James F. Vander

A comparison of laser photocoagulation with cryotherapy for threshold retinopathy of prematurity at 10 years: part 2. Refractive outcome.

OBJECTIVE To compare the refractive outcome of eyes treated with cryotherapy for threshold retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) with eyes treated with laser photocoagulation. DESIGN Extended follow-up of a randomized controlled clinical trial. PARTICIPANTS One hundred eighteen eyes from 66 patients were randomly assigned to receive either cryotherapy or laser photocoagulation for threshold ROP. Twenty-five patients (44 eyes treated) were available for follow-up examination 10 years later. INTERVENTION Cycloplegic autorefraction or retinoscopy was performed. Immersion ultrasound biometry (A-scan) was also performed, and an autokeratometer was used for keratometry. If an A-scan could not be tolerated or the patient was not cooperative, a B-scan through-the-lid biometry was performed. Corneal thickness was measured using optical coherence tomography. MAIN AND SECONDARY OUTCOME MEASURES: Refractive error. In addition, anterior chamber depth, lens thickness, and axial length were measured. Central corneal thickness measurements and keratometric readings were also obtained. RESULT Eyes treated with cryotherapy were significantly more myopic than those treated with laser photocoagulation. When comparing patients with bilateral treatment, the mean spherical equivalent (SE) of eyes treated with laser was -4.48 diopters (D) compared with a mean SE of -7.65 D for eyes treated with cryotherapy (n = 15 pairs of eyes, P = 0.019). Cryotherapy-treated eyes had a mean axial length of 21.7 mm versus 22.9 mm for laser-treated eyes (P = 0.024, n = 12 pairs of eyes). The anterior chamber depth and lens thickness averaged 2.86 mm and 4.33 mm, respectively, in the cryotherapy-treated eyes compared with 3.42 mm and 3.95 mm in the laser-treated eyes (P < 0.001, n = 12 pairs for both measurements). There were no statistical differences in anterior corneal curvature and central corneal thickness between the two treatment modalities. Crystalline lens power bore the strongest correlation to refractive outcomes in both laser-treated (r = 0.885, P < 0.001) and cryotherapy-treated eyes (r = 0.591, P = 0.026). Although keratometric readings were higher than normal values in these eyes, there was no correlation to the degree of myopia. CONCLUSIONS Laser-treated eyes were significantly less myopic than cyrotherapy-treated eyes. Lens power seemed to be the predominant factor contributing to the excess myopia.

Outcomes and Risk Factors Associated with Endophthalmitis after Intravitreal Injection of Anti- Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Agents.

OBJECTIVE To describe outcomes of and risk factors for endophthalmitis after intravitreal anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) injection. DESIGN Single-center, consecutive, case series and retrospective case-control study. PARTICIPANTS Between January 1, 2009, and May 31, 2010, 16 vitreoretinal surgeons administered a total of 27 736 injections. During this period, 23 cases of presumed infectious endophthalmitis occurred. Each surgeon used his own preferred injection technique. INTERVENTION Vitreous or aqueous tap, or both, with intravitreal antibiotic injection and subsequent topical antibiotic and steroid drops. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Visual acuity, bladed lid speculum use, conjunctival displacement, hemisphere of injection, bevacizumab versus ranibizumab, and infectious organism. RESULTS Seven of 23 cases had positive culture results; 3 grew coagulase-negative Staphylococcus. All cases had pain and vitritis on average 3.4 days (range, 1-6 days) after injection, with no difference between culture-positive and culture-negative groups. Eighteen (78%) of 23 cases had a hypopyon. Fifteen of 23 cases returned to baseline vision (±2 lines) within 3 months. Neither lid speculum use (0.10% vs. 0.066% in the no-use group; P = 0.27), conjunctival displacement (0.11% vs. 0.076% in the no-displacement group; P = 0.43), hemisphere of injection (0.11% superior vs. 0.079% inferior; P = 0.56), or bevacizumab versus ranibizumab (0.11% vs. 0.066%; P = 0.21) affected risk. Analysis of only culture-positive results yielded similar results. There was no statistically significant difference between the proportion of culture-negative cases after bevacizumab injection (83%) versus ranibizumab injection (55%; P = 0.13). CONCLUSIONS Most patients in whom presumed infectious endophthalmitis develop after anti-VEGF injection regained baseline vision after treatment. Bladed lid speculum use, conjunctival displacement, hemisphere of injection, and type of anti-VEGF agent did not affect risk. No difference in culture-negative endophthalmitis rates was detected after bevacizumab versus ranibizumab injection. Neither the presence of pain, vitritis, decreased vision, hypopyon, nor the interval between injection and development of symptoms differentiate culture-positive from culture-negative cases. Because a subgroup of patients had poor outcomes, a low threshold for vitreous tap with intravitreal antibiotic injection may be warranted. FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE(S) The author(s) have no proprietary or commercial interest in any materials discussed in this article.

