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Globally, 43 million people are living with HIV, 90% in developing countries. Increasing life expectancy with combination antiretroviral therapy (cART) results in chronic complications, including HIV-associated neurocognitive disorders (HAND) and eye diseases. HAND screening is currently challenging. Our aim was to evaluate clinical utility of retinopathy as a screening measure of HAND in older cART-treated individuals in Tanzania and feasibility of smartphone-based retinal screening in this low-resource setting. A cross-sectional systematic sample aged ≥ 50-years attending routine HIV follow-up in Tanzania were comprehensively assessed for HAND by American Academy of Neurology criteria and received ophthalmic assessment including smartphone-based retinal imaging. HAND and ophthalmic assessments were independent and blinded. Diagnostic accuracy was evaluated by AUROC curves. Of 129 individuals assessed, 69.8% were visually impaired. Thirteen had retinopathy. HAND prevalence was 66.7%. Retinopathy was significantly associated with HAND but HIV-disease factors (CD4, viral load) were not. Diagnostic accuracy of retinopathy for HAND was poor (AUROC 0.545-0.617) but specificity and positive predictive value were high. We conclude that ocular pathology and HAND appear highly prevalent in this low-resource setting. Although retinal screening cannot be used alone identify HAND, prioritization of individuals with abnormal retinal screening is a potential strategy in low-resource settings.

Costello syndrome (CS) is a multisystem developmental disorder caused by germline pathogenic variants inVisual function, ocular features and genotype/phenotype correlations were evaluated in CS individuals harboringFifty-six molecularly diagnosed CS individuals including 34 females and 22 males, ages ranging from 0.5 to 37 years were enrolled. The most common ophthalmic manifestations in the cross-sectional study were lack of stereopsis (96%), refractive errors (83%), strabismus (72%), nystagmus (69%), optic nerve hypoplasia or pallor (55%) and ptosis (13.7%) with higher prevalence than in the retrospective data (refractive errors (41%), strabismus (44%), nystagmus (26%), optic nerve hypoplasia or pallor (7%) and ptosis (11%)). Visual acuities were found to ranged from 20/25 to 20/800 and contrast sensitivity from 1.6% to 44%.Majority of individuals with CS have refractive errors, strabismus, nystagmus, absent stereopsis, and optic nerve abnormalities suggesting that

We aimed to investigate the increase in resistivity of the retinal artery in the branch retinal vein occlusion (BRVO)-affected area, and to visualize it. Thirty-two eyes of 32 patients with BRVO were measured by laser speckle flowgraphy (LSFG). The retinal artery and vein running to the BRVO-affected area and vertically symmetrical vessels in the unaffected area were examined. We applied the LSFG parameter beat strength over mean blur rate (BOM), calculated using a similar method to the pulsatility index used in Doppler flowmetry to evaluate resistivity of the vessels. Our results showed that the BOM map could clearly visualize the increase of resistivity in the retinal artery as a two-dimensional map. The BOM of the arteries in the affected area was significantly higher than that of the unaffected area (P = 0.001). Multiple regression analysis showed that the ratio of BOM in retinal arteries of the affected area to the unaffected was significantly associated with the extent of retinal hemorrhage (β = 0.447, P = 0.009). In conclusion, the index of resistivity of the retinal artery in the BRVO-affected area was higher and could be visualized in a two-dimensional map. These findings and techniques would contribute to elucidate the pathophysiology of BRVO.

This study investigates the etiology and clinical features of delayed vitreous prolapse after cataract surgery and evaluates the long-term surgical and visual outcomes. Consecutive patients with vitreous prolapse into the anterior chamber occurring ≥ 3 months after cataract surgery at two hospitals between December 2006 and June 2020 were retrospectively reviewed. The primary outcome was associated ophthalmological events that triggered delayed vitreous prolapse. Secondary outcomes included long-term visual and subjective symptom changes after treatment. Among 20 eyes (20 patients), all had visual symptoms, the most common being blurry vision (12 patients; 60%). Five (25%) were detected after YAG laser capsulotomy, three (15%) had a history of intraocular lens(IOL) implantation in sulcus due to intraoperative posterior capsular tears, three (15%) had prolapsed vitreous alongside dislocated IOLs, and three (15%) were aphakic after previous cataract surgeries. After surgical treatment, the mean corrected distance visual acuity improved from 20/50 to 20/31(P = 0.02) and the mean preoperative intraocular pressure (IOP) that was 26.4 mmHg decreased to 15.6 mmHg, remaining stable until the last follow-up. All reported symptoms were relieved. YAG laser capsulotomy or a history of defective posterior capsule from iatrogenic causes may trigger delayed vitreous prolapse. The long-term outcomes were favorable, particularly after posterior vitrectomy, with improved IOP control and symptom resolution.

This study aims to investigate the reliability and efficacy of maximum fluorescein tear break-up time (FTBUTmax) in diagnosing dry eye disease (DED). 147 participants were enrolled in this study. Ocular symptoms were assessed by Ocular Surface Disease Index (OSDI). The fluorescein tear break-up time (FTBUT) examination, corneal fluorescein staining (CFS), and Schirmer I test were performed on both eyes. Each participant underwent 3 consecutive FTBUT tests, and five types of FTBUT values including FTBUTmax, the minimum FTBUT (FTBUTmin), the first FTBUT (FTBUT1), the average of three FTBUTs (FTBUT123) and the average of the first and second FTBUT (FTBUT12) were recorded. FTBUTmax was larger than the other FTBUT values, but no differences were found among the values of FTBUT1, FTBUT123, FTBUT12 and FTBUTmin. In the ROC analysis, FTBUTmax had the largest or the second largest area under the ROC (AUROC) in all three DED diagnostic criteria, while FTBUTmin had the least AUROC of them. ROC efficacy of FTBUTmax was significantly higher than that of FTBUT123, FTBUT12, FTBUT1 and FTBUTmin in the OSDI criteria and higher than that of FTBUT1 and FTBUTmin in Schirmer I test and CFS tests. FTBUTmax has a close correlation with OSDI, Schirmer I test and CFS, and is an effective tool for the DED diagnosis.

