Measuring outcomes in cataract surgery.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: The article presents a review of recently published studies reporting postcataract surgery outcomes and the use of electronic systems to track them. RECENT FINDINGS: Current publications report several parameters to measure cataract outcomes such as visual acuity, patient-reported visual function, contrast sensitivity, reading speed, residual refractive errors and complications (intraoperative and postoperative). SUMMARY: Cataracts currently afflict an estimated 94 million people worldwide, and surgical removal is the only effective therapy known. Tracking outcomes through registry databases has been shown to be a powerful tool for improving patient outcomes, understanding and adopting best clinical practices, reducing costs and increasing value delivered. Large datasets present in electronic registry systems are valuable resources for evaluating the quality of care by allowing researchers and healthcare providers to analyze, understand and adjust to 'real-world' best practices and adverse events.

OUTCOMES OF PATIENTS WITH EXUDATIVE AGE-RELATED MACULAR DEGENERATION TREATED WITH ANTIVASCULAR ENDOTHELIAL GROWTH FACTOR THERAPY FOR THREE OR MORE YEARS: A Review of Current Outcomes.

PURPOSE: To summarize the findings of long-term outcomes of anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) therapy (≥36 months) in patients with exudative age-related macular degeneration. METHODS: Studies reporting long-term outcomes (≥36 months) of anti-VEGF therapy (n = 11) were identified and analyzed for changes in visual acuity (VA), optical coherence tomography, and safety findings. RESULTS: Six prospective extension studies of Phase 3 clinical trials and five retrospective evaluation studies were identified. The largest improvements in VA with anti-VEGF treatment were found in Years 1 to 2 after treatment initiation. In five studies, VA ultimately declined below patients' pretreatment initial baseline; in three studies, VA ultimately returned to patients' baseline; in three studies, VA decreased but ultimately remained improved over patients' baseline. There was a trend demonstrating that a higher frequency of intravitreous injections showed a better maintenance in VA. Rates of adverse events were similar to previous registration studies of anti-VEGF drugs. CONCLUSION: The body of evidence to date regarding long-term anti-VEGF treatment indicates a variable course at greater than 36 months follow-up and seems to be dependent on the treatment protocol. Consistent dosing with fluid-free interval is suggested to maintain VA gains in patients with exudative age-related macular degeneration. There is no evidence suggesting that there are additional adverse events from long-term anti-VEGF use.

Visual outcomes following cataract surgery in age-related macular degeneration patients.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate visual acuity (VA) outcomes, prognostic factors, and changes in disease severity in patients with age-related macular degeneration (AMD) undergoing cataract surgery. DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study PARTICIPANTS: Patients with AMD or healthy control patients who underwent cataract surgery between 2012 and 2017. METHODS: Eyes were categorized into 3 AMD groups-intermediate AMD (iAMD), fovea-involving geographic atrophy (GA), neovascular AMD (nAMD)-and 3 preoperative VA-matched control groups (iAMDc), fovea-involving geographic atrophy control (GAc), neovaascular AMD control (nAMDc). RESULTS: We compared 216 iAMD, 35 GA, and 184 nAMD eyes with 130, 31, and 129 controls. At postoperative month 12 (POM12), VA increased significantly in iAMD and nAMD (+10.1 ± 14.5 and +9.7 ± 18.9 letters, p < 0.001), but not in GA (p = 0.68). All control groups showed significant VA gains (iAMDc: +17.1 ± 9.7, GAc: +30 ± 12.9, and nAMDc: +26.4 ± 15.6 letters, p < 0.001). For AMD groups, POM12 VA and gain in VA were significantly lower than that of controls (p < 0.01), and better preoperative VA predicted smaller VA gains (p ≤ 0.007). Longer duration of AMD in iAMD, ellipsoid zone disruption in nAMD, and lower central subfield thickness in GA were associated with poorer VA outcomes (p < 0.05). Development of nAMD occurred in 8 iAMD eyes and was associated with longer duration of disease (p = 0.001). For nAMD eyes, injection frequency did not vary between the 12-month pre- and postoperative periods (p = 0.051). CONCLUSIONS: Cataract surgery improves VA for patients with iAMD and nAMD, albeit not to the level of those without retinal pathology. Preoperative VA, AMD duration, and optical coherence tomography parameters may be important prognostic factors for cataract surgery in patients with AMD.

