Time to clinically significant visual acuity gains after ranibizumab treatment for retinal vein occlusion: BRAVO and CRUISE trials

Association between time to treatment and outcome in branch retinal vein occlusion

PURPOSE

To investigate the association between the time from onset to initial treatment and changes in visual acuity or the number of treatments in patients with branch retinal vein occlusion (BVO).

DESIGN

Retrospective.

METHODS

Thirty-nine eyes of 39 consecutive patients with untreated acute-phase BVO who visited the University of Tokyo Hospital and were followed up for at least one year were included. The patients were initially treated with anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) therapy and additional pro re nata therapy within six months of onset. The patients were classified according to the time from disease onset to the first treatment (group A: 28 days or less, group B: over 28 days).

RESULTS

The mean (SD) age was 73 ± 8 years, and 19 patients were male. The mean (SD) time to the first treatment was 31.6 ± 17.9 days. The mean (SD) logMAR visual acuity at first treatment was 0.37 ± 0.30. After 12 months of treatment, the mean (SD) logMAR change was - 0.15 ± 0.23, and the mean number (SD) of treatments was 3.1 ± 1.7. No significant association was observed between the timing of treatment initiation and changes in logMAR visual acuity. Patients in group A and central macular thickness at the initial visit were independently associated with the greater number of treatments at one year (p = 0.03 and p = 0.01, respectively).

CONCLUSIONS

At one year, the time between onset and the start of anti-VEGF therapy for BVO was not associated with subsequent visual acuity changes. Meanwhile, it may have significant association with the number of treatments.

Soul: An OCTA dataset based on Human Machine Collaborative Annotation Framework

Branch retinal vein occlusion (BRVO) is the most prevalent retinal vascular disease that constitutes a threat to vision due to increased venous pressure caused by venous effluent in the space, leading to impaired visual function. Optical Coherence Tomography Angiography (OCTA) is an innovative non-invasive technique that offers high-resolution three-dimensional structures of retinal blood vessels. Most publicly available datasets are collected from single visits with different patients, encompassing various eye diseases for distinct tasks and areas. Moreover, due to the intricate nature of eye structure, professional labeling not only relies on the expertise of doctors but also demands considerable time and effort. Therefore, we have developed a BRVO-focused dataset named Soul (Source of ocular vascular) and propose a human machine collaborative annotation framework (HMCAF) using scrambled retinal blood vessels data. Soul is categorized into 6 subsets based on injection frequency and follow-up duration. The dataset comprises original images, corresponding blood vessel labels, and clinical text information sheets which can be effectively utilized when combined with machine learning.

Longitudinal changes in each retinal layer thickness in patients with non-ischemic central retinal vein occlusion

BACKGROUND

To identify longitudinal changes in each retinal layer thickness in central retinal vein occlusion (CRVO) patients with resolved macular edema (ME).

METHODS

In this retrospective observational study, CRVO patients without a recurrence of ME for more than 3 years and normal controls were enrolled. Each retinal layer thickness of the parafoveal area, including ganglion cell complex (GCC), inner nuclear layer (INL), outer plexiform layer (OPL), outer nuclear layer (ONL), photoreceptor layer (PRL), and retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) was measured. After the resolution of ME, three more examinations with a 1-year interval were analyzed.

RESULTS

A total of 98 eyes were enrolled, 50 eyes for the control group and 48 eyes for the CRVO group. The baseline GCC thickness was 114.2 ± 15.6 μm and 104.2 ± 25.4 μm in the control and CRVO groups, respectively, which was significantly different (P = 0.022). The thicknesses of other layers including INL, OPL, ONL, PRL, and RPE were not significantly different at baseline. The reduction rate of GCC, INL, OPL, and ONL was - 3.92, - 1.33, - 0.91, and - 2.31 μm/year in the CRVO group, whereas no significant reductions were observed in the control group. Best-corrected visual acuity was significantly associated with changes in the GCC, OPL, and ONL in the CRVO group.

CONCLUSIONS

In patients with CRVO, even in the absence of recurrent ME, retinal damage progresses over time, evidenced by thinning of the inner retina and outer retina including OPL and ONL. These changes may be associated with alterations in visual function.

Comparison of changes in number of hyperreflective dots after intravitreal ranibizumab or dexamethasone implant in patients with branch retinal vein occlusion

PURPOSE

To compare the effect of intravitreal ranibizumab (IVR) or intravitreal dexamethasone implants (IVD) on the regression of hyperreflective dots (HRDs) in patients with branch retinal vein occlusion (BRVO).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Thirty-seven eyes with cystoid macular edema who received IVR or IVD and followed up for at least 12 months were included in this study. The patients were divided into three Groups according to intravitreal treatments. Group 1 consisted of 12 eyes who received only IVD, Group 2 consisted of 10 eyes who received only IVR, and Group 3 consisted of 15 eyes who received both IVD and IVR. The number of HRDs and best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) were compared between the Groups through the follow-up time.

RESULTS

The mean number of HRDs in inner and outer retinal layers was significantly decreased in Group 1 and Group 3 (For Group 1; P < 0.001, P = 0.001, for Group 3; P < 0.001, P < 0.001). At the 1st year, the number of HRDs in inner and outer retinal layers was significantly lower in Group 1 and Group 3 than Group 2 (All P < 0.05). The BCVA was higher in Group 3 than Group 2 at 1st year (P = 0.048).

CONCLUSION

The HRDs should be considered inflammatory markers in the follow-up of CME in BRVO.

RETINAL VEIN OCCLUSIONS BEFORE AND DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC: Visual Outcomes and Treatment Patterns in a Country with no Mandatory Lockdown

PURPOSE

To investigate the incidence, treatment patterns, and visual outcomes in patients with branch retinal vein occlusion (RVO) and central RVO before and during the COVID-19 pandemic in a country with no mandatory lockdown.

METHODS

This retrospective study included 788 patients presenting with a RVO during the years 2019 to 2022 at St. Erik Eye Hospital. The control group and study groups consisted of patients presenting before and during the pandemic, respectively.

RESULTS

The incidence of diagnosed RVO cases decreased from 281 patients before the pandemic to 236 patients during the first year of the pandemic ( P < 0.05). In patients with branch RVO at the end of follow-up, the best-corrected visual acuity improved 10.3 letters (95% confidence intervals [CI] 7.6-12.9) in the control group compared with 14.3 letters (95% CI 12.6-16.0) in the study groups ( P < 0.05). In patients with central RVO, the best-corrected visual acuity improved 6.3 letters (95% CI 2.7-10.0) in the control group compared with 8.6 letters (95% CI 5.7-11.4) in the study groups (p = NS). Overall, the number of intravitreal anti-vascular endothelial growth factor injections increased from 7.0 (95% CI 6.6-7.3) in the control group to 7.6 (95% CI 7.4-7.8) in the study groups ( P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

Good visual and anatomical outcomes were sustained, and the number of intravitreal anti-vascular endothelial growth factor injections increased significantly in patients with RVO during the COVID-19 pandemic.

BALATON and COMINO: Phase III Randomized Clinical Trials of Faricimab for Retinal Vein Occlusion: Study Design and Rationale

Purpose

Dual inhibition of angiopoietin-2 and VEGF-A with faricimab (Vabysmo) offers excellent visual acuity gains with strong durability in patients with diabetic macular edema (ME) and neovascular age-related macular degeneration. The phase III BALATON/COMINO (NCT04740905/NCT04740931) trials will investigate the efficacy, safety, and durability of faricimab in patients with ME due to retinal vein occlusion (RVO).

Design

Two identically designed global, randomized, double-masked, active comparator-controlled studies.

Participants

Anti-VEGF treatment-naive patients with branch, central, or hemiretinal RVO.

Methods

Patients were randomized to 6 monthly injections of faricimab 6.0 mg or aflibercept 2.0 mg. From weeks 24 to 72, all patients received faricimab 6.0 mg administered in up to 16-week intervals using an automated treatment algorithm to generate a treat-and-extend-based personalized treatment interval dosing regimen. Personalized treatment interval adjustments were based on changes in central subfield thickness (CST) and best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA).

Main Outcome Measures

Primary end point was noninferiority of faricimab versus aflibercept in mean change from baseline in BCVA (week 24; noninferiority margin: 4 letters). Secondary end points (weeks 0-24) were mean change from baseline in BCVA, CST, and National Eye Institute Visual Function Questionnaire 25 composite score; proportion of patients gaining or avoiding loss of ≥ 15/≥ 10/≥ 5/> 0 letters. Secondary end points (weeks 24-72) were treatment durability (week 68); continuation of weeks 0 to 24 end points. Ocular/nonocular adverse events will be assessed.

Results

In total, 1282 patients across 22 countries were enrolled (BALATON, 553 patients, 149 centers; COMINO, 729 patients, 193 centers).

