Partial regression of peripapillary myelinated nerve fibers after non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy / Regressão parcial das fibras nervosas peripapilares mielinizadas após neuropatia óptica isquêmica anterior não arterítica

ABSTRACT A 71-year-old woman presented a non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy in an optic nerve with previously registered superonasal peripapillary myelinated nerve fibers. Her past medical history was significant for controlled systemic hypertension, hyperlipidemia, and diabetes mellitus. The physiologic cup was absent in both optic discs. Non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy mainly affected the temporal and inferior sectors of the peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer, as could be demonstrated by retinal nerve fiber layer optical coherence tomography and optic disc optical coherence tomography angiography. Unlike other published reports, just a slight regression of the myelinated nerve fibers was observed after 1 year of follow-up. This occurred because ischemia mainly affected the temporal and inferior peripapillary sectors, whereas myelinated nerve fibers were superonasal to the optic disc.

RESUMO Uma mulher de 71 anos de idade apresentou neuropatia óptica isquêmica anterior não arterítica no nervo óptico com fibras nervosas peripapilares mielinizadas previamente registradas. Seu histórico médico foi significativo para hipertensão arterial sistêmica controlada, hiperlipidemia e diabetes mellitus. Em ambos os discos ópticos, a tacícula fisiológica esteve ausente. A neuropatia óptica isquêmica anterior não arterítica afetou principalmente os setores temporal e inferior da camada de fibras nervosas da retina peripapilar, como demonstrado pela tomografia de coerência óptica da camada de fibras nervosas da retina e pela angiotomografia de coerência óptica do disco óptico. Ao contrário de outros relatórios publicados, apenas uma ligeira regressão das fibras nervosas mielinizadas foi observada após um ano de acompanhamento. Isto pode ser explicado pelo fato da isquemia ter afetado principalmente os setores temporal e inferior peripapilares, enquanto as fibras nervosas de mielina eram nasal superior ao disco óptico.

Total recovery of visual acuity in a pediatric patient with compressive optic neuropathy secondary to sphenoid sinus mucocele / Recuperação total da acuidade visual na neuropatia óptica compressiva secundária à mucocele do seio esfenoidal em paciente pediátrico

ABSTRACT We present an unusual case of a 13-year-old male pediatric patient with a diagnosis of sphenoid sinus mucocele. The patient suffered a progressive loss of visual acuity over three months followed by a total recovery of his visual acuity after surgery. The patient presented at the emergency room complaining of progressive loss of visual acuity in his left eye which decreased to hand motion over the preceding months. Imaging studies revealed a cystic mass, suggestive of sphenoid sinus mucocele, which was causing compressive optic neuropathy and proptosis. The patient was scheduled for a sphenoidectomy and resection of the mass. Three days after surgery, the patient's visual acuity in the left eye was 20/20, indicating complete recovery from his symptoms. We suggest that the excellent outcome in this patient may be attributable to his age. His ongoing physical development might have been the decisive factor in the recovery of his visual acuity following compressive optic neuropathy secondary to sphenoid sinus mucocele. Further research is needed to verify this proposed explanation.

RESUMO Apresentamos um caso incomum de paciente pediátrico com diagnóstico de mucocele de seio esfenoidal, que apresentou perda progressiva da acuidade visual ao longo de três meses, resultando em recuperação total da acuidade visual após a cirurgia. Paciente do sexo masculino, 13 anos, procurou o pronto-socorro, queixando-se de perda progressiva da acuidade visual do olho esquerdo nos últimos três meses. Exames de imagem revelaram uma massa cística sugestiva de mucocele de seio esfenoidal, causando neuropatia óptica compressiva e proptose. O paciente foi agendado para esfenoidectomia e ressecção da massa. Três dias após a cirurgia, a acuidade visual do paciente no olho esquerdo era de 20/20, apresentando recuperação completa dos sintomas. Diante dos resultados de nosso paciente, sugerimos que a idade do paciente pode ser decisiva na recuperação da acuidade visual de uma neuropatia óptica compressiva secundária à mucocele de seio esfenoidal. Mais pesquisas são necessárias para verificação desses dados.

