Ultra-wide field fundus autofluorescence (FAF) imaging is a new noninvasive technique with an imaging range of about 200 °. It can detect peripheral retinal lesions that cannot be found in previous FAFs and more objectively reflect intracellular content and distribution of lipofuscin in the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) and RPE cell metabolic status. The ultra-wide field FAF can find the abnormal autofluorescence (AF) in the peripheral retina of the eyes of age-related macular degeneration (AMD), and different AF manifestations may have an impact on the diagnosis and treatment of the different AMD subtypes. It is helpful to evaluate subretinal fluid in the eyes of central serous choroidal retinopathy and can accurately detect the changes in the outer retina of the eyes without subretinal fluid. It can help to determine the type of uveitis and fully display the evolution of the disease. It can also assess the peripheral photoreceptor cell layer and RPE in patients with retinal dystrophy and retinitis pigmentosa, and comprehensively evaluate their retinal function and monitor the progress of disease. It can also assist in the evaluation of the short-term efficacy and RPE cell function after the scleral buckling surgery for patients with rhegmatogenous retinal detachment. In the future, ultra-wide field FAF may change the knowledge and intervention strategy of ocular fundus diseases and promote the clinical and scientific research in this field.
Objective To compare the characteristics of fundus angiograms of central serous chorioretinopathy (CSC) with exudative agerelated macular degeneration (AMD) in patients more than 45. Methods The colorized photographs of ocular fundus, and results of fundus fluorescein angiography (FFA) and indocyanine green angiography (ICGA) of 32 patients (39 eyes) with CSC and 20 patients (22 eyes) with exudative AMD more than 45 were collected and analyzed retrospectively. Results In 39 eyes with CSC, the results of FFA revealed classic CSC in 11 (28.2％) and diffuse retinal pigment epitheliopathy (DRPE) in 28 (71.8％); the results of ICGA showed localized choroidal delayed filling associated with dilated vessels in 39 (100％) in the early phase, choroidal hyperpermeability in 39 (100％), identifiable hyperfluorescence of leakage from RPE in 16 (41.0％) was observed in the middle phase, and a distinctive silhouetting of the larger choroidal vessels in 5 (12.8％) was detected in the late phase. In 22 eyes with exudative AMD without evident hemorrage, the results of ICGA exhibited focal CNV in 13 (59.1％), plaque CNV in 8 (36.4%), and combination CNV in 1 (4.5%)；choroidal delayed filling around macular region vicariously was found in 5 (22.7％) in the early phase, choroidal hyperpermeability was not observed in the middle phase and silhouetting of the larger choroidal vessels was not showed in the late phase. Conclusions The differences of the ICGA features between CSC and exudative AMD in patients more than 45 include focal or multifocal hyperfluorescence of leakage from RPE, multifocal choroidal hyperpermeability in the middle phase, silhouetting of the larger choroidal vessels in the late phase, and no focal or plaque CNV.
OCT angiography (OCTA) is a fast, noninvasive and quantifiable new technique, which is especially suitable for long-term follow-up in patients with hereditary retinochoroidal degeneration, such as retinitis pigmentosa, Best vitelliform macular dystrophy, adult onset foveomacular vitelliform dystrophy, doyne honeycomb retinal dystrophy, choroideremia and Stargardt disease. During the follow-up, clinicians can find the subtle signs that explain disease development from the blood flow imaging, quantitatively describe the vascular density, timely detect and treat choroidal neovascularization. It is significant to explore the etiology and monitor the course of these diseases. With the development of more treatments for these diseases, OCTA parameters can also be used as indicators to evaluate and compare different therapeutic effects. In the future, more quantitative indicators of OCTA will be applied to evaluate the course of hereditary retinochoroidal degeneration, and provide valuable basis for early diagnosis and treatment.
Choroidal nevus is one of the most common benign melanocytic tumor. The prevalence rate of choroidal nevi is 0.15% - 10.00%, which is high among whites and low among colored people, and is obvious higher in male than that in female. Secondary changes in the surrounding retina of the benign tumor, such as subretinal fluid and choroidal neovascularization, may result in vision loss. This benign tumor carries risks for transformation into malignant melanoma. The factors predictive of transformation into melanoma included greater thickness, subretinal fluid, visual symptoms, orange lipofuscin pigment, tumor location (tumor margin near optic disc), ultrasonography hollowness and absence of halo. Early identification of the related features which impair visual acuity is important for early treatment and better prognosis, and it is especially important to monitor the tendency of malignant transformation. Optical coherence tomography (OCT) could provide detailed information which aid in diagnosing, differentiating and monitoring of choroidal nevi. OCT and optical coherence tomography angiography are emerging as excellent techniques to investigate choroidal melanocytic lesions. The treatment modalities, such as laser photocoagulation, photodynamic therapy and intravitreal anti-vascular endothelium growth factor, have been proved to be effective for choroidal nevi with secondary changes. In the future, the relevant researches should be imposed to provide more detailed information in order to explore the nature and characteristics of this disease.
