Dimitrios Karagiannis

Safety of repeat intravitreal injections of bevacizumab versus ranibizumab: our experience after 2,000 injections.

Purpose: To compare the safety of repeat intravitreal injections of bevacizumab versus ranibizumab performed on a large series of patients during the past 2 years period of time. Methods: Four hundred fifty patients receiving 2,000 injections (1,275 bevacizumab and 725 ranibizumab) were studied retrospectively. Injections performed in a usual examination room under the standard sterile conditions. Follow-up varied from 3 to 24 months. Results: Serious ocular adverse events were uncommon. Only one patient developed retinal detachment (0.05%). Most common procedure-related ocular adverse event was injection-site redness (64.75%). Postoperative subconjuctival hemorrhage occurred after 200 (10%) injections. Patients receiving aspirin treatment were more prone to have subconjuctival hemorrhage (P = 0.0002). Most common drug-related ocular adverse event was uveitis (1.90%), which was treated successfully and lasted no >12 days. There was no statistically significant difference between the patients treated with bevacizumab or ranibizumab regarding the noted adverse events (P > 0.5%). Conclusion: Multiple intravitreal injections of bevacizumab or ranibizumab were both well tolerated and safe. Performing injections on a usual examination room proved safe. Injection-site redness, subconjuctival hemorrhage, and uveitis were the most common ocular adverse events. Aspirin treatment was a risk factor for the development of subconjuctival hemorrhage.

Intravitreal bevacizumab combined with photodynamic therapy for the treatment of occult choroidal neovascularization associated with serous pigment epithelium detachment in age-related macular degeneration.

Purpose: To evaluate the efficacy of intravitreal injection of bevacizumab combined with photodynamic therapy (PDT) for the treatment of occult choroidal neovascularization (CNV) associated with serous pigment epithelium detachment (s-PED) due to age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Methods: In this retrospective study, six patients (six eyes) with subfoveal occult CNV associated with s-PED due to AMD were treated with intravitreal bevacizumab combined with PDT. All patients were treated at baseline with PDT followed by intravitreal bevacizumab 1.25 mg 1 hour later. Afterwards, according to the findings of optical coherence tomography and fluorescein angiography, repeat bevacizumab injections were given, if necessary, monthly for three doses followed by further doses every 3 months. PDT was repeated every 3 months according to the same criteria. Follow-up time was 9 months. Results: All patients completed their treatment during the first 3 months from baseline. Best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) improved or remained stable related to the baseline values in all patients at the end of the follow-up time. Mean BCVA improved from 20/67 to 20/42. S-PED and subretinal fluid decreased or disappeared. The mean central 1-mm retinal thickness was reduced from baseline value for the 9-month follow-up period by 128 &mgr;m. Conclusion: Intravitreal bevacizumab combined with PDT seems to be a promising treatment with good functional and anatomical results for occult CNV associated with s-PED due to AMD.

Ranibizumab for idiopathic retinal vasculitis, aneurysms, and neuroretinitis: favorable results.

Purpose. Idiopathic retinitis, vasculitis, aneurysms, and neuroretinitis (IRVAN) is a rare syndrome that can progress rapidly to severe visual loss mainly due to the development of proliferative retinopathy despite aggressive therapeutic retinal photocoagulation or pars plana vitrectomy. We report a case of IRVAN treated with ranibizumab as an adjunctive treatment of IRVAN. Methods. Interventional case report. A 50-year-old woman was diagnosed with IRVAN. Complete ocular and systemic examination and fundus fluorescein angiography were performed to evaluate the patient. Treatment with 2 monthly intravitreal injections of 0.5 mg ranibizumab was initiated for each eye followed by panretinal photocoagulation (PRP) in the right eye (RE) and pars plana vitrectomy, endolaser, and additional PRP in the left eye (LE). Results. Immediate regression of optic nerve neovascularization in the RE was noted after ranibizumab treatment. One year after initial presentation, best-corrected visual acuity was 20120 in the RE and 20/50 in the LE and results of fundus examination have shown complete regression of neovascularization bilaterally. Conclusions. We propose a modified treatment modality for stage 3 IRVAN with the adjunctive use of ranibizumab. Our patient has shown complete regression of posterior segment neovascularization accompanied with significant improvement of her visual acuity. Ranibizumab seems to have encouraging results as an adjunctive treatment of IRVAN.

Changing from bevacizumab to ranibizumab in age-related macular degeneration. Is it safe?

Objective: To report our experiences in changing from intravitreal bevacizumab to ranibizumab in age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Design: Retrospective case series. Participants and methods: We retrospectively reviewed the records of 34 patients (36 eyes) who were treated with monthly injections of intravitreal bevacizumab for six months and then switched to monthly injections of ranibizumab for 12 months. Best-corrected visual acuity measurements (BCVA), contact lens biomicroscopy, optical coherence tomography (OCT), and fluorescein angiography were performed at the baseline examination and then monthly. Chi-square test was used for statistical analysis. Results: Following bevacizumab treatment, retinal thickness decreased (P = 0.033) while BCVA improved (P = 0.040). Changing from bevacizumab to ranibizumab resulted in a transient decrease in BCVA (P = 0.045) and an increase in retinal thickness (P = 0.042). In addition, three eyes presented with a large subretinal hemorrhage. However, final retinal thickness was better than the initial thickness and the value following the bevacizumab course. No major ocular or systemic side effects were noted. Conclusions: Ranibizumab was clinically effective in the long term but the change of treatment from bevacizumab to a half-size molecule with less half-life in the vitreous such as ranibizumab contributed to a transient “instability” in the eye which may have triggered the large subretinal hemorrhage. There is insufficient experience reported in the literature in switching from one agent to another. A prospective study with controls is necessary to determine whether it is safe to change from one medication to another.

