David R. P. Almeida

Oral mineralocorticoid antagonists for recalcitrant central serous chorioretinopathy

Purpose To evaluate the effect and tolerance of oral mineralocorticoid antagonists, eplerenone and/or spironolactone, in recalcitrant central serous chorioretinopathy. Methods Retrospective consecutive observational case series. Primary outcome measures included central macular thickness (CMT, μm), macular volume (MV, mm3), Snellen visual acuity, and prior treatment failures. Secondary outcomes included duration of treatment, treatment dosage, and systemic side effects. Results A total of 120 patients with central serous chorioretinopathy were reviewed, of which 29 patients were treated with one or more mineralocorticoid antagonists. The average age of patients was 58.4 years. Sixteen patients (69.6%) were recalcitrant to other interventions prior to treatment with oral mineralocorticoid antagonists, with an average washout period of 15.3 months. The average duration of mineralocorticoid antagonist treatment was 3.9±2.3 months. Twelve patients (52.2%) showed decreased CMT and MV, six patients (26.1%) had increase in both, and five patients (21.7%) had negligible changes. The mean decrease in CMT of all patients was 42.4 μm (range, −136 to 255 μm): 100.7 μm among treatment-naïve patients, and 16.9 μm among recalcitrant patients. The mean decrease in MV of all patients was 0.20 mm3 (range, −2.33 to 2.90 mm3): 0.6 mm3 among treatment-naïve patients, and 0.0 mm3 among recalcitrant patients. Median visual acuity at the start of therapy was 20/30 (range, 20/20–20/250), and at final follow-up it was 20/40 (range, 20/20–20/125). Nine patients (39.1%) experienced systemic side effects, of which three patients (13.0%) were unable to continue therapy. Conclusion Mineralocorticoid antagonist treatment had a positive treatment effect in half of our patients. The decrease in CMT and MV was much less in the recalcitrant group compared to the treatment-naïve group. An improvement in vision was seen only in the treatment-naïve group. Systemic side effects, even at low doses, may limit its usage in some patients.

Anatomical and visual outcomes of macular hole surgery with short-duration 3-day face-down positioning.

Purpose: The role of face-down posturing after macular hole (MH) surgery remains unclear and controversial. We evaluated the anatomical and visual outcomes of MH repair using a short duration (3 days) of prone positioning. Methods: Prospective series of 50 consecutive eyes in 50 patients with Stage 2 or Stage 3 idiopathic MHs. All eyes underwent vitrectomy MH surgery with internal limiting membrane peeling and 20% sulfur hexafluoride (SF6) gas tamponade. The procedure was combined with phacoemulsification cataract surgery in phakic eyes. Surgical outcomes, MH closure rates, complications, and postoperative visual acuity were investigated. Results: Anatomical closure of MHs was achieved in 49 (98%) of 50 eyes by 1 surgery. Postoperative logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution visual acuity decreased (i.e., improved) by 0.271 (95% confidence interval, 0.101–0.441 [P = 0.0024]). One complication of intraocular lens pupillary capture and one case of chronic cystoid macular edema were observed. There were no complications attributed to intraocular pressure fluctuations. Conclusion: Vitrectomy with internal limiting membrane peeling and gas tamponade with SF6 followed by short-duration 3-day face-down positioning is a successful surgical intervention for Stage 2 and Stage 3 idiopathic MHs. This method possessed minimal complications and offered significant improvement in visual acuity.

