Intravitreal anti-VEGF injection have been widely used in retinal vascular diseases and achieved good efficacy. Early pregnancy is an important period for fetal organ formation and vascular development. Studies have proved that VEGF plays an important role in maintaining the fetal and placental vascular system, and its loss or decline will affect embryonic development and lead to abortion. The use of intravitreal anti-VEGF during pregnancy is controversial, which may cause systemic side effects to the mother and fetus. This paper summarizes the literature of 23 cases on the use of anti-VEGF during pregnancy. Three cases reported loss of pregnancy with concomitant exposure to intravitreal bevacizumab, which suggested that we should be careful about the use of anti-VEGF during pregnancy and explain the possibility of ocular and systemic side effects to patients in detail. When deciding whether to use anti-VEGF, we should consider the relationship between exposure time and the critical period of vascular development and the systemic exposure of different drugs. Currently, there is a lack of large sample size studies on the use of anti-VEGF in pregnancy, and its safety needs to be further observed.
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.
Objective To analysis the effect of lens opacity on the measurement of retinal vessel oxygen saturation. Methods This was a cross sectional study. Forty four eyes of 44 patients with different degrees of lens opacity were enrolled. There were 23 males and 21 females. The patients aged from 48 to 84 years, with the mean age of (71.8±10.3) years. The mean best corrected visual acuity was 0.65±0.22. The mean intraocular pressure was (14.2±4.3) mmHg (1 mmHg=0.133 kPa). The mean equivalent spherical degree was (−0.05±2.10) D. The opitical quality analysis system was applied to measure intraocular objective scattering index (OSI) caused by lens opacity. According to the OSI, the opacity of lens was divided into four groups. Patients with OSI value ＜1.0 was grouped to level 1, which indicated that the lens were basically transparent; patients with OSI value between 1.0 and 3.0 was grouped to level 2, which indicated early cataract; patients with OSI value between 3.0 and 7.0 was grouped to level 3, which indicated progressive cataract; patients with OSI value ＞7.0 was grouped to level 4, which indicated the mature stage of cataract. The retinal oximeter Oxymap T1 was used to capture the fundus images under different wavelengths. Pearson correlation analysis was used to analyze the correlation between retinal oxygen saturation and age, intraocular pressure, equivalent spherical degree and OSI. One way ANOVA was used to analyze the difference of retinal oxygen saturation among groups. Results The mean retinal arterial oxygen saturation, venous oxygen saturation and arteriovenous difference was (90.70±6.46)%, (47.34±13.51)%, (43.36±10.09)%, respectively. The correlations of retinal arterial oxygen saturation, venous oxygen saturation and arteriovenous difference with age, intraocular pressure, equivalent spherical degree was not statistically significant (all P＞0.05). The retinal arterial oxygen saturation and venous oxygen saturation was negatively correlated with OSI (r=−0.462,−0.500; P=0.002, 0.001), the arteriovenous difference and OSI was positively correlated (r=0.373, P=0.013). According to lens opacity, there were 11 eyes in level 1, 9 eyes in level 2, 14 eyes in level 3, 10 eyes in level 4. There were significant differences of retinal artery and venous oxygen saturation among different lens opacity levels (F=5.340, 4.710; P=0.003, 0.007); meanwhile, the arteriovenous difference was not significantly different (F=2.048, P=0.123). The retinal arterial oxygen saturation and venous oxygen saturation was significantly lower in the level 4 lens opacity group than any other three groups (all P＜0.05), but there was no statistically significant difference among level 1 to level 3 lens opacity group. Conclusion The effect of lens opacity of level 1 to level 3 is limited on the measurement of retinal oxygen saturation, but level 4 lens opacity will cause decrease of retinal artery and venous oxygen saturation.
Retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) is a major cause of vision loss and blindness among premature infants. Timely screening, diagnosis, and intervention can effectively prevent the deterioration of ROP. However, there are several challenges in ROP diagnosis globally, including high subjectivity, low screening efficiency, regional disparities in screening coverage, and severe shortage of pediatric ophthalmologists. The application of artificial intelligence (AI) as an assistive tool for diagnosis or an automated method for ROP diagnosis can improve the efficiency and objectivity of ROP diagnosis, expand screening coverage, and enable automated screening and quantified diagnostic results. In the global environment that emphasizes the development and application of medical imaging AI, developing more accurate diagnostic networks, exploring more effective AI-assisted diagnosis methods, and enhancing the interpretability of AI-assisted diagnosis, can accelerate the improvement of AI policies of ROP and the implementation of AI products, promoting the development of ROP diagnosis and treatment.