To assess the quality of life of keratoconus patients using the Keratoconus Outcomes Research Questionnaire (KORQ), translated and validated in Portuguese language. The KORQ is the only validated keratoconus specific questionnaire and has a high rating for its psychometric properties. This cross-sectional study enrolled 100 keratoconus patients from a tertiary referral eye hospital between April 2018 and June 2019. Associations between age, sex, allergic conjunctivitis, keratoconus stage, best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), maximum simulated keratometry (Kmax), steep keratometry (K2), pachymetry, treatments performed, hydrops, and KORQ scores were evaluated using univariate (Wilcoxon test and the Kruskal Wallis test) and multivariate linear regression with stepwise backward modeling. Lower KORQ scores are associated with better quality of life, whereas, higher scores are associated with greater impairment of functional activities and symptoms. Among the 100 patients, mild, moderate, and severe keratoconus were observed in 15%, 46% and 39% of participants, respectively. Univariate analysis showed lower function scores values, with male sex (p p p p = 0.022), while symptom scores were only significantly associated with only BCVA p

Marfan syndrome (MFS) is a hereditary disease with an incidence of 0.3% in the general population. Approximately 60% of MFS patients with FBN1 gene mutation will suffer ectopia lentis (EL) from the age of 3. With the development of EL, severe loss of vision will accrue because of lens tilt and glaucoma. Cionni modified capsular tension rings (MCTR) has been applied in the surgery for EL in MFS patients. To evaluate visual acuity and safety of using MCTR during lens subluxation surgery in MFS patients, 66 MFS patients (110 eyes) were included in our study, with the mean duration of follow-up of 4.7 months (SD 1.76 months). The capsular bags were preserved in 101 eyes (91.81%) with MCTR implantation. There was an overall significant improvement in BCVA at 1-month follow-up which was maintained at 3 months. Multivariable linear regression revealed that older age at first visit was associated with greater postoperative BCVA at the 1-month follow-up (P = 0.007). A significant difference was found between different degrees of lens subluxation and the length of surgical time and complications. At follow-up, only two eyes (1.98%) were identified to have developed retinal detachments. In conclusion, better visual outcomes can be achieved when patients received an early operation with MCTR implantation.

Ocular surface dysfunction is common in patients receiving anti-cancer drug treatment. The effects of paclitaxel, a neurotoxic chemotherapeutic drug, on ocular surface discomfort associated with dry eye disease was investigated. Patients with cancer who had completed paclitaxel treatment between 3 and 24 months prior to assessment (n = 29) and age- and sex-matched healthy control subjects (n = 29) were recruited and assessed with the Ocular Surface Disease Index (OSDI) to measure ocular surface discomfort. In-vivo corneal confocal microscopy was used to evaluate corneal nerve parameters in the right eye. Peripheral neurotoxicity was assessed using patient-reported outcomes and clinical grading scales. The paclitaxel group had significantly worse OSDI total scores compared with controls (Median, Md = 19.3 and Md = 0, p = 0.007, respectively). Corneal nerve fiber and inferior whorl lengths were reduced in the paclitaxel group compared with controls (14.2 ± 4.0 and 14.4 ± 4.0 mm/mm2 vs. 16.4 ± 4.0 and 16.9 ± 4.9 mm/mm2, respectively, p = 0.04). When analyzed by presence of peripheral neuropathy, paclitaxel-treated patients with neuropathy showed worse OSDI total scores compared to those without peripheral neuropathy post-treatment (p = 0.001) and healthy controls (p p = 0.001) and neuropathy severity (r = 0.49, p = 0.008), respectively. Patients who have been treated with paclitaxel have a higher risk of ocular surface discomfort associated with dry eye disease, particularly those with peripheral neuropathy. Future longitudinal studies should investigate the clinical impact of corneal nerve reduction in dry eye disease.

Current tests for assessing metamorphopsia do not account for confounders such as perceptual filling-in and spatial redundancy, which affect its sensitivity and repeatability. This proof-of-concept study aimed to assess the performance of a novel laboratory-based psychophysical test (Line Sag Test, LST) which addresses these issues for quantification of metamorphopsia in idiopathic epiretinal membranes. The LST quantifies perpendicular metamorphopsia at three eccentricities (3°, 6°, and 9°) along eight meridians (45° steps). Metamorphopsia was assessed using the LST and Amsler grid and the hit rates of both tests for detecting metamorphopsia were compared. Normal metamorphopsia scores using the LST did not differ significantly from 0 and fell within one step-size (p = 0.500). The LST detected significantly more cases of metamorphopsia than the Amsler grid (14/21 versus 3/21) (p = 0.003). Similarly, significantly more cases of visual distortions in asymptomatic iERMs were detected using the LST than the Amsler grid (11/18 versus 0/18) (p = 0.008). The LST has a higher hit rate compared to the Amsler grid (67% versus 14%). This work demonstrates a psychophysically-robust functional test addressing perceptual confounders is more sensitive for quantifying and localising metamorphopsia in macular disease, particularly in asymptomatic disease.

We investigated the microvascular changes in eyes with lamellar macular holes (LMHs) using optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA), compare them between two subtypes of LMH. Tractional and degenerative LMH were differentiated based on the morphological characteristics of OCT. In OCTA images, foveal and parafoveal vessel density (VD) in the superficial and deep capillary plexus (SCP, DCP) and foveal avascular zone (FAZ) area were measured. Eyes that underwent vitrectomy for LMH were included in subgroup analysis. We analysed 63 LMH (42 tractional and 21 degenerative) eyes and 63 control eyes. Compared with degenerative LMH, tractional LMH had better BCVA (p = 0.010), smaller FAZ area (p = 0.001), and higher foveal VD in the SCP (p = 0.130) and DCP (p = 0.002). In degenerative LMH, better BCVA was associated with greater foveal VD in the SCP (p = 0.040) and DCP (p = 0.005), and parafoveal VD in the SCP (p = 0.006). In subgroup analysis, only the tractional LMH group showed significant increases in foveal and parafoveal VDs in the SCP after vitrectomy (p = 0.001 and p = 0.026, respectively). Significant differences in microvascular changes were noted between tractional and degenerative LMH, suggesting that two subtypes are distinct pathogenetic entities.

Changes in retinal vasculature and ocular circulation may play an important role in the glaucoma development and progression. We evaluated the vertical asymmetry across the temporal raphe of the deep retinal layer vessel density, using swept-source optical coherence tomography angiography (SS-OCTA), and its relationship with the central visual field (VF) loss. Thirty-four eyes of 27 patients with open-angle glaucoma were included. SS-OCTA macular scanning was performed within a 3 × 3 mm (300 × 300 pixels) volume, centred on the fovea. The relationships between the vertical asymmetrical deep retinal vessel density reduction (ADRVD) across the temporal raphe and various ocular parameters were analysed. Twenty-two glaucomatous eyes with ADRVDs had central VF loss. Contrarily, ADRVDs were not found in any of the 12 eyes without central VF loss. Thirteen eyes (59.1%) with central VF loss had ADRVDs topographically corresponding to the central VF loss and macular ganglion cell complex thinning. The glaucomatous eyes with ADRVDs exhibited inferior rather than superior central VF loss (P = 0.032). Thus, ADRVD specifically indicates the glaucomatous central visual loss. Further analysis of ADRVD may improve our understanding on glaucoma pathogenesis, offering new treatment insights.

