Component-resolved diagnostics in vernal conjunctivitis.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Conventional diagnostic tests in allergy are insufficient to clarify the cause of vernal conjunctivitis. Component-resolved diagnostic (CRD) by microarray allergen assay may be useful in detecting allergens that might be involved in the inflammatory process. RECENT FINDINGS: In a recent trial in patients suffered from eosinophilic esophagitis, after 2 years of the CRD-guided exclusion diet and specific immunotherapy, significant clinical improvement was observed, and 68% of patients were discharged (cure based on negative biopsy, no symptoms, and no medication intake). Our new objective was to evaluate IgE-mediated hypersensitivity by CRD in tears and serum from patients with vernal conjunctivitis and treat patients with identified triggering allergens by specific immunotherapy. Twenty-five patients with vernal conjunctivitis were evaluated. The identified triggering allergens were n Lol p 1 (11 cases), n Cyn d 1 (eight cases), group 4 and 6 grasses (six cases) and group 5 of grasses (five cases). Prick test and pollen IgE were positive in one case. Clinical improvement was observed in 13/25 vernal conjunctivitis patients after 1-year specific immunotherapy. SUMMARY: CRD seems to be a more sensitive diagnostic tool compared with prick test and IgE detection. Specific CRD-led immunotherapy may achieve clinical improvements in vernal conjunctivitis patients.

INTRAVITREAL ANTI-VASCULAR ENDOTHELIAL GROWTH FACTOR THERAPY FOR CHOROIDAL NEOVASCULARIZATION SECONDARY TO PATHOLOGIC MYOPIA: SIX YEARS OUTCOME.

PURPOSE: To report the visual outcome after 6-year follow-up in highly myopic eyes with choroidal neovascularization treated with anti-vascular endothelial growth factor drugs. METHODS: Retrospective, nonrandomized, multicenter, consecutive, and interventional case series. RESULTS: Seventy-eight patients were treated with intravitreal bevacizumab and 19 with ranibizumab. Mean age of the patients was 56.5 years (SD, 13.3). The average number of letters read was 56.7 (SD, 19.0) at baseline; 65.7 (SD, 18.4) at 12 months; 63.6 (SD, 20.6) at 24 months; 62.4 (SD, 21.4) at 36 months; 60.6 (SD, 22.0) at 48 months; 58.9 (SD, 22.9) at 60 months, and 58.4 (SD, 22.7) at 72 months (P < 0.01, between initial vs. 12, 24, and 36 months; P = 0.07, 0.3, and 0.5 between initial vs. 48, 60, and 72 months, respectively; Student's t-test paired data). The mean total number of intravitreal injections was 3.3 (SD, 2.3; range, 1-9). CONCLUSION: Bevacizumab and ranibizumab are effective therapies and show similar clinical effects in myopic eyes with choroidal neovascularization. Visual acuity gain is maintained at a 3-year follow-up. The improvement is no longer statistically significant at Years 4, 5, and 6.

Intravitreal anti-VEGF therapy for choroidal neovascularisation secondary to pathological myopia: 4-year outcome.

OBJECTIVE: To report the visual outcome after 4-year follow-up in a series of highly myopic eyes with choroidal neovascularisation (CNV) treated with antivascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF) drugs. METHODS: A retrospective, non-randomised, multicentre, consecutive, interventional case series study was performed. 92 highly myopic eyes with subfoveal CNV were treated with intravitreal injection (IVI) of anti-VEGF. The initial protocol (1 vs 3 injections) was dictated by surgeons' preferences and followed by an as-needed monthly regime. Best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) was evaluated at baseline and then monthly. The primary aim was to analyse BCVA changes. The effect of age, spherical equivalent (SE) and treating drug were evaluated as secondary objectives. RESULTS: The mean age of the patients was 57 years (SD 14, range 30-93). The mean number of letters read was 46.1 (SD 16.8, range 5-70) at baseline, 55.5 (SD 18.6, range 10-85) at 12 months, 50.1 (SD 20.1, range 5-82) at 24 months, 54.2 (SD 21.9, range 2-85) at 36 months and 53.1 (SD 22.5, range 1-83) at 48 months (p=0.000, initial vs 12, 24 and 36 months; p=0.01 initial vs 48 months; Student t test for paired data). The mean total number of IVI was 4.9 (SD 5.4, range 1-29). SE and treating drug had no influence on the final visual outcome and number of injections required. CONCLUSIONS: Intravitreal bevacizumab and ranibizumab are effective therapies and show similar clinical effects in highly myopic CNV. Visual acuity gain is maintained at 4-year follow-up.

