HENLE FIBER LAYER THICKNESS AND AREA MEASUREMENT IN TYPE 2 DIABETES MELLITUS WITH AND WITHOUT RETINOPATHY USING A MODIFIED DIRECTIONAL OPTICAL COHERENCE TOMOGRAPHY STRATEGY.

PURPOSE: To investigate the thicknesses and areas of Henle fiber layer (HFL), outer nuclear layer, and outer plexiform layer in the eyes of patients with diabetes with no diabetic retinopathy, in eyes with nonproliferative diabetic retinopathy without diabetic macular edema, and in healthy eyes using a modified directional optical coherence tomography strategy. METHODS: In this prospective study, the no diabetic retinopathy group included 79 participants, the nonproliferative diabetic retinopathy group comprised 68 participants, and the control group had 58 participants. Thicknesses and areas of Henle fiber layer, outer nuclear layer, and outer plexiform layer were measured on a horizontal single optical coherence tomography scan centered on the fovea using directional optical coherence tomography. RESULTS: The foveal, parafoveal, and total HFL were significantly thinner in the nonproliferative diabetic retinopathy group than in the no diabetic retinopathy group and the control group (all P < 0.05). The no diabetic retinopathy group had significantly thinner foveal HFL thickness and area compared with the control group (all P < 0.05). The nonproliferative diabetic retinopathy group had significantly thicker outer nuclear layer thickness and area in all regions than the other groups (all P < 0.05). The outer plexiform layer measurements did not differ between the groups (all P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: Directional optical coherence tomography provides isolated thickness and area measurement of HFL. In patients with diabetes, the HFL is thinner, and HFL thinning begins before the presence of diabetic retinopathy.

Artifact-Removed Quantitative Analysis of Choriocapillaris Flow Voids.

Objectives: To investigate choriocapillaris flow voids (FV) with a new optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) image processing strategy that can eliminate artifacts caused by vitreous opacities, sub-retinal pigment epithelium fluid and deposits, and subretinal fluid (SRF) by thresholding the en-face OCT image of the outer retina. Materials and Methods: We retrospectively reviewed medical records of patients with drusen and patients with active central serous chorioretinopathy (CSC). FV number (FVn), average area (FVav), and maximum area (FVmax) and the percentage of nonperfused choriocapillaris area (PNPCA) obtained using the proposed strategy were compared with those obtained by removing only artifacts caused by the superficial capillary plexus (SCP). Results: The SRF group included 21 eyes with active CSC and the drusen group included 29 eyes with nonexudative age-related macular degeneration. FVav, FVmax, FVn, and PNPCA obtained using the algorithm were significantly lower than those obtained by removing only SCP-related artefacts in both groups (all p<0.05). The algorithm was also able to remove 96.9% of artifacts secondary to vitreous opacities and all artifacts secondary to serous pigment epithelial detachments. Conclusion: Choriocapillaris nonperfusion areas on OCTA images may be overestimated in eyes with RPE abnormalities and SRF due to artifacts. These artifact areas on choriocapillaris OCTA images can be removed using thresholded images of the outer retina en-face OCT scans. Our new artifact-removal strategy is useful in the assessment of choriocapillaris FV in eyes with SRF, drusen, drusen-like deposits, and pigment epithelial detachment.

HENLE FIBER LAYER MAPPING WITH DIRECTIONAL OPTICAL COHERENCE TOMOGRAPHY.

