Lea Querques

Enhanced depth imaging optical coherence tomography in type 2 diabetes.

PURPOSE To investigate the changes in macular choroidal thickness in eyes with various stages of diabetic retinopathy, using enhanced depth imaging optical coherence tomography (EDI OCT). METHODS Sixty-three consecutive diabetic patients--who presented without diabetic retinopathy (NDR); with diabetic retinopathy (nonproliferative diabetic retinopathy [NPDR]) and no clinically significant macular edema (CSME-); or with NDPR and clinically significant macular edema (CSME+)--underwent EDI OCT. Twenty-one age- and sex-matched healthy subjects (21 eyes) also underwent EDI OCT. RESULTS A total of 63 eyes of 63 consecutive diabetic patients (26 female [41.2%]; mean age 65 ± 9 years, range 48-83 years) were included in the analysis. Mean best-corrected visual acuity was 0.13 ± 0.25 LogMAR (range 0-1). Mean CMT was 272.5 ± 16.2 μm in 21 NDR eyes, 294.5 ± 23.5 μm in 21 NPDR/CSME- eyes, and 385.6 ± 75.1 μm in 21 NPDR/CSME+ eyes. There was no difference in mean subfoveal choroidal thickness among each diabetic group (238.4 ± 47.9 μm [NDR], 207.0 ± 55.9 μm [NPDR/CSME-], 190.8 ± 48.4 μm [NPDR/CSME+]; P = 0.23). The mean subfoveal choroidal thickness was significantly reduced in each diabetic group compared with the control group (309.8 ± 58.5 μm, P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS In diabetic eyes, there is an overall thinning of the choroid on EDI OCT. A decreased choroidal thickness may lead to tissue hypoxia and consequently increase the level of VEGF, resulting in the breakdown of the blood-retinal barrier and development of macular edema.

Choroidal changes associated with reticular pseudodrusen.

PURPOSE To analyze choroidal changes associated with reticular pseudodrusen by indocyanine green angiography (ICGA) and enhanced depth imaging spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (EDI SD-OCT). METHODS Twenty-two consecutive patients (22 eyes) with reticular pseudodrusen, and without medium/large drusen, underwent ICGA and EDI OCT. Twenty-one age- and sex-matched subjects (21 eyes) with early age-related macular degeneration (AMD), and without pseudodrusen, also underwent EDI OCT. RESULTS Mean age of patients with reticular pseudodrusen and with early AMD was 82.5 ± 0.9 and 79.3 ± 4.4 years of age, respectively (P = 0.9), and 59.0% and 76.2% were females, respectively (P = 0.7). On ICGA, reticular patterns appeared as hypofluorescent, not overlying the large choroidal vessels. Areas of iso/hyperfluorescence on ICGA, occurring adjacently to reticular patterns, appeared on OCT as subretinal deposits. The mean subfoveal choroidal thickness was significantly reduced in the group with reticular pseudodrusen compared with that in the control group (174.6 ± 10.1 and +241.4 ± 16.5, respectively; P < 0.001). At all measurement points, but the 3000 μm superior to the fovea, the choroidal thickness of eyes with reticular pseudodrusen appeared thinner than that of the control group. Interestingly, the choroid of eyes with reticular pseudodrusen appeared thicker at 3000 μm superior to the fovea compared with that at all other measurement points. CONCLUSIONS It was shown that the reticular patterns appeared as hypofluorescent lesions on ICGA, closely abutting, but not overlying the large choroidal vessels. In eyes with reticular pseudodrusen, EDI OCT revealed an overall thinned choroid.

