Neighborhood-Level Social Determinants of Health and Presenting Characteristics for Rhegmatogenous Retinal Detachments.

Importance: Functional outcomes after repair of rhegmatogenous retinal detachments (RRDs) are highly dependent on baseline visual acuity and foveal status. Adverse social determinants of health (SDOH) can present barriers to timely presentation for repair and limit vision outcomes. Objective: To evaluate the association between neighborhood-level SDOH with baseline severity (visual acuity and fovea status) of RRD. Design, Setting, and Participants: This was a retrospective cohort study that included adult patients 18 years and older who underwent primary repair of uncomplicated RRD at the Wilmer Eye Institute from January 2008 to December 2018. Study data were analyzed from December 2023 to April 2024. Exposures: The census block group of patient home addresses were matched to multiple neighborhood-level SDOH including the Area Deprivation Index (ADI), per capita income, percentage of renters, percentage of rent burden, percentage of people using a food assistance program, percentage of uninsured individuals, mode of transportation to work, distance to the nearest transit stop, total road density, National Walkability Index, Index of Medical Underservice score, and aggregate cost of medical care. Main Outcomes and Measures: Odds of presenting with vision worse than 20/40 or fovea-involving RRD using multivariable logistic regression adjusting for age, sex, race and ethnicity, and insurance. Results: A total of 700 patients (mean [SD] age, 57.9 [12.4] years; 432 male [61.7%]) were included. Every decile increase in ADI, indicating more socioeconomic disadvantage, was associated with an increased odds of presenting with worse visual acuity and fovea-involving RRD (odds ratio [OR], 1.14; 95% CI, 1.04-1.24; P = .004 and OR, 1.13; 95% CI, 1.04-1.22; P = .005, respectively). Each $1000 increase in per capita income was associated with lower odds of presenting with worse vision (OR, 0.99; 95% CI, 0.98-0.99; P = .001). Every 1% increase in percentage of workers who drove to work was associated with an increased odds of presenting with worse vision and fovea-involving RRD (OR, 1.02; 95% CI, 1.01-1.03; P = .005 and OR, 1.01; 95% CI, 1.00-1.03; P = .04, respectively). Conclusions and Relevance: Results of this cohort study suggest that patients with a residence in neighborhoods with more socioeconomic deprivation or a higher percentage of workers who drove to work were more likely to present with more severe RRD even after accounting for multiple individual-level characteristics. These findings support consideration of public policy changes to address the barriers faced by patients residing in certain neighborhoods who seek prompt surgical intervention for RRD to reduce health disparities in RRD outcomes.

Thickened Retinal Nerve Fiber Layer Without Hypermyelination in Autosomal Recessive Spastic Ataxia of Charlevoix-Saguenay.

Purpose: To report the retinal findings in a patient with autosomal recessive spastic ataxia of Charlevoix-Saguenay. Methods: A case was evaluated. Results: A 16-year-old male patient with a known diagnosis of autosomal recessive spastic ataxia of Charlevoix-Saguenay was referred for evaluation of retinal hypermyelination given its frequent association with the condition. The patient was asymptomatic with a best-corrected visual acuity of 20/20. Optical coherence tomography of the peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) showed bilateral thickening in each eye (average thicknesses: 180 µm, right eye; 177 µm, left eye). An examination showed no myelinization of the RNFL. Conclusions: Most studies to date describe RNFL thickening secondary to hypermyelination as a characteristic finding in autosomal recessive spastic ataxia of Charlevoix-Saguenay. This case provides evidence that this thickening may be a result of hypertrophy rather than hypermyelination. Further investigation is needed to define the pathophysiologic cause of RNFL thickening in autosomal recessive spastic ataxia of Charlevoix-Saguenay.

