Short-term outcomes of treatment switch to faricimab in patients with aflibercept-resistant neovascular age-related macular degeneration.

PURPOSE: To report short-term outcomes of treatment switch to faricimab in real-world patients with aflibercept-resistant neovascular age-related macular degeneration (AMD). METHODS: Single-center, retrospective cohort study with chart-review using electronic injection database, electronic medical records, and optical coherence tomography (OCT) data from May to September 2023. RESULTS: A total of 50 eyes of 46 patients were analyzed. Faricimab treatment led to absence of fluid in 32% of the eyes and a reduction of fluid in 84% of the eyes. There was a statistically significant decrease in central retinal thickness (CRT) and pigment epithelial detachment (PED) height in those that responded to the switch (median difference: - 31 µm, IQR: 55, p < 0.0001 and median difference: - 21 µm, IQR: 36, p < 0.0001, respectively) and a statistically significant increase in CRT (median difference: + 19 µm, IQR: 20, p = 0.0143) and no change in PED height (median difference: + 22 µm, IQR: 64, p = 0.1508) in those that did not. Best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) showed marginal decrease with low statistical significance. No ocular or systemic safety events were observed. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that switching to faricimab is generally safe and effective in patients with neovascular AMD who are otherwise difficult to treat and have residual fluid despite frequent injections with aflibercept. We observed a high rate of morphological response to the treatment switch, improvement of anatomical parameters with about one-third of patients having dry macula following a single injection, and a marginal change in BCVA. Sustainability of these results requires further investigation. STUDY REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov registration number: NCT06124677. Date of registration: 09/11/2023, retrospectively registered.

Systemic adverse events and all-cause mortality following same-session bilateral intravitreal anti-VEGF injections: a systematic review.

PURPOSE: To review the risk of systemic adverse events and all-cause mortality following same-day bilateral anti-VEGF injections. METHODS: Twelve literature databases were searched for studies on same-session bilateral intravitreal anti-VEGF injections. Studies reporting on systemic adverse events and mortality were included. Data extraction was made independently by two authors and discussed afterwards until consensus was reached. RESULTS: Seven studies were included with a total of 13,406 intravitreal anti-VEGF injections (6703 bilateral injections sessions) given to 689 patients. Across all studies, mean age of patients ranged from 55.7 to 82.5 years, and mean follow-up times ranged from 1.3 to 41 months. Six studies reported on systemic adverse events: Two cases of non-fatal cardiac adverse events were reported after 12,964 injections (6482 bilateral injection sessions) in 626 patients. Four studies reported on death: 12 deaths were recorded after 6233 bilateral injection sessions in a total population of 554 subjects. CONCLUSIONS: We suggest that the risk of non-fatal systemic adverse events and death after same-session bilateral anti-VEGF injection is reasonably low, but larger studies with follow-ups of several years are needed to quantify the exact risk. STUDY REGISTRATION: Prospectively registered in PROSPERO, registration ID: CRD42023428254, registration date: 20/05/2023.

Endophthalmitis following same-day bilateral anti-VEGF injections: a systematic review.

PURPOSE: To review the risk of endophthalmitis in same-day bilateral anti-VEGF injections. METHODS: We searched 12 literature databases for studies on the risk of endophthalmitis after same-day bilateral intravitreal anti-VEGF injections. Data extraction was made independently by two authors and discussed afterward until reaching consensus. RESULTS: Seventeen studies were included with a total of 138,478 intravitreal anti-VEGF injections (69,239 bilateral injections sessions) given in at least 7579 patients. In total, 33 cases of endophthalmitis had occurred, and no cases were bilateral. The incidence of endophthalmitis ranged from 0 to 0.53% per intravitreal injection across studies. CONCLUSIONS: We suggest that clinicians can consider same-day treatment of both eyes of patients in need of bilateral intravitreal anti-VEGF injection therapy, but larger studies are needed to quantify the exact risk of endophthalmitis.

Seven-year outcomes following intensive anti-vascular endothelial growth factor therapy in patients with exudative age-related macular degeneration.

