Spontaneous formation and closure of full thickness macular hole after treatment with anti-vascular endothelial growth factor therapy in polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy

Full-thickness macular hole (FTMH) formation in Polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy (PCV) after intravitreal anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF) treatment is a rare complication. Spontaneous closure of FTMH following anti-VEGF therapy has not been described in PCV till date. We present a case of Asian woman with PCV who developed a FTMH following treatment with intra-vitreal anti-VEGF injections which subsequently closed spontaneously on further course of treatment.

Smartphone guided wide-field imaging for retinopathy of prematurity in neonatal intensive care unit – a Smart ROP (SROP) initiative

Purpose: To suggest a low cost, non-contact smartphone-based screening system in retinopathy of prematurity (ROP), and to illustrate its potential clinical application as a potential future tool for teleophthalmology. Methods: Neonatal intensive care unit (NICU)-based bedside ROP screening done between January 2018 and May 2018. Documentation of ROP was done by using a smartphone and +40D, +28D, or +20D indirect non-contact condensing lenses. By using the coaxial light source of the phone, this system works as an indirect ophthalmoscope that creates a digital image of the fundus. With smartphone-based camera we extracted high-quality still images extracted from the video clip. Results: Total of 228 eyes of 114 infants screened for ROP between January 2018 and May 2018. Incidence of total ROP was 23.68%, out of which incidence of type 1 ROP was 8.77%. After initial screening with indirect ophthalmoscope, we uesd smartphone imaging to document ROP in 28 eyes out of 55 eyes having ROP. Image quality was good in 89.28% eyes. Field of view vary from 46°, 53°, and 90° with +20D, +28D, and +40D indirect condensing lenses, respectively, which gives excellent images for bedside ROP documentation. Conclusion: The described technique of smartphone fundus photography is a light weight, cost-effective, user friendly, high-quality wide-field fundus photographs for bedside documentation of ROP in NICUs using readily available instruments that are handy and portable with simple power sources. Smartphones has the potential to be operated with only one hand. It can also be used as a future telescreening device.

Focal choroidal excavation: Cause or effect?

We report the imaging characteristics of focal choroidal excavation (FCE) and associated choroidal neovascular membrane (CNVM) and interpret the probable etiopathogenesis of FCE through findings in four patients detected by spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT). FCE was found as an acquired entity in two of our cases subsequent to treatment of CNVM, whereas in the two other cases FCE was pre-existing. Furthermore, association of FCE with pachychoroid spectrum is reaffirmed through this case series.

”Double-layer sign” on spectral domain optical coherence tomography in pachychoroid spectrum disease

Purpose: The “double-layer sign (DLS)” describes the shallow and irregular elevation of the retinal pigment epithelium from the underlying intact Bruch's membrane visualized on the spectral domain optical coherence tomography. In this study, we evaluated the frequency, characteristics of the space within the double layer and other features in the pachychoroid spectrum to aid the clinical diagnosis of these variants. Methods: This retrospective study evaluated the features of the DLS on multimodal imaging in consecutive patients with a clinical diagnosis of one of the four variants of pachychoroid: pachychoroid pigment epitheliopathy (PPE), pachychoroid neovasculopathy (PCN), chronic central serous chorioretinopathy (CCSCR), and polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy (PCV). The features of the DLS were graded by two masked graders. Results: Overall, 102 eyes of 79 consecutive patients with pachychoroid spectrum were identified for grading. Sixteen eyes with PPE did not show any evidence of DLS. The DLS was identified in 15/16 (93.75%) eyes with PCN, 11/35 (31.43%) with CCSCR, and 32/35 (91.43%) with PCV (P < 0.001). The space within the DLS showed moderate hyperreflectivity in all eyes with PCV and PCN, while the space in the DLS in CCSCR showed uniform hyporeflectivity in 10/11 (%) eyes. Conclusion: The DLS sign was most frequent in polypoidal vasculopathy and PCN. A hyporeflective gap within the DLS favored the diagnosis of CCSCR.

