Retinal OCT biomarkers associated with reading performance in patients with persistent vs. resolved diabetic macular edema.

BACKGROUND: Recent advancements in imaging technologies, particularly structural optical coherence tomography (OCT), have improved the understanding of diabetic macular edema (DME) pathophysiology and provided valuable biomarkers for disease progression and visual outcomes. This prospective study aimed to investigate the association between specific retinal biomarkers identified through OCT imaging and reading performance metrics in patients with previously treated persistent versus resolved DME and good visual acuity. METHODS: Forty-nine eyes from 35 patients with a history of DME were enrolled. Reading performance was assessed using the Radner reading charts, which include standardized sentences with geometrically progressing print sizes. Structural alterations in the inner and outer retina, as well as the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE), were graded based on OCT images. RESULTS: Reading performance, measured as maximum reading speed, was associated with specific retinal biomarkers. The disruption of the ellipsoid zone (EZ) in the parafoveal region and the presence of disorganization of the inner retinal layers (DRIL) in the parafovea were correlated with reduced reading speed. These associations were independent of the presence of intraretinal or subretinal fluid. CONCLUSIONS: Understanding the relationship between retinal biomarkers and reading performance could contribute to a comprehensive evaluation of visual function and quality of life in patients with DME, leading to better management strategies and treatment outcomes.

Platelet rich plasma for primary macular hole: A case series.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the anatomical and functional macular results and rate of complications following surgical treatment of primary macular hole (MH) with autologous platelet rich plasma (a-PRP) use. DESIGN: retrospective, interventional, non-randomized case series. PARTECIPANTS AND METHODS: A cohort of 9 consecutive patients from January 1, 2019 to August 31, 2021 who underwent vitrectomy with a-PRP use for primary MH were included. Anatomical results based on spectral domain- optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) and visual acuity were analyzed. RESULTS: 10 pseudophakic eye of 9 patients were enrolled. Six patients were female and three patients were male. The mean age was 69.9 years ± 1.48. The baseline MH minimum diameter was 486.1 µm ± 37.1, and mean pre operative best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) was 0.91 ± 0.03 logMAR (Snellen equivalent 20/160). Mean 1 month post operative BCVA was 0.81 ± 0.57 logMAR (Snellen equivalent 20/130; p = 1.000); mean 3 month post operative BCVA was 0.66 ± 0.04 logMAR (Snellen equivalent 20/90; p = 0.006); mean 6 month post operative BCVA was 0.6 ± 0.04 logMAR (Snellen equivalent 20/80; p < 0.001). In all eyes, 10/10 (100%), there was a complete MH closure at 6 months follow up: 5 eyes (50%) with a U-type closure pattern, 4 eyes (40%) with a V-type pattern and 1 eye (10%) with an irregular foveal contour closure at 6 month follow-up. No ocular and systemic complications were reported. CONCLUSION: The a-PRP use is a successful and promising vitreoretinal surgical technique option for primary MH.

Validation of a deep learning model for automatic detection and quantification of five OCT critical retinal features associated with neovascular age-related macular degeneration.

PURPOSE: To develop and validate a deep learning model for the segmentation of five retinal biomarkers associated with neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD). METHODS: 300 optical coherence tomography volumes from subject eyes with nAMD were collected. Images were manually segmented for the presence of five crucial nAMD features: intraretinal fluid, subretinal fluid, subretinal hyperreflective material, drusen/drusenoid pigment epithelium detachment (PED) and neovascular PED. A deep learning architecture based on a U-Net was trained to perform automatic segmentation of these retinal biomarkers and evaluated on the sequestered data. The main outcome measures were receiver operating characteristic curves for detection, summarised using the area under the curves (AUCs) both on a per slice and per volume basis, correlation score, enface topography overlap (reported as two-dimensional (2D) correlation score) and Dice coefficients. RESULTS: The model obtained a mean (±SD) AUC of 0.93 (±0.04) per slice and 0.88 (±0.07) per volume for fluid detection. The correlation score (R2) between automatic and manual segmentation obtained by the model resulted in a mean (±SD) of 0.89 (±0.05). The mean (±SD) 2D correlation score was 0.69 (±0.04). The mean (±SD) Dice score resulted in 0.61 (±0.10). CONCLUSIONS: We present a fully automated segmentation model for five features related to nAMD that performs at the level of experienced graders. The application of this model will open opportunities for the study of morphological changes and treatment efficacy in real-world settings. Furthermore, it can facilitate structured reporting in the clinic and reduce subjectivity in clinicians' assessments.

