An artificial intelligence system for the whole process from diagnosis to treatment suggestion of ischemic retinal diseases.

Ischemic retinal diseases (IRDs) are a series of common blinding diseases that depend on accurate fundus fluorescein angiography (FFA) image interpretation for diagnosis and treatment. An artificial intelligence system (Ai-Doctor) was developed to interpret FFA images. Ai-Doctor performed well in image phase identification (area under the curve [AUC], 0.991-0.999, range), diabetic retinopathy (DR) and branch retinal vein occlusion (BRVO) diagnosis (AUC, 0.979-0.992), and non-perfusion area segmentation (Dice similarity coefficient [DSC], 89.7%-90.1%) and quantification. The segmentation model was expanded to unencountered IRDs (central RVO and retinal vasculitis), with DSCs of 89.2% and 83.6%, respectively. A clinically applicable ischemia index (CAII) was proposed to evaluate ischemic degree; patients with CAII values exceeding 0.17 in BRVO and 0.08 in DR may be associated with increased possibility for laser therapy. Ai-Doctor is expected to achieve accurate FFA image interpretation for IRDs, potentially reducing the reliance on retinal specialists.

Distribution of leakage index using ultra-widefield fluorescein angiography in patients with non-ischemic branch retinal vein occlusion and its association with macular edema.

BACKGROUND: To investigate the distribution of leakage index in patients with non-ischemic branch retinal vein occlusion (BRVO) and its correlation with the severity of macular edema. METHODS: Retrospective observational study. Forty-five eyes of 45 patients with BRVO were included. Late ultra-widefield fluorescein angiography images of the affected eyes were processed and analyzed for their leakage index using Fiji software. The visible panretinal area was further divided into the peri­macular area (PMA), near-peripheral area (NPA), midperipheral area (MPA), and far-peripheral area (FPA). The relationship between the leakage index and central retinal thickness (CMT) was analyzed for the panretina and each subregion. RESULTS: The median (interquartile range) leakage indexes of the panretina, PMA, NPA, MPA, and FPA were 5.532% (7.667%), 23.127% (26.073%), 8.303% (16.807%), 1.588% (6.204%), and 0.408% (2.215%), respectively, with a mean CMT of 552.800 ± 183.335 µm. The CMT was positively correlated with the leakage index in the panretina, PMA, NPA, MPA and FPA (r = 0.468, 0.426, 0.463, 0.447, 0.320, respectively; all p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The leakage index in non-ischemic BRVO patients is associated with macular edema severity. The leakage index has the potential to be a useful indicator for monitoring and guiding treatment of macular edema in BRVO patients.

Retinal Vascular Occlusion and Underlying Generalized Vascular Diseases. / Retinale Gefäßverschlüsse als Ausdruck eines generalisierten Gefäßleidens.

Retinal vascular occlusion not only threatens vision loss but is also associated with other systemic risk factors and vascular diseases. Interdisciplinary cooperation is of great importance in these patients. The risk factors hardly differ between arterial and venous retinal occlusions, which is due to the special anatomy of retinal vessels. Major underlying conditions associated with retinal vascular occlusion include arterial hypertension, diabetes mellitus, dyslipidemia, cardiac disease, particularly atrial fibrillation, or vasculitis of large- and middle-sized arteries. Every new diagnosed retinal vascular occlusion should therefore be taken as an occasion to search for risk factors and possibly adjust an already existing therapy in order to prevent further vascular events.

Update on Retinal Vein Occlusion.

Retinal vein occlusion represents the second leading cause of retinal vascular disorders, with a uniform sex distribution worldwide. A thorough evaluation of cardiovascular risk factors is required to correct possible comorbidities. The diagnosis and management of retinal vein occlusion have changed tremendously in the last 30 years, but the assessment of retinal ischemia at baseline and during follow-up examinations remains crucial. New imaging techniques have shed light on the pathophysiology of the disease and laser treatment, once the only therapeutic option, is now only one of the possible approaches with antivascular endothelial growth factors and steroid injections being preferred in most cases. Nowadays long-term outcomes are better than those achievable 20 years ago and yet, many new therapeutic options are under development, including new intravitreal drugs and gene therapy. Despite this, some cases still develop sight-threatening complications deserving a more aggressive (sometimes surgical) approach. The purpose of this comprehensive review is to reappraise some old but still valid concepts and to integrate them with new research and clinical data. The work will provide an overview of the disease's pathophysiology, natural history, and clinical features along with a detailed discussion on the advantages of multimodal imaging and of the different treatment strategies with the aim of providing retina specialists with the most updated knowledge in the field.

