One-year outcomes of resveratrol supplement with aflibercept versus aflibercept monotherapy in wet age-related macular degeneration.

AIM: To determine the one-year outcomes of resveratrol oral supplement in patients suffering from wet age-related macular degeneration (AMD). METHODS: Fifty naïve and previously untreated patients suffering from wet AMD, were randomly assigned in two subgroups of 25 patients each. All the participants were treated with 3 monthly intravitreal injections of 2.0 mg aflibercept (IAIs) followed by injections "according to need", while in one group the patients also received daily two tablets of resveratrol oral supplement. Prior to treatment initiation, a complete ophthalmological examination, including best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and contrast sensitivity evaluation, optical coherence tomography (OCT) scans, fundus autofluorescence (FAF), fluorescein angiography, indocyanine green angiography, and OCT angiography (OCTA), was performed to every participant, while all of them completed the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) questionnaire, in order to assess their quality of life (QoL) status. The patients were assessed monthly for 1y with FAF, and OCT or OCTA; the main endpoints were the number IAIs, the changes in BCVA, in contrast sensitivity, and in patients' QoL status. RESULTS: No significant differences were present between the groups regarding the baseline demographic and clinical data. Over the 12-month period, a similar number of IAIs was applied in both groups (4.52±1.00 vs 4.28±0.90, P=0.38), while the rest of the clinical data also did not differ significantly after the completion of the study period. However, for HADS Depression (11.88±2.51 vs 8.28±1.54, P<0.001) and HADS Anxiety (11.92±2.52 vs 7.76±1.51, P<0.001) questionnaires values, the score was significantly better in patients who received resveratrol supplements. Moreover, a statistically significant difference was detected in the mean change from baseline values of contrast sensitivity (0.17±0.19 vs 0.35±0.24, P=0.005), HADS Depression (0.08±1.38 vs -3.88±1.48, P<0.001), and HADS Anxiety (0.36±1.98 vs -5.12±2.70, P<0.001) scores, in favour of the patients treated with resveratrol supplements. CONCLUSION: The resveratrol oral supplement is a complementary treatment in cases of wet AMD, highlighting its effectiveness in improving patients' QoL status.

Unilateral hypertensive choroidopathy as a sole manifestation in malignant hypertension: optical coherence tomography angiography findings-case report.

BACKGROUND: We present a case of hypertensive choroidopathy due to malignant hypertension with exudative retinal detachment as a sole finding. We use OCT- angiography for initial diagnosis and report findings from extensive follow up. CASE PRESENTATION: A 51-year-old female with no past medical history, presented to our clinic with painless loss of vision in her left eye. Fundus examination revealed only exudative retinal detachment in her left eye that was confirmed with Optical Coherence Tomography. Fluorescein angiography showed hyperfluorescent spots with leakage in late phases. OCTA manifested a focal dark area in the choriocapillaris slab corresponding to flow signal voids, signifying regions of non-perfusion. Her blood pressure was 220/120 mmHG. Complete blood work -up failed to reveal any other possible etiology. During follow-up period of 9 months blood pressure normalized, patient regained visual function and choriocapillaris perfusion was completely restored. DISCUSSIONS AND CONCLUSIONS: Hypertensive choroidopathy with exudative retinal detachment can be the only sign of malignant hypertension and no pre-existing history of a systemic disease is required in order to become apparent. OCTA reveals areas of non-perfusion at choriocapillaris level, proving that it is an essential tool in the diagnosis and follow up of patients with hypertensive choroidopathy. Finally, we propose that early diagnosis prevents permanent damage of the RPE and leads to complete choroidal remodeling and better visual outcomes.

Is there any association between the frequency of wet age-related macular degeneration recurrences and the seasons of the year?

