Evaluation of Increase in Retinal Thickness as Diagnostic Marker in Central Artery Occlusion.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the increase in retinal thickness as a marker in predicting the onset of central retinal artery occlusions. METHODS: Retrospective clinical study conducted at one Swiss hospital. Electronic records were filtered for patients with artery occlusions. Optical coherence tomography data, including time between the imaging and ischemic event, were reviewed. Increase in relative retinal thickness was measured, defined as an increase in retinal thickness compared to the unaffected partner eye. This was correlated with the time from symptom onset. A cutoff value of relative increase of < 24.5% was applied, as suggested in previous studies. The results were compared to the time gathered from the electronic records, and sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value as well as negative predictive value were calculated for predicting an ischemia time of < 4.5 h. RESULTS: Forty-two eyes from 41 patients with central artery occlusions were identified. Fourteen were female. Mean age was 66.4 ± 15.8 years. Initial corrected visual acuity was 2.41 ± 0.68 logMAR, and 2.13 ± 0.87 logMAR at the last follow-up (p > 0.05). Of eyes with a visual acuity of counting fingers (n = 38) or worse, 89.5% showed no improvement during follow-up, while eyes with logMAR 1 or better (n = 4) improved. Thirteen eyes (13 patients) presented within 4.5 h of the ischemic event. Four patients received i. v. thrombolysis, with visual recovery in one. In 12 eyes with an ischemia time of < 4.5 h, relative increase was below 24.5%. In the remaining 29 eyes with > 4.5 h, relative increase was below 24.5% in 4 eyes and above 24.5% in 25 eyes. This yielded a sensitivity of 92.3%, a specificity of 86.2%, with a positive predictive value of 75.0% and a negative predictive value of 96.2%. CONCLUSION: Central retinal artery occlusion is associated with severe vision loss. There is no current established therapy. Parameters that objectify the presence of a therapeutic window for thrombolysis are gaining in importance as patient history is often imprecise. Relative retinal thickness increase proved a noninvasive imaging parameter demonstrating adequate performance in detecting patients within the therapeutic window of thrombolysis. Further investigation of this parameter in central retinal occlusion is warranted.

Ophthalmological Outcomes in Patients with Susac Syndrome.

BACKGROUND: To report ophthalmological outcomes and treatment regimen in patients with Susac syndrome. METHODS: This is a retrospective analysis of patients with Susac syndrome treated between November 2015 and March 2023. Multimodal imaging findings, ophthalmic examination data, information on neurological and sensorineural involvement, and therapeutic regimen were reviewed. Visual acuity was recorded as the logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution (logMAR). Ophthalmological manifestations and disease severity were assessed using the previously described clinical activity score (CAS). RESULTS: Ten patients with Susac syndrome m : f = 5 : 5 were identified. The mean follow-up time was 31.2 ± 23.3 months (range 1 to 78 months). The mean age was 41.4 ± 13.8 years (range 21 to 59 years). At baseline, corrected distance visual acuity (CDVA) was 0.03 ± 0.08 logMAR. At the last follow-up, CDVA improved to 0.00 ± 0.03 logMAR (p = 0.029). Three of 20 eyes showed an improvement of 5 letters, while no loss of visual acuity was recorded during the follow-up time. Baseline CAS was 10.65 ± 12.69, and CAS at the last follow-up was 5.15 ± 5.49 (p = 0.068). Except for one patient, all were initially treated with intravenous (i. v.) steroids and subsequent oral tapering. Depending on the treatment response, cyclophosphamide (n = 4), i. v. immunoglobulins (IVIGs) (n = 4), anti-CD20 antibodies (n = 3), or plasmapheresis (n = 1) were applied. All patients under treatment for more than 1 month (n = 9) showed improvement in CAS and CDVA. CONCLUSION: Susac syndrome is a rare autoimmune vascular endotheliopathy. Treatment of Susac syndrome appears to result in improving CAS and CDVA. The majority of patients, in addition to the systemic steroids, required systemic immunosuppressive agents. Interdisciplinary communication is crucial to reduce the time to diagnosis and initiation of therapy in patients with Susac syndrome.

Feasibility and Clinical Utility of Wide-Field Optical Coherence Tomography Angiography Compared to Ultrawide-Field Fluorescein Angiography in Patients with Diabetic Retinopathy.

