Outcomes of vitreoretinal surgery in eyes with retinitis pigmentosa without retinal detachment.

PURPOSE: Outcomes of retinal detachment (RD) have been discussed in detail in many reports of patients with retinitis pigmentosa (RP). This study tries to understand the outcomes of vitreoretinal (VR) surgery for indications other than RD in the eyes with RP. METHODS: This is a retrospective study that includes clinical data from January 2013 to December 2021. Patients with RP who were treated with a VR surgical intervention were included in the study. The primary outcome of the study was to assess the changes in best-corrected visual acuity. RESULTS: Forty-four eyes of 40 patients with RP were included in the study. Nearly half of the eyes (43%, 19/44) presented from 1 month to 1 year after the onset of diminished vision, with or without floaters. The mean ± standard deviation (SD) best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) at presentation was 1.30 ± 0.79 logMAR (20/400 ± 20/125). The major surgical indications were vitreous opacities (43.2%, 19/44) and subluxated/dislocated cataractous lenses (25%, 11/44). The median follow-up duration was 8 months (interquartile range (IQR): 1.5-27). Approximately 77% (34/44) of the eyes had improvement in vision. The mean postoperative BCVA at the last follow-up was 0.95 ± 0.73 logMAR (p-value: 0.03). CONCLUSIONS: Most eyes with RP recovered well after VR surgical interventions, with short-term improvements in visual acuity. It may be crucial to address the vitreous opacities and membranes as they hinder the residual central island of vision in RP. However, appropriate counselling is required regarding the progressive nature of retinal neuronal degeneration.

Tablet-based 'ON/OFF' pathway test can distinguish between rod- and cone-dominated diseases.

INTRODUCTION: The photopic ON pathway defect is associated with nocturnal vision loss. However, the measurement of ON function to detect a rod-dominated disease (rods affected more than cones) has not been explored. We evaluated whether the psychophysical evaluation of ON/OFF pathways can be used to distinguish cone-dominated from rod-dominated diseases. METHODS: Thirty-seven patients with inherited retinal diseases were tested using the 'EyeSpeed' [iOS application] on an iPad. The test displayed a random number (1-3) of light or dark targets on a black-and-white noise background. Participants responded on a touch screen indicating the correct number of targets displayed. The outcome variables-reaction time, accuracy and performance index (speed [1/reaction time] * accuracy) to both light and dark targets were assessed for diagnostic ability using standard receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) analysis. RESULTS: Mean ± standard deviation age and visual acuity for the cone- and rod-dominated groups were 25.15 ± 11.74 years, 0.80 ± 0.25 logMAR and 28.3 ± 14.29 years, 0.48 ± 0.26 logMAR, respectively. The median reaction time to light targets in rod-dominated disease [interquartile range] was 5.28 s [3.17], significantly greater than for patients with cone-dominated disease (2.07 s [0.93]; Mann-Whitney U test, p < 0.001). Amongst all of the outcome variables evaluated, the reaction time to light targets (criterion of ≥2.98 s) exhibited the highest area under the ROC curve (area = 0.89 ± 0.11; p < 0.001), with a sensitivity and specificity of 82.4% and 85% respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Reaction time to light targets using the ON/OFF pathway paradigm is a valid marker to differentiate between rod- and cone-dominated retinal dystrophies. ON pathway function measured using a tablet-based test could act as a supplemental test in the diagnosis of challenging photoreceptor-specific inherited retinal diseases.

Diabetic retinal neurodegeneration as a form of diabetic retinopathy.

PURPOSE: To review the evidence supporting diabetic retinal neurodegeneration (DRN) as a form of diabetic retinopathy. METHOD: Review of literature. RESULTS: DRN is recognized to be a part of retinopathy in patients with diabetes mellitus (DM), in addition to the well-established diabetic retinal vasculopathy (DRV). DRN has been noted in the early stages of DM, before the onset of clinically evident diabetic retinopathy. The occurrence of DRN has been confirmed in animal models of DM, histopathological examination of donor's eyes from diabetic individuals and assessment of neural structure and function in humans. DRN involves alterations in retinal ganglion cells, photoreceptors, amacrine cells and bipolar cells, and is thought to be driven by glutamate, oxidative stress and dysregulation of neuroprotective factors in the retina. Potential therapeutic options for DRN are under evaluation. CONCLUSIONS: Literature is divided on the temporal relation between DRN and DRV, with evidence of both precedence and simultaneous occurrence. The relationship between DRN and multi-system neuropathy in DM is yet to be evaluated critically.

Proposed Classification System for Retinal Capillary Angiomatosis.

