Multimodal imaging in radiation retinopathy following orbital metastasis

Background: Radiation retinopathy is a major cause of vision loss in patients receiving radiotherapy to the head and orbit. Diabetic retinopathy is one of the differential diagnosis owing to similar clinical features, including microaneurysms, cotton-wool spots, hard exudates, and macular edema. The only significant pathological difference is that radiation retinopathy spares pericytes, unlike in diabetic retinopathy. Multimodal imaging helps diagnose and predict the prognosis of radiation retinopathy, which is presented in this case report. Case Presentation: A 55-year-old woman diagnosed with stage-4 metastatic breast carcinoma presented with gradual diminution of vision in the left eye (OS) over 5 months. Vision in the right eye was lost because of orbital radiotherapy for orbital metastasis. The patient underwent multiple sessions of chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Examination of the left eye revealed a best-corrected distance visual acuity (BCDVA) of 20/30. Fundus examination of the OS revealed multiple cotton-wool spots and retinal hemorrhages. Fundus fluorescein angiography (FFA) showed diffuse macular leakage with capillary nonperfusion. Multicolor imaging (MCI) with Spectralis™ revealed black dots in the blue and green reflectance images, corresponding to capillary dilatation on FFA. Darker dots were more evident in the infrared images. BCDVA improved to 20/20 in OS after tapering the dose of oral steroids for 2 months, with improvements in hemorrhages and cotton-wool spots. Focal laser photocoagulation was recommended for the treatment of persistent macular edema. The patient declined further treatment, was lost to follow-up, and passed away 6 months later. Conclusions: This case highlights the importance of multimodal imaging for the identification and classification of radiation retinopathy. MCI using SpectralisTM has been described for the first time in radiation retinopathy and can be used to complement existing imaging modalities. Future studies involving more patients and a longer follow-up duration may provide better results for the applicability of these imaging modalities in the clinical setting

Multi-color imaging in a unilateral central retinal artery occlusion following dengue fever: A case report and literature review

Background: Dengue fever is associated with various sight-threatening ocular manifestations, some of which can occur several months after fever. These include subconjunctival hemorrhage, vitreous hemorrhage, retinal hemorrhage, cotton wool spots, central and branch retinal artery occlusion, central scotoma, papilledema, optic neuropathy, retinal vasculitis, retinitis, retinal pigment epithelium mottling, foveolitis, choroidal effusion, exudative retinal detachment, anterior uveitis, endogenous endophthalmitis, and panophthalmitis. Herein, we report a patient with unilateral central retinal artery occlusion (CRAO) and raised dengue immunoglobulin G (IgG) titers who underwent serial multimodal imaging with fundus photography, spectral domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT), optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA), and multi-color imaging (MCI). Furthermore, we reviewed recent publications highlighting different eye diseases and the role of MCI in their diagnosis and serial monitoring. Case presentation: A 53-year-old Asian Indian woman complained of blurring of vision in the right eye (OD) two months after a bout of fever. Her best-corrected distance visual acuity was finger counting close to the face in the OD and 20/40 in the left eye. CRAO of the OD was diagnosed. Systemic investigations were normal except for elevated dengue IgG levels. Optical coherence tomography and fluorescein angiography confirmed this diagnosis. MCI and SD-OCT using Spectralis™ performed before and after treatment with oral steroids demonstrated improvement. MCI served as a noninvasive ancillary tool for monitoring the CRAO. In addition to the case report, we summarize articles pertaining to MCI published during the years 2018–2022. The list is not exhaustive but highlights salient features of different retinal and choroidal disorders evaluated using MCI. Our summary highlights the role of MCI in the diagnosis and serial monitoring of eye diseases. Conclusions: A diagnosis of post-dengue fever retinal artery occlusion should be made after ruling out other causes of retinal artery vascular occlusion. We demonstrated retinal changes using serial imaging. MCI can be a useful tool, along with SD-OCT, to monitor clinical improvement. Optometrists can follow up patients with retinal vascular occlusions using noninvasive methods

Unilateral macular branch retinal vein occlusion in a healthy Indian woman following coronavirus disease vaccination: a case report and comprehensive literature review