Prevention of Macular Edema in Patients With Diabetic Retinopathy Undergoing Cataract Surgery: The PROMISE Trial.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: To determine the safety and efficacy of intravitreal aflibercept injection (IAI) in patients with diabetic retinopathy (DR) in the prevention of macular edema (ME) following cataract surgery. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This phase 2, prospective, interventional, single-masked, randomized trial at a single academic center included 30 patients who were 18 years of age or older with nonproliferative DR and undergoing cataract surgery with phacoemulsification. Patients received 2 mg intravitreal aflibercept (0.05 mL) or sham injection during cataract surgery. Main outcome measures included treatment adverse events (AEs), best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), and incidence of ME (defined as presence of cystoid abnormalities as detected by optical coherence tomography at any follow-up visit), a 30% or greater increase from preoperative baseline in central subfield macular thickness, or a BCVA decrease of more than 5 ETDRS letters from Day 7 due to retinal thickening. RESULTS: There were similar incidences of AEs between the two groups and no clinically serious ocular AEs in either group. The IAI group had fewer ME events at Day 14 (13% vs. 53%; P = .022), but there was no significant difference in ME events at Day 30 (27% vs. 60%; P = .057), Day 60 (27% vs. 60%; P = .057), or Day 90 (40% vs. 67%; P = .161). Compared to the study group, the control group had a significantly greater increase in central subfield thickness (CST) at Day 30 (50.05 µm vs. 7.95 µm; P = .040) and Day 60 (56.45 µm vs. 3.02 µm; P = .010). However, the difference in CST between groups was no longer significant at Day 90 (50.31 µm vs. 18.48 µm; P = .12). There were no significant differences in BCVA gains between the IAI and sham group at the end of the follow-up period (Day 90, ETDRS letters: 9.88 vs. 8.52; P = .66). CONCLUSIONS: Use of IAI in patients with DR for prevention of ME following cataract surgery showed no significant AEs. Although there were significant differences in ME incidence and retinal thickness at periods of time, there was no clinically meaningful benefit in terms of VA. Further larger trials are needed to validate these findings. [Ophthalmic Surg Lasers Imaging Retina. 2020;51:170-178.].

Diabetic Macular Edema Treated With Intravitreal Aflibercept Injection After Treatment With Other Anti-VEGF Agents (SWAP-TWO Study)-12-Month Analysis.

Purpose: This article reports 12-month outcomes of patients with diabetic macular edema previously treated with other antivascular endothelial growth factor agents and transitioned to fixed dosing of intravitreal aflibercept (IAI). Methods: This prospective, single-arm study enrolled patients to receive IAI 2 mg (0.05 mL) every 4 weeks until optical coherence tomography demonstrated no fluid. Patients then received fixed dosing of IAI 2 mg once every 8 weeks through 12 months. Primary outcome was mean absolute change from baseline central subfield thickness (CST) at 12 months measured by optical coherence tomography. Results: Twenty eyes were enrolled. At baseline, best-corrected visual acuity was 70.0 letters, mean CST was 419.7 µm ± 92.0, superficial capillary perfusion density (CPD) was 46.0 ± 4.2%, and deep CPD was 50.8 ± 4.3%. At 12 months, the mean CST improved to 287.2 µm ± 80.2 (P < .001), superficial CPD decreased to 43.6 ± 4.8% (P = .04), and deep CPD decreased to 47.6 ± 4.8% (P = .05). Conclusions: Patients who switched to fixed dosing of IAI demonstrated significant anatomic improvements in CST at 12 months. CPD values decreased significantly both in superficial and deep layers without significant changes in vision.

