Real-world study to evaluate the efficacy and safety of intravitreal brolucizumab for refractory neovascular age-related macular degeneration.

This retrospective study evaluated the real-world safety and effectiveness of switching to intravitreal brolucizumab for refractory neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD). A total of 81 patients who received brolucizumab injections as switch therapy were followed for more than 3 months. A good response was defined as better anatomical improvement or extended injection intervals compared with previous anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) treatment over a mean follow-up period of 41.4 weeks. Approximately 82.7% of patients showed a good response after switching. After 1 year, patients showed significant visual gains (+ 6.6 letters, p = 0.006) and central retinal thickness reductions (- 112.6 µm, p < 0.001), with 30.8% having injection intervals extended over 12 weeks. In the poor-response group, visual acuity and anatomical outcomes worsened soon after switching. More previous injections, thinner baseline central retina, and the presence of prechoroidal cleft or polypoidal lesion resulted in a better response (p < 0.05). Adverse effects occurred in eight eyes (9.9%), including one retinal vascular occlusion and seven intraocular inflammation cases, which were unrelated to the response. Most patients with nAMD refractory to anti-VEGF treatment demonstrated anatomical improvement or extended injection intervals after switching. This study shows that identified structural biomarkers may predict treatment response and select an appropriate therapeutic strategy.

Factors Affecting Intensive Aflibercept Treatment Response in Diabetic Macular Edema: A Real-World Study.

Objective: To investigate the systemic and ocular factors that affect the response to intensive aflibercept treatment in diabetic macular edema (DME) in a real-world setting. Methods: This retrospective cohort study evaluated 30 eyes of 23 patients with DME who underwent intensive intravitreal aflibercept injections (five monthly loading doses). Treatment response was assessed by central retinal thickness (CRT) and best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) at each monthly visit. The patients were categorized as good (<300 µm) and suboptimal (≥300 µm) responders based on CRT after the loading phase. Baseline systemic and ocular factors associated with treatment response were investigated. Results: The mean CRT and BCVA significantly improved after five loading injections (486.87 ± 95.46 to 334.90 ± 69.47 µm and 0.51 ± 0.30 to 0.35 ± 0.25 LogMAR, respectively, all p < 0.05). During 12 months of follow-up, 16 eyes (53.33%) maintained CRT without additional treatment. Eyes with diabetes mellitus (DM) for ≥15 years, estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) < 80 mL/min/1.73 m2, serum creatinine ≥ 0.95 mg/dL and potassium ≥ 4.7 mmol/L, and presence of epiretinal membrane (ERM) were more likely to have a suboptimal response to the treatment. Conclusions: Five monthly loading doses of intravitreal aflibercept injection provided significant anatomical and visual improvements in patients with DME. Patients with longer DM duration, lower eGFR, higher serum creatinine or potassium levels, or ERM were predisposed to a suboptimal treatment response. Individual response to intensive aflibercept treatment for DME can be predicted by these systemic and ocular risk factors.

Qualitative and quantitative evaluation of diabetic choroidopathy using ultra-widefield indocyanine green angiography.

To investigate angiographic characteristic features of diabetic choroidopathy, as well as choroidal vascular density (CVD) and fractal dimension (CFD) in diabetic eyes and controls using ultra-widefield (UWF) indocyanine green angiography (ICGA). All patients underwent UWF fluorescein angiography and ICGA. Using imageJ software, CVD and CFD was analyzed. SFCT was assessed using spectral-domain optical coherence tomography. The image parameters were compared based on the DR stage and the presence of diabetic macular edema (DME). One-hundred six eyes from 63 patients (59.11 ± 16.31 years; male [%]: 23 [36.5%]) were included in the DM group, and 40 eyes from 22 subjects were included in the control group. The DM group had a mean age of 59.11 ± 16.31 years and a mean HbA1c percentage of 7.72 ± 1.28%. The most common ICGA findings of DC were choroidal hyperpermeability (57.5%), hypofluorescent spots (48.1%). Salt and pepper pattern (19.8%), inverted inflow phenomenon (3.8%), choroidal arterial tortuosity (24.5%), and late choroidal non-perfusion (6.6%) were more common in advanced DR. The CVD, CFD, and SFCT increased as the DR severity progressed. The DME group had a significantly higher CFD and SFCT than the non-DME group (P < 0.001 and P = 0.019, respectively). The qualitative and quantitative UWF ICGA image analysis revealed that choroidal blood vessels became dilated, complex, and hyperpermeable as the DR progressed. These features of diabetic choroidopathy (DC) were more severe in eyes with DME than the non-DME eyes.