ObjectiveTo observe the clinical efficacy of inverted internal limiting membrane (ILM) flap technique with autologous blood for myopic macular hole.MethodsA retrospective, case-controlled study. Twenty-nine eyes of 29 patients with myopic macular hole who received treatment in Eye Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University from January 2017 to May 2019 were enrolled in this study. There were 5 males (5 eyes) and 24 females (24 eyes), with an average age of 55.28±11.40 years. According to the surgical method, the patients were divided into inverted ILM flap group (12 eyes) and ILM peeling group (17 eyes). All patients underwent BCVA, spectral domain OCT and axial length measurement before surgery. There was no significant difference between the two groups in age, gender, course of disease, hole diameter, BCVA and other baseline data. Follow-up was over 4 months after surgery. The BCVA, macular hole closure and continuity of outer retina after surgery were observed.ResultsIn ILM peeling group, 11 eyes were closed (64.7%) and 6 eyes were not closed at 3 months after surgery. In ILM flap group, 12 eyes were closed (100.0%). The difference of closure rate between two groups was statistically significant (χ2=5.34, P=0.028). The BCVA of inverted ILM flap group was significantly improved at 1, 3 months after surgery compared with preoperative measurements, and the difference was statistically significant (F=3.813, 4.667; P=0.003, 0.001). The BCVA of ILM peeling group was improved at 1 month after surgery, but the difference was not statistically significant (F=1.556, P=0.139). And the BCVA was significantly improved at 3 month after surgery compared with preoperative measurements, and the difference was statistically significant (F=2.453, P=0.026). But there was no significant difference in BCVA between the two groups at 1 and 3 months after surgery (F=0.647, 0.535; P=0.551, 0.612). There was no significant difference in the recovery of outer structure (ELM and EZ continuity) between the two groups at 3 month after surgery (F=0.008, P=0.631).ConclusionsInverted ILM flap technique with autologous blood is a safe and effective method to treat myopic macular hole. The closure rate of the hole can be improved significantly.
Objective To investigate the correlation between the vitreomacular adhesion (VMA) and exudative age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Methods A literature research was performed in PubMed, EMbase, Cochrane Library, CNKI and Wanfang database from January 2000 to December 2016. Case-control studies on the relationship between VMA or posterior vitreous detachment and exudative AMD were included in this analysis. Literature screening and data extraction were performed according to inclusion and exclusion criteria. The qualities of the literatures were evaluated according to the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale (NOS). Seven literatures were selected into meta-analysis. The NOS score was 9 points in 1 article, 8 scores in 4 articles, 7 points in 2 articles. A total of 947 eyes with exudative AMD, 638 eyes with dry AMD, and 618 eyes with controls were included. The correlation between exudative AMD and VMA were analyzed using the software Review manager 5.3. Results The prevalence of VMA in exudative AMD eyes was higher than that in controls [odds ratio (OR)=2.14, 95% confidence interval (CI)=1.19 - 3.84, P=0.010] and dry AMD eyes (OR=2.24, 95%CI=1.24 - 4.03, P=0.007). There was no difference in PVD prevalence among exudative AMD eyes, dry AMD eyes (OR=0.44, 95%CI=0.16 - 1.20, P=0.110) and controls (OR=0.70, 95%CI=0.41 - 1.18, P=0.180). Conclusion There is correlation between VMA and exudative AMD.
ObjectiveTo observe the incidence and risk factors of microcystic macular edema (MME) in patients with idiopathic macular epiretinal membrane (IMEM) preoperatively and postoperatively. MethodsA retrospective case series study. From January 2017 to May 2021, 72 eyes of 72 patients with IMEM in Eye Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University at Hangzhou were included. There were 18 male and 54 female. Average age was 64.8±7.8 years. Eyes were all monocular. All patients received the examination of best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) by standard logarithmic visual acuity chart, which was represented logarithmic of minimum angle of resolution (logMAR). Optical coherence tomography was used to measure central macular thickness (CMT). MME was defined as small, vertically bounded cystic space located outside the fovea in the inner layer of the retina. According to the presence or absence of MME before surgery, the affected eyes were divided into two groups: non-MME group (35 eyes) and MME group (37 eyes). The difference of logMAR BCVA and CMT was statistically significant between Group A and B (t=3.117, 2.589; P=0.003, 0.012). All patients with IMEM were treated with 23G three-channels pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) with epiretinal membrane and inner limiting membrane (ILM) peeling. The two groups were further divided into four groups according to whether there was MME in