Changes in Outcomes of Macular Optical Coherence Tomography Angiography Following Surgery for Optic Disc Pit Maculopathy.

PURPOSE: we aimed to report on the optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) outcomes of eight patients with optic disc pit maculopathy (ODP-M) who were treated with 23-gauge pars plana vitrectomy (PPV). METHODS: We examined sixteen eyes of eight patients-eight eyes with ODP-M and eight healthy fellow eyes. Fundus color photography, fundus autofluorescence, fundus fluorescein angiography, optical coherence tomography (OCT), and OCTA were performed. The vascular density, choriocapillaris blood flow (CCBF), and foveal avascular zone (FAZ) were analyzed using OCTA. Moreover, the correlation between the best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and macular OCTA parameters was assessed. RESULTS: Compared with the healthy fellow eyes, the eyes with ODP-M preoperatively were found to have decreased BCVA, superficial capillary plexus (SCP) vascular density (i.e., total, foveal, parafoveal, and perifoveal), deep capillary plexus (DCP) vascular density (i.e., total, parafoveal, and perifoveal), and CCBF but a significantly increased FAZ (p < 0.05). When the eyes with ODP-M were analyzed pre- and postoperatively at month 12 after surgery, the BCVA, SCP vascular density (i.e., perifoveal), and CCBF had significantly increased, and the FAZ had significantly decreased (p < 0.05). When the eyes with ODP-M were compared with the healthy fellow eyes postoperatively at month 12, the BCVA, SCP, and DCP vascular density parameters had increased, along with CCBF, and the FAZ had decreased in eyes with ODP-M, though not to the levels of the healthy fellow eyes (p < 0.05). Moreover, a positive correlation was found between the postoperative BCVA and SCP total vascular density (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The BCVA and macular OCTA parameters improved in eyes with ODP-M at month 12 following surgery. However, the BCVA and OCTA of the eyes operated on did not reach the levels of the healthy fellow eyes, possibly due to impaired choroidal blood flow (CBF) recovery and the presence of a larger FAZ. In summary, OCTA seems to be useful for assessing qualitative and quantitative perioperative microvascular changes.

Evaluation of Optic Disc, Retinal Vascular Structures, and Acircularity Index in Patients with Idiopathic Macular Telangiectasia Type 2.

BACKGROUND: We aimed to compare the retinal, optic disc vascular density (ODVD) values, and acircularity index (AI) of patients with idiopathic macular telangiectasia type 2 (IMT) and healthy individuals using the optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) device. METHODS: The study included 39 patients with IMT and 37 healthy controls. The OCTA findings of the patients and controls were examined. RESULTS: The total, parafoveal and perifoveal vascular density of the superficial capillary plexus, choriocapillaris blood flow, inside-disc ODVD, retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL), and retinal thicknesses were found to be statistically significantly lower, and the foveal avascular zone value was statistically significantly higher in the IMT group compared to the control group (p = 0.001, p = 0.01, p = 0.02, p = 0.01, p = 0.009, p = 0.002, p = 0.02, respectively). There was a statistically significant negative correlation between best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and AI (p = 0.02), and a statistically significant positive correlation between peripapillary vascular density and BCVA (p = 0.04). CONCLUSIONS: We consider that the lower retinal, choriocapillaris, ODVD values, and retinal and RNFL thicknesses in the patients with IMT compared to the controls were due to vascular damage, remodeling, fibrosis, proliferation, and Müller cell damage. Ellipsoid zone defect, AI, and peripapillary vascular density are important indicators in the evaluation of visual acuity in these patients.

Evaluation of retinal and optic disc vascular structures in individuals before and after Pfizer-BioNTech vaccination.

