Search

PURPOSE: Assess systemic vascular endothelial growth factor-A (VEGF) levels after treatment with intravitreous aflibercept, bevacizumab or ranibizumab. DESIGN: Comparative-effectiveness trial with participants randomly assigned to 2-mg aflibercept, 1.25-mg bevacizumab, or 0.3-mg ranibizumab following a retreatment algorithm. PARTICIPANTS: Participants with available plasma samples (N=436) METHODS: Plasma samples were collected before injections at baseline, 4-week, 52-week and 104-week visits. In a pre-planned secondary analysis, systemic free-VEGF levels from an ELISA immunoassay were compared across anti-VEGF agents and correlated with systemic side effects. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Changes in the natural log (ln) of plasma VEGF levels. RESULTS: Baseline free-VEGF levels were similar across all 3 groups. At 4 weeks, mean ln(VEGF) changes were −0.30±0.61, −0.31±0.54, −0.02±0.44 pg/ml for the aflibercept, bevacizumab, and ranibizumab groups, respectively. The adjusted differences between treatment groups (adjusted CI; P-value) were −0.01 (−0.12, +0.10; P=0.89), −0.31 (−0.44, −0.18; P

Background: To determine the feasibility and efficacy of a retinal telephotocoagulation treatment plan for diabetic macular edema. Methods: Prospective, interventional cohort study at two clinical sites. Sixteen eyes of ten subjects with diabetic macular edema underwent navigated focal laser photocoagulation using a novel teleretinal treatment plan. Clinic 1 (King Khaled Eye Specialist Hospital, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia) collected retinal images and fundus fluorescein angiogram. Clinic 2 (Palmetto Retina Center, West Columbia, SC, USA) created image-based treatment plans based on which macular laser photocoagulation was performed back at clinic 1. The primary outcome of the study was feasibility of image transfer and performing navigated laser photocoagulation for subjects with diabetic macular edema between two distant clinics. Secondary measures were change in best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and central retinal thickness (CRT) by spectral-domain optical coherence tomography at 3 months after treatment. Results: The teleretinal treatment plan was able to be successfully completed in all 16 eyes. The mean logMAR BCVA at baseline was 0.49 ± 0.1, which remained stable (0.45 ± 0.1) 3 months after treatment (p = 0.060). The CRT improved from 290.1 ± 37.6 μm at baseline to 270.8 ± 27.7 μm 3 months after treatment (p = 0.005). All eyes demonstrated improvement in the area of retinal edema after laser photocoagulation, and no eyes demonstrated visual acuity loss 3 months after treatment. Conclusion: This study introduces the concept of retinal telephotocoagulation for diabetic macular edema, and demonstrates the feasibility and safety of using telemedicine to perform navigated retinal laser treatments regardless of geographical distance.

Background/aimsTo evaluate the long-term effects of treat-and-extend dosing of ranibizumab with and without navigated focal laser for diabetic macular oedema (DME).MethodsThis is a multicentre, randomised clinical trial where 150 eyes were randomised into three cohorts; Monthly (n=30), TReat and EXtend without macular laser photocoagulation (TREX; n=60), and treat and extend with angiography-GuIded macular LAser photocoagulation (GILA; n=60). During the first 2 years, eyes either received ranibizumab 0.3 mg every 4 weeks or underwent treat-and-extend ranibizumab with or without angiography-guided laser therapy. In the third year, all eyes were treated as needed with ranibizumab for >5 letters vision loss or if the central retinal thickness (CRT) was >325 µm, and all eyes were eligible to receive focal laser.Results109 eyes (73%) completed the 3-year end-point. At week 156, mean best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and CRT improved by 6.9, 9.7, 9.5 letters (p=0.60) and 129, 138, 165 µm (p=0.39), in the Monthly, TREX and GILA cohorts, respectively. These improvements were reached prior to week 104 and no significant changes occurred from week 104 to week 156 (BCVA: p=0.34; CRT: p=0.36). The mean number of injections in the third year was 3.0, 3.1, and 2.4 in the Monthly, TREX and GILA cohorts, respectively (p=0.56). 86 eyes (79%) required at least one ranibizumab injection in the third year.ConclusionThe improvements achieved after 2 years of treat-and-extend ranibizumab for DME were maintained in the third year with a mean of 3 intravitreal injections.Trial registration numberFDA IND 119146, NCT01934556.

Purpose To compare the enlargement rate of macular atrophy (ERMA) in eyes treated with ranibizumab monthly or using a treat-and-extend (TREX) regimen for neovascular age-related macular degeneration (AMD) or fellow control eyes, as well as analyze risk factors for macular atrophy (MA) development and progression. Design Eighteen-month, multicenter, randomized, controlled clinical trial. Participants Sixty patients with treatment-naive neovascular AMD in 1 eye randomized 1:2 to monthly or TREX ranibizumab. Methods Patients' study and fellow eyes were followed for 18 months using spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD OCT) and fundus autofluorescence (FAF) imaging. The MA was quantified on FAF images using Heidelberg Region Finder software (Heidelberg Engineering, Heidelberg, Germany), with suspected areas of atrophy confirmed by SD OCT and infrared reflectance imaging. For eyes without baseline MA yet developed MA by 18 months, intervening visits were assessed to determine the first visit at which MA appeared to define progression rates. Foveal choroidal thickness (FCT), subretinal hyperreflective material (SHRM), and pigment epithelial detachment (PED), were assessed at baseline to determine whether they influenced MA progression. Main Outcome Measures Mean ERMA at 18 months. Relationship between visual acuity and MA, and the baseline risk factors for ERMA were also assessed. Results The final analysis cohort included 88 eyes in 3 groups: monthly (n = 19), TREX (n = 30), and control fellow eyes (n = 39). Mean ERMA over 18 months was 0.39±0.67 (monthly), 1.1±1.9 (TREX), and 0.49±1 mm 2 (control, P = 0.12). Mean ERMA per group among the 40.9% (n = 36) of baseline patients with MA was 0.9±1, 1.9±2.2, and 1±1.3 mm 2 , respectively ( P = 0.31). The incidence rate of MA in the 3 groups was 40%, 0%, and 8.3%, respectively. Mann–Whitney U test revealed a statistically significant association between baseline FCT (127±46 vs. 155±55 μm, P = 0.01) and SHRM thickness (106±131 vs. 50±85 μm, P = 0.02) on MA. In eyes with no baseline MA, presence of SHRM, SHRM, and PED thickness, and presence of baseline hemorrhage were all significant predictors of new MA development ( P = 0.04, 0.01, 0.04, 0.004, 0.01, respectively). Conclusions Ranibizumab did not show a statistically significant influence on new MA development in eyes with neovascular AMD, whether dosed monthly or per TREX regimen. The FCT, SHRM thickness, and hemorrhage at baseline were all significant predictors of new MA.

