Publications by authors named "Schefler A"

Retinocytomas are benign tumors that arise from mutations in the  gene. Previous research describes the appearance of retinocytomas as that of treated retinoblastoma (Rb) lesions, with characteristics such as chorioretinal atrophy, calcification, and a lack of necrosis or mitotic activity on histopathology. We present the unusual case of an asymptomatic seven-year-old girl with two independent translucent masses in the peripheral retina of the right eye (OD) and extensive intraretinal tumor and vitreous seeds.

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Purpose: To determine the association between gene-expression profiling (GEP), next-generation sequencing (NGS), preferentially expressed antigen in melanoma (PRAME) features, and metastatic risk in patients with uveal melanoma (UM).

Methods: A retrospective analysis of patients with UM treated by brachytherapy or enucleation by a single ocular oncologist was conducted from November 2020 and July 2022. Clinicopathologic features, patient outcomes, GEP classification, NGS, and PRAME results were recorded.

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PURPOSEValidated and accurate prognostic testing is critical for precision medicine in uveal melanoma (UM). Our aims were to (1) prospectively validate an integrated prognostic classifier combining a 15-gene expression profile (15-GEP) and RNA expression and (2) identify clinical variables that enhance the prognostic accuracy of the 15-GEP/ classifier.MATERIALS AND METHODSThis study included 1,577 patients with UM of the choroid and/or ciliary body who were enrolled in the Collaborative Ocular Oncology Group Study Number 2 (COOG2) and prospectively monitored across 26 North American centers.

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Background/purpose: To determine and compare the efficacy of a surgical internal limiting membrane (ILM) flap technique with the traditional ILM peel on long-term visual and anatomical outcomes for large (>400 µm) full-thickness macular holes.

Methods: From October 2016 to July 2022, patients undergoing initial full-thickness macular hole repair with the ILM flap or ILM peel technique were reviewed. Final outcomes were recorded and based on size in microns: 401 to 800, 801 to 1,200, and >1,200.

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Purpose: Eye plaque brachytherapy (EPBT) is the most common treatment for uveal melanoma with high local control rates of 95-100%. When local recurrences occur following EPBT, salvage options include enucleation, transpupillary thermotherapy (TTT), external beam radiation, or re-irradiation with EPBT. The purpose of this study is to report our institution's experience with EPBT re-irradiation for locally recurrent uveal melanoma.

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Background And Objective: Our objective was to monitor variables via spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) and identify the most relevant biomarkers related to best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) in radiation retinopathy (RR).

Patients And Methods: A post-hoc analysis of the two-year Ranibizumab for Radiation Retinopathy (RRR) trial analyzed vision and OCT parameters including intraretinal fluid, ellipsoid zone (EZ) disruption, retinal pigment epithelium atrophy, hard exudates, retinal hemorrhage, retinal neovascularization, and subfoveal fluid. BCVA and SD-OCT parameters were evaluated by univariate analysis and a mixed-effects model.

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This case series reports on two patients who developed macular holes while on prostaglandin analogs (PGA) therapy. The first case involves a 63-year-old woman with a history of a macular hole of the left eye that had spontaneously closed. After starting PGA therapy for elevated intraocular pressure, cystoid macular edema formed, which resulted in reopening of the macular hole.

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Purpose: To associate clinical factors and radiation doses delivered by iodine-125 plaque brachytherapy to visual outcomes and development of radiation-induced ocular complications in patients with uveal melanoma in the era of anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF) injections.

Design: Retrospective cohort study.

Methods: A retrospective chart review was performed for 225 patients treated with iodine-125 brachytherapy for uveal melanoma.

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Purpose: To identify the specific clinical and angiographic variables that determine the success of intra-arterial chemotherapy (IAC) in a patient with retinoblastoma.

Methods: Medical records from patients undergoing intra-arterial chemotherapy for the treatment of retinoblastoma between January 2015 and June 2020 within a large academic ocular oncology practice were retrospectively reviewed. Demographics were recorded together with clinical, ocular, and angiographic variables such as the diameter of the ophthalmic artery (OA), angle of ophthalmic artery takeoff, and branching pattern of ophthalmic vasculature.

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Importance: Intra-arterial chemotherapy (IAC) has quickly gained popularity as a mainstay of treatment for retinoblastoma. Intra-arterial chemotherapy has been described as having several advantages over systemic chemotherapy, including reducing systemic toxicity and neutropenia; however, studies on the risk of neutropenia after IAC remain limited.

Objective: To estimate the incidence of neutropenia after IAC, as well as identify risk factors associated with the development of neutropenia.

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Background/purpose: The purpose of this study was to report a young immunocompetent patient with primary central nervous system and vitreoretinal lymphoma initially presenting with peripheral retinitis.