Pathologic insights from integrated imaging of reticular pseudodrusen in age-related macular degeneration.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to analyze the integrated infrared reflectance, fundus autofluorescence, and fluorescein angiography (integrated confocal scanning laser ophthalmoscopy fundus imaging) features of reticular pseudodrusen and eye-tracked Spectralis high-resolution spectral domain optical coherence tomography (Spectralis SD-OCT; Heidelberg Engineering, Heidelberg, Germany). Methods: Twenty-two consecutive patients with reticular pseudodrusen were prospectively enrolled and evaluated regarding confocal scanning laser ophthalmoscopy fundus imaging and eye-tracked SD-OCT findings. Results: Integrated fundus imaging revealed a “target” aspect of most reticular pseudodrusen in the 42 included eyes (22 patients; 12 women, 10 men; mean age 81.38 ± 6.47 years). On fundus autofluorescence and infrared reflectance, the center of most reticular pseudodrusen appeared as an area of isoautofluorescence/reflectance surrounded by halos of reduced autofluorescence/reflectance. Similarly, on fluorescein angiography, the center of reticular pseudodrusen appeared as an area of decreased fluorescence surrounded by a faint halo of increased fluorescence. Spectral domain optical coherence tomography showed a well-defined round or triangular hyperreflective deposit localized between, externally, the retinal pigment epithelium layer, and, internally, the external limiting membrane or the outer plexiform layer. Moreover, SD-OCT showed the loss of both outer segment/retinal pigment epithelium interface and inner segment/outer segment interface over the hyperreflective lesions, as well as an abrupt interruption of both these interfaces at the border of the hyperreflective lesions. Conclusion: The peculiar confocal scanning laser ophthalmoscopy fundus imaging and tracked SD-OCT of reticular pseudodrusen suggest the presence of central lipofuscin-like retinal deposits localized above the retinal pigment epithelium. These findings give insights to other possible aspects of age-related retinal changes.

Analysis of progression of reticular pseudodrusen by spectral domain-optical coherence tomography.

PURPOSE To analyze reticular pseudodrusen progression using spectral domain-optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT). METHODS Thirty-three consecutive patients (48 eyes) underwent SD-OCT using the eye-tracked follow-up protocol 24 ± 2 months after baseline examination. Each pair of B-scans (only one per eye was evaluated among those showing pseudodrusen progression) was compared with respect to pseudodrusen appearance and retinal layer structure. Stage 1 pseudodrusen was defined as granular material between the RPE and the inner segment/outer segment (IS/OS), stage 2 as mounds of material sufficient to alter the contour of the IS/OS, stage 3 as thicker material adopting a conical appearance and breaking through the IS/OS, and stage 4 as fading of the material because of reabsorption and migration within the inner retinal layers. RESULTS A total of 78 pseudodrusen (detected on the 48 analyzed B-scans, and counting for a mean of 2.3 pseudodrusen per scan) showed progression over a mean of 23.9 ± 1.2 months. All 58 pseudodrusen (100%) graded as stage 1 at baseline examination progressed to stage 2. Thirteen of 16 pseudodrusen (81.3%) graded as stage 2 at baseline examination progressed to stage 3, and three (18.7%) progressed to stage 4. All four pseudodrusen (100%) graded as stage 3 at baseline examination progressed to stage 4. Among pseudodrusen that were stage 3 or 4 at follow-up (n = 20), 100% had IS/OS disruption whereas 12.1% (n = 7) had IS/OS disruption at stage 1 or 2 (n = 58) (OR, 1.736; 95% CI, 1.02-2.43). CONCLUSIONS The frequency of stage changes over time suggest that reticular pseudodrusen are dynamic pathologic structures.

Repeated Intravitreal Dexamethasone Implant (Ozurdex®) for Retinal Vein Occlusion

Purpose: To evaluate the effects of repeated intravitreal dexamethasone implant (IDI) (Ozurdex®) in eyes with macular edema (ME) due to retinal vein occlusion (RVO). Methods: We reviewed the charts of patients with RVO-related ME, who received repeated Ozurdex IDI (0.7 mg) on an ‘as-needed’ basis. Main outcome measures included changes in best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), central macular thickness (CMT), retreatment interval, and incidence of side effects. Results: A total of 33 eyes were included for analysis. Retreatment with Ozurdex was judged necessary after 4.7 ± 1.1 months from the first IDI (1st IDI) and 5.1 ± 1.5 months from the second IDI (2nd IDI). Baseline BCVA was 0.65 ± 0.43 logMAR; it significantly improved to 0.50 ± 0.42 logMAR after 1.4 ± 0.7 months from the 1st IDI (peaking efficacy) (p < 0.001) and to 0.48 ± 0.44 logMAR after 1.8 ± 0.8 months from the 2nd IDI (peaking efficacy) (p < 0.001). CMT decreased from 636 ± 217 µm (baseline) to 300 ± 114 µm, 1.4 ± 0.7 months after the 1st IDI (p < 0.001), and to 298 ± 91 µm, 1.8 ± 0.8 months after the 2nd IDI (p < 0.001). A rebound effect was recorded in 7 eyes after the 1st IDI (mean 168 ± 158 µm) and in 4 eyes after the 2nd IDI (mean 215 ± 199 µm). All eyes with a rebound effect improved again after a 2nd intravitreal Ozurdex injection. No serious adverse events were observed; 12 eyes developed a transient IOP increase, and cataracts were extracted in 2 eyes. Conclusion: Repeated intravitreal Ozurdex on an ‘as-needed’ basis, with a retreatment interval <6 months, may produce long-term clinically meaningful benefits in the treatment of ME due to RVO, without other significant side effects than expected after intraocular corticosteroid treatment.

