PDT联合血栓通治疗AMD并发脉络膜新生血管化

目的: 观察光动力疗法(PDT)联合中药血栓通注射液治疗年龄相关性黄斑变性(AMD)并发脉络膜新生血管化(CNV)的临床疗效。方法: 选择年龄相关性黄斑变性并发脉络膜新生血管化(AMD-CNV)患者17例17眼,男7例,女10例,年龄53～72岁。患者经过视力、眼压、荧光素眼底血管造影(FFA)、吲哚青绿血管造影(ICGA)和光学相干断层成像(OCT)等检查确诊。患者用PDT治疗5d后,再用500mg中药血栓通注射液静脉滴注10d,1次/d,疗程为15d,观察治疗后1,3和6mo疗效。结果: 治疗6mo,17例中视力提高8例(47%),视力稳定无明显变化6例(35%),视力下降3例(18%);12例(71%)CNV闭合且渗漏完全停止,5例(29%)CNV大部分闭合。1例出现一过性视物模糊。结论: PDT联合中药血栓通注射液治疗AMD-CNV方法简单,疗效可靠,可在临床推广应用。     

玻璃体腔内注射抗VEGF对糖尿病性黄斑水肿患者脉络膜厚度的影响

目的:使用光学相干断层扫描(OCT)研究累及中心凹的糖尿病性黄斑水肿(DME)患者玻璃体腔内注射雷珠单抗或阿柏西普后中心凹下脉络膜厚度的变化。方法:纳入本院确诊累及中心凹的DME患者17例,其中玻璃体腔内注射雷珠单抗0.5mg/0.05mL患者9例,玻璃体腔内注射阿柏西普2mg/0.05mL患者8例,所有患者均接受每月1次,共3次治疗。使用增强深度成像-光学相干层析成像(EDI-OCT)观察两组患者治疗前和治疗后1mo中心凹下脉络膜厚度、视力和视网膜中央厚度的变化情况。结果:两组患者通过3次玻璃体腔注射抗VEGF后,中心凹下脉络膜厚度和视网膜中央厚度明显较治疗前变薄,视力较治疗前明显改善(均P<0.05),而两组间中心凹下脉络膜厚度、视网膜中央厚度和视力比较均无差异(均P>0.05)。治疗前中心凹下脉络膜厚度与视力改善之间无明显相关性(r_s=-0.269,P=0.296)。治疗后脉络膜厚度变化与视力改善、视网膜中央厚度变化以及患者年龄之间均无明显相关性(均P>0.05)。结论:玻璃体腔内注射雷珠单抗和阿柏西普均可以使累及中心凹的DME患者中央凹下脉络膜和视网膜中央厚度变薄并显著改善视力。     

伴浆液性视网膜脱离脉络膜血管瘤的光动力治疗

目的：阐述患限局性脉络膜血管瘤的3只眼用光动力治疗后的临床所见。患者和方法：在第三级转诊中心，患限局性、位于后部脉络膜血管瘤(厚2．4及2．9mm)，邻近视神经上缘并伴扩展至黄斑的感觉视网膜浆液性脱离的2例患者，用Zeiss二极管激光(692nm)及光敏染料verte-porfin做光动力治疗。患限局性中心凹下血管瘤(厚3．9mm)和严重浆液性视网膜脱离的第3例患者，同时进行治疗。用超声和荧光血管造影检查法研究肿瘤。随访时用Goldmann视野计做视野检查。结果：光动力治疗后，浆液性视网膜脱离消除，所有3只眼的脉络膜血管瘤在2—5个月内退化至未能检出的厚度。每一病例的视力分别从20／50改善至20／20、从20／150改善至20／20、从．3／200改善至20／200。2只眼治疗2次。在从11—16月随访时肿瘤无复发。用Goldmann视野计检查未显示神经纤维束视野损害。结论：光动力治疗似乎在限局性脉络膜血管瘤治疗中有效。光动力治疗后，3只眼中用超声检查法未再发现脉络膜血管瘤，并且伴随的浆液性脱离消除，中央视力改善，未发现神经纤维束损害。     

经瞳孔温热疗法治疗旁中心凹渗漏点的中浆

目的：观察经瞳孔温热疗法(transpupillary thermotherapy,TTT)治疗渗漏点位于旁中心凹的中心性浆液性脉络膜视网膜病变(central serous chorioretinopathy,CSC,简称中浆)患者的临床效果。

