Cerebral Neurovascular Coupling Impairment in Central Serous Chorioretinopathy.

BACKGROUND: Central serous chorioretinopathy (CSCR) is a chorioretinal disorder resulting from choroidal hyperpermeability. Its comorbidities as hypertension, coronary disease, and psychological stress, suggest that it might reflect a more generalized vascular dysfunction. OBJECTIVES: The aim of the study was to assess the cerebrovascular regulation integrity, using cerebral autoregulation (CA), carbon dioxide vasoreactivity (VR), and neurovascular coupling (NVC) in CSCR. METHODS: This observational pilot study included 20 CSCR patients and 14 age- and sex-matched controls. A State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) inquiry was full-filled. Continuous measurement of cerebral blood flow velocity (CBFV), arterial blood pressure, heart rate, and end-tidal carbon dioxide was performed. VR was assessed during hypercapnia (inhaling carbogen gas) and hypnocapnia (hyperventilation). For NVC, the CBFV relative increase during mental activation using the N-Back Task was calculated. RESULTS: No significant differences in systemic hemodynamic parameters, CA or VR, were found between both groups. During the NVC performance, the average CBFV rise during mental stress was significantly lower in CSCR (p = 0.011). A significant negative correlation was found between STAI scores and NVC. CONCLUSIONS: CSCR patients presented a significantly impaired cerebral NVC compared to controls, supporting the theory of a potential systemic vascular dysfunction. Stress could be related to this NVC impairment.

Comparison of topical dorzolamide and ketorolac treatment for cystoid macular edema in retinitis pigmentosa and Usher's syndrome.

PURPOSE: To investigate the topical effect of dorzolamide versus ketorolac on retinitis pigmentosa (RP) and Usher's syndrome (US) macular edema. METHODS: Prospective, randomized and interventional study. A total of 28 eyes of 18 patients were included. Five eyes had US, 23 had RP. Fifteen eyes were allocated to ketorolac tromethamine 0.5% (4 drops daily regimen) and 13 eyes to dorzolamide hydrochloride 2% (3 drops daily regimen) treatment groups. Snellen's best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), foveal thickness (FT) and foveal zone thickness (FZT) measured by Stratus® optical coherence tomography (OCT) were evaluated at baseline, 1, 3, 6 and 12 months after treatment. RESULTS: Patients assigned to ketorolac had a baseline BCVA of 0.37 ± 0.17 logMAR which improved at the end of 1 year to 0.28 ± 0.16 (p = 0.02). Three eyes (20%) of 2 patients improved by 7 letters or more. Mean FT and FZT did not change significantly during the study follow-up. After 1 year of treatment, 4 eyes (27%) of 3 patients showed an improvement of at least 16% of FT and 11% of FZT. Patients assigned to dorzolamide had a baseline BCVA of 0.48 ± 0.34 logMAR which improved in the first 6 months (0.40 ± 0.30; p = 0.01), with a decrease at 1 year (0.42 ± 0.27; p = 0.20). Seven eyes (54%) of 5 patients had an improvement of 7 letters or more. Mean FT and FZT did not change significantly either. After 1 year of treatment, 3 eyes (23%) of 2 patients showed an improvement of at least 16% on FT and 11% on FZT. CONCLUSIONS: RESULTS suggest that dorzolamide and ketorolac might improve visual acuity and therefore be of interest in selected cases. No relationship between retinal thickness fluctuation and visual acuity was found. Sample size was a limitation to the study.

Immediate effect of intravitreal injection of bevacizumab on intraocular pressure.

PURPOSE: To investigate the immediate effect of intravitreal injection of bevacizumab on intraocular pressure (IOP). METHODS: This was a prospective and nonrandomized study. A total of 291 eyes with macular edema or active choroidal neovascularization were submitted to a single 1.25 mg (0.05 mL) bevacizumab intravitreal injection. Intraocular pressure was measured with an Icare(®) tonometer immediately before and after injection in a seated position. The presence of subconjunctival reflux was recorded. The fellow eye served as the control. RESULTS: Mean preoperative IOP was 18.0±5.9 mmHg in the treated eye versus 16.9±6.0 mmHg in the fellow eye. Mean postoperative IOP was 42.1±14.5 mmHg in the treated eye versus 17.5±6.0 mmHg in the fellow eye. The IOP variation was statistically significant in both cases and controls (P<0.001 and P=0.003, respectively), and this increase was higher in cases than in controls (P<0.001). Postoperative IOPs higher than 50 mmHg were achieved in 32.0% of the eyes. Subconjunctival reflux was present in 21.3% and determined a lower IOP rise (P<0.001). Tested variables (glaucoma, phakic status, and sex) did not have a statistically significant effect on IOP rise or subconjunctival reflux. CONCLUSION: IOP increases with intravitreal bevacizumab injection, reaching 50 mmHg or more in about one third of patients. A higher IOP is expected if no subconjunctival reflux occurs. The baseline IOP does not influence the incidence of subconjunctival reflux. The clinical relevance of these facts has yet to be clarified.

