Krill's disease: a newer management option

Purpose: To report a case of a young female who presented with scotoma in the right eye for few days. Case Report: Krill's disease or acute retinal pigment epithelitis (ARPE) is a self-limiting retinal disease with no specific treatment. Typical clinical and imaging features helped us to diagnose her with ARPE. Intravenous methylprednisolone (IVMP), which gives a rapid anti-inflammatory response, was advised. An SD-OCT scan post-injection showed a reduction in hyperreflectivity and height of lesion at day 3 and near total resolution by day 5. Conclusion: This case suggests rapid resolution of ARPE with the use of IVMP.

Manejo del desprendimiento de retina regmatógeno / Management of rhegmatogenous retinal detachment

1. INTRODUCCIÓN El desprendimiento de retina es un problema visual grave que puede ocurrir a cualquier edad, aunque suele darse en individuos de edad media o en personas de la tercera edad. La incidencia es relativamente baja considerando que las estima-ciones varían según zonas geográficas; y, se han reportado datos de entre 6,3 y 17,9 por 100 000 habitantes. Otras características im-portantes a considerar son la degeneración en encaje de 45,75% y la miopía de 47,28% que influyen en la presentación del desprendi-miento de retina. Al mismo tiempo que la edad, los cambios vítreos retinianos y la presencia de pseudofaquia1,2. Además, de los factores oculares relacionados también influyen, el seguimiento inadecuado de los factores de riesgo y el difícil acceso a médicos especialistas que se traduce en retraso en el diagnóstico certero y tratamiento tardío que implica deterioro del pronóstico visual cuando el área macular está incluida en el área desprendida con pobres resultados en adultos jóvenes y en edad productiva.El tratamiento evitará el deterioro o pérdida irreversible de la visión. El pronóstico con tratamiento quirúrgico es bueno si el des-prendimiento no incluye a la mácula.

1. INTRODUCTIONRetinal Detachment is a serious visual problem that can occur at any age, although it usually occurs in middle-aged or elderly in-dividuals. The incidence is relatively low considering that estimates vary ac-cording to geographical areas; and, data have been reported be-tween 6,3 and 17,9 per 100 000 inhabitants. Other important cha-racteristics to consider are socket degeneration of 45,75% and myopia of 47,28% that influence the presentation of retinal deta-chment, as well as age, vitreoretinal changes and the presence of pseudophakia1,2.In addition to the related ocular factors, inadequate follow-up of risk factors and difficult access to medical specialists also play a role, resulting in delayed accurate diagnosis and late treatment that implies deterioration of the visual prognosis when the macular area is included in the detached area with poor results in young adults and those of productive age.Treatment will prevent irreversible deterioration or loss of vision. The prognosis with surgical treatment is good if the detachment does not include the macula.

Definición diagnóstica en una familia con malattia leventinese en Colombia / Diagnostic definition of malattia leventinese in a family from Colombia

Resumen La malattia leventinese es una enfermedad hereditaria autosómica dominante, cuyos síntomas se inician entre la segunda y la cuarta décadas de la vida. Se caracteriza por la aparición de drusas localizadas entre el epitelio pigmentario de la retina y la membrana de Bruch; suele reducir la visión drásticamente y progresar a ceguera. La variante patogénica p.Arg345Trp en el gen EFEMP1 se ha asociado con esta enfermedad. Se presenta aquí la caracterización clínica y molecular de una familia con malattia leventinese mediante un manejo integral que involucró a oftalmólogos, pediatras y genetistas, lo que es de gran importancia, ya que el fenotipo de esta enfermedad suele confundirse con la degeneración macular. A todos los individuos de la familia se les hizo la evaluación oftalmológica con imágenes diagnósticas de retina y extracción de ADN a partir de una muestra de sangre periférica. Todos los exones del gen EFEMP1 se amplificaron y secuenciaron. La variante patogénica p.Arg345Trp se identificó en los individuos afectados. Este es el primer reporte de malattia leventinese en una familia con la variante patogénica p.Arg345Trp en Colombia. El diagnóstico molecular de las distrofias retinianas es fundamental para diferenciar este tipo de enfermedades.

