Between Best-corrected Visual Acuity Research Articles

Variability of relationship between inner-retinal structural changes and visual dysfunction in optic neuropathy

Optical coherence tomography (OCT) displays the retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) or macular ganglion cell and inner plexiform layer (GCIPL) thickness below 1st percentile in red color. This finding generally indicates severe inner-retinal structural changes and suggests poor visual function. Nevertheless, some individuals show preserved visual function despite these circumstances. This study aimed to identify the correlation between best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and inner-retinal thickness based on OCT parameters in various optic neuropathy patients with extremely low RNFL/GCIPL thickness, and determine the limitation of OCT for predicting visual function in these patients. 131 patients were included in the study. The mean BCVA in logMAR was 0.55 ± 0.70 with a broad range from − 0.18 to 3.00. Among the OCT parameters, temporal GCIPL (r = − 0.412) and average GCIPL (r = − 0.366) exhibited the higher correlations with BCVA. Etiological comparisons of optic neuropathies revealed significantly lower BCVA in LHON (all p < 0.05). Idiopathic optic neuritis (ON) and MOGAD exhibited better and narrower BCVA distributions compared to the other optic neuropathies. OCT had limited utility in reflecting BCVA, notwithstanding significant inner-retinal thinning after optic nerve injuries. Caution is needed in interpreting OCT findings, especially as they relate to the etiology of optic neuropathy.

Deep learning assisted fluid volume calculation for assessing anti-vascular endothelial growth factor effect in diabetic macular edema

ObjectiveTo develop an algorithm using deep learning methods to calculate the volume of intraretinal and subretinal fluid in optical coherence tomography (OCT) images for assessing diabetic macular edema (DME) patients’ condition changes. DesignCross-sectional study. ParticipantsTreatment-naive patients diagnosed with DME recruited from April 2020 to November 2021. MethodsThe deep learning network, which was built for autonomous segmentation utilizing an encoder-decoder network based on the U-Net architecture, was used to calculate the volume of intraretinal fluid (IRF) and subretinal fluid (SRF). The alterations of retinal vessel density and thickness, and the correlation between best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and OCT parameters were analyzed. Results2,955 OCT images of fourteen eyes from DME patients with IRF and SRF who received anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) agents were obtained. The area under the curve (AUC) of the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve of the algorithm was 0.993 for IRF and 0.998 for SRF. The volumes of IRF and SRF were significantly decreased from 1.93 ± 0.58 /1.14 ± 0.25 mm3 (baseline) to 0.26 ± 0.13 /0.26 ± 0.18 mm3 (post-injection), respectively (p = 0.0170 for IRF, and p = 0.0004 for SRF). The Spearman correlation demonstrated that the reduction of IRF volume was negatively correlated with age (coefficient = −0.698, p = 0.006). ConclusionWe developed a deep learning assisted fluid volume calculation algorithm with high sensitivity and specificity for assessing the volume of IRF and SRF in DME patients. Key words: deep learning; diabetic macular edema; optical coherence tomography.

Short Wavelength Automated Perimetry, Standard Automated Perimetry, and Optical Coherence Tomography in Dominant Optic Atrophy.

Background: Blue-yellow axis dyschromatopsia is well-known in Autosomal Dominant Optic Atrophy (ADOA) patients, but there were no data on the correlation between retinal structure and short-wavelength automated perimetry (SWAP) values in this pathology. Methods: In this cross-sectional case-control study, we assessed the correlation between best corrected visual acuity (BCVA), standard automated perimetry (SAP), SWAP, and optical coherence tomography (OCT) parameters of 9 ADOA patients compared with healthy controls. Correlation analysis was performed between BCVA, mean deviation, pattern standard deviation (PSD), and fovea sensitivity (FS) values and the OCT thickness of each retinal layer and the peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer (pRNFL). Results: The following significant and strong correlations were found: between BCVA and ganglion cell layer (GCL) and the global (G) pRNFL thicknesses; between SAP FS and GCL and the G-pRNFL thicknesses; between SWAP PSD and total retina, GCL, inner plexiform layer, inner nuclear layer, inner retinal layer and the temporal pRNFL thicknesses. We found a constant shorter duration of the SITA-SWAP compared with the SITA-STANDARD strategy. Conclusions: SWAP, SAP, and BCVA values provided relevant clinical information about retinal involvement in our ADOA patients. The perimetric functional parameters that seemed to correlate better with structure involvement were FS on SAP and PSD on SWAP.

