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PurposeTo assess the relationship of demographics, clinical characteristics and structural optical coherence tomography (OCT) findings to disease recurrence in a cohort of patients with newly diagnosed myopic choroidal neovascularisation (CNV)MethodsIn this retrospective, longitudinal study, a total of 64 participants (64 eyes) with successfully treated myopic CNV had obtained resolution of exudation after treatment (study baseline) and with 3 years of regular follow-ups. Several baseline OCT qualitative features and quantitative measurements were assessed at baseline and included in the analysis. Main outcome measures included incidence of disease recurrence and HR for demographics, clinical characteristics and OCT risk factors.ResultsAt month 36, 40 eyes (62.5%) developed disease recurrence (active CNV). Multivariate linear regression analysis revealed that final visual acuity (dependent variable) was associated with visual acuity at the first visit after complete resolution of exudation (pConclusionWe identified OCT risk factors for the disease recurrence in eyes with successfully treated myopic CNV. Assuming that disease recurrence is a sight-threatening event, our findings may help in the identification of high-risk patients and eventually ameliorate their outcome.

Quality of single optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) images of myopic choroidal neovascularisation (mCNV) is poorer than in averaged images, although obtaining averaged images takes much time. This study evaluated the clinical usefulness of novel denoising process for depicting mCNV. This study included 20 eyes of 20 patients with mCNV. Ten en face images taken in a 3 × 3 mm macular cube were obtained from outer-retina-to-choriocapillaris layer. Three image types were prepared for analysis; single images before and after the denoising process accomplished deep learning (single and denoising groups, respectively) and up to 10 images were averaged (averaging group). Pairwise comparisons showed vessel density, vessel length density, and fractal dimension (FD) were higher; whereas, vessel density index (VDI) was lower in single group than in denoising and averaging groups. Detectable CNV indices, contrast-to-nose ratio, and CNV diagnostic scores were higher in denoising and averaging groups than in single group. No significant differences were detected in VDI, FD, or CNV diagnostic scores between denoising and averaging groups. The denoising process can utilise single OCTA images to provide results comparable to averaged OCTA images, which is clinically useful for shortening examination times with quality similar to averaging.

Background Myopic choroidal neovascularization (CNV) is the most common sight-threatening complication associated with high myopia. The present study evaluated the efficacy and safety of the intravitreal injection of ziv-aflibercept in patients with myopic CNV. Methods This prospective interventional study was conducted on 20 eyes of 20 patients with active myopic CNV. Twelve patients were 40 years or older. This study was performed in the Ophthalmology Department of Tanta University Eye Hospital, Tanta University, Egypt. Optical coherence tomography (OCT) was performed for all patients at baseline and monthly after injection during the 6-month follow up period. The main outcome measures were changes in BCVA and CMT. The exploratory outcome measures were CNV size, IOP and the number of injections needed in each age group during the study period. Results Patients with myopic CNV younger than 40 years needed fewer injections (2.00 ± 0.76) than patients older than 40 years (2.50 ± 1.00), with no statistical significance detected between the two groups (p-value 0.246). CNV was smaller in the younger age group (p-value 0.209), best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) improved significantly in the younger and older age groups (p-values 0.001 and 0.028, respectively), and central macular thickness (CMT) decreased significantly after 6 months, from 242.88 ± 23.83 μm to 191.13 ± 13.83 μm in the younger age group and from 251.33 ± 26.60 μm to 197.08 ± 17.64 μm in the older age group (p = 0.001). No significant correlation was found between the final BCVA and either the spherical equivalent or central macular thickness after 6 months, with p-values of 0.135 and 0.145, respectively. No significant changes in IOP were detected in either group after the intravitreal injection. Conclusion Ziv-aflibercept is a highly effective and safe drug in cases of active myopic CNV; however, a larger number of patients and a longer follow-up period are needed to confirm our results. This study was retrospectively registered at clinicaltrials.gov (ID: NCT04290195) on 26-2-2020.

