Short-term Efficacy and Safety of Intravitreal Brolucizumab Injection for Treatment-Naive Exudate Age-related Macular Degeneration: A Multicenter Study

Purpose@#To compare short-term efficacy and safety of intravitreal brolucizumab injection with aflibercept in treatment-naive neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD) patients. @*Methods@#A total of 59 eyes from 59 treatment-naive nAMD patients in three hospitals were retrospectively reviewed. Of which, 27 patients underwent intravitreal brolucizumab injections and 32 received aflibercept. After monthly consecutive three injections, best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA; in logarithm of minimal angle of resolution [logMAR]), central macular thickness (CMT), dry macula achievement rate, and intraocular inflammation (IOI) incidence were compared. @*Results@#After loading-phase treatment, BCVA was significantly increased from 0.48 ± 0.30 logMAR at baseline to 0.33 ± 0.21 logMAR at 3 months in the brolucizumab group (p = 0.002) and 0.40 ± 0.39 logMAR at baseline to 0.33 ± 0.36 logMAR at 3 months in the aflibercept group (p = 0.007). But there was no significant difference in BCVA improvement at 3 months between the two groups. CMT significantly decreased from 429.67 ± 250.59 μm at baseline to 210.67 ± 93.53 μm at 3 months in the brolucizumab group and from 346.69 ± 159.09 μm to 234.52 ± 83.42 μm in the aflibercept group (both p < 0.001). The amount of CMT reduction was significantly greater in the brolucizumab group after 3 months (p = 0.036). In typical AMD eyes, brolucizumab showed similar BCVA improvement but better CMT reduction at 3 months (p = 0.018). Dry macula achievement rate was not significantly different between the two groups. One IOI was observed in the brolucizumab group. @*Conclusions@#Intravitreal injections of brolucizumab and aflibercept showed similar anatomical and functional outcomes. But CMT reduction was greater in the brolucizumab group. One IOI was identified, which was tolerable for topical agents. These results suggest that brolucizumab could be a novel first line treatment option for treating naive nAMD patients.

Peripheral Lattice Degeneration Imaging with Ultra-Widefield Swept-Source Optical Coherence Tomography

Purpose@#To investigate a series of peripheral lattice degeneration cases using an ultra-widefield (UWF) swept-source optical coherence tomography (SS-OCT) system. @*Methods@#From August 1, 2022 to July 31, 2023, 19 eyes from 16 patients with peripheral lattice degeneration were included. They all underwent a UWF SS-OCT examination. Anatomy of retina, vitreous, and associated pathologic changes were assessed. @*Results@#UWF SS-OCT showed various anatomical changes of retina and vitreous in patients with lattice degeneration. Of 15 eyes from 12 patients whose UWF SS-OCT images were clearly obtained, eight eyes showed regional retinal thinning, seven eyes showed vitreous traction, two eyes showed detached vitreous, and three eyes showed retinal break. @*Conclusions@#UWF SS-OCT can be a useful tool to understand anatomical changes and pathophysiology of peripheral lattice degeneration.

Association between Serum Selenium Level and the Presence of Diabetes Mellitus: A Meta-Analysis of Observational Studies

BACKGROUND: Epidemiological studies have suggested an association between selenium (Se) and diabetes mellitus (DM). However, different studies have reported conflicting results. Therefore, we performed a comprehensive meta-analysis to clarify the impact of Se on DM. METHODS: We searched the PubMed database for studies on the association between Se and DM from inception to June 2018. RESULTS: Twenty articles evaluating 47,930 participants were included in the analysis. The meta-analysis found that high levels of Se were significantly associated with the presence of DM (pooled odds ratios [ORs], 1.88; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.44 to 2.45). However, significant heterogeneity was found (I2 =82%). Subgroup analyses were performed based on the Se measurement methods used in each study. A significant association was found between high Se levels and the presence of DM in the studies that used blood (OR, 2.17; 95% CI, 1.60 to 2.93; I2 =77%), diet (OR, 1.61; 95% CI, 1.10 to 2.36; I2 =0%), and urine (OR, 1.49; 95% CI, 1.02 to 2.17; I2 =0%) as samples to estimate Se levels, but not in studies on nails (OR, 1.24; 95% CI, 0.52 to 2.98; I2 =91%). Because of significant heterogeneity in the studies with blood, we conducted a sensitivity analysis and tested the publication bias. The results were consistent after adjustment based on the sensitivity analysis as well as the trim and fill analysis for publication bias. CONCLUSION: This meta-analysis demonstrates that high levels of Se are associated with the presence of DM. Further prospective and randomized controlled trials are warranted to elucidate the link better.

A Case Report of Central Retinal Artery Occlusion Caused by Cardiac Myxoma

PURPOSE: We report the case of a patient diagnosed with central retinal artery occlusion caused by cardiac myxoma who underwent surgery to remove the myxoma. CASE SUMMARY: A 47-year-old woman came to our clinic presenting with a sudden decrease of visual acuity in the left eye. At the first visit, left eye visual acuity was hand motion, and intraocular pressure was 15.4 mmHg. A relative afferent pupillary defect was observed in the left eye. On fundus examination, a pale retina and cherry-red spot were observed at the posterior pole. On optical coherence tomography, macular edema was found. On fluorescein angiography and indocyanine green angiography, delayed blood circulation of the retina and choroid was found at early and late stages. Cerebral angiography was performed in the neurosurgery department and showed no occlusion of the ophthalmic artery. Cardiac ultrasonography and brain magnetic resonance imaging were performed. On cardiac ultrasonography, 4.46 × 2.09 cm cardiac myxoma was found. Resection of the cardiac myxoma was conducted in the thoracic and cardiovascular surgery department. Multiple cerebral infarcts were detected by brain imaging, and antithrombotic treatment was administered. After one month, blood circulation in the retina and choroid was observed in fluorescence angiography, but there was no improvement of visual acuity. At the 3-month follow-up visit, macular edema was decreased, but retinal atrophy and epiretinal membrane were observed on optical coherence tomography. CONCLUSIONS: Central retinal artery occlusion is a disease related to one's general condition. We experienced this case of central retinal artery occlusion caused by cardiac myxoma.