M. Battaglia Parodi

Exudative Retinal Detachment Subsequent to Retinal Vein Occlusion

Previous studies have shown the possible development of exudative retinal detachment (ERD) as a complication of retinal vein occlusion (RVO). Considering 473 consecutive cases of RVO, only 3 cases of ERD with peculiar clinical aspects were discovered. In the first case, the ERD followed a branch RVO, but it developed in the opposite quadrant, with a late occurrence of venous retinal collaterals. In the second case, the ERD developed after a central RVO, having a retinoschisis aspect, with the subsequent occurrence of optic disk collateral vessels. In the third case, the ERD was secondary to a hemicentral RVO and involved the entire macular area. The pathogenesis of the ERD subsequent to RVO is still debated. Our experience seems to indicate that the ERD pathogenesis is linked not only to an inability of the draining vascular system, but also to an impairment in the function of the retinal pigment epithelium.

Evidence for Anti-VEGF Treatment of Diabetic Macular Edema

Diabetic macular edema (DME) is the most important cause of vision loss in patients with diabetes mellitus. Diabetic retinopathy has a remarkable impact on public health and on the quality of life of diabetic patients and thus requires special consideration. The first line of treatment remains the management of systemic risk factors but is often insufficient in controlling DME and currently, laser retinal photocoagulation is considered the standard of care. However, laser treatment reduces the risk of moderate visual loss by approximately 50% without guaranteeing remarkable effects on visual improvement. For these reasons, new strategies in the treatment of DME have been studied, in particular the use of anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF) drugs. VEGF is a pluripotent growth factor that acts as a vasopermeability factor and an endothelial cell mitogen. For this reason, it represents an interesting candidate as a therapeutic target for the treatment of DME. The aim of this article is to review the evidence behind the use of anti-VEGF drugs in the treatment of DME.

Pharmacological Approach to Diabetic Macular Edema

Diabetic macular edema (DME) is a highly prevalent cause of vision loss and has a remarkable impact on public health, and on the quality of life of diabetic patients. Even though laser photocoagulation has been the standard of care for decades, a substantial group of patients are unresponsive and fail to improve after laser treatment. Recently, new pharmacological approaches based on the use of intravitreal drugs, such as corticosteroids and anti-vascular endothelial growth factor, have revolutionized the treatment of DME. The use of intravitreal drugs is supported by the improvement in visual acuity reported by several clinical trials and can limit the potentially destructive effects of the laser treatment. Encouraging results also emerged from studies evaluating the use of a combination therapy, or the association of intravitreal drugs and laser treatment. This review aims at providing a brief synopsis of the main investigations regarding the current pharmacological approach to DME.

Steroids as Part of Combination Treatment: The Future for the Management of Macular Edema?

Diabetic macular edema (DME), defined as a retinal thickening involving or approaching the center of the macula, plays a major role in vision loss related to diabetic retinopathy. This article presents an in-depth analysis of therapeutic perspectives on DME by means of an approach based on combination therapy with steroids. Corticosteroid drugs have been demonstrated to both inhibit the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and the VEGF gene, and to have antiinflammatory properties. A treatment algorithm is provided regarding the management of DME. While grid laser photocoagulation remains the first-line therapy for focal vasogenic DME, diffuse DME can be effectively treated by means of intravitreal injections of corticosteroids. Recalcitrant DME can also be managed beneficially with intravitreal steroids. The management of DME is complex, and often multiple treatment approaches are needed. Each form of DME should be properly classified and specifically treated. The combination treatment has still an important role in the combined treatment options for DME.

Branch retinal vein occlusion and exudative retinal detachment: Pathogenetical aspects

Exudative retinal detachment (ERD) is an uncommon complication of branch retinal vein occlusion (BRVO). The ERD pathogenesis has been mainly related to the haemodynamic overload and to an impairment in the function of the retinal pigment epithelium. Data relative to 98 cases of BRVO without ERD were compared with the correspondent data of 10 cases of BRVO with ERD. Venous leakage showed a substantial equivalency between the two groups, while evaluation of retinal venous collaterals demonstrated a lower amount in the BRVO cases with ERD, with a statistically significant difference. Moreover, considering the various ERD localizations, we suggest that the ERD pathogenesis is mainly ascribable to the scant development of retinal venous collaterals but that an important role may also be played by the retinal pigment epithelium impairment consequent to the retinal ischaemia.