Multimodal Imaging of a novel MFSD8/CLN7 mutation associated with non-syndromic symmetric adult-onset macular dystrophy.

PURPOSE: To report multimodal imaging features of a novel MFSD8/CLN7 pathogenic variant associated with bilateral and symmetric non-syndromic macular dystrophy. METHODS: A 63-year-old female patient presented complaining of a gradual subjective decline in visual acuity in both eyes over the previous months. This patient underwent a comprehensive ophthalmological assessment, including multimodal retinal imaging and electrophysiological testing. Given suspicion for a hereditary retinal disorder, genetic testing was pursued. RESULTS: The eye examination revealed blunted foveal reflexes and no lesions or abnormalities in the equatorial or anterior retinal periphery. Multimodal imaging showed a bilateral and almost symmetrical subfoveal interruption of the outer retinal layers including an optical gap. Genetic testing revealed that the MFSD8/CLN7 gene exhibited a homozygous variant, specifically p.Ala484Val (c.1451C>T). This variant was identified as the likely causative factor for the condition. CONCLUSION: We herein describe the clinical findings of a previously unreported homozygous variant in the MFSD8/CLN7 gene, resulting in a non-syndromic form of bilateral central macular dystrophy.

Pitchfork sign following pars Plana vitrectomy for idiopathic epiretinal membrane: A case report.

PURPOSE: To report a case of pitchfork sign following pars plana vitrectomy for idiopathic epiretinal membrane. STUDY DESIGN: Case report. RESULTS: A 75-year-old man was referred to the surgical retina service due to a quantitative and qualitative decline in vision in the left eye (LE) for several months. Optical coherence tomography (OCT) examination revealed the presence of a stage III epiretinal membrane (ERM) according to the Govetto classification. Seven days after undergoing a 25-gauge pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) with ERM peeling and balanced salt solution (BSS) tamponade, OCT examination revealed the presence of the 'pitchfork sign' in the macular region, along with the detection of a choroidal neovascularization (CNV) through OCT-A examination. After receiving two monthly intravitreal anti-VEGF injections, a complete regression of the MNV was observed. CONCLUSIONS: We reported, for the first time, the iatrogenic onset of the pitchfork sign following vitreoretinal surgery. This discovery highlights the unique presentation of the pitchfork sign in the context of surgical procedures, expanding our comprehension of its range of causes.

Platelet concentrates in macular hole surgery. A journey through the labyrinth of terminology, preparation, and application: a comprehensive review.

The surgical management of macular holes is undergoing continuous evolution, with recent focus on the utilization of platelet concentrates as a promising adjunctive intervention. Currently, they present a valid surgical approach for achieving anatomical and functional success with a non-inferiority comparably to the alternative surgical techniques. Nonetheless, the utilization of varied platelet concentrates terminologies, coupled with the lack of standardization in their preparation methodologies, engenders both lexical confusion and challenges in comparing scientific studies published up until now. In this review, we summarized the published evidence concerning the application of platelet concentrates in macular holes surgery, aiming to clarify the terminology and methodologies employed and to establish a common consensus facilitating further development and diffusion of this promising technique.

