Classification of semi-automated flare readings using the Kowa FM 700 laser cell flare meter in patients with uveitis

Visual Outcomes of Traumatic Lens Dislocations and Subluxations Managed by Pars Plana Vitrectomy and Lensectomy

AIM

The aim of this study was to evaluate the visual outcome of lens dislocation and subluxation managed by pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) and lensectomy in patients with open (OGIs) or closed globe injuries (CGIs).

METHODS

Medical records of 70 consecutive patients treated by PPV and lensectomy over a period of 11 years (1 January 2010-31 December 2020) were retrospectively reviewed. We collected demographic data, best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) using a Snellen Chart pre- and postoperatively, associated ocular injuries and treatment strategy. Visual outcome was evaluated according to the final BCVA which was defined as poor <0.1 or good ≥0.1.

RESULTS

The mean age was 57.9 ± 17.6 years. CGIs were present in 49 (70.0%) cases and open OGIs in 21 (30.0%) cases. The dislocation mechanism was zonular lysis in 59 cases (84.3%) and capsular rupture in 11 cases (15.7%). The intraocular lens implant (IOL) was sutured to the sclera in 51 (72.9%) cases or positioned in the capsular bag or in the sulcus in 3 (4.3%) cases and 1 (1.4%) case, respectively, whereas 15 (21.4%) patients remained aphakic. A good BCVA ≥ 0.1 was achieved in 45.71% of the eyes. The presence of retinal detachment (RD) (p = 0.014), iridodonesis (p = 0.011) and initial BCVA (p = 0.000) achieved statistical significance in predicting visual outcome. After treatment, 45.71% of patients achieved a final BCVA ≥ 0.1.

CONCLUSION

RD, iridodonesis and initial BCVA were risk factors for poor visual outcome in our series.

Longitudinal Comparative Analysis of Semi-Automated Aqueous Flare Measurements with Clinical Grading and Visual Outcomes in Uveitic Eyes

PURPOSE

To evaluate the correlation between longitudinal changes in aqueous flare measured by laser flare photometer (LFP), best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), and clinical grade using both Standardization of Uveitis Nomenclature (SUN) and modified SUN (MSUN) scales uveitis patients.

METHODS

Patients were classified according to both SUN and MSUN grading scales. LFP measurements were acquired (Kowa FM-700) at each visit. Mean change in LFP was assessed longitudinally, comparing with those in visual acuity, SUN, and MSUN grading scales.

RESULTS

Mean change in LFP was correlated to those in BCVA (p = .018), SUN scale (p < .001), and MSUN scale (p = .008). Cases within same initial SUN (0 and 1+) and MSUN (0.5+ and 1+) grades and different longitudinal flare prognosis (decreased/unchanged/increased) had significantly different initial LFP values (all p < .05).

CONCLUSIONS

LFP measurement is beneficial in monitoring inflammatory activity. Cases of identical clinical flare scores with different clinical prognosis may be predicted by LFP.

Anterior chamber inflammation grading methods: A critical review

Assessing anterior chamber inflammation is highly subjective and challenging. Although various grading systems attempt to offer objectivity and standardization, the clinical assessment has high interobserver variability. Traditional techniques, such as laser flare meter and fluorophotometry, are not widely used since they are time-consuming. With the development of optical coherence tomography with high sensitivity, direct imaging offers an excellent alternative to assess objectively inflammation with the potential for automated analysis. We describe various anterior chamber inflammation grading methods and discuss their utility, advantages, and disadvantages.

Correlation of Clinical Aqueous Flare Grading to Semi-Automated Flare Measurements Using Laser Flare Photometry

PURPOSE

To compare laser flare photometry (LFP) measurements of aqueous flare with Standardization of Uveitis Nomenclature (SUN) and modified SUN grading.

METHODS

In this prospective study with multicenter design, uveitis patients were classified according to SUN and modified SUN grading scales. LFP was performed with Kowa FM-700 flaremeter. Mean LFP values were compared with SUN and MSUN scores.

