Snellen Visual Acuity Research Articles

Long-term outcome of cataract surgery: 20-year results from a population-based prospective study

To report the longitudinal visual functional outcome after cataract surgery over 20 years. Eye clinic, Norrlands University Hospital, Sweden. Prospective population-based cohort study. One hundred fourteen patients (86% of survivors) who had cataract surgery during a 1-year period (1997 to 1998) answered the same Visual Function Index-14 questionnaire (VF-14) preoperatively, 2 to 4months postoperatively, and at 5, 10, 15, and 20years after surgery. Most patients (100 [88%] of 114; 75% of survivors) also had a routine ocular examination, including corrected distance visual acuity (CDVA). The mean age of the114 patients in the study was 60.6years (range 36 to 80years) at the time of surgery. Twenty years after surgery, the median CDVA in the operated eye had deteriorated from Snellen acuity 20/20 (logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution [logMAR] 0.0) postoperatively to 20/23 (logMAR 0.07) (P=.001). Patients aged 70years or older at surgery had the largest loss of CDVA at 20years compared with younger patients. At 20years, 63 (55%) of the 114 patients had no deterioration in subjective visual function and most patients (82 [72%]) had 10 points decline or less. Patients who were older at surgery had a more pronounced decline in VF-14 total score over 20years (P=.002). Fifty-six (58%) of 96 patients had never been treated for posterior capsule opacification. This prospective 20-year follow-up study provided estimates of longitudinal visual results. Cataract surgery also offered excellent long-term visual rehabilitation for the majority, especially younger patients, after 20years, with a low requirement for Nd:YAG laser capsulotomy. The results in this study are of value for counseling younger patients with cataract and patients considering refractive lens surgery.

Therapeutic effect of vitrectomy combined with single-layer inverted internal limiting membrane flap covering technique for rhegmatogenous retinal detachment complicated with macular hole

Objective To observe the therapeutic effect of vitrectomy combined with single-layer inverted internal limiting membrane (ILM) flap covering technique for rhegmatogenous retinal detachment(RRD) complicated with macular hole (MH). Methods A retrospective case analysis. From January 2015 to August 2019, 29 eyes of 29 patients with RRD and MH diagnosed in the First People's Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiaotong University were included in this study. There were 16 males (16 eyes) and 13 females(13 eyes). All the eyes were peripheral RRD and involving the macular area, while complicated with MH and proliferative vitreoretinopathy in stage less than C. All the eyes were examined by BCVA and OCT. The BCVA examination was performed using the Snellen visual acuity chart, which was converted into logMAR visual acuity. Before 2017, 18 eyes were treated with vitrectomy combined with ILM peeling (ILM peeling group); after 2017, 11 eyes were treated with vitrectomy combined with single-layer inverted ILM flap covering technique (ILM inverted group). The differences of age (t=0.360), onset time (t=1.235), number of holes except MH (t=0.060), RRD range (t=1.232), gas filled eyes (χ2=0.324) between the two groups were not statistically significant (P>0.05). The average follow-up time after surgery was 4.5 months. The BCVA, retinal reattachment and MH closure at the last follow-up in the two groups were comparatively observed. U-shaped or V-shaped retina was defined as MH closure. Results At the last follow-up, retinal reattachments were achieved in all the eyes. In ILM peeling group, 5 eyes (27.8%, 5/18) were completely closed in typeⅠ . In ILM inverted group, 9 eyes (81.8%, 9/11) were completely closed in typeⅠ . There was a statistically significant difference of closure rate in type Ⅰ closure between the two groups (χ2=5.968, P=0.015). The mean logMAR BCVA in ILM peeling group and ILM inverted group were 1.24±0.28 and 0.97±0.39, respectively. The difference of logMAR BCVA between the two groups was statistically significant (t=2.179, P=0.038). Conclusion Vitrectomy combined with single-layer inverted ILM flap covering technique can increase the BCVA and MH closure rates in RRD patients with MH. Key words: Retinal perforations/surgery; Retinal detachment/surgery; Vitreoretinal surgery