Comparison of Retinal and Choriocapillaris Thicknesses Following Sitting to Supine Transition in Healthy Individuals and Patients With Age-Related Macular Degeneration

IMPORTANCE The effects of position on retinal and choroidal structure are absent from the literature yet may provide insights into disease states such as age-related macular degeneration (AMD). OBJECTIVE To evaluate the effect of postural change on retinal and choroidal structures in healthy volunteers and patients with non-neovascular AMD. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS Prospective observational case series at an academic tertiary care retina service from September 2013 to April 2014 involving 4 unaffected volunteers (8 eyes) and 7 patients (8 eyes) with intermediate AMD. Healthy volunteers selected for the study had no evidence of ocular disease. Patients with AMD were required to have at least 10 intermediate-sized drusen. EXPOSURES Spectral-domain optical coherence tomography with enhanced depth imaging in upright (sitting) and supine positions. Stable imaging was achieved using a rotating adjustable mechanical arm that we constructed to allow the optical coherence tomography transducer to rotate 90°. The Iowa Reference Algorithms were used to quantify choroid and choriocapillaris thicknesses. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES Changes in sitting and supine position central macular thickness (in micrometers), total macular volume (in cubic millimeters), choroidal thickness (in micrometers), and choriocapillaris-equivalent thickness (CCET, in micrometers). RESULTS Choriocapillaris-equivalent thickness was thinner in healthy participants (9.89 μm; range, 7.15-12.5 μm) compared with patients with intermediate AMD (16.73 μm; range, 10.31-27.38 μm) (P = .02); there was no difference in overall choroidal thickness between the 2 groups (P = .38). There was a 15% CCET reduction among healthy participants when transitioning from a sitting (9.89 μm) to supine (8.4 μm; range, 6.92-10.7 μm) position (P = .02) vs a CCET reduction of 11.1% from sitting (16.73 μm) to supine (14.88 μm; range, 8.76-20.8 μm) positioning (P = .10) in patients with intermediate AMD. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE Intermediate AMD appears to be associated with an increase in CCET and with a lack of positional responses that are observed in the CCET of normal eyes. Our results suggest that although outer portions of the choroid do not appear to be responsive to modest positional or hydrostatic pressure, the choriocapillaris capacity is, and this is measurable in vivo. Whether this physiologic deviation that occurs in AMD is related to atrophy, inflammation, or changes in autoregulatory factors or growth factors remains to be determined.

Efficacy of the Intravitreal Sustained-Release Dexamethasone Implant for Diabetic Macular Edema Refractory to Anti-Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Therapy: Meta-Analysis and Clinical Implications

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE To assess the effect on best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and efficacy of the intravitreal sustained-release 0.7 mg dexamethasone implant (Ozurdex; Allergan, Irvine, CA) in patients with recalcitrant diabetic macular edema (DME). PATIENTS AND METHODS Meta-analysis utilizing the MOOSE framework and a random effects model. Studies included adults undergoing treatment with Ozurdex for DME. The methodologic quality of each study was assessed using the MINORS and the Cochrane Collaboration Risk of Bias for randomized studies. RESULTS A total of 3,859 patients among 15 studies were included in the final analysis. The mean difference in BCVA was a gain of four lines or 20 Early Treatment of Diabetic Retinopathy Study letters with Ozurdex at a mean follow-up period of 6 months. CONCLUSIONS Treatment with Ozurdex is associated with significant mean improvement in visual acuity. Clinicians should have a multimodality approach to treating DME and be aware of this treatment option in those who have a suboptimal response to anti-VEGF therapy. [Ophthalmic Surg Lasers Imaging Retina. 2017;48:160-166.].

