Effect of oral contraceptive pills on the retinal microvascular structure: An optical coherence tomography angiography study

BACKGROUND

To investigate the effect of oral contraceptive pills (OCPs) on foveal avascular zone (FAZ), peripapillary capillary plexus, and superficial and deep capillary plexus (SCP and DCP) measurements.

METHODS

This cross-sectionally designed study included 32 healthy female participants using OCPs (3 mg drospirenone and 0.03 mg ethinylestradiol) for at least one year for contraception and 32 healthy controls that did not use any drugs. All subjects were evaluated using optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA). Using OCTA, the measurements of SCP, DCP, radial peripapillary capillary (RPC) vessel density; FAZ area and perimeter; acircularity index (AI); and foveal density (FD) were undertaken. Each participant's measurements were taken while they were in the follicular phase of their menstrual cycles (day 3).

RESULTS

Age and body mass index did not significantly differ between the groups (p=0.56 and p=0.15, respectively). The DCP vessel densities in all the regions were lower in the OCP group (p<0.05 for all). The vessel densities of SCP and RPC, FAZ area and perimeter, AI, and FD were similar between the two groups (p>0.05 for all).

CONCLUSION

We determined that the DCP vessel density was reduced in women using this drug. OCPs can cause changes in retinal microvascular structures. Therefore, OCTA can be used in the follow-up of healthy women using OCP.

The role of near-infrared reflectance imaging in retinal disease: A systematic review

Near-infrared reflectance (NIR) retinal imaging aids in a better visualization of structures at the level of outer retina, retinal pigment epithelium, and choroid. It has multiple advantages, including easy acquisition in association with structural spectral domain optical coherence tomography, more comfort for patients, and enhanced contrast and spatial resolution. It helps in the diagnosis of chorioretinal diseases that present with minimal funduscopic findings and can be used to follow up many chorioretinal conditions. We describe the chorioretinal NIR imaging appearance and the clinical role of NIR imaging in ocular inflammatory disease, vascular and acquired disease, degenerative disease, tumors, associated systemic condition, toxic and traumatic disease, optic nerve head conditions, and physiological findings.

"Bilateral Sequential Acute Macular Neuroretinopathy in an Asian Indian Female with β Thalassemia Trait following (Corona Virus Disease) COVID-19 Vaccination and Probable Recent COVID Infection- Multimodal Imaging Study."

INTRODUCTION

Corona virus disease (COVID-19) has been associated with a variety of ophthalmic manifestations including acute macular neuroretinopathy and paracentral middle maculopathy. Posterior segment manifestations after post COVID-19 vaccinations have been reported.

CASE REPORT

A 25- year-old Asian Indian female developed sequential bilateral AMN following a single dose of COVISHIELD™ vaccine. On investigations she was found to have a β thalassemia trait. Presentation started unilaterally and progressed to the other eye after a month. On clinical examination, the fundus was apparently normal in both eyes. Significant changes suggestive of AMN were seen on multimodal imaging of the posterior segment of the respective eye at the time of involvement which resolved spontaneously in due course.

CONCLUSION

We report a temporal association of COVID-19 vaccination and AMN.

Bilateral Acute Macular Neuroretinopathy in a Young Patient: Imaging and Visual Field during Two-Year-Follow-Up

Acute macular neuroretinopathy (AMN) is a rare disorder. We report a case of bilateral AMN in a young female patient, without any risk factors. She referred a positive scotoma in both eyes after flu-like symptoms. Fundus examination revealed parafoveal dark-reddish oval lesions in both eyes. Therefore, we performed visual field, optical coherence tomography (OCT), fluorescein angiography (FA) and indocyanine green angiography (ICG) at baseline and several times during the two years of follow-up. The infrared (IR) imaging showed one rounded hyporeflective lesion in the left eye and two similar lesions in the right eye. The OCT demonstrated the characteristic alterations in the outer retina. The visual field also demonstrated scotomas corresponding with these lesions. The OCT and IR features disappeared at the end of the follow-up except for the left eye, which continued to have hyperreflective spots in the outer plexiform layer. The patient complained about a residual scotoma only in the left eye after two years. Our case shows a difference in disease progression in the two eyes of the same patient, suggesting that several mechanisms can be implicated in the pathology of AMN.