INTRODUCTION: We conducted this study to detect possible changes in posterior segment structures using the optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) in individuals vaccinated with the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study included healthcare professionals who presented to the Ophthalmology Clinic of Health Sciences University Antalya Training and Research Hospital, who were scheduled to receive the first dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine. The exclusion criteria were any eye pathology (e.g., glaucoma, uveitis, diabetic retinopathy, amblyopia), myopia with the absolute value of refractive error >6, axial length >26 mm, history of eye surgery, and presence of systemic disease.OCTA was performed to 40 healthcare professionals before vaccination and on the third day after vaccination. RESULTS: After Pfizer-BioNTech vaccination, there was a statistically significant decrease in the total vascular, foveal vascular, parafoveal vascular and perifoveal vascular density of the superficial capillary plexus and the perifoveal vascular density of the deep capillary plexus and a statistically significant increase in the retinal foveal thickness and total retinal parafoveal thickness compared to the pre-vaccination values (p < 0.0001, p = 0.009, p < 0.0001, p = 0.001, p = 0.04, p = 0.03, and p = 0.05, respectively). CONCLUSION: We consider that the decrease in the retinal vascular density may be due to vascular endothelial damage and inflammation in vaccinated people. It can be suggested that increased inflammation plays a role in the retinal thickness in vaccinated people similar to patients with a history of COVID-19. We also consider that spike protein may be effective in these processes.

Evaluation of Visual Field and Balance Function Alterations in Patients Who Underwent Dermatochalasis Surgery.

PURPOSE: To compare perioperative visual field (VF), balance functions (BF), and changes in the other ocular parameters in patients undergoing upper eyelid dermatochalasis (DC) surgery. METHODS: One hundred and fifty-eight eyes of 79 patients who underwent DC surgery were included in the study. The VF, BF, intraocular pressure (IOP), pachymetry (PM), macular, and optic nerve measurements were recorded. Measurements were repeated at postoperative month 1. The preoperative and postoperative ocular measurements and the balance data were compared. RESULTS: Nineteen of 79 (24.05%) patients were male and 60 of 79 (75.95%) were female, while the mean age of the patients was 58.65 ± 7.38 years. There were statistically significant differences in terms of VF and macular thickness between the preoperative and postoperative values. The improvements in mean defect, standard loss variance, and mean sensitivity values of global VF parameters in both eyes were statistically significant after surgery. Central macular thickness, mean macular thickness, and macular volume decreased significantly in all eyes after surgery (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Although a marked improvement was observed in VF and peripheral vision after surgery, no significant change was found in BF parameters including primarily falling risk. The significant change in the macular parameters was only remarkable, and we think that the decrease was due to subtle vasospasm. There is a need for further comprehensive studies including especially patients older than 65 with a view to understanding the effect of DC surgery on BF.

Optic Coherence Tomography Angiography Findings of Bilateral Choroidal Neovascularization Associated with Optic Disc Drusen Treated with Intravitreal Aflibercept Injection.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this case report is to present the findings of optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) of a patient with bilateral choroidal neovascularization (CNV) associated with optic disc drusen (ODD), who was treated with intravitreal aflibercept injection. Case presentation. A 14-year-old girl presented with a complaint of visual loss and metamorphopsia in her both eyes. Best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) was 20/32 and 20/25, respectively, in the right and left eyes. Intraocular pressure and anterior segment examination were normal. Dilated fundus examination revealed elevated optic discs with blurred margins in both eyes. In addition, slightly elevated yellow lesion extending from optic nerve head to the macula was observed bilaterally. The patient underwent imaging with colour fundus photography, fundus autofluorescence (FAF), fundus fluorescein angiography (FFA), spectral-domain optic coherence tomography (SD-OCT), OCTA, orbital ultrasonography (USG), and computed tomography (CT). In particular, OCTA demonstrated clearly the large circular CNV complex in the right eye and the CNV structure in the left eye containing slightly activated main trunk and minimal vessel loops in the papillomacular region. CNV secondary to bilateral ODD was suspected. Intravitreal aflibercept injections were performed in 3 doses to the right eye and a single dose to the left eye. After the injections, BCVA reached its complete level in both eyes. SD-OCT revealed irregularity of RPE in the temporal region of the optic disc and complete regression of the subretinal fluid. Interestingly, the entire CNV complex including the main trunk completely disappeared in OCTA. CNV complex was not observed in OCTA during 1-year follow-up, and peripapillary and macular vascular density measurements did not show any significant change. BCVA was preserved, and no additional injections were needed. CONCLUSION: It is possible that OCTA can be used for detailed evaluation of CNV associated with ODD, response to anti-VEGF treatment, and peripapillary and macular vascular density. There is a need for further studies to confirm the changes such as disappearance of CNV in OCTA after injection as we observed in our patient.

