Effectiveness and security of anisodine hydrobromide tablets in treating nonarteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy: a Chinese multicenter nonrandomized controlled study / 中华实验眼科杂志

Objective:To evaluate the efficacy and safety of oral anisodine hydrobromide tablets in the treatment of nonarteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION).Methods:A multicenter nonrandomized controlled trial was conducted.A total of 282 acute NAION patients (282 eyes) were recruited from 16 hospitals in China from July 2020 to May 2021.Patients were divided into two groups according to treatment methods, which were control group (124 cases, 124 eyes) receiving regular treatment including citicoline sodium plus Ginkgo biloba leaf liquid extract or Ginkgo biloba leaf extract tablets plus mecobalamin, and experimental group (158 cases, 158 eyes) receiving treatment in control group plus oral anisodine hydrobromide tablets 1 mg, twice daily for 2 to 3 months.Best corrected visual acuity (BCVA), visual field index (VFI), peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer (pRNFL) and radial peripapillary capillary vessel density (RPC) were assessed at 1, 2, 3, and 6 months after enrollment using the standard decimal visual acuity chart, 750i Humphery visual field analyzer, Cirrus HD-OCT 4000/Cirrus HD-OCT 5000, RTVue-XR optical coherence tomography respectively.The primary outcomes were BCVA and VFI, and the secondary outcomes were pRNFL, RPC, and the side effects during the follow-up.The study adhered to the Declaration of Helsinki.All patients were fully informed about the treatment and purpose of this study and voluntarily signed the informed consent form.The study protocol was approved by Chinese PLA General Hospital (No.S2020-021-01). Results:In all, 242 patients (242 eyes) completed the follow-up of BCVA, and 98 patients (98 eyes) completed the VFI follow-up.In terms of visual function, BCVA and VFI improved significantly over time in the two groups, and BCVA and VFI were better in experimental group than in control group at various follow-up time points (all at P<0.05). In terms of structure, pRNFL gradually decreased in both groups with the extension of treatment, and pRNFL was significanthy thinner in experimental group than in control group at various follow-up time points (all at P<0.05). There was no significant difference in RPC between the two groups at the last follow-up ( P>0.05). There were two cases with side effects and one case was discontinued due to side effects 25 days after enrollment. Conclusions:Oral anisodine hydrobromide can improve visual acuity and visual field in NAION and accelerate the regression of optic disc edema, with good safety.

Buyang Huanwu Tang protects HO-induced RGC-5 cell against oxidative stress and apoptosis reactive oxygen species-mitogen-activated protein kinase signaling pathway.

OBJECTIVE: To study the molecular mechanism of Buyang Huanwu Tang() (BHT) protecting retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) from oxygen induced oxidative stress and apoptosis after anterior ischemia. METHODS: In this study, the Chinese herbs of BHT were extracted by first boiling in water, then were filtered, concentrated, and freeze-dried. The chemical profile of BHT extract was determined by liquid chromatography mass spectrometry (LC-MS). HO-induced RGC-5 cells were used as a cell model to investigate the protective effect and mechanism of BHT on RGCs. RESULTS: The survival rate of damaged RGC-5 by BHT was significantly increased by the 3-(4,5)-dimethylthiahiazo (-z-y1)-3,5-di- phenytetrazolium-romid method. Fluorescence activating cell sorter (FACS analysis) showed that BHT could significantly reduce apoptosis induced by oxidative stress the reactive oxygen species (ROS)-mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK)-Caspase-3 signal pathway. CONCLUSION: BHT possesses a high antioxidant capacity and could significantly reduce ROS levels of RGC-5 cells damaged by HO.Therefore, the present study has provided possible alternative strategies for the prevention and treatment of ischemic optic disease by using traditional Chinese herbal formulas.

Validity of high resolution magnetic resonance imaging in detecting giant cell arteritis: a meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVES: This study was designed to evaluate the performance of high-resolution magnetic resonance imaging (HR-MRI) in detecting giant cell arteritis (GCA), evaluate superficial extracranial artery and other MRI abnormalities, and compare three-dimensional (3D) and two-dimensional (2D) techniques. METHODS: PubMed, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library were screened up to March 7, 2021, and further selection was performed according to the eligibility criteria. Quality Assessment of Diagnostic Accuracy Studies-2 was used for quality assessment, and heterogeneity assessment and statistical calculations were also performed. RESULTS: In total, 1851 records were retrieved from online databases, and 15 studies were finally included. Regarding the performance of HR-MRI, the superficial extracranial artery had 75% sensitivity and 89% specificity, respectively, with an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) of 0.91. Positive and negative post-test possibilities were 86% and 20%, respectively, with clinical diagnosis as reference. When referenced with temporal artery biopsy, the sensitivity was 91%, specificity was 78%, AUC was 0.92, and positive and negative post-test possibilities were 78% and 10%, respectively. 3D HR-MRI and 2D HR-MRI had 70% and 72% sensitivity, respectively, and 91% and 84% specificity, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: HR-MRI is a valuable imaging modality for GCA diagnosis. It provided high accuracy in the diagnosis of GCA and played a potential role in identifying GCA-related ischemic optic neuropathy. 3D HR-MRI had better specificity than 2D HR-MRI. KEY POINTS: HR-MRI helps clinicians to diagnose GCA. Superficial extracranial arteries and other MRI abnormalities can be assessed with HR-MRI. HR-MRI can help in assessing GCA-related optic neuropathy.

