The longitudinal follow-up of a newly proposed OCTA imaging finding (SSPiM) and the importance of it as a new biomarker for treatment response in diabetic macular edema.

PURPOSE: This study aimed to evaluate the frequency of SSPiM (suspended scattering particles in motion), systemic risk factors, ocular findings, progression characteristics, and treatment response in diabetic retinopathy (DR) patients. METHODS: In this prospective study, a total of 109 eyes of 109 patients with diabetic macular edema (DME) were included. Demographic characteristics and systemic data of the patients were recorded. In addition to a detailed ophthalmological examination, optical coherence tomography (OCT) and OCT angiography (OCTA) imaging were performed. According to the OCTA images, the patients were divided into two categories: SSPiM detected (SSPiM +) and undetected (SSPiM -). The patients were followed up at 0, 3, and 6 months. Treatment responses at 6 months in treatment-administered patients with and without SSPiM were examined. RESULTS: The frequency of SSPiM in DME cases was found to be 34.9%. No significant correlation was found between SSPiM and demographic characteristics, systemic, and biochemical parameters (p > 0.05). It was observed that SSPIM was most frequently localized in the outer nuclear layer adjacent to the outer plexiform (81.6%). SSPiM appearance disappeared in 7 (19.4%) of 36 patients with SSPiM who had regular follow-up for 6 months. In 4 (11.1%) of these seven patients, hard exudate plaques developed in the areas where SSPiM disappeared. Regarding treatment response at 6 months, the decrease in CMT was statistically significantly lower in the SSPiM group compared to cases without SSPiM. CONCLUSION: SSPiM is a finding seen in approximately one-third of DME patients and may adversely affect the response to the treatment.

Quantitative assessment of intervortex anastomosis in central serous chorioretinopathy and fellow eyes: Does the size of anastomotic vessels matter for the diagnosis?

PURPOSE: To evaluate the frequency and size of intervortex anastomosis at the posterior pole on en-face spectral domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) images in central serous chorioretinopathy (CSC) cases and their fellow eyes and its associations with choroidal morphology. METHODS: Sixty-five treatment-naive eyes of 65 patients with CSC, 65 fellow eyes, and 55 eyes of healthy age-matched participants were included. The presence of intervortex anastomosis at the watershed zone and asymmetry of the choroidal vessels between the superior and inferior macula were evaluated using 6 × 6 mm en-face SD-OCT. The diameter of the widest Haller vessel and the diameter of the widest anastomotic Haller vessel passing through the watershed zone were measured on en-face SD-OCT images. The choroidal vascularity index (CVI) was assessed using ImageJ software. RESULTS: Intervortex vein anastomosis on the horizontal watershed zone was detected in 75.4% diseased eyes, 61.5% in fellow eyes, and 36.4% in healthy age-matched controls (p < 0.001). The mean CVI was significantly higher in both diseased (74.3 ± 2.3%) and fellow (73.8 ± 2.2%) eyes of CSC cases than in healthy controls (72.5 ± 2.3%) (p = 0.002, p = 0.013, respectively). In the cases with intervortex vein anastomosis, the diameter of the widest anastomotic Haller vessel passing through the watershed zone was 0.40 ± 0.10 mm in diseased eyes, 0.35 ± 0.11 mm in fellow eyes, and 0.30 ± 0.09 mm in healthy age-matched controls (p = 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Intervortex anastomosis might be seen as a variation in normal eyes, however, its frequency and the size of anastomotic vessels are significant higher in not only CSC but also in fellow eyes.

Choroidal structural alterations in diabetic patients in association with disease duration, HbA1c level, and presence of retinopathy.