Conclusions

Using a novel automated interval algorithm, BALATON/COMINO will evaluate the efficacy and safety of faricimab for ME secondary to RVO and provide key insights into how to personalize treatment.

Financial Disclosures

Proprietary or commercial disclosure may be found in the Footnotes and Disclosures at the end of this article.

Longitudinal Assessment of the Choroidal Vascularity Index in Eyes with Branch Retinal Vein Occlusion-Associated Cystoid Macular Edema

INTRODUCTION

Cystoid macular edema (CME) is the most common cause of central vision loss in eyes with branch retinal vein occlusion (BRVO eyes). In recent literature, choroidal vascularity index (CVI) has been proposed to be an enhanced depth imaging optical coherence tomography (EDI-OCT) metric that may help characterize choroidal vascular changes in the setting of retinal ischemia, and potentially prognose visual outcomes and treatment patterns for patients with BRVO-related CME. This study sought to further characterize choroidal vascular changes in BRVO by comparing the CVI, subfoveal choroidal thickness (SFCT), and central subfield thickness (CST) in BRVO eyes with CME compared to unaffected fellow eyes.

METHODS

This was a retrospective cohort study. Subjects included treatment-naïve BRVO eyes with CME diagnosed within 3 months of onset of symptoms and unaffected fellow eyes. EDI-OCT images were collected at baseline and at the 12-month follow-up visit. CVI, SFCT, and CST were measured. Demographics, treatment patterns, and best-corrected visual acuity (VA) were abstracted. Median CVI, SFCT, CST, and VA were compared between the two cohorts. Longitudinal relationships between these variables were analyzed.

RESULTS

A total of 52 treatment-naïve eyes with BRVO and CME and 48 unaffected fellow eyes were identified. Baseline CVI was lower in eyes with BRVO than in fellow eyes (64.7% vs. 66.4%, P = 0.003). At 12 months, there was no difference in CVI between BRVO eyes and fellow eyes (65.7% vs 65.8%, P = 0.536). In BRVO eyes, there was a strong correlation between reduced CST and improved VA over the 12-month study period (r = 0.671, P < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

There are differences in CVI in treatment-naïve BRVO eyes with CME at presentation compared to fellow eyes, but these differences resolve over time. Anatomic changes in macular thickness in BRVO eyes with CME may be correlated with VA outcomes.

Increased intraocular inflammation in retinal vein occlusion is independent of circulating immune mediators and is involved in retinal oedema

We aim to understand the link between systemic and intraocular levels of inflammatory mediators in treatment-naïve retinal vein occlusion (RVO) patients, and the relationship between inflammatory mediators and retinal pathologies. Twenty inflammatory mediators were measured in this study, including IL-17E, Flt-3 L, IL-3, IL-8, IL-33, MIP-3β, MIP-1α, GRO β, PD-L1, CD40L, IFN-β, G-CSF, Granzyme B, TRAIL, EGF, PDGF-AA, PDGF-AB/BB, TGF-α, VEGF, and FGFβ. RVO patients had significantly higher levels of Flt-3 L, IL-8, MIP-3β, GROβ, and VEGF, but lower levels of EGF in the aqueous humor than cataract controls. The levels of Flt-3 L, IL-3, IL-33, MIP-1α, PD-L1, CD40 L, G-CSF, TRAIL, PDGF-AB/BB, TGF-α, and VEGF were significantly higher in CRVO than in BRVO. KEGG pathway enrichment revealed that these mediators affected the PI3K-Akt, Ras, MAPK, and Jak/STAT signaling pathways. Protein-Protein Interaction (PPI) analysis showed that VEGF is the upstream cytokine that influences IL-8, G-CSF, and IL-33 in RVO. In the plasma, the level of GROβ was lower in RVO than in controls and no alterations were observed in other mediators. Retinal thickness [including central retinal thickness (CRT) and inner limiting membrane to inner plexiform layer (ILM-IPL)] positively correlated with the intraocular levels of Flt-3 L, IL-33, GROβ, PD-L1, G-CSF, and TGF-α. The size of the foveal avascular zone positively correlated with systemic factors, including the plasma levels of IL-17E, IL-33, INF-β, GROβ, Granzyme B, and FGFβ and circulating high/low-density lipids and total cholesterols. Our results suggest that intraocular inflammation in RVO is driven primarily by local factors but not circulating immune mediators. Intraocular inflammation may promote macular oedema through the PI3K-Akt, Ras, MAPK, and Jak/STAT signaling pathways in RVO. Systemic factors, including cytokines and lipid levels may be involved in retinal microvascular remodeling.

Binocular metamorphopsia in patients with branch retinal vein occlusion: a multi-center study

PURPOSE

The pathology of branch retinal vein occlusion (BRVO), a retinal circulatory disease, is related to monocular metamorphopsia-related vision impairment of the affected eyes, but the association of binocular metamorphopsia in such patients is unclear. This study aimed to examine the frequency of binocular metamorphopsia and its association with the clinical characteristics of patients with BRVO.

METHODS

A total of 87 patients who were treated for BRVO-associated macular edema (ME) were included in this study. At baseline and 1 and 3 months after the initiation of anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) treatment, we quantified metamorphopsia in the affected eyes and binocular metamorphopsia using the M-CHARTS^® diagnostic tool.

RESULTS

At baseline, 53 and 7 patients had metamorphopsia in the affected eyes and binocular metamorphopsia, respectively. Although the visual acuity improved significantly after the initiation of anti-VEGF treatment, the mean M-CHARTS score in the affected eyes did not change from the baseline score. At 3 months, 9 patients showed binocular metamorphopsia; it was significantly associated with metamorphopsia in the affected eyes with a 95% confidence interval of 0.021-0.122 (β = 0.306, p = 0.006).

CONCLUSION

Metamorphopsia in the affected eyes can cause binocular metamorphopsia in patients with BRVO-ME.

Acetazolamide and bevacizumab combination therapy versus bevacizumab monotherapy in macular edema secondary to retinal vein occlusion

PURPOSE

To determine and compare the efficacy of intravitreal bevacizumab (IVB) and oral acetazolamide (OA) combination therapy versus IVB monotherapy in patients with macular edema secondary to retinal vein occlusion (RVO).

METHODS

This randomized clinical trial included 54 eyes of 52 patients with RVO central macular thickness (CMT) of more than 300μm, and best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) between 20/400 and 20/40. Eligible patients were randomly assigned to two groups: (I) IVB and OA (250mg twice daily) combination therapy or (II) IVB monotherapy. Ocular injections were repeated monthly for up to three months; BCVA and CMT were measured monthly.

RESULTS

Both regimens resulted in significant reduction in CMT (534±150μm to 352±90μm in the IVB+OA group, P<0.001; and 580±175μm to 362±90μm in the IVB group, P<0.001); neither showed superiority in this regard. Likewise, BCVA showed significant improvement in both groups (0.87±0.56 to 0.53±0.28 LogMAR in the IVB+OA group, P=0.001; and 0.85±0.62 to 0.46±0.4 LogMAR in the IVB group, P<0.001), with no intergroup difference.

CONCLUSION

Addition of oral acetazolamide to IVB in eyes with macular edema secondary to RVO may not result in additional short-term benefits regarding functional and anatomical outcomes.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT05290948, registered on March 22, 2022. https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT05290948.

Combination intravitreal anti-vascular endothelial growth factor inhibitors and macular laser photocoagulation relative to intravitreal injection monotherapy in macular oedema secondary to retinal vein occlusion: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES

This meta-analysis investigates the efficacy and safety of intravitreal anti-VEGF injections (IVI) compared to combination laser photocoagulation and IVI (LPC-IVI) in treating macular oedema secondary to retinal vein occlusion (RVO).

SUBJECTS/METHODS

A literature search of MEDLINE, EMBASE and Cochrane CENTRAL was conducted from inception until March 2021. Randomized controlled trials that reported relevant efficacy and/or safety parameters following LPC-IVI relative to IVI were included. Meta-analysis was conducted with a random effects model. The primary outcome was best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), while secondary outcomes were central macular thickness (CMT), central retinal thickness (CRT), central subfield thickness (CST), number of IVIs received, and incidence of adverse events.

RESULTS

A total of 10 studies were included, for which 362 eyes were randomized to LPC-IVI and 365 to IVI. In comparing macular laser photocoagulation with IVI (MLP-IVI) in BRVO patients, no significant differences were seen in final BCVA (p = 0.78) or change in BCVA (p = 0.09) after treatment. Similarly, no significant differences were seen in final CMT (p = 0.54), change in CMT (p = 0.33), final CRT (p = 0.90), change in CRT (p = 0.97), or number of injections required (p = 0.78). The same results were seen in subgroup analyses for macular laser without peripheral laser in BRVO and CRVO patients. Consistent results were observed when considering peripheral LPC-IVI to IVI in BRVO and CRVO.

