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Background and Objective: To better understand the level of agreement among retina specialists on the role of inflammation in diabetic retinopathy (DR) and diabetic macular edema (DME), and the use of 0.19-mg fluocinolone acetonide (FAc) implant in DME treatment, a consensus survey was drafted and disseminated to retina specialists across the United States. Materials and Methods: Using the modified Delphi method, a list of 12 consensus statements were generated by the coauthors based on short-answer responses to an initial survey. In total, 56 retina specialists completed the entire consensus survey. Except for two multiple-choice questions, there were 10 consensus statements that used a modified Likert scale to indicate their level of agreement to the statement: Agree = 3, Mostly Agree = 2, Mostly Disagree = 1, Disagree = 0. Percentage agreement and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated, and a consensus threshold was set at > 80% agreement for each statement. Results: Seven of 10 consensus statements using the modified Likert scale reached consensus, including those on the role of inflammation in pathophysiology of DR/DME, injection burden and patient adherence, and efficacy and safety of the FAc implant. The remaining three statements displayed high agreement with average scores > 80%, but the 95% CIs were below threshold. These included the impact of the FAc implant on DR progression, FAc as baseline therapy for DME, and the effectiveness of the steroid challenge to mitigate intraocular pressure risk after FAc use. Two multiple-choice questions focused on clinical situations in which corticosteroids would be used as baseline therapy for DME (pseudophakic eye [73%], recent stroke/myocardial infarction [66%], and pregnancy/breastfeeding [66%]) and which delivery route satisfies the steroid challenge for the FAc implant (intravitreal [100%], sub-tenon/periocular [73%], and topical [57%]). Conclusions: Physicians highly agreed on the role of inflammation in pathophysiology of DR/DME, injection burden and patient adherence, and efficacy and safety of the FAc implant. However, full consensus was not found on the impact of the FAc implant on DR progression, FAc as baseline therapy for DME, and the effectiveness of the steroid challenge to mitigate intraocular pressure risk after FAc use. [ Ophthalmic Surg Lasers Imaging Retina. 2023;54(3):166–173.]

Purpose To evaluate the real-world utility of the ForeseeHome monitoring device (Notal Vision, Ltd., Tel Aviv, Israel) for the detection of conversion from intermediate age-related macular degeneration (iAMD) to neovascular AMD (nAMD) and to compare with results published by the Home Monitoring of the Eye (HOME) study. Design Retrospective analysis of electronic health records. Participants Eyes prescribed use of the ForeseeHome device across 4 retinal practices in the United States. Methods Usage information was collected from the online ForeseeHome portal for all eyes prescribed the device. For a predetermined subset of eyes, additional clinical information was collected through chart review and analyzed for clinical utility. Main Outcome Measures Frequency and length of use, number of eyes that used the device, number of eyes that established a baseline measurement, number of eyes that converted to nAMD, and number of alerts. Results Seven hundred seventy-five eyes of 448 patients were prescribed use of the ForeseeHome device. Six hundred forty-nine eyes (83.7%) used the device at least once; among this population, 478 (73.7%) established a baseline measurement. Patients who established a baseline measurement were significantly younger than those who did not (P Conclusions Compared with the prospective HOME study, the utility of the ForeseeHome device in the current analysis of clinical practice application was limited. A meaningful proportion of eyes never used the device or could not establish a baseline measurement. Overall frequency of use was low, and continuous use of the device decreased over time. A need exists for improvement in home monitoring technology for eyes with iAMD at risk of conversion to nAMD.

