Prediction of Functional and Anatomic Progression in Lamellar Macular Holes.

Purpose: To use artificial intelligence to identify imaging biomarkers for anatomic and functional progression of lamellar macular hole (LMH) and elaborate a deep learning (DL) model based on OCT and OCT angiography (OCTA) for prediction of visual acuity (VA) loss in untreated LMHs. Design: Multicentric retrospective observational study. Participants: Patients aged >18 years diagnosed with idiopathic LMHs with availability of good quality OCT and OCTA acquisitions at baseline and a follow-up >2 years were recruited. Methods: A DL model based on soft voting of 2 separate models (OCT and OCTA-based respectively) was trained for identification of cases with VA loss >5 ETDRS letters (attributable to LMH progression only) during a 2-year follow-up. Biomarkers of anatomic and functional progression of LMH were evaluated with regression analysis, feature learning (support vector machine [SVM] model), and visualization maps. Main Outcome Measures: Ellipsoid zone (EZ) damage, volumetric tissue loss (TL), vitreopapillary adhesion (VPA), epiretinal proliferation, central macular thickness (CMT), parafoveal vessel density (VD) and vessel length density (VLD) of retinal capillary plexuses, choriocapillaris (CC), and flow deficit density (FDD). Results: Functionally progressing LMHs (VA-PROG group, 41/139 eyes [29.5%]) showed higher prevalence of EZ damage, higher volumetric TL, higher prevalence of VPA, lower superficial capillary plexus (SCP), VD and VLD, and higher CC FDD compared with functionally stable LMHs (VA-STABLE group, 98/139 eyes [70.5%]). The DL and SVM models showed 92.5% and 90.5% accuracy, respectively. The best-performing features in the SVM were EZ damage, TL, CC FDD, and parafoveal SCP VD. Epiretinal proliferation and lower CMT were risk factors for anatomic progression only. Conclusions: Deep learning can accurately predict functional progression of untreated LMHs over 2 years. The use of AI might improve our understanding of the natural course of retinal diseases. The integrity of CC and SCP might play an important role in the progression of LMHs. Financial Disclosures: The authors have no proprietary or commercial interest in any materials discussed in this article.

Safety Results for Geographic Atrophy Associated with Age-Related Macular Degeneration Using Subretinal Cord Blood Platelet-Rich Plasma.

Purpose: To evaluate the safety of subretinal injection of cord blood platelet-rich plasma (CB-PRP) and its possible effect in eyes affected by geographic atrophy (GA) associated with dry age-related macular degeneration (d-AMD). Design: Interventional, open-label study started in January 2021 with follow-up at 12 months (the Si.Cord Study). This study was a single-center, nonrandomized, sequential-assigned clinical trial conducted in Rome, Italy, at Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCCS (ClinicalTrials.gov NCT04636853). Participants: Thirteen patients (26 eyes) with bilateral d-AMD-related GA were enrolled. One eye from each patient (with more advanced GA) underwent CB-PRP treatment, and the fellow eye was considered the control. All patients participated in follow-up at 12 months. Intervention: All 13 eyes received 23-gauge (G) vitrectomy and subretinal injection of CB-PRP using a 41-gauge needle. Main Outcomes and Measures: Best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) with ETDRS letters, central macular thickness using OCT, and atrophic area measured on en face OCT images were assessed at baseline, 1, 3, 6, and 12 months. Results: The BCVA in the treated group was 34.46 ± 20.8 ETDRS at baseline, 40.84 ± 20.52 at 1 month, 40.07 ± 20.34 at 3 months, 39.38 ± 19.84 at 6 months, and 35.84 ± 18.38 at 12 months. In the untreated group, the BCVA was 53 ± 21.1 ETDRS letters at baseline, 51.54 ± 20.99 at 1 month, 46.62 ± 19.47 at 3 months, 46.85 ± 18.58 at 6 months, and 43.92 ± 17.97 at 12 months (2-way analysis of variance: interaction of treatment by eye or time, P = 0.084). Central macular thickness did not show a significant intereye difference at 12 months (P = 0.97). The atrophic geographic areas tended to increase in both treated and fellow eyes at 12 months (P < 0.0001). No inflammatory reaction, endophthalmitis, retinal detachment, uveitis, or other complications due to the subretinal injection of CB-PRP were observed during the follow-up. Conclusions: Subretinal injection of CB-PRP could be safely used for d-AMD in its GA form. Despite its safety, a larger cohort of patients, and probably a new way of administration, will be needed to understand whether the CB-PRP could have a role in the GA treatment. Financial Disclosures: Proprietary or commercial disclosure may be found in the Footnotes and Disclosures at the end of this article.

