Three-dimensional analysis of macular diseases with a scanning retinal thickness analyzer and a confocal scanning laser ophthalmoscope

OBJECTIVE: To compare three-dimensional analysis of macular diseases obtained using the scanning retinal thickness analyzer (RTA) with that obtained using the confocal scanning laser ophthalmoscope, Heidelberg Retina Tomograph (HRT). PATIENTS AND METHODS: Both the RTA and the HRT were used to examine 50 eyes of 36 patients with diabetic macular edema, macular edema following branch retinal vein occlusion, age-related macular degeneration, and idiopathic macular holes. RESULTS: In most macular diseases, the retinal thickness map constructed using the RTA agreed with the image obtained with the HRT. The two maps were not consistent with each other, however, in patients with dense retinal hemorrhages and with extrafoveal fixation. CONCLUSIONS: Although both the RTA and the HRT give additional information to clinically evaluate macular diseases, they do have limitations. The discrepancy between these two analyses in some specific macular pathologies might be caused by the different wavelengths of the laser beam and the different methodologies used to scan the retina.     

The evaluation of macular thickness in patients with retinal detachment treated with conventional surgery--preliminary report

The aim of the study was to evaluate retinal thickness in macular area (before and after surgery), and its correlation with visual acuity in patients with retinal detachment treated conventional surgery. Twenty eyes of 20 patients, treated in our clinic and eyes of 20 healthy subjects without any ocular pathology were evaluated. Retinal thickness in macular area (obtained with retinal thickness analyzer RTA - TALIA Technology) and visual acuity achieved after surgery compared with ocular pathology before and after surgery were analyzed. The correlation between visual acuity changes after successful surgery and macular thickness was evaluated. Retinal thickening in macula in patients with detached retina (even if macula was attached), and immediately after successful surgery in comparison to control group was observed. In selected cases, withdrawal of subclinical macular edema correlated with improvement of visual acuity. RTA allows for quantitative evaluation of retinal thickness in macula and its correlation with visual rehabilitation in patients with retinal detachment treated conventional surgery. Therefore RTA can be a useful tool in monitoring and determining visual acuity improvement.     

Patient selection for macular translocation surgery using the scanning laser ophthalmoscope

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the use of the scanning laser ophthalmoscope (SLO) as a predictor for potential visual improvement in eyes with subfoveal choroidal neovascularization (CNV) secondary to age-related macular degeneration (AMD) undergoing limited macular translocation. DESIGN: Retrospective noncomparative case series. PARTICIPANTS: Consecutive series of 71 eyes of 70 patients with subfoveal CNV secondary to AMD that underwent effective and uncomplicated limited macular translocation at the Wilmer Ophthalmological Institute. METHODS: Evaluation of the fundus microperimetry and fixation pattern was conducted on all patients using the Rodenstock scanning laser ophthalmoscope (G. Rodenstock Instrument GmbH, Munich, Germany) within 72 hours before surgery. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Sensitivity and specificity in addition to positive and negative predictive values of SLO findings for visual outcome after macular translocation. RESULTS: Stable fixation presented the highest positive predictive value for visual acuity equal to or better than 20/100 (30 of 33 = 0.91), and predominantly eccentric fixation had the highest negative predictive value for visual acuity worse than 20/100 (7 of 9 = 0.78). Sensitivity was higher for the presence of predominantly central fixation (42 of 48 = 0.87), and specificity was higher for relatively unstable/unstable fixation (20 of 23 = 0.87). CONCLUSIONS: Eyes with stable and central fixation (without dense central scotoma) good preoperative visual acuity, and short length of symptoms are those with the greatest chance to achieve good vision after macular translocation. The knowledge of the fixation and microperimetry pattern enables better understanding of the macular function in eyes with AMD and may be useful for evaluation of baseline retinal cell viability. Incorporation of these testing modalities may help to optimize patient selection for macular translocation or other future techniques aimed at rescuing photoreceptors.     

