Objective To test the hypothesis that the macular pigment may be a marker of foveal cone function and consequently the structural integrity of foveal cones.Methods Sixteen patients (32 eyes) diagnosed to have Stargardt dystrophy and three patients with full thickness macular holes by clinical criteria were studied with a scanning laser ophthalmoscopy (SLO) comparing argon laser blue and infrared images for the presence or absence of macular pigment (MP) in the fovea. An C++ computer based program was used to evaluate the density of MP. Eyes were graded into three categories: those without foveal macular pigment, those with partial pigment and those with normal amounts of macular pigment. These categories were compared with visual acuity determined by the Snellen chart. Results Thirteen eyes with a visual acuity of 20/200 or worse had no macular pigment in the fovea. Eleven eyes with visual acuity of 20/40 or better had a normal amount of macular pigment in the fovea and 1 eye had partial macular pigment. Eleven eyes with partial macular pigment had intermediary acuity value.Conclusions Foveal macular pigment is closely related to foveal cone acuity and therefore may be a marker for the presence of foveal cones. Infrared light is a sensitive indicator of early macular diseases.(Chin J Ocul Fundus Dis，2003，19：201-268)
Objective To investigate the characteristics of optical coherence tomography (OCT) images in idiopathic macular hole. Methods OCT、color photography and fundus fluorescein angiography were performed in 65 cases(70 eyes) of macular holes and which were then graded by connecting to their clinical characteristics. Results Among the 70 eyes the number of 1～4 stages of macular holes were 11,12,36 and 11 eyes respectively.In eyes of stage 1 OCT images showed flattening or disappearing of fovea and minimally reflective space within or beneath the neurosensory retina;stage 2 showed a fullthickness hole with an attached operculum and surrounding edema;stage 3 displayed a full-thickness hole with surrounding edema and stage 4 showed a full-thickness hole and a complete separation of the poterior hyaloid membrane from the retina.The dimeter of the macular holes in stage 2,3 and 4 were (241.75plusmn;107.08),(699.78plusmn;160.99), (631.36plusmn;243.46)mu;m,respectively. Conclusions OCT can display the characteristics of idiopathic macular holes and measure the diameters of holes quantitatively. (Chin J Ocul Fundus Dis, 1999, 15: 205-208)
ObjectiveTo observe the subfoveal choroidal thickness (SFCT) and choriocapillary blood flow area (CBFA) in the patients with idiopathic macular hole (IMH).MethodsThis is a prospective clinical study. Thirty-two patients with unilateral IMH (4 in stage 2, 17 in stage 3, 11 in stage 4) and 32 age- and sex-matched normal controls were enrolled in this study. All eyes were divided into three groups, including group A (32 affected eyes), group B (32 fellow eyes) and group C (32 normal eyes of controls). There was no significant difference in age (t=0.865) and gender (χ2=0.000) in IMH patients versus normal control subjects (P＞0.05). There was no significant difference in refraction (F=0.957) and ocular axial length (F=0.562) between group A, B and C. The SFCT was detected by enhanced depth imaging of spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (OCT). The CBFA was detected by OCT angiography. The differences of SFCT and CBFA in three groups were analyzed by Kruskal-Wallis and non-parametric test.ResultsThe mean SFCT was (182.53±64.52) μm in group A, (199.21±73.07) μm in group B and (254.21±56.85) μm in group C respectively. The SFCT was thinner in group A and B than that in group C (Z=−4.362, −3.190; P＜0.05), but was the same in group A and B (Z=−1.171, P＞0.05). The mean CBFA was (5.09±0.31) mm2 in group A, (5.41±0.20) mm2 in group B and (5.39±0.15) mm2 in group C respectively. The CBFA was reduced in group A than that in group B and C (Z=−4.467, −4.048; P＜0.05), but was same in group B and C (Z=0.420, P＞0.05).ConclusionSFCT and CBFA are both reduced in IMH eyes.
ObjectiveTo observe the changes of choroidal capillary flow area (CBFA) and density in patients with idiopathic macular hole (IMH) before and after surgery.MethodsA prospective clinical study. Thirty patients (60 eyes) with unilateral IMH diagnosed in Department of Ophthalmology of The Second Hospital of Hebei Medical University from February 2017 to March 2018 and 30 age-and sex- matched normal controls were included in this study. All eyes were divided into group A (30 affected eyes), group B (30 fellow eyes) and group C (30 normal eyes of controls). Among 30 eyes in group A, there were 5, 14, 11 eyes with hole in stage Ⅱ, Ⅲ, Ⅳ, respecitvely. The eyes in group A were divided into two subgroups according to the diameter of the holes: group D: hole diameter less than or equal to 500 μm (11 eyes), group E: hole diameter over than 500 μm (19 eyes). All eyes in group A underwent vitrectomy. Spectral-domain OCT was used to observe the diameter size of macular hole and the closure of the hole after vitrectomy in eyes of group A. The CBFA and blood flow density of superficial choroidal capillaries were measured by OCT angiography before and 3 months after vitrectomy in groups A, B and C. Univariate analysis of variance and t test were used for statistical analysis.ResultsBefore surgery, in group A, B and C, the CBFA were 2.84±0.35, 3.19±0.23, 3.26±0.24 mm2, the blood flow density were (20.74±8.26)%, (35.18±5.20)%, (35.20±6.49)%, respectively. The CBFA and blood flow density in group A were significantly lower than those in group B and C (F=19.768, 45.583; P = 0.000, 0.000), but there was no significant difference between group B and C (F=19.768, 45.583; P=0.332, 0.994). The CBFA and blood flow density in group D were higher than those in group E (t=2.230, 2.202; P=0.034, 0.036). The diameter of macular hole was negatively correlated with CBFA and blood flow density (r=－0.377, －0.477; P=0.044, 0.009). Three months after surgery, the macular holes in group A were closed; CBFA and blood flow density in macular area were significantly higher than before surgery (t=－4.126, －4.912; P=0.000, 0.000).ConclusionsCBFA and blood flow density decreased in the macular area of IMH. CBFA and blood flow density can be recovered after vitrectomy.