Publications by authors named "Alper Bilgic"
Objectives: To determine the efficacy and safety of brolucizumab therapy administered on a (PRN) basis without loading dose in treatment naïve patients with diabetic macular edema (DME) for 1 year follow-up.
Methods: Patients with recent DME (<6 months) received a mandatory brolucizumab injection at inclusion and other injections could be given on a PRN basis with an 8-week interval (between injections) at minimum. Rescue therapy with other anti-VEGF was possible in case of incomplete DME resolution after the second brolucizumab with a minimum of 1-month treatment free interval between 2 injections.
Background: To determine long-term efficacy and safety of intravitreal brolucizumab therapy for neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD) in the real-world setting.
Methods: Retrospective, observational, multicentric study and an extension of the REBA study (Real-world Experience with Brolucizumab in nAMD) to 24 months. The study entailed follow-up of 91 consecutive eyes (67 patients) with nAMD who received brolucizumab therapy and completed 24 months of follow-up.
Introduction And Importance: Complications related to silicone oil tamponade are frequent. There are reports of events related to silicone oil (SO) injection during Pars Plana Vitrectomy (PPV). This case presents the unexpected injection of SO in the suprachoroidal space.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThis study aimed to determine the validity of basing retreatment decisions on anatomical criteria alone (captured using optical coherence tomography (OCT)-OCT-guided strategy) rather than the gold standard (combined visual acuity (VA) and OCT) in patients with diabetic macular edema (DME). This cross-sectional study included 81 eyes undergoing treatment for DME from September 2021 to December 2021. An initial therapeutic treatment decision based on OCT results was made on inclusion.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFPurpose: To assess the awareness of biosimilar intravitreal anti-VEGF agents among retina specialists practicing in the United States (US) and Europe.
Methods: A 16-question online survey was created in English and distributed between Dec 01, 2021 and Jan 31, 2022. A total of 112 respondents (retinal physicians) from the US and Europe participated.
Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is one of the leading causes of blindness worldwide. Multiple treatment options have been used over time to attempt to modify the natural progression of the disease in both proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR) and diabetic macular edema (DME). These two retinal complications are the result of microvascular occlusions and vascular hyperpermeability and are considered one of the leading causes of irreversible blindness in patients of working age.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFPurpose: To report non-operative closure of an idiopathic full thickness macular hole (FTMH) spontaneous secondary to the development of a macular epiretinal membrane (ERM).
Observations: A 68-year-old woman, with no relevant medical history, and a 6-month history of decreased visual acuity in her right eye was diagnosed to have an idiopathic FTMH. The patient refused surgery and the FTMH was followed-up for seven years.
Purpose: To report the clinical findings, therapy and outcomes of pauci-symptomatic infection in 11 eyes of 11 patients who had recently undergone uneventful cataract surgery and IOL implantation in a single operating room on the same day.
Methods: Retrospective, observational study that looks at 11 patients who demonstrated infection after cataract surgery. All data were collected and intracameral samples sent for microscopic evaluation and culture.
Background: Tractional retinal detachment secondary to retinal vein occlusion is a complex entity that can be extremely difficult to manage due to an intricate association of the retinal tissue with the fibrovascular proliferation, making vitreous dissection an extraordinarily difficult procedure. Minimal surgery without endo-tamponade can reduce recovery time and avoid complications of surgery, which in some cases can lead to blindness and even phthisis.
Case Presentation: A 64-year-old Indian woman presented with progressive worsening of vision (right eye) due to fovea involving tractional retinal detachment secondary to supero-temporal branch retinal vein occlusion.
The COVID-19 pandemic has led to a dramatic rise in the incidence of rhino-orbito-cerebral mucormycosis (ROCM) in India. The purpose of our report is to describe the prevalence of ROCM in the context of SARS-CoV-2 infection during the second Indian COVID-19 wave, as well as its diagnostics proceeding, and to discuss the challenges met in the time frame from the suspected diagnosis to the therapeutic decision in such patients. We conducted a retrospective multicentre case series study at six centres of Sudhalkar and Raghudeep group of hospitals in India.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFCenter-involving diabetic macular edema (DME) is a leading cause of vision impairment in working-age adults. While its management is particularly challenging in a poorly compliant population, continuous innovation and the advent of new molecules have improved its outcome. The control of glycemia and of systemic aggravating factors remain essential to slow down progression of disease complications including DME.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe present study aimed to determine the efficacy and safety of pro re nata (PRN) intravitreal brolucizumab therapy for neovascular age-related macular degeneration (AMD) without a loading dose in the real-world setting. The PROBE study (Pro Re Nata Brolucizumab for Exudative AMD) is a retrospective, observational, multicentric study that included 27 treatment-naïve patients (27 eyes) with neovascular AMD who received PRN brolucizumab therapy with the treatment interval being at least 8 weeks, should the need for a second consecutive injection arise. The primary outcome measure was changed to best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) over time.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe aim of the present study was to determine the efficacy and safety of intravitreal brolucizumab therapy for neovascular age-related macular degeneration (AMD) in the real-world setting. The REBA study (real-world experience with brolucizumab in wet AMD) was a retrospective, observational, multicentric study that included 78 consecutive patients (105 eyes), with neovascular AMD, who received brolucizumab therapy. Both treatment-naive and switch-therapy patients were included.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe aim of this study was to determine the utility of brolucizumab in the management of choroidal neovessels (CNV) with a retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) tear and subretinal fluid. We used a case series of patients with CNV who developed an RPE tear either spontaneously or following an intravitreal injection. All patients received intravitreal brolucizumab as primary or switch therapy.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe aim was to analyze the variations in macular vascularization on optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) according to the presence of intraretinal fluid (IRF) induced by exudative age-related macular degeneration (AMD). We included exudative AMD patients with IRF and/or subretinal fluid (SRF) and age-matched control eyes. All patients underwent a macular 6 × 6 mm swept-source OCTA.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFPurpose: To describe endogenous endophthalmitis in the setting of COVID-19 pneumonia.
