Spontaneous resolution of vitreomacular traction demonstrated by spectral-domain optical coherence tomography.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the natural course of idiopathic vitreomacular traction (VMT) with spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SDOCT) from the vitreomacular adhesion (VMA) stage to the spontaneous resolution of VMT. DESIGN: Prospective observational case series. METHODS: We studied the natural course of idiopathic VMT in 46 eyes (46 patients), divided into those that proceeded to spontaneous VMT resolution (12 cases) and those that remained at the VMT stage (34 cases). All patients were examined with SDOCT at regular 3-month intervals. We recorded the vitreomacular angle of VMA nasally and temporally, the horizontal diameter of VMA, macular thickness, visual acuity, photoreceptor layer, and external limiting membrane. RESULTS: In the 12 eyes that proceeded to spontaneous resolution, the vitreous adhesion angle had a mean increase of 38 degrees at VMT, compared to the angle at the VMA stage. In the 34 eyes that remained at the VMT stage, the mean angle of traction increased by only 1 degree throughout follow-up. In all 46 patients, the angle at the VMT stage was significantly associated with traction resolution (nasally P = .001, temporally P < .001). The likelihood of resolution was more than 99% lower for patients with a VMT diameter >400 µm compared with that of eyes with a VMT diameter <400 µm. Patients with broad-type VMT remained at the same stage, whereas patients with V-type VMT had 80% probability of resolution. CONCLUSIONS: Spontaneous VMT resolution is negatively associated with the horizontal adhesion diameter. The strength of the traction exerted by the vitreous on the fovea seems to be positively related to the size of the vitreomacular angle.

Evolution of a juxtapapillary von Hippel-Lindau tumour examined by optical coherence tomography.

PURPOSE: The aim was to report the evolution of a case of von Hippel-Lindau (VHL) juxtapapillary retinal capillary haemangioblastoma (RCH) by optical coherence tomography (OCT3). CASE REPORT: The progress of a 24-year-old man suffering from VHL disease with a juxtapapillary haemangioblastoma and a small peripheral lesion was followed for 26.4 months with fundus photographs and OCT of the optic nerve head using the optic nerve head rim volume, ranging from 1.106 to 1.895 mm(3). Visual acuity remained 6/6 throughout. CONCLUSIONS: OCT can be a useful tool in the follow up and decision-making of patients with small retinal capillary haemangioblastoma of the optic nerve.

Restoration of the photoreceptor layer and improvement of visual acuity in successfully treated optic disc pit maculopathy: a long follow-up study by optical coherence tomography.

PURPOSE: To investigate by optical coherence tomography (OCT) the evolution of the photoreceptor layer and its association with best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) in optic disc pit (ODP) maculopathy after successful surgical treatment. METHODS: Fourteen eyes of 14 patients were included in this study, and followed up from 36 to 95 months (mean 57.36 ± 18.32 months). The follow-up period started at the time of complete subretinal fluid absorption. Examination was performed by time-domain OCT before and after treatment. Spectral-domain OCT was used after treatment. Parameters assessed were type of elevation, central foveal thickness, time elapsed from onset to treatment, type of treatment, BCVA, and inner segment outer segment (IS/OS) junction line. The IS/OS junction was characterized after treatment as intact, interrupted, or absent (not distinguishable). RESULTS: Significant restoration of the IS/OS junction line was first noticed between 6 and 12 months after fluid absorption (p = 0.02; Wilcoxon signed rank test). Restoration was continuous up to the 24th month of postoperative examination after fluid absorption (p = 0.14; Wilcoxon signed rank test). BCVA was 0.99 ± 0.38 logMar before treatment, 0.81 ± 0.26 logMar (p = 0.011; paired t-test) immediately after fluid absorption and 0.61 ± 0.33 logMar (p = 0.026; one-way ANOVA) 24 months after fluid resolution. BCVA was significantly positively correlated with the integrity of the IS/OS junction line during follow-up (Pearson r = 0.775; p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The IS/OS junction restoration cannot be detected immediately after fluid resolution in the majority of cases. It became evident 6-12 months later and was completed 24 months after fluid absorption. Improvement in BCVA was noticed only during the first 2 years of follow-up. No significant changes were noticed in BCVA or the IS/OS line after 2 years. Among the studied variables, the final photoreceptor layer condition and BCVA immediately after fluid absorption are the main factors predicting final BCVA after successful surgical treatment of ODP maculopathy.

