Optical coherence tomography under general anesthesia in a child with nystagmus

Correlation of anterior segment optical coherence tomography and ultrasound biomicroscopy in congenital corneal opacity

PURPOSE

To investigate the correlation between swept-source anterior segment optical coherence tomography (AS-OCT) and ultrasound biomicroscopy (UBM) in congenital corneal opacity (CCO).

METHODS

All children with unilateral or bilateral congenital corneal opacities who underwent examination under anesthesia (EUA) and anterior segment optical coherence tomography (AS-OCT) imaging from January 1, 2022, to December 31, 2022, were included. Main outcome measures were corneal and anterior segment evaluation and correlation of UBM and AS-OCT findings.

RESULTS

A total of 22 eyes of 15 patients were imaged using both technologies. The age at first EUA ranged from 11 days to 4 years. Different phenotypes were classified based on the clinical examination, UBM, and AS-OCT findings. Fourteen eyes were diagnosed with Peters anomaly, congenital corneal staphyloma was observed in 4 eyes, 2 eyes had coloboma, 1 eye had peripheral sclerocornea, and 1 eye was diagnosed with congenital primary aphakia. AS-OCT and UBM findings were closely correlated in 18 of 22 eyes (82%) but AS-OCT failed to provide detailed information in 4 eyes (18%) where UBM revealed more details.

CONCLUSIONS

Although AS-OCT offers valuable preliminary data for initial assessment and counseling, it may not consistently provide precise assessments in all cases. Therefore, UBM should be considered for definitive evaluation.

Optical Coherence Tomography: A Review of Current Applications in Veterinary Ophthalmology

Normative standards for healthy animal structures have been established by optical coherence tomography (OCT). OCT has been used in animal studies to characterize more precisely ocular lesions, identify the origin of the affected layer, and eventually provide a curative treatment. To acquire a high image resolution, several challenges must be overcome when performing an OCT scan on animals. Sedation or general anesthesia is usually necessary in OCT image acquisition to alleviate motion during image acquisition. Mydriasis, eye position and movements, head position, and corneal hydration must also be managed during the OCT analysis.

Whole genome sequencing in a Knobloch syndrome family confirms the molecular diagnosis

BACKGROUND

To establish the molecular diagnosis in two brothers presenting with the ocular features of Knobloch Syndrome using whole genome sequencing (WGS).

METHODS

Clinical examination and ophthalmological phenotyping were completed under general anaesthesia. DNA samples were tested on a targeted retinal dystrophy next-generation sequencing panel. Subsequently, WGS was performed to identify additional variants.

RESULTS

Clinical examination confirmed the diagnosis of Knobloch Syndrome. Targeted sequencing identified a novel heterozygous frameshift pathogenic variant in COL18A1, c.2864dupC; p.(Gly956ArgfsX20), inherited from their mother. A second paternally inherited heterozygous missense variant was identified in both brothers, c.5014 G > A; p.(Asp1672Asn), which was initially considered to have too high frequency to be pathogenic (MAF 8.8%). This led to an in-depth analysis of the COL18A1 locus using WGS data, which confirmed that Asp1672Asn is a likely pathogenic hypomorphic allele.

CONCLUSION

To date, all confirmed genetic diagnoses of Knobloch syndrome are attributable to variants in COL18A1. The family described here has a heterozygous novel loss of function variant. Detailed analysis of WGS data combined with family segregation studies concluded that although Asp1672Asn has a high population frequency, it is the most likely second pathogenic variant in our family. This supports the hypothesis that this is a hypomorphic allele, which, in combination with a loss of function pathogenic variant, leads to Knobloch syndrome.To our knowledge, this is the first time that WGS has been used to confirm a molecular diagnosis of Knobloch syndrome in this way and has provided further insight into the molecular mechanisms in this rare disorder.

Evolving outcomes of surgery for retinal detachment in retinopathy of prematurity: the need for a national service in the United Kingdom : An audit of surgery for acute tractional retinal detachment complicating ROP in the UK

OBJECTIVES

To audit the structural and functional outcomes of surgery for acute tractional retinal detachment due to retinopathy or prematurity between 2004 and 2014 in Oxford UK.

