Neovascularization Of The Disc Research Articles

Comparison of widefield swept-source optical coherence tomographic angiography and fluorescein fundus angiography for detection of retinal neovascularization with diabetic retinopathy

BackgroundTo compare vitreous angiomosaic images (VAMIs), obtained by widefield swept-source optical coherence tomographic angiography (wfSS-OCTA) and the image of fluorescein fundus angiography (FFA) in the identification of retinal neovascularization (NV) in patients with diabetic retinopathy (DR).MethodsIn this prospective observational study, severe non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy (NPDR) or proliferative DR (PDR) patients were included. All patients underwent FFA and wfSS-OCTA. The number of NVs identified by wfSS-OCTA VAMIs using five fixations 12 × 12 mm montage scans and the resembling FFA images were compared.ResultsFifty-three eyes of 29 patients were enrolled. NVs were detected in 25 eyes by using FFA, including 9 NVs of the disc (NVDs) and 72 NVs elsewhere (NVEs), and in 29 eyes by OCTA, including 11 NVDs and 90 NVEs. The detection rate of NV and NVD of OCTA was comparable to that of FFA (p > 0.05), and the level of agreement was excellent (κ = 0.850, κ = 0.754). Using FFA as the gold standard, the sensitivity for detection of NV by OCTA was 100.0%, specificity was 85.7%, the positive-predictive value was 86.2%, and the negative-predictive value was 100.0%. Compared with FFA, OCTA was superior in terms of the number of NVEs identified (p = 0.024). When we excluded images of patients treated with anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) intravitreal therapy for < 3 months, OCTA was comparable to FFA in terms of the number of NVEs discovered (p = 0.203), with excellent agreement (intraclass correlation coefficient = 0.941).ConclusionsWfSS-OCTA is an independent non-invasive alternative to FFA for NV discovery, NVD detection, and individual NVE identification, particularly in patients with PDR who have a history of prior treatment with anti-VEGF.

Профилактика интраоперационного кровотечения из новообразованной сосудистой сети диска зрительного нерва в хирургии осложненных случаев пролиферативной диабетической ретинопатии

Proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR) is a major cause of vision loss in diabetic patients and is characterized by neovascularization particularly in optic nerve head (NVD). NVD may bleed spontaneously or be caused by minimal trauma. During vitrectomy, it is often difficult to stop this type of bleeding, thus surgeons are faced with such a problem as poor visualization and residual hemorrhage in the early postoperative period. Aim was to evaluate the clinical efficacy of the platelet-rich plasma (PRP) use in intraoperative bleeding from the NVD during the surgical treatment of PDR. Material and Methods. The group consists of 12 patients (12 eyes). Preoperative examination of all patients revealed the vitreous hemorrhage as well as the retinal traction detachment according to B-scan. A standard three-port vitrectomy (25 g) was performed, accompanied with the removal of proliferated blood vessels, diathermic coagulation, endolaser coagulation of the retina and an intravitreal injection of PRP on the NVD (PRP obtained by one-step closed centrifugation). Vitreal cavity was tamponaded with air. Results. We achieved an almost complete cessation of bleeding into vitreal cavity from NVD in all participants by using the intravitreal injection of the PRP. Conclusion. Intravitreal injection of PRP on the optic disc during vitrectomy is effective and safe. Keywords: proliferative diabetic retinopathy, PDR , neovascularization of the disc, vitreous hemorrhage, platelet-rich plasma, PRP, vitrectomy

WF SS-OCTA for detecting diabetic retinopathy and evaluating the effect of photocoagulation on posterior vitreous detachment.

