Switch to faricimab after initial treatment with aflibercept in eyes with diabetic macular edema.

PURPOSE: To assess the effectiveness of a switch to faricimab in individuals affected by DME and previously treated with aflibercept. METHODS: In this retrospective, single-center study, DME patients previously treated with at least 3 injections of aflibercept then switched to faricimab were enrolled. Best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and central subfield thickness (CST) were recorded at baseline, at the time of the switch and at 6 months follow-up. At transition to faricimab, patients were categorized as "good visual responders" (≥ 5 letters from baseline) or "poor visual responders" (< 5 letters), and as "good anatomical responders" (any reduction in edema compared to baseline) or "poor anatomical responders" (no reduction or worsening of edema). Changes in BCVA and CST were recorded at 6 months after the switch to faricimab. RESULTS: 100 eyes of 100 patients (61 female, 61%) were switched to faricimab after a mean of 6.8 ± 3.3 aflibercept injections. At the 6 months follow-up, only "poor visual responders" (N = 62) demonstrated a meaningful increase in BCVA (Δswitch-6M = + 5 letters; P = 0.007), coupled with a reduction in CST (Δswitch-6M = - 67.9 µm; P = 0.004); participants with "poor anatomical response" upon transitioning exhibited a significant functional gain (Δswitch-6M = + 4.5 letters; p = 0.05) but limited CST enhancements (Δswitch-6M = - 95.1 µm; p = 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Faricimab shows a positive impact on anatomical and functional metrics in DME cases refractory to aflibercept.

Vitreoretinal Interface Cells Correlate In Vivo With Uveitis Activity and Decrease With Anti-Inflammatory Treatment.

Purpose: To highlight the utility of en face swept-source optical coherence tomography angiography (SS-OCTA) in assessing vitreoretinal interface cells (VRICs) of patients with active uveitis and their dynamics. Methods: In this prospective, single-center study, 20 eyes from patients with active uveitis were analyzed using six 6 × 6-mm macular scans at three time points: active inflammation (baseline), clinically improving (T1), and resolved inflammation (T2). VRICs were visualized using 3-µm en face OCT slabs on the inner limiting membrane. The variation of VRIC number, density, and size over time was assessed, and VRIC measurements were compared with clinical grading. Results: At baseline, the VRIC count was significantly higher (552.5 VRICs) than that of the healthy controls (478.2 VRICs), with a density of 15.3 cells/mm2. VRIC number decreased significantly to 394.8 (P = 0.007) at T1, with a density of 10.9 cells/mm2 (P = 0.007). VRIC size reduced from 6.8 µm to 6.3 µm at T1 (P = 0.009) and remained stable at T2 (P = 0.3). Correlation coefficients between inflammatory parameters (anterior chamber cells and National Eye Institute vitreous haze), and VRIC count indicated a positive correlation at baseline (r = 0.53), weakening at T1 (r = 0.36), and becoming negative at T2 (r = -0.24). Conclusions: En face SS-OCTA revealed increased VRIC number and size in active uveitis, likely due to monocyte recruitment. Post-inflammation control, VRIC number, size, and density significantly decreased, returning to normal despite residual anterior chamber cells or vitreous haze. Translational Relevance: Visualization of VRICs by in vivo OCT opens up new opportunities for therapeutic targets.

Automated quantification of uveitic keratic precipitates by use of anterior segment optical coherence tomography.

BACKGROUND: Evaluation of ocular inflammation via common imaging modalities like optical coherence tomography (OCT) has emphasised cell visualisation, but automated detection of uveitic keratic precipitates (KPs) remains unexplored. METHODS: Anterior segment (AS)-OCT dense volumes of the corneas of patients with uveitic KPs were collected at three timepoints: with active (T0), clinically improving (T1), and resolved (T2) inflammation. At each visit, visual acuity and clinical grading of the anterior chamber cells were assessed. A bespoke algorithm was used to create an en face rendering of the KPs and to calculate their volume and a ratio of the volume of precipitates over the analysed area. The variation of AS-OCT-derived measurements over time was assessed, and compared with clinical grading. RESULTS: Twenty eyes from 20 patients (13 females, mean age 39 years) were studied. At T0, the mean volume of the corneal KPs was 0.1727 mm3 , and it significantly reduced to 0.1111 mm3 (p = 0.03) only at T2. The ratio between the volume of the KPs and the corneal area decreased from T0 (0.007) to T1 (0.006; p = 0.2) and T2 (0.004; p = 0.009). There was a statistically significant correlation between the AC cell count and the AS-OCT volume measurements of the KPs at the three time points. CONCLUSIONS: AS-OCT can image uveitic KPs and through a bespoke algorithm we were able to create an en face rendering allowing us to extrapolate their volume. We found that objective quantification of KPs correlated with inflammatory cell counts in the anterior chamber.

