Visual Acuity Gain Research Articles

Consensus d’experts français sur les critères de choix d’un traitement de 1re intention dans la DMLA néovasculaire et importance du ratio bénéfice/risque à long terme

Choosing a first-line treatment to optimize long-term outcomes is a major challenge for treating patients with neovascular age-related macular degeneration (AMD). The development of several new molecules makes it critical to identify the relevant factors to consider so as to provide an optimal risk-benefit ratio when initiating a treatment in naïve patients with neovascular AMD. This paper proposes a consensus established with the Delphi method (which includes a gradation in a consensus based on an analysis of the convergence rate of answers) to provide criteria that guide the ophthalmologist's decision for treatment initiation and follow-up in neovascular AMD patients. Fourteen questions were submitted to 93 French retina experts. Thirteen (93%) of the questions reached a consensus (≥50% of answers consensual). The criteria recommended to take into account were both efficacy and onset of action of the molecules, their safety, and the ability to decrease injection frequency. The primary criterion of expected efficacy of a molecule is a combination of the gain in visual acuity and resorption of retinal fluid. With regard to safety, experts recommend tighter follow-up for molecules currently in development, and at every scheduled visit, patients should be screened to identify early any potential adverse effects such as intraocular inflammation, retinal vasculitis or vascular occlusion. Experts also emphasize the importance of the packaging of the biological, with a preference toward prefilled syringes. Injection frequency is a key factor, and the authors recommended aiming for a maximal injection interval of 12 to 16 weeks. The stability of that maximum interval is also an important factor to consider in treatment selection.

Visual outcomes and associated factors of primary congenital glaucoma in children.

We evaluated the long-term visual outcomes in children with primary congenital glaucoma and determined the factors associated with the final visual outcomes. Medical records of children with primary congenital glaucoma between 2005 and 2016, seen at Seoul National University Children's Hospital in South Korea, were reviewed. The minimum follow-up period after surgery for primary congenital glaucoma was 3years. Visual acuity (VA) was categorized into good (≧20/70) and poor (< 20/70). Factors including age, VA, refractive errors, intraocular pressure (IOP), laterality, and cup-to-disc (C/D) ratio were compared between the groups. A total of 71 eyes of 44 patients were included. The patients' age at the time of surgery was 14.7 ± 12.2months. The mean IOP was 28.3 ± 7.0mmHg. During 6.7 ± 2.7years of mean follow-up after surgery, 39 eyes (54.9%) needed occlusion treatment. After occlusion, patients with lower IOP values, lesser additional surgeries, reversal of optic disc cupping, and better initially measured VA achieved a better visual outcome. At the final assessment, the mean age was 7.8 ± 2.6years, and the mean VA gain was 15.0 ± 19.4 letters. There were 44 eyes (62.0%) with VA ≧20/70. In children with primary congenital glaucoma, IOP control and the optic disc configuration over time are important factors associated with visual outcome. Regular follow-up and correction of refractive errors-along with occlusion for those with difference in VA between the two eyes-might be helpful for achieving better visual outcomes.

Real-World Effectiveness, Treatment Pattern, and Safety of Ranibizumab in Korean Patients with Neovascular Age-Related Macular Degeneration: Subgroup Analyses from the LUMINOUS Study.

PurposeTo evaluate the real-world effectiveness, treatment patterns, and safety of ranibizumab in Korean patients with neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD).MethodsLUMINOUS™ is a 5-year, global, prospective, observational, open-label study. Adults aged ≥18 years who were either treatment-naïve or prior-treated were enrolled and treated with ranibizumab 0.5 mg as per the local label. Outcome measures included mean (± standard deviation [SD]) changes from baseline in visual acuity (VA) and central retinal thickness (CRT), and rate of ocular and non-ocular adverse events (AEs).ResultsOverall, 367 Korean patients with nAMD (152 treatment-naïve and 215 prior-treated) were enrolled. The mean (SD) VA changes from baseline at 1-year were +10.1 (±21.77; P=0.0005) and +1.4 (±15.17; P=0.2142) Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study letters, with mean numbers of injections of 5.2 and 3.4 in the treatment-naïve and prior-treated groups, respectively. VA gains were greater in patients with lower baseline VA, who received a loading dose, and with polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy (PCV). Multivariate logistic regression analyses demonstrated younger age, worse baseline VA, and those who received loading dose being associated with higher odds of any gain in VA at 1 year (P<0.05). Mean (SD) CRT changes from baseline were –126.7 (±174.90) µm (P<0.0001) and +10.8 (±89.62) µm (P=0.5833) in the treatment-naïve and prior-treated groups, respectively, with greater reductions observed in patients with PCV. Ocular and non-ocular AEs were reported in 8.4% (n=31) and 10.1% (n=37) of patients, respectively.ConclusionThe LUMINOUS study confirms real-world effectiveness and safety of ranibizumab in Korean patients with nAMD; factors including age, baseline VA, and loading-dose were associated with VA gain at one-year post-treatment.

