Imaging Biomarkers and Their Impact on Therapeutic Decision-Making in the Management of Neovascular Age-Related Macular Degeneration.

These recommendations, produced by a group of Canadian retina experts, have been developed to assist both retina specialists and general ophthalmologists in the management of vision-threatening neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD). The recommendations are based on published evidence as well as collective experience and expertise in routine clinical practice. We provide an update on practice principles for optimal patient care, focusing on identified imaging biomarkers, in particular retinal fluid, as well as current and emerging therapeutic approaches. Algorithms for delivering high-quality care and improving long-term patient outcomes are provided, with an emphasis on timely and appropriate treatment to preserve and maintain vision. In the context of nAMD, increasing macular fluid or leakage on fluorescein angiography (FA) may indicate disease activity regardless of its location. Early elimination of intraretinal fluid (IRF) is of particular relevance as it is a prognostic indicator of worse visual outcomes. Robust referral pathways for second opinion and peer-to-peer consultations must be in place for cases not responding to intravitreal anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF) therapy.

360-degree intra-operative laser retinopexy for the prevention of retinal re-detachment in patients treated with primary pars plana vitrectomy.

PURPOSE: To investigate the effect of 360° intra-operative laser retinopexy (ILR) for the prevention of retinal re-detachment in patients treated with pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) for primary rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD). METHODS: A retrospective single-institution cohort study was performed. Consecutive patients with primary uncomplicated RRD who underwent 23-gauge PPV with gas endotamponade between July 2013 and July 2016 were included in the study (n = 151). Two cohorts were compared: one which received laser retinopexy only around identified tears/holes/lattice zones (Control group, n = 86), and one which received additional 360° intra-operative laser retinopexy (360° ILR group, n = 65). RESULTS: Retinal re-detachment was seen in 4/65 eyes (6%) in the 360° ILR group compared to 18/86 eyes (21%) in the control group. In multiple logistic regression, the 360° ILR was associated with a 75% reduction in the odds of retinal re-detachment compared to control (OR = 0.248, 95% CI [0.079-0.772], p = 0.016). There was no statistically significant difference in the incidence of epiretinal membrane formation between the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: Intra-operative 360° laser retinopexy during PPV with gas endotamponade resulted in a significant reduction in the odds of postoperative retinal re-detachment in eyes with uncomplicated primary RRD.

Proton beam irradiation for non-AMD CNV: 2-year results of a randomised clinical trial.

AIMS: To evaluate safety and visual outcomes after proton beam irradiation (PBI) therapy for subfoveal choroidal neovascularisation (CNV) secondary to causes other than age-related macular degeneration (AMD). METHODS: This study is a prospective, unmasked and randomised clinical trial using two dosage regimens, conducted in the Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary. The study included 46 patients with CNV secondary to non-AMD and best-corrected visual acuity of 20/320 or better. Patients were randomly assigned to receive 16 or 24 cobalt gray equivalents (CGE) of PBI in two equal fractions. Complete ophthalmological examinations, fundus photography and fluorescein angiography were performed at baseline and 6, 12, 18 and 24 months after treatment. RESULTS: At 1 year after treatment, 82% and 72% lost fewer than 1.5 lines of vision in the 16 CGE and in 24 CGE groups, respectively. At 2 years after therapy, 77% in the lower dose group and 64% in the higher dose group lost fewer than 1.5 lines of vision. Mild radiation complications such as radiation vasculopathy developed in 17.6% of patients. CONCLUSIONS: PBI is a safe and efficacious treatment for subfoveal CNV not due to AMD. The data with respect to visual outcomes and radiation complications trend in favour of the 16 CGE group, although differences do not reach statistical significance. PBI may be considered as an alternative to current therapies.

Congenital hypertrophy of the retinal pigment epithelium complicated by a choroidal neovascular membrane.

A 66-year-old woman presenting with a history of visual loss in her left eye was diagnosed with congenital hypertrophy of the retinal pigment epithelium accompanied by a choroidal neovascular membrane (CNVM) affecting the macula. Visual acuity improved after 2 treatments of verteporfin photodynamic therapy. Recurrent CNVM in the same eye 3 years later was stabilized and vision slowly improved with a series of intravitreal bevacizumab injections.

Rate of endophthalmitis after cataract surgery in quebec, Canada, 1996-2005.

OBJECTIVE: To estimate the annual incidence of endophthalmitis after cataract surgery from January 1, 1996, through December 31, 2005, in Quebec, Canada. METHODS: Deidentified data were obtained from an outpatient physician billing database (Quebec State Control for Health Insurance [RAMQ]) with regard to all cataract surgical procedures performed from January 1, 1996, through December 31, 2005, in Quebec. For this cohort, records of an International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision (ICD-9) code for endophthalmitis during the same years were requested from 2 sources: the RAMQ outpatient database and an inpatient hospital discharge database (Maintenance and Exploitation of Data for the Study of Hospitalized Patients [MED-ECHO]). Endophthalmitis after cataract surgery was assumed if it occurred within 90 days of the surgery. Risk factors were examined using chi(2) tests and logistic regression. RESULTS: After exclusions, 490 690 cataract surgical procedures were performed from January 1, 1996, through December 31, 2005. A total of 754 cases of endophthalmitis occurred within 90 days after surgery for an overall incidence rate of 1.5 per 1000 surgical procedures (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.4-1.7). Factors associated with endophthalmitis included age of 85 years or older (odds ratio [OR], 1.34; 95% CI, 1.06-1.70), male sex (1.44; 1.24-1.66), later year of surgery (0.94; 0.92-0.97), and region of cataract surgery, because regions 6 (2.21; 1.91-2.55) and 9 (4.00; 2.48-6.43) had higher rates compared with all other regions. CONCLUSION: Reasons that explain the apparent decrease in endophthalmitis, especially in 2005, should be explored and further research performed to understand why certain patients and regions have higher risks of endophthalmitis after cataract surgery.