BackgroundThe 0.2 µg/day fluocinolone acetonide (FAc) implant delivers continuous, low-dose, intravitreal corticosteroid for the treatment of diabetic macular oedema (DMO). This ongoing, 3-year, observational clinical trial provides long-term, ‘real-world’ safety results for the FAc implant in DMO.MethodsThis 24-month interim analysis of a prospective, observational study investigated patients with DMO receiving the commercially available intravitreal 0.2 µg/day FAc implant. The primary outcome was incidence of intraocular pressure (IOP)-lowering procedures. Other IOP-related signals and their relationship to previous corticosteroid exposure, best-corrected visual acuity, central subfield thickness (CST), ocular adverse events and frequency of other treatments were also measured.ResultsData were collected from 95 previously steroid-challenged patients (115 study eyes) for up to 36 months pre-FAc and 24 months post-FAc implant. Mean IOP for the overall population remained stable post-FAc compared with pre-FAc implant. IOP-related procedures remained infrequent (two IOP-lowering surgeries pre-FAc; two trabeculoplasties and four IOP-lowering surgeries post-FAc). Mean visual acuity was stable post-FAc (mean improvement of 1–3 letters) and fewer DMO treatments were required per year following FAc implant. Mean CST was significantly reduced at 24 months post-FAc implant (pConclusionFew IOP-related procedures were reported during the 24 months post-FAc implant. Positive efficacy outcomes were noted after treatment, with stabilisation of vision and reduction in inflammation, demonstrated by CST. The FAc implant has a favourable benefit–risk profile in the management of DMO, especially when administered after a prior steroid challenge.Trial registration numberNCT02424019.

ObjectiveTo evaluate the efficacy of an anterior chamber intracameral dexamethasone (ICD) drug-delivery suspension (Dexycu; EyePoint Pharmaceuticals, Watertown, Massachusetts, USA) providing sustained release of medication following a single application for the treatment of postoperative inflammation in patients undergoing vitreoretinal surgery compared to daily postoperative treatment with topical corticosteroids for up to 1 month.Methods and analysisRetrospective case-matched comparison of patients undergoing initial vitreoretinal surgery by a single surgeon. Patients had a preoperative best-corrected visual acuity of 20/20 to light perception and a variety of vitreoretinal pathologies. 27 eyes of 27 patients received ICD at the time of surgery and were compared with 27 eyes of 27 patients who received daily postoperative corticosteroid eye drops over 4 weeks. The primary efficacy outcome was anterior chamber cell (ACC) clearing (0 cells) in the study eye at postoperative day (POD) 7. Ocular adverse events were assessed through POD 90.ResultsACC clearing at POD 7 was achieved in 67% of eyes in the ICD treatment group and 37% of eyes in the control group treated with topical corticosteroids (p=0.029). No serious ocular adverse events were noted up to POD 90 in either group.ConclusionThe ICD drug-delivery suspension placed in the anterior chamber after vitreoretinal surgery was more effective than topical corticosteroids in treating inflammation occurring 1 week following vitreoretinal surgery and thus may be an alternative to daily corticosteroid drop installation in this patient population.

Purpose To report an association of congenital optic nerve anomalies with peripheral retina nonperfusion and to describe the clinical manifestations and treatment. Design Retrospective, observational case series. Participants Fifteen patients with congenital optic nerve anomalies referred for pediatric retina consultation were studied. Sixteen eyes of 9 patients with optic nerve hypoplasia and 8 eyes of 6 patients with other congenital optic nerve anomalies, including optic nerve coloboma, morning glory disc, and peripapillary staphyloma, were included. Methods All patients underwent examinations under anesthesia. Wide-angle retina photographs and fluorescein angiograms were reviewed. The severity of nonperfusion was graded. The presence of fibrovascular proliferation (FP), vitreous hemorrhage (VH), and tractional retinal detachment (TRD) were documented. Anatomic outcome after treatment was recorded. Main Outcome Measures Severity of nonperfusion, occurrence of secondary complications, and the anatomic outcome of patients who underwent laser treatment. Results In patients with optic nerve hypoplasia, 12 of 16 eyes (75%) had severe peripheral nonperfusion, 12 of 16 eyes (75%) had FP, 3 of 16 eyes (19%) had VH, and 10 of 16 eyes (63%) had TRD. Six of these eyes with severe nonperfusion received laser photocoagulation to the nonperfused retina; laser-treated retinas remained attached in all 6 eyes. In patients with the other optic nerve anomalies, 7 of 8 eyes (88%) had mild to moderate nonperfusion, 2 of 8 eyes (25%) had FP, 1 of 8 eyes (12%) had VH, and 2 of 8 eyes (25%) had TRD. Six of 9 patients (67%) with optic nerve hypoplasia and 1 of 6 patients (17%) with other anomalies had a coexisting congenital brain disease. Conclusions Congenital optic nerve anomalies may be associated with peripheral retina nonperfusion and the secondary complications of FP, VH, and TRD. In this select group of patients, the nonperfusion associated with optic nerve hypoplasia seemed to be more severe and associated more frequently with secondary complications. Peripheral retina examination in eyes with optic nerve anomalies may identify nonperfusion or FP. Laser treatment of the avascular retina may have helped prevent complications from proliferative retinopathy in eyes clinically observed to have progressed or considered at risk for progression to proliferative retinopathy. Financial Disclosure(s) The author(s) have no proprietary or commercial interest in any materials discussed in this article.

