Hemiretinal Vein Occlusion Research Articles

Romanian ophthalmologists in the renowned ophthalmic journals worldwide

The authors are discussing over 80 articles that they have published in the last 5 years in the renowned ophthalmic journals worldwide, which have approached, for the first time in the ophthalmic literature, the following 4 topics: the acute central/ hemicentral retinal vein occlusion, the therapeutic interventions in the fellow eye of patients with unilateral malignant glaucoma, the persistent diabetic macular edema, and the current researches in patients with neovascular age-related macular degeneration.

Ферментный тромболизис и «массаж» при окклюзии вен сетчатки

Введение. На сегодняшний день некоторые аспекты возникновения тромбоза ретинальных вен остаются дискутабельными. Большое количество факторов развития заболевания, отсутствие единой концепции патогенеза обтурации вен сетчатки приводят к неопределенности в тактике ведения пациентов, что снижает качество лечения. Цель исследования: проанализировать состояние микроциркуляции при окклюзии ретинальных вен на фоне применения «массажа» пораженной вены сетчатки и эпиретинального введения ферментного тромболитика. Материалы и методы. Обследовано 96 человек (49% мужчин и 51% женщин в возрасте 60,2 ± 1,9 года) с обтурацией ретинальных вен. Пациентам основной группы (n = 47) выполняли «массаж» пораженной вены сетчатки и эпиретинальное введение 500 МЕ рекомбинантной проурокиназы; пациентам группы сравнения (n = 49) однократно вводили эпиретинально 500 МЕ рекомбинантной проурокиназы на фоне традиционной фармакотерапии. Результаты. Индукция тромболизиса при помощи «массажа» пораженной вены сетчатки на фоне эпиретинального введения ферментного фибринолитика в 2 раза ускоряла восстановление кровотока в ретинальном сосуде и в 1,5 раза сокращала время резорбции отека центральных отделов сетчатки, обеспечивая эффективное (в 1,7 раза) повышение биоэлектрической ретинальной активности. Заключение. «Массаж» ретинальных вен на фоне ферментного тромболизиса, проведенный в первые 7 дней от начала заболевания, является перспективным методом лечения окклюзии вен сетчатки. Introduction. Currently some aspects of retinal vein thrombosis remain controversial. A large number of disease development factors, absence of unifi ed pathogenesis conception for retinal veins obturation lead to non-specifi city in tactics of patient management that reduces the quality of treatment. Aim: to analyze microcirculation in retinal veins occlusion under the «massage» of the aff ected retinal vein and epiretinal administration of thrombolytic enzyme. Materials and methods. We examined 96 people (49% of men and 51% of women aged 60.2 ± 1.9 years) with obturation of retinal veins. Patients of the main group (n = 47) were treated by «massage» of the aff ected retinal vein and epiretinal administration of recombinant prourokinase (500 IU); patients of the comparison group (n = 47) were treated by traditional pharmacotherapy with single epiretinal injection of recombinant prourokinase (500 IU). Results. Thrombolysis induction using the «massage» of aff ected retinal vein with epiretinal administration of thrombolytic enzyme accelerated the restoration of blood fl ow in retinal vessel in 2 times and in 1.5 times reduced the resorption time of edema in central retina parts that provided an effective (1.7 times) increasing of bioelectric retinal activity. Conclusion. «Massage» of retinal vein occlusion with enzymatic thrombolysis conducted in first 7 days from disease onset is a promising method for treatment of retinal vein occlusion.

Primary angle closure and primary angle closure glaucoma in retinal vein occlusion.

To investigate the frequency of primary angle closure (PAC) and primary angle closure glaucoma (PACG) in patients with retinal vein occlusion (RVO) based on a hospital population. A total of 375 consecutive cases newly diagnosed with RVO by fluorescein fundus angiography at a single eye centre in Peking were reviewed. Gonioscopy was performed in all patients. Glaucoma was diagnosed according to the criteria of the International Society of Geographical and Epidemiological Ophthalmology. Retinal vein occlusion was classified as central retinal vein occlusion (CRVO), hemicentral retinal vein occlusion (HRVO), or branch retinal vein occlusion (BRVO), and as arteriovenous crossing RVO (AV-RVO), optic cup RVO (OC-RVO), optic nerve RVO without optical nerve head swelling (NONHS-RVO), or RVO with optical nerve head swelling (ONHS-RVO) based on the site of venous occlusion. Percentage of PAC or PACG for each type of RVO were calculated. PACG had a frequency of 4.1% [95% confidence interval (CI) 2.2-6.9%] in 317 RVO patients [5.3% (95% CI 2.0-11.2%) in CRVO, 8.8% (95% CI 1.9-23.7%) in HRVO, and 1.9% (95% CI 0.4-5.4%) in BRVO]. Primary angle closure (PAC) had a frequency of 2.9% (95% CI 1.4-5.5%) in RVO. PAC/PACG had a frequency of 11.5% (95% CI 6.3-18.9%) in CRVO, 8.8% (95% CI 1.9-23.7%) in HRVO and 3.1% (95% CI 1.0-7.1%) in BRVO. PAC/PACG was significantly more prevalent in NONHS-RVO [18.9% (95% CI 9.4-32.0%)] than in ONHS-RVO [6.5% (95% CI 2.1-14.5%)], AV-RVO [3.1% (95% CI 0.9-7.8%)], and OC-RVO [2.3% (95% CI 0.1-12.3%)]. The overall frequency of PAC/PACG was much higher in patients with RVO (especially CRVO) than that in the general population. Eyes with PAC/PACG may undergo mechanical changes in the lamina cribrosa of the optic disc, resulting in RVO. Angle-closure conditions should be borne in mind when investigating Chinese patients with RVO.