Early diffusion-weighted MRI at 3 Tesla detects ischemic changes of the optic nerve in anterior ischemic optic neuropathy.

OBJECTIVES: To assess the impact of timing from visual symptoms' onset to diffusion-weighted (DW) 3 T MRI completion to detect ischemic changes of the optic disc and optic nerve in AION patients. METHODS: This IRB-approved retrospective single-center study included 3 T MRI data from 126 patients with AION and 111 controls with optic neuritis treated between January 2015 and May 2020. Two radiologists blinded to all data individually analyzed imaging. A senior neuroradiologist resolved any discrepancies by consensus. The primary judgment criterion was the restricted diffusion of the optic disc and/or the optic nerve assessed subjectively on the ADC maps. ADC values were also measured. Spearman rank correlations were used to examine the relationships between timing from visual symptoms' onset to MRI completion and both the restricted diffusion and the ADC values. RESULTS: One hundred twenty-six patients (47/126 [37.3%] women and 79/126 [62.7%] men, mean age 69.1 ± 13.7 years) with AION were included. Restricted diffusion of the optic disc in AION eyes was more frequent in the early MRI group than in the late MRI group: 35/49 (71.4%) eyes versus 3/83 (3.6%) eyes, p < 0.001. ADC values of the pathological optic discs and optic nerves were lower in the early MRI group than in the late MRI group: 0.61 [0.52-0.94] × 10-3 mm2/s versus 1.28 [1.01-1.44] × 10-3 mm2/s, p < 0.001, and 0.74 [0.61-0.88] × 10-3 mm2/s versus 0.89 [0.72-1.10] × 10-3 mm2/s, p < 0.001, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: DWI MRI showed good diagnostic performance to detect AION when performed early after the onset of visual symptoms. KEY POINTS: • Restricted diffusion of the optic disc in eyes affected by AION was significantly more likely to be observed in patients who had undergone MRI within 5 days after onset of visual symptoms. • ADC values of the pathological optic discs and optic nerves were significantly lower in patients who had undergone MRI within 5 days after onset of visual symptoms of AION: 0.61 × 10-3 mm2/s versus 1.28 × 10-3 mm2/s, p < 0.001, and 0.74 × 10-3 mm2/s versus 0.89 × 10-3 mm2/s, p < 0.001, respectively. • The optimal threshold for timing from visual symptoms' onset to MRI completion to detect restricted diffusion of the optic disc and/or optic nerve was 5 days, with an AUC of 0.88 (CI95%: 0.82-0.94).

Proteomic analysis of optic nerve in the rat model of non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy / 中华实验眼科杂志

Objective:To quantitatively analyze the protein expression changes of the optic nerve in an SD rat model of non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION), and to make bioinformatics analysis of the differential proteins.Methods:Ten 8-week-old SPF male SD rats with a body mass of 200-250 g were selected.The NAION model was established using the method of rose bengal and laser photodynamics.Four from the 8 rats with successful model were selected as the NAION model group.Another 4 body weight- and age-matched healthy SD rats without eye diseases were taken as the normal control group.The optic nerve was dissected on the 7th day after modeling.The samples were prepared by the enzyme digestion method, and the proteins were identified and quantitatively detected by isobaric tag for relative and absolute quantification labeling combined with liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry.The proteins with expression fold greater than 1.5 times and significant differences between the two groups ( P<0.05) were defined as differentially expressed proteins and analyzed by bioinformatics.The use and care of animals complied with Regulations for the Administration of Affair Concerning Experimental Animals by the State Science and Technology Commission of China.The study protocol was approved by an Animal Ethical and Welfare Committee of Tianjin Medical University Eye Hospital (No.TJYY2021041029). Results:Three days after modeling, the optic disc of rats was swollen and fluorescein leakage in the optic disc was detected in fluorescein fundus angiography images in the NAION model group, which indicated the model was established successfully.A total of 1 291 quantifiable proteins including 80 differentially expressed proteins were identified.Compared with the normal control group, there were 5 up-regulated proteins and 75 down-regulated proteins.The expression levels of collagen alpha-1(V) chain (Col5A1), cAMP-dependent protein kinase catalytic subunit beta (Prkacb) and disks large homolog 1(Dlg1) were increased, and the expression levels of neurofilament medium polypeptide (Nefm), microtubule-associated protein 1B (Map1b), Ras-related protein Ral-A (Rala), serine/threonine-protein kinase N2 (Pkn2) and platelet-activating factor acetylhydrolase IB subunit beta (Pafah1b1) were decreased.Differentially expressed proteins were mainly involved in the biological processes, including regulation of the cytoskeleton, cellular response to hypoxia, axon production and extension, regulation of synapse, regulation of neuron apoptosis and axo-dendritic transport, etc.KEGG pathway enrichment analysis showed that differentially expressed proteins were mainly involved in metabolic pathways, synaptic vesicle circulation and platelet activation.Conclusions:The expression of proteins related to signal pathways such as nerve growth, energy metabolism, axo-dendritic transport and apoptosis is involved in the apoptosis of neurons in NAION.