Methods: Patients recovering from COVID-19 pneumonia who presented to our department with any or all of the following complaints: pain, watering, redness, and decreased vision were identified. All relevant data were collected for analysis.
Article Synopsis
- The study evaluates how visual acuity improves in patients with drug-naive diabetic macular edema (DME) after treatment with a dexamethasone implant (DEX-implant), focusing on anatomical and functional factors that affect treatment response.
- It includes a retrospective analysis of 129 eyes, revealing two patient groups: Group A, with most patients experiencing minimal VA gain, and Group B, with a notable VA improvement; those with a baseline VA under 37 letters were more likely to belong to Group B.
- Although some patients with low baseline VA showed significant visual gain, the presence of certain anatomical issues (like ellipsoid zone alterations and disorganization of retinal layers) negatively impacted their final visual acuity, highlighting complexities in
Article Synopsis
- The study aimed to evaluate how commonly used eye injection agents affect intraocular pressure (IOP) and their potential link to glaucoma, reviewing 87 articles from prior research.
- Immediate IOP spikes were observed in all patients after receiving anti-VEGF agents or triamcinolone acetonide, although these spikes tended to decrease over time, while long-term effects showed mixed results influenced by various treatment factors.
- The research found that most intravitreal agents raise IOP in the short and long term, but there's insufficient evidence regarding their impact on glaucoma onset or progression, although some patients showed signs of retinal nerve fiber layer thinning with extended anti-VEGF treatment.
Purpose: To determine the incidence of complete resolution of choroidal neovascular membrane-associated exudation with a single antivascular endothelial growth factor injection in treatment-naive wet age-related macular degeneration patients and its associated characteristics.
Methods: Retrospective, observational study of naive wet age-related macular degeneration patients who received antivascular endothelial growth factor therapy with ranibizumab/aflibercept and demonstrated complete resolution of retinal exudation with a single injection. Complete resolution was defined as the total disappearance of the intraretinal fluid, cysts, and subretinal fluid and a return of retinal thickness to <250 μm on spectral-domain optical coherence tomography.
Cortical aspiration - The "POPS" technique.
Indian J Ophthalmol
November 2020
In the present study, we describe a step-by-step technique for cortex aspiration during cataract surgery- POPS (positioning, occlusion, posterior displacement, and swiping). Firstly, the aspiration probe is positioned under the bulk of cortical fibers beyond the capsulorhexis margin. Subsequently, the aspiration port is occluded with minimal vacuum, and the occluded port is displaced posteriorly to detach the cortical fibers off the anterior capsule.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: To determine the association between hyperreflective area identified on the reference image (en-face image) in spectral domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) scan and the leak on fluorescein angiography in patients with acute treatment naive central serous chorioretinopathy (CSCR).
Methods: Retrospective, observational chart review. The reference image (en-face) image on SD OCT raster scan was examined for the presence of a hyperreflective spot and an attempt was made to correlate its location on the actual leak seen on FFA using anatomical landmarks as reference.
Aims: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of intravitreal dexamethasone implant (DEX-implant) for diabetic macular edema (DME) in real-life practice with an extended follow-up for up to 5 year.
Methods: This multicentric retrospective study reviewed 227 eyes of 152 patients with DME treated by DEX-implant. Main outcome measures included changes in best corrected visual acuity (BCVA), central macular thickness (CMT), time to retreatment and incidence of adverse effects.
Purpose: To evaluate the real-life efficacy and safety of the intravitreal dexamethasone implant in uveitis.
Methods: This retrospective observational multicentric study included 152 eyes treated exclusively by 358 dexamethasone implant injections. The main outcome measures included change in the best-corrected visual acuity, central macular thickness, and vitreous haze score.
Purpose: To compare the outcomes of trabeculectomy using two different routes of bevacizumab administration as an adjunct in patients with primary open angle glaucoma.
Methods: Prospective, randomized, masked trial that included 180 eyes of 180 patients of documented primary open angle glaucoma were eligible for surgery. Patients were randomized to receive either a single intraoperative dose of subconjunctival bevacizumab (1.
Purpose: To determine the risk factors associated with sustained intraocular pressure (IOP) rise in patients enrolled in the treat and extend (T&E) protocol receiving aflibercept/ranibizumab therapy for 3 years.
Design: Retrospective, observational chart review. .