BACKGROUND: Anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) therapy is currently the most effective therapy of exudative age-related macular degeneration (AMD). The aim of this study was to assess long-term benefits of intensive aflibercept and ranibizumab anti-VEGF therapy in patients with exudative AMD. METHODS: Two clinical trial sites recruited their original subjects for a re-evaluation 7 years after the baseline visit of the phase-3 Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF) Trap-Eye: Investigation of Efficacy and Safety in Wet Age-Related Macular Degeneration (VIEW 2) trial. Forty-seven eyes of 47 patients with AMD originally treated with ranibizumab (14 eyes) or aflibercept (33 eyes) were included. RESULTS: Mean number of injections was 17.8 ± 3.0 during participation in the VIEW 2 trial. Fourteen of 47 (30%) eyes were given additional injections with a mean number of 5.7 ± 4.5 after the trial. At a mean follow-up time of 82 ± 5 months best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) remained stable or improved (≤ 10 letters lost) in 55% of patients in the entire study population, in 43% in the ranibizumab group and in 60% in the aflibercept group. In both groups combined mean BCVA was 54 ± 13 letters at baseline, 65 ± 17 letters at the end of the intensive phase and 45 ± 25 letters at the end of follow-up. There was no statistically significant difference in BCVA between the two groups at baseline (p = 0.88) and at the end of follow-up (p = 0.40). Macular atrophy was observed in 96% of eyes, average area was 7.22 ± 6.31 mm2 with no statistically significant difference between groups (p = 0.47). Correlation between BCVA at end-of-follow-up and the area of atrophy was significant (p < 0.001). At the end of follow-up, fluid was detected in 7 of 47 eyes (15%) indicating disease activity. CONCLUSION: Long-term efficacy of aflibercept and ranibizumab was largely consistent. Following a two-year intensive therapy with as-needed regimen, BCVA was maintained or improved in almost half of the patients and in the ranibizumab group and more than half of the patients in the aflibercept group with very few injections. In a remarkable proportion of eyes, BCVA declined severely which underlines the need for long-term follow-ups and may indicate a more prolonged intensive therapy. TRIAL REGISTRATIONS: VIEW 2 study: ClinicalTrials.gov ID: NCT00637377, date of registration: March 18, 2008. Long-term follow-up: IRB nr.: SE RKEB 168/2022, ClinicalTrials.gov ID: NCT05678517, date of registration: December 28, 2022, retrospectively registered.

MINERALOCORTICOID RECEPTOR ANTAGONIST TREATMENT IN BILATERAL CHRONIC CENTRAL SEROUS CHORIORETINOPATHY: A COMPARATIVE STUDY OF EXUDATIVE AND NONEXUDATIVE FELLOW EYES.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the macular thickness, choroidal thickness, and visual acuity changes in eyes of patients with bilateral chronic central serous chorioretinopathy during eplerenone treatment. METHODS: This prospective clinical trial was conducted on patients with bilateral chronic central serous chorioretinopathy, who had subretinal fluid (SRF) in 1 eye. Twenty-eight patients were treated with 50 mg/day of oral eplerenone for 3 months and were observed for another 3 months. Twenty-eight eyes with SRF were compared with the 28 fellow eyes with pachychoroid pigment epitheliopathy. RESULTS: The central macular and choroidal thickness showed a significant decrease (P < 0.005) at 3 months in all eyes, but change in choroidal thickness was smaller in nonexudative fellow eyes (P > 0.05 at 6 months). In the exudative eyes, the decrease in choroidal thickness showed a significant correlation with the resolution of SRF (P < 0.001). Visual acuity remained stable in all eyes, with significant improvement only in exudative eyes at 6 months (P < 0.005). Baseline choroidal thickness was a significant positive predictor for SRF decrease (P = 0.003). CONCLUSION: Patients with chronic central serous chorioretinopathy can safely be treated with eplerenone as it can reverse choroidal vasodilation with an accompanying resolution of the SRF and improvement in visual acuity. These beneficial therapeutic effects are more pronounced in the exudative eyes.