Trombosis venosa de retina. Auditoría de un programa de atención especializada / Retinal vein occlusion. Audit of a specialized care program

Background and objectives Retinal vein occlusion (RVO) is the second most frequent cause of retinal vascular disease and is related to classic cardiovascular risk factors. A specific program was designed to detect and treat risk factors in patients with RVO. The aim of this study is to audit the results of this program. Patients and methods The program consisted of a multidisciplinary clinical evaluation by the Ophthalmology and Internal Medicine Departments. All patients with RVO were screened, at minimum, for hypertension, diabetes, dyslipidemia, smoking, overweight, and antiphospholipid syndrome. New risk factors or poor control of known risk factors were expected to be found in at least one-third of the patients. Among them, therapeutic measures were expected to be taken in at least two-thirds. A dissociated automated search of the data of all patients who entered the program between April 2021 and April 2022 was performed. Results Fifty-six patients were included for analysis. Of these, 39 (69.6%) had at least one new or poorly controlled risk factor and 43 (76.8%) had their treatment modified in some way. Antiphospholipid syndrome was detected in five (8.9%). Only one patient had low-risk hereditary thrombophilia. After an exhaustive examination, no risk factors were found in 11 patients. Conclusion This specific program has been effective in detecting new or poorly controlled risk factors and improving their treatment (AU)

Antecedentes y objetivo La trombosis venosa de retina (TVR) es la segunda causa más frecuente de enfermedad vascular de la retina y se relaciona con factores de riesgo cardiovascular clásicos. Se diseñó un programa específico para detección y tratamiento de factores de riesgo en pacientes con TVR. El objetivo de este estudio es auditar los resultados de dicho programa. Pacientes y métodos El programa consistió en una evaluación clínica multidisciplinar por parte de Oftalmología y Medicina Interna. A todos los pacientes con TVR se les realizó cribado, al menos, de hipertensión arterial, diabetes, dislipidemia, tabaquismo, sobrepeso y síndrome antifosfolípido. Se esperó encontrar nuevos factores de riesgo o pobre control de los ya conocidos en, al menos, un tercio de los pacientes. Entre ellos, se esperó tomar alguna medida terapéutica en, al menos, dos tercios. Se llevó a cabo una búsqueda automatizada disociada de los datos de todos los pacientes que entraron en el programa entre abril de 2021 y abril de 2022. Resultados Cincuenta y seis pacientes se incluyeron para el análisis. De ellos, 39 (69,6%) tenían al menos un factor de riesgo nuevo o mal controlado, y 43 (76,8%) vieron modificado en algún modo su tratamiento. Se detectó síndrome antifosfolípido en 5 (8,9%). Solo un paciente tenía una trombofilia hereditaria de bajo riesgo. Tras un examen exhaustivo no se encontró factor de riesgo alguno en 11 pacientes. Conclusión Este programa específico ha sido efectivo para detectar factores de riesgo nuevos o mal controlados y mejorar su tratamiento (AU)

Neovascular Glaucoma: An Update.

Neovascular glaucoma (NVG) is a severe type of secondary glaucoma with devastating complications and generally poor visual prognosis. NVG is defined by the development of pathological neovessels over the iris and the iridocorneal angle that can block the outflow of aqueous humor, causing elevation of intraocular pressure (IOP). The pathogenesis of NVG is, in most cases, associated with ischemia of the posterior segment, which is most frequently associated with proliferative diabetic retinopathy or central retinal vein occlusion. The advanced stages of NVG are by iris and angle neovascularization, angle, and extremely high IOP, accompanied by ocular pain and poor vision. The therapeutic approach of NVG is based on the reduction of retinal ischemia by panretinal photocoagulation. Intravitreal anti-VEGF administration can contribute to the regression of neovascularization, and topical and systemic medications may be necessary for IOP control. However, if medical treatment with these agents is not enough, surgical procedures may be required to lower IOP and prevent glaucomatous optic neuropathy. Early and prompt diagnosis, with identification of the underlying etiology, can improve IOP control and final visual outcome. The aim of this study is to review current knowledge of the pathogenesis and management of NVG.