Open-globe injuries at an emergency department in Porto, Portugal: clinical features and prognostic factors.

PURPOSE: To describe the epidemiology, characteristics, surgical management, functional outcome, and prognostic factors of open-globe injuries requiring surgical treatment. METHODS: A retrospective review of 180 patients who underwent surgical repair of an open-globe injury at the ophthalmology emergency department of the Hospital S. João (Porto-Portugal) was performed. Prognostic factors for no light perception and for poor vision (visual acuity <3/10) in patients who retained vision after surgical treatment were determined. RESULTS: We observed a different age distribution between male and female ocular trauma (143 patients were men, with a mean age of 46.4 years, while the mean age for women was 70.9 years). Domestic accidents were the most frequent context of trauma (44.4%). However, work accidents constituted the principal context of trauma among men. Initial visual acuity, concomitant adnexa lesion, associated nonocular trauma, and intentionally caused trauma were predictors of no vision at the end of the follow-up. Older age, lens damage, and retinal detachment were predictors of poor vision in patients with retained visual acuity. Vitreous hemorrhage, posterior segment lesion, and simultaneous lesion of anterior and posterior segment anticipated both no vision and poor vision. Isolated anterior segment lesion was associated with vision survival and good vision (≥3/10). CONCLUSIONS: The prognostic factors identified in this study may aid the process of decision-making in 2 crucial moments: at the initial approach and during the follow-up of patients with vision survival after open-globe injuries.

Choroidal and macular thickness changes induced by cataract surgery.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of uneventful phacoemulsification on the morphology and thickness of the macula, the submacular choroid, and the peripapillary choroid. METHODS: In 14 eyes from 14 patients, retinal macular thickness, choroidal submacular thickness, and choroidal peripapillary thickness were measured preoperatively and at one week and one month after phacoemulsification using enhanced depth imaging spectral domain optical coherence tomography. Changes in thickness of the different ocular tissues were evaluated. RESULTS: There was a statistically significant increase in mean retinal macular thickness at one month. In horizontal scans, the mean increase was +8.67±6.75 µm (P<0.001), and in vertical scans, the mean increase was +8.80±7.07 µm (P=0.001). However, there were no significant changes in choroidal morphology in the submacular and peripapillary areas one month after surgery. In vertical scans, there was a nonsignificant increase in choroidal thickness (+4.21±20.2 µm; P=0.47) whilst in horizontal scans a nonsignificant decrease was recorded (-9.11±39.59 µm; P=0.41). In peripapillary scans, a nonsignificant increase in mean choroidal thickness was registered (+3.25±11.80 µm; P=0.36). CONCLUSION: Uncomplicated phacoemulsification induces nonpathologic increases in retinal macular thickness probably due to the inflammatory insult of the surgery; however these changes are not accompanied by significant changes in choroidal thickness. In the posterior segment, the morphologic response to the inflammatory insult of phacoemulsification is mainly observed at the retinal level, and seems to be independent of choroidal thickness changes.

Multimodal imaging of acquired vitelliform lesion diagnosed at pseudohypopyon stage.

Purpose. To present a case study of a monocular acquired vitelliform lesion, studied with multimodal fundus imaging (spectral-domain-optical coherence tomography, fundus autofluorescence, and fluorescein angiography) with a followup of three years. Case Report. An asymptomatic macular lesion was detected on a 64-year-old man. Fundus exam revealed a macular lesion with an apparent horizontal level associated with multiple round small whitish lesions, suggestive of cuticular drusen. He was studied with autofluorescence of the fundus (FAF), fluorescein angiography (FA), spectral domain-optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT), and electrooculogram. The findings were compatible with the diagnosis of acquired vitelliform lesion, associated with cuticular drusen. After one year, the visual acuity decreased to 20/50, without identifiable alterations of the FAF, FA, or SD-OCT. Three years later, fundoscopy and imaging showed an evolution to a state similar to vitelli disruptive phase of Best disease with an improvement of visual acuity to 20/25. We report the results of FAF, FA, and SD-OCT at this stage. Conclusion. Acquired vitelliform lesions associated with cuticular drusen can present as a pseudohypopyon lesion, and the evolution to the atrophic phase can be associated with an improvement of visual acuity.