Spontaneous closure of lamellar macular holes studied by optical coherence tomography.

PURPOSE: To document and study the spontaneous closure of lamellar macular holes (LMH) by optical coherence tomography (OCT). METHODS: Two women with LMH, 62 and 71 years old, respectively, were followed up with fundoscopy, fundus photography and OCT. RESULTS: In both patients spontaneous closure of LMH was observed 11 and 21 months after baseline examination, respectively. The foveal thickness in case 1 increased from 84 µm at baseline to 162 µm at the final examination. The foveal thickness in case 2 increased from 48 µm at baseline to 148 µm at the final examination. The foveal contour was also restored in both eyes. The foveal morphology was preserved in both eyes during the follow-up period. CONCLUSION: In both patients the spontaneous closure of LMH could be attributed to the shrinkage of the hole or the release of the tension on the retinal surface, which followed the complete posterior vitreous detachment and separation of epiretinal membrane from the retina.

The photoreceptor layer as a prognostic factor for visual acuity in the secondary epiretinal membrane after retinal detachment surgery: imaging analysis by spectral-domain optical coherence tomography.

PURPOSE: To study the prognostic factors that influence best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) outcome in patients with secondary epiretinal membrane (ERM) after retinal detachment surgery. DESIGN: Retrospective case series. METHODS: Forty-two patients with ERM were divided into macula-on and macula-off groups based on the macular status before retinal detachment surgery and were studied using the same spectral-domain optical coherence tomography device. Several variables, including the integrity of the external limiting membrane (ELM), the status of the photoreceptor inner segment/outer segment (IS/OS) junction line, and central foveal thickness were evaluated in 17 treated and 25 untreated patients. Linear regression analysis was used to determine the best combination of all variables affecting BCVA. RESULTS: Final BCVA was significantly better in macula-on and macula-off eyes with intact ELMs and IS/OS junction lines (0.35 ± 0.18 logarithm of the minimal angle of resolution [logMAR] and 0.51 ± 0.17 logMAR, respectively) than in macula-off eyes with disrupted or absent ELMs and IS/OS junction lines (0.83 ± 0.17 logMAR and 1.04 ± 0.05 logMAR, respectively; P < .001, analysis of variance). Final BCVA also was better in the treated group than in the controls (0.55 ± 0.31 logMAR and 0.73 ± 0.26 logMAR, respectively; P = .05, t test). ELM and IS/OS junction line integrity were the main variables significantly affecting the final BCVA outcome (ß = 0.42; P = .006, linear regression analysis). Disruption of the ELM and IS/OS junction line was observed in 21 of the 42 cases studied. CONCLUSIONS: ERM secondary to retinal detachment surgery is accompanied by a high incidence (50%) of IS/OS junction line and ELM disruption. Among the variables studied, the condition of the IS/OS junction layer and the ELM are the main factors that predict final BCVA after ERM peeling.

