TECHNIQUE FOR REMOVAL OF A GANCICLOVIR IMPLANT DISLOCATED IN THE VITREOUS CAVITY.

PURPOSE: To report a technique to remove a dislocated ganciclovir implant in the vitreous cavity. METHODS: Retrospective case series. Two patients with dislocated ganciclovir implants in the vitreous cavity. RESULTS: A 6-mm pars plana incision was made; the soft tip was used to elevate the implant behind the intraocular lens and then 0.12-mm forceps were used to externalize the implant. The implant was successfully removed in both patients. CONCLUSION: Removal of a dislocated ganciclovir implant with its encasing strut can be effectively retrieved using a bimanual approach.

Didanosine-Associated Retinal Toxicity in a Patient With a Mutation in the CRB1 Gene.

Purpose: This article describes a case of didanosine (DDI)-associated retinal toxicity in a patient with a heterozygous pathogenic variant in the CRB1 gene. Methods: Case report. Results: A middle-aged patient with HIV controlled on HAART therapy, and a remote 10-year year history of treatment with DDI and tenofivir, presented with external ophthalmoplegia and well-circumscribed, midperipheral patterns of bilateral pigmentary retinopathy and chorioretinal atrophy in both eyes. Genetic testing revealed a heterozygous pathogenic variant in the CRB1 gene that encodes a protein (Crumbs homolog 1) involved in regulation of cell polarity and junctions and is localized adjacent to mitochondria in the ellipsoid and myoid area. Conclusions: This case highlights a potential role for genetic susceptibility to retinal toxicity in DDI-associated retinal toxicity. Large, prospective pharmacogenomics studies may be informative to further elucidate the role of genetic risk factors in drug-induced retinal toxicity.

Optical Coherence Tomography Angiography: Clinical Utility and Future Directions.

Purpose: This work aims to review the principles of optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA), to survey its clinical utility, and to highlight the strengths of this technology as well as barriers to adoption. Methods: A literature review with editorial discussion of the current applications for OCTA is presented. Results: There have been recent advances in multiple domains in OCTA imaging, including devices, algorithms, and new observations pertaining to a range of pathologies. New devices have improved the scanning speed, signal-to-noise ratio, and spatial resolution and offer an increased field of view. New algorithms have been proposed to optimize image processing and reduce artifacts. Numerous studies employing OCTA have been published describing changes to the microvasculature in diabetic retinopathy, age-related macular degeneration, central serous chorioretinopathy, retinal vein occlusion, and uveitis. Conclusions: OCTA provides noninvasive, high-resolution volumetric scans of the retinal and choroidal vasculature. OCTA can provide valuable data to augment traditional dye-based angiography in a range of chorioretinal diseases.

Epimacular Inverted Retinal Flap Simulating an Epiretinal Membrane.

A 66-year-old man was referred for management of a visually significant epiretinal membrane (ERM) with persistent cystoid macular edema after surgery for recurrent retinal detachment with proliferative vitreoretinopathy. The membrane was noted to be particularly thick and vascularized on preoperative optical coherence tomography. During the subsequent vitrectomy, the "membrane" was found to be an inverted retinal flap and successfully removed. The inverted retinal flap was thought to have been related to retinal slippage during prior surgery. This is the first report of an epimacular inverted flap simulating an ERM and highlights the importance of careful review of preoperative imaging. [Ophthalmic Surg Lasers Imaging Retina. 2021;52:293-295.].

Choroidal Neovascularization and Macular Hemorrhage: Real-World Experience During the New York City COVID-19 Lockdown.

