Bilateral peripapillary choroidal neovascular membranes in Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada disease.

Choroidal neovascular membrane (CNVM) in Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada disease (VKH) is a known entity, observed primarily during the chronic convalescent and chronic-recurrent phases of the disease. However, the peripapillary location of CNVM is a rare finding.We describe a case of chronic VKH with bilateral peripapillary CNVM detected using multimodal imaging and the associated differential diagnoses and treatment approach.A combination of anti-vascular endothelial growth factor injections, systemic steroids and immunosuppressants is often required to manage the aggressive course of this choroidal neovascularisation.

Ultra-wide field indocyanine green angiography in central serous chorioretinopathy.

PURPOSE: To study ultra-widefield indocyanine green angiography (ICGA) patterns in central serous chorioretinopathy (CSC). METHODS: A cross-sectional observational study was undertaken on 30 patients aged 20 to 60 years with CSC at the retina clinic of a tertiary care center. Of them, 43 eyes were affected by CSC, whereas 17 eyes were unaffected as the bilateral disease was observed in 13 patients. All patients were evaluated for best-corrected visual acuity, intraocular pressure, detailed slit-lamp bio-microscopy, indirect ophthalmoscopy, ultra-widefield imaging for pseudo color photograph, fundus autofluorescence (FAF), fundus fluorescein angiography (FFA), and ICGA, and macular swept-source optical coherence tomography (SSOCT) characteristics. RESULTS: The mean age of patients was 41.43 ± 8.81 years (range: 25-59 years). The median log MAR visual acuity in CSC eyes was 0.30 (range: 0.17-1.0), whereas it was 0 in non-CSC fellow eyes ( P < 0.001). Pachy-vessels and late hyperpermeability on ultra-widefield ICGA were observed in all eyes. Vortex vein anastomosis was present in 93% of the affected eyes versus 88.2% in unaffected fellow eyes ( P = 0.61). Disc and posterior poles were the sites of the maximum number of anastomoses in both affected and unaffected eyes ( P = 0.77). Asymmetry in vortex vein drainage of the macula was present in 88.4% of affected eyes and 88.2% of unaffected eyes. CONCLUSION: Studying the ICGA findings in CSC patients emphasized the role of choroidal circulation in pathogenesis as Pachy vessels were observed in all eyes affected with CSC and even fellow eyes of patients. Vortex vein anastomosis around the disc or posterior pole and asymmetric drainage from the macula were noted and could be contributing to CSC pathology.

EVALUATION OF PRONE VERSUS SUPINE POSITIONING IN FRESH RHEGMATOGENOUS RETINAL DETACHMENT TREATED WITH PARS PLANA VITRECTOMY AND GAS.

PURPOSE: To compare Supine versus Prone positioning in fresh rhegmatogenous retinal detachments treated with vitrectomy and gas tamponade. METHODS: This was a prospective randomized controlled trial of 72 eyes with fresh rhegmatogenous retinal detachment that underwent 25-gauge vitrectomy: 37 eyes were allotted supine position and 35 were allotted prone position. Cases were evaluated for single-surgery reattachment rates, best-corrected visual acuity, intraocular pressure, cataract formation, and any complications. The patients were followed up for a period of 3 months. RESULTS: Both groups had similar demographics, and no significant difference was found between the two groups in terms of extent of retinal detachment, position, and number of breaks. The anatomical success after single surgery was 97.3% in the Supine group and 94.3% in the Prone group ( P = 0.609). The best-corrected visual acuity at the end of 3 months was 0.44 ± 0.27 in the Supine group and 0.35 ± 0.27 in the Prone group ( P = 0.119) with a significant increase in best-corrected visual acuity preoperatively from 0.11 ± 0.22 and 0.13 ± 0.22 in Supine and Prone groups, respectively ( P = <0.001). The intraocular pressure in the two groups was comparable at each follow-up. The rates of cataract formation were also similar in the two groups-60% and 53.8% in Supine and Prone groups, respectively ( P = 1.00). Complications such as spikes in intraocular pressure, epiretinal membrane formation, and cystoid macular edema were similar in both groups. CONCLUSION: Rates of retinal reattachment were comparable in both groups showing that supine position is equally safe and effective for adequate tamponade.

