BETTER BASELINE VISION LEADS TO BETTER OUTCOMES AFTER THE 0.19-mg FLUOCINOLONE ACETONIDE INTRAVITREAL IMPLANT IN DIABETIC MACULAR EDEMA.

PURPOSE: Analysis of a 3-year, Phase 4, open-label, observational study evaluating the association of baseline best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) with visual, treatment burden, and retinal thickness variability (RTV) outcomes and intraocular pressure (IOP)-related events after the 0.19-mg fluocinolone acetonide (FAc) intravitreal implant. METHODS: Data from patients with diabetic macular edema (DME) who did not have a clinically significant rise in IOP after previous corticosteroid treatment (N = 202 eyes from 159 patients) were segregated by baseline BCVA of ≥20/40 or <20/40 and analyzed for BCVA, number of yearly supplemental DME treatments, RTV, and incidence of IOP-related events. RESULTS: At 36 months post-FAc, eyes with better baseline BCVA (≥20/40) maintained baseline BCVA, whereas vision in eyes with worse baseline BCVA (<20/40) increased by approximately 7 letters to 61.34 letters (Snellen equivalent approximately 20/60; P < 0.05). Treatment burden and RTV decreased post-FAc regardless of baseline BCVA. Eyes with better baseline BCVA (≥20/40) had numerically fewer IOP-related events post-FAc versus eyes with worse baseline BCVA (<20/40), including a lower incidence of incisional IOP-lowering surgery. CONCLUSION: The 0.19-mg FAc implant improved RTV and treatment burden regardless of baseline BCVA. Better baseline BCVA (≥20/40) was associated with long-term BCVA maintenance. Although eyes with worse baseline BCVA (<20/40) experienced significantly improved BCVA, it never rose to the level of those with better baseline BCVA. These data indicate that early, effective intervention in DME, before significant vision loss occurs, is key to maintaining visual outcomes.

The real-world efficacy and safety of faricimab in neovascular age-related macular degeneration: the TRUCKEE study - 6 month results.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVE: Investigate real-world patients receiving faricimab for the treatment of neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD). SUBJECTS/METHODS: Multicenter, retrospective chart review was conducted on patients treated with faricimab for nAMD from February 2022 to September 2022. Collected data includes background demographics, treatment history, best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), anatomic changes, and adverse events as safety markers. The main outcome measures are changes in BCVA, changes in central subfield thickness (CST) and adverse events. Secondary outcome measures included treatment intervals and presence of retinal fluid. RESULTS: After one injection of faricimab, all eyes (n = 376), previously-treated (n = 337) and treatment-naïve (n = 39) eyes demonstrated a + 1.1 letter (p = 0.035), a + 0.7 letter (p = 0.196) and a + 4.9 letter (p = 0.076) improvement in BCVA, respectively, and a - 31.3 µM (p < 0.001), a - 25.3 µM (p < 0.001) and a - 84.5 µM (p < 0.001) reduction in CST, respectively. After three injections of faricimab, all eyes (n = 94), previously-treated (n = 81) and treatment-naïve (n = 13) eyes demonstrated a + 3.4 letter (p = 0.03), a + 2.7 letter (p = 0.045) and a + 8.1 letter (p = 0.437) improvement in BCVA, and a - 43.4 µM (p < 0.001), a - 38.1 µM (p < 0.001) and a - 80.1 µM (p < 0.204) reduction in CST, respectively. One case of intraocular inflammation was observed after four injections of faricimab and resolved with topical steroids. One case of infectious endophthalmitis was treated with intravitreal antibiotics and resolved. CONCLUSIONS: Faricimab has demonstrated improvement or maintenance of visual acuity for patients with nAMD, along with rapid improvement of anatomical parameters. It has been well-tolerated with low incidence of treatable intraocular inflammation. Future data will continue to investigate faricimab for real-world patients with nAMD.

Long-Acting Fluocinolone Acetonide Intravitreal Implant for Recurrent Bilateral Non-Infectious Posterior Uveitis.

Purpose: Our case emphasizes the utility of long-acting intravitreal fluocinolone implants (YUTIQ) for managing recalcitrant forms of non-infectious posterior uveitis, NIPU. Patient: We present a case of bilateral NIPU refractory to topical corticosteroids and intravitreal triamcinolone and dexamethasone. Results: Management with bilateral YUTIQ improved local ocular inflammatory control with improved vision and anatomical outcomes. Conclusion: NIPU can develop into recurrent forms resistant to short-acting therapeutics. Long-acting efficacy with YUTIQ emphasizes the need to recognize such refractory NIPU cases.