方法：采用TTT治疗经眼底荧光造影和光学相干断层扫描检查确诊并自愿选择TTT治疗的患者19例23眼,其中男17例,女2例; 左眼9只,右眼14只。年龄32～52(平均44.00±4.973)岁。我们运用810红外激光进行TTT治疗。随访所有患者TTT治疗后1,2,6mo的视力(Snellen视力表转换成LogMAR以便分析)、眼底检查、眼底荧光造影、光学相干断层扫描等。

结果：在接受治疗1mo后眼底荧光造影显示渗漏消失者14眼(61%),光学相干断层扫描显示神经上皮无脱离; 在治疗2mo后渗漏消失、神经上皮脱离愈合者21眼(91%); 6mo后23眼全部无渗漏、无神经上皮脱离。74%的患者在6mo后视力提高≥3行。治疗后2mo时FFA显示渗漏点消失,OCT显示视网膜下液吸收且视力无下降者视为治疗成功,治疗后6mo时视网膜下液仍持续存在且视力无改善者则视为治疗失败。

结论：TTT治疗旁中心凹渗漏的CSC在短期内安全有效,可能通过缩短病程改善CSC 的预后。     

光动力疗法治疗病理性近视所致黄斑部CNV的临床疗效观察

目的:评价光动力疗法(photodynamic therapy,PDT)治疗病理性近视所致黄斑部脉络膜新生血管(choroidal neovascularization,CNV)的临床疗效。方法:回顾性分析20例21眼临床确诊为病理性近视合并CNV患者的临床资料,对比分析PDT治疗前后患者最佳矫正视力(BCVA)、固视性质,FFA/ICGA和OCT等检查结果的变化。结果:PDT治疗后随访6mo,1例患者PDT治疗后3mo因玻璃体积血行玻璃体切除手术,未继续随访。其余患者BCVA与治疗前相比明显提高,差异具有统计学意义(P<0.05)。PDT治疗前中心固视3眼,中心外固视18眼,随访期间固视性质未发生改变。FFA/ICGA检查显示,PDT治疗后3mo,CNV病灶渗漏停止或渗漏减少者18眼(86%),持续渗漏2眼(10%),1眼出现玻璃体积血。PDT治疗后6mo,CNV病灶渗漏停止或渗漏减少者19眼(90%),持续渗漏1眼(5%),OCT显示CNV缩小,组织水肿减轻。结论:PDT治疗可以部分或完全封闭病理性近视所致脉络膜CNV,减少CNV引起的视力下降危险性。     

中心性浆液性脉络膜视网膜病变激光治疗后视功能的变化

目的:观察激光治疗中心性浆液性脉络膜视网膜病变(central serous chorioretinopathy,CSC)的疗效及对视功能的影响。方法:对临床确诊的60例60眼CSC患者,随机分成激光治疗组与药物治疗组,每组各30例30眼。观察两组患者治疗前后视力与mfERG的变化,随访6mo。结果:激光治疗组无1例复发,1mo后视力治疗有效率92.35%。药物治疗组1mo后视力治疗有效率49.58%,复发率13.33%。激光治疗组mfERG显示2～4环的反应密度均高于药物治疗组,N1波潜伏期在4环、P1波潜伏期在3～5环与药物治疗组相比有统计学差异(P<0.05)。结论:CSC早期应用激光治疗可以明显改善视功能,阻止病情恶化,提高治愈率,降低复发率。     

脉络膜再血管化术联合药物综合治疗视网膜色素变性

目的:探讨治疗原发性视网膜色素变性的有效方法。方法:选择符合诊断及入选标准的原发性视网膜色素变性患者60例120眼,采用脉络膜再血管化术联合药物综合治疗,12mo后观察患者视力、视野、视网膜电图(ERG)。结果:患者60例120眼中,视力下降者2眼(1.6%),视力无提高者15眼(12.5%),视力提高0.02～0.20者80眼(66.7%),视力提高>0.20者23眼(19.2%)。56例112眼做了周边视野(60°)和中心视野(30°)检查,治疗前45眼可检测到周边视野敏感度,治疗后56眼可检测到,检出率为50%,56眼经过12mo观察后,其中47眼周边视野和中心视野无变化,有效率为83.9%。59例患者110眼行ERG检查(8眼初期未见异常,未作检查),治疗前100眼记录不到a波与b波,治疗前后无变化。30Hz闪烁反应治疗前59例患者110眼中54例97眼可记录到波形,检出率为88.2%;治疗后100眼可记录到波形,检出率为90.9%。结论:脉络膜再血管化术联合药物综合治疗能延缓或控制原发性视网膜色素变性病情发展,提升视力,改善视功能,值得临床推广应用。     

