Association of Cutaneous Keloids, Hypertrophic Scarring, and Fibrosis with Risk of Postoperative Proliferative Vitreoretinopathy.

PURPOSE: To assess an association between cutaneous keloids, hypertrophic scarring, and fibrosis (KHF) and risk of postoperative proliferative vitreoretinopathy (PVR) after rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD) repair. DESIGN: Retrospective, population-based cohort study. PARTICIPANTS: Patients aged ≥ 18 years who underwent initial retinal detachment (RD) repair with pars plana vitrectomy with or without scleral buckle (SB) (Current Procedural Terminology [CPT] 67108), pneumatic retinopexy (67110), and primary SB (67107) from January 1, 2003, to March 1, 2023. METHODS: A de-identified electronic health record database through TriNetX, a global health research network, was used to analyze patients. Patients were queried for International Classification of Diseases, 10th Revision (ICD-10) codes L91.0 (hypertrophic scar) and L90.5 (scar conditions and fibrosis of skin). Frequency of subsequent diagnosis of PVR (H35.2) and CPT codes for secondary surgery including complex RD repair (67113) were determined. Patients with proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR) (ICD-10 H10.35/H11.35) were excluded. Descriptive statistics (Z-test) and propensity score matching (PSM) were used to match for age, sex, and race. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Prevalence of H35.2 and CPT 67113 within 180 days after RRD repair in the KHF cohort versus the non-KHF cohort. RESULTS: Among patients with CPT 67108, 1061 in each cohort (KHF and non-KHF) were analyzed after PSM. The mean (standard deviation) age was 60.7 (15.2) years. Within 180 days, 10.1% of patients in the KHF cohort and 3.4% in the non-KHF cohort had a diagnosis of PVR (H35.2) (P < 0.001, odds ratio [OR], 3.2; 95% confidence interval [CI], 2.13-4.71). A total of 8.3% of patients in the KHF cohort and 5.4% of patients in the non-KHF cohort underwent complex RD repair (CPT 67113) (P = 0.008; OR, 3.2; 95% CI, 1.13-2.25). When including all RD repair types (CPT 67108, 67110, 67107), the rate of PVR diagnosis was still significantly greater in the KHF cohort than in the non-KHF cohort (9.0% vs 4.2%, P < 0.01; OR, 2.28; 95% CI, 1.64-3.16). CONCLUSIONS: A dermatologic history of KHF may be a risk factor for PVR after RD repair. FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE(S): Proprietary or commercial disclosure may be found after the references.

OUTCOMES OF NONCONFLUENT DIODE LASER PANRETINAL PHOTOCOAGULATION FOR AGGRESSIVE POSTERIOR RETINOPATHY OF PREMATURITY AFTER INTRAVITREAL BEVACIZUMAB.

PURPOSE: To assess the safety and efficacy of less dense panretinal photocoagulation after intravitreal bevacizumab in aggressive posterior retinopathy of prematurity infants. METHODS: Retrospective consecutive case series of premature infants diagnosed with aggressive posterior retinopathy of prematurity between August 2012 and November 2015 who received intravitreal bevacizumab with subsequent modified indirect diode laser panretinal photocoagulation for reactivation or incomplete vascularization. Main outcome measures included postprocedural reactivation, retinal detachments, or anterior segment ischemia. RESULTS: Sixty-one eyes of 31 premature infants were identified. The average gestational age was 24 ± 2.2 weeks (range 22-27), and the average birth weight was 661.5 ± 167.1 g (range 340.0-930.5 g). The average follow-up was 3.9 ± 1.3 years (range 1.3-5.4 years). At the last follow-up, no patient had experienced postlaser reactivation, retinal detachments, anterior segment ischemia, or other laser complications. CONCLUSION: This study suggests that nonconfluent panretinal photocoagulation for aggressive posterior retinopathy of prematurity infants who have received intravitreal bevacizumab may be safe and effective. This study's strengths include a sizeable sample size, long-term follow-up of nearly 4 years, and consistency in treatment among patients by a single, experienced retinopathy of prematurity specialist.