Evaluation and comparison of microperimetry and optical coherence tomography findings in patients with Behçet uveitis.

To evaluate and compare the findings of MP and OCT in patients with inactive Behçet's uveitis (BU). Sixty-five eyes of 38 patients were included in this retrospective study. Ophthalmologic examination findings and OCT and MP results were recorded. The relationship between best corrected visual acuity (BCVA), duration of uveitis, central macular thickness (CMT), presence of photoreceptor zone (PZ), and/or retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) damage, macular integrity index, mean threshold and fixation stability was analyzed. There was a positive correlation between BCVA and CMT (p < 0.001). The eyes with PZ and/or RPE damage had significantly lower visual acuity (p < 0.001). There was a negative correlation between BCVA and macular integrity index (p = 0.005). BCVA showed positive correlations with mean threshold and fixation stability [(BCVA vs. mean threshold, p < 0.001), (BCVA vs. P1, p < 0.001), and (BCVA vs. P2, p < 0.001)]. While there was no significant correlation between CMT and macular integrity index (p = 0.08), both mean threshold and fixation stability were significantly positively correlated with CMT [(CMT vs. mean threshold, p = 0.01), (CMT vs. P1, p = 0.008), and (CMT vs. P2, p = 0.005)]. Mean threshold and fixation stability (P1 and P2) were significantly lower in the eyes with PZ and/or RPE damage (p = 0.008, p = 0.02, and p = 0.01, respectively). MP showed results consistent with visual acuity and morphological findings by OCT in patients with inactive BU. Although MP is promising for patient follow-up, controlled prospective studies are needed.

Risk Factors and Outcome of Hyphema in Blunt Injury to Eye

Objectives: To study the causes, associated ocular findings and visual acuity on presentation, complications and visual outcomefollowing treatment in patients of hyphema due to blunt injury.Methods: A retrospective observational study was performed in 80 patients with hyphema due to blunt injury presenting tothe outpatient and emergency department of the tertiary care centre of Gorakhpur, Uttar Pradesh for a period of 6 months. Thegender, age, race, cause of blunt injury resulting in hyphema, eye involved, vision at admission, other associated ophthalmologicalfindings, complications and visual outcomes were noted from the case records of patients. The data was analyzed using SPSSprogramme using the chi-square test.Results: Males were more predominantly affected (88.75%). Half of the patients were aged below 30 years. Sports-related injury(51.25%) was the most common cause for hyphema. Hyphema disappeared within 5 days in 68.5% of patients. Iris injuries werevery commonly associated in the form of mydriasis, iridodialysis. The best corrected vision of 6/18 or better was noted in 46.25%of patients at the last follow-up. The follow-up of these subjects was very poor and thus the incidence of secondary glaucomacould not be established. A significant association was seen between Best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) at presentation andat 6 weeks follow-up (p&lt;0.05).Conclusion: Sports-related injury is the most common cause of hyphema. Good visual recovery, without serious complications,is possible with appropriate and in-time treatment in hyphema patients due to blunt injury.

Evaluation of Optic Disc, Retinal Vascular Structures, and Acircularity Index in Patients with Idiopathic Macular Telangiectasia Type 2.

We aimed to compare the retinal, optic disc vascular density (ODVD) values, and acircularity index (AI) of patients with idiopathic macular telangiectasia type 2 (IMT) and healthy individuals using the optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) device. The study included 39 patients with IMT and 37 healthy controls. The OCTA findings of the patients and controls were examined. The total, parafoveal and perifoveal vascular density of the superficial capillary plexus, choriocapillaris blood flow, inside-disc ODVD, retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL), and retinal thicknesses were found to be statistically significantly lower, and the foveal avascular zone value was statistically significantly higher in the IMT group compared to the control group (p = 0.001, p = 0.01, p = 0.02, p = 0.01, p = 0.009, p = 0.002, p = 0.02, respectively). There was a statistically significant negative correlation between best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and AI (p = 0.02), and a statistically significant positive correlation between peripapillary vascular density and BCVA (p = 0.04). We consider that the lower retinal, choriocapillaris, ODVD values, and retinal and RNFL thicknesses in the patients with IMT compared to the controls were due to vascular damage, remodeling, fibrosis, proliferation, and Müller cell damage. Ellipsoid zone defect, AI, and peripapillary vascular density are important indicators in the evaluation of visual acuity in these patients.

