Novel Method to Measure Volumes of Retinal Specific Entities.

Objectives: The aim of this study is to describe and validate an optical-coherence-tomography (OCT)-based method to easily calculate specific volumes, addressing the limitations of current OCT software in automating volumetric analysis for specific entities in retinal pathologies. Methods: After manually drawing the specific entity on linear OCT scans using the calliper function and automated measurement of its area, the following formula was used for volumetric calculation: Volume [mm3] = ∑area [mm2] × OCT-scan distance [mm]. Retinal volume (RV) was measured by two independent observers in eyes with a normal foveal profile (NFP) and was compared with the automated measurements performed by the OCT software (Engineering GmbH, Heidelberg, Germany); the same process was repeated for the volume of the foveal cavity (FC) or foveoschisis (FS) in eyes with lamellar macular holes (LMHs). Power calculations were conducted to ensure adequate sample size. The measurements were re-acquired after six weeks. Intra- and inter-observer variability as well as comparison to automated RV calculations were analysed. Results: This study included a total of 62 eyes divided into two groups: the NFP (30 eyes) and LMH (32 eyes) groups. The Bland-Altman plots showed a high degree of agreement in both groups for inter-observer and intra-observer agreement. In addition, in the NFP group, a high degree of agreement was demonstrated between human observers and the OCT software (Spectralis). Conclusions: An easy, reliable, and widely applicable method to calculate volumes is described and validated in this paper, showing excellent inter- and intra-observer agreement, which can be applied to any entity requiring a specific study in the context of retinal pathologies.

Volumetric Biomarkers of Visual Outcome after Surgical Repair in Lamellar Macular Holes.

BACKGROUND: We investigate novel OCT parameters, based on the volumetric analysis of lamellar macular holes (LMHs), as prognostic indicators for visual outcomes after surgery. METHODS: LMHs were divided into degenerative LMHs (D-LMHs) and ERM-foveoschisis (ERM-FS). Pre-operative clinical, OCT linear and volumetric parameters were collected. Volumes were obtained using the OCT automatic segmentation, such as central retinal volume (CRV) and outer nuclear layer (ONL) volume, or using a novel method to calculate volumes of specific LMH entities like epiretinal proliferation (ERP), foveal cavity (FC) in D-LMH and schitic volume (SV) in ERM-FS. Univariate and multivariate linear regression analysis evaluated the factors predictive for post-operative best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA). RESULTS: We included 31 eyes of 31 patients (14 D-LMH,17 ERM-FS). A pre-operative BCVA ≤ 0.48 logMAR was a predictor for achieving ≤0.30 logMAR at final follow-up. A lower pre-operative BCVA (p = 0.008) and the presence of ERP (p = 0.002) were associated with worse visual outcomes post-surgery. Moreover, novel pre-operative OCT parameters significantly associated with worse post-operative BCVA, such as increased FC volume (p = 0.032) and lower CRV (p = 0.034) in the D-LMH subtype and lower CRV (p < 0.001) and ERP volume (p < 0.001), higher SV (p < 0.001) and foveal ONL volume (p < 0.001) in the ERM-FS subtype. CONCLUSIONS: Novel volumetric OCT parameters can be prognostic indicators of visual outcome following surgery in LMHs.

DIAGNOSIS OF VORTEX VARIX USING OPTICAL COHERENCE TOMOGRAPHY AND SCLERAL INDENTATION.

PURPOSE: We report a case of a vortex vein varix diagnosed with optical coherence tomography under globe compression. METHODS: To illustrate the dynamical behavior of a vortex vein varix, optical coherence tomography was performed with and without gentle globe indentation with a cotton swab. RESULTS: A 51-year-old woman was referred by her optician for an incidental finding of a nonpigmented choroidal mass in the right eye. The patient was asymptomatic with a best-corrected visual acuity of 20/16 in both eyes. On fundoscopy, a prominent smooth pink lesion at the level of the superonasal equatorial retina could be observed in the right eye. Peripheral optical coherence tomography over the area revealed dilated choroidal vessels with an overlying healthy retina. Optical coherence tomography scan was repeated applying gentle globe indentation under which the lesion completely collapsed. CONCLUSION: This case illustrates that the diagnosis of a vortex vein varix can be made in clinics using noninvasive tools such as optical coherence tomography. The anatomical localization of the lesion and the pressure-evoked fluctuation of size and shape are important clues which lead to the diagnosis.