Abstract The malattia leventinese is an autosomal dominant inherited disease whose symptoms appear between the second and fourth decades of life. It is characterized by the appearance of drusen located between the retinal pigment epithelium and the Bruch membrane. It is usually associated with low vision and may progress to blindness. The pathogenic variant p.Arg345Trp in the EFEMP1 gene has been associated with this disease. We characterized clinically and molecularly a family with malattia leventinese using a comprehensive approach that involved ophthalmologists, pediatricians, and geneticists. This approach is of great importance since the phenotype of this disease is often confused with macular degeneration. All family members underwent ophthalmological evaluation and DNA extraction from a peripheral blood sample. All exons of the EFEMP1 gene were amplified and sequenced. The pathogenic variant p.Arg345Trp was identified in affected individuals in this family. This is the first report of malattia leventinese in a family with the p.Arg345Trp pathogenic variant in Colombia. The molecular diagnosis of retinal dystrophies is essential to differentiate this type of pathology.

Spontaneous outer retinal layer recovery in a case of hypertensive choroidopathy secondary to pre-eclampsia: a multimodal evaluation / Recuperação espontânea das camadas externas da retina em um caso de coroidopatia hipertensiva secundária a pré-eclâmpsia: avaliação multimodal

ABSTRACT A 26-year-old woman presented at 28 weeks gestation with hypertensive choroidopathy associated with pre-eclampsia. Fundus photography, fundus autofluorescence, spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT), fluorescein angiography, and indocyanine green angiography were performed in both eyes in the immediate postoperative period. SD-OCT images were obtained before delivery and during a 3-month follow-up. Fundus autofluorescence exhibited patchy hyper- and hypoautofluorescent lesions; fluorescein and indocyanine green angiography revealed areas of choroidal ischemia; and SD-OCT showed disorganization of the outer retinal layers and disruption of the ellipsoid zone. After her blood pressure was stabilized, progressive recovery of the outer retinal layer was monitored on SD-OCT.

RESUMO Uma mulher de 26 anos de idade, com 28 semanas de gestação apresentando coroidopatia hipertensiva associada à pré-eclâmpsia. Retinografia, autofluorescência, tomografia de coerência óptica de domínio espectral, angiofluoresceínografia e angiografia com indocianina verde foram realizadas em ambos os olhos no período pós-operatório imediato do parto. Imagens da tomografia de coerência óptica de domínio espectral foram obtidas antes do parto e durante o seguimento de 3 meses. A autofluorescência apresentou lesões heterogêneas hiper e hipoautofluorescentes, a angiofluoresceínografia e angiografia com indocianina verde revelaram áreas de isquemia de coroide, e a tomografia de coerência óptica de domínio espectral apresentou desorganização das camadas externas da retina e interrupção da zona elipsóide. Após a estabilização da pressão sanguínea, a recuperação progressiva da camada externa da retina foi monitorada pela tomografia de coerência óptica de domínio espectral.

Autofluorescência em um caso de distrofia macular anular concêntrica benigna / Fundus autofluorescence in a case of benign concentric annular macular dystrophy

Resumo A distrofia macular anular concêntrica benigna (DMACB) é uma patologia retiniana rara e provavelmente subdiagnosticada em nosso meio, que se caracteriza por um defeito retiniano em bull's eye sem uso prévio de antimaláricos, associado à preservação relativa da acuidade visual. Devido à escassez de publicações sobre o tema, existem poucos dados referentes aos resultados dos exames complementares nesta patologia. No presente artigo, apresenta-se a descrição da autofluorescência em um caso clássico de DMACB, ainda inédita na literatura, podendo acrescentar achados importantes para auxiliar no diagnóstico e seguimento da doença.

