Faculty Bibliography

OBJECTIVES: To study the clinical and angiographic features of lesions in a case series of multiple evanescent white dot syndrome (MEWDS), to describe a newly recognized clinical variation of the disorder, and to gain insight into its pathophysiological nature. METHODS: Five patients with MEWDS (selected based on angiographic manifestations of the disorder) were examined using slitlamp biomicroscopy and studied using fluorescein angiography and indocyanine green angiography. RESULTS: All 5 patients exhibited the newly recognized angiographic features termed dots and spots, which varied in size and location in the fundus. Small dots were in the inner retina or at the level of the retinal pigment epithelium, and larger spots were more external in the subpigment epithelial area. All patients exhibited other characteristics typical of MEWDS, including field loss and foveal granularity. CONCLUSIONS: In this case series of MEWDS, a clinical variant consisting of dual-layered lesions with specific features on clinical examination, fluorescein angiography, and indocyanine green angiography was identified. On late indocyanine green angiography, these lesions produced highly specific findings of small hypofluorescent lesions overlying larger hypofluorescent lesions. Based on the angiographic findings, it seems as if MEWDS is a chorioretinopathy with varying degrees of retinal and choroidal involvement

OBJECTIVES: To review the frequency and nature of idiopathic macular telangiectasia and to classify the disorders based on new clinical and imaging observations. METHODS: A combined retrospective and prospective analysis of newly diagnosed patients seen over a period of 3 years. Patients were identified based on the Gass-Blodi classification and were studied with biomicroscopy, fluorescein angiography, and optical coherence tomography. RESULTS: Ten patients associated with aneurysmal telangiectasia (Gass-Blodi group 1) and 26 patients with perifoveal telangiectasia (Gass-Blodi group 2) were recruited. None with occlusive telangiectasia (Gass-Blodi group 3) were identified. New observations based on clinical, fluorescein angiographic, and optical coherence tomographic findings were made. CONCLUSIONS: Our series was similar to that in the Gass-Blodi study in terms of frequency. New observations in groups 1 and 2 have expanded our knowledge of the clinical spectrum of these disorders. A simplified classification termed idiopathic macular telangiectasia with 2 distinct types (type I, or aneurysmal telangiectasia, and type II, or perifoveal telangiectasia) was proposed to produce a better understanding of the entities and to enhance teaching and research. The third type, occlusive telangiectasia, has been omitted from our classification based on its rarity and presence of capillary nonperfusion rather than macular telangiectasia as the primary abnormality

OBJECTIVE: To study sequenced combined therapy using intravitreal triamcinolone acetonide followed by photodynamic therapy for the treatment of retinal angiomatous proliferation. METHODS: Patients newly diagnosed as having retinal angiomatous proliferation underwent intravitreal triamcinolone injection to reduce intraretinal and subretinal exudation, followed 7 to 14 days later by indocyanine green angiography-guided photodynamic therapy with verteporfin. Complete ocular examination, fluorescein angiography, indocyanine green angiography, and optical coherence tomography were performed at baseline and at standard intervals thereafter. RESULTS: Twenty-seven eyes of 26 patients underwent this sequenced combined treatment and were followed up for 12 months. The triamcinolone injection reduced the cystoid edema before photodynamic therapy. Complete resolution of the angiographic leakage was achieved in 89% of eyes. Visual acuity improved in 37% and was stable in 52% of eyes. Eight eyes developed recurrent leakage after 3 to 11 months. Complete resolution of leakage was observed after subsequent treatment. CONCLUSIONS: This sequenced combined treatment in patients with retinal angiomatous proliferation was effective in reducing or eliminating the edema, achieving rapid regression of neovascularization, and stabilizing or improving visual acuity. To our knowledge, no study to date has achieved such promising results in the management of retinal angiomatous proliferation. A randomized clinical trial is under way to compare sequential and simultaneous combined therapy

PURPOSE: To describe the short-term anatomical and visual acuity responses after intravitreal injection of bevacizumab (Avastin, Genentech) in patients with choroidal neovascularization (CNV) secondary to age-related macular degeneration (AMD). METHODS: We conducted a retrospective study of patients with CNV secondary to AMD who were treated with intravitreal injection of bevacizumab (1.25 mg) during a 3-month period. Patients underwent best-corrected Snellen visual acuity testing, optical coherence tomography, and ophthalmoscopic examination at baseline and follow-up visits. RESULTS: There were 266 consecutive eyes of 266 patients who received injections, and follow-up information was available for 251 (94.4%). The mean age of the patients was 80.3 years, the mean baseline visual acuity was 20/184, and 175 (69.7%) had inadequate response to alternate methods of treatment. At the 1-month follow-up (data available for 244 patients), the mean visual acuity was 20/137 (P < 0.001 as compared with baseline), and 74 (30.3%) of patients had improvement in visual acuity as defined by a halving of the visual angle. At the 2-month follow-up (data available for 222 patients), the mean visual acuity was 20/122 (P < 0.001), and 78 (31.1%) of patients had visual improvement. At the 3-month follow-up (data available for 141 patients), the mean visual acuity was 20/109 (P < 0.001), and 54 (38.3%) of patients had visual acuity improvement. The mean central macular thickness at baseline was 340 mum and decreased to a mean of 247 microm at month 1 (P < 0.001) and 213 microm at month 3 (P < 0.001). At 1 month, two patients had mild vitritis, as did one patient at 2 months, who had a history of recurrent uveitis. No endophthalmitis, increased intraocular pressure, retinal tear, or retinal detachment occurred. The risk for thromboembolic disorders did not seem to be different than reported previously in studies concerning macular degeneration. CONCLUSION: There were no apparent short-term safety concerns for intravitreal bevacizumab injection for CNV. Treated eyes had a significant decrease in macular thickness and improvement in visual acuity. The follow-up was too short to make any specific treatment recommendations, but the favorable short-term results suggest further study is needed

