Effect of silicone oil versus gas tamponade on macular layer microstructure after pars plana vitrectomy for macula on rhegmatogenous retinal detachment.

PURPOSE: To analyze structural changes in the macular retinal layers and sub-foveal choroidal thickness (SFCT) in eyes after macula-on rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD) repair by pars plana vitrectomy with either silicone oil (SO) or gas tamponade, and the effect of these changes on visual acuity. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Retrospective study which included 26 eyes in the SO Group and 32 in the Gas Group. Optical coherence tomography (OCT) scans of the affected eyes were obtained before surgery, and 3 months after PPV in the Gas Group, and during silicone oil in situ and 3 months after SO removal, in the SO Group. Qualitative assessment of photoreceptor layer and foveal contour, along with quantitative assessment of macular retinal thickness and SFCT was performed. Postoperative OCT macular microstructural changes were recorded and correlated to corrected distance visual acuity (CDVA). Intraocular pressure (IOP) was measured preoperative and at 3 months post operative. RESULTS: There was a 2-line loss (from 20/28 preoperatively to 20/40 at final follow-up) of CDVA in the SO Group (p=0.051), while there was no statistically significant change in CDVA in the Gas Group (p=0.786). There was no significant correlation between CDVA loss and duration of silicon tamponade (r=-0.031, p=0.893). There was a statistically significant increase in IOP from its baseline to final follow-up of 0.7 mmHg in the SO Group (p=0.023) while there was no statistically significant change in IOP in the Gas Group. During silicone oil tamponade, there was approximately 11% and 5% of retinal and sub-foveal choroidal thinning respectively, which was moderately resolved following silicone oil removal. 20% (5/24) of eyes in the SO Group had qualitative flattening of foveal contour during SO tamponade that resolved after SO removal. CONCLUSION: Thinning of the macula was noticed after macula-on RRD repair with SO tamponade. Such thinning was only partially reversible after the removal of SO.

Cone dystrophy associated with autoimmune polyglandular syndrome type 1.

To report the association of autoimmune polyglandular syndrome type 1 (APS1) with cone dystrophy in a large Saudi family. This is a Retrospective chart review and prospective genetic testing and ophthalmic examination of a large multiplex consanguineous family. Genetic testing was performed on 14 family members, seven of whom had detailed ophthalmic examinations. Medical history, ocular history and evaluation, visual field testing, full-field electroretinogram (ERG), and Whole Exome Sequencing (WES) results were analyzed. Three family members were homozygous for c.205_208dupCAGG;p.(Asp70Alafs*148) in AIRE and homozygous for c.481-1G>A in PDE6C. One additional family member was homozygous for only the AIRE variant and another additional family member was homozygous for only the PDE6C variant. All patients with homozygosity for the PDE6C variant had cone dystrophy, and all patients with homozygosity for the AIRE variant had APS1. In addition, two of the family members who were homozygous for the PDE6C and AIRE variants had reduced rod function on ERG. We report the co-inheritance for APS1 and PDE6C-related cone dystrophy, an unusual example of two seemingly independent recessive conditions coinciding within a family. Dual molecular diagnosis must be taken into account by ophthalmologists facing unusual constellations of findings, especially in consanguineous families.

LEPREL1 -RELATED GIANT RETINAL TEAR DETACHMENTS MIMIC THE PHENOTYPE OF OCULAR STICKLER SYNDROME.

PURPOSE: To describe the features of retinal detachments and high myopia in patients with novel pathogenic variants in LEPREL1 and report a possible association with nephropathy. METHODS: Retrospective study of 10 children with biallelic LEPREL1 pathogenic variants. Data included ophthalmic features, surgical interventions, and genetic and laboratory findings. RESULTS: 10 patients (8 females) from three families with homozygous (2) or compound heterozygous (1) variants in LEPREL1 were included. At presentation, mean age was 9.9 ± 2.6 years. Mean axial length was 28.9 ± 1.9 mm and mean refraction was -13.9 ± 2.8 diopters. Bilateral posterior subcapsular cataracts were present in eight patients (80%), with lens subluxation in five eyes of three patients (30%). Rhegmatogenous retinal detachments (RRD), associated with giant retinal tears (GRT), developed in seven eyes of five patients (50%) at a mean age of 14.14 ± 5.9 years. Six were successfully reattached with mean Snellen best-corrected visual acuity improving from 20/120 preoperatively to 20/60 at last follow-up. Urinalysis in nine patients revealed microhematuria and/or mild proteinuria in six patients (67%). CONCLUSION: LEPREL1 -related high myopia confers a high risk of early-onset GRT-related RRD. The ocular phenotype may be confused with that of ocular Stickler syndrome if genetic testing is not performed. Further investigations into a potential association with renal dysfunction are warranted.

