Faculty Bibliography

Purpose: To report panuveitis with exudative retinal detachments in a healthy 27-year-old woman with biallelic mutations in the RPE65 gene, who underwent bilateral sequential gene therapy with subretinal administration of voretigene neparvovec-rzyl. Observations: Visual acuity improved for 30 days after surgery as oral corticosteroids were tapered. At postoperative week 6, vision declined due to sudden onset uveitis and exudative retinal detachments in both eyes. HLA Class II typing revealed the haplotype associated with sympathetic ophthalmia and Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada (VKH). The inflammation improved after corticosteroid, mycophenolate mofetil, and adalimumab therapy while vision remained poor. Conclusions and Importance: Surgically-induced sympathetic ophthalmia is a plausible explanation for the clinical findings; surgery of both eyes within one week would conceal the inciting eye. VKH or inflammation related to the gene therapy are other possible etiologies but severe bilateral panuveitis has not been reported with voretigene neparvovec-rzyl. Informed consent for gene therapy surgery should include a discussion of the rare complication of sympathetic ophthalmia following vitrectomy surgery.

Optogenetic gene therapies offer a promising strategy for restoring vision to patients with retinal degenerative diseases, such as retinitis pigmentosa (RP). Several clinical trials have begun in this area using different vectors and optogenetic proteins (Clinical Identifiers: NCT02556736, NCT03326336, NCT04945772, and NCT04278131). Here we present preclinical efficacy and safety data for the NCT04278131 trial, which uses an AAV2 vector and Chronos as the optogenetic protein. Efficacy was assessed in mice in a dose-dependent manner using electroretinograms (ERGs). Safety was assessed in rats, nonhuman primates, and mice, using several tests, including immunohistochemical analyses and cell counts (rats), electroretinograms (nonhuman primates), and ocular toxicology assays (mice). The results showed that Chronos-expressing vectors were efficacious over a broad range of vector doses and stimulating light intensities, and were well tolerated: no test article-related findings were observed in the anatomical and electrophysiological assays performed.

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVE:To describe cases of unilateral cone-rod dysfunction presenting in two middle-aged females. METHODS:This case series highlights two middle-aged female patients with progressive visual decline in one eye. Fundus photography, fundus autofluorescence (FAF), spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT), multi-focal electroretinogram (mfERG), full-field electroretinogram(ffERG), and genetic testing were obtained. RESULTS:In the first patient, mfERG showed an extinguished response and ffERG demonstrated markedly reduced a-wave and b-wave amplitudes (more pronounced under photopic conditions) in the right eye. SD-OCT showed attenuation of the ellipsoid zone of the right eye. Similar findings were appreciated in the second patient. Genetic testing in the first patient identified three heterozygous variants in PRPH2, RCBTB1, and USH2A. The second patient was found to have heterozygous variants in BBS1 and ABCA4. CONCLUSION/CONCLUSIONS:These two cases add to the literature of case reports of unilateral cone-rod and rod-cone dystrophies. However, the underlying etiology of the unilateral pattern of cone-rod dysfunction and the significance of the heterozygous mutations found in both cases remains uncertain.

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVE:To describe vitamin A deficiency using multimodal functional visual assessments and imaging. METHODS/CASE/UNASSIGNED:A 50-year-old female with past medical history significant for Roux-en-Y gastric bypass surgery complained of nyctalopia and "yellowing" of vision. RESULTS:Vitamin A levels were noted to be < 0.06 mg/L (normal 0.3-0.12 mg/L). Fundus examination was notable for peripheral yellow punctate lesions, superior arcuate defects on HVF 30-2 testing, an indistinct ellipsoid zone on SD-OCT, and absent rod responses and severely reduced amplitudes for the cone photoreceptors on full-field ERG. These findings resolved with initiation of parenteral vitamin A supplementation. CONCLUSION/CONCLUSIONS:This report documents an example of vitamin A deficiency in the developed world. We aim to provide a comprehensive description of clinical examination and multimodal imaging findings before and after vitamin supplementation for vitamin A deficiency.

