EVALUATION OF PARAVASCULAR INNER RETINAL DEFECTS USING EN FACE OPTICAL COHERENCE TOMOGRAPHY.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the prevalence and risk factors for development of paravascular inner retinal defects (PIRDs) using en face optical coherence tomography. METHODS: This is a retrospective cross-sectional study. En face and cross-sectional optical coherence tomography images were reviewed (9 × 9 mm or 12 × 12 mm). Paravascular inner retinal defects were classified as either Grade 1 (i.e., paravascular inner retinal cysts) when the lesion was confined within the nerve fiber layer without any communication to the vitreous cavity or Grade 2 (i.e., paravascular lamellar hole) when the defects communicated to the vitreous. Paravascular inner retinal defect grading was correlated with presence of high myopia, stage of posterior vitreous detachment, and presence of epiretinal membrane and retinoschisis. RESULTS: Of 1,074 patients (2,148 eyes), PIRDs were detected in 261 eyes with a prevalence of 261 per 2,148 eyes (12.2%) and 176 per 1,074 patients (16.4%). A total of 116 eyes (44.4%) displayed Grade 2 PIRDs while 145 eyes (55.6%) were Grade 1. In the multivariate logistic regression model, the presence of partial/complete posterior vitreous detachment, retinoschisis, and epiretinal membrane was significantly correlated with PIRDs (OR = 2.78 [1.7-4.4], P < 0.001; OR = 2.93 [1.7-5], P < 0.001; and OR = 25.9 [2.8-242.5], P < 0.001, respectively). The presence of partial/complete posterior vitreous detachment and epiretinal membrane was also significantly associated with Grade 2 PIRDs versus Grade 1 PIRDs ( P = 0.03 and P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Our results indicate that wide-field en face optical coherence tomography facilitates the identification of PIRDs over a large area of retina with a single capture. The presence of PIRDs was significantly associated with posterior vitreous detachment, epiretinal membrane, and retinoschisis, confirming the role of vitreoretinal traction in the pathogenesis of PIRDs.

Nascent Geographic Atrophy as a Predictor of Type 3 Macular Neovascularization Development.

PURPOSE: To investigate the association of nascent geographic atrophy (GA) preceding the development of exudative type 3 macular neovascularization (MNV) in patients with age-related macular degeneration (AMD). DESIGN: Retrospective longitudinal study. PARTICIPANTS: Patients with AMD diagnosed with treatment-naive exudative type 3 MNV in 1 or both eyes were evaluated. Inclusion criteria included serial tracked structural OCT examinations for ≥ 2 years before the detection of exudative type 3 MNV. METHODS: Clinical characteristics and retinal imaging, including structural OCT at baseline and at each follow-up examination, were analyzed. Eyes showing the presence of nascent GA during the follow-up were selected for analysis of prevalence, and clinical characteristics at the site of subsequent type 3 MNV development. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Description of the prevalence and clinical characteristics of nascent GA at the site of subsequent type 3 MNV development. RESULTS: Overall, 97 eyes affected by type 3 MNV meeting inclusion criteria were analyzed. Of 97 eyes (71 patients), 22 eyes of 21 patients (mean age 82 ± 9 years) showed nascent GA preceding exudative type 3 MNV. The observed prevalence of nascent GA preceding exudative type 3 MNV was 22.7% (95% confidence interval, 14.4%-31.0%). Exudative type 3 MNV developed a mean of 9 ± 6 months after detection of nascent GA. The presence of reticular pseudodrusen in the study eye did not significantly influence the timing of exudative type 3 MNV development after the observation of nascent GA (P > 0.1 in all analyses). Reduced best-corrected visual acuity was recorded at the exudative type 3 stage in comparison with the nascent GA stage (P = 0.003). CONCLUSIONS: As nascent GA may precede the development of exudative type 3 MNV, the detection of nascent GA in eyes with AMD may warrant closer surveillance to identify early exudative type 3 MNV warranting treatment. FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE(S): Proprietary or commercial disclosure may be found after the references.

Myopic macular pits: a case series with multimodal imaging.

OBJECTIVE: To characterize the multimodal retinal findings of myopic macular pits, a feature of myopic degeneration. METHODS: A case series of patients with myopic macular pits were studied with multimodal imaging including color fundus photography, fundus autofluorescence (FAF), near infrared reflectance (NIR), spectral domain optical coherence tomography (OCT), optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA), fluorescein angiography (FA) and indocyanine green angiography (ICG). RESULTS: Nine eyes of 6 patients with myopic macular pit were examined. Four patients presented with multiple pits and 3 with bilateral involvement. All pits were localized in a region of severe macular chorioretinal atrophy associated with myopic posterior staphyloma. In 3 eyes, the entrance of the posterior ciliary artery through the sclera was noted at the base of the pit. Schisis overlying the pit or adjacent to the pit was identified in 3 patients. CONCLUSION: Myopic macular pits are an additional rare sign of myopic degeneration, developing in regions of posterior staphyloma complicated by severe chorioretinal atrophy and thin sclera.

