Visual outcomes of early and late vitrectomy for breakthrough vitreous hemorrhage associated with exudative age-related macular degeneration and polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy.

To compare the visual outcomes of early and late vitrectomy for breakthrough vitreous hemorrhage (VH) associated with exudative age-related macular degeneration (exudative AMD) and polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy (PCV). A retrospective chart review was performed with data of all patients diagnosed with exudative AMD and PCV-related breakthrough VH who underwent early or late vitrectomy (within or after 3 months, respectively). Demographic data and best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) at baseline, and 1, 3, 6, and 12 months postoperatively were recorded and analyzed. Overall, 105 eyes with breakthrough VH were examined and categorized in either the early or late vitrectomy group. In the early and late vitrectomy group, LogMAR BCVA improved from 2.15 ±â€…0.08 and 2.07 ±â€…0.14 at baseline to 1.26 ±â€…0.09 and 1.27 ±â€…0.14 at 12 months, respectively (P < .001). Between early and late vitrectomy, the PCV subgroup demonstrated improved LogMAR BCVA at 1 year, but there was no statistically significant (P = .754). Conversely, the LogMAR BCVA improvement at 1 year in the early vitrectomy group demonstrated statistically significant differences from the late vitrectomy group (P = .025) in the exudative AMD subgroup. Both, early and late vitrectomy can improve visual acuity in patients with breakthrough VH secondary to exudative AMD and PCV. However, early vitrectomy is more beneficial for breakthrough VH-associated exudative AMD.

Results of intravitreal dexamethasone implant (Ozurdex®) for retinal vascular diseases with macular edema: An observational study of real-life situations.

To evaluate the efficacy of intravitreal dexamethasone implants (Ozurdex®) for the treatment of macular edema (ME) associated with retinal vascular diseases in real-life situations. This retrospective study included patients with ME associated with retinal vascular occlusion (RVO) or diabetic macular edema (DME) treated with dexamethasone implants. Demographic data, best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), and central retinal thickness (CRT) at baseline and at 1, 3, and 6 months postoperatively were collected and analyzed, and the adverse events were recorded. Forty-four eyes, 42 patients were included in the study. The mean logMAR BCVA improved from 0.79 ± 0.38 at baseline to 0.60 ± 0.34 (P < 0.001), 0.72 ± 0.38 (P = .002), and 0.72 ± 0.37 (P = .002) at 1, 3, and 6 months, respectively. The CRT decreased from 526.70 ± 159.58 µm at baseline to 279 ± 66.23, 422.91 ± 206.99, and 350.23 ± 151.51 µm at 1, 3, and 6 months, respectively (P < 0.001, all visits). The average number of injections was 1.43 ± 0.5. Nineteen eyes (43.18%) received second injections at an interval of 4.20 ± 0.61 months. The mean logMAR BCVA was greater in RVO than in DME patients and in treatment-naïve eyes than in previously treated ones. The baseline CRT of the reinjection group was significantly higher than that of the single-injection group for both the RVO (P < 0.001) and DME groups (P = .002). Nine eyes (20.45%) with increasing intraocular pressure (IOP) were well controlled with medication, and cataract progression was observed in five eyes (21.73%) during follow-up. The dexamethasone implant was effective for the treatment of macular edema secondary to RVO and DME in terms of visual acuity and CRT improvement over 6 months. The visual acuity was greater in the RVO and treatment-naïve eyes. Reinjection may be associated with a high baseline CRT. The increase in the occurrence of IOP and cataract progression was similar to that reported in previous studies.

Timing of Complete Polypoidal Regression after Intravitreous Aflibercept Treatments in Polypoidal Choroidal Vasculopathy.

