FIRST-IN-HUMAN CLINICAL STUDY TO INVESTIGATE THE EFFECTIVENESS AND SAFETY OF PARS PLANA VITRECTOMY SURGERY USING A NEW HYPERSONIC TECHNOLOGY.

PURPOSE: Investigate the effective performance and safety of a new hypersonic vitrector technology. METHODS: Postapproval, prospective, single-arm, noncomparative, open-label study at one clinical site in India. INDICATIONS: macular hole (9/20), vitreous hemorrhage (7/20), vitreomacular traction (3/20), and vitreomacular traction with pseudomacular hole (1/20). Safety endpoints included intraoperative and postoperative adverse events. Effective performance endpoints were surgeon-rated effectiveness, range of surgical time, and device settings. Other performance measures were preoperative and postoperative best-corrected visual acuity, slit-lamp and indirect ophthalmoscopy, applanation tonometry, color fundus photography, fundus fluorescein angiography, and spectral domain optical coherence tomography. RESULTS: Core vitreous removal (20/20 subjects), peripheral vitreous removal (18/20), and posterior vitreous detachment induction (13/15) surgeries were successfully completed. Total surgical time was 22.5 minutes to 106 minutes. Serious adverse events through 3 months were 2 device-associated retinal tears and detachment (one intraoperative) and one unrelated postoperative enlargement of macular hole with subretinal fluid. CONCLUSION: This first-in-human study suggests that this new hypersonic vitrector technology is a promising alternative to commercially available guillotine vitrectors. The hypersonic vitrector was effective in core vitreous removal in all cases. Larger-scale studies are required to expand on our initial findings for induction of a posterior vitreous detachment or peripheral vitrectomy.

ADVERSE EVENTS OF THE ARGUS II RETINAL PROSTHESIS: Incidence, Causes, and Best Practices for Managing and Preventing Conjunctival Erosion.

PURPOSE: To analyze and provide an overview of the incidence, management, and prevention of conjunctival erosion in Argus II clinical trial subjects and postapproval patients. METHODS: This retrospective analysis followed the results of 274 patients treated with the Argus II Retinal Prosthesis System between June 2007 and November 2017, including 30 subjects from the US and European clinical trials, and 244 patients in the postapproval phase. Results were gathered for incidence of a serious adverse event, incidence of conjunctival erosion, occurrence sites, rates of erosion, and erosion timing. RESULTS: Overall, 60% of subjects in the clinical trial subjects versus 83% of patients in the postapproval phase did not experience device- or surgery-related serious adverse events. In the postapproval phase, conjunctival erosion had an incidence rate of 6.2% over 5 years and 11 months. In 55% of conjunctival erosion cases, erosion occurred in the inferotemporal quadrant, 25% in the superotemporal quadrant, and 20% in both. Sixty percent of the erosion events occurred in the first 15 months after implantation, and 85% within the first 2.5 years. CONCLUSION: Reducing occurrence of conjunctival erosion in patients with the Argus II Retinal Prosthesis requires identification and minimization of risk factors before and during implantation. Implementing inverted sutures at the implant tabs, use of graft material at these locations as well as Mersilene rather than nylon sutures, and accurate Tenon's and conjunctiva closure are recommended for consideration in all patients.

CAPILLARY NETWORK ALTERATIONS IN X-LINKED RETINOSCHISIS IMAGED ON OPTICAL COHERENCE TOMOGRAPHY ANGIOGRAPHY.