PURPOSE: To assess choroidal structural changes in diabetic patients in association with disease duration, HbA1c level, and presence of retinopathy. METHODS: This retrospective cross-sectional study included treatment-naive patients with non-proliferative DR (NPDR) (group 1), diabetic patients without DR (group 2), and healthy subjects (group 3). Patients were also grouped according to the duration of diabetes: long-term group (> 15 years, n = 32) and short-term group (˂ 15 years, n = 28). The choroidal thickness was measured at three points; subfoveal, 1500 µm nasal, and 1500 µm temporal to the fovea. The choroidal area, stromal area, luminal area (LA), and choroidal vascularity index (CVI) were quantified using ImageJ. Partial correlation analysis and one-way analysis of covariance test were performed for statistical analysis. RESULTS: The study included 30 eyes of 30 treatment-naive patients with NPDR (group 1), 30 eyes of 30 diabetic patients without DR (group 2), and 30 eyes of 30 healthy persons (group 3). The mean subfoveal, nasal, and temporal choroidal thicknesses were decreased in group 1 in comparison with controls (p < 0.001, p = 0.035, and p = 0.005, respectively). The mean LA in group 1 and group 2 were both significantly lower compared to group 3 (group 1 vs. group 3, p = 0.004; group 2 vs. group 3, p = 0.020). CVI was significantly lower in group 1 and group 2 than in controls (group 1 vs. group 3, p = 0.019; group 2 vs. group 3, p = 0.025). CVI was significantly lower in the long-duration group than in the short-duration group (p < 0.001). A moderate negative correlation was found between the duration of diabetes and CVI (r = - 0.467, p < 0.001). A moderate negative correlation was found between HbA1c level and luminal area and CVI (r = - 0.466, p < 0.001, and r = - 0.425, p < 0.001, respectively). CONCLUSION: Choroidal structure and CVI are altered even in the absence of clinically confirmed retinopathy and these alterations are related to the duration of diabetes.

A comparative study of the choroidal vascularity indexes in the fellow eyes of patients with pachychoroid neovasculopathy and central serous chorioretinopathy by binarization method.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the choroidal vascularity index (CVI) in the fellow eyes of patients with pachychoroid neovasculopathy (PCN) and central serous chorioretinopathy (CSC). METHODS: Fifty-eight asymptomatic fellow eyes from 58 patients diagnosed with PCN or CSC and 26 eyes from 26 healthy participants were included. The total choroidal area (CA), luminal area (LA), and stromal area (SA) were measured with ImageJ software and Niblack threshold method. The CVI, which was the proportion of the LA to the CA, was assessed. RESULTS: The CA, LA, and SA were widest in the fellow eyes of the CSC group. The differences between the fellow eyes of the CSC group and the control group and the differences between the fellow eyes of the PCN group and the CSC group were significant (p < 0.001). The CVI of the fellow eyes of the CSC group was significantly higher than the control group (74.93 ± 3.58 vs. 73.38 ± 3.09, p = 0.023). CONCLUSION: The differences in the CA, LA, and SA in particular pachychoroid diseases were evident in the asymptomatic fellow eyes. Pachychoroid diseases are characterized by thick choroid or vessels as a common feature, but they may have different structural choroidal features, which might result in different consequences.

Vascular and structural alterations of the choroid evaluated by optical coherence tomography angiography and optical coherence tomography after half-fluence photodynamic therapy in chronic central serous chorioretinopathy.

PURPOSE: To concurrently evaluate the effect of half-fluence photodynamic therapy (hf PDT) on choriocapillaris (CC) perfusion and choroidal structure in chronic central serous chorioretinopathy (CSC). METHODS: This prospective study included 48 eyes of 41 patients with chronic CSC. Enhanced depth imaging optical coherence tomography and optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) images were analyzed. Choroidal area (CA), luminal area (LA), and stromal area (SA) were computed using Image J software. RESULTS: One month after hf-PDT, total CA decreased to 1.312 mm2 from 1.490 mm2 (p < 0.001), LA decreased to 0.981 mm2 from 1.097 mm2 (p < 0.001), and SA decreased to 0.331 mm2 from 0.393 mm2 (p < 0.001). In OCTA, the CC flow in the eyes with CSC (17.75 mm2) was statistically significantly lower than the fellow eyes (18.93 mm2) at the baseline visit (p < 0.001). After hf-PDT, the flow in the choriocapillaris statistically significantly increased to 18.81 mm2 at the first month (p = 0.02). CONCLUSIONS: OCTA proves that after hf-PDT a significant increase in CC perfusion occurred at first month. The decrease of the luminal areas in enhanced depth imaging optical coherence tomography is mainly due to a decrease in large-caliber vessels, which indicates that hf-PDT has an effect on larger choroidal vessels and spares CC flow.

