A Simple New Technique to Peel Epiretinal Membrane Without Removing Silicone Oil.

PURPOSE: To introduce a new surgical technique that can keep constant intraocular pressure of the eyeball during peeling epiretinal membrane under silicone oil status. METHODS: A viscoelastic agent was injected into the air pump of the constellation system via the metal tip. This procedure offers a buffer zone to keep constant pressure within the eyeball without disturbing the surgical field by an air bubble. RESULTS: Three cases were performed efficiently (15 ± 5 minutes) under this technique with improvement in anatomical feature and visual function after the surgery. CONCLUSION: Using this simple yet important technique can provide us the constant intraocular pressure without hypotony and avoid the traditional complicated procedures.

The REVEAL Study: Ranibizumab Monotherapy or Combined with Laser versus Laser Monotherapy in Asian Patients with Diabetic Macular Edema.

OBJECTIVE: The primary study hypothesis was that ranibizumab 0.5 mg monotherapy or combined with laser is superior to laser monotherapy based on mean average change in best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) over 12 months in Asian patients with visual impairment resulting from diabetic macular edema (DME). DESIGN: A 12-month, randomized, double-masked, multicenter, laser-controlled, phase III study. PARTICIPANTS: Three hundred ninety-six patients aged ≥18 years, with type 1 or 2 diabetes mellitus, BCVA of 78-39 Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study (ETDRS) letters, and visual impairment resulting from DME. METHODS: Patients were randomized to ranibizumab + sham laser (n = 133), ranibizumab + active laser (n = 132), or sham injection + active laser (n = 131). Ranibizumab/sham injections were administered on day 1 and continued monthly. As of month 3, monthly injections were continued if stable vision was not reached. Treatment was reinitiated if BCVA decreased because of DME progression. Active/sham laser was administered on day 1 and thereafter according to ETDRS guidelines. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Average change in BCVA from baseline to months 1 through 12, central retinal subfield thickness (CRST), and safety over 12 months. RESULTS: Ranibizumab monotherapy or combined with laser was superior to laser in improving mean average change in BCVA from baseline to months 1 through 12 (+5.9 and +5.7 vs +1.4 letters). At month 12, greater proportion of patients gained ≥15 letters with ranibizumab and ranibizumab + laser compared with laser (18.8% and 17.8% vs 7.8%). Mean CRST reduced significantly from baseline to month 12 with ranibizumab (-134.6 µm) and ranibizumab + laser (-171.8 µm) versus laser (-57.2 µm). Patients received a mean of 7.8 and 7.0 ranibizumab injections in the ranibizumab and ranibizumab + laser arms, respectively, and 1.5-1.9 active laser across treatment arms over 12 months. Conjunctival hemorrhage was the most common ocular, whereas nasopharyngitis and hypertension were the most common nonocular adverse events. Ranibizumab was not associated with any cases of cerebrovascular hemorrhage and cerebrovascular ischemia. No death related to study treatment was reported. CONCLUSIONS: Ranibizumab monotherapy or combined with laser showed superior BCVA improvements over laser treatment alone in Asian patients with visual impairment resulting from DME. No new ocular or nonocular safety findings were observed and treatment was well tolerated over 12 months.

The protective effect of antioxidants on orbital fibroblasts from patients with Graves' ophthalmopathy in response to oxidative stress.

