Adequacy of the Fogging Test in the Detection of Clinically Significant Hyperopia in School-Aged Children.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the efficacy of the "fogging test," performed with a +2 diopters (D) lens, in the exclusion of clinically significant hyperopia in school-aged children. METHODS: We studied 54 children between 5 and 11 years of age, with 10/10 best-corrected bilateral visual acuity (VA) without significant degree of correction. VA was assessed in each eye with a "bilateral" +2 D sphere over-refraction followed by cycloplegic retinoscopy. The capacity of the test to detect hyperopia of ≥+2 D and ≥+1.5 D was evaluated by examining the respective receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves and sensitivity and specificity values for different cutoff values of VA. RESULTS: For the detection of hyperopia ≥+2 D, the area under the ROC curve (AUC) was 0.955 (p ≤ 0.001). The VA cutoff with best discriminative capacity was ≥5/10, with a sensitivity of 100%, specificity of 79%, positive predictive value (PPV) of 57%, and negative predictive value (NPV) of 100%. In respect of ≥+1.5 D hyperopia, the test capacity was lower (AUC = 0.832; p ≤ 0.001). The best VA cutoff was also of ≥5/10, with a PPV of 81% and a NPV of 85%. CONCLUSION: The accuracy of the test was high for the evaluation of ≥+2 D hyperopia but lower for ≥+1.5 D hyperopia. For the detection of ≥+2 D hyperopia, the VA cutoff of <5/10 may permit the exclusion of clinically significant hyperopia in selected children, without the need for cycloplegia. For the same cutoff, the PPV was low, meaning that in children with ≥5/10 VA cycloplegic refraction remains obligatory.

Safety and Effectiveness of Cataract Surgery with Simultaneous Intravitreal Anti-VEGF in Patients with Previously Treated Exudative Age-Related Macular Degeneration.

INTRODUCTION: To evaluate the safety and impact on visual acuity, retinal and choroidal morphology of simultaneous cataract surgery and intravitreal anti-vascular endothelial growth factor on patients with visually significant cataracts and previously treated exudative age-related macular degeneration. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Prospective study, which included 21 eyes of 20 patients with exudative age-related macular degeneration submitted to simultaneous phacoemulsification and intravitreal ranibizumab or bevacizumab. The patients were followed for 12 months after surgery using a pro re nata strategy. Visual acuity, foveal and choroidal thickness changes were evaluated 1, 6 and 12 months post-operatively. RESULTS: There was a statistically significant increase in mean visual acuity at one (13.4 letters, p < 0.05), six (11.5 letters, p < 0.05) and twelve months (11.3 letters, p < 0.05) without significant changes in retinal or choroidal morphology. At 12 months, 86% of eyes were able to maintain visual acuity improvement. There were no significant differences between the two anti-vascular endothelial growth factor drugs and no complications developed during follow-up. DISCUSSION: Simultaneous phacoemulsification and intravitreal anti- vascular endothelial growth factor is safe and allows improvement in visual acuity in patients with visually significant cataracts and exudative age-related macular degeneration. Visual acuity gains were maintained with a pro re nata strategy showing that in this subset of patients, phacoemulsification may be beneficial. CONCLUSION: Cataract surgery and simultaneous anti-vascular endothelial growth factor therapy improves visual acuity in patients with exudative age-related macular degeneration.

Introdução: Pretendemos avaliar a efectividade e segurança da cirurgia de catarata associada a injecção intravítrea de anti-vascular endothelial growth factor sobre a acuidade visual, morfologia da retina e coróide em doentes previamente tratados por degeneração macular relacionada com a idade exsudativa com cataratas visualmente significativas. Material e Métodos: Estudo prospectivo, que incluiu 21 olhos de 20 doentes com degeneração macular relacionada com a idade exsudativa submetidos a facoemulsificação simultânea com ranibizumab ou bevacizumab intravítreo. Os doentes foram seguidos durante 12 meses após a cirurgia usando uma estratégia pro re nata. As alterações da acuidade visual, espessura da retina e coroideia subfoveal foram avaliadas aos 1, 6 e 12 meses de pós-operatório. Resultados: Houve um aumento estatisticamente significativo da acuidade visual média ao mês (13,4 letras, p < 0,05), aos seis (11,5 letras, p < 0,05) e doze meses (11,3 letras, p < 0,05), sem alterações significativas na morfologia da retina ou coróide. Aos 12 meses, 86% dos olhos foram capazes de manter a melhoria da acuidade visual. Não houve diferenças significativas entre os dois fármacos anti-vascular endothelial growth factor e não ocorreu qualquer complicação durante o seguimento. Discussão: A facoemulsificação associada a injecção intravítrea de anti-vascular endothelial growth factor é segura e permite uma melhoria da acuidade visual em doentes com degeneração macular relacionada com a idade exsudativa e cataratas visualmente significativas. O ganho de acuidade visual foi mantido usando uma estratégia pro re nata mostrando que neste subgrupo de doentes a facoemulsificação pode ser benéfica. Conclusão: A cirurgia de catarata associada a terapia anti-vascular endothelial growth factor simultânea melhora a acuidade visual em doentes com degenerescência macular da idade exsudativa.

