Comparison of Snellen Visual Acuity Measurements in Retinal Clinical Practice to Electronic ETDRS Protocol Visual Acuity Assessment.

PURPOSE: Evaluate the differences between clinical visual acuity (VA) as recorded in medical records and electronic Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study (eETDRS) protocol VA measurements and factors affecting the size of the differences. DESIGN: Retrospective chart review. PARTICIPANTS: Study and fellow eyes of participants enrolled in DRCR Retina Network Protocols AC and AE (diabetic macular edema), and W (nonproliferative diabetic retinopathy) with clinical VA recorded within 3 months before the protocol visit. METHODS: Differences and their association with patient and ocular factors were evaluated using linear mixed models with random effects for correlations within sites and participants. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Difference between VA letter scores measured by eETDRS during a study visit versus measured by Snellen during a regular clinical visit (Snellen fraction converted to eETDRS). RESULTS: Data from 1016 eyes (511 participants) across 74 sites were analyzed. The mean VA measurements were 68.6 letters (Snellen equivalent 20/50) at the clinical visit and 76.3 letters (Snellen equivalent 20/32) at the protocol visit, with a mean (standard deviation [SD]) of 26 (21) days between visits. Mean (SD) protocol VA was better than clinical VA by 7.6 (9.6) letters overall, 10.7 (12.6) letters in eyes with clinical VA ≤ 20/50 (n = 376), and 5.8 (6.6) letters in eyes with clinical VA ≥ 20/40 (n = 640). On average, the difference between clinical and protocol VA was 1.3 letters smaller for every 1-line (5 letters) increase in clinical VA (P < 0.001). Mean (SD) differences by clinical correction of refractive error were 3.9 (9.0) letters with refraction, 6.9 (9.2) letters with glasses/contact lenses, 7.9 (11.5) letters with pinhole, and 9.8 (9.3) letters without correction (P = 0.06). CONCLUSIONS: On average, clinical Snellen VA is 1 to 2 lines worse than eETDRS protocol refraction and VA testing, which may partly explain why clinical practice does not always replicate clinical trial results. Eyes with lower clinical measurements and eyes tested without clinical refraction tended to have larger differences. Considering the potential discrepancies between clinical and protocol VA measurements, refracting eyes in the clinic may benefit patients when determining treatment plans and study referrals based on vision. FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE(S): Proprietary or commercial disclosure may be found after the references.

STELLATE MULTIFORM AMELANOTIC CHOROIDOPATHY: Clinical and Multimodal Imaging Features.

PURPOSE: To describe the clinical and multimodal imaging features of stellate multiform amelanotic choroidopathy (SMACH; also known as serous maculopathy due to aspecific choroidopathy). METHODS: Retrospective observational case series of eyes presenting with SMACH. Multimodal imaging including fundus photography, optical coherence tomography (OCT), OCT angiography (OCTA), and indocyanine green angiography (ICGA) was analyzed. RESULTS: Eighteen eyes from 18 patients (mean age: 28 ± 19 years) were included. The mean follow-up duration was 9 years. Ophthalmoscopy showed a yellowish orange, dendriform choroidal lesion. At presentation, subretinal fluid (SRF) was seen in 10 of 18 cases (56%). Eight patients (44%) showed no evidence of SRF during a mean follow-up of 6 years. Cross-sectional OCT showed hyperreflective fibrous-like changes within the inner choroid with choriocapillaris flow preservation on OCTA. En face OCT showed a hyperreflective choroidal lesion with finger-like projections oriented in a stellate configuration. On ICGA, SMACH showed early and late hypofluorescence. None of the cases showed lesion growth. CONCLUSION: SMACH seems to be a unilateral choroidopathy characterized by distinctive multimodal imaging features. As SRF was absent in some cases, while a dendriform pattern was a consistent finding in all eyes, the authors propose renaming this entity "stellate multiform amelanotic choroidopathy," a name that retains its previous abbreviation "SMACH."

Four-Year Visual Outcomes in the Protocol W Randomized Trial of Intravitreous Aflibercept for Prevention of Vision-Threatening Complications of Diabetic Retinopathy.

