INTRAVITREAL BEVACIZUMAB FOR THE MANAGEMENT OF CHOROIDAL NEOVASCULARIZATION IN PSEUDOXANTHOMA ELASTICUM

Angioid Streaks Remain a Challenge in Diagnosis, Management, and Treatment

Aim: Angioid streaks (ASs) are a rare retinal condition and compromise visual acuity when complicated with choroidal neovascularization (CNV). They represent crack-like dehiscences at the level of the Bruch's membrane. This objective narrative review aims to provide an overview of pathophysiology, current treatment modalities, and future perspectives on this condition. Materials and Methods: A literature search was performed using "PubMed", "Web of Science", "Scopus", "ScienceDirect", "Google Scholar", "medRxiv", and "bioRxiv." Results: ASs may be idiopathic, but they are also associated with systemic conditions, such as pseudoxanthoma elasticum, hereditary hemoglobinopathies, or Paget's disease. Currently, the main treatment is the use of anti-vascular endothelial growth factors (anti-VEGF) to treat secondary CNV, which is the major complication observed in this condition. If CNV is detected and treated promptly, patients with ASs have a good chance of maintaining functional vision. Other treatment modalities have been tried but have shown limited benefit and, therefore, have not managed to be more widely accepted. Conclusion: In summary, although there is no definitive cure yet, the use of anti-VEGF treatment for secondary CNV has provided the opportunity to maintain functional vision in individuals with AS, provided that CNV is detected and treated early.

Long-Term Effect of Anti-Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (Anti-VEGF) Injections in Choroidal Neovascularization Secondary to Angioid Streaks

Purpose

This study aimed to evaluate the long-term effectiveness of intravitreal anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) injections in the treatment of choroidal neovascularization (CNV) associated with angioid streaks.

Methods

Multicenter retrospective cohort study, including eyes with CNV secondary to angioid streaks treated with anti-VEGF injections, were performed. Best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) in ETDRS letters; qualitative and quantitative (foveal thickness) OCT parameters; anti-VEGF type; and number of injections were collected at baseline and at 3, 6, 12, 24, 36, 48, 60, and 72 months.

Results

Thirty-nine eyes from 29 patients, 17 (58.6%) females, were included. The mean follow-up time was 69.4 ± 34.5 months. BCVA was 59.3 ± 23.3 letters at baseline and 63.7 ± 21.9 letters at 48 months. At 3 months, BCVA improved 6.9 ± 11.7 letters (P=0.003). Then, BCVA remained stable. The mean foveal thickness decreased from 343.3 ± 120.2 μm at baseline to 268.3 ± 65.4 at 48 months (P=0.021). The mean number of injections was 4.6 ± 2.1 at 12 months, decreasing to 1.7 ± 2.4 injections between 36 and 48 months (P=0.093).

Conclusion

This real-world study suggests that the functional and morphologic response to anti-VEGF therapy for CNV related to angioid streaks is generally satisfactory and maintained in the long term.

Therapy of Pseudoxanthoma Elasticum: Current Knowledge and Future Perspectives

Pseudoxanthoma elasticum (PXE) is a rare, genetic, metabolic disease with an estimated prevalence of between 1 per 25,000 and 56,000. Its main hallmarks are characteristic skin lesions, development of choroidal neovascularization, and early-onset arterial calcification accompanied by a severe reduction in quality-of-life. Underlying the pathology are recessively transmitted pathogenic variants of the ABCC6 gene, which results in a deficiency of ABCC6 protein. This results in reduced levels of peripheral pyrophosphate, a strong inhibitor of peripheral calcification, but also dysregulation of blood lipids. Although various treatment options have emerged during the last 20 years, many are either already outdated or not yet ready to be applied generally. Clinical physicians often are left stranded while patients suffer from the consequences of outdated therapies, or feel unrecognized by their attending doctors who may feel uncertain about using new therapeutic approaches or not even know about them. In this review, we summarize the broad spectrum of treatment options for PXE, focusing on currently available clinical options, the latest research and development, and future perspectives.

Therapeutics Development for Pseudoxanthoma Elasticum and Related Ectopic Mineralization Disorders: Update 2020

Pseudoxanthoma elasticum (PXE), the prototype of heritable ectopic mineralization disorders, manifests with deposition of calcium hydroxyapatite crystals in the skin, eyes and arterial blood vessels. This autosomal recessive disorder, due to mutations in ABCC6, is usually diagnosed around the second decade of life. In the spectrum of heritable ectopic mineralization disorders are also generalized arterial calcification of infancy (GACI), with extremely severe arterial calcification diagnosed by prenatal ultrasound or perinatally, and arterial calcification due to CD73 deficiency (ACDC) manifesting with arterial and juxta-articular mineralization in the elderly; the latter disorders are caused by mutations in ENPP1 and NT5E, respectively. The unifying pathomechanistic feature in these three conditions is reduced plasma levels of inorganic pyrophosphate (PPi), a powerful endogenous inhibitor of ectopic mineralization. Several on-going attempts to develop treatments for these conditions, either with the goal to normalize PPi plasma levels or by means of preventing calcium hydroxyapatite deposition independent of PPi, are in advanced preclinical levels or in early clinical trials. This overview summarizes the prospects of treatment development for ectopic mineralization disorders, with PXE, GACI and ACDC as the target diseases, from the 2020 vantage point.