Comparative study of 1+PRN ranibizumab versus bevacizumab in the clinical setting.

PURPOSE: We compared the efficacy of intravitreal ranibizumab and bevacizumab for treating neovascular age-related macular degeneration using an on-demand regimen. METHODS: A total of 186 wet age-related macular degeneration eyes of 186 treatment-naïve patients were compared retrospectively (67 eyes treated with ranibizumab with 91 treated with bevacizumab). At baseline, mean age, best corrected visual acuity, and angiographic lesion types were similar in both groups. Best corrected visual acuity and ocular coherence tomography were evaluated. RESULTS: Sixty eyes treated with ranibizumab and 85 eyes treated with bevacizumab completed a 12-month evaluation. At 12 months, mean best corrected visual acuity increased by +6.65 letters with ranibizumab treatment and by +5.59 with bevacizumab treatment (P = 0.64). Visual acuity improved by ≥15 letters in 15 eyes treated with ranibizumab and in 21 eyes treated with bevacizumab (P = 0.75). An overall reduction in ocular coherence tomography central thickness occurred for all time points. The mean number of injections per eye was 5.97 with ranibizumab and 5.92 with bevacizumab (P = 0.90). CONCLUSION: Intravitreal therapies with ranibizumab or bevacizumab have similar visual and anatomical results. These results confirm those of comparison of Age-Related Macular Degeneration Treatment Trials in as-needed cohorts in clinical practice. Randomized long-term clinical trials are necessary to examine the systemic safety of these treatments.

Spectral-domain optical coherence tomography of the choroid during valsalva maneuver.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the influence of Valsalva maneuver on the morphology and thickness of the choroid at the macular area. DESIGN: Prospective interventional case series. METHODS: Institutional setting. Nine healthy volunteers performed macular spectral-domain optical coherence tomography using enhanced-depth imaging at rest and during a Valsalva maneuver. Horizontal and vertical B-scans centered on the fovea were acquired. Subfoveal and average choroidal thickness in the central 3 mm were compared in the resting position and during the Valsalva maneuver using manual and semiautomatic measuring tools. Changes in choroidal thickness were evaluated. RESULTS: There was no statistically significant difference in choroidal thickness at rest or during Valsalva maneuver in any of the compared groups. The subfoveal thickness difference was -4.1 µm on horizontal scans (P = .28) and 1.4 µm on vertical scans (P = .75). The mean choroidal thickness difference in the central 3000 µm was 8.5 µm on horizontal scans (P = .73) and -5.3 µm on vertical scans (P = .41). CONCLUSIONS: Valsalva maneuver does not change choroidal thickness at the posterior pole. The increase in ocular pressure caused by this maneuver cannot be explained by an increase in choroidal thickness in this portion of the uveal tract.

Vascular endothelial growth factor plasma levels before and after treatment of neovascular age-related macular degeneration with bevacizumab or ranibizumab.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the changes of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) plasma levels after intravitreal injections of ranibizumab or bevacizumab in patients with exudative age-related macular degeneration (AMD). METHODS: Forty-three patients with exudative AMD and 19 age- and sex-matched control patients without chorioretinal diseases were studied. Nineteen patients were treated with intravitreal ranibizumab 0.5 mg, 24 with intravitreal bevacizumab 1.25 mg. Blood samples were collected just before the first injection, and 28 days after three initial consecutive injections performed in 4-weekly intervals (loading dose). Concentration of VEGF in the plasma was measured by ELISA. RESULTS: At baseline, the median VEGF concentrations in controls were 180.97 pg/ml, in the bevacizumab group 189.72 pg/ml and in the ranibizumab group 191.36 pg/ml. VEGF plasma concentrations in patients with wet AMD were comparable to controls (p = 0.225). Twenty-eight days after the third injection, a significant reduction of 42% in the median VEGF plasma levels was found in bevacizumab-treated patients (109.97 pg/ml; p = 0.0002) but not in ranibizumab-treated patients (189.97 pg/ml; p = 0.198) where a reduction of 0.7% in the median value was found. CONCLUSIONS: Intravitreal bevacizumab significantly reduced VEGF plasma levels until 28 days after intravitreal injection in patients with exudative AMD. Ranibizumab did not achieve a significant plasma VEGF reduction at the same time-point. These findings alert to the potential systemic safety differences between the two drugs after intravitreal administration.