Relationship of Topographic Distribution of Macular Atrophy Secondary to Neovascular AMD and Reading Performance.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to provide a topographical assessment of macular atrophy in successfully treated neovascular age-related macular degeneration (AMD) eyes to investigate determinants of monocular reading performance. Methods: A total of 60 participants (60 eyes) with previously treated neovascular AMD and absence of optical coherence tomography (OCT) signs of exudation were enrolled. Reading performance was assessed monocularly using Radner charts. The following variables were obtained: (i) the reading acuity was defined as the logarithm of the reading acuity determination (LogRAD), at the smallest sentence, a patient is able to read in less than 30 seconds; (ii) the maximum reading speed was defined as the fastest time achieved and is calculated in words per minute (wpm). OCT images were reviewed for the presence of macular atrophy within the central, 4 inner and 4 outer Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study (ETDRS) grid subfields. Contributory factors affecting reading performance were examined using univariable and multivariable linear mixed model considering reading acuity and reading speed as dependent variables. Results: Median (interquartile range [IQR]) values were 0.53 (IQR = 0.17) LogRAD for reading acuity, and 144 (60) wpm for maximum reading speed. Thirty-five out of 60 (58.3%) eyes were characterized by the presence of macular atrophy. In multiple regression analysis, reading acuity was significantly associated with presence of macular atrophy in the foveal central circle (P = 0.024). Conversely, the maximum reading speed was associated with presence of macular atrophy in the inner-right ETDRS subfield (P = 0.005). Conclusions: We showed a significant relationship between presence and location of macular atrophy and reading performance in neovascular AMD.

INTERSESSION REPEATABILITY OF READING PERFORMANCE MEASURES IN PATIENTS WITH NEOVASCULAR AGE-RELATED MACULAR DEGENERATION.

PURPOSE: To assess the intersession repeatability of reading performance measures in patients with previously treated neovascular age-related macular degeneration and good best-corrected visual acuity (≥20/40 Snellen). METHODS: Ninety-one patients (91 eyes) with a diagnosis of previously treated neovascular age-related macular degeneration and good best-corrected visual acuity (≥20/40 Snellen) were prospectively enrolled. Reading performance metrics were assessed using Radner charts, and these measurements were repeated after 7 days to obtain the intersession repeatability. To test repeatability, we calculated the intraclass correlation coefficient, the 95% coefficient of repeatability, and the coefficient of variation for each reading parameter: 1) reading acuity (RA-LogRAD); 2) maximal reading speed-words per minute; 3) RA score (RA score-LogRAD); and 4) critical print size-LogRAD. RESULTS: Mean ± standard deviation best-corrected visual acuity was 0.13 ± 0.01 logMAR [range: 0.00-0.30 logMAR]. The intraclass correlation coefficient values indicated a good reliability for all the analyzed metrics (0.901 for RA; 0.859 for max reading speed; 0.906 for RA score; and 0.868 for critical print size). The coefficient of repeatability was 0.2 LogRAD for RA, 63.2 words per minute for max reading speed, 0.2 LogRAD for RA score, and 0.2 LogRAD for critical print size. Coefficient of variation was 5.5% for RA, 8.9% for max reading speed, 5.8% for RA score, and 6.9% for critical print size. CONCLUSION: Reading performance metrics are characterized by good values of intersession repeatability in patients with neovascular age-related macular degeneration with good best-corrected visual acuity. Our findings may grant the employment of such measures in trials assessing the visual outcome in these patients.

Macula-Off Retinal Detachment with Refractory Macular Hole Previously Closed with Autologous Platelet-Rich Plasma: A Case Report.

The purpose of this report was to present a case of a refractory full-thickness macular hole (FTMH) complicated with recurrent retinal detachment (RD) previously treated with an autologous platelet-rich plasma (aPRP) plug. A 65-year-old male patient presented to our department with a FTMH, RD, and a giant retinal break. Preoperative best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) was 1.40 logMAR (20/500). A 25-G pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) was performed, with peripheral retinal-breaks laser barrage, peeling of the internal limiting membrane, and silicon oil injection. One month later, spectral domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) showed the persistence of the FTMH with a diameter of 712 µm. Therefore, the patient underwent silicon oil removal and aPRP injection with good anatomical outcome and improvement of BCVA to 0.6 log-MAR (20/80). Two months later a recurrence of macula-off RD was detected, but SD-OCT showed that the aPRP plug was still in place and kept the two margins of the macular hole together. The patient underwent a further PPV with silicon oil injection and subsequent silicon oil removal with no postoperative complications. Two months later, the retina remained attached, SD-OCT confirmed FTMH closure and BCVA was 0.52 logMAR (20/63). In conclusion, this case report aims to underline the remarkable efficacy of aPRP in promoting FTMH closure, which was maintained despite subsequent recurrence of macula-off RD.

