Coexisting choroidal neovascularization and active retinochoroiditis-an uncommon presentation of ocular toxoplasmosis.

BACKGROUND: Choroidal neovascularization during the active stage of Toxoplasma retinochoroiditis is an uncommon clinical presentation. The authors retrospectively reviewed medical charts of patients with coexisting choroidal neovascular membrane and active Toxoplasma retinochoroiditis. FINDINGS: Three patients presented with coexisting choroidal neovascular membrane and active Toxoplasma retinochoroiditis. All lesions had adjacent subretinal hemorrhage. The diagnosis was confirmed based on clinical presentation, fundus fluorescein angiography (FFA), and optical coherence tomography (OCT) findings. The patients were managed with a combination of treatments including intravitreal injection of anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF), oral anti-Toxoplasma treatment, and oral corticosteroids. In all patients, the retinitis lesion resolved in 6 weeks and the coexisting choroidal neovascular membrane resolved over 6 to 12 weeks. CONCLUSIONS: Recurrences in Toxoplasma retinochoroiditis are common as satellite lesions adjacent to an old atrophic scar. Coexisting choroidal neovascularization with active Toxoplasma retinochoroiditis is an important presentation and should be suspected in the presence subretinal hemorrhage and managed with a combination of anti-Toxoplasma treatment and intravitreal anti-VEGF.

Filamentous fungal endophthalmitis: results of combination therapy with intravitreal amphotericin B and voriconazole.

PURPOSE: To report outcomes of exogenous fungal endophthalmitis treated with combination of intravitreal antifungal agents. DESIGN: Retrospective, non-randomized, interventional, consecutive case series. METHODS: Twelve eyes of twelve consecutive cases of filamentous fungal endophthalmitis were treated with a combination of intravitreal amphotericin-B and intravitreal voriconazole (AmB-Vo Regime) along with pars plana vitrectomy at a single center. Clinical characteristics, microbiology results, treatment strategy, visual, and anatomical outcomes were analyzed. RESULTS: Ten cases out of the twelve were postoperative endophthalmitis of which nine were part of a post cataract surgery cluster. The remaining included endophthalmitis following keratitis post pterygium excision (1) and following open globe injury (2). The most common fungus was Aspergillus terreus, which was isolated in 8/12, followed by A. flavus in 2/12 and Fusarium solani in 1/12. The presenting visual acuity ranged from light perception (LP) to counting fingers. The visual acuity at final follow-up was 20/400 or better in 7/12 eyes (58.33%) and 20/60 in 2/12 eyes (range 20/60 to LP). All eyes with corneal involvement had final visual acuity 20/400 or worse. Globe salvage was achieved in all cases. CONCLUSION: Combining intravitreal amphotericin-B and voriconazole could be a novel treatment strategy in the management of endophthalmitis caused by filamentous fungus. Eyes with corneal involvement had poor visual outcome either with or without therapeutic penetrating keratoplasty.

The role of intravitreal trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole in the treatment of toxoplasma retinochoroiditis.

The authors evaluate the role of intravitreal trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole in the treatment of toxoplasma retinochoroiditis (TRC) in four patients. Intravitreal injection of trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole 1.28 mg/0.08 mL with dexamethasone 400 µg/0.1 mL was injected weekly or biweekly. After the initiation of treatment, a reduction in intraocular inflammation was observed clinically and on optical coherence tomography within 1 week. Three patients regained visual acuity of 20/20, and one patient improved to 20/40 with residual macular scarring. No evidence of retinal toxicity was noted on full-field electroretinogram. Intravitreal trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole and dexamethasone combination may be an alternative treatment strategy in patients with TRC.

Acute-onset postoperative endophthalmitis caused by multidrug-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae.

The purpose of this paper is to report outcomes of intravitreal imipenem in the treatment of multidrug-resistant Klebsiella-related postoperative endophthalmitis. This observational case series consists of three eyes from three patients seen between 2013 and 2014. Multidrug-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae is characterized by a rapid, fulminant course and severe intraocular inflammation. Intravitreal imipenem may be used to treat such infection.

Intravitreal triamcinolone acetonide as an adjuvant in the management of acute retinal necrosis.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the role of intravitreal triamcinolone acetonide (IVTA) as an adjuvant in the management of acute retinal necrosis (ARN). DESIGN: Interventional case series. PARTICIPANTS: Four eyes of 4 patients diagnosed with ARN were studied. METHODS: This pilot case series included 4 patients who presented with clinical features suggestive of ARN. IVTA was injected 1 to 2 weeks after initiation of antiviral therapy and concurrent usage of oral corticosteroids. The disease course and clinical outcome were observed. The patients received additional treatment depending on the sequelae of ARN. RESULTS: Signs of reduction in vitritis and resolution of retinitis were observed as early as 1 week after IVTA was administered. In all 4 patients, inflammation promptly resolved with no untoward effects like raised intraocular pressure or worsening of the retinitis. A final visual acuity of 20/40 or better was achieved in 3 of 4 patients after appropriate treatment of ARN-related complications. CONCLUSIONS: Intravitreal triamcinolone under antiviral cover could be a useful adjunct to systemic steroids in the treatment of ARN.

Pharmacokinetics of intravitreal antibiotics in endophthalmitis.

Intravitreal antibiotics are the mainstay of treatment in the management of infectious endophthalmitis. Basic knowledge of the commonly used intravitreal antibiotics, which includes their pharmacokinetics, half-life, duration of action and clearance, is essential for elimination of intraocular infection without any iatrogenic adverse effect to the ocular tissue. Various drugs have been studied over the past century to achieve this goal. We performed a comprehensive review of the antibiotics which have been used for intravitreal route and the pharmacokinetic factors influencing the drug delivery and safety profile of these antibiotics. Using online resources like PubMed and Google Scholar, articles were reviewed. The articles were confined to the English language only. We present a broad overview of pharmacokinetic concepts fundamental for use of intravitreal antibiotics in endophthalmitis along with a tabulated compendium of the intravitreal antibiotics using available literature. Recent advances for increasing bioavailability of antibiotics to the posterior segment with the development of controlled drug delivery devices are also described.