PURPOSE: To investigate the biphasic effects of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) on the orbital fibroblasts of patients with Graves' ophthalmopathy (GO) and the relation to antioxidants and proinflammatory cytokines. METHODS: Proliferation of cultured orbital fibroblasts from patients with GO and normal controls was evaluated in response to various concentrations of H2O2. The effect of low concentrations of H2O2 (6.25 µM) on the cellular proliferation and induction of intracellular proinflammatory cytokines, and reactive oxygen species of orbital fibroblasts were assessed. Protective effects of N-acetylcysteine and vitamin C on GO fibroblasts in response to 6.25 µM H2O2 stimulation were also investigated. RESULTS: When the GO fibroblasts were exposed to H2O2 at a concentration of 50 µM or above, significant cytotoxicity was observed. In contrast, lower concentrations of H2O2 (3.125-25 µM) increased the survival of GO fibroblasts with the peak cellular proliferation at 6.25 µM H2O2. However, this biphasic effect of H2O2 on the viability of orbital fibroblasts was not found in normal controls. In addition, 6.25 µM H2O2 led to significant elevation of the levels of transforming growth factor, beta 1, interleukin-1ß, and superoxide anion in GO fibroblasts, but no significant change in the normal controls. Pretreatment with N-acetylcysteine or vitamin C reversed the enhanced proliferation capacity and the induction of transforming growth factor, beta 1, interleukin-1ß and superoxide anion of GO fibroblasts in response to 6.25 µM H2O2. CONCLUSIONS: These findings revealed the biphasic effect of H2O2 on cellular proliferation of GO orbital fibroblasts. Importantly, a low level of H2O2 can stimulate proliferation of GO orbital fibroblasts and induce the production of proinflammatory cytokines, which can be inhibited by pretreatment with antioxidants. This provides a theoretical basis for the rational use of antioxidant in treating GO at an early stage.

EXTEND III: efficacy and safety of ranibizumab in South Korean and Taiwanese patients with subfoveal CNV secondary to AMD.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to investigate the efficacy and safety of intravitreal ranibizumab 0.5 mg in South Korean and Taiwanese patients with subfoveal choroidal neovascularization (CNV) secondary to age-related macular degeneration (AMD). METHODS: This was a 12-month, open-label, single-arm, multi-center, phase III study. Ninety-five patients (Taiwanese: 51; South Korean: 44) were included in the study. Key outcome measures assessed included: mean change in best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) from baseline to months 4 (primary endpoint) and 12 (secondary endpoint); other secondary endpoints comprising categorized mean change in BCVA from baseline at month 4 and month 12, mean change in BCVA from baseline at month 4 and month 12 per baseline characteristics; and incidence of ocular and non-ocular adverse events and serious adverse events (SAEs) at month 12. RESULTS: The mean BCVA change improved significantly (p < 0.0001) from baseline to both month 4 (+9.3 letters) and month 12 (+10.1 letters). At month 12, the proportion of patients who gained ≥5, 10, or 15 letters from baseline was 75.8%, 54.7%, and 32.6% respectively. Total and CNV lesion area significantly decreased from baseline (p < 0.0001). About 57% of patients showed complete absence of fluorescein leakage at month 12. Mean change from baseline visual acuity scores also increased significantly over time for all subgroups. At month 12, ocular SAEs occurred in 2.1% of patients (out of which one patient [1.1%] experienced endophthalmitis) and 16.8% of patients experienced non-ocular SAEs. There were no deaths reported during the study. CONCLUSIONS: Consistent with previous studies in Caucasian and Japanese populations, EXTEND III confirms that monthly intravitreal injections of ranibizumab 0.5 mg administered over 12 months is effective and well-tolerated in South Korean and Taiwanese patients with subfoveal CNV secondary to AMD.

Retinal astrocytoma with exudative retinal detachment treated with photodynamic therapy in a young girl with tuberous sclerosis.

Around 50% of patients with tuberous sclerosis have the manifestation of retinal astrocytomas. Symptomatic retinal astrocytomas are very rare, with no consensus on optimal treatment. A 7-year-old patient with tuberous sclerosis presented with progressive blurred vision in the right eye for more than half a year. On examination, best-corrected visual acuity was 20/30 in the right eye and 20/20 in the left eye. Dilated fundus examination of the right eye showed a well-circumscribed, elevated, opaque lesion, with surrounding lipid exudate, and retinal detachment involving the fovea. Spectral-domain optical coherence tomography of the right eye revealed an intraretinal lesion with adjacent subretinal fluid. A diagnosis of retinal astrocytoma with exudative retinal detachment was made. The patient was treated with verteporfin photodynamic therapy (PDT) on the lesion in the right eye. After 1 month, complete resolution of subretinal fluid was observed. At 21-month follow-up, the right eye vision was stable at 20/20, without ocular or systemic adverse events. In conclusion, PDT had a good safety profile in a cooperative pediatric patient, and was able to induce regression of astrocytoma as well as resolution of exudation with excellent visual outcome.

