Treatment of neovascular age-related macular degeneration within 48 h from diagnosis improves long-term functional outcome.

PURPOSE: To evaluate long-term visual and anatomical outcomes in neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD) patients treated with anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) agents depending on the time delay from confirmed diagnosis to treatment initiation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Seventy-three nAMD patients (73 eyes) treated with anti-VEGF agents for 12 months using the pro re nata regimen were included in this retrospective longitudinal study. Patients were split into 3 groups according to the time from diagnosis to first anti-VEGF injection: < 48 h (group 1); 48 h-7 days (group 2); > 7 days (group 3). Decimal best-corrected visual acuity (VA) and macular thickness (MT) were recorded at baseline and 1-2-, 3-4-, 6- and 12-month later. Furthermore, age, gender as well as the applied treatment and number of injections after 12 months of treatment were also registered and compared. RESULTS: Long-term effect of the treatment demonstrated enhanced VA in group 1 patients compared with the rest of groups after 1-2-, 6-, and 12-month follow-up (P < 0.05). Positive effects of early treatment were additionally corroborated by the augmented percentage of patients with normal VA in the group 1 respect to the rest of groups over studied time points (P < 0.05). Moreover, the VA gain in nAMD at group 1 was obtained with a mean of 3.7 intravitreal injections over 1-year follow-up period. Regarding MT, non-significant difference was observed among groups. CONCLUSIONS: An early initial treatment with VEGF inhibitors is critical to achieve the best functional benefits of this therapy in new-onset nAMD patients.

Acute retinal necrosis: time to consider double dose of Foscarnet in the first 72 hours.

Purpose: To report a case of acute retinal necrosis (ARN) and to emphasize special aspects of the management. Factors that must be considered. Methods: We present the case of an 83-year-old woman examined for acute vision loss in her left eye (LE). Background: diabetes, pseudophakic in her LE; subluxated intraocular lens (IOL) and advanced pseudoexfoliative glaucoma in her right eye (RE). The visual acuity (VA) was hand movements in both eyes. Funduscopic examination revealed vitritis, temporal area of retinal necrosis with peripapillary choroiditis spots and macular haemorrhages in her LE and OCT showed a cystic macular edema. Results: A positive polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test for Varicella Zoster Virus (VZV) in aqueous humor of her LE was found. She underwent intravenous Acyclovir 10 mg per kg every 8 hours. She received two doses of adjunctive intravitreal Foscarnet (2.4 mg/ 0.1 mL) in the first 3 days of treatment (2 days between doses). After 3 days of treatment, she started with intravenous prednisone 60 mg per day. The VA of her LE was 0,8 and the retinal necrosis activity was stationary. In fundoscopic examination, vitritis and retinal hemorrhages have disappeared. At that moment there were no foci of chorioretinitis or macular edema although retinal ischemia persisted at the inferior nasal level. Conclusions: The role of adjunctive intravitreal antiviral therapy in combination with systemic treatment revealed promising results. Corticosteroids can be used topically and orally to decrease the severe inflammatory response associated with ARN. Early treatment is crucial to optimize visual and anatomic outcomes.

Retinal detachment in UGH Syndrome after cataract surgery.

Purpose: To report a case of retinal detachment (RD) in a UGH Syndrome after cataract surgery and to emphasize special aspects of the management, along with factors that must be considered. Methods: We present the case of a 56-year-old man who underwent cataract surgery with a capsulorhexis leak, but the implantation of the lens in the sac did not hinder. 8 months after surgery, he presented several episodes of hypertensive uveitis that produced a progression in the excavation of the optic nerve head from 3/10 to 9/10 despite the treatment with ocular hypotensive drugs. He went to the emergency department due to sudden loss of vision during which a complete hemovitreous with a zone of transillumination and atrophy of the temporal sector of the iris were observed. Echo-B showed inferior retinal detachment. The apposition of the intraocular lens over the temporal region of the iris was observed in anterior segment OCT. Scleral band pars plana vitrectomy surgery was performed. Results: Currently, the VA RE was 6/10 with controlled IOP without the need for treatment, the excavation was 9/10 and it preserved an island of inferior paracentral vision in the perimetry. Vitrectomy favored the posterior displacement of the lens, avoiding friction of the iris, thus eliminating outbreaks of hypertensive uveitis. Conclusions: It is important to be aware of the mechanisms of uveitis-glaucoma-hyphema (UGH) syndrome. It is necessary to identify postoperative signs to make a diagnosis as soon as possible. It is time to consider that UGH syndrome can be caused by any type of pseudophakic lens.