METHODS

Consecutive operations were identified from a surgical log. Clinical data including demography, perioperative data, and retinal outcomes were extracted into a spreadsheet and compared against two international data sets referenced in the method section. Nonparametric tests (Fisher's exact, and the Mann-Whitney U-tests) were used for statistical analysis with a p-value < 0.05 considered significant.

RESULTS

Twenty-nine eyes of 19 babies underwent surgery. The mean age (SD) at final follow-up was 6.4 (3.7) years of age and comparable to the reference data sets. The mean birth weight and gestational age of babies matched the ETROP data set referenced in the method section. Anatomical success was obtained in 16/29 (55.2%) of eyes and more likely with stage 4 ROP than stage 5 disease (p < 0.05). Thirteen of 29 eyes (44.8%) obtained form vision post-operatively. All instances of macular retinal reattachment during follow up were verified with post-operative OCT.

CONCLUSIONS

Surgery for stage 5 ROP is not worthwhile. For stage 4 ROP it yielded better visual outcomes than ETROP but registration for visual impairment was not prevented. Innovation such as endoscopic vitrectomy could yield better outcomes. Earlier detection of vitreoretinal fibrosis could result in timelier referral. A formally funded national service is needed to ring-fence resource to avoid delays in access to surgery, which has a narrow surgical window.

Retinal imaging in infants

Digital retinal imaging is at the core of a revolution that is continually improving the screening, diagnosis, documentation, monitoring, and treatment of infant retinal diseases. Historically, imaging the retina of infants had been limited and difficult to obtain. Recent advances in photographic instrumentation have significantly improved the ability to obtain high quality multimodal images of the infant retina. These include color fundus photography with different camera angles, ultrasonography, fundus fluorescein angiography, optical coherence tomography, and optical coherence tomography angiography. We provide a summary of the current literature on retinal imaging in infants and highlight areas where further research is required.

Role of Microscope-Intraoperative Optical Coherence Tomography in Pediatric Keratoplasty: AComparative Study

PURPOSE

We evaluate the role of microscope-integrated intraoperative optical coherence tomography (i-OCT) in pediatric keratoplasty.

DESIGN

Combined prospective and retrospective, comparative, interventional study conducted at the Dr Rajendra Prasad Center for Ophthalmic Sciences in New Dehli, India.

METHODS

Seventy-five children ≤16 years of age undergoing planned keratoplasty were divided into 2 groups and compared regarding intraoperative course and postoperative outcome. In group 1 (prospective group, n = 56), preoperative anterior segment visualization was performed clinically, with ultrasound biomicroscopy (UBM) and i-OCT and keratoplasty was commenced under i-OCT microscope. In group 2 (retrospective group, n = 19), a conventional microscope was used during keratoplasty.

RESULTS

In group 1, i-OCT, UBM, and clinical examination detected retrocorneal membrane in 10%, 7.5%, and 5% (P = .005), iris adhesions in 62.5%, 57.5%, and 20% (P = .02), iris stump in aniridia 15%, 10%, and 0% (P = .001), shallow central anterior chamber in 22.5%, 22.5%, and 7.5% (P = .003), and shallow peripheral anterior chamber in 65%, 60%, and 17.5% (P = .004) of children, respectively. The use of i-OCT affected intraoperative surgeon decision making in 45% and 33% of cases of anterior and posterior lamellar keratoplasty, respectively. During penetrating keratoplasty, concomitant intraoperative procedures were higher in group 1 than in group 2, namely synechiolysis (19/40 vs 2/15; P = .1), pupilloplasty (4/40 vs 0/15; P = .02), lens extraction (4/40 vs 1/15; P = .5), and anterior vitrectomy (2/40 vs 1/15; P = .4). Postoperative secondary interventions were lower (P = .04) in group 1 (48.21% vs 94.74%).

CONCLUSIONS

Anterior segment imaging with i-OCT and UBM immediately before surgery improves the surgical planning of children with corneal opacities. In addition, the use of i-OCT refines intraoperative steps, thereby optimizing the postoperative outcome of pediatric keratoplasty.

LONGITUDINAL CHANGES IN THE OPTIC NERVE HEAD AND RETINA OVER TIME IN VERY YOUNG CHILDREN WITH FAMILIAL EXUDATIVE VITREORETINOPATHY

PURPOSE

To explore vitreoretinal pathologies and their longitudinal changes visible on handheld optical coherence tomography (OCT) of young children with familial exudative vitreoretinopathy.

