Objective To investigate the therapeutic efficacy of transpupillary thermal therapy (TTT) for age-related macular degeneration (AMD) accompanied with subfoveal choroidal neovascularization (CNV). Methods Fifty-one eyes of 47 patients whose illness had been diagnosed as AMD by fundus fluorescein angiography (FFA) and indocyanine green angiography (ICGA) were treated with diode 810 laser. There are 42 eyes of 39 patients had occult CNV and 9 eyes of 8 patients had classic CNV, and the average visual acuity in their fist diagnosis was 0.12. According to the focus size, the diameters of beam spot varied from 0.8, 1.2, 2.0, and 3.0 mm; and the power was 120, 160, 260 and 360mW correspondingly, with the duration of 60 seconds. The follow-up examination was performed once a month after the treatment, and repetitious treatment would be taken once to thrice if necessary. The follow-up period was 3~33 months with the mean of 10 months. Visual acuity, haemorrhage in ocular fundus, absorption of exudation, and the closure of CNV were examined in the follow-up examination. Results No immediate decrement of visual acuity or any other discomforts were found in all of the treated eyes soon after the treatment. The average visual acuity of 51 eyes was 0.16 in the last diagnosis, which remained no change in 68.62%; increased in 23.53% and decreased in 7.84% compared with that in the first diagnosis. The results of FFA and ICCG demonstrated that at the 3rd months after the treatment, the closure rate was 42.86% in occult CNV and 22.22% in classic CNV; and at the 6th month, the closure rate was 73.81% in occult CNV and 66.67% in classic CNV. The results of ophthalmoscopy showed that at the 3rd month after the treatment, partial or complete absorption of hemorrhage and/or exudates with various thickness of organized scarring tissue was found in 42 eyes with occult CNV; decrement of hemorrhage and exudates was observed in 7 out of 9 eyes with classic CNV; and new hemorrhage occurred in 1 eye. At the 6th month, in 27 eyes with occult CNV, new hemorrhage occurred in 3 including 2 eyes with occult CNV, new hemorrhage occurred in 3 including 2 eyes with faster absorption and remaining unchanged for 12 months; in 5 eyes with classic C NV, new hemorrhage occurred in 2, which was absorbed after treated again and remained stable in the 16-month followed-up. In 19 eyes with occult CNV which had been followed up for more than 6 months, hemorrhage disappeared in 5 and new hemorrhage occurred in 5. In the followed-up over 6 months, new hemorrhage occurred in 8 eyes with the recurrent rate of 15.6%. Conclusion TTT is effective for AMD with either classic or occult CNV. In the long-term followed-up, CNV recurs in 15.6% of the treated eyes which may be improved after the further treatment. (Chin J Ocul Fundus Dis，2004，20：280-284)
Objective To observe the baseline characteristics and visual outcomes after two years follow-up of exudative age-related macular degeneration (AMD) patients treated with ranibizumb. Methods Forty-four eyes of 44 patients with exudative AMD were enrolled into this retrospective study, 19 were men and 25 were women. The mean age was 78 years (range 64 – 92 years). All patients were underwent best corrected visual acuity (BCVA, Early Treatment of Diabetic Retinopathy Study), fundus color photography, fundus fluorescein angiography (FFA), indocyanine green angiography (ICGA) and optical coherence tomography (OCT). The mean BCVA was (50.36±14.43) letters, the mean central foveal thickness (CFT) was (291.95±82.19) μm, and the fluorescence leakage area of choroidal neovascularization (CNV) was (7.61±5.84) mm2. All patients received three initial intravitreous injection of ranibizumb (IVR) and were retreated with monthly IVR when needed. The mean follow up time was 25.6 months (range 24 – 29 months). On 1, 2, 3, 6, 12, 18 and 24 months after treatment, BCVA and OCT were repeated. On 3, 6, 12, 18 and 24 months after treatment, FFA and ICGA were repeated. The change of BCVA, CFT and fluorescence leakage area of CNV were observed. The association of baseline characteristics and two year visual outcomes were analyzed. Results On 1, 2, 3, 6, 12, 18 and 24 months after treatment, the BCVA were improved significantly (t= −1.89, −3.51, −4.61, −4.04, −5.77, −4.69;P＜0.05), the CFT were decreased significantly (t=1.51, 2.30, 3.40, 3.28, 3.54, 3.88, 3.73;P＜0.05). On 3, 6, 12, 18 and 24 months after treatment, the fluorescence leakage area of CNV were reduced significantly (t=2.12, 2.90, 3.51, 4.12, 4.06;P＜0.05). The lower baseline BCVA, the more improved after treatment. The BCVA improvement degree has a negative relationship with baseline BCVA and fluorescence leakage area of CNV (r=0.505, −0.550;P＜0.05), but no correlation with baseline CFT (r=0.210,P＞0.05). Conclusion Two year visual outcomes of exudative AMD patients treated with ranibizumb is negative correlated with baseline BCVA and fluorescence leakage area of CNV, but not correlated with baseline CFT.
