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AIM:To observe the clinical efficacy of modified Buyang Huanwu Decoction in treating non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy(NPDR)of qi and yin deficiency and stagnation of collaterals, and to quantitatively analyze the changes in peripapillary vessel density before and after treatment using optical coherence tomography angiography(OCTA).METHODS:A randomized controlled trial was used to collect a total of 58 patients(99 eyes)with qi and yin deficiency and stagnation of collaterals NPDR who visited our hospital from June 2022 to November 2022, and patients were randomly divided into an observation group(n=29, 51 eyes)and a control group(n=29, 48 eyes). The control group received basic treatment according to the recommendations for DR published by the American Academy of Ophthalmology in 2019(blood glucose control, diabetes health education, and regular follow-up for patients with mild NPDR; and add local/grid-like laser photocoagulation if necessary for patients with moderate NPDR), while the observation group received modified Buyang Huanwu Decoction in addition to the basic treatment for 1mo. The best-corrected visual acuity(BCVA), traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)efficacy, peripapillary telangiectasia vessel density(ppVD), and changes in peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer(pRNFL)thickness were compared between the two groups before and after treatment.RESULTS:The BCVA(LogMAR)of the observation group was 0.20(0.10, 0.30)after 1mo of treatment, which was significantly improved compared with that of the control group of 0.30(0.20, 0.40; P<0.05). The TCM efficacy in the observation group after 1mo of treatment was better than that in the control group(P<0.05). The ppVD in all quadrants of the observation group showed a significant improvement at 1mo after treatment, and the ppVD in all quadrants of the observation group was higher than that of the control group(P<0.05). The pRNFL thickness in the superior, temporal, and average peripapillary areas of the observation group increased after 1mo of treatment, and the pRNFL thickness in the superior, temporal, inferior quadrants, and average peripapillary area of the observation group was higher than that of the control group(P<0.05).CONCLUSION:Modified Buyang Huanwu Decoction can improve visual acuity and enhance TCM efficacy in patients with NPDR of qi and yin deficiency and stagnation of collaterals. It may be related to its ability to improve ppVD and reduce damage to the pRNFL.
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With the increasing aging population, the incidence of wet age-related macular degeneration(wARMD)is gradually rising. The formation of neovascularization leads to recurrent hemorrhage in the macular region, which is one of the main causes of blindness in the elderly. Currently, the primary clinical treatment for wARMD is intravitreal injection of anti-vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF)drugs. However, there are still some patients who have poor or no response to anti-VEGF drugs, resulting in suboptimal or ineffective clinical outcomes. Analyzing the specific influencing factors will be beneficial in guiding clinical decision-making. This article reviews the impact of factors such as advanced age, treatment duration, number of injections, characteristics of neovascular lesions, macular structure, intraocular cytokine levels, and genetics on the response to anti-VEGF therapy. In addition, recent studies have found that pericytes, as cellular components of microvascular walls, can influence the sensitivity to anti-VEGF therapy. This review summarizes the current research on the mechanisms of pericytes in poor or non-response to anti-VEGF therapy and discusses targeted strategies focusing on pericytes.
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@#AIM: To investigate the clinical effect of transepithelial rapid cross-linking combined with wearing rigid gas permeable contact lens(RGPCL)in keratoconus patients.<p>METHODS: This was a retrospective study of patients with progressive keratoconus diagnosed in the Second Affiliated Hospital of Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine in October 2014, and underwent transepithelial rapid keratoplasty. After surgery 16 patients(25 eyes)used RGPCL. Average age was 25.31±5.92 years old, maximum preoperative corneal curvature was 58.96±6.76D, thinnest corneal thickness was 439.52±53.24μm. Rapid cross-linking was performed using riboflavin and 45mW/cm<sup>2</sup> ultraviolet light(UV)irradiation with a total energy of 7.2J/cm<sup>2</sup>. RGPCL was used after surgery. Follow up of 3-6a, average follow-up time was 52.44±11.39mo. The best corrected visual acuity \〖(BCVA), in RGPCL\〗, corneal curvature of flat meridian(K<sub>1</sub>), corneal curvature of steep meridian(K<sub>2</sub>), maximum corneal curvature(Kmax), corneal refractive power(MPP), Baiocchi Calossi Versaci index of anterior and posterior surface(BCVf and BCVb)asymmetry index of anterior surface curvature(SIf), asymmetry index of posterior surface curvature(SIb), the highest point of anterior cone cornea(KVf), the highest point of posterior cone cornea(KVb), the change of corneal thickness(ThkMin), lens opacity, and corneal endothelial cell count were observed.<p>RESULTS: All patients had a successful operation, and no intraoperative complications. On the first day after surgery, all cases felt slight tingling and slight photophobia tears. After 1d of operation, the corneal epithelium was removed in two eyes. While 3d after re-wearing the bandage, the epithelium healed. None of lens in the patients was opacified during follow-up, and there was no significant difference in corneal endothelial cell count compared with preoperative(<i>P</i>>0.05). The BCVA(wearing RGPCL)after operation is obviously improved compared with preoperative. All postoperative Kmax, SIf, KVf, BCVf, BCVb were lower than preoperative(<i>P</i><0.05). <p>CONCLUSION: Transepithelial rapid corneal cross-linking combined with RGPCL is safe and effective in controlling the progress of keratoconus. And the long-term effect is stable.