METHODS

The authors retrospectively analyzed handheld OCT images for vitreoretinal interface and retinal abnormalities and optic nerve head (ONH) elevation.

RESULTS

From 26 eyes of 16 children (mean age 32 months) with familial exudative vitreoretinopathy, 10 had ONH dragging on photographs, and in these, handheld OCT revealed temporal and anterior retinal displacement, prominent vitreopapillary adhesion or traction, and retinal nerve fiber layer thickening at ONH margins with adjacent retinal elevation. Despite a nearly normal photographic appearance, handheld OCT revealed ONH elevation with vitreopapillary traction (6/16 eyes), ONH edema (1/16 eye), and retinal vascular protrusion (5/16 eyes). Handheld OCT-visualized vitreous abnormalities (18/26 eyes) were more prevalent at higher stages of disease. Handheld OCT-visualized elevation of ONH and the retina worsened over time in nine eyes and improved in 5/6 eyes after vitrectomy.

CONCLUSION

Handheld OCT can detect early ONH, retinal, and vitreous changes in eyes with familial exudative vitreoretinopathy. Contraction of strongly adherent vitreous in young patients with familial exudative vitreoretinopathy appears to cause characteristic ONH dragging and tractional complications without partial posterior vitreous detachment. Vitreopapillary dragging may be visible only on OCT and may progress in the absence of obvious retinal change on conventional examination.

[Intraoperative optical coherence tomography for examination of newborns and infants under general anesthesia]

BACKGROUND

Examination of newborn and children under general anesthesia is essential to prevent amblyopia and blindness; however, the validity was often limited due to a lack of state of the art diagnostic tools in the intraoperative set-up, e. g. optical coherence tomography (OCT). Since OCT devices have been integrated into surgical microscopes, this technique is also available for examination with patients under general anesthesia.

OBJECTIVE

To give an overview about the possibilities of intraoperative OCT (iOCT) during examination of newborn and infant children under general anesthesia.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Analysis of recent literature (PubMed) and initial experiences at the Center for Ophthalmology of the University Hospital of Cologne.

RESULTS

The use of iOCT enables real-time high-resolution imaging during examinations of children under general anesthesia. All relevant structures of the anterior eye segment (including cornea, lens, chamber angle and iris) can be visualized. Especially when the anterior chamber view is limited due to corneal opacifications, iOCT can deliver important information in addition to that obtained using a surgical microscope. This information is important for the further therapy of the patients.

CONCLUSION

Online iOCT is a useful extension of the normal surgical microscope, especially for examination of children under general anesthesia and limited view into the anterior chamber. In our experience it also makes sense to transfer this technique to anomalies of the posterior pole because high-resolution imaging of the macula and optic nerve head is possible.

Optimising keratoplasty for Peters' anomaly in infants using spectral-domain optical coherence tomography

PURPOSE

To present in vivo anterior segment optical coherence tomography (OCT) features of infants with Peters' anomaly obtained during presurgical examination under general anaesthesia, and to evaluate the impact of OCT features on surgical decision making.

METHODS

This is a single-centre, consecutive, observational case series including 44 eyes of 27 infants with Peters' anomaly (5-18 months) undergoing keratoplasty. Medical records of patients were reviewed retrospectively. Clinical features and OCT findings, along with their impact on surgical decision-making were analysed.

RESULTS

Of 27 patients, 10 had unilateral and 17 had bilateral disease. Two patients with mild disease (three eyes) had a posterior corneal defect with leukoma (2/27, 7.4%). Twenty patients (32 eyes) with iridocorneal adhesions were classified as having moderate Peters' anomaly (20/27, 74.1%) and five patients (nine eyes) with lenticulocorneal adhesions were classified as having severe Peters' anomaly (5/27, 18.5%). The range of angle closure, anterior chamber depth and maximum iridocorneal adhesion length (all p<0.001) were significantly different among groups, indicating that they might serve as novel OCT parameters for assessing the severity of Peters' anomaly. The surgical approach in seven patients (21.2%) was altered in response to intraoperative OCT findings, which provided information regarding the anatomical structure of the anterior chamber not provided by the surgical microscope. The use of OCT prevented unnecessary cataract surgeries in five patients.