Objective To observe the multimodal image features of inflammatory lesions and choroidal neovascularization (CNV) in multifocal choroiditis (MFC). MethodsA retrospective clinical analysis. A total of 90 eyes of 46 patients with MFC diagnosed in the Department of Ophthalmology of Yunnan University Affiliated Hospital from May 2017 to April 2021 were included in the study. Among them, there were 21 males and 25 females; the average age was 38.30±8.97 years old. Twenty-nine cases of MFC were diagnosed in the past, and they visited the doctor again due to new symptoms; 17 cases without a clear past medical history were the first visits. All eyes underwent color fundus photography, fluorescein fundus angiography (FFA), optical coherence tomography (OCT), and OCT angiography (OCTA). With reference to the literature and the results of multimodal fundus imaging examinations, MFC lesions were divided into active CNV lesions, inactive CNV lesions, active inflammatory lesions, and inactive inflammatory lesions, with 31 (34.4%, 31/90), 12 (13.3%, 12/90), 26 (28.9%, 26/90), 90 (100.0%, 90/90) eyes. Nineteen eyes were treated with anti-vascular endothelial growth factor drugs. To summarize and analyze the manifestations of inflammatory lesions and CNV lesions in different imaging examinations. The Wilcoxon rank test was used to compare the detection rate of CNV lesions between FFA and OCTA. ResultsIn eyes with active inflammatory lesions and active CNV lesions, yellow-white lesions, retinal hemorrhage and exudation were seen on fundus color photography; FFA examination showed fluorescein leakage in the lesions; OCT examination showed retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) layer in the lesions was uplifted, the boundary was unclear, combined with subretinal and intraretinal fluid; OCTA examination showed that there was no blood flow signal in each layer of vascular tissue in active inflammatory lesions, and blood flow signals were seen in active CNV lesions. In the eyes of inactive inflammatory lesions and inactive CNV lesions, the fundus color photography showed that the lesions had clear boundaries without bleeding or exudation; FFA examination, the lesions were fluorescently stained, and there was no fluorescein leakage; OCT examination, inactive CNV lesions manifested as raised lesions with clear boundaries, and inactive inflammation manifested as scars formed by mild RPE hyperplasia or depressions in outer structures formed by atrophy; OCTA examination, inactive inflammatory lesions showed patchy loss of blood flow signal or penetrating blood flow signal below, blood flow signal can be seen in inactive CNV lesions. ConclusionMFC active inflammatory lesions and active CNV lesions are often accompanied by retinal hemorrhage and exudation; FFA shows fluorescein leakage; OCT shows that the boundary of raised lesions is unclear; OCTA can identify the nature of CNV or inflammatory lesions.