CONCLUSIONS

No significant differences were seen between combination MLP-IVI or peripheral LPC-IVI relative to IVI monotherapy for final BCVA or OCT parameters in macular oedema secondary to RVO.

[Long-term outcomes of anti-VEGF therapy for macular edema in retinal vein occlusion]

Antiangiogenic therapy (anti-VEGF) is the standard in the treatment of many retinal vascular diseases, including macular edema associated with retinal vein occlusion (RVO). A large evidentiary basis has been collected, consisting of randomized clinical trials in which anti-VEGF therapy demonstrated a significant advantage over laser photocoagulation and placebo in patients with RVO. However, in everyday clinical practice the results are not always comparable to randomized clinical trials. This review presents an analysis of the current studies based on actual clinical practice. Their results helped identify the main aspects of antiangiogenic therapy that could improve the treatment outcomes for patients with RVO. Additionally, the article discusses the predictive factors for therapy outcomes and the effect of anti-VEGF therapy on the development of neovascular complications in patients with ischemic RVO.

Retinal vein occlusion: drug targets and therapeutic implications

INTRODUCTION

The pathogenesis of retinal vein occlusion (RVO) is extremely complex and includes several mediators. These mediators represent potential drug targets that can be used in the development of intravitreal drugs.

AREAS COVERED

PubMed/MEDLINE databases were accessed between April-May 2021 to find the most relevant scientific papers regarding drug targets and therapeutic implications in RVO, focusing on current therapeutic options and potential cornerstones of future advances in treatment.

EXPERT OPINION

Before the introduction of intravitreal therapies, the visual outcome following a diagnosis of RVO was extremely poor. Anti-VEGF and corticosteroid treatments have radically changed RVO prognosis, helping to preserve patients' visual function and their quality of life. According to current clinical data, anti-VEGF and corticosteroid drugs are associated with both pros and cons; the present recommendation is to employ anti-VEGF molecules as a first-line treatment. Advances in our understanding of the biomolecular characteristics of RVO offer a solid basis for the development of new therapeutic targets and treatments.

Disease-modifying effects of ranibizumab for central retinal vein occlusion

Purpose

To identify anatomic endpoints altered by intravitreal ranibizumab in central retinal vein occlusion (CRVO) to determine any potential underlying disease modification that occurs with anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF) therapy beyond best-corrected visual acuity and central optical coherence tomography outcomes.

Methods

A post hoc analysis of a double-masked, multicenter, randomized clinical trial was performed. A total of 392 patients with macular edema after CRVO were randomized 1:1:1 to receive monthly intraocular injections of 0.3 or 0.5 mg of ranibizumab or sham injections. Central reading center-read data were reviewed to explore potential anatomic endpoints altered by therapy.

Results

At 6 months, there was a reduction in the ranibizumab groups compared with sham groups with respect to total area of retinal hemorrhage (median change from baseline in disc areas: − 1.17 [sham], − 2.37 [ranibizumab 0.3 mg], − 1.64 [ranibizumab 0.5 mg]), development of disc neovascularization (prevalence: 3% [sham], 0% [ranibizumab 0.3 mg], 0% [ranibizumab 0.5 mg]), and presence of papillary swelling (prevalence: 22.9% [sham], 8.0% [ranibizumab 0.3 mg], 8.3% [ranibizumab 0.5 mg], p < 0.01). There was no difference between groups in collateral vessel formation. Analysis of vitreous and preretinal hemorrhage could not be performed due to low frequency of events in both treated and sham groups.

Conclusions

Ranibizumab for CRVO resulted in beneficial disease-modifying effects through a reduction in retinal hemorrhage, neovascularization, and papillary swelling. These findings may form the basis for future work in the development of a treatment response or severity scale for eyes with CRVO.

Retinal Vascular Resistance Significantly Correlates With Visual Acuity After 1 Year of Anti-VEGF Therapy in Central Retinal Vein Occlusion

Purpose

To investigate whether the resistivity of all retinal vessels, termed total capillary resistance (TCR), after anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) treatment was correlated with the outcomes of patients with macular edema secondary to central retinal vein occlusion (CRVO).

Methods

In total, 67 patients with nonischemic CRVO were enrolled in this retrospective observational case series. In each patient, we examined visual acuity; central retinal thickness (CRT); mean blur rate (MBR), which represents retinal blood flow velocity; and TCR. MBR and TCR were measured by laser speckle flowgraphy.

Results

During the 1-year follow-up period, nine of 67 eyes (13.4%) converted to the ischemic type (converted group), whereas 58 eyes (86.6%) remained unchanged (nonischemic group). Mean CRT significantly decreased in all groups; however, the mean visual acuity significantly improved only in the nonischemic group. Mean MBR significantly increased in the nonischemic group but remained unchanged in the converted group. Mean TCR was significantly reduced in the nonischemic group but remained unchanged in the converted group. Multiple linear regression analysis revealed that MBR and TCR were the independent factors with the strongest and second strongest correlations with visual acuity after treatment, respectively.

Conclusions

These findings suggest that measurements of the independent factors MBR and TCR are useful for evaluating anti-VEGF treatments in patients with CRVO.

Translational Relevance

Development of clinically relevant technologies.

Effectiveness and safety of ranibizumab in patients with central retinal vein occlusion: results from the real-world, global, LUMINOUS study

Objective

To evaluate the effectiveness, treatment patterns and long-term safety of ranibizumab 0.5 mg in treatment-naïve patients with central retinal vein occlusion (CRVO) in a real-world setting.

Methods

LUMINOUS, a 5-year, global, prospective, multicentre, multi-indication, observational, open-label study, recruited treatment naïve or prior treated patients who were treated as per the local ranibizumab label. Here, we report the mean change in visual acuity (VA; Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study [ETDRS] letters), treatment exposure over year (Y) 1 and 5-year safety in treatment-naïve CRVO patients.

Results

At baseline, the mean age of treatment-naïve CRVO patients (n = 327) was 68.9 years, with a mean (Standard deviation [SD]) VA of 40.6 (23.9) letters. At Y1, patients (n = 144) had a mean (SD) VA gain from baseline of 10.8 (19.66) letters, with a mean (SD) of 5.4 (2.65) ranibizumab injections. Patients demonstrated mean (SD) VA gains of 2.7 (19.35), 11.6 (20.56), 13.9 (18.08), 11.1 (18.46) and 8.2 (24.86) letters with 1, 2–3, 4–5, 6–8 and >8 ranibizumab injections, respectively. Mean (SD) VA gains at Y1 in patients receiving loading (67.4%) and no loading dose (32.6%) was 11.9 (20.42) and 8.4 (17.99) letters, respectively. Over five years, the incidence of ocular/non-ocular adverse events (AEs) and serious AEs was 11.3%/8.6% and 1.2%/6.7%, respectively.

Conclusions

These results demonstrate the effectiveness of ranibizumab in treatment-naïve CRVO patients at Y1 with clinically meaningful VA gains and no new safety findings over five years. These findings may help inform routine practice and enable better clinical management to achieve optimal visual outcomes.

Excess adiponectin in eyes with progressive ocular vascular diseases

Anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) therapies are now the first-line treatment for many ocular diseases, but some patients are non-responders to these therapies. The purpose of this study was to determine whether the level of adiponectin increased the pathogenesis of retinal edema and neovascularization in the retina of progressive ocular vascular diseases. We examined the role played by adiponectin in two types of cells and animal models which are retinal vein occlusion (RVO) and oxygen-induced retinopathy (OIR) mice. Our results showed that an injection of anti-adiponectin antibody ameliorated the retinal edema and ischemia through the depression of the expression level of VEGF-related factors and tight junction-related proteins in the retina of RVO mice. The intravitreal injection of anti-adiponectin antibody also decreased the degree of retinal neovascularization in an OIR mice. In addition, exposure of human retinal microvascular endothelial cells and human brain microvascular pericytes in culture to adiponectin increased both the vascular permeability and neovascularization through the increase of inflammatory factor and the dropout of the pericytes. These findings indicate that adiponectin plays a critical role in retinal edema and neovascularization, and adiponectin is a potential therapeutic target for the treatment of diabetic macular edema, proliferative diabetic retinopathy, and RVO.

Nicotinamide suppresses bevacizumab-induced epithelial-mesenchymal transition of ARPE-19 cells by attenuating oxidative stress

AIM

To investigate the effects of nicotinamide (NAM) on bevacizumab (BEV)-induced epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) of human retinal pigment epithelial cells (ARPE-19) and the underling mechanisms.

