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Background/Objectives: To comprehensively evaluate longitudinal retinal and choroidal vascular changes after phacoemulsification using automated optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) analysis and to investigate clinical factors influencing these changes. Methods: This retrospective study included 26 subjects (31 eyes) who underwent uncomplicated phacoemulsification. OCTA was performed at baseline and at 1 day, 1 week, 1 month, and 2 months postoperatively. Automated quantitative analysis was applied to assess vessel density- and structure-related parameters in the superficial capillary plexus (SCP), deep capillary plexus (DCP), choriocapillaris, and Haller layer. Longitudinal changes were analyzed using repeated-measures analysis of variance, with time × clinical factor interactions evaluated for diabetes mellitus, anesthesia method, and sex. Inter-layer associations were assessed using Spearman correlation analysis. Results: Significant longitudinal changes were observed in retinal layers. In the SCP, vessel density increased from 42.59 ± 1.46 at baseline to 44.10 ± 1.44 at 2 months (p = 0.002), accompanied by increases in vessel length and node counts (all p < 0.001). In the DCP, vessel density increased from 34.66 ± 5.98 to 38.65 ± 4.83 (p < 0.001). In contrast, choriocapillaris-related parameters showed no significant overall time effect. In the Haller layer, mean vessel diameter decreased significantly over time (p < 0.001), while density-related metrics remained unchanged. ΔVAD demonstrated positive correlations between adjacent layers (SCP–DCP and DCP–choriocapillaris) and a negative correlation between choriocapillaris and Haller layers. Diabetes mellitus showed no significant longitudinal effect, whereas retrobulbar anesthesia and sex significantly modified selected choroidal trajectories. Conclusions: Automated and integrated OCTA analysis revealed layer-dependent retinal and choroidal vascular responses after phacoemulsification, with coordinated changes confined mainly to anatomically adjacent layers and selective modulation by clinical factors.

Purpose: To report a case of optic neuritis associated with myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein (MOG) antibodies, treated with intravenous methylprednisolone pulse therapy.Case summary: A 40-year-old male patient with no underlying disease presented to clinic with sudden onset of bilateral blurry vision that began three days ago. He experienced severe headache and had history of bilateral refractive surgery. Best-corrected visual acuity measured right 0.06 and left 0.04. Relative afferent pupillary defect test was unremarkable, while Ishihara color vision test revealed inability to read any numbers in both eyes, except control plates. Although there were no limitations in extraocular movements, the patient reported pain in both eyes for all gaze movements. Widefield photograph and retinal nerve fiber layer image confirmed swelling of optic nerve head in both eyes. He was treated with high-dose intravenous methylprednisolone (1 g/day for 3 days). Magnetic resonance imaging demonstrated enhancement of the optic nerve sheaths in both eyes, and serum testing indicated positivity for MOG IgG antibodies. Three weeks later, visual acuity in both eyes improved to 1.0, and the color vision test showed correct identification of all 17 plates. Optic nerve head swelling in both eyes had resolved. However, optic neuritis recurred at 4, 6 weeks, and 3 months after the initial treatment, with each episode managed by high-dose intravenous methylprednisolone.Conclusions: This case shows early diagnosis and treatment of MOG antibody-associated optic neuritis can lead to improved visual outcomes. Appropriate serum testing for the diagnosis may be effective in patients with MOG antibody-associated optic neuritis.

Purpose: To evaluate the effects of secondary pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) with autologous platelet concentrate (APC) injection in patients with a persistent macular hole that failed to close after the primary surgery.Methods: This study included 10 eyes of 10 patients who required secondary PPV and APC injection due to unsuccessful hole closure following primary macular hole surgery between February 2021 and July 2023. We measured the minimum and base diameters of the holes before primary and secondary PPV, respectively. Furthermore, we evaluated the anatomical closure of the holes and changes in best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) for 6 months following secondary PPV.Results: The mean age of the 10 patients was 61.6 ± 9.5 years. Prior to the primary PPV, the mean BCVA (LogMAR) was 1.6 ± 0.7, the mean minimum diameter of the hole was 654.4 ± 98.9 μm, and the mean base diameter of the hole was 1,135.4 ± 276.5 μm. Prior to the secondary PPV with APC injection, the mean BCVA (LogMAR) was 1.3 ± 0.7, the mean minimum diameter of the hole was 666.8 ± 270.2 μm and the mean base diameter of the hole was 845.4 ± 292.4 μm. Following secondary surgery, all holes were successfully closed, the mean BCVA (LogMAR) was 0.9 ± 0.6 and the BCVA was significantly improved (p = 0.007).Conclusions: PPV with APC injection can be an effective therapeutic option for persistent macular hole that failed to close following primary surgery both in terms of anatomical and functional outcomes.

