Posterior segment manifestations of Takayasu arteritis: A narrative review.

Ocular symptoms can be the presenting manifestation of Takayasu arteritis (TA) or could be indicative of disease reactivation. A review of published literature related to posterior segment manifestations of TA by using the keywords "Takayasu arteritis," "ophthalmic manifestations," "retina," "retinopathy," "ocular," "optic nerve," and "optic neuropathy" was performed. In total, 62 case reports and 12 case series were included. The majority of the articles were from Asia (n = 47, 64%). Females outnumbered males in the ratio of 7:1. The mean age of patients was 33 years (range: 8-78 years, SD: 13.5 years). In 58% (n = 41 out of 71) cases, ocular symptoms were the presenting manifestation of the underlying disease. Hypotensive retinopathy was found in 70% of eyes, and hypertensive retinopathy was found in 27%. The mean presenting visual acuity (VA) was +1.03 logMAR (range: -0.12 to 3, SD: 1.07), and at the final follow-up was +1.02 logMAR (range: -0.12 to 3, SD 1.17). VA improved in 34% (n = 29/86), remained stable in 45% (39/86), and worsened in 21% (18/86). The mean follow-up was 9 months (range: 0.5-204, SD: 16 months).

Phacoemulsification in patients with diabetic macular edema - A real-world data of 75 eyes.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the outcomes of phacoemulsification with intravitreal triamcinolone acetonide (IVTA) injection in patients with cataract and diabetic macular edema (DME) across the grades of diabetic retinopathy (DR). MATERIALS AND METHODS: It was a retrospective observational study. The study included 70 patients (75 eyes) with cataract and clinically significant macular edema in diabetics with nonproliferative (61 eyes) or proliferative (14 eyes) DR who underwent phacoemulsification with IVTA. Visual outcome and progression of DME over 3 months were studied in terms of the best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and central macular thickness (CMT), respectively. RESULTS: The case records of 70 patients (75 eyes) were studied. The mean baseline BCVA (n = 75) in the logMAR scale ± SD was 0.92 ± 0.53. 3 weeks after the surgery, the mean BCVA improved to 0.39 ± 0.26 and the mean CMT (n = 40) was 382.57 ± 192.30 compared with the mean preoperative CMT of 480.57 ± 163.25 in the same set (P = 0.01). The mean CMT decreased at 3 weeks in 22 (55% of the eyes). An improvement of ≥2 lines was seen at 3 weeks in 52 (69.33%) eyes and in 49 (65.33%) eyes at 3 months. The mean CMT at 3 months was 445.51 ± 222.99 (n = 70) compared to the preoperative mean CMT of 470.72 ± 176.15 in the same set (P = 0.29). The mean CMT decreased at 3 months in 34 (48.5%) eyes. CONCLUSIONS: Phacoemulsification with IVTA injection improved the mean visual acuity at 3 weeks and 3 months in two-thirds of cases and decreased the mean CMT at 3 weeks in nearly half the numbers.

Emerging Pathogenic Viral Infections of the Eye.

Global health security threats and the public health impact resulting from emerging infectious diseases including the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and recent Ebola virus disease outbreaks continuously emphasize the need for a comprehensive approach to preparedness, management of disease outbreaks, and health sequelae associated with emergent pathogens. A spectrum of associated ophthalmic manifestations, along with the potential persistence of emerging viral pathogens in ocular tissues, highlight the importance of an ophthalmic approach to contributing to efforts in the response to public health emergencies from disease outbreaks. This article summarizes the ophthalmic and systemic findings, epidemiology, and therapeutics for emerging viral pathogens identified by the World Health Organization as high-priority pathogens with epidemic potential.

Whole-genome sequencing unravels novel genetic determinants and regulatory pathways associated with triamcinolone acetonide-induced ocular hypertension.

