Bispecific VEGF-A and Angiopoietin-2 Antagonist RO-101 Preclinical Efficacy in Model of Neovascular Eye Disease.

Objective: To investigate preclinical data regarding the efficacy and biocompatibility of a bispecific protein, RO-101, with effects on VEGF-A and angiopoietin-2 (Ang-2) for use in retinal diseases.

Design: Experimental study.

Subjects: Brown Norway rats and New Zealand White Cross rabbits.

Bioceramic implant reduces intraocular VEGF levels.

Elevated intraocular levels of angiogenic cytokines such as vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) have been implicated the development of diabetic retinopathy. Over a decade of clinical evidence shows intravitreal injection of anti-VEGF agents is associated with decreased disease progression and preservation of vision. However, the treatment burden associated with monthly injections limits the effectiveness of existing anti-VEGF therapies.

Vitreous protein binding with nanopore dialysis membrane device.

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is one of the leading causes of blindness in the industrialized world, affecting over 8 million patients in the United State alone. While the wet (exudative) form of the disease is treated with intraocular injections, there are currently no approved therapies available for the dry (non-exudative) form of the disease which often affects both eyes in patients with AMD. Current research has focused on developing drugs that can be injected into the eye, but the treatment burden associated with monthly injections limits the effectiveness of this approach.

EFFICACY OF INTRAVITREAL AFLIBERCEPT INJECTIONS IN THE TREATMENT OF IDIOPATHIC RETINAL VASCULITIS, ANEURYSMS, AND NEURORETINITIS SYNDROME.

Purpose: To present a case of idiopathic retinal vasculitis, aneurysms, and neuroretinitis syndrome that was successfully managed with serial intravitreal aflibercept injections.

Methods: Ophthalmic imaging and visual acuity were used to monitor disease state and track treatment methods to determine the most valuable combination of treatment medication and treatment interval.

Results: A 28-year-old woman with idiopathic retinal vasculitis, aneurysms, and neuroretinitis syndrome status after panretinal photocoagulation of both eyes presented with bilateral cystoid macular edema.

INCREASED COMPLEMENT LEVELS IN HUMAN VITREOUS ASPIRATES OF PROLIFERATIVE DIABETIC RETINOPATHY AND RETINAL DETACHMENT EYES.

Purpose: To evaluate levels of complement factors in human vitreous of eyes with retinal detachments (RDs) and proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR) eyes.

Methods: Human vitreous samples were collected from eyes undergoing routine vitrectomy at the University of Colorado Health Eye Center (Aurora, CO). Complement factor D, component C5/C5a, and component C9 levels were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and multiplex assays.

Metabolomics Analysis of Human Vitreous in Diabetic Retinopathy and Rhegmatogenous Retinal Detachment.

The vitreous humor is a highly aqueous eye fluid interfacing with the retina and lens and providing shape. Its molecular composition provides a readout for the eye's physiological status. Changes in cellular metabolism underlie vitreoretinal pathologies, but despite routine surgical collection of vitreous, only limited reports of metabolism in the vitreous of human patients have been described.

COLORADO AGE-RELATED MACULAR DEGENERATION REGISTRY: Design and Clinical Risk Factors of the Cohort.

Purpose: To study new and existing risk factors related to age-related macular degeneration (AMD) phenotypes in a Colorado cohort.

Methods: Age-related macular degeneration was categorized into early, intermediate, or advanced forms. Controls (n = 180) were patients with cataract and no AMD.

Real-time measurement of needle forces and acute pressure changes during intravitreal injections.

Background: The purpose of this study was to use a physiological pressure transducer to measure real-time, continuous pressure changes in an ex vivo study model of porcine eyes to record the amount of force needed for scleral penetration and to measure acute intraocular pressure rise during intravitreal injections.

Methods: A pressure transducer was inserted into the anterior chamber of 30 fresh porcine eyes, and intraocular pressure was measured 2 s prior to intravitreal injection until 2 s after. A force transducer plate was used to insert various gauge needles into the vitreous cavity and the amount of force in Newtons (N) required for scleral penetration was recorded.

Development of a laser controlled device to modulate intraocular pressure.

The current standard of treatment for glaucoma is trabeculectomy. The use of glaucoma drainage devices has increased in recent years since its efficacy and safety was established as it provides an alternative surgical option. A downfall of these devices is the lack of proper flow rate control.

CONCURRENT ENDOPHTHALMITIS AND ANTERIOR SEGMENT ISCHEMIA AFTER STRABISMUS SURGERY.

Background/purpose: To report a case of simultaneous endophthalmitis and anterior segment ischemia (ASI) that occurred in a patient after strabismus surgery. This is the first known case of both complications occurring at the same time.

Methods: Case report.

VITRECTOMY TO REMOVE POSTERIORLY RETAINED IRIS EXPANSION RING.

Purpose: To describe management of posteriorly retained iris expansion ring-a newly reported complication of phacoemulsification surgery in a patient with intact posterior capsule.

Methods: Case report.

