Association of Postural Blood Pressure Response With Disease Severity in Primary Open Angle Glaucoma.

PRCIS: Patients with primary open angle glaucoma (POAG) demonstrated exaggerated postural blood pressure dip in recumbency that was positively correlated with the severity of glaucomatous optic neuropathy (GON). Postural dip testing can be used clinically as a marker of systemic vascular dysregulation in GON risk assessment. OBJECTIVE: To investigate whether patients with POAG demonstrated abnormal postural blood pressure response to recumbency and whether such abnormal postural response correlated with GON severity. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This is a prospective observational study where 47 patients with POAG underwent intraocular pressure and systemic arterial blood pressure, systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP), measurement in seated and after 20-minute recumbency positions. Mean arterial blood pressure (MABP) was calculated for seated and recumbent positions. The percentage difference between seated and recumbent SBP, DBP, and MABP was calculated according to which participants were divided into 3 groups, that is, nondippers, normal dippers, and exaggerated dippers with percentage dips of <10%, ≥10%≤20%, >20%, respectively. Participants underwent optical coherence tomography of optic nerve head to measure retinal nerve fiber layer thickness (RNFLT) which was used as a structural biomarker of GON. RESULTS: RNFLT was lower in exaggerated dippers than in nondippers and normal dippers. There was a negative correlation between postural dip and average RNFLT. Linear regression showed that postural dip was associated with lower RNFLT independent of age and intraocular pressure. The χ 2 independence test demonstrated a strong relation among corresponding dip groups for SBP, DBP, and MABP. However, it showed no significant relation between hypertension and postural dip. Fisher exact test showed no relation between antihypertensive medication and postural dip. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with POAG demonstrated abnormal postural blood pressure response comprising exaggerated recumbent dip which was positively correlated with disease severity. Postural dip assessment may serve as a simple clinic-based test of systemic vascular dysregulation as part of GON risk evaluation.

Relative Flow Index as a Novel Optical Coherence Tomography Angiography Biomarker in Primary Open Angle Glaucoma.

PRCIS: Relative flow indices as novel optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) biomarkers demonstrated reduced optic nerve head and peripapillary large vessel and capillary perfusion in primary open angle glaucoma (POAG). Large vessel perfusion correlated with disease severity and progression. PURPOSE: To introduce relative flow indices as novel OCTA biomarkers and their pathologic insights in POAG. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This is a retrospective case-control study where 57 POAG and 57 control eyes were included. OCTA 4.5×4.5 mm optic nerve head (ONH) were analyzed using ImageJ 1.53t to calculate global flow indices (GFIs) and relative flow indices (RFIs) for whole image optic nerve head, isolated radial peripapillary capillary plexus, and isolated large vessel angiograms. RESULTS: Retinal nerve fiber layer thickness (RNFLT), ONH vascular density (VD), except inside disc and large vessel VD, GFIs, and RFIs were lower in POAG than control. There was a positive correlation between RNFLT and both VD and GFIs. Among RFIs, only large vessel RFI (ONHLVRFI) demonstrated a positive correlation with average RNFLT. Linear regression demonstrated a significant positive coefficient for ONHLVRFI with RNFLT as the dependent variable. The area under receiver operating characteristic curve showed diagnostic accuracy ranging fair, good, and excellent for all biomarkers. Inferior RNFLT had the highest area under the curve (0.922) while optic nerve head large vessel density had the lowest (0.523). CONCLUSIONS: POAG showed structural loss of RNFL neurovascular unit manifesting as positively correlated reduction of VD and RNFLT. Also, POAG had lower global perfusion of the optic nerve head and peripapillary area, resulting in the positively correlated reduction of GFIs and RNFLT. Although RFIs were lower in POAG, only ONHLVRFI demonstrated a positive correlation and regression with RNFLT, implying that large vessel hypoperfusion was associated with POAG severity and progression.

Purtscher-like retinopathy following coronary artery bypass grafting in an antiphospholipid syndrome patient: a case report.