Intravitreal dexamethasone implant in patients with persistent diabetic macular edema.

Purpose: To evaluate the effects of a single injection of Ozurdex over 6 months in eyes with persistent diabetic macular edema (DME). Methods: In this retrospective interventional study, 9 patients with decreased visual acuity, as a result of persistent DME, received Ozurdex (intravitreal dexamethasone implant 0.7 mg). Main outcome measures included changes in best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and central retinal thickness (CRT). Results: Nine eyes of 9 patients (5 males, 4 females; mean age 58 years) were included in the analysis. The mean duration of DME was 49.9 months (range 24–85). All patients had undergone previous treatments for DME (intravitreal injection of anti-vascular endothelial growth factor, steroids or laser photocoagulation) before entering the study. At baseline, the mean BCVA was 0.74 ± 0.33 logMAR, and the mean CRT was 502 ± 222.16 µm. The mean BCVA was unchanged on the third day (0.74 ± 0.38 logMAR, p = 0.5), improved to 0.62 ± 0.32 logMAR (p = 0.02), 0.59 ± 0.26 logMAR (p = 0.02) and 0.63 ± 0.38 logMAR (p = 0.6) after the first, third and fourth months, respectively, and decreased again to 0.73 ± 0.35 logMAR (p = 0.4) at 6 months. The mean CRT improved to 397 ± 115.31 µm (p = 0.17), 271 ± 99.97 µm (p = 0.007), 325 ± 133.05 µm (p = 0.03) and 462 ± 176.48 µm (p = 0.36) on the third day and after 1, 3 and 4 months of follow-up and then increased again to 537 ± 265.42 µm (p = 0.33) at 6 months. Eight patients needed retreatments in the sixth month. One eye developed a transient intraocular pressure (IOP) increase 1 month after injection, which was successfully managed with topical IOP-lowering medication. Conclusion: In eyes with persistent DME, Ozurdex produces improvement in BCVA and CRT as soon as the first days after the injection. Such improvement is maintained until the fourth month.

Multimodal imaging of dry age-related macular degeneration

Purpose:  The purpose of this study was to understand clinical significance of near‐infrared reflectance (NIR), blue fundus autofluorescence (FAF) and near‐infrared autofluorescence (NIA) in dry age‐related macular degeneration (AMD), by correlation with fluorescein angiography (FA) and cross‐sectional spectral domain optical coherence tomography (SD OCT).

Microperimetric correlations of autofluorescence and optical coherence tomography imaging in dry age-related macular degeneration.

PURPOSE To investigate the microperimetric correlations of autofluorescence imaging and optical coherence tomography (OCT) in dry age-related macular degeneration (AMD). DESIGN Retrospective, observational, cross-sectional study. METHODS Consecutive patients with dry AMD underwent a complete ophthalmologic examination, including best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), blue fundus autofluorescence (FAF), near-infrared autofluorescence, and spectral-domain (SD)-OCT with integrated microperimetry. RESULTS A total of 58 eyes of 29 patients (21 women; mean age 73 ± 9 years) were included. Mean BCVA was 0.28 ± 0.3 logarithm of the minimal angle of resolution (logMAR). Overall, 2842 points were analyzed as regards FAF and near-infrared autofluorescence patterns, the status of inner segment/outer segment (IS/OS) interface, and retinal sensitivity. We observed a good correlation between the FAF and near-infrared autofluorescence patterns for all the points graded (increased FAF/near-infrared autofluorescence, Pearson rho = 0.6, P = .02; decreased FAF/near-infrared autofluorescence, Pearson rho = 0.7, P = .01; normal FAF/near-infrared autofluorescence, Pearson rho = 0.7, P = .01). Mean retinal sensitivity was significantly reduced in cases of decreased FAF (4.73 ± 2.23 dB) or increased FAF (4.75 ± 2.39 dB) compared with normal FAF (7.44 ± 2.34 dB) (P = .001). Mean retinal sensitivity was significantly reduced in case of decreased near-infrared autofluorescence (3.87 ± 2.28 dB), compared with increased near-infrared autofluorescence (5.76 ± 2.44 dB) (P = .02); mean retinal sensitivity in case of increased near-infrared autofluorescence was significantly reduced compared with normal near-infrared autofluorescence (7.15 ± 2.38 dB) (P = .002). On SD-OCT, there was a high inverse correlation between retinal sensitivity and rate of disruptions in IS/OS interface (Pearson rho = -0.72, P = .001). CONCLUSION A reduced retinal sensitivity consistently correlates with decreased FAF/near-infrared autofluorescence and a disrupted IS/OS interface. Increased near-infrared autofluorescence may represent a useful method for detection of retinal abnormalities early in dry AMD development.