Effect of internal limiting membrane peeling and transplantation on vision-related quality of life in refractory macular hole

Objective To observe the effect of internal limiting membrane peeling and transplantation on vision-related quality of life in refractory macular hole. Methods A retrospective clinical study. Thirty patients (30 eyes) with refractory macular hole diagnosed in Ophthalmology Department of The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University from January to December 2016 were included in this study. There were 13 males (13 eyes) and 17 females (17 eyes), with the mean age of 57.3±6.9 years. There were 15 patients(15 eyes) with large macular diameter, 12 patients (12 eyes) with high myopia macular hole, and 3 patients (3 eyes) with secondary traumatic macular hole. The BCVA examination was performed using the Snellen visual acuity chart, which was converted into logMAR visual acuity. OCT was performed to measure the macular retinal thickness (CRT), base diameter and minimum diameter of macular hole. Then, the macular hole index(MHI) was calculated. The logMAR BCVA was 1.52±0.30, MHI was 0.51±0.19. The Chinese version of visual-related quality of life scale-25 (CVRQoL-25) was used to evaluate the vision-related quality of life of patients. The CVRQoL-25 score was 57.60±7.13. All patients underwent 23G vitrectomy combined with inner limited membrane peeling and autologous ILM transplantation. The follow-up was at least 3 months after surgery. The changes of BCVA, MHI, CRT and CVRQoL-25 score before and after surgery were comparatively analyzed. Paired t test was performed to compare the measurement data before and after surgery, and Spearman rank correlation analysis was used for the correlation analysis among the parameters. Results At 3 months after surgery, the hole closure was detected in 28 eyes (93.3%), not detected in 2 eyes (6.7%). The logMAR BCVA was 1.16±0.33, CRT was 161.00±15.26, and CVRQoL-25 scores was 70.83±9.77. Compared with before surgery, the BCVA (t=4.386, P=0.000) and CVRQoL-25 score (t=-5.991, P=0.000) after surgery were improved. Spearman rank correlation analysis showed that CVRQoL-25 score was negatively correlated with preoperative and postoperative logMAR BCVA (r=−0.536, −0.796; P=0.002, 0.000); positively correlated with preoperative MHI (r=0.421, P=0.020) and postoperative CRT (r=0.589, P=0.001). Conclusion Internal limiting membrane peeling and transplantation for refractory macular hole can significantly improve the vision-related quality of life and visual acuity, while achieved a high hole closure rate (93.3%). Key words: Retinal perforations/surgery; Vitrectomy; Internal limiting membrane peeling; Internal limiting membrane transplantation; Vision-related quality

Anatomical and functional outcome of scleral buckling in primary rhegmatogenous retinal detachment

Purpose: To study the anatomical and functional outcomes, complications and reasons for failure of scleral buckling in primary rhegmatogenous retinal detachment Design: Prospective Observational Study Materials and Methods: 17 eyes of 16 consecutive patients who had undergone scleral buckling for rhegmatogenous retinal detachment at a tertiary care teaching Ophthalmic Institute in South India from January 2015 were taken up for the study. Important points like history of trauma, spectacle use and cataract surgery were noted from the history. Detailed evaluation including snellen visual acuity converted to Logmar vision, Slit Lamp Evaluation, Fundus examination, Applanation tonometry etc were done and documented before surgery and the same parameters were again noted during the follow up examinations on the first post operative day and then at 2 weeks, 4 weeks, 3months and 6 months. Surgical parameters like number and location of breaks, macular status, type of buckling etc were also recorded diligently. Results: 15 Out of the 17 eyes (88%) achieved anatomical success with the retina attached at 4 weeks of post operative follow up. The cause of failure in the remaining 2 cases was missed retinal breaks and were rescued by vitrectomy. The mean average pre operative vision was 2.23 which improved to a mean average vision of 1.49, 1.30, 1.15, 1.04, 1.01 at 1st post operative day, 2weeks, 4 weeks, 3months and 6 months respectively. The change was found to be significant. The macula on RRDs (4 eyes) had better visual improvement with mean pre op Logmar vision improving from 0.842 to a post op Logmar vision of 0.37 and 0.15 at 4 weeks and 6 months respectively. Conclusions: Scleral buckling provides a reasonably good anatomical outcome in properly selected cases of primary rhegmatogenous retinal detachment. It also provides a moderate visual outcome. The post operative visual outcome depends mainly on the pre operative status of macula. The main cause for failure of sclera

