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To report a case of presumed sterile endophthalmitis after intravitreal ocriplasmin injection.Observational case report. Review of clinical examination, ocular imaging, and published literature.A 67-year-old woman with early cataracts presented with decreased vision in the left eye related to vitreomacular adhesion. She was treated with intravitreal ocriplasmin injection and developed a severe anterior chamber inflammatory reaction in less than 24 hours after the injection. Inflammation responded completely to topical steroids alone, without topical or intravitreal antibiotics.Patients treated with intravitreal ocriplasmin may develop an acute inflammatory reaction, which can be severe.

Until now, the only treatment available for severe symptomatic vitreomacular traction, has been pars-plana-vitrectomy. Now, there is evidence for a new minimally invasive surgical therapy: the results of two Phase III studies show that an intravitreal injection of ocriplasmin allows an enzymatic vitreolysis.

An 87-year-old Japanese man presented with retinal angiomatous proliferation (RAP) and a retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) detachment in his right eye. His decimal best-corrected visual acuity was 0.15 in the right eye, and optical coherence tomography (OCT) showed a vitreomacular adhesion in the right eye as well. After 3 monthly intravitreal injections of ranibizumab, the size and height of the RPE detachment was significantly reduced. The accumulated intra- and subretinal fluid also disappeared, but the vitreomacular traction remained. Pars plana vitrectomy was performed, and the posterior hyaloid was separated from the retina with a vitrectomy cutter without any intraoperative complications. Two months after the surgery, a large RPE tear was observed over the macular area. His visual acuity decreased to 0.06 and remained unchanged thereafter. We suggest that the small tear led to the larger RPE tear because vitreomacular traction was transmitted to the RPE through the fibrovascular tissue of the RAP during the creation of the hyaloid detachment. Because such an RPE tear has not been reported after vitrectomy for vitreomacular traction, surgeons need to pay special attention to this potential complication in eyes with vitreomacular traction and RAP.

Background: Symptomatic vitreomacular adhesion describes symptomatic loss of visual function as a result of vitreous traction at the macula. Methods: Literature review. Results: Symptomatic vitreomacular adhesion can occur in isolation as vitreomacular traction, which may lead to the development of a macular hole, or it may occur alongside epiretinal membrane. It is likely to be associated with age-related macular degeneration and possibly diabetic maculopathy, although this is less certain. The treatment depends largely on the cause, but options include observation, vitrectomy, and pharmacologic vitreolysis. Small uncontrolled trials have also explored the use of an intravitreal gas bubble as a means of releasing VMA. If all cases of sVMA are considered together, then the burden of illness is substantial, with a prevalence of ∼0.35 per 100 population (excluding epiretinal membrane). Furthermore, there may be many more cases of undiagnosed sVMA. Conclusion: The recent introduction of ocriplasmin is likely to increase interest in sVMA. Clinical trials suggest that it has a role in the treatment of vitreomacular traction and Stages 1 to 3 macular holes but not primarily as a treatment of epiretinal membrane. Its role in other diseases associated with VMA remains to be determined.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: When delivered via a single intravitreal injection, ocriplasmin can effect proteolytic resolution of symptomatic vitreomacular adhesion (VMA). The authors describe their initial clinical experience with ocriplasmin at a large academic center. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Retrospective review of all patients with symptomatic VMA treated with ocriplasmin from January 2013 through May 2013 at a single center. RESULTS: Nineteen patients with symptomatic VMA received intravitreal ocriplasmin. Eight patients (42%) exhibited resolution of VMA. Macular holes in three of six patients (50%) closed after injection. A higher proportion of VMA resolution was observed in patients with the following baseline characteristics: age less than 65 years, focal adhesions less than or equal to 1,500 μm, presence of macular hole, phakic status, and absence of epiretinal membrane. CONCLUSION: Initial clinical outcomes using ocriplasmin in this study are consistent with those reported in the phase 3 clinical trials. Improved clinical results can be achieved with careful case selection based on specific baseline characteristics. [ Ophthalmic Surg Lasers Imaging Retina. 2013;44:334–343.]

This article describes the age-related changes in vitreous and different types of posterior vitreous detachment. Possible effect of normal and pathological posterior vitreous detachment (in particular vitreomacular adhesion and traction syndrome) on the age-related macular degeneration course are considered. Vitrectomy and pharmacological vitreolysis potentials in the treatment of vitreomacular adhesion are discussed.

Purpose: To prospectively characterize macular structure and function as assessed by combined three-dimensional spectral-domain optical coherence tomography and scanning laser ophthalmoscopy and 3D computer-automated threshold Amsler grid, respectively, in a patient undergoing pharmacologic vitreolysis for vitreomacular adhesion with tractional cysts. Methods: Combined 3D optical coherence tomography and scanning laser ophthalmoscopy measured macular volume and 3D computer-automated threshold Amsler grid quantified central visual field function by determining the absolute percent magnitude lost (cumulative value of total visual field loss over all tested levels) before and for a period of 6 months after pharmacologic vitreolysis for vitreomacular adhesion with a single intravitreal injection of microplasmin (125 μg; ThromboGenics). Results: Ocriplasmin pharmacologic vitreolysis released vitreomacular adhesion by 2 weeks and decreased macular volume from 0.32 μL to 0.15 μL by 1 year after injection. There was a concomitant 4-fold improvement in visual function as measured by 3D computer-automated threshold Amsler grid (percent of central visual field lost) and Snellen visual acuity improved from 20/200 to 20/40. Conclusion: For assessing macular function improvement in conjunction with structural reintegration after pharmacologic vitreolysis for vitreomacular adhesion, 3D computer-automated threshold Amsler grid is a useful tool. Both 3D measurements quantitatively characterized the resolution of this patient's vitreomacular adhesion, suggesting that this is a useful approach to quantifying macular structure and function as indices of the severity of disease and the response to therapy.

Purpose: To detect intravitreal functional plasminogen in vitreous samples of patients with recent onset of central retinal vein occlusion (CRVO) and to demonstrate significantly higher intravitreal plasminogen in CRVO patients in comparison to controls. Methods: Prospective clinical case series of 13 consecutive patients with recent onset of CRVO scheduled for core pars plana vitrectomy and 10 consecutive patients undergoing standard pars plana vitrectomy for routine macular surgery or vitreal floater removal. In all 23 cases, vitreous taps were extracted from the central vitreous body, and plasminogen was functionally determined in a new ultrasensitive p-nitroanilide reaction after activation with streptokinase (100% of normal, %N = functional plasminogen in pooled normal citrated plasma). Results: Plasminogen was detected in all analyzed samples (n = 23), and mean plasminogen was revealed to be 1.33 ± 1.73% (mean ± SD), with a range of 0.03-7.8%N. Patients with recent onset of CRVO exhibited significantly higher intravitreal plasminogen (2.19 ± 1.89%N) in comparison to controls (0.20 ± 0.21%N; p < 0.001, Mann-Whitney U test). Conclusion: Due to significantly increased intravitreal plasminogen in patients with recent onset of CRVO, intravitreally administered tissue plasminogen activator might be an option to induce posterior vitreous detachment (enzymatic vitreolysis) in CRVO patients.