Purpose To compare monthly dosing with a treat and extend algorithm using ranibizumab 0.3 mg with and without angiography-guided macular laser photocoagulation for center-involving diabetic macular edema (DME). Design Multicenter, prospective, randomized clinical trial. Participants A total of 150 eyes from 116 subjects were randomized into 3 cohorts: Monthly (n = 30), TReat and EXtend without macular laser photocoagulation (TREX; n = 60), and treat and extend with angiography-GuIded macular LAser photocoagulation (GILA; n = 60). Methods Monthly cohort eyes received ranibizumab 0.3 mg every 4 weeks. Eyes in the TREX and GILA cohorts received 4 monthly injections of ranibizumab 0.3 mg followed by a treat and extend algorithm based on disease activity. Eyes in the GILA cohort also received angiography-guided macular laser photocoagulation at month 1 and again every 3 months for microaneurysm leakage. Main Outcome Measures Change in mean best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), mean central retinal thickness (CRT), number of injections from baseline to 1 year, and percentage gaining/losing 2 and 3 lines of vision. Results Baseline demographics were well balanced among the cohorts. A total of 137 eyes (91%) completed the 1-year end point visit. At 1 year, the mean BCVA improved by 8.6, 9.6, and 9.5 letters in the Monthly, TREX, and GILA cohorts, respectively ( P = 0.8). There was no significant difference between the cohorts in the percentage gaining/losing 2 and 3 lines of vision. The CRT improved by 123 μm, 146 μm, and 166 μm in the Monthly, TREX, and GILA cohorts, respectively ( P = 0.47). The mean number of macular laser treatments in the GILA cohort at 1 year was 2.9 (range, 1–4). The number of injections was significantly reduced in both the TREX (10.7) and GILA (10.1) cohorts compared with the Monthly cohort (13.1, P Conclusions This prospective, randomized trial found that treat and extend dosing of ranibizumab 0.3 mg with and without angiography-guided macular laser photocoagulation significantly decreased the number of injections given while providing similar visual and anatomic outcomes compared with monthly dosing at 1 year. Adding angiography-guided laser photocoagulation to this dosing algorithm did not significantly improve outcomes at 1 year.

An 11-year-old boy presented for central vision blurring in each eye. Visual acuity was 20/80 and examination revealed spoke-wheel foveal schisis and peripheral elevated diaphanous inner retina in each eye. Spectral-domain optical coherence tomography showed inner-retinal, flat-topped cysts in each eye. Electrophysiologic testing was refused, but a clinical diagnosis of X-linked retinoschisis was made. Three months after topical dorzolamide (Trusopt; Santen Pharmaceutical, Osaka, Japan) was started, the macular cysts worsened significantly. The medication was stopped and 3 months later, the macular anatomy returned to baseline. Physicians should be aware of this potential paradoxical anatomic response to topical carbonic anhydrase inhibitor therapy in X-linked retinoschisis. [ Ophthalmic Surg Lasers Imaging Retina . 2018;49:142–144.]

To prospectively evaluate a treat and extend algorithm of ranibizumab with and without navigated laser to monthly dosing for center-involving diabetic macular edema.This was a multicenter, randomized, clinical trial.One hundred fifty eyes were randomized into 3 cohorts: monthly (n = 30), treat and extend without laser photocoagulation (TREX; n = 60), and treat and extend with angiography-guided laser photocoagulation (GILA; n = 60). Monthly cohort eyes received ranibizumab 0.3 mg every 4 weeks. TREX and GILA cohort eyes received 4 monthly injections of ranibizumab 0.3 mg followed by a treat and extend dosing strategy. GILA cohort eyes also received navigated focal laser at month 1 and again every 3 months as needed. The primary outcomes included the mean change in best-corrected visual acuity and central retinal thickness and the number of injections from baseline to 2 years.At 2 years, mean best-corrected visual acuity and central retinal thickness improved by 7.5, 9.6, and 9.0 letters (P = .75) and 139, 140, and 175 μm (P = .09), in the monthly, TREX, and GILA cohorts, respectively. The mean number of injections was significantly reduced in both the TREX (18.9) and GILA (17.5) cohorts compared with the monthly cohort (24.7, P.001). Between the TREX and GILA cohorts, there was no significant difference in the mean treatment interval, mean maximal treatment interval, or percentage of eyes extended to 12 weeks. The total 2-year incidence of Anti-Platelet Trialists' Collaboration events was 6.7%.The treat and extend algorithm of ranibizumab in the TREX-DME trial resulted in significantly fewer injections and yielded visual and anatomic gains comparable to monthly dosing at 2 years.

Purpose: To report a case of panuveitis, retinal vasculitis, and optic disk granuloma due to sarcoidosis. Methods: Case report and literature review. Results: A 26-year-old previously healthy African American male presented with four months of gradual progressive visual decline in the right eye. Clinical examination revealed severe panuveitis, retinal vasculitis, and large optic nerve mass lesion. Diffuse supraclavicular lymphadenopathy was also present. Histopathologic examination of the lymph node biopsy revealed granulomatous inflammation with some areas of caseous necrosis consistent with sarcoidosis. Conclusion: Sarcoidosis is a common cause of uveitis and retinal vasculitis. In rare cases, an optic disk granuloma may occur and can be treated with immunosuppressive therapy.

Purpose To assess prospectively a treat-and-extend (TREX) management strategy compared with monthly dosing of intravitreal ranibizumab in treatment-naive neovascular age-related macular degeneration (AMD) patients. Design Phase IIIb, multicenter, randomized, controlled clinical trial. Participants Sixty patients with treatment-naive neovascular AMD randomized 1:2 to monthly or TREX management. Methods Patients with Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study (ETDRS) best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) from 20/32 to 20/500 (Snellen equivalent) were randomized to receive intravitreal 0.5 mg ranibizumab monthly or according to a TREX protocol. The TREX patients were treated monthly for at least 3 doses, until resolution of clinical and spectral-domain optical coherence tomography evidence of exudative disease activity; the interval between visits then was individualized according to a strict prospective protocol. Main Outcome Measures Mean ETDRS BCVA change from baseline. Results At baseline, mean age was 77 years (range, 59–96 years), mean BCVA was 20/60 (Snellen equivalent), and mean central retinal thickness (CRT) was 511 μm. Fifty-seven eyes (95%) completed month 12, at which point mean BCVA improved by 9.2 and 10.5 letters in the monthly and TREX cohorts, respectively ( P = 0.60). The mean number of injections administered through month 12 was 13.0 and 10.1 (range, 7–13) in the monthly and TREX cohorts, respectively ( P Conclusions The TREX neovascular AMD management strategy used in this prospective, randomized, controlled trial resulted in visual and anatomic gains comparable with those obtained with monthly dosing.

