ABSTRACT
Purpose@#To report a case of ocular tuberculosis that first manifested as neovascular glaucoma.Case summary: A 76-year-old male visited our hospital complaining of decreased visual acuity in the left eye. He had undergone tuberculosis treatment 1 year prior, and had been cured. At the time of his visit, decreased visual acuity, increased intraocular pressure, and iris neovascularization were observed in the left eye. He was diagnosed with neovascular glaucoma and was started on treatment to lower the intraocular pressure. At the time of the visit, we also noticed vitreous opacity in both eyes. The patient did not attend his scheduled follow-up visit, but returned 2 months later complaining of decreased visual acuity in both eyes. The vitreous opacity in the retinae of both eyes had become aggravated. Diagnostic vitrectomy was performed on both eyes, and multiple yellowish-white circular lesions were observed throughout the retinae. Systemic abnormalities were suspected, and thus additional tests were performed. Bronchoalveolar lavage fluid analysis revealed recurrence of pulmonary tuberculosis, and tuberculosis treatment was recommenced. Temporary increases in ocular inflammation and deterioration were observed but improved after the addition of systemic steroids. The patient has been under observation without recurrence for about 1 year. @*Conclusions@#Ocular tuberculosis can be expressed in the form of neovascular glaucoma, so ocular tuberculosis should be suspected if there is a history of tuberculosis and abnormal retinal findings.
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Purpose@#We studied the clinical features and assessed the treatment outcomes of infectious endophthalmitis subsequent to Ahmed glaucoma valve (AGV) implant surgery. @*Methods@#We performed a retrospective review of the medical records of patients who underwent AGV implant surgery between January 1, 2010 and May 31, 2022. Clinical course, microbiological lab results, and the treatment data of patients who developed infectious endophthalmitis were analyzed. @*Results@#Of 310 eyes that underwent AGV implant surgery, 9 (2.90%) developed endophthalmitis. The average time interval between AGV implant surgery and the diagnosis of endophthalmitis was 3.59 years. As initial treatment, all affected eyes received injections of intravitreal antibiotics, while four underwent primary pars plana vitrectomy. The implanted valve was removed in seven instances. Microorganisms were found in cultures from four cases. Two patients achieved a final best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) above 20/200, while the other five had a final BCVA of hand motion or worse. @*Conclusions@#AGV implant-related endophthalmitis is uncommon and often results in poor visual outcomes, with unpredictable onset. Consequently, it is crucial to educate patients undergoing AGV implant surgery during regular follow-ups. Immediate evaluation and treatment are necessary for patients exhibiting symptoms after surgery.
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Purpose@#To investigate the thickness of the nerve fiber layer-ganglion cell inner plexiform layer (NFL-GCIPL) complex and microvascular macular changes in Korean patients with early Parkinson’s disease using optical coherence tomography (OCT) and OCT angiography (OCTA). @*Methods@#Forty-three eyes of 22 patients with early Parkinson’s disease were included. A control group of 20 patients (40 eyes) was also recruited. The thickness of the NFL-GCIPL macular complex was measured using OCT, and the densities of the superficial and deep macular retinal vessels were evaluated via OCTA in all subjects. @*Results@#The NFL-GCIPL thicknesses of the superior, inferior, temporal, and nasal sectors were 94.70 ± 9.35, 93.32 ± 9.16, 90.18 ± 6.32, and 93.11 ± 8.75 μm in the control group and 92.05 ± 4.96, 91.32 ± 7.48, 84.74 ± 6.82, and 91.32 ± 7.47 μm in the Parkinson’s disease group, respectively; all thicknesses were significantly greater in the control group. The superficial and deep retinal vessel densities did not differ between the two groups. @*Conclusions@#Neurodegenerative macular changes are more obvious than microvascular changes in patients with early Parkinson’s disease. Such neurodegenerative changes should be further evaluated in future cohort studies.
