Subchoroidal Release of VEGF and bFGF Produces Choroidal Neovascularization in Rabbit.

PURPOSE: Intravitreal vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) produced florid retinal neovascularization and hemorrhage in the rabbit. This study seeks to determine whether sustained subchoroidal release of both VEGF and bFGF can induce robust choroidal neovascularization (CNV) in the rabbit. METHODS: Subchoroidal implantation through the sclera of polymeric pellets containing both 15 µg VEGF and 15 µg bFGF was performed on adult pigmented male Dutch belted rabbits (N = 6) and NZW albinos (N = 8). As negative controls, blank pellets with no growth factors were implanted in both Dutch belted rabbits (N = 6) and NZW albino rabbits (N = 4). Development of CNV was documented weekly over a 4-week period with indirect ophthalmoscopy, color fundus photography, and fluorescein angiography. Eyes were enucleated and prepared for histologic and immunohistochemical analyses at the end of the study. Amounts of VEGF and bFGF that were released in vitro from the pellets were measured by ELISA. RESULTS: In all eyes with subchoroidal implants containing both VEGF and bFGF, strong fluorescein leakage was observed at 2, 3, and 4 weeks (P < 0.005); no leakage was seen initially in week 1. Negative control groups with blank implants showed no fluorescein leakage throughout the 4-week study period. Histologic analysis confirmed the presence of experimental CNV. New subretinal blood vessel growth occurred in all eyes with VEGF/bFGF implants. Negative control eyes with blank implants showed no vascular changes. In vitro sustained release of both VEGF and bFGF was confirmed by ELISA. CONCLUSION: Sustained subchoroidal release of both VEGF and bFGF produced experimental CNV rapidly in the rabbit. Understanding how these growth factors induce CNV may suggest novel therapeutic strategies in the large rabbit eye.

Topical difluprednate for treatment of serous retinal detachment and panuveitis associated with Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada disease.

Patients with bilateral serous retinal detachments and panuveitis related to Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada disease are commonly managed with oral corticosteroids, immunosuppressive agents, and/or intravitreal injections. We present the case of a 56-year-old Hispanic man with Harada disease whose bilateral serous retinal detachments and panuveitis were treated with topical corticosteroid difluprednate alone. Functional and anatomical recoveries were assessed by fluorescein angiograms and optical coherence tomography studies over a period of 9 months. The patient's serous retinal detachments resolved, and his vision and panuveitis improved dramatically over a period of 2 weeks, after which he was placed on a drop taper and maintenance therapy for the remainder of the 9 months.

Pars plana Ahmed valve and vitrectomy in patients with glaucoma associated with posterior segment disease.

PURPOSE: To assess the safety and efficacy of a modified technique for pars plana placement of the Ahmed valve in combination with pars plana vitrectomy in the treatment of glaucoma associated with posterior segment disease. METHODS: Thirty-nine eyes with glaucoma associated with posterior segment disease underwent pars plana vitrectomy combined with Ahmed valve placement. All valves were placed in the pars plana using a modified technique, without the pars plana clip, and using a scleral patch graft. RESULTS: The 24 eyes diagnosed with neovascular glaucoma had an improvement in intraocular pressure from 37.6 mmHg to 13.8 mmHg and best-corrected visual acuity from 2.13 logarithm of minimum angle of resolution to 1.40 logarithm of minimum angle of resolution. Fifteen eyes diagnosed with steroid-induced glaucoma had an improvement in intraocular pressure from 27.9 mmHg to 14.1 mmHg and best-corrected visual acuity from 1.38 logarithm of minimum angle of resolution to 1.13 logarithm of minimum angle of resolution. Complications included four cases of cystic bleb formation and one case of choroidal detachment and explantation for hypotony. CONCLUSION: Ahmed valve placement through the pars plana during vitrectomy is an effective option for managing complex cases of glaucoma without the use of the pars plana clip.

Recalcitrant macular edema after intravitreal bevacizumab is responsive to an intravitreal dexamethasone implant in retinal vein occlusion.

