Comparison of the efficacy and safety of anti-VEGF monotherapy versus anti-VEGF therapy combined with subthreshold micropulse laser therapy for diabetic macular edema.

The purpose of this study is to compare the efficacy and safety of 577-nm subthreshold micropulse laser (SML) and intravitreal bevacizumab injection (IVB) combined therapy with IVB monotherapy in the treatment of diabetic macular edema (DME). This retrospective study included 80 eyes of 80 patients; 40 eyes were treated with IVB monotherapy, and 40 eyes were treated with SML-IVB combined therapy. The mean number of required IVB injections and changes of best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and central macular thickness (CMT) values were compared between the groups. The mean age of the patients was 60.19±7.43 years. The baseline characteristics of the patients were similar between the groups. In the SML-IVB combined group, the mean number of required SML sessions was 2.1±0.81. The mean number of required IVB injections was 4.38±0.81 in the SML-IVB combined group and 5.65±1.51 in the IVB monotherapy group (p<0.05). The increase of the BCVA was significant in the SML-IVB combined group at the 3rd, 6th, 9th, and 12th months; however, in the IVB monotherapy group, it was only significant at the 3rd month (p<0.05). The mean CMT values of the 3rd, 9th, and 12th months were similar between the groups (p>0.05); only at the 6th month was it significantly lower in the SML-IVB combined group (p<0.05). When compared with baseline, the decrease of the CMT was statistically significant in both groups at the 3rd, 6th, 9th, and 12th months (p<0.05). In this study, a significant benefit of adding SML to IVB therapy was found with less IVB need, although a very significant increase in BCVA could not be achieved. The use of SML-IVB combined treatment may be an effective and safe alternative for DME.

Comparison of half-dose versus half-fluence versus standard photodynamic therapy in chronic central serous chorioretinopathy.

PURPOSE: To compare the efficacy and safety of half-dose vs. half-fluence vs. standard photodynamic therapy (PDT) in patients with chronic central serous chorioretinopathy (cCSC). METHODS: This retrospective study included 64 eyes of 61 patients with cCSC who were treated with half-dose PDT (verteporfin 3 mg/m2 and light energy 50 J/cm2), half-fluence PDT (verteporfin 6 mg/m2 and light energy 25 J/cm2) or standard PDT (verteporfin 6 mg/m2 and light energy 50 J/cm2). The complete resorption of subretinal fluid (SRF) and changes of best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and central retinal thickness (CRT) over the follow-up period were also assessed. RESULTS: Fifteen eyes (65.2 %) in the half-dose PDT group, 12 eyes (80 %) in the half-fluence PDT group, and 20 eyes (76.9 %) in the standard PDT group showed complete resolution of SRF. There were no statistically significant differences in the mean BCVA improvement, CRT and SRF height reduction, number of PDT sessions, complete success, and recurrence rates between groups (p > 0.05). None of the eyes with intact EZ showed failure. There were positive correlations between higher mean CRT values of the last visit, 1st, 3rd, 6th months and failure. None of the treated eyes (0%) developed any systemic or local adverse events. CONCLUSION: Half-dose, half-fluence or standard PDTs are all effective and safe treatment choices in cCSC with similar BCVA improvements and CRT reductions. The higher mean CRT values of the follow-up period were correlated with failure, and in eyes with intact EZ showed no failure.

A case of bilateral fourth nerve palsy associated with pseudotumor cerebri syndrome / Caso de paralisia bilateral de quarto nervo associada com síndrome do pseudotumor cerebral

ABSTRACT Pseudotumor cerebri syndrome is puzzling because it results in elevated intracranial pressure with no identifiable underlying cause. Ocular motor nerve palsies, other than a unilateral or bilateral sixth cranial nerve palsy, are rarely seen in patients with this condition. We report here on a 25-year-old female patient with bilateral fourth cranial nerve palsy caused by pseudotumor cerebri syndrome, whose ocular and systemic signs and symptoms of nerve palsy were completely resolved after medical treatment. We infer that fourth nerve palsy could be associated with pseudotumor cerebri syndrome; therefore, clinicians should consider rare ocular motor nerve palsies, even bilaterally, in patients with pseudotumor cerebri syndrome.

RESUMO A sindrome do pseudotumor cerebral é uma síndrome enigmática caracterizada por aumento da pressão intracraniana sem causa definida. Na síndrome do pseudotumor cerebral, as paralisias de nervo oculomotor além da paralisia unilateral ou bilateral do sexto nervo craniano são raramente vistas. Nós reportamos o caso de uma paciente feminina de 25 anos com paralisia bilateral de quarto nervo craniano como resultado da síndrome do pseudotumor cerebral. Após tratamento médico para síndrome do pseudotumor cerebral, os sinais e sintomas oculares e sistêmicos da paralisia nervosa foram resolvidos. Em conclusão, a paralisia de quarto nervo craniano pode estar associada com síndrome de pseudotumor cerebral, portanto médicos devem considerar paralisias raras de nervo oculomotor, mesmo bilateralmente, em pacientes com síndrome do pseudotumor cerebral.

A case of bilateral fourth nerve palsy associated with pseudotumor cerebri syndrome.

Pseudotumor cerebri syndrome is puzzling because it results in elevated intracranial pressure with no identifiable underlying cause. Ocular motor nerve palsies, other than a unilateral or bilateral sixth cranial nerve palsy, are rarely seen in patients with this condition. We report here on a 25-year-old female patient with bilateral fourth cranial nerve palsy caused by pseudotumor cerebri syndrome, whose ocular and systemic signs and symptoms of nerve palsy were completely resolved after medical treatment. We infer that fourth nerve palsy could be associated with pseudotumor cerebri syndrome; therefore, clinicians should consider rare ocular motor nerve palsies, even bilaterally, in patients with pseudotumor cerebri syndrome.