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Imaging features of branching vascular network in polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy

ObjectiveTo observe the imaging features of branching vascular network (BVN) in polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy (PCV). MethodsEighty PCV patients (90 eyes) were enrolled in this study. The patients included 58 males and 22 females. The age was ranged from 49 to 85 years, with a mean age of 61.4 years. All the patients were examined for fundus photography, fundus fluorescein angiography (FFA), indocyanine green angiography (ICGA) and optical coherence tomography (OCT). The fibrovascular retinal pigment epithelium detachment (PED) was defined as a well-demarcated subretinal heterogeneous plaque with increasing fluorescence on FFA. The late lichenoid hyperfluorescent plaque was defined as a well-demarcated lichenoid hyperfluorescent plaque on late phase ICGA. The double-layer sign on OCT was defined as a wide range of shallow PED from Bruch membrane. ResultsBVN were found on early ICGA in 76 eyes among the 90 eyes (84.4%). Among these 76 eyes, 18 eyes (23.7%) demonstrated the subretinal reddish-orange branches corresponding to BVN. Fifty-six eyes (73.7%) demonstrated all or part of the BVN on early FFA. Three eyes (3.9%) demonstrated branching transmitted fluorescence corresponding to BVN throughout the FFA. Seventy-three eyes (96.1%) were manifested by occult choroidal vascularization on FFA, and 21 eyes (27.6%) of them were fibrovascular PED. Among the 76 eyes with BVN, all BVN appeared earlier than polypoidal lesions on ICGA. Polypoidal lesions located on the terminal of BVN in 62 eyes (81.6%). Sixty-nine eyes (90.8%) on ICGA demonstrated the late lichenoid hyperfluorescent plaque, whose area was equal to or greater than the area of BVN shown on early ICGA. Seventy-two eyes (94.7%) had the double-layer sign. Among these 72 eyes, 15 eyes (20.8%) had lumen-like structure within the double-layer sign. Sixty-five eyes (90.3%) had punctate and linear hyper-reflectance within the double-layer sign. Two eyes (2.8%) demonstrated a hyporeflective short segment and a gap of Bruch membrane on OCT corresponding to the origin of the BVN. Sixty-three eyes (87.5%) had an area of double-layer sign that matched the area of late lichenoid hyperfluorescent plaque on ICGA. ConclusionsBVN in PCV can be noted as reddish-orange branches on fundus examination. Most of the BVN are shown as early branching transmitted fluorescence but collectively an occult choroidal vascularization on FFA, as lichenoid hyperfluorescent plaque on late ICGA, and as double-layer sign on OCT whose area matches late lichenoid hyperfluorescent plaque.

The prosperity and challenge of ocular fundus imaging

Ocular fundus imaging technology has developed rapidly in the past decade. The exsiting imaging technology is constantly updated and new imaging technology emerges one after another. The related research and development investment, equipment usage and paper publication are all growing rapidly. At the same time, it is developing towards the direction of multi-technology combination, integration of artificial intelligence and big data, as well as small-size and automation use of equipment. However, there are many challenges behind the prosperity of ocular fundus imaging, such as professionally remodeling of fundus diseases knowledge system standardization, balance and independence of scholarly communication, misunderstanding of "multimodal images", validation of the effectiveness and applicability of emerging technologies, clinical imaging research innovation, original technology innovation and technology reserve, fundus imaging data integration and analysis system for the future.

