Diabetic macular edema (DME) is a common ocular complication of diabetes patients. It mainly involve macular which is closely related with visual function, thus DME is one of the major reasons causing visual impairment or blindness for diabetes patients. How to reduce the visual damage of DME is always a big challenge in the ophthalmic practice. In the past three decades, there are tremendous developments in DME treatments, from laser photocoagulation, antiinflammation drugs to antivascular endothelial growth factor therapy. However, the mechanism of DME development is not yet completely clear; every existing treatment has its own advantages and weaknesses. Therefore DME treatment still challenges us to explore further to reduce the DME damages.
Objective To compare the clinical results of yellow micro-pulse laser and traditional laser grid (MLG) photocoagulation for diabetic macular edema (DME). Methods Seventy-eight patients (106 eyes) with DME diagnosed by fundus fluorescein angiography (FFA) and optical coherence tomography (OCT) were enrolled in this study. The patients were divided into micro-pulse group (39 patients, 51 eyes) and MLG group (39 patients, 55 eyes). The patients of micropulse group underwent 577 nm yellow micro-pulse laser therapy, while the patients of MLG group underwent continuous wavelength laser photocoagulation with a 561 nm yellow green laser. All the patients were examined documenting corrected visual acuity, macular retinal thickness (CMT) and mean sensitivity within macular 10 deg; examination before and after treatment. Six months after treatment was considered as the judgment time for the therapeutic effects. The mean corrected visual acuity, CMT and MS were comparatively analyzed. Results Six months after treatment, the mean corrected visual acuity of micropulse group and MLG group were 0.45plusmn;0.20 and 0.42plusmn;0.20, which increased significantly compared to those before treatment (t=3.404,2.316; P＜0.05). The difference of mean corrected visual acuity between before and after treatment of micro-pulse group and MLG group were 0.08plusmn;0.02 and 0.06plusmn;0.03, the difference was statistically significant between two groups (t=0.532, P＞0.05). The mean CMT of micropulse group and MLG group were (323.94plusmn;68.30) and (355.85plusmn;115.88) mu;m, which decreased significantly compared to those before treatment (t=4.028, 2.039; P＜0.05). The difference of mean CMT between before and after treatment of micro-pulse group and MLG group were (55.12plusmn;13.68) and (22.25plusmn;10.92) mu;m. The difference was not statistically significant between two groups (t=1.891,P＞0.05). The mean MS of micro-pulse group and MLG group were (6.63plusmn;2.65) and (4.53plusmn;1.81) dB. The mean MS of micro-pulse group increased significantly compared to that before treatment(t=3.335,P＜0.05). The mean MS of MLG group decreased significantly compared to that before treatment (t=3.589,P＜0.05). The difference of mean MS between before and after treatment of micro-pulse group and MLG group were (1.10plusmn;0.33) and (-0.91plusmn;0.25) dB.The difference was statistically significant between groups (t=4.872，P＜0.05). Conclusions In the treatment of DME, yellow micro-pulse laser therapy and MLG can improve visual acuity, and reduce CMT. In addition, yellow micro-pulse laser therapy can improve the MS, but MLG reduces MS.
Objective To observe the subfoveal choroidal thickness (SFCT) in eyes of patients with diabetic macular edema (DME). Methods Twenty patients (32 eyes) with DME were enrolled in this crosssectional observational study. The patients included 12 males and eight females, with a mean age of (47.3plusmn;10.2) years. All the patients were examined documenting best corrected visual acuity (BCVA), spectraldomain optical coherence tomography (OCT) and ophthalmological examination. According to OCT DME morphology, samples are divided into diffuse macular edema, cystoid macular edema, serous retinal detachment and hard exudate groups. The SFCT was measured by a Cirrus HD-OCT with enhanced depth imaging (EDI) and was compared with the average SFCT (286.84plusmn;28.80) mu;m of same age group. Correlation between SFCT and age, diopter, diabetic duration, fasting blood glucose, BCVA and central retinal thickness were analyzed by Pearson Analysis. SFCT of different DME types were analyzed by ANOVA Analysis. Results The mean SFCT of 32 eyes was (223.81plusmn;43.74) mu;m (ranging from 120.50 to 361.50 mu;m), which was lower by 63.03 mu;m (95% confidence interval, -78.80 to -47.26 mu;m, P＜0.01) from normal SFCT. SFCT was independent of age (r=0.124), diopter (r=0.277), diabetic duration (r=0.286), fasting blood glucose (r=0.408), BCVA (r=0.087), and central retinal thickness (r=0.036). There was no significant difference of SFCT between different DME types (F=0.042，P＞0.05). Conclusion SFCT is thinner in eyes with DME as compared to normal eyes of the same age.