PURPOSE: To perform a macular volumetric and topographic analysis of Henle fiber layer (HFL) from retinal scans acquired by directional optical coherence tomography. METHODS: Thirty healthy eyes of 17 subjects were imaged using the Heidelberg spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (Spectralis, Heidelberg Engineering, Heidelberg, Germany) with varied horizontal and vertical pupil entry. Manual segmentation of HFL was performed from retinal sections of horizontally and vertically tilted optical coherence tomography images acquired within macular 20 × 20° area. Total HFL volume, mean HFL thickness, and HFL coverage area within Early Treatment for Diabetic Retinopathy Study grid were calculated from mapped images. RESULTS: Henle fiber layer of 30 eyes were imaged, segmented and mapped. The mean total HFL volume was 0.74 ± 0.08 mm 3 with 0.16 ± 0.02 mm 3 , 0.18 ± 0.03 mm 3 , 0.17 ± 0.02 mm 3 , and 0.19 ± 0.03 mm 3 for superior, temporal, inferior, and nasal quadrants, respectively. The mean HFL thickness was 26.5 ± 2.9 µ m. Central 1-mm macular zone had the highest mean HFL thickness with 51.0 ± 7.6 µ m. The HFL coverage that have thickness equal or above to the mean value had a mean 10.771 ± 0.574 mm 2 of surface area. CONCLUSION: Henle fiber layer mapping is a promising tool for structural analysis of HFL. Identifying a normative data of HFL morphology will allow further studies to investigate HFL involvement in various ocular and systemic disorders.

Vitrectomy Due to Vitreous Hemorrhage and Tractional Retinal Detachment Secondary to Eales' Disease

Objectives: To investigate visual and anatomical outcomes of vitreoretinal surgeries in patients with Eales' disease. Materials and Methods: In this retrospective study, 22 eyes of 21 patients with vitreous hemorrhage (VH) or tractional retinal detachment (TRD) secondary to Eales' disease who underwent vitreoretinal surgery between January 1997 and December 2015 and had at least 1 year of follow-up were included. Results: The mean best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) was significantly higher at final visit (0.6±0.9 logMAR) than the preoperative values (1.8±1.1 logMAR) (p<0.001). After surgery, BCVA was stable in 4 eyes (18.2%), increased in 16 eyes (72.7%), and decreased in 2 eyes (9.1%). Although the mean BCVA was better in the VH group (0.3±0.34 logMAR) than the TRD group (0.9±1.1 logMAR), the difference was not statistically significant (p=0.1). Multivariable linear regression analyses revealed that final BCVA was negatively associated with preoperative or postoperative proliferative vitreoretinopathy grade C (PVR-C), preoperative retinal detachment involving the macula, postoperative neovascular glaucoma, and long preoperative duration of disease, and positively associated with preoperative BCVA. Final BCVA was not associated with preoperative retinal and disc neovascularization, rubeosis iridis, total posterior hyaloid detachment, preoperative retinal laser photocoagulation, indication of surgery, diameter of sclerotomy (20 or 23 gauge), preoperative lens status, preoperative or postoperative epimacular membrane, peroperative iatrogenic retinal breaks, postoperative hypotony, cystoid macular edema, and new or recurrent retinal detachment. The primary anatomic success rate was 81.8% and the final anatomic success rate was 90.9%. Conclusion: In Eales' disease, good visual results can be obtained with vitreoretinal surgery if the detachment area does not involve the macula and PVR-C does not develop pre- or postoperatively.

QUANTITATIVE ASSESSMENT OF THE FOVEAL AVASCULAR ZONE USING OPTICAL COHERENCE TOMOGRAPHY ANGIOGRAPHY BEFORE AND AFTER SURGERY FOR IDIOPATHIC EPIRETINAL MEMBRANE.

PURPOSE: To investigate, using optical coherence tomography angiography, the foveal avascular zone (FAZar), the FAZ perimeter (FAZp), the acircularity index of the FAZ (FAZai), and the density of vessels surrounding the FAZ (FAZvd) before and after idiopathic epiretinal membrane surgery, and associations of these parameters with postoperative best-corrected visual acuity, letter score gain, and central foveal thickness. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed preoperative and postoperative (sixth month) medical records of 28 eyes of 28 patients who undergone epiretinal membrane surgery and had an intact ellipsoid zone. RESULTS: There were significant increases in best-corrected visual acuity, FAZar, and FAZp and decreases in central foveal thickness and FAZai (all P < 0.05). Postoperative best-corrected visual acuity was not significantly correlated with any preoperative parameters. Postoperative letter score gain and central foveal thickness correlated negatively with preoperative FAZar and preoperative FAZp (all P < 0.05). Multivariable linear regression analysis revealed that preoperative FAZp was independently associated with postoperative letter score gain (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The FAZ enlarges and becomes more circular after epiretinal membrane surgery. Postoperative best-corrected visual acuity is not associated with any FAZ parameters. In eyes with an intact foveal ellipsoid zone, especially a smaller preoperative FAZp is associated with more postoperative letter score gain.

