Three-year outcome of photodynamic therapy combined with VEGF inhibitor for pachychoroid neovasculopathy.

BACKGROUND: Long-term results of photodynamic therapy (PDT) combined with vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) inhibitors for pachychoroid neovasculopathy (PNV) are not yet clear. METHODS: This study is a retrospective, observational case series. We retrospectively examined untreated PNV cases (22 cases, 22 eyes, mean age of 71.0 years) who underwent PDT therapy in combination with VEGF inhibitors followed by additional treatments with pro re nata protocol. Visual acuity, number of treatments, and time to recurrence were examined. In addition, foveal choroidal thickness and choroidal vascularity index (CVI) were evaluated in 13 of 22 patients who were followed up with SpectralisOCTR from baseline. RESULTS: Fifteen (68%) cases had polyps at baseline. LogMAR visual acuity averaged 0.24 ± 0.20 (range, - 0.079 to 0.82) at baseline and significantly improved after 1, 2, and 3 years (p = 0. 004, 0.0003, 0.002, respectively). Fourteen patients (64%) recurred, with an average time to recurrence of 1.8 ± 0.9 years. Foveal choroidal thickness decreased significantly after 1 year (average from 326 µm to 263 µm) and remained unchanged up to 3 years (255 µm). CVI also decreased after 1 year (average from 0.62 to 0.61) and remained unchanged until 3 years later (0.60). CONCLUSIONS: We examined the 3-year course of PDT in combination with the VEGF inhibitor for untreated PNV. Visual acuity was improved, foveal choroidal thickness and CVI were decreased after 3 years.

Trousseau's Syndrome With Severe Visual Loss As the Initial Symptom.

There are limited reports on patients with Trousseau syndrome, a condition characterized by hypercoagulability associated with malignant tumors, initially manifesting with reduced visual function. We present a case of a patient who experienced bilateral vision loss and was subsequently diagnosed with Trousseau's syndrome following examination and investigations. A 70-year-old man, undergoing chemotherapy for advanced pancreatic cancer, reported decreased visual acuity in both eyes. A dilated fundus examination revealed retinal pigment epithelial atrophy in the posterior pole and cotton-wool spots. Optical coherence tomography exhibited partial disruption of the ellipsoid zone in the parafoveal region, and full-field electroretinogram results were subnormal, although the macular retinal structure was preserved. Brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) detected occipital lobe infarction. Elevated coagulability markers, including D-dimer (5.5µg/mL), led to the diagnosis of Trousseau's syndrome. In cases where patients with malignant tumors present with profound visual loss, considering the possibility of Trousseau's syndrome and conducting assessments of brain function and coagulability is crucial for accurate diagnosis and appropriate management.

Six-Year Outcomes in Subjects with Polypoidal Choroidal Vasculopathy in the EVEREST II Study.

INTRODUCTION: The EVEREST II study previously reported that intravitreally administered ranibizumab (IVR) combined with photodynamic therapy (PDT) achieved superior visual gain and polypoidal lesion closure compared to IVR alone in patients with polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy (PCV). This follow-up study reports the long-term outcomes 6 years after initiation of the EVEREST II study. METHODS: This is a non-interventional cohort study of 90 patients with PCV from 16 international trial sites who originally completed the EVEREST II study. The long-term outcomes were assessed during a recall visit at about 6 years from commencement of EVEREST II. RESULTS: The monotherapy and combination groups contained 41 and 49 participants, respectively. The change in best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) from baseline to year 6 was not different between the monotherapy and combination groups; - 7.4 ± 23.0 versus - 6.1 ± 22.4 letters, respectively. The combination group had greater central subfield thickness (CST) reduction compared to the monotherapy group at year 6 (- 179.9 vs - 74.2 µm, p = 0.011). Fewer eyes had subretinal fluid (SRF)/intraretinal fluid (IRF) in the combination versus monotherapy group at year 6 (35.4% vs 57.5%, p = 0.032). Factors associated with BCVA at year 6 include BCVA (year 2), CST (year 2), presence of SRF/IRF at year 2, and number of anti-VEGF treatments (years 2-6). Factors associated with presence of SRF/IRF at year 6 include combination arm (OR 0.45, p = 0.033), BCVA (year 2) (OR 1.53, p = 0.046), and presence of SRF/IRF (year 2) (OR 2.59, p = 0.042). CONCLUSION: At 6 years following the EVEREST II study, one-third of participants still maintained good vision. As most participants continued to require treatment after exiting the initial trial, ongoing monitoring and re-treatment regardless of polypoidal lesion status are necessary in PCV. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov identifier, NCT01846273.