First contact investigations and compliance to treatment in patients with uveitis.

AIM: To ascertain the pattern of investigations at first contact in uveitic patients and evaluate compliance to treatment. METHODS: An observational study comprised of 201 uveitic patients presenting for the first time to our centre from January 2019 to June 2020. Detailed information regarding systemic investigations undertaken by specialists at the time of first contact and the cost of these investigations were reviewed on the first visit to our centre. Compliance with the treatment was determined and reasons behind non-compliance were evaluated on the first follow-up in patients who had no improvement in clinical signs and symptoms. RESULTS: The mean age of the study group was 35.35±14.1y and gender composition was 59.7% males and 40.3% females. Anterior uveitis was observed in 45.3% of patients, intermediate uveitis in 31.8% of patients, posterior uveitis in 14.9% of patients and panuveitis in 8.0% of patients. Association with a systemic disease was evident in 17.9% of patients. When compared with standard guidelines and uveitis patterns, systemic investigations were identified to be relevant only in 38.3% of patients. Non-compliance to treatment was documented in 22.4% of patients. Common reasons for non-compliance were inadequate counselling by the treating physician about treatment in 26.7% of patients and a busy schedule at work/school in 22.2% of patients. CONCLUSION: Significant number of investigations performed at first contact is found to be contrary to standard guidelines and are not contributory to the care. About a quarter of patients in this study are found to be non-compliant with the treatment. Compliance is more challenging to achieve in school-going children and working adults. The availability of comprehensive, periodically updated, evidence-based guidelines on the role of investigations and the use of trained counsellors may help to channelize proper evaluation and improve compliance to treatment, respectively, in patients with uveitis.

Topographic distribution of retinal neovascularization in proliferative diabetic retinopathy using ultra-wide field angiography.

Purpose: To analyze the topographic distribution of neovascularization (NV) and capillary nonperfusion (CNP) using ultra-wide field fluorescein angiography (UWFFA) in patients with proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR). Methods: This was a prospective, single-center, observational study in which all patients who presented between March 2019 and December 2020 and satisfied the inclusion criteria were recruited. In our study, patients with treatment-naïve PDR without any fibrovascular proliferation underwent UWFFA. The images were analyzed qualitatively for the topographic distribution of NV and the CNP area was quantified. The number of lesions picked by UWFFA was compared with 7 standard field (7SF) image using overlay of 7SF. The main outcome measure was characteristics of neovascularization, such as the number, location, and area of CNP, measured using UWFFA, which was considered with 95% confidence intervals (CI). Results: Two hundred and fifty-three eyes of 187 patients with a mean age of 56.03 ± 8 years were included. Mean neovascularization elsewhere (NVE) was 2.91 ± 3.43. Maximum NVEs were seen in the superotemporal (ST; 0.9 ± 1.13) quadrant, followed by the inferotemporal (IT; 0.7 ± 1.08), inferonasal (IN; 0.66 ± 1.02) and superonasal (SN; 0.66 ± 1.01) quadrants. Maximum CNP area was seen in the SN (13.75 ± 8.83 disc diameter square [DD2]) quadrant, followed by the IN (13.48 ± 8.59 DD2), IT (11.34 ± 8.37 DD2), and ST (11.3 ± 8.34 DD2) quadrants. Mean CNP area was maximum in patients with only neovascularization of disc (NVD; 64.99 ± 41.47 DD2), followed by both NVD and NVE (61.37 ± 35.61 DD2), and was minimum in patients with only NVE (36.44 ± 22.03 DD2). Eighty-one (32%) eyes out of 253 had NVE and 189 (75%) out of 253 had CNP area outside 7SF (overlay) of Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study (ETDRS). Conclusion: Diabetic NV lesions and CNP areas are distributed asymmetrically throughout the retina and are not restricted to the posterior pole. Compared to conventional 7SF imaging, UWFFA reveals significantly more retinal vascular pathology in patients with PDR.