Combined Retinoschisis and Rhegmatogenous Retinal Detachment With a Very Large Outer Retinal Hole.

This case report describes a diagnosis of retinoschisis and retinal detachment in a patient in their 40s who presented with acute onset of flashes and floaters.

Retrolenticular Vitreous Opacities as a Diagnostic Indicator of Systemic Amyloidosis.

Purpose: Systemic amyloidosis is a group of rare, life-threatening disorders characterized by the deposition of amyloid plaques in numerous tissues. Vitreous involvement can occur in amyloidosis and here we describe critical diagnostic findings. Methods: Case report of vitreous amyloidosis diagnosis confounded by non-specific presentation. Results: Despite false-negative vitreous biopsies, in the setting of previous vitreoretinal surgery, the case reveals vitreous opacities, decreased visual acuity, and retinal neovascularization as critical signs in ocular amyloidosis. Conclusions: Here we present the signs and symptoms that raise suspicion for vitreous amyloidosis and how to approach diagnosis early in the disease presentation.

Trocar-Based Surgical Approach to Suprachoroidal Hemorrhage Drainage.

Purpose: Suprachoroidal hemorrhage is an uncommon but serious ocular condition that typically occurs in the setting of intraocular surgery and trauma. We present an external trans-conjunctival vitreoretinal trocar-cannula-based drainage of suprachoroidal hemorrhage as a viable surgical approach. Methods: Case report. Results: Trans-conjunctival trocar-cannula-based drainage of suprachoroidal hemorrhage is a safe and efficacious surgical approach to drainage of large choroidal hemorrhages. Conclusions: Although discrepancies persist regarding the optimal surgical approach to suprachoroidal hemorrhage management; herein, we describe the successful execution of an external trans-conjunctival vitreoretinal trocar-cannula-based drainage of suprachoroidal hemorrhage.

Vitrectomy with Silicone Oil Tamponade and Single-Dose Intravitreal Methotrexate for Recurrent Retinal Detachment with Proliferative Vitreoretinopathy.

Our case emphasizes the approach of a single-dose of intraoperative methotrexate (MTX) - applied directly into silicone oil - to arrest the anomalous progression of proliferative vitreoretinopathy (PVR). A 78-year-old male presented with severe vision loss secondary to a pseudophakic macula-off rhegmatogenous retinal detachment oculus sinister (OS). He was initially treated with primary pars plana vitrectomy and intraocular gas; however, the patient developed recurrent macula-off retinal detachment complicated by proliferative vitreoretinopathy OS. Subsequent management involved vitrectomy with membrane removal, silicone oil tamponade, and adjuvant intravitreal MTX. The patient had an uneventful postoperative recovery with a dramatic vision improvement after silicone oil removal OS. Here, we highlight the use of silicone oil tamponade with single-dose adjuvant MTX for the management of complex retinal detachment associated with proliferative vitreoretinopathy.

Chronic Unilateral Uveitis with Macular Edema Secondary to Dabrafenib for Pilocytic Astrocytoma.

This report describes a unique case of chronic unilateral anterior uveitis associated with macular edema while on oral dabrafenib treatment for chronic recurrent pilocytic astrocytoma. After gradual taper of prednisolone acetate OS, the patient developed recurrent mild low-grade anterior uveitis and macular edema OS that required low dose of prednisolone acetate OS to prevent recurrences while on oral dabrafenib. When oral dabrafenib was temporarily discontinued for 3 months due to her ocular inflammation, she had no flares of her uveitis; however, her tumor increased significantly in size. The collaborative decision was made to continue her oral dabrafenib while on topical anti-inflammatory therapy for her uveitis. Clinicians should be aware of this potential unilateral sequela of uveitis secondary to dabrafenib. Further investigation should be conducted to identify factors that may place certain patients at higher risk for this complication.

Vision Recovery Velocity, Momentum and Acceleration: Advanced Vitreoretinal Analytics as Measure of Treatment Efficacy for Neovascular Age-Related Macular Degeneration.

