Multiple iridociliary cysts: One entity with various clinical presentations.

Purpose: Iris cysts have a wide range of clinical manifestations ranging from totally asymptomatic to full-blown glaucoma. The aim of this report is to present three patients with multiple bilateral iridociliary cysts. Each one of them had a different stage of glaucoma and required individualized management. Observations: All three patients presented to our clinic. Patient 1 was a 25-year old female with no symptoms and normal intraocular pressure (IOP), Patient 2 a 20-year old female with cup-disk asymmetry and nocturnal IOP spikes and Patient 3 a 69-year old male with chronic angle closure, uncontrolled IOP on maximum medical therapy and optic nerve cupping. During clinical evaluation, gonioscopic findings raised the suspicion of possible multiple bilateral iridocilary cysts, which were then verified with ultrasound biomicroscopy in all patients. Each case was managed differently; Patient 1 was opted for observation, Patient 2 was started on prostaglandin analogue and Patient 3 underwent trabeculectomy with Mitomycin-C. Conclusions and Importance: Although iris cysts represent a relatively rare entity, patients with this anomaly can be encountered in our everyday clinical practice. They may be totally asymptomatic, where observation alone suffices, or at the other end of the spectrum, they may present with full-blown glaucoma, requiring traditional glaucoma surgeries. Considering the wide variety of clinical manifestations and that management may differ depending on the diagnosis, it is highly important for clinicians to carry out a careful examination, especially in patients with narrow angle. In cases of high suspicion for iris cysts, ancillary testing, such as Ultrasound Biomicroscopy, should be performed for the definite diagnosis as well as for the exclusion of malignancies.

Ocular nonsteroidal inflammatory drugs: where do we stand today?

Since their first introduction in ophthalmology, the use of NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) has been exponentially expanded, with numerous therapeutic applications. Despite their controversial history, they have proven their efficacy as anti-inflammatory agents in a variety of diseases. Nowadays, NSAIDs are part of surgical protocols of the most commonly performed ophthalmic operations, such as cataract or ocular surgery. They are universally implicated in the management of conjunctivitis, retinal and choroidal disease and miscellaneous inflammatory diseases. Moreover, although linked with serious adverse events and toxicities, their therapeutic magnitude in Ophthalmology should not be affected. This review systematically portrays the variety of ocular NSAIDs available to date, along with their differences in their way of action, indications and potential side effects in various ophthalmologic conditions.

Glioma-associated radiation retinopathy treated successfully with aflibercept.

Radiation retinopathy is a chronic, progressive retinal microangiopathy which can occur with variable latency after retina exposure to ionizing radiation used for cancer treatment. It can occur secondary to treatment of nasopharyngeal tumors, as well as intraocular tumors, such as uveal melanoma and retinoblastoma. Several treatment modalities have been reported including intravitreal corticosteroids, intravitreal anti-VEGFs and argon laser photocoagulation. Our purpose is to present a case report of bilateral radiation retinopathy with macular edema in one eye that was revealed 6 years after glioma therapy and treated successfully by using monotherapy of aflibercept. A 59-year-old male patient presented with gradually deteriorating visual acuity in his left eye for the past 12 months. Best corrected visual acuity in his right eye was 20/25 and in his left eye 20/100. Fundoscopy and fluorescein angiography revealed severe non-proliferative retinopathy in his right eye and proliferative retinopathy in his left eye with macular edema. Following complete work-up and due to his past medical history, he was diagnosed with radiation retinopathy. The patient received 6 intravitreal injections of aflibercept in a period of 9 months in order to treat macular edema and radiation retinopathy. According to the literature, there is minimal experience using aflibercept monotherapy to successfully treat macular edema due to radiation retinopathy. In addition, radiotherapy for glioma is a rather rare cause of radiation retinopathy compared to other more common causes, such as nasopharyngeal tumors, meningiomas, and uveal melanomas.

Taxane Induced Cystoid Macular Edema: Case Report and Integrated Pathogenic Theory.

