Análisis coste-utilidad del modelo de unidad de terapia intravítrea (UTI) frente a la administración tradicional de terapia intravítrea / Cost-utility model of new intravítreous units vs. current patient journey model in Spain

Objetivo Comparar la efectividad y los costes de la implantación del Modelo de Unidad de Terapia Intravítrea (UTI), avalado por la Sociedad Española de Retina y Vítreo (SERV), Sociedad Española de Calidad Asistencial (SECA), Sociedad Española de Oftalmología (SEO) y Sociedad Española de Directivos Sanitarios (SEDISA) vs. el procedimiento habitual. Método Modelo de decisión analítico que compara una organización asistencial tipo UTI con cuatro escenarios de práctica habitual en España, en cuanto al resultado en la calidad de vida por pérdida de agudeza visual y la utilización de recursos. Se estimó la probabilidad, el coste y los años de vida ajustados por calidad (AVAC) para cada escenario planteado. Se realizó un análisis de sensibilidad univariante para cada uno de los parámetros empleados. Resultado Se observó que la implantación del modelo UTI mejora la calidad de vida de los pacientes y presenta un menor coste frente a la práctica habitual. Se produjo ahorro de costes y ganancia de AVAC. El análisis de sensibilidad mostró que el resultado no cambiaría de signo con la modificación de ninguna variable de partida. Conclusiones En las patologías oculares con indicación de tratamiento intravítreo, cualquier reducción en el tiempo que transcurre desde la sospecha diagnóstica hasta la primera inyección intravítrea disminuye la pérdida de agudeza visual. Así, actuar para acortar los tiempos sospecha-aguja es clave para mantener la visión funcional de los pacientes. La mejora de la eficiencia de los servicios de oftalmología que se organizan siguiendo el modelo UTI puede generar ahorros que varían entre los 175 € y 85 € por paciente atendido y año (AU)

Aim To compare the effectiveness and costs of the implementation of the intravitreal therapy unit model, endorsed by the SERV, SECA, SEO and SEDISA, compared to the usual procedure. Method Analytical decision model that compares an UTI-type healthcare organization with four usual practice scenarios in Spain, in terms of quality-of-life results due to loss of visual acuity and the use of resources. The probability, cost, and quality-adjusted life years (QALYs) were estimated for each scenario proposed. A univariate sensitivity analysis was performed for each of the parameters used in the model. Result The model showed that from any of the initial scenarios of the usual practice, transitioning to the UTI-type implementation improves the quality of life of patients and requires lower cost. UTI-type is dominant respect usual practice. The sensitivity analysis showed that the results would not change sign with the variation of any starting variable. Conclusions Shorten suspicion-needle times is key to maintaining functional vision in patients requiring intravitreal treatment. The UTI-type model seeks the efficiency of ophthalmology services and can produce savings that vary between €175 and €85 per patient attended per year (AU)

Cost-utility model of new intravitreous units vs. current patient journey model in Spain.

AIM: To compare the effectiveness and costs of the implementation of the Intravitreal Therapy Unit Model, endorsed by the SERV, SECA, SEO and SEDISA, compared to the usual procedure. METHOD: Analytical decision model that compares an UTI-type healthcare organization with 4 usual practice scenarios in Spain, in terms of quality-of-life results due to loss of visual acuity and the use of resources. The probability, cost, and quality-adjusted life years (QALYs) were estimated for each scenario proposed. A univariate sensitivity analysis was performed for each of the parameters used in the model. RESULT: The model showed that from any of the initial scenarios of the usual practice, transitioning to the UTI-type implementation improves the quality of life of patients and requires lower cost. UTI-type is dominant respect usual practice. The sensitivity analysis showed that the results would not change sign with the variation of any starting variable. CONCLUSIONS: Shorten suspicion-needle times is key to maintaining functional vision in patients requiring intravitreal treatment. The UTI-type model seeks the efficiency of ophthalmology services and can produce savings that vary between Є175 and Є85 per patient attended per year.

COVID-19 retinal microangiopathy as an in vivo biomarker of systemic vascular disease?