METHODS

ARPE-19 cells were treated with BEV for 24, 48, and 72h, and the variation degrees of EMT-related markers (fibronectin, α-SMA, vimentin, and ZO-1) were assessed by Western blotting to select the optimal treatment time point which exhibited the most obvious changes of EMT-related markers for the subsequent experiments. Furthermore, NAM was added to the medium, the mRNA and protein levels of the EMT-related markers were then measured. The accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and H₂O₂ and the total antioxidant capacity (TAC) of the cells were also measured to evaluate the level of oxidative stress.

RESULTS

After being treated with BEV for 72h, the protein expression levels of EMT-related markers in ARPE-19 cells showed significant changes. Meanwhile the levels of ROS and H₂O₂ were obviously increased, and the TAC of ARPE-19 cells was decreased. Totally 72h was chosen to be the optimal treatment time point in subsequent experiments. Furthermore, NAM inhibited BEV-induced EMT by downregulating fibronectin, α-SMA, and vimentin and upregulating ZO-1, decreased the accumulation of ROS and H₂O₂, and enhanced TAC in BEV-treated ARPE-19 cells.

CONCLUSION

This study demonstrates that NAM suppressed BEV-induced EMT in ARPE-19 cells by attenuating oxidative stress. Hence, NAM may be a potential therapeutic agent for alleviating neovascular fibrosis of the ocular fundus after anti-vascular endothelial growth factor therapy.

Patterns and Predictors of Successful Treatment Discontinuation in Retinal Vein Occlusions With Macular Edema in the Real World

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE

To identify factors associated with successful treatment discontinuation in eyes with retinal vein occlusions (RVOs) and macular edema (ME) in real-world settings.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Retrospective study of 214 eyes with RVO and ME with 24-month follow-up at five academic centers. Regression analyses identified factors associated with (1) successful treatment discontinuation for at least 6 months without fluid recurrence and (2) best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) at 24 months.

RESULTS

Forty percent of eyes with branch RVO and 35% with central RVO (CRVO) / hemi-retinal RVO (HRVO) successfully discontinued therapy without fluid recurrence, with median time to discontinuation of 6 and 7 months, respectively. Lower 6-month central subfield thickness was associated with greater likelihood of treatment discontinuation within 24 months for eyes with CRVO/HRVO (P = .001), whereas better 6-month BCVA was associated with better 24-month BCVA for all RVO subtypes (P < .001).

CONCLUSION

Early anatomic response at 6 months is associated with greater likelihood of stopping treatments. [Ophthalmic Surg Lasers Imaging Retina. 2021;52:84-92.].

The randomized ZIPANGU trial of ranibizumab and adjunct laser for macular edema following branch retinal vein occlusion in treatment-naïve patients

The ZIPANGU study assessed the efficacy and safety of ranibizumab as a one loading dose + pro re nata (one + PRN) regimen with/without focal/grid laser among treatment-naïve patients suffering from macular edema (ME) following branch retinal vein occlusion (BRVO). ZIPANGU was a phase IV, prospective, randomized, open-label, active-controlled, 12-month, two-arm, multicenter study. Treatment-naïve patients with visual impairment (19–73 letters) caused by ME, defined as central subfield thickness (CSFT) > 300 µm, due to BRVO were randomly assigned to ranibizumab monotherapy (n = 29) or combination therapy (ranibizumab + focal/grid short-pulse laser, n = 30). The primary endpoint was the number of ranibizumab injections. Secondary endpoints were mean changes in best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and CSFT, and safety. There were no statistically significant differences in the mean number of ranibizumab injections between monotherapy (4.3 injections) vs. combination (4.1 injections) therapy, or in CSFT. BCVA improvement in the monotherapy arm (22.0 letters) was better than the combination therapy arm (15.0 letters) (p = 0.035). Overall, both regimens appeared to be safe and well tolerated. One + PRN ranibizumab is safe and efficacious in treatment-naïve patients with ME secondary to BRVO. A conjunctive laser treatment did not lead to better functional outcomes or fewer ranibizumab injections.

Assessment of platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio in patients with retinal vein occlusion

Purpose:

To investigate platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR) in retinal vein occlusion (RVO) patients.

Methods:

In this study, we retrospectively reviewed data of 32 patients with RVO (RVO group) and 32 age- and sex-matched participants without RVO (control group) between January 2017 and March 2019. The PLR was determined by dividing the platelet count by the lymphocyte count.

Results:

Age and gender were comparable between the groups (p = 0.204 and p = 0.800, respectively). PLR was significantly elevated in the RVO group compared with the control group (137 (113–164) vs 101 (86–129), p = 0.001)). In the receiver operator characteristics curve analysis, the optimal cut-off value of PLR for predicting RVO was 123, with 69% sensitivity and 72% specificity.

Conclusion:

We report that PLR are elevated in RVO, suggesting that PLR may be a useful marker for RVO.

"Glaucomatous fields" after monthly intravitreal injections: Normal tension glaucoma or a mimicker?

Purpose

Anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) injections, while used to effectively treat numerous retinal vascular conditions, can be associated with transient and prolonged ocular hypertension. There is minimal literature detailing the development of normal-tension glaucoma (NTG) following intravitreal anti-VEGF injections.

Observations

A 38-year-old Caucasian male with no medical or ocular history was diagnosed with an inferior HRVO with macular edema in the left eye. The patient received a total of eleven monthly intravitreal aflibercept injections over one year, with maintenance of stable vision and intraocular pressure (IOP) throughout the treatment period and during follow-up. Nine months after the last aflibercept injection, cup-to-disc asymmetry, inferior thinning of retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL), and reduced superior visual field was evident in the left eye. Clinically, the patient was consistent with normal tension glaucoma and thus, the patient was started on daily timolol drops; however, the role of the glaucomatous findings being secondary to repeated injection-related IOP elevations is possible.

Conclusions and Importance

While the clinical features based on visual fields and RNFL thinning with unmedicated normotensive IOP may suggest NTG in a patient, this clinical presentation may be a masquerader of NTG with the etiology of the glaucoma optic neuropathy caused by cumulative impact of transient IOP elevations secondary to intravitreal injections.

A Meta-Analysis of Cardiovascular Events Associated with Intravitreal Anti-VEGF Treatment in Patients with Retinal Vein Occlusion

Purpose: Retinal vein occlusion is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular diseases. Anti-vascular endothelial growth factor has been widely used as a treatment option. However, the systemic safety of intravitreal anti-vascular endothelial growth factor for retinal vein occlusion patients is still unclear.Materials and Methods: A meta-analysis was conducted to investigate all randomized controlled trials published up to February 2019 of retinal vein occlusion patients who received intravitreal anti-vascular endothelial growth factor vs. control treatments. Fixed effect models were used and results were reported as odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals.Results: Eight trials that evaluated 2320 patients were retrieved. Anti-vascular endothelial growth factor did not significantly increase the risks of cardiovascular events (odds ratio,1.54; 95% confidence interval, 0.66-3.57), hypertension (odds ratio, 0.92; 95% confidence interval, 0.63-1.33), or heart rate disorders (odds ratio,1.53; 95% confidence interval, 0.37-6.28) when compared with control treatment. Subgroup analyses did not show a significant increase of cardiovascular events in aflibercept (odds ratio,1.96; 95% confidence interval, 0.44-8.81) vs. ranibizumab trials (odds ratio, 1.47; 95% confidence interval, 0.54-4.02); 0.5 mg ranibizumab trials (odds ratio, 1.73; 95% confidence interval, 0.61-4.96) vs. 0.3 mg ranibizumab trials (odds ratio, 0.70; 95% confidence interval, 0.14-3.59); nor branch retinal vein occlusion (odds ratio, 1.32; 95% confidence interval, 0.40-4.33) vs. central retinal vein occlusion trials (odds ratio, 1.93; 95% confidence interval, 0.59-6.29).Conclusions: Intravitreal administration of anti-vascular endothelial growth factor did not significantly increase the risks of cardiovascular events, hypertension or heart rate disorders in retinal vein occlusion patients.

Optical quality assessment in branch retinal vein occlusion after monthly intravitreal ranibizumab injection: a prospective, case-control study

PURPOSE

To evaluate optical quality and intraocular scattering using the Optical Quality Analysis System (OQAS) II in branch retinal vein occlusion (BRVO) and to investigate the influences of retinal changes on optical quality.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Sixty-two patients with diagnosis of BRVO were enrolled in this prospective, case-control study. The control group consisted of the patients' fellow eyes. Initial logMAR visual acuity, central macular thickness, and optical quality parameters including modulation transfer function cutoff frequency (MTF cut off), Strehl ratio (SR), objective scatter index (OSI) and OQAS values (OVs) at 100%, 20%, and 9% contrast levels were measured. Every BRVO-affected eye was treated with monthly intravitreal ranibizumab injection. We investigated the differences between clinical parameters of the BRVO-affected eye and those of the control eye and changes in those parameters on the basis of the clinical course of BRVO over 3 months.