Although early glaucoma detection is important to prevent visual loss due to disease progression, its clinical diagnosis in highly myopic eyes is still difficult. Many studies using optical coherence tomography (OCT) angiography (OCTA) reported decreased vessel density (VD) in glaucomatous eyes compared to normal eyes. We evaluated the diagnostic ability of peripapillary VD and macular VD measured by OCTA, comparing them with conventional valuables such as peripapillary retinal nerve fibre layer (RNFL) thickness and macular ganglion cell-inner plexiform layer (GCIPL) thickness measured by OCT. We also calculated the average VD ratio (VDR) (average outer macular VD/average inner macular VD), superior VDR (superior outer macular VD/average inner macular VD), and inferior VDR (inferior outer macular VD/average inner macular VD). Totally, 169 eyes from 169 subjects were enrolled. Among OCTA measurements, the best diagnostic parameters were average VDR (AUROC: 0.852 and 0.909) and inferior VDR (AUROC: 0.820 and 0.941) in nonhighly and highly myopic eyes, respectively. Inferior VDR showed better diagnostic ability than most of the other OCT measurements including peripapillary RNFL thickness and macular GCIPL thickness in highly myopic eyes. Accordingly, OCTA measurements can be useful for diagnosing glaucoma in highly myopic eyes, especially when using calculated indices such as average VDR or inferior VDR.

Purpose: This study evaluated the frequency of the most common ophthalmological, neurological, and systemic findings in symptomatic patients seen at a COVID-19 screening service at Hospital das Clínicas - Universidade Federal de Pernambuco. Methods: A total of 104 patients under clinical suspicion of SARS-CoV-2 infection underwent medical evaluation through an ophthalmological and systemic symptoms survey. All participants selected for the study underwent COVID-19 RT-PCR testing. Results: The mean age was 38.8 years, with 44.23% between 31 and 40 years old, 68.27% female, and 31.73% male. The most common symptoms in patients with a positive RT-PCR test were cough (69.23%), fever (42.3%), hyposmia (38.46%), myalgia (38.46%), and ageusia (30.77%). In the positive group, 34.61% presented with ophthalmological symptoms: burning (19.23%), eye pain (11.54%), foreign body sensation (7.7%), hyperemia (7.7%), and tearing (3.84%). Conclusions: Systemic clinical features were characteristic of upper respiratory infection, but neurological findings of hyposmia and anosmia proved to be important markers for suspicion of SARS-CoV-2 infection. Ophthalmic symptoms in patients with COVID-19 were similar to those observed in other viral conditions and may precede systemic conditions. A high rate of self-medication was observed for general symptoms compared with ophthalmological conditions.

This study aimed to analyze the concentrations of VEGF, b-FGF, TNF, interleukin (IL)-1, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, and IL-12 in the aqueous humor of patients with diabetic macular edema with and without peripheral retinal ischemia and to ascertain the changes in the levels of these molecules during treatment with ranibizumab. A therapeutic, prospective, randomized interventional study was carried out. Twenty-four eyes from 24 patients were studied and divided into 3 groups. Group 1 (9 eyes) included patients with diabetic macular edema without peripheral ischemia. Group 2 (10 eyes) included patients with diabetic macular edema with peripheral ischemia. Group 3 (5 eyes), the control group, included patients without systemic and/or eye diseases. Patients in Groups 1 and 2 received 3 intravitreal injections of 2 mg/0.05 ml ranibizumab at an interval of approximately 30 days. Before administering the injections, the aqueous humor was collected. In the control group, aqueous humor was collected before facetectomy. During treatment, the median IL-6 concentration significantly increased in Group 1 but showed a slight but not significant decrease in Group 2. Interleukin 8 levels were significantly different at the end of treatment compared to the beginning in Groups 1 and 2. TNF, IL-1, IL-10, and IL-12 levels were practically unchanged in both groups. VEGF was significantly reduced at the end of the study in Groups 1 and 2. B-FGF was not detected in most of the studied patients, and in those with detectable levels, there was no significant variation. There was a significant increase in the median level of interleukin 6 in the group without ischemia and a significant decrease in VEGF in both groups. The cytokines TNF, IL-1, IL-10, and IL-12 did not show significant variation.

Numerous approaches have been designated to document progression in keratoconus, nevertheless there is no consistent or clear definition of ectasia progression. In this present study, we aim to evaluate Keratoconus Enlargement (KCE) as a parameter to document ectasia progression. We define KCE as an increase of more than 1D in the anterior curvature of non-apical corneal areas. We have designed a longitudinal study in 113 keratoconic eyes to assess keratoconus progression. KCE was compared with variables commonly used for detection of keratoconus progression like Kmax, Km, K2, PachyMin, D-Index, Corneal Astigmatism and PRC of 3.0 mm centered on the thinnest point. The variations of keratometric readings, D-index and ELEBmax showed positive associations with KCE. Evaluating the performance of Kmax, D-index and KCE as isolated parameters to document keratoconus progression we found a sensitivity of 49%, 82% and 77% and a specificity of 100%, 95% and 66% to detect keratoconus progression (p

This study evaluates in terms of reliability, internal consistency, and validity a modification of the Adult Developmental Eye Movement (ADEM) test, ADEM with distractors (ADEMd), designed to analyse oculomotor system, visual processing and visual attentional behaviour. 302 healthy subjects participated in the study (20–86 years old). Intrasession repeatability was evaluated by analysing the correlation between the time needed to read different parts of the test. Inter-session analyses were carried in 40 subjects by calculating intraclass correlation coefficients and using the Bland–Altman method. Validity was assessed in the outcomes obtained according to age as well as investigating the correlation between ADEMd and attentional useful field of vision (UFOV) test. Correlation coefficients between times need to read each sheet were ≥ 0.95 (p

Corneal opacities are an important cause of blindness, and its major etiology is infectious keratitis. Slit-lamp examinations are commonly used to determine the causative pathogen; however, their diagnostic accuracy is low even for experienced ophthalmologists. To characterize the “face” of an infected cornea, we have adapted a deep learning architecture used for facial recognition and applied it to determine a probability score for a specific pathogen causing keratitis. To record the diverse features and mitigate the uncertainty, batches of probability scores of 4 serial images taken from many angles or fluorescence staining were learned for score and decision level fusion using a gradient boosting decision tree. A total of 4306 slit-lamp images and 312 images obtained by internet publications on keratitis by bacteria, fungi, acanthamoeba, and herpes simplex virus (HSV) were studied. The created algorithm had a high overall accuracy of diagnosis, e.g., the accuracy/area under the curve (AUC) for acanthamoeba was 97.9%/0.995, bacteria was 90.7%/0.963, fungi was 95.0%/0.975, and HSV was 92.3%/0.946, by group K-fold validation, and it was robust to even the low resolution web images. We suggest that our hybrid deep learning-based algorithm be used as a simple and accurate method for computer-assisted diagnosis of infectious keratitis.