PURPOSE: To report the short term anatomic and visual acuity response after intravitreal injection of bevacizumab (Avastin, Genentech) in patients with macular edema due to central retinal vein occlusion (CRVO). METHODS: The authors conducted a retrospective study of patients with macular edema due to CRVO who were treated with at least one intravitreal injection of bevacizumab 1.25 mg in 0.05 mL. Patients underwent Snellen visual acuity testing, optical coherence tomography (OCT) imaging, and ophthalmoscopic examination at baseline and follow-up visits. RESULTS: There were 16 eyes of 15 consecutive patients with a mean age of 76.1 years (SD 9.8 years). Intravitreal triamcinolone had been previously administered to 9 patients, but all of these patients either had no improvement or had excessive intraocular pressure caused by the triamcinolone. The patients received a mean of 2.8 injections of bevacizumab per eye. No adverse events were observed, including endophthalmitis, clinically evident inflammation, increased intraocular pressure, retinal tears, retinal detachment, or thromboembolic events in any patient. The mean central macular thickness at baseline was 887 microm and decreased to a mean of 372 microm at month 1 (P < 0.001). The mean baseline acuity was 20/600 (logMAR = 1.48) and the mean acuity at month 1 was 20/200 (logMAR = 1.05), a difference that was highly significant (P = 0.001). At last follow-up, a mean of 3 months after the first injection, the mean visual acuity was 20/138 (logMAR = 0.84), which was significantly better than baseline (P < 0.001). Visual acuity improvement, defined as a halving of the visual angle, was seen in 14 of the 16 eyes. CONCLUSION: Initial treatment results of patients with macular edema secondary to CRVO did not reveal any short-term safety concerns. Intravitreal bevacizumab resulted in a significant decrease in macular edema and improvement in visual acuity. The number of patients in this pilot study was limited and the follow-up is too short to make any specific treatment recommendations, but the favorable short-term results suggest further study is needed

PURPOSE: To present the possibilities of a new system that combines optical coherence tomography (OCT) and confocal ophthalmoscopy, producing en face OCT images in patients with retinal diseases. METHODS: A prototype OCT Ophthalmoscope (OTI, Toronto, Canada) was used to scan patients with retinal conditions. The system uses a super luminescent diode (lambda = 820 nm; Deltalambda = 20 nm) and currently scans at a rate of 2 frames per second. In each frame, the OCT Ophthalmoscope simultaneously produces a transversal OCT scan and a confocal image in the X/Y plane. Both images correspond pixel to pixel. RESULTS: Between January 2002 and August 2003, >800 patients with various retinal diseases were scanned with the OCT Ophthalmoscope. Illustrative cases with regularly seen macular diseases are presented, such as macular hole and central serous retinopathy. CONCLUSION: Current difficulties as well as future possibilities of this new en face OCT ophthalmoscope are discussed. By presenting normal and pathologic transversal OCT images made by a prototype OCT Ophthalmoscope, we show that it can provide information not available using conventional OCT imaging

PURPOSE: To describe a previously unreported clinical entity superficially resembling macular serpiginous choroiditis but with a distinct presentation and clinical course. METHODS: A retrospective review of the medical records of five patients, aged 50 to 68 years, exhibiting this entity seen at five different centers from 1999 to 2006. RESULTS: The lesions in the patients in this study are in some respects similar to those of acute macular serpiginous choroiditis. The patients had well-delineated whitish plaque-like lesions involving the macula and sparing the peripapillary areas of both eyes. In contrast to serpiginous choroiditis, visual acuity remained good despite early involvement of the fovea until complications related to choroidal neovascularization (CNV) or pigmentary mottling developed. The angiographic characteristics and the clinical course were also atypical. Fluorescein angiography revealed well-defined early hypofluorescent areas, which partially filled-in in the late phase. Indocyanine green angiography showed the hypofluorescence to be persistent. Unlike serpiginous choroiditis, the white macular lesions faded over a period of months to years, but the characteristic angiographic findings often persisted longer. CNV developed in nine of 10 eyes with subsequent conversion to disciform macular scars in seven of 10 eyes. Unlike serpiginous choroiditis, none of the eyes showed chorioretinal scar formation unless related to CNV. CONCLUSION: Persistent placoid maculopathy has features resembling macular serpiginous choroiditis but differs in its clinical course and effect on visual acuity. It appears to be a new entity. The majority of eyes develop CNV, which results in loss of central vision