Initial BCVA Research Articles

Clinical characteristics and optical coherence tomography of concomitant macular hole and rhgematogenous retinal detachment

To study the clinical characteristics of macula off rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD) with peripheral causative breaks and concomitant macular hole (RRD+MH). This is a bi-center study. Consecutive eyes of macula off RRD with or without macular hole (MH) were collected. Eyes in these two groups were compared with best corrected visual acuity in logarithm of minimal angle of resolution (logMAR BCVA), the presence of choroidal detachment (CD), proliferative vitreoretinopathy (PVR) and the extent of RRD. In the group of RRD+MH, regression analysis was used to evaluate the correlation of clinical factors and final logMar BCVA. In addition, optical coherence tomography was performed both pre-and post-operatively if possible. There were 40 eyes in the RRD+MH group and 80 eyes in the control group. Eyes with RRD+MH had worse initial and final logMar BCVA (p < 0.001), higher incidence of CD (p < 0.001), PVR and extensive RRD at baseline (p < 0.001). Among the eyes with RRD+MH, final BCVA was correlated with initial BCVA (p < 0.001, CI 0.637 to 0.837), recurrent RRD (p = 0.004, CI − 0.661 to − 0.126), duration of RRD (p = 0.021, CI − 0.576 to − 0.048) and presence of PVR (p = 0.001, CI − 0.131 to − 0.035). The hole closure rate at final follow up is 87.5%.11 of the 17 eyes had preoperative optical coherence tomography (OCT) obtained had ellipsoid zone lining the bottom of MH. CD, PVR and extensive RRD were more commonly observed in RRD+MH. The morphology of MH may suggest the pathogenesis of MH in RRD+MH include mechanism different from that of idiopathic MH.

Optical coherence tomography angiography of the foveal avascular zone after successful macula‐off rhegmatogenous retinal detachment repair

Aims/Purpose: To investigate the size and shape of the foveal avascular zone (FAZ) after successful macula‐off rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD) repair using swept source OCT angiography (SS OCTA).Methods: A prospective comparative cross‐sectional study including 21 eyes of 21 patients with macula‐off RRD that were successfully repaired. The size of the superficial FAZ was assessed by its area, length of perimeter, and Feret's diameter, and the shape by the circularity, axial ratio, roundness and solidity. The correlations between each parameter and the clinical and OCT findings were statistically determined. The unaffected fellow eyes were used as controls.Results: The mean initial BCVA was 1.92 ± 0.41 Log MAR (20/2000 Snellen's equivalent). The mean BCVA at OCTA acquisition (3 months) was 0.78 ± 0.39 Log MAR (20/100 Snellen's equivalent) (p &lt; 0.001). FAZ was significantly larger (323.09 ± 129.03 μm2 vs. 245.27 ± 93.15 μm2; p = 0.038), with longer perimeter (2.31 ± 0.35 mm vs. 2.07 ± 0.31 mm; p = 0.048), and irregular shaped (mean circularity: 0.73 ± 0.72 vs. 0.78 ± 0.5; p = 0.019 and mean solidity: 0.90 ± 0.02 vs. 0.93 ± 0.02; p = 0.002) in operated eyes than in the control group. The average Feret's diameter was 0.77 ± 0.10 mm versus 0.71 ± 0.88 mm (p = 0.076). The average axial ratio was 1.25 ± 0.20 versus 1.22 ± 0.22 (p = 0.531), and the average roundness was 0.81 ± 0.11 versus 0.83 ± 0.11 (p = 0.531). Mean central foveal thickness (CFT) was significantly lower in operated eyes than in control eyes (178.23 ± 40.59 μm vs. 247.44 ± 38.2 μm (p &lt; 0.001)). There was a significant inverse correlation between FAZ area and post‐operative outer nuclear layer thickness (r = −0.520, p = 0.016) and CFT (r = −0.571, p = 0.007) in operated eyes. There was no significant correlation between the post‐operative visual acuity and FAZ parameters.Conclusions: Enlargement and irregularities of FAZ after successful macula‐off RRD repair, as demonstrated by SS OCTA, might suggest an ischaemic macular damage caused by RRD that may affect post‐operative functional outcome.