Twenty-Four-Month OCTA Assessment in Diabetic Patients Undergoing Fixed-Interval Intravitreal Aflibercept Therapy.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Evaluate capillary perfusion density (CPD) in patients with diabetic macular edema (DME) undergoing fixed intravit-real aflibercept injections (IAI) through 24 months. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Prospective, interventional, single-arm study enrolling 20 patients with persistent DME. Patients received IAI every 4 weeks until DME resolution followed by extension to every 8 weeks. Optical coherence tomography angiography was obtained at baseline, 6, 12, and 24 months. RESULTS: Sixteen of 20 eyes completed the study. Baseline mean central subfield thickness was 420 µm, which improved to 251 µm (P < .001). The mean best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) improved by 5.5 letters (P = .042). The whole superficial CPD decreased by 5.3% (P = .001) and the deep CPD decreased by 4.4% (P = .009). Better BCVA correlated with less CPD loss within the superficial parafovea (r = +0.66 [0.23, 0.88]; P = .006) and whole (r = +0.60 [0.12, 0.85]; P = .017) areas. CONCLUSION: Superficial and deep CPD decreased despite fixed IAI through 24 months. [Ophthalmic Surg Lasers Imaging Retina. 2020;51:448-455.].

Visual Acuity Outcomes after Cataract Extraction with Intraocular Lens Implantation in Eyes with Diabetic Retinopathy.

PURPOSE: To evaluate change in best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) in patients with diabetes and diabetic retinopathy (DR) after cataract extraction (CE). DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study. PARTICIPANTS: Diabetic eyes of patients 18 years of age or older that underwent CE at the Cleveland Clinic from 2012 through 2018. METHODS: Chart review examining visual acuities from patient visits before and after surgery, as well as OCT images. Statistical analysis was carried out using multiple linear regression models. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The primary end point was change in BCVA during the first postoperative year. The secondary end point was the association of central subfield thickness at baseline with change in BCVA. Additional preoperative factors examined were age, race, gender, laterality, insulin use, hemoglobin A1c, creatinine, blood urea nitrogen, and estimated glomerular filtration rate. RESULTS: Diabetic eyes without DR (n = 138) and eyes with mild/moderate nonproliferative DR (NPDR; n = 125), severe NPDR (n = 20), and proliferative DR (PDR; n = 72) were included. A year after surgery, eyes without DR gained a median of 11.0 Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study (ETDRS) letters (interquartile range [IQR], 5.0-20.0) from 65.0 (IQR, 58.0-70.0) before surgery, eyes with mild or moderate DR gained 10.0 letters (IQR, 5.0-22.0) from 65.0 (IQR, 58.0-76.0), eyes with severe NPDR gained 20.5 letters (IQR, 8.0-28.5) from 55.0 (IQR, 26.0-65.0), and eyes with PDR gained 15.0 letters (IQR, 6.0-29.5) from 55.0 (IQR, 35.0-61.0). Eyes without DR or mild or moderate NPDR showed significantly greater improvements in VA 1 year after surgery compared with eyes with severe NPDR or PDR when controlling for baseline visual acuity (VA), with eyes with more severe DR showing less expected VA gain (P < 0.001). Length of disease most strongly related to baseline DR severity (ρ = 0.431; P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Cataract surgery is beneficial in most patients with DR without severe concurrent macular pathologic features. However, preoperative VA and the severity of DR can limit visual outcomes.

Macular Atrophy Affecting Visual Outcomes in Patients Undergoing Anti-VEGF Treatment in Routine Clinical Practice.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: To explore how baseline macular atrophy (MA) affects visual acuity (VA) in patients receiving intravitreal anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) injections for neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD). PATIENTS AND METHODS: A retrospective, case control series. Patients were grouped into three cohorts based on baseline spectral-domain optical coherence tomography image findings: foveal MA, nonfoveal MA, and no MA. Outcomes were assessed at 1, 2, and 3 years following anti-VEGF therapy. RESULTS: No differences existed in MA growth between eyes with foveal and nonfoveal MA (0.89 mm2 [95% confidence interval (CI), 0.64-1.14] vs. 0.88 mm2 [95% CI, 0.72-1.05]) after adjusting for baseline lesion sizes at 3 years. Foveal MA patients lost an average of 19.4 ETDRS letters (95% CI, -30.8 to -8.0) after 3 years. Nonfoveal MA patients gained an average of 1.1 ETDRS letters (95% CI, -6.8 to 9.0), and patients without MA averaged a gain of 9.7 ETDRS letters (95% CI, 5.5-14.0). CONCLUSION: In patients with nAMD receiving anti-VEGF in routine clinical practice, presence of baseline foveal MA was associated with significant vision loss. [Ophthalmic Surg Lasers Imaging Retina. 2020;51:68-75.].