IMPORTANCE: COVID-19 is caused by SARS-CoV-2, a betacoronavirus that uses the angiotensin-converting enzyme-related carboxypeptidase (ACE2) receptor to gain entry into cells. ACE2 receptor is widely expressed in multiple organs, including the retina, an extension of the central nervous system. The ACE2 receptor is involved in the diabetic and hypertensive retinopathy. Additionally, coronaviruses cause ocular infections in animals, including retinitis, and optic neuritis. OBJECTIVE: To assess whether there is any retinal disease associated with COVID-19. DESIGN: We have evaluated 27 asymptomatic subjects, with retinal fundoscopic, optical coherence tomography (OCT) and OCT angiography fourteen days after hospital discharge due to COVID-19 bilateral pneumonia. RESULTS: Cotton wool exudates were evident in six out of 27 patients evaluated, a 22%. Cotton wool exudates are a marker vascular disease severity in other medical context, that is diabetes and hypertension, and are associated with increased risk for acute vascular events. Whether antiaggregation therapy may play a role on fundoscopic-selected patients with COVID-19 requires prospective trials.

Management of Wet Age-Related Macular Degeneration in Spain: Challenges for Treat and Extend Implementation in Routine Clinical Practice.

PURPOSE: To ascertain wet AMD (wAMD) management patterns in Spain. METHODS: A two-round Delphi study conducted through a questionnaire-based survey designed from literature review and validated by an independent Steering Committee. RESULTS: Forty-nine retina specialists experienced in wAMD participated by answering the two-round study questionnaire. Retina specialists are the main responsible for wAMD diagnosis and monitoring, including visits and associated procedures, with a median time per visit of 15 minutes. Standard treatment strategies are based on anti-VEGF administration, including standard loading dose administration followed by maintenance with aflibercept or ranibizumab (81% of patients). Although treat and extend (T&E) dosing strategy is considered as optimal for wAMD management (78% of the panelists), the main routine healthcare limitations (i.e., visits overload, reduced staff, short visit time, coordination issues, lack of facilities) conduct to self-defined "flexible" strategies, based on T&E and pro-re-nata (PRN) protocols. CONCLUSION: Proactive treatment patterns (T&E) are the preferred ones by the retina specialists in Spain. However, their proper implementation is difficult due to healthcare resource limitations, as well as organisation and logistic issues. The use of anti-VEGF agents with longer duration of action could facilitate the use of strict T&E approaches according to routine clinical practices.

Nuevas perspectivas en el tratamiento de enfermedades retinianas con aflibercept / No disponible

No disponible

Current treatment limitations in age-related macular degeneration and future approaches based on cell therapy and tissue engineering.

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is the leading cause of blindness in the Western world. With an ageing population, it is anticipated that the number of AMD cases will increase dramatically, making a solution to this debilitating disease an urgent requirement for the socioeconomic future of the European Union and worldwide. The present paper reviews the limitations of the current therapies as well as the socioeconomic impact of the AMD. There is currently no cure available for AMD, and even palliative treatments are rare. Treatment options show several side effects, are of high cost, and only treat the consequence, not the cause of the pathology. For that reason, many options involving cell therapy mainly based on retinal and iris pigment epithelium cells as well as stem cells are being tested. Moreover, tissue engineering strategies to design and manufacture scaffolds to mimic Bruch's membrane are very diverse and under investigation. Both alternative therapies are aimed to prevent and/or cure AMD and are reviewed herein.

Prevención del edema macular en pacientes diabéticos sometidos a cirugía de catarata / Prevention of maclar edema in diabetic patients undergoing cataract surgery

El edema macular pseudofáquico (EMP) es una complicación en la cirugía de catarata. Existen diversos factores que aumentan el riesgo de desarrollar EMP tales como la uveítis, membranas epirretinianas y diabetes mellitus. Se ha demostrado ampliamente que un mayor porcentaje de pacientes diabéticos desarrolla EMP tras someterse a cirugía de catarata frente a los pacientes no diabéticos. El EM es la principal causa de pérdida de agudeza visual en estos pacientes. Existen dos tipos de EM en paciente diabético: 1) El EMP tras cirugía de catarata en pacientes diabéticos. 2) El Edema macular diabético (EMD)que se genera por las alteraciones intrínsecas vasculares que el paciente diabético tiene. Un tratamiento preventivo podría mejorar los resultados de los pacientes diabéticos tras someterse a cirugía de catarata, con los correspondientes beneficios para la calidad de vida del paciente y su repercusión en los costes sanitarios asociados a esta patología. Existen 4 AINEs aprobados por la FDA (Food and Drugs Administration) para el manejo de la inflamación tras la cirugía de catarata: bromfenaco, dicloflenaco, ketorolaco y nepafenaco. Aunque prácticamente todos los AINEs se han venido usando en prevención en pacientes intervenidos quirúrgicamente de catarata, nepafenaco es el único aprobado por la EMA (European Medicines Agency) para esta indicación, y lo ha demostrado en pacientes con retinopatía diabética. El objetivo del presente trabajo es revisar la literatura publicada al respecto y destacarla importancia de una estrategia de prevención de edema macular en pacientes diabéticos sometidos a cirugía de catarata (AU)