Ranibizumab intravítreo para el tratamiento de oclusiones vasculares retinianas: análisis mediante tomografía de coherencia óptica / Intravitreal Ranibizumab for the Treatment of Retinal Vascular Occlusions: Analysis Using Optical Coherence Tomography

Introducción: El uso del medicamento ranibizumab intravítreo favorece la reducción del edema macular generador de las oclusiones vasculares retinianas causantes de la pérdida visual. Objetivo: Evaluar la eficacia y seguridad de la administración intravítreo de ranibizumab en el cambio de espesor macular central en las oclusiones vasculares retinianas analizado mediante tomografía de coherencia óptica. Material y métodos: Se desarrolló un estudio de tipo retrospectivo, analítico, correlacional y observacional de campo con diseño no experimental en 125 pacientes mayores de 30 años con oclusión vascular retiniana diagnosticados en la consulta de oftalmología del Hospital "Teodoro Maldonado Carbó" durante enero de 2017 a junio de 2018. La técnica ANOVA compara las medias para determinar mediante el proceso de contraste de hipótesis si existen diferencias estadísticamente significativas entre estas. Resultados: El análisis de la agudeza visual con escala logMAR demostró diferencias estadísticamente significativas entre los promedios obtenidos 3 meses antes y después de la aplicación del tratamiento (p=0,0001). Se encontró 28,8 por ciento de efectos adversos. Con frecuencia en aumento de presión intraocular (4 por ciento), sequedad ocular (16 por ciento) y hemorragia conjuntival (11,2 por ciento). Conclusiones: El ranibizumab en oclusiones vasculares retinianas proporciona una mejor agudeza visual corregida en relación con el grosor macular, favorece el desarrollo de nuevos vasos sanguíneos a partir de vasos preexistentes desde migración de células endoteliales(AU)

Introduction: The use of the intravitreal ranibizumab favors the reduction of the macular edema that generates retinal vascular occlusions that cause visual loss. Objective: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of the intravitreal administration of ranibizumab in the change in central macular thickness in retinal vascular occlusions analyzed by optical coherence tomography. Material and methods: A retrospective, analytical, correlational and observational field study with a non-experimental design was carried out on 125 patients over 30 years of age diagnosed with retinal vascular occlusion in the Ophthalmology Service of "Teodoro Maldonado Carbó" Hospital during the period between January 2017 and June 2018. The ANOVA technique was used to compare means in order to determine, through the hypothesis contrast process, if there are statistically significant differences between them. Results: Visual acuity analysis using the logMAR scale showed statistically significant differences between the averages obtained 3 months before and after the application of the treatment (p =0.0001). In addition, 28,8 percent of adverse effects were found. The most frequent ones included increased intraocular pressure (4 percent), dry eyes (16 percent), and conjunctival hemorrhage (11,2 percent). Conclusions: In retinal vascular occlusions, Ranibizumab provides a better corrected visual acuity in relation to macular thickness, favors the development of new blood vessels from pre-existing vessels from endothelial cell migration(AU)

Medición de la congestión venosa empleando la ecografía: protocolo VExUS / Measurement of venous congestion using ultrasound: the vexus protocol

Acute Heart Failure (AHF) is a clinical syndrome characterized by the appearance or worsening of cardinal symptoms derived from venous congestion,which carries a high morbidity and mortality burden. Unfortunately, in current clinical practice, common markers such as patient’s history, physicalexamination, and complementary tests are not sensitive enough for reliableassessment of volume status. In recent years, the use of Point-of-Care Ultrasound (POCUS) has been consolidated as a useful tool to detect the presenceand degree of venous congestion, providing a substantial improvement in thediagnosis and therapeutic management of these patients. In combination,pulmonary ultrasound, echocardiography and renal, suprahepatic and portalvenous flow patterns (VExUS protocol), we will be able better understand thevenous pathophysiology. This will allow us to identify the hemodynamic phenotype in patients with heart failure or to determine the target organ damagederived from heart failure (i.e., cardiorenal syndrome). All this would allowus to make an individualized adjustment of the treatment, as well as to serve as a prognostic marker of the evolution of the disease. (AU)