Natural Course of Adult-Onset Foveomacular Vitelliform Dystrophy: A Spectral-Domain Optical Coherence Tomography Analysis

PURPOSE To describe the natural course of adult-onset foveomacular vitelliform dystrophy using spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT). DESIGN Retrospective study. METHODS We reviewed the charts of all consecutive patients with adult-onset foveomacular vitelliform dystrophy who underwent SD-OCT at baseline and at least 12 months later (last visit). Main outcome measures were changes of clinical and SD-OCT features over time. RESULTS Forty-six eyes (31 patients, 15 male and 16 female; mean age 74.6 ± 8.2 years) were included. Follow-up was 16.2 ± 6 (range, 12-30) months. Visual acuity (VA) reduced from 0.32 ± 0.22 logMAR at baseline to 0.39 ± 0.28 logMAR at last visit (P=.03). The stage of the disease was vitelliform in 28 eyes (60.8%), pseudohypopyon in 7 eyes (15.2%), vitelliruptive in 11 eyes (23.9%) at baseline; vitelliform in 23 eyes (50%), pseudohypopyon in 5 eyes (10.9%), vitelliruptive in 13 eyes (28.2%), and atrophic in 5 eyes (10.9%) at last visit. Stabilization of the disease stage, inner segment/outer segment (IS/OS) interface status, and lesion reflectivity on SD-OCT determined no VA changes (P>.05), while their worsening determined a reduction of VA (P=.03). In eyes that presented a progression of the disease stage, mean central macular thickness, maximal thickness of the lesion, and maximal width of the lesion showed a significant change (from 404.1 ± 107.6 μm to 246.1 ± 74.0 μm, P = .004; from 277.0 ± 80.8 μm to 105.3 ± 92.3 μm, P=.001; from 2324.2 ± 1250.3 μm to 1751.0 ± 858.3 μm, P = .04, respectively). CONCLUSIONS In adult-onset foveomacular vitelliform dystrophy, progression of the lesion stage (partial/complete resorption of the material) is generally accompanied by IS/OS interface disruption/loss and visual impairment.

Precursors of type 3 neovascularization: a multimodal imaging analysis.

Purpose: To study the advent of exudative age-related macular degeneration in uninvolved fellow eyes of patients with unilateral Type 3 neovascularization and to investigate the precursors at the site of lesion development. Methods: We studied 37 consecutive patients with the diagnosis of unilateral Type 3 neovascularization, for the advent of exudative age-related macular degeneration in uninvolved fellow eyes (study eyes). Looking for the precursors of Type 3 neovascularization, we reviewed the multimodal imaging (fundus autofluorescence, fluorescein angiography, indocyanine green angiography, and spectral-domain optical coherence tomography) in the study eyes and interpreted the changes over time at the site of lesion development. Results: Of the 37 patients, 12 (32%) developed exudative age-related macular degeneration in the study eye, after a mean of 19.6 ± 9.5 months (range, 9–36 months) from the diagnosis of Type 3 neovascularization in the first involved eye (baseline). All these patients (12 of 12 eyes; 100%) developed Type 3 neovascularization in the study eye. Retrospective analysis of the precursors of these lesions revealed, at baseline, a focal hyperautofluorescence (fundus autofluorescence) that turned to focal hypoautofluorescence over time. In all eyes, a focal hyperfluorescence (fluorescein angiography and indocyanine green angiography) appeared over time at the site of Type 3 neovascularization development. The corresponding spectral-domain optical coherence tomography showed a localized retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) elevation characterized by a focal disruption of the RPE and photoreceptors and by the overlying outer plexiform layer that progressively took contact with the RPE. Based on these findings, it seems that a small, localized RPE elevation might be the lesion before the development of Type 3 neovascularization. This precursor lesion progresses over time to focal atrophy of RPE and photoreceptor. Conclusion: Type 3 neovascularization presents a predictable symmetry and bilaterality. Identification of the precursors of Type 3 neovascularization looks particularly useful for clinicians to detect the earliest changes in the vasogenic process in the fellow eye.