Purpose: This work reviews ocular, systemic, and demographic factors contributing to presentation of choroidal neovascular membrane (CNVM)-associated macular hemorrhage after the New York City coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) lockdown. Methods: A retrospective, consecutive case series was conducted of all established patients presenting with macular hemorrhage between March 22, 2020, and August 10, 2020. Results: Fourteen patients (mean age 82.2 years) were evaluated. Ten patients had active CNVMs, 1 had an inactive lesion that was last injected 2 years prior, and 3 had new conversions from nonexudative age-related macular degeneration. In the actively treated CNVM group there was a delay in expected follow-up from 50.4 days to 125 days. Eight patients with previously active CNVM (73%) had a history of prior macular hemorrhage. Eight patients (57%) were on some form of antiplatelet or anticoagulation therapy. Twelve patients (86%) had COVID-19-specific risk factors besides age, and all but 1 patient (93%) delayed care without discussion with a physician. Ten patients (71%) had more than 1 week of symptoms prior to presentation. Twelve patients (86%) had signs of CNVM on prior optical coherence tomography. Conclusions: Adequate documentation of potential risks for hemorrhage (particularly prior hemorrhage or presence of subclinical type 1 CNVM), as well as COVID-19-specific risk factors, would aid triage of clinic appointments in future lockdowns. High-risk patients would likely benefit from direct physician communication discussing their individual risk profiles to alleviate anxiety over clinic visits and communicate their risk of severe vision loss.

Feasibility and Clinical Utility of Ultra-Widefield-Navigated Swept-Source Optical Coherence Tomography Imaging.

Purpose: This work aims to evaluate the clinical utility and feasibility of a novel scanning laser ophthalmoscope-based navigated ultra-widefield swept-source optical coherence tomography (UWF SS-OCT) imaging system. Methods: A retrospective, single-center, consecutive case series evaluated patients between September 2019 and October 2020 with UWF SS-OCT (modified Optos P200TxE, Optos PLC) as part of routine retinal care. The logistics of image acquisition, interpretability of images captured, nature of the peripheral abnormality, and clinical utility in management decisions were recorded. Results: Eighty-two eyes from 72 patients were included. Patients were aged 59.4 ± 17.1 years (range, 8-87 years). During imaging, 4.4 series of images were obtained in 4.1 minutes, with 86.4% of the image series deemed to be diagnostic of the peripheral pathology on blinded image review. The most common pathologic findings were chorioretinal scars (18 eyes). In 31 (38%) eyes, these images were meaningful in supporting clinical decision-making with definitive findings. Diagnoses imaged included retinal detachment combined with retinoschisis, retinal hole with overlying vitreous traction and subretinal fluid, vitreous inflammation overlying a peripheral scar, Coats disease, and peripheral retinal traction in sickle cell retinopathy. Conclusions: Navigated UWF SS-OCT imaging was clinically practical and provided high-quality characterization of peripheral retinal lesions for all eyes. Images directly contributed to management plans, including laser, injection or surgical treatment, for a clinically meaningful set of patients (38%). Future studies are needed to further assess the value of this imaging modality and its role in diagnosing, monitoring, and treating peripheral lesions.

Modified dagger-tip Sheets glide to facilitate 2-point fixation across the anterior chamber in aniridic aphakic eyes.

Presented is a modified technique for removing a failed endothelial allograft in an aniridic aphakic eye that reduces the risk of posterior dislocation. This technique involves the creation of an artificial iris plane using a Sheets glide by trimming it into the shape of a dagger so that it can be pulled through the anterior chamber and fixated by both its passage through a paracentesis incision and the main incision. The Sheets glide then acts as a physical barrier, or scaffold, to allow safe removal of the failed endothelial allograft and subsequent repeat endothelial keratoplasty while avoiding posterior dislocation of the tissue into the vitreous cavity.

Outcomes of primary rhegmatogenous retinal detachment repair with extensive scleral-depressed vitreous removal and dynamic examination.

There are multiple surgical approaches to the repair of rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD). Here, we evaluated the outcomes of small-gauge pars plana vitrectomy (PPV), alone or in combination with scleral buckle (SB-PPV), for RRD repair using a standardized technique by 3 vitreoretinal surgeons: "extensive" removal of the vitreous with scleral depression and dynamic examination of the peripheral retina. One hundred eighty seven eyes of 180 consecutive patients treated for primary RRD by three vitreoretinal surgeons at a tertiary academic medical center from September 2015 to March 2018 were analyzed. Most RRDs occurred in males (134 [71.3%] eyes), affected the left eye (102 [54.3%]), and were phakic (119 [63.3%]). PPV alone was performed in 159 eyes (84.6%), with a combined SB-PPV used in the remaining 29 eyes (15.4%); focal endolaser was used in all (100%) cases. The single surgery anatomic success rate was 186 eyes (99.5%) at 3 months, and 187 (100%) at last follow up. Overall best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) had significantly improved at 3 months ([Snellen 20/47] P<0.00005) and last follow up ([Snellen 20/31] P<0.00005), as compared to day of presentation ([Snellen 20/234]). Our findings suggest that "extensive" removal of the vitreous and dynamic peripheral examination with scleral depression may lead to high single surgery success in primary uncomplicated RRD repair.