PURPOSE: To test the diagnostic performance of a novel wide-field swept-source optical coherence tomography angiography (WF-OCTA) device in detecting retinal non-perfusion (NP) and neovascularization (NV) in eyes with diabetic retinopathy (DR) and to compare this with the standard-of-care imaging method, ultrawide-field fluorescein angiography (UWFFA). METHODS: Prospective, observational, cross-sectional single-center study evaluating patients with DR imaged with WF-OCTA (Xephilio OCT-S1; Canon Inc., Tokyo, Japan) and UWFFA (Optos California; Optos plc, Dunfermline, United Kingdom). WF-OCTA images of the superficial capillary plexus (SCP) consisted of single capture 23 × 20 mm scans centered on the fovea. In UWFFA and WF-OCTA, qualitative and quantitative measurements were assessed to analyze retinal NP and NV. Vessel density (VD) in WF-OCTA and ischemic index (ISI) in UWFFA were calculated. Qualitatively, the presence of NV and NP was assessed in both WF-OCTA (posterior pole/midperipheral retina) and UWFFA (posterior pole/midperipheral retina/far peripheral retina). RESULTS: Ten consecutive patients with variable DR severity stages (17 eyes) were evaluated. Two eyes had to be excluded due to low quality of the WF-OCTA images. Therefore, 15 eyes were included for final analysis. Mean age was 57 years (± SD: 15.2) and the male : female ratio was 4 : 6. UWFFA identified retinal NP in 11 eyes (73%). Posterior pole NP was present in eight eyes, midperiphery NP was present in eight eyes, and far periphery NP was present in seven eyes. Retinal NV was detected in four eyes using UWFFA (two eyes with only midperiphery NV). WF-OCTA detected retinal NP in 11 eyes (9 cases with both posterior pole and midperiphery NP). NV was detected in three eyes (two with posterior pole and midperipheral NV, four with only midperipheral NV). Mean VD evaluated using WF-OCTA of the SCP was 0.40 (± SD: 0.1), and mean ISI in UWFFA was 0.09 (± SD: 1.3). Spearman's test did not show a significant correlation between the ISI in UWFFA and VD in WF-OCTA (p = 0.803). CONCLUSIONS: Noninvasive WF-OCTA has great potential for the management of patients with DR. This new imaging modality might be useful in daily clinical routine in order to lower the number of invasive examinations. However, in a small percentage of patients, OCTA images cannot be reliably graded for the presence of NP and NV. In these cases, conventional FA needs to be performed.

Natural Course of Solar and Laser-Associated Retinal and Macular Injuries at a Primary Care Hospital in Switzerland.

BACKGROUND: Solar and laser-associated retinopathies are rare occurrences. The two retinopathies are both photo-induced but differ in the involved intensity and duration of exposure. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the clinical features and natural course of these two entities, with a focus on the changes in the outer retina over time. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This retrospective analysis assessed patients with solar or laser maculopathy seen at the Department of Ophthalmology of the University Hospital Zurich in Switzerland over the last 10 years. Visual acuity (VA; Snellen) and optical coherence tomography (OCT) findings were reviewed and analyzed at baseline and last follow-up visit. Areas of damaged outer retina, identified on en face OCT images as hyporeflective areas, were tagged and compared between visits. Descriptive analysis was performed by calculating mean values ± standard deviation (SD). Statistical evaluation was done using the Wilcoxon signed rank test. A p value < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS: Five patients with solar retinopathy and six patients with laser-associated retinopathy were identified. In the solar retinopathy group, mean VA at baseline was 0.80 (SD ± 0.37) and improved to 0.90 (SD ± 0.36). This was not statistically significant (p = 0.066). In the laser-associated retinopathy group, mean VA at baseline was 0.89 (SD ± 0.18) and improved to 1.03 (SD ± 0.09), which was not statistically significant either (p = 0.063). At baseline, in OCT cross-sections, initial changes were observed in the interdigitation, myoid, and ellipsoid zone, as well as the outer nuclear layer and the Henle fiber layer. At follow-up, most cases presented an alteration in the residual ellipsoid zone, with the degree of the aforementioned alterations depending on the size of the initial defect. A decrease of the hyporeflective alterations measured in en face OCT scans was observed in both groups but was only statistically significant in the laser-associated retinopathy group (p = 0.018 versus p = 0.172). CONCLUSIONS: OCT can help to detect and monitor solar and laser-associated retinal injuries. Most injuries are minor, with good functional restitution. Minor changes in the ellipsoid zone often persist, even in cases with full visual recovery.

