Displacement of Submacular Hemorrhage Using Subretinal Cocktail Injection versus Pneumatic Displacement: A Real-World Comparative Study.

INTRODUCTION: The objective of this study was to compare the outcome of submacular hemorrhage (SMH) displacement using pneumatic displacement with intravitreal expansile gas versus pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) with subretinal injection of tissue plasminogen activator (tPA), anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) agent, and air as primary surgery. METHODS: Retrospective interventional case series of 63 patients who underwent surgical displacement of SMH secondary to neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD) or polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy (PCV) from May 1, 2015, to October 31, 2022. Medical records were reviewed for diagnosis, logMAR visual acuity (VA), central subfield thickness (CST), and postoperative displacement rates and complications up to 12 months after operation. RESULTS: The diagnosis was nAMD in 24 (38.1%) and PCV in 39 (61.9%) eyes. There were 40 (63.5%) eyes in the pneumatic displacement group (38 received C3F8, 2 received SF6) and 23 (36.5%) eyes in the subretinal cocktail injection. Mean baseline VA was 1.46 and 1.62, respectively (p = 0.404). The subretinal injection group had more extensive SMH (p = 0.005), thicker CST (1,006.6 µm vs. 780.2 µm, p = 0.012), and longer interval between symptom and operation (10.65 vs. 5.53 days, p < 0.001). The mean postoperative VA at 6 months was 0.67 and 0.91 (p = 0.180) for pneumatic displacement and subretinal injection groups, respectively, though VA was significantly better in the pneumatic group at 12-month visit (0.64 vs. 1.03, p = 0.040). At least 10 mean change in VA were >10 letters gain in both groups up to 12 months. Postoperative CST reduction was greater (625.1 µm vs. 326.5 µm, p = 0.008) and complete foveal displacement (87.0% vs. 37.5%), p < 0.001, odds ratio [OR] = 11.1) and displacement to arcade or beyond (52.5% vs. 17.5%, p = 0.009, OR = 5.15) were more frequent in the subretinal injection group. Two patients with failed pneumatic displacement were successfully treated with subretinal cocktail injection as a second operation. CONCLUSION: Surgical displacement of SMH leads to clinically meaningful improvement in VA. PPV with subretinal cocktail injection is more effective than pneumatic displacement in displacing SMH with similar safety profile despite longer interval before operation, higher CST, and more extensive SMH at baseline. Retinal surgeons could consider this novel technique in cases with thick and extensive SMH or as a rescue secondary operation in selected cases.

A MULTITASK DEEP-LEARNING SYSTEM FOR ASSESSMENT OF DIABETIC MACULAR ISCHEMIA ON OPTICAL COHERENCE TOMOGRAPHY ANGIOGRAPHY IMAGES.

PURPOSE: We aimed to develop and test a deep-learning system to perform image quality and diabetic macular ischemia (DMI) assessment on optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) images. METHODS: This study included 7,194 OCTA images with diabetes mellitus for training and primary validation and 960 images from three independent data sets for external testing. A trinary classification for image quality assessment and the presence or absence of DMI for DMI assessment were labeled on all OCTA images. Two DenseNet-161 models were built for both tasks for OCTA images of superficial and deep capillary plexuses, respectively. External testing was performed on three unseen data sets in which one data set using the same model of OCTA device as of the primary data set and two data sets using another brand of OCTA device. We assessed the performance by using the area under the receiver operating characteristic curves with sensitivities, specificities, and accuracies and the area under the precision-recall curves with precision. RESULTS: For the image quality assessment, analyses for gradability and measurability assessment were performed. Our deep-learning system achieved the area under the receiver operating characteristic curves >0.948 and area under the precision-recall curves >0.866 for the gradability assessment, area under the receiver operating characteristic curves >0.960 and area under the precision-recall curves >0.822 for the measurability assessment, and area under the receiver operating characteristic curves >0.939 and area under the precision-recall curves >0.899 for the DMI assessment across three external validation data sets. Grad-CAM demonstrated the capability of our deep-learning system paying attention to regions related to DMI identification. CONCLUSION: Our proposed multitask deep-learning system might facilitate the development of a simplified assessment of DMI on OCTA images among individuals with diabetes mellitus at high risk for visual loss.

Survey-based Evaluation of the Use of Picture Archiving and Communication Systems in an Eye Hospital-Ophthalmologists' Perspective.