Predictive factors for microvascular recovery after treatments for diabetic retinopathy.

BACKGROUND: To identify factors associated with microvascular recovery after intravitreal bevacizumab or panretinal photocoagulation (PRP) in diabetic retinopathy (DR). METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed 320 eyes/patients with DR treated with intravitreal bevacizumab and/or PRP. Two consecutive fluorescein angiographies (FAs) of each eye were compared. The number of microaneurysms and the area of capillary non-perfusion were calculated automatically using ImageJ software. Microvascular recovery was defined as a marked reduction in the numbers of microaneurysms (< 20%) or a marked reduction in the area of capillary non-perfusion (< 50%) in 45-degree fields or a complete regression of new vessels in ETDRS 7 standard fields. Baseline FA findings and changes in the ocular and systemic factors were analyzed. RESULTS: Twenty-eight (8.8%) of the 320 total eyes were found to meet the criteria of microvascular recovery after the treatments. Multivariate analysis revealed the presence of diffuse capillary telangiectasis (P = .003) and late disc leaking (P = .007) on baseline FA and a reduction of glycated hemoglobin (P = .005) during the follow-up period were predictive factors of microvascular recovery after the treatments. Although the microvascular recovery group presented with a significant improvement of BCVA after the treatments, the baseline BCVA could not predict the microvascular recovery after the treatments. CONCLUSIONS: Diffuse capillary telangiectasis or late disc leaking on baseline FA and improved glycemic control positively predicted the microvascular recovery after treatments for DR.

Bilateral Multiple Retinal Detachments Associated with Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma: Masquerading as Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada Disease.

PURPOSE: We report a case of intraocular involvement in diffuse large B-cell lymphoma masquerading as Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada disease. METHODS: A 48-year-old woman presented with blurred vision in both eyes, fever, and hearing disturbance and underwent a complete ophthalmologic and systemic evaluation. RESULTS: Ophthalmologic examination showed bilateral exudative retinal detachment and signs of Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada disease. However, considering her generalized symptoms, systemic evaluation was performed before administering systemic steroid pulse therapy. In a systemic investigation, the patient was diagnosed with intraocular involvement in diffuse large B-cell lymphoma. After systemic chemotherapy, her bilateral visual acuity improved to 20/25 and the bilateral serous retinal detachment resolved. CONCLUSION: In cases with prominent systemic symptoms, comprehensive systemic evaluation should be performed to rule out severe systemic conditions, such as malignancies.

ASSOCIATION BETWEEN EPIRETINAL MEMBRANE, EPIRETINAL PROLIFERATION, AND PROGNOSIS OF FULL-THICKNESS MACULAR HOLE CLOSURE.

PURPOSE: To demonstrate the effects of epiretinal membrane (ERM) and epiretinal proliferation on surgical outcomes for full-thickness macular hole. METHODS: Nested case-control study with propensity score matching. Patients operated on for full-thickness macular hole between January 2011 and March 2020 were enrolled. The primary outcome was failure of the macular hole closure, and the secondary outcome was unfavorable hole closure (V or λ type closure) at 6 months after the surgery. RESULTS: Five hundred and thirty-four eyes of 534 patients met the inclusion criteria. After 1:1 propensity score matching (127 pairs), patients demonstrating ERM were more likely to have a failure of hole closure (adjusted odds ratio, 2.71; 95% confidence interval, 1.19-6.14) and unfavorable hole closure (adjusted odds ratio, 2.07; 95% confidence interval, 1.16-3.71). Epiretinal membrane spanning the hole margin (hole marginal ERM) greatly increased the likelihood of unfavorable hole closure (adjusted odds ratio, 2.13; 95% confidence interval, 1.12-4.07). Patients with hole marginal-ERM + epiretinal proliferation were more likely to have a failure of hole closure (38.4%) compared with those with no ERM (11.8%). CONCLUSION: Patients with ERM had a higher risk for adverse surgical outcomes for full-thickness macular hole closure. The location of the ERM relative to the macular hole and the presence of epiretinal proliferation might affect the surgical outcomes for full-thickness macular hole closure.