Descemet Membrane Endothelial Keratoplasty Outcomes between Young and Old Graft Recipients

ABSTRACT Purpose: To evaluated Descemet’s membrane endothelial keratoplasty (DMEK) outcomes in young and old graft recipients. Materials and Methods: Data of 164 surgeries with a median age of 76 years (interquartile range 14 years) undergoing DMEK surgery between 2016 and 2018 was reviewed. Complications, graft survival, and visual acuity gain were compared between subjects in the 25th percentile (young recipients; aged 70 years and less, n = 21) and 75th percentile (old recipients; aged 85 years and over, n = 27) over the 2-year follow-up. Results: Young recipients had a lower rate of pre-operative glaucoma (14.3% vs. 51.9%, p = .014) and pseudophakic bullous keratopathy (9.5% vs. 59.3%, p < .001), and a higher rate of Fuchs endothelial dystrophy (57.1% vs. 14.8%, p = .002) and combined cataract extraction at the time of DMEK surgery (52.4% vs. 7.4%, p = .001) when compared to old recipients. Complications (primary graft failure, pupillary block, cystoid macular edema or infectious keratitis) were independent of graft recipient age. Descemet’s membrane detachment requiring re-bubbling was observed more often in young compared to the old recipients (42.9% vs. 14.8%, p = .049). Visual acuity gain between the groups remained comparable up to 1-year, whereas at 2-years old recipients showed significantly declined visual acuity gains compared to the young recipients (0.14 ± 0.68 vs. 0.74 ± 0.49, p = .012). Graft recipients aged over 85 years had a considerably higher graft failure rate over the 24-months (40.7% vs. 4.8%, p = .006) and shorter graft survival time (p = .002; log-rank) when compared to the recipients aged under 70 years. After adjusting for potential confounders such as Fuchs endothelial dystrophy, pseudophakic bullous keratopathy and glaucoma, the recipients aged over 85 remained at higher risk for graft failure (HR = 17.278, 95% CI = 1.787–167.1, p = .014). Conclusions: In aged DMEK recipients, regardless of the low incidence of early postoperative complications, the rate of postoperative graft failure was significantly higher and graft survival shorter than in younger recipients.

Comparing Effectiveness of Three Different Anti-VEGF Treatment Regimens for Neovascular Age-Related Macular Degeneration: Two Years' Real-World Clinical Outcomes.

PurposeTo compare and report the 2-year treatment outcomes from 3 different anti-VEGF treatment regimens in treating neovascular aged-related macular degeneration (nAMD): Ranibizumab pro re nata (Ranibizumab-PRN); Ranibizumab treat and extend (Ranibizumab-T&E); Aflibercept fixed first year dosing (7 injections) with treat and extend in subsequent year (Aflibercept-Fixed).MethodsAll treatment-naïve nAMD patients who completed 24 months of monitoring from a single treatment center were included. Patients received the initial loading dose of three injections (4-weekly interval), followed by one of the 3 treatment regimens. Primary outcomes were changes in visual acuity (VA) and central retinal thickness (CRT). Secondary outcome was number of injections required in each year. Data analysis included last observation carried forward (LOCF) for patients with incomplete year-2 follow-up.ResultsA total of 249 eyes (230 patients) were studied: 121 Ranibizumab-PRN; 65 Ranibizumab-T&E, and 63 Aflibercept-Fixed. Baseline median VA (ETDRS letters) for Ranibizumab-PRN, Ranibizumab-T&E, and Aflibercept-Fixed was 53.9, 61.1, and 54.9 letters, achieving final VA of 54.9, 65.1, and 65.1 letters, respectively. Hence, the number of letters increased at the end of 24 months for each group was +1.0 (Ranibizumab-PRN), +4.0 (Ranibizumab-T&E), highest +10.2 in Aflibercept-Fixed group. Median number of injections over 2 years (year-1/year-2) was 5/1 for Ranibizumab-PRN, 9/6 for Ranibizumab-T&E, and 7/5 for Aflibercept-Fixed. Both Ranibizumab-T&E and Aflibercept-Fixed also shared the same reduction of median CRT (115 µm), higher than Ranibizumab-PRN (83 µm).ConclusionWe report VA improvement from all three different treatment regimens with both Aflibercept-Fixed and Ranibizumab-T&E regimens achieving the same higher final VA. Aflibercept-Fixed dosing may have more favorable efficacy with the highest VA gain and comparatively lower dosing frequency whereas Ranibizumab-T&E may be more efficient than Ranibizumab-PRN regimen, according to our study.

