Current intravitreal therapy and ocular hypertension: A review.

To determine the effect of commonly used intravitreal agents on immediate and long-term IOP elevations and their association, if any, with glaucoma. Literature searches in PubMed and the Cochrane databased in January 2020 yielded 407 individual articles. Of these, 87 were selected for review based on our inclusion criteria. Based on the evidence provided, 20 were assigned level I, 27 level II, and 22 level III. Eight articles were rejected because of poor quality, insufficient clarity, or irrelevance based on standardized protocols set out by the American Academy of Ophthalmology. The studies that reported on short-term IOP elevation (i.e., between 0 and 60 min) showed that an immediate increase in IOP is seen in all patients who receive anti-VEGF agents or triamcinolone acetonide when measured between 0 and 30 min of intravitreal injection and that the IOP elevation decreases over time. The data on long-term IOP elevation were mixed; Pretreatment with glaucoma medications, anterior chamber tap, vitreous reflux, longer intervals between injections, and longer axial lengths were associated with lower IOP elevations after injection of anti-VEGF agents, while the position of the implant vis-à-vis, the anterior chamber was important for steroid therapy. Data were mixed on the relationship between IOP increase and the type of intravitreal injection, number of intravitreal injections, preexisting glaucoma, and globe decompression before injection. There were no data on the onset or progression of glaucoma in the studies reviewed in this assessment. However, some studies demonstrated RNFL thinning in patients receiving chronic anti-VEGF therapy. Most, if not all, intravitreal agents cause ocular hypertension, both in the short term and long term. The functional consequences of these observations are not very clear.

Correlation in acute CSCR between hyperreflectivity on the infrared image in optical coherence tomography and fluorescein angiography.

BACKGROUND: To determine the association between hyperreflective area identified on the reference image (en-face image) in spectral domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) scan and the leak on fluorescein angiography in patients with acute treatment naive central serous chorioretinopathy (CSCR). METHODS: Retrospective, observational chart review. The reference image (en-face) image on SD OCT raster scan was examined for the presence of a hyperreflective spot and an attempt was made to correlate its location on the actual leak seen on FFA using anatomical landmarks as reference. Follow up was 6 months after CSCR resolution. Appropriate statistical analysis was made. RESULTS: Sixty-two patients (65 eyes; 49 males) with CSCR were identified of which 62/65 eyes (95.38%) showed the said correlation. The mean age was 31.24 years. The mean follow-up was 17.25 months. The mean BCVA at baseline was 0.28 logMAR. The mean final BCVA was 0.08. The hyperreflective spot noted on the infrared (reference) image correlated the most with the classic ink-blot leakage as well as the minimally enhancing/ill-defined leakage pattern. In 37/41 eyes, the area of hyperreflectivitiy correlated with the pigment epithelial detachment. The hyperreflective spot resolved in most patients who received photodynamic therapy but persisted in most patients who received eplerenone therapy. Persistent hyperreflectivity after subretinal fluid resolution appeared to correlate with persistent metamorphopsia and reduced contrast sensitivity in eyes with no subretinal fluid. CONCLUSION: We demonstrate an interesting correlation between the area of leak and the OCT reference image (en face) used to determine the level of the scan. SYNOPSIS: The study looks at the potential applicability of a correlation between leaking areas on fundus fluorescein angiography and a hyperreflective area on the infrared image in optical coherence tomography (OCT) in patients with central serous chorioretinopathy (CSCR).

Bevacizumab as an Adjunct to Trabeculectomy in Primary Open-Angle Glaucoma: A Randomized Trial.

PURPOSE: To compare the outcomes of trabeculectomy using two different routes of bevacizumab administration as an adjunct in patients with primary open angle glaucoma. METHODS: Prospective, randomized, masked trial that included 180 eyes of 180 patients of documented primary open angle glaucoma were eligible for surgery. Patients were randomized to receive either a single intraoperative dose of subconjunctival bevacizumab (1.25 mg, Group I) or topical bevacizumab (5 mg/ml) for 30 days (Group II). One eye was randomly selected, if both were eligible for surgery. All patients underwent a complete ocular and systemic examination. Bleb morphology was examined and scored as per Moorfields system (MBGS) at 1, 3, 6, 12, 18, and 24 months postoperatively. Visual field, fundus photography, and disc analysis were performed. Outcome measures (at one year) included (1) comparison of bleb morphology in both groups, (2) proportion of patients achieving surgical success, and (3) side effects of treatment. RESULTS: The groups did not differ with respect to age, sex, and crystalline lens status. Group II patients had significantly lower vascularity scores for central (P=0.042) and peripheral bleb areas (P=0.042) and peripheral bleb areas (P=0.042) and peripheral bleb areas (n = 88) patients achieved average vascular scores of less than 2.5 (P=0.042) and peripheral bleb areas (n = 88) patients achieved average vascular scores of less than 2.5 (vs. 94%; P=0.042) and peripheral bleb areas (. CONCLUSION: Topical bevacizumab gives a better vascularity profile at one year, but the studied routes appear equally safe and do not seem to affect the outcome in any other way.

