Screening and diagnostic system construction for optic neuritis and non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy based on color fundus images using deep learning / 中华眼底病杂志

Objective:To construct and evaluate a screening and diagnostic system based on color fundus images and artificial intelligence (AI)-assisted screening for optic neuritis (ON) and non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION).Methods:A diagnostic test study. From 2016 to 2020, 178 cases 267 eyes of NAION patients (NAION group) and 204 cases 346 eyes of ON patients (ON group) were examined and diagnosed in Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center of Sun Yat-sen University; 513 healthy individuals of 1 160 eyes (the normal control group) with normal fundus by visual acuity, intraocular pressure and optical coherence tomography examination were collected from 2018 to 2020. All 2 909 color fundus images were as the data set of the screening and diagnosis system, including 730, 805, and 1 374 images for the NAION group, ON group, and normal control group, respectively. The correctly labeled color fundus images were used as input data, and the EfficientNet-B0 algorithm was selected for model training and validation. Finally, three systems for screening abnormal optic discs, ON, and NAION were constructed. The subject operating characteristic (ROC) curve, area under the ROC (AUC), accuracy, sensitivity, specificity, and heat map were used as indicators of diagnostic efficacy.Results:In the test data set, the AUC for diagnosing the presence of an abnormal optic disc, the presence of ON, and the presence of NAION were 0.967 [95% confidence interval ( CI) 0.947-0.980], 0.964 (95% CI 0.938-0.979), and 0.979 (95% CI 0.958-0.989), respectively. The activation area of the systems were mainly located in the optic disc area in the decision-making process. Conclusion:Abnormal optic disc, ON and NAION, and screening diagnostic systems based on color fundus images have shown accurate and efficient diagnostic performance.

New advances of basic research on non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy / 中华实验眼科杂志

Non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION) is an optic neuropathy that usually occurs in people over 50 years old.The pathogenesis of NAION remains unknown, and there is no recognized effective treatment.The animal model of NAION established by photodynamic method has similar fundus and electrophysiological changes to clinical NAION.In recent years, studies on the pathological mechanisms of NAION based on animal models have found that axonal structure destruction, demyelination and inflammatory cells infiltration in the region of optic nerve infarction, accompanied by secondary retinal ganglion cells apoptosis.There are a wide range of drugs for NAION based on animal models, including glucocorticoids, granulocyte colony-stimulating factor, prostaglandin J2, anti-vascular endothelial growth factor, neurotrophic factors, effective drugs for glaucoma or central nervous system damage, etc.Routes of administration include systemic administration, intravitreal injection or topical application of eye drops.The neuroprotective effects of some drugs in animal models provide a basis for clinical screening of new therapeutic drugs.In this review, the animal models of NAION, pathophysiology and treatment based on animal models were summarized.

Bilateral sequential non-arteritic optic neuropathy post-COVID-19

Corona virus disease 2019 (COVID?19) has been documented to have a spectrum of neuro?ophthalmic manifestations. However, bilateral non?arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION) post?COVID?19 has not been reported in the literature. We studied the case of a 45?year?old male who presented to our outpatient department (OPD) with bilateral blurring of vision following an episode of COVID?19, 1 month back. Examination and investigations were conclusive of a bilateral NAION. The patient was given a trial of oral steroids. However, the vision loss could not be recovered. Thus, through this case report, we would like to highlight the importance of a close follow?up of patients following COVID?19 infection to detect any sequelae

Clinical effect analysis of intraocular pressure intervention in patients with NAION / 国际眼科杂志(Guoji Yanke Zazhi)

@#AIM: To observe the improvement of ocular hemodynamics before and after intraocular pressure(IOP)intervention in patients with non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy(NAION).<p>METHODS: Retrospective case series. Totally 92 patients(92 eyes)with NAION were admitted to the Department of Ophthalmology, Xi'an Fourth Hospital from July 2012 to September 2018. Forty-six patients received only basic treatment without IOP lowering treatment as the conventional treatment group. The other 46 patients were treated with brinzolamide eye drops combined with brimonidine eye drops to lower IOP on the basis of conventional treatment, as the IOP intervention group. Before and after treatment, the blood flow rate of the ophthalmic artery and central retinal artery were measured by color Doppler ultrasound. The IOP, best corrected visual acuity(BCVA), mean visual field defect(MD), retinal nerve fiber layer thickness(RNFLT), ophthalmic artery and central retinal artery peak systolic blood velocity(PSV), end-diastolic blood velocity(EDV), pulse index(PI)and resistance index(RI)were compared.<p>RESULTS: Before treatment, there were no significant differences in IOP, BCVA(LogMAR), MD, RNFLT, PSV, EDV, PI and RI between the two groups(<i>P</i>>0.05). After 14d of treatment, IOP, BCVA(LogMAR), MD and RNFLT of the two groups were significantly improved compared with those before treatment(<i>P</i><0.05), and the improvement effect of IOP intervention group was better, and the difference between the two groups was statistically significant(<i>P</i><0.05). The PSV, EDV, PI of ophthalmic artery and central retinal artery in the two groups were increased compared with those before treatment, and RI was decreased compared with before treatment; and the changes of PSV, EDV, RI, PI of ophthalmic artery and PSV, EDV, RI of central retinal artery in the IOP intervention group were more significant than those in the conventional treatment group(<i>P</i><0.05). <p>CONCLUSION: IOP intervention can significantly improve the ocular hemodynamic indexes and improve the visual acuity of patients with NAION.