Model reconstruction and morphological observation of internal carotid artery siphon and ophthalmic artery in non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy patients / 中华眼底病杂志

Objective:To observe the morphological characteristics of internal carotid artery (ICA) siphon and ophthalmic artery (OA) in patients with non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION) based on CT angiography (CTA) three-dimensional reconstruction of ICA siphon and OA models.Methods:A retrospective cohort study. From January 2017 to January 2019, 26 patients with 31 eyes (NAION group) who were diagnosed with NAION by ophthalmic examination at Beijing Friendship Hospital, Capital Medical Universitywere included in the study. Among them, there were 11 males with 13 eyes, and 15 females with 18 eyes; the age was 67.52±6.30 years old. Nineteen eyes of 19 non-affected contralateral eyes were selected as the contralateral eye group. Among them, there were 9 males with 9 eyes and 10 females with 10 eyes; the age was 65.95±5.66 years old. Twenty-six eyes of 26 age- and sex-matched subjects with normal fundus examination during the same period were selected as the normal control group. All subjects underwent best corrected visual acuity (BCVA), intraocular pressure, fundus photography and CTA examination. The data obtained from CT scans were reconstructed by 3D model, and the anatomical morphology of ICA siphon was divided into U-shape, V-shape, C-shape and S-shape; the diameter of ICA siphon portion and the diameter at the beginning of OA were measured. One-way analysis of variance was used to compare the diameter of the OA at the beginning of the OA and the diameter of the ICA siphon between the three groups of eyes.Results:The diameters at the beginning of OA in the NAION group, the contralateral eye group, and the normal control group were 1.17±0.20, 1.34±0.17, and 1.39±0.15 mm, respectively, and the differences among the three groups were statistically significant ( F=12.325, P<0.05); there was no significant difference between the contralateral eye group and the normal control group ( P=0.310). In the NAION group, the anatomical morphology of the ICA siphon was U-shaped and V-shaped in 20 (64.52%) and 8 (25.81%) eyes respectively, and S and C-shaped in 3 eyes (9.67%); in the contralateral eye group, in the control group, the ICA siphon shape of the eyes examined was U-shaped and V-shaped, and S-shaped and C-shaped were rare. The diameters of the ICA siphons in the NAION group, the contralateral eye group, and the normal control group were 3.50±0.69, 3.22±0.59, and 3.55±0.54 mm, respectively. There was no significant difference between the three groups ( F=1.860, P=0.163). Conclusion:U-shaped and V-shaped ICA siphons are more common in NAION-affected eyes; the diameter of the starting point of OA is significantly reduced.

Efficacy and safety of compound anisodine injection for anterior ischemic optic neuropathy: a meta-analysis / 中华实验眼科杂志

Objective:To evaluate the efficacy and safety of compound anisodine (CA) injection for anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (AION).Methods:Studies, which were randomized controlled trials (RCT) of CA with routine treatment for AION from PubMed, The Cochrane Library, Web of Science, CNKI, Wanfang database, Chinese science and technology journals full-text database and CD-ROM database of Chinese Biology Medical disc published from January 1978 to June 2021 were searched.Included studies were screened by two researchers independently based on inclusion and exclusion criteria.After data collection and quality assessment, a meta-analysis of included studies was performed with Revman 5.3 software.Results:Thirteen RCT were included, involving 1 636 eyes, with 829 eyes in treatment group and 807 eyes in control group without CA treatment.It was found that the total effective rate of treatment group was higher than that of control group ( OR=3.25, 95% CI: 2.47-4.28, P<0.01), and the best corrected visual acuity of AION patients after CA treatment was significantly better than that of control group when articles with high heterogeneity were excluded (MD=0.14, 95% CI: 0.11-0.17, P<0.01) or not (MD=0.14, 95% CI: 0.12-0.16, P<0.01).The mean defect of visual field was significantly smaller and the mean sensitivity of visual field was higher in treatment group than control group (MD=-2.58, 95% CI: -3.98--1.19, P<0.01; MD=3.49, 95% CI: 3.07-3.91, P<0.01). Conclusions:CA shows good efficacy in the treatment of AION.It can improve visual acuity and mean sensitivity of visual field, decrease mean defect of visual field.

