Predictors of drusen reduction after subthreshold infrared (810 nm) diode laser macular grid photocoagulation for nonexudative age-related macular degeneration

PURPOSE: To determine the predictors of drusen reduction in eyes with nonexudative age-related macular degeneration (ARMD) treated with subthreshold infrared (810 nm) diode laser macular grid photocoagulation. Additionally, to determine the relationship of laser-induced drusen reduction and best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) 18 months after laser treatment.DESIGN: Randomized controlled clinical trial.METHODS: Fifty patients (100 eyes) with bilateral nonexudative ARMD were enrolled at two centers. One eye of each patient was randomized to the observation; the other eye was treated with 48 subthreshold (invisible end point) applications of infrared (810 nm) diode laser in a macular grid pattern. The eyes that received subthreshold laser treatment were compared with the eyes that received no treatment. The baseline fundus characteristics (number, size, and distribution of drusen, as well as focal hyperpigmentation) from two macula areas (central 1500 micro diameter, pericentral 1500 micro ring area) on stereo color photographs, the number of laser-induced lesions, and the area of laser induced retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) lesions on fluorescein angiography 3 months after treatment were studied as predictors of major drusen reduction (> or = 50% drusen reduction from baseline) 18 months after laser treatment. BCVA at baseline and 18 months later was compared in observation eyes and in laser-treated eyes.RESULTS: Eighteen months after randomization, 24 (48%) of 50 eyes treated with subthreshold laser had major drusen reduction compared with three (6%) of 50 observation eyes (P =.00001). At 3 months post-treatment in laser-treated eyes with major drusen reduction, the mean number of laser-induced lesions on fluorescein angiography was 30.7 and the mean area of RPE change was 0.81 mm(2) compared with 14.8 laser-induced lesions and 0.35 mm(2) area of RPE change in eyes without major drusen reduction (P =.0001 and P =.0003, respectively). At baseline, fundus characteristics were not significantly different between observation eyes and laser-treated eyes or between the major drusen reduction group and the nonmajor drusen reduction group. At 18 months after treatment, BCVA was not significantly different in laser-treated eyes and in observation eyes.CONCLUSIONS: Subthreshold infrared (810 nm) diode laser macular grid photocoagulation in eyes with nonexudative ARMD significantly reduced drusen 18 months after laser treatment. Both the number of subthreshold laser lesions and the area of RPE changes visible on fluorescein angiography 3 months after treatment appeared to be predictors for major drusen reduction 18 months after treatment. However, it remains to be determined whether laser-induced drusen reduction is beneficial for visual acuity or reduces the incidence of choroidal neovascularization (CNV) in eyes with nonexudative ARMD.     

Pathologic features of senile macular degeneration

Senile macular degeneration (SMD) has several morphologic forms that may exist singly or in various combinations. Patients with drusen are at an increased risk to develop SMD. Types of drusen that have been recognized clinically and histopathologically include hard or nodular, soft, glistening or calcified, and diffuse. Hard drusen are probably a consequence of extrusion of material from one or a cluster of retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells. Soft drusen are a sign of more widespread disease of the RPE, develop in eyes with hard drusen, and represent small areas of serous detachment of the RPE and the thickened inner aspect of Bruch's membrane. RPE areolar atrophy can occur in the setting of hard and soft drusen and in larger RPE detachments. From the morphologic point of view, we propose that the process leading to disciform scar formation in SMD begins with thickening of the inner aspect of Bruch's membrane due to production of abnormal basement membrane by the RPE. This thickened area is weakly attached and allows the development of localized detachments (soft drusen). These localized detachments become confluent into large detachments of the RPE. Choroidal neovascularization occurs in association with diffuse and soft drusen and larger serous RPE detachments. Bleeding from neovascular tissue leads to disciform scar formation.     