Surgical Removal of Massive Subretinal Hemorrhage Associated with age-related Macular Degeneration

The authors report on 11 patients with age-related macular degeneration associated with massive subretinal hemorrhage, who were treated with surgical removal of the hemorrhage and associated fibrosis. Preoperative visual acuity ranged from 20/400 to hand motions. Postoperative visual acuity ranged from 20/200 to light perception with a minimum of 3 months of follow-up. Complications included partial or total retinal detachment in four patients (36%) and cataract in four patients (36%). Four of 11 patients showed some improvement in vision (36%). All four of these patients had surgery within 1 week of the onset of severe visual loss. Although surgical removal of large subretinal hemorrhages is technically feasible, visual recovery is limited, even in uncomplicated cases, by macular degenerative changes.

Extracapsular Cataract Extraction with Placement of a Posterior Chamber Lens in Patients with Diabetic Retinopathy

PURPOSE The authors evaluated factors that might influence the outcome of extracapsular cataract extraction with placement of a posterior chamber lens in patients with diabetic retinopathy. The factors included patient age and sex, severity of the retinopathy, preoperative laser photocoagulation, vitrectomy, and posterior capsulotomy. METHODS The records of 109 patients who had been examined by the authors before cataract surgery were retrospectively reviewed. RESULTS The final visual acuity in only 48% of the eyes was 20/40 or better, and 28% had 20/200 or worse visual acuity. Only 65% had an improvement in visual acuity of two or more Snellen lines. Eyes with preoperative macular edema had a poorer visual outcome than eyes without. Macular edema and ischemia accounted for 70% of the eyes with a final visual acuity of 20/50 or worse. The authors found that age was a strong predictor of final visual acuity and chances of improvement. In patients 63 years of age and younger, 58% had 20/40 or better and 81% had improved visual acuity. In patients 64 years of age and older, only 38% had 20/40 or better and only 54% were improved. Supplementary panretinal photocoagulation was required in 37% of patients who had received it preoperatively. Neovascularization of the iris developed in 6% of patients. Posterior capsulotomy did not cause an increased incidence of neovascularization of the iris or in the development or progression of proliferative retinopathy or macular edema. CONCLUSION The prognosis of patients with diabetic retinopathy about to undergo cataract surgery, even extracapsular cataract extraction with placement of a posterior chamber lens, is guarded.

Long-term stability and visual outcome after favorable initial response of proliferative diabetic retinopathy to panretinal photocoagulation.

The authors assessed the relationship between early objective response to panretinal photocoagulation (PRP) and the subsequent long-term visual outcome in 59 eyes of 59 consecutive patients who developed proliferative diabetic retinopathy while under the care of a retinal specialist. Thirty five eyes (59%) had regression of high-risk retinopathy characteristics within 3 months of treatment. Eighteen of these eyes (52%) had a final visual acuity of 20/20 or better with a mean follow-up of more than 4 years. Only 2 of the 24 nonresponder eyes (8%) had visual acuity of 20/20 or better. Thirteen of the responder eyes (37%) sustained a delayed vitreous hemorrhage, which was usually self-limited. Three responders underwent vitrectomy with excellent visual results. The authors conclude that the beneficial effect of PRP on visual outcome is directly related to the regression of retinopathy risk factors and that the long-term visual prognosis in high-risk eyes manifesting a favorable initial response to PRP is excellent.

