INTRAVITREAL DEXAMETHASONE IMPLANT AS ADJUVANT TREATMENT FOR BEVACIZUMAB- AND RANIBIZUMAB-RESISTANT NEOVASCULAR AGE-RELATED MACULAR DEGENERATION: A Prospective Pilot Study.

PURPOSE: To study the benefit of intravitreal dexamethasone implant in the management of neovascular age-related macular degeneration resistant to bevacizumab and ranibizumab. METHODS: Patients with persistent macular fluid on optical coherence tomography despite monthly treatment with at least three consecutive bevacizumab injections followed by at least three ranibizumab injections were prospectively enrolled. A single dexamethasone implant was administered followed by intravitreal ranibizumab 1 week later. Ranibizumab was continued afterward on an as-needed basis. Main outcomes were improvement in central retinal thickness and best-corrected visual acuity. RESULTS: Nineteen patients (19 eyes) were enrolled. There was no significant change in best-corrected visual acuity over 6 months. Greatest reduction in mean central retinal thickness, from 295.2 µm to 236.2 µm, occurred 1 month after dexamethasone implant (P < 0.0001). By Month 6, mean central retinal thickness was 287.3 µm (P = 0.16). Eyes with only intraretinal fluid (13 eyes) achieved a fluid-free macula. Eyes with predominantly subretinal fluid (6 eyes) did not improve central retinal thickness and continued monthly ranibizumab. Mean baseline intraocular pressure was 13.2 mmHg, which peaked at 15.6 mmHg by Month 2 (P = 0.004). CONCLUSION: Intravitreal dexamethasone implant improved only macular intraretinal fluid in eyes with neovascular age-related macular degeneration resistant to bevacizumab and ranibizumab. However, this treatment had a limited duration.

Intravitreal bevacizumab in the management of neovascular age-related macular degeneration: effect of baseline visual acuity.

PURPOSE: To study prospectively the safety and efficacy of intravitreal bevacizumab for eyes with neovascular age-related macular degeneration with baseline visual acuity better than 70 letters (Snellen equivalent better than 20/40). METHODS: Patients with treatment-naive neovascular age-related macular degeneration were categorized prospectively into three groups according to baseline visual acuity: Group 1 (better than 70 letters), Group 2 (70 to 61 letters), and Group 3 (60 to 51 letters). Best-corrected visual acuity and central retinal thickness using optical coherence tomography were measured at baseline and at each follow-up visit. Intravitreal bevacizumab was administered according to an as-needed optical coherence tomography-guided regimen. Main outcome measure was mean best-corrected visual acuity for each group at 12 months. RESULTS: Each group included 30 patients (30 eyes). Improvement in central retinal thickness was similar among the 3 groups (P = 0.964). Mean letter gain in visual acuity at 12 months was +0.4, +3.8, and +4.2 for Groups 1, 2, and 3, respectively (P = 0.42). Mean best-corrected visual acuity at 12 months was 78.4 letters for Group 1, 70.0 letters for Group 2, and 61.1 letters for Group 3 (P < 0.001). All eyes in Group 1 (100%) avoided losing 15 letters of best-corrected visual acuity versus 83.3% in Group 2 and 80.0% in Group 3. This difference was significant only between Group 1 and Group 3 (P = 0.02). CONCLUSION: Intravitreal bevacizumab for eyes with neovascular age-related macular degeneration and baseline visual acuity better than 70 letters was safe and able to maintain this vision over 12 months.

Ranibizumab monotherapy versus single-session verteporfin photodynamic therapy combined with as-needed ranibizumab treatment for the management of neovascular age-related macular degeneration.

PURPOSE: To compare verteporfin photodynamic therapy combined with intravitreal ranibizumab (combination therapy) versus ranibizumab monotherapy for management of neovascular age-related macular degeneration. METHODS: Thirty patients (40 eyes) with neovascular age-related macular degeneration were prospectively allocated to combination therapy or monotherapy. In monotherapy, the induction phase consisted of 3 consecutive monthly ranibizumab injections (0.5 mg), while the combination therapy had a single session of photodynamic therapy with intravitreal ranibizumab. Follow-up treatment for either group consisted only of additional as-needed ranibizumab injections. The main outcome measure was that a proportion of eyes losing <15 letters of visual acuity after 12 months. RESULTS: Except for 1 eye in combination therapy, all eyes in both groups lost <15 letters of visual acuity. At 12 months, there was a mean gain of +12 letters and +3.2 letters for monotherapy and combination therapy, respectively (relative percent change of 32% vs. 7%, P = 0.03). Anatomical improvement was similar in both groups. After induction, the time until ranibizumab retreatment was longer for combination therapy (P = 0.002) while ranibizumab injections were required more frequently with monotherapy (P = 0.015). CONCLUSION: Ranibizumab monotherapy showed greater improvement in visual acuity versus combination therapy. However, combination therapy required fewer ranibizumab injections. Larger trials need to confirm the findings of this pilot study.