Treatment and outcome of traumatic endophthalmitis in open globe injury with retained intraocular foreign body.

PURPOSE: Our aim was to evaluate the incidence, risk factors, pathogens, use of systemic and intravitreal antibiotics, and outcome of traumatic endophthalmitis after open globe injury with retained intraocular foreign body (RIOFB). METHODS: Patients with open globe injury and RIOFB complicated by endophthalmitis were enrolled and retrospectively studied in Taiwan over a 20-year-period from 1981 to 2002. RESULTS: There were 125 patients, who sustained open globe injury and RIOFB, which required surgical management. In 15 patients (12%) traumatic endophthalmitis was identified. Thirteen (87%) of these 15 cases had signs of endophthalmitis at their initial presentation. The patients' mean age was 41 years; all of them were male. Invading micro-organisms were isolated in 8 patients, and the positive culture rate was 53%. Gram-negative bacteria were the most commonly isolated organisms in 6 patients and 1 eye with multiple organisms. One eye with culture-proven Bacillus cereus had a very fulminant course and ended with phthisis bulbi. All 15 patients received topical and systemic intravenous antibiotic treatment; 9 eyes (60%) were given intravitreal antibiotic injection with broad-spectrum combined vancomycin and ceftazidime in 5 eyes. Pars plana vitrectomy was performed in 9 patients, with successful removal of RIOFB. The final visual acuity improved in 8 patients (53.5%), was unchanged in 1 (6.7%) and worse in 6 (40.0%). Five patients (33%) got a visual outcome of 6/60 or better. There were also 5 patients (33%) with a poor outcome of no light perception. Eleven (73%) of 15 patients had treatment delayed for >24 h after injury, and 5 out of these 11 patients had a very poor visual outcome (1 hand motion, 4 no light perception). Delay of presentation for >24 h after injury was associated with a tendency to increased risk of endophthalmitis [11/71 (15.5%) vs. 4/54 (7.4%)]. CONCLUSIONS: Early intravitreal antibiotics and prompt vitrectomy to remove the contaminating IOFB may salvage useful vision in some patients with traumatic endophthalmitis with RIOFB. Delay of treatment for >24 h was associated with increased risk of traumatic endophthalmitis.

Intravitreal injection of bevacizumab for the treatment of choroidal neovascularization in a patient with angioid streaks.

We report the favorable outcome of intravitreal injection of bevacizumab (Avastin) to treat choroidal neovascularisation (CNV) secondary to angioid streaks in an 82-year-old Chinese man. Within 2 weeks of bevacizumab injection, visual acuity improved from 20/40 to 20/25 and optical coherence tomography revealed complete resolution of CNV and retinal edema. The juxtafoveal hemorrhage nearly disappeared, and the size of CNV markedly regressed from 1,200 microm to unremarkable on fluorescein angiography. These improvements were maintained after 2 additional doses of intravitreal bevacizumab administered at 4-week intervals. No ocular or systemic side effects were observed. Neither recurrent CNV lesion nor new hemorrhage was noted during 18 months of follow-up. The short-term results suggest that intravitreal injection of bevacizumab for the treatment of CNV in patients with angioid streak is well tolerated and highly effective. It may be a promising pharmacologic treatment option since limited therapies are available for this disease with a rather aggressive course.

Diode laser transscleral cyclophotocoagulation in the treatment of refractory glaucoma with iris melanocytoma.

Iris melanocytoma is a rare melanocytic nevus with distinctive clinical and pathologic features. Secondary glaucoma may develop rapidly and respond poorly to glaucoma medication in some cases. However, few data are available in the literature with respect to the appropriate treatment for refractory glaucoma associated with iris melanocytoma. Herein, we present a 28-year-old man with blurred vision and an elevated intraocular pressure (IOP) of 40 mmHg in his right eye while on multiple glaucoma medications. A dark brown lobulated iris mass with surrounding small pigmented lesions was noted between the 4 and 5:30 o'clock positions. Sector iridectomy was performed and pathologic examination revealed an iris melanocytoma. After surgery, antiglaucomatous medications still failed to control IOP. The patient then underwent diode laser transscleral cyclophotocoagulation (TSCP). At the last follow-up of 15 months, IOP had returned to normal without the need for medication.