SURGICAL OUTCOMES OF RETINAL DETACHMENT ASSOCIATED WITH PROLIFERATIVE SICKLE CELL RETINOPATHY.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the long-term anatomic and visual outcomes in eyes with sickle cell retinopathy-related retinal detachments (RDs). METHODS: Patients who underwent surgery for sickle cell retinopathy-related RDs at the Wilmer Eye Institute or Wills Eye Hospital between 2008 and 2020 and followed for at least 6 months postoperatively were retrospectively reviewed. The primary outcome was the rate of single-surgery anatomic success and final reattachment. RESULTS: This study included 30 eyes from 28 patients (16 women and 12 men) with tractional RD (n = 13), rhegmatogenous RD (n = 1), and combined tractional RD/rhegmatogenous RD (n = 16). Mean age was 42.1 ± 15.1 years. The mean follow-up duration was 47.8 ± 34.1 months. Twenty-five (83.3%) eyes underwent pars plana vitrectomy and five (16.7%) eyes underwent pars plana vitrectomy with scleral buckling. Single-surgery anatomic success was achieved in 21 (70.0%) eyes at 6 months. Final reattachment was achieved in 28 (93.3%) eyes (22 eyes [73.3%] without tamponade). Recurrence of RDs was significantly associated with male gender (P = 0.041), absence of previous laser (P = 0.032), iatrogenic breaks (P = 0.035), retinectomy (P = 0.034), and silicone oil tamponade (P = 0.024). Overall, the logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution visual acuity improved from 1.53 ± 0.57 (Snellen equivalent, 20/678) to 1.15 ± 1.01 (20/283) at the final visit (P = 0.03); however, eyes with recurrent RD did not achieve significant visual improvement. CONCLUSION: Pars plana vitrectomy to repair sickle cell retinopathy-related RDs was effective in achieving anatomic success and improving vision in most eyes. Single-surgery anatomic success is critical for optimizing visual outcomes.

VISUAL OUTCOMES AFTER INTERNAL LIMITING MEMBRANE PEELING VERSUS FLAP IN THE CLOSURE OF FULL-THICKNESS MACULAR HOLES.

PURPOSE: To examine postoperative outcomes of internal limiting membrane peeling (ILMP) versus flap (ILMF) in the closure of full-thickness macular holes. METHODS: Retrospective chart review of patients who underwent pars plana vitrectomy and gas tamponade with ILMP or ILMF to close full-thickness macular hole at the Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist from January 2012 to October 2022 with at least 3 months follow-up. Main outcome measures were type 1 primary full-thickness macular hole closure and postoperative best-corrected visual acuity in mean logMAR. RESULTS: One hundred thirty and 30 eyes underwent ILMP and ILMF, respectively. There were no significant differences in baseline characteristics between the groups. Ninety-six percent of ILMP eyes and 90% of ILMF eyes achieved primary hole closure ( P = 0.29). Among all eyes with primary hole closure, best-corrected visual acuity at 1 year was not different between the groups, but when stratified by lens status, it was superior in the ILMP versus ILMF group in pseudophakic eyes: the estimated least-squares mean best-corrected visual acuity (Snellen equivalent) (95% confidence interval) was 0.42 (20/50) (0.34, 0.49) in the ILMP group and 0.71 (20/100) (0.50, 0.92) in the ILMF group. CONCLUSION: Internal limiting membrane peeling and ILMF techniques yielded similarly high full-thickness macular hole closure rates. In pseudophakic eyes with primary hole closure, ILMF eyes had worse best-corrected visual acuity at 1 year.

Charity Care in Ophthalmology, 2024.

PURPOSE: To review changes in the provision of charity eye care in the past 50 years with hypothesized resulting effects on surgical training and patient outcomes. DESIGN: Perspective. METHODS: Case report, comparison of experience in community and training program settings, and selected literature review. RESULTS: The population to which charity care applies has shrunk as broader insurance coverage has been legislated, but in 2023 remains at approximately 7.3% of the US population. In areas with ophthalmology training programs, house staff supervised by faculty provide most of the charity care. In areas without training programs, a shrinking pool of willing private practitioners provides charity care. Because there is no organized financial support behind provision of charity, nonanecdotal data needed to assess the problem and guide decision making are lacking. CONCLUSIONS: Charity eye care in ophthalmology in 2024 is a patchwork of transient, local efforts that have a few common themes: absent material basis for sustainability, a narrowing base of support by clinicians, transfer of care to training programs, and financial vetting of applicants by nonclinicians. Unless universal health care legislation passes, which would eliminate the issue, suggestions for improvement include broader voluntary participation by private practice ophthalmologists in charity eye care, allocation of charity care spending by nonprofit hospitals to support this effort, and clinician-determined criteria for provision of charitable surgery supported by involved hospital systems.

Association of fractal dimension and other retinal vascular network parameters with cognitive performance and neuroimaging biomarkers: The Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis (MESA).

