Acute and chronic optic nerve head biomechanics and intraocular pressure changes in patients receiving multiple intravitreal injections of anti-VEGF.

PURPOSE: To evaluate acute and chronic changes in optic nerve head (ONH) structures and intraocular pressure (IOP) in patients receiving intravitreal injections (IVIs) of anti-VEGF. METHODS: Twenty-nine eyes receiving IVIs for the first time were studied. IOP, retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thickness, and ONH structures were evaluated by Spectralis optical coherence tomography with enhanced depth imaging technology. Structures were measured before and 5 min after each one of the three monthly injections of a loading dose treatment. In 13 eyes (44.8%) with more than six IVIs, another evaluation pre and immediately postinjection was performed after 1 year. RESULTS: A significant acute and transient IOP increase (all p ≤ 0.001), Bruch's membrane opening (BMO) enlargement (p ≤ 0.001), cup widening (p < 0.05) and deepening (p ≤ 0.001), and prelaminar tissue thinning (p ≤ 0.001) were observed 5 min after each injection. Compared with baseline values, a significant BMO expansion (p = 0.001) and RNFL thinning (p < 0.001) were observed in the third month. In eyes with more than six IVIs, similar immediate postinjection changes, including IOP increase (p = 0.001), prelaminar tissue thinning (p = 0.007), and cup deepening (p = 0.012) were observed at 1 year, while BMO expansion was not significant (p = 0.556). Compared with baseline preinjection values, a significant BMO expansion (p = 0.003), prelaminar tissue thinning (p = 0.011), and cup deepening (p = 0.006) in the inferior region of the ONH occurred. No change in IOP was observed at the end of follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: Repeated IVIs could lead to irreversible changes in ONH structures. Large-scale, prospective studies are required to determine the long-term effects of anti-VEGF treatments in ONH tissues.

Ganglion cell analysis at acute episode of nonarteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy to predict irreversible damage. A prospective study.

PURPOSE: To assess the capability of ganglion cell-inner plexiform layer (GCIPL) thickness analysis by optical coherence tomography (OCT) to detect early neuronal loss in nonarteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION). METHODS: Sixteen patients with unilateral NAION participated in this prospective study. Complete ophthalmologic evaluation including visual acuity, visual field (VF) test, and spectral domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) of peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer (pRNFL) and GCIPL thickness were performed in the acute phase (within 1 week: 2.7 ± 2.1 days) and at 2 weeks, 1 month, 3 and 6 months after diagnosis. The mean time elapsed from acute episode to irreversible damage detection by GCIPL and pRNFL analysis was registered. Correlations between the GCIPL thinning and functional parameters such as best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and visual field indices [mean deviation (MD) and visual field index (VFI)] in acute and chronic phase were also analyzed. RESULTS: NAION eyes showed a significant thinning of the mean GCIPLminimum (min) compared to the unaffected eyes as early as 2.2 days after symptoms onset (p = 0.017) and at each follow-up visit. (p ≤ 0.003). The mean GCIPL average (av) was also thinner in NAION eyes compared to uninvolved eyes at 1 (p = 0.003), 3 (p = 0.002) and 6 months (p < 0.001). At the acute phase, 100 % of NAION eyes showed significant pRNFL thickening, while abnormal thinning was evident in GCIPLav, GCIPLmin, and GCIPL deviation map analysis in 31.3, 56.3, and 62.5 % of NAION eyes. The abnormal thinning rates increased to 43.8, 75, and 81.3 % at 2 weeks and to 62.5, 100, and 100 % at 1 month, respectively. At 2 weeks, GCIPLmin thickness significantly correlated with both acute and chronic BCVA, MD, and VFI. Furthermore, the mean superior and inferior GCIPL thicknesses at 2 weeks associated with corresponding mean inferior and superior hemifield MD at 6 months. CONCLUSIONS: GCIPL analysis by SD-OCT can be considered as a useful biomarker to establish ganglion cell damage. GCIPL min and GCIPL deviation map are abnormally thinner in 56.3 % and 62.5 % of eyes at presentation, respectively. Therefore, both parameters are abnormally thinned in more than 50 % of eyes at presentation. At 2 weeks, GCIPL min thickness significantly correlated with chronic BCVA, MD and VFI; therefore, GCIPL min thickness can predict final visual dysfunction.