PURPOSE To report two cases of central macular sparing of subhyaloid hemorrhages secondary to vitreomacular adhesion documented by spectral-domain ocular coherence tomography findings. METHODS Review of two patients with subhyaloid hemorrhage secondary to proliferative diabetic retinopathy and a macroaneurysm were performed. Treatment was not performed in either patient for management of the hemorrhage, but the patient with proliferative diabetic retinopathy was treated with panretinal photocoagulation for peripheral neovascularization. Foveal sparing of the hemorrhage was documented clinically and on spectral-domain ocular coherence tomography. RESULTS In Case 1, the proliferative diabetic retinopathy was stabilized with 2 rounds of panretinal photocoagulation treatment, and the visual acuity improved to 20/20 in the affected left eye after 8 months of observation. In Case 2, the visual acuity returned to baseline at 20/60 after 4 months of observation. CONCLUSION Macular involvement of subhyaloid hemorrhages may cause visual impairment, but vitreomacular adhesion may block the hemorrhage from obstructing the fovea.

Purpose To describe clinical characteristics, including visual acuity (VA), genetic analysis, and management of complications, over a 30-year period in an African American family with macular dystrophy of the retina, locus 1 (MCDR1), commonly referred to as "North Carolina macular dystrophy." Design Observational, cohort study. Participants Twelve family members from a 4-generation pedigree. Methods A total of 12 African American patients in an affected family were examined. Clinical examination was documented during 2 different follow-up periods from 1979 to 1982 in 10 patients and from 2005 to 2009 in 11 patients. Genetic analysis was performed in 4 affected members during this time. Foveal microperimetry, fundus autofluorescence, and spectral domain optical coherence tomography (OCT) data were also obtained. Main Outcome Measures Change in VA of 8 members followed over 3 decades and clinical data and management of complications for all patients. Results Nine of 11 living family members had classic findings ranging from disease grade 2 (confluent foveal drusen, 8 eyes) to grade 3 (central coloboma-like lesion, 10 eyes). Two members developed choroidal neovascularization (CNV) requiring laser ablation, and 1 member developed non-clearing vitreous hemorrhage and underwent 25-gauge pars plana vitrectomy. Another family member developed exotropia and amblyopia in 1 eye by age 7 years. Those without CNV had no significant change in VA over 30 years. Linkage studies of 4 affected family members showed the same short tandem repeats on markers spanning D6S249 and D6S283 within the MCDR1 region of chromosome 6q16. Microperimetry analysis of an affected member with grade 3 MCDR1 revealed absent function in the region of the central coloboma-like lesions, corresponding to photoreceptor absence on OCT, although there were preserved foveal function and intact photoreceptors adjacent to the lesion. Conclusions This African American family shares similar clinical findings as other MCDR1 pedigrees and the same haplotype as the originally described family from North Carolina. Clinical characteristics, including retinal features and stable VA in the absence of amblyopia and CNV, are similar to those in other reports. Eccentric viewing around impaired photoreceptors may explain good VA in patients with clinically severe-appearing macular lesions. Sequencing of the MCDR1 interval may help identify a protein responsible for early macular development. Financial Disclosure(s) Proprietary or commercial disclosure may be found after the references.

Objective To report the first case of prophylactic laser treatment to prevent blindness in a patient who was diagnosed with Norrie's disease by genetic testing with amniocentesis. Design Case report. Participants A 2-year-old white boy with Norrie's disease. Methods A 37-week gestational age male with a family history of Norrie's disease was born via Cesarean section after the mother had undergone prenatal amniocentesis fetal-genetic testing at 23 weeks of gestation. A C520T (nonsense) mutation was found in the Norrie's disease gene. After examination under anesthesia confirmed the diagnosis on the first day of life, laser photocoagulation was applied to the avascular retina bilaterally. The patient was followed closely by ophthalmology, pediatrics, and occupational therapy departments. Main Outcome Measures Functional outcome, as documented by Teller visual acuity and formal occupational therapy testing, and anatomic outcome, as documented by Retcam photography and fluorescein angiography. Results Complete regression of extraretinal fibrovascular proliferation was observed 1 month after laser treatment. No retinal detachment had occurred to date at 24 months. Teller visual acuity at 23 months of life was 20/100 in both eyes. The patient's vision and developmental milestones were age appropriate. Conclusions Pre-term genetic diagnosis with immediate laser treatment after birth may preserve vision in individuals affected with Norrie's disease. Financial Disclosure(s) The author(s) have no proprietary or commercial interest in any materials discussed in this article.

