Comparison of Optical Coherence Tomography Biomarkers between Bevacizumab Good Responders and Nonresponders Who were Switched to Dexamethasone Implant in Diabetic Macular Edema

Purpose@#To compare volumetric optical coherence tomography (OCT) biomarkers in bevacizumab responsive and bevacizumab refractory diabetic macular edema (DME) patients switched to the dexamethasone implant to ultimately identify possible prognostic indicators. @*Methods@#Retrospective analysis of DME patients treated with bevacizumab were done. Patients were divided into those who showed response to bevacizumab (bevacizumab only group) and others who were switched to the dexamethasone implant due to lack of response to bevacizumab (switching group). Volumetric OCT biomarkers such as central macular thickness (CMT), inner and outer cystoid macular edema (CME) volume, serous retinal detachment (SRD) volume, retinal volume (CME + SRD volume) within the 6-mm Early Treatment of Diabetic Retinopathy Study circle were calculated. OCT biomarkers were followed up throughout treatment. @*Results@#Among total of 144 eyes, 113 patients were included in the bevacizumab only group and 31 patients were included in the switching group. Compared to the bevacizumab only group, the switching group showed higher baseline CMT (558.00 ± 209.60 µm vs. 454.96 ± 125.88 µm, p = 0.003), larger inner CME (6.02 ± 1.43 mm3 vs. 5.12 ± 0.87 mm3, p = 0.004) and SRD volume (0.32 ± 0.40 mm3 vs. 0.11 ± 0.09 mm3, p = 0.015) and higher proportion of patients with SRD (58.06% vs. 31.86%, p = 0.008). In the switching group, CMT, inner CME and SRD volume all showed significant reduction after switching to the dexamethasone implant. @*Conclusions@#DME with large SRD and inner nuclear layer edema volume may be more effectively treated with the dexamethasone implant than bevacizumab.

Assessment of Risk Factors Affecting Refractive Outcomes after Phacovitrectomy for Epiretinal Membrane

Purpose@#To investigate factors associated with refractive outcomes after phacovitrectomy for epiretinal membrane (ERM). @*Methods@#Retrospective review of patients undergoing phacovitrectomy for ERM was done. The main outcome measure was predictive refraction error (PE), defined as observed refraction error – target refraction error, calculated by the SRK/T, Haigis, and SRK II formulae. PE was measured at postoperative 1, 3, and 6 months. Simple and multiple linear regression analysis were used to evaluate factors associated with PE. @*Results@#A total of 53 eyes of 53 patients were included. The mean PEs at postoperative 1, 3, and 6 months were all negative, implying myopic shift in all patients regardless of the intraocular lens formula used. Haigis formula showed the least myopic shift among the three formulae (p = 0.001, Friedman test). There was no significant difference in PE depending on preoperative central macular thickness (CMT) in subgroup analysis. On stepwise multiple linear regression analysis, ERM etiology (β = 0.759, p = 0.004, SRK/T formula; β = 0.733, p = 0.008, Haigis formula; β = 0.933, p < 0.001, SRK II formula), preoperative anterior chamber depth (β = –0.662, p = 0.013, Haigis formula; β = –0.747, p = 0.003, SRK II formula), and decrease of CMT (β = –0.003, p = 0.025, SRK/T formula) were significantly associated with PE at postoperative 6 months. @*Conclusions@#Myopic shift in PE was observed after combined phacovitrectomy for epiretinal membrane. ERM etiology, preoperative anterior chamber depth, and decrease of CMT were significantly associated with PE at postoperative 6 months. There was no difference in PE after surgery between the two groups defined by CMT (≥500 and <500 μm).

2023 Clinical Practice Guidelines for Diabetes Mellitus of the Korean Diabetes Association

In May 2023, the Committee of Clinical Practice Guidelines of the Korean Diabetes Association published the revised clinical practice guidelines for Korean adults with diabetes and prediabetes. We incorporated the latest clinical research findings through a comprehensive systematic literature review and applied them in a manner suitable for the Korean population. These guidelines are designed for all healthcare providers nationwide, including physicians, diabetes experts, and certified diabetes educators who manage patients with diabetes or individuals at risk of developing diabetes. Based on recent changes in international guidelines and the results of a Korean epidemiological study, the recommended age for diabetes screening has been lowered. In collaboration with the relevant Korean medical societies, recently revised guidelines for managing hypertension and dyslipidemia in patients with diabetes have been incorporated into this guideline. An abridgment containing practical information on patient education and systematic management in the clinic was published separately.