PURPOSE: Picture archiving and communication system (PACS) is a medical imaging system for sharing, storage, retrieval, and access of medical images stored. Our study aimed to identify ophthalmologists' views on PACS, with the comparison between 3 platforms, namely electronic patient record (ePR), HEYEX (Heidelberg Engineering, Switzerland), and FORUM (Zeiss, US), following their implementation in an eye hospital for common ophthalmic investigations [visual field, optical coherence tomography (OCT) of retinal nerve fiber layer and macula, and fluorescein/indocyanine green angiography (FA/ICG)]. METHODS: An online survey was distributed among ophthalmologists in a single center. Primary outcome included comparison of PACS with paper-based system. Secondary outcomes included pattern of use and comparison of different PACS platforms. RESULTS: Survey response rate was 28/37 (75.7%). Images were most commonly accessed through ePR (median: 80% of time, interquartile range: 50 to 90%).All systems scored highly in information display items (median scores ≥7.5 out of 10) and in reducing patient identification error in investigation filing and retrieval during consultation compared to paper (score ≥7.0). However, ePR was inferior to paper in "facilitating comparison with previous results" in all investigation types (scores 3.0 to 4.5). ePR scored significantly higher in all system quality items than HEYEX ( P  < 0.001) and FORUM ( P  < 0.022), except login response time ( P  = 0.081). HEYEX scored significantly higher among vitreoretinaluveitis members (VRU) for information quality items for OCT macula and FA/ICG [VRU: 10.0 (8.0 to 10.0), non-VRU: 8.0 (6.75 to 9.25), P  = 0.042]. CONCLUSIONS: Overall feedback for PACS among ophthalmologists was positive, with limitations of inefficiency in use of information, for example, comparison with previous results. Subspecialty played an important role in evaluating PACS.

A Multitask Deep-Learning System to Classify Diabetic Macular Edema for Different Optical Coherence Tomography Devices: A Multicenter Analysis.

OBJECTIVE: Diabetic macular edema (DME) is the primary cause of vision loss among individuals with diabetes mellitus (DM). We developed, validated, and tested a deep learning (DL) system for classifying DME using images from three common commercially available optical coherence tomography (OCT) devices. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: We trained and validated two versions of a multitask convolution neural network (CNN) to classify DME (center-involved DME [CI-DME], non-CI-DME, or absence of DME) using three-dimensional (3D) volume scans and 2D B-scans, respectively. For both 3D and 2D CNNs, we used the residual network (ResNet) as the backbone. For the 3D CNN, we used a 3D version of ResNet-34 with the last fully connected layer removed as the feature extraction module. A total of 73,746 OCT images were used for training and primary validation. External testing was performed using 26,981 images across seven independent data sets from Singapore, Hong Kong, the U.S., China, and Australia. RESULTS: In classifying the presence or absence of DME, the DL system achieved area under the receiver operating characteristic curves (AUROCs) of 0.937 (95% CI 0.920-0.954), 0.958 (0.930-0.977), and 0.965 (0.948-0.977) for the primary data set obtained from CIRRUS, SPECTRALIS, and Triton OCTs, respectively, in addition to AUROCs >0.906 for the external data sets. For further classification of the CI-DME and non-CI-DME subgroups, the AUROCs were 0.968 (0.940-0.995), 0.951 (0.898-0.982), and 0.975 (0.947-0.991) for the primary data set and >0.894 for the external data sets. CONCLUSIONS: We demonstrated excellent performance with a DL system for the automated classification of DME, highlighting its potential as a promising second-line screening tool for patients with DM, which may potentially create a more effective triaging mechanism to eye clinics.

Comparison of Peripapillary Vessel Density of Acute Nonarteritic Anterior Ischemic Optic Neuropathy and Other Optic Neuropathies With Disc Swelling Using Optical Coherence Tomography Angiography: A Pilot Study.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study is to quantitatively compare the peripapillary vessel density (PPVD), measured with optical coherence tomography angiography (OCT-A), between acute nonarteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION) and other causes of disc swelling ("others"). METHODS: In this prospective comparative case series, patients with unilateral disc swelling due to acute NAION (n = 7) and "others" (n = 7) underwent OCT-A scanning of the optic nerve head with a swept-source OCT (Triton DRI-OCT), in addition to functional assessment. OCT-A images were analyzed using an automated customized MATLAB program. Comparison was made between total and 6 sectoral PPVD (radial peripapillary capillary [RPC] and choroid layers) of affected and fellow eyes; and between the 2 groups' affected eyes. Five NAION patients had repeated assessments at 1, 3, and 6 months. RESULTS: Acute NAION eyes had a significantly lower total and superonasal PPVD (both layers) compared to fellow eyes. No such difference was observed in "others" group for the RPC layer. NAION eyes also had significantly lower total RPC PPVD than affected eyes in the "others" group. Over 6 months, NAION eyes had persistently lower RPC PPVD compared to fellow eyes but the reduced choroidal PPVD resolved by 1 month. CONCLUSION: The study demonstrated reduced superonasal and total RPC PPVD in acute NAION, which persisted over 6 months. Because there is currently no single diagnostic test for NAION, use of OCT-A images to analyze RPC PPVD may potentially help distinguish acute NAION from other causes of disc swelling by quantitatively demonstrating capillary dropout in the RPC layer.