To determine the cumulative incidence and annual incidence of intraocular hemorrhage (subretinal hemorrhage or vitreous hemorrhage) in patients with neovascular age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and association with daily antiplatelet or anticoagulant (AP/AC) medication usage (aspirin, clopidogrel, and warfarin), age, gender, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, or bilateral neovascular AMD.Retrospective cross-sectional study in a tertiary university setting. Data on 195 eyes of 195 patients without previous intraocular hemorrhage examined over 73 months were reviewed.Ninety-six of 195 patients (49.2%) were taking daily AP/ACs. Of patients taking daily AP/AC agents, 63.5% had hemorrhage compared with 29.2% of patients not taking (odds ratio = 4.21; 95% confidence interval = 1.42-8.46; P0.001). The overall annual incidence of intraocular hemorrhage was 0.14% per year. Among patients taking daily AP/AC, the cumulative incidence (61 of 96, 63.5%) and annual incidence (0.10%) of concurrent intraocular hemorrhage were significantly greater compared with patients not taking them (29 of 99, 29.2% and 0.04%, respectively; P0.0001). Fourteen of 18 patients (77%) taking more than 1 daily AP/AC had occurrence of intraocular hemorrhage. Antiplatelet or anticoagulant usage was an independent risk factor for the development of intraocular hemorrhage. The use of any agent resulted in a significantly increased risk of developing intraocular hemorrhage. Additionally, presence of bilateral neovascular AMD was a significant association in those taking daily AP/ACs, whereas age was a significant association in those not taking daily AP/AC agents.All three daily AP/AC types were significantly associated with an increased risk of the development intraocular hemorrhage in patients with neovascular AMD, whereas gender, hypertension, and diabetes were not. Age was not significantly associated with hemorrhage in patients taking daily AP/AC agents, whereas the presence of bilateral neovascular AMD was significantly associated with hemorrhage. These findings indicate that the AP/AC use may predispose patients with neovascular AMD to intraocular hemorrhage more so than age and duration of disease alone. While the risk that discontinuing these medicines would pose to the patients' health may be too great to justify, ensuring that an appropriate medication dosage is maintained should be a priority within this patient population.

Diabetic macular edema (DME), cystoid macular edema (CME), age-related macular degeneration (AMD), retinal vascular occlusion (RVO) and uveitis are responsible for severe visual impairment worldwide. In some patients with these conditions, treatment with intraocular corticosteroids may be beneficial. Although off-label use of these agents has occurred for many years, novel agents including preservative-free and sustained-release intravitreal implants are currently being studied in clinical trials (CTs).To review the use of intraocular corticosteroids.Literature review.Used alone, intravitreal corticosteroids may benefit disorders such as DME, RVO and uveitis compared with standard therapy or observation. Patients with AMD may benefit more from combination treatment with photodynamic therapy, intravitreal corticosteroid and intravitreal anti-VEGF injections. Intraoperative use of these agents may assist in visualization and manipulation of fine retinal structures. Sustained-release intraocular implants have been approved for severe posterior uveitis, and have shown benefits in ongoing CTs.Although intraocular corticosteroid injections have a limited duration of action requiring frequent re-treatment, and significant side effects including cataract and glaucoma development, intraocular injections may be of benefit in certain ocular disorders. Corticosteroid implants are emerging as potential treatments for macular edema due to uveitis, DME or RVO.