Analysis of Blood Flow in the Macula and Optic Nerve Head in Healthy Young Volunteers Using Laser Speckle Flowgraphy.

PURPOSE: To assess optic nerve head (ONH) and macular blood flow in young healthy volunteers using laser speckle flowgraphy (LSFG). METHODS: This is a prospective single-center study conducted at the Department of Ophthalmology, University Hospital Zurich from May to November 2021. Young, healthy men aged ≥ 18 years without ocular or systemic diseases were included. A corrected visual acuity (VA) of 0.0 logMAR or better in both eyes and an intraocular pressure (IOP) of 21 mmHg or lower were required for inclusion. Subjects exceeding a spherical equivalent (SE) of ± 6 diopters (dpt) were excluded. Blood flow in the macula and the ONH was recorded using the Nidek LSFG RetFlow device (Nidek Company, Ltd., Hirioshi-cho, Japan). Laser power was set to 0.5 Millivolts (mV). Mean blur rate (MBR) was recorded as a parameter for blood flow. MBR is a calculated parameter that represents relative blood flow velocity correlated with the real anatomical blood flow rate. Colored heat maps of the recorded retinal area were generated automatically by the RetFlow device. RESULTS: Final analyses included 83 eyes of 43 male volunteers. Mean age was 21.9 years (SD ± 1.5, range: 20 to 29). Mean corrected VA was - 0.1 logMAR (SD ± 0.05, range: - 0.2 to 0.0), mean IOP was 15.4 mmHg (SD ± 2.5, range: 8.5 to 18.5), and mean SE was - 0.3 dpt (SD ± 1.2, range: - 5.0 to 1.2). Mean ONH MBR was 37.44 (SD ± 7.9, range: 22.5 to 53.5) and mean macular MBR was 27.8 (SD ± 9.7, range: 6.4 to 57.7). Pearson's Test showed a strong correlation between macular and papillary blood flow (p < 0.05, coefficient: 0.647). CONCLUSION: This study provides both ONH and macular blood flow data in a healthy young male population, showing a strong correlation between ONH and macular blood flow in the examined eyes. Further investigations are required to assess the validity of MBR as a parameter for the combined evaluation of retinal blood flow at the macula and ONH in healthy volunteers and patients with various diseases.

Relationship of Vessel Density to Vessel Length Density in Patients with Treated Fabry Disease.

BACKGROUND: Fabry disease (FD) is a potentially lethal lysosomal disorder with systemic vascular changes. Previous studies demonstrated retinal vascular involvement using optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) in affected patients; Aim: To analyze and quantify the retinal vasculature measuring vessel density (VD), vessel length density (VLD), and the ratio of VD to VLD (VD/VLD) in superficial capillary plexuses (SCP) and deep capillary plexuses (DCP) using OCTA in patients with FD and to show whether they differ from healthy controls (HC); Patients and methods: Single-center, retrospective, consecutive cohort study of patients with genetically proven FD. Patients underwent an ophthalmological examination including OCTA. VD, VLD, foveal avascular zone (FAZ), and the VD/VLD were compared to an HC group using a linear mixed model; Results: A statistically significant difference in the VLD and VD/VLD of DCP was observed between the two groups (p < 0.001). Using ROC curves with AUC and Youden's Index, a cut-off value for differentiating both groups using VD/VLD in DCP FD with high specificity and high sensitivity was established; Conclusions: FD and HC groups seem to be separable using the VD/VLD ratio in DCP. This new biomarker might differentiate changes in the retinal microvasculature that are not detectable by VD or VLD alone.

Differences in Mean Values and Variance in Quantitative Analyses of Foveal OCTA Imaging.