Effects of fluorescein on corneal endothelial morphology after fundus fluorescein angiography in patients with diabetic macular edema

Purpose To evaluate the effects of fluorescein dye on corneal endothelial morphology (CEM) after fundus fluorescein angiography (FFA) in patients with diabetic macular edema (DME). Methods In this retrospective study, patients were divided into two groups, nonproliferative diabetic retinopathy (Group-1, NPDR) and proliferative diabetic retinopathy (Group-2, PDR). CEM properties including endothelial cell density (ECD), coefficient of variation of cell area (CV), average cell area (AVG), percentage of hexagonal cells (HEX), and central corneal thickness (CCT) were measured before FFA and at week 1 and month 1 after FFA were collected from patients’ charts. Results The study consisted of 48 patient’s 48 eyes in Group-1 and 50 patient’s 50 eyes in Group-2. In both groups, the mean ECD, CV, AVG, HEX, and CCT measurements at week 1 and month 1 after FFA did not differ statistically from the mean measurements before FFA (p > 0.05). The mean ECD measurements in Group-1 were higher than that in Group-2 and showed statistically significant differences among the groups (p < 0.01 for all). In the Pearson correlation analysis in Group-1, there was no statistically significant relationship between best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and (intraocular pressure) IOP values and ECD, AVG, CV, HEX, and CCT measurements (except central macular thickness [CMT] and HEX) before FFA, at week 1 and month 1 after FFA (p > 0.05). In Group-2 there was no statistically significant relationship between BCVA, IOP, and CMT measurements and ECD, AVG, CV, HEX, and CCT measurements before FFA, at week 1 and month 1 after FFA (p > 0.05). Conclusions There is no significant change in CEM after FFA in patients with NPDR and PDR with DME.

Evaluation of fixation characteristics in amblyopia using microperimetry.

To evaluate fixation characteristics in amblyopia using macular analyzer integrity assessment (MAIA) microperimetry and to investigate the factors affecting fixation stability. This prospective, cross-sectional study enrolled a total of 58 amblyopic patients who were between 8 and 55years old. Average threshold macular sensitivity (AT) and fixation characteristics were assessed using MAIA microperimetry. Two Bivariate contour ellipse area (BCEA) fixation indices (63% and 95% proportional values) and the percentage of fixation points within 1° and 2° from the fovea (P1 and P2) were used to assess fixation stability. Non-amblyopic fellow eyes were used as the control group for comparison. AT and fixation stability indices (P1, P2, BCEA 63%, BCEA 95%) were worse in the amblyopic eyes than in the fellow eyes (p < 0.05, for all indices). There was a moderate positive correlation between best corrected visual acuity (BCVA), and AT, and P2, and a moderate negative correlation between BCVA, and BCEA indices. 48% of the eyes were eccentrically fixating (the percentage was 25% in the anisometropic group, 52% in the strabismic group, and 69% in the combined group) and 32% in the non-amblyopic eye (p = 0.052). The preferred fixation eccentricity in amblyopic eyes was significantly greater than the non-amblyopic eyes (p = 0.004), and there was a negative correlation between preferred fixation eccentricity and BCVA (p = 0.012, r = -0.327). Our data showed a decrease in fixation stability, a positive correlation between fixation stability and BCVA, and a negative correlation between preferred fixation eccentricity and BCVA in amblyopic eyes.