Intravitreal anti-vascular endothelial growth factor and combined photodynamic therapy for pachychoroid neovasculopathy: long-term treatment outcomes.

PURPOSE: To examine the long-term visual outcomes after initial treatment with combined photodynamic therapy (PDT) or aflibercept treat-and-extend (TAE) monotherapy in patients with pachychoroid neovasculopathy (PNV). METHODS: Patients diagnosed with PNV, initially treated with PDT combined with anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) or intravitreal aflibercept (IVA) monotherapy in the TAE protocol and followed up for at least 6 months, were included in the study. Medical records were retrospectively reviewed. Survival analysis was performed, in which deterioration in logMAR visual acuity by 0.1 or 0.3 is defined as "death." The annual number of treatments was also analyzed. Sub-analysis was performed on 33 patients diagnosed with PNV without polypoidal lesions. RESULTS: This study included 46 patients (23 in the initial combined PDT group and 23 in the IVA TAE group). Mean age, sex, mean baseline logMAR visual acuity, or duration of observation (3.6 ± 3.2 years vs. 3.1 ± 1.9 years) in both groups were comparable. As for visual outcome, no significant differences were found in survival analysis based on worsening of 0.1 or 0.3 logMAR (3-year survival; 26% vs. 26%, 91% vs. 90%, respectively). Meanwhile, the additional number of anti-VEGF injections per year was significantly lower in the initial combined PDT group than in the IVA TAE group (1.0 ± 1.3 vs. 4.1 ± 1.5, p < 0.0001). No significant differences were found in the number of additional PDTs per year (0.07 ± 0.20 vs. 0.02 ± 0.09, p = 0.27). Similar results were found in a sub-analysis of 33 patients without polyps. CONCLUSION: In the treatment of PNV, regardless of the presence of polyps, the long-term visual outcomes were similar between the initial combined PDT and IVA TAE monotherapy. However, the annual number of anti-VEGF injections was lower in the initial combined PDT group than in the aflibercept TAE group, whereas that of PDT was comparable.

Effects of Progesterone and Other Gonadal Hormones on Glutamatergic Circuits in the Retina.

BACKGROUND: Gonadal hormones function in the retina; however, their targets have not yet been identified. Therefore, the present study examined the effects of progesterone and other gonadal hormones on glutamatergic circuits in the retina. METHODS: Extracellular glutamate concentrations, which correspond to the amount of glutamate released, were examined using an enzyme-linked fluorescent assay system. The activity of glutamatergic synapses between bipolar cells and ganglion cells was investigated using a patch clamp technique. Changes in retinal thickness during pregnancy were assessed using optical coherence tomography (OCT) images. RESULTS: Progesterone and pregnenolone sulfate increased extracellular glutamate concentrations, whereas estrogen and testosterone did not. Progesterone increased the activity of glutamatergic synapses between bipolar cells and ganglion cells. A temporal decrease in the thickness of the peripheral retina was observed in the 1st trimester. CONCLUSIONS: Progesterone, but not estrogen or testosterone, activated glutamate release in the mouse retina. Increases in the concentration of progesterone during pregnancy did not induce any detectable change in retinal thickness.