吲哚青绿介导的光栓疗法治疗限局性脉络膜血管瘤

目的:吲哚青绿(indocyannine green,ICG)的吸收峰(805nm)与810nm半导体激光波长相近,使其可成为治疗脉络膜血管瘤的光敏剂,该方法被称为吲哚青绿ICG介导的光栓疗法(indocyannine green mediated photothrombosis,IMP)。为了探讨IMP治疗脉络膜血管瘤的效果,我们对8例(8眼)限局性脉络膜血管瘤进行了治疗。方法:将2mL ICG溶液通过肘前静脉快速注射,使用IRIS810nm半导体激光器于注射后3min对瘤体进行照射。参数:光斑直径3.0~9.0mm,功率450~1300mW,照射时间60s。用同样参数于ICG注射后20min进行第二次激光照射。随访时间6~24mo(平均8.15mo),通过视力、直接眼底镜、海德堡共焦眼底血管造影仪(heidelberg retina angio-graph,HRA)实施的眼底荧光素血管造影(fundus fluore-seein angiography,FFA)及吲哚青绿血管造影(indocyan-nine green angiograph,ICGA)观察治疗效果,用HeidelbergEye Explore软件测量治疗前后瘤体面积的变化。结果:至最后一次随访,经IMP治疗的8眼的血管瘤面积较治疗前均缩小(100%),患眼矫正视力提高>2行以上者有2眼(25%),视力提高>1行以上者有3眼(38%),视力无变化者3眼(38%)。视力提高的5眼注视性暗影及视物变形等症状有程度不同的改善。结论:本研究结果显示,IMP对脉络膜血管瘤有一定治疗效果,该方法安全、经济。但有关IMP的治疗参数、远期疗效及并发症等问题还需更大样本的长期临床观察。     

经瞳孔温热疗法治疗病理性近视性脉络膜新生血管的临床观察

目的:观察经瞳孔温热疗法(TTT)治疗病理性近视合并中心凹下脉络膜新生血管(CNV)的疗效.方法:采用半导体810nm红外激光对荧光素眼底血管造影(FFA)和吲哚青绿血管造影(ICGA)检查确诊的高度近视合并CNV患者15例15眼进行治疗.治疗后每月复查1次,随访1～3 mo.随访时检查视力、眼底出血和渗出吸收、CNV闭合情况.结果:15眼治疗后均无即刻视力下降或其他不适.末诊时与初诊视力相比,73.3%无变化,26.7%增加.所有病灶渗漏减少或消失,出血基本吸收,CNV部分闭塞并纤维化.OCT检查激光后CNV厚度变薄.有3例患者3眼脉络膜萎缩灶扩大,2例2眼病灶瘢痕化.结论:TTT对治疗高度近视合并CNV有一定效果,但存在病灶疤痕化及脉络膜萎缩灶较治疗前扩大的问题.     

中心性渗出性脉络膜病变光动力治疗的多焦视网膜电图观察

目的:应用多焦视网膜电图评价在中心性渗出性脉络膜病变患者光动力疗法治疗后视网膜功能的改变。方法:对11例(11眼)中心性渗出性脉络膜病变患者PDT在治疗前及治疗后7d～3mo分别查视力、多焦视网膜电图(mfERG)、眼底荧光造影、光学相干断层扫描图(OCT)。应用重复测量方差分析比较mfERGN1、P1波振幅密度变化。结果:中心性渗出性脉络膜病变患者PDT治疗后7d时的mfERG1～6环N1波、P1波振幅密度与治疗前比较均无明显差异(P>0.05),在治疗后45d时mfERG1～5环N1、P1波振幅密度值与治疗前有显著提高(P<0.05),治疗后3mo时mfERG1～5环N1波、1～4环P1波振幅密度值与治疗前有显著提高(P<0.05)。结论:PDT治疗中心性渗出性脉络膜病变患者疗效显著。PDT疗法可以提高或稳定中心性渗出性脉络膜病变患眼视力,mfERG显示它还能改善黄斑部的功能。     

