The therapeutic effect of anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) for neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD) was determined by a number of factors. Comprehensive thorough analysis of clinical features, imaging results and treatment response can predict the potential efficacy and possible vision recovery for the patient, and also can optimize the treatment regime to make a personalized therapy plan. Precise medicine with data from genomics, proteomics and metabolomics study will provide more objective and accurate biology basis for individual precise treatment. The future research should focus on comprehensive assessment of factors affecting the efficacy of anti-VEGF therapy, to achieve individualized precise diagnosis and treatment, to improve the therapeutic outcome of nAMD.
For choroidal neovascularization (CNV) secondary to pathological myopia, intravitreal injection of anti-VEGF has been widely used in clinic and achieved good outcome. However, due to the differences in the demographic characteristics, stages of disease progression and treatment procedure of CNV, the prognosis of the disease is variable. Complete ellipsoid band, smaller baseline choroidal neovascularization and better baseline vision are important predictors of good outcome of anti-vascular endothelial growth factor treatment. Chorioretinal atrophy or complications related to pathologic myopia indicate a poor prognosis. The influence of age, race, previous photodynamic therapy and early treatment on the prognosis of treatment need to be further studied.
ObjectiveTo investigate the efficacy and safety of intravitreal ranibizumab and (or) triamcinolone combined with laser photocoagulation for macular edema secondary to branch retinal vein occlusion (BRVO) during one year period. MethodsThe data of 31 eyes from 31 consecutive patients with macular edema secondary to BRVO during one year follow-up visit were retrospectively analyzed. Mean best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) logMAR was (0.74±0.36) and mean central retinal thickness (CRT) was (484.48±164.81)μm at baseline. All patients received standardized clinical comprehensive examinations including vision, intraocular pressure and optical coherence tomography for diagnosis before treatment. All patients received intravitreal injections of 0.5 mg ranibizumab (0.05 ml) at first visit. The continue PRN treatment were based on the visual acuity changes and the optical coherence tomography findings. Eyes received combined triamcinolone acetonide 0.05 ml (40 mg/ml) and ranibizumab for macular edema recurrence after two injections of ranibizumab and received laser photocoagulation during 10-14 days after third injections of ranibizumab. Mean injection of ranibizumab was 3.52±2.01, 15 eyes with triamcinolone acetonide (0.84±1.21), 21 eyes with laser photocoagulation (0.97±0.95) and 12 eyes with three treatment. Compared the visual acuities and CRTs of the first and the last visits by statistical analysis. ResultsMean visual acuity improved significantly to 0.42±0.33 logMAR (t=6.611, P=0.000). Mean improvement of visual acuity was 2.90±3.07 lines. A gain of three or more logarithmic lines was evaluated in 20/31 eyes (64.52%) at the last visit. Mean CRT was (326.19±117.80)μm (t=4.514, P=0.000).Mean reduction of CRT was (333.58±134.17)μm. A decrease of 100μm of CRT was evaluated in 17/31 eyes (54.84%). No severe ocular and systematic side effect was found. ConclusionThe efficacy and safety of intravitreal ranibizumab and (or) triamcinolone combined with laser photocoagulation for macular edema secondary to BRVO were assured.
ObjectiveTo observe the effect of preoperative intravitreal ranibizumab injection (IVR) on the operation duration of vitrectomy and postoperative vision for the treatment of proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR). MethodsA prospective study was carried out with the 90 PDR patients (90 eyes) who underwent vitrectomy. The 90 patients(90 eyes)were assigned to the vitrectomy only group(43 eyes) and the IVR combined with vitrectomy group (47 eyes). The IVR was performed 5-13 days prior to vitrectomy in the IVR combined with vitrectomy group. There were 15 eyes with fibrous proliferation PDR (FPDR), 16 eyes with advanced PDR (APDR) without involving the macular and 16 eyes with APDR involving the macular in the vitrectomy only group. There were 14 eyes with FPDR, 15 eyes with APDR without involving the macular and 14 eyes with APDR involving the macular patients in the IVR combined with vitrectomy group. All the eyes in the two groups were regularly operated by the same doctor to complete the vitrectomy. The start and end time of vitrectomy were recorded. The average follow-up time was 10 months. The changes of best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) before and 1, 3 and 6 months after surgery were compared between the two groups. ResultsThe duration of operation of the FPDR type (t=-8.300) and the APDR involving the macular type (t=-2.418) in the IVR combined with vitrectomy group was shorter than vitrectomy only group (P < 0.05). The comparison of duration of operation of the APDR without involving the macular type in the two groups has no statistically significant difference (t=-1.685, P > 0.05). At 1 month after surgery, the comparison of BCVA of the IVR combined vitrectomy group and the vitrectomy only group in APDR involving the macular type has no statistically significant difference (t=0.126, P > 0.05). At 3, 6 months after surgery, the BCVA of the IVR combined vitrectomy group in APDR involving the macular type was significantly better than the BCVA of the vitrectomy only group (t=8.014, 7.808; P < 0.05). At 1, 3, and 6 months after surgery, the BCVA of the IVR combined vitrectomy group in FPDR type (t=3.809, 1.831, 0.600) and APDR without involving the macular type (t=0.003, 1.092, 3.931) compared with pre-treatment, the difference were not statistically significant (P > 0.05); the BCVA in APDR without involving the macular type compared with pre-treatment, the difference was distinctly statistically significant (t=2.940, 4.162, 6.446; P < 0.05); the BCVA in APDR involving the macular type (t=0.953, 1.682, 1.835) compared with pre-treatment, the difference were not statistically significant (P > 0.05). ConclusionPreoperative IVR of PDR can shorten the operation duration and improve the BCVA of APDR involving the macular type.