Management of central serous chorioretinopathy: Expert panel discussion

Central serous chorioretinopathy (CSCR), one of the most common diseases in retina clinics, needs a special attention by retina specialists. Considering the challenges in diagnosis, classification, and management of this enigmatic disease and lack of level 1 evidence, there is a need for consensus with regard to establishing management protocols.

Long-term efficacy and safety of verteporfin photodynamic therapy in combination with anti-vascular endothelial growth factor for polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy

Purpose: The aim of the study was to analyze the outcomes of photodynamic therapy (PDT) with intravitreal anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF) for patients with polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy (PCV) having visual acuity (VA) better than 20/60 in a real-world scenario in India. Methods: Retrospective review of 42 eyes of 40 patients (mean age 64.3 years) with best-corrected VA (BCVA) 20/60 or better and mean follow-up of 40 months (median 38 months; range 12� months) treated with PDT and anti-VEGF or triamcinolone for indocyanine green angiography (ICGA)-proven subfoveal PCV. Results: Mean BCVA improved from 0.22 logMAR at baseline to 0.15 at last visit (P < 0.001). On ICGA, polyp was observed in 42 eyes (100%) and branching vascular network (BVN) in 37 eyes (88.1%). Polyp regressed in 33 (78.6%) of 42 eyes and BVN in 26 (70.3%) of 37 eyes after combined therapy at 3 months. Mean greatest linear diameter reduced significantly (P < 0.001) from 7.22 mm to 4.11 mm. Standard-fluence PDT was performed in 35 eyes and reduced-fluence in 7 eyes. The mean number of PDT was 1.17 with mean number of injections being 6.38 at the end of follow-up. In five eyes, more than one PDT was administered. Of 42 eyes, 40 showed complete resolution of serous macular detachment (SMD) after the combined therapy at 3 months; 17 (42.5%) of the 40 eyes showed no recurrence of fluid on spectral domain optical coherence tomography till the last visit with a mean follow-up of 27 months. On long-term follow-up, SMD reoccurred in 23 eyes with a mean follow-up period of 9.64 � 5.24 months. Of 38 eyes having a double-layer sign (DLS) on optical coherence tomography at baseline, 37 eyes were having regression of the DLS, that is, it either reduced or resolved at the final visit. At the final visit, 66.7% (P < 0.001) eyes were having fluid-free retina. No complication of subretinal hemorrhage was noted. Of the 42 eyes, only one eye had BCVA worse than 20/60 on the final visit. Conclusion: To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to look into the long-term effect of combined PDT with anti-VEGF in PCV in eyes having good VA. Long-term effect of combined PDT appears to be a safe and effective treatment for PCV in eyes having good VA with better outcomes in real-world setting. This study further strengthens the superiority of the combined treatment modality for treatment of subfoveal PCV with no or minimal risk of complication on long-term follow-up.

Polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy: Pearls in diagnosis and management

Polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy (PCV) is increasingly recognized as an important cause of exudative maculopathy in Asians as against Wet age-related macular degeneration in Caucasians. A panel of retinal experts methodically evaluated pertinent updated literature on PCV with thorough PubMed/MEDLINE search. Based on this, the panel agreed upon and proposed the current consensus recommendations in the diagnosis (clinical and imaging), management and follow-up schedule of PCV. Diagnosis of PCV should be based on the gold standard indocyanine green angiography which demonstrates early nodular hyperfluorescence signifying the polyp with additional features such as abnormal vascular network (AVN). Optical coherence tomography is an excellent adjuvant for diagnosing PCV, monitoring disease activity, and decision-making regarding the treatment. Current treatment modalities for PCV include photodynamic therapy, anti-vascular endothelial growth factor agents, and thermal laser. Choice of specific treatment modality and prognosis depends on multiple factors such as the location and size of PCV lesion, presence or absence of polyp with residual AVN, amount of submacular hemorrhage, presence or absence of leakage on fundus fluorescein angiography, visual acuity, and so on. Current recommendations would be invaluable for the treating physician in diagnosing PCV and in formulating the best possible individualized treatment strategy for optimal outcomes in PCV management.