Analysis of retinal and choroidal microvascular changes using optical coherence tomography and optical coherence tomography angiography in patients with acute leukemia.

PURPOSE: Although leukemic retinopathy accounts for 80% of ocular complications in acute leukemia, its pathogenesis remains unclear. To evaluate changes in retinal and choroicapillaris and structural parameters in patients with acute leukemia, we analyzed the correlation between vascular perfusion metrics and laboratory parameters and assessed the changes after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). METHODS: Herein, 104 eyes of 52 patients aged 18 and above with acute leukemia were enrolled. 80 eyes of 40 healthy patients were recruited as control participants. All participants underwent optical coherence tomography (OCT) and OCT angiography (OCTA) at baseline. RESULTS: Patients with acute leukemia had a significantly thicker ganglion cell-inner plexiform layer (GCIPL) and lower circularity index than the control participants. Post-HSCT perfusion metrics did not differ significantly, but parafoveal thickness decreased significantly. During the active phase of acute leukemia, lower platelet levels were associated with significant GCIPL thickening and increased foveal avascular zone and perimeter. D-dimer levels positively correlated with GCIPL thickness. CONCLUSION: Patients with acute leukemia had subclinical retinal microvascular deficits on OCTA and GCIPL thickening on OCT, possibly associated with bone marrow function. GCIPL thickness may indicate acute ischemia in such patients. Further studies must elucidate their clinical and prognostic significance.

Factors related to central nervous system involvement of primary vitreoretinal lymphoma.

PURPOSE: This single center retrospective study aimed to investigate the factors associated with central nervous system (CNS) involvement of primary vitreoretinal lymphoma (PVRL). METHODS: Clinical features of patients with PVRL (Group 1), those diagnosed with vitreoretinal lymphoma (VRL) after primary CNS lymphoma diagnosis (Group 2), and those concurrently diagnosed with CNS lymphoma and VRL (Group 3), were compared. The main outcomes included sex, age, types of treatment, survival, visual acuity, diagnostic methods, VRL recurrence, ocular manifestations, and interleukin levels in the aqueous humor. RESULTS: Groups 1, 2, and 3 included 66 eyes in 38 patients, 29 eyes in 18 patients, and 14 eyes in 8 patients, respectively. Group 3 had shorter overall survival (OS) than Groups 1 and 2 (P = 0.042 and P = 0.009, respectively). The three groups did not differ in progression-free survival (P = 0.060). The 5-year survival rates of Groups 1, 2, and 3 were 56.5%, 44.0%, and 25.0%, respectively (P = 0.001). Patients with CNS involvement in Group 1 exhibited VRL recurrence (P < 0.001), high interleukin-10 (P = 0.024), and sub-retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) infiltration (P = 0.009). Patients experiencing VRL recurrence in Group 1 tended to show CNS involvement (P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Patients concurrently diagnosed with CNS lymphoma and VRL had a shorter OS and a lower 5-year survival rate. In patients with PVRL, the recurrence of VRL, high interleukin-10, and sub-RPE infiltration were associated with CNS involvement.

Analysis of the progression rate of idiopathic macular holes and the optimal cut-off for baseline minimum linear diameter and base diameter.

PURPOSE: To determine the cut-off points of minimum linear diameter (MLD) and base diameter (BD) at which the progression rate of idiopathic full-thickness macular holes (MHs) decreases before vitrectomy. STUDY DESIGN: A retrospective study. METHODS: We investigated the differences in MLD and BD between baseline and operation days in patients with stages 2, 3, and 4 MHs using optical coherence tomography (OCT). Each difference in OCT parameters was divided by the time interval to calculate the MH progression rates and the cut-off points of MLD and BD. RESULTS: Overall, 269 patients (282 eyes) were included. It took an average of 36.02 ± 24.69 (7-197) days from baseline to operation. MLD and BD progressed faster in stages 2 and 3 without posterior vitreous detachment (PVD) than in stage 4 with PVD (MLD: p < 0.001 and p = 0.007; BD: p < 0.001 and p = 0.019, respectively). Simple linear regression showed the relationship between baseline MLD and BD, and the progression rate; the progression rate decreased as baseline MLD (p = 0.004) and BD increased ( p < 0.001). For baseline MLD and BD, the cut-off points where the progression rate decreased were 306.0 and 470.0 µm, respectively. CONCLUSION: The group without PVD progressed faster than the group with PVD. Moreover, the progression rates were faster in MHs with MLD < 306.0 µm and BD < 470.0 µm. In these patients, vitrectomy without delay is expected to improve the visual prognosis.

