Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada-like Syndrome Induced by Checkpoint Inhibitor Cemiplimab.

Checkpoint inhibition targeting programmed cell-death protein 1 has demonstrated efficacy for a wide range of indications including cutaneous malignancy. However, immune-related adverse events (irAEs), including infrequent but visually impactful ocular irAEs, require careful consideration of treatment options, including medication withdrawal, local corticosteroids, or rarely immunomodulation. This case presents a 53-year-old woman who developed uveitis and mucous membrane ulcers after treatment for numerous cutaneous neoplasms, primarily squamous cell carcinoma, with the programmed cell-death protein 1 inhibitor cemiplimab. Ophthalmic examination revealed diffuse choroidal depigmentation consistent with a Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada-like syndrome. Topical and periocular steroids were used to treat the intraocular inflammation, and cemiplimab was discontinued. Because of ongoing severe uveitis, systemic corticosteroids and corticosteroid-sparing immunosuppression were initiated. Specifically, azathioprine and methotrexate were introduced, but each was stopped due to side effects, prompting the initiation of adalimumab (ADA) treatment. While ADA controlled intraocular inflammation, the squamous cell carcinomas were noted to progress, resulting in the discontinuation of ADA. However, a uveitis recurrence was observed. After a discussion of risks and benefits of biologic immunosuppressive therapy, including the risk of vision loss, ADA was restarted with successful disease quiescence at a 16-month follow-up. The cutaneous neoplasms were managed with topical and intralesional therapies, such as 5-fluorouracil. Recent dermatologic examinations suggested no new cutaneous lesions. This scenario presents the effective use of ADA in an ocular irAE that balances the management of sight-threatening ocular inflammation with the risk of promoting recurrent or de novo neoplastic disease.

Four-Year Visual Outcomes in the Protocol W Randomized Trial of Intravitreous Aflibercept for Prevention of Vision-Threatening Complications of Diabetic Retinopathy.

Importance: Anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) injections in eyes with nonproliferative diabetic retinopathy (NPDR) without center-involved diabetic macular edema (CI-DME) reduce development of vision-threatening complications from diabetes over at least 2 years, but whether this treatment has a longer-term benefit on visual acuity is unknown. Objective: To compare the primary 4-year outcomes of visual acuity and rates of vision-threatening complications in eyes with moderate to severe NPDR treated with intravitreal aflibercept compared with sham. The primary 2-year analysis of this study has been reported. Design, Setting, and Participants: Randomized clinical trial conducted at 64 clinical sites in the US and Canada from January 2016 to March 2018, enrolling 328 adults (399 eyes) with moderate to severe NPDR (Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study [ETDRS] severity level 43-53; range, 0 [worst] to 100 [best]) without CI-DME. Interventions: Eyes were randomly assigned to 2.0 mg aflibercept (n = 200) or sham (n = 199). Eight injections were administered at defined intervals through 2 years, continuing quarterly through 4 years unless the eye improved to mild NPDR or better. Aflibercept was given in both groups to treat development of high-risk proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR) or CI-DME with vision loss. Main Outcomes and Measures: Development of PDR or CI-DME with vision loss (≥10 letters at 1 visit or ≥5 letters at 2 consecutive visits) and change in visual acuity (best corrected ETDRS letter score) from baseline to 4 years. Results: Among participants (mean age 56 years; 42.4% female; 5% Asian, 15% Black, 32% Hispanic, 45% White), the 4-year cumulative probability of developing PDR or CI-DME with vision loss was 33.9% with aflibercept vs 56.9% with sham (adjusted hazard ratio, 0.40 [97.5% CI, 0.28 to 0.57]; P < .001). The mean (SD) change in visual acuity from baseline to 4 years was -2.7 (6.5) letters with aflibercept and -2.4 (5.8) letters with sham (adjusted mean difference, -0.5 letters [97.5% CI, -2.3 to 1.3]; P = .52). Antiplatelet Trialists' Collaboration cardiovascular/cerebrovascular event rates were 9.9% (7 of 71) in bilateral participants, 10.9% (14 of 129) in unilateral aflibercept participants, and 7.8% (10 of 128) in unilateral sham participants. Conclusions and Relevance: Among patients with NPDR but without CI-DME at 4 years treatment with aflibercept vs sham, initiating aflibercept treatment only if vision-threatening complications developed, resulted in statistically significant anatomic improvement but no improvement in visual acuity. Aflibercept as a preventive strategy, as used in this trial, may not be generally warranted for patients with NPDR without CI-DME. Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02634333.