Glucocorticosteroids commonly used to treat certain ocular inflammatory conditions cause an unwarranted elevation in intraocular pressure (IOP) leading to steroid-induced ocular hypertension (OHT). This study aims to identify novel genetic variants in the Indian population associated with steroid responsiveness, specifically to that of intravitreal Triamcinolone acetonide (TA) injections, which leads to OHT in 27% of the TA-treated Indian subjects. Genetic determinants and pathways regulating TA-OHT progression were investigated by applying whole-genome sequencing (WGS) on DNA extracted from 53 blood samples that included TA responders and non-responders. Sequencing analysis yielded 45 intronic and 49 exonic variants to be associated with TA-OHT, which are known to play a vital role in eye, heart, brain, and bone deformities. Of these, the most significant genetic variant associated with TA-OHT was further considered for molecular dynamics (MD) simulation studies. Variants in the CRPPA, PLOD1, ARHGAP1, TIMELESS and TNFSF4 genes were found to be directly implicating TA-OHT. Furthermore, these genes were enriched in pathways associated with cardiomyopathy, focal adhesion, extracellular matrix, and actin cytoskeleton reorganization. MD simulation studies revealed that the top significant variant (rs141625803) in the CRPPA gene possesses a high pathogenic and structurally destabilizing effect. Thus, novel genetic variants that could be significantly associated with the TA-OHT progression were identified in this study. Validation of these targets in a larger cohort of patients along with their functional analysis would inform on the disease, thereby adding to the existing knowledge on the pathophysiology of TA-OHT.

Hypotrichosis with Juvenile Macular Dystrophy in a Patient with Cadherin 3 (CDH3) Mutation.

INTRODUCTION: Hypotrichosis with juvenile macular dystrophy (HJMD) is an autosomal recessive disease with progressive macular degeneration leading to blindness in the first three decades of life along with hypotrichosis. CASE: We herein report a case of a five year old boy with hypotrichosis with juvenile macular dystrophy diagnosed with multi-modal imaging which was later confirmed by genetic testing by whole genome sequencing. OBSERVATIONS: Fundus examination of both eyes revealed symmetrical hypopigmentation in peripapillary retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) involving posterior pole and surrounded by a mottled hyperpigmented border. Fundus autofluorescence showed central hypo autofluorescence with surrounding hyper autofluorescence corresponding to RPE atrophy and a faint hypo autofluorescence at the junction of normal retina. SD-OCT showed segmental outer retinal and choriocapillaris atrophy temporal to fovea with interdigitation zone and ellipsoid zone loss and RPE irregularities with hyperreflective subretinal deposits at the fovea. Electroretinogram showed normal waves but a slight reduction of b wave amplitude in both eyes. He had sparse scalp-hair. CONCLUSION: Children with reduced vision not falling into a typical macular degeneration should be examined systemically and may just have sparse scalp hair and still have a genetic disease. A regular follow-up should be emphasized in view of progressive nature of the disease.

Lightning injuries of the posterior segment of the eye.

Lightning causes serious injuries and deaths worldwide every year. Ophthalmic injuries due to lightning are due to direct or indirect transmission of electric current, resistance-induced heat, and heat-induced shock wave. PubMed search of articles related to posterior segment injuries caused by lightning using keywords (lightning injury, ophthalmic manifestations, ocular injuries, and posterior segment) was conducted, and 19 case reports in 17 articles including 29 eyes with lightning injury to the posterior segment of the eye from 1984 to 2019 were reviewed. The majority of case reports (n = 10, 53%) were from North America. Eleven patients (58%) were in the age group of 10-30 years. Most patients (n = 10, 53%) had bilateral injury. The macula was the most common site of involvement with retinal pigment epithelial changes (n = 14, 48%) being the most common manifestation. A variety of other retinal, vitreous, and electrophysiological abnormalities have also been reported. We conclude that although lightning injuries are usually mild injuries, with vision remaining, either stable or showing some improvement in the majority of cases, severe visual loss due to optic atrophy and maculopathy may occur in long term.

Incidence, Risk Factors, Treatment, and Outcome of Ocular Hypertension following Intravitreal Steroid Injections: A Comparative Study.

