Correlation between functional and anatomical assessments by multifocal electroretinography and optical coherence tomography in central serous chorioretinopathy

To evaluate the correlation between functional and anatomical assessments with multifocal electroretinography (mfERG) and optical coherence tomography (OCT) in patients with acute central serous chorioretinopathy (CSC). Thirty-four eyes of 34 patients with acute CSC underwent mfERG and OCT examinations. First-order mfERG N1 and P1 response amplitudes and latencies were analyzed. OCT parameters measured included central subretinal fluid (SRF) thickness, central retinal thickness, total central foveal thickness, vertical, and horizontal diameters of SRF, and macular volume. Correlation analyses were performed between best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), mfERG parameters, and OCT measurements. Correlation analysis showed that logMAR BCVA was significantly correlated with mfERG N1 amplitudes of rings 1 and 2 (P = 0.006), N1 latency of ring 4 (P = 0.012), and P1 latency of ring 1 (P = 0.036). No significant correlation was observed between logMAR BCVA and any of the OCT measurements. For the correlation between mfERG parameters and OCT measurements, mfERG N1 and P1 latencies of the paracentral rings were significantly correlated with the central SRF thickness (P ≤ 0.024), diameters of the SRF (P ≤ 0.018), and macular volume (P ≤ 0.030). MfERG responses but not OCT measurements correlated with logMAR BCVA in patients with acute CSC. The amount of SRF nonetheless correlated with the mfERG N1 and P1 latencies of the paracentral rings, suggesting that impairment in the conduction of electrical responses in the paracentral macula is proportional to the severity of serous macular detachment in CSC. MfERG and OCT can complement each other in the functional and anatomical assessments in CSC.     

黄斑水肿的光相干断层扫描分析

目的 观察黄斑水肿的光相干断层扫描（OCT）图像特征；探讨黄斑中心凹厚度与最佳矫正视力之间的关系。 方法 对50例正常对照者以及47例54只经直接、间接检眼镜、三面镜及荧光素眼底血管造影（FFA）诊断为黄斑水肿的患眼进行OCT检查，通过黄斑中心凹的水平或垂直方向线性扫描，测量黄斑中心凹的厚度，对比分析两组受检者的黄斑形态及中心凹厚度值，根据形态学特点对黄斑水肿者的OCT图像进行分类并将其中心凹厚度与其最佳矫正视力进行相关分析。 结果 正常对照组与黄斑水肿组黄斑形态及中心凹厚度差异有显著性的意义。黄斑水肿患眼的OCT图像表现为3种特征，20只眼表现为黄斑区视网膜海绵样肿胀，占37.1%；26只眼表现为黄斑囊样水肿，占48.1%；8只眼表现为浆液性视网膜神经上皮脱离，占14.8%。黄斑水肿者黄斑中心凹厚度与其最佳矫正视力呈负相关（r=－0.569, P=0.000）。 结论 黄斑水肿的OCT图像主要包括视网膜海绵样肿胀、黄斑囊样水肿及神经上皮浆液性脱离。黄斑水肿患者的黄斑中心凹厚度明显增厚，黄斑中心凹厚度越厚，视力越差。 （中华眼底病杂志，2004，20：152-155）     

Assessing Responses of the Macula in Patients with Macular Holes using a New System Measuring Localized Visual Acuity and the mfERG

Purpose: To evaluate acuity and multifocal electroretinogram (mfERG) responses from the macula in affected and unaffected fellow eyes of patients with macular holes. Methods: We tested 10 eyes with macular hole and 10 fellow eyes from 11 patients. We measured local visual acuity thresholds at 27 discrete locations within 21° diameter using the Functional Fundus Imaging System (FFIS), a psychophysical system that measures visual acuity as a function of visual field location, and local ERG responses within 45° diameter using the mfERG. Results: In the affected eyes, the mean FFIS visual acuity thresholds were significantly elevated within the central 21° diameter area, compared to a group of control eyes. No significant differences were found between the acuities of the fellow eyes compared to those of the control group. The amplitudes of the first positive peak of the mfERG were reduced in the central 7.8° in affected eyes. In the central 2°, 4 out of 10 affected eyes showed non-measurable ERG signals. The remaining six eyes showed significantly reduced mean amplitudes, but not delayed implicit times, when compared to the control group. For the fellow eyes, the mean amplitudes of the mfERG and implicit times did not differ from the means of the control eyes. Conclusions: Both local psychophysical and electrophysiological testing demonstrated retinal dysfunction extending beyond the site of the macular holes in some patients (three of the patients had central mfERG amplitudes falling within the normal range).     

