Clinical Evaluation of a New Spectral-Domain Optical Coherence Tomography-Based Biometer

The VEMoS-AXL system is a new optical biometer based on spectral domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) that has been tested in terms of intrasession repeatability and compared with a swept-source optical coherence tomography biometer (SS-OCT), which is recognized as the gold standard for the performance of an agreement analysis. A biometric analysis was performed three consecutive times in 120 healthy eyes of 120 patients aged between 18 and 40 years with the SD-OCT system, and afterwards, a single measurement was obtained with the SS-OCT system. Within-subject standard deviations were 0.004 mm, 4.394 µm, and 0.017 mm for axial length (AL), central corneal thickness (CCT), and anterior chamber depth (ACD) measures obtained with the SD-OCT biometer, respectively. The agreement between devices was good for AL (limits of agreement, LoA: -0.04 to 0.03 mm) and CCT (LoA: -4.36 to 14.38 µm), whereas differences between devices were clinically relevant for ACD (LoA: 0.03 to 0.21 mm). In conclusion, the VEMoS-AXL system provides consistent measures of anatomical parameters, being most of them interchangeable with those provided by the SS-OCT-based gold standard.

Association of Metabolic Syndrome with Macular Thickness and Volume in Older Adults: A Population-Based Optical Coherence Tomography Study

Background: To explore the associations of the metabolic syndrome (MetS) and individual components with macular thickness and volume among rural-dwelling Chinese older adults. Methods: This population-based cross-sectional study included 705 participants (age ≥60 years) derived from the MIND-China study. In 2018-2019, we collected data through face-to-face interview, clinical examination, optical coherence tomography (OCT) examination, and blood test. We measured macular thickness and volume using spectral-domain OCT. MetS was defined following the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) criteria, the IDF/American Heart Association (AHA) criteria, the National Cholesterol Education Program-Adult Treatment Panel III criteria, and the Chinese Diabetes Society (CDS) criteria. Data were analyzed with multivariable general linear models. Results: MetS was significantly associated with thinner macula in central (multivariable-adjusted β = -5.29; 95% confidence interval: -9.31 to -1.26), parafoveal (-2.85; -5.73 to 0.04) and perifoveal regions (-4.37; -6.79 to -1.95) when using the IDF criteria, in the perifoveal regions (-3.82; -6.18 to -1.47) when using the IDF/AHA criteria, and in the central region (-5.63; -10.25 to -1.02) when using the CDS criteria, and with reduced macular volume when using the IDF (-0.16; -0.26 to -0.07) and IDF/AHA (-0.13; -0.22 to -0.04) criteria. In the parafoveal region, the IDF-defined MetS was significantly associated with thinner retina in men (β = -6.25; -10.94 to -1.56) but not in women. Abdominal obesity (-2.83; -5.41 to -0.25) and elevated fasting blood glucose (-2.65; -5.08 to -0.21) were associated with thinner macular thickness in the perifoveal region. Conclusion: MetS is associated with macular thinning and reduced macular volume among rural-dwelling older adults, and the associations vary by the defining criteria of MetS.

Racial Differences in Diagnostic Accuracy of Retinal Nerve Fiber Layer Thickness in Primary Open-Angle Glaucoma

Purpose

To evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of retinal nerve fiber layer thickness (RNFLT) by spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (OCT) in primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) in eyes of African (AD) and European descent (ED).

Design

Comparative diagnostic accuracy analysis by race.

Participants

379 healthy eyes (125 AD and 254 ED) and 442 glaucomatous eyes (226 AD and 216 ED) from the Diagnostic Innovations in Glaucoma Study and the African Descent and Glaucoma Evaluation Study.

Methods

Spectralis (Heidelberg Engineering GmbH) and Cirrus (Carl Zeiss Meditec) OCT scans were taken within one year from each other.

Main Outcome Measures

Diagnostic accuracy of RNFLT measurements.

Results

Diagnostic accuracy for Spectralis-RNFLT was significantly lower in eyes of AD compared to those of ED (area under the receiver operating curve [AUROC]: 0.85 and 0.91, respectively, P=0.04). Results for Cirrus-RNFLT were similar but did not reach statistical significance (AUROC: 0.86 and 0.90 in AD and ED, respectively, P =0.33). Adjustments for age, central corneal thickness, axial length, disc area, visual field mean deviation, and intraocular pressure yielded similar results.

Conclusions

OCT-RNFLT has lower diagnostic accuracy in eyes of AD compared to those of ED. This finding was generally robust across two OCT instruments and remained after adjustment for many potential confounders. Further studies are needed to explore the potential sources of this difference.

Parkinson's Disease: What Can Retinal Imaging Tell Us?

Parkinson's disease (PD) is a neurodegenerative disorder characterized by motor symptoms such as tremors, rigidity, and bradykinesia. While the diagnosis of PD primarily relies on clinical assessments and neurological examination, there has been growing interest in exploring non-invasive imaging techniques to aid in early detection and monitoring of the disease. In recent years, retinal imaging has emerged as a promising tool for studying PD due to the close anatomical and functional similarities between the retina and the brain. Retinal imaging methods, such as spectral domain optical coherence tomography and optical coherence tomography angiography, enable non-intrusive visualization and measurement of retinal structures and blood vessels. These techniques hold the promise of capturing alterations in retinal structure and function that could potentially mirror the underlying pathological mechanisms in PD. This review article aims to provide an overview of the current understanding of retinal changes in PD and the potential utility of retinal imaging as a diagnostic and monitoring tool.

Analysis of Cytokine Levels Based on Optical Coherence Tomography Findings in Acute and Chronic Central Serous Chorioretinopathy

Purpose: To investigate the characteristics of optical coherence tomography (OCT) and aqueous humor cytokine differences between acute and chronic central serous chorioretinopathy (CSC) and to evaluate the relevance of these findings.Methods: This was a cross-sectional, observational study. Patients with CSC were divided into acute and chronic groups based on the symptom duration and were compared with normal controls. Best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), central macular thickness (CMT), subfoveal choroidal thickness (CT), hyperreflective foci (HF), and cytokines including vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), interleukin (IL)-6, IL-8, IL-10, interferon-inducible protein-10 (IP-10), and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) were used as comparison metrics.Results: A total of 62 patients (62 eyes) with CSC (22 with acute CSC and 40 with chronic CSC) and 35 patients as controls were included in this study. The chronic CSC group had significantly older average ages and worse BCVA than the acute CSC group (both p < 0.05). Both CSC groups showed significant increases in CMT and CT (both p < 0.05). In chronic CSC, the CMT was thinner, with more HF in the neuroretina (p = 0.034). VEGF levels were significantly higher in patients with chronic CSC than in those with acute CSC and controls (p < 0.05). The levels of inflammatory cytokines showed no significant difference between the CSC and control groups. Spearman's correlation analysis showed that the number of HF was positively correlated with disease duration (r = 0.311, p = 0.014), logMAR BCVA (r = 0.487, P < 0.001) and MCP-1 levels (r = 0.256, p = 0.045).Conclusions: Chronicity of CSC could lead to upregulation of VEGF. HF was associated with a more severe visual impairment in CSC patients and had relations with the levels of MCP-1.

Short-term Changes in Epithelial and Optical Redistribution Induced by Different Orthokeratology Designs

OBJECTIVES

This study aimed to investigate corneal epithelial and topographic changes caused by two commercial myopia orthokeratology (ortho-k) designs.

METHODS

Twenty-six subjects fitted with vision shape treatment (VST) lenses and 30 subjects fitted with corneal reshaping therapy (CRT) lenses were reviewed 1 day, 1 week, and 1 month after lens initiation. A spectral-domain optical coherence tomography system was used to create epithelial maps that were in turn used to determine the average epithelial thickness of each zone and the diameter of treatment zone. By measuring the topographic tangential differential map, the treatment zone diameter and the power and width of the high convex zone (HCZ) were obtained. All epithelial thicknesses and topographic corneal variations recorded were analyzed.

RESULTS

At the central zone, the epithelial thickness changes (△ET) decreased significantly after 1 day of ortho-k in two groups. At 2- to 9-mm peripheral zone, ortho-k increased △ET until 1 week in the VST group, whereas it kept increasing in the CRT group after 1 week. At 1 month, the central △ET is -9.51±2.38 mm in the VST group, which was comparable to -8.72±3.43 mm in the CRT group. The nasal HCZ power and the △ET of nasal and inferior nasal were significantly larger in the CRT group. A positive correlation was found between the HCZ power and △ET generated by VST-type lenses inferiorly and temporally. For the CRT group, a positive correlation was found between inferior HCZ power and △ET.

CONCLUSIONS

At the early stage of ortho-k, epithelial thickness and topography change quickly and simultaneously. Epithelial changes were in line with corneal topography reshaping. Epithelial and optical remodelling were affected by different lens types.

Central retina thickness measured with spectral-domain optical coherence tomography in Parkinson disease: A meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Optical coherence tomography (OCT) can detect visual alterations associated with Parkinson disease, such as damage to the retinal nerve fiber layer or changes in retinal vasculature. Macula thinning in association with Parkinson disease (PD) remains controversial. Therefore, we conducted a meta-analysis to investigate the central retina thickness in PD measured using spectral-domain OCT (SD-OCT).

METHODS

We searched PubMed and the Excerpta Medica database to identify studies that compared macular thickness between patients with PD and healthy controls published before July 31, 2021. A random-effects model was used to examine PD-associated changes in macular thickness. Meta-regression analysis was performed by assessing heterogeneity, publication bias, and study quality.

