Long-term Visual Outcomes In Patients Research Articles

Influence of submacular hemorrhage at baseline on the long-term outcomes of aflibercept treatment for typical neovascular age-related macular degeneration and polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy.

To investigate the influence of submacular hemorrhage (SMH) at baseline on long-term visual outcomes of patients with typical age-related macular degeneration (tAMD) and polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy (PCV) treated with intravitreal aflibercept (IVA). In this retrospective study, eyes of treatment-naïve patients with tAMD and PCV who initiated IVA under a treat-and-extend regimen and were followed up for ≥ 5years were classified into the tAMD-SMH ( +), tAMD-SMH (-), PCV-SMH ( +), and PCV-SMH (-) groups based on the presence of SMH at baseline. Best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) changes and macular fibrosis and atrophy incidences were assessed. This study included 127 eyes (127 patients), including 51 with tAMD and 76 with PCV; 18 eyes had SMH at baseline. In the tAMD-SMH ( +) group (n = 6), the mean logMAR BCVA significantly deterioratedfrom 0.59 ± 0.45 at baseline to 0.88 ± 0.47 at the final visit (P = 0.024). No significant BCVA changes were observed in the tAMD-SMH (-) (n = 45), PCV-SMH ( +) (n = 12), or PCV-SMH (-) (n = 64) groups (all P > 0.05). The tAMD-SMH ( +) group showed a significantly higher incidence of macular fibrosis at the final visit than did the tAMD-SMH (-) group (P = 0.042). There was no influence of baseline SMH on the macular fibrosis incidence in eyes with PCV and the macular atrophy incidence in eyes with tAMD and PCV. The presence of SMH at baseline resulted in poorer long-term visual acuity in eyes with tAMD, even with aflibercept treatment. However, no such influence was observed in eyes with PCV.

Long-Term Visual Outcome of Patients with Blau Syndrome

ABSTRACT Purpose To document the long-term visual outcomes in patients with Blau syndrome. Methods A retrospective institutional cohort study was conducted, and 13 patients with genetically confirmed Blau syndrome were included. Demographic and clinical data were collected from standardised medical charts. Baseline was defined as the first detected uveitis and data were recorded onwards at intervals of 1, 3, 5, 10, 15 and 20 years. Results Anterior uveitis was the most common classification at baseline (57.1%). Among patients with documented uveitis lasting 10 years or more, all of them developed panuveitis. Median logMAR visual acuity at baseline was 0 (range −0.5; 0.7), 0.19 (range 0; 1.5) at year 5, and 0.7 (range 0.1 – no perception of light) at year 20, as recorded in 13, 16, and 10 eyes, respectively. All patients received treatment with topical and oral steroids, and multiple systemic immunosuppressants including biologics. Disease control, defined as having cells <1+ in both eyes and using topical steroid eye drops less than twice daily, was achieved in 14.3% to 37.5% of patients at the different time points. Cataract surgery was performed in 12 eyes of 8 patients, 3 eyes of 3 patients necessitated glaucoma surgery, and 4 eyes of 4 patients required surgery for retinal detachment. Conclusion Uveitis associated with Blau syndrome commonly leads to severe, chronic panuveitis, requiring long-term systemic immunosuppression. Early diagnosis and timely initiation of biologics may prevent significant visual impairment.

Long-Term Visual Outcomes in Patients With Idiopathic Epiretinal Membrane Surgery.

Our aim was to assess long-term outcomes following surgical repair of idiopathic epiretinal membrane (ERM) with pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) and membrane peel (MP). A retrospective study evaluated patients with idiopathic ERM who underwent surgical repair at a single academic tertiary center with five to nine years of postoperative follow-up, assessing preoperative characteristics, surgical techniques, best visual acuity (BVA), and optical coherence tomography biomarkers at various time points. The study involved 67 patients (72 eyes) with an average postoperative follow-up of 82.8 ± 18.8 months. Patients with cone outer segment tips integrity at initial presentation and 1-year follow-up and patients with external limiting membrane and ellipsoid zone integrity at 1-year follow-up were noted to have significantly better long-term visual acuity than those without. More than 85% of patients achieved a BVA > 70 seven years after surgical repair. Vitreoretinal surgery for idiopathic ERM resulted in improved anatomical recovery and sustained visual acuity gain over long-term follow-up. [Ophthalmic Surg Lasers Imaging Retina 2024;55:70-77.].

