Effects of delay in anti-vascular endothelial growth factor intravitreal injections for neovascular age-related macular degeneration.

PURPOSE: To assess the impact of COVID-19-related delay in intravitreal injection timing on macular structure and visual acuity (VA) among patients treated for neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nvAMD). METHODS: We reviewed demographic and clinical data and macular ocular computerized tomographic images of 34 patients (48 eyes, group A) who did not follow their injection schedule during the first wave of COVID-19 and compared them to 46 patients (71 eyes, group B) who did. Functional worsening was defined as a loss of at least 0.1 in decimal VA. Anatomic worsening was defined as new or increased subretinal/intraretinal fluids or new hemorrhage. RESULTS: The planned mean ± standard deviation intervals between the intravitreal injections were 5.7 ± 2.7 weeks for group A and 5.5 ± 2.4 weeks for group B (P = 0.60). The actual intervals were 13.6 ± 6.8 (7.9 ± 5.2 weeks' delay) and 5.3 ± 2.4 weeks (no delay), respectively (P < 0.001). The best corrected visual acuity worsened in 23 group A eyes (47.9%) and in 6 group B eyes (8.5%) (odds ratio [OR] 9.97, P < 0.001). Anatomic features indicative of nvAMD worsening were detected in 31 group A eyes (64.6%) and in 16 group B eyes (22.5%) (OR 5.73, P < 0.001). A new macular hemorrhage was observed in 4 group A eyes (8.3%) and in no group B eyes (P = 0.09). CONCLUSION: Delay in timely retinal care during the COVID-19 restrictions period resulted in short-term negative outcomes, including macular bleeding, in nvAMD patients.

Analysis of the ESCRS Calculator's Prediction Accuracy.

PURPOSE: To evaluate prediction accuracy of formulas included in the ESCRS-Online-IOL-Calculator using standard keratometry (K) or total keratometry (TK). SETTING: Hospital-based academic practice. DESIGN: Retrospective case-series. METHODS: Participants: 523 cataract patients (523 eyes). Outcome Measures: trimmed-means of the spherical equivalent prediction error (SEQ-PE, trueness), precision and absolute SEQ-PE (accuracy) of all seven formulas available on the ESCRS-Online-IOL-Calculator as well as the mean (Mean-All) and median (Median-All) of the predicted SEQ refraction of all formulas. Sub-group analyses evaluated the effect of axial length on formula accuracy. RESULTS: Trimmed-mean SEQ-PE range of all formulas varied from -0.075 to +0.071D for K-based and from -0.003 to +0.147D for TK-based calculations, with TK-based being more hyperopic in all formulas (p<0.001). Precision ranged from 0.210 to 0.244D for both K-based and TK-based calculations. Absolute SEQ-PE ranged from 0.211 to 0.239D for K-based and from 0.218 to 0.255D for TK-based calculations. All formulas, including Mean-All and Median-All, showed high accuracy with 84-90% of eyes having SEQ-PEs within 0.50D.Myopic trimmed-mean SEQ-PEs significantly different from zero were observed in long eyes for Pearl DGS (-0.110D, p=0.005), Hill RBF (-0.120D, p<0.001) and Hoffer QST (-0.143D, p=0.001), and in short eyes for EVO 2.0 (-0.252D, p=0.001), Kane (-0.264D, p=0.001), Hoffer QST (-0.302D, p<0.001), Mean-All (-0.122D, p=0.038) and Median-All (-0.125D, p=0.043). CONCLUSION: Prediction accuracy of all ESCRS IOL Calculator formulas was high and globally comparable. TK-based calculations did not increase prediction accuracy and tended towards hyperopia. Observations indicating formula superiority in long and short eyes merit further evaluation.

Acquired brown syndrome in a child with acute rheumatic fever.

PURPOSE: To describe a rare case of acquired Brown syndrome (ABS) associated with acute rheumatic fever (ARF). CASE REPORT: a healthy 9-year-old girl developed polyarthritis, carditis, and elevated inflammatory markers 10 days after suffering from a sore throat. She was diagnosed with ARF and was treated with systemic antibiotics and high-dose non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID). After 2 weeks, despite improvement of ARF symptoms, the patient presented with binocular vertical diplopia, periorbital pain, and limited elevation in adduction of the left eye. Imaging revealed a thickened trochlea-superior oblique tendon complex, and ABS due to trochleitis was diagnosed. The patient underwent a successful regional corticosteroid injection as a second-line treatment, and within a month, all signs and symptoms of ABS resolved. CONCLUSIONS: ABS is an infrequent yet possible manifestation of ARF.