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Archana A Nair, Avni P Finn, Paul Sternberg Jr Vanderbilt Eye Institute, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USACorrespondence: Paul Sternberg Jr, Chair and G. W. Hale Professor of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Vanderbilt Eye Institute, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, 2311 Pierce Avenue, Nashville, TN, 37232, USA, Email Paul.sternberg@vumc.orgAbstract: The advent of anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) agents has revolutionized the treatment of retinal neovascular diseases including neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD), a leading cause of irreversible blindness. Multiple agents and methods for drug delivery are emerging to increase the duration of treatment effect and treatment interval, reducing the overall treatment burden on patients and clinicians. The newest agent on the market is faricimab. This medication targets two distinct pathways in retinal angiogenesis, VEGF-A and Ang-2, to create a more durable effect. Phase 3 trials for this drug compared treatment intervals up to 16 weeks against aflibercept dosed at 8-week intervals for both nAMD and diabetic macular edema (DME). While the drug shows similar functional and anatomic outcomes with a low adverse effect profile and trial data demonstrating increased treatment duration, its exact place in the VEGF marketplace is yet to be determined. In this article, we discuss the mechanism of action, pivotal clinical trials leading to approval, and the anticipated role for faricimab in the treatment of retinal neovascular disease.Keywords: neovascular age-related macular degeneration, nAMD, macular degeneration, anti-vascular endothelial growth factor, anti-VEGF, faricimab, choroidal neovascularization, CNVM

Avni P Finn, Dilraj S Grewal, Lejla Vajzovic Department of Ophthalmology, Duke University Eye Center, Durham, NC, USA Abstract: Retinitis pigmentosa (RP) is a group of heterogeneous inherited retinal degenerative disorders characterized by progressive rod and cone dysfunction and ensuing photoreceptor loss. Many patients suffer from legal blindness by their 40s or 50s. Artificial vision is considered once patients have lost all vision to the point of bare light perception or no light perception. The Argus II retinal prosthesis system is one such artificial vision device approved for patients with RP. This review focuses on the factors important for patient selection. Careful pre-operative screening, counseling, and management of patient expectations are critical for the successful implantation and visual rehabilitation of patients with the Argus II device. Keywords: retinal prosthesis, vision rehabilitation, artificial vision, patient selection, retinitis pigmentosa, retinal degeneration, low vision

To better understand facilitators and barriers to implementation of quality improvement (QI) efforts, this study examined 2 evidence-based interventions, video laryngoscopy (VL)-assisted coaching, and apneic oxygenation (AO). One focus group with frontline clinicians was held at each of the 10 participating pediatric intensive care units. Qualitative analysis identified common and unique themes. Intervention fidelity was monitored with a priori defined success as >50% VL-assisted coaching or >80% AO use for 3 consecutive months. Eighty percent of intensive care units with VL-assisted coaching and 20% with AO met this criteria during the study period. Common facilitator themes were adequate device accessibility, having a QI culture, and strong leadership. Common barrier themes included poor device accessibility and perception of delay in care. A consistently identified theme in the successful sites was strong QI leadership, while unsuccessful sites consistently identified insufficient education. These facilitators and barriers should be proactively addressed during dissemination of these interventions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Coxiella burnetii is the causative agent in Q fever, a zoonotic disease. Ocular manifestations of this disease are extremely rare and have been infrequently reported. In this report, we describe a rare case of chorioretinitis in a patient incompletely treated for Q fever. We highlight the unique ocular manifestation with multimodal imaging, and the importance of a thorough history and prompt and correct treatment of the disease with systemic therapy. [ Ophthalmic Surg Lasers Imaging Retina 2024;55:412-414.] .

Purpose of Review: The landscape for age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is rapidly changing with addition of biosimilars and now United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved nonneovascular AMD (nnAMD) treatment options. These developments have inspired a burgeoning pipeline of gene therapy approaches focused on similar antivascular endothelial growth factors (VEGF) and complement related pathways. Historic and more recent setbacks in the gene therapy pipeline, including intraocular inflammatory reactions, have raised important concerns for adverse events related to AMD therapeutics both for gene and nongene approaches. The specific clinical profile of these therapeutics approaching later stage clinical trials are complex and under active investigation; however, these options hold promise to disrupt the current landscape and change management paradigms for one of the leading causes of vision loss worldwide., Recent Findings: This review covers current gene therapy approaches for neovascular AMD (nAMD) and nnAMD. Intravitreal, suprachoroidal, and subretinal delivery routes are discussed with attention to technical procedure, capabilities for transgene delivery to target tissue, immunogenicity, and collateral effects. Suprachoroidal delivery is an emerging approach which may bridge some of the practical drawbacks for intravitreal and subretinal methods, though with less elaborated immunologic profile. In parallel to delivery modification, viral vectors have been cultivated to target specific cells, with promising enhancements in adeno-associated viral (AAV) vectors and persistent interest in alternate viral and nonviral delivery vectors. Ongoing questions such as steroid or immunosuppressive regimen and economic considerations from a payer and societal perspective are discussed., Summary: The present review discusses emerging gene therapy options which could foster new, more durable nAMD and nnAMD therapeutics. These options will need refinement with regards to route, vector, and dosage, and specialists must decipher the specific clinical risk benefit profile for individual patients. Ongoing concerns for immunogenicity or dosage related adverse events could stifle progress, while further vector development and refined delivery techniques have the potential to change the safety and efficacy of currently options in the pipeline., (Copyright © 2024 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. All rights reserved.)

