Presence Of Vitreomacular Adhesion Research Articles

Association of OCT biomarkers and visual impairment in patients with diabetic macular oedema with vitreomacular adhesion.

To analyse the distribution of spectral domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) biomarkers in different types of vitreomacular adhesion (VMA) associated visual impairment in diabetic macular oedema. A total of 317 eyes of 202 patients were enrolled. Cases were divided into two groups focal VMA and broad VMA and subjects with no VMA were enrolled as controls. A grading platform was used for evaluating the morphology of diabetic macular oedema (DME), using good-quality SD-OCT images. Grading was done for VMA and the biomarkers. Best corrected visual acuity (BCVA), central retinal thickness (CRT) and central subfield thickness (CSFT) was also recorded. The CRT (p = <0.001) and CSFT (p = <0.001) values were statistically significant between the groups. Except for Inner Nuclear Layer Cysts (p = <0.001), absence of Bridging Tissue that is composed of muller cell fibers and bipolar cells (p<0.001), and Hyper Reflective Dots (HRD) in cyst (p = 0.006) there were no significant differences in the distribution of OCT biomarkers among the 3 groups (focal VMA, broad VMA and no VMA). Only Disorganization of Retinal Inner Layers (DRIL) (p = 0.044) showed significant association with vision impairment in all the 3 groups. The distribution of OCT biomarkers was similar across all eyes of cases and controls. However, they were more likely to be associated with visual impairment in the presence of VMA than no VMA.

Microcystic macular degeneration in autosomal hereditary optic neuropathies: A cross-sectional retrospective study

Patients with autosomal optic neuropathies (AON) may develop microcystic macular degeneration (MMD), observed on retinal optical coherence tomography (OCT) examination. This study aimed to report the prevalence of MMD in AON patients and to assess the consequences of MMD on retinal architecture. Retrospective single-center study conducted between 2001 and 2018. Patients affected by AON secondary to OPA1 or WFS1 gene mutations were included. The following data were collected: visual acuity, macular volume, vitreomacular interface and presence or absence of MMD. Forty-two subjects (34 OPA1, 8 WFS1) were included. MMD was found in 12 (29%) patients, i.e. 6 of the 8 WFS1 patients (75%) and 6 of the 34 OPA1 patients (17%). In cases with MMD, total retinal volume was greater (P=0.02) in accordance with thickening of the inner nuclear layer (P<0.001). WFS1 subjects had the highest total retinal volume (P=0.01), in relation to a thickening of the inner plexiform layer (P=0.02), inner nuclear layer (P<0.001) and outer plexiform layer (P=0.002). MMD was significantly associated with the WFS1 mutation (P<0.001). No significant association was found between the presence of vitreomacular adhesion and MMD. MMD was found in 29% of patients affected by AON and was more frequent in cases with a WFS1 gene mutation. MMD appears to be related to primary ganglion cell degeneration and Müller cell dysfunction. The vitreomacular interface does not appear to play a role in the occurrence of MMD.

Epiretinal membrane appearance or progression after intravitreal injection in age-related macular degeneration

BackgroundThe purpose of this study is to evaluate the influence of anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in the appearance or progression of epiretinal membranes (ERMs) in age-related macular degeneration (ARMD) and investigate confounding factors causing ERMs.MethodsSeventy-six eyes that were treated for more than 36 months from the first anti-VEGF injection were assessed. Binary logistic regression analysis was performed between smoking, lens status, subretinal hemorrhage, posterior vitreous detachment (PVD) status, peripheral retinal degeneration, type of AMD, conditions of contralateral eye, and the number of injections as independent variables and appearance or progression of ERMs during 36 months as dependent variables.ResultsThe presence of vitreomacular adhesion (VMA) or development of PVD during the observation period was significantly associated (Odds ratio [OR]: 5.77; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.72–19.4; p = 0.005) with the appearance or progression of ERMs. Moreover, peripheral retinal degeneration was significantly associated (OR: 3.87; 95% CI, 1.15–13.0; p = 0.029). Injection number of anti-VEGF was not significantly associated (OR: 1.02; 95% CI, 0.90–1.16; p = 0.72).ConclusionThis study suggests possibilities that anti-VEGF injections alone are unable to cause the development of ERMs, that VMA or developing PVD has a prior impact on the developing ERMs in ARMD similar to that of idiopathic ERMs, and that peripheral retinal degenerations and vitreomacular adhesion were both related to ERMs development and pathogenesis of ARMD.