Objective To observe the effects of subretinal transplantation of rat mesenchymal stem cells (rMSCs) on Sodium Iodate (SI)induced retinal degeneration. Methods One hundred and twenty BrownNorway (BN) rats were divided into three groups including SI injection group,rMSCs transplantation group and normal control group, each with 40 rats. The retinal degeneration was induced by caudal vein injection of SI. The retinal pigment epithelium（RPE）and neural retinal were evaluated by ocular fundus photograph, fluorescein fundus angiography (FFA)，electroretinogram (ERG) and histological approach, and TUNEL（terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferasemediated dUTP nick end labeling ）. CMDiIprelabeled primary rMSCs were transplanted into the subretinal space of SIinduced rats. The survival, integration, and differentiation of rMSCs were observed between 14 day to 60 day after the transplantation.Results The rat retinal function was gradually reduced after14 days of SI injection, with a timedependent manner. After the RPE cells were damaged，the outer segments of photoreceptors became disrupted and shortened until karyopyknosis. The nuclear morphology and positive TUNEL labeling indicated that the death of photoreceptor cells was apoptosis. After rMSCs transplantation, CMDiI labeled donor cells were observed to be scattered in the subretinal space and expressed RPE cell markers. Average amplitude of b wave and Ops (oscillation potential) in ERG improved 27.80%,59.38% respectively after rMSCs transplantation.Conclusions Transplanted rMSCs can survive in subretinal space and differentiate into RPE.
Optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) is a new and non-invasive imaging technique that is able to detect blood flow signal in the retina and the choroid within seconds. OCTA is different from the traditional angiography methods. The major advantages of OCTA are that it can observe blood flow signal in different layers of the retina and the choroid without injecting any dye, provide blood flow information that traditional angiography cannot provide, and enrich pathophysiological knowledge of the retinal and choroidal vascular diseases., which help us to make an accurate diagnosis and efficient evaluation of these diseases. However there is a large upgrade potential either on OCTA technique itself or on clinical application of OCTA. We need to fully understand the advantage and disadvantage, and differences of OCTA and traditional angiography. We also need to know how to interpret the result of OCTA. With that we could make a fast diagnosis in a non-invasive way and improve our knowledge of the retinal and choroidal vascular diseases.
ObjectiveTo observe the clinical characterisitics of choroidal excavation in the macula. MethodsA total of 22 patients (22 eyes) with choroidal excavation diagnosed by spectral domain high definition optical coherence tomography (HD-OCT) were enrolled in this study. The patients included 12 males (54.50%) and 57 females (45.50%). The age was ranged from 21 to 82 years old, with an average of (41.44±13.17) years. All the patients were affected unilaterally, including 9 right eyes and 13 left eyes. The corrected vision, slit lamp microscope with preset lens, fundus photography, HD-OCT and fluorescence fundus angiography (FFA)were measured for all patients. The clinical characterisitics and concomitant diseases were observed. Seventeen eyes were followed for a period between 3 to 12 months. The lesions change were evaluated by HD-OCT. ResultsThere were 18 eyes (81.8%) with symptoms of micropsia and metamorphopsia, 4 eyes (18.2%) without symptoms. The corrected vision was ranged from 0.3 to 1.2, 12 eyes (54.54%) with moderate or high myopia. Fundus examination presents yellowish-white exudation in 12 eyes (54.54%), yellowish-white exudation accompanied with hemorrhage in 9 eyes (40.91%), grayish yellow reflex halo in 1 eye (4.55%). HD-OCT showed that the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) layer was involved in the excavation, and the photoreceptor outer segment and pigment junction (OPR) layer was disappeared in all eyes. The external limiting membrane and the photoreceptor inner segment/outer segment junction layer were preserved in 13 eyes (59.09%) and disappeared in 9 eyes (40.91%). There were 10 eyes (18.18%) with a single lesion, 4 eyes (18.18%) with idiopathic choroidal neovascularization, 4 eyes (18.18%) with punctate inner choroidopathy, 1 eye (4.55%) with polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy, 1 eye (4.55%) with macular preretinal menbrance, 1 eye (4.55%) with central serous chorioretinopathy. FFA showed hypofluorescence in early phase, hyperfluorescence in late phase, without obvious leakage. There was no noticeable changes in size and morphological changes in the follow-up period. ConclusionsChoroidal excavation in the macula occurs mostly in middle-aged people with myopia. It can be associated with many fundus diseases. The excavation is located in RPE layer, and OPR layer disappeared. Choroidal excavation in the macula develops slowly.