RESULTS

All the OQAS parameters measured except objective refraction error differed statistically significantly between the two groups. As macular thickness decreased and visual acuity improved, all the optical quality parameters except for objective refraction error and OV at 100% contrast gradually recovered with time after treatment but did not return to normal compared with the control eye. Only visual acuity was found to be significantly related to central macular thickness change (p = .027).

CONCLUSIONS

BRVO resulted in declined visual acuity and optical quality. It is suggested that the optical quality parameters are affected by the inner layers of the retina in BRVO.

Treatment Patterns and Clinical Outcomes for Central Retinal Vein Occlusion in the Antivascular Endothelial Growth Factor Era

Purpose:

This article describes treatment patterns and visual outcomes for central retinal vein occlusion (CRVO) in the antivascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF) era.

Methods:

A retrospective cohort study of eyes diagnosed with CRVO between 2009 and 2016 was conducted. Treatment history and visual acuity (VA) measurements were abstracted from medical records and analyzed.

Results:

A total of 476 eyes of 476 patients (median age 67 years, median follow-up 25.4 months) were included. Optical coherence tomography was obtained in 93.9% and fluorescein angiography in 80% of cases on presentation. Mean VA at presentation and final visit was 20/60 and 20/94, respectively, for eyes with nonischemic CRVO, whereas that of ischemic cases remained worse than 20/800 at final follow-up. Intravitreal bevacizumab was the most common first treatment (42.2%). Intravitreal steroid was the first treatment in 3.6% and ultimately administered in 11.3% of eyes. In the first year, an average of 5.2 ± 3.6 and 2.2 ± 3.4 anti-VEGF injections were given in treatment-naive and nontreatment-naive eyes, respectively.

Conclusions:

In our real-world cohort, anti-VEGF injection burden and frequency are lower than in published clinical trials. Visual outcomes in both ischemic and nonischemic eyes with CRVO are poorer than expected and worse than those recorded in controlled trial settings.

Intravitreal Medications for Retinal Vein Occlusion: Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

Purpose

To evaluate the outcomes of different intravitreal injections for the treatment of retinal vein occlusion including central retinal vein occlusion (CRVO) and branch retinal vein occlusion (BRVO).

Methods

PubMed, Cochrane, the metaRegister of ControlledTrials, and ClinicalTrials were searched for intravitreal anti-Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF) and steroids with relevant keywords and date limitation of 2009-2018. Meta-analysis was performed on studies that met the defined inclusion criteria. Main outcomes were visual acuity (VA) and central macular thickness (CMT).

Results

Out of 681 studies, 36 articles (including 21 reporting CRVO and 15 dealing with BRVO) were selected for systematic review. All five intravitreal drugs including triamcinolone, dexamethasone, ranibizumab, bevacizumab, and aflibercept showed improvement of CMT and VA as compared to placebo or laser treatment. Six randomized controlled trials were selected for meta-analysis in RVO patients. The pooled mean difference of visual improvement between sham and ranibizumab was 12.7 Early Treatment for Diabetic Retinopathy Study (ETDRS) letters (95%CI: 11.00 to 13.2), and the pooled mean difference in CMT reduction was 221μm (95%CI: 153 to 284); both changes were significantly in favor of ranibizumab. The pooled mean difference of visual improvement between bevacizumab and triamcinolone was 5.3 ETDRS letters in favor of bevacizumab (95%CI: 16 μm to 17.5 μm). Triamcinolone led to 68.1 μm greater CMT reduction than bevacizumab (95%CI: 58 μm to 76 μm). However, none of these differences were statistically significant.

Conclusion

Treatment with anti-VEGF agents in RVO is superior to observation. No significant difference was seen between the eyes treated with bevacizumab or triamcinolone based on these results.

Highly Variable Disease Courses in Siblings with Stargardt Disease

PURPOSE

To investigate intersibling phenotypic concordance in Stargardt disease (STGD1).

DESIGN

Retrospective cohort study.

PARTICIPANTS

Siblings with genetically confirmed STGD1 and at least 1 available fundus autofluorescence (FAF) image of both eyes.

METHODS

We compared age at onset within families. Disease duration was matched to investigate differences in best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and compared the survival time for reaching severe visual impairment (<20/200 Snellen or >1.0 logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution [logMAR]). Central retinal atrophy area was quantified independently by 2 experienced graders using semiautomated software and compared between siblings. Both graders performed qualitative assessment of FAF and spectral-domain (SD) OCT images to identify phenotypic differences.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Differences in age at onset, disease duration-matched BCVA, time to severe visual impairment development, FAF atrophy area, FAF patterns, and genotypes.

RESULTS

Substantial differences in age at onset were present in 5 of 17 families, ranging from 13 to 39 years. Median BCVA at baseline was 0.60 logMAR (range, -0.20 to 2.30 logMAR; Snellen equivalent, 20/80 [range, 20/12-hand movements]) in the right eye and 0.50 logMAR (range, -0.20 to 2.30 logMAR; Snellen equivalent, 20/63 [range, 20/12-hand movements]) in the left eye. Disease duration-matched BCVA was investigated in 12 of 17 families, and the median difference was 0.41 logMAR (range, 0.00-1.10 logMAR) for the right eye and 0.41 logMAR (range, 0.00-1.08 logMAR) for the left eye. We observed notable differences in time to severe visual impairment development in 7 families, ranging from 1 to 29 years. Median central retinal atrophy area was 11.38 mm² in the right eye (range, 1.98-44.78 mm²) and 10.59 mm² in the left eye (range, 1.61-40.59 mm²) and highly comparable between siblings. Similarly, qualitative FAF and SD OCT phenotypes were highly comparable between siblings.

CONCLUSIONS

Phenotypic discordance between siblings with STGD1 carrying the same ABCA4 variants is a prevalent phenomenon. Although the FAF phenotypes are highly comparable between siblings, functional outcomes differ substantially. This complicates both sibling-based prognosis and genotype-phenotype correlations and has important implications for patient care and management.

Intervention of artemisinin in macular edema associated with retinal vein occlusion: A protocol for a systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Artemisinin was discovered to be highly effective antimalarial drugs shortly after the isolation of the parent artemisinin in 1971 in China. It is derived from extracts of sweet wormwood (Artemisia annua) and are well established for the treatment of malaria. Recently, artemisinin has been shown that it might have therapeutic value for several other diseases. The purpose of this review is to assess the efficacy of artemisinin as a treatment for macular edema associated with retinal vein occlusion.

METHODS AND ANALYSIS

A systematic literature search will be performed in all available databases to quantitatively review eligible studies and identify all relevant data. We will include randomized controlled trials assessing efficacy of artemisinin as a treatment for macular edema associated with retinal vein occlusion. The methodological qualities, including the risk of bias, will be evaluated using the Cochrane risk of bias assessment tool, while confidence in the cumulative evidence will be evaluated using the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) approach.

ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION

Ethical approval is not required, as this study is based on the review of published research. This review will be published in a peer-reviewed journal and disseminated both electronically and in print.

PROSPERO REGISTRATION NUMBER

The protocol for this systematic review has been registered on PROSPERO under the number CRD42019131408.

Long-term outcomes of intravitreous bevacizumab or tissue plasminogen activator or vitrectomy for macular edema due to branch retinal vein occlusion

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to determine the long-term outcomes of intravitreal bevacizumab (IVB) or intravitreal tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) or vitrectomy for macular edema associated with a branch retinal vein occlusion (BRVO).

Methods

This was a retrospective, interventional case series. Forty-one patients received a single 1.25 mg of IVB injection and followed by pro re nata protocol, 71 patients received a single intravitreal tPA, and 116 patients underwent phacovitrectomy with intraocular lens implantation.

Results

The baseline characteristics and follow-up periods were not significantly different among the three groups. The mean follow-up period was 55.5 months with a range of 12-160 months. Sixteen patients (39.0%) in the IVB group, 24 patients (33.8%) in the tPA group, and two patients (1.7%) in the vitrectomy group underwent additional surgeries during the follow-up period. The best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) significantly improved in all groups at 1 year after the initial treatment (all, P<0.0001) and at the final visit (all, P<0.0001). The differences in the BCVA between the three groups were not significant at all times after the initial treatment.

Conclusion

The three groups led to similar long-term good visual outcomes. However, additional surgeries were performed in more than 30% of patients in the IVB and tPA groups.

Five-year outcomes of retinal vein occlusion treated with vascular endothelial growth factor inhibitors

Purpose

Report 5-year outcomes of patients receiving anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) for the treatment of macular oedema secondary to retinal vein occlusion (RVO.

