Central retinal artery occlusion without underlying chronic ocular ischemic syndrome may lead to neovascular glaucoma.

INTRODUCTION: The prevalence and etiology of neovascular glaucoma (NVG) as a complication of central retinal artery occlusion (CRAO) is a debated issue. According to some authors, NVG associated with CRAO always involves underlying chronic ocular ischemic syndrome (COIS) as a primum movens for CRAO. However, we describe 5 cases of NVG following CRAO with no underlying COIS, confirmed by carotid Doppler studies and ultrasound color Doppler imaging (USCDI) of the ophthalmic artery (OA). MATERIAL AND METHODS: We conducted a single-center retrospective analysis of the medical records of 5 consecutive patients who developed NVG following non-arteritic CRAO between July 2010 and July 2014. RESULTS: Five patients were included. All 5 patients were examined at the emergency room. The 5 patients had normal intraocular pressure and no intraocular neovascularization upon initial examination. They had no hemodynamically significant internal carotid artery stenosis, and the ophthalmic artery USCDI was normal. These 5 patients developed NVG subsequently to the CRAO. CONCLUSIONS: In our patients, carotid Doppler studies and USCDI of the OA ruled out COIS. Thus, COIS did not cause the NVG. CRAO may therefore lead to neovascular glaucoma without underlying COIS.

[Evaluation of diabetic retinopathy screening using non-mydriatic fundus camera performed by physicians' assistants in the endocrinology service]. / Évaluation du dépistage de la rétinopathie diabétique par rétinographe non mydriatique effectué par des aides-soignant(e)s d'un service d'endocrinologie.

INTRODUCTION: Since 2010, the High Authority for health (HAS) recommends the use of non-mydriatic fundus camera for diabetic retinopathy screening. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the results of screening for diabetic retinopathy using the non-mydriatic retinal camera by a physician's assistant in the endocrinology service. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This is a retrospective study of all diabetic patients hospitalized in the endocrinology department between May 2013 and November 2013. For each endocrinology patient requiring screening, a previously trained physician's assistant performed fundus photos. The ophthalmologist then provided a written interpretation of the photos on a consultant's sheet. RESULTS: Of the 120 patients screened, 40 (33.3%) patients had uninterpretable photos. Among the 80 interpretable photos, 64 (53.4%) patients had no diabetic retinopathy, and 16 (13.3%) had diabetic retinopathy. No patient had diabetic maculopathy. DISCUSSION: Specific quality criteria were established by the HAS for screening for diabetic retinopathy using the non-mydriatic retinal camera in order to ensure sufficient sensitivity and specificity. In our study, the two quality criteria were not achieved: the rates of uninterpretable photos and the total number of photos analyzed in a given period. CONCLUSION: In our center, we discontinued this method of diabetic retinopathy screening due to the high rate of uninterpretable photos. Due to the logistic impossibility of the ophthalmologists taking all the fundus photos, we proposed that the ophthalmic nurses take the photos. They are better trained in the use of the equipment, and can confer directly with an ophthalmologist in questionable cases and to obtain pupil dilation as necessary.

Melanoma-associated retinopathy treated with ipilimumab therapy.

Melanoma-associated retinopathy (MAR) is a rare autoimmune syndrome in patients with melanoma characterized by visual disorders. MAR is induced by the degeneration of bipolar cells of the retina and the presence of serum autoantibodies against retina proteins. Ipilimumab, an anti-cytotoxic T lymphocyte-associated antigen 4 antibody, improves survival in previously treated patients with metastatic melanoma, but is responsible for a spectrum of immune-related adverse events. Administration of ipilimumab to patients with autoimmune diseases (such as MAR or vitiligo) is actually not recommended. We report a patient presenting with MAR occurring during a melanoma relapse. Surgery and chemotherapy had no effect on visual acuity and melanoma increased. In the absence of alternative antitumoral treatment, we focused on the vital prognosis and treated the patient with ipilimumab. Two years after the treatment the patient is free from new metastasis but has presented with exacerbation of vitiligo and MAR. In the very rare case of melanoma with autoimmune disease without a therapy option, ipilimumab could be discussed, taking into account the fact that it can be effective on tumor burden but can also increase autoimmunity.

Hereditary infantile hemiparesis, retinal arteriolar tortuosity, and leukoencephalopathy.

BACKGROUND: The main hereditary vascular conditions involving both retinal and cerebral vessels include cerebroretinal vasculopathy, HERNS (hereditary endotheliopathy with retinopathy, nephropathy, and stroke), and hereditary vascular retinopathy; all are linked to the same locus on chromosome 3p21. Hereditary retinal arteriolar tortuosity is a distinct, autosomal dominant condition characterized by retinal arteriolar tortuosity and recurrent retinal hemorrhages. This condition is known to affect only retinal vessels. METHODS: Clinical and brain MRI investigations of eight members of a three-generation family and extensive biological and systemic vascular investigations within one affected family member were conducted. RESULTS: Six of eight family members were clinically symptomatic; disorders included infantile hemiparesis (2), migraine with aura (3), and retinal hemorrhage (1). Five individuals had retinal arteriolar tortuosities. A diffuse leukoencephalopathy in association with dilated perivascular spaces was observed in six individuals. Two family members had silent, deep cerebral infarcts as demonstrated on MRI. Genetic linkage analysis strongly suggests that this disorder is not linked to the 3p21 hereditary vascular retinopathy/cerebroretinal vasculopathy/HERNS locus. CONCLUSIONS: The authors describe a novel hereditary autosomal dominant condition affecting both retinal and cerebral vessels and characterized by infantile hemiparesis, migraine with aura, retinal hemorrhage, retinal arterial tortuosity, and leukoencephalopathy with dilatation of perivascular spaces and microbleeds on brain MRI. Investigation of additional families should help to map the gene and to better categorize the spectrum of hereditary cerebroretinal small vessel diseases.