Analysis of Socioeconomic Factors Affecting Follow-Up in a Glaucoma Screening Program

Purpose

To determine what socioeconomic factors affect follow-up in a glaucoma screening program.

Patients and Methods

This was a retrospective cohort study of six health fairs in South Florida from October 2012 to March 2013 among socially and economically disadvantaged populations. Visual acuity (VA), intraocular pressure (IOP), cup-to-disc ratio (CDR), and visual field testing were obtained to identify glaucoma suspects. Glaucoma suspects were defined as having intraocular pressure ≥24 mm Hg, cup-to-disc ratio of ≥0.6 in either eye, or glaucomatous defects on visual field testing. In July 2015, telephone surveys were administered to assess follow up and socioeconomic factors.

Results

Seventy-two out of 144 (50%) glaucoma suspects responded to the survey and were included in the analysis. Of the 72 respondents, average age was 52.8 years old and 65% were female. The most common race was African American (69%) and ethnicity was Haitian (51%). Glaucoma suspects who followed up were significantly more likely to have health insurance compared to those who did not follow up (74% vs 43%, p = 0.014). No significant difference in follow-up based on age (p = 0.125), education (p = 0.151), gender (p = 0.48), or ethnicity (p = 0.707) was identified. Of the 30 respondents, who did not follow up, the most common reasons were "no insurance" (57%, 17/30) and "not worried" (33%, 10/30).

Conclusion

Insurance was the main socioeconomic factor in determining whether glaucoma suspects followed up after community health screenings. Streamlining social services could increase clinical access of glaucoma suspects.

RNA-based therapies in inherited retinal diseases

Inherited retinal diseases (IRDs) are a genetically and phenotypically heterogeneous group of genetic eye disorders. There are more than 300 disease entities, and together this group of disorders affects millions of people globally and is a frequent cause of blindness or low-vision certification. However, each type is rare or ultra-rare. Characteristically, the impaired vision in IRDs is due to retinal photoreceptor dysfunction and loss resulting from mutation in a gene that codes for a retinal protein. Historically, IRDs have been considered incurable and individuals living with these blinding conditions could be offered only supportive care. However, the treatment landscape for IRDs is beginning to evolve. Progress is being made, driven by improvements in understanding of genotype-phenotype relationships, through advances in molecular genetic testing and retinal imaging. Alongside this expanding knowledge of IRDs, the current era of precision medicine is fueling a growth in targeted therapies. This has resulted in the first treatment for an IRD being approved. Several other therapies are currently in development in the IRD space, including RNA-based therapies, gene-based therapies (such as augmentation therapy and gene editing), cell therapy, visual prosthetics, and optogenetics. RNA-based therapies are a novel approach within precision medicine that have demonstrated success, particularly in rare diseases. Three antisense oligonucleotides (AONs) are currently in development for the treatment of specific IRD subtypes. These RNA-based therapies bring several key advantages in the setting of IRDs, and the potential to bring meaningful vision benefit to individuals living with inherited blinding disorders. This review will examine the increasing breadth and relevance of RNA-based therapies in clinical medicine, explore the key features that make AONs suitable for treating genetic eye diseases, and provide an overview of the three-leading investigational AONs in clinical trials.

Associations between Visual, Hearing Functioning and Cognitive Functioning among Hispanics/Latinos

Findings that visual impairment (VI) and hearing impairment (HI) are associated with cognitive functioning are drawn from studies that involved few Hispanic/Latino participants. We utilized data from the Miami Ocular SOL ancillary study to the Hispanic Community Health Study/Study of Latinos (HCHS/SOL) with 1056 participants aged 45 and older. The outcomes were neurocognitive performances assessed by the Digit Symbol Substitution Test (DSST, executive function), Word Frequency Test (verbal fluency), Brief Spanish-English Verbal Learning Test-recall (B-SEVLT recall, episodic memory), and the Six-Item Screener (global cognitive functioning). Visual functioning was measured by National Eye Institute Visual Function Questionnaire (NEI-VFQ). Hearing function which was measured by Hearing Handicap Inventory for Adults and Elderly (HHIA/HHIE) was available for all HCHS/SOL participants (n=9343). Multiple regression was performed for each cognitive outcome while controlling for age, gender, education, Hispanic/Latino ethnicity background, cardiovascular risk factors, depression and complex design. NEI-VFQ was associated with 3 of the 4 cognitive outcomes: DSST (β =0.14, se=0.027, p<0.01), Word Frequency Test (β=0.042, se=0.016, p<0.01), B-SEVLT-recall (β=0.021, se=0.007, p<0.03). HHIA/HHIE was not associated with any of the cognitive measures examined. The HHIA/HHIE analysis was repeated using data from all sites; similar results were observed. Visual functioning but not hearing functioning is associated with worse cognition in Hispanics/Latinos, although previous HCHS/SOL analysis indicated that hearing loss as assessed by pure tone audiometry was associated with worse cognitive functioning. Longitudinal assessment of both clinical and functional measures is needed to understand the impact of sensory impairment on cognition in Hispanics/Latinos.