Eplerenone for the treatment of chronic central serous chorioretinopathy: 3-year clinical experience.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: The efficacy of mineralocorticoid receptor antagonist eplerenone to treat chronic central serous chorioretinopathy (CSCR) has been established. However, previous studies have been limited by small cohort size and short follow-up duration. This study aims to report 3-year clinical outcomes of patients treated with eplerenone for chronic CSCR. METHODS: Institutional review board-approved retrospective chart analysis at a single institution from 2012 to 2018. Baseline best-corrected visual acuity and anatomical measurements related to degree of subretinal fluid (SRF) were collected at eplerenone initiation. Follow-up data were collected at the closest date to 12, 24 and 36 months. RESULTS: Data were obtained for 100 eyes of 83 patients at 1-year (mean 11.18 ± 4.00 months), 49 eyes at 2-year (24.01 ± 3.33 months) and 33 eyes at 3-year (mean 35.5 ± 7.89 months) follow-up visits. The rate of complete SRF resolution was 31%, 28% and 33%, respectively. At final follow-up, logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution visual acuity change from baseline was +0.10 ± 0.24 (p = 0.130). Average change from baseline at final follow-up for central subfield thickness was -97 ± 140.6 µm (p < 0.001), cube volume was -1.07 ± 1.71 mm3 (p < 0.001), macular thickness -28. 5 ± 47.5 µm (p < 0.001), maximum SRF height was -95.6 ± 160.5 µm (p < 0.001) and maximum SRF diameter was -1169.0 ± 1638.7 µm (p = 0.008). CONCLUSION: Anatomical improvement occurs primarily within the first year of eplerenone treatment for chronic CSCR.

Optimizing Visualization of Membranes in Macular Surgery With Heads-Up Display.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: To determine which optical parameter profiles (OPPs) can be utilized to improve the visualization of epiretinal membranes (ERMs) and the internal limiting membrane (ILM) using a three-dimensional heads-up microscope during 25-gauge pars plana vitrectomy. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Fourteen independent graders were asked to complete a questionnaire comparing each of the OPPs against the unaltered control image for each given surgical case. RESULTS: Analysis of the graders' responses indicated that higher values of hue are correlated with better visualization of ERM/ILM before and after dye application. There was overall agreement that OPPs could be used to enhance the visualization of the ERM and ILM during surgery. CONCLUSIONS: The use of OPPs to improve the visualization of specific structures is still new and heavily dependent on surgeon preference. The authors' study shows that some OPPs may enhance the visualization of the ERM and ILM during macular surgery. [Ophthalmic Surg Lasers Imaging Retina. 2020;51:584-587.].

Changes in retinal and choriocapillaris density in diabetic patients receiving anti-vascular endothelial growth factor treatment using optical coherence tomography angiography.

