Visual field after anti-vascular endothelial growth factor therapy and laser treatment for retinopathy of prematurity.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the visual field after anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) therapy and laser treatment for retinopathy of prematurity. METHOD: Retrospective cohort study. Infants with retinopathy of prematurity treated by anti-VEGF therapy or laser treatment were included in the study. Degrees of visual field in eight directions examined by Goldmann perimeter (intensity, 1000 apostilb; size, V4e = 64 mm2) were compared between the anti-VEGF therapy and laser treatment groups. The visual acuity (VA) and spherical equivalent refraction were also compared between the two groups. RESULTS: Nine eyes with anti-VEGF therapy and 12 eyes with laser treatment were enrolled in the analysis. The total, upper, nasal upper, nasal, nasal lower, temporal lower, and temporal upper visual fields were significantly wider in the eyes with anti-VEGF therapy than in those with laser treatment (496 vs 416, P = .002; 53 vs 45, P = .008; 56 vs 43, P = .003; 58 vs 39, P < .001; 55 vs 44, P = .01; 72 vs 65, P = .01; and 62 vs 56, P = .03, respectively). The logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution VA tended to be better in the eyes with anti-VEGF therapy than in those with laser treatment (0.01 vs 0.15, P = .06). Eyes with anti-VEGF therapy had significantly lower myopia than those with laser treatment (spherical equivalent refraction: -0.72 vs -5.7, P = .001). CONCLUSION: Anti-VEGF therapy may provide a wider visual field, better VA, and less myopia compared with laser treatment.

Effects of internal limiting membrane peeling on anatomical and functional outcomes in macula-off rhegmatogenous retinal detachment complicated by proliferative vitreoretinopathy: Japan-Retinal Detachment Registry.

PURPOSE: To investigate the effects of internal limiting membrane (ILM) peeling on retinal attachment after a single surgery, and on postoperative visual acuity (VA) at 6 months, in eyes with macula-off rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD) complicated by proliferative vitreoretinopathy (PVR). STUDY DESIGN: Nationwide, multicenter retrospective cohort study. METHODS: The Japan-RD Registry database was used for analysis of patients who had undergone vitrectomy for macula-off RRD complicated by PVR. Multivariate analysis was performed to detect prognostic factors for retinal attachment after a single surgery and for VA at 6 months postoperatively. Retinal attachment after a single surgery or VA at 6 months postoperatively was the objective variable; ILM peeling, preoperative VA, PVR grade, age, and intraocular pressure were explanatory variables. RESULTS: Eighty-nine eyes met the inclusion criteria; ILM peeling was performed in 25 eyes (28%). Preoperative VA was significantly associated with retinal attachment, but ILM peeling did not (odds ratios = 2.1 and 1.3, respectively; p = 0.009 and 0.67, respectively). Poor preoperative VA and younger patient age were significantly associated with poor postoperative VA, but ILM peeling was not (ß-values = 0.37, -0.008, and 0.15, respectively; p < 0.001, p = 0.02, and p = 0.15, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Preoperative VA was a risk factor associated with retinal attachment. Preoperative VA and patient age were risk factors associated with postoperative poor VA. In eyes with macula-off RRD complicated by PVR, ILM peeling did not have a clear beneficial effect on anatomical and functional outcomes, suggesting that it may be unnecessary for eyes with this condition.

Association between treatment for retinopathy of prematurity and blood monocyte counts.

PURPOSE: To investigate blood monocyte counts as a risk factor for retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) treatment. DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study. METHODS: Infants who underwent ROP screening at Shiga University of Medical Science Hospital between January, 2011 and July, 2021 were included in this study. Screening criteria were a gestational age (GA) < 32 weeks or birth weight (BW) < 1500 g. The week with the largest difference in monocyte counts between the infants with and without type 1 ROP determined based on the effect size. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was applied to investigate whether the monocyte counts constituted an independent risk factor for type 1 ROP. The objective variable was type 1 ROP, and the explanatory variables were GA, BW, infants' infection, and Apgar score at 1 min and monocyte counts in the week with the largest monocyte-counts difference between the with- and without type 1 ROP groups. RESULTS: In total, 231 infants met the inclusion criteria. The monocyte counts in the fourth week after birth (4w MONO) exhibited the largest difference between infants with and without type 1 ROP. The analysis was performed on 198 infants, excluding 33 infants without 4w MONO data. Thirty-one infants had type 1 ROP, whereas 167 infants did not. BW and 4w MONO were significantly associated with type 1 ROP (odds ratio: 0.52 and 3.9, P < .001 and 0.004, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: The 4w MONO was an independent risk factor for type 1 ROP and may be useful in follow-up of infants with ROP.

