Intravitreal Tissue Plasminogen Activator Injection for the Treatment of Proliferative Vitreoretinopathy in a Rabbit Model.

INTRODUCTION: The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effect of intravitreal injection of tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) on proliferative vitreoretinopathy (PVR). METHODS: PVR was induced in a rabbit model by intraocular injection of dispase (0.05 U/0.1 mL). Progression of PVR was followed by indirect ophthalmic examination. Following 6 weeks, five animals received intravitreal injection of 25 µg/0.1 mL tPA and four were injected with balanced salt solution (BSS). Animals were euthanized at 48 hours following tPA/BSS injection and eyes were enucleated for histological evaluation and staining with α-smooth muscle actin (αSMA) and Sirius Red. RESULTS: Following tPA injection, one eye had a reduction in PVR from grade 2 to 1 and three eyes remained stable. Following BSS, PVR grade was unchanged in three eyes. In one eye in each group, the severity of PVR couldn't be assessed due to limited view. Staining with αSMA showed reduced presence of fibroblasts in eyes injected with tPA compared with those injected with BSS. Collagen type I and III, demonstrated by Sirius Red staining, was reduced in the tPA group in comparison to controls. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that intravitreally injected tPA may show an inhibitory effect on PVR progression. Further exploration in clinical trials is desired.

The evolution of toxic anterior segment syndrome.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Toxic anterior segment syndrome (TASS) is a surgical complication resulting from a noninfectious inflammatory reaction to substances used during intraocular ophthalmic surgery. Continuous reporting of new information concerning risk factors and possible causes is critical for preventing this condition. RECENT FINDINGS: The diagnosis of TASS is clinical and its main features are well known. However, new causes of TASS are emerging and being reported, as are new treatment options for managing the inflammation or its complications, and prevention guidelines are being updated. This article presents current and novel information regarding these topics. SUMMARY: Educating the medical community regarding potential causes of TASS and its prevention is necessary for improving management of TASS. Thorough investigations and reports of TASS cases are a fundamental step in achieving this goal. Still, as the complete eradication of TASS solely through prevention is unlikely, further studies regarding TASS's pathophysiology, systemic and ocular risk factors, and new treatment options are necessary.

Success Rates for Retinal Detachment Repair in Alberta: A Physician Learning Program Initiative.

OBJECTIVE: To identify primary surgical success rates for retinal detachment repair in Alberta and compare functional outcomes of methods of repair. METHODS: Data was retrospectively extracted from the Alberta Health Services Discharge Abstract Database and the National Ambulatory Care Reporting System for all patients diagnosed with retinal detachment and vitreoretinal procedures during the 2008/09 to 2012/13 fiscal years. RESULTS: Of the 5,433 surgeries for retinal detachment identified, 279 were excluded due to invalid provincial health numbers, unidentified procedure location, and/or treating physician other than an Alberta retina surgeon. The final analysis included 4,336 detachments in 4,020 patients. The average primary retinal detachment success rate was 84.9% (3,680/4,336). Primary success rates varied between vitrectomy only (84.9%, 2,149/2,532), vitrectomy and scleral buckle (85.5%, 818/957), and scleral buckle (84.4%, 702/832). CONCLUSIONS: Alberta retina surgeons have an average primary success rate of 84.9% (3,680/4,336) for repair of retinal detachments. This result is in keeping with other published retinal detachment success rate studies.

Retinal Penetration of Intravitreally Injected Tissue Plasminogen Activator: A Rat Model Study.

PURPOSE: To determine whether intravitreal unconjugated tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) (alteplase) can penetrate the intact neural retina and reach the subretinal space in an experimental model. METHODS: This study was performed in 24 Sprague-Dawley rats aged 12 weeks. Under general anesthesia, the right eye was injected with either 0.75 µg of 3 µL tPA (14 rats; study group) or saline (10 rats, control group) into the vitreous. Animals were euthanized at 3, 24, and 48 h. The eyes were enucleated, and cryosections were prepared for immunofluorescence staining. Goat anti-tPA antibody was used to detect tPA. RESULTS: In the study group, staining for tPA was detected in the deep retinal layers in all eyes. The staining was deeper and more intense at 3 and 24 h than at 48 h. There was no tPA staining in the retina of eyes injected with saline. CONCLUSIONS: This experimental study shows that unconjugated tPA administered into the vitreous is capable of penetrating the deep retinal layers and the subretinal space. These findings suggest that further clinical research is warranted on the benefits of intravitreal tPA in the treatment of submacular hemorrhage.

