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Dexamethasone intravitreal implant 0.7 mg (DEX 0.7) was approved for treatment of diabetic macular edema (DME) after demonstration of its efficacy and safety in the MEAD registration trials. We performed subgroup analysis of MEAD study results to evaluate the efficacy and safety of DEX 0.7 treatment in patients with previously treated DME. Three-year, randomized, sham-controlled phase 3 study in patients with DME, best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) of 34–68 Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study letters (20/200–20/50 Snellen equivalent), and central retinal thickness (CRT) ≥300 μm measured by time-domain optical coherence tomography. Patients were randomized to 1 of 2 doses of DEX (0.7 mg or 0.35 mg), or to sham procedure, with retreatment no more than every 6 months. The primary endpoint was ≥15-letter gain in BCVA at study end. Average change in BCVA and CRT from baseline during the study (area-under-the-curve approach) and adverse events were also evaluated. The present subgroup analysis evaluated outcomes in patients randomized to DEX 0.7 (marketed dose) or sham based on prior treatment for DME at study entry. Baseline characteristics of previously treated DEX 0.7 (n = 247) and sham (n = 261) patients were similar. In the previously treated subgroup, mean number of treatments over 3 years was 4.1 for DEX 0.7 and 3.2 for sham, 21.5 % of DEX 0.7 patients versus 11.1 % of sham had ≥15-letter BCVA gain from baseline at study end (P = 0.002), mean average BCVA change from baseline was +3.2 letters with DEX 0.7 versus +1.5 letters with sham (P = 0.024), and mean average CRT change from baseline was −126.1 μm with DEX 0.7 versus −39.0 μm with sham (P

We describe three cases of submacular hemorrhage that occurred two to four days after anti-VEGF intravitreal injection for occult choroidal neovascularisation in age-related macular degeneration and their management with 25 gauge pars plana vitrectomy with injection of subretinal recombinant tissue plasminogen activator (rTPA) followed by fluid-air exchange and postoperative prone position. Vitrectomy, subretinal rTPA injection and fluid-gas exchange apply as a safe and effective treatment in these cases. Functional results seem to be positive especially if surgical treatment is promptly performed.

An 83-year-old woman affected by nasal branch retinal vein occlusion with macular star underwent treatment with intravitreal triamcinolone acetonide injection followed by laser treatment addressed to the leaking vascular lesions. Visual acuity improved from 20/200 to 20/40 with a remarkable reduction of the macular exudates and resolution of dye leakage on fluorescein angiography over a 2-year follow-up. Nasal branch retinal vein occlusion may rarely occur with macular edema and macular star. Intravitreal triamcinolone acetonide injection and laser treatment of the leaking vascular lesions can result in visual function improvement over a 2-year follow-up.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the efficacy of photodynamic therapy (PDT) with verteporfin for anterior segment neovascularizations (ASNVs) in patients affected by ischaemic form of central retinal vein occlusion (CRVO).METHODS: Prospective non-comparative case series including 10 consecutive patients (10 eyes) affected by ischaemic CRVO. Main outcome measure was the obliteration of ASNV.RESULTS: One month after PDT, biomicroscopic examination showed partial obliteration of iris new vessels and complete closure of angle neovascularization. Iris fluorescein angiography performed 1 week after treatment showed partial closure of the iris new vessels with no evidence of leakage in the late phases. During the subsequent examinations, a partial reopening of the iris and angle new vessels in association with dye leakage on fluorescein angiography was evident. In any case, the fluorescein leakage turned out to be still reduced with respect to the baseline aspects.CONCLUSIONS: Our results show that PDT with verteporfin can partially obliterate ASNVs in eyes affected by ischaemic CRVO preventing from the evolution towards advanced stages of neovascular glaucoma, but is not effective in cases with complete angle synechial closure.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the effectiveness of macular grid laser photocoagulation (MGLP) in obtaining the reabsorption of exudative retinal detachment (ERD) in patients with ischemic branch retinal vein occlusion (BRVO).METHODS: Prospective, randomized clinical trial including 31 patients with ERD secondary to ischemic BRVO, who were randomized either to MGLP or to observation. A complete ophthalmologic examination was performed within 7 days of treatment, and was arranged to be repeated regularly every 6 months for 24 months. MGLP was performed using a krypton laser with a spot size of 100 microm at 0.1 second. The main outcome measure was the number of eyes that had gained at least 15 letters at the 24-month examination in the two groups.RESULTS: By the month 24 visit, 40% of the patients in the MGLP group had gained at least three lines of visual acuity as opposed to no patient in the control group. The mean best-corrected visual acuity passed from 20/160 to 20/125 Snellen equivalent in the MGLP group, and from 20/160 to 20/400 Snellen equivalent in the control group at month 24. The difference in the mean reabsorption time was statistically significant (P < 0.001) comparing the treated group with the controls (9.1 versus 15.8 months).CONCLUSION: Natural history of ERD secondary to ischemic BRVO is poor, and MGLP is able to prevent visual acuity deterioration through a 24-month follow-up.