Intravitreal aflibercept for management of choroidal neovascularization secondary to angioid streaks : The Italian EYLEA-STRIE study

PURPOSE

To investigate the effect and the safety of intravitreal aflibercept in patients affected by choroidal neovascularization secondary to angioid streaks with a long-term follow-up.

METHODS

Multicentre, open-label, phase IIb study (EYLEA-STRIE, EudraCT Number 2014-000986-30) involving four Italian centres (IRCCS Ospedale San Raffaele (Milano), Fondazione G.B. Bietti (Roma), Policlinico (Milano), Ospedale Luigi Sacco (Milano)). Patients with active choroidal neovascularization secondary to angioid streaks with foveal involvement were prospectively enrolled and followed for 18 months. All the patients received intravitreal 2 mg/0.05 mL aflibercept at the time of enrolment, followed by a pro-re-nata regimen for 48 weeks. Best-corrected visual acuity and central macular thickness were measured monthly. Adverse events were monitored at each visit.

RESULTS

Twenty-three eyes of 20 patients were analysed. Mean number of injections per patient was 4.30 ± 1.2. At week 48, the best-corrected visual acuity was 0.42 ± 0.40 LogMAR (p = 0.6 from baseline) and 18 eyes (81.8%) featured stability within 15 letters. The central macular thickness significantly reduced (p = 0.03). Eleven ocular non-serious adverse events and two serious adverse events were observed (one case of endophthalmitis and one case of acute gastritis were reported).

CONCLUSION

Intravitreal aflibercept represents a valid option for the management of choroidal neovascularization complicating angioid streaks. Further studies with longer follow-up and different therapeutic regimens are warranted to ascertain the best control of the disease.

The Role of Vitamin K and Its Related Compounds in Mendelian and Acquired Ectopic Mineralization Disorders

Ectopic mineralization disorders comprise a broad spectrum of inherited or acquired diseases characterized by aberrant deposition of calcium crystals in multiple organs, such as the skin, eyes, kidneys, and blood vessels. Although the precise mechanisms leading to ectopic calcification are still incompletely known to date, various molecular targets leading to a disturbed balance between pro- and anti-mineralizing pathways have been identified in recent years. Vitamin K and its related compounds, mainly those post-translationally activated by vitamin K-dependent carboxylation, may play an important role in the pathogenesis of ectopic mineralization as has been demonstrated in studies on rare Mendelian diseases, but also on highly prevalent disorders, like vascular calcification. This narrative review compiles and summarizes the current knowledge regarding the role of vitamin K, its metabolism, and associated compounds in the pathophysiology of both monogenic ectopic mineralization disorders, like pseudoxanthoma elasticum or Keutel syndrome, as well as acquired multifactorial diseases, like chronic kidney disease. Clinical and molecular aspects of the various disorders are discussed according to the state-of-the-art, followed by a comprehensive literature review regarding the role of vitamin K in molecular pathophysiology and as a therapeutic target in both human and animal models of ectopic mineralization disorders.

Intravitreal Bevacizumab for Choroidal Neovascularization Associated with Angioid Streaks: Long-term Results

PURPOSE:

The purpose of the study was to evaluate the long-term efficacy and safety of intravitreal bevacizumab (IVB) in the treatment of choroidal neovascularization (CNV) secondary to angioid streaks (AS).

MATERIALS AND METHODS:

Noncomparative, interventional retrospective case series involving ten patients (15 eyes) with a minimum follow-up of 25 months following IVB for AS-associated CNV. Demographic and clinical details at baseline and during follow-up were collected from patient records. Detailed clinical examination was followed by fundus fluorescein angiography and optical coherence tomography to confirm CNV. Both primary and recurrent CNVs were treated with monthly injections of IVB till the lesion stabilized. Primary outcome measures were the percentage of patients with stable or improved visual acuity (VA) and with stable or decreased central retinal thickness (CRT) at the last visit. Secondary outcome measure was the incidence of ocular and systemic complications.

RESULTS:

Recurrence was observed in 11 eyes (73.33%) over a mean follow-up of 57.33 months (range: 25–100). A mean number of injections administered was 5.60. VA improved or stabilized in 73.33% and deteriorated in 26.67% of eyes at the final visit. Mean CRT improved from 324.40 μm at baseline to 265.53 μm at final visit, which was statistically significant. Complications observed were ocular hypertension in one patient and thromboembolic event in another patient.

CONCLUSIONS:

IVB appears to be a safe and effective option to treat CNV and to preserve vision over a prolonged period. It cannot eliminate the risk of recurrent CNV indicating the need for more effective treatments to arrest this visually debilitating condition.

Choroidal Neovascularization in Angioid Streaks and Pseudoxanthoma Elasticum: 1 Year Follow-Up

Purpose

To report the efficacy of intravitreal injection of bevacizumab 1.25 mg (IVB) in the treatment of choroidal neovascularization (CNV) secondary to angioid streaks (AS).

Methods

Case review of two patients with CNV secondary to AS treated with three IVB with a 1-year follow-up.

Results

In both patients after 1 year fluorescein angiography and optical coherence tomography showed complete inactivity of the CNV and the ophthalmologic examination revealed stabilization of the visual acuity.

Conclusions

The IBV appeared to be an effective and safe treatment for CNV secondary to AS resulting in a long-term CNV inactivation. Further long-term studies in this type of lesion are desirable.