Pseudophakic macular edema (PME) is a common complication of cataract surgery. There are several factors that increase the risk of developing PME such as uveitis, epiretinal membranes and diabetes mellitus. There is ample evidence that a higher percentage of diabetic patients develop PME after undergoing cataract surgery compared to patients without diabetes.Macular edema is the main cause of loss of visual acuity in these patients. There are two types of ME in diabetic patients: 1) PME after cataract surgery in diabetic patients. 2) Diabetic Macular Edema (DME) that is generated by intrinsic vascular alterations present in diabetic patients. A preventive treatment could improve outcomes of diabetic patients undergoing cataract surgery, with corresponding benefits to the quality of life and their impact on health care costs associated with this pathology. There are 4 NSAIDs approved by the FDA (Food and Drugs Administration) for the management of inflammation after cataract surgery: bromfenac, dicloflenac, ketorolac and nepafenaco. Although practically all NSAIDs are been used for the prevention in patients with cataract surgery, nepafenac is the only one approved by the EMA (European Medicines Agency) for this indication, and it has demonstrated its effects in patients with diabetic retinopathy. The aim of this paper is to review the published literature and highlight the importance of a macular edema prevention strategy in diabetic patients undergoing cataract surgery (AU)

Exudación lipídica masiva y desprendimiento de retina tras braquiterapia y termoterapia transpupilar combinada en melanoma de coroides / Massive lipid exudation and retinal detachment after combined brachytherapy and transpupillary thermotherapy in choroidal melanoma

Caso clínico: Varón de 59 años con melanoma coroideo en ojo izquierdo. Se realiza tratamiento con braquiterapia mediante placa (iodo-125), apareciendo exudación masiva, desprendimiento de retina y grandes placas de depósitos lipídicos una semana después. Se monitoriza la evolución mediante funduscopia y ecografía mensualmente y una vez reabsorbido el fluido subretiniano se realiza termoterapia transpupilar (TTT) de la masa tumoral irradiada, 9 meses tras la intervención. Tres meses después se producen roturas retinianas con siembra vítrea que hacen necesaria la enucleación. Discusión: La terapia combinada con placas de braquiterapia y TTT puede asociar complicaciones severas que requieran la enucleación (AU)

Case report: A 59 year-old male with choroidal melanoma in the left eye who underwent plaque brachytherapy (iodine 125). One week after surgery, massive exudation with retinal detachment and lipid exudation was observed. Evolution was assessed with funduscopy and ultrasound every month. Nine months after surgery transpupillary thermotherapy (TTT) was performed over the fluid-free irradiated residual tumour. Three months after this procedure, new retinal breaks appeared in the treated area with vitreous seeding that required enucleation. Discussion: Combined treatment with plaque brachytherapy and TTT may associate severe complications that may require enucleation of the involved eye (AU)

Massive lipid exudation and retinal detachment after combined brachytherapy and transpupillary thermotherapy in choroidal melanoma.

CASE REPORT: A 59 year-old male with choroidal melanoma in the left eye who underwent plaque brachytherapy (iodine 125). One week after surgery, massive exudation with retinal detachment and lipid exudation was observed. Evolution was assessed with funduscopy and ultrasound every month. Nine months after surgery transpupillary thermotherapy (TTT) was performed over the fluid-free irradiated residual tumour. Three months after this procedure, new retinal breaks appeared in the treated area with vitreous seeding that required enucleation. DISCUSSION: Combined treatment with plaque brachytherapy and TTT may associate severe complications that may require enucleation of the involved eye.

