Orbital lesion (pseudotumor and dacryoadenitis) is a manifestation of systemic sarcoidosis

Ocular manifestations of systemic sarcoidosis may emerge at any disease stage. Ocular sarcoidosis is typically characterized by uveitic presentations that predominantly involve the choroid of anterior eye segment. However, orbital pseudotumor, dacryoadenitis, and other rare presentations (optic neuritis, dacryocystitis etc.) also occur in sarcoidosis. Threatened vision loss and poor quality of life are the reasons to prescribe systemic steroids in generalized sarcoidosis. Chest CT is required to identify respiratory diseases when sarcoidosis manifests as uveitis or granulomatous orbital inflammation. Multidisciplinary diagnostic and treatment approach to suspected sarcoidosis provides timely verified diagnosis and management strategy. This paper addresses case report of systemic sarcoidosis in a 34-year-old man. The initial manifestation was vision loss and left orbital pseudotumor. The enlarged subclavian lymph node and its biopsy were suspicious of granulomatous inflammation. Chest CT identified disseminated pulmonary lesions and intrathoracic lymphadenopathy that are typical of sarcoidosis. The results of multidisciplinary examinations verified systemic sarcoidosis. Systemic steroids resulted in clinical and radiological improvement and medicinal regression of the disease. Keywords: sarcoidosis, orbital pseudotumor, dacryoadenitis, adenopathy, computed tomography, multidisciplinary approach. For citation: Burylova E.A., Mamaeva L.A., Berdnikova A.S., Fedorova O.K. Orbital lesion (pseudotumor and dacryoadenitis) is a manifestation of systemic sarcoidosis. Russian Journal of Clinical Ophthalmology. 2021;21(1):40–44. DOI: 10.32364/2311-7729-2021-21-1-40-44.

Antibiotic prophylaxis of acute postoperative endophthalmitis

This paper reviews current aspects of antibacterial prophylaxis of acute endophthalmitis, a dangerous complication of cataract surgery. The lack of a common standard for preventing phaco infectious complications, a growing number of resistant bacterial strains, and legal aspects of the lack of some antibiotic formulations and routes of their administration with established efficacy in Russia account for the importance of this issue. The authors provide a list of primary causative agents of endophthalmitis and specify their antimicrobial susceptibility, highlight the importance of using antiseptics to prevent endophthalmitis, and describe in detail routes of administration of antibiotics, including conventional ones (subconjunctival injections, topical use) and whose actively promoted (intracameral, transzonular). In conclusion, the authors suggested a rational antimicrobial preventive algorithm for endophthalmitis after phaco based on the analysis of recent Russian and foreign published data and adapted to the Russian health care system. Keywords: phacoemulsification, endophthalmitis, antiseptic, antibiotic, prophylaxis, antibacterial resistance, fluoroquinolones, aminoglycosides, povidone-iodine, intracameral administration. For citation: Nikolaenko V.P., Belov D.F. Antibiotic prophylaxis of acute postoperative endophthalmitis. Russian Journal of Clinical Ophthalmology. 2021;21(4):220–226 (in Russ.). DOI: 10.32364/2311-7729-2021-21-4-220-226.

Current multimodal diagnostic tools for diabetic macular edema to select a management strategy

Diabetes is a severe chronic disease that significantly affects the quality of life of individuals, their families, and society worldwide. Diabetic retinopathy, particularly diabetic macular edema (DME), is the leading cause of blindness and low vision among adults of working age in developed countries and Russia. A recent multimodal approach to diagnose DME resulted in new classifications of this disorder and slightly modified earlier views. The analysis of DME biomarkers allows for selecting management strategies for each patient, prescribing adequate medical treatment, and predicting potential treatment response. This paper aimed to analyze published data and up-to-date diagnostic approaches to DME. These tools provide a correct therapeutic strategy based on the DME pattern. Keywords: diabetic macular edema, optical coherence tomography, anti-VEGF treatment. For citation: Pshenichnov M.V. Current multimodal diagnostic tools for diabetic macular edema to select a management strategy. Russian Journal of Clinical Ophthalmology. 2021;21(4):210–214 (in Russ.). DOI: 10.32364/2311-7729-2021-21-4-210-214.