Cytokine profiles in the aqueous humor following brolucizumab administration for exudative age-related macular degeneration.

PURPOSE: To identify the inflammatory cytokine profile in the aqueous humor (AH) of patients with intraocular inflammation (IOI) after intravitreal administration of brolucizumab (IVBr) for neovascular age-related macular degeneration. METHODS: Eight eyes from seven patients with IOI after initial IVBr (IVBrIOI +) were enrolled. Sixteen eyes from 16 patients without IOI after IVBr (IVBrIOI -) and aflibercept (IVA) were used as controls. AH samples were analyzed using a multiplex immunoassay. RESULTS: C-C motif chemokine ligand (CCL)2, C-X-C motif chemokine ligand (CXCL)1, CXCL10, CXCL13, interleukin (IL)-6, IL-8, IL-10, matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-1, MMP-9, granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF), granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF), intercellular adhesion molecule (ICAM)-1, E-selectin, and P-selectin levels were significantly higher in IVBrIOI + than in IVBrIOI - and IVA. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) was significantly lower in IVBrIOI - compared to that in IVBrIOI + and IVA. In the IVBrIOI + group, there were significant correlations between CCL2, CXCL1, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, G-CSF, GM-CSF, ICAM-1, and E-selectin, which also exhibited significant correlations in the IVBrIOI - group. CONCLUSION: The number of inflammatory cytokines increases during IOI, which is associated with type IV hypersensitivity and vascular inflammation. Some cytokines exhibit correlations even in non-inflamed eyes, indicating a subclinical response to IVBr.

Recent trends in anti-vascular endothelial growth factor intravitreal injections: a large claims database study in Japan.

PURPOSE: To clarify recent trends in the use of intravitreal injections of anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in Japan. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study. METHODS: We used the DeSC database, a large-scale claims database for Japan, for entries between April 2014 and March 2021. We counted the number of anti-VEGF drug injections (aflibercept, ranibizumab, brolucizumab, and pegaptanib) administered every year, calculated the sex- and age-adjusted injection rates, and stratified these rates according to sex, age categories, anti-VEGF drugs, and diagnoses. We also calculated the number of injections administered within one year after the first injection according to the diagnoses. RESULTS: In total, 164,451 cases of anti-VEGF injections were identified. The sex- and age-adjusted rates of anti-VEGF injections per 1000 person-years increased from 7.9 in 2014 to 16.1 in 2020. Men were approximately twice as likely to receive anti-VEGF injections than women. The 70-79, 80-89, and ≥90 age categories had the highest rates, accounting for approximately 80%. Neovascular age-related macular degeneration had the highest rate, accounting for 60-70% over the study period. Aflibercept was the most commonly used drug, accounting for approximately 80% over the study period. The average number of injections within one year after the first injection was 4.4 for neovascular age-related macular degeneration, 2.7 for branch retinal vein occlusion, 3.1 for central retinal vein occlusion, and 3.5 for diabetic macular edema in 2020. CONCLUSION: These findings can be used as a benchmark for the clinical practice of anti-VEGF therapy.

Genome-Wide Association Study of Age-Related Macular Degeneration Reveals 2 New Loci Implying Shared Genetic Components with Central Serous Chorioretinopathy.

