Aude Ambresin

Deep sclerectomy with collagen implant in one eye compared with trabeculectomy in the other eye of the same patient.

PurposeTo study the efficacy and safety of deep sclerectomy with collagen implant in one eye versus trabeculectomy in the other eye of the same patient. MethodsThe authors conducted a nonrandomized prospective trial of 20 patients with medically uncontrolled primary and secondary open-angle glaucoma. Patients with bilateral medically uncontrolled glaucoma who had previously undergone trabeculectomy in one eye were selected for the study, and a deep sclerectomy with collagen implant was performed in the second medically uncontrolled glaucomatous eye. Trabeculectomy was studied retrospectively whereas deep sclerectomy with collagen implant was studied prospectively. Visual acuity, intraocular pressure, and slit-lamp examinations were performed before and after surgery, at 1 and 7 days, and at 1, 3, 6, 9, 12, 18, and 24 months. Visual fields were repeated every 6 months. ResultsThe mean follow-up period for both groups was 24.3 ± 19.1 months. The mean intraocular pressure at 24 months was 13.9 ± 4.5 mm Hg for deep sclerectomy with collagen implant and 12.9 ± 4.8 mm Hg for trabeculectomy. At 24 months, IOP was reduced by 39.7% in the deep sclerectomy with collagen implant group (13.8 mm Hg vs. 22.9 mm Hg), and by 55.9% in the trabeculectomy group (12.9 mm Hg vs. 29.3 mm Hg). Forty percent of the deep sclerectomy with collagen implant eyes and 45% of the trabeculectomy eyes achieved a pressure of less than 21 mm Hg without treatment (complete success rate). The deep sclerectomy with collagen implant group showed 50% less hyphema and choroidal detachment than the trabeculectomy group. ConclusionsDeep sclerectomy with collagen implant is another surgical treatment option in the management of glaucoma, showing pressure results comparable with trabeculectomy but with a lower rate of early postoperative complications.

Mutations in CNNM4 Cause Recessive Cone-Rod Dystrophy with Amelogenesis Imperfecta

Cone-rod dystrophies are inherited dystrophies of the retina characterized by the accumulation of deposits mainly localized to the cone-rich macular region of the eye. Dystrophy can be limited to the retina or be part of a syndrome. Unlike nonsyndromic cone-rod dystrophies, syndromic cone-rod dystrophies are genetically heterogeneous with mutations in genes encoding structural, cell-adhesion, and transporter proteins. Using a genome-wide single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) haplotype analysis to fine map the locus and a gene-candidate approach, we identified homozygous mutations in the ancient conserved domain protein 4 gene (CNNM4) that either generate a truncated protein or occur in highly conserved regions of the protein. Given that CNNM4 is implicated in metal ion transport, cone-rod dystrophy and amelogenesis imperfecta may originate from abnormal ion homeostasis.

Management of giant retinal tears with vitrectomy, internal tamponade, and peripheral 360 degrees retinal photocoagulation.

PURPOSE To determine the effectiveness of vitrectomy, internal tamponade, and peripheral 360 degrees retinal photocoagulation in the management of giant retinal tears (GRTs). PARTICIPANTS Eighteen eyes of 18 consecutive patients with GRTs were operated on at Jules Gonin Eye Hospital between 1992 and 1999. None of them had previous vitreoretinal surgery. METHODS Eyes in the series underwent pars plana vitrectomy, perfluorocarbon liquid and silicone oil (17 eyes) or gas (one eye) exchange, and retinopexy. Retinopexy was applied to the edges of the tear using photocoagulation, and it was extended over 360 degrees to the peripheral attached retina. No scleral buckle was placed, even if proliferative vitreoretinopathy (PVR) was present. RESULTS The GRT was 180 degrees or greater in seven eyes and 90 degrees to 180 degrees in 11 eyes. The lower edge of the GRT was located in an inferior quadrant in 15 eyes. PVR was grade A in seven eyes, grade B in eight eyes, and grade C in three eyes. In the last three eyes, PVR was anterior (C-A9, Patient 4) and posterior (C-P6 subretinal, Patient 11; C-P3, Patient 13). In 16 (88.8%) of the 18 eyes, the retina was successfully reattached after surgery, and silicone oil was removed after a mean period of 7.7 weeks. In the other two eyes, the retina remained detached or redetached despite the silicon oil tamponade. One of these two eyes underwent three further surgeries, but the retina did not reattach. The other eye was successfully reoperated on with an encircling and radial scleral buckle, and silicone oil was removed later. At the end of the follow-up, the retina was attached in 17 (94.4%) of the 18 eyes. The mean follow-up was 28.6 months (range, 4.5-73 months). CONCLUSIONS The success rate of management of GRTs with vitrectomy, internal tamponade, and peripheral 360 degrees photocoagulation of the retina without scleral buckle is high. Photocoagulation of the peripheral retina over 360 degrees appears to decrease the risk of secondary peripheral retinal tears.