Purpose To quantify the extent of topographic correspondence between baseline (BSL) choroidal neovascularization (CNV) and macular atrophy (MA) at follow-up in eyes with neovascular age-related macular degeneration (NVAMD). Design Post hoc analysis of randomized controlled clinical trial data. Methods Sixty treatment-naive NVAMD patients from the TREX-AMD trial were followed for 18 months. Regions of month 18 macular atrophy (MA) were graded on fundus autofluorescence (FAF) with guidance of spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SDOCT). CNV lesions were graded manually on fluorescein angiography (FA) with lesion components including classic and occult CNV delineated. FAF and FA images were registered to quantitate area and location of overlap between CNV and MA. Outcome measures included overlap of month 18 MA to BSL CNV subtype and progression of MA from BSL to month 18. Results Twenty-six eyes had both MA at month 18 and CNV at BSL. A total of 84.6% of eyes showed evidence of MA and CNV overlap. MA appeared by month 18 in regions corresponding to BSL classic CNV in 36.4% of eyes and occult CNV in 40.9%, and in both regions in 22.7%, with more area of MA (AMA) in regions of occult than classic CNV. MA position at BSL corresponded to BSL classic CNV in 76.9% of eyes and occult CNV in 61.5%, and to both regions in 15.4%, with more AMA in regions of occult than classic CNV. Among eyes with MA and CNV at BSL but with no overlap, 50% progressed to involve regions with BS -CNV. Six eyes had no BSL MA but developed MA at month 18 within regions of BSL CNV. Conclusions In ranibizumab-treated eyes with NVAMD, more MA lesions develop within the region of baseline CNV (type 1, CNV-based MA) than outside (type 2, CNV-independent MA). Baseline-MA also tends to be located within regions of CNV in the pretreatment phase.

Background/AimsProspectively evaluate outcomes in the third year of neovascular age-related macular degeneration (AMD) management using ranibizumab with continued treat and extend (TREX) dosing compared with monthly visits with retreatment upon evidence of exudative disease activity (PRN, pro re nata).MethodsSubjects with treatment-naïve neovascular AMD were randomised 1:2 to Monthly or TREX and managed through 2 years. In the third year, subjects randomised to Monthly were managed PRN while subjects randomised to TREX were continued on TREX dosing or transitioned to PRN after achieving an interval of 12 weeks between visits.ResultsSixty subjects enrolled and 46 (77%) completed month 36 (M36). Transition from Monthly to PRN was associated with a decline in best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) (+10.5 letters (month 24) to +5.4 (M36, p=0.09)); three (15%) subjects required no dosing during year 3, and 47% (114/243) of possible PRN injections were delivered, yielding a mean of 6.1 injections during year 3. Among the 9 (23%) TREX subjects transitioned to PRN, the need for ongoing anti-vascular endothelial growth factor retreatments was small, with 4 (4%) intravitreal injections being delivered among 106 PRN visits; this subgroup displayed an inferior BCVA trajectory compared with the remainder of subjects. Outcomes among subjects continued on TREX were more favourable, with a mean gain of +5.0 letters at M36.ConclusionsUpon transition to PRN, subjects randomised to monthly dosing experienced a decline in BCVA. Among subjects initially randomised to TREX who transitioned to PRN after achieving a 12-week interval between visits, the overall need for additional treatment was low.Trial registration numberNCT01748292, Results.

Vision loss associated with the idiopathic retinal vasculitis, aneurysms, and neuroretinitis (IRVAN) syndrome most commonly occurs from macular edema or complications related to neovascularization. The authors present a case of advanced IRVAN associated with a massive exudative response characterized by peripheral retinal telangiectasias, exudative retinal detachment, and macular edema with lipid maculopathy. The patient was managed successfully with visual acuity from hand motion to 20/150 using a combination of local corticosteroids, intravitreal bevacizumab, panretinal photocoagulation, and eventually pars plana vitrectomy for progressive vitreomacular traction. VEGF- and non-VEGF-mediated mechanisms appear to be involved in the pathogenesis of IRVAN given the efficacy of combination therapy. [ Ophthalmic Surg Lasers Imaging Retina. 2013;44:599–602.]

Purpose To investigate the relationship between best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and central retinal thickness (CRT) in eyes receiving ranibizumab for 3 common retinal diseases. Design Retrospective analysis of clinical trial data. Methods Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study BCVA and spectral-domain optical coherence tomography–measured CRT of 387 eyes of 345 patients enrolled in 6 prospective clinical trials for management of neovascular age-related macular degeneration (AMD), diabetic macular edema (DME), and retinal vein occlusion (RVO) were evaluated by Pearson correlation and linear regression. Results At baseline, there was a small correlation between BCVA and CRT in pooled AMD trial data (r = −0.24). A medium correlation was identified in pooled DME trial data (r = −0.42). No correlation was found in pooled RVO trial data. At month 12, no correlation was found between changes from baseline in BCVA and CRT in pooled AMD trial data. Medium correlations were identified in both pooled DME (r = −0.45) and pooled RVO (r = −0.35) trial data at month 12. Changes in BCVA and CRT associated with edema recurrence upon transition from monthly to pro re nata (PRN) dosing were correlated in AMD (r = −0.27) and RVO (r = −0.72) trials, but not in DME trial data. Conclusion DME demonstrated a convincing relationship between BCVA and CRT. Correlations appear to be more complex in AMD and RVO. At the inflection point between monthly and PRN dosing, when recurrence of edema is anticipated in many patients, CRT appears strongly correlated with loss of BCVA in RVO.

Purpose To evaluate a prospective treat-and-extend (TREX) management strategy compared with monthly dosing with intravitreal ranibizumab (Lucentis) in neovascular age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Design Prospective, randomized, multicenter clinical trial. Participants Sixty patients with treatment-naive neovascular AMD randomized 1:2 to monthly or TREX cohorts. Methods Patients with Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study (ETDRS) best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) of 20/32 to 20/500 (Snellen equivalent) were randomized to receive intravitreal 0.5 mg ranibizumab monthly or, according to a TREX protocol, no less frequently than every 12 weeks. After interval extension, if recurrent exudative disease was identified, this maximum interval between treatments was rechallenged according to a strict prospective protocol. Main Outcome Measure Change in ETDRS BCVA from baseline. Results Sixty patients were enrolled and 50 completed month 24, at which point mean ETDRS BCVA letter gains were similar: 10.5 and 8.7 for the monthly and TREX cohorts, respectively ( P = 0.64). At month 24, 4 patients (20%) and 12 patients (30%) in the monthly and TREX cohorts, respectively, gained at least 15 letters ( P = 0.41). No monthly cohort patient lost more than 2 letters, whereas 5 TREX cohort patients (13%) lost at least 15 letters. Anatomic improvements were similar between the cohorts. Through month 24, the mean number of injections administered was 25.5 (range, 22–27) and 18.6 (range, 10–25) for the monthly and TREX cohorts, respectively ( P Conclusions The TREX neovascular AMD management protocol used with ranibizumab in the Treat-and-Extend Protocol in Patients with Wet Age-Related Macular Degeneration (TREX-AMD) study resulted in visual and anatomic gains comparable with those obtained with monthly dosing, and most patients randomized to TREX therapy demonstrated a relatively consistent maximum extension interval.