Abstract The benign concentric annular macular dystrophy (BCAMD) is a very rare and probably underdiagnosed eye disease, characterized by a retinal fault in bull's eye pattern, without the association with antimalarial use, but related with good visual acuity. Since there aren't many publications about this condition, is hard to find data regarding the results of complementary examination. In this article, is presented the description of fundus autofluorescence in a classic BCAMD case, yet unpublished, and capable of helping the diagnosis and follow-up of this pathology.

Generation of Retinal Pigmented Epithelium-Like Cells from Pigmented Spheres Differentiated from Bone Marrow Stromal Cell-Derived Neurospheres

BACKGROUND: Retinal degeneration causes blindness, and cell replacement is a potential therapy. The purpose of this study is to formation of pigmented neurospheres in a simple medium, low-cost, high-performance manner over a short period of time while expressing markers of RPE cells and the activation of specific genes of the pigment cells. Also, these neurospheres have the ability to produce a monolayer of retinal pigment epithelium-like cells (RPELC) with the ability of photoreceptor outer segment phagocytosis. METHODS: BMSC were isolated from pigmented hooded male rats and were immunoreactive to BMSC markers, then converted into neurospheres, differentiated into pigmented spheres (PS), and characterized using Retinal pigment epithelium-specific 65 kDa protein (RPE65), Retinaldehyde-binding protein 1 (CRALBP) and orthodenticle homeobox 2 (OTX2) markers by immunocytochemistry, RT-PCR and RT-qPCR. The PS were harvested into RPELC. The functionality of RPELC was evaluated by phagocytosis of fluorescein-labeled photoreceptor outer segment. RESULTS: The BMSC immunophenotype was confirmed by immunostained for fibronectin, CD90, CD166 and CD44. These cells differentiated into osteogenic and lipogenic cells. The generated neurospheres were immunoreactive to nestin and stemness genes. The PS after 7–14 days were positive for RPE65 (92.76–100%), CRALBP (95.21–100%) and OTX2 (94.88–100%), and after 30 days RT-PCR, qPCR revealed increasing in gene expression. The PS formed a single layer of RPELC after cultivation and phagocyte photoreceptor outer segments. CONCLUSION: Bone marrow stromal stem cells can differentiate into functional retinal pigmented epithelium cells in a simple, low-cost, high-performancemanner over a short period of time. These cells due to expressing theRPELCgenes andmarkers can be used in cell replacement therapy for degenerative diseases including age-relatedmacular degeneration as well as retinitis pigmentosa.

Sjögren's Reticular Retinal Dystrophy

PURPOSE: To report a rare case of Sjögren's reticular retinal dystrophy. CASE SUMMARY: A 54-year-old male presented with blurred vision and metamorphopsia in both eyes since a few years prior to his initial visit. There was a bilateral reticular network of yellow deposits throughout the posterior pole on fundus examination, which was hyperautofluorescent in fundus autofluorescence photographs. The pigment alterations were more visible with fluorescein angiography, which showed hypofluorescent lesions with hyperfluorescent borders. Spectral-domain optical coherence tomography showed elevations of the outer retina associated with the presence of subretinal hyperreflective material. Based on the conclusive correlation with clinical features, we diagnosed Sjögren's reticular retinal dystrophy. CONCLUSIONS: Sjögren's reticular retinal dystrophy is characterized by its specific pigment changes at the level of clinical manifestations and the retinal pigment epithelium. In cases of Sjögren's reticular retinal dystrophy, close monitoring is required because it has a lifetime risk of choroidal neovascularization.

