Diabetic macular edema (DME) is one of the common causes of visual impairment. Anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) has become the preferred therapy for DME because of significant visual improvement. Early and intensive anti-VEGF therapy combined with other individualized treatments are currently the main strategy for DME treatment. Considering the complexity of DME and limitations of anti-VEGF therapy, there are still many problems and difficulties in the treatment of DME. Optimizing treatment strategies, strengthening management of the clinical course and developing new drugs, could improve the efficacy and maintain the improvement of visual acuity and visual performance.
Objective To evaluate the efficacy and safety of dexamethasone intravitreal implant (Ozurdex) in the treatment of macular edema (ME) secondary to retinal vein occlusion (RVO). Methods Thirty-nine patients (39 eyes) with ME secondary to RVO were enrolles in this study. Of the patients, 27 were male and 12 were female. The mean age was (41.9±16.3) years. The mean course of disease was (5.0±5.3) months. The best corrected visual acuity (BCVA), intraocular pressure and optical coherence tomography (OCT) were performed. BCVA was measured by Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study charts. Central macular thickness (CMT) was measured by OCT. The mean BCVA was (13.4±15.3) letters. The mean intraocular pressure (IOP) was (14.1±2.8) mmHg (1 mmHg=0.133 kPa). The mean CMT was (876.1±437.9) μm. Of the 39 eyes, 33 were central RVO, 6 were branch RVO. Patients were categorized into ischemic (18 eyes)/non-ischemic (21 eyes) groups and previous treatment (22 eyes)/treatment naïve (17 eyes) groups. All eyes underwent intravitreal 0.7 mg Ozurdex injections. BCVA, IOP and CMT were assessed at 1, 2, 3, 6, 9, 12 months after injection. Three months after injection, intravitreal injections of Ozurdex, triamcinolone acetonide or ranibizumab could be considered for patients with ME recurrence or poor treatment effects. Change of BCVA, IOP and CMT were evaluated with paired t test. The presence of ocular and systemic adverse events were assessed. Results BCVA, IOP significantly increased and CMT significantly decreased at 1 month after injection compared to baseline in all groups (t=3.70, 3.69, 4.32, 3.08, 4.25, 6.09, 6.25, 4.02, 5.49, 8.18, 6.54, 5.73; P＜0.05). Two months after injection, change of BCVA, IOP and CMT was most significant (t=4.93, 6.80, 6.71, 5.53, 4.97, 5.89, 5.13, 7.68, 7.31, 8.67, 8.31, 5.82; P＜0.05). Twelve months after injection, there was no statistical difference regarding BCVA of ischemic RVO group and previous treatment group, compared to baseline (t=1.86, 0.67; P＞0.05); BCVA of non-ischemic RVO group and treatment naïve group significantly increased compared to baseline (t=2.27, 2.30; P＜0.05); there was no statistical difference regarding IOP in all groups (t=0.30, 0.13, 0.64, 1.53; P＞0.05);however, CMT significantly decreased in all groups (t=4.60, 3.26, 3.00, 4.87; P＜0.05). Twenty-seven eyes (69.2%) experiences ME recurrence (4.5±1.5) months after injection. Most common side-effect was secondary glaucoma. 41.0% eyes had IOP more than 25 mmHg, most of which were lowered to normal range with use of topical IOP lowering drugs. Four eyes (10.3%) presented with significant cataract progression and needed surgical treatment, all were central RVO eyes. No serious ocular or systemic adverse events such as vitreous hemorrhage, retinal detachment or endophthalmitis were noted. Conclusions Intravitreal injection of Ozurdex for patients with ME secondary to RVO is effective in increasing BCVA and lowering CMT in the first few months. Significant treatment effect could be seen at 1 month after injection and was most significant at 2 months after injection. The long-term vision of eyes in non-ischemic RVO group and treatment naïve group are better. 69.2% eyes experience ME recurrence at 4 months after injection. Short term adverse events were mostly secondary glaucoma and long term adverse events are mostly cataract progression.