[Evaluation of antiangiogenic treatment results in choroidal neovascularization related to pathological myopia]. / Avaliação dos resultados do tratamento antiangiogénico na neovascularização coroideia associada à miopia patológica.

INTRODUCTION: Choroidal neovascularization secondary to pathological myopia is one of the leading causes of irreversible central vision loss in younger patients. The purposes of our study is to evaluate the long-term results of antiangiogenic treatment, with ranibizumab and/or bevacizumab, in myopic choroidal neovascularization and define the predictive factors for visual and anatomic outcomes. MATERIAL AND METHODS: In this study were included 84 eyes from 81 patients with myopic choroidal neovascularization. Eighty-four (100%) eyes accomplish 12 months of follow-up, 67 (79.8%) 24 months, 54 (64.3%) 36 months, 29 (34.5%) 48 months, and 15 (16.7%) 60 months. We retrieved data related to best corrected visual acuity measured with ETDRS chart, foveal center thickness on optical coherence tomography and fluorescein angiographic findings, before and after treatment. RESULTS: The best corrected visual acuity and foveal center thickness improvements were statistically significant for all follow-up times (p < 0.05). Mean baseline best corrected visual acuity was 43.7 ± 20.1 letters and mean baseline foveal center thickness was 304.8 ± 127.9 µm. Mean best corrected visual acuity was 55.6 ± 18.5, 52.1 ± 22.3, 52.1 ± 22.6, 50.3 ± 23.8 and 47.8 ± 24.5 for 12, 24, 36, 48 and 60 months of treatment, respectively. Mean foveal center thickness was 209.7 ± 86.2, 190.6 ± 76.1, 174.7 ± 60.6, 189.8 ± 96.7 and 159.4 ± 73.3 for the same follow-up times. Baseline best corrected visual acuity was the only predictive factor for better visual outcome (p < 0.001). DISCUSSION/CONCLUSION: Intravitreal anti-VEGF injections in patients with myopic choroidal neovascularization yielded a significant and sustained functional and anatomic improvement. Randomized long-term clinical trials are needed to determine the sustained efficacy of these drugs.

Introdução: A neovascularização coroideia associada à miopia patológica é uma das principais causas de perda de visão central e irreversível em indivíduos jovens. Os objetivos deste estudo são avaliar os resultados a longo prazo do tratamento antiangiogénico, com ranibizumab e/ou bevacizumab, na neovascularização coroideia associada à miopia patológica e caraterizar os fatores preditivos dos resultados funcionais e anatómicos obtidos.Material e Métodos: Avaliámos os resultados de 84 olhos de 81 doentes com neovascularização coroideia miópica, dos quais 84 (100%) completaram 12 meses de seguimento, 67 (79,8%) 24 meses de seguimento, 54 (64,3%) 36 meses de seguimento, 29 (34,5%) 48 meses de seguimento e 15 (16,7%) 60 meses de seguimento. Procedemos à recolha de dados relativos à melhor acuidade visual corrigida em escala ETDRS, espessura foveal na tomografia de coerência óptica e caraterísticas da angiografia fluoresceínica, inicial e após tratamento.Resultados: As melhorias na melhor acuidade visual corrigida e na espessura foveal foram significativas para todos os tempos de seguimento (p < 0,05). A média da melhor acuidade visual corrigida inicial era de 43,7 ± 20,1 letras e da espessura foveal inicial de 304,8 ± 127,9µm. As médias da melhor acuidade visual corrigida foram de 55,6 ± 18,5, 52,1 ± 22,3, 52,1 ± 22,6, 50,3 ± 23,8 e 47,8 ± 24,5 para os 12, 24, 36, 48 e 60 meses de tratamento, respetivamente. As médias das espessuras foveais foram de 209,7 ± 86,2, 190,6 ± 76,1, 174,7 ± 60,6, 189,8 ± 96,7 e 159,4 ± 73,3 para os mesmos tempos de seguimento. Apenas a melhor acuidade visual corrigida inicial foi preditiva de melhores resultados na melhor acuidade visual corrigida final (p < 0,001).Discussão/Conclusão: As injecções intravítreas de anti-VEGF em doentes com neovascularização coroideia miópica cursam com uma melhoria funcional e anatómica significativa e sustentada no tempo. Ensaios clínicos randomizados com follow-up mais extenso são necessários para comprovar a eficácia sustentada destes agentes.

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.