BACKGROUND: Optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) enables detailed, non-invasive assessment of ocular vasculature. This study uses OCTA imaging to evaluate choriocapillaris and retinal capillary perfusion density (CPD) changes in diabetic retinopathy following anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) treatment. METHODS: Records of 38 eyes at a single institution were reviewed, grouped as non-diabetic controls (19 eyes), diabetes mellitus patients with diabetic retinopathy (DR, 19 eyes) and macular edema (DME). DR eyes were imaged at baseline, 6-months and 12-months after anti-VEGF treatment. Quantitative analyses assessed CPD of the choriocapillaris and retinal plexus. RESULTS: DR eyes showed decreased choriocapillaris whole-image CPD (62.6 ± 6.1 vs. 68.4 ± 5.1, p < 0.003), foveal CPD (61.2 ± 7.4 vs. 66.3 ± 9.8, p < 0.014), and parafoveal CPD (61.9 ± 6.6 vs. 68.2 ± 4.8, p < 0.002) at baseline. DR eyes also showed decreased retinal density, including whole-image CPD (46.9 ± 5.1 vs. 50.7 ± 5.6, p < 0.04), foveal CPD (27.6 ± 5.9 vs. 34.1 ± 6.1, p < 0.002), and parafoveal CPD (49.0 ± 5.6 vs. 53.1 ± 6.0, p < 0.011). Following 12 months of anti-VEGF treatment, no changes to retinal or choriocapillaris or CPD were observed. Retinal central subfield thickness decreased (397.1 ± 93.2 µm vs. 294.2 ± 71.5 µm, p < 0.005). Lastly, FAZ area (0.307 ± 0.133 mm2 vs. 0.184 ± 0.058 mm2, p = 0.008) and perimeter (2.415 ± 0.692 mm2 vs. 1.753 ± 0.408 mm2, p = 0.002) were increased in DR eyes at baseline. No changes to FAZ area or perimeter were seen with anti-VEGF treatment in DR eyes. CONCLUSIONS: Compared to control, choriocapillaris and retinal CPD are reduced in DR, while FAZ area and perimeter are increased. No retinal capillary or choriocapillaris CPD changes were observed in DR eyes following anti-VEGF treatment.

Choriocapillaris and retinal vascular plexus density of diabetic eyes using split-spectrum amplitude decorrelation spectral-domain optical coherence tomography angiography.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Split-spectrum amplitude decorrelation angiography for spectral-domain optical coherence tomography has enabled detailed, non-invasive assessment of vascular flow. This study evaluates choriocapillaris and retinal capillary perfusion density (CPD) in diabetic eyes using optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA). METHODS: Records of 136 eyes that underwent OCTA imaging at a single institution were reviewed. Eyes were grouped as non-diabetic controls (37 eyes), patients with diabetes mellitus (DM) without diabetic retinopathy (DM without DR, 31 eyes), non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy (NPDR, 41 eyes) and proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR, 27 eyes). Quantitative CPD analyses were performed on OCTA images for assessing perfusion density of the choriocapillaris and retinal plexus for all patients and compared between groups. RESULTS: Eyes with NPDR and PDR showed significantly decreased choriocapillaris CPD compared with controls, while DM eyes without DR did not show significant change. Choriocapillaris whole-image CPD was decreased by 8.3% in eyes with NPDR (p<0.01) and decreased by 7.1% in eyes with PDR (p<0.01). Choriocapillaris parafoveal CPD was decreased by 8.9% in eyes with NPDR (p<0.01) and decreased by 8.2% in eyes with PDR (p<0.01). Compared with controls, only eyes with PDR showed significantly decreased retinal CPD, as well as significantly increased foveal avascular zone (FAZ) area. In those patients, retinal whole-image CPD was decreased by 9.7% (p<0.01), retinal foveal CPD was decreased by 20.5% (p<0.01) and retinal parafoveal CPD was decreased by 11.4% (p<0.01). FAZ area was increased by 50.9% (p<0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Choriocapillaris and retinal CPD are reduced in diabetic retinopathy, while FAZ area is increased in eyes with PDR. Vascular changes captured by new imaging modalities can further characterise diabetic choroidopathy.