Importance: Anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) injections in eyes with nonproliferative diabetic retinopathy (NPDR) without center-involved diabetic macular edema (CI-DME) reduce development of vision-threatening complications from diabetes over at least 2 years, but whether this treatment has a longer-term benefit on visual acuity is unknown. Objective: To compare the primary 4-year outcomes of visual acuity and rates of vision-threatening complications in eyes with moderate to severe NPDR treated with intravitreal aflibercept compared with sham. The primary 2-year analysis of this study has been reported. Design, Setting, and Participants: Randomized clinical trial conducted at 64 clinical sites in the US and Canada from January 2016 to March 2018, enrolling 328 adults (399 eyes) with moderate to severe NPDR (Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study [ETDRS] severity level 43-53; range, 0 [worst] to 100 [best]) without CI-DME. Interventions: Eyes were randomly assigned to 2.0 mg aflibercept (n = 200) or sham (n = 199). Eight injections were administered at defined intervals through 2 years, continuing quarterly through 4 years unless the eye improved to mild NPDR or better. Aflibercept was given in both groups to treat development of high-risk proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR) or CI-DME with vision loss. Main Outcomes and Measures: Development of PDR or CI-DME with vision loss (≥10 letters at 1 visit or ≥5 letters at 2 consecutive visits) and change in visual acuity (best corrected ETDRS letter score) from baseline to 4 years. Results: Among participants (mean age 56 years; 42.4% female; 5% Asian, 15% Black, 32% Hispanic, 45% White), the 4-year cumulative probability of developing PDR or CI-DME with vision loss was 33.9% with aflibercept vs 56.9% with sham (adjusted hazard ratio, 0.40 [97.5% CI, 0.28 to 0.57]; P < .001). The mean (SD) change in visual acuity from baseline to 4 years was -2.7 (6.5) letters with aflibercept and -2.4 (5.8) letters with sham (adjusted mean difference, -0.5 letters [97.5% CI, -2.3 to 1.3]; P = .52). Antiplatelet Trialists' Collaboration cardiovascular/cerebrovascular event rates were 9.9% (7 of 71) in bilateral participants, 10.9% (14 of 129) in unilateral aflibercept participants, and 7.8% (10 of 128) in unilateral sham participants. Conclusions and Relevance: Among patients with NPDR but without CI-DME at 4 years treatment with aflibercept vs sham, initiating aflibercept treatment only if vision-threatening complications developed, resulted in statistically significant anatomic improvement but no improvement in visual acuity. Aflibercept as a preventive strategy, as used in this trial, may not be generally warranted for patients with NPDR without CI-DME. Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02634333.

Pneumatic Vitreolysis with Perfluoropropane for Vitreomacular Traction with and without Macular Hole: DRCR Retina Network Protocols AG and AH.

PURPOSE: To evaluate pneumatic vitreolysis (PVL) in eyes with vitreomacular traction (VMT) with and without full-thickness macular hole (FTMH). DESIGN: Two multicenter (28 sites) studies: a randomized clinical trial comparing PVL with observation (sham injection) for VMT without FTMH (Protocol AG) and a single-arm study assessing PVL for FTMH (Protocol AH). PARTICIPANTS: Participants were adults with central VMT (vitreomacular adhesion was ≤3000 µm). In Protocol AG, visual acuity (VA) was 20/32 to 20/400. In Protocol AH, eyes had a FTMH (≤250 µm at the narrowest point) and VA of 20/25 to 20/400. METHODS: Pneumatic vitreolysis using perfluoropropane (C3F8) gas. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Central VMT release at 24 weeks (Protocol AG) and FTMH closure at 8 weeks (Protocol AH). RESULTS: From October 2018 through February 2020, 46 participants were enrolled in Protocol AG, and 35 were enrolled in Protocol AH. Higher than expected rates of retinal detachment and tear resulted in early termination of both protocols. Combining studies, 7 of 59 eyes (12% [95% CI, 6%-23%]; 2 eyes in Protocol AG, 5 eyes in Protocol AH) that received PVL developed rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (n = 6) or retinal tear (n = 1). At 24 weeks in Protocol AG, 18 of 23 eyes in the PVL group (78%) versus 2 of 22 eyes in the sham group (9%) achieved central VMT release without rescue vitrectomy (adjusted risk difference, 66% [95% CI, 44%-88%]; P< 0.001). The mean change in VA from baseline at 24 weeks was 6.7 letters in the PVL group and 6.1 letters in the sham group (adjusted difference, -0.8 [95% CI, -6.1 to 4.5]; P = 0.77). In Protocol AH, 10 of 35 eyes (29% [95% CI, 16%-45%]) achieved FTMH closure without rescue vitrectomy at 8 weeks. The mean change in VA from baseline at 8 weeks was -1.5 letters (95% CI, -10.3 to 7.3 letters). CONCLUSIONS: In most eyes with VMT, PVL induced hyaloid release. In eyes with FTMH, PVL resulted in hole closure in approximately one third of eyes. These studies were terminated early because of safety concerns related to retinal detachments and retinal tears.