家族性视网膜小动脉纡曲症一家系

Clinical features of punctate inner choroidopathy in Chinese patients

　　Objective　To characterize the clinical features of punctate inner choroidopathy (PIC) in Chinese patients.Methods　The clinical data of 75 PIC patients (112 eyes) attending this center from June 1999 to October 2009 were reviewed retrospectively. All patients received routine examination and fluorescein fundus angiography (FFA). Twentyeight patients also received indocyanine green angiography (ICGA). VISUPAC 3.3 software was used to determine the size of lesions in early image of FFA at the artery stage. Results　Of the 75 PIC patients (112 eyes), 54 patients (72%) were female, 37 patients (49%) were bilateral cases. Sixty patients (80%) were myopic, including eight patients (7%) with mild myopia, 22 patients (20%) with moderate myopia, and 57 patients (51%) with high myopia. The mean age at presentation was 32 years (range: 17-61). Multifocal PIC lesions (1-56 lesions) were mostly restricted to posterior pole of affected eyes (95%). Eightyfour eyes (75%) had 10 PIC lesions. The active lesions were yellowwhite and butterlike, 20-500mu;m in diameter. FFA showed that most acute lesions were early hyperfluorescence, and stained or slightly leaked on late period. The atrophic lesions were pouchedout, 502000 mu;m in diameter, with irregular pigmentation. Choroidal neovascularization developed in 70 eyes (63%). Papilledema (three eyes, 3%), staining of optic disc on latephase fluorescein angiography (three eyes, 3%), and segmental retinal phlebitis (two eyes, 2%) were rare.Conclusions　PIC primarily affects young women with moderate or high myopia. It is featured by multifocal small yellow creamy lesions and/or atrophic punchedout lesions principally in the posterior pole. Choroidal neovascularization is the most common complication.

Clinical features of acute macular neuroretinopathy

Objective To observe the clinical features of acute macular neuroretinopathy (AMN). Methods Six patients (11 eyes) with AMN were included in this study, with every 2-week follow-ups till six months. Among them, five had preceding dengue fever (83.3%), one had history of head trauma (16.7%). All patients received routine examination, fundus photography, infrared reflectance (IR) imaging, spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) scanning and fluorescein fundus angiography (FFA) initially, and fundus photography, IR, SD-OCT during follow-up. Results Sudden onset of central/paracentral scotoma in one eye or both eyes was the main visual symptom. There were 1 eye with normal fundus, 2 eyes with wedge-shape lesions, 8 eyes with yellow-white or brown sheet lesion. IR imaging demonstrated localized areas of hypo-reflection in the macula. SD-OCT scanning through these areas revealed hyper-reflection in the photoreceptor layer and disruption of its normal reflective structures. Subsequent SD-OCT demonstrated that the hyper-reflection of the photoreceptor layer regressed gradually, followed by thinning of the outer nuclear layer. The external limiting membrane and ellipsoid zone became continuous; however, the interdigitation zone was not restored. There was no remarkable findings of the AMN lesions on FFA. The scotomas persisted in all 6 patients (11 eyes) by the last visit. Conclusions IR imaging demonstrated localized areas of hypo-reflection in the macula. SD-OCT revealed hyper-reflection in the photoreceptor layer in acute stage and the interdigitation zone was not restored in late stage. AMN has a relative poor prognosis with persistent scotomas through at least 6 months.

Analysis of associated factors and characteristics of different types of pathologic myopia maculopathy in fundus fluorescein angiography

Objective To observe the characteristics of fundus fluorescein angiography (FFA) in different types of pathologic myopic maculopathy and evaluate the influence factor.Methods The clinical data of 251 patients (451 eyes) with pathologic myopic maculopathy were retrospectively analyzed. The patients were divided into 6 groups according to FFA characteristics: (1) lacquer cracks (LC); (2) choroidal neovascularization (CNV); (3) macular hemorrhage with LCs; (4) Fuchs spots; (5) macular atrophy; (6) macular hole. Their relationship with age, gender, refraction and (BCVA) were analyzed.Results Older age was significantly associated with CNV and macular atrophy (OR=1.034,CI=1.019-1.049,P＜0.001;OR=1.054,CI=1.031-1.076,P＜0.001; respectively);younger age was associated with hemorrhage with LC (OR=0.906,CI=0.876-0.937,P＜0.001). Higher myopic refractive error was associated with macular atrophy (OR=0.762,CI=0.705-0.824,P＜0.001), whereas lower myopic refractive error was associated with CNV and macular hole(OR=1.233,CI=1.136-1.338,P＜0.001;OR=1.554,CI=1.185-2.038,P＜0.001; respectively). A worse visual acuity was associated with CNV (OR=1.835,CI=1.180 -2.854,P=0.007), while better visual acuity was associated with LC (OR=0.506,CI=0.328 - 0.782,P=0.002). There was no gender difference in distribution of high myopic maculopathy types. Conclusions Pathologic myopic maculopathy can be divided into six types. With increasing age, the incidence rates of CNV and macular atrophy increases, hemorrhage with LC but decreases. With the rise of myopic refractive, the incidence rates of CNV and macular hole decreases, macular atrophy but increases.