CONCLUSIONS

Our study showed that information gained from OCT under anaesthesia allows surgeons to classify type and severity of Peters' anomaly and supports surgical decision making.

Brittle Cornea Syndrome: Case Report with Novel Mutation in the PRDM5 Gene and Review of the Literature

A 3-year-old boy presented with acute corneal hydrops on the left eye and spontaneous corneal rupture on the right eye. A diagnosis of brittle cornea syndrome was confirmed by molecular analysis. A novel mutation, the homozygous variant c.17T>G, p.V6G, was found in the gene for PR-domain-containing protein 5 (PRDM5) in exon 1. Brittle cornea syndrome is a rare connective tissue disease with typical ocular, auditory, musculoskeletal, and cutaneous disorders. Almost all patients suffer from declined vision due to corneal scarring, thinning, and rupture. The most common ophthalmologic findings include keratoconus, progressive central corneal thinning, high myopia, irregular astigmatism, retinal detachment, and high risk for spontaneous corneal or scleral rupture. In addition to describing the case with a novel mutation here we review the current literature on brittle cornea syndrome pathogenesis, clinical findings, and therapy.

Application of anterior segment optical coherence tomography in pediatric ophthalmology

Purpose. Application of anterior segment optical coherence (AS-OCT) in pediatric ophthalmology. Methods. Retrospective clinical study case series of 26 eyes of 19 pediatric patients throughout a 21-month period, presenting anterior segment pathologies, were submitted to AS-OCT examination (OCT Visante, 1310 nm, Zeiss), noncontact technique, no sedation requirement. Results. AS-OCT images were obtained from 19 patients (range: 2 months to 12 years). Clinical diagnosis of anterior segment abnormalities included cornea disease (n = 7), congenital anterior segment conditions (n = 10), ocular trauma (n = 1), anterior segment surgeries (n = 2), iridocorneal angle abnormalities (n = 4), intermediate uveitis (n = 2). The most common OCT findings were corneal hyperreflectivity and thickening (n = 15), shallow anterior chamber with iris-lens diaphragm anterior displacement (n = 4), atypical corneal curvature (n = 4), corneal thinning (n = 4), peripheral synechiae with angle closure (n = 3), increased anterior chamber depth (n = 2), and proximal portion of glaucoma drainage tube (n = 2). Conclusion. In the present study, noncontact AS-OCT demonstrated to be a feasible technique to evaluate the anterior segment providing anatomic details and useful to clarify diagnosis in the pediatric population.

Diagnosis and pathogenesis of congenital X-linked retinoschisis with optical coherence tomography

This study shows how optical coherence tomography has been valuable in the diagnosis of congenital X-linked retinoschisis. An infant with convergent strabismus underwent serial optical coherence tomography examinations that helped to make the diagnosis of congenital X-linked retinoschisis. Optical coherence tomography is useful in the diagnosis of congenital X-linked retinoschisis and adds new information about pathogenesis. The authors recommend the use of optical coherence tomography in pediatric retinal disease, even if the macula appears normal on indirect ophthalmoscopy.

Retinal imaging with high-resolution high-speed optical coherence tomography in patients with nystagmus

PURPOSE

To compare the quality of retinal images in patients with nystagmus made by the Spectral Domain High-Resolution High-Speed Optical Coherence Tomography Copernicus (SD-OCT) and by the Time Domain Stratus Optical Coherence Tomography (Stratus-OCT).

METHODS

Three patients with a congenital horizontal nystagmus and various retinal features were tested with both the SD-OCT (Optopol, Rockmed, Poland) and the standard Stratus-OCT (Carl Zeiss Meditec, Dublin, CA).

RESULTS

Stratus-OCT exhibited "saw tooth" or waved images in all three patients with nystagmus and failed to discriminate the retinal layers. In contrast, the SD-OCT imaging gave clear representation of the retina with discrimination of intraretinal layers in all three patients.

CONCLUSION

The high speed and resolution of SD-OCT resulted in discrimination of intraretinal layers in patients with nystagmus and indicates the potential of SD-OCT in diagnosing retinal disorders in patients with nystagmus.

