CHARACTERIZING COVID-19-RELATED RETINAL VASCULAR OCCLUSIONS: A Case Series and Review of the Literature.

PURPOSE: To describe clinical and ophthalmologic features and outcomes of patients with coronavirus disease-19 with retinal vascular occlusions. METHODS: Retrospective multicenter case series and PubMed review of cases reported from March 2020 to September 2021. Outcome measures are as follows: type of occlusion, treatments, best-corrected visual acuity, and central macular thickness on optical coherence tomography. RESULTS: Thirty-nine patients were identified. Fifteen patients with a median age of 39 (30-67) years were included in the multicenter study. Vascular occlusions included central retinal vein occlusion (12 eyes), branch retinal vein occlusion (4 eyes), and central retinal artery occlusion (2 eyes). Three cases were bilateral. Baseline best-corrected visual acuity was 20/45 (no light perception-20/20). Baseline central macular thickness was 348.64 (±83) µm. Nine eyes received anti-vascular endothelial growth factor agents, dexamethasone intravitreal implant, or both. Final best-corrected visual acuity was 20/25 (no light perception-20/20), and central macular thickness was 273.7 ± 68 µm (follow-up of 19.6 ± 6 weeks). Among the 24 cases from the literature review, retinal vein occlusion was the predominant lesion. Clinical characteristics and outcomes were similar to those found in our series. CONCLUSION: Coronavirus disease-19-associated retinal vascular occlusions tend to occur in individuals younger than 60 years. Retinal vein occlusion is the most frequent occlusive event, and outcomes are favorable in most cases.

Prevalence of age-related macular degeneration among optometric telemedicine users in Spain: a retrospective nationwide population-based study.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the prevalence of AMD among optometric telemedicine users in Spain and to identify risk factors. METHODS: Retrospective analysis of a nationwide database conducted on subjects attending to optometry centers, between January 2013 and December 2019. Fundus photographs were performed by optometrists, using non-mydriatic cameras, and evaluated by a group of 12 retina specialists. RESULTS: Among the 119,877 subjects included, the overall prevalence of AMD was 7.6%. The prevalence of early, intermediate, and advanced AMD was 2.9%, 2.7%, and 2.0%, respectively. Of the 9129 AMD subjects, 1161 (12.7%) had geographic atrophy, and 1089 (11.9%) had neovascular AMD, either scar (4.5%) or exudative (7.4%). There was a significant association between AMD and age (per year older, adjusted odds ratio, OR 1.116; 95% CI 1.114 to 1.119, p<0.0001). Women had higher prevalence (adjusted OR 1.17; 95% CI 1.12 to 1.23, p<0.0001). Every diopter (spherical equivalent) of progress toward hyperopia was associated with a significant increase in early AMD prevalence (adjusted OR 1.02, 95 CI 1.01 to 1.04, p=0.0074). Presence of diabetes was associated with a lower AMD prevalence (p<0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of AMD (any eye and any severity) was 7.6%, with a prevalence of advanced AMD of 2.0%. Older age and women were significantly associated with a higher prevalence of AMD, whereas myopia and presence of diabetes were associated with significantly lower odds of any AMD.

Scleral buckling in phakic uncomplicated primary rhegmatogenous retinal detachment: long-term outcomes.

PURPOSE: Scleral buckling (SB) is a surgical technique that has been used successfully to treat retinal detachments for the last 6 decades. The aim of this study was to report the long-term anatomical and functional outcomes of SB surgery in phakic patients with uncomplicated primary rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (PRRD). This article also outlines the benefits of SB compared to pars plana vitrectomy, such as reducing the risk of developing cataract, high intraocular pressure, and glaucoma, in addition to reducing surgical cost. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the clinical notes of 90 phakic eyes with PRRD treated with SB surgery that had a minimum of 5 years follow-up. Preoperative and postoperative characteristics were recorded. Main outcome measures were reattachment rate, best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) improvement, and complications. RESULTS: A total of 90 eyes (88 patients) with phakic PRRD repaired through SB surgery were included. Mean age was 49.2 ± 14.6 years (range 20-80). Primary and final anatomic success was 96.7% and 100%, respectively. Mean preoperative BCVA was 0.3 ± 0.31 logMAR (6/12) and mean postoperative BCVA 0.1 ± 0.2 logMAR (p<0.001) (6/7.5). There were no cataract or primary open-angle glaucoma cases after 1 year of follow-up. Mean follow-up was 8.5 ± 2.6 years (range 5-13). CONCLUSIONS: We report a high single operation success rate over time in phakic PRRD, repaired through SB surgery. Functional and anatomical success was maintained throughout the follow-up without complications. Therefore, the authors recommend the use of this technique in selected cases in order to reduce morbidity and the incidence of reoperations.

