TREATMENT OF PERSISTENT SEROUS RETINAL DETACHMENT IN VOGT–KOYANAGI–HARADA SYNDROME WITH INTRAVITREAL BEVACIZUMAB DURING THE SYSTEMIC STEROID TREATMENT

The application of dexamethasone implants in uveitis treatment

Uveitis refers to a group of ocular inflammatory diseases that can significantly impair vision. Although systemic corticosteroid therapy has shown substantial efficacy in treating uveitis, extensive use of corticosteroids is associated with significant adverse effects. Recently, a biodegradable, sustained-release implant, namely dexamethasone intravitreal implant (Ozurdex), has been reported for treating non-infectious and infectious uveitis. This review aims to summarize the experiences with Ozurdex treatment across various forms of uveitis and to assist readers in understanding the appropriate timing and potential side effects of Ozurdex in uveitis treatment, thereby maximizing patient benefits in uveitis management.

Mid-term safety and effectiveness of macular peeling one month after intravitreal dexamethasone implant for tractional diabetic macular edema

Macular peeling combined or followed by intravitreal dexamethasone implant (DEX-i) was recommended as an efficacy approach for tractional diabetic macular edema (tDME). Knowing the synergistic effect of cataract surgery and DEX-i one month earlier in eyes with DME, we compared Epiretinal Membrane/Inner Limiting Membrane (ERM/ILM) peeling preceded by DEX-i one month before versus ERM/ILM peeling alone for the treatment of tDME. A retrospective study on patients affected by tDME who underwent ERM/ILM peeling one month after DEX-i (n = 11; Group A) or ERM/ILM peeling alone (n = 10; Group B) was performed. Longitudinal comparison of best-correct visual acuity (BCVA), central retinal thickness (CRT), and intraocular pressure (IOP) between the time of surgery (T₀) and each time point (months 1,3,5,6) within and among the groups were assessed. To evaluate the repeated measurements of BCVA, CRT, and IOP, a linear mixed-effects model was used. In Group A, DEX-i significantly improved mean BCVA and CRT (P < 0.001) just after 1 month (T₀). After ERM/ILM peeling, mean BCVA and CRT significantly improved from month 1 in Group A and month 3 in Group B. Mixed model revealed a significant difference in BCVA (P ≤ 0.0001) and CRT (P ≤ 0.02) at different time-points among the groups with better results in Group A. Neither complications nor uncontrolled IOP increase was detected. ERM/ILM peeling confirmed its effectiveness in treating tDME. DEX-i performed one month before surgery seemed to be a safe approach and ensured a greater and faster recovery considering functional and tomographic parameters.

Acute and subacute macular and peripapillary angiographic changes in choroidal and retinal blood flow post-intravitreal injections

Whether post injectional acute intraocular pressure (IOP) increase is associated with decreased peripapillary and macular perfusion is still under debate. Here, we investigated early changes in the choroidal and retinal blood flow using OCTA imaging in a cohort of patients undergoing anti-VEGF intravitreal injections (IVI) for macular edema following retinal vein occlusion and diabetic retinopathy. In this prospective single-center, observational study, the pre- and post-IVI changes in retinal perfusion were examined via assessment of vessel length density (VLD) and vessel density (VD) in deep and superficial capillary segmentations (DCP and SCP), foveal avascular zone (FAZ) in SCP, as well as flow signal deficits in the choriocapillaris segmentation. Mean IOP significantly changed over the study course (p = 0.000; ANOVA). Measurements at 5 min post-IVI (33.48 ± 10.84 mmHg) differed significantly from baseline (17.26 ± 2.41 mmHg, p = 0.000), while measurements from one day, one week, and one-month post-IVI did not (p = 0.907, p = 1.000 and p = 1.000 respectively). In comparison to baseline, no changes in OCTA parameters, including FAZ, VD, VLD, and FV, were detected 5 min post-IVI. No significant alterations in OCTA parameters were observed during study course. Increased IOP spikes were detected post-IVI; however, no potential permanent ischemic retinal damage was suspected.

