Objective To observe the dimensions of the capillary blood vessel arch in central fovea of macula and the foveal avascular area (FAZ), and their relationships with age.Methods Retina in macula of 32 cadavers eyes were isolated . Retinal vessels were immunostained by collagen type IV and examined by confocal laser scanning microscopy. The area and diameter of the FAZ were measured, and the relationship between FAZ and age was analysed. Results The parafoveolar capillary network was observed clearly by confocal laser scanning microscopy. The average area of the FAZ was (0.24±0.13) mm2, and the average diameter was (0.54±0.15) mm. The area and diameter of the FAZ did not show any correlation with age.Conclusions The parafoveolar capillary network could be observed by confocal laser scanning microscopy. The size of the FAZ does not change with age. The dimensions of the parafoveolar capillary network may not be influenced by age. (Chin J Ocul Fundus Dis，2003，19：73-75)
Adult-onset foveomacular vitelliform dystrophy (AFVD) is characterized by gradually loss of vision, subretinal vitelliform macular lesions and retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) atrophy. The electrooculogram (EOG) is usually normal or reduce slightly. On optical coherence tomography (OCT), there are vitelliform substance which deposited between the photoreceptor layer and the RPE layer, and thinner outer nuclear layer above these deposits. OCT angiography can show the superficial and deep retinal capillaries plexus (DCP) above the yolk-like deposits, the choroidal capillary blood flow is reduced and the DCP blood flow is increased near macular. On indocyanine green angiography (ICG), there is choroidal neovascularization under vitelliform substance at early stage and fluorescence leakage in the corresponding retinal region at late stage. There is no effective treatment for AFVD at present, monogenic gene therapy is the most worth looking forward to. Understanding AFVD clinical manifestations, multi-mode imaging features and new advances in treatment can provide a reference for diagnosis and treatment options
Objective To investigate the impact of photodynamic therapy (PDT) with verteporfin on the expression of pigment epithelial derivative factor (PEDF) mRNA and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) mRNA in adult retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells in vitro. Methods The changes of cellular viability before and after PDT were assessed by methyl thiazolyl tetrazolum (MTT) colorimetric assay. Semiquantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was conducted to detect the expression of PEDF and VEGF mRNA in RPE cells before and after PDT. Results PDT caused the death of RPE cells. The cellular mortality was positively correlated with the power of photocoagulation and the concentration of verteporfin. Conclusion PDT could downregulate the expression of PEDF and VEGF mRNA in adult RPE cells in vitro, which may relate to the cure or relapse of subfoveal choroidal neovascular membrane after PDT. (Chin J Ocul Fundus Dis, 2006, 22: 256-260)
Purpose To identify and quantitatively evaluate age-related changes in the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) and underlying Bruch is membrane and choroid in donor human eyes. Methods 36unpaired human eyes of varying age (3-39 years) from Caucasian donors were supplied by Manchester Eye Bank (UK) or National Disease Research Interchange (Philadephia,USA).Modified Masson is trichrome staining was used to illustrate age-related changes in RPE cell, Bruch is membrane thickness, and density of choriocapillaries and thickness of the choroid. Data were assessed using computer-aided quantitative morphometric analysis method. ResultsThe thickness of Bruch is membrane increased with age while there is a change in morphology of RPE cells including a decrease in number and RPE cell thickening with age. RPE cells decreased at a rate of 8 cells/mm2 middot; year, RPE cell height and thickness of Bruch is membrane increased at rates of 0.01(mu;m/year) and 0.02 (mu;m/year) respectively. The luminal area of choriocapillaries and the thickness of choroid showed no close relation with age. Conclusion RPE cell loss and thickening of Bruch is membrane and RPE cells may be the earlier and primary alteration with age. (Chin J Ocul Fundus Dis,2000,16:236-239)
Objective To investigate the relationship between lipid deposition in the Bruch's membrane and the retinal pigment epithelium(RPE)cells and age,and characteristics of lipid deposition in the age-related macular degeneration(AMD). Methods Thirty-two normal eyes from dead people aged 20 days to 84 years and 2 AMD eyes from corpses were examined by using histochemistry stains to identify characteristics of lipid depositi on in the Bruch's membrane and the retinal pigment epithelium(RPE)cells. Results In the normal eyes,lipid deposition in the Bruch's membrane increased with aging,especially in the macular region.The main composition of the lipid deposition was neutral lipid.AMD eyes were more intensively stained than normal aged eyes,especially in the macular region. Conclusion Lipid deposition distributed in the same regions both in normal and AMD eyes in the elderly,which may play an important role in the aging process and the development of AMD.Stain of RPE increasing with aging may reflect the deposition of lipofuscin in the cells. (Chin J Ocul Fundus Dis,1999,15:84-87)
ObjectiveTo observe the alterations of vascular density of superficial or deep retinal vascular plexus and the area of foveal avascular zone (FAZ) in acute central serous chorioretinopathy (CSC) eyes.MethodsThis is a retrospective study including 22 patients with unilateral CSC in acute stages. The patients were divided into group A (22 affected eyes) and B (22 fellow eyes). Twenty eyes of 20 age and gender-matched healthy volunteers (group C) were enrolled in this study. All subjects underwent optical coherence tomography (OCT) angiography examinations. The observation index included signal intensity of blood flow in choroidal capillary, vessel density and FAZ on the superficial capillary plexus (SCP) and deep capillary plexus (DCP).ResultsThe FAZ on DCP in group A was larger than that in group B and C (t=4.28, 5.57; P=0.00、0.00), but there was no significant difference of FAZ on SCP among 3 groups (t=0.28, 0.80; P=0.78, 0.43). The vessel density of SCP and DCP in group A and B were decreased than those in group C (t=−4.40, −2.91; P=0.00, 0.00). The type of choroidal capillaries dilation had two different manifestations by OCTA, which was circumscribed in 12 eyes and diffuse in 10 eyes. The subretinal fluid in macular area which presented dark chamber with weak reflection was observed by en-face OCT.ConclusionsThe vessel density of SCP and DCP in both eyes of acute CSC are lower than those in normal eyes. The FAZ of DCP in affected eyes of acute CSC is larger than that in fellow eyes and normal eyes. The blood flow of dilated choroidal capillary can be manifested as different morphological enhancements.