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is an infectious disease caused by SARS-CoV-2 primarily affecting the respiratory system which can damage vessels walls virtually in any body district. Changes affecting retinal vessels are a good marker for systemic vascular alterations. This study investigated retinal vessels during the acute phase of COVID-19 and after patients recovery. Fifty-nine eyes from 32 COVID-19 patients and 80 eyes from 53 unexposed subjects were included. Mean arteries diameter (MAD) and mean veins diameter (MVD) were assessed through semi-automatic analysis on fundus color photos at baseline and 6 months later in patients and subjects unexposed to the virus. At baseline MAD and MVD were significantly higher in COVID-19 patients compared to unexposed subjects (p

The aim of this study was to analyze changes in refraction and evaluate the variables in school children who received atropine as myopic control for 10 years. Low-concentration atropine (0.05%) was prescribed initially, and the dose was increased in a stepwise manner if rapid myopic progression (≥ 0.5D per half year) was noted during the regular follow-up visit. 23 children with a mean age of 6.96 ± 1.07 years were included. The initial spherical equivalent was − 1.25 ± 0.84 D. The overall mean myopic progression was − 0.30 ± 0.27 D/year. Younger initial age, female, higher initial spherical equivalent and the need of higher concentration of atropine were found to be risk factors for myopic progression in multivariate mixed-effect analysis (p = 0.013, 0.017, 0.024 and 0.014). Children who kept using a lower concentration of atropine (≤ 0.1%) tended to have slower myopic progression throughout the 10-year course than those who shifted to higher concentrations (> 0.1%) (p ≤ 0.001). Stepwise low concentration of atropine might be effective for long-term myopic control in school students. Those who had poor response to lower concentration of atropine may have the risk of faster progression, even with high concentration of atropine. Additional or alternative treatment might be considered.

The purpose of this study was to determine the relationship between a posterior vitreous detachment (PVD) and retinoschisis (RS) in 73 highly myopic (HM) young patients age 16.4 ± 6.9 years and 24 non-HM children age 8.4 ± 1.5 years. The presence of the paravascular retinal abnormalities was determined in the images obtained by a ultra-widefield OCT (UWF OCT) instrument with an image field of 23 × 20 mm. The results showed that a partial PVD was detected in 15 (21%) of the HM patients, and the number increased significantly with increasing age (P = 0.02). PVDs of any type were not found in the non-HM eyes. The number of microvascular folds also increased with age in the HM patients (P = 0.03). Medium-reflective columnar tissues were present between the detached vitreous and inner retinal surface in 4 (5%) eyes of the HM patients. Myopic RS was found in 3 (4%) HM patients in the paravascular area but not in the macular area. These results suggest that early partial PVD may play a role in pathological and proliferative vitreous changes of HM eyes. An intense vitreoretinal traction with bridging tissues may cause the various paravascular retinal abnormalities. In HM eyes, paravascular RS is already present at an early age which may progress to macular RS with aging.

To evaluate the retinal vascular flow density changes of myopic eyes of young adults using optical coherence tomography angiography and the factors affecting these changes. In this cross-sectional study, 90 eyes of 45 participants were analyzed and divided into three groups: mild, moderate, and high myopia (without pathological changes). Macular and radial peripapillary capillary flow densities were measured using optical coherence tomography angiography. Their relationships with the axial length, the spherical equivalent of the refractive error, and age were analyzed using analysis of variance, Pearson’s correlation coefficient, and multivariate linear regression analysis. Superficial and deep macular vascular densities were significantly decreased in the high myopia group compared to the other groups. In the high myopia group, the nasal peripapillary flow density decreased, whereas the flow density inside the disc increased. The axial length negatively correlated with the superficial and deep macular vascular density, but positively correlated with the vascular density inside the disc. The spherical equivalent of the refractive error negatively correlated with the macular vascular density. The retinal vascular density decreased in the high myopia group. Hence, the microvascular network inside the disc may have a compensatory action in the hypoxic setting of high myopia.

To develop the Symptom Questionnaire for Visual Dysfunctions (SQVD) and to perform a psychometric analysis using Rasch method to obtain an instrument which allows to detect the presence and frequency of visual symptoms related to any visual dysfunction. A pilot version of 33 items was carried out on a sample of 125 patients from an optometric clinic. Rasch model (using Andrich Rating Scale Model) was applied to investigate the category probability curves and Andrich thresholds, infit and outfit mean square, local dependency using Yen’s Q3 statistic, Differential item functioning (DIF) for gender and presbyopia, person and item reliability, unidimensionality, targeting and ordinal to interval conversion table. Category probability curves suggested to collapse a response category. Rasch analysis reduced the questionnaire from 33 to 14 items. The final SQVD showed that 14 items fit to the model without local dependency and no significant DIF for gender and presbyopia. Person reliability was satisfactory (0.81). The first contrast of the residual was 1.908 eigenvalue, showing unidimensionality and targeting was − 1.59 logits. In general, the SQVD is a well-structured tool which shows that data adequately fit the Rasch model, with adequate psychometric properties, making it a reliable and valid instrument to measure visual symptoms.

Objective To evaluate the demography, aetiology and clinical course of acute onset binocular diplopia (AOBD) in patients presented as emergency and managed at the neuroophthalmology clinic of a tertiary eye care centre in Saudi Arabia. Patients and methods A retrospective review of the medical records of 100 consecutive patients who attended the emergency department of Dhahran Eye Specialist Hospital with isolated, AOBD. The exclusion criteria were: (a) monocular diplopia, (b) binocular diplopia accompanied with neurological deficits other than ocular muscles dysfunction and (c) thyroid eye disease. All patients were followed until resolution of the diplopia or onward referral to another specialty for further management. Results Male:female ratio was 2:1. Median age of the cohort was 56 years (range 18–90 years). Associated nerve palsy included: abducens nerve (n = 57 patients), oculomotor (n = 32 patients) and trochlear nerve (n = 3 patients). Microvascular ischaemia and ocular myasthenia gravis were two most common pathogenic mechanisms. AOBD resolved spontaneously in 98% of patients. Conclusion AOBD, though an alarming and distressing condition, carries reassuringly good prognosis in majority of patients. High risk factors for vascular disease in Middle-Eastern population are reflected in microvascular aetiology as the major cause.

This report evaluates the role of the combined visual abilities of acuity, contrast sensitivity and presentation time on plate discipline and baseball batting performance. A visual function test (EVTS) was performed on 585 professional baseball players. The results were compared to several common plate-discipline measures. The EVTS test provides a single measure combining target size, contrast and presentation time. Correlations (statistically significant) were found between this measure and several plate discipline metrics (InzoneSwingPct, inzoneFbSwingPct, ChasePct, FbChasePct, BBperPa). Years of major league service did not appear to be related to visual ability. When comparing the best and worst 20% groups based on visual ability, statistically significant improvements ranging from 11.6% in BBperPa to 3.5% in inzoneSwingPct were noted in the better visual function group. Effect sizes ranged from 0.278 to 0.387. These results demonstrate the relationship between basic visual function and batting performance. These are the first results, on a large group at the professional level, to demonstrate this relationship statistically. These results may aid player selection, indicating that batters with better visual function are more likely to be successful when batting and more productive for their team.