Alteration of perivascular reflectivity on optical coherence tomography of branched retinal vein obstruction.

This study aimed to evaluate perivascular reflectivity in patients with branched retinal vascular obstruction (BRVO) using en-face optical coherence tomography (OCT). The study retrospectively analyzed 45 patients with recurrent BRVO, 30 with indolent BRVO, and 45 age- and sex-matched controls. Using a 3.0 × 3.0-mm deep capillary plexus slab on macular scans, OCT angiography (OCTA) and structural en-face OCT scans were divided into four quadrants. Obstructive quadrants of OCTA scans were binarized using a threshold value of mean + 2 standard deviation. The selected area of high signal strength (HSS) was applied to the structural en-face OCT scans, and the corrected mean perivascular reflectivity was calculated as the mean reflectivity on the HSS area/overall en-face OCT mean reflectivity. The same procedure was performed in the quadrants of the matched controls. Regression analysis was conducted on several factors possibly associated with corrected perivascular reflectivity. The perivascular reflectivity in the obstructive BRVO quadrant was significantly higher than in the indolent BRVO and control quadrants (P = 0.009, P = 0.003). Both univariate and multivariate regression analyses showed a significant correlation between the average number of intravitreal injections (anti-vascular endothelial growth factor or dexamethasone implant) per year and refractive errors and image binarization threshold and perivascular reflectivity (P = 0.011, 0.013, < 0.001/univariate; 0.007, 0.041, 0.005/multivariate, respectively). En-face OCT scans of the deep capillary plexus slab revealed higher perivascular reflectivity in recurrent BRVO eyes than in indolent BRVO and control eyes. The results also indicate a remarkable correlation between perivascular reflectivity and the average number of intravitreal injections, suggesting a link to recurrence rates.

Efficacy of recombinant Bacillus Calmette-Guérin containing dltA in in vivo three-dimensional bio-printed bladder cancer-on-a-chip and ex vivo orthotopic mouse model.

PURPOSE: We investigated the efficacy and optimal dosage of recombinant Bacillus Calmette-Guérin-dltA (rBCG-dltA) in a high-throughput 3D bio-printed bladder cancer-on-a-chip (BCOC) and orthotopic bladder cancer mouse model. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We fabricated high-throughput BCOC with microfluidic systems, enabling efficient drug screening. The efficacy of rBCG-dltA was evaluated using BCOC by the cell viability assay, monocyte migration assay, and measuring cytokine levels. The anti-tumor effect was compared using the orthotopic bladder cancer mouse model. RESULTS: The cell proliferation rates of T24 and 253J bladder cancer cell lines (mean±standard error) were measured at three days after treatment. In T24 cell line, there was significantly decreased T24 cells compared to control at rBCG 1 multiplicity of infection (MOI) and 10 MOI (30 MOI: 63.1±6.4, 10 MOI: 47.4±5.2, 1 MOI: 50.5±7.5, control: 100.0±14.5, p<0.05). In 253J cell line, a statistically significant decrease in 253J cell count compared to control and mock BCG 30 MOI (30 MOI: 11.2±1.3, 10 MOI: 22.5±2.3, 1 MOI: 39.4±4.7, Mock: 54.9±10.8, control: 100.0±5.6, p<0.05). The migration rates of THP-1 cells showed increased patterns after rBCG-dltA treatment in BCOC. The concentration of tumor necrosis factor-α and interleukin-6 after rBCG-dltA 30 MOI treatment was higher than control in T24 and 253J cell line. CONCLUSIONS: In conclusion, rBCG-dltA has the potential to have better anti-tumor activity and immunomodulatory effects than BCG. Furthermore, high-throughput BCOCs have potential to reflect the bladder cancer microenvironment.