Treatment review of sight threatening circumscribed choroidal haemangioma

AIM: To describe our clinical experience in treating circumscribed choroidal haemangioma (CCH) in a tertiary referral centre over a fifteen year period prior to photodynamic therapy. METHODS: The departmental database and photographic records of a tertiary referral center were used to identify patients who were treated for CCH between 1992 and 2007. Their case records were reviewed. RESULTS: Visual acuity improved (>2 Snellen lines) in eleven patients (69%) remained stable in one patient (6%) and deteriorated in four patients (25%). Six of the seven treated with brachytherapy and three of the four treated with transpupillary thermotherapy achieved better visual acuity after treatment. 86% of patients treated within six months of onset of symptoms and 50% of patients treated after six months of onset of symptoms noted an improvement in visual acuity. Only one patient in our series had a final VA of 6/60 or worse. Mean follow-up was thirty-five months. CONCLUSION: Visual outcome is better when treatment is performed within 6 months of symptoms. The majority of patients achieved an improvement in visual acuity without any adverse effect following treatment.     

Photodynamic therapy for circumscribed choroidal haemangioma

PURPOSE: To assess the efficacy of photodynamic therapy (PDT) as a new treatment for circumscribed choroidal haemangioma (CCH). METHODS: Eight patients with CCH were treated with PDT using a protocol similar to that used in the standard treatment of neovascular age-related macular degeneration. RESULTS: Visual acuity improved in six of eight eyes, remained unchanged in one eye and deteriorated in one eye after 3-15 months (median 7 months) follow-up. Pre-treatment metamorphopsia disappeared in all but two cases. The thickness of the CCH measured with standardized echography showed marked regression within 1 month after PDT. In six eyes there was no remaining protrusion after PDT and one lesion was barely detectable. One patient experienced a transient choroidal effusion and perifoveal haemorrhage. CONCLUSION: Photodynamic therapy is a promising new treatment for CCH as it restores visual function in most cases without causing apparent ocular or systemic side-effects.     

Non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy: role of systemic corticosteroid therapy

OBJECTIVE: To investigate systematically the role of systemic corticosteroid therapy in non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NA-AION). METHODS: The study consists of a cohort of 613 consecutive patients (696 eyes), first seen in our clinic from 1973 to 2000. Of this cohort, 312 patients (364 eyes) voluntarily opted for systemic steroid therapy, and 301 (332 eyes) for no treatment. At first visit, all patients in both groups had a detailed ophthalmic and medical history, and comprehensive ophthalmic evaluation. Visual evaluation was done by recording Snellen visual acuity, and visual fields with a Goldmann perimeter. The same ophthalmic evaluation was performed at each follow-up visit. Patients in the steroid-treated group were initially given 80 mg Prednisone daily for 2 weeks, and then tapered down to 70 mg for 5 days, 60 mg for 5 days, and then cutting down by 5 mg every 5 days. Visual outcome in the two groups was compared RESULTS: Median follow-up was 3.8 years. At 6 months from onset of NA-AION, of the eyes with initial visual acuity 20/70 or worse and seen within 2 weeks of onset, there was visual acuity improvement in 69.8% (95% confidence interval (CI): 57.3%, 79.9%) in the treated group, compared to 40.5% (95% CI: 29.2%, 52.9%) in the untreated group (odds ratio of improvement: 3.39; 95% CI:1.62, 7.11; p = 0.001). Comparison of visual field defect at 6 months from onset of NA-AION, among those seen within 2 weeks of NA-AION onset with moderate to severe initial visual field defect, there was improvement in 40.1% (95% CI: 33.1%, 47.5%) of the treated group, and 24.5% (95% CI: 17.7%, 32.9%) of the untreated group (odds ratio: 2.06, 95% CI: 1.24, 3.40; p = 0.005). In both treated and untreated groups, the visual acuity and visual fields kept improving up to about 6 months from onset of NA-AION, and very little thereafter. CONCLUSION: This study suggested that NA-AION eyes treated during the acute phase with systemic corticosteroids resulted in a significantly higher probability of improvement in visual acuity (p = 0.001) and visual field (p = 0.005) than in the untreated group. Both visual acuity and visual fields improved up to 6 months after onset of NA-AION.     