The application of ultra-wide field fluorescein angiography in the evaluation of peripheral vascular changes following retinal vein occlusion

Objective To investigate the peripheral vascular findings in eyes with branch retinal vein occlusion (BRVO) and hemi-retinal vein occlusion (HRVO) using ultra-wide field fluorescein angiography (UWFFA), and analyze the influence of relative systemic factors on retinal vascular leakage. Methods A retrospective case-control study was designed.The 153 eyes of 146 patients with BRVO and 40 eyes of 40 patients with HRVO were include in Tianjin Medical University Eye Institute from September 2017 to March 2018.UWFFA was carried out in the patients, and the images were analyzed by Vantage Review software.The eyes were divided into two groups based on the whether the leakage occurred in other quadrant or fellow eye.The eyes with the fluorescence leakage only in the quadrant of affected vessel in late stage of UWFFA were in the RVO1 group, and the eyes with the fluorescence leakage in other quadrants or fellow eye besides affected vessel were in the RVO2 group.Relative past medical histories were recorded, such as hypertension, high cholesterol and diabetes mellitus.The influence of medical histories on vascular leakage in RVO1 group and RVO2 group with different histories was analyzed, respectively, and systemic factors which affected leakage degree were evaluated. Results In 179 eyes with RVO, fluorescence leakage occurred in late stage of UWFFA besides affected vessel in 25 eyes (14.0%), including 19 eyes in the affected eyes (10.6%) and 6 eyes in fellow eyes (3.4%). Hypertension, high cholesterol and diabetes mellitus were found in 77, 28 and 21 patients, respectively.In 77 hypertension patients, 66 were in the RVO1 group, and 9 were in the RVO2 group (11.69%), and in 102 non-hypertension patients, 86 were in the RVO1 group, and 16 were in the RVO2 group (15.69%), without significant difference was seen in the fluorescence leakage in other quadrants or fellow eye besides affected vessel between hypertension and non-hypertension patients (χ2=0.298, P=0.585). In 28 high cholesterol patients, 24 were in the RVO1 group, and 4 were in the RVO2 group (14.29%), and in the 151 patients without high cholesterol, 130 were in the RVO1 group, and 21 were in the RVO2 group (13.91%), without significant difference in the fluorescence leakage in other quadrants or fellow eye besides affected vessel between high cholesterol and non-high cholesterol (χ2=0.000, P=1.000). In 21 diabetes mellitus patients, 17 patients were in the RVO1 group, and 4 patients were in the RVO2 group (19.05%), and in 158 patients without diabetes mellitus, 137 were in the RVO1 group, and 21 were in the RVO2 group (13.29%), without significant difference was seen in the fluorescence leakage in other quadrants or fellow eye besides affected vessel between diabetes mellitus and non- diabetes mellitus (χ2=0.144, P=0.704). Conclusions Unexpected late peripheral retinal leakage can be seen on the UWFFA in the eyes with BRVO and HRVO.Hypertension, high cholesterol and diabetes mellitus are not the main cause of these findings.UWFFA can disclose more peripheral, wider retinal lesions. Key words: Retinal vein occlusion; Fluorescein angiography; Ultra-wide-field images; Fluorescein leakage; Periphery retinal vessels; Hypertension; High cholesterol; Diabetes mellitus

Optic Disc Oedema: Presentation and Causes at a Tertiary Centre in North Karnataka