Objective To investigate the relationship between morphologic macular changes and visual outcome in eyes with persistent submacular fluid (SMF) after surgery for macula-off rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD) and the relevant factors of persistent submacular fluid. Methods Sixty-three consecutive patients (63 eyes) who underwent successful surgery for macula-off RRD were enrolled in this retrospective study. The patients were divided into three groups according to duration of SMF: no SMF group, short-term group (duration of SMF less than three months) and long-term group (duration of SMF more than three months). The follow-up ranged from six to 12 months. The morphologic macular changes, height of SMF and thickness of the outer nuclear layer (ONL) one month after surgery were assessed by spectral domain-optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT). The relationship between morphologic macular changes and logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution (logMAR) visual acuity and the relevant factors of persistent SMF were evaluated. Results Forty-five of 63 eyes (71.42%) presented morphologic changes after surgery. SMF was detected in 32 eyes (50.79%), which included 21 patients that had long-term course of SMF. Irregular thickness of the photoreceptor outer segments (OS) was observed in 23 eyes; disrupted inner segment/outer segment (IS/OS) junction was noted in 21 eyes, and disrupted external limiting membrane (ELM) was noted in 14 eyes. Irregular thickness of OS in long-term group was significantly higher than that in short-term group (chi;2=5.788, P=0.035). The proportion of IS/OS disruption and ELM discontinuation in long-term group was also higher than those in short-term group, but there was no statistically significant difference (chi;2=0.744, 0.375; P=0.472, 0.403). The postoperative visual acuity correlated positively with preoperative visual acuity and the time of retinal detachment (r=0.611, -0.374; P=0.007, 0.037). There was a significant difference of postoperative logMAR visual acuity (U=28.640, P=0.049) among no SMF group (0.27plusmn;0.26), short-term group (0.42plusmn;0.31) and long-term group (0.53plusmn;0.41). The postoperative visual acuity was insignificantly associated with irregular OS and IS/OS disruption (r=0.331, 0.320; P=0.073, 0.102). The irregular OS correlated positively with IS/OS disruption (r=0.388, P=0.027). The postoperative visual acuity in eyes with disrupted both IS/OS and ELM significantly decreased (U=29.920, P=0.036). The surgery manner (r=0.477, P＜0.001), time of preoperative retinal detachment (r=0.354, P=0.047) and SMF height one month after surgery (r=0.375, P=0.039) were factors influencing persistent SMF. Conclusions The incidence of postoperative photoreceptor lesion was increased with time of persistent SMF. Disruption of both IS/OS and ELM after surgery means a poorer vision outcome. Duration of preoperative macular detachment, type of surgery and SMF heights one month after surgery were important factors for persistent SMF.
Objectives The prevalence of age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is rising in China in recent years, and there are more and more drug treatment modalities for this disease. However, all over the country many ophthalmologists have only limited knowledge of prevention and intervention of AMD. In most hospitals the management of AMD is personal experience-based without consensus. It is urgent to propose a standardized clinical pathway for AMD in China. Methods The clinical guideline and clinical pathway development committee of AMD is established under the Chinese Ocular Fundus Diseases Society. The committee proposed the Chinese AMD clinical pathway (hereinafter referred to as quot;clinical pathwayquot;), based on existed international guidelines, and updated clinical research evidence, the specific types of AMD and the current socio-economic status in China. Results This clinical pathway was developed on the basis of the clinical stages and clinical types of AMD, including the choice of examination items, treatment Methods , follow-up and low vision aids. The clinical pathway was designed in flow sheets, which is easy to understand and implement for ophthalmologists, thus to standardize AMD clinical management procedures. Conclusions The clinical pathway, which followed the basic principles of evidencebased medicine and combined with the actual demands of patients with AMD in China, provides principle guidance for the diagnosis and treatment of AMD. The clinical pathway was designed to meet the requirements of the majority of AMD patients; clinicians should also consider individual situations of patients, available treatment options, the patient's affordability and other factors when making treatment decisions.
