Epiretinal Membrane Impairs the Inner Retinal Layer in a Traction Force-Dependent Manner.

Purpose: To investigate the relationship between retinal traction force and impairment of the inner retinal layer in patients with epiretinal membrane (ERM). Design: Nonrandomized, retrospective consecutive case series. Participants: Two hundred nine eyes of 201 patients with idiopathic ERM who underwent vitrectomy for idiopathic ERM were enrolled. Methods: Retinal folds caused by ERM were visualized using en face OCT, and the maximum depth of retinal folds within the parafovea (MDRF) was measured. Focal macular electroretinogram (ERG) was used to measure the amplitude and implicit time of each component for the ERM eyes and the normal fellow eyes. B-scan OCT images were used to measure the thicknesses of the inner nuclear layer (INL) and outer nuclear layer (ONL) + outer plexiform layer (OPL). Expression of α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) in surgically removed ERM specimens was quantified by reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction. Main Outcome Measures: We analyzed the relationship between MDRF and the relative amplitudes of focal macular ERG (affected eye/fellow eye), the relationships between MDRF and the mean INL thickness and ONL+OPL thickness, comparison of INL thickness and ONL+OPL thickness for each area when cases were classified according to MDRF localization in the ETDRS chart, and the relationship between MDRF and the relative expression of α-SMA in the ERM specimens. Results: The MDRF significantly correlated with the relative amplitudes (affected eye/fellow eye) of b-waves and oscillatory potentials (r = -0.657, P = 0.015; r = -0.569, P = 0.042, respectively) and the mean INL thickness and ONL+OPL thickness (r = 0.604, P < 0.001; r = 0.210, P = 0.007, respectively). However, only the INL thickness progression rate was significantly correlated with the MDRF progression rate (r = 0.770, P < 0.001). On case stratification by localization of MDRF based on the ETDRS chart, in regions other than temporal regions, the INL thickness was significantly greater in regions with MDRF than in other regions. The MDRF significantly correlated with α-SMA expression in the ERM specimens (r = 0.555, P = 0.009). Conclusions: The findings suggest that ERM impairs the inner retinal layer in a traction force-dependent manner. Financial Disclosures: The author(s) have no proprietary or commercial interest in any materials discussed in this article.

IMPACT OF MACULAR INTRARETINAL HEMORRHAGE AND MACULAR HOLE ON THE VISUAL PROGNOSIS OF SUBMACULAR HEMORRHAGE DUE TO RETINAL ARTERIAL MACROANEURYSM RUPTURE.

PURPOSE: To compare the effects of macular intraretinal hemorrhage (IRH) and macular hole (MH) on best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) after displacement of submacular hemorrhage (SMH) due to retinal arterial macroaneurysm (RAM) rupture. METHODS: This multicenter retrospective study included 48 eyes with SMH due to RAM rupture. Cases underwent vitrectomy to displace SMH and were followed up for 6 months. We classified cases according to the presence of IRH and MH and compared the postoperative BCVA among the groups. RESULTS: We classified the eyes into IRH(+)MH(+) group (10 eyes), IRH(+)MH(-) group (23 eyes), and IRH(-)MH(-) group (15 eyes). The postoperative BCVA was significantly worse in the IRH(+)MH(+) and IRH(+)MH(-) groups than in the IRH(-)MH(-) group (0.91 ± 0.41 in logarithm of the minimal angle of resolution units, Snellen equivalent 20/163, 0.87 ± 0.45, 20/148, and 0.18 ± 0.21, 20/30, respectively; P < 0.001). The postoperative central retinal thickness was significantly lower in the IRH(+) group (IRH(+)MH(+) and IRH(+)MH(-) groups combined) than in the IRH(-) group (IRH(-)MH(-) group) (121.4 ± 70.1 µ m and 174.3 ± 32.9 µ m, respectively, P = 0.008). The postoperative external limiting membrane and ellipsoid zone continuities were significantly discontinuous in the IRH(+) group ( P < 0.001, P = 0.001, respectively). The multiple linear regression analysis showed that both IRH(+)MH(+) and IRH(+)MH(-) were associated with the postoperative BCVA (regression coefficient, 0.799 and 0.711, respectively; P < 0.001 for both). CONCLUSION: Both IRH and MH were poor prognostic indicators in cases with SMH due to RAM rupture.