Management of Congenital Aniridia-Associated Keratopathy: Long-Term Outcomes from a Tertiary Referral Center

To report the outcomes of medical and surgical management for congenital aniridia-associated keratopathy (AAK) over a long-term follow-up period. Retrospective, comparative case series. Medical records of patients diagnosed with congenital aniridia were retrospectively reviewed. Age, sex, ethnicity, follow-up time, AAK stage, noncorneal abnormalities, ocular surgeries, and complications were recorded. The visual acuity equivalent (VAE), approximate Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study (appETDRS) letter score, was calculated using recorded Snellen visual acuities. A total of 92 eyes of 47 patients (31 females) with mean age of 48.0 ± 18.0 years and mean follow-up of 78.6 ± 42.2months were included. At the initial visit, 12 eyes (13%) were classified as Stage I AAK, 33 eyes (35.9%) were Stage II, 25 eyes (27.2%) were Stage III, 17 eyes (18.5%) were Stage IV, and 5 eyes (5.4%) were Stage V. Limbal stem cell transplantation (LSCT) and Boston keratoprosthesis (KPro) were frequently performed in eyes with Stages III-V. These advanced corneal surgeries significantly improved the median (95% confidence interval [CI]) of calculated appETDRS scores from 2 (0-20) to 26 (15-41) (Snellen values, 20/20,000 to 20/300; P = 0.0004). Patients with earlier Stages (I-II) of AAK were managed medically and had stable visual acuity through their final visits (appETDRS score of 26 [20-35] to 35 [26-35]; Snellen, 20/300 to 20/200; P > 0.05). The appETDRS VAE was significantly improved from 20 (0-35) to 30 (20-55), Snellen, 20/400 to 20/250, following LSCT (P= 0.021) and from 2 (0-20) to 2 (0-41) after KPro; Snellen, 20/20,000 VAE but with improved 95% CI after follow-up (P= 0.019). With proper characterization and staging of AAK, individualized medical and advanced surgical interventions preserves and improves visual acuity.

Treatment of Acute Corneal Hydrops With Combined Intracameral Gas and Approximation Sutures in Patients With Corneal Ectasia.

To assess the efficacy and safety of combined intracameral sulfur hexafluoride and full-thickness corneal sutures in the treatment of acute corneal hydrops (CH). This is an uncontrolled series of cases with keratoconus (KC), keratoglobus (KG), and pellucid marginal degeneration that presented with CH of recent onset. Thirteen patients completed the study. The mean corneal thickness before treatment was 1,310 (Equation is included in full-text article.)556 μm, which significantly reduced to 660 ± 148 μm at week 1 postoperatively (P = 0.001). It took 11.5 ± 6.5 days for corneal edema to resolve with a minimum and maximum of 5 and 24 days, respectively. Corrected distance Snellen visual acuity (CDVA) significantly improved from 0.04 ± 0.03 before treatment to 0.08 ± 0.06 at week 1 (P = 0.035) and continued to improve through month 1 [(0.11 ± 0.05), P = 0.007] and month 3 [(0.15 ± 0.08), P = 0.002]. No patient needed re-treatment with gas injection, and no complication was detected during the follow-up period. Combined intracameral gas injection and approximation sutures are probably effective and safe for the treatment of acute CH. This treatment results in rapid recovery with very rare complications.