PURPOSE: Multiple approaches for quantifying parameters such as vessel density (VD) and vessel length density (VLD) in optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) en-face segmentations are currently available. While it is common knowledge that data gathered from different methods should not be directly compared to each other, a comparison of the different methods can help to further the understanding of differences between different methods of measurement. Here we compare a common method of semiautomatically quantifying VD and VLD with an automated method supplied by the manufacturer of an OCTA device and report on differences in performance in order to probe for and highlight differences in values gathered by both methods. METHODS: OCTA was performed using the swept source PLEX Elite 9000 device, software version 2.0.1.47652 (Carl Zeiss Meditec Inc., Dublin, CA, USA). Scans of 3 mm × 3 mm from healthy volunteers centred on the fovea were acquired by a well-trained certified ophthalmologist. Scans with a signal strength of 8 out of 10 or higher were included. Quantitative parameters of the 3 mm × 3 mm cube scans were automatically generated and segmented into superficial capillary plexus (SCP) and deep capillary plexus (DCP) layers using layer segmentation produced by the instrument software and prototype analysis VD quantification software (Macular Density v.0.7.1, ARI Network Hub, Carl Zeiss Meditec Inc., Dublin, CA, USA) supplied by the manufacturer. An alternative approach of quantitative analysis of VD and VLD was performed manually with ImageJ (National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA), as previously reported. VD was assessed as the ratio of the retinal area occupied by vessels. VDL was measured as the total length of the skeletonised vessels using 1-pixel centre line extraction of the blood vessels. RESULTS: We report differences in standard deviation (SD) in OCTA parameters obtained using different methods. The standard deviation of VD and VLD measurements was statistically significantly different in VD of 3 mm × 3 mm DCP (p = 0.009), VLD of 3 mm × 3 mm SCP (p = 0.000), and VLD of 3 mm × 3 mm DCP (p = 0.021). No statistically significant differences were found in VD of 3 mm × 3 mm SCP (p = 0.128) or VLD of 3 mm × 3 mm SCP (p = 0.107). CONCLUSIONS: As expected, we were able to demonstrate significant differences in quantitative OCTA parameters gathered from the same images using different methods of quantification. Values gathered using different methods are not interchangeable. In scientific studies and in situations where long-term follow-up is necessary, the same device and the same method of quantification should be used to maintain retrospective comparability of measurements.

Effect of Valsalva Maneuver on Choriocapillary Retinal Microvasculature.

PURPOSE: We aimed to identify and evaluate possible quantitative changes in retinal and choriocapillary blood flow utilizing optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) imaging in healthy study subjects during the Valsalva maneuver (VM). METHODS: OCTA imaging with a ZEISS PlexElite 9000 on one eye was performed. OCTA images were acquired before VM and 5 seconds after. Images were segmented and underwent projection removal using algorithms supplied by the manufacturer. Analysis of vessel density (VD) and vessel length density (VLD) were performed on superficial (SCP) and deep capillary plexus (DCP) layer slabs using ImageJ. ImageJ was also utilized for analyzing flow voids (FVs) in the choriocapillary slabs. RESULTS: Ten (8 right, 2 left) eyes of 10 (5 male, 5 female) healthy study subjects were included. Pre-VM, -VD, and -VLD were 0.428 (± 0.291) and 17.871 mm-1 (± 2.22 mm-1) in the SCP and 0.423 (± 0.0213) and 23.850 mm-1 (± 1.023 mm-1) in the DCP. Pre-VM and -FV were measured at 19.686 (± 1.959). During VM, VD, and VLD in the SCP were 0.417 (± 0.024) and 17.376 mm-1 (± 2.007 mm-1), and in the DCP, 0.426 (± 0.221) and 23.944 mm-1 (± 1.021 mm-1), respectively. FV post-VM was 20.440 (± 2.062). A paired samples t-test test revealed no significant changes in any of the observed parameters. CONCLUSION: We did not observe any significant changes in the VD, VLD, or FV. This might be due to autoregulatory processes in the ocular vasculature. Due to the small sample size, confidence intervals are comparatively large. Further study with more probands might yield different results.

Histology and Clinical Lifecycle of Acquired Vitelliform Lesion, a Pathway to Advanced Age-Related Macular Degeneration.

PURPOSE: To evaluate hypotheses about the role of acquired vitelliform lesion (AVL) in age-related macular degeneration pathophysiology. DESIGN: Laboratory histology study; retrospective, observational case series. METHODS: Two donor eyes in a research archive with AVL and age-related macular degeneration were analyzed with light and electron microscopy for AVL content at locations matched to ex vivo B-scans. A retrospective, observational clinical cohort study of 42 eyes of 30 patients at 2 referral clinics determined the frequency of optical coherence tomography features stratified by AVL fate. RESULTS: Histologic and clinical cases showed subretinal drusenoid deposit and drusen. Ultrastructural AVL components in 2 donor eyes included retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) organelles (3%-22% of volume), outer segments (2%-10%), lipid droplets (0.2%-12%), and a flocculent material (57%-59%). Of 48 AVLs (mean follow-up 46 ± 39 months), 50% collapsed to complete RPE and outer retinal atrophy, 38% were stable, 10% resorbed, and 2% developed neovascularization. The Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study grid central subfield contained 77% of AVLs. Hyperreflective foci, ellipsoid zone disruption, and hyperreflective thickening of the RPE-basal lamina-Bruch membrane band were common at maximum AVL expansion. Collapsing and noncollapsing AVLs had different growth rates (rapid vs slow, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: AVL deposits contain unexpectedly low levels of RPE organelles and outer segments. Subfoveal predilection, reflectivity on optical coherence tomography, hyperautofluorescence, yellow color, and growth-regression phases suggest dysregulation of lipid transfer pathways specific to cone photoreceptors and supporting cells in formation of AVL deposit, analogous to drusen and subretinal drusenoid deposit. Prediction of AVL outcomes via growth rates should be confirmed in larger clinical studies.

