Using adaptive optics to assess hyporeflective clump speed and size in age-related macular degeneration in the PINNACLE Study. (PINNACLE Study Report 6).

Background/objectives: Hyporeflective clumps (HRC) are a common finding in adaptive optics ophthalmoscopy (AOO) of age-related macular degeneration (AMD). They appear on optical coherence tomography (OCT) as hyperreflective foci (HRF) or abutting the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) layer as RPE thickening. The cellular origin of HRF is debated between migrated RPE cells and mononuclear phagocytes (MP).

IDF diabetes Atlas: A worldwide review of studies utilizing retinal photography to screen for diabetic retinopathy from 2017 to 2024 inclusive.

Aims: This study aimed to report the global prevalence of diabetic retinopathy (DR) based on retinal imaging, using English-language articles published from 2017 to June 2024.

Methods: Three databases-Cochrane Library, Embase via OVID, and Medline via OVID-were searched using subject headings and keywords. An independent librarian conducted the initial search and developed the strategy.

Intravitreal aflibercept for macular edema due to central retinal vein occlusion: 5-year results of a real-world study (INTRAMED-CRVO).

Purpose: To report the 5-year outcomes of intravitreal aflibercept in patients with macular edema due to central retinal vein occlusion(CRVO).

Methods: Participants in this study were 51 treatment naïve patients with macular edema due to CRVO, who received intravitreal aflibercept 2.0mg using a treat-and-extend regimen after a loading dose of three-monthly injections.

Assessment of arterial stiffness in patients with diabetic retinopathy: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is a common microvascular complication of diabetes mellitus (DM). A number of studies have investigated if patients with diabetic retinopathy present altered arterial stiffness compared to diabetic individuals without retinopathy.

Objectives: To compare arterial stiffness parameters in participants with diabetic retinopathy (DR) compared to participants with diabetes without retinopathy.

Cryoballoon Pulmonary Vein Isolation in Obese Patients with Atrial Fibrillation Compared to Non-Obese Counterparts: A Meta-Analysis.

Obesity is an important risk factor for atrial fibrillation (AF) development. Data on cryoballoon ablation (CBA) outcomes in obese patients have so far been scarce. We reviewed the existing literature to compare the efficacy and safety of CBA in obese versus non-obese AF patients.

Factors associated with achieving various visual acuity outcomes during loading doses of aflibercept 2 mg for treatment naïve exudative age-related macular degeneration: PRECISE Study Report 7.

Purpose: To identify demographic and baseline OCT characteristics that are predictive of VA outcomes after the first and post-loading injections in patients treated with 2 mg aflibercept.

Methods: This study evaluated VA outcomes in 1999 eyes of 1862 patients with nAMD initiated on aflibercept therapy. Demographic and OCT (Spectralis, Heidelberg Engineering) features associated with good VA outcome defined as VA ≥ 68 ETDRS letters (Snellen ≥  6/12) and poor VA outcome of <54 ETDRS letters (Snellen < 6/18) or a loss of ≥5 ETDRS letters after first and post-loading injections were analysed using logistic regression via generalised estimating equations.

The Neutrophil to Lymphocyte Ratio and Other Full Blood Count Indices in Retinal Diseases: A Systematic Review of the Literature.

The neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and other full blood count indices have been used as a marker of inflammation in a variety of diseases. The aim of the current review is to summarize the existing knowledge on the use of these indices in retinal diseases. A systematic review of the literature was conducted to find eligible articles.

Vitreoretinal Interface Abnormalities in Patients With Retinal Vein Occlusion in a Tertiary Referral Center.

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to investigate the prevalence of vitreoretinal interface (VRI) disorders in patients with retinal vein occlusion (RVO) and to evaluate the impact of VRI abnormalities on the treatment outcomes of macular edema secondary to RVO using intravitreal aflibercept.

Methods: Participants in this prospective study were consecutive patients with macular edema secondary to RVO, who received intravitreal aflibercept injections. At baseline, best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) was assessed, and spectral domain-optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) was performed to measure central subfield thickness (CST) and to evaluate the presence of VRI disorders, namely, vitreoretinal adhesion (VMA), vitreoretinal traction (VMT), epiretinal membrane (ERM), lamellar macular hole (LMH), and full-thickness macular hole (FTMH).

, and Gene Polymorphisms and Risk of Retinal Vein Occlusion: A Case-Control Study.