Occurrence of nocturnal hypotension in nonarteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy: a systematic review and meta-analysis / 中华眼底病杂志

Objective:To evaluate the occurrence of nocturnal hypotension (NHP) in nonarteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION).Methods:A evidence-based medicine study. Chinese and English as search terms for NAION and NHP was used to search literature in PubMed of National Library of Medicine, Embase, Web of science, Cochrane Library, Clinical Trials, Wanfang, and China National Knowledge Infrastructure and China Biology Medicine disc. Incomplete or irrelevant literature and review literature were excluded. The literature was meta-analyzed using Review Manager 5.4 and STATA 15.0. The 95% confidence interval ( CI) were selected as the estimated value of effect size, the occurrence of NHP in NAION was calculated, and sensitivity analysis and publication bias analysis were also performed to assess the robustness of pooled outcomes. Results:According to the search strategy, 159 articles were initially retrieved, and 8 articles were finally included for meta-analysis, three prospective studies and five retrospective studies. The occurrence of NHP in NAION was 43% (95% CI, 0.36-0.50). Sensitivity analyses confirmed that the evidence was robust. Subgroup analyses showed that the occurrence of NHP in NAION nearly the same in White patients (47%, 95% CI 0.39-0.55) and Chinese patients (41%, 95% CI 0.32-0.51). The occurrence of NHP in NAION was higher in using night mean artery pressure (45%, 95% CI 0.31-0.60) as the diagnostic criteria than using night systolic blood pressure & night diastolic blood pressure (40%, 95% CI 0.32-0.50). Conclusions:The occurrence of NHP in NAION was 43%; the occurrence was similar in patients of different ethnicities. The diagnosis rate could be improved by using nMAP < 70 mm Hg (1 mm Hg=0.133 kPa) as a diagnostic criterion for NHP. Careful intervention should be taken for the blood pressure of patients with NAION and NHP.

Clinical application of critical flicker fusion frequency in non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy / 中华眼底病杂志

Objective:To investigate the application of critical flicker fusion frequency (CFF) in non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION).Methods:A cross-sectional study. From January 2021 to September 2021, a total of 58 NAION patients (105 eyes) (NAION group) and 33 cases (63 eyes) in the healthy control (HC) group were included from Department of Ophthalmology of First Medical Center, PLA General Hospital. Patients underwent best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), optical coherence tomography (OCT), visual field, CFF and flash visual evoked potential (F-VEP) examinations. BCVA examination was performed using a Snellen decimal visual acuity chart and was converted to logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution visual acuity. In the affected eyes group, there were 56 cases (72 eyes), 31 cases (43 eyes) male and 25 cases (29 eyes) female, with an average age of 49.28±11.42 years old. And the affected eyes were divided into 4 groups: <1, 1-<3, 3-<6 and >6 months according to the time interval from onset to CFF examination, which were 20(27.8%), 26 (36.1%), 17 (23.6%) and 9 (12.5%) eyes, respectively. According to the BCVA ≥0.5, 0.1-0.5, <0.1 in CFF examination, the affected eyes were divided into a mild, moderate, and severe degree, 33 (45.8%), 32(44.4%) and 7 (9.8%) eyes, respectively. Sixty-three eyes of 33 cases were in the HC group. There were 17 cases(31 eyes) males and 16 cases (32 eyes) females, with an average age of 35.18±10.96 years. Hand-held CFF detector type 2 (Japan, NEITZ company) was used for the CFF examination. The thickness of peripheral retinal nerve fiber layer (pRNFL), macular inner limiting membrane retinal pigment epithelium (mILM-RPE), F-VEP peak time and peak value and mean visual field defect (MD) values were recorded within 1 week of CFF examination. The CFF value of the above subgroups was analyzed in order using one-way ANOVA. Pearson correlation analysis was used for the correlation between CFF and F-VEP peak time, peak value, BCVA and MD. The correlations between BCVA, visual field, F-VEP, and CFF were analyzed.Results:The trichromatic values of red, green and yellow in NAION affected eyes were 22.56±10.30, 24.10±11.51, 24.81±11.41 Hz, respectively, which was significantly reduced compared with the HC group ( t=-10.53,-11.11,-11.36; P<0.05). There was no significant difference in CFF-red, green, and yellow values at different time points after the onset of the disease ( F=2.075, 1.893, 2.073; P>0.05). Compared CFF-red, green, and yellow values in NAION-affected eyes with different degrees, the difference was statistically significant ( F=31.579, 27.332, 32.055; P<0.05). The results of correlation analysis showed that the peak time of F-VEP ( r=-0.362, -0.379,-0.357; P<0.05), BCVA ( r=-0.705,-0.695,-0.714; P<0.05), and which was negatively correlated with CFF three color. MD and CFF were positively correlated ( r=0.486, 0.435, 0.450; P<0.05). Conclusion:The CFF value of the affected eye is decreased significantly in NAION-affected eyes, and CFF is more sensitive than F-VEP in reflecting visual impairment, and has a good correlation with visual function and latency of F-VEP.

Observation of the optic disc vessel density in the affected eye with non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy of different stages / 中华眼底病杂志

