Endogenous Fusarium Endophthalmitis after Bone Marrow Transplant: A Case Report and Literature Review.

PURPOSE: We aim to present a case of disseminated fusariosis that occurred in the setting of immunosuppression and presented with bilateral endogenous endophthalmitis, along with a literature review of Fusarium endophthalmitis, highlighting management strategies. OBSERVATION: A 70-year-old male with acute myeloid leukemia who had recently undergone a bone marrow transplant noted bilateral floaters and decreased vision. He was found to have bilateral Fusarium endophthalmitis, with subsequent evidence of fungemia and fusariosis in his skin and joints. Despite aggressive local and systemic treatment, he succumbed to the disease. Endophthalmitis was initially stabilized with pars plana vitrectomy and intravitreal amphotericin and voriconazole until the patient transitioned to comfort measures. A review of 31 cases demonstrates that outcomes are poor and that the disease must be treated aggressively, often both systemically and surgically. CONCLUSION: This case highlights the recalcitrance of Fusarium bacteremia and Fusarium endophthalmitis.

Emerging Oral Pharmaceuticals for Dry Age-Related Macular Degeneration: Mechanism of Action, Current Clinical Status, and Future Directions.

Dry age-related macular degeneration (AMD) has been historically managed with lifestyle modifications, monitoring for conversion to wet AMD, and vitamins. Recently there has been a flurry of research focused on discovering new targets to prevent worsening of dry AMD. In 2023, the US Food and Drug Administration approved the first two intravitreal complement inhibitors to slow the rate of geographic atrophy progression. However, serial intravitreal injections for a chronic progressive disease are burdensome for patients and have procedural risks. Therefore, there is significant research to discover novel oral medications to manage dry AMD. Several oral medications are currently in phase 2 and 3 clinical trials for dry AMD, whereas others have had recent readouts on their clinical trials and efficacy. The purpose of this review is to describe the therapeutic pathways currently being investigated and to provide an update on the clinical status of novel oral medications for the management of dry AMD. [Ophthalmic Surg Lasers Imaging Retina 2024;55:528-534.].

In-Office Vitreous Biopsy With a Vitreous Cutter and Manual Actuation.

In-office vitreous biopsy is currently performed with a 25-gauge needle or less frequently with a specialized in-office surgical system. This article demonstrates in-office vitreous biopsy with a standard vitreous cutter, using syringes to actuate the cutter. A 79-year-old woman presented six days after intravitreal bevacizumab with endophthalmitis. After subconjunctival anesthesia, a valved 27-gauge trocar was inserted through the pars plana. Two syringes were connected to a pneumatic 27-gauge Alcon vitrectomy handpiece and manually actuated by an assistant while the physician aspirated with a third syringe to obtain the vitreous biopsy. Intravitreal vancomycin and ceftazidime were injected. A total of 0.5 cc of fluid was collected without complications. Manual actuated vitrectomy reliably collects sufficient vitreous samples for diagnostic evaluation and may be safer and more effective than needle biopsy. [Ophthalmic Surg Lasers Imaging Retina 2024;55:116-118.].

Rapid Improvement in Lipid Maculopathy Following Faricimab Therapy in Recalcitrant Familial Exudative Vitreoretinopathy.

A monocular 22-year-old man with recalcitrant familial exudative vitreoretinopathy presented with progressive subretinal lipid exudation and lipid maculopathy that responded poorly to repeated aflibercept injections. The subretinal exudation started temporally and gradually progressed, involving the macula and the retinal periphery in all 4 quadrants. At the 22-month follow-up visit, macular and peripheral subretinal exudation persisted despite a total of 29 injections. Faricimab was then injected once every 2 weeks for a total of 3 injections, which resulted in rapid dramatic resolution of the macular and most of the peripheral subretinal exudation. No ocular or systemic adverse events were noted. [Ophthalmic Surg Lasers Imaging Retina 2023;54:426-428.].

Novel oral medications for retinal disease: an update on clinical development.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Intravitreal and periocular injections for retinal disease provide a targeted delivery of medication to the eye. However, given risks of injections, including endophthalmitis, pain and treatment burden for both patients and retina specialists, there has been significant interest and effort in developing oral medications for the management of retinal disease. This article provides clinical and preclinical details of new oral medications in the pipeline for management of retinal disease. RECENT FINDINGS: Several new oral medications show clinical and preclinical promise for the management of retinal disease, including macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy and Stargardt disease. SUMMARY: Oral medications provide promise for treating retinal disease, possibly increasing compliance, and reducing side effects of intravitreal or periocular injections. However, difficulties in this approach include systemic side effects and efficacy targeting the eye. There are multiple medications that are currently under investigation with the potential to act as stand-alone treatment or as an adjunct treatment for management of retinal diseases such as diabetic retinopathy, macular degeneration and Stargardt disease.