Atypical presentation of type 1 neovascularization with aneurysmal dilations in a young female.

Type 1 Neovascularization with Aneurysmal Dilations (N1a), is a retinal disorder characterized by choroidal vascular abnormalities. Clinically, it is characterized by an exudative maculopathy with multiple recurrent serosanguineous pigment epithelial detachments. This disease is more frequent in women aged 55-65 years. However, we present an exceptional case of N1a in a 26-year-old woman, who responded favorably to Aflibercept. To our knowledge, this is the first reported case of a young female patient under 30 with N1a. The patient has responded very favourably to anti-VEGF therapy with three intravitreal injections of Aflibercept. This being the reason for we provide an update on anti-VEGF therapeutic options for N1a.

Training in cataract surgery in Spain: analysis of the results of a survey of the European Board of Ophthalmology in a Spanish cohort.

INTRODUCTION: A survey conducted by the European Board of Ophthalmology (EBO) revealed significant differences in the surgical training of the ophthalmology residents in Europe, including a disparity between the sexes and a variation in the experience on cataract surgery (CC) between them. This study is about the Spanish sub-cohort of the survey, and its objective is to present and analyse the peculiarities of ophthalmology training in Spain within the European context, as well as discussing ways to harmonise and improve that training throughout the EU. METHODS: We analyse data of the Spanish participants in the EBO exams, defining subgroups by the Autonomous Communities existing in Spain. RESULTS: 93 of 135 requested participants (68.9%) responded. A 60.2% passed the EBO exam between 2021 and 2022, being mostly women (65.59%) aged 31 years old on average. The 91.4% were right-handed, coming from 13 of the 17 Spanish autonomous communities, although mostly from the Community of Valencia, Madrid and Catalonia. Respectively, 16.1%, 3.2% and 8.7% of the respondents said they have completed 10 or more training sessions on animal eyes, synthetic eyes and through the virtual reality simulator. This training was correlated with greater self-confidence in the management of a posterior capsular tear during surgery (p .025). All respondents manifested to have already performed stages of the CC. The average number of operations reported was 181.6 with regional disparities. A significant difference is observed between the sexes against women (-28.3%, p 0.03). DISCUSSION: Ophthalmologists in Spain, much more than other European countries, have greater opportunities for surgical training, with surgical procedures during the residency, that nearly triples those made by the others. Spanish women refer, like their European colleagues, to be in disadvantage in learning opportunities about cataract surgery. The Simulation Based Medical Education (SBME) allows to respond to the training deficit and complements the training on the patient. Although we demonstrate a significant correlation between the number of procedures carried out and self-confidence to operate simple cases, the SBME would be a complementary tool in self-confidence in front of a complication like capsular rupture. CONCLUSION: Spain massively adopts the model named by us "surgery for all", despite the underrepresentation of women in this area, emphasising a need for cultural change that the SBME could facilitate.

Same-site trabeculectomy with mitomycin and Ologen™ following failed non-penetrating deep sclerectomy.

PURPOSE: To assess the effectiveness and safety of same-site trabeculectomy (TRAB) with mitomycin C (MMC) and Ologen™ (Aeon Astron Europe BV. Leiden, The Netherlands) in patients with a failed non-penetrating deep sclerectomy (NPDS). METHODS: A retrospective study of 24 consecutive eyes (22 patients) undergoing reintervention by same-site TRAB with at least one-year follow-up after failed NPDS. Mean visual acuity (VA), intraocular pressure (IOP) and use of glaucoma medications were compared before and one year after surgery. Early and late postoperative complications were registered. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis was performed according to four levels of success criteria. RESULTS: Overall the mean IOP reduced significantly (24.9 ± 7.1 vs. 14.4 ± 4.5 mmHg; p < 0.001), and the number of glaucoma medications (2.80 ± 1.01 vs. 0.55 ± 0.94; p < 0.001) significantly decreased, one year after surgery. The mean VA remained stable one year after surgery (p = 0.516). Hypotony, defined as IOP ≤ 5 mmHg, in the early postoperative period was observed in 62.5% of eyes, but only in 2 patients (8.33%) in the long term. The mean survival time ranged from 10 months (CI 95% 5-15) to 29 months (CI 95%: 26-32) according to the most stringent and lenient success criteria respectively. CONCLUSION: Same-site TRAB augmented with MMC and Ologen™ may provide an effective, safe and lasting alternative following failed NPDS, especially when sparing of the conjunctiva is highly desirable. Postoperative hypotony is the most common postoperative complication.

