Peripheral Retinal Hemorrhages Research Articles

Paracentral Acute Middle Maculopathy in Behçet's Disease.

To report a novel presentation of bilateral paracentral acute middle maculopathy (PAMM) and peripheral vascular occlusions in Behçet's disease (BD). A retrospective case report with multimodal imaging studies of a patient with BD. A 58-year-old Chinese man presented with a paracentral scotoma, fever, arthralgias and skin rash. HLA typing revealed HLA-B51 positivity. Ophthalmic examination showed peripheral retinal hemorrhages and fluorescence angiography (FA) demonstrated vascular occlusions in the peripheral retina bilaterally. Optical coherence tomography (OCT) showed classic acute PAMM lesions in both eyes. PAMM and peripheral vascular occlusion are infrequent and unconventional presentations of BD. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report in the ophthalmic literature of PAMM and peripheral vascular occlusion in BD.

Ultra-Widefield Imaging of Presumed Vitreous Base-Associated Vasculopathy: Assessment of Peripheral Retinal Hemorrhages and Microaneurysms.

Purpose: To describe cases of asymptomatic peripheral retinal hemorrhage attributed to presumed vitreous base traction seen on ultra-widefield (UWF) imaging. Methods: This retrospective consecutive series comprised asymptomatic patients with peripheral retinal hemorrhages, microaneurysms, or both. Imaging included UWF fundus photography, fundus autofluorescence, fluorescein angiography (FA), optical coherence tomography (OCT), or a combination. Results: The series included 9 adult patients. The findings were observed on a routine eye examination or as an incidental finding in the contralateral eye of patients presenting with a retinal break or detachment. On UWF imaging, the distinguishing features of the peripheral retinal hemorrhages and microaneurysms presumably caused by vitreous base traction were their pinpoint shape and location at the vitreous base, in particular in the far temporal and superior retinal periphery. UWF FA showed punctate hyperfluorescent spots with no leakage. OCT showed signs of evolving posterior vitreous detachment. Management was limited to observation; with time, the microaneurysms were stable and the hemorrhages resolved. Conclusions: UWF imaging has led to the identification of presumed vitreous base vasculopathy. After a targeted workup is unrevealing, observation is appropriate.

Histopathologic Observations of Eyes in Exenterated Orbits After Neoadjuvant Intra-Arterial Cytoreductive Chemotherapy for Adenoid Cystic Carcinoma of the Lacrimal Gland.

To assess whether exenteration specimens obtained after neoadjuvant intra-arterial cytoreductive chemotherapy (IACC) for adenoid cystic carcinoma of the lacrimal gland demonstrate significant ocular histopathologic alterations that might preclude future pursuit of globe-preserving therapy. Retrospective histopathologic analysis of globes in IACC-treated exenteration specimens among the same cohort of patients whose survival outcomes have been reported. Twenty patients had specimens available. Nineteen globes revealed no abnormalities of the iris, ciliary body, lens, retinal pigment epithelium, choroid, or chorioretinal vasculature. Eighteen globes showed no optic nerve abnormalities. One globe from a patient who refused exenteration until adenoid cystic carcinoma recurrence supervened demonstrated optic nerve edema with a peripapillary hemorrhage and cotton wool spot, as well as hemorrhage and necrosis within an extraocular muscle. Eighteen globes showed no retinal abnormalities attributable to intra-arterial chemotherapy. Three globes showed incidental retinal findings: 2 globes contained 1 to 2 small peripheral retinal hemorrhages and 1 had a pigmented retinal hole. Seven demonstrated mild, chronic extraocular muscle inflammation, and 13 had unremarkable musculature. The single patient who received IACC via the internal carotid rather than the external carotid artery developed ophthalmic artery occlusion with orbital apex syndrome prior to exenteration, and diffuse necrosis and hemorrhage were evident histopathologically. Neoadjuvant IACC does not cause significant histopathologic damage to key ocular structures or compromise visual function in patients receiving intra-arterial chemotherapy through the external carotid artery. However, delivering chemotherapy through the internal carotid artery may result in visually significant thrombotic vascular events. The generally benign histopathological findings in these exenteration specimens support the concept of IACC delivery through the external carotid system as the cornerstone of a future globe-preserving strategy for lacrimal gland adenoid cystic carcinoma.