ABSTRACT
In vertebrates, the entire central nervous system is derived from the neural tube, which is formed through a conserved early developmental morphogenetic process called neurulation. Although the perturbations in neurulation caused by genetic or environmental factors lead to neural tube defects (NTDs), the most common congenital malformation and the precise molecular pathological cascades mediating NTDs are not well understood. Recently, we have developed human spinal cord organoids (hSCOs) that recapitulate some aspects of human neurulation and observed that valproic acid (VPA) could cause neurulation defects in an organoid model. In this study, we identified and verified the significant changes in cell–cell junctional genes/proteins in VPA-treated organoids using transcriptomic and immunostaining analysis. Furthermore, VPA-treated mouse embryos exhibited impaired gene expression and NTD phenotypes, similar to those observed in the hSCO model. Collectively, our data demonstrate that hSCOs provide a valuable biological resource for dissecting the molecular pathways underlying the currently unknown human neurulation process using destructive biological analysis tools.
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Purpose@#We evaluated the utility of peripheral vitrectomy featuring scleral indentation; we compared a group who underwent peripheral vitrectomy to a control group for whom vitrectomy was combined with scleral fixation of intraocular lenses (IOLs) in patients exhibiting IOL dislocations. @*Methods@#From January 2018 to December 2020, 20 eyes of patients evidencing IOL dislocations that underwent total vitrectomy, IOL removal, and IOL scleral fixation were evaluated; peripheral vitrectomy with scleral indentation was performed in 10 patients. All operations were performed by the same surgeon. We excluded patients with follow-up periods less than 6 months, those with a history of retinal and/or glaucoma surgery, and patients with retinal abnormalities or glaucoma that might significantly compromise visual acuity. The postoperative best-corrected visual acuity, intraocular pressure, astigmatism changes, and complications were retrieved from the medical records. @*Results@#Six months after surgery, the best corrected visual acuity was 0.95 (the Snellen measure) in the group who underwent peripheral vitrectomy featuring scleral indentation, and 0.60 in the control group (p = 0.029). The total astigmatism values were 0.48 diopter in the former and 2.80 diopter in the latter group; the difference was significant (p < 0.001). @*Conclusions@#In patients with IOL dislocations who underwent vitrectomy combined with IOL scleral fixation, improvements in visual acuity were further enhanced when peripheral vitrectomy was combined with scleral indentation. Complete removal of the peripheral vitreous may stabilize IOL positioning by the remnant vitreous.
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Purpose@#To describe successful treatment of cytomegalovirus immune recovery retinitis, with similarity to acute retinal necrosis, in patients with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) in the immune recovery stage.Case summary: A 37-year-old man, diagnosed with AIDS 5 years prior, visited our clinic with a chief complaint of visual disturbance in his right eye for 1 week. Slit lamp examination revealed severe inflammation; a light gray retinal lesion with a clear border was present in the inferotemporal area of the peripheral retina. Antiviral (ganciclovir) and oral steroid treatments were initiated. Blood test results indicated that the CD4+ T-cell count was 222/μL. Polymerase chain reaction analysis of anterior puncture findings showed a positive result for cytomegalovirus. Clinical findings were suggestive of acute retinal necrosis, but the patient's condition and examination were also suggestive of cytomegalovirus retinitis in the immune recovery stage. One month after treatment, retinal detachment was observed; surgery was performed. There was no recurrence for 3 years after the second operation and the patient remained in stable condition. @*Conclusions@#In the immune recovery stage, non-specific cytomegalovirus retinitis accompanied by inflammation may exhibit fundus findings similar to acute retinal necrosis. We report a rare case of cytomegalovirus immune recovery retinitis where normal vision was restored via systemic drug treatment and surgery.