PURPOSE: To report a case of a 73-year-old man who presented with decreased visual acuity due to bilateral macular edema after paclitaxel administration for prostate cancer. METHODS: The ophthalmic evaluation consisted of medical and ocular history, Best Corrected Visual Acuity, slit-lamp biomicroscopy and Spectral-domain optical coherence tomography / Fluorescein Angiography. RESULTS: Optical Coherence Tomography and Fluorescein Angiography revealed silent cystoid macular edema. After consulting with the oncologist, the cessation of paclitaxel therapy was decided. The patient presented a gradual but steady resumption of the retinal edema, with complete restoration of normal retinal morphology and function within two months. The pathogenesis of the silent Cystoid Macular Edema (CME) is still unclear. Based on our case and a critical review of the previous observations and published data, we propose that the underlying cause of Taxane induced CME is the functional failure of Aquaporin mediated water transport at the level of retinal Intermediate and Deep capillary plexuses, and at lesser extent at the level of the Retinal Pigment Epithelium. CONCLUSION: Taxane induced silent CME should be attributed to the action of Taxanes on the microtubule guided aquaporin vesicles transport to the cell membrane. In our case of Taxane induced silent CME, withdrawal of the taxane was enough for complete recovery, and no additional treatment was needed.

Intravitreal ranibizumab for choroidal neovascularization secondary to angiod streaks. Comparison of the 12 and 24-month results of treatment in treatment-naïve eyes.

OBJECTIVE: Our aim study was to compare 12 and 24-month results of intravitreal ranibizumab therapy in the management of choroidal neovascularization (CNV) secondary to angioid streaks (ST). This could be of clinical importance helping us planning optimal dosing strategies. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Over a 7-year period, a consecutive series of treatment-naïve eyes with macular CNV due to AS were treated with intravitreal ranibizumab (0.5 mg). The main outcome measure was changed in best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) at 12 and 24 months as compared to baseline. RESULTS: Twenty eyes completed 24-month therapy and regular follow-up visits. BCVA improved at 12 (0.42±0.26 logMAR) and 24 months (0.44±0.22 logMAR) as compared to baseline (0.75±0.26 logMAR) (p<0.001), but did not change between the 12 and 24-month follow-up (p=0.48). BCVA improved in 15 (75%) and 16 (80%) of the eyes, but in 5 (25%) and 4 eyes (20%) remained unchanged (p=0.71) at 12 and 24 months, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that during the first year of intravitreal ranibizumab therapy for patients with macular CNV due to AS, BCVA improved in most of the eyes, and was maintained during the second year.

The invention of gonioscopy by Alexios Trantas and his contribution to ophthalmology.

Gonioscopy is a technique used to examine structures in the anterior chamber angle (the fluid filled space inside the eye between the iris and the innermost layer of the cornea, the endothelium). It is an essential tool in ophthalmic practice, particularly in the diagnosis of glaucoma. In 1899, the Greek ophthalmologist Alexios Trantas was the first to visualise the angle in vivo and coined the term 'gonioscopy'. He made a number of other important contributions to ophthalmology.

Chemokine CXCL-1: activity in the vitreous during proliferative vitreoretinopathy.

The aim of this study was to investigate CXCL-1 chemokine levels in the vitreous during rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD) with and without proliferative vitreoretinopathy (PVR) and identify possible correlations with clinical parameters (extent and duration or RRD and PVR grade). Vitreous samples from patients with primary RRD with or without PVR were collected and assayed using a double antibody enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Eleven vitreous samples from organ donors were employed as a control group. CXCL-1 levels were measured in 35 vitreous samples from 35 RRD patients. Mean CXCL-1 levels (64·82 ± 6·47 pg/ml) were significantly higher (P = 0·048) compared to controls. There was a significant positive correlation between CXCL-1 levels and the extent of the detachment (r = 0·794, P = 0·006). Peak CXCL-1 levels coincided with 3+ quadrant RRD, an interim of 29-60 days' duration and PVR grade B. Increased CXCL-1 levels may be indicative of mild inflammation in the detached retina and the adjacent vitreous. The results of the present study may provide novel insight into the complex interactions taking place during the early and late stages of RRD complicated by PVR.

Phaco-trabeculectomy in controlled, advanced, open-angle glaucoma and cataract: parallel, randomized clinical study of efficacy and safety.