To evaluate a prospective treat-and-extend (TREX) management strategy compared with monthly dosing with intravitreal ranibizumab (Lucentis) in neovascular age-related macular degeneration (AMD).Prospective, randomized, multicenter clinical trial.Sixty patients with treatment-naïve neovascular AMD randomized 1:2 to monthly or TREX cohorts.Patients with Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study (ETDRS) best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) of 20/32 to 20/500 (Snellen equivalent) were randomized to receive intravitreal 0.5 mg ranibizumab monthly or, according to a TREX protocol, no less frequently than every 12 weeks. After interval extension, if recurrent exudative disease was identified, this maximum interval between treatments was rechallenged according to a strict prospective protocol.Change in ETDRS BCVA from baseline.Sixty patients were enrolled and 50 completed month 24, at which point mean ETDRS BCVA letter gains were similar: 10.5 and 8.7 for the monthly and TREX cohorts, respectively (P = 0.64). At month 24, 4 patients (20%) and 12 patients (30%) in the monthly and TREX cohorts, respectively, gained at least 15 letters (P = 0.41). No monthly cohort patient lost more than 2 letters, whereas 5 TREX cohort patients (13%) lost at least 15 letters. Anatomic improvements were similar between the cohorts. Through month 24, the mean number of injections administered was 25.5 (range, 22-27) and 18.6 (range, 10-25) for the monthly and TREX cohorts, respectively (P 0.001). Among TREX patients completing month 24, 14 (47%) were at an extension interval of 8 weeks or more, and the mean maximum tolerated extension was 8.5 weeks over the course of 2 years. Of the 26 TREX patients (65%) who demonstrated recurrent exudation upon interval extension, the first maximum extension interval was consistent in most eyes (n = 19 [73%]).The TREX neovascular AMD management protocol used with ranibizumab in the Treat-and-Extend Protocol in Patients with Wet Age-Related Macular Degeneration (TREX-AMD) study resulted in visual and anatomic gains comparable with those obtained with monthly dosing, and most patients randomized to TREX therapy demonstrated a relatively consistent maximum extension interval.

To compare monthly dosing with a treat and extend algorithm using ranibizumab 0.3 mg with and without angiography-guided macular laser photocoagulation for center-involving diabetic macular edema (DME).Multicenter, prospective, randomized clinical trial.A total of 150 eyes from 116 subjects were randomized into 3 cohorts: Monthly (n = 30), TReat and EXtend without macular laser photocoagulation (TREX; n = 60), and treat and extend with angiography-GuIded macular LAser photocoagulation (GILA; n = 60).Monthly cohort eyes received ranibizumab 0.3 mg every 4 weeks. Eyes in the TREX and GILA cohorts received 4 monthly injections of ranibizumab 0.3 mg followed by a treat and extend algorithm based on disease activity. Eyes in the GILA cohort also received angiography-guided macular laser photocoagulation at month 1 and again every 3 months for microaneurysm leakage.Change in mean best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), mean central retinal thickness (CRT), number of injections from baseline to 1 year, and percentage gaining/losing 2 and 3 lines of vision.Baseline demographics were well balanced among the cohorts. A total of 137 eyes (91%) completed the 1-year end point visit. At 1 year, the mean BCVA improved by 8.6, 9.6, and 9.5 letters in the Monthly, TREX, and GILA cohorts, respectively (P = 0.8). There was no significant difference between the cohorts in the percentage gaining/losing 2 and 3 lines of vision. The CRT improved by 123 μm, 146 μm, and 166 μm in the Monthly, TREX, and GILA cohorts, respectively (P = 0.47). The mean number of macular laser treatments in the GILA cohort at 1 year was 2.9 (range, 1-4). The number of injections was significantly reduced in both the TREX (10.7) and GILA (10.1) cohorts compared with the Monthly cohort (13.1, P0.001). There were no cases of endophthalmitis, and the total incidence of Anti-Platelet Trialists' Collaboration events was 4.7%.This prospective, randomized trial found that treat and extend dosing of ranibizumab 0.3 mg with and without angiography-guided macular laser photocoagulation significantly decreased the number of injections given while providing similar visual and anatomic outcomes compared with monthly dosing at 1 year. Adding angiography-guided laser photocoagulation to this dosing algorithm did not significantly improve outcomes at 1 year.

Purpose: To report the macular hole closure rate and visual outcomes of patients with residual triamcinolone acetonide in the fovea after macular hole repair. Methods: We reviewed the medical records of consecutive patients who underwent macular hole surgery at our institution between 2005 and 2008. Only patients with visible triamcinolone in the fovea in the first postoperative month were included. Results: Six patients with Stage III or IV macular holes were included. All patients underwent pars plana vitrectomy, internal limiting membrane peeling, and gas tamponade. Triamcinolone acetonide was used to visualize the vitreous in every patient, and diluted indocyanine green was used to stain the internal limiting membrane in five patients. The median preoperative best-corrected visual acuity was 20/200, which improved to a median of 20/40 at the last follow-up. Five patients eventually developed retinal pigment epithelial alterations. Anatomic hole closure was achieved in every patient. The mean follow-up was 23 months (range, 3-36 months). Conclusion: Residual triamcinolone sequestered in the fovea after macular hole surgery did not affect hole closure or prevent improvement in visual acuity. It is unclear whether the retinal pigment epithelial alterations in our patients represent toxicity or are unrelated to the triamcinolone exposure.

