Patients with Age-related Macular Degeneration Have Increased Susceptibility to Valvular Heart Disease.

Purpose: Valvular heart disease (VHD) contributes significantly to cardiovascular-related morbidity worldwide. Aortic valve stenosis is the third most common cardiovascular disease in the Western world, after hypertension and coronary artery disease. Recent studies have reported an association between VHD and the presence of subretinal drusenoid deposits (SDDs), a distinct manifestation of age-related macular degeneration (AMD).

Near-infrared imaging retinal diagnostic applications-a review.

Objective: Near-infrared reflectance (NIR) is a commonly performed noncontact and rapid imaging technique. This paper reviews the clinical applications of NIR for diagnosing and monitoring retinal diseases.

Methods: A comprehensive search was conducted across the Pubmed database.

Intravitreal Injections for Macular Edema in Silicone Oil Filled Eyes.

Purpose: Macular edema is a known complication following complicated retinal detachment repair with silicone oil (SiO) tamponade. Limited previous research has not led to a consensus regarding the safety and efficacy of intra-SiO injections. Consequently, we aim to present our case series study on intra-SiO injections for postoperative macular edema.

Perifoveal Exudative Vascular Anomalous Complex (PEVAC): Retinal Vascular Density Findings.

: This study aimed to describe the clinical, optical coherence tomography (OCT) and OCT angiography (OCTA) findings and characteristics in patients with perifoveal exudative vascular anomalous complex (PEVAC) and compare the macular vascular density with the age-matched control group. : We conducted a case-control study to compare demographic information, clinical observations, and OCT/OCTA findings in eyes with PEVAC ( = 5 eyes in 5 patients) and a control group of subjects matched for age ( = 9). The Advanced Retina Imaging (ARI) network algorithms were utilized to evaluate OCTA observations.

The Effect of Glucagon-like-Peptide-1 Receptor Agonists on Diabetic Retinopathy Progression, Central Subfield Thickness, and Response to Intravitreal Injections.

To examine the effects of glucagon-like-peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP1-RAs) on diabetic retinopathy (DR) progression, visual acuity (VA), central subfield thickness (CST), and response to intravitreal injections (IVIs) in the Hadassah ophthalmological cohort. Of 4500 Hadassah patients with DR, 146 had a documented first course of GLP1-RA treatment lasting at least a year along with ophthalmological follow-up. Of these, 35 underwent at least two optical coherence tomography (OCT) exams with a one-year interval.

Measuring Geographic Atrophy Area Using Column-Based Machine Learning Software on Spectral-Domain Optical Coherence Tomography versus Fundus Auto Fluorescence.

Background: The purpose of this study was to compare geographic atrophy (GA) area semi-automatic measurement using fundus autofluorescence (FAF) versus optical coherence tomography (OCT) annotation with the cRORA (complete retinal pigment epithelium and outer retinal atrophy) criteria.

Methods: GA findings on FAF and OCT were semi-automatically annotated at a single time point in 36 pairs of FAF and OCT scans obtained from 36 eyes in 24 patients with dry age-related macular degeneration (AMD). The GA area, focality, perimeter, circularity, minimum and maximum Feret diameter, and minimum distance from the center were compared between FAF and OCT annotations.

Anomaly Detection and Biomarkers Localization in Retinal Images.

: To design a novel anomaly detection and localization approach using artificial intelligence methods using optical coherence tomography (OCT) scans for retinal diseases. : High-resolution OCT scans from the publicly available Kaggle dataset and a local dataset were used by four state-of-the-art self-supervised frameworks. The backbone model of all the frameworks was a pre-trained convolutional neural network (CNN), which enabled the extraction of meaningful features from OCT images.

Advanced Optical Analysis of Divergence Between the Foci of the Neodymium-Doped Yttrium Aluminum Garnet (Nd:YAG) and Aiming Beam Lasers.

Purpose: To evaluate the divergence between the neodymium-doped yttrium aluminum garnet (Nd:YAG) surgical laser and the aiming diode laser beams foci.