Background: The coronavirus disease (COVID-19) vaccines exert ocular adverse effects, including episcleritis, scleritis, anterior and recurrent uveitis, acute macular neuroretinopathy, paracentral acute middle maculopathy, ophthalmic vein thrombosis, Graves’ disease, arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy,  non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy, central serous chorioretinopathy, Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada disease, multifocal choroiditis, cranial nerve palsies such as facial or abducens nerve palsy, acute zonal occult outer retinopathy, acute zoster ophthalmicus following re-activation of the varicella-zoster virus, acute retinal necrosis, and multiple evanescent white dot syndrome. In this case report, we explored the possibility of macular branch retinal vein occlusion and its association with COVID-19 vaccination. Case Presentation: A 44-year-old healthy woman presented with unilateral nonprogressive blurring of vision in the right eye (OD). Her best-corrected distance visual acuity (BCDVA) in OD was 20 / 40. The anterior-segment evaluation was normal. Fundus evaluation of the OD revealed macular branch vein occlusion. She had a history of COVID-19 vaccination within 1 month. The interleukin-6 level was elevated six folds to 30.5 pg / mL. However, COVID-19 immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibodies were negative. Infective etiologies, such as tuberculosis and dengue, were ruled out. Spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) of the OD showed hyperreflective dots in the posterior vitreous, inner retinal swelling, and cystoid changes in the macula. The maximum central macular thickness was 486 mm. A single dose of bevacizumab was administered at OD intravitreally. At the final follow-up 2.5 months later, her BCDVA had improved to 20 / 20 OD. Fundus evaluation revealed fewer retinal hemorrhages and cotton wool spots. SD-OCT of the OD showed a normal foveal contour and absence of cystoid spaces. Her maximum central macular thickness was 236 mm. Conclusions: A temporal effect of vein occlusion secondary to COVISHIELD™ vaccination may occur in the absence of systemic risk factors. The interleukin-6 level was elevated, and the remaining blood test results were within normal limits. Since this is a case report, it is limited by the absence of strong evidence to prove this causal relationship between macular branch retinal vein occlusion and the specific brand of COVID-19 vaccination

Antiviral treatment for acute retinal necrosis:A systematic review and meta-analysis

Acute retinal necrosis is a progressive intraocular inflammatory syndrome characterized by diffuse necrotizing retinitis that can lead to a poor visual outcome, mainly from retinal detachment. The antiviral treatment approach for acute retinal necrosis varies as there are no established guidelines. We summarize the outcomes of acute retinal necrosis with available antiviral treatments. Electronic searches were conducted in PubMed/MEDLINE, EMBASE, Scopus, and Google Scholar for interventional and observational studies. Meta-analysis was performed to evaluate the pooled proportion of the predefined selected outcomes. This study was registered in PROSPERO (CRD42022320987). Thirty-four studies with a total of 963 participants and 1,090 eyes were included in the final analysis. The estimated varicella-zoster virus and herpes simplex virus polymerase chain reaction-positive cases were 63% (95% CI: 55–71%) and 35% (95% CI: 28–42%), respectively. The 3 main antiviral treatment approaches identified were oral antivirals alone, intravenous antivirals alone, and a combination of systemic (oral or intravenous) and intravitreal antivirals. The overall pooled estimated proportions of visual acuity improvement, recurrence, and retinal detachment were 37% (95% CI: 27–47%), 14% (95% CI: 8–21%), and 43% (95% CI: 38–50%), respectively. Patients treated with systemic and intravitreal antivirals showed a trend towards better visual outcomes than those treated with systemic antivirals (oral or intravenous) alone, even though this analysis was not statistically significant (test for subgroup differences P = 0.83).</p

Medical Management of Uveitis - Current Trends

Uveitis is a challenging disease to treat. Corticosteroids have been used in the treatment of uveitis for many years. Immunosuppressives are gaining momentum in recent years in the treatment of uveitis. In this article we present an overview of current treatment of uveitis and the major breakthroughs and advances in drugs and ocular drug delivery systems in the treatment of uveitis

COVID-19 vaccination, dengue hepatitis, and recurrent unilateral anterior uveitis