Evaluation of lymphatic vessel dilatations by anterior segment swept-source optical coherence tomography: case report.

BACKGROUND: Conjunctival lymphangiectasia is a rare condition presumably caused by the obstruction of lymphatic channels or by an abnormal connection between conjunctival lymphatic and blood vessels. Diagnosis is based on clinical appearance and histology. We report a case of conjunctival lymphangiectasia in which anterior segment optical coherence tomography (OCT) was used to assist the diagnosis and the planning of the biopsy location. CASE PRESENTATION: A 31-year-old woman was referred with repeated episodes of conjunctival "hemorrhages" and chemosis with extended recovery periods over the last months. Other symptoms were dryness, redness, burning sensation and itching. Photo documentation, anterior segment OCT, ultrasound, computer tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the brain were performed. MRI revealed dilated atypical Virchow-Robin space (VRS). Conjunctival biopsy was taken and the location of the biopsy was selected based on OCT findings. Based on the clinical appearance we suspected the case to be conjunctival lymphangiectasia or lymphangioma. Histology and immunhistochemistry confirmed the diagnosis of conjunctival lymphangiectasia. CONCLUSIONS: Anterior segment OCT is a non-invasive tool, useful in the evaluation of conjunctival lesions and planning surgery.

[Reproducibility of measurements using the IMEA ADR III critical flicker-fusion frequency measuring device]. / Az IMEA ADR III kritikus fúziós frekvenciavizsgáló eszközzel végzett mérések reprodukálhatóságának vizsgálata.

INTRODUCTION: Measurement of central critical flicker-fusion frequency is a common screening test for eye diseases and additionally it can serve as a useful diagnostic test in numerous neurological and internal diseases. The test might also be used for monitoring purposes. AIM: The aim of the authors was to evaluate a digital central critical flicker-fusion frequency measuring device (IMEA ADR III) in 30 young, healthy Hungarian subjects. METHOD: After a general ophthalmological screening examination, monocular central critical flicker-fusion frequency was measured with four colours. Measurements were carried out on two separate days in three sessions under standardized conditions. Intrasession, intersession and intervisit variabilities, differences in central critical flicker-fusion frequency using the four colours and the effect of certain other influencing factors were determined. RESULTS: There were no statistically significant differences between sessions in the mean and standard deviation of the measurement sets. The central critical flicker-fusion frequency threshold for red colour was significantly lower than for other colours, and the threshold for blue colour was significantly lower than for green. There were no significant differences regarding sex, age, iris colour, and smoking indicating that these factors did not influence the central critical flicker-fusion frequency threshold in these subjects. CONCLUSIONS: Measurement results with the device are reliable and reproducible in healthy, young population in separate sessions.

Bilateral cystoid macular edema following docetaxel chemotherapy in a patient with retinitis pigmentosa: a case report.

BACKGROUND: Docetaxel is a chemotherapeutic agent of the taxane class of drugs for the treatment of breast cancer. We present a female patient who noted decreased vision after docetaxel treatment. CASE PRESENTATION: A 45-year-old female patient received docetaxel treatment after resection of a breast carcinoma. Funduscopy and optical coherence tomography (OCT) showed cystoid macular edema on both eyes. Dilated funduscopy also showed bone spicule-like pigmented deposits, typical for retinitis pigmentosa. Besides the fundus appearance restricted peripheral vision and scotopic electroretinogram confirmed the diagnosis of retinitis pigmentosa. Chemotherapy was discontinued following a consulation with the oncologist of the patient. After five weeks, visual acuity improved significantly along with decrease of retinal thickness measured by OCT. CONCLUSION: Docetaxel may cause ocular adverse effects such as cystoid macular edema. Ophthalmological examination is warranted for patients with visual complaints during docetaxel chemotherapy.