Macular Hole Closure With Internal Limiting Membrane Abrasion Technique

IMPORTANCE Internal limiting membrane (ILM) abrasion is an alternative surgical technique for successful full-thickness macular hole (MH) repair. OBJECTIVE To study the effects of ILM abrasion as an alternative method of MH repair. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS Retrospective consecutive case series from January 2006 to December 2008. Demographic data and preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative examination records of all patients were reviewed for patients who underwent ILM abrasion with a diamond-dusted membrane scraper during vitrectomy for MH repair. A total of 100 eyes underwent ILM abrasion as an alternative to traditional ILM peeling. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES Rate of MH closure and visual acuity (VA) outcomes at 3 months after surgery. RESULTS Macular hole closure was achieved with a single surgical procedure in 94 of 100 eyes (94.0%; 95% CI, 87.4%-97.8%). Among all patients, the median preoperative VA was 20/100 (range, 20/30 to hand motions; 25th quartile, 20/60; and 75th quartile, 20/160), and the median postoperative VA at 3 months after surgery was 20/60 (range, 20/20 to hand motions; 25th quartile, 20/40; and 75th quartile, 20/100). Among all patients with stage 2 MHs, 30 of 38 patients (78.9%) had at least 2 lines of VA gain: 15 of 23 (65.2%) were phakic, and 15 of 15 (100%) were pseudophakic. Four of 38 patients (10.5%) with stage 2 MHs had at least 2 lines of VA loss, and all were phakic. Among all patients with stage 3 or 4 MHs, 42 of 62 (67.7%) had at least 2 lines of VA gain, of which 30 of 38 (78.9%) were phakic and 22 of 24 (91.7%) were pseudophakic. Six of 62 patients (9.7%) with stage 3 or 4 MHs had at least 2 lines of VA loss: 4 were phakic, and 2 were pseudophakic. In total, 35.0% (95% CI, 25.7%-44.3%) of patients achieved 20/40 vision or better, and 52.0% (95% CI, 42.2%-61.8%) of patients achieved 20/50 vision or better. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE Abrasion of the ILM with a diamond-dusted membrane scraper at the time of vitrectomy achieves high rates of MH closure. This technique avoids complete removal of the retinal ILM basement membrane and subjacent tissues and appears to provide MH closure rates similar to those of traditional ILM peeling.

Effect of Internal Limiting Membrane Abrasion on Retinal Tissues in Macular Holes

PURPOSE The purpose of this study was to identify the structural and histological effects of a Tano diamond-dusted membrane scraper (DDMS) on the retinal surface after internal limiting membrane (ILM) abrasion in macular hole surgery. METHODS Institutional experimental study was performed in 11 eyes. All eyes underwent ILM abrasion in the operating room with a DDMS for macular hole repair as an alternative to traditional ILM peeling. Three human donor eyes underwent an identical procedure in the laboratory. Retinal tissues were removed by ILM abrasion with a DDMS during vitrectomy for macular hole repair and retinal tissues remaining in human donor eyes. Main outcome measures were microscopic and immunohistological characteristics of instrument tip tissues and retinal structure after ILM abrasion. RESULTS The tips of the Tano DDMS showed evidence of cellular membranes and ILM removal. The retinas showed distinct areas of lamellar ILM removal without penetration of the retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL). CONCLUSIONS Application of the Tano DDMS instrument is sufficient to remove membranes from the surface of the ILM and layers of the ILM without disruption of the underlying RNFL. Internal limiting membrane abrasion can be a useful and effective alternative to complete ILM removal for macular surgery.

Long-term outcomes in patients undergoing vitrectomy for retinal detachment due to viral retinitis

Purpose To determine the outcomes in patients with rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD) secondary to viral retinitis. Patients and methods This was a retrospective, consecutive, noncomparative, interventional case series of 12 eyes in ten patients with RRD secondary to viral retinitis. Results of vitreous or aqueous biopsy, effect of antiviral therapeutics, time to retinal detachment, course of visual acuity, and anatomic and surgical outcomes were investigated. Results There were 1,259 cases of RRD during the study period, with 12 cases of RRD secondary to viral retinitis (prevalence of 0.95%). Follow-up was available for a mean period of 4.4 years. Varicella zoster virus was detected in six eyes, herpes simplex virus in two eyes, and cytomegalovirus in two eyes. Eight patients were treated with oral valacyclovir and two patients with intravenous acyclovir. Lack of optic nerve involvement correlated with improved final visual acuity of 20/100 or greater. Pars plana vitrectomy (n=12), silicone-oil tamponade (n=11), and scleral buckling (n=10) provided successful anatomic retinal reattachment in all cases, with no recurrent retinal detachment and no cases of hypotony during the follow-up period. Conclusion Varicella zoster virus was the most frequent cause of viral retinitis, and lack of optic nerve involvement was predictive of a favorable visual acuity prognosis. Vitrectomy with silicone-oil tamponade and scleral buckle placement provided stable anatomical outcomes.