PURPOSE: Currently, varying treatment paradigms and different clinical trial constructs preclude cross-trial comparison between different available vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) inhibitors. This study aimed to review the evidence and compare the efficacy of anti-VEGF therapies for neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD), and to develop metrics as a means of facilitating standardized comparison between different anti-VEGF agents within the Advanced VitreoRetinal Analytics (AVRA) model. METHODS: The study analyzed key outcomes in clinical trials of bevacizumab, ranibizumab, aflibercept, and brolucizumab, including best corrected visual acuity (BCVA), number of injections, and duration of follow-up (minimum follow-up of 48 weeks). RESULTS: The AVRA model includes 1) vision recovery velocity (VRV; letters per unit time), which provides a metric of letters gained or lost over time (or the speed of improvement); 2) injection momentum (InjMom; number of injections multiplied by letters per unit time; units of injections•(letters/time)), which is defined as the number of injections multiplied by VRV and describes the quantity of treatment needed to achieve a vision outcome; and 3) vision recovery acceleration (VRA; letters per unit time squared; units of letters/time2), which denotes final VRV minus initial VRV, per unit time, and describes the rate of change in letters gained or lost over time. CONCLUSION: AVRA stipulates that the ideal VEGF inhibitor to treat nAMD would have a higher positive VRV (more letters gained per unit time), low InjMom (lower treatment burden requiring fewer interventions for a given visual acuity outcome), and VRA approximating zero (indicating stable vision over time). AVRA allows comparisons across different trials to determine the optimal anti-VEGF agent for the treatment of nAMD.

Iatrogenic Subretinal Triamcinolone During Primary Surgical Repair of a Retinal Detachment With a Giant Retinal Tear.

Purpose: We describe the outcome of a 23-year-old man undergoing vitreoretinal surgery for a macula-off rhegmatogenous retinal detachment secondary to a giant retinal tear. Methods: Patient underwent combined 25- gauge 3-port pars plana vitrectomy with scleral buckle, perfluorocarbon liquid, and perfluoropropane gas tamponade. During surgery, triamcinolone inadvertently entered the subretinal space and was retained. Results: The subretinal triamcinolone deposits spontaneously absorbed over a 2-month period. No adverse sequelae were associated with this complication. Conclusion: This may support avoiding aggressive mechanical removal of iatrogenic subretinal triamcinolone in the context of retinal detachment repair.

Recurrent Spontaneous Macular Hole Formation and Resolution in a Patient With Previous Vitrectomy.

Purpose: We report a case of recurrent macular hole (MH) formation and spontaneous closure in the absence of any vitreoretinal interface abnormality. Methods: A 49-year-old man presented for his annual ocular examination with no specific ocular complaints. He had a history of retinal detachment in the left eye, which was treated years prior with vitrectomy and scleral buckle. During a routine follow-up, the patient was discovered to have a full-thickness MH. Optical coherence tomography revealed the formation of an MH with spontaneous closure after 3 months without intervention. One month later, the MH recurred but once again closed spontaneously over 4 months. Results: The patient remained asymptomatic during the entire follow-up without any symptoms, vision changes, or therapeutic intervention. Conclusions: To our knowledge, this is the first known case report of recurrent spontaneous opening and closure of an MH in the absence of any vitreoretinal interface abnormality, as revealed by macular optical coherence tomography imaging.

Lipemia Retinalis in a Patient with Familial Hypertriglyceridemia.

A 45-year-old female with a history of hypertension presented with complaints of intermittent vision loss and blurred vision. Clinical examination revealed diffuse retinal whitening in the peripapillary area with multiple visible emboli in the first- and second-order arteries. The patient's retinal findings were keeping within features of lipemia retinalis, and serum lipids were ordered which returned a triglyceride level of 1504 mg/dL. The patient was referred to primary care for vascular risk factor management and potential genetic testing. Ocular signs of hypertriglyceridemia manifest as lipemia retinalis, characterized by white vascular lesions and retinal lipid infiltration. The high comorbidity of hypertriglyceridemia and hypertension may warrant close monitoring hypertensive complications such as hypertensive retinopathy.

