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.
Ovjective To observe the surgically excised specimens from eyes with hemorrhagic age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Methods Thirty-six surgically excised specimens were captured from 36 patients with hemorrhagic AMD, 26 specimens were diagnosed as occult choroidal neovascular membrane (CNVM), 10 specimens were diagnosed as polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy (PCV). All specimens were routinely processed by hematoxylin and eosin, periodic acidSchiffprime;s stain and Masson stainings. At the maximum horizontal and vertical slice of the specimens, the category and amount of the cells in the specimen were recorded, as well as the relationship between the specimens and the surrounding tissue. Results The 36 specimens are categorized as neovascular membrane dominant (19/36), collagen fiber dominant (6/36), blood clot dominant (8/36) and degenerated thickened Bruch`s membrane dominant (3/36). Eighteen occult CNVM specimens and 1 PCV specimen are categorized as neovascular membrane dominant; all 6 collagen fiber dominant specimens are occult CNVM; 1 occult CNVM and 7 PCV specimens are categorized as blood clot dominant; and 1 occult CNVM and 2 PCV specimens are categorized as degenerated thickened Bruch`s membrane dominant. The occult CNVM categorized as neovascular membrane dominant present as small blood vessel with single endothelium cell attached; the PCV specimen categorized as neovascular dominant presents as big blood vessel with thick vessel wall under the Bruch`s membrane, retinal pigment epithelium and choroidal melanocyte are both observed in the PCV specimens. Conclusion The components of the specimens captured from eyes with hemorrhagic AMD are diversified.
Objective To observe the optical coherence tomography (OCT) features of Best vitelliform macular dystrophy (BVMD) at different stages.Methods Twenty-eight BVMD patients (56 eyes) were enrolled in this study. All the patients were examined for visual acuity, slit-lamp microscopy, direct ophthalmoscope, fundus photography, electrooculogram, fundus fluorescein angiography (FFA) and OCT. Fifty-six eyes were classified into stage 0 (eight eyes)、Ⅰ (two eyes)、Ⅱ(10 eyes)、Ⅱa （12 eyes）、Ⅲ (six eyes) 、Ⅳa (six eyes)、Ⅳb (five eyes) and Ⅳc (seven eyes) accordingly. The OCT features of BVMD at different stages were observed.Results The OCT results showed that the macular area was normal in eyes of stage 0; disturbance of retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) and subretinal hyporeflective area were found in eyes of stage I; the location of the yellowish material between RPE and the inner segment and outer segment (IS/OS) with normal appearance in RPE and IS/OS interface were found in eyes of stage Ⅱ. In all the other progressing stages from Ⅱa、Ⅲ and Ⅳ, the vitelliform material appeared as a thicker highly reflective lesion located between the outer nuclear layer and RPE layer, usually accompanied by optical hyporeflective lesion. Images of stage Ⅳc were in similar appearance besides edema of retina. OCT images of Ⅳb stage were demonstrated atrophy of retinal layer and IS/OS loss with fibrosis. Conclusions OCT demonstrated the location of the yellowish material between RPE and IS/OS. Optical hyporeflective lesion between the outer nuclear layer and RPE layer accompanied thicker highly reflected lesion might be the characteristic image in stages II a to IV of BVMD.
Objective To compare neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD) and polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy (PCV) in age at diagnosis, gender and disease laterality. Methods One hundred fourteen nAMD patients (114 eyes) and 145 PCV patients (186 eyes) diagnosed by fundus fluorescein angiography (FFA) and indocyanine green angiography were enrolled in this retrospective study. The age at diagnosis, gender and disease laterality of all the patients were collected. Independent sample t-test, chi;2 test and Fisher's exact test were used to compare the age at diagnosis, gender and disease laterality between nAMD and PCV patients. Results The mean age at diagnosis of nAMD group and PCV group were (68.30plusmn;9.86), (65.67plusmn;9.04) years respectively, the difference was statistically significant (t=-2.168, P=0.031). The patients under 70 years old accounts for 50.88% in nAMD group, which is lower than that in PCV group (63.45%), the difference was statistically significant (chi;2 =4.138, P=0.042). The male/female ratio of nAMD group and PCV group were 3.56∶1 and 2.02∶1 respectively, the difference was statistically significant (chi;2 =3.937, P=0.047). Thirty patients (26.32%) and 41 patients (49.46%) were affected unilaterally in nAMD and PCV group, respectively. The difference of bilateral incidence between two groups was not statistically significant (chi;2 =0.123, P=0.726). There were 69 right eyes (47.92%) and 75 left eyes (52.08%) in nAMD group, 92 right eyes (49.46%) and 94 left eyes (50.54%) in PCV group. The difference of disease laterality between two groups was not statistically significant (chi;2 =0.078，P=0.637). Conclusions PCV patients present at younger age than nAMD. nAMD is more prone to affected males than PCV. Nearly a quarter patients are bilateral in nAMD or PCV, there is no difference in bilateral incidence between these two diseases.