ObjectiveTo observe the macular capillary morphology in diabetic patients.MethodsA total of 61 patients (104 eyes) with diabetes mellitus (DM group) and 31 healthy controls (41 eyes) were enrolled in the study. According to the degree of diabetic retinopathy (DR), the DM group was divided into non-DR (NDR) group, non-proliferative DR (NPDR) group, and proliferative DR (PDR) group. There were 13 patients (23 eyes), 21 patients (34 eyes) and 27 patients (47 eyes) in each group, respectively. According to whether there was diabetic macular edema (DME), the DM patients were divided into DME group and non-DME group, each had 20 patients (28 eyes) and 41 patients (76 eyes), respectively. The age (F=2.045) and sex (χ2=2.589) between the control group, the NDR group, the NPDR group and PDR group were not statistically significant (P=0.908, 0.374). The 3 mm × 3 mm region in macula was scanned by optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA), and the retinal capillary morphological changes of superficial capillary layer (SCL) and deep capillary layer (DCL) were observed. Chi-square test and t test were used to compare data among different groups.ResultsThere was no abnormal change of retinal capillary morphology in control group. Microaneurysms and foveal avascular zone (FAZ) integrity erosion can be found in NDR group. There were microaneurysms, FAZ integrity erosion, vascular tortuosity bending, capillary non-perfusion and venous beading in NPDR and PDR groups. The microaneurysms of DCL were significantly more than that of the SCL (t=4.759, P＜0.001). The eyes with microaneurysms in NDR group, NPDR group, and PDR group showed significant differences (χ2=44.071, P＜0.001), and the eyes with FAZ integrity erosion among these three groups also showed significant differences (χ2=30.759, P＜0.001). Compared with NPDR group and PDR group, there were significant differences in vascular tortuosity bending and capillary non-perfusion (vascular tortuosity bending: OR=0.213, 95%CI 0.070−0.648, P=0.004; capillary non-perfusion: OR=0.073, 95%CI 0.022−0.251, P＜0.001), and there was no significant difference in venous beading (OR=0.415, 95%CI 0.143−1.208, P=0.102). SCL blood flow density in the 4 groups (control, NDR, NPDR and PDR group) was 49.233±1.694, 48.453±2.581, 45.020±4.685 and 40.667±4.516, respectively. While the difference between the control and NDR group was not significant, the differences between other pairs (control vs NPDR/PDR, NDR vs NPDR/PDR, NPDR vs PDR) were significant. The ratio of FAZ integrity erosion and non-perfusion of DME group was significantly higher than those of non-DME group (vascular tortuosity bending: OR=7.719, 95%CI 1.645−36.228, P=0.004; capillary non-perfusion: OR=14.560, 95%CI 3.134−67.646, P＜0.001).ConclusionsOCTA can distinctively detect the abnormal retinal capillary changes of SCL and DCL in diabetic patients. Even in DM patients without diabetic retinopathy, OCTA can detect abnormal blood vessels.
ObjectiveTo observe the alterations of microvascular structure in patients with macular edema (ME) associated with branch retinal vein occlusion (BRVO) before and after anti-VEGF drug therapy.MethodsA retrospective case study. Thirty-two eyes of 32 patients with unilateral BRVO-ME at Department of Ophthalmology in Beijing Hospital during November 2016 to June 2018 were enrolled in this study. There were 14 males (14 eyes) and 18 females (18 eyes), with the mean age of 57.81±10.58 years, and the mean course of the disease of 12.13±7.13 d. The affected eyes was defined as the eyes with BRVO-ME. All the affected eyes received intravitreal anti-VEGF drug injections (3+PRN). BCVA and OCT angiography (OCTA) were performed on the BRVO and fellow eyes before and after intravitreal anti-VEGF drug injections. The scanning region in the macular area was 3 mm×3 mm. Macular blood flow density in the superficial capillary plexus (SCP) and deep capillary plexus (DCP), macular hemodynamics parameters [foveal avascular area (FAZ) area, perimeter (PERIM), acircularity index (AI) and vessel density within a 300um width ring surrounding the FAZ (FD-300)] and central retinal thickness (CRT) were measured in all eyes. Paired samples t-test and Univariate Linear Regression were used in this study.ResultsComparing with fellow eyes, the mean macular blood flow density measured in the entire scan was lower in BRVO-ME eyes in the SCP (t=6.589, P=0.000) and DCP (t=9.753, P=0.000), PERIM (t=4.054, P=0.000) ), AI enlarged in BRVO-ME eyes (t=4.988, P=0.000), FD-300 was lower in BRVO-ME eyes (t=2.963, P=0.006), FAZ area enlarged in BRVO-ME eyes (t=0.928, P=0.361). The blood flow density in the DCP was the parameter most significantly correlated with BCVA and FAZ area (r=0.462, −0.387;P＜ .05). After 3 intravitreal injections of anti-VEGF drug, the CRT and FD-300 decreased, BCVA increased (t=9.865, 3.256, −10.573; P＜0.05), PERIM and AI was not changed significantly (t=0.520, 2.004; P＞0.05). The blood flow density in the SCP decreased (t=2.814, P＜0.05), but the blood flow density in the DCP was not changed significantly (t=0.661, P=0.514). Contrarily, comparing with after 1 anti-VEGF drug injection, the blood flow density in the DCP increased after 2 anti-VEGF drug injections (t=3.132, P＜0.05). FAZ area enlarged in BRVO-ME eyes (t=5.340, P＜0.001). Comparing with last anti-VEGF drug injection, FAZ area enlarged after every anti-VEGF drug injection (t=2.907, 3.742, 2.203; P＜0.05).ConclusionsIn BRVO-ME eyes, the blood flow density in the SCP and DCP are decreased. The blood flow density in the DCP is positively correlated with BCVA and negatively correlated with FAZ area. After anti-VEGF drug therapy, the blood flow density is decreased in the SCP and increased in the DCP, FAZ area enlarged gradually, PERIM and AI are not changed significantly.
ObjectiveTo observe the short-term intraocular pressure changes of the affected eye after the implantation of dexamethasone vitreous implant (Ozurdex), and indirectly understand the tightness of the scleral perforation of the 22G implant device.MethodsThis is a prospective cohort design clinical observational study. From January 2018 to January 2020, 90 eyes (90 patients) who underwent vitreous Ozurdex implantation in the Department of Ophthalmology of Beijing Hospital were included in the study. There were 52 males (52 eyes), and 38 females (38 eyes); they were 14-79 years old. Forty-three eyes (43 patients) had retinal vein occlusion with macular edema, 29 eyes (29 patients) had uveitis with or without macular edema, 18 eyes (18 patients) had diabetic macular edema. All eyes underwent standard scleral tunnel vitreous cavity implantation Ozurdex treatment. The intraocular pressure was measured with a non-contact pneumatic tonometer 10 min before implantation (baseline) and 10, 30 min and 2, 24 h after implantation. The difference were compared between the intraocular pressure at different time points after implantation and the baseline. Wilcoxon signed rank test was used to compare intraocular pressure between baseline and different time points after implantation.ResultsThe average baseline intraocular pressure of the affected eye was 14.85 [interquartile range (IQR): 11.60, 17.63] mmHg (1 mmHg=0.133 kPa). The average intraocular pressure at 10, 30 and 2, 24 hours after implantation were 11.90 (IQR: 8.95, 16.30), 13.75 (IQR: 9.95, 16.80), 13.60 (IQR: 10.95, 17.20), and 14.65 (IQR: 12.20, 17.50) mmHg. Compared with the baseline intraocular pressure, the intraocular pressure decreased at 10 and 30 minutes after implantation, the difference was statistically significant (P＜0.001, P=0.002); the intraocular pressure difference was not statistically significant at 2, 24 h after implantation (P=0.140, 0.280).ConclusionsThere is a statistically significant difference in intraocular pressure reduction compared with the baseline in 10 and 30 minutes after vitreous implantation of Ozurdex, and there is no statistically significant difference between 2, 24 hours. This suggests that the 22G scleral puncture port of the preinstalled implant device cannot be completely closed immediately, and short-term intraocular pressure monitoring after implantation should be appropriately strengthened.