The diagnostic accuracy of photopic negative responses evoked by broadband and chromatic stimuli in a clinically heterogeneous population.

PURPOSE: To compare the diagnostic accuracy of the photopic negative response (PhNR) elicited by red-blue (RB) and white-white (WW) stimuli, for detection of retinal ganglion cell (RGC) dysfunction in a heterogeneous clinical cohort. METHODS: Adults referred for electrophysiological investigations were recruited consecutively for this single-centre, prospective, paired diagnostic accuracy study. PhNRs were recorded to red flashes (1.5 cd·s·m-2) on a blue background (10 cd·m-2) and to white flashes on a white background (the latter being the ISCEV standard LA 3 stimulus). PhNR results were compared with a reference test battery assessing RGC/optic nerve structure and function including optical coherence tomography (OCT) retinal nerve fibre layer thickness and mean RGC volume measurements, fundus photography, pattern electroretinography and visual evoked potentials. Primary outcome measures were differences in sensitivity and specificity of the two PhNR methods. RESULTS: Two hundred and forty-three participants were initially enrolled, with 200 (median age 54; range 18-95; female 65%) meeting inclusion criteria. Sensitivity was 53% (95% confidence intervals [CI] 39% to 68%) and 62% (95% CI 48% to 76%), for WW and RB PhNRs, respectively. Specificity was 80% (95% CI 74% to 86%) and 78% (95% CI 72% to 85%), respectively. There was a statistically significant difference between sensitivities (p = 0.046) but not specificities (p = 0.08) of the two methods. Receiver operator characteristic (ROC) area under the curve (AUC) values were 0.73 for WW and 0.74 for RB PhNRs. CONCLUSION: PhNRs to red flashes on a blue background may be more sensitive than white-on-white stimuli, but there is no significant difference between specificities. This study highlights the value and potential convenience of using white-on-white stimuli, already used widely for routine ERG assessment.

[Nonarteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (nAION)]. / Nichtarteriitische anteriore ischämische Optikusneuropathie (nAION).

Nonarteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (nAION) is the second most common degenerative disease of the optic nerve. The pathogenesis remains elusive. A transient ischemia in the short posterior ciliary arteries not triggered by thromboembolic events is suspected. The typical history of a sudden onset of scotoma without associated pain in conjunction with (sectorial) optic disc swelling, an afferent pupillary defect and a visual field defect are of decisive diagnostic importance. The most urgent diagnostic measure is the exclusion of arteritic AION. There are no proven treatment approaches. Frequently used but without clear study results, is the treatment with steroids and secondary prophylaxis with acetylsalicylic acid (ASA). Recurrence in the ipsilateral or contralateral eye is possible.

Skin Manifestations of Neuromyelitis Optica Spectrum Disorder With Secondary Systemic Lupus Erythematosus During Pregnancy: A Three-Year Follow-Up.

Neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) is a disease of the central nervous system and the optic nerves that disproportionately affects women and occasionally coexists with other autoimmune diseases. NMOSD manifesting as skin lesions is a rare phenomenon. Furthermore, these skin lesions in the setting of NMOSD during pregnancy have not been described. We report the case of a 31-year-old woman from sub-Saharan Africa who presented with initial recurrent skin lesions followed by paraparesis during her second trimester of pregnancy. Her next pregnancy was associated with sudden vision loss. She had positive serology for aquaporin-4 antibodies and subsequently developed a positive dsDNA antibody two years after the initial NMOSD diagnosis. Her skin lesions and symptoms improved following the administration of azathioprine. This case highlights the impact of pregnancy on NMOSD and the significance of a heightened level of suspicion for NMOSD in patients who exhibit recurring skin lesions preceding paraparesis events.