Image processing and quantification analysis for optical coherence tomography angiography in epiretinal membrane

BackgroundTo explore image processing methods for optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) of the epiretinal membrane (ERM), and to evaluate the impact of ERM on vision by analyzing the retinal vasculature. MethodsThirty eyes of 30 patients with idiopathic ERM who underwent OCTA were retrospectively evaluated. Image processing of OCTA, including the Mexican hat filter (MHF) and exclusion of the foveal avascular zone (FAZ), was attempted using Fiji. OCTA parameters, including vessel density (VD), fractal dimension (FD), and vessel tortuosity (VT), were measured for large vessels only, capillaries only, and the whole vasculature. Pearson correlation analysis was used to evaluate the correlations between best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and OCTA parameters. ResultsThe correlations between BCVA and retinal vasculature were much increased when the capillaries only instead of the whole vasculature was used for analysis. Both higher VD and FD of capillaries were correlated with better BCVA, and MHF largely increased their correlations (P < 0.0001 for both). In contrast, both higher VD and FD of the large vessels were associated with poorer BCVA (P = 0.042 and 0.049, respectively). A higher VT of capillaries was correlated with better BCVA, and both MHF and exclusion of the FAZ were necessary to reveal their correlations (P = 0.028) ConclusionsSeparation of large vessels and capillaries was necessary to reveal the correlations between retinal vasculature and BCVA in ERM. MHF was necessary to elucidate all microvascular parameters of capillaries, and exclusion of the FAZ was mandatory for evaluation of VT.

Volume-accumulated reflectivity of the outer retina (integral) on spectral domain optical coherence tomography as a predictor of cone cell density: a pilot study

BackgroundThe study aims to investigate the relationship between the volume-accumulated reflectivity (termed “integral”) on spectral domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) and cone density on adaptive optics (AO) imaging.MethodsIn this cross-sectional study, both eyes of 32 healthy subjects and 5 patients with inherited retinal diseases (IRD) were studied. The parameter, integral, was defined as the volume-accumulated reflectivity values in a selected region on OCT images; integrals of the ellipsoid zone (EZ) and interdigitation zone (IZ) were measured at 2°, 3°, 4°, 5°and 6° eccentricity along the four meridians on fovea-centered OCT B-scans. Cone density in the same region was measured using a flood illumination adaptive optics camera RTX1.ResultsIntegrals of EZ, IZ and cone density shared similar distribution patterns. Integral of the IZ was better correlated with cone density in both healthy people (r = 0.968, p < 0.001) and those with IRD (r = 0.823, p < 0.001) than direct measurements of reflectivity on OCT images. A strong correlation was found between best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and cone density at 2° eccentricity (r = -0.857, p = 0.002). BCVA was also correlated with the integral of the IZ at the foveola (r = -0.746, p = 0.013) and fovea (r = -0.822, p = 0.004).ConclusionsThe new parameter “integral” of the photoreceptor outer segment measured from SD-OCT was noted to correlate with cone density and visual function in this pilot study.

Relation between quantitative measurement of the foveal avascular zone, outer retinal layers disruptions, and visual acuity in diabetic macular ischemia

Background: With the potential to offer more in-depth images of the macula than foveal avascular (FA) imaging, optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) is emerging as a novel imaging tool for the detection of diabetic macular ischemia (DMI). The study's goal was to determine the relationship between visual acuity (VA) in DMI, foveal avascular zone (FAZ) and retinal vessel density (VD) as measured by OCTA, and the integrity of the outer retinal layers as measured by optical coherence tomography angiography (OCT). Methods: This a cross sectional research enrolled 25 eyes of 25 diabetic cases diagnosed with DMI using FFA, and 25 normal eyes as a control group. All cases underwent ocular exam including VA testing, anterior segment exam, intra ocular pressure, fundus exam, and fundus fluorescein angiography (FFA). Results: Reduction of vision was noticed in ischemic cases, the mean BCVA for the cases was 0.88±0.27 (LogMAR), while for the control was 0.03±0.04. A statistically prominent positive relation was detected between best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) (LogMAR) and (FAZ) area (rs=0.530, P=0.006), a statistically prominent negative relation was detected between BCVA (LoMAR) and both vessel area density (VAD) parameters (SCP and DCP) (VADSCP: rs= -0.415, P=0.039) (VADDCP: rs = -0.525, P =0.007). Conclusions: OCTA allows for the quick, automated, and non-invasive quantification of vascular density and FAZ in DMI.

