[Treatment of exudative age-related macular degeneration: Consensus of French experts for first-line treatment selection and the importance of long-term risk/benefit ratio]. / Consensus d'experts français sur les critères de choix d'un traitement de 1re intention dans la DMLA néovasculaire et importance du ratio bénéfice/risque à long terme.

Choosing a first-line treatment to optimize long-term outcomes is a major challenge for treating patients with neovascular age-related macular degeneration (AMD). The development of several new molecules makes it critical to identify the relevant factors to consider so as to provide an optimal risk-benefit ratio when initiating a treatment in naïve patients with neovascular AMD. This paper proposes a consensus established with the Delphi method (which includes a gradation in a consensus based on an analysis of the convergence rate of answers) to provide criteria that guide the ophthalmologist's decision for treatment initiation and follow-up in neovascular AMD patients. Fourteen questions were submitted to 93 French retina experts. Thirteen (93%) of the questions reached a consensus (≥50% of answers consensual). The criteria recommended to take into account were both efficacy and onset of action of the molecules, their safety, and the ability to decrease injection frequency. The primary criterion of expected efficacy of a molecule is a combination of the gain in visual acuity and resorption of retinal fluid. With regard to safety, experts recommend tighter follow-up for molecules currently in development, and at every scheduled visit, patients should be screened to identify early any potential adverse effects such as intraocular inflammation, retinal vasculitis or vascular occlusion. Experts also emphasize the importance of the packaging of the biological, with a preference toward prefilled syringes. Injection frequency is a key factor, and the authors recommended aiming for a maximal injection interval of 12 to 16 weeks. The stability of that maximum interval is also an important factor to consider in treatment selection.

[Treat-and-extend anti-angiogenic protocol in clinical practice for patients with exudative age-related macular degeneration: Consensus of French experts]. / Consensus d'experts français sur la mise en œuvre pratique du régime Treat-and-Extend par anti-angiogéniques chez les patients atteints de DMLA exsudative.

Optimizing treatment regimens for anti-angiogenic drugs is now a major issue in the management of patients with exudative AMD. The evolution of these approaches has led retinologists to favor so-called proactive administration regimens, such as Treat-and-Extend (T&E), which make it possible to anticipate recurrence and to plan intravitreal injections of anti-angiogenic drugs in advance. Nevertheless, a real need to standardize the application of this regimen has been identified. This article proposes a consensus based on the Delphi methodology, which might provide a guide for ophthalmologists to manage patients with exudative AMD using the T&E protocol. While some aspects remain debated to date, this article provides elements to guide the implementation of T&E. The experts recommend that a loading dose of 3 monthly injections should be administered before starting T&E. They also recommend adjusting the reinjection intervals by±2 weeks in a standardized fashion. The intervals are then decreased in the presence of anatomical and/or functional deterioration, maintained when the interval of recurrence is identified, and increased when anatomical and/or functional improvement is observed. A maximum interval between 3 and 4 months is recommended by the experts, with maintenance of the maximum interval for 1 year before considering a possible exit from the T&E protocol. In the event of a significant decrease in visual acuity related to the disease along with significant anatomical degradation, it is recommended to restart monthly injections. In the case of bilateral disease, when synchronized timing of injections for both eyes is desired, the experts recommend using the shorter of the two intervals.

Scleral fixated intraocular lens by a modified technique: Methods and results.

PURPOSE: A certain number of conditions can result in compromised anterior and/or posterior capsular integrity. Several surgical options have been employed for repositioning dislocated intraocular lenses in the absence of adequate capsular support. The purpose of this study is to assess the functional outcomes and complication profile of a modified surgical technique for replacing dislocated intraocular lenses. MATERIAL AND METHODS: All patients who had undergone the modified surgical procedure for dislocated intraocular lenses between 2012 and 2017 were retrospectively reviewed for visual outcomes and complications. Patient demographic characteristics, pre- and postoperative visual acuity, surgical indications, refractive outcomes, intraocular pressure and postoperative complications were recorded and analysed at baseline and at six months, which was the conclusion of the study. We also present our modified surgical technique. RESULTS: Sixty-eight eyes of sixty-eight patients (74% male) were included. Mean age at surgery was 58 years (range 4-89 years). Mean best-corrected visual acuity increased significantly from 0.80 (SD±0.2) LogMar to 0.40 (SD±0.1) LogMar (P<0.005). Median astigmatic error at the conclusion of follow-up remained stable. There were no intraoperative complications and a low postoperative complication rate (10.2%), mainly related to the surgical context. CONCLUSION: Sutureless intrascleral fixation of dislocated intraocular lenses is an option in case of deficient capsular support. Visual outcomes and complication rates are comparable to other case series.