To describe the relationship between pseudophakic cystoid macular edema (CME) progression and retinal structural changes observed by spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) and fluorescein angiography. Retrospective, consecutive, longitudinal imaging analysis of patients with acute pseudophakic cystoid macular edema. Two observers at two study centers evaluated all images and categorized the macular structural features based on the retinal layer involved with cystic changes and/or subretinal fluid. A time series of the structural pattern and visual acuity was constructed for 1-month intervals over a 6-month study period. Thirty nine patients presented with CME. The mean time since cataract extraction was 48 ±38 days (range 5–71). CME included inner nuclear layer (INL) cystic changes, outer plexiform layer (OPL) cystic changes, and subretinal fluid. Isolated INL changes were observed in four phakic fellow eyes. Isolated OPL morphology was not observed, and additional inner layers remained uninvolved. Resolution occurred rapidly following administration of periocular glucocorticoids, and typically demonstrated a reverse structural pattern or delayed subretinal fluid resolution. Isolated subretinal fluid or a combined INL and subretinal fluid structure indicated CME resolution. Acute and recurrent pseudophakic CME involves a directional progression of the retinal layer involved with cystic changes and a clinical course. CME begins with INL cystic changes, progresses to combined INL and OPL morphology, and may continue to involve subretinal fluid. The inner nuclear layer is the most frequently involved layer, and isolated INL cysts may occur in phakic fellow eyes. A three-layer structure, the presence of OPL morphology, or isolated INL early in the postoperative period indicates disease activity.

PURPOSE The purpose of this study is to report a case of acute zonal occult outer retinopathy and to describe a novel method of imaging photoreceptor damage using Cirrus spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT; Cirrus, Carl Zeiss Meditec, Dublin, CA) en face visualization. Our examination also included color fundus photographs, Goldmann visual field, fluorescein and indocyanine green angiography, fundus autofluo-rescence, and Ganzfeld electroretinography. METHODS This is a case report of a single patient. RESULTS Despite 20/20 visual acuity in both of our patient's eyes, Goldmann visual field showed a unilateral C-shaped scotoma centered on the left optic nerve, sparing the fovea. Fundus and angiographic findings showed nonspecific pigmentary changes and hyperfluo-rescent foci along the superior and inferior vascular arcades. The electroretinography showed decreased scotopic amplitudes, with impaired 30-Hz flicker response, and Cirrus SD-OCT showed loss of the inner segment/outer segment photoreceptor junction. Cirrus SD-OCT Advanced Visualization three-dimensional reconstruction with en face visualization delineated an area of inner segment/outer segment attenuation corresponding to the Goldmann visual field scotoma. The patient's condition was unchanged at 5 months follow-up. CONCLUSION In addition to classic diagnostic modalities, photoreceptor attenuation observed with Cirrus SD-OCT can contribute to the diagnosis of acute zonal occult outer retinopathy and may help elucidate the etiology of this puzzling condition.

Purpose: To describe a case of sarcoidosis manifesting as a unilateral posterior uveitis and retinal arteritis.Design: Interventional case report.Methods: Clinical examination, fluorescein angiography, radiological imaging, and laboratory testing revealed evidence of a primary arteritis associated with sarcoidosis.Results: A 39-year-old white male presented with unilateral decreased vision, disc edema, exudative maculopathy, and retinal arteritis. Lab work and imaging were consistent with sarcoidosis. The patient responded to a 2-month course of oral prednisone and a sub-Tenon’s triamcinolone injection.Conclusions: Sarcoidosis should be considered in the differential diagnosis of uveitis associated with a primary retinal arteritis.

Purpose To report a case of daily wear soft contact lens-associated keratitis caused by Alcaligenes xylosoxidans in a portable toilet sanitation worker. Methods A previously healthy 30-year-old man presented with bilateral decreased vision, redness, and irritation, beginning 1 week earlier. The patient had been treated with moxifloxocin for 1 week before presentation without improvement. Bacterial staining cultures were performed from corneal scrapings, contact lenses, contact lens case, and solution. Preliminary culture results and antibiotic sensitivities were generated using an automated identification system. Positive results from the contact lens, case, and solution were confirmed using polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Results The contact lenses, contact lens case, and solution cultures revealed heavy growth of A. xylosoxidans. These findings were confirmed by PCR. The organism was found to be resistant to aminoglycosides, fluoroquinolones, and cephalosporins. The patient was started on polymyxin B or trimethoprim. After 21 days of treatment, the infection completely resolved with a final spectacle-corrected visual acuity of 20/25. Conclusions To our knowledge, this is the first case report of a corneal infection caused by A. xylosoxidans, which was isolated and identified from a contact lens, case, and solution using culture and PCR technique as well the first description of ocular surface disease resolution after the treatment with topical polymyxin B or trimethoprim. A. xylosoxidans should be considered as uncommon but potential pathogen capable of infectious spread through contaminated contact lens solution.

