Median Baseline Visual Acuity Research Articles

Subretinal tissue plasminogen activator without vitrectomy for submacular hemorrhage displacement using Nano-vitreoretinal gateway device: A pilot report

Purpose: To evaluate the surgical outcome of subretinal tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) delivered without vitrectomy for the displacement of submacular hemorrhage (SMH). Method: A retrospective interventional cases series of consecutive patients who underwent subretinal tPA and intravitreal expansile gas without vitrectomy for SMH displacement. Concomitant injection of subretinal air and intravitreal ranibizumab and expansile gas was performed per surgeon’s discretion. Results: Seven eyes from 7 patients were included. 6 eyes (85.7%) had polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy (PCV) and 1 (14.3%) had wet age-related macular degeneration (wAMD). The median baseline visual acuity (VA) was 0.014 (range 0.005-50.1) ETDRS letters, which improved to 35 (range 26.3-65.1), 35 (range 31.0-73.9), 35 (range 35-77.3) and 35 (range 5-80.2) ETDRS letters at 1 week, 1 month, 3 months and 6 months, respectively. Visual gain of ≥5 letters was achieved in majority of patients through 6 months. Successful displacement of blood away from fovea was achieved in 100% of eyes. The rate of postoperative vitreous hemorrhage, retinal pigment epithelium tear and macular hole were 14.3% (1 patient) each. Conclusion: This novel, minimally invasive surgical technique is effective in displacing SMH and preserving vision.

TOWARD AN IMAGING-CENTRIC DEFINITION OF NONPARANEOPLASTIC AUTOIMMUNE RETINOPATHY.

To explore characteristic imaging features of nonparaneoplastic autoimmune retinopathy (npAIR) to augment diagnostic criteria. This is a retrospective cohort study of patients with npAIR evaluated at the Emory Eye Center between 2013 and 2019. Multimodal fundus images were evaluated to characterize the evolution of the disease. Twenty-one eyes of 12 patients were classified as having npAIR. Five patients (42%) were female, with median (range) age of 59 years (45-85 years). Median baseline visual acuity was 20/30 (20/20 to hand motions). Disease was asymmetric in 11 patients (92%). Common imaging findings included absence of bone spicules (86% of affected eyes), presence of attenuated vessels (86%), and speckled hypoautofluorescence in perimacular and perivenular regions. Three eyes were noted to present early with subtle splotchy fundus autofluorescence abnormality, ultimately developing characteristic speckled perimacular hypoautofluorescence. On optical coherence tomography, 18 eyes (86%) had loss of outer retinal bands with relative foveal sparing and a tapered transition zone. Many eyes with npAIR exhibit a subacute, asymmetric, generalized photoreceptor degeneration featuring outer retinal atrophy with relative foveal sparing, retinal vascular attenuation, absence of bone spicules, and speckled hypoautofluorescence often in a perimacular and perivenular distribution. Findings of this study augment diagnostic criteria to improve specificity and accessibility of testing for npAIR.

Long-term Anti–Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Treatment for Neovascular Age-Related Macular Degeneration: The LATAR Study: Report 1: Ten-Year, Real-World Outcomes