Waxing and waning pattern of choroidal detachment post scleral buckle.

PURPOSE: Description of evolving and resolving pattern of choroidal mounds at different quadrants post scleral buckle surgery in a myopic patient. METHODS: A 48-year-old male with axial length of 32mm underwent scleral buckling for subtotal fresh retinal detachment with 360-degree multiple lattices with superior horse shoe tear. A posterior buckle was placed superiorly traversing 180-degree, 14 mm beyond muscle insertion. Uneventful drainage of sub-retinal fluid was performed intra-operatively. RESULTS: Post-operative day 1 depicted two choroidal detachment (CD) mounds in the ST quadrant with an adequate break buckle relationship. Post-operative day 2 depicted an additional CD mound in the inferonasal with an additional mound supero-nasally on day 4. Spontaneous resolution of the mounds was observed from day 7 with complete resolution by one month. CONCLUSION: Fragility of the choroidal vasculature in axial myopia can aggravate venous congestion when associated with one or two vortex vein obstruction after scleral buckle. Choroidal vasculature remodeling occurs after vortex vein obstruction leading to formation of new venous drainage routes.

ASSESSMENT OF QUALITY AND ADEQUACY OF PANRETINAL PHOTOCOAGULATION IN PROLIFERATIVE DIABETIC RETINOPATHY USING ULTRA-WIDEFIELD IMAGING.

PURPOSE: To assess the characteristics of completed panretinal photocoagulation (PRP), using ultra-widefield imaging in proliferative diabetic retinopathy. METHODS: Quantitative assessment of ultra-widefield imaging images of 133 patients with proliferative diabetic retinopathy with completed PRP was made using ImageJ software. The parameters assessed included distance of laser spots from the optic disk, foveal center, superior and inferior arcades, and extent of the maximum width of laser. Areas assessed were total area of the image, area of the inner limit within which laser spots are restricted, minimum areas of unlasered patches, total area lasered, and ideal area to be covered by PRP. RESULTS: Two hundred one images were assessed for the final analysis. The mean distance of laser spots was 4.2 ± 2.4 mm from the optic disk (nasal) and 6.6 ± 2.5 mm from the foveal center (temporal). The mean distance of laser spots from the superior arcade vessel was 3.2 ± 1.9 mm and 6.2 ± 4.4 mm from the inferior arcade. The mean area of the retina that should have been ideally lasered was found to be 900 ± 267 mm 2 , and the actual area lasered was found to be 681 ± 254.4 mm 2 . CONCLUSION: Approximately one-quarter area of the retina continues to remain ischemic because of the lack of inadequate coverage of PRP. Further longitudinal studies are recommended, using ultra-widefield imaging to objectively assess the adequacy of PRP and its role in modulating the course of progression of the retinopathy.

Ocular decompression retinopathy following bleb needling in a young child.

Ocular decompression retinopathy (ODR) is caused by a sudden lowering of high intraocular pressure. Trabeculectomy is the most common procedure preceding ODR. Various mechanical and vascular etiologies have been proposed to cause ODR, with autoregulation and hemodynamics playing a contributing role. Herein, we report a rare case of ODR occurring after bleb needling in a young child using ultrawide-field fundus photography, fluorescein angiography, and optical coherence tomography.

