[Microstructural retinal changes after pharmacological vitreolysis with ocriplasmin-an SD-OCT supported analysis]

Ocriplasmin (Jetrea®) is a therapeutic option for patients with focal vitreomacular traction (VMT) with or without small full thickness macular holes (FTMH) < 400 µm. Retinal alterations after injection with ocriplasmin have been described. The purpose of this essay was to determine Ocriplasmin-associated side-effects and changes in the retinal microstructure.

We included 70 patients with ocriplasmin treatment in our study. On all patients SD-OCT (spectral-domain optical coherence tomography) scans were performed prior to injection with Ocriplasmin. If present, adverse events were registered. The OCT scans were then evaluated taking the following into account: macular hole (MH) size, macular edema, subretinal fluid (SRF), changes in the ellipsoid zone (EZ) and the external limiting membrane (ELM).

Twenty of the 70 examined patients showed a preoperative FTMH. One week after ocriplasmin IVI (intravitreal injection) 8 of the 20 FTMHs were already closed. Overall 12 patients showed a FTMH closure and 4 patients developed a FTMH after ocriplasmin IVI. Twelve of the 24 MH (macular hole) patients still required an operative closure of the FTMH. We noticed a resolution of the VMT on 51 patients. Three patients developed a retinal detachment. Furthermore, after ocriplasmin IVI we detected changes in the EZ and ELM on 8 patients.

Ocriplasmin is a substantial minimal invasive option in the therapy of VMT with or without small FTMH. Nevertheless, there seem to be some specific ocriplasmin-associated risks, although usually transient. Severe complications like retinal detachment are rare but exist. Therefore, every indication of ocriplasmin should be considered carefully.