RETINA - Current Issue

Understanding Intravitreal Silicone Oil Droplets Due to Intravitreal Injections No abstract available

ATYPICAL MACULAR HOLES Purpose: To study the etiology, clinical features, management options, and visual prognosis in various types of atypical macular holes (MHs). Methods: A review of the literature was performed, which focused on the etiopathogenesis of atypical or secondary MHs, their differentiating clinical features, management strategies, and varied clinical outcomes. Idiopathic or age-related, myopic, and traumatic MHs were excluded. Results: Atypical or secondary MHs arise out of concurrent ocular pathologies (dystrophy, degeneration, or infections) and laser/surgery. The contributing factors may be similar to those responsible for idiopathic or typical MHs, i.e., tangential or anteroposterior vitreofoveal traction or cystoid degeneration. The management is either observation or treatment of the underlying cause. The prognosis depends on the background pathology, duration of disease, and baseline visual acuity governed by the size of MH and morphologic health of underlying RPE and photoreceptors. The closer the morphology of atypical MH is to that of an idiopathic MH, the better the surgical outcome is. Conclusion: With the advancements in retinal imaging, atypical MHs are now more frequently recognized. With increasing understanding of the underlying disease processes, and improvement in investigations and surgical treatment, management of atypical MHs may improve in the future.

CLINICAL FEATURES OF LACQUER CRACKS IN EYES WITH PATHOLOGIC MYOPIA Purpose: To analyze the morphologic features of lacquer cracks (LCs), compare their detectability by different imaging instruments, and determine their progressive pattern. Methods: The medical records of 47 highly myopic eyes of 33 patients with LCs were reviewed. Fundus fluorescein angiography was used as the primary method of identifying LCs, and the detection rate was compared with that by fundus autofluorescence and optical coherence tomography. Results: A total of 176 LCs were detected in the 47 eyes. Lacquer cracks were detected more frequently in the temporal (44.3%) than the inferior (30.7%), superior (17.0%), and nasal (8.0%) quadrants of the retina. The detection rate of LCs was 98% in fundus photographs and 85% by fundus autofluorescence and optical coherence tomography. A progression of the LCs was observed in 22 of the 41 eyes with a follow-up period of ≥1 year. The progression patterns were an increase in the number (18 of 41, including 5 eyes in which new LCs had a branching pattern), elongation (4 of 41), and progression to patchy atrophy (6 of 41). Conclusion: Lacquer cracks can be detected noninvasively by fundus autofluorescence and optical coherence tomography; however, improvements are necessary to detect all of the lesions. Lacquer cracks frequently progress with time, and an increase in the number of LCs was the most frequent progression pattern.

RAPID PROGRESSION OF FOVEOMACULAR RETINOSCHISIS IN YOUNG MYOPICS Purpose: To describe a foveomacular retinoschisis that has not been described. Methods: Patients with foveomacular retinoschisis were included. Exclusion criteria included refractive error over −6.00 diopters, presence of posterior staphyloma, positive RS1-gene mutation, family history of retinoschisis, optic disk abnormalities, or glaucoma. Vitrectomy was performed on eyes with functional or structural deterioration. Results: Seventeen eyes from 10 patients (15–30 years old, 8 females and 2 males) with foveoschisis were recruited, with bilateral involvement in 7 patients and unilateral in 3 patients. Vitrectomy was performed in 13 eyes (13/17, 76.5%). Seven eyes (6 patients) were operated soon after the first presentation because of poor vision and severe foveoschisis. Six eyes (6 patients) were operated 2 weeks to 13 months later because of deterioration of vision and foveoschisis. Preoperative vision was 20/134 ± 20/165, and postoperative vision was 20/25 ± 20/57, with visual improvement of 6.9 (4–14) lines. The mean postoperative follow-up period was 36.5 (15–69) months. Four eyes (4 patients) were asymptomatic, despite progression of foveoschisis. Three eyes (3 patients) maintained normal macula structures. Conclusion: We report a foveomacular retinoschisis characterized by young age of onset, female predominant, no highly myopia, mostly bilateral involvement, and rapid progression of foveoschisis and visual acuity. Vitrectomy is effective in restoring anatomical structure and stabilize vision.

