Factors Associated with Reclosure of Posterior Capsule Aperture by Flat Opacifications with Pearls after Nd:YAG Laser Posterior Capsulotomy.

In this retrospective case series, we investigated factors associated with posterior capsule aperture (PCA) reclosure following neodymium-yttrium aluminum garnet (Nd:YAG) laser posterior capsulotomy. The study encompassed patients who underwent cataract surgery with intraocular lens (IOL) implantation or a combined vitrectomy, cataract surgery, and IOL implantation between 2009 and 2022. PCA reclosure was observed in 22 eyes of 17 patients: 45% (10 eyes) underwent the triple procedure, and 55% (12 eyes) received cataract surgery with IOL implantation. In our clinic, 14% of patients were given IOLs with a 4% water content, while 73% (13 eyes) of those experiencing PCA reclosure had IOLs with a 4% water content. The mean interval between Nd:YAG capsulotomies was notably shorter than that between the initial cataract surgery and the first Nd:YAG laser capsulotomy. We also identified five stages of PCA reclosure progression. In conclusion, IOL water content may be linked to PCA reclosure, and the time to recurrence is shorter with each successive reclosure. Further research is needed to verify these findings and uncover additional contributing factors.

Association Between Torque Teno Virus and Systemic Immunodeficiency in Patients With Uveitis With a Suspected Infectious Etiology.

PURPOSE: To determine the correlation between the presence of torque teno virus (TTV) in the aqueous humor of patients with uveitis and clinical information, including immunodeficiency history. DESIGN: Multicenter, retrospective, cross-sectional study. METHODS: Fifty-eight patients with uveitis with a suspected infectious etiology and 24 controls with cataract or age-related macular degeneration were included. We used quantitative polymerase chain reaction to test all subjects for TTV and multiplex polymerase chain reaction to test uveitis subjects for common ocular pathogens. When possible, both serum and aqueous humor samples were tested. Ocular TTV positivity was compared with age, sex, and a history of systemic immunodeficiency with logistic analysis. RESULTS: Ocular TTV positivity was found in 23%, 11%, and 0% of patients with herpetic uveitis, nonherpetic uveitis, and controls, respectively. Among patients with herpes infection, positivity for ocular TTV was found in 43%, 8%, 14%, and 50% of patients with cytomegalovirus retinitis, iridocyclitis, acute retinal necrosis, and Epstein-Barr virus-positive uveitis, respectively. Patients with cytomegalovirus retinitis showed a significantly higher rate of ocular TTV infection than controls (P = .008). Serum analysis revealed TTV positivity in 90% of patients with uveitis and in 100% of controls. Age- and gender-adjusted logistic analysis revealed a correlation between ocular TTV positivity and systemic immunodeficiency (P = .01), but no correlations between ocular TTV and age, gender, or viral pathogenic type. CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that positivity for ocular TTV was correlated with a clinical history of systemic immunodeficiency.

Findings in pseudophakic eye that developed liquefied aftercataract-like substance one day after vitrectomy.

Purpose: To report our findings in a case that had an accumulation of a translucent fluid between the intraocular lens (IOL) and posterior lens capsule one day after vitrectomy for a vitreous hemorrhage. Observations: A 67-year-old woman was diagnosed with diabetes 20 years before the vitrectomy and was treated with panretinal photocoagulation (PRP) for proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR) 14 years earlier. She underwent cataract surgery with an implantation of an IOL 4 years earlier. She was referred to our hospital because of a vitreous hemorrhage, and we performed uneventful vitrectomy. However, the day after the operation, a translucent liquid substance that resembled liquefied aftercataract was observed in the lens capsule bag. With time, the liquid substance became cloudy. The opacification progressed for two years after the vitrectomy, and her visual acuity decreased. We then performed neodymium: YAG (Nd: YAG) laser posterior capsulotomy, and the cloudy liquid dispersed into the vitreous and the visual acuity improved. Conclusions and importance: Our findings indicate that liquified aftercataract-like substance can form after vitrectomy in a pseudophakic eye. We suggest that the aqueous humor might flow into the space behind the IOL during or just after the vitrectomy and was trapped behind the IOL optics. Then, the proliferating lens epithelial cells might be dissolved forming the white liquid substance immediately after the surgery.

High-dose intravenous pulse steroid therapy for optic disc swelling and subretinal fluid in non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy.

Non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION) is a disease with microvascular abnormality that causes acute optic disc swelling (ODS) and, in severe cases, subretinal fluid (SRF) accumulation. ODS causes compartment syndrome and subsequent axonal degeneration and loss of retinal ganglion cells by apoptosis. No treatment modalities have been effective, although some cases improved after the intake of oral systemic steroids. We reported a case of a 72-year-old man who was referred due to a visual defect in the right eye. At first presentation, visual acuity and visual field were disturbed; critical flicker frequency (CFF) was decreased; and optic coherence tomography (OCT) showed ODS and SRF. Microscopic examination revealed parapapillary hemorrhage and fluorescence angiography showed non-filling, temporal-superior choroidal lesion adjacent to the optic disc at an early phase. After high-dose intravenous steroid treatment, SRF and ODS were decreased, and completely resolved after 30 days. Visual acuity and CFF were improved, and visual field was enlarged. High-dose intravenous steroids could possibly resolve SRF and ODS and improve visual function of patients with NAION. Some cases in NAION improved visual acuity and visual function in natural course, more cases were needed to evaluate the efficiency.

Better Visual Outcome by Intraocular Lens Ejection in Geriatric Patients with Ruptured Ocular Injuries.

Ocular trauma is one of the leading causes of visual impairment worldwide. Because of the popularity of cataract surgeries, aged individuals with ocular trauma commonly have a surgical wound in their eyes. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the visual outcome of cases that were coincident with intraocular lens (IOL) ejection in the eyes with ruptured open-globe ocular injuries. Consecutive patients with open-globe ocular injuries were first reviewed. Patients' characteristics, corrected distance visual acuities (CDVAs) over 3 years after the trauma, causes of injuries, traumatic wound patterns, and coexistence of retinal detachment were examined. The relationships between poor CDVA and the other factors, including the complications of crystalline lens and IOL ejection, were examined. A total of 105 eyes/patients [43 eyes with rupture, 33 with penetrating, 28 with intraocular foreign body (IOFB), and 1 with perforating injuries] were included. Rupture injuries were common in aged patients and were mostly caused by falls, whereas penetrating and IOFB injuries were common in young male patients. CDVAs of the eyes with rupture injuries were significantly worse than those of the eyes with penetrating or IOFB injuries. CDVA from more than 50% of the ruptured eyes resulted in no light perception or light perception to 20/500. CDVA of the ruptured eyes complicated by crystalline lens ejection was significantly worse than that of those complicated by IOL ejection. The wounds of the ruptured eyes complicated by IOL ejection were mainly located at the superior corneoscleral limbus, whereas those of the eyes complicated by crystalline lens ejection were located at the posterior sclera. There were significant correlations between poor CDVA and retinal detachment and crystalline lens ejection. These results proposed a new trend in the ocular injuries that commonly occur in aged patients; history of cataract surgery might affect the final visual outcome after open-globe ocular injuries.

Role of Caveolin-1 for Blocking the Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition in Proliferative Vitreoretinopathy.

Purpose: Proliferative vitreoretinopathy (PVR) is one of the most severe ocular diseases. Fibrotic changes in retinal cells are considered to be involved in the pathogenesis of PVR. Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) of RPE cells is one of the main concepts in the pathogenesis of fibrovascular membranes (FVMs) in PVR. In this study, we examined the expression of Caveolin-1 in human FVMs from patients with PVR. We also examined the role of Caveolin-1 in the pathogenesis of PVR. Methods: Western blotting, real-time PCR, and immunohistochemistry were performed with human FVMs and mouse eyes with PVR. Cell migration assays were performed to evaluate the involvement of Caveolin-1 in EMT using primary human and mouse RPE cells. Results: Caveolin-1 was expressed in human FVMs and upregulated in the mouse eyes with PVR. The alpha-smooth muscle actin (αSMA) expression and migration ability were increased in RPE cells with knockout or knockdown of Caveolin-1, whereas zonula occludens-1 (ZO-1) immunohistochemistry showed reduced morphology and expression of ZO-1. In addition, migration assays showed that Caveolin-1 reduction increased RPE cell migration abilities. Conclusions: These results indicated that Caveolin-1 in RPE cells prevents PVR by blocking EMT.