PURPOSE: To assess foveal and parafoveal vasculature at the superficial capillary plexus, deep capillary plexus, and choriocapillaris of patients with X-linked retinoschisis by means of optical coherence tomography angiography. METHODS: Six patients with X-linked retinoschisis (12 eyes) and seven healthy controls (14 eyes) were recruited and underwent complete ophthalmologic examination, including best-corrected visual acuity, dilated fundoscopy, and 3 × 3-mm optical coherence tomography angiography macular scans (DRI OCT Triton; Topcon Corp). After segmentation and quality review, optical coherence tomography angiography slabs were imported into ImageJ 1.50 (NIH; Bethesda) and digitally binarized. Quantification of vessel density was performed after foveal avascular zone area measurement and exclusion. Patients were additionally divided into "responders" and "nonresponders" to dorzolamide therapy. RESULTS: Foveal avascular zone area resulted markedly enlarged at the deep capillary plexus (P < 0.001), particularly in nonresponders. Moreover, patients disclosed a significant deep capillary plexus rarefaction, when compared with controls (P: 0.04); however, a subanalysis revealed that this damage was limited to the fovea (P: 0.006). Finally, the enlargement of foveal avascular zone area positively correlated with a decline in best-corrected visual acuity (P: 0.01). CONCLUSION: Prominent foveal vascular impairment is detectable in the deep capillary plexus of patients with X-linked retinoschisis. Our results correlate with functional outcomes, suggesting a possible vascular role in X-linked retinoschisis clinical manifestations.

SWEPT-SOURCE OPTICAL COHERENCE TOMOGRAPHY ANGIOGRAPHY ASSESSMENT OF FELLOW EYES IN COATS DISEASE.

PURPOSE: To assess foveal and parafoveal vasculature at superficial capillary plexus (SCP), deep capillary plexus, and choriocapillaris using optical coherence tomography angiography in the fellow eyes of patients with Coats disease. METHODS: Observational and prospective case series. Thirteen patients with unilateral Coats and 14 healthy age- and sex-matched controls were consecutively recruited at Manchester Royal Eye Hospital and the Department of Ophthalmology of San Raffaele Hospital. Both groups underwent complete ophthalmologic examination, including optical coherence tomography angiography (Topcon Corp) 3 mm × 3 mm scans. Images were imported into ImageJ software and binarized; foveal avascular zone area was manually outlined and vessel density analyzed in inner (foveal) and outer (parafoveal) areas of SCP, deep capillary plexus, and choriocapillaris. RESULTS: Fellow eyes disclosed a significant increase in the foveal vessel density of SCP (P = 0.04); in particular, superior and temporal quadrants showed more marked alterations (P = 0.02 and 0.04, respectively). Analysis of foveal avascular zone area revealed a significant enlargement in the SCP (P = 0.04). No correlation was found between fellow eyes and the stage of affected eyes. CONCLUSION: Fellow eyes of Coats patients carry quantitative foveal vascular alterations at SCP. These may represent markers of altered inner blood-retinal barrier, due to a bilateral defect in midcapillary angiogenesis.

Performance of real-world functional vision tasks by blind subjects improves after implantation with the Argus® II retinal prosthesis system.

BACKGROUND: The main objective of this study was to test Argus II subjects on three real-world functional vision tasks. DESIGN: The study was designed to be randomized and prospective. Testing was conducted in a hospital/research laboratory setting at the various participating centres. PARTICIPANTS: Twenty eight Argus II subjects, all profoundly blind, participated in this study. METHODS: Subjects were tested on the three real-world functional vision tasks: Sock Sorting, Sidewalk Tracking and Walking Direction Discrimination task MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: For the Sock Sorting task, percentage correct was computed based on how accurately subjects sorted the piles on a cloth-covered table and on a bare table. In the Sidewalk Tracking task, an 'out of bounds' count was recorded, signifying how often the subject veered away from the test course. During the Walking Direction Discrimination task, subjects were tested on the number of times they correctly identified the direction of testers walking across their field of view. RESULTS: The mean percentage correct OFF versus ON for the Sock Sorting task was found to be significantly different for both testing conditions (t-test, P < 0.01). On the Sidewalk Tracking task, subjects performed significantly better with the system ON than they did with the system OFF (t-test, P < 0.05). Eighteen (18) of 27 subjects (67%) performed above chance with the system ON, and 6 (22%) did so with system OFF on the Walking Direction Discrimination task. CONCLUSIONS: Argus II subjects performed better on all three tasks with their systems ON than they did with their systems OFF.

Five-Year Safety and Performance Results from the Argus II Retinal Prosthesis System Clinical Trial.

