Clinical Usefulness of the Revised International Workshop for Ocular Sarcoidosis Criteria in Korean Patients

Purpose@#To compare differences between the original criteria for diagnosis of ocular sarcoidosis (OS) (first International Workshop for OS [IWOS] 2009) and the revised criteria (sixth IWOS 2017), and their clinical usefulness when assessing OS in Korean patients. @*Methods@#We analyzed patients with suspected OS who visited our tertiary referral ophthalmological and pulmonary clinic from 2007 to 2018. We diagnosed patients using both sets of criteria. Blood test and biopsy data (collected by physicians) and slit-lamp, fundus, and fluorescein angiography data (collected by ophthalmologists) were reviewed. @*Results@#Thirty-four patients were diagnosed using both criteria. Of 32 patients who underwent biopsies, 31 had OS (96.87%). Using either set of criteria, 31 patients were diagnosed with definite OS and two with presumed OS. One patient diagnosed with possible OS using the previous criteria was diagnosed with presumed OS using the revised criteria. The new criteria add the lysozyme level, the CD4/CD8 ratio, and positron emission tomography imaging data to the old criteria and add the descriptors “presumed OS” and “probable OS”. There is no need to use the revised criteria in Korea; the biopsy and imaging data are adequately diagnostic. @*Conclusions@#IWOS revised the OS diagnostic criteria by adding new parameters. However, this was unnecessary for Korea, where the biopsy and imaging data are adequately diagnostic.

Clinical Usefulness of the Revised International Workshop for Ocular Sarcoidosis Criteria in Korean Patients

Purpose@#To compare differences between the original criteria for diagnosis of ocular sarcoidosis (OS) (first International Workshop for OS [IWOS] 2009) and the revised criteria (sixth IWOS 2017), and their clinical usefulness when assessing OS in Korean patients. @*Methods@#We analyzed patients with suspected OS who visited our tertiary referral ophthalmological and pulmonary clinic from 2007 to 2018. We diagnosed patients using both sets of criteria. Blood test and biopsy data (collected by physicians) and slit-lamp, fundus, and fluorescein angiography data (collected by ophthalmologists) were reviewed. @*Results@#Thirty-four patients were diagnosed using both criteria. Of 32 patients who underwent biopsies, 31 had OS (96.87%). Using either set of criteria, 31 patients were diagnosed with definite OS and two with presumed OS. One patient diagnosed with possible OS using the previous criteria was diagnosed with presumed OS using the revised criteria. The new criteria add the lysozyme level, the CD4/CD8 ratio, and positron emission tomography imaging data to the old criteria and add the descriptors “presumed OS” and “probable OS”. There is no need to use the revised criteria in Korea; the biopsy and imaging data are adequately diagnostic. @*Conclusions@#IWOS revised the OS diagnostic criteria by adding new parameters. However, this was unnecessary for Korea, where the biopsy and imaging data are adequately diagnostic.

Short-term Effect of Gamma Knife Radiosurgery for a Choroidal Tumor

Purpose@#To evaluate the effectiveness and safety of treating choroidal melanoma and cancer that has metastasized to the choroid with gamma knife radiosurgery (GKR). @*Methods@#We performed a retrospective chart review that included 10 eyes of eight patients with a diagnosis of choroidal tumors who underwent GKR between January 2016 and February 2019 and who had at least one month follow-up visit. @*Results@#The mean patient age was 57.9 ± 14.6 years (range, 32-83 years). The choroidal tumor group included six choroidal metastases and four choroidal melanomas. The mean follow-up period after GKR was 7.0 ± 4.3 months (range, 2-13 months). The mean cumulative marginal dose was 25.36 ± 7.35 Gy (range, 16-45 Gy). Pre- and postoperative magnetic resonance imaging revealed a reduction in tumor volume in eight of the 10 eyes and five of them presented with improved visual symptoms. One patient showed increased tumor volume; however, a new choroidal lesion was not observed. Another patient showed no reduction in tumor size; however, the pain had worsened, and the eye was enucleated. The mean maximum tumor diameter decreased from 1.60 ± 0.37 cm before to 1.22 ± 0.47 cm after GKR (p = 0.004), and the mean minimum diameter decreased from 0.62 ± 0.27 cm before to 0.38 ± 0.35 cm after GKR (p = 0.031). No radiation-induced optic neuropathy, retinopathy, or cataracts was observed in any of the cases during the follow-up period. @*Conclusions@#GKR was shown to be safe for choroidal lesions identified in orbital magnetic resonance imaging with a reduction in the size of choroidal tumors and eyeball preservation expected with this treatment approach.

