Objective To evaluate the effectiveness of repeated intravitreal conbercept injection in patients with macular edema (ME) of retinal vein occlusion (RVO), guided by optic coherence tomography (OCT). Methods It is a retrospective case study. Forty patients (40 eyes) diagnosed as ME secondary to RVO were enrolled in this study. There were 19 males (19 eyes) and 21 females (21 eyes), with the mean age of (53.58±13.19) years and the mean course of 1.5 months. The best corrected visual acuity (BCVA), indirect ophthalmoscopy, fundus fluorescein angiography (FFA) and OCT were performed. The mean baseline of BCVA, central macular thickness (CMT) were 0.25±0.18 and (509.48±170.13) μm respectively. All the patients were treated with 10.00 mg/ml conbercept 0.05 ml (including conbercept 0.5 mg). Follow-up of these patients was 1 to 6 months after treatments, the BCVA, fundus manifestations, OCT were retrospectively observed by every month, the FFA was retrospectively observed by every 3 months. When there was retinal edema or CMT ≥50 μm by OCT during follow-up, those patients were retreated with intravitreal conbercept injection. The changes of the BCVA, CMT were evaluated before and after treatment. Meanwhile, complications in eyes related to medicine and treatment methods were evaluated too. Results At the 6 months, the BCVA was improved (increase≥2 lines) in 25 eyes (62.50%), stabilized (±1 line) in 13 eyes (32.50%) and decreased 2 lines in 2 eyes (5.00%). Retinal hemorrhage and exudates were absorbed in most patients. FFA showed no fluorescein leakage in 11 eyes (27.50%), minor fluorescein leakage in 26 eyes (65.00%), and retinal capillary non-perfusion in 3 eyes (7.50%). OCT showed absorption of the subretinal fluid. The mean CMT were (235.20±100.44) μm at 6 months. Intravitreal injection of conbercept was applied for 4 times in 8 eyes (20.00%), 3 times for 18 eyes (45.00%), and 2 times for 14 eyes (35.00%). The mean number of intravitreal injection was 2.85 times. There were no ocular or systemic adverse events observed in all patients. Conclusion Intravitreal conbercept injection is an efficacy and safe treatment for the patients with ME of RVO guided by OCT. It can stabilize and improve the visual acuity.
The threshold micropulse laser is widely used in clinical practice as a safe, non-invasive laser for avariety of macular diseases. Compared with the conventional laser therapy, the subthreshold micropulse laser is selectively absorbed by the RPE and therefore it does not cause retinal damage. To explore the therapeutic mechanism and the safety, development of threshold micropulse laser in the treatment of various common macular diseases, and further clarify its indications and advantages, which are helpful for its wider clinical application.
ObjectiveTo observe the efficacy of different administration of conbercept on choroidal neovasculature (CNV) in patients with pathological myopia (PM).MethodsA retrospective case-control study. From June 2012 to June 2017, 57 patients (61 eyes) with PM-CNV diagnosed in the Ophthalmology Department of General Hospital of Central Theater Command were included in this study. All patients underwent BCVA, intraocular pressure, refractive index, slit lamp microscope, FFA, OCT examination and axial length (AL) measurement. An international standard vision chart was used in the BCVA test, which was converted to logMAR vision. According to the initial treatment plan, the patients were divided into 1+PRN treatment group (group A) and 3+PRN treatment group (group B), with 27 patients (31 eyes) and 30 patients (30 eyes), respectively. There was no significantly statistical difference in baseline data between the two groups (P＞0.05). The eyes was injected with 10 mg/ml of conbercept 0.05 ml (including conbercept 0.5 mg). After completion of initial treatment, on-demand treatment was performed according to repeated treatment standards. The average follow-up time was 30.8 months. The time point for curative effect determination was 24 months after treatment. The