The correlation between fluorescein angiographic and optical coherence tomographic features in clinically significant diabetic macular edema

PURPOSE: To assess the correlation between the features of optical coherence tomography (OCT) and fluorescein angiography in clinically significant diabetic macular edema. DESIGN: Retrospective observational case series. METHODS: This study involved 145 eyes (91 patients) with clinically significant diabetic macular edema. The fluorescein angiography features were categorized into focal leakage type, diffuse leakage type, and diffuse cystoid leakage type. The OCT features were categorized into four types: type 1, thickening with homogeneous optical reflectivity; type 2, thickening with markedly decreased optical reflectivity in the outer retinal layer; type 3A, foveolar detachment without traction; and type 3B, foveolar detachment with apparent vitreofoveal traction. The correlation between fluorescein angiography types and OCT types were analyzed, and their associations with visual acuity, central foveal thickness. and stages of diabetic retinopathy were evaluated. RESULTS: The prevalence of OCT type 1 was higher in the focal leakage type (73.0%) and in the diffuse leakage type (58.9%) than in the diffuse cystoid leakage type (3.8%) of fluorescein angiography (P <.0001). The prevalence of OCT type 2 and 3A was higher in the diffuse cystoid leakage type (57.7% and 34.6%, respectively) than in the focal leakage type (20.6% and 3.2%) or diffuse leakage type(28.6% and 10.7%; P <.0001). The stages of retinopathy correlated with fluorescein angiography types (P =.016). Optical coherence tomography type 1 and the focal leakage type of fluorescein angiography showed the least foveal thickness and the best visual acuity (P <.05). CONCLUSIONS: There was a significant correlation between the features of OCT and fluorescein angiography in clinically significant diabetic macular edema. The combined data from both OCT and fluorescein angiography may provide a clearer understanding of the anatomic and physiologic characteristics of clinically significant diabetic macular edema.     

Quantitative assessment of macular thickness in normal subjects and patients with diabetic retinopathy by scanning retinal thickness analyser

AIMS: To evaluate the scanning retinal thickness analyser (RTA), a novel non-invasive imaging instrument, in diagnosing and quantitatively characterising diabetic macular oedema, and to investigate the relation between central macula thickness measured by RTA and other clinical examinations. METHODS: Central macular thickness was measured using the RTA in 40 normal subjects and 60 patients with diabetic retinopathy. The reproducibility of the retinal thickness measurements was evaluated by calculating the mean of the inter- and intrasession variations. Central macular thickness was correlated with the results of visual acuity measurements, biomicroscopy, and fluorescein angiography. RESULTS: Intra- and intersession reproducibility of the RTA in normal subjects was plus or minus 5.2% (16 microns) and plus or minus 6.1% (19 microns), respectively. The mean central macular thickness was 182 (SD 16) microns in normal subjects, 283 (116) microns in diabetic eyes without clinically significant macular oedema (CSMO), and 564 (168) microns in diabetic eyes with CSMO. Central macular thickness was significantly greater (p < 0.001) in eyes with diabetic retinopathy than in normal subjects, even when macular thickening did not meet the standard for CSMO (p = 0.019) measured by biomicroscopy. Although greater fluorescein leakage at the macula results in greater central macular thickness, only eyes with diffuse leakage had statistically significant macular thickening compared with normal subjects (p = 0.022). Central macular thickness measured with the RTA was significantly correlated with the logarithmic converted visual acuity (r2 = 0.76) in diabetic eyes. CONCLUSION: Scanning RTA, which has good reproducibility, might be useful to quantitatively detect and monitor macular thickening in diabetic retinopathy. Central macular thickness was highly correlated with logarithmic converted visual acuity in diabetic macular oedema.     