Objective To observe the therapeutic effects of photodynamic therapy（PDT）on choroidal neovascularization（CNV）with or without cystoid macular edema（CME）in patients with wet agerelated macular degeneration（AMD）. Methods The clinical data of 54 patients (54 eyes) with wet AMD who had undergone the standard PDT，including 16 patients（21 eyes）with CME and 28 patients（33 eyes）without CME were retrospectively analyzed. The visual acuity and BFT of patients were examined by early treatment diabetic retinopathy study (ETDRS) and optical coherence tomography（OCT）before and per three months after PDT. The follow up was 3-18 months with the mean of 8.3 months.Results At the last time of follow up, in CME group，ETDRS letter score was（29.429plusmn;17.907）and the BFT was （316.429plusmn;77.161）mu;m，compared with that before the treatment, the difference were statistically significant (t=-0.389，2.246；P＝0.701，0.019). In nonCME group, ETDRS letter score was (48.121plusmn;17.911) and the BFT was (244.667plusmn;37.619) mu;m, compared with that before the treatment, the difference were statistically significant (t=-3.424，6.880；P＝0.002，0.000). There were statistical significance for the change of ETDRS letter score and BFT between the two groups (t=-2.194，2.212；P＝0.033，0.031）). Conclusions Therapeutic effect of PDT on CNV with CME was better than without CME in patients with wet AMD.
Objective To investigate the serum levels of vitamin B12 and folic acid (FA) of exudative agerelated macular degeneration (AMD).Methods A total of 84 patients with exudative AMD（AMD group）and 78 patients with non-exudative AMD （control group） diagnosed at Xijing Hospital between June 2008 and September 2009 were assessed in this study. Serum vitamin B12 and FA levels were measured by chemiluminescence immunoassay. The statistical information of epidemiology and risk factors exposure histories were collected and compared.Results AMD group had significantly lower serum vitamin B12 levels ［（247.51plusmn;93.92）ng/ml］ compared with the control group ［（312.52plusmn;143.08） ng/ml］，the difference was statistical significance (t=5.013, P＜0.001). Serum FA levels in AMD group ［（5.64plusmn;3.72）ng/ml］ were slightly lower than the control group ［（10.14plusmn;4.48） ng/ml］, the difference was not statistical significance (t=0.780, P=0.437).Conclusion People with lower serum vitamin B12have higher risk of exudative AMD. Low levels of serum vitamin B12 may relate with the occurrence of exudative AMD.
Objective To observe the of macular serous neuroepithelial detachment and the necessary auxiliary examination methods for the diagnosis.Methods The clinical data of 46 patients (49 eyes) aged above 45 years with macular serous neuroepithelial detachment who have been diagnosed by binocular indirect ophthalmoscope and optical coherence tomography (OCT) were retrospectively analyzed. All the patients had undergone fundus fluorescein angiography (FFA) and indocyanine angiography (ICGA), and the diagnosis was established based on the results of FFA, ICGA and OCT. Results In these 46 patients (49 eyes), central serous chorioretinopathy (CSC) was found in 31 (34 eyes, 69.4%), agerelated macular degeneration (AMD) was found in 12 (12 eyes, 24.5%), and polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy (PCV) was found in 3 (3 eyes, 6.9%). In the 34 eyes with CSC, 12 eyes (35.3%) had typical CSC and 22 eyes (64.7%) had chronic CSC. If the 12 eyes with AMD, 9 eyes (75%) had occult CNV, 2 eyes (16.7%) had minimally classic CNV, and 1 eye had classic CNV. Conclusions The causes of serous macular neuroepithelial detachment in patients aged above 45 years are complex; ICGA may help to establish the definitive diagnosis of chronic CSC, occult CNV,and PCV should be considered.
Objective To observe the efficacy and safety of intravitreal injection of Ranibizumab(Lucentis) on exudative age－related macular degeneration (AMD). Methods To analyze retrospectively the clinical data of 56 patients with exudative AMD, which was diagnosed by examination of ETDRS charts, color fundus photograph, fluorescein angiography(FFA) or indocyanine green angiography(ICGA) and optical coherence tomography(OCT), were underwent intravitreal injection Lucentis 0.5 mg. Before the treatment, the ETDRS charts letter of 56 eyes was 25.1; choroidal neovascularization(CNA) was leaky which examined by FFA and ICGA; the average thickness of retina was 303.45 mu;m. Ranibizumab injection therapeutic times were 2.8, the average therapeutic times were 3.1. Follow－up time was 6－12 months (mean 8.7 months). Visual acuity (ETDRS charts letter), retinal thickness, leakage of CNV and operative complications before and after the treatment were analyzed. Results At the end of the follow－up period, the mean letter of ETDRS charts was 38.5, increased 13.4 letters (P＜0.01), the ETDRS charts improved 15 or more letters in 22 eyes (39.3%), decreased more than 15 letters in 2 eyes (3.6%); the foveal thickness on OCT images were 303.45 mu;m before treatment and 191.35 mu;m a fter treatment, decreased significantly (P＜0.00); FFA and/ or ICGA showed CNV complete closure in 12 eyes (21.4%), partial closure in 33 eyes (58.9%), no change in 9 eyes (16.1%) and new CNV in 1 eye (1.8%); Slight complications after operation disappeared during one week. Conclusion Intravitreal injection of Ranibizumab for exudative AMD was well tolerated, with an improvement in VA, FFA or ICGA , and OCT. (Chin J Ocul Fundus Dis,2008,24:160-163)