MACULAR TELANGIECTASIA TYPE 2: Acircularity Index and Quantitative Assessment of Foveal Avascular Zone Using Optical Coherence Tomography Angiography.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to investigate the foveal avascular zone area and its perimeter, the acircularity index of the foveal avascular zone, the vessel density surrounding the foveal avascular zone, and the vessel density in the foveal, parafoveal, and perifoveal areas and their associations with best-corrected visual acuity, central foveal average thickness, and volume of ellipsoid zone-retinal pigment epithelium in patients with macular telangiectasia Type 2 (MacTel 2). METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed medical records of 22 eyes of 22 patients with MacTel 2 and 24 eyes of 24 healthy controls. Eyes with MacTel 2 were graded according to optical coherence tomography angiography: 1) vascular anomalies temporal to the fovea; 2) vascular anomalies temporal and nasal to the fovea; 3) markedly diffuse circumferential vascular anomalies; and 4) neovascularization in the outer retina. RESULTS: Acircularity index was higher and superficial-parafoveal vessel density was lower, in MacTel 2 group (all P < 0.05). Acircularity index was associated with the severity of the disease and had strong correlations with best-corrected visual acuity, ellipsoid zone-retinal pigment epithelium thickness, and ellipsoid zone-retinal pigment epithelium volume (all P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: In conclusion, the increase in acircularity index is correlated with the severity of the disease, the decrease in ellipsoid zone-retinal pigment epithelium thickness and volume, and the decrease in best-corrected visual acuity. It may be used to monitor patients with MacTel 2.

Risk-based Algorithm-guided Treatment Protocol for the Management of Neovascular Age-related Macular Degeneration

Objectives: To assess outcomes of a risk-based algorithm-guided treatment protocol for neovascular age-related macular degeneration. Materials and Methods: Two hundred and ten eyes of 184 patients managed with anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF) agents according to a protocol consisting of one of three initial regimens depending on risk with at least 2 years of follow-up were retrospectively evaluated. The "short-term monthly injections" protocol was used for low-risk patients with low-risk lesions and good fellow-eye vision. Patients with low-risk lesions but without good fellow-eye vision, or those with good fellow-eye vision and high-risk lesions were managed according to the "short-term treat-and-extend (TREX)" protocol. The "extended TREX" protocol was for patients with high-risk lesions and low fellow-eye visual acuity. Results: The initial treatment plan consisted of short-term monthly injections in 62 eyes (30%), the short-term TREX regimen in 120 eyes (57%), and the extended TREX regimen in 28 eyes (13%). Overall, 63% of cases met the criteria for cessation of treatment. Approximately 58% of these cases had recurrence, at a mean of 13 months. The mean change in VA from baseline was +9.0 letters at 12 months and +8.0 letters at 24 months. VA improved during a mean follow-up of 46.8±22 months, with a mean of 3.4±1.6 anti-VEGF injections per year. Conclusion: The risk-based algorithm-guided treatment protocol yielded visual outcomes similar to those of the common alternative treatment and monitoring regimens, with a dramatically reduced number of injections, as required by the individual lesion and vision in the fellow eye.