Bevacizumab clearance through the iridocorneal angle following intravitreal injection in a rat model.

Antivascular endothelial growth factor (Anti-VEGF) agents have been widely used for a variety of ocular disorders. The etiology of sustained ocular hypertension following intravitreal administration of anti-VEGF agents is yet to be unraveled. Our study investigates and characterizes the presence of intravitreally injected bevacizumab in the aqueous outflow channels of a rat model. Choroidal neovascularization (CNV) was induced by diode laser photocoagulation to the right eye of twelve Brown Norway rats. Bevacizumab (25 mg/ml) was injected intravitreally after 3 days. Immediately after bevacizumab injection, and 3, 6, 24 and 48 h later, animals were euthanized for immunofluorescence staining. Donkey anti-human IgG labeled with Alexa Fluor(®) 488 was used for bevacizumab immunoreactivity detection. Anti-CD31 antibody was used as a marker for Schlemm's canal endothelial cells. Untreated eyes were used as negative controls. The intensity of the immunostaining was analyzed qualitatively. Bevacizumab immunoreactivity was found in the aqueous outflow channels including the trabecular meshwork and Schlemm's canal immediately after injection, and declined incrementally within the following hours. Forty-eight hours after the injection, no bevacizumab staining was detected in the aqueous outflow channel structures. Our manuscript demonstrates the presence of bevacizumab in the trabecular meshwork and Schlemm's canal structures after intravitreal injection in a CNV induced rat model. Bevacizumab molecules passed through the aqueous outflow channels within 48 h after intravitreal bevacizumab injection.

Scleral cross-linking using riboflavin and ultraviolet-a radiation for prevention of progressive myopia in a rabbit model.

Our study demonstrates the effect of scleral cross-linking using riboflavin and ultraviolet-A radiation on the development of axial myopia in a rabbit model. Axial length of the eyeball was measured by A-scan ultrasound in 22 New Zealand white rabbits aged 13 days. The right eyes then underwent 360-degree conjunctival peritomy with (experimental group, n = 11) or without (control group, n = 11) scleral cross-linking, followed by tarsorrhaphy. The left eyes served as a control eye. In the experimental group, the right eyeballs were divided into quadrants, and every quadrant had either 2 (n = 8) or 6 (n = 3) scleral irradiation zones, each with an area of 0.2 cm² and radius of 4 mm. Cross-linking was performed by dropping 0.1% dextran-free riboflavin-5-phosphate onto the irradiation zones at 20 s before ultraviolet-A irradiation and every 20 s during the 200-s irradiation time. UVA radiation (370 nm) was applied perpendicular to the sclera at 57 mW/cm² (total UVA light dose, 57 J/cm²). Tarsorrhaphies were removed on day 55, followed by repeated axial-length measurement. In the control group, mean axial length in the right eyes increased from 10.50 ± 0.67 mm at baseline to 15.69 ± 0.39 mm 55 days later, for a mean change of 5.19 ± 0.85 mm. In the experimental group, corresponding values were 10.68 ± 0.74 mm and 14.29 ± 0.3 mm, for a mean change of 3.61 ± 0.76 mm. The between-group difference in the change in mean axial length was statistically significant (p < 0.001, Mann-Whitney nonparametric test). The present manuscript demonstrates that scleral cross-linking with riboflavin and ultraviolet-A radiation effectively prevents occlusion-induced axial elongation in a rabbit model.

Posterior synechia formation after phacovitrectomy - Predicting factors and the role of short-acting mydriatics.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the influence of topical short-acting mydriatics on the formation of posterior synechia after phacovitrectomy surgery of pars plana vitrectomy and phacoemulsification with intraocular lens implantation. METHODS: A prospective randomised controlled trial. Fifty-seven adult (>18 years old) patients (57 eyes) who underwent phacovitrectomy surgery at a single tertiary hospital, were randomly divided into two groups. The control group (29 eyes) received standard postoperative treatment (topical antibiotics and steroids). The study group (28 eyes) received short-acting mydriatics together with standard therapy. Patients were followed until 24 months after surgery. The primary outcome measure was the formation of posterior synechia during the follow-up period. RESULTS: A total of 7 patients developed posterior synechia during the follow-up period (12%), 3 in the study group (11%) and 4 in the control group (14%). There was no statistical difference between the groups. Significant associations for the development of posterior synechia were surgery for retinal detachment, longer surgery duration (>93 min) and the use of tamponade, in particular silicone oil. CONCLUSIONS: The use of topical short-acting mydriatic drops after phacovitrectomy surgery, in addition to standard post-operative treatment, did not reduce the formation of posterior synechia. However, we identified several factors that may influence or act as predictors for the development of posterior synechia: surgery for retinal detachment, using silicone oil tamponade and a longer surgery duration. Our findings may aid in the standardisation of post-phacovitrectomy surgery treatment and define potential at-risk patients who should be monitored more closely.