Non-Descemet Stripping Automated Endothelial Keratoplasty for Bullous Keratopathy in Buphthalmic Eye.

PURPOSE: To report the 2-year follow-up findings in a patient with buphthalmic bullous keratopathy (BK) who was successfully treated with non-Descemet stripping automated endothelial keratoplasty (nDSAEK). METHODS: A 39-year-old man had an endothelial graft of 8.0 mm diameter placed uneventfully using the nDSAEK method for phakic BK with buphthalmos of the left eye. He had had a penetrating keratoplasty in the right eye due to aphakic BK 5 years earlier, which, however, resulted in the invasion of blood vessels and graft failure. Since the left eye was phakic, Descemetorhexis was not performed because the instruments might touch the crystalline lens. The best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), intraocular pressure (IOP), and endothelial cell density (ECD) were determined at 2 weeks, and at 1, 3, 6, 12, 18 and 24 months after nDSAEK. RESULTS: Twenty-four months after nDSAEK, his left cornea and lens remained clear, and the decimal BCVA was 0.8. However, the ECD of the graft had decreased from 2,274 cells/mm(2) before nDSAEK to 539 cells/mm(2) 24 months after the surgery, and the rate of decrease appeared to be slightly faster than that of former reports. An IOP of $1003e;30 mm Hg was recorded at around 2 months after the surgery, but was well controlled by tapering the topical steroids and the addition of topical brinzolamide and latanoprost. CONCLUSION: Our findings show that nDSAEK can be successfully used to treat buphthalmic BK. We recommend that nDSAEK be considered especially in phakic eyes with a smooth posterior surface around the pupillary area.

Novel OPN1LW/OPN1MW deletion mutations in 2 Japanese families with blue cone monochromacy.

Blue cone monochromacy (BCM) is caused by the lack of expression of the normal proteins encoded by the OPN1LW and OPN1MW genes, resulting in the absence of red and green cone sensitivities. We analyzed two cases of BCM in two different families and identified deletion mutations in the locus control region upstream of the two genes. Deletion breakpoints were determined to an accuracy of one base for both cases.

Expression of Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor by Retinal Pigment Epithelial Cells Induced by Amyloid-ß Is Depressed by an Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress Inhibitor.

PURPOSE: Amyloid-ß (Aß) is a 36- to 43-amino-acid peptide that is a constituent of drusen, and it has been demonstrated to upregulate vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) expression by retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells. This study aimed to determine whether 4-phenylbutyl phosphonylacetate (PBA), a known endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress inhibitor, can reduce Aß-induced expression of VEGF in RPE cells. METHODS: Aß was added to the medium of regularly cultured or polarized ARPE-19 cells, a human RPE cell line, with or without PBA. The levels of VEGF and ER stress markers, namely GRP78/Bip, cleaved caspases 4 and 12 and GADD153/C-EBP homologous protein, were determined by enzyme-linked immunoassay, immunocytochemistry and Western blotting. RESULTS: Exposure of ARPE-19 cells to Aß induced GRP78/Bip expression and activated caspases 4 and 12; however, their expression was decreased by simultaneous exposure to PBA. Aß increased the expression of VEGF both in regularly cultured and polarized ARPE-19 cells, but it was suppressed by PBA. PBA did not cause RPE cell apoptosis. CONCLUSION: Aß has been suggested to be involved in the development of age-related macular degeneration; therefore, our findings suggest that drugs that target ER stress should be considered for the treatment of age-related macular degeneration.

Buckling surgery and supplemental intravitreal bevacizumab or photocoagulation on stage 4 retinopathy of prematurity eyes.