A 36-year-old Asian Indian male presented with redness and pain in his right eye of 1 week duration. He was diagnosed to have right acute anterior uveitis and had a history of being admitted at a local hospital for dengue hepatitis a month earlier. He had been on adalimumab 40 mg three weekly once and oral methotrexate 20 mg/week for human leucocyte antigen (HLA) B27 spondyloarthropathy and recurrent anterior uveitis. Our patient had re-activation of his anterior chamber inflammation on three distinct occasions: first, 3 weeks following recovery from coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), the second after the second dose of COVID-19 vaccination, and the third after recovery from dengue fever-associated hepatitis. We propose molecular mimicry and bystander activation as the postulated mechanisms for the re-activation of his anterior uveitis. In conclusion, patients with auto-immune diseases can have recurrent ocular inflammation following COVID-19 or its vaccination or dengue fever as seen in our patient. The anterior uveitis is usually mild and responds to topical steroids. Additional immuno-suppression may not be needed. Mild ocular inflammation following vaccination should not deter individuals from getting COVID-19 vaccination

Chikungunya virus iridocyclitis in Fuchs&#x2032; heterochromic iridocyclitis

We are reporting a case of bilateral Fuchs&#x2032; heterochromic iridocyclitis with chikungunya virus infection in the left eye. A 20-year-old female was presented with a past history of fever suggestive of chikungunya with bilateral Fuchs&#x2032; heterochromic iridocyclitis and complicated cataract. She had a tripod dendritic pattern of keratic precipitates by confocal microscopy in the left eye with a stippled pattern of keratic precipitates in both eyes. The real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) assay in the aqueous humor detected 98 copies/ml of chikungunya virus RNA. The patient underwent clear corneal phacoemulsification with in-the-bag intraocular lens implantation in the left eye with a good visual outcome. This is the first report where the presence of chikungunya virus RNA has been associated with a case of bilateral Fuchs&#x2032; heterochromic iridocyclitis

Epidemic retinitis during pregnancy

Purpose: To study the clinical presentation and treatment outcome of epidemic retinitis (ER) during pregnancy. Methods: This is a retrospective, observational chart review of pregnant patients diagnosed with ER from January 2014 to February 2023. Demographic details, month of pregnancy at the onset of ocular symptoms, history of present illness, clinical manifestations, and treatment outcomes were studied. Results: In 9 years, ER was seen in 86 females, of whom 12 (13.9%) were pregnant. Twenty-one eyes of those 12 patients were studied. Most of the patients presented in the sixth month of pregnancy (range: 5–9 months, mean: 6.3 months). Physicians diagnosed viral exanthematous fever in six, typhoid in three, and suspected rickettsia in one patient. Medical termination of pregnancy (MTP) was performed in two patients before presentation. Weil–Felix test was positive in five, Brucella in one, WIDAL in three, and coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) IgG and dengue IgG in one patient each. Oral antibiotics were given in five patients (two post-medical termination of pregnancy [MTP]) for the retinitis. All except four received oral steroids. Mean presenting corrected distant visual acuity (n = 21) was 20/125 (range: 20/20–20/20,000), which improved to (n = 18) 20/30 (range: 20/20–20/240). Macular edema (n = 11) resolved in 33.18 days (range: 20–50 days), and retinitis (n = 13) resolved in 58 days (range: 30–110 days). Ocular and systemic examination of newborn was possible in two and the babies were normal. Conclusion: ER is seen commonly at the beginning of the third trimester. Lack of antibiotics may delay the resolution of retinitis. Ocular health needs to be assessed in larger series to conclude absence of retinal involvement in newborns

Posterior segment manifestations and imaging features post-COVID-19

Background: To report the posterior segment (uvea and retinal) manifestations and imaging characteristics of eyes of patients with and after coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Methods: We searched the PubMed/MEDLINE database to identify relevant articles using the following search terms: COVID-19, SARS-CoV-2, retina, uvea, optic nerve, retinal findings, posterior segment manifestations, and endophthalmitis. Articles published from December 1, 2019, to May 30, 2021, and indexed in PubMed/MEDLINE were screened. Results: For the purpose of this review, we included clinical features of 26 case reports and 8 case series. The posterior segment manifestations reported included cotton wool spots, retinal hemorrhages, central serous retinopathy, papillophlebitis, optic neuritis, panuveitis, multifocal retinitis, necrotizing retinitis, central retinal artery/vein occlusion, and Purtschner like retinopathy. In this review, we have also included optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) features that have been described in COVID-19 patients with pneumonia. Conclusions: COVID-19 patients can experience uveo-retinal manifestations even after recovery. These patients, even if asymptomatic for eye symptoms, should undergo an eye evaluation to rule out posterior segment involvement. OCTA performed in these patients revealed microvascular changes in the superficial and deep retinal plexuses. Some of these patients may require anticoagulant or antiplatelet therapy