Spectral-domain optical coherence tomography study of macular structure as prognostic and determining factor for macular hole surgery outcome.

PURPOSE: To evaluate postoperative spectral-domain optical coherence tomography findings after macular hole surgery. METHODS: Retrospective, interventional, nonrandomized study. Overall, 164 eyes of 157 patients diagnosed with macular hole were operated on by vitrectomy and internal limiting membrane peeling. Preoperative and postoperative best-corrected visual acuity and spectral-domain optical coherence tomography images were obtained. Two groups were considered on the basis of the postoperative integrity of the back reflection line from the ellipsoid portion of the photoreceptor inner segment: group A (disruption of ellipsoid portion of the inner segment line, 60 eyes) and group B (restoration of ellipsoid portion of the inner segment line, 104 eyes). RESULTS: Logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution best-corrected visual acuity improved significantly after the surgery of macular hole from a mean preoperative value of 0.79 ± 0.37 (range, 0.15-2.00) to a mean postoperative value of 0.35 ± 0.31 (range, 0.00-1.30) at the last follow-up visit (P < 0.01). Best-corrected visual acuity improved significantly in the 2 groups analyzed (all P < 0.01). A larger improvement was found in group B than in group A (P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: Ellipsoid portion of the inner segment line reconstruction seems to be a good prognostic factor for visual rehabilitation after macular hole surgery.

Ocular pain after intravitreal injection.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the efficacy of different anesthetics and topical anti-inflammatory treatment in patients undergoing intravitreal injections (IVI). METHODS: Prospective, randomized, double masked, comparative study. Patients undergoing 0.05 mL IVI were randomized to two different preoperative anesthetic regimes (regime A [0.5% tetracaine + naphazoline] versus regime B [5% lidocaine]) and two different post-injection topical protocols (protocol 1 [tobramycin qid] versus protocol 2 [tobramycin qid + diclofenac qid]). Patients were trained to score pain using a numerical rating pain scale from 0 (no pain) to 10 (excruciating pain) immediately after the injection, 30 min and 24 h later. Patients were instructed to take oral paracetamol (650-1000 mg, adjusted to the patient's weight) every six hours ad lib if necessary. RESULTS: A total of 156 patients were enrolled; 86 patients were randomized to regime A and 70 to regime B; 78 patients were assigned to each of the post-injection topical protocols. The average pain score immediately after the IVI was 2.77 (SD 2.12) for the whole group (2.85, SD 2.23 with tetracaine and 2.67, SD 2.00 with lidocaine; p = 0.73, Mann-Whitney U-test). Twenty-four hours later, the average pain score was 1.84, SD 2.45 (topical diclofenac + tobramycin) versus 1.75, SD 1.83 (topical tobramycin; p = 0.46, Mann-Whitney U-test). Forty-seven patients (30%) required oral paracetamol (average 3.3 and range 1-5 tablets). Conjunctival hemorrhage 30 min after the injection was less frequent and severe in eyes treated with topical naphazoline (p = 0.055, Mann-Whitney U-test). CONCLUSIONS: Topical tetracaine and lidocaine provide similar anesthesia before IVI. Topical diclofenac does not seem to reduce pain scores after IVI.

Systemic beta-blockers may reduce the need for repeated intravitreal injections in patients with wet age-related macular degeneration treated by bevacizumab.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the effect of concomitant systemic therapy in patients with choroidal neovascularization secondary to age-related macular degeneration (AMD) treated by intravitreal bevacizumab and to propose a mechanism for different interindividual response. METHODS: Retrospective, nonrandomized, single-center, consecutive interventional case series study. Forty-six eyes from 46 patients with choroidal neovascularization secondary to age-related macular degeneration were treated by monthly intravitreal 1.25 mg bevacizumab injections on a pro re nata regime. Patients' files were revised and changes in Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study best-corrected visual acuity, central foveal thickness as determined by spectral domain optical coherence tomography, number of injections performed, occurrence of severe adverse effects, and systemic concomitant medication were recorded. The effect of systemic medication on final best-corrected visual acuity, central foveal thickness, and number of injections performed was evaluated. RESULTS: The most frequent systemic medications recorded were angiotensin-converting-enzyme inhibitors in 19 patients, beta-adrenergic blocking agents (n = 18), nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs (n = 17), diuretics (n = 16), calcium channel blockers (n = 14), benzodiazepines (n = 11), proton-pump inhibitors (n = 9), and statins (n = 8). Thirty-two patients had arterial hypertension. Average follow-up was 25.1 months (standard deviation [SD] = 8.9). Average gain in best-corrected visual acuity was 0.9 (SD = 13.6) and -2.1 letters (SD = 15.9) at 12 months and 24 months, respectively. The average reduction in central foveal thickness was 111 µm (SD = 54) and 105 µm (SD = 71) at 12 months and 24 months, respectively. The average number of intravitreal injections required was 6.7 (SD = 3.2). Patients on treatment with systemic beta-adrenergic blocking agents required less intravitreal injections (5.2, SD = 2.4 vs. 7.9, SD = 3.4) and this difference was statistically significant (P = 0.0068, multiple linear regression). CONCLUSION: Concomitant systemic beta-adrenergic blocking agents treatment may reduce the need for repeated intravitreal injections of bevacizumab in patients with choroidal neovascularization associated with age-related macular degeneration.