Unilateral Retinitis Pigmentosa Associated with Possible Ciliopathy and a Novel Mutation.

Unilateral retinitis pigmentosa (URP) is a rare retinal dystrophy. We describe the clinical course of two patients with (URP) unilateral retinitis pigmentosa confirmed by genetic testing, indicating ciliary dysfunction. Methods: The methods used in this study included a detailed ophthalmic examination, multimodal retinal imaging, Goldmann visual fields, full-field electroretinography (ffERG) and targeted next-generation sequencing. Results: A 32-year-old female (patient 1) and 65-year-old male (patient 2) were found to have URP. ffERG showed a non-recordable response in the affected eye and a response within normal limits in the fellow eye of patient 1, while patient 2 showed non-recordable responses in the apparently unaffected eye and a profound reduction in the photopic and scotopic responses in the affected eye. Next-generation sequencing revealed novel compound heterozygous c.373 C>T (p.Arg125Trp) and c.730-22_730-19dup variants in AGBL5 in patient 1, and a novel hemizygous c.1286 C>T (p.Pro429Leu) in patient 2; both gene mutations were 0%. Segregation analysis was not possible for either of the mutations. Conclusion: This report expands the clinical and molecular genetic spectrum of URP.

Intermediate Uveitis in Retinitis Pigmentosa Associated with a Novel Homozygous Splice Site Mutation in PRPF8.

The manifestation of intermediate uveitis (IU) in patients with retinitis pigmentosa (RP) is uncommon and poses diagnostic and management challenges. In this case, we describe the clinical features and management outcomes in an RP patient with a novel homozygous splice site mutation in PRPF8. A 21-year-old male presented with unilateral decrease of vision in the right eye for 1 week. Retinal dystrophy features were present in the left eye. After 2 weeks of topical steroid therapy, near-total resolution of IU was achieved and vision improved to 20/30. Signs of (RP) were present bilaterally, with the right eye more affected than the left. Genetic testing indicated a novel homozygous c. 3061-6_3061-3del mutation in the PRPF8 gene. IU in young patients with RP can be effectively treated with a short course of topical steroids, sparing the need for systemic immunosuppressives. After the improvement in IU, the right eye showed more advanced RP changes.

Comparison of Posterior Hyaloid Assessment Using Preoperative Optical Coherence Tomography and Intraoperative Triamcinolone Acetonide Staining During Vitrectomy.

PURPOSE: To compare the specificity of diagnosing posterior vitreous detachment (PVD) using preoperative optical coherence tomography (OCT) versus intraoperative triamcinolone acetonide (TA) staining in patients undergoing vitrectomy. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This retrospective cohort study included patients undergoing pars plana vitrectomy for diverse retinal pathologies. Intraoperatively, surgeons evaluated the posterior hyaloid status with TA staining and compared it with preoperative OCT findings. RESULTS: One hundred six patients underwent intraoperative assessments of posterior hyaloid status, with 72% (76/106) of the eyes showing positive staining. Sixty-two patients had also undergone preoperative OCT. Of the patients diagnosed with PVD on preoperative OCT, 50% (15/30) showed positive TA staining intraoperatively. The sensitivity of preoperative OCT assessment was 83.3%, and its specificity was 65.9%. CONCLUSION: Preoperative OCT imaging is associated with lower sensitivity and specificity for diagnosing PVD when compared to intraoperative TA staining.

Surgical Management of Hemorrhagic Retinal Detachment Secondary to Peripheral Exudative Hemorrhagic Chorioretinopathy.

The purpose of the study is to report a case of peripheral exudative hemorrhagic chorioretinopathy (PEHCR), managed surgically with favorable visual outcome. A 66-year-old female presented with painless visual loss due to dense vitreous and subretinal hemorrhage extending from the far periphery to the macula. Pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) with subretinal tissue plasminogen activator (TPA) injection was performed resulting in good anatomical and visual outcome. PEHCR can present with severe visual loss. Surgical management with PPV and subretinal TPA injection might result in favorable anatomical and visual outcome.

Recognizable Patterns of Submacular Fibrosis in Enhanced S-Cone Syndrome.