Aim:- Optic disc oedema is one of the important fundus findings seen in the eye. Many a times, it indicates a systemic pathology. In this study, we try to evaluate various causes of optic disc oedema and their presentation.Materials & Methods:- This observational study was conducted at a tertiary hospital in North Karnataka. This study was conducted from June 2015 to May 2017. Detailed ocular examination including visual acuity, slitlamp examination, detailed fundus evaluation using indirect ophthalmoscope and 90 Diopter lens, and fundus photography was done. Other investigations like blood examination, Visual field analysis and radiological investigations like Computed Tomography scans and Magnetic Resonance Imaging were done when required.Results:- A total of 43 consecutive cases with optic disc oedema were enrolled in this study. Twenty were females and twenty three were males. Out of the 43 cases, 15 cases had papilloedema, 20 cases had optic neuritis, one had anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (AION), 2 had diabetic papillopathy, 2 had Vogt Koyanagi Harada Syndrome (VKH), one had hemiretinal vein occlusion and 2 cases had neuroretinitis. A total of 34.9% patients had papilloedema, 46.5% had optic neuritis, 4.6% each had neuroretinitis, VKH and diabetic papillopathy, and 2.3% each had AION and hemi-retinal vein occlusion. Conclusions:- Optic neuritis was the commonest cause, followed by papilloedema, leading to optic disc oedema.

Comparison of Monthly vs Treat-and-Extend Regimens for Individuals With Macular Edema Who Respond Well to Anti–Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Medications

Comparisons of monthly vs treat-and-extend anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF) regimens for macular edema from central retinal vein occlusion or hemiretinal vein occlusion is needed. To compare visual acuity letter score and central subfield thickness outcomes of participants in the Study of Comparative Treatments for Retinal Vein Occlusion 2 (SCORE2) trial who then received either monthly injections or treat-and-extend (TAE) regimens of aflibercept or bevacizumab after a good response at month 6. This randomized clinical trial enrolled participants from 66 private practice or academic centers in the United States. All participants had macular edema associated with central retinal vein occlusion or hemiretinal vein occlusion, had enrolled in the SCORE2 trial, and had a protocol-defined good response to monthly injections in the first 6 months of the trial. Participants initially assigned to receive monthly aflibercept were randomized to aflibercept on a monthly or TAE schedule, and participants initially assigned to receive monthly injections of bevacizumab were randomized to receive bevacizumab on a monthly or TAE schedule. The first participant was randomized in the SCORE2 trial on September 17, 2014, and the last month 12 visit occurred on October 24, 2016. Change from month 6 to month 12 in best-corrected electronic visual acuity letter score (per the Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study). The 293 participants had a mean (SD) age of 68.9 (11.9) years; 127 (43.3%) were female. Of these, 79 were randomized to aflibercept on a monthly schedule, 80 to aflibercept on a TAE schedule, 67 to monthly bevacizumab, and 67 to bevacizumab on a TAE schedule. Mean treatment group difference (the change in visual acuity letter score in the monthly group minus the change in the TAE group) from month 6 to month 12 was 1.88 (97.5% CI, -1.07 to 4.83; P = .15) for aflibercept and 1.98 (97.5% CI, -1.08 to 5.03; P = .15) for bevacizumab. In the aflibercept arm, the mean number of injections between months 6 and 11 was 5.8 in the monthly injection group (95% CI, 5.6 to 5.9) and 3.8 in the TAE group (95% CI, 3.5 to 4.1; P < .001); in the bevacizumab arm, the mean number of injections was 5.8 (95% CI, 5.6 to 5.9) in the monthly group and 4.5 in the TAE group (95% CI, 4.2 to 4.8; P < .001). One to 2 fewer injections of aflibercept or bevacizumab were given to the TAE groups than the monthly groups in months 6 to 12 for macular edema associated with central retinal or hemiretinal vein occlusion. Because of wide confidence intervals on the differences between the groups, caution is warranted before concluding that the regimens are associated with similar vision outcomes. www.clinicaltrials.gov identifier: NCT01969708.

SCORE2 Report 5: Vision-Related Function in Patients With Macular Edema Secondary to Central Retinal or Hemiretinal Vein Occlusion