To report the 10-year outcomes of eyes with neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD) treated with vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) inhibitors. Ten-year, retrospective cohort study. A total of 1046 patients who commenced treatment with anti-VEGF for nAMD. Anti-VEGF-naïve eyes diagnosed with nAMD that commenced treatment between November 2006 and December 2009 were identified. Data collected included the baseline demographics, visual acuity (VA), and number of intravitreal injections. Baseline fundus fluorescein angiograms and OCT images were graded for choroidal neovascularization type. OCT images were graded for central macular thickness (CMT) and the presence of fluid over the 10 years. Change in vision at 10 years. Secondary outcomes included the proportion of eyes with 20/40 vision or better and 20/200 or worse, the proportion of eyes that were dry on OCT imaging, and the number of injections. Of 1046 eligible eyes, 10-year data were available for 293 (28%), which were included in the analyses. Eyes received 58.1 (standard deviation [SD], 33.6) injections during the 10 years. The mean CMT decreased from 355.5 μm (SD, 107.8 μm) to 264.2 (SD, 79.5) μm (P < 0.001). The median baseline VA was 60 (interquartile range [IQR], 45-70) letters, which improved by 9 (IQR, 1-14) letters after the first year of treatment (P < 0.001). Over the 10-year period, these initial gains were lost over time with a final VA change of+3 letters (IQR, 8-10 letters, P= 0.162). However, the proportion of eyes with VA 20/40 or better increased from 29% at baseline to 35% at 10 years (P < 0.001). The proportion of eyes at baseline with VA 20/200 or worse was 14% and 17% at 10 years. On average, eyes with nAMD maintained starting VA when treated with VEGF inhibitors for 10 years. With ongoing regular treatment, a greater proportion of eyes achieved VA of 20/40 or better at 10 years than at presentation.

Optical coherence tomography analysis of patients with untreated diabetic macular edema.

Diabetic macular edema (DME) is a major cause of vision loss. Diabetes patients with mild macular edema and good visual acuity are often observed carefully so that treatment can be instituted when central vision is threatened. Optimal frequency of monitoring of these patients is unknown. Our study aimed to gather more information to determine a safe interval for monitoring of patients with eyes that were not undergoing active treatment for DME and to correlate outcomes with clinical risk factors. Study population: Ninety-seven eyes with optical coherence tomography (OCT) evidence of DME of 97 patients with diabetes. Study procedures: Retrospective review of medical records and macular OCT scans at a 6-12-month interval. Primary outcomes: Change in visual acuity and change in central subfield thickness (CSFT) between the initial and follow-up OCT scans. There was no significant change from median baseline visual acuity 6/9 (inter-quartile range 6/6-6/12) or from median baseline CSFT (290μm, inter-quartile range 270-312μm) over a median duration of 8months (inter-quartile range 7-10months). The numbers of eyes where CSFT had increased ≥ 25μm, reduced ≥ 25μm, or remained unchanged were 16 (16%), 6 (6%), and 74 (76%), respectively. Patients with hemoglobin A1c ≥ 8.5% were 5.7 times more likely to develop central subfield thickening (95% CI 1.1-30.1, P = 0.038). Majority of eyes with DME on OCT had stable CSFT without treatment over a median duration of 8months. Hemoglobin A1c may be useful for risk stratification.

Long‐term visual acuity preservation after proton therapy for peri‐ and parapapillary melanoma patients treated at the Paul Scherrer Institute

PurposeTo assess long‐term visual acuity (VA) preservation in patients with peri‐ and parapillary melanoma after proton therapy (PT).MethodsWe evaluated 24 high‐risk for visual impairment patients with yet preserved long‐term VA treated from March 1987 through December 2004 at the Paul Scherrer Institute.ResultsMedian follow‐up was 11 years (range: 5.2–22.3). Mean patient's age was 51.3 years. Median tumor height was 2.8 mm (range: 1.8–5.2) and largest basal diameter, 11.4 mm (range: 6–17.9). In 9 patients (37.5%) the tumors abutted the optic disk, while 15 patients (62.5%) presented with tumors at a median distance of 1 mm (range: 0.1–2.4) and 2 mm (range: 0.1–5.7) from the optic disk and macula, respectively. Median baseline VA was 1.0 (range: 0.4–1.5). Between the second and eight year after PT, slight variations of median VA were observed, which however remained stable at 0.9 (range: 0.5–1.25). Thereafter, VA decreased under 0.6 in 7 (29%) patients. Seven patients (29%) developed papillopathy (median at 3 years after PT), with one of them losing useful VA (0.01), 22 years following PT. Macular area receiving ≥ 30 CGE was an unfavorable prognostic factor for preserving long‐term useful VA.ConclusionsPreservation of visual function in some of these cases could be consequential to reduced radiation exposure to the macula and optic nerve behind the disk. We speculate on a possible role of the posterior ciliary artery (PCA) and their capillary anastomoses, protecting the papillo‐macular area from ischemia.