Purpose: To analyze ophthalmology workforce supply and demand projections from 2020 to 2035., Design: Observational cohort study using data from the National Center for Health Workforce Analysis (NCHWA)., Methods: Data accessed from the Department of Health and Human Services, Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) website were compiled to analyze the workforce supply and demand projections for ophthalmologists from 2020 to 2035., Main Outcome Measures: Projected workforce adequacy over time., Results: From 2020 to 2035, the total ophthalmology supply is projected to decrease by 2650 full-time equivalent (FTE) ophthalmologists (12% decline) and total demand is projected to increase by 5150 FTE ophthalmologists (24% increase), representing a supply and demand mismatch of 30% workforce inadequacy. The level of projected adequacy was markedly different based on rurality by year 2035 with 77% workforce adequacy versus 29% workforce adequacy in metro and nonmetro geographies, respectively. By year 2035, ophthalmology is projected to have the second worst rate of workforce adequacy (70%) of 38 medical and surgical specialties studied., Conclusions: The HRSA's Health Workforce Simulation Model forecasts a sizeable shortage of ophthalmology supply relative to demand by the year 2035, with substantial geographic disparities. Ophthalmology is one of the medical specialties with the lowest rate of projected workforce adequacy by 2035. Further dedicated workforce supply and demand research for ophthalmology and allied professionals is needed to validate these projections, which may have significant future implications for patients and providers., Financial Disclosure(s): Proprietary or commercial disclosure may be found in the Footnotes and Disclosures at the end of this article., (Copyright © 2023 American Academy of Ophthalmology. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

This study characterizes trends in ophthalmic imaging volume and utilization in the United States among and assesses the potential impact of the COVID-19 pandemic using data from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. Utilization of macular optical coherence tomography (OCT), optic nerve OCT, and fundus photography steadily increased from 2013 to 2020 and was not impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. At the same time, there was minimal adoption of anterior segment OCT and a decline in the utilization of dye-based angiography. Utilization patterns may be impacted by the advent of new technologies, role of the clinician, and alignment with treatment paradigms. [ Ophthalmic Surg Lasers Imaging Retina 2023;54:661-665.] .

Importance: Natural language processing tools, such as ChatGPT (generative pretrained transformer, hereafter referred to as chatbot), have the potential to radically enhance the accessibility of medical information for health professionals and patients. Assessing the safety and efficacy of these tools in answering physician-generated questions is critical to determining their suitability in clinical settings, facilitating complex decision-making, and optimizing health care efficiency., Objective: To assess the accuracy and comprehensiveness of chatbot-generated responses to physician-developed medical queries, highlighting the reliability and limitations of artificial intelligence-generated medical information., Design, Setting, and Participants: Thirty-three physicians across 17 specialties generated 284 medical questions that they subjectively classified as easy, medium, or hard with either binary (yes or no) or descriptive answers. The physicians then graded the chatbot-generated answers to these questions for accuracy (6-point Likert scale with 1 being completely incorrect and 6 being completely correct) and completeness (3-point Likert scale, with 1 being incomplete and 3 being complete plus additional context). Scores were summarized with descriptive statistics and compared using the Mann-Whitney U test or the Kruskal-Wallis test. The study (including data analysis) was conducted from January to May 2023., Main Outcomes and Measures: Accuracy, completeness, and consistency over time and between 2 different versions (GPT-3.5 and GPT-4) of chatbot-generated medical responses., Results: Across all questions (n = 284) generated by 33 physicians (31 faculty members and 2 recent graduates from residency or fellowship programs) across 17 specialties, the median accuracy score was 5.5 (IQR, 4.0-6.0) (between almost completely and complete correct) with a mean (SD) score of 4.8 (1.6) (between mostly and almost completely correct). The median completeness score was 3.0 (IQR, 2.0-3.0) (complete and comprehensive) with a mean (SD) score of 2.5 (0.7). For questions rated easy, medium, and hard, the median accuracy scores were 6.0 (IQR, 5.0-6.0), 5.5 (IQR, 5.0-6.0), and 5.0 (IQR, 4.0-6.0), respectively (mean [SD] scores were 5.0 [1.5], 4.7 [1.7], and 4.6 [1.6], respectively; P = .05). Accuracy scores for binary and descriptive questions were similar (median score, 6.0 [IQR, 4.0-6.0] vs 5.0 [IQR, 3.4-6.0]; mean [SD] score, 4.9 [1.6] vs 4.7 [1.6]; P = .07). Of 36 questions with scores of 1.0 to 2.0, 34 were requeried or regraded 8 to 17 days later with substantial improvement (median score 2.0 [IQR, 1.0-3.0] vs 4.0 [IQR, 2.0-5.3]; P < .01). A subset of questions, regardless of initial scores (version 3.5), were regenerated and rescored using version 4 with improvement (mean accuracy [SD] score, 5.2 [1.5] vs 5.7 [0.8]; median score, 6.0 [IQR, 5.0-6.0] for original and 6.0 [IQR, 6.0-6.0] for rescored; P = .002)., Conclusions and Relevance: In this cross-sectional study, chatbot generated largely accurate information to diverse medical queries as judged by academic physician specialists with improvement over time, although it had important limitations. Further research and model development are needed to correct inaccuracies and for validation.

