Ilir Arapi

Considering photodynamic therapy as a therapeutic modality in selected cases of dome-shaped macula complicated by foveal serous retinal detachment.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE To study the role of photodynamic therapy (PDT) as a therapeutic modality in myopic patients with dome-shaped macula (DSM) associated with foveal serous retinal detachment (SRD). PATIENTS AND METHODS Retrospective interventional case series. The medical records of 10 consecutive myopic patients (10 eyes) with DSM associated with subfoveal SRD and treated with PDT were reviewed. Visual gain and loss were considered as increasing or decreasing of two or more lines of best corrected visual acuity (BCVA), respectively, and eyes with fluid resolution were deemed responsive to PDT. RESULTS All eyes underwent several PDT treatments, with a median of three and a median follow-up time of 15.5 months. At final follow-up, six eyes (60%) showed complete resolution of the foveal SRD. The baseline hypocyanescent macular area observed during late indocyanine green angiography (ICGA) frames was significantly lower in the group of patients who responded to PDT and had an increase of at least two Snellen lines in BCVA (P = .01). CONCLUSION Data suggest that myopic eyes associated with DSM and foveal SRD may be responsive to PDT, showing total resolution of fluid accumulation and positive BCVA changes if baseline ICGA findings show evidence of a limited hypocyanescent macular area.

Anti vascular endothelial growth factor sequential therapy for neovascular age-related macular degeneration: is this the new deal?

Abstract Objective: To review clinical data on the sequential use of the non-selective vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) inhibitors (ranibizumab and bevacizumab) and the selective VEGF inhibitor (pegaptanib) in the treatment of neovascular age related macular degeneration (n-AMD). Methods: This is a selective review of the literature based on a PubMed search using the terms ‘age-related macular degeneration’, ‘selective anti-VEGF’, ‘non-selective anti-VEGF’ and ‘combination therapy’ from 2000 to date in the English language. Studies on the management of n-AMD reporting adherence, patient-reported outcomes, costs, side effects, resource use and cost effectiveness were also included. Results: The trial data suggest that pan-VEGF inhibition provides improved treatment outcomes in patients with n-AMD with selective anti-VEGF agents offering better tolerability on long-term treatment. A pilot trial and a large-scale, multicentre study confirmed the long-term efficacy of a selective VEGF inhibitor when used as maintenance therapy. Importantly, there is evidence that selective VEGF inhibition also reduces the risks associated with pan-VEGF blockade in patients with n-AMD. Discussion: Anti-VEGF agents play a principal role in the management of n-AMD. The most potent are the pan-VEGF agents although there is some discussion regarding their long-term tolerability. The sequential use of non-selective VEGF inhibitors as booster therapy with a selective VEGF inhibitor as maintenance therapy seems to offer a promising safety/efficacy profile, as well as improved cost/effectiveness.

Biologic Therapy in Inflammatory Eye Conditions (Ophtalmology): Safety Profile.

Non-infectious uveitis can be a potentially sight threatening disease. Very recently, therapeutic strategies have turned towards a new methodology, which includes biologic agents. The introduction of biologic drugs has started a Copernican revolution in ophthalmology: biologic therapies represent a revolutionary option for those patients who present non-responder, sight threatening uveitis. The availability of these therapies has improved the uveitis outcome. The present review shows the most relevant medical literature on biologic agents in ophthalmology, such as tumor necrosis factor blockers, anti-interleukins and other related biologics. Several papers reported the efficacy of biologic agents in a large number of refractory uveitides, which suggest a promising role of biologic drugs for selected cases. On the other hand, the medical literature does not have consistent numbers yet, which hopefully will validate the promising preliminary results. Biologic agents are not only promising drugs for the treatment of nonresponder uveitis, but also they show an apparently favourable safety profile, although several topics remain unsolved: it is still not clear when commencing the treatment, which agent to choose, and the length of biologic therapy. Moreover, the high costs and the still not clear safety profile have very often limited their use only for severe, non-responder uveitis in highly specialized uveitis centres.

Idiopathic Retinal Vasculitis Aneurysms and Neuroretinitis (IRVAN) Syndrome

Idiopathic retinal vasculitis aneurysms and neuroretinitis (IRVAN) is the acronym used to describe a rare syndrome characterised by a peripheral retinal vascular occlusion secondary to a retinal vasculitis with multiple posterior retinal arterial aneurysms (Fig. 88.1). In 1995, Chang et al. [3] proposed “IRVAN”, describing ten cases with these features. This disorder is also known as “bilateral neuroretinopathy with multiple retinal arterial aneurysms”.

Acute Retinal Pigment Epitheliitis

Acute retinal pigment epitheliitis (ARPE) is a benign, acute, self-limiting inflammation affecting selectively the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) with reduced visual acuity, metamorphopsia and subtle changes at the level of the RPE.

Cost-effectiveness of intravitreal therapy in Age-Related Macular Degeneration

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is still referred to as the leading cause of severe and irreversible visual loss world-wide. Advances in medical research have identified vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) as an important pathophysiological player in neovascular AMD and intraocular inhibition of VEGF as one of the most efficient therapies. Anti-VEGFs currently used to treat AMD included a monoclonal antibody (bevacizumab), an antibody fragments (ranibizumab), a fusion protein (aflibercept), and an aptamer (pegaptanib). The wide introduction of anti-VEGF therapy has led to an improvement in the prognosis of patients affected by AMD, with a consequent effects on the burden of care due to highly priced drugs, increasing patient numbers, and long-term disease chronicity. Aim of this review is to present an overview of available therapeutic strategies in AMD in term of clinical efficacy and economic sustainability.