Large Subretinal Haemorrhage following Change from Intravitreal Bevacizumab to Ranibizumab

Background: To report 2 cases of large subretinal haemorrhage in 2 patients with age-related macular degeneration when the intravitreal injections were changed from bevacizumab (Avastin) to ranibizumab (Lucentis). Methods: Both patients were treated initially with intravitreal bevacizumab 1.25 mg for 4 months (4 injections) and then switched to 0.5 mg ranibizumab which continued for another 6 months. Best-corrected visual acuity measurements, slit-lamp examination, contact lens biomicroscopy, optical coherence tomography and fluorescein angiography were performed at baseline examination and every month. Results: Both patients showed initial improvement when treated with intravitreal bevacizumab followed by deterioration and development of a large subretinal haemorrhage when changing to intravitreal ranibizumab. Conclusions: There is not enough experience switching from one anti-vascular-endothelial-growth-factor agent to another. A prospective study with large series of patients and controls may be necessary in order to determine whether it is safe enough to change from one medication to another.

Recurrence of macular edema in retinal vein occlusions after treatment with intravitreal ranibizumab (Lucentis)

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the recurrence of macular edema (ME) in a mixed group of patients with branch (BRVO) and central (CRVO) retinal vein occlusion after early onset treatment with intravitreal injections of ranibizumab. DESIGN Nonrandomized, uncontrolled prospective clinical trial. PARTICIPANTS Forty patients were enrolled in our study. Twenty-two patients had BRVO and 18 patients had CRVO. METHODS All patients had a minimum follow-up of 12 months. All patients had fundus fluorescein angiography (FFA) and optical coherence tomography (OCT) at presentation. The time period between RVO occurrences and initial examination and treatment was <1 month. Every patient was treated with 2 consecutive intravitreal injections of ranibizumab (0.5 mg) 1 month apart. Assessment was carried out on a monthly basis and injection was carried out if necessary, based on OCT findings. RESULTS Recurrence of ME occurred in 13 patients (13/22, 59%) in the BRVO group, whereas in the CRVO group occurred in all patients (18/18, 100%). Mean time interval of these recurrences from last injection was 2.4 months and 1.2 months for BRVO and CRVO groups, respectively. Mean period of ME reabsorption was 2.5 months for the BRVO group and 3.5 months for the CRVO group. CONCLUSIONS Recurrent ME occurred in 77.5% of our patients. These recurrences occurred sooner, were more prominent and lasted longer in patients with CRVO.

A case of subretinal neovascularization treated with intravitreal ranibizumab in a patient with idiopathic juxtafoveal retinal telangiectasis

A 65-year-old lady presented with decreased vision in her left eye (LE). Best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) was 1/20. Complete examination showed idiopathic juxtafoveal retinal telangiectasis associated with subretinal neovascularization and she was treated with intravitreal ranibizumab every month for three months in the LE. After four months, her BCVA increased to 3/10. Fluorescein angiography (FA) showed minimal leakage and optical coherence tomography (OCT) confirmed absence of intra- or subretinal fluid in the macula. Examinations were repeated monthly for another 12 months and showed no recurrence. Intravitreal ranibizumab showed promising results for subretinal neovascularization due to idiopathic juxtafoveal retinal telangiectasis. A prospective study with large series of patients and controls may be necessary in order to determine the effectiveness of this treatment.

Response of corneal hysteresis and central corneal thickness following clear corneal cataract surgery.

Purpose:  To evaluate the effect of routine phacoemulsification in corneal viscoelastic properties determined by corneal hysteresis (CH) and central corneal thickness (CCT) and to explore the impact of phaco energy on the above parameters.

Bilateral central serous retinopathy following laser in situ keratomileusis for myopia

UNLABELLED We describe the case of a 54-year-old white man who experienced bilateral central serous chorioretinopathy following laser in situ keratomileusis for myopia. Postoperatively, the uncorrected visual acuity was 20/20 in both eyes. One month later, the patient reported a decrease of vision in both eyes. Dilated fundus examination, fluorescein and indocyanine green angiography, and optical coherence tomography showed bilateral central serous chorioretinopathy. Photodynamic therapy was performed twice, and visual acuity improved. FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE No author has a financial or proprietary interest in any material or method mentioned.

A case of bilateral self-induced keratoconus in a patient with tourette syndrome associated with compulsive eye rubbing: case report

BackgroundTourette syndrome is a neurologic disorder that is characterized by repetitive muscle contractions that produce stereotyped movements or sounds. Approximately 50% of individuals with TS also exhibit obsessive-compulsive behaviors including eye rubbing. We report a case of bilateral self-induced keratoconus in a patient with TS, associated with compulsive eye rubbing.Case presentationA 35-year-old man was first seen in our clinic as an outpatient due to rapid deterioration of vision in his right eye associated with pain and tearing, over a period of one month. Slit lamp biomicroscopy of the right eye showed a central stromal scar due to corneal hydrops. Clinical examination and corneal topography of the left eye were normal. Six months later the patient developed corneal hydrops of his left eye. During the following examinations his vision continued to deteriorate in both eyes, while a central stromal scar was forming in his left cornea. Four years after the initial examination the patients visual acuity was no light perception in the right eye and counting fingers at 33 cm in the left eye. His right eye was phthisic.ConclusionsOur patient developed a rapidly progressing bilateral corneal ectasia and phthisis of his right eye during a time period of 4 years. This unusual pattern suggests that the patients compulsive behavior compromised both of his corneas and led to bilateral keratoconus.