INTRODUCTION: Retinal vascular network changes may reflect the integrity of the cerebral microcirculation, and may be associated with cognitive impairment. METHODS: Associations of retinal vascular measures with cognitive function and MRI biomarkers were examined amongst Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis (MESA) participants in North Carolina who had gradable retinal photographs at Exams 2 (2002 to 2004, n = 313) and 5 (2010 to 2012, n = 306), and detailed cognitive testing and MRI at Exam 6 (2016 to 2018). RESULTS: After adjustment for covariates and multiple comparisons, greater arteriolar fractal dimension (FD) at Exam 2 was associated with less isotropic free water of gray matter regions (ß = -0.0005, SE = 0.0024, p = 0.01) at Exam 6, while greater arteriolar FD at Exam 5 was associated with greater gray matter cortical volume (in mm3 , ß = 5458, SE = 20.17, p = 0.04) at Exam 6. CONCLUSION: Greater arteriolar FD, reflecting greater complexity of the branching pattern of the retinal arteries, is associated with MRI biomarkers indicative of less neuroinflammation and neurodegeneration.

Bilateral Optic Nerve Sheath Meningoceles in an Asymptomatic Patient.

This case report discusses a diagnosis of bilateral optic nerve sheath meningoceles in a man aged 82 years with stable visual acuity and asymptomatic bilateral choroidal folds.

Risk Factors Associated with Cystoid Macular Edema among Patients Undergoing Primary Repair of Rhegmatogenous Retinal Detachment.

PURPOSE: To investigate predictors of the development and resolution of cystoid macular edema (CME) after rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD) repair. DESIGN: Retrospective cross sectional study. SUBJECTS: Patients who underwent primary repair of uncomplicated RRD. METHODS: Demographics, ophthalmic history, visual acuity, RRD features, time to development/resolution of CME, OCT characteristics of CME/epiretinal membrane (ERM), type of surgery, and treatments were collected. Logistic regressions were used to identify predictors of CME development and resolution. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Predictors of CME development and resolution. RESULTS: A total of 708 eyes were included, of which 55 (7.8%) developed CME. Factors associated with an increased risk of CME development included total number of retinal detachment surgeries (odds ratio [OR] 1.66 [1.24-2.23], P < 0.001), prior intraocular surgery (OR 4.43 [1.19-16.51], P = 0.03), and presence of ERM after surgery (OR 4.49 [2.30-8.74], P < 0.001). Patients undergoing pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) were more likely to develop CME compared with patients undergoing scleral buckling (SB; OR 3.09 [1.18-8.10], P = 0.02). A longer average time to CME detection was associated with lower CME resolution (OR 0.94 [0.89-0.998], P = 0.04). In patients who developed an ERM postsurgically, those who developed CME after ERM had a lower rate of resolution compared with those who developed CME before ERM (P = 0.03). CONCLUSIONS: Cystoid macular edema may be more likely to develop in patients undergoing PPV than SB, those who underwent more surgeries for RRD repair, those who had prior intraocular surgery, or those who developed an ERM after RRD repair. Resolution of CME may be affected by the time to detection of CME and ERM development. FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE(S): Proprietary or commercial disclosure may be found in the Footnotes and Disclosures at the end of this article.

Management of uncomplicated rhegmatogenous retinal detachments: a comparison of practice patterns and clinical outcomes in a real-world setting.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate practice patterns and clinical outcomes in the repair of uncomplicated rhegmatogenous retinal detachments (RRD) in a real-world setting over a 10-year period. METHODS: We compared preferences for scleral buckling (SB), pars plana vitrectomy (PPV), PPV/SB, or pneumatic retinopexy (PR) over time, and examined the 1-year single surgery anatomic success (SSAS) and best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) at a tertiary academic institution from 2008-2018. RESULTS: Eight hundred eight eyes had RRD repair between 2008-2011 (n = 240), 2012-2014 (n = 271), and 2015-2017 (n = 297). Compared to 2008-2011, PPV was preferred over SB in 2012-2014 (OR: 2.93; 95% CI: 1.86-4.63) and 2015-2017 (OR: 5.94; 95% CI: 3.76-9.38), and over PPV/SB in 2012-2014 (OR: 2.74; 95% CI: 1.65-4.56) and 2015-2017 (OR: 3.16; 95% CI: 31.96-5.12). PR was uncommonly utilized (<10%). Younger surgeons (graduating 2010-2017) favored PPV over SB when compared to older surgeons [graduating 1984-2000 (OR: 1.77; 95% CI: 1.18-2.65) and 2001-2009 (OR 1.73; 95% CI: 1.14-2.65)], but similarly selected PPV vs. PPV/SB as their older counterparts (p > 0.05). Compared to PPV, SSAS was higher with SB (OR: 1.53; 95% CI: 1.03-2.26) and PPV/SB (OR: 2.55; 95% CI: 1.56-4.17). One-year BCVA was markedly improved compared to baseline only for eyes that achieved SSAS (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Over the past 10 years, PPV has become the favored approach to repair uncomplicated RRD and this appears to be driven by younger surgeons' preferences. Given the superior long-term SSAS in SB and PPV/SB as compared to PPV, SB and PPV/SB should be more frequently considered when determining the appropriate repair strategy for uncomplicated RRD.

