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Age-related macular degeneration(AMD)is a serious threat to the visual health of the elderly,and the dysfunction of retinal pigment epithelial cells(RPE)is a significant etiology risk.Aging process leads to RPE repli-cation senescence,and some environment factors like light exposure and cigarette exposure may lead to RPE stress premature aging,and the decreased lysosomal digestion ability of senescent RPE cells may lead to the accumulation of lipofuscin,triggering the occurrence of early AMD.A series of homeostatic imbalances in aging retina,such as cell senescence-renewal imbalance,oxidative stress-antioxidant imbalance,chronic inflammatory-anti-inflammatory imbalance,intestinal barrier and intestinal microbiota imbalance and pro-angiogenesis-antiangiogenic imbalance all contribute to the development of AMD.
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Objective:To find benefit of adaptive challenges in age-related macular degeneration (AMD) patients of long-term treatment in the challenge of vision decline, and provide new ideas for improving the quality of life of patients.Methods:It was a phenomenological study from qualitative research, selected by purpose sampling method and semi-structured interview which involved 20 AMD patients who received intravitreal treatment of drug in the Ophthalmology Department of Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University from January to March 2023.Two interviewees comprehensively read and analyzed the transcript of the interview and its meaning, subsequently Colaizzi seven-step analysis method was used to classify and encode the transcribed data.Results:Among 20 patients, there were 9 males and 11 females, aged 56-81 years old. Patients with AMD experience a sense of benefit in their long-term management of the condition, adapting to the challenges posed by declining strength, which could be summarized into four main themes: moderate sense of decision control, satisfactory social support, active self-management of the disease, and an improvement in quality of life.Conclusions:Patients with AMD experience a sense of disease-related benefit during the long-term management of visual acuity challenges. Healthcare professionals should guide patients to seek this benefit from adverse events, identify the adaptive challenges patients face, and leverage their adaptive leadership skills. Furthermore, offering multi-channel low vision rehabilitation services can assist patients in enhancing their adaptive capabilities, ultimately contributing to further improving their quality of life.
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Objective To investigate the value of monocyte to lymphocyte ratio(MLR)and neutrophil percentage to albumin ratio(NPAR)in predicting diabetic macular edema(DME).Methods One hundred and one diabetic retinopathy patients admitted to the Third Affiliated Hospital of Xinxiang Medical University from January 2018 to February 2023 were selected as the research subjects,and they were divided into DME group(n=56)and non-DME group(n=45)based on fun-dus examination results.The general data such as gender,age,course of diabetes and laboratory indicators were collected by consulting medical records.Fasting elbow venous blood was collected early in the morning of the next day after the diagnosis of DME in both groups,the monocytes(MONO)count,lymphocyte(LYM)count,white blood cell(WBC)count,percentage of neutrophils(NEUT),plasma albumin(ALB),glycosylated haemoglobin(HbA1c)were measured by full automatic blood routine analyzer,and MLR,NPAR were calculated.General information and laboratory indexes of patients in the two groups were compared,and risk factors for DME were analyzed by multivariate logistic regression,and receiver operator characteristic(ROC)curve was applied to evaluate the predictive value of MLR and NPAR for DME.Results The course of diabetes,MONO count,NEUT,MLR,NPAR,WBC count,and HbA1c level of patients between the DME group were significantly higher than those in the non-DME group(P＜0.05);there was no statistically significant difference in gender,age,LYM count,and ALB level of patients between the two groups(P＞0.05).Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that increased levels of WBC,MLR,and NPAR were independent risk factors for the occurrence of DME(P＜0.05).The ROC curve showed that the best cut-off value of MLR was 0.192,and the area under the curve(AUC)for the prediction of DME was 0.729(95％confidence interval:0.631-0.826),with a sensitivity of 58.9％and a specificity of 82.2％;while the best cut-off value of NPAR was 1.404,and the AUC for predicting DME occurrence was 0.884(95％confidence interval:0.820-0.949),with a sensitivity of 75.0％and a specificity of 91.1％;the AUC of MLR and NPAP for predicting the occurrence of DME was 0.906(95％confidence interval:0.851-0.906),with a sensitivity of 69.6％and a specificity of 93.3％.With MLR＞0.192 as positive and NPAR＞1.404 as positive,the parallel test of MLR and NPAR predicted the occurrence of DME with a sensitivity of 87.5％,a specificity of 71.1％,and an accuracy of 80.2％;while the tandem test of MLR and NPAR predicted the occurrence of DME with a sensitivity of 46.4％,a specificity of 97.8％,and an accuracy of 69.3％.Conclusion Increased levels of MLR and NPAR are independent risk factors for the occurrence of DME and have certain predictive value for DME.The predictive value of combined MLR and NPAR test for DME is higher than that of separate test,and parallel experiment is more helpful for the early prediction of DME.