Objective:To observe the changes in blood flow density of radial retinal peripapillary capillary (RPC) around the optic disc in patients with non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION) at different stages of the continuous course of the disease.Methods:A prospective cohort study. From January to December 2020, 29 cases of 29 eyes of NAION patients diagnosed in the Eye Center of the Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine were included in the study. Among them, there were 18 males with 18 eyes and 11 females with 11 eyes. The average age was 53.62±6.67 years old. The affected eye underwent routine eye examination and visual field, optic cohenrence tomography angiography (OCTA) examination. Visual field inspection was performed to obtain the average visual mean defect (MD) value. OCTA was used to measure the thickness of the peripapillary retinal nerve flayer (pRNFL) around the optic disc, the whole en face image vessel density (wiVD), intro disc vessel density (diVD), RPC blood flow density around the optic disc, and macular ganglion cell complex (GCC). The course of disease ≤3 weeks was defined as the acute phase; 4-12 weeks was defined as the subacute phase; >12 weeks was defined as the chronic phase. The changes of visual field MD, optic disc RPC blood flow density, pRNFL thickness and macular GCC thickness were observed in the acute, subacute and chronic phases (12-24, >24 weeks). A completely randomized design of variance analysis was used to compare the differences in visual field MD, RPC blood flow density, GCC, and pRNFL thickness in different courses. Pearson correlation analysis was used to analyze the correlation between pRNFL thickness, macular GCC thickness, visual field MD changes and RPC blood flow density around the optic disc sex.Results:The wiVD of the eyes in the acute phase, subacute phase, and chronic phase (12-24 weeks, >24 weeks) were (44.96±2.76)%, (41.50±3.49)%, (39.08±5.43)%, (38.56±6.48)%. There was a statistically significant difference in wiVD of eyes with different disease courses ( F=8.939, P<0.001). The average difference of wiVD between 12-24 weeks and >24 weeks in the chronic phase was -0.984, and the difference was not statistically significant ( P>0.05). There was no statistically significant difference in diVD of patients with different courses of disease ( F=1.079, P=0.365). The blood flow density of RPC around the optic disc of the affected eye, except for the lower part, the blood flow density of the nasal side, the temporal side, and the upper quadrant, decreased significantly with the progression of the disease, and the difference was statistically significant ( F=8.816, 6.069, 8.943; P<0.05). In the chronic phase, the average difference of blood flow density between the nasal, temporal, and upper sides of the eyes between 12-24 weeks and more than 24 weeks in the chronic phase was -0.984, -0.230, -0.198, and the difference was not statistically significant ( P>0.05). There was no statistically significant difference in the visual field MD of patients with different courses of disease ( F=0.277, P=0.842); the overall pRNFL thickness and average macular GCC thickness were compared with statistical significance ( F=47.122, 14.954; P<0.001, <0.001), all became significantly thinner with the progression of the disease. The results of Pearson correlation analysis showed that the blood flow density of the entire optic disc wiVD, the blood flow density of RPC in the temporal quadrant around the optic disc and the visual field MD ( r=-0.225, -0.268; P<0.05), and the average thickness of GCC ( r=0.480, 0.436; P<0.01) were all related. Conclusion:The blood flow density of RPC in the entire optic disc and around the optic disc (except the lower quadrant) of NAION eyes gradually decrease with the progression of the disease, and stabilize after 12 weeks of the disease.

The effect of oral glucocorticoids on acute non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy / 中华眼底病杂志

Objective:To observe the clinical efficacy of oral glucocorticoids in the treatment of acute non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION).Methods:A prospective clinical study. From December 2017 to June 2020, 40 eyes of 40 patients with acute NAION who were diagnosed in Department of Ophthalmology of Tengzhou Central People's Hospital were included in the study. All the affected eyes underwent best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and optical coherence tomography (OCT) examination of optic disc; 35 eyes (BCVA≥0.1) underwent visual field examination at the same time. The BCVA examination was carried out using the international standard decimal visual acuity chart, which was converted into the logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution (logMAR) visual acuity during statistics. The static visual field inspection was performed with Humphrey automatic perimeter to obtain the average mean deviation (MD) value. The thickness of peripapillary retinal nerve fire layer (pRNFL) around the optic disc of the affected eye was measured with an OCT instrument. According to the wishes of patients, they were divided into hormone treatment group and control group. All were given vitamin B1 and methylcobalamin orally; the hormone treatment group was given oral prednisone acetate treatment, 60 mg/d (regardless of body weight); after 2 weeks, the dose was reduced by 5 mg every 5 days, and the dose was reduced to 40 mg and maintained until optic disc edema subsides; thereafter, the dose was quickly reduced until the drug was stopped. Three and 6 months after treatment, the same equipment and methods were used for related examinations before treatment to observe the thickness changes of BCVA, MD, and pRNFL. The thickness of BCVA, MD, and pRNFL between the two groups was compared by Mann-Whitney U test. The thickness of BCVA, MD, and pRNFL before and after treatment within the group was compared by rank analysis of variance. Results:Among 40 eyes of 40 cases, 21 eyes were in the hormone treatment group, and 19 eyes were in the control group. There were differences in age, sex composition, course of disease, associated systemic risk factors, BCVA, MD, and pRNFL thickness between the two groups. There was no statistical significance ( P>0.05). At 3 and 6 months after treatment, the average logMAR BCVA of the eyes of the hormone treatment group and the control group were 0.26±0.32, 0.26±0.34, 0.28±0.30, 0.25±0.32, respectively. The visual field MD were -15.52±6.87, -15.55±6.04 dB and -14.82±7.48, -15.18±6.40 dB; pRNFL thickness was 70.38±10.22, 73.79±11.82 μm and 65.67±10.07, 69.26±10.85 μm. LogMAR BCVA ( Z=-0.014, -0.315; P=1.000, 0.768), visual field MD ( Z=-0.041, -0.068; P=0.979, 0.957), pRNFL thickness ( Z= -0.965, -1.112; P=0.347, 0.270), the difference was not statistically significant. Conclusion:Compared with the control group, oral glucocorticoid treatment of acute NAION fail to improve the visual function and morphological prognosis during the 6-month follow-up period.