Intravitreal Ranibizumab Versus Aflibercept for Diabetic Macular Edema in Vitrectomized Eyes: 12 Month Results

ABSTRACT Purpose To evaluate and compare the effect of intravitreal ranibizumab and aflibercept on the treatment of diabetic macular edema in previously vitrectomized eyes. Materials and Methods A total of fifty-two vitrectomized eyes with diabetic macular edema were retrospectively evaluated. Patients were divided into two groups; Group 1 (n = 30 eyes) received 0.5 mg/0.05 mL intravitreal ranibizumab and Group 2 (n = 22 eyes) received 2 mg/0.05 mL intravitreal aflibercept for 3 monthly injections and thereafter as needed over 12 months. Best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), central macular thickness (CMT) and injection number of the drugs were the outcomes of the study. Results Fifty-two previously vitrectomized eyes were enrolled in this study. Thirty-eight of them (73.1%) were male and 14 (26.9%) were female. The mean age was 61.54 ± 7.33 year (range: 50–72 year). BCVA increased and CMT decreased significantly in both groups at the end of the follow-up period (p < .05). The change in BCVA and CMT was not statistically different between the groups (p > .05). However, there was a statistically significant difference between the groups in terms of the injection number (p < .05). Conclusion Both ranibizumab and aflibercept were found to be effective on diabetic macular edema in previously vitrectomized eyes. There was no difference between the groups in terms of visual acuity gain and CMT improvement. However, the number of injections was found to be lower in aflibercept group. Therefore, aflibercept may be preferred in the treatment of macular edema in previously vitrectomized eyes.

Characteristics and management of macular hole developing after rhegmatogenous retinal detachment repair.

To report characteristics of patients developing full-thickness macular hole (MH) after rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD) repair surgery. We also compared patients developing MH with and without accompanying RRD recurrence regarding anatomical and visual outcomes of MH repair. Retrospective study. Medical records of patients who developed MH after RRD repair between January 2002 and January 2018 were reviewed. We performed 1661 primary RRD operations during the study period and 14 of these developed MH, an incidence of 0.8%. Nine patients had their primary RRD repair surgery in another clinic and were referred to our clinic after development of MH. In total 23 patients with MH secondary to RRD repair were included in the study. The type of RRD repair surgery was scleral buckling only in 4 patients (17%), pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) only in 14 patients (61%), and sequential scleral buckling and PPV in 5 patients (22%). Nineteen patients (83%) had macula-off RRD. In 12 patients (52%), MH developed within 3months after RRD repair. Surgery for MH repair was performed in 18 patients. Postoperative best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) was better than preoperative BCVA in the group with RRD recurrence as well as in the group without RRD recurrence (both P < 0.05). There wasn't a significant difference between these groups regarding postoperative visual gain and anatomical success (P > 0.05). MH can develop after various surgical methods of RRD repair. Anatomic closure and visual acuity gain can be achieved even if patients have accompanying RRD recurrence.

To study early and late effect of intravitreal injection Ranibizumab on Cystoid Macular Edema(CME) due to Branch Retinal Vein Occlusion (BRVO)

: To study early and late effect of intravitreal injection Ranibizumab on Cystoid Macular Edema(CME) because of Branch Retinal Vein Occlusion (BRVO). This Study included 25 Patients (age group≥18 year) with cystoid macular edema because of branch retinal vein occlusion attending to department of ophthalmology Nehru Chikitsalaya, B.R.D. Medical college, Gorakhpur.An observational study has been concluded in which early and late effect of intravitreal injection Ranibizumab on cystoid macular edema because of branch retinal vein occlusion. The mean age group being 58.53 year of total 25 patients with 13 male and 12 female patients with no dropout throughout the study. In 1 month of post injecton observation, 10 (40%) patients who presented within 1 month of onset of BRVO showed more gain in visual acuity and more reduction in central macular thickness (CMT) as compare to 15 (60%) patients who presented after 1 month of onset of BRVO.: Intravitreal Ranibizumab is more effective in patients presented early than late in improving best corrected visual acuity ( BCVA) and decreasing CMT.