Morphologic analysis of the foveal avascular zone for prediction of postoperative visual acuity in advanced idiopathic epiretinal membrane.

To investigate the preoperative morphology of the foveal avascular zone (FAZ) for prediction of the postoperative visual acuity in advanced idiopathic epiretinal membrane (ERM). 28 patients (28 eyes) with unilateral idiopathic ERM who underwent pars plana vitrectomy with internal limiting membrane peeling were included. Superficial FAZ was measured preoperatively in both eyes using optical coherence tomography angiography. Area, perimeter, and circularity of FAZ were achieved, and the differences between the ERM eyes and the contralateral eyes were evaluated to analyze the degree of FAZ distortion in diseased eyes. The best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and central foveal thickness (CFT) were measured at baseline and more than 6 months after surgery. The correlations of the preoperative FAZ with BCVA and CFT were assessed. The FAZ in the eyes with ERM was significantly reduced, and the BCVA was significantly correlated with the FAZ area (FAZa) (P = 0.001) and the FAZ perimeter (FAZp) (P < 0.001) before surgery. LogMAR BCVA and CFT were significantly improved from 0.550 ± 0.221 to 0.354 ± 0.229 (P = 0.008), and from 524.393 ± 93.575 µm to 400.071 ± 75.979 µm (P < 0.001) after surgery. The preoperative FAZa and FAZp were significantly associated with letter score gain (P < 0.001, P < 0.001) and the postoperative final BCVA (P = 0.026, P = 0.006). The preoperative FAZp had correlation with ratio of postoperative to preoperative CFT (P = 0.016). The preoperative FAZp is a predictor of visual acuity and morphological prognosis after surgery in advanced idiopathic ERM.

En-face optical coherence tomography hyperreflective foci of choriocapillaris in central serous chorioretinopathy.

The purpose of this study is to evaluate choroidal hyperreflective foci (HRF) changes in central serous chorioretinopathy (CSC) on en-face optical coherence tomography (OCT). Retrospective analysis of 42 patients with unilateral CSC (84 eyes, including fellow eyes for controls) and 42 age- and sex-matched controls. With 4.5 × 4.5 mm macular scans, structural en-face OCT choriocapillaris (CC) slabs were used to calculate the density and number of HRF in acute CSC eyes with serous retinal detachment (SRD), resolved CSC eyes without SRD, unaffected fellow eyes, control eyes, and 1-year follow-up eyes. Based on the 2-disc diameter (3000 µm), the en-face OCT scan was divided into foveal and perifoveal lesion and analyzed to consider the impact of SRF in HRF measurement. Regression analyses were performed on the several factors with HRF number and density in the acute and resolved CSC eyes. The perifoveal density and number of CC HRF was significantly lower in the resolved CSC eyes when compared to the acute CSC eyes (P = 0.002, both), fellow eyes (P = 0.042/density, 0.028/number), and controls (P = 0.021/density, P = 0.003/number). There was no significant difference between the acute CSC eyes, fellow eyes, controls, and 1-year follow-up eyes. As subfoveal choroidal thickness decreased and choroidal vascularity (CVI) increased, the perifoveal density and number of HRF was measured higher with a significant correlation in univariate regression analysis of the acute and resolved CSC eyes (all, P < 0.05). The authors hypothesized that stromal edema induced by choroidal congestion and hyperpermeability has the greatest influence on HRF measurement, possibly affected by inflammatory cells and materials extravasation.

Clinical features predictive of vision loss in patients with vitreoretinal lymphoma: a single tertiary center experience.