Purpose To investigate the clinical features and pathogenesis of acute posterior multifocal placoid pigment epitheliopathy(APMPPE). Methods To observe the features in 8 eyes of 6 cases of APMPPE with fundus fluorescein angiography(FFA) and indocyanine green angiography(ICGA).One of the cases had been observed continuously for 160 days. Results 1.FFA: at the acute stage of APMPPE,the affected foci showed low fluorescence in the early phase and stained gradually in 3 eyes;the fluorescence of recessive foci were still lower in 4 eyes,and the stale one showed window defect fluorescence due to some RPE fading and fluorescence sheltering due to pigment deposit.2.ICGA:at acuted stage,the fluorescence of choroid lobules was ofen defected untill in late period of pathogenical changes. Conclusion The findings demonstrate the obstruction of choriocapillaries may be the primary pathogenesis of APMPPE. (Chin J Ocul Fundus Dis,1998,14:84-87)
Idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH) is a neurological disease, characterized by increased intracranial pressure and papilledema, and often associated with headache, transient loss of vision and pulsatile tinnitus. IIH typically occurs in women of childbearing age. Over 90.0% of patients are with obesity or over weighted. Loss of sensory visual function is the major morbidity associated with IIH and some patients even develop into blindness. Most patients will have varied degrees of visual impairment, or even a few become blind. Frisén grading system, visual field examination and spectral-domain optical coherence tomography can be used to evaluate and monitor the IIH papilledema functionally and morphologically. In recent years, IIH treatment trials in other countries confirmed that, weight loss and low-salt diet combined with acetazolamide treatment has a clear improvement for IIH patients with mild visual impairment. In-depth understanding of the etiology, clinical manifestations, diagnostic criteria and the main treatment has important clinical significance for IIH patients
Objective To observe the imaging features of ultra-wide field short wave fundus autofluorescence (SW-FAF) in eyes with multiple evanescent white dot syndrome (MEWDS), and analysis the correspondence to conventional images. Methods It was a retrospective case series study. Thirteen patients (14 eyes) diagnosed with MEWDS were enrolled. There were 12 females and 1 male, aged from 22 to 57 years, mean age was 34.5 years. All the eyes underwent fundus color photography, optical coherence tomography (OCT) and ultra-wide field autofluorescence (FAF). Simultaneous fundus fluorescein angiography (FFA) and indocyanine green angiography (ICGA) were performed in 6 eyes. The characteristic changes of SW-FAF in studied eyes were observed and compared with the images of FFA and ICGA. All the eyes were followed up every 1 to 2 weeks, with an average of 16.7 weeks. The characteristic images of SW-FAF and corresponding OCT were studied during follow up. Results MEWDS presented with numerous multiple hyper-autofluorescent spots, sized from 50-500 μm, with a vague boundary in ultra-wide field SW-FAF. These spots located mainly at the peripapillary area and the posterior pole with a confluent pattern. The lesions extended to the mid-peripheral retina as well and became more scattered. The distribution of the hyper-autofluorescent lesions in SW-FAF corresponded roughly to that of the greyish-white spots seen in color photograph and the hyper-fluorescent spots detected by FFA. It was consistent with the distribution of hypo-fluorescent spots in late-phase ICGA as well. But the number of the spot showed in FAF is much more than that in FFA, and slightly less than that in ICGA. The OCT scans through the hyper-autofluorescent lesions in SW-FAF showed impairment of outer retina. After the recovery, the hyper-autofluorescent spots disappeared with the outer retina structure repaired completely. Conclusions MEWDS presented with numerous multiple hyper-autofluorescent spots which located mainly at the peripapillary area in ultra-wide field SW-FAF. The distribution of the hyper-autofluorescent lesions in SW-FAF corresponded roughly to color photograph, FFA and ICGA in late-phase. The OCT scans through the hyper-autofluorescent lesions in SW-FAF showed impairment of outer retina.