Intravitreal DEX Implant for the Treatment of Diabetic Macular Edema: A Review of National Consensus.

Diabetic macular edema (DME)'s therapeutic approach can frequently be challenging. The purpose of the review is to propose evidence-based recommendations on the employment of intravitreal dexamethasone implants (DEX) when approaching patients suffering from DME. Seven national consensuses redacted by different groups of retina specialists from Europe and Asia were examined and confronted. Each consensus was redacted utilizing a Delphi approach, in person meetings, or by reviewing the literature. DEX can be studied as a first-line strategy in individuals suffering from DME with inflammatory OCT biomarkers, in vitrectomized eyes, in patients with recent cardiovascular events, in pregnant women, in patients scheduled to undergo cataract surgery or with poor compliance. The other parameters considered were the indications to the DME treatment, when to switch to DEX, the definition of non-responder to anti-VEGFs agents and to the DEX implant, whether to combine DEX with laser photocoagulation, the association between glaucoma and DEX, and the management of DEX and the cataract. Although several years have passed since the introduction of DEX implants in the DME treatment, there is still not a unified agreement among retina specialists. This paper compares the approach in the DME treatment between countries from different continents and provides a broader and worldwide perspective of the topic.

Retinal Thickness Deviation: A New OCT Parameter for Assessing Diabetic Macular Edema.

(1) Purpose: To determine the "retinal thickness deviation" (RTD) in diabetic macular edema (DME) eyes treated with intravitreal therapy and to establish associations between RTD and best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA). (2) Methods: We conducted a retrospective study, including consecutive patients with DME eyes undergoing intravitreal therapy with two years of follow-up. BCVA and central subfield thickness (CST) were collected at baseline and at 12 months and 24 months of follow-up. RTD was calculated as the absolute difference between measured and normative CST values at each time point. Linear regression analyses were performed between RTD and BCVA and between CST and BCVA. (3) Results: One hundred and four eyes were included in the analysis. The RTD was 177.0 (117.2) µm at baseline, 97.0 (99.7) µm at 12 months and 89.9 (75.3) µm at 24 months of follow-up (p < 0.001). RTD showed a moderate association with BCVA at baseline (R2 = 0.134, p < 0.001) and 12 months (R2 = 0.197, p < 0.001) and a substantial association at 24 months (R2 = 0.272, p < 0.001). The CST showed a moderate association with BCVA at baseline (R2 = 0.132, p < 0.001) and 12 months (R2 = 0.136, p < 0.001), while the association was weak at 24 months (R2 = 0.065, p = 0.009). (4) Conclusions: RTD showed a good association with visual outcome in patients with DME eyes undergoing intravitreal treatment.

The Short-Term Results of Autologous Platelet-Rich Plasma as an Adjuvant to Re-Intervention in the Treatment of Refractory Full-Thickness Macular Holes.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the short-term efficacy and safety of autologous platelet-rich plasma (a-PRP) as an adjuvant to revisional vitrectomy for refractory full-thickness macular holes (rFTMHs). We conducted a prospective, non-randomized interventional study including patients with rFTMH after a pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) with internal limiting membrane peeling and gas tamponade. We included 28 eyes from 27 patients with rFTMHs: 12 rFTMHs in highly myopic eyes (axial length greater than 26.5 mm or a refractive error greater than -6D or both); 12 large rFTMHs (minimum hole width > 400 µm); and 4 rFTMHs secondary to the optic disc pit. All patients underwent 25-G PPV with a-PRP, a median time of 3.5 ± 1.8 months after the primary repair. At the six-month follow-up, the overall rFTMH closure rate was 92.9%, distributed as follows: 11 out of 12 eyes (91.7%) in the highly myopic group, 11 out of 12 eyes (91.7%) in the large rFTMH group, and 4 out of 4 eyes (100%) in the optic disc pit group. Median best-corrected visual acuity significantly improved in all groups, in particular from 1.00 (interquartile range: 0.85 to 1.30) to 0.70 (0.40 to 0.85) LogMAR in the highly myopic group (p = 0.016), from 0.90 (0.70 to 1.49) to 0.40 (0.35 to 0.70) LogMAR in the large rFTMH group (p = 0.005), and from 0.90 (0.75 to 1.00) to 0.50 (0.28 to 0.65) LogMAR in the optic disc pit group. No intraoperative or postoperative complications were reported. In conclusion, a-PRP can be an effective adjuvant to PPV in the management of rFTMHs.

