Objective lt;brgt;To evaluated the effect of transpupillary thermotherapy (TTT) on age-related macular degeneration (AMD). lt;brgt; lt;brgt;Methods lt;brgt;Sixty-two cases (62 eyes) of exudative AMD were managed with TTT. Before treatment, 58 cases underwent fundus fluorescein angiography(FFA),42 cases underwent simultaneous indocyanine green angiography (ICGA), and 56 cases underwent optic coherence tomography (OCT).TTT was delivered using a 810 nm diode laser with variable spot sizes 0.5-3.0 mm and power range 60-40 mW,60 seconds duration. Sixty-two cases were followed up for 1-10 months with 4.8 months average. lt;brgt; lt;brgt;Results lt;brgt;The visual acuities of last visit were compared with those before the treatment. The visual acuity was unchanged in 43 cases (69.3%), improved in 15 cases (24.2%), and declined in 4 cases (6.5%). OCT was re-done in 51 cases and compared with OCT images before TTT treatment. The height of macular edema was unchanged in 29 cases (56.9%), decreased in 18 cases (35.3%), and increased in 4 cases (7.8%). The amelioration of visual acuity was compatible with that of macular configuration in the majority of cases (74.5%). Only in 13 cases (25.5%) the amelioration of visual acuity lagged behind that of macular configuration. The re-treatment was performed in 18 cases (29.1%), probably due to insufficiency of laser power. No side-effect was found. lt;brgt; lt;brgt;Conclusion lt;brgt;TTT makes most of the cases of exudative AMD retaining or improving their visual acuity. The employment is secured. Further exploration is needed in order to obtain the parameters of the laser treatment. (Chin J Ocul Fundus Dis, 2002, 18: 180-183)
ObjectiveTo observe and classify the characteristics of optical coherence tomography (OCT) for several common diseases which could lead to submacular choroidal neovascularization (CNV), and to provide the warrant to make the differential diagnosis and treatment of CNV.MethodsThe data of OCT of 165 patients (187 eyes) with CNV due to AMD, CEC, high myopia and ICNV diagnosed by fundus photography and fundus fluorescein angiography (FFA) were retrospectively analyzed, and the images of OCT were classified considering the results of FFA, and the characteristics of different types of the images were sumerized.ResultsWell-defined fusiform thickening of retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) and choriocapillary layer in CNV with well-defined border (60 eyes), dispersed backscattering increase in poorly-defined CNV (101 eyes), optic darkspace beneath RPE layer in serous detachment of RPE layer (19 eyes), quickly decreased high backscattering region under RPE layer in hemorrhagic detachment of RPE layer (11 eyes), slight to moderate backscattering region between RPE layer in fibrovascular detachment of RPE layer (10 eyes), and detachment of neurepithelial layer from RPE layer with the optic darkspace between the layers in detachment of neurepithelial layer (45 eyes) were observed.ConclusionsThe images of OCT for the common diseases which could lead to submacular choroidal neovascularization may be divided into 6 types. Analyzing the characteristics of images of OCT is helpful in differential diagnosis and treatment of CNV. (Chin J Ocul Fundus Dis, 2005,21:69-73)
The prevalence of diabetes mellitus in adults of China has reached 12.8%. Diabetic retinopathy (DR) accounts for approximately 1/4-1/3 of the diabetic population. Several millions of people are estimated suffering the advanced stage of DR, including severe non-proliferative DR (NPDR), proliferative DR (PDR) and diabetic macular edema (DME), which seriously threat to the patients’ vision. On the basis of systematic prevention and control of diabetes and its complications, prevention of the moderate and high-risk NPDR from progressing to the advanced stage is the final efforts to avoid diabetic blindness. The implementation of the DR severity scale is helpful to assess the severity, risk factors for its progression, treatment efficacy and prognosis. In the eyes with vision-threatening DR, early application of biotherapy of anti-vascular endothelial growth factor can improve DR with regression of retinal neovascularization, but whether it is possible to induce capillary re-canalization in the non-perfusion area needs more investigation. Laser photocoagulation remains the mainstay treatment for non-center-involved DME and PDR.