Purpose To assess anatomic and visual outcomes of ocriplasmin use for symptomatic vitreomacular adhesion (VMA). Design Retrospective chart review. Methods Macula Society members were surveyed online to collect data on ocriplasmin for symptomatic VMA. Clinical and optical coherence tomography data were collected using standardized data entry forms. Results There were 208 patients (208 eyes) with symptomatic VMA followed at least 3 weeks after receiving ocriplasmin. At baseline, VMA was focal (

Purpose To assess the prevalence of vitreoretinal interface abnormalities in a general population of healthy adults ≥45 years of age. Design Cross-sectional study carried out at 17 ophthalmology services throughout Spain. Participants Between September 2015 and March 2016, all consecutive healthy persons aged ≥45 years who were accompanying patients to ophthalmology services were invited to take part in the study. Exclusion criteria were known retinal disease, uveitis, history of ocular trauma or previous intraocular surgery (including cataract surgery and intravitreal injections), severe myopia (>−6 dioptres), and poor ocular media transparency. Methods Spectral-domain OCT or swept-source OCT was performed on all participants. Diseases of the vitreomacular interface were classified according to the OCT-based anatomic classification system of the International Vitreomacular Traction Study Group. All pathologic and borderline images as well as doubtful cases were evaluated blindly in a central reading center. Main Outcome Measures Prevalence of vitreomacular interface abnormalities (vitreomacular traction epiretinal membrane, lamellar hole). Results The study included 2257 participants with a mean age of 59.5 years (range 45–90), and a total of 4490 eyes (right eyes 2242, left eyes 2248). Vitreoretinal interface abnormalities were detected in 70 eyes, with a prevalence of 1.6%. Vitreomacular adhesion was observed in 1317 eyes (29.3%). Results of spectral-domain OCT or swept-source OCT examination were unrevealing in 3103 eyes. Vitreoretinal interface abnormalities were found in 61 participants, with a prevalence in the study population of 2.7%. Vitreomacular traction was observed in 14 participants (0.6%), epiretinal membrane in 44 (1.9%), and lamellar macular hole in 3 (0.1%). The prevalence of both vitreomacular traction and epiretinal membrane increased significantly with age. The presence of vitreoretinal interface abnormalities was unrelated to concomitant diabetes mellitus or hypertension. Conclusions An important percentage of healthy participants from the general population ≥45 years of age showed vitreoretinal interface abnormalities. Screening with OCT is advisable at any first routine consultation or preoperative assessment, particularly in older participants.

Purpose Intravitreal anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) agents are effective in the treatment of central involving diabetic macular oedema (DMO). Vitreoretinal interface abnormalities (VRIA) are common in patients with DMO, and the effect of these on the response to anti-VEGF treatment is unclear. Furthermore the effect of anti-VEGF agents on the VRIA itself is uncertain. Method Prospective study of consecutive patients treated with ranibizumab (RZB) for DMO as part of routine clinical care in one eye unit over a 1-year period. Visual acuity (Va), central retinal thickness (CRT) and injection frequency data was recorded on an electronic database. Treatment was initiated with four monthly RZB injections and then a monthly PRN regime. All patients underwent high-density spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SDOCT) at baseline and 12 months. The SDOCTs were graded by two observers masked to the outcome. Results One hundred and four eyes (77 patients) were included in the analysis. The mean age was 62 years, and 62% were male. The mean presenting vision was 62 letters and CRT 472 μm. Eighty eyes retained stable Va, and 17 had an improvement in Va. At baseline, 39 eyes had associated focal vitreomacular adhesion (VMA) and by 12 months this reduced to 30 (p = 0.04), with 12 releasing VMA and three developing it. Patients with VMA had significantly better final Va than those without VMA. Improvement in CRT was greatest in those where VMA released during the study. Forty-five eyes had some degree of foveal involving epiretinal membrane (ERM) at baseline, and 28 were considered to have clinically significant ERM. There was no clinically relevant change in ERM during the study. Patients with significant ERM at baseline had a lower final vision. Multivariate analysis showed that ERM and more severe retinopathy at baseline were predictive of less visual improvement (p

Purpose: To investigate the effect of vitreomacular adhesion (VMA) on the outcome of antiangiogenic treatment for neovascular age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Methods: Ninety-nine eyes of 83 patients were used in our cohort study. We prospectively evaluated best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and central retinal thickness (CRT) in patients with neovascular AMD at baseline and 1, 2, 3, 6, and 12 months after treatment with anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF) agents. All patients were stratified by spectral domain optical coherence tomography into 2 groups (i.e., VMA[+] and VMA[-]) according to the presence or absence of VMA, and the response to treatment was evaluated. Results: Fifty-four eyes (54.5%) were included in the VMA(-) group and 45 eyes (45.5%) comprised the VMA(+) group. In paired comparisons of mean BCVA between baseline and each follow-up visit (1, 2, 3, 6, and 12 months), the VMA(-) group showed statistically significant improvement at 1, 2, and 3 months compared to baseline, and BCVA significantly improved only at 3 months in the VMA(+) group. For both groups, paired comparisons of CRT showed a statistically significant decrease when data obtained at 1, 2, 3, 6, and 12 months were compared to baseline values (p < 0.05). Conclusions: Posterior VMA is associated with a worse short-term outcome in patients with neovascular AMD treated with anti-VEGF agents.

Background : If left untreated, vitreomacular traction (VMT) will infrequently improve through spontaneous resolution of vitreomacular adhesion (VMA), and patients remain at risk of further deterioration in vision. The mainstay of treatment for VMT is vitrectomy, an invasive procedure that carries the risk of rare but serious complications and further vision loss. As such, a ‘watch and wait’ approach is often adopted before this surgical intervention is performed. Ocriplasmin (microplasmin) is a potential alternative treatment for patients with symptomatic VMA/VMT that may remove the requirement for vitrectomy. Objective : The purpose of this study was to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of ocriplasmin for the treatment of VMT in comparison to standard of care. Study design : A cohort-based computer simulation model was developed, capturing three mutually exclusive subgroups: 1) VMT without epiretinal membrane (ERM) or full thickness macular hole (FTMH), 2) VMT with ERM but no FTMH, and 3) VMT with FTMH. Transition probabilities between health states, utilities, and resource utilisation were estimated based on clinical trial results, the literature, and expert opinion. The cost per quality-adjusted life year (QALY) gained was estimated over a lifetime, using UK unit costs and utilities associated with visual acuity, adverse events, metamorphopsia, and surgical interventions. Setting : Analyses were conducted from a UK payer perspective. Population : Transition probabilities for the model were primarily estimated from patient-level data from the combined Phase 3 MIVI-TRUST trials in patients with symptomatic VMA/VMT, including when associated with a FTMH ≤400 µm. Intervention : Ocriplasmin (microplasmin) is a one-time intravitreal injection designed specifically to release the abnormal traction between the macula and the vitreous and thereby treat VMT, as well as macular hole with persistent vitreous attachment. Main outcome measure : The main outcome measure of the economic evaluation was cost per QALY. Results : In all subgroups, ocriplasmin management generated more QALYs: 1) VMT without ERM or FTMH (0.105, (0.036, 0.191)); 2) VMT with ERM but no FTMH (0.041, (0.011, 0.131)); and 3) VMT with FTMH (0.053, (−0.002, 0.113)). The initial treatment costs were partially offset by later savings and net costs were estimated at £1,901 (£1,325, £2,474), £2,491 (£1,067, £2,511), and £1,912 (£1,233, £2,506), respectively. Costs per QALY were estimated at £18,056 (£8,241, £64,874), £61,059 (£8,269, £168,664), and £36,250 (−£144,788, £290,338), respectively. Short-term efficacy parameters were found to be key drivers of results. Conclusion : Ocriplasmin is most cost-effective in VMT patients without either ERM or FTMH. Keywords: anatomical outcomes; economic evaluation; quality adjusted life year; United Kingdom; vitrectomy; PPV; symptomatic vitreomacular adhesion (Published: 23 June 2016) Citation: Journal of Market Access & Health Policy 2016, 4: 31472 - http://dx.doi.org/10.3402/jmahp.v4.31472