PURPOSE: To highlight recognizable patterns of subretinal fibrosis in enhanced S-cone syndrome (ESCS). DESIGN: Retrospective case series. PARTICIPANTS: Forty-seven patients with subretinal fibrosis identified from 101 patients with clinically diagnosed ESCS, confirmed by full-field electroretinography (35/47), genetic testing (34/47), or both. METHODS: Multimodal retinal imaging, electroretinography, and genetic analysis. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Patterns of subretinal fibrosis with angiographic, OCT, and genetic correlations. RESULTS: Eighty-five eyes of 47 patients (24 male patients; 36 unrelated consanguineous families) had subretinal fibrosis. Mean age at presentation was 14 years. Best-corrected visual acuity ranged from 20/20 to hand movements. All 34 genetically tested patients were homozygous for pathogenic NR2E3 variants. Subretinal fibrosis was always in the macular area, although it extended beyond in some patients. Six recurrent patterns of submacular fibrosis were noted: central unifocal nodular, circumferential unifocal nodular, multifocal nodular, arcuate, helicoid, and thick geographic. Some patients showed a combination of patterns. Previous misdiagnosis as inflammatory disease was common. Fibrosis was fairly symmetrical in a given patient but not always present or identical in other affected individuals with a given homozygous mutation from the same or other families. CONCLUSIONS: These recognizable patterns of submacular fibrosis are part of the ESCS phenotypic spectrum and strongly suggest the disease. In addition to facilitating diagnosis, recognition of these patterns can spare patients unnecessary workup for an inflammatory cause.

Clinical spectrum, genetic associations and management outcomes of Coats-like exudative retinal vasculopathy in autosomal recessive retinitis pigmentosa.

Background: Coats-like retinal vasculopathy in retinitis pigmentosa (RP) is rare. This study describes its clinical spectrum, management outcomes and genetic associations in patients with autosomal recessive RP (arRP).Materials and methods: Retrospective review of ophthalmic, multimodal imaging, genetic findings and treatment outcomes of arRP patients who developed Coats-like features. Identification of patients included searching a retinal dystrophy registry of 798 patients.Results: Ten eyes of six patients with arRP (4 males, 2 females, mean age 33 years) demonstrated Coats-like features, namely inferotemporal peripheral retinal telangiectasis combined with unilateral inferotemporal vasoproliferative tumor (VPT) in 4 eyes. Exudative retinal detachment (ERD) developed in five eyes of which four had VPT. Ablation of the vasculopathy using retinal laser photocoagulation and/or cryotherapy in eight eyes, allowed ERD and/or lipid exudation to decrease in seven eyes despite incomplete vasculopathy regression. Additional intravitreal triamcinolone acetonide injection in one eye failed to regress the ERD and associated VPT. Observation in one eye caused increased exudation. Six mutations, including three novel mutations, were found in CRB1, CNGB1, RPGR, and TULP1.Conclusions: Coats-like features in arRP range from retinal telangiectasis to VPTs with extensive ERD and occur predominantly in the inferotemporal retinal periphery. In addition to their classic association with CRB1 mutations, other genes are implicated. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report describing CNGB1 mutations in Coats-like RP. Awareness of the vasculopathy spectrum is important, and timely ablation of the vasculopathy with long-term monitoring is recommended to prevent additional visual loss in RP patients.

Comparison of short-pulse subthreshold (532 nm) and infrared micropulse (810 nm) macular laser for diabetic macular edema.