PURPOSE: To test the efficacy of an intravitreal dexamethasone implant in patients with recalcitrant macular edema secondary to retinal vein occlusion. METHODS: A retrospective chart review was performed for 18 patients with retinal vein occlusion who received multiple bevacizumab intravitreal injections before treatment with an intravitreal dexamethasone implant. RESULTS: Two subgroups of bevacizumab-resistant patients were identified. Both subgroups responded to subsequent treatment with an intravitreal dexamethasone implant with an average reduction in central foveal thickness of 146.8 ± 33.65 µm. A visual acuity improvement of 0.26 ± 0.07 (logarithm of minimal angle of resolution) was also noted. Intraocular pressure increased by an average of 3.33 ± 0.66 mmHg and was managed by 1.0 ± 0.5 topical drops. CONCLUSION: A subset of patients do not have resolution of macular edema after treatment with intravitreal bevacizumab. Such patients may respond to treatment with an intravitreal dexamethasone implant.

Central serous chorioretinopathy associated with topical corticosteroids in a patient with psoriasis.

BACKGROUND: Central serous chorioretinopathy (CSC), also known as central serous retinopathy (CSR), is a visual impairment, often temporary, usually in a single eye, which mostly affects males in the age group of 20 to 50 but may also affect women. CSC occurring after prolonged use of topical steroids in a patient with psoriasis is a novel complication in the English literature. OBSERVATIONS: We describe a case of a 25-year-old male, with a 15-year history of corticoid ointment use for psoriasis, who presented with loss of vision secondary to CSR. CONCLUSIONS: All topical steroid treatments were discontinued and the patient recovered his vision completely. Although topical corticosteroids are frequently utilized for psoriasis management with a low rate of complication, clinicians should be familiar with this rare yet distressing condition. Furthermore, patients with increased production of endogenous corticosteroids (e.g., those with Cushing's syndrome, hypertension, or obstructive sleep apnea) should be warned of the potential of chorioretinopathy following prolonged use of topical corticosteroids.

Scleral thickness following fluocinolone acetonide implant (Retisert).

PURPOSE: To evaluate whether intravitreal fluocinolone acetonide (FA) implantation (Retisert) leads to scleral thinning. METHODS: Scleral thickness was measured at the pars plana region (4 quadrants) with anterior segment OCT (Visante) in FA implanted eyes (18) with noninfectious posterior uveitis in comparison to eyes with prior vitrectomy (8), and normal eyes without prior surgery (30). RESULTS: Mean scleral thickness in normal (nonsurgical) eyes was 0.99/0.93/0.88/0.86, and 0.92 mm in the inferonasal/inferotemporal/superotemporal/superonasal quadrants, and overall, respectively. Sclera was thinner in each quadrant of the FA implanted eyes compared to the fellow or nonsurgical eyes, although none reached statistical significance, as the differences were small. However, a few FA implanted eyes demonstrated more dramatic scleral thinning than others. CONCLUSIONS: FA implant appears to lead to statistically nonsignificant scleral thinning overall with few exceptions. Clinicians should be aware of potential scleral thinning in select cases, important for reimplantation and long-term follow-up.

Assessing the reliability of automated OCT retinal thickness measurements in patients with choroidal neovascularization due to age-related macular degeneration.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: To compare automated versus manual retinal measurement using Stratus optical coherence tomography (OCT) (Carl Zeiss Meditec, Dublin, CA) in patients with choroidal neovascularization (CNV) due to age-related macular degeneration (AMD). PATIENTS AND METHODS: Patients with subfoveal CNV due to AMD underwent Stratus OCT imaging. Each scan was evaluated for automated: foveal center point thickness, central subfield thickness, signal strength, and manual: central retinal thickness, central retinal/lesion thickness, CNV thickness, pigment epithelial detachment thickness, and number of correct retinal boundaries (CRBs). RESULTS: A total of 209 OCT visits (49 patients) were assessed. On fast macular thickness map, 52% of scans had less than 4 (of possible 6) CRBs placed by the automated OCT algorithm. There was a mean difference of 34 microm between automated foveal center point thickness and manual central retinal thickness (P < .00005). Only 40% and 27% of automated foveal center point thickness and central subfield, respectively, lay within +/- 25 microm of manual central retinal thickness. As the number of CRBs or signal strength increased, the difference between manual and automated measurements decreased. CONCLUSION: Manual retinal thickness measurements differ significantly from those calculated by the current automated Stratus OCT software in exudative AMD.

The operation was a success, but the patient cannot see.

A 71-year-old African American woman presented with severe vision loss in her left eye one day following trabeculectomy with mitomycin C and retrobulbar anesthesia. She had a new left relative afferent pupillary defect and macular whitening. The optic disc appeared normal. Intraocular pressure and fluorescein angiography were normal. Westergren erythrocyte sedimentation rate and C-reactive protein were elevated. Temporal artery biopsy was positive for giant cell arteritis.

