The vitreous body is an anatomically and biochemically complex structure. Because of its proximity and firm adherence to the retina, researchers have examined the link between these two structures and how their individual pathologies might be connected. Several experimental and clinical studies have already demonstrated the important role of vitreous in the pathogenesis of retinal disorders. This narrative review highlights the role of the vitreous in retinal diseases and the improvements that have been made since the introduction of optical coherence tomography. This leads to a better understanding of vitreoretinal diseases and demonstrates its determinant role in other retinal pathologies, such as diabetic retinopathy or age-related macular degeneration. As we deepen our knowledge of the vitreous\'s structure, function, and abnormal conditions, we can better link the changes in diseases and identify effective treatments.

Ocriplasmin is used to treat vitreomacular traction (VMT), with or without full-thickness macular hole (MH). We systematically reviewed the evidence on ocriplasmin\'s effect on vitreomacular adhesion resolution (VMAR), MH closure, vitrectomy, and best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and investigated the effect of baseline covariates on outcome. We applied individual participant data meta-analyses to the entire population and to subgroups defined by MH or epiretinal membrane (ERM) presence. Safety data were pooled and tabulated. Five randomized controlled trials (1,067 participants) were included. Six months after treatment, ocriplasmin achieved higher rates of VMAR and MH closure versus control, lowered vitrectomy odds, and increased the likelihood of a ≥10-letter BCVA increase. VMAR rates were lower when ERM, broad VMA (> 1500 µm), diabetic retinopathy, or pseudophakia were present and higher in younger participants, women, and eyes with MHs. Ocriplasmin-treated participants experienced more short-term visual impairment that was not predictive of final BCVA, as well as vitreous floaters, photopsia, photophobia, eye pain, blurred vision, and dyschromatopsia. The most common serious adverse events for ocriplasmin and control, respectively, were MH progression (22.5%, 17.3%), new MH (1.5%, 3.4%) and retinal detachment (0.8%, 1.2%). Ocriplasmin promotes VMAR and MH closure. Transient visual phenomena are not uncommon.

OBJECTIVE: To present the surgical treatment of a full thickness macular hole (MH) caused by a vitreomacular traction (VMT) on top of an adjacent subfoveal pigment epithelial detachment (PED) in age-related macular degeneration (AMD).
METHODS: A 77-year-old female with a subfoveal PED receiving consecutive intravitreal injections noticed a sudden decreased visual acuity (VA) due to the development an occult MH in her right eye after 19 repeated intravitreal anti vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-injections. Her initial VA declined from 20/50 to 20/400. The firm VMT induced a rupture of the multi-layered retina and may progress to an RPE-tear or possible to a subretinal haemorrhage. We discussed with the patient the risks of the natural progression and explained possible treatment options: We continued her anti-VEGF combined with air bubble injections to induce a posterior vitreous detachment, to stabilise the retinal architecture, reduce the subretinal fluid and avoid possible intraoperative bleeding. As injections did release the VMT, vitrectomy released the posterior vitreous from the optic nerve and trimmed it towards the central retina. Peeling with brilliant blue removed the internal limiting membrane without any signs of bleeding, rupture of the PED or enlargement of the MH, prior to the installation of 10% SF6 gas. The postoperative optical coherence tomography (OCT) on day 5 confirmed a closed MH, while the size, shape and pattern of the PED remained unchanged. Her VA increased from 20/400 to 20/50 (equal to her previous VA prior to the MH-formation). To avoid a potential progression of the PED, we maintained her retreatment intervals at 5 weeks for the next 6 months. A literature review presents similar intraoperative approaches and postoperative outcomes in 8 out of the 9 published cases.
CONCLUSIONS: VMT can induce an occult MH on top of a PED, causing a significant loss of vision. When gas injections are not successful, surgery may release the traction, restore the retinal architecture, and significantly improve and maintain the VA over a documented long-term observation. The epiretinal procedure should be assisted under regular anti-VEGF injections to maintain the subretinal architecture.