Management and Visual Outcomes of Acute Bacterial Endophthalmitis Following Intravitreal Injection of Contaminated Bevacizumab in a Single Day.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Bevacizumab requires compounding for off-label intravitreal injection, thus creating a risk of possible contamination during preparation. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This retrospective, consecutive case series from a single site included patients who developed culture-proven acute endophthalmitis after intravitreal injection with contaminated bevacizumab. All patients suspected of endophthalmitis had vitreous biopsy and microbial cultures prior to initiation of treatment and were managed with immediate tap and injection of antibiotics followed early by pars plana vitrectomy. Main outcome measures included best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) at 3-month follow-up after treatment. RESULTS: Twenty-four patients developed acute bacterial endophthalmitis following intravitreal injection of contaminated bevacizumab single-dose syringes in a single day. Twenty-three cases (95.8%) grew Streptococcus species and one (4.2%) grew Enterococcus species. Six cases (25.0%) had optic nerve atrophy, three (12.5%) developed retinal detachment, one (4.2%) had vitreous hemorrhage, and one (4.2%) had band keratopathy. At 3-month follow-up, compared to BCVA at the time of initial presentation, 11 patients (45.8%) had improved vision, eight (33.3%) had unchanged BCVA, and five (20.8%) had worse BCVA. However, when compared to BCVA prior to endophthalmitis (baseline), 22 cases (91.7%) had significantly worse BCVA at 3-month follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: Contamination of off-label bevacizumab poses devastating risk of endophthalmitis following intravitreal injection. Vigilance is needed to ensure all possible safeguards are in place to prevent contamination. [Ophthalmic Surg Lasers Imaging Retina. 2020;51:346-352.].

An Atypical Presentation of Acute Macular Neuroretinopathy after Non-Ocular Trauma.

PURPOSE: Acute macular neuroretinopathy (AMN) is a rare clinical entity with an uncertain etiology. We report an atypical case presenting with retinal hemorrhages (RH) and cotton-wool spots (CWS) following non-ocular trauma. OBSERVATIONS: A 49-year-old male presented with an acute onset of a paracentral scotoma in his left eye, immediately following a motor vehicle accident 1 day prior. Fundus findings revealed a unilateral nasal petalloid perifoveal lesion with the tip pointing toward the fovea associated with CWS and RH. Optical coherence tomography demonstrated disruption of the ellipsoid zone. Symptoms and exam findings improved at 2-week follow-up without any intervention, consistent with the natural history of the disease process. CONCLUSION: We report a rare case of AMN following non-ocular trauma with the unique fundus findings of CWS and RH. This presentation supports the role of ischemia in the retinal deep capillary plexus, of which trauma contributed to the pathophysiological process. SUMMARY: AMN is a rare condition whose pathophysiological process remains speculative. We report an atypical case of AMN, which supports the role of trauma in the pathophysiology of deep retinal capillary plexus compromise.

PREDICTIVE FACTORS FOR PROLIFERATIVE VITREORETINOPATHY FORMATION AFTER UNCOMPLICATED PRIMARY RETINAL DETACHMENT REPAIR.

PURPOSE: To determine predictive factors of proliferative vitreoretinopathy (PVR) formation after uncomplicated primary retinal detachment repair. METHODS: Retrospective, single-center, case-control study of 74 consecutive patients with (37 eyes) and without (37 eyes) PVR formation after undergoing uncomplicated primary surgery for retinal detachment repair. Logistic regression was used to assess factors associated with PVR formation. RESULTS: Retinal detachment involving the macula was 4.2 times (adjusted odds ratio; 95% confidence interval, 1.4-12.9; P = 0.0119) more likely to have PVR formation compared with those without. Patients who were current or former smokers were 3.6 times (adjusted odds ratio; 95% confidence interval, 1.1-11.7; P = 0.0352) more likely to have PVR formation compared with nonsmokers. Compared with 25-gauge (g) vitrectomy, larger gauge vitrectomy (20 g or 23 g) was 3.6 times (adjusted odds ratio; 95% confidence interval, 1.2-11.3; P = 0.0276) more likely to have PVR formation. Duration of retinal detachment symptoms, high myopia, lens status, lattice degeneration, location of retinal break, number of retinal breaks, and surgical technique (e.g., scleral buckle with or without vitrectomy versus vitrectomy alone) were not found to be predictive of PVR formation. CONCLUSION: Cigarette smoking and macular involvement are significant risk factors predictive of PVR formation after uncomplicated primary retinal detachment repair.

Fibrin Glue and Internal Limiting Membrane Abrasion for Optic Disc Pit Maculopathy.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: To describe a novel surgical technique using pars plana vitrectomy (PPV), internal limiting membrane (ILM) abrasion, and intravitreal fibrin glue for the treatment of optic disc pit maculopathy. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Surgical case series technique with scanning electron microscopy (SEM) of human post-mortem eyes. RESULTS: Using SEM, the authors demonstrate the persistent adherence of vitreous fragments to the optic disc following induction of posterior vitreous detachment in human postmortem eyes. The authors describe a surgical technique using PPV, Tano Diamond Dusted Membrane Scraper for an ILM abrasion, intravitreal fibrin glue (Tisseel), and gas-air exchange to seal optic disc pits. The authors report successful long-term visual and anatomical outcomes in three patients. CONCLUSIONS: Intravitreal fibrin glue, when combined with ILM abrasion, may be a viable treatment option for optic disc pit maculopathy with good short- and long-term visual acuity outcomes. SEM shows that ILM abrasion removes vitreous fragments, which are persistently adherent and may lead to failure with other interventional techniques. [Ophthalmic Surg Lasers Imaging Retina. 2018;49:e271-e277.].