RESULTS

The study included 475 LFP measurements, of which 216, 48, 150, 31, 28 and 2 had 0, 0.5+, 1+, 1.5+, 2+ and 3+ flare, respectively. LFP values were significantly different between each two consecutive steps for both clinical gradings (all P < .05). Cut-off values for modified SUN grading steps were defined as 5.7, 9.7, 15.7 and 43.2 for 0/0.5+, 0.5+/ 1+, 1+/1.5+ and 1.5/2+ borders of clinical flare, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

LFP proves to be an objective measurement in analyzing aqueous flare comparable to both SUN and MSUN clinical grading systems.

Quantification of Anterior Chamber Particles Using Anterior Segment Optical Coherence Tomography in Angle-Closure Glaucoma Patients after Laser Iridotomy

Purpose: To determine whether the degree of particle density in the anterior chamber can be evaluated objectively and quantitatively by anterior segment optical coherence tomography (AS-OCT) in cases after laser iridotomy (LI). Methods: This was a retrospective observational study. All of the subjects who received LI for angle-closure glaucoma between January 2018 and May 2019 at Kagoshima University Hospital were studied. AS-OCT recordings were made before, immediately after, and one week after LI in 22 eyes of 14 consecutive patients. The anterior chamber particle (ACP) index was defined as the ratio of the number of particles in the anterior chamber to the total area of the anterior chamber. The ACP index was determined by binarization of the AS-OCT images and analysis with the ImageJ program. Results: The mean age of the participants was 75.4 ± 8.9 years, with a range of 61−91 years. The ACP index before the LI was 0.78 ± 0.68, and it was significantly increased to 7.72 ± 2.64 immediately after the LI (paired t-test, p < 0.01). The ACP index returned to the pre-LI density of 0.92 ± 0.48 one week after the LI. Conclusions: We successfully quantified the degree of anterior chamber particles accumulation by analyzing images obtained by AS-OCT. This simple and repeatable technique should be useful because the particles, including inflammatory cells, in the anterior chamber can be evaluated non-invasively and objectively.

Effect of light backscattering from anterior segment structures on automated flare meter measurements

BACKGROUND

To evaluate effect of maximal anterior cortical lens density, iris scatter and anterior chamber depth on laser flare photometry.

METHODS

Patients diagnosed with clinical uveitis were enrolled in the study. Clinical flare gradings were recorded upon the Standardization of Uveitis Nomenclature. Aqueous flare was measured with an automated device (Kowa FM-700). Back-scattering from anterior cortical lens and anterior iris surface was calculated from Scheimpflug images. A curvilinear regression model was used to calculate estimated values for each clinical grade. These values were used to split cases in Group I (laser flare photometry lower than estimated) and Group II (laser flare photometry higher than estimated). Mean anterior chamber depth, pupil aperture, maximal anterior cortical lens density and iris scatter values were compared between two groups. A stepwise multiple regression analysis was performed to determine the effect of clinical flare gradings and ocular parameters on aqueous flare measurements.

RESULTS

The study included 228 eyes of 114 cases. Scheimpflug images were obtained from 105 eyes. Estimated aqueous flare measurements (in photons/milliseconds) were 4.87, 8.50, 14.81, 25.83, 45.04 and 136.93 for 0, 0.5+, 1+, 1.5+, 2+ and 3+ clinical flare respectively. Group II had higher maximal anterior cortical lens density than Group I (96.6 ± 37.1 vs 77.9 ± 17.1 pixel unit, p = 0.001). The measured aqueous flare was significantly related to clinical flare, maximal anterior cortical lens density and pupil aperture (adjusted R2: 0.480, p < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

The back-scattered light from anterior cortical lens could affect laser flare photometry measurements. This effect might be quantified by Scheimpflug imaging.

Relationship Between Prolonged Intraocular Inflammation and Macular Edema After Cataract Surgery

Purpose

To assess whether aqueous flare is related to an increased risk of pseudophakic cystoid macular edema (PCME) following uneventful cataract surgery in nondiabetic and diabetic patients.

Methods

A post hoc analysis of five consecutive randomized clinical trials in the Department of Ophthalmology, Kymenlaakso Central Hospital, Finland. Aqueous flare levels were recorded in 448 eyes of 448 patients before surgery, and after the course of topical anti-inflammatory treatment 28 days and three months after cataract surgery.