Aims To assess the characteristics and outcomes of patients with hydroxychloroquine retinopathy and to review the current screening guidelines. Methods Retrospective chart review of patients diagnosed as having hydroxychloroquine retinopathy at our institution between 2004 and 2008. Results All seven patients were women. While every patient received 400 mg of hydroxychloroquine per day, every patient exceeded the recommended daily dosage allowance (6.5 mg/kg/day). The mean daily dose of hydroxychloroquine was 8.2 mg/kg/day (range: 6.8–13.6 mg/kg/day). The mean duration of usage was 16.3 years (range: 8.5–30 years), and the mean cumulative dose was 2377 g (range: 1241–4380 g). The mean visual acuity at presentation was 20/30, but all patients exhibited significant visual-field defects. Colour vision was impaired in six patients. Four patients exhibited granular hyperpigmentation in the central macula, and three had a bull9s eye appearance. The mean follow-up time was 21 months. The visual outcomes remained stable for every patient except for one patient who experienced an improvement in visual function after drug cessation. Conclusions Hydroxychloroquine retinopathy, although rare, still exists despite current screening guidelines. The authors recommend that physicians dose hydroxychloroquine according to lean body weight and that they use risk stratification to guide their screening regimens.

The loss of retinal pericytes (RPCs) is a hallmark of early stage diabetic retinopathy (DR), but the mechanism underlying RPC death is unclear. Although it was postulated in previous studies using bovine RPCs that autoantibodies against RPCs might develop and induce RPC death, it is unknown whether autoantibodies against cell-surface antigens on human RPCs exist in DR patients, whether such autoantibodies contribute to RPC damage/loss and if they do, through which mechanism. We screened serum samples from DR patients and controls using primary human RPCs and found that that levels of IgGs reactive to RPCs were significantly higher in the DR group than the control group. Serum samples with higher RPC-reactive IgG levels induced more severe complement-mediated RPC damage than those with lower RPC-reactive IgG levels. We also assessed levels of the complement-activation products C3a, C4a and C5a in these serum samples and found that serum levels of C3a and C5a, but not C4a, were higher in the DR group than control group. These data provide evidence the first time showing that autoantibodies against RPCs can develop in DR patients and that these autoantibodies could contribute to pericyte damage through complement activation.

Purpose Assessment of visual outcome of pediatric eyes that underwent cataract extraction with primary intraocular lens (IOL) implantation at a single center. Methods A retrospective review of charts of 510 consecutive pediatric patients that underwent cataract extraction was performed. Exclusion criteria were traumatic cataract, secondary IOL implantation, retinopathy of prematurity, severe developmental delay, age less than 4 years at last follow-up, and follow-up less than 6 months. In bilateral cases, only right eye data were included. Results One hundred thirty-nine eyes met inclusion criteria. Median age at surgery was 5.12 years (range, 0.03-16.92); median age at last follow-up was 9.05 years, and median follow-up was 3.65 years. Sixty-six of 139 (47.5%) patients had unilateral cataracts compared with 73/139 (52.5%) bilateral cases. The median visual acuity of all eyes was 20/30, with median visual acuity of unilateral and bilateral cases being 20/40 and 20/25, respectively. Older patients achieved better visual acuity (unilateral cases: p = 0.003; bilateral cases: p = 0.07). Eyes with a greater interocular axial length difference achieved poorer visual acuity. Forty-five patients had a final visual acuity worse than 20/40. Of these, 34 (76%) had a diagnosis of amblyopia as the sole cause. Nineteen of 139 (13.7%) eyes had final visual acuity worse than 20/200. Eighteen patients required strabismus surgery, and 22 required additional intraocular surgery. Conclusions Better visual acuity was associated with bilateral cataract, older age at surgery, and normal interocular axial length difference. Amblyopia was the major cause of residual visual deficit.

Adequate wound healing and scar formation is an essential response to myocardial infarction (MI), and fibroblasts are primary cellular components regulating the process. How fibroblast functions are altered post-MI and towhat extent these abnormalities persist in vitro is not well understood. Accordingly, we isolated myocardial fibroblasts from MI and non-MI (remote) regions at 7 days post-MI (n = 35) and from the free wall and septum of unoperated control C57BL/6 mice (n = 14). Proliferation was increased 182 ′ 28% in MI, but not in remote, fibroblasts compared with unoperated controls (P = 0.01). Migration decreased 61 ′ 8%, adhesion to laminin decreased 79 ′ 8%, adhesion to collagen IV increased 196 ′ 27%, and collagen synthesis increased 169 ′ 24% in fibroblasts isolated from the MI region (all P < 0.05). Migration, adhesion, and collagen synthesis changes were similar in remote fibroblasts, and the phenotypic differences were maintained through passage four. Transforming growth factor β1 (TGFpl) is a bioactive molecule that has been shown to affect fibroblast function. Stimulation of unoperated control fibroblasts with 10 ng/ml TGFβ 1 increased proliferation 137 ′ 7% (P = 0.03 vs. unstimulated), increased adhesion to collagen IV 149 ′ 6% (P < 0.01), and increased collagen I levels 187 ′ 10% (P = 0.01). TGFpl may, therefore, explain some of the changes in post-MI fibroblast phenotype. These data demonstrate for the first time region specific alterations in post-MI fibroblast biology that are maintained in vitro. Additionally, our model provides a novel in vitro template for examining the cellular mechanisms of wound healing and scar formation post-MI.

Objective To test the hypothesis that couples with sperm chromatin structure assay (SCSA) DNA fragmentation index (DFI) values >27% would not achieve pregnancy with assisted reproductive techniques (ART) and to investigate how DFI and high DNA stainability (HDS), as measured by the SCSA, affect fertilization, cleavage, implantation, and pregnancy rates in IVF cycles. Design Prospective clinical study. Setting Academic human reproduction laboratory. Patient(s) One hundred couples undergoing IVF with conventional insemination or intracytoplasmic sperm injection. Intervention(s) Testing with SCSA was performed by SCSA Diagnostics (Brookings, South Dakota) on a semen aliquot taken from ejaculate used for ART. Main Outcome Measure(s) Relating total DFI and HDS to conventional semen parameters and cycle-specific outcomes after ART. Result(s) Nine of nineteen couples achieved clinical pregnancy when DFI was ≥27%, and 2 of 22 couples achieved clinical pregnancy when DFI was ≤9%. One of nine couples achieved clinical pregnancy with HDS >17%. The DFI was negatively correlated with sperm density ( r = −0.23, P r = −0.55, P r = −0.37, P Conclusion(s) Sperm chromatin structure assay failed to identify elevated DFI thresholds for negative pregnancy outcome after ART. Patients with low DFI (≤9%) were least likely to become pregnant, which is also contradictory to SCSA marketing, which states that DFIs of ≤15% have excellent fertility potential. Patients with HDS ≥17% had low pregnancy rates, indicating decreased fertility potential, which deserves further investigation. Larger studies are necessary to confirm that low DFI is associated with decreased fertility and, if proved, might redefine the use of the SCSA in evaluating infertility.

The bis(aryl)diacetylenes 1,4-bis(3-quinolyl)-1,3-butadiyne (1), 1,4-bis(4-isoquinolyl)-1,3-butadiyne (2), and 1,4-bis(3-pyridyl)-1,3-butadiyne (3) form strongly halogen bonded complexes with organ...