Comparison of Retinal Nerve Fiber Layer and Ganglion Cell-Inner Plexiform Layer Thickness Values Using Spectral-Domain and Swept-Source OCT.

Purpose: To compare peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer (pRNFL) and macular ganglion cell-inner plexiform layer (mGCIPL) thickness measurements obtained with spectral domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) and swept-source OCT (SS-OCT) using an OCT-angiography scanning protocol, and their ability to distinguish among patients with glaucoma, glaucoma suspects (GS), and healthy controls (HC). Methods: Cross-sectional study of 196 eyes (81 glaucoma, 48 GS, and 67 HC) of 119 participants. Participants underwent peripapillary and macular OCT with SD-OCT and SS-OCT. Parameters of interest were average and sector-wise pRNFL and mGCIPL thickness. Inter-device agreement was investigated with Bland-Altman statistics. Conversion formulas were developed with linear regression. Diagnostic performances were evaluated with area under the receiver operating characteristic curves. Results: Both SD-OCT and SS-OCT detected a significant pRNFL and mGCIPL thinning in glaucoma patients compared to HC and GS for almost all study sectors. A strong linear relationship between the two devices was present for all quadrants/sectors (R2 ≥ 0.81, P < 0.001), except for the nasal (R2 = 0.49, P < 0.001) and temporal (R2 = 0.62, P < 0.001) pRNFL quadrants. SD-OCT and SS-OCT measurements had a proportional bias, which could be removed with conversion formulas. Overall, the two devices showed similar diagnostic abilities. Conclusions: Thickness values obtained with SD-OCT and SS-OCT are not directly interchangeable but potentially interconvertible. Both devices have a similar ability to discriminate glaucoma patients from GS and healthy subjects. Translational Relevance: OCT-Angiography scans can be reliably used to obtain structural metrics in glaucoma patients.

Combining Structural and Vascular Parameters to Discriminate Among Glaucoma Patients, Glaucoma Suspects, and Healthy Subjects.

Purpose: Compare the ability of peripapillary and macular structural parameters, vascular parameters, and their integration to discriminate among glaucoma, suspected glaucoma (GS), and healthy controls (HCs). Methods: In this study, 196 eyes of 119 patients with glaucoma (n = 81), patients with GS (n = 48), and HCs (n = 67) underwent optical coherence tomography (OCT) and OCT angiography to measure peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer (pRNFL), macular ganglion cell-inner plexiform layer (mGCIPL) thicknesses, radial peripapillary capillary perfusion density (RPC-PD), and macular GCIPL perfusion density (GCIPL-PD). Parameters were integrated regionally with logistic regression and globally with machine learning algorithms. Diagnostic performances were evaluated with area under the receiver operating characteristic (AUROC) curves. Results: Patients with glaucoma had mild to moderate damage (median, -3.3 dB; interquartile range, -6.5 to -1.4). In discriminating between patients with glaucoma and the HCs, pRNFL thickness had higher AUROC curve values than RPC-PD for average (0.87 vs. 0.62; P < 0.001), superior (0.86 vs. 0.54; P < 0.001), inferior (0.90 vs. 0.71; P < 0.001), and temporal (0.65 vs. 0.51; P = 0.02) quadrants. mGCIPL thickness had higher AUROC curve values than GCIPL-PD for average (0.84 vs. 0.68; P < 0.001), superotemporal (0.76 vs. 0.65; P = 0.016), superior (0.72 vs. 0.57; P = 0.004), superonasal (0.70 vs. 0.56; P = 0.01), inferotemporal (0.90 vs. 0.72; P < 0.001), inferior (0.87 vs. 0.69; P < 0.001), and inferonasal (0.78 vs. 0.65, P = 0.012) sectors. All structural multisector indices had higher diagnostic ability than vascular ones (P < 0.001). Combined structural-vascular indices did not outperform structural indices. Similar results were found to discriminate glaucoma from GS. Conclusions: Combining structural and vascular parameters in a structural-vascular index does not improve diagnostic ability over structural parameters alone. Translational Relevance: OCT angiography does not add additional benefit to structural OCT in early to moderate glaucoma diagnosis.

