ObjectiveTo observe and explore the fundus characteristics and fundus fluorescein angiography of familial exudative vitreoretinopathy (FEVR) in different stages. MethodsA total of 15 patients (23 eyes) diagnosed as FEVR in the West China Hospital of Sichuan University from January 2007 to November 2013 were included. Clinical data and reports of fundus exams and fundus fluorescein angiography (FFA) were retrospectively analyzed. ResultsOne eye (4.35%) was classified as stage Ⅰ, 10 eyes (43.48%) were classified as stage Ⅱ, 8 eyes (34.78%) were classified as stage Ⅲ, and 1 eye (4.35%) and 3 eyes (13.04%) were classified as stage Ⅳ and V, respectively. The outcomes of fundus exams showed that the number of peripheral retinal blood vessels increased, and vessels straightened as well as narrowed, especially in the temporal area. FFA showed blood vessels suddenly shut in the equatorial retina and peripheral non-perfusion areas were observed. ConclusionTypical fundus characteristics and fundus fluorescein angiography changes of FEVR can be observed in different stages. Comprehensive fundus exams and family history are helpful to confirm relevant diagnosis.
Familial exudative vitreoretinopathy (FEVR) is a severe inherited vitreoretinal disorder. Recently, mutations in genes encoding frizzled 4 (FZD4), low density lipoprotein receptor-related protein 5 (LRP5), norrie disease protein (NDP), tetraspanin 12 (TSPAN12), zinc fmger protein 408 (ZNF408), kinesin family member 11 (KIF11) have so far been identified to cause FEVR. The former four genes have been shown to participate in the Wnt and Norrin-β-catenin signal pathway, which perform a crucial role for this pathway in ocular and vascular development. The primary clinical feature of FEVR is incomplete retinal vascular development on the temporal side of the peripheral retina, with or without abnormal retinal vascular differentiation. The clinical manifestations of this disease differ greatly among patients, from asymptomatic to complete retinal detachments with blindness. Fundus angiography and genetic screening are the main diagnostic methods for this disease and the early screening is extremely important in the treatment and prognosis. The progress can be controlled by laser treatment at the initial stage. Scleral buckling surgery and vitrectomy can be performed with advanced retinal detachment, but the prognosis is poor. The effect of anti-vascular endothelial growth factor drugs on new blood vessels may play a certain role in its treatment. With the in-depth study of pathogenesis, selective targeted treatment of FEVR pathogenic genes will become a new direction of treatment for some kinds of phenotype. This article reviews the recent advances of FEVR.
Familial exudative vitreoretinopathy (FEVR) is a hereditary retinal vascular dysplasia. So far, 6 genes have been found to be associated with FEVR: Wnt receptor Frizzled Protein 4, Norrie's disease, co-receptor low-density lipoprotein receptor-related protein 5, tetraspanin 12, zinc finger protein 408, and kinesin family members 11 genes. Its clinical manifestations, pathological processes and genetic patterns are diverse, and it shows the relationship between gene polymorphism and clinical manifestation diversity. It is characterized by different symptoms between the same individual, the same family, and the same gene mutation; different clinical stages and gene mutation types of parents or unilateral genetic children; different clinical characteristics and gene mutation patterns of full-term and premature infant; combined with other eye disease and systemic diseases; double gene mutations and single gene mutations have different clinical manifestations and gene mutation characteristics. A comprehensive understanding of the different clinical manifestations and diverse genetics of FEVR can provide better guidance for the treatment of FEVR.