Genetic testing and diagnosis of inherited retinal diseases

Inherited retinal diseases (IRDs) are a diverse group of degenerative diseases of the retina that can lead to significant reduction in vision and blindness. Because of the considerable phenotypic overlap among IRDs, genetic testing is a critical step in obtaining a definitive diagnosis for affected individuals and enabling access to emerging gene therapy–based treatments and ongoing clinical studies. While advances in molecular diagnostic technologies have significantly improved the understanding of IRDs and identification of disease-causing variants, training in genetic diagnostics among ophthalmologists is limited. In this review, we will provide ophthalmologists with an overview of genetic testing for IRDs, including the types of available testing, variant interpretation, and genetic counseling. Additionally, we will discuss the clinical applications of genetic testing in the molecular diagnosis of IRDs through case studies.

Visual Acuity, Retinal Morphology, and Patients' Perceptions after Voretigene Neparvovec-rzyl for RPE65-Associated Retinal Disease

OBJECTIVE

To explore the effect of patient's age, baseline visual acuity, and intraoperative foveal detachment on outcomes of subretinal voretigene neparvovec-rzyl (VN, Luxturna®) therapy and to assess patients' perceptions of the treatment effect.

DESIGN

Multicenter, retrospective, consecutive case series and cross-sectional prospective survey.

SUBJECTS

All 41 consecutive patients treated with VN after FDA approval at three institutions between January 2018 and May 2020.

METHODS

Retrospective chart review of operative reports, clinical notes, ancillary testing and complications, comparing data at baseline and 1, 2-3, 6-9, and 10-15 months after subretinal surgery. A survey was administered to adult patients and parents of pediatric patients.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Changes in BCVA and retinal morphology, and patients' perceptions.

RESULTS

77 eyes of 41 patients (16 adults and 25 children, range 2-44 years, mean follow-up 10 months, range 1 week to 18.5 months) were analyzed. There was no statistically significant vision change for the adults, whereas there was a trend of improvement for children that reached statistical significance for some time points but not all. At the last follow-up, 14/48 (29%) pediatric and 3/26 (12%) adult eyes improved ≥2 lines (p=0.15). Baseline VA did not have an effect on post-therapy VA (p=0.23). Central foveal thickness decreased mildly in both children and adults, without significant difference between the populations. The fovea was detached by VN in 62 eyes (81%). Inner segment-outer segment junction remained unchanged in 91% of 54 eyes with gradable OCTs, with or without foveal detachment. Thirty-two patients (78%) were reached for the survey an average of 1.15±0.50 years (range 0.31 to 2.31) after surgery in the first eye. Improvement in night, day, and/or color vision was reported by 23 (72%), 22 (69%), and 18 (56%) patients respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

This study is limited by large variability in follow-up time. There were no persistent statistical significant vision changes. A decrease in foveal thickness was noted in most eyes. The long-term significance of this remains to be determined.

Expanding the clinical phenotype in patients with disease causing variants associated with atypical Usher syndrome

Atypical Usher syndrome (USH) is poorly defined with a broad clinical spectrum. Here, we characterize the clinical phenotype of disease caused by variants in CEP78, CEP250, ARSG, and ABHD12.Chart review evaluating demographic, clinical, imaging, and genetic findings of 19 patients from 18 families with a clinical diagnosis of retinal disease and confirmed disease-causing variants in CEP78, CEP250, ARSG, or ABHD12.CEP78-related disease included sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) in 6/7 patients and demonstrated a broad phenotypic spectrum including: vascular attenuation, pallor of the optic disc, intraretinal pigment, retinal pigment epithelium mottling, areas of mid-peripheral hypo-autofluorescence, outer retinal atrophy, mild pigmentary changes in the macula, foveal hypo-autofluorescence, and granularity of the ellipsoid zone. Nonsense and frameshift variants in CEP250 showed mild retinal disease with progressive, non-congenital SNHL. ARSG variants resulted in a characteristic pericentral pattern of hypo-autofluorescence with one patient reporting non-congenital SNHL. ABHD12-related disease showed rod-cone dystrophy with macular involvement, early and severe decreased best corrected visual acuity, and non-congenital SNHL ranging from unreported to severe.This study serves to expand the clinical phenotypes of atypical USH. Given the variable findings, atypical USH should be considered in patients with peripheral and macular retinal disease even without the typical RP phenotype especially when SNHL is noted. Additionally, genetic screening may be useful in patients who have clinical symptoms and retinal findings even in the absence of known SNHL given the variability of atypical USH.