Retinal angiomas are rare tumors that develop within the vascular bed of the retina. Their occurrence may be sporadic or as part of the multisystem disorder called von Hippel-Lindau disease. It is well established in literature that retinal angiomas have a natural history of evolving as small aneurysmal dilatations and progressing to vision-threatening retinal detachments. Several approaches to the management of these angiomas have been reported in the literature, but it is difficult to decipher which modality is best suited for which type of angioma. A classification of retinal angiomas is proposed herein. A classification system may help in developing future guidelines for the study, screening, treatment, and prognostication of patients with retinal angiomas.

Patterns of uveitis in patients with proven systemic (pulmonary and extrapulmonary) tuberculosis.

PURPOSE: To report patterns of uveitis in patients with systemic tuberculosis. METHODS: Records of patients presenting at uvea clinic of a tertiary eye care centre were evaluated retrospectively, and 47 cases with proven systemic tuberculosis were analyzed for patterns of uveitis. Tuberculosis had been proven with a combination of radio imaging and detection of acid fast bacilli in body fluids. All patients had been reviewed by a specialist as applicable before diagnosing tuberculosis. These patients had undergone a thorough ocular workup. Pattern of uveitis was the primary outcome measure. RESULTS: Mean age was 35.34 ± 15.56 years. Lung was the commonest systemic focus, seen in nearly 75% of the cases. Anterior uveitis was the most common presentation (48.9%), followed by posterior (25.5%), panuveitis (10.6%) and intermediate uveitis (10.6%). Multifocal serpiginoid choroidopathy (MSC) was seen in only one patient, while granulomatous choroiditis was the commonest type of posterior uveitis. CONCLUSIONS: Anterior uveitis is the most frequent type of uveitis seen in patients with proven systemic tuberculosis. Rarity of MSC in such patients indicates possibility of etiologies other than tuberculosis in causing MSC.

Selfie fundus imaging: Innovative approach to retinopathy screening.

The currently available methods of screening for diabetic retinopathy (DR) depend on the availability of healthcare professionals and technology. The high prevalence of diabetes in India, and the need to repeatedly screen such patients for DR and treat them, places an enormous economic and logistic burden. We introduce the concept of screening for DR with 'selfie retinal imaging' through this report of 3 patients. The patients can themselves capture retinal images and transfer to a grading centre for further deliberation. If incorporated into the current technological revolution of smartphones, this futuristic concept is likely to be of huge benefit in preventing loss of vision due to diabetes.

Post-transplant erythrocytosis-related maculopathy: successful management of hyperviscosity with phlebotomy.

PURPOSE: To report clinical features in a case of hyperviscosity retinopathy following post-renal transplant erythrocytosis (PTE) and its outcome after phlebotomy. METHODS: Fundus fluorescein angiography and optical coherence tomography (OCT) were carried out for a 29-year-old renal allograft recipient who presented with acute unilateral visual loss. RESULT: There was mild retinal vascular dilation in both eyes with retinal hemorrhages and retinal opaqueness in left eye. Cystoid macular edema was noted on OCT. Microvascular leaks and micro-occlusions were seen all around the foveal avascular zone on fluorescein angiogram. Investigations revealed hemoglobin to be 16.8 g%, and a PTE was diagnosed. The patient underwent phlebotomy following which there was near complete resolution of macular edema with improvement in vision. CONCLUSION: Hyperviscosity retinopathy can cause acute visual loss in cases of renal allograft recipients who develop PTE. Prompt management with phlebotomy can lead to reversal of macular edema in such cases.

Patterns of uveitis in children at the apex institute for eye care in India: analysis and review of literature.

AIM: To study patterns of uveitis in Indian children and compare with data sets published earlier in the literature. METHODS: Consecutive patients below 16 years of age presenting to the uvea clinic of a tertiary eye care center were included prospectively through the period of July 2009-August 2013. Children with retinal vasculitis, exogenous endophthalmitis and masquerade syndromes were excluded from analysis. Uveitis was classified as per the nomenclature system adopted by the International Uveitis Study Group. Hemogram, Mantoux test and chest X-ray were done for each patient, along with tailored investigations and pediatric review as per clinical profile. Clinical pattern and etiology were the main outcome measures. RESULTS: One hundred and thirty-four children were analyzed. Anterior uveitis (40%) was the commonest pattern followed by intermediate uveitis (25%), panuveitis (18%) and posterior uveitis (17%). Bilateral disease was present in 54%, 15% had infectious uveitis, 10% had granulomatous uveitis and 54% had idiopathic uveitis. Complications were present in half of the patients. Juvenile idiopathic arthritis (22), followed by toxoplasmosis (10) and tuberculosis (5), was the commonest etiology. Intermediate uveitis, non-granulomatous inflammation and older onset of disease had the high odds ratio of having idiopathic disease. CONCLUSION: Patterns of pediatric uveitis can vary between regions from even within the same geopolitical region. Anterior uveitis is commonest, and juvenile idiopathic arthritis and toxoplasmosis are the most frequent etiologies. Diagnosis of pediatric ocular tuberculosis is more difficult than in adults and needs better and well-defined criteria.

