中川 卓

PURPOSE: To evaluate the clinical performance of "Direct Strip PCR," a multiplex solid-phase real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) kit, for diagnosing infectious uveitis. STUDY DESIGN: Multicenter, prospective, diagnostic accuracy study METHODS: We analyzed 475 ocular-fluid samples (336 aqueous humor and 139 vitreous fluid) from 29 sites in Japan. Direct Strip PCR, an IVD-grade multiplex real-time PCR kit targeting HSV-1, HSV-2, VZV, EBV, CMV, HHV-6, HTLV-1, Toxoplasma gondii, and Treponema pallidum requiring no DNA extraction and incorporating internal controls, was compared with quantitative PCR (qPCR) for concordance and DNA copy-number correlation. RESULTS: All 9 of the target pathogens were detected. Direct Strip PCR showed excellent agreement with qPCR, with percent positive agreement (PPA), percent negative agreement (PNA), and percent overall agreement (POA) in aqueous humor of 98.0%, 99.2%, and 98.5%, respectively, and in vitreous fluid of 95.7%, 97.1%, and 96.4%, respectively, indicating high concordance for positive and negative results. All the values exceeded predefined 90% thresholds agreed upon with the Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices Agency, meeting the required performance criteria. Discordant results were infrequent (10/4275 targets) and involved low-copy samples near the detection limit. The DNA copy numbers correlated strongly between the methods (r = 0.948-0.996). No adverse events were reported. CONCLUSION: Direct Strip PCR demonstrated high concordance with qPCR, reliably detected major pathogens of infectious uveitis, and yielded quantitative results that correlated with the qPCR results, supporting disease monitoring. Its solid-phase, extraction-free, and per-run calibration-free format provides a practical basis for regulatory submissions and global dissemination of multiplex PCR.

Background: This study aims to characterize the clinical features and outcomes of tattoo-associated sarcoid-like uveitis using a multicenter uveitis registry given the limited existing data. Design: This is a retrospective study. Participants: Ten patients (20 eyes) diagnosed with tattoo-associated sarcoid-like uveitis took part in the study. Methods: The data of patients newly evaluated at participating registry centers from January 2000 to June 2025 were reviewed. Demographic data, treatments, visual acuity, recurrence, glaucoma/intraocular pressure (IOP)-lowering therapy, extraocular involvement, and histologic confirmation were extracted when available. Main Outcome Measures: Recurrence, glaucoma/IOP-lowering therapy, extraocular involvement, and change in logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution (logMAR) from presentation to final follow-up were measured. Results: Seven (70%) patients were male, and the patients' mean age was 35.1 ± 7.8 years. All patients exhibited bilateral ocular involvement. Histologic confirmation at the tattoo site was documented in five (50%) patients. The mean logMAR visual acuity was 0.12 ± 0.31 at presentation and 0.16 ± 0.42 at the final follow-up (median follow-up: 20 months). All patients received topical corticosteroids; periocular steroids were administered in seven cases (70%), oral systemic steroids in four (40%), adalimumab in two (20%), and cyclosporin in one (10%). Seven cases (70%) developed uveitis recurrence, and eight received glaucoma/IOP-lowering therapy (80%). Extraocular inflammation affected the skin/tattoo in seven patients (70%) and the axillary lymph nodes in one (10%). This finding is definitive; however, this is also true even when the organ/body part is plural (e.g., lungs). Conclusions: Tattoo-associated sarcoid-like uveitis often follows a chronic course with frequent recurrence and uveitic glaucoma. Thus, close ophthalmic monitoring and coordinated systemic evaluation may be warranted.

PURPOSE: To assess the efficacy of trabecular micro-bypass stents (IS) versus ab interno trabeculotomy (LOT) performed alongside cataract surgery; and to ensure patient comparability across both surgical groups concerning age, intraocular pressure (IOP), medication score, and disease type. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective cohort METHODS: Overall, 194 eyes were assessed from 107 Japanese patients with open-angle glaucoma or exfoliation glaucoma who received IS plus cataract surgery at Saitama Red Cross Hospital between July 2017 and January 2022. Another 88 eyes were assessed from 58 patients who underwent combined LOT and cataract surgery at the same hospital between January 2018 and December 2019. Both cohorts were followed-up for ≥6 months. Propensity scoring facilitated between-group patient background matching. Overall, 62 eyes per group matched for preoperative characteristics were analyzed. RESULTS: Six-month postoperative IOP was 14.50 ± 2.26 and 14.08 ± 2.50 mmHg for IS and LOT, respectively, with medication scores of 1.50 ± 1.17 (IS) and 1.71 ± 1.60 (LOT), indicating no significant differences. The IOP reduction rate was 19.03 ± 13.34% (IS) and 18.94 ± 23.26% (LOT), showing no significant difference. Both groups exhibited similar medication score reductions (-1.11 ± 1.04 [IS], and -0.92 ± 1.47 [LOT]). Preoperative IOP significantly correlated with IOP reduction rate in both procedures. LOT patients experienced more hyphema postoperatively, versus IS patients. CONCLUSION: In eyes with relatively well-controlled preoperative IOP-where either IS or LOT could be reasonably selected-either procedure offers similar surgical outcomes, with comparable postoperative performance and complication rates, except for postoperative hyphema.

This prospective cohort study aimed to compare changes in vascular density around sclerocorneal and corneal incisions after cataract surgery using anterior segment optical coherence tomography angiography (AS-OCTA). To this end, 20 patients undergoing cataract surgery were divided into sclerocorneal and corneal (n = 10 each) incision groups. AS-OCTA imaging was performed preoperatively and at multiple intervals postoperatively. Vascular densities in the conjunctival and intrascleral layers were analyzed; postoperative changes were quantified using AS-OCTA. In the sclerocorneal incision group, the conjunctival vascular density was significantly reduced on days 1, 7, and 21, while intrascleral vascular density significantly increased on days 1, 3, 5, and 21. The corneal incision group showed an initial increase in conjunctival density on day 1, which rapidly returned to baseline. Intrascleral density was increased on days 1 and 3 but returned to baseline thereafter. Significant between-group differences in intrascleral density were observed on days 3, 5, and 7. In the corneal incision group, a new intrascleral vessel network formed near the incision site between days 14 and 21 postoperatively, which gradually dissipated between days 28 and 90. AS-OCTA reveals that sclerocorneal incisions exhibit immediate and sustained vascular changes, whereas corneal incisions show delayed, transient intrascleral vessel network formation.

PURPOSE: To evaluate real-world adherence to anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) therapy among Japanese patients with diabetic macular edema (DME) and identify demographic, clinical, and socioeconomic factors associated with treatment discontinuation. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective, observational cohort study. METHODS: This study included 380 treatment-naïve patients with center-involved DME. Patients were categorized into continuation (those who maintained therapy) and self-discontinuation (those who discontinued therapy after at least one follow-up visit) groups. All patients were treated under a treat-and-extend regimen with one of five anti-VEGF agents (ranibizumab, aflibercept, brolucizumab, faricimab, or ranibizumab biosimilar) between January 2017 and December 2023. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses identified independent predictors of treatment discontinuation. Pre- and post-treatment visual acuity and anatomic outcomes were assessed. RESULTS: Among 380 patients, 55 (14.5%) self-discontinued therapy. Younger age and poorer baseline best-corrected visual acuity were significantly associated with treatment discontinuation in both univariate and multivariate analyses. Furthermore, faricimab use increased the risk of discontinuation, whereas aflibercept use was associated with better adherence. CONCLUSION: The findings of this study underscore the importance of individualized patient management strategies to enhance long-term adherence to anti-VEGF therapy among patients with DME.