Optical coherence tomography and retinal thickness analyzer features of spontaneous resolution of vitreomacular traction syndrome: a case report

PURPOSE: To report optical coherence tomography (OCT) and retinal thickness analyzer (RTA) findings in a case of spontaneous resolution of vitreomacular traction syndrome. METHODS: Qualitative and quantitative analysis of the macular region was performed with OCT and RTA. RESULTS: In the left eye of a 34-year-old woman with blurred vision, OCT and RTA examination showed a discrete linear signal anterior to the retina with attachment at the macula and secondary cystoid macular changes. OCT and RTA examination showed an increase in macular thickness (350 microm). Six months later the patient showed a spontaneous complete recovery of visual acuity. Vitreomacular traction and cystoid changes were no longer detectable at OCT and RTA examination; retinal thickness was normal (205 microm) and a posterior vitreous detachment was visible. CONCLUSIONS: Both OCT and RTA were useful tools for making the diagnosis of vitreomacular traction syndrome and demonstrating the effect of spontaneous vitreomacular traction release with resolution of cystoid macular changes.     

Reading with a macular scotoma. I. Retinal location of scotoma and fixation area

To investigate how patients with macular scotomas use residual functional retinal areas to inspect visual detail, a scanning laser ophthalmoscope (SLO) was used to map the retinal locations of scotomas and areas used to fixate. Three patients with dense macular scotomas of at least 20 months duration and with no explicit low vision training were tested. SLO stimuli were produced by computer modulation of the scanned laser beam, and could be placed on known retinal loci by direct observation of the retina on a television monitor. Videotaped SLO images were analyzed to produce retinal maps that are corrected for shifts of stimulus position due to fixational eye movement, thus showing the true retinal locations of scotomas and fixation loci. Major findings were as follows: 1) each patient used a single, idiosyncratic retinal area, immediately adjacent to the scotoma to fixate, and did not attempt to use the nonfunctional foveola, 2) fixation stability with the eccentric fixation locus was as good as, or better than, that of ocularly normal subjects trying to fixate at comparable eccentricities, 3) fixation stability was not systematically related to clinical visual acuity, and 4) there is good agreement as to the shape and overall size of SLO and standard clinical tangent screen scotoma maps for these three patients.     

Topography of diabetic macular oedema compared with fluorescein angiography

PURPOSE: To compare the amount and pattern of fluorescein leakage in diabetic macular oedema with the retinal thickness maps obtained with the retinal thickness analyser (RTA) and optical coherence tomography (OCT). METHODS: A consecutive series of 30 eyes from 30 patients with diabetic macular oedema was included. On fluorescein angiography (FA) the macula was analysed in 10 subfields as defined by the ETDRS. The amount and source of leakage for each field were determined. Retinal thickness was measured by OCT and RTA maps in each of the 10 fields and compared with the FA grading. RESULTS: Foveal retinal thickness on OCT was most influenced by the overall FA leakage, which was the only significant covariate on multivariate analysis. The source and amount of leakage correlated significantly with the topography of retinal thickness in the four peripheral fields between 1500 microm and 3000 microm from the macular centre (r = 0.54, p = 0.002). The mean amount and source of leakage in those fields also showed the highest correlation with central macular thickness on OCT (r = 0.46, p = 0.01). Similar results were obtained by RTA when excluding ischaemic cases (r = 0.44, p = 0.04). For both instruments, FA leakage within the four central fields < 1500 microm did not correlate significantly with retinal thickness. Thickness by OCT and RTA were highly correlated with one another for central macular measurements (r = 0.73, p < 0.001), but correlated poorly in the peripheral fields. Overall, OCT measurements correlated more highly with FA. CONCLUSIONS: Optical coherence tomography and RTA thickness measurements can be used to identify patients for further examination. Fluorescein angiography leakage in the outer ETDRS fields correlates best with central thickness and retinal thickness topography by OCT.     

