UNASSIGNED: To describe the prevalence, risk factors, and associations of vitreoretinal interface (VRI) abnormalities in a population-based study of older adults.
UNASSIGNED: Cross-sectional analysis of cohort study participants.
UNASSIGNED: Of the 1149 participants (mean age, 76.1 ± 6.9 years) in the 15-year Blue Mountains Eye Study follow-up examination from 2007 through 2009, 905 (1791 eyes) had gradable time-domain or spectral-domain OCT scans of the macula from at least 1 eye.
UNASSIGNED: OCT scans were graded according to the International Vitreomacular Traction Study Group classification system of VRI abnormalities. Best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) was recorded.
UNASSIGNED: Prevalence of VRIs.
UNASSIGNED: Overall, 451 participants showed any VRI abnormality (49.8%). Prevalence of VRI abnormality by person was: vitreomacular adhesion (VMA), 33.6%; vitreomacular traction (VMT), 1.6%; epiretinal membrane (ERM), 21.4%; full-thickness macular hole (FTMH), 0.7%; and lamellar macular hole (LMH), 0.7%. Twenty-two percent of VMAs were focal, and 78% were broad based; 76% of VMTs were focal, and 24% were broad based. All FTMHs observed were large (>400 μm), with mean aperture size of 573 μm (range, 459-771 μm). Increased age was associated with higher ERM and lower VMA prevalence (P < 0.001 for both). Pseudophakia and myopia were associated with ERM (age- and sex-adjusted odds ratios [ORs], 1.48 [95% confidence interval (CI), 1.01-2.17] and 1.72 [95% CI, 1.05-2.81], respectively). Moderate or severe ERM and FTMH were associated with worse BCVA of 9.2 Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study (ETDRS) letters (95% CI, 3.4-15.0 ETDRS letters; P = 0.008) and 26.0 ETDRS letters (95% CI, 10.9-41.1 ETDRS letters; P = 0.001), respectively.
UNASSIGNED: The prevalence of VRI abnormalities is high in older individuals. Epiretinal membrane was associated with increasing age, pseudophakia, and myopia. Epiretinal membrane and FTMH may account for significant visual loss in the affected eye. This study provided useful population-based data on the prevalence of VRI abnormalities in older individuals.

UNASSIGNED: To assess generalized (GD) and focal ellipsoid zone disruption (FD) in patients with symptomatic vitreomacular adhesion (sVMA) using spectral domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) following ocriplasmin.
UNASSIGNED: OZONE was a Phase 4, retrospective study of patients with sVMA treated with a single intravitreal injection of ocriplasmin (0.125 mg). Data from adult patients with at least 6-month follow-up after ocriplasmin were included. SD-OCT was performed at baseline (within 30 days before ocriplasmin), before Day 21 post-injection (early observation, EO), and by last observation (LO) which was maximally 6 months post-injection. The main outcome measure was the development of new and the evolution of existing FD/GD at EO and LO.
UNASSIGNED: The study enrolled 134 eyes/patients from 22 sites in the USA. At baseline, 87 eyes (64.9%) had FD, 21 eyes (15.7%) had GD and 26 eyes (19.4%) had no FD/GD. Among the eyes without FD/GD at baseline, 13 (50%) and 8 (30.8%) developed FD or GD, respectively, by EO. By LO, FD/GD improvement or resolution was seen in >80% of these eyes. Among the eyes with FD/GD at baseline, <40% had improving/resolving EZ integrity at LO. The absence of FD/GD at baseline was associated with less persistent FD/GD at LO (P<0.0005). The presence of FD with MH at baseline was associated with persistent FD at LO (P=0.027).
UNASSIGNED: The fact that a large majority of eyes had FD/GD prior to ocriplasmin was unexpected and demonstrates that EZ disruptions are common in sVMA. This suggests that loss of EZ integrity may be part of the natural history of this disorder. It is hypothesized that the status of the EZ at baseline is a contributing, ocriplasmin independent modulator of subsequent EZ changes after ocriplasmin. Prospective analyses which include a sham control group would be required to test this hypothesis.

OBJECTIVE: To document with spectral-domain optical coherence tomography the structural stabilization of the fovea and the sealing of outer macular defects by Müller cells.
METHODS: A retrospective case series of 45 eyes of 34 patients is described.
RESULTS: In cases of a cystic disruption of the foveola as in macular telangiectasia type 2 and vitreomacular traction, the Müller cell cone provides the structural stability of the fovea. In cases of a detachment or disruption of the Müller cell cone, e.g., in foveal pseudocysts, outer lamellar holes, and degenerative and tractional lamellar holes, Müller cells of the foveal walls may provide the structural stability of the fovea by the formation of a hyperreflective external limiting membrane (ELM) which bridges the holes in the central outer nuclear layer (ONL). Müller cells of the foveal walls and parafovea mediate the regeneration of the foveal architecture in cases of outer lamellar and full-thickness macular holes. The regeneration proceeds by a centripetal displacement of photoreceptor cell somata which closes the holes in the central ONL. The closure may be supported by the formation of a glial tissue band at the ELM which seals the hole.
CONCLUSIONS: The Müller cell cone provides the foveal stability in cases of a cystic disruption of the foveola. The structural stability of the outer foveal layers is mainly provided by the Müller cells of the foveal walls and parafovea; these cells also mediate the regeneration of the outer fovea in cases of a defect of the central ONL.