ObjectiveTo observe and analyze the genotype and clinical phenotype in 34 families of familial exudative vitreoretinopathy associated with (FEVR) gene variation.MethodsCohort study. Thirty-four FEVR families, in which the patients and both of their parents were all found to have FEVR-related gene mutations (proband 34 cases, 67 eyes; parents 68 cases, 136 eyes), were included in the study. These patients were identifIed from 722 FEVR patients through genetic screening, which diagnosed in Department of Ophtalmology of Xinhua Hospital and Tianjin Medical University Eye Hospital from January 2010 to December 2018. The probands and their parents underwent a comprehensive ophthalmological examination appropriate to their age, including BCVA, intraocular pressure, axial length, slit lamp examination, indirect ophthalmoscopy, FFA or color fundus photography or wide field color fundus photography. According to the severity of the disease, the clinical manifestations were divided into severe phenotype and mild phenotype. Thirty-four normal healthy people over 40 years old were included as the control group. The peripheral blood samples of FEVR family members and control group members were collected, and the genes known to be involved in FEVR, such as FZD4, LRP5, NDP, TSPAN12, ZNF408 and KIF11, were analyzed by next generation sequencing molecular genetics. The data were statistically analyzed by SPSS. The counting data was expressed in numbers or rates, and tested by Kruskal-Wallis test and χ2 test to find out the existence of significant difference.ResultsIn 67 eyes of the 34 probands, 48 eyes (71.64%) were classified into severe phenotype and 19 eyes (28.36%) were mild phenotype. In 136 eyes of 68 parents of the proband patients, 76 eyes (55.88%) were normal, 60 eyes (44.12%) were classified into mild phenotype, and no severe phenotype was found. A total of 65 variants of FEVR-related genes were detected in the 34 probands, of which LRP5 mutation was the most common (64.61%), followed by FZD4 (12.31%), NDP (10.77%), TSPAN12 (6.15%), ZNF408 (4.62%) and KIF11 (1.54%). Missense mutations were the most common variant in FEVR-related genes. However, the results of correlation analysis indicated that there was no significant correlation between the type of mutation and the severity of clinical phenotype (H=1.775, P=0.620). Among the 65 mutation types, 21 types have been previously identified and 44 were novel in this study. Thirty-nine eyes of 20 cases had only one single pathogenic mutation gene but with multiple mutation sites, 26 eyes of 13 cases carried 2 relevant pathogenic mutation genes, and 2 eyes in one case had 3 pathogenic mutation genes. The mutation frequencies of LRP5, NDP, ZNF408, FZD4, TSPAN12 and KIF11 genes in probands were significantly higher than those in control group, and the difference was statistically significant. The total mutation frequencies of LRP5, NDP, ZNF408, FZD4, TSPAN12 and KIF11 genes in proband group were significantly higher than those in control group (χ2=64.702, P＜0.001).ConclusionsIn the FEVR families, the most frequent mutations were those in LRP5, followed by FZD4, NDP, TSPAN12,ZNF408 and KIF11. Missense mutation is the most common type of FEVR-related gene mutation, but there is no significant correlation between the clinical phenotype and gene variation type. Most of the probands were with severe clinical phenotype, while most of the parents with FEVR pathogenic gene mutation showed normal or mild manifestations.
ObjectiveTo investigate the etiology, clinical features and treatment of familial exudative vitreoretinopathy (FEVR) secondary glaucoma. MethodsA retrospective clinical study. From January 1, 2016 to January 1, 2022, 15 patients (17 eyes) were diagnosed with FEVR secondary glaucoma in Beijing Tongren Hospital, Capital Medical University were included in the study. All patients underwent systematic ophthalmological evaluation. According to the patient's age, visual acuity, intraocular pressure, anterior segment, vitreous body and retina condition, the choice of translimbal lensectomy combined with vitrectomy, goniectomy, cyclophotocoagulation, intravitreal injection of anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) treatment were chosen. The follow-up time was 3 to 37 months. The clinical characteristics of the affected eye, and the changes of intraocular pressure, anterior chamber depth and complications after surgery were observed. ResultsAmong the 15 patients, there were 11 males with 13 eyes, and 4 females with 4 eyes. Age was 6.14±7.37 years old. FEVR stages 2B, 3B, 4A, 4B, 5A, and 5B were 1, 1, 5, 6, 3, and 1 eye, respectively. The intraocular pressure of the affected eye was 42.74±9.06 mm Hg (1 mm Hg=0.133 kPa). All eyes had shallow anterior chamber and angle closure, anterior or posterior iris adhesions, lens opacity, retinal detachment, iris neovascularization in 4 eyes, and vitreous hemorrhage in 2 eyes. Sixteen eyes were treated with translimbal lensectomy combined with vitrectomy and goniotomy, of which 8 eyes were treated with anti-VEGF treatment; 1 eye was treated with cyclophotocoagulation combined with anti-VEGF treatment. After operation, the intraocular pressure of 16 eyes returned to normal range, and the depth of anterior chamber of 16 eyes returned to normal, and no obvious complications occurred. ConclusionsThe main etiology of secondary glaucoma in FEVR is the structural and functional abnormalities of the anterior chamber and angle, which are found in the 2B and above stages of FEVR. The lensectomy and vitrectomy via limbal approach can effectively control the intraocular pressure and restore the anterior chamber, with no serious complications.