玻璃体腔内注射曲安奈德联合光动力疗法治疗脉络膜新生血管所致的黄斑萎缩

目的:报道经玻璃体腔内注射高剂量曲安奈德(triamcinolone acetonide,TA)联合光动力学疗法(photodynamic therapy,PDT)治疗老年性黄斑变性( age related macular degeneration, AMD)的脉络膜新生血管(choroidal neovascularization,CNV)后发生的脉络膜毛细血管萎缩。方法:我们采用非随机回顾性干涉治疗病例。在阿利坎特学院眼科,连续观察51眼(实验组)玻璃体腔内的注射(19.4±2.1)mg/0.1mL TA联合PDT治疗AMD的全部中心凹下型CNV患者,经过2a的随访,检查黄斑部脉络膜毛细血管和视网膜色素上皮细胞(RPE)萎缩情况。同时,采用单独PDT治疗的连续30眼患者作为对照组,其年龄,性别和AMD的CNV类型及大小与实验组相匹配。结果:随访24mo后,在治疗区域21/47眼(45%,实验组)和7/30眼(23%,对照组)发展成黄斑部RPE和脉络膜毛细血管萎缩(P=0.04,卡方检验)。实验组平均最大萎缩区域的直径为(5044±1666)μm,而对照组为(4345±1550)μm。在实验组中,RPE萎缩患者的平均最佳矫正视力为(0.87±0.33),而非RPE萎缩患者的平均最佳矫正视力为(0.66±0.26) (P=0.11,秩和U检验)。结论:玻璃体腔内注射大剂量TA联合PDT治疗可能会增加RPE和脉络膜毛细血管萎缩的风险。     

Risk factors for choroidal neovascularization and vision loss in the fellow eye study of CNVPT

PURPOSE: To identify risk factors for the development of choroidal neovascularization (CNV) and vision loss in the Fellow Eye Study of the Choroidal Neovascularization Prevention Trial. METHODS: Retrospective review of 121 patients enrolled in a multicentered, randomized, controlled trial. Patients had neovascular age-related macular degeneration in one eye and more than 10 large drusen in the other eye. Records of patients randomly assigned to laser treatment or observation were reviewed through 4 years of follow-up. Three candidate risk factors for the development of CNV and vision loss were evaluated. RESULTS: Eyes with hyperfluorescent drusen on fluorescein angiography at 3 minutes appeared to have a decreased risk of CNV. Patchy choroidal filling was seen in 14% of patients. Eyes with patchy choroidal perfusion showed a higher risk of developing CNV that was not statistically significant, and the increased risk was present only in treated eyes. Reticular pseudodrusen were present in only three eyes. CONCLUSIONS: Reticular pseudodrusen were rare. Late drusen fluorescence may protect against the development of CNV.     

Molecular mechanism of choroidal neovascularization in age-related macular degeneration

The exudative form of age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is characterized by choroidal neovascularization (CNV). Retinal pigment epithelial cells (RPE) secrete various angiogenesis-related factors, especially vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and pigment epithelium-derived factor (PEDF). The imbalance between the VEGF and PEDF secreted by RPE is a key contributor to the development of CNV in AMD. The earliest clinical hallmark of AMD is the presence of drusen. Although drusen are an epidemiological risk factor for the development of CNV, the mechanism of how drusen induce the development of CNV remains unclear. Recent proteome analysis demonstrated that amyloid beta (Abeta) deposition was specific to drusen from eyes with AMD. We focused on Abeta and investigated the effect of Abeta on cultured human RPE cells as well as ocular findings in neprilysin gene-disrupted mice, which leads to an increased deposition of Abeta. Our study demonstrates that Abeta accumulation affects the balance between VEGF and PEDF in the RPE, and reproduces features characteristic of human AMD, such as RPE atrophy and basal deposit formation in neprilysin gene-disrupted mice.     

Polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy in Caucasians

Purpose: To study the prevalence of polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy (PCV) in Caucasian patients with occult choroidal neovascularization (CNV); to study the clinical spectrum of PCV in Caucasians and the outcome after laser photocoagulation of such lesions. Methods: (1) A consecutive series of 374 eyes of Caucasian patients at least 58 years old, presenting occult CNV, presumed to have age-related macular degeneration (AMD) on fluorescein angiography (FA) were further characterized by indocyanine green angiography (ICGA) to determine the frequency of PCV. (2) The funduscopic, FA and ICGA findings in a cohort of 36 Caucasian patients with PCV were analyzed. (3) The outcome after laser photocoagulation was studied in 14 PCV eyes with a minimum follow-up of 6 months. Results: (1) Fourteen of 374 eyes (4%) presenting occult CNV in patients at least 58 years old were diagnosed as PCV by means of ICG-A. (2) A polypoidal lesion was found in the macula in 22 of 45 PCV eyes, in the peripapillary area in 16 of 45, under the temporal vascular arcade in 6 of 45 and in the midperiphery in 6 of 45. Large or soft drusen were observed in 15 of 45 eyes with PCV. (3) Regression of fundus signs without persisting polyps 6 months after laser photocoagulation was obtained in 5 of 5 treated peripapillary lesions but in only 5 of 9 treated macular or arcade lesions. Conclusion: Polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy is not rare in Caucasian patients presenting with occult choroidal neovascularization. The fundus abnormalities seen in such eyes overlap with the typical manifestations of AMD. Whereas the prognosis after photocoagulation of peripapillary polypoidal lesions appears to be relatively good, it is more guarded for macular or arcade lesions. Received: 10 January 2000 Revised: 30 March 2000 Accepted: 16 May 2000     