Fundus Albipunctatus Diagnosed in a 9-year-old Female

PURPOSE: We report a case of fundus albipunctatus discovered in a young patient. CASE SUMMARY: A 7.6-year-old female showed numerous small whitish-yellow flecks in the perimacular area and retinal periphery. Dark adapted 0.01 electroretinography (ERG) and dark adapted 3.0 ERG were profoundly reduced. At 26 months after the first visit, the best-corrected visual acuities were 1.0 right eye and 0.9 left eye. There were no pigmented lesions, atrophic lesions, or vascular abnormalities in the retina. Humphrey and Goldmann visual field tests were performed, but neither of the tests revealed any scotomas or other visual field defect. The number and size of characteristic numerous small whitish-yellow retinal flecks seemed almost unchanged. In spectral domain-optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT), the subretinal hyper-reflective lesions spanned the retinal pigment epithelium and the external limiting membrane. ERG showed improved dark adapted responses (dark adapted 0.01 ERG and dark adapted 3.0 ERG) after prolonged dark adaptation (2.5 hours). No family member showed any abnormal findings. CONCLUSIONS: Fundus albipunctatus is a rare disease in Koreans. We report a case diagnosed using fundus photography, SD-OCT, visual field tests, and ERG after prolonged dark adaptation (2.5 hours).

Coroidite multifocal / Multifocal choroiditis

Resumo A coroidite multifocal é uma doença inflamatória idiopática pouco comum na prática oftalmológica, que usualmente acomete mulheres jovens. Os autores visam relatar um caso de coroidite multifocal em seguimento ambulatorial em que o paciente foi submetido a injeção subtenoniana de triancinolona associada a corticoterapia via oral com manejo da terapia imunossupressiva. São discutidos os aspectos clínicos, diagnósticos e tratamento. A injeção de triancinolona subtenoniana apresentou bons resultados quando associada à terapia imunossupressiva via oral sobre o edema macular, em consonância com os registros obtidos na literatura médica atual.

Abstract Multifocal choroiditis is an uncommon idiopathic inflammatory ophthalmological disease, which usually affects young women. The authors report a case of multifocal choroiditis in which patient underwent subtenonian triamcinolone injection associated with oral corticosteroid and management of immunosuppressive therapy. The clinical, diagnostic and treatment aspects are discussed. The subtenonian triamcinolone injection presented good results on macular edema when associated with oral imunosuppressive therapy, in agreement with the records obtained in the current medical literature.

Manifestação ocular incomum em paciente com incontinência pigmentar / Unusual ocular manifestation in a patient with incontinentia pigmenti

RESUMO Incontinência pigmentar, também conhecida como síndrome de Bloch-Sulzberger, é uma doença rara de herança dominante ligada ao X cujas manifestações clínicas incluem lesões dermatológicas típicas combinadas com acometimento neurológico, oftalmológico e dentário. Alterações oculares são comuns e variadas, sendo o acometimento da retina o mais frequente e associado a perda visual severa. Foi relatado um caso de uma criança com perda visual grave decorrente de glaucoma, sem alteração retiniana significativa.

ABSTRACT Incontinentia pigmenti, also known as Bloch-Sulzberger syndrome, is a rare dominant X-linked inheritance disease whose clinical manifestations include typical dermatological lesions combined with neurological, ophthalmic and dental involvement. Ocular involvment is common and diverse and retinal changes are the most frequent and associated with serious visual loss. We reported a case of a child with severe visual loss due to glaucoma, with no significant retinal changes.

Protective roles of autophagy in retinal pigment epithelium under high glucose condition via regulating PINK1/Parkin pathway and BNIP3L