Effect of Intravitreous Anti-Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor vs Sham Treatment for Prevention of Vision-Threatening Complications of Diabetic Retinopathy: The Protocol W Randomized Clinical Trial.

IMPORTANCE: The role of anti-vascular endothelial growth factor injections for the management of nonproliferative diabetic retinopathy (NPDR) without center-involved diabetic macular edema (CI-DME) has not been clearly established. OBJECTIVE: To determine the efficacy of intravitreous aflibercept injections compared with sham treatment in preventing potentially vision-threatening complications in eyes with moderate to severe NPDR. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: Data for this study were collected between January 15, 2016, and May 28, 2020, from the ongoing DRCR Retina Network Protocol W randomized clinical trial, conducted at 64 US and Canadian sites among 328 adults (399 eyes) with moderate to severe NPDR (Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study severity level, 43-53), without CI-DME. Analyses followed the intent-to-treat principle. INTERVENTIONS: Eyes were randomly assigned to 2.0 mg of aflibercept injections (n = 200) or sham (n = 199) given at baseline; 1, 2, and 4 months; and every 4 months through 2 years. Between 2 and 4 years, treatment was deferred if the eye had mild NPDR or better. Aflibercept was administered in both groups if CI-DME with vision loss (≥10 letters at 1 visit or 5-9 letters at 2 consecutive visits) or high-risk proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR) developed. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES: Development of CI-DME with vision loss or PDR through May 2020, when the last 2-year visit was completed. RESULTS: Among the 328 participants (57.6% men [230 of 399 eyes]; mean [SD] age, 56 [11] years), the 2-year cumulative probability of developing CI-DME with vision loss or PDR was 16.3% with aflibercept vs 43.5% with sham. The overall hazard ratio for either outcome was 0.32 (97.5% CI, 0.21-0.50; P < .001), favoring aflibercept. The 2-year cumulative probability of developing PDR was 13.5% in the aflibercept group vs 33.2% in the sham group, and the 2-year cumulative probability of developing CI-DME with vision loss was 4.1% in the aflibercept group vs 14.8% in the sham group. The mean (SD) change in visual acuity from baseline to 2 years was -0.9 (5.8) letters with aflibercept and -2.0 (6.1) letters with sham (adjusted mean difference, 0.5 letters [97.5% CI, -1.0 to 1.9 letters]; P = .47). CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: In this randomized clinical trial, among eyes with moderate to severe NPDR, the proportion of eyes that developed PDR or vision-reducing CI-DME was lower with periodic aflibercept compared with sham treatment. However, through 2 years, preventive treatment did not confer visual acuity benefit compared with observation plus treatment with aflibercept only after development of PDR or vision-reducing CI-DME. The 4-year results will be important to assess longer-term visual acuity outcomes. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02634333.

Effect of Intravitreous Aflibercept vs Vitrectomy With Panretinal Photocoagulation on Visual Acuity in Patients With Vitreous Hemorrhage From Proliferative Diabetic Retinopathy: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