The Recovery of Microvascular Status Evaluated by Optical Coherence Tomography Angiography in Patients after Successful Macular Hole Surgery.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) features of patients who underwent successful macular hole (MH) surgery. METHODS: Nineteen patients who underwent surgery in a single eye due to MH and 13 healthy subjects as a control group were included in the study. Vascular densities, flow indexes, and the foveal avascular zone (FAZ) area in superficial and deep retinal capillary plexuses were evaluated by OCTA in the right eyes of the control group, and both the surgical and healthy fellow eyes of the patients. RESULTS: The mean vascular densities of the superficial and deep capillary plexuses were significantly lower in the surgical eyes than in the control group (44.1 vs. 49.6%, p = 0.002, and 47.3 vs. 59.1%, p = 0.009, respectively). The mean superficial and deep capillary flow indexes were significantly lower in the surgical eyes than in the control group (0.85 vs. 1.35, p = 0.003, and 0.57 vs. 1.45, p = 0.001, respectively), while the mean superficial and deep FAZ area were significantly greater in the surgical eyes in comparison to the control group (0.55 vs. 0.32, p < 0.001, and 0.64 vs. 0.37, p = 0.001, respectively). There was no difference between the flow indexes of both layers of the healthy fellow eyes and the control group. CONCLUSIONS: These preliminary results may be an explanation for unsatisfactory visual gain after surgery, despite the successful anatomical closure of the MH.

The use of optical coherence tomography angiography in pachychoroid spectrum diseases: a concurrent comparison with dye angiography.

PURPOSE: The study objective was to compare dye angiography and optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) in detecting choroidal neovascuarization (CNV) in patients presenting with pachychoroid features and flat irregular pigment epithelial detachment (PED). METHODS: Nineteen eyes of 17 patients, presenting with flat PED and pachychoroid features, and without age-related macular degeneration or any other degenerative change, were analyzed. Fuorescein angiography (FA)/Indocyanine green angiography (ICGA) and OCTA were performed during the same visit. Subfoveal choroidal thickness was measured by enhanced depth imaging using spectral domain optical coherence tomography. RESULTS: The mean age of the patients was 59.1 years. Mean subfoveal choroidal thickness was 388 µm. FA revealed non-patognomic features including RPE alterations, window defects, leaking points and leakage from an undetermined source. ICGA revealed choroidal vascular plaque in eight eyes (42%) and suspicious plaque in five eyes (26%). Nonneovascular features, such as hyperpermeability or dilated choroidal vessels, were observed in six eyes (32%). OCTA showed choroidal neovascularization in 14 (74%). For all of the eyes, which ICGA was positive for presence of CNV, OCTA also showed CNV, and in one case it also revealed polypoidal characteristics of the neovascular network. OCTA was also able to detect CNV in all of the eyes with suspicious plaque, and in one eye without CNV appearance using ICGA. CONCLUSIONS: OCTA demonstrated greater sensitivity in detecting type 1 CNV than conventional dye angiography in cases with pachychoroid spectrum disease.

The Use of Bandage Contact Lenses in Adenoviral Keratoconjunctivitis.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the safety and efficacy of the use of the bandage contact lenses (BCLs) in adenoviral keratoconjunctivitis-related ocular surface problems. METHODS: Fifteen eyes of 15 consecutive patients presenting at the Ankara University Medical Center, Cornea and Contact Lens Service, and requiring BCL use for adenoviral keratoconjunctivitis-related ocular surface problems were enrolled. Visual acuity, slitlamp examination findings, indication and duration of the BCL use, the total follow-up, and any adjuvant medication were recorded. All patients were followed regarding the success of treatment and adverse effects associated with BCL use. RESULTS: The average age at the time of presentation was 26.8±15.5 years. The major reasons for BCL use included epithelial defect (7 eyes), filamentous keratopathy (5 eyes), epithelial edema (1 eyes), and filamentous keratopathy together with epithelial defect (2 eyes). After the first appearance of conjunctivitis symptoms, the mean time to BCL application was 9.0±3.9 days. The mean duration of contact lens wear was 9.9±6.5 days, and the mean follow-up was 26.4±15.8 days. Preservative-free artificial tears and topical antibiotics were used in all cases. Besides, topical ganciclovir 0.15% gel (8 eyes), topical 0.4% povidone-iodine solution (9 eyes), and topical steroids (11 eyes) were used in various combinations. At the end of the follow-up period, the mean visual acuity improved from 0.23±0.32 logMAR units (∼0.6 Snellen line) to 0.0l±0.04 logMAR units (∼1.0 Snellen line) (P=0.042). No sight-threatening complication related to contact lens wear was encountered. CONCLUSION: Adjuvant use of BCLs seems to be safe and effective in the treatment of adenoviral keratoconjunctivitis-related ocular surface problems. Close follow-up and prophylactic use of topical antibiotics are rationalistic for prevention of secondary infections.