PURPOSE: To investigate the genetic architecture of age-related macular degeneration (AMD) in a Japanese population. DESIGN: Genome-wide association study (GWAS). PARTICIPANTS: Three thousand seven hundred seventy-two patients with AMD and 16 770 control participants from the Japanese population were enrolled in the association analyses. METHODS: We conducted a meta-analysis of 2 independent GWASs that included a total of 2663 patients with AMD and 9471 control participants using the imputation reference panel for genotype imputation specified for the Japanese population (n = 3541). A replication study was performed using an independent set of 1109 patients with AMD and 7299 control participants. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Associations of genetic variants with AMD. RESULTS: A meta-analysis of the 2 GWASs identified 6 loci significantly associated with AMD (P < 5.0 × 10-8). Of these loci, 4 were known to be associated with AMD (CFH, C2/FB, TNFRSF10A, and ARMS2), and 2 were novel (rs4147157 near WBP1L and rs76228488 near GATA5). The newly identified associations were confirmed in a replication study (P < 0.01). After the meta-analysis of all datasets, we observed strong associations in these loci (P = 1.88 × 10-12 and P = 1.35 × 10-9 for meta-analysis for rs4147157 and rs76228488, respectively). When we looked up the associations in the reported central serous chorioretinopathy (CSC) GWAS conducted in the Japanese population, both loci were associated significantly with CSC (P = 4.86 × 10-3 and P = 4.28 × 10-3 for rs4147157 and rs76228488, respectively). We performed a genetic colocalization analysis for these loci and estimated that the posterior probabilities of shared causal variants between AMD and CSC were 0.39 and 0.60 for WBP1L and GATA5, respectively. Genetic correlation analysis focusing on the epidemiologically suggested clinical risk factors implicated shared polygenic architecture between AMD and smoking cessation (rg [the measure of genetic correlation] = -0.33; P = 0.01; false discovery rate, 0.099). CONCLUSIONS: Our findings imply shared genetic components conferring the risk of both AMD and CSC. FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE(S): Proprietary or commercial disclosure may be found after the references.

Association between Retinal Vein Occlusion and Life's Simple 7 Cardiovascular Health Metrics: A Large Claims Database Study.

PURPOSE: Cardiovascular diseases and retinal vein occlusion (RVO) have many risk factors in common. We aimed to investigate the associations between RVO occurrence and each of the cardiovascular health (CVH) metrics known as Life's Simple 7, which are indicators of an unhealthy lifestyle. DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study. PARTICIPANTS: Individuals in the JMDC Claims Database (JMDC Inc) who underwent health checkups between 2005 and 2020. METHODS: We set the following exposures: (1) each component of the CVH metrics (body mass index, blood pressure [BP], fasting blood glucose, total cholesterol, smoking, dietary habits, and physical activity) and (2) the number of nonideal CVH metrics (nonideal CVH score, ranging from 0 [healthiest] to 7 [unhealthiest]). The study outcomes were RVO and central RVO (CRVO) occurrence, which were identified on the first date of diagnosis. We performed Cox regression analyses, with covariates including age, sex, and glaucoma. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The hazard ratios for RVO and CRVO occurrence for (1) each component of the CVH metrics and (2) the nonideal CVH score. RESULTS: We included 2 093 536 individuals. During a mean follow-up period of 1070 ± 884 days, there were 3265 RVO and 789 CRVO events. An increased risk of RVO occurrence was most strongly associated with a nonideal BP (hazard ratio [HR], 2.25; 95% confidence interval [CI], 2.06-2.46), followed by a nonideal body mass index (HR, 1.31; 95% CI, 1.21-1.41). Individuals with nonimprovement in BP within 1 year showed a higher risk of RVO occurrence than those with improvement (HR, 2.07; 95% CI, 1.70-2.52). The adjusted HRs of the groups with nonideal CVH scores of 6 to 7, 5, 4, 3, 2, and 1 were 3.76 (2.66-5.30), 2.87 (2.06-4.00), 2.57 (1.85-3.57), 2.22 (1.60-3.08), 1.79 (1.29-2.48), and 1.39 (0.99-1.95), respectively, compared with the group with a score of 0. Similar results were observed for CRVO. CONCLUSIONS: The strongest risk factor for RVO was nonideal BP, followed by nonideal body mass index. There was a dose-dependent positive association between a nonideal CVH score and RVO occurrence. These findings are important with respect to the identification of individuals at higher risk of RVO.

Dry age-related macular degeneration in the Japanese population.

