Semi-Automated Live Tracking of Microglial Activation in CX3CR1GFP Mice During Experimental Autoimmune Encephalomyelitis by Confocal Scanning Laser Ophthalmoscopy

Confocal scanning laser ophthalmoscopy (cSLO) is a non-invasive technique for real-time imaging of the retina. We developed a step-by-step protocol for the semi-automatic evaluation of myeloid cells in cSLO images from CX3CR1GFP mice, expressing green fluorescent protein (GFP) under control of the endogenous CX3C chemokine receptor 1 locus. We identified cSLO parameters allowing us to distinguish animals with experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) from sham-treated/naïve animals. Especially cell count (CC) and the total microglial area (SuA) turned out to be reliable parameters. Comparing the cSLO results with clinical parameters, we found significant correlations between the clinical EAE score and the SuA and of the inner retinal layer thickness, measured by optical coherence tomography, with the CC as well as the SuA. As a final step, we performed immunohistochemistry to confirm that the GFP-expressing cells visualized by the cSLO are Iba1 positive and validated the step-by-step protocol against manual counting. We present a semi-automatic step-by-step protocol with a balance between fast data evaluation and adequate accuracy, which is optimized by the option to manually adapt the contrast threshold. This protocol may be useful for numerous research questions on the role of microglial polarization in models of inflammatory and degenerating CNS diseases involving the retina.

Multimodal Imaging of West African Crystalline Maculopathy in an Igbo Man

Purpose: This report describes a case of West African crystalline maculopathy. Methods: A case report is presented. Results: A 71-year-old Nigerian man was referred for evaluation of bilateral crystalline retinal deposits seen on routine examination. The patient had no acute visual symptoms and no significant ocular history except for cataract extraction and intraocular lens implantation in both eyes. Dilated fundocscopic examination was notable for bilateral greenish-yellow, foveocentric intraretinal crystalline deposits, which were visible on color fundus photography, multicolor confocal scanning laser ophthalmoscopy, and spectral-domain optical coherance tomography. The crystalline deposits were not associated with abnormal short-wavelength autofluorescence or fluorescein angiography findings. Conclusions: A diagnosis of West African crystalline maculopathy was made after other causes of crystalline maculopathy were excluded.

Multimodal imaging in a case of best vitelliform macular dystrophy

We describe a case of Best Vitelliform Macular Dystrophy using the Mirante device by Nidek, a multi-modal confocal scanning laser ophthalmoscopy (SLO) system equipped with Retro Mode Illumination, a relatively new retinal imaging modality.

Changes on Confocal Scanning Laser Ophthalmoscopy with the Heidelberg Retinal Tomography after a Cardiac Catheterism in a Patient with Progressive Glaucoma

Purpose: We present a case of a patient with progressive open angle glaucoma who presented changes suggestive of improvement in the Heidelberg retinal tomography 3 (HRT3) analysis after a cardiac catheterization. Observation: A 69-year-old woman presented with progressive open angle glaucoma despite maximum tolerable antiglaucomatous topical treatment. A filtering surgery (trabeculectomy) was performed and successfully achieved intraocular pressure (IOP) levels of 10 mm Hg on average. Despite this, changes were evidenced in the HRT3 protocols (trend analysis and topographic change analysis) suggesting marked progression. Brimonidine 0.2% twice a day was initiated, and a cardiovascular examination was requested. A cardiac catheterism was performed in the following weeks, and afterward, all structural parameters improved until the last control. Medication was not discontinued, and no signs of apparent progression on the HRT3 parameters have been evidenced up until the time of writing this case report. Conclusions and Importance: There was a marked improvement in the HRT3 parameters (trend and topographic change analysis), suggesting that the progression stopped after a cardiac catheterism in a patient with progressive glaucoma despite having the IOP controlled. To our knowledge, this is the first case of a patient with progressive glaucoma that was medically and surgically managed, and despite achieving low IOP levels, the progression detected by the HRT3 analysis could not be stopped until a cardiac catheterization was performed.