Purpose The Ocriplasmin for Treatment for Symptomatic Vitreomacular Adhesion Including Macular Hole (OASIS) trial was designed to evaluate the long-term efficacy and safety profile of ocriplasmin for the treatment of symptomatic vitreomacular adhesion (VMA)/vitreomacular traction, including full-thickness macular hole (FTMH). Design Phase 3b, randomized, sham-controlled, double-masked, multicenter clinical trial. Participants Sample size was 220 subjects (146 ocriplasmin, 74 sham) randomized in a 2:1 ratio to receive intravitreal ocriplasmin 0.125 mg or sham injection. Methods The trial involved 12 visits over 24-months. Inclusion criteria included presence of VMA and best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) of 20/32 or worse in the study eye. Exclusion criteria included FTMH >400 μm, presence of epiretinal membrane (ERM), and aphakia in the study eye. Main Outcome Measures The primary efficacy end point was the proportion of subjects with pharmacologic VMA resolution at day 28. Secondary efficacy end points were assessed at month 24 and included proportion of subjects with BCVA gain from baseline, nonsurgical FTMH closure, vitrectomy, and Visual Function Questionnaire 25 (VFQ-25) outcomes. Results The OASIS trial met its primary end point with pharmacologic VMA resolution at day 28 being significantly higher in the ocriplasmin group (41.7%) compared with the sham group (6.2%). The treatment effect was maintained until study end. In the ocriplasmin group, pharmacologic VMA resolution at day 28 was higher in subgroups with the following baseline characteristics compared with the complementary subgroups without them: presence of focal VMA, presence of FTMH, absence of ERM, and phakic lens status. In the ocriplasmin group, 50.5% of subjects had a ≥2-line improvement in BCVA from baseline compared with 39.1% of subjects in the sham group. The nonsurgical FTMH closure rate was 30.0% for the ocriplasmin group compared with 15.4% for the sham group. All other secondary end points also favored ocriplasmin over sham. Regarding safety, most adverse events were mild to moderate, had a short onset time, and were transient, with no new safety signals identified. Conclusions The OASIS trial demonstrates the long-term efficacy and safety of ocriplasmin, providing improved resolution of symptomatic VMA compared with previous phase 3 trials with no additional safety signals identified.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: To determine factors predicting response to ocriplasmin (Jetrea; ThromboGenics, Iselin, NJ) response in patients with symptomatic vitreomacular adhesion (VMA). PATIENTS AND METHODS: Combined analysis of two multicenter, prospective, randomized, double-masked trials of intravitreal ocriplasmin 125 µg injection versus placebo. Patients had vitreomacular traction with or without a full-thickness macular hole (FTMH). Multivariate logistic regression was used to determine factors influencing treatment response (complete VMA release [day 28] and non-surgical FTMH closure [month 6]). RESULTS: Younger age, presence of FTMH (odds ratio [OR] = 2.1; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.1–3.7), VMA diameter of 1,500 µm or less (OR = 4.9; 95% CI, 2.0–12.4), phakic lens status (OR = 2.8; 95% CI, 1.5–5.2), and absence of epiretinal membrane (OR = 4.1; 95% CI, 2.2–7.9) predicted VMA resolution. FTMHs with apical diameter of 250 µm or less were more likely to close than larger holes (58.3% vs. 24.6%; P = .013). Both FTMH size groups had significantly greater chance of VMA resolution and FTMH closure versus controls. CONCLUSION: Ocriplasmin is most effective in younger patients with focal VMA and without an epiretinal membrane. [ Ophthalmic Surg Lasers Imaging Retina . 2016;47:716–723.]

Hintergrund: Zur Beurteilung der vitreomakularen Adhasion als Risikofaktor fur eine choroidale Neovaskularisation (CNV) bei altersabhangiger Makuladegeneration (AMD) wurde die vitreoretinale Grenzflache mithilfe der hochauflosenden optischen Koharenztomografie (Spectralis-OCT, Heidelberg Engineering) untersucht. Patienten und Methoden: Innerhalb dieser retrospektiven Fallkontrollstudie wurden 375 konsekutive Augen von 375 Patienten (im Alter von 51–90 Jahren) eingeschlossen, bei denen sowohl ein Spectralis-OCT als auch eine Fluoreszenzangiografie (Spectralis-HRA, Heidelberg Engineering) im Zeitraum von Januar 2008 bis August 2009 durchgefuhrt wurde. Anhand des Spectralis-OCT wurde die vitreomakulare Adhasion definiert, sofern eine partielle Anheftung der hinteren Glaskorpergrenzmembran mit der inneren Netzhautoberflache im Bereich der Makula vorlag. Es wurde die Inzidenz der vitreomakularen Adhasion von insgesamt 202 Patienten mit exsudativer AMD mit der von insgesamt 173 Kontrollaugen (72 Patienten mit trockener AMD und 101 Patienten ohne Netzhautpathologie) verglichen. Ergebnisse: In unserer Studie konnte bei insgesamt 151 Patienten (40,27 %) eine posteriore vitreomakulare Adhasion im Spectralis-OCT nachgewiesen werden, wovon 98 Patienten (48,5 %) eine exsudative AMD und 53 Patienten (30,6 %) keine Netzhautpathologien aufwiesen. Der Unterschied war statistisch signifikant (p = 0,001). Bei 87 Patienten (88 %) mit exsudativer AMD war die Anheftungsstelle im Bereich der CNV lokalisiert. Schlussfolgerung: Das Spectralis-OCT ermoglicht eine detaillierte Untersuchung der vitreomakularen Grenzflache. In dieser Studie konnte eine signifikant hohere Inzidenz der posterioren vitreomakularen Adhasion bei Patienten mit exsudativer AMD nachgewiesen werden. Eine vitreomakulare Adhasion lasst sich somit als moglicher Risikofaktor fur die Entwicklung einer exsudativen AMD vermuten.

Over the past two decades, the role of vitreomacular adhesion in vitreomacular interface pathologies, such as vitreomacular traction syndrome, epiretinal membrane and macular hole, has been increasingly recognized. Abnormalities of the vitreoretinal interface may contribute to important retinal pathologies such as diabetic retinopathy, diabetic macular edema and age-related macular degeneration. The prevalence of many of these serious disorders is rising. Eyes with vitreomacular adhesion-related disorders can experience rapid deterioration of vision and function if not managed in a timely and effective manner. The only treatment option currently available is vitrectomy. Pharmacologic treatment options have advanced over the past decade, and the current strategy of ‘watchful waiting’ until symptoms worsen may not be acceptable in the future. This article reviews vitreomacular interface disorders, and explores the evidence of experimental agents that can potentially treat these conditions.