PARS PLANA VITRECTOMY IN THE MANAGEMENT OF PATIENTS DIAGNOSED WITH ENDOPHTHALMITIS FOLLOWING INTRAVITREAL ANTI-VASCULAR ENDOTHELIAL GROWTH FACTOR INJECTION

To evaluate the possible benefit of pars plana vitrectomy in the treatment of patients with endophthalmitis following antivascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) injection. The authors retrospectively reviewed the medical records of all patients in their practice with a diagnosis of endophthalmitis from January 1, 2007, through December 31, 2011. Only those with a clinical presentation consistent with endophthalmitis after intravitreal anti-VEGF injection were included. Clinical data that were collected and recorded included visual acuities and the method of initial and subsequent treatment of endophthalmitis following anti-VEGF injection: tap and injection of intravitreal antibiotics (TAP) and tap and inject with subsequent pars plana vitrectomy (VIT). The authors identified 23 patients meeting criteria. Nineteen patients had received bevacizumab and four patients had received ranibizumab. The median time from last injection to presentation was 4 days (range, 1-18 days) with a median follow-up of 15 months (range, 5-48 months) after being diagnosed of endophthalmitis. Nine patients had positive cultures. The median baseline visual acuity (preendophthalmitis) was 20/70 (range, 20/25 to counting fingers at 2 ft) with a median presenting visual acuity of counting fingers at 1 ft (range, 20/50 to light perception vision). Overall, 90% (9/10) of the patients in TAP only group regained visual acuity within 1 line or better of baseline versus 46% (6 of 13) in the TAP and VIT group. Only one of the patients treated with TAP alone suffered more than one line of visual acuity loss. Patients diagnosed with endophthalmitis after anti-VEGF intravitreal injection who underwent TAP regained baseline visual acuity more often than those who underwent TAP and VIT. This study did not support a benefit for VIT in all patients, rather only in those cases who warranted it because of worsening clinical course. The study suggests that TAP is a viable primary intervention for endophthalmitis after anti-VEGF injection.

Incidence and baseline clinical characteristics of treated neovascular age-related macular degeneration in a well-defined region of the UK

AimsTo analyse the incidence and baseline clinical characteristics of patients with neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD) treated with intravitreal anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) injections in a defined UK region.MethodsA...

Three-Year Visual Outcome and Injection Frequency of Intravitreal Ranibizumab Therapy for Neovascular Age-Related Macular Degeneration

Background: To assess the 3-year visual outcome and injection frequency for patients on ranibizumab for neovascular age-related macular degeneration (NV-AMD). Methods: Retrospective case-note review of 174 treatment-naïve eyes of 156 patients with NV-AMD with 3-year follow-up was done at specific time points closest to 12, 24 and 36 months. Results: The median baseline visual acuity (VA) of 50 Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study letters (mean 48.2 ± 16.9) improved significantly to 55 (mean 51.2 ± 18.7) by the end of 12 months (p = 0.04). At 24 months, the median letter score remained unchanged at 55 (mean 50.4 ± 20.8; p = 0.14 as compared to baseline) and at 36 months, the median VA was 54 letters (mean 49.1 ± 21.7; p = 0.34 compared to baseline). The mean numbers of injections were 4.8 ± 2.2 at 1 year, 7.8 ± 4.2 at 2 years (2.9 in the second year) and 10.2 ± 6.2 at the end of the third year (2.4 in the third year). Conclusion: Our study demonstrates the efficacy of a variable dosing regimen of ranibizumab for the treatment of NV-AMD. The mean gain in VA is inversely proportional to the baseline VA and did not correlate with the number of injections.