The purpose of the study was to assess both anatomic and functional outcomes between short-pulse continuous wavelength and infrared micropulse lasers in the treatment of DME. This was a prospective interventional study from tertiary care eye hospital-King Khaled Eye Specialist Hospital (Riyadh, Saudi Arabia). Patients with center-involving diabetic macular edema were treated with subthreshold laser therapy. Patients in the micropulse group were treated with the 810-nm diode micropulse scanning laser TxCell (IRIDEX Corporation, Mountain View, CA, USA) (subthreshold micropulse-STMP group). Laser was applied according to recommendations for MicroPulse (125 microns spot size, 300 ms pulse duration and power adjustment following barely visible testing burn) in a confluent mode (low intensity/high density) to the entire area of the macular edema. Patients in the short-pulse group were treated with grid pattern laser with 20 ms pulse PASCAL laser 532 nm (TopCon Medical Laser Systems, Tokyo, Japan) with EndPoint algorithm, which was either 30% or 50% of testing burn (EndPoint 30% and EndPoint 50% groups, respectively). Main outcome measures included best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA in logMAR) and foveal thickness at baseline and the last follow-up visit at 6 months. There were 44 eyes in the micropulse group, 54 eyes in the EndPoint 50% group and 18 eyes in the EndPoint 30% group. BCVA for the whole cohort (logMAR) was 0.451 (Snellen equivalent 20/56) at baseline, 0.495 (Snellen equivalent 20/62) (p = 0.053) at 3 months, and 0.494 (Snellen equivalent 20/62) at the last follow-up (p = 0.052). Foveal thickness for the whole cohort was 378.2 ± 51.7 microns at baseline, 347.2 ± 61.3 microns (p = 0.002) at 3 months, and 346.0 ± 24.6 microns at the final follow-up (p = 0.027). As such the short-pulse system yields more temporary reduction in edema. Comparison of BCVA between baseline and 6 months for EndPoint 30%, EndPoint 50% and STMP groups was p = 0.88, p = 0.76 and p = 0.003, respectively. Comparison of foveal thickness between baseline and 6 months for EndPoint 30%, EndPoint 50% and STMP groups was p = 0.38, p = 0.22 and p = 0.14, respectively. We conclude that the infrared micropulse system seems to improve functional outcomes. When applied according to previously published reports, short-pulse system may yield more temporary reduction in edema while infrared micropulse system may yield slightly better functional outcomes.

Association of the Recurrent Rare Variant c.415T>C p.Phe139Leu in CLN5 With a Recessively Inherited Macular Dystrophy.

Importance: Homozygous variants in the neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis type 5 (CLN5) gene are associated with neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis, a progressive neurologic disorder that leads to ataxia, seizures, and early death. The association between a homozygous variant in this gene and a macular dystrophy is described here. Objective: To describe an autosomal recessive macular dystrophy associated with a recurrent variant in CLN5. Design, Setting, and Participants: This cohort study took place at a national referral center and had a follow-up duration ranging between 1 and 5 years. All patients who were identified to carry a specific homozygous missense variant in CLN5, among more than 2000 patients who were diagnosed with or suspected to have retinal dystrophies, who did not carry this variant, were included. Data were collected between June 2014 and September 2020. Exposures: All patients who were sampled for DNA analysis due to molecularly unconfirmed retinal dystrophy and who were subsequently identified to carry the homozygous missense variant c.415T>C (p.Phe139Leu) in CLN5 were included, while patients who did not carry the variant were excluded. Main Outcomes and Measures: Retinal phenotype associated with this specific homozygous missense variant in CLN5. Results: Seven affected patients (mean [SD] age, 43 [18] years; age range, 33-52 years; 5 male) carried the homozygous missense in CLN5. All patients were diagnosed as having a macular dystrophy. Four patients had mild electroretinographic alterations. All patients had hypoautofluorescent maculas with retinal thinning (central subfield thickness, 80 µm). Visual acuity ranged between 2/200 and 20/100. Neurologic symptoms were mild (dizziness) in 5 patients and absent in 2 patients. Neuroimaging demonstrated cerebellar atrophy and white matter lesions, respectively, in 2 patients. Conclusions and Relevance: These results suggest that CLN5, similar to CLN7, may be associated with isolated macular dystrophy as well as neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis. The variant c.415T>C p.Phe139Leu does not seem to be associated with any prominent neurologic disease at least until the fourth to sixth decades of life. These findings may imply a specific role of CLN5 in macular neurons. Additional study is suggested, such as molecular screening for this variant in cohorts of patients with undiagnosed macular dystrophies and biological studies of its molecular effects.

Electrophysiological Evaluation of Fleck Retina and Temporal Macular Thinning in X-Linked Alport's Syndrome.

We report a 39-year-old with Alport's syndrome. The patient presented with anterior lenticonus, cataract, and a corrected distance visual acuity of 20/25 and 20/60 in the right and left eyes, respectively. Fundus examination revealed generalized retinal flecks sparing the fovea in both eyes. Optical coherence topography showed temporal macular thinning. Normal fundus autofluorescence was observed in both eyes. Full-field electroretinography (ERG) demonstrated normal photopic and scotopic responses, while multifocal ERG showed no reduction of amplitudes generated from the temporal thinned macula, compared to the nasal macula, indicating preserved functional integrity of the retina.

Manifestation of Panuveitis after Intraocular Surgery in a Child with Blau Syndrome.

