Visual outcomes following cataract surgery in age-related macular degeneration patients

Long Term Visual Outcomes of an Extended Macular Vision IOL in Eyes with Macular Disease and Visually Insignificant Cataract

Purpose

To determine long-term efficacy and safety of an extended macular vision intraocular lens (IOL) implanted in patients with dry age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and visually insignificant cataracts.

Design

Retrospective observational case series.

Setting

MicroChirurgia Oculare, Italy.

Methods

A retrospective case series of patients with dry AMD and visually insignificant cataracts undergoing phacoemulsification and implantation of an extended macular vision IOL designed to optimize image quality up to 10° from the foveal center (EyeMax Mono, Sharpview Ophthalmology, London, UK). Criteria for implantation were visually insignificant cataract (NC1 according to LOCS III classification) with dry age-related macular degeneration. Hypermetropia was targeted in most eyes to provide magnification when corrected with spectacles. Primary outcome measures were changes in corrected distant and secondary outcome measures included near visual acuity (CDVA and CNVA, respectively) between baseline and latest follow-up and safety outcomes.

Results

113 eyes of 86 patients (mean age 70.3±7.9 years) were included (mean follow-up: 48.3±25.1 months). Mean CDVA improved by 0.22 logMAR (11 ETDRS letters), from 0.53±0.4 to 0.31±0.3 (n=113, p<0.001). Similarly, mean CNVA improved by 0.08 logMAR (4 ETDRS letters), from 0.45±0.2 to 0.37±0.2 (n=77, p<0.001). Eleven eyes had AMD with extensive atrophy, and their mean CDVA improved by 0.32 logMAR (16 ETDRS letters). Three eyes (2.7%) experienced loss of more than one line in logMAR CDVA and four eyes (5.2%) experienced loss of more than one line in logMAR CNVA. No complications or instances of IOL exchange were reported.

Conclusion

Visual improvement in eyes with visually insignificant cataract and AMD who underwent phacoemulsification and were implanted with EyeMax Mono IOL appears to be influenced by the IOL optical design. Vision enhancement in eyes with visually insignificant cataracts underscores the IOL's ability to optimize use of healthy retinal areas. Prospective studies with control groups are needed to confirm these findings.

Cataract Surgery in nAMD Patients Receiving Intravitreal Aflibercept Injections

Background: To evaluate functional and anatomical outcomesof cataract surgery in neovascular age-related macular neovascularization (nAMD) eyes receiving anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF) intravitreal injections in modified pro re nata (PRN) regimen. Materials and Methods: Sixty eyes of 60 nAMD patients, including 41 women (68.3%) and 19 men (31.7%) in an average age of 77.35 ± 6.41 years, under treatment with intravitreal aflibercept injections in modified PRN regimen with no signs of macular neovascularization (MNV) activity during two consecutive visits were included in this prospective, observational study. Best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), central retinal thickness (CRT), as well as the number of anti-VEGF injections were monitored six months before and after phacoemulsification with intraocular lens (IOL) implantation. Further, the change of the abovementioned parameters was assessed during the six-month follow-up period for CRT and the number of injections, while the BCVA was monitored for 54 months. Results: BCVA measured on the first day after surgery (0.17 ± 0.19 logMAR) as well as in the six-month post-surgery (0.13 ± 0.16 logMAR) significantly improved compared to preop values (0.42 ± 0.20 logMAR). BCVA remains stable during the observational period. We found that both differences were statistically significant (p < 0.01). The mean CRT and the mean number of injections did not differ between the six-month pre- and post-surgical periods. Conclusions: We showed the beneficial effect of phacoemulsification in nAMD patients treated with anti-VEGF agents on visual outcomes in the short and long term. Cataract surgery in nAMD eyes treated with anti-VEGF injections does not increase the frequency of anti-VEGF injections and does not cause deterioration of the macular status.

Optical coherence tomography imaging biomarkers associated with neovascular age-related macular degeneration: a systematic review

The aim of this systematic literature review is twofold, (1) detail the impact of retinal biomarkers identifiable via optical coherence tomography (OCT) on disease progression and response to treatment in neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD) and (2) establish which biomarkers are currently identifiable by artificial intelligence (AI) models and the utilisation of this technology. Following the PRISMA guidelines, PubMed was searched for peer-reviewed publications dated between January 2016 and January 2022.

POPULATION

Patients diagnosed with nAMD with OCT imaging.

SETTINGS

Comparable settings to NHS hospitals.

STUDY DESIGNS

Randomised controlled trials, prospective/retrospective cohort studies and review articles. From 228 articles, 130 were full-text reviewed, 50 were removed for falling outside the scope of this review with 10 added from the author's inventory, resulting in the inclusion of 90 articles. From 9 biomarkers identified; intraretinal fluid (IRF), subretinal fluid, pigment epithelial detachment, subretinal hyperreflective material (SHRM), retinal pigmental epithelial (RPE) atrophy, drusen, outer retinal tabulation (ORT), hyperreflective foci (HF) and retinal thickness, 5 are considered pertinent to nAMD disease progression; IRF, SHRM, drusen, ORT and HF. A number of these biomarkers can be classified using current AI models. Significant retinal biomarkers pertinent to disease activity and progression in nAMD are identifiable via OCT; IRF being the most important in terms of the significant impact on visual outcome. Incorporating AI into ophthalmology practice is a promising advancement towards automated and reproducible analyses of OCT data with the ability to diagnose disease and predict future disease conversion.

SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION

This review has been registered with PROSPERO (registration ID: CRD42021233200).

Management of Cataract in Patients with Age-Related Macular Degeneration

Cataract and age-related macular degeneration (AMD) are two of the most common eye diseases of aging. This review addresses the pre-operative, intra-operative, and post-operative considerations in managing cataract in patients with age-related macular degeneration. Surgery for visually significant cataracts in patients with AMD can substantially improve the quality of life and reduce the risk of falls. Pre-operative optical coherence tomography is now recommended where possible to identify pre-existing macula disease. Careful counselling of patients is required before cataract surgery, especially with respect to the expected visual outcome, intraocular lens choice and potential risks of surgery. Real-world data has suggested 6 months of intravitreal anti-VEGF therapy for neovascular AMD before cataract surgery is compatible with optimum long-term visual outcomes. Patients receiving intravitreal therapy for neovascular AMD should be advised of the slightly higher risk of intraoperative complications and the surgeon should be prepared to manage these during the operation. During cataract surgery, unnecessary light exposure should be avoided to reduce phototoxicity. Careful planning of intravitreal therapy for neovascular AMD just before cataract surgery allows the eye greater recovery time in the post-operative period before further planned intravitreal therapy.