This study aimed to assess the clinical usefulness of widefield swept source optical coherence tomography angiography (WF SS-OCTA) for detecting microvasculature lesions in diabetic retinopathy (DR) by comparing it with ultra-widefield fluorescein angiography (UWFFA) and to investigate the effect of panretinal photocoagulation (PRP) on posterior vitreous detachment (PVD) status. Patients with severe non-proliferative DR (NPDR) or proliferative DR (PDR) who were initially treated with PRP were enrolled. They underwent WF SS-OCTA with a 12×12-mm scan pattern of five visual fixations at baseline and at least a 3-month follow-up after PRP treatment. Patients with no contraindications underwent imaging with UWFFA within a week. Images were evaluated using two methods for the areas of the visible field of view (FOV), non-perfusion area (NPA), presence of neovascularization of the disc (NVD), neovascularization elsewhere (NVE), and PVD status. In total, 44 eyes of 28 patients with DR that were initially treated with PRP were analyzed. The FOV of the UWFFA was significantly wider than that of the WF SS-OCTA. The quantitative measurement of the NPAs was consistent between the two methods. NPAs more than 5DA outside the panoramic OCTA imaging area were detected in 1 eye with NPDR (8.3%) and in 10 eyes with PDR (47.8%). WF SS-OCTA had high detection rates for NVDs and NVEs, with a low rate of false positives. After PRP treatment, no eyes indicated progression in the PVD stages around the macula, optical disc, or NVEs at the short follow-up. WF SS-OCTA is clinically useful for evaluating NPAs and neovascularization in DR. PRP treatment does not induce PVD development in the short term.

Progression to Vision-Threatening Retinopathy Complications Following Panretinal Laser for Proliferative Diabetic Retinopathy.

To report the time in which patients with panretinal photocoagulation (PDR) progress to vision-threatening retinopathy (VTR) complications after receiving PRP, and risk factors in routine clinical practice. Records of patients with complete PRP for PDR were retrospectively reviewed for up to 3.5 years after PRP. Two hundred twenty eyes were selected. Time from PRP to VTR was 1.25 ± 0.82 years. Age, Black race, neovascularization of the disc on examination, diabetic foot disease (DFD), and high-risk PDR characteristics on fluorescein angiography were identified as significant risk factors. Half of patients with DFD on examination developed a VTR within 1.5 years after PRP (P < .001). In clinical practice, providers may consider DFD and Black race as predictors of time to VTR event within 4 years after PRP in patients with PDR. [Ophthalmic Surg Lasers Imaging Retina. 2022;53(4):186-193.].

What next and what to expect?

What next and what to expect? A 17-year-old female presented with painless progressive loss of vision in both eyes (OU) with multiple episodes of syncope and postural giddiness for 1 month. On ocular examination, best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) was 1/60 in the right eye (OD) and finger counting close to the face in the left eye (OS); intraocular pressure was within normal limits in both the eyes. Slit-lamp examination revealed corkscrew conjunctival vessels [Fig. 1a), anterior chamber (AC) cells 1(+), and iris neovascularization. Pupils were mid-dilated and sluggishly reacting to light. Fundus examination revealed hyperemia and neovascularization of the disc, dilated retinal veins with a beaded appearance, patches of retinal whitening over the macula and peripapillary area, and arterio-venous (AV) anastomosis [Fig. 1b and 1c]. What is the Next Step? Systemic examination Computed tomography (CT)-angiography Fundus fluorescein angiography and optical coherence tomography All of the above Findings On systemic examination, the radial artery pulse could not be felt, and the carotid pulsations were felt very feebly on both sides. The pulse rate measured in the right popliteal artery was 80/min. Blood pressure (BP) was not recordable in the upper limbs. BP recorded in the right lower leg was 150/90 mm Hg. CT angiography revealed severe luminal narrowing involving the left common carotid artery and left subclavian artery at the ostial level, and juxta-ostial narrowing of the right brachiocephalic trunk with multiple enhancing collateral channels noted in the neck [Fig. 1d-f].Figure 1: (a) Slit-lamp photography showing corkscrew conjunctival vessels, (b) and (c) fundus images showing neovascularization of the disc, dilated retinal veins with beaded appearance, patches of retinal whitening over the macula and peripapillary area, and arterio-venous anastomosis, computed tomography (CT) angiography image showing (d) narrowing of the right brachiocephalic trunk (yellow arrow), (e) narrowing of the left common carotid artery (yellow arrow), (f) stenosed left subclavian artery, minimal contrast filled vessel seen (yellow arrow)Proliferative retinopathy in both eyes was treated with pan-retinal photocoagulation (PRP) and one intravitreal injection of bevacizumab (Avastin) in OS. She received oral prednisolone for the systemic condition. Subsequently, she underwent phacoemulsification with foldable intraocular lens implantation in OU. She had a BCVA of 20/120 in OD and 20/400 in OS at the last follow-up visit. Diagnosis: Takayasu arteritis (TA) with Takayasu retinopathy Correct Answer: B Discussion TA is a chronic inflammatory disease affecting the large and medium-sized vessels, predominantly in the aorta and its main branches leading to the arterial wall thickening, fibrosis, stenosis, and thrombus formation resulting in cerebral and ocular ischemia.[1] Ophthalmic features in TA result from either due to the obliteration of arteries causing ischemic ocular changes (hypotensive retinopathy) or due to renal artery stenosis causing uncontrolled hypertension (hypertensive retinopathy).[2] Manifestations due to retinal hypoxia are microaneurysms, AV anastomosis, retinal vein occlusion, proliferative retinopathy, cataract, neovascular glaucoma, ocular ischemic syndrome, ischemic optic neuropathy, optic atrophy, retinal detachment, etc.[3] Statement of ethics Written informed consent for publication (including the images) has been obtained from the parent of the patient. All procedures carried out were in accordance with the tenets of the Declaration of Helsinki. Institute Ethics Committee approval is not required for a case report according to Indian council of medical research guidelines. Declaration of patient consent The authors certify that they have obtained all appropriate patient consent forms. In the form the patient(s) has/have given his/her/their consent for his/her/their images and other clinical information to be reported in the journal. The patients understand that their names and initials will not be published and due efforts will be made to conceal their identity, but anonymity cannot be guaranteed. Financial support and sponsorship Nil. Conflicts of interest There are no conflicts of interest.