frequency and recurrence rate of vitreous cavity injections in the two groups of patients and the changes of BCVA, central macular thickness (CMT), diopter and AL were compared and observed. Continuous variables were compared between groups by independent sample t test. Categorical variables were compared by χ2 test. logMAR BCVA and injection frequency were compared by Wilcoxon rank test. Comparison of CMT before and after treatment was performed by paired t test.ResultsAfter 24 months, the number of intravitreal injections in group A and group B were 3.94±1.88 and 4.83±1.72, respectively, with statistically significant difference (Z=－2.182, P=0.029). After completion of initial treatment, the number of retreatments in group A and group B were 2.94±1.88 and 1.83±1.72, respectively, with significantly statistical different (Z=－2.330, P=0.020). The CNV recurrence rates were 38.71% and 13.33%, respectively, with statistically significant difference (χ2=5.074, P=0.024). Compared with prior treatment, the average BCVA at 1, 3, 6, 12, and 24 months after treatment significantly increased in group A and B (Group A: Z=5.634, 5.367, 5.532, 6.344, 6.135l; P＜0.05. Group B: Z=5.809, 5.090, 5.341, 5.939, 8.103; P＜0.05). At 1, 3, 6, and 12 months after treatment, there was no statistically significant difference in the average BCVA of the two groups (Z=－0.966, －0.932, －0.523, －1.759; P=0.334, 0.351, 0.601,0.079); the difference was statistically significant at 24 months (Z=－2.525, P=0.012). Compared with CMT before treatment, the difference in the average CMT reduction of the eyes in groups A and B was statistically significant at 1, 3, 6, 12, and 24 months (Group A: t=4.691, 2.624, 2.121, 1.921, 2.237; P＜0.05. Group B: t=4.947, 4.554, 5.290, 5.567, 5.314; P＜0.05); the average CMT comparison between the two groups was not statistically significant (P=0.457, 0.871, 0.505, 0.333, 0.798). During the follow-up period, there were no ocular complications and systemic adverse reactions.ConclusionsDifferent administration methods for the treatment of PM-CNV by intravitreal injection of conbercept are safe and effective, which can effectively improve BCVA and reduce CMT. Total injection of 3+PRN is more than 1+PRN. However, the injections of retreatment and CNV recurrence rate is lower, and the final follow-up vision is better.
ObjectiveTo evaluate the safety and effectiveness of vitrectomy combined with internal limiting membrane (ILM) tamping on macular hole and retinal detachment (MHRD) in highly myopic eyes.Methods23 patients (23 eyes) were retrospectively reviewed, who were diagnosed as MHRD through examination of the ocular fundus, optic coherence tomography (OCT) and B-mode ultrasonography. There were 5 males (5 eyes) and 18 females (18 eyes). The mean age was (62.35±8.28) years. The mean course of disease was 1.1 months. The logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution (logMAR) best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) was 2.31±0.72. The mean axial length was (28.66±1.99) mm. All patients underwent 23G micro-incision vitrectomy. After vitreous gel and cortex were gently resected, the ILM around the edges of the macular hole was stained with indocyanine green, and was folded and pushed to fill the macular hole gently. Then silicone oil or C3F8 gas tamponade was applied in 18 eyes and 5 eyes, respectively. The silicone oil was removed after 3 months. The follow-up was 6 months. The BCVA, macular hole closure, retinal anatomical reattachment were retrospectively observed, and were used to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of the surgery.ResultsAt the 6 months after surgery, the logMAR BCVA was improved to 1.13±0.38, the difference was significant (t=15.33, P=0.00). The postoperative macular hole closure rate and retinal anatomical reattachment rate were 100%. There were no ocular or systemic adverse events observed in all patients.ConclusionVitrectomy combined with ILM tamping is an effective and safe treatment for the high myopic eyes with MHRD.