PURPOSE: The Argus II Retinal Prosthesis System (Second Sight Medical Products, Inc, Sylmar, CA) was developed to restore some vision to patients blind as a result of retinitis pigmentosa (RP) or outer retinal degeneration. A clinical trial was initiated in 2006 to study the long-term safety and efficacy of the Argus II System in patients with bare or no light perception resulting from end-stage RP. DESIGN: Prospective, multicenter, single-arm clinical trial. Within-patient controls included the nonimplanted fellow eye and patients' native residual vision compared with their vision with the Argus II. PARTICIPANTS: Thirty participants in 10 centers in the United States and Europe. METHODS: The worse-seeing eye of blind patients was implanted with the Argus II. Patients wore glasses mounted with a small camera and a video processor that converted images into stimulation patterns sent to the electrode array on the retina. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The primary outcome measures were safety (the number, seriousness, and relatedness of adverse events) and visual function, as measured by 3 computer-based, objective tests. Secondary measures included functional vision performance on objectively scored real-world tasks. RESULTS: Twenty-four of 30 patients remained implanted with functioning Argus II Systems at 5 years after implantation. Only 1 additional serious adverse event was experienced after the 3-year time point. Patients performed significantly better with the Argus II on than off on all visual function tests and functional vision tasks. CONCLUSIONS: The 5-year results of the Argus II trial support the long-term safety profile and benefit of the Argus II System for patients blind as a result of RP. The Argus II is the first and only retinal implant to have market approval in the European Economic Area, the United States, and Canada.

TRANSCLERAL DRAINAGE OF SUBRETINAL FLUID, ANTI-VASCULAR ENDOTHELIAL GROWTH FACTOR, AND WIDE-FIELD IMAGING-GUIDED LASER IN COATS EXUDATIVE RETINAL DETACHMENT.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the safety and efficacy of combined transscleral drainage of subretinal fluid (SRF) with intravitreal bevacizumab and laser photocoagulation in the management of advanced Coats disease (Stage 3) with exudative retinal detachment. DESIGN: Retrospective interventional case series. METHODS: Retrospective case review of eight eyes in eight children with advanced Coats disease manifested as total or subtotal retinal detachment. All eyes initially underwent surgical drainage of exudative SRF followed by intravitreal injection of bevacizumab and laser photocoagulation. Patients were subsequently followed up for up to 60 months. RESULTS: In all eyes, after SRF drainage and administration of one to two intravitreal injections, SRF was completely eliminated. Patients required up to four sessions of laser photocoagulation. Retinal detachment consequently reduced with all patients showing total retinal reattachment and resolution of the subretinal exudates. At the last follow-up, no patient showed recurrent SRF and no ocular complications related to bevacizumab nor evidence of further disease progression were noted. CONCLUSION: The authors present a new therapeutic approach that allows for the first time successful treatment of advanced cases of exudative retinal detachment in Coats disease without the need for vitrectomy. Transscleral drainage of SRF accompanied by anti-vascular endothelial growth factor injection and laser photocoagulation appears to be successful in halting progression of advanced Coats disease with exudative detachment and a less invasive approach when compared with conventional management.

Long-Term Results from an Epiretinal Prosthesis to Restore Sight to the Blind.

PURPOSE: Retinitis pigmentosa (RP) is a group of inherited retinal degenerations leading to blindness due to photoreceptor loss. Retinitis pigmentosa is a rare disease, affecting only approximately 100 000 people in the United States. There is no cure and no approved medical therapy to slow or reverse RP. The purpose of this clinical trial was to evaluate the safety, reliability, and benefit of the Argus II Retinal Prosthesis System (Second Sight Medical Products, Inc, Sylmar, CA) in restoring some visual function to subjects completely blind from RP. We report clinical trial results at 1 and 3 years after implantation. DESIGN: The study is a multicenter, single-arm, prospective clinical trial. PARTICIPANTS: There were 30 subjects in 10 centers in the United States and Europe. Subjects served as their own controls, that is, implanted eye versus fellow eye, and system on versus system off (native residual vision). METHODS: The Argus II System was implanted on and in a single eye (typically the worse-seeing eye) of blind subjects. Subjects wore glasses mounted with a small camera and a video processor that converted images into stimulation patterns sent to the electrode array on the retina. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The primary outcome measures were safety (the number, seriousness, and relatedness of adverse events) and visual function, as measured by 3 computer-based, objective tests. RESULTS: A total of 29 of 30 subjects had functioning Argus II Systems implants 3 years after implantation. Eleven subjects experienced a total of 23 serious device- or surgery-related adverse events. All were treated with standard ophthalmic care. As a group, subjects performed significantly better with the system on than off on all visual function tests and functional vision assessments. CONCLUSIONS: The 3-year results of the Argus II trial support the long-term safety profile and benefit of the Argus II System for patients blind from RP. Earlier results from this trial were used to gain approval of the Argus II by the Food and Drug Administration and a CE mark in Europe. The Argus II System is the first and only retinal implant to have both approvals.