Purpose To investigate the influence of vitreomacular adhesion (VMA) on development of choroidal neovascularization (CNV) in eyes with age-related macular degeneration. Methods In a prospective study, patients with Age-Related Eye Disease Study Category IV age-related macular degeneration underwent standardized examinations, including optical coherence tomography and fluorescein angiography every 3 months for 4 years. Vitreomacular adhesion was evaluated using time- and spectral-domain optical coherence tomography. Development of CNV was detected using fluorescein angiography and optical coherence tomography. Incidences of CNV were compared concerning the presence or absence of VMA. Results Forty-nine patients were available for follow-up according to protocol. Vitreomacular adhesion was present at baseline in 18% (9 of 49) and absent in 82% (40 of 49) of patients. Thirty-seven percent of patients (18 of 49) developed exudative changes during the observation period. In patients with preexisting VMA, de novo development of CNV occurred in 33% (3 of 9). In patients without VMA, 38% developed CNV (15 of 40). Mean interval from baseline to disease progression was 20 ± 19 months in patients with VMA and 22 ± 13 months in patients without VMA. There was no significant difference between the groups regarding rate of CNV development or time to disease progression (P = 0.64). Conclusion No significant influence of VMA on the development of exudative age-related macular degeneration could be found during a 4-year prospective observation of a high-risk cohort.

PURPOSE To report two cases of central macular sparing of subhyaloid hemorrhages secondary to vitreomacular adhesion documented by spectral-domain ocular coherence tomography findings. METHODS Review of two patients with subhyaloid hemorrhage secondary to proliferative diabetic retinopathy and a macroaneurysm were performed. Treatment was not performed in either patient for management of the hemorrhage, but the patient with proliferative diabetic retinopathy was treated with panretinal photocoagulation for peripheral neovascularization. Foveal sparing of the hemorrhage was documented clinically and on spectral-domain ocular coherence tomography. RESULTS In Case 1, the proliferative diabetic retinopathy was stabilized with 2 rounds of panretinal photocoagulation treatment, and the visual acuity improved to 20/20 in the affected left eye after 8 months of observation. In Case 2, the visual acuity returned to baseline at 20/60 after 4 months of observation. CONCLUSION Macular involvement of subhyaloid hemorrhages may cause visual impairment, but vitreomacular adhesion may block the hemorrhage from obstructing the fovea.

Background/Purpose: Postmarket analysis helps identify potentially important side effects not discovered during clinical trials. Ocriplasmin is a recently approved medication administered by intravitreal injection for the treatment of symptomatic vitreomacular adhesion and macular hole. Overall, clinical trials of ocriplasmin have shown a relatively high safety profile. However, recently, a series of case reports have highlighted acute vision loss associated with abnormal findings on spectral domain optical coherence tomography and electroretinography. Methods/Results: A 70-year-old man developed multiple discrete pockets of macular subretinal fluid 10 weeks after intravitreal ocriplasmin injection, with minimal resolution of fluid over 11 months. Electroretinographic findings demonstrated persistent rod photoreceptor sensitivity loss at 14 months after injection. Conclusion: This is the first report of persistent electroretinographic and optical coherence tomographic abnormalities after ocriplasmin injection. Electroretinography abnormalities were noted in a small percentage of patients during ocriplasmin clinical trials and in a recent series of case reports and postmarket survey analysis. The authors propose that cleavage of fibronectin and laminin causes disruption of the interphotoreceptor matrix, leading to the ellipsoid layer attenuation and resultant electroretinographic sensitivity loss and subretinal fluid described on spectral domain optical coherence tomography. Persistent changes over 14 months in this patient indicate that ocriplasmin may have the potential to cause permanent retinal damage.

Purpose: The primary objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of vitreomacular interface (VMI) changes on optical coherence tomography (OCT) in the general population. Second, other OCT changes were described. Methods: Abnormalities in the VMI were diagnosed by OCT scan and graded according to the International Vitreomacular Traction Study (IVTS) Group classification and subdivided into 3 grades according to John et al. [Retina 2014;34:442-446]. Results: The estimated prevalence of vitreomacular abnormalities within a Belgian population aged ≥50 years was 1.17% [confidence interval (CI 0.38-3.62)] for focal vitreomacular traction (VMT) grade 1; 0.39% (CI 0.05-2.76) for focal VMT grade 2; 8.17% (CI 5.33-12.53) for focal vitreomacular adhesion, and 17.9% (CI 13.41-23.9) for broad vitreomacular adhesion. Conclusion: The prevalence of vitreomacular abnormalities within a Belgian study cohort was reported. These results closely match previously reported data on the prevalence of VMT. Correct knowledge of the epidemiology of VMI disorders and early diagnosis will enable adequate intervention.

Aim The role of changes at the vitreoretinal interface and vitreomacular traction forces in pathogenesis, and the course of exudative age-related macular degeneration (AMD) need further exploration. This study examines the localisation of adhesion and the direction of traction lines in eyes with exudative AMD. Methods The cubes 512×128 of Cirrus optical coherence tomography (OCT) and volume scans of Spectralis OCT were reviewed in a consecutive series of patients presenting between December 2008 and March 2009 with vitreomacular adhesion in exudative AMD. Results 30 eyes of 25 patients with exudative AMD and vitreomacular adhesion were studied. 50% had type III lesions, 46.7% occult and 3.3% predominantly classic lesions. The localisation of the adhesion corresponded in 100% with the area of the neovascularisation (CNV), in 73.3% traction directed towards the CNV and in 83.3% towards the optic disc could be noted. Spectral domain OCT and 3D visualisation enabled clearer localisation of vitreomacular adhesion and definition of resulting traction lines. Conclusion There is a high prevalence of type III lesions within eyes with vitreomacular adhesions, and complete correspondence between the location of the adhesion and the CNV. There is also a high incidence of vitreopapillary adhesion in these cases, suggesting a possible role in pathogenesis.

Purpose: We aimed to evaluate the effect of vitreomacular adhesion (VMA) in visual and anatomic outcomes in patients with diabetic macular edema (DME) after intravitreal injection of ranibizumab (Lucentis®). Patients and Methods: This was a prospective cohort study that included thirty eyes of DME patients, divided into two groups according to their spectral-domain-optical coherence tomography image analysis at the baseline visit to identify the presence (VMA+) or absence (VMA−) of VMA. Patients with any degree of vitreomacular traction were not included in this study. VMA was classified by the size of adhesion into either focal ( 1500 mm). All patients received monthly 0.5 mg of intravitreal ranibizumab injection for 6 months. Patients were observed monthly for a 6-month period and their best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and central macular thickness (CMT) were recorded. The incidence of posterior vitreous detachment (PVD) was observed. Results: Compared with baseline, there was a significant decrease in CMT after 6 months by 151.46 ± 121.47 and 139.33 ± 144.23 μm in VMA+ and VMA− groups, respectively (P = 0.681). The mean average improvement in BCVA was 10.21 ± 6.33 and 6.68 ± 6.35 letters in the VMA+ and VMA− groups, respectively. The difference between the two groups was statistically significant (P = 0.007). At 6 months, among the 15 eyes of VMA+ at baseline, 4 eyes demonstrated PVD and 11 eyes showed no change in VMA status. Conclusion: Patients having DME with VMA may achieve higher visual gain with anti-vascular endothelial growth factor therapy. Presence of VMA should not preclude patients with DME from receiving anti-vascular endothelial growth factor therapy.