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）     

Diabetic macular edema: correlation between microperimetry and optical coherence tomography findings

PURPOSE: To compare the changes in macular sensitivity (microperimetry) and macular thickness with different degrees of diabetic macular edema. METHODS: Sixty-one eyes of 32 consecutive diabetic patients were included in this cross-sectional study. All included eyes underwent functional and morphologic examination of the macular area. Best corrected visual acuity (ETDRS charts), macular sensitivity, and macular thickness were quantified. Lesion-related macular sensitivity and retinal fixation were investigated with an advanced, automatic microperimeter. Optical coherence tomography (OCT) was used to quantify macular thickness. RESULTS: The 61 included eyes were graded, by two retinal specialists, for diabetic macular edema as follows: 16 were graded as no macular edema (NE), 30 as non-clinically significant macular edema (NCSME), and 15 as clinically significant macular edema (CSME). Macular thickness significantly increased from the NE to the CSME group (P<0.0001), whereas macular sensitivity significantly decreased from the NE to the CSME group (P<0.0021). A significant correlation coefficient was noted between retinal sensitivity and normalized macular thickness (r=-0.37, P<0.0001). Linear regression analysis showed a decrease of 0.83 dB (P<0.0001) for every 10% of deviation of retinal thickness from normal values. Visual acuity and central macular sensitivity correlated significantly in the NCSME group (r=-0.6, P=0.0008), but not in the NE (r=-0.144, P=0.6) or in the CSME (r=-0.46, P=0.11) groups. CONCLUSIONS: Macular edema may be better documented by adding macular sensitivity mapping by microperimetry to macular thickness measurement by OCT and visual acuity determination because macular sensitivity seems to be a relevant explanatory variable of visual function, independent of macular thickness data. Moreover, microperimetry may be of value in predicting the outcome of diabetic macular edema, because it incorporates a functional measure that may supplement the predictive value of OCT and visual acuity.     

特发性黄斑前膜眼黄斑光敏度的激光扫描检眼镜微视野检测

目的 观察激光扫描检眼镜（SLO）黄斑光敏度检查在评估特发性黄斑前膜眼视功能中的作用以及黄斑光敏度与中心视力、黄斑中心凹厚度的相互关系。 方法 用SLO的微视野(microperimetry)程序对直接检眼镜、前置镜以及光相干断层扫描（OCT）检查确诊的特发性黄斑前膜患者44例55只患眼进行黄斑中心10°视野光敏度检测，并与同期同样方法检测的31只正常眼进行对比，观察特发性黄斑前膜眼黄斑光敏度变化与OCT测量的中心凹厚度及对数视力检查结果的相互关系。 结果 特发性黄斑前膜眼黄斑光敏度较正常对照眼下降，其差异有统计学意义（F=47.265，P<0.01）。平均光敏感度下降与视力下降呈正相关性(r=0.687, P=0.000)；与黄斑中心凹视网膜厚度的增加呈负相关性（r=-0.532，P=0.003）。有视物变形眼较无视物变形眼的黄斑光敏度下降，差异有统计学意义（t=7.039, P=0.000）；增生性前膜眼较水肿性前膜眼平均黄斑光敏度均下降，但差异无统计学意义（t=-1.706, P=0.094）。 结论 SLO的微视野程序能敏感的反映特发性黄斑前膜眼的黄斑视功能状况，定量评价黄斑光敏度的变化；黄斑光敏度变化与中心视力、黄斑中心凹厚度相关。 (中华眼底病杂志, 2006, 22: 100-102)     

Retinal topography and thickness mapping in atrophic age related macular degeneration

