Lipid globules in retina and choroid are new definitions based on pathology and high-resolution optical coherence tomography (OCT). OCT examination shows that the lipid globules are low reflective circular cavities in the choroid and retina, without strong reflective boundaries around them, followed by a characteristic superreflective tail. It occurs in healthy human eyes and in age-related macular degeneration characterized by retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) atrophy. Its characteristic superreflective tail is the key to distinguishing it from other diseases. At present, the understanding of lipid globules is still in the initial stage. Although lipid globules can be observed in healthy human eyes, a certain prevalence rate indicates that they are associated with choroidal hypoperfusion and RPE atrophy. In the future, larger randomized controlled trials and longer follow-up time are needed to explore its pathogenesis, pathological characteristics and treatment prognosis.
ObjectiveTo observe the blood perfusion changes of peripapillary and macular vessels in patients with nonarteritic anterior ischaemic optic neuropathy (NAION).MethodsRetrospective cohort study. Thirty-six eyes (19 affected eyes and 17 fellow eyes) of 19 patients with NAION diagnosed in People’s Hospital of Wuhan University from November 2017 to January 2019 were included in this study. There were 10 males and 9 females, with the mean age of 55.05±7.11 years. Forty eyes of 20 normal subjects matched with NAION patients were included as controls. BCVA, fundus color photography, SD-OCT and OCT angiography were performed in normal controls and repeated in NAION affected eyes at 1-2 weeks, 1-2 months, 3-5 months intervals. OCT quantitative measurements: average retinal nerve fiber layer thickness (aRNFL) of the disc and its superior values (sRNFL) and the inferior values (iRNFL), average ganglion cell complex thickness (aGCC) in macular region and its superior values (sGCC) and the inferior values (iGCC). OCTA quantitative measurements: average radial peripapillary capillary density (aRPC) and its superior values (sRPC) and the inferior values (iRPC), average vascular density of superficial retina (aSVD) in macular region and its superior values (sSVD) and the inferior values (iSVD), average vascular density of deep layer retina (aDVD), areas of foveal avascular zone (FAZ). The differences of OCT and OCTA quantitative measurements between NAION eyes and the fellow eyes and normal controls were comparatively analyzed. Independent sample t test, paired sample t test or nonparametric rank sum test were performed for comparison among three groups. Pearson or Spearman correlation analysis were used to analyze the correlation between RNFL and RPC, GCC and SVD, RNFL and GCC, RPC and SVD.ResultsAt baseline, the aRNFL, aRPC and aDVD of NAION patients were significantly higher than those of normal controls. Compared with the fellow eyes, the aRNFL increased significantly and the aRPC decreased significantly in NAION affected eyes. The overall differences of aRNFL, aRPC, aGCC and aSVD at four intervals within NAION affected eyes were statistically significant (P＜0.05). The average sRNFL, sRPC, sGCC and sSVD at 1-2 months interval were significantly lower than the average iRNFL, iRPC, iGCC and iSVD (P＜0.05). Correlation analysis: at 1-2 months interval, aGCC was positively correlated with aSVD (r=0.482, P=0.037); at 3-5 months interval, aRNFL was positively correlated with aRPC (r=0.631, P=0.037).ConclusionThere is a sectorial reduction of vascular density of peripapillary RPC and macular SVD with the disease progression of NAION.