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Purpose@#To evaluate the results of treatment according to the method of intravitreal injection of bevacizumab for macular edema due to branch retinal vein occlusion (BRVO). @*Methods@#The clinical records of macular edema patients were analyzed retrospectively for a total of 62 eyes of 62 patients who were injected with bevacizumab into the vitreous as the first treatment for BRVO. Best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), the findings of spectral-domain optical coherence tomography before and after injection, and prognosis-related factors were evaluated for 21 eyes that received the initial three monthly loading treatments and the 41 eyes that did not. @*Results@#Significant improvement in BCVA was observed in the group having received the initial three injections compared with the group who did not receive the injections at 3, 6, and 12 months (p = 0.025, p = 0.019, and p = 0.008, respectively). The central macular thickness (CMT) showed greater improvement in the initial three injections group than the group without at 6 months (p = 0.034). Multivariate regression showed that the duration from the onset, the three loadings, BCVA, disorganization of the retinal inner layer (DRIL), and choroidal thickness were predictors related to visual gain (p = 0.044, p = 0.047, p = 0.004, p = 0.045, and p = 0.034, respectively). Age, three loadings, BCVA, and DRIL were predictors related to final visual acuity (p = 0.045, p = 0.046, p = 0.002, and p = 0.034, respectively). Duration from the onset, CMT, and choroidal thickness were predictors related to CMT improvement (p = 0.042, p = 0.009, and p = 0.015, respectively). @*Conclusions@#In macular edema of BRVO, the initial three monthly intravitreal injections of bevacizumab provided superior treatment outcomes regarding short-term functional and anatomical improvements and long-term functional improvement, compared with methods that did not treat with the initial three monthly injections.
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Purpose@#To report a case of endophthalmitis and retinal detachment after injury caused by an animal inoculation needle. Case summary: A 39-year-old man received an injury to his left eye with an animal inoculation needle while vaccinating a pig came to the hospital due to decreased visual acuity. At initial presentation, the best-corrected visual acuity in the left eye was “counting fingers,” and slit lamp examination revealed corneal lacerations, anterior capsule rupture, and traumatic cataract. Ultrasonography showed no specific findings in the vitreous and retina. Primary corneal suture, phacoemulsification, anterior vitrectomy due to rupture of the posterior capsule and vitreous prolapse, intraocular lens implantation, and intravitreal antibiotic injection were performed. On day 1 postoperatively, vitrectomy, anterior chamber irrigation, intravitreal antibiotic injection, and silicone oil injection were performed as signs of endophthalmitis, such as hypopyon and retinal tear, and focal retinal detachment were observed during surgery. Silicone oil removal was performed 7 months after the operation and the best-corrected visual acuity was 0.6. There has been no recurrence during follow-up. @*Conclusions@#This is the first report in Korea of ocular injury caused by an animal inoculation needle. If the fundus is not observed in such injuries, there is a possibility of endophthalmitis and retinal detachment and early vitrectomy should be considered.
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Purpose@#To investigate thickness of the nerve fiber layer-ganglion cell inner plexiform layer (NFL-GCIPL) complex and vessel density of the superficial and deep retinal vessels and choriocapillaris using swept source optical coherence tomography (SS-OCT) and angiography (OCTA) in type 2 diabetic patients without diabetic retinopathy (DR). @*Methods@#Sixty-four eyes of type 2 diabetic patients without DR were included. A control group of 54 eyes without diabetes was also recruited. All patients underwent multimodal imaging evaluation using SS-OCT and OCTA. @*Results@#Vessel density of the superficial and deep retinal vessels was not different between the study and control groups. A significant decrease in NFL-GCIPL complex thickness was observed in the study group compared to the control group. NFL-GCIPL thickness of the macula decreased with increased duration of diabetes. @*Conclusions@#These results suggest that neurodegeneration might be an early change in the development of DR.
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Purpose@#This study investigated the 1-year outcomes of a treat-and-extend regimen of ranibizumab for exudative age-related macular degeneration and examined the clinical results when drug treatment was changed within the same period. @*Methods@#This retrospective analysis included 32 eyes first diagnosed with wet age-related macular degeneration and treated for more than 1 year with a treat-and-extend regimen of ranibizumab, as well as 24 eyes treated by changing from ranibizumab to aflibercept within the same period. The injection number, maximum injection interval, change in central retinal thickness, and best-corrected visual acuity were assessed in all eyes. @*Results@#In 32 eyes that received a treat-and-extend regimen of ranibizumab, the mean best-corrected visual acuity improved from 59.46 ± 15.13 to 68.00 ± 12.48 at 12 months (p < 0.0001). The mean central retinal thickness decreased from 409 ± 141 μm to 273 ± 89 μm at 12 months (p < 0.0001). The average number of injections per year was 7.2 ± 0.85. One complication related to the 12 months of injections was a tear in the retinal pigment epithelium; no systemic complications were observed. Of 24 eyes that underwent a change in medication, the rate of maintenance or improvement in initial visual acuity was 83% (10 eyes). The central retinal thickness was initially 371.58 ± 109.96 μm, but improved to 290.33 ± 58.66 μm in 12 eyes that received three injections of aflibercept. @*Conclusions@#At 1 year, good outcomes were obtained using treat-and-extend ranibizumab for exudative age-related macular degeneration. When the treatment was changed to aflibercept within the same period, vision was often maintained and short-term anatomical improvement was evident.
