Foveal Hemorrhage Research Articles

Sub-Internal Limiting Membrane Foveal Hemorrhage Under Tension: OCT Biomarkers Predicting Macular Hole Formation after Submacular Hemorrhage.

To identify preoperative clinical characteristics of macular hole (MH) formation after vitrectomy for submacular hemorrhage (SMH) due to ruptured retinal arterial macroaneurysm (RAM). We retrospectively analyzed eyes with SMH due to ruptured RAM in patients who underwent vitrectomy and had more than one month of follow-up. We compared background factors and imaging findings between groups classified by MH presence. The primary outcomes were best-corrected visual acuity, and fundus and optical coherence tomography findings. We identified 48 eyes with SMH due to RAM rupture. MHs were identified in 8 eyes (16.3%); 4 intraoperatively and 4 postoperatively. Preoperative OCT findings revealed that all MH cases exhibited the highest retinal thickness at the foveal lesion with sub-internal limiting membrane (ILM) hemorrhage preoperatively. We termed this finding the "foveal mountain peak" (FMP) sign, characterized by sub-ILM hemorrhage where the peak of the retinal thickness coincides with the fovea. The incidence of FMP sign (+) cases was significantly higher in the MH (+) group compared with the MH (-) group (100% vs. 47.5%, respectively; P = 0.006). The presence of the FMP sign may indicate an increased risk of SMH-associated MH.

Three-dimensional locations of ruptured retinal arterial macroaneurysms and their associations with the visual prognosis

The aim of this retrospective, observational study was to examine the intraretinal locations of ruptured retinal arterial macroaneurysms (RMAs) and investigate the associations with the visual prognosis. Fifty patients (50 eyes) with untreated RMA rupture who visited the Department of Ophthalmology at Kyoto University Hospital (April 2014–July 2019) were included. The intraretinal position of the ruptured RMAs relative to the affected retinal artery was examined using optical coherence tomography (OCT) and color fundus photography (CFP). The relative RMA positions were anterior to (anterior type, 44%), at the same level as (lateral type, 20%), or posterior to (posterior type, 34%) the affected artery. At the initial visit, the posterior type showed greater subretinal hemorrhage thickness than did the lateral and anterior types (P = 0.016 and 0.006, respectively), and poorer visual acuity (VA) than did the anterior type (P = 0.005). At the final visit, the length of the foveal ellipsoid zone band defect was longer (P = 0.005) and VA was poorer (P < 0.001) for the posterior type than for the anterior type. The intraretinal positions of ruptured RMAs vary, affect the thickness of foveal subretinal hemorrhage and predict future damage to the foveal photoreceptors. The visual prognosis may be poor for posteriorly ruptured RMAs.

Visual acuity after intravitreal ranibizumab with and without laser therapy in the treatment of macular edema due to branch retinal vein occlusion: a 12-month retrospective analysis.

To identify factors contributing to visual improvement after treatment of macular edema (ME) secondary to branch retinal vein occlusion (BRVO), and to assess the interaction between laser therapy and intravitreal ranibizumab (IVR). We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of patients who had been treated for BRVO-related ME at our hospital. Records were traceable for at least 12mo, and evaluated factors included age, sex, medical history, smoking history, treatment methods, foveal hemorrhage, and change in visual acuity. Treatments included laser therapy, IVR, sub-Tenon's capsule injection of triamcinolone (STTA), a combination, or no intervention. Multivariate logistic regression analysis and interaction terms were used to assess the clinical efficacy of the treatments, and odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated. Seventy-three patients (34 men, 39 women; 73 eyes) with a mean age of 69.4±12.1y were included. Patients who underwent IVR monotherapy, laser monotherapy, and STTA+laser had significantly higher best corrected visual acuity at 12mo compared to baseline (P<0.001, <0.001, and 0.019, respectively). Logistic regression analysis without interaction terms found that IVR was a significant visual acuity recovery factor (adjusted OR: 3.89, 95%CI: 1.25-12.1, P=0.019). Adjusted OR using an interaction model by logistic regression was 16.6 (95%CI: 2.54-108.47, P=0.003) with IVR treatment, and 8.25 (95%CI: 1.34-50.57, P=0.023) with laser treatment. No interaction was observed (adjusted OR: 0.07, 95%CI: 0.01-0.75, P=0.029). IVR contributes to improvements in visual acuity at 12mo in ME secondary to BRVO. No interaction is observed between laser therapy and IVR treatments.