Factors associated with 1-year visual response following intravitreal bevacizumab treatment for diabetic macular edema: a retrospective single center study

BackgroundTo explore the association of clinical characteristics and retinal microstructural features on optical coherence tomography in predicting 1-year visual response following intravitreal bevacizumab injections in eyes with visual impairment from center-involved diabetic macular edema (CI-DME).MethodsMedical records of patients with visual impairment from CI-DME, who initiated intravitreal bevacizumab injections between Jan 2012 and Dec 2016 and were followed for a minimum of 12 months were retrospectively reviewed.ResultsThe study included 226 eyes with a mean (SD) baseline visual acuity (VA) of 51.8 (19.1) letters. At week 12, following the three initial treatments, a mean (SD) VA improved to 61.7 (17.8) letters. Visual gain ≥ 10 letters was observed in 109 eyes (48.2%), while a limited early visual gain < 5 letters was noted in 80 eyes (35.4%). At one year, 110 eyes (48.7%) achieved a good VA gain ≥ 10 letters. In addition, eyes with poor baseline VA had a higher proportion of eyes that obtained limited early VA gained at week 12 (< 5 letters) and maintained in this visual response category at moth 12 compared to eyes with better baseline VA (74.1% versus 59.1%). In the multivariable logistic regression, the following factors reduced the probability of 1-year visual gain ≥ 10 letters: elderly (p = 0.040), better baseline vision (p = 0.001), and limited early visual gain < 5 letters at week 12 (p < 0.001). In multivariable linear regression, male (p = 0.010) and eyes with the presence of hyperreflective foci on baseline OCT (p = 0.010) were likely to have higher VA improvement. However, eyes with better baseline VA (p = 0.002), limited early VA gain at week 12 (p < 0.001), and a presence of EZ disruption at week 12 (p = 0.002) were likely to have less VA improvement.ConclusionsAlthough bevacizumab is considered as effective management for CI-DME, variability in treatment responses is expected. This study revealed that baseline characteristics and visual responses at week 12 might help predict the long-term treatment response. Eyes with characteristics at risk of limited long-term visual outcome may require attention in optimizing their individual treatment strategies.

GRAding of functional and anatomical response to DExamethasone implant in patients with Diabetic Macular Edema: GRADE-DME Study

To analyze functional and anatomical response patterns to dexamethasone (DEX) implant in diabetic macular edema (DME), to describe proportion of responders and non-responders, and to propose a new DME grading system. Retrospective, multicenter, observational cohort study. Naïve and non-naïve DME patients were treated with DEX, with visual acuity (VA) ≥ 0.2 logMAR and central subfield thickness (CST) of ≥ 300 µm. Functional and anatomical responses were graded after 2 and 4 months, and categorized as early and stable improvement, early and progressive improvement, pendular response, delayed improvement, and persistent non-response. 417 eyes were included (175 treatment naïve eyes). Compared to non-naïve eyes, naïve eyes showed a very good functional response (VA gain ≥ 10 letters) more frequently after 2 and 4 months (56% and 57% [naïve] vs. 33% and 28% [non-naïve], p < 0.001). A VA gain < 5 letters (non-response) after 2 and 4 months was seen in 18% and 16% of naïve eyes, and in 49% and 53% of non-naïve eyes (p < 0.001). A lack of anatomical response was rare in both groups, but more frequently in non-naïve eyes (12% vs. 4%, p = 0.003). Functionally and anatomically, naïve eyes showed most frequently an early and stable improvement (functionally: 77/175 44%; anatomically: 123/175 eyes, 70%). Most non-naïve eyes experienced no significant improvement functionally (97/242 eyes, 40%), despite a mostly early and stable improvement anatomical response pattern (102/242 eyes, 42%). Functional but not anatomical response patterns were influenced by baseline VA. Naïve and non-naïve eyes show different functional and anatomical response patterns to DEX implant. Functional non-responders are rare in naïve eyes, whereas anatomical non-response is unusual in both groups.