Subthreshold laser treatment for reticular pseudodrusen secondary to age-related macular degeneration.

There is a lack of treatment aimed at the regression of reticular pseudodrusen (RPD) secondary to age-related macular degeneration (AMD). The aim of this prospective, pilot study is to evaluate the safety and short-term efficacy of subthreshold laser treatment (SLT) in patients affected by RPD secondary to dry AMD (dAMD). Twenty eyes of 20 patients (mean age 78.4 ± 6.8 years) with RPD secondary to dAMD were prospectively enrolled. All patients were treated in an extrafoveal area of 1.27 mm2 using end-point management yellow subthreshold laser and followed for 3 months. Best-corrected visual acuity was 0.140 ± 0.09 LogMAR at the baseline and no changes were observed during the follow-up (p = 0.232). No significant worsening was disclosed before and after the treatment analyzing the macular sensitivity of the treated area (p = 0.152). No topical and/or systemic side effects were disclosed during the 3-month follow-up. The distribution among the RPD stages changed after the treatment (p < 0.001). In detail, in the treated area, we observed a significant increase in the number of Stage 1 RPD during the follow-up (p = 0.002), associated with a significant decrease of Stage 3 RPD (p = 0.020). Outer nuclear layer (ONL) thickness analysis showed a significant increase after the treatment associated with RPD regression (p = 0.001). End-point management SLT appears a safe treatment for RPD secondary to dAMD, showing short-term safety outcomes. Our results suggest that SLT could be effective in inducing a RPD regression in terms of RPD stage and ONL thickening.

Choriocapillaris flow impairment could predict the enlargement of geographic atrophy lesion.

AIM: To analyse the choriocapillaris (CC) flow status in the area that subsequently showed geographic atrophy (GA) expansion secondary to age-related macular degeneration (AMD) during 1-year follow-up, matching optical coherence tomography angiography (OCT-A) and fundus autofluorescence (FAF). METHODS: In this prospective longitudinal observational study, 30 eyes of 20 consecutive patients with GA secondary to AMD (mean age 75.5±7.4 years) were included. All patients underwent OCT-A and FAF at baseline and 1-year follow-up. Main outcome measures included analysis of perfusion density (PD) in the 'area surrounding GA margin' (between the GA border and 500 µm distance) in comparison with the 'control area' (area outside the 500 µm line), and of the 'expansion area' (area that subsequently developed GA expansion during 1-year follow-up). RESULTS: During the 1-year follow-up, visual acuity significantly decreased from 0.34±0.38 Logarithm of the Minimum Angle of Resolution (LogMAR) to 0.39±0.40 LogMAR (p<0.001), and mean GA area increased from 6.82±5.47 mm2 to 8.76±6.28 mm2 (p<0.001). CC PD of the area surrounding the GA margin revealed a significant flow impairment compared with control area (PD 0.679±0.076 and 0.734±0.057, respectively (p<0.001)). Furthermore, the PD of the expansion area showed a greater CC flow impairment in comparison to the remaining area surrounding GA margin (p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: We reported a greater CC impairment in the area that subsequently developed GA expansion, suggesting that the CC flow impairment could predict the enlargement of GA lesion. The CC impairment could be considered as a new a risk factor for GA progression and a biomarker to be measured to determine efficacy of new interventions aiming to slow progression of GA.