Central Retinal Vein Occlusion: The Effect of Antiplatelet and Anticoagulant Agents.

This work evaluates the effect of antiplatelet and anticoagulant agents on clinical outcomes, optical coherence tomography (OCT) parameters, and macular ischemia in eyes with central retinal vein occlusion (CRVO). A retrospective longitudinal cohort study was performed to evaluate patients with CRVO. Demographics, OCT parameters before and after treatment, macular ischemia on fluorescein angiography, and clinical outcomes including the number of injections received were analyzed. A total of 365 patients with CRVO were identified. The average follow-up was 36 months. Antiplatelet or anticoagulant agent use was not associated with a significant difference in visual acuity (VA), prevalence of macular edema, or central subfield thickness on OCT at presentation or final visit. The use of 81-mg aspirin alone was associated with an increased prevalence of foveal hemorrhage at presentation. Patients who were taking an antiplatelet agent, an anticoagulation agent, or both and had an ischemic CRVO with logMAR VA of less than 1.0 experienced improved VA at the final study visit. Patients given antiplatelet or anticoagulant agents had a similar incidence of neovascular sequelae compared with patients not administered these agents. In eyes with CRVO, the use of antiplatelet or anticoagulant agents at CRVO onset was not associated with significantly different functional outcomes, except in ischemic CRVO eyes with VA of less than 20/200. The use of 81-mg aspirin was associated with foveal hemorrhage at CRVO presentation. Otherwise, the use of any antiplatelet agent or anticoagulation was not associated with any CRVO structural outcomes.

What Is Left After Resolution of Neonatal Retinal Hemorrhage: The Longitudinal Long-term Outcome in Foveal Structure and Visual Function

Neonatal retinal hemorrhage (NRH) is one of the most common neonatal fundus conditions. Hemorrhage resolves spontaneously; however, its long-term outcome is unknown yet. The current study explores the long-term role of NRH in foveal structure and visual function. Cohort study (a prospective longitudinal study, in which the participants were followed up for 4-6 years). A total of 125 healthy newborns during 2013-2015, including 50 newborns with NRH and 75 newborns without NRH, were enrolled. The eyes with NRH were further categorized into the foveal hemorrhage (FH) group and non-FH group. A comprehensive ophthalmic examination including best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) measurement, slit-lamp examination, refractive error measurement, scanning laser ophthalmoscopy, and spectral-domain OCT was performed. Total retinal thickness (TRT) and the inner and outer retinal layers in the fovea were measured and compared. The NRH was absorbed within 2.1 ± 0.98 weeks (median: 3 weeks). No difference was noted in the demographic characteristics between the groups; there was no significant difference in the logMAR BCVA (P=.83) or in the TRT. Subgroup analysis showed that TRT at the fovea in the FH group was significantly thicker (P=.005). Segmentation analysis showed a significantly thicker foveal outer nuclear layer (ONL) in the FH group (P=.017). Birth-related retinal hemorrhage, even FH, might not lead to obvious visual abnormalities at the age of 4 years, at least according to this study with relatively small sample size. However, a thicker fovea, mainly attributed to a wider ONL and a shallower foveal pit, is noted in our study.

Systemic antiplatelet agents and anticoagulants in eyes with branch retinal vein occlusion

Purpose:The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of systemic antiplatelet agents and anticoagulants on the structural and functional outcomes of eyes with branch retinal vein occlusion (BRVO).Methods:A retrospective longitudinal cohort study was performed on BRVO patients evaluated at a single tertiary care referral center between 2009 and 2017. Medical records were reviewed for antiplatelet agent and anticoagulant use including aspirin, clopidogrel, warfarin, rivaroxaban, apixaban, or dabigatran prior to BRVO onset. In addition, optical coherence tomography (OCT) parameters, clinical outcomes, and treatment patterns were also recorded.Results:A total of 354 BRVO eyes were identified with a mean follow-up time of 36 months. Antiplatelet or anticoagulant use was associated with presence of cystoid macular edema (CME) at presentation after controlling for potential confounding variables in a multivariate logistic regression. Multivariate regression also revealed an association between foveal hemorrhage at presentation and use of antiplatelet or anticoagulant medications. There were no significant differences in visual acuity or prevalence of CME at the final visit in those with antiplatelet/anticoagulant use compared to those not on these agents.Conclusion:Although the use of systemic antiplatelet or anticoagulant agents was associated with increased prevalence of CME and foveal hemorrhage at presentation of BRVO, the use of these medications was not associated with different visual or structural outcomes at the final visit.