Comparing retinal thickness measurements using automated fast macular thickness map versus six-radial line scans with manual measurements.

PURPOSE: To compare automated retinal thickness values generated by the fast macular thickness maps (FMTM) and customized 6-radial line scans (RLS) versus manual retinal measurements on Stratus optical coherence tomography (OCT) (Carl Zeiss Meditec, Dublin, CA). DESIGN: Prospective, observational case series. PARTICIPANTS: Patients with subfoveal choroidal neovascularization (CNV) caused by age-related macular degeneration (AMD), diabetic macular edema (DME), or branch/central retinal vein occlusion (RVO). METHODS: Patients were prospectively imaged using the FMTM and customized RLS patterns on Stratus OCT at the same sitting. Each scan was evaluated for errors in retinal segmentation (i.e., correct retinal boundaries [CRB]). Automated values were recorded while central retinal thickness measurements were determined manually for both patterns. The presence or absence of epiretinal phenomenon, cystoid spaces, pigment epithelial detachment, and subretinal fluid was also noted. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Errors in retinal segmentation at and outside the fovea (i.e., CRB) and percentage of automated values within a clinically acceptable margin (+/-25 mum) of the manual central retinal thickness. RESULTS: A total of 147 eyes of 147 patients (95 eyes with exudative AMD, 41 eyes with DME, and 11 eyes with macular edema caused by RVO) were included. For wet AMD, the total number of CRB at the fovea and outside the fovea was 363 (63.7%) and 360 (63.2%), respectively, in FMTM and 428 (75.1%) and 426 (74.7%), respectively, in RLS (P<0.0001 for both). For DME and RVO, the total number of CRB at the fovea and outside the fovea was 274 (87.8%) and 256 (82.1%), respectively, in FMTM and 287 (92.0%) and 270 (86.5%), respectively, in RLS (P = 0.11, P = 0.15, respectively). Some 40% and 56% of automated foveal center point thicknesses on FMTM and RLS, respectively, were within +/-25 mum of the manual central retinal thickness for AMD (P = 0.042), versus 94% and 81% for DME and RVO, respectively (P = 0.07). CONCLUSIONS: For exudative AMD, the RLS protocol provides fewer segmentation errors than the FMTM protocol, and its automated retinal thickness values (e.g., foveal center point, central subfield) correlate better with manual retinal thickness measurement than FMTM. In DME and RVO, however, both protocols provide similar and low segmentation errors, and their automated results are close to manual measurements. FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE(S): Proprietary or commercial disclosure may be found after the references.

Evaluation of wound closure in oblique 23-gauge sutureless sclerotomies with visante optical coherence tomography.

PURPOSE: To investigate the in vivo real-time wound morphology of fresh 23-gauge sutureless oblique sclerotomy wounds with anterior segment optical coherence tomography (OCT). DESIGN: Prospective, observational case series. METHODS: Subjects underwent three-port pars plana vitrectomy with a 23-gauge trocar/cannula microincision surgical system at the Cole Eye Institute. All incisions were created in an oblique (aka beveled or angled) fashion. The incisions were imaged with the Visante OCT (Carl Zeiss Meditec, Dublin, California, USA) device on postoperative days 1 and 8. The main outcome measure was wound structure (eg, presence of gaping) as evaluated with OCT. Surgical and ocular parameters were also recorded. RESULTS: Fourteen patients were investigated. Gross clinical examination revealed no evidence of leakage. OCT demonstrated closed wounds in all eyes on postoperative days 1 and 8. The external (entry) site of the incision was occasionally seen as a gape; however the rest of the wound was closed. One patient with closed wounds had transient hypotony along with shallow peripheral choroidals noted on postoperative day 1, which resolved on their own. CONCLUSIONS: Oblique incisions have been proposed for microincision sutureless vitrectomy to prevent wound leakage, hypotony, and the secondary risk of endophthalmitis. This study demonstrates that oblique incisions provide adequate wound apposition as shown by OCT even on postoperative day 1.

Dynamic evaluation of sutureless vitrectomy wounds: an optical coherence tomography and histopathology study.

