Retinal neovascularization in the setting of CALR-mutation positive essential thrombocythemia.

Patients with Calreticulin (CALR) mutation positive essential thrombocythemia are often thought of as having a "low-risk" of thrombotic complications. This report examines a case of a patient with CALR-mutation positive essential thrombocythemia presenting with peripheral retinal ischemia and subsequent retinal neovascularization. This patient had a 2-year documented history of CALR-mutation positive essential thrombocythemia with a maximum platelet count of over 800,000 cells/µL. Fluorescein angiogram showed significant leakage in the areas of the vascular lesions with peripheral vascular nonperfusion consistent with neovascularization. The patient was treated with photocoagulation to the areas of avascular retina. At 6-month follow-up, some regression of neovascularization was noted with no signs of progression in the retinopathy. Furthermore, essential thrombocythemia patients can present with neovascularization secondary to retinal ischemia due to microvascular thrombotic events. Identification of these changes is important for guiding medical and procedural interventions in order to preserve vision.

Comparison of Surgical Outcomes for Uncomplicated Primary Retinal Detachment Repair.

Purpose: To compare the outcomes of primary uncomplicated rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD) repair using pars plana vitrectomy (PPV), scleral buckling (SB), or combined scleral buckling with vitrectomy (SB/PPV). Patients and Methods: Single-institution, retrospective, observational study of 179 patients with primary RRD managed at a large academic hospital system. We excluded patients with less than 6 months of follow-up, previous vitrectomy or buckle, giant retinal tears, aphakia, recurrent forms of RRD, or extensive proliferative vitreoretinopathy (Grade C or worse) documented on exam or requiring membrane peel. Outcome measures included primary anatomical success at 6 months, functional success defined as BCVA ≥ 20/200, and best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) using logMAR scoring. Subgroup analysis was performed in the following patient groups: phakic, pseudophakic, inferior detachments, and prior pneumatic retinopexy. Results: Primary anatomical success was achieved in 145 of 179 eyes (81.0%), with SB/PPV showing a significantly greater success rate (p = 0.046) when compared to SB and PPV. Functional success was achieved in 137 of the 145 anatomically successful eyes (94.5%), with values ranging between 92% and 97% amongst the interventions (p = 0.552). No difference was found in final BCVA (p = 0.367). Patients with inferior detachment had an odds ratio of 2.15 for primary anatomic failure. Prior pneumatic retinopexy did not significantly affect any of the primary outcomes. Conclusion: SB/PPV yielded a significantly better primary anatomical success rate when compared to SB and PPV. Functional success and final BCVA was similar amongst the interventions. Inferior detachments were associated with worse primary anatomic outcomes. Prior pneumatic retinopexy did not significantly affect surgical outcomes.