Current and Future of Laser Therapy in the Management of Glaucoma.

There has been tremendous progress in the past decades in the utilization of lasers for treating patients with glaucoma. This article reviews the use of lasers in different areas of glaucoma, including the shift from argon laser trabeculoplasty (ALT) to selective laser trabeculoplasty (SLT), laser trabeculoplasty as an initial treatment for glaucoma, new laser trabeculoplasty procedures under investigation, and other recent laser treatment modalities such as endoscopic cyclophotocoagulation and laser-assisted deep sclerectomy.

Comparison of 3 different releasable suture techniques in trabeculectomy.

PURPOSE: The use of releasable sutures provides an effective and simple way of titrating intraocular pressure (IOP) postoperatively. The purpose of this study was to compare the surgical outcome of 3 releasable suture techniques for closing scleral flaps in patients undergoing primary trabeculectomy. METHODS: The Wills Eye Glaucoma Research Center retrospectively reviewed the charts of patients who underwent primary trabeculectomy by 3 surgeons using 3 different releasable suture techniques. Ninety eyes of 90 glaucoma patients were divided into 3 groups by releasable suture technique (n = 30 eyes for each group). Main outcome measures included best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), intraocular pressure (IOP), rate of surgical success, use of supplemental medical therapy, need for additional glaucoma surgery, and complications during suture removal. RESULTS: The BCVA and IOP were similar among the groups for all follow-up visits. As a determinant of success rate of trabeculectomy, mean decrease of IOP after surgery was over 30% in all groups (p = 0.43). The number of postoperative antiglaucomatous medications, number of complications, and need for an additional glaucoma surgery were similar in all groups (p = 0.40, p = 0.87, and p = 0.47, respectively). The differences in suture-related complications, defined as suture break or need for laser suture lysis, were not significant among the groups (p = 0.09). CONCLUSIONS: We found that the 3 most common surgical techniques had similar mechanisms of action. All techniques were safe and effective, yielding similar outcomes. All 3 techniques can be used for closing scleral flaps in patients undergoing primary trabeculectomy.

Initial Experience With the New Ahmed Glaucoma Valve Model M4: Short-term Results.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the clinical outcomes of the new Ahmed glaucoma valve (AGV) model M4. The device consists of a porous polyethylene shell designed for improved tissue integration and reduced encapsulation of the plate for better intraocular pressure (IOP) control. METHODS: Medical records of patients with an AGV M4 implantation between December 1, 2012 and December 31, 2013 were reviewed. The main outcome measure was surgical failure, defined as either (1) IOP<5 mm Hg or >21 mm Hg and/or <20% reduction of IOP at last follow-up visit, (2) a reoperation for glaucoma, and/or (3) loss of light perception. RESULTS: Seventy-five eyes of 73 patients were included. Postoperative IOP at all follow-up visits significantly decreased from a baseline IOP of 31.2 mm Hg (P<0.01). However, IOP increased significantly at 3 months (20.4 mm Hg), 6 months (19.3 mm Hg), and 12 months (20.3 mm Hg) compared with 1 month (13.8 mm Hg) postoperatively (P<0.05). At 6 months and 1 year, the cumulative probability of failure was 32% and 72%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The AGV M4 effectively reduced IOP in the first postoperative month, but IOP steadily increased thereafter. Consequently, failure rates were high after 1 year of follow-up.

Outcomes of Sequential Glaucoma Drainage Implants in Refractory Glaucoma.

PURPOSE: To describe the outcomes of eyes that have undergone a second glaucoma drainage implant (GDI) surgery. METHODS: A retrospective review of eyes that underwent a second GDI surgery from 2006 to 2013 was conducted. Primary outcome measures included intraocular pressure (IOP) reduction and success rates. Secondary outcome measures included glaucoma medication use, visual acuity, and number of reoperations. Success was defined as 6 ≤ IOP ≤ 21 with at least 20% IOP reduction, and no increase in the number of glaucoma medications from baseline at 3 months of follow-up or more. RESULTS: Sixty-five eyes (63 patients) had a mean follow-up of 22.4 ± 19.9 months. The most frequently placed second GDIs were an Ahmed FP7 (49%) or a Baerveldt 250 (26%) in the inferotemporal (46%) or inferonasal (35%) quadrant. At 3-year follow-up, IOP was reduced from 25.8 ± 7.7 to 17.4 ± 9.9 mm Hg (P = 0.004) and the number of glaucoma medications decreased from 3.6 ± 1.2 to 2.5 ± 1.4 (P = 0.01) compared with baseline. The median time to failure was 24.7 ± 5.8 months. There was no significant difference in failure rates for type of sequential GDI (P = 0.80) or plate location (P = 0.34). There was no significant difference in visual acuity between baseline and 3-year follow-up (P = 1.0). The most common postoperative complication was corneal edema (n = 9, 14%). CONCLUSIONS: Most eyes undergoing a second GDI achieve adequate IOP control with fewer antiglaucoma medications. Failure rates were similar regardless of quadrant selection or GDI type.