Characterization of the Spectrum of Ophthalmic Changes in Patients With Alagille Syndrome

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to characterize the phenotypic spectrum of ophthalmic findings in patients with Alagille syndrome.

Methods

We conducted a retrospective, observational, multicenter, study on 46 eyes of 23 subjects with Alagille syndrome. We reviewed systemic and ophthalmologic data extracted from medical records, color fundus photography, fundus autofluorescence, optical coherence tomography, visual fields, electrophysiological assessments, and molecular genetic findings.

Results

Cardiovascular abnormalities were found in 83% of all cases (of those, 74% had cardiac murmur), whereas 61% had a positive history of hepatobiliary issues, and musculoskeletal anomalies were present in 61% of all patients. Dysmorphic facies were present in 16 patients, with a broad forehead being the most frequent feature. Ocular symptoms were found in 91%, with peripheral vision loss being the most frequent complaint. Median (range) Snellen visual acuity of all eyes was 20/25 (20/20 to hand motion [HM]). Anterior segment abnormalities were present in 74% of the patients; of those, posterior embryotoxon was the most frequent finding. Abnormalities of the optic disc were found in 52%, and peripheral retinal abnormalities were the most frequent ocular finding in this series, found in 96% of all patients. Fifteen JAG1 mutations were identified in 16 individuals; of those, 6 were novel.

Conclusions

This study reports a cohort of patients with Alagille syndrome in which peripheral chorioretinal changes were more frequent than posterior embryotoxon, the most frequent ocular finding according to a number of previous studies. We propose that these peripheral chorioretinal changes are a new hallmark to help diagnose this syndrome.

Examining Whether AOSLO-Based Foveal Cone Metrics in Achromatopsia and Albinism Are Representative of Foveal Cone Structure

Purpose

Adaptive optics scanning light ophthalmoscopy (AOSLO) imaging in patients with achromatopsia (ACHM) and albinism is not always successful. Here, we tested whether optical coherence tomography (OCT) measures of foveal structure differed between patients for whom AOSLO images were either quantifiable or unquantifiable.

Methods

The study included 166 subjects (84 with ACHM; 82 with albinism) with previously acquired OCT scans, AOSLO images, and best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA, if available). Foveal OCT scans were assessed for outer retinal structure, outer nuclear layer thickness, and hypoplasia. AOSLO images were graded as quantifiable if a peak cone density could be measured and/or usable if the location of peak density could be identified and the parafoveal mosaic was quantifiable.

Results

Forty-nine percent of subjects with ACHM and 57% of subjects with albinism had quantifiable AOSLO images. Older age and better BCVA were found in subjects with quantifiable AOSLO images for both ACHM (P = 0.0214 and P = 0.0276, respectively) and albinism (P = 0.0073 and P < 0.0004, respectively). There was a significant trend between ellipsoid zone appearance and ability to quantify AOSLO (P = 0.0028). In albinism, OCT metrics of cone structure did not differ between groups.

Conclusions

Previously reported AOSLO-based cone density measures in ACHM may not necessarily reflect the degree of remnant cone structure in these patients.

Translational Relevance

Until AOSLO is successful in all patients with ACHM and albinism, the possibility of the reported data from a particular cohort not being representative of the entire population remains an important issue to consider when interpreting results from AOSLO studies.

LEBER CONGENITAL AMAUROSIS DUE TO CEP290 MUTATIONS-SEVERE VISION IMPAIRMENT WITH A HIGH UNMET MEDICAL NEED: A Review

PURPOSE

Leber congenital amaurosis due to CEP290 mutations (LCA10) is an inherited retinal disease that often results in severe visual impairment or blindness in early childhood. Currently, there are no approved treatments, highlighting the considerable unmet medical need associated with LCA10. We aimed to review the clinical characteristics of LCA10, its impact on patients and society, and the investigational treatment strategies currently in development.

METHODS

Review of the current literature.