Outcomes of Ahmed glaucoma valve in paediatric glaucoma following congenital cataract surgery in persistent foetal vasculature.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the outcomes of primary Ahmed glaucoma valve in refractory secondary glaucoma following congenital cataract surgery, particularly in persistent foetal vasculature. METHOD: Retrospective review of paediatric patients after Ahmed glaucoma valve implantation for refractory post-lensectomy glaucoma in a tertiary referral centre in Spain. Surgical complications, additional and/or replacements of Ahmed glaucoma valve, intraocular pressure, cup-to-disc ratio, glaucoma medications and final visual acuity were studied. RESULTS: A total of 29 eyes, 41% with persistent foetal vasculature and 59% with non-persistent foetal vasculature were included with mean follow-up of 105 ± 67 and 74 ± 45 months, respectively, after first Ahmed glaucoma valve implant. Median survival time for the first Ahmed glaucoma valve was significantly lower in persistent foetal vasculature (7.0 ± 3.2 months) compared to non-persistent foetal vasculature (over 129 months), p = 0.001. The cumulative probability of success in persistent foetal vasculature and non-persistent foetal vasculature eyes with Ahmed glaucoma valve were, respectively, 37.5% and 88.2% at year 1 and 28.1% and 71.9% at year 5. Cox regression model suggested persistent foetal vasculature as predictive risk factor of time to Ahmed glaucoma valve failure (hazard ratio: 5.77, p = 0.004). Four eyes developed phthisis bulbi. Mean intraocular pressure prior glaucoma surgery was 32.66 ± 6.73 mmHg and decreased to 16.54 ± 2.75 mmHg (p < 0.001) at final visit. The most frequent early postoperative complication was severe hypotony (32.6%) which tended to be self-limiting. Vitreous haemorrhage was associated with persistent foetal vasculature (p = 0.024). Ahmed glaucoma valve replacements after complications and additional Ahmed glaucoma valve implantations due to unsatisfactory intraocular pressure were more common in the persistent foetal vasculature group. CONCLUSION: Eyes with persistent foetal vasculature and secondary glaucoma after congenital cataract surgery followed by AGV implantation had a higher number of complications and a decreased probability of success compared to the non-persistent foetal vasculature group. Both groups achieved a significant decrease in intraocular pressure; thus, Ahmed glaucoma valve may be considered as first-line treatment in refractory glaucoma following congenital cataract surgery.

Clinical Characteristics and Treatment of Secondary Glaucoma After Pediatric Congenital Cataract Surgery in a Tertiary Referral Hospital in Spain.

PURPOSE: To analyze clinical characteristics, treatment, and long-term outcomes of pediatric patients with glaucoma after congenital cataract surgery at a single tertiary care hospital. METHODS: Medical records of pediatric patients diagnosed as having glaucoma secondary to congenital cataract surgery between 1996 and 2016 were reviewed retrospectively. RESULTS: A total of 58 eyes of 42 patients were included with a median follow-up time of 55 months (interquartile range [IQR]: 27 to 128) after glaucoma diagnosis. Mean time of glaucoma onset after cataract surgery was 35 months (IQR: 5 to 96). At diagnosis, 81% of the eyes were aphakic and the majority presented with an open angle (86%). Multivariate analysis demonstrated that glaucoma diagnosis was made earlier in eyes with persistent fetal vasculature (ß = -0.334, P = .006) and aphakic eyes (ß = 0.404, P = .001). Two-thirds of eyes required surgical treatment for glaucoma. Seventy percent had an Ahmed glaucoma valve (New World Medical, Inc) implantation as their primary procedure, followed by trabeculectomy (24%) and synechiolysis with peripheral iridotomy (6%). All medically treated eyes and 78% of the surgically treated eyes achieved intraocular pressure (IOP) control at the final visit. CONCLUSIONS: Diagnosis of glaucoma after congenital cataract surgery seems to follow a bimodal distribution (years 1 and 5 after cataract surgery). Two-thirds of the eyes required surgical hypotensive treatment to achieve IOP control. Ahmed glaucoma valve implantation is a safe and effective surgical option to be considered as both first- and second-line treatment. Functional outcome was more favorable in those eyes with medically controlled glaucoma. [J Pediatr Ophthalmol Strabismus. 2020;57(5):292-300.].

Clinical and microbiological profile of infectious keratitis in an area of Madrid, Spain / Perfil clínico y microbiológico de la queratitis infecciosa en un área de Madrid, España

INTRODUCTION: To study antibiotic susceptibility in bacterial keratitis (BK), its profile over 10 years and its influence on ophthalmological practice. METHODS: Retrospective review of BK with positive corneal scraping over a 10-year period. Risk factors for keratitis, visual acuity (VA), empirical topical treatment, corneal infection characteristics and outcomes were analyzed for BK due to Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Streptococcus pneumoniae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Propionibacterium acnes. RESULTS: 389 positive corneal scrapings were collected. All Gram-positive bacteria were susceptible to vancomycin. P. aeruginosa demonstrated >90% sensitivity to the most-commonly-used topical antibiotics. Susceptibility to methicillin was 90.2% for S. aureus and 66.3% for S. epidermidis. The results of 215 patients were available. 1.9% required enucleation and 2.8% required surgical treatments. Final VA improved after treatment in keratitis due to S. aureus (p = 0.026) and S. epidermidis (p = 0.005). There was a correlation between S. aureus resistance to methicillin (p = 0.002) and levofloxacin (p = 0.043) and enucleation (20% and 10%, respectively) compared with a 0% rate of enucleation in S. aureus-susceptible keratitis. CONCLUSIONS: BK due to S. pneumoniae is very aggressive irrespective of antibiotic sensitivity. S. aureus was frequently isolated in patients with systemic diseases. It causes severe keratitis and remains moderately resistant to methicillin and levofloxacin. For this reason, keeping vancomycin in empirical regimens is believed to be necessary