PURPOSE: To investigate the in vitro dynamic wound morphology of fresh 25- and 23-gauge sutureless sclerotomy wounds. DESIGN: Experimental study; laboratory investigation. PARTICIPANTS: Sixteen eyes of New Zealand white rabbits. METHODS: Eight cadaver heads were obtained, and the eyes were enucleated with their conjunctiva intact to simulate an intact globe. Four eyes were analyzed using 4 different wound types and cannula sizes: 25-gauge straight incision (group a); 25-gauge angled incision (group b); 23-gauge straight incision (group c); and 23-gauge angled incision (group d). Three incisions were created in each eye using either a 25- or 23-gauge trocar/cannula system. Intraocular pressure (IOP) was controlled with intraocular balanced salt solution infused through the infusion cannula. The incisions were imaged with a prototype, anterior segment spectral domain optical coherence tomography device under variable IOP to simulate successive blinks or rubbing of the eye and to evaluate the wounds in a dynamic state. Finally, India ink was applied to the surface of the eye under variable IOP to evaluate for wound leakage and potential ink ingress. The eyes were then analyzed by frozen section. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Wound gaping as evaluated with optical coherence tomography (OCT) and presence of India ink particles in incisions evaluated by histology. RESULTS: Gross examination revealed obvious leakage of intraocular fluid in groups A and C (straight incisions) under variable IOP, with some even developing conjunctival blebs. Groups B and D (angled incisions) demonstrated minimal to no clinical leakage. Spectral domain optical coherence tomography demonstrated open wounds in straight incisions under all IOP conditions, with a slightly larger open wound under high IOP. Angled incisions demonstrated less wound gap overall and better wound apposition under high IOP versus low IOP. Histologic examination revealed India ink particles in all straight incisions with penetration across the whole incision in some wounds, whereas no ink particles were observed in angled incisions. CONCLUSIONS: Angled incisions have been proposed for sutureless vitrectomy to prevent wound leakage, hypotony, and the secondary risk of endophthalmitis. This study demonstrates that angled incisions provide better wound apposition under dynamic IOP conditions immediately after formation that simulate real-world situations: blinking, squeezing, or even rubbing of the eye. FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE(S): Proprietary or commercial disclosure may be found after the references.

Lower eyelid position after transconjunctival lower blepharoplasty with versus without a skin pinch.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the effect of transconjunctival lower blepharoplasty with or without a skin pinch on lower eyelid position. METHODS: Retrospective analysis of patients undergoing bilateral lower blepharoplasty using a transconjunctival approach with or without a skin pinch. Patients undergoing other surgical procedures that could affect lower eyelid position were excluded. Twenty-five patients (50 eyes) underwent transconjunctival blepharoplasty without skin pinch and 20 patients (40 eyes) underwent transconjunctival blepharoplasty with a skin-pinch technique. Preoperative and postoperative photographs were measured for the horizontal corneal diameter and distance from light reflex to lower eyelid margin (MRD2). The ratio of MRD2 to corneal diameter was multiplied by 11 to standardize to a corneal diameter of 11 mm. Student t test was used for statistical analysis. RESULTS: There were 8 male and 37 female patients. Average follow-up was 4 months. Mean preoperative standardized MRD2 was 4.68 mm and 4.65 mm for transconjunctival blepharoplasty without and with skin pinch, respectively. Mean postoperative standardized MRD2 was 4.73 mm and 4.70 mm for transconjunctival blepharoplasty without and with skin pinch, respectively. The mean change in lower eyelid position was 0.05 mm after each technique. The change in lower eyelid position was not statistically significant for either group (p > 0.5). There was no significant difference in lower eyelid position change between the 2 groups (p > 0.99). CONCLUSIONS: Transconjunctival lower blepharoplasty with or without a skin pinch yields a stable postoperative lower eyelid position.

Malignant melanoma of the conjunctiva in children: a review of the international literature 1965-2006.

PURPOSE: Conjunctival melanoma is rare in children. This article presents a comprehensive review and discusses the clinical significance of the published cases of malignant melanoma of the conjunctiva in children younger than 15 years. MATERIALS AND METHODS: To obtain prior reports of conjunctival melanoma in children, a systematic search of the world literature was conducted. Additional studies were identified from the bibliographies of the retrieved articles, as well as from major ophthalmic textbooks. RESULTS: A review of the literature resulted in 28 reported cases of conjunctival melanoma in children younger than 15 years, and only 8 had adequate case details. CONCLUSION: Malignant melanoma of the conjunctiva is a rare condition in children. Limited knowledge for management and prognosis of this condition in children is largely due to its low occurrence.

Prevalence of optic nerve edema in patients on peripheral hemodialysis.