RESULTS

Thirty-two studies with a cross-sectional design were selected, including 2118 patients with PD and 2338 controls. We identified significant differences in the thickness of the ganglion cell-inner plexiform layer (standardized mean difference [SMD], -0.41; 95% confidence interval [CI], -0.66 to -0.16; I2 = 80%), ganglion cell complex (SMD, -0.33; 95% CI, -0.50 to -0.17; I2 = 0%), and of all inner and outer sectors of the macula (SMD range, -0.21 to -0.56; all P < .05) between patients with PD and controls.

DISCUSSION

These results corroborate the increased prevalence of changes in OCT measures in individuals with PD, highlighting the efficacy of SD-OCT-determined macular thickness as a biomarker for PD. Our findings may provide helpful guidelines for clinicians in rapidly evolving areas of PD diagnosis.

Tamoxifen related chorioretinal structural changes

PURPOSE

To evaluate the vascular structure of the choroid and each retinal layer in patients with breast cancer on tamoxifen therapy and compare them with healthy subjects.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

124 eyes of 62 patients with breast cancer who were on tamoxifen therapy (group 1) and 80 eyes of 40 healthy controls (group 2) were included in this prospective cohort study. The structure of the choroid was evaluated using enhanced depth imaging spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (EDI-OCT) and choroidal binarisation. Spectral-domain OCT (SD-OCT) was performed to analyse the peripapillary nerve fibre layer thickness (pRNFL) and each retinal layer thickness. A subgroup analysis was performed based on chemotherapy history in Group 1. All parameters were compared between Group 1 and the healthy controls and between the subgroups of Group 1.

RESULTS

The subfoveal choroidal thickness and temporal and nasal directions were increased in Group 1 when compared with Group 2 (p < 0.05, each comparison). Choroidal vascularity index was significantly decreased in Group 1 compared with Group 2 (63.15 ± 3.11% and 65.37 ± 4.63%, p < 0.001). There were no significant differences in each retinal layer, pRNFL thickness, and choroid structural parameters between the subgroups of Group 1.

CONCLUSIONS

Increased choroidal thickness may be the initial finding of subclinical tamoxifen-induced retinopathy. Patients with breast cancer undergoing tamoxifen therapy may be screened prior to tamoxifen therapy and followed during treatment by SD-OCT.

Sequential Bilateral Paracentral Acute Middle Maculopathy in a Middle-Aged Woman

Purpose: To present a case of sequential paracentral acute middle maculopathy (PAMM) in a middle-aged woman with no cardiovascular risk factors. Methods: A single case was evaluated. Results: A 53-year-old woman with a history of PAMM resulting from perfused central retinal artery occlusion in the left eye presented with PAMM in the right eye 3 years later. The patient had a medical history of treated anemia, stress disorder, and insomnia. Examination of the right eye showed a superior parafoveal crescent of translucent retina without associated edema or hemorrhage. Optical coherence tomography (OCT) showed hyperreflective band-like areas in the superior parafoveal and perifoveal regions. Fluorescein angiography revealed normal arterial filling. OCT angiography showed patchy filling of the middle capillary plexus with normal perfusion of the superficial capillary plexus in the right eye. Conclusions: Although bilateral sequential PAMM is rare, close monitoring in a case of PAMM in 1 eye should be considered.

The Choroidal Vascularity Index Versus Optical Coherence Tomography Angiography in the Evaluation of the Choroid with a Focus on Age-Related Macular Degeneration

The choroid is the most vascularized structure of the eye and it is fundamental for the trophism of the outer retina. Its proper functioning and homeostasis represent key points in maintaining normal retinal physiology. Choroidal alterations may be implicated in the development and progression of numerous pathologies; therefore, in-depth studies using imaging techniques can be of crucial relevance to understanding the pathophysiology of retinal-choroidal diseases. The advent of spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SDOCT) has enabled the non-invasive study of the choroid in vivo and the most recent development, optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA), allows for the high-resolution visualization of the choriocapillaris and the choroid in regard to vascularization. The choroidal vascularity index (CVI) is a new parameter calculated on SDOCT scans and is defined as the ratio of the luminal area to the total choroidal area. In this review, a study of the choroid using OCTA and CVI will be evaluated in depth and the pros and cons of these two methods will be analyzed, with a particular focus on age-related macular degeneration.

Peripapillary nerve fiber layer in patients with iron deficiency anemia: A cross-sectional study in a tertiary eye care center in Central India

AIMS

The aim of this study is to evaluate the effect of iron-deficiency anemia (IDA) on peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thickness using spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT).

SETTINGS

The study was conducted at tertiary eye care center in Central India.

DESIGN

This study was a prospective, cross-sectional, case-control, and observational study.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

In the present study, 58 eyes of patients with IDA were compared with 58 eyes of healthy individuals. All individuals underwent a thorough hematological, clinical, and ophthalmic examination, followed by peripapillary RNFL analysis using SD-OCT.

RESULTS

A total of 116 eyes were included in the study. The average RNFL thickness (RNFLT) in the cases was 97.26 ± 5.96, and 102.32 ± 6.26 (P = 0.005) in controls. There was a significant RNFL loss in the temporal (66.76 ± 6.1, P = 0.02), superior (119.66 ± 10.47, P = 0.01), nasal (73.59 ± 9.52, P = 0.003), and inferior (129.05 ± 10.96, P = 0.001) quadrants in the cases and controls. Serum hemoglobin, iron, ferritin, total iron-binding capacity, and transferrin saturation were lower in the cases (P < 0.05). A positive correlation was observed between average RNFLT and hemoglobin (r = 0.321), iron (r = 0.122), ferritin (r = 0.152), and transferrin (r = 0.190) levels.

CONCLUSIONS

In patients with IDA, RNFLT was decreased in all quadrants compared to normal healthy individuals. The inferior and nasal RNFL showed a significant decrease in thickness. The presence of myopia, glaucoma, and diabetic and hypertensive retinopathy can exert an additive effect in the thinning of RNFLs and cause significant visual loss; hence, the correction of anemia is essential. There is a pressing need to raise public and health professional awareness of these problems and their prevention, diagnosis, and management.

Spectral-domain optical coherence tomography combined with electroretinography in the assessment of conbercept for neovascular age-related macular degeneration: a preliminary study

Objective

To observe the effect of three consecutive intravitreal injections of conbercept in the treatment of neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD), to investigate the correlation between retinal anatomy and retinal function by spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) and electroretinography (ERG), to evaluate the short-term clinical efficacy of conbercept in the treatment of nAMD, and to explore the value of ERG as a predictor of treatment efficacy.

Method

A retrospective investigation was conducted on 36 patients (36 eyes) treated with intravitreal injections of conbercept at 0.5 mg a month for three consecutive courses. Data collected included the best corrected visual acuity (BCVA), central retinal thickness (CRT), retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) elevation volume in 1 mm-diameter (1RV), 3 mm-diameter (3RV), and 6 mm-diameter circles around the fovea (6RV), amplitude density and latency of the P1 wave in the multifocal electroretinography (mf-ERG) R1 ring and amplitude and latency in full-field electroretinography (ff-ERG) at baseline and monthly. The paired t test was used to compare the difference between pre- and posttreatment. Pearson correlation analysis was used to analyze the correlation between macular retinal structure and function. The difference was significant when p < 0.05.

Results

At 12 weeks, the BCVA, CRT, 1RV, 3RV, 6RV, the P1 wave amplitude density of the mf-ERG R1 ring and the ff-ERG amplitude parameters were all significantly improved (p < 0.001). The BCVA in logMAR was positively correlated with CRT; 1RV, 3RV, and 6RV were negatively correlated with the amplitude density and latency of the mf-ERG R1 ring P1 wave. There were no severe ocular or systemic complications during the follow-up period.

Conclusion

Conbercept is useful for the short-term treatment of nAMD. It can safely improve the visual acuity of affected eyes and restore the structure and function of the retina. ERG could serve as an objective indicator of function for evaluating the efficacy of and determining the need for retreatment during nAMD treatment.

Effect of nutritional-deficiency anemia on peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer: A North Indian study

PURPOSE

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of nutritional-deficiency anemia (NDA) on peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer thickness (PPRNFLT) using spectral-domain optical coherence tomography and to determine any correlation arising thereof. This was a single-center, cross-sectional, observational study.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A total 115 eyes of 115 NDA patients (50 of each with iron-deficiency anemia [IDA] and Vitamin B12-deficiency anemia [BDA], and 15 with folic acid-deficiency anemia [FDA]) aged 18-65 years were compared with a total 100 eyes of 50 age- and sex-matched healthy controls. All subjects underwent comprehensive clinical, ophthalmic, and hematological evaluation, followed by PPRNFLT assessment for the mean total, superior, inferior, nasal, and temporal quadrants.

RESULTS

PPRNFLT for the mean total and all four quadrants in IDA patients, for the mean total, inferior, nasal, and temporal quadrants in BDA patients, and for the mean total, inferior, and nasal quadrants, in FDA patients, was significantly lower as compared to the controls (P < 0.05). The mean total PPRNFLT of all NDA patients correlated significantly (P < 0.05) with their relevant hematological parameters with Pearson's coefficient (r) value of 0.613, 0.610, 0.336, 0.295, 0.337, 0.374, and - 0.509, respectively, for serum haemoglobin (Hb), iron, ferritin, mean corpuscular volume (MCV), mean cell hemoglobin, mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration, and total iron binding capacity in IDA; 0.310, 0.435, and - 0.386, respectively, for serum Hb%, Vitamin B12, and MCV in BDA; and 0.557, 0.358, and - 0.294 for Hb%, folate, and MCV, respectively, in FDA cases. Mean total retinal nerve fiber layer thinning of all NDA patients showed progression with the increasing severity grades of anemia, except in very severe BDA where an inverse relationship was documented.

