Purpose: In the present study, the efficacy and safety of brolucizumab in refractory polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy (PCV) patients treated with aflibercept were investigated. Methods: The medical records of patients with refractory PCV treated with aflibercept were reviewed. All patients had subretinal fluid or intraretinal fluid followed by at least three consecutive injections of aflibercept on a 4–8-week dosing schedule before switching to brolucizumab. Changes in injection intervals, optical coherence tomography (OCT), and OCT angiography parameters including central macular thickness (CMT), subfoveal choroidal thickness (SFCT), polyp height, lesion area, flow density, and polyp regression rate were evaluated before and 6 months after switching to brolucizumab. Results: The study included 32 eyes of 32 patients with PCV who received brolucizumab injections as switch therapy and were followed at 6 months. After switching to brolucizumab, 53% of eyes had dry macula and the injection interval was extended from 5.4 ± 1.7 weeks to 10.8 ± 2.9 weeks. Best-corrected visual acuity remained stable over the 6 months (p = 0.166). CMT and SFCT were reduced at 6 months after switching to brolucizumab (p = 0.042 and p = 0.023, respectively). Polyp regression was complete in 12.5% and partial in 62.5% of eyes. The largest polyp height and lesion size significantly decreased (p = 0.035 and p = 0.010, respectively). However, significant difference was not found regarding flow density after switching to brolucizumab (p = 0.145). Intraocular inflammation-related adverse events were not reported. Conclusions Brolucizumab could provide additional benefits in refractory PCV treated with aflibercept by reducing leakage from polyps, branching vascular networks, and choroid.

Purpose: To evaluate the efficacy of switching to faricimab (VabysmoTM; Roche/Genentech) treatment for patients with neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD) that was resistant to other anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) therapies by assessing outcomes after 6 months. Methods: We conducted a retrospective chart review of 102 nAMD patients who were switched to faricimab due to suboptimal responses to prior anti-VEGF treatments. Patients who showed persistent fluid on optical coherence tomography despite prior anti-VEGF injections every 4 to 8 weeks were treated with faricimab. We assessed changes in best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), central subfield thickness (CST), subfoveal choroidal thickness, maximum pigment epithelial detachment (PED) height, and fluid status at baseline and 1, 3, and 6 months after switching to faricimab. Treatment intervals before and after switching were compared. Results: Six months after switching to faricimab, the mean BCVA improved (0.50 ± 0.12 logMAR to 0.45 ± 0.10 logMAR, p = 0.030), while the mean CST decreased from 353.3 ± 40.5 μm at baseline to 311.4 ± 35.4 μm (p = 0.012). The mean choroidal thickness did not significantly decrease after switching. The mean PED height decreased from 309.1 ± 32.1 μm at baseline to 279.1 ± 30.8 μm at 6 months (p = 0.040). The mean treatment interval extended from 5.7 ± 1.4 to 10.4 ± 1.8 weeks after switching (p = 0.001). Additionally, dry macula was achieved in 43.1% of patients, while 76.5% were classified as good responders, 6.5% as partial responders, and 17% reverted to other anti-VEGF treatments due to non-response. Conclusions Switching nAMD patients to faricimab for 6 months produced substantial improvements in visual acuity and anatomical outcomes, together with extended treatment intervals, reducing the injection burden. Faricimab could be an effective treatment option for nAMD, particularly for patients with inadequate responses to previous therapies.

Hemorrhagic cholecystitis (HC) is a rare form of cholecystitis that may be caused by the progression of either calculous or acalculous cholecystitis, which has been reported sporadically as case reports. Acalculous cholecystitis is often diagnosed late and can be fulminant. HC without gallstones also can have a poor prognosis and be linked to a high mortality rate. Therefore, early detection, hemodynamic monitoring, and prompt treatment are essential to treat bleeding in cholecystitis. We report a case of hemorrhagic acalculous cholecystitis discovered during the examination and point-of-care ultrasound in a patient with pyogenic spondylodiscitis. The patient was referred with a chief complaint of liver dysfunction without bleeding tendencies or risk factors. Ultrasound revealed focal gallbladder wall irregularity, intraluminal membranes, and non-shadowing non-layering intraluminal echoes. Extravascular contrast leakage was exhibited on the computed tomography scan. The patient underwent emergency percutaneous drainage and subsequent cholecystectomy before developing major complications.