RESULTS

LCA10 is an autosomal recessive ciliopathy, for which the CEP290 intronic variant c.2991+1655A>G (p.Cys998X) is the most common mutation. Usually diagnosed in early childhood, most patients with LCA10 have severe visual impairment during their first decade of life, which significantly affects the quality of life and development. LCA10 also has a significant societal burden (direct and indirect costs). RNA editing using antisense oligonucleotides or Staphylococcus aureus CRISPR-associated protein-9 nuclease is currently under investigation for treatment of p.Cys998X LCA10. Specifically, the antisense oligonucleotide therapy QR-110 (sepofarsen) has demonstrated encouraging safety and efficacy data in a first-in-human trial; a phase 3 clinical trial is ongoing.

CONCLUSION

Interventions that can preserve or improve vision in patients with LCA10 have considerable potential to improve the patient quality of life and reduce burden of disease.

Usher Syndrome in the Inner Ear: Etiologies and Advances in Gene Therapy

Hearing loss is the most common sensory disorder with ~466 million people worldwide affected, representing about 5% of the population. A substantial portion of hearing loss is genetic. Hearing loss can either be non-syndromic, if hearing loss is the only clinical manifestation, or syndromic, if the hearing loss is accompanied by a collage of other clinical manifestations. Usher syndrome is a syndromic form of genetic hearing loss that is accompanied by impaired vision associated with retinitis pigmentosa and, in many cases, vestibular dysfunction. It is the most common cause of deaf-blindness. Currently cochlear implantation or hearing aids are the only treatments for Usher-related hearing loss. However, gene therapy has shown promise in treating Usher-related retinitis pigmentosa. Here we review how the etiologies of Usher-related hearing loss make it a good candidate for gene therapy and discuss how various forms of gene therapy could be applied to Usher-related hearing loss.

Multimorbidity patterns and their relationship to mortality in the US older adult population

Background

Understanding patterns of multimorbidity in the US older adult population and their relationship with mortality is important for reducing healthcare utilization and improving health. Previous investigations measured multimorbidity as counts of conditions rather than specific combination of conditions.

Methods

This cross-sectional study with longitudinal mortality follow-up employed latent class analysis (LCA) to develop clinically meaningful subgroups of participants aged 50 and older with different combinations of 13 chronic conditions from the National Health Interview Survey 2002–2014. Mortality linkage with National Death Index was performed through December 2015 for 166,126 participants. Survival analyses were conducted to assess the relationships between LCA classes and all-cause mortality and cause specific mortalities.

Results

LCA identified five multimorbidity groups with primary characteristics: “healthy” (51.5%), “age-associated chronic conditions” (33.6%), “respiratory conditions” (7.3%), “cognitively impaired” (4.3%) and “complex cardiometabolic” (3.2%). Covariate-adjusted survival analysis indicated “complex cardiometabolic” class had the highest mortality with a Hazard Ratio (HR) of 5.30, 99.5% CI [4.52, 6.22]; followed by “cognitively impaired” class (3.34 [2.93, 3.81]); “respiratory condition” class (2.14 [1.87, 2.46]); and “age-associated chronic conditions” class (1.81 [1.66, 1.98]). Patterns of multimorbidity classes were strongly associated with the primary underlying cause of death. The “cognitively impaired” class reported similar number of conditions compared to the “respiratory condition” class but had significantly higher mortality (3.8 vs 3.7 conditions, HR = 1.56 [1.32, 1.85]).

Conclusion

We demonstrated that LCA method is effective in classifying clinically meaningful multimorbidity subgroup. Specific combinations of conditions including cognitive impairment and depressive symptoms have a substantial detrimental impact on the mortality of older adults. The numbers of chronic conditions experienced by older adults is not always proportional to mortality risk. Our findings provide valuable information for identifying high risk older adults with multimorbidity to facilitate early intervention to treat chronic conditions and reduce mortality.

Optical Coherence Tomography Artifacts Are Associated With Adaptive Optics Scanning Light Ophthalmoscopy Success in Achromatopsia

Purpose

To determine whether artifacts in optical coherence tomography (OCT) images are associated with the success or failure of adaptive optics scanning light ophthalmoscopy (AOSLO) imaging in subjects with achromatopsia (ACHM).

Methods

Previously acquired OCT and non-confocal, split-detector AOSLO images from one eye of 66 subjects with genetically confirmed achromatopsia (15 CNGA3 and 51 CNGB3) were reviewed along with best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and axial length. OCT artifacts in interpolated vertical volumes from CIRRUS macular cubes were divided into four categories: (1) none or minimal, (2) clear and low frequency, (3) low amplitude and high frequency, and (4) high amplitude and high frequency. Each vertical volume was assessed once by two observers. AOSLO success was defined as sufficient image quality in split-detector images at the fovea to assess cone quantity.