CONCLUSION

Our study revealed that PPRNFLT is significantly thinner in all NDA patients (total and all four quadrants in IDA; total, inferior, nasal, and temporal in BDA; and total, inferior, and nasal in FDA) correlating well with their relevant hematological parameters. Early detection of this may be crucial in preventing potential blinding sequelae and differentiating glaucomatous and other neuro-ophthalmic disorders.

Choriocapillaris Flow Signal Impairment in Patients With Pseudoxanthoma Elasticum

Purpose

To quantify choriocapillaris flow alterations in patients with pseudoxanthoma elasticum (PXE) in pre-atrophic stages and its association with structural changes of the choroid and outer retina.

Methods

Thirty-two eyes of 21 patients with PXE and 35 healthy eyes of 35 controls were included. The density of choriocapillaris flow signal deficits (FDs) was quantified on 6 × 6-mm optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) images. Spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) images were analyzed for thicknesses of the choroid and outer retinal microstructure and correlated with choriocapillaris FDs in the respective Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study subfield.

Results

The multivariable mixed model analysis for choriocapillaris FDs revealed significantly higher FDs associated with the group (PXE patients vs. controls +13.6; 95% confidence interval [CI] 9.87-17.3; P < 0.001), with increasing age (+0.22% per year; 95% CI 0.12-0.33; P < 0.001), and with retinal location (significantly higher FDs in nasal compared to temporal subfields). Choroidal thickness (CT) did not differ significantly between both groups (P = 0.078). The CT and choriocapillaris FDs were inversely correlated (-1.92 µm per %FDs; interquartile range -2.81 to -1.03; P < 0.001). Larger values of the choriocapillaris FDs were associated with significant thinning of the overlying photoreceptor layers (outer segments: -0.21 µm per %FDs, P < 0.001; inner segments: -0.12 µm per %FDs, P = 0.001; outer nuclear layer: -0.72 µm per %FDs; P < 0.001).

Conclusions

Patients with PXE display significant alterations of the choriocapillaris on OCTA even in pre-atrophic stages and in the absence of significant choroidal thinning. The analysis favors choriocapillaris FDs over choroidal thickness as a potential early outcome measure for future interventional trials in PXE. Further, increased FDs in nasal compared to temporal locations mirror the centrifugal spread of Bruch's membrane calcification in PXE.

Choroidal and Retinal Imaging Biomarkers in Different Types of Macular Neovascularization

BACKGROUND

The aim of this study was to investigate optical coherence tomography (OCT) and OCT angiography (OCTA) parameters in patients with neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD) and macular neovascularization (MNV) type 1, type 2, and type 3.

METHODS

In this retrospective study, 105 treatment-naïve eyes of 105 patients (60 men and 45 women) with a definite diagnosis of active nAMD and MNV of different types and 105 frequency-matched age and gender healthy subjects were evaluated (61 men and 44 women). All subjects underwent a full ophthalmic examination and multimodal imaging assessment, including spectral domain (SD) OCT and OCTA. The main outcome measures were choroidal vascularity index (CVI), subfoveal choroidal thickness (SFCT), central macular thickness (CMT), and outer retina to choriocapillaris (ORCC) MNV flow area (ORCCFA).

RESULTS

Significant differences were found in terms of CVI, CMT, and ORCCFA between MNV 1 and the two other groups. CVI was significantly different between MNV 1 and healthy control patients (p < 0.001) and between MNV 1 and MNV 2 (p < 0.001). ORCCFA and CMT were significantly different between MNV1 and MNV2 (p < 0.005). The difference in subfoveal CT between the three groups was not statistically significant (p = 0.458). A significant negative correlation was found between CVI and ORCCFA. Furthermore, CVI showed a positive correlation with subfoveal CT.

Normative Data and Conversion Equation for Spectral-Domain Optical Coherence Tomography in an International Healthy Control Cohort

BACKGROUND

Spectral-domain (SD-) optical coherence tomography (OCT) can reliably measure axonal (peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer [pRNFL]) and neuronal (macular ganglion cell + inner plexiform layer [GCIPL]) thinning in the retina. Measurements from 2 commonly used SD-OCT devices are often pooled together in multiple sclerosis (MS) studies and clinical trials despite software and segmentation algorithm differences; however, individual pRNFL and GCIPL thickness measurements are not interchangeable between devices. In some circumstances, such as in the absence of a consistent OCT segmentation algorithm across platforms, a conversion equation to transform measurements between devices may be useful to facilitate pooling of data. The availability of normative data for SD-OCT measurements is limited by the lack of a large representative world-wide sample across various ages and ethnicities. Larger international studies that evaluate the effects of age, sex, and race/ethnicity on SD-OCT measurements in healthy control participants are needed to provide normative values that reflect these demographic subgroups to provide comparisons to MS retinal degeneration.

METHODS

Participants were part of an 11-site collaboration within the International Multiple Sclerosis Visual System (IMSVISUAL) consortium. SD-OCT was performed by a trained technician for healthy control subjects using Spectralis or Cirrus SD-OCT devices. Peripapillary pRNFL and GCIPL thicknesses were measured on one or both devices. Automated segmentation protocols, in conjunction with manual inspection and correction of lines delineating retinal layers, were used. A conversion equation was developed using structural equation modeling, accounting for clustering, with healthy control data from one site where participants were scanned on both devices on the same day. Normative values were evaluated, with the entire cohort, for pRNFL and GCIPL thicknesses for each decade of age, by sex, and across racial groups using generalized estimating equation (GEE) models, accounting for clustering and adjusting for within-patient, intereye correlations. Change-point analyses were performed to determine at what age pRNFL and GCIPL thicknesses exhibit accelerated rates of decline.

RESULTS

The healthy control cohort (n = 546) was 54% male and had a wide distribution of ages, ranging from 18 to 87 years, with a mean (SD) age of 39.3 (14.6) years. Based on 346 control participants at a single site, the conversion equation for pRNFL was Cirrus = -5.0 + (1.0 × Spectralis global value). Based on 228 controls, the equation for GCIPL was Cirrus = -4.5 + (0.9 × Spectralis global value). Standard error was 0.02 for both equations. After the age of 40 years, there was a decline of -2.4 μm per decade in pRNFL thickness ( P < 0.001, GEE models adjusting for sex, race, and country) and -1.4 μm per decade in GCIPL thickness ( P < 0.001). There was a small difference in pRNFL thickness based on sex, with female participants having slightly higher thickness (2.6 μm, P = 0.003). There was no association between GCIPL thickness and sex. Likewise, there was no association between race/ethnicity and pRNFL or GCIPL thicknesses.

CONCLUSIONS

A conversion factor may be required when using data that are derived between different SD-OCT platforms in clinical trials and observational studies; this is particularly true for smaller cross-sectional studies or when a consistent segmentation algorithm is not available. The above conversion equations can be used when pooling data from Spectralis and Cirrus SD-OCT devices for pRNFL and GCIPL thicknesses. A faster decline in retinal thickness may occur after the age of 40 years, even in the absence of significant differences across racial groups.

Optical Coherence Tomography Reflectivity in Foveal Cysts: A Novel Biomarker for Early-Response Prediction of Diabetic Macular Edema Treated with Dexamethasone

This study investigated spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (OCT) biomarkers to predict short-term anatomical improvement for diabetic macular edema (DME) after dexamethasone (DEX) injection in intravitreal anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF) non-responders. This retrospective comparative study included 31 eyes of 31 patients with DME unresponsive to anti-VEGF, divided into better and lesser responder groups. OCT prior to DEX injection was used to evaluate the morphological features including optical density (ODN) and optical density ratio (ODR) of the outer nuclear layer (ONL) cysts. Correlations between baseline OCT parameters and mean central macular thickness (CMT) changes at 1 month were analyzed. There were no between-group differences in age, sex, number of previous anti-VEGF injections, duration of diabetes, or HbA1c level. However, ODN and ODR values in ONL cysts were lower in the better responder group (p = 0.020 and p < 0.001, respectively). ODN and ODR showed negative correlations with CMT changes (R = −0.546, p = 0.002 and R = −0.436, p = 0.014, respectively). Higher OCT reflectivity in the foveal cystoid space was associated with a lesser decrease in CMT after DEX injection in anti-VEGF non-responders, suggesting the usefulness of this parameter in predicting short-term CMT responses after DEX injection.

Cystoid Macular Edema after Rhegmatogenous Retinal Detachment Repair with Pars Plana Vitrectomy: Rate, Risk Factors, and Outcomes

(1) Background: The aim was to describe the rate and outcomes of cystoid macular edema (CME) after pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) for primary rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD) and to identify risk factors and imaging characteristics. (2) Methods: A retrospective consecutive case study was conducted over a 5-year period among adult patients who underwent PPV for primary RRD repair. The main outcome measure was the rate of CME at 12 months following PPV. (3) Results: Overall, 493 eyes were included. The CME rate was 28% (93 patients) at 12 months. In multivariate analysis, eyes with worse presenting visual acuity (VA) (odds ratio [OR], 1.55; 95% CI, 1.07–2.25; p = 0.02) and grade C proliferative vitreoretinopathy (PVR) (OR, 2.88; 95% CI, 1.04–8.16; p = 0.04) were more at risk of developing CME 1 year after PPV. Endolaser retinopexy was associated with a greater risk of CME than cryotherapy retinopexy (OR, 3.06; 95% CI, 1.33–7.84; p = 0.01). Eyes undergoing cataract surgery within 6 months of the initial RRD repair were more likely to develop CME at 12 months (OR, 1.96; 95% CI, 1.06–3.63; p = 0.03). (4) Conclusions: CME is a common complication after PPV for primary RRD repair. Eyes with worse presenting VA, severe PVR at initial presentation, endolaser retinopexy, and cataract surgery within 6 months of initial RRD repair were risk factors for postoperative CME at 12 months.