Dislocated Intraocular Lens Extraction and Iris-Claw Lens Implantation in Vitrectomized and Non-vitrectomized Eyes

Objectives: To compare the outcomes and complications of dislocated intraocular lens (IOL) extraction and secondary iris-claw IOL (ICIOL) implantation in vitrectomized and non-vitrectomized eyes. Materials and Methods: This retrospective study included 19 vitrectomized eyes and 11 non-vitrectomized eyes that underwent dislocated IOL extraction and secondary anterior chamber ICIOL implantation between June 2014 and September 2017 and had at least one year of follow-up. Results: There were no significant differences between the groups in terms of demographic data, operative time, baseline anatomic and functional measurements, or postoperative changes in these measurements (all p>0.05). Postoperative best corrected visual acuity was significantly higher than preoperative values in both groups (both p<0.05). Complication rates did not differ between the groups (all p>0.05). In both groups, endothelial cell density was significantly lower at postoperative 1 year compared to preoperative measurements. There was no significant difference between groups regarding endothelial cell loss (p=0.49). One vitrectomized eye had corneal decompensation. Other complications included hyphema, transient increase of intraocular pressure, secondary glaucoma, pupillary irregularity, and dislocation of ICIOL. Mean operative time was 26.4±5.9 minutes. Conclusion: Dislocated IOL extraction and secondary anterior chamber ICIOL implantation is a safe treatment option in both vitrectomized and non-vitrectomized eyes.

Factors associated with macular complications in highly myopic eyes with dome-shaped macular configuration.

PURPOSE: To investigate the associations between macular complications and demographic, clinical, and optical coherence tomography characteristics (OCT) of highly myopic eyes with a dome-shaped macula (DSM). METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed the findings of 90 patients (167 eyes) with DSM who had vertical and horizontal OCT scans between January 2011 and June 2018. Demographic data, clinical characteristics, and OCT-derived morphologic parameters were determined, and the associations of these parameters with macular complications were evaluated. RESULTS: Among 167 eyes, the following patterns were observed: horizontally oriented DSM (71%), symmetric DSM (27%), and vertically oriented DSM (2%). Complications or abnormalities involving the macular area were detected by OCT in 63% (106/167) of the eyes. Specific complications were as follows: choroidal neovascularization (CNV) (37.1%), macular retinoschisis (9.0%), serous retinal detachment (RD) (7.8%), epiretinal membrane (4.2%), lamellar macular hole (3.0%), and macular hole (2.4%). The eyes with CNV had thinner choroid (P < 0.001) and lower macular bulge height (P = 0.04). The eyes with serous RD had thicker choroid (P < 0.001) and higher macular bulge height (P < 0.001). Serous RD was significantly more common when the macular height was greater than 250 µm (P = 0.001) and if the DSM pattern was vertical (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: A greater bulge height and thicker choroid in highly myopic eyes with DSM may be protective against the development of myopic CNV. A thicker choroid, a higher macular bulge (> 250 µm), and a vertical DSM pattern are associated with a risk of developing serous RD.

Membrane patterns in eyes with choroidal neovascularization on optical coherence tomography angiography.

BACKGROUND: To evaluate morphologic patterns of choroidal neovascular membranes using optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) in patients with treatment-naive, continuously treated, and previously treated exudative age-related macular degeneration (AMD). SUBJECTS: We assessed retrospectively 184 eyes of 153 patients diagnosed with type 1, type 2, and mixed-type neovascularization associated with AMD. The type of neovascularization and clinical activity were assessed by clinical examination and spectral domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT). Morphological patterns of neovascular membranes were categorized using en face images on the AngioVue (Optovue) OCTA system. RESULTS: The mean age of patients was 77.9 ± 8.6 years (range, 52-96 years). The most frequently identified type of membrane morphology was well-defined in the treatment-naive group (69% of the eyes) and in eyes receiving ongoing anti-VEGF treatments (77% of the eyes). Long-filamentous morphology was the most frequent type in the previously treated group (53%), in which only 33% had a well-defined membrane. All clinically active cases had a well-defined pattern, such as a medusa or sea-fan shaped pattern, or an ill-defined pattern, and none had a long-filamentous neovascular network. Almost half of the clinically inactive cases (47%) had well- or ill-defined, identifiable membrane morphology on OCTA. A long-filamentous membrane pattern, which was consistent with chronicity of lesion, was seen only in eyes with inactive neovascularization. CONCLUSIONS: The membrane morphology on OCTA was not associated with clinical activity, except that the presence of long dilated filamentous linear vessels was associated with chronicity and lesion inactivity.

Primary vitrectomy with short-term silicone oil tamponade for uncomplicated rhegmatogenous retinal detachment.