BACKGROUND: Our study aimed to investigate the roles of autophagy against high glucose induced response in retinal pigment epithelium (ARPE-19 cells). METHODS: The morphological changes and reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation in ARPE-19 cells under high glucose treatment were respectively detected using the transmission electron microscopy and flow cytometry. The expression levels of Parkin, PINK1, BNIP3L, LC3-I and LC3-II in ARPE-19 cells received high glucose treatment were measured by western blot after pretreatment of carbonyl cyanide m-chlorophenylhydrazone (CCCP), 3-methyladenine (3-MA), N-acetyl cysteine (NAC) or cyclosporin A (CsA) followed by high glucose treatment. RESULTS: ARPE-19 cells subjected to high glucose stress showed an obvious reduction in the LC3-I expression and significant increase in the number of autophagosomes, in the intracellular ROS level, and in the expression levels of Parkin, PINK1, BNIP3L and LC3-II (p < 0.05). Pretreatment with CCCP significantly reduced the LC3-I expression and increased the expression levels of Parkin, PINK1, BNIP3L and LC3-II (p < 0.05). ARPE-19 cells pretreated with CsA under high glucose stress showed markedly down-regulated expressions of Parkin, PINK1 and BNIP3L compared with the cells treated with high glucose (p < 0.05). Pretreatment of ARPE-19 cells with NAC or 3-MA under high glucose stress resulted in a marked reduction in the expression levels of PINK1, BNIP3L and LC3-II (p < 0.05). Meanwhile, the expression level of Parkin in the ARPE-19 cells pretreated with NAC under high glucose stress was comparable with that in the control cells. CONCLUSION: Autophagy might have protective roles against high glucose induced injury in ARPE19 cells via regulating PINK1/Parkin pathway and BNIP3L.

Pars Plana Vitrectomy for Cystoid Macular Edema in a Retinitis Pigmentosa Patient

PURPOSE: To report the first case of cystoid macular edema in a retinitis pigmentosa patient with pars plana vitrectomy. CASE SUMMARY: A 43-year-old female visited our hospital with visual disturbances of both eyes. Corrected visual acuity was 20/22 in the right eye and 20/25 in the left eye. Peripheral depigmentation and atrophy of the retinal pigment epithelium, pigmentary retinal degeneration, and attenuated arterioles were observed in both eyes. Cystoid macular edema was observed on optical coherence tomography which showed that the central macular thickness was 308 µm in the right eye and 422 µm in left eye. Intravitreal aflibercept was injected into the left eye. One month after injection, the central macular thickness showed no response with a thickness of 449 µm. An intravitreal dexamethasone implant was then injected, 1 month after injection, the central macular thickness was 367 µm. Six months after injection, the patient again complained of visual disturbance of the left eye with a corrected visual acuity of 20/70. Vitreous opacity was observed and the central macular thickness was 501 µm. The patient underwent pars plana vitrectomy. Three days after surgery, the central macular thickness was 320 µm. One year after surgery, the corrected visual acuity was 20/33 and the central macular thickness was 311 µm. CONCLUSIONS: Pars plana vitrectomy due to cystoid macular edema in a retinitis pigmentosa patient has not been previously reported in the Republic of Korea. Pars plana vitrectomy can therefore be an effective treatment for cystoid macular edema in retinitis pigmentosa patients.

A Case of Unilateral Focal Pigmented Paravenous Retinochoroidal Atrophy

PURPOSE: We report a case of unilateral, focal, pigmented paravenous retinochoroidal atrophy (PPRCA). CASE SUMMARY: A 46-year-old female visited our clinic in complaint of a vague problem with her right eye identified during a general medical examination. The visual acuity (without correction) of both eyes was 1.0. Slit-lamp examination of both eyes revealed no specific signs. Fundus examination of the right eye revealed focal, bony-spicule-shaped retinochoroidal atrophy with pigmentation along the course of the superior retinal vein. A fundus autofluorescence examination revealed principally hypofluorescence with some hyperfluorescence at the margin of the atrophic retinochoroidal lesion. Optical coherence tomography revealed mixed clumping and atrophy of the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) layer and thinning of the choriocapillaris layer. Fluorescence angiography revealed a window defect and blockage at the site of the lesion (the fluorescent material did not enter the lesion). The site of the window defect was in correlation with the atrophic RPE region. The site of the blockage at lesion also matched with the site of the regional pigment clumping. No definite leakage was observed. CONCLUSIONS: To the best of our knowledge, this is the first case of unilateral focal PPRCA reported from Korea.