Transpupillary thermotherapy in the management of juxtapapillary and parafoveal circumscribed choroidal hemangioma

BACKGROUND: Circumscribed choroidal hemangioma (CCH) is a rare, vascular tumor that may be associated with formation of subretinal fluid, cystic retinal de-generation, and serous retinal detachment. Studies have suggested that proximity of this tumor to the fovea or optic nerve precludes the use of trans-pupillary thermotherapy (TTT) for treatment. We report our experience using TTT in managing patients with juxtapapillary and parafoveal CCH. METHODS: We reviewed the records of consecutive patients with CCH treated by TTT at Princess Margaret Hospital, Toronto, between November 1999 and March 2003. This resulted in 11 eyes of 11 patients with juxtapapillary or parafoveal tumors. Treatment was delivered via slit lamp using an 810 nm diode laser with 350 to 800 mW, a 3.0 mm spot, and duration range from 5 s to 90 s. Outcome measures were reduction in tumor thickness, resolution of serous fluid, tumor control, visual acuity, and complications of treatment. RESULTS: Mean age of patients was 47.6 years. Symptoms included blurred vision, metamorphopsia, light flashes, and floaters. Macular and optic disk edema, field defect, presence of subretinal fluid, and retinal detachment were noted. At presentation, Snellen visual acuity ranged from 20/70 to hand motions. Mean tumor base diameter was 6.0 mm and tumor thickness at baseline was 3.0 mm. Mean follow-up was 18.0 months. Post-TTT, mean tumor thickness was 2.8 mm. Macular and optic disk edema resolved in the majority of patients. Partial regression of the tumor was noted in 4 cases (36%) and good tumor control in 9 cases (82%). Visual acuity improved in 6 patients (55%). INTERPRETATION: TTT can be effective for treating juxtapapillary and para-foveal CCH. Proximity to the fovea and optic nerve may not be predictive of poor post-treatment visual acuity, although statistical analysis with a larger sample size would more clearly demonstrate a clear advantage.     

Acanthamoeba sclerokeratitis: treatment with systemic immunosuppression

OBJECTIVE: This study describes the clinical features, management, and outcome of 19 patients who had severe Acanthamoeba sclerokeratitis (ASK) unresponsive to conventional management, requiring systemic immunosuppression to control disease. DESIGN: Retrospective, non-comparative, interventional case series. PARTICIPANTS: Records of all patients with Acanthamoeba keratitis treated at Moorfields Eye Hospital between 1989 and 2000 were reviewed. From more than 200 patients, 19 who developed ASK treated with systemic immunosuppression were identified. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Visual acuity, level of pain, and degree of inflammation were recorded after immunosuppressive treatment. RESULTS: ASK requiring immunosuppression occurred in 20 eyes of 19 patients (11 males and 8 females). The mean age (mean +/- standard deviation) at onset was 38.6 +/- 13.2 years. On presentation, best-corrected visual acuity was counting fingers or worse in 11 eyes (55%), 6/18 to 6/60 in 5 eyes (25%), and 6/12 or better in 4 eyes (20%). The mean time between onset of initial symptoms of Acanthamoeba keratitis and commencement of systemic immunosuppression was 4.8 +/- 3.5 months. The mean duration of immunosuppression required to control inflammation was 7.2 +/- 3.9 months. Severe scleritic pain remained uncontrolled in two patients and resulted in enucleation. Best-corrected visual acuity at final follow-up was counting fingers or worse in eight eyes (40%), 6/18 to 6/60 in six eyes (30%), and 20/40 or better in six eyes (30%). The mean follow-up period after resolution of inflammation was 24.3 +/- 20.9 months (range, 0.2-59.7 months). CONCLUSIONS: ASK is an uncommon complication of Acanthamoeba keratitis. The scleritis associated with this infection seems to be an immune-mediated response. After topical amebicidal treatment, systemic immunosuppression may be required to control the pain and tissue destruction associated with ASK.     