COMPARISON BETWEEN SCLERAL BUCKLING AND VITRECTOMY IN THE ONSET OF CYSTOID MACULAR EDEMA AND EPIRETINAL MEMBRANE AFTER RHEGMATOGENOUS RETINAL DETACHMENT REPAIR

PURPOSE

To investigate the incidence and risk factors for the main complications in patients with rhegmatogenous retinal detachment treated with scleral buckling (SB) or pars plana vitrectomy (PPV).

METHODS

A retrospective, comparative, observational study was conducted. The medical records of 107 patients with primary rhegmatogenous retinal detachment who were managed with SB (n = 57) or PPV (n = 50) were reviewed. Scleral buckling was performed using scleral encircling solid silicone band and circumferential solid silicone exoplant to support the break. Pars plana vitrectomy was combined with phacoemulsification in phakic eyes and with scleral encircling in inferior detachments. Follow-ups, including spectral-domain optical coherence tomography examination, were scheduled at 1, 3, and 12 months after surgery. Propensity score matching was used to adjust for potential preoperative selection bias.

RESULTS

The overall incidence of postoperative cystoid macular edema (CME) and epiretinal membrane was 14.95% and 30.84%, respectively. Compared with SB, CME was more frequent in the PPV (P = 0.021) and in the PPV pseudophakic eyes (P = 0.027). Postoperative CME was an early, predominantly transient complication and regressed in 67% of SB and in 77% of PPV eyes within 12 months after surgery. No differences were observed regarding epiretinal membrane development. Except for the surgical technique, no preoperative factors associated with CME were identified. A correlation between epiretinal membrane and patients' age was found (P = 0.028).

CONCLUSION

The incidence of CME after rhegmatogenous retinal detachment repair was higher in patients who underwent PPV, either alone or combined with phacoemulsification, than in those treated with SB. Epiretinal membrane development was correlated to older age, regardless of the surgical procedure.

Structural and optical characterization of banknotes using spectral-domain optical coherence tomography

Counterfeiting of banknotes remains a severe threat to economic security and social stability. The characterization of banknote has mainly relied on the assessment of various security features applied to the surface of the note. However, the surface features are easy to forge and contain insufficient information to discover the source. In this paper, a novel approach for banknote characterization has been proposed by employing spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) that can provide structural and optical features. Three groups of counterfeit Chinese 100 Yuan banknotes produced by different printing manners and one group of authentic banknotes were examined by SD-OCT without any sample preparation and four distinct areas were selected for imaging. High-resolution tomographic and three-dimensional (3D) volumetric OCT images were obtained and a set of features were first revealed to characterize the banknotes qualitatively and quantitatively. The results demonstrated that SD-OCT was effective to detect and classify different types of counterfeit banknotes and could potentially be used to link counterfeit banknotes to their sources in a fast, simple and nondestructive manner.

Postoperative microstructural re-modelling and functional outcomes in idiopathic full thickness macular hole

Purpose:

To analyze the effect of various macular hole indices and postoperative microstructural changes of all retinal layers on postoperative functional outcomes in patients with idiopathic full-thickness macular hole (FTMH).

Methods:

In this prospective study, pre and post-operative optical coherence tomography (OCT) scans of 36 eyes with idiopathic FTMH were analyzed. Hole indices and microstructural changes of all retinal layers such as ellipsoid zone (EZ), external limiting membrane (ELM) integrity, outer and inner retinal defects, and cystoid resolution were studied on follow-up visits.

Results:

Out of 36 eyes, type-1 closure was achieved in 23 eyes (65.7%) and type-2 closure in 11 eyes (31.42%), one eye showed persistent hole, and one eye was lost to follow-up. The mean minimum diameter of hole (P = 0.026), mean MHI (P = 0.001), DHI (P = 0.158), THI (P = 0.001), and HFF (P < 0.001) showed statistical significance with the type of hole closure. Postoperatively, eyes with intact ELM and EZ had better BCVA at the final visit. The BCVA was better by logMAR 0.73 ± 0.38 (P < 0.001) in patients with absent outer retinal defects. There was a significant difference in BCVA of 0.52 ± 0.35 at 1 month and 0.64 ± 0.34 at 6 months in eyes without inner retinal defects (P < 0.001). At 6 months, cystoid resolution was observed in 28 (80%) eyes. BCVA was significantly better at 1 month (P < 0.001) and at 6 months (P = 0.001) in eyes with no DONFL.

Conclusion:

Macular hole indices determine the closure type. Postoperative regeneration of outer retinal layers and resolution of retinal defects significantly influence the final visual outcomes. ELM recovery is seen as a prerequisite for EZ regeneration with no new IRD after a period of 3 months.

Investigating Biomarkers for USH2A Retinopathy Using Multimodal Retinal Imaging

Pathogenic mutations in USH2A are a leading cause of visual loss secondary to non-syndromic or Usher syndrome-associated retinitis pigmentosa (RP). With an increasing number of RP-targeted clinical trials in progress, we sought to evaluate the photoreceptor topography underlying patterns of loss observed on clinical retinal imaging to guide surrogate endpoint selection in USH2A retinopathy. In this prospective cross-sectional study, twenty-five patients with molecularly confirmed USH2A-RP underwent fundus autofluorescence (FAF), spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) and adaptive optics scanning laser ophthalmoscopy (AOSLO) retinal imaging. Analysis comprised measurement of FAF horizontal inner (IR) and outer (OR) hyperautofluorescent ring diameter; SD-OCT ellipsoid zone (EZ) and external limiting membrane (ELM) width, normalised EZ reflectance; AOSLO foveal cone density and intact macular photoreceptor mosaic (IMPM) diameter. Thirty-two eyes from 16 patients (mean age ± SD, 36.0 ± 14.2 years) with USH2A-associated Usher syndrome type 2 (n = 14) or non-syndromic RP (n = 2) met the inclusion criteria. Spatial alignment was observed between IR-EZ and OR-ELM diameters/widths (p < 0.001). The IMPM border occurred just lateral to EZ loss (p < 0.001), although sparser intact photoreceptor inner segments were detected until ELM disruption. EZ width and IR diameter displayed a biphasic relationship with cone density whereby slow cone loss occurred until retinal degeneration reached ~1350 μm from the fovea, beyond which greater reduction in cone density followed. Normalised EZ reflectance and cone density were significantly associated (p < 0.001). As the strongest correlate of cone density (p < 0.001) and best-corrected visual acuity (p < 0.001), EZ width is the most sensitive biomarker of structural and functional decline in USH2A retinopathy, rendering it a promising trial endpoint.

The Role of Internal Limiting Membrane Flap for Highly Myopic Macular Hole Retinal Detachment: Improving the Closure Rate but Leading to Excessive Gliosis

Purpose: To investigate the surgical outcomes of the inverted internal limiting membrane (ILM) flap technique for macular hole retinal detachment (MHRD) in high myopia.

Methods: This was a retrospective interventional study on 45 highly myopic eyes with MHRD after ILM peeling (n = 24, peeling group) or the inverted ILM flap technique (n = 21, inverted group). The inverted group was consisted of autologous blood (AB) subgroup (n = 10) and perfluorocarbon liquid (PFCL) subgroup (n = 11). MH closure, best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), foveal microstructures, and excessive gliosis were analyzed during a follow-up of over 12 months.

Results: The inverted group achieved a higher MH closure rate (95.24%) than the peeling group (41.67%; p < 0.001). No significant difference was found in postoperative BCVA between the two groups (p = 0.98) or between the closed MH with or without excessive gliosis (p = 0.60). Excessive gliosis was identified in 9 eyes in the inverted group, and there was no difference in the incidence of excessive gliosis between the AB subgroup (4 in 10 eyes, 40%) and the PFCL subgroup (5 in 11 eyes, 45.45%) (p > 0.999).

Conclusion: The inverted ILM flap technique was effective in MH closure but had no advantage in postoperative BCVA and microstructural restoration. Excessive gliosis was only detected in the inverted group but did not affect the postoperative BCVA. Additionally, the incidence of excessive gliosis was not affected by adjuvants.

Multifocal visual evoked potential for evaluation of open-angle glaucoma

Background

To correlate multifocal visual evoked potential (mfVEP) findings with static automated perimetry (SAP) and spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) in eyes with primary open- angle glaucoma (POAG).

Methods

This cross-sectional study included a consecutive sample of 40 eyes of 40 patients with POAG. The participants underwent a complete ophthalmologic assessment, axial length (AL) measurement, and assessments with SAP, SD-OCT, and mfVEP.