Vitreoretinal Lymphoma with Intraretinal Infiltration, Simulating Retinal Necrosis

To describe the clinical features and outcomes of vitreoretinal lymphoma (VRL) with intraretinal infiltration, a pseudonecrotic variant. Retrospective, comparative analysis. Patients with biopsy-proven VRL at a single center from August 2016 to April2022. A retrospective record review was conducted for clinical, imaging, and laboratory data. Clinical features, visual, and survival outcomes. We included 67 eyes of 40 patients with biopsy-proven VRL. Pseudonecrotic retinal lesions (PRLs) were found in 24 (35.8%) eyes of 19 patients; these eyes were classified as a pseudonecrotic variant, whereas the remaining 43 (64.2%) eyes were classified as nonnecrotic. Comparison (pseudonecrotic vs. nonnecrotic) revealed that eyes with PRLs at presentation had a worse median best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA; 2.4 vs. 0.5 logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution [logMAR], P < 0.0001) and severe ocular manifestations (P < 0.0001), including optic disc swelling (79.2% vs. 0%), retinal vasculitis (93.8% vs. 4.7%), retinal hemorrhage (83.3% vs. 0%), and retinal detachment (RD) (79.2% vs. 0%). Follow-up data were available for 20 eyes (17 patients) in the pseudonecrotic group and 43 eyes (21 patients) in the nonnecrotic group. An equally worse median BCVA was noted in pseudonecrotic eyes at 6 months after treatment and the final follow-up as compared with nonnecrotic eyes (2.4 vs. 0.3 logMAR, P < 0.0001). The median follow-up period did not differ significantly (16.6 vs. 18.4 months, P= 0.47). Initial BCVA (β= 0.300, P= 0.003), presence of anterior chamber cell (β= 0.472, P= 0.013), and RD (β= 1.137, P < 0.0001) were significantly associated with poor visual outcomes in multivariate linear regression analysis (adjusted R2= 0.693). There were no significant differences in survival outcomes. Vitreoretinal lymphoma can present as pseudonecrotic retinopathy, with more advanced clinical presentations and worse final visual outcomes. The author(s) have no proprietary or commercial interest in any materials discussed in this article.

The Causes of Optic Disc Edema in Patients Presenting With Significantly Compromised Vision.

To evaluate the most common causes of optic disc edema (ODE) in patients with significantly compromised vision (initial best-corrected visual acuity [BCVA] of 20/400 or worse) at presentation. Retrospective chart review over a 5-year period of consecutive patients presenting to tertiary neuro-ophthalmology clinics at the University of Toronto. A total of 656 patients with ODE were included, and 49 patients (7.47%) had an initial BCVA of 20/400 or worse. There were 54 eyes included at baseline and 49 eyes at final follow-up. There were 29 female and 20 male patients. The mean age at first visit across patients was 55.9 years. Female patients (n = 29) were significantly older than male patients (n = 20) (P < 0.05). The causes of ODE were optic neuritis (ON) (n = 22; 40.7%), nonarteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION) (n = 22; 40.7%), arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (AAION) (n = 5; 9.26%), uveitis-related (n = 3; 5.56%), papilledema from idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH) (n = 1; 1.85%), and Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada disease (n = 1; 1.85%). Initial BCVA was not significantly different between ON and NAION groups (P = 0.52); however, final BCVA was significantly better in the ON group (P < 0.0001). The mean initial BCVA was worst in the AAION group (2.62 ± 0.54 logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution). The most common cause of ODE in patients <40 years old was ON (83.3%), whereas the 2 most common causes in patients >80 were NAION (60%) and AAION (40%). In patients between the ages of 60-80, NAION (100%) was the only cause. Patients with ODE and poor vision at presentation represent a minority of cases seen in neuro-ophthalmology clinics (<10%). Optic neuritis and NAION are the 2 most common causes of ODE with poor vision at presentation. These findings are limited by a small sample size and potential sampling bias.

