Indications, Complications, and Early Postoperative Course of Recovery of Intraocular Lens Exchange Surgery: a Single-Center Retrospective Study.

PURPOSE: To analyze the indications, complications, and early course of recovery of intraocular lens (IOL) exchange surgery. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Records of patients who underwent IOL exchange during a 6-year period at a tertiary referral center were reviewed and the indications and complications after surgical intervention were analyzed. Their effects on postoperative corrected distance visual acuity (CDVA), intraocular pressure (IOP), use of IOP-lowering medications, and refractive cylindrical power were assessed. RESULTS: One hundred and seventy-one eyes (165 patients) were investigated. The most frequent indication for IOL exchange was lens dislocation in 163 eyes (95.32%). The main causes of IOL dislocation were pseudoexfoliation syndrome (PEX) in 98 eyes (57.31%) and complications during cataract surgery in 40 eyes (23.39%). During IOL exchange, an anterior iris-claw fixation was performed in 159 eyes (92.98%). After significant initial deterioration to 1.59 ± 1.08 logMAR on postoperative day 1 (p ≤ 0.001), the CDVA recovered to preoperative levels within 28 days. A significant decrease in IOP was observed on postoperative day 1 (p = 0.04). The most common postoperative complications were corneal edema in 114 eyes (66.67%) and vitreous hemorrhage in 67 eyes (39.18%). CONCLUSION: The high early postoperative prevalence of corneal edema and intraocular hemorrhage was found to affect visual recovery after IOL exchange, causing a significant initial deterioration of CDVA and a delay of full visual recovery. These findings suggest that surgical approaches minimizing the risk of this type of complications should be favored.

Progression of Visual Field Damage within Clusters Depends on Preexisting Damage.

PURPOSE: To investigate, in a routine clinical setting, how global progression or progression within visual field clusters depends on preexisting damage. METHODS: Glaucoma patients with a visual field damage of at least 3 dB at baseline and a series of at least 5 good quality examinations were scrutinized retrospectively. The change in visual field damage within 10 visual field clusters was assessed in a mixed linear effects model with age, baseline global mean deviation (MD), baseline cluster MD, and observation time as covariates. In addition, progression was tested for a global MD rate with age, baseline global MD, and observation time as covariates. RESULTS: A total of 50 patients with a mean (± SD) age of 78 (± 13) years and a baseline global mean defect (MD) of 7.6 dB (± 4.4) fulfilling the selection criteria were identified between 2001 and 2019 out of 5019 patients in a visual field database of a tertiary ophthalmology center. Baseline visual field damage (global MD) correlated positively (p < 0.001) with the progression rate within clusters, but not with the global MD rate (p = 0.075). Higher age was a significant predictor for more rapid progression in both models (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: In this retrospective study of patients in a routine clinical setting, who were not enrolled in studies, and simply receiving routine clinical care, analyzing progression within visual field clusters was more sensitive than assessing the global MD rate.

Morphological Reconstitution and Persistent Changes After Intravitreal Ocriplasmin for Vitreomacular Traction and Macular Hole.

Purpose: To assess the long-term anatomical and functional findings in patients with symptomatic vitreomacular traction (VMT), with or without full thickness macular hole (FTMH), after eye treatment with intravitreal ocriplasmin injection (IOI). Methods: This longitudinal case series includes 51 eyes from 51 symptomatic patients with VMT (<800 µm) who received a single IOI (Jetrea® 0.125 mg); 21 cases with an FTMH (<400 µm) were included. Best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and optical coherence tomography findings were recorded before IOI, and 1 day to 24 months thereafter. Data are presented as mean ± standard deviation. Results: Mean adhesion size before injection was 345 ± 146 µm. In 34 eyes (67%), complete release of VMT was observed; whereas VMT persisted in 17 eyes (33%). The latter included 15 of the 21 eyes (71%) with FTMH, 15 of which underwent pars plana vitrectomy and inner limiting membrane peeling. BCVA improved from (logarithm of the minimal angle of resolution [logMAR]) 0.41 ± 0.03 before injection to 0.32 ± 0.03 after 1 month and 0.23 ± 0.05 after 6 months and remained stable thereafter (0.24 ± 0.06 after 24 months of follow-up). Forty-five percent of the eyes presented submacular deposits soon after IOI that were not functionally relevant; 61% completely resolved by 12 months. Except floaters that disappeared within 48 h, no other adverse events were reported during follow-up. Conclusions: Treatment with ocriplasmin in a real-life setting showed an overall efficacy of 67% in patients with symptomatic VMT, with better results evident in the absence of an FTMH (70% vs. 62% VMT release) and a visual gain for over 2 years.

Optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) as a new diagnostic tool in uveitis.

BACKGROUND: The broad spectrum of uveitis disorders requires a multimodal imaging approach in the daily practice of an ophthalmologist. As inflammatory conditions, they have in common an alteration in leukocyte migration. In this context, optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) might be of great value for diagnosing or following up patients with these disorders. To date, OCTA has rather been used as an additional tool besides the well-established diagnostic imaging tools, but its complementary diagnostic features become increasingly relevant, to follow disease activity and treatment response and for the understanding of pathomechanisms of various uveitis types. This review summarizes the possible applications of OCTA and its advantages and disadvantages as opposed to dye-based angiographies in uveitic diseases. MAIN BODY: Hitherto gold standards in the diagnostic workup of posterior or intermediate uveitis have been angiography on a dye-based method, which is fluorescein or indocyanine green. It gives information about the status of the blood-retinal barrier and the retinal and choroidal vasculature by visualizing diffuse leakage as a state of inflammation or complications as an ischemia or choroidal neovascularization. As noninvasive methods, fundus autofluorescence depicts the status of metabolic activity of the retinal pigment epithelium and OCT or enhanced depth imaging OCT, respectively, as a depth-resolving imaging method can supply additional information. OCTA as a non-invasive, depth-resolution imaging tool of retinal and choroidal vessels adds detailed qualitative and quantitative information of the status of retinal and choroidal vessels and bridges the gap between the mentioned conventional diagnostic tools used in uveitis. It is important, though, to be aware of its limitations, such as its susceptibility to motion artifacts, limited comparability among different devices, and restricted contribution of information regarding the grade of disease activity. CONCLUSION: OCTA as a non-invasive, depth-resolution imaging tool can give qualitative and quantitative information about the status of retinal and choroidal vessels, but also has certain limitations. Employing OCTA as a complementary rather than exclusive tool, it can give important additional information about the macro- and microvasculature under inflammatory circumstances. Thereby, it also contributes to the understanding of the pathophysiology of various uveitis entities.

Microvascular abnormalities secondary to radiation therapy in neovascular age-related macular degeneration: findings from the INTREPID clinical trial.

PURPOSE: To report the incidence and features of retinal microvascular abnormalities (MVAs) occurring secondary to stereotactic radiotherapy (SRT) in a randomised double-masked sham-controlled clinical trial at 21 European sites. METHODS: Two hundred and thirty participants with neovascular age-related macular degeneration (AMD) treated with at least three intravitreal antivascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF) injections prior to enrolment, and demonstrating a continuing need for re-treatment. INTERVENTIONS: 16 Gy, 24 Gy or sham SRT. All three groups received pro re nata anti-VEGF injections if the lesion was judged to be active at review visits. Colour fundus images from baseline and 6 months and fluorescein angiograms from baseline and annual visits were graded for measures of morphological outcome and safety using a prespecified protocol with accompanying definitions to distinguish RT-related MVA from non-specific retinal vessel abnormalities that are known to occur in neovascular AMD. The main outcome measure was MVA detected by months 12, 24 and 36 after enrolment. RESULTS: The frequency of MVAs in the combined SRT arms was 0% in year 1, 13.1% in year 2 and 30.3% in year 3. The area of MVA was small and the mean change in visual acuity in year 2 was similar in a subset of SRT eyes with MVAs, versus those without MVAs. MVA was considered to have possibly contributed to vision loss in 2 of 18 cases with MVA in year 2, and 5 of 37 cases in year 3. CONCLUSION: Treatment with SRT is associated with development of subtle MVAs that have little or no impact on visual outcome. These findings can help clinicians recognise the retinal MVAs that occur in response to SRT.