Subthreshold laser treatment for retinal arterial macroaneurysm

Purpose To assess the effects of subthreshold laser treatment (STLT) for retinal arterial macroaneurysms (RAM) associated with foveal exudative manifestations and visual acuity deterioration. Methods Patients with RAM associated with foveal exudative manifestations and best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) worse than 20/80 Snellen equivalent underwent a ophthalmological examination, including ETDRS visual acuity, optical coherence tomography (OCT) and fluorescein angiography. The patients were prospectively observed for 4 months, and in absence of spontaneous improvement, they underwent STLT using an infrared diode laser. Results Primary outcome measures were a reduction in mean central point thickness (CPT) and BCVA changes at the 12-month examination. Secondary outcomes included changes in mean total macular volume (TMV) and central subfield thickness (CST). Nine patients were enrolled and prospectively followed up. The mean baseline values of BCVA, CPT, TMV and CST were 0.8±0.1 (logMAR±SD), 340±49 μm, 7.14±0.05 mm3 and 366±37 μm, respectively. At the 4-month examination following STLT, the mean BCVA improved to 0.6±0.2, whereas the mean CPT, TMV, and CST decreased to 274±29 μm, 6.87±0.11 mm3 and 296±33 μm. At the 12-month examination, the mean BCVA was 0.36±0.2, the mean CPT was 195±11 μm, the mean TMV was 6.55±0.19 mm3, and the mean CST was 239±14 μm, respectively. No side-effects were noted. In particular, no sign of retinal thinning and underlying backscattering typical of conventional laser treatment could be detected at the site of the laser application on OCT. Conclusion The current pilot investigation of STLT for the treatment of symptomatic RAM revelas encouraging data. A randomised clinical trial is required to ascertain the real efficacy of this technique and the most appropriate settings to be employed.

Intravitreal bevacizumab for choroidal neovascularisation in serpiginous choroiditis

Purpose To assess the effects of intravitreal bevacizumab (IVB) in the treatment of choroidal neovascularisation (CNV) secondary to serpiginous choroiditis (SC). Design Non-randomised, interventional case series. Participants Seven patients (seven eyes) affected by juxtafoveal CNV (six eyes) and subfoveal CNV (one eye) associated with SC were recruited. Methods Each patient underwent an ophthalmological examination, including measurement of best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), fluorescein angiography (FA) and optical coherence tomography (OCT). After a first IVB injection (1.25 mg), patients were evaluated monthly over a 12-month follow-up. Further re-treatments were performed on the basis of detection of any type of fluid on OCT and/or presence of leakage on FA. The primary outcome considered was the median change in BCVA, as well as the proportion of eyes gaining at least 5 and 10 Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study (ETDRS) letters at the end of the 12-month follow-up. Secondary outcomes included median changes in central macular thickness (CMT) and number of injections over the planned follow-up. Results Median BCVA changed from 0.3 to 0.4 LogMAR. A functional improvement of at least 5 and 10 ETDRS letters was obtained in two eyes (28%) and one eye (14%), respectively, at the 12-month examination. Four eyes (57%) had stable BCVA, whereas one eye (14%) experienced a two-line decrease. Median CMT at baseline was 261 μm, decreasing to 196 μm at the 12-month examination. The median number of IVB injections was 1 in 12 months. Conclusions IVB can achieve anatomical stabilisation of CNV secondary to SC, avoiding a decline in visual acuity, in almost 90% of cases over a 12-month follow-up.

BESTROPHINOPATHY: A Spectrum of Ocular Abnormalities Caused by the c.614T>C Mutation in the BEST1 Gene.