Clinical comparative analysis of culture-proven bacterial keratitis according to prior topical steroid use: a retrospective study in a tertiary referral center of South Korea

This study analyzed the clinical characteristics of patients exposed to topical steroids before bacterial keratitis diagnosis (the prior topical steroid use, PS group), and compared these with those of the non-exposed group (the no prior topical steroid use, NPS group). We retrospectively analyzed 194 patients (PS, 34; NPS, 160) with culture-proven bacterial keratitis between 2007 and 2016. The microbiological profiles, epidemiology, predisposing factors, clinical characteristics, and treatment outcomes of PS and NPS were compared, and the risk factors for surgical intervention were evaluated. Pseudomonas spp. and Staphylococcus spp. were the most common isolates in PS and NPS, respectively, and no significant difference in the strain distribution between the two groups were observed. Significant differences were observed between PS and NPS for previous ocular surface disease (41.2%: 23.8%), initial BCVA < 0.1 (70.6%: 49.4%), epithelial defect size ≥ 5 mm2 (64.7%: 41.2%), epithelial healing time > 14 days (55.9%: 37.3%), and surgical intervention (23.5%: 8.8%). Prior topical steroid use, strong steroid use, and long-term steroid use groups were included in significant risk factors for surgical intervention. Previous exposure to topical steroids before the diagnosis of bacterial keratitis was associated with a worse initial clinical presentation and treatment outcomes. Additional multicenter studies should be conducted in the future.

A clinical study to analyse the effect of treatment on visual outcomes in bilateral refractive myopic amblyopia in pediatric population

To determine the efficacy of treatment on visual outcomes in bilateral refractive myopic amblyopia according to the degree of amblyopia and myopia in children of 4-18 years of age-group.This prospective interventional study enrolled 25 cases with bilateral myopia in the age group of 4-18yrs excluding those with organic cause. Thorough ocular examination carried out including subjective test, torch-light and slit-lamp examination, fundoscopy, cycloplegic refraction, wet retinoscopy,. Myopia not improving with best-corrected visual acuity[BCVA] selected and classified according to the degree of amblyopia. The Initial and final BCVA compared converted to log MAR scale for statistical analysis. Treatment planned according to degree of amblyopia and myopia were macular stimulation, occlusion, and combination of occlusion with macular stimulation and spectacle correction. Follow-up period was 1 year with initial weekly visits followed by monthly visits. Percentage improvement of visual acuity assessed in each patient.Among 25 cases, with respect to difference in amblyopia grade in BE, maximum mild amblyopia in 10 eyes improved with macular stimulation and 8 eyes of moderate-severe amblyopia improved with combination of macular stimulation and occlusion. P-value[0.01] is statistically significant with macular stimulation in LE.Untreated refractive errors in myopic are more prone to develop bilateral amblyopia. Timely proper treatment and compliance are necessary for visual improvement.

Clinical comparative analysis of bacterial keratitis according to contact lens use: a retrospective study in a tertiary referral center of South Korea.

To compare the clinical aspects and treatment outcomes of contact lens-related bacterial keratitis (CLBK) and non-CLBK patients. Altogether 217 patients of bacterial keratitis (CLBK; 62, non-CLBK; 155) hospitalized between January 2012 and December 2020 were retrospectively analyzed for epidemiology, microbiological profiles, predisposing factors, clinical characteristics, and treatment outcomes. Poor treatment outcomes (PTO) were defined as a final BCVA < 0.3 (Snellen), a decreased visual acuity after treatment, complications, or surgical intervention. Relative importance of the initial clinical features leading to PTO was assessed using the random forest model and two-proportion Z-test. The most common predisposing factors were sleeping with wearing CL (51.6%) in the CLBK group and trauma (55.5%) in the non-CLBK group. There were significant differences between the two groups in mean age (35.1:55.1years, p < 0.001), female sex (56.5:34.8%, p = 0.003), symptom duration (6.2:6.9days, p = 0.019), gram-negative organisms (83.3:48.3%, p = 0.008), epithelial healing time (8.5:14.1days, p = 0.004), final BCVA (0.15:0.46 logMAR, p = 0.015), and PTO (9.7:21.9%, p = 0.035). For the entire group, the initial BCVA < 0.1 (27.9%), symptom duration ≥ 5days (19.4%), age ≥ 60years (16.4%), and hypopyon (14.0%) were important initial clinical features leading to PTO in the random forest model. In CLBK group, the type of CL or CL-related history was not significantly related to PTO. CLBK patients had a higher proportion of females, younger age, gram-negative bacteria, and better treatment outcomes than those of non-CLBK patients. There were no significant risk factors leading to PTO in either the type of CL or CL-related history.