Photodynamic therapy in combination with intravitreal ziv-aflibercept and aflibercept injection in patients with chronic or repeatedly recurrent acute central serous chorioretinopathy: a single-center retrospective study.

PURPOSE: The objective of the study was to assess the effect of off-label photodynamic therapy (PDT) in combination with intravitreal off-label ziv-aflibercept or off-label aflibercept injection in patients with chronic or repeatedly recurrent acute central serous chorioretinopathy (CSC). PATIENTS AND METHODS: Changes in best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and subfoveal subretinal fluid (sSRF) and maximum subretinal fluid (mSRF) were retrospectively analyzed in a single-center cohort study of 17 patients (18 eyes) with persistent subretinal fluid for more than 3 months of duration of CSC. Treatment efficacy was measured between injection and PDT at 30±15 days, 90±15 days and 180±30 days after PDT. RESULTS: Significant reduction of sSRF and mSRF was shown after therapy with ziv-aflibercept and aflibercept combined with PDT (p<0.001). Course of BCVA showed non-significant improvement within 6 months (p=0.065). One case of allergic reaction after fluorescein angiography and one case of ophthalmic migraine after ziv-aflibercept injection were documented. One case of reversible vision loss occurred during 6 months after combination therapy. No other adverse events or side effects were reported. CONCLUSION: Combination therapy of ziv-aflibercept and aflibercept with PDT seems to be beneficial, even in cases of chronic or repeatedly recurrent acute CSC. This includes cases of CSC resistant to or recurrent after medical treatment, PDT alone or therapy with anti-vascular endothelial growth factor alone.

IMPACT OF LONG-TERM INTRAVITREAL ANTI-VASCULAR ENDOTHELIAL GROWTH FACTOR ON PREEXISTING MICROSTRUCTURAL ALTERATIONS IN DIABETIC MACULAR EDEMA.

PURPOSE: Evaluation of the influence of long-term intravitreal anti-vascular endothelial growth factor treatment on preexisting retinal microstructural alterations in patients with diabetic macular edema. METHODS: Eyes with diabetic macular edema and a history of ≥ 20 intravitreal anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (aflibercept and/or ranibizumab) injections were included in this retrospective study. Primary outcome was the extent of disorganization of retinal inner layers, alterations at the outer plexiform layer/Henle fiber layer junction, disruption of external limiting membrane/ellipsoid zone, disruption of retinal pigment epithelium/Bruch complex, and retinal atrophy at baseline versus after ≥ 20 intravitreal injections as visualized by spectral-domain optical coherence tomography images. RESULTS: Of 383 eyes screened, 37 eyes were included in the current study. With the exception of outer plexiform layer/Henle fiber layer junction restoration, no significant changes regarding microstructural alterations between baseline and end of study were encountered after long-term anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (disorganization of retinal inner layers P = 0.381, outer plexiform layer/Henle fiber layer junction P = 0.001, external limiting membrane/ellipsoid zone P = 0.524, retinal pigment epithelium/Bruch complex P = 0.122, retinal atrophy P = 0.317). Best-corrected visual acuity significantly increased over the course of the study, corresponding to central retinal thickness and intraretinal fluid reduction (all P < 0.0001). The extent of microstructural alterations was negatively correlated with best-corrected visual acuity (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Apart from outer plexiform layer/Henle fiber layer junction layer restoration, no effect on preexisting retinal alterations was encountered after long-term intravitreal injections. Thus, intravitreal ranibizumab or aflibercept did not have a major effect (neither positive nor negative) on microstructural alterations.