PurposeTo assess the incidence, clinical features and predictive risk factors of subretinal fibrosis after treatment of active myopic choroidal neovascularisation (mCNV) with anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF).MethodsThis post-hoc analysis of a randomised controlled trial included a total of 54 patients with active mCNV. The clinical data at baseline, month 3 and month 12 were used. Fundus photography and optical coherence tomography at month 3 were used to determine the presence of subretinal fibrosis after anti-VEGF therapy, and its incidence was calculated. Best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), Visual Function Questionnaire−25 score, macular integrity index (MI) and their changes were compared between eyes with and without subretinal fibrosis. A logistic regression model was used to evaluate the risk factors of subretinal fibrosis.ResultsSubretinal fibrosis occurred in 22 of 54 eyes with mCNV. Patients with subretinal fibrosis achieved similar BCVA improvement in comparison with those without fibrosis at 3 and 12 months after the treatment; however, they had lower visual acuity, more subfoveal CNV (p=0.002), higher CNV thickness at baseline (p=0.016), larger CNV size (p=0.030), larger leakage area (p=0.021) and higher presence of advanced myopic maculopathy (p=0.035). Age ConclusionsThe incidence of subretinal fibrosis after anti-VEGF therapy was 40.7% in eyes with mCNV. Age, baseline BCVA and MI index could serve as predictive risk factors of subretinal fibrosis after anti-VEGF treatment in patients with mCNV.

PURPOSE: To develop a diagnostic algorithm in patients with pathologic myopia who present with typical symptoms or signs of myopic choroidal neovascularisation (mCNV). METHODS: Retrospective study. Patients with high myopia and suspected mCNV underwent fluorescein angiography (FFA), structural spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) and optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA). Active mCNV on one imaging modality plus clinical features were considered as the benchmark reference for the other two tests. Sensitivity was calculated for each modality individually and in combination. Morphological features were noted on SD-OCT and OCTA. RESULTS: Twenty-seven eyes of 26 patients were analysed. Sensitivity of SD-OCT or FFA alone was 85.19% (23/27 eyes). Sensitivity of OCTA was 74.07% (20/27 eyes). The sensitivity for SD-OCT combined with OCTA was 96.16% and combined with FFA was 97.80%. On OCTA, a “tight net” appearance was seen in 16 eyes (80%); a core vessel was visible in seven eyes (35%), all with active lesions. A “perilesional halo” was visible in 11 eyes (55%) of which 10 had active lesions. CONCLUSION: When combined, OCTA and SD-OCT or SD-OCT and FFA showed similar higher sensitivities than each modality alone. A tight vascular net and the combination of a perilesional halo and a visible core on OCTA may serve as biomarkers of mCNV activity.

To examine the long-term outcomes of full macular translocation (FMT) for myopic choroidal neovascularisation (mCNV).We evaluated a consecutive case series of 60 eyes with mCNV that underwent FMT. We assessed the best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), fundus photographs and fluorescein angiography images, and evaluated the anatomic and visual outcomes.The mean follow-up period was 76.3 months. The macula was relocated successfully in all eyes. The mean distance of macular translocation was 2842 μm. The baseline BCVA was 0.78 logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution (logMAR) unit; the logMAR BCVA values at 1, 3 and 5 years postoperatively significantly (p0.001) improved to 0.54 at 1 year and then remained stable. The new fovea was associated with enlargement of the myopic chorioretinal atrophy in 19 (31.7%) eyes. Subfoveal or juxtafoveal CNV at the translocated new fovea developed in five (8.3%) eyes.FMT for mCNV maintained the improvement in VA for more than 5 years. However, postoperative complications and progression of chorioretinal atrophy due to myopia still seem to limit the visual improvement after FMT for mCNV.