Purpose: To compare efficacies of bupivacaine-lidocaine and ropivacaine-lidocaine mixtures in terms of inducing retrobulbar anesthesia during vitrectomy. Methods: Sixty patients who underwent retrobulbar anesthesia during vitrectomy were divided into two groups. Patients in group 1 received a mixture of bupivacaine and lidocaine (n = 30); patients in group 2 received a mixture of ropivacaine and lidocaine (n = 30). The effects of the two combinations were retrospectively compared and analyzed. The onset times of analgesia and akinesia were measured. Two hours after surgery, sensory blockade was assessed by touching the corneas with cotton swabs and by communicating with patients. Ocular movement was evaluated in four gaze direction quadrants. A 10-point visual analog pain scale was used to assess pain during and 2 hours after surgery. Intra- and postoperative complications were recorded. Results: The mean analgesia onset times in groups 1 and 2 were 94.62 ± 28.87 and 92.32 ± 35.53 seconds, respectively (p = 0.071); the mean akinesia onset times were 147.89 ± 59.35 and 132.57 ± 76.38 seconds (p = 0.223), respectively. Patients in group 2 reported significantly less postoperative pain and exhibited less postoperative ocular movement, compared with patients in group 1 (both p = 0.002). One patient in group 1 experienced respiratory depression after retrobulbar blockade. Conclusions When retrobulbar anesthesia is required during vitrectomy, a ropivacaine-lidocaine mixture and a bupivacaine-lidocaine mixture induce anesthesia with similar rapidity. However, the ropivacaine-lidocaine mixture is safer and affords better-quality intra- and postoperative anesthesia.

Purpose: To investigate the influence of the number of engorged vortex veins on treatment outcomes in eyes with treatment-naïve polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy (PCV) undergoing intravitreal aflibercept monotherapy. Methods: The medical charts of 65 patients with PCV who underwent intravitreal aflibercept injection were reviewed retrospectively. The number of quadrants of vortex vein engorgement was evaluated in the middle phase of ultra-widefield indocyanine green angiography, which was classified as extended engorgement if the dilated choroidal vessels expanded the macula. Associations between treatment outcomes with age, subfoveal choroidal thickness (SFCT), central retinal thickness, and vortex vein engorgement were investigated using univariate and multivariate analyses. Results: There were no significant differences in best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), SFCT, and central retinal thickness at baseline and 12 months, according to the number of vortex vein engorgement. However, an increase in the number of vortex vein engorgement extending to the macula was associated with a thick SFCT (p = 0.038), a greater number of injections (p = 0.041), low BCVA at 12 months (p = 0.038), and a less dry macula at 12 months (p = 0.026). In the multivariate analysis, the number of quadrants with vortex vein engorgement extending to the macula was significantly associated with BCVA changes at 12 months, total number of injections, and a dry macula at 12 months (p = 0.030, p = 0.030, p = 0.020, respectively). Conclusions More quadrants with vortex vein engorgement extending to the macula in PCV was associated with unfavorable visual outcomes, a less dry macula at 12 months, and a greater number of injections at 1 year after intravitreal aflibercept injection. Clinicians should keep in mind that vortex vein engorgement extending to the macula may be a new biomarker in predicting treatment outcomes in PCV.

This report provides a detailed description of the methodology for ophthalmic examinations according to the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES) VII and VIII (from 2017 to 2021). The KNHANES is a nationwide survey which has been performed since 1998 in representatives of whole Korean population. During the KNHANES VII and VIII, in addition to the ophthalmic questionnaire, intraocular pressure measurement, visual field test, auto refractometry, axial length and optical coherence tomography measurements were included. This new survey will provide not only provide normative and pathologic ophthalmic data including intraocular pressure, refractive error, axial length, visual field and precise measurement of anterior segment, macula and optic nerve with optical coherence tomography, but also a more accurate diagnosis for major adult blindness diseases, including age-related macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma, and other ocular diseases, for the national Korean population.