Long-Term Intravitreal Dexamethasone Treatment in Eyes with Pretreated Chronic Diabetic Macular Edema.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study is to assess the effect of repeated injections of dexamethasone implants in patients with persistent diabetic macular edema (DME) despite prior therapies. METHODS: This retrospective interventional study involved 47 DME-afflicted eyes, which were administered ≥2 intravitreal injections of dexamethasone. Group 1 (34 eyes) received a dexamethasone monotherapy, whereas group 2 (13 eyes) received a combination therapy with intravitreal antivascular endothelial growth factor as needed. The duration of dexamethasone effect until retreatment and the change in best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and central retinal thickness (CRT) were defined as outcome measures. RESULTS: A total of 197 injections of dexamethasone were administered in group 1 and 52 in group 2 during a mean follow-up of 23 ± 10 and 24 ± 13 months, respectively. Mean time to reinjection was 4.6 ± 0.5 (group 1) and 5.3 ± 1.0 months (group 2; P = 0.17). Reinjection intervals did not shorten over time for up to 10 dexamethasone injections per eye in group 1 and BCVA improved from before 1 month after the first implantation, 7.0 letters (P = 0.04). In group 2, there was no significant improvement in BCVA at any time point. CRT decreased from 534 ± 208 and 529 ± 215 µm to 287 ± 115 and 371 ± 78 µm at 3 months and increased to 460 ± 186 µm and 547 ± 175 µm before reinjection (groups1 and 2, respectively). The maximal CRT before each implantation remained stable over time. CONCLUSIONS: In eyes with chronic DME that respond incompletely to prior therapy or require frequent reinjections, dexamethasone shows promising long-term anatomic and functional improvement. The absence of a treatment effect reduction over time argues against a relevant rebound phenomenon.

Angio-OCT de la zona avascular foveal en ojos con oclusión venosa de la retina.

Objetivo: El objetivo del estudio comprendía visualizar y cuantificar las alteraciones patológicas de la zona avascular foveal (ZAF) mediante angio-OCT en ojos con oclusión venosa de la retina (OVR) en comparación con el ojo contralateral sano. Procedimientos: La angio-OCT se llevó a cabo mediante el sistema Avanti® RTVue 100 XR (Optovue Inc., Fremont, Calif., EE. UU.). Los bordes de la capa vascular superficial (CVS) se definieron como 3 µm por debajo de la membrana limitante interna y 15 µm por debajo de la capa plexiforme interna y, para la capa vascular profunda (CVP), como 15 y 70 µm por debajo de la membrana limitante interna y de la capa plexiforme interna, respectivamente. La longitud de la ZAF horizontal, vertical y máxima de la CVS y la CVP en cada ojo se midió de forma manual. Además, se midió el ángulo entre el diámetro máximo de la ZAF y el plano papilomacular. Resultados: La angio-OCT representó los defectos dentro de la vasculatura en el área perifoveal en ojos con oclusión de rama venosa de la retina (ORVR; n = 11) y con oclusión de la vena central de la retina (OVCR; n = 8). Esto resultó en un crecimiento del diámetro máximo de la ZAF en ojos con OVR (n = 19) en comparación con el ojo contralateral (n = 19; 921 ± 213 frente a 724 ± 145 µm; p = 0,008). Además, se observó una correlación significativa entre la mejor agudeza visual corregida (MAVC) y el diámetro máximo de la ZAF en la CVP (ρ de Spearman = -0,423, p < 0,01). Por último, en los ojos con OVR, el ángulo entre el plano papilomacular y el diámetro máximo de la ZAF se dio tan solo en el 21,05% (CVS) y en el 15,79% (CVP) de los casos a 0 ± 15 ó 90 ± 15°, respectivamente. En ojos sanos, estos ángulos (que supuestamente representan una configuración de la ZAF regular) fueron más prevalentes (CVS 68,42 frente a 21,05%, p = 0,003; CVP 73,68 frente a 15,79%, p < 0,001). Conclusiones: La angio-OCT muestra alteraciones morfológicas de la ZAF en ojos con OVCR y ORVR. La correlación del diámetro máximo de la ZAF con la MAVC indica que estas alteraciones resultan funcionalmente relevantes.