ABSTRACT
Purpose@#To report a case of acute angle-closure attack resulting from hemorrhagic retinal detachment after a double retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) tear in exudative age-related macular degeneration (AMD) with large pigment epithelial detachment (PED).Case summary: A 66-year-old female visited with a complaint of poor vision in left eye, which began 1 month prior. She was diagnosed with exudative AMD with a large PED using optical coherence tomography and indocyanine green angiography. Intravitreal aflibercept injection was performed. The RPE tear occurred at 2 weeks after the intravitreal anti-vascular endothelial growth factor injection for AMD, after which the range of the RPE tear expanded and included the macular area at 4 weeks after the second injection. At 3 months after the third injection, massive submacular hemorrhage occurred; aflibercept injection was repeated. At 3 days after the fourth injection, the patient’s intraocular pressure (IOP) was 60 mmHg, and massive hemorrhagic serous retinal detachment and anterior movement of the lens with total angle closure were observed. Therefore, we performed a sclerotomy; a large amount of dark blood and subretinal fluid was drained. The IOP decreased, and the retinal detachment improved somewhat. The patient was kept under observation for careful monitoring of her condition. @*Conclusions@#It is very rare to experience a double RPE rupture after intravitreal anti-vascular endothelial growth factor injection in AMD. We report on our experience and treatment of acute angle-closure attack. The IOP increased due to hemorrhagic retinal detachment after a double RPE tear over the treatment course.
ABSTRACT
Neuromesodermal progenitors (NMPs) constitute a bipotent cell population that generates a wide variety of trunk cell and tissue types during embryonic development. Derivatives of NMPs include both mesodermal lineage cells such as muscles and vertebral bones, and neural lineage cells such as neural crests and central nervous system neurons. Such diverse lineage potential combined with a limited capacity for self-renewal, which persists during axial elongation, demonstrates that NMPs are a major source of trunk tissues. This review describes the identification and characterization of NMPs across multiple species. We also discuss key cellular and molecular steps for generating neural and mesodermal cells for building up the elongating trunk tissue.
ABSTRACT
Neurogenesis persists in restricted regions of the adult brain, including the subventricular zone (SVZ). Adult neural stem cells (NSCs) in the SVZ proliferate and give rise to new neurons and glial cells depending on intrinsic and environmental cues. Among the multiple factors that contribute to the chemical, physical, and mechanical components of the neurogenic niche, we focused on the composition of the extracellular matrix (ECM) of vasculature and fractones in the SVZ. The SVZ consists of ECM-rich blood vessels and fractones during development and adulthood, and adult neural stem/progenitor cells (NS/PCs) preferentially attach to the laminin-rich basal lamina. To examine the ECM preference of adult NS/PCs, we designed a competition assay using cell micropatterning. Although both laminin and collagen type IV, which are the main components of basal lamina, act as physical scaffolds, adult NS/PCs preferred to adhere to laminin over collagen type IV. Interestingly, the ECM preference of adult NS/ PCs could be manipulated by chemokines such as stromal-derived factor 1 (SDF1) and α6 integrin. As SDF1 re-routes NSCs and their progenitors toward the injury site after brain damage, these results suggest that the alteration in ECM preferences may provide a molecular basis for contextdependent NS/PC positioning.