ObjectiveTo investigate the correlation between hyperreflective dots (HRD) and lipid levels and systemic inflammatory factors in patients with branch retinal vein occlusion (BRVO) or central retinal vein occlusion (CRVO).MethodsA cross-sectional clinical study. From December 2016 to June 2020, 118 eyes of 118 patients with retinal vein occlusion diagnosed in the Department of Ophthalmology, Central Theater Command Hospital of People's Liberation Army were included in the study. Among them, 67 cases of BRVO and 51 cases of CRVO were divided into CRVO group and BRVO group accordingly. Peripheral venous blood was drawn from the patients within 3 days after the eye examination to detect the percentage of neutrophils, monocytes, hypersensitive C-reactive protein (CRP), total cholesterol, triglyceride, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and lipoprotein(a). The ratio of monocytes to high-density lipoprotein (MHR) was also calculated. The 3D OCT-2000 instrument from Topcon (Japan) was used to measure the central retinal thickness (CRT) and the numbers of HRD. According to the different distribution position, HRD is divided into inner retina HRD, outer retina HRD, and total retina HRD.The independent sample t test was used to compare the continuous variables of the two groups, and the χ2 test was used to compare the rates. The correlation between HRD counts and blood lipid levels and peripheral blood inflammation indicators in patients with different types of RVO was analyzed by Spearman correlation analysis.ResultsThe average age of patients in the BRVO group and CRVO group were 60.1±9.5 and 53.6±15.7 years, respectively; the prevalence of hypertension was 53.7% (36/67) and 24.5% (12/51), respectively. Comparison of age (t=2.634) and prevalence of hypertension (χ2=11.298) between the two groups showed statistically significant differences (P＜0.05). Gender (χ2=2.000), course of disease (t=－1.101), prevalence of diabetes (χ2=1.315), eye category (χ2=1.742), baseline visual acuity (t=1.792), intraocular pressure (t=0.708), CRT (t=1.318), and peripheral blood include the percentage of neutrophils, the absolute number of monocytes, CRP, total cholesterol, triglycerides, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, lipoprotein(a), MHR (t=－0.559, 1.126, 0.579, 1.299, －0.134, 0.556, 1.230, －0.267, 0.483), the difference was not statistically significant. Correlation analysis showed that the HRD counts in the outer retina of BRVO patients were positively correlated with total cholesterol (r=0.289, P=0.036); the HRD in the inner retina and total HRD counts of CRVO patients were positively correlated with CRP (r=0.406, 0.343; P=0.004, 0.014). There was no correlation between HRD counts and percentage of neutrophils, absolute number of monocytes, triglycerides, high-density lipoprotein, low-density lipoprotein, lipoprotein(a), and MHR (P＞0.05).ConclusionThe number of HRD is related to the blood lipid level in BRVO patients and CRP (an inflammatory index) in CRVO patients.
Central serous chorioretinopathy (CSC) is one of the main causes of impaired visual function in middle-aged men. CSC is characterized by a thickening of the choroid and hyperpermeability of the choroidal vessels, resulting in serous subretinal fluid. The pathogenesis of CSC is not fully understood. Since the introduction of indocyanine green angiography, the detection of the influence of the vortex veins in CSC, it has been established that the presence of a thick choroid may be caused by congestion of the vortex vein, resulting in new choroidal drainage through a vortex vein anastomosis. The study of vortex venous blood hemodynamics has elucidated the new concept of the pathogenesis of CSC, deepened our understanding of the disease, and provided a theoretical basis for new treatment methods. With a better understanding of the pathogenesis of CSC, we expect to be able to stratify patients at risk in the clinic and evaluate optimized treatment options for patients with CSC
ObjectiveTo observe the changes of chorioidal thickness (ChT) in patients with central serous chorioretinopathy (CSC) in different mode of vortic venous dilation. MethodsA prospective cross-sectional observational study. A total of 80 patients with 89 eyes (CSC group) diagnosed in Department of Ophthalmology, General Hospital of Central Theater Command from April to October 2023 were included in the study. Among them, 64 males had 71 eyes and 17 females had 18 eyes. A total of 15 healthy volunteers matched in age and sex were selected as the control group. Among them, 14 men had 26 eyes and one woman had two eyes. The macular region was examined by ultra-wide-angle scanning frequency source optical coherence tomography (OCTA) with BM400K BMizar made by TowardPi (Beijing) Medical Technology Co., LTD. Scanning rate 1 536 A scanning×1 280 B scanning, scanning range 24 mm×20 mm. The accompanying software delineated nine subfields (superotemporal, upper, superonasal, temporal, central, nasal, inferotemporal, lower, inferonasal regions) to record ChT. En-face OCTA mode was utilized to observe the anatomy and functional anastomosis of the vortex veins above and below the choroidal blood layer. Eyes in the CSC group were further categorized into upper-dominant, symmetrical, and lower-dominant groups based on the difference in vortex vein expansion shown in the choroidal layer of the en-face image, with 36, 35, and 18 eyes respectively. Statistical analysis included the use of independent samples t-test or Mann-Whitney test for comparison between two groups, one-way analysis of variance or Kruskal-Wallis H test for comparison between multiple groups, and the χ test or Fisher test for categorical variables. ResultsCompared with the control group, ChT in the CSC group was thickened in the foveal area and different areas of the macula, with the greatest difference in the fovea, and the differences were statistically significant (t=3.345, 5.018, 2.902, 4.667, 7.276, 3.307, 3.868, 4.795, 2.583; P＜0.05). Compared with the ChT of the control group, there was no statistically significant difference in the superotemporal, region of the upper-dominant group (t=1.510, P＞0.05); in other regions, the differences were statistically significant (t=3.207, 5.163, 2.526, 4.310, 6.285, 2.656, 3.812, 2.173; P＜0.05). The differences in the foveal area and other areas in the symmetrical group were statistically significant (t=4.488, 5.554, 3.457, 5.314, 7.256, 3.507, 5.584, 6.019, 2.994; P＜0.05). In the superotemporal, and superonasal, regions of the lower dominant group, the differences were not statistically significant (t=1.150, 1.465; P＜0.05); in other regions, the differences were statistically significant (t=2.278, 4.168, 5.244, 2.783, 5.040, 3.432, 2.095; P＜0.05). ConclusionThe dilated distribution of vortex veins on en-face ultra-wide-angle OCTA has a corresponding relationship with ChT. In eyes with CSC, the superior vortex vein drainage system may be the primary route for choroidal drainage.