Design: Optical analysis and measurements were performed using a Volk Goldmann 3-mirror lens with a Nidek YC-1800 Nd:YAG laser apparatus.

Subjects: None.

Development and Evaluation of a New Self-Administered Near Visual Acuity Chart: Accuracy and Feasibility of Usage.

: Visual acuity (VA) assessments are crucial in ophthalmology but traditionally rely on in-clinic evaluations. The emergence of telemedicine has spurred interest in creating dependable self-administered VA tests for use beyond standard clinical environments. This study evaluated the practicality and validity of a self-administered near VA card test against traditional Snellen and Rosenbaum Pocket Vision Screener (RPVS) methods for home monitoring and enhancing clinical workflow.

An automated process for bulk downloading optical coherence tomography scans.

Objective: To develop an automated method for efficiently downloading a large number of optical coherence tomography (OCT) scans obtained using the Heidelberg Spectralis (Heidelberg Engineering, Heidelberg, Germany) platform.

Methods: The electronic medical records and OCT scans were extracted for all patients with age-related macular degeneration treated at the Hadassah University Hospital Retina Clinic between 2010 and 2021. A macro was created using Visual Basic for Applications (VBA) and Microsoft Excel to automate the export process and anonymize the OCT scans in accordance with hospital policy.

Interest of Widefield-Optical Coherence Tomography Angiography for Diagnosis and Follow-Up of Retinal Neovascularisation in Proliferative Diabetic Retinopathy.

Aim: The primary aim was to evaluate the use of optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) versus fluorescein angiography (FA) for detecting and monitoring retinal neovascularization (NV) in patients with proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR) receiving treatment with anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF).

Methods: Treatment-naïve patients with PDR, willing to begin anti-VEGF treatment without laser from 9/2018-2/2020 were included. FA and OCTA scans were obtained at baseline, and a second OCTA scan was performed after 6 months of anti-VEGF therapy.

Anxiety in Patients with Neovascular Age-related Macular Degeneration.

Purpose: The main objective of the study is to investigate the prevalence of anxiety in patients with neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD).

Methods: A retrospective cross-sectional study of 3 304 nAMD patients and 16 515 age- and gender-matched controls. The proportions of patients with anxiety were compared between the groups using univariate analyses and a multivariate logistic regression model.

A fluorescein angiography-based computer-aided algorithm for assessing the retinal vasculature in diabetic retinopathy.

Objective: To present a fluorescein angiography (FA)‒based computer algorithm for quantifying retinal blood flow, perfusion, and permeability, in patients with diabetic retinopathy (DR). Secondary objectives were to quantitatively assess treatment efficacy following panretinal photocoagulation (PRP) and define thresholds for pathology based on a new retinovascular function (RVF) score for quantifying disease severity.

Methods: FA images of 65 subjects (58 patients and 7 healthy volunteers) were included.

Ultra-widefield fundus autofluorescence imaging in patients with autosomal recessive retinitis pigmentosa reveals a genotype-phenotype correlation.

Purpose: To analyze the genotype-phenotype correlation in patients with retinitis pigmentosa (RP) caused by mutations in the FAM161A, DHDDS, or MAK genes using ultra-widefield fundus autofluorescence (UWF-FAF) imaging.

Methods: Retrospective case series of patients with autosomal recessive RP (ARRP) with confirmed causative genetic mutations and available UWF-FAF imaging data. The UWF-FAF data were graded in a blinded fashion using the following criteria: the pattern of macular abnormalities on FAF, the presence or absence of horizontal linear hyperautofluorescence, the extent of decreased autofluorescence (DAF), the shape of DAF, and the presence of hyperautofluorescence at the optic disk.

Evidence-Based Medicine in the Field of Ophthalmology during the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Purpose: To describe the evolution of COVID-19 related publications in the field of ophthalmology.

Methods: All articles published in the field of ophthalmology and relevant to COVID-19 were identified by conducting a search on PubMed and Scopus databases using the string ((ophthalmology) OR (eye) OR (ocular)) AND ((corona) OR (COVID-19) OR (pandemic)). Search was conducted on September 30, 2020.