Metastatic neuroendocrine tumors mimicking as primary ocular disease.

PURPOSE: To report two cases of metastatic neuroendocrine tumors masquerading as primary ocular disease. OBSERVATIONS: Case 1 is a 38-year-old man who was referred with subacute onset diplopia and fluctuating ptosis suggestive of myasthenia gravis. Case 2 is a 21-year-old man who presented with blurry vision and was found to have a pigmented ciliary body mass and retinal detachment suggestive of uveal melanoma. Both patients were ultimately diagnosed with metastatic neuroendocrine tumors. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPORTANCE: Neuroendocrine tumors, though rare and infrequently metastatic to the eye and orbit, can initially present with ocular signs. A broad differential and careful consideration of ocular and systemic symptoms are critical in such challenging cases.

Ischemic index and distribution of retinal capillary non-perfusion in neovascular glaucoma.

INTRODUCTION: Neovascular Glaucoma (NVG) is a condition normally caused by hypoxic posterior ocular disease, which produces angiogenic factors such as vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) that stimulate new vessel proliferation of the anterior segment and angle, eventually leading to angle closure, reduced outflow of aqueous humor and increased intraocular pressure. Without treatment elevated intraocular pressure can rapidly progress to loss of vision. Treatment includes addressing the intraocular pressure and reducing the ischemic drive with panretinal photocoagulation (PRP) of the ischemic retina. Recent imaging advancements allow for ultra-widefield fluorescein angiography (UWFA) which expand the amount of peripheral retina that can be evaluated for non-perfusion. Here we aim to study patterns of non-perfusion in NVG using a group of PRP naïve patients with recent onset NVG. METHODS: This study is a retrospective single-center cross-sectional study of patients seen at LAC + USC Medical Center from January 2015 to April 2020 with new onset NVG, without PRP and with UWFA completed. The percentage of ischemic index of the retina was calculated from the UWFA and evaluated in three distinct zones centered on the fovea: the posterior pole, the mid periphery, and far periphery. To increase sample size, a confirmatory group was included, with PRP allowed prior to UWFA but not before diagnosis. In addition, the time between diagnosis and UWFA was increased to 6 months. RESULTS: A total of 11 eyes met inclusion criteria for the primary group. Ischemic index was found to be 91% in the far periphery, 77% in the mid periphery, and 42% at the posterior pole. The total average ischemic index was 76%. There was a statistically significant difference between the far periphery and posterior pole and mid periphery and posterior pole. A total of 24 eyes met criteria for the confirmatory group. Ischemic index for the confirmatory group was found to be 93% in the far periphery, 75% in the mid periphery, and 35% at the posterior pole. There was a statistically significant difference between the far periphery, posterior pole and mid-periphery. CONCLUSION: This knowledge can be used to further guide treatment and understand risk for NVG.

Anterior Segment Optical Coherence Tomography: Applications for Clinical Care and Scientific Research.

Anterior segment optical coherence tomography (AS-OCT) is a non-contact imaging technique that produces high-resolution images and quantitative measurements of the anterior segment and its anatomical structures. There has been rapid development of OCT technology over the past 2 decades, with the transition from time-domain to Fourier-domain OCT devices. By integrating these advancements in OCT technology, AS-OCT devices have evolved into versatile clinical and research tools for studies of the anterior segment and ocular surface. The primary purpose of this article was to review OCT technology and AS-OCT devices as well as applications of AS-OCT for clinical practice and scientific research. We first describe the different types of OCT technology, how they have been adapted for AS-OCT imaging, and differences between various AS-OCT devices. We then review the applications of AS-OCT for characterizing the anatomical structures of the anterior segment and aqueous outflow pathways, including the anterior chamber angle, trabecular meshwork, and Schlemm canal. We also describe glaucoma-related applications of AS-OCT imaging, which include evaluating patients for static and dynamic biometric risk factors of primary angle closure disease and assessing the efficacy of glaucoma interventions, such as laser peripheral iridotomy and glaucoma surgery. Finally, we review other clinical applications of AS-OCT imaging for detection and management of diseases of the ocular surface, cornea, and lens.

A new dual port cutter system for vitrectomy surgery.

PURPOSE: To evaluate and compare the performance of several designs of 20-gauge dual port (DP) vitreous cutter tips with a standard 20-gauge single port tip. METHODS: Custom 20-gauge pneumatic vitreous DP cutter tips with different sizes and port positions were evaluated through porcine vitreous and water flow rates. Five designed and fabricated DP cutter tips were compared with a normal single port control tip and evaluated by the measurement of water and porcine vitreous flow rates, and surgical examination in enucleated porcine eyes. RESULTS: Some DP tips approached a maximum vitreous and water flow rates, removing water and vitreous faster than the normal control tip. With reference to surgical evaluation, some DP tips performed better than the single port tip for bulk vitrectomy, but none shaved the vitreous base more effectively. CONCLUSION: The DP cutter system has the potential to increase the flow rates depending on the size and position of the extra port. In the future, the DP cutter may allow the surgeon to perform bulk vitrectomy more efficiently.