Genetic Profile and Associated Characteristics of 150 Korean Patients with Retinitis Pigmentosa.

PURPOSE: Retinitis pigmentosa (RP) shows great diversity between genotypes and phenotypes, and it is important to identify the causative genes. This study aimed to analyze the molecular profiles, associated ocular characteristics, and progression of RP in Korean patients. METHODS: All the genetic variants in patients with RP, identified using targeted next-generation sequencing (NGS) with a panel of 88 RP-related genes between November 2018 and November 2019, were retrospectively reviewed. All the patients underwent comprehensive ophthalmological evaluations, and their clinical and family histories were recorded. The best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) deterioration and photoreceptor disruption progression rates were determined based on the major causative mutational genes using nonlinear mixed models, and the differences among them were investigated using the interaction effect. RESULTS: Among the 144 probands, 82 variants in 24 causative genes were identified in 77 families (53.5%). Most of the RP cases were associated with autosomal recessive variants (N = 64 (44.4%)), followed by autosomal dominant (N = 10 (6.9%)) and X-linked variants (N = 3 (2.1%)). The four most frequently affected genes were EYS (N = 15 (10.4%)), USH2A (N = 12 (8.3%)), PDE6B (N = 9 (6.3%)), and RP1 (N = 8 (5.6%)). Epiretinal membranes and cystoid macular edema were frequently noted in the patients with USH2A (75.0%) and PDE6B (50.0%) variants, respectively. During the follow-up period, the BCVA and photoreceptor disruption changes were significantly different among the patients carrying the four common causative genes (P=0.014 and 0.034, resp.). Patients with PDE6B variants showed faster BCVA changes (0.2 LogMAR/10 years), and those with USH2A variants showed the fastest ellipsoid zone disruptions (-170.4 µm/year). CONCLUSION: In conclusion, our genetic analysis using targeted NGS provides information about the prevalence of RP-associated mutations in Korean patients. Delineating clinical characteristics according to genetic variations may help clinicians identify subtype features and predict the clinical course of RP.

Association between glaucoma surgery and all-cause and cause-specific mortality among elderly patients with glaucoma: a nationwide population-based cohort study.

This population-based, retrospective cohort study aimed to evaluate the association between glaucoma surgery and all-cause and cause-specific mortality among Korean elderly patients with glaucoma. A total of 16210 elderly patients (aged ≥ 60 years) diagnosed with glaucoma between 2003 and 2012 were included, and their insurance data were analyzed. The participants were categorized into a glaucoma surgery cohort (n = 487), which included individuals who had diagnostic codes for open angle glaucoma (OAG) or angle closure glaucoma (ACG) and codes for glaucoma surgery, and a glaucoma diagnosis cohort (n = 15,723), which included patients who had codes for OAG and ACG but not for glaucoma surgery. Sociodemographic factors, Charlson Comorbidity Index score, and ocular comorbidities were included as covariates. Cox regression models were used to assess the association between glaucoma surgery and mortality. The incidence of all-cause mortality was 34.76/1,000 person-years and 27.88/1,000 person-years in the glaucoma surgery and diagnosis groups, respectively. The adjusted hazard ratio (HR) for all-cause mortality associated with glaucoma surgery was 1.31 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.05-1.62, P = 0.014). The adjusted HR for mortality due to a neurologic cause was significant (HR = 2.66, 95% CI 1.18-6.00, P = 0.018). The adjusted HRs for mortality due to cancer (HR = 2.03, 95% CI 1.07-3.83, P = 0.029) and accident or trauma (HR = 4.00, 95% CI 1.55-10.34, P = 0.004) associated with glaucoma surgery for ACG were significant as well. Glaucoma surgery was associated with an increase of mortality in elderly patients with glaucoma. In particular, the risk of mortality associated with glaucoma surgery due to neurologic causes was significant.