Severe postoperative cystoid macular edema associated with posterior uveitis, commonly referred to as Irvine-Gass syndrome, may occur after intraocular surgery and result in visual loss. There is little consensus on the efficacy of various topical, peribulbar, retrobulbar, or intravitreal therapeutic options compared to natural history, but patients with this condition are often referred to retinal specialists for treatment consultation. Whether you practice in a multispecialty or retina-only practice, postoperative “surprises” including visual acuity that does not meet patient expectations or decreased vision several weeks or months after anterior segment surgery often result in a retinal consultation to evaluate for macular pathology. With increasing numbers of patients paying out-of-pocket expenses for premium IOLs, intraoperative aberrometry and laser-assisted cataract surgery, patient expectations are at an all-time high, and as a retinal consultant, you may influence the patient’s final satisfaction level with the referring ophthalmologist. When examination and testing reveal macular edema, the treating physician must recognize the etiology of the edema and also understand and be able to explain all possible treatment options. In my practice, all patients referred from my anterior segment colleagues for “blurred vision” shortly after surgery require a careful history and review of preoperative exam findings. Did the patient have preoperative optical coherence tomography (OCT) testing? If, for example, there is a thick epiretinal membrane discovered after surgery, patients will often ask, “Why wasn’t this discovered before surgery?” In this case, it is important to defend your referral sources and explain that visualization of the retinal pathology was limited prior to cataract surgery. A brunescent Controversies in the management of Irvine-Gass syndrome

Diabetic macular edema (DME), cystoid macular edema (CME), age-related macular degeneration (AMD), retinal vascular occlusion (RVO) and uveitis are responsible for severe visual impairment worldwide. In some patients with these conditions, treatment with intraocular corticosteroids may be beneficial. Although off-label use of these agents has occurred for many years, novel agents including preservative-free and sustained-release intravitreal implants are currently being studied in clinical trials (CTs).This paper reviews the use of CTs for vitreoretinal (VR) diseases including choroidal neovascularization, CME, DME, RVO and posterior uveitis. It also discusses the use of corticosteroids for treating VR disease, including dexamethasone, fluocinolone acetonide, intravitreal implants and triamcinolone acetonide.Used alone, intravitreal corticosteroids may benefit disorders such as DME, RVO and uveitis compared with standard therapy. Cases of exudative AMD non-responsive to standard treatment may benefit from combination therapy, including usage of intravitreal corticosteroid injections. Intraoperative use of these agents may aid visualization of retinal structures. Sustained-release intraocular implants have been approved for posterior uveitis and RVO associated with macular edema. In spite of this, most intraocular corticosteroids have a limited duration of action along with significant side effects, including cataract and glaucoma. Currently, intravitreal corticosteroid usage for DME is considered off-label.