Intravitreal injectable hydrogel rods with long-acting bevacizumab delivery to the retina.

Retinal vascular diseases such as neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD) are the leading cause of blindness worldwide. They can be treated with intravitreal injections of anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF) agents by inhibiting VEGF which is a major agent of abnormal blood vessel growth. However, because of drug's short half-life, clinical treatment often requires monthly repeated intravitreal injections, causing treatment burden and undertreatment. Among various kinds of drug carriers, in situ forming hydrogels have been studied as potential intravitreal drug carriers for the high drug loading, easy injection, controlled drug release, and protection of encapsulated drugs from the environment. However, gelation time, crosslinking degree, and drug release patterns following injection of a liquid that will be subsequently gelled in situ are susceptible to be hindered by dilution of the hydrogel precursor solution with body fluids (e.g., blood or vitreous). Here, we report an injectable pre-crosslinked hydrogel rod to overcome the limitations of in situ forming hydrogels and to extend intravitreal half-life of anti-VEGF for reducing intraocular injection frequency. Hydrogel rods can be simply prepared using in situ forming hydrogels, and injectable using a designed rod injector. The adjustable crosslinking degree of hydrogel rods easily controlled bevacizumab release profiles in a sustained manner. Compared with in situ forming hydrogels, hydrogel rods effectively reduced initial burst release, and showed sustained release with long-term drug efficacy in vitro. From the 4-month in vivo pharmacokinetic analysis, following the intravitreal injection of hydrogel rods, the half-life of bevacizumab in the vitreous and retina was significantly extended, and drug elimination to aqueous humor was effectively reduced. Finally, intraocular stability, degradation, and inflammatory response of hydrogel rods were evaluated. We expect that the hydrogel rod can be a potential drug delivery system for the treatment of nAMD and other conditions that need long-term and local sustained drug administration. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: Herein, we report an injectable pre-crosslinked hydrogel rod based on an in situ forming hydrogel to achieve intravitreal long-acting anti-VEGF delivery to reduce injection frequency and improve the long-term visual outcomes of patients with retinal vascular diseases. Hydrogel rods were readily prepared using removable molds and injected using customized injectors. Compared to the in situ forming hydrogel, hydrogel rods showed significantly reduced initial burst release, controllable release profiles for several months, physical stability, and a long-acting anti-angiogenic effect. Animal studies demonstrated that the hydrogel rods dramatically prolonged the intraocular drug half-life while significantly reducing drug elimination for up to four months. Moreover, the biodegradability and safety of the hydrogel rods suggest their suitability as an advanced intravitreal DDS for treating retinal vascular diseases.

Long-Term Visual Prognosis of Patients Following Lens-Sparing Vitrectomy for Stage 4A Retinopathy of Prematurity.

This study evaluated the long-term visual outcomes of patients in whom at least one eye underwent successful lens-sparing vitrectomy (LSV) for stage 4A retinopathy of prematurity (ROP). A retrospective chart review was conducted using the data of 61 eyes of 42 patients with a minimum 4-year follow-up after successful LSV, with or without anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) therapy, and whose best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) was measurable using Landolt rings at the final visit. The mean age at the final follow-up was 10.1 ± 3.3 years. Before LSV, all eyes underwent laser ablation therapy. Twenty eyes (32.8%) with high vascular activity received anti-VEGF therapy before LSV. The mean decimal BCVA at the final follow-up was 0.23 ± 0.26 (range: hand motion to 1.2). Twenty-three eyes (54.1%) had a decimal BCVA of ≥0.4. Among 49 phakic eyes at the final examination, the mean refractive error was -10.1 ± 5.0 D, with 37 eyes (75.5%) having high myopia (>-6.0 D). No significant differences were observed in terms of decimal BCVA and refractive errors between eyes with and without anti-VEGF therapy. Approximately half of the patients had a decimal BCVA of ≥0.4, despite myopic refraction after successful LSV for stage 4A ROP. LSV for stage 4A ROP seemed to be associated with good visual function, despite myopic refraction.