Autoregression of Neovascularization of the Disc (NVD) and Neovascularization Elsewhere in the Retina (NVE) in Type I Diabetic Patient

Spontaneous resolution of NVD or NVE is very rare, to the best of our knowledge, only five cases reported in the literatures. In this paper we reported a case of spontaneous regression of NVD and NVE in fundus of type one young diabetic female patient with history of bariatric surgery 1 year prior to presentation. Patient was followed up for 2 years with stable clinical course and without developing any further DR and without receiving any treatment. we assumed that this autoregression of neovascularization could be related to her blood sugar control secondary to bariatric surgery. We noticed also all the previous reported five cases were young ages (31, 46, 27,26 and 19). This suggest the possibility of difference in the pathogenesis of proliferative retinopathy between type 1 and type II. Further studies are needed.

Lapses in Care Among Patients Assigned to Ranibizumab for Proliferative Diabetic Retinopathy

The follow-up schedule for individuals with eyes treated with anti-vascular endothelial growth factor agents for proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR) requires that patients return frequently for monitoring and repeated treatment. The likelihood that a patient will comply should be a consideration in choosing a treatment approach. To describe completion of scheduled examinations among participants assigned to intravitreous injections of ranibizumab for PDR in a multicenter randomized clinical trial. This post hoc analysis evaluates data from a randomized clinical trial conducted at 55 US sites among 305 adults with proliferative diabetic retinopathy enrolled between February and December 2012. Both eyes were enrolled for 89 participants (1 eye to each study group), with a total of 394 study eyes. The final 2-year visit was completed in January 2015. Data were analyzed from April 2019 to July 2021. Ranibizumab injections for PDR or macular edema. A long lapse in care of 8 or more weeks past a scheduled examination, dropout from follow-up, visual acuity at 5 years. Among 170 participants, the median age was 51 years, and 44.7% were female. Through 5 years of follow-up, 94 of 170 participants (55.3%) had 1 or more long lapse in care. Median time to the first long lapse was 210 weeks, and 69 of 94 participants (73.4%) returned for examination after the first long lapse. Fifty of 170 participants (29.4%) dropped out of follow-up by 5 years. Among the 120 participants who completed the 5-year examination, median change from baseline in visual acuity was -2 letters for participants who had 1 or more long lapse compared with +5 letters for those without a long lapse (P = .02). After multivariable adjustment, the odds ratio (95% CI) for baseline associations with 1 or more long lapse was 1.21 (1.03-1.43) for each 5-letter decrement in visual acuity score, 2.19 (1.09-4.38) for neovascularization of the disc and elsewhere, and 3.48 (1.38-8.78) for no prior laser treatment for diabetic macular edema. Over 5 years, approximately half of the participants assigned to ranibizumab for PDR had a long lapse in care despite substantial effort by the DRCR Retina Network to facilitate timely completion of examinations. The likelihood of a long lapse in care during long-term follow-up needs to be considered when choosing treatment for PDR. ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT01489189.