The cost-effectiveness of the Argus II retinal prosthesis in Retinitis Pigmentosa patients.

BACKGROUND: Retinitis Pigmentosa (RP) is a hereditary genetic disease causing bilateral retinal degeneration. RP is a leading cause of blindness resulting in incurable visual impairment and drastic reduction in the Quality of life of the patients. Second Sight Medical Products Inc. developed Argus II, a retinal prosthesis system for treating RP. Argus II is the world's first ever-commercial implant intended to restore some vision in the blind patients. The objective of this study was to assess the cost-effectiveness of the Argus® II Retinal Prosthesis System (Argus II) in Retinitis Pigmentosa (RP) patients. METHOD: A multi -state transition Markov model was developed to determine the cost-effectiveness of Argus II versus usual care in RP from the perspective of healthcare payer. A hypothetical cohort of 1000 RP patients aged 46 years followed up over a (lifetime) 25-year time horizon. Health outcomes were expressed as quality adjusted life years (QALYs) and direct healthcare costs expressed in 2012 €. Results are reported as incremental cost per ratios (ICERs) with outcomes and costs discounted at an annual rate of 3.5%. RESULTS: The ICER for Argus II was €14,603/QALY. Taking into account the uncertainty in model inputs the ICER was €14,482/QALY in the probabilistic analysis. In the scenarios of an assumption of no reduction on cost across model visual acuity states or a model time horizon as short as 10 years the ICER increased to €31,890/QALY and €49,769/QALY respectively. CONCLUSION: This economic evaluation shows that Argus II is a cost-effective intervention compared to usual care of the RP patients. The lifetime analysis ICER for Argus II falls below the published societal willingness to pay of EuroZone countries.

Spatial changes of central field loss in diabetic retinopathy after laser.

PURPOSE: To explore the spatial distribution of central visual field loss in untreated proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR) and to quantify the effect of medium-pulse Optos-guided 20-millisecond Pascal laser treatment on the central field. METHODS: Visual field data (Swedish Interactive Threshold Algorithm 24-2) from 99 eyes (66 patients) with treatment-naive PDR were used to train a self-organizing map (SOM) that classified the defects into nine patterns. Twenty-eight eyes of 23 patients treated with 20-millisecond Pascal retinal laser photocoagulation underwent Optos widefield fundus fluorescein angiography (WF-FFA) at baseline and 3 months after treatment. Postlaser changes in SOM patterns and global indices were analyzed. Visual field defect changes (Total Deviation [TD]) with eccentricity and extent of initial loss were analyzed. Grading of WF-FFA after laser was undertaken by two masked retina specialists. RESULTS: At baseline, 44.4% of PDR eyes showed early visual field loss patterns (1 to 3), with 23.2% classified into the advanced patterns (7 to 9). Mild SOM patterns had more superior hemifield field defects, whereas advanced patterns involved both superior and inferior hemifield field loss. After laser, a significant shift to early SOM patterns were observed (p = 0.02), as well as improvement of Mean Deviation and Pattern Standard Deviation (p = 0.003 and p = 0.06, respectively). Improvement of TD was commonly observed in test locations of 0 to 10, 10 to 20, and 20 to 30 degrees. Greater improvement was observed with deeper baseline TD (p < 0.001). Masked WF-FFA image grading showed 78.6% PDR regression. CONCLUSIONS: The SOM method is a promising technique to classify and monitor over time PDR-associated visual field defects. Medium-pulse Optos-guided 20-millisecond Pascal laser treatment improved the spatial patterns and global parameters of central field defects.