Use of Aqueous Humor and Flow Cytometry in Ocular Sarcoidosis Diagnosis.

PURPOSE: To report the use of flow cytometry on aqueous fluid to diagnose sarcoidosis in a patient with recurrent granulomatous anterior uveitis. METHODS: Case report. RESULTS: Flow cytometry on aqueous fluid demonstrated a CD4/CD8 ratio >9.5, consistent with a diagnosis of sarcoidosis. CONCLUSIONS: Flow cytometry on aqueous fluid may offer an additional pathway for diagnosing sarcoid anterior uveitis.

Telemedicine for a General Screening of Retinal Disease Using Nonmydriatic Fundus Cameras in Optometry Centers: Three-Year Results.

PURPOSE: Describe the first 3 years of highly specialized retinal screening through a web platform using a retinologists' network for image reading. METHODS: All patients who came to centers in the network and consented to fundus photography were included. Images were evaluated by ophthalmologists. We describe number of patients, age, visual acuity, retinal abnormalities, medical recommendations, and factors associated with abnormal retinographies. RESULTS: Fifty thousand three hundred eighty-four patients were included; mean age 52.3 years (range 3-99). Mean visual acuity 20/25. Of the total cohort, 75% had normal retinographies, 22% had abnormalities, 1% referred acute floaters, 1% referred acute symptoms with normal retinography, and 1% could not be assessed. Ophthalmological referral was recommended in 12,634 patients: 9% urgent visit, 11% preferential (2-3 weeks), and 80% an ordinary visit. Age-related maculopathy signs were the most common abnormalities (2,456 patients, 4.8%). Epiretinal membrane was the second (764 cases, 1.5%). Diabetic retinopathy was suspected in 543 patients (1%), and nevi in 358 patients (0.7%). Patients older than 50 years had significantly more retinal abnormalities (31.5%) than younger ones (11.1%) (p < 0.0001; odds ratio [OR] 2.47; confidence interval [CI] 2.37-2.57). Patients with almost one eye with a myopic defect greater than -5 spherical equivalent had a higher risk of presenting abnormalities (p < 0.001; OR 1.04; CI 1.03-1.05). CONCLUSIONS: A high rate of asymptomatic retinal abnormalities was detected in this general screening, justifying this practice. Many patients who visit optometrists in Spain are unaware that they would benefit from ophthalmological monitoring. The ophthalmic community should lead initiatives of the type presented to preserve and guarantee quality standards.

Recurrent Bilateral Anterior Uveitis with Kikuchi-Fujimoto Disease.

PURPOSE: To report an uncommon case of Kikuchi-Fujimoto disease-associated-uveitis. METHODS: A 31-year-old Caucasian woman with cervical lymphadenitis and Kikuchi-Fujimoto disease recently confirmed by biopsy, complained about unilateral blurry vision. Differential diagnoses, including non-Hodgkin lymphoma, tuberculosis, sarcoidosis, Behçet disease, rheumatoid arthritis, and juvenile idiopathic arthritis was performed. We undertook a review of other similar cases found in the literature. RESULTS: Acute anterior unilateral uveitis was diagnosed, suffering from two recurrences of bilateral anterior uveitis. CONCLUSIONS: Additional reported cases are required to better understand the Kikuchi-Fujimoto disease and the pathogenesis and features of its ocular involvement.