The Humira in Ocular Inflammations Taper (HOT) Study.

PURPOSE: To assess factors that impact the risk of relapse in patients with noninfectious uveitis (NIU) who undergo adalimumab tapering after achieving remission. DESIGN: Retrospective study. METHODS: In this multicenter study, patients with NIU were treated with adalimumab and subsequently tapered. Patient demographics, type of NIU, onset and duration of disease, the period of inactivity before tapering adalimumab, and the tapering schedule were collected. The primary outcome measures were independent predictors of the rate of uveitis recurrence after adalimumab tapering. RESULTS: Three hundred twenty-eight patients were included (54.6% female) with a mean age of 34.3 years. The mean time between disease onset and initiation of adalimumab therapy was 35.2 ± 70.1 weeks. Adalimumab tapering was commenced after a mean of 100.8 ± 69.7 weeks of inactivity. Recurrence was observed in 39.6% of patients at a mean of 44.7 ± 61.7 weeks. Patients who experienced recurrence were significantly younger than those without recurrence (mean 29.4 years vs 37.5 years, P = .0005), and the rate of recurrence was significantly higher in younger subjects (hazard ratio [HR] = 0.88 per decade of increasing age, P = .01). The lowest rate of recurrence was among Asian subjects. A faster adalimumab taper was associated with an increased recurrence rate (HR = 1.23 per unit increase in speed, P < .0005). Conversely, a more extended period of remission before tapering was associated with a lower rate of recurrence (HR = 0.97 per 10-weeks longer period of inactivity, P = .04). CONCLUSIONS: When tapering adalimumab, factors that should be considered include patient age, race, and duration of disease remission on adalimumab. A slow tapering schedule is advisable.

COVID-19 VACCINE-INDUCED ACUTE EXUDATIVE POLYMORPHOUS VITELLIFORM MACULOPATHY: CASE REPORTS.

BACKGROUND: Acute exudative polymorphous vitelliform maculopathy is a presumed retinal pigment epithelium abnormality that has been reported in patients with neoplasms and under certain classes of drugs. The pathophysiology remains unclear, despite the typical clinical features. PURPOSE: To report two cases of acute exudative polymorphous vitelliform maculopathy occurring after vaccination with a COVID-19 vaccine. CASE REPORTS: Two adult patients presented with visual disturbance after inoculation with a COVID-19 vaccine. The patients were otherwise healthy and have no family history of retinal dystrophies. Both cases exhibited the following features on multimodal imaging: multifocal hyporeflective lesions involving the macula, elongated photoreceptors, accumulated vitelliform material exhibiting autofluorescence, and lack of fluorescein dye leakage. Evidence of retinal pigment epithelium dysfunction was confirmed by electrooculography. CONCLUSION: Two cases of acute exudative polymorphous vitelliform maculopathy occurring after COVID-19 vaccination were reported. A relationship between the vaccine and the retinal pigment epithelial abnormality development that led to acute exudative polymorphous vitelliform maculopathy was postulate, possibly through autoantibodies against the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 virus structural surface glycoprotein antigens that cross react with the normal retinal pigment epithelial cells.

Masking of macular neovascular membranes by subretinal hyperreflective material on optical coherence tomography angiography.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to determine whether subretinal hyperreflective material (SHRM) may mask the detection of macular neovascular membranes (MNV) on optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA). METHODS: In this observational study, eyes with active neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD), co-existing SHRM & intraretinal or subretinal fluid or hemorrhage on structural OCT, underwent OCTA & fundus fluorescein angiography (FFA) imaging. 6 × 6 mm choriocapillaris and outer retinal slabs on OCTA were examined to determine the presence of MNV underneath the SHRM. The corresponding area on FFA was used as a reference arm to confirm activity. RESULTS: Thirty eyes of thirty patients with SHRM and active nAMD were recruited. All eyes failed to show a MNV in the choriocapillaris & avascular slabs of the OCTA underneath the SHRM, but showed active hyperfluorescent MNVs that increased in size and intensity in the late stages of FFA. In one eye, parts of a MNV under the SHRM were undetectable due to signal attenuation, while parts extending beyond the SHRM were detected on the choriocapillaris en face slab with flow on the B scan. CONCLUSIONS: SHRM may act as a reflecting surface that limits the passage of light waves in OCTA, creating areas of signal attenuation and diminishing its ability to detect underlying MNVs.

Choriocapillaris Island: an optical coherence tomography angiography finding observed in central serous chorioretinopathy.