OBJECTIVE AND QUANTITATIVE ESTIMATION OF THE OPTIMAL TIMING FOR EPIRETINAL MEMBRANE SURGERY ON THE BASIS OF METAMORPHOPSIA.

PURPOSE: To establish an objective and quantitative biomarker of metamorphopsia in epiretinal membranes (ERMs) and determine the optimal timing for ERM surgery. METHODS: Retrospectively, 172 eyes with ERM were reviewed. Retinal folds because of tangential traction by ERM were visualized by en-face optical coherence tomography. The maximum depth of retinal folds (MDRF) within the parafovea was quantified. Metamorphopsia was quantified by M-CHARTS. The change in the distance between the retinal vessels after ERM surgery and the preoperative total depth of retinal folds between the vessels were quantified using en-face optical coherence tomography and optical coherence tomography angiography. RESULTS: Significant correlations were observed between preoperative MDRF and M-CHARTS scores before and at 6 months after surgery (r = 0.617 and 0.460, respectively; P < 0.001) and change in the distance between the retinal vessels after ERM surgery and preoperative total depth of retinal folds between the vessels (r = 0.471; P = 0.013). The preoperative MDRF values at which M-CHARTS scores were 0.5 before and 6 months after the surgery were 69 µm and 118 µm, respectively. CONCLUSION: The MDRF is an objective and quantitative biomarker of metamorphopsia in ERM. To maintain patients' quality of vision, ERM surgery may be performed when the preoperative MDRF ranges between 69 µm and 118 µm.

En Face Image-Based Analysis of Epiretinal Membrane Formation after Surgery for Idiopathic Epiretinal Membrane.

PURPOSE: To analyze en face epiretinal membrane (ERM) images constructed using swept-source (SS) OCT and to determine the incidence of ERM formation after ERM surgery and its effects on visual function. DESIGN: Retrospective, consecutive observational study. PARTICIPANTS: Consecutive series of 73 eyes (71 patients) with idiopathic ERM that underwent vitrectomy with both ERM and internal limiting membrane (ILM) peeling. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the data of the 73 eyes included in the study. During surgery, the ERM was removed as extensively as possible, and the ILM was removed such that the area of ILM peeling was at least larger than the parafoveal area. All patients underwent comprehensive ophthalmologic examinations, including assessments of best-corrected visual acuity and metamorphopsia, before and at 2 weeks and 6 months after the surgery. En face images constructed using SS OCT were used to investigate ERM formation. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The incidence of ERM formation at 6 months after the surgery, effects of ERM formation on visual function, and the relationship between ERM formation and the extent of ERM and ILM peeling. RESULTS: At 6 months after ERM and ILM peeling, 8 eyes (11.0%) showed ERM formation (formation group). Twenty eyes (27.4%) exhibited remnant ERM without ERM formation (remnant group), whereas 45 eyes (61.6%) showed no ERM (no ERM group). In both the remnant and no ERM groups, best-corrected visual acuity and metamorphopsia showed significant improvements after ERM surgery (both P < 0.01); these improvements were not seen in the formation group (P = 0.067 and P = 0.053, respectively). However, no significant differences were found in preoperative and postoperative best-corrected visual acuities and metamorphopsia among the 3 groups. In the formation group, ERM formation occurred only in the area with residual ILM. Most patients who underwent ILM peeling in which the area of the peeling covered the ERM belonged to the no ERM group (97.7%; P < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Epiretinal membrane formation does not affect visual function significantly when the area of ILM peeling is larger than the parafoveal area. When the ILM peeling area covers the ERM area, postoperative ERM formation can be prevented.