Severe macular complications in glaucoma: high-resolution multimodal imaging characteristics and review of the literature

PurposeTo describe imaging characteristics of severe macular complications occurring in glaucoma and discuss available treatments.MethodsRetrospective case series of glaucomatous patients with macular retinoschisis (MR) and/or serous retinal detachment (SRD). Patients underwent a complete ophthalmological examination and multimodal imaging including retinography, SD-OCT, fluorescein and indocyanine green angiography (FA & ICGA) and adaptive optics (AO).ResultsTen eyes (8 patients) were included. Initial BCVA was 1.04 ± 1.12 logMAR and IOP was 24.0 ± 9.3mmHg. All eyes presented with MR while SRD was present in 5 eyes (5 patients), with a central macular thickness of 573 ± 152 μm. FA and ICGA allowed to exclude leakage in all cases. A focal lamina cribrosa defect (LCD) was found in four eyes (4 patients) using OCT, with AO providing en-face visualization of the defect in one eye. Outer retinal hole was present in 3 eyes (3 patients). No visual improvement or resolution of the macular retinoschisis was observed in eyes with medical or surgical IOP control (N = 9). Vitrectomy with internal membrane limiting peeling and gas tamponade was performed in one eye with good visual results.ConclusionsMultimodal high-resolution imaging is essential to diagnose severe macular complications associated with advanced glaucoma.

Clinical characteristics of intermediate uveitis in adults according to criteria of the SUN working group.

To analyse the clinical characteristics of adult patients with pars planitis (PP-IU), non-pars planitis (NPP-IU) and multiple sclerosis-associated intermediate uveitis (MS-IU) and distinguish between groups. Seventy-three adult patients with intermediate uveitis (IU) reviewed retrospectively and divided as PP-IU, NPP-IU and MS-IU according to 'The standardization of uveitis nomenclature working group classification criteria.' Demographic and clinical characteristics, OCT and fluorescein angiography (FA) findings, complications and treatments were recorded. A total of 134 eyes of 73 patients were included, and 42 of the patients were classified as PP-IU, 12 as NPP-IU, and 19 as MS-IU. If a patient presenting with blurred vision, or tent-shaped vitreous band/snowballs/snowbank on examination, or vascular leakage on FA and accompanying neurological symptoms, the frequency of demyelinating plaque detection on cranial MRI and the risk of MS-IU increased. Mean BCVA was increased from 0.22 ± 0.30 logMAR to 0.19 ± 0.31 logMAR (p = 0.021). Gender, initial BCVA, snowbank formation, disc oedema and periphlebitis on examination, and disc leakage/occlusion on FA were found predictive of decreased BCVA at final visit (p < 0.05). The clinical features of these three groups are similar, some features that can guide the differential diagnosis. It may be recommended to periodically evaluate "suspicious" patients with MRI for MS.

Evaluation of the efficacy of anti-vascular endothelial growth factors in diabetic macular edema with retinal inner and outer layers disorganization.

This study aims to compare the effectiveness of treatment between anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF) agents in diabetic macular edema (DME) patients with disorganization of retinal inner layers (DRIL). Epiretinal membrane, serous macular detachment, ellipsoid zone (EZ) disorder, external limiting membrane (ELM) disorder, and hyperreflective foci were also examined. Patients treated for DME and also had DRIL were included in the study. The study design was retrospective and cross-sectional. The complete ophthalmologic records and imaging were scanned at the beginning, 3rd-month, 6th-month, and 12th-month follow-up, and the treatments administered were recorded. Anti-VEGF agents administered to the patients were examined in three groups: bevacizumab, ranibizumab, and aflibercept. A total of 141 eyes of 100 patients were included in our study. One hundred and fifteen eyes (81.6%) had a BCVA of 0, 5, or less at the beginning. There was no statistically significant difference between the three groups regarding initial BCVA and CMT and the change in BCVA and CMT at the beginning and the 12th month (p > 0.05). There was a negative correlation between EZ and ELM disorders in patients and the change in BCVA at 12months (r: 0.45 p < 0.001, r: 0.32 p < 0.001, respectively). The number of injections over five was positively correlated with the change in CMT but not with BCVA (r: - 2.35 p = 0.005 and r: 0.147 p = 0.082, respectively). No statistically significant difference was found between anti-VEGF agents when treating DME patients with DRIL. In addition, we have shown that anatomically better results were obtained in those who had five or more injections, although not in terms of BCVA.