Management of Perifoveal Exudative Vascular Anomalous Complex.

PURPOSE: To report a case of a patient with perifoveal exudative vascular anomalous complex (PEVAC) and to analyze morphological and vascular changes by OCT and OCTA before and after treatment. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this case we reported a case which received multiple treatment for unresponsive effect to Repeated Aflibercept intravitreal injections, subthreshold micropulse laser therapy (SMPL) duty cycle 5%. At last the focal fully dose yellow laser was performed. RESULTS: A 57-year-old male patient presented with best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) of 20/50 in his right eye (RE) The fundoscopic evaluation, structural optical coherence tomography (OCT) and OCT angiography (OCTA) deposed for a diagnosis of PEVAC. The patient underwent three Aflibercept intravitreal injections in the RE. Since no changes were detected, we opted for multiple sessions of yellow subthreshold micropulse laser therapy (SMPL) duty cycle 5%, however no signs of regression were registered. Only after a fully dose yellow laser, signs of edema regression were observed. Stuctural OCT B-scan showed complete restitutio of retinal profile, in absence of any intraretinal or subretinal fluid and PEVAC lesion, while the OCTA showed a slight flow deficit at the previous lesion site. CONCLUSIONS: and Importance: The PEVAC treatment is still unknown. In our experience, we reported a case of multiple treatments for unresponsive effect to: Aflibercept intravitreal injections, subthreshold micropulse laser therapy (SMPL) duty cycle 5%. At list the focal fully dose yellow laser was the only effective in our patient. We proposed our management to share the heterogeneous response at PEVAC entity.

Retinal Pigment Epithelium and Outer Retinal Atrophy (RORA) in Retinitis Pigmentosa: Functional, Structural, and Genetic Evaluation.

Purpose: To examine whether the extension of retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) and outer retinal atrophy (RORA) and various other morphofunctional parameters correlate with the genetic assessment and severity of retinitis pigmentosa (RP). Methods: Thirty-eight patients (76 eyes) with RP were prospectively enrolled and underwent full ophthalmic examination, including visual field testing, full-field electroretinography (ERG), and optical coherence tomography angiography. The severity of the disease was calculated using the RP stage scoring system, and the area of RORA was assessed using the automatically calculated area of sub-RPE illumination. Blood or saliva samples were collected from subjects, and DNA extraction was performed to evaluate genetic mutations and nucleotide and amino acid variations. Results: There was a statistically significant correlation between the extent of RORA and patient age, best-corrected visual acuity, ellipsoid zone extension, and disease severity in both eyes (each, P < 0.05). In contrast, RORA did not correlate with either the visual field or the ERG amplitude. Cumulative score and grade severity were both significantly correlated with superficial and deep capillary plexus density (both, P < 0.001) in both eyes. Evaluating RORA, we found genes with an overall less severe phenotype, such as EYS, PCDH15, and PRPF31, and those with a worse phenotype, such as RPGR. Conclusions: The correlation of RORA with structural, functional, and genetic assessment in RP disease leads us to consider RORA as a potential biomarker for prediction of disease stage. Multicenter studies are needed to confirm our findings. Translational Relevance: The morphofunctional and genetic correlations suggest a role for RORA in RP diagnosis and follow-up.

Removable regulating sutures during trabeculectomy for a safer and more effective intraocular pressure control.