Arteritic Anterior Ischemic Optic Neuropathy Associated with Giant-Cell Arteritis in Korean Patients: A Retrospective Single-Center Analysis and Review of the Literature

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The aim of this study is to report the relative incidence of arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (AAION) associated with giant-cell arteritis (GCA) in a single-center and evaluate the clinical features of AAION in Korean patients. METHODS: The medical records of patients with presumed AION who visited our hospital from January 2013 to August 2018 were examined retrospectively. The patients were divided into two groups: AAION associated with GCA, and non AION (NAION). We additionally reviewed the literature and identified all cases of AAION in Korean and Caucasian patients. We evaluated the clinical data including the initial and final best-corrected visual acuities, fundus photographs, visual field tests, fluorescein angiography, and contrast-enhanced MRI, and compared the data with those for Caucasian patients in the literature. RESULTS: Of the 142 patients with presumed AION, 3 (2.1%) were diagnosed with AAION and 139 (97.9%) were diagnosed with NAION. Seven Korean patients with AAION associated with GCA were identified in our data and the literature review. We found no difference in any clinical features other than laterality: four of the seven Korean patients had bilateral involvement. Moreover, the optic nerve sheath was enhanced in two of our Korean patients. CONCLUSIONS: AAION associated with GCA is a very rare condition compared to NAION in Korea. However, GCA should be considered in all cases of ischemic optic neuropathy because AAION is associated with poor visual outcome, and sometimes presents bilaterally.

Choroidal thickness in Chinese patients with non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy / 中华眼底病杂志

Objective To observe the peripapillary choroidal thicknesses (pCT) and subfoveal choroidal thicknesses (SFCT) of nonarteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION). Methods Forty-four Chinese patients with unilateral NAION were recruited and compared with 60 eyes of 60 normal age and refractive-error matched control subjects. pCT and SFCT were measured by enhanced depth imaging optical coherence tomography. Choroidal thicknesses of eyes with NAION and unaffected fellow eyes were compared with normal controls. Choroidal thicknesses of NAION eyes with or without optic disc edema were also compared. The correlation between choroidal thickness and retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thickness, logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution (logMAR) best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), and the mean deviation (MD) of Humphrey static perimetry in NAION eyes were analyzed. Results The pCT at the nasal, nasal inferior and temporal inferior quadrants in NAION eyes with optic disc edema were significantly thicker than that of normal subjects (t=3.152, 3.166, 2.808; P<0.05). There was no significant difference in the choroidal thicknesses between the unaffected fellow eyes of NAION patients and normal eyes of healthy controls; or between the NAION eyes with resolved optic disc edema and normal eyes (P>0.05). No significant correlation between choroidal thickness (r=-0.220, -0.140, 0.110), SFCT (r=0.096, -0.148, -0.131) and logMAR BCVA, perimetry MD and RNFL was found in eyes affected by NAION (P>0.05). Conclusions The peripapillary choroidal thicknesses increase in some quadrants in NAION eyes with optic disc edema. However, the choroidal thickness of NAION eyes is the same in age and refractive error-matched normal subjects.

Therapeutic Effect of Steroids in Patients with Non-arteritic Anterior Ischemic Optic Neuropathy