To clarify the long-term visual prognosis and prognostic factors for vision loss in patients with vitreoretinal lymphoma (VRL). This retrospective longitudinal study included 64 consecutive patients with VRL. We analyzed the best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), optical coherence tomography findings, and clinical features at every visit. Significant vision loss was defined as a final BCVA ≥ 0.5 logMAR. Predictors of significant vision loss following treatment were evaluated using univariate and multivariate linear regression analyses. We included 113 eyes of 64 patients (mean age, 64.2 ± 10.9 years), and 49 patients (76.6%) showed bilateral ocular involvement. The mean follow-up duration was 35.4 ± 25.8 months. At diagnosis, 36 (56.3%), 17 (26.6%), and 11 (17.2%) patients had primary, secondary, and concurrent VRL, respectively. All eyes received intraocular methotrexate injections (mean, 17.1 ± 5.5 injections). The mean BCVA improved from 0.44 ± 0.28 at diagnosis to 0.33 ± 0.29 1 month after treatment initiation. Vision improved significantly after treatment (final mean BCVA, 0.24 ± 0.21). Univariate and multivariate analyses showed that baseline BCVA and retinal/subretinal infiltration were significantly correlated with vision loss. In this study, a good visual outcome was maintained for > 35 months in patients with VRL. Baseline BCVA and retinal/subretinal infiltration were significant predictors of vision loss after treatment for VRL.

Long-term visual prognosis and characteristics of recurrent retinal detachment after silicone oil removal.

PURPOSE: Silicone oil (SO) is commonly used for tamponade purposes in retinal detachment (RD) surgery, but the long-term visual prognosis after removal of the oil, and in particular, what is known about the recurrence of RD after SO removal, remains unclear. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the long-term vision prognosis after SO removal, and to understand the frequency and characteristics of RD recurrence. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the medical charts of 1017 eyes of patients with a diagnosis of RD who had a pars plana vitrectomy with SO tamponade between January 2009 and December 2018. Best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) was obatained before and after vitrectomy and also at the last visit. After SO removal, the group who showed improvement in visual acuity and the group who did not were compared. The anatomical results were compared between the group in which the retina was detached again after SO removal and the group in which the retina was not detached. To determine whether the duration of SO tamponade affects RD recurrence, further analysis was performed by dividing subgroups according to SO tamponade duration. RD recurrence, visual acuity, SO tamponade period were investigated. RESULTS: Mean follow-up period was 56.65 ± 72.02 months. An average SO tamponade period was 6.68 ± 11.39 months. The average logMAR BCVA was 1.75 ± 0.91 before SO injection, 1.60 ± 0.75 before SO removal and 1.29 ± 0.96 after the removal. After SO removal, 926 of the 1017 (91.1%) patients had well attached retina without recurrence. There was no significant difference in visual acuity before SO removal in re-detachment group compared to no re-detachment group, but visual acuity of re-detachment group was worse than no re-detachment group after SO removal (p<0.001). The SO tamponade period in the group with improved vision after SO removal was 5.09 ± 9.87 months, and the period was significantly shorter than the 9.09 ± 13.05 months in the group not showing vision recovery (p = 0.005). The occurrence of corneal opacity was significantly higher in the group with SO over 6 months, than those of the two groups with SO tamponade duration of less than 3 months and between 3 and 6 months (p = 0.038). The longest tamponade group showed the worst final vision after SO removal (p<0.001). CONCLUSION: The prognosis for final vision is generally good when performing surgery using SO in RD, but considering the complications that arise after surgery, long-term retention of SO is not recommended and the timing of SO removal should be considered.

Serial choriocapillaris flow changes in eyes with branched retinal vascular obstruction (BRVO).