BACILLARY LAYER DETACHMENT BECAUSE OF MACULAR NEOVASCULARIZATION.

PURPOSE: To describe the clinical and multimodal imaging features of bacillary layer detachment (BD), and its response to intravitreal anti-vascular endothelial growth factor therapy, in eyes with macular neovascularization. METHODS: Retrospective, observational case series of 14 eyes (14 patients, 7 men) imaged with eyes (14 patients, 7 men) were imaged with spectral-domain optical coherence tomography, and either fluorescein angiography or optical coherence tomography angiography. Therapeutic response was monitored with serial imaging and best-corrected visual acuity assessments. RESULTS: The mean age was 75 ± 13 (range: 45-96) years, with mean follow-up duration of 27 ± 21 (range: 1-56) months. Neovascular age-related macular degeneration was found in 71% (10/14) eyes. Type 2 macular neovascularization lesions were associated with BD in all 14 eyes. Subretinal hemorrhage was noted in 79% (11/14) eyes. BD promptly resolved after intravitreal antivascular endothelial growth factor therapy in all eyes. The baseline best-corrected visual acuity improved from logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution 0.84 ± 0.32 (Snellen equivalent 20/138) to logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution 0.48 ± 0.31 (Snellen equivalent 20/60) at the last follow-up, with treatment of the macular neovascularization. CONCLUSION: Type 2 macular neovascularization and subretinal hemorrhage are associated with BDs, which may be due to a rapid influx of exudative fluid into the potential space between the external limiting membrane and ellipsoid zone. Intravitreal antivascular endothelial growth factor therapy results in rapid resolution of BDs and visual improvement in most eyes.

OPTICAL COHERENCE TOMOGRAPHY ANGIOGRAPHY OF CHORIORETINAL LESIONS DUE TO IDIOPATHIC MULTIFOCAL CHOROIDITIS.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the spectrum of macular chorioretinal lesions occurring in idiopathic multifocal choroiditis using optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) to evaluate those showing neovascular flow. METHODS: This was a descriptive, retrospective study of 18 eyes of 14 patients with multifocal choroiditis. Macular lesions were characterized as subretinal pigment epithelium, subretinal, or mixed and evaluated during active and presumed inactive states of multifocal choroiditis. Correlations between structural optical coherence tomography and OCTA were performed. In select cases, correlations between OCTA, fluorescein angiography, and fundus autofluorescence were evaluated. In 5 eyes, quantitative measurements of neovascular lesions were compared at baseline and following intravitreal anti-vascular endothelial growth factor therapy. RESULTS: Mean patient age was 48 years (SD: 13.8; 86% women). Optical coherence tomography angiography flow signatures consistent with neovascularization were identified in 83% of eyes, including in 0% of subretinal pigment epithelium, 91% of subretinal, and 100% of mixed lesions. Lesions that did not demonstrate definitive signs of fluorescein angiography leakage were frequently found to have neovascularization using OCTA. There was no change in quantitative measurements of neovascular lesions after anti-vascular endothelial growth factor therapy (all tested variables P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: Optical coherence tomography angiography may be a useful imaging modality for understanding the pathophysiology of multifocal choroiditis and monitoring its clinical course.

Seven-year outcomes in ranibizumab-treated patients in ANCHOR, MARINA, and HORIZON: a multicenter cohort study (SEVEN-UP).