Orbital Perivascular Epithelioid Cell Tumor in a Case of Tuberous Sclerosis.

The aim of the study was to report a case of orbital perivascular epithelioid cell tumor (PEComa) in a known diagnosed patient of tuberous sclerosis and retinal astrocytic hamartoma. 43-year-old female presented with rapid progressive painful proptosis in the left eye, also reported new mass growing in her upper back. The patient past medical history is significant for left renal angiomyolipoma and multiple bilateral lung cysts of which she underwent right nephrectomy and lung biopsy, respectively. The lung biopsy turned diagnostic for lymphangiomyomatosis. On external examination, the left eye was grossly proptotic with hypoglobus. A typical butterfly distribution of sebaceous adenoma was noted across the patient cheeks and nose. Visual acuity in the right eye was 20/20 and the left eye, 20/25. Funduscopic examination identified type 1, 2, and 3 retinal astrocytic hamartomas. MRI brain and orbit was significant for a lesion arising from the lateral orbital wall with extensive bone destruction, displacing the left optic nerve medially. CT chest showed left extrathoracic mass had same radiological features as the orbital lesion; thus, an incisional biopsy performed on the former was diagnostic for PEComa with atypical features. This is the first observed case of PEComa in a known diagnosed patent with TS and retinal astrocytic hamartoma. The association of tuberous sclerosis complex and orbital PEComa is rarely and poorly reported in the literature compared to extraocular PEComa.

Multimodal Imaging Study of Patients With Vitamin A Deficiency Retinopathy.

OBJECTIVES: To describe multimodal imaging findings of vitamin A deficiency retinopathy. METHODS: A retrospective study of patients with serum retinol < 0.3 mg/L. Fundus color photos, spectral domain-optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT), and fundus autofluorescence (FAF) were reviewed and, when available, electrophysiological tests were analyzed. RESULTS: Forty-five eyes (63.9 ± 15.7 years) were included. Ultra-widefield fundus photography showed drusen-like deposits (53.3%) and macular retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) mottling (40%). The deposits were hypoautofluorescent, and a perifoveal hyperautofluorescent ring was present in 8.9%. By SD-OCT, the ellipsoid zone had an irregular appearance (100%) and conical deposits anterior to the RPE (33.3%). Electroretinogram (ERG) (66.7%) showed a decrease in b-wave in the scotopic registers, and microperimetry (4.4%) showed decreased foveal sensitivity. After vitamin A supplementation, SD-OCT and FAF showed resolution of all findings. Forty percent of eyes had restoration of the scotopic registers in ERG and improved macular sensitivity by microperimetry (4.4%). CONCLUSIONS: Vitamin A deficiency causes a mild cone dysfunction in addition to the more severe absent rod response. [Ophthalmic Surg Lasers Imaging Retina 2023;54:330-336.].

Rescue Treatment with Infliximab for a Bilateral, Severe, Sight Threatening Frosted Branch Angiitis Associated with Concomitant Acute Onset of Presumed Dermatomyositis.

PURPOSE: To report a severe bilateral frosted branch angiitis associated with acute onset of systemic dermatomyositis. METHOD: History and clinical examination, laboratory evaluation, fundus' and skin's color pictures, fluorescein angiography (FA), optical coherence tomography (OCT). RESULTS: A 32-year-old female was referred for a bilateral frosted branch angiitis and vitreitis, with skin rash, muscle pain, weakness, severe headache, compatible with dermatomyositis. After an initial improvement following an aggressive treatment by systemic steroids and mycophenolate mofetil, she was switched to intravenous infliximab (RemicadeTM, Janssen Biotech, Inc. USA) due to lack of efficacy. Nine months later, her visual acuity was improved up to 20/20 in OU, with both retinal vasculitis and vitreitis being solved. CONCLUSION: Dermatomyositis is a severe multiorgan disease which might severely involve eye structures. Anti-TNF-Alpha agents, particularly Infliximab, might offer a rapid control and long-term remission.