The distribution of visual field defects per quadrant in standard automated perimetry as compared to frequency doubling technology perimetry.

To test the ability of frequency doubling technology (FDT) perimetry to reveal defects in the same field quadrants as detected by standard automated perimetry (SAP). Ninety-two eyes with open-angle glaucoma and documented visual field defects by threshold SAP (Octopus Dynamic strategy) also underwent threshold FDT testing after successfully passing the FDT screening test. All eyes revealed varying stages of SAP defects while only 80 revealed FDT damage: 31:21 eyes in the early field loss stage, 36:35 in the moderate field loss stage, and 25:24 in the severe field loss stage in SAP versus FDT, respectively. SAP was able to detect abnormalities in 74 and 79% of the superotemporal, and inferotemporal quadrants, respectively, while the corresponding FDT figures were 70 and 69% for the same quadrants (P < 0.05 each). With regards to the nasal hemifield, SAP detected defects in 73 and 81% of the superonasal and inferonasal quadrants, respectively, compared to 69 and 66% for FDT (P < 0.001 each). The test duration per individual eye was significantly shorter with FDT than with SAP (P < 0.05). As well as the already established lower sensitivity of FDT compared to SAP, this study also demonstrated the significantly poorer ability of FDT in detecting the same field quadrant defects, especially in the early stages of glaucomatous damage.

Change in cardiac troponin T level after intravitreal anti-vascular endothelial growth factor treatment: Prospective pilot study.

BACKGROUND: Evaluate subclinical myocardial injury associated with intravitreal anti-vascular endothelial growth factor therapy by measuring serum high-sensitivity cardiac troponin T. METHODS: This is a prospective pilot comparative study conducted at American University of Beirut Medical Center, Beirut, Lebanon. In total, 40 consecutive patients were randomized to receive either intravitreal bevacizumab or ranibizumab. Patients received three consecutive monthly injections of the assigned drug, then continued treatment as needed. Systemic concentrations of high-sensitivity cardiac troponin T and vascular endothelial growth factor were obtained at baseline, week 9, and week 24. Primary endpoint measure was change in high-sensitivity cardiac troponin T levels compared to baseline. Secondary endpoint measure was change in systemic vascular endothelial growth factor levels. RESULTS: There was no significant difference in high-sensitivity cardiac troponin T levels over time (p = 0.227) within each treatment group and no significant difference between treatments at any time point (p = 0.276). There was a significant decrease in plasma vascular endothelial growth factor levels at week 9 (p = 0.001) and week 24 (p < 0.001) compared to baseline. In the ranibizumab group, vascular endothelial growth factor levels were not significantly different at weeks 9 and 24 compared to baseline (p = 0.708 and p = 0.117, respectively). There was a significant association between the number of bevacizumab injections from weeks 8 to 24 and the decrease in vascular endothelial growth factor levels at week 24 (R = -0.67, p = 0.032). This correlation was not observed in the ranibizumab group (R = -0.341, p = 0.141). CONCLUSION: Repeated intravitreal bevacizumab or ranibizumab did not influence serum high-sensitivity cardiac troponin levels. Intravitreal bevacizumab but not ranibizumab lowered free-systemic vascular endothelial growth factor levels, which was observed in this study to be inversely related to the number of bevacizumab injections.

Intravitreal bevacizumab for treatment of neovascular age-related macular degeneration: a one-year prospective study.