Optical coherence tomography findings in Shaken Baby syndrome

PURPOSE

To evaluate features of optical coherence tomography (OCT) associated with Shaken Baby syndrome (SBS) in an attempt to gain new insight into the pathophysiology of this phenomenon.

DESIGN

Institutional prospective observational case series.

METHODS

We report three infants with SBS. Each patient underwent an ophthalmic examination including slit-lamp biomicroscopy, dilated indirect ophthalmoscopy, color fundus photography, and OCT.

RESULTS

In all infants, numerous bilateral multilayered retinal hemorrhages were present. In one case, bilateral perimacular folds had occurred. OCT confirmed retinal hemorrhages and perimacular folds. Moreover, OCT revealed vitreoretinal traction in all infants and suspected hemorrhagic macular retinoschisis in one case. Based on OCT findings, a hypothesis of vitreoretinal traction development and retinal fold formation is proposed.

CONCLUSIONS

OCT provided valuable additional information about the ocular pathology in patients with SBS. Vitreoretinal membrane formation seen in OCT could support the pathophysiological theory of a direct mechanical effect. OCT revealed preretinal blood accumulation as a cause for localized vitreous detachment and vitreoretinal traction. Furthermore, OCT showed persistent attachment of the vitreous to the internal limiting membrane at the apices of perimacular folds and suggested small hemorrhagic macular retinoschisis in one patient. Perimacular folds and hemorrhagic macular retinoschisis are regarded as highly specific for SBS and indicate poor visual outcome. Thus OCT might be of both diagnostic and prognostic value in SBS.

Optical coherence tomography applications in pediatric ophthalmology

In pediatric ophthalmology, test results may be limited by a child's ability to cooperate. Invasive and contact methods such as applanation tonometry, ultrasound biometry, and pachymetry are sometimes difficult to perform. Optical coherence tomography (OCT) has become a widely used noncontact method to obtain cross-sections of various ocular structures. In this review, we describe the principles and clinical applications of OCT, with special attention to pediatric ophthalmology.

Spectrum of foveal development in albinism detected with optical coherence tomography

BACKGROUND

Optical coherence tomography (OCT) has shown the absence of a foveal depression in an individual with oculocutaneous albinism, type 1 (OCA1) and best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) of 20/400. However, the presence of an annular light reflex in the macula has been noted with indirect ophthalmoscopy in other patients with albinism who have better vision. We studied macular architecture in albinism with OCT when binocular BCVA was > or = 20/60 and compared this to detection of foveal development with binocular indirect ophthalmoscopy.

METHODS

Eleven patients with albinism and BCVA > or = 20/60 were recruited for OCT. Average central macular thickness was recorded. Presence of an oval annular reflex was determined with binocular indirect ophthalmoscopy.

RESULTS

Mean binocular BCVA was 20/39 (range: 20/20 to 20/50). Twelve eyes had a rudimentary annular reflex detected with ophthalmoscopy. OCT was reliable in 20 of 22 eyes. A foveal depression was identified with OCT in four eyes. Mean macular thickness for these four eyes was 233 microm (+/- 22.5 microm). We found a weak inverse correlation between BCVA (logMAR) and thickness (r = -0.21).

CONCLUSIONS

OCT shows the spectrum of foveal development in albinism, from complete absence of development to a central depression corresponding to a rudimentary annular reflex detected with ophthalmoscopy. The reduced rate of detection of foveal development with OCT compared with ophthalmoscopy is likely related to poor fixation in patients with nystagmus.

Optical coherence tomography in the management of acute retinopathy of prematurity

PURPOSE

To demonstrate the microscopic changes, in vivo, accompanying stage 4 retinopathy of prematurity.

DESIGN

Interventional case study.

METHODS

Optical coherence tomography (OCT) of the macula was performed in a baby with presumed stage 4a retinopathy of prematurity (retinopathy of prematurity). The findings were correlated with clinical staging and video indirect ophthalmoscopy.

RESULTS

OCT changed the staging of retinopathy of prematurity from 4a to 4b, demonstrated intraretinal edema, and objectively confirmed the clinical impression of disease progression.

CONCLUSIONS

OCT could be valuable as a new strategy in the staging and surgical management of retinopathy of prematurity.