Methods

Retrospective review of eyes with RVO which initiated anti-VEGF treatment. Data including age, gender, visual acuity (VA) and injection numbers were obtained from medical records. Optical coherence tomography scans were graded for presence or absence of macular oedema and central foveal thickness (CFT). Macular perfusion was assessed on fundus fluorescein angiography by masked graders.

Results

68 eyes (31 branch RVO, BRVO; 35 central RVO, CRVO and 2 hemi-RVO) with 5 years of follow-up after initiation of anti-VEGF treatment. Mean change in VA at 5 years was + 9.6 ± 21.6 letters among CRVO eyes and + 14.2 ± 15.6 letters among eyes with BRVO (p=0.001). Vision of 20/40 or better was achieved in 65 % of treated eyes. The proportion of eyes with a three-line improvement of vision (15 letters) at 5 years was 22 %. Mean CFT decreased by 257.6 ± 249.8 µm in eyes with CRVO and 145.6 ± 143.3 µm in eyes with BRVO.

Conclusion

The results confirm good long-term outcomes can be achieved with anti-VEGF therapy for RVO.

Development of a Novel Model of Central Retinal Vascular Occlusion and the Therapeutic Potential of the Adrenomedullin-Receptor Activity-Modifying Protein 2 System

Central retinal vein occlusion (CRVO) is an intractable disease that causes visual acuity loss with retinal ischemia, hemorrhage, and edema. In this study, we developed an experimental CRVO model in mice and evaluated the therapeutic potential of the pleiotropic peptide adrenomedullin (ADM) and its receptor activity-modifying protein 2 (RAMP2). The CRVO model, which had phenotypes resembling those seen in the clinic, was produced by combining i.p. injection of Rose bengal, a photoactivator dye enhancing thrombus formation, with laser photocoagulation. Retinal vascular area, analyzed using fluorescein angiography and fluorescein isothiocyanate-perfused retinal flat mounts, was decreased after induction of CRVO but gradually recovered from day 1 to 7. Measurements of retinal thickness using optical coherence tomography and histology revealed prominent edema early after CRVO, followed by gradual atrophy. Reperfusion after CRVO was diminished in Adm and Ramp2 knockout (KO) mice but was increased by exogenous ADM administration. CRVO also increased expression of a coagulation factor, oxidative stress markers, and a leukocyte adhesion molecule in both wild-type and Adm KO mice, and the effect was more pronounced in Adm KO mice. Using retinal capillary endothelial cells, ADM was found to directly suppress retinal endothelial injury. The retinoprotective effects of the Adm-Ramp2 system make it a novel therapeutic target for the treatment of CRVO.

Baseline characteristics associated with early visual acuity gains after ranibizumab treatment for retinal vein occlusion

Background

To identify baseline patient characteristics associated with early clinically significant visual acuity (VA) improvements within 3 months of treatment initiation in ranibizumab-treated patients with retinal vein occlusion (RVO) in the SHORE study.

Methods

Post hoc analysis of baseline patient characteristics in the randomized, open-label, vision examiner–masked SHORE phase 4 study that compared monthly versus pro re nata dosing of ranibizumab in patients with branch and central RVO. Patients who enrolled in SHORE fulfilled eligibility criteria per protocol (N = 202). SHORE data were retrospectively analyzed to identify baseline patient characteristics associated with early clinically significant improvements in VA, defined as improvement to a Snellen equivalent of 20/40 or better vision (≥ 69 Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study [ETDRS] letters) or an increase in best-corrected VA (BCVA) of 15 or more ETDRS letters from baseline within 3 months of treatment initiation. Main outcome measures were BCVA gain of 15 or more ETDRS letters from baseline, Snellen equivalent of 20/40 or better vision, and baseline factors associated with early clinically significant improvement in BCVA.

Results

The median time for patients to achieve a BCVA of 20/40 or better was 59 days and the median time for patients to gain 15 or more ETDRS letters was 63 days. Better baseline BCVA (> 50 ETDRS letters/Snellen equivalent ≥ 20/100), greater baseline total macular volume (> 9.99 mm³), and presence of subretinal fluid at baseline were all associated with early improvement to 20/40 or better vision (ETDRS equivalent ≥ 69 letters; P < .0001, P = .02, and P = .03, respectively).

Conclusions

This retrospective analysis found that better BCVA, greater total macular volume, and presence of subretinal fluid at baseline were associated with more rapid vision gains. Clinicians may find these helpful when considering the likelihood of achieving early clinically significant VA improvements with ranibizumab in patients with RVO.

Trial registration

ClinicalTrials.gov NCT01277302.

Epithelial Membrane Protein-2 (EMP2) Antibody Blockade Reduces Corneal Neovascularization in an In Vivo Model

Purpose

Pathologic corneal neovascularization is a major cause of blindness worldwide, and treatment options are currently limited. VEGF is one of the critical mediators of corneal neovascularization but current anti-VEGF therapies have produced limited results in the cornea. Thus, additional therapeutic agents are needed to enhance the antiangiogenic arsenal. Our group previously demonstrated epithelial membrane protein-2 (EMP2) involvement in pathologic angiogenesis in multiple cancer models including breast cancer and glioblastoma. In this paper, we investigate the efficacy of anti-EMP2 immunotherapy in the prevention of corneal neovascularization.

Methods

An in vivo murine cornea alkali burn model was used to study pathologic neovascularization. A unilateral corneal burn was induced using NaOH, and subconjunctival injection of either anti-EMP2 antibody, control antibody, or sterile saline was performed after corneal burn. Neovascularization was clinically scored at 7 days postalkali burn, and eyes were enucleated for histologic analysis and immunostaining including VEGF, CD31, and CD34 expression.

Results

Anti-EMP2 antibody, compared to control antibody or vehicle, significantly reduced neovascularization as measured by clinical score and central cornea thickness, as well as by histologic reduction of neovascularization, decreased CD34 staining, and decreased CD31 staining. Incubation of corneal limbal cells in vitro with anti-EMP2 blocking antibody significantly decreased EMP2 expression, VEGF expression and secretion, and cell migration.

Conclusions

This work demonstrates the effectiveness of EMP2 as a novel target in pathologic corneal neovascularization in an animal model and supports additional investigation into EMP2 antibody blockade as a potential new therapeutic option.

Ranibizumab in macular oedema secondary to branch retinal vein occlusion - 24 months of treatment

PURPOSE

To retrospectively evaluate the efficacy and safety of ranibizumab treatment for macular edema (ME) secondary to branch retina vein occlusion (BRVO) after 24 months.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This study included 39 eyes of 39 patients with ME associated with BRVO treated at the Ophthalmology Department of Faculty Hospital in Hradec Kralove. The average age of included patiens was 69,3 years, the mean duration of symptoms before treament was 5,4 months, the mean baseline visual acuity (VA) was 54,6 ETDRS (Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study) letters, the mean baseline central retinal thickness (CRT) was 544,9 µm. At 64,1% patients a retinal laserphotocoagulation was performed before intravitreal ranibizumab. After one year, the study was discontinued by 17 patiens, the remaining 22 patients were observed for 24 months. Initially, there were 3 doses of intravitreal ranibizumab administered in monthly intervals, further injections were applied according to PRN (pro re nata) regiment. Patients were examined at baseline and then at 3, 6, 9, 12 and 24 months from initiation of the treatment. In this study, the effect of ranibizumab on functional and morphological parameters of the affected eye was monitored, the safety of this treatment was also evaluated. During the follow-up, a statistically significant improvement in VA was achieved in every visit in comparison to baseline parameters, the mean VA gain at the 3 month visit was 12,1 ETDRS letters (p.

Real-World Outcomes of Anti-VEGF Treatment for Retinal Vein Occlusion in Portugal

PURPOSE

Retinal vein occlusion (RVO) is an important cause of visual disability in the modern world. We aim to evaluate the real-world outcomes of patients with RVO treated with anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in Portugal.

METHODS

We performed a retrospective, observational, multicenter study including 8 centers across Portugal and 200 patients treated with either ranibizumab or bevacizumab. Data were collected at 3 time points: time of diagnosis (0 time point) and 6 and 12 months after initiating treatment. Demographic and clinical data were collected.

RESULTS

Median visual acuity (VA) and central macular thickness (CMT) improved in the branch RVO (BRVO), central RVO (CRVO), bevacizumab, and ranibizumab groups at 6 and 12 months compared to baseline, with CMT improving further only in the CRVO and ranibizumab groups between 6 and 12 months (p = 0.002 and p = 0.001, respectively). The CMT was lower in the ranibizumab group compared to the bevacizumab group both at 6 and 12 months (p<0.02). Median CMT improved in both the good and poor baseline VA groups at 6 and 12 months compared to baseline (p<0.001). Median VA only improved for the group with poor baseline VA at 6 and 12 months of follow-up (p<0.001). Regression analysis identified several baseline variables as predictors of visual outcomes at 6 and 12 months, with different results depending on the analyzed group.