PURPOSE: To investigate the effect of steroid treatment (intravenous injection, oral) in patients with non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION). METHODS: From January, 2005 to December, 2016, 41 patients who were diagnosed with NAION and observed for more than 6 months were included in this study. The treatment was decided based on patient's choice after explaining the advantages and disadvantages of steroid therapy. The patients were divided into three groups (intravenous steroid injection, oral steroid, no treatment). Initial visual acuity, final visual acuity, degree of visual field defect, fluorescein angiography, visual evoked potential and brain magnetic resonance imaging were analyzed by chart review. RESULTS: The chief complaints of the 41 NAION patients at the first visit were decreased visual acuity (n = 24), visual field defect (n = 10), no symptoms (n = 4), diplopia (n = 2), and floaters (n = 1). The distribution of the patients according to steroid administration method was 15 patients with intravenous steroid injection, 14 patients with oral steroid and 12 patients with no treatment. The improvement in visual acuity was greatest in intravenous steroid injection (87%), oral steroid (43%) and no treatment (33%) in that order. CONCLUSIONS: In a retrospective comparison of treatment effects after explaining the advantages and disadvantages of steroid therapy in patients with NAION, the intravenous steroid injection group showed 87% improvement in visual acuity and an odds ratio of 5.5 (95% confidence interval [CI] 1.05–28.88, p-value 0.04), while the oral steroid group showed 43% improvement and an odds ratio of 1.5 (95% CI 0.30–7.43, p-value 0.62). The steroid treatment group showed better visual acuity improvement than the no treatment group, and the intravenous steroid injection group showed 5.5 times greater improvement in visual acuity compared to the no treatment group.

Choroidal thickness in Chinese patients with non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy / 中华眼底病杂志

Objective To observe the peripapillary choroidal thicknesses (pCT) and subfoveal choroidal thicknesses (SFCT) of nonarteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION). Methods Forty-four Chinese patients with unilateral NAION were recruited and compared with 60 eyes of 60 normal age and refractive-error matched control subjects. pCT and SFCT were measured by enhanced depth imaging optical coherence tomography. Choroidal thicknesses of eyes with NAION and unaffected fellow eyes were compared with normal controls. Choroidal thicknesses of NAION eyes with or without optic disc edema were also compared. The correlation between choroidal thickness and retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thickness, logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution (logMAR) best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), and the mean deviation (MD) of Humphrey static perimetry in NAION eyes were analyzed. Results The pCT at the nasal, nasal inferior and temporal inferior quadrants in NAION eyes with optic disc edema were significantly thicker than that of normal subjects (t=3.152, 3.166, 2.808; P<0.05). There was no significant difference in the choroidal thicknesses between the unaffected fellow eyes of NAION patients and normal eyes of healthy controls; or between the NAION eyes with resolved optic disc edema and normal eyes (P>0.05). No significant correlation between choroidal thickness (r=-0.220, -0.140, 0.110), SFCT (r=0.096, -0.148, -0.131) and logMAR BCVA, perimetry MD and RNFL was found in eyes affected by NAION (P>0.05). Conclusions The peripapillary choroidal thicknesses increase in some quadrants in NAION eyes with optic disc edema. However, the choroidal thickness of NAION eyes is the same in age and refractive error-matched normal subjects.

Therapeutic effect and safety of vincamine in anterior non -arteritic ischemic optic neuropathy / 国际眼科杂志(Guoji Yanke Zazhi)

AIM: To observe the clinical efficacy and safety of vincamine sustained release capsules on non- arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy ( NAION) . · METHODS: Patients who were diagnosed with monocular onset NAION in acute stage from January to September 2015 were divided into two groups. Routine treatment such as steroid pulse therapy and neurotrophic treatment were given to all the patients. Vincamine was added to the treatment group patients with 30mg twice a day for 3mo. The best corrected visual acuity ( BCVA), mean deviation ( MD) of visual field, retinal nerve fiber layer ( RNFL ) , ganglion cell complex ( GCC ) , pattern visual evoked potential ( PVEP ) and OCT results were analyzed before and after the treatment. ·RESULTS:Totally 42 eyes of 42 patients were enrolled in our study. There were 27 patients in the treatment group, aged from 33 to 79 years old, the average value was 55. 55± 11. 83 years old. The control group has 15 patients, aged from 40 to 70 years old, the average value was 55. 71 ± 10. 06 years old. There were no statistical differences between the two groups in the baseline. After 3mo of the treatment, MD value of the two groups were lower compared with the baseline, the difference was statistically significant in the treatment and control group respectively (t= 2. 342, 2. 692; P = 0. 027, 0. 041). The difference of PVEP amplitude and potential of the two groups before and after the treatment were not statistically significant. The thickness of retinal nerve fiber layer and the ganglion cell complex were all lower than the baseline, and the difference was statistically significant (P<0. 001). The treatment of the two groups were both effective, the treatment group has better treatment effect than the control group. Adverse events related to the treatment of vincamine had not been found. ·CONCLUSION:Vincamine is helpful in the treatment of non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy.