[Optic nerve morphology and vessel density in eyes with different phases of non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy].

Objective: To compare the blood flow around the optic disc and related factors in patients with acute and chronic non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION) and healthy volunteers with small disc cups under the same anatomical structure. Methods: This was a prospective case-control study. NAION patients with unilateral onset and healthy volunteers of the same phase were included in the study conducted at the Department of Ophthalmology of Peking Union Medical College Hospital between February 2017 and September 2018. Patients with a course of ≤ 3 months were categorized in the acute phase of NAION, and those with a course of >3 months were in the chronic phase of NAION. Healthy volunteers were in the control group. All subjects underwent the examination of best corrected visual acuity converted to logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution (LogMAR), measurement of non-contact intraocular pressure, slit lamp examination, small pupil fundus examination, and axial measurement. Optical coherence tomography was used to measure the thickness of retinal nerve fiber layers (RNFL) and retinal ganglion cell complex (GCC). Optical coherence tomography angiography was used to measure the vessel density around the optic disc. NAION patients underwent the visual field examination. Analysis of variance, non-parametric Mann-Whitney U test and Spearman coefficient was used for statistical analysis. Results: This study included 16 patients with acute phase of NAION, aged (57±9) years, 6 males and 10 females. There were 17 patients with chronic disease, aged (56±10) years, 7 males and 10 females. There were 15 healthy controls, aged (57±10) years old, 6 males and 9 females. There were no significant differences in age and gender between the groups (both P>0.05). The RNFL and the GCC in the NAION chronic phase group were significantly thinner than those in the acute phase group [(78±38) µm vs. (191±99) µm, (75±19) µm vs. (98±28) µm; t=4.389, 2.758; both P<0.05]. The cup/disc area ratio, cup/disc vertical diameter ratio and cup/disc horizontal diameter ratio in the chronic phase group were larger than those in the acute phase group [0.18 (0.11, 0.31) vs. 0.05 (0.01, 0.18), 0.45 (0.39, 0.56) vs. 0.22 (0.11, 0.41), 0.39 (0.28, 0.54) vs. 0.20 (0.07, 0.42)], and the difference was statistically significant (U=212.000, 208.000, 205.000; all P<0.05). Compared with the optic disc vessel density in the control group (53%±6%), there was a significant decrease in the acute phase group and the chronic phase group (45%±7%, 41%±8%; t=3.705, 4.940; both P<0.01). The blood vessel density in the nasal inferior of the chronic phase group was significantly lower than that in the acute phase group (36%±8% vs. 42%±7%, P=0.039), other sections didn't have significant difference (all P>0.05). There were tortuous capillaries in 8/16 of the acute phase cases, with a low blood flow density and visual field defect in relative positions. Correlation analysis showed that the whole density and peripapillary density in the NAION patients were negatively correlated with LogMAR, mean visual field defect, cup/disc area ratio, focal loss of volume of GCC and general loss of volume of GCC (r=-0.510, -0.733, -0.372, -0.532, -0.648; all P<0.01), but positively correlated with GCC and RNFL thickness (r=0.604, 0.508; both P<0.01). Conclusions: The optic disc vessel density in the acute phase and chronic phase of NAION is significantly reduced. The vessel density in the nasal area of the chronic phase is significantly reduced compared with the acute phase. The vessel density is correlated with visual acuity, visual field defect, disc indexes, thickness of RNFL and GCC. (Chin J Ophthalmol, 2019, 55: 677-686).

[The status of the application of optical coherence tomography angiography in nonarteritic ischemic optic neuropathy].

Optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) is a new technology of angiography which features multiple advantages over the traditional ones. It can provide a rapid and noninvasive approach to observing the vascular morphology and blood vessel density of the optic disc, peripapillary and macular area. Nonarteritic ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION) is an acute optic neuropathy characterized by a sudden, painless decrease in vision and a typical visual field defect. It has been widely accepted that the circulatory insufficiency of the optic nerve head (ONH) mainly supplied by the posterior ciliary arteries (PCA) results in ischemic damage. Relevant researches are necessary for exploring the pathogenesis, diagnosis and treatment of NAION, and this review summarizes the results of recent studies on application of OCTA in analyzing the blood flow in the optic and macular area in NAION patients. (Chin J Ophthalmol, 2019, 55:306-310).

[Pay attention to the quality of evidence research for appropriate evaluation of the treatment trail of the non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy].

Non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION) is the most common cause of acute optic neuropathy in people aged 50 and above. The precise mechanism of NAION remains unclear and no consistently effective treatment, either medical or surgical method, for NAION has been identified. Thus, further study of the pathogenesis, higher research level of the treatment trail and the effective neuroprotective approaches are of significant importance for the treatment of NAION. (Chin J Ophthalmol, 2019, 55: 164-168).