Importance: Vitreous hemorrhage from proliferative diabetic retinopathy can cause loss of vision. The best management approach is unknown. Objective: To compare initial treatment with intravitreous aflibercept vs vitrectomy with panretinal photocoagulation for vitreous hemorrhage from proliferative diabetic retinopathy. Design, Setting, and Participants: Randomized clinical trial at 39 DRCR Retina Network sites in the US and Canada including 205 adults with vison loss due to vitreous hemorrhage from proliferative diabetic retinopathy who were enrolled from November 2016 to December 2017. The final follow-up visit was completed in January 2020. Interventions: Random assignment of eyes (1 per participant) to aflibercept (100 participants) or vitrectomy with panretinal photocoagulation (105 participants). Participants whose eyes were assigned to aflibercept initially received 4 monthly injections. Both groups could receive aflibercept or vitrectomy during follow-up based on protocol criteria. Main Outcomes and Measures: The primary outcome was mean visual acuity letter score (range, 0-100; higher scores indicate better vision) over 24 weeks (area under the curve); the study was powered to detect a difference of 8 letters. Secondary outcomes included mean visual acuity at 4 weeks and 2 years. Results: Among 205 participants (205 eyes) who were randomized (mean [SD] age, 57 [11] years; 115 [56%] men; mean visual acuity letter score, 34.5 [Snellen equivalent, 20/200]), 95% (195 of 205) completed the 24-week visit and 90% (177 of 196, excluding 9 deaths) completed the 2-year visit. The mean visual acuity letter score over 24 weeks was 59.3 (Snellen equivalent, 20/63) (95% CI, 54.9 to 63.7) in the aflibercept group vs 63.0 (Snellen equivalent, 20/63) (95% CI, 58.6 to 67.3) in the vitrectomy group (adjusted difference, -5.0 [95% CI, -10.2 to 0.3], P = .06). Among 23 secondary outcomes, 15 showed no significant difference. The mean visual acuity letter score was 52.6 (Snellen equivalent, 20/100) in the aflibercept group vs 62.3 (Snellen equivalent, 20/63) in the vitrectomy group at 4 weeks (adjusted difference, -11.2 [95% CI, -18.5 to -3.9], P = .003) and 73.7 (Snellen equivalent, 20/40) vs 71.0 (Snellen equivalent, 20/40) at 2 years (adjusted difference, 2.7 [95% CI, -3.1 to 8.4], P = .36). Over 2 years, 33 eyes (33%) assigned to aflibercept received vitrectomy and 34 eyes (32%) assigned to vitrectomy received subsequent aflibercept. Conclusions and Relevance: Among participants whose eyes had vitreous hemorrhage from proliferative diabetic retinopathy, there was no statistically significant difference in the primary outcome of mean visual acuity letter score over 24 weeks following initial treatment with intravitreous aflibercept vs vitrectomy with panretinal photocoagulation. However, the study may have been underpowered, considering the range of the 95% CI, to detect a clinically important benefit in favor of initial vitrectomy with panretinal photocoagulation. Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02858076.

Assessment of the DRCR Retina Network Approach to Management With Initial Observation for Eyes With Center-Involved Diabetic Macular Edema and Good Visual Acuity: A Secondary Analysis of a Randomized Clinical Trial.

Importance: Among eyes with center-involved diabetic macular edema (CI-DME) and good visual acuity (VA), randomized clinical trial results showed no difference in VA loss between initial observation plus aflibercept only if VA decreased, initial focal/grid laser plus aflibercept only if VA decreased, or prompt aflibercept. Understanding the initial observation approach is relevant to patient management. Objective: To assess the DRCR Retina Network protocol-defined approach and outcomes of initial observation with aflibercept only if VA worsened. Design, Setting, and Participants: This was a post hoc secondary analyses of a randomized clinical trial of the DRCR Retina Network Protocol V that included 91 US and Canadian sites from November 2013 to September 2018. Participants were adults (n = 236) with type 1 or 2 diabetes, 1 study eye with CI-DME, and VA letter score at least 79 (Snellen equivalent, 20/25 or better) assigned to initial observation. Data were analyzed from March 2019 to November 2019. Interventions: Initial observation and follow-up with aflibercept only for VA loss of at least 10 letters from baseline at 1 visit or 5 to 9 letters at 2 consecutive visits. Follow-up occurred at 8 weeks and then every 16 weeks unless VA or optical coherence tomography central subfield thickness worsened. Main Outcomes and Measures: Whether individuals received aflibercept. Results: Among 236 eyes in 236 individuals (149 [63%] male; median age, 60 years [interquartile range, 53-67 years]) randomly assigned to initial observation, 80 (34%) were treated with aflibercept during 2 years of follow-up. At 2 years, the median VA letter score was 86.0 (interquartile range, 89.0-81.0; median Snellen equivalent, 20/20 [20/16-20/25]). Receipt of aflibercept was more likely in eyes with baseline central subfield thickness at least 300 µm (Zeiss-Stratus equivalent) vs less than 300 µm (45% vs 26%; hazard ratio [HR], 1.98 [95% CI, 1.26-3.13], continuous P = .005), moderately severe nonproliferative diabetic retinopathy (Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study retinopathy severity level 47) and above vs moderate nonproliferative diabetic retinopathy (retinopathy severity level 43) and below (51% vs 27%; HR, 2.22 [95% CI, 1.42-3.47], ordinal P < .001), and among participants whose nonstudy eye received DME treatment within 4 months of randomization vs not (52% vs 25%; HR, 2.55 [95% CI, 1.64-3.99], P < .001). Conclusions and Relevance: Most eyes managed with initial observation plus aflibercept only if VA worsened maintained good vision at 2 years and did not require aflibercept for VA loss. However, the eyes in the trial were approximately twice as likely to receive aflibercept for VA loss if they had greater baseline central subfield thickness, worse diabetic retinopathy severity level, or a nonstudy eye receiving treatment for DME. Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT01909791.