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Objective To analyze the effect of baseline cytokines in aqueous humor in predicting the improvement of the central macular thickness(CMT)and best corrected visual acuity(BCVA)of patients with macular edema secondary to retinal vein obstruction(RVO-ME)after anti-vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF)treatment for 3 months.Meth-ods Totally 30 eyes of 30 patients initially diagnosed with RVO-ME in the Affiliated Eye Hospital of Nanjing Medical Uni-versity from October 2021 to January 2023 were enrolled.Aqueous humor was collected by anterior chamber puncture be-fore the anti-VEGF drug injection.The levels of 11 cytokines in aqueous humor,including VEGF,intercellular adhesion molecule(ICAM)-1,interleukins(ILs)and interferon-γ(IFN-γ),were measured by Luminex xMAP technology.The cor-relation between baseline aqueous humor cytokine levels and CMT,BCVA(logMAR)as well as their changes(difference between baseline and anti-VEGF treatment for 3 months)in RVO-ME patients was analyzed;the correlation between CMT and BCVA(logMAR)was analyzed at baseline and 3 months after anti-VEGF treatment.CMT and BCVA responders were defined as patients with 50％or more reduction in CMT and BCVA(logMAR)from baseline to the third month.A Logistic regression model was used to analyze the relationship between baseline aqueous humor cytokines and RVO-ME patients be-coming CMT or BCVA responders after 3 months of anti-VEGF treatment.Results Compared with baseline,the CMT sig-nificantly decreased and BCVA significantly improved in RVO-ME patients after anti-VEGF treatment for 3 months(both P＜0.001).The CMT was positively correlated with BCVA(logMAR)of RVO-ME patients at baseline and after anti-VEGF treatment for 3 months(P=0.026,0.002).At baseline,the levels of VEGF and IL-8 of RVO-ME patients were positively correlated with CMT(P=0.032,0.035);the levels of IL-6 and IL-8 were positively correlated with BCVA(logMAR)(P=0.018,0.002).The baseline IL-8 level in RVO-ME patients was negatively associated with the change in CMT(P=0.024).Logistic regression analysis showed that elevated baseline ICAM-1 level could increase the risk of RVO-ME patients becom-ing BCVA non-responders after 3 months of anti-VEGF treatment(P=0.023).Conclusion Baseline IL-8 and ICAM-1 may be predictors of CMT and BCVA improvement after anti-VEGF treatment of RVO-ME.
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Objective To investigate the effect of the HtrA serine peptidase 3(HTRA3)gene on choroidal neovascu-larization(CNV)and M2 macrophage polarization.Methods Fasting venous blood was collected from 30 patients with wet age-related macular degeneration(wAMD group)and 30 healthy subjects(normal group).The serum HTRA3 messen-ger ribonucleic acid(mRNA)level was detected by quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction(qRT-PCR).RF/6A cells were randomly divided into the control group,NC-sh group and HTRA3-sh group.Lentiviral vectors of NC-shRNA and HTRA3-shRNA were transfected into RF/6A cells in the NC-sh group and HTRA3-sh group by Lipo-fectamine2000.HTRA3 transfection was detected by qRT-PCR and Western blot.Then,the RF/6A cells were randomly di-vided into the N group,H group,H+NC-sh group and H+HTRA3-sh group.After cell transfection,RF/6A cells in the N group were cultured in a RPMI 1640 complete medium at a normoxia state,and cells in other groups were cultured in a RP-MI 1640 medium with 200 mmol·L-1 CoCl2 at a hypoxia state.Tubule formation was measured by Matrigel.The C57BL/6J mice were divided into the control group,CNV group,CNV+NC-sh group and CNV+HTRA3-sh group,with 12 mice in each group.Mice in the control group were unmodeled mice,and mice in the other groups were laser-induced CNV model mice.NC-shRNA and HTRA3-shRNA lentiviral vectors with a titer of 1 × 1011 TU·mL-1 were administered to mice in the CNV+NC-sh group and CNV+HTRA3-sh group via intravitreal injection.Mice in the control group and CNV group were in-jected with phosphate buffered saline.After 7 days of treatment,the mice were examined by fundus fluorescein angiogra-phy,and the eyeballs received hematoxylin & eosin staining.The mRNA levels of HTRA3,chitinase-like protein 3(Ym-1),arginase 1(Arg-1),inducible nitric oxide synthase(iNOS),cyclooxygenase-2(COX-2)and vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF)in RF/6A cells or choroidal tissues were detected by qRT-PCR.The protein expression levels of HTRA3,VEGF and nuclear factor kappa B(NF-κB)p65 in RF/6A cells or choroidal tissues were detected by Western blot.Re-sults Compared with the normal group,serum HTRA3 mRNA level of patients in the wAMD group increased(t=11.804,P＜0.001).Compared with the control group and NC-sh group,the expressions of HTRA3 mRNA and protein in RF/6A cells in the HTRA3-sh group decreased(all P＜0.05).Compared with the N group,the number of closed lumen and the mRNA and protein expressions of HTRA3 and VEGF in RF/6A cells in the H group increased(all P＜0.05).Compared with the H+NC-sh group,the number of closed lumen and the mRNA and protein expressions of HTRA3 and VEGF decreased in RF/6A cells in the H+HTRA3-sh group(all P＜0.05).Compared with the control group,the mRNA and protein expression levels of HTRA3 increased,the relative fluorescence intensity of CNV increased,the mRNA levels of Ym-1 and Arg-1 in-creased,the iNOS and COX-2 mRNA levels decreased,and the NF-κB p65 protein expression level increased in mice of the CNV group(all P＜0.05).Compared with the CNV+NC-sh group,the mRNA and protein expression levels of HTRA3 de-creased,the relative fluorescence intensity of CNV decreased,the mRNA levels of Ym-1 and Arg-1 decreased,the mRNA levels of iNOS and COX-2 increased,and the NF-κB p65 protein expression level decreased in mice of the CNV+HTRA3-sh group(all P＜0.05).Conclusion Down-regulation of HTRA3 can inhibit the formation of CNV and the polarization of M2 macrophages.HTRA3 may be an important potential target for the prevention and treatment of wAMD.