Silicone oil emulsification: A literature review and role of widefield imaging and ultra-widefield imaging with navigated central and peripheral optical coherence tomography technology.

Silicone oil (SO) emulsification is a significant concern in vitreoretinal surgery, leading to various complications. Despite the high prevalence of SO emulsification within the eye, there is currently no standardized method for its early detection. The recent introduction of widefield (WF) imaging and ultra-WF (UWF) imaging with navigated central and peripheral optical coherence tomography (OCT) techniques have shown promising results in providing high-resolution images of the peripheral vitreous, vitreoretinal interface, retina, and choroid. This enhanced visualization capability enables the early identification of emulsified SO droplets, facilitating a proactive therapeutic approach, and mitigating associated adverse events. This comprehensive literature review aims to provide an updated overview of the topic, focusing on the role of WFimaging and UWF imaging and navigated central and peripheral swept-source OCT (SS-OCT) in the early detection and management of SO emulsification. The review discusses the current understanding of SO emulsification, its associated complications, and the limitations of existing detection methods. In addition, it highlights the potential of WF and UWF imaging and peripheral OCT as advanced imaging modalities for improved visualization of SO emulsification. This review serves as a valuable resource for clinicians and researchers, providing insights into the latest advancements in the field of vitreoretinal surgery and the promising role of WF imaging and UWF imaging and navigated central and peripheral SS-OCT in the management of SO.

The role of ultra-widefield imaging with navigated central and peripheral cross-sectional and three-dimensional swept source optical coherence tomography in ophthalmology: Clinical applications.

PURPOSE: To assess central and peripheral retinal and choroidal diseases using ultra-widefield (UWF) fundus imaging in combination with navigated central and peripheral cross-sectional and three-dimensional (3D) swept source optical coherence tomography (SS-OCT) scans. METHODS: Retrospective study involving 332 consecutive patients, with a nearly equal distribution of males and females. The mean age of patients was 52 years (range 18-92 years). Average refractive error was -3.80 D (range +7.75 to -20.75 D). RESULTS: The observations in this study demonstrate the efficacy of peripheral navigated SS-OCT in assessing various ocular conditions. The technology provides high-quality images of the peripheral vitreous, vitreoretinal interface, retina, and choroid, enabling visualization of vitreous floaters and opacities, retinal holes and tears, pigmented lesions, and peripheral retinal degenerations. 3D OCT scans enhance the visualization of these abnormalities and improve diagnostic and therapeutic decisions. CONCLUSION: Navigated central and peripheral cross-sectional and 3D SS-OCT scans offer significant complementary benefits in the assessment and management of retinal diseases. Their addition to UWF imaging provides a comprehensive view of central and peripheral ocular structures, aiding in early detection, precise anatomical measurements, and objective monitoring of disease progression. In addition, this technology serves as a valuable tool for patient education, a teaching tool for trainees, and documentation for medico-legal purposes.

Visualization and Identification of Silicone Oil Emulsification Using Dynamic Infrared Confocal Scanning Laser Ophthalmoscopy.

Introduction: Silicone oil (SO) is a crucial agent used as an intraocular tamponade in the treatment of complex vitreoretinal diseases. Despite its effectiveness, SO is prone to emulsification, which can lead to significant and sometimes irreversible complications in both the anterior and posterior segments of the eye. The detection and monitoring of SO emulsification are therefore of paramount importance. Traditional imaging modalities have limitations in visualizing SO, leading to the exploration of more advanced imaging techniques. This study introduces the application of dynamic infrared confocal scanning laser ophthalmoscopy (IRcSLO) for this purpose and evaluates its effectiveness. Case Presentation: We report on 2 patients who underwent pars plana vitrectomy with subsequent SO injection for the management of retinal detachment. Postsurgery, both patients were imaged using the Heidelberg Retina Tomography Spectralis IRcSLO. The focus was on the visualization of the SO status, including the presence and distribution of emulsified SO droplets. The IRcSLO imaging technique demonstrated its capability to effectively visualize emulsified SO droplets. Interestingly, this was also true for cases where the SO had been removed. The emulsified droplets were observed as micron-sized, spherical entities with a nonuniform distribution throughout the vitreous cavity. Conclusion: Dynamic IRcSLO has proven to be an effective imaging modality for visualizing the emulsification of SO, offering a novel perspective into the characterization of SO droplets. It facilitates the analysis of droplet count, motility, and precise localization within the vitreous cavity. The findings from the case presentations underscore the variability of SO emulsification patterns and the sensitivity of IRcSLO in detecting even minuscule emulsified droplets. This imaging technique has significant potential for future research, particularly in understanding the timing of emulsification, the factors contributing to it, and the development of possible preventive strategies. Additionally, it allows for a more in-depth analysis of the behavior of emulsified SO droplets across different SO viscosities, which could be instrumental in optimizing patient outcomes.