PURPOSE: To elucidate the clinical characteristics of eyes with dry age-related macular degeneration (AMD) in Japan. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective. METHODS: We performed a nationwide survey of dry AMD. A questionnaire on dry AMD was sent to 3,801 major hospitals and eye clinics nationwide. Whenever both eyes met the diagnostic criteria, only the eye with more advanced geographic atrophy was included. RESULTS: In the current survey, 81 patients (81 eyes) with dry AMD were included. Of the 81 patients, 56 (69.1%) were men, and the mean age of the patients was 76.6 ± 8.4 (range, 54-94) years. Twenty-four patients (29.6%) had a history of smoking. The decimal best corrected-visual acuity (BCVA) was equal to or better than 0.7 in 25 eyes (30.9%), but worse than 0.1 in 17 eyes (21.0%). The mean BCVA was 0.62 ± 0.59 in logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution. Lesion size (the greatest linear dimension of the largest geographic atrophy) was ≥ 2 disc diameter in 33 eyes (40.7%) and < 1 disc diameter in 21 eyes (25.9%). Soft drusen was observed in 27 eyes (33.3%), and reticular pseudodrusen was observed in 31 eyes (38.3%). Of the 81 patients, the other eye was diagnosed as dry AMD in 26 eyes (32.1%), neovascular AMD in 16 eyes (19.8%), and intermediate AMD in 18 eyes (22.2%). CONCLUSION: Dry AMD in the Japanese population has characteristics of male predominance, older age, high prevalence of reticular pseudodrusen, and high bilaterality.

Changes in entropy on polarized-sensitive optical coherence tomography images after therapeutic subthreshold micropulse laser for diabetic macular edema: A pilot study.

PURPOSE: To investigate the dynamics of the healing process after therapeutic subthreshold micropulse laser (SMPL) for diabetic macular edema (DME) using polarization-sensitive optical coherence tomography (PS-OCT). METHODS: Patients with treatment-native or previously-treated DME were prospectively imaged using PS-OCT at baseline, 1, 2, 3, and 6 months. The following outcomes were evaluated: changes in the entropy value per unit area (pixel2) in the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) on the B-scan image; changes in the entropy value in each stratified layer (retina, RPE, choroid) based on the ETDRS grid circle overlaid with en face entropy mapping, not only the whole ETDRS grid area but also a sector irradiated by the SMPL; and the relationship between edema reduction and entropy changes. RESULTS: A total of 11 eyes of 11 consecutive DME patients were enrolled. No visible signs of SMPL treatment were detected on PS-OCT images. The entropy value per unit area (pixel2) in the RPE tended to decrease at 3 and 6 months from baseline (35.8 ± 17.0 vs 26.1 ± 9.8, P = 0.14; vs 28.2 ± 18.3, P = 0.14). Based on the en face entropy mapping, the overall entropy value did not change in each layer in the whole ETDRS grid; however, decrease of entropy in the RPE was observed at 2, 3, and 6 months post-treatment within the SMPL-irradiated sectors (P < 0.01, each). There was a positive correlation between the change rate of retinal thickness and that of entropy in the RPE within the SMPL-irradiated sector at 6 months (r2 = 0.19, P = 0.039). CONCLUSION: Entropy measured using PS-OCT may be a new parameter that facilitates objective monitoring of SMPL-induced functional changes in the RPE that could not previously be assessed directly. This may contribute to a more promising therapeutic evaluation of DME. CLINICAL TRIAL: This clinical study was registered in UMIN-CTR (ID: UMIN000042420).

Correlation between choroidal structure and smoking in eyes with central serous chorioretinopathy.