PURPOSE: To assess long-term outcomes 7 to 8 years after initiation of intensive ranibizumab therapy in exudative age-related macular degeneration (AMD) patients. DESIGN: Multicenter, noninterventional cohort study. PARTICIPANTS: Sixty-five AMD patients originally treated with ranibizumab in the phase 3 Anti-VEGF Antibody for the Treatment of Predominantly Classic Choroidal Neovascularization in AMD (ANCHOR) trial, Minimally Classic/Occult Trial of the Anti-VEGF Antibody Ranibizumab in the Treatment of Neovascular AMD (MARINA) trial, and Open-Label Extension Trial of Ranibizumab for Choroidal Neovascularization Secondary to Age-Related Macular Degeneration (HORIZON). METHODS: Fourteen clinical trial sites recruited their original subjects for a return evaluation. Individual subject comparisons were obtained from the ANCHOR, MARINA, and HORIZON databases. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The primary end point was percentage with best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) of 20/70 or better; secondary outcomes included mean change in letter score compared with previous time points and anatomic results on fluorescein angiography, spectral-domain ocular coherence tomography (OCT), and fundus autofluorescence (FAF). RESULTS: At a mean of 7.3 years (range, 6.3-8.5 years) after entry into ANCHOR or MARINA, 37% of study eyes met the primary end point of 20/70 or better BCVA, with 23% achieving a BCVA of 20/40 or better. Thirty-seven percent of study eyes had BCVA of 20/200 or worse. Forty-three percent of study eyes had a stable or improved letter score (≥0-letter gain) compared with ANCHOR or MARINA baseline measurements, whereas 34% declined by 15 letters or more, with overall a mean decline of 8.6 letters (P<0.005). Since exit from the HORIZON study, study eyes had received a mean of 6.8 anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) injections during the mean 3.4-year interval; a subgroup of patients who received 11 or more anti-VEGF injections had a significantly better mean gain in letter score since HORIZON exit (P<0.05). Active exudative disease was detected by spectral-domain OCT in 68% of study eyes, and 46% were receiving ongoing ocular anti-VEGF treatments. Macular atrophy was detected by FAF in 98% of eyes, with a mean area of 9.4 mm(2); the area of atrophy correlated significantly with poor visual outcome (P<0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: Approximately 7 years after ranibizumab therapy in the ANCHOR or MARINA trials, one third of patients demonstrated good visual outcomes, whereas another third had poor outcomes. Compared with baseline, almost half of eyes were stable, whereas one third declined by 15 letters or more. Even at this late stage in the therapeutic course, exudative AMD patients remain at risk for substantial visual decline.

Quadrant Asymmetry in Optical Coherence Tomography Angiography Metrics in Ischemic Versus Non-Ischemic Central Retinal Vein Occlusion Eyes.

Purpose: To determine whether quadrant asymmetry (QA) of optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) metrics differs between non-ischemic versus ischemic central retinal vein occlusion (CRVO). Methods: Fifty-eight eyes (21 non-ischemic, 10 ischemic CRVO, and 27 contralateral control eyes) underwent 3 × 3 mm spectral-domain OCTA scans with quantification of the superficial retinal layer vessel length density (VLD) and perfusion density (PD). QA, defined as the maximum-minus-minimum value among four parafoveal Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study (ETDRS) quadrants, was compared by linear regression including fixed effects for each eye. Results: Mean age was 73.6 ± 11.4 (range 39-88), 73.8 ± 12.4 (range 39-91) and 77.2 ± 9.83, (range 60-88); and QA was 3.46 ± 1.76, 3.14 ± 1.57, and 4.88 ± 2.42 for VLD and 0.072 ± 0.038, 0.062 ± 0.036, and 0.11 ± 0.056 for PD for control, non-ischemic, and ischemic, respectively. QA was significantly higher in ischemic (0.109 ± 0.056) than non-ischemic CRVO eyes (0.062 ± 0.036; P = 0.02) and control eyes for PD (0.072 ± 0.038; P = 0.03). QA was also greater in ischemic (4.875 ± 2.418) than non-ischemic CRVO (3.141 ± 1.572) for VLD (P = 0.04). In terms of identifying which particular quadrant is most affected by ischemia, multivariate regression analysis comparing intra-quadrant effect on the presence of ischemia versus non-ischemia showed no quadrant was significantly affected (P > 0.05 for all quadrants). Conclusions: Ischemic CRVO increases intraeye QA of OCTA metrics when compared to non-ischemic CRVO and control eyes. No specific ETDRS quadrant appears to be more affected. Translational Relevance: This work uses an intraeye method to delineate between ischemic and non-ischemic CRVO by OCTA imaging, overcoming inter-eye variables encountered in clinical care.