Socioeconomic disadvantage and impact on visual outcomes in patients with viral retinitis and retinal detachment.

While socioeconomic disparities impact clinical care and patient outcomes, their impact on the anatomic and visual outcomes of retinal detachment in patients with viral retinitis is unstudied. This case series included 18 eyes in 18 patients from a single academic institution between January 1, 2008 and December 31, 2018. Patient characteristics including age, sex, race, ethnicity, insurance, immunosuppression, viral retinitis, retinal detachment, retinal detachment repair, visual and anatomic outcomes, missed appointments, and Area Deprivation Index [ADI] were collected. The low-ADI group, indicating less socioeconomic disadvantage, was comprised of twelve patients with national ADIs less than 38, and the high-ADI group of six patients with national ADIs greater than 38. High-ADI patients tended to be younger (average age 38.0 versus 51.3; P = 0.06), of female sex (P = 0.03), and had more missed appointments (median 11.0 vs 0; P = 0.002). A similar number of patients in both the high-ADI and low-ADI groups underwent pars plana vitrectomy alone or pars plana vitrectomy with scleral buckle. Visual acuity was similar in the high-ADI group than in the low-ADI group at baseline, but worse at the final follow-up visit (P = 0.004). Post-operative and final visit ocular hypotony were more common in the high-ADI group (P = 0.02). In our series, socioeconomic disadvantage negatively affects the visual outcomes in patients with viral retinitis associated-retinal detachments. These factors should be considered by ophthalmologists when treating these patients.

Longitudinal Optical Coherence Tomography Angiography Findings in Malignant Hypertension Choroidopathy: A Case Report.

This report presented the longitudinal optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) findings in a patient with malignant hypertension choroidopathy. An 87-year-old woman presented with acute unilateral central vision loss in the setting of hypertensive emergency. Spectral domain optical coherence tomography showed massive serous macular detachment. OCTA revealed extensive flow loss in the neuroretina and choriocapillaris. With blood pressure (BP) normalization and without any ocular intervention, visual acuity recovered on subsequent visits. Flow loss in the neuroretinal capillaries persisted, but significant improvement in the perfusion of the choriocapillaris was observed. This case demonstrates extensive choriocapillaris flow loss in the acute phase of malignant hypertension, and a temporal relationship between BP normalization, improvement of choriocapillaris perfusion, and decrease of subretinal fluid, providing additional insight into the pathophysiology of this life- and sight-threatening systemic condition.

Vitrectomy versus Vitrectomy with Scleral Buckling in the Treatment of Giant Retinal Tear Related Retinal Detachments: An International Multicenter Study.

PURPOSE: To determine the practice pattern for treating giant retinal tear (GRT) related detachments, and their anatomic and visual outcomes with pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) with or without scleral buckling (SB). DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study. SUBJECTS: Eyes with GRT detachments repaired from 2008 to 2020 with at least 6 months of follow-up from 7 institutions in North and South America, Europe, and Asia. METHODS: Eyes repaired using PPV versus PPV/SB were compared. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Anatomic and functional outcomes. RESULTS: A comparable number of eyes underwent PPV (n = 101) and PPV/SB (n = 99). Except for history of developmental abnormalities, prior intraocular surgery, and lens status, no differences in baseline demographics, ocular characteristics, or intraoperative surgical adjuncts were observed. The overall single surgery anatomic success (SSAS) at 6 months and 1 year were similar between the groups (82.2% and 77.2% of PPV, and 87.9% and 85.7% of PPV/SB). When stratified by age, the 1-year SSAS rate was higher for PPV/SB (88.5%) than PPV (56.3%) (P = 0.03) for children <18 years. For both children and adults, the mean best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) at baseline did not differ between the PPV and PPV/SB groups. However, for children, mean BCVA at 1 year was better in the PPV/SB than PPV groups (P = 0.001) while for adults, no difference was found between the 2 groups. The mean time to the first redetachment was 7.9 months in the PPV group and 5.5 months in the PPV/SB group (P = 0.8). Proliferative vitreoretinopathy was the most common cause for redetachment (70.4% of PPV and 93.8% of PPV/SB in redetached eyes; P = 0.1). Postoperative complications were also similar between the 2 groups, including ocular hypertension, epiretinal membrane, and cataract formation. CONCLUSIONS: PPV and PPV/SB are equally popular among surgeons globally for managing GRT detachments and have comparable anatomic and visual outcomes in adults. In children, PPV/SB is superior to PPV for anatomic and functional success at 1 year. In adults, the relief of traction by the GRT may reduce peripheral traction and obviate the need for an SB. However, in children, a supplemental SB can be beneficial as complete vitreous shaving and posterior hyaloid detachment, and postoperative positioning, are difficult in this group.