To describe baseline vision-related function, measured with the National Eye Institute Visual Function Questionnaire (NEI VFQ-25), in patients with macular edema secondary to central retinal vein occlusion (CRVO) or hemiretinal vein occlusion (HRVO) in the Study of COmparative Treatments for REtinal Vein Occlusion 2 (SCORE2); evaluate the baseline relationship between NEI VFQ-25 scores with visual acuity letter score (VALS) and central retinal thickness; and compare baseline NEI VFQ-25 scores in SCORE2 participants with those in normal-vision reference populations and patients in other retinal vein occlusion trials. Multicenter, noninferiority randomized controlled trial. SCORE2 was designed to assess whether intravitreal bevacizumab is noninferior to intravitreal aflibercept for treatment of decreased vision attributable to macular edema owing to CRVO or HRVO. SCORE2 enrolled 362 participants, including 305 with CRVO and 57 with HRVO. Analyses were of cross-sectional baseline data. The main outcome measures were baseline NEI VFQ-25 composite and subscale scores. SCORE2 participants' baseline NEI VFQ-25 composite and subscale scores are significantly lower compared with 3 normal-vision reference populations (P < .01; except for ocular pain score) and similar to patients in other retinal vein occlusion clinical trials. Baseline VALS in the better eye was correlated with baseline NEI VFQ-25 composite and subscale scores of general vision, near activities, role difficulties, dependency, and color vision, with correlations ranging from 0.19 to 0.26 (P < .05 for each score). CRVO and HRVO patients in SCORE2 had significantly worse baseline patient-reported vision-related function than normal vision populations, despite the disease being primarily unilateral with typically excellent vision in the fellow eye.

Prevalence, pattern and risk factors of retinal vein occlusion in an elderly population in Nepal: the Bhaktapur retina study

BackgroundThis study aims to explore the prevalence, pattern and risk factors of retinal vein occlusion (RVO) in an elderly population of Nepal.MethodOne thousand eight hundred sixty subjects of age 60 years and above were enrolled in a population-based, cross-sectional study. Detailed history, visual acuity, anterior segment and posterior segment examinations were done. Blood pressure, non-fasting blood sugar, body mass index and abdominal girth were measured. Retinal vein occlusions were further divided into branch retinal (BRVO), hemi-retinal and central retinal vein occlusion (CRVO).ResultAge ranged from 60 to 95 years with a mean of 69.64 ± 7.31 years. Overall population prevalence for RVO was 2.95% (95% Confidence interval (CI): 2.23–3.83), BRVO 2.74% (95% CI: 2.05–3.58) and CRVO 0.21% (95% CI: 0.06–0.55). BRVO was seen in 51 subjects (92.73%) and CRVO in 4 (7.27%). Among the total RVO, unilateral and bilateral involvement was 85.45% and 14.55%, respectively. Among the subjects with BRVO and CRVO, 37.25% and 50% had low vision, respectively. The risk of RVO increased with ageing and was more among males. There was an increased risk of RVO among those with hypertension, and with diabetes and hypertension. There was also an increased risk of RVO among subjects with hypermetropia, those with pseudophakia and those who were smokers and consumed alcohol.ConclusionRetinal vein occlusion is a common retinal vascular disorder in the elderly population of Nepal. The main risk factors for RVO were increasing age and hypertension.

Combined cilioretinal artery and hemi-retinal vein occlusion in Sturge Weber syndrome: Expanding the clinical spectrum

A 9-year-old boy with the diagnosis of Sturge-Weber Syndrome, and port-wine stain involving the right side of the face, presented with acute visual loss of the right eye. Examination revealed a high intraocular pressure and a combined cilioretinal artery and inferior hemi-retinal vein occlusion in the right eye. Systemic work-up was negative. After controlling the intraocular pressure, gradual improvement of vision was noticed with simultaneous disappearance of signs of vascular occlusion.

Hemi-Central Retinal Vein Occlusion Secondary to the Habit of Forceful Sneeze Prevention

Hemi-Central Retinal Vein Occlusion Secondary to the Habit of Forceful Sneeze Prevention

QUALITATIVE AND QUANTITATIVE FOLLOW-UP USING OPTICAL COHERENCE TOMOGRAPHY ANGIOGRAPHY OF RETINAL VEIN OCCLUSION TREATED WITH ANTI-VEGF: Optical Coherence Tomography Angiography Follow-up of Retinal Vein Occlusion.

To evaluate changes of vascular flow of patients treated with intravitreal injections of anti-vascular endothelial growth factor for macular edema secondary to retinal vein occlusion (RVO) with optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA). Patients with RVO with macular edema and treated with intravitreal injections of anti-vascular endothelial growth factors were retrospectively evaluated. The following examinations were performed before and after treatment: best-corrected visual acuity, spectral domain optical coherence tomography, fluorescein angiography, and OCTA (Optovue, Inc). Automatic measurement of vascular density of the superficial and deep capillary plexus was also performed and compared with age- and sex-matched healthy subjects. Twenty-eight eyes of 28 patients (mean age 66.2 years; males 19%) were evaluated, including 13 central RVO, 11 branch RVO, and 4 hemicentral RVO. After treatment, mean central macular thickness significantly decreased from 644 μm to 326 μm and best-corrected visual acuity increased from 20/125 to 20/63 (P < 0.01 for both results). On OCTA, perifoveal capillary disruption (P = 0.029) and the number of cysts in the superficial capillary plexus and deep capillary plexus (P < 0.002) significantly decreased after treatment. The mean vascular density in the superficial capillary plexus slightly decreased during follow-up from 46.44% to 45.01% (not significantly). These densities were significantly less than those observed in healthy controls (P < 0.001). Optical coherence tomography angiography showed regression of macular edema, reduced capillary disruption and cysts, and slight decrease in mean macular vascular density with time and despite treatment. Thus, OCTA enables qualitative and quantitative evaluation during follow-up of patients treated for RVO.