Clinicopathological correlation of retinal pigment epithelial tears in exudative age related macular degeneration: pretear, tear, and scarred tear

AIMS: To analyse the histopathology of vascularised pigment epithelial detachments and tears of the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) in age related macular degeneration (AMD). METHODS: The light microscopic architecture of 10 surgically removed subretinal specimens-three vascularised pigment epithelial detachments, four recent tears, and three scarred tears as a manifestation of AMD-were studied and correlated with the angiographic findings. RESULTS: Recent tears: a large fibrovascular membrane was found to be originally situated in Bruch's membrane. About half of the surface of the fibrovascular tissue was denuded of RPE and diffuse drusen. The RPE and diffuse drusen had retracted and rolled up, covering a neighbouring part of the intra-Bruch's fibrovascular membrane. The rolled up RPE and diffuse drusen were not interspersed with fibrovascular tissue but lay superficial to the intra-Bruch's fibrovascular membrane itself. Scarred tears: a collagen capsule surrounded the rolled up diffuse drusen and RPE. Fibrovascular tissue was found inside the rolled up material, predominantly at its choroidal side. CONCLUSION: The area of choroidal neovascularisation associated with a vascularised pigment epithelial detachment and a tear of the RPE may be larger than was hitherto thought or indicated by fluorescein angiography. This neovascular tissue may be present within the bed of the RPE tear, as well as at the site of the scrolled up RPE.     

Reduced foveolar choroidal blood flow in eyes with increasing AMD severity

PURPOSE: In an earlier study, the authors reported that foveolar choroidal blood flow (ChBFlow) decreases in patients with AMD and drusen. To explore further the choroidal circulatory changes in patients with AMD, the relationship between ChBFlow and fundus features associated with increased risk of choroidal neovascularization (CNV) were investigated. METHODS: The study included 26 control eyes of 17 normal subjects and 163 eyes with early AMD characteristics of 123 patients with AMD. The AMD study eyes were divided into three groups according to increasing risk for development of CNV: (1) drusen > or =63 microm, no RPE hyperpigmentary changes in the study eye, and no CNV in the fellow eye; (2) drusen > or =63 microm, RPE hyperpigmentary changes in the study eye, and no CNV in the fellow eye; and (3) eyes with CNV in the fellow eye. Laser Doppler flowmetry was used to assess relative foveolar choroidal blood velocity (ChBVel), volume (ChBVol), and flow (ChBFlow). Differences in the mean circulatory parameters were assessed by analysis of variance (ANOVA) and test of linear trend. RESULTS: Mean ChBVel, ChBVol, and ChBFlow decreased with increased risk for CNV (linear trend, P < 0.05). The lowest circulatory parameters were observed in the eyes with the highest risk for CNV development. Trends for ChBVel and ChBFlow were still significant after adjustment for multiple factors. CONCLUSIONS: There is a systematic decrease in choroidal circulatory parameters with an increase in the severity of AMD features associated with risk for the development of CNV, suggesting a role for ischemia in the development of CNV.     

特发性眼底血管样条纹的临床特征

目的分析特发性眼底血管样条纹的临床特征。方法分析13例（26眼）特发性眼底血管样条纹患者的临床表现、荧光素眼底血管造影（FFA）及黄斑区光学相干断层扫描（OCT）表现。结果11眼视力≤0.3,占42.31%。26眼眼底后极部均可见类似血管样的放射状条纹,5眼为斑驳状外观,占19.23%;17眼条纹通过黄斑,占65.38%;1眼（3.8%）合并眼外伤致多发性脉络膜破裂出血。FFA显示26眼血管样条纹均表现为透见荧光,11眼黄斑区可见脉络膜新生血管（CNV）影,其亮度逐渐增强,后期有明显的荧光素渗漏。黄斑区OCT检查发现11眼有CNV表现。Ⅰ型CNV（生长于RPE光带下）：表现为在隆起的视网膜色素上皮（RPE）和脉络膜毛细血管层光带下有不均匀的中或高反射带;混合型CNV：表现为CNV侵入RPE光带及视网膜神经上皮层下空间,RPE光带中断,呈现边界不清的高反射组织。结论眼底、FFA及OCT典型表现的综合分析有助于特发性眼底血管样条纹的诊断、分期及治疗指导。     

Macular lesions predisposing to senile disciform macular degeneration.