Purpose: To use electronic health record (EHR) time logs and time-driven activity-based costing (TDABC) to calculate the complete cost profile of office-based fluorescein angiography (FA)., Design: Economic analysis., Subjects: Patients undergoing routine FA (Current Procedural Terminology [CPT] 92235) at Vanderbilt Eye Institute in fiscal year 2022., Methods: Process flow mapping for routine FA was used to define the care episode after manual observation. Deidentified time logs were sourced from the EHR and all manually validated to calculate durations for each stage. The cost of materials was calculated from internal financial figures. Cost per minute for space, equipment, and personnel were based on internal figures. Published fluorescein costs were used for base-case analysis with scenario analysis based on a range of internal figures from pharmacy quotes. These inputs were used for a TDABC analysis., Main Outcome Measures: Time-driven activity-based costing of FA episode of care. Secondary scenario analyses focus on breakeven scenarios for key inputs, including medication costs RESULTS: Cost analysis of office-based FA resulted in an average total cost of $152.95 (nominal) per interpreted study per patient, which was $36.52 more than the maximum Medicare reimbursement for CPT 92235 in Mac Locality for Tennessee 10312 for fiscal year 2022 ($116.43; $76.11 [technical component] and $40.33 [physician component]). The negative contribution margin is strongly influenced by the cost of fluorescein, which comprises 39.8% of the episode costs, excluding overhead., Conclusions: The current analysis here shows that the recently increased cost of fluorescein has driven up the cost of office-based FA relative to the current maximum allowable Medicare reimbursement, leading to a negative contribution margin and financial loss. Given conservative cost estimates here, it is unlikely for profitability to be achieved without changes in the cost of fluorescein or increased reimbursement. These results may be informative for policy discussion regarding appropriate reimbursement for codes using injectable fluorescein., Financial Disclosure(s): Proprietary or commercial disclosure may be found in the Footnotes and Disclosures at the end of this article., (Copyright © 2023 American Academy of Ophthalmology. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Purpose of Review: With frequent antivascular endothelial growth factors (VEGF) injections well established as the standard of care in neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD), focus has now shifted towards decreasing treatment burden without compromising safety and efficacy. This review summarizes clinical stage and recently approved drugs and devices for nAMD, with an emphasis paid to safety concerns and their implications for product adoption., Recent Findings: Three strategies have emerged to decrease the treatment burden associated with the current standard of care: more durable intravitreal agents, sustained-release modalities and gene therapy. The appearance of biosimilars will further impact drug availability and cost. As patterns of adverse events emerge from clinical trial or postmarketing surveillance data, manufacturers have proactively responded by appointing independent review committees or issuing voluntary recalls. However, the example of one biosimilar approved outside of the USA and European Union demonstrates how early safety concerns, even when addressed by substantive data, can generate lingering uncertainty., Summary: As the number of promising new treatments in nAMD continues to grow, so too does the amount of data that providers must sift through. The perception of safety surrounding first movers in each new therapeutic area is sure to affect adoption of that modality more broadly., (Copyright © 2023 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. All rights reserved.)

Objective: To describe perioperative practice patterns among retinal surgeons managing retinal detachment (RD) repair., Methods: This was a cross-sectional pilot survey of vitreoretinal surgeons in the United States (US), identified by a previously published web-based search and cross-referencing names from the American Society of Retina Specialists. Self-reported peri-operative practices and subgroups were analyzed., Results: Of the 298 surgical retina specialists who completed the survey, 115 (39%) were in practice for ≤ 5 years, 102 (34%) were in practice for 6 to 20 years, and 81 (27%) were in practice for > 20 years; 60%, 23%, and 16% were in private, academic, and hybrid practice, respectively. Fifty-nine percent reported operating with trainees. For ocular blocks, 59% perform retrobulbar, 21% peribulbar, and 20% subtenon's (ST). Use of ST block varied significantly by years in practice and presence of trainees ( P < 0.0001, P = 0.004, respectively). Sixty percent perform primary scleral buckles (SB), 55% combined SB/pars plana vitrectomy (PPV), and 11% primary PPVs under general anesthesia. Use of general anesthesia for primary SB varied significantly by years in practice ( P = 0.007). Surgeons with fewer years in practice were more likely to recommend facedown positioning for macula-off RDs ( P < 0.0001). Forty-six percent of surgeons do not advise stopping blood thinners before surgery and this varied significantly by years in practice ( P = 0.006)., Conclusions: Variation exists among US vitreoretinal surgeons in relation to anesthesia, postoperative positioning, and blood thinners restrictions. Preferences are influenced by years in practice and less by trainees and practice setting. These results serve as a basis for larger, targeted US-based surveys on perioperative care and correlation with surgical outcomes. [ Ophthalmic Surg Lasers Imaging Retina 2022;53:681-690.] .

