Total IgE and eotaxin (CCL11) contents in tears of patients suffering from seasonal allergic conjunctivitis.

BACKGROUND: To prospectively investigate patients with seasonal allergic conjunctivitis (SAC) during the pollen season and test associations between tears total IgE, eotaxin concentrations, and SAC severity. METHODS: Enrolled patients presented ocular symptoms and clinical signs of SAC at the time of presentation. Ocular itching, hyperaemia, chemosis, eyelid swelling, and tearing were scored, and the sum of these scores was defined as the clinical score. Conjunctival papillae were separately graded. We measured eotaxin concentration in tears by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and total tear IgE by Lacrytest strip. RESULTS: Among thirty patients (30 eyes), 11 showed neither tear IgE nor tear eotaxin, while 15 out of 19 patients with positive IgE values presented a positive amount of eotaxin in their tears (Fisher's test: p < 0.001). The mean eotaxin concentration was 641 ± 154 (SEM) pg/ml. In patients with no amount of tear IgE, we observed a lower conjunctival papilla grade than in patients whose tears contained some amount of IgE (trend test: p = 0.032). In the 15 patients whose tear eotaxin concentration was null, tear IgE concentration was 5.3 ± 3.5 arbitrary units; in the other 15 patients whose eotaxin was positive, IgE reached 21 ± 4.3 arbitrary U (Mann-Whitney: p < 0.001). We measured 127 ± 47 pg/ml eotaxin in patients with no history of SAC but newly diagnosed as suffering from SAC, and 852 ± 218 pg/ml eotaxin in patients with a known SAC (p = 0.008). In contrast, tear IgE concentrations of both groups did not differ statistically significantly (p = 0.947). CONCLUSIONS: If IgE and eotaxin secreted in tears are major contributors in SAC pathogenesis, they however act at different steps of the process

Ophtalmologie. Rétinopathie diabétique: nouvelles possibilités thérapeutiques [Diabetic retinopathy: new therapeutic possibilities].

La rétinopathie diabétique touche un nombre croissant de personnes, soit quatre millions en Europe, ce chiffre va probablement doubler d'ici 2030. Si l'on considère que 25-30% de ces patients sont atteints de rétinopathie diabétique, un dépistage et un traitement précoce permettent d'éviter les complications oculaires sévères telles que l'oedème maculaire cystoïde où la rétinopathie diabétique proliférative. Un résumé des dernières données de la littérature ophtalmologique est présenté en insistant sur le rôle de l'anti-VEGF (vascular endothelial growth factor) et des implants intravitréens de corticostéroïdes pour une pathologie oculaire récemment classée dans les pathologies inflammatoires. Diabetic retinopathy affects an increasing number of persons, about 4 millions in Europe, a number that will probably double until 2030. If we consider that 25-30% of patients are affected by diabetic retinopathy, an ophthalmologic screening and early therapy will allow a better visual prognosis and avoid severe ocular complications such as diabetic macular edema and proliferative diabetic retinopathy. A summary of current ophthalmologic literature was performed and was focused on the role of anti-VEGF (vascular endothelial growth factor) therapies and intraocular drug delivery of corticosteroids in a pathology that was recently classified in inflammatory pathologies

A cross-sectional study of submacular thickening in intermediate uveitis and determination of treatment threshold.

The aim of this work is to refine understanding of anatomical and functional alterations in eyes with Intermediate Uveitis (IU), their natural history in mild cases not necessitating treatment and their response to treatment in severely affected eyes with macular edema. 61 consecutive patients with IU presenting over a 6-year period were prospectively recruited into the study. Two subgroups of patients with IU were identified on the basis of the need or not for systemic cortico-steroid treatment. A group of healthy volunteers was identified for determining normal average central foveal thickness (CFT) values. Statistical comparisons were sought between patient sub-groups and with the group of normal volunteers for CFT and Best Corrected Visual Acuity (BCVA) at baseline and after 6 months. In a post hoc analysis, a cut-off value of CFT for systemic treatment initiation in IU was statistically identified and its sensitivity and specificity determined. A statistically significant difference in mean CFT at baseline was observed between patients under systemic treatment and untreated patients (p = 0.0005) as well as between untreated patients and healthy volunteers. (p < 0.001) After six months difference in CFT between the two patients subgroups was no longer significant (p = 0.699). BCVA was worse for patients under systemic treatment. No statistically significant difference could be identified between the subgroup of untreated patients and the group of healthy volunteers either at baseline or after 6 months. Correlation between LogMAR visual acuity and central retinal thickness at baseline was strong (r = 0.7436, p < 0.0001, Pearson's correlation coefficient). The cut-off value of CFT for initiating systemic treatment was determined at 215.5 μm in a post hoc analysis (sensitivity 62.5 %, specificity 96.4 %). Subclinical retinal thickening of mildly inflamed eyes with IU can occur though bearing no functional clinical significance and spontaneously resolving within 6 months. A cut-off CFT value for treatment of macular edema in IU, in the presence of other relevant morphological features on Optical Coherence Tomography, seems to emerge from post hoc analysis of collected data demonstrating strong specificity and moderate sensitivity