Incidence of presumed endophthalmitis after intravitreal injection performed in the operating room: a retrospective multicenter study.

Purpose: To evaluate the incidence of presumed endophthalmitis (EO) after intravitreal injection (IVI) of anti–vascular endothelial growth factor agents performed in the operating room. Methods: Retrospective study at 2 Swiss eye hospitals between 2004 and 2012. Hospital records were used to identify patients treated with an IVI of an anti–vascular endothelial growth factor agent between 2004 and 2012 and those treated for EO, defined as any intraocular inflammation treated with intravitreal antibiotics. All IVIs were performed using standard sterile technique in a Swiss Class 1 operating room. No patient received preinjection topical antibiotics. Postinjection topical antibiotics were used only in one hospital. Results: A total of 40,011 IVIs were performed at the 2 centers during the study period. Of the IVIs, ranibizumab was injected in 36,398 (91%), bevacizumab in 3,518 (9%), aflibercept in 89 (0.2%), and pegaptanib in 6 (<0.1%). Three cases of post-IVI presumed EO occurred, yielding a combined incidence of 0.0075% per injection (95% confidence interval: 0.0026–0.0220%) or 1 case per 13,337 IVIs. Two of the three cases of EO occurred in patients using post-IVI antibiotics. All three cases followed ranibizumab injection and were culture negative by anterior chamber tap or vitreous biopsy. Conclusion: The risk of EO after IVI performed under the sterile conditions of the operating room was very low.

Genotype-phenotype correlation of age-related macular degeneration: influence of complement factor H polymorphism

Background/aims: Complement factor H (CFH) Y402H polymorphism shows a strong association with age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Although the phenotypic concordance of AMD has been shown in sibling/twin studies, little is known about the genotype–phenotype association. In this study, we investigated whether CFH Y402H is associated with early phenotypic features. Methods: Statistical analysis was performed on 420 patients with AMD with complete clinical and genetic data (graded colour fundus photographs, according to the International Classification and Grading System for AMD and successful testing for CFH Y402H). Results: In this Swiss population, an OR of 2.95 was confirmed for AMD in the presence of at least one risk C allele and OR of 9.05 for the CC homozygotes, corrected for age and sex. No difference was found between the AMD stages. Patients homozygous for the risk allele showed significant association with peripheral drusen (p = 0.028) and for central drusen location (p = 0.049). No trend was found for other drusen criteria (size, total surface, location nasal to disc) and for pigmentary changes. Conclusions: The CFH Y402H polymorphism showed a genotype–phenotype association for some drusen features. Additional genetic factors are likely to influence drusen phenotype.

Factors Influencing the Treatment Response of Pigment Epithelium Detachment in Age-Related Macular Degeneration

PURPOSE To study the effect of various baseline factors, particularly the type of drug (ranibizumab vs aflibercept), on the functional and anatomic response of treatment-naïve pigment epithelial detachment (PED) associated with neovascular age-related macular degeneration (neovascular AMD), after 3 intravitreal injections. DESIGN Retrospective consecutive case series. METHODS This study included 102 patients (n = 115 eyes) with treatment-naïve neovascular AMD and PED (>150 μm), who were treated with either ranibizumab (n = 68 eyes) or aflibercept (n = 47 eyes). A multivariate analysis using stepwise linear regression was performed in order to assess factors influencing visual acuity improvement, as well as treatment response of PED height after 3 monthly injections. RESULTS Multivariate analysis revealed that better visual improvement was associated with lower best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) at baseline (P = .001), presence of subretinal fluid (P = .001), and retinal angiomatous proliferation (P = .001); PED reduction was associated with higher PED at baseline (P = .001), predominantly serous PED (P = .003), and the use of aflibercept (P = .022). Drug type was not associated with change in BCVA at 3 months. CONCLUSION Eyes with neovascular AMD and PED showed significant functional and anatomic response after 3 monthly intravitreal anti-VEGF injections. The functional response depended on baseline BCVA, presence of subretinal fluid, and retinal angiomatous proliferation, while anatomic response was influenced by baseline PED height, degree of vascularization, and drug type. Drug type was not associated with change in BCVA, but had a weak effect on anatomic response.