Effect of Bevacizumab vs Aflibercept on Visual Acuity Among Patients With Macular Edema Due to Central Retinal Vein Occlusion

ImportanceStudies have established the efficacy and safety of aflibercept for the treatment of macular edema due to central retinal vein occlusion. Bevacizumab is used off-label to treat this condition despite the absence of supporting data.ObjectiveTo investigate whether bevacizumab is noninferior to aflibercept for the treatment of macular edema secondary to central retinal or hemiretinal vein occlusion.Design, Setting, and ParticipantsThe SCORE2 randomized noninferiority clinical trial was conducted at 66 private practice or academic centers in the United States, and included 362 patients with macular edema due to central retinal or hemiretinal vein occlusion who were randomized 1:1 to receive aflibercept or bevacizumab. The first participant was randomized on September 17, 2014, and the last month 6 visit occurred on May 6, 2016. Analyses included data available as of December 30, 2016.InterventionsEyes were randomized to receive intravitreal injection of bevacizumab (1.25 mg; n = 182) or aflibercept (2.0 mg; n = 180) every 4 weeks through month 6.Main Outcomes and MeasuresThe primary outcome was mean change in visual acuity (VA) letter score (VALS) from the randomization visit to the 6-month follow-up visit, based on the best-corrected electronic Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study VALS (scores range from 0-100; higher scores indicate better VA). The noninferiority margin was 5 letters, and statistical testing for noninferiority was based on a 1-sided 97.5% confidence interval.ResultsAmong 362 randomized participants (mean [SD] age, 69 [12] years; 157 [43.4%] women; mean [SD] VALS at baseline, 50.3 [15.2] [approximate Snellen VA 20/100]), 348 (96.1%) completed the month 6 follow-up visit. At month 6, the mean VALS was 69.3 (a mean increase from baseline of 18.6) in the bevacizumab group and 69.3 (a mean increase from baseline of 18.9) in the aflibercept group (model-based estimate of between-group difference, −0.14; 97.5% CI, −3.07 to ∞; P = .001 for noninferiority), meeting criteria for noninferiority. Ocular adverse events in the aflibercept group included 4 participants with intraocular pressure (IOP) more than 10 mm Hg greater than baseline; ocular adverse events in the bevacizumab group included 1 participant with endophthalmitis (culture negative), 9 with IOP more than 10 mm Hg greater than baseline, 2 with IOP higher than 35 mm Hg, and 1 with angle-closure glaucoma not attributed to the study drug or procedure.Conclusions and RelevanceAmong patients with macular edema due to central retinal or hemiretinal vein occlusion, intravitreal bevacizumab was noninferior to aflibercept with respect to visual acuity after 6 months of treatment.

Baseline Factors Associated With 6-Month Visual Acuity and Retinal Thickness Outcomes in Patients With Macular Edema Secondary to Central Retinal Vein Occlusion or Hemiretinal Vein Occlusion