ObjectiveTo observe and investigate the related factors that might affect clinical features of familial exudative vitreoretinopaty (FEVR) patients. MethodsA retrospective chart study. From January 2012 and December 2021, 42 patients with 84 eyes with a diagnosis of FEVR from Department of Ophthalmology, Peking University People's Hospital were included in the study. The patients came from 42 separate families. There were 31 males and 11 females, with an average age of first diagnosis was 16.6±33.7 months. There were 21 patients referred from other hospitals for the fundus disease found in eye screening after birth, 21 patients were first seen in our hospital. There were 4 and 38 premature and full-term infants, respectively. Two patients with a positive family history of FEVR. All patients are FEVR stages 1-5. The wide-angle digital pediatric retinal imaging system after general anesthesia for fluorescein fundus angiography (FFA) examination were performed for patients aged ＜5 years. If patients ≥ 5 years old, routine FFA examination was performed. Sixty-eight first-degree relatives from 28 families undergo routine fundus examinations and FFA examination. Genetic examination was performed for 26 families, including 26 probands and 57 first-degree relatives. Genetic examination were performed on gene the coreceptor of low density lipoprotein receptor-associated protein 5 (LRP5), Wnt receptor coiled protein 4 (FZD4), Norrie disease (NDP), tetraporin 12 (TSPAN12), catenin β1 (CTNNB1) genes known to be involved in FEVR. The clinical features and the genotype of FEVR were observed in relation to the clinical phenotype. ResultsAmong the 42 patients, 13 patients were first observed by strabismus and nystagmus, with the median age of 12 months. Eight patients were complained non-chasing or vision-related symptoms. Among the 84 eyes, FEVR stage 1 or 2, 3 or 4, and 5 were 50 (59.5%, 50/84), 31 (36.9%, 31/84), and 3 (3.6%, 3/84) eyes, respectively. Among the 23 patients who were > 3 months at first diagnosis, 16 patients had at least one eye severer than stage 3 (69.6%, 16/23). Of the 68 first-degree relatives, 22 (32.4%, 22/68) had FEVR-like changes. Among the 26 families that underwent genetic detection, 13 families (50%, 13/26) of 16 variants of FEVR-related genes were detected, of which 10 mutations of LRP5 gene were the most common. There were 10 families with single gene mutations, including 6, 2 and 2 families of LRP5, FZD4 and CTNNB1 genes, respectively. One family of LRP5 gene mutations were compound heterozygous mutations, 1 family with LRP5 gene mutaition combined with NDP gene mutation, and 1 family with LRP5 and TSPAN12 gene mutation. Among the proband with FEVR pathogenic genes, 6 cases with similiar stage of both eyes, and 7 cases with inconsistent disease stages, and there was no obvious correlation between gene mutations and clinical phenotypes. ConclusionIn addition to the age of first diagnosis, no exact factors affecting the clinical manifestations of FEVR are found, and the association between clinical phenotypic and genetic heterogeneity still needs to be further explored.