BACKGROUND: Adverse events after uterine artery embolization, including hysterectomy and premature ovarian failure, are concerning for women who desire future fertility. CASE: A 39-year-old woman underwent emergency hysterectomy after uterine artery embolization embolic microspheres found within the ovarian arterial vasculature. CONCLUSION: Uterine artery embolization for the treatment of uterine fibroids has been associated with loss of ovarian function in up to 14% of patients. This case report demonstrates that embolic microspheres injected into the uterine artery can unintentionally migrate through anastomotic channels into the ovarian arterial vasculature and potentially compromise ovarian blood flow. Hypoxic tissue injury may be the mechanism of premature ovarian failure observed after uterine artery embolization. Understanding the etiology of premature ovarian failure after uterine artery embolization might allow better patient selection.

An 82-year-old man with hypothyroidism had vertical diplopia and swelling around his left eye. Visual acuity was 20/20 OD and 20/50 OS. There was moderate blepharoptosis and edema of the left eyelids and superior scleral show of the right eye. The left eye showed 4 mm of proptosis, motility restriction, afferent pupillary defect, and normal optic disc. Orbital MRI revealed enlargement of the left superior and medial rectus muscles without tendinous involvement. These findings were initially suggestive of thyroid orbitopathy. Thyroid function tests were normal. Coronal MRI showed additional superior oblique enlargement and involvement of the levator superioris palpebrae muscle, which are both suggestive of a non-thyroid pathology. Muscle biopsy revealed large B-cell lymphoma. The patient was treated with chemotherapy, immunotherapy, and radiotherapy, with complete tumor control. Orbital lymphoma can simulate thyroid orbitopathy, even in patients with classic "thyroid-like" symptoms and imaging.

Vitamin D, a fat-soluble prohormone synthesized primarily in the skin, has been shown to be essential for a large number of physiologic processes. Hypovitaminosis D has been associated with many systemic conditions, including diabetes, cardiovascular disease, cancer, and multiple sclerosis. Diabetic retinopathy continues to be a tremendous worldwide health burden and is the leading cause of blindness among working-age adults. While the mechanisms of retinopathy progression remain unclear, vitamin D may play a role through its effects on inflammation, insulin secretion, glucose tolerance, blood pressure control, and angiogenesis. Several large cross-sectional clinical studies have shown an inverse association between vitamin D concentrations and the severity of retinopathy. Further research is needed to determine if treating hypovitaminosis D can prevent or slow the progression of diabetic retinopathy.

A vast array of surgical interventions may be performed in the treatment of ocular and periorbital disease. Because of the high technical difficulty, the subspecialist often performs a significant portion of the ophthalmic surgeries. Most procedures in ophthalmology involve microsurgery and are usually limited to the eye and orbit. Thus, typically there is minimal risk to other organs. Ophthalmic surgery offers a high probability of success, with a major positive impact on quality of life. Nevertheless, many patients with eye pathology are elderly, and some have significant systemic illness. Therefore, the risk of elective intervention must be balanced against the expected benefits, and appropriate counseling should be performed prior to surgery. Optimizing the management of medical problems preoperatively can make the surgery safer and minimize patient discomfort. Anesthesia The large majority of ophthalmic interventions can be performed under local anesthesia with intravenous sedation. In some cases, even topical anesthetics are sufficient. But there are ophthalmic surgeries that require general anesthesia, such as those that involve significant extraocular manipulation, for which the local anesthetic may not be as effective, or those that may be prolonged, as is often the case in many vitreoretinal and orbital procedures. Some periorbital or facial cosmetic interventions often necessitate general anesthesia as well. General anesthesia is also indicated in younger patients and those who may not be cooperative enough to remain motionless during surgery. In addition, general anesthetics are required in trauma cases with significant ocular laceration, where administration of local anesthetics may raise intraorbital pressure, necessitating subsequent extrusion of intraocular contents. Several choices exist in the route of administration of local ophthalmic anesthesia for intraocular surgery. The most widely used approach is injection of 3–7 mL of a mixture of lidocaine 2% and marcaine 0.75% through a retrobulbar approach using a blunted needle (Atkinson needle). This is often performed with a regional seventh nerve block to paralyze eyelid closure. The risks of local ophthalmic anesthesia are remote, but they may be significant. They include local damage through retrobulbar hemorrhage, extraocular muscle damage, and penetration of the globe or optic nerve. Systemic exposure to the injected medication through intravascular or subarachnoid injection of the anesthetic has been known to cause hypertension, seizures, apnea, or even death.

PURPOSE Oxygen-induced retinopathy in the mouse is the standard experimental model of retinopathy of prematurity. Assessment of the pathology involves in vitro analysis of retinal vaso-obliteration and retinal neovascularization. The authors studied the clinical features of oxygen-induced retinopathy in vivo using topical endoscopy fundus imaging (TEFI), in comparison to standard investigations, and evaluated a system for grading these features. METHODS Postnatal day (P)7 mice were exposed to 75% oxygen for five days to induce retinopathy or maintained in room air as controls. Retinal vascular competence was graded against standard photographs by three masked graders. Retinal photographs were obtained at predetermined ages using TEFI. Postmortem, retinal vaso-obliteration was measured in whole mounts with labeled vasculature, and retinal neovascularization was quantified in hematoxylin- and eosin-stained ocular cross sections. RESULTS Fundus photography by TEFI was possible from P15, when retinal vascular incompetence, including dilatation and tortuosity, was significant in mice with oxygen-induced retinopathy in comparison to controls. Vascular incompetence peaked in severity at P17 and persisted through P25. Comparison with in vitro analyses indicated that vascular changes were most severe after retinal avascularity had begun to decrease in area, and coincident with the maximum of retinal neovascularization. A weighted Fleiss-Cohen kappa indicated good intra- and interobserver agreement for a 5-point grading system. CONCLUSIONS Topical endoscopy fundus imaging demonstrates retinal vascular incompetence in mice with oxygen-induced retinopathy. The technique complements standard postmortem analysis for following the course of the model. TRANSLATIONAL RELEVANCE Topical endoscopy fundus imaging has application in the evaluation of novel biologic drugs for retinopathy of prematurity.