Successful management of double penetrating ocular trauma with retinal detachment and traumatic endophthalmitis in a child.

The prognosis of double penetrating ocular trauma in children is usually guarded. We report the good anatomic and functional outcome in a child with double penetrating ocular trauma associated with retinal detachment and traumatic endophthalmitis. A 5-year-old boy presented to the emergency room with pain and tearing in his left eye after a penetrating ocular injury by a rusted steel wire. After examination under anesthesia, both entrance and exit wounds in the sclera were found, and were complicated with inferior retinal detachment. There were signs of infection such as corneal edema, increased cell, flare and hypopyon in the anterior chamber, and vitreous opacity. The post-traumatic endophthalmitis was successfully treated with prompt intravenous and intravitreal antibiotics injection. The patient subsequently underwent scleral buckling and transpupillary indirect laser photocoagulation operation on the 10th day after trauma. The retina was completely reattached 2 weeks later, and his vision recovered to 6/10 in his left eye after a 6-month follow-up. Prompt use of antibiotics and meticulous surgical intervention are essential in the successful management of such patients.

Reduction of experimental diabetic vascular leakage by delivery of angiostatin with a recombinant adeno-associated virus vector.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the efficacy of recombinant adeno-associated virus (rAAV) vector expressing mouse angiostatin (Kringle domains 1 to 4) in reducing retinal vascular leakage in an experimental diabetic rat model. METHODS: rAAV-angiostatin was delivered by intravitreal injection to the right eyes of Sprague-Dawley rats. As a control, the contralateral eye received an intravitreal injection of rAAV-lacZ. Gene delivery was confirmed by reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Diabetes was induced by intravenous injection of streptozotocin (STZ). Vascular permeability changes were evaluated by extravascular albumin accumulation and leakage of intravenous-injected fluorescein isothiocynate-bovine serum albumin (FITC-BSA). Effects of rAAV-angiostatin on expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), pigment epithelium-derived factor (PEDF), occludin, and phospho-p42/p44 MAP kinase in retina tissue were analyzed by western blotting. RESULTS: The rAAV-angiostatin injections led to sustained angiostatin gene expression in retina as confirmed by RT-PCR, and reduced extravascular albumin accumulation in STZ-induced diabetic retina. Further, rAAV-angiostatin significantly decreased intravascularly injected FITC-BSA leakage at 5 days (p=0.001), 10 days (p<0.001), and 15 days (p=0.001) after STZ-induced diabetes, as compared to the control eyes receiving rAAV-lacZ. Expression of VEGF and phosphorylation of p42/p44 MAP kinase in retina was reduced by rAAV-angiostatin at day 1 (p=0.043 for both VEGF and phospho-p42/p44 MAP kinase) after STZ-induced diabetes compared with rAAV-lacZ eyes. rAAV-angiostatin reduced retinal occludin loss at 10 days after STZ-induced diabetes (n=5, p=0.041). There was no significant difference in retinal PEDF expression between eyes injected with rAAV-angiostatin and rAAV-lacZ. CONCLUSIONS: Intravitreal delivery of rAAV-angiostatin reduces vascular leakage in an STZ-induced diabetic model. This effect is associated with a reduction in the retinal occludin loss induced by diabetes and downregulation of retinal VEGF and phosphor-p42/p44 MAP kinase expression. This gene transfer approach may reduce diabetic macular edema, providing protection in diabetic patients at risk for macular edema.

Endogenous Klebsiella endophthalmitis associated with pyogenic liver abscess.