La Insuficiencia Cardíaca Aguda (ICA) es una entidad clínica caracterizadapor la aparición o empeoramiento de síntomatología cardinal derivada dela congestión venosa, relacionado con una alta morbi-mortalidad. En lapráctica clínica actual, los marcadores habituales como son la anamnesis,exploración física y pruebas complementarias, precisan del apoyo de otrastécnicas para valorar de forma fiable el estado congestivo de los pacientes.En los últimos años, se ha consolidado el uso de la Ecografía Point-of-Care(POCUS) como una herramienta útil para detectar la presencia y el grado decongestión venosa, aportando una mejora sustancial en el diagnóstico y enel manejo terapéutico de estos enfermos. Combinando la ecografía pulmonar, ecocardiografía y los patrones de flujo venoso renal, suprahepática yporta (protocolo VExUS), nos permite conocer mejor la fisiopatología de lacongestión venosay nos permitirá identificar el fenotipo hemodinámico enpacientes con insuficiencia cardíaca o determinar la lesión de órgano dianaderivada de la insuficiencia cardíaca. Todo ello nos puede permitir hacer unajuste individualizado del tratamiento, así como servir de marcador pronóstico de la evolución de la enfermedad. (AU)

Six Cases of Retinal Vascular Anomalies after Coronavirus Disease 2019: A Case Series.

BACKGROUND: The novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and its rapid spread has resulted in unexplored clinical ophthalmological manifestations. This report aims to describe a series of retinal vascular anomalies diagnosed with the use of fluorescein angiography, following contraction of COVID-19. HISTORY AND SIGNS: Symptoms reported by patients were central scotoma (one case), inferior scotoma (one case), and a sensation of mild loss of vision during the COVID-19 follow-up (four cases). Best-corrected visual acuity was preserved in all patients, apart from one, who had a visual acuity of 0.4, decimal scale (6/15, Snellen) in the left eye. THERAPY AND OUTCOME: Clinical manifestations included bilateral retinal vasculitis (two cases), branch retinal vein occlusion (one case), branch retinal artery occlusion (one case), hemi-central retinal vein occlusion (one case), and optic disc edema due to central retinal vein occlusion (one case) occurring 0 - 8 months after COVID-19 contraction. Serological testing was performed in every patient to exclude any other recognized cause of retinal vascular occlusion and inflammation and to confirm immunity against the novel coronavirus. None of the patients required any ocular treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Arterial and venous occlusive as well as inflammatory retinal vascular pathologies can occur both during and after the acute phase of COVID-19 as manifestations of ocular long-term effects of COVID-19 and should be included in the differential diagnosis of retinal occlusive pathologies. This case series suggests that careful investigations, including fundoscopy and fluorescein angiography, should be required in patients with visual complaints, both in the acute and long-term follow-up of COVID-19.

Central retinal thickness changes and risk of neovascular glaucoma after intravitreal bevacizumab injection in patients with central retinal vein occlusion.

This retrospective study evaluated changes in the central retinal thickness (CRT) and the risk factors for neovascular glaucoma (NVG) after intravitreal bevacizumab injection under a pro re nata (PRN) regimen for macular oedema in 57 eyes with central retinal vein occlusion (CRVO). The clinical characteristics at the time of NVG diagnosis were assessed, and baseline and final clinical characteristics and mean CRT values at 1-, 3-, and 6-month follow-up evaluations were recorded. The incidence of NVG was 21.1%, with the neovascular group (12 eyes) showing poor baseline and final visual acuity, a higher incidence of baseline ischaemic-type CRVO and subretinal fluid, a higher mean CRT at the 1-month follow-up, and a higher number of intravitreal bevacizumab injections during the 6-month follow-up. Nine eyes with NVG (75%) showed a mean CRT < 300 µm at the time of diagnosis. An ischaemic CRVO and higher CRT at the 1-month follow-up were related to the development of NVG in the multivariate analysis. Thus, NVG development in CRVO patients treated with intravitreal bevacizumab injections was associated with an ischaemic CRVO and elevated CRT at the 1-month follow-up; PRN bevacizumab regimens based on CRT or control of macular oedema did not completely prevent NVG development.