A Case of Central Serous Chorioretinopathy after Tadalafil Treatment

PURPOSE: To describe a patient who presented with central serous chorioretinopathy after 2 months of tadalafil administration without any other underlying disease or medication. CASE SUMMARY: A 49-year-old male patient was transferred from a local clinic with metamorphopsia and decreased visual acuity in the right eye. His visual acuity was 6/20 in the right eye and 18/20 in the left eye. The fundus examination showed a large serous detachment between the superior and inferior blood vessel arcades in the right retina. In his medical history, he used tadalafil three times a week for 2 months. His medication was then stopped, and a follow-up examination was scheduled. After 2 months, a fundus examination showed resolution of the subretinal fluid, and his corrected visual acuity recovered to 20/20. CONCLUSIONS: Tadalafil (Cialis®) is a phosphodiesterase (PDE)-5 inhibitor and predominantly prescribed for the treatment of erectile dysfunction. PDE–5 inhibitors may be potent vasodilators in the retina and choroid, and may induce choroidal vessel engorgement leading to leakage across the retinal pigment epithelium and accumulation of subretinal fluid in selected patients. When making a diagnosis as central serous chorioretinopathy, the physician should confirm the causative drugs that are easy to miss, by performing a thorough review of the patient's medical history and promptly terminating the causative drugs.

Contribution of Borneolum syntheticum to the Intervention Effect of Liuwei Dihuang Pill () on Experimental Retinal Degeneration / 中国结合医学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To observe the contribution of Borneolum syntheticum to the intervention effect of Liuwei Dihuang Pill (, LDP) on experimental retinal degeneration, and initially investigate the mechanism of Borneolum syntheticum as meridian-lead-in drug.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A total of 180 sodium iodateinduced retinital degeneration rats were randomly divided into three groups, including distilled water group, LDP group, and LDP+Borneolum syntheticum (LDP+BS) group. Twenty normal rats were fed regularly without any treatment as normal control. On day 7 and 14 after treatment, histopathological study and transferase-mediated deoxyuridine triphosphate-biotin nick end labeling (TUNEL) test were performed to evaluate the retinopathy. Claudin-5 expression at blood-retina barrier (BRB) was detected by Western blot at different time points from 0.5 to 8 h after gavage.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>On day 7 and 14 after treatment, the retinal lesion grades were significantly different among the three groups (P<0.05). The grade in the LDP+BS group was significantly less than the LDP and distilled water groups (both P<0.05), no significant difference was observed between the LDP and distilled water groups (P>0.05). The apoptosis rates in the LDP+BS group was significantly less than the distilled water and LDP groups (both P<0.05), while there was no significant difference between LDP and distilled water groups (P>0.05). Expression of claudin-5 in LDP+BS group was significantly less than the other two groups at 0.5, 1 and 2 h after gavage (P<0.05). There was no apparent difference among the three groups at 4 and 8 h after gavage (P>0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Borneolum syntheticum could strengthen the effect of LDP on experimental retinal degeneration, indicated that Borneolum syntheticum might play the role of meridian-lead-in drug in the formula. The mechanism may be due to Borneolum syntheticum could promote the physiologically openness of bloodretina barrier through transiently affecting the expression of claudin-5.</p>

Multimodal assessment of patients with chronic central serous chorioretinopathy / Avaliação multimodal em pacientes com coriorretinopatia serosa central crônica