ObjectiveTo compare the efficacy of internal limiting membrane (ILM) flip coverage with ILM multilayer tamponade in the treatment of highly myopic macular hole-associated retinal detachment (MHRD). MethodsA retrospective clinical study. From November 2019 to June 2022, 53 cases and 53 eyes of MHRD patients who were examined and diagnosed at the Eye Centre of Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University were included in the study. Among them, 21 cases and 21 eyes were male and 32 cases and 32 eyes were female. The age was (55.28±11.40) years. The patients were categorized into two groups: the ILM coverage group (from November 2019 to September 2020) and the ILM multilayer tamponade group (from October 2020 to June 2022) based on their surgical procedures. The ILM coverage group comprised of 11 cases involving 11 eyes, while the ILM multilayer tamponade group comprised of 42 cases involving 42 eyes. Best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and optical coherence tomography were conducted. BCVA was measured using standardized international visual acuity charts and transformed to logarithmic minimum angle of resolution (logMAR) visual acuity for statistical analysis. The affected eyes were all treated with standard transciliary flattening three-channel 23-gauge vitrectomy. The inverted ILM flap technique was combined with flap coverage in the inverted group, while the ILM multilayer tamponade group used circular ILM stripping to preserve the ILM in the macular area and ILM flap around the macular hole with multilayer ILM tamponade. Postoperative follow-up was carried out for a minimum of 6 months. Relevant examinations were conducted during the follow-up using the same equipment and methods as those used before surgery. The BCVA, as well as the closure of macular hole, resurfacing of the retina, and development of macular hyperplasia, were observed. ResultsIn the ILM-covered group, the macular hole was closed in 7 out of 11 eyes after 1 week of surgery. At 1 month after surgery, the macular hole was closed in all treated eyes. At 6 months after surgery, the macular hole was closed in 9 eyes, while 2 eyes were reopened. In 42 eyes from the ILM-multilayer tamponade group, the macular hole closed after surgery in 41 eyes. At 6 months postoperatively, best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) of eyes in ILM-covered and ILM-multilayer tamponade groups was 0.91±0.29 and 1.05±0.39, respectively, with no statistically significant difference between the two groups (t=1.140, P=0.260). The BCVA of the eyes in both groups showed a significant improvement compared to the preoperative period with a statistically significant difference (t=8.490, 13.840; P＜0.000 1); 6 months after surgery, 10 out of 11 eyes in the ILM coverage group had a restored retina with no detectable macular hyperplasia; 42 eyes in the ILM multilayer tamponade group had a restored retina, but 19 of these eyes had detectable macular hyperplasia. ConclusionsEither ILM flap coverage or ILM multilayer tamponade contributes to high myopic MHRD closure and improved visual acuity. Compared to ILM flap coverage, ILM multilayer tamponade results in higher and earlier rates of macular hole closure and lower rates of macular hole reopening. However, ILM multilayer tamponade may lead to a higher proportion of macular hyperplasia formation without affecting visual acuity recovery at 6 months after surgery.
ObjectiveTo observe the proteomic changes in vitreous fluid samples from patients with rhegmatogenous retinal detachment combined with choroidal detachment (RRDCD). MethodsA prospective cross-sectional clinical study. Vitreous fluid samples were collected from 35 patients with RRDCD (RRDCD group) and 40 patients with rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD group) who were diagnosed at Wuhan Aier Eye Hospital between November 2021 and December 2023. Prior to vitrectomy, 0.3-0.5 ml of vitreous fluid was collected from the affected eyes. Differentially expressed proteins were analyzed using Data-Independent Acquisition (DIA). Three of these proteins were randomly selected for validation using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Bioinformatics analyses, including gene ontology functional enrichment and kyoto encyclopedia of genes and genomes pathway enrichment, were performed to explore the functions of the differentially expressed proteins. ResultsSignificant differences were observed between the RRDCD and RRD groups in intraocular pressure (t=－12.795), the number of retinal tears (t=4.601), the extent of retinal detachment (χ2=39.642), axial length (t=0.840), postoperative proliferative vitreoretinopathy incidence (χ2=4.730), single-surgery reattachment rate (χ2=7.717), and best-corrected visual acuity (t=7.033) at 6 months postoperatively (P＜0.05). A total of 237 differentially expressed proteins were identified between the RRDCD and RRD groups, with 63 upregulated and 174 downregulated. These proteins were involved in pathways such as extracellular matrix-receptor interaction, complement activation, coagulation, and lysosomal pathways. ELISA validation results showed that the expression trends of the three selected proteins in the RRDCD and RRD groups were consistent with the DIA proteomic analysis. Compared to the RRD group, proteins such as fibrin, coagulation factors, cathepsins, and trypsin inhibitors were significantly upregulated in the RRDCD group.ConclusionsThe protein expression profile in vitreous fluid samples from RRDCD patients show significant alterations compared to the RRD group. These differential changes suggest that RRDCD is closely associated with complement and coagulation cascade activation, lysosomal pathways, and extracellular matrix remodeling.