Optical coherence tomography in the diagnosis and monitoring of cystoid macular edema in patients with retinitis pigmentosa

PURPOSE: To identify cystoid macular edema (CME) in patients with retinitis pigmentosa (RP) using optical coherence tomography (OCT) and to evaluate response to acetazolamide by serial OCT. METHODS: Twenty-nine consecutive RP patients were included in the study. Patients with CME were treated with acetazolamide (125 or 250 mg/d for 4-12 months). OCT, fluorescein angiography, and determination of best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) were performed initially and throughout the follow-up period. RESULTS: Ten of the 29 patients had CME by OCT. Of these 10 patients, 5 had various degrees of fluorescein leakage by fluorescein angiography. After acetazolamide treatment, six patients had significant decreases in macular edema in at least one eye by follow-up OCT. In six patients, visual acuity improved by > or =1 line in at least one eye. The change of central foveal thickness shown by OCT was significantly correlated with the change of logMAR of BCVA (Pearson correlation coefficient [r] = 0.576; P = 0.008). We observed no differences in the change of central foveal thickness by OCT (Mann-Whitney test; P = 1.000) and in the change of logMAR of BCVA (Mann-Whitney test; P = 0.106) between patients treated with 125 mg/d acetazolamide and those treated with 250 mg/d acetazolamide. CONCLUSIONS: These results indicate that OCT is a valuable tool in the detection and follow-up of CME in RP patients. Treatment with acetazolamide resulted in marked improvement in OCT-diagnosed CME in RP, but visual improvement was variable.     

中心性浆液性脉络膜视网膜病变OCT与mfERG图像的相关性

目的利用光学相干断层扫描（OCT）与多焦视网膜电图（mfERG）分析中心性浆液性脉络膜视网膜病变（csc）患者的OCT与mfERG图像的关系。方法横断面研究。应用德国CarlZeissCirrusHD-OCT及美国EDI VERIS Science^TM4．9视诱发反应图像系统对40只急性期CSC眼（40例）进行检查。将CSC患者OCT黄斑厚度图三个环的视网膜平均厚度与相对应的多焦视网膜电图（mfERG）的1＋2环、3环、4环的N1、P1波的平均反应密度和峰时间进行比较,并将黄斑区体积、总的黄斑中心凹的厚度、视网膜下液高度、视网膜下液范围和中心凹神经上皮厚度与mfERG6个环的N1、P1波反应密度和潜伏期比较分析。采用Spearman秩相关进行数据分析。结果CSC患者OCT内环、中环、外环的视网膜平均厚度与mfERG1＋2环、3环、4环的N1、P1波的峰时间呈正相关。黄斑区体积、总的黄斑中心凹的厚度、视网膜下液高度和视网膜下液范围与mfERG的N1、P1波反应密度和峰时间有显著的相关性。结论CSC患者的黄斑平均视网膜厚度及积液情况与mfERG之间有一定的相关性,可用OCT测量黄斑区视网膜下液的积液量,尤其是用积液范围来评估黄斑区视网膜功能的改变。OCT与mfERG的检测可以综合评价CSC患者的形态与功能的变化。     

The photopic negative response of flash ERG in nonproliferative diabetic retinopathy

Purpose To evaluate with electrophysiological responses and Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT), the short term functional and structural effects at the macula following intravitreal injection of bevacizumab for macular edema. Methods Prospective, non-randomized, interventional case study. In total, 17 eyes of 17 patients with macular edema due to vein occlusions and diabetic retinopathy received intravitreal bevacizumab. All Patients underwent complete ophthalmic examination including Snellen visual acuity testing, Multifocal Electroretinography (mfERG) and Full Field Electroretinography (FERG), OCT scanning at baseline at 1 week and 2 months after intravitreal bevacizumab. Results FERG did not show any change in waveform parameters following intravitreal injection of bevacizumab. Average mfERG macular responses within central 20° showed increased P₁ amplitude (P < 0.05) at 2 months after treatment as compared to the baseline recordings in all subjects. No changes were seen in the implicit time. There was 22% improvement in central retinal thickness (CRT) at 2 months compared to the baseline (P < 001). Conclusion Intravitreal injection bevacizumab resulted in reduction in the central retinal thickness and mild to moderate improvement in the mfERG amplitudes in this short-term study. The visual acuity changes did not directly correlate with the reduced central retinal thickness or improvement in mfERG. The short-term results showed no serious ocular adverse effects. Therefore on short-term follow up the off label drug showed improvement of macular edema secondary to vein occlusion and diabetic retinopathy with no demonstrable toxic effects.     