PURPOSE: To investigate the efficacy of intravitreal bevacizumab for treatment of neovascular age-related macular degeneration (AMD). DESIGN: Prospective, open-label, nonrandomized clinical study. METHODS: Sixty patients (60 eyes) with subfoveal choroidal neovascular membrane (CNV) attributable to AMD participated in this study at the American University of Beirut and Hotel Dieu de France Retina Clinics. All lesion types were included except for retinal angiomatous proliferation. In the initial treatment phase, intravitreal bevacizumab (2.5 mg/0.1 ml) was given at baseline, and then two additional monthly injections were given if the macula was not dry on optical coherence tomography. The criteria for re-injection after the induction phase were presence of new fluid in the macula, increased central retinal thickness (CRT) at least 100 microm, loss of at least five letters of vision with increased fluid in the macula, new classic CNV or new macular hemorrhages. Main outcome measure was the proportion of eyes losing <15 letters of vision after 12 months. RESULTS: Fifty-one patients (51 eyes) completed the 12 months. Mean visual acuity improved from 45.7 letters at baseline to 53.1 letters at 12 months (P = .004), and 47 eyes (92.2%) lost <15 letters. Mean CRT decreased from 327.4 microm at baseline to 227.8 microm at 12 months (P < .001). A mean of 3.4 injections were given over the course of the study, and no ocular or systemic side-effects were noted. CONCLUSION: Eyes with neovascular AMD treated with intravitreal bevacizumab over 12 months had significant anatomical and functional improvement. Further studies need to confirm the long-term efficacy of this treatment.

Intravitreal bevacizumab in inflammatory ocular neovascularization.

PURPOSE: To assess the role of bevacizumab in inflammatory ocular neovascularization. DESIGN: Retrospective, multicenter, consecutive case series of inflammatory ocular neovascularization. METHODS: Patients with inflammatory ocular neovascularization of varying causes for whom standard therapy failed were treated with intravitreal injection of bevacizumab. Main outcome measures included improvement of best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) expressed in logarithm of minimum angle of resolution units, response of inflammatory ocular neovascularization by funduscopy and angiography, and decrease in central foveal thickness as measured by optical coherence tomography at the three-month follow-up. RESULTS: At the three-month follow-up, 84 eyes of 79 patients had been treated with a mean of 1.3 injections (range, one to three). Thirty-four eyes showed juxtafoveal choroidal neovascularization (CNV), 34 eyes showed subfoveal CNV, eight eyes showed peripapillary CNV, and 11 eyes showed neovascularization of the disc (NVD) or neovascularization elsewhere (NVE). BCVA improved 2.4 lines from 0.68 (6/28 or 20/94) to 0.44 (6/17 or 20/55) (P < .001). BCVA improved by one to three lines in 34.5% of the eyes, by four to six lines in 16.7% of the eyes, and by more than six lines in 14.2% of the eyes. Function was unchanged in 23.8% of the eyes. BCVA worsened in 10.7% (zero to three lines in 7.1%, more than four lines in 3.6%). Central foveal thickness decreased from baseline 346 to 252 microm (P < .001). For CNV, 32 eyes (43.2%) had complete regression after the injection, 27 (36.5%) had partial regression, five (6.8%) had no response, and 10 eyes (13.5%) were not evaluated by the contributors. For NVD or NVE, seven eyes (63.6%) had complete regression of new vessels and four eyes (36.4%) had partial regression after the injection. CONCLUSIONS: Intravitreal bevacizumab led to short-term significant visual improvement and regression of inflammatory ocular neovascularization in a wide variety of inflammatory ocular diseases.

Intravitreal bevacizumab vs verteporfin photodynamic therapy for neovascular age-related macular degeneration.

OBJECTIVE: To compare verteporfin photodynamic therapy (PDT) with intravitreal bevacizumab for management of choroidal neovascularization (CNV) associated with age-related macular degeneration. METHODS: Patients with predominantly classic CNV were prospectively randomized to receive standard PDT or intravitreal bevacizumab injections (2.5 mg). Best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) measured by Snellen charts, central retinal thickness by optical coherence tomography, and greatest linear dimension of the CNV by fluorescein angiography were compared between the groups at baseline and at 3 and 6 months. Main outcome measures were stability or improvement in BCVA, decrease in central retinal thickness, and stability in greatest linear dimension. RESULTS: Mean baseline BCVA, central retinal thickness, and greatest linear dimension were not statistically different between the bevacizumab (n = 32) and PDT (n = 30) groups. Mean central retinal thickness was significantly better at 3 and 6 months in the bevacizumab group vs the PDT group (P = .04 and P = .002, respectively). At 3 months, mean BCVA and greatest linear dimension were not significantly different between the 2 groups. At 6 months, mean BCVA and greatest linear dimension were significantly better in the bevacizumab group (P < .001 and P = .02, respectively). CONCLUSION: During 6 months, intravitreal bevacizumab was superior to PDT in controlling predominantly classic CNV in age-related macular degeneration. Additional randomized clinical trials are necessary to determine if this benefit will remain with longer follow-up.