PURPOSE: To compare the incidence, risk factors, treatment, and outcomes associated with intravitreal triamcinolone-acetonide (TA) and dexamethasone-implant (Dex)-induced ocular hypertension (OHT). METHODS: This retrospective study reviewed 1,549 TA and Dex administrations in 1,075 eyes of 897 patients. Intraocular pressure (IOP) values were monitored for a period of 6 months following intravitreal injection(s) and patients were categorized as steroid-responders (SR): IOP≥21 mm Hg, and steroid non-responders (NR): IOP≤20 mm Hg. Glaucoma patients, glaucoma suspects, uveitis, trauma, and less than 1 month of IOP follow-up cases were excluded from the study. The incidence of IOP rise, time and magnitude of IOP rise, and its management procedures were studied. Ocular and systemic associations with OHT incidence were investigated. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS.23 and p < 0.05 was considered significant. RESULT: Twenty-eight percent of TA and 17% of Dex administered eyes developed OHT. Male subjects and elderly people (greater than 40 years of age) are at higher risk for OHT following steroid treatment. A high percentage of IOP rise was observed on day 1 (41%) for TA-SR, and after 1 month (50%) for Dex-SR. IOP rise was found to be more severe (>30 mm Hg) for TA-SR compared to Dex-SR (p = 0.006). 6% TA-SR required trabeculectomy with medically uncontrollable IOP. Myopia is a risk factor for secondary OHT, whereas diabetes mellitus and hypercholesterolemia are protective of it. CONCLUSION: Twenty-eight percent of TA and 17% of Dex administrations developed OHT. Early and severe IOP rises were more common in TA than among Dex administrations. Myopia is a risk for Dex-OHT.

Analysis of choroidal structure and vascularity indices with image binarization of swept source optical coherence tomography images: A prospective study of 460 eyes.

PURPOSE: To evaluate choroidal vascularity index (CVI) among normal subjects using image binarization of swept source optical coherence tomography (SS-OCT). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Four hundred and sixty eyes of 230 normal participants were included. Total circumscribed choroidal area, luminal area, stromal area (SA), and CVI were derived from SS-OCT scans using open-source software (ImageJ) with the modified Niblack method. Both CVI and subfoveal choroidal thickness (SFCT) were correlated with age, refractive error, intraocular pressure, and mean ocular perfusion pressure (MOPP) using mixed linear model analysis. Pearson's correlation coefficient was used to determine the relationship between age and each dependent factor. Analyses were performed using the SPSS software version 20.0 (IBM Corp., Armonk USA) and statistical significance was tested at 5%. RESULTS: The mean age was 42.1 (±17.6) years. Mean SFCT was 307 ± 79 µm. Mean CVI was 66.80 (±3.8)%. There was statistically significant positive correlation between CVI and increasing age (r = 0.259, P < 0.0001) and statistically significant negative correlation between SFCT and age (r = -0.361, P < 0.0001). There was positive linear correlation between refractive error and CVI (r = 0.220, P < 0.0001) and negative correlation between SFCT and refractive error. There was no significant effect of MOPP on both CVI (P = 0.07) and SFCT (P = 0.7). CONCLUSION: CVI and SFCT are significantly correlated with age and refractive error in normal Indian eyes.

A prospective, interventional study comparing the outcomes of macular hole surgery in eyes randomized to C3F8, C2F6, or SF6 gas tamponade.