PURPOSE: To report the results of scleral buckling (SB) with or without photocoagulation (PC) and intravitreal bevacizumab (IVB) for stage 4 retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) eyes. METHODS: Forty-two eyes of 28 patients with SB and/or PC or IVB were studied. Twenty-nine eyes had stage 4A and 13 eyes had stage 4B ROP. Seventeen eyes underwent SB combined with additional intraoperative or postoperative treatments (combined group). Twenty-five eyes underwent SB without additional therapy (non-combined group). The concentrations of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in the aqueous humor determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay were compared between the two groups. The initial and final reattachment rates were also compared. RESULTS: The gestational age and birth weight were 25.0 ± 2.0 weeks and 786 ± 222 g in the combined group, and 25.5 ± 2.1 weeks and 899 ± 315 g in the non-combined group. The postmenstrual age at the time of initial surgery was 38.0 ± 1.9 in the combined and 44.1 ± 4.0 weeks in the non-combined group (P < 0.001). The initial reattachment rate was 92% in stage 4A and 75% in stage 4B of ROP eyes in the combined group, and the rate was 93% in stage 4A and 33% in stage 4B of ROP eyes in the non-combined group. The mean VEGF concentration in aqueous humor was 1923 ± 779 pg/ml in the combined group and 985 ± 303 pg/ml in the non-combined group (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Our results show that the retinal reattachment rate after combined therapy was comparable to that in the non-combined group. We conclude that combined therapy may be effective even in ROP eyes with high activity.

Significant Correlation between Retinal Venous Tortuosity and Aqueous Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Concentration in Eyes with Central Retinal Vein Occlusion.

PURPOSE: To determine whether the degree of venous tortuosity is significantly correlated with the aqueous vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) concentration in eyes with a central retinal vein occlusion (CRVO). METHODS: We reviewed the medical records of 32 eyes of 32 patients who had macular edema due to a CRVO. All of the patients were examined at the Nagoya University Hospital and were scheduled to receive an intravitreal injection of bevacizumab (IVB) or ranibizumab (IVR) within 12 weeks of the onset of the CRVO to treat the macular edema. Aqueous humor was collected just before the IVB or IVR, and the VEGF concentration was determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The venous tortuosity index was calculated by dividing the length of the retinal veins by the chord length of the same segment. The correlation between the mean tortuosity index of the inferotemporal and supratemporal branches of the retinal vein and the aqueous VEGF concentration was determined. RESULTS: The mean aqueous VEGF concentration was 384 ± 312 pg/ml with a range of 90 to 1077 pg/ml. The degree of venous tortuosity was significantly correlated with the VEGF concentration in the aqueous. (r = 0.49, P = 0.004), with the foveal thickness (r = 0.40, P = 0.02), and with the best-corrected visual acuity (r = 0.38, P = 0.03). CONCLUSIONS: The significant correlation between the aqueous VEGF concentration and the venous tortuosity indicates that the degree of retinal venous tortuosity can be used to identify eyes that are at a high risk of developing neovascularization.

High osmolarity effect of intravitreal plasmin enzyme on rabbit retina.

We conducted a study of the effect of intravitreal plasmin on retinal thickness in rabbits. Forty rabbit eyes were injected with 0.4, 1, 2, and 5 IU of plasmin (8 eyes/group). The same volume of BSS-plus(®) was injected in control eyes. Four eyes in each group underwent vitrectomy 60 minutes after the injections. The retinal thickness was measured in optical coherence tomographic (OCT) images before, 30 minutes, and 1 week after the injection. To study the effect of hyperosmolarity, 4 eyes received an injection of mannitol solution whose osmolarity was the same as the plasmin solutions. Thirty minutes after the plasmin injection, 4 eyes developed a serous retinal detachment (SRD). The mean retinal thickness including SRD was increased at 30 minutes in a dose-dependent way. The increase in eyes with 5 IU of plasmin was significantly greater than that in eyes with BSS-Plus(®) or 0.4 IU of plasmin (P = 0.0266, P = 0.0371, respectively). One week after the injection, SRD disappeared, and the mean retinal thickness decreased. The eyes injected with mannitol, the same osmolarity of 1, 2, 5 IU of plasmin, developed SRD at 30 minutes, and it disappeared after 1 week in all eyes. The results of this study demonstrated that an intravitreal injection of plasmin increases the retinal thickness in a dose-dependent way in rabbit eyes. The results with mannitol suggest that the increase in retinal thickness following plasmin is most likely caused by the hyperosmolarity of plasmin solution.

Suppression of Laser-Induced Choroidal Neovascularization by the Oral Medicine Targeting Histamine Receptor H4 in Mice.

