Anas Alkhabaz

All Publications

• Foreign Body Presenting as Golden Hypopyon SURGERIES Alkhabaz, A., Guo, L. Y., DeBoer, C. 2025; 6 (3)

  View details for DOI 10.3390/surgeries6030068

  View details for Web of Science ID 001580791000001

• Age-related macular degeneration associated with optic disc drusen FRONTIERS IN OPHTHALMOLOGY Alkhabaz, A., Kim, M., Pujari, R., Zhang, J., Ren, Y., Leung, L., Liao, Y. 2025; 5: 1620616

  Abstract

  The aim of this study was to investigate the risk of age-related macular degeneration (AMD) in association with optic disc drusen (ODD).This was an observational, cross-sectional study.Participants were consecutive patients with and without ODD from the neuro-ophthalmology clinic. Ten patients with concomitant ODD-AMD were sub-analyzed.The two cohorts were identified from a prospectively recruited dataset between July 2022 and June 2024. Patients received formal diagnoses of ODD and AMD after ophthalmic and imaging assessment. A logistic regression model was utilized in calculating AMD risk to account for demographic differences.A total of 94 patients with ODD (median age: 44 [Q1: 20, Q3: 69], 64% women) and 100 patients without ODD (median age: 60 [Q1: 44, Q3: 69], 48% women) were identified. AMD was observed in 9.6% and 3% of the ODD and non-ODD cohorts, respectively. The risk of AMD was higher in the ODD group (OR = 3.93, 95% CI: 0.89-21.85, p = 0.084). Although the association was not statistically significant, a logistic regression model attributed that to the age difference between the two cohorts. Of the 10 patients with ODD-AMD, 70% had a family history of AMD. These patients were all Caucasians and had a median age of 75 years (range: 56-91); 70% were women. Only 30% were smokers. On optic disc imaging, 70% of eyes demonstrated moderate-to-severe ODD.Patients with ODD might be at a higher risk of AMD compared to patients without ODD, and AMD screening might be warranted. A family history of AMD is often present, indicating shared genetic risk factors.

  View details for DOI 10.3389/fopht.2025.1620616

  View details for Web of Science ID 001529635000001

  View details for PubMedID 40677744

  View details for PubMedCentralID PMC12267001

• Using Multimodal Imaging to Improve the Diagnostic Accuracy of Optic Disc Edema Kim, M., Alkhabaz, A., Yu, M., Pujari, R., Zhang, J., Zhu, P., Liao, Y. ASSOC RESEARCH VISION OPHTHALMOLOGY INC. 2025

  View details for Web of Science ID 001560033700013

• Plasma lipids as novel biomarker of non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy Alkhabaz, A., Kaushal, K., Ren, Y., Modgil, S., Pujari, R., Zhang, J., Zhu, P., Fu, M., Dai, Y., Liao, Y. ASSOC RESEARCH VISION OPHTHALMOLOGY INC. 2025

  View details for Web of Science ID 001560033700010

• Microvascular changes in acute nonarteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy with or Zhang, J., Pujari, R., Alkhabaz, A., Zhu, P., Yaping, S., Liao, J. ASSOC RESEARCH VISION OPHTHALMOLOGY INC. 2025

  View details for Web of Science ID 001558421400018

• Optic disc drusen-associated neovascularization: A systematic review. Survey of ophthalmology Alkhabaz, A., Pujari, R., Ren, Y., Smith, S. J., Liao, Y. J. 2025

  Abstract

  We have integrated current evidence of visual outcomes in optic disc drusen-associated choroidal neovascularization (ODD-CNV). We systematically reviewed all published ODD-CNV cases from 1974 to 2024 using three databases (PubMed, EMBASE, and Web of Science). Only studies reporting baseline visual acuity, follow-up visual acuity, and an intervention were included. Methodological quality was assessed using a standardized tool for case reports. Seventy-four eyes (65 patients) were identified from 48 eligible articles. The median age of the subjects was 13 years (range: 3-75), and 63.5% were females. CNVs were mainly peripapillary, with 45.7% of them progressing into the macula. On average, the eyes had a follow-up period of 21.5 months. Overall, treatment (of any type) showed better outcomes (0.53 LogMAR improvement, >3 lines on Snellen chart) compared to observation only (0.09 LogMAR improvement). Anti-VEGF injections and laser photocoagulation, the most frequently used interventions, showed 0.62 and 0.19 LogMAR improvement, respectively; however, the difference was not statistically significant (p = 0.05398). Among 24 pediatric eyes, anti-VEGF showed 0.71 LogMAR improvement with minimal side effects and recurrence in one eye only. When stratified by age, pediatric patients experienced a greater LogMAR improvement compared to adults, even when adjusting for anti-VEGF treatment (p = 0.0279). Our findings highlight the importance of intervention in ODD-CNV patients, particularly in the younger population, as they are more responsive to treatment. Anti-VEGF demonstrates great efficacy and safety profile in the pediatric population.