Surgical Treatment of Retinal Branch Venous Occlusion and Related Complications

Branch retinal vein occlusion (BRVO) is the second most common cause of the retinal vascular disease after diabetic retinopathy. Vision loss from BRVO may be associated with multiple causes, including macular edema, macular ischemia, foveal hemorrhage, vitreous hemorrhage, epiretinal membrane, and retinal detachment. To date, no proven effective treatment has been shown in randomized studies. Several treatment modalities have been used in order to reestablish the venous outflow of the retina as well as for the treatment of complications. In this review, we aimed to discuss the surgical treatment approaches in the treatment of BRVO, in which some of these treatment options were already abandoned.

Outcome of universal newborn eye screening with wide-field digital retinal image acquisition system: a pilot study.

PurposeTo evaluate the outcome of universal newborn eye screening with wide-field digital retinal imaging (WFDRI) system.MethodsIn this pilot study, we examined 1152 apparently healthy newborn infants in the obstetrics and gynecology ward of a civil hospital in Eastern India over 1.5 years. The examination included external eye examination, red reflex test and fundus imaging by WFDRI (RetCam II, Clarity medical system, Pleasanton, CA, USA) by a trained optometrist. The pathologies detected, net monetary gain and skilled manpower saved were documented. The results were compared with three similar studies thus far published in the literature.ResultsOcular abnormality of any kind was seen in 172 (14.93%) babies. Retinal hemorrhage in 153 babies (88.9% of all abnormal findings) was the most common abnormality; it was bilateral in 118 (77.12%) babies and 4 babies had foveal hemorrhage. Other abnormalities included vitreous hemorrhage (n=1), congenital glaucoma (n=2), uveal coloboma (n=2), retinopathy mimicking retinopathy of prematurity (n=2), and cystic fovea (n=3). The retinal hemorrhages resolved spontaneously in all eyes. One baby with congenital glaucoma received surgery and the other was treated medically. The benefits included savings in skilled manpower, a net monetary gain of INR 4.195 million (US$ 62,612) and skilled manpower saving by 319.4 h.ConclusionsThe universal neonatal eye screening using WFDRI detected pathologies that needed immediate care or regular follow up; saved skilled manpower with a net monetary gain. But compared to a red reflex test the benefits were marginal in terms of detecting treatment warranting ocular pathologies.

Retinal and Optic Nerve Hemorrhages in the Newborn Infant: One-Year Results of the Newborn Eye Screen Test Study

To report the birth prevalence, risk factors, characteristics, and location of fundus hemorrhages (FHs) of the retina and optic nerve present in newborns at birth. Prospective cohort study at Stanford University School of Medicine. All infants who were 37 weeks postmenstrual age or older and stable were eligible for screening. Infants with known or suspected infectious conjunctivitis were excluded. Infants born at Lucile Packard Children's Hospital (LPCH) from July 25, 2013, through July 25, 2014, were offered universal newborn screening via wide-angle digital retinal photography in the Newborn Eye Screen Test study. Maternal, obstetric, and neonatal factors were obtained from hospital records. The location, retinal layer, and laterality of FH were recorded by 1 pediatric vitreoretinal specialist. Birth prevalence of FH. Secondary outcomes included rate of adverse events, risk factors for FH, hemorrhage characteristics, and adverse events. The birth prevalence of FH in this study was 20.3% (41/202 infants). Ninety-five percent of FHs involved the periphery, 83% involved the macula, and 71% involved multiple layers of the retina. The fovea was involved in 15% of FH cases (birth prevalence, 3.0%). No cases of bilateral foveal hemorrhage were found. Fundus hemorrhages were more common in the left eye than the right. Fundus hemorrhages were most commonly optic nerve flame hemorrhages (48%) and white-centered retinal hemorrhages (30%). Retinal hemorrhages were found most frequently in all 4 quadrants (35%) and more often were multiple than solitary. Macular hemorrhages most often were intraretinal (40%). Among the risk factors examined in this study, vaginal delivery compared with cesarean section (odds ratio [OR], 9.34; 95% confidence interval [CI], 2.57-33.97) showed the greatest level of association with FH. Self-identified ethnicity as Hispanic or Latino showed a protective effect (OR, 0.43; 95% CI, 0.20-0.94). Other study factors were not significant. Fundus hemorrhages are common among newborns. They often involve multiple areas and layers of the retina. Vaginal delivery was associated with a significantly increased risk of FH, whereas self-identified Hispanic or Latino ethnicity was protective against FH in this study. The long-term consequences of FH on visual development remain unknown.