ObjectiveTo observe the clinical efficacy and safety of full macular coverage micropulse laser in the treatment of refractory macular edema secondary to Irvine-Gass syndrome.MethodsA retrospective case study. From April 2018 to November 2019, 21 cases of Irvine-Gass syndrome patients with 24 eyes were included in the study. Among them, there were 11 females with 12 eyes and 10 males with 12 eyes; the average age was 54.5±10.1 years. All the affected eyes underwent best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and optical coherence tomography (OCT) examination. BCVA was performed using a standard logarithmic visual acuity chart, and the results were converted into the logarithmic minimum angle of resolution (logMAR) visual acuity when recording. The frequency domain OCT instrument was used to measure the foveal retinal thickness (CMT) and the retinal volume (MRV) of the macular area with a diameter of 1, 6 mm. All the affected eyes were treated with a micropulse laser under the threshold of 577 nm, with a spot diameter of 200 μm, an exposure time of 200 ms, a power of 400 mW, and a 5% duty cycle. The treatment scope was in the upper and lower vascular arches of the macula, covering the entire macula (including the fovea). One or 3 months after treatment, the eyes with macular edema were treated twice with micropulse laser, the method was the same as before. 1, 3, and 6 months after the treatment, the same equipment and methods as before the treatment were used for related inspections. The changes of BCVA, CMT, MRV and the occurrence of complications in the affected eye were observed.ResultsThe average logMAR BCVA of the eyes before treatment and 1, 3, and 6 months after treatment were 0.440±0.320, 0.333±0.286, 0.250±0.245, 0.166±0.184, and the average CMT were 395.88±79.21, 349.17±78.07, 317.67±53.72, 285.29±37.03 μm, respectively; the average MRV of diameter 1, 6 mm were 0.310±0.063, 0.275±0.060, 0.245±0.035, 0.221±0.219 mm3 and 9.866±0.846, 9.494±1.002, 9.005±0.885, 8.190±0.850 mm3. Compared with before treatment, the BCVA of the eyes at 1, 3, and 6 months after treatment was significantly increased (t=5.060, 5.564, 6.466), and CMT was significantly decreased (t=4.854, 5.777, 7.349), and the differences were statistically significant (P＜0.01); the average MRV of diameters 1, 6 mm decreased significantly, and the difference was statistically significant (1 mm diameter: t=4.527, 5.394, 7.380; P＜0.01; diameter 6 mm: t=4.577, 7.980, 11.209; P＜0.01). The average number of micropulse laser treatments for the affected eye was 1.25 times.ConclusionFull macular coverage micropulse laser can safely and effectively treat refractory macular edema secondary to Irvine-Gass syndrome and can be used as an alternative treatment.
Objective To investigate the factors associated with vision and hole closure for idiopathic macular hole (IMH) after vitrectomy surgery. Methods Eighty-nine eyes of 89 patients with IMH were enrolled in this retrospective study. There were 15 males and 74 females. The patients aged from 42 to 82 years, with the mean age of (64.13±7.20) years. All subjects underwent best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and optical coherence tomography (OCT) examinations. The BCVA ranged from 0.01 to 0.4, with the mean BCVA of 0.12±0.09. The MH stages was ranged from 2 to 4, with the mean stages of 3.56±0.77. The basal diameter ranged from 182 μm to 1569 μm, with the mean basal diameter of (782.52±339.17) μm. The treatment was conventional 25G pars plana vitrectomy combined with phacoemulsification and intraocular implantation. Forty-one eyes received internal limiting membrane peeling and 48 eyes received internal limiting membrane grafting. The follow-up ranged from 28 to 720 days, with the mean follow-up of (153.73±160.95) days. The visual acuity and hole closure were evaluated on the last visit and the possible related factors were analyzed. Results On the last visit, the BCVA ranged from 0.02 to 0.8, with the mean BCVA of 0.26±0.18. Among 89 eyes, vision improved in 45 eyes (50.56%) and stabled in 44 eyes (49.44%). Eighty-six eyes (96.63%) gained MH closure but 3 eyes (3.37%) failed. By analysis, patients of early stages of MH and smaller basal diameter of MH will gain better vision outcome (t=2.092, 2.569; P＜0.05) and patients of early stage MH will gain high hole closure rate after surgery for IMH (t=−5.413, P＜0.05). However, gender, age, duration, preoperative BCVA, surgery technique, gas types and follow-up time had no relationship with the effect after surgery for IMH (P＞0.05). Conclusions Stages of MH and basal diameter of MH may be the factors associated with the visual outcome for idiopathic macular hole after surgery. However, age, gender, duration, surgery patterns, gas types and follow-up time showed no effects on operational outcomes.