Ranibizumab for choroidal neovascularization secondary to pseudoxanthoma elasticum: 4-year results from the PIXEL study in France

PURPOSE

To evaluate the long-term effectiveness and safety of ranibizumab 0.5 mg in patients with choroidal neovascularization (CNV) secondary to pseudoxanthoma elasticum (PXE) in a real-world setting.

METHODS

A descriptive, observational, multicenter study in a retrospective and prospective cohort was conducted in France that included patients who had received at least one injection of ranibizumab 0.5 mg during the period October 2011 to October 2014, for CNV secondary to PXE. Eligible patients were identified by review of medical records or during routine consultations. The main objectives were to describe patient characteristics, assess changes in best-corrected visual acuity [VA, Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study (ETDRS) letters] over time, the number and reasons for ranibizumab treatment and overall safety.

RESULTS

Of the 72 enrolled patients (98 eyes) from 23 centers, 39 (54.2%) were male and mean [±standard deviation (SD)] age was 59.6 (±8.3) years. The mean VA was 64.6 letters at the first ranibizumab injection, which was maintained at the 1-year follow-up (64.7 letters). Thereafter, the mean VA was stable until the 4-year follow-up. At 4 years, the proportion of eyes with VA gain of ≥15 letters was 3/19 (15.8%) and stable VA (change between -15 and +15 letters) was 10/19 (52.6%). Mean (±SD) annual number of ranibizumab injections was 4.1 (±4.0), lower in the second versus first year. The most common reason for ranibizumab treatment was progression of neovascular activity (42.9%). No deaths or new safety findings were reported.

CONCLUSIONS

In patients with CNV secondary to PXE, ranibizumab 0.5 mg resulted in stable VA over 4 years with a limited number of injections. Safety findings were consistent with the established safety profile of ranibizumab.

Batch-related sterile endophthalmitis following intravitreal injection of bevacizumab

Background:

To report a series of patients with sterile endophthalmitis after intravitreal bevacizumab (IVB) injection from 2 different batches of bevacizumab.

Materials and Methods:

Records of 11 eyes with severe inflammation after IVB injections from two different batches (7 eyes from one and 4 from the other) on two separate days were evaluated. Fifteen eyes of 15 patients in one day were treated with one batch and 18 eyes of 17 patients were treated another day using another batch injected for different retinal diseases. Each batch was opened on the day of injection. We used commercially available bevacizumab (100 mg/4 ml) kept at 4°C. Severe cases with hypopyon were admitted to the ward and underwent anterior chamber and vitreous tap for direct smear and culture.

Results:

Pain, redness and decreased vision began after 11-17 days. All had anterior chamber and vitreous reactions and 5 had hypopyon. Antibiotics and corticosteroids were initiated immediately, but the antibiotics were discontinued after negative culture results. Visual acuity returned to pre-injection levels in 10 eyes after 1 month and only in one eye pars plana vitrectomy was performed. Mean VA at the time of presentation with inflammation (1.76 ± 0.78 logMAR) decreased significantly (P =0.008) compared to the initial mean corrected VA (1.18 ± 0.55 logMAR); however, final mean corrected VA (1.02 ± 0.48 logMAR) improved in comparison with the baseline but not to a significant level (P =0.159).

Conclusions:

We report a cluster of sterile endophthalmitis following intravitreal injection of bevacizumab from the same batch of bevacizumab that has a favorable prognosis.

Treatment of choroidal neovascularization due to angioid streaks: a comprehensive review

PURPOSE

To evaluate different therapies for choroidal neovascularization (CNV) due to angioid streaks (AS).

METHODS

Studies were identified by a systematic literature search and were included in the analysis based on predefined criteria. Primary outcome measure was change in best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA).

RESULTS

Fifty-four relevant studies were identified and included mostly uncontrolled case series. No randomized controlled trials were available. Treatment with vascular endothelial growth factor inhibitors improved or stabilized BCVA in all case series. Photodynamic therapy slowed down disease progression with stabilization or decrease of BCVA. Individual BCVA and follow-up data for each treated eye were reported in >160 cases for both treatments, vascular endothelial growth factor inhibitors and photodynamic therapy. In a pooled analysis of those studies, the difference of mean change in BCVA between both treatment groups was estimated as approximately 6 lines (0.59 logMAR [95% confidence interval, 0.38-0.8; P < 0.0001]). A better baseline BCVA was associated with a better BCVA outcome (P < 0.0001). Laser photocoagulation yielded comparable results as photodynamic therapy but application was mostly restricted to extrafoveal lesions, was complicated by frequent recurrences, and led to more retinal damage with subsequent absolute scotomas. Combination therapies seem to be not superior to monotherapy.

CONCLUSION

Intravitreal vascular endothelial growth factor inhibitors are currently the most effective treatment of CNV due to angioid streaks.

Choroidal neovascularization after blunt ocular trauma in angioid streaks

Background

Patients with angioid streaks are prone to develop a subretinal hemorrhage after ocular injury, due to fragility of Bruch’s membrane.

Objective

The purpose of this study was to report a patient with angioid streaks in whom subfoveal choroidal neovascularization (CNV) developed after blunt ocular trauma.