the postoperative follow-up time. The group A1 was without MME before and after surgery, group A2 was without MME before surgery and with MME after surgery. The MME group was subdivided into the group with MME before surgery and without MME after surgery (group B1) and the group with MME before and after surgery (group B2). The mean follow-up time was 8.8±7.7 months. The same equipment and methods were used to exam the patients during the follow-up. Paired t test was used to compare the changes of MME, BCVA and CMT before and after surgery. The differences of CMT and BCVA among groups before and after surgery were compared by independent sample t test and one-way ANOVA. Logistic regression was used to analyze the influencing factors of MME before and after surgery, and multiple linear regression was used to analyze the influencing factors of postoperative BCVA. ResultsThere were 35 eyes in the non-MME group, 18 eyes (51.43%, 18/35) in the A1 group and 17 eyes (48.57%, 17/35) in the A2 group, respectively. There were 37 eyes in MME group, 6 eyes (16.22%, 6/37) in group B1 and 31 eyes (83.78%, 31/37) in group B2, respectively. At last follow-up, the logMAR BCVA was 0.10±0.12, 0.25±0.17, 0.09±0.11, 0.30±0.26 in group A1, A2, B1, and B2, respectively. Compared with the logMAR BCVA before surgery, the differences were statistically significant (t=3.779, 4.253, 7.869, 6.668; P＜0.01). There was significant difference in logMAR BCVA among the four groups (F=4.460, P＜0.01). There was a significant difference in logMAR BCVA between group A1 and group A2 (t=－2.930, P=0.006). There was no significant difference between group B1 and group B2 (t=－1.921, P=0.063). The CMT of group A1, A2, B1 and B2 were 371.83±73.24, 431.24±83.13, 407.00±28.07 and 425.19±70.97 μm, respectively. Compared with those before operation, the differences were statistically significant (t=5.197, 2.465, 3.055, 6.078; P＜0.05). There was no significant difference in CMT among the four groups (F=2.597, P=0.059). Logistic regression analysis showed that pre-operation MME was correlated with pre-operation IMEM stage (β=1.494, P=0.004). New MME after surgery was correlated with age (β=0.153, P=0.013). Multiple linear regression analysis showed that postoperative visual acuity was significantly correlated with CMT before surgery and MME after surgery (β=0.001, 0.134; P=0.015, 0.019). ConclusionsPPV combined with epiretinal membrane and ILM peeling surgery for IMEM can improve visual acuity and decrease CMT. MME regress or regenerate after surgery. Age is an independent predictor of the risk of newly formed MME after surgery.
ObjectiveTo observe the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and aquaporin 4 (AQP4) in the inner limiting membrane (ILM) of diabetic retinopathy (DR) with macular edema, and analyze the correlation between VEGF and AQP4 expression. Methods A cross-sectional study. From September 2019 to September 2020, 38 eyes of 38 patients with DR and idiopathic macular hole (iMH) who underwent vitrectomy (PPV) combined with ILM stripping at the Hangzhou campus of The Affiliated Eye Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University at Hangzhou were included in the study. Among them, there were 25 males and 13 females who aged 37-76 years old, average age was 59±10 years old; All eye included 15 right eyes and 23 left eyes. iMH and DR included 9 eyes in 9 cases and 29 eyes in 29 cases, respectively, and they were divided into iMH group and DR group. The DR group was divided into DME group and no DME group according to whether it was accompanied by diabetic macular edema (DME), with 14 eyes and 15 eyes respectively. After the stripped ILM tissue was fixed, immunofluorescence analysis was performed to obtain a picture of the fluorescence mode of AQP4 and VEGF, and the fluorescence intensity value of VEGF and AQP4 was measured by Image J software. The differences of VEGF and AQP4 immunofluorescence values in the specimens between groups were compared by one-way analysis of variance. The correlation between the fluorescence intensity of AQP4 and the fluorescence intensity of VEGF was analyzed by Pearson correlation analysis. Results The average fluorescence intensity valuesof VEGF and AQP4 in ILM specimens of DME group, no DME group and iMH group were 38.96±7.53, 28.25±3.12, 30.07±4.84 and 49.07±8.73, 37.96±6.45, 38.08±5.04, respectively. The average fluorescence intensity of VEGF and AQP4 in the ILM specimens of the DME group was significantly higher than that of the no DME group and iMH group, and the difference was statistically significant (F=13.977, 9.454; P＜0.05). The average fluorescence intensity values of VEGF and AQP4 on IML specimens in the DR group were 33.80±7.91, 43.76±9.44, respectively. The results of Pearson correlation analysis showed that the fluorescence intensity of VEGF and AQP4 in the ILM specimens of the DR group was significantly positively correlated (r=0.597, P=0.003). ConclusionsThe expressions of VEGF and AQP4 in ILM of eyes with DR and DME are significantly increased compared with those without DME. The expression of VEGF and AQP4 in ILM of eyes with DR is positively correlated.
