Preoperative and intraoperative prognostic factors of epiretinal membranes using chromovitrectomy and internal limiting membrane peeling.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the preoperative and intraoperative findings as prognostic indicators of functional and anatomic results of idiopathic epiretinal membrane (ERM) surgery. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Vitrectomies included ERM and internal limiting membrane (ILM) removal with vital dyes. Best corrected visual acuity (BCVA), optical coherence tomography (OCT), fluorescein angiography, and autofluorescence were performed at baseline and postoperatively. Intraoperative ILM status after ERM removal was also evaluated. RESULTS: Thirty-one eyes were monitored for a mean of 16.78 months. BCVA and central foveal thickness (CFT) improved significantly (P < .001) from baseline at 3 and 12 months. Preoperative hyperautofluorescence was associated with greater CFT reduction (P < .005). ILM status after ERM peeling did not influence visual recovery but was associated with anatomical results as measured by OCT. CONCLUSION: Preoperative poor initial BCVA and RPE defects by FAF may not be bad prognostic factors. Preoperative hyperautofluorescence was associated with greater CFT reduction. Intraoperative classification of ILM status after ERM and ILM staining/peeling was reported and may be useful for future studies, though it was not associated neither with preoperative nor postoperative BCVA.

Toxicological considerations for intravitreal drugs.

INTRODUCTION: Intravitreal injections are a very common procedure and are the most effective route of drug delivery to the retina. There are currently several drugs available and even more are in development; therefore, safety is a very important concern. AREAS COVERED: The toxicological considerations of the most common drugs used for intravitreal pharmacotherapy such as anti-VEGFs, corticosteroids and antibiotics. Emerging agents such as anti-TNFs, VEGF-trap and kinase inhibitors are also discussed. An assessment of the efficacy and safety issues of the most relevant drugs including bevacizumab, ranibizumab and triamcinolone is presented. EXPERT OPINION: The toxicology and safety profiles are available for several drugs that are either in use or will be available for intravitreal injections. Retinal pharmacotherapy is very effective for different retinal diseases; however safety is a very important issue when intravitreal injections are applied and the possibility of retinal toxicity should always be kept in mind. Bevacizumab and ranibizumab are effective for the therapy of wet-age-related macular degeneration and macular edema, while triamcinolone remains an alternative agent to treat secondary macular edema. It is important, as some of these drugs will be used for extended periods of time, that their long-term toxicological effects are better understood.

Retinal and ocular toxicity in ocular application of drugs and chemicals--part II: retinal toxicity of current and new drugs.

AIMS: Retinal pharmacotherapy has gained great importance for the treatment of various retinal diseases. An increasing number of drugs have been constantly released into the market, especially for wet age-related macular disease and diabetic macular edema. In this review, the issues concerning the toxicity of current and new classes of drugs are discussed. METHODS: An extensive search of the literature was performed to review various aspects of drug toxicity in retinal pharmacotherapy. The different major classes of drugs, such as corticosteroids, antibiotics, antimetabolites, antineoplastic agents, monoclonal antibodies (mAbs), nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, enzymes, fibrinolytics, miscellaneous anti-inflammatory and antiangiogenic agents, as well as toxicity unrelated to the drug were identified and discussed. RESULTS: Corticosteroids like fluocinolone, dexamethasone or triamcinolone at low dose cause little damage to the retina, but at high doses signs of toxicity have been well documented. Complications like cataract and glaucoma are quite common with corticosteroids. Aminoglycosides showed differences in the type and doses associated with toxic reactions, thereby the following order of toxicity can be described (from most toxic to least toxic): gentamicin > netilmicin = tobramycin > amikacin = kanamycin. Vancomycin at the usual dose of 1 mg is not toxic to the retina, while further studies are necessary in order to clarify the safety of new-generation quinolones. 5-Fluorouracil has been shown to be nontoxic to the retina after an injection of 2.5 mg in animals. mAbs like ranibizumab and bevacizumab were demonstrated to be safe to the retina in cell culture, animals and humans at high doses. The exact biocompatibility of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory agents like diclofenac needs further evaluation. Preservatives like benzyl alcohol and changes in pH or osmolarity exert an influence on the toxic effects of intravitreally applied drugs. CONCLUSIONS: A great number of drugs are now used mainly intravitreally without relevant retinal toxicity.

Emerging pharmacotherapies for diabetic macular edema.

Diabetic macular edema (DME) is the most frequent cause of severe vision impairment in patients with non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy. Even though patients should achieve optimal glycemic control, normalization of blood pressure and serum lipids, as well as improvement of cardiac and renal status, these measures alone will not prevent every patient from developing visual loss caused by DME. The goal of local treatment for DME is vision improvement, usually achieved after reducing leakage on fluorescein angiography (FA) and retinal thickness on optical coherence tomography (OCT). Laser photocoagulation is still the standard treatment for clinically significant DME. However, laser photocoagulation rarely provides major visual improvement, especially in patients with diffuse DME. Thus, a therapeutic intervention that restores visual acuity impaired by DME more often remains a significant unmet medical need. This review aims to present the most important emerging drug technologies for therapy of DME at present, including corticosteroids, vascular endothelial growth factor inhibitors, protein kinase C inhibitors, small interfering RNA, hydroxy-3-methyl-glutaryl coenzyme A reductase inhibitors and non-hormonal anti-inflammatory agents. Recent progress in this field suggests that local management of DME may change rapidly in the near future. Novel emerging drugs should enable better anatomical and functional outcomes for therapy of this sight-threatening disease.