Incomplete vitreomacular traction release using intravitreal ocriplasmin.

Purpose: To report the clinical course of our first 7 consecutive patients treated with intravitreal ocriplasmin (Jetrea®). Methods: Retrospective case series of the first 7 patients treated with ocriplasmin between January and December 2013 at an academic tertiary care center. Results: The average age was 78.4 years (range: 63-92). Five patients were pseudophakic and 2 patients were phakic in the injected eye. The median baseline visual acuity (VA) was 20/60 (range: 20/25 to 20/200). The median 1-month postinjection VA was 20/70, with a mean loss of 2 lines of VA among all patients. None of the patients had complete resolution of their vitreomacular traction or macular hole at 1 month of follow-up. Three patients had subsequent pars plana vitrectomy and membrane peeling surgery. The mean follow-up period for those who did not undergo vitrectomy was 9 months (range: 1-13). One patient with known ocular hypertension had an increase in intraocular pressure requiring topical pressure-lowering eyedrops. There were no cases of postinjection uveitis, endophthalmitis, retinal tears, or retinal detachment. Conclusions: While ocriplasmin may be a viable pharmacological agent for vitreolysis, we present a series of patients that all had incomplete resolution of vitreomacular traction with and without full-thickness macular hole. There was an associated reduction in VA after ocriplasmin treatment at 1 month of follow-up. Careful analysis of the vitreoretinal interface and comorbid eye conditions is required to optimize outcome success with ocriplasmin.

Ischemic Retinal Vasculitis Associated with Cataract Surgery and Intracameral Vancomycin

Recently, there have been reports suggesting that intracameral vancomycin has been associated with retinal vasculitis; some have described this phenomenon as postoperative hemorrhagic occlusive retinal vasculitis. We present a case of a 65-year-old woman who underwent uncomplicated phacoemulsification and posterior chamber intraocular lens implantation followed by intracameral antibiotic prophylaxis. Unlike prior reports, this report demonstrates a case of mild visual reduction and minimal inflammation with subtle but complete unilateral peripheral retinal ischemia associated with cataract surgery and intracameral vancomycin, suggesting a spectrum of toxicity that may be underrecognized.

Structural and functional changes after macular hole surgery: a review.

Macular hole (MH) is characterized by full-thickness anatomic defect at the fovea leading to loss of central vision. The majority (B85%) of MHs were once thought to be idiopathic with a smaller proportion being secondary to trauma, inflammation, or high myopia. However, recent optical coherence tomography (OCT) imaging suggests that early MHs originate from an intraretinal split of the macula that evolves into intraretinal cysts (Fig. 1). It has been hypothesized that MHs develop from tangential traction from prefoveal vitreous cortex and/or epiretinal membranes and anteroposterior traction at the vitreoretinal interface resulting in vitreomacular traction syndrome. MH was once considered an untreatable condition until 1991 when vitrectomy and intraocular gas tamponade was first introduced by Kelly and Wendel. In the original report of 52 eyes which included mostly stage 3 MHs, the authors reported a primary anatomic closure rate of 58%. Six months after surgery, the visual acuity (VA) had improved by Z2 lines in 73% of eyes with closed holes. Currently, surgical management can achieve anatomic closure rates better than 90%, depending on preoperative MH size, duration of symptoms, and surgical technique used. The primary goal of surgery is to close the MH by removal of tangential and anteroposterior vitreous traction, activation of marginal glial cells by vitrectomy and ERM peeling, and immobilization/apposition of hole edges by intraocular gas tamponade and face-down positioning. Repeat MH surgery has been associated with a significant reduction in anatomic closure rate and perhaps functional outcome, thus the primary focus of surgical technique should be to close the MH in 1 procedure.