A Novel Management Challenge in Age-Related Macular Degeneration: Artificial Intelligence and Expert Prediction of Geographic Atrophy.

Purpose: The progression of geographic atrophy (GA) secondary to age-related macular degeneration is highly variable among individuals. Prediction of the progression is critical to identify patients who will benefit most from the first treatments currently approved. The aim of this study was to investigate the value and difference in predictive power between ophthalmologists and artificial intelligence (AI) in reliably assessing individual speed of GA progression.

OCTA Biomarker Search in Patients with nAMD: Influence of Retinal Fluid on Time-Dependent Biomarker Response.

Purpose: Previous studies have identified a link between optical coherence tomography (OCT)-derived and OCT angiography (OCTA)-based parameters in patients with neovascular AMD (nAMD); the latter may serve as direct biomarkers for macular neovascularization (MNV) activity. The aim of this study was to assess the individual influence of retinal thickness (RT) as well as intra- and sub-retinal fluid (IRF, SRF) presence on the treatment response over time as assessed by previously identified OCTA-derived MNV vascular parameters.

Methods: During the first 3 months of anti-VEGF therapy patients were prospectively followed.

The influence of retinal oxygen saturation and choroidal volume on postoperative outcomes in patients with epiretinal membrane.

Purpose: To investigate the effects of vitrectomy (Vy) with or without same time cataract surgery and membrane plus internal limiting membrane peeling (MP+ILMP) on retinal oxygenation and choroidal volume and their role on postoperative outcome.

Methods: Thirty-two eyes were included in this prospective clinical study. All patients received 23 gauge Vy+MP+ILMP without endotamponade.

Identification of microvascular and morphological alterations in eyes with central retinal non-perfusion.

Purpose: To evaluate the characteristics and morphological alterations in central retinal ischemia caused by diabetic retinopathy (DR) or retinal vein occlusion (RVO) as seen in optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) and their relationship to visual acuity.

Methods: Swept-source optical coherence tomography (SSOCT) and OCTA (Topcon, Triton) data of patients with central involving retinal ischemia were analyzed in this cross-sectional study. The following parameters were evaluated: vessel parameters, foveal avascular zone (FAZ), intraretinal cysts (IRC), microaneurysms (MA), vascular collaterals in the superficial (SCP) and deep plexuses (DCP), hyperreflective foci (HRF), epiretinal membrane (ERM), external limiting membrane (ELM) and ellipsoid zone (EZ) disruption, as well as the disorganization of retinal inner layers (DRIL).

Profiling neovascular age-related macular degeneration choroidal neovascularization lesion response to anti-vascular endothelial growth factor therapy using SSOCTA.

Purpose: To identify the changes in distinct vascular parameters of choroidal neovascularization (CNV) in eyes with treatment-naïve neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD) during the primary response to anti-VEGF therapy using aflibercept.

Methods: Patients were prospectively followed during the first 3 months according to a standardized protocol with mandatory visits at days 7 and 14 after each anti-VEGF treatment up to day 90. Fourteen eyes were seen in addition at days 1 and 3 post-initial injection.

Semi-automated quantification of geographic atrophy with blue-light autofluorescence and spectral-domain optical coherence tomography: a comparison between the region finder and the advanced retinal pigment epithelium tool in the clinical setting.

Purpose: To compare inter- and intraobserver reliability and intermodality agreement on quantification of geographic atrophy, using two routinely available quantification tools, based on blue-light fundus autofluorescence (BAF) and spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT).

Methods: Quantifications of atrophic lesions within the central 5 mm of 30 eyes from 30 patients (mean age: 76.1 years) were independently performed by two clinicians on BAF images using the region finder (RF; Heidelberg Engineering) and on SD-OCT using the advanced retinal pigment epithelium tool (ARPET; Carl Zeiss Meditec) at baseline and follow-up (mean interval: 336 days).

Comparison of SD-Optical Coherence Tomography Angiography and Indocyanine Green Angiography in Type 1 and 2 Neovascular Age-related Macular Degeneration.

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to compare the ability of spectral domain optical coherence tomography angiography (SD-OCTA) and indocyanine green angiography (ICGA) to detect and measure lesion area in patients with type 1 and 2 choroidal neovascularization (CNV).

Methods: Types 1 and 2 neovascular AMD (nAMD) were included in this prospective and observational case series. ETDRS best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), ophthalmic examination with funduscopy, OCTA (AngioVue), fluorescein angiography (FA), ICGA, and OCT (Spectralis) were performed.