The Expanded Clinical Spectrum of Coxsackie Retinopathy.

The authors present two cases of coxsackie retinopathy that presented with the classic findings of acute outer retinal disruption that evolved to an outer retinal scar. In these two cases, the classic lesions displayed an extramacular distribution. The authors provide detailed multimodal imaging in both cases highlighting the nature of the lesions. It is important to consider coxsackie virus infection in the differential diagnosis of extramacular lesions with outer retinal disruption. The term "unilateral acute idiopathic maculopathy" should be replaced with "coxsackie retinopathy" to better align with the expanded clinical spectrum and the known etiology of this disorder. [Ophthalmic Surg Lasers Imaging Retina. 2020;51:529-532.].

Retinal Microvasculature Changes After Repair of Macula-off Retinal Detachment Assessed with Optical Coherence Tomography Angiography.

OBJECTIVE: To characterize the microvascular retinal changes after repair of macula-off rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD) using optical coherence tomography angiography (OCT-A). PATIENTS AND METHODS: A retrospective review of patients who underwent repair of macula-off RRD. Fellow unaffected eyes were used as controls. Post-operative OCT-A allowed comparison of vessel density (VD) and foveal avascular zone (FAZ) area in the superficial and deep retinal capillary plexus (DCP) as well as VD in the choriocapillaris layer. RESULTS: Seventeen eyes of 17 RRD patients were included in the final analysis. There was a reduction in VD of the deep retinal capillary plexus in affected eyes compared to fellow eyes (p = 0.046). RRD eyes with reduced VD in DCP compared with their fellow control eyes had worse visual acuity after repair compared to those without (p = 0.032). No significant microvasculature changes were detected in the FAZ area and VD in the superficial capillary plexus and choriocapillaris compared to fellow eyes. CONCLUSION: In macula-off RRD eyes, significant microvascular changes were detected in the DCP using OCT-A even after successful anatomical repair. Decreased VD in the DCP compared to the fellow healthy eyes was correlated with worse visual acuity.

Comorbid hepatitis C does not modulate prevalence or severity of diabetic retinopathy.

PURPOSE: There are limited and conflicting data regarding the impact of comorbid hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection on diabetic retinopathy (DR). This study sought to compare the prevalence and severity of DR among patients with diabetes mellitus (DM) with and without HCV. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This was a retrospective, case-control study of patients with DM comparing 120 patients with comorbid HCV and 120 age-matched controls. DR prevalence and several measures of severity were compared between groups. Subgroup analyses were performed among HCV patients with cirrhosis, comorbid HIV, or history of treatment with interferon. Statistical analysis for between-group comparisons utilized both univariate and multivariate analyses. RESULTS: Cases and controls exhibited similar baseline characteristics: average hemoglobin A1c, DM duration, and age (p>0.05). Among cases and controls, there was no difference in DR prevalence (35.8% versus 42.5%, respectively, p=0.29) or severity (p>0.05). Within the HCV subgroup, DR severity was reduced in patients with HIV or cirrhosis. However, multivariate analysis identified reduced DM duration in these subgroups as the primary contributor to lesser DR severity, rather than HIV or cirrhosis. CONCLUSION: In this study, comorbid HCV did not modulate the prevalence or severity of DR among patients with DM. These findings may inform clinical monitoring among HCV-positive diabetics undergoing ophthalmic evaluation.

Retinal Vascular Abnormalities in Phakomatosis Pigmentovascularis.