Photodynamic therapy for chronic central serous chorioretinopathy: a 4-year follow-up study.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of standard photodynamic therapy with verteporfin at 48 months in patients with chronic central serous chorioretinopathy. METHODS: A retrospective, multicenter, interventional case series analysis in patients with chronic central serous chorioretinopathy, treated with standard photodynamic therapy, and with ≥4 years of follow-up. Evaluations were performed every 3 months in the first year, every 6 months in the second year, and thereafter annually. Optical coherence tomography was performed in all visits. Fluorescein angiography and indocyanine green angiography were performed at baseline and thereafter as necessary. Retinal thickness on optical coherence tomography was measured manually, evaluating central macular thickness and neural retina thickness. Main outcomes included the evolution of best-corrected visual acuity, the resolution of subretinal fluid, documented with optical coherence tomography, the number of treatments, and the evaluation of neural retina thickness during the 48 months of follow-up. RESULTS: The study included 46 eyes of 42 patients, 38 men (90.4%) and 4 women (9.5%), with mean age of 49.19 ± 9.9 years (range, 32-70 years), and the minimal follow-up period was 48 months (mean, 56.8 ±10.3 months). Subretinal fluid was observed in all the included eyes at baseline, and 10 eyes (21.7%) had intraretinal diffuse or cystoid fluid. Concerning the mean best-corrected visual acuity, a statistically significant improvement (P < 0.01, Student t-test) was registered from 58.8 ± 18.3 letters at baseline to 66.9 ± 18.6 letters at 48th month. A complete resolution of subretinal fluid was achieved in 93.4%, and resolution of intraretinal fluid occurred in all 10 cases at 48 months. Neural retina thickness remained stable during the 48 months of follow-up (163.8 ± 47 µm at baseline and 163.8 ± 46 µm at 48 months). The mean number of treatments was 1.08 ± 0.3. No systemic or ocular side effects were registered. CONCLUSION: Standard photodynamic therapy with verteporfin was effective and safe in chronic central serous chorioretinopathy treatment with a significant improvement in the long term, both anatomic and visual, without inducing additional retinal atrophy or systemic adverse effects.

Histopathology of peripapillary choroidal neovascularization.

The different therapeutic responses observed among choroidal neovascularization (CNV) of different etiologies, ages, and locations might be related to the presence of varied mediators. Two surgically removed peripapillary CNVs from two different patients were analyzed. One of the patients had received one intravitreous injection of bevacizumab 3 months earlier. CNV was analyzed using conventional histology and immunohistochemistry. Histological analysis showed intense neovascularization and epithelial and glial components. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) receptors were found in the endothelial cells and the epithelial cells of the CNV. VEGF was expressed in the patient who had not been previously treated with anti-VEGF. The CNV was deeply infiltrated by glial cells and invaded by microglial cells in one case. VEGF and VEGF receptors may be expressed, suggesting that therapies aiming at VEGF may be efficient only for a subtype of CNV and at a certain time point of their evolution.

