CHOROIDAL VASCULAR DENSITY IN DIABETIC RETINOPATHY ASSESSED WITH SWEPT-SOURCE OPTICAL COHERENCE TOMOGRAPHY.

PURPOSE: We aimed to assess choroidal vascularity by diabetic retinopathy (DR) stage using the choroidal vascular density (CVD) obtained from swept-source optical coherence tomography en-face images. METHODS: This prospective, cross-sectional, multicenter study included patients from Niigata City General Hospital and Saiseikai Niigata Hospital between October 2016 and October 2017. Choroidal vascular density was obtained by binarizing swept-source optical coherence tomography en-face images of patients with diabetes and those with DR, patients without DR, and healthy age-matched volunteers. RESULTS: Patients were allocated to the healthy control (n = 28), no DR (n = 23), nonproliferative DR (NPDR) without diabetic macular edema (DME) (n = 50), NPDR + DME (n = 38), and proliferative DR (PDR) or any previous treatment with panretinal photocoagulation (n = 26) groups. Investigation of the choriocapillaris slab level indicated that the no DR group had significantly high CVD values ( P < 0.05), and the PDR groups had significantly low CVD values ( P < 0.01). Investigation of the large choroidal vessel level indicated that the NPDR + DME and PDR groups had significantly lower CVD values than the control group ( P < 0.05 and P < 0.01, respectively). CONCLUSION: We found that at the choriocapillaris slab level, the no DR group had a higher CVD and the NPDR with DME and PDR groups had a lower CVD than the control group. At the level of the large choroidal vessels, the NPDR with DME and PDR groups had a lower CVD than the control group. There were significant differences in choroidal vasculature found using CVD obtained from swept-source optical coherence tomography en-face images of patients with diabetes and DR.

A case of bilateral diffuse uveal melanocytic proliferation with secondary angle closure caused by ciliary body thickening.

Purpose: To describe a case of bilateral diffuse uveal melanocytic proliferation (BDUMP) with secondary angle closure caused by ciliary body thickening accompanied by intraocular pressure (IOP) elevation after mydriasis. Observations: A 55-year-old woman with a history of ovarian cancer had blurred vision in both eyes. Fundus examination revealed multiple patchy lesions in both eyes and a nevus-like elevated lesion in the right eye. Anterior segment optical coherence tomography (AS-OCT) and ultrasound biomicroscopy (UBM) demonstrated angle closure resulting from ciliary body thickening. After mydriasis, the IOP was elevated in both eyes. Instillation of a miotic drug successfully reversed the IOP to normal levels. Conclusions and Importance: BDUMP caused secondary angle closure in both eyes, presumably due to thickening of the entire ciliary body. AS-OCT and UBM were advantageous for analyzing the morphology of the anterior eye segment in BDUMP. Clinicians should be aware of the possibility of angle closure during the management of patients with BDUMP.

Evaluation of postoperative visual function based on the preoperative inner layer structure in the epiretinal membrane.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the postoperative visual function using a preoperative epiretinal membrane (ERM) classification based on the status of the inner layer structure. METHODS: We assessed 62 eyes, one from each patient undergoing vitrectomy with internal limiting membrane (ILM) peeling for unilateral ERM. The inclusion criteria were as follows: (1) the presence of idiopathic ERM based on optical coherence tomography and a healthy contralateral eye, (2) successful surgery after 25- or 27-gauge transconjunctival 3-port pars plana vitrectomy with ILM peeling, and (3) a minimum follow-up period of 12 months. We included patients with preoperative ERM morphology with no disruption of the inner retinal layer in group A (37 eyes) and those with disruption in group B (25 eyes) and compared the visual acuity, central visual-field sensitivity (CVFS) measured using the Humphrey field analyzer 10-2 program, and detection rate of micro-scotoma (< 10 dB) at baseline and 12 months postoperatively between the groups. RESULTS: Visual acuity at 12 months showed greater improvement in group A than in group B (P = .03). There was no significant difference in CVFS at baseline; however, that of the nasal area was substantially lower after surgery in group B than in group A (P = .02). The 12-month postoperative detection rate of micro-scotoma was significantly higher in group B than in group A (P = .002). CONCLUSION: ERM that has preoperatively disrupted the inner layer poses the risks of CVFS reduction and micro-scotoma formation after vitrectomy. Evaluating the inner layer could be an important prognostic factor in determining retinal function in ERM.

Optical coherence tomography angiography and Humphrey field analyser for macular capillary non-perfusion evaluation in branch retinal vein occlusion.