Differences in the characteristics of subjects achieving complete, partial, or no resolution of macular edema in the READ-3 study.

To identify baseline characteristics of subjects enrolled in the READ-3 study that would predict the response of macular edema to ranibizumab (RBZ) therapy at year 1. In this post hoc analysis of the READ-3 randomized, multicenter phase 2 clinical trial, subjects with diabetic macular edema (DME) were randomized to receive monthly intravitreal injections of RBZ (0.5 or 2.0 mg) for 6 consecutive injections followed by as-needed treatments based on pre-defined retreatment criteria. In this sub-study, subjects were divided into three groups (persistent, rebound, and resolved) based on edema status at month 12 (M12). Multi-logistic regression was utilized to assess the probability of edema outcomes M12, based on the baseline characteristics. One hundred twenty-three out of 152 subjects were analyzed for this sub-study. A significant difference was observed in the baseline (BL) central subfield thickness (CST) among the study groups (p < 0.05). BL CST was a significant predictor for edema outcome at M12 with > 80% probability of the subject having persistent edema if BL CST was > 570 μm (p < 0.05). This association persisted when controlled for the dose of RBZ (relative risk (RR), 1.007; p < 0.05). BL CST was also a significant predictor for having persistent edema at M12 in subjects without vitreomacular adhesion (VMA) (> 80% probability of edema persistence at CST > 570 μm [RR, 1.006; p < 0.05]). However, in the presence of VMA, BL CST was no longer a significant predictor of having persistent edema at month 12 (RR, 1.005; p > 0.05). Subjects with high CST (> 570 μm) at baseline may not benefit from repeated intravitreal injections of anti-VEGF for resolution of edema.

Rate of progression of idiopathic full-thickness macular holes before surgery.

To evaluate the spontaneous change in size over the time of idiopathic full-thickness macular holes (IFTMHs) using optical coherence tomography (OCT). This retrospective observational study included 24 eyes of 24 consecutive patients waiting for IFTMH surgery. On OCT horizontal B-scan passing through the center of the fovea, the minimum linear diameter (MLD), the basal diameter (BD), and the presence of vitreomacular adhesion (VMA) were evaluated. The mean total and daily MLD and BD variations were calculated as both absolute and percentage values. The MLD and BD size increase was statistically significant (P < 0.0001). The MLD size increase was significantly greater for small (<250 μm) versus both medium (≥250 to ≤400 μm) and large (>400 μm) IFTMHs in all analysis: the total absolute (P = 0.0248), the daily absolute (P = 0.0186), the total percentage (P = 0.0020), and the daily percentage (P = 0.0008) variations. For the BD, the significance between the same groups was achieved only in the daily percentage change (P = 0.0220). The presence of VMA did not influence the amount of MLD and BD increase. The rate of increase was dependent on the size of hole at presentation (MLD: small: 1.67 microns per day; medium: 0.61 microns per day; large: 0.44 microns per day). Both MLD and BD increase over the time in IFTMHs. There is a significantly greater rate of increase in hole size in smaller holes compared with larger. Therefore, prioritisation for small IFTMH may be justified.

Spectral-Domain OCT Predictors of Visual Outcomes after Ranibizumab Treatment for Macular Edema Resulting from Retinal Vein Occlusion

To evaluate spectral-domain (SD)-OCT features associated with baseline vision and visual outcomes in the prospective, multicenter Study Evaluating Dosing Regimens for Treatment with Intravitreal Ranibizumab Injections in Subjects with Macular Edema following Retinal Vein Occlusion (SHORE). Post hoc analysis of prospective clinical trial data. Two hundred two participants in the 15-month, phase 4 SHORE study comparing monthly versus pro re nata ranibizumab after 7 monthly doses in eyes with retinal vein occlusion (RVO) with macular edema. Baseline SD-OCT images were assessed for (1) central subfield thickness (CST); (2) presence of vitreomacular adhesion, vitreomacular traction, or epiretinal membrane; (3) presence, location, and amount of intraretinal fluid or subretinal fluid (SRF); (4) presence, location, and amount of hyperreflective foci (HF); (5) disorganization of retinal inner layers (DRIL); and (6) disruption of external limiting membrane (ELM), ellipsoid zone (EZ), and interdigitation zone (IZ). Univariate and multivariate regression analyses were performed to evaluate the association of these features with baseline best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and change in BCVA after 7 monthly ranibizumab injections. Association of SD-OCT features with baseline BCVA and change in BCVA after 7 monthly ranibizumab injections. Before therapy, worse baseline BCVA was associated with ERM presence (P= 0.0045), thicker SRF (P= 0.0006), larger intraretinal cysts (P= 0.0015), and higher percentage of DRIL (P < 0.0001), percentage of ELM disruption (P < 0.0001), percentage of EZ disruption (P= 0.0003), and percentage of IZ disruption (P= 0.0018). In multivariate models, only percentage of ELM disruption independently impacted baseline BCVA (P < 0.0001). After 7 monthly ranibizumab injections, mean BCVA improved by 18.3±12.6 Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study letters in treated eyes. The only factors independently associated with BCVA gain after 7 monthly ranibizumab treatments were younger age (P < 0.0001) and worse baseline BCVA (P < 0.0001). Although SD-OCT features may be associated with presenting vision in eyes with macular edema and RVO, most eyes treated with ranibizumab achieve substantial vision gains, and only older age and better baseline BCVA limited visual improvements.