ABSTRACT Purpose: To examine differences between fluorescein angiography (FA) and indocyanine green angiography (ICG) findings in patients with chronic central serous chorioretinopathy (CSC), comparing these with optical coherence tomography (OCT) findings. Methods: Ten consecutive patients with chronic CSC (19 eyes; 7 men; mean age, 50.7 ± 8.4 years) underwent multimodal evaluation that included FA, ICG, and OCT (Spectralis HRA-OCT, Heidelberg Engineering, Heidelberg, Germany). Changes such as hyperfluorescence (caused by increased transmission of the normal choroidal fluorescence, staining, or "pooling") and hypofluorescence (caused by a blockage or vascular filling defect) were evaluated in the early (4 min), middle (4-8 min) and late (>8 min) angiography phases and compared to OCT findings. Results: Bilateral disease was present in nine of the 10 patients. Areas of discontinuation or attenuation of the hyporeflective layer of the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) on OCT were observed at the same locations as hyperfluorescent angiography window defects on FA and ICG within examination phases. In areas of serous or RPE detachment, the hyperfluorescence pattern was similar on FA and ICG. However, ICG demonstrated areas of hyperfluorescence secondary to choriocapillaris hyperpermeability, with no corresponding change on FA in 12 (70%) of the 19 eyes. This finding was more evident in the middle and late phases of the examinations and there was no evident change in retinal architecture on OCT in these hyperpermeable choroidal regions. Conclusion: In patients with chronic CSC, ICG may reveal choroidal abnormalities that are not evident on FA. This finding may help optimize the monitoring and treatment of CSC.

RESUMO Objetivo: Descrever as diferenças de achados entre a angiofluoresceinografia (FA) e a angiografia digital com indocianina verde (ICG) em pacientes com coriorretinopatia serosa central crônica (CSC), incluindo imagens de tomografia de coerência óptica (OCT). Métodos: Série de casos em que 10 pacientes consecutivos com CSC crônica submetidos à avaliação multimodal, que incluiu FA, ICG e OCT (Spectralis HRA-OCT, Heidelberg Engineering, Heidelberg; Germany). Os pacientes foram avaliados quanto às mudanças como hiperfluorescências (causadas por aumento da transmissão da fluorescência coroidal normal, impregnação ou "pooling") e hipofluorescências (causadas pelo bloqueio ou defeito de enchimento vascular) nas fases precoce (4 minutos), intermediárias (4-8 minutos) e tardias (acima de 8 minutos) da angiografia e comparadas aos achados de OCT. Resultados: Sete dos 10 pacientes (19 olhos) eram homens, média (± DP) de idade dos pacientes foi de 50,7 ± 8,4 anos, e doença bilateral estava presente em nove dos 10 pacientes. Áreas de descontinuação ou atenuação da camada do epitélio pigmentado da retina (EPR), hiporreflectivas no OCT e hiperfluorescência por defeito em janela na FA e ICG ocorreram em locais coincidentes durante as mesmas fases do exame. Em áreas de descolamento seroso ou do EPR, o padrão de hiperfluorescência também foi semelhante em relação à FA e à ICG. No entanto, a ICG demonstrou áreas de hiperfluorescência secundária a hiperpermeabilidade coriocapilar sem mudança correspondente na FA em 12(70%) dos 19 olhos. Este achado da ICG ficou mais evidente nas fases precoces e intermediárias dos exames e não houve mudança evidente na arquitetura da retina no OCT nessas regiões de alteração de hiperpermeabilidade da coroide. Conclusão: Em pacientes com CSC crônica, a ICG pode revelar anormalidades da coróide não evidentes na FA. Esta informação pode ajudar a aperfeiçoar o moni to ramento e tratamento da CSC.

Large colloid drusen analyzed with structural en face optical coherence tomography / Análise de drusas grandes coloidais através de OCT en face estrutural

ABSTRACT Drusen are extracellular deposits between the basal lamina of the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) and the inner collagenous layer of Bruch's membrane. Large colloid drusen (LCD) are located below the RPE and are characterized by multiple, large, dome-shaped RPE detachments, with marked attenuation of the ellipsoid zone overlaying the drusen. This report presents the structural en face optical coherence tomography (OCT) findings of LCD and relates them to findings from fluorescein and indocyanine green angiography. We describe the case of a 55-year-old woman who presented with the chief complaint of a 5-year history of progressively worsening vision. Her best-corrected visual acuities were 20/40 and 20/400 in the right eye and the left eye, respectively. Fundus examination showed large bilateral, symmetrical, sub-retinal, yellowish lesions compatible with LCD. We describe the structural en face OCT characteristics and angiographic findings from this patient.