EN FACE IMAGE-BASED ANALYSIS OF RETINAL TRACTION CAUSED BY EPIRETINAL MEMBRANE AND ITS RELATIONSHIP WITH VISUAL FUNCTIONS.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the relationship between retinal traction caused by epiretinal membrane and visual functions. METHODS: In this institutional study, en face swept-source optical coherence tomography images of 141 eyes of 130 patients with epiretinal membrane were analyzed to investigate maximum depth of retinal folds, which represents retinal traction strength and the distribution pattern of retinal folds. We investigated the relationships between the maximum depth and distribution pattern of retinal folds and visual functions as well as the effects of membrane peeling. RESULTS: Maximum retinal fold depth was significantly correlated with the metamorphopsia score (P < 0.001). Fifteen eyes showed retinal folds radially extending from the macular epiretinal membrane (radiating folds group), whereas 126 eyes showed a multidirectional pattern of retinal folds (multidirectional folds group). The radiating folds group showed a significantly lower metamorphopsia score (P = 0.014). Multiple regression analysis revealed that the metamorphopsia score was significantly related to maximum retinal fold depth (P = 0.003), distribution pattern (P = 0.015), and central retinal thickness (P < 0.001). One month after membrane peeling, parafoveal retinal folds resolved completely in all cases, and both visual acuity (P < 0.001) and average metamorphopsia score (P = 0.036) were significantly improved. CONCLUSION: Both the strength and the distribution pattern of retinal traction are significantly related to metamorphopsia in epiretinal membrane patients.

Results of lamellar macular hole-associated epiretinal proliferation embedding technique for the treatment of degenerative lamellar macular hole.

PURPOSE: To investigate the outcomes of embedding lamellar hole-associated epiretinal proliferation (LHEP) into retinal cleavage for the surgical treatment of degenerative lamellar macular hole (LMH). METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 34 consecutive eyes of degenerative LMH patients who underwent vitrectomy with LHEP embedding and who were followed up for at least 12 months. Best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), central retinal thickness (CRT), and macular structure preoperatively and at the final follow-up were compared. RESULTS: The mean (±SD) follow-up period was 30.0 ± 17.7 months. Twelve patients (35.3%) were men, and the mean age was 69.6 ± 10.1 years. Twenty-three eyes (67.6%) underwent simultaneous cataract surgery. BCVA was significantly improved at the final visit, from 0.31 ± 0.25 logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution units to 0.10 ± 0.25 (P < 0.01). This improvement in mean BCVA at the final postoperative visit occurred regardless of whether the eyes underwent simultaneous cataract surgery, from 0.30 ± 0.26 preoperatively to 0.04 ± 0.16 (P < 0.01) in the "with cataract surgery" group and from 0.32 ± 0.26 preoperatively to 0.21 ± 0.35 (P < 0.05) in the "without cataract surgery" group. CRT was also significantly improved at the final visit, from 123.2 ± 42.6 µm preoperatively to 191.2 ± 42.6 µm (P < 0.01). External limiting membrane and ellipsoid zone defects were detected in 17 (50.0%) and 15 (44.1%) eyes, respectively, but these were resolved in 10 (58.8%) and 7 (46.7%) eyes, respectively, at the final visit. No intraoperative or postoperative complications were observed. CONCLUSIONS: Embedding LHEP may be an effective and safe procedure to treat degenerative LMH.

Assessment of Lamellar Macular Hole and Macular Pseudohole With a Combination of En Face and Radial B-scan Optical Coherence Tomography Imaging.

PURPOSE: To investigate lamellar macular hole (LMH) and macular pseudohole (MPH) using a combination of en face and radial B-scan OCT. DESIGN: Retrospective observational case series. METHODS: Setting: Institutional study. PATIENT POPULATION: En face and radial B-scan OCT images of 63 eyes of 60 patients diagnosed with LMH or MPH based on an international classification were reviewed. OBSERVATION PROCEDURES: Cases were classified using en face images based on the presence/absence of epiretinal membrane (ERM), retinal folds, parafoveal epicenter of contractile ERM (PEC-ERM), and retinal cleavage. We compared the en face imaging-based classification system with the international classification system using radial B-scan images. We quantitatively evaluated visual function and macular morphology. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Characterization of multimodal OCT-based subtypes of LMH and MPH. RESULTS: All cases showed ERM and were classified into 4 groups. In the first group, which lacked retinal folds and showed significantly lower visual acuity than the other groups, 81% of eyes had degenerative LMH. In the second group, which lacked PEC-ERM and retinal cleavage and showed significantly lower retinal fold depth, all eyes had MPH. The third group, in which 95% of eyes had symmetric tractional LMH, included eyes with retinal cleavage but without PEC-ERM, and this group showed higher circularity of the foveal aperture and cleavage area than the group with both these features, in which all eyes had asymmetric tractional LMH. CONCLUSIONS: Multimodal OCT enables classification of LMH and MPH based on pathologic conditions. Retinal traction in particular may be useful for determining treatment methods.