The significance of the external limiting membrane in the recovery of photoreceptor layer after successful macular hole closure: a study by spectral domain optical coherence tomography.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the external limiting membrane (ELM) by spectral domain optical coherence tomography (SDOCT) and its correlation with the inner segment/outer segment (IS/OS) line in patients with successful macular hole surgery. PROCEDURES: Forty-five eyes were divided into 3 groups according to the interval between surgery and first examination. In the first group the interval was between 6 and 12 months, in group 2 it was >12 months and ≤ 24 months, and in group 3 it was >24 months. The IS/OS and ELM of participants' eyes were postoperatively assessed using SDOCT in 2008 and 12 months later. RESULTS: A statistically significant association between the integrity of the ELM and the IS/OS junction line was observed in postoperative examinations in all 3 groups. Eyes with a complete IS/OS junction line had an intact ELM. Between the first and the second examinations, a significant improvement in best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) was noted only in group 1. A positive statistical association was also observed in group 1 between restoration of the IS/OS junction line and improvement in BCVA over follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: The restoration of the IS/OS junction line is directly related to the integrity of the ELM.

Association of the preoperative photoreceptor layer defect as assessed by optical coherence tomography with the functional outcome after macular hole closure: a long follow-up study.

BACKGROUND: to evaluate the correlation between the extent of the inner/outer segment (IS/OS) defect preoperatively and improvement in postoperative best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) associated with IS/OS line restoration. METHODS: forty-six eyes (46 patients) with successfully operated idiopathic full-thickness macular holes were studied using Stratus OCT3 with a mean follow-up of 34.7 months (range 24-60 months). The preoperative extent of the IS/OS junction defect, macular hole base diameter (MHBD) and BCVA were studied before surgery. The degree of IS/OS line restoration, macular thickness and BCVA were measured after treatment. RESULTS: the mean preoperative MHBD and IS/OS defect size were 783 and 1,973 µm, respectively. Postoperative continuity of the IS/OS junction was observed in 11 of 46 cases 12 months after treatment. In the remaining 35 patients, the IS/OS line was interrupted at 12 months of follow-up. The size of the preoperative IS/OS defect line was negatively correlated with the size of the postoperative IS/OS line and BCVA at 6 months and 12 months only (p < 0.0001). In all 46 eyes, the mean BCVA before and 12 months after treatment was 10 and 36.7 letters, respectively. BCVA remained almost unchanged after the first postoperative year of observation. CONCLUSIONS: the degree of reorganization of the photoreceptor layer after successful macular hole closure varies and is mostly related to the preoperative extent of the IS/OS defect line and the MHBD. A small-sized IS/OS preoperative defect favors improvement and restoration of the IS/OS line after treatment. The IS/OS junction line and BCVA are mostly restored during the first 12 months after treatment.

Optical coherence tomography findings in patients with retinitis pigmentosa and low visual acuity.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: To study the morphological features of the macula of patients with retinitis pigmentosa and visual acuities of 20/200 or less as examined by optical coherence tomography. PATIENTS AND METHODS: In an observational case series study, 42 eyes (21 patients) with retinitis pigmentosa and visual acuities of 20/200 or less were evaluated by optical coherence tomography. RESULTS: Thirty-four (81%) eyes had atrophic retina (group 1) and 8 (19%) eyes had cystoid macular edema (group 2). The mean visual acuity was 20/1000 in group 1 and 20/300 in group 2. Epiretinal membrane was identified in 27 (64.3%) eyes. CONCLUSION: Optical coherence tomography is a more sensitive method in detecting macular pathology and can help in selecting cases where treatment may be applied.

Cystoid macular oedema within 24 h after a single application of latanoprost.

PURPOSE: To describe a patient who developed cystoid macular oedema (CMO) within 24 h after a single application of Latanoprost. METHODS: Observational case report. RESULTS: A 77-year-old man who had a previous cataract operation with vitreous loss in his left eye developed CMO 8 h after instillation of one drop of latanoprost. Five days after discontinuation of latanoprost the CMO resolved almost completely. Both the CMO and its resolution were documented with fluorescein angiography (FA) and optical coherence tomography (OCT). CONCLUSIONS: Latanoprost can lead to CMO even after a single application, as demonstrated in our case by FA and, in particular, by OCT. Caution is advised when administering the drug in high-risk eyes.

Parry-Romberg syndrome studied by optical coherence tomography.