PURPOSE: Cerebral venous hypertension with optic nerve edema has been reported in patients with peripheral arteriovenous hemodialysis shunts. This study aimed to estimate the prevalence of optic nerve edema in patients with peripheral arteriovenous accesses and to evaluate the value of ophthalmic examination and surveillance in this study population. DESIGN: Cross-sectional observation case series. PARTICIPANTS: Forty-four patients with peripheral arteriovenous shunts for hemodialysis. METHODS: A cross-sectional observation was done of all patients with peripheral arteriovenous shunts presenting to our outpatient hemodialysis unit on 2 consecutive days. Using indirect ophthalmoscopy, the presence or absence of optic nerve edema was recorded. Patients also were asked to record any symptoms suggestive of intracranial hypertension and/or papilledema such as headache, decreased visual acuity, or an abnormal visual phenomenon. The 95% confidence interval (CI) was calculated to estimate the prevalence of optic nerve edema in patients with peripheral arteriovenous accesses. A literature search also was conducted to obtain prior reports of optic nerve edema and ophthalmic complications in patients with peripheral arteriovenous accesses. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Presence or absence of optic nerve edema. RESULTS: Among our series of 44 patients with peripheral arteriovenous shunts for hemodialysis, no case of optic nerve edema was observed and no patient reported any headache, decrease in vision, or visual phenomenon. The 95% CI for the estimated prevalence of optic nerve edema was 0% to 8.0%. A literature review revealed 7 reports of symptomatic ophthalmic complications in patients with peripheral arteriovenous accesses. CONCLUSIONS: Although cases of papilledema in patients with peripheral arteriovenous shunts have been reported in the literature, the occurrence appears to be low, and routine ophthalmic surveillance is probably unnecessary in asymptomatic patients.

Nonarteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy and 'visual field defects' following vitrectomy: could they be related?

BACKGROUND: Visual field defects after uncomplicated vitrectomy have been reported but poorly explained. We describe two cases of nonarteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION) observed following vitrectomy. We also reviewed the literature for cases of post-vitrectomy visual field defects for evidence of optic nerve damage. METHODS: Two patients developed optic disc edema and features of an optic neuropathy after uncomplicated vitrectomy for macular hole and epiretinal membrane. A systematic literature search was conducted to obtain prior reports of visual field defects or ischemic optic neuropathy following vitrectomy. Additional studies were identified from the bibliographies of the retrieved articles. RESULTS: The incidence of visual field defects following vitrectomy has varied from 1-71% across all studies. Overall, we found 160 (14.5%) cases of unexplained visual field defects following vitrectomy out of 1,104 patients. Of these, 31 eyes (19.4%) have shown some sign of optic nerve damage following vitrectomy, including pallor in 29 eyes, relative afferent pupillary defect in eight eyes, and intrapapillary hemorrhage in two eyes. CONCLUSIONS: NAION may develop following vitrectomy. "Visual field defects" following vitrectomy are common and many of the involved eyes demonstrate evidence of optic nerve damage, some of which may have represented NAION.

Ocular findings in IgA nephropathy with renal failure and hypertension.

A patient with IgA nephropathy developed cotton-wool spots and serous retinal detachments. Fluorescein angiography demonstrated choroidal infarcts in both eyes from hypertensive retinopathy in acute on chronic renal failure. Plasmapheresis and hemodialysis led to visual recovery. Acute ocular hypertensive changes from IgA nephropathy may be reversed by plasmapheresis and hemodialysis.

Plasma leptin levels in patients with floppy eyelid syndrome.

PURPOSE: To determine the range of plasma leptin levels in patients with floppy eyelid syndrome (FES). METHODS: This was a retrospective, noninterventional case series of 11 patients with FES. Charts were reviewed for patient age, sex, plasma leptin level, body mass index (BMI), presence or absence of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and diabetes mellitus, and any treatments for OSA. RESULTS: Charts of 11 patients were reviewed (10 male, 1 female). Plasma leptin levels were elevated in 7 of 11 patients (64%). Mean plasma leptin concentration was 49.5 ng/ml in male patients (range, 5 to 120 ng/ml) compared with a normal range of 1 to 35 ng/ml. Plasma leptin level in the female patient was 180 ng/ml (normal range, 4 to 72 ng/ml). Five patients had a known diagnosis of OSA. Four of these patients received continuous positive airway pressure during leptin level measurement. Plasma leptin levels averaged 110.0 ng/ml in the continuous positive airway pressure group. Average BMI was 37.4 kg/m (range, 24.9 to 57.1 kg/m). All patients with elevated leptin levels had a high BMI. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with FES demonstrate elevated plasma leptin levels, which correlate with BMI. Hyperleptinemia may play a role in the pathogenesis of FES.