We aimed to evaluate the relationship between the capillary abnormalities including nonperfusion area (NPA) in optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) images and the recurrence of macular edema (ME) secondary to branch retinal vein occlusion (BRVO) after intravitreal injection of anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF; bevacizumab). The records of 40 patients who underwent intravitreal bevacizumab injection for ME secondary to BRVO and had at least six months of follow-up were reviewed. Central retinal thickness (CRT; μm) and macular edema type were evaluated prior to treatment. After ME resolution, nonperfusion areas in the 1 mm (NPA1) and 1–3 mm (NPA3) zones on the Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study (ETDRS) circle within the superficial capillary plexus (SCP) and deep capillary plexus (DCP) were measured using OCTA images. Furthermore, other microvascular abnormalities in the both SCP and DCP were compared between groups. ME recurred in 25 of 40 (62.5%) eyes. The NPA1 of the SCP and DCP (p = 0.002, 0.004, respectively), NPA3 of the SCP and DCP (p = 0.002, 0.008, respectively), and initial CRT (p = 0.022) differed significantly between eyes with and without ME recurrence. In multivariate logistic regression analyses, the NPA1 of the DCP (OR: 344.718; p = 0.029) and NPA3 of the SCP (OR: 4.072; p = 0.018) were significantly associated with ME recurrence. Other microvascular abnormalities were not significantly different between two groups. The central NPA and parafoveal NPA of the SCP in OCTA images correlated strongly with ME recurrence in BRVO patients after intravitreal anti-VEGF injection.

Objective We evaluated the Runge card, a near-vision eye chart designed for ease of use, by testing agreement in visual acuity results between it and the Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study (ETDRS) visual acuity chart. As a clinical reference point, we compared the Runge card and an electronic Snellen chart with respect to agreement with ETDRS results. Methods Participants consisted of adult eye clinic patient volunteers who underwent a protocol refraction, followed by testing with a Runge card, ETDRS chart, and Snellen chart. Mean logMAR visual acuities were calculated for each method. Agreement levels among the tests were assessed for the group overall and for subjects with good (ETDRS logMAR

Treatment of grating stimulation has been used in amblyopia for decades, but high dropout rate and inconvenience for daily practice occur in previous studies. We developed a home-based portable system with rotating grating stimulation on a tablet. Thirty anisometropic amblyopic children were randomly allocated into the control or Grating group. They drew contour of the picture under patch of a better eye for 6 months. Best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), grating acuity (GA), and contrast sensitivity (CS) were assessed at the baseline, 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 6th months of training. All participants completed the 6-month training. Patched eyes of both groups exhibited no difference. Trained eyes of the control group had significantly slight improvement in BCVA and GA. In particular, the Grating group exhibited significantly higher BCVA, GA, and CS compared with those of the control group at the 3rd and 6th months of training. Moreover, percentage of the Grating group with great improvement (BCVA ≥ 0.3 or CS ≥ 0.3) was significantly larger than those of the control group at the 3rd or 6th months of training. The portable grating stimulation system demonstrates its trainability by no dropout and effectiveness by significant improvements in all assessments through a well experimental design.Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT04213066, registered 30/12/2019, https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04213066.

Symptoms of autonomic dysfunction are common in Fabry disease. In this study we aimed to evaluate alterations in the pupillary response to white light stimulation in patients with Fabry disease and their association with the severity of autonomic symptoms. Fourteen consecutive patients with Fabry disease and 14 healthy control participants were enrolled in this cross-sectional study. The Mainz Severity Score Index (MSSI) was used to measure the severity of Fabry disease and the Composite Autonomic Symptom Scale 31 (COMPASS 31) questionnaire was used to evaluate the severity of autonomic symptoms. The pupil light responses were assessed with an infrared dynamic pupillometry unit. There were significant reductions in the amplitude (P = 0.048) and duration (P = 0.048) of pupil contraction, and the latency of pupil dilation (P = 0.048) in patients with Fabry disease compared to control subjects. The total weighted COMPASS 31 score correlated with MSSI (r = 0.592; P = 0.026) and the duration of pupil dilation (ρ = 0.561; P = 0.037). The pupillomotor weighted sub-score of the COMPASS 31 correlated inversely with the duration of pupil contraction (r = − 0.600; P = 0.023) and latency of pupil dilation (ρ = − 0.541; P = 0.046), and directly with the duration of pupil dilation (ρ = 0.877; P r = 0.533; P = 0.049). In conclusion, abnormal pupillary function is demonstrated in patients with Fabry disease, which is associated with the severity of autonomic symptoms.

Polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy (PCV) is a distinctive type of neovascular age-related macular degeneration prevalent in many Asian countries. However, there is still some controversy in how the subtypes of PCV are classified. This post-hoc study redefined the branching vascular network (BVN) and PCV subtypes through retrospective review of indocyanine green angiography (ICGA) and fluorescein angiography images from two observational studies (RENOWNED/REAL). Of the visual outcomes for each angiographic subtype and treatment pattern investigated, BVN was identified in 56.3% of PCV patients. The proportions and features of the re-defined PCV subtypes were 43.8%, 10.4%, and 45.8% for subtype A (without distinctive features of BVN), B (with BVN but no leakage), and C (with BVN and leakage), respectively. Subtype A had better visual outcomes when compared to subtype C. This possibly resulted from a better baseline visual acuity in subtype A. Moreover, combination therapy [photodynamic therapy plus anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)] may lead to better visual improvement than mono-anti-VEGF treatment alone. This study provides the prevalence of PCV subtypes in Taiwan and may serve as a reference for PCV treatment strategies in a real-world setting, especially for the combination therapy and patients without distinctive features of BVN.

We aimed to determine the clinical impact of conjunctivochalasis (CCh) and its correction using high-frequency radiowave electrosurgery (HFR-ES), for signs and symptoms of dry eye disease (DED). Forty patients diagnosed with symptomatic CCh were prospectively enrolled. As a result, patients with CCh had moderate to severe DED and most of them exhibited meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD). Corneo-conjunctival fluorescein staining score (CFS) and all lid-parallel-conjunctival-folds scores (LIPCOFs) were positively correlated. Nasal LIPCOF significantly correlated with symptoms and tear volume. Central, temporal, and total LIPCOF significantly correlated with MG loss, MGD stage, and lipid layer thickness. Independent significant factors associated with total LIPCOF included CFS, tear break-up time, and MGD stage. One month following HFR-ES, CCh was completely resolved in all cases. Patient age and preoperative nasal LIPCOF were determinants of outcomes associated with postoperative improvements in symptoms. Ocular surface parameters significantly improved, but MGD-related signs did not. Collectively, CCh associated with MGD severity deteriorates not only tear film stability and reservoir capacity, leading to DED exacerbation. Therefore, CCh should be corrected in patients with DED and MGD. Younger patients with nasal CCh are likely to experience more symptomatic relief after HFR-ES. Particularly, management for MGD should be maintained after CCh correction.