A case of Parry-Romberg syndrome that was studied by fluorescein angiography and optical coherence tomography (OCT) is described. OCT revealed the existence of retinal nerve fiber layer edema and abnormalities of the vitreoretinal interface. The presence of diffused retinal edema throughout the papillomacular area and the formation of thick retinal folds with intraretinal diffuse macular edema were also evident. Fluorescein angiography demonstrated optic disc swelling, engorgement of the retinal vessels, and mottling of the pigment epithelium. The retinal nerve fiber layer edema and the hyperreflectivity of the retinal surface indicate abnormalities and thickening of the vitreoretinal interface, as shown on OCT, and may further contribute to the retinal involvement in Parry-Romberg syndrome.

Vitreous findings in optic disc pit maculopathy based on optical coherence tomography.

BACKGROUND: To assess vitreous findings in optic disc pit maculopathy using Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT). METHODS: Thirty-eight eyes of 38 patients (14-51 years of age) with macular detachment associated with optic disc pit maculopathy were included in the study. The patients were divided into two groups. In group 1, 16 eyes were studied by OCT at presentation and after surgical treatment. In group 2, 22 eyes were examined by OCT only after treatment. In both groups thorough vitreous examination was performed over the macula and the optic disc. All patients were operated by the macular buckling procedure. RESULTS: Vitreous abnormalities were found in 28 out of 38 eyes (74%) of both groups. In group 1, 10 of the 16 eyes had vitreous traction on the macula at presentation. The traction started from the optic disc and terminated to the macula. The posterior hyaloid that exerted the traction between the points of adhesion at the optic disc and the macula had a course parallel to the retinal surface in 9 of the 10 cases. Postoperatively, vitreous traction on the macula was not found. Of the remaining 6 eyes 4 had complete or partial posterior vitreous detachment. In group 2, 8 eyes had vitreous strands over the optic disc and 5 eyes posterior vitreous detachment. In the remaining 9 cases no vitreous involvement was noticed. CONCLUSIONS: OCT was able to detect vitreous abnormalities such as vitreomacular traction, vitreous strands over the optic disc and complete or partial posterior vitreous detachment associated with optic disc pit maculopathy. Our observations support the view that the abnormal vitreous over the macula and optic disc is likely to play a role in the development of macular elevation in cases with optic disc pit. Prospective OCT studies could further assist to better understand the role of vitreous in this disease.

Functional outcome and prognostic factors in 304 eyes managed by retinectomy.

BACKGROUND: This study was undertaken to relate the anatomic and functional results of patients who underwent retinectomy for complex retinal detachment (RD) to preoperative prognostic variables. METHODS: Three hundred and four eyes of 302 patients whose surgery involved retinectomy were included in the analysis. All eyes had established proliferative vitreoretinopathy (PVR grade C). The main outcome measures were (1) postoperative visual acuity of 6/24 or better, (2) status of the retina at the end of follow-up, and (3) incidence of hypotony whilst under review. RESULTS: PVR was secondary to rhegmatogenous RD in 237 eyes (78%), posterior trauma in 51 eyes (16.8%), tractional RD in vasoproliferative vasculitides in 12 eyes (4%), acute retinal necrosis in 2 eyes and endophthalmitis in 2 eyes. Complete reattachment rate after one operation was 51%, with final complete reattachment success rate of 72%. The visual acuity improved in 138 eyes (45%), remained the same in 73 eyes (24%) and became worse in 89 cases (29%). Postoperative visual acuity of 6/24 or better was significantly associated with preoperative vision, the duration of silicone oil tamponade, silicone oil removal and retinectomy size. There was also some evidence of association between visual outcome and the number of clock hours of retinal detachment. Final retinal attachment was significantly associated with silicone oil removal and preoperative vision, and final hypotony was significantly associated with silicone oil removal. The incidence of sympathetic ophthalmia in our study was 0.09% (one case). CONCLUSIONS: Good functional outcome is possible following retinectomy surgery despite advanced pathology and often multiple surgical procedures. Retinal redetachment as a result of reproliferation and hypotony appear to be the main reasons for anatomical and functional failure. The clinical features we have identified as good indicators for improved final visual acuity such as shorter tamponade duration, removal of silicone oil, smaller retinectomy size, fewer previous operations and better preoperative vision are surrogate markers of less advanced PVR and should prompt retinal surgeons to consider retinectomy at an earlier stage in the process of PVR development. Clinicians should be aware of the small risk of sympathetic ophthalmia from complex retinal surgery.