PURPOSE: To report the observation of the choriocapillaris island (CCI) on optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) in eyes with active central serous chorioretinopathy (CSCR), and to investigate its associated clinical features. DESIGN: Retrospective observational study. METHODS: Patients diagnosed with active CSCR underwent OCTA imaging (Optovue Inc, Fremont, California, USA), and the software built-in en face choriocapillaris slab was examined to demonstrate CCI, defined as an area of detectable choriocapillaris flow surrounded by an area of undetectable or diminished flow. Electronic medical records (EMR) were reviewed for demographics, clinical data, other imaging modalities and any intervention, and these parameters were correlated with CCI findings. RESULTS: 25 eyes of 25 patients were recruited. CCI was detected in all examined eyes and was best elucidated on the en face choriocapillaris density maps. 24 eyes had focal retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) alterations overlying CCI. All 14 eyes with simultaneous fundus fluorescein angiography (FA) showed actively leaking point(s) well corresponding to the CCI location. Resolution of sub-retinal fluid in 4 eyes was associated with disappearance of CCI on follow-up OCTA scans. 1 eye showed complicating neovascularization 5 months after the initial presentation at the same location of the CCI. CONCLUSION: We demonstrate the observation of the "choriocapillaris island" an OCTA finding in eyes with active CSCR underneath the area of neurosensory detachment. CCI may constitute an angiographic representation of the focal area of choriocapillaris structural and functional affection, with secondary RPE alteration jeopardizing its barrier function. Larger longitudinal studies are needed to further elucidate this finding.

HLA-A29-positive Birdshot Chorioretinopathy in a Hispanic Patient.

PURPOSE: To report the first documented case of HLA-A29(+) birdshot chorioretinopathy in a Hispanic patient. CASE DESCRIPTION: A 62-year-old female from Mexico presented with a 15-year history of progressive nyctalopia, floaters, and decreasing vision. She carried multiple previous diagnoses, including posterior vitreous detachment and macular edema. Both fundi showed characteristic creamy ill-defined lesions of birdshot chorioretinopathy, mostly atrophic, with evidence of old periphlebitis and arteriolar attenuation. Bilateral macular atrophy resulted in compromised visual acuity. Workup revealed positive HLA-A29 and was negative for TB and syphilis. CONCLUSION: Despite having been reported almost exclusively in non-Hispanic Caucasians, HLA-A29-positive birdshot chorioretinopathy may occur in Hispanic patients. This patient's ethnicity may have resulted in a significant delay in diagnosis.

Multimodal Imaging and Choroidal Volumetric Changes After Half-fluence PDT in Central Serous Chorioretinopathy.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to identify SD-OCT changes that correspond to leakage on fluorescein (FA) and indocyanine angiography (ICGA) and evaluate effect of half-fluence photodynamic therapy (PDT) on choroidal volume in chronic central serous choroidoretinopathy (CSC). METHODS: Retrospective analysis of patients with chronic CSC who had undergone PDT. Baseline FA and ICGA images were overlaid on SD-OCT to identify OCT correlates of FA or ICGA hyperfluorescence. Choroidal volume was evaluated in a subgroup of eyes before and after PDT. RESULTS: Twenty eyes were evaluated at baseline, of which seven eyes had choroidal volume evaluations at baseline and 3 months following PDT. SD-OCT changes corresponding to FA hyperfluorescence were subretinal fluid (73%), RPE microrip (50%), RPE double-layer sign (31%), RPE detachment (15%), and RPE thickening (8%). ICGA hyperfluoresence was correlated in 93% with hyperreflective spots in the superficial choroid. Choroidal volume decreased from 9.35 ± 1.99 to 8.52 ± 1.92 and 8.04 ± 1.7 mm(3) (at 1 and 3 months post PDT, respectively, p ≤ 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: We identified specific OCT findings that correlate with FA and ICGA leakage sites. SD-OCT is a valuable tool to localize CSC lesions and may be useful to guide PDT treatment. Generalized choroidal volume decrease occurs following PDT and extends beyond PDT treatment site.

A new OCT finding in tuberculous serpiginous-like choroidopathy.

PURPOSE: To present a case of tubercular serpiginous-like choroiditis (SLC) with previously unreported choroidal findings on enhanced depth imaging OCT (EDI-OCT). DESIGN: Case report. METHODS: A 60-year-old female presented with decreased vision. Serpiginous choroidopathy was diagnosed. Laboratory workup revealed an infectious etiology. EDI-OCT revealed previously unreported choroidal findings. RESULTS: Laboratory workup revealed nonreactive Treponema pallidum antibodies and positive QuantiFERON Gold. CT chest showed scars of prior granulomatous disease. OCT with EDI of active lesions demonstrated infiltration of the choroid, elevation of the RPE-Bruch's membrane complex and focal increase of choroidal thickness. CONCLUSIONS: Choroidal infiltration with elevation of the RPE was demonstrated on EDI-OCT in active areas of tuberculous serpiginous-like choroiditis in this patient. This finding has not been described in imaging of patients with noninfectious serpiginous choroidopathy and may be a useful tool to differentiate serpiginous choroidopathy (SC) from serpiginous-like choroiditis (SLC). EDI-OCT may provide characterization of choroidal involvement.