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Dry age-related macular degeneration(AMD)is a degenerative disease affecting the macular region of the retina,and aging changes in retinal and choroidal tissues are an important factor in AMD pathogenesis.Cell aging is an irre-versible state of cell cycle arrest triggered by certain physiological processes or stressful injury,affecting a variety of physi-ological and pathological processes.An increasing number of studies have shown that cell aging plays an essential role in the occurrence and development of AMD.This paper reviews the mechanisms of cell aging and its relationship with dry AMD,aiming to provide new ideas for the treatment of dry AMD.
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Objective:To compare the efficacy of pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) combined with human amniotic membrane (hAM) plugging technique or internal limiting membrane (ILM) flap insertion technique for high myopia macular hole retinal detachment (MHRD).Methods:A non-randomized controlled clinical study was performed.Sixteen eyes of 15 patients with high myopia MHRD treated in the Ninth People's Hospital of Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine from July 2020 to August 2021 were included.All patients underwent PPV and were divided into hAM plug group (7 eyes of 7 patients) and the ILM insertion group (9 eyes of 8 patients) based on the different plugging materials.The best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and intraocular pressure were measured before surgery and at 1 week, 1, 3, and 6 months postoperative, respectively.Slit-lamp microscopy combined with lenses, scanning laser ophthalmoscope and optical coherence tomography (OCT) were used to examine the fundus, the macular hole closure and retinal reposition.This study adhered to the Declaration of Helsinki.The study protocol was approved by the Ethics Committee of Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine (No.SH9H-2021-T322-2). Written informed consent was obtained from each subject.Results:The retinal reattachment was achieved in 6 eyes in the hAM plug group and all 9 eyes in the ILM insertion group after initial surgery.The macular hole closure was observed in 5 eyes in the hAM plug group and 8 eyes in the ILM insertion group after initial surgery, and there was no statistical difference in the macular hole closure rate between the two groups ( P>0.05). There were significant differences in the overall comparison of BCVA between the two groups over time ( Ftime=4.420, P<0.05). Postoperative BCVA at different time points was better than preoperative BCVA in each group, but the differences were not significant (all at P>0.05). There was no significant difference in the overall comparison of BCVA between the two groups ( Fgroup=0.183, P>0.05). Two eyes in the hAM plug group and 4 eyes in the ILM insertion group developed transient ocular hypertension, which returned to normal after 1 week of treatment. Conclusions:Both PPV combined with hAM plugging technique and ILM insertion technique are safe and effective for the treatment of MHRD in high myopia.The hAM plugging technique can not only achieve anatomical reduction but also functional recovery of the retina even in complicated fundus conditions.
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With the aging of the population in modern society, the incidence of age-related diseases increases gradually, especially the age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Despite advances in treatment in recent years, AMD remains one of the leading causes of blindness and visual impairment in the elderly.At present, people tend to think that AMD is caused by the combination of aging and inflammation, which also contribute to the occurrence and development of many other age-related diseases.Although more studies have focused on the role of inflammation in AMD, aging, as an important correlate, is also deserves in-depth investigation.This article reviewed the close relationship between substance accumulation, abnormal phagocytosis, abnormal mitochondrial function and oxidative stress damage caused by aging and the occurrence and development of AMD, with a view to improving clinicians' knowledge of AMD.
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Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a leading cause of blindness in the elderly worldwide and is characterized by degeneration of the photoreceptor, retinal pigment epithelium, Bruch membrane and choriocapillaris complex.Impairment of RPE cell function is an early and critical event in the molecular pathways leading to clinically relevant AMD changes.Programmed cell death (PCD) plays an important role in response to stress and regulation of homeostasis and disease.In recent years, multiple studies have shown that apoptosis, pyroptosis, necroptosis and ferroptosis are likely involved in RPE cell PCD and correlate with the onset and development of AMD.There may be interaction or synergy between the various death pathways.This article reviewed the pathogenic mechanism of apoptosis, pyroptosis, necroptosis and ferroptosis in retinal pigment epithelial cell and their research progress in AMD, which might provide new approaches for the prevention and treatment of AMD.
