An Exploratory Study Provides Insights into MMP9 and Aß Levels in the Vitreous and Blood across Different Ages and in a Subset of AMD Patients.

Matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP9) and total amyloid-beta (Aß) are prospective biomarkers of ocular ageing and retinopathy. These were quantified by ELISA in the vitreous and blood from controls (n = 55) and in a subset of age-related macular degeneration (AMD) patients (n = 12) for insights and possible additional links between the ocular and systemic compartments. Vitreous MMP9 levels in control and AMD groups were 932.5 ± 240.9 pg/mL and 813.7 ± 157.6 pg/mL, whilst serum levels were 2228 ± 193 pg/mL and 2386.8 ± 449.4 pg/mL, respectively. Vitreous Aß in control and AMD groups were 1173.5 ± 117.1 pg/mL and 1275.6 ± 332.9 pg/mL, whilst plasma Aß were 574.3 ± 104.8 pg/mL and 542.2 ± 139.9 pg/mL, respectively. MMP9 and Aß showed variable levels across the lifecourse, indicating no correlation to each other or with age nor AMD status, though the smaller AMD cohort was a limiting factor. Aß and MMP9 levels in the vitreous and blood were unrelated to mean arterial pressure. Smoking, another modifiable risk, showed no association with vitreous Aß. However, smoking may be linked with vitreous (p = 0.004) and serum (p = 0.005) MMP9 levels in control and AMD groups, though this did not reach our elevated (p = 0.001) significance. A bioinformatics analysis revealed promising MMP9 and APP/Aß partners for further scrutiny, many of which are already linked with retinopathy.

Evaluation of Pro-re-Nata (PRN) and Treat and Extend Bevacizumab treatment protocols in Sorsby Fundus Dystrophy.

PURPOSE: To describe long-term outcomes with intravitreal Bevacizumab for choroidal neovascularization secondary to Sorsby fundus dystrophy. MATERIALS/METHODS: Observational case series. RESULTS: Two sisters of the same family formally diagnosed with Sorsby fundus dystrophy were followed-up for 12 years. The elder sister (S1) presented with significant decline in vision due to choroidal neovascularization in her right eye (OD). She developed choroidal neovascularization 3 years later in her left eye (OS). She was treated with Bevacizumab intravitreal injections on a on a pro-re-nata (PRN) until April 2015, when a treat-and-extend (T&E) approach was adopted. Best corrected visual acuities at the time of switch to T&E were 1.09 OD and 0.85 LogMar OS. Best corrected visual acuities at the last follow-up were LogMar 1.1 OD and 0.82 OS. Her younger sister (S2) presented with best corrected visual acuities of LogMar 0.1 OD and 0.0 OS. She developed choroidal neovascularization 5 years later in both eyes. OS developed choroidal neovascularization 18 months after her right eye. She received Bevacizumab on a pro re nata basis until April 2015 when a switch to a T&E was performed. Best corrected visual acuity in the left eye at the switch to T&E was 0.34 LogMar. At the last follow-up, best corrected visual acuities were LogMar 1.2 OD and 0.29 OS. CONCLUSION: Bevacizumab is an effective therapy for choroidal neovascularization secondary to Sorsby fundus dystrophy. A T&E protocol appears more effective compared to pro re nata protocol in minimizing recurrence of choroidal neovascularization with potential secondary scar formation or atrophy.

Socio-economic status and outcomes for patients with age-related macular degeneration.

OBJECTIVES: To explore disparities in severity of baseline disease, treatment completion, and treatment outcomes among patients with wet age-related macular degeneration (AMD) receiving anti-vascular endothelial growth factor therapy by socio-economic status (SES) and distance from home to hospital. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study. METHODS: Data from clinic records of 756 wet AMD patients receiving treatment for wet AMD with aflibercept between May 2013 and Jan 2017 were obtained. Area SES (using Index of Multiple Deprivation (IMD) 2015) and distance from hospital (dichotomized > = 10 vs. <10 km) were derived from anonymized postcodes. Univariate and multivariable logistic regression models were used to identify associations of area deprivation and distance from hospital at baseline-with visual acuity (VA) at baseline-treatment completion, and treatment outcome. RESULTS: Living in the most deprived compared with less deprived areas was associated with a significantly higher risk of presenting with severe reduction in VA (OR = 3.59; 95% CI = 1.39-9.27; P = .01). This association was maintained after adjustment for age, gender, and distance from hospital. On univariate analysis, delayed treatment completion was more likely in those living in most deprived areas (OR = 2.80; 95% CI = 1.21-6.47; P = .04), though this association was attenuated after adjustment for age, gender, and distance from hospital. No association was observed between SES and treatment outcomes or between distance from hospital and baseline VA, treatment completion or treatment outcome. CONCLUSION: This study found poorer baseline VA among people with wet AMD from more deprived areas. This work suggests a need for earlier identification of AMD among more deprived populations.

Long term follow-up of a family with GUCY2D dominant cone dystrophy.

AIM: To describe long term follow-up in a family with GUCY2D dominant cone dystrophy. METHODS: Optical coherence tomography scans and fundus autofluorescence images were obtained. Flash and pattern electroretinograms (ERGs) and occipital pattern reversal visual evoked potentials were recorded. RESULTS: Two members of the same family (father and son) were identified to have the heterozygous R838C mutation in the GUCY2D gene. The father presented at the age of 45 with bilateral bull's eye maculopathy and temporal disc pallor. Over 13y of serial follow up visits, the bull's eye maculopathy progressed gradually into macular atrophy. Electrophysiological tests were significantly degraded suggesting poor macular function. Spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) scans showed progressive loss and disruption of the ellipsoid layer at the foveal level. His son presented at the age of 16 with bilateral granular retinal pigment epithelial changes in both maculae. Electrophysiological testing was initially borderline normal but has gradually deteriorated to show reduced cone ERGs and macula function. SD-OCT demonstrated gradual macular thinning and atrophy bilaterally. Unlike his father, there was no disruption of the ellipsoid layer. CONCLUSION: Both family members exhibited gradual changes in their fundi, electrophysiological testing and multimodal imaging. Changes were milder than those observed in other mutations of the same gene.