Optical coherence tomography (OCT) was introduced in 1991 as a noninvasive, diagnostic ophthalmic imaging technique1 and made the routine clinical measurement of retinal thickness possible. Since 2004, higher resolution spectral-domain (SD) OCT has entered clinical practice with reported resolutions of 1 µm to 5 µm and improved visualization of retinal morphology and pathology.2,3 One aspect of SD OCT that is greatly improved compared with its predecessor, time-domain OCT, is the ability to clearly differentiate outer retinal layers. This has led to novel findings, not observable on clinical examination, including the description of several distinct hyperreflective layers in the outer retina corresponding to Verhoeff outer limiting membrane, the photoreceptor inner segment/outer segment (IS/OS) junction, and the inner and outer borders of the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE).4–7 Furthermore, data from several recent OCT studies have indicated that the integrity of the IS/OS is important for visual function and may be a predictor of visual acuity in eyes with many different retinal pathologies including diabetic macular edema (DME), epiretinal membrane, macular holes, and central or branch retinal vein occlusion (RVO).8–15 In this manner, SD OCT technology has provided improved correlation of outer retinal structural imaging and visual function. In a recent study, images acquired with Cirrus SD OCT (Carl Zeiss Meditec, Dublin, CA) were used to correlate quantifiable SD OCT findings, including macular thickness and outer photoreceptor length, to visual acuity in eyes with diabetic DME. The authors reported that there was a significantly greater correlation coefficient for outer photoreceptor length (range of Pearson correlation, r = −0.61 to −0.81) than with macular thickness (r = 0.13–0.22) in the entire 6 × 6-mm macular grid, central 1-mm subfield, and central 330-µm foveal point.16 Another intriguing derivation of SD OCT technology is en face visualization (also called a transverse-, coronal-, or C-scan) of specific layers of the retina, including the IS/OS. This allows the clinician or patient to view the whole area, or specific retinal layer length and width, from “a bird’s eye view” rather than the length and depth observed with traditional OCT cross sections. Although this modality is not yet available on all the commercially produced SD OCT systems, one group determined that en face OCT may help provide prognostic indicators for visual acuity based on pre- and postoperative analysis of macular hole area measurement using a specific software program. 7 Another report, written by a coauthor of this study (D.F.K.), described novel en face outer retinal findings in a patient with acute zonal occult outer retinopathy using the advanced visualization three-dimensional (3D) analysis function of Cirrus SD OCT. In this case, IS/OS obliteration, observed with en face SD OCT scan of the outer retinal layers, precisely correlated with clinical observations, fundus autofluorescence, Goldmann visual field, and the IS/OS junction observable on SD OCT cross-sectional scans. Interestingly, the central 5° to 10° of macula was spared and the patient’s visual acuity remained 20/20. Based on this background and our clinical experience with en face OCT imaging, we developed the hypothesis that there may be a significant correlation between en face OCT visualization of the outer retina, which includes the IS/OS, and visual acuity in both healthy patients and those with retinal pathology. Therefore, in this study, we sought to further describe en face visualization of the outer retina using Cirrus SD OCT and determine whether there was any correlation between the central 1-mm and 400-µm outer retinal areas and visual acuity. In addition, we explored how these results compared with routine measurements provided by Cirrus SD OCT software including central subfield thickness (CST), macular volume (MV), and average macular thickness (AMT).

Purpose To provide a review of commercially available spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD OCT) systems in clinical ophthalmology. Design Perspective. Methods Review of current manufacturer information, selected articles from the literature, and the authors' clinical experience. Results Because the premise of SD OCT technology is the nonproprietary mathematical formula of Fourier transformation, 9 different SD OCT systems currently are or soon will be commercially available. Also demonstrated are Cirrus en face C-scan visualization of photoreceptor attenuation resulting from acute zonal occult outer retinopathy and Spectral OCT/scanning laser ophthalmoscopy microperimetric analysis of a macular caldera lesion resulting from North Carolina macular dystrophy. Conclusions Advances in high-resolution imaging of the anterior and posterior segment have revealed new in vivo details of anatomic, physiologic, and pathologic data for the practice of ophthalmology. Compared with time-domain OCT, SD OCT tends to derive increased retinal thickness and decreased nerve fiber layer thickness measurements. This is likely because of increased depth of resolution and greater volume of data acquired with each scan. Interdevice comparison is not practical because of differences in individual segment boundary algorithms. Improvements in photoreceptor inner segment–outer segment layer visualization should aid our understanding of visual dysfunction in a variety of retinal pathologic features. As the technology develops, SD OCT will continue to provide new insights about ocular structure and disease.

Purpose: To report visual and anatomic outcomes of chronic macular hole surgery, with analysis of pre-operative OCT-based hole size and post-operative closure type. Settings and Design: An IRB-approved, retrospective case series of 26 eyes of 24 patients who underwent surgery for stage 3 or 4 idiopathic chronic macular holes at a tertiary care referral center. Statistical Analysis: Student′s t-test. Results: Nineteen of 26 eyes (73%) had visual improvement after surgery on most recent exam. Twenty-one of 26 eyes (81%) achieved anatomic closure; 16 of 26 eyes (62%) achieved type 1, and five of 26 eyes (19%) achieved type 2 closure. Post-operative LogMAR VA for type 1 closure holes (0.49) was significantly greater than for type 2 closure and open holes (1.26, P < 0.003 and 1.10, P < 0.005, respectively), despite similar pre-operative VA (P = 0.51 and 0.68, respectively). Mean pre-operative hole diameter for eyes with type 1 closure, type 2 closure, and holes that remained open were 554, 929, and 1205 microns, respectively. Mean pre-operative hole diameter was significantly larger in eyes that remained open as compared to eyes with type 1 closure (P = 0.015). Conclusion: Vitrectomy to repair chronic macular holes can improve vision and achieve long-term closure. Holes of greater than 3.4 years duration were associated with a greater incidence of remaining open and type 2 closure. Larger holes (mean diameter of 1205 microns) were more likely to remain open after repair.