Evaluation of twenty-seven-gauge vitrectomy for complex proliferative diabetic retinopathy.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the outcomes of twenty-seven-gauge (27G) vitrectomy in cases with complex proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR). METHODS: This was a retrospective interventional study of eyes that underwent 27G vitrectomy for complex PDR. The demographic profile, history, examination findings, and intraoperative surgical steps (especially use of other instruments such as intravitreal scissors/forceps) were reviewed. All the eyes were followed up for a minimum of 3 months at 1-week, 1-month, and 3-month interval. Visual acuity, intraocular pressure (IOP), and retinal status were documented at every follow-up. RESULTS: Nineteen eyes of 17 patients with complex PDR were included in the study. Seven eyes had tractional retinal detachment involving the macula, three had tractional retinal detachment threatening the macula, one had secondary rhegmatogenous retinal detachment, and eight eyes had nonresolving vitreous hemorrhage along with thick fibrovascular proliferation (FVP) at posterior pole. Anatomical attachment was seen in all cases at the end of follow-up with a single surgery. Visual acuity improved from logMAR 2.5 preoperatively to logMAR 1.01 at 3 months (P = 0.0003). None of the cases required use of intravitreal scissors/forceps for the removal of FVP. Early postoperative vitreous hemorrhage was seen in two eyes. Hypotony was not seen in any eye, while increased IOP was seen in five eyes. CONCLUSION: 27G vitrectomy is a safe and effective technique in cases with complex diabetic surgery. Due to smaller size cutter, it offers advantages in the dissection of tissue and is associated with lower incidence of early postoperative hemorrhage.

Imaging-based Biomarkers as Predictors of Response to Anti-VEGF Therapy in Idiopathic Choroidal Neovascularization.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to identify biomarkers that predict the response of treatment-naive idiopathic choroidal neovascularization (iCNV) to anti-VEGF treatment. METHODS: Fourteen eyes diagnosed with iCNV underwent a dilated fundus examination, Swept Source Optical Coherence Tomography (SS-OCT) and Optical Coherence Tomography - Angiography (OCT-A), and were given an anti-VEGF injection. The same examinations were repeated at every follow-up visit. Analysis of the pre- and posttreatment images was done to identify possible biomarkers which were evaluated to check association with decreased need for multiple anti-VEGF injections. RESULTS: At presentation, 11 patients showed a compact pattern, while three patients showed an arborizing pattern on OCT angiography (P = 1). On follow-up imaging, seven patients showed a marked response, five patients showed a moderate response, and two patients showed a mild response to anti-VEGF injection. Among the seven patients showing a marked response, only one required a repeat injection (P = 0.03). On analysis of SS-OCT, a novel Retinal Pigment Epithelium (RPE) healing response was observed in posttreatment imaging of six patients (P = 0.59). CONCLUSION: A "marked" response to the first anti-VEGF injection results in a more sustained response and is a positive prognostic factor. RPE healing response is an interesting observation that merits further evaluation. Morphology of neovascular membranes has no effect on long-term need for multiple anti-VEGF injections.

Tubercular DNA PCR of ocular fluids and blood in cases of presumed ocular tuberculosis: a pilot study.

Background: The definitive diagnosing of ocular tuberculosis (TB) is difficult; therefore, there is a need of better understanding of investigating TB DNA in presumed ocular TB patients. Objectives: The aim of this study is to correlate tubercular DNA PCR of aqueous/vitreous and blood in cases of presumed ocular TB. Design: A prospective study. Methods: DNA was extracted from aqueous of cases of choroidal tuberculoma (group 1) and serpiginous choroiditis (group 2) and from vitreous of cases of vasculitis (group 3) and macular hole/retinal detachment (group 4). Gel-based PCR and real-time PCR amplification were performed using IS6110 primer on ocular fluids. The same was also performed on the blood samples of cases in which tubercular DNA was detected in the ocular fluids. Results: Overall, 31 cases were analysed in our study. Tubercular DNA was detected in ocular fluids of seven cases: group 1, two cases (67%); group 2, one case (17%); group 3, four cases (27%); and no case of group 4. Blood samples of six of these seven patients were positive for tubercular DNA. Of these six patients, four had evidence of systemic TB and were on ATT. Two cases had no evidence of active systemic TB, yet PCR was positive from blood and ocular fluids. Conclusion: Tubercular DNA detected from ocular fluids may possibly be due to bystander DNA and may not indicate primary ocular tubercular infection. Thus, caution must be exercised prior to labelling a case of uveitis as being tubercular based on the results of molecular assays on ocular fluids alone. The results of PCR on ocular fluids should be correlated with PCR on blood and systemic findings.