PURPOSE: To compare the outcomes of phakic and pseudophakic uncomplicated rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD) treated with primary pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) and short-term silicone oil (SO) tamponade. METHODS: A retrospective chart review of 201 eyes (185 patients) with uncomplicated RRD treated with primary 23-gauge PPV and short-term SO tamponade. Anatomical success was defined as a reattached retina for at least 6 months after SO removal. RESULTS: The analysis consisted of 111 phakic eyes and 90 pseudophakic eyes. The mean duration of SO tamponade in phakic eyes was 8.5 ± 1.9 and in pseudophakic eyes was 8.3 ± 1.9 weeks [corrected] (P = 0.39). The primary reattachment rate was 93% in the phakic group and 98% in the pseudophakic group (P = 0.19). The mean Snellen VA equivalent at the final visit was 20/30 in both groups. Final VA ≥ 20/40 was achieved in 81% of phakic and 86% of pseudophakic eyes (P = 0.69). Postoperative complications included cataract in the phakic group (100%), transient elevation of intraocular pressure (IOP) (29%), epiretinal membrane (8%), proliferative vitreoretinopathy (7%), cystoid macular edema (3%), secondary macular hole (2%), persistent elevation of IOP (1.5%), and persistent hypotony (1%). CONCLUSIONS: The success rates and functional outcomes of primary 23-gauge PPV with short-term SO tamponade did not differ significantly between the two groups, suggesting that lens status is not the single most important factor influencing the final results. The use of short-term SO was not associated with keratopathy, visual loss without any apparent reason and high rates of chronic elevation of IOP or redetachment following SO removal.

Outcomes of Vitrectomy Under Air for Idiopathic Macular Hole

Objectives: To evaluate the outcomes of 23-gauge pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) under air compared with standard PPV for idiopathic macular hole (MH). Materials and Methods: In this prospective, comparative, interventional case series, 42 eyes of 42 patients with idiopathic MH were enrolled. Twenty-one eyes had vitrectomy with an air-infused technique and 21 eyes underwent vitrectomy with a traditional balanced salt solution-infused technique as a control group. Effective vitrectomy time, total surgery time, microperimetry (MP1), and anatomical and functional results were evaluated. Results: The mean effective vitrectomy time was significantly lower in the air group than in the control group (7.5±0.3 min and 13.3±0.5 min, respectively, P<0.001). The mean total surgery time was significantly lower in the air group than the control group (21.8±2.0 min and 25.9±1.1 min, respectively, P<0.001). There were no statistically significant changes between preoperative and 3-month postoperative retinal sensitivity values evaluated by MP1 in either group. Anatomical success at 3 months was 100% in both groups. Intraoperative complications noted during the air-infused vitrectomy were retinal touch (10%) and sudden hypotony (10%); in the two pseudophakic eyes, migration of air into the anterior chamber occurred in one (50%) and fogging of the intraocular lens in one eye (50%). Conclusion: Vitrectomy under air infusion for idiopathic MH showed some advantages over a traditional vitrectomy technique in terms of vitreous visualization, effective vitrectomy time, and total surgery duration, without significantly increasing intraoperative and postoperative complication rates. Postoperative microperimetry results indicated no specific damage to the retina or optic nerve related to the continuous air infusion.

Vitrectomy with silicone oil tamponade for retinal detachment associated with giant retinal tears: Favourable outcomes without adjuvant scleral buckling.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the outcomes of pars plana vitrectomy with silicone oil tamponade in the management of retinal detachment associated with giant retinal tears. METHODS: We reviewed 45 eyes of 42 patients with primary retinal detachment associated with giant retinal tears over 10 years at a tertiary referral centre. Patients underwent 23-gauge vitrectomy without adjuvant scleral buckling by a single surgeon and had follow-up at least 6 months after silicone oil removal. RESULTS: Mean follow-up was 37 ± 35 months. Seven eyes (16%) had grade C proliferative vitreoretinopathy, and 16 (36%) had a giant retinal tear ≥180° at baseline. The primary reattachment rate was 84%, and the overall final anatomical success rate was 98%. The mean Snellen visual acuity equivalent at the final visit was 20/58. Final visual acuity ≥20/40 was achieved in 64%. The mean duration of silicone oil tamponade was 10.5 ± 4 weeks. By the final visit, silicone oil had been removed from 44 eyes (98%). CONCLUSION: The high rates of anatomical and functional success support management of giant retinal tears-associated retinal detachment with vitrectomy without adjuvant scleral buckling. Removal of silicone oil at the earliest possible time helps to avoid complications such as keratopathy, glaucoma and visual loss without apparent reason.