Results

POAG cases were aged 49.70 (14.16) years (mean [SD]) and most were females (n = 24, 60%). For eyes of patients with POAG, the mfVEP upper-ring signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) showed a significant negative correlation with best-corrected logMAR visual acuity (r = - 0.33; P = 0.038), and a significant positive correlation with the superior hemifield of the visual field (VF) and the inferior-quadrant retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thickness (r = + 0.34; P = 0.030; r = + 0.51; P < 0.001, respectively). Similarly, the mfVEP lower-ring SNR showed a significant negative correlation with best-corrected logMAR visual acuity (r = - 0.36; P = 0.024) and a significant positive correlation with the inferior hemifield of the VF and superior quadrant RNFL thickness (r = + 0.55; P < 0.001 and r = + 0.70; P < 0.001, respectively).

Conclusions

mfVEP is a promising tool for objective assessment of the VF in patients with POAG, as it is positively correlated with the VF and OCT RNFL thickness. Future longitudinal studies with a larger sample size and a specific glaucoma subtype, along with multiple follow-up evaluations, are warranted to confirm our preliminary results.

Evaluation of retinal nerve fiber layer and choroidal thickness with spectral domain optical coherence tomography in children with sickle cell anemia

BACKGROUND

The aim of this study is to examine the thickness of choroidal, macular and peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer by spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) in pediatric patients with sickle cell anemia (SCA) without retinopathy.

METHODS

A total of 75 children (30 SCA patients (Group 1) and 45 healthy individuals (Group 2) were included in the study. Macular (central, superior, inferior, nasal, temporal), choroidal (subfoveal, at nasal distances from the central fovea of 1000 μm [N1], 2000 μm [N2], 3000 μm [N3], at temporal distances from the central fovea of 1000 μm [T1], 2000 μm [T2], 3000 μm [T3]) and RNFL (average, temporal, superotemporal, inferotemporal, nasal, inferonasal and superonasal) measurements were performed by SD-OCT. These parameters were compared with healthy children with similar demographic characteristics.

RESULTS

The mean age was 14.11±3.86 (11-18) in sickle cell anemia patients and 13.15± 2.69 (10-18) in the healthy control group. Of the patients, 56.6% (n=17) of Group 1 and 44.4% (n=20) of Group 2 were male. Choroidal measurements made in the subfoveal, N1, N2, N3, T1, T2 and T3 quadrants showed that the choroid was thinner in 6 quadrants in SCA patients compared to the healthy group (p = 0.003, p = 0.039, p = 0.035, p = 0.595, p = 0.006, p = 0.005, p = 0.047, respectively). In RNFL measurements, there was significant thinning in the temporal, inferotemporal, and nasal quadrants of SCA patients compared to the healthy group. Changes in other quadrants were not significant.

CONCLUSIONS

SD-OCT is a useful imaging method in the diagnosis and screening in patients with SCA without retinopathy. Early diagnosis of retinopathy during subclinical disease will prevent visual loss in these patients.

Functional and anatomical outcomes after successful repair of macula-off retinal detachment: a 12-month follow-up of the DOREFA study

PURPOSE

To report visual and anatomical outcomes and determine predictors of good visual acuity (VA) recovery after macula-off rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RD).

METHODS

Prospective multicentre study including 115 eyes from 115 patients successfully operated on for RD, with assessment of VA and spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) macular images at 1, 3, 6 and 12 months after surgery.

RESULTS

Over the follow-up period, VA significantly improved from median [IQR] 62 [46; 72] ETDRS letters at 1 month to 75 [67; 80] ETDRS letters at 12 months (p < 0.001) with a concomitant decreased number of eyes with any SD-OCT lesions (p < 0.001). The presence of subretinal fluid (SRF) significantly decreased (p < 0.001), as did the number of photoreceptor (PR) layer lesions (p = 0.04). At 12 months, lesions in the PR layer and poor VA recovery were significantly associated with a longer time to surgery (p = 0.007 and p < 0.001, respectively). The rate of patients without PR lesions increased from 40.9% at 1 month to 60.0% at 6 months and 73.9% at 12 months (p < 0.001). The incidence of epiretinal membrane (ERM) significantly increased (p < 0.001), while cystoid macular oedema (CME) remained stable over time. Visual acuity (VA) at 3 months postoperatively was a good reflection of final VA recovery (p < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

Visual acuity (VA) improved in parallel with the decreasing number of eyes with SD-OCT lesions after macula-off rhegmatogenous RD. A long time to surgery was the only preoperative factor associated with poor VA recovery after retinal detachment surgery.

Validation of choroidal hyperreflective foci in diabetic macular edema through a retrospective pilot study

Purpose:

Choroidal hyperreflective foci (HCF) are novel spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SDOCT) biomarkers in diabetic macular edema (DME). The present study intended to validate HCF and assess their role in the treatment outcome.

Methods:

It was a retrospective, longitudinal, records-based pilot study recruiting consecutive patients of nonproliferative diabetic retinopathy with treatment naïve DME. Patients were treated with three intravitreal anti-vascular endothelial growth factor injections and followed by a pro re nata regimen.

Results:

A total of 43 eyes of 28 patients were included in the study. Eyes were divided into two groups. Group A (n = 19) comprised eyes with retinal hyperreflective foci (HRF) and group B (n = 24) had eyes with both HRF and HCF. The mean age of patients in group A and B was 58.5 ± 2.1 years and 55.2 ± 8.8 years, respectively. Mean best-corrected visual acuity at presentation was 0.38 ± 0.25 in group A and 0.59 ± 0.29 in group B (P = 0.01). Final BCVA was 0.35 ± 0.39 in group A and 0.47 ± 0.34 in group B (P = 0.3). External limiting membrane was intact in 19 out of 19 eyes in group A and two (8.3%) eyes in group B (P = 0).

Conclusion:

Presence of HCF meant significantly worse initial BCVA compared to the eye that had HRF alone. The final BCVA was also worse in eyes with HCF compared to those with HRF and without HCF; however, the difference did not reach a significance level, probably pointing toward the fact that HCF and HRF are pathophysiologically identical. Further studies with a larger sample size and prospective design are needed to take these findings forward.

Elevated advanced glycation end products are associated with subfoveal ellipsoid zone disruption in diabetic macular edema

Purpose:

Advanced glycation end products (AGEs), due to increased production and a slow turnover rate, serve as mediators of “metabolic memory” even after the resolution of hyperglycemia. A prospective study was undertaken to evaluate the association of AGEs with subfoveal ellipsoid zone (EZ) disruption in diabetic macular edema (DME).

Methods:

A tertiary-care-center-based cross-sectional study included 40 consecutive cases with DME and 20 healthy controls in the age group of 40–65 years. All the study subjects underwent spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) for cross-sectional imaging of the retina. The EZ was defined as a hyperreflective band below the external limiting membrane. The disruption of EZ was graded as intact EZ and disrupted EZ. Serum AGEs were assessed by assay of N^ε-carboxymethyl-lysine (N^ε-CML) using the standard protocol. Data were analyzed statistically.

Results:

Subfoveal EZ disruption was noted in 80% (32/40) of the cases of DME. In the cases without EZ disruption, visual acuity (LogMAR VA) was 0.60 ± 0.52, whereas in cases with EZ disruption, LogMAR VA was 0.96 ± 0.56 (P < 0.001). In the cases without EZ disruption, N^ε-CML was 94.31 ± 57 ng/mL, whereas in cases with EZ disruption N^ε-CML was 120.64 ± 71.98 ng/mL (P < 0.001).

Conclusion:

In DME, increased levels of AGEs are significantly associated with EZ disruption on SD-OCT.

Clinical Manifestations of Cuticular Drusen: Current Perspectives

Cuticular drusen are part of the spectrum of age-related macular degeneration (AMD) with particular clinical and multimodal imaging characteristics. This drusen subpopulation shares several high-risk single nucleotide polymorphisms with AMD. Despite this feature, they can manifest at a relatively young age, presenting with a female preponderance. Multimodal imaging is essential for characterizing such lesions, using a combination of color fundus photographs, optical coherence tomography (OCT), fluorescein angiography (FA), and fundus autofluorescence (FAF). The classic starry-sky pattern visible on FA and the typical central hypoautofluorescent lesion with hyperautofluorescent rim on FAF is considered the result of a central retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) erosion from these triangular elevations of the RPE-basal lamina. This finding may also be responsible for the typical choroidal hypertransmission appreciated through OCT. The clinical course of cuticular drusen may be relatively benign at early stages, with small drusen presenting at a young age. However, the presence of clinical phenotypes characterized by diffuse involvement and/or accompanying large drusen in patients older than 60 years may confer a significant risk for either macular neovascularization or geographic atrophy.

EIGHTEEN-MONTH RESULTS OF INTRAVITREAL ANTI-VASCULAR ENDOTHELIAL GROWTH FACTOR ON VISION AND MICROCIRCULATION IN RADIATION MACULOPATHY

PURPOSE

To evaluate 18 months' results of a strict anti-vascular endothelial growth factor protocol for radiation maculopathy following proton therapy in choroidal melanoma.

METHODS

Retrospective, comparative, nonrandomized study of 74 radiation maculopathy patients presenting macular lipid deposits, hemorrhages, microaneurysms, cystoid edema, nerve layer infarction, telangiectasia, or capillary nonperfusion. The study group included 52 consecutive patients injected with intravitreal anti-vascular endothelial growth factors (bevacizumab/ranibizumab: 46/6) every two months for the first and every 3 months for the second year, with minimum 12 months' follow-up. The control group consisted of 22 patients having declined this treatment. Best-corrected visual acuity, spectral domain-optical coherence tomography and optical coherence tomography angiography were recorded at baseline, 6, 12, and 18 months. The foveal avascular zone and capillary density were measured at the superficial capillary plexus.

