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Purpose Central serous chorioretinopathy (CSC) is a disease presenting with detachment of the neurosensory retina and characteristic focal leakage on fluorescein angiography. The spontaneous remission rate is 84% within 6 months. In this study, the efficacy of selective retina therapy (SRT) was examined in patients with therapy refractory persistent acute CSC defined by symptoms for at least 6 months and persistent subretinal fluid (SRF) despite eplerenone therapy. Material and methods This is a prospective, monocentric observational study in 17 eyes (16 patients, mean age 42 years, 2 female). SRT was performed with the approved R:GEN laser (Lutronic, South Korea), a micropulsed 527-nm Nd:YLF laser device, with a train of 30 pulses of 1.7 μs at 100-Hz repetition rate at the point of focal leakage determined by fluorescein angiography (FA) at baseline (BSL). Visits on BSL, week 4 (wk4), and week 12 (wk12) included best corrected visual acuity (BCVA, logMar), central retinal thickness (CRT) on spectral domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT), and FA. Statistical analysis was performed by pair-by-pair comparisons of multiple observations in each case with Bonferroni correction for multiple testing. (IBM SPSS Statistics 25®). Results Mean CRT at BSL was 387.69 ± 110.4 μm. CRT significantly decreased by 106.31 μm in wk4 (95%-KI: 21.42–191.2; p = 0.01), by 133.63 μm in wk12 (95%-KI: 50.22–217.03; p = 0.001) and by 133.81 μm (95%-KI: 48.88–218.75; p = 0.001) compared to BSL. Treatment success defined as complete resolution of SRF occurred at wk4 in 7/17 eyes (35.3%) and at wk12 in 10/17 eyes (58.8%). Re-SRT was performed in 7/17 eyes (41.2%) after an average of 107.14 ± 96.59 days. Treatment success after Re-SRT was observed in 4/6 eyes (66.6%, 12 weeks after Re-SRT). Mean BCVA did not change significantly from BSL to any later timepoint after adjusting for multiple testing. Notably, eyes with treatment success showed better BCVA at all timepoints and gained more letters compared to failures. Conclusion Single or repetitive SRT may be an effective and safe treatment in 2 of 3 patients suffering from acute persistent CSC after 6 months of symptoms or more. We observed complete resolution of SRF in around 60% of eyes 12 weeks after first SRT treatment and also 12 weeks after Re-SRT treatment in eyes with persistent or recurrent SRF. Results on the long-term course after SRT are still pending.

Purpose To evaluate the relationship between macular pigment optical density (MPOD) and glaucoma. Methods Forty-three patients with an established glaucoma diagnosis (25 females, 18 males, mean age 70 (range 34-84)) and 43 healthy controls (28 females, 15 males, mean age 62 (range 30-87)) were included in this prospective diagnostic case-control study. All subjects underwent detailed eye examination including ophthalmoscopy, best-corrected visual acuity, biomicroscopy, measurement of the axial length of the eye, objective refraction, lens status, central foveal thickness on spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT). In all glaucoma patients, a visual field assessment and a measurement of the retinal nerve fibre layer (RNFL) on SD-OCT were done. MPOD was determined using the macula pigment module of the Spectralis HRA+OCT (Heidelberg Engineering GmbH, Heidelberg, Germany) at 0.51°, 1.02° and 1.99° retinal eccentricity using two-wavelength autofluorescence imaging. Results In the glaucoma group, the median of the visual field mean defect was 5.1 db (quartiles 3.0 and 13.5) and the mean RNFL-thickness global was 65.9 µm (SD ± 16.1). Median MPOD measured at 0.51°, 1.02° and 1.99° retinal eccentricity in the glaucoma group was 0.42 DU, 0.34 DU and 0.13 DU, in the control group 0.40 DU, 0.35 DU and 0.12 DU respectively. There was no statistically significant difference of median MPOD between glaucomatous and control eyes (p=0.510, 0.735, 0.481). No significant relation between MPOD at 1.02 retinal eccentricity and the presence of glare symptoms was found (p=0.948). However, age seems to correlate with median MPOD measured at 1.02 retinal eccentricity (p=0.017). Conclusion There was no evidence for lower MPOD levels in our glaucoma patients; lower MPOD was not related to the presence of glare symptoms. However there seems to be a positive correlation between age and MPOD at 1.02° retinal eccentricity. To further investigate the relation between glare reported by glaucoma patients and glare disability linked to lower MPOD levels, additional studies are necessary that include both detailed inquiry of the quality of glare and a glare quantification and precise analysis of MPOD levels in glaucoma patients.