Optic disc morphology in unilateral branch retinal vein occlusion using spectral domain optical coherence tomography.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to evaluate the association between optic nerve head (ONH) parameters and branch retinal vein occlusion (BRVO) using spectral domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT). METHODS: Both eyes of 40 patients with unilateral BRVO (mean age: 67.4 ± 11.4 years, male: female - 18:22) were enrolled in this study. Control group consisted of randomly selected single healthy eyes of 40 age and gender matched volunteers (mean age: 64.7 ± 15.4 years, male: female - 16:24). ONH parameters (including optic disc area, optic cup area, neuroretinal rim area, cup volume, rim volume, cup-disc area ratio, horizontal and vertical cup-disc ratio, average retinal nerve fiber layer) were measured by SD-OCT. Axial length (AL) of the eyes was measured by non-contact optical low coherence reflectometry. The ONH parameters of eyes with BRVO were compared with those of fellow eyes using mixed model, one-way between-groups analysis of covariance was conducted to compare the ONH parameters of affected and unaffected fellow eyes in BRVO patients with those of the control eyes keeping confounding factors, including AL, age and gender under control in the statistical analysis. RESULTS: None of the investigated ONH parameters of affected BRVO eyes, unaffected fellow eyes and control eyes were statistically different after controlling for AL, age and gender. CONCLUSION: Optic disc morphology might not be a potential anatomical predisposing factor for development of BRVO.

Association between retinal vein occlusion, axial length and vitreous chamber depth measured by optical low coherence reflectometry.

BACKGROUND: Results of ocular biometric measurements in retinal vein occlusion (RVO) eyes are still inconclusive and controversial. The aim of this study was to evaluate the association between ocular axial length (AL), vitreous chamber depth (VCD) and both central (CRVO) and branch retinal vein occlusions (BRVO) using optical low coherence reflectometry (OLCR). METHODS: Both eyes of 37 patients with unilateral CRVO (mean age: 66 ± 14 years, male:female - 21:16) and 46 patients with unilateral BRVO (mean age: 63 ± 12 years, male:female - 24:22) were enrolled in this study. The control group consisted of randomly selected single eyes of 67 age and gender matched volunteers without the presence or history of RVO (mean age: 64 ± 14 years, male:female - 34:33). Optical biometry was performed by OLCR biometer (LenStar LS 900). Average keratometry readings, central corneal thickness (CCT), anterior chamber depth (ACD), lens thickness (LT), AL and VCD of eyes with RVO were compared with those of fellow eyes using paired t-tests and with those of control eyes using independent t-tests. RESULTS: Mean CCT, ACD and LT, average keratometry readings of affected RVO eyes, unaffected fellow eyes and control eyes was not statistically different in either groups. In eyes with CRVO mean AL and VCD of affected eyes were significantly shorter than those of control eyes (p < 0.001, p < 0.05), mean difference in AL and VCD between the affected and control eyes was 0.56 ± 0.15 mm and 0.45 ± 0.19 mm, respectively. In eyes with BRVO, mean AL of the affected eyes was significantly shorter with a mean difference of 0.57 ± 0.15 mm (p < 0.001) and the VCD was significantly shorter with a mean difference of 0.61 ± 0.15 mm (p < 0.001) comparing with the control eyes. CONCLUSION: Shorter AL and VCD might be a potential anatomical predisposing factor for development either of CRVO or BRVO.

[Bilateral idiopathic choroidal folds]. / Kétoldali idiopathiás choroidearedok.

Choroidal folds present as parallel bright and dark lines, which may be detected with funduscopy. Optical coherence tomography, red free fundus photography, autofluorescence and fluorescein angiography may be also helpful to establish the diagnosis. The authors present the case of a 70-year-old male who was evaluated because of a 1-month history of blurred vision on his right eye. Dilated fundus examination revealed choroidal folds in both eyes, which failed to affect visual acuity. No neurological pathologies were found. There was no change in the patient condition during a follow-up period of 6 months. The authors note that choroidal folds are often not recognized because they are usually asymptomatic. There are several possible causes which should be considered. The diagnosis of idiopathic choroidal folds is based on the exclusion of other pathologies. Observation of the patient's visual acuity and monitoring for fundus changes are needed.

Long-term follow-up of a bilateral acute posterior multifocal placoid pigment epitheliopathy following COVID-19 infection: a case report.