Objective To compare the features of OCT angiography (OCTA) between neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD) and myopic choroidal neovascularization (mCNV) patients before and after intravitreal anti-VEGF treatment. Methods A prospective cohort study. Twenty-nine patients (37 eyes) with nAMD (19 males and 10 females, aged 68.20±8.76) and 31 patients (34 eyes) with mCNV (9 males and 22 females, aged 43.10±11.80, with the mean diopter of −9.71±1.20 D) from Department of Ophthalmology, West China Hospital of Sichuan University during May and December 2017 were included in this study. Ranibizumab or Conbercept (0.5 mg/0.05 ml) was intravitreally injected in all eyes. The patients were follow-up for 3−6 months. The OCTA was conducted before treatment and 1 day, 1 week, 1 month and 3−6 months after treatment. In order to ensure that the scanning position was the same, the tracking mode was adopted for each scanning. According to the OCTA images, the lesion area, parafoveal superficial vessel density and perfusion area were measured and analyzed contrastively between nAMD and mCNV patients. Results The mean lesion area before and 1 month after treatment in nAMD patients were 0.38±1.87 mm2 and 0.06±0.12 mm2, while in mCNV patients, those were 0.26±1.06 mm2 and 0.03±0.05 mm2, respectively. There were statistically significant differences (Z=4.181, 4.475; P＜0.001) in CNV lesion area before and 1 month after treatment between nAMD and mCNV patients. Compared with those before treatment, the absolute change (Z=1.853, P=0.064) and the percentage changes (t=2.685, P=0.010) of CNV lesion area 1 month after treatment in nAMD and mCNV patients show a statistical meaning. There were significantly decreases in both parafoveal superficial vessel density (F=8.997, P=0.003) and perfusion area (F=7.887, P=0.015) 3 months after treatment in nAMD patients, while decreases in parafoveal superficial vessel density (F=11.142, P=0.004) and perfusion area (F=7.662, P=0.013) could be detected 1 day after treatment in mCNV patients, before rising 1 month after treatment. Conclusions There are significantly differences in lesion area before and after the treatment of intravitreal anti-VEGF between nAMD and mCNV patients by OCTA examination. Moreover, the changes of both parafoveal superficial vessel density and perfusion area after anti-VEGF treatment are statistically different in two groups.
Objective To observe the clinical effects and safety of Bevacizumab on recurrent idiopathic choroidal neoascularization(CNV). Methods To analyze retrospectively the clinical data of 21 eyes of 20 patients with recurrent idiopathic CNV who had intravitreal injection of Bevacizumab(0.05 ml 1.25 mg) after signing the letter of consent. In these patients, 12 cases (13 eyes) had been cured by photodynamic therapy (PDT), and 8 cases (8 eyes) had been cured by transpupillary thermotherapy (TTT). The follow-up periods were 2 weeks, 1 month, 3 months and 6 months after injection. The inspection findings of best-corrected visual acuity(BCVA), fundus fluorescein angiography (FFA) and optical coherence tomogr aphy (OCT) before and after the treatment were observed and analyzed. It could inject once more by the same way if there are recurrences in follow-up period. Results At the end of follow-up period, the BCVA improved obviously (gt;1 lines) in 14 eyes (66.7%)，kept stable (changed within 1 line)in 5 eyes (23.8%) and decreased (gt;1 lines) in 2 eyes(9.5%). The complete closure of CNV in 17 eyes (81.0%) and partial closure in 4 eyes (19.0%) were observed by FFA images. The thickness of retina in macular region decreased 115 micron. 3 eyes (14.3%) has inject again during follow-up period. The intraocular pressure increased in 4 eyes(19.0%) , the average intraocular pressure was 26.7 mm Hg（1 mm Hg=0.133 kPa). They have been returned to normal through the treatment. There was no serious adverse reaction in process of treatment. Conclusion Intravitreal infection of Bevacizumab can reduce the leakage of recurrent CNV and macular edema after PDT or TTT. About 2/ 3 patients can improve their visual acuity obviously. No severe complication or adverse reaction was observed in this study. (Chin J Ocul Fundus Dis,2008,24:168-171)