A 62-year-old man with lung cancer presented with a 2-week history of decreased vision and clinical features of cytomegalovirus retinitis. The patient was empirically treated for viral retinitis, but microbiological testing of the vitreous fluid was negative. Based on the suspicion for retinal metastasis, the patient underwent pars plana vitrectomy with retinal biopsy. Surgical techniques included the use of a chandelier illumination to enable bimanual manipulation of the retinal tissue, creation a focal retinal detachment with a 41-gauge subretinal cannula, diathermy demarcation of the biopsy site, localized retinectomy with vertical scissors, endolaser, and long-acting gas tamponade. Histopathologic examination revealed sheets of tumor cells with pleomorphic nuclei and positive staining for cytokeratins consistent with metastatic adenocarcinoma. The patient subsequently underwent external beam radiation and was alive 10 months after presentation. This surgical technique may be valuable in select patients with retinal metastasis for diagnostic, therapeutic, and counseling purposes.

OBJECTIVE To assess the relationship between vitamin D status and diabetic retinopathy. METHODS A clinic-based, cross-sectional study was conducted at Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia. Overall, 221 patients were classified into 5 groups based on diabetes status and retinopathy findings: no diabetes or ocular disease (n = 47), no diabetes with ocular disease (n = 51), diabetes with no background diabetic retinopathy (n = 41), nonproliferative diabetic retinopathy (n = 40), and proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR) (n = 42). Patients with type 1 diabetes and those taking >1,000 IU of vitamin D daily were excluded from the analyses. Study subjects underwent dilated funduscopic examination and were tested for hemoglobin A1c, serum creatinine, and 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] levels between December 2009 and March 2010. RESULTS Among the study groups, there was no statistically significant difference in age, race, sex, or multivitamin use. Patients with diabetes had lower 25(OH)D levels than did those without diabetes (22.9 ng/mL versus 30.3 ng/mL, respectively; P

Objective To assess the frequency of negative waveform electroretinograms (ERGs) in a tertiary referral center. Design Retrospective chart review. Participants All patients who had an ERG performed at the electrophysiology clinic at Emory University from January 1999 through March 2008 were included in the study. Methods Patients with b-wave amplitude ≤ a-wave amplitude during the dark-adapted bright flash recording, in at least one eye, were identified as having a “negative ERG”. Clinical information, such as age, gender, symptoms, best corrected visual acuity, and diagnoses were recorded for these patients when available. Results A total of 1,837 patients underwent ERG testing during the study period. Of those, 73 patients had a negative ERG, for a frequency of 4.0%. Within the adult (≥18 years of age) and pediatric populations, the frequencies of a negative ERG were 2.5 and 7.2%, respectively. Among the 73 cases, negative ERGs were more common among male than female patients, 6.7% versus 1.8% (P

Purpose To assess the relationship between serum insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) and diabetic retinopathy. Methods This was a clinic-based cross-sectional study conducted at the Emory Eye Center. A total of 225 subjects were classified into four groups, based on diabetes status and retinopathy findings: no diabetes mellitus (no DM; n=99), diabetes with no background diabetic retinopathy (no BDR; n=42), nonproliferative diabetic retinopathy (NPDR; n=41), and proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR; n=43). Key exclusion criteria included type 1 diabetes and disorders that affect serum IGF-I levels, such as acromegaly. Subjects underwent dilated fundoscopic examination and were tested for hemoglobin A1c, serum creatinine, and serum IGF-I, between December 2009 and March 2010. Serum IGF-I levels were measured using an immunoassay that was calibrated against an international standard. Results Between the groups, there were no statistical differences with regards to age, race, or sex. Overall, diabetic subjects had similar serum IGF-I concentrations compared to nondiabetic subjects (117.6 µg/l versus 122.0 µg/l; p=0.497). There was no significant difference between serum IGF-I levels among the study groups (no DM=122.0 µg/l, no BDR=115.4 µg/l, NPDR=118.3 µg/l, PDR=119.1 µg/l; p=0.897). Among the diabetic groups, the mean IGF-I concentration was similar between insulin-dependent and non-insulin-dependent subjects (116.8 µg/l versus 118.2 µg/l; p=0.876). The univariate analysis of the IGF-I levels demonstrated statistical significance in regard to age (p=0.002, r=-0.20), body mass index (p=0.008, r=−0.18), and race (p=0.040). Conclusions There was no association between serum IGF-I concentrations and diabetic retinopathy in this large cross-sectional study.

Objective To describe the clinical courses of patients who received intravitreal injections of highly concentrated amphotericin B deoxycholate for suspected fungal endophthalmitis. Methods Retrospective medical record review of 3 cases of intraocular toxicity from highly concentrated amphotericin B. Results The first patient developed posttraumatic endophthalmitis and received an undiluted dose (500 μg) of amphotericin B. He developed severe intraocular inflammation and required a pars plana lensectomy, vitrectomy, and scleral buckle after developing a cataract and retinal detachment. Six years later, his visual acuity stabilized at 20/30. The second patient developed endogenous endophthalmitis and was treated with 5 intravitreal injections of amphotericin B and underwent 3 surgical procedures. The surgeon later discovered that the patient had received 55 μg of amphotericin B during the second injection. Three months after the injection, the patient's visual acuity was 20/60. The third patient developed chronic postoperative endophthalmitis following cataract extraction. He received 160 μg of amphotericin B and was immediately treated with a vitreous washout. Two years later, his visual acuity improved to 20/30. The vitreous culture results were negative in each case. A key finding was that the amphotericin B solution appeared to be yellow instead of nearly colorless. Conclusions We present 3 cases of intraocular toxicity from highly concentrated amphotericin B. In every case, the overly concentrated amphotericin B solution was yellow in color. Although severe noninfectious panophthalmitis resulted in every case, the visual acuity outcomes were good. Physicians should examine the color of amphotericin B solution prior to intraocular administration. If the solution appears to be yellow, the medication should not be injected.

PURPOSE To assess the variation in macular thickness measurements in healthy Caucasian and African American men and women through Stratus OCT optical coherence tomography (OCT-3). METHODS One hundred sixty-six eyes of 83 healthy patients underwent complete ophthalmologic examination in this prospective study. Exclusion criteria included a diagnosis of diabetes mellitus, hypertension, intraocular pressure (IOP) greater than 21 mm Hg, history of eye surgery or trauma, or evidence of eye disease. For analysis purposes, the authors excluded those participants in whom OCT signal strength was

Objective To test the hypothesis that pregnancy rates are low if grade Z1 pre-embryos are not available for transfer and to determine if pronuclear morphology is a better predictor of pregnancy than traditional embryo morphology. Design Prospective clinical study. Setting Academic human reproduction laboratory. Patient(s) One hundred couples undergoing IVF with conventional insemination or ICSI. Intervention(s) Embryo quality was assessed using both pre-embryo pronuclear morphology (zygote scoring or Z-scoring) at the time of fertilization evaluation and standard day 2 and day 3 embryo morphology (number of blastomeres and grading based on degree of fragmentation and blastomere size). Main Outcome Measure(s) We tested two decision models, one based on Z-scores and another on morphology, to determine which grading system better predicted pregnancy outcomes in assisted reproductive technique. Zygote score and embryo morphology were measured for all embryos and the transferred embryo pool. Implantation and pregnancy rates resulting from the embryo transfers of all cycles were calculated. Result(s) The Z-score distribution of 552 embryos was 27% Z1, 8% Z2, 50% Z3, and 15% Z4. Z1 and Z3 embryos had significantly ( P ∼.03) higher quality over Z2 and Z4 embryos. Using the Z-score decision model with Z1 embryos having highest priority for transfer, pregnancy rates were similar between Z1 and Z3 embryos. Using embryo morphology as a decision model, pregnancy rates were highest in transfers containing one or two "best"-quality embryos. Conclusion(s) Z1 and Z3 embryos had similar morphology and pregnancy rates. The decision model based on the Z-score model was not better than standard embryo morphology in predicting pregnancy outcome.