BACKGROUND: Acute posterior multifocal placoid pigment epitheliopathy (APMPPE) is a rare inflammatory eye disorder that is characterized by the presence of multiple placoid lesions in the posterior pole of the eye. Relentless placoid chorioretinitis (RPC) is an inflammatory chorioretinopathy that combines clinical features of APMPPE and serpiginous chorioretinitis, which is a progressive condition with a high risk of visual disability. Patients with COVID-19 can develop various ocular manifestations, however, there have been limited reports of APMPPE and RPC associated with the infection. We report a case of a patient who developed APMPPE after a COVID-19 infection and subsequently progressed into RPC. CASE PRESENTATION: A 17-year-old male presented with a one-week history of painless gradual visual loss in both eyes. Two months prior to the visual symptoms, the patient had a SARS CoV-2 infection, confirmed by polymerase chain reaction test. Clinical findings with fundoscopy, optical coherence tomography and fluorescein angiography were consistent with APMPPE. Due to the severely affected vision in both eyes, the patient was started on 50 mg oral prednisolone daily, after which vision began to improve rapidly. Two months after symptom onset during steroid taper, the impression of continued inflammatory activity and new lesions in the retinal periphery of both eyes suggested RPC. Adalimumab 40 mg every other week was initiated with 12.5 mg prednisolone daily followed by slow tapering. Vision improved and five months after the start of the adalimumab treatment, the steroid was discontinued and there were no signs of active inflammation. The patient has been followed for a total of 21 months since presentation, had full visual recovery and good tolerance of the immunosuppressive treatment. CONCLUSION: COVID-19 might cause long-lasting activity of APMPPE. The scarcity of reports compared with the number of confirmed COVID-19 infections worldwide suggests a rare entity. The association of APMPPE with a variety of infections may suggest a common immunological aberrant response that might be triggered by various factors. Further examinations and case reports are needed to understand the role of biological therapy in the treatment of such cases.

Injection burden and treatment intervals of aflibercept in observe-and-plan regimen for neovascular age-related macular degeneration.

PURPOSE: The Observe-and-Plan (O&P) regimen allows for individualised treatment. In this study, we evaluated injection burden and intervals using aflibercept in an O&P regimen for eyes with neovascular age-related macular degeneration (AMD). METHODS: This was a retrospective registry-based study of treatment-naïve eyes with neovascular AMD. Treatment data were compiled for 3 years after commencement of intravitreal aflibercept therapy. We evaluated clinical consequences at the first follow-up after loading dose, the proportion of patients who obtained and kept dry macula after loading dose, number of injections and intervals between injections. RESULTS: Data were obtained for 1103 eyes. After loading dose, 0.4% were lost to follow-up, 7.5% discontinued, 50.9% booked for further injections and 41.3% booked for monthly observations. After loading dose, the macula remained dry in 49.2% at 3 months, 34.0% at 6 months, 23.7% at 12 months and 15.2% at 24 months. For the entire population, median cumulative total number of injections was 7, 12 and 15, after 1, 2 and 3 years, respectively. After the 3rd year, the proportion of eyes in the short 4-6 weeks treatment interval was 51.1%, 8 weeks interval was kept in 14.4% and the extended treatment intervals of 10 and 12 weeks was possible in 34.4%. CONCLUSION: After loading dose, one in two eyes required further injections. A large proportion required therapy with shorter intervals than the label-recommended 8 weeks. The large majority of those who obtained a dry macula after loading dose turned exudative again, mostly within the first 3 months.

Effect of Needle Gauge Size on Pain During Intravitreal Anti-VEGF Injection: A Systematic Review and Network Meta-Analysis.