OBJECTIVE: To study risk factors, clinical features, treatment, and visual outcomes in patients with endogenous Klebsiella pneumoniae endophthalmitis (EKE) associated with K. pneumoniae-induced pyogenic liver abscess, and to investigate contributing factors in successfully treated cases. DESIGN: Retrospective, noncomparative, interventional case series. PARTICIPANTS: Review of medical records of 22 consecutive patients with EKE and pyogenic liver abscess. METHODS: The affected eyes of 22 consecutive patients (n = 27) with EKE, who presented to our ophthalmic service during a recent 8-year period, were studied retrospectively. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Best-corrected visual acuity (VA) at end of follow up. RESULTS: Diabetes mellitus was the most common comorbid risk factor (n = 15 [68%]). Five patients (23%) had bilateral eye involvement. On initial presentation, characteristic pupillary hypopyon was observed in 12 eyes. Diagnosis was confirmed by blood culture in 8 patients, culture of liver aspirate in 17 patients, and vitreous culture in 11 patients. Other associated septic metastatic lesions included pulmonary abscess or emboli in 6 cases, brain abscess or meningitis in 3 cases, and prostate and kidney abscesses in 1 case. Despite aggressive intravenous and intravitreal antibiotic therapy, final VA of light perception or worse affected 24 eyes (89%), of which 11 (41%) were eventually eviscerated or enucleated. Successful treatment with retained useful vision better than 6/60 was achieved in 3 eyes, of which 2 received early intravitreal corticosteroid injections. However, the other remaining eye had a focal subretinal abscess. CONCLUSION: Physicians should be alert to the development of EKE when patients with diabetes along with K. pneumoniae-induced pyogenic liver abscess complain of ocular symptoms. In the majority of patients with EKE associated with pyogenic liver abscess, visual outcome is generally poor despite aggressive antibiotic therapy. Early diagnosis and prompt intervention with intravitreal antibiotics within 48 hours may salvage useful vision in some patients with EKE.

A community-based study of the relationship between insulin resistance/beta-cell dysfunction and diabetic retinopathy among type II diabetics in Kinmen, Taiwan.

PURPOSE: To explore whether insulin resistance and beta-cell dysfunction are both related to diabetic retinopathy (DR) in type II diabetics by using a community-based study in Kinmen, Taiwan. METHODS: A screening program for DR was performed by a panel of ophthalmologists who used ophthalmoscopy and 45 degrees color retinal photographs on dilated pupils to determine a consensus grade of diabetic retinopathy. Screening, which was conducted between 1999 and 2002, involved 971 patients diagnosed with type II diabetes. The Homeostatis Model Assessment (HOMA) method was used to determine insulin resistance and beta-cell dysfunction. RESULTS: Seven hundred twenty-five diabetics who attended ophthalmological fundus checkups were studied. The overall response rate was 75%. After excluding 10 insulin-treated diabetics, diabetic retinopathy at first eye screening among the remaining 715 diabetics was 18.5%. Based on the multiple logistic regression, DR was found to be strongly related to both baseline insulin resistance (IR) and beta-cell dysfunction regardless of duration of diabetes. The strength of the relationships was maintained after adjustment for confounders. Those who were in the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th quartile of HOMA IR had 1.38 times (95% CI: 0.62-3.05), 2.37 times (95% CI: 1.19-4.69), and 4.16 times (95% CI: 2.15-8.06) the risk for DR compared to that in the 1st quartile, respectively. A reduced risk for DR in relation to HOMA beta-cell dysfunction for the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th quartile were 64% (95% CI: 27%-82%), 82% (95% CI: 58%-92%), and 82% (95% CI: 60%-92%) compared to that in the 1st quartile, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Insulin resistance and beta-cell dysfunction are both associated with diabetic retinopathy in type II diabetes.

Population-based study of cataract surgery among patients with type 2 diabetes in Kinmen, Taiwan.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to assess the prevalence and associated factors of cataract surgery among patients with type 2 diabetes in Kinmen, Taiwan. METHODS: A community-based population survey between 1991 and 1993 identified 971 patients over the age of 30 years with type 2 diabetes. In 1999, a total of 578 patients (59.5%) with type 2 diabetes from the population were examined in an ophthalmic screening study. Two senior ophthalmologists employed slit-lamp biomicroscopy, indirect ophthalmoscopy, and retinal photographs with pupil dilatation to examine the patients' lenticular and retinal status. RESULTS: The prevalence of cataract surgery in one eye, both eyes, and any cataract surgery among patients with type 2 diabetes was 4.5%, 5.4%, and 9.9%, respectively. The prevalence of cataract surgery in women (11.3%) was not significantly higher than in men (7.7%), but there was a statistical increase with age (p = 0.001, chi2 trend test). Multiple logistic regression showed that age (OR 1.13, 95% CI 1.07-1.19) and diabetic retinopathy (OR 4.68, 95% CI 1.94-11.33) were independent factors associated with cataract surgery. INTERPRETATION: Age and diabetic retinopathy were associated with prevalence of cataract surgery among persons with type 2 diabetes.