Visual acuity outcome in patients with subretinal hemorrhage - office procedure vs. surgical treatment.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the effects of intravitreal injection of tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) and gas vs. pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) surgery as first-line treatment for subretinal hemorrhage. METHODS: Retrospective study of 107 adults treated for subretinal hemorrhage at a tertiary hospital during 2008-2019; 51 received injection of tPA and gas and 56 underwent PPV. RESULTS: No between-group differences were found in age and sex, medical history, use of anticoagulants or antiplatelets, history of ocular surgeries, and previous use of intravitreal anti-VEGF. Overall follow-up time was longer in the PPV group (median 4.9 vs 3.28 years, p = 0.005). The hemorrhage was displaced in a similar percentage of patients in the tPA-and-gas group (n = 40, 78.4%) and the PPV group (n = 45, 80.4%) (p = 0.816). Approximately 80% of patients in the tPA-and-gas group were able to forgo PPV surgery. Visual acuity (in LogMAR) was similar in the two groups prior to the diagnosis of subretinal hemorrhage but better in the tPA-and-gas group at the end of follow-up (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Injection of gas and tPA can be done immediately following diagnosis of subretinal hemorrhage as an office procedure. Visual acuity outcome is good, with a high rate of blood displacement. About 20% of patients might require additional PPV as secondary intervention.

Optical coherence tomography angiography patterns of type 1 macular neovascularization in age-related macular degeneration patients.

PURPOSE: To compare morphologic characteristics of type 1 macular neovascularization (MNV) flow pattern in treatment-naïve and previously treated patients with age-related macular degeneration (AMD) as assessed by optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA). STUDY DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Macular OCT angiography images were acquired using RTVue XR Avanti with AngioVue. Distinct morphologic biomarkers and quantifiable features of the neovascular membranes were studied on en-face projection images comparing treatment-naïve and previously treated patients. RESULTS: The study included 68 eyes of 58 patients. Among them, 24 eyes were treatment-naïve, and the remaining eyes had received a mean of 19.6 injections. Immature lesions were more associated with treatment-naïve eyes and hyper-mature lesions were associated with previously treated eyes (p = 0.005). Tangle pattern was associated with treatment-naïve eyes (p = 0.013), whereas mature core vessels and sea fan pattern were associated more with previously treated eyes (p = 0.001 and p = 0.044, respectively). Vascular density of the neovascular membrane was higher in the treatment-naïve group (p = 0.036) and the average MNV area was similar between the 2 groups (p = 0.683). CONCLUSIONS: Based on OCTA, morphologic biomarkers of type 1 MNV might be an indication of previous treatment. The MNV pattern can improve our understanding of its maturation under anti-VEGF treatment and might be valuable to better guide therapeutic decisions and provide more personalized care to patients with AMD.

Prognostic factors for visual acuity improvement after treatment of submacular hemorrhage secondary to exudative age-related macular degeneration.

PURPOSE: To recognize prognostic factors for better final visual acuity (VA) in patients presenting with submacular hemorrhage (SMH) secondary to exudative age-related macular degeneration. METHODS: This retrospective study included patients who presented to a tertiary ophthalmology department between 2012 and 2019 with SMH and were treated by pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) or injection of tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) with pneumatic displacement. Baseline characteristics included demographic data, VA and optical coherence tomography (OCT) characteristics of the SMH. Patients were divided into groups by improvement of at least 2 lines in BCVA (best corrected visual acuity), and by having a final BCVA better than 20/200. RESULTS: Forty-three eyes of 43 patients were included. Mean age was 86.72 ± 7.18. Prognostic factors for final VA better than 20/200 included better VA at presentation (1.25 vs 1.90 logMAR, p < 0.001), smaller area of SMH in the infra-red image (19.47 mm2 vs 38.45 mm2, p = 0.024), and lower height of SMH as measured by OCT (713.5 µm vs 962.5 µm, p = 0.03). Third of the patients improved in ≥2 lines from presentation, all in the group of the pneumatic and TPA displacement. CONCLUSION: Smaller SMHs with good VA at presentation have a better chance for improvement and result in a better final VA. These patients may benefit the most from pneumatic displacement of the SMH with intravitreal tPA and gas.