Self-reported acute decrease in visual acuity after photodynamic therapy for age-related macular degeneration

PURPOSE: To evaluate the incidence of self-reported decrease in visual acuity within 7 days of photodynamic therapy (PDT) for choroidal neovascularization secondary to age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and to describe the anatomical and clinical course of patients with documented significant visual loss. METHODS: Consecutive records of all patients with exudative AMD treated with PDT over a 16-month period at a community-based retina referral practice were reviewed for instances of self-reported visual change within 7 days of treatment. The primary outcome measure was Snellen visual acuity. Secondary outcome measures were fluorescein angiography (FA) and anatomical findings. RESULTS: Among 1,894 PDT treatments performed for 821 patients, there were 32 instances (for 30 patients) of self-reported visual change within 7 days of PDT. A decrease in > or =2 lines of Snellen visual acuity was documented for 10 patients (1.2% of patients or 0.5% of treatments), and all occurred within 3 days of PDT (median, 1 day) in all patients. Median pre-PDT vision was 20/60 (range, 20/50 to 20/200). Vision within 3 days after PDT was 20/100 or worse in all 10 cases and counting fingers or worse in 3. Subretinal hemorrhage occurred in four cases. FA of eyes without hemorrhage showed a circular area of choroidal hypoperfusion (corresponding to the PDT spot) in all five eyes with persistence of the hypofluorescence up to 4 months later. Visual improvement after the initial acute decrease was seen in 3 patients (30%; 95% confidence interval, 7-65%) by 3 months after PDT. CONCLUSIONS: Acute visual decrease after PDT for AMD is uncommon. Visual recovery may occur in some patients, but a precise estimate is difficult to determine given the small sample size.     

Combined photodynamic therapy with verteporfin and intravitreal triamcinolone acetonide for choroidal neovascularization

PURPOSE: To examine combined photodynamic therapy (PDT) with verteporfin and intravitreal triamcinolone acetonide for choroidal neovascularization (CNV) secondary to age-related macular degeneration (AMD). DESIGN: Noncomparative case series. PARTICIPANTS: Twenty-six eyes of 26 patients with CNV secondary to AMD. Thirteen with CNV, without restriction to type, were not treated with prior PDT and were called the Newly Treated group. Thirteen patients with prior PDT therapy who experienced visual loss during treatment with PDT alone comprised the remainder and were termed the Prior PDT group. METHODS: Patients with CNV were treated with PDT immediately followed by an intravitreal injection of 4 mg of triamcinolone acetonide. Visual acuity was measured by Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study protocol refraction. Need for retreatment was based on fluorescein angiographic evidence of leakage at 3-month follow-up intervals. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Visual acuity and retreatment rate. RESULTS: Of the 13 patients in the Newly Treated group the mean visual acuity change at 3 months was an improvement of 1.9 lines, and 4 (30.8%) had an improvement of at least 3 lines. Two patients (15.4%) required retreatment at 3 months. At the 6-month follow-up, available for 12 patients in the Newly Treated group, the mean visual acuity change from baseline was an improvement of 2.4 lines, 4 patients (33%) had an improvement of at least 3 lines and 1 patient required retreatment. At both time points the visual acuity was significantly greater than at baseline (P = 0.023 and P = 0.007, at the 3-month and 6-month time points, Wilcoxon signed ranks test) for patients in the Newly Treated group. Among the 13 patients in the Prior PDT group, the mean change in visual acuity from baseline at the 3-month follow-up was 0.31 lines and 1 patient (7.7%) had an improvement of at least 3 lines. Six-month follow-up was available for 11 patients in the Prior PDT group and the mean change from baseline visual acuity was 0.1 lines and 1 patient (9.1%) experienced an improvement of 3 or more lines. No patient in the Prior PDT group required retreatment at 3 or 6 months. At the 3-month and 6-month time points the visual acuity was not significantly different than the baseline acuity in the Prior PDT group. No patient in either group at any time point experienced a loss of visual acuity of 3 or more lines. Five patients (19.2%), 3 in the Newly Treated group and 2 in the Prior PDT group, required monodrop therapy to control their intraocular pressure. No patient developed endophthalmitis. CONCLUSION: Although the number of patients in this pilot study was limited, the improvement of acuity and the lack of fluorescein leakage in these patients suggest combination therapy with PDT and intravitreal triamcinolone acetonide, particularly when used as first-line therapy, merits further investigation.     