Baseline Ocular Characteristics of Patients Undergoing Initiation of Anti-Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Therapy for Diabetic Macular Edema.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Patients with diabetic macular edema (DME) have variable anatomic and visual responses to anti-vascular endothelial growth (VEGF) treatments based on their presenting visual acuity (VA). The aim of study is to report the baseline ocular and imaging characteristics of patients presenting with DME who were treatment-naïve and who initiated anti-VEGF in routine clinical practice. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Single-center, cross-sectional study of 638 patients. Subjects were divided into two VA groups: Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study (ETDRS) less than 70 and ETDRS greater than 70 and ocular variables were compared between groups. RESULTS: Average central subfield thickness (CST) was 363.5 µm, cube volume was 11.7 mm3, and cube average thickness (CAT) was 326.1 µm. Additionally, 21.5% had subretinal fluid (SRF), and 50.5% had hard exudates on presentation. Eyes with ETDRS less than 70 had greater CAT (338.5 µm3 vs. 313.2 µm3; P < .001), greater cube volume (12.2 mm3 vs. 11.3 mm3; P < .001), greater CST (383.5 µm vs. 350.0 µm; P < .001), and SRF (25.5% vs. 17.3%; P = .012). Furthermore, 7.64% had glaucoma, 1.3% had dry age-related macular degeneration, 4.5% of patients were vitrectomized, and 28.7% were pseudophakic. Regarding diabetic stage, 37% had proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR) and 63% presented with nonproliferative diabetic retinopathy. Patients presenting with ETDRS less than 70 were more likely to have a history of vitrectomy (7.1% vs. 1.9%, P = .002) and presence of PDR (42.3% vs. 31.4%, P = .004). CONCLUSION: The results describe a population of patients from a routine clinical practice not entirely represented in clinical trials, with key differences in ocular characteristics seen between VA groups. [Ophthalmic Surg Lasers Imaging Retina. 2019;50:69-75.].

Characterization of the Systemic Findings of Patients Undergoing Initiation of Anti-Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Therapy for Diabetic Macular Edema in Routine Clinical Practice.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Previous studies have validated that baseline visual acuity (VA) can predict a variance response to anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) treatment. However, little is known about the initial systemic presentation of diabetic macular edema (DME) in clinical practice. The aim of this study is to report the baseline systemic findings of patients presenting with DME who received anti-VEGF in clinical practice. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A retrospective chart review of patients with DME presenting between April 2012 and December 2016 was performed. RESULTS: Data from 638 patients were retrieved. The average patient age was 63.1 years (±11.6 years), and 53% were male. There were 95.6% type II diabetics with an average HgA1c of 8.1% (range: 5.1% to 14.5%). Insulin use was present in 67%, biguanides in 43%, sulfonylureas in 32.8%, DDP4 inhibitors in 11.8%, thiazolidinediones in 3.9%, and D-phenylalanine derivatives in 0.94%. Hypertension was present in 78.4% of patients, cardiac comorbidities in 29.3%, peripheral vascular disease in 16.5%, and renal insufficiency in 22.6%. Patients were then split into two different cohorts based on VA (ETDRS < 70 and ETDRS ≥ 70), and variables were compared between groups. CONCLUSION: It was shown that older age, hypertension, elevated creatinine, elevated high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and decreased biguanide use were positively associated with worse presenting VA. [Ophthalmic Surg Lasers Imaging Retina. 2019;50:16-24.].

Association of Disorganization of Retinal Inner Layers With Visual Acuity Response to Anti-Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Therapy for Macular Edema Secondary to Retinal Vein Occlusion.

Importance: Disorganization of retinal inner layers (DRIL) has demonstrated significant correlations with visual acuity (VA) in center-involved diabetic macular edema. In patients with retinal vein occlusion (RVO) and secondary macular edema, DRIL may be a useful biomarker in determining VA outcomes. Objective: To examine whether DRIL at baseline and after treatment is associated with VA in RVO. Design, Setting, and Participants: A retrospective review of records of 147 patients 18 years or older with treatment-naive branch RVO (BRVO), central RVO (CRVO), or hemispheric RVO (HRVO), with a minimum of 12 months of follow-up, who presented to a tertiary ophthalmic center from December 1, 2010, to January 1, 2016, was conducted. Data collection continued through January 2017. Exclusion criteria included active confounding retinal or ocular disease, history of pars plana vitrectomy, or prior intravitreal injections. Two masked graders calculated a DRIL score based on DRIL presence in 3 predefined regions on spectral-domain optical coherence tomography at baseline, 6 months, and 12 months. A third masked grader was used for discrepancies. Exposures: Anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (AVF) therapy (ranibizumab, aflibercept, or bevacizumab) determined by the treating physician. Main Outcomes and Measures: The DRIL score at baseline for determining VA outcomes and correlation of VA with changes in DRIL burden in response to AVF therapy. Results: In the 147 patients (mean [SD] age, 68.9 [13.1] years; 75 [51.0%] female), baseline DRIL was seen in 91 eyes (61.9%). In the BRVO group but not the CRVO group, baseline DRIL was associated with lower baseline Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study (ETDRS) score (score of 66.7 for no DRIL vs 54.6 for DRIL, P = .002). Absence of DRIL at baseline in the CRVO/HRVO group correlated with greater VA gains at 6 months, adjusting for baseline VA (score change of 19.50 for no DRIL vs 12.72 for DRIL; P = .04). During 12 months, continued DRIL presence in BRVO was associated with less VA gain up to 6 months (score change of 6.2 for the DRIL increase group vs 18.6 for the DRIL decrease group vs 2.9 for the DRIL stable group; P = .02). Increasing DRIL scores in CRVO/HRVO were associated with reduced VA improvement at 6 months (score change of -0.12 for the DRIL increase group vs 16.90 for the DRIL decrease group vs 8.45 for the DRIL stable group; P = .002) and 12 months (score change of -1.91 for the DRIL increase group vs 17.83 for the DRIL decrease group vs 6.97 for the DRIL stable group; P < .001). Conclusions and Relevance: Baseline DRIL presence and DRIL burden changes with AVF therapy for macular edema secondary to RVO may be useful biomarkers of ETDRS score improvements.