BACKGROUND: Purtscher retinopathy is a rare occlusive microangiopathy comprising a constellation of retinal signs including cotton wool spots, retinal hemorrhages and Purtscher flecken. While classical Purtscher must be antedated by a traumatic incident, Purtscher-like retinopathy is used to refer to the same clinical syndrome in the absence of trauma. Various non-traumatic conditions have been associated with Purtscher-like retinopathy e.g. acute pancreatitis, preeclampsia, parturition, renal failure and multiple connective tissue disorders. In this case study, we report the occurrence of Purtscher-like retinopathy following coronary artery bypass grafting in a female patient with primary antiphospholipid syndrome (APS). CASE PRESENTATION: A 48-year-old Caucasian female patient presented with a complaint of acute painless diminution of vision in the left eye (OS) that occurred approximately two months earlier. Clinical history revealed that the patient underwent coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) two months earlier and that visual symptoms started 4 days thereafter. Furthermore, the patient reported undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) one year before for another myocardial ischemic event. Ophthalmological examination revealed multiple yellowish-white superficial retinal lesions i.e. cotton-wool spots, exclusively in the posterior pole and predominantly macular within the temporal vascular arcades only OS. Fundus examination of the right eye (OD) was normal and the anterior segment examination of both eyes (OU) was unremarkable. A diagnosis of Purtscher-like retinopathy was made based on clinical signs, suggestive history and consolidated by fundus fluorescein angiography (FFA), spectral domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) and optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) of macula, optic nerve head (ONH) according to the diagnostic guidelines of Miguel. The patient was referred to a rheumatologist to identify the underlying systemic cause and was diagnosed with primary antiphospholipid syndrome (APS). CONCLUSIONS: We report a case of Purtscher-like retinopathy complicating primary antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) following coronary artery bypass grafting. This conveys a message to clinicians that patients presenting with Purtscher-like retinopathy should undergo meticulous systemic work-up in order to identify potentially life-threatening underlying systemic diseases.

Early onset monocular hydroxychloroquine maculopathy in a systemic lupus erythematosus patient with history of central retinal artery occlusion: a case report.

BACKGROUND: Hydroxychloroquine is a widely used medication for various clinical conditions mainly rheumatological and dermatological autoimmune diseases e.g. systemic lupus erythematosus, rheumatoid arthritis and psoriasis. While it is considered a safe medication, it is well-established that it can cause retinal toxicity i.e. HCQ maculopathy. Guidelines for HCQ retinal toxicity screening include factors like body weight, daily dose, duration, systemic diseases and retinal diseases. In this case study, we report a specific association between CRAO as a retinal disease and early onset HCQ maculopathy in a SLE patient. CASE PRESENTATION: A 42-year-old Caucasian female SLE patient presented with a complaint of gradual progressive painless diminution of vision in the left eye that started 16 months earlier. Clinical evaluation of the patient revealed a history of sudden profound painless diminution of vision in the same eye 18 months earlier after which the patient experienced only partial improvement of vision. That episode of sudden diminution of vision was attributed to left CRAO, complicating SLE-related thrombophilia, confirmed by fundus fluorescein angiography. Based on that diagnosis, the patient had been prescribed HCQ. At the time of presentation, fundus examination revealed left bull's eye maculopathy and right normal fundus. Therefore, a diagnosis of HCQ maculopathy in the left eye was made after exclusion of other causes of unilateral bull's eye maculopathy. CONCLUSION: Our case study is the first to report an association between CRAO as a specific retinal disease and early onset of HCQ maculopathy in a SLE patient. The unilateral bull's eye presentation which occurred in the eye with CRAO after only 16 months of HCQ treatment highly suggests that CRAO is probably the cause of such unusually early maculopathy. This case report highlights the importance of retinal diseases as risk factors for HCQ maculopathy. It also points out the lack of specific evidence concerning the association between specific retinal diseases and HCQ maculopathy.

Macular and Optic Nerve Microvascular Alteration in Relation to Axial Length, by Optical Coherence Tomography Angiography (OCTA).

Aim: To study the effect of axial length (AL) on quantitative characterization of macular and optic nerve microvasculature using optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) in healthy individuals. Methods: A cross-sectional study where participants were divided into 3 groups according to AL; A: ≤22.5 mm, B: 22.6-24.5 mm, C: >24.5 mm. Superficial vascular density (SVD), deep vascular density (DVD), foveal avascular zone (FAZ), and radial peripapillary capillary density (RPCD) were calculated using OCTA. Pearson correlation was run to identify the relation between AL and study parameters. Results: One hundred and twelve eyes of 56 participants (20 males, 36 females) were included. Mean FAZ was 0.33 ± 0.15 mm2, 0.27 ± 0.1 mm2 and 0.28 ± 0.2 mm2 in Groups A, B, and C, respectively (p value 0.073). No significant difference was found between 3 groups, as regards superficial foveal density and vessel density inside the disc. Deep foveal density was significantly lower in Group A in comparison to Groups B and C (p value 0.021 and 0.005, respectively). As for other parameters of SVD, DVD and RPCD, no significant difference was observed between Groups A and B; however, the same parameters were significantly lower in Group C when compared to Group A and B. AL was found to be negatively correlated to FAZ (r -0.191, p value 0.043) and most of parameters of SVD, DVD, and RPCD (p value < 0.0001). Conclusion: Most of optic nerve and macular microvascular parameters were significantly lower in eyes with longer axial lengths when compared to those with shorter axial lengths. Moreover, most of these parameters were negatively correlated with AL.