Application of Intravitreal Bevacizumab for Circumscribed Choroidal Hemangioma

We report 3 cases of circumscribed choroidal hemangioma (CCH) effectively managed with intravitreal bevacizumab. One patient (case 1) who had recurrent CCH (1.6 mm in thickness) with prior laser photocoagulation was treated with intravitreal bevacizumab alone. Two patients (case 2 and 3) who had CCH (2.4 mm and 2.2 mm in thickness, respectively) with recent visual impairment were treated with bevacizumab followed by photodynamic therapy (PDT). Ophthalmic evaluations included visual acuity, ophthalmoscopic examination, fluorescein angiography, ultrasonography, and optical coherence tomography. Patients were followed up for 6-9 months. After therapy, all patients showed improved visual acuity due to complete resorption of subretinal fluid and macular edema. Ultrasonography demonstrated a reduction of the thickness of CCH in case 1 and complete regression of the lesions in case 2 and 3. No patient showed tumor recurrence. Intravitreal bevacizumab, alone or in combination therapy with PDT, may be a useful alternative for the treatment of symptomatic CCH with subretinal fluid.     

Treatment of recent onset central retinal vein occlusion with intravitreal tissue plasminogen activator: a pilot study

AIMS: To study the effects of intravitreal tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) in recent onset central retinal vein occlusion (CRVO). METHODS: 15 patients with recent onset CRVO (from 1-21 days' duration, mean 8 days) were given 75-100 microg of tPA intravitreally associate with low dose low molecular weight heparin. CRVO was perfused in nine patients and with mild ischaemia not exceeding 100 disc diameters in six patients. Follow up ranged from 5 to 21 months for 14 patients (mean 8 months). Visual acuity measurement, macular threshold (Humphrey perimeter), fluorescein angiography with the scanning laser ophthalmoscope with special emphasis on retinal circulation times, and retinal perfusion were performed at days 0, 1, and 8 and months 1, 3, and 6. RESULTS: Visual acuity was significantly improved on the first day after treatment in only one eye, and decreased transiently in six eyes (40%). Retinal blood velocity was not significantly modified by tPA injection. Retinal ischaemia developed in six eyes (43%), leading to panretinal photocoagulation in five eyes including one with rubeosis iridis. At the end of follow up, visual acuity had improved to 20/30 or better in five eyes (36%), including two with complete recovery; visual acuity was worse than 20/200 in three eyes (28%). No complication of tPA injection was observed. CONCLUSION: Intravitreal tPA treatment for CRVO appears to be simple and safe, but did not significantly modify the course of the occlusion in our patients immediately after treatment. Final visual outcome did not differ significantly from that observed in the natural course of the disease, but final visual acuity seemed to be slightly better. A randomised study is required to determine if intravitreal tPA actually improves visual outcome in CRVO.     

Subfoveal hemorrhage after verteporfin photodynamic therapy in treatment of choroidal neovascularization

BACKGROUND: To identify the frequency of new subfoveal hemorrhage and its impact on visual acuity 2 weeks following verteporfin photodynamic therapy (PDT) in the treatment of predominantly classic subfoveal choroidal neovascularization (CNV) secondary to age-related macular degeneration (AMD). METHODS: Retrospective, noncomparative, consecutive, interventional case series. At a tertiary retinal referral center, 104 eyes of 97 consecutive patients with predominantly classic subfoveal CNV were treated by PDT. Morphological outcomes include new subfoveal hemorrhage assessed on the photo review (pretreatment, 2 and 12 weeks after PDT). Visual acuity outcomes include moderate (3-5 ETDRS lines) and severe (6 and more ETDRS lines) loss of visual acuity at 2 weeks after PDT. RESULTS: In this study, 104 eyes of 97 patients were analyzed. CNV in all eyes was secondary to AMD. New subfoveal hemorrhage was found in 22% (23/104) of the eyes 2 weeks following PDT. 17.4% (4/23) of the eyes with new subfoveal hemorrhage had moderate or severe loss of visual acuity. In such eyes the 12-week examination revealed considerable resorption of the new subfoveal hemorrhage with some improvement of visual acuity. CONCLUSIONS: In 3.8% of the eyes that underwent PDT for predominantly classic subfoveal CNV secondary to AMD, new subfoveal hemorrhage may result in moderate or severe loss of visual acuity within 2 weeks. In all eyes with new subfoveal hemorrhage, considerable resorption of the hemorrhage and some improvement of the visual acuity were seen at 12 weeks. Candidates for PDT should be informed about the low risk of this complication.