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 therapeutic effect of radial optic neurotomy (RON) for ischemic central retinal vein occlusion (CRVO) with macular edema. Methods The clinical data of 6 patients with ischemic CRVO combined with macular edema who had been treated with vitrectomy and radial optic neurotomy were retrospectively analyzed. The pre- and post-operative visual acuity, results of fundus fluorescein angiography (FFA) and optic coherence tomography (OCT), including the macular thickness, fluorescein filling in retinal veins, retinal hemorrhages and papilloedema were analyzed and compared. Results In the 6 patients, the visual acuity increased in different degrees and retinal hemorrhages decreased evidently. Macular edema was alleviative in 5 patients, retinal vein dilatation meliorated in 4, and papilloedema disappeared in 2. Conclusion RON may alleviate macular edema in patients with ischemic CRVO, but the relation of the therapeutic effect and vitrectomy can not be eliminated. (Chin J Ocul Fundus Dis, 2005,21:3-5)
Objective To observe the effect of macular retinal thickness (CMT) on the long-term visual prognosis after intravitreal injection of Conbercept combined with retinal laser photocoagulation for macular edema (ME) secondary to branch retinal vein occlusion (BRVO). Methods A retrospective non randomized controlled study. Forty-one patients (41 eyes) of ischemic BRVO secondary ME were included in the study. Among them, there were 23 males (23 eyes) and 18 females (18 eyes). The average age was (56.49±8.94) years. The best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and optical coherence tomography were performed. The mean logMAR BCVA was 0.82±0.41, and the mean CMT was (512.61±185.32) μm. According to the CMT reduction value at 1 month after treatment, the eyes were divided into no response group and response group, each has 15 patients of 15 eyes and 26 patients of 26 eyes respectively. The age and sex composition of the two groups were not statistically significant (t=−0.298, −1.708; P=0.767, 0.096), and the difference of frequency of injection was statistically significant (t=3.589, P=0.010), and there was no statistical difference between the patients with logMAR BCVA and CMT (t=2.056, −1.876; P=0.460, 0.070). The average follow-up was 8 months. The logMAR BCVA on 6 months after treatment was defined as long term vision. The changes of long term vision and CMT on 1 and 6 months of two groups after treatment were observed. Pearson correlation analysis showed that the correlation between long-term vision and age, logMAR BCVA before treatment, CMT before treatment, frequency of injection, and CMT value decreased 1 month after treatment. The correlation of long-term visual acuity with age, sex, logMAR BCVA before treatment, CMT before treatment, number of drugs before treatment, CMT reduction at 1 month after treatment, integrity of ellipsoid band and integrity of external membrane (ELM) were analyzed by multiple regression analysis. Results On 1 month after treatment, the CMT of the eyes was lower than that before treatment (231.48±177.99) μm, and the average integrity of ELM and ellipsoid were 0.56±0.50 and 0.41±0.50 respectively. On 6 months after treatment, the average logMAR BVCA of the eyes was 0.48±0.34. The results of Pearson correlation analysis showed that the long-term vision was positively correlated with the logMAR BCVA before treatment and the number of CMT reduction and the number of drug injection at 1 month after treatment (P＜0.05); there was no correlation with age and CMT before treatment (P＞0.05). The results of multiple regression analysis showed that the long-term vision was associated with logMAR BVCA before treatment, CMT reduction, ELM integrity, and the number of times of injection (P＜0.05), and no correlation with age, sex, CMT before treatment and the integrity of the ellipsoid (P＞0.05). On the 6 months after treatment, the logMAR BCVA in the non-response group and the response group were 0.86±0.23 and 0.26±0.14, and the average CMT was respectively (398.93±104.87) and (255.15±55.18) μm, and the average injection times were respectively (2.53±1.46) and (1.31±0.74) times. The average logMAR BCVA, CMT and injection times of the two groups were statistically significant (t=10.293, 5.773, 3.589; P=0.000, 0.000, 0.001). No complications related to drug or intravitreal injection occurred in all patients. Conclusion The long-term vision of ME secondary to BRVO after intravitreal injection of Conbercept combined with retinal laser photocoagulation was associated with the decrease of CMT and the integrity of the ELM after 1 month of treatment, no correlation was found between CMT and ellipsoid integrity before treatment.