INTRODUCTION: Concerns related to pain from intravitreal injections are one of the key factors mentioned by patients when asked about therapy. In this systematic review and network meta-analysis, we evaluate the literature of comparative clinical trials on the relationship between needle gauge size and pain experience during intravitreal anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF) therapy. METHODS: We searched 12 literature databases on 14 October 2023 for comparative studies of gauge sizes for intravitreal anti-VEGF injections. The primary outcome of interest was the reported pain experience immediately after the injection. All outcomes of pain were transformed into standardized effect sizes using Cohen's d. Using a network meta-analysis approach, we were able to compare all gauge sizes and rank them according to the reported pain experience. RESULTS: We identified nine eligible studies with data on a total of 998 patients and 1004 eyes. Needle sizes studied were 26-gauge, 27-gauge, 29-gauge, 30-gauge, 32-gauge, 33-gauge, and 34-gauge. A complete network was present, which allowed for a network meta-analysis. We used the thickest (26-gauge) needle as the reference group and observed a clear trend of lower pain experience with thinner gauge sizes (d: -0.4, d: -2.7, d: -3.8, d: -4.8, d: -4.5, and d: -5.3; respectively, for 27-gauge, 29-gauge, 30-gauge, 32-gauge, 33-gauge, and 34-gauge). CONCLUSION: A gauge size of 30 or thinner may minimize patient discomfort related to intravitreal anti-VEGF therapy.

Topical non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs for central serous chorioretinopathy: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Central serous chorioretinopathy (CSC) is a prevalent exudative maculopathy and the ongoing verteporfin shortage restricts current treatment possibilities. Topical non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID) have previously been proposed as a treatment for CSC, although its exact efficacy remains unclear. In this systematic review and meta-analysis, we outlined the efficacy of topical NSAIDs for the treatment of CSC. We searched 11 literature databases on 13 December 2022, for any study describing topical NSAID treatment for CSC. Thirteen eligible studies were included with a total of 1001 eyes of 994 patients with CSC. Six studies were case reports, two were cohort studies and five were non-randomized comparative studies. Where specified, topical NSAIDs used were bromfenac 0.09%, diclofenac 0.1%, ketorolac 0.4% and 0.5%, pranoprofen 0.1%, and nepafenac 0.1% and 0.3%. Studies were predominantly of cases with acute CSC and several case studies reported treatment outcomes simultaneously with discontinuation of corticosteroid use, which complicated treatment evaluation. Meta-analyses of comparative studies revealed a statistically significant but clinically irrelevant best-corrected visual acuity improvement of -0.04 logMAR (95% CI: -0.07 to -0.01 logMAR; p = 0.01) at 1-month follow-up, which became statistically insignificant at 3-month follow-up (-0.03 logMAR; 95% CI: -0.06 to 0.003 logMAR; p = 0.08). Further, we found no benefit in complete subretinal fluid resolution at 1-month follow-up (OR: 1.20; 95% CI: 0.81-1.76; p = 0.37) or 3-month follow-up (OR: 1.17; 95% CI: 0.86 to 1.59; p = 0.33). Taken together, available evidence does not support the use of topical NSAIDs for the treatment of CSC.

Exudative Progression of Treatment-Naïve Nonexudative Macular Neovascularization in Age-Related Macular Degeneration: A Systematic Review With Meta-Analyses.

PURPOSE: To systematically review and report the rate of exudative progression over time in patients with nonexudative macular neovascularization (MNV) in age-related macular degeneration (AMD). DESIGN: Systematic review with prevalence meta-analyses and individual participant meta-analysis. METHODS: We searched 10 literature databases on March 26, 2023, for studies of consecutive patients with treatment-naïve nonexudative MNV in AMD. The primary outcome of interest was time from diagnosis to exudative progression. We conducted meta-analyses on the prevalence of exudative progression at 1 and 2 years. Where possible, we extracted individual participant data from studies and conducted an individual participant meta-analysis and explored the exudative progression using a time-to-event curve. RESULTS: We identified 16 eligible studies with a total of 384 eyes with nonexudative MNV. Exudative progression had occurred in 20.9% (95% CI 13.1%-29.8%) of eyes at 1 year and in 30.7% (95% CI 21.8%-40.4%) at 2 years. Similar results were observed in the individual participant meta-analysis, showing exudative progression in 18.9% (95% CI 13.5%-26.3%) of eyes at 1 year and 31.3% (95% CI 24.2%-40.0%) at 2 years. Risk factors for a fast exudative progression were the presence of subretinal lipid globules, large MNV areas, rapid MNV growth, growth in pigment epithelium detachment height and width, appearance of a branching pattern, and development of a hyporeflective halo around the MNV. CONCLUSIONS: Nonexudative MNVs in AMD are at high risk of exudative progression. Recognition of these lesions may allow for better individualized follow-up regimens in which closer monitoring may facilitate earlier diagnosis of exudative progression.