Trabeculectomy in Patients With Glaucoma Over 80 Years of Age: Relatively Short-term Outcomes.

PURPOSE: To compare the surgical outcomes of trabeculectomy performed in elderly patients (above 80 y) with those of younger controls. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the charts of patients who underwent trabeculectomy from January 1, 2009 through April 30, 2011 at the Wills Eye Hospital. Patients over 80 years of age were compared with younger controls. Outcome measures included intraocular pressure (IOP), visual acuity, number of glaucoma medications, surgical complications, and surgical failure. Surgical failure was defined as when IOP>21 mm Hg or <20% reduction below baseline or IOP<5 mm Hg or reoperation for glaucoma, or loss of light perception. RESULTS: Eighty-six eyes of patients over 80 years of age (range, 81 to 94 y) were compared with 86 eyes of younger controls (range, 22 to 79 y). Mean follow-up time was 23.9±8.0 and 25.1±8.0 months for each group, respectively. After 1 year, the failure rate was 31.3% in the elderly group, compared with 29.5% in the control group (P=0.98). At last follow-up visit, the rate of failure between the groups was similar (P=0.35). Postoperative complications were similar between the groups (P=0.25). CONCLUSIONS: The surgical outcomes of trabeculectomy in patients older than 80 years were found to be similar to those of younger controls. Taking into consideration elderly glaucoma patients' general health condition and life expectancy, age alone may not be a barrier to performing glaucoma filtration surgery.

The Impact of Visual Field Clusters on Performance-based Measures and Vision-Related Quality of Life in Patients With Glaucoma.

PURPOSE: To investigate how visual field (VF) clusters affect performance-based measures of the ability to perform activities of daily living and subjective measures of vision-related quality of life (QoL) in patients with glaucoma. DESIGN: Prospective, cross-sectional study. METHODS: setting: Institutional - Wills Eye Hospital. STUDY POPULATION: 322 eyes of 161 patients with moderate-stage glaucoma. OBSERVATION: VF tests were conducted using the Humphrey 24-2 Swedish Interactive Thresholding Algorithm standard perimeter. The VFs of each patient were divided into 5 clusters: nasal, temporal, central, paracentral, and peripheral. The score for each cluster was the averaged total deviation scores of all tested points within the cluster. Each cluster score was correlated with performance-based measures of visual function and subjective assessment of vision-related QoL. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The Compressed Assessment of Ability Related to Vision, the National Eye Institute Visual Functioning Questionnaire 25 (NEI VFQ-25), and the Modified Glaucoma Symptom Scale. RESULTS: The central VF cluster in the better eye was positively correlated with all Compressed Assessment of Ability Related to Vision (performance-based measure) subscales. The strongest correlation for the better eye was between the central VF cluster and total Compressed Assessment of Ability Related to Vision score (0.39, P < .001). The inferior VF hemisphere in both eyes was positively correlated with most Compressed Assessment of Ability Related to Vision subscales. Central VF clusters in the better eye were positively correlated with a majority of the NEI VFQ-25 subscales. There were no significant correlations between VF clusters and Modified Glaucoma Symptom Scale subscales. CONCLUSIONS: Scores of central VF defects in the better eye and inferior hemisphere defects in both eyes were positively correlated with performance-based measures of the ability to perform activities of daily living. Glaucoma patients with central defects in the better eye were more likely to have reduced scores on assessments of vision-related QoL.

Relationships Between Measures of the Ability to Perform Vision-Related Activities, Vision-Related Quality of Life, and Clinical Findings in Patients With Glaucoma.