Sequential pars plana vitrectomy and cataract extraction with intraocular lens implantation in patient with corneal inlay who developed retinal detachment followed by cataract.

Twenty-one months after successful small-aperture corneal inlay (Kamra) implantation simultaneous with myopic laser in situ keratomileusis, a patient presented with a superior rhegmatogenous macula-involving retinal detachment. Successful pars plana vitrectomy, transscleral cryotherapy, and gas tamponade were performed with the inlay in situ. Three months later, uneventful phacoemulsification and posterior chamber intraocular lens implantation were performed, also with the inlay in situ, for a visually significant cataract. Visualization of the central and peripheral retina and the anterior segment was possible in both procedures through the central aperture and around the periphery of the inlay. An indirect noncontact visualization system was helpful in the retinal surgery, and rotating the eye was helpful in both surgeries if the inlay blocked visualization.

Intravitreal bevacizumab for the management of choroidal neovascularization in age-related macular degeneration.

PURPOSE: To investigate the efficacy and safety of intravitreal bevacizumab for managing choroidal neovascularization (CNV) due to age-related macular degeneration (AMD). DESIGN: Prospective interventional case series. METHODS: Seventeen eyes of 17 patients with subfoveal CNV due to AMD participated in this study at the American University of Beirut Ophthalmology Clinics. All patients had failed, refused, or were not eligible for photodynamic therapy. All eyes received a baseline eye examination, which included best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), dilated fundus examination, ocular coherence tomography (OCT) imaging, and fluorescein angiography. An intravitreal injection of bevacizumab (2.5 mg/0.1 ml) was given at baseline and followed by two additional injections at four-week intervals. BCVA, OCT, and fluorescein angiography were repeated four weeks after each injection. Main outcome measures were improvement in BCVA and central retinal thickness (CRT). RESULTS: Mean baseline BCVA was 20/252 (median 20/200), and baseline CRT was 362 microm (median 350 microm). Improvement in VA and CRT occurred by the fourth week. At 12 weeks, mean BCVA was 20/76 (P < .001) and median BCVA was 20/50 (P < .001). Both mean and median CRT decreased to 211 microm (P < .001). Thirteen (76%) of 17 eyes had total resolution of subretinal fluid, and four eyes (24%) had BCVA better than 20/50. No systemic or ocular side effects were noted at any time. CONCLUSION: Eyes with CNV due to AMD treated with intravitreal bevacizumab had marked anatomic and visual improvement. Further studies are necessary to confirm the long-term efficacy and safety of this treatment.

Induction with intravitreal bevacizumab every two weeks in the management of neovascular age-related macular degeneration.

PURPOSE: To explore the benefit of rapid induction with intravitreal bevacizumab for neovascular age-related macular degeneration (AMD). DESIGN: Single-institution prospective randomized pilot study. METHODS: Patients with treatment-naïve neovascular AMD were randomized 1:1:1 into 1 of 3 groups based on the induction sequence: (1) every 2 weeks for 3 consecutive injections; (2) every 4 weeks for 3 consecutive injections; and (3) immediate pro re nata (prn) after the first injection. Retinal angiomatous proliferation and polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy were excluded. Best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and central retinal thickness using optical coherence tomography (OCT) were measured at baseline and at each follow-up. After induction, bevacizumab was administered as needed based mainly on OCT. Main outcome measure was mean initial fluid-free interval after induction. Secondary outcomes were mean improvement in BCVA and central retinal thickness. RESULTS: Each group included 30 patients (30 eyes). Mean initial fluid-free interval was 2.4, 3.4, and 3.5 months for biweekly induction, monthly induction, and immediate prn groups, respectively (P = .03). Significance was lost when corrected for age and sex (P = .073). Mean improvement in BCVA, central retinal thickness, and total number of injections were similar among the groups at 12 months. Six eyes in the biweekly induction group developed subretinal fibrosis vs no eyes in the other 2 groups (P = .003). CONCLUSION: Biweekly induction with intravitreal bevacizumab for treatment-naïve neovascular AMD does not increase initial fluid-free interval or cause significant anatomic and functional benefit compared to monthly induction or immediate prn. There is also the potential development of subretinal fibrosis with biweekly induction.

Indocyanine Green-Enhanced Thermotherapy for Retinoblastoma.