Purpose: Venous thromboembolic complications have been reported in association with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection. We raised awareness regarding a potential temporal association between COVID-19 infection and retinal vein occlusion (RVO)., Design: Multicenter, retrospective, nonconsecutive case series., Subjects: Patients presenting with hemi-RVO (HRVO) or central RVO (CRVO) between March 2020 and March 2021, with confirmed COVID-19 infection, were included. The exclusion criteria were as follows: age >50 years, hypertension, diabetes, glaucoma, obesity, underlying hypercoagulable states, and those requiring intubation during hospitalization., Methods: This was a multicenter, retrospective, nonconsecutive case series including patients presenting with hemi-RVO (HRVO) or central RVO (CRVO) between March 2020 and March 2021, with confirmed COVID-19 infection. The exclusion criteria were as follows: age >50 years, hypertension, diabetes, glaucoma, obesity, underlying hypercoagulable states, and those requiring intubation during hospitalization., Main Outcome Measures: Ophthalmic findings, including presenting and final visual acuity (VA), imaging findings, and clinical course., Results: Twelve eyes of 12 patients with CRVO (9 of 12) or HRVO (3 of 12) after COVID-19 infection were included. The median age was 32 years (range, 18-50 years). Three patients were hospitalized, but none were intubated. The median time from COVID-19 diagnosis to ophthalmic symptoms was 6.9 weeks. The presenting VA ranged from 20/20 to counting fingers, with over half (7 of 12) having a VA of ≥20/40. OCT revealed macular edema in 42% of the eyes; of these, 80% (4 of 5) were treated with anti-VEGF injections. Ninety-two percent (11 of 12) had partial or complete resolution of ocular findings at final follow-up. Four eyes (33%) had retinal thinning, as determined using OCT, by the end of the study interval. The final VA ranged from 20/20 to 20/60, with 11 of the 12 (92%) eyes achieving a VA of ≥20/40 at a median final follow-up period of 13 weeks (range, 4-52 weeks)., Conclusions: Although we acknowledge the high seroprevalence of COVID-19 and that a causal relationship cannot be established, we reported this series to raise awareness regarding the potential risk of retinal vascular events due to a heightened thromboinflammatory state associated with COVID-19 infection., (Copyright © 2022 American Academy of Ophthalmology. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Importance: The Merit-Based Incentive Payment System (MIPS) is intended to promote high-value health care through quality-related Medicare payment adjustments., Objective: To assess the economic evaluation of MIPS scoring and reporting on ophthalmologists., Design, Setting, and Participants: In this retrospective, cross-sectional, multicenter economic evaluation conducted from October 10 to November 30, 2021, MIPS performance and related payment adjustments were evaluated using the US Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Service (CMS) public data files for ophthalmologists. Participants were stratified by reporting affiliation. Analysis of variance and summary statistics were used to characterize and compare total and subcategory MIPS scores and adjustments received by participants. Reported CMS methodology and performance year (PY) 2019 payment percentages were used to estimate payment adjustments for the following categories: positive MIPS adjustment plus potential additional adjustment for exceptional performance, positive MIPS adjustment, neutral payment adjustment, negative MIPS payment adjustment, and maximum negative MIPS payment adjustment. Study participants included ophthalmologists registered for Medicare Part B with participation in the Quality Payment Program (QPP) in PY 2019., Main Outcomes and Measures: Proportion of ophthalmologists qualifying for payment adjustments and payment adjustments., Results: For PY 2019, 76.5% of ophthalmologists (13 621) who registered for Medicare participated in the MIPS pathway of the QPP. Ophthalmologists practiced in a predominantly large metropolitan area (12 302; 90.3%). Roughly 99% of participants (11 182) received nonnegative reimbursement adjustments, and 92.6% (10 367) received positive adjustments. Ophthalmologists filing as individuals were less likely to achieve exceptional performance scores compared with those who had a filing category of advanced alternative payment model (APM; odds ratio [OR], 0.0003; 95% CI, 0.00002-0.00481) or group (OR, 0.21013; 95% CI, 0.19020-0.23215). When analyzing participating ophthalmologists with available Medicare payment data (11 193), a total of 8777 (78.4%) achieved exceptional MIPS scores corresponding to mean (SD) adjustments per physician of $244.60 ($217.36) to $4864.78 ($4323.08), or 0.07% ($2 146 835.21 of $3 212 011 252.88) to 1.33% ($42 698 166.89 of $3 212 011 252.88), of the total nondrug Medicare payment., Conclusions and Relevance: Results of this economic evaluation showed that although 78.4% of ophthalmologists received exceptional positive payment adjustments, roughly 84% (798916 of 954615) of all health care professionals nationally achieved this benchmark. Exceptional MIPS was associated with filing as group or APM, resulting in, on average, a relatively small additional payment per participant; this suggests that ophthalmologists who file as individuals should consider an alternative filing approach. Changes in MIPS methodology may disproportionately affect certain ophthalmologists, which warrants further study.