The First-Year Variation in Central Retinal Thickness Predicts Legal Blindness in Patients with Neovascular Age-Related Macular Degeneration

Introduction: Due to its progressive nature, early evaluation and timely prediction of legal blindness are important in patients with neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD). We examined the association between early-stage variation in central retinal thickness (CRT) and long-term visual outcomes in patients with nAMD. Methods: We included 103 nAMD patients who were administered anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF). Participants were considered qualified if they were (1) 50 years and older, (2) treatment-naïve, (3) received standard anti-VEGF treatment and had complete baseline information. We further excluded patients with less than 1-year follow-up data and those who experienced best corrected visual acuity ≤35. Early-stage variability in CRT was measured as the first-year coefficient of variability (CV) of CRT. Patients were then classified into the high-variability and low-variability groups according to the X-tile. A product-limit plot was used to demonstrate the differences and tested with the log-rank test. The association between first-year variability and visual outcomes was quantified using Cox regression models. Time-to-event primary endpoint was the overall visual preservation (OVP) rate, defined as the time from the first injection to legal blindness, i.e., best corrected visual acuity ≤35 Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study (ETDRS) letters. Results: A threshold of 20% of first-year CV in CRT was used to categorize 76 qualified patients into high variability (35, 46.1%) and low variability (41, 53.9%). The 5- and 10-year OVPs for patients with high versus low variability were 76% versus 48% and 59% versus 22%, respectively. High early-stage CRT variability showed a significantly higher risk of legal blindness. Even after adjusting for the demographic and clinical features, the variability remained significant (HR = 2.39, 95% CI: 1.20–4.78). Conclusion: First-year variability of CRT was predictive of long-term visual outcomes in patients with nAMD, and 20% of the variability could be used as a clinically convenient threshold to qualitatively classify patients into high- and low-variability groups. The current study is important for identifying high-risk populations and for long-term disease management.

Visual Outcomes and Optical Coherence Tomography Biomarkers of Vision Improvement in Patients With Leber Hereditary Optic Neuropathy Treated With Idebenone

To assess the relationship of demographics, clinical characteristics and structural optical coherence tomography (OCT) findings to long-term visual outcomes in patients with Leber hereditary optic neuropathy (LHON) treated with idebenone. Retrospective, interventional, noncomparative clinical cohort study. In this study, a total of 17 participants (34 eyes) with LHON treated with idebenone therapy within 1 year after disease onset and 2 years (24 months) of regular follow-ups were retrospectively enrolled. At baseline, structural OCT volume scans of the macula and optic nerve were reviewed to measure metrics reflecting neuronal loss (ie, macular ganglion cell and inner plexiform layer [GC-IPL] and peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer [RNFL] thicknesses). Stepwise multiple regression analyses were computed to assess associations between final best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) at 2 years and change in BCVA from baseline at 2 years as dependent variables with demographics, clinical characteristics, and OCT metrics at baseline (visit before the initiation of treatment). The BCVA was 1.6±0.8 logMAR (Snellen VA of ∼20/800) at baseline (visit before the initiation of treatment) and 1.0±0.7 logMAR (Snellen VA of 20/200) at the 2-year follow-up visit (P < .0001). Mean±SD change in BCVA from baseline at 2 years was -51.9%±35.9%. In multivariable analysis, the strongest associations with final BCVA were with baseline BCVA (P=.012), superior macular GC-IPL thickness (P=.044), superotemporal macular GC-IPL thickness (P=.010), and inferotemporal macular GC-IPL thickness (P=.015). Similarly, the strongest associations with delta BCVA were with superior macular GC-IPL thickness (P=.045), superotemporal macular GC-IPL thickness (P=.047), and inferotemporal macular GC-IPL thickness (P=.030). We identified OCT biomarkers associated with long-term (ie, 2-year) visual outcomes in patients with LHON treated with idebenone therapy in the first year after disease onset. Thinning of the GC-IPL in the superior and temporal parafoveal regions was associated with worse long-term visual outcomes in these patients.