C-Shaped Scotoma after Complicated Cesarean Section: A Case of Acute Macular Neuroretinopathy

Acute macular neuroretinopathy (AMN) is a rare retinal disease that produces transient or permanent visual impairment and occurs predominantly in young, Caucasian women of childbearing age. It is often characterized by wedge-like macular lesions. Although the cause of AMN is unknown, recent research suggests a microvascular etiology. Various vascular pathologies, including post-viral illness, oral contraceptives, and use of vasoconstrictive agents, have been associated with AMN. We present a case of a woman with C-shaped visual field defects in both eyes after inadvertent exposure to intravenous high-dose epinephrine during onset of spinal anesthesia. At present, only 8 cases of AMN after exposure to epinephrine have been described in literature. To our knowledge, this is the first case of AMN that presented following epinephrine injection during childbirth.

Acute macular neuroretinopathy (AMN) related to energy drink consumption

This case identifies a newly found association between energy drinks and acute macular neuroretinopathy (AMN). Our patient, a 34-year-old woman with no significant ocular or previous medical history, presented with a 3-day history of decreased vision after consumption of multiple energy drinks. After near infrared and optical coherence tomography imaging, we were able to diagnose her with AMN. Our patient's vision improved over a 2-month course with no intervention. Our case aims to emphasise the effect of caffeine on the retina, as well as encourage clinicians to consider energy drinks as a causative agent of AMN.

Microvascular change in acute macular neuroretinopathy by using optical coherence tomography angiography

A 27-year-old pregnant female underwent cesarean section due to preeclampsia. Two days after the delivery, she presented with acute onset of blurred vision in the left eye. Optical coherence tomography (OCT) revealed characteristic findings of acute macular neuroretinopathy (AMN) in both eyes. During the follow-up, her vision improved gradually, but outer nuclear layer thinning with disruption of ellipsoid zone was identified from OCT. OCT angiography was arranged and revealed both vascular defect in superficial and deep vascular plexus, which correlated with previous AMN lesions in both eyes. Subsequent microvascular change in AMN was found to involve both superficial and deep vascular plexus, which is different from the current consensus that AMN mainly involved deep vascular plexus. By using the OCT angiography, we can better visualize the detail retinal vascular structure and may identify the real mechanism in this rare retinal disorder.

Recurrence of Acute Macular Neuroretinopathy

A 31-year-old female with a 2-month history of a central scotoma was diagnosed with acute macular neuroretinopathy (AMNR). Her symptoms resolved spontaneously, only to recur 2 years later with progressively worsening visual field deficits that did not improve with a trial of oral prednisone. The authors report a case of AMNR that is distinguished from other reports by its recurrence in the same eye after complete resolution of the first episode. [Ophthalmic Surg Lasers Imaging Retina. 2018;49:962-968.].

DIRECTIONAL VARIABILITY OF FUNDUS REFLECTANCE IN ACUTE MACULAR NEURORETINOPATHY: EVIDENCE FOR A CONTRIBUTION OF THE STILES-CRAWFORD EFFECT

PURPOSE

To document directional reflectivity of fundus lesions in a case of acute macular neuroretinopathy.

METHODS

Case report. Clinical and imaging data from a patient with acute macular neuroretinopathy were reviewed. Imaging comprised infrared scanning laser ophthalmoscopy, optical coherence tomography and flood-illumination adaptive optics images acquired through different entry pupils in the cardinal directions (approximately 2° eccentricity).

RESULTS

The patient reported acute bilateral paracentral scotoma revealing dark, wedge-shaped macular plaques which by optical coherence tomography were associated with focal loss of the visibility of the cone outer segment tip and inner/outer segment lines. Comparing scanning laser ophthalmoscopy images taken at different entry points in the pupil showed that macular plaques varied from hyporeflectance to isoreflectance. Cone counts by flood-illumination adaptive optics within plaques and optical coherence tomography features of the cone outer segment tip showed also a strong directional variability, peaking at near-normal values. Within each modality, fusion images showed that directional variability covered most of macular plaques.