Short-term Effect of Gamma Knife Radiosurgery for a Choroidal Tumor

Purpose@#To evaluate the effectiveness and safety of treating choroidal melanoma and cancer that has metastasized to the choroid with gamma knife radiosurgery (GKR). @*Methods@#We performed a retrospective chart review that included 10 eyes of eight patients with a diagnosis of choroidal tumors who underwent GKR between January 2016 and February 2019 and who had at least one month follow-up visit. @*Results@#The mean patient age was 57.9 ± 14.6 years (range, 32-83 years). The choroidal tumor group included six choroidal metastases and four choroidal melanomas. The mean follow-up period after GKR was 7.0 ± 4.3 months (range, 2-13 months). The mean cumulative marginal dose was 25.36 ± 7.35 Gy (range, 16-45 Gy). Pre- and postoperative magnetic resonance imaging revealed a reduction in tumor volume in eight of the 10 eyes and five of them presented with improved visual symptoms. One patient showed increased tumor volume; however, a new choroidal lesion was not observed. Another patient showed no reduction in tumor size; however, the pain had worsened, and the eye was enucleated. The mean maximum tumor diameter decreased from 1.60 ± 0.37 cm before to 1.22 ± 0.47 cm after GKR (p = 0.004), and the mean minimum diameter decreased from 0.62 ± 0.27 cm before to 0.38 ± 0.35 cm after GKR (p = 0.031). No radiation-induced optic neuropathy, retinopathy, or cataracts was observed in any of the cases during the follow-up period. @*Conclusions@#GKR was shown to be safe for choroidal lesions identified in orbital magnetic resonance imaging with a reduction in the size of choroidal tumors and eyeball preservation expected with this treatment approach.

Macular Microvasculature in High Myopia without Pathologic Changes: An Optical Coherence Tomography Angiography Study

Purpose@#To investigate macular microvasculature changes using optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) and analyze their correlation with the structural parameters in highly myopic eyes. @*Methods@#We measured the area of the foveal avascular zone (FAZ) and the parafoveal vessel density in the superficial and deep retinal plexuses using OCTA. The magnification effect of the FAZ area was corrected using Bennett's formula. Retinal thickness measured at each corresponding area of the OCTA parameters, subfoveal choroidal thickness, and ocular characteristics were reviewed, and the relationships between the microvasculature measurements and the ocular structural characteristics were explored. @*Results@#Fifty-two eyes with high myopia and 52 normal sex- and age-matched controls were included in the analysis. The FAZ area was significantly larger in the myopic eyes (p = 0.023). The superficial parafoveal vascular density was significantly decreased (p= 0.007) in the myopic eyes compared with the normal eyes, whereas there was no significant difference in the deep parafoveal vascular density (p = 0.226). Regarding the retinal thickness, only the parafoveal inner retinal thickness was significantly smaller in the myopic eyes than in the normal eyes (p = 0.023). The FAZ and subfoveal choroidal thickness were significantly correlated with the axial length, and the parafoveal inner retinal thickness was significantly correlated with the superficial parafoveal vascular density (all p < 0.05). @*Conclusions@#The FAZ was enlarged and the parafoveal vascular density was reduced in the highly myopic eyes. The decrease was prominent in the superficial capillary plexuses and well-correlated with the retinal thickness profiles. The macular microvascular network alteration may be attributed to the ocular axial elongation that occurs with myopia.