Ophthalmic Emergency Visits in the Wake of the COVID 19 Pandemic: Our Experience at a Tertiary Hospital in Israel.

Background: In response to the coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, routine clinical visits to the ophthalmic emergency department (OED) were deferred, while emergency cases continued to be seen.

Objectives: To assess the consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic for ophthalmic emergencies.

Methods: A retrospective chart analysis of patients who presented to the OED during the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic was conducted.

Progression of cRORA (Complete RPE and Outer Retinal Atrophy) in Dry Age-Related Macular Degeneration Measured Using SD-OCT.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the long-term rate of progression and baseline predictors of geographic atrophy (GA) using complete retinal pigment epithelium and outer retinal atrophy (cRORA) annotation criteria.

Methods: This is a retrospective study. Columns of GA were manually annotated by two graders using a self-developed software on optical coherence tomography (OCT) B-scans and projected onto the infrared images.

The detrimental effects of delayed intravitreal anti-VEGF therapy for treating retinal pathology: lessons from a forced test-case.

Purpose: Determine the anatomical consequences of delaying intravitreal injection (IVI) therapy with anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF) in patients using treat-and-extend (T&E) protocol.

Methods: Retrospective medical record review of consecutive patients receiving intravitreal anti-VEGF therapy using T&E protocol prior to and during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Results: The study included 923 eyes of 691patients; 58.

Correlation of response to intravitreal bevacizumab treatment between the first and second treated eyes in diabetic macular edema.

Purpose: To evaluate whether outcome of bevacizumab treatment in the first treated eye can guide the selection of compound for the second treated eye in patients with bilateral diabetic macular edema.

Methods: Demographic, clinical, and optical coherence tomography data were retrospectively collected from consecutive patients who underwent bevacizumab therapy for bilateral diabetic macular edema. Change in central subfield thickness and visual acuity were evaluated and compared between the first treated eye and second treated eye.

A column-based deep learning method for the detection and quantification of atrophy associated with AMD in OCT scans.

The objective quantification of retinal atrophy associated with age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is required for clinical diagnosis, follow-up, treatment efficacy evaluation, and clinical research. Spectral Domain Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) has become an essential imaging technology to evaluate the macula. This paper describes a novel automatic method for the identification and quantification of atrophy associated with AMD in OCT scans and its visualization in the corresponding infrared imaging (IR) image.

Long-term outcome of neovascular age-related macular degeneration: association between treatment outcome and major risk alleles.

Aims: To evaluate the long-term functional and anatomical outcomes of neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nvAMD) treated with intravitreal anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF) for up to 10 years, and to identify associated risk factors.

Methods: Clinical and optical coherence tomography findings were retrieved for nvAMD cases treated with intravitreal anti-VEGF compounds using a treat-and-extend protocol. In addition, the major risk alleles for AMD in the (rs1061170), (rs1200638) and (rs2230199) genes were genotyped.

Intracameral r-tPA for the management of severe fibrinous reactions in TASS after cataract surgery.

Background: To describe the use of intracameral recombinant tissue plasminogen activator (r-tPA) in the treatment of severe fibrinous reactions in toxic anterior segment syndrome (TASS) after cataract surgery.

Methods: A case series of 59 eyes of 59 patients with severe fibrinous anterior chamber reaction following cataract surgery who received intracameral r-tPA (25 µg/0.1 ml).

Endogenous fungal endophthalmitis: risk factors, clinical course, and visual outcome in 13 patients.

Aim: To analyze the risk factors, ophthalmological features, treatment modalities and their effect on the visual outcome in patients with endogenous fungal endophthalmitis (EFE).

Methods: Data retrieved from the medical files included age at presentation to the uveitis clinic, gender, ocular symptoms and their duration before presentation, history of fever, eye affected, anatomical diagnosis and laboratory evidence of fungal infection. Medical therapy recorded included systemic antifungal therapy and its duration, use of intravitreal antifungal agents and use of oral/intravitreal steroids.