Optical coherence tomography angiography findings in malignant hypertensive retinopathy.

A 33-year-old male presented to our clinic with low vision in both eyes that started during the previous week. Visual acuity was 20/63 in the right eye and 20/50 in the left eye. Fundus examination revealed signs of hypertensive retinopathy; thus, a multidisciplinary approach was adopted for the diagnosis and treatment of this patient. We consulted the nephrology and cardiology departments on this case. Upon diagnosing malignant hypertension and renal failure, the patient was put on hemodialysis. His visual acuity was 20/20 at 6 months, whereas foveal assessment on optical coherence tomography angiography revealed neither marked superficial and deep capillary density loss and foveal avascular zone enlargement nor a decrease in disc flow and radial peripapillary capillary density. Early diagnosis and treatment of malignant hypertension are critical in preventing progression of end-organ damage including the eyes. Optical coherence tomography angiography may be useful in cases when fundus fluorescein angiography is relatively contraindicated (e.g., renal failure).

Retinal vascular density evaluated by optical coherence tomography angiography in macular telangiectasia type 2.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the retinal and choroidal vascular changes through optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) in patients with macular telangiectasia type 2 (MacTel 2). METHODS: Our study included 20 patients (40 eyes) with MacTel 2, and age-matched and sex-matched 18 subjects (36 eyes) in the control group. Fundus color photographs, fundus autofluorescence, fundus fluorescein angiography, spectral-domain optical coherence tomography and OCTA were performed. Foveal vascular density and parafoveal vascular density (PFVD), and foveal retinal thickness and parafoveal retinal thickness, choroidal thickness (CT) and retinal ganglion cell-inner plexiform layer (GCIPL) were compared between MacTel 2 patients and normal age-matched controls. RESULTS: The retinal whole vascular density and PFVD of the deep plexus were significantly lower in patients with MacTel 2 than that of the control group (56.93% vs. 58.54%, p = 0.003; and 60.38% vs. 61.66%, p = 0.045). The foveal avascular zone (FAZ) of the deep plexus was significantly enlarged in patients with MacTel 2 than that of the control group (0.44 vs. 0.36, p = 0.009). There was a positive and statistically significant correlation between the FAZ of the superficial and deep plexus and CT in patients with MacTel 2. There was a positive and statistically significant correlation between retinal whole, parafoveal temporal quadrant vascular density of the superficial and deep plexus and GCIPL thickness in patients with MacTel 2. CONCLUSIONS: Our study demonstrated that important retinal vascular density and FAZ changes in MacTel 2 occur in the deep capillary plexus of the retina.

Spontaneous Macular Hole Closure after Valsalva Retinopathy and Nd:YAG Laser Treatment.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this report is to present a case who had spontaneous macular hole closure after Nd:YAG laser membranotomy applied to premacular haemorrhage associated with Valsalva retinopathy. METHODS: Case report. RESULTS: A 19-year-old young male patient presented to our clinic with sudden vision loss in his right eye, which had occurred 2 weeks before, following push-up and sit-up exercise. The patient was found to have premacular haemorrhage associated with Valsalva retinopathy. Nd:YAG laser membranotomy was performed. During his follow-up at week 1, full-thickness MH was observed and he was put under observation. At month 6, his vision acuity improved, laser coagulation sites in the fundus disappeared, and macular hole closed spontaneously. CONCLUSION: Macular hole that develops after Nd:YAG laser treatment of Valsalva retinopathy may spontaneously be closed like in our case. However, there is a need for further research to understand the mechanism of closure.