This review explores how optical coherence tomography has guided our assessment of vitreomacular disorders. Vitreomacular disorders (VMD), such as macular holes and epiretinal membranes are common and potentially sight threatening. The introduction and widespread use of optical coherence tomography (OCT) imaging technology has transformed our ability to visualise the vitreoretinal interface. This review discusses the pathogenesis and updated classification scheme for VMD in the OCT era. Imaging biomarkers and the treatment algorithm, including the role of novel therapeutics, for managing patients with VMD are presented.

OBJECTIVE: Effectiveness of ocriplasmin for vitreomacular traction (VMT) varies depending on the presence of common ocular conditions and patient selection criteria. We carried out a systematic literature review and meta-analysis of ocriplasmin studies conducted in real-world settings (RWS) and compared outcomes with those from randomized controlled trials (RCTs).
METHODS: We included prospective and retrospective studies from RWS documenting effectiveness of ocriplasmin in patients with VMT with or without MH, and RCTs of ocriplasmin versus control. Key end-points were vitreomacular adhesion resolution (VMAR), nonsurgical MH closure, need for vitrectomy and safety. We conducted meta-regression on pooled results to evaluate effects of baseline covariates and study design on outcomes.
RESULTS: Thirty RWS (2402 patients) and 5 RCTs (737 patients) were included epiretinal membrane (ERM) and broad VMA were more prevalent in RCTs. Primary VMAR, vitrectomy and MH closure rates were comparable between RWS and RCTs. Rates of nsVMAR were significantly higher in RWS than RCTs (odds ratio 1.66; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.18-2.34). nsVMAR rates were inversely associated with ERM prevalence (odds ratio 0.20; 95% CI: 0.08-0.51). Compared with the recent OASIS trial, RWS reported a higher incidence of new/worsening subretinal fluid cases and less photophobia, photopsia, vitreous floaters, electroretinogram abnormalities and MH progression.
CONCLUSIONS: Ocriplasmin was significantly more effective in achieving nsVMAR in RWS than in RCTs. Lower ERM prevalence in RWS was the single significant explanatory variable for this difference. Conclusions on ocriplasmin safety in RWS are limited due to inconsistent reporting.

UNASSIGNED: Vitreomacular traction (VMT) is a disease in which the vitreous exerts abnormally strong traction on the macula, the area of the eye responsible for detailed central vision. If this traction significantly distorts the macula then VMT can lead to troublesome distorted vision (metamorphopsia), sometimes occurring despite relatively preserved visual acuity. Ocriplasmin, administered as a single intravitreal injection, aims to release VMT and improve vision. While the effect of ocriplasmin on traction release and visual acuity is well characterized, the effect of symptoms like metamorphopsia is not.
UNASSIGNED: A systematic review and synthesis of the literature on patient reported outcomes (PRO) in relation to the use of ocriplasmin for the treatment of VMT was undertaken using MED-LINE and Embase databases, and the Cochrane central register of controlled trials (CENTRAL).
UNASSIGNED: The review identified PRO data from 870 patients across three randomized controlled trials. The most commonly reported PROs were the 25-item National Eye Institute Visual Function Questionnaire (VFQ-25), a broad measure of vision-related quality of life, and Visual Function Response (VFR), an outcome combining quality of life and visual acuity outcomes. Treatment with ocriplasmin produced significant patient benefit vs control (sham or placebo-injection). Ocriplasmin was associated with a higher proportion of patients experiencing a clinically meaningful improvement in visual functioning with a difference of 11.8% for VFQ-25 and 23.2% for VFR responder analyses, respectively.
UNASSIGNED: Patients with VMT have material impairment in visual functioning and quality of life, relative to their reduction in visual acuity. Ocriplasmin results in a significant improvement in visual functioning. Future research could include the development of new PROs specific to VMT.