Intravitreal Anti-vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Injections to Treat Neovascular Age-related Macular Degeneration: Long-term Treatment Outcomes

PURPOSE: We assessed the visual and anatomical outcomes, and the safety profile of long-term intravitreal anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) injections (aflibercept, ranibizumab, and bevacizumab) given to treat neovascular age-related macular degeneration (NAMD). METHODS: We analyzed medical records collected over 7 years of treatment-naive NAMD patients who received outpatient clinic-based intravitreal anti-VEGF injections. All were treated employing either “treat-and-extend” or “as needed” protocols at the discretion of the retinal specialist. The number of injections, adverse events associated with injection, and measures of visual acuity (VA), central foveal thickness (CFT), and intraocular pressure (IOP) were recorded. RESULTS: Overall, we assessed 196 eyes of 196 patients (average age 68.6 ± 9.6 years; 77 females). Patients received an average of 17.3 ± 13.5 injections over 78.0 ± 16.5 months of clinical follow-up. The initial mean VA (logMAR) was 0.75 ± 0.58 and the CFT was 349.7 ± 152.6 µm. Both parameters exhibited maximal improvements at the 6-month visit (p < 0.05). However, the clinical outcomes worsened over the 7-year clinical course; the best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) was 0.91 ± 0.78 and the CFT was 284.5 ± 105.8 µm at 7 years. The BCVA at 7 years was significantly correlated with the initial BCVA. IOP-related events increased 11-fold and anterior chamber reactions increased 3-fold over the years, but no significant complications such as endophthalmitis were recorded. CONCLUSIONS: The use of intravitreal anti-VEGF agents was associated with initial visual improvements over 6 months but did not prevent the worsening of NAMD over 5 years. The BCVA at the initial visit was a strong predictor of the final BCVA. A more intensive injection schedule might improve long-term outcomes.

Influence of Vitrectomy-related Factors on the Outcome of Ahmed Glaucoma Valve Implantation

PURPOSE: To evaluate the outcome of Ahmed glaucoma valve (AGV) implantation in eyes with refractory secondary glaucoma following pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) and the associated prognostic factors. METHODS: A total of 146 eyes in 146 patients who underwent AGV implantation after PPV (followed up for ≥1 year) were included. AGV implantation was considered successful when the intraocular pressure (IOP) was 6 to 21 mmHg regardless of using IOP-lowering medication. The hazard ratios (HRs) associated with surgical failure were determined with Cox proportional analysis. RESULTS: The most common cause for PPV was complications of proliferative diabetic retinopathy (50%). The mean and peak IOPs between PPV and AGV implantation were 26.9 ± 6.6 and 35.9 ± 10.2 mmHg, respectively. AGV implantation was performed on average 18.7 months after PPV, and its overall success rate was 80.1% during a mean follow-up period of 43.6 months. In multivariate analyses, rubeosis observed before AGV implantation (HR, 4.07; 95% confidence interval, 1.57 to 10.6; p = 0.004) and higher peak IOP before AGV (HR, 1.04; 95% confidence interval, 1.00 to 1.07; p = 0.034) were predictive of failure. However, no PPV-related factors were associated with the surgical outcome of AGV implantation. CONCLUSIONS: The outcome of AGV implantation is good in refractory glaucoma following PPV. Rubeosis after PPV and higher peak IOP before AGV are risk factors for poor outcomes. Patients who undergo PPV should be followed for the development of rubeosis and IOP control.