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVE:Traditional ERGs recorded using corneal electrodes can be difficult for some patients to tolerate. In the last several years, adhesive skin electrodes have gained in acceptance. In this report we present a qualitative comparison of waveforms as well as a quantitative analysis of correlation of amplitudes and implicit times of simultaneous ERG recordings using contact lens and skin electrodes. METHODS:89 subjects were included; all were referred for full-field ERG testing for multiple indications. ERGs (obtained according to ISCEV standards) were recorded simultaneously from both eyes with ERG-jet corneal contact lens electrodes and LKC Technologies Sensor Strip adhesive skin electrodes using multi-channel instrumentation (Diagnosys LLC, Espion3). Waveforms, a-wave and b-wave amplitudes and implicit times were compared. RESULTS:Waveform morphologies were similar between electrode types. Regression coefficients (conversion factors) for a-wave and b-wave amplitudes under both photopic and scotopic conditions were tightly clustered. Regression coefficients for implicit times were nearly equal to 1.0. The regression coefficient for the entire amplitude dataset was 0.349, with an overall correlation of 0. 869 between amplitude recorded with skin and contact lens electrodes. The regression coefficient for the entire implicit time dataset was 0.967, with an overall correlation of 0.964 between skin and contact lens electrodes. CONCLUSIONS:Our best estimate for the conversion factor between ERG amplitudes recorded with adhesive skin electrodes and contact lens electrodes is 0.349-amplitudes with skin electrodes are about 1/3 the amplitudes recorded simultaneously from the same eyes with contact lens electrodes, with a high correlation. Implicit times are nearly identical for the two electrode types.

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVE:To describe a case of symptomatic outer retinal disruption in a patient heterozygous for the p.Leu154Pro interphotoreceptor matrix proteoglycan-1 (IMPG1) mutation implicated in adult-onset foveomacular vitelliform dystrophy. METHODS:Observational case report. RESULTS:We describe a case of a 25-year-old female patient with symptomatic scotoma and vision decrease who exhibited bilateral small foveal yellow spots. Optical coherence tomography revealed disorganization and decreased reflectance of the foveal ellipsoid and interdigitation zones in the left eye more than in the right eye. Fundus autofluorescence imaging showed minimal findings, and dye angiography was unrevealing. Multifocal electroretinogram revealed slightly decreased retinal sensitivity in the central retina of the left eye. Genetic testing identified a heterozygous p.Leu154Pro mutation in the IMPG1 gene. CONCLUSION/CONCLUSIONS:The p.Leu154Pro IMPG1 mutation may cause symptomatic outer retinal disturbance in the heterozygous state. Further studies are necessary.

BACKGROUND:Intravitreal injections of topotecan are used in the management of retinoblastoma with vitreous seeds. This study evaluated whether intravitreal topotecan was associated with retinal toxicity. METHODS:Retrospective cohort study of patients with retinoblastoma who were treated with intravitreal topotecan at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center between December 2014 and May 2019. Electroretinogram (ERG) responses under anaesthesia were measured immediately before treatment with intravitreal topotecan and at the next visitor approximately one-month. Ocular toxicity was defined by a decrease in the ERG response at 30 Hz at follow-up. RESULTS:Ocular toxicity was evaluated by ERG on 50 evaluable injections administered to 28 eyes. 22 (44.0%) injections were performed with concurrent intravitreal melphalan. The median time to ERG measurement following an injection was 27 days. By using a paired t-test, intravitreal topotecan combined with melphalan (n=22) at a dose of 25 μg or 30 μg was associated with a significant decrease in ERG amplitude at follow-up (p=0.046, 95% CI -20.4 μV to -0.2 μV). Among eyes that only received topotecan (n=28) at doses of 20 μg or 30 μg, there was not a significant difference in ERG amplitude measured (p=0.85, 95% CI -7.0 μV to 5.8 μV). CONCLUSION/CONCLUSIONS:Intravitreal topotecan combined with intravitreal melphalan was associated with a decrease in ERG amplitude; there was not a significant decrease in ERG amplitude observed in patients who received topotecan alone. These findings suggest that intravitreal topotecan injections at doses of 20 μg or 30 μg are not associated with retinal toxicity in patients with retinoblastoma.