USEFUL FIELD OF VIEW AND DRIVING SIMULATION ACROSS TWO AGE GROUPS

The Insurance Information Institute (2017) reports that drivers aged 65 and older have the second highest rate of fatal car crashes. Research with the useful field of view (UFOV) assessment has predicted crashes in older drivers (Ball, 2006). “UFOV is defined as the area from which an individual can extract information quickly without head or eye movement” (Posit Science, 2019). Research demonstrates that older drivers are limited by poorer vision, divided attention and the inability to ignore distractions, and slower reaction time to critical stimuli (Owsley et al. 1998). As a result UFOV is an effective variable in assessing driver safety. We hypothesized that older compared to younger drivers would be less likely to inhibit attention to task irrelevant visual stimuli while engaged in a simulated driving task. Participants were community dwelling older adults and students recruited from a research pool and through word of mouth. Participants completed a series of demographic and health questions, Snellen visual acuity test a series of cognitive measures (e. g., Trails 1 and 2, digit symbol, digit span) and the UFOV assessment. Participants completed a driving simulation task while information on driving performance: number of collisions, speed limit deviations, turn signal use, time spent tailgating another vehicle, and braking reaction times. ANOVA demonstrated that as hypothesized, younger participants had significantly lower UFOV risk scores (p = .000). Older adults’ (M = 2.15, SD = .945) and younger adults’ (M = 1, SD = 0).

ADALIMUMAB THERAPY FOR REFRACTORY BIRDSHOT CHORIORETINOPATHY.

To report the outcome of using adalimumab to treat birdshot chorioretinopathy. Retrospective case series of 19 patients (38 eyes) with HLA-A29-positive birdshot chorioretinopathy who received adalimumab treatment. Patients had been refractory to previous standard systemic immunomodulatory therapy. They received biweekly subcutaneous injections of 40 mg of adalimumab. Outcome measures were change in visual acuity, fluorescein angiography, and optical coherence tomography features, the concomitant use of immunosuppressive drugs, and the occurrence of adverse effects between 1 year before, at baseline, and after 1 year of adalimumab treatment. Mean Snellen visual acuity at 1-year follow-up was 20/28, an improvement from 20/43 at the start of the treatment (P = 0.011) and equal to the visual acuity 1 year before the treatment (20/29). Only 2 of the 9 patients who had complete fluorescein angiography and optical coherence tomography results after the 1 year of treatment were completely free of inflammation signs at the end of the follow-up. Half (53%) of 17 patients were receiving adalimumab monotherapy after 1 year of treatment, an increase from 21% at the start of treatment (P = 0.047). Three of the 19 patients reported possible side effects; 2 discontinued treatment within 1 year. The results suggest that adalimumab is effective at improving visual acuity and at tapering concomitant immunomodulatory therapy, in patients with refractory birdshot chorioretinopathy. However, complete remission is rarely achieved.

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

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

Photodynamic Therapy for Choroidal Metastasis Tumor Control and Visual Outcomes in 58 Cases: The 2019 Burnier International Ocular Pathology Society Lecture

To determine outcomes after photodynamic therapy (PDT) for choroidal metastasis. Retrospective interventional case series. Forty-three patients with 40 eyes harboring 58 choroidal metastases. Treatment with standard fluence PDT using verteporfin. Tumor control and visual outcomes. The primary cancer originated in the lung (n= 17 [39%]), breast (n= 16 [37%]), kidney (n= 3 [8%]), thyroid (n= 2 [6%]), and other sites (n= 5 [10%]). The mean patient age at entry was 61 years. Ocular symptoms included decreased visual acuity (n= 23 [53%]), visual field defect (n= 2 [5%]), floaters (n= 7 [16%]), flashes (n= 3 [7%]), and asymptomatic (n= 8 [19%]). The median entering visual acuity (Snellen equivalent) was 20/40. The median tumor diameter was 5.0 mm, and median thickness by ultrasonography was 2.0 mm. The median distance to the optic disc was 3.0 mm, and that to the foveola was 2.0 mm. Of the 43 patients, 35 maintained follow-up (40 eyes, 45 tumors), and PDT achieved tumor control with 1 session (n= 32 tumors [71%]) or 2 sessions (n= 3 tumors [7%]) and failed to achieve regression (n= 10 tumors [22%]). The 10 metastases for which treatment failed were managed further with plaque radiotherapy (n= 3), proton beam radiotherapy (n= 1), external beam radiotherapy (n= 1), systemic chemotherapy (n= 4), and observation (patient preference; n= 1). A comparison of clinical features for tumor control (PDT alone vs. PDT plus additional therapy) revealed those controlled with PDT alone were more likely to be adenocarcinoma (73% vs. 30%; P= 0.02) and those eyes were more like to achieve final visual acuity of 20/20 to 20/40 (66% vs. 30%; P= 0.03), with better median final Snellen visual acuity (20/30 vs. 20/70; not significant). Primary cancer site or ocular tumor features (size, location, color, shape, related subretinal fluid) did not impact tumor control. In the entire group of 40 eyes, visual acuity improved or remained stable in 28 (70%) and decreased in 12 (30%), related to subfoveal scar, persistent subretinal fluid, reactive exudation, radiation maculopathy, and brain metastasis. At last follow-up (mean, 20 months), of the entering 43 patients, 9 (21%) were alive and 34 (79%) had died of systemic metastasis. Photodynamic therapy with verteporfin is an effective outpatient method for small to medium choroidal metastatic tumors, providing tumor control in 78% of eyes and visual outcome of 20/20 to 20/40 in 66% of eyes.