PHOTORECEPTOR OUTER SEGMENT IS EXPANDED IN THE FELLOW EYE OF PATIENTS WITH UNILATERAL CENTRAL SEROUS CHORIORETINOPATHY.

PURPOSE: To quantitatively evaluate the photoreceptor structural changes in the fellow unaffected eyes of patients with unilateral central serous chorioretinopathy (CSC). METHODS: This is a retrospective cross-sectional study. We analyzed data from patients with diagnosis of unilateral CSC, as based on clinical examination and multimodal imaging, who had structural optical coherence tomography obtained. An additional group of age-matched healthy patients was included for comparison. Main outcome measures were as follows: (1) the foveal photoreceptor outer segment lateral surface and (2) the foveal choroidal thickness. RESULTS: One hundred and sixty fellow unaffected eyes of 160 unilateral CSC patients and 50 age-matched controls (50 eyes) were included. The mean ± SD age was 51.6 ± 11.1 years (range 28-80 years) in the unilateral CSC group and 52.8 ± 10.8 years (range 31-74 years) in the control group (P = 0.511). The foveal photoreceptor outer segment lateral surface was significantly increased in the unaffected eyes with CSC in the fellow eye (0.068 ± 0.007 mm2) as compared with control eyes (0.060 ± 0.005 mm2, P < 0.0001). The mean ± SD foveal choroidal thickness was 368.0 ± 105.7 µm in the unilateral CSC group and 302.9 ± 92.2 µm in control patients (P < 0.0001). In the Pearson correlation test, the photoreceptor outer segment lateral surface correlated with the choroidal thickness in the CSC group (R = 0.166, P = 0.016) but not in the control group (R = -0.025, P = 0.864). CONCLUSION: Our results corroborate the hypothesis that retinal and choroidal changes affect both eyes of patients with acute/history of unilateral disease. These structural changes could be intended as an imaging evidence of reduced photoreceptor outer segment turnover secondary to retinal pigment epithelium and choroid dysfunction.

Choroidal luminal and stromal areas and choriocapillaris perfusion are characterised by a non-linear quadratic relation in healthy eyes.

PURPOSE: To assess the associations among different optical coherence tomography (OCT) structural and angiography quantitative metrics used to characterise the choroid in healthy subjects. METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, macular structural OCT and OCT angiography (OCTA) images were acquired from healthy subjects. The main outcome measures were: (i) choriocapillaris (CC) flow deficits percentage (FD%), (ii) choroidal luminal (LA) and stromal (SA) areas and (iii) choroidal vascularity index (CVI), which was calculated as the LA divided by the total choroidal area. These measurements were generated using previously published algorithms and were separately computed in the foveal and extrafoveal regions. RESULTS: Eighty-five eyes from 85 subjects (44 males, 41 females) were included in the analysis. Mean±SD age was 47.9±22.4 years (range: 19.0 to 85.0 years). Linear regression analysis displayed no significant associations between CC FD% and other parameters (LA, SA and CVI). Importantly, non-linear regression analysis showed that the relations of LA and SA to CC FD% were all best fitted by a quadratic function. Compared with the linear models, the use of the quadratic function allowed a relative increase in the R2 coefficients. No significant non-linear associations were found between CC FD% and CVI. CONCLUSION: Based on our models, changes in the luminal and stromal areas in the choroid lead to an initial increase in CC perfusion. Subsequently, further increases in LA and SA amounts are accompanied by a progressive increment in CC FD%.

OCT Risk Factors for 3-Year Development of Macular Complications in Eyes With "Resolved" Chronic Central Serous Chorioretinopathy.