Restoration of macular structure as the determining factor for macular hole surgery outcome.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this work is to evaluate the preoperative and postoperative spectral domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) findings as predictors of visual acuity for macular hole (MH) surgery. METHODS: Fifty eyes of 46 patients diagnosed with MH and that had undergone 25-g vitrectomy with internal limiting membrane peeling were included in this retrospective study. A complete clinical examination and SD-OCT were performed before and after surgery. Three groups were considered on the basis of the postoperative integrity of photoreceptor inner and outer segment (IS-OS) junction and the external limiting membrane (ELM): group A (11 eyes, both lines disrupted), group B (ten eyes, disrupted IS/OS line and complete ELM), and group C (29 eyes, both lines restored). RESULTS: LogMAR BCVA improved significantly after surgery from an average 0.60 ± 0.29 to 0.19 ± 0.19 (p < 0.01). No significant differences had been detected preoperatively among these groups (p≥0.18). Postoperative BCVA was significantly better in group C compared to groups A and B (p ≤ 0.01). A significant correlation was found between ELM restoration and postoperative BCVA (r = -0.63, p < 0.01), as well as between IS/OS line restoration and postoperative BCVA (r = -0.55, p < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Outer retina restoration seems to be the best determining factor for a good visual rehabilitation after MH surgery.

Intravitreal anti-VEGF drugs as adjuvant therapy in diabetic retinopathy surgery.

The use of intravitreal anti vascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF) drugs such as pegaptanib, ranibizumab and bevacizumab has been widely reported to treat complications such as macular edema and rubeosis. During the past few years they have also been used as an adjuvant therapy to reduce intraocular bleeding during vitrectomy in eyes with proliferative diabetic retinopathy as well as to reduce the occurrence of vitreous haemorrhages in vitrectomized eyes and facilitate glaucoma surgery. In this paper we review the use of anti VEGF drugs in the surgical management of diabetic retinopathy related complications.

Intravitreal bevacizumab to treat choroidal neovascularization following photodynamic therapy in central serous choroidopathy.

PURPOSE: To report the anatomic and functional outcome of intravitreal bevacizumab (IVB) to treat choroidal neovascularization (CNV) following photodynamic therapy (PDT) to treat recurrent central serous choroidopathy (CSC). METHODS: This was an interventional case report in which verteporfin PDT was performed in a case of recurrent CSC. RESULTS: Following PDT, the patient developed juxtafoveal CNV that was later treated by IVB, achieving CNV closure and recovery of visual acuity. CONCLUSIONS: Photodynamic therapy is a useful therapy to treat recurrent CSC, though it may be associated with potentially severe complications such as CNV. Intravitreal bevacizumab seems a good alternative treatment in the management of this condition.

Spectral domain optical coherence tomography findings in acute posterior multifocal placoid pigment epitheliopathy.

PURPOSE: To report spectral domain optical coherence tomography (SD OCT) findings in acute posterior multifocal placoid pigment epitheliopathy (APMPPE). DESIGN: Prospective, observational case report. METHODS: Complete ophthalmologic examination, including fluorescein angiography and SD OCT. RESULTS: A 31-year-old female with APMPPE presented with large intraretinal cysts in the outer nuclear layer consistent with intraretinal edema on SD OCT. Spontaneous normalization of the gross anatomy of the fovea with disruption of the inner/outer photoreceptor segment junction was observed in both eyes. CONCLUSION: The findings show that massive intraretinal edema may occur in the early stages of APMPPE.

Myopic choroidal neovascularization treated by intravitreal bevacizumab: comparison of two different initial doses.

BACKGROUND: Myopic maculopathy is the leading cause of subfoveal choroidal neovascularization (CNV) in patients under 50 years of age. New antiangiogenic drugs are being used off-label with varied therapeutic schedules to treat CNV. The aim of this study is to report the anatomical and visual outcomes of myopic choroidal neovascularization (CNV) treated by two different schedules with intravitreal bevacizumab. METHODS: Prospective, comparative, consecutive, non-randomized, multicentric, interventional pilot study. Two groups of highly myopic patients with subfoveal and juxtafoveal CNV were treated by monthly intravitreal injections with 1.25 mg bevacizumab. Group 1 comprised 19 eyes treated by three consecutive monthly intravitreal injections. Group 2 comprised 20 eyes treated by one single intravitreal injection. Patients were evaluated for best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and optical coherence tomography (OCT) at baseline and then monthly. Fluorescein angiography was performed at baseline and when CNV activity was suspected. Further intravitreal injections were performed if CNV activity was detected. RESULTS: Both groups were matched for age, spherical equivalent, LogMAR BCVA, and central foveal thickness (CFT) as determined by OCT at baseline and number of eyes with previous PDT treatment. The average number of letters gained was 6.3 in group 1 vs 7.2 in group 2 (p = 0.001 and 0.09 respectively, Student's t-test for paired data). Changes in OCT were not significant for either group by the end of follow-up. The mean number injections performed was 3.2 in group 1 vs 1.7 in group 2 (p = 0.00, Mann-Whitney test). Four recurrences (four eyes) occurred in group 1 vs 15 (seven eyes) in group 2 (p = 0.001; Fisher's exact test). CONCLUSIONS: Both schedules achieved similar results improving BCVA, though the second group required a lower number of injections, showing a higher rate of recurrences during the first year.