PURPOSE: Analysis of outcomes of macular hole (MH) surgery using 12% C3F8, 16% C2F6, or 18% SF6 as randomized gas tamponading agent. METHODS: This is a prospective, randomized, interventional study of 159 eyes with idiopathic MH undergoing 23/25G pars-plana vitrectomy with internal limiting membrane peeling and gas tamponade. Eyes were stratified into two groups: Group I (MH < 800 µ) and group II (MH > 800 µ) according to MH apical diameter. Eyes in group I were randomized to receive either 18% SF6, 16% C2F6, or 12% C3F8. Eyes in group II were randomized to either 16% C2F6 or 12% C3F8. Clinical details, MH parameters on optical coherence tomography, surgical details and complications were analyzed. Outcome measures were type of hole closure (I/II), best corrected visual acuity, intraocular pressure, and cataract progression. RESULTS: In Group I (n = 139), type 1 closure was achieved in 107 (77%) eyes. Type 1 closure rates in group I per gas tamponade were as follows: SF6 (70%), C2F6 (80%), C3F8 (78%) (p = 0.503, chi-square test for independence). There was no statistical difference in MH closure rates between SF6 and C2F6 (p = 0.134), SF6 and C3F8 (p = 0.186), and C2F6 and C3F8 (p = 0.373). In Group II (n = 20), type 1 closure was achieved in 12 (60%) eyes. Type 1 closure rates in group II per gas tamponade were as follows: C2F6 (75%), C3F8 (50%) (p = 0.132, Two proportion Z test). Mean follow-up after surgery was 2.66 ± 2.74 months. CONCLUSION: Given the similar outcomes of using 18% SF6, 16% C2F6, or 12% C3F8 in idiopathic macular hole surgery, the advantage of using a shorter acting tamponade translates into earlier recovery and rehabilitation.

Diagnostic Value of Optical Coherence Tomography in the Early Diagnosis of Macular Complications in Chronic Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada Disease.

PURPOSE: To describe the role of optical coherence tomography (OCT) in detecting subclinical choroidal inflammation and early diagnosis of macular complications in chronic Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada (VKH) disease with sunset glow fundus. METHODS: Retrospective observational study. Clinical features, OCT images, treatment, and visual outcome were analyzed. RESULTS: Fourteen patients (9 females and 5 males) were included in the study. Mean age was 39 years (range 7-67 years). Mean duration of disease was 5.25 years (range 1-15 years). Anterior uveitis was seen in 14 eyes (52%). Fundus examination showed sunset glow fundus in all patients with no obvious macular pathology. OCT showed macular edema in 16 eyes (59%), choroidal neovascular membrane in 8 eyes (30%), and macular hole in 3 eyes (11%). CONCLUSION: OCT should be regularly used to detect subclinical inflammation and early macular complications in chronic VKH disease where sunset glow fundus may delay the clinical diagnosis thus causing permanent damage.

Endophthalmitis in Eyes with Osteo-odonto Keratoprosthesis.

Aim: To analyze the incidence, microbiological profile, risk factors, and outcomes in eyes with osteo-odonto keratoprosthesis (OOKP) developing endophthalmitis.Methods & material: Retrospective review of medical records of patients presenting between 2003 and 2013 with OOKP and endophthalmitis was undertaken after obtaining IRB approval. Patient demographics, clinical features, microbiological evaluation, treatment details, and outcomes were analyzed.Results: Of 92 eyes with OOKP, 8 (9%) had endophthalmitis. Indications for OOKP included Steven-Johnson syndrome (SJS; n = 6; 75%) and chemical injuries (n = 2; 25%). The mean duration from OOKP surgery to endophthalmitis was 49.4 ± 32.3 months. Seven of eight eyes had associated laminar resorption. Endophthalmitis resolved with conservative management in three eyes. Lamina removal was required in three eyes; one eye underwent evisceration. At presentation, mean BCVA was 2.76 ± 0.24 logMAR that improved to 2.48 ± 1.0 logMAR after intervention. Mean follow-up was 12.6 ± 13.2 months.Conclusion: Endophthalmitis portends a grave prognosis for eyes with OOKP. The most important risk factors are SJS (75%) and lamina resorption (88%).

Choroidal neovascularization in 111 eyes of children and adolescents.

