Sections

Sections Presumed Ocular Histoplasmosis Syndrome
Overview
Presentation
- History
- Physical
- Causes
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DDx
Workup
Treatment
Medication
References

Medication

Medication Summary

Antifungals, such as amphotericin B, are not helpful. Steroids anecdotally have been used in subfoveal CNV by a few observers.

Class Summary

Anecdotal, controversial evidence suggests efficacy in treating subfoveal CNV.

Prednisone (Deltasone, Orasone)

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May decrease inflammation by reversing increased capillary permeability and suppressing PMN activity.

Triamcinolone (Kenalog)

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Off-label use of triamcinolone.

Class Summary

Reduction of leakage from abnormal, neovascular vessels, resulting in reduced visual loss.

A benzoporphyrin derivative monoacid (BPD-MA), consists of equally active isomers BPD-MAC and BPD-MAD, which can be activated by low-intensity, nonthermal light of 689-nm wavelength. After activation with light and in presence of oxygen, verteporfin forms cytotoxic oxygen free radicals and singlet oxygen. Singlet oxygen causes damage to biological structures within range of diffusion. This leads to local vascular occlusion, cell damage, and cell death. In plasma, verteporfin is transported primarily by low-density lipoproteins (LDL). Tumor and neovascular endothelial cells have increased specificity and uptake of verteporfin because of their high expression of LDL receptors. Effect can be enhanced by use of liposomal formulation.

Class Summary

These agents are used to neutralize VEGF expression in ocular angiogenesis.

Pegaptanib (Macugen)

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Selective vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) antagonist that promotes vision stability and reduces visual-acuity loss and progression to legal blindness. VEGF causes angiogenesis and increases vascular permeability and inflammation.

Ranibizumab (Lucentis)

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Recombinant humanized IgG1-kappa isotype monoclonal antibody fragment designed for intraocular use. Indicated for neovascular (wet) age-related macular degeneration (ARMD). In clinical trials, about one third of patients had improved vision at 12 mo that was maintained by monthly injections. Binds to VEGF-A, including biologically active, cleaved form (ie, (VEGF110). VEGF-A has been shown to cause neovascularization and leakage in ocular angiogenesis models and is thought to contribute to ARMD disease progression. Binding VEGF-A prevents interaction with its receptors (ie, VEGFR1, VEGFR2) on surface of endothelial cells, thereby reducing endothelial cell proliferation, vascular leakage, and new blood vessel formation.

Bevacizumab (Avastin)

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Murine derived monoclonal antibody that inhibits angiogenesis by targeting and inhibiting vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). VEGF causes angiogenesis and increases vascular permeability and inflammation. Nonspecific VEGF inhibitor.

Because ranibizumab ($1950/dose) and bevacizumab ($50-75/dose) have an enormous price differential, yet, as many retina physicians feel, comparable effectiveness, a great deal of interest exists in comparing the 2 medications directly. The National Eye Institute has recently funded a large randomized controlled trial to directly compare the safety and efficacy of bevacizumab and ranibizumab in the Comparison of Age-Related Macular Degeneration Treatment Trials (CATT) that is expected to begin enrollment in early 2008 and be completed by 2011.

Aflibercept (Eylea)

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Fusion protein of key domains from human VEGF receptors 1 (VEGFR1) and 2 (VEGFR2) with human IgGFc designed for intraocular use. Indicated for neovascular (wet) age-related macular degeneration (ARMD) and macular edema secondary to central retinal vein occlusion. Binds to VEGF-A, including biologically active, cleaved form (ie, (VEGF110) and placental growth factor. VEGF-A has been shown to cause neovascularization and leakage in ocular angiogenesis models and is thought to contribute to ARMD disease progression. Binding VEGF-A prevents interaction with its receptors (ie, VEGFR1, VEGFR2) on surface of endothelial cells, thereby reducing endothelial cell proliferation, vascular leakage, and new blood vessel formation.

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Author

Lihteh Wu, MD Ophthalmologist, Costa Rica Vitreo and Retina Macular Associates

Lihteh Wu, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Ophthalmology, American Society of Retina Specialists, Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology, Club Jules Gonin, Macula Society, Pan-American Association of Ophthalmology, Retina Society

Disclosure: Serve(d) as a speaker or a member of a speakers bureau for: Bayer; Quantel Medical, Roche; Iveric Bio<br/>Received income in an amount equal to or greater than $250 from: Bayer Health; Quantel Medical, Roche, Iveric Bio.

Coauthor(s)

Dhariana Acón, MD Ophthalmologist, Caja Costarricense Seguro Social, Hospital de Guapiles, Costa Rica

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Specialty Editor Board

Simon K Law, MD, PharmD Clinical Professor of Health Sciences, Department of Ophthalmology, Jules Stein Eye Institute, University of California, Los Angeles, David Geffen School of Medicine

Simon K Law, MD, PharmD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Ophthalmology, Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology, American Glaucoma Society

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Steve Charles, MD Founder and CEO of Charles Retina Institute; Clinical Professor, Department of Ophthalmology, University of Tennessee College of Medicine

Disclosure: Received royalty and consulting fees for: Alcon Laboratories.

Chief Editor

C Stephen Foster, MD, FACS, FACR, FAAO, FARVO Clinical Professor of Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School; Consulting Staff, Department of Ophthalmology, Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary; Founder and President, Ocular Immunology and Uveitis Foundation, Massachusetts Eye Research and Surgery Institution

C Stephen Foster, MD, FACS, FACR, FAAO, FARVO is a member of the following medical societies: Alpha Omega Alpha, American Academy of Ophthalmology, American Association of Immunologists, American College of Rheumatology, American College of Surgeons, American Federation for Clinical Research, American Medical Association, American Society for Microbiology, American Uveitis Society, Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology, Massachusetts Medical Society, Royal Society of Medicine, Sigma Xi, The Scientific Research Honor Society

Disclosure: Serve(d) as a director, officer, partner, employee, advisor, consultant or trustee for: Aldeyra Therapeutics (Lexington, MA); Bausch & Lomb Surgical, Inc (Rancho Cucamonga, CA); Eyegate Pharma (Waltham, MA); Novartis (Cambridge, MA); pSivida (Watertown, MA); Xoma (Berkeley, CA); Allakos (Redwood City, CA)<br/>Serve(d) as a speaker or a member of a speakers bureau for: Alcon (Geneva, Switzerland); Allergan (Dublin, Ireland); Mallinckrodt (Staines-upon-Thames, United Kingdom)<br/>Received research grant from: Alcon; Aldeyra Therapeutics; Allakos Pharmaceuticals; Allergan; Bausch & Lomb; Clearside Biomedical; Dompé pharmaceutical; Eyegate Pharma; Mallinckrodt pharmaceuticals; Novartis; pSivida; Santen; Aciont<br/>Stock for: Eyegate Pharma.

Additional Contributors

Russell P Jayne, MD Vitreoretinal Surgeon, The Retina Center at Las Vegas

Russell P Jayne, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Medical Association, American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery, American Society of Retina Specialists

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Acknowledgements

Teodoro Evans, MD Consulting Surgeon, Vitreo-Retinal Section, Clinica de Ojos, Costa Rica

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Sections Presumed Ocular Histoplasmosis Syndrome
Overview
Presentation
- History
- Physical
- Causes
- Show All
DDx
Workup
Treatment
Medication
References

Presumed Ocular Histoplasmosis Syndrome Medication

Medication Summary

Corticosteroids