CONCLUSIONS

Both treatments were effective, although less effective than results reported in clinical trials. The morphologic response was better with ranibizumab compared to bevacizumab, although functionally there were no differences.

Impact of Time to Anti-Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Intervention on Visual Outcomes for Patients Diagnosed With Retinal Vein Occlusion

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

To analyze the impact of time to treatment with anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) for patients with macular edema (ME) secondary to retinal vein occlusions (RVO) in routine clinical practice.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

One hundred fifty-five eyes with ME secondary to RVO were identified. Patients were divided into initiation of anti-VEGF treatment at 28 days or fewer after symptom onset (Group A), between 28 and 84 days (Group B), and 84 days or more (Group C).

RESULTS

A significant central subfield thickness (CST) decrease at 12 months was observed in Groups A, B, and C (-184.14 µm, -204.55 µm, and -170.71 µm, respectively; P < .001). At 12 months, Groups A and B showed significant BCVA improvement (19.14 and 21.11, respectively; P ≤ .001), whereas Group C showed no significant improvement from baseline (4.01; P < .28).

CONCLUSIONS

Anatomical response as measured by CST did not differ between groups, whereas delays in treatment resulted in smaller BCVA improvement with anti-VEGF treatment. [Ophthalmic Surg Lasers Imaging Retina. 2018;49:832-837.].

Structural and Functional Analyses of Retinal Ischemia in Eyes with Retinal Vein Occlusion: Relationship with Macular Edema or Microaneurysm Formation

PURPOSE

To study the structural and functional changes of retinal ischemia and investigate their association with macular edema (ME) or microaneurysm (MA) formation in eyes with retinal vein occlusion (RVO).

METHODS

Sixty eyes of 30 patients (27 eyes with branch [b]RVO, 3 with central RVO, and 30 fellow eyes) were retrospectively reviewed. Optical coherence tomography (OCT), OCT angiography (OCTA), and microperimetry were performed simultaneously to measure retinal thickness and sensitivity. The presence of ME or MA was also assessed using OCT and fluorescein angiography.

RESULTS

The mean retinal sensitivity in the nonperfused areas (NPAs) deteriorated, and this was significantly (r = -0.379, p = 0.0391*) and inversely correlated with duration from disease onset. ME and MA were unlikely to be observed around the area where the retinal sensitivity decreased. In the NPAs, the mean retinal thickness of the superficial capillary plexus (SCP) (p < 0.0001), deep capillary plexus (DCP) (p = 0.0323), and outer retina (p = 0.0008) were significantly thinner than those in the fellow eyes, respectively. Multivariate regression analysis revealed that the thicknesses of the DCP (β: 0.3107, p = 0.0007) and outer retina (β: 0.3482, p = 0.0001) were the independent correlative factors of the retinal sensitivity, but that SCP thickness was not.

CONCLUSION

Deep retinal thinning in NPAs was correlated significantly with a decreased retinal sensitivity, which might be a negative predictor of ME and MA in eyes with RVO.

Noninfectious Inflammatory Response following Intravitreal Bevacizumab Injections: Description of a Cluster of Cases in Two Centers and a Review of the Literature

PURPOSE

To report a cluster of high incidence of noninfectious inflammatory reaction shortly after bevacizumab injection.

METHODS

Data were collected from medical records of consecutive patients who underwent bevacizumab injections and presented with acute uveitis within 1-4 days.

RESULTS

All 7 patients were injected intravitreally with bevacizumab from different batches and presented with visual deterioration. One patient with anterior uveitis complained of pain. None had hypopyon. Three patients with vitritis underwent a vitreous tap with an intravitreal injection of vancomycin and ceftazidime for possible infectious endophthalmitis. All patients received intensive topical antibiotic drops and steroids, and the intraocular inflammation resolved completely within 1 month. Five patients continued to receive bevacizumab injections without recurrent episodes.

CONCLUSIONS

Our series demonstrates an incidence of noninfectious inflammatory reaction shortly after bevacizumab injection that is higher than that reported in the literature. The cause is more likely the preparation process in the same compounding pharmacy.

Relationship between vascular endothelial growth factor and macular edema in retinal vein branch obstruction

Purpose

Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) plays an important role in branch retinal vein occlusion (BRVO) with cystoid macular edema (CME). Monitoring changes in VEGF is crucial for evaluating treatment but requires vitreous or aqueous humor sampling, which hampers its clinical application. We investigated the correlation between VEGF and protein concentration in the aqueous humor (flare) and whether this could be used to monitor treatment-related VEGF changes.

Design

This retrospective observational study involved 19 previously untreated patients with BRVO. Aqueous humor was obtained, and intravitreal ranibizumab (IVR) injection was administered to these patients. The correlation between VEGF and flare, central retinal thickness (CRT), and best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) was investigated. Differences in these values were considered between pre-IVR and 1 week and 1–3 months post-IVR. Moreover, in patients with recurrence who received additional IVR, further changes in VEGF were examined.

Main outcome measures

The end point of this study was BCVA, flare, and CRT at the fovea.

Results

Significant improvement was seen in BCVA and CRT at all time points and in Flare at 1 vs 3 months post-IVR; nevertheless, additional IVR was necessary in 94% of cases. In a patient with recurrence, CRT did not improve, even though VEGF decreased.

Conclusion

Flare may be effective for estimating VEGF levels in aqueous humor pre-IVR. Inflammation-related molecules other than VEGF may be related to recurrence.

Optical coherence tomography findings as a predictor of clinical course in patients with branch retinal vein occlusion treated with ranibizumab

PURPOSE

To examine the relationship between optical coherence tomography (OCT) images and clinical course in eyes with branch retinal vein occlusion (BRVO) treated with intravitreal ranibizumab injection (IVR).

DESIGN

Prospective cohort study.

PARTICIPANTS

Thirty eyes of 30 patients with BRVO treated with IVR.

METHODS

All patients received 1 initial IVR followed by repeated injections in the pro re nata (PRN) regimen. Correlations between logarithm of minimum angle of resolution best-corrected visual acuity (logMAR BCVA) or number of IVRs after 12 months and OCT parameters including the external limiting membrane (ELM), ellipsoid zone (EZ), interdigitation zone (IZ), and photoreceptor outer segment (PROS) length at first resolution of macular edema (ME) were assessed. Resolution of ME was defined as central foveal thickness <300 μm and the absence of subretinal fluid. OCT parameters influencing BCVA and number of IVRs were evaluated using multivariate analysis. Correlations between nonperfusion areas (NPAs) and thinning areas and changes in retinal thickness of BRVO-affected areas were assessed.

RESULTS

Of the 30 patients, 27 completed this study and were included in the statistical analyses. The mean logMAR BCVA at 3, 6, and 12 months was 0.16 ± 0.19, 0.09 ± 0.20, and 0.07 ± 0.20, respectively, which improved significantly from baseline at each visit (p < 0.0001, respectively), while the mean number of IVRs at 12 months was 3.9 ± 2.2. The mean number of IVRs for the first resolution of ME was 1.6 ± 0.8. Eyes with ELM and EZ defects at the points of first resolution of ME were correlated with a significantly lower BCVA at 12 months compared with eyes with preserved ELMs and EZs (p = 0.035, p = 0.002, respectively). However, eyes with IZ defects at the points of first resolution of ME were not correlated with a significantly lower BCVA at 12 months compared with eyes with preserved IZs (p = 0.160). Defects in the EZ at the points of first resolution of ME significantly affected the number of IVRs at 12 months (p = 0.042), although the ELM and IZ did not. PROS length at the points of first resolution of ME was significantly correlated with BCVA and number of IVRs at 12 months (p = 0.006, p = 0.0008, respectively). In multivariate analysis, PROS length at the points of first resolution of ME had the most significant effect on BCVA and number of IVRs (p = 0.013, p = 0.012, respectively). NPA size on fluorescein angiography and thinning area on OCT within the macular area showed a significant correlation (p = 0.003, r = 0.971). The retinal thickness of ischemic BRVO-affected areas was significantly less than that of control areas at 10, 11, and 12 months (p = 0.001, p = 0.005, p = 0.003, respectively).

CONCLUSION

We showed that the 1+PRN regimen may be a useful therapy for ME due to BRVO. In addition, PROS length at points of first resolution of ME appears to be a good indicator of BCVA and number of IVRs in BRVO patients.

Optical coherence tomography findings as a predictor of clinical course in patients with branch retinal vein occlusion treated with ranibizumab

Purpose

To examine the relationship between optical coherence tomography (OCT) images and clinical course in eyes with branch retinal vein occlusion (BRVO) treated with intravitreal ranibizumab injection (IVR).