Combined neurosurgical and orbital intervention for spheno-orbital meningiomas - the Manchester experience

ABSTRACT Purpose Surgical resection of spheno-orbital meningioma (SOM) is challenging, requiring a multidisciplinary surgical approach. We present our experience of the surgical management of patients with SOM. Methods A retrospective analysis of patients with SOM who underwent joint neurosurgical and orbital surgical procedures between January 2000 and June 2017. Pre-operative clinical signs, indication for surgery, surgical complications and post-operative outcomes were recorded. Results Twenty-four operations were performed. Mean age was 49.5 years. Ninety-two percent of patients were female. Pre-operatively mean Snellen acuity vision was 6/12; 13 (54%) had an RAPD; 12 (50%) had reduced colour vision; 16 (67%) had a visual field defect. The majority (21 patients, 88%) had proptosis (average 4.5 mm ± 2.8 mm). The indication for surgery was evidence of visual dysfunction in 17 (71%), the remaining 7 (29%) had high risk of visual loss clinically or radiologically. Three-months post operatively, vision was stable in 13 (58%), improved in 6 (21%) and worse in 5 (17%). Average long-term follow-up was 82 months (1–220). Fourteen (58%) maintain improved or stable visual function. Four (17%) had reduced vision due to regrowth of the tumour at an average of 24 months. Conclusion SOMs are very challenging to treat surgically. In this cohort the patients were predominantly young females with aggressive disease. Visual function was improved or stabilised in 79% of the patients.

Case Series of Combined XEN Implantation and Phacoemulsification in Chinese Eyes: One-Year Outcomes.

The outcome of XEN implantation in Chinese eyes has not been previously reported. The purpose of our study is to evaluate the efficacy and safety of combined cataract surgery and XEN implantation in Chinese eyes with glaucoma. We conducted a prospective study of 31 consecutive Chinese patients who underwent combined phacoemulsification and XEN implantation at the National University Hospital (Singapore) in this study. Patients were assessed preoperatively and postoperatively on days1 and 7, and months1, 3, 6, and 12. The intraocular pressure (IOP), glaucoma medication use, Snellen visual acuity (VA), and complications were assessed at each visit. The Wilcoxon signed rank test for non-parametric data was used for the analysis of IOP and glaucoma medications at baseline versus 12months after the procedure. The mean age of the patients was 70 ± 7.9years and 48.4% were male. Twelve patients (38.7%) were diagnosed with primary open angle glaucoma and 19 patients (61.3%) were diagnosed with primary angle closure glaucoma. There was a significant decrease in IOP at 12months (12.1 ± 2.6mmHg) compared with preoperative medicated (15.6 ± 2.7mmHg, p < 0.0001) and unmedicated IOP (22.1 ± 3.6mmHg, p < 0.001). as well as a significant reduction in the number of glaucoma medications (1.4 ± 0.6 vs 0.1 ± 0.4, p < 0.0001). The most common complications were transient hypotony (12.9%) and ptosis (12.9%) and there were no sight-threatening intraoperative or postoperative complications. One patient required additional glaucoma surgery for uncontrolled IOP at 8months after combined phacoemulsification and XEN implantation. Combined XEN implantation with cataract surgery was effective in lowering the IOP and the number of glaucoma medications in Chinese eyes for at least 12months, with a favorable safety profile.