Non-medical treatment for late age-related macular degeneration

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is the leading cause of blindness in people over 55 in developed countries. Moreover, the number of these patients will increase growth as life expectancy increases. It is estimated that late AMD accounts for half of blindness and low vision cases in European countries. A myriad of studies is currently underway to discover cutting-edge, effective therapeutic modalities. Gene therapy is a novel alternative to regular intravitreal injections of anti-VEGF agents for late wet AMD. This technique’s heart is a specific gene delivery to target cells to generate natural VEGF inhibitors. Gene therapy affecting the complement system to deactivate its end product, the membrane attack complex, is reasonable in late atrophic AMD. Studies on stem cell therapy for late atrophic AMD undergo as well. It was demonstrated that retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) cells derived from human embryonic stem cells or induced pluripotent stem cells express typical RPE markers that can phagocytize photoreceptor segments. Electrical stimulation and magnet therapy are already introduced into clinical practice to rehabilitate patients with late AMD. Magnetic and electrical fields improve impulse transmitting, activate intracellular and tissue regeneration of the retina. Recent findings are promising but require further in-depth studies. Keywords: age-related macular degeneration, retinal scar, gene therapy, stem cells, physiotherapy, rehabilitative medicine. For citation: Drakon A.K., Kurguzova A.G., Sheludchenko V.M., Korchazhkina N.B. Non-medical treatment for late age-related macular degeneration. Russian Journal of Clinical Ophthalmology. 2021;21(4):215–219 (in Russ.). DOI: 10.32364/2311-7729-2021-21-4-215-219.

Effects of refraction and axial length on the development and progression of diabetic retinopathy

Eye disorders have a special place in diabetes since visual impairment has a significant effect on the quality of life. Therefore, determining risk factors and prognostic criteria for disease course are essential for developing strategies for early prevention of diabetic retinopathy (DR). This paper addresses studies on various aspects of DR in patients with myopia. It was demonstrated that DR arises, develops, and progresses in different ways under various axial lengths (AL). Thus, many authors report that DR barely occurs in high myopia. Some of them account for this phenomenon for poor blood circulation in a long myopic eye. Others refer to a significantly lower vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) concentration in longer eyes or eyes with myopic refraction. The third authors argue a focal disintegration of retinal pigment epithelium to eliminate metabolic end products through the choroid and sclera. As a result, neither acidosis nor venous congestion develops, and endothelial barrier function remains unaffected Keywords: diabetic retinopathy, myopia, axial length, vascular endothelial growth factor, emmetropia, hyperopia, diabetes. For citation: Bikbov M.M., Orenburkina O.I., Babushkin A.E., Fakhretdinova A.A. Effects of refraction and axial length on the development and progression of diabetic retinopathy. Russian Journal of Clinical Ophthalmology. 2021;21(4):205–209 (in Russ.). DOI: 10.32364/2311-7729- 2021-21-4-205-209.

Association between relative telomere length and a genetic variant of SIRT1 gene and age-related macular degeneration

One of the most important factors predisposing to the development of age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is aging. Telomeres are important for aging by maintaining genome stability. Aim: to identify the association between relative telomere length of buccal epithelial cells and SIRT1 rs12778366 genetic variation and late AMD. Patients and Methods: 100 patients (200 eyes) were enrolled, i.e., 50 patients with AMD (AREDS category 4) and 50 patients without AMD. Genomic DNA isolated from buccal epithelial cells by phenol-chloroform extraction was used. Genotyping of SIRT1 rs12778366 polymorphic locus was performed by TaqMan® real-time PCR. Telomere length was measured by real-time PCR as described earlier [Cawthon, 2002] using specific primers. Relative telomere length was assessed by the relative telomere to single-copy gene (T/S) ratio. Results: the rate of allele C was 25% in the study group and 14% in the control group (p=0.049). The rate of heterozygotic TC genotype was twice higher in the study group compared to the control group (p=0.045). In heterozygotic carriers of the allele C of the SIRT1 rs12778366 gene, the risk of AMD is 2.048- and 2.425-times higher in сodominant and dominant inheritance pattern, respectively. In patients with late AMD, there are more short telomeres (64% vs. 48% in the control group, р=0.0002). Conclusions: further studies of a polymorphic SIRT1 gene locus in the association with telomere length in a larger sample are required. In the future, these molecular markers can be applied to predict the individual course of AMD and to implement preventive measures. Keywords: age-related macular degeneration, relative telomere length, rs12778366, SIRT1 gene, age-related diseases, buccal epithelium, genetic testing. For citation: Moshetova L.K., Dmitrenko O.P., Abramova O.I. et al. Association between relative telomere length and a genetic variant of SIRT gene and age-related macular degeneration. Russian Journal of Clinical Ophthalmology. 2021;21(3):143–146 (in Russ.). DOI: 10.32364/2311- 7729-2021-21-3-143-146.