Glycocalyx degradation in retinal and choroidal capillary endothelium in rats with diabetes and hypertension.

Endothelial glycocalyx (GCX) has been reported as a protective factor for vascular endothelial cells (VEC) in diabetes and hypertension. However, the involvement of GCX impairment in ocular vasculopathy remains unclear. We evaluated the changes in the GCX thicknesses of the retinal and choroidal capillaries in rats with diabetes and hypertension by cationic colloidal iron staining using a transmission electron microscope. In the control group, the mean (standard error of the mean) thicknesses of retinal and choroidal GCX were 60.2 (1.5) nm and 84.3 (3.1) nm, respectively. The diabetic rats showed a significant decrease of GCX thickness in the retina, but not in the choroid, compared to controls (28.3 (0.3) nm, p<0.01 and 77.8 (1.4) nm, respectively). In the hypertensive rats, both retinal and choroidal GCX were significantly decreased compared to the control values (10.9 (0.4) nm and 13.2 (1.0) nm, respectively, both p<0.01). Moreover, we could visualize the adhesion of leukocytes and platelets on the luminal surface of VEC, at the site where the GCX was markedly degraded. These findings suggest that the GCX prevents adhesion of leukocytes and platelets to the VEC surface, and this impairment may lead to ocular vasculopathy in diabetes and hypertension.

Macular hole surgery with triamcinolone acetonide-assisted internal limiting membrane peeling: one-year results.

PURPOSE: To report the 1-year results of macular hole surgery with triamcinolone acetonide (TA)-assisted internal limiting membrane (ILM) peeling and to compare those with results of indocyanine green (ICG)-assisted ILM peeling. METHODS: In a nonrandomized, retrospective, interventional case series, 40 eyes of 39 consecutive patients with idiopathic full-thickness macular holes underwent macular hole surgery with TA-assisted ILM peeling. Surgical results 1 year after surgery, including changes in best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and macular hole closure, were evaluated. Moreover, we compared the results for these 40 eyes (TA group) with those for 27 eyes of 27 consecutive patients who had undergone macular hole surgery with 0.25% ICG-assisted ILM peeling (ICG group). RESULTS: In the TA group, macular holes were closed in 39 (98%) of 40 eyes. Mean BCVA +/- SD significantly improved from 0.78 +/- 0.31 logarithm of the minimal angle of resolution (logMAR) preoperatively to 0.20 +/- 0.30 logMAR (P < 0.001). BCVA improved by > or =0.2 logMAR in 37 eyes (93%). BCVA was 20/40 or better in 33 (83%) of 30 eyes. In the ICG group, macular holes were closed in all 27 eyes (100%), and mean BCVA +/- SD significantly improved from 0.81 +/- 0.4 logMAR preoperatively to 0.34 +/- 0.2 logMAR 1 year postoperatively (P < 0.001). BCVA improved by > or =0.2 logMAR in 22 eyes (81%). BCVA was 20/40 or better in 16 (59%) of 27 eyes. Significant differences between groups were seen in mean BCVA 1 year after surgery (P = 0.049) but not in BCVA of 20/40 or better (P = 0.17) or change in BCVA by > or =0.2 logMAR (P = 0.05). CONCLUSION: TA is useful as an adjuvant for ILM peeling in macular hole surgery, and BCVA 1 year after surgery might be more favorable when compared with ICG-assisted ILM peeling.