Effect of Adding Dexamethasone to Continued Ranibizumab Treatment in Patients With Persistent Diabetic Macular Edema: A DRCR Network Phase 2 Randomized Clinical Trial.

Importance: Some eyes have persistent diabetic macular edema (DME) following anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF) therapy for DME. Subsequently adding intravitreous corticosteroids to the treatment regimen might result in better outcomes than continued anti-VEGF therapy alone. Objective: To compare continued intravitreous ranibizumab alone with ranibizumab plus intravitreous dexamethasone implant in eyes with persistent DME. Design, Setting, and Participants: Phase 2 multicenter randomized clinical trial conducted at 40 US sites in 129 eyes from 116 adults with diabetes between February 2014 and December 2016. Eyes had persistent DME, with visual acuity of 20/32 to 20/320 after at least 3 anti-VEGF injections before a run-in phase, which included an additional 3 monthly 0.3-mg ranibizumab injections. Data analysis was according to intent to treat. Interventions: Following the run-in phase, study eyes that had persistent DME and were otherwise eligible were randomly assigned to receive 700 µg of dexamethasone (combination group, 65 eyes) or sham treatment (ranibizumab group, 64 eyes) in addition to continued 0.3-mg ranibizumab in both treatment arms as often as every 4 weeks based on a structured re-treatment protocol. Main Outcomes and Measures: The primary outcome was change in mean visual acuity letter score at 24 weeks as measured by the electronic Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study (E-ETDRS). The principal secondary outcome was change in mean central subfield thickness as measured with the use of optical coherence tomography. Results: Of the 116 randomized patients, median age was 65 years (interquartile range [IQR], 58-71 years); 50.9% were female and 60.3% were white. Mean (SD) improvement in visual acuity from randomization was 2.7 (9.8) letters in the combination group and 3.0 (7.1) letters in the ranibizumab group, with the adjusted treatment group difference (combination minus ranibizumab) of -0.5 letters (95% CI, -3.6 to 2.5; 2-sided P = .73). Mean (SD) change in central subfield thickness in the combination group was -110 (86) µm compared with -62 (97) µm for the ranibizumab group (adjusted difference, -52; 95% CI, -82 to -22; 2-sided P < .001). Nineteen eyes (29%) in the combination group experienced increased intraocular pressure or initiated treatment with antihypertensive eyedrops compared with 0 in the ranibizumab group (2-sided P < .001). Conclusions and Relevance: Although its use is more likely to reduce retinal thickness and increase intraocular pressure, the addition of intravitreous dexamethasone to continued ranibizumab therapy does not improve visual acuity at 24 weeks more than continued ranibizumab therapy alone among eyes with persistent DME following anti-VEGF therapy. Trial Registration: clinicaltrials.gov Identifier: NCT01945866.