BACKGROUND: To examine the efficacy and safety of combined phaco-trabeculectomy in patients with cataract and controlled, open-angle advanced glaucoma and to identify preoperative predictive factors of postoperative glaucoma course. SETTING: Departments of Ophthalmology, University of Athens, and General Hospital of Lamia, Greece. METHODS: Prospective, interventional, parallel, cluster (units=examinations), randomized clinical study. 60 patients with visually significant cataract, visual field Mean Deviation (MD) worse than -15.0 dB, and preoperative intraocular pressure (IOP), controlled (consistently below 22 mmHg) on topical medications and with no previous ocular surgery, were randomly allocated (1:1) to phacoemulsification alone or phaco-trabeculectomy group. Intention-to-treat analysis was performed to compare the postoperative outcome and adjusted multivariate longitudinal linear regression analysis was performed to identify predictive factors of the main outcome measures, with postoperative visual field MD change up to two years postoperatively. Participant recruiters and data collectors were masked to group assignment. RESULTS: 31 and 29 patients were randomized to phacoemulsification alone and phaco-trabeculectomy groups, respectively. Patients assigned to the phaco-trabeculectomy group experienced a 1.7 mmHg [95% CI:-3.1 to -0.23] reduction in IOP, a 1.4 dB [95% CI: -0.17 to 2.96] improvement in visual fields MD, a 0.6 [95% CI: -1.2 to -0.05] reduction in the number of glaucoma medications needed postoperatively, while the visual acuity improvement was similar between the two groups. Best predictors for visual field MD: degree of nuclear sclerosis, relative afferent pupilary defect (RAPD), preoperative MD deviation from -19.0 dB and preoperative cup-disc ratio deviation from 0.9. The phacoemulsification group experienced more IOP spikes (>25 mmHg) with Odds Ratio (OR) of 0.34 [95% CI: 0.11-1.02]. No patient lost light perception. CONCLUSION: Phaco-trabeculectomy in advanced, controlled, open-angle glaucoma patients with cataract results in better postoperative visual field MD with no major adverse events.

Retinal detachment due to a macular hole in a patient with Behcet disease treated with vitrectomy and silicone oil tamponade.

PURPOSE: A rare case of unilateral retinal detachment due to a macular hole in a patient with Behçet disease is presented. METHODS: Interventional case report. RESULTS: A 31-year-old man with a 6-year history of Behçet disease presented with a relapse in his disease and received infliximab. Ten days later, as the inflammation subsided, a retinal detachment caused by a macular hole was diagnosed. The patient underwent vitrectomy surgery with internal limiting membrane peeling and silicone oil tamponade. Seven months after the removal of the silicone oil, the macular hole remained closed and the retina attached. Optical coherence tomography was performed before surgery and during the postoperative follow-up period. CONCLUSIONS: Behçet disease could be rarely associated with retinal detachment caused by a macular hole. Macular traction caused by severe recurrent vitritis in combination with the retinochoroidal atrophy due to the relapsing retinitis might be the underlying mechanism of this complication, which to the authors' knowledge has never been reported before.

Photodynamic therapy with verteporfin of choroidal neovascularization in angioid streaks: conventional versus early retreatment.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the effectiveness of conventional photodynamic therapy with verteporfin (PDT) in a series of patients with macular choroidal neovascularization (CNV) due to angioid streaks and to compare it to the effectiveness of early PDT retreatment. METHODS: This is a retrospective study of 24 eyes (22 consecutive patients) with subfoveal or juxtafoveal CNV secondary to angioid streaks treated with PDT from September 2000 through February 2003 and that completed at least the first year of follow-up. Until August 2001, retreatments were performed according to the conventional protocol for PDT every 3 months (Group 1, consisting of 11 eyes of 9 patients). After August 2001 (13 more eyes of 13 new patients), retreatments were performed earlier (every 8 weeks) when indicated (Group 2). The follow-up time ranged from 30 to 42 months and from 12 to 30 months in Groups 1 and 2. RESULTS: At the end of the follow-up, final best-corrected visual acuity decreased in 21 (87.5%), stabilized in 2 (8.3%), and improved in 1 (4.2%) of the total 24 eyes. In all, 19 of the 24 eyes (79.2%) had a final best-corrected visual acuity equal to or less than 20/400. There were not any statistically significant differences in final visual acuity between the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: In this large series of patients with macular CNV secondary to angioid streaks, the functional and the anatomic results of PDT were not satisfactory, even when retreatments were performed earlier than the conventional time of 3 months.