IMPORTANCE: To our knowledge, few studies have combined an objective measure of vision-related performance (VRP) and subjective measures of vision-related quality of life (VRQoL) with clinically related visual parameters, particularly in a large, prospective, cohort study setting. OBJECTIVE: To examine the relationships between clinical visual assessments and both a VRP and 2 self-reported VRQoL measurements. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: Patients (N = 161) with moderate-stage glaucoma recruited from the Glaucoma Service at Wills Eye Hospital, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, were enrolled from May 2012 to May 2014 in an ongoing prospective, 4-year longitudinal observational study. This report includes cross-sectional results from the baseline visit. Patients received a complete ocular examination, automated visual field (VF) test and Cirrus optical coherence tomographic scan. Contrast sensitivity was measured with the Pelli-Robson and the Spaeth-Richman Contrast Sensitivity (SPARCS) tests. Vision-related performance was assessed by the Compressed Assessment of Ability Related to Vision (CAARV) test. Vision-related QoL was assessed by the National Eye Institute Visual Function Questionnaire 25 (NEI-VFQ-25) and a modified Glaucoma Symptom Scale (MGSS). MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES: Correlations between clinical measures and CAARV, NEI-VFQ-25, and MGSS scores. RESULTS: A total of 161 patients were enrolled in the study. The strongest correlation was found between SPARCS score in the better eye and total CAARV score (r = 0.398; 95% CI, 0.235-0.537; P < .001). The CAARV score also correlated with the Pelli-Robson score (r = 0.353; 95% CI, 0.186-0.499; P = .001), VF mean deviation (r = 0.366; 95% CI, 0.200-0.510; P < .001), and VA (r = -0.326, 95% CI = -0.476 to -0.157; P = .003) in the better eye. There were more statistically significant correlations between contrast sensitivity tests and VF mean deviation with VRQoL measurements than with other clinical measures (visual acuity, intraocular pressure, Disc Damage Likelihood Scale, and mean retinal nerve fiber layer thickness). The MGSS scores were lower (worse) in women compared with men (P = .03 for binocular, P = .01 for better eye, and P = .05 for the worse eye). Structural measures (eg, Disc Damage Likelihood Scale, and retinal nerve fiber layer thickness) were generally not informative with respect to VRP or VRQoL. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: Contrast sensitivity tests and VF mean deviation were associated with both objective measures of the ability to act and subjective measurements of VRQoL. The strongest correlation was between SPARCS score (contrast sensitivity) in the better eye and total CAARV score. Therefore, measurement of contrast sensitivity should be considered when evaluating patients' VRQoL. The results of this study were limited by the patient population and apply only within the bounds of the tested cohort.

A prospective, longitudinal, observational cohort study examining how glaucoma affects quality of life and visually-related function over 4 years: design and methodology.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study is to summarize the design and methodology of a prospective, longitudinal, observational cohort study to investigate how glaucoma affects patients' quality of life and visually-related function over a 4-year period. METHODS/DESIGN: One hundred sixty-one (161) subjects were enrolled in this ongoing study. Patients between the ages of 21-85 years with a minimum 2-year diagnosis of primary open-angle glaucoma, chronic primary angle-closure glaucoma or pseudoexfoliation glaucoma were included. Each patient visited Wills Eye Hospital for a baseline visit. Follow-up is planned for a minimum of 4 years, with annual visits. Each visit includes (1) Clinical evaluation: a slit lamp examination, fundoscopy, intraocular pressure measurement, visual field examination, spectral domain optical coherence tomography, Pelli-Robson Contrast Sensitivity test and the Spaeth-Richman Contrast Sensitivity test; (2) a performance based measure: the Compressed Assessment of Ability Related to Vision; and (3) Subjective measures of vision-related quality of life (the National Eye Institute Visual Functioning Questionnaire 25 and the Modified Glaucoma Symptom Scale). DISCUSSION: The results of this ongoing, prospective, longitudinal study are expected to shed light on the relationships between clinical measures, performance-based measures and subjective measures of well-being, in order to assess changes in the quality of life and the ability to function of patients with glaucoma over time.

Tube shunt coverage with gamma-irradiated cornea allograft (VisionGraft).