Multimodale Bildgebung eines retinalen Astrozyten-Hamartoms assoziert mit angeborener Hypertrophie des retinalen Pigmentepithels [Multimodal Imaging of Retinal Astrocytic Hamartoma Associated with Congenital Hypertrophy of Retinal Pigment Epithelium]

Hamartoma is a nodular malformation, with a single or multiple malformations, it is a recognized prenatal developmental abnormality. This benign tumor lesion has the same histological components of normal parenchyma, but these components are arranged haphazardly which disrupts normal function. Hamartomas usually remain connected with the tissue of origin; as is the case with pulmonary hamartoma or the splenic hamartoma. The exact incidence of retinal astrocytic hamartoma (RAH) is not well known, but it is estimated at one case per 100 000 births per year [1]. The astrocytic hamartoma is a neuroglial tissue and produces astrocytes within the optic nerve [2], and consequently it often appears within papillary region

Fluorescein and indocyanine-green angiography in ocular syphilis: an exploratory study.

BACKGROUND: Fluorescein (FA) and indocyanine-green angiography (ICGA) may offer valuable information concerning disease severity and prognosis in ocular syphilis. The aim of the present study is to describe angiographic patterns encountered in the context of ocular syphilis, and to explore the associations between specific angiographic manifestations and severity of disease presentation, as well as disease evolution after treatment. METHODS: We performed a retrospective institutional study with the inclusion of 23 patients with ocular syphilis presenting to the uveitis clinic of the Jules-Gonin Eye Hospital in a 10-year period. FA and ICGA were performed following a standard protocol for posterior uveitis. Patterns of fluorescence were noted, and statistical associations between each angiographic pattern and any demographic, clinical, or laboratory parameter at baseline and after treatment were sought. RESULTS: The presence of any dark dots in ICGA was significantly associated with anterior uveitis (p = 0.031). The presence of hot spots in ICGA was significantly associated with longer duration of symptoms prior to initial visit (p = 0.032) and with male gender (p = 0.012). Weak non-significant trends were found associating vascular staining in FA with anterior uveitis (p = 0.066), vitritis (p = 0.069), and younger age (p = 0.061), as well as disc hyperfluorescence in FA with seropositivity for HIV (p = 0.089) and macular edema in FA with longer disease duration (p = 0.061). The presence of any dark dots in ICGA exhibited a weak trend of association with anterior uveitis and/or vitritis (p = 0.079). CONCLUSIONS: Out of the several associations identified implicating specific angiographic features, we underline the possible role of the presence of dark dots in ICGA for identifying active inflammation, and the role of hot spots in ICGA as markers of long-standing disease. Vascular staining in FA appears to be more common in patients with severe ocular inflammation with presence of anterior uveitis and/or vitritis

Viral Retinitis following Intraocular or Periocular Corticosteroid Administration: A Case Series and Comprehensive Review of the Literature.