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Objective:To explore the anti-inflammatory effect and safety of two non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs in the phacoemulsification combined with intraocular lens (IOL) implantation.Methods:A randomized, double-blind, clinical trial was conducted.A total of 90 age-related cataract patients (90 eyes) who were diagnosed in Qingdao Eye Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical University were enrolled from October 2020 to February 2021.The patients were randomized to diclofenac sodium group and bromofenac sodium group by random number table method, with 45 cases (45 eyes) in each group.All patients underwent phacoemulsification combined with IOL implantation, and 0.1% diclofenac sodium eye drops (preservative-free), 4 times a day, and 0.1% pramiphene eye drops, 2 times a day were applied in the perioperative period.The duration of continuous medication treatment and follow-up time were 6 weeks.The subjective symptoms of the patients were scored before and after surgery.The amount of tear fluid secretion was detected by Schirmer I test, and the tear film breakup time was recorded with the Oculus dry eye analyzer.Corneal fluorescein staining was observed under a slit lamp microscope with cobalt blue light.Anterior chamber flash was measured by slit-lamp biomicroscopy.The thickness of central macular area and the presence of macular cystoid edema was measured by optical coherence tomography.Visual acuity, noncontact intraocular pressure (IOP) and the drug safety were examined and evaluated.This study adhered to the Declaration of Helsinki and was approved by the Ethics Committee of Qingdao Eye Hospital (No.[2020]60).All patients were informed about the surgery and postoperative medication and signed the informed consent form.Results:All subjects had no intraoperative complications, and completed treatment and follow-up as required.The preoperative, 1-day postoperative, 1-week postoperative, 6-week postoperative subjective symptom scores were (0.47±0.73), (0.56±0.62), (0.33±0.48), and (0.51±0.66) points in the diclofenac group, and (0.47±0.51), (0.75±0.61), (0.64±0.65), and (0.78±0.77) points in the bromfenac group.There were statistically significant differences in the subjective symptom scores at different time points between the two groups ( Fgroup=5.001, P=0.028; Ftime=2.920, P=0.035), and the subjective symptom scores of diclofenac sodium group were significantly lower than those of bromofenac sodium group (all at P<0.05).The preoperative, 1-week postoperative, 6-week postoperative tear secretion volume were (5.87±2.37), (6.07±2.53), and (6.29±0.25) mm in diclofenac sodium group, and (7.36±2.74), (6.29±3.46), and (5.80±2.76) mm in bromofenac sodium group.There was statistically significant difference in the tear secretion volume between the two groups before surgery ( F=6.910, P=0.012), but there was no significant difference on postoperative weeks 1 and 6 ( F=1.121, 0.772; P=0.729, 0.384).The preoperative, 1-week postoperative, 6-week postoperative non-invasive tear break-up time (NIBUT) were (8.00±6.28), (6.68±5.24), and (6.17±5.00) seconds in diclofenac sodium group, and (6.40±5.28), (4.50±2.46), and (5.39±5.39) seconds in bromofenac sodium group.There was no significant difference in NIBUT between the two groups ( Fgroup=3.415, P=0.068).There was significant difference in NIBUT within groups among different time points ( Ftime=4.358, P=0.020).The 1-day postoperative, 1-week postoperative, 6-week postoperative corneal epithelial staining score were (1.40±0.81), (0.13±0.34), (0.00±0.00) points in diclofenac sodium group, and (1.38±0.89), (0.22±0.47), and (0.00±0.00) points in bromofenac sodium group.There was no statistically significant difference in the corneal epithelial staining score between the two groups after surgery ( Fgroup=0.110, P=0.741).There were statistically significant differences in corneal epithelial staining scores within groups among different time points ( Ftime=175.054, P<0.01).The 1-day postoperative, 1-week postoperative, 6-week postoperative anterior chamber flare classification were 1.13±0.51, 0.13±0.34, and 0.00±0.00 in diclofenac sodium group, and 1.02±0.34, 0.16±0.37, and 0.00±0.00 in bromofenac sodium group.There was no significant difference in the overall anterior chamber flash between the two groups ( Fgroup=0.045, P=0.507).There were statistically significant differences in anterior chamber flash within groups among different time points ( Ftime=322.331, P<0.001).There was no significant difference in the preoperative and 6-week postoperative macular fovea thickness between both groups ( t=-0.221, -0.374; both at P>0.05).The incidence of macular cystoid edema 6 weeks after operation was 0% in both groups.Subjects tolerated the two tested drugs well.Eight adverse events occurred in this study, all of which were mild postoperative IOP elevation, including 3 in diclofenac sodium group with an incidence of 6.67% and 5 in bromofenac group with an incidence of 11.1%.IOP returned to normal in all the patients 1 week after stopping the use of drug. Conclusions:Two nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are safe and effective for anti-inflammatory treatment after cataract phacoemulsification combined with IOL implantation.The new diclofenac sodium eye drops are more comfortable than bromfenac sodium eye drops.