RESULTS

Radiation maculopathy was diagnosed at 2 years (1.5-3.5) after proton therapy. Best-corrected visual acuity at baseline, 12 and 18 months improved in the study group from 0.45, 0.3 to 0.2 logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution, but decreased in the control group from 0.5, 0.9 to 1.0 logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution respectively (P < 0.001 at 12 months). Simultaneously, foveal avascular zone enlargement was less in the study (from 0.377, 0.665 to 0.744 mm2) than control group (from 0.436, 1.463 to 2.638 mm2) (P = 0.05 at 12 months). CMT (280 and 276 µm) and capillary density (37% and 38%, at baseline, respectively) did not evolve significantly different.

CONCLUSION

Intravitreal anti-vascular endothelial growth factors, every 2 months for the first and every 3 months for the second year, slow down, over up to 18 months, vision loss and anatomical degradation in radiation maculopathy following proton therapy for choroidal melanoma.

Multifocal electroretinography-assisted anatomical and functional evaluation of subthreshold green laser in acute central serous chorioretinopathy

Purpose:

To compare observation versus subthreshold green laser (STL) in acute central serous chorioretinopathy (CSC) in terms of anatomical and functional outcomes.

Methods:

Prospective randomized interventional study. 30 eyes with the first episode of acute CSC underwent complete ophthalmologic examination, measurement of best-corrected Snellen visual acuity (BCVA), contrast sensitivity (CS), fundus fluorescein angiography (FFA), spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT), and multifocal electroretinography (mfERG) at baseline. Patients were randomized equally to group A (observation) or group B (STL using 532 nm wavelength applied to the leakage point). Outcome measures included BCVA, CS, central foveal thickness (CFT), and mean macular thickness (MMT) on SD-OCT and P1 amplitude and implicit time (IT) on mfERG. Patients were followed up for 6 months.

Results:

Mean BCVA was comparable between the two groups on follow up; however, mean CS was significantly higher in group B at 6 months (P = 0.032). CFT was significantly lower in group B at 1 month (P = 0.001) and 3 months (P = 0.049); however, this difference was not maintained at 6 months (P = 0.265). P1 amplitude and IT in all 5 rings were comparable between the two groups at baseline. On follow up, P1 amplitude of ring 1 became significantly higher in group B at 3 months (P = 0.036) and 6 months (P = 0.022).

Conclusion:

Immediate treatment of acute CSC with STL, as compared to conservative management, leads to more rapid resolution on SD-OCT and superior functional outcomes as evidenced by CS and mfERG.

Intraretinal Cysts in Macular Hole: A Structure-Function Correlation Based on En Face Imaging

Purpose

To characterize retinal micromorphic changes on en face optical coherence tomography (OCT) and to determine their role in pathogenesis and visual outcomes in macular hole (MH) surgery.

Patients and Methods

This is a retrospective, interventional, consecutive case series of 28 eyes undergoing successful MH surgery. Pre- and post-operative en face OCT were manually segmented, and the correlation between parameters such as MH basal diameter and minimal inlet area, area of cyst in inner plexiform layer (IPL) and outer plexiform layer (OPL), percentage of cyst in IPL and OPL, and amount of ellipsoid zone (EZ) defect and external limiting membrane (ELM) defect was performed. Their relationship with visual acuity (VA) outcomes (Group 1: ≥20/60; 14 eyes; Group 2: <20/60; 14 eyes) was also evaluated.

Results

A significant positive correlation was noted between the cyst area in OPL and IPL (r=0.768; p<0.001), which in turn were positively correlated with the basal diameter of the MH in all eyes. The cyst area was significantly more in IPL as compared to OPL in all eyes (p=0.049) and in group 2 (p=0.03) but not in group 1 (p=0.62). As compared to group 2, eyes in group 1 had significantly better pre- and post-operative VA, and significantly smaller basal diameter, minimal inlet area, area of cyst in IPL and OPL, and amount of defect in the ELM (postoperative) and EZ (pre- and post-operative), respectively.

Conclusion

An increase in the basal diameter of the MH is associated with a simultaneous congruous enlargement of the area of cyst in IPL and OPL. Based on these imaging findings, we propose that the possible rationale for the origin of these intraretinal cysts could be a breakdown in the physiological retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) pump due to the anatomical separation of the neurosensory retina from the underlying RPE, ie, "RPE contact loss" theory.

CHANGES IN SUBFOVEAL CHOROIDAL THICKNESS AFTER INTRAVITREAL DEXAMETHASONE IMPLANT THERAPY FOR DIABETIC MACULAR EDEMA

PURPOSE

To investigate changes in subfoveal choroidal thickness (SFCT) and their relationship with best-corrected visual acuity and optical coherence tomography parameters after intravitreal dexamethasone implant injection for diabetic macular edema.

METHODS

Eighty-one eyes treated with dexamethasone implant injection for diabetic macular edema were evaluated for best-corrected visual acuity, central macular thickness, SFCT, and optical coherence tomography parameters at baseline and Weeks 7 and 14.

RESULTS

The mean baseline SFCT significantly decreased at Weeks 7 (P < 0.001) and 14 (P < 0.001). At Week 7, each 1-µm reduction in central macular thickness and five Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study letters (-0.1 logarithm of the minimal angle of resolution) improvement were associated with SFCT reductions of 0.09 (P = 0.002) and 3.91 (P = 0.044) µm, respectively. At Week 14, each 1-µm reduction in central macular thickness was associated with a 0.14-µm reduction in SFCT (P < 0.001). Eyes with good functional and anatomical responses exhibited significantly greater SFCT reductions. Subretinal fluid resulted in greater SFCT changes (P = 0.039) and better best-corrected visual acuity (P = 0.033) at Week 7. A continuous ellipsoid zone/interdigitation zone layer was associated with a smaller mean SFCT at Week 7 (P = 0.002) and better best-corrected visual acuity at Weeks 7 and 14 (both, P < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

Changes in SFCT after dexamethasone implant injection therapy for diabetic macular edema may predict anatomical and functional outcomes and correlate with optical coherence tomography features that are known as predictors of treatment response.

Comparison of diagnostic ability of standard automated perimetry, short wavelength automated perimetry, retinal nerve fiber layer thickness analysis and ganglion cell layer thickness analysis in early detection of glaucoma

Purpose:

The aim of this study was to compare the diagnostic ability of macular ganglion cell layer (GCL) analysis using spectral domain optical coherence tomography against retinal nerve fiber layer analysis (RNFL), short-wavelength automated perimetry (SWAP), and standard automated perimetry (SAP) in early detection of glaucoma.

Methods:

Participants fulfilling the inclusion criteria were consecutively enrolled from the glaucoma clinic of tertiary care eye hospital in Western India from November 2015 to October 2016. The subjects underwent a detailed evaluation by trained glaucoma specialists. On suspicion of glaucoma, the patients underwent SAP, SWAP, and SD-OCT for GCL and RNFL analysis.

Results:

There were 91 patients in total of which experts classified 54 eyes into GON and 37 eyes into nonglaucomatous group. Sensitivity of SAP (42.59%) was significantly lower (P < 0.05) than that of average GCL thickness (79.63%) and average RNFL thickness (72.22%). Specificity and positive LR of SWAP (97.3% and 19.19, respectively) and SAP (94.6% and 7.88, respectively) were greater than those of GCL (81.08% and 4.21) and RNFL (67.57% and 2.23) parameters. Negative LR of average GCL thickness (0.25) was superior to that of average RNFL thickness (0.411), SWAP (0.495), and SAP (0.607).

Conclusion:

Macular GCL parameters perform better than RNFL parameters in patients with early glaucomatous damage. There is superior ability of SWAP over SAP in detecting glaucomatous changes in glaucoma suspect group. GCL thickness analysis has higher sensitivity and negative likelihood ratio, whereas SWAP had higher specificity and positive likelihood ratio. Thus, combining both tests can lead to better diagnostic ability for early glaucomatous damage.

Capturing the Occult Central Retinal Artery Occlusion Using Optical Coherence Tomography

Aims: To report spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (OCT) findings in cases of impending or occult central retinal artery occlusion (CRAO) in which a diagnosis other than CRAO was made on initial presentation.Methods: Retrospective, observational case series of patients diagnosed with CRAO for whom on initial presentation fundal examination and OCT findings were deemed unremarkable and/or a diagnosis other than CRAO was made. OCT images from the initial presentation were then reviewed for evidence of inner retinal ischaemia.Results: In total, 214 cases of CRAO were identified. Eleven patients (5.14%) had been given an alternative initial diagnosis at their first presentation in casualty and were included. The age range was 20-84 years and 81% (9/11) were male. On review of initial OCT imaging performed in casualty, all cases had evidence of inner retinal ischaemia.Conclusions: CRAO is an ophthalmic emergency which leads to vision loss which is often irreversible. Examination of the fundus may be normal early in the course of the disease and therefore a timely diagnosis may be missed. This case series reports the OCT findings of inner retinal ischaemia in patients with occult or impending CRAO which may aid in the early diagnosis and referral to stroke services.