To obtain a quantitative parameter for the measurement of choroidal vascular hyperpermeability (CVH) on ultra-widefield indocyanine green angiography (UWICGA) using an objective analysis method in macular choroidal neovascularization (CNV). A total of 113 UWICGA images from 113 subjects were obtained, including with 25 neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD), 37 with polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy (PCV) (19 with thin-choroid and 18 with thick-choroid), 33 with pachychoroid neovasculopathy (PNV), and 18 age-matched controls. CVH was quantified on a gray image by the subtraction of 2 synchronized UWICGA images of early and late phases. The measured CVH parameter was compared with human graders and among CNV subtypes and correlated with choroidal vascular density (CVD) and subfoveal choroidal thickness (SFCT). The mean CVH values were 28.58 ± 4.97, 33.36 ± 8.40, 33.61 ± 11.50, 42.19 ± 13.25, and 43.59 ± 7.86 in controls and patients with nAMD, thin-choroid PCV, thick-choroid PCV, and PNV, respectively (p < 0.001). CVH was higher in thick-choroid PCV and PNV compared to the other groups (all p ≤ 0.006). The measured CVH value positively correlated with those reported by human graders (p < 0.001), CVD, and SFCT (p = 0.001 and p < 0.001, respectively). CVH can be measured objectively using quantitative UWICGA analysis. The CVH parameter differs among macular CNV subtypes and correlates with CVD and SFCT.

Purpose: To report a case of atypical impending macular hole induced by green laser pointer in a pediatric patient treated with vitrectomy. Case summary: A 13-year-old patient visited our clinic complaining of decreased visual acuity and upper visual field defect in the right eye after exposure to a green laser pointer. Her best corrected visual acuity was 20/200 in the right eye. Ultra-widefield fundus photography and optical coherence tomography showed pre-retinal hemorrhage and sub-internal limiting membrane hemorrhage involving the fovea. After 4 months of follow-up, the retinal hemorrhage was spontaneously resolved, however, atypical impending macular hole with intact overlying internal limiting membrane was observed on optical coherence tomography in the right eye. Regular follow-up was performed for spontaneous macular hole closure. After 8 months of follow-up, the base diameter of the macular hole increased on optical coherence tomography, accordingly, pars plana vitrectomy, internal limiting membrane peeling, and intravitreal perfluoropropane gas injection were performed in the right eye. After 1 month of the surgery, the macular hole was successfully closed and the best corrected visual acuity was 20/25 in the right eye. Conclusions: In pediatric patient, retinal hemorrhage can be caused by green laser pointer, which may be spontaneously resolved. However, delayed macular hole can occur, and surgical intervention might be helpful for successful anatomical closure and recovery of visual acuity.

Purpose: This study assessed the relationship between the choroidal morphology and short-term response to aflibercept treatment in pachychoroid neovasculopathy (PNV). Methods: This was a retrospective case-control study. Ultra-widefield indocyanine green angiography (UWICGA) and optical coherence tomography (OCT) images of 90 PNV eyes of 90 patients treated with aflibercept were enrolled. Responsiveness to aflibercept was defined as a complete resolution of sub- or intra-retinal fluid after three loading doses (50 dry and 40 non-dry eyes). Subfoveal choroidal thickness (SFCT) was measured on OCT images, and choroidal vessel density (CVD), CVD asymmetry, intervortex anastomosis, and choroidal vascular hyperpermeability (CVH) were assessed on UWICGA images. Results: CVD on UWICGA differed between groups in terms of the total area (0.323 ± 0.034 in dry vs. 0.286 ± 0.038 in non-dry, p < 0.001) and area of each quadrant (superotemporal: 0.317 ± 0.040 vs. 0.283 ± 0.040, superonasal: 0.334 ± 0.040 vs. 0.293 ± 0.045, inferonasal: 0.306 ± 0.051 vs. 0.278 ± 0.052, inferotemporal: 0.334 ± 0.047 vs. 0.290 ± 0.046; all p ≤ 0.010). The CVH grade differed between groups (mean 1.480 ± 0.735 vs. 1.875 ± 0.822, p = 0.013). ST and IT intervortex anastomoses were common in the dry group, while SN, ST, and IT were most common in the non-dry group (p = 0.001). Conclusions: A poor short-term response to aflibercept treatment in PNV eyes was associated with a lower Haller vessel density, higher CVH grade, and intervortex anastomosis involving more quadrants on UWICGA.