Macular edema (ME) is the leading cause of decreased visual acuity (VA) associated with retinal vein occlusion (RVO). Identifying factors associated with better outcomes in RVO eyes treated with anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) therapy may provide information useful in counseling patients. To investigate baseline characteristics associated with 6-month VA and central subfield thickness (CST) outcomes in participants in the Study of Comparative Treatments for Retinal Vein Occlusion 2 (SCORE2). A total of 362 patients with central RVO or hemi-RVO were enrolled between September 17, 2014, and November 18, 2015, and randomized 1:1 in a masked fashion to receive bevacizumab or aflibercept. At month 6, 348 participants (96%) had VA outcomes measured and 335 participants (93%) had spectral domain optical coherence tomography outcomes measured. The current data analysis was conducted from February 27, 2017, to April 7, 2017. Eyes were randomly assigned to receive an intravitreal injection of bevacizumab, 1.25 mg, or aflibercept, 2.0 mg, at baseline and every 4 weeks, with the primary outcome measured at 6 months. Change from baseline in VA letter score (VALS), VALS gain of 15 or more, change from baseline in CST, CST less than 300 µm, and resolution of ME. Baseline factors associated with 6-month outcome at the 0.05 level in univariate regressions were included in multivariate regressions, with those significant after multiplicity control by the Hochberg method reported. The mean (SD) age of patients was 69 (12) years, and 43% were women. Younger patient age (odds ratio [OR], 0.95 per year of age; 95% CI, 0.93-0.98; P = .007) and lower baseline VALS (OR, 0.96 per letter; 95% CI, 0.94-0.98; P < .001) were associated with a 6-month VALS gain of 15 or greater. Compared with bevacizumab, aflibercept treatment was associated with a higher odds of ME resolution (OR, 3.59; 95% CI, 2.22-5.80; P < .001) and CST less than 300 µm (OR, 5.30; 95% CI, 2.40-11.67; P = .001), but not with a better VA outcome. Macular edema was less likely to resolve in eyes that received anti-VEGF treatment prior to study participation (OR, 0.33; 95% CI, 0.17-0.64; P = .03). In eyes treated with bevacizumab or aflibercept, younger age and worse baseline VALS were associated with better 6-month VA outcomes. Aflibercept treatment was associated with more favorable spectral domain optical coherence tomography outcomes but not VA outcomes. These findings may be useful in assessing expected response at month 6 after monthly injection of anti-VEGF agents for treating ME due to CRVO and HRVO. clinicaltrials.gov Identifier: NCT01969708.

Treatment of Macular Edema Due to Central Retinal Vein Occlusion

Central retinal or hemiretinal vein occlusion, due to a thrombus at an arteriovenous crossing within the optic nerve, is a common disease of the retinal vasculature, the blood supply to the inner layers of the retina that are closest to the vitreous cavity. Central retinal vein occlusion sometimes has been described as a “blood and thunder” appearance due to extensive flame-shaped hemorrhages throughout 2 (hemiretinal) or 4 quadrants of the retina and causes sudden vision loss in one eye when venous flow is acutely compromised. The vision loss at first may be due in part to blood that has extravasated into the retina, but as this blood clears, vision loss may be due to ischemia or infarction of the inner retina due to nonperfusion of retinal capillaries that feed into the occluded retinal veins, as well as complications of abnormal vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) produced by the damaged retina. These complications include the development of edema in the center of the retina, or macular edema, which, if left untreated, can cause substantial vision loss. In a pooled analysis using individual population-based data of fundus photographs from 11 studies (n = 49 869), the age- and sex-standardized prevalence was 0.08% (95% CI, 0.06%-0.10%) for central retinal vein occlusion, although the proportion of cases with macular edema, while generally considered to be common, was not reported

The Burden of Retinal Venous Occlusion: An Assessment of Fellow Eyes in 1000 Cases

To assess retinal vein occlusion (RVO) clinical features to create a simulation model quantifying the preference-based, patient value gain (benefit) and cost-utility (cost-effectiveness) of RVO therapy. Retrospective analysis data integrated with patient utilities and an ocular cost-utility model for RVO. One thousand consecutive Wills Eye Hospital Retina Service RVO patients seen from January 2010 through April2011. Value-Based Medicine analysis assessing the demographic features and vision in affected eyes and fellow eyes of RVO patients. Presenting vision, final vision, conversion incidence of fellow eyes to RVO, and patient value gain in quality-adjusted life-years (QALYs). Among 1000 patients, 332 (33.2%) presented with central retinal vein occlusion (CRVO), 53 (5.3%) with hemiretinal vein occlusion (HRVO), and 615 (61.5%) with branch retinal vein occlusion (BRVO). Mean follow-up for the entire RVO cohort was 3 years. One hundred and one patients (10.1%) had bilateral baseline RVO and, among the 826 unilateral cases seen more than once, 37 (4.5%) developed a fellow-eye RVO, a unilateral-to-bilateral conversion rate of 1.5%/year. Among the 101 baseline bilateral cases, 66% (66/101) had the same RVO variant bilaterally (CRVO/CRVO, HRVO/HRVO, or BRVO/BRVO). Mean CRVO baseline vision was 20/63-2 and final vision was 20/63-1 (P= 0.16). Thirty percent of patients had less than or equal to baseline fellow-eye vision. Within combined HRVO/BRVO cohorts, mean baseline vision was 20/50-2 and final vision was 20/50+1 (P= 0.0004). Thirty percent of patients also had less than or equal to baseline fellow-eye vision. The proportion of RVO patients with fellow-eye vision less than or equal to the RVO primary-eye baseline vision increased to 44% by year16. Thirty percent of all RVO patients had less than or equal to baseline vision in the fellow eye. Among unilateral RVO cases, 1.5%/year developed fellow-eye RVO. These findings have implications for cost-utility analysis, because bilateral vision loss yields greater QALY loss and an increased financial burden compared with unilateral loss. Referent to total therapeutic QALY gain (100%), if a treated RVO was always considered the better-seeing eye, the actual clinical scenario demonstrates that the average CRVO patient gains 38% as much value and the average HRVO/BRVO patient gains 37% as much.