Case report

A 60-year-old man was accidentally struck in the left eye with a crowbar handle while engaged in the demolition of wooden building materials in May 2011 and was initially evaluated at our hospital. Corrected visual acuity was 0.3 in the right and 1.2 in the left eye, and relative afferent pupillary defect was negative. Funduscopy revealed choroidal atrophy around the optic papillae and angioid streaks radiating from around the optic discs in both eyes. In the right eye, there was macular atrophy. In the left eye, there was a subretinal hemorrhage around the macular region. Fluorescein angiography of the left eye showed a blockage due to subretinal hemorrhage and increasing hyperfluorescent spots superior to the fovea, suggestive of extrafoveal CNV. Spectral-domain optical coherence tomography showed macular thinning in the right eye and no obvious abnormalities near the subfoveal region in the left eye. Two months later, the patient noticed decreased visual acuity in the left eye and was reevaluated. Visual acuity had decreased to 0.7, and well-defined CNV, one disc diameter in size, was presenting slightly superior to the macula, including the subfoveal region. Two weeks later, anti–vascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF) antibody (bevacizumab) was injected intravitreally; the CNV then regressed, and visual acuity improved to 1.2.

Conclusion

Marked improvement in visual acuity with early treatment has not been reported in angioid streaks with subfoveal CNV after ocular injury. Intravitreal injection of an anti-VEGF antibody should be considered early after the diagnosis of CNV.

Acute stroke after intravitreal bevacizumab to treat choroidal neovascularization due to angioid streaks in pseudoxanthoma elasticum : a severe systemic adverse event after an off-label procedure

To report the occurrence of acute stroke after intravitreal bevacizumab administration to treat choroidal neovascularization due to angioid streaks in a patient affected by pseudoxanthoma elasticum. A 54-year-old man with pseudoxanthoma elasticum had vision loss because of choroidal neovascularization due to angioid streaks. He underwent two intravitreal bevacizumab injections. Three days after the second procedure the patient was afflicted by acute stroke. Intravitreal injection of bevacizumab to treat choroidal neovascularization due to angioid streaks in pseudoxanthoma elasticum could lead to severe systemic adverse events.

Long-term follow-up of choroidal neovascularization secondary to angioid streaks: case series and literature review

Background

The purpose of this paper is to report the clinical course of choroidal neovascularization (CNV) secondary to angioid streaks and the outcomes in response to different treatment modalities.

Methods

This was a case series of two consecutive patients (four eyes) with CNV secondary to angioid streaks. Visual acuity, ophthalmological examination, color photographs, fluorescein angiography, and optical coherence tomography were used to assess the outcomes of treatment.

Results

Two eyes were treated with photodynamic therapy for subfoveal choroidal neovascular membrane, one eye underwent thermal laser photocoagulation for extrafoveal CNV followed by intravitreal bevacizumab for subfoveal CNV, and one eye underwent intravitreal bevacizumab for subfoveal CNV. The follow-up period was 4–6 years. The final visual acuities of all eyes were 20/300 or worse with large submacular fibrosis.

Conclusion

CNV secondary to angioid streaks in these two patients had a poor prognosis despite undergoing different types of treatment. Poor outcome was likely related to frequent recurrence and newly developed CNV, which remained a clinical concern in these cases.

Tomographic fundus features in pseudoxanthoma elasticum: comparison with neovascular age-related macular degeneration in Japanese patients

PURPOSE

To determine the retinal and subretinal features characteristic to pseudoxanthoma elasticum (PXE) compared with age-related macular degeneration by using spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) in Japanese patients.

METHODS

We reviewed colour fundus photographs, fluorescein angiograms, and SD-OCT images of 52 eyes (27 Japanese patients) with angioid streaks (AS) due to PXE. Then we compared the incidence of tomographic features between 24 eyes (24 patient) with choroidal neovascularization (CNV) secondary to AS and 44 eyes (44 patients) with CNV secondary to age-related macular degeneration (AMD).

RESULTS

Secondary CNV was found in 44 eyes (84.6%) of 52 patients with PXE during follow-up. We found characteristic round or ovoid tubular structures with highly reflective annular lines (termed 'outer retinal tubulation' (ORT)) in 31 (70.5%) of 44 eyes with CNV, but none were found in eyes without CNV. We also found characteristic undulations of Bruch's membrane in 38 (73.1%) eyes with AS. The incidence of ORT was significantly greater in eyes with CNV secondary to AS (70.8%; P=0.005) compared with eyes with CNV secondary to AMD (34.1%). The incidence of Bruch's membrane undulation was significantly greater in eyes with CNV secondary to AS (70.8%; P<0.0001) than in eyes with CNV secondary to AMD (11.4%).

CONCLUSION

SD-OCT imaging clearly revealed a greater incidence of unique lesions, including ORT and Bruch's membrane undulation, in eyes in PXE patients with CNV secondary to AS than in eyes with CNV secondary to AMD.

[Choroidal neovascularization secondary to pseudoxanthoma elasticum treated with ranibizumab: a report of 2 cases]

CASE REPORT

We report 2 cases of pseudoxanthoma elasticum with angioid streaks and choroidal neovascularization (CNV) in both eyes. Intravitreal ranibizumab (Lucentis) was administered with successful results in both cases.

DISCUSSION

CNV has been reported to occur in 72% to 86% of patients with angioid streaks. Although uncommon, the impact of CNV is important because it tends to affect people of working age. Based on the effectiveness of ranibizumab in other secondary CNVs, we decided to use it in our patients, observing the functional and anatomical improvement.