PURPOSE: To investigate the clinical outcomes of tube shunt coverage using sterile gamma-irradiated cornea allograft. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The Wills Eye Hospital Glaucoma Research Center retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 165 patients who underwent glaucoma tube shunt procedures using sterile gamma-irradiated cornea allograft (VisionGraft) between December 2012 and November 2013. Demographic characteristics, type of tube shunt, and position were noted. Complications were recorded at 1 day; 1 week; 1, 3, 6, and 12 months; and on the final postoperative visit. RESULTS: One hundred and sixty-nine eyes of 165 patients were included. The mean follow-up time was 4.8±3.5 (ranging from 1 to 16) months. There was no evidence of immunological reaction, infection, or exposure in 166 eyes (98.2%). Three eyes (1.8%) experienced graft or tube exposure within the first 3 postoperative months. Two of the cases had underlying diseases: bullous pemphigoid and chronic allergic conjunctivitis. CONCLUSION: Coverage of tube shunts using gamma-irradiated cornea allograft had a low exposure rate and was well tolerated. The graft can be stored long term at room temperature and has an excellent postoperative cosmetic appearance.

Argon laser-assisted treatment of benign eyelid lesions.

We investigated the treatment of benign eyelid lesions with argon laser as an alternative therapy to surgical excision. The charts of 73 patients with 95 lesions treated with argon laser photocoagulation were reviewed retrospectively. In all patients, the procedure was performed for cosmetic reasons. The laser spot size ranged from 50 to 200 µm, the power varied from 300 to 700 mW, and the exposure time ranged between 0.1 and 0.2 s. The lesions were mostly located on the upper eyelid (66%); the lid margin was involved in 30 cases. The mean follow-up time was 7.2 ± 3.5 months (range 3-15 months). A histopathological diagnosis was confirmed for 81 lesions (85.3%). All patients were satisfied with the cosmetic result. No intraoperative complications occurred, and none of the patients complained of pain during laser application. All wounds epithelialized in 3-4 weeks with skin that appeared normal. Hypopigmentation of the treated areas were observed in three cases. No recurrence occurred during the follow-up period. Argon laser-assisted benign eyelid tumor excision is a useful, cheap, accessible, and well-tolerated alternative to traditional surgery.

Macular choroidal thickness measurements in patients with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to assess macular choroidal thickness measurements in patients with different severities of obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) versus normal controls by using enhanced depth imaging optical coherence tomography (EDI-OCT). DESIGN: This paper is a descriptive study. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this prospective study, the macular area of 74 patients with OSAS and 33 controls were evaluated. All subjects underwent complete ophthalmic examination and macular choroidal thickness (CT) measurements by enhanced depth imaging method of the Spectralis optical coherence tomography system. Choroidal thickness (CT) was measured at the fovea and at 1,000-µm intervals from the foveal center in both temporal and nasal directions by two masked observers. RESULTS: The mean age was not significantly different between patients with OSAS and controls. Patients were grouped as mild (n = 15), moderate (n = 28), and severe (n = 31) according to apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) scores. The mean subfoveal choroidal thickness (SFCT) was 338.0 ± 85.2 µm in the control group versus 351.3 ± 90, 307.8 ± 65.5, and 325.4 ± 110.2 µm in mild, moderate, and severe groups, respectively (p = 0.416). There was no significant correlation between the severity of OSAS and choroidal thickness. CONCLUSIONS: The patients with OSAS seem to protect the choroidal thickness despite hypoxia. The role of OSAS in the pathophysiology of choroidal blood flow and choroidal structure needs further investigation.

Symptoms reported by patients with varying stages of glaucoma: review of 401 cases.

OBJECTIVE: To elucidate the symptoms that patients with glaucoma voluntarily report and to determine the correlation between the symptoms and the stage of glaucoma. DESIGN: Retrospective case series. PARTICIPANTS: A total of 401 patients who presented to the Glaucoma Service from January 2012 through November 2013. METHODS: The Wills Eye Hospital Glaucoma Research Center retrospectively reviewed the medical records of patients who visited the Glaucoma Service from January 2012 through November 2013. We recorded any symptom written in the charts at the last eligible visit of each patient. The patients were classified by different stages according to the mean deviation of the Octopus visual field. RESULTS: We analyzed 401 patients, who were graded with mild (n = 170), moderate (n = 106), or severe (n = 125) visual-field loss. The majority of patients did not report any symptoms (56.0%); 24.2% reported ocular surface disease (OSD) symptoms; and 25.8% reported visual complaints. The presence of symptoms positively correlated with the severity of glaucoma (p = 0.01) and the number of surgeries (p = 0.02). Burning/smarting/stinging and blurry vision showed a positive correlation with the severity of glaucoma (p < 0.05). Older patients (> 69 years) showed a significant increase in OSD symptoms (p = 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: About one-fourth of the patients with glaucoma reported visual complaints, and another fourth reported OSD symptoms, both of which correlated with glaucoma severity. The high prevalence of OSD symptoms suggests that patients should be specifically questioned about these symptoms and treated as indicated. This information is of value particularly in the new era of nonpreserved glaucoma medications.

Neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio may predict progression in patients with keratoconus.

PURPOSE: Neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) is a new potential predictor of systemic inflammation in several diseases. In this study, we aimed to evaluate NLR in patients with keratoconus. METHODS: This cross-sectional observational study included 54 patients with keratoconus and 25 age- and sex-matched control subjects. All participants underwent a detailed ophthalmological examination and corneal topography. The patients were divided into progressive and nonprogressive keratoconus groups on the basis of topographic parameters. Serum samples were obtained from all subjects, and the NLR was calculated. RESULTS: The NLR was 3.27 ± 1.37 in the progressive keratoconus group versus 1.87 ± 0.39 and 1.87 ± 0.52 in the nonprogressive and control groups, respectively (P < 0.01). There was a positive correlation between NLR and progression (P < 0.05). In the receiver-operating characteristic analysis, an NLR ≥ 2.24 predicted the presence of progression with 79% sensitivity and 81% specificity. CONCLUSIONS: The NLR is a simple and inexpensive marker of systemic inflammation. The NLR was found to be higher in patients with progressive keratoconus than in the nonprogressive group and controls.

Effect of the Toll-like receptor 4 antagonist eritoran on retinochoroidal inflammatory damage in a rat model of endotoxin-induced inflammation.

PURPOSE: We investigated the effect of eritoran, a Toll-like receptor 4 antagonist, on retinochoroidal inflammatory damage in an endotoxin-induced inflammatory rat model. METHODS: Endotoxin-induced inflammatory model was obtained by intraperitoneal injection of 1.5 mg/kg lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Group 1 had control rats; in groups 2-3 LPS and 0.5 mg/kg sterile saline were injected; and in groups 4-5 LPS and 0.5 mg/kg eritoran were injected. Blood samples were taken and eyes were enucleated after 12 hours (h) (groups 2 and 4) or 24 hours (Groups 3 and 5). Tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels in the serum and retinochoroidal tissue and nuclear factor kappa-B (NFκB) levels in retinochoroidal tissue were determined. Histopathological examination was performed and retinochoroidal changes were scored. RESULTS: Eritoran treatment resulted in lower levels of TNF-α, MDA, and NFκB after 12 h which became significant after 24 h. Serum TNF-α and retinochoroidal tissue NFκB levels were similar to control animals at the 24th h of the study. Eritoran significantly reversed histopathological damage after 24 h. CONCLUSIONS: Eritoran treatment resulted in less inflammatory damage in terms of serum and retinochoroidal tissue parameters.

Isolated foveal hypoplasia: clinical presentation and imaging findings.

PURPOSE: To describe the clinical presentation and imaging findings of a patient with isolated foveal hypoplasia. CASE REPORT: A 16-year-old teenager presented to our clinic with mild to moderate visual impairment since early childhood. Lack of foveal depression was noted on both clinical examination and optical coherence tomography, and absence of the foveal avascular zone was demonstrated on fluorescein angiography. His ocular examination was otherwise unremarkable. CONCLUSIONS: Isolated foveal hypoplasia should be considered in the differential diagnosis of early-onset bilateral visual impairment, especially when the foveal reflexes seem absent.

Reproducibility of choroidal thickness measurements in healthy Turkish subjects.