ObjectiveTo observe the clinical efficiency of intravitreal Conbercept on exudative age-related macular degeneration (eAMD). MethodsThis is an open and prospective study without control trial. Twenty eyes from 20 patients (19 males and 1 female) with eAMD diagnosed by fundus fluorescein angiography (FFA) and indocyanine green angiography (ICGA) were enrolled in this study. Before the injection, best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) of early treatment of diabetic retinopathy study (ETDRS), non-contact tonometer, ophthalmoscope, fundus photography, fundus fluorescein angiograph (FFA), indocyanine green angiography (ICGA) and optical coherence tomography (OCT) were examined. The initial average letters of ETDRS acuity were 41.20±22.61, range from 8 to 80. The initial average central retina thickness (CRT) was (345.25±131.96) μm, range from 152 to 770 μm.All affected eyes were treated with intravitreal conbercept 0.05 ml (10 mg/ml). The patients were followed up for 6 to 9 months, with the mean time of (7.35±0.99) months.The BCVA, CRT after treatment were compared with baseline using paired t-test. ResultsDuring the 1, 3, 6, 12 months after treatment and the latest follow up, the mean BCVA were all improved with statistically significant difference (t=5.85, 7.09, 7.44, 7.25; P < 0.05). At 1 month ater treatment, the mean BCVA was obviously improved in 6 eyes (30%), improved in 8 eyes (40%), stable in 6 eyes (30%). At latest follow up, the mean BCVA was obviously improved in 6 eyes (30%), improved in 9 eyes (45%), stable in 5 eyes (25%). During the 1, 3, 6, 12 months after treatment and the latest follow up, the mean CRT were all decreased with statistically significant difference (t=3.34, 3.78, 3.47, 3.44; P < 0.05). At latest follow up, the leakage in macula lutea disappeared in 6 eyes (30%), decreased in 11 eyes (55%) and increased in 3 eyes (15%). No adverse events such as secondary retinal detachment or endoophthalmitis were found during the follow-up duration. ConclusionIntravitreal conbercept is a safe and effective approach for eAMD, may improve visual acuity, exudation and macular edema.
Interleukin-18 is an inactive precursor which lacks a signal peptide, it has a role in regulating retinal pathological angiogenesis. It also inhibits experimental choroidal neovascularization (CNV) via interferon-γand thrombospondin-1. Currently little is known about its mechanisms of inhibition for CNV, may be speculated to be due to effects of anti-angiogenesis, down-regulates vascular permeability and lower vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) levels via directly acting on the vascular endothelial cell and epithelial cells. Exogenous administration of mature recombinant interleukin-18 has no adverse effect on retinal pigment epithelial cell viability. In addition, the anti-VEGF role of interleukin-18 is tested to be safe and effective for humans. Interleukin-18 alone or in combination with anti-VEGF shows to be a good prospect for improving the prognosis of experimental CNV. However, more large clinical studies are required to confirm the exact efficacy of interleukin-18 for CNV.
ObjectiveTo observe the expression of Rap1, guanosine triphosphate-Rap1 (GTP-Rap1), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and β-catenin in experimental choroidal neovascularization (CNV).MethodsForty-two brown Norwegian rats were randomly divided into a blank control group (7 rats) and a model group (35 rats). Both eyes were enrolled. The CNV model was established by holmium ion laser photocoagulation in the model group. At 3, 7, 14, 21, and 28 days after photocoagulation, fluorescein fundus angiography (FFA) and choroidal vascular smear were performed to observe the degree of fluorescein leakage and CNV area in rats; Western blot and real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) were used to detect the expression of Rap1, GTP-Rap1, VEGF, β-catenin and mRNA in CNV.ResultsThe results of FFA examination showed that a large disc-shaped fluorescein leaked in the photo-condensation spot 14 days after photocoagulation. Laser confocal microscopy showed that compared with 7 days after photocoagulation, CNV area increased at 14, 21, 28 days after photocoagulation, and the difference were statistically significant (t=3.725, 5.532, 3.605;P＜0.05). Western blot showed that there was no significant difference in the relative expression of Rap1 protein in CNV at different time points after photocoagulation between the two groups (P=0.156). Compared with the blank control group, the relative expression of GTP-Rap1 protein was significantly decreased, the relative expression of VEGF and β-catenin protein were significantly increased in the model group (P=0.000). The results of RT-PCR showed that there was no significant difference in the relative expression of Rap1 mRNA at different time points after photocoagulation between the two groups (P=0.645), but there were significant difference in the relative expression of β-catenin mRNA (P=0.000). At 7, 14, 21 and 28 days after photocoagulation, there were significant difference in the relative expression of GTP-Rap1 and VEGF mRNA between the two groups (P=0.000).ConclusionsThe expression of GTP-Rap1 in experimental CNV is significantly lower than that in normal rats.