Blau syndrome (BS) is a rare granulomatous disease with autosomal dominant inheritance. It is characterized by a triad of dermatitis, arthritis, and recurrent uveitis. This case presents the onset of panuveitis in BS after intraocular surgery. A 10-year-old boy presented to the outpatient clinic with retinal detachment in the left eye after 6 years following early-onset cataract surgery. Bilateral panuveitis occurred 3 weeks after surgical repair and resulted in a total visual loss in the left eye and was persistent to conventional treatment in the right eye. Genetic testing revealed a mutation in NOD2 gene. The addition of adalimumab to the treatment regimen resulted in long-term uveitis control and maintenance of 20/70 vision in the right eye. We propose that NOD2-mediated inflammatory cascade can be activated by intraocular surgery and results in the manifestation of BS.

Evolution of macular hole in enhanced S-cone syndrome.

PURPOSE: To describe the stages of development and natural course of a full-thickness macular hole (FTMH) in a patient with enhanced S-cone syndrome (ESCS). METHODS: This study reported the serial ophthalmologic examinations and macular spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) imaging over a period of 6 years in a 29-year-old man with ESCS confirmed by electroretinography (ERG) and NR2E3 molecular genetic analysis. RESULTS: At presentation, patient had night blindness and visual acuity (VA) of 20/300 in the right eye (OD) and 20/100 in the left eye (OS). Examination showed bilateral retinal midperipheral pigmentary deposits and a macular schisis in OD. Electroretinography and NR2E3 genetic analysis confirmed ESCS. A year later, a lamellar MH (LMH) appeared at the fovea in OD. SD-OCT confirmed it as inner retinal layer LMH with outer retinal preservation and displayed, on the temporal side of the LMH, prominent splitting between the inner and outer retinal layers. At 2 years, a focal defect in the ellipsoid zone appeared on SD-OCT, followed by split in the outer retinal layer creating a progressively expanding outer LMH. The latter had rolled edges which then fused with the inner LMH margins creating a single full-thickness FTMH. Over the next 4 years, enlargement of the FTMH with increased adjacent retinal splitting continued. No visible vitreous abnormalities or vitreoretinal traction forces were identified at any stage during follow-up. VA OD remained unchanged. CONCLUSION: This case illustrates that the clinical evolution of FTMH in ESCS may be progressive and likely involves degeneration and intraretinal, rather than vitreoretinal, traction. This should be kept in mind when considering surgical intervention in these cases.

Incidence and Natural History of Retinochoroidal Neovascularization in Enhanced S-Cone Syndrome.

OBJECTIVE: We examined the incidence and natural history of macular retinochoroidal neovascularization (RCN) in enhanced S-cone syndrome (ESCS). DESIGN: Retrospective case series. METHODS: This single-center study included 14 of 93 patients with ESCS who had signs of active or inactive RCN in ≥1 eye. We conducted multimodal retinal imaging, full-field electroretinography, and molecular genetic analysis of NR2E3 gene. Our main outcome measures included the cumulative incidence of RCN in ESCS, type of RCN, and mode of evolution of RCN. RESULTS: Fourteen (15.1%) of 93 patients with ESCS had RCN in ≥1 eye at 2 to 27 years of age. All 22 RCNs (21 eyes of 14 patients) were macular. Twelve of the RCNs were active with exudates/hemorrhages. Of these, 5 appeared de novo in a subretinal location, with photographic evidence of no pre-existing lesions. The latter were compatible with type 3 neovascularization or retinal angiomatous proliferation and subsequently evolved into unifocal fibrotic nodules. The remaining active lesions all had some degree of pre-existing fibrosis and remained stable. Ten inactive fibrotic nodules, identical to end-stage de novo lesions, were found and were presumed to represent healed RCNs. CONCLUSIONS: RCN, a treatable condition, may occur as early as 2 years of age and may be much more common in patients with ESCS than previously estimated. It may be the primary cause of the unifocal submacular fibrosis that is commonly observed in this condition. Additional research is needed to establish the pathogenesis of RCN in patients with ESCS and its optimal management.

Congenital stationary night blindness: an update and review of the disease spectrum in Saudi Arabia.