PURPOSE: Comparing the effect of standard trabeculectomy with direct sutures versus trabeculectomy with compression and everting sutures. METHODS: Mono-centric randomized prospective comparative study on 38 glaucomatous eyes undergoing trabeculectomy: 19 with standard fixed sutures (group A) and 19 withremovable regulating sutures (group B). Preoperatively and at day-7, 1-month, 2-months, 3-months and 6-months after surgery, we recorded best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), intraocular pressure (IOP) and possible complications. Complete, partial success and failure rates were recorded at the end of the study. RESULTS: In group B, we pulled everting sutures with the "horse bridle" technique at the 14th day, and successively removed all sutures between the 14th-30th post-operative day. At month-1, we recorded a significant IOP reduction in both groups (mean reduction of 11.5 mmHg for group A and of 14.4 mmHg for Group B, p = 0.001 and p < 0.0001, respectively). Furthermore, group B showed a significantly lower IOP than group A (-4.2 mmHg, 95% confidence interval [CI] -7.0 to -0.5 mmHg for group B, p = 0.01). At 2, 3 and 6-months, no significant IOP differences were reported between the two groups (all p > 0.05), but failure rate was higher for group A (21%) than for group B (11%). No differences in visual outcomes at any timepoints were noted. CONCLUSIONS: Trabeculectomy with removable regulating sutures showed a good safety profile, comparable to standard trabeculectomy. Moreover, we reported a lower IOP one month postoperatively, suggesting this technique may optimize early management of trabeculectomy.

Optical Coherence Tomography Advanced Parameters in Patients With Multiple Sclerosis: Ophthalmological and Neurological Assessments.

PURPOSE: To evaluate ophthalmological, neurological, radiological, and laboratory data in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) and to identify new ophthalmological factors that could be helpful as biomarkers of the disease, potentially leading to an earlier prediction of disease course and disability progression. DESIGN: Retrospective, cross-sectional-study. METHODS: Best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), ophthalmological biomicroscopy of the anterior segment and fundus, structural optical coherence tomography (OCT) with retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) and ganglion cell complex (GCC), and OCT angiography (OCTA) with vascular density (VD) were performed. The following clinical and neuro-radiological features were assessed: MS phenotype, disease duration, clinical severity, type of treatment, and T2-weighted lesion and T1-weighted Gd+ enhancing lesion number on the brain and spinal cord MRI. RESULTS: One hundred and six patients (212 eyes) were analyzed. Sixty-six of them (62.2%) had MS and 40 (37.8%) were matched healthy controls (HCs). patients with MS showed lower RNFL, GCC, and VD in the radial peripapillary capillary plexus than controls in both eyes (P < .05). By Performing a logistic regression with a distinct MS outcome for both eyes, we were able to demonstrate that the value that was most predictive of MS was the average GCC thickness (P = .009). Regression analysis demonstrated that patients with a higher T2-weighted lesions showed a lower RNFL thickness value and reduced GCC and VD values than those with a low lesion load (P < .01 and P < .05, respectively). Similarly, relapsing MS patients showed lower RNFL values (P < .05). CONCLUSIONS: Several OCT and OCTA-optic nerve parameters could be useful prognostic biomarkers for the MS disease course in clinical practice. However, it is necessary to do additional research with larger sample sizes in order to validate these findings.

OCT analysis of preoperative foveal microstructure in recent-onset macula-off rhegmatogenous retinal detachment: visual acuity prognostic factors.