Familial exudative vitreoretinopathy (FEVR) is a serious hereditary retinal vascular disease. The clinical manifestations vary, and the severity of the patients' condition is different. In severe cases, it may lead to bilateral blindness. The pathogenic mechanism of FEVR is also complex. At present, more than ten classical and candidate pathogenic genes have been found: NDP, FZD4, LRP5, TSPAN12, CTNNB1, KIF11, ZNF408, RCBTB1, LRP6, CTNNA1, CTNND1, JAG1, ATOH7, DLG1, DOCK6, ARHGP31 and EVR3 region. These pathogenic genes are involved in Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway, norrin/β-catenin pathway and Notch pathway. They regulate and affect the development of retinal blood vessels, hyaloid vascular system regression, endothelial cell connections, and blood retinal barrier homeostasis, ultimately leading to the occurrence and development of FEVR disease.
Objective To compared the changes of macular microvascular architecture in early stage familial exudative vitreoretinopathy (FEVR) patients with inner retinal layer (IRL) persistence and without IRL persistence. MethodsA retrospective clinical study. From 2017 to 2022, 94 patients with stage 1 FEVR with or without IRL residue and 45 age- and sex-matched healthy volunteers with 45 eyes (normal control group) who were confirmed by ophthalmology examination in Hangzhou Hospital of Optometry Affiliated to Wenzhou Medical University and Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital were included in the study. According to whether there was IRL residue, the patients were divided into IRL group and non-IRL group, with 22 patients (22 eyes) and 72 patients (72 eyes), respectively. Best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) were performed in all eyes. Superficial vessel density (SCP) and deep vessel density (DCP) of whole image, fovea and parafovea, the area and perimeter of fovea avascular area (FAZ), A-circularity index (AI, perimeter/standard circle perimeter with equal area) and vessel density around the 300 μm width of the FAZ (FD), central macular thickness (CMT) on macular 3 mm × 3 mm scan on OCTA were measured. ResultsSCP and DCP of whole image (F=10.774, 4.583) and parafovea (F=10.433, 3.912), CMT (F=171.940) in IRL group and non-IRL group on macular 3 mm × 3 mm scan on OCTA were significantly lower than that in normal persons (P＜0.05). There were significant differences among three groups of the area of FAZ (F=4.315), AI (F=3.413), FD-300 (F=13.592) (P＜0.05). BCVA were worst in IRL group (P＜0.05). ConclusionsBlood flow density decreased in macular area of FEVR patients. CMT is significantly thicker than normal population. The FAZ area of the foveal IRL residual eyes is small and irregular, with worse BCVA and lower macular blood density.
ObjectiveTo understand research hotspots and future development trends in the field of familial exudative vitreoretinopathy (FEVR) from 2014 to 2023. MethodsRelevant literature on FEVR was retrieved using the Web of Science Core Collection (SSCI and SCI-Expanded) from the Institute for Scientific Information. The bibliometric analysis software CiteSpace 6.2.R3 was used to analyze countries or regions, institutions, authors, co-cited references, and keywords. ResultsA total of 316 FEVR-related articles were included. The annual number of publications in this field showed a fluctuating upward trend from 2014 to 2023, with the highest number of publications in 2022, 51 papers (16.14%, 51/316); and the lowest in 2015, 15 papers (4.75%, 15/316). China had the highest number of publications, with 137 papers (43.35%, 137/316). Among institutions, Shanghai Jiao Tong University ranked first with 43 papers, while Professor Zhao Peiquan from Xinhua Hospital of Shanghai Jiao Tong University, had the highest number of publications among authors, with 34 papers. The country with the highest betweenness centrality was the United States, 0.91; the institution was the Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, 0.16; and the author was Ding Xiaoyan, 0.12. The 316 papers were clustered into four research areas: #0 clinical characteristics, #1 ndp, #2 norrie disease, and #3 retinopathy of prematurity. Keywords such as "Chinese patients," "TSPAN12," "variants," and "spectrum" remained highly frequent up to 2023. ConclusionsThe number of publications on FEVR research from 2014 to 2023 show a growth trend, with Chinese research institutions and scholars contributing the most. Research on pathogenic genotypes and clinical phenotypes remains a crucial direction for future development.