Extension of peripheral nonperfusion in eyes with retinal vein occlusion during intravitreal dexamethasone treatment.

Background: To evaluate the change in peripheral perfusion status in patients with retinal vein occlusion (RVO) during dexamethasone treatment.

Methods: Thirty-five eyes of patients with macular oedema due to either branch or central retinal vein occlusion were included. At baseline, patients were treated with an intravitreal dexamethasone implant (Ozurdex ) and followed until month 6.

ROLE OF ADDITIONAL DEXAMETHASONE FOR THE MANAGEMENT OF PERSISTENT OR RECURRENT NEOVASCULAR AGE-RELATED MACULAR DEGENERATION UNDER RANIBIZUMAB TREATMENT.

Purpose: To assess the efficacy of a combination therapy of intravitreal ranibizumab together with a dexamethasone implant in comparison with ranibizumab monotherapy in neovascular age-related macular degeneration.

Methods: Forty eyes of recurrent or persistent neovascular age-related macular degeneration were included in this prospective study. Patients were randomly assigned to two groups.

The Intraocular Cytokine Profile and Therapeutic Response in Persistent Neovascular Age-Related Macular Degeneration.

Purpose: To investigate the course of inflammatory and angiogenic cytokines in the aqueous humor of patients with persistent/recurrent neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD) under ranibizumab monotherapy (IVM) or ranibizumab plus dexamethasone combination treatment.

Methods: In this 12-month prospective study, 40 eyes with nAMD were treated with either IVM or combined treatment with ranibizumab plus intravitreal dexamethasone implant (IVC). Patients in the IVM group were treated following an "as needed" treatment regimen; patients in the IVC group received ranibizumab and a dexamethasone implant at baseline and were re-treated with ranibizumab.

Effect of intravitreal dexamethasone implant on intra-ocular cytokines and chemokines in eyes with retinal vein occlusion.

Purpose: To investigate the influence of intravitreal dexamethasone implant on inflammatory and angiogenic cytokine levels in the aqueous of patients with retinal vein occlusion (RVO).

Methods: Forty eyes of 40 consecutive patients with macular oedema (ME) due to branch and central retinal vein occlusion (BRVO/CRVO) were treated with an intravitreal dexamethasone implant (Ozurdex ) at baseline and evaluated until month 6. Retreatment was performed in case of recurrent ME earliest 4 months after the baseline treatment.

Comparison of macular pigment in patients with age-related macular degeneration and healthy control subjects - a study using spectral fundus reflectance.

Purpose: Previous studies have reported an age-dependent decline of macular pigment optical density (MPOD) as well as a relative lack of MPOD in age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Results are, however, strongly dependent on the technique used. In this study, we investigated the age dependence of MPOD using spectral fundus reflectance.

Short- and mid-term repeatability of macular pigment optical density measurements using spectral fundus reflectance.

Background: Several methods have been proposed for measuring macular pigment optical density (MPOD). To date, none of the realized techniques can be considered as "gold standard". A key issue for the clinical applicability of a method is its repeatability.

Effects of lutein supplementation on macular pigment optical density and visual acuity in patients with age-related macular degeneration.

Purpose: There is evidence from several large-scale clinical trials that reduced intake of lutein, a major component of the macular pigment, is a risk factor for the development of AMD. In the present study (LISA; Lutein Intervention Study Austria) it was hypothesized that lutein supplementation increases macular pigment optical density (MPOD). In addition, an investigation was conducted into whether lutein supplementation improves visual acuity (VA) and macular function (mean differential light threshold; MDLT), as assessed with microperimetry.

Effect of regular smoking on flicker induced retinal vasodilatation in healthy subjects.

Background: Habitual smoking is a risk factor for a variety of vascular diseases, including ocular pathologies. In the current study, we set out to investigate whether the regulation of retinal vascular tone is impaired in habitual smokers. For this purpose, vascular reactivity was tested during flicker light induced vasodilatation in smokers and in a non-smoking control group.

Role of adenosine in the control of choroidal blood flow during changes in ocular perfusion pressure.

Purpose: The purpose of the present study was to investigate whether the nucleoside adenosine is involved in the regulatory processes of choroidal blood flow (ChBF) during an experimental decrease in ocular perfusion pressure (OPP).

Methods: In this randomized, double-masked, placebo-controlled, two-way crossover study, 14 subjects received either intravenous adenosine or placebo on two different study days. The suction cup method was used for a stepwise increase in intraocular pressure (IOP).

Effect of latanoprost on choroidal blood flow regulation in healthy subjects.

