Choroidal Effusion Mimicking Uveal Melanoma: A Novel Presentation of Idiopathic Systemic Capillary Leak Syndrome

<b><i>Background:</i></b> Idiopathic systemic capillary leak syndrome (ISCLS, also known as Clarkson’s disease) is a rare medical condition characterized by episodes of capillary endothelial cell dysfunction with leakage of fluid into the interstitial space resulting in severe hypotension, hemoconcentration, hypoalbuminemia, and generalized edema. Each episode can result in multiorgan failure due to systemic hypoperfusion. <b><i>Case Presentation:</i></b> We report a case of uveal effusion, mimicking uveal melanoma, associated with ISCLS following viral infection. A 74-year-old white male was evaluated in our ocular tumor clinic for a large intraocular mass in the right eye concerning for choroidal melanoma. We completed a review of the literature and list clinical recommendations for these cases. ISCLS, although rare, was a significant diagnostic consideration in this patient. Due to the high mortality rate of this condition, accurate diagnosis and prompt treatment was critical. We hypothesize that the mechanism of choroidal effusion development was due to reduced oncotic pressure from rapid decrease in serum albumin. Increased permeability of choroidal capillaries may be an additional mechanism leading to uveal effusion. <b><i>Conclusion:</i></b> With treatment, the patient had complete resolution of his choroidal effusion with no recurrence of his ISCLS. Further research should be considered on the role of viral infections in the pathogenesis of ISCLS.

Foveal structure and visual function in nanophthalmos and posterior microphthalmos

Background/aimsThe reason for visual impairment in patients with nanophthalmos and posterior microphthalmos is not completely understood. Therefore, this study aims to investigate foveal structure, and the impact of demographic, clinical and imaging parameters on best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) in these conditions.MethodsSixty-two eyes of 33 patients with nanophthalmos (n=40) or posterior microphthalmos (n=22), and 114 eyes of healthy controls with high-resolution retinal imaging including spectral-domain or swept-source optical coherence tomography images were included in this cross-sectional case–control study. Foveal retinal layer thickness was determined by two independent readers. A mixed-effect model was used to perform structure–function correlations and predict the BCVA based on subject-specific variables.ResultsMost patients (28/33) had altered foveal structure associated with loss of foveal avascular zone and impaired BCVA. However, widening of outer nuclear layer, lengthening of photoreceptor outer segments, normal distribution of macular pigment and presence of Henle fibres were consistently found. Apart from the presence of choroidal effusion, which had significant impact on BCVA, the features age, refractive error, axial length and retinal layer thickness at the foveal centre explained 61.7% of the variability of BCVA.ConclusionThis study demonstrates that choroidal effusion, age, refractive error, axial length and retinal layer thickness are responsible for the majority of interindividual variability of BCVA as well as the morphological foveal heterogeneity in patients with nanophthalmos or posterior microphthalmos. This might give further insights into the physiology of foveal development and the process of emmetropisation, and support clinicians in the assessment of these disease entities.

Ahmed glaucoma valve in vitrectomized eyes: An implantation technique to minimize early postoperative fluid-loss hypotony

Purpose: To describe the application of a modified Ahmed glaucoma valve (AGV) surgical implantation technique in vitrectomized eyes, in order to minimize the risk of early postoperative hypotony, which leads to hemorrhagic complications. Materials and methods: Data of patients implanted with AGV using the surgical technique described were retrospectively reviewed. Inclusion criterion: glaucomatous eyes with previous history of pars plana vitrectomy. Intraocular pressure (IOP) measurement and ophthalmic examination were performed preoperatively and postoperatively weekly for 1 month for the detection of early hypotony, choroidal effusion/detachment, intraocular hemorrhage. The surgical technique consisted in creating a 5 mm long scleral tunnel with a 23 G needle reaching the anterior chamber at the iridocorneal angle, in which the Ahmed glaucoma valve tube was inserted. Results: Ten eyes of 10 patients were included. Median preoperative IOP was 30.5 mmHg [interquartile range (IQR) 28.3–33.0]; median postoperative IOP was 12.0 mmHg (IQR 9.3–13.0) at 1 week, and 12.5 mmHg (IQR 11.0–15.0) at 1 month. In no cases postoperative IOP was <8 mmHg. On the first postoperative day, five (50%) eyes showed few blood clots in the anterior chamber. On the second-week appointment, moderate choroidal effusion was observed in two eyes (20%). No hemorrhagic complications were observed. Conclusions: The creation of a long intrascleral tunnel with a 23 G needle for AGV implantation in vitrectomized eyes could be effective in decreasing leakage through the space between the valve tube and the sclerocorneal tissue. This technique is safe, easy to perform, feasible and fast. Due to its advantages and good postoperative results, it could also be adopted in non-vitrectomized eyes.