Foveal hemorrhage in an immunocompetent patient with visceral leishmaniasis

ObjectiveTo report a case of foveal and macular intraretinal hemorrhages in an immunocompetent male patient with visceral leishmaniasis. Case reportAn immunocompetent, 42-year-old male, presented with progressive visual loss and metamorphopsia in his right eye. The fundus examination showed a foveal round yellow lesion and intraretinal hemorrhages in the macula. The patient was hospitalized with fever, anorexia, weight loss, hepatosplenomegaly, and progressive anemia. Laboratory studies were conducted and a positive test for leishmaniasis and hepatitis A was reported. Treatment was begun with amphotericin B 50mg/day up to a total dose of 1400mg. ConclusionBilateral retinal hemorrhages in an endemic country could suggest the diagnosis of visceral leishmaniasis.

Retinal photoreceptor focal disruption secondary to accidental Nd:YAG laser exposure

Retinal injuries caused by accidental laser exposure include retinal or vitreous hemorrhages, macular holes and edema. We describe the imaging of a bilateral macular lesion secondary to accidental Nd:YAG laser exposure. Observational case report. We performed color photography, fluorescein angiography and autofluorescence (AF) with a scanning laser ophthalmoscope, as well as time-domain and spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (OCT). After accidental exposure to a 1064nm Nd:YAG laser, a patient experienced blurred vision in the left eye (LE) with visual acuity of 20/60. Color, fluorescein angiography and OCT imaging showed a retinal hemorrhage in the foveal area of the left eye and in the inferomacular region of the asymptomatic right eye. Steroid therapy was then administered, and 5days later there was rapid improvement with progressive re-absorption of the hemorrhages and functional recovery. At 6month follow-up, visual acuity was 20/20 in both eyes with unremarkable biomicroscopy, except for focal foveal retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) atrophy in the LE. In comparison to previous hemorrhages, OCT could visualize focal disruption of the photoreceptor IS/OS junction in both eyes. Due to different macular pigment distribution and lesion localization, 787nm near-infrared AF depicted a small hypofluorescent spot in both eyes, whilst at 488nm AF a black spot became evident in the right eye only. Despite the re-absorption of foveal hemorrhage and the functional recovery, AF and OCT imaging highlighted the persistence of small focal disruptions of the photoreceptor outer segments and RPE.

LONG-TERM VISUAL OUTCOMES AFTER VITRECTOMY FOR MACULAR EDEMA WITH FOVEAL HEMORRHAGE IN BRANCH RETINAL VEIN OCCLUSION

To determine the long-term visual outcomes after vitreous surgery for macular edema with foveal hemorrhage associated with branch retinal vein occlusion (BRVO). One hundred twenty eyes of 120 patients underwent pars plana vitrectomy with or without internal limiting membrane (ILM) peeling for macular edema with foveal hemorrhage due to BRVO with a minimum 12 months of follow-up. Simultaneous cataract extraction with intraocular lens implantation was performed on 117 phakic eyes. Follow-up after surgery ranged from 12 months to 129 months (average, 48 months). Visual acuity improved in 71% of cases at the 1-year visit. Mean visual acuity significantly increased from 0.24 (median, 0.3) before surgery to 0.57 (median, 0.7) 1 year after surgery (P < 0.0001) and 0.66 (median, 0.9) at the final visit (P < 0.0001). There was a significant difference between visual acuity at 1 year after surgery and visual acuity at the final visit (P < 0.0001). Of 120 patients, 95 (79%) had final visual acuity of > or =0.5, and 55 (46%) had final visual acuity of > or =1.0. ILM removal did not seem to have significant beneficial effects on visual outcomes in this series. No serious complications occurred during the follow-up period. After vitreous surgery for macular edema with foveal hemorrhage associated with BRVO, visual acuity continued to improve beyond 1 year after surgery. A randomized, multicenter clinical trial is warranted to determine the efficacy of this procedure.