Frequency of vitreomacular interface disease in patients presenting to a tertiary care institution.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the frequency of vitreomacular interface disease using a recently published optical coherence tomography (OCT) classification and assess which of these patients would qualify for ocriplasmin. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A retrospective, consecutive case series of patients with macular cyst, hole, or pseudohole (ICD-9 code 362.54) and concurrent OCT imaging was performed. Eyes were classified using OCT as pseudohole, lamellar hole, vitreomacular adhesion (VMA), vitreomacular traction (VMT), and full-thickness macular hole (FTMH). Minimum diameter (MD) of FTMH was measured. RESULTS: The study included 399 eyes of 331 patients. Of these, 61 eyes (15.3%) had VMA or VMT, 120 (30.0%) had a lamellar hole or pseudohole, and 218 (54.6%) had FTMH. Of eyes with FTMH, 73 were small (< 250 µm MD), 48 were medium (250 to 400 µm MD), and 97 were large (> 400 µm MD). Overall, 68 eyes (17.0%) would be candidates for ocriplasmin therapy. CONCLUSION: Most patients had FTMH, and 17% would qualify as candidates for ocriplasmin therapy.

Imaging characteristics of neovascular pigment epithelial detachments and their response to anti-vascular endothelial growth factor therapy.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the imaging characteristics of macular neovascular pigment epithelial detachments (PEDs) and their response to anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) therapy. METHODS: Patients with exudative age-related macular degeneration (AMD), idiopathic polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy, presumed ocular histoplasmosis syndrome (POHS) and central serous retinopathy (CSR) with choroidal neovascularisation (CNV) were included in the study. A retrospective chart review of 72 eyes of 64 patients was performed. RESULTS: Three types of PEDs were identified based on reflectivity of the material under the retinal pigment epithelium on optical coherence tomography: hollow (26 eyes with primarily hyporeflectivity under the PED), solid (30 eyes with primarily hyperreflective signal under the PED) and mixed (8 eyes with mixed reflectivity). The average number of anti-VEGF injections was 7 per eye and the average duration of follow-up was 16 months. Among eyes with exudative AMD, 7/21 hollow PEDs flattened, 1/19 solid PEDs flattened and 2/6 mixed PEDs flattened after anti-VEGF therapy. POHS and CSR with CNV were associated with subfoveal solid PEDs and were unchanged after therapy. Overall, 46% (12/26) with hollow PEDs, 25% (2/8) with mixed PEDs and 3% (1/30) with solid PEDs had flattening after anti-VEGF therapy. CONCLUSIONS: The likelihood of PED flattening was inversely related to the reflectivity of the PED. The more reflective the PED, the less likely resolution with anti-VEGF therapy occurred.

Early treatment response of fluocinolone (retisert) implantation in patients with uveitic macular edema: an optical coherence tomography study.

PURPOSE: To analyze the early spectral domain optical coherence tomography changes after fluocinolone implantation in eyes with baseline uveitic macular edema. METHODS: Patients with uveitic macular edema and who received fluocinolone implantations by 2 surgeons (R.P.S. and J.E.S.) at the Cole Eye Institute (Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH) from September 2009 to July 2010 were eligible for this study. Best-corrected visual acuity, intraocular pressure, central subfield thickness, cube volume, cube average thickness, and cystoid macular edema grade were recorded before implantation and in the early postoperative period (median: 3 months postimplantation). Changes in these variables were analyzed using the Wilcoxon signed-rank test for paired comparisons of clustered data. P values were 2 sided, and alpha was set at 0.05. RESULTS: Twelve eyes of seven patients were included in the study. The median best-corrected visual acuity improved in the early postoperative period after implantation (20/80 before implantation and 20/50 after implantation), but this improvement was not found to be significant (P = 0.12). However, the spectral domain optical coherence tomography measurements-central subfield thickness, cube volume, cube average thickness, and cystoid macular edema grade-were all significantly reduced (median changes: -234 µm [P = 0.02], -1 mm [P = 0.04], -39 µm [P = 0.04], and -3 [P = 0.03], respectively). CONCLUSION: Fluocinolone implantation is associated with a significant reduction in macular edema as measured by spectral domain optical coherence tomography in the early postoperative period, a result that is consistent with the proposed mechanism of the drug.