ObjectiveTo observe the inhibitory effect of endostatin (ES) on oxygen-induced retinal neovascularization.MethodsThirtyfour 7-day-old C57BL/6J mice were randomly divided into 3 groups: oxygen-exposed group (12 mice), ES group (12 mice) and the control group (8 mice). The mice in oxygen-exposed and ES group were exposed to (75±5)％ oxygen for 5 days and then back to the normal air. In ES group, 1 μg ES endostatin were injected into vitreous in one eye, while PBS was injected into the other eye as the control 12 and 36 hours after being exposed to oxygen. The mice in the control group were fed in normal circumstance. The changes of retinal neovascularization was examined by fluorescence angiography with fluorescein isothiocyanatedextran. The number of endothelial cells breaking through the internal limiting membrane (ILM) was counted and the inhibitory effects of ES on retinal neovascularization was observed.ResultsCompared with the oxygen-exposed group, the branches of retinal vessels went normal without any un-perfused area in ES group. The number of nuclei of endothelial cells breaking through ILM on each retinal crosssection decreased to (5.39±1.52), which differed much from that in the oxygen-exposed group (22.56±2.13) (plt;0.001).ConclusionES can effectively inhibit the formation of retinal neovascularization in rats and might be a new path of the treatment for proliferative retinopathy.(Chin J Ocul Fundus Dis, 2005,21:314-317)
ObjectiveTo assess the efficacy and safety of intravitreal aflibercept injection (IAI) compared with photodynamic therapy (PDT) in the treatment of Chinese patients with predominantly classic subfoveal choroidal neovascularization (CNV) lesions secondary to neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD).MethodsA randomized, double-blind, multi-center phase-3 clinical trial lasting for 52 weeks (from December 2011 to August 2014). Subjects were randomized in a 3:1 ratio to either IAI group or PDT-to-IAI group. Subjects in the IAI group received 2 mg IAI at baseline and at week 4, 8, 16, 24, 32, 40, 48, with sham injection at week 28, 36. Subjects in the PDT-to-IAI group were forced to receive PDT once at baseline and more time at week 12, 24 if PDT retreatment conditions were met. Sham injections were given in PDT-to-IAI group at baseline and at week 4, 8, 16 and 24, followed by 2 mg IAI at week 28, 32, 36, 40, 48. The primary outcome of efficacy were the change in mean Best Corrected Visual Acuity (BCVA) from baseline to week 28, and that of week 52. Safety evaluation included the percentage of subjects who suffered treatment emergent adverse events (TEAEs).ResultsAmong the 304 subjects enrolled, there were 228 and 76 cases in IAI group and PDT-to-IAI group respectively. At week 28, the changes of mean BCVA in IAI group, PDT-to-IAI group compared to baseline were +14.0, +3.9 letters, respectively. At week 52, the changes of mean BCVA in two groups were +15.2, +8.9 letters respectively with the difference of +6.2 letters (95%CI 2.6−9.9, P=0.000 9). At week 52, the mean foveal retinal thickness in the two groups decreased by −189.6, −170.0 μm, respectively. Subjects with the most BCVA increase in IAI group were those aged ＜65, and those with active CNV lesion area ＜50% of total lesion area. The most common TEAEs in IAI group and PDT-to-IAI group are macular fibrosis [11.8% (27/228), 6.6% (5/76)] and BCVA decline [6.6% (15/228), 21.1% (16/76)]. There were 3 cases of arterial thromboembolic events defined in the antiplatelet experimental collaboration group, but all were considered unrelated to interventions.ConclusionsThe efficacy of aflibercept is superior to that of PDT in nAMD patients in China. The therapeutic effect of aflibercept persisted to week 52 in all subjects. The rate of adverse events was consistent with the safety data of aflibercept known before.