PURPOSE: To describe changes in the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) induced by photodynamic therapy (PDT) in eyes with subfoveal choroidal neovascularization (CNV) associated with pathological myopia (PM).METHODS: We carried out an open-label, prospective, interventional case series including 26 patients affected by subfoveal CNV in PM who underwent PDT with a 12-month follow-up. Particular attention was paid to the detection of changes at the RPE level in the areas exposed to the laser compared with baseline conditions.RESULTS: The median age of the patients was 58.5 years and the median duration of symptoms was 2 weeks. A pigmentary zone was present before PDT in 20 eyes (77%), incompletely encircling the CNV in all but two of the 20 eyes. At the end of the follow-up, the CNV in all eyes was seen to be completely or incompletely encircled by a band of hyperpigmentation, which was surrounded by RPE alterations, including depigmentation in all cases and atrophic changes in 14 eyes.CONCLUSIONS: After PDT, alterations in the RPE develop in myopic eyes. These include accentuation of the pigmentary zone surrounding the CNV and progressive atrophic changes. Further studies are needed to correlate post-PDT RPE damage with longterm visual outcome.

BACKGROUND: The objective was to report a case of pseudoxanthoma elasticum associated with type 2A idiopathic juxtafoveolar telangiectasis (T2AIJT) complicated by bilateral subretinal neovascular membranes (SRNVM).METHODS: The right eye with juxtafoveal SRNVM and the left eye with subfoveal SRNVM underwent laser photocoagulation and photodynamic therapy respectively. The follow-up duration was 48 months.RESULTS: Best corrected visual acuity was 20/32 in both eyes at baseline, and 20/32 in the right eye and 20/200 in the left eye at the end of the follow-up. Atrophic changes in the retinal pigment epithelium developed around the SRNVM treated with photodynamic therapy (PDT).CONCLUSIONS: Pseudoxanthoma elasticum may be associated with T2AIJT complicated by bilateral SRNVM. Further studies are needed to assess both efficacy and appropriate PDT regime in T2AIJT-related SRNVM, especially if associated with other conditions.

PURPOSE: To investigate the effects of photodynamic therapy (PDT) on subfoveal choroidal neovascularization (CNV) secondary to reticular pattern dystrophy (RPD) of the retinal pigment epithelium.DESIGN: Open-label, prospective, interventional case series.METHODS: Thirteen eyes diagnosed with subfoveal CNV associated with RPD were considered. Complete ophthalmic examinations were performed at baseline and thereafter at three-month intervals for three years. Primary outcome measure was the number of eyes with

PURPOSE: To assess if a polymorphism (PM) of the microsatellite (CA(13-27)) in the promoter region of Matrix Metalloproteinase 9 (MMP-9) was associated with the exudative form of age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and to its risk factors.METHODS: In 107 patients with AMD (AMD Group) and 223 age- and gender-matched controls (Control Group) with cataract, demographic, clinical data, and MMP-9 PM have been compared.RESULTS: The comparison of allelic frequencies showed a different pattern of CA repeats between AMD and Control Group (P < 0.00005), in particular the prevalence of longer microsatellites (> or = 22 CA repeats) was higher in AMD than in Control Group (O.R. 2.49, 95% CI 1.71-3.37, P < 0.001). Analyses of genetic frequencies gave similar results. Logistic regression confirmed that 22 or more CA repeats are associated to AMD. The only association between MMP-9 PM and other risk factors for AMD was with BMI (Spearman's R = 0.298, P < 0.00005): all patients with both microsatellites > or = 22 CA repeats were overweight or obese (chi2 test P < 0.0005, compared to other genotypes).CONCLUSIONS: Longer microsatellites in the promoter of MMP-9 are associated to the exudative form of AMD and to body mass index, a well-known risk factor for the disease.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate by means of a controlled clinical trial the effectiveness and the tolerance of prismatic correction in improving visual function in patients affected by advanced bilateral age-related macular degeneration.SETTING: Department of Ophthalmology, Eye Clinic, University of Trieste.SUBJECTS AND INTERVENTIONS: Each patient underwent an ophthalmologic examination, complete with distance visual acuity measurement using the Standard Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study chart. Patients were then randomly assigned to the treatment or control group. The treatment group received spectacles lenses with a prismatic correction of low power (5-7 prismatic dioptres) in the better eye.MAIN MEASURES: Visual acuity was measured at baseline and 1, 90, 180 and 360 days after prescription in both groups.RESULTS: The treatment group consisted of 14 patients, while the control group was of 14 patients. The prismatic correction was well tolerated in 85.7% of cases. Visual acuity in the treatment group improved mostly at three-month follow-up, with a slight further improvement at the six- and 12-month follow-ups, showing a statistically significant difference in comparison with the control group. No visual acuity improvement was registered in the control group.CONCLUSION: Monolateral prismatic correction may be considered a viable means to improve visual function in patients affected by bilateral age-related macular degeneration at an advanced stage.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the effect of indocyanine green angiography (ICG)-guided laser photocoagulation in eyes with age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and occult choroidal neovascularization (O-CNV), appearing as a well-defined focal spot on ICG.METHODS: Eyes with extrafoveal or juxtafoveal focal spot on ICG, either without PED (Group A) or with PED (Group B) at baseline, were selected. The hyperfluorescent area was photocoagulated by krypton red laser within 24 hours from diagnosis on ICG guide. At 1, 3, 6, 9 and 12 months from treatment, all eyes underwent clinical examination, FA and ICG. Parameters as best corrected visual acuity (BCVA), CNV closure and recurrence onset were analyzed.RESULTS: 53 eyes were enrolled in Group A and 33 in Group B. After 1 year from treatment, a stabilized (+/-1 Snellen line) or improved (2 or more Snellen lines) visual acuity was measured in 37 eyes (43%), 32 in Group A and 5 in Group B. After 1 year, a complete resolution of exudative signs was achieved with one or more laser sessions in 41 eyes (48%), 34 in Group A and 7 in Group B. After 1 year, 50 eyes (58%) had one or more episodes of recurrent CNV, appearing in 51% of eyes of Group A and in 70% of eyes of Group B. Most of the recurrences (86%) occurred during the first trimester after photocoagulation.CONCLUSIONS: ICG-guided laser photocoagulation for O-CNV appearing as a focal spot produced encouraging anatomical and functional outcome in eyes without PED at presentation. When focal CNV is associated with a PED, our treatment technique produced disappointing results.