Intraocular pressure changes related to intravitreal injections of ranibizumab: analysis of pseudophakia and glaucoma subgroup.

The purpose of this study was to determine intraocular pressure (IOP) changes following intravitreal ranibizumab injections and to investigate the effect of pre-existing glaucoma and pseudophakia. Two hundred and two eyes of 175 patients who received repeated intravitreal ranibizumab injections were included in this study. IOP measurements were obtained at both 30 min and 24 h after each injection. IOP changes after the first, third, sixth, ninth, and twelfth injections were analyzed. Data gotten from subgroups with pre-existing glaucoma and pseudophakia were also analyzed. The mean number of injections was 4.81 ± 2.7 (range: 3-18), while the mean IOP prior to the first intravitreal ranibizumab injection was 15.11 ± 2.8 (9-25) mmHg. At the last visit, IOP was 14.66 ± 2.8 (9-22) mmHg. There was no cumulative increase in IOP at either 30 min or 24 h values throughout repeated injections. Pseudophakic patients had significantly lower mean IOP values at 30 min after all injections except for twelfth. The number of eyes with an IOP higher than 21 mm Hg and the mean IOP values were significantly higher in patients with pre-existing glaucoma at 30 min after the first and third injections. Pseudophakic eyes are less prone to immediate IOP spikes than phakic eyes. Pre-existing glaucoma may be a potential risk factor for uncontrolled IOP spikes immediately after intravitreal injection; nonetheless, this effect is usually transient and does not cause long-term problems. Also, ranibizumab injections can be administered safely under close monitoring.

Qualitative and quantitative comparisons of type 1 macular neovascularizations between pachychoroid neovasculopathy and neovascular age-related macular degeneration using optical coherence tomography angiography.

OBJECTIVES: To compare qualitative and quantitative features of type 1 macular neovascularizations (MNV) in pachychoroid neovasculopathy (PNV) and neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD). METHODS: Forty-three treatment-naive eyes of 41 PNV patients and 40 treatment-naive eyes of 38 patients with nAMD were included. The patients were classified as PNV or nAMD according to the presence of pachychoroid features and soft/reticular drusen. Presence of central trunk and maturity of the MNV were evaluated on optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) images. MNV area, vessel density (VD), total vessel length (VL), number of intersection points (IPs), fractal dimension (FD), and lacunarity (LAC) were calculated using ImageJ software and FracLac plugin. RESULTS: The mean age was 56.8 ± 8.7 years in PNV and 70.4 ± 8.8 years in neovascular AMD groups (p < 0.001). Compared to nAMD, the presence of central trunk was less frequent in PNV (48.8% vs 77.5%, p = 0.007). Immature MNV pattern was observed more frequently in PNV eyes than nAMD (41.9% vs 20.0%, p = 0.009). PNV cases had significantly lower median MNV area [0.913(1.115) vs 2.542(3.273) mm²], total VL [14.84 (20.46) vs 36.34 (44.68) mm], number of IPs [104(140) vs 335(417.3)], and FD [1.56(0.10) vs 1.59(0.11)] comparing to nAMD cases (p < 0.001, p = 0.001, p < 0.001, p = 0.043 respectively). However, the mean VD (42.4 ± 6.8 vs 42.9 ± 9.0%) and the median LAC values [0.42 (0.09) vs 0.42 (0.09)] did not differ significantly between groups (p = 0.776, p = 0.526, respectively). CONCLUSION: Morphological and quantitative differences exist in type 1 neovascular lesions. Type 1 MNVs in the PNV group are characterized by a smaller and less complex structure.

Safety, Tolerability, and Short-Term Efficacy of Low-Level Light Therapy for Dry Age-Related Macular Degeneration.