Intravitreal bevacizumab for the treatment of choroidal neovascularization secondary to angioid streaks: one year of follow-up

PURPOSE

To evaluate the efficacy and safety of intravitreal bevacizumab at one year follow-up, for the treatment of choroidal neovascularization (CNV) associated with angioid streaks.

METHODS

A retrospective case series of eighteen eyes of 17 patients with CNV secondary to angioid streaks treated with intravitreal bevacizumab between October 2006 and May 2008. Ophthalmic evaluation including best corrected visual acuity (BCVA), slit lamp biomicroscopic examination, optical coherence tomography (OCT) and fluorescein angiography, was performed before and after treatment. Retreatment was given every 4-6 weeks in case of persistent symptoms or CNV activity on OCT. Main outcome measures were changes in BCVA and central retinal thickness on OCT.

RESULTS

The mean number of injections was 4.8 at 1 year. Twelve eyes (66.6%) received five injections or more. The mean BCVA at baseline was 20/80 (range 20/400 to 20/32) and improved to 20/44 (range 20/160 to 20/20) at 1 year (p = 0.014). The BCVA improved by three or more lines in eleven eyes (61.11%) and remained within two lines of baseline in seven eyes (38.8%). Mean central retinal thickness was 404.2 μm (range 160-602 μm) at baseline and decreased to 300.5 μm (range 150-523 μm) at 1 year (p = 0.022). No ocular or systemic complications were noted.

CONCLUSION

The 1-year outcomes suggest intravitreal bevacizumab to be a promising treatment for CNV associated with angioid streaks, resulting in both functional and anatomical improvements. Repeated injections are needed to maintain these results. Further long term studies are required to confirm these findings.

A case of intravitreal bevacizumab injection for the treatment of choroidal neovascularization in angioid streaks

A 56-year-old Korean woman presented with decreased visual acuity of the right eye. She had a history of two photodynamic therapy treatments for choroidal neovascularization (CNV) due to angioid streaks in her left eye with central scarring and low visual acuity. She was diagnosed with subfoveal CNV due to angioid streaks in her right eye and treated with six intravitreal bevacizumab (1.25 mg / 0.05 mL) injections over one year. Best corrected visual acuity improved from 20 / 125 at baseline to 20 / 50 at the final visit. The area of CNV had changed into a fibrotic scar by the final visit, and fluorescein angiography and indocyanine green angiography revealed no evidence of leakage. Optical coherence tomography showed that central macular thickness decreased from 311 µm at baseline to 203 µm with complete resolution of subretinal and intraretinal fluid at the final visit. Intravitreal bevacizumab for CNV associated with angioid streaks prevented the progression of disease and resulted in the improvement of visual acuity after one year of follow-up in our patient.

A randomized controlled trial of oral phosphate binders in the treatment of pseudoxanthoma elasticum

BACKGROUND

Pseudoxanthoma elasticum (PXE) is a rare connective tissue disorder involving fragmentation and mineralization of elastic fibers predominantly in the skin, eyes, and cardiovascular system.

OBJECTIVE

The objective of this study was to assess the efficacy of sevelamer hydrochloride on the reversal of elastic fiber calcification and clinical lesions of PXE.

METHODS

This was a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, two-part prospective study. In the first year, 40 patients with PXE were randomized to receive either sevelamer hydrochloride (800 mg by mouth three times daily) or placebo in a 1:1 ratio. In the second year, all patients received sevelamer hydrochloride (800 mg by mouth three times daily).

RESULTS

In the first year, the placebo and treatment groups' mean calcium scores decreased from 29.52 to 15.97 (41.93% mean improvement) and 27.48 to 16.75 (38.37% mean improvement), respectively. In the second year, the mean calcium scores decreased to 13.36 (53.94%) and 14.03 (51.35%) in these groups. The mean clinical score in the placebo group decreased from 6.25 to 6.05 at year 1 (2% improvement) whereas the mean clinical score in the sevelamer hydrochloride group decreased from 7.10 to 6.55 (7% improvement). In year 2, the scores in the original placebo and sevelamer hydrochloride groups decreased to 5.33 (14% improvement) and 5.72 (19% improvement), respectively.

LIMITATIONS

Magnesium stearate in our placebo and active drugs may have played a confounding role in this study, contributing to the small differences observed in these two groups.

CONCLUSION

Sevelamer hydrochloride produced a reduction in both calcification levels and clinical scores; however, this difference was not statistically significant compared with placebo. Future clinical studies should examine the inhibitory role and potential therapeutic effect of magnesium in PXE.

Intravitreal bevacizumab versus photodynamic therapy for myopic choroidal neovascularization in a North-African population

PURPOSE

To compare the 1-year functional and anatomical outcomes of intravitreal bevacizumab (IVB) and photodynamic therapy (PDT) in patients with myopic choroidal neovascularization (CNV).

METHODS

Review of retrospectively collected data of 80 eyes in 80 patients with myopic CNV treated with standard PDT (n = 40) or IVB (1.25 mg/ 0.05 ml) (n = 40). Best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and central retinal thickness (CRT) measured with optical coherence tomography (OCT) were compared between the two groups at baseline, 3, 6 and 12 months.