Sensitivity and specificity of pseudocolor ultrawide field imaging in comparison to wide field fundus fluorescein angiography in detecting retinal neovascularization in diabetic retinopathy.

To evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of ultrawide pseudocolor retinal photography (pseudocolor UWF) compared to wide field fundus fluorescein angiography (WFFFA) in the detection of retinal neovascularization (NV) and NV of the disc (NVD) in patients with diabetic retinopathy (DR). Diagnostic accuracy observational study evaluating pseudocolor UWF as the index test. The reference standard was WFFFA. Single retinal centre in India. People with severe non-proliferative DR (sNPDR), early proliferative DR (ePDR) or high-risk proliferative DR (HR PDR). Sensitivity and specificity of pseudocolor UWF in the detection of NV. A total of 176 eyes of 94 subjects with sNPDR, ePDR or HR PDR underwent pseudocolor UWF and WFFFA. The sensitivity and specificity of pseudocolor UWF in detecting NVE were 92.5% (95% CI 86.2-96.5) and 81% (95% CI 64.8-92.0), respectively, with moderate interobserver agreement of 0.722 (p value 0.001). The positive predictive value and negative predictive value were 83.0 (71.4-90.5) and 91.5 (84.9-95.3), respectively. Compared to WFFFA as the gold standard, pseudocolor UWF has high sensitivity and specificity in detection of NV in all retinal quadrants and NVD. Therefore, pseudocolor UWF may be used as a non-invasive tool for screening and managing DR.

Population-Based Incidence of Ocular Neovascularization Following Central Retinal Artery Occlusion in Olmsted County, Minnesota.

PurposeTo determine the population-based incidence of ocular neovascularization (NV) following central retinal artery occlusion (CRAO) and systemic risk factors associated with its development.MethodsDiagnosis of CRAO between January 1, 1976, and September 9, 2016, was identified using the Rochester Epidemiology Project, a medical records linkage system for all medical care provided to residents of Olmsted County, Minnesota. Records were reviewed to confirm the diagnosis of CRAO, and data were collected on ocular NV and associated systemic diseases.ResultsThere were 89 patients with CRAO. Subsequent ocular neovascularization developed in 14 (16%) patients. Neovascularization of the iris (NVI) was present in 9/14 (64%) of these patients, neovascularization of the angle (NVA) in 10/14 (71%), neovascularization of the disc (NVD) in 2/14 (14%), and neovascularization elsewhere (NVE) in 1/14 (7%). Of these 14 patients with NV, 9 (64%) developed neovascular glaucoma (NVG). The mean time from CRAO diagnosis to NV was 82 days (range 22 to 268 days). Excluding the patients with proliferative diabetic retinopathy or CRAO caused by CRVO, the mean time to NV diagnosis was 80 days and the shortest time to NV diagnosis was 22 days. Diabetes mellitus was present in 64% of those with NV compared to 23% of those without NV (P = 0.003).ConclusionThe population-based incidence of ocular neovascularization following CRAO is 16% and developed within 2 months in half the cohort. Patients with diabetes mellitus are at increased risk for NV complications.