EVALUATION OF MACULAR FLOW VOIDS ON OPTICAL COHERENCE TOMOGRAPHY ANGIOGRAPHY AS POTENTIAL BIOMARKERS FOR SILENT CEREBRAL INFARCTION IN SICKLE CELL DISEASE.

PURPOSE: To determine the relationship between macular microvascular abnormalities on optical coherence tomography angiography and silent cerebral infarctions (SCIs) on cerebral magnetic resonance imaging in sickle cell disease. METHODS: Patients (age <18 years old) from our previous pediatric sickle cell disease study cohort who had prior optical coherence tomography angiography and brain magnetic resonance imaging were identified. Brain magnetic resonance imaging images were compared with macular optical coherence tomography angiography scans to identify macular vascular density differences between patients with SCI and without SCI. RESULTS: Sixty-eight eyes from 34 patients who underwent optical coherence tomography angiography were evaluated, of whom 28 eyes from 14 patients met the inclusion criteria for this study. Eight patients (57%) with SCI and 6 patients (43%) without SCI were identified. The mean age (17 years in SCI and 16.3 years in non-SCI) was comparable between groups. There was no statistically significant difference in systemic complications. Deep capillary plexus vessel density was lower in the temporal quadrant in patients with SCI (49.3% vs. 53.7%, P = 0.014). CONCLUSION: Patients with SCI were found to have lower vessel density in the deep capillary plexus compared with those without SCI. This finding suggests that deep capillary plexus vessel density may have utility as an imaging biomarker to predict the presence of SCI.

Purtscher-like retinopathy in a patient with COVID-19 and disseminated intravascular coagulation.

PURPOSE: To describe a unique case of Purtscher-like retinopathy after a severe, complicated COVID-19 course which included development of disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC). OBSERVATIONS: A 58-year-old male developed blurry vision in the left eye one week after being discharged from the hospital for severe COVID-19 pneumonia and DIC. He had been intubated and ventilated for 5 days. Fundus examination revealed optic nerve hyperemia in the right eye, optic nerve pallor in the left eye, arteriolar attenuation, multiple cotton wool spots and ill-defined areas of retinal whitening in the posterior pole in both eyes. His exam findings were most consistent with Purtscher-like retinopathy in both eyes. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPORTANCE: While several cases of central retinal artery and vein occlusion have been described in COVID-19 patients thus far, there has not been any reported cases of Purtscher-like retinopathy. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first case of Purtscher-like retinopathy in a patient who developed DIC during a severe COVID-19 infection.

Repair of progressive retinal detachment complicating degenerative retinoschisis: surgical management and outcomes in phakic eyes.