CONCLUSION

The characteristic fundus abnormalities of acute macular neuroretinopathy may show a strong directional variability. Our findings suggest that the Stiles-Crawford effect may be an important factor in signs and symptoms of acute macular neuroretinopathy.

ACUTE MACULAR NEURORETINOPATHY AND PERIPHERAL RETINAL VASCULAR ABNORMALITIES IN A PATIENT BORN HIV SEROPOSITIVE

PURPOSE

To describe the case of a born HIV seropositive woman who developed outer retinal alterations secondary to vascular abnormalities in the perimacular region and in the periphery of both eyes.

METHODS

Case report.

RESULTS

A 21-year-old woman born HIV seropositive was referred for a routinary visit. Her best-corrected visual acuity was 20/20 in both eyes, and during the visit, only mild superotemporal metamorphopsia in the left eye was reported. Multimodal imaging disclosed findings consistent with acute macular neuroretinopathy such as reddish-brown lesions at fundus examination and disruption of ellipsoid zone at spectral domain optical coherence tomography. Peripheral vascular alterations were also noted at fluorescein angiography.

CONCLUSION

Several associations or risk factors have been identified in patients with acute macular neuroretinopathy, including oral contraceptives, epinephrine/ephedrine, or systemic shock. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first case describing peripheral vascular alterations and acute macular neuroretinopathy in association with HIV seropositivity at birth.

Acute Macular Neuroretinopathy Phenotype in Behçet's Disease

Acute macular neuroretinopathy (AMN) is a rare disease, the etiology of which remains unclear. An ischemic event at the level of the deep capillary plexus has been proposed. The authors present three cases of AMN in the context of active systemic Behçet's disease, with the support of multimodal imaging. All patients were known to have Behçet's disease before the diagnosis of AMN. AMN was confirmed in all three cases on spectral domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT), near infrared reflectance and OCT angiography. Behçet's disease is known to be a prothrombotic disease. The presentation of AMN in this context supports the presumed ischemic etiology of AMN. [Ophthalmic Surg Lasers Imaging Retina. 2018;49:634-638.].

Acute Macular Neuroretinopathy following Oral Intake of Adrenergic Flu Treatments

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to report a case series of patients with acute macular neureretinopathy in which patients concomitantly used ephedrine or pseudo-ephedrine.

Methods

This is a retrospective case review.

Results

Two patients with retinal findings consistent with acute macular neuroretinopathy are presented.

Conclusion

Acute macular neuroretinopathy should be considered in any young patient with unexplained loss of vision and exposed to direct or indirect adrenergic stimulation.

ACUTE MACULAR NEURORETINOPATHY AFTER RANIBIZUMAB INJECTION IN A DIABETIC PATIENT

PURPOSE

To report a case of acute macular neuroretinopathy occurring after intravitreal ranibizumab injection for diabetic macular edema.

METHODS

Observational clinical case report.

RESULTS

The patient received an intravitreal ranibizumab (0.3 mg) injection for diabetic macular edema. Three days later, he had a decline in vision associated with a central and paracentral scotoma. Optical coherence tomography (OCT) demonstrated bandlike hyperreflectivity of the outer nuclear and plexiform layers corresponding to the patient's scotoma, consistent with the diagnosis of acute macular neuroretinopathy. There was spontaneous resolution of the abnormalities observed in optical coherence tomography, but only partial resolution of the scotoma was observed 4 months after presentation.

CONCLUSION

Diabetic retinopathy may be associated with acute macular neuroretinopathy. The temporal relationship between ranibizumab injection and the onset of acute macular neuroretinopathy in this case report raises the possibility of a causal relationship.

Quantification of retinal layer thickness changes in acute macular neuroretinopathy

Purpose

To quantitatively evaluate retinal layer thickness changes in acute macular neuroretinopathy (AMN).

Methods

AMN areas were identified using near-infrared reflectance (NIR) images. Intraretinal layer segmentation using Heidelberg software was performed. The inbuilt ETDRS -grid was moved onto the AMN lesion and the mean retinal layer thicknesses of the central grid were recorded and compared with the corresponding area of the fellow eye at initial presentation and during follow-up.