Post COVID-19 Ophthalmic Manifestations in an Asian Indian Male

Introduction: The Ocular manifestations of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) reported include conjunctivitis, conjunctival hyperemia, chemosis, epiphora, episcleritis, retinal manifestations included cotton wool spots (CWS), micro-hemorrhages, papillophlebitis and neuro-ophthalmic manifestations.Purpose: To report post COVID-19 ophthalmic manifestations using multimodal imaging.Results: A 66-year-old Asian Indian male presented to us with bilateral blurring of vision, RE>LE, of 3 days following a diagnosis of COVID-19 disease. Corrected distance visual acuity were 20/2666 and 20/25 in the right (RE) and left (LE) eyes respectively. He had bilateral anterior chamber inflammation with a relative afferent pupillary defect in the RE. RE showed central retinal artery occlusion(CRAO) with CWS, few flame-shaped retinal hemorrhages and disc edema and hyperemia. LE had disc edema and hyperemia, few flame-shaped retinal hemorrhages, cystoid changes and CWS. A diagnosis of bilateral panuveitis and papillitis with CRAO in the RE was made.Conclusion: Our patient developed a vascular occlusion with panuveitis, which possibly represents an immune mediated event following COVID-19. Patients should be warned about possible ophthalmic sequelae even after recovery.

Concurrent branch retinal artery occlusion in central retinal vein occlusion: 3 cases reports and literature review

Concurrent branch retinal artery occlusion (BRAO) and central retinal vein occlusion (CRVO) are the infrequently encountered clinical entities, with only a handful of cases elaborated in the literature. This case series describes three patients who presented with a dramatic fundus appearance that led to the diagnosis of unilateral BRAO and CRVO. Hypertension could be identified as a predisposing factor in only one patient. All three patients had relatively good visual acuity at presentation. The role of spectral-domain optical coherence tomography in confirming the simultaneous presence of BRAO is also illustrated.

Choroidal neovascularization fusion visualization for spectral-domain optical coherence tomography and optical coherence tomography angiography images

PURPOSE

The spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) images and OCT angiography (OCTA) images can provide complementary information for choroidal neovascularization (CNV) visualization. We expected to simultaneously display multifaceted characteristics of CNV in a single projection image.

METHODS

We proposed a fusion method for CNV visualization by combining structural and angiographic images, which mainly involves four steps: (a) Generate SD-OCT and OCTA projection images from original volumetric data with retinal layer restriction. (b) For SD-OCT projection images, enhance retinal vessels and CNV. (c) For OCTA images, detect CNV region based on multimodal data and display the neovascularization in false color. (d) A maximum fusion strategy was adopted to generate the fused images.

RESULTS

Experimental results with 30 cases from 30 patients demonstrate that the fused images are more effective in displaying CNV than single-modality projection images. The average information entropy and the mean gradient in the CNV regions for SD-OCT projection images, OCTA images, and the fusion images are 4.66/0.21, 5.45/0.45, and 6.8/0.58, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

The proposed method is more effective for CNV visualization than the conventional single-modality image-based method. The proposed method can combine complementary information from multimodal images and provide a satisfying visual effect.

Bruch's membrane opening-minimum rim width: An alternative OCT biomarker study for multiple sclerosis

PURPOSE

Bruch's membrane opening-minimum rim width (BMO-MRW) and RNFL measured using anatomic positioning system (APS-RNFL) are novel OCT methods and remained unexplored in MS patients.To investigate the novel parameters of spectral-domain OCT as an alternative biomarker in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS).

METHODS

Retrospective cohort study; participants consisted of relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS) patients and healthy controls (HC). Eyes were classified according to the presence of MS and previous optic neuritis (ON). Measurements of standard peripapillary RNFL (S-RNFL), BMO-MRW, and APS-RNFL were performed.

RESULT

A total of 244 eyes of 122 participants (MS-patients: 63, HC: 59) were included in the study. Fifty-one eyes had a history of previous ON. In almost all measured parameters, neuroretinal rim thicknesses were observed the thinnest in eyes with ON history between all subgroups. S-RNFL and APS-RNFL techniques showed the difference in neuroretinal rim thickness in all three subjects (ON+, ON-, and HC). However, BMO-MRW, on the other hand, could not distinguish between ON(-) patients and HC. The relationship between OCT parameters and EDSS were observed only in eyes with an ON history in all three techniques. A meaningful model with 78% accuracy was obtained by using only the OCT parameters as risk factors. In the ROC analysis, no parameters were found to have acceptable high sensitivity and specificity. BMO-MRW was statistically weaker in every aspect than other RNFL techniques.

CONCLUSION

The novel APS-RNFL technique appears to be a bit more reliable alternative to S-RNFL technique to support therapeutic decision-making in MS. BMO-MRW has not been found as a successful alternative to S-RNFL.

Pigmentary retinopathy can indicate the presence of pathogenic LAMP2 variants even in somatic mosaic carriers with no additional signs of Danon disease

PURPOSE

Danon disease (DD) is a rare X-linked disorder caused by pathogenic variants in LAMP2. DD primarily manifests as a severe cardiomyopathy. An early diagnosis is crucial for patient survival. The aim of the study was to determine the usefulness of ocular examination for identification of DD.

METHODS

Detailed ocular examination in 10 patients with DD (3 males, 7 females) and a 45-year-old asymptomatic female somatic mosaic carrier of a LAMP2 disease-causing variant.

RESULTS

All patients with manifest cardiomyopathy had pigmentary retinopathy with altered autofluorescence and diffuse visual field loss. Best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) was decreased (<0.63) in 8 (40%) out of 20 eyes. The severity of retinal pathology increased with age, resulting in marked cone-rod involvement overtime. Spectral-domain optical coherence tomography in younger patients revealed focal loss of photoreceptors, disruption and deposition at the retinal pigment epithelium/Bruch's membrane layer (corresponding to areas of marked increased autofluorescence), and hyperreflective foci in the outer nuclear layer. Cystoid macular oedema was seen in one eye. In the asymptomatic female with somatic mosaicism, the BCVA was 1.0 bilaterally. An abnormal autofluorescence pattern in the left eye was present; while full-field electroretinography was normal.

CONCLUSIONS

Detailed ocular examination may represent a sensitive and quick screening tool for the identification of carriers of LAMP2 pathogenic variants, even in somatic mosaicism. Hence, further investigation should be undertaken in all patients with pigmentary retinal dystrophy as it may be a sign of a life-threatening disease.

Four-year outcomes of intravitreal aflibercept treatment for neovascular age-related macular degeneration using a treat-and-extend regimen in Japanese patients

Objective:

The purpose of our study was to determine the 4-year visual and anatomic outcomes of intravitreal aflibercept treatment for neovascular age-related macular degeneration (AMD) using a treat-and-extend (TAE) regimen.

Methods:

We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 39 patients with neovascular AMD who were treated continuously with intravitreal aflibercept injections using the TAE regimen for at least 4 years. The outcome measures were the best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and central macular thickness (CMT) on spectral-domain optical coherence tomography. The BCVAs were measured as decimal values and converted to the corresponding Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study (ETDRS) letter scores for statistical analysis. The Wilcoxon signed-rank test was used to compare the differences in BCVAs and CMTs.

Results:

The mean ETDRS letter scores improved significantly from 63.9 at baseline to 70.4, 67.8, 67.2, and 67.3 at 1, 2, 3, and 4 years, respectively. The mean baseline CMT was 380 µm, which decreased significantly to 229, 231, 221, and 210 µm at 1, 2, 3, and 4 years, respectively. The mean numbers of injections were 7.9, 6.0, 5.5, and 5.4 at 1, 2, 3, and 4 years, respectively. The percentages of patients with a treatment interval of 12 weeks or more were 46.2%, 46.2%, 43.6%, and 46.2% at 1, 2, 3, and 4 years, respectively. At year 4, 30.8% of the patients had a treatment interval of 7 weeks or less, whereas 25.6% had 16 weeks or more.

Conclusion:

Intravitreal aflibercept TAE treatment may be an effective and efficient method for treating patients with neovascular AMD up to 4 years of follow-up. The TAE regimen is a potential tool to optimize appropriate treatment intervals, avoiding both undertreatment and overtreatment of neovascular AMD.

A Systematic Review of the Clinical Manifestations and Diagnostic Methods for Macular Coloboma

Objectives: To present the clinical features of and diagnostic methods used for macular coloboma (MC), and to analyze the factors associated with best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) in patients with MC.Methods: A systematic review using the MEDLINE (PubMed), EMBASE, LILACS, and Cochrane databases was performed. The factors associated with BCVA were analyzed.Results: A total of 21 patients (mean age at diagnosis, 18.1 ± 14.6 years) with 36 eyes affected by MC (5 unilateral, 16 bilateral) were included in the study. All 21 patients (100%) had undergone a good-quality fundus examination. The size of the MC lesions ranged from 1.0 × 1.2 to 4.0 × 4.0 disc diameters (DD). Twenty-seven (73%) eyes had pigmented MC, seven (19%) had non-pigmented MC, and one (3%) had an unspecific type. The diagnosis was confirmed using spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) in 16 (43.2%) eyes. A positive correlation was found between BCVA and the type of MC (β = 0.876, p = .006) and abnormal eye movement (β = 0.087, p = .018), and a negative correlation was found between BCVA and a contributory medical history of ventricular septal defect (β = -0.327, p = .001).Conclusions: Pigmented MC was the most common type and had the highest possibility of causing impaired vision in the affected eyes. Additionally, joint examinations should be applied for diagnostic confirmation of MC. Furthermore, fundoscopy, electroretinogram, electrooculography, fundus fluorescein angiography, and SD-OCT are all critical for differential diagnosis of MC-like lesions.

Purtscher-like Retinopathy Associated with Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever: A Case Report

PURPOSE

To describe retinal findings and spectral-domain optical coherence tomographic (SD-OCT) features of a patient with Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever (CCHF) presenting as Purtscher-like retinopathy.