NODULAR EPIRETINAL MÜLLER CELL GLIOSIS IN THE FOVEA.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to report the findings of a hyperreflective nodular epiretinal gliosis observed with optical coherence tomography presumed to be due to subclinical hyaloidal traction causing Mϋller cell cone gliosis. METHODS: Retrospective, observational case series. RESULTS: Six eyes of six patients (mean age: 57 years, range 35-81 years) presented with a nodular epiretinal gliosis and had an average follow-up interval of 26 months (range 1-82 months). The mean baseline best-corrected visual acuity was 0.25 ± 0.17 (Snellen equivalent 20/38.3 ± 16.9). Fundus photography demonstrated a yellowish lesion overlying the fovea. Optical coherence tomography imaging revealed a hyperreflective preretinal lesion with a mean vertical length of 267 µ m (range 185-497) and a mean greatest linear diameter of 312 µ m (range 124-640). There was no vitreoretinal abnormality including vitreomacular traction or epiretinal membrane noted in any eye, and two of six eyes displayed a definitive posterior vitreous detachment. These nodules may have occurred before and persisted even after a posterior vitreous detachment or may have been acquired after the posterior vitreous detachment. The nodules typically remained stable with minimal change although in one eye, a posterior vitreous detachment occurred 6 months after initial presentation and lifted the gliosis off of the retinal surface where it remained attached to the posterior hyaloid. CONCLUSION: Foveal nodular epiretinal gliosis may occur due to subclinical hyaloidal traction on the Müller cell cone even without obvious vitreoretinal interface abnormality on optical coherence tomography.

Impact of Coronavirus Disease 2019 Restrictions on Retinal Detachment: A Multicenter Experience.

In this retrospective, multicenter study of 261 eyes (259 patients), patients who underwent rhegmatogenous retinal detachment repair during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) post-lockdown period experienced an additional 22-day delay, leading to significantly more epiretinal membrane and proliferative vitreoretinopathy and lower single-surgery anatomic success rates. During lockdown, perfluoropropane gas was used more commonly, and pneumatic retinopexy was used more commonly in COVID-19-positive patients.

Sunken eyes, sagging brain syndrome: bilateral enophthalmos from chronic intracranial hypotension.

PURPOSE: To explain the mechanism for acquired enophthalmos after ventriculoperitoneal shunting (VPS). DESIGN: Case series and a case-control study. PARTICIPANTS AND CONTROLS: Four study patients with bilateral enophthalmos after VPS and 10 control subjects. METHODS: Case description of 4 study patients. Calculated orbital volumes for 2 study patients were compared with controls using the Wilcoxon rank-sum test. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Exophthalmometry measurements and total orbital and fat volumes. RESULTS: Patient 1 is a 25-year-old man who presented with progressive enophthalmos 3 years after VPS for traumatic intracranial bleeding. Imaging demonstrated upward expansion of the orbital roof and evidence of intracranial hypotension. The intracranial pressure (ICP) was 20 mm H2O. The enophthalmos improved after shunt revision. Patient 2 is a 19-year-old man who presented with progressive enophthalmos 18 months after VPS for traumatic intracranial hemorrhage. Patient 3 is a 38-year-old woman who presented with bilateral enophthalmos 15 years after VPS after a ruptured aneurysm. Imaging showed orbital expansion. Patient 4 is a 16-year-old man who presented with severe enophthalmos 5 years after a VPS for aneurysm-related hemorrhage. Imaging demonstrated orbital enlargement and findings of intracranial hypotension. Intracranial pressure ranged between -200 and 0 mm H2O. Shunt revision improved the enophthalmos. Total orbital volumes were significantly greater in the study patients than in the controls. Control subjects (5 male, 5 female, ages 23-45 years) had an average right orbital volume of 24.6 ± 3.3 cm³ (n = 10). In comparison, the right orbital volumes of patients 1 and 3 were 32.6 and 32.1 cm³. Similar results were found for the left orbits (23.9 ± 2.7 cm³ [control average] vs. 35.9 and 32.6 cm³). In patient 1, the post-shunt volumes increased 14% (right) and 23% (left) from pre-shunt volumes. In contrast, orbital fat volume was not statistically significantly different between the control group and enophthalmic patients (right orbit control mean 7.94 ± 3.1 cm³ [n = 10] vs. 7.9 and 9.8 cm³; left orbit control mean 7.88+3.1 cm³ vs. 9.2 and 10.0 cm³). CONCLUSIONS: Enophthalmos after VPS results primarily from chronic intracranial hypotension. Low ICP causes expansion of orbital volume with no fat atrophy. In such patients, shunt revision with a pressure-regulating valve to correct intracranial hypotension should be considered. FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE(S): The author(s) have no proprietary or commercial interest in any materials discussed in this article.

