Updated guidelines for the management of polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy: Recommendations from the Indian Polypoidal Choroidal Vasculopathy Panel and the Vitreoretinal Society of India

In Asians, polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy (PCV) is becoming more widely recognized as a significant cause of exudative maculopathy. The previous set of Indian guidelines on the management of PCV were published in 2018, with a literature search updated up to November 2015. As the treatment of PCV evolves, retinal physicians must constantly modify their current practice. The current guidelines are based on the most up-to-date information on PCV and are an update to the previous set of guidelines. These guidelines were developed by a panel of Indian retinal experts under the aegis of the Vitreoretinal Society of India (VRSI), based on a comprehensive search and assessment of literature up to September 2021. The final guidelines i) provide the updated nomenclature in PCV; ii) discusses the newer diagnostic imaging features of PCV, especially in the absence of indocyanine green angiography (ICGA); and iii) recommends the best possible therapeutic approach in the management of PCV, including the choice of anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF) agents, treatment regimen, and the role of switching between the anti-VEGF agents. In the face of non-availability of photodynamic therapy (PDT) in India, we constructed practical recommendations on anti-VEGF monotherapy in PCV. The current updated recommendations would provide a broader framework to the treating retinal physician for the diagnosis and management of PCV for optimal therapeutic outcomes.

Intraoperative floppy iris syndrome in Indian population: A prospective study on incidence, risk factors, and impact on operative performance.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the incidence, risk factors, and impact of intraoperative fl oppy iris syndrome (IFIS) on surgical performance. Materials and Methods: Consecutive cataract surgeries from October 2010 to Feb 2011 (1003 eyes, 980 patients; 568 males, 412 females) were analyzed prospectively. Operating surgeon, masked about medication history, noted the intraoperative details. Cases were identifi ed as IFIS or non-IFIS. Multivariate analysis was performed to fi nd risk factors for IFIS. Results: Prevalence of tamsulosin use among men undergoing cataract surgery was 7.0% (41) with incidence of IFIS 4.78% (48). On multivariate analysis, hypertension (OR: 3.2, 95% confi dence interval, 95% CI: 1.39-6.57; P = 0.005), use of tamsulosin (OR: 133.32, 95% CI: 50.43-352.48; P < 0.0001), or alfuzosin (OR: 9.36, 95% CI: 2.34-37.50; P = 0.002) were the factors associated with IFIS. Among men taking tamsulosin (n = 41) and alfuzosin (n = 28), 68.3% and 16.6% developed IFIS, respectively. In subgroup analysis of men on tamsulosin, no factor added to the risk posed by tamsulosin. Seventeen of 944 eyes not exposed to any drug had IFIS (0.018%). On subgroup analysis, only risk factor for IFIS was hypertension (OR: 4.67, 95% CI: 1.63-13.35; P = 0.002). Of 48 IFIS eyes, the surgeon observed increased diffi culty in 57.1% (21) and additional measures were required in 9 eyes. Mean operative time was increased in IFIS eyes (11.68 ± 3.46 vs. 10.01 ± 0.22 min; P = 0.001). Surgical outcome was good in all cases. Conclusion: The prevalence of tamsulosin intake and IFIS incidence is higher in India. Current tamsulosin/alfuzosin use and hypertension are important risk factors. IFIS makes the surgery more diffi cult, signifi cantly prolongs the operative time, and predisposes for other intraoperative complications. However, with appropriate management, fi nal operative outcome is not aff ected.

Pneumatic displacement and intravitreal bevacizumab: a new approach for management of submacular hemorrhage in choroidal neovascular membrane.

Choroidal neovascular membrane (CNVM) is one of the most common causes of submacular hemorrhage (SMH). Conventional treatment involves management of the SMH with pneumatic displacement with or without tissue plasminogen activator (TPA) followed by intravitreal injection of bevacizumab in a second sitting. We decided to assess the efficacy of treating SMH secondary to CNVM with pneumatic displacement using sulphur hexafluoride (SF6) gas and intravitreal bevacizumab. Four patients with SMH secondary to CNVM were included in this study. Intravitreal bevacizumab, 0.05 ml, along with 0.5 ml of SF6 was injected through the pars plana into the vitreous cavity. Postoperative best corrected visual acuity improved in all eyes with complete or partial displacement of SMH out of the foveal area.

A proposed new classification for diabetic retinopathy: the concept of primary and secondary vitreopathy.

BACKGROUND: Many eyes with proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR) require vitreous surgery despite complete regression of new vessels with pan retinal laser photocoagulation (PRP). Changes in the vitreous caused by diabetes mellitus and diabetic retinopathy may continue to progress independent of laser regressed status of retinopathy. Diabetic vitreopathy can be an independent manifestation of the disease process. AIM: To examine this concept by studying the long-term behavior of the vitreous in cases of PDR regressed with PRP. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Seventy-four eyes with pure PDR (without clinically evident vitreous traction) showing fundus fluorescein angiography (FFA) proven regression of new vessels following PRP were retrospectively studied out of a total of 1380 eyes photocoagulated between March 2001 and September 2006 for PDR of varying severity. Follow-up was available from one to four years. RESULTS: Twenty-three percent of eyes showing FFA-proven regression of new vessels with laser required to undergo surgery for indications produced by vitreous traction such as recurrent vitreous hemorrhage, tractional retinal detachment, secondary rhegmatogenous retinal detachment and tractional macular edema within one to four years. CONCLUSION: Vitreous changes continued to progress despite regression of PDR in many diabetics. We identifies this as "clinical diabetic vitreopathy" and propose an expanded classification for diabetic retinopathy to signify these changes and to redefine the indications for surgery.