Diabetic macular edema treated with intravitreal aflibercept injection after treatment with other anti-VEGF agents (SWAP-TWO study): 6-month interim analysis.

BACKGROUND: Diabetic macular edema (DME) is an important cause of vision loss and despite the anatomical and functional improvement achieved with treatment, there are reports of persistent DME regardless of continuous anti-VEGF therapy. The purpose of this study is to examine the effect of patients with DME previously treated with other anti-VEGF agents who are transitioned to intravitreal aflibercept (IAI) on a fixed dosing regimen. METHODS: This prospective study included 20 patients presenting with DME with a history of previous anti-VEGF treatment with ranibizumab or bevacizumab. Patients received a 2 mg (0.05 mL) IAI every 4 weeks until no evidence of fluid by optical coherence tomography (OCT) followed by a fixed dosing schedule of 2 mg IAI once every 8 weeks through 24 months. There was a pre-planned interim analysis of the mean absolute change from baseline central foveal thickness at month 6 as measured by OCT. Secondary outcomes included mean change from baseline in ETDRS visual acuity and anatomic parameters. Optical Coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) capillary perfusion density (CPD) after transitioning to IAI therapy were also reported. RESULTS: Average central subfield thickness on OCT at baseline was 419.7 ± 92.0 and improved to 303.8 ± 73.1 at 6-months (p < 0.001). At 6 months after IAI treatment, BCVA increased + 1.5 letters from baseline (p = 0.38). OCTA CPD analysis revealed significant increase from baseline in the foveal avascular zone in non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy group (p = 0.02). CONCLUSIONS: Patients with prior anti-VEGF therapy who were transitioned to IAI therapy revealed significant anatomic improvements through 6 months.Trial registration Treatment of Diabetic Macular Edema With Aflibercept in Subjects Previously Treated With Ranibizumab or Bevacizumab (SwapTwo), Trial registration number: NCT02559180. Date of registration: September 24, 2015.https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02559180.

Examination Practices and Referral of Patients With Diabetic Retinopathy by Optometrists in Routine Clinical Care.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: To analyze the examination practices and referral of patients with diabetic retinopathy (DR) by optometrists in routine clinical care. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Diabetic patient records from 2012 to 2018 were retrospectively reviewed for documentation of dilated fundus exam (DFE), imaging, follow-up appointments, and referrals. Concordance between clinical exam and coding was also analyzed. RESULTS: For 97.8% of encounters, DFE was performed, the patient was referred for DFE, or DFE was scheduled for follow-up. When DFE was performed at the initial visit, this resulted in referral of 19.8% of patients to an ophthalmologist. Imaging was obtained occasionally, with fundus photos in 2.6% and optical coherence tomography in 14.5% of encounters. Concordance of DR grading between exam and coding was 78.8%. Recommended follow-up times were incorrect based on DR severity level in 13.8% of encounters. CONCLUSION: Although DFE was performed reliably by optometrists, utilization of imaging, DR grading and coding, and appropriate follow-up periods could be improved. [Ophthalmic Surg Lasers Imaging Retina. 2019;50:608-612.].