ObjectiveTo compare the one year efficacy of intravitreal injection with ranibizumb for macular edema (ME) secondary to ischemic and non-ischemic central retinal vein occlusion (CRVO).MethodsA total of 88 patients (88 eyes) with ME secondary to CRVO were enrolled in this retrospective study. The best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) was detected by the Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study Chart. The optical coherence tomography was used to measure the foveal retinal thickness (CRT) and macular edema volume. The patients were divided into non-ischemic group and ischemic group, 44 eyes of 44 patients in each group. There was no significant differences in age (t=0.650, P=0.517) and gender (χ2=0.436, P=0.509) between the two groups. Compared with the ischemic group, the CRT was significantly decreased in the non-ischemic group (t=−2.291, P=0.024), and the edema volume in the macular area was significantly reduced (t=−2.342, P=0.022). All eyes were treated with continuous intravitreal injection of ranibizumab three times, and repeated injections were performed as needed. The patients without obvious ME regression after treatment were combined with triamcinolone acetonide injection. The patients with peripheral retinal non-perfusion area were combined with peripheral retinal laser photocoagulation. The follow-up was 1 year. The number of injections was counted. The changes of BCVA, CRT and edema volume in the macular area were compared between the two groups.ResultsDuring the 1-year follow-up period, 88 eyes were injected 1 to 10 times, with the mean of 4.51±2.33. The number of injections in the ischemic group and non-ischemic group were 4.55±1.59 and 4.48±2.91, respectively. There was no significant difference in the average number of injections between the two groups (t=0.136, P=0.892). The number of acetonide injections and laser treatment in the ischemic group was significantly higher than that in the non-ischemic group (t=3.729, 9.512; P＜0.001). At the last follow-up, compared with the ischemic group, the BCVA was increased (t=8.128), the CRT was decreased (t=−7.029) and the edema volume in the macular area was decreased (t=−7.213) in the non-ischemic group (P＜0.001).ConclusionCompared with ME secondary to ischemic CRVO, intravitreal injection of ranibizumab for ME secondary to non-ischemic CRVO has the better outcome of vision improvement and edema regression as well as less frequent of acetonide injections and laser treatment.
Objective To investigate the factors associated with short-term elevation of intraocular pressure after ranibizumab intravitreal injection. Methods 292 eyes of 292 patients who were diagnosed retinopathy and suitable to receive ranibizumab intravitreal injection were enrolled in this prospective clinical study. There were 157 males and 135 females. 193 patients diagnosed with age-related macular degeneration and 99 other retinopathy patients. Mean age of patients was 62.75±13.74 years. All subjects underwent systemic and comprehensive ophthalmology examinations. The mean BCVA was 0.68±0.47 logMAR. Mean basal intraocular pressure was 18.1 mmHg (1 mmHg=0.133 kPa). All patients received intravitreal injection with 0.05 ml of ranibizumab (0.5 mg). The intraocular pressure were measured by non-contact tonometer at 10, 30, 120 minutes and 1 day after injection in a sitting position. The patients were grouped by the changes of intraocular pressure 10 minutes after injection. The elevation was more than 10 mmHg as elevation group and less than 10 mmHg as stable group. Analyze the possible related factors with elevation of intraocular pressure after ranibizumab intravitreal injection by comparing the different datum of two groups. Results The mean intraocular pressure were 23.8, 20.5, 19.9 and 17.4 mmHg at 10, 30, 120 minutes and 1 day after injection. The significant elevation level were 5.8, 2.4, 1.8, −0.7 mmHg compared with basal intraocular pressure. Among 292 eyes, intraocular pressure elevation in 68 eyes and stabled in 224 eyes. The age (Z=−0.732), gender (χ2=1.929), right or left eye (χ2=2.910), BCVA (Z=−0.039), diseases (χ2=2.088) were no significant difference between two groups (P＞0.05). The injection number (Z=−2.413, P=0.001), basal intraocular pressure (Z=−3.405, P=0.016) and elevations after injection (Z=−11.501, −8.366, −5.135, −3.568; P＜0.01) were significantly different comparing two groups (P＜0.05). By logistic regression analysis, basal intraocular pressure was positively correlated with the elevation of intraocular pressure 10 minutes after injection (B=−0.844, OR=0.43, 95%CI 0.24−0.76, P=0.004). Patients with higher basal intraocular pressure may occur intraocular pressure elevation after ranibizumab intravitreal injection much probably. Conclusions The factors associated with short-term elevation of intraocular pressure after ranibizumab intravitreal injection were basal intraocular pressure. The higher basal intraocular pressure, the higher risk to gain elevation of intraocular pressure after injection.