Approaches to the epidemiology of NOHL in the region of Madrid: Survey of neuro-ophthalmologists.

OBJECTIVE: To estimate the epidemiology of Leber's optic neuropathy (NOHL) in the Region of Madrid. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The neuro-ophthalmologists who work at public hospitals of the CAM were interviewed by telephone. They were asked about the number of patients with NOHL that they had diagnosed during the time that they had been responsible for the neuro-ophthalmology department of that public hospital. The time worked and the population attended by the hospital were used to calculate the number of inhabitant-years in follow-up by each center during the corresponding period. The basic information of each case (date of birth, mutation, date of visual loss) was registered to avoid duplications. RESULTS: Our work estimates a global incidence of 2.34 cases for 10,000,000 inhabitants-year and a prevalence estimated from incidence of one case for each 106.682 inhabitants. This prevalence was very similar in all the studied areas and considerably lower than that reported by other studies. CONCLUSION: This work constitutes the first approach to the epidemiology of this disease in Spain. The prevalence of LHON in the region of Madrid, is probably lower than that reported in the literature in other regions. The prevalence and the incidence were homogeneously low in the 26 studied areas.

Advanced glaucoma. Clinical practice guideline.

OBJECTIVE: To present an update clinical practice guideline that serve as a guide for the detection, evaluation and treatment of adults patients with advanced glaucoma. METHODS: After defining the objectives and scope of the guide, the working group was formed and structured clinical questions were formulated following the PICO (Patient, Intervention, Comparison, Outcomes) format. Once all the existing clinical evidence had been independently evaluated with the AMSTAR 2 (Assessment of Multiple systematic Rewiews) and Cochrane "Risk of bias" tools by at least two reviewers, recommendations were formulated following the Scottish Intercollegiate methodology. Guideline Network (SIGN). RESULTS: Recommendations with their corresponding levels of evidence that may be useful in the diagnosis, monitoring and treatment of adults patients with advanced glaucoma. CONCLUSIONS: Despite the fact that for many of the questions the level of scientific evidence available is not very high, this clinical practice guideline offers an updated review of the different existing aspects related to the evaluation and management of advanced glaucoma.

Glaucoma progression. Clinical practice guide.

OBJECTIVE: To provide general recommendations that serve as a guide for the evaluation and management of glaucomatous progression in daily clinical practice based on the existing quality of clinical evidence. METHODS: After defining the objectives and scope of the guide, the working group was formed and structured clinical questions were formulated following the PICO (Patient, Intervention, Comparison, Outcomes) format. Once all the existing clinical evidence had been independently evaluated with the AMSTAR 2 (Assessment of Multiple Systematic Reviews) and Cochrane "Risk of bias" tools by at least two reviewers, recommendations were formulated following the Scottish Intercollegiate Guideline network (SIGN) methodology. RESULTS: Recommendations with their corresponding levels of evidence that may be useful in the interpretation and decision-making related to the different methods for the detection of glaucomatous progression are presented. CONCLUSIONS: Despite the fact that for many of the questions the level of scientific evidence available is not very high, this clinical practice guideline offers an updated review of the different existing aspects related to the evaluation and management of glaucomatous progression.

Aniridic glaucoma: An update.