Proton beam irradiation for neovascular age-related macular degeneration.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate safety and visual outcomes after proton therapy for subfoveal neovascular age-related macular degeneration (AMD). DESIGN: Randomized dose-ranging clinical trial. PARTICIPANTS: One hundred sixty-six patients with angiographic evidence of classic choroidal neovascularization resulting from AMD and best-corrected visual acuity of 20/320 or better. METHODS: Patients were assigned randomly (1:1) to receive 16-cobalt gray equivalent (CGE) or 24-CGE proton radiation in 2 equal fractions. Visual acuity was measured using standardized protocol refraction. Complete ophthalmological examinations, color fundus photography, and fluorescein angiography were performed before and 3, 6, 12, 18, and 24 months after treatment. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Proportion of eyes losing 3 or more lines of vision from baseline. Kaplan-Meier statistics were used to compare cumulative rates of vision loss between the 2 treatment groups. RESULTS: At 12 months after treatment, 36 eyes (42%) and 27 eyes (35%) lost 3 or more lines of vision in the 16-CGE and 24-CGE groups, respectively. Rates increased to 62% in the 16-CGE group and 53% in the 24-CGE group by 24 months after treatment (P = 0.40). Radiation complications developed in 15.7% of patients receiving 16 CGE and 14.8% of patients receiving 24 CGE. CONCLUSIONS: No significant differences in rates of visual loss were found between the 2 dose groups. Proton radiation may be useful as an adjuvant therapy or as an alternative for patients who decline or are not appropriate for approved therapies.

Photodynamic therapy in young patients with choroidal neovascularization following traumatic choroidal rupture.

PURPOSE: To assesses the role of photodynamic therapy (PDT) with verteporfin in young patients with choroidal neovascularization (CNV) secondary to traumatic choroidal rupture. DESIGN: Retrospective case series. METHODS: Of 26 eyes with traumatic choroidal rupture followed since 1984 at the retina service of university hospitals, all eyes diagnosed with CNV and treated with PDT were included. Medical records including comprehensive eye examination, retinal photography, and intravenous fluorescein angiography (IVFA) were studied. RESULTS: Five patients (mean age, 18 years) developed CNV and received an average of two PDT treatments. Three patients had improved visual acuity (VA), one remained stable, and one experienced visual loss. Final IVFA showed absence of leakage in four eyes and decreased leakage in the eye with decreased VA. CONCLUSIONS: In young patients, PDT may be a reasonable treatment for CNV secondary to choroidal rupture. No ocular or systemic PDT complications were encountered in this young population.

Safety and efficacy of intravitreal injection of ranibizumab in combination with verteporfin PDT on experimental choroidal neovascularization in the monkey.

OBJECTIVE: To study the safety and efficacy of intravitreal injections of anti-vascular endothelial growth factor antibody fragment (ranibizumab [formerly known as rhuFabV2], Lucentis; Genentech, South San Francisco, Calif) in combination with intravenous verteporfin (Visudyne; Novartis, East Hanover, NJ) photodynamic therapy (PDT) on experimental choroidal neovascularization in the monkey eye. METHODS: Choroidal neovascularization was induced by laser injury in both eyes of cynomolgus monkeys and followed with weekly fundus photography and fluorescein angiography. Two weeks after induction, weekly treatments were initiated. These treatments included using either an intravitreal injection of ranibizumab (previously known as rhuFabV2) in combination with verteporfin PDT or a ranibizumab vehicle (placebo) in combination with verteporfin PDT (PDT only). Six animals (group 1) initially received intravitreal injections followed 1 week later by PDT. Four animals (group 2) initially received PDT followed 1 week later by intravitreal injection. Two animals (group 3) received injections and PDT on the same day at 2-week intervals. Photodynamic therapy was applied in all 3 groups every 2 weeks for 3 treatments with follow-up through 2 weeks after the last PDT treatment. Fluorescein angiograms were graded using a masked standardized protocol. The data were analyzed using the McNemar chi(2) test for matched pairs. RESULTS: No choroidal neovascularization leakage was observed in the eyes of animals treated with ranibizumab and PDT at day 21 or 42 after the start of the first treatment. Leakage persisted in eyes treated with PDT alone at 21 days (3 of 12 eyes) and 42 days (2 of 12 eyes). At all time points studied, the ranibizumab and PDT-treated eyes experienced better angiographic outcomes than the eyes receiving PDT alone. CONCLUSION: These preliminary data indicate that an intravitreal ranibizumab injection in combination with verteporfin PDT (ranibizumab and PDT) causes a greater reduction in angiographic leakage than PDT and intravitreal vehicle injection (PDT only) in experimental choroidal neovascularization. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: This combination therapy can potentially offer a new treatment modality for choroidal neovascularization in patients with macular degeneration and other diseases.

Choroidal amelanotic melanoma in a patient with oculocutaneous albinism.

CASE REPORT: We describe the clinical presentation of a choroidal amelanotic melanoma in a 46-year-old woman with oculocutaneous albinism. Clinical aspects, investigations, and management are presented, and findings from computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging are described. Microscopic findings and histopathological features, demonstrating a spindle B-cell melanoma of the choroid, are also reviewed. COMMENTS: Magnetic resonance imaging may be helpful in diagnosing amelanotic melanoma in patients with oculocutaneous albinism.