Ranibizumab frente a bevacizumab. Consideraciones farmacológicas / Ranibizumab versus bevacizumab. Pharmacological considerations

Bevacizumab es capaz de atravesar las barreras oculares en la administración intravítrea y generar concentraciones plasmáticas que producen un efecto inhibidor del factor de crecimiento endotelial vascular (VEGF) en el plasma, con lo que no pueden descartarse efectos sistémicos. El hecho de que se trate de una inmunoglobulina G (IgG) completa explica este fenómeno a través de la participación de receptores FcRn, cuya fijación, al igual quela de cualquier otra IgG, implica su internalización, el traslado a la membrana celular, y la externalización al espacio extracelular y a la sangre. Este proceso ocurre en cualquier tejido que disponga de células que expresen este tipo de receptor, entre los que se encuentra el ojo. Además, la ausencia de una formulación específica para la administración intravítrea supone la manipulación de la formulación i.v., que conlleva la generación de agregados de tamaño elevado, riesgo potencial de problemas con la esterilidad de la solución y de reducción del efecto farmacológico. Ranibizumab no es una IgG completa, sino sólo una fracción variable de ésta dotada de actividad anti-VEGF. La ausencia en su estructura de fracción constante implica la imposibilidad de fijación al receptor FcRn y, con ello, la ausencia de proceso de transporte hasta las angre. Por consiguiente, su biodisponibilidad sistémica tras la administración intravítrea es nula, lo que evita efectos en otros territorios del cuerpo humano distintos al ojo. Además, la formulación está preparada de forma específica para la administración intraocular, lo que evita problemas derivados de la manipulación. La experiencia acumulada con estos fármacos permite trasladar las diferencias existentes en la farmacología a la práctica cotidiana, en referencia a la eficacia y tolerabilidad de estos fármacos(AU)

Bevacizumab is able to cross ocular barriers when administered through the intravitreal route and to generate plasma concentrations with an inhibitory effect on plasma vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). Consequently, systemic effects cannot be ruled out. The fact that bevacizumab is a full-length IgG explains this phenomenon through the participation of FcRn receptors, whose binding-like that of all IgGs-implies their internalization, transfer to the cell membrane, and externalization to the intracellular space and blood. This process occurs in all tissues with cells expressing this type of receptor, such as the eye. Moreover, because of the absence of a specific formulation for intravitreal administration, an intravenous formulation must be manipulated, generating large-sized aggregates, leading to potential problems of the solution’s sterility and reducing the pharmacological effect. Ranibizumab is not a full-length IgG but is rather a variable IgG fraction with anti-VEG Factivity. Because of the absence of a constant fraction in its structure, this drug cannot bind to the FcRn receptor and, as a result, cannot be transported to the blood. Consequently, its systemic bioavailability after intravitreal administration is nil, thus avoiding effects in parts of the body other than the eye. Moreover, the formulation is specifically prepared for intraocular administration, avoiding problems due to manipulation. The experience gained with these drugs allows the differences in their efficacy and tolerability to be transferred to daily practice(AU)

[Ranibizumab versus bevacizumab. Pharmacological considerations]. / Ranibizumab frente a bevacizumab. Consideraciones farmacológicas.

Bevacizumab is able to cross ocular barriers when administered through the intravitreal route and to generate plasma concentrations with an inhibitory effect on plasma vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). Consequently, systemic effects cannot be ruled out. The fact that bevacizumab is a full-length IgG explains this phenomenon through the participation of FcRn receptors, whose binding-like that of all IgGs-implies their internalization, transfer to the cell membrane, and externalization to the intracellular space and blood. This process occurs in all tissues with cells expressing this type of receptor, such as the eye. Moreover, because of the absence of a specific formulation for intravitreal administration, an intravenous formulation must be manipulated, generating large-sized aggregates, leading to potential problems of the solution's sterility and reducing the pharmacological effect. Ranibizumab is not a full-length IgG but is rather a variable IgG fraction with anti-VEGF activity. Because of the absence of a constant fraction in its structure, this drug cannot bind to the FcRn receptor and, as a result, cannot be transported to the blood. Consequently, its systemic bioavailability after intravitreal administration is nil, thus avoiding effects in parts of the body other than the eye. Moreover, the formulation is specifically prepared for intraocular administration, avoiding problems due to manipulation. The experience gained with these drugs allows the differences in their efficacy and tolerability to be transferred to daily practice.

[SERV clinical practice guidelines: management of retinal vein occlusion. Sociedad Española de Retina y Vitreo]. / Guías de práctica clínica de la SERV: manejo de las oclusiones venosas de la retina. Sociedad Española de Retina y Vitreo.