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Objective:To explore the diagnostic value of serum cystatin C (CysC) and C1q tumor necrosis factor-related protein 9 (CTRP9) levels for diabetic retinopathy (DR) and diabetic macular edema (DME) in patients with type 2 diabetes.Methods:A cross-sectional study was conducted.A total of 135 patients with type 2 diabetes, aged 45-75 years, who were treated in Gansu Provincial Hospital from April 2021 to April 2022 were included.According to DR grading standard, patients were divided into non-DR (NDR) group, non-proliferative DR (NPDR) group and proliferative DR (PDR) group, with 45 patients in each group.The DR patients were subdivided into DME group (51 cases) and non-DME group (39 cases).A total of 45 healthy subjects were selected as the normal control group.Fasting peripheral venous blood was collected to detect serum glycosylated hemoglobin, fasting blood glucose, triacylglycerol, total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, CysC and CTRP9 levels.The expression of CysC and CTRP9 levels among different groups were compared.The independent influencing factors of DR and DME were evaluated by multivariate logistic regression analysis model.The diagnostic value of serum CysC and CTRP9 in DR and DME were evaluated by receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve.This study adhered to the Declaration of Helsinki and the study protocol was approved by the Ethics Committee of Gansu Provincial Hospital (No.2021-301).All patients were informed about the purpose and methods of the study and signed an informed consent form.Results:Serum CysC levels in normal control group, NDR group, NPDR group and PDR group were 0.74(0.67, 0.83), 1.03(0.85, 1.22), 1.40(0.98, 1.63) and 1.66(1.31, 1.85)mg/L, respectively, showing a gradually increasing trend, and the serum CTRP9 levels were (136.90±14.95), (120.23±16.31), (109.50±14.71) and (90.99±13.88)pg/ml, respectively, showing a gradually decreasing trend, with statistically significant overall comparison differences among groups ( Z=89.430, P<0.001; F=74.242, P<0.001), the comparison within groups was statistically significant (all at P<0.05).Compared with non-DME group, the serum CysC level was significantly increased and serum CTRP9 level was significantly decreased in DME group (both P<0.05).Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that serum CysC (odds ratio [ OR]=19.742, 95% confidence interval [ CI]: 4.515-86.316, P<0.001) was the independent risk influencing factors for the occurrence of DR, and CTRP9 ( OR=0.937, 95% CI: 0.908-0.966, P<0.001) was a protective factor for the occurrence of DR.Serum CTRP9 level ( OR=0.838, 95% CI: 0.778-0.903, P<0.001) was a protective factor for DME.The ROC curve showed that the area under ROC curve (AUC) for serum CysC and CTRP9 levels alone and in combination for the diagnosis of DR in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus complicated by DR were 0.798, 0.802 and 0.870, respectively.The cutoff values of serum CysC and CTRP9 levels to obtain the best diagnostic efficacy were 1.34 mg/L and 110.12 pg/ml, respectively.The AUC for serum CysC and CTRP9 level alone and in combination for the diagnosis of DME in DR patients were 0.682, 0.923 and 0.923, respectively.The cutoff value of serum CTRP9 level to obtain optimal diagnostic efficacy was 104.68 pg/ml. Conclusions:The enhanced expression of serum CysC level and reduced expression of serum CTRP9 level are the risk factors for the development of DR in type 2 diabetes patients.The decrease of serum CTRP9 level is one of the risk factors for the development of DME in DR patients.
