POSTERIOR TRACTIONAL MEMBRANES FOLLOWING ANTI-VASCULAR ENDOTHELIAL GROWTH FACTOR FOR RETINOPATHY OF PREMATURITY.

PURPOSE: To report two cases of tractional membrane formation following treatment with anti-vascular endothelial growth factor therapy in infants with Stage-3 retinopathy of prematurity. METHODS: Retrospective review of electronic medical record for historical information, clinical examination documentation, and imaging from fundus photography, retinal ultrasonography, and fluorescein angiography. RESULTS: Two patients with Stage-3 retinopathy of prematurity, previously treated with laser therapy and intravitreal bevacizumab, were referred to our institution for tractional membranes. The first case is of a male infant with Zone-II disease that progressed to Stage 4A with evidence of inferotemporal tractional retinal detachment only in the left eye. The second case is of a male infant with stable Zone-I disease with an epiretinal membrane in the left eye.Pars plicata vitrectomy and membranectomy were required for both cases because of the concern for subsequent tractional retinal detachment. CONCLUSION: Formation of tractional retinal membranes has been associated with anti-vascular endothelial growth factor therapy. These cases describe the formation of posterior tractional membranes after anti-vascular endothelial growth factor therapy. This potential ocular outcome should be considered when determining treatment plans for retinopathy of prematurity.

Inner retinal fenestration for paediatric optic disc pit maculopathy: a case series.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the efficacy of inner retinal fenestration as a surgical technique for the treatment of optic disc pit maculopathy (ODPM) in the paediatric population. METHODS: This is a retrospective, interventional case series of paediatric patients with ODPM treated at two tertiary hospitals in London by a single surgeon (SCW). All patients underwent pars plana vitrectomy with the creation of two inner retinal fenestrations and endogas tamponade. The partial-thickness retinotomies were made radial to the optic disc pit using a 25-gauge MVR blade. Anatomic and visual outcomes were determined by optical coherence tomography central retinal thickness and best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), respectively. RESULTS: A total of six eyes were included. Average patient age was 12.0 ± 3.5 years. Preoperatively all eyes demonstrated intraretinal fluid and/or serous detachment of the central macula. Patients were followed for a mean of 22.7 ± 16.1 months after surgery. Mean preoperative BCVA was logMAR 0.71 ± 0.29 (20/100). Mean postoperative BCVA was 0.49 ± 0.30 (20/63) at 2 weeks, 0.35 ± 0.33 (20/45) at 3 months and 0.16 ± 0.29 (20/32) at 1 year. Progressive resolution of intraretinal and subretinal fluid (SRF) was observed in all eyes, with central retinal thickness significantly improved by 2 weeks postoperatively (637.83 ± 209.09 µm preoperatively and 465.40 ± 169.86 µm postoperatively, p = 0.04). Recurrence of subretinal or intraretinal fluid was not observed. CONCLUSION: Dual inner retinal fenestration is an effective technique that resolves fluid and restores vision in paediatric patients with ODPM. These results support the hypothesis that enabling egress of fluid into the vitreous cavity can achieve long-lasting amelioration of ODPM.

Acircularity index and axis ratio of the foveal avascular zone in diabetic eyes and healthy controls measured by optical coherence tomography angiography.

Given the complexity of the current system used to stage diabetic retinopathy (DR) and the risks and limitations associated with intravenous fluorescein angiography (IVFA), noninvasive quantification of DR severity is desirable. We examined the utility of acircularity index and axis ratio of the foveal avascular zone (FAZ), metrics that can noninvasively quantify the severity of diabetic retinopathy without the need for axial length to correct for individual retinal magnification. A retrospective review was performed of type 2 diabetics and age-matched controls imaged with optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA). Diabetic eyes were divided into three groups according to clinical features: No clinically observable diabetic retinopathy (NoDR), nonproliferative diabetic retinopathy (NPDR), and proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR). OCTAs of the superficial and deep vascular layers centered at the fovea were superimposed to form a full vascular layer on which the FAZ was manually traced. Acircularity index and axis ratio were calculated for each FAZ. Significant differences in acircularity index were observed between all groups except for controls vs. NoDR. Similar results were found for axis ratio, although there was no significant difference observed between NPDR and PDR. We demonstrate that acircularity index and axis ratio can be used to help noninvasively stage DR using OCTA, and show promise as methods to monitor disease progression and detect response to treatment.

Optical Coherence Tomography Angiography Analysis of Perfused Peripapillary Capillaries in Primary Open-Angle Glaucoma and Normal-Tension Glaucoma.