Biosimilar candidate CT-P42 in diabetic macular edema: 24-week results from a randomized, active-controlled, Phase III study.

OBJECTIVE: To demonstrate the therapeutic similarity of CT-P42 compared to reference aflibercept (Eylea®) in adult patients with diabetic macular edema (DME). DESIGN: Randomized, active-controlled, double-masked, Phase III clinical trial PARTICIPANTS: Patients with a diagnosis of either type 1 or 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) with DME involving the center of the macula. METHODS: Patients were randomized (1:1) to receive either CT-P42 or reference aflibercept (2 mg/0.05 mL) by intravitreal injection every 4 weeks (5 doses) then every 8 weeks (4 doses) in the main study period. Results up to Week 24 are reported herein. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The primary endpoint was mean change from baseline at Week 8 in best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) using the Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study (ETDRS) chart. Equivalence between CT-P42 and reference aflibercept was to be concluded if the two-sided 95% confidence interval (CI) (global assumptions) and two-sided 90% CI (US Food and Drug Administration [FDA] assumptions) for the treatment difference fell entirely within the equivalence margin of ±3 letters, as assessed in the full analysis set. RESULTS: Overall, 348 patients were randomized (CT-P42: 173; reference aflibercept: 175). BCVA improved from baseline to Week 8 in both groups, with a least squares mean (standard error) improvement of 9.43 (0.798) and 8.85 (0.775) letters in the CT-P42 and reference aflibercept groups, respectively. The estimated between-group treatment difference was 0.58 letters, with the CIs within the pre-defined equivalence margin of ±3 letters (95% CI -0.73, 1.88 [global]; 90% CI -0.52, 1.67 [FDA]). Through Week 24, other efficacy results for the two groups, in terms of change in BCVA and retinal central subfield thickness, as well as ETDRS Diabetic Retinopathy Severity Scale score, supported therapeutic similarity. Pharmacokinetics, usability, safety (including the proportions of patients experiencing at least one treatment-emergent adverse event [CT-P42: 50.3%; reference aflibercept: 53.7%]), and immunogenicity were also comparable between groups. CONCLUSIONS: This study in patients with DME demonstrated equivalence between CT-P42 and reference aflibercept (2 mg/0.05 mL) in terms of efficacy, with similar pharmacokinetic, usability, safety, and immunogenicity profiles.

Intravitreal injections: a healthcare failure modes and effects analysis.

PURPOSE: To perform a risk mitigation review of intravitreal injections. METHODS: A pan-European expert team conducted a healthcare failure modes and effects analysis (HFMEA) of intravitreal injection techniques. Possible failures at each stage were identified and potential causes and effects considered. A risk value (1-10) was assigned for each failure's severity, probability of occurrence and likelihood of going undetected, and a risk priority number (RPN) calculated. RESULTS: This HFMEA revealed 91 intravitreal injection failure modes, of which 28, deemed to have an appreciable risk, were explored. Recommendations were proposed to reduce these risks, mostly relating to patient, staff, room and equipment preparation, injection procedure and patient discharge. CONCLUSIONS: The HFMEA process produced practical recommendations to improve the risk profile of intravitreal injection.