Results

Aqueous flare increase of <50%, ≥50%, ≥100%, and ≥200% associated in central subfield macular thickness (CSMT) increase across the groups at 28 days and three months after surgery. Increase of aqueous flare ≥100% compared to those with <100% was associated with increased CSMT (P = 0.022 at 28 days, and P = 0.027 at three months). At three months, macular thickening (at least 10% CSMT increase) was observed in 12.7% compared to 4.6% of eyes when using a cutoff value of 100% increase in aqueous flare (P = 0.033). Although diabetic patients presented higher aqueous flare levels at baseline compared to nondiabetic patients (12.9 ± 11.8 vs. 9.8 ± 8.2 photon units/ms P < 0.001), the postoperative levels illustrated a similar profile in aqueous flare increase between the two groups.

Conclusions

At 28 days, aqueous flare increase was associated with macular thickening. A 100% cutoff value could potentially be used when studying anti-inflammatory efficacy of different treatment protocols. Flare values exceeding this cutoff value could be considered as an indication for extending anti-inflammatory therapy.

Translational Relevance

A 100% increase in aqueous flare at 28 days after cataract surgery from baseline predicted macular thickening up to three months postoperatively. Identifying a correlation between increased aqueous flare levels and pseudophakic cystoid macular edema may allow recognition of the most vulnerable patients, development of prophylactic treatment strategies and reduction of the number and severity of postoperative complications.

Quantitative Assessment of Experimental Ocular Inflammatory Disease

Ocular inflammation imposes a high medical burden on patients and substantial costs on the health-care systems that mange these often chronic and debilitating diseases. Many clinical phenotypes are recognized and classifying the severity of inflammation in an eye with uveitis is an ongoing challenge. With the widespread application of optical coherence tomography in the clinic has come the impetus for more robust methods to compare disease between different patients and different treatment centers. Models can recapitulate many of the features seen in the clinic, but until recently the quality of imaging available has lagged that applied in humans. In the model experimental autoimmune uveitis (EAU), we highlight three linked clinical states that produce retinal vulnerability to inflammation, all different from healthy tissue, but distinct from each other. Deploying longitudinal, multimodal imaging approaches can be coupled to analysis in the tissue of changes in architecture, cell content and function. This can enrich our understanding of pathology, increase the sensitivity with which the impacts of therapeutic interventions are assessed and address questions of tissue regeneration and repair. Modern image processing, including the application of artificial intelligence, in the context of such models of disease can lay a foundation for new approaches to monitoring tissue health.

Structural Endpoints and Outcome Measures in Uveitis

Most uveitis entities are rare diseases but, taken together, are responsible for 5-10% of worldwide visual impairment which largely affects persons of working age. As with many rare diseases, there is a lack of high-level evidence regarding its clinical management, partly due to a dearth of reliable and objective quantitative endpoints for clinical trials. This review provides an overview of available structural outcome measures for uveitis disease activity and damage in an anatomical order from the anterior to the posterior segment of the eye. While there is a multitude of available structural outcome measures, not all might qualify as endpoints for clinical uveitis trials, and thorough testing of applicability is warranted. Furthermore, a consensus on endpoint definition, standardization, and "core outcomes" is required. As stipulated by regulatory agencies, endpoints should be precisely defined, clinically important, internally consistent, reliable, responsive to treatment, and relevant for the respective subtype of uveitis. Out of all modalities used for assessment of the reviewed structural outcome measures, optical coherence tomography, color fundus photography, fundus autofluorescence, and fluorescein/indocyanine green angiography represent current "core modalities" for reliable and objective quantification of uveitis outcome measures, based on their practical availability and the evidence provided so far.

Oral phospholipidic curcumin in juvenile idiopathic arthritis-associated uveitis

PURPOSE

To evaluate the efficacy and the safety of curcumin-phosphatidylcholine complex in children affected by juvenile idiopathic arthritis-associated uveitis as an adjunctive treatment to chronic systemic immunosuppressive therapy.

METHODS

In this retrospective, longitudinal study, we treated patients affected by juvenile idiopathic arthritis-associated uveitis with residual low-grade inflammatory activity in the anterior chamber with one tablet of curcumin-phosphatidylcholine complex per day, over a year. Low-grade inflammatory activity was characterized by flare 1+ at slit-lamp examination and 10-50 photon counts per ms) at the FC500 laser flare meter. Inactivity of uveitis was defined as complete disappearance of flare at the slit-lamp examination and values <10 ph/ms at laser flare meter. Conversely, recurrence of the uveitis was defined as a one-step increase from baseline in anterior chamber cells levels or laser flare meter measurements >50 ph/ms.