ABSTRACT
Purpose@#To evaluate the results of treatment according to the method of intravitreal injection of bevacizumab for macular edema due to branch retinal vein occlusion (BRVO). @*Methods@#The clinical records of macular edema patients were analyzed retrospectively for a total of 62 eyes of 62 patients who were injected with bevacizumab into the vitreous as the first treatment for BRVO. Best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), the findings of spectral-domain optical coherence tomography before and after injection, and prognosis-related factors were evaluated for 21 eyes that received the initial three monthly loading treatments and the 41 eyes that did not. @*Results@#Significant improvement in BCVA was observed in the group having received the initial three injections compared with the group who did not receive the injections at 3, 6, and 12 months (p = 0.025, p = 0.019, and p = 0.008, respectively). The central macular thickness (CMT) showed greater improvement in the initial three injections group than the group without at 6 months (p = 0.034). Multivariate regression showed that the duration from the onset, the three loadings, BCVA, disorganization of the retinal inner layer (DRIL), and choroidal thickness were predictors related to visual gain (p = 0.044, p = 0.047, p = 0.004, p = 0.045, and p = 0.034, respectively). Age, three loadings, BCVA, and DRIL were predictors related to final visual acuity (p = 0.045, p = 0.046, p = 0.002, and p = 0.034, respectively). Duration from the onset, CMT, and choroidal thickness were predictors related to CMT improvement (p = 0.042, p = 0.009, and p = 0.015, respectively). @*Conclusions@#In macular edema of BRVO, the initial three monthly intravitreal injections of bevacizumab provided superior treatment outcomes regarding short-term functional and anatomical improvements and long-term functional improvement, compared with methods that did not treat with the initial three monthly injections.
ABSTRACT
Purpose@#To report a case of endophthalmitis and retinal detachment after injury caused by an animal inoculation needle. Case summary: A 39-year-old man received an injury to his left eye with an animal inoculation needle while vaccinating a pig came to the hospital due to decreased visual acuity. At initial presentation, the best-corrected visual acuity in the left eye was “counting fingers,” and slit lamp examination revealed corneal lacerations, anterior capsule rupture, and traumatic cataract. Ultrasonography showed no specific findings in the vitreous and retina. Primary corneal suture, phacoemulsification, anterior vitrectomy due to rupture of the posterior capsule and vitreous prolapse, intraocular lens implantation, and intravitreal antibiotic injection were performed. On day 1 postoperatively, vitrectomy, anterior chamber irrigation, intravitreal antibiotic injection, and silicone oil injection were performed as signs of endophthalmitis, such as hypopyon and retinal tear, and focal retinal detachment were observed during surgery. Silicone oil removal was performed 7 months after the operation and the best-corrected visual acuity was 0.6. There has been no recurrence during follow-up. @*Conclusions@#This is the first report in Korea of ocular injury caused by an animal inoculation needle. If the fundus is not observed in such injuries, there is a possibility of endophthalmitis and retinal detachment and early vitrectomy should be considered.
ABSTRACT
Purpose@#To investigate thickness of the nerve fiber layer-ganglion cell inner plexiform layer (NFL-GCIPL) complex and vessel density of the superficial and deep retinal vessels and choriocapillaris using swept source optical coherence tomography (SS-OCT) and angiography (OCTA) in type 2 diabetic patients without diabetic retinopathy (DR). @*Methods@#Sixty-four eyes of type 2 diabetic patients without DR were included. A control group of 54 eyes without diabetes was also recruited. All patients underwent multimodal imaging evaluation using SS-OCT and OCTA. @*Results@#Vessel density of the superficial and deep retinal vessels was not different between the study and control groups. A significant decrease in NFL-GCIPL complex thickness was observed in the study group compared to the control group. NFL-GCIPL thickness of the macula decreased with increased duration of diabetes. @*Conclusions@#These results suggest that neurodegeneration might be an early change in the development of DR.