Clinical Characteristics Associated with the Development of Cystoid Macular Edema in Patients with Cytomegalovirus Retinitis.

We evaluated the incidence and characteristics of eyes with cytomegalovirus (CMV) retinitis according to the occurrence of cystoid macular edema (CME) and identified the risk factors of its occurrence. Patients diagnosed with CMV retinitis and examined using optical coherence tomography were classified according to the development of CME. The CME group was further divided according to the presence of active retinitis at the time of CME development. The demographics, serologic findings, ophthalmic presentations, ocular treatments, and visual prognosis were compared. CME was identified in 25 eyes (17 eyes with active retinitis and 8 eyes with inactive retinitis) out of the 67 eyes with CMV retinitis. Visual acuity was worse in the CME group than in the non-CME group. The CME group had longer CMV viremia duration, zone 1 involvement, and larger extent of CMV retinitis. While CME with concurrent active retinitis developed in eyes with direct foveal involvement of retinitis in the acute phase and required more ganciclovir injections after CME development, CME without active retinitis developed in eyes with larger extents of involvement and more intravitreal ganciclovir injections before CME development. Zone 1 involvement and longer CMV viremia duration were independently associated with the occurrence of CME. CME, which caused visual deterioration, developed in considerable patients with CMV retinitis and had different characteristics according to the presence of active retinitis.

CENTRAL RETINAL VEIN OCCLUSION IN YOUNG PATIENTS: Clinical Characteristics and Prognostic Factors.

PURPOSE: To investigate the clinical characteristics and prognostic factors of young patients with central retinal vein occlusion (CRVO). METHODS: This retrospective cohort study involved treatment-naïve patients with CRVO. Medical records regarding basic demographics, predisposing factors, ocular characteristics, and treatments were reviewed and compared according to age at CRVO onset. RESULTS: We enrolled 263 patients, of whom 69 were younger patients. Younger patients had higher prevalence of nontraditional risk factors including physical or psychological stress (P = 0.032), hematologic abnormalities (P = 0.003), and better visual acuity at baseline and last visit (all P < 0.001) and were unlikely to undergo intravitreal injections (47.8 vs. 68.6%, P < 0.001) during follow-up. Younger patients had higher prevalence of paracentral acute middle maculopathy (28.1 vs. 4.7%, P < 0.001). Older age (odds ratio = 1.165, P = 0.028), male sex (odds ratio = 7.074, P = 0.034), coexisting renal disease (odds ratio = 7.845, P = 0.050), and poor baseline visual acuity (odds ratio = 16.069, P = 0.002) were significant risk factors for poor visual outcomes in young CRVO patients. CONCLUSION: Younger CRVO patients had a milder clinical course with fewer treatments and were more likely to have nontraditional risk factors than older patients.

Clinical features of cytomegalovirus retinitis after solid organ transplantation versus hematopoietic stem cell transplantation.

PURPOSE: To investigate and compare the clinical features of cytomegalovirus (CMV) retinitis after solid organ transplantation (SOT) and hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) and to determine the poor prognostic factors. METHODS: Patients consulted to the ophthalmology department for CMV viremia after transplantation between March 2008 and February 2018 and followed for more than 6 months were analyzed. Medical records regarding demographic, serologic, and ocular characteristics were compared between the SOT and HSCT groups. Factors associated with poor visual outcomes were determined with logistic regression. RESULTS: CMV retinitis developed in 11.3% of patients with CMV viremia following transplantation. In the SOT group (25 eyes/18 patients) and the HSCT group (33 eyes/21 patients), CMV retinitis occurred at 5.8 months and 3.7 months post-transplantation, respectively. Mortality was significantly higher in the HSCT group (52.4% vs. 5.6%, P < 0.001). During the mean 11.7 months of follow-up, visual acuity tended to be aggravated (P = 0.087) despite antiviral treatment, which was especially notable in the SOT group (P = 0.028). Six eyes (10.3%) underwent vitrectomy due to retinal detachment, most of which (5 eyes) were in the SOT group. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that the presence of concurrent CMV disease (OR = 14.11, P = 0.009) and foveal involvement (OR = 114.85, P = 0.001) were poor prognostic factors. CONCLUSION: Clinical manifestations of CMV retinitis differed between the HSCT and SOT group. Concurrent CMV diseases and foveal involvement were associated with poor visual outcomes in CMV retinitis following transplantation.

