Fundus changes in membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis type II

A total of 23 patients aged between 11 and 64 years who had biopsy-proven membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis type 11 (dense deposit disease) were studied using fluorescein angiography of the retina. With the exception of two adolescents, all patients exhibited small subretinal nodules that were similar to basal laminar drusen. Subjects with a long history of renal disease displayed more numerous and larger nodules as well as atrophic changes. Four subjects presented with subretinal neovascular membranes.     

Ocular impairment during type II membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis

Membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis type II (MPGN) is characterized by dense deposits within glomerular basal membrane and Bruch's membrane which result in retinal lesions similar to drusens. We observed a 50-year-old patient with chronic renal deficiency who developed central bilateral serous retinopathy with diffuse punctiforme yellow subretinal lesions. Ophthalmoscopic and angiographic aspects led to an MPGN type II diagnosis. Specific posterior segment lesions are described during MPGN type II. Dense deposits concerned both lamina densa of glomerular basal membrane and Bruch's membrane with choriocapillaris. The main ocular complications were central serous chorioretinopathy and choroidal neovascularization. We review the clinical and evolutive aspects of this disease.     

Fundus changes in chronic membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis type II

Chronic membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis type II (dense deposit disease) is a renal disease characterized by dense deposits in the glomerular and tubular basement membranes. We report a retinopathy with diffuse retinal pigment alterations in 11 out of 12 patients with this disease. Four of the eleven patients also presented disciform macular detachment and choroidal neovascularisation. The lesions were observed at the earliest 1 year after the diagnosis of the renal disease. In a control group of 17 patients with chronic membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis type I none of the patients presented similar fundus lesions.     

Subretinal neovascular membranes associated with chronic membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis type II

Subretinal neovascular membranes were observed in three patients with chronic membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis type II (dense deposit disease). The first signs of glomerulonephritis occurred at respective ages of 13, 10 and 10 years; subretinal neovascular membranes were noted at respective ages of 25, 32 and 32 years. All patients had bilateral, widespread retinal pigment epithelial abnormalities. Our findings indicate that subretinal neovascularization is a complication of dense deposit disease. In one patient, the early recognition and laser treatment of an extrafoveal subretinal neovascular membrane prevented further loss of vision.     

Sequential observation of fundus changes in patients with long standing membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis type II (MPGN type II).

Specific fundus changes have been reported in patients with membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis type II (MPGN type II). We studied the clinical course of this retinopathy in four patients who all had a long follow-up with several fundus examinations. Sequential observation was indicative of a slow progression of the retinopathy. Most eyes maintained in the chronic stages a nearly normal visual acuity, and a full visual field despite the existence of marked drusen and atrophic changes. The prognosis however must be somewhat guarded, since choroidal neovascularization developed in three eyes and caused bilateral severe visual loss in one patient.     

Microperimetric evaluation of macula in retinopathy of membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis type II: a case report

PURPOSE: To report on the microperimetric evaluation of the central visual field in a patient with retinopathy due to membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis. METHODS: The central 20 degrees visual field was evaluated using fundus-related perimetry with (Nidek MP1) microperimeter in a patient with proven membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis type II, who had multiple drusen-like lesions involving the posterior pole of both eyes, with corresponding window defects on fundus fluorescein angiogram. RESULTS: Static threshold perimetry of the central 20 degrees using a 10 dB threshold, Goldmann size II stimulus, with (Nidek-MP1) microperimeter showed reduction in retinal sensitivity in the parafoveal and in the temporal paramacular areas in both the eyes that had drusen-like lesions. CONCLUSIONS: Early loss of function in retinopathy of membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis type II can probably be detected by fundus-related microperimetry.     

Photodynamic therapy for juxtafoveal choroidal neovascularization associated with multifocal choroiditis

PURPOSE: Evaluation of visual acuity outcome of photodynamic therapy (PDT) with verteporfin for juxtafoveal choroidal neovascularization (CNV) secondary to multifocal choroiditis (MC). DESIGN: Open-label, prospective, interventional case series. METHODS: Seven patients (seven eyes) diagnosed with juxtafoveal CNV associated with MC at the Eye Clinic of Trieste were considered. Inclusion criteria were the presence of juxtafoveal CNV no larger than 5400 microm in greatest linear dimension and best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) (Snellen equivalent) of approximately 20/200 or better. PDT was performed according to the Treatment of Age-Related Macular Degeneration with Photodynamic Therapy (TAP) study. The primary outcome was the variation in Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study (ETDRS) charts visual acuity. In particular, the study considered changes of at least eight letters (approximately <1.5 lines of visual acuity loss) at the 12- and 24-month examinations compared with the baseline examination. Secondary outcomes included fluorescein angiographic features such as progression and area of CNV. RESULTS: At both the 12- and 24-month examinations, three patients (43%) gained at least 1.5 lines of visual acuity, three patients (43%) did not show changes in either direction, whereas visual acuity decreased by 1.5 or more lines from baseline in one patient (14%). The median CNV area was 0.3 mm(2) at baseline and 0.24 mm(2) at the 12- and 24-month controls, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The positive results of the present study and the absence of treatment-related side effects suggest that PDT may be considered a safe and viable therapeutic option for juxtafoveal CNV for a 24-month period. Further studies including a greater number of patients are needed to confirm these preliminary results.     