LOW ENDOPHTHALMITIS RATES AFTER INTRAVITREAL ANTI-VASCULAR ENDOTHELIAL GROWTH FACTOR INJECTIONS IN AN OPERATION ROOM: A Retrospective Multicenter Study.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the rate of presumed endophthalmitis (EO) after intravitreal anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF) injections in three European hospitals performed in an operation room (OR) under sterile conditions. METHODS: A retrospective multicenter study between 2003 and 2016 at three European sites, City Hospital Triemli Zurich, Switzerland (CHT), Zealand University Hospital Roskilde, Denmark (ZUH) and University Clinic Bern, Switzerland (UCB). Intravitreal injection (IVI) database of each department was reviewed. All anti-vascular endothelial growth factor injections were performed using a standardized sterile technique in an operation room. Injection protocols were similar between the three sites. No preinjection antibiotics were given. Postoperative antibiotics varied among sites. RESULTS: A total of 134,701 intravitreal injections were performed at the 3 sites between 2003 and 2016. Ten cases of presumed endophthalmitis were documented: 4 in 50,721 at CHT (95% CI: 0.0071-0.0087%), 2 in 44,666 at ZUH (95% CI: 0.0039-0.0051%), and 4 in 39,314 at UCB (95% CI: 0.0092-0.011%). This results in one case in 13,470 intravitreal injections and a combined incidence of 0.0074% per injection (95% CI: 0.0070-0.0078%). Positive cultures were found in 4 out of 10 presumed endophthalmitis cases. CONCLUSION: The standardized sterile technique in an operation room with laminar airflow showed very low rates of endophthalmitis at three European sites.

Conjunctival lymphangioma in a 4-year-old girl revealed tuberous sclerosis complex.

Background: To present a case of conjunctival lymphangioma in a 4-year-old girl with tuberous sclerosis complex. Methods/results: A 4-year-old girl presented with a relapsing cystic lesion of the bulbar conjunctiva in the right eye with string-of-pearl-like dilation of lymphatic vessels and right-sided facial swelling with mild pain. Best-corrected vision was not impaired. Examination of the skin revealed three hypomelanotic macules and a lumbal Shagreen patch. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings displayed minimal enhancement of buccal fat on the right side. Cranial and orbital MRI showed signal enhancement in the right cortical and subcortical areas. Genetic analysis revealed a heterozygous deletion encompassing exon 1 and 2 of the TSC1 gene (tuberous sclerosis complex 1 gene), confirming the diagnosis of tuberous sclerosis complex. Conclusion: In conjunctival lymphangioma, tuberous sclerosis complex should be considered as the primary disease.

Response of Postoperative and Chronic Uveitic Cystoid Macular Edema to a Dexamethasone-Based Intravitreal Implant (Ozurdex).

PURPOSE: To survey the clinical responses to treatment of chronic postoperative and uveitic cystoid macular edema (CME) with a dexamethasone-based intravitreal implant (Ozurdex(®)). METHODS: This retrospective, interventional case series reports on patients with chronic CME after uncomplicated vitrectomy for epiretinal gliosis or phacoemulsification (group 1: 12 eyes) or secondary to noninfectious endogenous uveitis (group 2: 36 eyes). Central retinal thickness (CRT), best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA, logMAR), and intraocular pressure (IOP) throughout follow-up were gleaned from the medical records. RESULTS: In group 1, CRT decreased, compared with baseline, from 519 ± 43 to 297 ± 23 and 356 ± 49 µm by the 1- and 3-month visit (P = 0.02) and to 429 ± 57 µm before reimplantation. In group 2, CRT decreased from 460 ± 31 to 300 ± 21 and 312 ± 26 µm by the 1- and 3-month follow-up, respectively (P = 0.001), and to 373 ± 32 µm before reimplantation. Complete resolution of CME was achieved in 67% and 94% (groups 1 and 2, respectively) by 1 month and in 42% and 80% by 3 months after injection. In group 1, BCVA improved from 0.46 ± 0.08 to 0.27 ± 0.09 and 0.20 ± 0.06 (P = 0.01) by the 1- and 3-month follow-up, respectively, and to 0.32 ± 0.08 before reimplantation. In group 2, BCVA improved from 0.47 ± 0.06 to 0.34 ± 0.09, 0.26 ± 0.07, and 0.29 ± 0.08 (P < 0.05) at 1 and 3 months of follow-up and before reimplantation, respectively. A significant IOP increase was not observed in either group. Mean time to reimplantation of Ozurdex was 6.4 ± 5.7 and 6.6 ± 3.4 months for postoperative and uveitic CME, respectively. CONCLUSION: Ozurdex seems to achieve a sustained effect over up to 6 months in postsurgical and uveitic CME.