Long-Term Visual Outcomes in Exudative Age-Related Macular Degeneration Patients With Unanticipated Gaps in Therapy.

This study's objective was to describe long-term visual outcomes of patients with age-related macular degeneration (AMD) treated with intravitreal anti-vascular endothelial growth factor injections who were lost to follow-up and then resumed treatment with anti-vascular endothelial growth factor injections. This was a retrospective cohort study of eyes with at least 7 years of follow-up following the initiation of treatment for wet AMD with and without gaps in therapy. The baseline mean logMAR visual acuity was 0.65 ± 0.5 (Snellen acuity 20/89) in eyes with gaps in therapy and 0.53 ± 0.3 (20/68) in eyes without gaps. In the initial 7-year follow-up period, the eyes with gaps in therapy had significantly worse visual acuity (P < .001) and this remained significant when accounting for baseline visual acuity (P < .001). Gaps in intravitreal injection therapy for exudative AMD were negatively associated with visual acuity. Adherence to therapy is important to address in the care of patients with exudative AMD. [Ophthalmic Surg Lasers Imaging Retina 2022;53:481-489.].

Short- and Long-Term Visual Outcomes in Patients Receiving Intravitreal Injections: The Impact of the Coronavirus 2019 Disease (COVID-19)-Related Lockdown.

Purpose: To investigate the short- and long-term impact of COVID-19—related lockdown on the vision of patients requiring intravitreal injections (IVI) for neovascular Age-related Macular degeneration (nvAMD), diabetic retinopathy (DR), central retinal vein occlusion (CRVO), or branch retinal vein occlusion (BRVO). Methods: This is a retrospective study from the Retina department of three Mass Eye and Ear centers. Charts of patients age of ≥ 18 years with any of the abovementioned diagnoses who had a scheduled appointment anytime between 17 March 2020 until 18 May 2020 (lockdown period in Boston, Massachusetts) were reviewed at baseline (up to 12 weeks before the lockdown), at first available follow-up (=actual f/u) during or after the lockdown period, at 3 months, 6 months, and at last available completed appointment of 2020. Results: A total of 1001 patients met the inclusion criteria. Of those patients, 479 (47.9%) completed their intended f/u appointment, while 522 missed it (canceled and “no show”). The delay in care of those who missed it was 59.15 days [standard deviation (SD) ± 49.6]. In these patients, significant loss of vision was noted at actual f/u [Best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) in LogMAR (Logarithm of the Minimum Angle of Resolution)—mean (±SD)—completed: 0.45 (±0.46), missed: 0.53 (±0.55); p = 0.01], which was more prominent in the DR group [Visual acuity (VA) change in LogMAR—mean (±SD); completed: 0.04 (±0.28), missed: 0.18 (±0.44); p = 0.02] and CRVO [completed: −0.06 (±0.27), missed: 0.11 (±0.35); p = <0.001] groups followed by nvAMD [completed: 0.006 (±0.16), missed: 0.06 (±0.27); p = 0.004] and BRVO [completed: −0.02 (±0.1), missed: 0.03 (±0.14); p = 0.02] ones. Overall, a higher percent of people who missed their intended f/u experienced vision loss of more than 15 letters at last f/u compared to those who completed it [missed vs. completed; 13.4% vs. 7.4% in nvAMD (p = 0.72), 7.8% vs. 6.3% in DR (0.84), 15.5% vs. 9.9% in CRVO (p < 0.001) and 9.6% vs. 2% in BRVO (p = 0.48)]. Conclusions: Delay in care of about 8.45 weeks can lead to loss of vision in patients who receive IVI with DR and CRVO patients being more vulnerable in the short-term, whereas in the long-term, CRVO patients followed by the nvAMD patients demonstrating the least vision recovery. BRVO patients were less likely to be affected by the delay in care. Adherence to treatment is key for maintaining and improving visual outcomes in patients who require IVI.

Long-term visual outcomes after ruthenium plaque brachytherapy for posterior choroidal melanoma.

