Faculty Bibliography

PURPOSE: The purpose of the study is to investigate the demographic characteristics and clinical findings of central serous chorioretinopathy (CSC). METHODS: This study examined a consecutive series of 130 patients with CSC seen over an 18-month period. RESULTS: The mean age of the patients when examined was 51 years, and the male-to-female ratio was 2.6:1.0. A total of 62 patients were older than 50 years of age when first examined. Although the patients shared some clinical and angiographic similarities, the older patients had a lower mean visual acuity and were more likely to have diffuse retinal pigment epitheliopathy, bilateral involvement, and secondary choroidal neovascularization than were the younger patients. With ophthalmoscopic and angiographic examination results, it was possible to differentiate CSC in older adults from choroidal neovascularization. CONCLUSION: This study expands the clinical concept of CSC. The male-to-female ratio was much lower, and the range of ages of the patients was much greater than in previous studies. Disease manifestations in older adults differed somewhat from those seen in younger adults. In older patients, CSC can be distinguished from other exudative maculopathies, particularly that of choroidal neovascularization secondary to age-related macular degeneration

PURPOSE: The authors studied the indocyanine green (ICG) videoangiography findings of central serous chorioretinopathy (CSC) in older adults. BACKGROUND: Central serous chorioretinopathy in older adults may be confused with the exudative forms of age-related macular degeneration (AMD) because the two entities may have similar ophthalmoscopic and fluorescein angiographic findings. Because of its enhanced ability to image the choroidal circulation, ICG videoangiography has been used to describe certain choroidal vascular abnormalities in young adults with CSC, as well as older patients with choroidal neovascularization (CNV). The ICG videoangiography findings in CSC in older adults is largely unknown. METHODS: The authors performed ICG videoangiography on 36 patients aged 50 years or older with CSC to characterize their findings. RESULTS: The ICG videoangiography findings of the patients were consistent, revealing choroidal vascular hyperpermeability manifested by areas of hyperfluorescence that were first seen in the midphase of the angiogram. In the later phases of the angiogram, there were dispersion of the hyperfluorescence and a distinctive silhouetting of the larger choroidal vessels. CONCLUSIONS: Older patients with CSC have a unique temporal and topographic pattern of hyperpermeability that can help establish the proper diagnosis

A disposable 19-gauge ophthalmic endoscope has been developed for imaging and treatment during vitreoretinal surgery whenever standard microscopic visualization is limited or impossible. The endoscopic system is adaptable to many standard light sources and standard video imaging or storage equipment. Preliminary clinical experience has demonstrated the usefulness and practical application of this new instrument

BACKGROUND: The role of vitreoretinal traction in the macular region as a causative factor for the development of idiopathic macular holes is widely accepted. The purpose of this study is to provide a prospective evaluation of patients with idiopathic macular holes to determine the risk of hole formation in the fellow eye. METHODS: The authors performed a prospective study of 50 patients with unilateral idiopathic macular holes combining complete ocular examination, including slit-lamp biomicroscopy, with kinetic B-scan ultrasound evaluation of the status of the vitreoretinal interface. Natural history data were obtained by follow-up examinations performed at 3-month intervals throughout the course of the study. RESULTS: During a median follow-up of 33 months, a full-thickness macular hole developed in 1 (2%) of 46 normal fellow eyes. Full-thickness holes also developed in three (75%) of the four eyes that had premacular hole changes (stages 1A and 1B) in the fellow eye on initial examination. All macular holes in fellow eyes occurred within 24 months of entry into the study. Kinetic ultrasound evaluation determined that fellow eyes with separation of the posterior hyaloid membrane in the foveal region were protected from future macular hole development. Those patients with attachment of the posterior hyaloid membrane in both eyes were at highest risk of holes forming in the fellow eye. Patients with posterior hyaloid membrane separation in the macular hole eye only, with an attached vitreous in the fellow eye, were at intermediate risk. CONCLUSION: The authors suggest that fellow eyes in patients with unilateral idiopathic macular holes have a relatively favorable natural history and that kinetic ultrasound examination may help determine which of these fellow eyes is at highest risk for full-thickness macular holes developing