Objective: Choroidal neovascularization (CNV) is a rare, but devastating, cause of vision loss in children, with most current publications limited to small case series. Using a large clinical registry allowed us to understand the most common causes of this disease and the visual outcomes., Design: Retrospective analysis., Participants: Patients younger than 18 years in the Intelligent Research in Sight Registry diagnosed with CNV between 2013 and 2019., Methods: Cases were identified based on International Classification of Diseases, Ninth and Tenth Revisions, diagnosis codes for CNV or CNV-related etiology and Current Procedural Terminology treatment codes., Main Outcome Measures: Etiology of CNV, treatment patterns, and visual outcomes., Results: Two thousand three hundred fifty-three eyes with pediatric CNV were identified. The most common identifiable causes of pediatric CNV were posterior uveitis or inflammatory chorioretinal disease (19.4%), myopia (18.4%), hereditary dystrophy (5.4%), chorioretinal scar (4.2%), choroidal rupture (3.5%), optic nerve drusen (3.2%), osteoma (1.9%), and solar retinopathy (0.2%). In 38.2% of eyes, CNV was idiopathic, and in 5.7% of eyes, multiple causes were coded. One thousand forty-one eyes (44.4%) underwent treatment. The mean age of mean age of patients whose eyes received treatment 13.6 ± 3.5 years compared with 12.4 ± 4.1 years for the untreated group (P < 0.001). In 88.9% of eyes, anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) injections were administered, 7.9% of eyes received laser therapy, 0.3% of eyes received photodynamic therapy, and 2.9% of eyes received combination therapy. In the eyes receiving anti-VEGF agents, 68.4% required 3 injections or fewer (P < 0.0001). Eyes undergoing treatment exhibited worse baseline visual acuity (VA) than eyes that did not undergo treatment (0.62 ± 0.50 logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution [logMAR] vs. 0.44 ± 0.50 logMAR; P < 0.0001). Visual acuity in the treatment group improved significantly from 0.62 ± 0.50 logMAR at baseline to 0.39 ± 0.43 logMAR at year 1 (P < 0.0001). Visual acuity in the untreated group improved significantly from 0.44 ± 0.50 logMAR at baseline to 0.34 ± 0.44 logMAR at year 1 (P < 0.001). Treated eyes showed a statistically significant higher odds of exhibiting a 2-line vision improvement or better compared with the untreated group at 12 months regardless of treatment type and after controlling for baseline VA (odds ratio, 2.4; P < 0.0001)., Conclusions: CNV is a rare, sight-threatening condition in children, with the most common causes being idiopathic, inflammatory chorioretinal disease, and myopia. Eyes undergoing treatment tended to be in older patients and showed worse baseline VA compared with eyes that did not undergo treatment. Those that were treated experienced significant improvement in vision that was maintained in the long term., (Copyright © 2021 American Academy of Ophthalmology. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Background/purpose: Iluvien (Alimera Science, Alpharetta, GA) is an injectable, nonbiodegradable, sustained-release 0.19-mg fluocinolone acetonide intravitreal implant. Although currently approved by the Food and Drug Administration only for diabetic macular edema previously treated with a course of corticosteroids without a clinically significant intraocular pressure response, the 0.19-mg fluocinolone acetonide implant could theoretically be used to treat other noninfectious inflammatory conditions including persistent cystoid macular edema because of nondiabetic etiologies., Methods: Interventional case report. A 79-year-old man had persistent cystoid macular edema after pars plana vitrectomy in both eyes that was refractory to topical treatments and intravitreal anti-vascular endothelial growth factor. His cystoid macular edema was responsive to preservative-free intravitreal triamcinolone acetonide after which he developed noninfectious endophthalmitis or pseudoendophthalmitis in both eyes precluding further intravitreal triamcinolone acetonide injections. He was subsequently treated with bilateral intravitreal 0.19-mg fluocinolone acetonide implants., Results: At the most recent post-treatment follow-up (11 months for the right eye and 13 months for the left eye), the patient demonstrated an improvement in visual acuity, 20/126 to 20/50 in the right eye and 20/80 to 20/40 in the left eye, and in central subfield thickness, 592 μm to 288 μm in the right eye and 565 μm to 287 μm in the left eye, without intraocular pressure elevation., Conclusion: The intravitreal 0.19-mg fluocinolone acetonide implant is an effective and potentially safe off-label therapeutic option for persistent nondiabetic cystoid macular edema after vitrectomy.