Abstract Purpose: To describe viral retinitis following intravitreal and periocular corticosteroid administration. Methods: Retrospective case series and comprehensive literature review. Results: We analyzed 5 unreported and 25 previously published cases of viral retinitis following local corticosteroid administration. Causes of retinitis included 23 CMV (76.7%), 5 HSV (16.7%), and 1 each VZV and unspecified (3.3%). Two of 22 tested patients (9.1%) were HIV positive. Twenty-one of 30 (70.0%) cases followed one or more intravitreal injections of triamcinolone acetonide (TA), 4 (13.3%) after one or more posterior sub-Tenon injections of TA, 3 (10.0%) after placement of a 0.59-mg fluocinolone acetonide implant (Retisert), and 1 (3.3%) each after an anterior subconjunctival injection of TA (together with IVTA), an anterior chamber injection, and an anterior sub-Tenon injection. Mean time from most recent corticosteroid administration to development of retinitis was 4.2 months (median 3.8; range 0.25-13.0). Twelve patients (40.0%) had type II diabetes mellitus. Treatments used included systemic antiviral agents (26/30, 86.7%), intravitreal antiviral injections (20/30, 66.7%), and ganciclovir intravitreal implants (4/30, 13.3%). Conclusions: Viral retinitis may develop or reactivate following intraocular or periocular corticosteroid administration. Average time to development of retinitis was 4 months, and CMV was the most frequently observed agent. Diabetes was a frequent co-morbidity and several patients with uveitis who developed retinitis were also receiving systemic immunosuppressive therapy

Multimodal imaging of retinal pigment epithelial detachments in patients with C3 glomerulopathy: case report and review of the literature.

To describe the optical coherence tomography angiograhy (OCTA) of drusenoid pigment epithelial detachments (PEDs) in a woman affected by Complement 3 (C3) glomerulopathy, which represents a spectrum of glomerular diseases characterized on fluorescent microscopy by C3 accumulation with absent, or scanty, immunoglobulin deposits. It is due to acquired or genetically defective alternative pathway control and is generally associated with drusen-like deposits in Bruch's membrane, as well as choriocapillaris. These retinal lesions can be associated with choroidal neovascularization and central serous chorioretinopathy (CSCR). OCTA is useful to detect neovascularization without injecting a contrast product, particularly in these patients who may have renal insufficiency. A 28-year-old woman affected by C3 glomerulpathy was diagnosed with asymptomatic multiple bilateral PEDs during a routine ophthalmologic consultation. To better characterize the lesions, multimodal imaging was performed and included: optic coherence tomography (OCT), en-face OCT, OCTA, fluorescence and indocyanine angiography. The OCTA clearly identified vascular network rarefaction with decreased choriocapillary vascularization. It confirmed that PEDs associated with C3 glomerulonephritis are not vascularized, but rather of serous type. Patients affected by C3 glomerulopathy can develop neovascular membranes as retinal complications of pigment epithelial detachments. Optical coherence angiography may be indicated to identify this complication, without injecting any contrast product that could produce further kidney damage

CAPNOCYTOPHAGA CANIMORSUS ENDOPHTHALMITIS AFTER CATARACT SURGERY LINKED TO SALIVARY DOG-TO-HUMAN TRANSMISSION.

To describe a case of acute postoperative bacterial endophthalmitis because of Capnocytophaga canimorsus after cataract surgery, with probable contamination through salivary droplets of dog two days after the procedure. An 83-year-old woman who underwent uncomplicated cataract extraction with intraocular lens implantation, presented 12 days later with acute pain, redness, and vision loss in her left eye. Visual acuity was hand motion and clinical findings suggested the diagnosis of acute postoperative endophthalmitis. The patient underwent diagnostic vitrectomy, intravitreal ceftazidime/vancomycin injection and received oral moxifloxacin (400 mg/day). Two days later, she underwent complete pars-plana vitrectomy because of the absence of clinical improvement. Vitreous samples showed gram-negative bacterium on direct examination but cultures remained sterile, which prompted the realization of a broad-range bacterial polymerase chain reaction analysis. Polymerase chain reaction on the vitreous sample detected C. canimorsus, a fastidious gram-negative bacterium of the oral canine flora. When asked for recent contact with dogs, the patient reported having proceeded to an intensive tooth care session for her dog at postoperative Day 2. Intravenous ceftriaxone (2 g/day) was added to the treatment. Anterior and posterior segment inflammation slowly resolved, and final visual acuity was 20/160. Although very rare, this complication suggests that patients undergoing ocular surgery should avoid contact with salivary secretions of pets during the early postoperative period. Diagnostic broad-range bacterial polymerase chain reaction is useful to detect unconventional or slow-growing agents in vitreous samples