Management of retained lens fragments in complicated cataract surgery.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: To evaluate and review the current literature on the management of retained lens material with pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) and lensectomy after complicated cataract surgery. RECENT FINDINGS: Recent studies on retained lens fragments in cataract surgery support early referral to a vitreoretinal specialist, and indicate that visual outcomes are favorable with current vitrectomy and lensectomy techniques. Nearly 83% of patients without preexisting eye disease who undergo PPV achieve visual acuity of 20/40, whereas 5.5% of patients have postoperative acuity of 20/200 or worse. In a multivariate analysis, the predictors for 20/40 or better vision were presenting acuity, insertion of a posterior chamber lens at the time of cataract surgery, and absence of preoperative eye disease. Retinal detachment and secondary glaucoma were the major causes of ocular morbidity. Most retrospective studies assessing the timing of vitrectomy and lensectomy show no advantage for early (within 1 week) PPV. Delayed vitrectomy beyond 30 days is associated with poorer outcomes. With technological advances, small gauge vitrectomy is considered a viable alternative surgical approach to standard vitrectomy with phacofragmentation. SUMMARY: Given favorable outcomes reported with planned PPV, the primary intraoperative goals of the cataract surgeon encountering posterior displacement of lens material are to remove lens material that is accessible from the anterior approach, remove vitreous from the anterior segment, and place an anterior or preferably posterior chamber intraocular lens. Early involvement of the retinal surgeon facilitates the evaluation and timing for vitrectomy and lensectomy based on the clinical course.

Quantitative Assessment of Asymmetric Choroidal Outflow in Pachychoroid Eyes on Ultra-Widefield Indocyanine Green Angiography.

Purpose: To quantitatively demonstrate asymmetric choroidal outflow in pachychoroid (central serous chorioretinopathy [CSC]/pachychoroid pigment epitheliopathy [PPE]) eyes using mid-phase, ultra-widefield indocyanine green angiography (UWF ICGA) images. Methods: Eyes with a clinical diagnosis of CSC/PPE were imaged with multimodal imaging including UWF ICGA (Optos California). Quadrant brightness was measured by manually segmenting based on vortex vein location, calculating the brightness "max-min" value to assess nonuniformity between quadrants, and comparing between CSC/PPE and control eyes. A multivariate linear regression was performed to determine, across individual eyes, which specific quadrants have the greatest brightness in pachychoroid eyes, after taking into account patient-eye-specific variability. Results: Thirty-three eyes (18 patients) with CSC/PPE along with 16 eyes of 9 controls had a mean age of 51.94 ± 9.72 vs. 53.78 ± 17.92 years (P = 0.731), respectively. Max-min analysis showed significantly increased likelihood of nonuniform drainage between vortex veins in both CSC/PPE and control eyes. Multivariate linear regression in control eyes showed that on average, the inferotemporal quadrant was significantly brighter than the superonasal quadrant (9.72 units, P < 0.001). Among CSC/PPE eyes, adjusting for the preferential, nonuniform drainage in control eyes, the inferonasal and inferotemporal quadrants in CSC/PPE eyes remained significantly brighter than the reference quadrant by 5.36 units (P = 0.034) and 7.51 units (P = 0.008), respectively. Conclusions: Asymmetric choroidal venous outflow occurs in both control and CSC/PPE eyes based on UWF ICGA quantitative brightness levels in each quadrant. Increased brightness levels along inferior quadrants in mid-phase ICGA images suggest venous outflow congestion among eyes with CSC or PPE.