Laser-induced CNV following hair removal procedure

Objective: To describe the chronological features of choroidal neovascular membrane (CNV) development subsequent to accidental firing of diode laser into the eye of a young female during hair epilation. Methods: Descriptive case report. Results: The patient presented one week after the laser injury to a local ophthalmologist complaining of RE (right eye) blurred central vision. Snellen's visual acuity (VA) was 6/ 7.5. Optical coherence tomography (OCT) showed focal disruption of the ellipsoid and the interdigitation zones. Four weeks later, she presented with worsening symptoms and RE VA 6/ 15. Funduscopy revealed a perifoveal grayish lesion with adjacent retinal hemorrhage, which, on fluorescein angiography, was leaking, compatible with CNV. OCT showed a dome-shaped sub-retinal pigment epithelium lesion with extension into the subretinal space and little subretinal fluid. The patient was treated with one intravitreal bevacizumab injection. There was rapid regression of the CNV and improvement of VA to 6/ 7.5 at one-month visit and to 6/ 6 at 6-month visit. Conclusion: All the laser procedures should be conducted with intensive care for both the patient and the laser surgeon since inadvertent effects are constantly being reported due to lack of adherence to safety measures.

CHOROIDAL NEVUS IMAGING FEATURES IN 3,806 CASES AND RISK FACTORS FOR TRANSFORMATION INTO MELANOMA IN 2,355 CASES: The 2020 Taylor R. Smith and Victor T. Curtin Lecture.

To use multimodal imaging for identification of risk factors for choroidal nevus transformation into melanoma. Retrospective chart review of 3806 consecutive choroidal nevi with imaging and 2355 choroidal nevi with additional follow up to identify factors predictive of transformation of choroidal nevus into melanoma. The median patient age was 62.5 years and Caucasian race in 3167 (95%). The choroidal nevus demonstrated median basal diameter of 4.0 mm and thickness of 1.4 mm. Imaging included optical coherence tomography (OCT) showing subretinal fluid (SRF) in 312 (9%), ultrasonography (US) with acoustic hollowness in 309 (9%), and hyper-autofluorescence (AF) in 100 (3%). Of those 2355 choroidal nevi with follow up, Kaplan-Meier estimates of nevus transformation into melanoma at 1, 5, and 10 years were 1.2%, 5.8%, and 13.9%, respectively. Multivariate analysis, using multimodal imaging for detection of factors predictive of nevus transformation into melanoma, included thickness >2 mm on US (hazard ratio (HR) 3.80, p < 0.0001), SRF on OCT as cap over nevus (HR 3.00, p < 0.0001) or SRF ≤3 mm from nevus margin (HR 3.56, p = 0.0003), symptomatic vision loss ≤20/50 on Snellen visual acuity (VA) (HR 2.28, p = 0.005), orange pigment (lipofuscin) hyperautofluorescence on AF (HR 3.07, p = 0.0004), acoustic hollowness on US (HR 2.10, p = 0.0020), and tumor diameter >5 mm on photography (HR 1.84, p = 0.0275). These factors can be recalled by the mnemonic "To Find Small Ocular Melanoma Doing IMaging" (TFSOM-DIM) representing Thickness >2 mm (US), Fluid subretinal (OCT), Symptoms vision loss (VA), Orange pigment (AF), Melanoma hollow (US), and DIaMeter >5mm (photography). The mean 5-year estimates of nevus growth into melanoma were 1% (HR 0.8) for those with 0 risk factor, 11% (HR 3.09) with 1 factor, 22% (HR 10.6) with 2 factors, 34% (HR 15.1) with 3 factors, 51% (HR 15.2) with 4 factors, 55% (HR 26.4) with 5 risk factors, and not-estimable with all 6 risk factors. In this analysis, multimodal imaging was capable of detecting risk factors for nevus transformation into melanoma, including thickness >2 mm (US), fluid subretinal (OCT), symptoms vision loss (Snellen acuity), orange pigment (AF), melanoma hollowness (US), and diameter >5 mm (photography). Increasing number of risk factors imparts greater risk for nevus transformation into melanoma, including thickness >2 mm (US), fluid subretinal (OCT), symptoms vision loss (Snellen acuity), orange pigment (AF), melanoma hollowness (US), and diameter >5 mm (photography). Increasing number of risk factors imparts greater risk for transformation.

