Postoperative Aspergillus Infection: A Case Series.

PURPOSE: To report the clinical findings, therapy and outcomes of pauci-symptomatic Aspergillus infection in 11 eyes of 11 patients who had recently undergone uneventful cataract surgery and IOL implantation in a single operating room on the same day. METHODS: Retrospective, observational study that looks at 11 patients who demonstrated Aspergillus infection after cataract surgery. All data were collected and intracameral samples sent for microscopic evaluation and culture. Additional swabs were sent from the operating room and operative consumables. RESULTS: A total of 11 eyes of 11 patients were included in the analysis and were followed for at least 12 months. All patients responded completely to local and systemic voriconazole therapy. The source of infection was noted to be air-conditioning vents. Eyes with manual small incision cataract surgery (11/17) had a higher propensity for infection. CONCLUSION: Pauci-symptomatic aspergillosis infection has been reported here following cataract surgery.

Current Treatments and Innovations in Diabetic Retinopathy and Diabetic Macular Edema.

Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is one of the leading causes of blindness worldwide. Multiple treatment options have been used over time to attempt to modify the natural progression of the disease in both proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR) and diabetic macular edema (DME). These two retinal complications are the result of microvascular occlusions and vascular hyperpermeability and are considered one of the leading causes of irreversible blindness in patients of working age. It is now well demonstrated that PDR and DME are associated with increased levels of inflammatory and pro-angiogenic factors in the ocular compartment. To date, laser photocoagulation, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) inhibitors, and corticosteroids have demonstrated efficacy in their treatment in large randomized controlled trials and in real-life observational studies. This manuscript aims to provide a comprehensive review of current treatments, including the main drugs used in diabetic pathologic manifestations, as well as new therapeutic alternatives, such as extended-release intraocular devices.

Relationship of Neutrophil-to-Lymphocyte and Platelet-to-Lymphocyte Ratio With Visual Acuity After Surgical Repair of Open Globe Injury.

Purpose: To assess the relationship and prognostic value of the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR) with poor final best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) after surgical repair of open globe injuries (OGI) in adults. Design: Retrospective analysis of data from an ongoing prospective cohort of consecutive patients. Methods: In a tertiary university hospital, 197 eyes of 197 patients were included between 2013 and 2017. NLR and PLR were obtained from pre-operative blood tests to analyze its relationship with poor final BCVA. Results: Severe visual impairment (SVI) was defined as ≤20/200, and was observed in 96 (48.7%) patients after surgical repair of OGI. SVI patients had higher NLR (7.4 ± 6.6 vs. 4.0 ± 3.2, p < 0.001), and PLR (167 ± 92 vs. 139 ± 64; p = 0.021) than non-SVI. NLR ≥ 3.47 and PLR ≥ 112.2 were the best cut-off values for SVI, were univariate risk factors for SVI, and had sensitivity: 69.0, 71.4, and specificity: 63.6, 44.8, respectively. In multivariate analysis, only OTS, athalamia, and hyphema remained as risk factors. NLR had significant correlation with ocular trauma score (OTS) (r = -0.389, p < 0.001) and final BCVA (r = 0.345, p < 0.001). Limitations: Simultaneous trauma in other parts of the body that could influence the laboratory findings. Conclusion: Patients with SVI after a repaired OGI had increased pre-operative NLR and PLR levels. High NLR and PLR are risk factors for SVI in univariate analysis. It is confirmed that low OTS is a risk factor for SVI. High NLR and PLR could be used as a prognostic tool to identify patients at higher risk for SVI after repair of OGI.

Real-World Experience with Brolucizumab in Wet Age-Related Macular Degeneration: The REBA Study.