ObjectiveTo observe the optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) image characteristics of polypoid choroidal vascular disease (PCV) after intravitreal injection of anti-vascular endothelial growth factor drugs, and to discuss its significance in the diagnosis and follow-up of PCV.MethodsA retrospective case study. From August 2018 to January 2020, 22 eyes of 22 patients with PCV diagnosed in the ophthalmological examination of Affiliated Hospital of Weifang Medical University were included in the study. Among them, there were 10 males with 10 eyes and 12 females with 12 eyes; the average age was 67.75±9.53 years. Best corrected visual acuity (BCVA), OCTA, and indocyanine green angiography (ICGA) were performed. All the affected eyes were injected vitreously with 10 mg/ml Conbercept 0.05 ml (including Conbercept 0.5 mg) once a month for 3 consecutive months.Tthe macular area of 3 mm×3 mm and 6 mm×6 mm with an OCTA instrument was scanned, and the foveal retinal thickness (CRT) was measured, the area of abnormal branch blood vessels (BVN). pigment epithelial detachment before and 12 months after treatment (PED) height, foveal choroid thickness (SFCT) were performed. The diagnosis rate of PCV by OCTA was observed, as well as the changes of various indicators of BCVA and OCTA. Before and after treatment, BCVA and CRT were compared by paired t test; BVN area, PED height, and SFCT were compared by variance analysis. The changes in imaging characteristics of OCTA before and after treatment were analyzed.ResultsAmong the 22 eyes, 8 eyes were BVN; 5 eyes were polypoid lesions (polyps); 5 eyes were BVN combined with polyps; 3 eyes were not found with BVN and polyps; 1 eye with small vascular network structure, this eye was ICGA Appears as strong nodular fluorescence (polyps). The detection rate of PCV by OCTA was 86.36% (19/22). Twelve months after treatment, BVN was significantly reduced or disappeared in 16 eyes (72.72%, 16/22); polyps disappeared in 17 eyes (77.27%, 17/22). Compared with before treatment, 12 months after treatment, BCVA increased (t=3.071), CRT decreased (t=2.440), the difference was statistically significant (P＜0.05); the average BVN area, PED height, and SFCT decreased. The difference in average BVN area and PED height was statistically significant (F=2.805, 3.916; P＜0.05), and the difference in SFCT was not statistically significant (F=0.047, P＞0.05).ConclusionsThe detection rate of PCV by OCTA is 86.36%. After PCV anti-vascular endothelial growth factor drug treatment, BVN area decrease and polyps subside. OCTA is an effective means for PCV diagnosis and follow-up after anti-VEGF drug treatment.
Intravitreal anti-VEGF injection have been widely used in retinal vascular diseases and achieved good efficacy. Early pregnancy is an important period for fetal organ formation and vascular development. Studies have proved that VEGF plays an important role in maintaining the fetal and placental vascular system, and its loss or decline will affect embryonic development and lead to abortion. The use of intravitreal anti-VEGF during pregnancy is controversial, which may cause systemic side effects to the mother and fetus. This paper summarizes the literature of 23 cases on the use of anti-VEGF during pregnancy. Three cases reported loss of pregnancy with concomitant exposure to intravitreal bevacizumab, which suggested that we should be careful about the use of anti-VEGF during pregnancy and explain the possibility of ocular and systemic side effects to patients in detail. When deciding whether to use anti-VEGF, we should consider the relationship between exposure time and the critical period of vascular development and the systemic exposure of different drugs. Currently, there is a lack of large sample size studies on the use of anti-VEGF in pregnancy, and its safety needs to be further observed.
