Metastasis rates and sites after treatment for choroidal melanoma by proton beam irradiation or by enucleation

Chryssanthi Koutsandrea, Marilita M Moschos, Michael Dimissianos, Gerasimos Georgopoulos, Ioannnis Ladas, Michael ApostolopoulosDepartment of Ophthalmology, Athens University, Athens, GreecePurpose: To investigate tumor thickness and location, the interval of time between treatment for choroidal melanoma (proton beam irradiation or enucleation) and diagnosis of metastatic disease, and rates and sites of metastasis.Design: Retrospective, interventional, noncomparative case series.Methods: Follow-up of 152 patients with primary choroidal melanoma, between 1992 and 2006 (14 years). One hundred and twenty-one patients were treated with proton beam irradiation and 31 patients were treated with enucleation. Baseline and annual or semiannual ophthalmic examination, B-scan ultrasonography, systemic and laboratory evaluations (liver enzymes, chest X-ray, ultrasonography or magnetic resonance imaging of the liver) were performed according to a standard protocol.Results: Nineteen patients (12.5%) were diagnosed with metastasis during follow-up time after treatment for choroidal melanoma. Thirteen patients (10.7%) of the irradiation group and 6 patients (19.3%) of the enucleation group were diagnosed with metastasis. Eight patients (6.6%) of the irradiation group and 5 patients (16.1%) of the enucleation group were diagnosed with liver metastasis. Ocular complications after proton beam irradiation were recorded. Fifty-nine patients (48.7%) of the irradiation group presented with cataract. Other complications were retinal detachment, retinopathy, vitreous haemorrhage, iris neovascularization, neovascular glaucoma, optic neuropathy, and corneal opacification.Conclusions: In our series, 10.7% of the irradiation group and 19.3% of the enucleation group were diagnosed with metastasis. The liver was the most common site of metastasis in both groups. Cataract was the most common complication in the irradiation group.Keywords: melanoma, metastasis, irradiation, enucleatio

Peripheral capillary non-perfusion in asymptomatic Waldenström's macroglobulinemia

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>To report the rare association of peripheral retinal ischemia in a patient with Waldenström's macroglobulinemia.</p> <p>Case Presentation</p> <p>A 39-year old man with a recent diagnosis of asymptomatic Waldenström's macroglobulinemia (WM) was referred from his physician for ocular evaluation. The fundus examination in his right eye (RE) revealed very mild central vein dilation, while retinal hemorrhages associated with microaneurismal alterations of the vascular plexus were detected at the temporal periphery. Fluoroscein angiography of his RE revealed an extended area of capillary dropout distal to the microaneurismal lesions. In our patient with WM an extensive area of capillary non-perfusion, in the absence of severe involvement of the posterior pole was documented; this association to the best of our knowledge has never been reported before.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Although the incidence of the disease is rare, meticulous examination of the retinal periphery should be performed in all patients with WM and vice versa the differential diagnosis of peripheral retinal ischemia of unknown origin should include an investigation to rule out asymptomatic Waldenström's macroglobulinemia.</p

Massive choroidal hemorrhage after intravitreal administration of bevacizumab (Avastin&amp;reg;) for AMD followed by controlateral sympathetic ophthalmia

Dimitrios Brouzas, Chryssanthi Koutsandrea, Marilita Moschos, Spiros Papadimitriou, Ioannis Ladas, Michael Apostolopoulos1st Eye Department , University of Athens, Athens, GreecePurpose: To report a severe ocular complication initiated ten days after intravitreal administration of bevacizumab (Avastin&amp;reg;), in a patient with exudative age-related macular degeneration (AMD).Patients and method: Case report.Results: Ten days after intravitreal injection of 1.25 mg Avastin&amp;reg;, the patient manifested acute loss of vision with excruciating pain. An extensive choroidal detachment was evident in close contact with the lens, which necessitated an emergency sclerotomy with reconstruction of the anterior chamber. Four months later, the eye proceeded to phthisis bulbi. Five months after the injection, the patient complained of mild pain, photophobia, and visual acuity deterioration from the fellow eye. The diagnosis of sympathetic ophthalmia was suggested and treated with intravitreal injections of triamcinolone acetonide every three months with good response, complicated by elevation of intraocular pressure which we managed with Ahmet valve implantation.Conclusion: Serious ocular complications after intravitreal of Avastin&amp;reg; can not be excluded, including massive choroidal hemorrhage and sympathetic ophthalmia of the fellow eye.Keywords: Avastin&amp;reg; complication, intravitreal injection, choroidal detachment, Phthisis bulbi, sympathetic ophthalmi

Intraocular lens power calculation in eyes with short axial length

Aim: To evaluate and compare the predictive capacity of four intraocular lens (IOL) power calculation formulas (SRK/T, Hoffer Q, Holladay 1, and Haigis) in eyes shorter than 22.0 mm. Setting and Design: Observational study. Materials and Methods: Participants in our study were 69 consecutive patients with a preoperative axial length (AL) of less than 22.0 mm in one or both eyes. All patients underwent phacoemulsification with IOL implantation and postoperative target of refraction was analyzed. Specifically, the differences in the mean absolute estimation error (AE) for the four formulas were analyzed. Furthermore, the percentage of eyes with AE within ±0.5 and ±1.0 D for each formula was estimated, as well as the correlation coefficient (r) between the AL and estimation error (E) for each formula. The Mann-Whitney U test was used to compare differences in the AEs of the formulas. A statistically significant difference was defined as P < 0.05. Results: The Haigis formula had statistically significant smaller mean AE in comparison to Holladay 1, Hoffer Q, and SRK/T. The Haigis formula predicted more eyes with E within ±0.5 and ±1.0 D of predicted spherical equivalent compared to other formulas. Correlation between AL and AE revealed a negative r value and P < 0.05 for all formulas. Conclusions: Haigis formula provides more accurate results concerning the postoperative target of refraction in eyes with AL less than 22.0 mm. Hoffer Q could be also used as an alternative