PURPOSE: To evaluate the choriocapillaris (CC) flow changes in branched retinal vascular obstruction (BRVO) on optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA). METHODS: Retrospective analysis of 29 patients with unilateral BRVO (58 eyes, including unaffected fellow eyes for controls). 4.5 x 4.5 mm macular scans were divided into 4 quadrants. Serial analyses were conducted on CC flow voids of the opposite quadrant to the active occluded area in BRVO eyes. Each of the quadrants were also compared to the occluded quadrant of resolved eyes and the contralateral quadrant of fellow eyes by matched data analysis. A regression analysis was performed on the several parameters (Choroidal thickness; CT, Choroidal vascularity index; CVI, Central macular thickness; CMT, The number of intravitreal injections) and CC flow voids. RESULTS: The CC flow void increased sequentially: The uninvolved quadrant of acute BRVO-affected eyes, that of resolved eyes after 3-month/1-year, the contralateral quadrant of fellow eye, the involved (occluded) quadrant of resolved eyes. There were significant correlations between initial CMT, the number of injections and the CC flow void of uninvolved quadrants (P = 0.025, 0.031, respectively), and between the involved (occluded) quadrants and fellow CT (P = 0.029). CONCLUSION: CC flow void of uninvolved macular areas decreased significantly in eyes with acute BRVO, suggesting that CC changes were limited to the blocked area and a compensatory mechanism would work in surrounding areas.

Choroidal vascularity index change in macular telangiectasia type 2.

PURPOSE: To analyze choroidal structure using subfoveal choroidal thickness (SFCT) and choroidal vascularity index (CVI) in Macular Telangiectasia (MacTel) type 2. METHODS: Medical records of 43 eyes with MacTel type 2 and 30 sex and age-matched healthy eyes were retrospectively reviewed. Their SFCT and CVI were measured using the SS-OCT scan passing through the central fovea and image binarization. The difference in baseline SFCT and CVI from each group and their yearly changes up to second year of follow up were analyzed. The baseline characteristics of the groups were also compared. RESULTS: The baseline characteristics, including CVI and SFCT, of the MacTel group and the control group were not significantly different, except for BCVA. The mean CVI of MacTel group were 64.59 ± 2.92%, 63.76 ± 2.67%, and 62.97 ± 2.74% (p < 0.001) whereas that of control group were 63.33 ± 2.45%, 63.04 ± 2.46%, and 63.43 ± 2.25% (p = 0.636) at baseline, 1 and 2 years, respectively. The mean SFCT of MacTel group were 324.65 ± 89.65µm, 326.14 ± 93.11µm, and 322.65 ± 91.77µm (p = 0.436), whereas that of control group were 304.30 ± 51.86 µm, 300.86 ± 52.64µm, and 298.55 ± 53.71µm (p = 0.275) at baseline, 1 and 2 years, respectively. CONCLUSION: CVI decreases at a faster rate in MacTel type 2 in comparison with healthy subjects. This may suggest possible choroidal involvement in the progression of MacTel type 2.

Immunotherapeutic effects of recombinant Bacillus Calmette-Guérin containing sic gene in ex vivo and in vivo bladder cancer models.

PURPOSE: The recombinant Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) containing the streptococcal inhibitor of the complement gene (rBCG-sic) may be more resistant to antimicrobial peptides and improve internalization; therefore, it can enhance the immunotherapeutic effect of the BCG. Here we determined the optimal dose of rBCG-sic and compared its effectiveness with that of BCG. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We fabricated a high-throughput 3D-bioprinted bladder cancer-on-a-chip (BCOC) and used it to evaluate the effectiveness of the rBCG-sic in terms of cell viability, cell migration, and cytokine concentrations. Using an orthotopic mouse model, we evaluated its anticancer effect and toxicity via bioluminescence imaging. RESULTS: T24 cell viability was decreased after treatment with rBCG-sic 30 multiplicities of infection (MOI) versus the same dosage of mock BCG (42.8%±6.4% vs. 75.7%±6.6%, p<0.05). THP-1 cell migration was positively correlated with rBCG-sic concentration (2.42-fold at 30MOI, p<0.01). The interleukin-6 concentration of rBCG-sic 30MOI was significantly higher than that of mock BCG 30MOI (11.2±1.3 pg/mL vs. 6.7±0.6 pg/mL, p<0.05). In the orthotopic bladder cancer mouse model, lower tumor volume was observed in the rBCG-sic 30MOI group than in the BCG 30MOI group after 10 days of treatment (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: We concluded that rBCG-sic is a useful tool for overcoming BCG unresponsiveness in non-muscle invasive bladder cancer. Additionally, high-throughput BCOC with a microfluidic system can successfully reflect the bladder cancer microenvironment.