The current assessment of corneal vascularisation (CV) relies on slit-lamp examination, which may be subjective. Dye-based angiographies, like indocyanine green angiography (ICGA), allows for good visualisation of anterior segment blood vessels. However, ICGA is invasive and can be associated with systemic adverse effects. Anterior segment optical coherence tomography angiography (AS-OCTA) is a non-invasive tool that has been shown to successfully delineate CV. However, there are no previous studies that have reported if AS-OCTA can determine CV stage and activity. We used an established CV model in rabbits to examine serial AS-OCTA scans of CV development and regression following treatment with anti-vascular endothelial growth factor. We compared AS-OCTA derived vascular measurements to that of ICGA determined vessel leakage and CV staging. Our results showed that AS-OCTA vessel densities and vessel branch area significantly correlated with the severity of CV based on ICGA (all p ≤ 0.05). We also found that AS-OCTA vessel densities correlated with ICGA vessel leakage time, following an inverse linear relationship (r2 = - 0.726, p

The purpose of this study was to analyze corneal sub-basal nerve plexus (SBNP) density and morphology and their relationships with corneal parameters and refractive status. In this single center study, in vivo confocal microscopy (IVCM) was performed in 76 eyes of 38 healthy subjects aged 19–87 (mean age 34.987 ± 1.148). Nerve fiber analysis was performed using Confoscan 4 microscope with semi-automated software (Nidek Technologies, Italy) The nerve fiber length (NFL) µm/mm2, nerve fiber density (NFD) no./mm2, tortuosity coefficient (TC), and nerve beadings density (NBD) no./mm were considered. Relationship between SBNP parameters and corneal curvature, thickness, diameter, and refraction were analyzed. Additionally, the association with gender, laterality and age were determined. NFL was inversely correlated with age (r = − 0.528, p 0.005). SBNP fiber length decreases with age, myopic refractive error and cylindrical power. SBNP fiber density reduces with age and myopic refractive error. Corneal nerve parameters are not influenced by gender or laterality.

A variety of eye-related symptoms due to the overuse of digital devices is collectively referred to as computer vision syndrome (CVS). In this study, a web-based survey about mind and body functions, including eye strain, was conducted on 1998 Japanese volunteers. To investigate the biological mechanisms behind CVS, a multi-trait genome-wide association study (GWAS), a multivariate analysis on individual-level multivariate data, was performed based on the structural equation modeling methodology assuming a causal pathway for a genetic variant to influence each symptom via a single common latent variable. Twelve loci containing lead variants with a suggestive level of significance were identified. Two loci showed relatively strong signals and were associated with TRABD2B relative to the Wnt signaling pathway and SDK1 having neuronal adhesion and immune functions, respectively. By utilizing publicly available eQTL data, colocalization between GWAS and eQTL signals for four loci was detected, and a locus on 2p25.3 showed a strong colocalization (PPH4 > 0.9) on retinal MYT1L, known to play an important role in neuronal differentiation. This study suggested that the use of multivariate questionnaire data and multi-trait GWAS can lead to biologically reasonable findings and enhance our genetic understanding of complex relationships among symptoms related to CVS.

This study analyzed the optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) macular parameters in primary angle-closure glaucoma (PACG) patients after acute primary angle closure (APAC) episodes. Thirty-three patients with 33 APAC eyes and 33 primary angle closure suspect (PACS) eyes and 33 age-matched normal subjects (controls) were enrolled. Macular vessel density (VD) in central, inner, outer and full regions and foveal avascular zone (FAZ) parameters (area, perimeter and circularity index) were compared between APAC, PACS, and control eyes. For resolved APAC eyes, the VD in each macular region was significantly lower than that in control eyes, with less central and inner macular VD than PACS eyes. The central macular VD was significantly lower in PACS eyes than in controls. There was no difference in FAZ area and perimeter between APAC, PACS, and control eyes. FAZ circularity was highest in control eyes, followed by PACS eyes, and lowest in APAC eyes. The AUC, sensitivity and specificity of FAZ circularity were 0.944, 93.9% and 84.8%, respectively, in APAC eyes and 0.881, 84.8% and 81.8%, respectively, in PACS eyes. Therefore, FAZ circularity had the best discrimination capability for detecting both APAC and PACS eyes. Macular assessment with OCTA could provide an accurate early-stage diagnostic tool for PACG.

We aimed to evaluate methods of extracting optical coherence tomography (OCT)-derived macular ganglion cell-inner plexiform layer (GCIPL) thickness measurements over retinal locations corresponding to standard visual field (VF) test grids. A custom algorithm was developed to automatically extract GCIPL thickness measurements from locations corresponding to Humphrey Field Analyser 10-2 and 30-2 test grids over Goldmann II, III and V stimulus sizes from a healthy cohort of 478 participants. Differences between GCIPL thickness measurements based on VF test grids (VF-based paradigms) and the 8 × 8 grid, as per instrument review software, were analyzed, as were impacts of fovea to optic disc tilt and areas over which GCIPL thickness measurements were extracted. Significant differences between the VF-based paradigms and the 8 × 8 grid were observed at up to 55% of locations across the macula, with the greatest deviations at the fovea (median 25.5 μm, 95% CI 25.24–25.72 μm, P

Aim of the study is to report the clinical characteristics and prognostic factors in hypertensive anterior uveitis (AU) diagnosed with multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Eighty-eight eyes of 88 patients with hypertensive AU were enrolled from 2015 to 2019 in a tertiary center in South Korea. All patients underwent multiplex PCR that was performed using aqueous humor samples collected at first visit to detect the DNA of six herpesviruses. Twenty-eight (31.8%) eyes were PCR positive. Herpes simplex virus was found in 6 (6.8%) eyes, varicella-zoster virus in 7 (8.0%) eyes, cytomegalovirus in 14 (15.9%) eyes, and Epstein–Barr virus in 1 (1.1%) eye. On multivariate regression analysis, PCR positivity was significantly associated with coin-shaped keratic precipitates (odds ratio (OR) = 6.01, P = 0.044). Recurrence and final visual acuity were significantly associated with a presumed diagnosis of viral endotheliitis (OR = 21.69, P = 0.04 and OR = 6.3, P = 0.004, respectively). This study showed the importance of PCR positivity, suggesting that identification of the virus through active PCR testing could affect the course, treatment, and prognosis of hypertensive AU.

Ocular toxoplasmosis is the leading cause of posterior uveitis worldwide. We conducted an observational study of 262 consecutive individuals (n = 344 eyes) with ocular toxoplasmosis who were followed over a 34-month period. Most subjects were T. gondii IgG + /IgM- (n = 242; 92.4%; 317 eyes), and 140 eyes (40.7%) had active lesions. For eyes in which retinal lesions were active at recruitment and best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) could be measured (n = 133), 21.0% (n = 28) remained blind (BCVA below 20/400) after inflammation resolved. In these eyes, atypical ocular toxoplasmosis (OR 4.99; 95% CI 1.14–22.85; p = 0.0330), macular lesion (OR 9.95; 95% CI 2.45–47.15; p = 0.0019) and any complication (OR 10.26; 95% CI 3.82–30.67; p p = 0.0013) and macular lesion (OR 5.69; 95% CI 2.53–13.54; p p = 0.0493) and active disease at presentation (OR 4.74; 95% CI 1.95–12.91; p = 0.0011) were associated with recurrences. Additional clinical attention should be directed towards patients with risk factors for poor visual outcome.