The role of topical antibiotic prophylaxis to prevent endophthalmitis after intravitreal injection.

OBJECTIVE To compare the incidence of endophthalmitis after intravitreal injection with and without topical postinjection antibiotic prophylaxis. DESIGN Retrospective case-control study. PARTICIPANTS All patients treated with intravitreal injection of ranibizumab, bevacizumab, or aflibercept for a variety of retinal vascular diseases at a single, large retina practice between January 1, 2009, and October 1, 2012, were included. METHODS The total numbers of patients and injections were determined from a review of billing code and practice management records. Endophthalmitis cases were determined from billing records and from an infection log. All cases of endophthalmitis were confirmed with chart review. A 28-month period when topical antibiotics were prescribed after intravitreal injection was compared with a 9-month period when topical antibiotics were not prescribed. Patients treated during an 8-month transition period were excluded to allow for the conversion of antibiotic prescription practices. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Incidence of endophthalmitis, visual acuity outcomes, and microbial spectrum. RESULTS During the study period, a total of 117 171 intravitreal injections were performed (57 654 injections during the topical antibiotic period, 24 617 during the transition period, and 34 900 during the no-antibiotic period), with a total of 44 cases of suspected endophthalmitis (0.038%; 1 in 2663 injections), 17 of which showed culture-positive results (0.015%; 1 in 6892 injections). During the 28-month topical antibiotic period, there were 28 cases of suspected endophthalmitis (0.049%; 1 in 2059 injections), 10 of which showed culture-positive results (0.017%; 1 in 5765 injections). During the 9-month no-antibiotic period, there were 11 cases of suspected endophthalmitis (0.032%; 1 in 3173 injections), 4 of which showed culture-positive results (0.011%; 1 in 8725 injections). Topical antibiotic use was associated with a trend toward increased risk of suspected endophthalmitis (odds ratio [OR], 1.54; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.77-3.10) and culture-positive endophthalmitis (OR, 1.51; 95% CI, 0.47-4.83). CONCLUSIONS The incidence of endophthalmitis after intravitreal injection is low. Using postinjection topical antibiotic drops does not reduce the risk of endophthalmitis developing and is associated with a trend toward higher incidence of endophthalmitis.

Changes in Antibiotic Resistance Patterns of Conjunctival Flora Due to Repeated Use of Topical Antibiotics after Intravitreal Injection

OBJECTIVE To determine the effect of repeated intermittent use of topical antibiotics after intravitreal injections on conjunctival bacterial flora and antibiotic resistance. DESIGN Cross-sectional case-control study. PARTICIPANTS AND CONTROLS A total of 80 eyes of 40 patients were enrolled (40 study eyes, 40 control eyes). Patients were enrolled with unilateral exudative age-related macular degeneration who had received at least 3 prior intravitreal injections with use of postinjection topical antibiotics. Patients had received an average of 7 (range, 3-13) intravitreal injections before enrollment. METHODS At the time of enrollment, the inferior fornix of the treated eye was swept with a culture swab before use of povidone iodine; the inferior fornix of the fellow eye was also cultured and served as a control. The culture and sensitivity data from the study and control eyes were analyzed. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES The rate of antibiotic resistance among the conjunctival bacterial flora of the study eyes and control eyes. RESULTS A total of 80 eyes of 40 patients were enrolled in the study; 29 patients used trimethoprim/polymyxin B drops, and 11 patients used fluoroquinolone drops after each injection. A total of 58 bacterial colonies were isolated from 50 eyes. There were no significant differences in bacterial species or culture positivity rates between study and control eyes. Coagulase-negative staphylococcus accounted for 41 of the 58 bacterial colonies (71%). There was a 63.6% resistance rate to fluoroquinolones among study eyes compared with 32.1% among control eyes (P < 0.05). In the subset of 11 study eyes using fluoroquinolone drops for 4 days after injection, there was an 87.5% resistance rate compared with 25.0% in matched control eyes (P = 0.04). There was no significant difference in trimethoprim resistance rates between study and control eyes: Four of 14 study eyes (28.6%) showed resistance compared with 5 of 18 control eyes (27.7%) (P = 1.0). CONCLUSIONS Use of fluoroquinolone drops after intravitreal injection leads to increased rates of resistance among conjunctival flora. Repeated use of topical fluoroquinolones after intravitreal injections may have a detrimental effect on eye health by breeding resistance in the bacterial flora.