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Objective:To observe the correlation between retinal capillary density and retinal thickness in the macula and spherical equivalent (SE) in school-age children.Methods:A cross-sectional study. From May to December 2022, 182 school-age children who visited the ophthalmology department of the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University were included. There were 95 males and 87 females. The age ranged from 6 to 12 years, and the spherical equivalent (SE) was +0.50 to -6.00 D. They were divided into three groups based on the SE of the right eyes: 54 eyes in emmetropia group (+0.50≤SE<-0.50 D), 71 eyes in low myopia group (-0.50≤SE<-3.00 D), and 57 eyes in moderate myopia group (-3.00≤SE≤-6.00 D). The macular area of 6 mm×6 mm was scanned using swept-source optical coherence tomography angiography and was divided into three concentric rings centered on the fovea, including the macular central fovea (0-1 mm diameter), inner ring (1-3 mm diameter) and outer ring (3-6 mm diameter). The retinal thickness and blood flow density of superficial vascular plexus (SVP) and deep vascular plexus (DVP) in different zones within 6 mm of the macular area were measured. The relationships between SE and SVP, DVP and retinal thickness in each ring region were investigated by univariate and multivariate linear regression analyses, smooth curve fitting, and threshold effects.Results:There were significant differences in the SVP ( F=6.64, 26.06, 22.69) and DVP ( F=7.97, 25.01, 5.09) of macular central fovea, inner ring and outer ring among the emmetropia, low myopia and moderate myopia groups ( P<0.05). Univariate linear regression analysis showed that the SVP ( β=-0.56,-1.17, -0.79) and DVP ( β=-1.03, -0.93, -0.45) of the three regions were positively correlated with SE ( P<0.05). After smooth curve fitting, threshold effect analysis and multivariate linear regression analysis, the SVP and DVP in the macular central fovea were linearly positively correlated with SE ( β=-0.91, -1.40; P<0.05), and SVP and DVP in the inner ring and outer ring showed an inverted U-shaped curve relationship with SE with the inflection (<3.00 D). When the SE was less than <3.00 D, the SVP and DVP in the inner ring and outer ring were positively correlated with SE ( P<0.05). When the SE was higher than -3.00 D, except for the DVP in the inner ring region, the other parameters were negatively correlated with SE ( P<0.05). There were significant differences in retinal thickness of the inner ring and outer ring ( F=5.47, 16.36; P<0.05), and no significant difference in the macular central fovea among the emmetropia, low and moderate myopia groups ( F=2.16, P>0.05). By using univariate and multivariate linear regression analyses, the retinal thickness in the inner ring and outer ring were negatively correlated with SE ( β =1.99, 3.05; P<0.05). However, no correlation was found between retinal thickness and SE in the macular central fovea ( β=-1.65, P>0.05). Conclusions:In school-age children with SE between +0.50 D and -6.00 D, the retinal capillaries density of the macular central fovea gradually increase, and increase first and then decrease in the inner ring and outer ring with increasing SE. The retinal thickness of inner ring and outer ring gradually decrease and not change significantly in the macular central fovea.
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Objective:To observe the changes of macular structure and microvessels in eyes with diabetes macular ischemia (DMI).Methods:A retrospective case study. From January 2023 to July 2023, 23 patients of 31 eyes diagnosed with DMI at Tangshan Ophthalmological Hospital were included in this study. Among them, there were 14 males with 23 eyes; Female cases with 8 eyes. Age were (59.5±4.6) years old. According to the DMI grading standard formulated by the research group for early treatment of diabetes retinopathy, the patients were divided into mild DMI group, moderate DMI group, and severe DMI group, with 8, 12, and 11 eyes respectively. The blood flow density (VD), perfusion area (FA), small vessel VD (SVD), inner retinal capillary plexus VD, FA, and outer retinal, choroidal, and ganglion cell complex (GCC) thickness within 1 mm of the macular fovea in retinal superficial vascular plexus (SVP)were measured using a scanning frequency light source optical coherence tomography instrument. The changes in macular structure and microvasculature in the affected eyes of different degrees of DMI groups were compared and observed. Inter group comparisons were conducted using one-way ANOVA or Kruskal Wallis H-test. Spearman correlation analysis was used to analyze the correlation between DMI severity and GCC, outer retina, choroid thickness, VD, FA and SVP VD, SVD and FA in inner retina. Results:The GCC ( F=70.670), outer retinal thickness ( H=12.393), VD ( F=105.506), SVD ( H=25.300), FA ( F=107.655), and VD ( H=24.098) and FA ( H=25.300) of the retinal SVP in the mild, moderate, and severe DMI groups were compared, and the differences were statistically significant ( P<0.05). There was no statistically significant difference in choroidal thickness ( H=2.441, P>0.05). Pairwise comparison between groups: VD, SVD, FA of GCC thickness and SVP, and VD of inner retina were statistically significant between severe DMI group and moderate DMI group, and between moderate DMI group and mild DMI group ( P<0.05). The thickness of outer retina was statistically significant between severe DMI group and moderate DMI group ( P<0.05). Inner retinal FA: there were statistically significant differences between severe DMI group, moderate DMI group and mild DMI group ( P<0.05). The correlation analysis results showed that GCC ( r s=-0.918), outer retinal thickness ( r s=-0.448), and inner retinal VD ( r s=-0.894) and FA ( r s=-0.918), as well as VD ( r s=-0.919), SVD ( r s=-0.924), and FA ( r s=-0.939) of retinal SVP, were all negatively correlated with the degree of DMI ( P<0.05). There was no correlation between choroidal thickness and degree of DMI ( r s=-0.081, P>0.05). Conclusion:The thickness of GCC, outer retina and choroid, the VD, SVD, and FA of the retinal SVP, the VD and FA of inner retina are all reduced in eyes with different degrees of DMI, while all of them are negatively correlated with the degree of DMI, except for choroid thickness.