ObjectiveTo observe the long-term effects of anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) drug initiation combined with dexamethasone intravitreal implant (DEX) on the structural integrity of the outer macular region of the eye in patients with macular edema (ME) secondary to central retinal vein occlusion (CRVO). MethodsA retrospective clinical study. From February 2018 to August 2022, 54 patients diagnosed with CRVO combined with ME (CRVO-ME) in Department of Ophthalmology of Central Theater Command General Hospital were included in the study. Among them, there were 30 males and 24 females, all with monocular disease. According to different treatment regiments, patients were divided into anti-VEGF and DEX combination therapy group (initial combination group), anti-VEGF drug monotherapy group (monotherapy group) with 21 eyes and 33 eyes, respectively. Best corrected visual acuity (BCVA), optical coherence tomography (OCT) examination were performed in all eyes. The thickness of foveal retina (CRT) and the deficiency length of outer membrane (ELM), ellipsoid band (EZ) and chimaera band (IZ) in the 1 mm macular area were measured by OCT. The initiating combination group was treated with anti-VEGF agents or DEX as assessed on demand (PRN) after the combination therapy, and the monotherapy group received 3+PRN regimen. Relevant examinations were performed at 1 (V1), 6 (V6), 12 (V12) months and observation cut-off or the last visit (Vf) after treatment using the same equipment before treatment. The deletion length of ELM, EZ and IZ in V1, V6, V12 and Vf after treatment were compared between the two groups. Repeated measurement ANOVA was used to compare BCVA, CRT and deletion length of ELM, EZ and IZ at different follow-up times. Spearman rank correlation test was used to analyze the correlation between the two groups of continuous variables. ResultsThe follow-up time of patients in the initial combination group and monotherapy group was (18.05±5.66) and (21.90±10.80) months, respectively, with no statistical significance (F=13.430, P=0.229). Compared with baseline, the deletion lengths of ELM, EZ and IZ were significantly improved (F=11.848, 10.880, 29.236), BCVA was increased (F=10.541) and CRT was decreased (F=52.278) in the initial combination group and the monotherapy group at different follow-up times after treatment. The differences were statistically significant (P＜0.001). At V1, EZ and IZ deletion lengths were (344.10±413.03), (593.33±372.96) μm and (354.71±321.75), (604.85±385.77) μm in the initial combination group and monotherapy group, respectively. The improvement of EZ and IZ deletion lengths in the initial combination group was better than that in the single drug group, and the difference was statistically significant (F=5.272, 6.106; P=0.026, 0.017). The CRT of the initial combination group and the monotherapy group were (248.86±59.99) and (314.72±214.91) μm, respectively, and the CRT of the initial combination group was significantly lower than that of the monotherapy group, with statistical significance (F=6.102, P=0.017). At V6, V12 and Vf, the deletion length of ELM, EZ and IZ and BCVA and CRT showed no statistical significance (P＞0.05). Correlation analysis showed that ELM, EZ, IZ were positively correlated with BCVA and CRT in the initial combination group and monotherapy group (P＜0.001). In V6, V12 and Vf, the number of anti-VEGF drug injections in the initial combination group and monotherapy group was (2.67±1.32), (4.43±2.27), (6.05±3.51), (4.58±0.90), (7.33±1.93), (11.33±6.10) times, respectively. The number of injections in the initial combination group was significantly lower than that in the monotherapy group, and the difference was statistically significant (F=5.150, 0.646, 3.433; P＜0.001). ConclusionsThe improvement of BCVA and CRT in the initial combination group is similar to that in the monotherapy group. Compared with the monotherapy group, EZ and IZ deletion are improved more significantly in the initial combination group, and CRT decreased more rapidly and significantly. The initial combination group receives fewer anti-VEGF injections than the monocular group.