Numerous studies have tried to evaluate the potential role of thrombophilia-related genes in retinal vein occlusion (RVO); however, there is limited research on genes related to different pathophysiological mechanisms involved in RVO. In view of the strong contribution of oxidative stress and inflammation to the pathogenesis of RVO, the purpose of the present study was to investigate the association of inflammation- and oxidative-stress-related polymorphisms from three different genes [] and the risk of RVO in a Greek population. Participants in this case-control study were 50 RVO patients (RVO group) and 50 healthy volunteers (control group).

Subfoveal choroidal thickness changes in patients with pseudoexfoliation syndrome (PEX) compared to healthy controls: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Purpose: To investigate changes in choroidal thickness in patients diagnosed with pseudoexfoliation syndrome (PEX) compared to healthy controls, using optical coherence tomography (OCT).

Methods: PubMed and Scopus databases were systematically searched for published articles comparing choroidal thickness between patients with PEX and healthy controls. Standardized Mean Difference (SMD) with 95 % confidence interval (CI) was computed to compare continuous variables.

Subretinal transient hyporeflectivity in neovascular age-related macular degeneration and its response to a loading phase of aflibercept: PRECISE report 4.

Purpose: To describe the prevalence of subretinal transient hyporeflectivity (STHR) in exudative neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD) and its response to a loading phase of aflibercept.

Methods: Optical coherence tomography (OCT) scans of treatment-naïve nAMD patients captured at baseline and after a loading phase of aflibercept were graded for presence of STHR, defined as a small, well-defined, round, subretinal, hyporeflective area, delimited between the ellipsoid zone (EZ) and the retinal pigmented epithelium/Bruch membrane complex. OCT parameters recorded were macular neovascularisation (MNV) subtypes, location of retinal fluids (subretinal fluid, SRF and intraretinal fluid, IRF), central retinal and choroidal thickness.

Changes in foveal avascular zone parameters in individuals with prediabetes compared to normoglycemic controls: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

To investigate changes in foveal avascular zone parameters in individuals with prediabetes compared to normoglycemic controls. PUBMED, Scopus and Cochrane Library were searched for published articles comparing the foveal avascular zone between prediabetic individuals and normoglycemic controls as assessed by optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA). Standardised Mean Difference (SMD) with 95% confidence interval (CI) was computed for the comparison.

Retinal Nerve Fiber Layer Changes in Patients With Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Compared to Healthy Controls: A Meta-analysis.

Background And Objective: This study investigated changes in retinal nerve fiber layers (RNFL) in patients diagnosed with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) compared to healthy control patients, using optical coherence tomography.

Methods: PubMed, Cochrane Library, and Google Scholar databases were systematically searched for published articles comparing RNFL between patients with COPD and healthy controls. Standardized mean difference (SMD) with 95% confidence interval (CI) was computed to compare continuous variables.

Optical Coherence Tomography Angiography as a Diagnostic Tool for Diabetic Retinopathy.

Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is the most common microvascular complication of diabetes mellitus, leading to visual impairment if left untreated. This review discusses the use of optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) as a diagnostic tool for the early detection and management of DR. OCTA is a fast, non-invasive, non-contact test that enables the detailed visualisation of the macular microvasculature in different plexuses.

Optical Coherence Tomography Angiography Changes in Macular Area in Patients with Proliferative Diabetic Retinopathy Treated with Panretinal Photocoagulation.

Background: The purpose of this study was to investigate the changes in macular microvasculature using optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) in association with functional changes in patients with proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR) treated with panretinal photocoagulation (PRP) with a follow up of 12 months.

Methods: The participants in this study were 28 patients with PDR and no macular oedema, who were eligible for PRP. All participants underwent best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) measurement, optical coherence tomography (OCT), and OCT angiography (OCTA) at baseline (before treatment) and at months 1, 6, and 12 after the completion of PRP treatment.

Microvascular changes after pars plana vitrectomy for rhegmatogenous retinal detachment repair: A comparative study based on gas tamponade agent.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of gas tamponade on microvascular changes in patients with rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD), who underwent pars plana vitrectomy (PPV), using optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA).

Methods: Participants in this study were 48 patients with RRD, who were treated with PPV and gas tamponade without internal limiting membrane peeling. All participants underwent slit-lamp examination, fundoscopy, spectral domain-optical coherence tomography and optical coherence tomography angiography at month 6 postoperatively.

Association of , and Gene Polymorphisms with Treatment Response to Intravitreal Anti-VEGF Treatment in Patients with Retinal Vein Occlusion.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine whether specific genetic polymorphisms affect the response to intravitreal anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF) treatment in patients with macular oedema secondary to retinal vein occlusion (RVO).