INTRODUCTION: Photobiomodulation (PBM) has become a promising approach for slowing the progression of early and intermediate dry age-related macular degeneration (dAMD) to advanced AMD. This technique uses light to penetrate tissues and activate molecules that influence biochemical reactions and cellular metabolism. This preliminary analysis is aimed at assessing the safety, tolerability, and short-term effectiveness of the EYE-LIGHT®PBM treatment device in patients with dAMD. METHODS: The EYE-LIGHT® device employs two wavelengths, 590 nm (yellow) and 630 nm (red), in both continuous and pulsed modes. Patients over 50 years of age with a diagnosis of dAMD in any AREDS (Age-Related Eye Disease Study) category were randomly assigned to either the treatment group or the sham group. The treatment plan consisted of an initial cycle of two sessions per week for 4 weeks. Safety, tolerability, and compliance outcomes, along with functional and anatomical outcomes, were assessed at the end of the fourth month. RESULTS: This preliminary analysis included data from 76 patients (152 eyes). All patients were fully compliant with treatment sessions, and only one fifth of patients treated with PBM reported mild ocular adverse events, highlighting exceptional results in terms of tolerability and adherence. Changes in best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) from baseline to month 4 differed significantly between the sham and PBM-treated groups, favoring the latter, with a higher proportion achieving a gain of five or more letters post-treatment (8.9% vs. 20.3%, respectively; p = 0.043). No significant differences in central subfield thickness (CST) were observed between the two groups over the 4-month period. The study also found a statistically significant disparity in mean drusen volume changes from baseline to month 4 between the groups in favor of patients treated with PBM (p = 0.013). CONCLUSION: These preliminary results indicate that PBM treatment using the EYE-LIGHT® system is safe and well tolerated among patients with dAMD. Furthermore, both functional and anatomical data support the treatment's short-term efficacy. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov identifier NCT06046118.

Clinical Use of Optical Coherence Tomography Angiography in Retinal Diseases.

The advent of optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) is one of the cornerstones of fundus imaging. Essentially, its mechanism depends on the visualization of blood vessels by using the flow of erythrocytes as an intrinsic contrast agent. Although it has only recently come into clinical use, OCTA has become a non-invasive diagnostic tool for the diagnosis and follow-up of many retinal diseases, and the integration of OCTA in multimodal imaging has provided a better understanding of many retinal disorders. Here, we provide a detailed overview of the current applications of OCTA technology in the diagnosis and follow-up of various retinal disorders.

An Atypical Case of Exogeneous Endophthalmitis after Intravitreal Injection Presenting with Roth Spots.

PURPOSE: To report an atypical case of exogeneous endophthalmitis presenting with Roth spots. CASE: A 67-year-old man presented with decreased vision, mild pain, and discomfort in his left eye 12 days after an intravitreal aflibercept injection. Best-corrected visual acuity was 20/200, and there were +3 anterior chamber cells. On fundus examination, multiple intraretinal hemorrhages with a central white core resembling a Roth spot were observed. Intravitreal antibiotic injections were performed, and a vitreous sample was taken. Although post-intravitreal injection history was available, full systemic screening was planned to rule out endogenous endophthalmitis because of the presence of these Roth spots. Vitrectomy was performed and methicillin-sensitive coagulase-negative Staphylococcus was detected on culture. CONCLUSION: Although the presence of Roth spots is an unexpected finding in post-injection endophthalmitis, it was nevertheless demonstrated in our case. For this reason, it should be kept in mind that Roth spots can be encountered in bacterial endophthalmitis.

Choroidal structural features of acquired vitelliform lesions in non-exudative age-related macular degeneration.

PURPOSE: To define the choroidal morphological characteristics of non-exudative age-related macular degeneration (AMD) cases associated with acquired vitelliform lesions (AVLs). METHODS: This retrospective study included intermediate AMD patients with AVLs (Group1, 21eyes) and without AVLs (Group2, 21eyes). A healthy control group was (Group3, 23eyes) also included. Subfoveal choroidal thickness (SFCT), greatest basal diameter (GBD), and maximum height (MH) of the largest PED were measured on spectral domain optical coherence tomography. Internal reflectivity of PEDs and total choroidal area (TCA) were measured using ImageJ software. The TCA was binarized to the luminal area (LA) and stromal area. The choroidal vascularity index (CVI) was assessed. RESULTS: The mean SFCT, TCA, and LA were higher in Group 1 (290.3 ± 86.8 µm, 0.840 ± 0.302 mm2, 0.602 ± 0.227 mm2) than in Group 2 (215.6 ± 85.0 µm, 0.594 ± 0.183 mm2, 0.429 ± 0.139 mm2) (p = 0.014, p = 0.017, p = 0.020, respectively). There was no significant difference in the CVI measurements between Group 1 and Group 2 (p = 1.000). The mean GBD and MH of the PED was higher in Group 1 (1443 ± 595 µm, 188 ± 86 µm) than in Group 2 (851 ± 368 µm, 119 ± 38 µm) (p = <0.001, p = 0.001, respectively). Internal PED reflectivity was significantly lower in Group 1 (0.44 ± 0.21) than in Group 2 (0.66 ± 0.17) (p = <0.001). Internal PED reflectivity showed negative correlation with GBD and MH of the PED in Group 1 (r = -0.587, p = 0.005; rho = -0.448, p = 0.042, respectively). In Group 2, internal PED reflectivity had a negative correlation with MH of the PED (rho = -0.511, p = 0.018). CONCLUSION: Non-exudative AMD patients with AVLs are more prone to have a thick choroid and large hyporeflective PEDs as compared to the those without AVLs.