Intrastromal bevacizumab in the management of corneal neovascularization: a retrospective review.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the long-term safety and efficacy of intrastromal bevacizumab for treatment of deep corneal neovascularization in candidates for high-risk cornea grafting. METHODS: A single-center retrospective study involving 14 eyes of 14 patients with chronic deep corneal neovascularization, treated with intrastromal bevacizumab by a single provider from 2011 to present. Intrastromal bevacizumab (0.05-0.1 mL of 2.5 mg/0.1 mL) was administered every 4-8 weeks. On average 1-3 intrastromal injections were performed prior to corneal grafting (penetrating keratoplasty or deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty). RESULTS: 64.2% patients had neurotrophic keratitis secondary to herpes zoster or simplex. Neovascularization was encroaching the visual axis in 50% and was paracentral in 42.8%. After intrastromal bevacizumab injection, 14.2% had complete regression of neovascularization, avoiding the need of future corneal transplant. Persistent neovascularization was noticed in 21.4%. Successful penetrating keratoplasty was performed in 57% of patients. Minimal adverse effects were noted; temporary epithelial defect was seen in two eyes and self-limited intrastromal hemorrhage in one. There was no evidence of recurrence of neovascularization or graft rejection in the transplant group (mean follow-up 3 years). CONCLUSION: Intrastromal bevacizumab appears to be a safe and effective modality in the treatment of chronic corneal neovascularization, producing durable regression of corneal neovascularization and allowing for durable success of subsequent corneal transplants in high-risk patients.

Post-intravitreal injection endophthalmitis secondary to Turicella otitidis: a case report.

BACKGROUND: Endophthalmitis is a rare but potentially devastating complication of intravitreal injection. The causative organism plays an important role in prognosis following endophthalmitis. Here we present the first reported case of Turicella otitidis endophthalmitis, which is notable for a delayed presentation. CASE PRESENTATION: A 71 year old male who was receiving intravitreal aflibercept injections for neovascular age-related macular degeneration presented 4 weeks after his most recent intravitreal injection and was found to have endophthalmitis. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing of aqueous fluid was positive for Turicella otitidis. The endophthalmitis responded well to treatment with intravitreal antibiotics. CONCLUSIONS: Coryneform bacteria are a rare cause of endophthalmitis, and this is the first reported case of endophthalmitis caused by the corynebacterium species Turicella otitidis. As in this case, post-intravitreal injection endophthalmitis may have a bacterial etiology even with delayed presentation. The relatively indolent disease course and excellent response to intravitreal antibiotics is consistent with previous ophthalmic reports regarding other corynebacteria, as well as with otolaryngology and hematology oncology reports addressing Turicella otitidis specifically. This case supports the growing body of evidence for pathogenicity of Turicella otitidis and demonstrates the utility of PCR for diagnosis in small volume aqueous specimens.

Short-Term Outcomes of Faricimab in Patients with Neovascular Age-Related Macular Degeneration on Prior Anti-VEGF Therapy.

PURPOSE: A subset of patients with neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD) experience treatment burden and suboptimal response with anti-VEGF therapy. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of switching to a novel, bispecific agent, faricimab, in patients with nAMD currently treated with anti-VEGF. DESIGN: Retrospective, noncomparative cohort study. SUBJECTS: Patients with nAMD previously treated with anti-VEGF and switched to intravitreal faricimab injection (IFI) at the Cleveland Clinic's Cole Eye Institute. METHODS: Switching and administration schedule of IFI was at the discretion of the clinician. Visual acuity (VA) and macular OCT parameters, including central subfield thickness (CST), maximum pigment epithelial detachment (PED) height, and presence of subretinal (SRF) or intraretinal fluid (IRF), were assessed at baseline (day of first IFI) and after each IFI. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Central subfield thickness and presence of IRF or SRF after ≥ 3 IFIs. RESULTS: One hundred twenty-six eyes of 106 patients were included in the analysis with a mean follow-up time of 24.3 ± 5.2 weeks. Before switching to IFI, patients received a mean of either aflibercept (20.0 ± 8.4, mean ± standard deviation), bevacizumab (7 ± 8.9), ranibizumab (1.9 ± 8.5), or brolucizumab (0.3 ± 1.6) injections. The most common agent used before switching to IFI was aflibercept (n = 110, 87%), and the mean treatment interval with any anti-VEGF was 5.6 ± 1.6 weeks before switching. Central subfield thickness was reduced from baseline after the first IFI (266.8 ± 64.7 vs. 249.8 ± 58.6 µm, P = 0.02) and persisted over the 3 IFIs (P = 0.01). Pigment epithelial detachment height was reduced after the third IFI (249.6 ± 179.0 vs. 206.9 ± 130.0 µm, P = 0.01). The mean VA (62.9 vs. 62.7 approximate ETDRS letters, P = 0.42) and interval between injections (6.3 vs. 5.7 weeks, P = 0.16) was similar after the third IFI compared with baseline. Eleven (8.7%) eyes were switched back to their previous anti-VEGF, including 2 (1.6%) eyes from 1 patient with intraocular inflammation requiring cessation of IFI. There were no other adverse events from switching. CONCLUSIONS: Switching to faricimab resulted in a reduction in mean CST (-11.6 µm, P = 0.01) and PED height (-44.2 µm, P = 0.01) after 3 injections, with stable VA and at a similar treatment interval to prior anti-VEGF therapy. FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE(S): Proprietary or commercial disclosure may be found in the Footnotes and Disclosures at the end of this article.