BACKGROUND: To evaluate, in patients undergoing macula-off rhegmatogenous retinal detachment surgery (RRD), the correlation between preoperative optical coherence tomography (OCT) morphological features and postoperative visual acuity. METHODS: Retrospective interventional non-randomised clinical trial on 89 eyes of 89 patients undergoing pars plana vitrectomy for macula-off primary RRD at Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli from 2020 to 2023. Preoperative 6×6 mm OCT B scans with Nidek Mirante (Nidek, Gamagori, Japan) were performed, collecting the following features: foveal involvement (fovea-on vs fovea-off), subretinal hyper-reflective points (HRPs), outer retinal corrugations (ORCs) and intraretinal cystic spaces (ICS) in the outer nuclear layer. The patients were followed in a 6-month follow-up to evaluate best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) outcomes. RESULTS: Preoperative mean BCVA was 0.15±0.22 and improved to 0.29±0.3 decimals at 6 months (p<0.001). The presence of subretinal HRPs showed a significant negative impact on BCVA improvement in the univariate regression analysis (r=-0.264, p=0.024), as well as the presence of foveal detachment (r=-0.355, p=0.012). The other OCT features did not show a significant correlation with BCVA improvement: ORCs (r=0.072, p=0.257) and ICS (r=-0.020, p=0.734). In the multivariate regression analysis, the negative impact of foveal detachment was confirmed (r=-0.199, p=0.05) while the statistical significance of subretinal HRPs was lost (r=-0.135, p=0.105). CONCLUSIONS: The negative impact of foveal involvement in a macula-off RRD was confirmed. Moreover, the presence of subretinal HRPs, as a possible indirect marker of inflammatory response extent, may act as a negative predictor for postoperative visual recover. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: NCT05747144.

Predictive factors for re-bubbling after DMEK: focus on the posterior corneal surface.

PURPOSE: To understand whether the preoperative morphology of the posterior corneal surface influences the rate of re-bubbling after Descemet membrane endothelial keratoplasty (DMEK). METHODS: After retrospectively analyzing the medical records of patients undergoing DMEK, in this multicentric cross-sectional study, we performed a binomial logistic regression analysis to assess significant predictors of re-bubbling and re-transplantation after surgery. Analyzed parameters included the preoperative diagnosis, anterior and posterior surface K1/K2, central corneal thickness, posterior Q value, and other posterior corneal surface parameters evaluated on the elevation maps produced by anterior segment optical coherence tomography. Results were stratified based on the surgeons' experience. RESULTS: We included 202 eyes of 202 patients with a mean age of 69.5 ± 12.4 years; 154 eyes were operated by a high-volume surgeon and 48 by one with less experience; 48 eyes (23.8%) underwent ≥ 1 re-bubbling and 14(6.9%) ≥ 1 re-transplantation. The presence of positive/less-negative posterior corneal irregularities and irregularities with greater absolute height had a significantly higher risk of re-bubbling in both the expert and less expert group (OR = 2.85 and 1.42, OR = 3.22 and 3.01, respectively, p < 0.05), whereas more negative posterior K1 and K2 were significant risk factors only in the former group (OR = 0.67 and 0.55, respectively, p < 0.05). Endothelial decompensation other than Fuchs and pseudophakic bullous keratopathy, more negative posterior Q values and smaller distances between center, and the highest/lowest posterior corneal surface irregularity correlated with an increased risk of graft failure (OR 1.23, 1.21, and 1.29, respectively, p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Posterior corneal surface morphology significantly influences the risk of re-bubbling after DMEK.

Chorioretinal biomarkers in hypothalamic amenorrhea.

PURPOSE: The aim of our study was to evaluate changes in the retinal and choriocapillaris circulations in patients with hypothalamic amenorrhea. METHODS: Prospective, cross-sectional observational study on 25 patients (50 eyes) diagnosed with hypothalamic amenorrhea and 25 age-matched healthy women. Optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) was used to evaluate the vessel density (VD) of superficial capillary plexus (SCP), deep capillary plexus (DCP), and choriocapillaris VD layers in whole 6.4 × 6.4-mm image and in fovea grid-based image. In patients' group, systemic parameters were collected: body mass index (BMI), endometrial rhyme thickness, follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), prolactin, insulin, and cortisol. RESULTS: SCP and DCP did not show any statistical difference when comparing patients and controls (all p > 0.05). Differently, choriocapillaris VD in the whole region showed a non-significant tendency toward higher values in the patients group in both eyes (p = 0.038 for right eye [RE], p = 0.044 for left eye [LE]). Foveal choriocapillaris VD was higher in hypothalamic amenorrhea women vs. healthy controls (66.0 ± 2.4 vs. 63.7 ± 6.6%, p = 0.136 for RE; 65.0 ± 2.4 vs. 61.6 ± 7.0%, p = 0.005 for LE). Focusing on correlation with systemic parameters, SCP and DCP foveal density had a medium/high effect size with endometrial rhyme, along with DCP in the fovea area vs. cortisol and SCP in the whole area vs. FSH. CONCLUSION: When comparing hypothalamic amenorrhea patients to healthy subjects, OCTA detected changes in the choriocapillaris layer, showing increased VD in the early stage of the systemic pathology, suggesting that microvascular "compaction" could be a first phase of hypoestrogenism adaptation.