PURPOSE: To understand timing of complete polypoidal regression on indocyanine green angiography (ICGA) after aflibercept injections for polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy (PCV). DESIGN: Multicenter prospective study. PARTICIPANTS: Adults with treatment-naïve PCV. METHODS: After institutional review board approval, participants were enrolled and followed up for 1 year, from Apr 1, 2016, through Dec 30, 2018, at 2 university-based centers in Thailand. Diagnosis of PCV was based on the Efficacy and Safety of Verteporfin Photodynamic Therapy in Combination with Ranibizumab or Alone versus Ranibizumab Monotherapy in Patients with Symptomatic Macular Polypoidal Choroidal Vasculopathy criteria. Eligible eyes received fixed-dose aflibercept injections (3 monthly then every 8 weeks), or monthly if fluid persisted on OCT. Photodynamic therapy (PDT) was administered when fluid persisted despite 6 consecutive injections. Indocyanine green angiography was performed at baseline and then every 8 weeks. The 25-item National Eye Institute Visual Function Questionnaire (NEI VFQ-25) was administered at baseline, 6 months, and 1 year. Two retina specialists reviewed posttreatment ICGA, categorized into: complete regression (complete disappearance of polypoidal lesions), partial regression (reduced in size or number), or no regression. Disagreements were resolved through open adjudication. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Timing of complete regression over 1 year. RESULTS: Final analysis included 40 eyes (39 participants; 100% Thai, 59% women; mean age±standard deviation, 64 ± 8.3 years). At baseline, 90% had 5 or more polypoidal lesions. Ninety-five percent received aflibercept monotherapy, and 5% received rescue PDT per protocol. Polypoidal statuses at 1 year were 55% complete, 40% partial, and 5% no regression. Cumulative rates of complete regression at 2, 4, 6, and 12 months were 28%, 33%, 43%, and 55%. Of 22 eyes with complete regression at 1 year, complete regression was identified first at 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12 months in 50%, 9%, 18%, 5%, 9%, and 9%, respectively. Cumulative rates of complete regression among these eyes at 2, 6, and 12 months were 50%, 77%, and 100%, respectively. Median duration of complete regression was 3 months (interquartile range, 2-6 months). Median visual acuity improved from 20/125 (Snellen equivalent) to 20/50; median NEI VFQ-25 scores improved from 80 to 93 from baseline to 1 year. CONCLUSIONS: Complete polypoidal regression could occur as early as 2 months after aflibercept injections. Most PCV eyes with complete polypoidal regression at 1 year already showed complete regression within the first 6 months. These findings support consideration of aflibercept for PCV to achieve both anatomic and visual outcomes.

A distinct APC pathogenic germline variant identified in a southern Thai family with familial adenomatous polyposis.

BACKGROUND: Familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) is caused by pathogenic germline variants in the APC gene. To date, multiple pathogenic variants in coding regions, splice sites, and deep intronic regions have been revealed. However, there are still pathogenic variants that remain unidentified. METHODS: Twenty-nine primer pairs flanking exons 2-16 (i.e., coding exons 1-15) of APC and their exon-intron junctions were used for germline pathogenic variant screening in Southern Thai patients with familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP). Transcription analysis was performed to confirm the pathogenicity of a splice site deletion of intron 10. Family members were interviewed for clinical histories. Blood samples were collected from 18 family members for a segregation study. Subsequently, clinical data of affected members were collected from the hospital databases. RESULTS: We found a distinct heterozygous 16-bp deletion at the splice donor site of intron 10 leading to a skipping of exon 10 which was confirmed by transcript analysis (APC: c 1312 + 4_1312 + 19del, r.934_1312del). Predictive testing for the pathogenic APC variant in 18 of the proband's family members (ten healthy and eight affected) from three generations showed the same heterozygous germline pathogenic variant in eight affected adult members (15-62 years old) and two children (7 and 10 years old). Seven of the ten carriers of the disease-causing variant had undergone colonoscopy, and colonic polyps were found in all cases, which confirmed the segregation of the inherited pathogenic variant. The phenotypic spectrum was found to vary within the family; and some affected family members exhibited extracolonic manifestations. CONCLUSIONS: To our knowledge, the pathogenic APC variant, c.1312 + 4_1312 + 19del, r.934_1312del, has not previously been reported. This study is one of the few reports describing the phenotypic consequences of a pathogenic APC variant in a high number of affected family members.

Surgical outcomes and prognostic factors following vitrectomy in acquired immune deficiency syndrome patients with cytomegalovirus retinitis-related retinal detachment.