We aimed to evaluate the anatomical and functional outcomes of pars-plana vitrectomy (PPV) with or without autologous platelet concentrate (APC) injection in patients with recurrent macular holes (MHs), large MHs, or MHs with high myopia. This multicenter, prospective, interventional randomized controlled trial was conducted from March 2017 to April 2020. Participants were randomly allocated to a PPV group or a PPV+APC group. All participants underwent standard 25-gauge PPV, and eyes in the PPV+APC group underwent PPV with intravitreal APC injection before air-gas exchange. A total of 117 patients were enrolled (PPV group: n = 59, PPV+APC group: n = 58). Hole closure was achieved in 47 participants (79.7%) in the PPV group and 52 participants (89.7%) in the PPV+APC group. There were no between-group differences in the anatomical closure rate or functional outcomes including best-corrected visual acuity, metamorphopsia, pattern-reversal visual evoked potential, or Visual Function Questionnaire-25 score. The use of APC injection does not improve the anatomical and functional outcomes of surgery for large MHs, recurrent MHs, or MHs with high myopia. The adjunctive use of APC can be considered in selected cases because it is not inferior to conventional MH surgery, is relatively simple to perform, and is not affected by the surgeon’s skill.

Purpose: To investigate the relationships among the retinal nonperfusion (NP) area, neovascularization (NV) area, and aqueous humor vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) levels in quiescent proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR). Methods: Forty-seven eyes from 47 patients with treatment-naïve PDR that did not show macular edema or vitreous hemorrhage were enrolled. NP area, NV number, and NV area were quantitatively measured using ultra-widefield fluorescein angiography in an automated manner. Aqueous humor VEGF level was measured using a bead assay. Results: The NP areas of the total, posterior pole, peripheral retinae, and NV area positively correlated with each other (all p < 0.034). NV number correlated with total NP area, peripheral NP area, and NV area (all p ≤ 0.001). VEGF levels were significantly positively correlated with total, posterior polar, and peripheral NP areas and NV area (r = 0.575, 0.422, 0.558, and 0.362, respectively; all p ≤ 0.012). In eyes with NV in the disc area, the VEGF level was higher compare to eyes without NV in the disc area (208.89 ± 192.77 pg/mL vs. 103.34 ± 132.66, p = 0.010). A multiple linear regression model using NP area, NV area, and NVD demonstrated good prediction for VEGF level (R2 = 0.417, p < 0.001) and revealed a significant contribution of the peripheral NP area in predicting the VEGF level (β = 0.497, p = 0.002). Conclusions: Aqueous humor VEGF levels in quiescent PDR eyes were associated with NP and NV areas, which had positive correlations with each other. In addition, the NP area of the peripheral retina was the most important predictor of VEGF level.

Purpose The purpose of this study was to evaluate age-related changes of orbital rim in Koreans and construct a reference data set for the aging phenomenon in Asians. Methods Data were collected from computed tomography (CT) scans of orbits and facial bones obtained from 107 Korean (55 males and 52 females) at intervals of 0.60 mm. Subjects was categorized according to sex and age as follows: young group (20–35 years) and old group (60 years and above). CT scans were reconstructed via three-dimensional (3D) modeling programs. The most lateral, medial, superior and inferior points of orbital rim were used as reference points. The orbital aperture area in each 3D model was measured using an analytical software program such as 3-Matic. Results The orbital aperture height showed no overall statistically significant difference (P > 0.05) with age in either sex. Changes were irregular with a combination of decrease and increased components. The mean change did not exceed about 0.1 mm. The orbital aperture area showed no significant change with increasing age in either male or female study populations. Conclusions In this study, there was no significant enlargement of the orbital rim with increasing age in Koreans. The measurement data in the present study differ from previous studies involving White subjects, which revealed a significant increase in orbital aperture area.