Risk Factors for Legal Blindness in 237 Japanese Patients with Exogenous Endophthalmitis: A Multicenter Cohort Study from J-CREST

ABSTRACT Purpose We investigated potential risk factors for visual prognosis in Japanese patients with exogenous endophthalmitis. Methods In this retrospective observational multicenter cohort study, risk factors for legal blindness at 12 weeks after treatment initiation were evaluated based on patient characteristics, initial BCVA, causative events, pathogens, ocular symptoms, duration from symptom onset to initial treatment, and selected treatments. Results Overall, 23.1% of eyes developed legal blindness. The six risk factors for legal blindness were presence of eye pain, pathogen identification, poor BCVA at the initial visit, longer duration from symptom onset to initial treatment, type of causative event, and type of causative pathogen. Regarding the type of causative pathogen, coagulase-negative staphylococci was associated with a better visual impairment outcome. Conclusion Exogenous endophthalmitis remains a severe ocular infection; however, it can be managed with rapid treatment, as well as other advances in medical knowledge and technology.

Erythropoietin as a treatment option for indirect traumatic optic neuropathy: A pilot study.

Our study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of intravenous erythropoietin (EPO) in patients with indirect traumatic optic neuropathy (TON), assess the side effects, and compare the visual function results among three groups of patients who had received different treatment options - EPO, steroids, and observation. : Patients with indirect TON presenting to the neuro-ophthalmology clinic from August 2019 to March 2020, were assigned to three groups, with six patients in each group. In group 1, patients were recruited prospectively and received recombinant human erythropoietin, whereas, in groups 2 and 3, patients were recruited retrospectively and received intravenous methylprednisolone followed by oral steroids and multivitamins, respectively. Groups 1 and 2 included patients presenting within 2 weeks of trauma, whereas group 3 included those presenting beyond that. Best-corrected visual acuity, pupillary reaction, color vision, and visual fields following treatment were measured. Initial visual acuity in the EPO group ranged from 20/80 to no perception of light (No PL). The mean initial BCVA (1.82 logMAR, standard deviation [SD] = 0.847) improved to 1.32, SD = 0.93 logMAR after treatment recorded at the third month (P = 0.0375), with no significant adverse effects. The initial BCVA of group 2 ranged from 20/120 to No PL. The mean initial BCVA (1.95, SD = 0.77 logMAR) improved to 1.45 logMAR, SD = 0.97 after treatment (P = 0.0435) but three patients had side effects of steroids. Initial visual acuity in Group 3 ranged from 20/40 to no PL. The mean initial BCVA (1.09 logMAR, SD = 1.10) worsened to 1.19 logMAR, SD = 1.06 after treatment after treatment (P = 0.0193). The improvement in BCVA when compared between the three groups was not significant. Both erythropoietin and steroids are effective in the management of traumatic optic neuropathy. However, erythropoietin shows lesser or no side effects when compared to steroids.

Large inferior retinectomies for proliferative vitreoretinopathy in silicone oil-filled eyes

BackgroundTo describe the anatomical and functional outcomes and late complications in patients who developed inferior proliferative vitreoretinopathy (PVR) in silicone oil-filled eyes and who required reoperation with large inferior retinectomy.MethodsThis is a single-center, retrospective, interventional case series analysis. The study involved 18 individuals with tractional retinal re-detachment due to PVR development inferiorly in eyes who had undergone prior pars plana vitrectomy and silicone oil as a tamponade. All patients included in the study underwent secondary surgery with large inferior retinectomy (from 120° to 270°) and silicone oil filling.ResultsThe mean follow-up period was 44.0 ± 31.5 (± SD) months (range: 4 to 96 months. The anatomical success, defined as the complete reattachment of the retina until the last follow-up, was observed in 88.9% of the cases. The postoperative visual acuity ranged from 20/100 to hand motion at 60 cm. Only two cases (11.1%) did not achieve anatomical success at the last follow-up due to recurrent PVR and retinal re-detachment (one including hypotony). All of the patients were pseudophakic. The PVR grade, as well as the presence of PVR prior to primary surgery, showed no statistical correlation with BCVA, the extent of retinectomies, and final macular status. There was a statistically significant correlation between "Final BCVA" and "Initial BCVA" (r = 0.654) and between "Final BCVA" and "Extent of Retinectomy" (r = 0.615).ConclusionsReoperation in eyes filled with silicone oil may be required when PVR is developed. Secondary surgery in these cases with large inferior retinectomy and silicone oil implantation may reach good anatomical success with low rates of late complications, besides improving visual acuity. A better BCVA at the time of re-RD diagnosis and cases of retinectomies with greater extensions showed a positive correlation with better functional outcomes.Trial registration Research Ethics Committee of the Suel Abujamra Institute reviewed and approved this study protocol (approval number, 5.404.961).