Background Choroidal neovascularisation is often associated with pathological myopia. Bisphosphonates (BP), the preferred drug for treatment of osteoporosis, are known to have anti-angiogenic effects. Objective To compare the therapeutic effects of oral BP with anti-vascular endothelial growth factor therapy (anti-VEGF) and photodynamic therapy (PDT) for myopic choroidal neovascularisation (mCNV) over 2 years of follow-up. Methods One hundred eyes of 96 consecutive patients with mCNV who underwent oral BP treatment (alendronate 5 mg/day or 35 mg/week), anti-VEGF therapy, PDT or observation only were followed up for 2 years. The best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and the central retinal thickness (CRT) in optical coherence tomography were compared among the treatment groups. Results The mean BCVA of the patients was maintained for up to 2 years in the BP and PDT groups. In the anti-VEGF group, the mean BCVA was significantly improved but was significantly worse in the no-treatment group. The visual outcomes were significantly better in the BP, PDT and anti-VEGF groups than the no-treatment group over 2 years of follow-up (−0.28, −0.26 and −0.39 logMAR units, p=0.032, 0.021 and 0.0004, respectively). The mean CRT was significantly decreased in all treatment groups (−84, −121 and −122 mm, p=0.0025, 0.017 and 0.000025, respectively). Conclusions Oral BP should be investigated further as possible therapeutic and preventive drugs for mCNV.

Background/aims To describe the morphological features of choroidal neovascularisation (CNV) and to report the ability of optical coherence tomography angiography (OCT-A) to detect the presence of myopic CNV by means of this new technique. Methods Myopic CNV cases were individuated from a pool of patients with pathological myopia consecutively presenting between October 2015 and March 2016. OCT-A images were assessed for classification of morphological features, and to estimate sensitivity and specificity. Results Thirty-six eyes of 28 consecutive patients with myopic CNV were included. In 4 out of 36 eyes it was not possible to classify the CNV ‘shape’, ‘core’, ‘margin’ and ‘appearance’ because the vascular network was not clearly visualised due to the poor quality of the examination. CNV shape on OCT-A was rated as circular in 9 eyes and irregular in 23 eyes. CNV core was visible in 11 eyes. CNV margin was considered as well defined in 16 eyes and poorly defined in 16 eyes. CNV appearance showed an ‘interlacing’ aspect in 16 eyes and a ‘tangled’ aspect in the other 16 eyes. A total of 11 CNVs were defined as active, 9 of which (81.8%) were interlacing, while a total of 21 were inactive, 14 of which (66.7%) were tangled. OCT-A sensitivity turned out to be 90.48% and specificity was 93.75%. Conclusions We describe the OCT-A features of myopic CNV secondary to pathological myopia and demonstrate its high sensitivity and specificity for neovascular detection. Qualitative evaluation of OCT-A characteristics may allow one to recognise different patterns, possibly corresponding to different degrees of neovascular activity.

Background Anti vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) therapy is an established treatment for various retinal diseases. Long-term data on injection frequencies and visual acuity (VA), however, are still rare. Methods Five-year analysis of real-life VA developments and injection patterns from 2072 patients (2577 eyes; 33 187 injections) with chronically active disease undergoing pro-re-nata treatment for age-related macular degeneration (AMD), diabetic macular oedema (DME), retinal vein occlusion (RVO) and myopic choroidal neovascularisation (CNV). Results Maximum mean VA gain in year 1 was+5.2 letters in AMD, +6.2 in DME, +10 in RVO and+7.2 in myopic CNV. Over 5 years, however, VA in patients with AMD declined. By year 5, 34% of patients with AMD had experienced VA loss of >15 letters, 56% had remained stable and 10% had gained >15 letters. Long-term VA developments in DME and RVO were more favourable with 81% of DME and 79% of patients with RVO gaining or maintaining vision at 5 years. In AMD, median injection frequency was six in year 1 and between four and five in consecutive years. In DME and RVO, median injection frequency was six in year 1 but lower compared with AMD in consecutive years. Injection frequency in DME was weakly associated with patient age (r s =0.1; p=0.03). Conclusions In AMD, the initial VA gain was not maintained long term despite higher injection numbers compared with DME, RVO and myopic CNV. The presented real-world data provide a peer-group-based estimate of VA developments and injection frequencies for counselling patients undergoing long-term anti-VEGF therapy.