Zusammenfassung Hintergrund Die Coronaviruserkrankung COVID-19 hat im Frühjahr 2020 zu einer deutlichen Minderleistung der elektiven Medizin in den Krankenhäusern geführt, wobei es für universitäre Polikliniken bisher keine entsprechenden Daten über das Ausmaß dieser Reduktion und die damit verbundenen Erlösminderungen gibt. Material und Methode Mithilfe der Daten des aus dem Krankenhausinformationssystems (IS-H/i.s.h.med unter SAP, Cerner Corporation, North Kansas City, MO, Vereinigte Staaten von Amerika und SAP SE, Walldorf, Deutschland) und der an unserer Klinik mitentwickelten Zeiterfassungs- und Managementsoftware TimeElement (Medizinische Hochschule Hannover, Hannover, Deutschland) wurden alle Patientenkontakte des COVID-19-Shutdowns über ca. 7 Wochen vom 18.03.2020 bis zum 08.05.2020 evaluiert und mit dem Vorjahreszeitraum 2019 verglichen. Zudem wurden die Fallzahlen für das erste und zweite Quartal 2019 und 2020 in Relation gesetzt. Ergebnisse Im COVID-19-Zeitraum reduzierte sich die Gesamtzahl der Patientenkontakte um 59,5 % gegenüber dem Vorjahr. Die Anzahl der abrechenbaren Fälle reduzierte sich um 74,8 %. Insbesondere der Hochschulambulanz‑/Selbstzahlerbereich verzeichnete mit einer Reduktion der Patientenkontakte auf 17,2 % des Ausgangswertes von 2019 den größten Patientenwegfall. Aus der reduzierten Arbeitsleistung resultierte ein Erlösverlust von mindestens 218.000 €. Über TimeElement ergab sich ein Rückgang aller diagnostischen Spezialleistungen von 69,4 %, wobei gerade auch Gesichtsfelduntersuchungen um ca. 75,3 % reduziert waren. OCT-Messungen verzeichneten einen Rückgang um 60,3 %. Das Patiententracking ergab allerdings auch eine Reduktion der durchschnittlichen Anwesenheitszeiten der Patienten um ca. 23 % (COVID-19: 145,8 ± 88,8 min vs. 2019: 189,6 ± 97,2 min). Diskussion Der COVID-19-Shutdown ließ die Arbeitsleistung unserer Poliklinik auf nur noch ca. 40 % der Patientenkontakte und die der funktionsdiagnostischen Untersuchungen auf nur noch ca. 30 %, verglichen zur Leistung aus dem Jahr 2019, einbrechen. Die Reduktion der Patientenzahl führte allerdings auch dazu, dass die Anwesenheitszeiten der Patienten deutlich geringer als bei regulärer Auslastung ausfielen. Die damit verbundenen finanziellen Verluste sind durchaus erheblich und offensichtlich nicht über gesetzlich geregelte Ausgleichszahlungen wie im stationären Bereich kompensiert.