PURPOSE: To report the outcome of pediatric patients with retinoblastoma refractory to traditional local therapy who were treated with indocyanine green (ICG)-enhanced thermotherapy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This is a retrospective review of a case series of 3 patients with bilateral retinoblastoma who were treated with ICG-enhanced thermotherapy after showing no response to conventional chemothermotherapy or transpupillary thermotherapy (TTT) alone noted on two consecutive examinations under anesthesia. RESULTS: The 3 patients had had one eye enucleated previously due to advanced disease, and the remaining eye was diagnosed with a large tumor, which showed either a marginal or no response to systemic chemotherapy and TTT. Addition of ICG enhancement during the subsequent TTT session shrunk the tumor to a measurable size that could then be followed by TTT alone as a means of treatment. One patient had tumor recurrence, at which time additional TTT without ICG was successfully applied after the tumor size had decreased; ICG enhancement was then added whenever TTT alone provided no response. CONCLUSIONS: ICG enhancement with TTT led to a measurable tumor regression in lesions that had previously not been responsive to traditional chemothermotherapy or isolated TTT. MESSAGE: These tumors had shown a minimal to no response to previous TTT treatment. However, adding ICG resulted in a measurable regression even though the same TTT treatment parameters were applied.

Combined Nonmydriatic Spectral-Domain Optical Coherence Tomography and Nonmydriatic Fundus Photography for the Detection of Age-Related Macular Degeneration Changes.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Nonmydriatic fundus photography (FP) has been a suboptimal tool for detecting age-related macular degeneration (AMD) changes. This study sought to enhance the detection of AMD changes by combining nonmydriatic FP with nonmydriatic spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT). PATIENTS AND METHODS: The study population included 249 patients aged 65 years and older who were assessed for AMD changes using standard mydriatic biomicroscopic fundus examination. Each eye then underwent nonmydriatic FP in one session followed 1 week later with nonmydriatic FP coupled with nonmydriatic SD-OCT. Images were interpreted for detection of AMD changes, and findings were compared to the original mydriatic biomicroscopic examination. RESULTS: Nonmydriatic FP had 64% sensitivity, 97% specificity, and a kappa value of 0.67 in detecting AMD changes compared with the traditional mydriatic biomicroscopic examination. Combined nonmydriatic FP and nonmydriatic SD-OCT increased sensitivity to 91.5%, specificity to 98.6%, and kappa to 0.91. CONCLUSION: The addition of nonmydriatic SD-OCT to nonmydriatic FP enhances the detection of AMD changes.

Intravitreal triamcinolone for the management of macular edema due to nonischemic central retinal vein occlusion.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy of intravitreal triamcinolone acetonide in the management of persistent macular edema secondary to nonischemic central retinal vein occlusion (CRVO). METHODS: Twenty consecutive patients were selected with a 3- to 4-month history of nonischemic CRVO and persistent macular edema. These patients received a single intravitreal injection of 4 mg of triamcinolone acetonide (40 mg/mL). The follow-up period ranged from 10 to 12 months. The amount of macular edema was assessed by the amount of retinal thickening on clinical examination using the Goldmann contact lens and by the area and intensity of staining on fluorescein angiography. Treated patients were compared with a retrospectively matched group of patients who were managed with observation only. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Changes in visual acuity and amount of macular edema were assessed in the treated patients and compared with the observation group. RESULTS: The mean baseline visual acuity in the treatment group was 20/132 vs 20/123 for the observation group (P =.57). After 1 week, the treated group had a mean visual acuity of 20/51. At final follow-up, the treated group had a mean visual acuity of 20/37 while the observation group had a mean visual acuity of 20/110 (P =.001). Sixty percent of treated patients had a final visual acuity of 20/40 or better vs only 20% in the observation group (P =.01). Forty percent of the untreated patients had a final visual acuity worse than 20/200 while none of the treated patients did (P<.001). At final follow-up, 75% of treated patients had complete resolution of macular edema on clinical examination vs only 20% of the untreated patients (P<.001). Two of the treated patients had recurrence of macular edema at 6 months, and 3 had elevated intraocular pressure. CONCLUSION: This study shows a treatment benefit from intravitreal triamcinolone in terms of visual acuity and macular edema for nonischemic CRVO.

Intravitreal triamcinolone acetonide for the management of diabetic papillopathy.