FIVE-YEAR OUTCOMES OF INTRAVITREAL RANIBIZUMAB FOR CHOROIDAL NEOVASCULARIZATION IN PATIENTS WITH PATHOLOGIC MYOPIA Purpose: To determine the 5-year outcome of intravitreal ranibizumab (IVR) for myopic choroidal neovascularization (CNV). Method: We retrospectively analyzed the medical records of 51 eyes of 51 consecutive patients with myopic CNV who had been treated with IVR with a minimum follow-up period of 5 years after the initial IVR injection. The factors that predicted the best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) at 5 years after IVR were determined by multiple regression analysis. Results: The mean age of the subjects was 63.6 years, and the mean axial length was 29.4 mm. The mean number of IVR was 1.6, and 34 eyes (66.7%) had only a single IVR. At the baseline and at the 1-year, 2-year, 4-year, and 5-year period, the mean BCVAs were 20/49, 20/37, 20/41, 20/45, and 20/42, respectively. Stepwise multiple regression analysis showed that the BCVA at 5-year period was significantly correlated with the baseline BCVA, the number of IVR injections, and the size of the CNV-related macular atrophy. Conclusion: Intravitreal ranibizumab provide a 5-year visual benefit in eyes with myopic CNV compared with the natural course. A lack of enlargement of the CNV-related macular atrophy, a better baseline BCVA, and a minimum number of IVR injections were associated with better visual outcomes.

POSTERIOR STAPHYLOMAS IN EYES WITH RETINITIS PIGMENTOSA WITHOUT HIGH MYOPIA Purpose: To describe features of posterior staphylomas in nonhighly myopic eyes with retinitis pigmentosa (RP). Methods: The retrospective observational case series study included patients with RP and an axial length of <26.5 mm and searched for eyes with posterior staphylomas. All study participants underwent fundus photography and optical coherence tomography. Results: The study identified 13 eyes of 7 patients with a narrow macular staphyloma. Mean age was 40.9 ± 17.9 years (range 9–62 years) and mean axial length was 24.90 ± 0.69 mm. The staphyloma edges corresponded to the margin between the retinal atrophic area in the fundus midperiphery and the relatively unaffected fundus center. On vertically orientated optical coherence tomography images, the staphyloma edges showed a slight inward protrusion of the sclera and a ring-like localized choroidal thinning with choroidal rethickening in direction toward the fovea and toward the periphery of the fundus. The upper and lower staphyloma edges did not differ in steepness. The thickness of the subfoveal choroid (138.6 m ± 50.1 µm) was thinner than the normal range after adjusting for age and axial length in all eyes. Two eyes with advanced RP in the macula showed a subfoveal choroidal thickness of 95 µm and 88 µm. Conclusion: Narrow macular staphylomas can occur in nonhighly myopic eyes with RP and, in contrast to staphylomas in highly myopic eyes, show a less marked thinning of the subfoveal choroid. The occurrence of posterior staphylomas in nonhighly myopic eyes with RP may provide hints to unravel the etiology of posterior staphyloma formation.

INTRAVITREAL GAS INJECTION WITH LASER PHOTOCOAGULATION FOR HIGHLY MYOPIC FOVEOSCHISIS: Technique and Outcome Purpose: To evaluate the effects of gas tamponade combined with laser photocoagulation without vitrectomy in patients with highly myopic foveoschisis. Methods: This retrospective noncomparative case series included 30 eyes of 23 patients with highly myopic foveoschisis who were treated by intravitreal injection of 0.5 to 0.7 mL C3F8 combined with laser photocoagulation 1 week later, and remained in the face-down position for 3 weeks. The patients were followed up for at least 6 months after the treatment. The refractive status, best-corrected visual acuity, and anatomical parameters of retina observed with the optical coherence tomography before and after the treatment were recorded. Results: The mean age of the 23 patients (6 men and 17 women) was 50.4 ± 15.1 years. The average follow-up duration was 20.8 ± 20.6 months. At the final follow-up, 23 eyes (76.7%) completely (17 eyes) or partially (6 eyes) resolved. Seventeen eyes had complete data of optical coherence tomography parameters, the mean central foveal thickness decreased significantly from 505.24 ± 466.22 μm to 186.41 ± 95.36 μm (P = 0.01), and the mean maximal macular thickness from 687.88 ± 397.00 μm to 313.65 ± 83.07 μm (P = 0.001). The mean final logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution best-corrected visual acuity (Snellen equivalent) of the 30 eyes ranged from 1.6 (20/800) to 0.2 (20/32), showing a slight improvement from 0.91 ± 0.44 (20/163) preoperatively to 0.90 ± 0.39 (20/160) postoperatively (P = 0.87). Conclusion: C3F8 tamponade combined with laser photocoagulation could be an alternative treatment for highly myopic foveoschisis.