RESULTS

In the IVB group, mean BCVA was +0.9 ± 0.85 logMAR at baseline. Mean BCVA was significantly better at 3 and 6 months than baseline (p = .0095 and p = .008, respectively) but not at 12 months (p = .065). In the PDT group, mean BCVA was +0.88 ± 0.45 logMAR at baseline, and improved to +0.85 ± 0.62 logMAR at 3 months and to +0.86 ± 0.44 logMAR at 6 months, which was not significantly different from baseline. Mean BCVA then decreased to +0.9 ± 0.54 logMAR at 12 months (p = .85). Mean logMAR VA was significantly better in the IVB group than in the PDT group after 3 months (p = .0043), 6 months (p = .0001) and 12 months (p = .0168). Mean CRT was significantly lower in IVB group than in PDT group at 3, 6 and 12 months (p = .008, p = .038, p = .040, respectively). Chorioretinal atrophy developed in six eyes (15%) treated with IVB and in 24 eyes (60%) treated with PDT at 12 months (p = 3.2 × 10(-5)).

CONCLUSIONS

Over a 12-month period, intravitreal bevacizumab seems to be superior to photodynamic therapy in controlling myopic CNV in a North-African population.

Management of pediatric choroidal neovascular membranes with intravitreal anti-VEGF agents: a retrospective consecutive case series

OBJECTIVE

To report the results of pediatric choroidal neovascular membranes (CNVMs) secondary to a variety of etiologies treated with intravitreal anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF) agents.

DESIGN

Retrospective case series.

PARTICIPANTS

Four pediatric patients at the Hosptial for Sick Children with CNVMs secondary to a variety of etiologies.

METHODS

Each patient received multiple treatments with one of the following anti-VEGF agents: pegaptanib sodium, bevacizumab, or ranibizumab. Progress was monitored by clinical exam, optical coherence tomography (OCT), and fluorescein angiography.

RESULTS

The mean age of our patients was 11.5 years (range, 8-15 years). Patients were followed for a mean of 10 months (range, 4-14 months). One patient was treated with pegaptanib sodium, 2 with bevacizumab, and 1 with ranibizumab. Following treatment, 1 patient showed an improvement and 3 showed stabilization of vision with reduction of fluid on clinical exam and OCT, and cessation of leakage on the fluorescein angiogram. Patients required 2-5 injections of the anti-VEGF agent. No ocular or systemic adverse events were observed in any of our treated patients.

CONCLUSIONS

Anti-VEGF agents were effective in the treatment of pediatric CNVMs in this case series. However, we do not know how these results would have differed from other treatment modalities, including observation. We did not observe any adverse side effects; however, larger studies are required to document the safety of these medications in the pediatric population where normal angiogenesis is occurring.

[Retinal autofluorescence imaging in patients with pseudoxanthoma elasticum]

PURPOSE

To evaluate the autofluorescence findings in patients diagnosed with pseudoxanthoma elasticum.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

A prospective study was conducted on 18 eyes of 9 patients who had ocular pathology andfollowed up in the pseudoxanthoma elasticum (PSX) unit of our hospital. We evaluated the best corrected visual acuity (BCVA), colour and autofluorescence photography (AF), and fluorescein angiography (FA) in patients with choroidal neovascularitation.

RESULTS

Of the 9 patients, 7 were women and 2 were men. The mean age was 40 +/- 14 years. The BCVA ranged from 1 to 0.01 (Mean 0.65 +/- 0.4). All patients showed PSX injuries. Angioid streaks (AS) 18 (100%), peau d'orange 16 (87.5%) and pigmented fibrotic plates 5 (31,5%). We observed different hypoautofluorescence patterns (RPE atrophy), of which 2 of them were AS patterns (irregular lines with hyperautofluorescence speckled in its interior and edges, or bands with lobulated lesions inside and hyperautofluorescence at the edges), and finally widespread areas of hypoautofluorescence, larger than observed by ophthalmoscope.

CONCLUSIONS

Autofluorescence in patients with PSX is an easy method to evaluate the initial level of ophthalmoscopic involvement and its subsequent progression. The extensive changes in the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) suggests the important role of this in the physiopathology of the disease.

Hereditary connective tissue diseases in young adult stroke: a comprehensive synthesis

Though the genetic background of ischaemic and haemorrhagic stroke is often polygenetic or multifactorial, it can in some cases result from a monogenic disease, particularly in young adults. Besides arteriopathies and metabolic disorders, several connective tissue diseases can present with stroke. While some of these diseases have been recognized for decades as causes of stroke, such as the vascular Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, others only recently came to attention as being involved in stroke pathogenesis, such as those related to Type IV collagen. This paper discusses each of these connective tissue disorders and their relation with stroke briefly, emphasizing the main clinical features which can lead to their diagnosis.

Positive response to intravitreal ranibizumab in the treatment of choroidal neovascularization secondary to punctate inner choroidopathy

PURPOSE

The purpose of the study was to report the use of ranibizumab in choroidal neovascularization secondary to punctate inner choroidopathy.

METHODS

This was a retrospective case series. Clinical notes of 10 patients with choroidal neovascularization secondary to punctate inner choroidopathy were reviewed (mean age, 40.7 years, age range, 25-58 years).

RESULTS

Previous therapies included photodynamic therapy, posterior sub-Tenon's triamcinolone, oral prednisolone, and intravitreal triamcinolone. Ten eyes in 10 patients underwent a mean of 1.9 ± 1.3 (± standard deviation) injections of antivascular endothelial growth factor (range, 1-5). All 10 patients had a follow-up review of at least 6 months (median, 12.5 ± 9.2 standard deviation; range, 6-34 months). Nine eyes either maintained or improved vision by at least 1 line on the logarithmic of the minimal angle of resolution calculated equivalent chart at least 6 months after the start of treatment with antivascular endothelial growth factor therapy. No ocular or systemic complications were observed.