Optical Coherence Tomography Angiography of the Foveal Avascular Zone in Retinal Vein Occlusion.

PURPOSE: The aim of the study was to visualize and to quantify pathological foveal avascular zone (FAZ) alterations through optical coherence tomography angiography (OCT-A) in eyes with retinal vein occlusion (RVO) in comparison to the unaffected fellow eyes. PROCEDURES: OCT-A was conducted with the Avanti® RTVue 100 XR system (Optovue Inc., Fremont, Calif., USA). The borders of the superficial vascular layer (SVL) were defined as 3 µm below the internal limiting membrane and 15 µm below the inner plexiform layer, and for the deep vascular layer (DVL) as 15 and 70 µm below the inner plexiform layer, respectively. The length of the horizontal, vertical and maximum FAZ was manually measured for the SVL and DVL in each eye. Additionally, the angle between the maximum FAZ diameter and the papillomacular plane was measured. RESULTS: OCT-A depicted defects within the perifoveal vasculature in eyes with branch retinal vein occlusion (BRVO; n = 11) and central retinal vein occlusion (CRVO; n = 8). These resulted in an enlargement of the maximum FAZ diameter in eyes with RVO (n = 19) in comparison to the healthy fellow eyes (n = 19; 921 ± 213 vs. 724 ± 145 µm; p = 0.008). Furthermore, a significant correlation was found between best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and the maximum FAZ diameter in the DVL (Spearman's x03C1; = -0.423, p < 0.01). Lastly, in the eyes with RVO, the angle between the papillomacular plane and the maximum FAZ diameter was only in 21.05% (SVL) and 15.79% (DVL) of the cases at 0 ± 15 or 90 ± 15°, respectively. In healthy eyes, these angles (which putatively represent a regular FAZ configuration) were more prevalent (SVL 68.42 vs. 21.05%, p = 0.003; DVL 73.68 vs. 15.79%, p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: OCT-A shows morphological alterations of the FAZ in eyes with CRVO and BRVO. The correlation of the maximum FAZ diameter with BCVA suggests that these alterations are functionally relevant.

Optical coherence tomography angiography of the foveal avascular zone in diabetic retinopathy.

PURPOSE: To analyze foveal avascular zone (FAZ) dimensions and symmetry in patients with diabetic retinopathy (DR) compared to healthy controls using optical coherence tomography angiography (OCT angiography). METHODS: OCT angiography was performed via an Avanti® RTVue 100 XR OCT system (Optovue, Inc., Fremont, CA, USA) in patients with diabetes mellitus (DM) and healthy adults. A frame centered on the fovea was used for FAZ measurements. The borders of the superficial vascular layer were defined as 3 µm below the internal limiting membrane (ILM) and 15 µm below the inner plexiform layer (IPL), and for the deep vascular layer as15 µm and 70 µm below the IPL, respectively. Angles of maximum FAZ diameter were measured in all eyes by two graders. RESULTS: In healthy eyes (N = 25), the FAZ surrounding vascular arcades were intact, showing a vertical or horizontal oval symmetrical formation with a maximum diameter usually on the horizontal or vertical axis. Diabetic eyes (N = 29) presented with disintegrity of the vascular arcades, resulting in an enlarged FAZ. In the superficial layer, the mean horizontal FAZ diameter was significantly larger in the DR group (753 µm ±272 µm) than in the control group (573 µm ±177 µm, p = 0.029). The difference was even more pronounced in the deep layer, with a mean value of 659 µm ±194 µm in the control group and 1009 µm ±342 µm in the DR group (p = 0.001). Furthermore, in the superficial layer, the angle of the maximum FAZ diameter was 0° (±15°) or 90° (±15°) in 72.0 % of healthy eyes. In eyes with DR, the angle was 0° (±15°) or 90° (±15°) in only 6.9 % of cases, due to the irregular configuration of the FAZ. CONCLUSIONS: OCT angiography is capable of imaging retinal vasculature without dye injection. Our data suggest that it can detect disintegrity of the vascular arcades surrounding the FAZ, thus differentiating DM from healthy eyes. Vascular abnormalities were more pronounced in the deep vascular layer.