Factor de crecimiento nervioso en neuropatía óptica traumática

La neuropatía óptica traumática (TON) es una entidad asociada al trauma facial y craneal, y constituye una causa importante para el desarrollo de la ceguera; es una complicación grave del trauma craneofacial que daña directa (dTON) o indirectamente (iTON) el nervio óptico (ON), cuya incidencia global de TON es de 0,7 a 2,5 %. El objetivo del presente estudio es presentar el caso de un paciente que padecía de TON y a la vez de una afección bilateral asimétrica, y que fue tratado con el factor de crecimiento nervioso mNGF. Este medicamento fue el primero que se descubrió y demostró eficacia en mantener la supervivencia de las neuronas centrales y periféricas y facilitar su crecimiento, diferenciación y regeneración. Se trata de un paciente de 13 años, sexo masculino, quien acude a la emergencia del Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Neurológicas y, posteriormente, su seguimiento clínico es por consultorio de Neuroftalmología, con un cuadro de amaurosis traumática, producto de un traumatismo encéfalo craneano con hematoma epidural, que recibió dos ciclos de tratamiento con factor de crecimiento nervioso. Luego del primer ciclo de tratamiento, se evidenció hiporreactividad de ambos ojos; al finalizar el segundo ciclo de tratamiento, se observó un aumento considerable de la agudeza visual. El mNGF está aprobado y comercializado en China desde el año 2015 y es un producto que ha demostrado su eficacia y seguridad en varios ensayos clínicos. Por ello, el presente estudio pretende convertir al factor de crecimiento nervioso como el tratamiento prometedor de iTON; en ese sentido, se necesita de amplias investigaciones clínicas en este caso en particular.

Traumatic optic neuropathy (TON) is an entity associated with facial and cranial trauma, and a leading cause of blindness. It is a severe complication of craniofacial trauma that directly (DTON) or indirectly (ITON) damages the optic nerve (ON) and whose global incidence is 0.7 to 2.5 %. The objective of this study is to present the case of a patient who suffered from TON and, at the same time, an asymmetrical bilateral condition, and was treated with nerve growth factor (NGF). This drug was the first to be discovered and demonstrate efficacy in maintaining the survival of central and peripheral neurons and facilitating their growth, differentiation and regeneration. A 13-year-old male patient attended the emergency room of Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Neurológicas and was later followed up at the Neuro-Ophthalmology Service. He was diagnosed with post-traumatic amaurosis caused by traumatic brain injury and epidural hematoma, and received two treatment cycles of NGF. After the first treatment cycle, hyporeactivity of both eyes occurred. And, at the end of the second treatment cycle, visual acuity improved significantly. NGF has been approved and marketed in China since 2015 and is a product that has demonstrated its efficacy and safety in several clinical trials. Therefore, this study aims to make NGF a promising ITON treatment; in that sense, further clinical research is needed in this particular case.

Gas tamponade followed by laser treatment for macular retinal detachment secondary to optic pit / Tamponamento com gás seguido de laser para descolamento de retina secundário à fosseta de disco óptico

ABSTRACT Purpose: The study aimed to describe anatomic and visual outcomes associated with perfluoropropane intravitreal injection followed by laser treatment for macular retinal detachment secondary to optic disc pit. Methods: A single-center, retrospective study. Medical records of all patients treated at a tertiary retina referral center were evaluated between 2011 and 2018 for congenital optic disc pit-associated macular detachment with 0.3 ml 100% perfluoropropane intravitreal injection followed by retinal laser photocoagulation along the temporal optic disc margin as the initial treatment. Results: Six patients with optic disc pit-associated macular detachment were identified, with postoperative follow-up ranging from 13 to 52 months (mean: 28 months). Spectral domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) showed complete fluid resolution without recurrence in five of the six cases. Four cases showed complete reabsorption after Intravitreal perfluoropropane plus laser, one patient needed an extra procedure (pars plana vitrectomy with inner limiting membrane peeling and pedicle flap inversion over the temporal optic disc margin) to achieve complete fluid reabsorption, and one patient had persistent intraretinal fluid and denied additional surgeries. The time between the initial procedure and total fluid reabsorption varied from 6.5 to 41 months (mean: 19.5 months). Best-corrected visual acuity improved after surgery on the last follow-up visit in all cases. Conclusion: 100% perfluoropropane intravitreal injection followed by photocoagulation along temporal optic disc margin was associated with anatomic and visual improvement in most cases, representing an alternative treatment approach for optic disc pit-associated macular detachment.