[Vessel density and structure in the macular region of non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy patients].

Objective: To explore the correlation between the vessel density and the structure and visual function in patients with non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION) in different stages. Methods: This case-control study included 25 NAION patients (28 eyes)of Peking Union Medical College Hospital from November 2017 to May 2018 and 25 healthy controls(HC) (25 eyes) of matched age and gender. General eye examination, visual field examination, and optical coherence tomography angiography were performed to obtain data of blood flow in the macular area and structure such as ganglion cell complex (GCC) and gross loss of volume (GLV), and focal loss of volume (FLV). All affected eyes were divided into the acute group (≤3 weeks), sub-acute group (4 to 12 weeks), and chronic group (>12 weeks) in line with the course of the disease. The group and regional analyses were made to carry out overall differences of blood flows and structures and the correlations with visual function. Results: There were 25 NAION patients with 28 eyes, 16 males and 9 females, aged (55±9) years. The acute group included 8 patients (8 eyes), and the sub-acute group included 10 patients (10 eyes), while the chronic group comprised 7 patients (10 eyes). The overall macular superficial vessel density of patients with NAION was significantly reduced compared with the HC(42.03%±5.70% vs.49.01%±3.34%, t=-5.546, P<0.01), but the deep vessel density was not significantly reduced (P>0.05). The superficial vessel density of the acute group, sub-acute group, and chronic group was significantly decreased(47.41%±3.51% vs. 41.68%±3.09% vs.38.06%±5.93%, all P<0.05). The GCC thickness in patients with NAION were significantly lower than the HC [(88.5±18.2) µm vs. (102.9±5.4)µm, P<0.05]. The GLV and FLV in patients with NAION were significantly higher than the HC (12.733%±11.216% vs. 0.941%±0.852%, 6.295%±4.291% vs. 0.596%±0.460%, both P<0.05). There was a correlation between the macular superficial vessel density and GCC thickness (r=0.606, P=0.001), FLV(r=-0.552, P=0.002), GLV (r=-0.685, P=0.000) and mean sensitivity (r=0.493, P=0.023). Conclusion: Compared with healthy controls, the macular superficial vessel density in NAION patients decreas along with the course of the disease, and its correlation with structural and visual function is revealed. (Chin J Ophthalmol, 2019, 55:195-202).

[The clinical analysis of optic neuropathy relative to Behcet's disease with clinical manifestation of anterior ischemic optic neuropathy].

Objective: To summarize the clinical manifestation, treatment and prognosis of anterior ischemic optic neuropathy(AION) which was the manifestation of optic neuropathy related with Behcet's disease (BD). Methods: Retrospective series of case studies. The clinical data of 6 cases (9 eyes) of AION associated with BD who were hospitalized at the neurology ward of Beijing Tongren Hospital from February to June in 2016 were collected, the clinical characteristics of these patients were summarized, visual acuity were compared by using Wingerchuk visual grade before and after treatment. Results: Among the 6 patients with AION associated with BD, there were 4 males and 2 female, aged 38-60 years. All patients were acute onset, 3 cases had the onset of one eye, 2 cases with the onset of both eyes and 1 case with successively onset of both eyes. Optic nerve was damaged in 6 cases (9 eyes), only 1 case felt pain of eyes, the best corrected visual acuity of 4 eyes were less than 0.1, optic disk edema and linear bleeding around optic disk were oberved in all patients, the lower half visual field defect was the most common damage type (5 eyes), P100 latency of visual evoked potential prolonged in all patients, optic nerve MRI showed abnormal signal of optic nerve involvement in 2 patients. All patients were treated with corticosteroids and followed for 3 months, there was significant improvement in 1 eye of which the vision improved above 3 grade, and improvement in 6 eyes of which vision improved for 1-2 grade, while there has been no change in 2 eyes. Conclusions: BD may be the etiology of AION. Visual impairment of this kind of patients is relatively serious, visual function is expected to improve with early treatment. (Chin J Ophthalmol, 2019, 55:203-207).

Clinical study of modified Xuefu-Zhuyu decoction combined with conventional western medicine in the treatment of nonarteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy / 国际中医中药杂志