PURPOSE: A smoking habit can cause various health problems encompassing retinal diseases including central serous chorioretinopathy (CSC). The aim of the current study was to investigate the effect of smoking on the choroidal structure in patients with CSC. METHODS: The choroidal vascular index (CVI) was calculated using the binarized OCT images. Baseline parameters (age, refractive error [SE], subfoveal choroidal thickness [SFCT] and CVI) were compared between smokers and non-smokers using Wilcoxon rank sum test. Moreover, the associations between SFCT and the baseline parameters were analyzed using a multivariate linear regression followed by the AICc model selection. RESULTS: Among 75 CSC patients, 45 patients were smokers and 30 patients were non-smokers. No significant differences in age and SE were seen between the smoking group and the non-smoking group. A significant difference in the SFCT was seen between two groups (382.0 ± 68.2 µm in the smoking group vs. 339.3 ± 52.3 µm in the non-smoking group, p = 0.0038), while no significant difference was observed in the CVI (p = 0.32). The optimal model for SFCT included the variables of age, SE and past history of smoking among the baseline parameters. Additionally, increased pack years was associated with increased SFCT. CONCLUSION: Cigarette smoking was associated with an increased SFCT in patients with CSC. Thicker choroid in smoking CSC patients may be an important modulator of the disease.

Visual outcomes and prognostic factors of vitrectomy for lamellar macular holes and epiretinal membrane foveoschisis.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the visual outcomes of vitrectomy for lamellar macular hole (LMH) and epiretinal membrane (ERM) foveoschisis and to investigate the prognostic factor for postoperative visual acuity. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed 15 LMH and 17 ERM foveoschisis eyes that had undergone a standard three-port pars plana vitrectomy with (12 eyes) or without (20 eyes) cataract surgery. Best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) at postoperative three months and the final visit were compared to the preoperative measurements. We investigated the relationship between BCVA at the final visit and baseline parameters (age, preoperative BCVA, the presence of epiretinal proliferation [EP] and ellipsoid zone [EZ] disruption). The best explanatory variables for the final BCVA were investigated using the corrected Akaike information criterion (AICc) model selection. RESULTS: The mean age was 67.2 years. The mean follow-up duration was 30.7 months. Fifteen of 32 examined eyes were diagnosed as LMH and 17 eyes as ERM foveoschisis. Twelve eyes in LMH had EP and 13 eyes showed the disruption of EZ integrity. In total, BCVA significantly improved at 3 months postoperatively (p = 0.0013). A significant improvement was observed in ERM foveoschisis (p = 0.0085) but not in LMH group (p = 0.071). Comparing the BCVA between the baseline and the final visit, significant improvements were observed in total, ERM foveoschisis and LMH group (p<0.001, p<0.001 and p = 0.026, respectively). The optimal model for BCVA at the final visit included preoperative BCVA and the presence of EZ disruption (p<0.001 and p<0.001, respectively). CONCLUSION: Our results suggested that the final BCVA was dependent on preoperative BCVA and the presence of EZ disruption. Surgical indications might be warranted for LMHs with EZ disruption.

Correlation between fundus autofluorescence and visual function in patients with cone-rod dystrophy.

This study aimed to investigate the relationship between autofluorescence (AF) signal measured with ultra-wide field imaging and visual functions in patients with cone-rod dystrophy (CORD). A retrospective chart review was performed for CORD patients. We performed the visual field test and fundus autofluorescence (FAF) measurement and visualized retinal structures with optical coherence tomography (OCT) on the same day. Using binarised FAF images, we identified a low FAF area ratio (LFAR: low FAF/30°). Relationships between age and logMAR visual acuity (VA), central retinal thickness (CRT), central choroidal thickness (CCT), mean deviation (MD) value, and LFAR were investigated. Thirty-seven eyes of 21 CORD patients (8 men and 13 women) were enrolled. The mean patient age was 49.8 years. LogMAR VA and MD were 0.52 ± 0.47 and - 17.91 ± 10.59 dB, respectively. There was a significant relationship between logMAR VA and MD (p = 0.001). LogMAR VA significantly correlated with CRT (p = 0.006) but not with other parameters. Conversely, univariate analysis suggested a significant relationship between MD and LFAR (p = 0.001). In the multivariate analysis, LFAR was significantly associated with MD (p = 0.002). In conclusion, it is useful to measure the low FAF area in patients with CORD. The AF measurement reflects the visual field deterioration but not VA in CORD.