The treatment of macular edema with intravitreal injections has revolutionized the treatment of associated diseases in ophthalmology. However, with a few exceptions, this is a chronic treatment where patients require many injections and usually need to stay in treatment for years. Patient adherence and control of patient flow are critical to treatment success. In this manuscript, we describe the development of a patient-oriented organization management for intravitreal injections in a university hospital.In 2015, the intravitreal treatment in our clinic was switched to the treat-and-extend regime. At the same time, the optimization of the previous organizational processes in perioperative management was evaluated. For the period 2015 to 2018, we analyzed and gradually optimized the procedures of our intravitreal injection therapy in a survey with a specialized service provider.Through the analysis of the original processes, the patient appointment was optimized, work processes were summarized, spatially reorganized and there was only a slight increase in the number of staff involved compared with the significant increase in the number of injections. Through these measures, the total in-hospital-time of the patients could be drastically reduced and at the same time the number of patients on one operation day could be multiplied.In the context of chronic treatment with intravitreal injections, the care of an increased number of patients is a logistical challenge. By optimizing processes, existing resources can be better used to meet the increased demands. An optimized system offers the patient greater adherence and a better visual outcome largely independent of the medication used.Die Behandlung eines Makulaödems mittels intravitrealer Injektionen hat die Behandlung der assoziierten Krankheitsbilder in der Augenheilkunde revolutioniert. Abgesehen von einigen wenigen Ausnahmen handelt es sich jedoch um eine chronische Behandlung, bei der die Patienten viele Injektionen benötigen und i. d. R. über Jahre in Behandlung bleiben müssen. Die Adhärenz der Patienten und die Steuerung des Patientenflusses ist mit entscheidend für den Behandlungserfolg. In diesem Manuskript beschreiben wir die Entwicklung eines patientennahen Organisationsmanagements für intravitreale Injektionen in einer Universitätsklinik.Im Jahr 2015 wurde in unserer Klinik die intravitreale Behandlung auf das Treat-and-Extend-Regime umgestellt. Zugleich erfolgte die Evaluation der Optimierung der bisherigen Organisationsabläufe im perioperativen Management. Für den Zeitraum 2015 bis 2018 haben wir im Rahmen einer Erhebung mit einem spezialisierten Dienstleister die Abläufe unserer intravitrealen Injektionstherapie analysiert und schrittweise optimiert.Durch die Analyse der ursprünglichen Abläufe wurde die Patienteneinbestellung optimiert, Arbeitsabläufe wurden zusammengefasst sowie räumlich neu geordnet und es fand eine verglichen mit der deutlichen Erhöhung der Injektionszahlen nur geringfügige Erhöhung der beteiligten Mitarbeiterzahl statt. Durch diese Maßnahmen konnte sowohl die Gesamtaufenthaltszeit der Patienten deutlich reduziert werden als auch zugleich die Patientenzahl bei guter Adhärenz und guten Visusergebnissen an einem Operationstag vervielfacht werden.Im Rahmen der chronischen Behandlung mittels intravitrealer Injektionen ist die Versorgung einer gestiegenen Anzahl an Patienten eine logistische Herausforderung. Durch Optimierung von Abläufen können vorhandene Ressourcen besser genutzt werden, um den gestiegenen Anforderungen gerecht zu werden. Ein optimiertes System bietet für den Patienten eine höhere Adhärenz und ein besseres Visusergebnis weitgehend unabhängig von dem verwendeten Medikament.

Purpose To test if an encircling band improves outcomes in vitrectomy for pseudophakic retinal detachment (PRD) with inferior or with multiple (4 or more) breaks. Methods Subgroup analysis of a prospective randomized controlled multicenter trial in patients with uncomplicated PRD assigned either to 20 G vitrectomy plus encircling band (group E1), or 20 G vitrectomy without any buckle (group C), or 23/25 G vitrectomy without any buckle (group E2). The primary endpoint was defined as no indication for any retina reattaching procedure during the review period of 6 months. One hundred out of 257 patients were identified with inferior breaks and 63 patients had 4 or more breaks. Results In patients with retinal breaks between 5:00 and 7:00, treatment was successful in 77.4% (24/31, treatment arm E1) versus 57.1% (16/28, treatment arm C) (p = 0.301, odds ratio (OR) 1.83, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.48 to 7.17). In patients with multiple breaks, success rates were 68.2% (15/22, E1) versus. 72.4% (21/29, C, p = 0.46, OR 0.52, CI 0.08–3.65). Conclusion Combining an encircling band with vitrectomy in patients with pseudophakic retinal detachment and inferior or multiple breaks does not significantly improve primary anatomical success in comparison to treatment with 20 G or 23/25 G vitrectomy alone.

