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Purpose: This study aimed to investigate whether intravitreal aflibercept was safe and effective in patients with acute nonarteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION). Methods: This was a chart study of 25 individuals with acute NAION (25 eyes). An intravitreal injection of 2 mg/0.05 mL of aflibercept was administered to fifteen participants. The remaining ten patients in the control group were given standard care. The researchers measured the initial visual acuity, retinal nerve fiber layer thickness (RNFLT), and automated perimetry. During the follow-up period, the researchers measured the final visual acuity, RNFLT, automated perimetry, and side effects. Results: Visual acuity and visual field assessment were significantly improved in the study group, and optical coherence tomography testing demonstrated significant disc edema resolution. The therapy results differed significantly between the two groups regarding visual outcomes (F = 0.027, p = 0.039) and RNFLT decrease (F = 5.507, p = 0.003). However, the difference in visual field alterations was not significant (F = 0.724, p = 0.387). Conclusions: Intravitreal injection of aflibercept can significantly improve visual acuity and resolve disc edema in patients with acute NAION. Intravitreal aflibercept may be an alternative treatment for acute NAION. However, a large series investigation is needed to assess the long-term therapeutic benefit and safety of intravitreal aflibercept in patients with acute NAION. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This retrospective case-control study aimed to investigate associations between disease severity of Alzheimer's dementia (AD) and macular thickness. Data of patients with AD who were under medication (n = 192) between 2013 and 2020, as well as an age- and sex-matched control group (n = 200) with normal cognitive function, were included. AD patients were divided into subgroups according to scores of the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) and Clinical Dementia Rating (CDR). Macular thickness was analyzed via the Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study (ETDRS) grid map. AD patients had significant reductions in full macula layers, including inner circle, outer inferior area, and outer nasal area of the macula. Similar retinal thinning was noted in ganglion cells and inner plexiform layers. Advanced AD patients (MMSE score < 18 or CDR ≥ 1) showed more advanced reduction of macular thickness than the AD group (CDR = 0.5 or MMSE ≥ 18), indicating that severe cognitive impairment was associated with thinner macular thickness. Advanced AD is associated with significant macula thinning in full retina and inner plexiform layers, especially at the inner circle of the macula. Macular thickness may be a useful biomarker of AD disease severity. Retinal imaging may be a non-invasive, low-cost surrogate for AD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article analyzes the macular choroidal thickness in normal Taiwanese eyes using enhanced depth imaging optical coherence tomography (EDI OCT). The study includes 295 eyes of 295 normal Taiwanese subjects and examines the relationships between choroidal thickness and various clinical parameters. The results show that age and spherical equivalent refractive error (SERE) have a significant correlation with macular choroidal thickness, while gender and axial length (AL) do not. The study also finds that choroidal thickness decreases with age and is thinner in individuals with myopia. These findings highlight the importance of identifying clinical risk factors for macular choroidal thinning in order to preserve eye vision effectively. [Extracted from the article]

Purpose. To evaluate the long-term anatomic and functional outcomes of autologous neurosensory retinal free flap transplantation (ART) for patients with refractory large macular hole (MH). Design. Retrospective interventional case series. Methods. We reviewed 9 patients who underwent ART for their refractory large MH. In this extended follow-up study, postoperative assessment including spectral-domain optical coherence tomography and best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) were recorded at 12, 15, 18, 21, and 24 months after surgery. Results. The macular hole of all patients appeared successfully closed during the whole follow-up period. The mean logMAR BCVA improved from 1.61 ± 0.44 (preoperative) to 0.72 ± 0.30 (12 months after surgery) (p < 0.001). Thereafter, the mean BCVA remained stable at each follow-up. At the mean 16.0 ± 0.8 months postoperatively, inner retinal cystic changes were observed in 4 eyes (44.4%), but these did not significantly affect vision. Conclusion. ART is a good alternative technique for closing large refractory macular holes. Although inner retinal cystic changes were observed in 4 eyes (44.4%), this phenomenon did not significantly affect visual acuity. It provides long-term good anatomical and functional results, especially in cases where insufficient ILM or lens capsule are left. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Acute retinal pigment epitheliitis (ARPE) is a rare, transient macular disorder affecting healthy young adults. We describe the morphologic appearance of the retina by spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) and to evaluate both the anatomic changes and the functional visual acuity changes over time in the course of disease. A 35-year-old healthy male presented with 1-week history of sudden-onset bilateral central scotoma with blurry vision. He denied trauma, excessive sun exposure, or drug abuse history or alkyl nitrites before. The medical and ocular examinations were unremarkable. The best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) was 20/200 (OU) at the initial visit. Slit-lamp examination result was normal. Fundus examination revealed subfoveal yellowish lesions with a halo-like pigment in both eyes. The SD-OCT imaging showed subtle disruption of the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) and abnormal hyperreflectivity throughout the full thickness of the foveola in both eyes. Six weeks later, the BCVA improved to 20/30 (OU) without any treatment. Six months later, the BCVA observed deteriorated to 20/50 (OU). SD-OCT demonstrated ellipsoid zone and cone outer segment tips line defects at the fovea with sharply defined borders. One year later from the initial visit, the BCVA improved to 20/20 (OU), but persisted macular microhole presents on the SD-OCT. The patient was followed for 1 year without any treatment. Thereafter, we noted that in the case of poor initial visual acuity, external limiting membrane, or outer nuclear layer involvement, as determined by SD-OCT, at the baseline might need longer time for visual acuity. The natural course of ARPE may involve the demonstration of a minor outer retinal defect that is similar to a macular microhole. In ARPE, like SD-OCT findings, the location of the initial lesion is the photoreceptor outer segments. It is not just limited to the RPE. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of three consecutive intravitreal bevacizumab injections (IVB) on long-term outcome for patients with macular edema after epiretinal membrane (ERM) removal. Methods: All patients in both the treatment and control groups had persistent macular edema 3 months after ERM removal. The patients in the treatment group received three consecutive IVB in an interval of approximately 4 weeks. The main outcome measures included logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution (logMAR) best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and central foveal thickness (CFT) determined by optical coherence tomography. Results: Two weeks after the first IVB, CFT decreased significantly by 24.1 ± 4.2 μm in the treatment group versus 4.2 ± 2.1 μm in the control group (p < 0.001). However, the mean reduction in CFT after 12 months did not differ significantly between the two groups (35.2 ± 4.9 vs. 33.7 ± 4.6 μm, p = 0.824). No significant differences were found for logMAR BCVA between the two groups at each follow-up. Conclusion: IVB could significantly decrease macular edema 2 months after the initial injection but failed to make significant differences in final CFT and logMAR BCVA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Macular hole (MH) may become refractory if the hole does not close after multiple surgeries. We provide a modified surgical technique for refractory MH repair with neurosensory retinal free flap transplantation.Case Presentation: To treat a 68-year-old female patient with refractory MH after multiple surgeries, we harvested a neurosensory retinal free flap with a 2-MH diameter area. A drop of whole blood was placed within the MH as an adhesive to fix the neurosensory retinal free flap at the MH under gas tamponade. Two months after surgery, optical coherence tomography (OCT) revealed closure of the MH. The flap was visible on OCT and had filled the MH without overlapping the neurosensory retina. The patient's best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) improved from 20/500 preoperatively to 20/50 at 2 months postoperatively.Conclusions: Using whole blood as an adhesive to aid in the fixation of an autologous neurosensory retinal free flap under gas tamponade provides another option for patients with refractory MH due to multiple prior surgeries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]