Restrictive strabismus and gaze-evoked oculocardiac reflex following pterygium repair with fibrin glue.

Oculocardiac reflex is a phenomenon caused by traction applied to the extraocular muscles, or pressure on the globes. The afferent stimulus travels via the ophthalmic branch of cranial nerve V, and the efferent stimulus travels via cranial nerve X, which can cause severe bradycardia and potentially hypotension, atrioventricular block, ventricular ectopy, and rarely asystole. Oculocardiac reflex is different from vasovagal syncope which has another pathway, and is triggered by pain or emotional upset, that results in failure of autoregulation of blood pressure. Ophthalmologists often observe oculocardiac reflex intraoperatively upon manipulation of extraocular muscles during strabismus surgeries. We report a case with a previously undescribed complication following pterygium autograft with fibrin glue stimulating oculocardiac reflex resulting in episodes of sudden bradycardia associated with light headedness and nausea.

Interpreting posterior uveitis by integrating indocyanine green angiography, optical coherence tomography, and optical coherence tomography angiography data: A narrative review.

Posterior uveitis is sight-threatening disease entity that can be caused by infectious and non-infectious entities. Vision loss in posterior uveitis can be following complications such as cystoid macular edema, epiretinal membrane, artery and vein occlusions, vasculitis, papillitis, choroidal neovascular membrane, retinal neovascularization, tractional retinal detachment, vitreous hemorrhage, glaucoma, cataract, among others. Diagnosis of posterior uveitic entities have been revolutionized following introduction of choroidal imaging with techniques such as indocyanine green angiography (ICGA), optical coherence tomography (OCT) and optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA). Med Line search and PubMed search was performed pertaining to causes of posterior uveitis, ICGA in posterior uveitis, OCT in posterior uveitis, OCTA in posterior uveitis, retinal and choroidal vascular changes in posterior uveitis, quantification of choriocapillaris lesion area in posterior uveitis, subfoveal choroidal thickness in posterior uveitis, quantification of choriocapillaris in posterior uveitis, vascular indices for quantification of choriocapillaris. This review article highlights various changes in the choroid and the quantification of choroid using various parameters in ICGA, OCT and OCTA.

Association of Ocular Adverse Events With Inactivated COVID-19 Vaccination in Patients in Abu Dhabi.

Importance: As vaccinations against COVID-19 continue, potential ocular adverse events should be reported in detail to increase awareness among the medical community, although typically, a causal relationship cannot be established definitively. Objective: To describe ocular adverse events that occur soon after receiving an inactivated COVID-19 vaccination (Sinopharm). Design, Setting, and Participants: This case series took place from September 2020 to January 2021 at Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi, a tertiary referral center. Patients who reported ocular adverse events and presented within 15 days from the first of 2 doses of an inactivated COVID-19 vaccine were analyzed. Main Outcomes and Measures: Each patient underwent Snellen best-corrected visual acuity that was then converted to logMAR, applanation tonometry, and biomicroscopic examination with indirect ophthalmoscopy. Color fundus photography was obtained with a conventional 9-field fundus photography camera or with a widefield fundus photography system. Optical coherence tomography and optical coherence tomographic angiography images were obtained. Sex, race, age, and clinical data were self-reported. Results: Nine eyes of 7 patients (3 male individuals) presenting with ocular complaints following COVID-19 vaccine were included in the study. The mean (SD) age was 41.4 (9.3) years (range, 30-55 years); the mean best-corrected visual acuity was 0.23 logMAR (range, 0-1 logMAR; approximate Snellen equivalent, 20/32). The mean time of ocular adverse event manifestations was 5.2 days (range, 1-10 days). One patient was diagnosed with episcleritis, 2 with anterior scleritis, 2 with acute macular neuroretinopathy, 1 with paracentral acute middle maculopathy, and 1 with subretinal fluid. Conclusions and Relevance: In this case series study of 7 patients, the timing of transient and ocular complications 5.2 days after vaccination with an inactivated COVID-19 vaccine supported an association with the ocular findings, but a causal relationship cannot be established from this study design.