The aim of the study was to evaluate the influence of vitreomacular interface configuration on treatment outcomes after intravitreal anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF) therapy for neovascular age-related macular degeneration (AMD).The Pubmed, Embase, and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials databases were searched to identify relevant prospective or retrospective studies that evaluate the influence of vitreomacular adhesion (VMA) or vitreomacular traction (VMT) on functional and anatomical outcomes in neovascular AMD patients treated with anti-VEGF agents. The outcome measures were the mean change in best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) from baseline, the mean change in central macular thickness (CMT) from baseline, and the mean injection numbers of anti-VEGF treatment from baseline.In total, 9 studies were selected for this meta-analysis, including 2156 eyes (404 eyes in the VMA/VMT group and 1752 eyes in the non-VMA/VMT group). In neovascular AMD patients treated with anti-VEGF agents, the VMA/VMT group was associated with poorer visual acuity gains and CMT reductions at 1 year (WMD [95% CI], -6.17 [-11.91, -0.43] early treatment diabetic retinopathy study (ETDRS) letters, P = .04; WMD [95% CI], 22.19 [2.01, 42.38] μm, P = .03, respectively). There was no significant difference between 2 groups in the mean BCVA change and the CMT change over 2 years (WMD [95% CI], -5.59 [-21.19, 10.01] ETDRS letters, P = .48; WMD [95% CI], 6.56 [-24.78, 37.90] μm, P = .68, respectively). There was no significant difference in the mean injection numbers between 2 groups at 1 year (WMD [95% CI], 0.36 [-0.19, 0.90], P = .21), whereas the VMA/VMT group had a significantly higher mean injection numbers over 2 years (WMD [95% CI], 1.14 [0.11, 2.16], P = .03).The limited evidence suggests that vitreomacular interface configuration have a significant influence on the visual acuity gain and CMT reduction at 1 year, injection numbers at 2 years in neovascular AMD patients treated with anti-VEGF agents. However, the results of this meta-analysis should be interpreted with caution because of the heterogeneity among study designs. Eyes with VMA/VMT on optical coherence tomography at baseline may require more intensive treatment with decreased response to anti-VEGF agents.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the efficacy of triamcinolone as an aid in vitreous visualization during 3D-vitrectomy for the treatment of diabetic vitreomacular traction. METHODS: Prospective interventional study in patients with symptomatic vitreomacular traction. Pre- and postoperative assessments included visual acuity, retinography, intraocular pressure and optical coherence tomography. All patients were operated by the same surgeon (OOMJ). Triamcinolone was used as a visual enhancer during surgery. The parameters of the vitreophage (Accurus 800CS, Alcon) were set to the 3D- system (dual dynamic drive), contact lenses (plain and wide angle) being used for visualization. Peripheral 360o vitreous circumcision at high cut rate was performed, carefully releasing the vitreomacular adhesion at the posterior pole by means of an appropriate pic or vitreoretinal forceps. RESULTS: The sample consisted of five consecutive patients (five eyes), three female and two male, with symptomatic vitreomacular traction. Their age ranged from 54 to 71 years (mean 62.6 ± 6.3 years). During the surgical procedure, the areas with vitreomacular traction were properly visualized and identified after the application of triamcinolone. No complications were recorded during or after surgery. There was a statistically significant improvement in visual acuity after the surgical procedure (p=0.0313). CONCLUSION: Triamcinolone facilitates the surgical treatment of vitreomacular traction by improving visibility of both the vitreous humor and the vitreous-retina interface. Triamcinolone-assisted 3D vitrectomy proved to be an effective procedure in these cases.

Vitreomacular traction G. Brasseur Vitreomacular traction syndrome is an entity in which there is partial detachment of the posterior vitreous with persistent vitreomacular adhesion. This adherence may cause a maculopathy with vision loss. Using optical coherence tomography (OCT), the diagnosis is more frequent and more accurate. There is great variability in the posterior and peripheral areas of vitreous attachment. Careful examination and early diagnosis are important because vitrectomy and release macular traction may improve visual acuity in most cases.

The field of vitreoretinal surgery has evolved substantially over the last several decades. Scientific advances have improved our understanding of disease pathophysiology, and new surgical adjuncts and techniques have decreased surgical time and improved patient outcomes. Pharmacologic agents have recently been developed for intraocular use in order to enhance vitreous removal and even as a nonsurgical treatment for pathology due to an abnormal vitreoretinal interface. Plasmin can successfully cause vitreous liquefaction and induce a posterior vitreous detachment. Additionally, ocriplasmin has been approved for symptomatic vitreomacular adhesion and others appear to be promising for pharmacologic manipulation of the vitreous. The ability to induce vitreous liquefaction and a complete posterior vitreous detachment (PVD) with a single intravitreal injection has potential implications for the management of multiple vitreoretinopathies. Enzymatic vitrectomy may help to reduce vitreous viscosity, thereby facilitating removal during vitrectomy and reducing surgical time, especially when using smaller-gauge vitrectomy instruments. The induction of a PVD also has the potential to reduce intraoperative complications. As we improve our understanding of the molecular flux in the vitreous cavity, pharmacologic vitreodynamics will likely become more important as it may allow for improved manipulation of intravitreal molecules.

PURPOSE To evaluate the aftermarket efficacy of ocriplasmin for vitreomacular adhesion (VMA) and identify the frequency and duration of structural changes on optical coherence tomography. METHODS The authors conducted a retrospective case series of 36 eyes treated with ocriplasmin for symptomatic VMA at a single center between February 2013 and September 2013. Eyes were evaluated for release of VMA at 1 month postinjection, preinjection adhesion size, postinjection closure of macular hole, presence of subretinal fluid after release of adhesion, size of subretinal fluid, outer retinal structural change, and visual acuity at 1 month, 6 months, and 1 year. RESULTS Fifteen eyes (42%) had complete release of VMA at 1 month postinjection, and 78% of eyes had closure of the macular hole. Eyes that did not have an epiretinal membrane that had a smaller initial adhesion size and a smaller macular hole size were more likely to have complete release of VMA. Subretinal fluid was present after release in 73.3% of treated eyes, and ellipsoid zone changes were present in 66.7% of treated eyes. At the end of 1 year, complete resolution of subretinal fluid occurred in 87% of treated eyes with only trace subretinal fluid remaining in 2 eyes. Complete resolution of ellipsoid zone changes was found in all eyes. Best-corrected visual acuity improved throughout the first year after treatment. CONCLUSION Ocriplasmin is effective in the treatment of patients with symptomatic VMA. Results can be improved with patient selection based on specific criteria. Subretinal fluid and ellipsoid zone changes are common after treatment but mostly resolve over 1 year.

We report a case of a 77-year-old Caucasian woman, treated with ocriplasmin injection for vitreomacular traction (VMT) and full-thickness macular hole (FTMH), who had a persistence outer retinal defect on her 28-day review, without VMT resolution, then presented 3 months later with complete macular hole closure, with persistence of vitreomacular adhesion. This case raises the question on the validity of the 28-day fixed date to assess final outcome of ocriplasmin injection for FTMH associated with VMT, and sheds new lights on the behaviour of the posterior hyaloid in cases of vitreolysis by a chemical agent such as ocriplasmin.

PurposeTo assess the preoperative features of patients with idiopathic macular hole (IMH) and vitreomacular adhesion (VMA) treated with ocriplasmin (OCP) that can predict successful closure.MethodData were prospectively collected on all patients with IMH treated with OCP in three British ophthalmic centres. Several preoperative variables were recorded including the IMH base diameter (BD), minimum linear diameter (MLD), and VMA width measured on spectral domain optical coherence tomography. Several other IMH indices were derived including a 'width factor', defined as the BD minus the MLD in μm. The occurrence of VMA release and hole closure were used as the main outcome measures.ResultsThirty-three patients in total with IMH were treated with OCP. Two patients developed rhegmatogenous retinal detachment and were excluded. The mean age of the remaining 31 patients was 71 years, and 71% were female. VMA release occurred in 19 of the 31 (61%) patients and macular hole closure in 11 (35%). Width factor was the most predictive feature for closure on multivariate analysis. The deviance R(2) was 67% (P0.001). An IMH with a width factor of60 μm had a 95% certainty of closure, whereas if290 μm then there was less than a 5% chance of closure. Neither VMA width nor MLD alone was associated with VMA release or closure.ConclusionsPatients with macular holes where the BD was close in size to the MLD had an improved probability of closure than holes with wider base configurations.