Purpose To review the effect of green diode laser ablation therapy on retinal structure and functional outcome in patients with advanced Coats disease. Design Retrospective, interventional case series. Methods Fourteen eyes of 13 patients with Coats disease were included in this study. Medical records, Retcam photographs (Clarity Medical Systems, Pleasanton, CA), and fluorescein angiograms were reviewed. All patients initially were treated with green diode laser (532 nm) ablation therapy to areas of the retinal telangiectasis associated with exudation. Main outcome measures included visual acuity, treatment outcome defined as complete resolution of telangiectatic lesions or exudative detachment, and macular status at the end of follow-up. Results Before treatment, 1 eye was at stage 2 (telangiectasis and exudation), 12 eyes were at stage 3 (exudative retinal detachment), and 1 eye was at stage 4 (total retinal detachment with glaucoma). Five eyes had highly detached retina of more than 4 mm. Median age at diagnosis was 51 months (range, 0.5 to 153 months). Median follow-up was 39.5 months (range, 15 to 70 months). Median number of green diode laser photocoagulation treatments was 2 (range, 1 to 5). After laser photocoagulation, 13 (93%) of 14 eyes had no active exudation. Functionally, 4 (29%) of 14 eyes had 20/50 or better visual acuity, 3 (21%) of 14 eyes had 20/60 to 20/200 visual acuity, 5 (36%) of 14 eyes had 20/400 to light perception visual acuity, and 2 (14%) of 14 eyes had no light perception visual acuity. No eye was phthisical or enucleated. Conclusions Green diode laser therapy can be an effective treatment for advanced Coats disease, even in the presence of a moderate to severely elevated retinal detachment.

To compare Cirrus Fourier-domain optical coherence tomography (OCT) with Stratus time-domain OCT for imaging retinal diseases and quantifying retinal thickness (RT) of all nine OCT zones, central macular thickness, and average macular thickness in eyes with and without macular edema.Prospective comparison between two OCT systems.RT measurements were performed in 120 eyes of 60 patients suspected of having increased retina thickness using both Stratus and Cirrus OCT on the same day. Twenty-one eyes had both 512 x 128 and 200 x 200 Cirrus cube scans done.Data from 101 eyes (53 patients) were analyzed; 46 eyes (45.5%) had macular edema on clinical examination (Group 1), whereas 55 eyes (54.4%) had no clinical evidence of macular edema (Group 2). There was modest correlation between all thickness measurements in 909 zones and each group (range of Pearson correlation, 0.51 to 0.89) and average value was significantly greater when measured with Cirrus OCT for all eyes (mean difference, 43.2 microm; P.0001). There were few measurement differences between different resolution Cirrus cube scans.Cirrus OCT measures RT approximately 43 microm greater than Stratus OCT, which is likely attributable to Cirrus OCT detection of the outer band of the retinal pigment epithelium vs Stratus OCT detection of the inner/outer segment photoreceptor junction. All zones showed a wide degree of variability in correlation. Both Cirrus cube scans provide similar data. Future studies comparing these systems might consider utilizing average macular thickness values, which reflect macular volume and may provide more consistent measurements.

The development of new, abnormal and leaky blood vessels, termed choroidal neovascularization, causes loss of vision and quality of life as a result of many ocular diseases. A current therapy for a leading cause of irreversible blindness in older people in the United States, age-related macular degeneration, is intravitreal injection of ranibizumab. However, ranibizumab has also been used off-label to successfully treat a number of other ocular diseases causing significant ocular morbidity, including retinal vascular occlusion and diabetic macular edema. Despite its efficacy, the association of detectable serum levels of ranibizumab and arterial thromboembolic events in major follow-up studies since its approval by the United States Food and Drug Administration as well as its high cost relative to the possible existence of cheaper, equally efficacious alternatives has underscored the importance of understanding the mode of action and clinical utility of this novel pharmacotherapy.