Down syndrome (DS) is frequently associated with cataract, but there remains scant information about DS cataract morphology. Supra-nuclear cataracts in DS have been proposed as indicative of beta-amyloid (Aβ) aggregation and thus potential biomarkers for Alzheimer’s (AD). This study employed anterior segment OCT (AS-OCT) and slit-lamp (SL) photography to image the crystalline lens in DS, compared with adult controls. Lens images were obtained post-dilation. Using MATLAB, AS-OCT images were analysed and lens opacities calculated as pixel intensity and area ratios. SL images were classified using LOCS III. Subjects were n = 28 DS (mean ± SD 24.1 ± 14.3years), and n = 36 controls (54.0 ± 3.4years). For the DS group, AS-OCT imaging revealed the frequent presence of small dot opacities (27 eyes, 50%) in the cortex and nucleus of the lens, covering an area ranging from 0.2–14%. There was no relation with age or visual acuity and these dot opacities (p > 0.5) and they were not present in any control lenses. However, their location and morphology does not coincide with previous reports linking these opacities with Aβ accumulation and AD. Four participants (14%) in the DS group had clinically significant age-related cataracts, but there was no evidence of early onset of age-related cataracts in DS.

Glaucomatous visual field (VF) damage usually involves in the Bjerrum area, which refers to outside the central 10° region. However, some reports suggest that structural damage to the macula occurs even in the early stages of glaucoma. We investigated the characteristics of normal tension glaucoma (NTG) patients with temporal retinal nerve fibre layer (RNFL) defects. Ninety eyes from 90 subjects including 30 normal eyes, 30 eyes of 30 patients with normal-tension glaucoma with temporal RNFL defects, and 30 eyes of 30 patients with normal-tension glaucoma with inferotemporal or superotemporal RNFL defects were enrolled. The best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) decreased significantly in glaucomatous eyes with temporal RNFL defects as compared with in controls and glaucomatous eyes with inferotemporal or superotemporal RNFL defects. VF tests showed more frequent central or cecocentral VF defects involving the central 10° region in glaucomatous eyes with temporal RNFL defects. VF defects were more frequently detected on short-wavelength automated perimetry (SWAP). Eyes with temporal RNFL defects had generally reduced ganglion cell-inner plexiform layer (GCIPL) thickness. In addition, the BCVA, GCIPL thicknesses, and SWAP findings were significantly different in glaucoma patients with temporal RNFL defects according to their colour vision deficiency, not RNFL thickness or standard automated perimetry (SAP) results.

Prognosis of patients with high-grade aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH) is only insufficiently displayed by current standard prognostic scores. This study aims to evaluate the role of pupil status for mortality prediction and provide improved prognostic models. Anonymized data of 477 aSAH patients admitted to our medical center from November 2010 to August 2018 were retrospectively analyzed. Identification of variables independently predicting in-hospital mortality was performed by multivariable logistic regression analysis. Final regression models included Hunt & Hess scale (H&H), pupil status and age or in a simplified variation only H&H and pupil status, leading to the design of novel H&H-Pupil-Age score (HHPA) and simplified H&H-Pupil score (sHHP), respectively. In an external validation cohort of 402 patients, areas under the receiver operating characteristic curves (AUROC) of HHPA (0.841) and sHHP (0.821) were significantly higher than areas of H&H (0.794; p

Background Patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) may present extraintestinal manifestations (EIMs) that affect the joints, skin, eyes, and hepatobiliary area, among others. Aims Our aim was to analyse the prevalence and characteristics of EIMs in patients with IBD and to identify the possible risk factors associated with the development of EIMs in the largest series published to date. Methods Observational, cross-sectional study including patients from the Spanish ENEIDA registry promoted by GETECCU. We retrospectively identified all cases of EIMs in the ENEIDA registry until January 2018. Results The study included 31,077 patients, 5779 of whom had at least one EIM (global prevalence 19%; 95% CI 18.2-19.0). Among the different types of EIMs, rheumatic manifestations had a prevalence of 13% (95% CI 12.9-13.7; 63% of EIMs), with a prevalence of 5% (95% CI 4.7-5.2) for mucocutaneous manifestations, 2.1% (95% CI 1.9-2.2) for ocular manifestations, and 0.7% (95% CI 0.6-0.8) for hepatobiliary manifestations. The multivariable analysis showed that the type of IBD (Crohn's disease,p < 0.001), gender (female,p < 0.001), the need for an immunomodulator (p < 0.001) or biologic drugs (p < 0.001), a previous family history of IBD (p < 0.001), and an extensive location of IBD (p < 0.001) were risk factors for the presence of EIMs. Conclusions One-fifth of patients with IBD may have associated EIMs, with rheumatic manifestations as the most frequent (> 60% of EIMs). Female patients with severe Crohn's disease represent the group with the highest risk of developing EIMs. These patients should therefore be specially monitored and referred to the corresponding specialist when suggestive symptoms appear.

Changes in immune and coagulation systems and possible viral spread through the blood–brain barrier have been described in SARS-CoV-2 infection. In this study, we evaluated the possible retinal involvement and ocular findings in severe COVID-19 pneumonia patients. A cross-sectional study was conducted on 46 patients affected by severe COVID-19 who were hospitalized in one intensive care unit (ICU) and in two infectious disease wards, including bedside eye screening, corneal sensitivity assessment and retinography. A total of 43 SARS-CoV-2-positive pneumonia patients affected with COVID-19 pneumonia were included, including 25 males and 18 females, with a median age of 70 years [IQR 59–78]. Except for one patient with unilateral posterior chorioretinitis of opportunistic origin, of whom aqueous tap was negative for SARS-CoV-2, no further retinal manifestation related to COVID-19 infection was found in our cohort. We found 3 patients (7%) with bilateral conjunctivitis in whom PCR analysis on conjunctival swabs provided negative results for SARS-CoV-2. No alterations in corneal sensitivity were found. We demonstrated the absence of retinal involvement in SARS-CoV-2 pneumonia patients. Ophthalmologic evaluation in COVID-19, particularly in patients hospitalized in an ICU setting, may be useful to reveal systemic co-infections by opportunistic pathogens.

Localised retinal nerve fibre layer defects (RNFLDs) are reported to indicate the degree of glaucomatous damage but can also be sequelae of retinal vascular insufficiency as a result of systemic vascular factors. We investigated the association between RNFLDs and cardiovascular risk factors. RNFLDs were detected in 440 (29.2%) of 1508 subjects. The presence of RNFLDs was associated with higher HbA1c (odds ratio [OR] 1.289, p p p p 1c (r = 0.128, p p p p = 0.008 in middle-aged subjects, 25.6% vs 23.2%, p = 0.040 in older subjects). In conclusion, RNFLDs are associated with SBP, eGFR, and HbA1c. Concomitant cardiovascular risk factors should be considered when evaluating patients with localised RNFLDs.