Clinical characteristics and disease progression of retinitis pigmentosa associated with PDE6B mutations in Korean patients.

Due to the genotype-phenotype heterogeneity in retinitis pigmentosa (RP), molecular diagnoses and prediction of disease progression is difficult. This study aimed to report ocular and genetic data from Korean patients with PDE6B-associated RP (PDE6B-RP), and establish genotype-phenotype correlations to predict the clinical course. We retrospectively reviewed targeted next-generation sequencing or whole exome sequencing data for 305 patients with RP, and identified PDE6B-RP in 15 patients (median age, 40.0 years). Amongst these patients, ten previously reported PDE6B variants (c.1280G > A, c.1488del, c.1547T > C, c.1604T > A, c.1669C > T, c.1712C > T, c.2395C > T, c.2492C > T, c.592G > A, and c.815G > A) and one novel variant (c.712del) were identified. Thirteen patients (86.7%) experienced night blindness as the first symptom at a median age of 10.0 years. Median age at diagnosis was 21.0 years and median visual acuity (VA) was 0.20 LogMAR at the time of genetic analysis. Nonlinear mixed models were developed and analysis revealed that VA exponentially decreased over time, while optical coherence tomography parameters linearly decreased, and this was related with visual field constriction. A high proportion of patients with the c.1669C > T variant (7/9, 77.8%) had cystoid macular edema; despite this, patients with this variant did not show a higher rate of functional or structural progression. This study will help clinicians predict functional and structural progression in patients with PDE6B-RP.

OPTICAL COHERENCE TOMOGRAPHY ANGIOGRAPHY IN PATIENTS WITH RETINITIS PIGMENTOSA-ASSOCIATED CYSTOID MACULAR EDEMA.

PURPOSE: To investigate the microstructure of cystoid macular edema (CME) in retinitis pigmentosa (RP) and the associated vascular changes using optical coherence tomography (OCT) angiography. METHODS: In this retrospective study, we included 42 eyes of 21 patients with RP and age-similar normally sighted controls who underwent both OCT and optical coherence tomography angiography. Using OCT, spatial distribution of CME and the retinal layer, which CME located, was examined. Optical coherence tomography angiography images of the superficial capillary plexus and deep capillary plexus were obtained. Foveal and parafoveal flow densities in each layer and foveal avascular zone area were measured. RESULTS: Of the 42 eyes with RP, 32 had CME. All CMEs were located in the inner nuclear layer and limited to the parafovea. The outer nuclear layer/ganglion cell layer was involved in 12 eyes (37.5%). Compared with RP without CME, RP with CME (RP-CME) did not show significant differences in flow density or extent of vascular disruption within the superficial capillary plexus, deep capillary plexus, or foveal avascular zone areas. CONCLUSION: RP-CME was mostly located in the inner nuclear layer of the parafoveal macula, without vascular disruption in optical coherence tomography angiography. Our findings may support the hypothesis that the pathogenesis of RP with CME differs from retinal vascular CME triggered by compromised deep capillary plexus.

Uveoretinal Adverse Effects Presented during Systemic Anticancer Chemotherapy: a 10-Year Single Center Experience.