Port geometry and its influence on vitrectomy.

PURPOSE: To determine the influence of port geometry on water and vitreous flow rates and test novel vitreous cutter tips in specific surgical situations. METHODS: Custom 20-gauge and 25-gauge vitreous cutter tips with different sized ports were evaluated through porcine vitreous and water flow rates. Five cutter tips were designed and fabricated for specific surgical functionalities. Tips were compared with a normal control tip and evaluated by water and porcine vitreous flow rates, vacuum level required to cut porcine retina, time required to cut and aspirate a porcine lens, and surgical evaluation in enucleated porcine eyes. RESULTS: Both vitreous and water flow asymptotically approached a maximum flow as the port diameter increased. Some tips removed water faster than the normal control tip, but none removed vitreous or lens faster. Several tips required higher vacuum levels to cut retina than the normal tip. CONCLUSIONS: Increasing the port diameter of a vitreous cutter to increase flow becomes less effective as the port becomes larger. Furthermore, modifying the port geometry of a vitreous cutter affects its surgical interactions with tissue. In the future, combinational instruments or surgery specific instruments may allow the surgeon to use an optimal port for a specific surgical task.

Evaluation of lens hardness in cataract surgery using high-frequency ultrasonic parameters in vitro.

Ultrasonic parameters of sound velocity and frequency-dependent attenuation ranging from 25 to 45 MHz were measured for the purpose of evaluating the hardness of lenses in cataract surgery (phacoemulsification). Measurements were performed with a 35-MHz ultrasonic transducer on porcine lenses in which artificially cataracts were induced. The hardness of the cataractous lens was also evaluated by mechanical measurement of its elastic properties. The results indicated that the ultrasonic attenuation coefficients in normal porcine lenses were approximately 4.49 +/- 0.05 (mean +/- SD) and 6.32 +/- 0.04 dB/mm at 30 and 40 MHz, respectively. The development progression of the cataracts resulted in the attenuation coefficient increasing linearly to 7.36 +/- 0.25 and 11.1 +/- 0.92 dB/mm, respectively, corresponding to an increase of Young's modulus from 2.6 to 101.2 kPa. The sound velocity concomitantly increased from 1639.8 +/- 4.2 to 1735.6 +/- 10.4 m/s. Evaluation of the relationship between the phacoemulsification energy level and ultrasonic parameters in vitro by surgeons revealed that both the attenuation coefficient and sound velocity were linearly correlated with the phacoemulsification energy (r = 0.941 and 0.915, respectively). These results showed that measuring high-frequency ultrasonic parameters provides surgeons with good capability and reproducibility for selecting the optimal energy level for phacoemulsification.

Evaluation of a stereoscopic camera-based three-dimensional viewing workstation for ophthalmic surgery.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the effectiveness of a prototype stereoscopic camera-based viewing system (Digital Microsurgical Workstation, three-dimensional (3D) Vision Systems, Irvine, California, USA) for anterior and posterior segment ophthalmic surgery. DESIGN: Institutional-based prospective study. METHODS: Anterior and posterior segment surgeons performed designated standardized tasks on porcine eyes after training on prosthetic plastic eyes. RESULTS: Both anterior and posterior segment surgeons were able to complete tasks requiring minimal or moderate stereoscopic viewing. The results indicate that the system provides improved ergonomics. Improvements in key viewing performance areas would further enhance the value over a conventional operating microscope. CONCLUSIONS: The performance of the prototype system is not at par with the planned commercial system. With continued development of this technology, the three- dimensional system may be a novel viewing system in ophthalmic surgery with improved ergonomics with respect to traditional microscopic viewing.

A self-stabilizing lens ring for 25-gauge vitrectomy surgery.

PURPOSE: To design an improved self-stabilizing lens ring for 25-gauge vitrectomy. DESIGN: Device report. METHODS: A lens ring was designed to be fixated to the globe using 25-gauge transconjunctival cannulas. RESULTS: This ring consists of a single plastic component with multiple concavities at the ring margin to fit 25-gauge cannulas. The ring can accommodate conventional standard and panoramic vitrectomy lenses. CONCLUSIONS: A lens ring has been designed for 25-gauge vitrectomy and to hold conventional contact lenses. Stability of the lens ring is achieved without the need for sutures and instead is achieved by the three point fixation provided by the existing 25-gauge cannula system.