A clinical case of choroidal effusion associated with the use of carbonic anhydrase inhibitors

Relevance. Choroidal effusion is a complication accompanying both surgical interventions and ophthalmopathies of predominantly inflammatory etiology. The release of proteins from choriocapillaries lumen and decrease of intraocular pressure relative to the pressure in the episcleral veins lead to the choroid detachment. Purpose. To analyze the causal link between choroidal effusion and topical application of carbonic anhydrase inhibitors using a clinical example. Material and methods. The paper describes a clinical case of the development of unilateral recurrent choroidal effusion 13 years after sinus trabeculectomy associated with the use of carbonic anhydrase inhibitors. The first episode of choroidal effusion was induced by a fixed combination of brinzolamide with timolol, while the use of dorzolamide caused the repeated episode. The clinical picture was accompanied by significant decrease in visual acuity related to acute hypotension and severe folds of the descemet's membrane. Ultrasonic B-scanning revealed the choroid detachment. The dechallenge of carbonic anhydrase inhibitors, the use of anti-inflammatory and cycloplegic drugs contributed to achieve the choroid adherence. Results. This clinical case clearly demonstrates a causal link between choroidal effusion and topical application of carbonic anhydrase inhibitors. The timely drug therapy made it possible to avoid surgical intervention. Intraocular pressure increased later. Brimonidine was prescribed to reduce it, the intraocular pressure was normalized, and the clinical picture stabilized. Conclusion. Ciliochoroidal effusion may occur in the eyes with primary angle-closure glaucoma even several years after surgical treatment in the setting of the use of this group of hypotensive drugs. It is necessary to take a balanced approach to the use of carbonic anhydrase inhibitors in each particular case, including in primary angle-closure glaucoma. Key words: choroidal effusion, glaucoma, carbonic anhydrase inhibitors, fixed combinations, brimonidine, ophthalmic hypotension.

Bilateral choroidal detachment and myopic shift after acetazolamide intake for laser capsulotomy

Introduction: To report a case of bilateral choroidal effusion after laser capsulotomy. Case description: A healthy 85 years old white woman was referred to our hospital with a diagnosis of posterior capsule opacification in the left eye. The patient was treated with laser capsulotomy and oral acetazolamide was administered after the procedure. The day after, the patient visited the emergency room complaining bilateral blurred vision. A myopic shift and peripheral choroidal detachment was noted in both eyes. Discontinuation of acetazolamide and treatment with topical steroid and cyclopentolate resulted in a significant improvement in visual acuity and the complete resolution of the choroidal detachment in 1 week. Conclusion: To the best of our knowledge, this is the first reported case of choroidal detachment and acute transient myopia following the administration of oral acetazolamide after laser capsulotomy.

Acute bilateral myopia induced by Triplixam: a case report

Background Side effects of the systemic drugs used to treat eyes are not common. Triplixam is used to treat systemic hypertension and contains amlodipine, indapamide and perindopril arginine as active ingredients which might have induced the sudden myopia. The transient myopia with objective findings disappeared after the discontinuation of the drug. Case presentation A 33-year-old male presented to the emergency department with a history of blurred vision in both eyes. Development of myopia, lens thickening, choroidal effusion and retinal striae at the macula with the increase in macular thickness was observed in both eyes. These symptoms cleared completely after the drug was discontinued. Myopisation could have been caused by lens thickening and changing its refractive index as a result of allergic or idiosyncratic reaction of the ciliary body. Retinal striae may be caused by the volume effect of the choroidal effusion. Conclusion Our report describes the adverse effect of Triplixam, probably resulting from its ingredient indapamide. Although indapamide is a common drug used in the treatment of systemic hypertension, it is important for cardiologists, general practitioners and other physicians to be aware of the possible adverse effect of Triplixam.