BACKGROUND: The present study describes our 10-year experience with uveoretinal adverse events that manifest because of chemotherapy. METHODS: A retrospective chart review was performed for all patients who presented to the ophthalmologic department while undergoing systemic chemotherapy between July 2005 and June 2015. RESULTS: A total of 55 patients (mean age, 51.2 years, 38 women [69.1%]) suspected of having uveoretinal disease owing to the use of chemotherapeutic agents alone were enrolled. Breast cancer was the predominant disease (36.4%); noninfectious anterior uveitis (21.8%) was the most common condition. Bilateral involvement was observed in 16 patients (29.1%). Although cisplatin (21.8%) was the most commonly used drug, daunorubicin, cytarabine, tamoxifen, toremifene, and imatinib were also frequently used. The median duration until ophthalmologic diagnosis was 208.5 days (range, 19-5,945 days). The proportion of patients with final visual acuity (VA) < 20/40 Snellen VA (0.5 decimal VA) was 32.7%. However, no relationship was observed between final VA < 20/40 and age, sex, therapeutic agents, and metastasis. CONCLUSION: Uveoretinal complications were mostly mild to moderate and exhibited a favorable response to conservative therapy. A considerable number of patients exhibited significant irreversible loss of vision after cessation of the causative chemotherapeutic agent. Ophthalmological monitoring is required during chemotherapy.

Long-term Effects of Pancreas Transplantation on Diabetic Retinopathy and Incidence and Predictive Risk Factors for Early Worsening.

BACKGROUND: Limited data are available regarding the long-term effects of pancreas transplantation on the progression of diabetic retinopathy (DR) and the incidence and associated risk factors for early worsening of DR. METHODS: Patients who underwent successful pancreas transplantation between January 2007 and October 2015 and were followed for 1 year or longer were consecutively enrolled. Variables regarding demographic, systemic, metabolic, and surgical factors were reviewed for each patient. DR progression was defined as (i) development or aggravation of macular edema requiring intravitreal anti-VEGF injections and/or (ii) progression of DR severity requiring panretinal photocoagulation (PRP) and/or pars planar vitrectomy (PPV). Early worsening was defined as progression within 1 year of posttransplant. RESULTS: Three hundred three eyes of 153 patients were included in the analysis. At the pretransplant ocular evaluation, 221 eyes (72.9%) showed advanced DR with history of PRP and/or PPV. During a mean follow-up period of 4.2 years, 62 eyes (20.5%) experienced DR progression, and early worsening was noted in 57 eyes (18.8%). DR with recent PRP within pretransplant 1 year and pancreas transplant alone were significant risk factors for early worsening. CONCLUSIONS: In 4 of 5 patients who received pancreas transplant, the degree of DR remained stable over time after transplantation. Meanwhile, early worsening of DR could occur in patients at risk, particularly within the first posttransplant year. We suggest that physicians should have a high index of suspicion and carefully monitor for early worsening of DR and timely manage possible ocular deterioration.

Macular capillary plexuses after macular hole surgery: an optical coherence tomography angiography study.

AIMS: To investigate the structural changes of the superficial capillary plexuses (SCP) and deep capillary plexuses (DCP) using optical coherence tomography (OCT) angiography (OCTA) in patients with idiopathic macular hole (MH) after surgery, determine the factors related to changes of macular capillary plexuses and evaluate its association with postoperative visual outcomes. METHODS: Thirty-three patients with unilateral MH who were followed for ≥6 months after surgery were included. Ophthalmologic evaluations included best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and spectral-domain OCT before surgery and 6 months postsurgery. En face OCTA images were obtained for both eyes at 6 months postsurgery, and the postoperative foveal avascular zone (FAZ) area and parafoveal vascular density were identified. RESULTS: Compared with fellow eyes, eyes after MH surgery had a smaller FAZ area in both SCP and DCP (p<0.05 for all). The FAZ area was positively correlated with postoperative foveal thickness of the whole, inner and outer layers (p<0.05 for all). In the parafoveal region, eyes after MH surgery had a tendency to have lower parafoveal vascular density, particularly in DCP (p=0.019). The parafoveal vascular density in DCP was positively correlated with retinal thickness of the whole, inner and outer layers (p<0.05 for all). Correlations between BCVA and FAZ area in both SCP and DCP were significant 6 months after MH surgery (p<0.05 for all). CONCLUSION: Assessment of macular capillary plexuses using OCTA may be useful for monitoring retinal structural and functional changes in MH.

Macular capillary plexuses after epiretinal membrane surgery: an optical coherence tomography angiography study.

