Primary Cancer Sites and Clinical Features of Choroidal Metastasis in Mexican Patients

Purpose

To describe the primary cancer sites and clinical features of choroidal metastasis in Mexican patients.

Methods

This was a retrospective, observational, and multi-center study. Data were recollected from 6 ophthalmological hospitals in Mexico from patients with choroidal metastasis diagnosed from 2000 to 2018.

Results

Seventy-eight patients were studied: 43 were female and 35 were male. Mean age at presentation was 57.6 years. Overall, primary cancer sites were: 1) breast: 27 cases (34.6%); 2) lung: 19 cases (24.3%); 3) unknown: 8 cases (10.2%); 4) gastrointestinal: 7 cases (8.9%); 5) renal: 5 cases (6.4%); 6) testicular: 3 cases (3.8%); 7) ovary: 3 Cases (3.8%); 8) prostate: 2 cases (2.5%); 9) thyroid: 2 cases (2.5%); 10) carcinoid: 1 case (1.2%); and 11) multiple myeloma: 1 case (1.2%). Divided by gender, for women, the main three sites were: breast, unknown, and ovary. For men, the main three sites were: lung, gastrointestinal, and testicular. Oldest cases were breast cancer (87 and 85 years); youngest cases were testicular (23 and 25 years). Solitary lesions were observed in 56 cases (71.7%); multiple lesions were observed in 22 cases (28.2%). Forty-two cases had a white or yellowish color, while 6 cases presented an orange color.

Conclusion

Primary cancer sites and clinical features of choroidal metastasis in Mexican patients show important differences from other populations previously studied, mainly the presence of a higher proportion of gastrointestinal and renal cancer, as well as higher incidence of ovarian and testicular cancer. These types of cancer, although not as common as breast or lung, need to be taken into account when studying Mexican patients living abroad.

Survey of Intravitreal Injection Techniques Among Retina Specialists in Mexico

Purpose

To report technique preferences for intravitreal injections among retina specialists in Mexico.

Methods

Cross-sectional survey. Ophthalmologists with a two-year retina training, active members of the Mexican Retina Association, were contacted through email to answer a survey consisting of 37 items regarding their IVI application technique.

Results

A total of 133 retina specialists participated, with a response rate of 78%. Forty-five percent applied the intravitreal injections in an operating room designated for the procedure. Sixty-three percent reported never injecting both eyes on the same day. Ninety-six percent wore a face mask during the procedure and 91% wore gloves. Eighty-two percent used a lid speculum. Tetracaine drops were the anesthetic method employed by 97% of participants. All participants utilized povidone-iodine for antisepsis. Eighty percent measured the puncture site with a caliper. Superotemporal quadrant was the one chosen to place the injection by 63% of participants. Fifty-nine percent indicated post-injection antibiotic drops for several days. Post-injection counting fingers visual acuity was verified by 53% of the participants. Fifty-six percent of the participants placed an eye-patch after the procedure.

Conclusion

There are different practices regarding the application of intravitreal injections among retina specialists in Mexico. Performing this type of survey periodically could show changes in preferences, as new evidence is incorporated into clinical practice.

Basis and Design of a Randomized Clinical Trial to Evaluate the Effect of Levosulpiride on Retinal Alterations in Patients With Diabetic Retinopathy and Diabetic Macular Edema

BACKGROUND

Diabetic retinopathy (DR) and diabetic macular edema (DME) are potentially blinding, microvascular retinal diseases in people with diabetes mellitus. Preclinical studies support a protective role of the hormone prolactin (PRL) due to its ocular incorporation and conversion to vasoinhibins, a family of PRL fragments that inhibit ischemia-induced retinal angiogenesis and diabetes-derived retinal vasopermeability. Here, we describe the protocol of an ongoing clinical trial investigating a new therapy for DR and DME based on elevating the circulating levels of PRL with the prokinetic, dopamine D2 receptor blocker, levosulpiride.

METHODS

It is a prospective, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial enrolling male and female patients with type 2 diabetes having DME, non-proliferative DR (NPDR), proliferative DR (PDR) requiring vitrectomy, and DME plus standard intravitreal therapy with the antiangiogenic agent, ranibizumab. Patients are randomized to receive placebo (lactose pill, orally TID) or levosulpiride (75 mg/day orally TID) for 8 weeks (DME and NPDR), 1 week (the period before vitrectomy in PDR), or 12 weeks (DME plus ranibizumab). In all cases the study medication is taken on top of standard therapy for diabetes, blood pressure control, or other medical conditions. Primary endpoints in groups 1 and 2 (DME: placebo and levosulpiride), groups 3 and 4 (NPDR: placebo and levosulpiride), and groups 7 and 8 (DME plus ranibizumab: placebo and levosulpiride) are changes from baseline in visual acuity, retinal thickness assessed by optical coherence tomography, and retinal microvascular abnormalities evaluated by fundus biomicroscopy and fluorescein angiography. Changes in serum PRL levels and of PRL and vasoinhibins levels in the vitreous between groups 5 and 6 (PDR undergoing vitrectomy: placebo and levosulpiride) serve as proof of principle that PRL enters the eye to counteract disease progression. Secondary endpoints are changes during the follow-up of health and metabolic parameters (blood pressure, glycated hemoglobin, and serum levels of glucose and creatinine). A total of 120 patients are being recruited.

DISCUSSION

This trial will provide important knowledge on the potential benefits and safety of elevating circulating and intraocular PRL levels with levosulpiride in patients with DR and DME.

ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION

Ethics approval has been obtained from the Ethics Committees of the National University of Mexico (UNAM) and the Instituto Mexicano de Oftalmología, I.A.P. Dissemination will include submission to peer-reviewed scientific journals and presentation at congresses.

CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION

Registered at www.ClinicalTrials.gov, ID: NCT03161652 on May 18, 2017.