Intravitreous Cutaneous Metastatic Melanoma in the Era of Checkpoint Inhibition: Unmasking and Masquerading

Cutaneous melanoma metastatic to the vitreous is very rare. This study investigated the clinical findings, treatment, and outcome of patients with metastatic cutaneous melanoma to the vitreous. Most patients received checkpoint inhibition for the treatment of systemic disease, and the significance of this was explored. Multicenter, retrospective cohort study. Fourteen eyes of 11 patients with metastatic cutaneous melanoma to the vitreous. Clinical records, including fundus photography and ultrasound results, were reviewed retrospectively, and relevant data were recorded for each patient eye. Clinical features at presentation, ophthalmic and systemic treatments, and outcomes. The median age at presentation of ophthalmic disease was 66 years (range, 23-88 years), and the median follow-up from diagnosis of ophthalmic disease was 23 months. Ten of 11 patients were treated with immune checkpoint inhibition at some point in the treatment course. The median time from starting immunotherapy to ocular symptoms was 17 months (range, 4.5-38 months). Half of eyes demonstrated amelanotic vitreous debris. Five eyes demonstrated elevated intraocular pressure, and 4 eyes demonstrated a retinal detachment. Six patients showed metastatic disease in the central nervous system. Ophthalmic treatment included external beam radiation (30-40 Gy) in 6 eyes, intravitreous melphalan (10-20 μg) in 4 eyes, enucleation of 1 eye, and local observation while receiving systemic treatment in 2 eyes. Three eyes received intravitreous bevacizumab for neovascularization. The final Snellen visual acuity ranged from 20/20 to no light perception. The differential diagnosis of vitreous debris in the context of metastatic cutaneous melanoma includes intravitreal metastasis, and this seems to be particularly apparent during this era of treatment with checkpoint inhibition. External beam radiation, intravitreous melphalan, and systemic checkpoint inhibition can be used in the treatment of ophthalmic disease. Neovascular glaucoma and retinal detachments may occur, and most eyes show poor visual potential. Approximately one quarter of patients demonstrated ocular disease that preceded central nervous system metastasis. Patients with visual symptoms or vitreous debris in the context of metastatic cutaneous melanoma would benefit from evaluation by an ophthalmic oncologist.

Control and coordination of fixational eye movements in the Snellen acuity test

Control and coordination of fixational eye movements in the Snellen acuity test

Stem Cell Ophthalmology Treatment Study (SCOTS): bone marrow derived stem cells in the treatment of Usher syndrome.

Usher syndrome is the most common form of syndromic retinitis pigmentosa and includes types I, II, and III with varying degrees of hearing loss. We present results of 10 eyes with Usher syndrome treated with autologous bone marrow derived stem cells (BMSC) within the Stem Cell Ophthalmology Treatment Study (SCOTS). Preoperative Snellen visual acuities ranged from 20/30-1 to 20/400 with the average pre-operative Snellen acuity approximately 20/85 and the average logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution (LogMAR) acuity 0.635. All eyes had significantly impaired visual fields and patients reported hearing loss as part of this syndromic retinitis pigmentosa. Treatment using the protocols of the SCOTS study using BMSC provided by retrobulbar, subtenons, intravitreal and intravenous injections. Following treatment, 80% of the Usher eyes showed an improvement in visual acuity. Of the eyes that improved the average increase in visual acuity was 36.4% on LogMAR with improvements ranging from 23% to 94%. The average post-operative change in all treated eyes was a gain of 0.18 LogMAR and an increase in visual acuity of 28.3% on LogMAR. The results showed high statistical significance with P<0.001. Visual fields generally improved. No patient experienced a loss of vision. One patient underwent preoperative and 4-month post-operative audiometry testing which demonstrated improvement. The procedures were performed safely and without complications. Findings confirm meaningful improvement in visual acuity is possible in Usher syndrome using BMSC protocols developed in the SCOTS study. Statistical significance and safety were established.