To assess the long-term visual outcomes in patients with posteriorly located choroidal melanoma treated with ruthenium plaque brachytherapy between January 2013 and December 2015. A retrospective review was conducted on consecutive patients treated with ruthenium plaque brachytherapy for post-equatorial choroidal melanoma with available Snellen visual acuity before and after treatment, and the development and treatment of radiation complications. There were 219 patients with posterior choroidal melanoma treated with ruthenium plaque brachytherapy. Median follow up was 56.5 months, range 12-81 months. Final visual acuity was ≥6/12 in 97 (44.3%) patients, 6/12 to 6/60 in 57 (26.0%), <6/60 in 55 (25.1%) and 10 (4.6%) eyes were enucleated. Radiation maculopathy was the most common radiation complication encountered, occurring in 53 (24.2%) patients. Of these, final visual acuity was 6/12 in 10 patients (18.9%), 6/12 to 6/60 in 26 (49.1%), <6/60 in 16 (30.2%) and 1 eye (1.9%) was enucleated. Twenty-five (47%) with radiation maculopathy were treated with intravitreal anti-angiogenic therapy, 27 (51%) were monitored and one (2%) was treated with scatter photocoagulation. Eyes treated with intravitreal anti-angiogenic therapy had better final vision than those observed or treated with retinal laser (chi-square, p = 0.04). On multivariate analysis, close proximity to the optic nerve and fovea, and large or notched plaque type was associated with final vision worse than 6/12. Most patients treated with ruthenium plaque brachytherapy for posterior choroidal melanoma retain 6/60 vision, with almost half retaining 6/12 vision at long term follow up.

Long-term follow-up of management of choroidal neovascularisation secondary to angioid streaks with intravitreal anti-vascular endothelial growth factor

To assess the short-term and long-term visual outcomes in patients with choroidal neovascularisation (CNV) secondary to angioid streaks treated with intravitreal anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). Retrospective, single-centre study. Overall 66 eyes of 52 patients were analysed. Follow-up ranged from 1 to 10 years. BCVA was 62 ETDRS letters at baseline, 68 letters at 1 year, 60 ETDRS letters at 5 years and 58 letters at 7 years. At 2 years patients gained 5.7 ETDRS letters from baseline but this gain was lost at 5 years. At 5 years there was an average loss of ETDRS letters from baseline of 3.3 letters. Sub-group analysis of subfoveal CNV showed worse outcome compared with eyes with extrafoveal and juxtafoveal CNV. In subfoveal CNV, BCVA was 53 ETDRS letters at 1 year (p < 0.0001) and 39 ETDRS at 5 years (p = 0.0005). Anti-VEGF therapy is effective at stabilising visual acuity in patients with choroidal neovascularisation secondary to angiod streaks, however there is a gradual decline in visual acuity observed with 5-10 years of follow-up. Furthermore, subfoveal CNV have worse visual outcome compared with extrafoveal and juxtafoveal CNV.

LONG-TERM VISUAL OUTCOMES AND CLINICAL FEATURES AFTER ANTI-VASCULAR ENDOTHELIAL GROWTH FACTOR INJECTION-RELATED ENDOPHTHALMITIS.