Visual outcomes following cataract surgery in age-related macular degeneration patients

ObjectiveTo evaluate visual acuity (VA) outcomes, prognostic factors, and changes in disease severity in patients with age-related macular degeneration (AMD) undergoing cataract surgery. DesignRetrospective cohort study ParticipantsPatients with AMD or healthy control patients who underwent cataract surgery between 2012 and 2017. MethodsEyes were categorized into 3 AMD groups—intermediate AMD (iAMD), fovea-involving geographic atrophy (GA), neovascular AMD (nAMD)—and 3 preoperative VA-matched control groups (iAMDc), fovea-involving geographic atrophy control (GAc), neovaascular AMD control (nAMDc). ResultsWe compared 216 iAMD, 35 GA, and 184 nAMD eyes with 130, 31, and 129 controls. At postoperative month 12 (POM12), VA increased significantly in iAMD and nAMD (+10.1 ± 14.5 and +9.7 ± 18.9 letters, p < 0.001), but not in GA (p = 0.68). All control groups showed significant VA gains (iAMDc: +17.1 ± 9.7, GAc: +30 ± 12.9, and nAMDc: +26.4 ± 15.6 letters, p < 0.001). For AMD groups, POM12 VA and gain in VA were significantly lower than that of controls (p < 0.01), and better preoperative VA predicted smaller VA gains (p ≤ 0.007). Longer duration of AMD in iAMD, ellipsoid zone disruption in nAMD, and lower central subfield thickness in GA were associated with poorer VA outcomes (p < 0.05). Development of nAMD occurred in 8 iAMD eyes and was associated with longer duration of disease (p = 0.001). For nAMD eyes, injection frequency did not vary between the 12-month pre- and postoperative periods (p = 0.051). ConclusionsCataract surgery improves VA for patients with iAMD and nAMD, albeit not to the level of those without retinal pathology. Preoperative VA, AMD duration, and optical coherence tomography parameters may be important prognostic factors for cataract surgery in patients with AMD.

The predictive value of ectopic inner retinal layer staging scheme for idiopathic epiretinal membrane: surgical results at 12 months.

To assess the effect of ectopic inner foveal layers (EIFL) based staging scheme, foveal avascular zone (FAZ) alterations and other microstructural optical coherence tomography (OCT) findings on visual function for patients undergoing idiopathic epiretinal membrane (iERM) surgery. In this retrospective study, patients who underwent 27 G pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) for idiopathic ERM with a minimum follow-up of 12 months were included. Preoperative and postoperative OCT scans, FAZ area measurements on en face OCT angiography images and mean retinal sensitivity (MRS) using microperimetry were recorded in all cases. The correlation of FAZ area, EIFL and other OCT parameters with preoperative and postoperative best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) was analysed. In all, 112 eyes of 112 patients were included. Visual acuity improvement was statistically significant in all four stages; however, differences between Stages 2, 3 and 4 ERMs remained significant (p < 0.05). The presence and thickness of the EIFL was associated with worse baseline (p = 0.013; p = 0.005, respectively) and final (p < 0.001 for both) BCVA. The presence of cystoid macular oedema was associated with worse BCVA at baseline (p = 0.027) and postoperative month-6 (p = 0.04). The mean FAZ area was significantly reduced in all stages of ERM compared with the fellow eyes (p < 0.05 for all). Postoperative retinal sensitivity improvement was statistically significant in Stage 1 and Stage 2. The presence of EIFL is an independent predictor of worse postoperative BCVA. Accordingly, despite significant BCVA improvements in all stages of ERM, visual acuity gain remains limited in eyes with Stage 3 and Stage 4 ERM.

PERSEUS 24-month analysis: a prospective non-interventional study to assess the effectiveness of intravitreal aflibercept in routine clinical practice in Germany in patients with neovascular age-related macular degeneration

PurposeTo evaluate the real-world effectiveness of intravitreal aflibercept injections in Germany in patients with neovascular age-related macular degeneration over 24 months.MethodsPERSEUS was a prospective, non-interventional cohort study. The primary endpoint was the mean change in visual acuity (VA) from baseline. Secondary endpoints included the proportion of patients with a VA gain or loss of ≥ 15 letters and the frequency of injections and examinations. Patients with regular (bimonthly after 3 monthly injections during year 1 and ≥ 4 injections in year 2) and irregular (any other) treatment were analyzed. The last observation carried forward (LOCF) and the observed cases (OC) approach was applied for primary endpoint analysis to account for missing data.Results803 patients were considered for effectivity analysis. At month 24, only 38% of the patients were still under observation. The LOCF population included 727, the OC population 279 patients. Treatment-naïve patients improved by 6.3 (LOCF)/8.1 (OC) letters with regular treatment over 24 months but only by 3.3 (LOCF)/3.1 (OC) letters with irregular treatment. The proportion of treatment-naïve patients achieving a VA improvement of ≥ 15 letters was similar between regularly and irregularly treated cohorts. However, considerably more patients in the irregular cohorts experienced a VA worsening of ≥ 15 letters than in the regular cohorts (LOCF: 18.7% vs. 7.4%).ConclusionsRegular IVT-AFL treatment resulted in better VA outcomes than irregular treatment at month 24. However, only a minority of patients received regular treatment over a 2-year period.