Seroreactivity against retinal proteins in a case of POC1B gene associated cone dystrophy with normal funduscopic appearance: a systematic approach to diagnosis.

PURPOSE: To report a case of cone dystrophy, associated with autosomal recessive homozygote POC1B gene variant, mimicking autoimmune retinopathy. CASE: A 45-year-old female presented with a complaint of decreased vision in both eyes. Her best corrected visual acuity was 20/32 in the right eye and 20/50 in the left eye. Anterior segment and dilated fundus examinations were unremarkable. Spectral domain optical coherence tomography showed a subfoveal blurred dome-shaped ellipsoid zone and an extinguished interdigitation zone affecting the entire macula. Full field electroretinography revealed reduced cone responses. The differential diagnosis included inflammatory chorioretinopathies, autoimmune retinopathies (paraneoplastic or nonparaneoplastic), and hereditary retinal dystrophies. No remarkable finding was observed on combined fluorescein and indocyanine green angiographies. Paraneoplastic autoimmune antibody panel revealed nothing; however, aldolase, enolase, pyruvate kinase M2, and glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase antibodies were positive on autoimmune retinopathy panel. To exclude hereditary retinal dystrophies, whole-exome sequencing (WES) was applied. WES identified an autosomal recessive homozygote POC1B gene variant (c.680A>G, p.His227Arg). Cone dystrophy diagnosis was given. CONCLUSION: Cone dystrophy associated with POC1B gene variant may present without visible fundus abnormalities. It should be kept in mind that retinal autoantibodies may be positive in such a hereditary dystrophy case due to long-term exposure of the immune system to self-antigens. Therefore, autoimmune retinopathy is a diagnosis of exclusion and should not be diagnosed until all other causes, including hereditary dystrophies, have been ruled out.

Retinal Vascular Tortuosity Index Change after Idiopathic Epiretinal Membrane Surgery: Does Internal Limiting Membrane Peeling Affect Retinal Vascular Tortuosity?

BACKGROUND: Idiopathic epiretinal membrane (iERM) surgery is one of the most commonly performed vitreoretinal surgeries, and the issue of internal limiting membrane (ILM) peeling in ERM surgery is still controversial. The aims of this study are to evaluate the changes in retinal vascular tortuosity index (RVTI) after pars plana vitrectomy for the iERM using optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) and to assess whether ILM peeling has an additional effect on RVTI reduction. METHODS: This study included25 eyes of 25 iERM patients who underwent ERM surgery. The ERM was removed without ILM peeling in 10 eyes (40.0%), and the ILM was peeled in addition to the ERM in 15 eyes (60.0%). The existence of the ILM after ERM peeling was checked with second staining in all eyes. Best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and 6 × 6 mm en-face OCTA images were recorded before surgery and at the first month postoperatively. A skeleton model of the retinal vascular structure was created following Otsu binarization of en-face OCTA images using ImageJ software (1.52U). RVTI was calculated as the ratio of each vessel length to its Euclidean distance on the skeleton model using the Analyze Skeleton plug-in. RESULTS: The mean RVTI declined from 1.220 ± 0.017 to 1.201 ± 0.020 (p = 0.036) in eyes with ILM peeling and from 1.230 ± 0.038 to 1.195 ± 0.024 in eyes without ILM peeling (p = 0.037). There was no difference between the groups in terms of postoperative RVTI (p = 0.494). A statistically significant correlation was found between postoperative RVTI and postoperative BCVA (rho = 0.408, p = 0.043). CONCLUSIONS: The RVTI is an indirect indicator of the traction created by the iERM on retinal microvascular structures, and it was effectively reduced after iERM surgery. The postoperative RVTIs were similar in cases who underwent iERM surgery with or without ILM peeling. Therefore, ILM peeling may not have an additive effect on the loosening of microvascular traction and thus may be reserved for recurrent ERM surgeries.