Diabetic macular edema (DME) is the main cause of visual impairment in diabetic retinopathy patients. It mainly includes focal DME and diffuse DME, while DME of clinical significance needs timely intervention treatment. Optical coherence tomography is currently recognized as the most sensitive method to accurately diagnose DME. Currently, the common treatments of DME include intravitreal injection of anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) or glucocorticoid and laser photocoagulation. Among them, anti-VEGF injection is becoming the first-line therapeutic, and corresponding individual treatment or combined treatment strategy should be selected according to the characteristics of DME and the specific conditions of patients. During the diagnosis and treatment of DME, attention should be paid to the systemic treatment of diabetes and the effect of diabetes-related neuroretinopathy on the therapeutic effect of DME. With the appearance of heterogeneity in the efficacy of anti-VEGF drugs, it remains to be further studied how to choose alternative therapeutics and when to replace them.
Macular edema is a common cause of visual loss in patients with retinal vascular diseases represented by diabetic retinopathy and retinal vein occlusion. Laser photocoagulation has been the main treatment for this kind of diseases for decades. With the advent of antagonist of vascular endothelial growth factor and dexamethasone implant, diabetic macular edema and macular edema secondary to retinal vein occlusion have been well controlled; the use of laser therapy is decreasing. However, considering possible risks and complications, lack of extended inspection of efficacy and safety of intravitreal pharmacotherapy, laser therapy cannot be replaced by now. Therefore, the efficacy and safety of laser therapy will improve by sober realization of role of photocoagulation and proper selection of treatment indication.
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.
Diabetic macular edema (DME) is the most common retinopathy that seriously threatens the visual function of diabetic patients, and it represents a major cause of blindness especially among people in working age. Ocular VEGF inhibitors are most often used as a first line therapy for DME, and have revolutionary significance in improving visual outcomes. However, there remain 30%-50% patients who fail to respond to anti-VEGF treatment, and the need for frequent injections brings a substantial treatment burden to patients and society. Novel therapeutic strategies include improving efficacy and duration of anti-VEGF drugs, targeting inflammation, the plasma kallikrein–kinin system, the angiopoietin-Tie2 system, neurodegeneration and other alternative pathways, as well as using subthreshold and targeted laser therapy. It is still challenging in the individualized management of DME to identify non-responders to anti-VEGF drugs and to establish a standardized regimen for the switch from anti-VEGF therapy to anti-inflammatory or other alternative treatment. Further research and development of new therapies, as well as preventive and screening strategies, are needed to reduce the impact of diabetic retinopathy and DME on public health.
ObjectiveTo evaluate the therapeutic efficacy of vitrectomy with internal limiting membrane (ILM) peeling and subretinal injection of balance salt solution (BSS) for refractory diabetic macular edema (DME).MethodsA retrospective case series study. From November 2017 to August 2018, 24 eyes of 19 patients affected with DME resistant to anti-VEGF therapy [central macualar thickness (CMT) more than 275 μm despite undergoing anti-VEGF therapy at least 3 times] in Ophtalmology Department of Central Theater Command General Hospital of Chinese People's Liberation Army were enrolled in this study. All the patients underwent 25G pars plana vitrectomy with ILM peeling and subretinal injection of BSS. The BCVA was measured using the international standard visual acuity chart, and the results were converted to the logMAR visual acuity. The CMT and the macular volume (MV) were assessed with swept-source optical coherence tomography at baseline and each month postoperatively. The differences in BCVA, CMT and MV before and after surgery were analyzed.ResultsThe mean BCVA was 0.74±0.29 at baseline, which increased significantly to 0.62±0.28, 0.56±0.25, 0.47±0.26, 0.46±0.23 at 2 weeks, 1 month, 3 months and 6 months after treatment respectively (F=4.828, P=0.001). At 6 months, BCVA improved by more than 0.3 logMAR units in 16 eyes (66.7%). The mean CMT was 554.58±102.86 μm at baseline, which reduced to 338.17±58.09 μm, 299.42±52.66 μm, 275.75±41.24 μm and 270.96±38.33 μm at 2 weeks, 1 month, 3 months and 6 months after treatment respectively (F=84.867, P＜0.001). The mean MV was 13.01±0.88 mm3 at baseline, which decreased to 11.50±0.73 mm3, 11.00±0.74 mm3, 10.68±0.61 mm3 and 10.52±0.56 mm3 at 2 weeks, 1 month, 3 months and 6 months after treatment respectively (F=47.364, P＜0.001). Macular edema recurred in 5 eyes (20.8%) 6 months after surgery. No severe systemic or ocular side effect was reported during the follow-up.Conclusions25G vitrectomy with ILM peeling and subretinal injection of BSS for refractory DME can improve the visual acuity, facilitate a rapid resolution of macular edema.