Objective To observe the clinical efficacy of intravitreal Ranibizumab on exudative agerelated macular degeneration (AMD).Methods The clinical data of 46 patients（52 eyes）with exudative AMD were analyzed retrospectively. All patients were diagnosed by examination of early treatment of diabetic retinopathy study (ETDRS) charts, color fundus photograph，fluorescein angiography（FFA）or indocyanine green angiography（ICGA）and optical coherence tomography（OCT）.They received intravitreal injection of 0.05 ml (10 mg/ml) Ranibizumab, once per month for 3 months. Further injection may be required if the monthly followup indicated. A total of 52 eyes received 214 times of injections, each eye received 2-6 injections (mean 4.12). The Followup duration was 12 months. Vision acuity, fovea thickness and CNV leakage before and after treatment were analyzed.Results At the 12th month after treatment, the mean letter of ETDRS charts was 37.80 (11.40 letters more that pretreatment index,Plt;0.01). FFA and (or) ICGA showed complete closures choroidal neovascularization (CNV) in 11 eyes（21.20%），partial closures in 34 eyes (65.40%)，no change in four eyes (7.70%)，lesion growth in two eyes（3.80%）and new lesion in one eye (1.90%).OCT indicated the average of fovea thickness was 187.50 mu;m (122.80 mu;m less than the pretreatment index, Plt;0.01).Conclusion Intravitreal injection of Ranibizumab for exudative AMD according to this therapeutic schedule was well tolerated，with an improvement in visual acuity，FFA or ICGA and OCT.
ObjectiveTo observe the imaging characteristics of optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) and the changes of choroidal capillary density (CCD) in the eyes of patients with high myopia choroidal neovascularization (mCNV). MethodsA case-control study. From January 2018 to October 2020, 50 cases of mCNV patients with 50 eyes (mCNV group) were included in the study. There were 18 males and 32 females; their age was 42.11±11.66 years old. Fifty eyes of 50 patients with normal fundus with matching myopia refractive power (≥6.00 D) were selected as the simple high myopia group, and 50 normal volunteers (refractive power －0.25-0.25 D) while 50 eyes were selected as the normal control group. There was no statistically significant difference in age (F=0.028) and gender composition ratio (χ2=0.136) among the three groups of patients (P＞0.05); the difference in best corrected visual acuity was statistically significant (F=14.762, P=0.004). Compared with mCNV group and pure high myopia group, the refractive index (t=－0.273) and axial length (t=0.312) of the examined eyes were not statistically significant (P＞0.05). OCTA instrument was used to measure the CCD in the macular area of the examined eye. Analysis of variance was used for comparison of measurement data among the three groups; χ2 test was used for comparison of categorical variables. The paired t test was performed to compare the CCD of the mCNV patient's eye and the contralateral eye. ResultsAmong the 50 eyes in the mCNV group, Ⅰ, Ⅱ, and mixed choroidal neovascularization (CNV) were 12 (24%, 12/50), 34 (68%, 34/50), and 4 (8%, 4/50) eyes, respectively. Corresponding to the OCTA cross-sectional image of the lesion, there was a clear “flower cluster”-like strong blood flow signal. Among them, the focal shape, the filament shape, and the group net shape were 6 (12%, 6/50), 8 (11%, 8/50), and 36 (72%, 36/50) eyes, respectively. The CCD of the eyes in the mCNV group, the pure high myopia group, and the normal control group were (57.39±3.24)%, (59.33±2.23)%, and (61.87±1.62)%, respectively. The CCD of the eyes in the mCNV group was significantly lower than that of the simple high myopia group (P=0.030) and the normal control group (P＜0.001). The CCD of the affected eye and the contralateral eye in the mCNV group were (57.39±3.24)% and (59.82±3.94)%, respectively; there was no statistically significant difference between the CCD of the affected eye and the contralateral eye (t=－0.496, P=0.100). The CCDs of eyes with Ⅰ, Ⅱ and mixed CNV were (57.38±3.31)%, (57.39±2.83)%, and (57.36±4.21)%, respectively. There were no statistically significant differences in CCD (F=1.476), age (F=0.274), sex ratio (χ2=0.825), and diopter (F=0.348) in different CNV types (P＞0.05). ConclusionThe mCNV is mostly type Ⅱ, and OCTA has a "bloom" appearance of abnormal reticular blood vessels; the CCD is significantly reduced, and it is bilateral.