Objective To investigate the therapeutic efficacy of transpupillary thermal therapy (TTT) for age-related macular degeneration (AMD) accompanied with subfoveal choroidal neovascularization (CNV). Methods Fifty-one eyes of 47 patients whose illness had been diagnosed as AMD by fundus fluorescein angiography (FFA) and indocyanine green angiography (ICGA) were treated with diode 810 laser. There are 42 eyes of 39 patients had occult CNV and 9 eyes of 8 patients had classic CNV, and the average visual acuity in their fist diagnosis was 0.12. According to the focus size, the diameters of beam spot varied from 0.8, 1.2, 2.0, and 3.0 mm; and the power was 120, 160, 260 and 360mW correspondingly, with the duration of 60 seconds. The follow-up examination was performed once a month after the treatment, and repetitious treatment would be taken once to thrice if necessary. The follow-up period was 3~33 months with the mean of 10 months. Visual acuity, haemorrhage in ocular fundus, absorption of exudation, and the closure of CNV were examined in the follow-up examination. Results No immediate decrement of visual acuity or any other discomforts were found in all of the treated eyes soon after the treatment. The average visual acuity of 51 eyes was 0.16 in the last diagnosis, which remained no change in 68.62%; increased in 23.53% and decreased in 7.84% compared with that in the first diagnosis. The results of FFA and ICCG demonstrated that at the 3rd months after the treatment, the closure rate was 42.86% in occult CNV and 22.22% in classic CNV; and at the 6th month, the closure rate was 73.81% in occult CNV and 66.67% in classic CNV. The results of ophthalmoscopy showed that at the 3rd month after the treatment, partial or complete absorption of hemorrhage and/or exudates with various thickness of organized scarring tissue was found in 42 eyes with occult CNV; decrement of hemorrhage and exudates was observed in 7 out of 9 eyes with classic CNV; and new hemorrhage occurred in 1 eye. At the 6th month, in 27 eyes with occult CNV, new hemorrhage occurred in 3 including 2 eyes with occult CNV, new hemorrhage occurred in 3 including 2 eyes with faster absorption and remaining unchanged for 12 months; in 5 eyes with classic C NV, new hemorrhage occurred in 2, which was absorbed after treated again and remained stable in the 16-month followed-up. In 19 eyes with occult CNV which had been followed up for more than 6 months, hemorrhage disappeared in 5 and new hemorrhage occurred in 5. In the followed-up over 6 months, new hemorrhage occurred in 8 eyes with the recurrent rate of 15.6%. Conclusion TTT is effective for AMD with either classic or occult CNV. In the long-term followed-up, CNV recurs in 15.6% of the treated eyes which may be improved after the further treatment. (Chin J Ocul Fundus Dis,2004,20:280-284)
ObjectiveTo summarize the clinical results and safety of photodynamic therapy (PDT) through 4 years after single and multi-treatments of patients with subfoveal choroidal neovascularization (CNV) caused by age-related macular degeneration(AMD). MethodsClinical data of 73 AMD cases (95 eyes) diagnosed through fluorescein angiography (FFA), indocyanine green angiography (ICGA) and optic coherence tomography (OCT), treated with PDT were reviewed and analyzed in this hospital from June 2000 to June 2004. The changes of best corrected visual acuity (BCVA), fundus pictures, FFA, ICGA and OCT were compared before and after PDT. Follow-up time varied from 3 months to 4 years (mean, 2 years). ResultsThe mean age of 73 patients was 67.8 years old. The BCVA was from CF/10 cm to 1.0. At the final follow up, the BCVA was improved (increase≥2 lines) in 39 eyes (41.1%), stabilized (±1 line) in 51 eyes (53.7 %) and decreased 2 lines in 5 eyes (5.3%). Fundus hemorrhage and exudation reduced after PDT. FFA and ICGA showed CNV complete closure in 58 eyes (61.05%), partial closure in 6 eyes (6.32%), CNV incomplete closure in 22 eyes (23.16% ) and recurrence in 9 eyes (9.47%). After once PDT of 12 eyes with early-stage AMD, the BCVA improved (from 0.6 to 1.5), CNV completely closed, and the OCT showed disappearance of macular edema and neursensory retinal deta chment. No CN V recurred in our four years follow-up observation and the BCVA of the patients remained stable. The mean number of PDT treatment was 1.8 per eye in 95 cases. No serious local or systemic complications were encountered. ConclusionsSingle or multiple sessions of PDT can acheive long-term safety and efficacy. For early-stage AMD patients with minimally classic CNV, PDT can completely make CNV closed and reduce the risk of visual loss.(Chin J Ocul Fundus Dis,2004,20:275-279)
Age-related macular degeneration is one of the major causes of blindness in the elderly. As an important pathway of cell metabolism, autophagy maintains intracellular homeostasis through the degradation and recycle of damaged organelles and macromolecules. Understanding its mechanism may promote discoveries to delay aging process, reduce the incidence of age-related diseases. In mammals, silent information regulator protein 6 (SIRT6) plays its deacetylase and ribonucleotransferase activity in multiple signaling pathways, including inhibition of cellular senescence, tumorigenesis, metabolic diseases, regulating cellular lifespan. It has a significant impact on the structure and function of tissues and organs. SIRT6 regulates intracellular autophagy mainly through the insulin-like growth factor-protein kinase B-mammalian target of rapamycin, reducing the accumulation of toxic metabolites and cellular senescence. The function of SIRT6 in age-related macular degeneration need to be combined with the genetic background, pathogenesis, clinical manifestations and other aspects of the disease, and it is expected to be further studied in subsequent studies.
