Reduced Macular Vascular Density in Myopic Eyes / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>Morphological changes of the vasculature system in patients with myopia have been observed by Doppler ultrasound and fundus fluorescein angiography (FFA); however, these studies have limitations. Doppler ultrasound provides low-resolution images which are mainly obtained from visualized large vessels, and FFA is an invasive examination. Optic coherence tomography (OCT) angiography is a noninvasive, high-resolution measurement for vascular density. The purpose of this study was to investigate the change of vascular density in myopic eyes using OCT angiography.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>This cross-sectional study includes a total of 91 eyes from 47 participants including control, moderate, and high myopia that were evaluated by OCT angiography. Patients with myopia were recruited from the Refractive Department, Shenzhen Aier Eye Hospital, from August 5, 2015 to April 1, 2016. Emmetropic eyes were from healthy volunteers. The vascular density at macula and optic disc regions, ganglion cell complex (GCC) thickness, and retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thickness were measured. Their relationships with axial length (AL) and refractive error were analyzed. One-way analysis of variance (ANOVA), Pearson's correlation, and generalized estimating equation were used for statistical analysis.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Both superficial and deep macular vascular density were highest in control (25.64% ± 3.76% and 37.12% ± 3.66%, respectively), then in moderate myopia (21.15% ± 5.33% and 35.35% ± 5.50%, respectively), and lowest in high myopia group (19.64% ± 3.87% and 32.81% ± 6.29%, respectively) (F = 13.74 and 4.57, respectively; both P < 0.001). Both superficial (β = -0.850 and 0.460, respectively) and deep (β = -0.766 and 0.396, respectively) macular vascular density were associated with AL and spherical equivalent (all P < 0.001). Superficial macular vascular density was associated with GCC thickness (β = 0.244, P = 0.040), independent of spherical equivalent. The vascular density in optic disc region had no difference among the three groups, and it was not associated with AL, spherical equivalent, or RNFL thickness.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Our results suggested that with the increase of myopia, the vascular density decreased in macular region, but not in optic disc region.</p>

Safe Excision of a Large Overhanging Cystic Bleb Following Autologous Blood Injection and Compression Suture

Here, we report a large, overhanging cystic bleb that compromised vision and induced a foreign body sensation in a patient who underwent a trabeculectomy surgery with anti-metabolite therapy 4 years prior. Ultrasound biomicroscopy revealed multiple loculations with thin septa inside the bleb and a high risk of damage to the bleb was anticipated with a straight forward surgical excision. We injected autologous blood and placed a compression suture 6 weeks prior to surgical excision of the overhanging portion of the bleb. The operation was successful in preserving excellent bleb function, restoring visual acuity, and alleviating symptoms in our patient with up to 9 months of follow-up.

Safe Excision of a Large Overhanging Cystic Bleb Following Autologous Blood Injection and Compression Suture

Here, we report a large, overhanging cystic bleb that compromised vision and induced a foreign body sensation in a patient who underwent a trabeculectomy surgery with anti-metabolite therapy 4 years prior. Ultrasound biomicroscopy revealed multiple loculations with thin septa inside the bleb and a high risk of damage to the bleb was anticipated with a straight forward surgical excision. We injected autologous blood and placed a compression suture 6 weeks prior to surgical excision of the overhanging portion of the bleb. The operation was successful in preserving excellent bleb function, restoring visual acuity, and alleviating symptoms in our patient with up to 9 months of follow-up.