Purpose: To identify precursors of macular atrophy (MA) and of fibrotic scar (FS) in eyes treated with anti-vascular endothelial growth factor through pixel-mapping analysis of baseline optical coherence tomography (OCT)., Methods: Design: Cross-sectional analysis., Setting: Multicenter clinical trial., Patient Population: 68 eyes from the Comparison of Age-Related Macular Degeneration Treatments Trials., Intervention: Treatment with anti-vascular endothelial growth factor agents., Main Outcome Measure: The percentage of MA or FS pixels with each OCT feature at baseline, and the odds ratio for baseline pixels with an OCT feature to develop MA or FS., Results: Retinal pigment epithelium atrophy and photoreceptor loss on OCT were highly predictive of MA at that location at years 2 and 5 (P < .0001), but accounted for only 22.5% of the ensuing atrophy at year 2 and less at year 5. Among pixels of MA at year 2, 78% were preceded by thick drusen, 54% by subretinal macular neovascularization (MNV), and 22.5% by no detectable OCT features. MNV, subretinal hyperreflective material, pigment epithelial detachment, intraretinal fluid, and sub-retinal pigment epithelium fluid were predictive of FS at that location (P values <.05). More than 75% of the pixels of FS at years 2 and 5 were preceded by pixels of baseline MNV., Conclusions: Most pixels of FS were preceded by components of neovascularization. Although one-quarter of MA was accounted for by pre-existing evidence of atrophy on OCT alone, the development of MA in areas of thick drusen, areas with and without subretinal MNV lesion, and areas without detectable OCT precursors argues that the development of MA is multifactorial and may follow, in part, a non-neovascular pathway., (Copyright © 2020 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Purpose: To describe a case of a large, traumatic macular hole in a pediatric patient closed using an internal limiting membrane flap in combination with autologous plasma concentrate (APC)., Methods: Description of a surgical technique as performed in one patient., Results: Successful macular hole closure and improvement in postoperative visual acuity were achieved in the patient in whom the technique was performed., Conclusion: The combined use of APC with the internal limiting membrane flap is advantageous because the APC acts to hold the internal limiting membrane in proper position and promotes the proliferation of glial cells through the presence of growth factors. This technique may be particularly advantageous in chronic or recalcitrant holes particularly in the setting of trauma.

The authors report a case of an 81-year-old female who presented with sudden onset of light perception vision and intraocular inflammation. After several months of continuing symptoms despite antibiotics, an aqueous tap culture grew Cutibacterium acnes. The patient had cataract surgery 21 years prior, and had no intervening trauma, intraocular procedure, or endogenous source. The presumed diagnosis was C. acnes endophthalmitis with significantly delayed onset. Capsulectomy and intraocular lens removal resolved the patient's symptoms. In rare cases, C. acnes endophthalmitis may present as recurrent inflammation despite an extremely remote history of cataract surgery, mimicking a virulent, acute-onset endophthalmitis despite antibiotic administration. [Ophthalmic Surg Lasers Imaging Retina. 2021;52:44-46.]., (Copyright 2021, SLACK Incorporated.)

Purpose: To demonstrate improvement and stabilization of retinal findings, including recalcitrant cystoid macular edema, in a patient with nonparaneoplastic autoimmune retinopathy after treatment with tocilizumab, a humanized monoclonal antibody against soluble and membrane-bound IL-6 receptor., Methods: Observational case report. A 46-year-old woman was diagnosed with nonparaneoplastic autoimmune retinopathy and followed over 4 years on various immunosuppressive medications with worsening disease and recalcitrant cystoid macular edema. This report describes the rapid improvement and stabilization of her ocular disease once tocilizumab was initiated., Results: Tocilizumab, a monoclonal antibody against the IL-6 receptor, was initiated at a dose of 8 mg/kg every 4 weeks. Cystoid macular edema was significantly decreased after just two infusions and nearly resolved after five infusions. Ellipsoid zone and outer retinal integrity also improved on optical coherence tomography. The patient tolerated the medication with limited side effects., Conclusion: Long-term immunosuppression is the cornerstone of treatment for nonparaneoplastic autoimmune retinopathy, although success is highly variable. We report a case treated with tocilizumab with dramatic improvement in refractory macular edema and reconstitution of the ellipsoid zone on optical coherence tomography in a patient with nonparaneoplastic autoimmune retinopathy. This case highlights the potential role of treatment with an IL-6 inhibitor in autoimmune retinopathy though further studies are needed.

Purpose: To report an unusual case of cryptococcal choroiditis and highlight the multimodal imaging findings, particularly the choriocapillaris flow voids using optical coherence tomography angiography., Methods: Retrospective review of the clinical course of a single patient with cryptococcal choroiditis., Results: A 69-year-old man undergoing chemotherapy for T-cell prolymphocytic leukemia developed disseminated crytococcal neoformans infection. He developed bilateral cryptococcal choroiditis with multiple yellow-white choroidal lesion on fundoscopy in both eyes. Multimodal imaging of the choroidal lesions revealed flow voids at the level of the choriocapillaris on optical coherence tomography angiography that corresponded to hypocyanescent areas on indocyanine green angiography when registered and overlaid on the indocyanine green angiography images. The superficial and deep capillary plexuses were spared., Conclusion: This case illustrates that optical coherence tomography angiography was useful in demonstrating that the cryptococcal choroidal lesions impaired choriocapillaris perfusion but spared the superficial and deep retinal plexuses.