Purpose: To compare perfused peripapillary capillary density in primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG), normal-tension glaucoma (NTG), and normal patients using optical coherence tomography angiography (OCT-A). Methods: A retrospective review of POAG, NTG, and normal patients imaged with OCT-A was performed. En face OCT angiograms identifying peripapillary vessels were obtained using a spectral-domain OCT system (Avanti RTVue-XR). A custom image analysis approach identified perfused peripapillary capillaries, quantified perfused capillary density (PCD), and generated color-coded PCD maps for 3.5- and 4.5-mm-diameter scans. We compared PCD values, PCD maps, standard automated perimetry (Humphrey visual field [HVF]) parameters, and OCT retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thickness analyses across all groups. Results: Forty POAG, 26 NTG, and 26 normal patients were included. Annular PCD in POAG (34.24 ± 6.76%) and NTG (37.75 ± 3.52%) patients was significantly decreased compared to normal patients (42.99 ± 1.81%) in 4.5-mm scans (P < 0.01 and P < 0.01, respectively). Similar trends and statistical significances were seen in 3.5-mm scans. Linear regression analysis resulted in moderate correlations between annular PCD values and other glaucomatous parameters. Pearson coefficients comparing annular PCD from 4.5-mm scans in POAG and NTG groups to HVF mean deviation, HVF pattern standard deviation, and average RNFL thickness all showed statistical significance (P < 0.05). Color maps showed that POAG and NTG patients had a reduction of perfused capillaries that progressed in size when comparing early, moderate, and severe glaucoma groups. Conclusions: Optical coherence tomography angiography can uniquely identify changes in peripapillary PCD in glaucoma patients. Optical coherence tomography angiography may offer insights into the pathophysiology of glaucomatous damage and risk factors for disease progression.

CHIKUNGUNYA-ASSOCIATED UVEITIS AND EXUDATIVE RETINAL DETACHMENT: A CASE REPORT.

PURPOSE: To report the first known case of bilateral granulomatous panuveitis secondary to chikungunya fever in the United States, acquired by a U.S. citizen traveling from an endemic region. METHODS: Case report. RESULTS: A 47-year-old woman presented with 10 days of bilateral decreased vision and photophobia concurrent with a febrile illness contracted while visiting the Dominican Republic. She presented with bilateral granulomatous panuveitis and exudative retinal detachments. Extensive workup was negative with the exception of positive chikungunya virus immunoglobulin G and immunoglobulin M titers. Initially, she responded to corticosteroid treatment but developed recurrent inflammation 3 months after completing the initial treatment. Immunomodulatory therapy was initiated at the time of recurrence, and with immunomodulatory therapy alone her inflammation has been controlled for 6 months. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of chikungunya fever-related uveitis is increasing with the recent epidemics throughout the Americas. Inflammation can occur during the febrile illness or months later and can manifest in a variety of ways. Posterior segment inflammation is more commonly a delayed presentation. Previous reports suggest that chikungunya fever-related uveitis responds well to corticosteroid therapy. This is the first reported case of recurrent inflammation. Given the wide variety of presentations, chikungunya fever-related uveitis should be included in the differential diagnosis of all at-risk patients presenting with acute ocular inflammation, particularly those traveling from endemic regions.

RETINAL VASCULAR PERFUSION DENSITY MAPPING USING OPTICAL COHERENCE TOMOGRAPHY ANGIOGRAPHY IN NORMALS AND DIABETIC RETINOPATHY PATIENTS.

PURPOSE: To describe a new method of retinal vascular perfusion density mapping using optical coherence tomography angiography and to compare current staging of diabetic retinopathy based on clinical features with a new grading scale based on perifoveal perfusion densities. METHODS: A retrospective review was performed on subjects with diabetic retinopathy and age-matched controls imaged with a spectral domain optical coherence tomography system (Optovue XR Avanti, Fremont, CA). Split-spectrum amplitude-decorrelation angiography (SSADA) generated optical coherence tomography angiograms of the superficial retinal capillaries, deep retinal capillaries, and choriocapillaris. Skeletonized optical coherence tomography angiograms were used to create color-coded perfusion maps and capillary perfusion density values for each image. Capillary perfusion density values were compared with clinical staging, and groups were compared using analysis of variance and Kruskal-Wallis analyses. RESULTS: Twenty-one control and 56 diabetic retinopathy eyes were imaged. Diabetic eyes were grouped according to clinical stage. Capillary perfusion density values from each microvascular layer were compared across all groups. Capillary perfusion density values were significantly lower in nearly all layers of all study groups compared with controls. Trend analysis showed a significant decrease in capillary perfusion density values as retinopathy progresses for most layers. CONCLUSION: Quantitative retinal vascular perfusion density mapping agreed closely with grading based on clinical features and may offer an objective method for monitoring disease progression in diabetic retinopathy.

Lutein, Zeaxanthin, and meso-Zeaxanthin in the Clinical Management of Eye Disease.

Lutein, zeaxanthin, and meso-zeaxanthin are xanthophyll carotenoids found within the retina and throughout the visual system. The retina is one of the most metabolically active tissues in the body. The highest concentration of xanthophylls is found within the retina, and this selective presence has generated many theories regarding their role in supporting retinal function. Subsequently, the effect of xanthophylls in the prevention and treatment of various eye diseases has been examined through epidemiological studies, animal studies, and clinical trials. This paper attempts to review the epidemiological studies and clinical trials investigating the effects of xanthophylls on the incidence and progression of various eye diseases. Observational studies have reported that increased dietary intake and higher serum levels of lutein and zeaxanthin are associated with lower risk of age-related macular degeneration (AMD), especially late AMD. Randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trials have demonstrated that xanthophyll supplementation increases macular pigment levels, improves visual function, and decreases the risk of progression to late AMD, especially neovascular AMD. Current publications on the preventive and therapeutic effects of lutein and zeaxanthin on cataracts, diabetic retinopathy, and retinopathy of prematurity have reported encouraging results.