Optical coherence tomography angiography for screening of hydroxychloroquine-induced retinal alterations.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: The purpose of the study was to evaluate the retinal and choroidal changes via optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) in patients who received hydroxychloroquine (HCQ). METHODS: Sixty eyes of 60 female patients who received HCQ were included in the study. Patients were categorized into two groups as high-risk (≥ 5 years) and low-risk (< 5 years) in terms of HCQ-induced retinal toxicity. Spectral domain-OCT, OCTA, and visual field tests were performed. Retinal thickness, vascular density, flow rates, choroidal thickness (CT), and visual field parameters were compared between the groups, and the correlation between total HCQ cumulative dose, duration of use, and these parameters was assessed. RESULTS: Compared to low-risk group, patients in the high-risk group had vascular density loss (p < 0.05). In this group, foveal avascular zone (FAZ) was found to be wider (p < 0.05). Retinal and choroidal flow rates were found to be decreased markedly in the high-risk group (p < 0.05). CT was found to be thinner in the high-risk group (p < 0.05). HCQ cumulative dose and duration of use had a negative significant correlation with all vascular density, flow rate, CT parameters, and positive significant correlation with FAZ parameters (p < 0.05). In visual field tests, mean defect (MD) was found to be increased in the high-risk group (p < 0.05). Moreover, MD had a positive correlation with HCQ cumulative dose and duration of use (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Evaluation of microvascular changes via OCTA may contribute to the early detection of HCQ-induced retinal toxicity, which cannot be detected through other imaging devices, at the stage when it is reversible.

A New Objective Parameter in Hydroxychloroquine-Induced Retinal Toxicity Screening Test: Macular Retinal Ganglion Cell-Inner Plexiform Layer Thickness.

OBJECTIVES: This study aims to detect hydroxychloroquine (HCQ)-induced retinal toxicity at an earlier stage through the use of spectral-domain optical coherence tomography device, especially by measuring macular retinal ganglion cell-inner plexiform layer (RGC-IPL) thickness. PATIENTS AND METHODS: In this study, 92 eyes of 46 Caucasian female patients (mean age 53.6±8.1 years; range 32 to 69 years) who were taking HCQ were assigned to group 1, while 80 eyes of 40 age-matched Caucasian female control subjects (mean age 56.1±10.7 years; range 34 to 71 years) were assigned to group 2. RGC-IPL thickness and retinal nerve fiber layer thickness were measured in all subjects by Cirrus high-definition optical coherence tomography model 5000 device using macular cube 512¥128 and optic disc cube 200¥200 protocols. We performed an evaluation to see if there was any difference between the measured values of the groups. The correlation between average RGC-IPL thickness measures and cumulative dose of HCQ and duration of use was analyzed. RESULTS: Retinal ganglion cell-inner plexiform layer of group 1 was found to be statistically thinner than that of group 2 both on average and in all segments (superior, superonasal, inferonasal, inferotemporal and superotemporal) except inferior segment when segmented (p<0.05). Additionally, a statistically significant negative correlation was found between the average RGC-IPL thickness and cumulative dose of HCQ (r= -0.371, p=0.001) as well as the duration of use (r= -0.308, p=0.006). CONCLUSION: Patients taking HCQ were found to have decreased RGC-IPL thickness at an early stage due to retinal toxicity induced by the drug. We think that measuring the RGC-IPL thickness may become an important objective in HCQ screening tests.

Evaluation of optical coherence tomography angiographic findings in Alzheimer's type dementia.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: To identify the retinal vascular pathologies in patients with Alzheimer's type dementia (ATD) through optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) imaging. METHODS: Our study included 26 patients in the patient group, and age-matched and sex-matched 26 subjects in the control group. A detailed ophthalmological and neurological examination was performed for all subjects included in the study. The retinal, choroidal vascular structures and choroidal thickness (CT) of all subjects were analysed in a detailed way with a commercial spectral domain OCTA. Moreover, all participants underwent detailed neurological examination including Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE) test to evaluate cognitive function. RESULTS: In the group of patients with ATD, the MMSE score was significantly lower than that of the control group (p<0.001). The retinal vascular density was significantly lower than that of the control group in all zones (p<0.05). Foveal avascular zone (FAZ) was significantly enlarged compared with the control group (p=0.001). CT was significantly lower in the group of patients with ATD (p<0.001). Outer retinal and choroidal flow rates were lower in the group of patients with ATD, while the difference was not significant (p>0.05). Furthermore, significant correlation was found between the MMSE and all vascular density parameters, CT parameter and FAZ tested with OCTA imaging (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: In patients with ATD, retinal and choroidal vascular pathologies detected through OCTA imaging can be used as a new biomarker in the early diagnosis of the disease, follow-up of its progression and in investigating the efficacy of the drugs.