Results

There was excellent agreement between the two observers for assessing OCT artifact severity category (weighted kappa = 0.88). Overall, AOSLO success was 47%. For subjects with OCT artifact severity category 1, AOSLO success was 65%; for category 2, 47%; for category 3, 11%; and for category 4, 0%. There was a significant association between OCT artifact severity category and AOSLO success (P = 0.0002). Neither BCVA nor axial length was associated with AOSLO success (P = 0.07 and P = 0.75, respectively).

Conclusions

Artifacts in OCT volumes are associated with AOSLO success in ACHM. Subjects with less severe OCT artifacts are more likely to be good candidates for AOSLO imaging, whereas AOSLO was successful in only 7% of subjects with category 3 or 4 OCT artifacts. These results may be useful in guiding patient selection for AOSLO imaging.

Translational Relevance

Using OCT to prescreen patients could be a valuable tool for clinical trials that utilize AOSLO to reduce costs and decrease patient testing burden.

Sixth Cranial Nerve Palsy as the Presenting Sign of Metastatic Cholangiocarcinoma

Background

Cholangiocarcinoma is a locally invasive, poorly treatable malignancy of the biliary tract that uncommonly metastasizes to the brain and rarely causes neuro-ophthalmologic complications.

Case Presentation

A 34-year-old woman with an isolated sixth cranial nerve palsy underwent brain neuroimaging and was found to have a large sellar/suprasellar mass invading the cavernous sinus. Gross total resection was performed with improvement in the sixth cranial nerve nerve palsy. Next-generation sequencing and histology studies revealed an adenocarcinoma with a fibroblast growth factor receptor (FGFR)2-BICC1 gene mutation. Positron emission tomography/computed tomography scan demonstrated a large hypermetabolic partially necrotic hepatic mass with local invasion, and liver biopsy confirmed a diagnosis of cholangiocarcinoma. At three weeks after resection, the brain lesion recurred and the patient developed worsening diplopia. The patient then received stereotactic radiotherapy applied to the brain lesion and began treatment with gemcitabine and cisplatin. The patient was transitioned to FGFR-targeted therapy with pemigatinib, and the patient was alive at last follow-up, 49 weeks after diagnosis.

Conclusion

To our knowledge, this is the first report of cholangiocarcinoma presenting as a neuro-ophthalmologic finding, consisting of an isolated sixth cranial nerve palsy, which was the harbinger of a brain metastatic sellar/suprasellar mass. The case highlights the importance of prompt neuroimaging in isolated cranial nerve palsies, particularly in younger patients, and consideration of rare aggressive metastasis to the sellar region, where prompt surgery and pathology are critical in identifying the primary carcinoma and to instituting expedited therapy.

Patterns of Chronic Conditions and Their Association With Visual Impairment and Health Care Use

Importance

Visual impairment and visual disorders often co-occur with other chronic conditions. Understanding patterns of multimorbidity is important for reducing health care use and improving health outcomes.

Objective

To identify chronic condition patterns and their association with visual impairment and health care use in a nationally representative sample.

Design, Setting, and Participants

This cross-sectional study used National Health Interview Survey data for 387 780 individuals aged 18 years and older, representative of the civilian noninstitutionalized US population, from January 1, 2002, to December 31, 2014. Statistical analysis was performed from June to November 2018.

Exposures

Participants were classified in subgroups with different combinations of self-reported chronic conditions using latent class analysis.

Main Outcomes and Measures

Self-reported visual impairment, emergency department visit, and hospitalization use in the previous 12 months.

Results

Among the 387 780 individuals included in the study, 51.8% were female, 77.6% were white, and the mean (SD) age was 46.2 (18.0) years. Latent class analysis identified 5 different classes, with 70.5% of the participants belonging to the healthy group. The other 4 groups represented various degrees and patterns of multimorbidity. The hypertensive group (19.6%) had a high prevalence of hypertension (62.6%), the respiratory conditions group (4.4%) had a high prevalence of emphysema (47.7%) and asthma (45.6%), the heart disease group (3.6%) had high prevalence of coronary heart disease (69.8%), and the severely impaired group (1.8%) had higher prevalence of most conditions compared with the other groups. In the adjusted analysis, compared with the healthy group, participants in all 4 disease groups had elevated risk of visual impairment: heart condition group (odds ratio [OR], 3.19; 95% CI, 2.92-3.48), hypertensive group (OR, 3.28; 95% CI, 3.10-3.48), respiratory condition group (OR, 3.87; 95% CI, 3.56-4.20), and severely impaired group (OR, 10.19; 95% CI, 9.20-11.28). All 4 disease groups had elevated risk of reporting emergency department use and hospitalization. For the severely impaired group, the OR for emergency department use was 9.39 (95% CI, 8.53-10.34), and the OR for hospitalization was 10.80 (95% CI, 9.80-11.92).

