Efficacy of Internal Limiting Membrane Flap Techniques with Vitrectomy for Macular Detachment Associated with an Optic Disc Pit.

PURPOSE: To compare the anatomical and functional outcome of adjuvant pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) procedures using the techniques of translocation of an internal limiting membrane (ILM) flap and transplantation of an inverted ILM flap for the treatment of chronic and/or refractory optic disc pit (ODP) maculopathy. METHODS: In this prospective interventional case series study, 9 patients (9 eyes) with chronic and/or refractory ODP maculopathy underwent PPV with either translocation of an ILM flap or transplantation of an inverted ILM flap as adjuvant techniques along with gas tamponade. The anatomical success, rates of macular reattachment, and visual improvement were assessed. RESULTS: The mean preoperative central retinal thickness (CRT) was 723.4 µm (range: 366-1,151). The mean postoperative CRT was 398.1 ± 212.2 µm (range: 210-758). An increased preoperative CRT was associated with a lower chance of postoperative reattachment of the macula (p = 0.047). The overall reattachment rate at the end of the follow-up period was 56% (n = 5). The mean preoperative visual acuity (logMAR unit [Snellen acuity]) was 0.48 (20/60) (range: 1.30 [20/400] to 0.10 [20/25]). The mean change in best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) was 0.48 ± 0.233 logMAR units (approx. 3 lines of visual improvement). CONCLUSIONS: ILM flap techniques are logical and straightforward approaches as adjuvants to PPV treatment of ODP maculopathy. They could be viable adjuvant treatments for improvement in BCVA and CRT in patients with ODP maculopathy.

Is optical coherence tomography angiography helpful in the differential diagnosis of choroidal nevus versus melanoma?

PURPOSE: To describe the imaging features of choroidal nevus and melanoma using optical coherence tomography angiography, and evaluate the ability of this technique to establish the differential diagnosis based on the display of the tumor's intrinsic vasculature. METHODS: Comparative analysis of optical coherence tomography angiography findings in consecutive patients diagnosed with choroidal nevus or choroidal melanoma following a complete ophthalmic evaluation, including best-corrected visual acuity and several imaging studies: color fundus photography, B-scan ultrasound, spectral-domain optical coherence tomography, and optical coherence tomography angiography. Optical coherence tomography angiography was used to investigate qualitative differences in the tumor vasculature. RESULTS: Thirty-six eyes (18 cases of choroidal nevus and 18 cases of choroidal melanoma) from 36 consecutive patients were included in the study. Only cases located posterior to equator were included to enable performance of all tests. On optical coherence tomography angiography, choroidal nevus showed well-delimited margins (78%), hyperreflective choroid capillary vasculature (83%), fewer avascular areas (17%), and neovascular membrane in one case (6%). Choroidal melanoma showed imprecise margins (72%), hyporeflective choroidal capillary vasculature (72%), multiple avascular areas (78%), and choroidal vascular changes (e.g. thick vascular networks or vascular loops; 45%). CONCLUSION: Optical coherence tomography angiography can provide useful information for assessing and differentiating between choroidal nevi and small melanomas. Significant differences between these conditions were found for the pattern of reflectivity, and presence/absence of avascular zones and vascular anomalies, which could be helpful for supporting the diagnosis.

Surgical Options for Optic Disc Pit Maculopathy: Perspectives and Controversies.

Optic disc pit (ODP) is a rare congenital optic nerve head abnormality, which can be complicated by intraretinal and subretinal fluid at the macula (ODP-maculopathy) with progressive visual loss. The source of this fluid remains unclear and the most dominant hypotheses have pointed to vitreous cavity or cerebrospinal fluid. Although spontaneous resolution has been reported, the majority of untreated cases of ODP-maculopathy result in final visual acuity less than 20/200 or worse. A wide array of interventions, either individually or in combination with adjuvant treatments, have been tried with varying degrees of success. Recently, different surgical procedures to fill the ODP by self-sealing materials in combination with pars plana vitrectomy have been reported as an effective adjuvant treatment. However, given the relative rarity of this condition, the majority of reports describe a small retrospective case series, making it difficult to compare among different treatments options and create a consensus regarding the optimal treatment for ODP-maculopathy. In this situation, a mini-review about surgical treatment modalities and their results can be a useful approach to identify the most effective surgical option in the management of ODP-maculopathy.