PURPOSE: To describe the clinical features, management, and outcomes of choroidal neovascularization (CNV) in children less than 18 years of age. METHODS: This was a retrospective, case control study of 111 eyes of 96 patients. CNV was clinically diagnosed in all patients. Eyes were classified as those that were observed (Controls; Group 1) or those that had treatment (Cases; Group 2). CNV was categorized as regressed, persistent, or recurrent in order to evaluate the anatomical outcomes. RESULTS: Of 96 patients, 68(71%) were male. Mean presenting age was 11.4 ± 3.4 years (median = 11 years, range = 1-17 years). CNV was bilateral in 15(16%) patients. Of 111 eyes, 38 eyes had treatment (Cases) and 73 eyes did not (Natural history group or Controls). Subfoveal CNV was seen in majority of cases (59%). Most common etiology was post-inflammatory (38%), followed by trauma (16%). Eyes were classified as those that were observed (controls; Group 1) or those that had treatment (cases; Group 2). In group 1, spontaneous regression of CNV was seen in 26(36%) eyes and there was no recurrence in this group. In group 2 following treatment, 25(66%) of 38 eyes achieved complete regression at mean 4.9 months and was persistent in 5 eyes. CNV recurrence was seen in 10 eyes with the mean time to first recurrence being 9 months. At presentation, mean best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) of eyes with subfoveal CNV was logMAR 0.99 that improved to logMAR 0.63 with treatment. Mean follow-up was 17 months. CONCLUSION: CNV results in significant visual decline in children; most commonly of post-inflammatory etiology. Treatment achieves high regression rates, albeit with limited visual improvement.

Intravitreal Ozurdex has no short term influence on choroidal thickness and vascularity index in eyes with diabetic macular edema: A pilot study.

AIM: To analyze choroidal parameters in eyes with diabetic macular edema (DME) treated with intravitreal Ozurdex. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Twenty eyes of 14 patients were included in this prospective study. Optical coherence tomography images were obtained before and 8-10 weeks after intravitreal Ozurdex injection; binarized and subfoveal choroidal thickness (SFCT) and choroidal vascularity index (CVI) were calculated. RESULTS: Mean SFCT (treatment naïve; 242.22 ± 32.87 reduced to 218.10 ± 22.10, P = 0.158 and previously treated; 330.4 ± 56.72 reduced to 328.93 ± 50.55, P = 0.833) and mean CVI (treatment naïve; 0.64 ± 0.03 changed to 0.65 ± 0.04, P = 0.583 and previously treated; 0.65 ± 0.05 reduced to 0.64 ± 0.03, P = 0.208) showed no significant change. CONCLUSION: Intravitreal Ozurdex showed no significant effects on SFCT and CVI in eyes with DME over short term. Larger studies with longer follow-up may allow a better understanding.

Surgical outcomes and complications of sutureless needle-guided intrascleral intraocular lens fixation combined with vitrectomy.

PURPOSE: : To analyze the surgical outcomes and complications of sutureless needle-guided intrascleral intraocular lens (IOL) implantation (Yamane technique) combined with pars plana vitrectomy. METHODS: Retrospective study of 47 eyes of 46 patients that underwent scleral fixation of IOL by the Yamane technique combined with 3-port pars plana vitrectomy. Demographic data, primary indications for surgery, history of trauma, best corrected visual acuity (BCVA), intraocular pressure (IOP), duration of follow-up, and complications were analyzed. RESULTS: Mean preoperative BCVA was 0.79 logMAR, which improved to 0.39 logMAR at mean 4.21 months (SD: 4.87 D) follow-up. Mean spherical equivalent pre and postoperative was + 7.64 D (SD: 7.74 D) and - 0.47 D (SD: 2.26 D), respectively. Early postoperative complications included hypotony with cyclodialysis cleft (n = 1; 2%), mild vitreous hemorrhage (n = 2; 4%), raised IOP (n = 2; 4%), and transient corneal edema (n = 2; 4%). Late complications included iris optic capture (n = 1; 2%), retinal detachment (n = 1; 2%), cystoid macular edema (CME; n = 2; 4%), IOL decentration (n = 1; 2%), and decentration and tilting of IOL (n = 1; 2%). Management of complications included laser treatment to cyclodialysis cleft, observation for vitreous hemorrhage, topical and oral IOP lowering agents for raised IOP. CME was managed with topical non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. One eye was subjected IOL refixation. The mean number of surgeries per eye was 1.04. CONCLUSION: Combining needle-guided intrascleral IOL implantation with vitrectomy allows management of other posterior segment complications in the same sitting while obviating the need for the second surgery. It provides satisfactory outcomes that are comparable to published studies. However, a longer follow-up will allow a better understanding of the potential advantages of this approach.