PURPOSE: To report the results of photodynamic therapy (PDT) for subfoveal choroidal neovascularization (CNV) associated with nine eyes affected by pattern dystrophy of the retinal pigment epithelium.METHODS: Each patient underwent an ophthalmologic examination complete with electroretinogram, electrooculogram, fluorescein angiography, and indocyanine green angiography to define the characteristics of the CNV. PDT was administered according to the TAP protocol. Re-treatment was decided on the basis of the detection of leakage on fluorescein angiography.RESULTS: Classic subfoveal CNV was associated with four cases of reticular dystrophy, one case of butterfly-shaped dystrophy, and one case of pattern dystrophy simulating fundus flavimaculatus. Moreover, three cases of adult-onset foveomacular vitelliform dystrophy showed occult subfoveal CNV. The mean follow-up was 15.6 +/- 2.1 months. Adult-onset foveomacular vitelliform dystrophy has the worst visual outcome, passing from 20/59 to 20/640 (mean variation, -10.7 lines), whereas the other forms of pattern dystrophy overall retain their baseline best-corrected visual acuity of 20/51 (mean variation, +0.17 lines).CONCLUSIONS: Photodynamic therapy for subfoveal CNV associated with pattern dystrophy of the retinal pigment epithelium can stabilize visual acuity, except for occult CNV associated with adult-onset foveomacular vitelliform dystrophy.

L’introduzione della Terapia Fotodinamica ha inaugurato una nuova era nel trattamento delle maculopatie. I risultati dei trials multicentrici TAP e VIP hanno dimostrato che la Terapia Fotodinamica rappresenta un trattamento sicuro ed efficace nel ridurre il rischio di perdita visiva relativo a neovasi coroideali subfoveali secondari a degenerazione maculare legata all’età e miopia patologica. Questo Atlante si propone di rendere accessibile a tutti la Terapia Fotodinamica attraverso semplici e pratiche illustrazioni che chiariscono i diversi quadri angiografici corredandoli con immagini con angiografia con verde indocianina. Inoltre sulla base dell’esperienza raccolta presso la Clinica Oculistica dell’Università di Trieste, vengono presentate alcune applicazioni su altre patologie ove la Terapia Fotodinamica potrebbe apportare significativi benefici.

The precise evaluation of iris vascular pattern in pseudoexfoliation syndrome (PXS) may be difficult on iris fluorescein angiography (IFA) because of the frequent presence of a heavily pigmented iris and late conspicuous leakage. Thanks to its special characteristics, iris indocyanine green videoangiography (IICGV) is able precisely to visualize details of the iris vascular pattern. The aim of the study is to analyze the feasibility of IICGV in detecting microvascular changes in PXS and compare these findings with those of IFA. Twenty-eight patients affected in both eyes by PXS underwent an ophthalmologic examination including IFA and IICGV. IICGV was performed using IMAGEnet system H1024. A better visualization of iris hypoperfusion and anastomotic vessels was obtained on IICGV, whereas iris microneovascularization was far more clearly visible on IFA. Moreover, iris pigment epithelium defects were detectable on IICGV. IICGV may be considered a useful tool in the evaluation of the iris vascular pattern in PXS. Iris hypoperfusion could not play a contributory role in the development of iris microvascular changes.