非动脉炎性视网膜中央动脉阻塞伴同侧颈内动脉闭塞患者的眼底影像特征

目的 探讨非动脉炎性视网膜中央动脉阻塞(NA-CRAO)伴同侧颈动脉闭塞患者的眼底影像特征。方法 回顾性研究。选择2019年11月至2021年11月在西安市人民医院(西安市第四医院)眼科住院治疗的NA-CRAO伴同侧颈内动脉闭塞患者32例32眼为颈内动脉闭塞组,选择同期住院治疗的NA-CRAO不伴有颈内动脉闭塞患者32例32眼为对照组。采用国际标准视力表检测患者最佳矫正视力(BCVA);对患者行瞳孔、眼球运动、裂隙灯显微镜、眼底彩色照相、OCT、荧光素眼底血管造影(FFA)、颈部血管超声多普勒、颅脑磁共振(MRI)、磁共振血管成像(MRA)检查。比较两组患者的臂-视网膜循环时间(A-Rct)、主干-末梢荧光素充盈时间(FT)、FFA特征、BCVA、眼底彩色照相、虹膜新生血管以及黄斑OCT特征。结果 颈内动脉闭塞组和对照组患者年龄、性别、眼别、发病时间以及高血压、糖尿病、高脂血症、高同型半胱氨酸血症患病率差异均无统计学意义(均为P>0.05);颈内动脉闭塞组患者A-Rct和FT较对照组均显著延长,差异均有统计学意义(P=0.016、0.003);颈内动脉闭塞组与对照组患者BCVA差...     

Radial optic neurotomy for ischaemic central vein occlusion

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Ischaemic central retinal vein occlusion (CRVO) accounts for 20-50% of all CRVO. No treatment has been proved to be effective. The efficacy of radial optic neurotomy (RON) was evaluated in eyes with ischaemic CRVO. METHODS: 10 patients with ischaemic CRVO underwent RON. After pars plana vitrectomy, a microvitreoretinal blade was used to incise the scleral ring, cribriform plate, and adjacent sclera at the nasal edge of the optic disc. Best corrected visual acuity (BCVA), intraocular pressure (IOP), fluorescein angiography (FA), multifocal electroretinography (mfERG), and optical coherence tomography (OCT) were measured preoperatively and at 1, 3, and 6 months postoperatively. RESULTS: No visual improvement was noted in the eyes that underwent RON. FA and mfERG showed no increase in retinal perfusion or retinal function postoperatively. Mean macular central thickness changed from 841 (SD 170) mum preoperatively to 162 (SD 34) microm at the sixth postoperative month. One patient had retinal central artery perforation intraoperatively. One patient developed neovascular glaucoma. CONCLUSION: RON in ischaemic CRVO did not improve visual function (by mfERG) or visual acuity although macular thickness did improve. This technique may be associated with potential risks. Randomised studies are needed to corroborate these results.     

手法小切口白内障手术与超声乳化术后糖尿病患者黄斑厚度的对比

目的 比较手法小切口白内障手术与超声乳化手术对Ⅱ型糖尿病患者黄斑中心凹厚度的影响.方法 56例（56只眼）合并Ⅱ型糖尿病患者的白内障随机分成两组,分别施行手法小切口白内障手术及超声乳化吸出手术.所有患者术前均行眼底检查及眼底照像,术前1个月、术后1周、4周、6周、3个月OCT测量黄斑中心凹厚度,并分析此厚度与最佳矫正视力的相关性.结果 26只眼手法小切口白内障手术,30只眼超声乳化吸出手术,两组患者术后黄斑水肿发生率差异无统计学意义.术后1周,手法组黄斑中心凹视网膜神经上皮层厚度明显高于超乳组（t=4.602,P=0.006）,最佳矫正视力明显低于超乳组（χ2=9.753,P=0.009）,4周后两组黄斑中心凹视网膜神经上皮层厚度和最佳矫正视力差异均无统计学意义.最佳矫正视力与黄斑中心凹视网膜神经上皮层厚度呈现负相关.结论 虽然Ⅱ型糖尿病患者的白内障手法小切口白内障手术和超声乳化吸出术后黄斑水肿发生率无差异,但是术后短期内手法小切口手术对黄斑中心凹视网膜神经上皮层厚度影响较大,并暂时影响最佳矫正视力.     