Patients suffering from type 2 diabetes are at an increased risk of developing classical microvascular complications such as retinopathy, neuropathy, and nephropathy, which represent a significant health burden. Tight control of blood glucose, blood pressure, and serum cholesterol reduce the risk of microvascular complications but effective pharmacologically targeted treatment options for the treatment and prevention of diabetic microangiopathy are still lacking. Pharmacological inhibition of sodium glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) might have the potential to directly protect against microvascular complications and could represent a potential treatment option. Randomized controlled clinical proof of concept trials are needed to investigate a potential central role of SGLT2 inhibitors in the prevention of diabetic microangiopathy and its classical clinical complications of retinopathy, neuropathy, and nephropathy.

Purpose. To evaluate the anatomical and functional outcome of intravitreal dexamethasone implant for macular edema secondary to central (C) or branch (B) retinal vein occlusion (RVO) in patients with persistent macular edema (ME) refractory to intravitreal antivascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) treatment compared to treatment naïve patients and to dexamethasone-refractory eyes switched to anti-VEGF. Methods. Retrospective, observational study including 30 eyes previously treated with anti-VEGF (8 CRVO, 22 BRVO, mean age 69 ± 10 yrs), compared to 11 treatment naïve eyes (6 CRVO, 5 BRVO, 73 ± 11 yrs) and compared to dexamethasone nonresponders (2 CRVO, 4 BRVO, 69 ± 12). Outcome parameters were change in best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and central foveal thickness (CFT) measured by spectral-domain optical coherence tomography. Results. Mean BCVA improvement after switch to dexamethasone implant was 4 letters (p=0.08), and treatment naïve eyes gained 10 letters (p=0.66), while we noted no change in eyes after switch to anti-VEGF (p=0.74). Median CFT decrease was most pronounced in treatment naïve patients (−437 μm, p=0.002) compared to anti-VEGF refractory eyes (−170 μm, p=0.003) and dexamethasone-refractory eyes (−157, p=0.31). Conclusions. Dexamethasone significantly reduced ME secondary to RVO refractory to anti-VEGF. Functional gain was limited compared to treatment naïve eyes, probably due to worse BCVA and CFT at baseline in treatment naïve eyes.

Vorgestellt wird eine Methode zur Messung und Visualisierung des Patientenflows komplex strukturierter Augenambulanzen. Zugrunde liegt eine hierfur programmierte netzwerkbasierte Software mit den Zielen der Prozessoptimierung und der zeitlich strukturellen Abstimmung der Prozesse aufeinander. Jede Untersuchungseinheit erhielt eine separate Warteliste, in der zu jedem Patienten der Patientenflow auf einer Timeline aufgezeichnet wurde. Von der Warteliste ausgehend, wurden Zeitraume und Zeitpunkte per Mausklick aufgezeichnet und Auftrage zur Diagnostik erteilt. Auserdem wurde uber ein Signal mitgeteilt, wann eine Oberarztabnahme gewunscht war. Hierbei wurden Feedbackschleifen verwendet, die zu jeder Zeit fur alle involvierten Instanzen innerhalb der Ambulanz den aktuellen Progress der Patienten sichtbar machten. Die praktische Anwendbarkeit wird bereits seit wenigen Monaten erfolgreich getestet. So konnte z. B. bei Aufzeichnungen des Patientenflows von 250 Vorstellungen zu intravitrealen Injektionen eine durchschnittliche Anwesenheitszeit von 169,71 min gezeigt werden, wobei auch automatisch eine zeitliche Erfassung von Teilschritten erfolgte. Langfristig bilden die Aufzeichnungen der Daten zum Patientenflow eine Basis, um Patienten zeitgerecht durch die vielschichtigen Untersuchungen einer Universitats-Augenpoliklinik zu fuhren und Wartezeiten zu reduzieren sowie den Einfluss einzelner Umstrukturierungen innerhalb einer Ambulanz zu untersuchen. Da die Einfuhrung der Software selbst mit einem Strukturwandel einhergeht, ist auch ein Fragebogen fur die involvierten Mitarbeiter geplant.