Multimodal imaging characteristics in eyes with vitreoretinal lymphoma treated with intravitreal rituximab.

PURPOSE: To characterize the imaging features in eyes with vitreoretinal lymphoma (VRL) using ultra-widefield fundus photography (UWF-FP), swept-source optical coherence tomography (SSOCT) and fundus autofluorescence (FAF) that are correlated to ongoing treatment with intravitreal Rituximab(IVR). METHODS: Retrospective observational imaging-based study of 15 treatment-naive eyes with VRL treated with IVR. All patients with primary VRL underwent vitreous biopsy using 23/25G microincision vitrectomy system for confirmation of diagnosis. All eyes received monthly IVR (1 mg/0.1 mL) injections till disease remission. Baseline clinical characteristics, treatment details, outcomes, and sequential imaging features on UWF-FP, FAF, and SSOCT were analyzed. OUTCOME MEASURES: Baseline features and changes in UWF-FP, FAF patterns, and SSOCT features in response to treatment RESULTS: Clinically, patients presented with sub-RPE deposits (n = 15), superficial retinal hemorrhages (n = 2), 'giant' RPE (retinal pigment epithelium) holes (n = 2), and anterior segment reaction (n = 1). Eyes were treated with mean 5.7 IVR injections (median: 5; range 1-13) over a mean 7.2 ± 4.9 months. During the course of treatment, two eyes developed superficial retinal hemorrhages with spontaneous resolution, 2 eyes developed CME, and 4 eyes developed characteristic 'leopard skin' pigmentation. Hyper-autofluorescence corresponding to areas of active lesions decreased with each treatment cycle and was finally replaced by hypo-autofluorescence. Serial OCTs showed regression of sub-RPE/subretinal deposits (n = 15), ellipsoid zone disruption (n = 9), and its resolution with treatment (n = 3), epiretinal membrane (ERM; n = 6), choroidal hyperreflective foci (HRF; n = 4), disorganization of retinal inner layers (DRIL; n = 3), RPE-rip (n = 2), cystoid macular edema (CME; n = 2), and hyperreflective lesions in the choroid (n = 1). Complete resolution was observed in all eyes with extensive hypo-AF. The central foveal thickness decreased from 237 ± 113 µ to 182 ± 114 µ (p = 0.1) and subfoveal choroidal thickness decreased from 258 ± 66 µ to 220 ± 64 µ (p = 0.12) at final follow-up. The mean baseline BCVA was logMAR 0.9 ± 0.9 that deteriorated to mean logMAR 1 ± 1 final visit (p = 0.7). The mean recurrence-free follow-up was 5.9 ± 5.1 months CONCLUSION: Multimodal imaging provides novel insights into features of VRL, a better understanding of regression patterns, and prognostication of outcomes when treated with intravitreal rituximab. Larger, multicentric studies with longer follow-up will help unravel imaging biomarkers to understand these aspects better.

Intravitreal rituximab monotherapy for management of eyes with vitreoretinal lymphoma: initial experience from India.