PURPOSE: This study aimed to examine relationship of histamine receptor H4 (HRH4) and the pathogenesis of laser-induced choroidal neovascularization (laser-CNV) and to determine whether oral administration of HRH4 antagonists suppressed laser-CNV in mice. METHODS: Laser photocoagulation was performed in mice to induce the laser-CNV. Histamine was administered intravitreously, and CNV volume was measured. Laser photocoagulation and intravitreous injection of HRH4 antagonist JNJ7777120 were performed after intraperitoneal injection of clodronate liposome, which depletes circulating monocyte-derived macrophages; CNV volume was compared with that in mice injected with control (dimethyl sulfoxide [DMSO]/PBS). Three days after laser-CNV, the F4/80+CD11b+ macrophage population in retinal pigment epithelium (RPE)/choroid complex was quantified with flow cytometry in wild-type and Hrh4-/- mice. The long-acting HRH4 antagonist JNJ28307474 was then administrated periorally, and the laser-CNV volume was compared with controls. RESULTS: Intravitreous injection of histamine did not affect laser-CNV volume. The laser-CNV from the eye injected with JNJ7777120 was equivalent to that injected with the DMSO/PBS in mice that had intraperitoneally received clodronate liposome. Flow cytometry after laser-CNV induction revealed a smaller F4/80+CD11b+ macrophage population in the RPE/choroid complex of Hrh4-/- mice than in wild-type mice. Oral administration of JNJ28307474 significantly reduced laser-CNV volume in wild-type mice. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggested that HRH4-positive macrophages played an important role in the pathogenesis of laser-CNV and that they require a different ligand from that of histamine. The oral administration of an HRH4 antagonist successfully reduced laser-CNV. TRANSLATIONAL RELEVANCE: Our results indicate that drugs targeting HRH4 are potentially a novel oral treatment for age-related macular degeneration.

Flicker electroretinograms before and after intravitreal ranibizumab injection in eyes with central retinal vein occlusion.

PURPOSE: To compare the amplitudes and implicit times of the flicker electroretinograms before and after an intravitreal injection of ranibizumab (IVR) in eyes with a central retinal vein occlusion (CRVO). METHODS: We reviewed the medical records of 15 consecutive patients who had macular oedema secondary to CRVO and had received an IVR at the Nagoya University Hospital from November 2013 to July 2014. Flicker ERGs were recorded with both the RETeval(™) system and a conventional ERG system before the IVR. One month after the IVR, recordings were repeated with only the RETeval(™) system. RESULTS: The mean implicit times of the flicker ERGs of the affected eyes recorded with the RETeval(™) system were significantly longer than that of the fellow eyes (32.2 ± 2.6 msec versus 28.1 ± 1.2 msec, p < 0.001). One month after the IVR, the implicit times of the flicker ERGs of affected eyes were significantly shortened from 32.2 ± 2.6 to 30.6 ± 2.2 msec (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The shortening of the implicit times of the flicker ERGs after the IVR indicates an improvement of retinal function after anti-VEGF therapy for CRVO eyes.

Interleukin-18 induces retinal pigment epithelium degeneration in mice.

PURPOSE: To examine the effectiveness of interleukin-18 (IL-18) on choroidal neovascularization (CNV) and retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) in humans and mice. METHODS: Serum IL-18 levels in patients with wet and dry AMD who were older than 50 years were measured and compared with those of age-matched controls. In mice, laser photocoagulation was performed in the retina to induce experimental CNV, and CNV volume was measured in eyes injected with recombinant IL-18 (rIL-18) and IL-18 neutralizing antibody (nIL-18Ab) compared with those injected with control. Tube formation assay was performed on human retinal endothelial cells (HREC) with rIL-18 administration in vitro. After subretinal injection of rIL-18, fundus change in the injected eyes was evaluated; active caspase-3 level was measured in the RPE/choroid complex, and tight junction integrity in RPE was visualized by zonula occludens-1 (ZO-1) staining. RESULTS: Serum IL-18 levels in dry AMD patients were higher than those in control. Mouse rIL-18 or nIL-18Ab did not induce significant change in CNV volume compared with controls or change tube formation in HREC. Subretinal injection of rIL-18 induced retinal degeneration in the mice fundus; ZO-1 staining showed considerably disturbed RPE structure, and active caspase-3 expression was significantly higher after rIL-18 induction. CONCLUSIONS: Interleukin-18 did not show a pro- or antiangiogenic effect on mouse laser-induced CNVs (laser-CNVs), whereas it directly induced RPE cell apoptosis in the mouse eye. Our results suggested that IL-18 is associated with dry AMD, but not with wet AMD.