Background and Objective: To describe the microvascular features of treated, clinically regressed, or reactivated retinoblastoma lesions using an investigational portable optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) system., Patients and Methods: Single-center, prospective, cross-sectional, consecutive case-series of children with previously treated retinoblastoma who underwent portable OCTA of posterior retinoblastoma lesions., Results: Eight tumors from seven eyes of five children with retinoblastoma were included. Tumors with types 1 (calcified remnant, n = 3), 2 (non-calcified remnant, n = 1), and 3 (both calcified and noncalcified remnants, n = 1) regression revealed persistent intrinsic superficial vasculature on OCTA (five of five lesions; 100%). Lesions with type 4 regression (atrophic scar, n = 2) had complete vascular flow voids in the involved retina and underlying choriocapillaris. A reactivated tumor (n = 1) showed a distinct area of vascularity with prominent feeder/draining vessels., Conclusions: OCTA revealed that significant vascularity exists in inactive retinoblastoma lesions. Dilated feeder vessels may suggest continued disease activity. [Ophthalmic Surg Lasers Imaging Retina. 2020;51:43-49.]., (Copyright 2019, SLACK Incorporated.)

Purpose: To understand the relationship between baseline ischemic index (IsI) values on ultra-widefield fluorescein angiography and classification as ischemic central retinal vein occlusion (CRVO)., Methods: Single-center retrospective cohort study of CRVO patients imaged using ultra-widefield fluorescein angiography from which IsI values were calculated. An ischemic CRVO was defined as those eyes with an afferent pupillary defect and counting fingers acuity or worse or neovascularization during the first year of follow-up. Logistic regression was performed to characterize the relation between the IsI and clinical outcomes., Results: Sixty eyes of 60 treatment-naive CRVO patients with baseline ultra-widefield fluorescein angiography and ≥1 year of follow-up were identified. Those with an IsI ≥35% were significantly more likely to have an ischemic CRVO during the first year of follow-up than those with an IsI <35% (83.3 vs. 13.9%, odds ratio 111, P < 0.0001). Baseline and final logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution acuity were worse in eyes with an IsI ≥35% (1.18 vs. 0.46, P < 0.001 and 1.26 vs. 0.45, P < 0.001, respectively) despite similar baseline and final central subfield thickness (P = 0.1-0.23)., Conclusion: A baseline IsI of ≥35% on ultra-widefield fluorescein angiography in eyes with treatment-naive CRVO was sensitive (90%) and specific (92.5%) for classification as an ischemic CRVO during the first year of follow-up.

Background and Objective: To describe depth-resolved macular microvasculature abnormalities in patients with familial exudative vitreoretinopathy (FEVR) using optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA)., Patients and Methods: Twenty-two eyes (11 eyes of six patients with FEVR and 11 control eyes) were imaged with OCTA. Graders qualitatively analyzed the OCTA images of the superficial and deep vascular complexes for abnormal vascular features and compared to fluorescein angiography (FA)., Results: Seven of 11 eyes with FEVR displayed abnormal macular vascular findings. Abnormalities in the superficial vascular complex included dilation, disorganization, straightening, heterogeneous vessel density, and curls/loops. In the deep vascular complex, abnormalities included areas of decreased density, disorganization, curls/loops, and "end bulbs." Except for dragging and straightening of the vessels, none of these macular features were visible on FA., Conclusion: OCTA revealed marked macular abnormalities in eyes with FEVR that have not been previously observed with FA alone, suggesting this is more than a disease of the retinal periphery and involves macular and deep retinal vasculature abnormalities. [Ophthalmic Surg Lasers Imaging Retina. 2019;50:322-329.]., (Copyright 2019, SLACK Incorporated.)

Purpose: To describe the characteristics and outcomes of endogenous endophthalmitis., Design: Retrospective case series., Participants: Patients with endogenous endophthalmitis., Methods: A retrospective chart review of patients diagnosed with endogenous endophthalmitis between September 1, 2006, and November 1, 2014., Main Outcome Measures: Clinical findings, treatments, microbial results, visual outcomes, and secondary ocular sequelae., Results: Sixty-three patients (68 eyes) were diagnosed with endogenous endophthalmitis. Ocular symptoms were the first manifestation of disease in 76% of patients. Fungal and bacterial endophthalmitis were seen in 37% (n = 25) and 43% (n = 29) of eyes, respectively. In 47% of eyes (n = 32), the disease was associated with intravenous drug use. Eighteen percent of eyes (n = 12) underwent an initial pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) with intravitreal antibiotics, none of which required a secondary intervention for acute infection. Four percent of eyes (n = 3) received only systemic treatment. Seventy-eight percent of eyes (n = 53) underwent initial bedside aspirate with intravitreal injection of antibiotics (tap-and-injection), of which 55% (n = 29) required a secondary PPV. Of eyes that underwent secondary PPV after initially negative culture results from the tap-and-injection, 52% demonstrated positive culture results at the time of secondary PPV (n = 11/21) despite all but 1 having received appropriate antimicrobial coverage initially. Fifty-four percent of eyes (n = 37) experienced secondary ocular sequelae. Eyes that received initial tap-and-injection had statistically nonsignificant better average initial vision, but worse average vision at each follow-up interval, compared to PPV while being less likely to gain 2 lines or more of vision at every follow-up interval except 6 months, with the difference reaching statistical significance at 1 week (odds ratio = 0.014; P = 0.037). Eyes that underwent initial tap-and-injection were statistically significantly more likely to require a secondary PPV (55% vs. 0%; P = 0.0006) and had fewer positive microbial results (19% vs. 67%) than those that underwent initial PPV (P = 0.002)., Conclusions: Most eyes that received initial tap-and-injection eventually underwent a secondary PPV. Initial PPV may have an important role in management because it was associated with better diagnostic yield and a trend toward better visual outcomes., (Copyright © 2018. Published by Elsevier Inc.)