Senile disciform macular degeneration (SMD) is a neovascular/exudative form of age-related macular degeneration (AMD). In this study 340 eyes were followed up to assess the progression of SMD. The 340 eyes consisted of two groups. Group 1 was composed of 157 eyes with age-related macular changes other than choroidal neovascular membrane. Group 2 was made up of the contralateral eyes of 183 unilateral SMD eyes. Average ages were 61 and 64 in groups 1 and 2, respectively, and respective follow-up periods were 44 and 52 months. Choroidal neovascular membrane developed in 12 eyes in group 1 (7.6%) and in 19 eyes in group 2 (10.4%), a total of 31 eyes (9.1%). Retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) detachment was found as a predisposing lesion in 25 of these 31 eyes. Choroidal neovascular membrane developed in 12 of the 24 eyes with large RPE detachments. In 3 eyes neovascular membrane developed from an RPE detachment which had evolved from soft drusen. There were 3 eyes among the 62 eyes with soft drusen in which neovascular membrane developed directly from soft drusen. Based on these results, we classified AMD into 3 types; 1) atrophic, 2) predisciform, which includes RPE detachment and soft drusen, and 3) SMD.     

Clinicopathological findings of retinal angiomatous proliferation

Background Neovascular membranes obtained from surgical excision of neovascularization for retinal angiomatous proliferation (RAP) were examined histopathologically in an attempt to elucidate the pathogenic mechanism of RAP. Methods Nine eyes of eight patients (mean age, 79±6 years) who underwent neovascularization excision were studied. Three eyes had stage II with RPE detachment, six had stage III. Immunohistochemical studies were performed to identify von Willebrand factor, vascular endothelial factor (VEGF), CD68 and hypoxia inducible factors (HIF-1 alpha and HIF-2 alpha). Results Multiple soft drusen were present in the macular area in all patients. In one stage II eye, we observed intraretinal neovascularization as a VEGF-positive mass, CD68-positive macrophage migration and HIF expression. In another stage II eye, neovascularization had extended above the RPE, while VEGF-positive fibroblasts were observed below the RPE. Therefore, in stage II, neither angiographic nor histopathological examinations identified choroidal neovascularization. In one phase III eye, angiography demonstrated choroidal neovascularization and chorioretinal anastomosis. Histopathologically, chorio-retinal communication was observed in the region where the RPE was destroyed, and VEGF-positive neovascularization was also seen below the RPE. Conclusions The findings of multiple drusen in elderly patients together with macrophage migration and HIF expression surrounding VEGF-positive retinal neovascularization suggest ischemic and inflammatory factors to be associated with the development and progression of RAP.     

Pulsatile ocular blood flow of choroidal neovascularization in asymmetric age-related macular degeneration after transpupillary thermotherapy

PURPOSE: A previous study has shown that the pulsatile ocular blood flow (POBF) in eyes with asymmetric age-related macular degeneration (AMD) differs. Whereas eyes with drusen have higher POBF than contralateral eyes with disciform scarring, the POBF of eyes with drusen is lower relative to contralateral eyes with choroidal neovascularization (CNV). This study was designed to assess whether the POBF of eyes with CNV changes after transpupillary thermotherapy (TTT), using the contralateral eyes with drusen or scarring without TTT as controls. METHODS: In total, 26 patients with CNV in one eye and drusen or scarring in the other were enrolled in this prospective case series. Eyes with CNV were treated with TTT. POBF was measured monthly in both eyes of each subject. RESULTS: Before TTT, the POBF of eyes with CNV was 1179+/-317 microl/min. After TTT, the POBF of CNV eyes had decreased at 1 month (1015+/-273 microl/min, P=0.002) and 2 months (945+/-398 microl/min, P=0.011) of follow-up, but had rebounded at 3 months (P=0.441) and 6 months (P=0.084). CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that TTT decreases the pulsatile choroidal blood flow in eyes with CNV in patients with asymmetric AMD and the effects persist for 2 months. POBF may be used as a modality to monitor the therapeutic effects of CNV in asymmetric exudative AMD.     