PURPOSE: To describe the spectrum of retinal vascular abnormalities in patients with phakomatosis pigmentovascularis (PPV). DESIGN: Multicenter, retrospective, noncomparative, consecutive case series. METHODS: Eligible patients underwent detailed retinal examination including indirect ophthalmoscopy. Ultra-widefield fundus imaging, including color fundus photography and angiography, was performed using standardized protocols, and findings were recorded and reviewed and analyzed. PARTICIPANTS: Three patients with a clinical diagnosis of PPV are presented. RESULTS: Evaluation of all patients (n = 6 eyes of 3 patients) with widefield fluorescein angiography showed several retinal vascular abnormalities, including peripheral retinal nonperfusion (n = 3 eyes), peripheral vascular leakage (n = 3 eyes), aberrant retinal vessels (n = 1 eyes), vascular tortuosity (n = 1 eyes), and disruption of the foveal avascular zone including fovea plana (n = 3 eyes). In addition, 2 eyes demonstrated peripheral retinal vascular straightening and leakage similar to the features of familial exudative vitreoretinopathy. One of the patients was a carrier of a somatic GNA11 R183C pathogenic variant that has been associated with PPV. CONCLUSIONS: Fluorescein angiography, especially with widefield capability, reveals numerous retinal vascular abnormalities in patients with PPV. Considering the association of GNA11 pathogenic variants with PPV and allied disorders, these observations may suggest a role of guanine-binding proteins (G-proteins) in retinal vascular development. Supplemental material available at www.ophthalmologyretina.org.

Characteristics and Outcomes of Endogenous Endophthalmitis: Eight-Year Experience at a Tertiary Care Center.

PURPOSE: To describe the characteristics and outcomes of endogenous endophthalmitis. DESIGN: Retrospective case series. PARTICIPANTS: Patients with endogenous endophthalmitis. METHODS: A retrospective chart review of patients diagnosed with endogenous endophthalmitis between September 1, 2006, and November 1, 2014. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Clinical findings, treatments, microbial results, visual outcomes, and secondary ocular sequelae. RESULTS: Sixty-three patients (68 eyes) were diagnosed with endogenous endophthalmitis. Ocular symptoms were the first manifestation of disease in 76% of patients. Fungal and bacterial endophthalmitis were seen in 37% (n = 25) and 43% (n = 29) of eyes, respectively. In 47% of eyes (n = 32), the disease was associated with intravenous drug use. Eighteen percent of eyes (n = 12) underwent an initial pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) with intravitreal antibiotics, none of which required a secondary intervention for acute infection. Four percent of eyes (n = 3) received only systemic treatment. Seventy-eight percent of eyes (n = 53) underwent initial bedside aspirate with intravitreal injection of antibiotics (tap-and-injection), of which 55% (n = 29) required a secondary PPV. Of eyes that underwent secondary PPV after initially negative culture results from the tap-and-injection, 52% demonstrated positive culture results at the time of secondary PPV (n = 11/21) despite all but 1 having received appropriate antimicrobial coverage initially. Fifty-four percent of eyes (n = 37) experienced secondary ocular sequelae. Eyes that received initial tap-and-injection had statistically nonsignificant better average initial vision, but worse average vision at each follow-up interval, compared to PPV while being less likely to gain 2 lines or more of vision at every follow-up interval except 6 months, with the difference reaching statistical significance at 1 week (odds ratio = 0.014; P = 0.037). Eyes that underwent initial tap-and-injection were statistically significantly more likely to require a secondary PPV (55% vs. 0%; P = 0.0006) and had fewer positive microbial results (19% vs. 67%) than those that underwent initial PPV (P = 0.002). CONCLUSIONS: Most eyes that received initial tap-and-injection eventually underwent a secondary PPV. Initial PPV may have an important role in management because it was associated with better diagnostic yield and a trend toward better visual outcomes.

Evaluation of choroidal lesions with swept-source optical coherence tomography.

