Clinical characteristics of central serous chorioretinopathy in patients by age.

PURPOSE: To investigate the clinical characteristics of central serous chorioretinopathy (CSC) with age. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective, cross-sectional study. METHODS: One-hundred and forty-seven CSC patients were classified into three age groups (aged <50 years (younger group; n=53), 50-70 years (middle group; n=68), and >70 years (senior group; n=26)) and the characteristics were compared. Bilateral ophthalmic evaluation included the best corrected visual acuity (BCVA), spherical equivalents, fundus examination, fundus autofluorescence, optical coherence tomography (OCT), fluorescein angiography (FA), and indocyanine green angiography. RESULTS: The male/female ratio became lower at more advanced ages (P=0.011). Bilateral macular abnormalities were observed more frequently in the senior group than the other groups (p=0.018) and multiple drusen were characteristic in the senior group (p<0.0001). The more advanced age groups displayed a worse BCVA (P=0.002). The rate of eyes with flat retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) elevation on OCT was significantly higher in the middle group than the other groups (P=0.024). The mean subfoveal choroidal thickness (SCT) was thickest in the younger group (P<0.0001). Unifocal leakage on FA and choroidal vascular hyperpermeability were mostly found in eyes of the younger group (P<0.001,P=0.020). CONCLUSION: CSC cases in those aged >70 years were associated with an increased proportion of women and having bilateral macular abnormalities, multiple drusen, and multifocal leakage sites. The BCVA and the SCT decreased with age. Patients with CSC aged 50-70 years had the highest rate of flat RPE elevation on OCT. These characteristics need to be considered to make an accurate diagnosis, particularly in elderly patients.

A Case of Eosinophilic Chronic Rhinosinusitis Associated with Choroidal Folds and Ocular Motility Disorder.

We report a case of eosinophilic chronic rhinosinusitis (ECRS) associated with choroidal folds and ocular motility disorder. A 50-year-old male with rhinosinusitis and bronchial asthma presented with anorthopia of the lower visual field and ocular motility disorder of the left eye. Dilated fundus examination and optical coherence tomography (OCT) revealed wavy choroidal folds in the upper retina. An emergent computed tomography (CT) showed sinusitis, a partial defect of the superior wall of the orbit on the left side, and deformation of the left eye. Based on the clinical findings, the patient was diagnosed with sinusitis complicated by ocular motility disorder. Endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS) was performed. A histopathological examination of the excised polyps showed extensive eosinophil invasion. According to the clinical findings of the nasal polyps, CT images, and peripheral blood tests, he was diagnosed as ECRS. One month after ESS, both ocular movement and anorthopia were improved. The choroidal folds observed using OCT disappeared 2 months after ESS. Although ECRS is rarely associated with ocular complications, bone involvement in sinusitis may result in deformation of the eyeball leading to choroidal folds and ocular motility disorder.

Effects of Vitrectomy on Recurrent Macular Edema due to Branch Retinal Vein Occlusion after Intravitreal Injection of Bevacizumab.

Purpose. To evaluate the effects of pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) on recurrent macular edema due to branch retinal vein occlusion (BRVO) after intravitreal injections of bevacizumab (IVB). Methods. This retrospective study included 22 eyes of 22 patients who underwent single or multiple IVB injections for macular edema due to BRVO and showed a recurrence of macular edema. All patients then underwent PPV and were followed up for more than 6 months after the surgery with examinations of best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and optical coherence tomography (OCT). OCT parameters were central macular thickness (CMT) and average retinal thickness in a 1-mm-diameter circular region at the fovea (MRT). Results. Mean BCVA, CRT, and MRT were significantly improved from the baseline after PPV. Greater improvement of BCVA, CRT, and MRT was obtained after 1 month of IVB than after 6 months of PPV. No eyes showed worsening of macular edema after the surgery. Conclusion. PPV improved BCVA and recurrent macular edema due to BRVO, but PPV that was less effective than IVB had been in the same patients. PPV may be one of the treatment options for recurrent macular edema due to BRVO after IVB.

One-year results of photodynamic therapy combined with intravitreal ranibizumab for exudative age-related macular degeneration.

Purpose. To evaluate the effects of photodynamic therapy (PDT) combined with intravitreal injection of ranibizumab (IVR) for exudative age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Methods. Retrospective case series. Thirty eight eyes of 38 patients with exudative AMD underwent combined therapy consisting first of IVR, followed by PDT within a week and the second IVR at 1 month. All patients were followed up for more than 12 months. The best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and central macular thickness (CMT) were examined. Results. The mean number of IVR and PDT sessions were 2.9 ± 1.3 and 1.1 ± 0.3, respectively. The mean BCVA and CMT were significantly improved to 0.38 logMAR units (P < 0.01) and 240 µm (P < 0.01) at 12 months, respectively. Thirty-six of 38 eyes (94.8%) improved or maintained BCVA at 12 months. Conclusion. PDT combined with IVR for exudative AMD was effective at improving visual acuity and CMT with a low recurrence rate for 12 months.