Optical Coherence Tomography Angiography Findings in Proliferative Diabetic Retinopathy

Purpose: To characterize preretinal neovascularizations (NV) and their corresponding branching routes in proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR) with optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) and compare the findings with fluorescein angiography (FA). Methods: In patients with PDR, angiograms were acquired with spectral-domain OCTA (CIRRUS 5000, OCTA AngioPlex^TMCarl Zeiss Meditec, Inc.) and FA (Zeiss FF450PlusIR fundus camera or Spectralis HRA-OCT SLO, Heidelberg Engineering Inc.) and were consecutively evaluated. Neovascularization of the disc (NVD) and neovascularization elsewhere (NVE) were analyzed with 6 × 6 and 8 × 8 mm OCTA flow images and B-scans with flow registration. Segmentations of the vitreoretinal interface (VRI) and superficial retina were performed for analysis. Two independent investigators examined OCTA findings and compared them to corresponding FA. Results: Forty-two eyes of 30 patients with PDR were analyzed. A total of 76 NV with their corresponding proliferation routes were visualized and characterized, with 55 (72.4%) proliferating along the posterior hyaloid membrane (PHM), 14 (18.4%) along the epiretinal membrane, and 7 (9.2%) along the fibrovascular membrane. The posterior vitreous was partially detached in 37 of 42 eyes (88.1%), completely detached in 1 of 42 eyes (2.4%), and adherent in 1 of 42 eyes (2.4%). In 38 of 42 cases, OCTA was superior (n = 23) or equivalent (n = 15) to FA in detecting NV and provided a more detailed information of the neovascular vessels. In 4 of 42 study eyes, OCTA was inferior to FA. Conclusions: OCTA is a useful tool to detect NV in PDR. In comparison to FA, OCTA has the advantages that it is noninvasive and the image capture takes only seconds. We were able to identify all NV and characterize their corresponding proliferation routes in the VRI, the superficial retina slab, or the B-scan with flow registration. Through evading the masking effect of dye leakage in FA, OCTA is capable of better visualization of NV. FA, however, remains essential for the detection of all NV, since OCTA supplies a smaller detection field. Additionally, we identified the PHM as the main proliferating route of diabetic NV (72.4%), marking it as an important structure for sprouting vessels in neoangiogenesis in PDR.

Clinical Applications of Non-Invasive Multimodality Imaging in The Evaluation of Ocular Ischemic Syndrome: A Case Study

Background: A 74 years old lady presented with bilateral sudden deterioration of vision over a period of 3 weeks. She is a known diabetic and hypertensive for the past 25 years. The patient denied associated neurological symptoms. The patient underwent a comprehensive non-invasive neuroimaging and retinal imaging. Case Presentation: The case study is about right sided occipital lobe infarction and right sided internal carotid artery stenosis with complete right ophthalmic artery occlusion resulted in right Ocular ischemic syndrome (OIS). Ocular findings showed normal swinging light reflex. Right eye showed rubiosis iridis, neovascularization of the disc. Left eye showed moderate non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy. There was lack of cerebellar and/or cortical constitutional symptoms. Magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) imaging showed compromised right side internal carotid system and complete occlusion of the right ophthalmic artery. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed as well isolated right sided occipital lobe infarction. The patient received neurological and ocular treatment. Conclusion: Painless sudden bilateral visual disturbance in an elderly individual should draw the clinician attention to possible cortical etiology inspite the absence of neurological symptoms. Non-invasive imaging techniques had been shown to be effective in the evaluation of symptomatic Ocular ischemic syndrome (OIS), which should be considered if the gold standards imaging techniques are relatively or absolutely contraindicated.

Association of the Pattern of Retinal Capillary Non-Perfusion and Vascular Leakage with Retinal Neovascularization in Proliferative Diabetic Retinopathy.

Purpose:To explore the correlation between retinal capillary non-perfusion and the distribution of retinal neovascularization and vascular leakage (VL) in patients with proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR).Methods:Ultra-widefield angiograms of 96 eyes of 69 patients with PDR were reviewed for the proportion of non-perfused area to total gradable area, and for the presence of neovascularization and VL.Results:Retinal neovascularization was distributed as such: neovascularization elsewhere (NVE), 57.3%; neovascularization of the disc (NVD), 11.5%; both neovascularization of the disc and elsewhere (NVED), 31.3%. The proportion of non-perfused retina, so-called ischemic index, was greater in eyes with NVED compared to eyes with NVE only, but not when compared to NVD only. Overall, 83% of eyes had VL. The presence and the extent of VL correlated with the proportion of the ischemic index. While VL and ischemic index were more severe in the mid-periphery and far-periphery, the majority of NVE was located in the posterior pole.Conclusions:The presence of both NVD and NVE is associated with a greater ischemic index than NVE alone. Although both VL and ischemic index is significantly higher in peripheral zones, the majority of neovascularization occurs at the posterior pole.