Hintergrund Wahrend die intraoperative optische Koharenztomographie (iOCT) im Bereich der Makulachirurgie oder der lamellierenden Keratoplastiken einen sichtbaren Vorteil bringen kann, ist ihr Einsatz bei der Ablatiochirurgie bisher mit unklarem Nutzen verknupft.

Spectral domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) has become a standard diagnostic tool in the surgical management of vitreomacular interface disorders. The high-resolution cross-sectional information obtained from SD-OCT is a perfect complement to vitreoretinal surgery. It provides detailed intraoperative anatomical views that are not possible with a microscope.To investigate the value of intraoperative real-time OCT with respect to improvement of surgical techniques in the management of vitreomacular disorders.A review of the current literature was conducted and an analysis of own systematically evaluated data was included to provide a comprehensive overview of potential applications for the clinical use of intraoperative real-time OCT in macular surgery.Intraoperative real-time OCT can provide detailed visualization of epiretinal membranes and help to identify whether complete membrane removal has been achieved following surgery. In addition, it can provide qualitative and quantitative information that has previously not been available and assist in surgical decision-making. Intraoperative real-time OCT allows membrane peeling to be performed in selected cases without using retinal dyes, whereas it is not ideal for accurately guiding the surgeon while performing maneuvers.Intraoperative real-time OCT provides high-resolution visualization of the effects of surgical maneuvers on the microarchitecture of the retina and surrounding tissues and will fill a gap in the understanding of the pathophysiology and prognostic factors of vitreomacular disorders; however, with currently available systems, accurate intraoperative real-time guidance of surgical maneuvers is hindered by several limiting factors.

Purpose To investigate 12-month outcomes of conversion to aflibercept in patients with neovascular age-related macular degeneration resistant to ranibizumab. Methods Twenty-two eyes of 19 consecutive patients received 3 monthly aflibercept injections followed by a pro re nata protocol. Spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (OCT) images were obtained before each injection. All 49 cross-sectional OCT B-scans obtained in each examination were investigated and the largest choroidal neovascularization (CNV) size was chosen. The same cross-sectional B-scan sections containing the maximum CNV size were used during the follow-up. Results After 12 months, best-corrected visual acuity increased from 45.68 ± 20.25 to 59.09 ± 17.50 Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study letters (p2 (p = 0.003), and macular volume improved from 9.64 ± 1.75 to 8.45 ± 0.98 mm3 (pConclusions Visual and anatomic improvement were obtained after conversion to aflibercept.

Background and Objectives To evaluate the changes in the size of choroidal neovascularization (CNV) lesion using spectral domain-optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) in patients with treatment-resistant neovascular age-related macular degeneration (AMD) who were switched from ranibizumab to aflibercept. Materials and Methods In this prospective case-series, 33 eyes of 30 patients with treatment-resistant neovascular AMD were included. Treatment-resistant neovascular AMD was defined as choriodal neovascularization secondary to AMD determined by subretinal fluid and/or intraretinal fluid/cysts after more than 6 months of monthly ranibizumab therapy. Enrolled eyes were received intravitreal aflibercept injections at weeks 0, 4, and 8. Maximum area of CNV lesion in the cross-sectional area in the B-scan was measured using Heidelberg Eye Explorer software. The same cross-sectional sections containing maximum area of CNV lesion were used during the follow-up. CNV subtypes were determined based on fluorescein angiography images prior to ranibizumab therapy. Main outcome measures were changes in best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), central subfield thickness (CST), and area of CNV lesion. Results There were five classic (15%), seven minimally classic (21%), and 21 occult subtypes of CNV (64%). Four weeks after the third injection, BCVA improvement and reduction of the retinal thickness in nine standard ETDRS subfields were significant (both P