AIM: To determine the relation between alterations in the retinal topography and thickness, visual acuity, and retinal pigment epithelium hypopigmentation in atrophic age related macular degeneration (AMD). METHODS: 22 patients, mean age 74 (SD 8) years, with atrophic AMD were recruited. An optical imaging system based on the retinal thickness analyser (RTA) was applied to generate a series of 20 optical section images that encompass 2 mm x 2 mm retinal areas. The optical section images were digitised and analysed to provide topographic maps of the vitreoretinal and chorioretinal surfaces and the retinal thickness. Vitreoretinal and chorioretinal surface elevations and retinal thickness were determined. RESULTS: Variation in the vitreoretinal surface height was moderately correlated with visual acuity (r = -0.4; p = 0.03; n = 22). Increase in variation of chorioretinal surface height was correlated with decrease in visual acuity (r = -0.5; p = 0.01; n = 22). The retinal thickness was not associated with visual acuity (r = 0.2; p = 0.2; n=22). Relative height of the vitreoretinal surface in eyes with retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) hypopigmentation was significantly less than eyes without RPE hypopigmentation (p = 0.005). Eyes with and without RPE hypopigmentation had a similar relative height of the chorioretinal surface (p = 0.4). Retinal thickness in eyes with RPE hypopigmentation was less than in eyes without RPE hypopigmentation (p = 0.04). CONCLUSION: Mapping of chorioretinal and vitreoretinal topography and retinal thickness provides objective and quantitative measurements of retinal structural abnormalities and shows promise as an adjunct for the evaluation of retinal structural changes due to AMD.     

Can optical coherence tomography predict the outcome of laser photocoagulation for diabetic macular edema?

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: To assess the outcome of laser photocoagulation in patients with diabetic macular edema. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Forty-seven patients (51 eyes) with clinically significant macular edema (CSME) undergoing grid laser photocoagulation were included. Clinical examination and optical coherence tomography (OCT) were performed at baseline and 3 to 4 months after treatment. The central foveal thickness, mean inner macular thickness (average retinal thickness in fovea and inner macular circle), and mean macular thickness were calculated. Based on the greatest OCT thickness at baseline, patients were grouped according to mild (< 300 microm; Group 1), moderate (300 to 399 microm; Group 2), and severe (> or = 400 microm; Group 3) macular edema. RESULTS: Group 2 showed significant reductions in central foveal thickness (23 microm, P = .02), mean inner macular thickness (18 microm, P = .02), and mean macular thickness (9 microm, P = .04) with slight improvement in visual acuity. Groups 1 and 3 did not show any significant change in macular thickness values and there was a statistically insignificant worsening of visual acuity in these groups. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with moderate macular thickening of 300 to 400 microm benefit most from laser treatment. OCT may help in choosing the appropriate treatment for CSME based on the degree of macular thickening. Long-term studies are warranted to confirm these findings.     

Comparison of optic disc topography measured by Retinal Thickness Analyzer with measurement by Heidelberg Retina Tomograph II

PURPOSE: To compare the optic disc topography measurements from a digitized laser slit-lamp and a confocal scanning laser ophthalmoscope (SLO). METHODS: Ten normal subjects (10 eyes) were recruited. Topographic measurements of the optic disc were performed three times in all eyes using the Retinal Thickness Analyzer (RTA) and the Heidelberg Retina Tomograph II (HRT II), and the mean values determined. The mean values of 11 optic disc parameters were compared between the two instruments by the Wilcoxon signed rank test. To test the reproducibility of the topographic measurements, the coefficients of variation (CV) of the topographic parameters among the three measurements from each of the two instruments were compared using the Wilcoxon signed rank test. RESULTS: The mean cup depth, mean retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thickness, and RNFL cross-sectional area were significantly smaller when measured by RTA compared with HRT II (P =.0067, P =.0364, P =.0467, respectively). The mean CVs from the RTA were larger than those from the HRT II for all parameters; however, the differences in all parameters did not reach significance. CONCLUSION: The RTA measured smaller z-axis values compared with the HRT II. The reproducibility of the topographic data was not significantly different between the instruments.     

Comparison of foveal thickness measured with the retinal thickness analyzer and optical coherence tomography.

