DR. ABHILASHA BAHARANI

Abstract

Aim:To study retinal ischemia in epidemic retinitis (ER) treated with doxycycline first versus steroids first.

Methods:A retrospective study of ER from October 2016 to April 2021 was done. Twelve eyes of 9 patients treated with doxycycline first were included in group D. Six eyes of 3 patients who were on steroids at presentation and treated with doxycycline later were included in group S. ImageJ software was used to measure areas of capillary nonperfusion in the superficial retinal vasculature (SRV) on OCTA after resolution of retinitis.

Results:Mean BCVA changed from logMAR 0.79∓0.71 to logMAR 0.05∓0.08 (p<0.002) in group D, and changed from logMAR 1.03∓0.05 to logMAR 0.23∓0.23 (p<0.004) in group S. Mean percentage area of ischemia in SRV on OCTA was 4.6∓1.5 in group D and 13.9∓4.1 in group S. Conclusion:In ER, treatment with doxycycline first carries a better prognosis in terms of BCVA and retinal ischemia. OCTA with ImageJ can be used to objectively study retinal ischemic changes.