Patient characteristics and risk factors for central serous chorioretinopathy: an analysis of 811 patients.

AIMS: To determine the demographic and morphological characteristics of patients with central serous chorioretinopathy (CSC) and describe risk factors for CSC. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed medical records of 811 patients with CSC and 816 healthy controls referred from 2002 to 2018. RESULTS: The female/male ratio of patients with CSC was 1/2.7. Mean age of onset was 45.2 years. The peak prevalence for men occurred at 45-49 years. Women had two prevalence peaks, the higher at 55-59 years and the other at 45-49 years. Of these patients, 56.8% had unilateral disease, 42.1% had bilateral disease and 1.1% had only one eye. 671 (82.7%) patients had spectral domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) images and 598 (73.7%) had enhanced depth choroidal images. Pigment epithelial detachment (PED) was detected in 763 (80.7%) of 945 eyes with SD-OCT images. Chronic cases were more likely to be bilateral and multifocal and to have PED (all p<0.001). Subfoveal choroidal thickness (SFCT) did not differ between chronic and classic cases (p=0.74), but SFCT was greater in multifocal cases than unifocal cases (p<0.001). In multivariate regression analyses, older age of onset, longer duration of disease and hyperopia were positively associated with having chronic disease rather than classic disease, and myopia and thyroid hormone replacement were negatively associated. Steroid use, antidepressant or anxiolytic drug use, smoking, pregnancy and hyperopia were risk factors, and myopia was a protective factor for CSC. CONCLUSION: This is the largest case-control study of CSC to evaluate demographic morphological characteristics and risk factors. Multiple factors are associated with CSC.

Correction to: Primary vitrectomy with short-term silicone oil tamponade for uncomplicated rhegmatogenous retinal detachment.

Dear editor and readers, this letter is written to make you aware that the original version of this article unfortunately contained a mistake.

Morphological and Functional Changes Immediately After Half-Time Photodynamic Therapy in Patients With Central Serous Chorioretinopathy.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: To evaluate early treatment outcomes of half-time photodynamic therapy (PDT) in patients with central serous chorioretinopathy (CSC). PATIENTS AND METHODS: The anatomical and functional results were assessed for 24 eyes of 23 patients with CSC treated with half-time PDT in this prospective case series. Central foveal thickness (CFT) and subfoveal choroidal thickness (SCT) were evaluated by spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT), and mean retinal sensitivities and fixation characteristics were evaluated by MP-1 microperimetry at baseline and 1 day, 3 days, 1 week, 1 month, and 3 months after treatment. RESULTS: Observations 1 day after treatment revealed an increase in both SCT and CFT and a decrease in retinal sensitivity (P = .013; P = .02; and P = .02, respectively). The CFT significantly resolved 1 month after treatment (P = .002), and the SCT significantly resolved 7 days after treatment (P = .011). Although an immediate decrease in retinal sensitivity was observed at post-treatment day 1 (P = .02), the greatest reduction in retinal sensitivity was observed 3 days after treatment(P = .009), and then a tendency to increase was seen at subsequent visits. CONCLUSIONS: Despite early anatomical and functional impairments, such as an increase in CFT and SCT and a decrease in retinal sensitivity immediately after half-time PDT, best-corrected visual acuity and retinal sensitivity improved significantly 3 months after treatment. Half-time PDT is associated with early transient deterioration, but not with permanent adverse effect in patients with CSC. [Ophthalmic Surg Lasers Imaging Retina. 2018;49:932-940.].