Monitoring retinal function in neovascular maculopathy using multifocal electroretinography – early and long-term correlation with clinical findings

PURPOSE: To objectively investigate and longitudinally monitor retinal function in patients with choroidal neovascularization (CNV) due to exudative age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and myopia using multifocal electroretinography (mfERG). METHODS: Patients with classic and occult subfoveal CNV secondary either to AMD or to myopia were enrolled in the study. The mfERGs were performed at the beginning of the study and every 3 months subsequently during a follow-up period of 15 months. In addition, standardized visual acuity testing, ophthalmologic examinations, color fundus photographs and fluorescein angiography were performed. The mfERG records were derived with the VERIS-System (Electro-Diagnostic Imaging, San Mateo, Calif., USA); 103 locations within the central 50 degrees in diameter were stimulated concurrently by means of the m-sequence technique. Fixation stability was monitored throughout the recording session with an infrared eye monitoring system (VERIS Refractor/Camera unit). The first-order response component was extracted for each stimulated retinal location. The response densities of the first-order kernel were evaluated as a function of eccentricity from the center (ring 1) to the periphery of the stimulated area (ring 6). The results were compared to those derived from age-matched normal control groups. For each patient mfERG responses measured on follow-up visits were compared to each other to evaluate and monitor changes in retinal function. These changes were tested for correlation with those observed in other clinical and electroretinographic findings. Statistical analysis was performed using the Pearson coefficient. RESULTS: Subfoveal neovascular maculopathy was associated with a reduction in response density most prominent within the central 5 degrees over the area affected by CNV detected either at the beginning of the study or at the follow-up recordings. During the follow-up period patients 1 and 4 showed stabilization or a slight increase in response densities over the neovascular lesion-complex and a corresponding stabilization or slight increase in visual acuity accompanied by a decrease in the activity of the neovascular lesion as determined by fluorescein angiography. Patient 2 revealed an increase in response density correlating with an increase in visual acuity and decrease in lesion size. In the contralateral eye of this patient the response density dropped in the area of new subfoveal CNV. In patient 3 continuous progression of the disease was documented by fluorescein angiography and visual acuity. It correlated well with a continuous decrease in retinal response densities during the follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: Objective monitoring of retinal function and correlation with morphological and psychophysical findings was at least in part possible in patients suffering from AMD and myopia. In all of four patients whose subfoveal CNV was documented by fluorescein angiography. Response densities were reduced particularly in the central 5 degrees and in visual acuity. The mfERG data showed a moderate to high statistical correlation with visual function as measured by visual acuity. On the other hand, the greatest linear dimension of the lesion size showed only a weak to moderate statistical correlation with both the response densities of the mfERG and the visual acuity. We conclude that the size of the CNV complex does not represent an accurate measure of retinal function in neovascular maculopathy. The good correlation of the mfERG data with visual acuity suggests that it may serve for objective assessment of retinal function, of the areas overlying the CNV. It shows potential as a valuable tool for longitudinal monitoring of AMD patients.     

Assessment of macular function by focal electroretinogram and pattern electroretinogram before and after epimacular membrane surgery

PURPOSE: To evaluate macular function before and after surgical peeling of idiopathic epimacular membrane (EMM). METHODS: Logarithm of the minimal angle of resolution visual acuity and results of focal (central 9 x 9 degrees) electroretinogram (fERG), pattern electroretinogram (pERG), and optical coherence tomography (OCT) assessment of macular volume were evaluated for 22 eyes of 22 patients (mean age +/- SD, 63.20 +/- 10.0 years) with EMM preoperatively (baseline) and 6 months after surgical peeling. Preoperative visual acuity and fERG and pERG amplitudes observed in EMM eyes were compared with those in 15 age-matched control eyes. RESULTS: In the preoperative evaluation, EMM eyes had a significant (P < 0.01; one-way analysis of variance) reduction in visual acuity and fERG and pERG amplitudes and an increase in OCT macular volume when compared with controls. In EMM eyes, the decrease in visual acuity was significantly correlated (P < 0.01, Pearson test) to the reduction in fERG and pERG amplitudes. At the postoperative evaluation, EMM eyes had a correlated significant (P < 0.01) increase in visual acuity, fERG amplitude, and pERG amplitude with respect to the preoperative values. All EMM eyes had a significant (P <0.01) reduction in macular volume, and retinal microanatomy was restored to normal conditions. CONCLUSION: In EMM eyes, the decrease in visual acuity is related to dysfunction of both preganglionic (abnormal fERG) and ganglionic (abnormal pERG) macular elements. Surgical removal of EMM may induce improvement of the function of both outer and innermost macular retinal layers, leading to a related increase in visual acuity.     