Primary ocular toxoplasmosis secondary to venison consumption.

Purpose: To describe primary ocular toxoplasmosis infection related to ingestion of undercooked venison. Observations: This single site, retrospective case series reviewed 4 patients with primary ocular toxoplasmosis that was acquired by ingesting undercooked venison. De-identified data was collected regarding baseline patient characteristics including age, sex, past medical and ocular history, onset of symptoms, visual acuity (VA), response to treatment, and workup. All patients with acquired toxoplasmosis had similar chronology of systemic and ocular symptoms. Exposure occurred in October or November and systemic symptoms developed within 2 weeks, followed by ocular symptoms an average of 2.6 months later. Average age at onset was 56 ± 13 (age ± SD) years old and all were male. Average initial and final VA were 20/50 and 20/50, respectively. Positive anti-toxoplasma IgM and IgG serologies were found in all cases. All patients were treated with trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole and achieved rapid improvement. Complications occurred in 50% of cases and included epiretinal membrane, cystoid macular edema, vitreoretinal traction, and neovascularization. Conclusions and importance: Consumption of undercooked venison is a source of primary ocular toxoplasmosis even in immunocompetent hosts and has a clear chronology. A presentation of retinochoroiditis during the winter months should prompt questioning for exposure to wild game.

Vitreoretinal lymphoma with central nervous system involvement in a patient with sarcoidosis: a case report.

PURPOSE: To describe a case of primary vitreoretinal lymphoma with central nervous system involvement in a patient with sarcoidosis. METHODS: Single, retrospective chart review. PATIENT: A 59-year-old male with sarcoidosis. RESULTS: The patient presented with a 3-year history of bilateral panuveitis thought secondary to his sarcoidosis diagnosed 11 years prior. Shortly before presentation, the patient demonstrated recurrent uveitis with a lack of response to aggressive immunosuppression therapy. At presentation, ocular exam showed significant anterior and posterior inflammation. Fluorescein angiography demonstrated hyperfluorescence of the optic nerve with late and small vessel leakage in the right eye. The patient also described a two-month history of memory and word-finding deficits. An inflammatory and infectious disease work-up was unremarkable. A brain MRI showed multiple enhancing periventricular lesions with vasogenic edema, while a lumbar puncture was negative for malignant cells. A diagnostic pars plana vitrectomy confirmed a diagnosis of large B-cell lymphoma. CONCLUSION: Sarcoidosis and vitreoretinal lymphoma are known masqueraders. Recurrent inflammation typical of sarcoid uveitis may mask a more sinister diagnosis such as vitreoretinal lymphoma. Furthermore, sarcoid uveitis treatment with corticosteroids may transiently improve symptoms but further delay a timely diagnosis of primary vitreoretinal lymphoma.

Fungal Endophthalmitis Secondary to Aspergillus terreus Exacerbated by Intravitreal Dexamethasone in a Patient With Sarcoidosis.

Purpose: To report a case of Aspergillus terreus endophthalmitis associated with systemic immunosuppression and an intraocular steroid implant in a patient with sarcoidosis. Methods: A case report was evaluated and a literature review performed. Results: A patient with a history of pulmonary and ocular sarcoidosis presented with new-onset uveitis and was treated for presumed sarcoid flare with oral prednisone and an intravitreal dexamethasone implant before developing worsening vision. She was ultimately diagnosed with A terreus endophthalmitis. Despite both systemic and local antifungals, the visual acuity at the most recent follow-up was no light perception without pain or active inflammation. No definitive source of the fungal disease had been identified. Conclusions: Endophthalmitis resulting from A terreus is associated with poor outcomes. Given the ability of fungal endophthalmitis to mimic other causes of uveitis, one must maintain a high suspicion in patients with any degree of immunosuppression.