To determine long-term visual outcomes in patients who developed endophthalmitis after intravitreal anti-vascular endothelial growth factor injections and to correlate visual outcomes with clinical features. This is a retrospective, multicenter, consecutive case series of patients diagnosed with anti-vascular endothelial growth factor injection-related endophthalmitis who were treated at Mid Atlantic Retina, the Retina Service of Wills Eye Hospital, Philadelphia, PA, and the University of Southern California Roski Eye Institute, Los Angeles, CA. Patients were included if they had at least 1 year of follow-up. Primary outcome was to evaluate long-term visual outcomes up to 5 years of follow-up. The secondary outcome was to determine clinical features (e.g., culture results) that may predict long-term visual acuity outcomes. A total of 56 cases of endophthalmitis from 168,247 anti-vascular endothelial growth factor injections were identified (0.033%, 1/3,004 injections), from which 51 eyes met inclusion criteria. Mean follow-up period was 3.3 years (median 4 years; range 1-5 years). A total of 24 patients (47%) reached a maximum final follow-up of 5 years. Mean Snellen visual acuity at the causative injection visit was 20/102 and decreased to counting fingers at diagnosis (P < 0.001). At 6-month follow-up, mean visual acuity improved to 20/644 (P < 0.001) and remained stable up to 5 years (20/480, P = 0.003) follow-up compared with diagnosis. At the final follow-up, 20 eyes had visual acuity that returned to within one line of baseline visual acuity (visual recovery group), whereas 31 patients' visual acuity was at least one line worse than initial visual acuity (visual deterioration group). The cultures for the visual recovery group were more likely to grow coagulase-negative Staphylococcus, whereas the visual deterioration group primarily grew Streptococcus species, Staphylococcus aureus, and Enterococcus faecalis (P = 0.002, comparing organisms isolated in the visual recovery and deterioration group). Visual outcomes after anti-vascular endothelial growth factor injection-related endophthalmitis seem to reach peak improvement by 6 months and remain stable up to a median of 4-year follow-up. Patients who develop culture-negative endophthalmitis or endophthalmitis secondary to coagulase-negative Staphylococcus are more likely to regain baseline visual acuity compared with cases secondary to Streptococcus species.

Efficacy and safety of primary posterior capsulotomy in combined phaco-vitrectomy in rhegmatogenous retinal detachment.

ObjectiveTo evaluate the efficacy and safety of posterior capsulotomy by analyzing the long-term visual outcomes in patients with rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RD), who underwent combined phaco-vitrectomy with or without primary posterior capsulotomy.MethodsA retrospective longitudinal cohort analysis was performed by using data of rhegmatogenous RD patients undergoing combined phaco-vitrectomy. Patients were divided into two groups; Group A (68 eyes of 68 patients) with capsulotomy, and Group B (39 eyes of 39 patients) without capsulotomy. We reviewed the best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), incidence of posterior capsule opacification (PCO), clinical features at the diagnosis of rhegmatogenous RD, and intraoperative or postoperative complications following posterior capsulotomy.ResultsThe modified BCVA measured by the logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution at initial diagnosis and 3, 6, and 12 months after surgery was 0.67 in Group A versus 0.85 in Group B (p = 0.258), 0.40 in Group A versus 0.50 in Group B (p = 0.309), 0.27 in Group A versus 0.45 in Group B (p = 0.055), and 0.21 in Group A versus 0.47 in Group B (p = 0.014), respectively. In subgroup with macula-on RRD, Group A exhibited better visual outcomes compared to Group B at 6(0.17 versus 0.40 [p = 0.037]) and at 12 months(0.14 versus 0.39 [p = 0.030]). The incidence of PCO in Group B was higher than Group A(28.2% versus 4.4% (p < 0.001)). There were no complications associated with posterior capsulotomy.ConclusionsA primary posterior capsulotomy during combined phaco-vitrectomy using a 23-gauge vitreous cutter was a safe and effective surgical procedure in patients with RRD patients for preventing postoperative intraocular lens-related PCO.

Long-Term Visual Outcomes in Patients with Neovascular AMD Who Exhibited Visual Acuity of 0.1 or Worse at 5th Injection

Long-Term Visual Outcomes in Patients with Neovascular AMD Who Exhibited Visual Acuity of 0.1 or Worse at 5th Injection

Long-term Safety and Efficacy of Sutureless Vitrectomy for Combined Epiretinal and Internal Limiting Membrane Removal

Purpose: The purpose of this case series is to evaluate the long-term visual outcomes of patients undergoing epiretinal membrane (ERM) removal combined with internal limiting membrane (ILM) peeling via sutureless vitrectomy. Methods: A retrospective review was conducted of 45 patients (45 eyes) with ERMs treated with 25-gauge pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) from 2010 to 2011. Data assessed included baseline characteristics, preoperative and postoperative best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), ERM recurrence rate during follow-up, and complications arising during follow-up. Results: PPV resulted in a statistically significant improvement in BCVA (20/61 preoperatively, 20/41 1 year postoperatively, and 20/45 at the end of follow-up). Mean duration of follow-up was 66.3 months (range, 26-89). Forty-one of 45 (91%) eyes had improved or stable vision, while 4/45 (8.9%) had worse vision. ERMs recurred in 12/45 eyes (26.7%), of which 1/45 (2.2%) required reoperation. The remaining 11 recurrent ERMs were documented as visually insignificant. Mean time to ERM recurrence was 29.3 months (range, 4-72). Conclusions: In one of the longest mean follow-up studies to date, small-gauge PPV for ERM and ILM removal results in statistically significant and stable long-term visual improvement. Despite ILM removal, ERMs did recur in a substantial proportion of patients, though the vast majority were not visually significant.