A long-term follow-up of patients with retinopathy of prematurity treated with photocoagulation and cryotherapy.

To evaluate the refractive characteristics of adults diagnosed with retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) treated with ablation treatment as children, we measured best corrected visual acuity (BCVA, logMAR), spherical equivalent refraction (SER), axial length (AL), lens thickness (LT), anterior chamber depth (ACD) and the corneal curvature radius (CCR) from 46 eyes, 24 patients (15-30 years old) that were diagnosed with ROP. Patients were divided into two groups dependent on the size of the treated retina at the time of ablation treatment; i.e., 360 degrees group (treatment over the whole circumference of the retina; n = 18) and partial group (treatment over part of the retina; n = 28). The study showed that LT was significantly larger (P < 1x10(-4)) and ACD was significantly shorter (P < 1 x 10(-3)) in 360 degrees group (4.26 +/- 0.40 mm and 2.92 +/- 0.48 mm, respectively) than those in partial group (3.71 +/- 0.34 mm and 3.42 +/- 0.26 mm, respectively). However, there were no differences in SER (-6.52 +/- 3.54 diopter vs. -5.95 +/- 4.12 diopter, P = 0.31), AL (23.9 +/- 1.42 mm vs. 25.0 +/- 21.48 mm, P = 0.08) and CCR (7.59 +/- 0.37 mm vs. 7.59 +/- 0.19 mm, P = 0.86). These results indicated that the eyes in the 360 degrees group had larger LTs but did not have extended ALs compared with the partial group.

Histamine H4 receptor as a new therapeutic target for choroidal neovascularization in age-related macular degeneration.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The present treatment for choroidal neovascularization (CNV) associated with age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is not sufficient. Hence, we examined the therapeutic efficacy of reducing histamine H4 receptor expression on CNV in mice. EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH: H4 receptor expression was examined in CNVs from patients with AMD. In mice, laser photocoagulation was performed in the retina to induce experimental CNV (laser CNV). Protein and mRNA expression levels were determined and CNV volume measured in wild-type and Hrh4(-/-) mice with laser CNV. The effects of JNJ7777120, an H4 receptor antagonist, administered intravitreously, on CNV volume and pathological vessel leakage were determined in mice with laser CNV and controls. Fundus imaging, retinal histology and electroretinography were performed on eyes injected with JNJ7777120 to evaluate retinal toxicity. KEY RESULTS: Human H4 receptors were only confirmed in CNV samples from AMD patients and not in the other subretinal tissues. Mouse H4 receptors were expressed in retinal pigment epithelium only after inducing laser CNV in wild-type mice, and were co-localized with the macrophage marker F4/80. Laser CNV volume was reduced in Hrh4(-/-) mice compared with that in wild-type mice, and JNJ7777120 suppressed laser-induced CNV volume and pathological CNV leakage in wild-type mice. Also eyes injected with JNJ7777120 did not show retinal degeneration. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS: H4 receptors are expressed in macrophages that accumulate around CNVs. Suppressing H4 receptor expression prevented the pathological vessel leakage without showing retinal toxicity, indicating that the H4 receptor has potential as a novel therapeutic target in AMD.

Electroretinograms and level of aqueous vascular endothelial growth factor in eyes with hemicentral retinal vein occlusion or branch retinal vein occlusion.

PURPOSE: Hemicentral retinal vein occlusion (hCRVO) is a disease related to CRVO but not to branch retinal vein occlusion (BRVO). We reported a significant correlation between aqueous vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) levels and the implicit time of 30-Hz flicker electroretinogram (ERG) in CRVO eyes. The purpose of this study was to compare aqueous VEGF levels and ERG components between hCRVO and BRVO eyes. METHODS: The medical records of patients with macular edema secondary to hCRVO (12 eyes) or BRVO (16 eyes) and received an intravitreal injection of bevacizumab (IVB) at the Nagoya University Hospital from July 2009 to May 2013 were reviewed. Full-field ERGs were recorded before the IVB. Aqueous humor was collected just before the IVB to measure VEGF concentration. Differences in aqueous VEGF level and ERG components between hCRVO and BRVO eyes were determined. RESULTS: Mean aqueous VEGF concentration in hCRVO eyes was significantly higher than that in BRVO eyes (504 vs. 148 pg/ml, P < 0.05). The implicit time of 30-Hz flicker ERG was significantly longer in hCRVO than in BRVO eyes (33.5 vs. 29.8 ms, P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: The significant difference in VEGF levels in aqueous and implicit times of 30-Hz flicker ERG suggest that retinal ischemia is more manifest in hCRVO than in BRVO eyes.