Coats Plus Syndrome in a Premature Infant, With a Focus on Management.

Purpose: A premature infant was diagnosed with Coats plus syndrome based on a genetic evaluation showing biallelic heterozygous pathogenic CTC1 variants. Methods: A case study was performed, including findings and interventions. Results: A premature infant born 30 weeks gestational age weighing 817 g was evaluated for retinopathy of prematurity at 35 weeks corrected gestational age. An initial dilated fundus examination showed an exudative retinal detachment (RD) in the right eye and avascularity post-equatorially in the left eye with telangiectasias and aneurysmal dilations. Genetic evaluation showed biallelic heterozygous pathogenic CTC1 variants, diagnostic of Coats plus syndrome. Sequential examination under anesthesia with fluorescein showed progressive ischemia despite confluent photocoagulation. Conclusions: CTC1 gene variants manifest as Coats plus syndrome, which has a clinical appearance consistent with retinovascular ischemia, capillary remodeling, aneurysmal dilation, and exudative RD. Systemic and local corticosteroids in conjunction with peripheral laser ablation decreased vascular exudation and avoided intraocular intervention.

Evaluation and Comparison of Ophthalmic Scientific Abstracts and References by Current Artificial Intelligence Chatbots.

Importance: Language-learning model-based artificial intelligence (AI) chatbots are growing in popularity and have significant implications for both patient education and academia. Drawbacks of using AI chatbots in generating scientific abstracts and reference lists, including inaccurate content coming from hallucinations (ie, AI-generated output that deviates from its training data), have not been fully explored. Objective: To evaluate and compare the quality of ophthalmic scientific abstracts and references generated by earlier and updated versions of a popular AI chatbot. Design, Setting, and Participants: This cross-sectional comparative study used 2 versions of an AI chatbot to generate scientific abstracts and 10 references for clinical research questions across 7 ophthalmology subspecialties. The abstracts were graded by 2 authors using modified DISCERN criteria and performance evaluation scores. Main Outcome and Measures: Scores for the chatbot-generated abstracts were compared using the t test. Abstracts were also evaluated by 2 AI output detectors. A hallucination rate for unverifiable references generated by the earlier and updated versions of the chatbot was calculated and compared. Results: The mean modified AI-DISCERN scores for the chatbot-generated abstracts were 35.9 and 38.1 (maximum of 50) for the earlier and updated versions, respectively (P = .30). Using the 2 AI output detectors, the mean fake scores (with a score of 100% meaning generated by AI) for the earlier and updated chatbot-generated abstracts were 65.4% and 10.8%, respectively (P = .01), for one detector and were 69.5% and 42.7% (P = .17) for the second detector. The mean hallucination rates for nonverifiable references generated by the earlier and updated versions were 33% and 29% (P = .74). Conclusions and Relevance: Both versions of the chatbot generated average-quality abstracts. There was a high hallucination rate of generating fake references, and caution should be used when using these AI resources for health education or academic purposes.

Bacillary Layer Detachment as a Presenting Feature of Ocular Sarcoidosis.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Bacillary layer detachment (BALAD) is a recently described finding on optical coherence tomography (OCT) that has been reported in a variety of uveitic and retinal diseases. To add to the growing literature on conditions associated with this finding, we report on the first cases of BALADs in ocular sarcoidosis. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Observational, retrospective chart review of patients with BALADs as a feature of sarcoid-associated uveitis. RESULTS: Three patients presented with blurry vision and bacillary layer detachments on OCT who were either known to have or found to have sarcoid-associated uveitis. All three patients had resolution of the BALAD and improvement in visual acuity with a combination of high-dose oral steroids and/or systemic immunosuppression. CONCLUSIONS: Patients presenting with BALAD should be assessed for sarcoidosis, if appropriate, given the systemic implications of this diagnosis. [Ophthalmic Surg Lasers Imaging Retina 2023;54:686-690.].