BACKGROUND: Visual outcome of eyes has often been found to be unsatisfactory even after successful closure of a macular hole, owing to factors like persistent metamorphopsia, scotoma, and reduced sensitivity. Therefore, it becomes critical to evaluate and study the probability and risk of developing a macular hole in the fellow eyes of the patient. This study analyzed the multifocal electroretinographic responses to help predict the risk of macular hole development in fellow eyes.
METHODS: In total 26 fellow eyes, 26 eyes with macular hole, and 50 eyes of 25 controls were enrolled prospectively. The retinal responses from the different rings were compared in the three groups. Optical coherence tomography was done to rule out macular pathology or vitreomacular traction in the fellow eyes.
RESULTS: All the fellow eyes under observation showed significantly reduced mean amplitudes of retinal response densities, in all rings as compared with controls (31.45 ± 10.38 versus 48.87 ± 7.55, p = 0.00). Three of the fellow eyes developed a macular hole during the 24 months observation period. The prevalence of fellow eye involvement was 11.5%. Relative risk of developing macular hole in the fellow eye ranged from 25 to 75.
CONCLUSIONS: All the fellow eyes, including those that did not develop a macular hole, showed significantly reduced responses on multifocal electroretinogram. This indicates that macular hole may not be a focal disease. It may have widespread functional deficit which is bilateral in nature and suggestive of a degenerative or ischemic insult.

UNASSIGNED: To study vitreoretinal interface (VRI) abnormalities in diabetic macular edema (DME) and the influence of these on the effectiveness of intravitreal anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) therapy.
UNASSIGNED: VRI status and central retinal thickness (CRT) were evaluated using line and 3D-reference scans obtained using spectral domain-optical coherence tomography RTVue-100 before and 1 month after intravitreal anti-VEGF injection (IVI). VRI status was categorized into five subgroups: normal VRI, retinal surface wrinkling associated with the eccentric epiretinal membrane (ERM), ERM involving the macular center, vitreomacular adhesion (VMA), and vitreomacular traction (VMT).
UNASSIGNED: A total of 105 eyes of 89 patients were included in the study. One month after IVI, the mean change of CRT in normal VRI eyes and eyes with VRI abnormalities was -128.0±144.7 µm and -53.0±96.4 µm (p<0.05), respectively. The mean change of CRT 1 month after IVI in each subgroup with VRI abnormalities, apart from the subgroup with retinal wrinkling associated with eccentric ERM, was statistically significantly lower compared to the eyes with normal VRI (p<0.05).
UNASSIGNED: VRI abnormalities significantly reduce the effectiveness of intravitreal anti-VEGF therapy in eyes with DME. Eyes with noticeable changes of VRI, including ERM involving the macular center, VMA, and VMT have a poorer response to anti-VEGF therapy compared to eyes with normal VRI or eccentric ERM.

OBJECTIVE: To study the early changes of vitreomacular microstructure by optical coherence tomography (OCT) after intravitreal gas injection for the treatment of idiopathic impending or early full-thickness macular hole (FTMH).
METHODS: A retrospective, interventional case series.
RESULTS: A total of 21 eyes were included. In the impending macular hole, 8/8 achieved vitreomacular traction (VMT) release, while a macular hole developed in 1 case. On postoperative day 1, the vitreomacular configuration by OCT showed either a flattening (n = 3) or elevation (n = 1) pattern. In early FTMH, vitreomacular separation was achieved in 10/13 cases, but macular hole closure was only observed in 3 cases. On postoperative day 1, only flattening of the vitreomacular configuration was observed (n = 5). Enlargement of the macular hole was found in 4 cases.
CONCLUSIONS: VMT separation can be achieved with intravitreal gas injection by mechanically stretching the posterior vitreous cortex, causing either flattening or steepening of the vitreomacular configuration. However, it did not always result in macular hole closure.