Objective To investigate the effect of photodynamic therapy (PDT) combined with intravitreal bevacizumab on wet age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Methods In this retrospective study, 34 eyes (28 cases) diagnosed with wet AMD received PDT combined intravitreal injection of bevacizumab, including 25 eyes with classic CNV and 9 eyes with minimally classic CNV by fluorescein angiography; On optical coherence tomography (OCT), 23 eyes showed intraretinal fluid (IRF) and 11 eyes presented subretinal fluid (SRF). After signing informed consent, all patients underwent initial standard PDT followed by intravitreal bevacizumab (1.25 mg) within succeeding 3 to 7 days. Best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and OCT with routine eye examinations were evaluated monthly. Additional bevacizumab (1.25 mg) was injected intravitreally if new or increasing fluid appreciated on OCT, or BCVA lowered more than 5 letters even with stabilized fluid. Injection was discontinued if no fluid was showed on OCT (quot;dry macularquot;), or BCVA was stabilized even with fluid after two consecutive injections. BCVA and central retinal thickness (CRT) were analyzed and compared between baseline and 6 month follow-up. The correlation between parameters such as baseline BCVA, greatest linear dimension (GLD), type of CNV, SRF or IRF and posttreatment BCVA will be analyzed. The injection number of bevacizumab and complications were recorded. Results Compared to baseline, BCVA improved (9.4plusmn;10.2) letters and reach 44.9plusmn;21.3 letters (t=5.438，P＜0.01) and CRT decreased (184.6plusmn;214.6) mu;m (t=4.810，P＜0.01) at 6 month visit. The average of injection number was 1.9plusmn;0.9 (including initial injection of combination therapy). With multiple lineal regression analysis, only baseline BCVA correlated to posttreatment BCVA at 6 month visit (r=0.802.P＜0.01). The type of CNV, GLD, SRF or IRF on OCT and CRT at baseline were not associated to post-treatment BCVA (r=0.053, -0.183, 0.139 and 0.053, respectively.P＞0.05). BCVA of eyes with SRF (14.7 letters) increased more than eyes with IRF (6.9 letters) on OCT (t=-2.207，P=0.035). The change of BCVA after treatment (t=-0.076), change of CRT (t=-1.028) and number of injections (Z=-1.505) were not different between classic CNV and minimally classic CNV (P＞0.05). The change of CRT (t=-0.020) and number of injections (Z=-0.237) did not present difference between SRF and IRF (P＞0.05). The change of BCVA (t=1.159) and number of injections (Z=-1.194) were not correlated to whether residual fluid or not at 6 month visit (P＞0.05). No severe complications were noticed during follow-up.Conclusion For wet AMD patients, PDT combined intravitreal bevacizumab could improve visual acuity, reduce retinal thickness and control CNV progress in a short-term.
Age-related macular degeneration (AMD), a set of age-related macular disease, is induced by a variety of factors. New intervention Methods help us to understand the AMD pathogenesis further; however, we only have limited knowledge of these novel Methods . To improve diagnosis and treatment practices of AMD, it is a priority to propose a standardized clinical procedure of AMD management in China. The Chinese Ocular Fundus Association has just proposed a Chinese AMD clinical pathway based on expertsprime;opinions and evidence based medicine. This clinical guideline is implementable for different stages and subtypes of AMD patients, and hopefully will be updated frequently with more clinical practice. Implementing this AMD pathway in China will improve the quality of clinical practice and research of AMD in China.