多灶性脉络膜炎并发中心凹下脉络膜新生血管的光动力治疗

目的 观察光动力疗法( PDT)为主的综合疗法对多灶性脉络膜炎(MC)并发脉络膜新生血管(CNV)的疗效.方法 临床确诊为MC并发中心凹下CNV并接受PDT等综合治疗的8例9只眼纳入研究.其中,男性1例1只眼,女性7例8只眼.年龄25～54岁,平均年龄(41.8±10.6)岁.所有患者均进行最佳矫正视力(BCVA)、裂隙灯显微镜、间接检眼镜、荧光素眼底血管造影、光相干断层扫描检查.BCVA为20/333到20/50,转换成最小视角对数(logMAR)后其平均值为0.68±0.32;CNV平均面积为(0.767±0.445) mm2;黄斑中心凹视网膜平均厚度为(355.2±65.2)μm.其中行单纯PDT者4只眼,联合口服糖皮质激素2只眼,玻璃体腔注射抗血管内皮生长因子单克隆抗体bevacizumab(商品名Avastin)者1只眼,后Tenon囊下注射曲安奈德者2只眼.治疗后随访3～22个月,平均随访(14.0±5.7)个月.对比分析治疗前后BCVA、CNV面积和中心凹视网膜厚度.结果 末次复诊时,BCVA为20/250到20/25,logMAR平均值为0.58±0.37,与治疗前比较,差异无统计学意义(t=1.890,P=0.095).其中,3只眼视力提高3行,占33.3％;1只眼视力提高1.5行,占11.1％;4只眼视力稳定,占44.4％;1只眼视力下降1.5行,占11.1％;无下降超过3行者.CNV平均面积为(0.684±0.371) mm2,与治疗前比较,差异无统计学意义(t=0.996,P=o.349).黄斑中心凹视网膜平均厚度为(295.3±79.4)μm,与治疗前比较,差异无统计学意义(t=2.242,P=0.055).结论 PDT为主的综合治疗可有效稳定MC并发CNV患者的视力,尤其是联合抗血管内皮生长因子药物或糖皮质激素后.     

Choroidal neovascularisation in type II membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis,photodynamic therapy as a treatment option--a case report

BACKGROUND: Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is an established treatment in predominantly classic choroidal neovascularisation (CNV) in exudative age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis (MPGN) type II leads to AMD-similar changes ("pseudo-AMD") of the fundus with CNV as a late complication. We report on a patient suffering from MPGN II and a classic CNV who was treated with PDT. PATIENT AND METHOD: A 31-year old male patient suffering from MPGN II from the age of 8 presented with visual deterioration and metamorphopsies on his left eye (VA OD 1.0, OS 0.25). Funduscopy revealed a "Pseudo"-AMD on both eyes and the left eye showed a 100 % classic CNV in fluorescein angiography (FLA). The left eye has treated with PDT. Visual acuity after PDT remained stable with 0.25 OS and metamorphopsies were reduced. 3 months later FLA showed a small residual leakage, therefore a second PDT was performed. 4 months after the 2 nd PDT the patient suffered again from metamorphopsies with a stable VA of 0.25 OS following a 3 rd PDT. RESULTS: Visual acuity of the left eye remained stable at 0.25 and metamorphopsies reduced due to the treatment of 3 PDT's. Even in "pseudo-AMD" in MPGN II the PDT is able to reduce leakage and stops progression consistent to the results in exudative AMD. CONCLUSION: In MPGN II associated "pseudo"-AMD with classic CNV the PDT was also successful. The origin of the CNV does not appear to play a role for the success of the PDT.     