PURPOSE: To assess and compare the reliability and reproducibility of retinal thickness measurements for the retinal thickness analyzer (RTA) and optical coherence tomography (OCT) in normal and edematous retina. METHODS: The authors measured the foveal thickness of 21 normal eyes and 9 eyes with macular edema with both methods in random order. With the RTA, the fovea was measured 10 times; with the OCT, six scans (one horizontal and five vertical cross-sections) of the fovea were obtained. RESULTS: Mean foveal thickness of normal eyes measured 153 microm with OCT and 181 microm with RTA (median for both methods 150 microm). Coefficients of variation (CV) within the same subjects were 10% (OCT) and 9% (RTA) reducing to 9% (OCT) and 7% (RTA) when scans were repeated only five times for both methods. The RTA, however, yielded an interpatient CV of 33% (OCT 17%), which was caused by several falsely high readings in normal individuals. In eyes with retinal thickening the OCT measured a mean of 324 microm with 15% intra- and 58% interpatient CV. The RTA yielded a mean of 403 microm with CV of 18% and 73%, respectively. CONCLUSION: Both methods yield reproducible measurements of foveal thickness in normal individuals and individuals with macular edema. However, falsely high measurements may occur with the RTA, reducing its reliability as compared to the OCT.     

Functional and anatomical investigations in racemose haemangioma

PURPOSE: To determine the vascular morphology of racemose haemangioma and related functional alterations in arteriovenous (AV) malformation type 3. METHODS: A 17-year-old patient with unilateral racemose haemangioma received a full ophthalmic examination including Snellen visual acuity (VA) and Goldmann visual field. The central vision was investigated by scanning laser ophthalmoscope (SLO) and multifocal electroretinogram (mfERG). The ocular haemodynamics were examined by fluorescence angiography and Doppler ultrasound. The tomographic contour of the vascular architecture was visualized using B-scan ultrasound, Stratus optical coherence tomography (OCT) and three-dimensional Heidelberg retina tomograph (3D-HRT II). RESULTS: The VA of the patient's right eye was reduced to 20/400 and her visual field was constricted concentrically. Microperimetry revealed a small central field with good central fixation. The mfERG demonstrated reduced amplitudes of the central retina. On fluorescein angiography, there was a fast filling of the retinal branches related to the racemose vessels. Doppler ultrasound confirmed a significantly changed haemodynamic flow in the racemose vessels. Ultrasound, OCT and HRT demonstrated a prominent optic nerve head. CONCLUSION: The racemose haemangioma led to a marked visual field defect. Racemose haemangiomas are associated with severe changes in the haemodynamics of the retinal vasculature.     

Optical coherence tomography and confocal scanning laser tomography for assessment of macular edema

PURPOSE: To compare optical coherence tomography (OCT) and confocal scanning laser tomography (cSLT) for quantitative retinal thickness mapping of the macula and their ability to detect macular edema. DESIGN: Prospective, comparative, clinical observational study. METHODS: The study population of 138 eyes (97 patients) was divided into a study group consisting of 45 (32.6%) eyes with macular edema and a control group consisting of 93 (67.4%) eyes without macular edema. All patients underwent OCT and cSLT of the macula. Retinal thickness measurements obtained by OCT were compared with signal width and edema index, determined by cSLT. RESULTS: The OCT measurements and cSLT edema index were significantly (P <.001) correlated with each other. Correlation coefficients decreased (P <.001) with increasing diameter of the measurement circle. In the macular edema group, correlation coefficients were significantly (P <.001) higher than in the control group. To separate the study and control groups, receiver operator characteristic curves covered a larger area for OCT measurements than for cSLT measurements. Retinal thickness measurements and edema index correlate with visual acuity (correlation coefficient r = -.653 for OCT, r = -.608 for cSLT; P <.001). CONCLUSIONS: Macular edema can be quantitatively mapped by OCT and cSLT. The retinal thickness and edema index measurements correlate with visual acuity. The fast and standard examination modes of OCT give similar measurements. Both OCT and cSLT can differentiate between eyes with and without macular edema, with OCT showing a higher predictive value.     