PURPOSE: To investigate whether a seasonal distribution of the frequency of exudative age-related macular degeneration (wet AMD) recurrences exists. METHODS: In total, 129 eyes with 171 recurrences in patients suffering from wet AMD were included in the study. All the patients had been treated with intravitreal anti-VEGF injections according to Pro Re Nata treatment regimen. Recurrence was defined as the re-detection of sub-retinal fluid, intraretinal fluid, and/or sub-macular hemorrhage in optical coherence tomography scans, after at least two consecutive monthly examinations with a "dry" macula. The year was divided in three 4-month periods (zone A: June-September, zone B: October-January, and zone C: February-May) based on the weather conditions prevailing in each period. Mean temperature and hours of sunlight exposure were the main weather markers recorded. RESULTS: Eighty-two recurrences (48%) occurred during the period June-September, 50 (29.2%) during the period October-January, and 39 (22.8%) during the period February-May (Chi-square = 17.5, p < 0.001). Among the groups, neither patients' age (78 ± 8 years A, 76 ± 7 years B, and 79 ± 8 years C, p = 0.15) nor gender status (40% men A, 36% men B, and 51% men C, p = 0.35) differed significantly. Mean temperature was 27.6 ± 1.8 °C, 15.1 ± 4.6 °C, and 16.5 ± 4.4 °C in zones A, B, and C, respectively. Hours (h) of sunlight exposure (average hours/month) were 344 ± 34 h, 188 ± 42 h, and 223 ± 57 h in zones A, B, and C. CONCLUSION: We demonstrated that the frequency of wet AMD recurrences is significantly elevated during the warmer months, possibly due to the higher levels of UV radiation and mean temperature. Further research is necessary to validate our findings.

A Novel Modified Surgical Approach for FIL SSF Lens.

This study aimed to describe a novel modified surgical technique for FIL SSF lens (Rome, Italy: Soleko) implantation. A retrospective study of FIL SSF lens implantation on six eyes of six patients with subluxated or dislocated intraocular lens (IOL). Standard pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) was performed in all patients. The subluxated or dislocated IOL was removed from a 2.4 corneal incision. From the same incision, the folded FIL SSF lens was inserted. Then lens plugs were extremized through a 23G scleral incision inside two 4 mm pockets that were created at the beginning of the operation. In two cases one pocket had to be converted into a triagonal-shaped scleral flap. All scleral pockets were sutured with 7.0 Vicryl suture and the conjunctiva with 7.0 Vicryl. In the follow-up period of six months, the lens is centered and not tilted. The refractive outcome is within the expectations. Visual acuity is improved in all patients. No haptic exposure and no other complications were noted in all cases. FIL SSF lens is a good option for treating aphakia. This modified implantation technique is safe, fast, and easy. It is also versatile, combining the advantages of both previously described techniques, as it gives the option of flap conversion if needed. Larger studies and prospective comparative studies can highlight the best and more appropriate technique.

The Demographic and Social Characteristics of Patients with Ocular Foreign Bodies in a Greek Tertiary Hospital.

Purpose: To present the demographic and social characteristics of patients with ocular foreign bodies (OFB), who visit the Ophthalmological Outpatient Department of a tertiary hospital in Athens, Greece. Patients and Methods: During the period January-March 2019, 5181 patients presented to the Ophthalmological Outpatient Department of our hospital, and 543 of them were diagnosed with an ocular foreign body. Moreover, 106 of them were interviewed about their demographic and social factors, regarding among others data about their occupation, level of education, nationality, family, and insurance status. Results: The patients with ocular foreign bodies were significantly younger compared to the rest of the examined patients (49.5±13.9 vs 56.3±17 years, p<0.001). Moreover, the ocular foreign bodies were more frequent in men compared to women (15.5% vs 5.0%, p<0.001) and in non-Greek patients (23.7% vs 9.2%, p<0.001). Regarding the social characteristics of the patients with ocular foreign bodies, we found that the majority of them were married, employed, insured, while their educational status was middle and high school. Furthermore, the vast majority of the patients practiced manual professions (73.1% of them). Conclusion: We documented that the introduction of an ocular foreign body is frequently encountered in the Outpatient Department of our tertiary hospital in Athens, Greece. We also demonstrated that these patients are younger, while they are more frequently men, of non-Greek origin, with an educational status of middle and high school, and their occupation is associated with manual labour.