Protecting Vision in Patients With Diabetes With Ultra-Widefield Imaging: A Review of Current Literature.

Ultra-widefield fundus imaging (UWFI) is a relatively new technology capable of capturing 200° images of the retina. Since vision changes can be irreversible in diabetic retinopathy (DR), recognition of prognostic biomarkers in the peripheral retina may prove invaluable toward optimizing the management and reducing the societal burden of this blinding disease. Following a bibliographic review using Pubmed, OVID Medline, Embase, and the Cochrane Library, the current review systematically examined 13 studies that compared UWFI to conventional screening techniques such as seven standard field (7SF) Early Treatment In Diabetic Retinopathy Study (ETDRS) and non-mydriatic multifield fundus photography (NMFP), as well as their scientific level of evidence. Overall, UWFI had good agreement with 7SF ETDRS and NMFP, and moderate agreement with dilated fundus examination. Seven additional studies were examined that considered the significance of peripheral lesions found on UWFI. These studies demonstrated that UWFI captured additional DR pathology in the peripheral retina that may not be evident if evaluation is limited to the posterior pole and may be relevant to patient outcomes. Future directions include but are not limited to the potential of UWFI to track the progression of DR with treatment. [Ophthalmic Surg Lasers Imaging Retina. 2019;50:639-648.].

An International Comparison of Baseline Characteristics of Patients Undergoing Initiation of Anti-VEGF Therapy for DME.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Diabetic macular edema (DME) is a leading cause of vision loss worldwide. The object of this study is to compare global differences of baseline characteristics of patients undergoing initiation of anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) therapy for DME. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This multicenter, cross-sectional study included diabetic patients with foveal-involving retinal edema secondary to DME as documented by fundus exam and optical coherence tomography who were undergoing initiation of intravitreal anti-VEGF drugs. Variables were collected to find possible risk factors and to create an epidemiological profile of DME patients undergoing initiation of anti-VEGF agents. RESULTS: Nine hundred two patients were selected. Mean age was 62.4 (±11) years, 49.7% were Caucasians, 57.6% were male, and 96% had type two diabetes with an average disease duration of 181.7 months ± 113 months. Of the patients included, 74.7% suffered from hypertension, 26.6% from cardiovascular disease, 12.1% from cerebrovascular disease, 12.8% from peripheral vascular disease, and 12.8% from renal insufficiency. Best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) was 65 (±20) Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study letters, central subfield thickness was 364 (±162) µm, cube volume 11.1 ± 3.1 mm3, cube average thickness 328.8 µm ± 61 µm, and 63.9% had nonproliferative diabetic retinopathy. Comparison between U.S. versus international patients, and patients with BCVA 70 letters or less versus more than 70 letters were performed, significant differences were acknowledged, and risk factors were recognized. CONCLUSION: There were key differences in the epidemiologic profile between patients presenting with DME in the U.S. and internationally. [Ophthalmic Surg Lasers Imaging Retina. 2019;50:e300-e310.].

Surgical Repair of Traumatic Macular Holes With Extreme Macular Pathology Using an Internal Limiting Membrane Flap Technique.

This report describes the use of inverted internal limiting membrane (ILM) flap technique as a treatment option for traumatic macular holes (MHs) with severe macular pathology. An interventional case series of two patients who experienced blunt trauma is reported. One patient developed two adjacent MHs and the second patient a MH with focal tissue avulsion in the fovea. Each patient underwent pars plana vitrectomy with ILM flap creation and intraocular gas tamponade. The ILM flap technique was successfully used for closure of MHs in one patient with a traumatic double MH and another patient with MH with foveal tissue avulsion. Visual acuity and symptoms improved in both patients. The ILM flap technique is a useful option for patients even with advanced pathologic findings subsequent to traumatic MH formation. [Ophthalmic Surg Lasers Imaging Retina. 2018;49:e143-e146.].