RESUMO Drusas são depósitos extracelulares localizados entre a lâmina basal do epitélio pig mentado da retina (RPE) e a camada colágena interna da membrana de Bruch. Drusas grandes coloidais (LCD) estão localizadas abaixo do EPR, e são caracterizadas por múltiplos descolamentos cupuliformes do EPR com atenuação da zona elipsoide sobrejacente às drusas. O objetivo deste relato é apresentar os achados de tomografia de coerência óptica (OCT en face estrutural em uma paciente com LCD, bem como correlacioná-los com angiografia fluoresceínica e angiografia com indocianina verde. Descrevemos o caso de uma paciente do sexo feminino, 55 anos, que referiu baixa acuidade visual em ambos os olhos há 5 anos. Sua acuidade visual corrigida era de 20/40 no olho direito e 20/400 no olho esquerdo. Ao exame fundoscópico a paciente apresentava lesões compatíveis com drusas grandes coloidais. As características tomográficas e angiográficas também são descritas neste relato de caso.

Generation of Retinal Progenitor Cells from Human Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell-Derived Spherical Neural Mass

Spherical neural mass (SNM) is a mass of neural precursors that have been used to generate neuronal cells with advantages of long-term passaging capability with high yield, easy storage, and thawing. In this study, we differentiated neural retinal progenitor cells (RPCs) from human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSC)-derived SNMs. RPCs were differentiated from SNMs with a noggin/fibroblast growth factor-basic/Dickkopf-1/Insulin-like growth factor-1/fibroblast growth factor-9 protocol for three weeks. Human RPCs expressed eye field markers (Paired box 6) and early neural retinal markers (Ceh-10 homeodomain containing homolog), but did not photoreceptor marker (Opsin 1 short-wave-sensitive). Reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction revealed that early neural retinal markers (Mammalian achaete-scute complex homolog 1, mouse atonal homolog 5, neurogenic differentiation 1) and retinal fate markers (brain-specific homeobox/POU domain transcription factor 3B and recoverin) were upregulated, while the marker of retinal pigment epithelium (microphthalmia-associated transcription factor) only showed slight upregulation. Human RPCs were transplanted into mouse (adult 8 weeks old C57BL/6) retina. Cells transplanted into the mouse retina matured and expressed markers of mature retinal cells (Opsin 1 short-wave-sensitive) and human nuclei on immunohistochemistry three months after transplantation. Development of RPCs using SNMs may offer a fast and useful method for neural retinal cell differentiation.

Inhibition by miR-410 facilitates direct retinal pigment epithelium differentiation of umbilical cord blood-derived mesenchymal stem cells

Retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) is a major component of the eye. This highly specialized cell type facilitates maintenance of the visual system. Because RPE loss induces an irreversible visual impairment, RPE generation techniques have recently been investigated as a potential therapeutic approach to RPE degeneration. The microRNA-based technique is a new strategy for producing RPE cells from adult stem cell sources. Previously, we identified that antisense microRNA-410 (anti-miR-410) induces RPE differentiation from amniotic epithelial stem cells. In this study, we investigated RPE differentiation from umbilical cord blood-derived mesenchymal stem cells (UCB-MSCs) via anti-miR-410 treatment. We identified miR-410 as a RPE-relevant microRNA in UCB-MSCs from among 21 putative human RPE-depleted microRNAs. Inhibition of miR-410 induces overexpression of immature and mature RPE-specific factors, including MITF, LRAT, RPE65, Bestrophin, and EMMPRIN. The RPE-induced cells were able to phagocytize microbeads. Results of our microRNA-based strategy demonstrated proof-of-principle for RPE differentiation in UCB-MSCs by using anti-miR-410 treatment without the use of additional factors or exogenous transduction.