PURPOSE: To assess intraobserver and interobserver reproducibility of the measurement of choroidal thickness by using enhanced depth imaging optical coherence tomography (EDI-OCT). METHODS: A prospective, cross-sectional study was performed at Gazi University Ophthalmology Department. The macular areas of the right eyes of 110 healthy volunteers with no ophthalmic or systemic disease were recruited. Choroidal thickness was measured at the fovea and at 1000-µm intervals from the foveal center in both temporal and nasal directions. Each examiner measured choroidal thickness 30 days after the first measurement to assess intraobserver variability. Interobserver and intraobserver reproducibility were described by intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) and coefficient of variation (CV). RESULTS: The mean age was 44.0 ± 14.7 years (range 18-70 years). The mean choroidal thickness at the fovea was 315.5 ± 78.6. All the parameters evaluated were highly reproducible. Intraobserver CV of choroidal thickness measurements ranged from 24.76% to 35.74%, and the CV of subfoveal choroidal thickness was 24.92. The intraobserver and interobserver intraclass correlation coefficient was greater than 0.90 for all the parameters. Repeatability was slightly better at locations not exceeding 400 µm. CONCLUSIONS: Choroidal thickness measurements obtained by EDI-OCT showed good repeatability for healthy Turkish subjects; EDI-OCT examinations of choroid are reliable in healthy eyes.

Objective Sounds Better Than Subjective: Is It? Issues of Validity, Relevance, and Cost in Diagnostic Testing.

There has been a push in medical diagnostics and treatment to move toward objective testing and away from subjective testing. However, it is not certain that the superiority of one over the other is as clear cut as is usually considered to be the case. This issue is raised because there are advantages and disadvantages to every testing modality. The important considerations are degree of validity, of relevance, and of ease of obtaining the test, regardless of the type of testing. When a clinical diagnosis is certain or virtually certain, there is no need to use a test for diagnostic purposes. There still might be a justification for testing, however, even in such situations. In most instances, meaningful interpretation of a test result requires clinical information. Such clinical information is, of course, subjective, but still necessary. The use of tests in the clinic has to be directed by the "subjective" clinical examination, else the results make no sense. Subjective is "subjective" and as such open to biased interpretation. "Objective tests" also are often open to as much bias and misinterpretation as are subjective evaluations; they can seduce us into a false sense of security. It is essential to remember that the need for clinical evaluation will remain, and that the quality of the clinical evaluation is what is most critical to appropriate evaluation of any test result.

The Role of Magnesium in the Pathogenesis and Treatment of Glaucoma.

Glaucoma is characterized by chronic optic neuropathy resulting in progressive vision loss. Not only is glaucoma considered as a condition of elevated intraocular pressure (IOP), but also other risk factors may play a role in the pathogenesis of glaucomatous optic nerve damage. Vascular dysregulation in ocular blood flow and oxidative stress are currently suggested as important risk factors for glaucomatous retinal ganglion cell loss. New treatment modalities that improve ocular blood flow and reduce oxidative stress have been investigated in many studies. Magnesium (Mg) is thought to be one of the molecules that has a treatment potential in glaucoma. Mg has been shown to improve blood flow by modifying endothelial function via endothelin-1 (ET-1) and endothelial nitric oxide (NO) pathways. Mg also exhibits neuroprotective role by blocking N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor-related calcium influx and by inhibiting the release of glutamate, and hence protects the cell against oxidative stress and apoptosis. Both improvement in ocular blood flow and prevention of ganglion cell loss would make magnesium a good candidate for glaucoma management. Further studies on the effect of Mg may open a new therapeutic era in glaucoma.

An atypical finding in an idiopathic unilateral frosted branch angiitis case: premacular hemorrhage.

BACKGROUND: The authors describe a case of unilateral idiopathic acute frosted branch angiitis with premacular hemorrhage. CASE: A 35-year-old woman was referred because of acute vision loss in her left eye during the puerperal period. Her initial visual acuity was 20/20 OD and 20/200 OS. The left eye presented severe sheathing of retinal vessels inferiorly, heavy perivascular intraretinal hemorrhages, and premacular hemorrhage. There was no evidence of vascular leakage in fluorescein angiography. All of the laboratory workup was negative for frosted branch angiitis (FBA). During the follow-up period, FBA resolved spontaneously within a few days, but the amount of premacular hemorrhage increased. Vitrectomy with internal limiting membrane peeling was performed at the third month, resulting in 20/25 vision and no recurrence of the disease during the 13-month follow-up. CONCLUSION: This is an idiopathic case of acute FBA that exhibited spontaneous rapid regression of angiitis but was complicated by an unusual premacular hemorrhage.