Progression rate analysis of idiopathic macular hole using optical coherence tomography before vitrectomy: short-term results.

PURPOSE: While the postoperative closure rate of idiopathic macular holes (IMH) is quite high, its success rate and visual prognosis differ depending on macular hole (MH) characteristics. This study investigated the IMH progression rate before vitrectomy. METHODS: This retrospective study compared optical coherence tomography (OCT) taken at baseline and on operation day for patients with stage 2, 3 and 4 IMH to determine the changes in minimum linear diameter (MLD), base diameter (BD), height and MH index (MHI). The IMH progression rate was calculated by dividing each difference in OCT parameters by the time interval. RESULTS: A total of 224 eyes of 216 patients were included. The average time interval from baseline to operation was 35.59 ± 23.43 (7-137) days. Final visual acuity was related to preoperative MLD, BD, best-corrected visual acuity and time interval between baseline and operation (p = 0.005, p = 0.003, p <0.001 and p = 0.005 respectively). Between baseline and operation, the average MLD and BD increased significantly (all p <0.001). The average progression rates of MLD and BD assessed by simple regression analysis were 0.698 µm/day (R2 = 0.066, p <0.001) and 1.368 µm/day (R2 = 0.097, p <0.001) respectively. When patients were classified according to the MH stage, the progression rates of MLD and BD in those with stage 2 MH were significantly faster than those with stage 3 or 4 MH. CONCLUSION: The relatively smaller MHs in stage 2 progress faster than those in stages 3 and 4. Therefore, it would ultimately be beneficial to perform vitrectomy without delay in patients with stage 2 MH.

Quantitative analysis of choroidal blood flow parameters in optical coherence tomography and angiography in central serous chorioretinopathy.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the choriocapillaris (CC) flow in central serous chorioretinopathy (CSC) and determine the relationship between CC flow void with the choroidal thickness (CT) and choroidal vascularity index (CVI). METHODS: Retrospective analysis of 20 patients with CSC (40 eyes, including unaffected fellow eyes) and 20 age- and sex-matched controls. After compensation with optical coherence tomography (OCT) en-face structural image, the CC flow void (%) was measured using the phansalkar threshold with a window radius of 3 and 15 pixels. The mean CC flow voids of acute CSC, recovered-acute CSC, unaffected fellow, and control eyes were compared by matched data analysis. A regression analysis was performed on the choroidal parameters (CT and CVI) and CC flow voids. RESULTS: The CC flow void had an increasing tendency in the following order: control, fellow, recovered-acute CSC, and acute CSC eyes. Acute/recovered comparison showed a significant P value (0.008) in the foveal lesion. Recovered/fellow and fellow/control presented significant P values regardless of location to fovea (all <0.05). There were significant positive correlations between CT and CC flow void (P < 0.05) in the acute CSC, recovered-acute CSC eyes. CONCLUSION: The CC flow on OCT angiography decreased in acute CSC eyes, especially in the foveal lesion, with a published compensation method. The findings suggest that unmodulated choroidal blood flow contributed to partially reversible diminished CC flow.

Superoxide dismutase 3 prevents early stage diabetic retinopathy in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rat model.