The aim of the present study was to determine the efficacy and safety of intravitreal brolucizumab therapy for neovascular age-related macular degeneration (AMD) in the real-world setting. The REBA study (real-world experience with brolucizumab in wet AMD) was a retrospective, observational, multicentric study that included 78 consecutive patients (105 eyes), with neovascular AMD, who received brolucizumab therapy. Both treatment-naive and switch-therapy patients were included. Switch therapy was based either on fluid recurrence, fluid recalcitrance, or inability to extend beyond q4/q6. All relevant data were collected. The primary outcome measure was change in best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) over time. Secondary outcome measures included determination of change in central subfield thickness (CST) and complications. The mean baseline BCVA was 49.4 ± 5.4 letters and 40 ± 3.2 letters, and corresponding mean BCVA gain was +11.9 ± 3.9 letters (p = 0.011) and +10.4 ± 4.8 letters (p = 0.014) in the treatment-naive and switch-therapy groups, respectively. The change in CST was significantly decreased in the treatment-naive (p = 0.021) and the switch-therapy (p = 0.013) groups. The mean follow-up was 10.4 months in both groups. One patient in the switch-therapy group developed vascular occlusion and another a macular hole after the fifth brolucizumab injection. Both patients recovered uneventfully. In conclusion, patients showed a very good anatomical and functional response to brolucizumab therapy in the real world, regardless of prior treatment status, until the end of the follow-up period. Two significant untoward events were noted.

ENDOGENOUS ENDOPHTHALMITIS IN THE SETTING OF COVID-19 INFECTION: A Case Series.

PURPOSE: To describe endogenous endophthalmitis in the setting of COVID-19 pneumonia. METHODS: Patients recovering from COVID-19 pneumonia who presented to our department with any or all of the following complaints: pain, watering, redness, and decreased vision were identified. All relevant data were collected for analysis. RESULTS: Three patients with endogenous endophthalmitis were identified. All patients had been treated for COVID-19 pneumonia and therefore had received remdesivir and systemic steroids; 2 of the 3 patients received tocilizumab. All patients received vitreous biopsy, vitrectomy, and intraocular antibiotic injection. Patient 1 demonstrated Klebsiella pneumoniae in blood culture, K. pneumoniae and Escherichia coli in urine culture, and K. pneumoniae in vitreous fluid, whereas Patients 2 and 3 demonstrated Stenotrophomonas maltophilia and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus in the blood and nasopharyngeal culture, respectively. Correspondingly, the same organism was cultured from vitreous in Patients 2 and 3. The visual acuity at the last follow-up in Patients 1 to 3 was 20/100, 20/80, and 20/40, respectively. The probable source of infection was identified in each as renal calculi, dental caries, and the pharynx, respectively. Real-time polymerase chain reaction demonstrated the presence of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 in the vitreous fluid of Patient 1. CONCLUSION: We report good outcomes of early intervention for endogenous endophthalmitis in the setting of COVID-19 infection. We also document the presence of SARS-CoV-2 in vitreous.

SPONTANEOUS CLOSURE OF SIMULTANEOUS IDIOPATHIC MACULAR HOLES DOCUMENTED BY SPECTRAL-DOMAIN OPTICAL COHERENCE TOMOGRAPHY.

PURPOSE: To report a case of spontaneous closure of simultaneous full-thickness macular hole. METHODS: Case report and literature review. RESULTS: A 67-year-old woman with small-diameter simultaneous macular holes was observed for a period of 5 months, and progression was documented with spectral-domain optical coherence tomography. Closure of right full-thickness macular hole was evidenced by 1 month and left full-thickness macular hole by 5 months. CONCLUSION: This case demonstrates possible spontaneous resolution of a condition that is usually treated surgically. A period of observation with serial imaging studies may be advised in cases of small macular holes.

Closure of stage 2 macular hole with a low-dose intravitreal injection of perfluoropropane.

BACKGROUND: Idiopathic macular holes (IMH) are common and affect central vision. We demonstrate the effectiveness of 0.2 ml intravitreal perfluoropropane (C3F8) in Stage-2 IMH. CASE: A 61-year-old woman presented with blurred vision OD. Best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) was 20/125 OD and 20/20 OS. Biomicroscopy of OD evidenced a Stage-2 IMH. Intravitreal C3F8 was injected and postural measures prescribed. Optical coherence tomography 1 week after revealed posterior vitreous detachment and vitreomacular traction resolution. Full anatomical and functional recovery was achieved at week 4 and remained stable during a 6-month follow-up (BCVA 20/20 OD). CONCLUSION: Intravitreal C3F8 as initial therapy for Stage 2 IMH represents a good alternative to vitrectomy for patients with IMH.