Triamcinolone acetonide as an adjuvant to membrane peeling surgery: a pilot study.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the clinical outcome and complications of intravitreal injections of triamcinolone acetonide as adjuvant to reduce postoperative macular edema in patients undergoing pars plana vitrectomy for epiretinal membranes. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This retrospective comparative study included 22 patients (22 eyes) who underwent pars plana vitrectomy with membrane peeling for the treatment of idiopathic epiretinal membrane. Fifteen eyes (15 patients) received an intravitreal injection of 4 mg (0.1 cc) of triamcinolone acetonide at the end of surgery, and no injection was performed for 7 eyes (7 patients). Main outcome measures were visual acuity and intraocular pressure. Minimum follow-up was 3 months. RESULTS: Twenty-two eyes of 22 patients were included in the study. The follow-up ranged from 3 to 12 months. Visual acuity improved in both groups at 3 months: logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution -0.26 ± 0.19 in the triamcinolone acetonide group (P = .001) and -0.26 ± 0.13 in the control group (P = .002). However, there was no statistically significant difference in visual acuity improvement 1, 3, and 12 months postoperatively in the triamcinolone acetonide group compared with the control group (P = .79, = .94, and = .21, respectively). There was no significant difference in intraocular pressure change between the two groups during the follow-up period (P > .05). CONCLUSION: The current pilot study suggests that postoperative intravitreal injection of triamcinolone acetonide does not lead to better visual outcomes in patients undergoing pars plana vitrectomy for the treatment of idiopathic epiretinal membranes.

Rate of hypotony following 25-gauge pars plana vitrectomy.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: To report the rates of hypotony after 25-gauge vitrectomy. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A retrospective review of 111 consecutive cases was performed in patients undergoing transconjunctival 25-gauge pars plans vitrectomy with either air or gas as a tamponade agent. The primary outcome measure was postoperative intraocular pressure less than 5 mm Hg. A Wilcoxon rank-sum test was conducted to determine the statistical significance of continuous variables in association with rates of hypotony. RESULTS: The overall incidence of hypotony on postoperative day 1 was found to be 8.1%. The rate of hypotony was 16.7% in uveitis cases and 0% in routine macular surgery. The rate of hypotony in cases in which sutures were used was 41.7%, compared to 4% in cases in which sutures were not used (P = .001). CONCLUSION: Hypotony rates were significantly higher after 25-gauge transconjunctival pars plana vitrectomy in uveitis and some other conditions.

Melanocytoma of the optic disc associated with visual field defects: clinical features and imaging characteristics.

The authors studied the clinical features, visual field, and spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) characteristics of peripapillary melanocytoma associated with visual field defects in two eyes of two patients. Both eyes had hyperreflective anterior surface and posterior optical shadowing in the region of peripapillary melanocytoma on SD-OCT imaging. The retinal nerve fiber layer was thin adjacent to these lesions, and this corresponded to the opposite hemifield defect on Humphrey Visual Field testing. Three-dimensional imaging of the melanocytoma revealed an irregular elevation in the peripapillary region. SD-OCT, when used in conjunction with clinical examination and Humphrey Visual Field testing, provided useful information that may assist clinicians in treating patients with peripapillary melanocytoma, particularly when observing them over time.

Spectral domain optical coherence tomography for proliferative diabetic retinopathy with subhyaloid hemorrhage.

A prototype 6-microm axial resolution spectral domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) device was used to image the retina of a patient with uncontrolled diabetes mellitus who had proliferative diabetic retinopathy with subhyaloid hemorrhage. A raster scan pattern with 128 B-scans covering a 6 X 6 X 2-mm volume of the retina was obtained. SD-OCT showed the presence of blood localized between the internal limiting membrane and the posterior hyaloid face and allowed visualization of the cross sectional retinal architecture and the vitreoretinal interface at different horizontal levels that could be registered with the color fundus photograph. SD-OCT provided useful information about the relationship of the hemorrhage to the posterior hyaloid and the retina.