PURPOSE: To identify the effects of superoxide dismutase (SOD)3 on diabetes mellitus (DM)-induced retinal changes in a diabetic rat model. METHODS: Diabetic models were established by a single intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin (STZ) in Sprague-Dawley rats. After purification of the recombinant SOD3, intravitreal injection of SOD3 was performed at the time of STZ injection, and 1 and 2 weeks following STZ injection. Scotopic and photopic electroretinography (ERG) were recorded. Immunofluorescence staining with ɑ-smooth muscle actin (SMA), glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), pigment epithelium-derived factor (PEDF), Flt1, recoverin, parvalbumin, extracellular superoxide dismutase (SOD3), 8-Hydroxy-2'deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) and tumor necrosis factor-ɑ (TNF-ɑ) were evaluated. RESULTS: In the scotopic ERG, the diabetic group showed reduced a- and b-wave amplitudes compared with the control group. In the photopic ERG, b-wave amplitude showed significant (p < 0.0005) reduction at 8 weeks following DM induction. However, the trend of a- and b-wave reduction was not evident in the SOD3 treated group. GFAP, Flt1, 8-OHdG and TNF-ɑ immunoreactivity were increased, and ɑ-SMA, PEDF and SOD3 immunoreactivity were decreased in the diabetic retina. The immunoreactivity of these markers was partially recovered in the SOD3 treated group. Parvalbumin expression was not decreased in the SOD3 treated group. In the diabetic retinas, the immunoreactivity of recoverin was weakly detected in both of the inner nuclear layer and inner plexiform layer compared to the control group but not in the SOD3 treated group. CONCLUSIONS: SOD3 treatment attenuated the loss of a/b-wave amplitudes in the diabetic rats, which was consistent with the immunohistochemical evaluation. We also suggest that in rod-dominant rodents, the use of blue on green photopic negative response (PhNR) is effective in measuring the inner retinal function in animal models of diabetic retinopathy. SOD3 treatment ameliorated the retinal Müller cell activation in diabetic rats and pericyte dysfunction. These results suggested that SOD3 exerted protective effects on the development of diabetic retinopathy.

Long-Term Analysis of Clinical Features and Treatment Outcomes of Inflammatory Choroidal Neovascularization.

PURPOSE: To investigate the long-term clinical features and treatment outcomes of patients with inflammatory choroidal neovascularization (CNV) treated with intravitreal anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF). DESIGN: Retrospective, interventional, consecutive case series. METHODS: Sixty-five eyes of 65 patients with inflammatory CNV treated with anti-VEGF injections and followed up at least 12 months were included. Retrospective chart review was conducted at a single tertiary referral center. RESULTS: Study participants were followed up for 60.6 ± 42.8 (range, 16-160) months. Mean age was 33.4 ± 10.8 years, and mean refractive error was -3.94 ± 1.35 D in spherical equivalent. Final best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) was 0.21 ± 0.20 logMAR after treatment. Patients were treated with bevacizumab (76.9%), ranibizumab (4.6%), aflibercept (3.1%), and drug combinations (15.4%). Systemic corticosteroid or immunosuppressant use was not correlated with visual outcome, required number of anti-VEGF injections, and recurrence. Commonly occurring optical coherence tomography (OCT) features included ellipsoid zone disruption, choroidal hypertransmission, retinal pigment epithelium atrophy or absence (RPEA), intraretinal hyperreflective foci (HRF), choroidal vessel engorgement, focal choroidal excavation, and irregular vascular loops (on OCT angiography). RPEA after treatment (ß = 0.238, P = .036) and BCVA (ß = 0.267, P = .029) showed significant correlation with final BCVA. A total of 28 patients (43.1%) experienced recurrence; intraretinal HRF after treatment was the single risk factor for recurrence (odds ratio = 2.712, P = .031). CONCLUSIONS: Inflammatory CNV recurrence showed higher rates over time after anti-VEGF treatment than previously reported, even though the overall visual outcome was good. Baseline BCVA and RPEA after treatment are significant predictors for visual outcome. Intraretinal HRF after anti-VEGF treatment suggests the potential risk of recurrence.

Changes in choroidal vascular structure from vitreoretinal lymphoma and the intraocular cytokine level associated with clinical resolution after intravitreal methotrexate treatment.