Biometric evaluation of myopic eyes without posterior staphyloma: disproportionate ocular growth.

PURPOSE: To evaluate changes in the anterior segment of myopic eyes and assess anterior biometry as a function of axial length (AL). DESIGN: Retrospective investigational study. PARTICIPANTS: Patients evaluated for phakic intraocular lens surgery at a tertiary eye care centre. METHODS: Patients with corrected visual acuity > 20/40 and AL > 24.5 mm were included in the study. Posterior staphyloma and maculopathy were ruled out in all the patients, and 176 eyes were included for analysis. AL was measured with partial coherence interferometry, while keratometry, central corneal thickness (CCT), anterior chamber depth (ACD), and horizontal white to white (WTW) were measured with slit-scanning topography. Group 1 included 55 eyes with AL < 26.5 mm, group 2 had 57 eyes with AL between 26.5 and 28.5 mm while group 3 had 64 eyes with AL > 28.5 mm. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Correlation of AL with anterior biometry. RESULTS: The mean AL of the study eyes was 27.88 + 2.14 mm. The mean values of ACD (2.99 mm), CCT (0.52 mm), WTW (11.68 mm), and keratometry (43.62 D) were within the normal range. Overall, very weak correlations could be established between AL and CCT (R = 0.17, p = 0.02), AL and keratometry (R = - 0.28, p < 0.001), and AL and WTW (R = 0.22, p = 0.002), while ACD did not relate to AL significantly. The ACD and CCT did not relate significantly to AL in any of the three groups. Keratometry had a weak negative relation with AL in groups 1 and 2, while WTW had a weakly positive relation with AL in group 2 only. No variable had any significant relation with AL in group 3. CONCLUSION: There is disproportionate elongation of the eyeball in myopic patients with very weak or no correlation between anterior biometry and AL. This discord is more in longer eyes. Such a scenario can be challenging to a refractive surgeon treating highly myopic eyes and needs further evaluation.

Impact of estimated glomerular filtration rate on diabetic macular edema.

PURPOSE: Diabetic macular edema (DME) is a major cause of visual impairment in patients with diabetes and is influenced by various systemic factors. This study evaluates the effect of renal status on DME using estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) as a study marker. METHODS: This was a prospective observational cross-sectional study. One hundred and ninety-five patients of diabetic retinopathy (DR) were included. Group 1 had patients of DR without DME (n = 100), and group 2 had patients of DR with DME (n = 95). All patients were evaluated for DR/DME-related risk factors. eGFR was calculated in all patients. Spectral domain optical coherence tomography (SDOCT) was done to identify the various patterns and severity of DME. RESULTS: Group 2 patients had significantly higher comorbidities than those in group 1 (p < 0.001). Hba1c, total cholesterol, triglycerides, LDL/HDL ratio, systolic and diastolic blood pressures were significantly higher in group II (p < 0.001 in each). There was no significant difference between the groups in terms of blood urea, serum creatinine or eGFR. eGFR did not show a significant association with a specific SDOCT pattern or severity of DME. CONCLUSION: Comorbidities are more common and more severe in patients with DME. However, eGFR as a marker was not useful in predicting either the severity or pattern of DME. eGFR, in its present form, may not be useful in the evaluation and management of patients with DME.

Peripheral choroidal neovascular membrane in a case of peripheral exudative hemorrhagic chorioretinopathy managed with combination therapy.

To report a case of peripheral exudative hemorrhagic chorioretinopathy (PEHCR) associated with extramacular choroidal neovascular membrane (CNVM). A 65-year-old female with BCVA of 3/60 in the RE was diagnosed to have PEHCR with peripheral CNVM. She had subretinal fluid in the macular region. The patient was treated successfully with a single dose of intravitreal bevacizumab followed by laser photocoagulation of the CNVM. BCVA was 6/24 after 3 months and subretinal fluid had resolved. PEHCR may be associated with extramacular CNVM and hence may cause visual loss. Such extramacular CNVMs respond well to combination therapy which offers a permanent cure.

