Vincenzo Scorcia

Bio: Vincenzo Scorcia is an academic researcher from Magna Græcia University. The author has contributed to research in topics: Medicine & Ophthalmology. The author has an hindex of 24, co-authored 106 publications receiving 2051 citations.

Optical coherence tomography angiography analysis of retinal vascular plexuses and choriocapillaris in patients with type 1 diabetes without diabetic retinopathy

Abstract: To analyze retinal vascular plexuses and choriocapillaris by optical coherence tomography angiography (OCT-A) and retinal nerve fiber layer and ganglion cell layer (GCL) by structural optical coherence tomography (OCT) in patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) without diabetic retinopathy (DR). A total of 25 eyes of 25 consecutive T1DM patients without signs of DR were prospectively recruited and compared to 25 healthy subjects (control eyes). All patients underwent OCT-A (CIRRUS HD-OCT model 5000, Carl Zeiss Meditec, Dublin, CA) and structural OCT. Qualitative and quantitative analyses with vessel density were performed on OCT-A images in the superficial capillary plexus (SCP), deep capillary plexus (DCP) and choriocapillaris for all patients. By means of OCT-A, a rarefaction of the perifoveal capillary network in SCP was detected in 7 out of 25 eyes. No significant difference was found in FAZ area of both SCP and DCP comparing diabetic and control groups. By analyzing the DCP, diabetic eyes revealed a significant decreased vessel density compared to control eyes [0.464 ± 0.016 and 0.477 ± 0.014, respectively (p = 0.005)]. Instead, no significant difference was found in the vessel density of all-retina plexus, SCP and choriocapillaris. By RFNL and GCL thickness analysis, no significant differences were disclosed between diabetics and healthy subjects. We demonstrated the ability of OCT-A to disclose early vascular alterations in patients with T1DM diagnosed as without any signs of DR on the basis of fundus biomicroscopy. Our results also suggest that microvascular changes could precede detectable damage of diabetic neuroretinopathy.

A modified technique for descemet membrane stripping automated endothelial keratoplasty to minimize endothelial cell loss.

Abstract: In an attempt to enhance postoperative survival of donor endothelium, the conventional technique for Descemet membrane stripping automated endothelial keratoplasty (DSAEK) was modified using the prototype of a glide specially designed to facilitate graft delivery and minimize surgical trauma Instead of using the so-called taco technique, the Busin glide is loaded with the donor lamella, and a microincision forceps is inserted into a temporal side entry and passed across the anterior chamber, exiting through a nasal clear cornea tunnel to grab the graft and drag it into the eye In 10 patients who underwent DSAEK, mean (SD) postoperative endothelial cell loss was 200% (26%) at 6 months, 235% (28%) at 12 months, and 264% (27%) at 18 to 24 months Reduced trauma to the graft using our modified technique limits endothelial cell loss after DSAEK to the level recorded after conventional penetrating keratoplasty (PK)

Donor tissue preparation for Descemet membrane endothelial keratoplasty

Abstract: We are pleased to note that Dr Zarei-Ghanavati and his team have replicated our technique (originally presented at the American Academy of Ophthalmology meeting in Atlanta 2008 and subsequently published)1 and agree that it is a viable, quicker and easier alternative to conventional donor preparation for Descemet membrane endothelial keratoplasty (DMEK) surgery.2 The process of pneumatic dissection described is essentially similar to ours; however, they have overlooked some key adaptations which further maximise the potential of this novel technique. We performed a superficial keratectomy using a 300 μm microkeratome head prior to performing the pneumatic dissection. In the …

Enhanced Depth Imaging Optical Coherence Tomography of the Choroid in Normal Eyes

Abstract: PURPOSE To measure macular choroidal thickness in normal eyes at different points using enhanced depth imaging (EDI) optical coherence tomography (OCT) and to evaluate the association of choroidal thickness and age. DESIGN Retrospective, observational case series. METHODS EDI OCT images were obtained in patients without significant retinal or choroidal pathologic features. The images were obtained by positioning a spectral-domain OCT device close enough to the eye to acquire an inverted image. Seven sections were obtained within a 5 x 30-degree area centered at the fovea, with 100 scans averaged for each section. The choroid was measured from the outer border of the retinal pigment epithelium to the inner scleral border at 500-microm intervals of a horizontal section from 3 mm temporal to the fovea to 3 mm nasal to the fovea. Statistical analysis was performed to evaluate variations of choroidal thickness at each location and to correlate choroidal thickness and patient age. RESULTS The mean age of the 30 patients (54 eyes) was 50.4 years (range, 19 to 85 years), and 14 patients (46.7%) were female. The choroid was thickest underneath the fovea (mean, 287 microm; standard deviation, +/- 76 microm). Choroidal thickness decreased rapidly in the nasal direction and averaged 145 microm (+/- 57 microm) at 3 mm nasal to the fovea. Increasing age was correlated significantly with decreasing choroidal thickness at all points measured. Regression analysis suggested that the subfoveal choroidal thickness decreased by 15.6 microm for each decade of life. CONCLUSIONS Choroidal thickness seems to vary topographically within the posterior pole. The thickness of the choroid showed a negative correlation with age. The decrease in the thickness of the choroid may play a role in the pathophysiologic features of various age-related ocular conditions.