Diffuse retinal pigment epitheliopathy: treatment with laser photocoagulation.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the effectiveness of laser treatment in eyes with diffuse retinal pigment epitheliopathy (DRPE). METHODS: The authors retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 56 consecutive patients (78 eyes) with DRPE. All eyes were treated with digital fluorescein angiography guided argon green laser photocoagulation, direct on the focal retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) leaks and in a grid pattern to the RPE decompensation areas. A processed digital red-free fundus image including all the important traces on it was used as a guide to the laser treatment. The follow-up period ranged from 6 months to 7 years. RESULTS: At the end of the follow-up time, 70 (89.7%) eyes showed anatomic improvement with complete or partial resolution of the macular exudative lesions. Visual acuity of less than 20/40 was noted in 60 eyes (76.9%) preoperatively compared with 46 eyes (59.0%) finally (p=0.0252). The visual acuity was improved in 19 eyes (24.4%), stabilized in 51 (65.4%), and reduced in only 8 eyes (10.2%). CONCLUSIONS: In this series of patients with DRPE, the results of laser treatment were uniformly satisfactory producing a gradual resolution of the macular exudative lesions and an improvement or stabilization of the visual acuity.

Polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy associated with Doyne's familial choroiditis: treatment with thermal laser.

PURPOSE: To report the unusual occurrence of polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy (PCV) in a patient with Doyne's familial honeycomb choroiditis (DFHC) and its course after laser treatment. DESIGN: Interventional case report. METHODS: Indocyanine green (ICG) angiography guided laser was performed on active polypoidal lesions. RESULTS: A 45-year-old man with a 15-year history of bilateral DFCH and a scarred macular choroidal neovascularization in the right eye (RE) was referred to us with exudative maculopathy in the left eye (LE). His best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) was 20/800 in the RE and 20/40 in the LE. ICG angiography revealed a picture that was characteristic for PCV in both eyes. ICG guided argon green laser was performed on the active parapapillary and perifoveal polypoidal lesions of the LE. Eight months after the laser photocoagulation treatment, the macular exudative lesions had subsided and the BCVA improved to 20/20. The favorable anatomic and functional results have remained stable over 3 years. CONCLUSIONS: This is, to our knowledge, the first case of a PCV that occurred secondary to DFHC.

Retinal hemorrhage after photodynamic therapy in patients with subfoveal choroidal neovascularization caused by age-related macular degeneration.

PURPOSE: To report the frequency and the evolution of the extensive retinal hemorrhages that can appear within 48 h after the application of photodynamic therapy. METHODS: Two hundred and fifteen individual eyes of 194 consecutive patients with subfoveal choroidal neovascularization (CNV) due to age-related macular degeneration who underwent photodynamic treatment were included in the study. The visual acuity was measured before and after treatment. Color and red-free photographs were taken. Fluorescein angiography and optical coherence tomography (OCT) were also performed in order to describe the macular hemorrhages. RESULTS: Four out of 215 eyes developed macular hemorrhage within 48 h after the photodynamic therapy. Before treatment one of the four patients had classic CNV, one predominantly classic and two patients occult CNV without any classic component. In all four cases, the hemorrhage after photodynamic therapy (PDT) was extensive, it extended beyond the arcades and it was not absorbed during the follow-up period, which ranged from 11 to 21 months. The greatest linear dimension of the hemorrhage was extremely high (>12,000 microm). CONCLUSION: Extensive macular hemorrhage was observed in 1.86% of the studied cases. The hemorrhage was not related to the type of the CNV lesion before treatment. The size and the appearance of hemorrhage within 48 h after treatment support the view that the hemorrhage is a direct consequence of the photodynamic therapy and not related to the natural course of the disease.