Blood neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio as a risk factor in treatment for retinopathy of prematurity.

PURPOSE: To investigate the blood neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) as a risk factor for retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) development or treatment. METHODS: Retrospective cohort study. Infants who underwent ROP screening at Shiga University of Medical Science Hospital and Omihachiman Community Medical Center between April 2010 and December 2021 were included in this study. Screening criteria were gestational age (GA) < 32 weeks or birth weight (BW) < 1500 g. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was applied to investigate whether the NLR constituted an independent risk factor for ROP development or treatment. The objective variable was ROP development or treatment, and the explanatory variables were GA, BW, NLR, maternal infection or clinical chorioamnionitis and corticosteroid use by the mother. Maternal infection or clinical chorioamnionitis and corticosteroid use by the mother was included in the explanatory variables to adjust for factors affecting the NLR. RESULTS: In total, 220 infants met the inclusion criteria, of whom 125 developed ROP, whereas 95 infants did not display ROP. GA was significantly associated with ROP development (odds ratio (OR): 0.41, p < 0.001); however, the NLR was not significantly associated with ROP development (OR: 1.0, p = 0.74). Thirty-eight infants received treatment for ROP, whereas 182 infants had no such treatment. BW and the NLR were significantly associated with ROP treatment (OR: 1.6 and 0.66, p < 0.001 and 0.003, respectively). CONCLUSION: The NLR was not a risk factor for ROP development but was a risk factor for ROP treatment.

Assessment of mouse VEGF neutralization by ranibizumab and aflibercept.

PURPOSE: To assess the interaction between ranibizumab, aflibercept, and mouse vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), both in vivo and in vitro. METHODS: In vivo, the effect of intravitreal injection of ranibizumab and aflibercept on oxygen induced retinopathy (OIR) and the effect of multiple intraperitoneal injections of ranibizumab and aflibercept on neonatal mice were assessed. In vitro, the interaction of mouse VEGF-A with aflibercept or ranibizumab as the primary antibody was analyzed by Western blot. RESULTS: In both experiments using intravitreal injections in OIR mice and multiple intraperitoneal injections in neonatal mice, anti-VEGF effects were observed with aflibercept, but not with ranibizumab. Western blot analysis showed immunoreactive bands for mouse VEGF-A in the aflibercept-probed blot, but not in the ranibizumab-probed blot. CONCLUSIONS: Aflibercept but not ranibizumab interacts with mouse VEGF, both in vivo and in vitro. When conducting experiments using anti-VEGF drugs in mice, aflibercept is suitable, but ranibizumab is not.

Efficacy of scleral imbrication on all quadrants in enucleated pig eyes.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the changes in axial length (AL) and corneal astigmatism induced by scleral imbrication on all quadrants in pig eyes. STUDY DESIGN: Experimental study METHODS: We produced scleral imbrications either on all quadrants or on 2 consecutive quadrants of 5 enucleated pig eyes. Scleral imbrications 8 mm wide were made at 8 mm from the limbus on each quadrant. We determined the AL using an electronic caliper and the corneal astigmatism using a keratometer before and after the 2 types of scleral imbrications and compared the changes in ocular AL and corneal astigmatism induced by the 2 surgical procedures. RESULTS: The AL reduction after the scleral imbrication on all quadrants (3.96 ± 0.56 mm) was larger than that on 2 quadrants (2.39 ± 0.41 mm) (P = .001). The change in corneal astigmatism induced by imbrication on all quadrants (2.98 ± 1.96 D) was less than that on 2 quadrants (5.95 ± 2.04 D) (P < .029). CONCLUSIONS: Scleral imbrication on all quadrants induced a shorter AL and less corneal astigmatism than did a standard scleral imbrication on 2 quadrants. Therefore, the former could be a more effective operation for retinal disorders associated with high myopia, including macular hole retinal detachment and myopic foveoschisis.