Normal Variation of Photoreceptor Outer Segment Volume With Age, Gender, Refractive Error, and Vitreomacular Adhesion.

Thickness and volume changes of the photoreceptor outer segment (PROS) layer on spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) images are associated with various disease states. However, there are limited data on normal anatomical variation. This study evaluates the correlation of PROS volume with age, gender, refractive error, and presence of vitreomacular adhesion (VMA) in healthy subjects. SD-OCT scans of 68 normal eyes were analyzed. The ellipsoid zone and the apical retinal pigment epithelium boundary were segmented using an automated algorithm. The PROS volume was calculated as the region bounded by these two layers within a 6-mm diameter circle centered at the fovea. A general linear model was used for statistical analysis. PROS volume increased with age to a significant degree (P = .013). Gender, refractive error, and presence of VMA were insignificant factors. PROS volume, as measured on routine SD-OCT, increases with age in healthy subjects, after adjusting for gender, refractive error, and VMA. [Ophthalmic Surg Lasers Imaging Retina. 2018;49:523-527.].

Benefits of anti-vascular endothelial growth factor therapy for diabetic macular edema with and without vitreomacular adhesions

Purpose: We aimed to evaluate the effect of vitreomacular adhesion (VMA) in visual and anatomic outcomes in patients with diabetic macular edema (DME) after intravitreal injection of ranibizumab (Lucentis®). Patients and Methods: This was a prospective cohort study that included thirty eyes of DME patients, divided into two groups according to their spectral-domain-optical coherence tomography image analysis at the baseline visit to identify the presence (VMA+) or absence (VMA−) of VMA. Patients with any degree of vitreomacular traction were not included in this study. VMA was classified by the size of adhesion into either focal ( 1500 mm). All patients received monthly 0.5 mg of intravitreal ranibizumab injection for 6 months. Patients were observed monthly for a 6-month period and their best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and central macular thickness (CMT) were recorded. The incidence of posterior vitreous detachment (PVD) was observed. Results: Compared with baseline, there was a significant decrease in CMT after 6 months by 151.46 ± 121.47 and 139.33 ± 144.23 μm in VMA+ and VMA− groups, respectively (P = 0.681). The mean average improvement in BCVA was 10.21 ± 6.33 and 6.68 ± 6.35 letters in the VMA+ and VMA− groups, respectively. The difference between the two groups was statistically significant (P = 0.007). At 6 months, among the 15 eyes of VMA+ at baseline, 4 eyes demonstrated PVD and 11 eyes showed no change in VMA status. Conclusion: Patients having DME with VMA may achieve higher visual gain with anti-vascular endothelial growth factor therapy. Presence of VMA should not preclude patients with DME from receiving anti-vascular endothelial growth factor therapy.