Methods: Participants in this prospective study were 50 patients with macular oedema secondary to RVO, who were treated with intravitreal ranibizumab or aflibercept, and were followed-up for 12 months after initiation of treatment. Five single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) from three different genes (, , ) were examined as potential predictors for treatment response to intravitreal anti-VEGF agents.

Prevalence and risk factors of dry eye disease in patients treated with aromatase inhibitors for breast cancer.

Clinical Relevance: Treatment with aromatase inhibitors (AIs) in patients with breast cancer can lead to dry eye disease (DED).

Background: The purpose of the study is to determine the prevalence and risk factors of DED in patients treated with AIs for breast cancer.

Methods: Participants in this cross-sectional study were patients with breast cancer treated with AIs.

Aflibercept for Diabetic Macular Edema in Real-Life Practice in GREece: Three-Year Outcomes of the ADMIRE Study.

Purpose: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of intravitreal aflibercept injections for diabetic macular edema (DME) treatment in a tertiary referral center in Greece.

Methods: ADMIRE was a prospective, observational cohort study of patients with DME. Efficacy was assessed by change in best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and central subfield thickness (CST) from baseline to month 36 after treatment with intravitreal aflibercept in treatment-naive patients and previously treated patients.

Vision-Related Quality of Life in Patients With Rhegmatogenous Retinal Detachment Treated With Pars-Plana Vitrectomy: Impact of Gas Tamponade.

Purpose: To investigate changes in vision-related quality of life in patients treated with pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) for rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD) and compare groups according to the type of gas tamponade used.

Methods: Participants in this study were 48 patients with RRD who were treated with PPV and gas tamponade (sulfur hexafluoride (SF) or perfluoropropane (CF)) without internal limiting membrane peeling. All participants underwent slit-lamp examination, fundoscopy, axial-length measurement, and completed the Vision Function Questionnaire-25 (VFQ-25) at month six postoperatively.

Lipoprotein(a) is associated with premature coronary artery disease: a meta-analysis.

Background: Lipoprotein(a) is associated with adverse cardiovascular outcomes and its association with premature coronary artery disease (pCAD) is underexamined. The primary aim of the study is to compare serum lipoprotein(a) levels between pCAD cases and controls.

Methods: We conducted a systematic review and the MEDLINE database, ClinicalTrials.

Left atrial appendage morphofunctional indices could be predictive of arrhythmia recurrence post-atrial fibrillation ablation: a meta-analysis.

Background: Left atrium changes are implicated in atrial fibrillation (AF) substrate and are predictive of AF outcomes. Left atrial appendage (LAA) is an integral component of left atrial structure and could be affected by atrial cardiomyopathy. We aimed to elucidate the association between LAA indices and late arrhythmia recurrence after atrial fibrillation catheter ablation (AFCA).

Retinal microvascular changes in patients recovered from COVID-19 compared to healthy controls: A meta-analysis.

Purpose: To investigate changes in retinal microcirculation in patients recovered from COVID-19 infection compared to healthy controls, using optical coherence tomography-angiography.

Methods: Meta-analysis of eligible studies comparing retinal microcirculation between patients recovered from COVID-19 infection and healthy controls up to 7th of September 2022 was performed, according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses 2009 guidelines. The following search algorithm was used: (COVID-19 OR coronavirus) AND (retina OR optical coherence tomography OR optical coherence tomography angiography OR vessel density OR foveal avascular zone).

Correlation Between Imaging Morphological Findings and Laboratory Biomarkers in Patients with Retinal Vein Occlusion.

Introduction: The aim of this study was to investigate the possible correlation between peripheral blood biomarkers and morphological characteristics of retinal imaging in patients with retinal vein occlusion (RVO).

Methods: Participants in this cross-sectional observational study were 65 consecutive patients (65 eyes) with treatment-naïve RVO, who underwent spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) and fundus fluorescein angiography (FFA). In addition, peripheral blood samples were taken to evaluate full blood count and biochemical parameters.

Choroidal thickness in patients with systemic arterial hypertension: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: The global burden of hypertension is constantly increasing with adverse cardiovascular and ocular sequelae. The association between elevated blood pressure and choroidal thickness (CT), as assessed via optical coherence tomography (OCT), is poorly understood.

Objectives And Design: Studies including hypertensive adults and normotensive controls undergoing OCT were evaluated for inclusion in this meta-analysis.