Characteristics of indocyanine green angiography in inactive polypoidal lesions of polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy

Objective To observe the characteristics of indocyanine green angiography (ICGA) in inactive polypoidal lesions of polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy (PCV). Methods The clinical data of 36 PCV patients (37 eyes) with inactive polypoidal lesions were retrospectively analyzed. The follow-up of 11 eyes were ranged from nine to 29 months, with a mean of (12.3plusmn;5.5) months. All the patients were examined for visual acuity, intraocular pressure, slit lamp microscope, fundus photography, fundus fluorescein angiography (FFA) and ICGA. According to the ICGA characteristics, PCV lesions were divided into active polypoidal lesions (pocket like hyperfluorescence at early stage and fluorescence leakage or stained with fluorescein at late stage) and inactive polypoidal lesions (pocket like hyperfluorescence and it was gradually faded). According to clinical and ICGA characteristics, inactive polypoidal lesions were divided into asymptomatic group, atrophic and/or cicatricial group and combined (with active polypoidal lesions) group. The visual acuity, fundus, lesions change and image characteristics of three groups were evaluated and analyzed. Results Among the 37 eyes, the time from indocyanine green (ICG) injection to inactive polypoidal lesions begin showing was ranged from 8.2 to 27.0 minutes, with a mean of (15.5plusmn;4.8) minutes. There were five eyes (13.5%), eight eyes (21.6%) and 24 eyes (64.9%) in asymptomatic group, atrophic and/or cicatricial group and combined group, respectively. The results of fundus examination showed that there was no hemorrhage, exudates, retinal pigment epithelium detachment (PED) and/or neural retina detachment in asymptomatic group; atrophy lesions and/or scar lesions were observed in atrophic and/or cicatricial group and there was also no hemorrhage, exudate, PED and/or neural retina detachment; there was no atrophy lesion and/or scar lesion, but there were 10 eyes with subretinal hemorrhage, 15 eyes with retinal exudate, 10 eyes with PED and four eyes with neural retina detachment in combine group. The results of ICGA showed that there were inactive polypoidal lesions in asymptomatic group; inactive polypoidal lesions located at the border of atrophy lesions and/or scar lesions in atrophic and/or cicatricial group; active polypoidal lesions and inactive polypoidal lesions coexisted in combine group. In 11 eyes which completed the follow-up, inactive polypoidal lesions regressed in three eyes (27.3%), partial regressed in two eyes (18.2%), unchanged in six eyes (54.5%). Conclusions The inactive polypoidal lesions of PCV mainly appear in the middle or late stage of ICGA and are manifested in asymptomatic, atrophic and/or cicatricial and combined eyes. The combined type which coexisted with active polypoidal lesions is the main form. 