This report provides a detailed description of the methodology for ophthalmic examinations according to the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES) VII and VIII (from 2017 to 2021). The KNHANES is a nationwide survey which has been performed since 1998 in representatives of whole Korean population. During the KNHANES VII and VIII, in addition to the ophthalmic questionnaire, intraocular pressure measurement, visual field test, auto refractometry, axial length and optical coherence tomography measurements were included. This new survey will provide not only provide normative and pathologic ophthalmic data including intraocular pressure, refractive error, axial length, visual field and precise measurement of anterior segment, macula and optic nerve with optical coherence tomography, but also a more accurate diagnosis for major adult blindness diseases, including age-related macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma, and other ocular diseases, for the national Korean population.

Purpose: To evaluate the one-year efficacy of intravitreal aflibercept injection in polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy (PCV) with best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) of 20 / 40 or better. Methods: This was a multicenter retrospective study. The medical records of patients diagnosed with treatment-naïve PCV were retrospectively reviewed. Patients with an initial BCVA of 20 / 40 or better and who had undergone intravitreal aflibercept injection were included. Patients were treated with three consecutive monthly injections, followed by pro re nata regimen according to the clinician’s discretion at variable interval visits. The proportions of eyes for which BCVA was maintained (≤ 0.2 logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution change) or improved at 12 months were evaluated. The changes of BCVA, central subfield macular thickness (CSMT), pigment epithelial detachment, and subretinal fluid also were assessed. Results: A total of 86 eyes were included. The mean number of injections for 12 months of treatment was 5.4 ± 1.7. BCVA was maintained or improved in 94.2% (81 / 86) of cases. Mean BCVA (logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution) had changed from the baseline (0.23 ± 0.09) at 3 months (0.21 ± 0.14), 6 months (0.24 ± 0.22), and 12 months (0.20 ± 0.18), but with no statistical significance. CSMT had improved significantly from the baseline (336.1 ± 97.3 μm) at 3 months (223.6 ± 47.22 μm), 6 months (239.6 ± 64.2 μm), and 12 months (223.8 ± 47.9 μm). Pigment epithelial detachment was observed in 93% of cases at the baseline, 72.1% at 3 months, and 69.8% at 12 months, showing a significant decrease at all observation points. Subretinal fluid was observed in 91.9% of cases at the baseline, 20.9% at 3 months, and 29.1% at 12 months, showing a significant decrease at all observation points. Conclusions In cases of PCV with good visual acuity, intravitreal aflibercept injections decreased CSMT and were effective in maintaining visual acuity.

PURPOSE: To compare the efficacy of intravitreal dexamethasone implants according to previous response to bevacizumab treatment in patients with diabetic macular edema (DME).METHODS: Forty-nine eyes of 49 patients who received intravitreal dexamethasone implants for DME were reviewed retrospectively. Of these patients, 13 were treatment-naïve and 36 had previously received intravitreal injections of bevacizumab. Of the 36 previously treated patients, 24 comprised a refractory group showing no response to previous injections, and 12 comprised a responder group showing a response to previous treatments. The best-corrected visual acuity, central macular thickness (CMT), and retreatment percentages were assessed monthly for 6 months.RESULTS: After the intravitreal dexamethasone implants, visual acuity improved significantly over 6 months in the treatment-naïve group, while in the responder group, a significant improvement in visual acuity was seen at the 2-month follow-up. In the refractory group, there was no significant improvement in visual acuity during the follow-up period. The CMT showed a significant decrease in all three groups, and there was no significant difference in the CMT among the three groups at any time point. Five patients in the treatment-naive group (38.5%), 19 patients in the refractory group (79.2%), and nine patients in the responder group (75.0%) needed retreatment for recurrent macular edema, and there was a significant difference among the three groups in the rate of recurrence (p = 0.034).CONCLUSIONS: In DME patients, intravitreal dexamethasone implants were associated with a significant anatomical improvement irrespective of previous bevacizumab treatment response. However, the treatment-naïve and responder groups showed improvements in visual acuity, whereas the refractory group showed limited improvement.
Bevacizumab ; Dexamethasone ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Intravitreal Injections ; Macular Edema ; Recurrence ; Retreatment ; Retrospective Studies ; Visual Acuity