Novel Artificial Intelligence-Based Assessment of Imaging Biomarkers in Full-Thickness Macular Holes: Preliminary Data from a Pivotal Trial.

Artificial intelligence (AI)- and deep learning (DL)-based systems have shown significant progress in the field of macular disorders, demonstrating high performance in detecting retinal fluid and assessing anatomical changes during disease progression. This study aimed to validate an AI algorithm for identifying and quantifying prognostic factors in visual recovery after macular hole (MH) surgery by analyzing major optical coherence tomography (OCT) biomarkers. This study included 20 patients who underwent vitrectomy for a full-thickness macular hole (FTMH). The mean diameter of the FTMH was measured at 285.36 ± 97.4 µm. The preoperative best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) was 0.76 ± 0.06 logMAR, improving to 0.38 ± 0.16 postoperatively, with a statistically significant difference (p = 0.001). AI software was utilized to assess biomarkers, such as intraretinal fluid (IRF) and subretinal fluid (SRF) volume, external limiting membrane (ELM) and ellipsoid zone (EZ) integrity, and retinal hyperreflective foci (HRF). The AI analysis showed a significant decrease in IRF volume, from 0.08 ± 0.12 mm3 preoperatively to 0.01 ± 0.01 mm3 postoperatively. ELM interruption improved from 79% ± 18% to 34% ± 37% after surgery (p = 0.006), whereas EZ interruption improved from 80% ± 22% to 40% ± 36% (p = 0.007) postoperatively. Additionally, the study revealed a negative correlation between preoperative IRF volume and postoperative BCVA recovery, suggesting that greater preoperative fluid volumes may hinder visual improvement. The integrity of the ELM and EZ was found to be essential for postoperative visual acuity improvement, with their disruption negatively impacting visual recovery. The study highlights the potential of AI in quantifying OCT biomarkers for managing MHs and improving patient care.

New insights on circumscribed choroidal hemangioma: "bench to bedside".

Circumscribed choroidal hemangioma is a rare vascular hamartoma of the choroid, presenting as a red-orange mass at the posterior pole on fundoscopic examination. Despite its benign origin, associated complications such as subretinal fluid, serous retinal detachment, retinoschisis and neovascular glaucoma may lead to serious visual impairment in more than half patients. Because of its similarity to amelanotic choroidal melanoma and choroidal metastasis, differential diagnosis is still challenging for specialists. Multimodal imaging such as ultrasonography, fluorescein angiography, indocyanine green angiography, optical coherence tomography, and optical coherence tomography angiography guides the clinician to the correct diagnosis and the proper follow-up. Treatment is indicated in symptomatic cases in order to resolve exudation and improve visual acuity. Treatment options include photocoagulation, transpupillary thermotherapy, radiation therapy, photodynamic therapy and anti-vascular endothelial growth factor therapy. Currently, photodynamic therapy is the treatment of choice due to its effectiveness and safety. The purpose of this review is to describe the latest knowledge in the etiopathogenesis of the circumscribed choroidal hemangioma, the most recent multimodal imaging findings, and the available treatment options.

Refractive outcome in combined phacovitrectomy: Anterior segment changes and corrective factor for IOL power calculation improvement.