Based on biomechanical theory, lamina cribrosa (LC) displacement, the key component of progressive glaucomatous change, is presumed to be dependent on intraocular pressure (IOP) as well as tissue stiffness of LC. In the performance of the Valsalva maneuver, both IOP and cerebrospinal fluid pressure can increase. The present study investigated the age-dependent variation of LC displacement during the standardized Valsalva maneuver in healthy subjects. Sixty-three (63) eyes (age range: 20–76 years) were prospectively underwent IOP measurement and Cirrus HD-OCT optic disc scans before and during the standardized Valsalva maneuver. During the standardized Valsalva maneuver, the IOP significantly increased from 13.2 ± 2.9 mmHg to 18.6 ± 5.2 mmHg (P P = 0.009), a smaller increase of IOP during the Valsalva maneuver (P = 0.002), and greater baseline maximal LC depth (P = 0.013) were associated with more anterior displacement of the LC during the standardized Valsalva maneuver. Taken together, age as well as translaminar pressure dynamics seems to play a crucial role in LC biomechanics.

A major complication of hypertension is microvascular damage and capillary rarefaction is a known complication of hypertensive end-organ damage which confers a higher risk of systemic disease such as stroke and cardiovascular events. Our aim was to study the effect of hypertension on the retinal microvasculature using non-invasive optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA). We performed a case-control study of 94 eyes of 94 participants with systemic hypertension and 46 normal control eyes from the Singapore Chinese Eye Study using a standardized protocol to collect data on past medical history of hypertension, including the number and type of hypertensive medications and assessed mean arterial pressure. Retinal vascular parameters were measured in all eyes using OCTA. In the multivariate analysis adjusting for confounders, compared to controls, eyes of hypertensive patients showed a decrease in the macular vessel density at the level of the superficial [OR 0.02; 95% CI, 0 to 0.64; P 0.027] and deep venous plexuses [OR 0.03; 95% CI, 0 to 0.41; P 0.009] and an increase in the deep foveal avascular zone. This shows that hypertension is associated with reduced retinal vessel density and an increased foveal avascular zone, especially in the deep venous plexus, as seen on OCTA and there is a potential role in using OCTA as a clinical tool to monitor hypertensive damage and identifying at risk patients

The quality of the scan image is important in peripapillary circulation analysis using optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA). We aimed to investigate the effects of signal strength (SS) on the peripapillary microvascular density acquired from OCTA. A total of 259 eyes from 259 young healthy subjects were included. Peripapillary OCTA images using 3 × 3 mm angiography scan were acquired from all participants. Subjects were divided into four groups according to the SS: SS 7, SS 8, SS 9, and SS 10. Vessel density (VD) and perfusion density (PD) of the superficial capillary plexus were calculated. VD and PD were compared among the four groups, and linear regression analyses were performed to identify and evaluate the clinical factors associated with average VD. As the SS increased from 7 to 10, the average VD and PD increased; these increases were statistically significant (all, p

The ability to monitor progression of retinal vascular diseases like diabetic retinopathy in small animal models is often complicated by their failure to develop the end-stage complications which characterize the human phenotypes in disease. Interestingly, as micro-vascular dysfunction typically precedes the onset of retinal vascular and even some neurodegenerative diseases, the ability to visualize and quantify hemodynamic changes (e.g. decreased flow or occlusion) in retinal vessels may serve as a useful diagnostic indicator of disease progression and as a therapeutic outcome measure in response to treatment. Nevertheless, the ability to precisely and accurately quantify retinal hemodynamics remains an unmet challenge in ophthalmic research. Herein we demonstrate the ability to modify a commercial fundus camera into a low-cost laser speckle contrast imaging (LSCI) system for contrast-free and non-invasive quantification of relative changes to retinal hemodynamics over a wide field-of-view in a rodent model.

The purpose of the study is to propose choroidal spatial distribution indexes (CSDIs) to represent choroidal topographic features, establish a normative database for CSDIs, and identify factors associated with CSDIs in healthy eyes. Retrospective data analysis of 363 healthy eyes from a single-center, prospective, cross-sectional, non-interventional study. Subjects were evaluated using spectral domain OCT with enhanced depth imaging. Choroidal volume and average thickness were measured with OCT in nine macular subfields defined by the Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study. Vertical CSDI was defined as the natural logarithm of superior choroidal volume divided by inferior choroidal volume. Horizontal CSDI was defined as the natural logarithm of temporal choroidal volume divided by nasal choroidal volume. The overall distributions of vertical and horizontal CSDIs was analyzed. Linear regression analyses were used to identify ocular and systemic factors associated with vertical and horizontal CSDIs. The average vertical CSDI was 0.062 ± 0.206, and average horizontal CSDI was 0.138 ± 0.226. Both vertical and horizontal CSDIs followed normal distribution. Increasing age was significantly associated with greater vertical CSDI (choroidal volume distribution tilted toward the superior region), and longer axial length and thinner subfoveal choroidal thickness were significantly associated with greater horizontal CSDI (choroidal volume distribution tilted toward the temporal region).

Central serous chorioretinopathy (CSC) usually resolves spontaneously; however, in some patients, it can be chronic and visual impairment remains even after resolution of the serous retinal detachment. The impaired photoreceptor cells often present with disrupted ellipsoid zone (EZ) on optical coherence tomography (OCT). In this study, the integrity of EZ was quantified by calculating the index of residual EZ, identified on binarized OCT images from 25 eyes of 23 patients with resolved CSC. To estimate residual EZ, integrity of residual EZ with the central horizontal line on the fovea (rEZc) and average integrity of residual EZ within 3 × 3-mm macular area (rEZave) were investigated. The interrater reliability of the method was assessed using the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC). The relationship between LogMAR VA and age, central retinal thickness, central choroidal thickness, rEZc, and rEZave were evaluated using the linear mixed model. Retinal sensitivity was measured with the MP-3 microperimeter and similar analyses were iterated for mean retinal sensitivity (MS). ICC values were 0.938 with rEZc and 0.979 with rEZave. rEZc was significantly related to LogMAR VA (p = 0.039). rEZave was significantly related to MS (p

The choroidal vascularity index (CVI) has been shown to be sensitive in detecting changes in choroidal angioarchitecture in a range of ocular diseases. However, changes in CVI in association with normal physiological aging and spatial distribution remains to be determined. This is significant as a range of ocular conditions with choroidal degeneration are associated with aging. In this study, we assessed CVI for 106 healthy eyes from 106 individuals (range 21–78 years old, ~ 20 individuals/decade) at 15 eccentricities across the macula (0, 230 µm, 460 µm, 690 µm, 1,150 µm, 1,380 µm and 2,760 µm from the fovea in the superior and inferior direction). Total choroidal area, luminal area and stromal area were all significantly decreased with age (p 2 = 0.55–0.80) and suggested a decrease in CVI from the ages of 33–43 years at a rate of 0.7–2.7% per decade. CVI was lower in the inferior versus superior retina at matching eccentricities and a significant difference in age-related decline of CVI with eccentricity only occurred in inferior locations. These findings suggest choroidal angioarchitecture declines from the 4th decade of life with potential eccentricity differences in the inferior and superior retina. Considering the number of age-related diseases with choroidal dysfunction, these results provide foundational knowledge to understand choroidal involvement in these diseases.