Long-term visual outcome in patients treated by flow diversion for carotid-ophthalmic aneurysms

BackgroundFlow-diverter stents (FDSs) are an upgrade in the treatment of intracranial aneurysms. However, complications concerning covered branches have been reported, especially the ophthalmic artery (OA). The purpose of our study...

Early and Late Retinal Pigment Epithelium Tears after Anti–Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Therapy for Neovascular Age-Related Macular Degeneration

To investigate when retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) tears occur and their associated treatment patterns and long-term visual outcomes in patients with neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD) during anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) treatment. Case-control analysis from a prospectively designed observational database. Treatment-naïve eyes enrolled in the Fight Retina Blindness! observational study that commenced anti-VEGF treatment for nAMD between January 2006 and January 2017 were identified. Cases were defined as eyes in which an RPE tear developed during treatment. Three control eyes per case were matched for age, baseline visual acuity (VA), lesion size, treatment duration before tearing, and duration of follow-up. Cases were classified as having early or late tears using a segmented regression model. Baseline characteristics were compared between the 2 groups. Comparisons of VA and injections received between tear eyes and control eyes were performed at baseline, before and immediately after the tear, and then 12 and 24 months later. Visual acuity also was compared among different visits within each group. Visual acuity, time to tear, and injections received. Fifty-five cases and 165 matched control eyes were included. The segmented regression estimated a breakpoint for the time to tear at 182 days. We therefore defined eyes as having early tears if they tore before the breakpoint (38/55 eyes [69%]), and as late tears if they tore afterward (17/55 eyes [31%]). Baseline VA was significantly lower in early compared with late tears (53.6 vs. 63.4 letters; P= 0.009). Visual acuity had improved in early tears before the tear (+5.6 letters from baseline; P= 0.01), decreased immediately after the tear (-8.3letters; P= 0.002), then recovered with no difference compared with control eyes 12 and 24 months later (P>0.05 for both). Late tear eyes had significantly lower VA than control eyes before tearing (55.5 vs. 66.9 letters; P < 0.001). Visual acuity did not decrease significantly after the tear, but continued to decline compared with control eyes at all end points. Both early and late tear eyes received more injections than control eyes after tearing. Retinal pigment epithelium tears act differently depending on when they occur. Long-term visual outcomes in eyes affected by RPE tearing may be related more to the patient's response to therapy than to the tear itself.

Ophthalmic Manifestations and Long-Term Visual Outcomes in Patients with Cobalamin C Deficiency

To explore the ocular manifestations of cobalamin C (cblC) deficiency, an inborn error of intracellular vitamin B12 metabolism. Retrospective, observational case series. Twenty-five cblC patients underwent clinical and ophthalmic examination at the National Institutes of Health between August 2004 and September 2012. Patient ages ranged from 2 to 27 years at last ophthalmic visit, and follow-up ranged from 0 to 83 months (median, 37 months; range, 13-83 months) over a total of 69 visits. Best-corrected visual acuity, slit-lamp biomicroscopy, dilated fundus examination, wide-field photography, fundus autofluorescence imaging, sedated electroretinography, optical coherence tomography, genetics and metabolite assessment. Visual acuity and presence and degree of retinal degeneration and optic nerve pallor. Nystagmus (64%), strabismus (52%), macular degeneration (72%), optic nerve pallor (68%), and vascular changes (64%) were present. c.271dupA (p.R91KfsX14) homozygous patients (n = 14) showed early and extensive macular degeneration. Electroretinography showed that scotopic and photopic responses were reduced and delayed, but were preserved remarkably in some patients despite severe degeneration. Optical coherence tomography images through the central macular lesion of a patient with severe retinal degeneration showed extreme thinning, some preservation of retinal lamination, and nearly complete loss of the outer nuclear layer. Despite hyperhomocysteinemia, no patients exhibited lens dislocation. This longitudinal study reports ocular outcomes in the largest group of patients with cblC deficiency systematically examined at a single center over an extended period. Differences in progression and severity of macular degeneration, optic nerve pallor, and vascular attenuation between homozygous c.271dupA (p.R91KfsX14) patients and compound heterozygotes were noted. The pace and chronicity of ophthalmic manifestations lacked strict correlation to metabolic status as measured during visits. Prenatal or early treatment, or both, may have mitigated ocular disease, leading to better functional acuity, but patients still progressed to severe macular degeneration. The effects of prenatal or early treatment, or both, in siblings; the manifestation of severe disease in infancy; the presence of comorbid developmental abnormalities; and the possible laminar structural defect noted in many patients are findings showing that cblC deficiency displays a developmental as well as a degenerative ocular phenotype.