We non-invasively evaluated macular non-perfused areas (m-NPAs) of branch retinal vein occlusion (BRVO) using optical coherence tomography (OCT) angiography and the Humphrey visual field analyser 10-2 programme (HFA 10-2). We enrolled 30 patients (30 eyes) with macular oedema secondary to BRVO. OCT angiography was used to photograph the macula at 6 × 6-mm; sizes of m-NPAs in the superficial capillary plexus (SCP) and deep capillary plexus (DCP) were measured in four areas. For HFA 10-2, we divided the actual measurement threshold of 68 points into four areas and calculated the mean central visual field sensitivity (CVFS). The correlation between the mean m-NPA and mean CVFS (dB) in each area was examined. There was a strong correlation between the m-NPA of each region detected in SCP and DCP, and the mean CVFS of each corresponding area (SCP: r = - 0.83, r = - 0.64, r = - 0.73, and r = - 0.79; DCP: r = - 0.82, r = - 0.71, r = - 0.71, and r = - 0.70), p values were < 0.001 for all. m-NPAs were associated with decreased visual field sensitivity in BRVO. Non-invasive m-NPA evaluation was possible using OCT angiography and HFA 10-2.

Relationship between morphological changes in the foveal avascular zone of the epiretinal membrane and postoperative visual function.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the relationship between the preoperative morphology of the foveal avascular zone (FAZ) and postoperative visual function in patients with idiopathic epiretinal membrane (ERM). METHODS AND ANALYSIS: This retrospective study enrolled 36 patients who underwent a unilateral internal limiting membrane peeling with vitrectomy for idiopathic ERM. We measured the area of superficial FAZ in the eyes with ERM and in the contralateral control eyes preoperatively and at 6 months postoperatively using optical coherence tomography (OCT) angiography. The ERM stage was measured using swept-source OCT. We evaluated the FAZ area ratio (preoperative FAZ of the ERM eye/FAZ of the control eye) to indicate the degree of FAZ contraction in the ERM eyes compared with the control eyes. The correlations between the FAZ area ratio and postoperative visual function and changes in macular morphology were assessed. RESULTS: Preoperative mean best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) significantly improved from the logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution 0.20±0.24 to 0.01±0.13 at 6 months postoperatively (p<0.01). The mean area of the FAZ increased significantly from 0.06±0.07 mm2 preoperatively to 0.09±0.07 mm2 after vitrectomy (p<0.01). FAZ area ratio showed significant negative correlations with changes in BCVA (r=-0.44, p<0.01) and the ERM stages (r=-0.56, p<0.01). CONCLUSION: The FAZ is reduced as ERM progresses and enlarges after vitrectomy. The FAZ area ratio based on preoperative FAZ may predict postoperative visual acuity.

Overt Proteinuria, Moderately Reduced eGFR and Their Combination Are Predictive of Severe Diabetic Retinopathy or Diabetic Macular Edema in Diabetes.

Purpose: Since the combined effects of proteinuria and a moderately decreased eGFR on incident severe eye complications in patients with diabetes are still largely unknown, these associations were determined in a large historical cohort of Japanese patients with diabetes mellitus. Methods: We evaluated the effects of overt proteinuria (OP) (dipstick 1+ and over) and/or moderately reduced estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) (MG) (baseline eGFR 30.0-54.9 mL/min/1.73 m2) on the incidence of treatment-required diabetic eye diseases (TRDED). We divided 7709 patients into four groups according to the presence or absence of OP and MG: no OP without MG (NP[MG-]), OP without MG (OP[MG-]), no OP with MG (NP[MG+]), and OP with MG (OP[MG+]). Multivariate Cox analyses were performed to calculate hazard ratios (HRs) with 95% confidence intervals for combinations of the presence and/or absence of OP and MG on the risk of developing TRDED. Results: During the median follow-up period of 5.6 years, 168 patients developed TRDED. HRs for OP and MG for incident TRDED were 1.91 (95% confidence interval, 1.27-2.87) and 1.90 (1.11-3.23), respectively. HRs for incident TRDED were 1.73 (1.11-2.69) and 5.57 (2.40-12.94) for OP(MG-) and OP(MG+), respectively, in comparison with NP(MG-). Conclusions: In Japanese patients with diabetes, OP and MG were separately as well as additionally associated with higher risks of TRDED. Results indicate the necessity of the simultaneous assessment of proteinuria and eGFR for appropriate evaluation of risks of severe eye complications in patients with diabetes.

Pulse Pressure is a Stronger Predictor Than Systolic Blood Pressure for Severe Eye Diseases in Diabetes Mellitus.