INTRODUCCIÓN: Estudiar la susceptibilidad antibiótica en queratitis bacteriana (QB), el perfil temporal a lo largo de 10 años y su influencia en la clínica ocular. MÉTODOS: Revisión retrospectiva durante un periodo de 10 años de QB con raspado corneal positivo. Se analizaron los factores de riesgo de queratitis, la agudeza visual (AV), el tratamiento empírico tópico, las características de la infección corneal y el resultado clínico para QB por Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Streptococcus pneumoniae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa y Propionibacterium acnes. RESULTADOS: Se recogieron 389 raspados corneales positivos. Todas las bacterias grampositivas fueron susceptibles a la vancomicina. P. aeruginosa presentó sensibilidad mayor del 90% a los antibióticos tópicos más comúnmente utilizados. La susceptibilidad a la meticilina fue del 90,2% para S. aureus y del 66,3% para S. epidermidis. Los resultados clínicos estaban disponibles para 215 pacientes. El 1,9% requirieron enucleación y el 2,8% tratamientos quirúrgicos. La AV final mejoró después del tratamiento en queratitis por S. aureus (p = 0,026) y por S. epidermidis (p = 0,005). Hubo correlación entre la resistencia de S. aureus a la meticilina (p = 0,002) y levofloxacino (p = 0,043) y enucleación (20 y 10%, respectivamente) en comparación con una tasa de enucleación del 0% en S. aureus susceptible. CONCLUSIONES: Las QB por S. pneumoniae son muy agresivas independientemente de la sensibilidad antibiótica. S. aureus se aisló con frecuencia en pacientes con enfermedades sistémicas, causa queratitis severa y permanece moderadamente resistente a la meticilina y a levofloxacino; debido a esto, consideramos necesario mantener la vancomicina en la pauta empírica

Clinical and microbiological profile of infectious keratitis in an area of Madrid, Spain.

INTRODUCTION: To study antibiotic susceptibility in bacterial keratitis (BK), its profile over 10 years and its influence on ophthalmological practice. METHODS: Retrospective review of BK with positive corneal scraping over a 10-year period. Risk factors for keratitis, visual acuity (VA), empirical topical treatment, corneal infection characteristics and outcomes were analyzed for BK due to Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Streptococcus pneumoniae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Propionibacterium acnes. RESULTS: 389 positive corneal scrapings were collected. All Gram-positive bacteria were susceptible to vancomycin. P. aeruginosa demonstrated >90% sensitivity to the most-commonly-used topical antibiotics. Susceptibility to methicillin was 90.2% for S. aureus and 66.3% for S. epidermidis. The results of 215 patients were available. 1.9% required enucleation and 2.8% required surgical treatments. Final VA improved after treatment in keratitis due to S. aureus (p=0.026) and S. epidermidis (p=0.005). There was a correlation between S. aureus resistance to methicillin (p=0.002) and levofloxacin (p=0.043) and enucleation (20% and 10%, respectively) compared with a 0% rate of enucleation in S. aureus-susceptible keratitis. CONCLUSIONS: BK due to S. pneumoniae is very aggressive irrespective of antibiotic sensitivity. S. aureus was frequently isolated in patients with systemic diseases. It causes severe keratitis and remains moderately resistant to methicillin and levofloxacin. For this reason, keeping vancomycin in empirical regimens is believed to be necessary.

OCT Angiography: Assessment of Retinal Ischemia in Susac's Syndrome.

Descriptive study of two patients affected by Susac's syndrome (SuS) focusing on the chronic retinal tissue damage assessed by optical coherence tomography (OCT) and OCT angiography (OCTA). To the authors' knowledge, this is the first case series reporting OCTA in SuS. OCTA imaging revealed secondary hypoxia due to branch retinal artery occlusion of the deep capillary plexus, with additional involvement of the superficial capillary network in one case. OCTA is a noninvasive and quick diagnostic tool for detecting hypoxic retinal damage in SuS. With further development of OCTA, as wide-field imaging, a better understanding of the retinal and choroidal blood supply will be gained. [Ophthalmic Surg Lasers Imaging Retina. 2017;48:505-508.].