INTRODUCCIÓN: Los agujeros maculares idiopáticos (AMI) son comunes y afectan la visión central. Demostramos la efectividad de 0.2 ml de perfluoropropano (C3F8) intravítreo en AMI en estadio 2. CASO: Una mujer de 61 años presentó con visión borrosa súbita OD. Mejor agudeza visual corregida (MAVC) 20/125 OD y 20/20 en el OS. La biomicroscopía del OD evidenció un AMI en estadio 2. Se inyectó C3F8 intravítreo y se prescribieron medidas posturales. Una semana después, la tomografía de coherencia óptica reveló desprendimiento de vítreo posterior. La resolución de tracción vitreomacular con recuperación anatómica y funcional completa se logró a la semana 4 y se mantuvo estable durante un seguimiento de 6 meses (MAVC 20/20 OD). CONCLUSIÓN: El C3F8 intravítreo como terapia inicial para AMI en estadio 2 representa una buena alternativa a la vitrectomía vía pars plana en pacientes con AMI.

Long-term visual and anatomic outcomes after photodynamic therapy for symptomatic circumscribed choroidal hemangioma.

Circumscribed choroidal hemangiomas (CCHs) are relatively rare. We report the response of a symptomatic CCH to photodynamic therapy (PDT). A 70-year-old male presented with blurred vision of the left eye (OS). Best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) was 20/60 right eye and 20/160 OS. Biomicroscopy revealed bilateral cataracts. Diagnosis of CCH was made fundoscopically for OS and confirmed with optical coherence tomography (OCT). One session of PDT with individualized parameters was administered. After 2 months, anatomical improvement was evidenced with OCT and BCVA was 20/60. After cataract surgery, his BCVA was of 20/25 and remained stable. PDT showed excellent anatomic and visual results after a 2-year follow-up.

Los hemangiomas coroideos circunscritos son relativamente raros. Reportamos la respuesta de uno sintomático con terapia fotodinámica. Un hombre de 70 años presentó visión borrosa en el ojo izquierdo. La mejor agudeza visual corregida fue de 20/60 en el ojo derecho y de 20/160 en el izquierdo. La biomicroscopía demostró catarata en ambos ojos. En el ojo izquierdo se diagnosticó un hemangioma coroideo circunscrito confirmado con tomografía de coherencia óptica. Se administró una sesión de terapia fotodinámica con parámetros individualizados. Dos meses después se observó mejoría anatómica en la tomografía de coherencia óptica, y la mejor agudeza visual corregida fue de 20/60. Después de la cirugía de catarata, la mejor agudeza visual corregida fue de 20/25 y tuvo estabilidad. La terapia fotodinámica mostró excelentes resultados anatómicos y funcionales a los 2 años.

Anatomical Changes of Full-Thickness Macular Hole Documented by Microscope-Integrated Spectral-Domain Optical Coherence Tomography.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: To evaluate anatomical changes of idiopathic macular hole (MH) after internal limiting membrane removal and after passive suction at the hole's borders using microscope-integrated intraoperative optical coherence tomography (iOCT). PATIENTS AND METHODS: Five eyes of five subjects with full-thickness idiopathic MH underwent phacoemulsification, intraocular lens implantation, pars plana vitrectomy, and internal limiting membrane (ILM) removal. iOCT was performed after ILM removal and after passive suction at the hole's borders. RESULTS: iOCT showed decreased MH diameter after ILM removal in all cases. Passive suction achieved complete apposition of borders. All cases presented successful postsurgical closure. CONCLUSIONS: iOCT provides anatomical information during MH surgery that may impact surgical decision-making by allowing a real-time evaluation of structures. iOCT with preservative-free triamcinolone acetonide enhanced ILM visualization. Its use is superior to iOCT alone for the identification of vitreomacular interface structures. [Ophthalmic Surg Lasers Imaging Retina. 2018;49:e105-e111.].