Retinal arteriolar calcification and ischemic retinopathy in a patient with chronic kidney disease

<br>A 58-year-female with a history of chronic kidney disease presented with defective vision in both the eyes (BE). Her vision was 20/120 in the right eye (RE) and 20/200 in the left eye (LE). Fundus evaluation revealed retinal arteriolar calcification, neovascularization of the disc (NVD), and drusen at the posterior pole in BE. Optical coherence tomography (OCT) images passing through the retinal arterioles indicated hyper reflective structures with back shadowing suggestive of intravascular calcification. En-face OCT angiography images over the optic discs were suggestive of NVD in BE. Blood investigation revealed elevated levels of phosphate and the product of calcium and phosphate levels. The patient was treated with pan-retinal photocoagulation in BE. However, the visual outcome was poor.<br>

Phenotyping of retinal neovascularization in ischemic retinal vein occlusion using wide field OCT angiography.

Abnormal retinal neovascularization caused by ischemic retinal vein occlusion (RVO) is a frequent cause of visually significant vitreous hemorrhage. The early detection of new vessels may be challenging and often requires the use of invasive tests such as fundus fluorescein angiography (FA). We demonstrate the use of wide-field optical coherence tomography angiography (WF-OCTA) in the detection and characterization of neovascularization secondary to ischemic RVO. We conducted a retrospective observational case series of patients diagnosed with ischemic RVO between August 2018 and March 2019, who underwent WF-SS-OCTA imaging (PLEX Elite 9000, Carl Zeiss Meditec). We performed real-life montage imaging, covering the involved area and compared the findings of WF-SS-OCTA to standard clinical examination and when available, ultrawide-field fluorescein angiography (UWF-FA, Optos 200TX). In the included 39 eyes with ischemic RVO, neovascularization elsewhere (NVE) was encountered in 16 of 39 eyes (41%) on WF-OCTA and were characterized as sea-fan type vessels and nodular type vessels, based on their appearance and localization. NVE was identified in 4/39 eyes on standard clinical examination, equating to a detection rate of 10.3%. All were of a sea-fan morphology. In one case, NVE found on WF-OCTA was not observed on UWF-FA, which was a nodular type. Neovascularization of the disc (NVD) was detected in one eye. WF-OCTA may become a useful noninvasive tool in the detection of neovascularization in patients with ischemic RVO. Furthermore, the characterization of different morphologies of neovascularization detected by WF-OCTA could be of clinical relevance.

Near-infrared reflectance imaging of neovascularization in proliferative diabetic retinopathy

BackgroundBlood is one of the main absorbers in the near-infrared spectrum and thus retinal vessels appear dark in near-infrared reflectance (NIR) images. Proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR) is characterized by abnormal neovascularization which also absorbs light and appears dark against a lighter fundus background. We analyzed neovascularization in PDR using NIR imaging, by observing changes in the neovascular complexes (NVCs) contrast and reflectivity over time.MethodsRetrospective case series of 20 eyes of 17 patients with PDR who underwent NIR imaging with optical coherence tomography (OCT) using the Spectralis System. NVCs presence and activity was determined using clinical, tomographic and angiographic criteria. At baseline, all NVCs were qualitatively graded in the NIR image into 3 groups (absent, present and inactive and present and active) and their evolution over time was registered as progression, regression or same status.ResultsTwenty-seven NVCs were imaged, of which, 52% were neovascularization of the disc (NVD) and 48% were elsewhere (NVE). Consecutive NIR images were obtained from baseline to up to 5 time-points with a mean follow-up of 3.2 ± 1.7 years. All eyes underwent laser treatment and 30% had additional intravitreal therapy. Using NIR imaging, NVCs were classified at baseline as absent, present and inactive and present and active, respectively in 11, 4 and 85% of cases. NIR identified active neovascularization as hyporeflective irregular dark vessels originating from the retinal venules in NVE or from the disc in NVD. In all groups during follow-up, progression was identified as the development of new vascular hyporeflective dark fronds while regression was shown by reduced dark perfusion. Five eyes developed a wolf’s jaw configuration with vascular hyporeflective new vessels and hyperreflective tissue from extensive fibrosis. Fibrosis was more apparent in later images, reaching 86%. In 3 cases (11%), the NVC was no longer seen in NIR, although was still identifiable on OCT over the NVC area.ConclusionsNIR is a non-invasive imaging modality commonly performed alongside OCT and frequently overlooked which can be useful to evaluate NVCs in PDR. Changes in NVC contrast and reflectivity due to blood perfusion can help in the detection and monitoring of diabetic proliferative disease and aid clinicians in daily practice.