PURPOSE: To assess the relationship between demographics, clinical characteristics, and structural optical coherence tomography (OCT) findings and the development of sight-threatening macular complications (choroidal neovascularization [CNV], large areas of retinal pigment epithelium [RPE] atrophy, and cystoid macular degeneration [CMD]) in a cohort of eyes with "resolved" chronic central serous chorioretinopathy (CSC) at study baseline. DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study. METHODS: In this study, a total of 71 eyes with "resolved" (absence of subretinal fluid) chronic CSC at baseline and 36 months of regular follow-up examinations were retrospectively enrolled. Structural OCT scans were reviewed. Baseline OCT qualitative features reflecting distress of the neuroretina, RPE, or choroid were assessed and included ellipsoid zone discontinuity, outer nuclear layer (ONL) thinning; presence of hyper-reflective intraretinal foci; dome-shaped pigment epithelium detachment (PED); hyper-reflective flat, irregular PED; hyporeflective flat, irregular PED; and inner choroidal attenuation. OCT images obtained at follow-up visits were also reviewed for development of macular complications (CNV, large areas of RPE atrophy [at least 250 µm in diameter], and CMD). Main outcome measurements included incidence of macular complications and hazard ratio (HR) for demographics, clinical characteristics, and OCT risk factors. RESULTS: At month 36, 20 eyes (28.2%) developed macular complications. Nine eyes (12.7%) displayed CNV, 9 eyes (12.7%) had large areas of RPE atrophy, and 2 eyes (2.8%) developed cystoid macular degeneration. The following factors were associated with an increased risk of development of CNV: intraretinal hyper-reflective foci had an HR of 11.58 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.10-37.24; P = .040); inner choroidal attenuation had an HR of 9.66 (95% CI: 1.07-22.34; P = .043); and the presence of macular complications in the fellow eye had an HR of 20.17 (95% CI: 1.34-39.41; P = .030). Factors associated with the development of RPE atrophy were also identified: ONL thinning had an HR of 13.47 (95% CI: 1.10-39.86; P = .042); dome-shaped PED had an HR of 21.40 (95% CI: 1.50-41.10; P = .031); and inner choroidal attenuation had an HR of 13.20 (95% CI: 1.07-39.32; P = .044). CONCLUSIONS: OCT risk factors were identified for the development of macular complications in eyes with chronic CSC. Findings may help in the identification of high-risk patients.

Rate of misdiagnosis and clinical usefulness of the correct diagnosis in exudative neovascular maculopathy secondary to AMD versus pachychoroid disease.

The aim of this study was to explore the relative prevalence and clinical differences between age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and pachychoroid disease in patients older than 50 years with newly diagnosed exudative neovascular maculopathy, and also assess the rate of misdiagnosis between these two disorders. In this retrospective observational study, we reviewed data from patients 50 years of age and older with newly diagnosed treatment-naïve exudative macular neovascularization (MNV) secondary to AMD or pachychoroid disease. Of the 139 patients (139 eyes) who fulfilled the inclusion criteria, 35 patients were graded as being affected by pachychoroid disease complicated by exudative MNV and 104 subjects had neovascular AMD. Therefore, prevalence of pachychoroid disease complicated by exudative MNV was 25.2% (confidence interval-CI 18.2-33.2%). Mean ± SD age was 67.0 ± 8.8 years in the pachychoroid disease group and 80.6 ± 6.6 years in the neovascular AMD group (P < 0.0001). At baseline, BCVA was better in patients with pachychoroid disease complicated by exudative MNV (0.4 ± 0.3 LogMAR vs. 0.7 ± 0.5 LogMAR, P = 0.003). At the 1-year follow-up visit, BCVA was still better in patients with pachychoroid-associated MNV (0.34 ± 0.32 LogMAR vs. 0.59 ± 0.52 LogMAR; P = 0.005). In our study cohort, 19 patients were graded to be affected by pachychoroid disease complicated by exudative MNV even though a diagnosis of neovascular AMD was erroneously reported in their medical records at baseline. In conclusion, pachychoroid disease is a frequent cause of exudative MNV in aged patients with a high rate of misdiagnosis. A correct diagnosis may be important as these two disorders differ in terms of clinical characteristics and prognosis.