AIMS: To investigate macular vascular integrity using optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) in patients undergoing vitrectomy for idiopathic epiretinal membrane (ERM) removal and to determine its association with structural and visual outcomes. METHODS: Forty-three patients with unilateral ERM who were followed for ≥6 months after surgery were included. Ophthalmological evaluations included best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and spectral-domain OCT (SD-OCT) before surgery and 6 months after surgery. We obtained en face OCTA images of the superficial capillary plexus (SCP) and deep capillary plexus (DCP) for both eyes 6 months after ERM removal. We compared eyes with ERM to unaffected fellow eyes as controls and used interocular differences in the analyses. RESULTS: Compared with the fellow eyes, eyes with ERM after surgery had a lower parafoveal vascular density (VD) and a smaller foveal avascular zone (FAZ) area in both SCP and DCP (all p<0.001). Interocular differences in the FAZ area and parafoveal VD were correlated with preoperative and postoperative central foveal thicknesses (all p<0.05). In addition, interocular differences in macular vascular integrity had a tendency to be correlated with SD-OCT parameters of the inner retinal layers. Finally, greater interocular differences in the FAZ area and parafoveal VD of both plexuses were significantly associated with worse postoperative BCVAs (all p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Assessing macular capillary plexuses via OCTA may be useful to quantify structural changes of the inner retinal layer and predict visual function in patients undergoing ERM removal surgery.

Improved Visual Outcome and Low Recurrence with Early Treatment with Intravitreal Anti-Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor in Myopic Choroidal Neovascularization.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to determine the correlation between the duration of myopic choroidal neovascularization (CNV) and treatment outcome after anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) injections. METHODS: We performed a retrospective review of treatment-naïve myopic CNV patients who were treated with anti-VEGF and followed for at least 24 months to identify factors predicting final outcome and recurrence. RESULTS: Among 106 eyes, a shorter duration of CNV was a significant predictor of a better final best-corrected visual acuity, even after controlling for other factors (p = 0.042). When divided into 3 groups according to CNV duration before treatment (<2, 2-8, and 8-24 weeks), the recurrence rate (19, 25, and 52%, respectively; p = 0.006) and number of injections (3.5, 4.0, and 5.5, respectively; p = 0.021) were significantly lower in eyes with a shorter duration of CNV. CONCLUSIONS: Early anti-VEGF treatment of myopic CNV decreased the recurrence rate and number of injections and improved visual outcome.

New prophylactic intraoperative septated circumferential barrier laser in macular surgery.

OBJECTIVE: Despite the availability of minimally invasive intraoperative prophylactic sclerotomy-site laser retinopexy and 360-degree laser retinopexy to reduce the incidence of retinal detachment (RD), RD is still prevalent in macular surgery. We investigated the efficacy and safety of a new prophylactic laser retinopexy method, the intraoperative septated circumferential barrier laser (SCBL), to prevent clinically significant RD during complete phacovitrectomy in macular surgery. DESIGN: Retrospective case-control study. PARTICIPANTS: Six hundred and eighteen consecutive patients who underwent an uncomplicated phacovitrectomy between 2005 and 2011 to treat an epiretinal membrane (ERM) and macular hole (MH) were included. METHODS: Three hundred and forty-four patients received SCBL (group 1), and 274 patients did not receive SCBL (group 2). In the SCBL procedure, 1 or 2 rows of circumferential moderate-intensity burns were placed anteriorly to the equator with a subsequent 5-6 septate laser burns made from the circumferential laser marks to the anterior vitreous base perpendicularly at intervals of about 60 degrees. RESULTS: The SBCL procedure took an additional 208 ± 23.1 seconds in the most recent 47 patients. SCBL was associated with a significant reduction of clinically significant RD (from 2.6% in group 2 to 0% in group 1; p = 0.003). Postoperative complications related to SCBL such as anatomical failure in MH, macular edema, and ERM were not significantly different between the 2 groups (p = 0.738, p = 0.743, and p = 0.914, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Prophylactic intraoperative SCBL produces a significant benefit by preventing postoperative RD without significant complications in ERM and MH surgery combined with phacoemulsification.