Retinal pigment epithelium tears after intravitreal injection of ranibizumab for predominantly classic neovascular membranes secondary to age-related macular degeneration.

Acta Ophthalmol. 2010: 88: 736–741

Intravitreal ranibizumab in the treatment of choroidal neovascularization associated with idiopathic central serous chorioretinopathy

Purpose We evaluate the functional and anatomic outcome after intravitreal ranibizumab treatment in patients with choroidal neovascularization (CNV) related to chronic central serous chorioretinopathy (CSC). Methods This is a small case series of 5 eyes with CNV associated with chronic CSC treated with intravitreal injection of 0.5 mg ranibizumab in the Jules Gonin University Eye Hospital from July 2007 to July 2009. Baseline and monthly follow-up visits included best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), fundus examination, and optical coherence tomography (OCT). Fluorescein and indocyanine green angiography (ICG) were performed at baseline and repeated at least every 6 months. Results We studied 5 eyes of 4 patients with a mean age of 66 years. Mean follow-up was 21 months (SD 1.9). The mean number of intravitreal injections administered for each patient was 10(SD4.6). The mean initial BCVA was 0.23 (decimal equivalent) (logMAR 0.64, SD 0.13). At the last follow-up, mean BCVA was 0.44 decimal equivalent (logMAR 0.36, SD 0.31). Mean central macular thickness (CMT) measured with OCT was 330 μm (SD 43) at baseline and decreased at the final follow-up to 243 μm (SD 44). Persistent intraretinal or subretinal fluid on OCT and/or multifocal areas of increased choroidal permeability on ICG angiographies were present in all patients at the last follow-up visit. Conclusions Intravitreal ranibizumab appeared to be an effective treatment of CNV related to chronic CSC. However, residual intraretinal or subretinal fluid and increased choroidal permeability persisted. Prospective controlled studies are warranted to evaluate the long-term safety and efficacy of intravitreal ranibizumab.

Phenotype of three consanguineous Tunisian families with early-onset retinal degeneration caused by an R91W homozygous mutation in the RPE65 gene

PurposeTo identify the genetic defect, and to phenotype, three consanguineous Tunisian families presenting with early-onset retinal degeneration (EORD).MethodsAll accessible family members were included. They underwent blood sampling and ophthalmological examination including, when possible, full-field ERG and pupillometry. A genome-wide linkage analysis was initiated. Mutation analysis of the RPE65 gene within the linked interval was performed by bi-directional sequencing.ResultsEleven out of 53 examined members were clinically affected with an EORD. Linkage analysis revealed a maximal lod score of 4.02 (θ=0.1) for the marker D1S207 on 1p31. Mutational screening of the RPE65 gene identified a homozygous R91W mutation co-segregating with the disease in all affected individuals. Eleven homozygotes had nystagmus and acuities ranging from CF to NLP. Two retinal patterns were identified: pattern 1 presented mid-peripheral deep white dot deposits and virtually no clumped pigmentation, whereas pattern 2 showed mid-peripheral pigmented clumps without any white deposits. Homozygotes had no detectable full-field ERG and an abnormal pupillary light reflex. Eleven heterozygotes had normal visual function.ConclusionWe identified and characterised an endemic form of early onset rod-cone dystrophy in a consanguineous population from northeastern Tunisia, due to the prevalence of a single RPE65 mutation. Two funduscopic patterns were identified: white dot deposits in earlier stages and clumped pigment in later stages.

Early Clinical Experience with Ranibizumab for Occult and Minimally Classic Neovascular Membranes in Age-Related Macular Degeneration

Background: In large randomized multicenter trials, ranibizumab has shown its therapeutic efficacy for exudative age-related macular degeneration (AMD). The aim of this paper is to report the real-life clinical experience with this treatment for occult and minimally classic membranes without pigment epithelium detachment. Methods: We conducted a retrospective chart review of 37 patients with occult and minimally classic neovascular membranes in AMD, without pigment epithelium detachment. Results: The mean visual improvement of 2 lines at 3, 6 and 9 months corresponds well with the results of the large trials. A mean number of 5 reinjections was reached by month 8. It may potentially exceed the mean 5.5 injections of the PrONTO study (prospective optical coherence tomography imaging of patients with neovascular AMD treated with intraocular ranibizumab). At months 6–8 recurrence was frequently observed. Conclusion: The early experience of ranibizumab in clinical practice brings similarly good results as the large-scale trials. However, interrupting the treatment too early may be a disadvantage.