Accuracy of machine learning for differentiation between optic neuropathies and pseudopapilledema

BackgroundThis study is to evaluate the accuracy of machine learning for differentiation between optic neuropathies, pseudopapilledema (PPE) and normals.MethodsTwo hundred and ninety-five images of optic neuropathies, 295 images of PPE, and 779 control images were used. Pseudopapilledema was defined as follows: cases with elevated optic nerve head and blurred disc margin, with normal visual acuity (> 0.8 Snellen visual acuity), visual field, color vision, and pupillary reflex. The optic neuropathy group included cases of ischemic optic neuropathy (177), optic neuritis (48), diabetic optic neuropathy (17), papilledema (22), and retinal disorders (31). We compared four machine learning classifiers (our model, GoogleNet Inception v3, 19-layer Very Deep Convolution Network from Visual Geometry group (VGG), and 50-layer Deep Residual Learning (ResNet)). Accuracy and area under receiver operating characteristic curve (AUROC) were analyzed.ResultsThe accuracy of machine learning classifiers ranged from 95.89 to 98.63% (our model: 95.89%, Inception V3: 96.45%, ResNet: 98.63%, and VGG: 96.80%). A high AUROC score was noted in both ResNet and VGG (0.999).ConclusionsMachine learning techniques can be combined with fundus photography as an effective approach to distinguish between PPE and elevated optic disc associated with optic neuropathies.

Acanthamoeba keratitis therapy: time to cure and visual outcome analysis for different antiamoebic therapies in 227 cases

AimsTo test the hypothesis that Acanthamoeba keratitis (AK) outcomes differ for different topical antiamoebic therapies (AAT) and to provide the detailed patient outcome data.MethodsA retrospective cohort study of 227 patients...

OCULAR ADVERSE EVENTS ASSOCIATED WITH MEK INHIBITORS.

Mitogen-activates protein kinase (MAPK) inhibitors, particularly MEK inhibitors, have shifted the treatment paradigm for metastatic BRAF-mutant cutaneous melanoma; however, oncologists, ophthalmologists, and patients have noticed different toxicities of variable importance. This review aims to provide an update of the ocular adverse events (OAEs), especially retinal toxicity, associated with the use of MEK inhibitors. We conducted a scientific literature search using the PubMed database up to July 2018 with the terms "MEK inhibitors" with a "review" filter and "MEK inhibitors" with a "clinical trials" filter. Phase I-III experimental studies and reviews were selected. Current principles and techniques for diagnosing and managing MEK inhibitor retinopathy and other OAEs are discussed. In patients treated with MEK inhibitors, including asymptomatic patients, OAEs occur with an incidence of up to 90%. Mild to severe ophthalmic toxicities are described, including visual disturbances, a 2-line decrease in Snellen visual acuity, dry eye symptoms, ocular adnexal abnormalities, visual field defects, panuveitis, and retinal toxicities, such as different degrees of MEK-associated retinopathy, vascular injury, and retinal vein occlusion. MEK inhibitors can lead to different degrees of retinal, uveal, and adnexal OAE, causing visual disturbances or discomfort. One of the most relevant OAE of MEK therapy is MEK inhibitor-associated retinopathy (MEKAR), which is usually mild, self-limited, and may subside after continuous use of the drug for weeks or months, or discontinuation, thereby restoring the normal visual function of the retina, with some exceptions. Ocular adverse events are often associated with other systemic adverse effects that can modify the dosage of treatment, so the communication with the oncologist is fundamental.