Retinal pigment epitheliopathy, macular telangiectasis, and intraretinal crystal deposits in HIV-positive patients receiving ritonavir.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to describe the occurrence of a retinal pigment epitheliopathy associated with macular telangiectasis and intraretinal crystal deposits in three human immunodeficiency virus-positive patients receiving long-term ritonavir as part of highly active antiretroviral therapy. METHODS: The patient's records were reviewed. RESULTS: The CD4 T-cell counts at presentation were 163 cells per microliter, 464 cells per microliter, and 349 cells per microliter, and viral loads were undetectable in all patients. None of the patients had a concurrent AIDS-defining illness. Other significant medical history included hyperlipidemia in one patient and a remote history of lymphoma and tuberculosis in a second patient. Initial visual acuity ranged from 20/32 to 20/400, with a median of 20/150. Anterior segment examination and intraocular pressures were normal in all eyes. Posterior segment examination revealed bilateral macular retinal pigment epitheliopathy with intraretinal crystalline deposits. No hemorrhage or cotton wool spots were seen consistent with human immunodeficiency virus retinopathy, and there was no evidence of previous or active cystomegalovirus retinitis. Fluorescein angiography revealed parafoveal telangiectasis with late leakage in two of the three patients. Optical coherence tomography showed thickening of the macula in three eyes and inner foveal cysts in two eyes. Autofluorescence performed on one patient revealed complete loss of normal retinal pigment epithelium autofluorescence corresponding to the area of retinal pigment epitheliopathy bilaterally. The only medicine common to all 3 patients was ritonavir, and the duration of ritonavir therapy before presentation was 19 months in one patient, 30 months in the second patient, and 5 years in the third patient. CONCLUSION: Retinal changes characterized by retinal pigment epitheliopathy, parafoveal telangiectasias, and intraretinal crystal deposits occurred in three human immunodeficiency virus-positive patients on long-term ritonavir as part of highly active antiretroviral therapy.

Morphologic analysis of stage 3 and stage 4 macular holes: implications for treatment.

PURPOSE: To determine whether the observed anatomy of macular holes can be explained by a hydrodynamic model in which fluid flow through the hole is balanced by fluid pumping across the retinal pigment epithelium. We use this model to draw conclusions about the possible role of vitreomacular traction in determining the anatomy of macular holes and their resolution after vitreous surgery. DESIGN: Cross sectional. METHODS: Retrospective study in a clinical practice. The study included 42 eyes of 42 patients with a stage 3 or 4 macular hole (Gass classification). We measured the radius of the macular hole and the radius of the surrounding cuff of subretinal fluid from color or red-free fundus photographs and determined the relationship between these two variables. RESULTS: The mean age of the patients was 68.0 +/- 7 years (range, 51 to 80). Twenty-five patients had stage 3 macular holes and 17 patients had stage 4 macular holes. The neurosensory detachment radius was related to the square of the macular hole radius for stage 3 and stage 4 holes, with no significant difference between the stage 3 and stage 4 linear trend lines (P = .999). There was no correlation between patient age and the area of the macular hole (r = 0.0645) or neurosensory detachment plus hole (r = 0.156) over the range of age in this study. However, the area of the doughnut-shaped cuff of subretinal fluid increased with increasing patient age (P = .0493), thus suggesting an age-dependent decline in the pumping ability of the retinal pigment epithelium. CONCLUSIONS: Our data are consistent with a hydrodynamic model in which macular hole anatomy is determined by a balance between fluid flow through the hole and fluid outflow across the retinal pigment epithelium. Because stage 3 and stage 4 macular holes exhibit a similar relationship between the size of the macular hole and the size of the cuff of subretinal fluid around the hole, simple relief of vitreomacular traction would not lead to resolution of the subretinal fluid cuff unless it is accompanied by a reduction in hole diameter due to approximation of wound edges.

Continued vision loss from progressive expansion of inactive chorioretinal scars in a myopic patient with well-controlled sympathetic ophthalmia.