Dome-shaped macula in eyes with myopic posterior staphyloma

PURPOSE: To describe an unusual feature in myopic eyes responsible for visual loss, which we call a dome-shaped macula. DESIGN: Retrospective, observational case series. METHODS: After observing isolated cases of dome-shaped macula, we analyzed optical coherence tomography (OCT) scans of 140 highly myopic eyes present in our OCT database to find similar cases. Fifteen eyes of 10 patients had a dome-shaped macula. These patients all had undergone fluorescein angiography (FA), indocyanine green angiography (ICGA), and B-scan ultrasonography examinations. RESULTS: The mean refractive error of the affected eyes was -8.25 diopters (D; range, -2 to -15 D). Median visual acuity was 20/50. Recent visual impairment was noted in 11 of the 15 eyes studied, and metamorphopsia was noted in eight eyes. Four eyes were asymptomatic. FA showed atrophic changes in the macular retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) in all eyes, combined with focal points of leakage in seven of the 15 eyes. The dome-shaped appearance of the macula was visible on both B-scan ultrasonography and OCT: a characteristic bulge of the macular retina, RPE, and choroid within the concavity of the moderate posterior staphyloma was present in all eyes. In 10 eyes, OCT also showed a shallow foveal detachment at the top of the dome-shaped macula. CONCLUSIONS: A dome-shaped macula within a myopic staphyloma is an unreported type of myopic posterior staphyloma. The dome-shaped macula often is associated with RPE atrophic changes and foveal retinal detachment, which may explain the visual impairment in these eyes.     

First and second-order kernel multifocal electroretinography abnormalities in acute central serous chorioretinopathy

Purpose To evaluate the first and second-order kernel multifocal electroretinogram (mfERG) response abnormalities in patients with acute central serous chorioretinopathy (CSC). Methods This was a cross-sectional observational study in which 45 eyes of 45 patients with acute CSC underwent mfERG recordings. Peak amplitudes and implicit times of the first and second-order kernel responses were analyzed and compared with 20 age-matched normal controls. Correlation analyses were performed between the patients’ visual acuity and the first and second-order amplitudes and implicit times. Results The first-order N1 and P1 mfERG amplitudes in the central three concentric rings were reduced in eyes with acute CSC compared with controls (P < 0.05). The first-order P1 implicit times of the central four rings were also delayed (P < 0.05). For the second-order mfERG response, there were significant reductions in the second-order P1 and N1 amplitudes in rings 3–5 compared with controls (P < 0.05). No significant difference between the second-order P1 and N1 implicit times was found compared with controls (P > 0.05). Correlation analyses showed significant correlations between visual acuity and the first-order N1 response amplitudes of rings 1 and 2, and for the first-order N1 and P1 implicit times of rings 1–4 (P < 0.05). Conclusion Both first and second-order mfERG response abnormalities occur in eyes with acute CSC. These results suggest that in acute CSC, while outer retinal dysfunction is mostly localized to the central macula, there might be more widespread impairment in adaptive mechanisms of the inner retina or outer plexiform layer dysfunction in the more peripheral macula. Presented in part in the 44th annual symposium of the International Society of Clinical Electrophysiology of Vision (ISCEV), Fontevraud, France, June 2006.     

Cystoid macular edema in gyrate atrophy of the choroid and retina: a fluorescein angiography and optical coherence tomography evaluation

PURPOSE: To analyze the importance f optical coherence tomography (OCT) to diagnose the cystoid macular edema in a case of gyrate atrophy. DESIGN: Observational case report. METHODS: A 12-year-old boy presenting with gyrate atrophy of the choroid and retina underwent ophthalmologic, clinical, and laboratory tests. RESULTS: Plasma ornithine level was 735 mumol/l. Fluorescein angiography showed bilateral hyperfluorescence involving the central region of the macula. Optical coherence tomography (OCT) disclosed bilateral intraretinal cysts areas of low reflectivity with occasional high-signal elements bridging the retinal layers and intraretinal thickening. CONCLUSIONS: Both fluorescein angiography and OCT were helpful to confirm the diagnosis of macular involvement as a complication of gyrate atrophy of the choroid and retina in a patient who presented without any clinical evidence of cystoid macular edema, except a decrease in visual acuity.     