Spontaneous resolution of a traumatic cataract caused by an intralenticular foreign body.

A 49-year-old man presented with an intralenticular metal foreign body incurred while he was sawing wood. The metal chard had violated the lens capsule and was lodged in the cortex of the lens. It was removed using a lens-preservation technique during open-globe repair. Subsequently, a dense posterior cortical cataract developed, which spontaneously resolved over the ensuing months. The cataract had a cruciate configuration with wave-like disruption of the stromal lamellae. To our knowledge, this is the first case of spontaneous resolution of a cataract after capsule violation by an intralenticular foreign body. The unique appearance of the cataract and its unusual resolution led to a new theory of lens injury by shockwave.

Histopathologic evaluation of optic neurotomy with microvitreoretinal blade or excimer laser in cadaver eyes.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: To evaluate histopathologic features of optic neurotomy with microvitreoretinal (MVR) blade or excimer laser. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Optic neurotomy was performed in 11 cadaver eyes using a 20-gauge MVR blade and 3 cadaver eyes with pulsed xenon chloride excimer laser. Hematoxylin-eosin stained slides were used to evaluate the posterior segments of the globes, including the optic nerve head. RESULTS: No eyes in the MVR group had scleral macroscopic or microscopic perforation and there was no injury to the central retinal vein or artery. The distance between the neurotomy site and the central retinal vessels ranged from 50 to 500 microm at all histologic levels in 10 eyes and was approximately 10 microm in two histologic sections and 200 microm in a third section in 1 eye. Intraneural hemorrhage was found in 11% of eyes. Neurotomy was successful in 2 of 3 eyes with the excimer laser and no neurotomy was evident on sectioning in the third eye due to cloudy media. CONCLUSIONS: Optic neurotomy with an MVR blade was an effective procedure for scleral outlet relaxation in cadaver eyes, with no significant surgical complications. This preliminary study also demonstrates that the excimer laser can make non-mechanical cuts with relative ease and reliability.

SPECTRAL DOMAIN VERSUS SWEPT SOURCE OPTICAL COHERENCE TOMOGRAPHY ANGIOGRAPHY OF THE RETINAL CAPILLARY PLEXUSES IN SICKLE CELL MACULOPATHY.

PURPOSE: To compare the spectral domain and swept source optical coherence tomography angiography findings in two cases of sickle cell maculopathy. METHODS: A 53-year-old man and a 24-year-old man both with sickle cell disease (hemoglobin SS) presented with no visual complaints; Humphrey visual field testing demonstrated asymptomatic paracentral scotomas that extended nasally in the involved eyes. Clinical examination and multimodal imaging including spectral domain and swept source optical coherence tomography, and spectral domain optical coherence tomography angiography and swept source optical coherence tomography angiography (Carl Zeiss Meditec Inc, Dublin, CA) were performed. RESULTS: Fundus examination of both patients revealed subtle thinning of the macula. En-face swept source optical coherence tomography confirmed the extent of the thinning correlating with the functional paracentral scotomas on Humphrey visual field. Swept source optical coherence tomography B-scan revealed multiple confluent areas of inner nuclear thinning and significant temporal retinal atrophy. En-face 6 × 6-mm spectral domain optical coherence tomography angiography of the macula demonstrated greater loss of the deep capillary plexus compared with the superficial capillary plexus. Swept source optical coherence tomography angiography 12 × 12-mm imaging captured the same macular findings and loss of both plexuses temporally outside the macula. CONCLUSION: In these two cases of sickle cell maculopathy, deep capillary plexus ischemia is more extensive within the macula, whereas both the superficial capillary plexus and deep capillary plexus are involved outside the macula likely due to the greater oxygen demands and watershed nature of these areas. Swept source optical coherence tomography angiography clearly demonstrates the angiographic extent of the disease correlating with the Humphrey visual field scotomas and confluent areas of inner nuclear atrophy.