To determine the surgical outcomes and prognostic factors of cytomegalovirus (CMV) retinitis-related retinal detachment (RD) in acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) patients following vitrectomy.A retrospective charts review was carried out on AIDS patients who were diagnosed with CMV retinitis-related RD and treated with vitrectomy between 2002 and 2016. The main outcome measures were the rates of primary anatomical success and final visual acuity (VA) success defined as postoperative VA ≥20/200. Kaplan-Meier curves on the time to retinal redetachment were performed. Multivariate logistic regression models based on a directed acyclic graph were used to identify independent factors associated with achieving VA success.Forty five AIDS patients (52 eyes) were included. Over a mean follow-up period of 41.7 months, primary anatomical success was achieved in 44 eyes (84.6%) and VA success was achieved in 34 eyes (65.4%). Receiving highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) prior to RD (adjusted odds ratio [aOR]=4.9, P = .043), better preoperative VA (aOR = 4.3, P = .006), undergoing vitrectomy within 3 months (aOR=6.7, P = .008), absence of optic atrophy (aOR=58.1, P < .001), and absence of retinal redetachment (aOR=38.1, P = .007) increased the odds of achieving final VA success.Vitrectomy provided favorable anatomical reattachment in AIDS patients with CMV retinitis-related RD. Majority of patients was able to retain functional vision postoperatively. The use of HAART and early vitrectomy increased the probability of achieving both anatomical and VA success.

Polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy (PCV): the 4-year review of the real-life treatment experiences.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this article was to study the real-life treatment results of polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy (PCV). DESIGN: This was a retrospective study. METHODS: Patients with presumed age-related macular degeneration were reviewed, and PCV diagnosis was made using the EVEREST study criteria. Outcomes were changes in visual acuity (VA) and central retinal thickness, time between treatments, follow-up time, and number of treatments. RESULTS: The prevalence of PCV was 30.8%. At the beginning, 195 eyes received monotherapy of anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF) injections, either bevacizumab or ranibizumab, and only six eyes received the combination of anti-VEGF injection and photodynamic therapy (PDT) at the time of the first treatment. During the follow-up, some patients received "rescue or add-on" PDT when they had a poor response after anti-VEGF injections. After 4 years, the average number of injections was 8.25 and 9.15 for the anti-VEGF monotherapy and the combination groups, respectively. The average time between the first anti-VEGF injections and the first PDT was 21.4 months. The average VA in the anti-VEGF monotherapy group increased by 1.5 letters, whereas it decreased by 0.95 letters in the combination group (P=0.48). CONCLUSION: The review demonstrated the same visual outcomes between the combination therapy of anti-VEGF injections and rescue or add-on PDT vs monotherapy anti-VEGF injections in PCV treatment. When compared with EVEREST II and Planet studies, the "initial" or "rescue or add-on PDT" might have different effects on the final visual outcomes.

Idiopathic polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy in Thai patients with clinical and angiographic choroidal neovascularization.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to study the prevalence and characteristics of idiopathic polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy (IPCV) in Thai patients with clinical and angiographic choroidal neovascularization (CNV). PATIENTS AND METHODS: A consecutive case study of 140 patients presenting with CNV was conducted in nine large referral eye centers throughout Thailand. The demographic data, fundus photographs, fundus fluorescein angiography and indocyanine green angiography of the patients were analyzed. RESULTS: Of 129 patients with clinical and angiographic CNV, IPCV was diagnosed in 100 patients (77.52%), idiopathic CNVs in 16 patients (12.40%) and age-related macular degeneration (AMD) in 12 patients (9.30%). Of the 107 eyes with IPCV, 90 eyes (84.11%) had both branching venous networks (BVNs) and polypoidal lesions. Most IPCV patients (93%) had unilateral involvement and were at a younger age than AMD patients. In all, 79 eyes (73.83%) had lesions found in the macular area, 14 eyes (13.08%) in the temporal to vascular arcades, ten eyes (9.35%) in the peripapillary area and four eyes (3.74%) in both macular and peripapillary areas. The clinical manifestations of IPCV at presentation were categorized into two patterns. There were 95 eyes (88.79%) of a hemorrhagic pattern and 12 eyes (11.21%) of an exudative pattern. CONCLUSION: IPCV is the most common macular disease in Thai patients with CNV. Most IPCVs have both BVNs and polypoidal lesions located in the macular area and present with a hemorrhagic pattern.

The Impact of Vision Impairment (IVI) Questionnaire; Validation of the Thai-Version and the Implementation on Vision-Related Quality of Life in Thai Rural Community.