Sustained Intraocular Pressure Rise after the Treat and Extend Regimen at 3 Years: Aflibercept versus Ranibizumab.

PURPOSE: To determine the risk factors associated with sustained intraocular pressure (IOP) rise in patients enrolled in the treat and extend (T&E) protocol receiving aflibercept/ranibizumab therapy for 3 years. DESIGN: Retrospective, observational chart review. Setting. Multicentric. Patients. 789 patients (1021 eyes; 602 males) enrolled in T&E using aflibercept/ranibizumab for diabetic macular edema (DME), wet age-related macular degeneration (AMD), or macular edema in retinal vein occlusion (RVO). Intervention. The history, examination (clinical and special investigations), and treatment records were thoroughly scrutinized. Sustained IOP rise was defined as a rise in IOP above baseline by ≥6 mmHg and/or >24 mmHg on 2 or more consecutive visits. The Wilk-Shapiro test was used for confirming normality of data. The Mantel-Haenszel test and generalized estimating equations were used to analyse multicentric data as well as to analyse data from both eyes of the same patients in the event that both eyes were under therapy. The relative risk, chi-square test (with and without Yates' correction), and univariate and multivariate analysis were used wherever appropriate. Statistical significance was set at P < 0.05. The primary outcome measure was the determination of risk factors for sustained IOP rise with ranibizumab/aflibercept therapy. Secondary outcome measures included determining the incidence of IOP rise (short term and sustained), visual field, and retinal nerve fibre layer (RNFL) changes. RESULTS: The mean follow-up was 42.4 months. Male gender, South Asian ethnicity, older age, presence of AMD and vein occlusion, use of ranibizumab, higher number of injections, narrow angles, switch to bevacizumab/ranibizumab, and preexisting glaucoma were associated with sustained IOP rise. No significant visual field and RNFL changes were seen. The overall incidence was 8.91%. No patient required filtering surgery. No patient with IOP rise returned to baseline. CONCLUSION: IOP rise is an important consideration as the chronicity of the condition can eventually lead to glaucomatous changes in eyes with already compromised vision. Follow-ups and use of appropriate therapy can be determined correspondingly.

Scleral buckling surgery using multiple radial buckles: A valid option?

PURPOSE: To determine whether radial buckling surgery using two or more radial buckles with or without circumferential silicone tires is still a treatment option for rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD) in the current scenario. METHODS: Retrospective chart review. Patients with RRD with two or more horse-shoe tears with/without proliferative vitreoretinopathy up to grade C1 who underwent buckling surgery using at least two radial buckle segments without encircling bands or drainage and with at least a 3 year follow up were included in the study. Data collected included demographics, corrected distance visual acuity (CDVA) at baseline and final follow up, details of the examination, surgical procedure(s) and complications noted, if any. Appropriate statistical analysis was done. Statistical significance was set at p < 0.05. OUTCOME MEASURES: Proportion of patients who had an attached retina at final follow up, improvement in CDVA and complications. RESULTS: 25 patients (25 eyes; 12 males and 13 females; 9 pseudophakic) were included. MEDIAN AGE: 35.15 ± 8.32 years. Median baseline CDVA: 1.97 ± 1.12 log MAR. Median final CDVA: 0.65 ± 0.37 log MAR (significant improvement). Most common presenting complaint was decreased vision (87.5%). Number of radial buckle segments placed varied between 2 and 4 per eye. One patient required vitrectomy for persistent retinal detachment. One required buckle removal for infection 5 years after the primary procedure. One patient required strabismus surgery. MEDIAN FOLLOW UP: 12.25 years ± 2.14 years. None of the other patients had any complications. CONCLUSION: Radial buckling surgery (two or more segments) is a reasonably safe and valid alternative to vitrectomy for RDs with multiple breaks in different planes.