ABSTRACT
Purpose@#This study investigated the 1-year outcomes of a treat-and-extend regimen of ranibizumab for exudative age-related macular degeneration and examined the clinical results when drug treatment was changed within the same period. @*Methods@#This retrospective analysis included 32 eyes first diagnosed with wet age-related macular degeneration and treated for more than 1 year with a treat-and-extend regimen of ranibizumab, as well as 24 eyes treated by changing from ranibizumab to aflibercept within the same period. The injection number, maximum injection interval, change in central retinal thickness, and best-corrected visual acuity were assessed in all eyes. @*Results@#In 32 eyes that received a treat-and-extend regimen of ranibizumab, the mean best-corrected visual acuity improved from 59.46 ± 15.13 to 68.00 ± 12.48 at 12 months (p < 0.0001). The mean central retinal thickness decreased from 409 ± 141 μm to 273 ± 89 μm at 12 months (p < 0.0001). The average number of injections per year was 7.2 ± 0.85. One complication related to the 12 months of injections was a tear in the retinal pigment epithelium; no systemic complications were observed. Of 24 eyes that underwent a change in medication, the rate of maintenance or improvement in initial visual acuity was 83% (10 eyes). The central retinal thickness was initially 371.58 ± 109.96 μm, but improved to 290.33 ± 58.66 μm in 12 eyes that received three injections of aflibercept. @*Conclusions@#At 1 year, good outcomes were obtained using treat-and-extend ranibizumab for exudative age-related macular degeneration. When the treatment was changed to aflibercept within the same period, vision was often maintained and short-term anatomical improvement was evident.
ABSTRACT
Purpose@#To report a case of acute angle-closure attack resulting from hemorrhagic retinal detachment after a double retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) tear in exudative age-related macular degeneration (AMD) with large pigment epithelial detachment (PED).Case summary: A 66-year-old female visited with a complaint of poor vision in left eye, which began 1 month prior. She was diagnosed with exudative AMD with a large PED using optical coherence tomography and indocyanine green angiography. Intravitreal aflibercept injection was performed. The RPE tear occurred at 2 weeks after the intravitreal anti-vascular endothelial growth factor injection for AMD, after which the range of the RPE tear expanded and included the macular area at 4 weeks after the second injection. At 3 months after the third injection, massive submacular hemorrhage occurred; aflibercept injection was repeated. At 3 days after the fourth injection, the patient’s intraocular pressure (IOP) was 60 mmHg, and massive hemorrhagic serous retinal detachment and anterior movement of the lens with total angle closure were observed. Therefore, we performed a sclerotomy; a large amount of dark blood and subretinal fluid was drained. The IOP decreased, and the retinal detachment improved somewhat. The patient was kept under observation for careful monitoring of her condition. @*Conclusions@#It is very rare to experience a double RPE rupture after intravitreal anti-vascular endothelial growth factor injection in AMD. We report on our experience and treatment of acute angle-closure attack. The IOP increased due to hemorrhagic retinal detachment after a double RPE tear over the treatment course.
ABSTRACT
Neuromesodermal progenitors (NMPs) constitute a bipotent cell population that generates a wide variety of trunk cell and tissue types during embryonic development. Derivatives of NMPs include both mesodermal lineage cells such as muscles and vertebral bones, and neural lineage cells such as neural crests and central nervous system neurons. Such diverse lineage potential combined with a limited capacity for self-renewal, which persists during axial elongation, demonstrates that NMPs are a major source of trunk tissues. This review describes the identification and characterization of NMPs across multiple species. We also discuss key cellular and molecular steps for generating neural and mesodermal cells for building up the elongating trunk tissue.
ABSTRACT
Neurogenesis persists in restricted regions of the adult brain, including the subventricular zone (SVZ). Adult neural stem cells (NSCs) in the SVZ proliferate and give rise to new neurons and glial cells depending on intrinsic and environmental cues. Among the multiple factors that contribute to the chemical, physical, and mechanical components of the neurogenic niche, we focused on the composition of the extracellular matrix (ECM) of vasculature and fractones in the SVZ. The SVZ consists of ECM-rich blood vessels and fractones during development and adulthood, and adult neural stem/progenitor cells (NS/PCs) preferentially attach to the laminin-rich basal lamina. To examine the ECM preference of adult NS/PCs, we designed a competition assay using cell micropatterning. Although both laminin and collagen type IV, which are the main components of basal lamina, act as physical scaffolds, adult NS/PCs preferred to adhere to laminin over collagen type IV. Interestingly, the ECM preference of adult NS/ PCs could be manipulated by chemokines such as stromal-derived factor 1 (SDF1) and α6 integrin. As SDF1 re-routes NSCs and their progenitors toward the injury site after brain damage, these results suggest that the alteration in ECM preferences may provide a molecular basis for contextdependent NS/PC positioning.