The objective of this study is to validate the Thai-version of the impact of vision impairment (IVI) questionnaire and to evaluate its impact on vision-related quality of life (VRQoL) in southern Thailand. The IVI questionnaire was translated into Thai according to WHO translation guidelines. In addition to the routine ophthalmological examinations, a Thai version of the IVI questionnaire was administered to all participants. A total of 120 patients with visual impairment who presented at Songklanagarind hospital, Songkhla province, were enrolled in the study; 30 had age-related macular degeneration (AMD), 30 had cataract, 30 had diabetic retinopathy, 30 had glaucoma, and 30 non-visually impaired individuals comprised the control group. Statistical analysis demonstrated the Thai-version IVI questionnaire is valid and reliable to evaluate the VRQoL of the Thai patients through three subscales: (i) mobility and independence, (ii) reading and accessing information, and (iii) emotional well-being. The results demonstrated high consistency in all subscales with Cronbach's alpha ranging from 0.787 to 0.849. Rasch analysis revealed the validity of the Thai-version IVI to assess VRQoL through all three subscales. Test-retest reliability was also high (intraclass correlation coefficient = 0.96). The composite score of the IVI was significantly higher in participants with visual impairment compared with healthy participants. Moreover, the subscale scores of reading and accessing information, and emotional well-being were highest in participants with AMD. While the subscale scores of mobility and independence were highest among those with either cataracts or diabetic retinopathy. The symptoms of the common vision impairment diseases are associated with an adverse impact on VRQoL in a clinic-based population as demonstrated in this study.

Incidence Rate and Risk Factors for Contralateral Eye Involvement among Patients with AIDS and Cytomegalovirus Retinitis Treated with Local Therapy.

PURPOSE: To calculate the incidence of, and to identify the risk factors for developing contralateral eye involvement among patients with AIDS and unilateral cytomegalovirus retinitis (CMV retinitis), who were treated, in the era of highly-active antiretroviral therapy (HAART), with repetitive intravitreal ganciclovir injections. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The clinical records of 119 patients were included. The main outcome measurement was the occurrence of contralateral eye involvement. RESULTS: Over a mean follow-up period of 1.6 years, the overall incidence rate of contralateral involvement was 0.17/person-year. The cumulative incidence of contralateral involvement at 6 months and 1 year was 23.8% and 28.4%, respectively. Receiving HAART at the visit before the event was associated with a decreased risk of developing contralateral retinitis (hazard ratio [HR] = 0.26, P = 0.002). CONCLUSIONS: The use of HAART, associated with subsequent immune recovery, significantly reduced the incidence of contralateral eye involvement by approximately 75% among patients in our setting.

Incidence Rate and Risk Factors for Contralateral Eye Involvement among Patients with AIDS and Cytomegalovirus Retinitis Treated with Local Therapy.

PURPOSE: To calculate the incidence of, and to identify the risk factors for developing contralateral eye involvement among patients with AIDS and unilateral cytomegalovirus retinitis (CMV retinitis), who were treated, in the era of highly-active antiretroviral therapy (HAART), with repetitive intravitreal ganciclovir injections. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The clinical records of 119 patients were included. The main outcome measurement was the occurrence of contralateral eye involvement. RESULTS: Over a mean follow-up period of 1.6 years, the overall incidence rate of contralateral involvement was 0.17/person-year. The cumulative incidence of contralateral involvement at 6 months and 1 year was 23.8% and 28.4%, respectively. Receiving HAART at the visit before the event was associated with a decreased risk of developing contralateral retinitis (hazard ratio [HR] = 0.26, P = 0.002). CONCLUSIONS: The use of HAART, associated with subsequent immune recovery, significantly reduced the incidence of contralateral eye involvement by approximately 75% among patients in our setting.

The normal choroidal thickness in southern Thailand.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the association between subfoveal choroidal thickness in healthy southern Thailand volunteers and age, axial length, and refractive error. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: This was a prospective cross-sectional case series. A total of 210 eyes of 105 healthy volunteers (86 women, age 23-83 years) in southern Thailand were examined with enhanced depth-imaging optical coherence tomography. Subjects with systemic diseases that may affect the choroidal vascular blood vessels, such as diabetes, impaired renal function, and hypertension, were excluded. Refractive error and axial length were measured by autorefractometry and an IOLMaster, respectively. Subfoveal choroidal thickness was measured from the outer border of the retinal pigment epithelium to the inner scleral border in the subfoveal area. RESULTS: The mean subfoveal choroidal thickness was 279.4±75.49 µm, and the mean age was 46.4±16.45 years. Subfoveal choroidal thickness was negatively correlated with age (r (2)=0.33, P<0.0001) and axial length (r (2)=0.02, P<0.02). Multivariable regression analysis showed subfoveal choroidal thickness was positively and negatively correlated with a spherical equivalent refractive error and axial length, respectively, when adjusted for age. CONCLUSION: Age is the most important factor in choroidal thickness rather than axial length and refractive error. Subfoval choroidal thickness was decreased 2.67 µm every year and 14.59 µm with 1 mm increase in axial length.