ObjectiveTo observe and analyze the image characteristics of eyes with choroidal osteoma using swept-source OCT (SS-OCT).MethodsSeventy-three eyes of 61 patients with choroidal osteoma were enrolled in the study, including 17 males (20 eyes) and 44 females (53 eyes) with an average age of 33.5±12.7 years. Single tumor was found in 71 eyes and multiple tumors were found in 2 eyes. All patients received examinations of slit lamp ophthalmoscope, color fundus photography, fundus autofluorescence, fluorescein angiography and/or indocyanine green angiography, B-scan ultrasonography and/or computerized tomography. Tumor features were characterized using SS-OCT.ResultsAmong 75 tumors of 73 eyes, the osteoma was completely calcified in 7 tumors, completely decalcified in 5 tumors and all the other tumors were composed of calcified and decalcified portions. SS-OCT revealed normal inner retina in all the calcified areas of tumors and abnormal outer retina including external limiting membrane, ellipsoid zone, interdigitation zone and RPE in some cases. Whereas the outer retina and RPE showed abnormality in the decalcified areas of all cases. The choriocapillaris was invisible in all cases and most of the medium and large caliber vessels showed thinning or nonvisibility. Choroidal osteoma revealed a sponge-like appearance (n=39), loofah sponge appearance (n=11), lamellar pattern (n=10), mixed (n=12) and irregular patterns (n=5). Other unique features included horizontal lamellar lines (n=71), hyperreflective horizontal lines (n=47) and hyporeflective tubules (horizontal:n=39, vertical:n=42, circular:n=41) within choroidal osteoma. Hyperreflective tumor-like tissues were also detected above the disrupted Bruch’s membrane. The sclero-choroidal junction was detectable in all tumors and a posterior ciliary vessel penetrating the sclera was also seen.ConclusionsSS-OCT clearly reveals characteristic appearances of choroidal osteoma as sponge-like, loofah sponge, lamellar pattern, mixed and irregular patterns, with unique features of horizontal lamellar lines, hyperreflective horizontal lines and hyporeflective tubules within osteoma. Hyperreflective tumor-like tissues were detected to grow above the disrupted Bruch’s membrane.
Objective To observe the spectral domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) features of acute Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada (VKH) eyes before and after treatment.Methods Twenty-eight patients (56 eyes) with acute VKH diagnosed by slitlamp microscopy, B mode ultrasound and fundus fluorescein angiography (FFA) were enrolled in this study. All the patients were treated with steroid after diagnosis. SD-OCT was performed in all the patients before and after treatment. The follow-up was ranged from 12 to 32 weeks with a mean of (21.30plusmn;8.53) weeks. The foveal retinal detachment height, inner and outer segments (IS/OS) of photoreceptors, and the changes in retinal structure within the vascular arcades before and after treatment were comparatively analyzed. Results OCT examination results showed that before treatment, all eyes had retinal neural epithelial detachment. The average neural epithelial detachment height in the fovea was (635.44plusmn;340.04) mu;m. Forty-three eyes (76.8%) had different types of subretinal exudates; 41 eyes (73.2%) had b granular reflection in the subretinal space. Twenty-two eyes (39.3%) had paraforveal outer nuclear layer (ONL) thickening with finger-like protrusions attached with membrane-like structure. Thirty-three eyes (58.9%) had wavy lines of the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE). After the treatment, these exudates dissolved within one week and RPE line became straight. The retina reattached after (2.33plusmn;0.82) weeks. In most patients external limiting membrane and IS/OS became intact after (5.01plusmn;6.71) weeks and (11.40plusmn;7.89) weeks respectively. However, at the end of follow-up, 46 eyes (82.1%) still had focal areas of IS/OS defect and 11 eyes (19.6%) had focal ONL thinning. Conclusions Before the treatment, the OCT features of acute VKH are serous retinal detachment at fovea, different types of subretinal exudates and wavy RPE. After the treatment, the OCT features of acute VKH are exudates dissolving, straight RPE line and early recovery of external limiting membrane.