PURPOSE: To analyze differences in refractive outcome Δ (difference between postoperative and expected refractive error) and in anterior segment changes between cataract surgery patients and combined phacovitrectomy patients. We also aimed to provide a corrective formula allowing to minimise the refractive outcome Δ in combined surgery patients. METHODS: Candidates for phacoemulsification and combined phacovitrectomy (respectively PHACO and COMBINED groups) were prospectively enrolled in two specialised centres. Patients underwent best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) assessment, ultra-high speed anterior segment optical coherence tomography (OCT), gonioscopy, retinal OCT, slit lamp examination and biometry at baseline, 6 weeks postoperatively and 3 months postoperatively. RESULTS: No differences in refractive Δ, refractive error and anterior segment parameters were noted between PHACO and COMBINED group (109 and 110 patients respectively) at 6 weeks. At 3 months, COMBINED group showed a spherical equivalent of -0.29 ± 0.10 D versus -0.03 ± 0.15 D in PHACO group (p = 0.023). COMBINED group showed a significantly higher Crystalline Lens Rise (CLR), angle-to-angle (ATA) and anterior chamber width (ACW) and a significantly lower anterior chamber depth (ACD) and refractive Δ with all 4 considered formulas at 3 months. For IOL power lower than 15, a hyperopic shift was observed instead. CONCLUSIONS: Anterior segment OCT suggests anterior displacement of the effective lens position in patients undergoing phacovitrectomy. A corrective formula can be applied to IOL power calculation to minimize undesired refractive error.

A case of cilioretinal artery occlusion: Diagnostic procedures.

Purpose: To evaluate characteristic imaging findings and functional outcomes of Cilioretinal Artery Occlusion (CLRAO) associated with giant cell arteritis (GCA). Observations: We report the case of a 70-year-old woman presenting with sudden vision loss caused by a GCA-associated-CLRAO in her left eye (LE). A thorough ophthalmologic examination together with optical coherence tomography (OCT), OCT-Angiography (OCT-A), fluorescein angiography and fundus autofluorescence were performed. At presentation, the best corrected visual acuity in the LE was 20/200 and funduscopic examination revealed optic disc edema associated with retinal whitening along the area perfused by the CLRA. After 1 month, OCT and OCT-A revealed an improvement of the retinal edema and a partial reduction of the non-perfused areas in the superficial and deep capillary plexuses, as well as in the outer retina and in the choriocapillaris. Fluorescein angiography showed a reduction in the perfusion of the affected area, a delayed perfusion of the temporal sector of the optic disc, as well as areas of choroidal hypoperfusion in the peripheral temporal retina. The patient's visual acuity did not change during the follow up. Conclusion and importance: Despite a partial recanalization of the occluded vasculature being possible after GCA-associated-CLRAO, the patient's visual prognosis remains poor.

Spontaneous closure of full-thickness macular hole after pars plana vitrectomy for retinal detachment: evidence of ellipsoid zone restoration.

PURPOSE: To describe a case of full-thickness macular hole (FTMH) occurred after pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) for a macula-sparing rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD), which showed a spontaneous closure associated with outer retinal layers restoration. METHODS: Case report. RESULTS: A pseudophakic 69-year-old man underwent PPV for a macula-sparing superior RRD in the right eye (RE). Best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) was 20/20 before surgery. Three weeks after treatment the patient complained about visual impairment, and a FTMH was detected at fundus examination as well as confirmed by optical coherence tomography (OCT) scan. The patient was scheduled for a repeated surgery, but FTMH spontaneously closed eighteen days after its occurrence as demonstrated at OCT showing only a point break of the ellipsoid zone (EZ) and Verhoeff membrane. The subsequent macular OCT scan showed a point-like irregularity at the Verhoeff membrane and regeneration of EZ, associated with a progressive improvement in BCVA. Forty-days after the FTMH occurrence, all the retinal layers were completely restored with a complete clinical recovery. CONCLUSION: FTMH formation and closure after macula-sparing RRD repair is a rare event that could be characterized by spontaneous and gradual anatomical restoration of the EZ associated with visual acuity improvement, underlying the retinal physiology recovery.

Eyewatch adjustable drainage device in vitrectomized eyes with refractory glaucoma.