Aniridia is a congenital bilateral ocular disorder with dominant autosomal inheritance. More than 50% of patients will develop aniridic glaucoma (AG) during their lives. Open angle glaucoma is more common in aniridia, but a closed angle mechanism has been described in relation with anterior rotation of the rudimentary iris, occluding trabecular meshwork. Diagnosis and follow-up of AG is difficult in relation with the presence of keratopathy, nystagmus and foveal hypoplasia. Central corneal thickness usually measures more than 600 microns, which prevents achieving a reliable value of intraocular pressure. Medical treatment of AG is no different from the rest of glaucoma. It is recommended to use preservative free formulations, and combined therapy is often required. Surgical treatment is needed in many cases. There is no consensus on the first line surgery for AG, but in open angle AG, angle surgery is usually first choice, and glaucoma drainage devices are the next preferred surgical technique. In closed angle AG glaucoma drainage devices are usually the first choice, with trabeculectomy as the second preferred surgical technique.

Aniridic glaucoma: An update. / Actualización en glaucoma anirídico.

Aniridia is a congenital bilateral ocular disorder with dominant autosomal inheritance. More than 50% of patients will develop aniridic glaucoma (AG) during their lives. Open angle glaucoma is more common in aniridia, but a closed angle mechanism has been described in relation with anterior rotation of the rudimentary iris, occluding trabecular meshwork. Diagnosis and follow-up of AG is difficult in relation with the presence of keratopathy, nystagmus and foveal hypoplasia. Central corneal thickness usually measures more than 600 microns, which prevents achieving a reliable value of intraocular pressure. Medical treatment of AG is not different from the rest of glaucoma. It is recommended to use preservative free formulations, and combined therapy is often required. Surgical treatment is needed in many cases. There is no consensus on the first line surgery for AG, but in open angle AG, angle surgery is usually first choice, and glaucoma drainage devices are the next preferred surgical technique. In closed angle AG glaucoma drainage devices are usually the first choice, with trabeculectomy as the second preferred surgical technique.

Ocular toxicity after inadvertent overdose of intracameral cefuroxime during cataract surgery. / Toxicidad ocular tras sobredosificación accidental de cefuroxima intracameral en cirugía de catarata.

PURPOSE: To describe intracameral toxic effects of cefuroxime at a higher dose than recommended in cataract surgery. METHODS: Retrospective study of 8 eyes of 8 patients who inadvertently received 12.5mg/0.1ml of intracameral cefuroxime due to a dilution error, at the end of the cataract surgery. All patients underwent a strict ophthalmology follow-up for 6 months. RESULTS: All patients presented with a marked anterior segment inflammation with corneal oedema that resolved completely in all cases (between 5 days and 3 months). At 6 months of follow-up a statistically significant difference was found in the corneal endothelial cell density when compared with the fellow eye (P=.038), being<1000 cells/mm2 in 3 cases. Three patients (37.5%) showed early macular oedema, with subfoveal ellipsoid layer disruption in one case as a permanent sequel. One patient developed an optic neuropathy with associated afferent pupillary defect. CONCLUSIONS: Although 1mg/0.1ml of intracameral cefuroxime has been shown to reduce the incidence of endophthalmitis, its overdose can have potentially toxic eye effects in both anterior and posterior segments.

Ocular toxicity after inadvertent overdose of intracameral cefuroxime during cataract surgery.

PURPOSE: To describe intracameral toxic effects of cefuroxime at a higher dose than recommended in cataract surgery. METHODS: Retrospective study of 8 eyes of 8 patients who inadvertently received 12.5 mg/0.1 ml of intracameral cefuroxime due to a dilution error, at the end of the cataract surgery. All patients underwent a strict ophthalmology follow-up for 6 months. RESULTS: All patients presented with a marked anterior segment inflammation with corneal oedema that resolved completely in all cases (between 5 days and 3 months). At 6 months of follow-up a statistically significant difference was found in the corneal endothelial cell density when compared with the fellow eye (P = .038), being <1000 cells/mm2 in 3 cases. Three patients (37.5%) showed early macular oedema, with subfoveal ellipsoid layer disruption in one case as a permanent sequel. One patient developed an optic neuropathy with associated afferent pupillary defect. CONCLUSIONS: Although 1 mg/0.1 ml of intracameral cefuroxime has been shown to reduce the incidence of endophthalmitis, its overdose can have potentially toxic eye effects in both anterior and posterior segments.

New therapeutic targets in the treatment of age-related macular degeneration. / Nuevas dianas terapéuticas en el tratamiento de la degeneración macular asociada a la edad.