  View details for DOI 10.1016/j.survophthal.2025.05.010

  View details for PubMedID 40441443

• Siponimod-associated cystoid macular edema without known risk factors. American journal of ophthalmology case reports Kim, M. Y., Alkhabaz, A., Smith, S. J., Liao, Y. J. 2024; 36: 102124

  Abstract

  This case report highlights the importance of monitoring ocular health for patients starting on siponimod treatment, a sphingosine-1-phosphate receptor modulator, for relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis. By showing how medication adverse events present in patients, we can revisit the current guidelines on ophthalmic evaluation recommendations.We report a 60-year-old patient who presented with unilateral blurry vision upon initiating siponimod therapy for the treatment of relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis. Her exam findings did not show visual field defects but were significant for cystoid macular edema distorting the foveal contour. Upon stopping siponimod therapy, the patient's macular edema and symptoms resolved significantly within 7 days and completely resolved 1 month later.This case showcases siponimod-associated cystoid macular edema in a patient without known risk factors, such as diabetes mellitus and uveitis. The patient also had the earliest reported symptom onset to date following the initiation of siponimod therapy. Current recommendations from the American Academy of Ophthalmology and FDA stress the importance of ophthalmic evaluation three to four months after treatment initiation for patients with a history of risk factors. Given our current case and its comparison with four previously reported cases, we recommend that physicians inform patients of possible ocular adverse events with siponimod therapy regardless of their past medical history and duration of treatment.

  View details for DOI 10.1016/j.ajoc.2024.102124

  View details for PubMedID 39156909

  View details for PubMedCentralID PMC11327528

• Proteomics Biomarkers of Optic Nerve Stroke with and without Optic Disc Drusen Alkhabaz, A., Kaushal, K., Liu, L., Liao, Y. ASSOC RESEARCH VISION OPHTHALMOLOGY INC. 2024

  View details for Web of Science ID 001312227700184

• Diffuse Idiopathic Pulmonary Neuroendocrine Cell Hyperplasia: A Blanked Out Pulmonary Neuroendocrine Tumor. Case reports in oncology Swied, M. Y., Azhar, W., Alkhabaz, A., Zaidi, F. 2024; 17 (1): 581-586

  Abstract

  Lung neuroendocrine tumors (NETs) are a rare type of pulmonary tumor and represent approximately 2% of all lung cancers. The prevalence of lung NETs is increasing, which may be due to improved diagnostic techniques for asymptomatic tumors. Diffuse idiopathic pulmonary neuroendocrine cell hyperplasia (DIPNECH) is a rare and underdiagnosed disease that falls under the spectrum of NETs.We presented a case of a 59-year-old male who presented with severe coughing spells, flushing, and diarrhea. His computed tomography scan showed innumerable pulmonary nodules and irregular nodular opacities throughout the lungs. He underwent a left upper lobe wedge resection and was eventually diagnosed with neuroendocrine tumorlets via immunohistochemical stains. He was started on a trial of octreotide and reported significant improvement in symptoms after 1 month.DIPNECH is a rare preinvasive lesion characterized by the abnormal proliferation of pulmonary neuroendocrine cells. Patients with DIPNECH can present initially with respiratory symptoms, while other cases are discovered incidentally during the workup of different conditions. Definitive diagnosis of DIPNECH requires histopathological examination of lung tissue. There is limited evidence on DIPNECH management, and an individualized approach is currently advised.

  View details for DOI 10.1159/000538796

  View details for PubMedID 38751830

  View details for PubMedCentralID PMC11095596