Anterior chamber granuloma: conservative treatment versus surgical intervention.

PURPOSE: A distinct pattern of granulomatous anterior uveitis, with white anterior chamber (AC) granuloma, has been reported in certain endemic areas. The aim of this work was to compare the outcome of conservative treatment to surgical intervention for the treatment of large AC granulomas presenting with moderate-severe anterior uveitis. The secondary outcome is ultrasound biomicroscopy (UBM) characterization of AC granulomas. METHODS: This is a prospective randomized interventional study including 41 eyes of 39 patients with active AC granuloma ≥3 mm (flare & cells ≥ +2). Patients were randomly assigned to either conservative treatment in the form of topical prednisolone and cycloplegic drops with orbital floor (transseptal) injection of Triamcinolone acetonide (20 eyes) or surgery in the form of granuloma excision and AC wash (21 eyes). As a perioperative care, topical steroids and cycloplegic drops were given few days before surgery and tapered gradually over 6 weeks. Patients were followed up at first day, 2 weeks, 1 and 3 months. RESULTS: Thirty-seven patients were males, and 2 were females (13.0 ± 3.5 years). After 2 weeks, disappearance/healing of granuloma was achieved in 20 eyes in the surgical group versus 2 eyes in the conservative group (p < 0.0001). This effect was maintained throughout the follow-up period, for the surgical group and reached up to 70%, for the medical group. At every follow-up, BCVA was better in the surgical group, but this was only statistically significant at 1 and 3 months. The granuloma appeared as a homogenous hyperreflective lesion in examined eyes (16 eyes of 15 patients). CONCLUSION: Surgical treatment of large granulomas leads to a more complete and rapid resolution of inflammation.

Subthreshold diode-laser micropulse photocoagulation as a primary and secondary line of treatment in management of diabetic macular edema.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to evaluate subthreshold diode-laser micropulse (SDM) photocoagulation as a primary and secondary line of treatment for clinically significant diabetic macular edema (CSDME). METHODS: In this prospective nonrandomized case series, 220 cases of nonischemic CSDME were managed primarily and secondarily by SDM photocoagulation on a 15% duty cycle with a mean power of 828 mW and a spot size of 75-125 µm. SDM treatment was repeated at 3-4-month intervals if residual leakage was observed. Additional intravitreal pharmacologic therapy was used according to the response. Follow-up varied from 12 to 19 (mean 14±2.8) months. Novel software designed by the authors was used to record the subvisible threshold laser applications and their parameters on the fundus image of the eye. Evaluation of the results of treatment was done using fluorescein angiography and optical coherence tomography (OCT). Primary outcome measures included changes in visual acuity and foveal thickness at OCT. Secondary outcome measures included visual loss of one or more Snellen lines and laser scars detectable on fundus biomicroscopy or fluorescein angiography. RESULTS: In the primary treatment group, there was significant improvement or stabilization of visual acuity after the first 3-4 months, which was stable thereafter. Visual acuity was stable in the secondary treatment group. A corresponding reduction of macular thickness on OCT was noted during the follow-up period in both groups. Additional therapy included repeat SDM photocoagulation, intravitreal injection of triamcinolone, and pars plana vitrectomy. Laser marks seen as changes in retinal pigment epithelium on fundus biomicroscopy and fluorescein angiography were noted in 3.3% and 5.7% of cases. Our novel software could accurately record the location of all SDM-invisible applications. CONCLUSION: Micropulse laser is an effective minimal intensity therapy that offers the clear advantage of minimizing or avoiding laser-induced visible retinal burn/scarring while reducing the foveal thickness in the management of selected cases of CSDME. Future prospective studies should include the use of SDM photocoagulation as a combined minimally invasive therapy to consolidate the prompt but temporary effects of anti-vascular endothelial growth factor or anti-inflammatory agents. Virtual localization of SDM-invisible applications using our proprietary software could be used to guide further retreatments.