Efficacy and safety of a standardized hyperbaric oxygen therapy protocol for retinal artery occlusion

Introduction: We aimed to assess the efficacy and safety of a standardized hyperbaric oxygen (HBO2) therapy protocol in patients with retinal artery occlusion (RAO). Methods: A retrospective study was conducted in our tertiary care center from July 2016 to September 2019. Patients experiencing central RAO and branch RAO for less than seven days were included. Once the diagnosis was made, patients were urgently referred to the HBO2 department to receive a first 90-minute HBO2 session at a pressure of 2.5 ATA. Patients underwent two daily sessions seven days a week for at least 15 days. If no reperfusion was seen on fluorescein angiography on Day 15, treatment was continued for an additional week with an assessment on Day 21. The primary endpoint was BCVA improvement defined as a decrease by 0.3 logMAR at one month. Results: Twenty-eight patients were included during the study period. Fifty-seven percent of patients were treated more than 12 hours after the onset of the first symptoms. The mean BCVA was 1.5 logMAR at the time of referral and improved to 0.9 logMAR after HBO2 (p=0.001). A multivariate analysis identified a high blood pressure (p=0.039) and a low initial BCVA (p=0.005) as poor prognostic factors. Conclusion: Performing HBO2 sessions twice daily at a pressure of 2.5 ATA appears to be an effective and safe treatment for RAO.

Diabetic macular edema and proliferative diabetic retinopathy treated with anti-vascular endothelial growth factor under the reimbursement policy in Taiwan

The purpose of this retrospective interventional case series is to compare the functional and anatomical outcomes in eyes with diabetic macular edema (DME) and proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR) treated intravitreally with aflibercept or ranibizumab under the Taiwan National Insurance Bureau reimbursement policy. 84 eyes were collected and all eyes were imaged with spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT), color fundus photographs (CFPs), and fluorescein angiography (FA). At 24 months after therapy initiation, the logMAR BCVA improved from 0.58 ± 0.33 to 0.47 ± 0.38 (p < 0.01), the CRT decreased from 423.92 ± 135.84 to 316.36 ± 90.02 (p < 0.01), and the number of microaneurysms decreased from 142.14 ± 57.23 to 75.32 ± 43.86 (p < 0.01). The mean injection count was 11.74 ± 5.44. There was no intergroup difference in logMAR BCVA (p = 0.96), CRT (p = 0.69), or injection count (p = 0.81). However, the mean number of microaneurysms was marginally reduced (p = 0.06) in eyes treated with aflibercept at the end of the follow-up, and the incidence rates of supplementary panretinal photocoagulation (PRP) (p = 0.04) and subthreshold micropulse laser (SMPL) therapy sessions (p = 0.01) were also reduced. Multivariate analysis revealed that only initial logMAR BCVA influenced the final VA improvements (odds ratio (OR) 0.49, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.21 ~ 0.93, p < 0.01); in contrast, age (OR − 0.38, 95% CI − 6.97 ~ − 1.85, p < 0.01) and initial CRT (OR 0.56, 95% CI 0.34 ~ 0.84, p < 0.01) both influenced the final CRT reduction at 24 months. To sum up, both aflibercept and ranibizumab are effective in managing DME with PDR in terms of VA, CRT and MA count. Eyes receiving aflibercept required less supplementary PRP and SMPL treatment than those receiving ranibizumab. The initial VA influenced the final VA improvements at 24 months, while age and initial CRT were prognostic predictors of 24-month CRT reduction.