A comparison of stereoscopic fluorescein angiography with indocyanine green videoangiography in age-related macular degeneration

PURPOSE: To correlate features of indocyanine green (ICG) videoangiography with stereo film fluorescein angiography (FA) in the analysis of age-related macular degeneration (AMD). DESIGN: A retrospective study with concurrent comparison of two methods of assessment on one set of patients with AMD undergoing sequential FA-ICG videoangiography. METHODS: One hundred four patients with AMD who had undergone immediately sequential FA-ICG videoangiography were selected in a consecutive fashion from the photographic files of the Casey Eye Institute. Three interpreters independently graded in an unbiased fashion the FA features of AMD. These were compared with ICG videoangiography features of hypocyanescence (ICG videoangiography hypofluorescence), moderate or intense hypercyanescence (ICG videoangiography hyperfluorescence), or absence of fluorescence over background (ICG videoangiography isocyanescence). We also assessed ICG videoangiography features in the opposite eye of those with choroidal neovascularization (CNV) by FA in one eye by examining an additional 96 FA-ICG videoangiography scans. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Outcomes were the ICG videoangiography characteristics of classic and occult CNV, serous pigment epithelial detachments (SPEDs) both with and without CNV, macular hemorrhage, and the comparative size of these features. RESULTS: There were 25 eyes that had significant macular hemorrhage by FA. Of these, the FA revealed CNV in its entirety under or near the hemorrhage in 11. The ICG examination revealed all 11 plus an additional 12 hypercyanescent features that were not visible by FA. Although 26 of 32 SPEDs had CNV by FA analysis, 31 of 32 had well-defined hypercyanescence under or at the SPED edge by ICG videoangiography. Eighty-seven percent of eyes with classic choroidal neovascular membranes (CCNV; 20 of 23) and 93% of eyes with fibrovascular pigment epithelial detachments (FVPED; 66 of 71) were hypercyanescent with distinct edges. Fifty percent of eyes with only late leakage of undetermined source (LLUS) were hypercyanescent, whereas 50% were isocyanescent on ICG videoangiography. There were four of 104 eyes in which ICG videoangiography revealed poorly defined hypercyanescent areas when, by FA, there were only drusen or elevated blocked fluorescence. Indocyanine green videoangiography revealed only three eyes with poorly defined hypercyanescence of 200 fellow eyes in patients with unilateral AMD. CONCLUSIONS: Indocyanine green videoangiography correlated fairly well with stereoscopic FA for the presence of CCNV or FVPED, but correlated poorly when LLUS was present. In certain cases where CNV was associated with SPED or macular hemorrhage, ICG videoangiography demonstrated features not apparent on FA.     

Dark adaptation in age-related macular degeneration: relationship to the fellow eye

BACKGROUND: Abnormalities of dark adaptation have been documented in patients with age-related macular degeneration (AMD), but the relationship with the various forms of this disorder has not been studied systematically. METHODS: Dark-adapted retinal sensitivities and kinetics of dark adaptation were studied using a Humphrey visual field analyzer adapted for these purposes in patients over 64 years of age. One eye per patient was studied. Study eyes had a normal visual acuity and macular drusen only. The fellow eye was categorized as follows: group I, pigment epithelial detachments and tears of the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE); group II, choroidal neovascularization; and group III, drusen only. The results of psychophysical tests of the study eyes (group I and II and one eye of group III patients) were compared with one another and with older patients without evidence of AMD (group IV). RESULTS: Retinal sensitivity was found to be most consistently abnormal nearest the fovea. The time course of dark adaptation was prolonged beyond 45 min in 10/11 patients (91%) in group I, 6/10 patients (60%) in group II, and 6/10 (60%) in group III and 1/11 (9%) in group IV. CONCLUSION: In a high proportion of patients with visual loss from AMD in one eye, the fellow eye shows abnormal dark adaptation. These changes appear to be most pronounced in patients with detachments of the RPE in the fellow eye.     