Background Evidence of the role of systolic blood pressure ( SBP ) in development of severe diabetic retinopathy is not strong, although the adverse effect of low diastolic blood pressure has been a partial explanation. We assessed the predictive ability of incident severe diabetic retinopathy between pulse pressure ( PP ) which considers both SBP and diastolic blood pressure, compared with SBP . Methods and Results Eligible patients (12 242, 83% men) aged 19 to 72 years from a nationwide claims database were analyzed for a median observational 4.8-year period. Severe diabetic retinopathy was defined as vision-threatening treatment-required diabetic eye diseases. Multivariate Cox regression analysis revealed that hazard ratios (95% CI ) of treatment-required diabetic eye diseases for 1 increment of standard deviation and the top tertile compared with the bottom tertile were 1.39 (1.21-1.60) and 1.72 (1.17-2.51), respectively, for PP and 1.22 (1.05-1.41) and 1.43 (0.97-2.11), respectively, for SBP adjusted for age, sex, body mass index, hemoglobin A1c, fasting plasma glucose, lipids, and smoking status. In a model with SBP and PP simultaneously as covariates, the hazard ratios of only PP (hazard ratios [95% CI ], 1.57 [1.26-1.96]) but not SBP (0.85 [0.68-1.07]) were statistically significant. Delong test revealed a significant difference in the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve between PP and SBP (area under the receiver operating characteristic curve [95% CI ], 0.58 [0.54-0.63] versus 0.54 [0.50-0.59]; P=0.03). The strongest predictor remained as hemoglobin A1c (area under the receiver operating characteristic curve [95% CI ], 0.80 [0.77-0.84]). Conclusions After excluding the significant impact of glycemic control, PP in comparison with SBP is a better predictor of severe diabetic retinopathy, suggesting a role of diastolic blood pressure and arterial stiffness in pathology.

COMBINATION THERAPY OF INTRAVITREAL RANIBIZUMAB AND SUBTHRESHOLD MICROPULSE PHOTOCOAGULATION FOR MACULAR EDEMA SECONDARY TO BRANCH RETINAL VEIN OCCLUSION: 6-MONTH RESULT.

PURPOSE: To determine the efficacy of the combination therapy of intravitreal ranibizumab (IVR) and 577-nm yellow laser subthreshold micropulse laser photocoagulation (SMLP) for macular edema secondary to branch retinal vein occlusion cystoid macular edema. METHODS: Retrospective, consecutive, case-control study. Forty-six eyes of 46 patients with treatment-naive branch retinal vein occlusion cystoid macular edema were enrolled. The IVR + SMLP group consisted of 22 patients who had undergone both SMLP and IVR. Intravitreal ranibizumab group consisted of 24 patients who had undergone IVR monotherapy. Intravitreal ranibizumab therapy was one initial injection and on a pro re nata in both groups, and SMLP was performed at 1 month after IVR in the IVR + SMLP group. Preoperatively and monthly, best-corrected visual acuity and central retinal thickness were evaluated using swept source optical coherence tomography. RESULTS: Best-corrected visual acuity and central retinal thickness significantly improved at 6 months in IVR + SMLP and IVR groups. Best-corrected visual acuity and central retinal thickness were not significantly different between the two groups at any time points. The number of IVR injections during initial 6 months in IVR group (2.3 ± 0.9) was significantly greater (P = 0.034) than that in IVR + SMLP group (1.9 ± 0.8). CONCLUSION: The combination therapy of IVR and SMLP can treat branch retinal vein occlusion cystoid macular edema effectively, by decreasing the frequency of IVR injections while maintaining good visual acuity.

Restoration of the Ellipsoid Zone and Visual Prognosis at 1 Year after Surgical Macular Hole Closure.

Purpose. To evaluate the restoration of the ellipsoid zone (EZ) and its influence on visual prognosis 1 year after surgical macular hole (MH) closure. Method. Subjects were patients with stage 2, 3, or 4 idiopathic MH who underwent primary vitrectomy that resulted in successful hole closure. Nineteen eyes with both EZ disruption with foveal detachment and a continuous external limiting membrane on optical coherence tomography during the early postoperative period were included in this study. Result. EZ disruption was restored in 10 eyes (53%, Group A) and remained in 9 eyes (47%, Group B) at 1 year after surgery. In Group B, the diameter of the residual EZ disruption was 54.7 ± 33.1 µm. LogMAR visual acuity (VA) 1 year after surgery was significantly better than preoperative VA in each group (Group A: -0.007 ± 0.102; P < 0.001; Group B: 0.051 ± 0.148; P < 0.001), but there was no significant difference between the 2 groups (P = 0.332). There was no significant correlation between logMAR VA and EZ disruption diameter at 1 year after surgery. Conclusion. EZ was restored in 53% of eyes at 1 year after surgical closure of idiopathic MH. Mean residual EZ disruption diameter was 54.7 ± 33.1 µm. Neither resolved nor residual EZ disruption influenced postoperative VA.