Objective To evaluate the efficacy of modified Xuefu-Zhuyu decoction in the treatment of nonarteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION).Methods A total of 87 patients with NAION who met the inclusion criteria were divided into control group (43 cases) and study group (44 cases) by the random number table method.The control group was given the routine treatment combined with compound anisodine injection,while the study group was treated with routine treatment combined with modified Xuefu-Zhuyu decoction.Both groups were treated for 28 days.The standard logarithmic visual acuity chart was used to detect and record the best corrected visual acuity.The Visual field photosensitivity and visual field defect was recorded by visual field program(Oc-topus-101).The systolic peak blood flow velocity (PSV),end diastolic velocity (EDV),resistance index (RI) of the posterior ciliary short artery were measured by color Doppler ultrasound.The clinical effect was evaluated.Results The total effective rate was 97.7％ (43/44) in the study group and 76.7％ (33/43) in the control group.There were significant differences between the two groups (x2=8.669,P=0.003).After treatment,the best corrected visual acuity (0.85 ± 0.21 vs.0.72 ± 0.32,t=2.245),visual field photosensitivity (18.71 ± 4.79 φ/db vs.16.32 ± 5.22 φ/db,t=2.226) in the study group was significantly higher than those in the control group (P＜0.05);the visual field defect (6.06 ± 1.52 φ/db vs.8.13 ± 2.43 φ/db,t=4.775) in the study group was significantly lower than that of the control group (P＜0.05);the PSV (10.03 ± 1.79 cm/s vs.8.85 ± 1.88 cm/s,t=2.999),EDV (3.06 ± 0.37 crn/s vs.2.67 ± 0.31 cm/s,t=5.323) in the study group was significantly higher than those of the control group (P＜0.05),RI (0.61 ± 0.08 vs.0.69 ± 0.09,t=4.385) in the study group was significantly lower than that of control group (P＜0.05).Conclusions The modified Xuefu-Zhuyu decoction combined with conventional medicine can effectively improve the hemodynamics and visual function of posterior ciliary short artery in NAION patients and improve the clinical efficacy.

Neuroprotective effects of benzatropine on rat model of nonarteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy / 中华眼底病杂志

Objective To investigate the neuroprotective effect of Benztropine on retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) death and optic nerve injury in rats model of non-arteritis anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (rNAION).Methods A total of 25 Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into Benztropine treatment group (n=13)and PBS control group (n=12).The right eye was set as the experimental eye.rNAION model was established by using rose Bengal combined with laser photodynamic method.The rats in the Benztropine treatment group were received intraperitoneal injection with Benztropine 10 mg/kg (0.2 ml) daily for 3 weeks,while the rats in the PBS control group were received intraperitoneal injection with an equal volume of PBS.At 1,3 and 7 days after modeling,the retinal and optic disc conditions of the rats were observed by direct ophthalmoscopy.Retrograde labeling,fluorescence microscopy and transmission electron microscopy were used to observe the survival of RGCs and the damage of the optic nerve myelin and axon at 4 weeks after modeling.The RGCs density and survival rate of the two groups were compared by One-Way Anova.Results At 1 and 3 days after modeling,the optic disc edema was observed in the rats of rNAION model group.At 7 days after modeling,the optic disc edema decreased and the boundary was blurred compared with 3 days after modeling.After 4 weeks,the RGCs density in the PBS group was 308± 194/mm2 and the survival rate was 13.7％.The density of RGCs in the Benztropine group was 1173+868/mm2 and the survival rate was 47.6％.The differences of RGCs density and survival rate were significant between the two groups (F=7.552,8.184;P=0.015,0.012).Myelin disintegration,axon degeneration,onion-like body and gliosis were observed in the optic nerve sections of rNIAON in the PBS group,while the damage ofaxon and myelin structure in the Benztropine group was significantly less than that in the PBS group.Conclusions Benztropine group showed higher RGC survival rate,less damage ofaxon and myelin structure on rNAION model.This study explored the potential neuroprotective effect of Benztropine.

Correlation between obstructive sleep apnea syndrome and nonarteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy / 中华眼底病杂志

Objective To determine the correlation between obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS)and nonarteritic ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION).Methods It was a perspective study.A total of 41 consecutive patients with NAION (NAION group) and 41 age-and sex-matched physical examination subjects (control group) in Xi'an No.3 Hospital from December 2016 to December 2018 were enrolled in this study.The apnea hypopnea index (AHI,the number of sleep apneas per hour) was monitored using a polysomnography for patients in NAION group and control group.At the same time,the blood oxygen saturation was continuously recorded.The OSAS can be diagnosed if the AHI value was ≥ 5.OSAS severity was graded as mild:5≤AHI＜ 15;moderate:15≤AHI＜30;severe:AHI ≥30.The grading of OSAS severity between two groups was compared by Fisher's exact test.The AHI and minimum blood oxygen saturation were compared between NAION group and control group using the Mann-Whitney U test.Spearman correlation analysis was performed on the correlation between OSAS and NAION.Results Among the patients in the NAION group,31 patients (75.61％) were diagnosed with OSAS.Among them,6 patients (14.63％) were mild,9 patients (21.95％) were moderate,and 16 patients (39.03％) were severe.In the control group,19 patients (46.34％) were diagnosed with OSAS.Among them,10 patients (24.39％) were mild,5 patients (12.20％) were moderate,and 4 patients (9.75％) were severe.The difference of OSAS patients of mild,moderate and severe between two groups were statistically significant (Z=0.235,0.245,0.312;P=0.012,0.014,0.032).The average AHI of patients in the NAION group was 20.25 ± 7.74,and the mean minimum oxygen saturation at night was (87.38± 5.53)％.The average AHI of the control group was 18.67 ± 11.67,and the mean minimum oxygen saturation at night was (85.06+4.25)％.The differences of the mean AHI and mean minimum oxygen saturation between two groups were statistically significant (Z=1.124,2.317,P=0.003,0.020).There was a positive correlation between OSAS and NAION (Spearman correlation coefficient=0.229,P=0.030).Conclusion There is a positive correlation between OSAS and NAION.