Arterial thromboembolic events in patients with exudative age-related macular degeneration treated with intravitreal bevacizumab or ranibizumab.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: To compare retrospectively the incidence of arterial thromboembolic events (ATEs) in patients treated with bevacizumab or ranibizumab for exudative age-related macular degeneration. METHODS: Charts of 378 patients treated with at least 1 intravitreal injection of ranibizumab or bevacizumab were reviewed to calculate the incidence of ATEs. Only patients under monotherapy were analyzed. RESULTS: ATEs occurred in 15 patients: 12 (12/97) with bevacizumab (12.4%) and 3 (3/219) with ranibizumab (1.4%) - odds ratio 10.16; 95% confidence interval 2.80-36.93; p < 0.0001. ATEs in the bevacizumab and ranibizumab cohorts included stroke, myocardial infarction, angina pectoris, peripheral thromboembolic disease, transient ischemic attack, sudden death and lethal stroke. CONCLUSION: In this series, bevacizumab raised the risk of ATEs when compared to ranibizumab. In an elderly population with multiple cardiovascular risk factors, the new ATEs may not be attributed exclusively to the intravitreal bevacizumab administration. These findings raise an issue that must be confirmed in randomized clinical trials.

Ranibizumab treatment for choroidal neovascularization from causes other than age-related macular degeneration and pathological myopia.

AIM: Evaluation of safety and efficacy of intravitreal ranibizumab in the treatment of choroidal neovascularization (CNV) secondary to causes other than age-related macular degeneration (AMD) or pathological myopia (PM). METHODS: Retrospective and multicentric analysis of 21 eyes with CNV. Nine eyes had angioid streaks, 5 inflammatory chorioretinal diseases, 3 central serous chorioretinopathy and 4 idiopathic CNV. Follow-ups lasted ≥3 months. Best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), ocular coherence tomography (OCT) and fundus examination were assessed monthly. RESULTS: Sixteen eyes (76%) completed 180 days of follow-up. Overall BCVA increased by +9.8 letters with treatment (p = 0.015). Visual acuity improvements ≥15 letters occurred in 43%. A significant reduction in OCT central thickness was observed. No cases of severe visual acuity loss, systemic or ocular side effects were registered. CONCLUSION: Short-term results of intravitreal ranibizumab for CNV unrelated to AMD or PM are encouraging. This treatment may constitute the only option for some of these patients.

Intravitreal bevacizumab for neovascular age-related macular degeneration with or without prior treatment with photodynamic therapy: one-year results.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to elucidate the effect of prior photodynamic therapy (PDT) on the efficacy of intravitreal bevacizumab for the treatment of neovascular age-related macular degeneration. METHODS: One hundred and nine eyes of 102 patients with neovascular age-related macular degeneration were evaluated-80 eyes without prior treatment (group 1) and 29 with prior PDT (group 2). Best-corrected visual acuity, ocular coherence tomography, and funduscopy were assessed monthly. Results were evaluated at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months. RESULTS: One hundred and one eyes completed a 12-month evaluation. At 12 months, best-corrected visual acuity increased 5.6 letters with treatment (P = 0.001): +5.7 letters in group 1 and +5.4 in group 2 (P = 0.92). Overall, visual acuity improved > or =15 letters in 22.5% of eyes: 24.0% of naive eyes versus 18.5% with prior PDT (P = 0.56). Best-corrected visual acuity loss > or =15 letters occurred in 6 eyes, 5 with naive lesions. An overall reduction in ocular coherence tomography central retinal thickness was observed at all time points. Mean number of injections per eye per year was 5.6, 6.13 in group 1 versus 4.22 in group 2 (P = 0.01). Two retinal pigment epithelial tears, one subretinal macular hemorrhage, and two strokes occurred in naive lesions. CONCLUSION: The authors showed similar efficacy for intravitreal bevacizumab independently of prior PDT treatment. Eyes with prior PDT needed a statistically significantly lower number of injections to control their lesions.