Assessment of retinal neurodegeneration with spectral-domain optical coherence tomography: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVES: To comprehensively assess diabetic retinopathy neurodegeneration (DRN) as quantified by retinal neuronal and axonal layers measured with spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) in subjects with diabetes mellitus (DM). METHODS: Articles on the topic of examining macular ganglion cell-inner plexiform layer (m-GCIPL), macular retinal nerve fibre layer (m-RNFL), macular ganglion cell complex (m-GCC), and peripapillary RNFL (p-RNFL) measured with SD-OCT in DM subjects without DR (NDR) or with non-proliferative DR (NPDR) were searched in PubMed and Embase up to November 31, 2019. Standardized mean difference (SMD) as effect size were pooled using random-effects model. RESULTS: Thirty-six studies searched from online databases and the CUHK DM cohort were included in the meta-analysis. In the comparison between NDR and control, macular measures including mean m-GCIPL (SMD = -0.26, p = 0.003), m-RNFL (SMD = -0.26, p = 0.046), and m-GCC (SMD = -0.28; p = 0.009) were significantly thinner in the NDR group. In the comparison between NPDR and NDR, only mean p-RNFL was significantly thinner in the NPDR group (SMD = -0.27; p = 0.03), but not other macular measures. CONCLUSIONS: Thinning of retinal neuronal and axonal layers at macula as measured by SD-OCT are presented in eyes with NDR, supporting DRN may be the early pathogenesis in the DM patients without the presence of clinical signs of DR. In the future, these SD-OCT measures may be used as surrogates of DRN to stratify DM patients with a high risk of DR, and may be used as a therapeutic target if neuroprotection treatment for DR is available.

Clinically relevant factors associated with quantitative optical coherence tomography angiography metrics in deep capillary plexus in patients with diabetes.

BACKGROUND: To test clinically relevant factors associated with quantitative artifact-free deep capillary plexus (DCP) metrics in patients with diabetes mellitus (DM). METHODS: 563 eligible eyes (221 with no diabetic retinopathy [DR], 135 with mild DR, 130 with moderate DR, and 77 with severe DR) from 334 subjects underwent optical coherence tomography-angiography (OCT-A) with a swept-source OCT (Triton DRI-OCT, Topcon, Inc., Tokyo, Japan). Strict criteria were applied to exclude from analysis those DCP images with artifacts and of poor quality, including projection artifacts, motion artifacts, blurriness, signal loss, B-scan segmentation error, or low-quality score. A customized MATLAB program was then used to quantify DCP morphology from the artifact-free DCP images by calculating three metrics: foveal avascular zone (FAZ), vessel density (VD), and fractal dimension (FD). RESULTS: 166 (29.5%) eyes were excluded after quality control, leaving in the analysis 397 eyes (170 with no DR, 101 with mild DR, 90 with moderate DR, 36 with severe DR) from 250 subjects. In the multiple regression models, larger FAZ area was associated with more severe DR (ß = 0.687; p = 0.037), shorter axial length (AL) (ß = - 0.171; p = 0.003), thinner subfoveal choroid thickness (ß = - 0.122; p = 0.031), and lower body mass index (BMI) (ß = - 0.090; p = 0.047). Lower VD was associated with more severe DR (ß = - 0.842; p = 0.001), shorter AL (ß = 0.107; p = 0.039), and poorer visual acuity (VA) (ß = - 0.133; p = 0.021). Lower FD was associated with more severe DR (ß = - 0.891; p < 0.001) and with older age (ß = - 0.142; p = 0.004). CONCLUSIONS: Quantitative artifact-free DCP metrics are associated with VA, DR severity, AL, subfoveal choroidal thickness, age, and BMI in diabetic patients. The effects of ocular and systemic factors should be considered for meaningful interpretations of DCP changes in DM patients.

OCT Angiography Metrics Predict Progression of Diabetic Retinopathy and Development of Diabetic Macular Edema: A Prospective Study.