BACKGROUND: To describe the efficacy and safety of the adjustable system eyeWatch in vitrectomized glacomatous eyes. METHODS: Prospective, non-comparative, small case series of 2 patients who underwent glaucoma drainage device implant with the eyeWatch system. Intraocular pressure, number of medications and early and late complications were evaluated. RESULTS: None of the operated eyes developed early or late complications. After 1 week post operatively, the IOP raised at 28 mmHg in the first eye and 25 mmHg in the second one. The eyeWatch Pen was used to open and set the device into position 3 (that means implant half opened) After waiting for 30 min, IOP was 15 mmHg and 11 mmHg, respectively. Thirty days after surgery we set the EyeWatch into position 0 (that means implant full opened) even though the IOP was under control. A new IOP measurement was done and we registered that IOP was 14 mmHg and 10 mmHg respectively, and it remained stable after six months of follow up. CONCLUSION: In conclusion, in our case series the use of eyeWatch adjustable system allows a safe and gradual regulation of the flow during post-operative management also in vitrectomized eyes. Considering the percentage of hypotony related complications in vitrectomized eyes this system is an effective and safe technique to handle glaucoma in post vitreoretinal surgery eyes.

Central Serous Chorioretinopathy by Autofluorescence, Enface and SLO-Retromode Imaging.

The aim of our study was to investigate the clinical features of central serous chorioretinopathy (CSC) with autofluorescence (AF), retromode (RM), and enface imaging. This retrospective study was conducted at Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli, IRCCS, Rome (Italy), between September and December 2022. Each patient underwent a complete ophthalmological examination, which included optical coherence tomography (OCT), enface image analysis, AF, and RM imaging. We further evaluated the presence and area of extension of serous retinal detachment and retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) atrophy through AF, RM, and enface imaging. We included 32 eyes from 27 patients (mean age: 52.7 ± 13.3 years). The median AF area was 19.5 mm2 (IQR 6.1-29.3), while the median RM area was 12.3 mm2 (IQR 8.1-30.8), and the median enface area was 9.3 mm2 (IQR 4.8-18.6). RPE atrophy was diagnosed in 26 cases (81.3%) with RM imaging and in 75% of cases with AF. No difference emerged between AF and RM analysis in the detection of central serous detachment in CSC. However, RM imaging showed a high specificity (91.7%) and negative predictive value (84.6%) to detect RPE changes when compared to the AF standard-of-care technique. Thus, RM imaging could be considered an adjunctive imaging method in CSC.

Internal Tube Occlusion with An Easily Removable Non-Absorbable Double Suture: A Novel Surgical Technique Adjunct for Non-Valved Glaucoma Drainage Devices.

To describe a surgical variant for non-valved glaucoma drainage device implants using an easily removable non-absorbable double suture into the lumen of the tube. A retrospective, non-comparative case series of 10 patients who underwent a non-valved glaucoma drainage device implant with an endoluminal double-suture for refractory glaucoma. The sutures were easily removed postoperatively without the need for an operating room. Intraocular pressure, number of medications, and early and late complications were evaluated with a follow-up of 12 months. None of the eyes that underwent an operation developed early or late complications. The first endoluminal suture was removed in all eyes with a mean time of removal of 30 ± 7 days. The second suture was removed in all eyes with a mean time of removal of 90 ± 7 days. No complications were noted, either, after or during suture removal. The mean preoperative IOP was 27.3 ± 4.0 and the postoperative IOP, at the end of the follow-up, was 12.7 ± 1.4. At the end of the follow-up, six patients (60%) achieved complete success and four patients (40%) achieved qualified success. In conclusion, in our case series, the surgical variant allowed for a safe and gradual regulation of the flow during postoperative management. Considering the efficacy of non-valved glaucoma drainage devices, an improvement in the safety profile allows surgeons to broaden the surgical indications.

New Releasable Nonabsorbable Polypropylene 8.0 Suturing Technique for Sclerotomy Sealing in 23-Gauge Vitrectomy.