PURPOSE: To describe significant vision loss caused by enlargement of chorioretinal scars related to sympathetic ophthalmia despite adequate control of intraocular inflammation. METHODS: A case report of a 62-year-old man who developed sympathetic ophthalmia after a vitrectomy, which was successful in repairing a rhegmatogenous retinal detachment. RESULTS: Progressive expansion of chorioretinal scars occurred despite successful control of intraocular inflammation related to sympathetic ophthalmia. The visual acuity declined from 20/20 to no light perception in the right eye and from 20/400 to light perception in the left eye over 11 years of follow-up. CONCLUSION: Progressive enlargement of chorioretinal scars and visual loss may occur despite adequate control of intraocular inflammation in patients with sympathetic ophthalmia. Similar patterns of scar expansion have been reported in eyes after laser photocoagulation, but we believe this is the first report of scar enlargement in the setting of well-controlled sympathetic ophthalmia.

Intraocular cysticercosis: case series and comprehensive review of the literature.

PURPOSE: To analyze the demographics and clinical characteristics in patients with intraocular cysticercosis. METHODS: Retrospective case series and comprehensive literature review. RESULTS: Intraocular cysticercosis was diagnosed in 21 of 21,079 patients (0.10%) seen by the uveitis service at Aravind Eye Hospital. At presentation, visual acuity was 20/200 or worse in 14 eyes (63.6%). Inflammation was unilateral in all but one patient (95.2%). The cyst was located in the vitreous cavity in 36.4% of eyes and in the subretinal space in 63.6% of eyes. In the literature review, most patients were affected unilaterally (98.5%); visual acuity at presentation was 20/200 or worse in 82.3% of eyes; and the cyst was located in the vitreous cavity in 59.5% of eyes. CONCLUSIONS: Intraocular cysticercosis usually affects young patients unilaterally. The cyst may be in either the vitreous cavity or the subretinal space, and visual acuity at presentation is often poor.

Endogenous Candida albicans endophthalmitis following spontaneous abortion and IUD removal.

The authors report a rare case of a 32-year-old woman who developed endogenous Candida albicans endophthalmitis following spontaneous abortion and removal of a contraceptive intrauterine device. Considerations regarding diagnosis and management are presented based on a review of the literature.

Practical approach to the use of corticosteroids in patients with uveitis.

Corticosteroids constitute the first line of therapy for patients with noninfectious ocular inflammatory disease. We review factors contributing to the clinical effectiveness of various corticosteroid preparations in patients with uveitis and discuss practical aspects regarding treatment indications, when to administer various agents, and how best to dose and monitor for both treatment and adverse effects. Topically administered corticosteroids are typically indicated for the treatment of anterior uveitis, whereas periocular or intravitreal agents are employed most often in the management of intermediate or posterior intraocular inflammation. Patients with vision-threatening uveitis, bilateral inflammation, or uveitis occurring in the setting of systemic involvement may require oral or intravenous administration of corticosteroids. Noncorticosteroid immunosuppressive agents play an important role in limiting the toxic effects of long-term corticosteroid use.

Resolution of a giant pigment epithelial detachment after treatment with intravitreal bevacizumab.

PURPOSE: To describe a patient with a giant pigment epithelial detachment (PED) successfully treated with intravitreal bevacizumab. DESIGN: Retrospective, observational case report. METHODS: The patient's records were reviewed. RESULTS: An 81-year-old man with history of age-related macular degeneration was seen on routine follow-up examination with an asymptomatic PED temporal to the macula in the right eye and visual acuity of 20/40. The patient was observed. Ten months later, the patient was found to have decreased vision to 20/80 and massive enlargement of the PED, with extension from the temporal equator into the macula. Optical coherence tomography of the macula showed a PED with overlying intraretinal cysts. The patient was given injections of intravitreal bevacizumab for every 4 months (1.25 mg) with complete resolution of the PED and return to baseline visual acuity of 20/40. CONCLUSION: Giant PED secondary to exudative age-related macular degeneration can be successfully treated with intravitreal bevacizumab.