Clinical profile, multimodal imaging, and treatment response in macular serpiginous choroiditis.

Purpose:To describe the clinical profile, multimodal imaging, and treatment response in macular serpiginous choroiditis (MSC).Methods:Clinical records of 16 eyes (14 patients) with MSC presenting to a tertiary eye care institute between 2015 and 2019 were analyzed retrospectively.Results:Mean age of 14 patients presenting with MSC was 33 ± 13 yrs with 64% males and 36% females. Mean visual acuity of the eyes with MSC at presentation was 0.43 ± 0.46 (logMAR) improving to 0.16 ± 0.28 (logMAR) at final visit. Thirteen eyes (81.3%) had active lesion at presentation. Mantoux test was positive in seven patients (50%) and QuantiFERON TB gold test positive in 10 patients (71%). HRCT chest showed latent tuberculosis in seven patients (50%). All patients underwent multimodal imaging. All patients received oral steroids as treatment therapy; 11 patients also received immunosuppressives, nine patients received additional anti-tubercular therapy (ATT). Mean duration of follow-up for the patients was 18 ± 10 months. A total of eight (50%) eyes had recurrence of lesions after an average duration of 14 ± 14 (3-36) months and were restarted on the treatment as per the requirement. At final follow-up, all eyes showed a good response to treatment and had healed lesions. Comparing the final BCVA to the initial BCVA, 38% (n = 6) showed improvement, 56% (n = 9) remained stable, and 6% (n = 1) eyes worsened at the final follow-up.Conclusion:Clinical profile and presentation of MSC is similar to that of CSC, and combination treatment with intravenous methyl prednisolone (IVMP), steroids, immunosuppressives, and ATT can salvage vision. A high suspicion of associated tuberculosis in endemic regions should be kept in mind.

Risk factors for keratoconus progression after treatment by accelerated cross-linking (A-CXL): A prospective 24-month study

Identification of potential predictive factors for keratoconus progression after treatment by accelerated Cross-linking (A-CXL) SECONDARY OBJECTIVES: Evaluation of clinical and topographic outcomes for two years following accelerated cross-linking treatment for progressive keratoconus including: best spectacle corrected visual acuity (BSCVA), thinnest pachymetry, maximum keratometry (Kmax), cylinder. Prospective, interventional, monocentric study. SITE: Metz-Thionville Regional Medical Center, Lorraine University, Mercy Hospital, Metz, France. We included 82 eyes of 60 patients between March 2014 and June 2016 who underwent accelerated corneal cross-linking (A-CXL) with epithelial debridement for progressive keratoconus, with a minimum follow-up of 2 years. A complete clinical evaluation and corneal topography were performed before cross-linking, and subsequently at 6, 12 and 24 months post-procedure. The following parameters were monitored during follow-up: best spectacle corrected visual acuity (BSCVA), minimal pachymetry, maximum keratometry (Kmax), mean anterior and posterior curvatures, maximum posterior curvature, presence of optical aberrations, subdivided into spherical aberration, coma, astigmatism, higher order optical aberrations and residual optical aberrations. After a 2-year follow-up, two groups, defined as "responders" and "non-responders" to treatment, were separated for analysis, and their initial characteristics were compared. Data for 82 eyes of 60 patients with progressive keratoconus with a mean age of 24±7 years were studied. Fourteen eyes (17.1%) showed signs of progression after treatment by A-CXL (non-responders), and 68 eyes (82.9%) showed stabilization of the disease (responders). Characteristics of non-responding eyes after A-CXL included a younger mean age (20±5 vs. 25±7 years) (P=0.04) and a lower initial mean BCVA for non-responders of 0.44±0.16 logMAR vs. 0.29±0.19 logMAR (P=0.03). Non-responders also had a higher mean maximal posterior curvature (AKB) of -10.84±1.72D vs. -9.46± 1.12D (P=0.03). They also showed more higher order optical aberrations (3.84±1.72D vs. 2.4±1.02D; P=0.01), including coma (3.85±1.81D vs. 2.1±1.01D; P=0.03) and more residual aberrations than responders (1.05±0.44D vs. 0.45±0.6D; P=0.005). No significant differences were found between responders and non-responders for the other parameters in our study. Eyes with progressive keratoconus who did not respond to A-CXL treatment were the most aggressive cases in the youngest patients, with highest maximum corneal curvatures and most pronounced optical aberrations. These patients should be informed in advance of the high risk of non-response to A-CXL treatment, and of the potential need for additional treatment in the future.