Clinical Profile, Demographic Distribution and Risk Factors of Parafoveal Telangiectasia: An Electronic Medical Record-Driven Big Data Analytics from a Multitier Eye Care Network.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the demographics and clinical profile of parafoveal telangiectasia (PFT) and compare risk factors for diabetic retinopathy (DR) among PFT and non-PFT patients. METHODS: This cross-sectional hospital-based study included 2,834,616 new patients presenting to a multi-tier ophthalmology hospital network in India between August 2010 and June 2021. Patients with a clinical diagnosis of PFT in at least one eye were included as cases. The data were collected using an electronic medical record system. RESULTS: Overall, 2,310 (0.081%) patients were diagnosed with PFT. Most of the patients were female (62.42%) with (odds ratio [OR] = 2.08), and had bilateral (84.85%) affliction. The most common age group at presentation was during the sixth decade of life with 825 (35.71%) patients. The overall prevalence was higher in patients from an upper socio economic status (0.242%) presenting from the metropolitan geography (0.113%; OR = 2.37). Systemic history of diabetes mellitus (DM) with a mean duration of 122.03 ± 95.59 months was seen in 849 (36.75%) and hypertension in 609 (26.36%) patients. Of the 4,270 eyes, 2,441 (57.17%) eyes had a visual impairment of mild or no visual impairment (<20/70) followed by moderate visual impairment (>20/70-20/200) in 1022 (23.93%) eyes. The risk of sight threatening diabetic retinopathy (STDR) among PFT patients was higher (OR = 1.43) compared to non-PFT cohort. Choroidal neovascular membrane (CNVM) was observed in 481 (11.26%) eyes. CONCLUSION: PFT is more common in females and is predominantly bilateral. PFT is more common in upper socio economic status and majority of the eyes had mild or moderate visual impairment. Diabetes and Hypertension are associated risk factors in PFT.

Real-world experience of full-thickness traumatic macular hole among young patients.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the demographics, clinical, and imaging characteristics, and visual outcomes in young patients with full-thickness traumatic macular hole (TMH). METHODS: This retrospective hospital-based study included patients with full-thickness TMH who presented between August 2010 and June 2021. Demographic data, clinical findings, and imaging characteristics were extracted from an electronic medical record system. Regression analyses were performed to determine significant associations among variables and to identify predictors of visual outcomes. RESULTS: 144 (0.005%) patients among 2,834,616 were diagnosed with Full thickness TMH. The majority of them were male (89.58%; odds ratio [OR] = 6.71) and the holes were unilateral. The mean age at presentation was 23.37 ± 8.19 years. Ball were the most common cause of injuries (22.22%), followed by stick (14.58%) and firecracker (12.50%). The mean LogMAR visual acuity (VA) at presentation was 1.18 ± 0.72, with 25.69% of eyes having VA < 20/400. The mean minimum hole diameter was 619.34 ± 336.16 µm. Sub-retinal fluid was present in 44.44%, followed by intraretinal fluid in 34.03% of eyes. Macular holes closed after vitrectomy in 66.67% of eyes, with mean final VA of 1.07 ± 0.85. Baseline VA was a strong predictor of final VA (R2 = 0.677; p = 0.000168). CONCLUSION: Traumatic macular hole is a unilateral condition with significant visual impairment that is mainly seen in males during the third decade of life. Surgery is successful in most cases but improvements in VA are modest.

Optical coherence tomography characteristics and factors affecting visual acuity in diabetic papillopathy.

PURPOSE: To analyse baseline imaging characteristics and factors affecting poor visual acuity in diabetic papillopathy. METHODS: This was a retrospective, observational study conducted at a tertiary eye care centre in eyes with a diagnosis of diabetic papillopathy. Demographic data including age, gender, duration of diabetes, type of diabetes, HbA1c values and other systemic co-morbidities were recorded. Baseline best corrected visual acuity (BCVA), and various imaging characteristics were noted. RESULTS: 37 eyes of 22 patients with diagnosis of diabetic papillopathy were included [mean age of 46.6 ± 13.5 years, five (22.7%) females and 17 (77.3%) males]. Bilateral involvement was seen in 15 (68.2%) patients. The mean baseline BCVA was 0.51 ± 0.49 logMAR (Snellen equivalent 20/60). Two eyes (5.4%) had features of concurrent mild NPDR, 9 eyes (24.3%) had moderate NPDR, 10 eyes (27.03%) had severe NPDR while 16 (43.2%) other had PDR. All eyes had optic disc edema while 4 had disc pallor at presentation. Telangiectatic vessels/ neovascularisation of disc was present in 17 eyes (45.9%) detected either clinically or on optical coherence tomography (OCT) angiography. 11 (29.7%) eyes had a peripapillary cuff of subretinal fluid accompanying the disc edema. Sixteen eyes (43.2%) had centre involving macular edema seen on OCT. In eyes with a macular edema, the mean central macular thickness was 407.4 ± 71.42 microns at baseline. On assessing the baseline factors that contribute to the final visual acuity, presenting visual acuity was the only variable found to be statistically significant. CONCLUSION: Although described to have good visual outcome, eyes presenting with poor visual acuity tend to have worse vision on follow up. This may aid in prognosticating and guiding management plan.