Visual Acuity Gain Profiles and Anatomical Prognosis Factors in Patients with Drug-Naive Diabetic Macular Edema Treated with Dexamethasone Implant: The NAVEDEX Study.

Brief Summary StatementNAVEDEX (NAive diabetic macular Edema treated by DEXamethasone implant) study is a real-life multi-center study on drug-naive diabetic macular edema treated by Dexamethasone-implant. Two different visual acuity gain (VA) profiles were identified, based on baseline visual acuity (VA). Baseline disorganization of retinal inner layers or ellipsoid zone alterations (EZAs) negatively influence final VA but has no impact on VA gain.The purpose of this study is to evaluate the visual acuity (VA) gain profiles between patients with drug-naive diabetic macular edema (DME) treated by dexamethasone implant (DEX-implant) and assess the baseline anatomical and functional factors that could influence the response to the treatment in real-life conditions. A retrospective, multi-center observational study included 129 eyes with drug-naive DME treated by DEX-implant. The Median follow-up was 13 months. Two groups of VA gain trajectories were identified—Group A, with 71% (n = 96) of patients whose average VA gain was less than five letters and Group B, with 29% (n = 33) of patients with an average gain of 20 letters. The probability of belonging to Group B was significantly higher in patients with baseline VA < 37 letters (p = 0.001). Ellipsoid zone alterations (EZAs) or disorganization of retinal inner layers (DRILs) were associated with a lower final VA (53.0 letters versus 66.4, p = 0.002) but without a significant difference in VA gain (4.9 letters versus 6.8, p = 0.582). Despite a low baseline VA, this subgroup of patients tends to have greater visual gain, encouraging treatment with DEX-implant in such advanced-stage disease. However, some baseline anatomic parameters, such as the presence of EZAs or DRILs, negatively influenced final vision.

Refractory full thickness macular hole: current surgical management.

This review aims to collect the proposed surgical techniques for treating full thickness macular hole (FTMH) refractory to pars plana vitrectomy and internal limiting membrane (ILM) peeling and to analyse and compare anatomical and functional outcomes in order to evaluate their efficacy. The articles were grouped according to the surgical techniques used. Refractory FTMH closure rate and best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) gain were the two analysed parameters. Thirty-six articles were selected. Ten surgical technique subgroups were defined: autologous platelet concentrate (APC); lens capsular flap transplantation (LCFT); autologous free ILM flap transplantation (free ILM flap); enlargement of ILM peeling, macular hole hydrodissection (MHH), autologous retinal graft (ARG), silicon oil (SO), human amniotic membrane (hAM), perifoveal relaxing retinotomy, arcuate temporal retinotomy. Refractory FTMH closure rate was similar among subgroups, not significant heterogeneity emerged (p = 0.176). BCVA gain showed a significant dependence on surgical technique (p < 0.0001), significant heterogeneity among subgroups emerged (p < 0.0001). Three sets of surgical technique subgroups with a homogeneous BCVA gain were defined: high BCVA gain (hAM); intermediate BCVA gain (APC, ARG, LCFT, MHH, SO); low BCVA gain (free ILM flap, enlargement of peeling, arcuate temporal retinotomy). In terms of visual recovery, the most efficient technique for treating refractory FTMH is hAM, lens capsular flap and APC that allow to obtain better functional outcomes than free ILM flap. MHH, ARG, perifoveal relaxing and arcuate temporal retinotomy require complex and unjustified surgical manoeuvres in view of the surgical alternatives with overlapping anatomical and functional results.

VISUAL OUTCOMES IN PATIENTS WITH DIABETIC MACULAR EDEMA TREATED WITH DEXAMETHASONE IMPLANT IN ROUTINE CLINICAL PRACTICE.