PURPOSE: A guidelines for the management of retinal vein occlusion is presented. This is necessary because at this moment several therapeutic alternatives have been developed although their role is not yet sufficiently defined. METHODS: Review of the literature for evidence published up to date. Relevant literature was identified and the level of evidence graded. Evidence was then assessed for consistency, applicability and clinical impact. The information was contrasted with those guides published in other countries. RESULTS: Taking into account the different options of treatment that are currently used, several modes of action are suggested. The role of the various complementary examinations are discussed and it is recommended that criteria for the treatment are based on clinical, angiographic, and tomographic findings. CONCLUSIONS: Although there is no overall consensus, these guidelines promote a good standard of clinical practise and provide an update of the management of retinal vein occlusion.

Guías de práctica clínica de la SERV: manejo de las oclusiones venosas de la retina / SERV clinical paractice guidelines: management of retinal vein occlusion

Propósito: Se presenta una guía de manejo de las oclusiones venosas retinianas. Esto se hace necesario en un momento en el que han aparecido varias alternativas terapéuticas cuyo papel aún no está completamente definido.MétodosSe revisa la literatura publicada hasta el momento identificando los artículos más relevantes, clasificándolos en base al nivel de evidencia.ResultadosTeniendo en cuenta las distintas opciones de tratamiento que existen en la actualidad, se sugieren varias líneas de actuación. Se discute el papel de las exploraciones complementarias y se recomiendan pautas de tratamiento en base a los hallazgos clínicos, angiográficos y tomográficos.Conclusionesaunque no existe un consenso total, esta guía promueve un estándar de buena práctica clínica y proporciona una actualización del manejo de las oclusiones venosas retinianas (AU)

Purpose: A guidelines for the management of retinal vein occlusion is presented. This is necessary because at this moment several therapeutic alternatives have been developed although their role is not yet sufficiently defined.MethodsReview of the literature for evidence published up to date. Relevant literature was identified and the level of evidence graded. Evidence was then assessed for consistency, applicability and clinical impact. The information was contrasted with those guides published in other countries.ResultsTaking into account the different options of treatment that are currently used, several modes of action are suggested. The role of the various complementary examinations are discussed and it is recommended that criteria for the treatment are based on clinical, angiographic, and tomographic findings.ConclusionsAlthough there is no overall consensus, these guidelines promote a good standard of clinical practise and provide an update of the management of retinal vein occlusion(AU)

[Guidelines of clinical practice of the SERV: treatment of exudative age-related macular degeneration (AMD)]. / Guías de práctica clínica de la SERV: tratamiento de la degeneración macular asociada a la edad (DMAE) exudativa.

OBJECTIVE: Age related macular degeneration (ARMD) in its neovascular form is a serious disease which produces legal blindness in many patients with poor prognosis if left untreated. We intend to establish a clinical guide with the different therapeutic options that exist nowadays, which may help the ophthalmologists in their clinical practice. METHODS: A group of medical retina experts selected by SERV have evaluated the results of different published studies with the drugs currently available, obtaining an evidence-based consensus. Some recommendations have been established for diagnosis, treatment and monitoring of patients with neovascular ARMD. RESULTS: The intravitreal injection of ranibizumab at a dosage of 0.5 mg produces significant improvement of visual acuity in subfoveal lesions, according to data obtained from studies with the highest level of evidence. It should be considered as a first choice drug. The use of bevacizumab, a drug with not approved indication for intraocular use, nor for the treatment of neovascular ARMD can reach a result which is closer to the ones obtained with ranibizumab than to those obtained with photodynamic therapy (PDT) and pegaptanib. The use of intravitreal pegaptanib sodium in intravitreal injection at a dosage of 0.3 mg as a treatment for subfoveal lesions can obtain similar results to the TFD, but with a wider range of injuries. CONCLUSION: The results of the evidence-based studies are a good guide for the treatment of this disease.