Outcomes of Combined Scleral Buckling Plus Pneumatic Retinopexy Vs. Scleral Buckling for Primary Rhegmatogenous Retinal Detachment.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the outcomes and complications of scleral buckle surgery alone or combined with pneumatic retinopexy (pneumatic buckle) for the treatment of primary rhegmatogenous retinal detachment. DESIGN: Retrospective chart review. PARTICIPANTS: Two hundred thirteen patients with rhegmatogenous retinal detachment of whom 101 underwent primary scleral buckle surgery at Rabin Medical Center in 2005-2015 (SB group) and 112 underwent pneumatic buckle surgery at Royal Alexandra Hospital in 2013-2015 (PB group). METHODS: All patients were followed for ≥12 months. Data on clinical and surgical parameters, outcome, and complications were collected from the medical files. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Best corrected visual acuity and anatomical outcomes. RESULTS: At 12 months, average best corrected visual acuity was 0.3 logMar in the SB group and 0.42 logMar in the PB group (P < 0.05). Rates of anatomical reattachment were high and similar in the two groups (99% and 97%, respectively, P = 0.623). The SB group had a higher percentage of patients requiring additional laser applications (21% vs. 7%; P < 0.01) and buckle readjustment surgery (6% vs. 0; P = 0.01), and the PB group had a higher percentage of patients who required postoperative pars plana vitrectomy (30% vs. 17%; P = 0.03). CONCLUSION: Scleral buckle surgery alone is efficient for the treatment of rhegmatogenous retinal detachment. Its combination with pneumatic retinopexy usually has no significant added value in terms of anatomical reattachment rate. Outcomes of Pneumatic buckling vs Scleral Buckling for RRD.

Postoperative complications of combined phacoemulsification and pars plana vitrectomy in diabetic retinopathy patients.

Purpose: To compare intra- and postoperative complications in combined phacoemulsification and pars plana vitrectomy surgeries performed in patients with non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy (NPDR) vs. proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR). Methods: Retrospective, case series of patients with diabetic retinopathy who underwent combined phacovitrectomy surgery between 2008 and 2017. We compared intraoperative complications including posterior capsular rupture and retinal tear, and postoperative complications including corneal edema, macular edema (ME), epiretinal membrane (ERM), neovascular glaucoma and persistent inflammation. Results: A total of 104 eyes of 104 patients were included in this study. Twenty-four eyes (23.1%) were categorized as NPDR and 80 eyes (76.9%) as PDR. The most common indications for surgery in the NPDR group were ERM (67%) and rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (12.5%), while in the PDR group, indications were vitreous hemorrhage (56%) and tractional retinal detachment (19%). The most common intraoperative complication was retinal tear (8% in NPDR and 19% in PDR, p = 0.195) and postoperative complication was ME (29% in NPDR and 26% in PDR, p = 0.778). There were no statistically significant differences in intra- and postoperative complication rates between the NPDR and PDR groups, even after adjusting for confounders; patient age at surgery and indication for surgery. Conclusion: After combined phacovitrectomy in NPDR and PDR patients, new-onset ME was found in about a quarter of eyes in both groups. Intraoperative anti-VEGF or steroid administration, and intense postoperative anti-inflammatory medication and follow-up should be regarded after phacovitrectomy regardless of the DR level.

Effect of Penetration Angle and Velocity During Intravitreal Injection on Pain.

Purpose: To evaluate the effect of velocity and angle of the intravitreal injection of anti-vascular endothelial growth factors on pain sensation.Methods: Patients were randomly assigned to one of four injection methods: straight and fast, straight and slow, tunneled and fast, and tunneled and slow. Later, they graded their pain sensation on a Visual Analog Scale (range 0-10).Results: The cohort included 180 patients. Mean pain score was 2.81 ± 2.34. There was no statistically significant difference in mean pain score among the four groups (p = .858); between the slow-injection (straight and tunneled) and fast-injection groups (p = .514); and between the straight-injection (fast and slow) and tunneled-injection groups (p = .992), nor other background variables.Conclusion: Velocity and angle of intravitreal injections are unrelated to the pain sensation. Therefore, the method may be left to the clinician's discretion. This implies that the sensation is mostly subjective.