Anomalous posterior vitreous detachment (PVD) plays a major role in the formation of anterior-posterior and tangential epiretinal traction. Advances in the tomographic analysis of vitreous traction vectors have highlighted the selected cases that can benefit from “parasurgical” approaches, providing a different perspective for therapeutic strategies. The symptomatic anterior-posterior traction recently gained crescent interest for the application of enzymatic vitreolysis (ocriplasmin, IVO), mainly in small traction associated with full thickness macular hole. On the other hand, the outer layer of posterior vitreous cortex leads to tangential traction responsible for the formation of macular pucker. As reported by M. R. Romano et al., the presence of vitreoschisis associated with a strong vitreopapillary adhesion of posterior cortex enhances the force of the tangential vector, inducing potential damage to the inner nuclear and outer plexiform layers. They also reported the epiretinal presence of glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), indicating the ability of these cells to proliferate and migrate on the retinal surface. The transdifferentiated epiretinal cells are characterized by a downregulation of GFAP and cytokeratins, while proteins involved in motility and proliferation, such as α-smooth muscle actin, are upregulated. Therefore, the GFAP content in epiretinal tissues has been shown to correlate directly with tractional forces and inversely with the clinical contractility. D. Compera et al. reported interesting histology findings on the presence of GFAP positive cells in lamellar-hole (LMH) associated epiretinal proliferation. The authors hypothesize that the vitreous derived cells, rather than cells of glial origin, may play a relevant role in the pathogenesis of tangential traction. In LMH, differently from macular pucker, the traction is not increased by the contraction of α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), as α-SMA-positive myofibroblasts were an infrequent finding in epiretinal proliferation associated with LMH, in their report. D. Agarwal et al. highlighted the presence of a tangential traction due to the thickened premacular vitreous cortex in diabetic patients. The authors also described a significant relationship between PVD and lack of macular edema, suggesting the importance of the vitreous cortex, embedded with fibroblasts and astrocytes, in the development and progression of diabetic retinopathy. The different adhesion at the interfaces seems to be sustained by factors such as VEGF, CCL2, IL-6, IL-8, and IL-18, also encouraging neovascularization and therefore worsening visual outcome. Surgical treatment is still the main approach in the management of the tangential tractional membranes. F. Semeraro et al. showed that the pathological vitreoretinal adhesion on the inner limiting membrane (ILM) offers different surfaces on which transdifferentiated glial cells migrate and thereby configures different aspects of traction maculopathies. The removal of ILM has become a routine practice in the surgery of the epiretinal membranes (ERM). However, many recent studies have shown that ILM peeling may cause immediate iatrogenic damage and progressive modification on the underlying inner retinal layers. R. Gelman et al. reported retinal damage induced by ILM peeling including dye-induced toxicity, Muller cell dysfunction, dissociated optic nerve fiber layer, paracentral hole formation, and phototoxic damage. Interestingly, W. J. Mayer et al. reported, in prospective study on 42 eyes, the evidence of mechanical trauma of ERM and ILM peeling due to the use of intraocular forceps that may affect the outer retinal structure. In fact, they observed a significant correlation between the integrity of the ellipsoid zone and retinal sensitivity, overall and in the peeled areas. M. Asencio-Duran et al. reported that the earliest change in the macula is postoperative swelling of the arcuate retinal nerve fiber layers that appears as hypoautofluorescent arcuate striae on infrared and autofluorescence imaging. Such findings induced by the swelling may disappear in 3 months; however they may potentially cause permanent functional damage in patients already affected by glaucoma. Finally, vitreomacular adhesion (VMA) can also affect the progression of the age-related macular degeneration (AMD), as reported by E. C. Kang and H. J. Koh. In neovascular AMD, VMA may induce inflammation, decrease in oxygenation, and sequestering of VEGF and other cytokines. Moreover, VMA may also interfere with the therapeutical effects of anti-VEGF treatment. Considering movement towards future, a more updated classification of the tangential traction is needed, whereas the anterior-posterior traction has been better classified thanks to the recent interest in the enzymatic vitreolysis. Mario R. Romano Xavier Valldeperas John Byron Christoforidis

PURPOSE To determine the influence of vitreomacular adhesion (VMA) on treatment outcomes in patients with neovascular age-related macular degeneration who were treated with anti-vascular endothelial growth factor agents using a treat and extend treatment regimen. METHODS A retrospective consecutive case series of 204 eyes from 181 patients with a minimum of 1 year of follow-up at Wills Eye Hospital Retina Service. Vitreomacular interface characteristics were determined by spectral domain optical coherence tomography. One hundred and fifty-three eyes (75%) had no signs of VMA (non-VMA), and 51 (25%) had VMA. RESULTS Baseline mean visual acuity was 20/133 with a mean central retinal thickness of 350.5 μm in the non-VMA group and was 20/145 with 371.8 μm in the VMA group. Mean visual acuity in the non-VMA group was 20/83 and 20/64 at Years 1 and 2, respectively (P < 0.01 to baseline). Mean visual acuity in the VMA group was 20/81 and 20/85 at Years 1 and 2, respectively (P < 0.01 to baseline). The central retinal thickness was 289.71 μm and 267 μm at Years 1 and 2, respectively (P < 0.01 to baseline) in the non-VMA group and was 305.3 μm and 289.24 μm (P < 0.01 to baseline) in the VMA group. The mean total number of injections at Year 1 for non-VMA was 7.4 compared with 8.4 in VMA (P = 0.001) and 5.5 versus 6.7 for the 2 groups in Year 2 (P = 0.027). The mean longest extension at Year 1 was 11.8 weeks compared with 10.1 week (P = 0.005) and for Year 2 was 14.1 weeks compared with 12 weeks (P = 0.041). CONCLUSION The vitreomacular interface seems to have a significant influence on anti-vascular endothelial growth factor treatment intervals but not visual acuity or exudative control outcomes. Eyes with VMA on spectral domain optical coherence tomography at baseline may require more intensive treatment with decreased ability to extend treatment intervals.