Ras related C3 botulinum toxin substrate 1 small hairphin RNA suppress mouse retinal neovascularization in mice

Objective　To investigate the effects of knocking down Rac1 gene (ras-related C3 botulinum toxin substrate 1) by small hairpin RNA (shRNA) on retinal neovascularization in a mouse model of oxygen-induced retinopathy (OIR). Methods　One hundred and eight 7-day-old C57BL/6J mice were divided into three groups randomly.The OIR was induced by Smith protocol in 2 groups. OIR mice received an intravitreal injection of Rac1-shRNA plasmid or the nonsense plasmid in the geneintervention group and control group respectively at the age of postnatal day 11 (P11). Non-OIR mice also received an intravitreal injection of Rac1-shRNA plasmid at P11 as the blankintervention group which lived in the normoxic environment.Retinal neovascularization was investigated on flat-mounts after fluorescence angiography at P15 and P17. Endothelial cell nuclei breaking through the internal limiting membrane were counted on pathological section at P17.The expression of Rac1 and NF-kappa;B p65 subunit was measured by immuohistochemistry, Western blot, real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and in situ hybridization. Results　Compared with the blank-control group,the level of Rac1 mRNA in the gene-intervention group decreased obviously（t=4.500，P=0.001）;the retinal non-perfusion areas,fluorescence leakage, neovascularization and the number of endothelial cell nuclei breaking through the internal limiting membrane were reduced significantly（t=6.521,P＜0.001）; the level of NF-kappa;B p65 nuclear translocation decreased（t=16.008,P＜0.001）while the expression of NF-kappa;B p65 mRNA was reduced obviously（t=3.354,P=0.006）, which was positively correlated with the expression of Rac1-mRNA (P=0.012).Conclusion　Intravitreal injection of Rac1-shRNA with liposome in mice can effectively inhibit the expression of Rac1,and inhibit the retinal neovascularization under relative hypoxia via blocking the ROS-NF-kappa;B pathway.

Characteristics of fundus image in macular telangiectasia type 2

ObjectiveTo observe the fundus image characteristics of macular telangiectasia type 2 (MacTel type 2) patients. MethodsA total of 8 patients (16 eyes) diagnosed of MacTel type 2 were included in this study. There were 4 males and 4 females, age ranged from 44 to 69 years old with a median age of (59.88±7.85) years. All patients received examination of best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), slit lamp microscope, indirect ophthalmoscopy, fundus color photography, fundus autofluorescence (AF), fundus fluorescein angiography (FFA), spectral domain optical coherence tomography (OCT) and macular pigment optical density (MPOD). Four eyes of 2 patients received OCT angiography examination at the same time. Classification was made according to the Gass and Blodi's criteria. The follow-up time was from 1 to 19 months with the average time of (11.00±8.91) months. The clinical characteristics were observed and analyzed. ResultsThe BCVA was 0.07-0.8. There were 1 eye in stage 1, 1 eye in stage 2, 6 eyes in stage 3, 8 eyes in stage 4. The disease showed a bilateral appearance with a low progression. Fundus features included loss of retinal transparency (14 eyes, 87.5%), blunted retinal venule (15 eyes, 93.75%), pseudo-lamellar hole (5 eyes, 31.25%), pigment proliferation (9 eyes, 56.25%). FFA findings were telangiectatic capillaries predominantly temporal to the foveola in the early phase and a diffuse hyperfluorescence in the late phase. Spectral domain OCT features included depletion of the retinal inner, outer structures, cavity (7 eyes, 43.75%), and atrophy of the neurosensory retina (9 eyes,56.25%). On AF, reduced foveal masking due to loss of macular pigment can be observed. The loss of macular pigment could also be seen on MPOD. OCTA showed the increased intervascular spaces, broken regular network of foveal avascular zone (FAZ), right-angled vessel dipping, dilatations, traction of superficial and deep capillary layers in both the superficial and deep layers, especially in the deep layer. Only one eye of one patient proceeded from stage 4 to stage 5. ConclusionsCharacteristic features of MacTel type 2 included cavities and outer retina atrophy on OCT; loss of MP on MPOD; broken regular network of FAZ, morphological and structural abnormalities of superficial and deep layers of perifoveal capillary network on OCTA.