Intravitreal bevacizumab (avastin) in central retinal vein occlusion.

Purpose: To describe the effects of intravitreal bevacizumab in eyes with macular edema resulting from central retinal vein occlusions (CRVO). Methods: Retrospective consecutive case series of patients diagnosed with macular edema from CRVO who received intravitreal bevacizumab. Results: Thirty eyes of 29 patients with an average age of 72 years (range, 54–87 years) had intravitreal bevacizumab injections. Mean follow-up was 18.1 weeks. Initial mean visual acuity was 20/394. At the 1- and 2-month follow-up, mean visual acuity improved to 20/237 (n = 26, P = 0.04) and 20/187 (n = 21, P = 0.008), respectively. At the 3- and 4-month follow-up, visual acuity improved from 20/228 to 20/157 (n = 15, P = 0.05) and from 20/313 to 20/213 (n = 11, P = 0.03), respectively. No significant changes in visual acuity were found after 4 months though the number of patients in this group was small. Duration of treatment effect following an injection appears to be limited to 2 months for most patients. No ocular or systemic adverse reactions were noted. Conclusions: The visual benefits of intravitreal bevacizumab for macular edema due to CRVO are apparent early but are not sustained without repeated injections. Larger clinical studies with long-term follow-up will be necessary to better elicit the best regimen for this therapy.

Early Treatment of Posterior Retinopathy of Prematurity: A Controlled Trial

OBJECTIVE The purpose of the study is to assess the possible benefits of early laser treatment for posterior retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) and to provide data concerning the natural history of posterior ROP. DESIGN The study design was a prospective, multicenter, randomized trial. PARTICIPANTS A total of 19 infants with prethreshold posterior ROP were studied. INTERVENTION Randomization to immediate indirect laser photocoagulation or observation, with application of laser photocoagulation for those control eyes reaching threshold disease, was performed. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Patients were assessed at 3 months and the anatomic outcome recorded along with any adverse treatment effects. RESULTS An unfavorable structural outcome developed in 3 (16%) of 19 early treatment eyes compared with 3 (18%) of 17 for those treated only if threshold disease was reached. Of the 17 control eyes, 15 (88%) reached threshold disease. Progression to threshold occurred within 1 week in all but two eyes. All 12 control eyes with posterior ROP and any amount of extraretinal fibrovascular proliferation progressed to threshold disease. CONCLUSIONS Although the number of patients studied is too small to reach statistical significance, the likelihood of a favorable outcome for eyes with prethreshold posterior ROP treated immediately with laser photocoagulation is comparable to that obtained by withholding treatment until threshold disease is reached. There is a high probability of progression from prethreshold to threshold disease, usually within 1 week or less.

Intravitreal bevacizumab for refractory pigment epithelial detachment with occult choroidal neovascularization in age-related macular degeneration.

Purpose: New medications targeting vascular endothelial growth factor show promise in the treatment of wet macular degeneration. This study describes the clinical response and optical coherence tomography (OCT) findings for patients with refractory pigment epithelial detachment (PED) and occult choroidal neovascular membranes (CNVMs) who were treated with intravitreal bevacizumab. Methods: A retrospective analysis of data for 10 patients with fibrovascular PEDs, initially treated with intravitreal pegaptanib, thermal laser, or photodynamic therapy with or without triamcinolone acetonide administration, was performed. All patients were refractory to previous treatment. They received monthly injections of bevacizumab and were followed by clinical examination, angiography, and OCT. Results: Nine of 10 patients had stable or improved vision. Angiogram findings showed resolution of leakage from CNVMs. OCT demonstrated resolution of the subretinal or intraretinal fluid but persistence of the PED itself. Vision improvement was correlated with OCT changes. Conclusion: Intravitreal bevacizumab may be a viable option in treating patients with fibrovascular PEDs. OCT findings suggest that visual improvement is secondary to resolution of subretinal and intraretinal edema without resolution of the PED.