Prediction of postoperative visual acuity after vitrectomy for macular hole using deep learning-based artificial intelligence.

PURPOSE: To create a model for prediction of postoperative visual acuity (VA) after vitrectomy for macular hole (MH) treatment using preoperative optical coherence tomography (OCT) images, using deep learning (DL)-based artificial intelligence. METHODS: This was a retrospective single-center study. We evaluated 259 eyes that underwent vitrectomy for MHs. We divided the eyes into four groups, based on their 6-month postoperative Snellen VA values: (A) ≥ 20/20; (B) 20/25-20/32; (C) 20/32-20/63; and (D) ≤ 20/100. Training data were randomly selected, comprising 20 eyes in each group. Test data were also randomly selected, comprising 52 total eyes in the same proportions as those of each group in the total database. Preoperative OCT images with corresponding postoperative VA values were used to train the original DL network. The final prediction of postoperative VA was subjected to regression analysis based on inferences made with DL network output. We created a model for predicting postoperative VA from preoperative VA, MH size, and age using multivariate linear regression. Precision values were determined, and correlation coefficients between predicted and actual postoperative VA values were calculated in two models. RESULTS: The DL and multivariate models had precision values of 46% and 40%, respectively. The predicted postoperative VA values on the basis of DL and on preoperative VA and MH size were correlated with actual postoperative VA at 6 months postoperatively (P < .0001 and P < .0001, r = .62 and r = .55, respectively). CONCLUSION: Postoperative VA after MH treatment could be predicted via DL using preoperative OCT images with greater accuracy than multivariate linear regression using preoperative VA, MH size, and age.

Effect of intravitreal bevacizumab for retinopathy of prematurity on weight gain.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the short-term effect on body weight (BW) gain after intravitreal bevacizumab (IVB) for retinopathy of prematurity (ROP). METHODS: This was a retrospective 1:1 matched case-control study. Infants with ROP treated by IVB or photocoagulation (PC) at Shiga University of Medical Science Hospital between April 2010 and December 2019 were included in the study. To match BWs at treatment between the IVB and PC groups, 1:1 matching for BWs at treatment within 100 g was performed. The BW gains for the 7 days before treatment (pre-treatment week), the 7 days after treatment (first post-treatment week), and the period from 7 to 14 days after treatment (second post-treatment week) were compared between the IVB and PC groups. RESULTS: Following 1:1 matching, 13 infants in both groups were enrolled in the analysis. The weekly BW gain for the first post-treatment week was significantly lower in the IVB group compared with the PC group (86 g vs. 145 g; P = 0.046), whereas the weekly BW gains for the pre-treatment week (173 g vs. 159 g; P = 0.71) and the second post-treatment week (154 g vs. 152 g; P = 0.73) were comparable between the two groups. The short-term inhibitive effect of IVB on BW gain was particularly observed in infants weighing less than 1500 g at treatment (<1500 g: 47 g vs. ≥1500 g: 132 g; P = 0.03). CONCLUSION: IVB could have a short-term inhibitive effect on BW gain in infants with ROP, and this effect is more likely to occur in infants with a lower BW at the time of treatment.

Background Factors Affecting Visual Acuity at Initial Visit in Eyes with Central Retinal Vein Occlusion: Multicenter Study in Japan.

PURPOSE: To determine the baseline characteristics of patients with central retinal vein occlusion (CRVO) that were significantly associated with the best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) at the initial examination. METHODS: This was a retrospective multicenter study using the medical records registered in 17 ophthalmological institutions in Japan. Patients with untreated CRVO (≥20-years-of-age) who were initially examined between January 2013 and December 2017 were studied. The patients' baseline factors that were significantly associated with the BCVA at the initial examination were determined by univariate and multivariate linear regression analyses. RESULTS: Data from 517 eyes of 517 patients were analyzed. Univariate analyses showed that an older age (r = 0.194, p < 0.001) and the right eye (r = -0.103, p < 0.019) were significantly associated with poorer BCVA at the initial visit. Multivariate analyses also showed that an older age (ß = 0.191, p < 0.001) and the right eye (ß = -0.089, p = 0.041) were significantly associated with poorer BCVA at the initial visit. CONCLUSIONS: The results indicate that an older age, a known strong factor, and the right eye were significantly associated with poorer BCVA at the initial visit to the hospital. These results suggest that functional and/or anatomical differences between the right and left eyes may be involved in these results.