Resolving Myopic Foveoretinal Detachment by Fovea-Saving Internal Limiting Membrane Peeling: A Case-Series Report

Background: In highly myopic eyes, myopic foveoschisis (MF), the earliest stage of myopic traction maculopathy (MTM), is present in up to 34% of patients with pathologic myopia and slowly progresses to form foveoretinal detachment (FRD) or macular hole (MH) with or without macular hole retinal detachment (MHRD) as a part of its natural history. Aim: To describe the microstructural and functional results in three highly myopic eyes that underwent macular surgery for early-stage MTM. The last postoperative structural findings were correlated with the final vision and macular automated microperimetry evaluation. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed three highly myopic eyes that underwent successful fovea-saving internal limiting membrane (FS-ILM) macular surgery for chronic FRD at Oftalmologia Integral ABC, Mexico City, Mexico. We performed postoperative multimodal microstructural and functional evaluations, including SD-OCT, SS-OCT, and microperimetric macular examinations. Results: There was a substantial difference between best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) preoperatively and postoperatively in all three cases. Postoperative surgery was associated with significant improvement in visual acuity confirmed using a paired-sample permutation test. The mean presurgical BCVA value (LogMAR; mean ± SE) was ~0.83 ± 0.15, and the postsurgical value was ~0.43 ± 0.52 (P = 0.00065). The myopic foveoretinal detachment evaluation was ~7.3 ± 3.5 months, with a mean postoperative follow-up time of ~14 ± 4.08 months. Furthermore, postoperative multimodal imaging tests demonstrated an abnormal microstructural foveal SS-OCT pattern without evidence of macular hole (MH) development at the postoperative follow-up. Macular microperimetry confirmed a subclinical reduced macula threshold sensitivity with an anomalous retinal sensitivity analysis map and a stable central foveal fixation site. Conclusions: Even with the successful microstructural disappearance of myopic macular detachment, the last multidisciplinary functional and structural assessments demonstrated different subclinical macular alterations.

The prognostic implication of visual acuity at the time of uveal melanoma diagnosis

BackgroundVisual outcomes after primary tumour treatment of uveal melanoma (UM) have been investigated repeatedly. This study evaluates the correlation between best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) before treatment with clinicopathological factors and patient survival.Subjects/MethodsPre-treatment BCVA was examined in relation to tumour dimensions and location, and survival in a retrospective cohort of 1809 patients who underwent plaque brachytherapy. BCVA was also correlated to tumour histological factors in a second cohort of 137 enucleated eyes.ResultsThe mean BCVA of the tumour eye prior to plaque brachytherapy was LogMAR 0.42 (SD 0.46). Patients with low BCVA (LogMAR ≥ 1.00) did not differ in age (p = 0.19) and had similar frequency of ciliary body involvement (p = 0.99) but had tumours with greater apical thickness (p < 0.0001), greater diameter (p < 0.0001) and shorter distance to the optic disc and fovea (p < 0.0001). There were no significant relations between low BCVA and any of 13 examined tumour histological factors at a Bonferroni-corrected significance level (p > 0.004). Patients with low BCVA had greater incidence of UM-related mortality in competing risk analysis (p = 0.0019) and shorter overall survival (p < 0.0001). Low BCVA was also associated with increased hazard ratio (HR) for UM-related mortality in univariate analysis (HR 1.5, 95% confidence interval 1.2 to 1.9), but not in multivariate analysis with tumour size and location as covariates.ConclusionsUM patients with low BCVA before primary tumour treatment have a worse prognosis, likely related to increased tumour dimensions. Future studies should examine the prognostic significance of BCVA in relation to macula-involving retinal detachment and genetic factors.

