Magnetic resonance imaging evaluation of retro-bulbar optic nerve in patients with optic disc pit maculopathy

Background: Optic disc pit (ODP) is a congenital anomaly characterized by indented area of the optic nerve head most likely originating from the incomplete closure of the superior edge of the embryonic fissure. Maculopathy can occasionally complicate this anomaly as intra-retinal and sub-retinal fluid at the macula. In result, maculopathy is associated with a poor visual prognosis due to a serous macular detachment, formation of macular hole, or atrophy of the retinal pigmented epithelium. In this case series, we report of three patients with unilateral ODP. Case report: We attempted to analyze the morphologic changes seen in the ODP and evaluate patients with a complete ophthalmologic evaluation, fundus color photography, spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) scanning, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of globe and orbit. Magnetic resonance imaging scan was done for optic disc diameter (ODD) and optic nerve sheath diameter (ONSD). Conclusion: We noticed that in the patient who presented with neurosensory detachment in the macula, the ONSD is larger than in the fellow eye and is larger than the remaining two patients with ODP and without neurosensory detachment of the retina

Assessment of retinal and optic disc vascular perfusion density in retinitis pigmentosa patients by optical coherence tomography angiography

Background: The aim of the study was to evaluate the vascular flow density measured by optical coherence tomography angiography in patients with retinitis pigmentosa and to compare it with normal subjects. Material and methods: This was a cross-sectional case control study employing 16 eyes of eight patients with retinitis pigmentosa and 16 eyes of eight healthy subjects. Optical coherence tomography angiography was performed in all subjects. The macula was imaged with a 3 × 3 mm scan, whereas for the optic nerve head, a 4.5 × 4.5 mm scan was taken. Macular and optic disc vascular flow perfusion densities were measured. In addition, the FAZ area was calculated. All data were compared in the two groups. Results: The vascular flow perfusion density in the macular and in the optic nerve head was significantly lower in the retinitis pigmentosa group when compared with the control group. On the other hand, the foveal avascular zones area was not significantly different from controls. Conclusion: Patients with retinitis pigmentosa show a decreased macular and optic nerve head perfusion density compared with healthy subject

Treatment of age related macular degeneration (AMD) currently and in the past

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a disease that blurs the sharp, central vision you need for “straight-ahead” activities such as reading, sewing, and driving. AMD affects the macula, the part of the eye that allows you to see fine detail. AMD causes no pain. AMD is an irreparable disorder, which mostly occurs among people after 50. Nowadays the pathogenesis of AMD is still not entirely clarified, however this disorder has multifactor background, which include interactions between genetic and environmental factors. AMD is divided into two forms: exudative (“wet”) and nonexudative (“dry”). The treatment of age-related macular degeneration depends on the stage of the disease progression. One of the first methods of treatment of exudative AMD was laser photocoagulation with argon laser. Currently, this kind of treatment is used in certain cases of neovascularization in extrafoveal area. Next elderly method of therapy of AMD was a photodynamic therapy (PDT) at year 2000. The treatment consist in intravenous injection of verteporfin and a laser at the same time. At 2002 was in use transpupillary thermotherapy (TTT). Last few years for treatment AMD is used antagonist of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). We distinguish: pegatanib, ranibizumab, bevacizumab and aflibercept. Nowadays all of available methods do not eliminate causes of that disorder and in this connection currently treatment is still symptomatic. Apart from every mentioned method above, nutritional therapy is also essential and it decrease the risk of progression of AMD. The diet should contain products full of vitamin C,E, beta carotene, zinc and copper