PURPOSE: To present a case of severe drop in vision in both eyes caused by diabetic papillopathy that was treated with an intravitreal injection of triamcinolone acetonide. DESIGN: Interventional case report. METHODS: A diabetic patient with bilateral diabetic papillopathy and drop in vision received sequential intravitreal triamcinolone acetonide injections to both eyes. RESULTS: Within 2 weeks of intravitreal injection, vision improved from counting fingers at 1 m to 20/50 OS, and from counting fingers at 4 m to 20/40 OD. This improvement was accompanied by resolution of disk swelling and macular edema. Vision remained stable in both eyes at 20/40 for 8 months of follow-up. No elevation of intraocular pressure beyond 21 mm Hg was noted at any time. CONCLUSION: Diabetic papillopathy with severe drop in vision can be treated with intravitreal triamcinolone acetonide injection.

The use of viscoelastics during pars plana vitrectomy in eyes with an anterior chamber intraocular lens.

Pars plana vitrectomy in eyes with an anterior chamber intraocular lens poses several challenges. This becomes more obvious during fluid-air exchange. The use of viscoelastics during the surgery to overcome these problems is described. This technique allows better visibility intraoperatively, provides a stable anterior chamber, and maintains corneal clarity.

Branch retinal artery occlusion following embolization of a maxillary sinus tumor.

Retinal vascular complications following embolization of carotid artery branches have been occasionally reported. Since the result can be catastrophic and is often irreversible, all efforts to prevent this complication should be considered prior to the intervention. We report the occurrence of a branch retinal artery occlusion following embolization of a maxillary sinus tumor. Cerebral angiography pre- and post-embolization; pathology results from the excised tumor; fundoscopic, visual field, and fluorescein angiographic findings are reported. A combination of risk stratification and preoperative evaluation methods which might help in prevention of this serious complication are discussed.

Novel 'heavy' dyes for retinal membrane staining during macular surgery: multicenter clinical assessment.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the feasibility of two novel 'heavy' dye solutions for staining the internal limiting membrane (ILM) and epiretinal membranes (ERMs), without the need for a prior fluid-air exchange, during macular surgery. METHODS: In this prospective nonrandomized multicenter cohort study, the high molecular weight dyes ILM-Blue™ [0.025% brilliant blue G, 4% polyethylene glycol (PEG)] and MembraneBlue-Dual™ (0.15% trypan blue, 0.025% brilliant blue G, 4% PEG) were randomly used in vitrectomy surgeries for macular disease in 127 eyes of 127 patients. Dye enhanced membrane visualization of the ILM and ERMs, 'ease of membrane peeling', visually detectable perioperative retinal damage, postoperative best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), dye remnants and other unexpected clinical events were documented by 21 surgeons. RESULTS: All surgeries were uneventful, and a clear bluish staining, facilitating the identification, delineation and removal of the ILM and ERMs, was reported in all but five cases. None of the surgeries required a fluid-air exchange to assist the dye application. BCVA at 1 month after surgery improved in 83% of the eyes in the MembraneBlue-Dual™ group and in 88% in the ILM-Blue™ group. No dye remnants were detected by ophthalmoscopy, and no retinal adverse effects related to the surgery or use of the dyes were observed. CONCLUSION: The 'heavy' dye solutions ILM-Blue™ and MembraneBlue-Dual™ can be injected into a fluid-filled vitreous cavity and may facilitate staining and removal of the ILM and/or ERMs in macular surgery without an additional fluid-air exchange.

Impact of thiazolidinediones on macular thickness and volume in diabetic eyes.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the impact of thiazolidinedione (TZDs) use on macular thickness and volume in patients with diabetes with no macular edema and no diabetic retinopathy (DR) or mild nonproliferative diabetic retinopathy (NPDR). DESIGN: Cross-sectional prospective pilot study. PARTICIPANTS: One hundred twenty patients (60 in each group) were enrolled, but 108 completed the study (59 in the TZD group and 49 in the non-TZD group). METHODS: Patients with type II diabetes mellitus were categorized into 2 groups depending on TZD intake. Those with no prior history of treatment for DR were considered for the study. Patients in both groups had assessment of visual acuity and dilated fundus examination. Only patients with no evidence of macular edema and no DR or mild-NPDR were included. Spectral-domain ocular coherence tomography (SD-OCT) was used for measurement of central retinal thickness (CRT) and macular volume. Main outcome measure was difference in mean macular volume and central thickness between the TZD and the non-TZD groups. RESULTS: Baseline demographics and characteristics were well matched between both groups. There was no significant difference in mean CRT of both groups (p = 0.13), but macular volume was significantly lower in the TZD group (p = 0.038). CONCLUSIONS: Patients with no macular edema and no DR or mild NPDR on TZDs did not show evidence of fluid retention in the macula on SD-OCT. Larger studies are needed to confirm these results.