CONCLUSION

The role of ranibizumab in choroidal neovascularization in association with punctate inner choroidopathy has been shown to be beneficial in this small group in whom improvement or stabilization of vision was observed in 9 of 10 eyes. Recurrent choroidal neovascularization can occur in these patients, and additional injections of ranibizumab appear to be safe and efficacious.

Intravitreal ranibizumab for choroidal neovascularization in angioid streaks

PURPOSE

To analyze retrospectively the efficacy of intravitreal ranibizumab injections for the management of choroidal neovascularization (CNV) in patients with angioid streaks.

DESIGN

Nonrandomized, double-center, retrospective, interventional case series.

METHODS

A consecutive series of patients affected with CNV associated with angioid streaks were treated with intravitreal ranibizumab injections (0.5 mg/0.05 mL). Best-corrected visual acuity, fundus photography results, optical coherence tomography (OCT) results, and fluorescein angiography results were examined before and after treatment. The primary end point was the percentage of eyes with stable or improved visual acuity at the end of follow-up. Secondary end points were the percentage of eyes with stable or decreased macular thickness on optical coherence tomography and the percentage of eyes with persistent leakage on fluorescein angiography at the last follow-up examination.

RESULTS

Thirty-five eyes of 27 patients were treated with repeated intravitreal ranibizumab injections (mean, 5.7 injections; range, 2 to 14 injections) for a mean of 24.1 months (range, 6 to 37 months). At the end of follow-up, visual acuity was stabilized or improved in 30 (85.7%) of 35 eyes. Macular thickness had stabilized or decreased in 18 (51.5%) of 35 eyes. At the last follow-up examination, on fluorescein angiography, no further leakage was observed in 23 (65.7%) of 35 eyes.

CONCLUSIONS

In this large series of angioid streaks-associated CNV, ranibizumab injections allowed stabilization of visual acuity. Ranibizumab seems to be a safe therapeutic option in CNV associated with angioid streaks.

An ocular presentation of familial tumoral calcinosis

This case report presents the ophthalmic features and complications of a 56-year-old Caucasian woman with familial tumoral calcinosis. She presented to our ophthalmology clinic with a 3-month history of blurring of her vision. She had been diagnosed 14 years earlier with familial tumoral calcinosis. Ophthalmological examination revealed calcific depositions on the eyelid margins, perilimbal calcific deposits and angioid streaks. An optical coherence tomography scan of the left eye revealed a choroidal neovascular membrane. Deterioration in vision occurred secondary to subretinal haemorrhage, resulting from the angioid streak. The patient was treated with a series of three intravitreal ranibizumab injections to her left eye, which led to an improvement in her visual acuity (VA). The patient is being closely followed up with monthly appointments, and to date, after 6 months of follow-up, there has been no further deterioration in her VA or reactivation of the choroidal neovascular membrane.

Verteporfin photodynamic therapy combined with intravitreal triamcinolone for choroidal neovascularization due to angioid streaks

PURPOSE

To report the visual outcome of photodynamic therapy (PDT) combined with intravitreal triamcinolone acetonide (IVTA) for choroidal neovascularization (CNV) secondary to angioid streaks (AS).

METHODS

Five eyes of five consecutive patients (mean age 45 +/- 10 years) with CNV secondary to AS were treated by combination of PDT and IVTA. TA (4 mg/0.1 mL) was injected 7 days before PDT.

RESULTS

All patients completed the 12-month follow-up. CNV was subfoveal in three cases and extrafoveal in two. Median best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) was 0.3 LogMAR (70 letters) at baseline (range 1.3-0.1), and 0.5 LogMAR (60 letters) at the final examination (range 1.0-0.1). At 12 months, one patient had severe visual deterioration, with a loss of seven lines of VA; Two patients lost up to three lines. One patient had no change in BCVA and the fifth gained nine lines of VA. Two patients received one further combination of PDT and IVTA after the first combination treatment. All eyes showed the CNV closure at the 12-month follow-up visit.

CONCLUSIONS

Combination of PDT and IVTA may reduce the need for retreatment and could be potentially useful for preserving vision in some patients with CNV due to AS.

Sterile endophthalmitis after intravitreal injection of bevacizumab obtained from a single batch

PURPOSE

The purpose of this study was to report 14 consecutive cases of endophthalmitis after intravitreal injection of bevacizumab (Avastin; Roche, Basel, Switzerland) obtained from a single batch.

METHODS

One vial of bevacizumab (100 mg/4 mL) was divided into 20 sterile injections and kept at 4 degrees C before use. Bevacizumab (1.25 mg/0.05 mL) was injected intravitreally into 19 eyes of 15 patients to treat macular edema or choroidal neovascularization. All treatments were performed within 1 week of the bevacizumab, which was from a single batch, being aliquotted into the 20 doses.

RESULTS

Of the 19 eyes, 14 showed moderate to severe ocular inflammation immediately after injection. Cultures of aqueous humor and vitreous from 5 eyes were negative for bacteria and fungi. Eyes with moderate inflammation received topical or systemic antibiotics and steroid treatment. Five eyes with severe inflammation underwent pars plana vitrectomy because of dense vitreous opacity. Visual acuity returned to preendophthalmitis levels in 12 eyes but had decreased in 2 eyes at 1 month after the injection.