高度近视致单纯黄斑出血与继发CNV的黄斑出血之OCT图像鉴别

目的 观察高度近视所致单纯黄斑出血与继发脉络膜新生血管形成（CNV）的黄斑出血在相干光断层扫描（OCT）上的图像特征。设计 回顾性病例系列。研究对象  47例（47眼）高度近视黄斑出血的患者。方法 回顾性研究2009年7月-2013年5月就诊,并行最佳矫正视力、眼底彩照、荧光素眼底血管造影（FFA）、眼底自发荧光（FAF）、相干光断层扫描（OCT）检查的47例高度近视黄斑出血患者的47眼,对其视力及光学影像图像特征进行分析。主要指标  OCT,自发荧光结果及视力。结果  47眼高度近视黄斑出血中,通过FFA及吲哚青绿血管造影（ICGA）明确诊断继发于CNV的黄斑出血27眼,单纯的黄斑区出血20眼。继发于CNV的黄斑出血OCT图像特征为黄斑中心凹下较高反射信号的团块状影位于视网膜色素上皮（RPE）层之下,RPE层结构破坏、隆起,及RPE层上的中高反射信号影;单纯黄斑出血,其OCT图像特征为黄斑中心凹隆起,神经上皮层下三角形稍高反射信号影,其后信号略减弱,RPE层反射条带完整。继发于CNV的黄斑出血组,24/27眼IS/OS破坏,3/27眼IS/OS完整,仅表现IS/OS的隆起;而单纯黄斑出血组,7/20眼IS/OS破坏,13/20眼IS/OS完整（χ2=14.86,P=0.000）。FAF检查在继发于CNV的黄斑出血组可呈小片状中央弱自发荧光,周围环以强自发荧光或正常荧光;而在单纯黄斑出血组,自发荧光可呈正常或片状弱自发荧光。结论 OCT和眼底自发荧光检查可明确分辨高度近视黄斑出血是继发于CNV还是单纯黄斑出血。（眼科,2014, 23： 103-106）     

病理性近视黄斑出血的眼底荧光素血管造影、吲哚青绿血管造影及相干光断层扫描的影像学改变分析

目的分析病理性近视（PM）黄斑出血的荧光素眼底血管造影（FFA）、吲哚青绿血管造影（ICGA）及相干光断层扫描（OCT）的影像学特征及临床意义。方法对病理性近视黄斑出血28例（31只眼）进行FFA、ICGA及OCT检查,并对比分析其检查图像。结果单纯型出血15只眼（48.4%）,FFA表现：出血部位遮蔽荧光,其中8只眼（53.5%）可见漆样裂纹透见荧光;ICGA表现：造影期间出血部位为淡的低荧光,晚期均可见漆样裂纹性条状低荧光;OCT表现：9只眼（60%）在神经上皮层下和4只眼（26.7%）在色素上皮（RPE）下可见中高反射光团,周围神经上皮无水肿增厚,其下脉络膜光带连续,其中2只眼（13.3%）OCT无明显改变;新生血管（CNV）型出血16只眼（51.6%）,FFA表现：14只眼（87.5%）为典型性CNV,2只眼（12.5%）为隐匿性CNV;ICGA表现：14只眼（87.5%）为焦点状CNV,无明显染料渗漏,2只眼（12.5%）未见CNV改变;OCT表现：14只眼（87.5%）为RPE光带断裂,RPE上梭形或类圆形中、高反射光团,2只眼（12.5%）为RPE层断裂伴不规则增厚中高反射信号,神经上皮层均增厚水肿。结论病理性近视黄斑出血分为单纯型和新生血管型,新生血管多表现为典型CNV,不同类型的出血其FFA、ICGA、OCT的改变各具特征,合理选择检查方法可提高诊断率,节省费用。     