Aniridic Glaucoma

The aim of this study was to evaluate long-term visual outcomes in patients with aniridic glaucoma. Retrospective noncomparative observational case series. A review of medical records of 128 eyes of 64 consecutive patients with aniridic glaucoma, diagnosed after the age of 5 years was analyzed. The parameters studied included age at presentation, family history, baseline intraocular pressure (IOP), type and the number of surgical interventions, and associated comorbidities. Best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) in the better eye. Mean age at presentation was 15.86±10.11 years (range, 5 to 47 y). The average follow-up was 7.69±4.98 years (range, 1 to 17 y). At the final follow up only 18 patients had BCVA better than 6\60 and only 5 patients had BCVA of >6/18. Seventeen of the 64 (26.5%) patients developed phthisis in 1 eye. The final visual outcomes were not associated with age at presentation (P=0.64) or sex (P=0.76); however, those with a higher baseline IOP (P=0.017), those with familial aniridia (P=0.037), and those who underwent more number of surgical interventions had poorer visual outcomes (P=0.004). Kaplan-Meier analysis demonstrated the probability of bilateral blindness to be 69.8% and 97.6% at 5 and 10 years, respectively. Long-term visual outcomes after therapy among aniridic glaucoma patients remain poor. Higher baseline IOP, the presence of familial aniridia, and a history of greater number of surgical interventions are associated with poorer long-term visual outcomes.

Long-term visual outcome and prognostic factors of Intravitreal anti-vascular endothelial growth factor treatment for retinal angiomatous proliferation.

To evaluate the long-term visual outcomes and investigate the prognostic factors of anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) therapy for retinal angiomatous proliferation (RAP). Thirty-eight treatment-naïve RAP eyes (38 patients) that received intravitreal anti-VEGF (ranibizumab and/or bevacizumab) injections were included and analyzed in this retrospective case series. All patients were treated with an initial series of three monthly intravitreal anti-VEGF injections, followed by as-needed injections for a total of 36 months. The mean number of anti-VEGF injections was 9.61 ± 3.1 during the 36-month follow-up. Mean baseline best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) was 0.79 ± 0.56 logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution (logMAR; 20/123 Snellen equivalent), and 0.75 ± 0.41 logMAR (20/112 Snellen equivalent) at 36 months (P = 0.55). Mean BCVA significantly improved at 3 months (P = 0.001), and the significant improvement persisted until 18 months from baseline (P = 0.02). However, the mean BCVA between 18 and 36 months showed no statistical in comparison with baseline values. Geographic atrophy developed in 14 eyes (36.8 %) during the entire 36-month follow-up period. Among baseline characteristics, baseline BCVA, greatest lesion diameter (GLD), and lesion size were significantly correlated with long-term visual outcome (P = 0.008, 0.02, and 0.002 respectively). Intravitreal anti-VEGF injections for RAP showed a favorable visual outcome during the first year; however, the visual gains declined after the second year from baseline. Better baseline BCVA, smaller lesion size, and smaller baseline GLD are associated with better long-term visual outcomes in patients with RAP.