Validation of choroidal hyperreflective foci in diabetic macular edema through a retrospective pilot study.

Purpose:Choroidal hyperreflective foci (HCF) are novel spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SDOCT) biomarkers in diabetic macular edema (DME). The present study intended to validate HCF and assess their role in the treatment outcome.Methods:It was a retrospective, longitudinal, records-based pilot study recruiting consecutive patients of nonproliferative diabetic retinopathy with treatment naïve DME. Patients were treated with three intravitreal anti-vascular endothelial growth factor injections and followed by a pro re nata regimen.Results:A total of 43 eyes of 28 patients were included in the study. Eyes were divided into two groups. Group A (n = 19) comprised eyes with retinal hyperreflective foci (HRF) and group B (n = 24) had eyes with both HRF and HCF. The mean age of patients in group A and B was 58.5 ± 2.1 years and 55.2 ± 8.8 years, respectively. Mean best-corrected visual acuity at presentation was 0.38 ± 0.25 in group A and 0.59 ± 0.29 in group B (P = 0.01). Final BCVA was 0.35 ± 0.39 in group A and 0.47 ± 0.34 in group B (P = 0.3). External limiting membrane was intact in 19 out of 19 eyes in group A and two (8.3%) eyes in group B (P = 0).Conclusion:Presence of HCF meant significantly worse initial BCVA compared to the eye that had HRF alone. The final BCVA was also worse in eyes with HCF compared to those with HRF and without HCF; however, the difference did not reach a significance level, probably pointing toward the fact that HCF and HRF are pathophysiologically identical. Further studies with a larger sample size and prospective design are needed to take these findings forward.

Uveitis associated with latent tuberculosis: A comparative study of the impact of antitubercular therapy combined or not with systemic corticosteroids.

To study the outcome of latent tubercular uveitis (LTBU) treated with antitubercular therapy (ATT) combined or not with adjuvant systemic corticosteroids. Twenty patients (27 eyes) with LTBU were included in a monocentric retrospective study and evaluated for the absence of active disease after treatment. Data on the clinical outcomes (active inflammation), vision (best-corrected visual acuity, BCVA) and treatment were collected retrospectively. Fourteen patients received ATT alone and six patients received ATT combined with systemic corticosteroids. The two groups were not comparable in terms of proportion of tubercular panuveitis cases and initial BCVA (59.3 ± 8.2 letters vs 44.2 ± 15.2 letters). There was no significant difference in remission rate and in BCVA between both groups 3 months after ATT discontinuation. Patients with LTBU treated with ATT alone had visual and inflammatory outcomes at least comparable to those of patients treated with ATT combined with systemic corticosteroids.

A Case Report On Intraocular Cystocercosis and the Occurrence of A Live Free Floating Cyst in the Anterior Chamber of the Eye

Ocular cysticercosis is a parasitic infestation caused by Cysticercus cellulosae, known as the larval form of Taenia solium. It occurs through consumption of fecally contaminated food or by intestinal autoinfection. Ocular cysticercosis can involve the ocular adnexa, the subconjunctival space, and the anterior and posterior segments of the eye. Anterior chamber cysticercosis is unusual. It has a worldwide distribution, most commonly found in developing countries with poor sanitation like East Asia, sub-Saharan Africa and some parts of Latin America. Due to its varied presentation, cysticercosis may pose a diagnostic challenge to health professionals. Early diagnosis and management can prevent vision loss and optimize visual outcomes. Below we report a rare case of an 11-year-old female presenting with blurriness and conjunctival injection to her left eye after visiting the countryside. Initial BCVA was noted to be 0.4. Histopathological findings showed scolex in the left anterior chamber and membranous cyst wall suggestive of cysticercus cellulosae. Management with viscoexpression, fixation of cyst along with topical and systemic medication showed satisfactory improvement with a post-operative BCVA of 1.0.