RESULTS

A total of 22 out of 27 patients (81%) achieved inactivity at the end of the study. Five patients (19%) did not show a significant reduction in anterior chamber flare, remaining stable throughout the follow-up. Only three episodes of flare-ups in three different patients were recorded. Overall, the treatment was well tolerated by all patients and no ocular discomfort, ocular side effects, or allergic reactions were registered.

CONCLUSION

Adjunctive therapy with curcumin in patients affected by juvenile idiopathic arthritis-associated uveitis improves mild chronic anterior chamber flare and presents a good safety profile. Despite being mild, anterior chamber inflammation should be minimized to avoid the development of sight-threatening complications in these patients.

High frequency of secondary, but not primary ocular manifestations of inflammatory bowel disease in patients treated at a tertiary care center

OBJECTIVE

Ocular manifestations of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) are relevant complications of IBD. Only a few prospective studies are available on the characteristics of these manifestations. The aim of this study was to characterize the frequency of eye disease in patients with IBD, including primary and secondary ocular manifestations of IBD, and to identify patients who may need specialized ophthalmologic care.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

In a prospective observational study, patients with IBD were examined for ocular symptoms in comparison with control participants without IBD. All patients with IBD underwent a thorough ophthalmologic examination (including slit-lamp, tonometry, tear breakup time, Schirmer's test, and coherence tomography). The results were analyzed with respect to sociodemographic and disease-related characteristics.

RESULTS

A total of 61 patients (33 women, 39 Crohn's disease, 22 ulcerative colitis, age 43.3±12.9 years, disease duration 12.4±9.3 years) were included. Ophthalmologic symptoms were reported by 53 patients (86.9%, most frequently deterioration of vision 42.6%, foreign body sensation 36.1%) compared with 60.6% in healthy controls (P=0.001). A clinically relevant, previously undetected ophthalmologic diagnosis was identified in 56 patients (91.8% - dry eye syndrome 75.4%, cataract 67.2%, blepharitis 45.9%, fundus hypertonicus 14.8%, other 16.4%).

CONCLUSION

Although primary ocular manifestations of IBD are rare in intensively treated patients, the high frequency of unrecognized secondary manifestations should give reason to refer especially patients with longstanding or complicated IBD to an eye specialist - irrespective of ocular symptoms.

Early versus late traumatic cataract surgery and intraocular lens implantation

PurposeTo determine the proper time for traumatic cataract surgery after open globe injuries.SettingFarabi Eye Hospital, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.DesignRandomized clinical trial.Patients and methodsIn a randomized clinical trial, 30 eyes with traumatic cataract after open globe injury with IOL implantation underwent early (in the first week after the trauma) and 30 eyes underwent late cataract surgery (from the first to second month after the trauma). We excluded patients who were under 12-year-old. All patients were visited at 1 week, 4 weeks, 12 weeks, and 6 months after surgery. In each visit, patients were examined regarding visual acuity, intraocular pressure (IOP), anterior chamber inflammation, IOL position, and posterior synechiae. In addition, posterior segment evaluation and fundoscopy were performed. Intraoperative complication including posterior capsular rupture, anterior vitrectomy, and zonulysis as well as the site of IOL implantation were documented and post-operative complications including raised IOP, anterior chamber inflammation, visual axis opacity, posterior synechiae, subluxation of IOL, and IOL pigment deposition were listed.ResultsBest-corrected visual acuity 6 months after surgery was not different between the two groups. Also in early cataract surgery group, the rate of posterior capsular rupture was not significantly higher than the late surgery group (P=0.069). On the other hand, zonulysis was significantly higher in the late procedure group (P=0.039). Other complications including anterior vitrectomy, raised IOP, anterior chamber inflammation, visual axis opacity, posterior synechiae, subluxation of IOL, and IOL pigment deposition were not different in the two groups.ConclusionsEarly and late traumatic cataract surgery and IOL implantation after open globe injuries, have no significant difference regarding the post-surgical BCVA and prominent intraoperative and post-operative complications.