Design

Prospective cohort study.

Participants

Thirty eyes of 30 patients with BRVO treated with IVR.

Methods

All patients received 1 initial IVR followed by repeated injections in the pro re nata (PRN) regimen. Correlations between logarithm of minimum angle of resolution best-corrected visual acuity (logMAR BCVA) or number of IVRs after 12 months and OCT parameters including the external limiting membrane (ELM), ellipsoid zone (EZ), interdigitation zone (IZ), and photoreceptor outer segment (PROS) length at first resolution of macular edema (ME) were assessed. Resolution of ME was defined as central foveal thickness <300 μm and the absence of subretinal fluid. OCT parameters influencing BCVA and number of IVRs were evaluated using multivariate analysis. Correlations between nonperfusion areas (NPAs) and thinning areas and changes in retinal thickness of BRVO-affected areas were assessed.

Results

Of the 30 patients, 27 completed this study and were included in the statistical analyses. The mean logMAR BCVA at 3, 6, and 12 months was 0.16 ± 0.19, 0.09 ± 0.20, and 0.07 ± 0.20, respectively, which improved significantly from baseline at each visit (p < 0.0001, respectively), while the mean number of IVRs at 12 months was 3.9 ± 2.2. The mean number of IVRs for the first resolution of ME was 1.6 ± 0.8. Eyes with ELM and EZ defects at the points of first resolution of ME were correlated with a significantly lower BCVA at 12 months compared with eyes with preserved ELMs and EZs (p = 0.035, p = 0.002, respectively). However, eyes with IZ defects at the points of first resolution of ME were not correlated with a significantly lower BCVA at 12 months compared with eyes with preserved IZs (p = 0.160). Defects in the EZ at the points of first resolution of ME significantly affected the number of IVRs at 12 months (p = 0.042), although the ELM and IZ did not. PROS length at the points of first resolution of ME was significantly correlated with BCVA and number of IVRs at 12 months (p = 0.006, p = 0.0008, respectively). In multivariate analysis, PROS length at the points of first resolution of ME had the most significant effect on BCVA and number of IVRs (p = 0.013, p = 0.012, respectively). NPA size on fluorescein angiography and thinning area on OCT within the macular area showed a significant correlation (p = 0.003, r = 0.971). The retinal thickness of ischemic BRVO-affected areas was significantly less than that of control areas at 10, 11, and 12 months (p = 0.001, p = 0.005, p = 0.003, respectively).

Conclusion

We showed that the 1+PRN regimen may be a useful therapy for ME due to BRVO. In addition, PROS length at points of first resolution of ME appears to be a good indicator of BCVA and number of IVRs in BRVO patients.

The use of bevacizumab and ranibizumab for branch retinal vein occlusion in medicare beneficiaries

Purpose

To describe the frequency and variation of intravitreal bevacizumab and ranibizumab use for branch retinal vein occlusion (BVO) in the United States (US).

Methods

We obtained a 5% random sample of Medicare beneficiaries from the Medicare Denominator and Physician/Supplier Part B claims files from 2010 to 2013 and identified all beneficiaries with an ICD-9-CM code for branch retinal vein occlusion (BVO, 362.36). Patient age, gender, race, state of residence and Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI) scores were collected. Healthcare Common Procedure Coding System (HSCPS) codes for bevacizumab (J3590, J9035, and J3490) and for ranibizumab (J2778) were used to identify the mode of treatment for each patient. Patients who met the following criteria were excluded from this study: (1) under 65 years of age; (2) residence outside of the 50 United States or the District of Columbia; (3) no Part-B coverage or with HMO coverage that was not processed by Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS); (4) concomitant diagnosis of diabetic edema (ICD-9: 362.07) or central retinal vein occlusion (ICD-9: 362.35); and (5) received both or none of the above two treatments. Geographic variation was examined by comparing injection frequencies across the nine US census divisions using Chi-squared analysis.

Results

During 2010–2013, a majority of the 3944 BVO patients who met the inclusion criteria received bevacizumab compared to ranibizumab (76.7% vs 23.3%). Most patients were aged 75–79 (22.0%) or 80–84 (22.0%), female (61.5%), white (88.3%), and had a CCI score of 1–2 (39.8%). The frequencies of bevacizumab and ranibizumab injections for BVO varied significantly between the US census divisions (p < 0.0001). The highest frequencies of bevacizumab use were in the Mountain (90.6%) and Pacific (82.7%) divisions while the highest frequencies of ranibizumab use were in the West North Central (37.9%) and Mid Atlantic (32.7%) divisions.

Conclusions and Importance

A majority of Medicare beneficiaries with BVO received bevacizumab compared to ranibizumab from 2010 to 2013, with significant geographic variation in the use of the two anti-VEGF agents. Future research into factors driving geographic variation in the use of these agents may help direct cost-effective strategies for the management of BVO.

Anti-VEGF treatment of macular edema associated with retinal vein occlusion: patterns of use and effectiveness in clinical practice (ECHO study report 2)

Purpose

To evaluate the efficacy, safety, and injection frequency of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) antagonists in the treatment of macular edema secondary to retinal vein occlusion (RVO) in clinical practice.

Patients and methods

A multicenter retrospective study of the medical records of 165 patients (95 branch RVO, 70 central RVO) treated with at least three anti-VEGF injections in the study eye was conducted. Available data collected for at least 6 months after the first injection included Snellen best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), central retinal thickness (CRT) by time-domain optical coherence tomography (TD-OCT) or spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT), anti-VEGF injections, other treatments/procedures for RVO, and adverse events.

Results

At baseline prior to anti-VEGF treatment, mean BCVA was 20/80 Snellen equivalent and mean CRT was 499 μm. Mean number of anti-VEGF injections received was 7.1 during the first year, 5.4 during the second year, and 5.9 during the third year; 51.3% (842/1,641) of injections were ranibizumab, 44.1% (724/1,641) were bevacizumab, and 4.6% (75/1,641) were aflibercept. One in five patients received concomitant focal laser treatment. The percentage of patients achieving both BCVA of 20/40 or better and CRT ≤250 μm on TD-OCT or ≤300 μm on SD-OCT at the same visit (primary endpoint) was 26.1% (30/115) after the first anti-VEGF injection and ranged from 20.0% (7/35) to 36.7% (11/30) after the first 16 injections. After each anti-VEGF injection from the 1st to the 16th, <60% of patients achieved 20/40 or better BCVA and ≤70% of patients achieved CRT ≤250 μm on TD-OCT or ≤300 μm on SD-OCT. The most common treatment-related adverse event was blurry or cloudy vision.

Conclusion

In this real-world study, a mean of five to seven anti-VEGF injections was administered yearly, and the response to anti-VEGF therapy was suboptimal in many patients. Anti-VEGF therapy was well tolerated.

Spectral-Domain Optical Coherence Tomography-Driven Treat-and-Extend and Pro Re Nata Regimen in Patients with Macular Oedema due to Retinal Vein Occlusion: 24-Month Evaluation and Outcome Predictors

PURPOSE

To analyse the efficacy and outcome predictors of ranibizumab using a spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT)-driven treat-and-extend regimen (TER) versus SD-OCT-driven pro re nata regimen (PRN) in patients with cystoid macular oedema (CME) due to branch or central retinal vein occlusion (BRVO, CRVO).

METHODS

Retrospective, consecutive case series. Evaluation included best corrected visual acuity (BCVA), morphological parameters on SD-OCT, and treatment frequency.

RESULTS

From baseline to months 12, 18, and 24, BCVA improved by 16.6 ± 13.1, 15.5 ± 14.4, and 16.6 ± 15.8 letters, respectively, in TER (n = 45), compared to 11.3 ± 17.0, 11.0 ± 15.0, and 10 ± 20.5 letters in PRN (n = 31) (p = 0.152, p = 0.237, p = 0.172). The mean reduction in central retinal thickness was -261 ± 189, -272 ± 188, and -264 ± 158 μm, respectively, in TER, compared to -130 ± 196, -140 ± 210, and -166 ± 207 μm in PRN (p = 0.006, p = 0.017, p = 0.064). 59% (53%) of TER and 22% (17%) of PRN patients showed no intra- or subretinal fluid on SD-OCT at 12 (24) months. Using TER, the maximum recurrence-free treatment interval increased from 8.9 ± 2.3 weeks at 12 months to 9.8 ± 2.3 and 10.5 ± 2.7 weeks at 18 and 24 months, respectively. The number of injections was significantly higher in the TER than in the PRN group.

CONCLUSIONS

In CME, due to BRVO/CRVO, TER provides better morphological outcome using more injections than PRN.