Anatomic Biomarkers of Macular Edema Associated with Retinal Vein Occlusion

To assess the relationship between best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and anatomic features in patients with macular edema (ME) related to retinal vein occlusion (RVO). Post hoc analysis of 3 clinical trials, which included verified diagnoses, protocol refractions, and the assessment of OCT and fluorescein angiography (FA) images at a masked reading center. Patients diagnosed with RVO-ME. Correlation analyses were performed to determine the correlation between BCVA and macular anatomy at baseline and at 12 and 24 weeks and between changes from baseline to 12 and 24 weeks. The correlations between BCVA and central subfield thickness (CST), ellipsoid zone (EZ) integrity, intraretinal fluid (IRF), subretinal fluid, central leakage, and ischemia were assessed. In a total of 828 eyes with RVO-ME, the mean age, BCVA, and CST at baseline was 64.7 years, 51.1 letters, and 656.9 μm, respectively. At baseline, a moderate negative correlation was observed between BCVA and CST (r =- 0.56, P < 0.001). At weeks 12 and 24, the mean BCVA of eyes with definitely abnormal (absent) EZ was statistically significantly worse than that of eyes with normal EZ. At week 12, a moderate negative correlation was observed between changes in BCVA and changes in CST (r=- 0.35, P < 0.001), with a similar degree of association noted at week 24 (r=- 0.35, P < 0.001). At weeks 12 and 24, eyes that showed any improvement in central IRF showed a greater improvement in BCVA than eyes that showed no improvement worsening (week 12: 463 eyes, 18.3 letters vs. 177 eyes, 13.0 letters, respectively, P < 0.001) and (week 24: 332 eyes, 20.2 letters vs. 131 eyes, 13.3 letters, respectively, P < 0.001). With respect to the correlation between baseline BCVA and fluorescein leakage or capillary nonperfusion, the Pearson correlation coefficients were- 0.41 (P < 0.001) and-0.16 (P= 0.060), respectively. In addition to CST, there are important clinically relevant relationships between BCVA and both OCT and FA anatomic features in patients with RVO-ME.

Correlation Between Retinal Microstructure Detected by Optical Coherence Tomography and Best Corrected Visual Acuity in Diabetic Retinopathy Macular Edema.

ObjectiveThis study aimed to investigate the correlation between best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and retinal microstructural parameters detected by optical coherence tomography (OCT) in diabetic retinopathy macular edema (DRME).MethodsThirty-nine patients (64 eyes) with DRME were enrolled in this study. These patients underwent OCT to measure the fracture distance of the external limiting membrane (ELM), junction between the inner and outer segments (IS/OS), central foveal thickness (CFT), and edema layer. The correlation between the above parameters and BCVA was discussed.ResultsCFT and the fracture distances of the ELM and IS/OS layers were negatively correlated with BCVA (p<0.05 for all). There was significant difference in Logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution (LogMAR) BCVA among patients with inner retinal edema, outer retinal edema, and mixed retinal edema (F = 5.57, p = 0.01). The LogMAR BCVA of inner retinal edema was the lowest (p < 0.05), and the LogMAR BCVA of outer retinal edema and mixed retinal edema were comparable (p > 0.05).ConclusionIn eyes with DRME, thin CFT, intact ELM and IS/OS layers, and edema in inner retina is closely correlated with good BCVA.

Hyperreflective material serves as a potential biomarker of dyslipidemia in diabetic macular edema

PurposeThe aim of this study was to investigate the vision-affected optical coherence tomography (angiography) (OCT/OCTA)-based morphological characteristics of diabetic macular edema (DME) and to explain their possible underlying mechanisms from a systemic perspective. MethodsDiabetic patients with DME were included in this retrospective study. The clinical profiles and OCT/OCTA morphological characteristics were recorded. Linear mixed-model analyses were performed between best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and each OCT/OCTA morphological characteristic. Linear and logistic mixed-model analyses were performed between each vision-affected morphological characteristic and the clinical characteristics. ResultsEighty-five eyes of 85 patients were included. The number of hyperreflective dots (HDs) (p<0.001) and hyperreflective foci (HF) (p = 0.006) was positively correlated with LogMAR BCVA in the univariate analysis. The number of HDs (p = 0.008) remained correlated with LogMAR BCVA in the multivariate analysis. Eyes with an increased number of HF (p = 0.01) were more likely to have hard exudates within a fovea area diameter of 3 mm, while the relationship between the number of HDs and the presence of hard exudates did not reach significance. In the multivariate analysis, the increased level of total cholesterol (TC) (p = 0.004) and the reduced level of serum albumin (p = 0.014) were associated with an increased number of HDs, and the level of serum TC (p = 0.039) was positively associated with the number of HF. ConclusionHyperreflective material may be a predictor for BCVA and serves as a potential biomarker of dyslipidemia in DME. It was postulated that HF are mainly related to hard exudates and HDs are partially associated with microglial cell activation.