Guías de práctica clínica de la SERV: tratamiento de la degeneración macular asociada a la edad (DMAE) exudativa / Guidelines of clinical practice of the SERV: treatment of exudative age-related macular degeneration (AMD)

Objetivo: La Degeneración Macular Asociada a laEdad (DMAE) en su forma húmeda supone unagrave enfermedad que condiciona ceguera legal enmuchos pacientes y con mal pronóstico si no es tratada.Pretendemos establecer una guía de actuaciónclínica con las diferentes opciones terapeúticas queexisten en el momento actual, que puedan ayudar aloftalmólogo en su práctica clínica.Métodos: Un grupo de expertos en retina médicaseleccionados por la SERV han evaluado los resultadosde los diferentes estudios publicados con losfármacos actualmente disponibles, llegando a un consenso basado en la evidencia. Se han establecidounas recomendaciones para el diagnóstico, tratamientoy seguimiento de los enfermos con DMAEhúmeda.Resultados: La inyección intravítrea de ranibizumaba la dosis de 0,5 mg permite obtener mejoríassignificativas de la agudeza visual en lesiones subfoveales,según los datos obtenidos de estudios conmáximo nivel de evidencia. Debe ser consideradocomo el fármaco de primera elección. El empleo debevacizumab, fármaco sin indicación aprobada parauso intraocular, ni para el tratamiento de la DMAEhúmeda, puede aportar un beneficio más próximo alos resultados obtenidos con el ranibizumab que alos obtenidos con la terapia fotodinámica (TFD) yel pegaptanib. El uso de pegaptanib sódico eninyección intravítrea a la dosis de 0,3 mg como tratamientode lesiones subfoveales permite obtenerresultados parecidos a la TFD, pero en un abanicomás amplio de lesionesConclusiones: Los resultados de los estudios basadosen la evidencia constituyen una buena guía deactuación en el tratamiento de esta enfermedad(AU)

Objective: Age related macular degeneration(ARMD) in its neovascular form is a serious diseasewhich produces legal blindness in many patientswith poor prognosis if left untreated. We intend toestablish a clinical guide with the different therapeuticoptions that exist nowadays, which may helpthe ophthalmologists in their clinical practice.Methods: A group of medical retina experts selectedby SERV have evaluated the results of differentpublished studies with the drugs currently available,obtaining an evidence-based consensus. Somerecommendations have been established for diagnosis, treatment and monitoring of patients with neovascularARMD.Results: The intravitreal injection of ranibizumabat a dosage of 0.5 mg produces significant improvementof visual acuity in subfoveal lesions, accordingto data obtained from studies with the highestlevel of evidence. It should be considered as a firstchoice drug. The use of bevacizumab, a drug withnot approved indication for intraocular use, nor forthe treatment of neovascular ARMD can reach aresult which is closer to the ones obtained with ranibizumabthan to those obtained with photodynamictherapy (PDT) and pegaptanib. The use of intravitrealpegaptanib sodium in intravitreal injection at adosage of 0.3 mg as a treatment for subfoveallesions can obtain similar results to the TFD, butwith a wider range of injuries.Conclusion: The results of the evidence-based studiesare a good guide for the treatment of this disease(AU)

Retinal nerve fiber layer atrophy is associated with physical and cognitive disability in multiple sclerosis.

BACKGROUND: Studying axonal loss in the retina is a promising biomarker for multiple sclerosis (MS). Our aim was to compare optical coherence tomography (OCT) and Heidelberg retinal tomography (HRT) techniques to measure the thickness of the retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) in patients with MS, and to explore the relationship between changes in the RNFL thickness with physical and cognitive disability. We studied 52 patients with MS and 18 proportionally matched controls by performing neurological examination, neuropsychological evaluation using the Brief Repetitive Battery-Neuropsychology and RNFL thickness measurement using OCT and HRT. RESULTS: We found that both OCT and HRT could define a reduction in the thickness of the RNFL in patients with MS compared with controls, although both measurements were weakly correlated, suggesting that they might measure different aspects of the tissue changes in MS. The degree of RNFL atrophy was correlated with cognitive disability, mainly with the symbol digit modality test (r=0.754, P<0.001). Moreover, temporal quadrant RNFL atrophy measured with OCT was associated with physical disability. CONCLUSION: In summary, both OCT and HRT are able to detect thinning of the RNFL, but OCT seems to be the most sensitive technique to identify changes associated with MS evolution.

[Retinal manifestations of infectious diseases]. / Manifestaciones retinianas de las enfermedades infecciosas.