Importance The impact of vitreomacular adhesion (VMA) resolution on patient-reported visual function in symptomatic VMA/vitreomacular traction (VMT) has not yet been documented, to our knowledge. Objective To determine the impact of intravitreal ocriplasmin on patient-reported visual function using the 25-item National Eye Institute Visual Function Questionnaire (NEI VFQ-25) during a 6-month follow-up in patients with symptomatic VMA. Design, Setting, and Participants Two multicenter, randomized, masked, phase 3 clinical trials (studies TG-MV-006 [between December 2008 and April 2010] and TG-MV-007 [between December 2008 and July 2010]) at clinic-based centers in the United States and Europe. A total of 652 patients with symptomatic VMA/VMT, including when associated with a macular hole 400 μm or smaller, were studied. Analysis was by intent-to-treat population and performed in May 2013. Interventions Patients with symptomatic VMA/VMT were randomly assigned (2:1 or 3:1 in study TG-MV-006 and study TG-MV-007, respectively) to receive a single intravitreal injection of ocriplasmin, 125 μg, or placebo-injected vehicle (placebo). The NEI VFQ-25 was administered at baseline and 6 months following ocriplasmin injection. Main Outcomes and Measures Mean changes between baseline and 6-month follow-up NEI VFQ-25 composite and subscale scores and the proportion of patients with a clinically meaningful change (≥5 points) in scores. Results Across the 2 studies, 464 patients received ocriplasmin and 188 received placebo. At 6 months, the ocriplasmin group reported greater mean improvements from baseline in the NEI VFQ-25 composite score than the placebo group (mean change, 3.4 vs 0.7, respectively; P = .005). Improvements were also noted in subscale scores, with the following respective mean changes for the ocriplasmin vs placebo groups: vision-related dependency, 1.7 vs −2.1 ( P = .009); driving difficulty, 2.7 vs −1.5 ( P = .03); distance vision activities, 4.1 vs 0.8 ( P = .03); and general vision, 6.1 vs 2.1 ( P = .003). A higher proportion of the ocriplasmin group had a clinically meaningful (≥5-point) improvement in NEI VFQ-25 composite score from baseline than the placebo group (36.0% vs 27.2%, respectively; P = .03). Fewer ocriplasmin-treated patients had a clinically meaningful worsening in their visual function than the placebo group (15.0% vs 24.3%, respectively; P = .005). Changes in NEI VFQ-25 composite score and various subscale scores were observed in ocriplasmin-treated patients who achieved VMA resolution at day 28. Conclusions and Relevance Ocriplasmin produces clinically meaningful improvement in patient-reported visual function in symptomatic VMA/VMT. Trial Registration clinicaltrials.gov Identifiers:NCT00781859andNCT00798317

To establish the predictive value of defined retinal morphologic parameters on visual outcomes and re-treatment needs in patients with neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD) receiving ranibizumab treatment.Post hoc analysis of a prospective, 12-month, multicenter, phase IIIb trial.Three hundred fifty-three treatment-naïve patients with nAMD.Available data from 319 treatment-naïve patients receiving ranibizumab 0.3 mg monthly (frequent regimen; n = 102) or ranibizumab 0.3 or 0.5 mg quarterly (pooled 0.3/0.5 mg = infrequent regimen; n = 217) were analyzed to assess the correlations between baseline retinal morphologic parameters and best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) change (structure-function correlations). The BCVA was measured at monthly visits. Optical coherence tomography scans were acquired monthly for quantitative measures of the central retinal thickness and qualitative assessment of retinal morphologic features. Assessed morphologic parameters included intraretinal cystoid fluid (IRC), subretinal fluid (SRF), pigment epithelial detachment, and vitreomacular interface configuration classification comprising vitreomacular adhesion and posterior vitreous detachment (PVD). An analysis of covariance was conducted to evaluate the impact of retinal morphologic features on BCVA change at month 12.Change in BCVA from baseline to month 12 compared between frequent and infrequent treatment arms.Relevant predictive factors for BCVA change at month 12 were baseline SRF (P = 0.05), PVD (P = 0.03), IRC (P = 0.05), treatment frequency (P0.01), and BCVA (P0.01). The presence of both SRF and PVD at baseline was associated with similar BCVA gains regardless of treatment frequency (mean difference in BCVA gains at month 12 of +2.6 letters in favor of infrequent treatment). Subretinal fluid was present in 71% of patients, and PVD was present in 64% of patients.In patients with both SRF and PVD at baseline, similar BCVA outcomes were observed regardless of treatment frequency. These patients may require less frequent treatments compared with patients without SRF, without PVD, or without either who may require more frequent injections for maintenance of vision. This finding may have implications in clinical practice by helping to tailor an individualized re-treatment interval in nAMD patients.

Purpose: To evaluate the influence of vitreomacular attachment on outcomes after intravitreal aflibercept for neovascular age-related macular degeneration. Methods: In a prospective case series, eyes with neovascular age-related macular degeneration were treated with intravitreal aflibercept, given as 3 consecutive monthly injections, followed by further injection every 2 months. Spectral domain optical coherence tomography images were reviewed at each visit to determine the attachment of the posterior hyaloid. Best-corrected visual acuity and retinal thickness were also recorded. Outcomes at Months 2 and 6 were compared between the eyes with persistent vitreomacular attachment (Stage 1) and those with posterior vitreous detachment (Stages 2 or 3 PVD) at baseline. Results: At baseline, 30 eyes had Stage 1 PVD and 63 eyes had either Stage 2 or 3 PVD. Although there was a trend for both greater visual acuity gains and reductions in retinal thickness for the eyes with Stages 2 or 3 PVD, this failed to reach significance. Baseline visual acuity and age were negatively associated with visual acuity change, and baseline retinal thickness alone was associated with retinal thickness change. Conclusion: Visual acuity, retinal thickness, and age at the baseline examination, but not PVD status, are associated with functional and anatomical outcomes after intravitreal aflibercept for neovascular age-related macular degeneration.

PURPOSE To iatients with neovascular age-related macular degenernvestigate the role of epiretinal membrane (ERM) on outcomes of anti-vascular endothelial growth factor therapy in pation (nAMD). METHODS This study is a retrospective observational case series and was conducted at the Gazi University School of Medicine, Ankara, Turkey. The reports of the patients with a diagnosis of new-onset nAMD, who were aged at least 50 years and treated with intravitreal anti-vascular endothelial growth factors (ranibizumab or bevacuzimab) between October 2010 and September 2013 in our retina clinic, were reviewed for the vitreomacular interface changes. RESULTS The study included 90 eyes of 90 patients with nAMD. The mean age of the patients was 70 ± 7.5 years, with 35 (38.9%) being male and 55 (61.1%) being female. According to the examinations with optical coherence tomography and B-mode ultrasonography, 43 patients had "concurrent" vitreomacular adhesion (30 focal, 13 broad; Group 1). Twenty-nine patients had complete posterior vitreous detachment (Group 2) and 18 patients (Group 3) had ERM. The number of injections was highest for the patients with ERM (Group 3), and this difference was statistically significant (P < 0.001). The mean interval between injections and the mean longest interval were shorter in Group 3 (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION The presence of ERM in association with nAMD seems to increase the number of anti-vascular endothelial growth factor injections and decrease the injection intervals for the treatment of nAMD. Although the anatomical and functional results are similar in eyes with or without ERM, the increased need for anti-vascular endothelial growth factors may mean that these membranes may decrease the penetration of the drugs through these membranes, which may act as a physical barrier. Additionally, increased inflammation in patients with ERM probably requires more frequent injections.

Purpose: To evaluate visual function in patients with symptomatic vitreomacular adhesion (VMA)/vitreomacular traction including when associated with macular hole after ocriplasmin treatment, and the association between resolution of the underlying condition and improvement in visual function. Methods: Six hundred and fifty-two patients from 2 Phase 3 trials received a single intravitreal injection of ocriplasmin 125 μg (n = 464) or placebo (n = 188). Mean and categorical changes from baseline in best-corrected visual acuity and 25-item Visual Function Questionnaire scores were used to evaluate visual function. Subgroups with VMA resolution and full-thickness macular hole closure were compared. Results: Overall, 42% of patients who achieved VMA resolution at Day 28 had a ≥2-line improvement in best-corrected visual acuity at Month 6, and 20% had a ≥3-line improvement. Likewise, 69% of patients with nonsurgical full-thickness macular hole closure at Day 28 had a ≥2-line improvement at Month 6, and 48% had a ≥3-line best-corrected visual acuity improvement. Mean improvements in 25-item Visual Function Questionnaire scores were associated with achieving VMA resolution and nonsurgical full-thickness macular hole closure. Conclusion: In patients with symptomatic VMA/vitreomacular traction, VMA resolution and nonsurgical full-thickness macular hole closure were each associated with improvements in visual function. Resolving the underlying anatomical condition in symptomatic VMA/vitreomacular traction will increase the probability of achieving a clinically meaningful improvement in visual function.