MORPHOLOGIC CHARACTERISTICS OF MACULAR HOLE AND MACULAR HOLE RETINAL DETACHMENT ASSOCIATED WITH EXTREME MYOPIA Purpose: To investigate the surgical results and morphologic characteristics of macular hole (MH) and macular hole retinal detachment (MHRD) associated with extreme myopia. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed consecutive cases with axial length ≥28 mm who were treated with pars plana vitrectomy for MH or MHRD. The choroidal and scleral thickness at the fovea, presence of dome-shaped macula, and the height of posterior staphyloma 3 mm from the fovea were measured from postoperative optical coherence tomography images. Results: Significant improvement in visual acuity was obtained postoperatively in both MH (16 eyes; 15 patients) and MHRD (19 eyes; 18 patients) groups (P < 0.05). Final MH closure rate was not significantly different between the groups (MH: 15/16, MHRD: 14/19, P = 0.19). Axial length was not significantly different between the groups (MH: 30.5 ± 1.5 mm, MHRD: 29.6 ± 1.3 mm, P = 0.098). Eyes with MH had significantly greater choroidal thickness (MH: 61.9 ± 66.0 μm, MHRD: 24.1 ± 19.8 μm, P = 0.045), greater scleral thickness (MH: 294 ± 77 μm, MHRD: 232 ± 89 μm, P = 0.008), higher frequency of dome-shaped macula (MH: 6/16, MHRD: 1/19, P = 0.032), and lower staphyloma height (MH: 190 ± 113 μm, MHRD: 401 ± 156 μm, P < 0.001). Conclusion: Surgical outcomes were generally favorable. The pathogenetic differences between the two conditions may be attributable to differences with respect to eye morphology.

PHOTODYNAMIC THERAPY AS PRIMARY TREATMENT FOR SMALL CHOROIDAL MELANOMA Purpose: To report outcomes of photodynamic therapy (PDT) as primary treatment for small amelanotic choroidal melanoma. Methods: Retrospective interventional case series of 12 patients with small choroidal melanoma treated with standard-fluence PDT (83 seconds; 50 J/cm2) using verteporfin. Outcome measures: Tumor regression, subretinal fluid resolution, best-corrected visual acuity, and PDT complications. Results: There were 12 eyes with melanoma, demonstrating amelanotic (10 [83%]) or lightly pigmented (n = 2, 17%) appearance. The mean tumor thickness was 2.7 mm (median, 2.8; range 1.8–3.7 mm). After PDT, mean follow-up was 56 months (median, 53; range, 14–91). Outcomes revealed complete tumor regression after 1 session (n = 3, 25%), 2 sessions (n = 3, 25%), and 3 sessions (n = 2, 17%) of PDT, reduced to mean thickness of 2.1 mm (median, 2.0; range 1.2–3.4 mm). Tumors that failed to regress (n = 4, 33%) were further controlled with transpupillary thermotherapy (n = 1) or plaque brachytherapy (n = 3). Subretinal fluid, present in six eyes, demonstrated resolution (n = 5) or progression (n = 1), and one tumor developed new subretinal fluid after PDT (n = 1). Visual outcome was stable (n = 11 eyes) or improved (n = 1). Photodynamic therapy complications included local retina pigment epithelium atrophy at the site of treatment in 3 (25%) eyes, with no effect on macular or optic nerve function. Conclusion: Primary PDT resulted in complete tumor regression of small amelanotic choroidal melanoma in 67% at mean 5 years, with no major effect on visual acuity.

ROUTINE FUNDUS SCREENING OF FAMILIES OF CHILDREN WITH RETINOBLASTOMA: A Prospective Study of 131 Consecutive Families Purpose: To discuss the importance of routine ophthalmic examination of parents and siblings of retinoblastoma (RB) patients. Methods: Prospective nonrandomized observational/interventional case series of consecutive families of 131 RB patients. Results: Routine ophthalmic examination of families (parents and siblings) of 131 consecutive newly diagnosed RB patients, including 262 parents and 23 siblings, revealed spontaneously regressed RB in at least 1 parent of 10 (8%) patients and active RB in at least 1 sibling of 3 (2%) patients. Of the 10 parents with spontaneously regressed RB, the lesions were unilateral (n = 7) or bilateral (n = 3). The regression patterns (n = 13) were comparable with postirradiation regression patterns Type 1 (n = 3), Type 2 (n = 2), Type 3 (n = 2), and Type 4 (n = 3), and spontaneous phthisis bulbi (n = 3). Fundus screening of siblings revealed active RB in at least 1 sibling of 3 (2%) patients. Of these 3 siblings, 2 had unilateral and 1 had bilateral disease. The mean age at detection of RB was 15 months (median, 6 months; range, 2–36 months). The disease was unilateral in 2 and bilateral in 1 patient. Based on International Classification of Intraocular Retinoblastoma, the tumors (n = 4) were classified as Group A (n = 2) and Group B (n = 2). Conclusion: Routine fundus screening of siblings allows for early detection of RB in otherwise asymptomatic children. Detection of spontaneously regressed RB in parents may act as a surrogate marker for germline RB1 mutation and is helpful in genetic counseling.

Alexandros Sfakianakis
Anapafseos 5 . Agios Nikolaos
Crete.Greece.72100
2841026182

6948891480

alsfakia@gmail.com