PURPOSE: We propose a new releasable 8.0 polypropylene suture for leaking sclerotomies at the end of vitrectomy. Characteristic of this suture is that it can be easily removed the day after surgery at the slit-lamp examination. METHODS: Patients undergoing 23-gauge pars plana vitrectomy with the need for at least 2 sclerotomy sutures and having a preoperative Ocular Surface Disease Index score <12 were consecutively allocated to sealing with either polyglactin 910 absorbable suture (VY GROUP) or nonabsorbable 8.0 polypropylene releasable suture (PR GROUP). Evaluation of adverse events, Ocular Surface Disease Index score, and conjunctival hyperemia (through the Efron scale) was performed at 1, 7, and 30 days postoperatively. RESULTS: Both methods effectively sealed sclerotomies. PR GROUP showed a significantly lower Ocular Surface Disease Index score and lower degree of conjunctival hyperemia at both 7 and 30 days follow-up. The Ocular Surface Disease Index score decreased significantly after 7 days in PR GROUP while in VY GROUP improved at 30 days postoperatively. PR GROUP showed a lower degree of conjunctival hyperemia both at 7 and 30 days follow-up. CONCLUSION: Polypropylene 8-0 releasable sutures proved to be effective in 23-gauge pars plana vitrectomy wound sealing while inducing less ocular surface inflammation and patient discomfort compared with the standard polyglactin 910 suture.

TRANSCARUNCULAR DOUBLE INJECTION TECHNIQUE FOR PERIBULBAR ANESTHESIA IN VITREORETINAL SURGERY.

PURPOSE: Local anesthesia is commonly adopted in vitreoretinal surgery to reach painless and akinesia surgical condition. Currently, peribulbar anesthesia (PBA) and subtenon injection (STN) are the most widely used methods. We propose a transcaruncular double injection peribulbar technique (TRS) and aim to compare it with both standard PBA and STN injections. METHODS: A total of 105 patients underwent TRS, PBA, or STN. A numerical rating scale was used to assess preoperative, postoperative, and intraoperative pain. Best akinesia score and onset and duration of akinesia were evaluated by two independent graders. The need for supplementary injection was also registered. RESULTS: TRS group was characterized by a lower intraoperative numerical rating scale variation and absolute numerical rating scale score both at the beginning of surgery ( P 0.046), after 30 minutes ( P 0.032), and at the end of surgery ( P 0.002) compared with the other groups. The TRS group also showed better akinesia score ( P 0.004), fastest onset ( P 0.002), and longer duration ( P 0.042) compared with both PBA and STN. No injection-related complications were reported in the three groups. CONCLUSION: The newly proposed transcaruncular PBA provided superior pain control and akinesia level with no additional adverse events.

NEW ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE ANALYSIS FOR PREDICTION OF LONG-TERM VISUAL IMPROVEMENT AFTER EPIRETINAL MEMBRANE SURGERY.

PURPOSE: To predict improvement of best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) 1 year after pars plana vitrectomy for epiretinal membrane (ERM) using artificial intelligence methods on optical coherence tomography B-scan images. METHODS: Four hundred and eleven (411) patients with Stage II ERM were divided in a group improvement (IM) (≥15 ETDRS letters of VA recovery) and a group no improvement (N-IM) (<15 letters) according to 1-year VA improvement after 25-G pars plana vitrectomy with internal limiting membrane peeling. Primary outcome was the creation of a deep learning classifier (DLC) based on optical coherence tomography B-scan images for prediction. Secondary outcome was assessment of the influence of various clinical and imaging predictors on BCVA improvement. Inception-ResNet-V2 was trained using standard augmentation techniques. Testing was performed on an external data set. For secondary outcome, B-scan acquisitions were analyzed by graders both before and after fibrillary change processing enhancement. RESULTS: The overall performance of the DLC showed a sensitivity of 87.3% and a specificity of 86.2%. Regression analysis showed a difference in preoperative images prevalence of ectopic inner foveal layer, foveal detachment, ellipsoid zone interruption, cotton wool sign, unprocessed fibrillary changes (odds ratio = 2.75 [confidence interval: 2.49-2.96]), and processed fibrillary changes (odds ratio = 5.42 [confidence interval: 4.81-6.08]), whereas preoperative BCVA and central macular thickness did not differ between groups. CONCLUSION: The DLC showed high performances in predicting 1-year visual outcome in ERM surgery patients. Fibrillary changes should also be considered as relevant predictors.