Laser prophylaxis for age-related macular degeneration

BACKGROUND: Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is the most common cause of severe and irreversible vision loss among people 50 years of age or older in many Western countries. Most of the available treatments for AMD are intended for the late stage, specifically for choroidal neovascularization (CNV). Effective preventive treatments could have an even greater impact on the vision of the millions of people at risk for vision loss from AMD. Drusen are typically the earliest lesions seen in patients with AMD and precede the development of CNV. In 1973, Gass noted the disappearance of drusen in eyes that received laser photocoagulation, which led to the hypothesis that laser-induced drusen reduction could alter the natural course of AMD. METHODS: We reviewed relevant articles found through a search of MEDLINE through February 2005 by means of the following key words, alone or in combination: drusen, laser, photocoagulation, age-related macular degeneration, macula and choroidal neovascularization. RESULTS: Reports ranging from individual cases and case series to randomized controlled pilot studies have described various laser treatment protocols and their effects on eyes with high-risk drusen but no neovascular changes. These reports provide evidence that laser photocoagulation can induce drusen reduction. Although some investigators have reported a corresponding improvement in visual function, others have found no change or even worsening. The results in several of the larger randomized controlled studies suggest that CNV may occur at an increased rate in laser-treated eyes with high-risk drusen in patients who have neovascular AMD in the other eye. The long-term effects of laser treatment in patients with high-risk drusen in both eyes and no neovascular changes have yet to be determined. INTERPRETATION: The outcome of clinical trials such as the Prophylactic Treatment of Age-Related Macular Degeneration and the Complications of Age-Related Macular Degeneration Prevention Trial will help to determine the role of laser prophylaxis in patients with AMD.     

Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma ligands inhibit choroidal neovascularization

PURPOSE: To determine the antiangiogenic effects of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR)-gamma agonists on ocular cells involved in the pathogenesis of choroidal neovascularization (CNV) in vitro and on experimental laser photocoagulation-induced CNV in vivo. METHODS: PPAR-gamma expression in human retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells and bovine choroidal endothelial cells (CECs) was determined using an RNase protection assay and Western blot analysis. Two PPAR-gamma ligands, troglitazone (TRO) and rosiglitazone (RSG; 0.1-20 microM), were used to assess effects on RPE and CEC proliferation and migration and CEC tube formation in response to vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). The effects of intravitreal injection of TRO on laser photocoagulation-induced CNV lesions in rat eyes (15 experimental, 15 control, nine burns per eye) and cynomolgus monkey eyes (two experimental, two control, seven paramacular burns per eye) was assessed by fluorescein angiography and histologic evaluation. RESULTS. PPAR-gamma1 was expressed in both RPE and CEC. PPAR-gamma ligands significantly inhibited VEGF-induced migration and proliferation in both cell types and tube formation of CEC in a dose-response manner. CNV in rats was markedly inhibited by intravitreous injection of TRO (P < 0.001). Lesions showed significantly less fluorescein leakage and were histologically thinner in the TRO-treated animals. Similar findings were present in the TRO-treated lesions in two monkey eyes. The drug showed no apparent adverse effects in the adjacent retina or in control eyes. CONCLUSIONS: The inhibition of VEGF-induced choroidal angiogenesis in vitro, and CNV in vivo by PPAR-gamma ligands suggests the potential application of these agents in the large group of patients with age-related macular degeneration complicated by CNV.     

黄斑玻璃膜疣预防性激光治疗效果分析

目的 分析预防性激光治疗对大的黄斑玻璃膜疣的效果.方法 黄斑部有多个(>10个),大的(直径>63μm)玻璃膜疣者23例.其中7例对侧眼为湿性年龄相关性黄斑变性,对玻璃膜疣眼进行激光治疗.另外16例为舣眼玻璃膜疣,随机选择一只眼行激光治疗.氪黄激光"C"型光凝该23只眼的黄斑区.随访最佳矫正视力、彩色眼底像和眼底荧光造影(FFA).结果 激光治疗后,14只眼玻璃膜疣减少,7只眼玻璃膜疣无明显变化,2只眼玻璃膜疣增加.最佳矫正视力提高7只眼,不变6只眼,下降10只眼,最佳矫正视力术前术后统计分析无显著性差异.激光治疗眼并未出现脉络膜新生血管等并发症.结论 氪黄激光对大的黄斑玻璃膜疣预防性激光治疗可以促进玻璃膜疣吸收,并使其视力保持稳定.     

Retinal pigment epithelial tear after intravitreal ranibizumab

PURPOSE: To report two cases of a retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) tear after intravitreal injection of 0.05 mg ranibizumab. DESIGN: Observational case report. METHODS: Two patients with choroidal neovascularization (CNV) resulting from age-related macular degeneration (AMD) were treated with an intravitreal injection of ranibizumab. RESULTS: Both patients were found to have a RPE tear on follow-up visits at one month, confirmed by optical coherence tomography (OCT) and by fluorescein or indocyanine green angiography. CONCLUSIONS: RPE tears may occur after intravitreal injection of ranibizumab. Further study is needed to determine whether CNV membranes associated with pigment epithelial detachments (PED) are more likely to develop RPE tears after treatment with anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF) agents.