SUMMARYThe aim was to evaluate visual outcomes of the real-life usage of dexamethasone (DEX) implants in diabetic macular edema (DME) patients and evaluate the possible additional visual acuity (VA) gain with combined treatment. We retrospectively reviewed medical records of DME patients treated with DEX implants. The mean best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and mean central retinal thickness (CRT) at baseline and one year were compared. BCVA improved from 58.4±14.9 letters at baseline to 62.4±14.5 letters at one-year evaluation (p=0.002). The mean change in BCVA was 5.2±11.1 letters. CRT decreased from 485.7±146.3 µm at baseline to 391.5±129.0 µm at one year (p<0.001). The mean change in CRT was -89.6±143.3 µm. Patients received a mean of 2.0±0.7 DEX implants. Study eyes were also divided into a group receiving DEX implant monotherapy and a group receiving DEX implant and vascular endothelial growth factor inhibitor (anti-VEGF) therapy. Changes in BCVA and CRT and the number of DEX implant injections were compared between the two groups. No difference in VA gain was found between the eyes receiving monotherapy and the eyes receiving combined treatment. In conclusion, DEX implant therapy was effective in gaining vision in DME patients. No additional VA gain was achieved with combined treatment.

Outcomes of surgical interventions for the treatment of limbal stem cell deficiency.

Background & objectives:In the current scenario, with availability of different surgical procedures for limbal stem cell deficiency (LSCD), there exists no common consensus as to the standardization of the management protocol for the same. In addition, there also exists diversity in the views about the clinical diagnosis, ancillary investigations and clinical parameters. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the reported outcomes of surgical interventions for the management of LSCD.Methods:A systematic review of published literature on limbal stem cell transplantation (LSCT) was performed using Ovid Medline, Embase and PubMed for a duration of 2009 to 2019. Original studies including prospective, retrospective case series and randomized controlled trials, articles in English language, articles with access to full text and studies with more than or at least 10 patients were included in this review. Data related to clinical and visual outcomes were evaluated, and pool estimates of different surgeries were calculated using random-effects model and individually using Pearson’s Chi-square test.Results:A total of 1133 abstracts were evaluated. Finally, 17 studies were included for the analysis. Among these 17 studies, direct limbal lenticule transplantation was performed in five studies, of which autologous tissue from the fellow eye [conjunctival limbal autograft (CLAU)], allograft from a cadaver/live donor [keratolimbal allograft (KLAL)/conjunctival limbal allograft (CLAL)] and combination of CLAU plus KLAL were done in one, three and one studies, respectively. The ex vivo expanded cultivated limbal epithelial transplantation (CLET) was reported in six studies and simple limbal epithelial transplantation (SLET) in four studies. Two were comparative studies comparing CLET and CLAL (living-related CLAL) with cadaveric KLAL, respectively. Outcome analysis of the included studies showed significant heterogeneity. Calculated pool rate for various types of surgeries was calculated. The pool estimate for CLAL was 67.56 per cent [95% confidence interval (CI), 41.75-93.36; I2=83.5%, P=0.002]. For KLAL, this value was 63.65 per cent (95% CI, 31.38-95.91; I2=92.4%, P=0.000). Pool estimate for CLET was 78.90 per cent (95% CI, 70.51-87.28; I2=73.6%, P=0.001). Corresponding values for SLET were 79.08 per cent (95% CI, 74.10-84.07; I2=0.0%, P=0.619). CLAU and combination of CLAU plus KLAL were done in one study each; hence, statistical analysis could not be done. The functional outcome in terms of gain in visual acuity post-operatively was better in KLAL (P<0.005) and SLET group as compared to CLET group.Interpretation & conclusions:The present analysis suggests that though the anatomical success rates were almost identical between SLET, CLET, CLAL, and KLAL procedures, the functional success rates were better following KLAL and SLET procedures as compared to CLET. Decision for LSCT for cases of ocular burns based on either clinical judgement of the surgeon or individual diagnosis remains a suitable option.

Correlation of morphological characteristics of staphyloma with the structural and functional outcomes of myopic traction maculopathy after macular buckle surgery.