Purpose: To describe the variable ocular phenotype associated with a heterozygous mutation in the BEST1 gene. Methods: Clinical and genetic assessment was performed in five members of the same family. Molecular genetic analysis of the BEST1 gene was performed by direct sequencing. Extensive ophthalmic examination included color fundus imaging, spectral domain optical coherence tomography, fundus autofluorescence, electro-oculography (EOG), and full-field electroretinography (ERG). The main outcome measures were BEST1 mutations, imaging, and electroretinography findings. Results: All affected family members carried a single heterozygous c.614T>C (p.I205T) mutation in exon 5 of the BEST1 gene. The 46-year-old proband showed nanophthalmos with chorioretinal atrophy in the macula, extensive coarse hyperpigmentation in the (mid) peripheral retina with tractional vitreous strands. Full-field ERG revealed nonrecordable cone and rod responses, and EOG showed an absent light rise. The daughter and son of the proband showed a phenotype resembling autosomal recessive bestrophinopathy, including short axial lengths, cystoid fluid collections, and shallow serous subretinal fluid accumulation on spectral domain optical coherence tomography throughout the macula in combination with mild retinal pigment epithelium changes. The son of the proband also showed subretinal yellowish deposits inferiorly in the macula as well as outside the temporal vascular arcade, that were hyperfluorescent on fundus autofluorescence, similar to those seen in autosomal recessive bestrophinopathy. Full-field ERG revealed a reduced rod and cone response and a markedly reduced or absent EOG light peak in both brother and sister of the proband. Conclusion: The clinical spectrum of bestrophinopathy may encompass severe ocular phenotypes that affect the development and function of the entire eye. A clinical picture similar to autosomal recessive bestrophinopathy can also be caused by a single heterozygous mutation in the BEST1 gene, such as the c.614T>C (p.I205T) variant in this family.

Macular edema associated with hydrochlorothiazide therapy.

In February 2006, a 53-year-old man with progressive and bilateral blurred vision was admitted to the outpatient department of the Eye Clinic of Udine. His general history revealed essential hypertension for which he had been treated with hydrochlorothiazide 25 mg/day for the past 6 months. After examination, the following was revealed: the best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) in the right eye and that in the left eye were 20/63 and 20/32, respectively. Amsler grid examination revealed metamorphopsia in both eyes. Anterior segment examination result was unremarkable. Fundus examination through clear vitreous showed bilateral macular thickening not associated with cystoid spaces at the fovea. A fluorescein angiogram (FA) showed minimal staining of the macular area without late leakage (figure 1). The electroretinogram and the electroculogram were normal in both eyes. The optical coherence tomographic (OCT) scan obtained through the fovea disclosed bilaterally fluid-filled spaces in the macular region without vitreoretinal traction (figure 2A). Figure 1 FA showed bilaterally in the early frame minimal staining of the macular area. In the late phases of the FA, no leakage was detected. Figure 2 (A) OCT scan obtained through the fovea disclosed …

Choroidal excavation in choroidal osteoma complicated by choroidal neovascularization

PurposeTo describe multimodal imaging features of choroidal osteoma (CO) complicated by choroidal neovascularization (CNV) and focal choroidal excavation (FCE).MethodsPatients presenting with CO and CNV between January and October 2016 were considered for this study. Diagnosis of CO was confirmed by ultrasound examination. All patients underwent multimodal imaging including optical coherence tomography (OCT), swept-source OCT angiography (DRI OCT Triton, Topcon, Inc., Tokyo, Japan) and fluorescein angiography (Spectralis HRA+OCT; Heidelberg Engineering, Heidelberg, Germany).ResultsTwo patients (one with bilateral CO) were included in the study. OCT showed a FCE in two eyes of two patients (one in correspondence of the CNV and the other adjacent to the CNV). OCT-A demonstrated presence of microvascular flow within neovascular network of the CNVs. Decalcification of the tumor was noted in correspondence of one eye with FCE.ConclusionsFCE may be found in eyes with choroidal osteoma and CNV. OCT-A was a valuable tool for detection of CNV complicating choroidal osteoma. Decalcification of choroidal osteoma may represent a common pathogenic pathway for development of FCE and CNV in choroidal osteoma.