Sliding macular fold following retinal detachment surgery.

BACKGROUND: Retinal folds (RF) following retinal detachment (RD) surgery are infrequent complications and their management is controversial. Spontaneous resolution of RF has been reported. METHODS: An observational case report of a surgical complication of RD surgery was done. The progressive migration of a postoperative macular fold away from the center of the fovea was documented by optical coherence tomography (OCT) and retinography. RESULTS: A macular fold was detected following 23G vitrectomy with liquid perfluorocarbon injection, photocoagulation, and SF6 injection to treat a bullous rhegmatogenous retinal detachment. In the following year, visual acuity remained stable at 20/25 while the macular fold migrated 1 mm away from the center of the fovea. CONCLUSIONS: A conservative approach may be appropriate in cases of macular fold following retinal detachment surgery, provided that good visual acuity is present and OCT shows a trend towards migration of the macular fold.

Twelve-month outcome after one intravitreal injection of bevacizumab to treat myopic choroidal neovascularization.

PURPOSE: To report the changes during a 1-year follow-up in visual acuity and macular thickness in a series of highly myopic eyes with choroidal neovascularization treated with bevacizumab. METHODS: Retrospective and multicenter study including 107 highly myopic eyes from 107 patients (mean age, 55 years) with subfoveal or juxtafoveal choroidal neovascularization. All cases were treated by one intravitreous injection of 1.25 mg bevacizumab. Best-corrected visual acuity and macular thickness with the optical coherence tomography were evaluated at baseline and then monthly during 1 year. RESULTS: Logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution best-corrected visual acuity at baseline averaged 0.72 (standard deviation [SD], 0.43) versus 0.53 (SD, 0.41) at 1 year after treatment (P < 0.001). Logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution best-corrected visual acuity was 0.30 or better in 49 of 107 eyes (45%) at 1 year. Thirty-three eyes (30%) gained at least 3 Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study lines (15 letters) during the follow-up. In 43 eyes (40%), reinjections were necessary because signs of choroidal neovascularization activity were still evident. The mean number of reinjections was 0.8 (SD, 1.3). Best-corrected visual acuity improvement was better in the younger group (younger than 50 years). No adverse reactions were reported. CONCLUSION: One intravitreal bevacizumab injection seems to be an effective therapeutic approach to treat choroidal neovascularization in highly myopic eyes. Careful monitoring is necessary to assess the need for reinjections.

Intravitreal bevacizumab to treat myopic choroidal neovascularization: 2-year outcome.

BACKGROUND: Myopic maculopathy is the leading cause of subfoveal choroidal neovascularization (CNV) among patients under 50 years of age. New antiangiogenic drugs are being used off-label to treat myopic CNV and the short-term outcome of these therapies has been reported. The aim of this study is to report the changes in best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and optical coherence tomography (OCT) in highly myopic CNV treated by intravitreal bevacizumab at 2 years. METHODS: Prospective non-randomized, interventional case series study of 19 highly myopic eyes from 18 patients with subfoveal and juxtafoveal CNV treated by three monthly intravitreal injections of 1.25 mg bevacizumab. Patients were evaluated for BCVA and OCT at baseline and then monthly for 2 years. RESULTS: Eleven eyes were naive for treatment and eight eyes had been previously treated by photodynamic therapy. LogMAR BCVA averaged 0.54 (SD 0.25, range 0.2-1.0; Snellen 20/69) at baseline; 0.40 (SD 0.35, range 0.0-1.2; Snellen 20/50) at 1 year; and 0.47 (SD 0.31, range 0.0-1.0; Snellen 20/59) at 2 years (p = 0.04 and p = 0.20, respectively, Student's t test paired data). Re-treatment was performed in four eyes during the first year: three eyes at month six and one eye at month 12. Four eyes required one re-injection during the second year at months 14, 18, 20, and 24. Neither ocular nor systemic adverse reactions were detected. CONCLUSIONS: Intravitreal bevacizumab seems to be effective for subfoveal and juxtafoveal CNV in highly myopic eyes. BCVA gain decreases and is no longer significant by the end of the second year.