Photoreceptor disruption in central serous chorioretinopathy treated by half-dose photodynamic therapy.

BACKGROUND: To evaluate photoreceptor disruption in patients with central serous chorioretinopathy (CSC) treated by half-dose photodynamic therapy (PDT). METHODS: A total of 29 patients with symptomatic CSC were recruited and underwent half-dose verteporfin PDT covering the leakage sites as observed via fundus fluorescein angiography. The primary outcome was the percentage of patients with the presence of photoreceptor disruption, and the secondary outcome was the correlation between photoreceptor disruption and visual results at the 1-year follow-up. RESULTS: Photoreceptor disruption was identified in 13 eyes (44.8%) 12 months after treatment. Twenty-seven patients experienced best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) improvement after PDT, while two patients showed stable BCVA. The mean BCVA in patients with photoreceptor disruption at the baseline and every follow-up visit was significantly lower than that of patients without photoreceptor disruption. However, there was no correlation between the presence or absence of photoreceptor disruption and the improvement of visual acuity because the BCVA gain at the last follow-up visit between the two groups was not significant (P = 0.69). No potential ocular complication was encountered in the study. CONCLUSION: Photoreceptor disruption was found in about 45% of CSC patients treated by PDT, which ultimately resulted in poor visual outcomes. However, a half-dose PDT might not affect or modify the photoreceptor function because it gave the same pattern of visual recovery in patients with and without photoreceptor cell loss.

High-dose antioxidants for central serous chorioretinopathy; the randomized placebo-controlled study.

BACKGROUND: To determine the efficacy of high-dose antioxidants in the acute stage of central serous chorioretinopathy (CSC). METHODS: This was a randomized placebo-controlled study. The patients with acute CSC (onset within 6 weeks) were randomized to receive either high-dose antioxidant tablets (study group A) or placebo tablets (control group B) for 3 months or until the complete resolution of subretinal fluid. After 3 months, additional treatment with laser or photodynamic therapy (PDT) was considered if any fluorescein leakage persisted. The outcomes measured were the changes in visual acuity (VA) and central macular thickness (CMT), the number of patients with subretinal fluid at each follow-up time, the number of patients with fluorescein leakage at the end of the 3rd month and patients who received additional treatments. RESULTS: Fifty-one of 58 patients (88%) completed the follow-up criteria. The baseline demographic data were comparable in both groups. At the end of the 3rd month, the VA and CMT showed no statistical difference between the groups but the patients in group A has less fluorescein leakage and additional treatments than in group B (p = 0.027 and 0.03). CONCLUSION: The high-dose antioxidants for acute CSC did not show any benefits in VA and CMT. However, the drugs might decrease the chance for fluorescein leakage and additional treatments at the end of the 3rd month.

The one-year results of half-dose photodynamic therapy with verteporfin in chronic or recurrent central serous chorioretinopathy.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the one-year results of half-dose photodynamic therapy with verteporfin in chronic or recurrent central serous chorioretinopathy (CSC). MATERIAL AND METHOD: A Retrospective, consecutive case series. Twenty-seven eyes of 27 patients with chronic symptomatic CSC or recurrent CSC underwent photodynamic therapy (PDT) with half-dose (3 mg/m2) verteporfin. The demographic data such as age, side, gender spot sizes of laser photodynamic therapy (PDT) were recorded. The primary outcomes were the best correct visual acuity (BCVA), central foveal thickness using the optical coherence tomography (OCT) and complication were recorded as secondary outcome at baseline, month 1,3,6 and 12 post PDT RESULTS: At 12 months after half-dose PDT the mean logMAR BCVA improved from 0.32 to 0.18 (p = 0.001), the mean central foveal thickness decreased from 375.52 microm to 186.52 mirom (p < 0.001). The results also showed significant improvement of logMAR BCVA and decreased central foveal thickness after 1 month (0.32 to 0.22, p = 0.003 and 375.52 microm to 175.41 microm, p < 0.001) and maintained the results until one-year follow-up. Twenty-five eyes (92.59%) showed complete resolution of subretinal fluid at 1 month, 27 patients (100%) showed complete resolution at 3 month and all sustained the complete resolution until the last visit. No serious complications were recorded during and after the treatment. CONCLUSION: The half-dose PDT in area of fluorescein leakage is one of the effective treatment options for chronic or recurrent CSC, especially in patients who cannot be performed by focal laser photocoagulation. The treatment sustained the good visual results and has no serious complications up to one-year.