RESUMO Objetivo: Descrever os resultados anatômicos e visuais associados à injeção intravítrea de perfluoropropano seguida de tratamento a laser para descolamento de retina macular secundário à fosseta do disco óptico. Métodos: Estudo retrospectivo em um único centro. Foram revisados os prontuários médicos dos pacientes com descolamento macular associado a fosseta do disco óptico congênito em um centro de referência terciário de retina entre 2011 e 2018. Todos receberam como estratégia de tratamento inicial injeção intravítrea de perfluoropropano 100% seguido por fotocoagulação a laser ao longo da margem temporal do disco óptico. Resultados: Foram identificados seis pacientes com descolamento macular associado a fosseta do disco óptico durante o período do estudo. O seguimento pós-operatório variou de 13 a 52 meses, com média de 28 meses. SD-OCT demonstrou resolução completa do fluido em cindo dos seis casos, sem recorrência. Quatro casos apresentaram reabsorção completa após perfluoropropano intravítreo associado a laser, e um paciente necessitou de procedimento adicional (vitrectomia via pars plana com peeling da membrana limitante interna e inversão do retalho do pedículo sobre a margem temporal do disco óptico) para obter reabsorção completa de fluidos. Um paciente apresentou fluido intrarretiniano persistente e negou tratamentos adicionais. O tempo entre o procedimento inicial e a resolução completa do fluido variou entre 6,5 a 41 meses, com média de 19,5 meses. A acuidade visual corrigida melhorou após a cirurgia, considerando a última consulta de acompanhamento em todos os casos. Conclusão: A injeção intravítrea de perfluoropropano 100% seguida de fotocoagulação ao longo da margem temporal da margem do disco óptico foi associada à melhora anatômica e visual na maioria dos casos e representa uma abordagem terapêutica alternativa para o descolamento macular associado a fosseta do disco óptico.

[Glaucoma treatment by transscleral cyclophotocoagulation in micropulse technology in a low-income setting]. / Glaukombehandlung mittels transskleraler Zyklophotokoagulation in Mikropulstechnik in einem "low­income setting".

BACKGROUND: Glaucoma is the leading cause of irreversible blindness worldwide. The prevalence of glaucoma is particularly high in rural regions of Tanzania. Poverty and an inadequate ophthalmic infrastructure increase the difficulty of glaucoma treatment. OBJECTIVE: Due to the limited access to eye drops or surgical therapy, the effectiveness of transscleral cyclophotocoagulation in micropulse technology (CPC-M) in advanced glaucoma was investigated in the present study. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We included n = 50 eyes of 35 adult patients with advanced glaucoma and a glaucoma-typical papillary excavation with cupdisc ratio (CDR) ≥ 0.9, regardless of the glaucoma entity. The mean intraocular pressure (IOP) prior to treatment was 34 mm Hg (±â€¯14 mm Hg). The operation was performed under retrobulbar anesthesia with the A.R.C. FOX 810 diode laser (A.R.C. Laser, Nuremberg, Germany; mean energy 127 J ± 10 J). RESULTS: An IOP between 6 and 21 mm Hg or an IOP reduction by at least 20% of the initial value was defined as success. The success criteria were met by 71% of reevaluated eyes (n = 21) 3 months after treatment, and mean IOP was 19 mm Hg (±â€¯13 mm Hg). Mean IOP 9 months postoperatively (n = 20) was 18 mm Hg (±â€¯10 mm Hg) and the success criteria were met in 65% of cases. Seven eyes did not meet the success criteria: six eyes had a further increase in IOP and one eye showed intraocular hypotension. CONCLUSION: The CPC­M represents a good, inexpensive, and easily accessible treatment option for advanced glaucoma in order to reduce the likelihood of blindness in a low-income setting.