CONCLUSION

Intravitreal injection of bevacizumab can cause sterile endophthalmitis. Most inflammation occurred within a few days after the intravitreous injection of the bevacizumab, but treatment with antibiotics, steroids, and/or vitrectomy was effective, and the prognosis was good in most cases.

Non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NA-AION) after intravitreal injection of bevacizumab (Avastin) for treatment of angoid streaks in pseudoxanthoma elasticum

BACKGROUND

To report a case of nonarteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NA-AION) following intravitreal injection of bevacizumab (Avastin).

METHODS

Interventional case report with an 18-month follow-up.

RESULTS

A 51-year-old male with pseudoxanthoma elasticum presented with NA-AION 2 weeks after treatment with intravitreal of bevazicumab (Avastin) for choroidal neovascularisation secondary to angioid streaks. Except from a small optic disc without cupping he did not show further risk factors.

DISCUSSION

Risk of NA-AION should be taken into consideration when deciding for intravitreal application of drugs including anti-vascular endothelial growth factors (VEGF) agents like bevacizumab (Avastin) in the treatment of retinal vascular diseases.

Long-term results of intravitreal bevacizumab injection for choroidal neovascularization secondary to angioid streaks

PURPOSE

To investigate the long-term efficacy of intravitreal injections of bevacizumab (Avastin; Genentech Inc, South San Francisco, California, USA) for choroidal neovascularization (CNV) secondary to angioid streaks.

DESIGN

Observational case series.

METHODS

Fifteen eyes of 13 patients (5 men, 8 women; mean age, 59 years; range, 54 to 70 years) treated with 1-mg intravitreal bevacizumab injections were included. The minimum follow-up after the first injection was 12 months. Eyes that had undergone previous treatments were excluded. The best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) was measured. Optical coherence tomography and fluorescein angiography images were examined before and after treatment.

RESULTS

The mean follow-up was 19 months (range, 12 to 24 months). The mean number of injections for primary CNV was 4.5 (range, 1 to 9). The mean preoperative BCVA (decimal equivalent) was 0.39 (range, 0.08 to 1.5) and 0.47 (range, 0.06 to 1.2) at the final visit (P = .355). The BCVA improved by 2 lines of logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution visual acuity at the final visit in 5 eyes (33%), was unchanged in 8 eyes (54%), and decreased in 2 eyes (13%). The final fluorescein angiography examination showed no leakage in 10 eyes (67%), minimal leakage in 2 eyes (13%), and persistent or recurrent leakage in 3 eyes (20%). Five eyes (33%) had a recurrence 4 to 7 months (mean, 5.1 months) after the last bevacizumab injection. New CNV lesions developed in different areas in 3 eyes (20%) 6 to 14 months after the last bevacizumab injection for primary CNV.

CONCLUSIONS

An intravitreal injection of bevacizumab seems to maintain visual acuity. However, CNV frequently recurred or new CNV developed during the long follow-up.

Bevacizumab (Avastin) for the treatment of ocular disease

The use of intravitreal bevacizumab (Avastin) has greatly expanded since its introduction into ophthalmic care 3 years ago. A PubMed search on 1 August 2008 revealed 51 ocular disease processes that have been treated with bevacizumab. The majority of publications consist of case reports or retrospective case series and their number is increasing quickly. It is important to collate the experiences gained to date to properly inform our clinical decision making and improve the design of future clinical trials. Current studies cannot easily be combined in a meta-analysis given the lack of standardized data and the wide variety of disorders studied in small numbers. This paper will describe the attempted uses of intravitreal bevacizumab and its efficacy for each ocular disease in addition to discussing safety. Comments regarding appropriate use of this treatment are based on our current level of knowledge. It is clear that the initial encouraging results described in this paper warrant further study of intravitreal bevacizumab in larger, controlled, randomized trials.

Pseudoxanthoma elasticum: genetics, clinical manifestations and therapeutic approaches

Pseudoxanthoma elasticum (PXE) is an inherited disorder that is associated with accumulation of mineralized and fragmented elastic fibers in the skin, vascular walls, and Bruch's membrane in the eye. Clinically, patients exhibit characteristic lesions of the posterior segment of the eye including peau d'orange, angioid streaks, and choroidal neovascularisations, of the skin including soft, ivory-colored papules in a reticular pattern that predominantly affect the neck and large flexor surfaces, and of the cardiovascular system with peripheral and coronary arterial occlusive disease as well as gastrointestinal bleedings. There is yet no definitive therapy. Recent studies suggest that PXE is inherited almost exclusively as an autosomal recessive trait. Its prevalence has been estimated to be 1:25,000-100,000. Very recently, the ABCC6 gene on chromosome 16p13.1 was found to be associated with the disease. Mutations within ABCC6 cause reduced or absent transmembraneous transport that leads to accumulation of extracellular material. Presumably, this mechanism causes calcification of elastic fibers. Despite the characteristic clinical features, the variability in phenotypic expressions, and the low prevalence may be responsible for the disease being underdiagnosed. This review compiles and summarizes current knowledge of PXE pathogenesis and clinical findings. Furthermore, different therapeutic strategies to treat retinal manifestations are discussed, including thermal laser coagulation, photodynamic therapy, and intravitreal injections of drugs inhibiting vascular endothelial growth factor.