Results

Eleven patients were included (mean age 26±6 years). AMN lesions at baseline had a significantly thinner outer nuclear layer (ONL) (51±21 µm vs 73±17 µm, p=0.002). The other layers, including inner nuclear layer (37±8 µm vs 38±6 µm, p=0.9) and outer plexiform layer (OPL) (45±19 µm vs 33±16 µm, p=0.1) did not show significant differences between the study eyes and fellow eyes. Adjacent to NIR image lesions, areas of OPL thickening were identified (study eye: 50±14 µm vs fellow eye: 39±16 µm, p=0.005) with corresponding thinning of ONL (study eye: 52±16 µm vs fellow eye: 69±16 µm, p=0.002).

Conclusions

AMN presents with characteristic quantitative retinal changes and the extent of the lesion may be more extensive than initially presumed from NIR image lesions.

A UNIQUE CASE OF ACUTE MACULAR NEURORETINOPATHY ASSOCIATED WITH COTTON WOOL SPOTS AND INTRARETINAL FLUID

PURPOSE

To discuss the clinical findings in a unique case of acute macular neuroretinopathy with a focus on the pathophysiology of this rare entity.

METHODS

The patient's clinical course was documented with color fundus photography and spectral domain ocular coherence tomography registered to infrared reflectance imaging. The visual field was assessed using the Amsler grid testing and Humphrey visual field 24-2.

RESULTS

Initial fundus photography showed cotton wool spots and slight darkening of the central macula in each eye. Optical coherence tomography showed initial hyperreflective plaques at the level of the outer plexiform layer/outer nuclear layer junction with subsequent thinning of the outer nuclear layer and corresponding disruption of the ellipsoid and outer segment/retinal pigment epithelium. Infrared reflectance imaging revealed perifoveal hyporeflective lesions in each eye with corresponding visual field defects on the Amsler grid and visual field testing. The hyporeflective infrared lesions became more discreet during the ensuing weeks and remained stable beyond 11 weeks.

CONCLUSION

The authors present the case of a 15-year-old girl diagnosed with acute macular neuroretinopathy. This case is notable in that she presented with cotton wool spots and intraretinal fluid, both of which are unusual for acute macular neuroretinopathy. The authors suggest that the presence of cotton wool spots and several small foci of intraretinal fluid seen in their patient may lend support to the ischemic hypothesis described by Sarraf et al. The optical coherence tomography images obtained in this case have the typical wedge-shaped or petaloid configuration, and the authors suggest that the shape of the lesions themselves also lends support to a vascular mechanism.

New associations of classic acute macular neuroretinopathy

PURPOSE

To describe novel underlying associations of classic acute macular neuroretinopathy (AMN).

METHODS

Multimodal imaging case series evaluating patients with classic AMN lesions and previously unreported underlying aetiologies.

RESULTS

Six patients were included (five women, one man, mean age 30±7 years). Mean distance best corrected visual acuity at initial presentation was 0.21±0.3 logMAR (mean Snellen acuity: 20/30, range 20/15-20/100) and at last follow-up visit 0.09±0.17 logMAR (Snellen acuity: 20/20, range 20/15-20/60). All cases but one had bilateral lesions and showed typical parafoveal hyporeflective lesions on infrared imaging, which corresponded to the hyper-reflectivity in the Henle's layer with attenuation of the external limiting membrane, the ellipsoid zone and interdigitation zone. Underlying diseases included thrombocytopenia and anaemia associated with dengue fever, acute lymphoblastic leukaemia, chronic kidney disease and ulcerative colitis, while Valsalva-like manoeuvre was found to be a potential trigger. Other novel associations included the use of lisdexamphetamine.

CONCLUSIONS

Classic AMN may be associated with leukaemia, dengue fever, ulcerative colitis and chronic kidney disease, probably as a result of chorioretinal hypoxia in the setting of thrombocytopenia and anaemia. Adrenergic agonists such as lisdexamphetamine may also contribute to the manifestation of AMN.