Intravitreal injection of bevacizumab combined with macular grid laser photocoagulation for macular edema in branch retinal vein occlusion.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the effects of combined therapy of intravitreal injections of bevacizumab (IVB) and additional macular grid laser photocoagulation for recurrent macular edema in branch retinal vein occlusion (BRVO). METHODS: This was a retrospective interventional case series in which 44 eyes of 44 patients with macular edema due to BRVO were studied. The mean follow-up term was 77.2 ± 12.4 weeks. All patients underwent IVB as a primary therapy. After two to three IVB, 19 of the 44 eyes (43.2%) underwent laser photocoagulation in the macular edema area to prevent the recurrence of the edema. In the other 25 eyes (56.8%), macular edema was successfully treated with IVB only. Visual acuity and central macular thickness (CMT) were examined during the follow-up. RESULTS: The mean visual acuity and the mean CMT in both groups improved significantly after the IVB. Following macular grid laser photocoagulation for recurrent macular edema, the mean visual acuity was maintained for 24 weeks, however, the mean CMT increased significantly after 12 weeks. CONCLUSIONS: Additional grid laser photocoagulation for recurrent macular edema in BRVO after IVB maintained mean visual acuity with limited effects on the further recurrence of macular edema.

[Short-term effects of intravitreal injection of bevacizumab on macular edema due to central retinal vein occlusion].

PURPOSE: To examine the short-term effects of intravitreal injections of bevacizumab on macular edema due to central retinal vein occlusion (CRVO). METHODS: Twenty one eyes of 21 consecutive patients with macular edema due to CRVO were included. The patients received intravitreal injections of 1.25 mg bevacizumab at the initial examination. They were followed up with best-corrected visual acuity (BVCA), fluorescein angiography, and central macular thickness (CMT) by optical coherence tomography for more than 4 months. Whenever the macular edema recurred, another intravitreal bevacizumab was given. RESULTS: The mean age of the patients was 68.1 +/- 11.8 and the mean follow up was 6.5 +/- 2.6 months. The mean baseline BVCA (logMAR) and CMT were 0.79 +/- 0.45 and 699 +/- 194 microm, respectively. After treatment, the mean BVCA improved significantly at 1 week (0.52 +/- 0.46, p<0.001), 1 month (0.48 +/- 0.46, p<0.001), 2 months(0.56 +/- 0.43, p<0.02), and 4 months (0.51 +/- 0.47, p<0.001). The mean CMT also decreased significantly at 1 week (296 +/- 86 microm, p<0.001), 1 month (286 +/-132 microm, p<0.001), 2 months (464 +/- 249 microm, p<0.05) and 4 months (362 +/- 198 microm, p<0.001). Similar effects on reducing CMT were obtained both after the initial injection and the second injection of bevacizumab. CONCLUSION: Intravitreal injection of bevacizumab improved visual acuity and macular edema due to CRVO.

Angiographic lesion of polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy on indocyanine green and fluorescein angiography.

BACKGROUND: Before treating polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy (PCV), the extent of the lesion should be determined, but the angiographic lesion size of PCV is sometimes different when comparing indocyanine green angiography (ICGA) and fluorescein angiography (FA). The purpose of this study was to evaluate angiographic findings and compare the lesion sizes of PCV on ICGA and FA using confocal scanning laser ophthalmoscopy (SLO) and fundus camera. METHODS: Thirty-seven eyes of 37 patients with PCV were examined by ICGA and FA using confocal SLO and a fundus camera, and the findings and the lesion sizes were compared during the early, mid, and late-phases of ICGA and FA. RESULTS: The polyps with abnormal vessel networks were depicted on ICGA in all eyes and the lesion showed classic-type leakage on FA in 15 eyes. Ten eyes with a pigment epithelial detachment (PED) had the maximal lesion size on FA because hyperfluorescent areas involving PED were determined as the lesions; although on ICGA, a PED distinguished from abnormal vessels was not included in the lesion. In 27 eyes without a PED, the early-phase of ICGA using confocal SLO showed the maximal lesion size in 24 eyes (89%) and the late-phase in three eyes (11%), and the maximal size on ICGA agreed on FA. While FA depicted the maximal lesion sizes in 24 eyes (89%), another three eyes showed the maximal lesion size on early-phase ICGA on confocal SLO. The maximal lesion size on ICGA using a fundus camera was smaller than when using confocal SLO in seven eyes (19%). CONCLUSIONS: The ICGA on confocal SLO could visualize the more detailed findings of the abnormal vasculature of PCV and the FA showed hyperfluorescent regions overlaying the lesions. To determine the maximal lesion size on angiograms, early-phase ICGA using confocal SLO and FA should be referred.

Three-dimensional optical coherence tomographic findings in central serous chorioretinopathy.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate three-dimensional optical coherence tomographic findings at the leakage point on fluorescein angiography in central serous chorioretinopathy (CSC) with OCT-ophthalmoscope. METHODS: Twenty-seven eyes of 26 patients (23 men, three women; mean age, 50 years; range, 30-72) diagnosed with CSC were examined with OCT-ophthalmoscope, and transverse and longitudinal images were compared with fundus and fluorescein angiography findings. RESULTS: Transverse images (C-scan) clearly showed serous retinal detachment in all eyes and irregular lesions in retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) in 26 of 27 eyes (96%). These results agreed with the location of lesions in areas of fluorescein dye leakage on fluorescein angiography. Longitudinal images (B-scan) of irregular RPE lesions in transverse images showed RPE detachment (PED) in 17 eyes (63%), small protrusion of the RPE layer in five eyes (19%), and rough RPE layer in four eyes (15%). CONCLUSIONS: OCT-ophthalmoscope detects morphologic changes easily and noninvasively at the point of dye leakage in eyes with CSC.