GRAFT-VERSUS-HOST DISEASE PANUVEITIS AND BILATERAL SEROUS DETACHMENTS: MULTIMODAL IMAGING ANALYSIS.

PURPOSE: To report the multimodal imaging findings and follow-up of a case of graft-versus-host disease-induced bilateral panuveitis and serous retinal detachments after allogenic bone marrow transplant for acute myeloid leukemia. METHODS: A 75-year-old black man presented with acute decreased vision in both eyes for 1 week. Clinical examination and multimodal imaging, including spectral domain optical coherence tomography, fundus autofluorescence, fluorescein angiography, and swept-source optical coherence tomography angiography (Investigational Device; Carl Zeiss Meditec Inc) were performed. RESULTS: Clinical examination of the patient revealed anterior and posterior inflammation and bilateral serous retinal detachments. Ultra-widefield fundus autofluorescence demonstrated hyperautofluorescence secondary to subretinal fluid; and fluorescein angiography revealed multiple areas of punctate hyperfluorescence, leakage, and staining of the optic discs. Spectral domain and enhanced depth imaging optical coherence tomography demonstrated subretinal fluid, a thickened, undulating retinal pigment epithelium layer, and a thickened choroid in both eyes. En-face swept-source optical coherence tomography angiography did not show any retinal vascular abnormalities but did demonstrate patchy areas of decreased choriocapillaris flow. An extensive systemic infectious and malignancy workup was negative and the patient was treated with high-dose oral prednisone immunosuppression. Subsequent 6-month follow-up demonstrated complete resolution of the inflammation and bilateral serous detachments after completion of the prednisone taper over a 3-month period. CONCLUSION: Graft-versus-host disease panuveitis and bilateral serous retinal detachments are rare complications of allogenic bone marrow transplant for acute myeloid leukemia and can be diagnosed with clinical and multimodal imaging analysis. This form of autoimmune inflammation may occur after the recovery of T-cell activity within the donor graft targeting the host. Infectious and recurrent malignancy must be ruled out before initiation of immunosuppression, which can affectively treat this form of graft-versus-host disease.

High grade squamous intraepithelial lesion in inmates from Ohio: cervical screening and biopsy follow-up.

BACKGROUND: Cervical carcinoma remains the second leading cause of cancer death in women worldwide and sexual behavior is regarded as the main contributing factor. We studied cervical cytology screening with surgical biopsy follow-up in women prisoners and compared the findings to those in the general population. METHODS: We reviewed 1024 conventional cervical smears, 73 cervical biopsies and 2 loop electrosurgical excision procedure (LEEP) specimens referred to us from the Correctional Center in Columbus, Ohio during a 12-month period. The results were compared to 40,993 Pap smears from the general population for the same 12-month period. RESULTS: High grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (HGSIL) was diagnosed in 1.3% of the cervical smears from the inmate population versus 0.6% in the general population (p < 0.01). The unsatisfactory rate was 1.6% compared to 0.3% in the general population (p < 0.01). Among the study population, follow-up tissue diagnosis was obtained in 24.3% of the abnormal cytology results (ASCUS, LGSIL, and HGSIL). Of the HGSIL Pap smears, 61.5% had a subsequent tissue diagnosis. Thirty-nine biopsies (52% of the all inmate biopsies and LEEP) showed CIN II/III (cervical intraepithelial neoplasia II/III). Eight of these thirty-nine follow-up biopsies diagnosed as CIN II/III had a previous cervical cytology diagnosis of ASCUS. The average age for HGSIL was 30.5 years (S.D. = 5.7) and for low grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (LGSIL) was 27.2 years (S.D. = 6.1). CONCLUSION: A significantly higher prevalence of HGSIL cervical cytology and unsatisfactory smears was encountered in female inmates, with tissue follow-up performed in less than two thirds of the patients with HGSIL. These results are in keeping with data available in the literature suggesting that the inmate population is high-risk and may be subject to less screening and tissue follow-up than the general population. Clinicians should proceed with urgency to improve screening and follow-up with treatment. The inmate population should be targeted for HPV vaccination promptly after FDA approval.