An investigational, portable spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) unit revealed small hyperreflective opacities in both eyes of a patient with bilateral retinoblastoma. There was no evidence of vitreous seeding on ophthalmoscopy of either eye. Although the opacities may initially raise concern for potential vitreous seeding, this report suggests alternate potential etiologies for such opacities, which were also seen on imaging of a cohort of normal eyes in pediatric patients. [Ophthalmic Surg Lasers Imaging Retina. 2019;50:50-52.]., (Copyright 2019, SLACK Incorporated.)

Purpose: To determine the relationship between cystoid macular edema (CME) and disease severity and progression in non-paraneoplastic autoimmune retinopathy (npAIR)., Methods: A retrospective study was conducted on patients seen between 2008 and 2016 with npAIR as defined by electroretinogram (ERG) dysfunction, visual field changes, presence of antiretinal antibodies, a negative malignancy workup, and no other apparent cause for visual dysfunction. Optical coherence tomography (OCT) scans were reviewed for each patient. A minimum follow-up of 1 year was necessary for study inclusion. The presence or absence of CME and the length of the preserved EZ on the centermost line scan of the SD-OCT images was recorded at each visit. The main outcome measure assessed was the rate of EZ loss (EZ final - EZ initial / days follow-up) over time, a marker for disease progression., Results: Thirty-two eyes (16 patients) were included with an average follow-up of 42 months. Twenty-one eyes (66%) had CME on initial presentation and final follow-up (group 1), eight eyes (25%) did not have CME on presentation or final follow-up (group 2), and three eyes (9%) did not have CME on presentation but developed CME during follow-up (group 3). Group 1 eyes had a lower maximal a-wave amplitude (59.0 vs. 220.9 mV, p = 0.012) and lower maximal b-wave amplitude (88.1 vs 256.9 mV, p = 0.017) on baseline ERG compared to Group 2 eyes. The rate of EZ loss over time was significantly greater for group 1 with CME compared to group 2 without CME both at 12 months (- 1.26 μm/day vs. - 0.26 μm/day, p = 0.022) and at final follow-up (- 1.03 μm/day vs. - 0.08 μm/day, p = 0.012)., Conclusions: CME was associated with decreased ERG amplitudes and greater velocity of EZ loss, suggesting that CME is a useful biomarker of more severe and more progressive disease in npAIR.

Purpose: To review the indications for and the methods of obtaining biopsies in eyes with uveal melanoma. In addition, this review provides recommendations for avoiding biopsy-related complications and discusses the future directions of biopsy techniques for uveal melanoma., Methods: This review is based on a presentation by the authors (PM and MM) at the 2017 Duke Advanced Vitreoretinal Surgery Course and an extensive literature review using PubMed., Results: Transscleral and transvitreal fine-needle aspiration biopsy, and transvitreal vitrectomy-assisted biopsy techniques are described. The use of 25- and 27-gauge needles and vitreous cutters through a transvitreal approach are most commonly used. Complications are uncommon but may include vitreous hemorrhage, retinal detachment, and rarely, extraocular extension. Proper technique and precautions will minimize the occurrence of these rare complications., Conclusion: Biopsy of uveal melanoma either using a needle or vitrectomy-assisted procedures is safe and these techniques continue to improve with new vitreoretinal surgical advances.

Purpose: To assess outcomes and complication rates in patients undergoing pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) and implantation of an anterior chamber intraocular lens (ACIOL)., Design: Retrospective chart review., Participants: A total of 50 eyes that underwent secondary ACIOL placement in the setting of concurrent PPV from October 2000 to August 2016 were included., Methods: A retrospective chart review was conducted., Main Outcome Measures: The primary outcome measure was the occurrence of postoperative complication including persistently elevated intraocular pressure, persistent or recurrent hyphema, persistent or recurrent vitreous hemorrhage, persistent corneal edema, or persistent uveitis, macular edema, epiretinal membrane, lens dislocation, retinal tear, or retinal detachment. The secondary outcome measure was best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA)., Results: Postoperative complications occurred as follows: persistently elevated intraocular pressure in 4 eyes (8%), persistent corneal edema in 1 eye (2%), persistent postoperative uveitis in 1 eye (2%). Seven eyes (14%) had new macular edema and 2 eyes (4%) had new epiretinal membranes after combined PPV and ACIOL surgery. No patient had persistent postoperative hyphema, vitreous hemorrhage, retinal tear, retinal detachment, or lens dislocation after ACIOL placement. Mean preoperative BCVA was 20/200 (logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution 0.96) and improved to 20/40 (logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution 0.28, P ≤ 0.0001) at 1 year postoperatively., Conclusions: Whereas there is a recent emphasis on new intraocular lens placement techniques in the setting of PPV including sutured and scleral-fixated intraocular lenses, ACIOL placement in the setting of concurrent PPV is a safe procedure, with few eyes developing long-term complications if careful case selection is employed., (Copyright © 2018 American Academy of Ophthalmology. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)