En Face Optical Coherence Tomography Analysis to Assess the Spectrum of Perivenular Ischemia and Paracentral Acute Middle Maculopathy in Retinal Vein Occlusion

To assess the spectrum of perivenular ischemia in eyes with retinal vascular obstruction (typically central or hemicentral retinal vein obstruction) using en face optical coherence tomography (OCT). Retrospective observational case series. Eyes with recent retinal vascular occlusion illustrating paracentral acute middle maculopathy (PAMM) in a perivenular fern-like pattern with en face OCT were evaluated in this study. Multimodal retinal imaging including en face OCT segmentation of the inner nuclear layer was performed in all patients. Color fundus photography and fluorescein angiography (FA) images were used to create a vascular overlay of the retinal veins vs the retinal arteries to map the distribution of PAMM with en face OCT analysis. Multimodal retinal imaging was performed in 11 eyes with acute retinal vascular obstruction. While 7 eyes demonstrated obvious findings of retinal vein obstruction (5 with central and 2 with hemicentral retinalvein occlusion), 4 eyes were unremarkable at presentation. En face OCT analysis demonstrated a spectrum of perivenular PAMM illustrating a fern-like pattern with sparing of the periarteriolar area in all cases. En face OCT may illustrate a remarkable perivenular pattern of PAMM in eyes with retinal vascular obstruction even in the absence of significant funduscopic findings. Perivenular PAMM with en face OCT demonstrates a wide spectrum of variation with narrow fern-like perivenular lesions at the mildest end and more diffuse lesions with only periarterial sparing at the most severe end of the spectrum. Arterial hypoperfusion secondary to outflow obstruction from a central retinal vein obstruction appears to be the most common cause of this presentation, although primary arterial hypoperfusion may also be an etiology.

Application of ultra-wide-field fluorescein angiography and 7 standard field in retinal vein occlusion

Objective To observe the angiographic features of patients with retinal vein occlusion (RVO) by ultra-wide-field fluorescein angiography (UWFA) and compare with the conventional 7 standard field (7SF) imaging. Methods This is a retrospective clinical description study. Fifty-eight eyes of 56 RVO patients were included. There were 25 males (26 eyes) and 31 females (32 eyes). The age ranged from 25 to 69 years, with a mean age of (48.12±18.56) years. The course of disease was from 2 days to 25 months, with a mean course of (12.78±11.35) months. Thirty eyes were diagnosed with central RVO (51.72%), 26 eyes were diagnosed with branch RVO (44.83%) and 2 eyes were diagnosed with hemicentral RVO (3.45%). Retinal laser photocoagulation was performed in 11 eyes (18.97%). All patients received examinations of UWFA (British Optomap 200Tx imaging system) and optical coherence tomography (OCT). Using the protocol for obtaining 7SF images as described in the Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study, 7 circular regions with a range of 30 degrees were combined as the 7SF template to determine the observation area. This template was then overlaid on the UWFA image to identify the potential viewable area of 7SF. The visualized retinal area, retinal non-perfusion area, retinal neovascularization area, and laser spot area of UWFA and 7SF were quantified by a retinal specialist. In addition, the OCT images of the affected eye were observed and analyzed to confirm the existence of macular edema. Correlation analysis was done between retinal non-perfusion, retinal neovascularization and macular edema detected by UWFA. Results The results of UWFA and 7SF examination were the same. Compared with 7SF, UWFA showed 3.53 times more retinal visual area, 3.31 times more non-perfusion area, 1.94 times more neovascularization area, and 3.59 times more laser spots (t=72.13, 4.69, 1.76, 5.78; P=0.000, 0.005, 0.102, 0.000). Lesions of 11 eyes (18.97%) were found outside the range of 7SF images. By UWFA, non-perfusion area correlated with neovascularization and macular edema (χ2=12.13, 4.82; P=0.000, 0.028; C=0.42, 0.28). Non-perfusion area anterior to the equator have significantly correlations with macular edema (χ2=6.32, P=0.012, C=0.31), but non-perfusion posterior to the globe equator have no relevance with macular edema (χ2=2.88, P=0.090, C=0.22). Conclusions UWFA can detect more peripheral retinal lesions than 7SF images. By UWFA, non-perfusion area has correlation with neovascularization and macular edema. Key words: Retinal vein occlusion/diagnosis; Fluorescein angiography; Tomography, optical coherence