New Therapeutic Perspectives in the Treatment of Uveal Melanoma: A Systematic Review

Uveal melanoma (UM) is a rare disease, but the most common primary intraocular cancer, mostly localized in the choroid. Currently, the first-line treatment options for UM are radiation therapy, resection, and enucleation. However, although these treatments could potentially be curative, half of all patients will develop metastatic disease, whose prognosis is still poor. Indeed, effective therapeutic options for patients with advanced or metastatic disease are still lacking. Recently, the development of new treatment modalities with a lower incidence of adverse events, a better disease control rate, and new therapeutic approaches, have merged as new potential and promising therapeutic strategies. Additionally, several clinical trials are ongoing to find new therapeutic options, mainly for those with metastatic disease. Many interventions are still in the preliminary phases of clinical development, being investigated in phase I trial or phase I/II. The success of these trials could be crucial for changing the prognosis of patients with advanced/metastatic UM. In this systematic review, we analyzed all emerging and available literature on the new perspectives in the treatment of UM and patient outcomes; furthermore, their current limitations and more common adverse events are summarized.

Sympathetic ophthalmia after 27-G pars plana vitrectomy

Background

Sympathetic ophthalmia (SO) is a bilateral diffuse uveitis that can arise after ocular trauma or ocular surgery in the inciting eye. Pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) is one of the risk factors for SO. Several reports have described SO developing after 23- and 25-G PPV, but none have described SO occurring after 27-G PPV. We describe herein a case of SO after 27-G PPV for rhegmatogenous retinal detachment.

Case presentation

A 42-year-old woman presented with visual disturbance in the right eye. Best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) was 6/200 in the right eye. Fundus examination revealed off-macula retinal detachment with retinal tears at both ends of retinal lattice degeneration at the temporal-oven peripheral retina of the right eye. We therefore performed 27-G sutureless PPV on the right eye. After 12 days, the retina was reattached, and BCVA improved to 6/30 in the right eye. Fifteen days postoperatively, she experienced headache and reduced vision in both eyes. Symptoms gradually worsened, and she visited our hospital 21 days postoperatively. BCVA was 6/30 in the right eye and 6/15 in the left eye. Slit-lamp examination revealed uveitis in the anterior chambers of both eyes, and fundus examination showed papillitis and subretinal detachment at the posterior poles of both eyes. Optical coherence tomography revealed subretinal fluid in the maculae of both eyes and fluorescein angiography showed multiple hyperfluorescent leakage sites in the retinal pigment epithelium. Cerebrospinal fluid examination showed pleocytosis and human leukocyte antigen testing showed expression of the DR04 phenotype; therefore, the patient was diagnosed with SO. She was treated with steroid therapy, and her visual disturbance subsided and the subretinal fluid improved as well. Her BCVA was 6/15 for the right eye and 6/5 for the left eye 93 days after the initial surgery.

Conclusion

The present case shows that even if the sclerotomy site of 27-G PPV is small, there is still a risk of SO occurring in the eyes of patients who underwent transconjunctival vitrectomy. Ophthalmologists should recognize SO as complication of 27-G PPV and carry out proper management as early as possible.

Evaluation of Aqueous Flare Intensity in Eyes Undergoing Intravitreal Bevacizumab Therapy to Treat Neovascular Age-Related Macular Degeneration

Purpose: To evaluate the effect of repeated intravitreal bevacizumab injections on blood-aqueous barrier permeability in eyes with neovascular age-related macular degeneration (AMD).

Patients and Methods: Forty-eight consecutive patients with neovascular AMD received 3 intravitreal bevacizumab injections (1 mg) every 30–40 days. Subjects were followed for a period of 4 months and were examined at baseline, 1 day and 1 month after each injection. A control group comprised of 19 neovascular AMD patients waiting to begin anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) therapy. Anterior chamber (AC) inflammation was evaluated with biomicroscopy and laser flare photometry.

Results: None of the subjects treated with bevacizumab had detectable ocular inflammation during follow-up. An analysis for variance (ANOVA) of the mixed-effects model has shown neither an effect between treatment and control group (p = 0.921), nor over the time course of the follow-up (p = 0.773). Before treatment, median AC inflammation was 6.7 photons/ms (range: 3.5–18.2 photons/ms). One month after the first, second, and third injections, median laser flare was 6.4, 6.8, and 6.6 photons/ms, respectively, none of which were significantly different from baseline (all p > 0.05). Blood-aqueous barrier permeability did not change between injections and was not different from the control group.