Management of anaphylactic shock during intravenous fluorescein angiography at an outpatient clinic.

We report the proper management of a severe adverse reaction of anaphylactic shock during intravenous fluorescein angiography at an outpatient clinic. A 72-year-old male developed the severe, life-threatening complication after intravenous injection of sodium fluorescein dye for retinal angiography. Three minutes after receiving an intravenous injection of fluorescein, the patient developed syncope, apnea and circulatory shock. Fortunately, he recovered without any neurologic sequelae after immediate intensive resuscitation with fluid and inotropic support. We highlight the occurrence of anaphylactic shock as a potentially fatal complication during intravenous fluorescein angiography. Thus, one should be alert to the possibility of this adverse event and be prepared to deal with it when fluorescein angiography is performed. When it happens, immediate intensive medical resuscitation is essential to minimize morbidity and to avoid mortality.

Idiopathic polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy.

Idiopathic polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy (IPCV) has been recognized as a peculiar form of choroidal neovascularization. The clinical features of recurrent serous retinal leakage and retinal hemorrhage may vary from single lesion to multifocal, from self-limited to recurrent. Caucasian and Japanese patients with IPCV have been reported in the literature. However, research and case reports about IPCV in Chinese patients are relatively rare. We present 2 Chinese patients with IPCV in Taiwan with 2 different clinical pictures and visual outcomes during long-term follow-up. Further study for the etiology, clinical courses and treatments of the different subtypes of IPCV in Chinese is necessary.

Acute macular edema and peripapillary soft exudate after pancreas transplantation with accelerated progression of diabetic retinopathy.

BACKGROUND: The effect of pancreas transplantation on diabetic retinopathy remains inconclusive. Herein, we report six patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus (DM) who underwent pancreas transplantation and developed acute macular edema and peripapillary soft exudate with rapid progression to proliferative diabetic retinopathy. METHODS: In this retrospective observational study, diabetic patients who underwent pancreas transplantation in a single medical center and developed symptomatic acute macular edema and peripapillary soft exudate within 3 months after the operation were enrolled. The complete ophthalmic course and medical records of the patients were retrospectively reviewed. Diabetic retinopathy and progression following treatment after pancreas transplantation were measured. RESULTS: Six Chinese women with type 1 DM were enrolled in this study. Mean hemoglobin (Hb) A1c was 13.4% prior to transplantation and decreased rapidly to 6.5% within 2 months postsurgery. The patients had no or mild pretransplant diabetic retinopathy and developed acute symptomatic macular edema and peripapillary soft exudate in both eyes after pancreas transplantation. All macular edema resolved either with or without treatment. Five cases progressed to proliferative diabetic retinopathy and received panretinal photocoagulation. Diabetic retinopathy remained stable in all eyes after treatment, and the visual prognosis was good, except in one eye that had macular branch retinal artery occlusion with foveal involvement. CONCLUSION: Acute macular edema after pancreas transplantation has a favorable treatment outcome despite rapid progression to proliferative diabetic retinopathy. High pretransplant HbA1c and abrupt blood sugar normalization may be related to the disease course.

Association of the Y402H polymorphism in complement factor H gene and neovascular age-related macular degeneration in Chinese patients.