Visual, Anatomic Outcomes, and Natural History of Retinal Nerve Fiber Layer Schisis in Patients Undergoing Epiretinal Membrane Surgery.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the anatomic and visual outcomes of patients with idiopathic epiretinal membranes (ERMs) complicated by schisis of the retinal nerve fiber layer (sRNFL) in routine clinical practice. DESIGN: Retrospective case-control study. PARTICIPANTS: Patients undergoing idiopathic ERM surgery at Cole Eye Institute from 2013 to 2021. METHODS: Patients were grouped by the presence or absence of sRNFL before surgery. Preoperative and postoperative data were collected regarding visual acuity (VA), changes in central subfield thickness (CST) over time, and presence of cystoid macular edema. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Frequency of sRNFL in patients undergoing idiopathic ERM surgery. RESULTS: Overall, 48 (53.9%) of 89 patients presented with sRNFL. Schisis of the retinal nerve fiber layer patients presented with significantly decreased VA compared with those without (58.63 ± 12.48 vs. 67.68 ± 7.84 ETDRS letters, P < 0.001, respectively). At the final follow-up after ERM removal, there was no significant difference in final VA in patients with sRNFL compared with those without (71.16 ± 2.93 vs. 74.11 ± 2.76, P = 0.467). At presentation, patients with sRNFL had greater CST than those without (454 ± 10.01 vs. 436 ± 0.23, P = 0.23). This difference persisted at the 90-day follow-up after ERM removal (402 ± 8.08 vs. 375 ± 10.19 µm, P = 0.043). The resolution of sRNFL was reported at postoperative week 1 in 30 (96.7%) of 31 cases. CONCLUSIONS: Schisis of the retinal nerve fiber layer is a microstructural feature in > 50% of idiopathic ERMs in routine clinical practice and carries visual significance on presentation and anatomic significance postoperatively. FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE(S): Proprietary or commercial disclosure may be found after the references.

Vision health perspectives on Breaking Bad: Ophthalmic sequelae of methamphetamine use disorder.

Methamphetamine use has become a rampant public health issue that not only causes devastating consequences to the user but also poses a burden to surrounding communities. A spectrum of ophthalmic sequelae is associated with methamphetamine use and includes episcleritis, scleritis, corneal ulceration, panophthalmitis, endophthalmitis, retinal vasculitis, and retinopathy. In many instances, prompt recognition of the condition and associated infectious process and early initiation of antimicrobial therapy are crucial steps to preventing vision loss. In this review, we summarize the reported ocular complications that may result from methamphetamine use in addition to several postulated mechanisms regarding the ocular toxicity of methamphetamine. The increasing prevalence of methamphetamine use as a public health threat highlights the need for continued investigation of this ophthalmologic issue.

Ocular Syphilis With Phlebitis and Paravenous Pigmentary Retinopathy.

Purpose: Ocular syphilis can present as a wide variety of clinical phenotypes, among them panuveitis with vasculitis. Primary retinal phlebitis with resulting paravenous atrophy and pigmentary retinal degeneration is a rare presentation. Methods: A 53-year-old man presented with a 1-year history of bilateral blurry vision. Physical examination demonstrated bilateral anterior chamber and vitreous cell with vitreous haze, hyperemic optic nerves, and atrophic-appearing retina. The left eye demonstrated a nasal area of perivenular vascular sheathing with adjacent retinal whitening. Ancillary testing demonstrated predominantly perivenular leakage involvement. Results: Uveitic workup was positive for syphilis and HIV. The patient was treated with antiretroviral therapy and intravenous penicillin G. He developed progressive paravenous pigmentary changes and atrophy. Conclusions: Syphilis can present with a wide variety of phenotypic manifestations and should also be considered in patients presenting with acute retinal phlebitis or paravenous atrophy in long-standing cases.

Hair Transplantation Complicated by Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus Aureus Sepsis and Endogenous Endophthalmitis.

PURPOSE: To describe a case of endogenous endophthalmitis as a complication from hair transplantation. METHODS: Case report of a 53-year-old male with history of recent hair transplantation. RESULTS: The patient presented with a febrile illness and blurry vision one week after hair transplantation. Infectious workup included blood cultures positive for Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus and he was treated with intravenous antibiotics. Initial ocular exam demonstrated 20/30 and hand motions in the right and left eyes, respectively, with significant vitritis. He underwent vitreous tap and injections of vancomycin and dexamethasone in both eyes and removal of purulent staple from site of recently transplanted hair. His ocular and systemic symptoms improved. Approximately 3 months after initial clearing of the initial infection he had recurrence of bacteremia that prompted repeat intravitreal and systemic antibiotics. His vision returned to baseline with mild residual optic nerve pallor and atrophic retinal changes in the left eye. CONCLUSION: Hair transplantation is associated with minimal systemic complications, but in rare cases, sepsis is possible and can result in intraocular seeding causing endophthalmitis. MRSA endogenous endophthalmitis frequently results in negative vitreous taps and treatment outcomes in the literature have been shown to vary widely including a return to baseline vision as in the described case.