Methods: This study is a case report.

Results: A 31-year-old woman presented with 20/60 vision in her left eye, vitreous haze, and peripheral retinal whitening.

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Article Synopsis
  • A clinical trial investigated the safety and effectiveness of 2 mg intravitreal aflibercept injections for treating radiation retinopathy (RR)-related macular edema, which can lead to vision loss after ocular radiation therapy.
  • The study involved 39 patients divided into two groups, with one group receiving a loading dose of injections followed by a regular treatment schedule; the primary measure was changes in visual acuity.
  • Results showed a modest improvement in visual acuity and significant reduction in central retinal thickness, indicating potential benefits of aflibercept, but larger studies are required to confirm these results.
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Background/purpose: Bilateral diffuse uveal melanocytic proliferation is a paraneoplastic syndrome affecting the eye that is a sign of poor prognosis of underlying malignancy. This is the first documented case to show serial and sustained improvement of bilateral diffuse uveal melanocytic proliferation after immunotherapy in the setting of primary non-small-cell carcinoma of the lung.

Methods: Single-center, case report.

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The aim of this study was to compare the clinical and gene expression variables of uveal melanoma patients presenting before and after the start of the COVID-19 pandemic as surrogate markers in order to assess the pandemic's potential impact on care. We conducted a retrospective chart review of uveal melanoma patients at Retina Consultants of Texas and assessed tumor size, staging, and gene expression data during two time periods: May 2019 to February 2020 (Group 1: Before the COVID-19 pandemic declaration by the WHO in March 2020) and May 2020 to March 2021 (Group 2: After the start of the COVID-19 pandemic). A total of 80 patients with uveal melanoma were studied (Group 1: 40 [50%] and Group 2: 40 [50%]).

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Background: We report visual outcomes and ocular complications in patients with lacrimal gland carcinoma who had eye-sparing surgery followed by radiotherapy.

Methods: This review included consecutive patients with lacrimal gland carcinoma who underwent eye-sparing surgery and adjuvant radiotherapy or concurrent chemoradiation therapy between 2007 and 2018. Clinical data, including details of ophthalmological examinations and radiation treatment were reviewed.

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Background And Objective: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the association between clinical and ultrasound features of uveal melanoma and preferentially expressed antigen in melanoma (PRAME), given its role as a biomarker for metastatic mortality.

Materials And Methods: Ultrasonographic characteristics and PRAME expression status of patients with uveal melanoma (2016 to 2021) were retrospectively analyzed using univariate and multivariate regression.

Results: Of the 81 eyes included, 49 (60%) were PRAME negative and 32 (40%) were PRAME positive.

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Purpose: In the management of uveal melanoma, eye plaque brachytherapy (EPBT) has replaced enucleation as the standard of care for small size tumors that require treatment, and for medium size tumors. In the modern era, EPBT is being utilized more frequently for certain large tumors as well. While there is prospective randomized evidence to support utilization of EPBT for tumors of appropriate dimensions, it is unclear what the actual practice patterns are across the United States.

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Purpose: The aim of this study was to demonstrate that uveal melanoma (UM) treated with eye plaque brachytherapy (EPB) with intra-operative ultrasound (IOUS) guidance results in increased local control.

Material And Methods: A retrospective study was conducted among 212 patients with 214 UM tumors treated by iodine-125 EPB with IOUS guidance from 2013 to 2019. 85 Gy was prescribed to tumor apical height or 5 mm from inner sclera, whichever was greater.

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Peripapillary and circumpapillary retinal intraocular metastases are rare and present a treatment challenge for ophthalmologists because of the high risk of iatrogenic injury to the optic nerve. There are no clear guidelines on the management of these lesions, and many clinicians will initially observe for improvement of the metastases with systemic chemotherapy before considering local therapy with external beam radiation. Radiation to the optic disc carries a significant risk of injuring the optic nerve, leading to worsening of vision.

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Purpose: To assess the efficacy of a treat-and-extend strategy with intravitreal ranibizumab for radiation-related macular edema.

Methods: Forty eyes with radiation-induced macular edema and decreased visual acuity were enrolled in the phase IIb, prospective clinical trial and randomized into 3 cohorts: (A) monthly ranibizumab, (B) monthly ranibizumab with targeted retinal photocoagulation (TRP), or (C) as-needed ranibizumab and TRP. In year 2, all subjects entered a treat-and-extend protocol for ranibizumab.

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Purpose: To determine whether unilateral multifocal uveal melanomas (UM) in the setting of ocular melanosis (melanosis oculi) represent genetically independent tumors.

Design: Clinical case series.

Methods: Two patients with unilateral multifocal UM in the setting of melanosis oculi were included.

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