Efficacy of Gaze Photographs in Diagnosing Ocular Myasthenia Gravis

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The various tests that are routinely used to diagnose generalized myasthenia gravis, such as the edrophonium test, serum anti-acetylcholine-receptor antibodies (AChR-Ab), and repetitive nerve stimulation (RNS) tests, have lower diagnostic sensitivity in ocular myasthenia gravis (OMG). Diagnosing OMG becomes even more difficult when the clinical symptoms are subtle. There is no gold-standard diagnostic test available for OMG patients, and so this study compared the diagnostic sensitivity of gaze photographs with conventional tests in OMG. METHODS: Records of gaze photographs were available for 25 of 31 consecutive patients diagnosed with OMG. Each patient underwent a neuro-ophthalmologic examination, serum AChR-Ab, RNS, edrophonium test, ice tests, and the acquisition of gaze photographs. The margin reflex distance 1 (MRD1) was measured on each of the gaze photographs, with MRD1 < 2 mm or an interlid MRD1 difference of ≥2 mm on any of the gaze photographs defined as a positive sign of OMG. The diagnostic sensitivities of the tests were assessed. RESULTS: The mean age at onset was 38.5 years (range, 2–76 years), and 13 patients (52%) were men. The diagnostic sensitivities of the RNS test, AChR-Ab test, gaze photographs, and ice test were 56%, 64%, 80%, and 73%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The diagnostic sensitivity was higher for gaze photographs than for the other tests applied to OMG patients.

Epiretinal Membrane: Prevalence and Risk Factors from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 2008 through 2012

PURPOSE: To investigate the prevalence and risk factors for an epiretinal membrane (ERM) in Korean population. METHODS: Using the database of the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey from 2008 through 2012, 14,772 participants 40 years of age or older with gradable fundus photographs were included. The presence of ERM was determined by using fundus photographs. The prevalence of ERM was estimated and possible risk factors including systemic factors, nutritional status, and blood tests were analyzed via multiple logistic regression analyses. RESULTS: The prevalence of ERM was 2.9% (95% confidence interval [CI], 2.6% to 3.3%). On multiple logistic regression analysis, the prevalence of ERM was affected by age. The odds ratios (ORs) against the forties were 2.70, 5.48, and 5.69 in the fifties, sixties, and seventies, respectively. ERM was also significantly affected by cataract surgery (OR, 2.82; 95% CI, 2.08 to 3.81) and by the increase in intake of 100-mg calcium (OR, 1.05; 95% CI, 1.00 to 1.11). ERM had negative associations with red blood cell count (OR, 0.66; 95% CI, 0.45 to 0.95). CONCLUSIONS: The estimated nation-wide prevalence of ERM in Korea is 2.9%. The presence of ERM in the general population is associated with age, cataract surgery, increased dietary calcium, and a low red blood cell count.

Anterior Diabetic Retinopathy Studied by Ultra-widefield Angiography

PURPOSE: To evaluate the prevalence of anterior type diabetic retinopathy (DR) using ultra-widefield fluorescein angiography and to identify the factors associated with anterior type DR incidence. METHODS: A retrospective case review was used in this study. Patients with non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy (NPDR) underwent examination by ultra-widefield fluorescein angiography, and were classified into anterior, posterior, or diffuse DR groups. Anterior DR was defined if diabetic retinal changes were noted only at the location anterior to the imaginary circle bordered by the Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study seven-standard fields. Correlations between demographic data, as well as systemic and ocular factors, and the incidence of NPDR types were evaluated. RESULTS: Among the 234 eyes of 234 patients with NPDR, 25 eyes (10.7%) demonstrated anterior DR. Anterior DR was observed in 10 eyes (30.3%) of patients having mild NPDR, three eyes (4.8%) of moderate NPDR patients, and in 12 eyes (7.1%) of severe NPDR patients (p < 0.001). The incidence of anterior DR positively correlated with lower hemoglobin A1c levels and with greater high-density lipoprotein levels following multiple logistic regression analysis (p < 0.001). The mean hemoglobin A1c level was 7.03 ± 0.99% in anterior DR, 7.99 ± 1.74% in posterior DR, and 7.94 ± 1.39% in diffuse DR patients (p = 0.003). The mean high-density lipoprotein level was 51.2 ± 12.5 mg/dL in anterior, 49.7 ± 15.2 mg/dL in posterior, and 45.2 ± 13.1 mg/dL in diffuse DR patients (p = 0.010). CONCLUSIONS: Diabetic retinal changes confined to an anterior location were more frequently noted in earlier stages of NPDR. The incidence of DR sparing posterior retinal involvement was related to favorable blood sugar and lipid profiles.

