Esame oftalmologico: sua utilità nel formulare una diagnosi precoce di vasculopatia generalizzata

Gli AA. descrivono le alterazioni retiniche precoci in varie vasculopatie sistemiche ricordando come un esame oftalmologico routinario sia quanto mai utile per svelare dette malattie e per prevenire che, con il fisiologico incremento della popolazione anziana, non si abbia anche un aumento di una patologia retinica vascolare con i notevoli problemi psicologici ed assitenziali che ciò comporterebbe

Indocyanine green angiographic findings in systemic lupus erythematosus choroidopathy

PURPOSE: To report two patients affected with systemic lupus erythematosus choroidopathy studied with combined fluorescein angiography and indocyanine green angiography. In particular, the presence of choroidal abnormalities at indocyanine green angiography, which could not be detected by fluorescein angiography, was studied. DESIGN: Observational case reports. METHODS: Retrospective review of the clinical and photographic records of two patients with systemic lupus erythematosus in whom choroidopathy developed. RESULTS: Four findings were unveiled by indocyanine green angiography: focal, transient hypofluorescent areas in the very early phase; fuzziness of large choroidal vessels with late diffuse zonal choroidal hyperfluorescence; poorly,defined areas of choroidal hypofluorescence visible up to the late phase; and focal cluster of pinpoint spots of choroidal hyperfluorescence visible from the intermediate to late phase. CONCLUSION: Indocyanine green angiography can prod vide information that is not detectable by clinical or fluorescein angiographic examination in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus choroidopathy. This information may prove useful in better understanding the pathogenesis of systemic lupus erythematosus choroidopathy. (C) 2002 by Elsevier Science Inc. All rights reserved

Localizing polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy for laser treatment

Abstract A 72 years old woman reported decreased vision in her right eye . Ophthalmoscopy and FAG,ICG, OCT examination demonstrated a polypoidal choroidal vasculopaty (IPCV). Green laser photocoagulation was undertaken and the preexisting fluid and hemorrages disappeared. In the present case OCT proved to be useful togheter with ICG which remain the gold standard for the correct diagnosis and laser treatment of the polypoidal elements enhancing the efficacy and reducing treatment side effect

Intravitreal anti-vascular endothelial growth factor for retinal angiomatous proliferation in treatment-naive eyes: Long-term functional and anatomical results using a modified PrONTO-style regimen

PURPOSE: To evaluate long-term outcome of intravitreal anti-vascular endothelial growth factor monotherapy in retinal angiomatous proliferation. METHODS: Twenty-one treatment-naive eyes were included in this prospective, interventional case series. Treatment was three monthly injections of bevacizumab and/or ranibizumab with a modified PrONTO-style regimen. Best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) was evaluated. The influence of baseline BCVA and pretreatment pigment epithelial detachment on BCVA outcome or retreatment were assessed by Pearson correlation analysis. RESULTS: Results were evaluated at 2 years and 3 years for 21 and 13 eyes, respectively. Mean baseline BCVA improved significantly from 44.5 (±11.0) (20/32) to 51.1 (±9.7) (20/24) and 50.8 (±10.4) letters (20/24) at 2 and 3 years, respectively (P = 0.02 and P = 0.049). Pigment epithelial detachment correlated negatively with BCVA outcome (r = -0.65, P = 0.002 and r = -0.67, P = 0.01 at 2 years and 3 years, respectively) and was significantly associated with retreatment (r = 0.62, P = 0.003 and r = 0.87, P < 0.0001 at 2 years and 3 years, respectively). Complete occlusion of the lesion was obtained in 71% and 69% of eyes at 2 years and 3 years, respectively, with a mean of 9.4 injections at 3 years. CONCLUSION: Intravitreal anti-vascular endothelial growth factor monotherapy was a valid option for retinal angiomatous proliferation. Stable or improved visual acuity was obtained in 95% and 100% of eyes at 2 years and 3 years, respectively

Hormonal balance in high myopia: Clinical investigation

Purpose. We aimed to determine variations in steroid hormone balance in a group of females in fertile age affected by high myopia. We evaluated variations in cortisol, progesterone, estradiol, testosterone. Methods. We performed a case control clinical trial comparing a group of patients affected with high myopia Vs. a control group that included emmetropic and hypermetropic females of the same age group. In all subjects a blood exam was performed on the 22nd day of menstrual cycle. Results. We observed that cortisol values were increased in fertile females with high myopia. Progesterone and 17-β-estradiol values did not differ between the two groups. Conclusions. This study confirms the variations in hormone balance observed in past studies in the female subjects affected by myopia as compared to the control group. It is possible to assert that the hormonal situation observed confirms Balacco Gabrieli's Theory