Purpose: The present study tested the hypothesis that human choroidal blood flow (ChBF) regulation in the face of changes in ocular perfusion pressure (OPP) may be modified by a drug-induced decrease in intraocular pressure (IOP).

Methods: This hypothesis was tested in a double-masked, randomized, placebo-controlled, parallel-group trial in 24 healthy volunteers. OPP was manipulated by 6 minutes of squatting and a subsequent period of artificial increase in IOP induced with a suction cup.

Response of retinal vessels and retrobulbar hemodynamics to intravitreal anti-VEGF treatment in eyes with branch retinal vein occlusion.

Purpose: To investigate whether intravitreal ranibizumab (0.05 mL) treatment affects retinal vessel diameters and retrobulbar blood velocities in patients with acute branch retinal vein occlusion (BRVO).

Methods: Thirty patients with clinically significant macular edema secondary to BRVO were included.

Choroidal blood flow and progression of age-related macular degeneration in the fellow eye in patients with unilateral choroidal neovascularization.

Purpose: Cardiovascular risk factors such as smoking, hypertension, and atherosclerosis seem to play an important role in the development of choroidal neovascularization (CNV). Recent studies have also provided evidence suggesting that choroidal and retinal blood flow is decreased in patients with AMD. On the basis of these results, the hypothesis for this study was that lower choroidal blood flow is associated with an increased risk of CNV in patients with AMD.

Effect of dorzolamide and timolol on ocular pressure: blood flow relationship in patients with primary open-angle glaucoma and ocular hypertension.

Purpose: The authors have reported previously that a study population, consisting of patients with glaucoma and ocular hypertension, is characterized by an impaired association between ocular blood flow parameters and systemic blood pressure, indicative of abnormal autoregulation. Here they report on the effects of dorzolamide and timolol on ocular pressure/flow relationships to test the hypothesis that these drugs improve autoregulation.

Methods: One hundred forty patients with primary open-angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension were included in a clinical trial in a controlled, randomized double-masked study in two parallel groups.

Acute effects of intravenously administered ethanol on retinal vessel diameters and flicker induced vasodilatation in healthy volunteers.

There is evidence from several vascular beds that acute alcohol consumption causes ocular hypotension and peripheral vasodilatation. The current study investigated the effects of intravenously administered ethanol on retinal vessel diameters and on flicker induced retinal vasodilatation. For this purpose, ethanol (0.

Correlation of flicker-induced and flow-mediated vasodilatation in patients with endothelial dysfunction and healthy volunteers.

OBJECTIVE Flicker-induced vasodilatation is reduced in patients with vascular-related diseases, which has at least partially been attributed to endothelial dysfunction of retinal vessels. Currently, the standard method to assess endothelial function in vivo is flow-mediated vasodilatation (FMD). Thus, the present study was performed to investigate whether a correlation exists between flicker-induced vasodilatation and FMD in patients with known endothelial dysfunction and healthy subjects.

Ocular haemodynamic changes after single treatment with photodynamic therapy assessed with non-invasive techniques.

Purpose: To investigate in patients with neovascular age-related macular degeneration (ARMD) the changes in ocular perfusion caused by single treatment with photodynamic therapy (PDT) by different non-invasive methods; to evaluate correlations between relative changes of ocular haemodynamic parameters after PDT among each other and compared to morphological parameters; and to assess this in relation to early changes of visual acuity.

Study Population: 17 consecutive patients with subfoveal choroidal neovascularization (CNV) caused by ARMD scheduled for PDT without previous PDT treatment (four patients with predominantly classic CNV and 13 patients with occult CNV).

Observation Procedures: best-corrected visual acuity (before PDT, 6 and 8 weeks after PDT), fundus photography, fluorescein angiography, haemodynamic measurements with laser Doppler flowmetry (LDF), laser interferometry and ocular blood flow (OBF) tonometry (baseline and 1, 2, 6 and 8 weeks after treatment).

Reduced retinal vessel response to flicker stimulation but not to exogenous nitric oxide in type 1 diabetes.

Purpose: Various studies have shown that retinal vessels in patients with diabetes mellitus have a reduced capacity to adapt to changes in perfusion pressure and to stimulation with flickering light. Structural and functional changes in retinal vessels in diabetes could lead to a general reduction of vasodilator and/or vasoconstrictor capacity. To gain more insight into this topic, we compared the response of retinal vessel diameters to systemic glyceryl trinitrate (GTN) and stimulation with diffuse luminance flicker in patients with diabetes and healthy control subjects.