Clinical, demographic characteristics, and treatment protocols of optic neuropathies: Three-year follow-up experiences from a tertiary hospital in Turkey.

Background: This study was conducted to review the demographic and clinical characteristics, treatment protocols, and visual outcomes of patients with optic neuropathy. Methods: This historical cohort study analyzed the clinical features of 91 patients with optic neuropathy followed up for three years at a university hospital in Turkey. Results: Non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NA-AION) was the most common group among the optic neuropathy subgroups (47.2%), and optic neuritis (ON) was the second most common group (38.5%). The mean age of symptom onset for NA-AION was 64.97 ± 12.15 years, significantly higher than the mean age of onset for ON (40.28 ± 15.52 years). Most of the patients with NA-AION had at least one systemic disease causing microangiopathy [51.1% had diabetes mellitus (DM), 33.3% had hypertension (HTN)]. Among the patients with ON, 51.4% were idiopathic, and 25.7% were multiple sclerosis (MS)-related ON cases. Patients with ischemic optic neuropathy (ION), ON, and traumatic optic neuropathy received pulse intravenous (IV) corticosteroids, and eleven patients with NA-AION received acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) therapy in addition to corticosteroids. There was a statistically significant increase in visual acuity in NA-AION and ON groups (P = 0.019). It was observed that the cases of ON peaked in the winter months in Turkey. Conclusion: In the differential diagnosis between NA-AION and idiopathic ON, the presence of one or more vascular systemic diseases and mean age may be the main factors. IV steroid treatment given to patients with NA-AION in the acute phase may significantly improve visual acuity.

The changing landscape of optic neuritis: a narrative review.

Optic neuritis (ON) is an inflammatory optic neuropathy that is often a harbinger of central nervous system (CNS) demyelinating disorders. ON is frequently misdiagnosed in the clinical arena, leading to either inappropriate management or diagnostic delays. As a result, patients may fail to achieve optimal recovery. The treatment response to corticosteroids and long term risk of multiple sclerosis was established in the first clinical trials conducted roughly 30 years ago. Spontaneous resolution was observed in the vast majority of patients and intravenous high-dose corticosteroids hastened recovery; half of the patients eventually developed multiple sclerosis. Over the ensuing decades, the number of inflammatory conditions associated with ON has significantly expanded exposing substantial variability in the prognosis, treatment, and management of ON patients. ON subtypes can frequently be distinguished by distinct clinical, serological, and radiological profiles allowing expedited and specialized treatment. Guided by an increased understanding of the immunopathology underlying optic nerve and associated CNS injuries, novel disease management strategies are emerging to minimize vision loss, improve long-term surveillance strategies, and minimize CNS injury and disability. Knowledge regarding the clinical signs and symptoms of different ON subtypes is essential to guide acute therapy, prognosticate recovery, accurately identify underlying CNS inflammatory disorders, and facilitate study design for the next generation of clinical and translational trials.

Application of optical coherence tomography angiography in optic nerve diseases / 中华实验眼科杂志

Optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) can be used to obtain retinal and choroidal blood flow images of optic disc and macular area, and evaluate the vascular morphology and blood perfusion of different layers in different areas of optic disc and macular area.It provides rich possibilities for the description and quantification of optic nerve diseases, the exploration of disease pathogenesis, and the development and evaluation of new treatments.In recent years, OCTA has played an important role in the diagnosis and treatment of optic nerve diseases.It is helpful in the diagnosis of optic neuritis, ischemic optic neuropathy, papilledema secondary to idiopathic intracranial hypertension, and to some extent to evaluate the visual function of affected eyes.The vascular morphology and quantitative analysis of the optic disc and macular area by OCTA may be of value in discriminating optic disc swelling from various etiologies and different types of anterior ischemic optic neuropathy, and facilitate further exploration of the pathogenesis of optic nerve diseases.This article reviewed the application status, recent progress and limitations of OCTA in the diagnosis, differential diagnosis and pathogenesis of optic nerve diseases.OCTA is still not in the stage of meaningful clinical use in neuro-ophthalmology, but its application can be wider as there are more meaningful researches and findings.