Transposition of the anterior superior oblique insertion as a treatment for excyclotorsion induced from limited macular translocation.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the transposition of the anterior superior oblique insertion as a treatment for cyclovertical diplopia accompanied by an awareness of tilted image perceived with the affected eye induced from limited macular translocation (LMT). DESIGN: Observational case series. METHODS: Transposition of the anterior part of the superior oblique tendon combined with or without vertical muscle surgery on the affected eye was retrospectively studied in seven patients. Clinical outcome was assessed for binocular and monocular vision. A successful result was defined as restoration of single binocular vision (SBV) at distance and near examined with the Bagolini test with disappearance of a tilted image perceived in the affected eye. RESULTS: Six of seven patients (86%) became unaware of tilted image, and three patients (43%) obtained successful results after the strabismus surgery. Of these three patients with successful results, one (33%) patient recognized metamorphopsia, whereas two (67%) of the three patients with unfavorable results reported metamorphopsia. Patients with successful results showed a visual acuity of 20/25 or better in the affected eye and a significantly smaller difference in visual acuity between the two eyes than those patients with unfavorable surgical results (0.133 logarithm of the minimal angle of resolution for SBV(+) vs 0.675 logarithm of the minimal angle of resolution for SBV(-); P =.0255). CONCLUSIONS: The relatively low success for restoration of SBV indicates that strabismus surgery is recommended for patients whose difference in visual acuity between the two eyes is small and who have a high level visual acuity of the affected eye.

Evaluation of the dynamics of choroidal circulation in experimental acute hypertensionusing indocyanine green-stained leukocytes.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the dynamics of choroidal circulation in experimental acute hypertension, using the indocyanine green leukocyte angiography (ILA) method, which the authors have developed for the evaluation of leukocyte dynamics in choroidal circulation. METHODS: Japan White rabbits were used in the present study. Leukocytes were collected by centrifugal separation of the autologous blood, and were stained with indocyanine green (ICG) dye. The ICG-stained leukocyte fluid was injected into an ear vein, and fundus images were obtained by infrared laser and a scanning laser ophthalmoscope. Experimental acute hypertension was induced by the intravenous drip injection of angiotensin II (AII). RESULTS: The fluorescent dots rapidly moved in choroidal arteries at a decreasing velocity, passed very slowly through choroidal capillaries and drained into choroidal veins. Under normal blood pressure, the mean leukocyte velocities in arteries, capillaries and veins were 8.63+/-1.68, 0.52+/-0.07, and 6.96+/-2.20 mm/s, respectively. On the other hand, the respective mean velocities in acute hypertension induced by AII were 13.50+/-1.82, 0.81+/-0.09, and 10.54+/-3.91 mm/s. Besides flow velocity, no change in leukocyte dynamics was observed. CONCLUSIONS: Under the condition of acute hypertension induced by AII, leukocytes moved faster in the total choroidal circulation (from arteries to veins) compared to their velocity under the condition of normal blood pressure. Blood velocities might increase in the total choroidal circulation at an early stage in acute hypertension induced by AII, resulting in increased choroidal blood flow. ILA makes it possible to evaluate the changes in choroidal circulation under various pathologic conditions.

Selection for inferior limited macular translocation on the basis of distance from the fovea to the inferior edge of the subfoveal choroidal neovascularization.

PURPOSE: To assess the visual outcome of inferior limited macular translocation in eyes selected based on the distance from the fovea to the inferior edge of the subfoveal choroidal neovascularization. DESIGN: Interventional case series. METHODS: We performed inferior limited macular translocation in 12 consecutive eyes (12 patients) with age-related macular degeneration or polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy, in which the choroidal neovascularization did not extend for more than half of one disk diameter inferior to the fovea. RESULTS: In all eyes, the choroidal neovascularization was moved to an extrafoveal location. In seven of the 12 eyes, postoperative vision was 20/40 or better. The visual acuity improved by 2 or more lines in 11 eyes. CONCLUSION: Selection for inferior limited macular translocation on the basis of distance from the fovea to the inferior edge of the choroidal neovascularization may be associated with a greater likelihood of visual acuity improvement.