PURPOSE: To evaluate changes in choroidal vascular structure and aqueous cytokine levels in eyes with vitreoretinal lymphoma (VRL) after intravitreal methotrexate (MTX) treatment. METHODS: In this retrospective study, VRL patients who visited our hospital between October 2018 and July 2020 were reviewed. Aqueous samples were obtained before treatment and at clinical resolution after intravitreal MTX therapy. Interleukin (IL)-6 and IL-10 levels and the IL-10-to-IL-6 ratio were evaluated. Swept-source optical coherence tomographic images were obtained along with the aqueous samples. Subfoveal choroidal thickness (SFCT), total vascular area of the choroid (TCA), stromal area (SA), luminal area (LA), and choroidal vascularity index (CVI) were assessed. RESULTS: Twelve patients were enrolled (female:male-5:7). The mean age (± standard deviation) at diagnosis was 60.9±8.5 years. In the 16 eyes diagnosed with VRL, values of SFCT, TCA, LA, and SA significantly decreased after treatment (all p-values <0.05). Additionally, the aqueous cytokine IL-10 level and IL-10-to-IL-6 ratio were significantly decreased (p = 0.001 and p = 0.003, respectively). The choroidal structure in the non-treated fellow eyes did not show any significant difference. There were no further changes in SFCT, TCA, LA, or CVI that occurred during maintenance therapy. For clinical remission, the patients received 7.7±5.5 intravitreal MTX injections. The required number of injections for clinical remission was positively correlated with best-corrected visual acuity, IL-10, and IL-6 levels in the active phase (p = 0.035, p = 0.009, and p = 0.031, respectively). CONCLUSION: Eyes with active VRL exhibited choroidal thickening with increased vascular and stromal areas that decreased after remission following MTX treatment. Higher aqueous IL-10 and IL-6 levels and lower visual acuity in the active phase may indicate the number of injections required for remission; this should be considered in the treatment of patients with VRL.

Recurrence and visual prognostic factors of polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy: 5-year results.

This retrospective study aimed to evaluate the factors affecting recurrence and visual prognosis in patients with treatment-naïve subfoveal polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy (PCV). Patients who had received three consecutive intravitreal injections of ranibizumab or aflibercept and had reached remission were enrolled. They were divided into a group without recurrence (group 1, 26 eyes) and a group with recurrence (group 2, 121 eyes) and followed up for at least 5 years. Patients in group 2 received additional treatment for worsening. Logistic regression analysis revealed that a young age of onset (P = 0.001), high choroidal vascularity index (CVI; P = 0.019), and presence of choroidal vascular hyperpermeability (CVH; P = 0.037) were associated with a low risk of recurrence. Multiple regression analysis revealed that recurrence (P = 0.001), greatest linear dimension (P = 0.003), and polyp configuration (single or cluster; P = 0.043) were associated with final visual acuity. Patients without recurrence had a lower age of onset and higher CVI than those with recurrence, and they tended to have CVH. In addition, patients with recurrence, large lesion, and cluster polyps had worse final visual acuity than those without these factors. CVI and CVH may be used to predict recurrence of PCV.

Characteristics of retinal detachment associated with atopic dermatitis.

BACKGROUND: To examine the characteristics of rhegmatous retinal detachment (RRD) associated with atopic dermatitis. METHOD: Medical records of 2257 patients who underwent RD surgery at this clinic between 2008 and 2018 were retrospectively reviewed. Among them, 61 patients who were diagnosed as AD were assigned into the experimental group and 100 patients who did not have AD were randomly selected and assigned into the control group. Demographics, characteristics of detachment, initial operative method, and prognosis after surgery were investigated as main outcomes. Additionally, in pseudophakic RD patients, the period between the cataract surgery and onset of RD was measured. RESULT: Postoperative VA and prognosis were significantly worse and bilateral involvement of RD was more common in the atopy group than in the control group. (P value = 0.005, 0.001 each) Characteristics of retinal breaks were different between the two groups. Additionally, the risk of developing RD within 1 year after cataract surgery was significantly higher in pseudophakic patients of the atopic group than in the control group. (P value = 0.013) However, there was no significant difference in mean preoperative VA or refractive index between the two groups. CONCLUSION: Our results show that in atopic patients, RD occurs at a young age with different characteristics compared to non-atopic patients. Atopic RD has a poor visual prognosis. Thus, it requires careful management. Furthermore, the risk of developing RD within 1 year after cataract surgery is higher in atopic patients. Therefore, it is important to perform regular and extensive check-up after cataract surgery for atopic patients.