Wide-field optical coherence tomography angiography for the detection of proliferative diabetic retinopathy.

To compare the ability of wide-field optical coherence tomography angiography (WF-OCTA) to that of ultra-wide field fluorescein angiography (UWF-FA) and ultra-wide-field color fundus photography (UWF-CP) to detect retinal neovascularization (NV) in eyes with proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR). In this cross-sectional study, naïve patients with active PDR underwent UWF-FA and UWF-CP using the Optos 200Tx and WF-OCTA with 12 × 12mm fields of five visual fixations using the PLEX Elite 9000. NV was defined on OCTA when the co-registered B-scan with flow overlay of the vitreoretinal interface (VRI) segmentation showed extraretinal proliferation. Three masked readers examined the UWF-FA, UWF-CP, and WF-OCTA independently for the presence of NV. Statistical analysis was performed to compare the diagnostic accuracy of the 3 wide-field imaging modalities using OCT B-scan as the reference standard. In 82 eyes with PDR, neovascularization of the disc (NVD) was detected in 13 eyes by UWF-CP, 35 eyes with UWF-FA, and 37 eyes with OCTA using the VRI slab. Upon review of the 2500 OCT B-scans with superimposed flow overlay of each eye, NVD was confirmed in 37 eyes. The sensitivity and specificity of NVD detection were 35.1% and 97.8%, respectively for UWF-CP; 94.6% and 100%, respectively, for UWF-FA; and 100% and 100% for WF-OCTA. One hundred ninety-six foci of neovascularization elsewhere (NVE) were identified with the OCT B-scan with superimposed flow overlay. UWF-CP analysis was able to detect 62 foci of NVE of the 196 confirmed by B-scan (31.6% detection rate). An additional 11 foci of NVE seen on UWF-CP were not confirmed by B-Scan (15% false positive rate). There were 182 foci of NVE identified by UWF-FA (detection rate 91.3%), while WF-OCTA detected 196 retinal NVEs (detection rate 100%). The rate of false positives for both UWF-FA and WF-OCTA was low (< 2%). WF-OCTA can identify NV that is not evident in UWF-CP and represents a faster and safer alternative to UWF-FA for surveillance of PDR with comparable diagnostic accuracy.

Swept-source optical coherence tomography angiography of diabetic papillopathy: a case report

BackgroundWe report a case of diabetic papillopathy (DP) diagnosed using swept-source optical coherence tomography angiography (SS-OCTA).Case presentationA 52-year-old man was referred for evaluation of a swollen optic disc in both eyes. His best-corrected visual acuity was 20/40 in the right eye and 20/100 in the left eye. Fundus examination demonstrated a swollen optic disc, splinter hemorrhages, and radially oriented, dilated vessels over the optic disc in both eyes. Laboratory tests revealed previously unknown diabetes. SS-OCTA was performed to rule out neovascularization of the disc (NVD). B-scan image displayed blood flow signals in the thickened retinal nerve fiber layer of the optic disc and not above the vitreoretinal interface. We diagnosed the patient with DP.ConclusionsThis case showed that SS-OCTA is useful for distinguishing DP from NVD.