PURPOSE: To evaluate treatment outcomes and complications of intravitreal rituximab (IVR) monotherapy for eyes with vitreoretinal lymphoma (VRL). METHODS: Patients diagnosed with 'isolated primary VRL' or 'VRL with remission of systemic disease' and treated with IVR (1 mg/0.1 ml) between June 2014 and June 2019 were included in this retrospective, interventional case series. Injections were repeated at monthly intervals until complete resolution. All patients signed a written informed consent form. Institutional review board approval was obtained. RESULTS: Twelve eyes of 7 patients with VRL were treated with 77 IVR injections at mean 6.42 injections per eye (median = 5; range = 2-13) for complete resolution at mean 8.16 ± 4.62 months (median = 6.97 months; range = 1.97-14.33 months). Mean age at presentation was 53.3 years (median = 54 years; range = 34-74 years). Patients were co-managed with medical oncologist and periodically evaluated. Complications included anterior uveitis (n = 6), raised intraocular pressure (n = 3), posterior synechiae (n = 2), vitreous haemorrhage (n = 1), pre-retinal haemorrhage (n = 1), retinal detachment (n = 1), posterior subcapsular cataract (n = 2) and sectoral iris atrophy (n = 1). Recurrences were seen in 3 eyes (25%), which eventually achieved complete resolution with treatment. None of the patients had systemic involvement or death during follow-up. Mean follow-up was 18.73 ± 8.83 months (median = 21.60 months; range = 7.37-32.67 months). CONCLUSION: Intravitreal rituximab monotherapy is effective in management of vitreoretinal lymphoma in patients with isolated ocular disease.

Proteomics-based approach for differentiation of age-related macular degeneration sub-types.

Purpose: Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is one of the leading causes of irreversible central vision loss in the elderly population. The current study aims to find non-invasive prognostic biomarkers in the urine specimens of the AMD patients. Methods: Peripheral blood and urine samples were collected from 23 controls and 61 AMD patients. Genomic DNA was extracted from the buffy coat of peripheral blood. Allele specific PCR was used to assay SNPs in complement factor H (CFH), complement component 3 (C3). Comparative proteomic analysis of urine samples from early AMD, choroidal neovascular membrane (CNVM), geographic atrophy (GA), and healthy controls was performed using isobaric labelling followed by mass spectrometry. Validation was performed using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Results: Comparative proteomic analysis of urine samples identified 751 proteins, of which 383 proteins were found to be differentially expressed in various groups of AMD patients. Gene ontology classification of differentially expressed proteins revealed the majority of them were involved in catalytic functions and binding activities. Pathway analysis showed cell adhesion molecule pathways (CAMs), Complement and coagulation cascades, to be significantly deregulated in AMD. Upon validation by ELISA, SERPINA-1 (Alpha1 antitrypsin), TIMP-1 (Tissue inhibitor of matrix metaloprotease-1), APOA-1 (Apolipoprotein A-1) were significantly over-expressed in AMD (n = 61) patients compared to controls (n = 23). A logistic model of APOA-1 in combination with CFH and C3 polymorphisms predicted the risk of developing AMD with 82% accuracy. Conclusion: This study gives us a preliminary data on non-invasive predictive biomarkers for AMD, which can be further validated in a large cohort and translated for diagnostic use.

Tube Obstruction of a Nonvalved Glaucoma Drainage Device by a Dislocated Soemmering's Ring.

The authors report a case of tube obstruction of a nonvalved glaucoma drainage device (Aurolab aqueous drainage implant; AADI) with a dislocated Soemmering's ring (SR) leading to a postoperative intraocular pressure (IOP) spike after an initial IOP reduction. A 24-year-old man with bilateral aphakia, bilateral secondary glaucoma developed corneal decompensation in the left eye. The IOP in the left eye was 22 mm Hg with 3 topical IOP-lowering medications (timolol 0.5%, brimonidine 0.2%, and latanoprost 0.005%). To control the IOP before performing a penetrating keratoplasty, AADI was implanted. A good bleb and an IOP of 10 mm Hg were noted at 6.5 weeks postoperatively. The following day the patient developed an acute rise in IOP (42 mm Hg) because of tube obstruction of the AADI by a SR. The IOP spike was initially controlled with oral acetazolamide and topical IOP-lowering medications (fixed combination of timolol 0.5% and brimonidine 0.2%). Six days later, pars plana vitrectomy, SR removal, penetrating keratoplasty, and tube trimming were performed. Following this, the patient had good IOP control and a clear corneal graft at 1-year follow-up. In aphakic eyes undergoing nonvalved glaucoma drainage device implantation, a complete pars plana vitrectomy combined with any lens remnant removal may be considered. It helps to avoid tube obstruction because of these lens remnants, which can migrate anteriorly along with the aqueous currents.