Ophthalmologica

SEBASTIAN WOLF Editor of Ophthalmologica

VOL: 243 ISSUE: 2

AFLIBERCEPT INDUCES FASTER VASCULAR OUTGROWTH IN RETINOPATHY OF PREMATURITY PATIENTS Infants with retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) treated with aflibercept have a faster vascular outgrowth rate (VOR) but a wider retinal vascular development border (RVDBM) than those treated with bevacizumab. In 51 eyes of 27 infants who received aflibercept, VORs measured in between two sequential follow-up fluorescein angiograms (FA) were significantly higher both in nasal (p=0.042) and temporal sides (p=0.033) than in 38 bevacizumabtreated eyes of 19 infants. However, the ratios between the distance from the centre of the disc to the RVDB and the distance from the centre of the disc to the centre of the macula were significantly higher in the bevacizumab group in the first FA and the second FA examinations. A Vural et al, “Comparison of Vascular Outgrowth Rate and Retinal Vascular Development Border after Intravitreal Injection of Aflibercept or Bevacizumab to Treat Retinopathy of Prematurity”, Ophthalmologica 2019, Volume 243, Issue 2.

CENTRAL CHOROIDAL THICKNESS LOWER IN CENTRAL RETINAL VEIN OCCLUSION DME PATIENTS Anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF) therapy appears to reduce central choroidal thickness (CCT) in patients with central vein occlusion-related macular oedema and the effect may be magnified in those with systemic hypertension, according to a new study. In 27 CRVO patients with macular oedema who underwent anti-VEGF treatment, CCT was significantly lower among 17 hypertensive patients than in the 10 normotensive patients but also gradually became thinner with additional drug injections in all of the patients. In addition, at final visit the mean CCT in HT patients was significantly lower (209.0µm) than in non-HT patients (256.1 µm). T Kida et al, “Long-Term Follow-Up Changes of Central Choroidal Thickness Thinning after Repeated Anti-VEGF Therapy Injections in Patients with Central Retinal Vein Occlusion-Related Macular Edema with Systemic Hypertension” Ophthalmologica 2020, Volume 243, Issue 2.

SD-OCT PREDICTS OUTCOME OF ANTI-VEGF TREATMENT IN CNV SECONDARY TO MYOPIA Spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) can help predict outcome of anti-VEGF treatment for myopic choroidal neovascular neovascularisation (mCNV) according to an investigator-led prospective trial. In 20 treatment-naïve patients who received intravitreal injections of ranibizumab, better baseline visual acuity (VA), lower spherical equivalent, better inner/outer segment line and external limiting membrane integrity showed a significant positive effect on BCVA outcome. Less fluctuation in CRT (worst minus best CRT) indicated better BCVA at 12 months. M Guichard et al, “Outcome Predictors of SD-OCT-Driven Intravitreal Ranibizumab in Choroidal Neovascularization due to Myopia”, Ophthalmologica 2019, Volume 243, Issue 2.

2020

Applications are open for the Peter Barry Fellowship 2020. This Fellowship commemorates the immense contribution made by the late Peter Barry to ophthalmology and to the ESCRS.

The Fellowship of €60,000 is to allow a trainee to work abroad at a centre of excellence for clinical experience or research in the fi eld of cataract and refractive surgery, anywhere in the world, for 1 year. Applicants must be a European trainee ophthalmologist, 40 years of age or under on the closing date for applications, and have been an ESCRS trainee member for 3 years by the time of starting the Fellowship. The Fellowship will be awarded at the ESCRS Annual Congress in Amsterdam in October 2020, to start in 2021.

To apply, please submit the following:

l A detailed up-to-date CV l A letter of intent of 1-2 pages, outlining which centre you wish to attend and why l A letter of recommendation from your current Head of Department l A letter from your potential host institution, indicating that they will accept you if successful

Closing date for applications is 1 May 2020 Applications and queries should be sent to Danielle Maher at danielle.maher@escrs.org