Objective Document major complications following treatment of fibroids by uterine artery embolization (UAE). Design Two case reports. Setting University medical center. Patient(s) Two women with symptomatic fibroid uteri. Intervention(s) Selective bilateral uterine artery embolization. Main outcome measure(s) Complications attributable to UAE. Result(s) Two patients experienced significant morbidity requiring hysterectomy due to infection and/or partial bowel obstruction resulting from UAE. Conclusion(s) Reports of the management of symptoms related to fibroids with UAE infrequently include adverse outcomes and/or complications. The two cases we managed reinforce that UAE is not free of the risk of life-threatening complications that require emergency hysterectomy. Increasing surveillance for complications may help define the selection criteria that decrease the risks of UAE.

Objective To describe the clinical features and imaging characteristics in unilateral acute idiopathic maculopathy. Methods Retrospective review of 4 patients with a diagnosis of unilateral acute idiopathic maculopathy. Clinical characteristics (age, symptoms, Snellen visual acuity, and funduscopic features) and images from spectral-domain optical coherence tomography, fundus autofluorescence, fluorescein angiography, and indocyanine green angiography were analyzed. Results The median (range) age at presentation was 31 (27-52) years. The median (range) interval between symptom onset and presentation was 4 (1-20) weeks. Associated systemic findings included a viral prodrome (50%), orchitis (50%), hand-foot-mouth disease (25%), and positive coxsackievirus titers (50%). The median (range) visual acuity at initial examination was 20/400 (20/70 to 1/400), which improved to 20/30 (20/20 to 20/60) at final follow-up. The median (range) follow-up time was 8 (8-13) weeks. Early in the disease course, the central macula developed irregular, circular areas of white-gray discoloration. Following recovery, the macula had a stippled retinal pigment epithelium characterized by rarefaction and hyperplasia. Fluorescein angiography demonstrated irregular early hyperfluorescence and late subretinal hyperfluorescence. Spectral-domain optical coherence tomography showed a partially reversible disruption of the outer photoreceptor layer. Fundus autofluorescence initially revealed stippled autofluorescence that eventually became more hypoautofluorescent. Indocyanine green angiography showed “moth-eaten”–appearing choroidal vasculature, suggestive of choroidal inflammation. Conclusions The imaging characteristics highlight the structural changes during the active and resolution phases of unilateral acute idiopathic maculopathy. The visual recovery correlates with structural changes and suggests that the pathogenesis involves inflammation of the inner choroid, retinal pigment epithelium, and outer photoreceptor complex that is partially reversible.

PURPOSE. To determine the utility of logarithmic transformation of spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (logSDOCT) retinal thickness data for assessment of clinically meaningful changes in uveitis-associated macular edema. METHODS. Patients with noninfectious uveitis-associated macular edema at our institution between August 2010 and March 2011 were identified. Only those with SD-OCT imaging were included. The clinical diagnoses, visual acuities, and central subfield thickness (CST) measurements were recorded. Logarithmic transformation of the retinal thickness was performed and frequency histograms plotted. A linear mixed-effects model of the logarithm minimum angle of resolution (logMAR) visual acuity on logSD-OCT was created to account for withinpatient correlation among visits and between eyes. RESULTS. A total of 98 SD-OCT images from 34 patients were analyzed. The mean age at examination was 40 years (range, 11‐69 years). Anatomic diagnoses included anterior/intermediate uveitis (23%), intermediate uveitis (21%), posterior uveitis (12%), and panuveitis (44%). LogSD-OCT data provided a more normal distribution than standard CST. Skewness and kurtosis of CST data were 1.04 and 0.37, respectively, and skewness and kurtosis of logSD-OCT data were 0.40 and 0.48, respectively. There was a positive correlation between logSD-OCT and logMAR visual acuity. Specifically, for each 0.1-unit increase in logSD-OCT, the logMAR visual acuities increased (worsened) by 0.082 units (95% CI: 0.057‐0.107, P 0.001). CONCLUSIONS. Logarithmic transformation of SD-OCT measurements provided a more normal distribution and positively correlated with logMAR visual acuity. This transformation of retinal thickness may be valuable for assessing clinically significant changes in SD-OCT measurements in future uveitis studies. (Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci. 2011;52:8939‐8943) DOI:10.1167/ iovs.11-8193

Purpose To report the outcomes after cataract extraction in eyes previously treated for retinoblastoma. Methods We reviewed the medical records of consecutive patients treated with cataract extraction at our institution for radiation-induced cataract following retinoblastoma treatment between 1992 and 2007. Results Twelve eyes of 11 patients were included. The median age at diagnosis of retinoblastoma was 7.4 months. The median quiescent interval before cataract surgery was 34.6 months (range, 17-240 months). All patients underwent limbal-based extracapsular cataract extraction with scleral-tunnel wound construction. Anterior vitrectomy and posterior capsulotomy were performed in 7 eyes; an intraocular lens was placed in 10 eyes. A laser capsulotomy was subsequently performed in 5 eyes. No postoperative complications occurred. One patient underwent a pars plana vitrectomy for vitreous hemorrhage and proliferative retinopathy 5 years after cataract extraction. The median follow-up after surgery was 6.0 years (range, 1.1-12.3 years). Final visual acuity was between 20/20 and 20/60 in 6 eyes, between 20/70 and 20/200 in 2 eyes, and worse than 20/200 in 4 eyes. No intraocular tumor recurrences or metastases occurred. Two patients developed secondary rhabdomyosarcomas; 1 patient succumbed to the disease. Conclusions Limbal-based cataract extraction in our series was not associated with tumor recurrence or metastasis. The optimal quiescent interval is not known; however, no tumor recurrences occurred in our series when a minimum 17-month quiescent period was achieved. Visual improvement was noted in every patient, although several patients only experienced modest gains.