Morphology of the vitreoretinal interface in fellow eyes of patients with full thickness macular holes

We performed aretrospective, observational clinical study to evaluate the vitreoretinal interface (VRI) in fellow eyes of patients with full thickness macular holes (FTMH) based on spectral domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) examinations. The VRI in fellow eyes of 38patients with idiopathic FTMH, 6of which had concomitant vitreomacular traction (VMT) and the VRI of 32patients with FTMH with complete resolution of VMT were examined by SD-OCT for the presence of vitreomacular adhesion (VMA), VMT and the formation of FTMH, lamellar macular holes (LMH), macular pseudoholes (MPH) or epiretinal membranes (ERM). Patients underwent complete ophthalmic evaluation, including SD-OCT at baseline and follow-up visits. To classify the morphology of the VRI, we used the international vitreomacular traction study classification system by Duker etal. (Ophthalmology 2013), evaluating the baseline SD-OCT data for significant classification parameters, including size of VMA, macular thickness and volume and structural changes of retinal layers. Of the 38eyes with FTMH, 2(5.3%) fellow eyes also showed evidence of FTMH, 5(13.2%) had isolated VMT while5 (13.2%) showed formation of ERM, of which 2demonstrated MPH. In 5patients (13.2%) showing evidence of VMA and 17patients (44.7%) with an unremarkable VRI, 22fellow eyes (57.9%) showed no pathological morphology. Altogether, 16fellow eyes (42.1%) of patients with FTMH showed pathological changes of the vitreoretinal interface. This high-resolution SD-OCT-based retrospective study showed that fellow eyes of patients with VMT or FTMH were at increased risk of demonstrating pathological changes in the morphology of the VRI.

Effect of Vitreomacular Adhesion on Treatment Outcomes in the Ranibizumab for Edema of the Macula in Diabetes (READ-3) Study

To assess the role of vitreomacular adhesion (VMA) in visual and anatomic outcomes in patients with diabetic macular edema (DME). Retrospective cohort study. Data from patients enrolled in the Ranibizumab for Edema of the Macula in Diabetes: Protocol 3 with High Dose (READ-3) study were analyzed. In the READ-3 study, patients with DME received monthly intravitreal injections of either 0.5 or 2.0 mg ranibizumab. Optical coherence tomography images from patients who completed the month 6 visit of the study were analyzed at the baseline visit to identify the presence (VMA+) or absence (VMA-) of VMA. Patients with any degree of vitreomacular traction were excluded from the analysis. Two independent graders graded all images. Vitreomacular adhesion was classified by size of adhesion into either focal (<1500 μm) or broad (≥1500 μm). Mean changes in best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and central retinal thickness (CRT) at month 6 and incidence of posterior vitreous detachment (PVD). One hundred fifty-two eyes (152 patients) were randomized in the READ-3 study. One hundred twenty-four eyes (124 patients) were eligible for the study based on study criteria. Twenty-eight eyes did not meet study criteria and were excluded from the study. At baseline, 26 patients were classified as VMA+ and 98 patients were classified as VMA-. The distribution of the 2 doses of ranibizumab (0.5 and 2.0 mg) in the 2 groups was similar. At month 6, the mean improvement in BCVA was 11.31±6.67 and 6.86±7.58 letters in the VMA+ and VMA- groups, respectively (P= 0.007). Mean improvement in CRT was-173.81±132.31 and-161.84±131.34 μm in the VMA+ and VMA- groups, respectively (P= 0.681). At month 6, among the 26 VMA+ eyes (at baseline), 7 eyes demonstrated PVD, 17 eyes showed no change in VMA status, and 2 eyes were not gradable and were excluded. Diabetic macular edema patients with VMA have a greater potential for improvement in visual outcomes with anti-vascular endothelial growth factor therapy. Therefore, the presence of VMA should not preclude patients with DME from receiving treatment.

Effect of vitreomacular adhesion on antivascular endothelial growth factor therapy for macular edema secondary to branch retinal vein occlusion

To investigate the association between vitreomacular adhesion (VMA) and the visual and anatomic outcomes of antivascular endothelial growth factor therapy for macular edema due to branch retinal vein occlusion (BRVO). This study included 107 eyes of 107 patients with BRVO who underwent intravitreal injection of 1.25 mg bevacizumab. The presence of VMA was determined with spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT). All eyes underwent best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and central retinal thickness (CRT) measurements using SD-OCT immediately before the injection and at 3, 6, 9, and 12 months after the injection. The main outcome measures were changes in BCVA and CRT from baseline. The VMA(+) and VMA(-) groups consisted of 47 and 60 eyes, respectively, and patients' age differed significantly between the groups (P < 0.001). In both groups, BCVA and CRT improved after the injection. The VMA(+) group showed better improvement in BCVA than did the VMA(-) group (P = 0.0150), and the presence of VMA was associated with a greater decrease in CRT after adjusting for age (P = 0.0019). Presence of VMA may be associated with superior visual and anatomic outcome for intravitreal bevacizumab in the treatment of macular edema due to BRVO.