The Steroids for Corneal Ulcers Trial

To provide comprehensive trial methods and baseline data for the Steroids for Corneal Ulcers Trial and to present epidemiological characteristics such as risk factors, causative organisms, and ulcer severity. Baseline data from a 1:1 randomized, placebo-controlled, double-masked clinical trial comparing prednisolone phosphate, 1%, with placebo as adjunctive therapy for the treatment of bacterial corneal ulcers. Eligible patients had a culture-positive bacterial corneal ulcer and had been taking moxifloxacin for 48 hours. The primary outcome for the trial is best spectacle-corrected visual acuity at 3 months from enrollment. This report provides comprehensive baseline data, including best spectacle-corrected visual acuity, infiltrate size, microbiological results, and patient demographics, for patients enrolled in the trial. Of 500 patients enrolled, 97% were in India. Two hundred twenty patients (44%) were agricultural workers. Median baseline visual acuity was 0.84 logMAR (Snellen, 20/125) (interquartile range, 0.36-1.7; Snellen, 20/50 to counting fingers). Baseline visual acuity was not significantly different between the United States and India. Ulcers in India had larger infiltrate/scar sizes (P = .04) and deeper infiltrates (P = .04) and were more likely to be localized centrally (P = .002) than ulcers enrolled in the United States. Gram-positive bacteria were the most common organisms isolated from the ulcers (n = 366, 72%). The Steroids for Corneal Ulcers Trial will compare the use of a topical corticosteroid with placebo as adjunctive therapy for bacterial corneal ulcers. Patients enrolled in this trial had diverse ulcer severity and on average significantly reduced visual acuity at presentation. clinicaltrials.gov Identifier: NCT00324168.

Short-Term Safety and Efficacy of a Single Intravitreal Bevacizumab Injection for the Management of Polypoidal Choroidal Vasculopathy

Aims: To evaluate the short-term safety and efficacy of a single intravitreal bevacizumab injection in patients with polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy (PCV). Methods: The records of patients treated with intravitreal bevacizumab for PCV were retrospectively reviewed. All patients were evaluated by complete ophthalmic examination, optical coherence tomography and fluorescein and indocyanine green angiography. Changes in visual acuity and central retinal thickness (CRT) over 3 months were the main outcome measures. Results: Nineteen eyes of 18 patients were included. No serious ocular or systemic adverse events were observed. The median baseline visual acuity and CRT were 20/100 and 230 μm, respectively. After 1 month, there was no significant improvement in median visual acuity (20/80⁺¹; p = 0.055), but median CRT had decreased significantly (160 μm; p < 0.001). After 3 months (data available for 17 eyes), both median visual acuity (20/63^–2; p = 0.001) and CRT (190 μm; p = 0.007) showed significant improvements over baseline values. Conclusions: Intravitreal bevacizumab therapy for PCV was well tolerated over the 3-month follow-up period. Short-term results are promising, but further studies are necessary to evaluate long-term efficacy.

Tumor volume reduction using combined phacoemulsification and intravitreal triamcinolone injection for the management of cataract with treated uveal melanoma and atypical nevi

To study the reduction in tumor size and the safety and efficacy of combined phacoemulsification and intravitreal triamcinolone acetonide injection (phaco-IVTA) in patients with treated melanoma and atypical nevi. Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, Miami, Florida, USA. The medical records of 49 consecutive patients (51 eyes) with treated melanoma or atypical nevi treated with phaco-IVTA were evaluated retrospectively for changes in Snellen visual acuity, tumor volume, and frequency of complications. Main outcome measures included a postsurgical change in tumor size greater than or equal to 0.5 mm of height or 1.0 mm of basal diameter by echographic analysis, improvement in visual acuity at 6 months and final follow-up, and complications including endophthalmitis, cystoid macular edema, epiretinal membrane, increased intraocular pressure, and persistent corneal edema. The median baseline visual acuity was 20/80 in the affected eye. At the 6-month follow-up examination, 13 (68%) of 19 eyes had achieved better than 20/40 visual acuity. Treated uveal melanomas (n=30) and atypical choroidal nevi (n=21) were stable with combined therapy, and echographic measurements improved in 12 eyes. Intraocular pressure increased from baseline to 25 mm Hg or more postoperatively in 4 of 51 eyes (8%). No other significant complications occurred. Combined phacoemulsification and IVTA was reasonably safe in patients with treated melanoma and atypical nevi. Tumors remained stable or decreased slightly in size. Intravitreal triamcinolone acetonide injection at the time of cataract surgery in patients with treated melanoma or nevus may reduce rates of tumor progression in these patients.