Congenital stationary night blindness (CSNB) is a group of rare, mainly stationary disorders of the retina, resulting from dysfunction of several specific and essential visual processing mechanisms. The inheritance is often recessive and as such, CSNB may be more common among populations with a high degree of consanguinity. Here, we present a topic update and a review of the clinical and molecular genetic spectrum of CSNB in Saudi Arabia. Since a major review article on CSNB in 2015, which described 17 genes underlying CSNB, an additional four genes have been incriminated in autosomal recessive CSNB: RIMS2, GNB3, GUCY2D and ABCA4. These have been associated with syndromic cone-rod synaptic disease, ON bipolar cell dysfunction with reduced cone sensitivity, CSNB with dysfunction of the phototransduction (Riggs type) and CSNB with cone-rod dystrophy, respectively. In Saudi Arabia, a total of 24 patients with CSNB were identified, using a combination of literature search and retrospective study of previously unpublished cases. Recessive mutations in TRPM1 and CABP4 accounted for the majority of cases (5 and 13 for each gene, respectively). These genes were associated with complete (cCSNB) and incomplete (icCSNB), respectively, and were associated with high myopia in the former and hyperopia in the latter. Four novel mutations were identified. For the first time, we describe the fundus albipunctatus in two patients from Saudi Arabia, caused by recessive mutation in RDH5 and RPE65, where the former in addition featured findings compatible with cone dystrophy. No cases were identified with any dominantly inherited CSNB.

Severe retinitis pigmentosa phenotype associated with novel CNGB1 variants.

PURPOSE: To report a severe phenotype of retinitis pigmentosa associated with novel mutations in CNGB1. OBSERVATIONS: Six siblings, age range 50-75 years old, were examined using optical coherence tomography and fundus autofluorescene, electroretinogram testing, Goldman visual field testing, and genetic testing using next generation sequencing.In four affected siblings, two novel compound heterozygous variants in CNGB1 were detected: in exon 26 the missense variant c.2603G > A (p.(Gly868Asp)), and in exon 21, the in-frame 12-bp duplication c.2093_2104dupGCGACCTCATCT (p.(Cys698_lle701dup)). One sibling was unaffected and carried neither of the variants, while another sibling had mild macular degeneration changes and carried the latter variant in heterozygous status. The affected siblings presented with a phenotype showing markedly constricted visual field, flat scotopic and photopic electroretinogram responses and generalized retinal atrophy. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPORTANCE: This is the first report of a 12bp in-frame duplication and a missense variant (in compound heterozygous status) in CNGB1, being associated with a severe form of retinitis pigmentosa featuring extensive peripheral and central retinal degeneration. This study expands the molecular genetic basis of CNGB1-related disease.

Minimally interface vitrectomy for rhegmatogenous retinal detachment with a single break in young patients.

PURPOSE: This study evaluates a new surgical technique consisting of minimal vitreous removal under air (minimal interface vitrectomy; MIV) to reduce postoperative complications while preserving the ability to address surgical factors at the retinal break. METHODS: This retrospective analysis examined the outcomes of minimal interface vitrectomies in consecutive cases, with a minimum 12-month follow-up period, of primary rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD), recurrent RRD after pars plana vitrectomy (PPV), or failed surgery after primary scleral buckling surgery (SBS). RESULTS: Twelve eyes of 12 patients with RRD underwent MIV. The total surgical duration was 190-300 s (mean, 245.25 s). Eight (66.7%) eyes were treated with cryotherapy, and 4 (33.3%) with endolaser to seal the retinal break. Successful, complete retinal reattachment was achieved in all eyes and maintained during follow-up. No intra- or postoperative complications occurred and no patients developed inflammation or cataract during follow-up. CONCLUSION AND IMPORTANCE: We effectively removed traction and subretinal fluid and treated breaks with endolaser or cryotherapy by using a novel minimal interface vitrectomy technique in this selected population.

Long-term resolution of chronic macular edema after a single dose of intravitreal dexamethasone in familial retinal arterial macroaneurysm.

PURPOSE: To report a favorable effect of intravitreal dexamethasone implantation in Familial Retinal Arterial Macroaneurysms (FRAM). METHODS: Retrospective Case Report. RESULTS: A 32-year-old male who presented with bilateral retinal macroaneurysms. Whole Exome Sequencing (WES) revealed a homozygous c.830-1 G > A mutation in Insulin Growth Factor Binding Protein 7 (IGFBP7) gene, confirming the diagnosis FRAM. The left eye was lost in the course of the disease, whereas the right eye developed a persistent macular edema due to multiple leaking retinal arterial macroaneurysms and responded poorly to intravitreal ranibizumab and only partially to intravitreal aflibercept. Intravitreal dexamethasone implantation in the right eye, on the other hand, resulted in marked visual and structural improvement. CONCLUSION: Intravitreal dexamethasone injections have beneficial anatomical and visual outcomes in FRAM patients with persistent macular edema poorly responsive to intravitreal injections.