The AIDA and the extra laser systems for excimer laser trabeculotomy proved comparable IOP lowering efficacy-12-month results.

PURPOSE: Cataract surgery combined with excimer laser trabeculotomy (phaco-ELT) leads to a significant reduction in intraocular pressure by enhancing trabecular outflow. The aim of this study is to compare two laser systems for ELT (AIDA vs. ExTra). METHODS: In this retrospective chart review, inclusion criteria were a diagnosis of glaucoma and phaco-ELT between 07/17/2010 and 07/17/2018. Data were collected preoperatively and postoperatively up to 1 year. Success was defined as IOP reduction of ≥ 20% compared to baseline plus an IOP of < 21 mmHg with no hypotony, no loss of light perception vision, and no subsequent glaucoma surgery. RESULTS: Three hundred and fourteen eyes (mean age 75.9 ± 8.6 years) were included. Baseline intraocular pressure (IOP) for the ExTra group (94 eyes) was 20.3 ± 5.9 mmHg on 2.0 ± 1.3 anti-glaucoma drugs (AGD) and a best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA, logMar) of 0.5 ± 0.4. For The AIDA group (220 eyes), baseline IOP was 18.7 ± 6.3 mmHg on 2.0 ± 1.3 AGD and a BCVA of 0.3 ± 0.3. In the ExTra group, IOP was reduced to 12.8 ± 2.5 mmHg (-37%) and in the AIDA group to 14.7 ± 3.9 (-21%, p = 0.14) at 1 year. AGD reduction in the ExTra group was 1.3 ± 1.5 and 1.8 ± 1.4 in the AIDA group (p = 0.14). Success rates were 80% (ExTra) and 70% (AIDA), respectively (p = 0.552). Thirty-one eyes (10.0%) required a subsequent glaucoma surgery during the follow-up. CONCLUSION: Both laser platforms, the ExTra and the AIDA laser, used for Phaco-ELT lead to a significant reduction in intraocular pressure and anti-glaucoma drugs with no statistically significant difference in success rates during the follow-up of 12 months. TRIAL REGISTRATION SWISSETHICS: 2018-01,791.

Total Neuro-retinal Tubulation (TNT), a novel imaging finding.

A peculiar tubular structure was found in the left eye (LE) of a 71-year-old patient with diabetic retinopathy, who already had undergone panretinal-photocoagulation, detected by spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) as an incidental finding. The reason for consultation was vitreous hemorrhage of the fellow-eye. Fundoscopic examination of LE revealed three oval retinal holes separated by small bridges of retinal tissue, which corresponded to tubular structures visible in SD-OCT, surrounded by photocoagulation scars. Optical coherence tomography B-scans of these structures revealed a tubular arrangement of tissue, composed of solid parts and hyporeflective cystoid spaces. Intermittent choroidal hypertransmission was detected deep to the tubular structures indicating impaired or absent retinal pigment epithelium (RPE). OCT-Angiography was performed using the Zeiss Plex Elite 9000 swept source device (Zeiss Meditec, Dublin, California, USA). Within the tubular structures, no flow signal was detected. Segmentation at the level of the outer retina choriocapillaris (ORCC) indicated partially intact choriocapillaris in the areas of tubular structures and retinal holes. We hypothesize that the tubular structures mainly consist of neuro-retinal tissue and propose the term total neuro-retinal tubulation (TNT). We postulate that the edge curling effect that leads to the tubular arrangement relates to focal retinal tears caused by tractional forces acting on the retina in this case by scarring in response to laser photocoagulation. Since the retinal periphery is more prone to retinal tears, widefield OCT imaging modalities are likely to offer further insights into this newly described finding and shed greater light on the biomechanical properties of the retina. Histopathological investigation is required to make a valid statement about the histology of TNT.