Morphological and functional analyses of adult onset vitelliform macular dystrophy

AIM: To evaluate the morphology and visual function of the macula in eyes with adult onset vitelliform macular dystrophy (AVMD). METHODS: 12 eyes of six patients with AVMD were examined by ophthalmoscopy, scanning laser ophthalmoscopy (SLO), optical coherence tomography (OCT), and multifocal electroretinography (mfERGs). The macular lesions were bilateral in all patients and varied from the typical vitelliform (five eyes), faded vitelliform changes with retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) atrophy (five eyes), and a normal fovea associated with small flecks around the macula (two eyes). RESULTS: SLO demonstrated small abnormal bright spots in the deep retina throughout the posterior retina in all cases. OCT showed a highly reflective fusiform thickened layer at the level of the RPE and choriocapillaris in patients with a submacular yellow vitelliform lesion. A well circumscribed, optically clear space was observed beneath the retinal layer in the macular lesions with RPE atrophy. The mfERGs were significantly reduced not only in the macular area but also in the outermost ring (20-30 degrees ) of the mfERGs. CONCLUSIONS: The submacular materials that accumulate within the RPE or subepithelial layers reported in previous histopathological studies of vitelliform lesions can be detected by OCT. In the macular lesions with RPE atrophy, the material may have disappeared leaving a subretinal or subepithelial optical clear space. These SLO and mfERG observations suggest that the morphological and functional abnormalities may not be localised just in the macular area but may be present throughout the posterior pole in eyes with AVMD.     

Microperimetry--comparison between the micro perimeter 1 and scanning laser ophthalmoscope--fundus perimetry

PURPOSE: To compare microperimetry using the scanning laser ophthalmoscope (SLO, Rodenstock, Germany) and the recently introduced Micro Perimeter 1 (Nidek Technologies, Italy). DESIGN: Prospective comparative observational study. METHODS: Fundus perimetry with static threshold perimetry was performed using the SLO and the MP1 in 68 eyes of 40 consecutive patients with different retinal diseases for example, central serous chorioretinopathy, macular dystrophy, and age-related macular degeneration. With both instruments, an automated 4-2-1 staircase strategy with Goldmann III stimuli and a comparable number of stimuli were applied. The depth and size of the detected scotomata as well as the location and stability of fixation were compared between both instruments. RESULTS: There was good concordance of results, with 75% (51 of 68 eyes) showing an equal defect. Whereas the MP1 showed larger defects (depth and size) in 23.5% (16/68) of eyes studied than the SLO, the defects appeared larger with the SLO in 1 eye. Concerning fixation analysis, similar results were found for fixation stability with stable fixation in 47.1% (MP1: 32/68) and 48.5% (SLO: 33/68) and likewise for the location of fixation with foveal fixation in 54.4% (37/68) with the MP1 and the SLO. Whereas the average number of stimuli was similar for both instruments (MP1 56.8 +/-16.1, SLO 62.9 +/- 17.0), examination time was prolonged with the MP1 (MP1: 11m 35s +/- 3m 47s, SLO: 10m 29s +/- 3m 23s). Throughout all examinations, fundus visualization with the SLO was superior to the MP1. CONCLUSIONS: For automated threshold microperimetry the MP1 provides results comparable to our SLO perimetry. Both instruments enable detection of sensitivity loss of the central visual field and an analysis of fixation behavior during microperimetry. Nevertheless, the MP1, with its automated real-time image alignment, facilitates examination. Additionally, the enlarged field allows testing in an area of 44 x 36 degrees instead of the 33 x 21 degree-area of the SLO. However, in comparison to our SLO-software, the current software of the MP1 requires improvements before exact measurements of defined retinal diseases are possible.     

Effect of grid laser photocoagulation in diffuse diabetic macular edema in correlation to glycosylated haemoglobin (HbA1c)

