Case Reports in Ophthalmology 

About: Case Reports in Ophthalmology is an academic journal published by Karger Publishers. The journal publishes majorly in the area(s): Medicine & Visual acuity. It has an ISSN identifier of 1663-2699. It is also open access. Over the lifetime, 1173 publications have been published receiving 5936 citations.

Usefulness of Intravitreal Bevacizumab for Retinopathy of Prematurity with Severely Dilated Tunica Vasculosa Lentis and Poor Mydriasis

Abstract: Background: Laser therapy has been the gold standard treatment for retinopathy of prematurity (ROP), while intravitreal bevacizumab (IVB) is reported to be of significant benefit for zone I ROP. A problem with laser therapy is that it is difficult to administer in ROP patients with severely dilated tunica vasculosa lentis and poor mydriasis. However, although IVB treatment has been performed in such severe ROP cases, only 1 report has discussed its usefulness. Case 1: A male infant was born with a birth weight of 382 g at 23 weeks’ gestation. As visualization was poor and laser therapy could not be performed due to dilated tunica vasculosa lentis and poor mydriasis, IVB (0.625 mg/0.025 mL) was administered to both eyes. Following treatment, the ROP gradually improved, with regression of the dilated tunica vasculosa lentis and improvement of the mydriasis in both eyes. Case 2: A male infant was born with a birth weight of 698 g at 25 weeks’ gestation. As laser therapy could not be performed due to severely dilated tunica vasculosa lentis and poor mydriasis, IVB (0.625 mg/0.025 mL) was administered to both eyes. Following treatment, the ROP gradually improved, with regression of the dilated tunica vasculosa lentis and improvement of the mydriasis in both eyes. Conclusions: IVB is potentially more useful than laser therapy for the treatment of severe ROP with dilated tunica vasculosa lentis and poor mydriasis.

Branch Retinal Vein Occlusion, Macular Ischemia, and Intravitreal Anti-VEGF Therapy.

Abstract: Purpose: To report a case with ischemic macular edema (ME) due to an acute branch retinal vein occlusion (BRVO) which was treated with repeated intravitreal anti-

Spectral-Domain Optical Coherence Tomography Features of Acute Syphilitic Posterior Placoid Chorioretinitis: The Role of Autoimmune Response in Pathogenesis

Abstract: Purpose: Syphilis is an infectious disease that can cause a wide variety of ocular signs. One of the rarest manifestations of ocular syphilis is acute syphilitic posterior placoid chorioretinitis (ASPPC). We report on the spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) features of a case diagnosed with unilateral ASPPC. Methods: A 64-year-old man presented with a sudden loss of visual acuity (VA) in the right eye. His only clinical sign was a large, geographic, yellow-white lesion centered on the right fovea. Our patient was studied with SD-OCT on presentation and during follow-up, as well as with fluorescein and indocyanine green angiography, electrophysiological study, and serologic and autoimmune screening. Results: Laboratory workup revealed positive serology for active syphilis and elevated anti-beta2 glycoprotein I antibodies. SD-OCT showed a marked distortion of both the choroidal and outer retinal architecture. After treatment, best-corrected VA improved to 20/25. Pattern electroretinography displayed a severe reduction of P50 amplitude, which improved in late follow-up. Six months after presentation, VA was 20/25 and anti-beta2 glycoprotein I antibodies returned to normal levels. Conclusions: Our findings are compatible with immunologically mediated temporary physiological impairment of the neuroretina, since the changes seen by SD-OCT could not have normalized if they were due to anatomical injury. The results of our study provide clues to understanding the pathogenesis of this disease and allow us to define a characteristic temporal sequence of events in ASPPC.

Toric topographically customized transepithelial, pulsed, very high-fluence, higher energy and higher riboflavin concentration collagen cross-linking in keratoconus.

Abstract: Purpose: To report a novel application of toric topographically customized transepithelial collagen cross-linking (CXL) aiming to achieve refractive astigmatic changes in a keratoconic cornea. Methods: Specially formulated riboflavin transepithelial administration and delivery of high-fluence UVA in a topographically customized pattern was applied in an eye with progressive keratoconus. Visual acuity, cornea clarity, keratometry, topography, and pachymetry with a multitude of modalities, as well as endothelial cell counts were evaluated for >6 months. Results: Uncorrected distance visual acuity changed from preoperative 20/40 to 20/25 at 6 months. A mean astigmatic reduction of 0.8 D, and significant cornea surface normalization was achieved 6 months postoperatively. There was some mild change in the epithelial distribution, with the treated area having a slight normalization in the average epithelial thickness. Conclusions: We introduce herein the novel application of a topographically customizable transepithelial CXL in progressive keratoconus in order to achieve an astigmatic refractive effect and ectasia stabilization. This novel technique offers a nonablative and nonincisional approach to treat irregular astigmatism in ectatic cornea with rapid visual rehabilitation.

Combination of intravitreal ranibizumab and laser photocoagulation for aggressive posterior retinopathy of prematurity.

Abstract: Purpose: To report on 2 cases of aggressive posterior retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) treated with intravitreal ranibizumab (Lucentis®) and laser photocoagulation. Methods: Two premature females, born at 25 and 26 weeks’ gestation with a birth weight of 530 and 550 g, respectively, with aggressive posterior ROP received combined treatment with laser photocoagulation and intravitreal ranibizumab (0.3 mg [30 µl]) to each eye. Structural outcomes were evaluated by indirect ophthalmoscopy and documented by retinography. Results: An intravitreal injection was made at 34 weeks of postmenstrual age in the first case, followed by laser photocoagulation 1 week later. There was a partial regression of ROP with treatment. Five weeks later, neovascularization regrowth with bleeding in both eyes (intraretinal and subhyaloid) occurred and retreatment with combined therapy was performed. In the second case, single therapy with laser photocoagulation was made at 34 weeks of postmenstrual age. In spite of the confluent photocoagulation in the avascular area, progression to 4A ROP stage occurred 1 week later. Both eyes were retreated 1 week later with intravitreal ranibizumab and laser photocoagulation. Treatment resulted in ROP regression in both cases. There were no signs of systemic or ocular adverse side effects. Conclusion: The cases presented show that combination therapy of indirect laser photocoagulation and intravitreal ranibizumab can be effective in the management of aggressive posterior ROP. Further investigation on anti-VEGF safety in premature infants is necessary . Additional studies are needed to define the role of anti-VEGF in ROP treatment.