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Background/Objectives: This study aims to investigate the long-term effect of inactive systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) on the retinal microcirculation measured via optical coherence tomography angiography (OCT-A). Methods: Twenty-four eyes of 24 patients with inactive SLE under hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) therapy were included. The OCT-A data (mainly vessel density (VD) and foveal avascular zone (FAZ) data of the superficial and of the deep capillary plexus (SCP, DCP) and the choriocapillaris (CC)) were analyzed and compared between the baseline examination (t0) and 2 years later (t1). Results: At t1, VD in the whole en face SCP and in the CC was notably reduced compared to t0 (SCP: p = 0.001, CC: p = 0.013). VD in the DCP, CRT and FAZ area showed no difference at t1 compared to t0 (DCP: p = 0.128, FAZ: p = 0.332, CRT fovea: p = 0.296). Correlation analysis between the increase in cumulative doses of HCQ between t0 and t1 and the VD of the whole en face SCP did not show any correlation (Spearman r = 0.062 (95% CI −0.367; 0.477). Conclusions: SLE patients demonstrated a decrease in the retinal VD of the SCP and CC over a 2-year period. There was no correlation with the change in cumulative doses of HCQ. These results suggest an ongoing effect of the disease on the retinal and choriocapillary microcirculation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of Preserflo implantation on endothelial cell density (ECD), corneal thickness, intraocular pressure (IOP), and the use of antiglaucoma medications over a 12-month follow-up period. Methods: A total of 53 eyes from 53 patients undergoing Preserflo implantation were included in this prospective study. ECD, corneal thickness, IOP, and the number of antiglaucoma medications were measured at baseline, 3 months, and 12 months postoperatively. Statistical analysis was performed using paired t -tests and Wilcoxon signed-rank tests for non-normally distributed data. Results: There was no significant reduction in ECD at 3 months ( p = 0.695) or 12 months ( p = 0.229) compared to baseline. However, a significant reduction in corneal thickness was observed at 3 months ( p = 0.008), with no significant change at 12 months ( p = 0.118). A significant reduction in IOP was noted at both 3 months (from a preoperative median of 23.5 mmHg to 11.5 mmHg, p < 0.001) and 12 months (from 23.5 mmHg to 13.0 mmHg, p < 0.001). Additionally, there was a significant decrease in the use of antiglaucoma medications, from a preoperative median of 3.0 medication classes to 0.0 classes at both 3 months ( p < 0.001) and 12 months ( p < 0.001). Conclusions: Preserflo implantation resulted in a significant reduction in IOP and the need for antiglaucoma medications, with no significant impact on endothelial cell density and corneal thickness after 12 months. These findings suggest that Preserflo implantation is an effective procedure for IOP control and medication reduction, with favorable outcome for corneal health after one year.

Purpose: Primary optic disc tumors are often a challenge for ophthalmologists. They have very different appearances, and many primary optic disc tumors are associated with syndromic diseases (especially phakomatoses). Because of the rarity of primary optic disc tumors, classification and assessment are often difficult., Material and Methods: A systematic search in the electronic patient files (period 01.01.2015 - 01.06.2022) of the Department of Ophthalmology of the University of Münster Medical Center for patients with primary optic disc tumors was performed. For each tumor entity, exemplary cases were selected, which are presented here in detail. The criteria for the exemplary case selection were a clear diagnosis, the presence of suitable image material and follow-up examinations in our clinic., Results: The search yielded seven cases with three different primary tumor entities in the optic disc region (capillary hemangioblastoma, astrocytic hamartoma and melanocytoma). Four patients were selected as examples and are presented here: two cases for capillary hemangioblastoma (one isolated and the other in the context of Von-Hippel-Lindau syndrome) and one case each for astrocytic hamartoma and melanocytoma). We outline the further diagnosis and the course of the disease and we give an overview of the essential features of the underlying tumors in each case., Conclusion: The knowledge of the different primary tumors of the optic disc is necessary for a correct diagnosis and for the differentiation from malignant processes and optic disc anomalies. In many cases, further interdisciplinary diagnostics are necessary. Multimodal imaging is helpful and a referral to a center for ocular tumors is worth considering., Competing Interests: Die Autorinnen/Autoren geben an, dass kein Interessenkonflikt besteht./The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest., (Thieme. All rights reserved.)

Purpose:  Higher rates of missed pathologies, caused by a lack of professional experience or systematic search, suggest that a methodical approach to radiological analysis can be learned. Thus, the aim of this study is to investigate the efficiency of different principles of screening stroke CTs for cerebrovascular diseases between radiologists and neuroradiologists with different levels of experience in relation to professional experience., Methods:  A set of anonymous CT images of 20 patients, with a suspected stroke, was individually presented to 12 radiologists with different levels of professional experience. Meanwhile, their fixation position was recorded by an eye-tracking system. For statistical analysis, the interobserver variability and accuracy of lesion detection were evaluated, taking the individual level of professional experience into account., Results:  The sensitivity of the observer depends on the professional experience, also determined by a systematic observation sequence and knowledge of the course of the disease. The duration of eye fixation with inexperienced assessors was significantly longer for conspicuous findings, while experienced assessors were more likely to fix clinically relevant regions. The retention time of ocular fixation in important pathological findings did not differ significantly between those groups., Conclusion:  Our results indicate that experienced radiologists are reducing the number of missed findings through a systematic approach and targeted inspection of important regions. Through raising the awareness of analyzing CT images in systematic patterns, physicians at all levels of experience seem to be able to improve their performance., Key Points:   · Experienced radiologists improve detection rates through targeted inspection of clinically important regions.. · Experienced radiologists reduce time spent on analysis through focused visual attention.. · All levels of experience improve their performance by analyzing CT images systematically.., Citation Format: · Kammerer S, Schülke C, Leclaire MD et al. Impact of Working Experience on Image Perception and Image Evaluation Approaches in Stroke Imaging: Results of an Eye-Tracking Study. Fortschr Röntgenstr 2019; 191: 836 - 844., Competing Interests: The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest., (© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York.)