X-Linked Retinoschisis: Deep Phenotyping and Genetic Characterization

To examine the genetic and clinical features in children and adults with X-linked retinoschisis (XLRS). Single-center consecutive, retrospective, observational study. Adults and children with molecularly confirmed XLRS followed up between 1999 and2020. Analysis of genetic, clinical, and retinal imaging findings, including OCT and fundus autofluorescence (FAF), cross-sectionally and longitudinally, was performed. RS1, variants, type of variants and phenotype correlations, ageof onset, complications rates and types, fundoscopy findings,OCT metrics, FAF patterns,correlations including between best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and age, and OCT characteristics. One hundred thirty-two male patients were identified harboring 66 retinoschisin 1 variants, with 7 being novel. The mean age at onset was 16.5 years (range, 0-58 years). Seventy-one patients (71/75 [94.7%]) were symptomatic at presentation; all had decreased best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA). Funduscopy findings were symmetric in 104 patients (104/108 [96.3%]), with the most common finding being macular schisis (82.4%), whereas peripheral retinoschisis was present in 38.9% and macular atrophy was present in 11.1%. Twenty patients (18.5%) demonstrated complications (vitreous hemorrhage, retinal detachment, or both). Mean BCVA was 0.65 logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution (logMAR; Snellen equivalent, 20/89) in the right eye and 0.64 logMAR (Snellen equivalent, 20/87) in the left eye. Mean BCVA change over a mean interval of 6.7 years was 0.04 and 0.01 logMAR for right and left eyes, respectively. A normal FAF pattern was identified in 16 of 106 eyes (15.1%); 45 eyes (42.5%) showed a spoke-wheel pattern, 13 eyes (12.3%) showed foveal hyperautofluorescence, and 18 eyes (17.0%) showed a central reduction in signal. In total, 14 patients demonstrated evidence of progression on FAF over time. On OCT, foveoschisis was observed in 172 eyes (172/215 [80%]), parafoveal schisis was observed in 171 eyes (171/215 [79.5%]), and foveal atrophy was observed in 44 eyes (44/215 [20.5%]). Cystoid changes were localized to the inner nuclear layer (172/181 eyes [95%]), the outer nuclear layer (97/181 [53.6%]), and the ganglion cell layer (92/181 [50.8%]). Null variants were associated with worse final BCVA and aforementioned complications. X-linked retinoschisis is highly phenotypically variable, but with relative foveal and BCVA preservation until late adulthood, allowing more accurate prognostication. The slowly (often minimally) progressive disease course may pose a challenge in identification of early end points for therapeutic trials aimed at altering the kinetics of degeneration.

Clinical Features and Natural History in a Cohort of Chinese Patients with RPE65-Associated Inherited Retinal Dystrophy

RPE65-associated inherited retinal dystrophy (RPE65-IRD) is an early-onset retinal degeneration. The aim of this study was to describe the clinical features and natural course of this disease in a Chinese patient cohort with RPE65 biallelic variants. Thirty patients from 29 unrelated families with biallelic disease-causing RPE65 variants underwent full ophthalmic examinations. Thirteen were followed up over time. An additional 57 Chinese cases from 49 families were retrieved from the literature to analyze the relationship between best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and age. Our 30 patients presented age-dependent phenotypic characteristics. Multiple white dots were a clinical feature of young patients, while maculopathy, epiretinal membrane, and bone spicules were common in adult patients. Among the 84 patients, BCVA declined with age in a nonlinear, positive-acceleration relationship (p < 0.001). All patients older than 40 years met the WHO standard for low vision. Longitudinal observation revealed a slower visual acuity loss in patients younger than 20 years than those in their third or fourth decade of life. Our study detailed the clinical features and natural course of disease in Chinese patients with RPE65-IRD. Our results indicated that these patients have a relatively stable BCVA in childhood and adolescence, but eyesight deteriorates rapidly in the third decade of life. These findings may facilitate the implementation of gene therapy in China.