OCULAR NEOVASCULARIZATION ASSOCIATED WITH CENTRAL AND HEMICENTRAL RETINAL VEIN OCCLUSION

To investigate the incidence of ocular neovascularization (NV) in central and hemicentral retinal vein occlusion. The study comprised consecutive 912 (673 nonischemic and 239 ischemic) central retinal vein occlusion and 190 (147 nonischemic, 43 ischemic) hemicentral retinal vein occlusion eyes. Ophthalmic evaluation at initial and follow-up visits included recording visual acuity, visual fields, and detailed anterior segment and fundus examinations and fluorescein fundus angiography. In ischemic central retinal vein occlusion, within 6 months from time of onset, the cumulative probability of development of iris NV was 49%, angle NV 37%, NV glaucoma 29%, retinal NV 9%, and disk NV 6%. More severe peripheral retinal hemorrhages were significantly associated with iris NV (P = 0.005), angle NV (P = 0.0004), and NV glaucoma (P = 0.012). Eyes that developed disk NV had more cotton wool spots (P = 0.058) than those without. In ischemic hemicentral retinal vein occlusion, within 12 months of onset, the cumulative probability of development of retinal NV was 29%, disk NV 12%, and iris NV 12%; within 6 months of onset, angle NV was found in 10% and NV glaucoma in 5%. Anterior chamber flare was associated with anterior segment NV and may precede the development of NV. Patients who developed NV were significantly younger, and there was a greater prevalence of NV glaucoma in patients with primary open angle glaucoma. In ischemic central retinal vein occlusion, anterior segment NV is much more common than posterior segment NV, and the cumulative chance of developing anterior segment NV is maximum during the first 6 months. In ischemic hemicentral retinal vein occlusion, posterior segment NV is much more common than anterior segment NV.

Ocular Hemorrhages in Neonatal Porcine Eyes from Single, Rapid Rotational Events

To characterize ocular hemorrhages from single, rapid head rotations in the neonatal pig. Three- to 5-day-old anesthetized piglets (n=51) underwent a single, rapid (117-266 rad/s) head rotation in the sagittal (n=13), coronal (n=7), or axial (n=31) planes. Six hours after injury, the animals were euthanatized and perfusion fixed, and the brain and eyes were harvested for gross and histopathologic examination by masked neuro- and ocular pathologists. Ocular hemorrhage was found in 73% of animals (51% bilateral). Intraocular hemorrhage was primarily located near the vitreous base (70% of injured animals had ciliary body hemorrhage, and 11% had peripheral retinal hemorrhage). Hemorrhages were also found in the anterior chamber (11%), vitreous (5%), and optic nerve (disc, 8%; nerve sheath, 57%). Rapid axial head rotations resulted in a higher incidence of intraocular hemorrhage than coronal or sagittal head rotations, but the difference did not reach statistical significance (P=0.06). Control eyes had no injuries. Optic nerve sheath and ciliary body hemorrhages were common in piglets that experienced a single, rapid head rotation. Retinal hemorrhage was present in a smaller number of animals. Most intraocular hemorrhages were located in regions of strong vitreous attachment, suggesting that this animal model will be useful in investigating the effect of vitreoretinal adhesion on ocular hemorrhage caused by inertial head rotations. Extrapolation of this model to the human infant should not be made until the effect of anatomic differences between the human and pig on the occurrence and patterns of ocular injuries is further investigated.

A Phase I Study of Visilizumab, a Humanized Anti-CD3 Monoclonal Antibody, in Severe Steroid-Refractory Ulcerative Colitis