Effect of internal limiting membrane peeling on postoperative visual acuity in macula-off rhegmatogenous retinal detachment.

PURPOSE: To investigate the effects of internal limiting membrane (ILM) peeling on visual acuity (VA) after rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD) surgery. METHODS: This retrospective analysis examined the medical records of patients with RRD who underwent vitrectomy at 26 institutions. To detect prognostic factors of VA at 6 months postoperatively (post-VA), multivariate linear regression was performed with post-VA as the objective variable; ILM peeling, sex, age, preoperative VA (pre-VA), intraocular pressure, axial length, duration of RRD, and cataract surgery served as explanatory variables. Recurrence of RRD and epiretinal membrane formation within 6 months postoperatively were compared between groups of patients with and without ILM peeling, among patients with macula-on and macula-off RRD. RESULTS: The inclusion criteria were met by 523 eyes with a macula-on RRD and 364 eyes with a macula-off RRD. ILM peeling was performed in 85 eyes with a macula-on RRD and 57 eyes with a macula-off RRD. In eyes with a macula-on RRD, ILM peeling did not affect post-VA (p = 0.72). Vitrectomy without cataract surgery and poor pre-VA were significantly associated with poor post-VA (p = 0.01 and p < 0.001, respectively). In eyes with a macula-off RRD, ILM peeling, long duration of RRD, and poor pre-VA were significantly associated with poor post-VA (p = 0.037, p = 0.007, and p < 0.001, respectively). Recurrence of RRD and epiretinal membrane formation were similar between groups of patients with and without ILM peeling, among patients with macula-on and macula-off RRD. Retina sensitivity was not evaluated by microperimetry. CONCLUSION: ILM peeling did not affect post-VA in eyes with a macula-on RRD, whereas post-VA was worse in eyes with ILM peeling than in eyes without peeling, among eyes with a macula-off RRD.

Evaluation of acquired color vision deficiency in retinal vein occlusion using the Rabin cone contrast test.

PURPOSE: To investigate acquired color vision deficiency (CVD) using the Rabin cone contrast test (RCCT) in patients with retinal vein occlusion (RVO). METHODS: We retrospectively evaluated 39 patients with macular edema due to RVO who were treated with intravitreal injections of anti-VEGF agents and demonstrated improvement of best-corrected visual acuity to 20/20 Snellen VA or better. The acquired CVD was evaluated by the RCCT and standard pseudo-isochromatic plates-part 2 (SPP-2). RESULTS: Mean L, M, and S color contrast test (CCT) scores were significantly lower in RVO eyes than in the fellow eyes (L CCTs, 70.0 ± 13.3 vs. 90.0 ± 8.0, respectively, P < 0.01; M CCTs, 85.0 ± 16.6 vs. 95.0 ± 5.7, respectively, P < 0.01; S CCTs, 80.0 ± 21.5 vs. 95.0 ± 7.1, respectively, P < 0.01). Acquired CVD was diagnosed in 25 eyes of 39 patients by the RCCT and in 15 eyes of 39 patients by SPP-2. The RCCT was performed on two different days in 21 patients. It revealed acquired CVD in 17 eyes on the first day and in 10 eyes on the second day. Acquired CVD was improved in 9 eyes, unchanged in 8 eyes, and worsened in 2 eyes. CONCLUSIONS: The RCCT revealed eyes with RVO had acquired CVD. Acquired CVD caused by RVO can be improved further in some cases even after recovery of vision to 20/20. The RCCT may be able to quantitatively diagnose acquired CVD status.

The systemic antiangiogenic effect of intravitreal aflibercept injection in a mouse model of retinopathy of prematurity.

Retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) is a leading cause of childhood blindness and intravitreal anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) injection is becoming a first-line choice for treatment of ROP. However, there is a major concern that intravitreally injected anti-VEGF agents could escape from the eye into the systemic circulation and impair systemic development. Moreover, escaped anti-VEGF agents could have an effect on the retina of the fellow eye. In this study, we investigated the hematogenous effect of a single intravitreal anti-VEGF injection in a mouse model of ROP. Here, we showed that single intravitreal aflibercept injection to one eye can affect body weight gain, the fellow eye, and renal vessels, although no apparent effect was observed in brain vessels. Furthermore, this hematogenous effect was dose-dependent. Our results provide very important insights into the clinical use of anti-VEGF agents for ROP treatment.

THE CORRELATION BETWEEN AQUEOUS VASCULAR ENDOTHELIAL GROWTH FACTOR LEVEL AND CLINICAL ACTIVITY IN NEOVASCULAR AGE-RELATED MACULAR DEGENERATION.

PURPOSE: The aim of the current study was to investigate the correlation between the pretreatment aqueous level of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and clinical activity in neovascular age-related macular degeneration. METHODS: Patients with neovascular age-related macular degeneration treated by intravitreal ranibizumab injections and followed for 12 months were included in the current study. The treatment regimen consisted of three consecutive monthly intravitreal ranibizumab injections (loading treatment) followed by a pro re nata (PRN) treatment regimen. The aqueous VEGF levels were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay using aqueous humor samples obtained just before the first intravitreal ranibizumab injections. RESULTS: Sixty-four eyes of 64 patients were included in the current study. The mean number of intravitreal ranibizumab injections during 12 months was 4.6 ± 1.4, and 17 eyes had no recurrence after loading treatment. The mean aqueous VEGF level was significantly higher in eyes with recurrence after loading treatment than in eyes without recurrence (107.6 vs. 83.8 pg/mL, respectively; P = 0.04) and significantly higher in eyes with recurrence within 3 months after loading treatment than in other eyes (114.9 vs. 86.7 pg/mL, respectively; P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: Pretreatment aqueous VEGF level was significantly correlated with the likelihood of recurrence in neovascular age-related macular degeneration. The measurement of pretreatment aqueous VEGF level may be useful to determine the best treatment options for patients with neovascular age-related macular degeneration.

An Attachment Including a +20-D Lens to Gain Extended Field Images in Wide-Angle Optical Coherence Tomography Angiography.

Purpose: This article evaluates the clinical usefulness of an attachment involving a +20-D lens to gain extended field images on wide-angle optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA). Methods: An attachment with a +20-D lens was developed to take OCTA images of anterior segments, and it was used to obtain extended field images of the posterior segment in this study. Ten eyes of 5 individuals who did not have a history of ocular or systemic disease underwent wide-angle OCTA with a 12 × 12-mm center field using the PLEX Elite 9000 with and without the attachment. The ratio of the area of the center field to the area of the extended field with the attachment was calculated. Results: The mean area of the center image was 125 disc areas and that of the field extended by the attachment was 210 disc areas. The mean ratio between the center field and the extended field was 1.67. Conclusions: The attachment involving the +20-D lens seems to be clinically useful to gain extended field images on wide-angle OCTA.

Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada Disease-Like Uveitis during Nivolumab (Anti-PD-1 Antibody) Treatment for Metastatic Cutaneous Malignant Melanoma.

Nivolumab is an anti-programmed cell death protein 1 monoclonal antibody that is used to treat metastatic cutaneous malignant melanoma. Although bilateral uveitis has been reported as a side effect of nivolumab administration, there are few reports of Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada disease (VKH)-like uveitis. We report such a case. A 63-year-old woman with metastatic cutaneous malignant melanoma experienced visual loss in both eyes 10 days after her second nivolumab injection. Her decimal best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) was 0.7 in the right eye and 0.4 in the left eye. Examination revealed bilateral granulomatous keratic precipitates and posterior synechiae in the left eye. Optical coherence tomography showed multiple sites of serous retinal detachment (SRD) in the left eye and wavy retinal pigment epithelium in both eyes. Fluorescein angiography revealed multiple pinpoint-sized areas of leakage in both eyes and active leakage from the disc in her right eye. Indocyanine green angiography (IA) showed choroidal hyperfluorescence due to choroidal vascular leakage, with hypofluorescent dark spots during the late phase. These findings supported a diagnosis of VKH-like uveitis following nivolumab injections. Nivolumab was discontinued because of headache. Anterior chamber inflammation disappeared 3 weeks after starting topical corticosteroid treatment, and the SRD disappeared within 3 months. Her decimal BCVA recovered to 1.0 in the right eye and to 0.9 in the left eye. Also, the fluorescein angiography and IA findings had improved by 4 months. We concluded that careful follow-up is required after nivolumab treatment because VKH-like panuveitis might develop.