Sub-Tenon Injections of Triamcinolone Acetonide Had Limited Effect on Cystoid Macular Edema Secondary to Nanoparticle Albumin-Bound-Paclitaxel (Abraxane).

Purpose. To report the first case of cystoid macular edema (CME) induced by nanoparticle albumin-bound- (nab-) paclitaxel treated with sub-Tenon injections of triamcinolone acetonide (STTA) with detailed long-term follow-up. Case. A 39-year-old Japanese woman with breast cancer presents with decreased vision in both eyes while receiving nab-paclitaxel. Two STTA treatments were administered for persistent CME in her right eye. Central retinal thickness (CRT) of the treated eye decreased after the first STTA, but there was no change after the second STTA. CRT of the other eye and bilateral visual acuity (VA) showed no change after each treatment. However, this patient experienced gradual recovery of visual function after nab-paclitaxel treatment was completed, 3 months after the second STTA. Improvements in VA and CRT did not overlap in time. Moreover, there was a big improvement time lag in VA between the eyes. Conclusion. Cessation of nab-paclitaxel could lead to resolution of CME more than STTA, although STTA had some effect. Since nab-paclitaxel has been recently approved for treating more types of malignancies, the number of the patients with this CME is expected to increase in the near future. Patients and physicians should understand this side effect and prepare for other treatment options.

Secondary glaucoma associated with bilateral complete ring cysts of the ciliary body.

PURPOSE: To report a case of acute glaucoma due to complete ring cyst of the ciliary body. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A 33-year-old woman experienced blurred vision in her left eye. Intraocular pressure of the left eye was elevated accompanied with a very shallow anterior chamber. Anterior segment-optical coherence tomography and ultrasound biomicroscopy detected ring-shaped ciliary masses in the both eyes. Myopic change and contact between the ciliary mass and lens in the left eye suggested the presence of aqueous misdirection resulting in forward displacement of the lens-iris diaphragm. Because elevated intraocular pressure was refractory to conservative management, the left eye underwent clear lens aspiration and implantation of intraocular lens. RESULTS: Although the anterior chamber became deep in the left eye initially after lens extraction in conjunction with core vitrectomy, possible aqueous misdirection recurred. Second vitrectomy in the left eye together with posterior and anterior capsulotomies, to establish humoral communication between the anterior and posterior chambers, deepened the anterior chamber and lowered the intraocular pressure. The anterior chamber in the fellow right eye remained deep a year after the episode. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first reported case of bilateral ring cysts of the ciliary body. The manifestation caused secondary glaucoma, which was resolved by lensectomy and vitrectomy.

[Two cases of Senior-Loken syndrome].

BACKGROUND: We report two rare cases of Senior-Loken syndrome, one with fundus lesions simulating Coats disease. CASE 1: A 14-year-old boy had juvenile nephronophthisis and bilateral retinitis pigmentosa with retionochoroidal atrophy and salt and pepper fundus. Electroretinogram (ERG) showed non-recordable changes and the Goldmann perimeter showed ring scotomas. CASE 2: A 14-year-old boy had bilateral retinitis pigmentosa and juvenile nephronophthisis with continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis. Additionally, both eyes showed massive exudates seen in Coats disease in the entire periphery, exudative retinal detachment, proliferative changes in the inferior periphery, yellow opacitas corporis vitrei, keratoconus, and cataract. The left eye had vitreous hemorrhages. Both eyes received vitreous surgery and endophotocoagulation. After the surgery the left eye showed neovascular glaucoma and a cyclophotcoagulation was performed. The massive edema in the superior retina of both eyes disappeared and intra-ocular pressure in the left eye was normalized. However, despite these treatments, both eyes finally had no light perception. CONCLUSION: Case 1 was a typical SLS, and case 2 was a rare one with fundus lesions simulating Coats disease, keratoconus, and cataract. We suspect the exudative changes resulted from various vessel changes and choroidal circulatory disturbance of renal retinopathy, retinal vascular damage, and destruction of blood-retinal barrier with retinitis pigmentosa, the inflammatory changes of vessels, and other things.