Functional and structural measurements for the assessment of internal limiting membrane peeling in idiopathic macular pucker

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the role of structural and functional measurements in the assessment of internal limiting membrane (ILM) peeling for the treatment of eyes with macular pucker. METHODS: Ten patients with macular pucker who underwent pars plana vitrectomy with ILM peeling were studied prospectively. Visual acuity measurement, standard automated achromatic perimetry, multifocal electroretinography (mfERG), and optical coherence tomography (OCT) were performed before and 3 months after surgery. Four surgical samples obtained from similar patients were analyzed with electron microscopy. RESULTS: Three months after surgery, mean visual acuity +/- SD was significantly improved from 0.4 +/- 0.11 logMAR to 0.19 +/- 0.13 logMAR (P < or = 0.002), and mean central retinal thickness +/- SD was significantly decreased 428 +/- 73 microm to 326 +/- 34 microm (P < or = 0.002). The mfERG response amplitudes were slightly decreased in eight patients, and five of these patients also had asymptomatic decreases in visual field sensitivity. The electron micrographs revealed segments of Müller cell footplates on the retinal side of the ILM in all four specimens. CONCLUSION: In this study, the use of mfERG, OCT, and standard automated achromatic perimetry showed changes in macular function and structure postoperatively. These measures of visual function and structure allow for better evaluation of the surgical outcome and understanding of the changes that may occur after ILM peeling.     

Correlation between optical coherence tomography, multifocal electroretinogram findings and visual acuity in diabetic macular edema

AIM: To compare the effects of yellow (577 nm) subthreshold micropulse laser (SML) and intravitreal (IV) anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) treatment in patients with diabetic macular edema (DME) with relatively better visual acuity [best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) ≤0.15 logMAR]. METHODS: The medical records of 76 eyes of 47 patients underwent IV (0.5 mg) anti-VEGF injection or SML for the DME with relatively better BCVA were reviewed. The IV group received three consecutive monthly IV anti-VEGF injections, then were retreated as needed. The laser treatment group was treated at baseline and 3mo, and then retreated at 6 and 9mo if needed. All participants were followed up for one year. The mean BCVA and mean central macular thickness (CMT) values changes over the follow-up were evaluated. RESULTS: Twenty-four and 23 patients were assigned to the SML and IV subgroups, respectively. The mean number of treatments was 3.64±0.76 in SML group and 5.85±1.38 in IV group (P<0.05). The subgroups were similar with regard to the mean BCVA score at baseline and at the 1st and 3rd months, but the score of SML group was better than that of IV group at the 6th, 9th and 12th months (P<0.05). The decrease in the mean CMT values from baseline values was higher in SML group at the 6th, 9th, and 12th months (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: Yellow SML treatment is superior to IV anti-VEGF injection in DME patients with relatively better BCVA for increasing visual acuity and decreasing CMT at 6, 9, and 12mo. SML can be a good alternative first-line therapy for DME with BCVA ≤0.15 logMAR.     

In diabetic retinopathy, foveal thickness of 300 μm seems to correlate with functionally significant loss of vision

Purpose To study the relationship between foveal thickness assessed by optical coherence tomography (OCT) and foveal function measured with multi focal electroretinography (mfERG) in patients with non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy, and with no previous laser treatment. Methods Twenty-six eyes from 18 diabetic patients (13 men), aged 59 years, (range 28–79 years), diabetes duration 15 years, (range 2–27 years), with a macular thickness between 200 and 600 μm were evaluated by mfERG, visual acuity (ETDRS score) and OCT. Mean amplitudes and implicit times of the mfERG responses were analyzed within the four innermost (14 degrees) of the six concentric rings. For comparison with the results from the OCT (diameter of measured area = 6 mm) we analyzed the summed response from the first and second ring (central zone), corresponding to the central area of the OCT. The third(zone 2) and fourth (zone 3)of the four innermost of the six concentric rings measured by the mfERG corresponding to the second and third area of OCT. Results An increased macular thickness in the central area of the OCT correlated to reduced amplitudes (r = −0.541; P = 0.004) and prolonged implicit times (r = 0.548; P = 0.004) in the central zone of the mfERG, and inversely correlated with visual acuity, −0.49; P = 0.045. Retinal thickness in the second area was correlated to prolonged implicit times in the second mfERG zone (r = −0.416; P = 0.034). No correlations were found for the third area of the OCT. When macular thickness exceeded 300 μm the decrease of amplitudes and prolonged implicit times, measured by mfERG, seemed to be more pronounced. Conclusion In conclusion increased macular thickness is correlated with reduced amplitudes and prolonged implicit times on the mf ERG and worse visual acuity.