Combination intravitreal anti-vascular endothelial growth factor inhibitors and macular laser photocoagulation relative to intravitreal injection monotherapy in macular oedema secondary to retinal vein occlusion: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: This meta-analysis investigates the efficacy and safety of intravitreal anti-VEGF injections (IVI) compared to combination laser photocoagulation and IVI (LPC-IVI) in treating macular oedema secondary to retinal vein occlusion (RVO). SUBJECTS/METHODS: A literature search of MEDLINE, EMBASE and Cochrane CENTRAL was conducted from inception until March 2021. Randomized controlled trials that reported relevant efficacy and/or safety parameters following LPC-IVI relative to IVI were included. Meta-analysis was conducted with a random effects model. The primary outcome was best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), while secondary outcomes were central macular thickness (CMT), central retinal thickness (CRT), central subfield thickness (CST), number of IVIs received, and incidence of adverse events. RESULTS: A total of 10 studies were included, for which 362 eyes were randomized to LPC-IVI and 365 to IVI. In comparing macular laser photocoagulation with IVI (MLP-IVI) in BRVO patients, no significant differences were seen in final BCVA (p = 0.78) or change in BCVA (p = 0.09) after treatment. Similarly, no significant differences were seen in final CMT (p = 0.54), change in CMT (p = 0.33), final CRT (p = 0.90), change in CRT (p = 0.97), or number of injections required (p = 0.78). The same results were seen in subgroup analyses for macular laser without peripheral laser in BRVO and CRVO patients. Consistent results were observed when considering peripheral LPC-IVI to IVI in BRVO and CRVO. CONCLUSIONS: No significant differences were seen between combination MLP-IVI or peripheral LPC-IVI relative to IVI monotherapy for final BCVA or OCT parameters in macular oedema secondary to RVO.

Significant vision improvement and successful prevention of recurrence by electroacupuncture in hemiretinal vein occlusion combined with macular edema: A case report.

RATIONALE: Retinal vein occlusion (RVO) is the second commonest retinal vascular pathology, with macular edema (ME) as one of its major complications, which could finally cause vision loss. Anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF therapy), as the standard therapy, has an unsustainable effect and needs repeated injections, which associates with frequent adverse events and significant economic burden. We reported a patient who had developed RVO and ME, and finally recovered after electroacupuncture treatment. PATIENT CONCERNS: A 56-year-old woman complained a decrease of visual acuity in the right eye for 1 year. She received injection of 0.5 mg Conbercept, one of the anti-VEGF therapies, in the vitreous cavity 6 times in 1 year, and finally turned to acupuncture for help out of short-term effectiveness after each injection and high expenditure (CNY 40,800). No other severe medical history was reported. DIAGNOSIS: Under comprehensive consideration of clinical manifestations and the results of fluorescein fundus angiography and optical coherence tomography, the patient was diagnosed with hemi-RVO and ME. INTERVENTIONS: The patient received electroacupuncture 3 sessions per week throughout 8 months (93 sessions in total). OUTCOMES: The visual acuity of the patient was improved from 0.6 to 0.9 after the 8-month electroacupuncture treatment and remained stable during the 24-month follow-up; the central retinal thickness remained stable between 350 and 414 throughout the treatment and follow-up periods. Patients regarded the vision-related quality of life as satisfactory. The total expenditure of electroacupuncture treatment was CNY 6045. The patient did not receive any Conbercept injection over the whole period of 32 months. No relevant adverse events occurred. LESSONS: Electroacupuncture might be effective in alleviating the symptoms of hemi-RVO-associated ME, with a potential of long-lasting effect. The frequency of anti-VEGF therapy could be reduced to the most extent, and the possibility of recurrence could be reduced as well, resulting good economic benefits.