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Geographic atrophy(GA)is an intermediate and advanced stage of age-related macular degeneration(ARMD). Due to the complex pathogenesis of GA, there are no effective treatments at present, and eventually patients will lose central vision. Studies have shown that excessive activation of the complement system is closely related to the occurrence and progression of GA. This review will offer a summary of the clinical features, pathogenesis, the role of complement system in the pathology and the treatment progress of GA.
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Retinal vein occlusion(RVO)is the second most common cause of vision loss due to retinal vascular disease. Macular edema(ME)is a common complication of RVO and a major cause of central vision impairment. Optical coherence tomography(OCT)is a high-resolution imaging technique that can provide detailed cross-sectional images of the retina and choroid. OCT biomarkers play an important role in the early and accurate diagnosis of RVO-ME, prediction of disease progression, and assessment of visual prognosis. This article provides an overview of various OCT biomarkers for RVO-ME, including retinal thickness, disorganization of retinal inner layers, hyper-reflectivity of retinal inner layer, the integrity of external limiting membrane and ellipsoid zone, the third highest reflectance band of the fovea, hyperreflective dots, paracentral acute middle maculopathy, prominent middle limiting membrane sign, serous retinal detachment height, macular volume and choroidal thickness. These biomarkers serve as objective indicators for evaluating the severity of RVO-ME, guiding treatment decisions, and predicting visual outcomes.
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AIM: To observe the clinical and multimodal imaging features of retinopathy associated with novel coronavirus disease 2019(COVID-19)infection, investigate the related risk factors, and analyze the treatment and prognosis.METHODS: A total of 7 patients(7 eyes)with clinically confirmed COVID-19-associated retinopathy in Tianjin Medical University General Hospital from December 13, 2022 to January 13, 2023 were included in the study. All patients underwent color fundus photography, IR, spectral-domain optical coherence tomography(SD-OCT), fundus autofluorescein(FAF)and other ophthalmic examination and serological examination.RESULTS: Among the included patients, 2 cases(2 eyes)of central retinal vein occlusion(CRVO)appeared differently from previous CRVO. The hemorrhagic features of CRVO were round or fusiform shape hemorrhagic spots with white centers. One of them, the von Willebrand factor antigen(vWF: Ag)level was increased to 161.8%. The other case was positive in serologic test for lupus anticoagulant. In 2 cases(2 eyes)of multiple evanescent white dot syndrome(MEWDS), FAF showed that dots of high spontaneous fluorescence were scattered in the posterior pole. The prognosis of 2 MEWDS were good after the treatment of glucocorticoids. The 3 cases(3 eyes)of acute macular neuroretinopathy(AMN)showed reddened brown lesions in the macular area, hyporeflective lesions with clear boundaries on IR, and high signal intensity in the ONL and ELM, EZ/IZ signal fracture on SD-OCT.CONCLUSION: COVID-19 may cause inflammatory storm, involving all layers of retinal tissues and blood vessels, leading to the occurrence of various retinal lesions. Hormone therapy may be effective and the prognosis is good in most cases. Roth spot can be seen in fundus hemorrhage of CRVO, lupus anticoagulant and increased vWF: Ag may be risk factors for CRVO after COVID-19.
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AIM: To assess the changes of vessel density in the optic disc and macular of the affected eye and the uninvolved contralateral eye in patients with idiopathic optic neuritis(ON)and to provide clinical guidance for the treatment and follow-up of idiopathic ON.METHODS: A total of 16 patients with first-episode monocular idiopathic ON ≤3 mo diagnosed between December 2019 and December 2021 were included in this cross-sectional study. The eye of patients was divided into 16 eyes in the affected eye group and 16 eyes in the uninvolved contralateral eye group, and 20 healthy age-matched eyes(n=20)served as controls. Optical coherence tomography angiography(OCTA)was performed in all eyes at 4.5 mm×4.5 mm region of the optical disc and 6 mm×6 mm region of the macular, and blood flow indicators were collected and compared. RESULTS: Compared with the control group and the uninvolved contralateral eye group, the density of all vessels and capillary were reduced in the whole area of optic disc, and all subdivisions of the peripapillary region in the ON group(all P<0.05). Compared with the uninvolved contralateral eye group, the density of superficial capillary plexus(SCP)was significantly lower in the whole area of macular and perifovea region, and its all subdivisions of the ON eye, as well as in the superior-hemi and superior subdivision of the parafovea region(all P<0.05). Compared with the control group, the density of SCP in the inferior-hemi, nasal, and inferior perifovea region was significantly reduced in the ON affected eye group(all P<0.05). Compared with the control group, the whole area of macular and its subdivisions in the uninvolved contralateral eye group showed an increase in the density of SCP(P<0.05)and an increase in the density of SCP in the parafovea region(P<0.05), but no significant change in the inferior-hemi and nasal subdivisions; the increase in the density of SCP in the perifovea region was only significant in the superior-hemi and superior subdivisions(P<0.05).CONCLUSION: Patients with ON in the duration of ≤3 mo may showed a decreased vessel density in all peripapillary subdivisions, and a decreased density of SCP in some subdivisions of the perifovea region, accompanied by an increased density of SCP in some subdivisions of the macular region of the contralateral eyes.