Polymorphism analysis of ADIPOQ gene in Greek patients with diabetic retinopathy.

BACKGROUND: Several genetic polymorphisms have been identified as risk factors for diabetic retinopathy (DR) onset. The purpose of our study was to determine whether ADIPOQ rs1501299 and rs2241766 gene polymorphisms are associated with DR in a cohort of Greek diabetic patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 218 patients with type-2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) were included in the study; 109 suffered from DR and 109 not. All the participants underwent a complete ophthalmological examination, while clinical and demographic data were assessed. Furthermore, they were genotyped for G276T (rs1501299) and T45G (rs2241766) single nucleotide polymorphisms of ADIPOQ gene. RESULTS: Between the studied groups, no significant differences were detected regarding the demographic and clinical data (p > .05 for all), except for hemoglobin A1c levels and frequency of insulin treatment (higher in DR patients). We detected that the frequency of rs1501299 GT genotype was significantly elevated in DR patients (53% vs. 34%, p = .004) and was associated with a higher risk of developing retinopathy (OR 2.31, 95% CI 1.30-4.11). Furthermore, we demonstrated that the rs1501299 GT genotype was significantly and independently associated with increased odds for DR development in diabetic subjects (OR 2.68, 95% CI 1.38-5.21, p = .004), regardless of the impact of other known risk factors. CONCLUSIONS: We documented that rs1501299 GT genotype could be recognized as an independent risk factor of retinopathy in T2DM Greek patients, while no role for rs2241766 polymorphism was identified. Further research in different ethnic groups will clarify the exact association of these polymorphisms with the risk of DR development.

One year outcomes of treat and extend and pro re nata (PRN) treatment regimens with aflibercept for polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy.

PURPOSE: To compare the 1-year outcomes of treat-and-extend and pro re nata (PRN) treatment regimens with aflibercept for polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy (PCV), by the means of visual acuity (VA), frequency of recurrence of polypoidal lesions and developed fibrosis, and the number of intravitreal injections, and thus to determine which one is preferable in the maintenance phase in PCV. METHODS: In our prospective study, only naive and previously untreated PCV patients were included. Initially one session of photodynamic therapy (PDT) and three monthly intravitreal injections of 2.0 mg aflibercept (IAIs) were applied in 38 eyes. After this loading phase, they were re-examined and 30 PCV eyes with no exudative phenomena were included in the study. They were divided in two groups; in the first one (16 patients) the PRN treatment modality of IAIs was applied, while in the second one (14 patients) the treat-and-extend regimen was applied. RESULTS: Over a 12-month period, VA significantly improved in treat-and-extend group (logMAR BCVA 0.41 ± 0.15 vs 0.57 ± 0.24 at baseline, p = 0.044), while in the PRN group VA remained stable (logMAR BCVA 0.70 ± 0.36 vs 0.65 ± 0.18 at baseline, p = 0.61). During the maintenance phase, the patients of treat-and-extend group did not encounter development/progression of fibrosis or any recurrent episodes, whereas the patients of PRN group had significantly more recurrent episodes (0 vs 1.37 ± 0.5, p < 0.001) and the frequency of development/progression of fibrosis was significantly higher (0% vs 44%, p = 0.02). However, the treat-and-extend treatment regimen was accompanied by significantly more administered IAIs (6 ± 0 vs 5.13 ± 1.08, p = 0.006). CONCLUSION: We highlighted the superiority of treat-and-extend regime with IAIs, which seems to yield better functional outcomes by preventing recurrence and subfoveal fibrosis, although a greater number of injections is required.