ObjectiveTo observe and analyze the correlations between aqueous humor cytokine concentrations and disorganization of retinal inner layers (DRIL), as well as postoperative visual acuity, in patients with idiopathic epiretinal membrane (iERM). MethodsA prospective clinical study. From November 2022 to October 2024, 40 eyes of 40 patients diagnosed with iERM at Ophthalmology Center of Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital (Affiliated People's Hospital) underwent cataract surgery alone or combined with pars plana vitrectomy (iERM group) were enrolled; 19 eyes of 19 patients undergoing cataract surgery alone during the same period served as the control group. All eyes underwent best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) testing and swept-source optical coherence tomography (SS-OCT). BCVA was assessed using a logarithmic visual acuity chart and converted to the logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution (logMAR) for statistical analysis. Central macular thickness (CMT) was measured using SS-OCT. The iERM group was further subdivided into DRIL-positive and DRIL-negative subgroups (21 eyes and 19 eyes, respectively), based on the presence or absence of DRIL. Aqueous humor samples were collected preoperatively from eyes in both the iERM and control groups. Concentrations of transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1, TGF-β2, TGF-β3, platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF)-AB, hepatocyte growth factor, fibroblast growth factor, vascular endothelial growth factor-A (VEGF-A), placental growth factor (PLGF), glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF), intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1), angiopoietin (Ang)-1, Ang-2, tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), and interleukin-6 (IL-6) were measured. Follow-up examinations using the same equipment and methods were performed at 1 month postoperatively. Aqueous cytokine levels were compared between the iERM group, control group, DRIL-positive subgroup, and DRIL-negative subgroup. Correlations between aqueous cytokine levels in the iERM group and BCVA or CMT were also analyzed. Intergroup comparisons utilized the Mann-Whitney U test; correlations between variables were assessed using Spearman's rank correlation analysis. ResultsCompared to the control group, the iERM group exhibited significantly higher aqueous concentrations of TGF-β1, TGF-β3, PDGF-AB, PLGF, GDNF, ICAM-1, Ang-1, and TNF-α (P＜0.05). Compared to the DRIL-negative subgroup, the DRIL-positive subgroup showed significantly elevated aqueous concentrations of TGF-β3, PDGF-AB, PLGF, GDNF, ICAM-1, Ang-1, Ang-2, TNF-α, and IL-6 (P＜0.05). Significant differences were observed in logMAR BCVA (P=0.028) and CMT (P＜0.001) within the iERM group between preoperative and 1-month postoperative measurements. LogMAR BCVA differed significantly between the DRIL-positive and DRIL-negative subgroups (P=0.048). Correlation analysis revealed that baseline aqueous levels of VEGF-A and IL-6 in eyes with DRIL were positively correlated with postoperative BCVA (r=0.324, 0.452; P=0.042, 0.003). No significant correlation was found between CMT and any cytokine (P＞0.05). ConclusionsAqueous humor cytokines are closely associated with DRIL in iERM patients. IL-6 and VEGF-A may serve as potential predictive biomarkers for early postoperative visual recovery.
ObjectiveTo observe the clinical efficacy of half-dose photodynamic therapy (PDT) in the treatment of acute central serous chorioretinopathy (CSC) by enhanced deep imaging-OCT (EDI-OCT).MethodsA retrospective case study. From September 2015 to November 2018, 100 patients with acute CSC who received half-dose PDT in Hangzhou Branch of the Eye Optometry Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University were included in the study. Among 100 patients, 69 patients were males and 31 patients were females; the average age was 49.63±7.97 years; the average duration of disease was 2.19±0.71 months. All patients underwent BCVA, EDI-OCT, FFA, ICGA and other examinations. BCVA was used on the international standard visual acuity chart and converted to logMAR visual acuity records. Before treatment, the average logMAR BCVA was 0.29±0.19, the average macular foveal retinal thickness (CMT) was 370.59±134.98 μm, and the average macular subfoveal choroidal thickness (SFCT) was 366.93±86.95 μm. All patients were treated with half-dose PDT. We compared the changes of BCVA, CMT, SFCT, and subretinal fluid (SRF) of the eye before treatment and 2 weeks after treatment and 1, 3, and 6 months. Pearson correlation analysis method was used to analyze the correlation between BCVA and baseline BCVA, CMT, SFCT after 6 months of treatment.ResultsSix months after treatment, SRF was completely absorbed in 98 eyes, with an effective rate of 98.0%. Compared with before treatment, 2 weeks and 1, 3, and 6 months after treatment, the BCVA of the eye significantly increased (F=66.493, P＜0.001), and CMT and SFCT significantly decreased (F=134.625, 30.394; P＜0.001,＜0.001). The results of Pearson correlation analysis showed that BCVA was positively correlated with baseline BCVA 6 months after treatment (r=0.529, P＜0.001), and there was no significant correlation with CMT and SFCT. There were no serious complications related to treatment during the follow-up period.ConclusionsHalf-dose PDT can effectively increase BCVA in a short period of time for acute CSC. EDI-OCT can observe that CMT, SFCT and SRF absorption are significantly reduced after treatment.