Cell Replacement Therapy for Retinal and Optic Nerve Diseases: Cell Sources, Clinical Trials and Challenges.

The aim of this review was to provide an update on the potential of cell therapies to restore or replace damaged and/or lost cells in retinal degenerative and optic nerve diseases, describing the available cell sources and the challenges involved in such treatments when these techniques are applied in real clinical practice. Sources include human fetal retinal stem cells, allogenic cadaveric human cells, adult hippocampal neural stem cells, human CNS stem cells, ciliary pigmented epithelial cells, limbal stem cells, retinal progenitor cells (RPCs), human pluripotent stem cells (PSCs) (including both human embryonic stem cells (ESCs) and human induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs)) and mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs). Of these, RPCs, PSCs and MSCs have already entered early-stage clinical trials since they can all differentiate into RPE, photoreceptors or ganglion cells, and have demonstrated safety, while showing some indicators of efficacy. Stem/progenitor cell therapies for retinal diseases still have some drawbacks, such as the inhibition of proliferation and/or differentiation in vitro (with the exception of RPE) and the limited long-term survival and functioning of grafts in vivo. Some other issues remain to be solved concerning the clinical translation of cell-based therapy, including (1) the ability to enrich for specific retinal subtypes; (2) cell survival; (3) cell delivery, which may need to incorporate a scaffold to induce correct cell polarization, which increases the size of the retinotomy in surgery and, therefore, the chance of severe complications; (4) the need to induce a localized retinal detachment to perform the subretinal placement of the transplanted cell; (5) the evaluation of the risk of tumor formation caused by the undifferentiated stem cells and prolific progenitor cells. Despite these challenges, stem/progenitor cells represent the most promising strategy for retinal and optic nerve disease treatment in the near future, and therapeutics assisted by gene techniques, neuroprotective compounds and artificial devices can be applied to fulfil clinical needs.

Radiation-Induced Optic Neuropathy: Literature Review.

Radiation-induced optic neuropathy (RION) is a rare disease caused by exposure of the optic nerves to radiation during radiotherapy procedures for head and neck tumours. The purpose of this study was to review and summarise the epidemiology, risk factors, clinical presentations, pathphysiology characteristics, diagnosis, and management of RION. Its occurrence is associated with cumulative doses of radiation above 50 Gy, presence of multi-morbidities and the presence of concomitant chemotherapy and radiotherapy. It manifests with acute, painless, and monocular loss of vision, and these symptoms appear late after the radiation exposure. The diagnosis of the disease occurs by exclusion and, mainly, by the clinical analysis of the case associated with the time of radiation exposure. Treatment does not seem promising and there is not an effective cure. In this review, we mainly focus on compiling existing information on the topic and providing knowledge for early diagnosis and more efficient treatment.

Optic disc edema due to peripapillary choroidal neovascularization.

A 35-year-old myopic woman developed right-eye optic disc edema with normal visual function. The presence of a subtle crescent-shaped peripapillary subretinal hemorrhage in addition to the disc edema raised concern for a peripapillary choroidal neovascular membrane, which was confirmed by enhanced depth optical coherence tomography.

[Relative micro- and macrodiscs-a challenge in optical coherence tomography-based glaucoma diagnostics?] / Relative Mikro- und Makropapillen ­ eine Herausforderung in der Glaukomdiagnostik mit der optischen Kohärenztomographie?

Optical coherence tomography provides high-resolution imaging and measurement of glaucoma-relevant structures of the posterior pole. Minimal rim width, retinal nerve fiber layer, and ganglion cell layer thickness are parameters that enhance interpretation of micro- and macrodiscs in relation to a normative database. They are a valuable supplement to ophthalmoscopy and sensory testing in glaucoma diagnostics.

Using Enhanced Depth Imaging Optical Coherence Tomography-Derived Parameters to Discriminate between Eyes with and without Glaucoma: A Cross-Sectional Comparative Study.