Bernd Junker,1 Jens F Jordan,2 Carsten Framme,1 Amelie Pielen1 1University Eye Hospital, Medical School Hannover, Hannover, 2Eye Center, Medical Center, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany Importance: This study is the first description of the use of the intraoperative optical coherence tomography (iOCT) for trabecular meshwork surgery with the Trabectome in a regular clinical setting.Background: The aim of this study is to evaluate intraoperatively the immediate success of ab interno trabeculotomy with the Trabectome defined as a removal of the trabecular meshwork.Design: This is a retrospective clinical study performed in the University Eye Hospital, Medical School Hannover.Participants: A total of nine consecutive Caucasian patients suffering from primary open angle glaucoma, pigment dispersion glaucoma, or pseudoexfoliation glaucoma took part in the study.Methods: All patients underwent ab interno trabeculotomy surgery with the Trabectome using a commercially available iOCT to visualize the anterior chamber angle (ACA) before and after the procedure. The visualization was done using a modified Swan-Jacobs lens (all nine patients) or without lens (view from above, five patients).Main outcome measures: The main outcome of this study is the success of visualization of the ACA on iOCT, especially the postprocedural visualization of the wound gap after removal of the trabecular meshwork.Results: Using the view from above, the ACA could be visualized before and after the procedure in only two of the five cases. Using the modified Swan-Jacobs lens, the ACA could be visualized before the procedure and the trabecular meshwork opening after the procedure in all nine patients.Conclusion: The iOCT can be used to objectify the immediate success of the surgical procedure, ie, the removal of the trabecular meshwork, of ab interno trabeculotomy with the Trabectome. The procedure itself cannot be captured sufficiently via iOCT. Keywords: glaucoma, imaging, iOCT, trabecular meshwork surgery

PURPOSE Modifications in ocular blood flow may play a significant role in glaucoma development. Optical coherence tomography angiography (OCT-A) is based on the detection and analysis of the reflection behaviour of motion in a static environment and therefore is able to quantify the retinal flow density. We used this new technology to examine the density of the active flow vasculature in the macular area in glaucoma patients compared to healthy patients. METHODS Thirty patients with primary open-angle glaucoma (mean age: 72.6 ± 7.1 years) and 21 healthy patients (mean age: 70.3 ± 8.6 years) were recruited. Patients received perimetry and OCT measurements of the peripapillary retinal nerve fibre layer thickness (RNFLT) and macular retinal thickness and OCT-A of the macular area in the superficial and deep retinal (DR) plexus. Flow density of the OCT-A scan was calculated by binarisation and quantification of the pixel density. RESULTS Macular flow density was globally and nasally reduced in glaucoma patients in the superficial (globally: p = 0.0203; nasally: p = 0.0003) and DR plexus (globally: p = 0.0113, nasally: p