PURPOSE: To prospectively determine the relationship of OCT angiography (OCTA) metrics to diabetic retinopathy (DR) progression and development of diabetic macular edema (DME). DESIGN: Prospective, observational study. PARTICIPANTS: A total of 205 eyes from 129 patients with diabetes mellitus followed up for at least 2 years. METHODS: All participants underwent OCTA with a swept-source OCT device (DRI-OCT Triton, Topcon, Inc, Tokyo, Japan). Individual OCTA images of superficial capillary plexus (SCP) and deep capillary plexus (DCP) were generated by IMAGEnet6 (Basic License 10). After a quality check, automated measurements of foveal avascular zone (FAZ) area, FAZ circularity, vessel density (VD), and fractal dimension (FD) of both SCP and DCP were then obtained. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Progression of DR and development of DME. RESULTS: Over a median follow-up of 27.14 months (interquartile range, 24.16-30.41 months), 28 of the 205 eyes (13.66%) developed DR progression. Of the 194 eyes without DME at baseline, 17 (8.76%) developed DME. Larger FAZ area (hazard ratio [HR], 1.829 per SD increase; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.332-2.512), lower VD (HR, 1.908 per SD decrease; 95% CI, 1.303-2.793), and lower FD (HR, 4.464 per SD decrease; 95% CI, 1.337-14.903) of DCP were significantly associated with DR progression after adjusting for established risk factors (DR severity, glycated hemoglobin, duration of diabetes, age, and mean arterial blood pressure at baseline). Lower VD of SCP (HR, 1.789 per SD decrease; 95% CI, 1.027-4.512) was associated with DME development. Compared with the model with established risk factors alone, the addition of OCTA metrics improved the predictive discrimination of DR progression (FAZ area of DCP, C-statistics 0.723 vs. 0.677, P < 0.001; VD of DCP, C-statistics 0.727 vs. 0.677, P = 0.001; FD of DCP, C-statistics 0.738 vs. 0.677, P < 0.001) and DME development (VD of SCP, C-statistics 0.904 vs. 0.875, P = 0.036). CONCLUSIONS: The FAZ area, VD, and FD of DCP predict DR progression, whereas VD of SCP predicts DME development. Our findings provide evidence to support that OCTA metrics improve the evaluation of risk of DR progression and DME development beyond traditional risk factors.

Non-mydriatic ultrawide field scanning laser ophthalmoscopy compared with dilated fundal examination for assessment of diabetic retinopathy and diabetic macular oedema in Chinese individuals with diabetes mellitus.

AIMS: To evaluate the performance of ultrawide field scanning laser ophthalmoscopy (UWF-SLO) for assessing diabetic retinopathy (DR) and diabetic macular oedema (DME) in a Chinese population, compared with clinical examination. METHODS: This is a retrospective cohort study. A series of 322 eyes from 164 patients with DM were included. Each patient underwent both dilated fundal examination with DR and DME grading by retina specialist and non-mydriatic 200° UWF-SLO (Daytona, Optos, Dunfermline, UK). The severity of DR and DME from UWF-SLO images was further graded by ophthalmologists, according to both international clinical DR and DME disease severity scales and the standard 7-field Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study (ETDRS) scale. Any DR, DME and vision-threatening DR (VTDR) were treated as endpoints for this study. RESULTS: 23 out of 322 images (7.14%), including all four cases with proliferative DR on clinical examinations, were determined as ungradable. When the international scale was used for grading UWF-SLO images, the sensitivity of any DR, DME and VTDR was 67.7%, 67.4% and 72.6%, respectively; the specificity of any DR, DME and VTDR was 97.8%, 97.3% and 97.8%, respectively. The agreement with clinical grading in picking up any DR, DME and VTDR was substantial, with κ-values of 0.634, 0.694 and 0.707, respectively. The performance of UWF-SLO was shown to be lower when ETDRS scale was used for grading the images. CONCLUSION: The performance of non-mydriatic UWF-SLO is comparable in identifying DR with that of clinical examination in a Chinese cohort. However, whether UWF-SLO can be considered as tool for screening DR is still undetermined.

Proceedings of the Neuro-Ophthalmology Program of the 33rd Asia-Pacific Academy of Ophthalmology Congress, Hong Kong, 8-11 February 2018.

The 33rd Asia-Pacific Academy of Ophthalmology (APAO) Congress was held on Feb 8-11, 2018 in Hong Kong. This report summarized the highlights of the neuro-ophthalmology program of the Congress, including the scientific symposia (invited and submitted) and the social activities.