Objective To evaluate the clinical efficacy and safety of 577 nm subthreshold micropulse laser on diabetic macular edema (DME). Methods Retrospective case series study. A total of 30 patients (35 eyes) with center−involving DME were enrolled in this study. All the patients received the examinations of best corrected visual acuity (BCVA), fundus colorized photography, fluorescein fundus angiography (FFA) and optical coherence tomography (OCT). BCVA was measured by Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study charts. The average retinal thickness (ART), total macular volume (TMV) and the retinal thickness (RT) and macular volume (MV) of 9 ETDRS domains were measured by the Japanese Topcon 3D-OCT 2000 instrument. The mean BCVA was 62.4±10.5 letters. The mean ART was 327.3±41.2 μm. The mean TMV was 9.24±1.17 mm3. All patients were treated with 577 nm subthreshold micropulse laser treatment. Subthreshold micropulse laser were performed in the micropulse mode, using a 200 μm spot diameter, a 0.2 s duration with 5% duty cycle and its treatment energy was 6−7 times of threshold energy. Three months after treatment, re-treatment was performed on patients with incomplete absorption of macular edema. The treatment was the same as before. The BCVA, ART, TMV and the RT and MV of each ETDRS domain were compared and analyzed before and after treatment. The possible complications of micropulse laser treatment were also observed and the safety was evaluated. Results The difference of BCVA were statistically significant in month 3 and month 6 (t=−5.58, −7.24; P＜0.05), but not in month 1 (t=−1.82, P＞0.05). The average CRT (t=4.11, 4.17, 5.96), CMV (t=3.92, 4.05, 5.80) significantly decreased in 1, 3 and 6 months after treatment, the difference was statistically significant (P＜0.05). At sixth months, the average retinal thickness (t=3.53, 5.07, 5.02, 4.87, 4.94, 3.48, 4.03, 3.17, 3.73) and retinal volume (t=3.54, 5.16, 4.99, 4.91, 5.05, 3.47, 4.08, 3.10, 3.70) of the 9 ETDRS subdomains significantly decreased, and the difference was statistically significant (P＜0.05). There was no visible laser spots, changes in the outer retina and complications of neovascularization and subretinal fibrosis in the fundus of all patients. Conclusion577 nm subthreshold micropulse laser can reduce the CMT, CMV and improve the BCVA of DME patients with high security.
ObjectiveTo analyze the expression of VEGF, IL-33 and NO concentration after laser photocoagulation and subthreshold micropulse laser photocoagulation conventional in proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR) patients.MethodsA case control study. The clinical data of 39 patients of PDR and 11 patients of idiopathic macular pucker (IMP) from Department of Ophthalmology, Central Theater General Hospital during November 2015 were collected in this study. PDR patients were assigned randomly into three groups. Fifteen PDR patients with 15 eyes were treated with conventional laser as group A. Thirteen PDR patients with 13 eyes were treated with subthreshold micropulse laser as group B. Eleven PDR patients with 11 eyes without any laser therapy were grouped as C. Eleven IMP patients were grouped as D. There was no difference of age (F=0.53, P=0.23), gender ratio (χ2=0.55, P=0.91), body mass index (F=2.62, P=0.07), duration diabetes (F=0.29, P=0.75), glycoslated hemglobin (F=1.72, P=0.19) in four groups. All PDR patients were examined with FFA. Total protein was quantified by a bicinchoninic acid assay kit. Levels of VEGF, IL-33, NO were determined using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kits.ResultsThere was no difference of total protein in four groups (F=1.78, P=0.17). Group C had a higher VEGF level than group A and B (F=7.84, P=0.002). Group A had a higher IL-33 level than group C (t=4.15, P=0.02). There was no difference of IL-33 level in group B and C (t=1.34, P=0.20). Group D had a lower NO level than group A, B, C (F=38.42, P＜0.001). There was no difference of NO level in group A, B and C (F=3.29, P=0.06).ConclusionsBoth conventional laser photocoagulation and subthreshold micropulse laser photocoagulation can decrease vitreous VEGF level and subthreshold micropulse laser photocoagulation can induce less IL-33 level.