with conventional screening are substantial and corroborate the findings of similar studies that have analyzed teleretinal screening. Additionally, it can be presumed that there are additional indirect economic benefits resulting from earlier detection and treatment of disease.

Don't drink in the valley.

A 39-year-old man presented with chronic headaches and intermittent blurred vision with previous neuroimaging and blood work that was reportedly normal. He had papilledema and further questioning elicited a history of extensive alcohol use, unexplained weight loss, and night sweats. Magnetic resonance imaging of the brain demonstrated communicating hydrocephalus and leptomeningeal enhancement. The patient underwent ventriculoperitoneal shunt placement and leptomeningeal biopsy, which was initially unrevealing. Cerebrospinal fluid eventually yielded positive titers for coccidioides, a diagnosis that was confirmed by biopsy culture results.

Adjunct Intravitreous Triamcinolone Acetonide in the Treatment of Diabetic Macular Edema with Anti-VEGF Agents.

Aims. To compare visual and anatomic outcomes of adjunct intravitreous (IVT) triamcinolone acetonide to antivascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) injections to IVT anti-VEGF injections alone for center-involving diabetic macular edema (DME) in treatment-naïve eyes. Methods. Retrospective study of treatment-naïve eyes with center-involving DME. The primary outcome was the change in best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) in eyes receiving only IVT anti-VEGF (group 1) and eyes receiving IVT anti-VEGF and adjunct IVT-TA (group 2). Results. Included were 192 eyes. The mean change in BCVA was +3.5 letters in group 1 compared to -3.5 letters in group 2 (p = 0.048). Final macular thickness improved by -94 µm in group 1 versus -68 µm in group 2 (p = 0.26). In group 1, 5/150 eyes compared to 9/42 eyes in group 2 (3.3% versus 21%, p = 0.0005) had a IOP >10 mmHg increase. Six of 126 phakic eyes in group 1 versus 12/33 phakic eyes in group 2 underwent cataract surgery (4.7% versus 36.3%, p = 0.00009). Conclusions. IVT-TA results in no additional benefit in eyes treated with anti-VEGF agents for DME.

Evaluation of Automated Teleretinal Screening Program for Diabetic Retinopathy.

IMPORTANCE: Diabetic retinopathy is a leading cause of blindness, but its detrimental effects are preventable with early detection and treatment. Screening for diabetic retinopathy has the potential to increase the number of cases treated early, especially in populations with limited access to care. OBJECTIVE: To determine the efficacy of an automated algorithm in interpreting screening ophthalmoscopic photographs from patients with diabetes compared with a reading center interpretation. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: Retrospective cohort analysis of 15,015 patients with type 1 or 2 diabetes in the Harris Health System in Harris County, Texas, who had undergone a retinal screening examination and nonmydriatic fundus photography via the Intelligent Retinal Imaging System (IRIS) from June 2013 to April 2014 were included. The IRIS-based interpretations were compared with manual interpretation. The IRIS algorithm population statistics were calculated. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES: Sensitivity and false-negative rate of the IRIS computer-based algorithm compared with reading center interpretation of the same images. RESULTS: A total of 15 015 consecutive patients (aged 18-98 years); mean 54.3 years with known type 1 or 2 diabetes underwent nonmydriatic fundus photography for a diabetic retinopathy screening examination. The sensitivity of the IRIS algorithm in detecting sight-threatening diabetic eye disease compared with the reading center interpretation was 66.4% (95% CI, 62.8%-69.9%) with a false-negative rate of 2%. The specificity was 72.8% (95% CI, 72.0%-73.5%). In a population where 15.8% of people with diabetes have sight-threatening diabetic eye disease, the IRIS algorithm positive predictive value was 10.8% (95% CI, 9.6%-11.9%) and the negative predictive value was 97.8% (95% CI, 96.8%-98.6%). CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: In this large urban setting, the IRIS computer algorithm-based screening program had a high sensitivity and a low false-negative rate, suggesting that it may be an effective alternative to conventional reading center image interpretation. The IRIS algorithm shows promise as a screening program, but algorithm refinement is needed to achieve better performance. Further studies of patient safety, cost-effectiveness, and widespread applications of this type of algorithm should be pursued to better understand the role of teleretinal imaging and automated analysis in the global health care system.

Cystoid macular edema as the initial manifestation of choroidal melanoma.

Uveal melanomas are a common clinical entity that initially present in a variety of ways. Cystoid macular edema is caused by many conditions, but it is rarely associated with uveal melanoma. We report two cases of patients that presented with visually significant cystoid macular edema that was later found to be secondary to choroidal melanoma. We describe the patients' course and treatment and provide a mechanism for the potential cause of edema in patients with uveal melanoma.