International Olympic Committee (IOC) consensus paper on sports-related ophthalmology issues in elite sports.

Vision plays an important role in an athletes' success. In sports, nearly 80% of perceptual input is visual, and eye health and sports medicine are closely intertwined fields of utmost importance to athletes. The physical nature of sports activities renders individuals more prone to various eye injuries than the general population. Ocular trauma can lead to lifelong sequelae, and impaired vision requires careful follow-up and management. Apart from injuries, athletes may also experience vision problems that can hamper their performance, including blurred vision, double vision, and light sensitivity. The interdisciplinary nature of sports medicine necessitates collaboration between sports medicine professionals and ophthalmologists. Through such collaborations, athletes can receive appropriate eye care, education on proper eye protection and guidance on adopting good eye health practices. If any inconspicuous symptoms are not detected and treated promptly, athletes may acquire systemic injuries because of defective vision, preventing them from achieving high level athletic performance in competitions. The protection of the elite athlete is the responsibility of all of us in sports medicine. To advance a more unified, evidence-informed approach to ophthalmic health assessment and management in athletes and as relevant for sports medicine physicians, the International Olympic Committee Consensus Group aims for a critical evaluation of the current state of the science and practice of ophthalmologic issues and illness in high-level sports, and present recommendations for a unified approach to this important issue.

Expert recommendations for the management of diabetic macular edema with intravitreal dexamethasone implant: A Turkish Delphi study.

PURPOSE: To provide consensus on the clinical use of intravitreal dexamethasone (DEX) implant for the treatment of diabetic macular edema (DME) in Turkey. METHODS: A panel of 22 retina experts prepared 77 statements of recommendation, and 80 retinal specialists practicing in Turkey were chosen to vote either in support or against each one. A Delphi-based method was used through which the ophthalmologists were able to view all of the results anonymously after two rounds and modify their subsequent answers. The survey was conducted via a mini website, and statements without consensus were resent to the specialists with the latest vote results a week later. RESULTS: A total of 72 ophthalmologists answered the first and second round questions. After the first stage, consensus was achieved on 55 of the statements, leaving 22 without agreement. After the second stage, consensus was reached on 11 of the remaining statements. Strong consensus was achieved on statements regarding the etiopathogenesis of DME and the first-line indications and safety of the DEX implant procedure. The panel recommended the use of DEX implant for patients with an arterial thromboembolic event in the last three months and also agreed that pro re nata DEX implant treatment not only provides better outcomes for DME patients but also reduces the treatment burden for those who could not receive an adequate number of anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) injections. CONCLUSION: This study provides clinical consensus and recommendations about the use of DEX implant in the clinical practice of DME management in Turkey.

A Comparative Study of Short-Term Vascular and Stromal Alterations of the Choroid Following Half-Fluence Photodynamic Therapy in Pachychoroid Neovasculopathy and Chronic Central Serous Chorioretinopathy.

Background: Central serous chorioretinopathy (CSCR) and pachychoroid neovasculopathy (PNV) are among the pachychoroid spectrum diseases (PSDs). Half-fluence photodynamic therapy (hf-PDT) is one of the effective treatment methods for both diseases. The aim of this study was to compare the effect of hf-PDT on the choroidal structure in CSCR and PNV. Methods: This study included 35 patients with chronic CSCR and 18 patients with PNV. The hf-PDT protocol was applied to all eyes. Before and 3 months after hf-PDT, enhanced-depth optical coherence tomography images were analyzed. The total choroidal area (CA), luminal area (LA), and stromal area (SA) were measured using ImageJ software. Results: Compared with baseline values, 3 months after hf-PDT, the mean CA reduced from 1.398 to 1.197 mm2 (p < 0.001) in the CSCR group and the total CA reduced from 1.050 to 1.000 mm2 (p < 0.021) in the PNV group. The mean percentage changes in CA, LA, and SA values were statistically higher in the chronic CSCR group (13.86%, 13.53%, and 14.11%, respectively) than those in the PNV group (4.61%, 4.02%, and 5.74%; p = 0.001, p = 0.002, and p = 0.031, respectively). Conclusion: CSCR and PNV are thought to be PSDs. However, they differ in choroidal morphological response after hf-PDT, which might be a result of the different structural components of the PNV lesions.