Uveoretinal Adverse Effects Presented during Systemic Anticancer Chemotherapy: a 10-Year Single Center Experience

BACKGROUND: The present study describes our 10-year experience with uveoretinal adverse events that manifest because of chemotherapy. METHODS: A retrospective chart review was performed for all patients who presented to the ophthalmologic department while undergoing systemic chemotherapy between July 2005 and June 2015. RESULTS: A total of 55 patients (mean age, 51.2 years, 38 women [69.1%]) suspected of having uveoretinal disease owing to the use of chemotherapeutic agents alone were enrolled. Breast cancer was the predominant disease (36.4%); noninfectious anterior uveitis (21.8%) was the most common condition. Bilateral involvement was observed in 16 patients (29.1%). Although cisplatin (21.8%) was the most commonly used drug, daunorubicin, cytarabine, tamoxifen, toremifene, and imatinib were also frequently used. The median duration until ophthalmologic diagnosis was 208.5 days (range, 19–5,945 days). The proportion of patients with final visual acuity (VA) < 20/40 Snellen VA (0.5 decimal VA) was 32.7%. However, no relationship was observed between final VA < 20/40 and age, sex, therapeutic agents, and metastasis. CONCLUSION: Uveoretinal complications were mostly mild to moderate and exhibited a favorable response to conservative therapy. A considerable number of patients exhibited significant irreversible loss of vision after cessation of the causative chemotherapeutic agent. Ophthalmological monitoring is required during chemotherapy.

A Case of Spontaneous Closure of Macular Hole in Infectious Posterior Uveitis Involving the Fovea

PURPOSE: To report a case of macular hole secondary to presumptive infectious posterior uveitis involving the fovea that spontaneously resolved after medical treatment. CASE SUMMARY: A 33-year-old male visited our clinic for decreased visual acuity in his left eye. He was treated with immunosuppressive therapy including steroid after bone marrow transplantation. Best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) was 0.05 in the left eye. Slit lamp examination showed mild anterior vitritis, and fundus examination showed a macular hole with surrounding whitish infiltration at the fovea. Spectral domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) revealed a full thickness macular hole with surrounding hyper-reflective masses with an infiltration-like appearance involving all retinal layers. Serum anti-toxocara IgG was positive (ELISA), and eosinophil count and immunoglobulin E was elevated. Under diagnosis of presumptive ocular toxocariasis, the patient was treated with albendazole. After medical treatment for toxocariasis, the whitish foveal infiltration became smaller and more discrete. SD-OCT revealed spontaneous closure of the macular hole, and BCVA was improved to 0.4 after a 4-month follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: We report a macular hole complicated by presumptive infectious posterior uveitis that experienced spontaneous closure after medical treatment for underlying infection.

Development and Progression of Diabetic Retinopathy and Associated Risk Factors in Korean Patients with Type 2 Diabetes: The Experience of a Tertiary Center

The aim of this study was to evaluate the incidence of and risk factors for the development of diabetic retinopathy (DR) and progression to proliferative DR (PDR) in Korean patients. Patients diagnosed with type 2 diabetes and followed for more than 5 years at a university-based clinic since 2000 were consecutively enrolled in this retrospective cohort study. Based on the DR classification at the initial and final visits, the incidence and progression of DR was determined and patient characteristics were compared according to DR progression. Hazard ratios of each putative risk factor for DR progression were calculated with a multivariate Cox proportional hazard model. Rate of DR development and progression to PDR were 32.1/1,000 and 26.2/1,000 person-years, respectively. A longer duration of diabetes and higher mean HbA1c level were significant risk factors for the development of DR. Regarding progression to PDR, higher mean HbA1c level, higher standard deviation of HbA1c, and higher urine albumin-to-creatinine ratio were significant risk factors. The rates of development of DR and progression to PDR in Koreans with type 2 diabetes are lower than those reported over the last decade. An inadequate blood glycemic control is the common risk factor for development and progression of DR.