Conclusions and Relevance

In this study, individuals in all 4 multimorbidity groups had an elevated risk of visual impairment and health care use compared with the healthy group. Characteristics of high-risk groups identified by this study may help in the development and implementation of interventions to avert the more serious consequences of having multiple chronic conditions.

Interocular Symmetry of Foveal Cone Topography in Congenital Achromatopsia

Purpose: To determine the interocular symmetry of foveal cone topography in achromatopsia (ACHM) using non-confocal split-detection adaptive optics scanning light ophthalmoscopy (AOSLO). Methods: Split-detector AOSLO images of the foveal cone mosaic were acquired from both eyes of 26 subjects (mean age 24.3 years; range 8-44 years, 14 females) with genetically confirmed CNGA3- or CNGB3-associated ACHM. Cones were identified within a manually delineated rod-free zone. Peak cone density (PCD) was determined using an 80 × 80 μm sampling window within the rod-free zone. The mean and standard deviation (SD) of inter-cell distance (ICD) were calculated to derive the coefficient of variation (CV). Cone density difference maps were generated to compare cone topography between eyes. Results: PCD (mean ± SD) was 17,530 ± 9,614 cones/mm2 and 17,638 ± 9,753 cones/mm2 for right and left eyes, respectively (p = .677, Wilcoxon test). The mean (± SD) for ICD was 9.05 ± 2.55 µm and 9.24 ± 2.55 µm for right and left eyes, respectively (p = .410, paired t-test). The mean (± SD) for CV of ICD was 0.16 ± 0.03 µm and 0.16 ± 0.04 µm for right and left eyes, respectively (p = .562, paired t-test). Cone density maps demonstrated that cone topography of the ACHM fovea is non-uniform with local variations in cone density between eyes. Conclusions: These results demonstrate the interocular symmetry of the foveal cone mosaic (both density and packing) in ACHM. As cone topography can differ between eyes of a subject, PCD does not completely describe the foveal cone mosaic in ACHM. Nonetheless, these findings are of value in longitudinal monitoring of patients during treatment trials and further suggest that both eyes of a given subject may have similar therapeutic potential and non-study eye can be used as a control.

Electroretinogram Recording for Infants and Children under Anesthesia to Achieve Optimal Dark Adaptation and International Standards

Electroretinogram (ERG) is the only clinical objective test available to assess retinal function. Full-field ERG (ffERG) measures the panretinal rod and cone photoreceptor function as well as inner retinal function and is an important measure in the diagnosis and management of inherited retinal diseases as well as inflammatory, toxic, and nutritional retinopathies. Adhering to international standards and maintaining retinal dark adaptation are critical to acquire valid and reliable dark-adapted (scotopic) and light-adapted (photopic) ffERG responses. Performing ffERG in infants and children is challenging and often requires general anesthesia in the operating room. However, maintaining retinal dark adaptation in the operating room is becoming increasingly difficult given the numerous light sources from anesthesiology monitoring systems and other equipment. A practical and widely applicable method for ffERG testing is described in the operating room that optimizes retinal dark adaptation. The method reduces operating room time by dark-adapting the patient before general anesthesiology is instituted. The operating room is modified for dark adaptation and any remaining light source in the darkened operating room is minimized with the use of a modified portable foldable darkroom that encloses the patient's head and the ERG examiner during ffERG scotopic recordings. The simple method adheres to ffERG international standards and provides valid reliable scotopic and photopic ffERG recordings that are critical to assess objective retinal function in this young age group where subjective assessment of visual function such as visual acuity and visual fields are not possible. Furthermore, the ffERG is the gold standard clinical test in detecting early onset inherited retinal diseases including Leber congenital amaurosis where approved gene therapy has become available. In sedated conditions, very low amplitude ffERG signals can be detected due to minimal orbicularis muscle activity interference, which is particularly relevant in patients after gene therapy to detect improved amplitude responses.

Steroid-sparing maintenance immunotherapy for MOG-IgG associated disorder

OBJECTIVE

Myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein-immunoglobulin G (MOG-IgG) associated disorder (MOGAD) often manifests with recurrent CNS demyelinating attacks. The optimal treatment for reducing relapses is unknown. To help determine the efficacy of long-term immunotherapy in preventing relapse in patients with MOGAD, we conducted a multicenter retrospective study to determine the rate of relapses on various treatments.