Patients: A 64-year-old monocular patient with history of regressed proliferative diabetic retinopathy after pars plana vitrectomy, long-standing glaucoma, and cataract, undergoing phacoemulsification for cataract removal, complicated by posterior migration of the Malyugin ring through area of zonular dehiscence despite intact posterior capsule, which resulted in significant visual disturbance.

Injectable suture device for intraocular lens fixation.

Unlabelled: We describe a surgical technique for scleral fixation of a posterior chamber intraocular lens (PC IOL) using a 24-gauge injectable polypropylene suture delivery system. A 3-piece PC IOL is inserted into the anterior chamber of the eye. Two sclerotomies are made 1.

A nanopore membrane regulator device for laser modulated flow after glaucoma surgery.

Glaucoma, the second most common cause of blindness in the world, is a multifactorial disease with several risk factors, of which intraocular pressure (IOP) is a primary contributing factor. Filtration surgery is one of the most effective means to significantly lower IOP compared to medical or laser treatments, and it is typically reserved for advanced disease. However, there are high rates of postoperative complications associated with the procedure, often from over- or under-filtration.

The influence of needle gauge and infection source on vitreous aspirate cultures.

Background/aims: While the Endophthalmitis Vitrectomy Study (EVS) included only post-cataract surgery patients, the methods and data from that study are widely applied in the management of endophthalmitis of all types. We sought to examine how our experience with in-office vitreous aspiration differed from the EVS in two ways: first, by reviewing microbiological culture yields from vitreous aspirates obtained using 30-gauge needles versus 25-27-gauge needles and second, by reviewing culture yields in cases of endogenous versus non-endogenous endophthalmitis.

Methods: Cases of endophthalmitis over a 14-year period were reviewed when vitreous tap was the initial diagnostic procedure.

Progression of gyrate atrophy measured with ultra-wide-field imaging.

The study aims to determine the progression of gyrate atrophy by measuring the area growth of chorioretinal atrophic lesions using ultra-wide-field images (UWFI). A retrospective, observational, and comparative study was conducted and UWFI (200°) were obtained from two patients with gyrate atrophy at baseline and follow-up. Measurements of atrophy were obtained for three types of lesions: Solitary atrophic lesions (SAL), De novo solitary lesions (DNSL), and peripapillary atrophy (PPA).

Difference in ocular surface temperature by infrared thermography in phakic and pseudophakic patients.

Purpose: To assess the change in ocular surface temperature between healthy phakic and pseudophakic patients.

Methods: We included patients with no history of ocular disease other than cataract. Patients were divided into three groups: clear lens, cataract, and pseudophakic.

Enhanced High-Density Line Spectral-Domain Optical Coherence Tomography Imaging of the Vitreoretinal Interface: Description of Selected Cases.

Purpose: We introduce a new method to observe the morphologic features of the vitreous with spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) by evaluating and describing the posterior vitreous structure of various selected cases using enhanced high-density (HD) line mode.

Methods: This is a descriptive case series of SD-OCT images with enhanced HD line at Denver Health Medical Center, University of Colorado School of Medicine, in 2014. The medical records with ocular images for these patients were analyzed.

Theoretical estimation of retinal oxygenation in chronic diabetic retinopathy.

This paper uses computer modeling to estimate the progressive decline in oxygenation that occurs in the human diabetic retina after years of slowly progressive ischemic insult. An established model combines diffusion, saturable consumption, and blood capillary sources to determine the oxygen distribution across the retina. Incorporating long-term degradation of blood supply from the retinal capillaries into the model yields insight into the effects of progressive ischemia associated with prolonged hyperglycemia, suggesting time-scales over which therapeutic mitigation could have beneficial effect.

Red cell exchange transfusion halts progressive proliferative sickle cell retinopathy in a teenaged patient with hemoglobin SC disease.

A male with sickle SC disease presented at age 8 years with proliferative sickle cell retinopathy (PSCR) and bilateral vitreous hemorrhage which spontaneously resolved, then recurred at 13 years of age. Despite conventional therapy with repeated pan-retinal photocoagulation and pars plana vitrectomy, he developed progressive PSCR and recurrent vitreous hemorrhage over the next 30 months. We describe the successful use of chronic red cell exchange transfusion (RCE) to preserve his vision and stabilize the retinopathy.

Identification and biometry of horizontal extraocular muscle tendons using optical coherence tomography.

Purpose: To purpose if this study was to determine whether the horizontal rectus muscle tendons (HRMTs) can be observed using anterior segment optical coherence tomography (AS-OCT) and to determine the repeatability of its measurements. Also, this study aimed to observe and measure the different external ocular structures at the level of the horizontal rectus muscle (HRM) insertion.

Methods: This was a retrospective, observational, descriptive and comparative study.

Laser Activated Flow Regulator for Glaucoma Drainage Devices.

Purpose: To assess the capabilities of a new glaucoma drainage device regulator in controlling fluid flow as well as to demonstrate that this effect may be titratable by noninvasive means.

Methods: A rigid eye model with two main ports was used. On the first port, we placed a saline solution column.