Age-related macular degeneration and especially neovascular age-related macular degeneration is the leading cause of low vision in developed countries. Even though the introduction of anti-VEGF drugs in recent years completely changed the management of this condition, its cost, the need for repeated intravitreal injections, and loss of efficacy in the long term are still issues to deal with. Currently, a new generation of novel therapies under development is attempting to address some of these limitations. Some of the most prominent among them are new anti-VEGFs such as brolucizumab or abicipar, drugs against angiopoietin-2 receptor such as faricimab, sustained-release systems, or tyrosine kinase inhibitors. As regards dry age-related macular degeneration, neuroprotection, the complement pathway, and stem cell therapy are the most promising targets currently under investigation.

A new standardised nomenclature in ophthalmology: Criteria and quantitative evaluation indicators of medical procedures. / Nuevo nomenclátor estandarizado en oftalmología: Criterios e indicadores cuantitativos de baremación de actos médicos.

PURPOSE: To create a new list of medical procedures in ophthalmology based on the International Classification of Diseases ICD-9-CM. To establish the general principles that define criteria, quantitative indicators, and scales. To develop the algorithms needed to calculate fees for medical procedures. METHODS: The out-of-date processes were removed from the list, and new techniques were added, descriptors were modified, procedures with similar descriptions were grouped together, and others were relocated to other group according to surgical complexity conditions. The criteria to calculate the medical fees were defined: training and complexity (U), proficient responsibility (R), and health value (V), with their respective quantitative indicators: period of training necessary to master a technique, frequency of complications that worsen the preoperative situation, and days of incapacity for work due to the process. The Relative Value Unit (RVU) was defined as the score sum of R, V and U. The final fee per medical procedure was calculated as the product of the RVU by its unit cost and by the weighting coefficient (WC). RESULTS: A new catalogue was prepared with 161 medical procedures, grouped into consultations, diagnostic procedures (DX.PR), therapeutic procedures (TX.PR), and surgical interventions, increasing in complexity from group 0 to group 8. The following characters were described for each one of the procedures: OMC and ICD-9-MC code, descriptor term, group, proposed modification: no changes or minimums in the descriptors, grouping of acts by similar definitions, change of origin group, new procedures, and procedures removed. The indicators for assessment were also scored: U between 1-4 points, and R and V between 0-3 points. Using their sum, the number of RVUs per medical procedure (between 1 and 10) was calculated which, together with the unit cost of the RVU and the WC (between 0.05 and 1), will determine the final rate. CONCLUSIONS: The new standardised ophthalmological nomenclature updates and improves the old classification, adapting the procedures to the descriptors included in the ICD-9-CM, and incorporating all the new techniques. Additionally, the declaration of the general principles allows defining new criteria, quantitative indicators, rating scales, and algorithms to calculate fees for medical procedures.

Recommendations for eye care during the alarm state by the coronavirus disease pandemic COVID-19. / Recomendaciones para la atención oftalmológica durante el estado de alarma por la pandemia de enfermedad por coronavirus COVID-19.

OBJECTIVE: Minimize exposure to the SARS-CoV-2, reduce the chances of cross-transmission between patients and healthcare personnel, and prevent the development of postoperative complications from the management of patients with eye diseases during the 2019 coronavirus disease pandemic (COVID-19). METHODS: COVID-19 literature review and consensus establishment between different Spanish ophthalmology societies in order to provide guidelines and recommendations of maximum resources primarily conditioned by the state of alert, confinement and social distancing that occurs in Spain since March 16, 2020. RESULTS: The recommendations will promote the adoption of action and protection measures for eye care in outpatient clinics, surgical areas and hospitalization, for unconfirmed (asymptomatic and symptomatic) and confirmed COVID-19 patients. Measures must be adapted to the circumstances and availability of personal protective equipment in each of the centers and Autonomous Communities, which will be updated according to the pandemic phases and the measures adopted by the Spanish Government. CONCLUSIONS: During the COVID-19 pandemic, attention to the potential health risks to the population caused by coronavirus should prevail over the possible progression of the common eye diseases. Ophthalmologists and other eye care professionals must assume a possible progression of these diseases due to the impossibility of adequate patient follow-up.