Comparison of Surgical Outcomes Between Two Types of Lamellar Macular Holes.

PURPOSE: The classification of lamellar macular holes (LMHs) into two subtypes has recently been proposed. However, the effectiveness of vitrectomy for treatment of each type of LMH is not well established. The goal of this study was to compare functional and anatomic changes after vitrectomy between eyes with degenerative LMH and those with tractional LMH. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This was a retrospective analysis of the medical records of patients with LMH who underwent vitrectomy. Best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and central macular thickness (CMT) were measured preoperatively (baseline), as well as at 1, 3 and 12 months postoperatively. BCVA and CMT were compared between eyes with degenerative LMH and those with tractional LMH. RESULTS: Thirty-two eyes met the inclusion criteria. Thirteen eyes were diagnosed with degenerative LMH and 19 eyes were diagnosed with tractional LMH. Compared with baseline BCVA, postoperative BCVA improved significantly at 12 months postoperatively: from 0.33 to 0.12 logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution (logMAR) in eyes with degenerative LMH and from 0.30 to 0.12 logMAR in eyes with tractional LMH (p < 0.05 for both comparisons). BCVA at 12 months postoperatively did not significantly differ between the two groups. CMT decreased significantly from 419.4 µm at baseline to 364.2 µm at 12 months postoperatively in eyes with tractional LMH (p < 0.05); conversely, there was no significant difference in eyes with degenerative LMH (315.5 µm baseline to 314.9 µm at 12 months postoperatively; p > 0.05). CONCLUSION: Vitrectomy improved BCVA in eyes with degenerative LMH as well as in eyes with tractional LMH. BCVA at 12 months postoperatively did not differ between the two groups.

Comparison between wide-angle OCT angiography and ultra-wide field fluorescein angiography for detecting non-perfusion areas and retinal neovascularization in eyes with diabetic retinopathy.

PURPOSE: To compare the ability of wide-angle optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) with that of ultra-wide field fluorescein angiography (UWFFA) to detect non-perfusion areas (NPAs) or retinal neovascularization (NV) in eyes with diabetic retinopathy (DR). METHODS: Patients with DR underwent UWFFA using the Optos® panoramic 200Tx imaging system and wide-angle OCTA with 12 × 12 mm fields of five visual fixations using the PLEX Elite 9000®. We compared the abilities of UWFFA and OCTA to detect NPAs and NV. RESULTS: Fifty-eight eyes of 33 patients (mean age, 60.0 years old; female/male, 16/17) with DR were evaluated. NPAs were detected in 47 out of 58 eyes using UWFFA and in 48 eyes using OCTA. NVs were detected in 25 out of the 58 eyes using UWFFA and in 26 eyes using OCTA. The sensitivity for detection of NPA using OCTA was 0.98, and the specificity was 0.82. The sensitivity for detection of NV was 1.0, and the specificity was 0.97. CONCLUSION: The wide-angle OCTA seems to be clinically useful for the detection of NPAs or NV.

Aqueous vascular endothelial growth factor and aflibercept concentrations after bimonthly intravitreal injections of aflibercept for age-related macular degeneration.