New 200° Single-Capture Color Red-Green-Blue Ultra-Widefield Retinal Imaging Technology: First Clinical Experience.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: We investigated the additive clinical benefits of a new ultra-widefield (UWF) red-green-blue (RGB) imaging technology. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This was a retrospective, observational, single-center study of 86 consecutive patients (172 eyes). UWF red-green (RG) and RGB images were taken using a new Optos California (Optos Plc). This scanning laser ophthalmoscope uses wavelengths of 635 nm, 532 nm, and 488 nm for the red (R), green (G), and blue laser (B), respectively. The same device can image both in UWF RG and RGB simultaneously. RESULTS: The new Optos California provides a well-balanced, three-channel color image that is clinically useful in imaging and identifying vitreoretinal, retinal, and chorioretinal pathologies. The combination of the images captured by each laser source produces a final composite image that more accurately reflects the natural colors of the fundus. The addition of blue light provides additional detail to visualize the vitreoretinal interface and superficial retina, both within the posterior pole and in the periphery. CONCLUSIONS: This new device allows for both RG and RGB imaging of the retina, providing valuable information on the anatomy of the vitreoretinal interface, retina, retinal pigment epithelium, and their abnormalities. Both techniques complement each other and can be useful in daily practice, allowing clinicians to choose the preferred imaging technique depending on specific findings and conditions. [Ophthalmic Surg Lasers Imaging Retina 2023;54:714-718.].

New Imaging Technology for Simultaneous Multiwavelength-UWF Fundus Fluorescein Angiography and Indocyanine Green Angiography With Navigated Central and Peripheral SS-OCT.

OBJECTIVE: Our aim was to assess central and peripheral retinal and choroidal diseases using novel simultaneous multiwavelength-ultra-widefield (MW-UWF) fundus fluorescein angiography (FFA)/indocyanine green angiography (ICGA) with navigated central and peripheral swept-source optical coherence tomography (SS-OCT) technology. METHODS: Retrospective evaluation was carried out of 30 consecutive patients (60 eyes) who underwent UWF red/green (RG), infrared (IR), FFA and ICGA with simultaneous navigated SS-OCT using Optos Silverstone (Optos PLC). Angiographic retinal and choroidal findings in vascular pathologies and their relationship with the vitreoretinal interface (VRI) were assessed. RESULTS: Simultaneous FFA with navigated SSOCT was performed in all patients and simultaneous FFA-ICGA with SS-OCT in 18 eyes (30%). Cross-sectional central and peripheral changes in the retina, choroid, and VRI corresponding with angiographic findings in several diseases were imaged. CONCLUSION: First-in-human study of a new technology providing UWF RG/FFA/ICGA with simultaneous navigated central and peripheral SS-OCT can guide clinical management and provide new insights and understanding of central and peripheral retinal and choroidal disease. [Ophthalmic Surg Lasers Imaging Retina 2023;54:401-410.].

New Terminology and Methodology for the Assessment of the Vitreous, Its Floaters and Opacities, and Their Effect on Vision: Standardized and Kinetic Anatomical and Functional Testing of Vitreous Floaters and Opacities (SK VFO Test).

OBJECTIVE: To introduce VFO and SK VFO Test: new, more representative terminology for symptoms of vitreous floaters/opacities (VFO) and new standardized kinetic (SK) anatomical-functional assessment. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Eight eyes underwent before-after limited vitrectomy (LV): best-corrected visual acuity, low-luminance visual acuity, Minnesota Low Vision Reading Chart near visual acuity in logMAR, contrast sensitivity function (CV1000E), and straylight measurements (SM) (HDA/LDA/C-Quant). SK infrared confocal scanning laser ophthalmoscopy (SK IRcSLO) and swept-source widefield optical coherence tomography (SS-WF-OCT) identified VFO and posterior vitreous detachment (PVD). SK IRcSLO was performed with gaze directed towards the extreme superior, inferior, and lateral directions. RESULTS: Anatomical-functional results after LV improved in 7 eyes (87.5%): objective scatter index (27.34%), disturbance index (47.97%) and C-Quant Log units (2.26%). Pre-LV SK IRcSLO and SS-WFOCT imaging identified dynamic well-defined VFO and PVD status (100%). A residual asymptomatic anterior cortical vitreous-induced shadowing ripple effect was detected post-LV. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first objective-standardized test accounting for VFO kinesis and intermittent effect. There is potential for personalizing treatment and establishing best candidates for laser or surgery. [Ophthalmic Surg Lasers Imaging Retina 2023;54:306-315.].