Non-neovascular fluid in age-related macular degeneration: observe-and-extend regimen in a case-series study.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the course of non-neovascular fluid in age-related macular degeneration (AMD) after anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF) therapy or after observation without injections. DESIGN: Retrospective case series. METHODS: AMD eyes with macular drusen and (or) drusenoid pigment epithelial detachment associated with non-neovascular fluid were included. Optical coherence tomography (OCT) angiography was performed in all eyes to exclude the presence of macular neovascularization. Subretinal fluid (SRF) was measured to determine the response after anti-VEGF therapy and after observation without injections. RESULTS: Ten eyes of 9 patients with intermediate AMD and SRF were studied over a median period of 59.5 months (range, 7-128 months). Six patients (6 eyes) had a history of anti-VEGF therapy. Median follow-up off injections was 13.5 months (range, 4-44 months). SRF thickness remained stable and unchanged during the follow-up off injections in all eyes (n = 6) with prior injection and in all eyes (n = 4) that had never been injected. Six eyes developed complete retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) and outer retinal atrophy, and 1 eye developed incomplete RPE and outer retinal atrophy. All eyes exhibited at least 2 OCT biomarkers associated with a high risk for progression to atrophy. CONCLUSION: This study provides preliminary data regarding the progression of non-neovascular fluid in AMD with or without anti-VEGF injections. A possible mechanism for fluid development may be related to RPE pump impairment. Distinguishing neovascular versus non-neovascular fluid using multimodal imaging, including OCT angiography, is essential to avoid unnecessary anti-VEGF therapy. An observe-and-extend regimen may be considered in AMD eyes with non-neovascular fluid.

Pentosan Polysulfate Sodium-Associated Maculopathy: Early Detection Using OCT Angiography and Choriocapillaris Flow Deficit Analysis.

PURPOSE: To compare choriocapillaris flow deficit (CC-FD) analysis using optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) in eyes of patients treated with high cumulative dosages of pentosan polysulfate sodium (PPS) but no signs of retinal toxicity versus healthy age-matched controls. DESIGN: Retrospective clinical cohort study. METHODS: Patients treated with PPS for interstitial cystitis with a cumulative dose of > 1000 g underwent multimodal imaging screening to exclude evidence of PPS maculopathy or other retinal findings. All study patients and age-matched healthy controls completed a 3 × 3 mm macular volume scan OCTA using the SOLIX full-range OCT. En face OCTA images at the level of the CC were exported and CC-FDs were computed and compared between groups. RESULTS: Fifteen patients treated with PPS and 15 age-matched controls were included. The mean PPS cumulative dose was 1974 ± 666 g over a mean of 17.6 ± 6.8 treatment years. All patients registered a visual acuity of 20/25 or better and normal fundus autofluorescence (FAF), OCT, multicolor, near-infrared reflectance (NIR), and ultra-widefield fundus color and autofluorescence images. The CC-FD was 32.7 ± 3.6% in the PPS group compared with 28.6 ± 4.3% in the control group (P = .023). CONCLUSIONS: Patients treated with PPS long enough to accumulate dosages > 1000 g showed significant CC flow impairment before the development of macular toxicity signs with OCT, NIR, and FAF compared with age-matched normal controls. Thus, the choroid may be the earliest manifestation of ocular toxicity, predating the development of clinically evident retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) injury. The subsequent RPE disruption may be the result of choriocapillaris impairment or primary PPS toxicity. Assessment of the CC on OCTA may be a useful tool for early detection of toxicity, although further longitudinal studies are required.

Choroidal ischemia drives macular neovascularization in persistent placoid maculopathy.

Purpose: To describe a case of persistent placoid maculopathy (PPM) complicated by macular neovascularization (MNV) that developed in areas of prior choroidal ischemia as illustrated with sequential optical coherence tomography angiography. Observations: A 65-year-old man presented with unilateral decreased vision and creamy plaque-like macular lesions in both eyes (OU) upon fundus examination. Optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) demonstrated inner choroidal ischemia, corresponding to the placoid lesions, that persisted for several months consistent with a diagnosis of PPM. The patient was treated with immunosuppressive therapy, but the areas of inner choroidal ischemia gave rise to the development of MNV in each eye warranting serial antiVEGF therapy. Conclusions and Importance: OCTA is a useful tool for the diagnosis and follow up of PPM patients and can demonstrate areas of persistent inner choroidal ischemia that can drive the development of choroidal neovascularization.

Advanced retinal imaging and applications for clinical practice: A consensus review.

Imaging is an integral part of the evaluation and management of retinal disorders. Each imaging modality has its own unique capabilities and can show a different aspect or perspective of disease. Multimodal retinal imaging provides a wealth of substantive and insightful information; however, the integration of all this complex data can be overwhelming. We discuss the applications and the strengths and limitations of the many different retinal imaging tools that are approved for clinical use. These modalities include color fundus photography, widefield imaging, fundus autofluorescence, near infrared reflectance, optical coherence tomography angiography, and en face optical coherence tomography. We also cover the advantages and disadvantages of a multimodal approach.