Hemi-retinal vein occlusion: Characterizing a rare retinal vasculopathy.

PURPOSE: To characterize hemi-retinal vein occlusion (HRVO) in patients presenting to a multi-tier ophthalmology hospital network. METHODS: This retrospective, hospital-based study analyzed 2,834,616 new patients between August 2010 and June 2021. Patients with a clinical diagnosis of HRVO in at least one eye were included as cases. Data were collected using an electronic medical record system. Data were compared to the findings noted in branch RVO (BRVO) and central RVO (CRVO) patients. RESULTS: HRVO constituted 0.9% ( n = 191) of all the retinal vein occlusions (RVOs), with the mean age being 60.55 ± 10.14 years. Most patients were male (125, 65.45%) with unilateral (92.67%) affliction. Majority presented during the sixth (31.41%) or seventh (32.46%) decade of life. Most patients reported mild (37.07%) or moderate (27.32%) visual impairment, with vision < 20/200 being less common in HRVO (25.8%) and BRVO (17.2%) compared to CRVO (44.1%) ( P < 0.00001). Glaucoma was diagnosed and treated in 49 (23.90%) eyes, which was much higher than CRVO (11.45%) and BRVO (5.04%) ( P < 0.001), though neovascular glaucoma was much less than CRVO (2.9% vs. 9.2%) ( P = 0.0037). On follow-up, HRVO eyes (12.2%) had lesser vision loss compared to CRVO eyes (13.7%) (this difference does not look very significant to me), though BRVO had the least (9.1%) vision loss. CONCLUSION: HRVO is a rare RVO, presenting more in males. It causes less-severe visual impairment compared to CRVO. Large majority of patients with HRVO do not have identifiable systemic risk factors other than age. Preexisting glaucoma was more associated with HRVO compared to other RVOs.

Clinical Profile, Antibiotic Resistance and Outcomes in Bacterial Endophthalmitis: Coagulase-Negative Staphylococcus Endophthalmitis as Compared to Other Organisms.

BACKGROUND: To evaluate the clinical profile, outcomes and antibiotic resistance in bacterial endophthalmitis. METHODS: This was a post-hoc analysis of a study conducted at a tertiary centre, where 60 consecutive cases of culture-proven bacterial endophthalmitis were included prospectively. Group 1 included coagulase-negative Staphylococcus endophthalmitis (CNSE), while group 2 included the remaining cases. Clinical features, antibiotic resistance and visual outcomes were compared. Visual acuity >3/60 at six months of follow-up was defined as a good visual outcome. RESULTS: Group 1 had 31 cases, while group 2 had 29. Group 2 included 12 gram-positive and 17 gram-negative isolates. Among the groups, group 2 had more patients with presenting visual acuity below hand motions close to the face (25 vs. 12, p<0.001), poor visual outcomes (26 vs. 3, p<0.001) and retinal detachment (RD) (10 vs. 2, p=0.007). Pseudomonas was most commonly resistant to antibiotics, and ceftazidime (p=0.005) and cefazolin (p=0.009) resistance were higher in group 2 isolates. In group 1, five isolates were resistant to any one of the antibiotics, whereas in group 2, 13 isolates were resistant to any one of the antibiotics (p=0.024). CONCLUSIONS: In the current study, eyes in the group of endophthalmitis caused by CNSE achieved better visual acuities at the last follow-up compared to eyes with endophthalmitis caused by other bacteria. Antibiotic resistance in isolates other than CNSE is a cause of concern.

Characterization of retinal hemorrhages delimited by the internal limiting membrane.

Clinically, hemorrhages at the vitreoretinal interface have been termed as 'pre-retinal' in location. However, there is a careful distinction to be made between sub-hyaloid and sub-internal limiting membrane (ILM) planes of blood collection. In the past half-century, a body of literature has accrued on sub-internal limiting membrane hemorrhage. We characterize the etiopathological, clinical, anatomical, and imaging characteristics of this entity (often misconstrued as sub-hyaloid hemorrhage). Management decisions are briefly described, and a unifying term of sub-internal limiting membrane macular hemorrhage is proposed to aid in further research.