Aflibercept clearance through the drainage system in a rat model.

BACKGROUND: As intravitreal anti-VEGF injections became the mainstay of treatment for many retinal diseases, the cause of a secondary sustained elevated intraocular pressure is still unclear. The aim of our study was to study the clearance of Aflibercept from the anterior chamber angle, in a rat model, to test if an aggregation exists. METHODS: Choroidal neovascular lesions (CNV) were induced in the right eye of 12 brown Norway rats, using indirect laser ophthalmoscope. Intravitreal Aflibercept injection (0.12 mg/3 µl) was performed 3 days after CNV induction. Rats were euthanized at predetermine time intervals of 3, 6, 24 and 48 h post injection, with immediate enucleation for histological analysis with H&E and immunofluorescence staining. Aflibercept molecules were stained with red fluorescence thanks to the formation of the immune complex Aflibercept-Rabbit anti human IgG-Anti rabbit antibodies-Cy3. RESULTS: Immediately after the injection, a strong fluorescence signal was detected, indicating the presence of Aflibercept in the iridocorneal angle. At 3- and 6-h interval a strong signal of Aflibercept was still seen. Six hours post injection, the signal was highly concentrated in Schlemm's canal. In the 2 eyes harvested 24 h post Aflibercept injection, red fluorescence signal intensity was decreased in one eye, occupying mainly intra scleral venous plexuses, and absent in the other eye. At 48 h there was no fluorescence signal, confirming complete clearance of Aflibercept. CONCLUSIONS: In our rat model, a complete clearance of Aflibercept from the anterior chamber angle, was seen 48 h after the injection. This finding refutes the theory of possible connection between IOP elevation and mechanical obstruction. Evacuation time of Aflibercept through the angle is of the same magnitude as that of Bevacizumab in the same rat model.

Effect of different lens status on intraocular pressure elevation in patients treated with anti-vascular endothelial growth factor injections.

AIM: To assess the effect of lens status on sustained intraocular pressure (IOP) elevation in patients treated intravitreally with anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) agents. METHODS: Data were retrospectively collected for all patients treated with intravitreal injections of anti-VEGF medication at a tertiary medical center in July 2015. Findings were analyzed by lens status during 6 months' follow-up. The main outcome measure was a sustained increase in IOP (≥21 mm Hg or change of ≥6 mm Hg from baseline on ≥2 consecutive visits, or addition of a new IOP-lowering medication during follow-up). RESULTS: A total of 119 eyes of 100 patients met the study criteria: 40 phakic, 40 pseudophakic, and 39 pseudophakic after Nd:YAG capsulotomy. The rate of sustained IOP elevation was significantly higher in the post-capsulotomy group (23.1%) than in the phakic/pseudophakic groups (8.1%; P=0.032), with no statistically significant differences among the 3 groups in mean number of injections, either total (P=0.82) or by type of anti-VEGF mediation (bevacizumab: P=0.19; ranibizumab: P=0.13), or mean follow-up time (P=0.70). CONCLUSION: Nd:YAG capsulotomy appears to be a risk factor for sustained IOP elevation in patients receiving intravitreal anti-VEGF injections. This finding has important implications given the growing use of anti-VEGF treatment and the irreversible effects of elevated IOP.

Scleral Cross-linking Using Riboflavin and Ultraviolet-A Radiation for Prevention of Axial Myopia in a Rabbit Model.

Myopic individuals, especially those with severe myopia, are at higher-than-normal risk of cataract, glaucoma, retinal detachment and chorioretinal abnormalities. In addition, pathological myopia is a common irreversible cause of visual impairment and blindness. Our study demonstrates the effect of scleral crosslinking using riboflavin and ultraviolet-A radiation on the development of axial myopia in a rabbit model. The axial length of the eyeball was measured by A-scan ultrasound in New Zealand white rabbits aged 13 days (male and female). The eye then underwent 360° conjunctival peritomy with scleral crosslinking, followed by tarsorrhaphy. Axial elongation was induced in 13 day-old New Zealand rabbits by suturing their right eye eyelids (tarsorrhaphy). The eyes were divided into quadrants, and every quadrant had two scleral irradiation zones, each with an area of 0.2 cm² and a radius of 4 mm. Crosslinking was performed by dropping 0.1% dextran-free riboflavin-5-phosphate onto the irradiation zones 20 sec before ultraviolet-A irradiation and every 20 sec during the 200 sec irradiation time. UVA radiation (370 nm) was applied perpendicular to the sclera at 57 mW/cm² (total UVA light dose, 57 J/cm²). Tarsorrhaphies were removed on day 55, followed by repeated axial length measurements. This study demonstrates that scleral crosslinking with riboflavin and ultraviolet-A radiation effectively prevents occlusion-induced axial elongation in a rabbit model.