Vasculitis-like hemorrhagic retinal angiopathy in Wegener's granulomatosis.

BACKGROUND: Granulomatosis with polyangiitis, also known as Wegener's granulomatosis, is a chronic systemic inflammatory disease that can also involve the eyes. We report a case of massive retinal and preretinal hemorrhages with perivascular changes as the initial signs in granulomatosis with polyangiitis (Wegener's granulomatosis). CASE PRESENTATION: A 39-year-old Caucasian male presented with blurred vision in his right eye, myalgia and arthralgia, recurrent nose bleeds and anosmia. Fundus image of his right eye showed massive retinal hemorrhages and vasculitis-like angiopathy, although no fluorescein extravasation was present in fluorescein angiography. Laboratory investigations revealed an inflammation with increased C-reactive protein, elevated erythrocyte sedimentation rate and neutrophil count. Tests for antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies (ANCA) were positive for c-ANCA (cytoplasmatic ANCA) and PR3-ANCA (proteinase 3-ANCA). Renal biopsy demonstrated a focal segmental necrotizing glomerulonephritis. Granulomatosis with polyangiitis (Wegener's granulomatosis) was diagnosed and a combined systemic therapy of cyclophosphamide and corticosteroids was initiated. During 3 months of follow-up, complete resorption of retinal hemorrhages was seen and general complaints as well as visual acuity improved during therapy. CONCLUSION: Vasculitis-like retinal changes can occur in Wegener's granulomatosis. Despite massive retinal and preretinal hemorrhages that cause visual impairment, immunosuppressive therapy can improve ocular symptoms.

Postoperative subconjunctival bevacizumab injection as an adjunct to 5-fluorouracil in the management of scarring after trabeculectomy.

PURPOSE: Scarring after glaucoma filtering surgery remains the most frequent cause for bleb failure. The aim of this study was to assess if the postoperative injection of bevacizumab reduces the number of postoperative subconjunctival 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) injections. Further, the effect of bevacizumab as an adjunct to 5-FU on the intraocular pressure (IOP) outcome, bleb morphology, postoperative medications, and complications was evaluated. METHODS: Glaucoma patients (N = 61) who underwent trabeculectomy with mitomycin C were analyzed retrospectively (follow-up period of 25 ± 19 months). Surgery was performed exclusively by one experienced glaucoma specialist using a standardized technique. Patients in group 1 received subconjunctival applications of 5-FU postoperatively. Patients in group 2 received 5-FU and subconjunctival injection of bevacizumab. RESULTS: Group 1 had 6.4 ± 3.3 (0-15) (mean ± standard deviation and range, respectively) 5-FU injections. Group 2 had 4.0 ± 2.8 (0-12) (mean ± standard deviation and range, respectively) 5-FU injections. The added injection of bevacizumab significantly reduced the mean number of 5-FU injections by 2.4 ± 3.08 (P ≤ 0.005). There was no significantly lower IOP in group 2 when compared to group 1. A significant reduction in vascularization and in cork screw vessels could be found in both groups (P < 0.0001, 7 days to last 5-FU), yet there was no difference between the two groups at the last follow-up. Postoperative complications were significantly higher for both groups when more 5-FU injections were applied. (P = 0.008). No significant difference in best corrected visual acuity (P = 0.852) and visual field testing (P = 0.610) between preoperative to last follow-up could be found between the two groups. CONCLUSION: The postoperative injection of bevacizumab reduced the number of subconjunctival 5-FU injections significantly by 2.4 injections. A significant difference in postoperative IOP reduction, bleb morphology, and postoperative medication was not detected.