Endophthalmitis after Intravitreal Injection of Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Inhibitors: Management and Visual Outcomes.

PURPOSE: We describe the presentation of patients developing endophthalmitis after intravitreal injection with vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) inhibitors. Moreover, we evaluate the management by comparing the outcomes of immediate tap and injection of intravitreal antibiotics (TAI) versus initial surgical pars plana vitrectomy (PPV). Finally, we analyze the predictive factors of visual outcomes at 6-month follow-up. DESIGN: Retrospective, single-center, nonrandomized interventional study. PARTICIPANTS: Patients developing endophthalmitis after receiving an intravitreal injection of anti-VEGF agent between 2006 and 2016. METHODS: All patients received a vitreous biopsy sent for cultures before the initiation of treatment: TAI group versus PPV with intravitreal antibiotics (PPV group). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) at 6-month follow-up after treatment for endophthalmitis. RESULTS: A total of 258 357 intravitreal injections occurred over the course of the 10-year period, of which 40 patients (0.016%) had endophthalmitis within 3 weeks after injection. In total, 34 patients (85.0%) had pain and 25 patients (62.5%) had hypopyon on initial examination. Among 24 culture-positive cases, 66.7% of the causative organisms were coagulase-negative Staphylococcus, followed by Streptococcus species (10.0%). The best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) (logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution [logMAR]) at 6-month follow-up was significantly worse for patients who had a positive culture for Streptococcus species (4.0; standard deviation [SD], 0.8) (approximately light perception) compared with those who had a positive culture for coagulase-negative Staphylococcus (0.4; SD, 0.3) (∼20/50) (P < 0.0001). Compared with the TAI group, a higher proportion of samples were culture-positive in the PPV group (90.9% vs. 48.3%, P = 0.03). There was no statistically significant difference in BCVA at 6-month follow-up between the TAI and PPV groups. Younger age (<85 years) and lower intraocular pressure (IOP) (≤25 mmHg) at presentation were predictive of achieving a BCVA of 20/400 or better at 6-month follow-up after treatment. Initial management (TAI vs. PPV), duration of symptoms, presence of pain, presence of hypopyon, presenting BCVA, and culture status (positive vs. negative) were not found to be predictive of visual outcomes at 6-month follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: No significant difference in BCVA at 6-month follow-up was detected between the TAI and PPV groups. Younger age and lower IOP at presentation were associated with better visual outcomes at 6-month follow-up.

DYSFUNCTIONAL AUTONOMIC REGULATION OF THE CHOROID IN CENTRAL SEROUS CHORIORETINOPATHY.

PURPOSE: To study the effect of changing perfusion pressures on retinal and choroidal structure in central serous chorioretinopathy (CSC). METHODS: This prospective observational case series included seven healthy volunteers (14 eyes) and seven patients (14 eyes) with CSC. Each patient underwent spectral domain optical coherence tomography with enhanced depth imaging in the upright (sitting) and supine positions. Image segmentation focused on central macular thickness, subretinal fluid, total macular volume, choroidal thickness, and choriocapillaris thickness. Blood pressure and heart rate were measured in the upright and supine positions. RESULTS: Choriocapillaris thickness was thicker in CSC participants (34.23 µm; range, 30.9-36.5 µm) compared with healthy controls (13.96 µm; range, 7.15-23.87 µm) (P ≤ 0.001). The choroid was similarly thicker in CSC participants (371.4 µm; range, 200.2-459.4 µm) compared with healthy controls (231.4 µm; range 161.8-287.5 µm) (P ≤ 0.001). Choroidal thickness increased in patients with CSC when transitioning from upright (371.4 µm) to supine (377.8 µm) (P ≤ 0.01). By contrast, there was an 11.97% decrease in choroid thickness in normal controls when transitioning from upright (231.4 µm) to supine (203.9 µm). There were no significant hemodynamic changes. CONCLUSION: We demonstrated that choroidal thickness increased in response to increased perfusion pressures in patients with CSC and not in normal controls. These findings likely represent an autonomic dysregulation of choroidal blood flow in patients with CSC.