Age-dependent alteration of intraocular soluble heparan sulfate levels and its implications for proliferative diabetic retinopathy.

PURPOSE: To assess the relationship between intraocular soluble heparan sulfate (HS) concentration and age in subjects with and without diabetic retinopathy. METHODS: Vitreous from subjects with idiopathic maculopathies (n=17), i.e., macula hole or epiretinal membrane, or nonproliferative diabetic retinopathy (non-PDR; n=5) and aqueous humor from subjects with PDR (n=16), non-PDR (n=7), or cataracts (n=15) was collected. The levels of HS and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Concentrations of sulfated glycosaminoglycan were determined through dimethylmethylene blue-based assay. The effect of the vitreal HS level on the binding of exogenous VEGF to surface-bound heparin was determined in vitro. RESULTS: The level of HS in vitreous samples from subjects with idiopathic maculopathies increased concomitantly with age (p=0.020, R²=0.327). Meanwhile, HS levels in aqueous humor were lower in PDR subjects than in non-PDR (p=0.003) and cataract subjects (p=0.007). However, the PDR subjects were significantly younger than the non-PDR subjects (p<0.001) or cataract subjects (p<0.001). When the three groups were controlled for age, the levels of HS glycosaminoglycans were no longer different between the three (p=0.247). The increasing level of HS or sulfated glycosaminoglycan in the vitreous was associated with its increased inhibitory effect on interaction between VEGF and surface heparin in vitro (p=0.014, R²=0.377). CONCLUSIONS: The HS level of the intraocular fluid increased with age. The possible link between low HS in intraocular fluid and increased localization of VEGF at the retinal surface may provide one explanation for the higher susceptibility of younger subjects with diabetes mellitus to developing PDR.

Influence of preoperative intravitreal bevacizumab on visual function in eyes with proliferative diabetic retinopathy.

PURPOSE: Although bevacizumab, a humanized monoclonal antibody against vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), is effective in treating ocular neovascularization, there are some concerns about whether blocking VEGF might be harmful to retinal neurons. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of preoperative intravitreal bevacizumab (IVB) on the visual function of eyes with proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR). METHODS: Thirty eyes of 23 patients (13 men and 10 women) with PDR who were treated at the Nagoya University Hospital from November 2006 to October 2009 were studied. All of the eyes were treated with 1.25 mg/0.05 ml of IVB 2-8 days before the vitrectomy. The protocol was approved by the Institutional Review Board of Nagoya University, and a written informed consent was obtained from each patient. All of the eyes had an active proliferative membrane with vitreous hemorrhage, but the fundus was visible. The mean age of the patients was 41.6 ± 10 years (range, 27-59), and the mean follow-up period was 9.7 ± 8.9 months (range, 1-24) after the vitrectomy. The visual acuity (VA) was measured, the visual fields were determined by Goldmann perimetery, and full-field electroretinograms (ERGs) were recorded before IVB, and before and after the vitrectomy. Fluorescein angiography was also performed before and after IVB. The area of the visual field was measured using a computer software (Scion Image). RESULTS: All eyes showed a regression of the new vessels and a reduction of fluorescent leakage from the new vessels after IVB. In addition, there was less bleeding during the removal of the proliferative membrane. The average VA was improved postoperatively from 20/250 to 20/70. However, there was no significant change in the amplitudes of the a- (from 261.4 to 259.2 µV) and b-waves (from 256.9 to 253.3 µV) of the ERGs, and there was no significant change in the visual field area after the surgery (from 8,322.5 to 7,496.3 degrees(2)). No significant ocular or systemic adverse events were observed. CONCLUSION: IVB-assisted vitrectomy led to an improvement of the VA in eyes with PDR without significant adverse events. There was no change in the visual fields and ERGs. Although only a small number of patients were studied, we conclude that IVB is most likely not harmful to retinal neurons if bevacizumab is washed out in less than 1 week. In addition, preoperative IVB made the surgery much easier by decreasing the activity of new vessels.