Treatment for neovascular age-related macular degeneration: reasonable expectations of physicians and patients

Neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD) is a progressive chronic multifactorial disease requiring long-term, lifelong anti- VEGF therapy. Treatment outcomes are not always in line with the results of randomized clinical trials and do not meet the expectations for therapy whose success is assessed differently by patients and physicians. Good functional and anatomical results are expected from antivasoproliferative therapy under certain conditions, e.g., accurate evaluation of some patient characteristics (baseline visual acuity, type of choroidal neovascularization, comorbidities, status of retinal fluid and its differentiation), timely (as early as possible) treatment initiation after verifying diagnosis, and strict adherence to a proactive personalized "Treat-and-Extend" (T&E) regimen that implies a required number of injections with individual intervals. Poor adherence to treatment (non-compliance or nonpersistence of anti-VEGF therapy) significantly affects treatment outcomes in real-world clinical practice. This paper reviews criteria which predict the response to antivasoproliferative therapy and improving treatment adherence. The authors describe four fundamental principles to be met by an ideal regimen of anti-VEGF therapy for nAMD. Keywords: neovascular age-related macular degeneration, nAMD, "Treat-and-Extend", T&E, adherence, nonpersistence, anti-VEGF. For citation: Durasov A.B. Treatment for neovascular age-related macular degeneration: reasonable expectations of physicians and patients. Russian Journal of Clinical Ophthalmology. 2021;21(3):169–174 (in Russ.). DOI: 10.32364/2311-7729-2021-21-3-169-174.

Brimonidine as an additional treatment for moderate glaucoma

Aim: to assess the utility of brimonidine 0.2% as an additional IOP-lowering treatment for moderate glaucoma. Patients and Methods: 99 patients (121 eyes) aged 62–73 years with moderate glaucoma were enrolled. All patients were divided into four groups based on IOP-lowering medications. In group 1, prostaglandin analogues (latanoprost) and beta blockers (timolol) were prescribed. In group 2, carbonic anhydrase inhibitors (dorzolamide) and beta blockers (timolol) were prescribed. In group 3, brimonidine 0.2% was added to prostaglandin analogues and beta blockers. In group 4, brimonidine 0.2% was added to carbonic anhydrase inhibitors and beta blockers. All patients underwent IOP measurements and static automated perimetry (SAP) at baseline and after 6 and 12 months. Results: additional treatment (brimonidine) gradually reduced IOP levels in groups 3 and 4, while in groups 1 and 2 IOP levels were stable. In group 1, mean deviation (MD) increased from -10.7±4.5dB to -10.8±3.8 dB after 6 months but reduced to -10.5±3.4 dB after 12 months. In group 2, MD increased from -11.7±5.1 dB to -12.0±3.2 dB after 6 months and -12.5±2.9 dB after 12 months. In group 3, MD reduced from -13.5±4.1 dB to -12.9±3.6 dB after 6 months and -12.7±3.0 dB after 12 months. In group 4, MD reduced from -13.9±4.6 dB to -13.0±4.1 dB after 6 months and increased to -13.1±3.5 dB after 12 months. Pattern standard deviation (PSD) was stable in all four groups. Conclusion: brimonidine as an additional treatment for moderate and advanced glaucoma results in stable IOP reduction. Combined therapy which includes brimonidine preserves visual functions even in moderate-to-advanced glaucoma. The neuroprotective effect of brimonidine is illustrated by SAP. This medication is well tolerated. Keywords: glaucoma, IOP, visual field, perimetry, tonometry, neuroprotection. For citation: Gazizova I.R., Korelina V.E. Brimonidine as an additional treatment for moderate glaucoma. Russian Journal of Clinical Ophthalmology. 2021;21(2):69–71. DOI: 10.32364/2311-7729-2021-21-2-69-71.