CASE REPORT

A 70-year-old woman presented with the emerging bilateral blurring of vision. She had been diagnosed with CCHF one week ago and hospitalized in another hospital for treatment of disease. Fundoscopy of the patient revealed cotton-wool spots, retinal whitening areas, and few retinal hemorrhages in a Purtscher-like configuration in both eyes. Spectral-domain optical coherence tomography revealed inner retinal hyperreflectivity corresponding to the cotton-wool spots in both eyes, and also showed subretinal fluid in the left eye. Without any treatment retinal lesions and inner retinal hyperreflectivity on SD-OCT regressed within one month.

CONCLUSION

Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever is known to cause mild ocular disease, and may also cause Purtscher-like retinopathy. It is important to aware of the ocular findings of CCHF.

Retinal Optical Coherence Tomography Metrics Are Unchanged in Verubecestat Alzheimer's Disease Clinical Trial but Correlate with Baseline Regional Brain Atrophy

BACKGROUND

We performed exploratory analyses of retinal thickness data from a clinical trial of the AβPP cleaving enzyme (BACE) inhibitor verubecestat in patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD).

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate: 1) possible retinal thickness changes following BACE inhibition; and 2) possible association between retinal thickness and brain atrophy.

METHODS

Retinal thickness was measured using spectral-domain optical coherence tomography in a 78-week randomized placebo-controlled trial of verubecestat in 1,785 patients with mild-to-moderate AD. Changes from baseline in retinal pigment epithelium, macular grid retinal nerve fiber layer, central subfield retinal thickness, and macular grid volume were evaluated for verubecestat versus placebo. Correlation analyses were performed to investigate the potential association between macular grid retinal nerve fiber layer and central subfield retinal thickness with brain volumetric magnetic resonance imaging (vMRI) data at baseline, as well as correlations for changes from baseline at Week 78 in patients receiving placebo.

RESULTS

Verubecestat did not significantly alter retinal thickness during the trial compared with placebo. At baseline, mean macular grid retinal nerve fiber layer and central subfield retinal thickness were weakly but significantly correlated (Pearson's r values≤0.23, p-values < 0.01) with vMRI of several brain regions including whole brain, hippocampus, and thalamus. At Week 78, correlations between retinal thickness and brain vMRI changes from baseline in the placebo group were small and mostly not statistically significant.

CONCLUSION

BACE inhibition by verubecestat was not associated with adverse effects on retinal thickness in patients with mild-to-moderate AD. Correlations between retinal thickness and brain volume were observed at baseline.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

Clinicaltrials.gov NCT01739348 (registered December 3, 2012; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT01739348).

Diagnostic ability of spectral-domain optical coherence tomography peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer thickness to discriminate glaucoma patients from controls in an elderly population (The MONTRACHET study)

PURPOSE

To evaluate the capacity of retinal nerve fibre layer (RNFL) thickness measured by SD-OCT to discriminate glaucoma patients from controls in an elderly population.

METHODS

The MONTRACHET (Maculopathy, Optic Nerve, nuTRition, neurovAsCular and HEarT diseases) Study is a population-based study including participants aged 75 years and over. All participants underwent a complete eye examination with optic nerve photographs, visual field testing and OCT peripapillary RNFL thickness measurement. Glaucoma was defined according to the ISGEO (International Society for Epidemiologic and Geographical Ophthalmology) classification. Performance indicators were calculated including area under the receiver operating characteristics curves (AUC), likelihood ratios (LR) and diagnostic odds ratios (DOR).

RESULTS

In total, 1061 participants were included in the study, of whom 89 were classified as having glaucoma and 972 were classified as normal. The mean (SD) age of the population was 82.3 (3.7) years. The average RNFL thickness was significantly lower in the glaucoma group than in controls 64.0 (14.9) µm versus 88.9 (12.4) µm, respectively, p < 0.001) and in all sectors compared with controls. The average RNFL thickness had the highest AUC (0.901) followed by the temporal-inferior (0.879) and temporal-superior sectors (0.862). When RNFL thickness was classified as abnormal by SD-OCT, the average RNFL thickness had the best sensitivity (83.75%) followed by the temporal-inferior sector (75.64%). The specificity for these two parameters was 87.34% and 91.08%, respectively. The highest DOR was 28.70 for average RNFL thickness and reached 34.84 when using the reference database of the OCT manufacturer.

CONCLUSION

This study confirms that SD-OCT could be useful as an additional test to discriminate glaucoma patients from controls in an elderly population.

Factors Associated with Changes in Retinal Layers Following Acute Optic Neuritis: A Longitudinal Study Using Optical Coherence Tomography

This study aimed to analyze longitudinal changes in retinal microstructures following acute optic neuritis and to identify the factors that affect those changes using spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (OCT). Forty-eight eyes of 37 patients with a first episode of optic neuritis and 48 eyes of 48 healthy controls were enrolled. Patients underwent serial OCT and visual function testing for more than six months. Individual layers from macular OCT were segmented with an automated algorithm. The total retinal layer (TRL), nerve fiber layer (NFL), ganglion cell layer (GCL) and inner plexiform layer (IPL) of optic neuritis eyes showed significant thinning with time over 6–15 months (p < 0.001 for all). The outer nuclear layer (ONL) showed a later decrease in thickness (p = 0.007). The outer retinal layer (ORL) showed an increase (p = 0.007) in thickness at two to five months which was sustained over time. Low visual acuity and neuromyelitis optica (NMO) immunoglobulin (Ig) G were associated with changes in the thickness of the GCL, IPL, and ONL over time (p < 0.05 for all). Low visual acuity was also associated with changes in the thickness of the NFL over time (p = 0.033). Dynamic changes of retinal microstructures varied according to the retinal layer examined after an optic neuritis attack. Initial visual acuity and NMO-IgG were found to be significant factors affecting the changes in thickness of each retinal layer. These results will lead to a better understanding of the pathologic changes that occur in eyes with optic neuritis.

Long-term follow-up of adult patient with neurofibromatosis type 1 with retinal astrocytic hamartoma using spectral-domain optical coherence tomography: a review of the literature and a report of a case

Background: Retinal astrocytic hamartoma (RAH) is a tumor that can be sporadic or in the context of tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC) and has been reported to be associated with neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) in a few cases.Patient and methods: A 65-year-old male patient with NF1 was referred for ophthalmological evaluation. Comprehensive examination, near-infrared reflectance (NIR), spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SDOCT), fluorescein angiography (FFA), and indocyanine green angiography (ICGA) were carried out. The follow-up of the patient was at 4 and 7 years.Results: Best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) was 20/20 in both eyes. Anterior segment examination revealed bilateral Lisch nodules. Fundus examination was unremarkable but at NIR and SDOCT the patient presented choroidal hamartoma, microvascular retinal alterations, and enlarged choroidal vessels in both eyes. NIR also revealed an unusual area of peripapillary hyporeflectivity in the right eye. On SDOCT, this corresponded to an elevated peripapillary mass characterized by intralesional optically empty cavities in the retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) and ganglion cell layer-inner plexiform layer (GCL-IPL), diagnosed as a RAH. Four years later, BCVA was 20/25 with a retinal schisis departing from the lesion to the macula. At 7 years, BCVA was stable at 20/25, the lesion was smaller, and there was a slight reduction of the schisis.Conclusion: RAH is a rare finding in NF1 and the translucent type has not been previously reported. RAH in NF1 has a peripapillary location and demonstrates clinically unpredictable behavior; thus, close monitoring with multimodal imaging is advisable.

Short Term Presence of Subretinal Fluid in Central Serous Chorioretinopathy Affects Retinal Thickness and Function

Background: Acute central serous chorioretinopathy (CSCR), with subretinal fluid (SRF) resolving spontaneously within a few months from disease onset, has been considered as a benign and self-limiting disease for many years. This study sought to discover if a short presence of SRF can result in morphological and functional damage to the retina. Materials and methods: The study included patients treated by subthreshold diode micropulse laser (SDM) application for acute CSCR at the Dobry Wzrok Ophthalmological Clinic between January 2018 and November 2019. Inclusion criteria were: first episode of CSCR; duration of symptoms of two months or less; complete resolution of subretinal fluid (SRF) after a single session of SDM; and a lack of any retinal pathology, previous CSCR episode, significant anisometropia or amblyopia in the collateral eye. Fifteen patients fulfilled the inclusion criteria, including 13 males and two females aged 42.3 ± 9.5 years. The mean duration of symptoms before treatment was 4.7 ± 1.3 weeks on average. Baseline and follow-up examinations were performed in both the affected and collateral eyes and included best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA); spectral-domain optical coherent tomography measurements such as central retinal thickness (CRT) and minimal foveal thickness (MFT) (at the follow-up visit only); fluorescein angiography (at presentation only) and fundus autofluorescence. The first follow-up visit, when the total resolution of SRF was noted, was conducted between 8 and 12 weeks after SDM. Results: Resolved CSCR eyes had significantly poorer BCVA, CRT, and MFT findings in comparison with healthy collateral eyes (respectively, 0.11 +/− 0.1 vs. 0.01 +/− 0.04 logMAR; 238.80 +/− 23.39 vs. 264.87 +/− 21.22 µm and 178.93 +/− 16.88 vs. 199.47 +/− 17.87 µm) despite the short period of CSCR duration (maximum of 14 ± 2.15 weeks on average). Conclusion: Short presence of SRF typical for acute CSCR can affect retinal function and morphology resulting in poorer visual outcome.