BACKGROUND: Degenerative retinoschisis is a common condition defined by the splitting of the neurosensory retina that may rarely be associated with progressive retinal detachment (RD). Here, we aim to describe the anatomic and functional outcomes of surgical treatment of progressive symptomatic retinal detachment complicating degenerative retinoschisis (PSRDCR) using pars plana vitrectomy (PPV), scleral buckle (SB), or combined PPV/SB procedure. METHODS: A retrospective chart review of patients with PSRDCR between Jan 1, 2008 and Dec 31, 2019 was conducted. Data regarding demographics, surgical approach, and anatomic/functional outcomes were collected. RESULTS: Of the 4973 charts with RD repair during the study period, 36 eyes (0.7%) had retinoschisis with RD. 18 eyes met inclusion criteria (0.4%). The median age was 54 years (range 18-74) and all eyes were phakic. All eyes had outer layer breaks (OLBs) and 16 eyes (89%) had identifiable inner layer breaks. All OLBs were posterior to the equator in charts where position was recorded (16 eyes). The single surgery anatomic success (SSAS) and final anatomical success rates were 66% (12/18) and 100%, respectively. Eyes treated with PPV/SB had an SSAS rate of 75% (9/12), while PPV and SB had SSAS rates of 66% (2/3) and 33% (1/3), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: PSRDCR is an exceedingly rare complication of degenerative retinoschisis associated with an SSAS rate lower than for uncomplicated rhegmatogenous RD. The majority of PSRDCR were repaired via combined PPV/SB in our study, and the rarity of this complication limits statistical support of an optimal surgical method in our and prior studies. The role of SB combined with PPV for PSRDCR requires further investigation.

Choriocapillaris flow loss in center-involving retinitis pigmentosa: a quantitative optical coherence tomography angiography study using a novel classification system.

PURPOSE: Choriocapillaris insufficiency may play a role in centripetal retinitis pigmentosa (RP) progression involving the fovea. However, the relationship between choriocapillaris integrity and foveal damage in RP is unclear. We examined the relationship between choriocapillaris flow and the presence of foveal photoreceptor involvement in RP. METHODS: We categorized the severity of central involvement in RP by the occurrence of foveal ellipsoid zone (EZ) disruption: present (severe RP) or absent (mild RP). Using optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA, AngioVue, Optovue) in cases and unaffected age-matched controls, we compared vessel density (VD) between the groups using the generalized linear mixed model, controlling for age, gender, and scan quality. RESULTS: Fifty-seven eyes (20 severe RP, 18 mild RP, and 19 controls) were included. Foveal and parafoveal mean outer retinal thickness (µm) were lower in severe RP (fovea: 101.3 ± 14.5; parafovea: 68.4 ± 11.7) than controls (fovea: 161.2 ± 8.9; parafovea: 142.1 ± 11.8; p ≤ 0.001) and mild RP (fovea: 162.0 ± 14.7; parafovea: 116.8 ± 29.4; p ≤ 0.0001). Foveal choriocapillaris VD (%) was lower in severe RP (56.7 ± 6.8) than controls (69.9 ± 4.6; p = 0.008) and mild RP (65.3 ± 5.3; p = 0.01). The parafoveal choriocapillaris VD was lower in severe RP than controls (64.4 ± 5.9 vs. 68.3 ± 4.1; p = 0.04) but no different than in mild RP (p = 0.4). CONCLUSION: Choriocapillaris flow loss was associated with fovea-involving photoreceptor damage in RP. Further research is warranted to validate this putative association and clarify causation. Choriocapillaris imaging using OCTA may provide information to supplement structural OCT findings when evaluating subjects with RP in neuroprotective or regenerative clinical trials.

Association of Acute Macular Neuroretinopathy or Paracentral Acute Middle Maculopathy with Sickle Cell Disease.

PURPOSE: To investigate the structural and microvascular changes in the retina and choriocapillaris in patients with sickle cell disease (SCD) demonstrating acute vision loss and acute macular neuroretinopathy (AMN) or paracentral acute middle maculopathy (PAMM) using multimodal imaging including OCT and OCT angiography (OCTA). DESIGN: Retrospective case series. PARTICIPANTS: Four hemoglobin SS (HbSS) or hemoglobin SC (HbSC) patients who demonstrated vision loss attributed to AMN (n = 2) or PAMM (n = 2). METHODS: Clinical characteristics including best-corrected visual acuity and multimodal imaging features from fundus photography, fluorescein angiography, OCT, and OCTA were analyzed. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Longitudinal changes in the structure and microvasculature of the retina and choriocapillaris were examined. RESULTS: In 2 patients with AMN, characteristic hyperreflective changes were observed in the outer nuclear layer with involvement of the ellipsoid and interdigitation zones. In 1 patient, the lesion was located in the foveal avascular zone, and only flow deficits in the choriocapillaris were noted. In the second patient, no flow loss was observed in the superficial capillary plexus (SCP) corresponding to the lesion, but flow loss was seen in the deep capillary plexus (DCP) and choriocapillaris. At the respective 1-year and 4-month follow-up examinations, the hyperreflectivities improved with no ensuing retinal atrophy. Deep capillary plexus and choriocapillaris flow also improved. Of the 2 patients with PAMM, 1 had PAMM in association with branch retinal arteriolar occlusions. In both patients, a hyperreflective band involving the inner plexiform, inner nuclear, and outer plexiform layers was seen in or adjacent to areas of prior macular thinning. These areas corresponded to flow deficits in both the SCP and DCP. At the respective 1-month and 1-year follow-up examinations, the hyperreflective band improved with ensuing atrophy of the middle retinal layers. OCT angiography demonstrated worsening of flow deficits in the corresponding SCP and DCP. CONCLUSIONS: To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of AMN and the largest case series of AMN or PAMM in SCD to date. Paracentral acute middle maculopathy may precede macular thinning commonly observed in SCD. OCT angiography is a useful tool to demonstrate associated microvascular changes in AMN and PAMM in SCD.