Treatment of cystoid macular edema in homozygous twins with glutathione synthetase deficiency and retinal dystrophy.

Monozygotic twins with glutathione synthetase deficiency, progressive retinal dystrophy and cystoid macular edema were followed for foveal changes on optical coherence tomography under different treatment modalities. The purpose of the study is to show the effect of topical dorzolamide in conjunction with systemic acetazolamide in terms of decreasing macular edema in this specific disease. The results showed that systemic acetazolamide alone or in combination with topical dorzolamide decreased CME in both patients for a certain period of time. The result can be temporary sustained after treatment discontinuation. In conclusion, topical dorzolamide, in conjunction with systemic acetazolamide, could reduce cystoid macular edema in GSSD.

[Inefficacy of aflibercept in the treatment of idiopathic macular telangiectasia type 2 without neovascularization]. / Inefficacité de l'aflibercept dans le traitement des télangiectasies maculaires idiopathiques de type 2 sans néovascularisation.

Idiopathic macular telangectasia type 2 is a rare disease consisting primarily of bilateral macular capillary telangiectasia, alterations of the ellipsoid zone and intraretinal cysts that may appear as cystoid macular edema in the absence of neovascularization. Our goal was to study the efficacy of aflibercept in the treatment of these cysts. Thus, we performed a series of three intravitreal injections of aflibercept in the right eye of a woman with a typical presentation of macular telangectasia type 2 complicated by cystoid macular edema without neovascularization. These injections did not significantly improve the anatomical or functional results. Other studies investigating the efficacy of other anti-VEGF in this disease led mainly to a decrease in macular thickness on OCT after injection, without any functional improvement. The anti-VEGFs therefore appear to be of little value in treating MacTel 2 intraretinal cysts without neovascularization.

Follow-up after surgery for hemorrhagic AMD.

INTRODUCTION: The long-term functional results of macular hematoma (MH) surgery in exudative AMD are often limited. The goal of this study was to compare visual outcomes of monthly versus bimestrial follow-up in these patients. METHODS: Retrospective, interventional case series. Population : 21 eyes of 21 patients with SMH associated with exudative AMD. INCLUSION CRITERIA: first SMH associated with exudative AMD, with 1-year postoperative follow-up. EXCLUSION CRITERIA: blood located exclusively underneath the retinal pigment epithelium on OCT imaging, SMH due to different etiology, lost to follow-up, ≤5 postoperative visits and a different surgical protocol as described. Patients were divided into two groups according to the number of postoperative visits (number of intravitreal injections [IVT] combined with the number of consultations, only one visit was recorded when IVT and consultation occurred on the same day) during the 1-year postoperative follow-up: group 1 had ≥11 visits (n=8); group 2 had 6 to 10 visits (n=13). All eyes underwent vitrectomy with subretinal injection of recombinant tissue plasminogen activator, fluid-gas exchange and anti-VEGF intravitreal injection. The main outcome was change in best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA). RESULTS: Considering visual acuity (VA) change between 1-month and 1-year postoperative follow-up examinations, group 1 had statistically significant greater VA changes (logMAR -0.29±0.44 vs logMAR 0.42±0.73; P=0.016; P=0.016). In patients that had exudative recurrences (ER), group 1 received more anti-VEGF IVT than group 2 (P=0.045). CONCLUSION: Our results showed that monthly follow-up, between the IVT series, is highly recommended to preserve postoperative VA in patients undergoing surgery for SMH associated with AMD.

Posterior segment involvement in cat-scratch disease: A case series.

INTRODUCTION: Cat-scratch disease (CSD) is a systemic infectious disease. The most well-known posterior segment presentation is neuroretinitis with a macular star. In this study, we present a case series emphasising the heterogeneity of the disease and the various posterior segment manifestations. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective case series of consecutive patients presenting with posterior segment CSD, over a 5-year period (2010 to 2015), at two ophthalmological centres in Midi-Pyrénées. RESULTS: Twelve patients (17 eyes) were included, of whom 11 (92%) presented with rapidly decreasing visual acuity, with 6 of these (50%) extremely abrupt. CSD was bilateral in 5 (42% of all patients). Posterior manifestations were: 12 instances of optic nerve edema (100%), 8 of focal chorioretinitis (67%) and only 6 of the classic macular edema with macular star (25% at first examination, but 50% later). Other ophthalmological complications developed in three patients; one developed acute anterior ischemic optic neuropathy, one a retrohyaloid hemorrhage and one a branch retinal artery occlusion, all secondary to occlusive focal vasculitis adjacent to focal chorioretinitis. CONCLUSION: Classical neuroretinitis with macular star is not the only clinical presentation of CSD. Practitioners should screen for Bartonella henselae in all patients with papillitis or focal chorioretinitis.