Bevacizumab Treatment for Subfoveal Choroidal Neovascularization From Causes Other Than Age-Related Macular Degeneration

To report the results of intravitreous bevacizumab (Avastin) treatment for choroidal neovascularization (CNV) from causes other than age-related macular degeneration (AMD). We performed a retrospective analysis of eyes that received intravitreous bevacizumab, 1.25 mg, for subfoveal non-AMD CNV at a referral-based retinal practice. Repeated treatment with intravitreous bevacizumab occurred if there were signs of persistent or recurrent exudation. The main outcome measure was visual acuity (VA). The study included 39 eyes of 36 patients with subfoveal CNV secondary to multifocal choroiditis (n = 12), angioid streaks (n = 11), myopic degeneration (n = 10), idiopathic disease (n = 4), or other disease (n = 2). The median baseline VA was 20/60 (logMAR, 0.48). The mean follow-up was 58.8 weeks, and the mean number of injections per eye was 3.4. After 3-month follow-up, the median VA was 20/30 (logMAR, 0.18) (P = .004 vs baseline). At last follow-up, the median VA was 20/40 (logMAR, 0.30). This remained an improvement compared with baseline (P < .02) but was worse than 3-month follow-up (P < .03). There was no correlation between underlying diagnosis and VA change during follow-up. Subfoveal CNV secondary to non-AMD causes treated with intravitreous bevacizumab responded favorably and similarly, despite varying underlying etiologies.

Long-term effects of radial optic neurotomy for central retinal vein occlusion consecutive interventional case series

To investigate the long-term (minimum 24 months follow-up) clinical results of radial optic neurotomy (RON) following a pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) with internal limiting membrane peeling as treatment for central retinal vein occlusion (CRVO). Interventional case series of 14 consecutive patients (14 eyes) with CRVO who were treated with a PPV combined with RON within 1 year of diagnosis. Median baseline visual acuity (VA) was 1.05 logMAR (approximately 0.09 Snellen) in the affected eye. The follow-up period ranged from 24 to 48 months postoperatively, median 30 months. At the 24-month follow-up examination, median VA was 1.005 logMAR in the affected eye-a significant improvement (p = 0.013). Six patients (43%) gained 1 or more lines of VA (mean VA gain = 1.7 lines), while the VA of four patients (29%) improved by 3 or more lines. The eyes with nonischemic CRVO demonstrated a significantly higher improvement in VA (p = 0.0007) than the eyes with ischemic CRVO. With RON clinically relevant improvements on a long-term basis seem achievable. Patients with nonischemic CRVO may respond more favorably than patients with ischemic CRVO.