[Comparison of thickness values in nine macular subfields using time-domain and spectral-domain optical coherence tomography]. / Vastagságértékek összehasonlítása kilenc macularis mezoben time-domain és spectral-domain optikai koherencia tomográfiával.

AIM: To compare macular thickness measurements with spectral-domain (Cirrus HD-OCT) and time-domain (StratusOCT) optical coherence tomography. METHOD: Macular thickness was measured in nine ETDRS subfields in the same eye of 20 healthy subjects using both instruments. Using Cirrus HD-OCT both the Macular Cube 512×128 and Macular Cube 200×200 protocol, using StratusOCT the Fast Macular Thickness Map protocol was performed. Reproducibility of all three measurement series was assessed and the average of the measurement series was compared on each field. RESULTS: Measurement values obtained by StratusOCT were significantly lower than those obtained by Cirrus HD-OCT (p<0.001) in all subfields. Correlation coefficient between the results obtained by the two protocols of Cirrus HD-OCT was 0.977. CONCLUSIONS: By using Cirrus HD-OCT we could observe better repeatability than with StratusOCT. Using Cirrus HD-OCT significantly higher measurement values could be obtained in all subfields than those measured with Stratus. Using different OCT instruments we get significantly different values, therefore care needs to be taken when comparing data.

[Ocular manifestation of an adult Niemann-Pick disease type B]. / Felnottkori B-típusú Niemann­Pick-betegség szemészeti manifesztációja.

Niemann-Pick disease is a rare, autosomal recessive inherited lysosomal storage disorder. The pathophysiological background for this condition is the deficiency or reduced function of the enzyme sphingomyelinase, as well as a deficiency in the intracellular cholesterol transporter protein. Due to the breakdown defect, sphingomyelin and cholesterol accumulate in the lysosomes of cells. The disease is divided into 5 subtypes (A, A/B, B, C, D). The authors present the case of a 24-year-old young man diagnosed with Niemann-Pick disease type B as a child, focusing on the ophthalmic manifestation of the disease. During the examination of the patient, fundus photographs and fundus autofluorescence imaging were taken, and optical coherence tomography (OCT), optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA), and visual field (perimetry) examinations were performed. The characteristic macular halo and the cherry-red spot in the fovea were clearly visible during ophthalmoscopy and on the fundus photographs. The OCT images showed focal thickening with high reflectivity in the ganglion cell layer corresponding to the macular halo, and the area of the foveola was spared. With visual field examination, an intact field of vision was found on both eyes. Similar to the presented patient, symptoms in patients with the B subtype are milder, and besides the visceral symptoms, there are no neurological symptoms, and the specific ophthalmic abnormalities do not cause visual impairment. Currently, Niemann-Pick disease is considered a rare disease, and the diagnosis of the patients is often delayed or even missed due to non-specific or mild symptoms. Through consultation between medical specialties, ophthalmological examination can also contribute to the correct diagnosis in cases with mild general symptoms. Timely diagnosis can potentially lead to mitigation of symptoms thanks to the ever-expanding therapeutic options, stabilization of the disease progression, and increase of the patients' life expectancy. Orv Hetil. 2023; 164(46): 1838-1844.