Faricimab in neovascular AMD: first report of real-world outcomes in an independent retina clinic.

PURPOSE: Assess short-term real-world outcomes in neovascular aged-related macular degeneration (nAMD) treated with novel faricimab. METHODS: Retrospective case series of nine patients with nAMD (11 eyes) treated with faricimab between May and November 2022. Treatment-naïve patients and non-naïve patients underwent logMAR best corrected visual acuity (BCVA), optical coherence tomography (OCT) DRI OCT-1 Triton (Topcon Corp, Tokyo, Japan), ultra-widefield (UWF) and fundus autofluorescence (FAF) (California Optomap, Optos plc, Dunfermline, Scotland, UK). Previous treatment intervals, number of intravitreal injections, sub/intra retinal fluid (SRF/IRF), central retinal thickness (CRT) and presence/changes in pigment epithelial detachments (PEDs) were recorded. RESULTS: Mean baseline BCVA and CRT values of patients who switched from other agents were 0.612 ± 0.75 logMAR and 256.16 ± 12.98 µm respectively, with a mean 36-day previous treatment interval. The median number of other previous anti-VEGF intravitreal injections was 8. Mean BCVA at one month significantly improved to 0.387 ± 0.54 logMAR, as well as CRT values which decreased to 245.43 ± 15.34 µm. In the 3 naïve patients, mean baseline BVCA and CRT values were 0.33 ± 0.29 and 874.67 ± 510.86 µm, respectively. At one month follow-up, mean BCVA improved to 0.30 ± 0.29 logMAR and mean CRT was 536.04 ± 36.15 µm. Overall, a significant improvement in BCVA of 0.21 ± 41 logMAR and 238.44 ± 114.9 µm was achieved at one month after the first faricimab intravitreal injection. In addition, a complete resolution of SRF was observed in 6 out of 8 eyes (75%) and of IRF in 2 out of 3 eyes (66.67%), respectively. Drusenoid PED morphology changes were observed in all patients and no drug-related adverse events were observed. CONCLUSION: Real-world outcomes showed improvement in BCVA and anatomic parameters at an early timepoint, demonstrating the efficacy and durability of faricimab in nAMD patients. Larger numbers of patients and longer follow-up are needed to determine whether the loading dose is required in all, what percentage of patients experience an improvement, and whether improvement it is maintained.

Interim results from the international trial of Second Sight's visual prosthesis.

PURPOSE: This study evaluated the Argus II Retinal Prosthesis System (Second Sight Medical Products, Inc., Sylmar, CA) in blind subjects with severe outer retinal degeneration. DESIGN: Single-arm, prospective, multicenter clinical trial. PARTICIPANTS: Thirty subjects were enrolled in the United States and Europe between June 6, 2007, and August 11, 2009. All subjects were followed up for a minimum of 6 months and up to 2.7 years. METHODS: The electronic stimulator and antenna of the implant were sutured onto the sclera using an encircling silicone band. Next, a pars plana vitrectomy was performed, and the electrode array and cable were introduced into the eye via a pars plana sclerotomy. The microelectrode array then was tacked to the epiretinal surface. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The primary safety end points for the trial were the number, severity, and relation of adverse events. Principal performance end points were assessments of visual function as well as performance on orientation and mobility tasks. RESULTS: Subjects performed statistically better with the system on versus off in the following tasks: object localization (96% of subjects), motion discrimination (57%), and discrimination of oriented gratings (23%). The best recorded visual acuity to date is 20/1260. Subjects' mean performance on orientation and mobility tasks was significantly better when the system was on versus off. Seventy percent of the patients did not have any serious adverse events (SAEs). The most common SAE reported was either conjunctival erosion or dehiscence over the extraocular implant and was treated successfully in all subjects except in one, who required explantation of the device without further complications. CONCLUSIONS: The long-term safety results of Second Sight's retinal prosthesis system are acceptable, and most subjects with profound visual loss perform better on visual tasks with system than without it.