INTRAVITREAL BEVACIZUMAB (AVASTIN) FOR RETINAL ANGIOMATOUS PROLIFERATION

To evaluate the short-term visual acuity and anatomic responses after intravitreal bevacizumab (Avastin, Genentech) treatment in patients with retinal angiomatous proliferation (RAP). The authors conducted a retrospective review of consecutive patients with newly diagnosed or recurrent RAP treated with intravitreal bevacizumab (1.25 mg) during a 3-month period. Complete ocular examination was performed at baseline and follow-up visits. Interval data were analyzed statistically at 1 and 3 months follow-up. Twenty-three eyes of 23 patients underwent intravitreal bevacizumab treatment. The mean age of patients was 81.1 years, median baseline visual acuity of treated eyes was 20/80 (range 20/25-20/800), and mean baseline central macular thickness was 335 mum (optical coherence tomography was available for 22 eyes). Nine eyes had retinal pigment epithelial detachments (PEDs) at baseline. At 1-month follow-up, the median acuity improved to 20/60 (range 20/30-20/400) (P < 0.001), mean central macular thickness decreased to 202 microm (P < 0.001), and PED was present in only 2 eyes (P = 0.016). Seven of 23 eyes at 1 month (30.4%) had improved visual acuity, defined as halving of the visual angle, and no eyes had worse acuity, defined as doubling of the visual angle. Of the 17 eyes available for 3-month follow-up, 5 eyes (29.4%) had better visual acuity, 1 eye (5.9%) had worse acuity, and the remaining 11 (64.7%) had the same acuity. The median visual acuity at month 3 was 20/60 (range 20/25-20/400). There were no thromboembolic phenomena, endophthalmitis cases, retinal detachments, or any other adverse events. Treatment of RAP with intravitreal bevacizumab during this retrospective review resulted in a significant decrease in macular thickness and improvement or stabilization of visual acuity. Further long-term investigation is warranted given the promising short-term results.

Photodynamic Therapy for Nonsubfoveal Choroidal Neovascularization in 100 Eyes With Pathologic Myopia

To evaluate the visual and anatomic outcome of photodynamic therapy (PDT) in eyes with nonsubfoveal choroidal neovascularization (CNV) associated with pathologic myopia (PM). Interventional, noncomparative cases series. Ninety-seven patients (100 eyes) who were treated with PDT at three centers and followed up for three to 44 months (mean 16.5 months). Outcome measures were visual acuity, lesion size, and the occurrence of subfoveal invasion. Median baseline visual acuity was 20/40(-2) and ranged from 20/20 to 20/160(+2). On average, visual acuity was stable throughout follow-up after a modest increase of about 0.5 lines between three and six months. The probability of losing 3 or more lines was 10% to 15% during the second year. Lesion size (median: 710 microns) slightly decreased after the first PDT and tended to increase later, but not to a statistically significant extent compared with baseline. The probability of developing subfoveal CNV stabilized at 10% in the second year. The mean number of PDTs per individual was 2.9 in the first year and 0.6 in the second. Visual and anatomic outcomes of PDT, in this large group of patients with nonsubfoveal myopic CNV and good visual acuity, suggest that it may halt the progression of the disease in most cases.

Results of radiotherapy of subfoveal neovascularization with 16 and 20 Gy

In a nonrandomized, prospective study the efficacy of radiotherapy with 16 and 20 Gray (Gy) for subfoveal neovascularization in age-related macular degeneration (ARMD) was analysed. From 1996 to 1998, 63 eyes were irradiated with 16 Gy and 38 eyes with 20 Gy for exudative ARMD. A total of 12 eyes had classic ARMD, 89 eyes occult ARMD, median baseline visual acuity (VA) was 6/30 (range: 3/60-6/9.5), median age was 78 years. Risk factors (type of ARMD, baseline VA) were evenly distributed in both groups. Median follow-up was 1.3 years (range: 4 months-4.7 years). VA of +/-1 line or better and unchanged size and activity of the membrane in fluorescein angiography were defined as stable. Actuarial methods were used. Median loss of VA was -3 lines (range: -14 to +5), neovascularization remained unchanged or decreased in size and activity in 35 eyes. At 18 months, the probability of stabilized VA was 0.4 (95% confidence interval (CI): 0.3-0.5), at 24 months 0.3 (95% CI: 0.2-0.4). Radiation dose, type of ARMD or baseline VA had no significant impact on outcome of VA and membrane size and activity (P>0.05). Side effects were mild and transient increased tearing. In this study, the results after radiotherapy were comparable to the natural course of the disease. An impact of radiation dose (16 vs 20 Gy) on stabilizing visual acuity and subfoveal neovascularization could not be shown. The results of studies on dose escalation using very small fields and high radiation doses should be awaited.