Background Glycosylated haemoglobin (HbA1c) correlates with the amount of hyperglycemia in diabetic patients. High HbA1c levels often predict clinically significant macular edema (CSME), which then needs to be treated with grid laser photocoagulation. The question asked in this study was whether there is a correlation between the effect grid laser photocoagulation in diffuse diabetic macular edema and HbA1c, using an optical coherence tomography (OCT) for the evaluation of the retinal thickness. Methods A prospective, non-comparative case series was performed to find a correlation between the effect of grid laser photocoagulation in diffuse diabetic macular edema and HbA1c. Thirty eyes with CSME of diabetic patients were included in the study. Complete ophthalmic examinations and OCT were performed at baseline, 1 month, 3, and 6 months after grid laser photocoagulation therapy. HbA1c was measured at the end of study. Results Significance level was set at P<0.05. A significant difference in the foveal (P=0.02) and superior (P=0.021) retinal thickness 6 months after laser therapy, no correlation between HbA1c and retinal thickness after photocoagulation, and an insignificant decrease in visual acuity (P=0.9) were found. The correlation between foveal retinal thickness and visual acuity was P=0.24 6 months after treatment. Conclusion There was no significant correlation between HbA1c and the effect of grid laser photocoagulation therapy in diffuse diabetic macular edema. The retinal thickness decreased significantly in the foveal and superior area 6 months after therapy. No correlation between the foveal retinal thickness and the visual acuity was found. The visual acuity did not increase after treatment. There are many factors influencing the retinal thickness, such as the blood pressure and the attached posterior hyaloid.     

Serous macular detachment in central retinal vein occlusion

PURPOSE: To describe serous macular detachment in patients with central retinal vein occlusion (CRVO) by using optical coherence tomography (OCT). METHODS: This study included 22 eyes of 22 consecutive patients with CRVO. The patients underwent complete ophthalmic examination, including corrected visual acuity measurement, slit-lamp biomicroscopy, indirect ophthalmoscopy, color fundus photography, fluorescein angiography, and OCT. RESULTS: Twenty-two patients (22 eyes) with cystoid macular edema associated with CRVO (10 women and 12 men; age range, 48-75 years [average, 62.5 years]) made up the study population. Angiographically, all patients had typical cystoid macular edema. At the time of initial examination, no patient was suspected of having a serous macular detachment associated with CRVO. The mean foveal thickness as determined by OCT was 567.4 microm. In all cases, the increased thickness of the retina was related primarily to the hyporeflective intraretinal cavities. A serous macular detachment composed of retinal elevation over a nonreflective cavity with minimal shadowing of the underlying tissues was seen in 18 eyes (81.8%). CONCLUSION: OCT findings in this study showed that serous macular detachment in patients with CRVO occurs more often than previously thought. Our data also showed that noncontact fundus ophthalmoscopy and fluorescein angiography were not sufficient to diagnose serous macular detachment in CRVO.     

Clinical experience in the treatment of neovascular age-related macular degeneration with pegaptanib

BACKGROUND: Intravitreal anti-VEGF therapy with Pegaptanib was effective in neovascular AMD in the VISION study. We report our experience with Macugen for the treatment of occult or minimally classic choroidal neovascularisation (CNV) due to age-related macular degeneration (AMD). PATIENTS AND METHODS: 35 eyes of 35 patients with occult CNV or minimally classic CNV due to neovascular AMD not eligible for PDT were treated with intravitreal injection of 0.3 mg Pegaptanib. An average of 2.74 injections per patient was administered. Before, and every 3 months after treatment, visual acuity, intraocular pressure measurement, angiography and OCT examinations were performed. One month after treatment only visual acuity, intraocular pressure measurement, and OCT examinations were performed. Visual acuity measurements and an eye examination were done on the first and second day after injection, after 4-6 weeks and at months 3 and 6. RESULTS: Intravitreal Pegaptanib was well tolerated and we had no complications. Mean visual acuity was 0.38 +/- 0.23 at baseline, after one month 0.38 +/- 0.26, at 3 months it was 0.39 +/- 0.22 and at 6 months 0.41 +/- 0.26. OCT examinations showed a decrease in central retinal thickness from 277 microm to 254 microm. In 91.4 % of the eyes the visual acuity was stabilised or improved. No patient had an elevated intraocular pressure after 6 months. CONCLUSIONS: Intravitreal therapy with Pegaptanib was safe and effective. The majority of patients showed a stabilisation in all the assessed parameters. In clinical practice unselective VEGF inhibition should be considered carefully for patients with high cardiovascular risk profile or thromboembolic events in the history.