Clinical Characteristics of Intraocular Foreign Body and Analysis of Prognostic Factors

PURPOSE: To investigate clinical characteristics of post-traumatic intraocular foreign body (IOFB), which occurred between 2006 and 2010, and prognostic factors associated with final visual outcome. METHODS: A retrospective chart review was performed of patients with IOFB who visited our clinic from January 1, 2006 to December 31, 2010, and who were followed up for more than 6 months. Cross tabulation and correlation analyses were conducted to evaluate the predictive factors related to final visual acuity. RESULTS: A total of 36 eyes (35 patients) were included in this study. The mean age was 44.2 years, and 33 patients (94.3%) were male. The most common cause of IOFB was lawnmower-related activity (12 patients; 33.3%) and hammering-related activity (11 patients; 30.1%). Among analyzed prognostic factors, only initial visual acuity was significantly correlated with visual outcomes (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Compared with previous studies, lawnmower and hammering-related activities were still the most common causes of IOFB, however, the incidence of occurrence in the 40's and 50's was relatively higher than in previous studies. Considering the poor visual outcome of IOFB even after proper surgical treatment, using proper eye protection should be emphasized in a dangerous work environment to prevent ocular trauma.

Eye and Rheumatic Disease

Rheumatic disorders commonly affect the sclera, cornea, retina, and orbit. These disorders range from relatively mild ocular surface problems to a serious threat for the visual sight. The most common ocular manifestations of rheumatic diseases include keratoconjunctivitis sicca, anterior uveitis, and scleritis. The most common entities to causing anterior uveitis and scleritis are seronegative spondyloarthropathies associated with human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-B27 and rheumatoid arthritis, respectively. Patients who developed bilateral or recurrent uveitis, or who have involvement of posterior ocular structures are more likely to have underlying systemic inflammatory diseases. The most significant side effects of the drugs used to treat rheumatic diseases are the maculopathy-associated with anti-malarial agents and cataracts and glaucoma associated with corticosteroid use. Close collaborations between ophthalmologists and rheumatologists are necessary for optimal treatments and the prevention of complications. Understanding the range and patterns of ocular manifestations of rheumatic diseases can provide valuable suggestions for the most suitable diagnosis and optimal management for these patients.

Structural Recovery of the Detached Macula after Retinal Detachment Repair as Assessed by Optical Coherence Tomography

PURPOSE: To investigate correlations between preoperative and postoperative foveal microstructures in patients with macula-off rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD). METHODS: We reviewed the records of 31 eyes from 31 patients with macula-off RRD who had undergone successful re-attachment surgery. We analyzed data obtained from complete ophthalmologic examinations and optical coherence tomography (OCT) before and 9 to 12 months after surgery. All postoperative OCT measurements were taken with spectral-domain OCT, but a subset of preoperative OCT measurements were taken with time-domain OCT. RESULTS: The mean duration of macular detachment was 15.5 +/- 15.2 days, and mean preoperative best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA, logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution) was 1.03 +/- 0.68. Preoperative visual acuity was correlated with retinal detachment height (p < 0.001) and the existence of intraretinal separation (IRS) along with outer layer undulation (OLU) (p = 0.022), but not with macula-off duration. The final BCVA was significantly correlated with integrity of the junction between the photoreceptor inner and outer segments (IS/OS) combined with the continuity of external limiting membrane (ELM) (p = 0.025). The presence of IRS and OLU on a detached macula were highly correlated with the final postoperative integrity of the IS/OS junction and the ELM (p = 0.017). CONCLUSIONS: Eyes preoperatively exhibiting IRS and OLU showed a higher incidence of disruption to the photoreceptor IS/OS junction and the ELM at final follow-up. Such a close correlation between preoperative and postoperative structural changes may explain why ultimate visual recovery in such eyes is poor.