ObjectiveTo evaluate the macular visual function of patients with myopic choroidal neovascularization (MCNV) before and after intravitreal injection of conbercept.MethodsA prospective, uncontrolled and non-randomized study. From April 2017 to April 2018, 21 eyes of 21 patients diagnosed as MCNV in Shanxi Eye Hospital and treated with intravitreal injection of conbercept were included in this study. There were 9 males (9 eyes, 42.86%) and 12 females (12 eyes, 57.14%), with the mean age of 35.1±13.2 years. The mean diopter was −11.30±2.35 D and the mean axial length was 28.93±5.68 mm. All patients were treated with intravitreal injection of conbercept 0.05 ml (1+PRN). Regular follow-up was performed before and after treatment, and BCVA and MAIA micro-field examination were performed at each follow-up. BCVA, macular integrity index (MI), mean sensitivity (MS) and fixation status changes before and after treatment were comparatively analyzed. The fixation status was divided into three types: stable fixation, relatively unstable fixation, and unstable fixation. The paired-sample t-test was used to compare BCVA, MI and MS before and after treatment. The x2 test was used to compare the fixation status before and after treatment.ResultsDuring the observation period, the average number of injections was 3.5. The logMAR BCVA of the eyes before treatment and at 1, 3, and 6 months after treatment were 0.87±0.32, 0.68±0.23, 0.52±0.17, and 0.61±0.57, respectively; MI were 89.38±21.34, 88.87±17.91, 70.59±30.02, and 86.76±15.09, respectively; MS were 15.32±7.19, 21.35±8.89, 23.98±11.12, 22.32±9.04 dB, respectively. Compared with before treatment, BCVA (t=15.32, 18.65, 17.38; P＜0.01) and MS (t=4.08, 3.50, 4.26; P＜0.01) were significantly increased in the eyes 1, 3, and 6 months after treatment. There was no significant difference in the MI of the eyes before treatment and at 1, 3, and 6 months after treatment (t=0.60, 2.42, 2.58; P＞0.05). Before treatment and at 1, 3, and 6 months after treatment, the proportion of stable fixation were 28.57%, 38.10%, 38.10%, 33.33%;the proportion of relatively unstable fixation were 47.62%, 47.62%, 52.38%, 57.14% and the proportion of unstable fixation were 23.81%, 14.28%, 9.52%, 9.52%, respectively. The proportion of stable fixation and relatively unstable fixation at 1, 3 and 6 months after treatment were higher than that before treatment, but the difference was not statistically significant (x2=1.82, 1.24, 1.69; P＞0.05).ConclusionBCVA and MS are significantly increased in patients with MCNV after intravitreal injection of conbercept.
ObjectiveTo investigate the clinical effects and influence factors of intravitreal injection of anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) drugs in the treatment of idiopathic choroidal neovascularization (ICNV). MethodsThis retrospective study involved 27 patients (27 eyes) with ICNV from July 2012 to July 2015. Patients received intravitreal bevacizumab (1.25 mg), ranibizumab (0.05 mg), additional injection was provided if it was needed. The average follow-up time was 168 weeks. The recovery of best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and central foveal retinal thickness (CRT) of the affected eye was observed. Follow up once a month after the initial treatment until the lesion was completely absorbed or scarred (the first follow-up period). Follow up every 12 weeks was performed to observe the recurrence of the lesions (the second stage of long-term follow-up). One month after the last injection of the first follow-up period, according to the regression of choroidal neovascularization (CNV), the affected eyes were divided into a significant improvement group (significant improvement group) and an insignificant improvement group (non-significant improvement group)), to analyze the effects of age, course of disease, type of drugs, number of injections, baseline BCVA and CRT on the regression of CNV lesions. According to the results of long-term follow-up, the eyes were divided into recurrence group and non-recurrence group, and the factors affecting the recurrence of CNV lesions were analyzed. Measurement data between groups was compared by using independent sample t test or non-parametric test; count data was compared by using χ2 test. Logistic regression analysis was used to analyze the factors affecting the regression and recurrence of the lesion. ResultsAt baseline and 1 month after the last injection in the first stage, the average BCVA of the eyes were 55.70±15.21 and 73.59±12.08 letters; CRT was 338.3±89.32 and 264.5±47.47 μm, respectively. The BCVA and CRT of the affected eyes were compared at the two time points, and the differences were statistically significant (Z= －3.886, －4.061; P＜0.001). The BCVA of the eyes in the significant improvement group and the insignificant improvement group were 65.38±17.27 and 51.63±12.61 letters, respectively; the difference between the two groups of BCVA was statistically significant (t=－2.316, P=0.029). The results of long-term follow-up showed that of the 27 eyes, 6 eyes had recurrence; the average recurrence time was 90.83±49.02 weeks. After another intravitreal injection of anti-VEGF drugs, the CNV lesions was resolved. The average injection times of the relapsed group and the non-relapsed group were 3.67±0.816 and 2.24±0.768, respectively. The average injection times of the relapsed group was significantly higher than that of the non-relapsed group, and the difference was statistically significant (Z=－3.253, P＜0.001). There was no statistically significant difference between the two groups of eyes at baseline and CRT at the last follow-up (Z=－1.342,－1.313; P=0.195, 0.195). ConclusionIntravitreal injection of anti-VEGF drugs can effectively increase the regression rate of BCVA and CNV lesions in ICNV eyes; high baseline visual acuity indicates better CNV lesion regression after treatment. Relapsed patients can be effectively improved after re-treatment with anti-VEGF drugs, and CNV recurrence has no significant effect on the final prognosis.