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AIM: To investigate the protective effect of Jianpi Bushen Yishi Formula on dry age-related macular degeneration(dARMD)induced by sodium iodate in mice and its mechanism.METHODS: A total of 27 SPF male C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into blank, model and traditional Chinese medicine groups, with 9 in each group, the structure and morphology of the retina were observed by Hematoxylin-Ehong(HE)staining, and the intracellular reactive oxygen species(ROS)in the retina were observed by fluorescence staining with dihydroethidium(DHE). In addition, malondialdehyde(MDA)and superoxide dismutase(SOD)expression levels in mouse retina were detected by biochemical kit, and expression levels of silent information regulator type 1(SIRT1)and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ coactivator 1-α(PGC-1α)protein in mouse retina were detected by Western blot.RESULTS: Retinal structure and morphology of the model group showed a slight or mild decrease in the number of cells in the outer nuclear layer, a localized thinning of the outer nuclear layer, an inconspicuous demarcation between the outer and outer membranes, a slight or mild swelling of retinal pigment epithelial cells, and a slight or mild disturbance in the arrangement of retinal cells; while retinal pigment epithelial cells and photoreceptor layers in the traditional Chinese medicine group were significantly improved. DHE staining fluorescence results showed that the ROS level in the model group was significantly higher than that in the blank group at 14 d after modeling(P<0.01); the ROS level in the traditional Chinese medicine group was significantly lower than that in the model group(P<0.001). ELISA showed that the SOD level of the model group was significantly lower than that of the blank group at 14 d after modeling(P<0.01), and the MDA level was significantly increased(P<0.01)in the model group compared with the blank group; the SOD level was significantly higher(P<0.01), and the MDA level was significantly lower(P<0.01)in the traditional Chinese medicine group compared with the model group. Western blot results showed that the expression of SIRT1 and PGC-1α in the model group was significantly lower compared with that in the blank group(P<0.01), and the expression of SIRT1 and PGC-1α in the traditional Chinese medicine group was significantly higher compared with that in the model group at 7 and 14 d after modeling(P<0.01).CONCLUSION: The Chinese herbal medicine, which strengthens the spleen, tonifies the kidney and benefits the eyesight, can improve the oxidative stress state of the retina induced by sodium iodate in mice and reduce the damage to the retinal tissues, which may exert the anti-oxidative stress effect through the PGC-1α/SIRT1 signaling pathway.
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Age-related macular degeneration(ARMD)is the leading cause of blindness in the elderly. Studies have shown that the regulation disorder of extracellular matrix(ECM)is one of the important characteristics of ARMD, and its damage can be sustained throughout the disease course. Additionally, various cell types participate in the formation and abnormal deposition of ECM under the control of multiple signals. Subsequently, they transmit signals that regulate adhesion, migration, proliferation, apoptosis, survival or differentiation, which lead to the destruction of the retinal and choroidal microenvironment, immune dysfunction, infiltrative inflammatory cell differentiation, neovascularization and epithelial mesenchymal transformation, and ultimately lead to subretinal fibrosis, scarring and severe visual impairment in advanced ARMD. Therefore, increasing attention has been paid to the role of ECM in ARMD in recent years. This article reviews the relationship between retinal ECM and ARMD and the role between ECM and various types of cells in ARMD, hoping to provide guidance for the research direction of ARMD treatment.
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AIM: To observe the multimodal imaging characteristics of Best vitelliform macular dystrophy(BVMD).METHODS:The clinical data of 30 patients(60 eyes)diagnosed as BVMD at stage Ⅰ to Ⅳ in Nanjing Medical University Affiliated Eye Hospital from June 2016 to October 2022 were collected for a retrospective analysis, and all patients are binocular involved. All patients underwent best corrected visual acuity(BCVA), slit lamp microscopy, indirect ophthalmoscopy, intraocular pressure, fundus photography, spectral-domain optical coherence tomography(SD-OCT), fundus autofluorescence(FAF), fundus fluorescein angiography(FFA), electro-oculogram(EOG)and optical coherence tomography angiography(OCTA).RESULTS: A total of 30 patients(60 eyes)were included, with 8 eyes at stage Ⅰ, 24 eyes at stage Ⅱ, 22 eyes at stage Ⅲ and 6 eyes at stage Ⅵ. The imaging characteristics of fundus photography, FAF, FFA and SD-OCT were basically consistent with previous literature reports. EOG showed Arden ratio <1.55. OCTA could detect early lesions, observe the location of vitelliform substance, external segment of photoreceptor, fluid and choroidal neovascularization(CNV).CONCLUSION: Multimodal imaging assisted in diagnosing BVMD, reducing missed diagnosis and misdiagnosis, among which OCTA had significant advantages over other examinations, and fast and non-invasive were its biggest advantages.