Current treatment modalities for dry eye disease

For many years, dry eye disease (DED) is a common ophthalmic condition associated with ocular surface damage and loss of homeostasis of the tear film. The key pathogenic factors of DED are tear film instability and tear hyperosmolarity, ocular surface inflammation and damage, and neurosensory alterations. Current treatment for DED consists of non-medical therapies, tear substitutes, anti-inflammatory agents, and surgical procedures. These treatments improve disease course and quality of life. However, these treatments are largely palliative as long-term (and even life-long) installation of eye drops is required. Modern and effective treatments for DED are needed. This paper reviews domestic and foreign published data on the important therapies for DED and novel tools to promote symptom relief. These data are required for the understanding of the pharmacological effects of various drug classes prescribed for DED and early treatment initiation. Keywords: dry eye disease, tear replacement therapy, anti-inflammatory treatment, surgery, hyaluronic acid, preservatives. For citation: Tatarnikova E.B., Krivosheina O.I. Current treatment modalities for dry eye disease. Russian Journal of Clinical Ophthalmology. 2021;21(1):18–23. DOI: 10.32364/2311-7729-2021-21-1-18-23.

Surgical stimulation of uveoscleral outflow is an alternative to cyclodestructive procedures

Aim: to assess clinical efficacy and safety of surgical scleral rejection (SSR) vs. transscleral diode laser cyclophotocoagulation (TSCPC) in primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) and secondary glaucoma (SG). Patients and Methods: study (prospective) group included 84 patients with POAG and SG after SSR. Control (retrospective) group included 80 patients after TSCPC. In addition, the patients were distributed by age and the stage and type of glaucoma, i.e., 128 patients were diagnosed with POAG and 36 patients were diagnosed with secondary thrombotic glaucoma. Follow-up was 24 to 36 months. IOP measurements, tonography (to assess the coefficient outflow facility / COF), ultrasound biomicroscopy of the anterior segment, visual acuity measurement, and visual field testing were performed. Results: no complications after SSR were reported in patients with POAG and SG. In contrast, postoperative complications (choroidal effusion, hyphema, and uveitis) were reported in 14% of patients after TSCPC. Long-term IOP-lowering efficacy of both procedures was similar (87% after SSR and 89% after TSCPC). In POAG, greater IOP reduction was seen after TSCPC (by 39.11%) compared to SSR (by 31.58%) (p<0.05). Meanwhile, in patients with SG, treatment outcomes were similar (IOP reduced by 36.78% after TSCPC and by 35.26% after SSR). In longterm follow-up, PVF reduced by 10.76% vs. baseline after TSCPC but increased by 11.19% vs. baseline after SSR (p≤0.05). Surgery resulted in the improvement or stabilization of visual functions. Ultrasonography has demonstrated that outflow pathways (intrascleral space and filtering bleb) remain functional after SSR in long-term follow-up. Conclusion: SSR is an alternative to cyclodestructive procedures in POAG and SG. Sclera being the final point of the uveoscleral outflow is a perspective entity to develop surgical approaches to glaucoma treatment. Keywords: surgical scleral resection, uveoscleral outflow, sclera, primary open-angle glaucoma, secondary glaucoma, glaucoma surgery, transscleral diode laser cyclophotocoagulation. For citation: Korchuganova E.A., Kazantzeva A.Yu. Surgical stimulation of uveoscleral outflow is an alternative to cyclodestructive procedures. Russian Journal of Clinical Ophthalmology. 2021;21(1):9–13. DOI: 10.32364/2311-7729-2021-21-1-9-13.