INTRODUCTION: New technologies have been developed in order to decrease interpersonal influence and subjectivity during the glaucoma diagnosis process. Enhanced depth imaging spectral-domain OCT (EDI OCT) has turned up as a favorable tool for deep optic nerve head (ONH) structures assessment. OBJECTIVE: A prospective cross-sectional study was conducted to compare the diagnostic performance of different EDI OCT-derived parameters to discriminate between eyes with and without glaucoma. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The following ONH parameters were measured: lamina cribrosa (LC) thickness and area; prelaminar neural tissue (PLNT) thickness and area; average Bruch's membrane opening - minimum rim width (BMO-MRW), superior BMO-MRW, and inferior BMO-MRW. Peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer (pRNFL) thickness was also obtained. RESULTS: Seventy-three participants were included. There were no significant differences between AUCs for average BMO-MRW (0.995), PLNT area (0.968), and average pRNFL thickness (0.975; p ≥ 0.089). However, AUCs for each of these 3 parameters were significantly larger than LC area AUC (0.701; p ≤ 0.001). Sensitivities at 80% specificity were: PLNT area = 92.3%, average BMO-MRW = 97.4%, and average pRNFL thickness = 94.9%. CONCLUSIONS: Comparing the diagnostic performance of different EDI OCT ONH parameters to discriminate between eyes with and without glaucoma, we found better results for neural tissue-based indexes (BMO-MRW and PLNT area) compared to laminar parameters. In this specific population, these neural tissue-based parameters (including PLNT area, which was investigated by the first time in the present study) had a diagnostic performance comparable to that of the conventional pRNFL thickness protocol.

Remote screening of retinal and optic disc diseases using handheld nonmydriatic cameras in programmed routine occupational health checkups onsite at work centers.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the first year outcomes of a remote screening program for detection of retinal diseases using handheld nonmydriatic cameras in occupational routine checkups performed onsite at work centers. METHODS: Cross-sectional, first year screening program outcomes audit. Participants were volunteers recruited from staff within work centers. Retinal fundus images were captured by technicians, and images and data were anonymized and sent securely to a remote server. A team of ophthalmologists, all retinal specialists, remotely read the images using a custom-made software and sent telematic reports of findings within 24-48 h. The main items evaluated were the detection of retinal abnormalities and the relationship between retinal findings and demographic data such as age and sex. RESULTS: A total of 19,881 workers were evaluated in 52 centers. Mean age was 41.1 years old, 43.9% men and 56.1% women. Mean duration of the test was around 2 min. Of the workers, 7.8% presented abnormalities in retinal fundus images, being the main findings choroidal nevus (2.4%), macular pigment abnormalities (1.5%), glaucomatous optic disc (1.2%), and macular signs of high myopia (1.1%). The presence of abnormalities was associated with greater age, being 5%, 7.9%, 12.6%, and 19.7% in workers less than 40 years, from 40 to 49, 50-59, and ≥ 60 years (p < 0.05), respectively. Men had more abnormalities in retinal fundus images than women (8.6 vs. 7.2; p < 0.05 RR: 1.2; CI 1092-1322). CONCLUSIONS: Mass screening of retinal and optic disc abnormalities during occupational health routine checkups is a feasible, quick, and efficient tool for early detection of potential vision-threatening disease markers.

[Peripapillary and macular vessel density in eyes with different phases of thyroid-associated ophthalmopathy].