A Case of Acute Nonarteritic Anterior Ischemic Optic Neuropathy in Patient on Hemodialysis

PURPOSE: To report a case of non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION) in a patient on hemodialysis. CASE SUMMARY: A 59-year-old female undergoing intravenous hemodialysis developed sudden blurred vision for 2 days. Chronic hypotension and anemia may have been persisted for approximately 6 months before the onset of symptoms. Her corrected visual acuity in both eyes was 0.7 and visual field test showed superior arcuate defect in the left eye. Fundus photography showed inferonasal optic disc swelling and fluorescein angiography revealed hyperfluorescence of the disc in the late phase which was probably attributable to NAION. After 3 weeks, corrected visual acuity was 0.7 in the left eye and fundoscopic finding of the left eye was improved. CONCLUSIONS: Hemodialysis can cause a hypotensive event and anemia which may be associated with NAION. Avoiding acute hypotension and anemia should be advised to prevent development of NAION in dialysis patients.

Clinical Characteristics of Optic Neuritis in Koreans Greater than 50 Years of Age

PURPOSE: To report clinical characteristics of optic neuritis (ON) in Koreans >50 years of age. METHODS: A retrospective chart review was performed on patients with ON between January 2000 and December 2009. We obtained the best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), Goldmann perimetry, relative afferent pupillary defect (RAPD), and color function tests as well as brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings in patients who were in the acute stage of the disorder. RESULTS: Nine eyes in eight patients were included. The mean age of patients at presentation was 60.5 years (range, 53 to 71 years). Six patients were female, and two were male. There was one patient with bilateral ON. The mean BCVA at presentation was 20 / 400 (no light perception-20 / 70). Eight eyes (89%) complained of pain with eye movement. Six eyes (66%) had disc edema. Central scotoma was the most common field defect. All eyes had color abnormalities. Five eyes in four patients showed abnormalities of the involved optic nerves on MRI. The patients were followed for a mean of 11.3 months (range, 2 to 34 months). All of the patients recovered to a BCVA of 20 / 40 or better within 2 months. On the last follow-up, the mean BCVA was 20 / 20 (20 / 40 to 20 / 16). Four eyes showed remnant central scotoma. One eye had remnant RAPD, and two eyes had mild color abnormalities. CONCLUSIONS: Although ON is uncommon in elderly patients, it can develop in patients >50 years of age, and clinical features of optic neuritis in elderly patients are similar to those of younger patients.

Management of ischemic optic neuropathies.

Ischemic optic neuropathies (IONs) consist primarily of two types: anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (AION) and posterior ischemic optic neuropathy (PION). AION comprises arteritic AION (A-AION: due to giant cell arteritis) and non-arteritic AION (NA-AION: due to other causes). PION consists of arteritic PION (A-PION: due to giant cell arteritis), non-arteritic PION (NA-PION: due to other causes), and surgical PION (a complication of several systemic surgical procedures). These five types of ION are distinct clinical entities etiologically, pathogenetically, clinically and from the management point of view. In the management of AION, the first crucial step with patients aged 50 and over is to identify immediately whether it is arteritic or not because A-AION is an ophthalmic emergency and requires urgent treatment with high-dose steroid therapy to prevent any further visual loss in one or both eyes. Patients with NA-AION, when treated with systemic corticosteroid therapy within first 2 weeks of onset, had significantly better visual outcome than untreated ones. Systemic risk factors, particularly nocturnal arterial hypotension, play major roles in the development of NA-AION; management of them is essential in its prevention and management. NA-PION patients, when treated with high-dose systemic steroid therapy during the very early stages of the disease, showed significant improvement in visual acuity and visual fields, compared to untreated eyes. A-PION, like A-AION, requires urgent treatment with high-dose steroid therapy to prevent any further visual loss in one or both eyes. There is no satisfactory treatment for surgical PION, except to take prophylactic measures to prevent its development.

Subretinal Fluid Collection in Patient With Non-Arteritic Anterior Ischemic Optic Neuropathy: A Case Report

PURPOSE: To report a patient with non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy with submacular fluid and peripapillary swelling. CASE SUMMARY: A 53-year-old patient visited our clinic complaining of acute visual loss in the right eye which began two days previously. The patient had no clinical history of ocular pain on eye movement. A relative afferent pupillary defect was observed in the right eye. Fundoscopic examination showed optic disc edema and an elevated macular lesion (1 disc diameter). Fluorescein angiography (FAG) revealed blocking by serous detachment in the peripapillary area in the early phase and peripapillary leakage in the late phase. Spectral domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) showed submacular fluid and peripapillary swelling. Intravenous steroid injection was administrated. After five days of treatment, visual acuity improved to 0.2; one month later, visual acuity was 0.5. subretinal fluid absorption was observed with remaining lipid deposits. CONCLUSIONS: In non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy, submacular fluid accumulation can occur due to destruction of retinal glial cells. Accumulation of submacular fluid can induce sudden visual loss and may predict visual prognosis. The macular area requires careful evaluation in non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy patients.