[Incipient or presymptomatic nonarteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy]. / Neuropatía óptica isquémica anterior no arterítica incipiente o preclínica.

CASE REPORT: We report the case of a 62-year-old man with classic nonarteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION) in the left eye and incipient NAION in the right eye. Incipient NAION progressed to classic NAION after 3 weeks. There was no ocular, orbital, neurologic, or systemic disorder that was responsible for optic disc edema. DISCUSSION: Recently, Hayreh has described the new entity, incipient NAION. Diagnostic criteria include asymptomatic optic disc edema and no visual loss in the contralateral eye of patients affected by NAION. Incipient NAION represents the earliest asymptomatic clinical stage in the evolution of the NAION disease process. There is no treatment for this entity. Steps should be taken to treat risk factors for NAION to reduce the risk of progression of incipient to classic NAION .

Post-herpes neurotrophic keratopathy: Aetiopathogenesis, clinical signs and current therapies. / Queratopatía neurotrófica postherpética: etiopatogenia, clínica y terapias actuales.

Neurotrophic keratopathy (NK) is a degenerative corneal disease caused by damage of trigeminal innervation. This leads to epithelial defects, ulceration and, eventually, perforation. Both herpes simplex and varicella zoster keratitis are reported to be the main causes of NK. Furthermore, prognosis in this type of NK is poor. Classic clinical findings in post-herpes NK are spontaneous epithelial breakdown, round and central epithelial defects with smooth edges, stromal melting and thinning, scarring, and neovascularisation. Although several medical and surgical treatments have been reported, no therapies are currently available to definitely restore corneal sensitivity. Therefore, NK remains a challenging disease to treat. In this review a summary is presented of the pathogenesis, manifestations, and current management of post-herpes NK. The role of antiviral treatment and varicella-zoster vaccination is also discussed. A description is also presented on both medical and surgical novel therapies, such as regenerative drugs and corneal neurotization.

Effectiveness of oral counselling for smoke cessation in Graves orbitopathy patients. / Efectividad del consejo médico para dejar de fumar en pacientes con orbitopatía de Graves.

OBJECTIVE: Smoking is an important risk factor for Graves orbitopathy (GO) and it is modifiable. The advice to stop smoking has been included in all the clinical practice guidelines of GO. However, the effectiveness of this practice remains unknown. The purpose of this study is to assess the change in the smoking habit in patients affected with GO after an oral counselling for smoking cessation. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A retrospective cohort of GO patients was studied. The patients received a significant oral counsel during the first consultation with the ophthalmologist. 33 GO patients were explored in the ophthalmology clinic during 2013 and 2014 and the study was done throughout a telephone questionnaire in 2015. The main outcome was the number of cigarettes smoked daily before and after consultation with the endocrinologist and the ophthalmologist. Other medical and socioeconomic factors were recorded. RESULTS: The mean number of cigarettes that were smoked was 13.6 (SD 9.66) and 6.3 (SD 7.73) before and after the consultation done at the ophthalmology office (T-test paired, P=0.0006). 42.42% achieved smoking cessation and 30.3% decreased their smoking habit. Patients who stopped smoking suffered usually from active and severe GO, had more stable jobs and received greater support from their relatives and friends. CONCLUSION: A firm and strong oral counsel held for smoke cessation was effective in GO patients. This disease deeply affects patients' quality of life, making them more prone to change their habits.

Optociliary shunt vessels in compressive optic neuropathy by the intracranial internal carotid artery.

PURPOSE: To report a clinical case of optic nerve compression by supraclinoidal internal carotid artery associated with optociliary shunt vessels. METHODS: A 78-year-old woman with the clinical triad of left visual loss, ipsilateral optic disc pallor, and retinochoroidal (optociliary) shunt vessels is reported. She complained of loss of vision in the left eye of 2 years'' duration. RESULTS: A diffuse depression of the visual field was found in the affected eye. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed left optic nerve compression by the supraclinoidal internal carotid artery. CONCLUSIONS: The occurrence of optociliary shunt vessels, visual loss, and optic atrophy is a nonspecific sign of chronic optic nerve compression and in some instances may be falsely localized.