Purpose After the recent approval of ocriplasmin by the Food and Drug Administration, postmarketing safety concerns have been raised by the vitreoretinal community. The American Society of Retina Specialists Therapeutic Surveillance Committee was commissioned to monitor postmarketing drug-related and device-related adverse events. The purpose of this report is to analyze the postmarketing safety experience in the context of available premarketing safety data. Methods Periodic aggregate safety reports consisting of premarketing, or clinical trial, data (n = 999 injections) and postmarketing reports through July 16, 2013 (n = 4,387 injections), were retrospectively analyzed by the TSC. The aggregate data were analyzed to classify adverse events, and the postmarketing safety data for each event type were compared with the premarketing data. Results Eight categories of adverse events were identified. Acute reduction in visual acuity attributable to either worsening of macular pathology or development of subretinal fluid, electroretinogram changes, dyschromatopsia, retinal tears and detachments, lens subluxation or phacodonesis, impaired pupillary reflex, and retinal vessel findings were reported in both the premarketing and postmarketing experiences. Ellipsoid zone (inner segment/outer segment) findings were only reported in the postmarketing experience. Rates of postmarketing reports were lower than in the premarketing data. Adverse events were generally transient, and characteristics of these adverse events were generally similar between the premarketing and postmarketing experience. Conclusion Postmarket analyses are limited by significant underreporting, and in the case of ocriplasmin as a first in-class drug, they may not have captured safety events that have only more recently been identified. Nonetheless, postmarket analyses can identify the scope of potential safety events based on real-world experiences. Ocriplasmin administration should be guided by an appropriate and informed risk-benefit discussion with the patient. Ongoing active postmarket surveillance by all practitioners will continue to be critical to better understand this safety profile.

A 53-year-old woman with macular and diffuse retinoschisis complicated by presumed vitreomacular traction underwent unilateral intravitreal ocriplasmin injection. Within hours after injection, she noted a loss of vision and the perception of “negative” images in the treated eye. Electrophysiologic testing revealed flat waveforms, and optical coherence tomography (OCT) showed initial decreased central macular thickness at day 1, followed by massive increased macular thickness with subfoveal neurosensory retinal detachment at 1 week. Her central macular thickness on OCT slowly returned to baseline during a period of 1 month until development of a macula-off rhegmatogenous retinal detachment at 6 months after injection. The authors believe this unique case of vitreomacular adhesion and macular schisis complicated by post-injection visual loss and electroretinography changes may offer further insight into this unusual complication. [ Ophthalmic Surg Lasers Imaging Retina . 2015;46:888–892.]

Intravitreal ocriplasmin was recently approved by the Food and Drug Administration to achieve medical vitreolysis in the setting of vitreomacular adhesion (VMA). We report a case of a 76-year-old woman who developed a lamellar macular hole following treatment with intravitreal ocriplasmin injection for VMA. A pathophysiological mechanism to explain this previously unreported complication of ocriplasmin injection is proposed.

To report the incidence of posterior vitreous detachments (PVDs) and the surgical results of vitrectomy with intravitreal triamcinolone acetonide (TA) to detect vitreomacular adhesions in eyes with asteroid hyalosis (AH). Ten eyes of nine patients with AH underwent vitrectomy, six eyes with TA and four without TA. The presence of a PVD was determined preoperatively by ultrasound echography (USE) and intraoperatively by microscopic observations. The postoperative best-corrected visual acuities (BCVA) were evaluated. The BCVA was improved by >2 Snellen lines in nine eyes and maintained at 20/20 with symptomatic improvements in the other eye. A vitreomacular adhesion was clearly seen during TA-assisted vitrectomy, and none was seen when TA was not used, even though preoperative USE showed an incomplete PVD in all eyes. The BCVA was not significantly better in eyes with TA-assisted vitrectomy than without TA-assisted vitrectomy. In one eye with vitrectomy without TA, a second surgery was required for a persistent cystoid macular edema and an epiretinal membrane. The BCVA and the edema in this eye improved after removing the epiretinal membrane. All (ten) of the eyes with AH were found to have a vitreomacular adhesion by preoperative USE and intraoperative microscopic observations. The residual vitreous over the macula is more easily detected and removed after intravitreally injected TA, but the visual acuities were not significantly different from eyes without TA.

Two consecutive cases of symptomatic vitreomacular adhesion with macular hole were treated with intravitreal ocriplasmin. Both were complicated by long-term visual symptoms and chronic serous foveal detachments lasting 17 months post-treatment. These findings suggest direct and long-lasting effects of ocriplasmin on the retinal pigment epithelium and/or outer retina. Patients treated with ocriplasmin should be cautioned that the side effects of even successful drug treatment may prolong visual recovery compared to vitrectomy. [ Ophthalmic Surg Lasers Imaging Retina . 2015;46:976–978.]

To assess the association of the vitreomacular interface with outcomes of eyes treated with anti-vascular endothelial growth factor drugs for neovascular age-related macular degeneration (AMD).Prospective cohort study within a multicenter, randomized clinical trial.Patients enrolled in the Comparison of AMD Treatments Trials (CATT).Treatment was assigned randomly as either ranibizumab or bevacizumab and as 3 different regimens for dosing over a 2-year period. Masked readers at a reading center assessed optical coherence tomography (OCT) scans at baseline and follow-up for vitreomacular traction (VMT) and vitreomacular adhesion (VMA), fluid, and central thickness. Visual acuity (VA) was measured by masked, certified examiners.Anatomic features and VA at baseline and 1 and 2 years and number of treatments.At baseline, 143 patient eyes (12.8%) had VMT or VMA. Compared with those with neither (n = 972), patients with VMT or VMA were younger (mean ± standard error, 75.5 ± 0.6 vs. 79.7 ± 0.24 years; P0.0001) and more likely to be male (52.4% vs. 36.2%; P = 0.0003), to be cigarette smokers (68.5% vs. 55.3%; P = 0.003), and to have subretinal fluid on OCT (86.7% vs. 81.0%; P = 0.047). Vitreomacular interface status was not associated with VA at baseline or follow-up. Among eyes treated as needed (n = 598) and followed up for 2 years (n = 516), the mean number of injections was 15.4 ± 0.9 for eyes having VMT at baseline or during follow-up (n = 60), 13.8 ± 0.7 for eyes with VMA at baseline or follow-up (n = 79), and 12.9 ± 0.4 (P = 0.02) for eyes without VMT or VMA (n = 377). In addition, the mean number of injections in eyes treated as needed increased from 13.0 ± 0.3 when VMT was not observed to 13.6 ± 1.3 when observed once and to 17 ± 1.2 when observed more than once during follow-up. At 2 years, geographic atrophy developed in a lower percentage of eyes with VMT or VMA at baseline (11.7%) than with neither condition (22.5%; P = 0.005).In eyes in the CATT, VMT and VMA were infrequent. At baseline and follow-up, VMT or VMA were not associated with VA. Eyes with VMT or VMA treated as needed required on average 2 more injections over 2 years.