Validity of the Watzke-Allen test after a surgery for idiopathic full thickness macular hole.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the role and validity of the Watzke-Allen test in following up patients after surgeries for an idiopathic full-thickness macular hole (FTMH). DESIGN: A prospective interventional analytical study MATERIAL AND METHOD: Patients with idiopathic FTMH were consecutively recruited. A comparative analysis between preoperative and post operative visual acuity, macular hole status and Watzke-Allen slit beam test results was performed using a Chi-square test and a random intercept mixed model. RESULTS: Twenty-one patients with an average age of 65.90 +/- 6.05 years were included in the present study. Three months after surgery, macular holes were surgically closed in 13 eyes (61.9%) and still open in eight eyes (38.1%). An improvement in metamorphopsia, according to Watzke-Allen test results, was found in 61.53% of patients with closed holes and 87.5% of those with open holes. There was no statistically significant correlation between the Watzke-Allen test and the restorative status of a macular hole post surgery CONCLUSION: The Watzke-Allen test is a useful subjective assessment of visual function for diagnosis in patients with idiopathic FTMH. However the test is not beneficial in the post operative follow-up of patients.

Choroidal thickness, vascular hyperpermeability, and complement factor H in age-related macular degeneration and polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy.

PURPOSE: To investigate the relationship between subfoveal choroidal thickness, choroidal vascular hyperpermeability, and complement factor H (CFH) gene polymorphism in typical age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy (PCV). METHODS: Fifty-eight patients with typical AMD and 63 patients with PCV underwent fluorescein angiography, indocyanine green angiography (IA), and spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (OCT) using enhanced depth imaging (EDI). Subfoveal choroidal thickness was measured using EDI-OCT images, and choroidal hyperpermeability was evaluated using late-phase IA images. The major AMD-associated single-nucleotide polymorphisms were genotyped in 86 patients. RESULTS: Mean subfoveal choroidal thickness was significantly lower in eyes with typical AMD than that in eyes with PCV (P = 0.025). Subfoveal choroidal thickness was greater in eyes with choroidal hyperpermeability than that in eyes without it in typical AMD (P < 0.001) and PCV (P = 0.020), and in the fellow eyes of typical AMD (P < 0.001) and PCV (P = 0.027). In eyes without choroidal hyperpermeability, the mean subfoveal choroidal thickness was greater in PCV than that in typical AMD (P = 0.001). Choroidal thickness decreased after photodynamic therapy combined with intravitreal ranibizumab in typical AMD (P = 0.016) and PCV (P = 0.036). In eyes with PCV, the I62V polymorphism in the CFH gene contributed to choroidal thickness (P = 0.043). CONCLUSIONS: Choroidal thickness is related to the AMD subtypes, choroidal hyperpermeability, and I62V CFH gene polymorphism. In eyes without choroidal hyperpermeability, EDI-OCT is useful as an auxiliary measure for differentiating typical AMD and PCV.

Assessment of macular choroidal thickness by optical coherence tomography and angiographic changes in central serous chorioretinopathy.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the relationship between macular choroidal thickness measured by high-penetrating swept-source optical coherence tomography (SS-OCT) and angiographic findings in central serous chorioretinopathy (CSC). DESIGN: Prospective cross-sectional case series. PARTICIPANTS AND CONTROLS: Thirty-four patients with CSC (44 eyes) and 17 volunteer subjects (17 normal eyes). METHODS: All subjects underwent a comprehensive ophthalmologic and SS-OCT prototype examination. All patients with CSC also underwent simultaneous fluorescein angiography (FA) and indocyanine green angiography (IA). Mean regional choroidal thickness measurements on the Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study (ETDRS) layout and squared sector grids were obtained by 3-dimensional raster scanning using SS-OCT. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Macular choroidal thickness and angiographic abnormalities. RESULTS: Mean whole macular choroidal thickness in eyes with CSC (total, 329.3±83.0 µm; classic CSC, 326.9±83.1 µm; chronic CSC, 325.4±93.3 µm; and multifocal posterior pigment epitheliopathy, 359.0±15.5 µm) was greater than that in normal eyes (233.0±67.0 µm) (P < 0.001). In unilateral cases, mean whole macular choroidal thickness was greater in eyes with unilateral CSC than in unaffected fellow eyes (P=0.021). There was no significant difference in choroidal thickness between active eyes and resolved eyes in any of the ETDRS sectors. Mean choroidal thickness was greater in areas with leakage on FA than in areas without leakage (P=0.001). Mean choroidal thickness was greater in areas with choroidal vascular hyperpermeability and in areas with punctate hyperfluorescent spots on IA than in unaffected areas (P<0.001 for both). CONCLUSIONS: Increased choroidal thickness was observed in the whole macular area of eyes with any of the CSC subtypes. Choroidal thickness was related to leakage from the retinal pigment epithelium, choroidal vascular hyperpermeability, and punctate hyperfluorescent lesions. These findings provide evidence that CSC may be caused by focally increased hydrostatic pressure in the choroid.