Diagnostic Accuracy of the Amsler Grid Test for Detecting Neovascular Age-Related Macular Degeneration: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

Importance: Patients with nonneovascular age-related macular degeneration (AMD) are encouraged to use the Amsler grid test for self-assessment to facilitate early diagnosis. The test is widely recommended, suggesting a belief that it signals worsening AMD, warranting its use in home monitoring. Objective: To systematically review studies of the diagnostic test accuracy of the Amsler grid in the diagnosis of neovascular AMD and to perform diagnostic test accuracy meta-analyses. Data Sources: A systematic literature search was conducted in 12 databases for relevant titles from database inception until May 7, 2022. Study Selection: Studies included those with groups defined as having (1) neovascular AMD and (2) either healthy eyes or eyes with nonneovascular AMD. The index test was the Amsler grid. The reference standard was ophthalmic examination. After removal of obviously irrelevant reports, 2 authors (J.B. and M.S.) independently screened the remaining references in full text for potential eligibility. Disagreements were resolved by a third author (Y.S.). Data Extraction and Synthesis: Two authors (J.B. and I.P.) independently extracted all data and evaluated quality and applicability of eligible studies using the Quality Assessment of Diagnostic Accuracy Studies 2. Disagreements were resolved by a third author (Y.S.). Main Outcomes and Measures: Sensitivity and specificity of the Amsler grid for detecting neovascular AMD with comparators being either healthy control participants or patients with nonneovascular AMD. Results: Of 523 records screened, 10 studies were included with a total of 1890 eyes (mean participant age ranging from 62 to 83 years). Sensitivity and specificity to diagnose neovascular AMD were 67% (95% CI, 51%-79%) and 99% (95% CI, 85%-100%), respectively, when comparators were healthy control participants and 71% (95% CI, 60%-80%) and 63% (95% CI, 49%-51%), respectively, when control participants were patients with nonneovascular AMD. Overall, potential sources of bias were low across studies. Conclusions and Relevance: Although the Amsler grid is easy and inexpensive to use for detection of metamorphopsia, its sensitivity may be at levels typically not recommended for monitoring. Coupling this lower sensitivity with only moderate specificity to identify neovascular AMD in a population at risk, these findings suggest that such patients typically should be encouraged to undergo ophthalmic examination regularly, regardless of any results of Amsler grid self-assessment.

Qualitative and quantitative comparison of two semi-manual retinal vascular density analyzing methods on optical coherence tomography angiography images of healthy individuals.

The aim of this study was to evaluate qualitative and quantitative differences in vascular density analysis of an established and a novel alternative for post-processing on optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) images in healthy individuals. OCTA examinations of 38 subjects were performed. After extracting the images, two semi-manual post-processing techniques, the already established Mexican hat filtering (MHF) and an alternative, the Shanbhag thresholding (ST) were applied. We assessed Vessel Density (VD), Skeleton Density (SkD) and Vessel Diameter Index (VDI). We analyzed the results in order to establish similarities or potentially relevant differences. Regarding SkD and VD, MHF generally gave higher values than ST. Simultaneously, mean values were also predominantly higher by MHF; however, standard deviations (SD) were higher by ST (range [mean ± SD]: 0.054 ± 0.038 to 0.134 ± 0.01 and 0.134 ± 0.095 to 0.362 ± 0.028 vs 0.012 ± 0.014 to 0.087 ± 0.03 and 0.039 ± 0.047 to 0.4 ± 0.095 for SkD and VD with MHF vs SkD and VD with ST, respectively). Values of VDI were considerably higher with ST than with MHF, while standard deviation was still significantly higher with ST (range [mean ± SD]: 2.459 ± 0.144 to 2.71 ± 0.084 and 2.983 ± 0.929 to 5.19 ± 1.064 for VDI with MHF and ST, respectively). The noise level reduction of the two methods were almost identical (noise levels: 65.8% with MHT and 65.24% with ST). Using MHF, the vascular network gets more fragmented by an average of 40% compared to ST. Both methods allow the segmentation of the vascular network and the examination of vascular density parameters, but they produce largely inconsistent results. To determine if these inconsistent results are clinically meaningful, and which method is more suitable for clinical use, our results provide further evidence that detailed understanding of the image analysis method is essential for reliable decision making for patients with retinal pathology. For longitudinal monitoring, use of the same image processing method is recommended.