At the Pulse of Time: Machine Vision in Retinal Videos.

Spontaneous venous pulsations (SVP) are a common finding in healthy people. The absence of SVP is associated with rapid progression in glaucoma and increased intracranial pressure. Traditionally, SVP has been documented qualitatively by clinicians during biomicroscopy. Nowadays numerous imaging devices recording the fundus exist. Hence, video data for objectification of SVP is readily available. Still, these clinical datasets are afflicted with various quality issues and artifacts. In this machine vision based study, we explore methods to overcome challenges in identifying SVP in fundus videos of varying quality and provide a detailed protocol thereof. Hereby, we aim to lower the burden of access of implementing machine vision in clinical video datasets and quantification of SVP.

Acute and subacute macular and peripapillary angiographic changes in choroidal and retinal blood flow post-intravitreal injections.

Whether post injectional acute intraocular pressure (IOP) increase is associated with decreased peripapillary and macular perfusion is still under debate. Here, we investigated early changes in the choroidal and retinal blood flow using OCTA imaging in a cohort of patients undergoing anti-VEGF intravitreal injections (IVI) for macular edema following retinal vein occlusion and diabetic retinopathy. In this prospective single-center, observational study, the pre- and post-IVI changes in retinal perfusion were examined via assessment of vessel length density (VLD) and vessel density (VD) in deep and superficial capillary segmentations (DCP and SCP), foveal avascular zone (FAZ) in SCP, as well as flow signal deficits in the choriocapillaris segmentation. Mean IOP significantly changed over the study course (p = 0.000; ANOVA). Measurements at 5 min post-IVI (33.48 ± 10.84 mmHg) differed significantly from baseline (17.26 ± 2.41 mmHg, p = 0.000), while measurements from one day, one week, and one-month post-IVI did not (p = 0.907, p = 1.000 and p = 1.000 respectively). In comparison to baseline, no changes in OCTA parameters, including FAZ, VD, VLD, and FV, were detected 5 min post-IVI. No significant alterations in OCTA parameters were observed during study course. Increased IOP spikes were detected post-IVI; however, no potential permanent ischemic retinal damage was suspected.

Assessment of Patients' Confidence Regarding a New Triage Concept in a Medical Retina Clinic during the First COVID-19 Outbreak.

BACKGROUND: During the first COVID-19 pandemic outbreak, a new triage concept had to be implemented for patients with retinal diseases having a scheduled appointment at the medical retina clinic. In this study, we aimed to assess patients' confidence in this triage concept and patients' satisfaction regarding the received treatment during the outbreak. METHODS: This retrospective study included all patients with a diagnosed retinal disease, triaged into three priority groups based on their condition's urgency during lockdown. After restrictions were eased, a subset of previously triaged patients was interviewed to assess their confidence in the triage and their satisfaction regarding the received treatment during the pandemic. RESULTS: In total, 743 patients were triaged during the lockdown. Over 80% received an urgent appointment (priority 1). Among all priority 1 patients, over 84% attended their appointment and 77% received an intravitreal injection (IVI), while 7% cancelled their appointment due to COVID-19. In post-lockdown interviews of 254 patients, 90% trusted the emergency regimen and received treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Our triage seemed to be useful in optimizing access to treatment for patients with retinal diseases. An excellent rating of patients' confidence in the triage and satisfaction regarding the received treatment during the first COVID-19 outbreak could be achieved.

Globotrioasylsphingosine Levels and Optical Coherence Tomography Angiography in Fabry Disease Patients.

BACKGROUND: To date, there are no studies associating the dried blood spot (DBS) levels of globotrioasylsphingosine (lysoGb3) with quantitative optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) parameters in Fabry disease (FD) patients. Here, we aimed to investigate the association between OCTA vessel density (VD), vessel length density (VLD) with DBS lysoGb3. METHODS: A retrospective, single center analysis of all consecutive FD patients enrolled at the Department of Ophthalmology of the University Hospital of Zurich from 1 December 2017 to 9 September 2020. An association between VD and VLD detected by OCTA and lysoGb3 was investigated using a linear mixed model. RESULTS: A total of 57 FD patients (23 male, 34 female; 109 eyes) were included. Forty-one patients suffered from the classic phenotype and 16 from the later-onset phenotype. LysoGb3 inversely correlated with VD and VLD in both the superficial (VD: p = 0.034; VLD: p = 0.02) and deep capillary plexus (VD: p = 0.017; VLD: p = 0.018) in the overall FD cohort. CONCLUSIONS: Our study shows an association between lysoGb3 and OCTA VD and VLD. This supports the hypothesis that quantitative OCTA parameters might be useful as diagnostic biomarkers for evaluating systemic involvement in FD, and possibly other diseases.