SCORE2 Report 2: Study Design and Baseline Characteristics

To describe the design and baseline characteristics of participants in the Study of COmparative Treatments for REtinal Vein Occlusion 2 (SCORE2) and to compare with cohorts from other retinal vein occlusion trials. Phase III prospective, multicenter, randomized clinical trial designed to assess whether intravitreal bevacizumab is noninferior to intravitreal aflibercept for treatment of decreased vision attributable to macular edema associated with central retinal vein occlusion (CRVO) or hemiretinal vein occlusion (HRVO). Total of 362 participants: 307 with CRVO and 55 with HRVO. Demographic and study eye characteristics are summarized and compared between CRVO and HRVO study participants. Baseline ophthalmic characteristics, including visual acuity and retinal thickness, and medical history characteristics, including hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and coronary artery disease. The mean age of participants was 69 years, 76% of participants were white, and 90% were non-Hispanic. There was a racial disparity with respect to disease type, with 38% of HRVO patients being black compared with 11% of CRVO patients (P value adjusted for multiple testing= 0.0001). This is similar to findings from the previous SCORE Study. Comorbidities included hypertension (77%), diabetes mellitus (31%), and coronary artery disease (15%). At baseline, mean visual acuity letter score was 50 (20/100) (range, 19-73 [20/400 to 20/40]), mean optical coherence tomography (OCT)-measured central subfield thickness was 678 μm (range, 300-1203 μm), and mean number of months from diagnosis of macular edema to randomization was 6 (range, 0-104 months). One hundred twenty (33%) SCORE2 participants had been treated previously with anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF) therapy, with these participants having baseline visual acuity letter score and OCT-measured central subfield thickness similar to those without prior anti-VEGF treatment, but longer mean duration of macular edema before randomization (18 months vs. 1 month for those without prior anti-VEGF treatment; P < 0.0001). The SCORE2 cohort is a heterogeneous population, including both CRVO and HRVO eyes and both treatment-naïve eyes and eyes treated previously with anti-VEGF, which will allow study results to have broad applicability to CRVO and HRVO patients receiving treatment for macular edema. Similarities of the baseline characteristics of the SCORE2 population to other CRVO trial cohorts will allow meaningful comparisons of outcome results across trials.

Impact of initial visual acuity on anti-VEGF treatment outcomes in patients with macular oedema secondary to retinal vein occlusions in routine clinical practice

AimTo determine the impact of initial visual acuity (VA) on anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) treatment outcomes in patients with macular oedema secondary to retinal vein occlusions in routine clinical...

Retinal vascular changes in hypertensive patients in Ibadan, Sub-Saharan Africa.

BackgroundEarlier studies in Nigeria reported the rarity of retinal vascular changes in hypertensives. The aim of this study was to describe the various retinal vascular changes in the hypertensive patients of Nigeria.Patients and methodsNine hundred and three hypertensive patients were studied. This study was approved by the ethical and research committee of the University of Ibadan and University College Hospital, Ibadan, Nigeria. Blood pressure and anthropometric measurements were measured. Cardiac echocardiography was performed on 156 patients. All patients had dilated fundoscopy and fundus photography using the Kowa portable fundus camera and an Apple iPhone with 20 D lens. Statistical analysis was done with Statistical Packages for the Social Sciences (Version 21).ResultsThe mean age of patients was 57 years with a male:female ratio of 1. No retinopathy was found in 556 (61.5%) patients. In all, 175 (19.4%) patients had features of hypertensive retinopathy. Retinal vascular occlusion was a significant finding in 121 patients (13.4%), of which branch retinal vein occlusion, 43 (4.7%), and central retinal vein occlusion, 30 (3.3%), were the most prominent ones in cases. Hemicentral retinal vein occlusion, 26 (2.9%), and central retinal artery occlusion, 17 (1.9%), were significant presentations. Other findings included nonarteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy in five (0.6%) patients, hypertensive choroidopathy in seven (0.8%) patients, and hemorrhagic choroidal detachment in five (0.6%) patients. Left ventricular (LV) geometry was abnormal in 85 (55.5%) patients. Concentric remodeling, eccentric hypertrophy, and concentric hypertrophy were observed in 43 (27.6%), 26 (17.2%), and 15 (9.7%) patients, respectively. LV hypertrophy was found in 42 (27%) patients, while 60 (39%) patients had increased relative wall thickness. In this study, bivariate analysis showed a correlation between LV relative wall thickness and severity of retinopathy in both eyes (Spearman’s coefficient 0.6; P=0.0004).ConclusionHypertensive retinal vascular changes are not rare in Ibadan.