Rapidly Changing Serous Detachment During BRAF and MEK Inhibitor Therapy.

We report a case of rapidly changing serous retinal detachment (SRD) during melanoma therapy with a combination of encorafenib, a serine/threonine-protein kinase B-Raf (BRAF) inhibitor, and binimetinib, a mitogen-activated protein kinase (MEK) inhibitor. A 50-year-old woman with metastatic melanoma presented with a sudden visual blur. She had been treated with encorafenib (450 mg every morning) and binimetinib (45 mg every 12 hours) after surgery for four months. Ophthalmological examination revealed bilateral SRD, but it was completely resolved after two hours. Visual acuity was normal in each eye. Encorafenib and binimetinib were continued. Shallow SRD appeared again five months later, but it resolved in two months. MEKAR typically occurs shortly after the start of an administration, and its development after several months was very little known. Continued examination for ophthalmic events should be considered.

Recent trends in vitreoretinal surgery: a nationwide database study in Japan, 2010-2017.

PURPOSE: We clarified recent trends in vitreoretinal surgery in Japan, which is a rapidly aging country. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study. METHODS: We used the Diagnostic Procedure Combination database (2010-2017), a national inpatient database in Japan. Patients undergoing vitreoretinal surgery were included. We measured the number of surgeries stratified by procedures, diagnoses, age categories, and combined cases of cataract surgery per fiscal year. We also considered changes in the Japanese population. RESULTS: From 2010 to 2017, the total number of vitreoretinal surgeries per fiscal year increased by 7.8% (from 36,988 to 39,873). Among the diagnoses categories, epiretinal membrane (ERM) increased by 71%, rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD) with pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) by 50%, and macular hole (MH) by 12% throughout the observed period. Diabetic retinopathy (DR) decreased by 20%, RRD with scleral buckling (SB) by 40%, and vitreous hemorrhage (VH) by 10%. We observed remarkable increases in ERM among patients in their 60s and 70s, in MH in their 70s and 80s, and in RRD with PPV in their 50s and 60s. We observed remarkable decreases in RRD with SB in patients in their 20s-70s, in DR in their 60s, and in VH in their 60s and 70s. These findings did not change greatly when population changes were considered. All age groups from the 30 to 80s showed significant increases in the proportions of combined vitreoretinal and cataract surgery. CONCLUSION: The total number of cases of vitreoretinal surgery per fiscal year increased throughout the period. The increases in ERM and RRD with PPV and the decreases in DR and RRD with SB were remarkable.

Small Symptomatic Unilateral Choroidal Osteoma Diagnosed with Enhanced-Depth Imaging Optical Coherence Tomography and Thin-Slice Computed Tomography: 2 Clinical Cases.

BACKGROUND: Choroidal osteoma is a rare, benign, ossifying intraocular tumor of unknown etiology. While patients with choroidal osteoma usually show distinct large yellowish subretinal lesions, some could have small lesions, making the differential diagnosis difficult. We experienced 2 cases of small symptomatic unilateral osteoma approximately 1.0-mm disc diameter in size. METHODS: Retrospective medical charts of 2 patients with small symptomatic unilateral osteoma were reviewed. Fundus examination, spectral domain enhanced-depth optical coherence tomography (EDI-OCT), fluorescein angiography, indocyanine green angiography, B-scan ultrasonography (USG), and X-ray computed tomography (CT) were performed. RESULTS: Case 1: a case of a 41-year-old male. Fundus examination revealed a yellowish-white lesion of 1.0-mm disc diameter in size. EDI-OCT of the lesion shows sub-RPE elevation. B-scan USG was not definite for diagnosis. Thin-slice (2 mm) CT scan revealed a choroidal osteoma. Case 2: a case of a 70-year-old male. Fundus examination revealed a yellowish-white lesion of 0.9-mm disc diameter. EDI-OCT showed sub-RPE elevation without serous retinal detachment and horizontal lamellar-like structure within the lesion. B-scan USG suggested acoustic shadowing, but it was unclear. The thin-slice CT scan confirmed bony tissue at the lesion. CONCLUSIONS: We report 2 cases of small choroidal osteoma. Diagnosis of small yellowish subretinal lesions is sometimes difficult. Characteristic findings with EDI-OCT may sometimes suggest this disease, and thin-slice CT could help to diagnose choroidal osteoma.