This is a case of toxoplasmosis retinochoroiditis which has resulted in the formation of vitreomacular traction upon resolution which is rarely associated with ocular toxoplasmosis. A 39-year-old male came with an active toxoplasmosis retinochoroiditis. Best-corrected visual acuity, full ophthalmic slitlamp examination, colour fundus photography, spectral domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT), and fluorescein angiography were performed. Presumed ocular toxoplasmosis diagnosis was supported by serological tests. The patient was treated medically for 45 days and on his follow up he developed macular traction which was shown in SD-OCT with a good visual acuity. Vitreoretinal traction is a rare complication of ocular toxoplasmosis and ranges from mild to severe traction which might require surgery. We suggest a close follow up for patients with toxoplasmosis retinochoroiditis and early recognition could avoid exposing patients to surgery.

OBJECTIVE: We aimed to provide a meta-analysis of the factors affecting vitreomacular traction (VMT) resolution after ocriplasmin use. A comprehensive systematic review of the complications after ocriplasmin use for VMT and macular hole was also done.
METHODS: A literature search in PubMed was performed for studies about ocriplasmin published before 30 June 2015. Then a meta-analysis of the factors affecting the VMT resolution after ocriplasmin use was done, providing the pooled odds ratios for each factor and 95 % confidence intervals (CIs). We also described the potential adverse events after ocriplasmin use in a systematic review.
RESULTS: A total of 194 abstracts were screened and 19 eligible studies were included in the meta-analysis. Age <65 years, female gender, vitreomacular adhesion diameter <1500 μm, phakic lens status and epiretinal membrane absence were found as positive predictive factors for VMT resolution, while macular hole size <250 μm was significantly associated with macular hole closure at the meta-analytical level. Various complications after ocriplasmin use were reported by frequency, including mainly vitreous floaters, photopsias, visual acuity decrease, ellipsoid zone changes, subretinal fluid development, enlargement of macular hole, anterior segment changes and electroretinogram alterations. It has to be noted that significant methodological weaknesses were identified, such as the absence of control groups or lack of transparency in the recruitment process and the examination procedure.
CONCLUSIONS: It is important to carefully select patients for ocriplasmin injection, taking into account the various predictive factors for VMT resolution. Patients should be informed about the potential adverse events of ocriplasmin, although they mainly seemed to be transient and usually mild/moderate in severity, suggesting that ocriplasmin is a safe and effective new treatment alternative for VMT and macular hole. However, due to the limited study quality, the uncertainty concerning the efficacy of this new approach is increased.

OBJECTIVE: To review the evidence on the cost-effectiveness of ocriplasmin as a treatment for vitreomacular traction (VMT), and to estimate the impact on the Spanish National Health System (NHS).
METHODS: 1) Systematic review. The following databases were searched in January 2015: MEDLINE, PREMEDLINE, EMBASE, CRD, the Cochrane Library, and key websites. Selection criteria were: full economic evaluations that compared ocriplasmin with usual care (\'watch and wait\' and/or vitrectomy) in patients with VMT. The outcomes to extract were costs of the alternatives and the incremental cost-effectiveness ratio. Studies of budget impact analysis were also included. The methodological quality was assessed, and a narrative synthesis of the included studies was carried out. 2) Estimation of budget impact. The impact on the budget as a result of the introduction of ocriplasmin in the NHS was estimated, including data from different sources.
RESULTS: Six studies were identified, none of them performed in Spain. The two best studies concluded that ocriplasmin is cost-effective in their respective countries (Canada and United Kingdom), but only in patients with certain conditions (without epiretinal membrane, for example). The results of the budget impact analysis are different between countries. The analysis for Spain showed that the introduction of ocriplasmin would mean a saving over 1 million Euros for the NHS in 5 years.
CONCLUSIONS: The cost-effectiveness of ocriplasmin has not been demonstrated in Spain. However, good studies performed in other countries found that ocriplasmin is cost-effective in selected patients. Given the current prices in Spain, ocriplasmin could involve a saving for the Spanish NHS.