Objective Evaluation of Proliferative Diabetic Retinopathy Using OCT

To present the routine use of OCT and OCT angiography (OCTA) for the objective diagnosis and monitoring of proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR). Retrospective, observational case series. Patients with diabetic retinopathy imaged using a standardized PDR protocol. Patients routinely imaged with a standardized PDR protocol between March 2017 and January 2019 were included. This included a 12×9-mm structural OCT volume centered on the macula and a 6×6-mm OCTA scan centered on the optic nerve head obtained using a Topcon swept-source system (DRI OCT-1 Triton, Topcon, Tokyo, Japan). Ultra-widefield fluorescein angiography (FA) was also performed when clinically indicated. The ground truth for each case was determined by merging the findings from biomicroscopy and imaging modalities to generate the maximum level of detection for each finding. Detection rates of new-onset, regression, and reactivation of neovascularization of the disc (NVD) and neovascularization elsewhere (NVE) using different modalities (biomicroscopy/color photography, structural OCT, B-scan OCTA, en face OCTA). Detection of progression of tractional retinal detachment (TRD). A total of 383 eyes of 204 patients were evaluated. After excluding patients without PDR or with insufficient image quality, 47 eyes of 35 patients were included. For the detection of new-onset NVD and NVE, structural OCT had the highest detection rate (100%) of all modalities. However, for the detection of regression or reactivation of neovascularization (NV), B-scan OCTA had the highest detection rate (100%). Structural OCT detected regression only in 45.5% of cases, resulting in a low detection rate of reactivation (12.5%). Among 10 eyes with TRD, OCT detected fovea-threatening TRD during follow-up in 7 eyes, resulting in vitrectomy. This study demonstrates the utility of novel multimodal imaging in the daily management of patients with PDR. Posterior pole structural OCT had the best detection rate for NV, and B-scan OCTA showed the most potential for objective monitoring of disease after treatment.

Distribution of Diabetic Neovascularization on Ultra-Widefield Fluorescein Angiography and on Simulated Widefield OCT Angiography

Areas of neovascularization (NV) in proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR) on ultra-widefield (UWF) fluorescein angiography (FA) were identified and compared with a simulated widefield (WF) swept-source OCT angiography (SS-OCTA) field of view to determine whether the WF SS-OCTA field of view was sufficient for detection of NV in PDR. Retrospective, consecutive case series. All patients with PDR and UWF FA imaging at the Bascom Palmer Eye Institute over a period of 5.5 years were identified. UWF FA images were reviewed and sites of NV were identified either as NV of the disc or NV elsewhere. Sites of NV elsewhere were classified by disc-centered retinal quadrants. A simulated WF SS-OCTA montage field of view was overlaid on the UWF FA images to determine whether sites of NV would have been identified by this simulated WF SS-OCTA field of view. A total of 651 eyes with PDR from 433 patients had at least 1UWF FA with NV. Of the 651 eyes, 50% were treatment-naïve, 9.8% had NV of the disc only, 41.8% had NV elsewhere only, and 48.4% had both NV of the disc and NV elsewhere. NV elsewhere was most prevalent in the superotemporal quadrant and the least prevalent in the nasal quadrants. When the simulated WF SS-OCTA field of view was overlaid on the UWF FA, 98.3% of all eyes, 99.4% of treatment-naive eyes, and 97.2% of previously treated eyes had NV within the WF SS-OCTA field of view. In those eyes with a repeat UWF FA within 6 to 18months of the first FA, the distribution of NV did not change in either the treatment-naive or previously treated eyes. NV elsewhere in PDR was most prevalent superotemporally, and 99.4% of treatment-naïve eyes had NV within the simulated WF SS-OCTA field of view. Combined with previous research using WF SS-OCTA to identify NV in PDR, these findings suggest that WF SS-OCTA may be the only imaging modality needed for the diagnosis and longitudinal management of PDR.

Simultaneous Optociliary Shuntvessels and Neovascularization of the Disc

Simultaneous Optociliary Shuntvessels and Neovascularization of the Disc