Photodynamic therapy for choroidal neovascularization in patients with multifocal choroiditis and panuveitis

PURPOSE: To evaluate the visual benefit of photodynamic therapy (PDT) with verteporfin in patients with choroidal neovascularization (CNV) secondary to multifocal choroiditis and panuveitis over a longer follow-up period. METHODS: A total of 14 eyes of 12 patients (mean age 34 years) with a classic subfoveal CNV (13/14) or juxtafoveal CNV (1/14) were treated with PDT. Visual outcome was assessed by best-corrected visual acuity (VA). Morphologic characteristics of CNVs such as localization, size, and activity were monitored by fluorescein angiography. RESULTS: Patients were followed for 3 to 45 months (mean 23 months). During this period, one to six PDTs (mean 2.4) were performed. At the time of the first PDT no acute inflammation was seen in the affected eyes. Improved or stabilized visual function (VA loss < or = 2 lines in the Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study chart) was observed in 71.4% of the eyes. A total of 78% of the eyes showed an inactive scar in the area of CNV after PDT. Treatment failure after PDT occurred due to uninfluenced CNV growth. No further complications were observed. CONCLUSIONS: PDT in subfoveal or juxtafoveal classic CNV secondary to multifocal choroiditis and panuveitis stabilized or improved VA in the majority of patients over a longer follow-up period. No risk factor for failed VA rehabilitation could be defined.     

PDT治疗病理性近视黄斑部CNV的多焦视网膜电图变化观察

目的:应用多焦视网膜电图(multifocal electroretinogram,mfERG)评价光动力疗法(photodynamic therapy,PDT)治疗病理性近视(pathological myopia,PM)合并黄斑下脉络膜新生血管(choroidal neovascularisation,CNV)早期视网膜功能的改变.方法:经临床确诊的继发于PM的CNV患者30例(30眼),根据CNV的位置将患眼分为中心凹下CNV组(19例19眼)和旁中心凹CNV组(11例11眼),在治疗前及治疗后1wk;1和3mo对各患眼6个环状视网膜区域的N1,P1波潜伏期和平均反应密度进行检测.结果:中心凹下CNV组治疗后1和3mo时mfERG3～5环N1、P1波振幅密度值与治疗前均显著提高(P＜0.05).旁中心凹CNV组治疗后1wk和1mo3～5环N1波振幅密度值与治疗前对比均有明显提高(P＜0.05),3mo3～4环N1波振幅密度值显著提高(P＜0.05),治疗后1wk;1和3mo3～4环P1波振幅密度值与治疗前比均有明显提高(P＜0.05).结论:mfERG显示PDT治疗能有效改善继发于PM的CNV患眼黄斑中心凹外的视功能.     

Photodynamic therapy with verteporfin for subfoveal choroidal neovascularization associated with multifocal choroiditis

PURPOSE: Evaluation of visual acuity outcomes of photodynamic therapy with verteporfin for subfoveal choroidal neovascularization (CNV) secondary to multifocal choroiditis. DESIGN: Open-label, prospective, interventional case series. METHODS: Thirteen patients (13 eyes) diagnosed with subfoveal CNV associated with multifocal choroiditis at the Eye Clinics of Trieste and Udine were considered for the study. Inclusion criteria were the presence of subfoveal CNV no larger than 5,400 microm in greatest linear dimension and best-corrected visual acuity, Snellen equivalent, of approximately 20/400 or better. The primary outcome was the number of eyes that had fewer than 8 letters lost (less than approximately 1.5 lines) at the 12-month examination compared with the baseline examination. Secondary outcomes included fluorescein angiographic features such as progression and CNV size. RESULTS: Baseline and final best-corrected visual acuity were 0.52 logarithm of the minimal angle of resolution (20/62(-2) Snellen equivalent) and 0.55 logarithm of the minimal angle of resolution (20/62(-2) Snellen equivalent), respectively. By the 12-month visit, one patient (7.7%) had gained at least 1.5 lines, two patients (15.4%) had lost 1.5 or more lines, and no patient lost 3 or more lines of visual acuity, whereas 10 patients (84.6%) showed less than 1.5-line change. Mean CNV area was 0,69 mm(2) and 0.63 mm(2) at baseline and at the 12-month visit, respectively. By the month 12 examination, patients had received an average of 1.7 treatments. CONCLUSIONS: Photodynamic therapy may be considered a viable therapeutic option for subfoveal CNV associated with multifocal choroiditis at least for a 1-year period. Further studies with longer follow-up are needed to confirm these results.     

Observation or surgical excision of bilateral subfoveal choroidal neovascularization in Best disease

The purpose of this article is to describe a case of bilateral neovascularization complicating Best Disease. A 12-year-old patient with bilateral neovascularization was managed with observation in the right eye and surgical removal in the other eye. Visual acuity, biomicroscopy and fluorangiography were carried out from 1997 to 2005. The right eye did not experience any change in visual acuity from baseline (20/50) while left eye varied from 20/200 to 20/32. Macular exudative-hemorrhagic manifestations resolved bilaterally. Eight years later, VA and retinal findings were unchanged. In this case, although VA was reasonably good in both eyes, it is difficult to assess the prognosis of surgically excised neovascularization vs natural history, also considering that nowadays photodynamic therapy and antiangiogenetic drugs are considered the therapy of choice in subfoveal neovascularization.