AIMS: The aim of our study was to image choroidal lesions with swept-source optical coherence tomography (SS-OCT) and to identify the morphological characteristics associated with optimal visualisation. METHODS: This was a prospective, cross-sectional study. Patients with choroidal melanocytic lesions <3 mm in thickness on B-scan ultrasonography were recruited. All participants underwent SS-OCT. On SS-OCT we evaluated qualitative (eg, lesion outline, detection of scleral-choroidal interface and quality of the image) and quantitative (measurement of maximum lesion thickness and the largest basal diameter) parameters. Probability of optimal image quality was examined using ordered logistic regression models. The main outcome measure was quality of the choroidal lesion images on SS-OCT, defined as: optimal, suboptimal or poor. RESULTS: We included 85 choroidal lesions of 82 patients. There were 24 choroidal lesions (29%) for which image quality was classified as optimal, 31 lesions (37%) as suboptimal and 30 lesions (36%) as poor. The factors associated with optimal image quality were distance closer to the fovea (OR 0.76, p<0.001), posterior pole location (OR 3.87, p=0.05), lower ultrasonography thickness (OR 0.44, p=0.04), lighter lesion pigmentation (OR 0.12, p=0.003) and smaller lesion diameter (OR 0.73, p<0.001). In the multivariable analysis, closer distance to the fovea (OR 0.81, p=0.005), lighter lesion pigmentation (OR 0.11, p=0.01) and smaller lesion diameter (OR 0.76, p=0.006) remained statistically significant. CONCLUSION: SS-OCT is useful in imaging most choroidal melanocytic lesions. Image quality is best when the choroidal lesion is closer to the fovea, has a smaller diameter and a lighter choroidal pigmentation.

Perfluorocarbon liquid-assisted intraocular foreign body removal.

We describe the benefits of perfluoro-N-octane (PFO), a perfluorocarbon liquid, in the removal of nonmagnetic intraocular foreign bodies (IOFBs) from the macula and posterior segment. Two consecutive cases of posterior segment IOFB were reviewed. An 18-year-old male presented to the emergency room after a motor vehicle accident with a zone 1 open globe injury and large glass IOFB in the left eye. A 53-year-old male presented to the emergency room with a history of a 3-week delayed presentation of a zone 1 open globe injury from a nail to the right eye. He was found to have a metallic IOFB. In both cases, PFO was used to slide the nonmagnetic IOFBs outside of the macula for safer retrieval. PFO was also able to protect the posterior pole from IOFB drops during early attempts at removal. PFO can be a useful surgical adjunct to pars plana vitrectomy in the removal of certain nonmagnetic IOFBs.

Genetic Risk Factors for Radiation Vasculopathy.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to perform a genome-wide scan for polymorphisms associated with risk of vision loss from radiation complications in patients treated with proton beam irradiation for choroidal melanoma. Methods: We identified a cohort of 126 patients at high risk of radiation complications due to tumor location within 2 disc diameters of the optic nerve and/or fovea who provided a blood sample to the Massachusetts Eye and Ear Uveal Melanoma Repository. Controls (n = 76) were defined as patients with visual acuity 20/40 or better 3 years after treatment. Cases (n = 50) were selected as patients with visual acuity 20/200 or worse due to radiation damage 3 years after treatment. Genotyping of these samples was performed using the Omni 2.5 chip (Illumina, Inc.). Results: Hypertension (odds ratio [OR] = 3.749, P = 0.0009), visual acuity at diagnosis of choroidal melanoma (OR = 1.031, P = 0.002), tumor distance to fovea (OR = 0.341, P = 6.52E-05), tumor distance to optic disc (OR = 0.481, P = 5.41E-05), and height of tumor (OR = 1.704, P = 0.0069) were associated with poor vision (20/200 or worse). Individual single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) analysis was performed controlling for the risk factors identified using stepwise regression and the first principal component. Although this analysis determined that there were 74,529 nominally significant SNPs (P < 0.05), there were no SNPs that reached genome-wide significance (P < 5E-08). The SNP reaching the highest significance level (P < 1E-04) was rs11678387, located on chromosome 2, intergenic between EPB41L5/RALB (P = 4.43E-05). Conclusions: Visual loss from radiation vasculopathy after treatment for choroidal melanoma is not only related to tumor location but may be influenced by hypertension and possibly genetic factors.