OBJECTIVE: To assess how vitreomacular adhesion (VMA), vitreomacular traction (VMT), and macular holes (MH) evolve, and to assess visual acuity outcomes associated with different management strategies for each subgroup.
METHODS: Retrospective, single-center, observational study of 400 patients (556 eyes) who presented with optical coherence tomography (OCT) findings related to tractional diseases of the vitreomacular interface (187 with bilateral disease). The outcomes measured include prevalence of symptoms, rates of disease stabilization, spontaneous resolution, and disease progression necessitating surgical intervention. Size of VMA/VMT was not measured.
RESULTS: Vision loss and metamorphopsia were the leading causes for referral. Patients were followed for a mean of 10.9 months (median 6.9 months). Spontaneous resolution occurred in 22.7 % (46/203) of eyes with VMT and in 7.3 % (9/124) of eyes with VMA (P < .001). In the former group, 34.1 % (14 eyes) showed improved visual acuity (P = .001). During follow-up, 11.3 % (14/124) of eyes with VMA showed disease progression; six (4.8 %) developed a macular hole. Eleven of the 203 eyes with VMT (5.4 %) developed a macular hole; 52 of 203 eyes with VMT (25.6 %) had disease progression that resulted in patients opting for pars plana vitrectomy (PPV). Of the eyes with VMA, 4.8 % (6/124) had disease progression resulting in patients opting for PPV.
CONCLUSIONS: Better visual acuity outcomes were found in eyes with spontaneous resolution compared to the other groups. Spontaneous resolution of VMT and VMA was rare, whereas disease progression resulting in PPV was more common.

BACKGROUND: Ocriplasmin is a human plasmin fragment indicated for vitreomacular traction treatment. With its increasing use, several reported cases have suggested possible toxicity to the retina.
METHODS: We describe a case of a 55-year-old woman with symptomatic vitreomacular traction and a macular hole in the right eye who showed an acute decrease in visual acuity after an intravitreal ocriplasmin injection. Spectral-domain optical coherence tomography showed an alteration in the ellipsoid layer. Significant retinal vessel constriction was observed by angiography. The visual acuity improved to 20/100, and the electroretinogram progressively improved after the 1-year follow-up and following pars plana vitrectomy.
CONCLUSIONS: A decrease in visual acuity and an enlargement of the macular hole were observed while studying this patient. This study shows the recovery of adverse effects caused by intravitreal injection of ocriplasmin for 1-year follow-up.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate prospectively the anatomical and functional results after ocriplasmin injection in patients with vitreomacular traction (VMT), or macular hole (MH) combined with VMT, providing the real-life experience of three centers, using spectral domain-optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT).
METHODS: Twenty-four patients with VMT (17 with VMT alone and 7 with an MH combined with VMT) were treated with a single ocriplasmin injection and followed-up prospectively at baseline, day 1, 7, 28 and the last examination of the follow-up for each patient (range: 30-127 days). Best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and SD-OCT were performed for patient assessment, while various adverse events were recorded and analysed. At baseline, univariate analysis was also performed to examine the potential predictive factors for VMT release.
RESULTS: 66.7 % of patients presented VMT release at the end of the follow-up, while 28.6 % exhibited MH closure. Baseline positive predictive factors for VMT release were young age, being female, phakic lens status, increased vitreofoveal angle, V-shaped and loose vitreomacular adhesion, small adhesion area, thin vitreous strands at the adhesion site and absence of an epiretinal membrane. Four new cases of ellipsoid line changes and subretinal fluid development became evident at day 7 compared to baseline. Lamellar macular hole (LMH) in four cases was first noticed at day 28 post injection. Formation of cystoid macular edema (CME) was noticed in three new cases at day 28 compared to baseline.
CONCLUSIONS: Our study demonstrated a VMT release rate of 66.7 %. Apart from the known baseline factors that influence VMT release after ocriplasmin injection, the size of the vitreofoveal angle, a V-shaped and loose vitreomacular adhesion, a small adhesion area, and thin vitreous strands at the adhesion site, could additionally affect the outcome of VMT release. In addition, we studied when VMT release and concomitant events occur and for how long the induced complications lasted.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate success with intravitreal injection of ocriplasmin in releasing symptomatic vitreomacular traction (VMT).
METHODS: A retrospective review of consecutive series of patients in a single vitreoretinal practice. Patients with symptomatic distortion and loss of vision secondary to VMT were included in the study. Patients received a single injection of ocriplasmin (JETREA®) and were followed-up after 1 month with optical coherence tomography.
RESULTS: Eight patients (8 eyes) were included (2 males and 6 females) in the study. Five of 8 eyes (62.5%) experienced complete release of the VMT; one of 8 eyes (12.5%) had partial release of VMT and two of 8 eyes (25%) did not have release of VMT. The two patients with no release of their VMT had the same vision. Of the 5 patients with complete release of VMT, 3 patients had a one line worsening of their vision, 1 had a 4 line improvement of vision, and 1 stayed the same. The patient with only partial release of their VMT had a 1 line worsening of vision.
CONCLUSIONS: Intravitreal ocriplasmin is a promising treatment option for vitreomacular traction syndrome in symptomatic patients.