IMPORTANCE: Clinical evidence supports the efficacy of bimonthly aflibercept injection for age-related macular degeneration. BACKGROUND: The study aimed to evaluate aqueous vascular endothelial growth factor and aflibercept concentrations and the efficacy of bimonthly aflibercept in patients with age-related macular degeneration. DESIGN: This study is a prospective, interventional case series. PARTICIPANTS: Enrolled were 35 eyes with exudative age-related macular degeneration from 35 patients. METHODS: Patients received three bimonthly intravitreal aflibercept without loading doses. We collected the aqueous humor just before each injection, measured vascular endothelial growth factor and aflibercept concentrations by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and measured best-corrected visual acuity and central retinal subfield thickness before and after the injections. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Aqueous vascular endothelial growth factor and aflibercept concentrations were measured. RESULTS: The vascular endothelial growth factor concentration was 135.4 ± 60.5 pg/mL (mean ± standard deviation, range 60.6-323.4) at baseline and below the lowest detectable limit in all eyes at month 2 and in 32 eyes at month 4 (P < 0.001 [month 2] and P < 0.001 [month 4]). The mean aflibercept concentration was 20.3 ng/mL at month 2 and 28.0 ng/mL at month 4. The mean logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution visual acuity improved from 0.50 ± 0.36 at baseline to 0.36 ± 0.40 at month 6 (P < 0.001). The mean central retinal subfield thickness decreased from 353 ± 100 µm at baseline to 236 ± 45 µm at month 6 (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: Bimonthly aflibercept injections without loading doses may be considered a treatment option for age-related macular degeneration.

Comparison between ranibizumab and aflibercept for macular edema associated with central retinal vein occlusion.

PURPOSE: We compared the efficacy of bimonthly intravitreal injections of ranibizumab (IVR) with that of bimonthly intravitreal injections of aflibercept (IVA) in two prospective, consecutive groups of patients with macular edema (ME) secondary to central retinal vein occlusion (CRVO). PATIENTS AND METHODS: Eyes with ME after CRVO received either bimonthly IVR (ranibizumab group; n = 13) or IVA (aflibercept group; n = 13) injections and were followed monthly for 6 months. Three patients in the ranibizumab group and two in the aflibercept group were lost to follow-up and excluded from the study. The best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), central foveal thickness (CFT) on optical coherence tomography, and aqueous vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) concentrations were evaluated before and after treatment. RESULTS: From baseline to month 6, significant improvements occurred in mean logMAR BCVA (ranibizumab group: 0.78-0.47; p < 0.05; aflibercept group: 0.74-0.54; p < 0.05) and mean CFT (ranibizumab group: 685-311 µm; p < 0.05; aflibercept group: 695-230 µm; p < 0.05). Fluctuations in CFT were seen at months 2, 4, and 6 in the ranibizumab group. Mean aqueous VEGF concentration decreased from baseline to month 2 in the ranibizumab group (509.9-348.2 pg/ml) and aflibercept group (412.1 pg/ml to undetectable limits in eight of 11 eyes and to 13.6, 15.6, and 24.1 pg/ml in the other three eyes, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: There was no significant improvement of visual acuity in one group compared with another; VEGF may not be completely neutralized by bimonthly injections of ranibizumab.

Changes in Retinal Thickness after Vitrectomy for Epiretinal Membrane with and without Internal Limiting Membrane Peeling.

PURPOSE: To investigate anatomic changes in retinal thickness (RT) and functional changes after vitrectomy for idiopathic epiretinal membranes (ERMs) with and without internal limiting membrane (ILM) peeling. METHODS: The medical records of 100 eyes of 96 patients with ERM who underwent vitrectomy and ERM removal were reviewed retrospectively. The RT was measured by optical coherence tomography, and the area was divided into 9 sections. The best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), 9 RT areas, and incidence rates of recurrent ERM were compared between the groups with and without ILM peeling before the operation and 12 months postoperatively. RESULTS: Thirty-nine eyes that underwent vitrectomy with ILM peeling and 61 eyes that underwent vitrectomy without ILM peeling met the inclusion criteria. There were no significant differences between the groups in the BCVA and any of the RTs before the operation and 12 months postoperatively. The ERMs recurred in 8 (20.5%) of 39 eyes and 26 (42.6%) of 61 eyes in the groups with and without ILM peeling, respectively, with a difference that reached significance (p = 0.02) 12 months postoperatively. CONCLUSIONS: Vitrectomy for ERM affects the BCVA or the RTs 12 months postoperatively. Additional ILM peeling does not affect them, but it might reduce the ERM recurrence rate.