Purpose To compare standard-of-care grid laser photocoagulation versus intravitreal ranibizumab (IVR) versus a combination of both in the treatment of chronic (>3 months) macular oedema secondary to branch retinal vein occlusion. Methods Prospective, randomized, multicentre clinical trial. Thirty patients with a best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) between 20/320 and 20/40 were randomized 1:1:1 to receive grid laser or three monthly injections of 0.5 mg IVR or both followed by 3 months of observation. Results Mean change from baseline BCVA at month 6 was +2 letters [laser; 0.04 logMAR, 95% confidence interval (−0.17; 0.25)], +17 letters [IVR; 0.34 (0.19; 0.5)] and +6 letters [combination; 0.12 (0.01; 0.24)] (IVR versus laser p = 0.02 and IVR versus combination p = 0.02). At month 3, mean improvement in central retinal thickness (CRT) was 90.6 μm (laser) (−18.65; 199.8), 379.5 μm (IVR) (204.2; −554.8), and 248 μm (167.2; −328.8) (combination) (IVR versus laser p = 0.005, laser versus combination p = 0.02). During the observation period, CRT improved in laser [37.6 μm (−66.82; 142.0)], but deteriorated in IVR [−142.4 μm (−247.6; −37.16)] and combination [−171.7 μm (−250.4; −92.96)] (laser versus IVR p = 0.01, laser versus combination p = 0.002) indicating recurrent oedema. Less laser retreatments (at 8 weeks) were required in combination group (2/10) than grid group (7/10). Conclusion Six-month results suggest that ranibizumab may be superior to grid laser in improving visual acuity. Grid combined with IVR neither enhanced functional and morphological improvement of IVR nor did it prevent or prolong recurrence of oedema. In IVR groups, CRT increased slowly after stopping injections, whereas improvement in visual acuity was sustained, indicating that morphological changes occur prior to functional impairment.

Vitreous levels of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) are increased in retinal vein occlusion. Visual impairment occurs secondary to macular edema which is enforced and maintained by VEGF. Intravitreal corticosteroids such as triamcinolone acetonide and dexamethasone implant as well as VEGF-inhibitors ranibizumab, bevacizumab, pegaptanib, and aflibercept target the overexpression of VEGF, reduce macular edema, and lead to significant improvement of vision.

Diffuse unilateral subacute neuroretinitis is an ocular infectious disease caused by several distinct nematodes. Definite identification of the involved nematodes is rarely achieved. We report on the molecular-based genetic identification of an Ancylostoma ceylanicum hookworm implicated in a case of diffuse unilateral subacute neuroretinitis in a child.

BACKGROUND: Intravitreal agents have replaced observation in macular edema in central (CRVO) and grid laser photocoagulation in branch retinal vein occlusion (BRVO). We conducted a systematic review to evaluate efficacy and safety outcomes of intravitreal therapies for macular edema in CRVO and BRVO. METHODS AND FINDINGS: MEDLINE, Embase, and the Cochrane Library were systematically searched for RCTs with no limitations of language and year of publication. 11 RCTs investigating anti-VEGF agents (ranibizumab, bevacizumab, aflibercept) and steroids (triamcinolone, dexamethasone implant) with a minimum follow-up of 1 year were evaluated. EFFICACY CRVO: Greatest gain in visual acuity after 12 months was observed both under aflibercept 2 mg: +16.2 letters (8.5 injections), and under bevacizumab 1.25 mg: +16.1 letters (8 injections). Ranibizumab 0.5 mg improved vision by +13.9 letters (8.8 injections). Triamcinolone 1 mg and 4 mg stabilized visual acuity at a lower injection frequency (-1.2 letters, 2 injections). BRVO: Ranibizumab 0.5 mg resulted in a visual acuity gain of +18.3 letters (8.4 injections). The effect of dexamethasone implant was transient after 1.9 implants in both indications. SAFETY: Serious ocular adverse events were rare, e.g., endophthalmitis occurred in 0.0-0.9%. Major differences were found in an indirect comparison between steroids and anti-VEGF agents for cataract progression (19.8-35.0% vs. 0.9-7.0%) and in required treatment of increased intraocular pressure (7.0-41.0% vs. none). No major differences were identified in systemic adverse events. CONCLUSIONS: Anti-VEGF agents result in a promising gain of visual acuity, but require a high injection frequency. Dexamethasone implant might be an alternative, but comparison is impaired as the effect is temporary and it has not yet been tested in PRN regimen. The ocular risk profile seems to be favorable for anti-VEGF agents in comparison to steroids. Because comparative data from head-to-head trials are missing currently, clinicians and patients should carefully weigh the benefit-harm ratio. peerReviewed