Long-term follow-up of pachychoroid pigment epitheliopathy and lesion characteristics.

AIMS: To investigate conversion of pachychoroid pigment epitheliopathy (PPE) lesions and the development of other pachychoroid spectrum diseases in patients with PPE during follow-up. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed medical records of 46 eyes of 44 patients who had a diagnosis of PPE and were followed up for at least 3 years. RESULTS: Eyes with PPE (17.4%) developed central serous chorioretinopathy (CSC), and none developed pachychoroid neovasculopathy or polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy. Of 74 initial PPE lesions, 21.6% were retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) thickening, 36.5% were pigment epithelium detachment (PED), and 41.9% were RPE elevation with microbreak appearance (REwM). Five (62.5%) of the eight initial PPE lesions progressing to CSC were REwM. Two developed directly from the REwM and three REwMs transformed to PED first, and then progressed to CSC. Three initial PEDs progressed to CSC. REwMs can also transform to PED and RPE thickening. No initial PEDs or RPE thickenings transformed to a REwM. Of the new PPE lesions, 60% were REwM, 26.7% were PEDs, and 13.3% were RPE thickening. CONCLUSION: The smallest PPE lesion that can be detected is a REwM of RPE. It may be the precursor lesion for pachychoroid spectrum disease, but further large-scale prospective studies are required.

First-Operated and Fellow Eyes With Bilateral Idiopathic Macular Hole: Comparison of Anatomical and Functional Postoperative Outcomes.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: To report anatomical and functional outcomes of surgery in each of the eyes in cases of bilateral macular hole (MH). PATIENTS AND METHODS: The anatomical and functional results for 42 patients with bilateral idiopathic MH were evaluated retrospectively. First-operated and fellow eyes were compared at various time points for preoperative characteristics and postoperative outcomes. RESULTS: Anatomical success was achieved in all patients after a single operation, and no reopening of an initially closed MH was observed during the follow-up period. There was a statistically significant difference between the first and fellow eyes in mean postoperative logMAR visual acuity (VA) (P = .048). Fellow eyes had better postoperative VA, lower rates of ellipsoid zone, and interdigitation zone disruption, and none of the fellow eyes had external limiting membrane disruption at any time after surgery. CONCLUSIONS: Although anatomical success can be achieved in both eyes after successful surgery, early detection and treatment of fellow eyes is associated with better postoperative VA. The reason for a better outcome in the fellow eye is related to the lower photoreceptor impairment rate because of the earlier stage of the hole. [Ophthalmic Surg Lasers Imaging Retina. 2018;49:571-578.].

OUTER NUCLEAR LAYER THINNING IN PACHYCHOROID PIGMENT EPITHELIOPATHY.

PURPOSE: To compare the average thicknesses of central inner retinal layers in eyes with pachychoroid pigment epitheliopathy (PPE), with uncomplicated pachychoroid (UCP), and of healthy subjects. METHODS: Medical records of patients with PPE and UCP were retrospectively reviewed. Twenty-nine eyes with foveal PPE, 30 eyes with UCP, and 29 eyes of healthy subjects were included. Spectral-domain optical coherence tomography with enhanced depth imaging was used for all optical coherence tomography scans. Mean central inner retinal layer thicknesses were measured in 1-mm-diameter circle with Spectralis automated segmentation software and compared between groups. RESULTS: The outer nuclear layer (ONL) and the sum of the outer plexiform layer and ONL were significantly thinner in the PPE group than the UCP and control groups (ONL: P < 0.001, P < 0.001; outer plexiform layer + ONL: P = 0.002, P = 0.002, respectively). There was no significant difference between groups regarding thickness of the outer plexiform layer and other inner retinal layers. Eyes with UCP and normal eyes did not differ. CONCLUSION: The ONL is thinner in eyes with PPE. The degenerative process of pachychoroid spectrum diseases may begin with retinal pigment epithelium alterations before subretinal fluid accumulation. The PPE lesions, commonly seen above pachyvessels, may be an indicator of photoreceptor apoptosis.