Syndrome de tortuosité artérielle rétinien dominant

Autosomal dominant syndrome of retinal arterial tortuosity is a rare condition, often discovered after a benign macular hemorrhage. We report here the case of a 52-year-old man who was refereed to our center for an abrupt decrease in vision after an effort. The initial visual acuity was 2/10 for distance and Parinaud 6 for near vision. The biomicroscopic examination showed a small foveal hemorrhage associated with loops and bilateral vascular tortuosities limited to the arterioles. The aspect evoked inherited retinal arteriolar tortuosity. Questioning the patient revealed an antecedent of macular hemorrhage in the patient's sister that had spontaneously resolved. After a few months, redfree photographs were obtained from the two asymptomatic daughters of the patient, which showed a dominant arterial tortuosity in one of the two daughters, confirming the familial aspect of the disease. The case described here illustrates the advantage of biomicroscopy in establishing the diagnosis and the usefulness of questioning the patient further to disclose family history. Imagery studies complement the examination to eliminate other causes for the decrease in vision. Some recently published data suggest an advantage to including at least the search for a microscopic or macroscopic hematuria during the assessment.

Vitreoretinal surgery for complications of branch retinal vein occlusion

Branch retinal vein occlusion (BRVO) is second only to diabetic retinopathy as a cause of retinal vascular disease. Vision loss from BRVO may be associated with multiple causes, including macular edema, macular ischemia, foveal hemorrhage, vitreous hemorrhage, epiretinal membrane, and retinal detachment. The few published studies that report outcomes of pars plana vitrectomy for complications of BRVO consist only of case reports and small case series, limitations of which include small sample sizes and lack of comparison groups. Given the variable outcomes among patients with untreated BRVO, comparison groups are necessary for accurate evaluation of the efficacy of pars plana vitrectomy for BRVO.

A prospective, randomized, double-masked trial on radiation therapy for neovascular age-related macular degeneration (RAD study)

Objective To determine the efficacy of external beam radiation therapy on choroidal neovascularization (CNV) secondary to age-related macular degeneration (ARMD). Design Multicenter, parallel, randomized, double-masked clinical trial performed at nine ophthalmic and radiotherapeutic centers. Participants Two hundred five patients were randomly assigned either to treatment with 8 fractions of 2 Gy external beam irradiation (n = 101) or to control with 8 fractions of 0 Gy (sham treatment, n = 104). Both patients and ophthalmologists were masked with regard to applied treatment. Patients with subfoveal classic or occult CNV, visual acuity of 20/320 or greater on the Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study chart, lesion size of 6 disc areas or less, history of visual symptoms of 6 months or less, and absence of foveal hemorrhage were recruited. Intervention In the treatment group, external beam irradiation with 8 fractions of 2 Gy was performed, whereas in the control group, sham treatment with 8 fractions of 0 Gy was applied. Main outcome measures Primary outcome measure was the difference in visual acuity between baseline and after 1 year of follow-up. Results One hundred eighty-three patients (89.3%) completed the 1-year follow-up. The mean reduction in visual acuity was 3.5 ± 4.7 lines in 88 patients of the 8- × 2-Gy treatment group and 3.7 ± 3.8 lines in 95 patients of the 8- × 0-Gy control group. This difference was not statistically significant ( P = 0.53, Mann-Whitney U test). At 1 year, 51.1% of treated patients and 52.6% of control subjects lost three or more lines ( P = 0.88). Visual acuity in the presence of classic CNV dropped by 3.7 ± 4.4 lines in 33 patients of the treatment group versus 4.3 ± 3.9 lines in 36 patients of the control group ( P = 0.47). Visual acuity in 114 patients with occult CNV dropped by 3.4 ± 4.9 in the treatment group (55 patients) versus 3.4 ± 3.8 lines in the control group (59 patients) ( P = 0.80). Conclusions In this randomized study, radiation therapy at a dose of 16 Gy applied in 8 fractions of 2 Gy provided no benefit as a treatment for subfoveal CNV secondary to ARMD at 1 year.

Idiopathic juvenile macular sub-retinal neovascularization: to treat or not to treat

Juvenile macular sub-retinal neovascularization is an exceedingly rare condition. It occurs in patients under the age of 20. Subretinal neovascularization is so rare in patients less than twenty years of age, that the macular photocoagulation study presents data only for patients 18 years of age or older. This poster describes a 17-year-old female with a foveal hemorrhage secondary to idiopathic juvenile macular sub-retinal neovascularization in one eye. Although the patient was given the treatment option of laser, she refused, and opted for close observation instead. In this case the hemorrhage resolved spontaneously and left the patient with 20/80 vision. The rationale for and against laser treatment is discussed. The significance of the Macular Photocoagulation Study is reviewed with respect to this case.