Outcomes of surgery for progressive symptomatic retinal detachment complicating retinoschisis.

PURPOSE: To select the best surgical technique and predict the surgical success in cases of progressive symptomatic retinal detachment complicating retinoschisis (PSRDCR). METHODS: Cases were divided into three groups: group I, those with outer layer breaks (OLBs) positioned anterior to the equator and no proliferative vitreoretinopathy (PVR); group II, those with OLB(s) at or posterior to the equator and no PVR at presentation; and group III, PVR greater than grade B at presentation. A retrospective study of 30 such eyes presenting to the authors and a review of the 47 previously reported cases to which the three-group anatomical classification might be applied were performed. RESULTS: In group I, the overall primary and final success rates were 85% (17/20) and 95% (19/20), respectively. In group II, the corresponding data were 67% (34/51) and 94% (48/51), respectively. Group III eyes fared badly with primary and final success rates of 0 (0/6) and 17% (1/6), respectively. CONCLUSION: The overall 66% primary anatomical success rate was lower than those reported in most series of rhegmatogenous retinal detachment uncomplicated by retinoschisis. In group I, the surgical technique used had no detectable influence on outcome. Vitrectomy appears to have been the procedure of choice in group II, but a significant P value could not be demonstrated to support it (Yates corrected chi test, P = 0.84). This study, however, had very low power with which to investigate for such effects. PVR greater than grade B at presentation was not previously been recognized in cases of PSRDCR and when present was associated with very poor primary and final reattachment rates.

Ultrasound-guided embryo transfer maximizes the IVF results on day 3 and day 4 embryo transfer but has no impact on day 5.

BACKGROUND: The use of ultrasound-guided embryo transfer has been reported to affect success rates in some centres but not others. In a prospective study, we examined the influence of ultrasound guidance in embryo transfer performed on different days after oocyte retrieval. METHODS: Two different methods of embryo transfer were evaluated in 1069 consecutive transfers. The ultrasound-guided embryo transfer was used in 433 cases, whereas 636 embryo transfers were performed with the tactile assessment ('clinical feel') method. RESULTS: Ultrasound-guided embryo transfer yielded a higher overall pregnancy rate than the 'clinical feel' approach, 47 versus 36% (P < 0.001). This difference was statistically significant where embryos were transferred after 3 or 4 days of culture, 45.9 versus 37.1% (P = 0.001) and 42.3 versus 27% (P = 0.035) respectively but not significant (P = 0.112) on day 5 embryo transfer (56.3 versus 45.7%). Likewise, the implantation rate was significantly different between the two groups on day 3 and 4 embryo transfer, 23.3 versus 15.8% (P < 0.01) and 21.6 versus 15.7% (P < 0.05%) respectively but no statistical difference was noted on day 5 embryo transfer, 26.7 versus 23.6%. CONCLUSION: Ultrasound assistance in embryo transfer on day 3 and 4 significantly improved pregnancy rates in IVF but had no impact on day 5.

Prenatal diagnosis of epignathus in the first half of pregnancy: a case report and review of the literature.

Congenital teratomas of the oral cavity commonly present as tissue masses projecting from the mouth. The important prognostic determinants are: the age of presentation, technical problems during surgical removal of the mass, associated anomalies, and the nature of the composing tissues. This study reports one case of epignathus (an extremely rare oropharyngeal teratoma) that was diagnosed by ultrasonography at 19 weeks of gestation and reviews the relevant literature.