The retina and the choroids are richly vascularised structures and can therefore be colonised by germs via the haematogenous route in the course of a systemic infectious disease. The germs responsible for this type of infection can be fungi, viruses, bacteria and parasites. Ocular candidiasis is outstanding amongst these colonisations because of its frequency; it can manifest itself as an endophthalmitis with a slow and hidden course. The so-called ocular histoplasmosis syndrome, although it is infrequent in our setting, is an important cause of choroidal neovascularisation. The viruses that most frequently affect the retina are of the herpes type and can produce devastating symptoms in immunoincompetent patients, named acute retinal necrosis syndrome. Retinitis due to cytomegalovirus is more frequent in immunodepressed patients, as in the case of AIDS, but it must also be contemplated in patients with lymphoma and immunomodulatory treatment. The most frequent bacterial diseases that affect the retina are syphilis and tuberculosis. Disease due to cat scratches, caused by a borrelia, can produce a neuroretinitis. Toxoplasmosis is the most common of the infectious diseases caused by a parasite and gives rise to chorioretinitis. Toxocariasis, also caused by a parasite, is second in importance, giving rise to choroidal granulomas and retinal tractions.

Manifestaciones retinianas de las enfermedades infecciosas / Retinal manifestations of infectious diseases

La retina y la coroides son estructuras ricamentevascularizadas por lo que pueden ser colonizadas porgérmenes a través de la vía hematógena en el curso deuna enfermedad infecciosas sistémica. Los gérmenesresponsables de este tipo de infección pueden ser hongos,virus, bacterias y parásitos. Entre estas colonizacionesdestaca por su frecuencia la candidiasis ocular,que se puede manifestar como una endoftalmitis decurso lento y larvado. El presunto síndrome de histoplasmosisocular, aun siendo infrecuente en nuestromedio, es una causa importante de neovascularizacióncoroidea. Los virus que con más frecuencia afectan laretina son del tipo herpes pudiendo producir un cuadrodevastador en pacientes inmunocompetentesdenominado síndrome de necrosis retiniana aguda. Laretinitis por citomegalovirus es más frecuente enpacientes inmunodeprimidos como es el caso del SIDA,pero también se debe tener en cuenta en pacientes conlinfoma y tratamiento inmunomodulador. Las enfermedadesbacterianas más frecuentes que afectan la retinason la sífilis y la tuberculosis. La enfermedad por arañazode gato, causada por una borrelia, puede produciruna neuroretinitis. La toxoplasmosis es la enfermedadinfecciosa de origen parasitario más frecuente ycausa una coriorretinitis. La toxocariasis también causadapor un parásito es la segunda más importantedando lugar a granulomas coroideos y tracciones retinianas

The retina and the choroids are richlyvascularised structures and can therefore becolonised by germs via the haematogenous route inthe course of a systemic infectious disease. Thegerms responsible for this type of infection can befungi, viruses, bacteria and parasites. Ocularcandidiasis is outstanding amongst thesecolonisations because of its frequency; it canmanifest itself as an endophthalmitis with a slow andhidden course. The so-called ocular histoplasmosissyndrome, although it is infrequent in our setting, isan important cause of choroidal neovascularisation.The viruses that most frequently affect the retina areof the herpes type and can produce devastatingsymptoms in immunoincompetent patients, namedacute retinal necrosis syndrome. Retinitis due tocytomegalovirus is more frequent inimmunodepressed patients, as in the case of AIDS,but it must also be contemplated in patients withlymphoma and immunomodulatory treatment. Themost frequent bacterial diseases that affect the retinaare syphilis and tuberculosis. Disease due to catscratches, caused by a borrelia, can produce aneuroretinitis. Toxoplasmosis is the most common ofthe infectious diseases caused by a parasite andgives rise to chorioretinitis. Toxocariasis, alsocaused by a parasite, is second in importance, givingrise to choroidal granulomas and retinal tractions (AU)

[Traumatic submacular hemorrhage treated with rt-PA and SF6]. / Hemorragia submacular traumática tratada con rt-PA y SF6.

CASE REPORT: This patient was afflicted by a traumatic submacular hemorrhage. A posterior vitrectomy was performed and intravitreal rt-PA and SF6 were administered. Four weeks later, the visual acuity had increased from 0.1 to 0.8. No complications due to the treatment with rt-PA were reported. DISCUSSION: It is known that waiting for the spontaneous blood removal in such cases results in a poor visual acuity recovery due to a toxic effect of the blood products. Both rt-PA and the SF6 are useful for the treatment of submacular hemorrhages secondary to age-related macular degeneration, and this case report has shown they are also useful to lyse traumatic blood clots, thus contributing to a better recovery of visual acuity.