Bilateral Macula-involving Metastatic Infection Resulting from Septic Embolization

No abstract available.

Bilateral Sequential Optic Neuritis in Behcet's Syndrome

No abstract available.

Acute Central Retinal Artery Occlusion Associated with Livedoid Vasculopathy: A Variant of Sneddon's Syndrome

Livedoid vasculopathy (LV) is characterized by a long history of ulceration of the feet and legs and histopathology indicating a thrombotic process. We report a case of acute central retinal artery occlusion in a 32-year-old woman who had LV. She showed no discernible laboratory abnormalities such as antiphospholipid antibodies and no history of cerebrovascular accidents. Attempted intra-arterial thrombolysis showed no effect in restoring retinal arterial perfusion or vision. The central retinal artery occlusion accompanied by LV in this case could be regarded as a variant form of Sneddon's syndrome, which is characterized by livedo reticularis and cerebrovascular accidents.

Anti-VEGF-refractory Exudative Age-related Macular Degeneration: Differential Response According to Features on Optical Coherence Tomography

PURPOSE: To describe optical coherence tomography (OCT) characteristics of neovascular age-related macular degeneration (AMD) patients refractory to intravitreal anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) injections (ranibizumab, bevacizumab) and their responses to alternative anti-VEGF agents or photodynamic therapy (PDT). METHODS: A retrospective review of 267 neovascular AMD patients treated with intravitreal anti-VEGF injections. RESULTS: Twenty patients (7.5%) were refractory to anti-VEGF injections (stationary or increased retinal exudation despite three or more monthly injections). They were grouped into either the extensive intraretinal fluid group (IRF group, 9 patients) or the subretinal fluid only group (SRF group, 11 patients) according to OCT findings. In the IRF group, response rates to subsequent treatment were 0% (0 / 7) for bevacizumab, 50% (3 / 6) for ranibizumab and 50% (3 / 6) for PDT +/- anti-VEGF. Three out of four bevacizumab-refractory patients showed response to ranibizumab as a secondary treatment. In the SRF group, response rates were lower with 0% (0 / 7) for bevacizumab, 22.2% (2 / 9) for ranibizumab and 28.6% (2 / 7) for PDT +/- anti-VEGF. One out of four bevacizumab-refractory patients responded to ranibizumab. The visual outcome was worse in the IRF group (median 20 / 1,000) than in the SRF group (median 20 / 100). CONCLUSIONS: In anti-VEGF-refractory neovascular AMD, patients with extensive IRF refractory to bevacizumab can be responsive to ranibizumab while patients with SRF may be refractory to both, suggesting a different pathophysiology and intraocular pharmacokinetics.

Ophthalmic Artery Aneurysm: Potential Culprit of Central Retinal Artery Occlusion

Central retinal artery occlusion (CRAO) is one of the most devastating ophthalmic emergencies, causing acute painless visual loss in the affected eye. We describe the first case of acute non-arteritic CRAO associated with peripheral ophthalmic artery aneurysm and its clinical course after intra-arterial thrombolysis therapy. This case suggests that ophthalmic artery aneurysm can be the cause of CRAO and should be included in the differential diagnosis of CRAO.

Presumed Necrotizing Viral Retinitis after Intravitreal Triamcinolone Injection: Case Report

A 56-year-old man presented with anterior chamber inflammation, increased intraocular pressure, peripheral retinal infiltration, and generalized retinal arterial obstruction suggesting acute retinal necrosis five months after intravitreal triamcinolone acetonide injection (IVTA). He was treated with intravenous antiviral agents and aspirin. Shortly after treatment, retinal infiltrations were resolved, and partial recanalization of the obstructed vessel was observed. Viral retinitis may occur as an opportunistic infection following IVTA due to the local immune modulatory effect of the steroid; hence, close observation following IVTA is necessary.

Vortex Keratopathy in a Patient Receiving Vandetanib for Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer

We report a case of vortex keratopathy in a patient treated with vandetanib for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). A 44-year-old female who underwent two cycles of chemotherapy for NSCLC complained of visual blurring in both eyes after the initiation of vandetanib, an anti-epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and anti-vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2 protein tyrosine kinase inhibitor. On ophthalmic examination, visual acuities were 20 / 20 OU and, with the exception of diffuse vortex keratopathy in both eyes, other findings were unremarkable. Vandetanib is believed to have caused vortex keratopathy in this patient. Anti-EGFR properties affecting normal corneal epithelial cell migration and wound healing or drug associated metabolite deposition, which is the case in numerous drug-associated vortex keratopathies, may be possible underlying mechanisms in the formation of this corneal complication.