METHODS

We determined the frequency of relapses in patients receiving various forms of long-term immunotherapy for MOGAD. Inclusion criteria were history of ≥1 CNS demyelinating attacks, MOG-IgG seropositivity, and immunotherapy for ≥6 months. Patients were reviewed for CNS demyelinating attacks before and during long-term immunotherapy.

RESULTS

Seventy patients were included. The median age at initial CNS demyelinating attack was 29 years (range 3-61 years; 33% <18 years), and 59% were female. The median annualized relapse rate (ARR) before treatment was 1.6. On maintenance immunotherapy, the proportion of patients with relapse was as follows: mycophenolate mofetil 74% (14 of 19; ARR 0.67), rituximab 61% (22 of 36; ARR 0.59), azathioprine 59% (13 of 22; ARR 0.2), and IV immunoglobulin (IVIG) 20% (2 of 10; ARR 0). The overall median ARR on these 4 treatments was 0.3. All 9 patients treated with multiple sclerosis (MS) disease-modifying agents had a breakthrough relapse on treatment (ARR 1.5).

CONCLUSION

This large retrospective multicenter study of patients with MOGAD suggests that maintenance immunotherapy reduces recurrent CNS demyelinating attacks, with the lowest ARR being associated with maintenance IVIG therapy. Traditional MS disease-modifying agents appear to be ineffective. Prospective randomized controlled studies are required to validate these conclusions.

Chronic condition patterns in the US population and their association with health related quality of life

This study aims to identify chronic disease patterns and their relationship to health-related quality of life (HRQL) in the US population. This cross-sectional study used data from 86,745 participants aged 18 years and older of the Medical Expenditure Panel Survey (MEPS) 2010-2015, we employed latent class analysis (LCA) to identify subgroups of participants with different combinations of 23 chronic conditions which had medical utilization during the past 12 months. Derived chronic condition latent classes were used to predict the 12-Item Short Form Survey physical component score (PCS), mental component score (MCS) in addition to overall HRQL (SF-6D) while controlling for covariates. LCA identified five unique multi-morbidity groups: "healthy" (62.5%), "vascular risk" (18.9%), "anxiety" (12.2%), "heart disease" (2.9%), and "severely-impaired" (3.5%). Covariate-adjusted mean SF-6D scores varied significantly among classes: healthy (0.85), vascular risk (0.77), anxiety (0.67), heart disease group (0.65), and severely-impaired (0.56). The anxiety group, proportionately younger and female, had high PCS (46.3) but low MCS (41.9). The heart disease group, although older and in poor physical health (PCS = 33.2), had higher MCS scores (46.9). Our results demonstrate multi-morbidity significantly impacts HRQL. The relationship between physical and mental health functioning varied across different multi-morbidity groups, and the discordance was more pronounced in younger ages and females. Our research also identified an older age group that was mentally robust and maintained a strong HRQL. Findings can inform the development of targeted interventions to improve physical and mental health functioning in vulnerable populations.

Non-invasive Assessment of Central Retinal Artery Pressure: Age and Posture-dependent Changes

Purpose: Assessment of Ocular Perfusion Pressure (OPP) requires estimation of the Mean Central Retinal Artery Pressure (MCRAP) [OPP = MCRAP-IOP]. In a seated position, MCRAP is currently estimated as 2/3 of the Mean Arterial Pressure (MAP) to account for the hydrostatic reduction of MAP at eye level. We tested a surrogate method for direct MCRAP assessment by measuring MAP with Arm-Up and cuff at eye level (AUMAP) at different postures and ages. Methods: MAP and AUMAP were assessed in a mixed population of 136 subjects (mean age 44 ± 17.39 years) including healthy participants (N = 30) and patients with optic neuropathies (Glaucoma suspects, N = 14; Open-Angle Glaucoma, N = 26, LHON, N = 19; MS, N = 47) not expected to alter systemic blood pressure. None of the subjects had history of carotid stenosis or pharmacological treatment to regulate blood pressure. AUMAP was also tested in two subgroups in supine (N = 42) and -10° Head Down body Tilt position (HDT, N = 46). Results: In the seated position, both 2/3MAP and AUMAP increased with increasing age, however with steeper (2x) slope for AUMAP (P < .0001). With decreasing angle of body tilt, AUMAP increased while MAP decreased. The mean AUMAP/MAP ratio (posture coefficient) was, seated, 0.73 (SE 0.003); supine, 0.90 (SE 0.005); HDT, 0.97 (SE 0.005). In the seated position only, the AUMAP/MAP ratio significantly increased with age (P < .0001). Mean posture coefficients obtained with AUMAP were in the range of those based on either direct ophthalmodynamometric measurements or hydrostatic estimations. Conclusions: Surrogate measurement of MCRAP in individual subjects is feasible using the simple AUMAP approach that provides a straightforward estimation of OPP (OPP = AUMAP - IOP) at different body postures. The standard method OPP = 2/3*MAP-IOP in the seated posture underestimates OPP at older ages. Clinical estimation of OPP would benefit from the use of AUMAP, in particular for head-down postures.