Objective: To analyze the characteristics of vessel density in the optic disc and macular area of patients with different phases of thyroid-associated ophthalmopathy (TAO) and their correlation with visual function. Methods: This case-control study was conducted at the Department of Ophthalmology of Peking Union Medical College Hospital between June 2019 and September 2019. TAO patients and healthy volunteers were included in the study. Patients with a clinical activity score greater than or equal to 3 points were categorized as active TAO. Dysthyroid optic neuropathy (DON) patients with a course less than 6 months were categorized as acute phase of DON, and those more than 6 months were in the chronic group. Healthy volunteers were in the control group. Each group included 12 subjects, with right eyes for analysis. There were 6 males and 6 females in each group. All participants underwent comprehensive ophthalmic examination including best corrected visual acuity and visual field examination for the mean defect (MD). Best corrected visual acuity was subsequently converted to logarithm of minimum angle of resolution (logMAR). Optical coherence tomography was used to measure the thickness of the retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) and retinal ganglion cell complex (GCC). Optical coherence tomography angiography was used to the peripapillary and macular vessel density. The differences in the vessel densities in the optic disc and macular area between groups and their correlation with different factors were analyzed. Analysis of variance, non-parametric Mann-Whitney U test and Spearman coefficient were conducted for statistical analysis. Results: There was no significant difference in age among the four groups (P>0.05). The logMAR of the acute DON group was 0.1 (0.0, 0.2), worse than the control group, which was 0.0 (0.0, 0.0) (U=114.000, P<0.05). The overall vessel densities of the optic disc in acute DON and chronic DON were significantly lower than the control group (54.70%±2.31% and 54.31%±3.65% vs. 57.54%±2.17%; t=3.104, 2.636; both P<0.05). The overall superficial vessel densities of the macular area in active TAO, acute DON and chronic DON were significantly lower than the control group (46.07%±3.06% and 42.26%±5.05% and 45.63%±3.87% vs. 49.34%±3.08%), and the differences were statistically significant (t=2.614, 4.147, 2.603; all P<0.05). There was no statistically significant difference in the size of the foveal avascular zone or the density of deep blood vessels in the macular area among the four groups (all P>0.05). In the active TAO period, there was no correlation between the MD value, RNFL thickness, GCC thickness and the vessel densities of the optic disc and macular area (all P>0.05). The vascular density of the whole layer of the optic disc in acute DON was negatively correlated with the MD value (r=-0.591, P<0.05) and positively correlated with the RNFL thickness and GCC thickness (r=0.595, 0.693; both P<0.05). In chronic DON, the overall capillary density of the optic disc was negatively correlated with the MD value (r=-0.673, P<0.05); the superficial overall blood vessel density of the macular area was positively correlated with the thickness of RNFL and GCC (r=0.732, 0.712;both P<0.01). Conclusions: In active TAO, only the blood supply to the superficial layer of the macular area is decreased. In the acute and chronic phases of DON, the blood supply to the superficial layer of the macular area and the optic disc is both reduced; the smaller the blood vessel density, the more severe the visual field defect, and the thinner the RNFL and GCC. (Chin J Ophthalmol, 2020, 56:824-831).

Late-stage sequela of an isolated optic neuropathy after acute magnesium valproate overdose: A case report.

BACKGROUND: Magnesium valproate is a valproic acid (VPA) derivative that is widely used for the treatment of epilepsy and bipolar disorders. Acute overdose of VPA may cause complicated systemic syndromes; however, the reports of ocular sequelae caused by toxic optic neuropathy (TON) are rare. CASE PRESENTATION: We present a case of a 19-year-old female with bilateral damage to visual function after acute VPA overdose. She was comatose and received systemic treatments for 1 month, during which she suffered a substantial loss of visual function without any evident neurological sequelae. The first recorded visual acuity was no light perception in the right eye (OD) and hand motion in the left eye (OS). Her best-corrected visual acuity improved to 20/100 OS after 4 months of hyperbaric oxygen therapy and neurotrophic treatments. Her visual field was limited to an inferior nasal area OS. Therefore, a diagnosis of TON was made. Her visual function remained stable in the left eye, but did not recover in the right eye during the 5-month follow-up. We found damage to the optic nerve pathway during ophthalmic examinations. CONCLUSION: We report a rare case of TON caused by acute VPA overdose. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy, and neuroprotective and neurotrophic treatments might be effective at the early stage but cannot fully reverse the damage to the optic nerve. The present case indicates the potential neurotoxicity of VPA. It is crucial to determine the severity of an isolated optic nerve sequela caused by VPA overdose, though it might be rare as observed in previous reports. Further confirmation of the likelihood of its causation and its pathophysiology is needed in the future.