Electrophysiologic changes after intravitreal ranibizumab injection for the treatment of choroidal neovascular membrane (CNVM).

PURPOSE: To determine the pattern of electroretinographic change after an intravitreal ranibizumab (Lucentis(®)) injection for the treatment of choroidal neovascular membrane (CNVM). PATIENTS AND METHODS: A prospective interventional case series of patients treated by intravitreal ranibizumab injection. Best corrected visual acuity, optical coherence tomography (OCT), and multifocal electroretinography (mfERG) were assessed prior to treatment, and 2 weeks, 1 and 3 months after treatment. Primary outcome was the functional change in amplitude and implicit time by mfERG and secondary outcome was the structural change in macular thickness by optical coherence tomography (OCT). RESULTS: Twenty-six eyes from 25 consecutive patients were enrolled. At 3 months after treatment, the mean visual acuity (VA) improved from 1.06 to 0.84 logMAR (P = 0.034) and the mean macular thickness decreased from 389.7 to 264.4 microns (P = 0.003). The mean implicit time of the central zone showed an improvement at 3 months after treatment when compared with the response at baseline (P = 0.024) and at 1 month (P = 0.013) but the mean amplitude showed no significant change. In subgroup analysis, the eyes with initial visual acuity (VA) ≥ 20/200 had a significant improvement in mean implicit time of the peripheral zone at 2 weeks after treatment (P = 0.028). The OCT revealed a significant decrease (P < 0.003) in macular thickness at 1 and 3 months postoperatively. CONCLUSION: The mean implicit time of the central zone improved significantly at 3 months after treatment, whereas the mean amplitude showed no significant change. The macular thickness decreased significantly after the treatment, while VA improved to a lesser extent.

Photodynamic therapy for AMD and non-AMD patients: two-year results in Thais.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the long-term effect of photodynamic therapy (PDT) with verteporfin for age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and non-AMD in Thailand and to compare with the Treatment of Age-Related Macular Degeneration with Photodynamic Therapy (TAP) and Verteporfin in Photodynamic Therapy (VIP) study. MATERIAL AND METHOD: The data of patients who received PDT between July 2003 and December 2004 and had completed two-year follow-up were prospectively reviewed. Treated eyes were classified into two main groups, the AMD (group 1) and non-AMD (group 2) groups. The AMD group was further divided into three subgroups, group 1A, AMD with subfoveal choroidal neovascularization (CNV) and TAP/VIP compatible if they followed the recommendation guidelines characteristics, group 1B, AMD with subfoveal CNV and TAP/VIP incompatible, and group 1C, AMD with non-subfoveal CNV. The main outcomes were visual acuity change, number of treatments and the comparison with the first year results. RESULTS: Of 56 eyes, 46 eyes (82.14%) had completed 24-month follow-up. Thirty-four eyes had CNV-related AMD and 12 eyes were non-AMD. At the 24-month follow-up, mean visual acuity change in group 1A, 1B, 1C were increased 0.25 (p = 0.13), 0.05 (p = 0.52), and 0.28 (p = 0.003), respectively. The total number of treatments in the first and second year was 1.8 and 0.1 in group 1A, 2.3 and 0.1 in group 1B, 1.5 and 0.25 in group 1C. CONCLUSION: PDT was effective in Thai patients for the two-year follow-up even if they were not compatible with TAP/VIP criteria. The treatment demonstrated stabilization or less visual loss in long-term results.