Purpose : To evaluate the diagnostic yield and clinical impact of the SPARK/Invitae gene panel in patients with known or suspected inherited degenerative retinal disease, in comparison with traditional clinical assessments. Methods : Patients of the authors' clinical practices obtained genetic screening at no charge via the SPARK/Invitae ID your IRD genetic testing panel, which ranged from 248 genes to 293 genes. Over 16 months, tests were submitted for 87 patients and results were available for 70 patients. Clinical diagnoses prior to submitting the gene panel . By continuing to use our website, you are agreeing to included retinitis pigmentosa; Stargardt disease; Best vitelliform dystrophy; Leber our privacy policy. congenital amaurosis; choroideremia; achromatopsia; cone-rod dystrophy; congenital stationary night blindness; occult macular dystrophy; and familial dominant drusen in addition to patients with normal clinical findings and unclear diagnoses. Results : Of 70 patients, SPARK/Invitae considered the results ''Positive or Potentially Positive'' in 24 cases (34.3%), Carrier in 16 cases (22.9%) and ''Uncertain'' in 30 cases (42.9%). Uncertain results comprised patients with only Variants of Uncertain Significance. Patients categorized as a Carrier by SPARK/Invitae but who demonstrated pathogenic genetic changes correlating to the clinical diagnosis were considered to be in agreement with the clinical impression. The genetic diagnosis agreed with the clinical diagnosis in 30/70 (42.9%) total patients. Test results were consistent with the clinical impression in 13/26 (50.0%) retinitis pigmentosa cases, 6/8 (75.0%) Stargardt patients, 3/7 (42.9%) cone-rod dystrophy cases, and 2/4 (50.0%) Best vitelliform dystrophy patients. Gene testing helped elucidate diagnoses in two patients with unclear clinical impressions: one panel showed autosomal recessive achromatopsia and the other showed a carrier state for autosomal recessive retinitis pigmentosa. Of four patients with normal clinical exams, none had diagnostic results: all showed Uncertain findings. Conclusions : The SPARK/Invitae gene panel provided a genetic diagnosis consistent with the clinical impression in about 40 percent of patients. Retinitis pigmentosa and Stargardt disease were the most common clinical diagnoses and the diagnoses most often confirmed by testing. Genetic screening also assisted in clarifying unknown diagnoses for two patients

Purpose : ERGs are traditionally recorded using corneal electrodes, which can be difficult for some patients to tolerate. In the last several years, adhesive skin electrodes have gained in acceptance. We have previously reported on the clinical usefulness of qualitative interpretation of ERG recordings using skin electrodes for a wide spectrum of retinal disorders, as well as a preliminary estimate of the quantitative comparison of simultaneous ERG recordings using contact lens (CL) and adhesive skin electrodes to compare differences in signal strength. In the present report, we update our quantitative findings. Methods : The study was Institutional Review Board approved. 89 subjects were drawn from the practice of one of the authors who were referred for full-field ERG testing for multiple clinical indications. Informed consent was obtained from patients or accompanying parents. ERGs (obtained according to ISCEV standards) were recorded simultaneously from both eyes with ERG-jet corneal CL electrodes and LKC Technologies Sensor Strip adhesive skin electrodes using multi-channel instrumentation (Diagnosys LLC, Espion3). A- and b-wave amplitudes and implicit times were compared between the two electrode types. Results : Waveform morphologies were similar for both electrodes. Regression coefficients (conversion factors) for a- and b-wave amplitudes under photopic and scotopic conditions were tightly clustered: DA 0.01 b-wave: 0.368; DA 3 a-wave: 0.343; DA 3 b-w-wave: 0.360; LA 3 a-wave: 0.256; LA 3 b-wave: 0.325; 30-Hz flicker peak-to-peak: 0.384. Regression coefficients for implicit times were nearly equal to 1.0, indicating comparable latencies for skin and CL electrode recordings: DA 0.01 b-wave: 0.971; DA 3 a-wave: 0.926; DA 3 b-wave: 0.996; LA 3 a-wave: 0.967; LA 3 b-wave: 0.964. The regression coefficient for the entire amplitude data set was 0.336, with an overall correlation between skin and CL electrode amplitudes of 0.799. The regression coefficient for the entire implicit time data set was 0.980, with an overall correlation of 0.96. Conclusions : Our best estimate for the conversion factor between ERG amplitudes recorded with adhesive skin electrodes and CL electrodes is 0.336 skin electrode amplitudes are about 1/3 the amplitudes recorded simultaneously using CL electrodes - with a high correlation between skin and CL electrode amplitudes. Implicit times are nearly identical for the two electrode types