Macular thickness measurements in normal eyes using spectral domain optical coherence tomography.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Knowledge of the macular thickness in a normal population is important for the evaluation of pathological macular change. The purpose of this study was to define and measure macular thickness in normal eyes using spectral domain optical coherence tomography (OCT). PATIENTS AND METHODS: Fifty eyes from 50 normal subjects (29 men and 21 women, aged 22 to 68 years) were scanned with a prototype Cirrus HD-OCT system (5 microm axial resolution) (Carl Zeiss Meditec, Inc.). The proprietary Cirrus segmentation algorithm was used to produce retinal thickness maps, which were then averaged over 9 regions defined by a circular target centered at the true fovea location. The macular thickness of 13 subjects scanned with both HD-OCT and StratusOCT were compared. RESULTS: After centering the fovea, the mean and standard deviation values for retinal thickness measurements were calculated point wise and averaged on standard regions. For patients scanned with both systems, the thickness measurements from HD-OCT were approximately 50 microm larger than those from StratusOCT. The difference between the two measurements decreased somewhat with eccentricity. CONCLUSION: Using HD-OCT, it is possible to acquire retinal data sets containing an unprecedented number of data points. Furthermore, it is possible to use OCT fundus images to evaluate the scan quality and to center the measurement at the fovea. These advantages, together with good automated segmentation, can produce more accurate retinal thickness measurements. Incorporation of the photoreceptor layer in the measurements is anatomically meaningful and may be significant in evaluating various retinal pathologies and visual acuity outcomes.

Imaging serpiginous choroidopathy with spectral domain optical coherence tomography.

The use of spectral domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) in the study of chronic serpiginous choroiditis was evaluated. Two patients with chronic serpiginous choroiditis were imaged using two prototype SD-OCT systems (6-microm axial resolution). Raster scans covering 6 x 6 X 2-mm regions of the retina were obtained, enabling the study of different retinal cross-sectional images. Thickness maps were obtained after segmentation of retinal layers, which could be compared with those on follow-up. SD-OCT allowed the visualization of the cross-sectional retinal architecture at different horizontal positions. Superimposition of SD-OCT generated reconstructed fundus images with fundus photographs provided accurate images registration. Segmentation of retinal layers provided thickness maps and higher-density improved visualization of photoreceptor layer, cysts, and atrophy, which was useful in following change in disease activity over time. The researchers concluded that SD-OCT is a useful tool to study disease morphology and follow-up of chronic serpiginous choroiditis.

Composite spectral domain optical coherence tomography images of diabetic tractional retinal detachment.

This article describes the spectral domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) findings in three patients with diabetic tractional retinal detachment. Three patients underwent fundus photography and SD-OCT imaging before and after pars plana vitrectomy, endola-ser, and membrane peel. On SD-OCT, all three patients exhibited significant improvement or resolution of subretinal fluid after the surgical release of traction. In this case series, a clinically useful method of visualizing SD-OCT images is demonstrated. Composite images were manually constructed with commercially available software by merging high-density B-scans from the macula and optic nerve. The composite image allowed simultaneous visualization of the effects of proliferative diabetic retinopathy on the macula and optic nerve and is particularly helpful in evaluating tractional macular detachment.

Documentation by spectral domain OCT of spontaneous closure of idiopathic macular holes.

An observational case series using an 8-microm axial resolution prototype spectral domain optical coherence tomography (OCT) system was performed in two patients with idiopathic macular holes. Spontaneous closure and visual acuity improvement occurred in both patients. Useful information about morphology and vitreoretinal relationship of the holes was provided by spectral domain OCT.

Documentation of optic nerve pit with macular schisis-like cavity by spectral domain OCT.

The authors report using spectral domain optical coherence tomography (OCT) to observe a patient with an optic nerve pit and macular schisis-like spaces. An 8-microm axial resolution prototype spectral domain OCT and stereo fundus photography were used to observe the patient. A macular schisis-like cavity was present at baseline and additional cystic changes developed in the nerve fiber layer over a period of 16 months; however, the visual acuity remained stable at 20/20. Spectral domain OCT provides greater detail of the changes in morphology and structure of macular schisis and edema associated with an optic nerve pit.