PURPOSE: Age-related macular degeneration (AMD), with its complex traits and multiple risk factors, is the leading cause of blindness in the elderly. A strong association between a coding variant, Y402H, in the complement factor H gene (CFH) and AMD has been recently identified in white patients. This study was conducted to investigate the association between the Y402H polymorphism in CFH and neovascular AMD in Chinese patients. METHODS: One hundred sixty-three Chinese patients with neovascular AMD and 232 age-matched healthy controls were enrolled in the study. Genomic DNA from white blood cells was extracted. The Y402H polymorphism in CFH, with the substitution of T to C at nucleotide position 1277 in exon 9, was determined by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis. The association between the genetic polymorphism and the disease was examined by chi(2) test and logistic regression. RESULTS: The frequency of the risk allele, 1277C, was 11.3% in AMD patients compared with 2.8% in controls (P < 0.00001). Genotype frequency differed significantly between the two groups (1277TT 81.0%, 1277TC 15.3%, and 1277CC 3.7% in the AMD group; 1277TT 94.4%, 1277TC 5.6%, and 1277CC 0% in the control group; P < 0.0001). The 1277C allele significantly increased the risk for neovascular AMD and had an odds ratio of 4.4 (95% confidence interval [95% CI], 2.3-8.5; P < 0.00001). CONCLUSIONS: The allele frequency of Y402H polymorphism in CFH has an ethnic variation, with much lower 1277C frequency in Chinese than in white patients. Despite this, the polymorphism is significantly associated with neovascular AMD in the Chinese population.

Population-based study of nonproliferative diabetic retinopathy among type 2 diabetic patients in Kinmen, Taiwan.

PURPOSE: This study was conducted to assess the prevalence and associated factors of nonproliferative diabetic retinopathy among type 2 diabetic patients in Kinmen, Taiwan. METHODS: From 1991 to 1993, 971 type 2 diabetic patients in Kinmen underwent diabetic retinopathy screening performed by a panel of ophthalmologists using indirect ophthalmoscopy and 45 degrees color fundus retinal photographs. RESULTS: Of the 971 patients screened in 1991-1993, 578 (59.5%) were examined for this study. Diabetic retinopathy was diagnosed in 127 patients (22.0%), including nonproliferative diabetic retinopathy in 13.3%, proliferative diabetic retinopathy in 1.4%, legal blindness in 1.4%, and ungradable diabetic retinopathy in 5.9%. Significant associated factors of nonproliferative diabetic retinopathy based on multiple logistic regression analysis were fasting plasma glucose (FPG) at baseline [> or =126 mg/dl vs. <126 mg/dl; odds ratio (OR) = 2.89; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.01-9.09], 2-h postload at baseline (> or =200 vs. <200 mg/dl; OR = 1.48; 95% CI, 1.09-2.07); HbA1c at follow-up (> or =7% vs. <7%; OR = 6.54; 95% CI, 3.01-14.20), duration of diabetes (> or =15 years vs. <10 years; OR = 6.72; 95% CI, 2.13-21.18), and incremental systolic blood pressure between baseline and follow-up (OR = 1.02; 95% CI, 1.00-1.04). CONCLUSIONS: In addition to the longer duration of type 2 diabetes, FPG at baseline, poorly controlled glucose concentration, and altered blood pressure may increase the risk of nonproliferative diabetic retinopathy in type 2 diabetic patients.

Visual prognosis of massive submacular hemorrhage in polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy with or without combination treatment.

BACKGROUND: Submacular hemorrhage associated with polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy (PCV) may cause severe visual loss. The purpose of this study is to report the visual prognosis of massive submacular hemorrhage in patients with PCV. METHODS: Twenty patients with PCV and submacular hemorrhage who received either subretinal tissue plasminogen activator (TPA) with vitrectomy or intravitreal injection of TPA and gas to achieve pneumatic displacement of the hemorrhage were enrolled. Additionally, combination treatment with either photodynamic therapy (PDT) or intravitreal injection of vascular endothelial growth factor inhibitors (anti-VEGF) was performed to treat the underlying PCV. RESULTS: Five patients received subretinal TPA with vitrectomy and 15 patients received intravitreal injection of TPA and gas to remove or displace the submacular hemorrhage. Combination treatment with PDT and intravitreal anti-VEGF was performed in three patients and intravitreal anti-VEGF injection alone in 13 patients. The mean logarithm of the minimal angle of resolution converted from the best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) were improved at 3 months, 6 months, and 12 months. Better initial BCVA, smaller size of submacular hemorrhage and younger age were statistically significant predictors for BCVA. Combination treatment with PDT showed significant efficacy in the improvement of BCVA. CONCLUSION: Combination treatment of submacular hemorrhage secondary to PCV may yield visual and anatomic improvements. Initial BCVA, the initial size of submacular hemorrhage and age were significant predictors for visual prognosis.