Refractive Outcomes After Trabecular Micro-Bypass Stents (iStent Inject) with Cataract Extraction in Open-Angle Glaucoma.

PURPOSE: Simultaneous cataract and glaucoma surgery has traditionally been challenging for the anterior segment surgeon. The introduction of minimally invasive glaucoma surgery (MIGS) in conjunction with cataract surgery appears safe and effective in lowering intraocular pressure. Although a significant visual impact leading from the combined procedure is unexpected, we aim to describe the refractive outcomes in a cohort of patients undergoing simultaneous cataract removal and iStent inject and discuss the potential implications of combined surgery in patients with co-existent glaucoma. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This is a retrospective consecutive case series inclusive of patients undergoing combined femtosecond laser-assisted cataract surgery and the insertion of two trabecular micro-bypass stents (iStent inject). Visual acuity, refraction and astigmatic vector analysis were collated and analysed from the preoperative and 4 weeks postoperative visits. RESULTS: One hundred and six eyes of 89 patients from 2 surgeons were included in the original cohort. The mean absolute difference from target refraction was 0.36 ± 0.25D. 73.9% of eyes were within ± 0.5D of the refractive target and 98.9% of eyes were within ± 1.00D. 73.8% of eyes had 0.5D or less residual refractive astigmatism following the procedure. CONCLUSION: We present a novel cohort of glaucoma patients undergoing combined trabecular micro-bypass stents (iStent inject) and cataract surgery achieving excellent refractive outcomes. The results of this study indicate that this second-generation device is refractively neutral.

[Ocular Syphilis May Lead to Persistent Visual Dysfunction]. / Okuläre Syphilis kann zu bleibender Seheinschränkung führen.

PURPOSE: The spectrum of intraocular and systemic findings in patients with ocular syphilis is described. Persistent visual dysfunction and structural abnormality, in spite of targeted antibiotic therapy, were identified and analysed. METHODS: Patients with ocular syphilis who were treated at University Hospital Zurich (USZ) between 2010 and 2018 were included in this study. General characteristics, ocular manifestation and visual function (best-corrected visual acuity [BCVA], visual field) before and after treatment were analysed retrospectively. RESULTS: Ocular syphilis was diagnosed in one female and 16 male patients (median age 42 years, range 22 to 53 years). A bilateral infection was present in 11 cases, and 28 of 34 eyes were affected (82%). Manifestations included anterior (n = 3), intermediate (n = 4), posterior (n = 10) uveitis, as well as panuveitis (n = 5) and papillitis (n = 6). Abnormal liquor findings were present in 8 patients (47%). Six patients were human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) positive. In all patients, intravenous benzyl penicillin was initiated and led to inactivation of intraocular inflammation. Before the initial intravenous treatment, all patients received one dose of steroids orally (Prednisone [PDN] 50 to 70 mg). Seven patients had systemic steroids added over the course of the antibiotic treatment being gradually decreased during and after the antibiotic treatment. The initial median BCVA of all affected eyes (n = 28) of 17 patients was 0.1 logMAR (0.8 decimal), range 2.8 to - 0.1 logMAR (light perception to 1.25 decimal). At the last visit, the median BCVA was 0 logMAR, range 0.4 to - 0.1 logMAR (0.4 to 1.25 decimal). Median follow-up time was 11 months (range 3 to 60 months). At the last visit, BCVA of 4 eyes (3 patients) was ≤ 0.6. Six eyes of 5 patients had a persisting scotoma with central visual field defects. Morphologically, disintegration and irregularities of outer retinal layers after central retinitis (5 eyes) and atrophy of the peripapillary retinal nerve fibre layer (4 eyes) after papillitis correlated with abnormal vision. CONCLUSIONS: The spectrum of ocular manifestations in syphilis is broad. Despite targeted antibiotic therapy, more than a third of affected eyes had lasting abnormal vision. Patients with papillitis and retinitis were at an increased risk for persistent visual dysfunction.