Purpose:To compare morphological features of staphyloma (type and grade) with structural and functional outcomes in 11 patients with symptomatic myopic tractional maculopathy (MTM) who underwent macular buckle surgery.Methods:A retrospective observational case series, where a chart review was conducted of the type (Curtin classification) and grade of staphyloma (USG B-scan based). Optical coherence tomography (OCT) macula analysis done preoperatively and postoperatively 1 and 6–8 weeks), Visual acuity was recorded in log mar.Results:With an average myopia of −10.35 D (−5 to −14.5 D), there were four patients with types II and IX staphyloma and seven with type I staphyloma. The average axial length was 28.6 ± 0.98 mm in type II/IX and 26.2 ± 0.8 mm in type I. Preoperative OCT features were outer retinal layer schisis (11), retinal detachment (foveal: 2, macular: 8), macular hole (lamellar: 3, full thickness: 4), and taut posterior hyaloid (3). Postoperatively, patients with type II/IX staphyloma had significant gain in visual acuity from 1.05 ± 0.3 to 0.74 ± 0.2 Log Mar. The structural features also responded better in patients with types II/IX staphyloma, with all patients having more than 90% reduction in schisis and retinal attachment at 6 weeks. Whereas only two patients with type I staphyloma had similar reduction in schisis at 6 weeks and only one had complete retinal attachment.Conclusion:In patients with MTM, the staphyloma characteristics preoperatively can help us prognosticate about structural and functional success after macular buckle surgery. In our small case series, patients with type II/IX staphyloma and larger axial length had better structural and functional outcomes.

Optical coherence tomography analysis of surgical outcomes of combined hamartoma of retina and retinal pigment epithelium.

PURPOSE:To evaluate the surgical outcomes in combined hamartoma of retina and retinal pigment epithelium (CHRRPE) using optical coherence tomography (OCT).METHODS:This was a retrospective interventional study, in which medical records of 12 eyes with CHRRPE that underwent vitrectomy and membrane peeling at three tertiary vitreoretinal institutes were reviewed. Preoperative and postoperative color fundus photographs and OCT were reviewed for each follow-up visit.RESULTS:Five out of 12 eyes had a good visual outcome (equal or more than 2 lines gain in visual acuity), four had stable visual outcome (<2 line gain), and three had poor visual outcome (loss of visual acuity). Preretinal fibrosis preoperatively was seen in 80% of cases with good outcomes as compared to 50% and 0% of cases in the cohorts with stable and poor outcomes, respectively. Preoperatively all 5 cases with good visual outcome had Grade 4 epiretinal membrane (ERM), while only 1 case with stable and poor visual outcome had grade 4 ERM and the rest had Grade 3 ERM. Maxi peaks were seen in 80%, 50%, and 0% of cases preoperatively in the three cohorts, respectively. Hyperreflectivity of inner retinal layers preoperatively was evident in all cases having good visual outcomes, in 75% of cases with stable visual outcomes, and in 33% of cases with poor outcomes.CONCLUSION:Surgical intervention in CHRRPE with preretinal fibrosis seems to be beneficial. The visual recovery as defined by conventional predictors in cases of surgical removal of ERM fails to explain the visual outcome in CHRRPE.

Fluorescein angiographic characteristic in predominantly classic and occult types of neovascular age-related macular degeneration treated with ranibizumab.

Background and purpose:Randomised-controlled clinical trials (the ANCHOR and MARINA) examined the intravitreal anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF) efficacy for eyes having fluorescein angiographic classic and occult (OCC) neovascular lesions. No significant difference in the treatment response between the lesion types was observed. Fundus fluorescein angiography and optical coherence tomography (OCT) are complementary devices that provide information about neovascular age-related macular degeneration (n-AMD). The aim of this retrospective study was to compare the clinical aspects of fluorescein angiographic characteristics in predominantly classic (PDC) and OCC subtypes of n-AMD treated with intravitreal ranibizumab.Methods:Treatment-naive fluorescein angiographic OCC-n-AMD and PDC-n-AMD patients, who received monthly intravitreal ranibizumab for 3 months after baseline, and were followed-up with pro re nata injections between March 2013 and February 2018, were included. Means of the visual acuity (VA), central macular thickness (CMT), and intravitreal injection and visit numbers of the groups were compared throughout 24 months.Results:We included 41 eyes of PDC-n-AMD patients and 36 eyes of OCC-n-AMD patients. The mean ages were 74.5 ± 10.6 and 71.9 ± 9.4, respectively. The baseline, and 3-, 6-, 12-, 18-, and 24-month VA results of the OCC group were significantly better than those in the PDC. However, VA gain in the PDC group at 3, 6, and 12 months was significantly higher than that in the OCC group. The mean of baseline CMT of the PDC (353 ± 118 µm) was significantly higher than that in the OCC group (293 ± 64 µm). No significant differences in terms of the number of visits or injections, or CMT change from the baseline values between groups were observed.Conclusion:The OCC-n-AMD patients had better baseline and follow-up VA and CMT means than the PDC-n-AMD patients. However, the PDC-n-AMD patients are expected to benefit more than the OCC-n-AMD patients in terms of VA gains.