Optical Coherence Tomography Anatomic and Temporal Biomarkers in Uveitic Macular Edema

To assess the relationship between best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and optical coherence tomography (OCT) features in noninfectious uveitis (NIU)-related macular edema. Clinical cohort study from post hoc analysis of 2 phase 3 clinical trials. Correlation and longitudinal treatment analyses were performed. Of 198 patients with NIU, 134 received suprachoroidal CLS-TA (proprietary formulation of a triamcinolone acetonide injectable suspension), and 64 received sham, with 12.9% and 72%, respectively, receiving rescue therapy. At baseline, mean BCVA progressively worsened with each ordinal drop in central subfield ellipsoid zone (EZ) integrity. Eyes with normal baseline EZ experienced greater 24-week change in BCVA versus those with some degree of baseline EZ disruption (11.9 vs 9.4 letters, P=.006). In contrast, eyes with baseline central subfield cystoid spaces and/or subretinal fluid showed more improvement (13.7 or 17.2 letters, respectively) at 24 weeks, versus those without such findings (5.5 [P=.012] or 9.5 letters [P < .001], respectively). Longitudinal modeling for CLS-TA-treated eyes showed that central subfield thickness (CST) reached 90% of maximal improvement by week 3, whereas 90% maximal response in BCVA was not reached until week 9. CLS-TA-treated eyes that showed CST reduction of ≥50 µm at 4 weeks experienced a greater 24-week improvement in BCVA versus those without such an early response (14.6 vs 6.5 letters, P=.006 for difference). Pretreatment EZ integrity and the presence of central subfield cystoid spaces or subretinal fluid each predict improved therapeutic response to treatment in eyes with NIU. In CLS-TA treated eyes, longitudinal modeling shows CST improvement preceding BCVA improvement.

Optical Coherence Tomography Angiography Characteristics Serve as Retinal Vein Occlusion Therapeutic Biomarkers for Dexamethasone Intravitreal Implant.

Background Retinal vein occlusion (RVO) is the second most common vision-threatening retinal vascular disease. Intravitreal dexamethasone implant has been applied to treat macular edema secondary to RVO (RVO-ME). However, the alteration of morphologic features detected with optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) has not been fully studied in RVO-ME patients before and after the treatment. Objective This study is aimed at identifying potential therapeutic targets in RVO with integrative bioinformatic analysis and compares the OCTA characteristics alterations in patients with RVO-ME receiving injection of dexamethasone intravitreal implant. Methods Bioinformatic analysis was analyzed in GSE101398 dataset from the Gene Expression Omnibus database. Multiple functional enrichment analyses were performed, and protein-protein interaction network was constructed to visualize the key node genes. Eleven eyes with RVO-ME were examined with OCTA before and after intravitreal dexamethasone implant. The OCTA parameters, including macular thickness, vessel density, foveal avascular zone parameters, the number of hyperreflective foci (HRF), area of cystoid edema, and subretinal fluid (SRF), were compared. The correlation was analyzed between best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and OCTA parameters. Results A total of 79 differentially expressed genes were identified. Functional enrichment analyses revealed the enriched inflammatory events in RVO. In RVO-ME, Pearson correlation revealed that baseline BCVA was positively correlated with the area of SRF and central macular thickness, while no correlation was detected between baseline BCVA and HRF number or the area of cystoid edema. The visual acuity improved, and the central macular thickness was decreased after intravitreal dexamethasone implant injection. Besides, the number of HRF, the area of cystoid edema, and SRF were significantly alleviated after dexamethasone intravitreal injection. Conclusion Retinal inflammation plays a crucial role in RVO pathogenesis. The imaging biomarkers of RVO including Müller glial intracellular edema, and retinal pigment epithelium dysfunction, could be assessed in OCTA and attenuated by intravitreal dexamethasone implant effectively.