To evaluate the safety and biological activity of visilizumab (a humanized anti-CD3 monoclonal antibody) and to determine a maximum tolerated dose in patients with severe ulcerative colitis that had not responded to 5 days of treatment with intravenous corticosteroids. In this open-label phase 1 study, 32 subjects received visilizumab at a dose of 10 or 15 microg/kg, administered intravenously on 2 consecutive days. Clinical response was defined as a Modified Truelove and Witts Severity Index <10 with a minimum decrease of 3 points; remission was <4 points. Endoscopic remission was a Mayo endoscopic subscore of 0 or 1. Eight patients received 15 microg/kg visilizumab. Because of dose-limiting toxicities (T-cell recovery >30 days in 2 of 8 patients), the dose was reduced to 10 microg/kg in 24 patients. On day 30, 84% of patients demonstrated a clinical response, 41% achieved clinical remission, and 44% achieved endoscopic remission. Forty-five percent of patients did not require salvage therapies or colectomy during the first year postdose. Mild to moderate symptoms of cytokine release occurred in 100% and 83% of patients in the 15- and 10-microg/kg dose groups, respectively. All patients exhibited a rapid decrease in circulating CD4(+) T-cell counts, which returned to baseline values by day 30 in 26 of 30 evaluable patients (86%). There were no serious infections. Visilizumab had an acceptable safety profile at the 10-microg/kg dose level and may be clinically beneficial in patients with severe intravenous corticosteroid-refractory ulcerative colitis.

Ocular and systemic findings and their correlation with hemodynamically significant carotid artery stenosis: a retrospective study.

Optometrists often encounter patients with ocular signs and/or symptoms suggestive of carotid artery disease, but criteria for eye care practitioners concerning when to order carotid studies are not well established. A retrospective study in an optometry clinic was performed to determine if certain ocular findings and associated systemic risk factors were associated with hemodynamically significant carotid artery stenosis (HSCAS). A retrospective analysis was performed on all patients examined in the optometry clinic at the Sepulveda Ambulatory Care Center from January 1, 1998 through December 31, 1999 to identify all patients who had carotid studies ordered. Charts were then reviewed to determine the ocular finding that prompted the carotid study. Statistical analysis using an odds-ratio was performed to determine whether any ocular sign/symptom or systemic risk factor was associated with HSCAS. Of 3822 patients, 48 (1.26%) had carotid studies ordered. Eight (17%) had HSCAS of >50% and symptomatic patients were 1.6 times more likely to have HSCAS than asymptomatic patients. Patients with HSCAS were 1.8 times more likely to have retinal vascular occlusions, 1.9 times more likely to have normotensive glaucoma, 2.4 times more likely to have peripheral retinal hemorrhages, and 2.6 times more likely to be smokers, although none of these factors were found to be a statistically significant indicator of HSCAS. However, the number of systemic diseases tended to be greater for the HSCAS patients compared with the non-HSCAS patients (HSCAS median = 3.5 and the non-HSCAS median = 2, p = 0.049). Although no single ocular or systemic risk factor was found to be a statistically significant indicator of HSCAS, the number of systemic disease risk factors tended to be greater for the HSCAS patients compared with the non-HSCAS patients (p = 0.049). An extensive literature review was also performed to help establish guidelines for when to order carotid studies on the basis of ocular signs and/or symptoms as well as the presence of additive associated systemic risk factors.

Complications Associated with the Use of the Neodymium:YAG Laser

The neodymium:YAG laser was used in a consecutive series of 93 eyes. Diagnosis was opacified posterior capsule in 81 eyes of which 52 were pseudophakic, with cystoid macular edema and vitreous strands in eight eyes, pigmented anterior hyaloid in two eyes, opacified anterior capsular flap in one eye and vitreous strand blocking an anterior chamber tube shunt to an encircling band tube in one eye. Despite significant visual improvement and reduction of cystoid macular edema, a variety of complications were seen. These included pitting of the implant in 26 eyes and cracks in four, two of which developed a vitreitis. These occurred more frequently in our earlier cases. Also seen was elevated IOP in six eyes, pupillary block in two, vitreous face rupture in five, cystoid macular edema in four, hyphemas in four, corneal injury in two and acute peripheral retinal hemorrhage in one eye.

Complications of Acute Posterior Vitreous Detachment

Of 201 patients whose presenting symptoms were acute entoptic phenomena or photopsia, or both, 150 patients had posterior vitreous detachment; 69 patients (46%) had retinal breaks; 18 (12%) had a vitreous hemorrhage without detectable retinal breaks; and two (1.3%) had peripheral retinal hemorrhages without retinal breaks or vitreous hemorrhage. Retinal breaks that occur in eyes in conjunction with acute posterior vitreous detachment are potentially dangerous and there is a possibility of delayed break formation.