AIM To assess the choroidal thickness and choroidal circulatory changes in eyes with myopic choroidal neovascularisation (mCNV). METHODS Retrospective, consecutive, observational case series. Forty-two consecutive eyes (17 eyes with newly diagnosed mCNV and 25 eyes without CNV) were included. Choroidal circulation was evaluated by indocyanine green angiography (ICGA), and choroidal thickness was measured by spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT). The factors associated with mCNV were evaluated. RESULTS Sixteen (94%) of 17 eyes with mCNV and six (24%) of 25 eyes without mCNV had well-defined hypofluorescence at the macular region on arterial phase ICGA, that is, a choroidal filling delay. Older age (p

Aim:The aim of the study was to examine the 1-year results of intravitreal bevacizumab for myopic choroidal neovascularisation (CNV).Methods:Twenty-nine eyes of 29 patients with myopic CNV were prospectively recruited to receive three initial monthly intravitreal bevacizumab injections. Three additional monthly injections were performed in eyes with persistent or recurrent CNV after 3 months.Results:The mean spherical equivalent refractive error was −10.0 D. Sixteen eyes had previous photodynamic therapy (PDT) and 13 eyes had no prior PDT. All patients completed follow-up at 1 year. Following the initial three bevacizumab injections, 27 (93.1%) eyes had angiographic closure and two (6.9%) required further treatment. Two additional patients required re-treatment for CNV recurrence between 6 and 9 months. The mean baseline logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution (logMAR best-corrected visual acuity) was 0.62 (20/83), which improved to 0.38 (20/48) at 12 months (pConclusions:The 1-year outcomes confirmed the results of previous short-term studies that intravitreal bevacizumab is effective for myopic CNV, with a high proportion of patients sustaining visual gain after treatment.

Background/aims: To investigate fundus autofluorescence (FAF) findings in eyes with myopic choroidal neovascularisation (CNV). Methods: Observational case series. Twenty-seven consecutive eyes with CNV for at least 1 year were included. FAF patterns, time after the onset of CNV seen on FAF and FAF changes were evaluated. Results: The following patterns were observed: pattern I (n = 2), relative hypoautofluorescence around the CNV surrounded by hyperautofluorescence a mean of 17 months after CNV onset; pattern II (n = 11), small lobular or multilobular well-defined FAF defects within a relatively hypoautofluorescent region surrounded by hyperautofluorescence a mean of 35 months after onset; pattern III (n = 4), large lobular or multilobular well-defined FAF defects surrounded by hyperautofluorescence a mean of 59 months after onset; and pattern IV (n = 10), large lobular or crescent-shaped well-defined FAF defects a mean of 107 months after onset. Well-defined FAF defects corresponded to chorioretinal atrophy on colour fundus photographs. During the follow-up period, two eyes with pattern I evolved into pattern II. Lobular or multilobular well-defined FAF defects enlarged in 11 eyes (pattern II, nine eyes; pattern III, two eyes). Conclusion: Autofluorescent changes progress over time through pattern grading. A pattern classification might be helpful to predict chorioretinal atrophy changes around myopic CNV.

Aims To investigate aqueous humour changes in vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and pigment epithelium-derived factor (PEDF) levels in patients with choroidal neovascularisation (CNV) secondary to pathological myopia (mCNV) before and after intravitreal ranibizumab injection (IVR). Methods This was a prospective, case–control study investigating aqueous levels of VEGF and PEDF in eyes with mCNV treated with IVR. Results Mean VEGF and PEDF levels in the aqueous humour of control patients were 25.7±4.9 pg/mL and 12.6±3.5 ng/mL, respectively. Lower levels of both VEGF (19.5±5.4 pg/mL) and PEDF (4.7±2.2 ng/mL) were found in patients with mCNV before IVR. After IVR, aqueous VEGF levels significantly reduced to 6.5±2.7 pg/mL, while PEDF levels significantly increased to 35.8±11.4 ng/mL. VEGF and PEDF levels significantly correlated with each other, and with best-corrected visual acuity and central retinal thickness. Conclusions The VEGF and PEDF levels in aqueous humour were significantly lower in the myopic group than in controls. Moreover, IVR resulted in reduced VEGF and increased PEDF levels in patients with mCNV. In mCNV, neovascularisation is associated with inappropriate VEGF and PEDF expression. A balance between VEGF and PEDF is crucial to prevent CNV development. Trial registration number NCT02175940.