Intracameral recombinant tissue plasminogen activator (r-tPA) for refractory toxic anterior segment syndrome.

AIMS: To investigate the therapeutic effect of recombinant tissue plasminogen activator (r-tPA) in patients with refractory toxic anterior chamber segment syndrome after cataract surgery with posterior chamber intraocular lens implantation. METHODS: This prospective cohort study was performed from May 2010 to November 2011 at a tertiary university-based medical centre. Forty patients (40 eyes) with an anterior chamber fibrin reaction after cataract surgery were treated with intracameral injection of r-tPA (25 µg/0.1 mL) following failure to respond to conventional treatment with intensive topical and subconjunctival steroids. Outcome measures were best-corrected visual acuity, clearance/recurrence of the fibrin reaction and complications. Corneal endothelial cell counts were evaluated before and after r-tPA injection (n=6). RESULTS: Intracameral r-tPA injection was administered 10-49 days after cataract surgery; mean was 20.3±9.6 days after surgery. At 1 day after treatment, complete clearance of the fibrin reaction was observed in 32 patients (80%) and partial clearance in 8 (20%). At the 1-month evaluation, the reaction had completely resolved in 95% of patients. Mean visual acuity improved from 0.61±0.38 logMAR before treatment to 0.45±0.37 logMAR 1 month later (p=0.06). There were no statistically significant differences in improvement in visual acuity and fibrinolysis rate by time of r-tPA injection after surgery (10-15 days, n=16 vs 16-49 days, n=24). There were no cases of increased intraocular pressure or endophthalmitis following the procedure. CONCLUSIONS: Intracameral injection of 25 µg r-tPA is safe and effective for the treatment of refractory fibrin reaction after cataract surgery.

Intravitreous bevacizumab treatment for macular edema due to central retinal vein occlusion.

PURPOSE: To investigate the visual and anatomical effects of intravitreal bevacizumab treatment of macular edema due to central retinal vein occlusion (CRVO). METHODS: Data were collected by medical chart review for 35 consecutive patients (35 eyes) with CRVO-induced macular edema treated with intravitreal bevacizumab in 2007-2010 and followed for at least 6 months. All patients received 3-4 loading doses (1.25 mg) with follow-up every 6-8 weeks and repeated injections as necessary. RESULTS: Mean patient age was 65.5 years (SD 13.5); mean follow-up time, 17.7 months (SD 10.8); mean number of injections, 9.3 (SD 5). Mean logMAR visual acuity (VA) improved from 0.9 (SD 0.49) at baseline to 0.7 (SD 0.5) at the last visit; corresponding Snellen values were 6/98 and 6/15 (p = 0.009). Four patients (11%) lost ≥3 lines, and 13 patients (37%) gained ≥3 lines. There was a positive correlation between initial and final VA (p < 0.0005). Central macular thickness (CMT) measured 489.5 microns (SD 175) at baseline and 395 microns (SD 223) at the last visit (p = 0.24). VA gain was positively correlated with CMT reduction (p < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: Intravitreal bevacizumab treatment of CRVO-induced macular edema improves vision, especially in patients with good initial VA.

Consecutive appearance of corneal subepithelial infiltrates after intravitreous bevacizumab injections.

PURPOSE: To report a case of corneal subepithelial infiltrates appearing after intravitreous bevacizumab injections. METHODS: A review of the patient's history and clinical examination findings in a patient who had epidemic keratoconjunctivitis more then 20 years before treatment with bevacizumab for age-related macular degeneration. RESULTS: After the third and fourth bevacizumab injections, the patient presented with unilateral corneal subepithelial infiltrates. The infiltrates were accompanied by mild anterior chamber reaction and resolved with topical steroid treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Treatment with intravitreous bevacizumab may precipitate an immune response leading to the appearance of corneal subepithelial infiltrates.