Flicker and photopic eletroretinogram(ERG)were recorded for 45 eyes of dry type of age-related macular degeneration(AMD)and 24 eyes of wet type of AMD respectively,the amplitud and phase of fundamental response compomeng(30Hz)by discrete Fourier tranform(DFT)were analysed.The abnormality ratios of phases and amplitudes in fundamental responses,amplitudes of photopic white or red b-waves were 48.89%,8.89%,10.11% and 8.89% respectively.The visual acuities of 24 eyes were 1.0 or better,the abnormality ratios of phases were up to 37.50%.These suggest that the change of phases is a sensitive method for detecting the early abnormality of visual function in AMD.The abnormality ratios of phases and amplitudes in fundamental responses were 62.5% and 45.84% in wet type of AMD.The differences between dry type and wet type in amplitudes of fundamental responses and photopic b-waves were statistically significant(P<0.01).This shows that the change of amplitudes is associated with the degree of pathological change of AMD. (Chin J Ocul Fundus Dis,1996,12: 41-43)
Objective To evaluate short-term effects of a single photodynamic therapy (PDT) treatment with visudyne (CIBA Vision Corp.) for choroidal neovascularization (CNV) in age-ralated macular degeneration (AMD). Methods Thirty cases (35 eyes) diagnosed as AMD patients with classic CNV were treated with PDT. The data of visual acuity testing, fluorescein angiography (FFA), indocyanine green angiography (ICGA) and optic coherence tomography (OCT) were used to evaluate the effects of a single treatment of PDT before and 1 week, 1 ,3 month after treatment. Results The visual acuity of 34 eyes were stable or improved in 3 months follow-up;and the visual acuity of 1 eye was decreased. Decrease or dispearance of fluorescein leakage from CNV was noted in 19 eyes. No serious complication occurred. Conclusion Single treatment of PDT for CNV in AMD can achieve short-term decrease or cessation of fluorescein leakage from CNV without loss of visual acuity. (Chin J Ocul Fundus Dis, 2002, 18: 171-174)
Objective To evaluate the visual function before and after photodynamic therapy(PDT) in patients with subfoveal choroidal neovascularization ( CNV) caused by age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Methods Twenty-five consecutive patients (34 eyes) treated with PDT (verteporfin) for subfoveal CNV in age-related macular degeneration diagnosed by fluorescein angiography (FFA), indocyanine green angiography (ICGA) and optical coherence tomography (OCT). Visual function including best corrected visual acuity, contrast sensitivity frequency, binocular function, confusion, stereo-vision, color vision, metamorphopsis and central scotoma were examed before photodynamic therapy and 1 week, 1 month, 3 month after photodynamic therapy. The follow-up time varied from 3 months to 2 years (mean 7.6 months). Results The changes of visual function at the 3rd month after photodynamic therapy revealed improving in 13 eyes (38.24%), without any change in 17 eyes (50.00%), and decreasing in 6 eyes (17.65%). Visual acuity with logMRA improved after photodynamic therapy, but without statistic difference. All spatial contrast sensitivity improved. Contrast sensitivity for spatial frequencies 5 cycles per degree (cpd) was better after photodynamic therapy with significant difference (P=0.045).Binocular function, fusion function, stereo function and color vision were slightly improved without statistic difference. Conclusion Damage of visual function in macular degeneration is many-sided. The treatment of PDT for exudative AMD can improve part visual function. (Chin J Ocul Fundus Dis,2004,20:289-291)