An Evaluation of the Microvasculature of Macular Nodules in Coats Disease Using Optical Coherence Tomography Angiography: A Report of 3 Cases.

Purpose: This work aimed to examine the microvasculature of macular fibrosis in Coats disease. Methods: Three boys (aged 3, 4, and 6 years) with Coats disease (stages 2B to 3A2) and macular fibrotic nodules were imaged using optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) on the Spectralis spectral-domain OCT tabletop and investigational portable Spectralis Flex module (version 6.9, Heidelberg Engineering). Results: In 2 eyes, a neovascular complex was observed in the avascular slab on OCTA. This neovascular complex had vessels connected to diving vessels from the superficial vascular complex that traveled through the deep vascular complex to the avascular complex. In the third eye, no neovascular complex was observed on OCTA at presentation, but on subsequent examinations fluorescein leakage was observed and cross-sectional OCTA further confirmed the presence of angiographic flow in the nodule. Conclusions: OCTA demonstrates the presence of type 3 neovascularization in fibrotic nodules in Coats disease.

Treatment of Bilateral Endogenous Aspergillus Endophthalmitis with Multiple Intravitreal Voriconazole Injections with Good Visual Outcome.

Endogenous endophthalmitis caused by Aspergillus species tends to be very aggressive, often leading to devastating visual outcomes. Historically, intravitreal amphotericin injections have played a central role in management, but with variable visual outcomes and a risk of toxicity. Limited reports suggest that use of intravitreal voriconazole is a safe and efficacious alternative, though these cases were treated with only few intravitreal injections. Here, we report a case of bilateral endogenous Aspergillus endophthalmitis treated with 8 intravitreal voriconazole injections in the right eye and 11 in the left eye with good best-corrected final visual outcome (20/50 right eye and 20/40 left eye).

BILATERAL INTRAVITREAL 0.19-MG FLUOCINOLONE ACETONIDE IMPLANT FOR PERSISTENT NONDIABETIC CYSTOID MACULAR EDEMA AFTER VITRECTOMY.

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE: Iluvien (Alimera Science, Alpharetta, GA) is an injectable, nonbiodegradable, sustained-release 0.19-mg fluocinolone acetonide intravitreal implant. Although currently approved by the Food and Drug Administration only for diabetic macular edema previously treated with a course of corticosteroids without a clinically significant intraocular pressure response, the 0.19-mg fluocinolone acetonide implant could theoretically be used to treat other noninfectious inflammatory conditions including persistent cystoid macular edema because of nondiabetic etiologies. METHODS: Interventional case report. A 79-year-old man had persistent cystoid macular edema after pars plana vitrectomy in both eyes that was refractory to topical treatments and intravitreal anti-vascular endothelial growth factor. His cystoid macular edema was responsive to preservative-free intravitreal triamcinolone acetonide after which he developed noninfectious endophthalmitis or pseudoendophthalmitis in both eyes precluding further intravitreal triamcinolone acetonide injections. He was subsequently treated with bilateral intravitreal 0.19-mg fluocinolone acetonide implants. RESULTS: At the most recent post-treatment follow-up (11 months for the right eye and 13 months for the left eye), the patient demonstrated an improvement in visual acuity, 20/126 to 20/50 in the right eye and 20/80 to 20/40 in the left eye, and in central subfield thickness, 592 µm to 288 µm in the right eye and 565 µm to 287 µm in the left eye, without intraocular pressure elevation. CONCLUSION: The intravitreal 0.19-mg fluocinolone acetonide implant is an effective and potentially safe off-label therapeutic option for persistent nondiabetic cystoid macular edema after vitrectomy.