Conclusion: Inflammation induced by intravitreal bevacizumab was not detected by examination or flare photometry. This suggests that monthly bevacizumab dosing seems to be safe. The absence of AC inflammation could also reflect the known anti-inflammatory properties of anti-VEGF agents.

Progression from Type 2 Macular Neovascularization to Fibrovascular Pigment Epithelial Detachment

The aim of this study was to report unusual progression of type 2 macular neovascularization (MNV) associated with age-related macular degeneration (AMD), high myopia or angioid streaks. Retrospective multicentric observational case series data were used. Eyes that progressed from type 2 MNV secondary to AMD, high myopia or angioid streaks to fibrovascular pigment epithelial detachment (PED) were included. A total of 29 treatment-naive eyes from 29 patients with type 2 MNV secondary to AMD (n = 14), high myopia (n = 10) or angioid streaks (n = 5) that progressed to a fibrovascular PED on Spectral Domain-Optical Coherence Tomography were used. This progression occurred within 3 months after anti-VEGF therapy initiation. Logarithm of minimum angle of resolution (LogMAR) visual acuity improved significantly after anti-VEGF therapy, from 0.55 (SD ± 0.30) (20/63–20/80) at baseline to 0.30 (20/40) at 3 months, and 0.33 (20/40) at the final follow-up (mean follow up: 3.68 years). Mean number of intravitreal injections per year for patients with a total follow-up ≥ 12 months (n = 24) was 4.3 ± 2.1 per year. Progression from type 2 MNV to a fibrovascular PED may occur in patients suffering from AMD, high myopia or angioid streaks. This progression appears early after initiation of anti-VEGF therapy and is associated with a favorable visual and anatomical outcome, at least on a short follow up basis.

Delayed Intravitreal Anti-VEGF Therapy for Patients During the COVID-19 Lockdown: An Ethical Endeavor

PURPOSE

To assess the impact of Jordanian's Corona Virus Disease (COVID-19) lockdown on visual acuity and macular thickness in patients with macular edema receiving intravitreal injections, and to assess the ethical endeavor of lockdown among serious sight threatening conditions.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

This retrospective observational study included patients planned for intravitreal injections who did not complete the planned course before the lockdown (ie, before 20th of March 2020). Data included demographics, indication for the intravitreal injection, corrected distance visual acuity (CDVA), and central macular thickness on Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) before and after the lockdown.

RESULTS

One-hundred and sixty-six eyes of 125 patients were studied, 68 (54.4%) patients were males, and the mean (± standard deviation, SD) age was 64.79 (±9.41) years. Mean (±SD) duration of delay in the planned injection was 60.97 (±24.35) days. The change in visual acuity was statistically significant for patients with diabetic macular edema (p= 0.045 improvement), patients with central retinal vein thrombosis (CRVO) (p= 0.05 deterioration), and patients with age-related macular degeneration (AMD) (p= 0.005 deterioration). Of interest, delay of more than 2 months and the previous need for 3 or more injections were significant poor prognostic factors for visual outcome for patients with diabetic macular edema (p=0.027 and 0.045).

CONCLUSION

The impact of delay in the scheduled intravitreal injections resulted in variable outcomes depending on the indication. Triaging the urgency of patients should be based on the indication to support the equity principle of bioethics, where those in need are prioritized against others, depending on potential adverse outcome.

Influences of Central Bouquet Alterations on the Visual Outcome in Eyes Receiving Epiretinal Membrane Surgery

Background: Previous studies have shown that epiretinal membranes (ERMs) may be associated with abnormal outer retinal anatomy. However, long-term morphological and functional results of pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) with ERM and internal limiting membrane (ILM) peeling in eyes with central bouquet (CB) alterations have not yet been investigated. Methods: In a retrospective, consecutive study all patients underwent best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) testing and spectral domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) before and after a mean of 20 months (range 3–70 months) postoperatively. CB abnormalities and ERMs were classified according to Govetto’s staging systems. Results: Of the 67 eyes, 22 (34%) showed CB abnormalities at baseline. The mean BCVA increased from 0.42 at baseline to 0.20 LogMAR at final follow-up (p < 0.001). Neither ERM stage (p = 0.06) nor CB stage (p = 0.939) at baseline were significant predictors of vision improvement following surgery. Conclusions: Our results show that baseline BCVA, but not classification of CB changes and ERM at baseline, seems to be a useful predictor for functional outcomes following PPV with ERM and ILM peeling in the long-term.

Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada (VKH) syndrome: A new perspective for healthcare professionals

Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada syndrome (VKH syndrome) is a rare granulomatous inflammatory disease that affects the melanin pigment producing melanocytes and mainly affects the pigmented structures such as eyes, ear, skin, meninges, and hair. VKT is an autoimmune disorder, which is mainly a T CD4+ Th1 lymphocyte-mediated aggression to melanocytes, in individuals with a genetic predisposition, in particular, the presence of HLA-DRB1 * 0405 allele. Melanin usually gives color to skin, hair, and eyes. Melanin is also found in the retina, where it plays a role in normal vision. This disease mainly leads to vision and hearing disturbances, followed by dermal problems. The most common symptoms include vitiligo, headaches, hair loss (alopecia), and hearing loss. This article describes the various signs and symptoms of VKH disease and its pathogenesis.

Punctate inner choroidopathy complicated with exudative neurosensory detachment: A favourable response to treatment with systemic corticosteroids and intravitreal ranibizumab

CASE REPORT

Punctate inner choroidopathy (PIC) is a variant of multifocal choroiditis that principally affects young and healthy women. A case of this condition is described in a woman who presented with a scotoma as the main complaint. Four months after the diagnosis of PIC, she developed an exudative neurosensory detachment associated with an active focus of juxtafoveal choroiditis. Finally, with systemic corticosteroids and intravitreal ranibizumab, she made excellent progress.

DISCUSSION

Intravitreal ranibizumab, associated with systemic corticosteroids, may be an effective treatment for exudative neurosensory detachment complicating PIC.

Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada syndrome - current perspectives

Vogt–Koyanagi–Harada syndrome is a cause of noninfectious panuveitis, leading to significant vision loss in many patients. It is an autoimmune disease occurring in genetically susceptible individuals and clinically presents as bilateral panuveitis with serous retinal detachments and hyperemic, swollen optic discs, which are associated with neurological and auditory manifestations. Early diagnosis and prompt and adequate treatment with immunosuppressive agents (corticosteroids and other immunosuppressive drugs) may halt disease progression and prevent recurrences and vision loss. This review summarizes the current knowledge on the variable clinical aspects of this disease, highlighting diagnostic and treatment strategies.

Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada disease: Novel insights into pathophysiology, diagnosis and treatment

Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada (VKH) disease is one of the major vision-threatening diseases in certain populations, such as Asians, native Americans, Hispanics and Middle Easterners. It is characterized by bilateral uveitis that is frequently associated with neurological (meningeal), auditory, and integumentary manifestations. Although the etiology and pathogenesis of VKH disease need to be further elucidated, it is widely accepted that the clinical manifestations are caused by an autoimmune response directed against melanin associated antigens in the target organs, i.e. the eye, inner ear, meninges and skin. In the past decades, accumulating evidence has shown that genetic factors, including VKH disease specific risk factors (HLA-DR4) and general risk factors for immune mediated diseases (IL-23R), dysfunction of immune responses, including the innate and adaptive immune system and environmental triggering factors are all involved in the development of VKH disease. Clinically, the criteria of diagnosis for VKH disease have been further improved by the employment of novel imaging techniques for the eye. For the treatment, early and adequate corticosteroids are still the mainstream regime for the disease. However, immunosuppressive and biological agents have shown benefit for the treatment of VKH disease, especially for those patients not responding to corticosteroids. This review is focused on our current knowledge of VKH disease, especially for the diagnosis, pathogenesis (genetic factors and immune mechanisms), ancillary tests and treatment. A better understanding of the role of microbiome composition, genetic basis and ongoing immune processes along with the development of novel biomarkers and objective quantitative assays to monitor intraocular inflammation are needed to improve current management of VKH patients.