To assess the two year outcome following macular translocation (MT) with scleral infolding in the management of myopic subfoveal choroidal neovascularisation (CNV).Prospective, clinical interventional noncomparative consecutive case series.79 eyes of 79 patients with myopic subfoveal CNV and less than 6 months of duration of the symptoms.MT with scleral infolding.Visual Acuity (VA), reading ability of 12 point Arial letter sentences at a reading distance without magnifying systems and foveal displacement.Mean preoperative VA was 20/125, after two years the mean VA was 20/80. Reading ability of 12 point Arial letter sentences at a reading distance (33 cm) was obtained in 59% of the eyes at one year, descending to 43% at two years. Mean foveal displacement after surgery was 942 microns. Intraoperative complications have been: retinal breaks (21.5%) and choroidal haemorrhage not affecting the posterior pole (3.7%). Main postoperative complications have been: Insufficient foveal displacement: 20%; Retinal detachment: 8.8%; Subfoveal recurrence: 28%; macular fold: 2.5% and macular hole: 1.2%.MT with scleral infolding offers the opportunity to recover central vision and reading ability in patients with myopic CNV but it remains unpredictable.

To evaluate the changes in the best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) after 1 year and after ≥ 5 years after macular translocation for age-related macular degeneration (AMD) or myopic choroidal neovascularisation (mCNV).The medical records of 61 consecutive patients who underwent macular translocation with 360° retinotomy for AMD (35 eyes) or mCNV (26 eyes) were reviewed. Overall, 40 patients, 17 mCNV and 23 AMD, were followed for at least 5 years. BCVA and area of the Goldmann visual field (VF) measured before, 12 months after surgery, and at the final visit.In the 23 AMD eyes followed for ≥ 5 years, the mean preoperative BCVA was 1.149 ± 0.105 logMAR units, which significantly improved to 0.69 ± 0.06 logMAR units at 1 year (P0.001). This BCVA was maintained at 0.633 ± 0.083 logMAR units on their final examination. In the 17 eyes with mCNV followed for ≥ 5 years, the mean preoperative BCVA was 1.083 ± 0.119 logMAR units, which was significantly improved to 0.689 ± 0.121 logMAR units at 1 year (P = 0.001). This BCVA was maintained at 0.678 ± 0.142 logMAR units on their final examination. The area of the VF was significantly decreased at 12 months and did not change significantly thereafter.Our results show that macular translocation surgery significantly improves the BCVA and significantly decreases the VF area of eyes with mCNV or AMD after first 1 year. The BCVA and VF area do not change significantly from the values at 1 year for at least 5 years.

Myopic maculopathy is the main cause of vision loss among highly myopic patients, and the leading aetiology of subfoveal choroidal neovascularisation (CNV) among patients

Limited macular translocation (LMT) is one of the treatment options for subfoveal choroidal neovascularisation (CNV) resulting from pathological myopia.1 The fundamental surgical principle involves the transposition of the foveal neurosensory retina to a new site with more healthy underlying retinal pigment epithelium.1,2 Direct laser photocoagulation is usually employed as an adjunct measure in eradicating the original CNV after the surgery. It has been observed that geometrically sizeable translocation is a prerequisite for a long term surgical success.2,3 The degree of translocation is, however, not often predictable and any ineffective displacement may render the subsequent laser photocoagulation extremely difficult or even impossible to perform.2,4 As a result, the recurrent or persistent CNV intruding the newly relocated fovea may jeopardise the final visual outcomes.4,5 Photodynamic therapy (PDT) may be considered a viable adjunct treatment option in such circumstance. A 41 year old woman with pathological myopia of −11.0 dioptres in both eyes presented with a subfoveal CNV and subretinal …