Association between pachychoroid and long-term treatment outcomes of photodynamic therapy with intravitreal ranibizumab for polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy.

We investigated long-term treatment responses in patients with treatment-naïve polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy (PCV) undergoing photodynamic therapy (PDT) with intravitreal ranibizumab (IVR). The medical charts of 14 patients with treatment-naïve PCV who underwent PDT with IVR were retrospectively reviewed. Patients were followed up and treated with additional IVR for ≥3 years. Best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), central foveal thickness (CFT), greatest linear dimension (GLD) on angiography, polyp regression and central choroidal thickness (CCT) were assessed. Associations between these functional or anatomic outcomes with age, baseline CCT, baseline GLD or choroidal vascular hyperpermeability (CVH) were investigated using univariate and multivariate analysis. Mean logMAR BCVA improved significantly at 3 years (0.34 ± 0.24 to 0.12 ± 0.29, p = 0.003). Greater BCVA improvement and longer time to first recurrence was significantly associated with CVH. Fewer number of IVR retreatment within 3 years was associated with thicker baseline CCT. Mean CCT significantly decreased at 3 years (217 ± 33 µm to 197 ± 48 µm, p = 0.003). Greater decrease of CCT was significantly associated both with greater number of IVR retreatment within 3 years and absence of CVH. These results showed that pachychoroid characteristics at baseline was associated long-term functional and anatomic outcomes in patients with treatment-naïve PCV who had undergone combination PDT and IVR.

The usefulness of the retinal sensitivity measurement with a microperimetry for predicting the visual prognosis of branch retinal vein occlusion with macular edema.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the usefulness of the retinal sensitivity in branch retinal vein occlusion (BVO) with macular edema (ME) following the anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF) treatment. METHODS: Best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), microperimetry, and optical coherence tomography (OCT) measurements were carried out in 20 patients with BVO with ME, at baseline and 1 month after the anti-VEGF treatment. The relationships among BCVA, mean retinal sensitivity (MS), macular volume (MV), central retinal thickness (CRT), integrity of ellipsoid zone (EZ), mean retinal sensitivity in the most affected quadrant (qMS), and macular volume in the most affected quadrant (qMV) were investigated. In addition, the relationships among the change in BCVA at 1 month (ΔBCVA1m), mean sensitivity in the most affected quadrant at 1 month (ΔqMS1m), MV in the most affected quadrant at 1 month (ΔqMV1m), and CRT at 1 month (ΔCRT1m) were analyzed. The optimal model for BCVA at 3 months after the treatment (BCVA3m) was identified. RESULTS: There was not a significant difference in BCVA (paired Wilcoxon test, p = 0.058) between at baseline and after the treatment, but there were significant differences in MS, MV, CRT, qMS, and qMV (p < 0.05). There was a significant relationship between ΔqMS1m and ΔMV1m, ΔCRT1m, and ΔqMV1m, respectively. ΔMS1m or ΔqMS1m and BCVA at baseline and ΔBCVA1m were selected as explanatory variables in the optimal model for BCVA3m. CONCLUSION: Retinal sensitivity was related to retinal structure, whereas this was not the case with BCVA. In addition, retinal sensitivity was useful to predict BCVA after anti-VEGF therapy.