X-linked peripheral retinoschisis without macular involvement: a case series with RS1 genetic confirmation

Background: Juvenile X-linked Retinoschisis (JXLRS) is a hereditary retinopathy that commonly presents with macular retinoschisis. In this study, we describe a group of patients who presented with peripheral retinoschisis with no macular schisis.Materials and Methods: A retrospective case series of three JXLRS patients with genetically confirmed RS1 genotypes was identified. Presence of macular and/or peripheral retinoschisis as assessed by optical coherence tomography (OCT), wide-field fluorescein angiography, clinical ophthalmoscopy, and color fundus photography.Results: The eyes of the three JXLRS patients with peripheral retinoschisis had no macular schisis or atrophy on OCT. ERG was available in one patient and showed no reduced b-waves on scotopic combined rod-cone response.Conclusions: RS1 mutations can cause a macular-sparing JXLRS phenotype. The diagnosis of JXLRS should be considered for young males presenting with peripheral retinoschisis even if there is no evidence of macular schisis.

Initial results from a first-in-human gene therapy trial on X-linked retinitis pigmentosa caused by mutations in RPGR

Retinal gene therapy has shown great promise in treating retinitis pigmentosa (RP), a primary photoreceptor degeneration that leads to severe sight loss in young people. In the present study, we report the first-in-human phase 1/2, dose-escalation clinical trial for X-linked RP caused by mutations in the RP GTPase regulator (RPGR) gene in 18 patients over up to 6 months of follow-up (https://clinicaltrials.gov/: NCT03116113). The primary outcome of the study was safety, and secondary outcomes included visual acuity, microperimetry and central retinal thickness. Apart from steroid-responsive subretinal inflammation in patients at the higher doses, there were no notable safety concerns after subretinal delivery of an adeno-associated viral vector encoding codon-optimized human RPGR (AAV8-coRPGR), meeting the pre-specified primary endpoint. Visual field improvements beginning at 1 month and maintained to the last point of follow-up were observed in six patients.

Effect of Oral Valproic Acid vs Placebo for Vision Loss in Patients With Autosomal Dominant Retinitis Pigmentosa: A Randomized Phase 2 Multicenter Placebo-Controlled Clinical Trial

Importance

There are no approved drug treatments for autosomal dominant retinitis pigmentosa, a relentlessly progressive cause of adult and childhood blindness.

Objectives

To evaluate the potential efficacy and assess the safety of orally administered valproic acid (VPA) in the treatment of autosomal dominant retinitis pigmentosa.

Design, Setting, and Participants

Multicenter, phase 2, prospective, interventional, placebo-controlled, double-masked randomized clinical trial. The study took place in 6 US academic retinal degeneration centers. Individuals with genetically characterized autosomal dominant retinitis pigmentosa were randomly assigned to receive treatment or placebo for 12 months. Analyses were intention-to-treat.

Interventions

Oral VPA 500 mg to 1000 mg daily for 12 months or placebo.

Main Outcomes and Measures

The primary outcome measure was determined prior to study initiation as the change in visual field area (assessed by the III4e isopter, semiautomated kinetic perimetry) between baseline and month 12.

Results

The mean (SD) age of the 90 participants was 50.4 (11.6) years. Forty-four (48.9%) were women, 87 (96.7%) were white, and 79 (87.8%) were non-Hispanic. Seventy-nine participants (87.8%) completed the study (42 [95.5%] received placebo and 37 [80.4%] received VPA). Forty-two (46.7%) had a rhodopsin mutation. Most adverse events were mild, although 7 serious adverse events unrelated to VPA were reported. The difference between the VPA and placebo arms for mean change in the primary outcome was -150.43 degree2 (95% CI, -290.5 to -10.03; P = .035).

Conclusions and Relevance

This negative value indicates that the VPA arm had worse outcomes than the placebo group. This study brings to light the key methodological considerations that should be applied to the rigorous evaluation of treatments for these conditions. This study does not provide support for the use of VPA in the treatment of autosomal dominant retinitis pigmentosa.

Trial Registration

ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT01233609.