Clinical Outcome of in-the-Bag Single-Piece Aspheric Intraocular Lens Implantation after Microincision Cataract Surgery

PURPOSE: To evaluate the stability and optical performance of the newly developed single-piece aspheric intraocular lens (IOL) by comparing the clinical outcome of the aspheric IOL with the new optic profile design (HOYA iSert, HOYA iMics) and the aspheric IOL (Akreos MI60), which has been proven effective and safe. METHODS: iSert, iMics, and MI60 were inserted into 55 eyes, 60 eyes, and 50 eyes, respectively, after microincision phacoemulsification cataract surgery. Best corrected visual acuity (BCVA), refraction in spherical equivalent, anterior chamber depth (ACD), total higher order aberration (HOA), contrast sensitivity, and surgically induced astigmatism (SIA) were measured and each IOL was evaluated on the functional stability, anterior-posterior stability, centration in the capsular bag, and quality of vision. RESULTS: No statistical differences in preoperative and postoperative BCVA among the 3 IOL groups were observed, however, MI60 showed significant myopic shift postoperatively. Anterior-posterior stability assessed with postoperative change in refractive error and ACD was slightly lower in the MI60 group. In terms of vision quality, while total aberration, total HOA, coma aberration, and contrast sensitivity for the 3 IOLs were not different significantly, spherical aberration of the MI60 group was higher than the other groups at 6 months postoperative. SIA was significantly increased in eyes implanted with iSert than in eyes with iMics or MI60 at 1 month postoperatively, however, the differences were no longer evident after 3 months postoperatively. CONCLUSIONS: The new aspheric IOLs, iSert and iMics, showed good stability and visual outcome equal to MI60 at the 6-month postoperative follow-up.

Correlation Between Central Corneal Thickness and Glaucomatous Damage

PURPOSE: To evaluate the correlations between central corneal thickness (CCT) and optic disc and retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) parameters determined by spectral domain optical coherence tomography (SD OCT) and visual field (VF) global indices. METHODS: The present study included 151 eyes diagnosed with open-angle glaucoma (OAG) and 135 glaucoma suspect (GS) eyes. The CCT, RNFL thickness, optic disc parameters, and VF global indices were measured. The relationships between CCT and RNFL thickness, optic disc parameters, and VF global indices were assessed by linear regression analysis. RESULTS: Intraocular pressure (IOP, p < 0.001) and VF mean deviation (p = 0.005) in all participants, age (p = 0.017) and IOP (p = 0.003) in the GS group, and IOP (p = 0.002) and inferior RNFL thickness (p = 0.017) in the OAG group were significantly associated with CCT. Among the optic disc parameters, rim area, average cup/disc ratio, and vertical cup/disc ratio were significantly associated with CCT in all participants in the univariate but not multivariate analysis. CONCLUSIONS: Optic disc parameters obtained by SD OCT were not correlated with CCT in the OAG or GS group, while RNFL thickness and VF mean deviation showed associations.

Visual Function and Patient Satisfaction in Pseudophakic Monovision

PURPOSE: To evaluate visual performance as well as patient satisfaction and to explore factors associated with clinical outcomes in pseudophakic monovision acquired after bilateral phacoemulsification and sequential monofocal intraocular lens (IOL) implantation. METHODS: The present retrospective study examined patients with pseudophakic monovision. Preoperative and postoperative binocular uncorrected distant visual acuity (UCDVA), uncorrected near visual acuity (UCNVA), refractive errors and postoperative near stereopsis were measured. Postoperative measurements were obtained at least 6 months after the fellow eye surgery. Patient satisfaction and independence from glasses were evaluated using a questionnaire. RESULTS: Preoperative and postoperative binocular UCDVA, UCNVA, and differences in spherical equivalent refractive error were statistically significant. Postoperative near stereopsis was 107.1 arcsec. Questionnaire responses showed that 71.4% of patients were less dependent on glasses and 85.7% were satisfied with the postoperative visual performance. Various designs of monovision, such as crossed monovision or customized minimonovision with moderate myopic defocus showed the same level of patient satisfaction. Patients who were older than 60 years or had poorer preoperative binocular UCDVA showed higher satisfaction. CONCLUSIONS: Pseudophakic monovision is an effective approach for managing loss of accommodation after cataract surgery, especially in patients older than 60 years.